right for my owne advantage And therefore though not without sense yet without feare of any danger that may spring from men impatient and mindfull of oppositions I enter upon the worke in which I shall observe this method First to give a true and short Narrative of the proceedings of the Scotch Army since they came into England wherein I shall endeavour to doe them all possible right And secondly make some Animadversions upon divers passages in Truths Manifest wherein though something may be said against the Manifest yet nothing against the Truth for we can doe nothing against the Truth THE NARRATIVE AFter that the Parliament of England had conflicted for the space of a yeare ' with the dangers and difficulties of this unhappy Warre God in his Wisdome and Justice not seeing fit to direct us to the right improvement of our owne strength they dispatch Commissioners to the Kingdome of Scotland to treat with them about the raising and bringing in an Army to their assistance against the combination of Papists Prelates and Malignants endeavouring to subvert Religion and Liberty The Commissioners being foure Members of the House of Commons accompanyed with two Reverend Divines of the Assembly went from London towards the latter end of Iuly 1643. and in the beginning of August came to Edenburgh where they were expected before they came and when they came welcome The Commissioners upon their coming addresse themselves to the convention of Estates then sitting as also to the generall Assembly that they would contribute their help so farre as they were concerned after few dayes a Covenant was propounded and agreed on by the Commissioners and a Committee appointed to consider of that businesse with them which was sent immediately into England for approbation and received it with little or no materiall alteration and was returned to Scotland in a short time and so was generally taken in both Kingdomes while this was in hand a Treaty also was offered and debated about bringing an Army for the assistance of the Parliament of England which was also mutually agreed betwixt the Kingdomes and is of late published After this foundation laid though the time of year was something unseasonable for building upon it being winter the Estates of Scotland having received 50000 l. of the 100000 l. mentioned in the Treaty bestowed their power and diligence in levying men so that about the middle of Ianuary an Army well cloathed and armed was brought to the Borders of England which they entred about the twentieth of that moneth at which time Lieutenant Generall Lesley passed over Barwick bridge with some Troopes of Horse for the Towne of Barwick by the care of the Commissioners of Parliament then in Scotland who sent one of their owne number for that purpose was happily made a Garrison for the Parliament and after that by Treaty betwixt the Kingdomes assigned to the Scots for a Magazine and retreat while there should be use of their Army in England A little after the entrance of those Horse and Foot that came in by the way of Barwick the Lieutenant Generall of Foot Baly passed the water at Kelsey by the advantage of a great Frost which bore the Ordnance and met the noble Generall the Earle of Leven about Alnwick The Enemy commanded by Sir Thomas Glenham made no opposition in Northumberland but retreated from the borders to Alnwick and so to Morpeth and then to New-Castle where the Earl of New-Castle met him with more Forces so that the Scottish Army had a free passage to the workes and wals of New-Castle which they came to about the beginning of February At their approach after some slight Skirmishes of Horse there was an attempt made upon a strong Fort at the East-side of the Towne but without successe a little after it was thought fit to dispose the Army to some Quarters neare the Towne on the North-side of the River Tyne During the time of their lying there nothing of moment fell out but the fight at Corbridge where there was not much hurt done but the Scots had the worse losing some Prisoners and retreating yet not so hastily but they tooke Collonel Brandling in their returne who after that became a Proselyte this was all that passed on the North-side Tyne saving that the Castle of Warkworth was surrendred to the Marquesse of Argyle who marched by the way of the Sea with some Forces to the Army of which Castle he made one Captain Lysle Governour after some time spent on the North-side Trent the lying of the Army there was found uselesse and inconvenient and a resolution was taken towards the end of February to passe the Tyne leaving onely some Forces at Bedlington and Blythesnooke to secure that little Harbour being very convenient for Provisions The Enemy at the passing over Tyne made no opposition but were so kind as to let them march over Newbridge a very inconvenient passage had it beene disputed and so take possession of Sunderland a place which proved full of advantages to the Army afterwards in respect of provisions which were brought thither in great plenty from London and other places and exchanged for Coale During the aboade of the Army about Sunderland in the moneth of March ending the yeare 1643. they fortifyed Sunderland as well as the place was capable and tooke a strong Fort at Southshields over against Tynmouth Castle at the second attempt In the meane time the Enemies head Quarter was at Durham where were the Earle of New-Castle Lieutenant Generall King sir Charles Lucas lately come from the South with a supply of Horse and a very considerable Army they came and faced the Scots Army twice within two miles of Sunderland first on the South side then on the North-side the River Were At first we heard of nothing memorable but very cold nights in which the Scots Army had good advantage of the Kings and made good use of it for by keeping close to them many of the Enemies Horses were reported to be strayed and their souldiers courage cooled which was found true at their next appearance Shortly after when they drew up about Hilton and Bowdon at which time also the Scottish Army was drawn out against them but no ingagement of consequence each Army kept its advantage onely there was some slight skirmishing amongst the hedges where for ought I ever heard the number of the slaine was equall or little different but at last the Kings Army drew off and being discerned so to doe by the Scottish Armie they fell upon their Reare and tooke some Prisoners but killed very few not the tenth part of the number mentioned in Truths manifest and so they parted After this the Scottish Army not being well able to endure their straitnesse of Quarters tooke a resolution to march towards the Enemy and either fight with him or enlarge their Quarters about this my Lord Fairefax who had beene long confined to Hull tooke the field againe and with sir Thomas Fairfax a
Gentleman who must not be mentioned without Honour for God hath honoured him and sir Iohn Meldrum whose faithfulnesse to this cause and diligence in it was very eminent made their first attempt upon Selby where God was pleased to give them great and seasonable successe in storming and taking that Towne and in it a number equall to those that assaulted notwithstanding the many Horse that were in it where also was the Governour of Yorke Mr. Iohn Bellasys who was taken prisoner This businesse has hardly been parallelled since this Warre save at Wakefield when Generall Goring was taken in like manner by sir Thomas Fairfax and his party rather then Army New-Castle hearing this newes and fearing lest Yorke also the receptacle of most of the Northerne Papists who were not in Armes whom he had most reason to respect should be surprized or surrendred thought best to move Southward with his Armie and did accordingly and getting start of the Scots Armie by a sudden march came to Yorke about the middle of Aprill and lodged the remainder of his Foot there for his Northerne expedition had lost him many men who were wearied out with the hardinesse of the Scots and sent sir Charles Lucas away Southward with his Horse which were followed by some Scottish and Yorkeshire Horse but not overtaken The Scottish Army followed Southward and joined with the Forces under command of my Lord Fairfax betwixt Wetherby and Selby where after consultation they draw neare to Yorke and if a sufficient strength could be made up by the accession of the Earle of Manchesters Forces which was desired and hoped they resolved to sit downe before Yorke which was accordingly done Generall Leven pitching his Quarter at Midlethorp my Lord Fairfax at Foulford and my Lord Manchester at Heslington the Scots Quarters kept in the Towne on the West-side of the River the Earle of Manchester and Lord Fairfax on the East-side and to my Lord Fairfax his assistance was sent a very noble Gentleman and able Commander sir Iames Lunsdaine with a Regiment or two of Foote who lay at Foulford the Horse of all the Armies in the meane time were sent towards the West of Yorkshire which was the onely way the Enemy had to come and interrupt the siege the other wayes by the advantage of Rivers being impassable upon opposition this siege was carried on with very commendable unanimity and correspondency of Counsels on all sides each acting their part The Scots tooke in a Fort on the South-side of the Town attempted another neare the great Fort but held it not and had severall skirmishes with the Enemies Horse in one of which they lost a gallant Gentleman Leiutenant Collonel Ballantine who not content with a little honour to gaine more lost his life my Lord Manchesters men made their approaches very neare at Bowden and Monk-barres my Lord Fairfax his men at Wolmsgate where they tooke a Church and divers prisoners in it onely Major Generall Crawfurd a valiant and forward man made an unhappy attempt upon the Mannor House without due notice to the other Forces and was beaten out with the losse of many men After this siege had continued two moneths or thereabouts towards the end of Iune Prince Rupert comes to the reliefe of Yorke by the way of Lancashire draining Garrisons and raising men with all diligence and severity and thereto added an act of cruelty at Boulton At this time upon the importunity of Lancashire sir Iohn Meldrum after that by his conduct the Castle of Cawood and the strong Fort of Airesmouth were taken which much advantaged our provisions from Hull by water was sent with a Party thither to doe what service he had opportunity howsoever to secure if possible the Town of Manchester which had been yet inviolate for the Parliament and accordingly did so The Prince after he had strengthned himselfe what he could drawes neare to Yorke by the way of Burrowbridge and comes upon the North-side of the River Owse whereupon the Armies resolve to joyne and fight him and so the last of Iune the siege was raised the Towne in some measure relieved but the Prince not satisfied with that he had done would needs draw over the River againe about three miles from Yorke to fight our Forces upon that side the River in which he made a desperate attempt and as I am informed was so told by Lieutenant Generall King in regard our Armie might fall upon him while he was passing the River But he was resolved and gave command to the Earle of New-Castle to draw his men out of Yorke to his assistance which was done though not so soone as was expected but soone enough to a bad bargaine Our united Armies were marching off thinking to prevent the Princes march Southward and were going towards Tadcaster on the day of the fight thinking to crosse some nearer way and meet him in his return but he saved them that labour and drew up in their Reare in a place called Hessey-Moore neare Long-Marston of which sir Thomas Fairfax having the Reare gave speedie notice and Orders were presently given to face about to the Enemy which was accordingly done and the Princes Army being drawne up in the Moore our Armies drew up into the fields adjoyning and so much of the heath as was left them Sir Thomas Fairfax commanded the right wing consisting of his owne Horse and some from Lancashire Lieutenant Generall Cromwell the left wing the Scots Horse were equally divided three Regiments on the right wing and three on the left on which wing also was there then Generall Major David Lesley My Lord Manchesters Foote were drawne on the left Wing next the Horse and the Scots Foote and my Lord Fairefaxes in the body and right wing the Battaile began about six or seven of the clock in the evening Iuly the 2. The right Wing commanded by sir Thomas Fairfax was disordered for he had among other disadvantages these two especially first the worst part of the ground being so full of Whinnes as that his Horse could not march up and was next the hedges possessed by the Enemy Secondly he had also many new raised Horse which had never seene service who did not play the part of Reserves as became them so that after his owne Regiment and Collonel Lamberts had charged with valour and good successe for want of supplies that wing was wholly routed himselfe stayed in the field where he received a marke of Honour on his face the Scots Horse also on that side quit the field and left the Earl of Lyndeseys Regiment of Foot standing bare which yet acquitted it selfe well for sir Charles Lucas coming up with Horse to charge them his owne Horse was shot in the head of his Regiment and he was taken Prisoner But whilest this was doing on the right our friends on the left wing sped very well through Gods mercy and wholly routed the Enemy and came about to the right and at last cleared the
field became Masters of the Enemies Carriages and Artillery and left more dead bodies then hath been at any Battell since these warres began and had slaine more but that the shelter of night and a neare Garrison hindred pursuit The lot of the body of Foot especially of Scots and my Lord Fairfaxes was so promiscuous some standing some flying that I can give no perfect accompt of it As for the Passage in Truth its manifest concerning Lieutenant Generall Cromwell and their Lieutenant Generall Lesley I should be loth to meddle in it and wish the Author of the Manifest had not but something must be said in the Animadversions Thus was God pleased to use the Scots Army in doing its part to the breaking of the strong Army of the North and the defeating of the Prince who brought into the field that day an Army very strong and well accomplisht Quem dies vidit veniens superbum Hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem If any will make a further enquiry and say who did best I could wish I might be put to no other answer then God did all which is the best way to decide Controversies of this kinde for no man loses when He gaines honour After this happy Victory the discouraged Enemy take severall courses Prince Rupert with his Retinue for his Army was gone marched on Northward to Allerton and so by Richmond back againe the way that he came The Earle of Newcastle with his deare Confidents Widrington and Carnaby went to Scarborough and so beyond Sea and with them Lievtenant Generall King The Government of Yorke by this meanes was devolved upon Sir Thomas Glenham who still undertakes desperate cures Our own Forces after the Generalls had time to meete and the confusion of the fight which lasts longer then the time of it was over and our wounded men provided for fall to work againe and the Fight being on Tuesday Iuly 2. on Thursday or Friday following a Party of Horse were sent under the Command of Lesley and Cromwell to follow the Enemy but they were first gotten into the Dales and became almost uncapable of annoyance The body of the Army returned to the Siege of Yorke which about a fortnight after was surrendred to the Parliament upon Treaty betwixt Commissioners on both parts And thus was God pleased to blesse these united Forces with a Victory and City in which the Scots as they had their part of pains and hazard so deserve their proportionable share of thanks and honour After this my Lord Manchester marched away towards Lincolne his Forces taking some Castles in Yorkshire by the way as Sheffield and Tickhill The Lord Fairfax remained in Yorke and disposed his Forces to the blocking up of some Castles in Yorkshire The Scots Army marched Northward againe And that I may not omit any thing concerning that Army while Generall Leven was imployed in these services about Yorke the Northerne parts and that part of the Scots Army left behind passed some danger and hardship in Northumberland Morpeth Castle held by Lieutenant Collonel Somervill was delivered up with the provisions and goods in it to Collonell Clavering And the Fort at South-Shields though not gotten sine sanguine was lost sine sudore upon a bare Summons from Montrosse and Clavering At this time also Sunderland was faced and outfaced by the mentioned Cavaliers who came to Bishops Wermouth and plundred some of their victualls but the Towne was preserved where amongst others the English Sea-men being much concerned for their ships were then in the harbour well acquitted themselves But the Earle of Callander then comming into England with an additionall Force among whom the Lord Sinclare Montgomery and Levingston dispelled these mysts and before the returne of the Scots Army tooke in Hartlepoole and Stockton upon surrender and placed Garrisons in them as seemed best to him and a little before the returne of the noble Earle of Leven from Yorkshire he had entred Gateshead Town of the South-side of Newcastle parted from it onely by the River by which means the Town of Newcastle was wholly blocked up on the South-side After the returne of the Generall a Bridge was made over the Tyne and he disposed his Army on the Northside and approached close to the Towne with his Foote the Horse being sent Westward towards Cumberland and Westmerland During this Siege which continued above two Moneths the Enemy made frequent and sharpe Sallies and the Generall frequent and faire offers to which the upstart Knight Marlay returned very peremptory and sometimes abusive answers which were reckoned for at last if they be not they may be But at length after much diligence and patience the Generall and the Commanders then resident with the Army resolved upon a Storm and to that end prepared Mines and Batteries and upon October 19th fell on at severall parts of the Towne at the breach made by Cannon there was no entrance and the most losse on the Scots part was there but the Mines taking well especially one at White-Friers Tower they entred and both to our and their benefit tooke that strong and rich Towne Sir Iohn Marly the Governour with the Scottish Earl of Crasurd and others retreated to the Castle expecting thence to make their termes but could get none but those of mercy which considering the persons was too good for them though lesse could not be granted After the entrance there was little bloud shed but the common Souldier betooke himselfe to what he could the Officer almost to what he would For herein the Scots are more orderly then the English Among our Armies commonly the Souldier gets the greatest share of the spoile the Officers generally being not so earnest at the prey and the English Souldiers are not so easily commanded as the Scots in such a case For the Scots Souldiers will very orderly stand Sentinell at the dore they are appointed to and for some small matter preserve a house with its appurtenances for their Commanders so that the Towne was not especially the best houses spoiled in specie but onely purged by a composition which was fortuitous according as the nature of the Chapmen was some good bargaines some ill And thus was Newcastle reduced which to speake as much truth as the Manifest was a very remarkable service being the onely thing of moment wherein that Army hath been engaged apart from other Forces in England these two yeares And to make this good successe compleat that the Passage from the Coale-Indies might be cleare Tynmouth Castle Commanded by Sir Thomas Riddell out of a sympathy betwixt the Towne-Clerke and the Major of Newcastle was surrendred upon Articles and Garrisons placed in both Towne and Castle by order of the Scots Commanders and Generall After these places thus taken and in this manner setled and the businesse of Fines Compositions at Newcastle dispatched it was time to dispose the Scots Army which had been most of the precedent Winter in the fields to their Winter
Quarters To that purpose two or three Regiments of Horse and a Regiment of Dragoones were alotted to abide in Cumberland and Westmerland three Regiments of Horse sent into the North-Riding of Yorkshire Northumberland and Bishopricke of Durham were appointed to the Foote and some odde Troops of Horse The Horse in Cumberland had by this time made some entrance upon the Siege of Carlile Sir Wilfrid Lawson and others Cumberland men being joyned with them who had raised both Horse and Foote for that service of which more in the Animadversions After the Army thus was disposed of the Committee also and the Generall disposed themselves into Scotland and left our English Commanders and the Souldiers to dispute matters of Assessement and Provision Impar Congressus During this time of Winter I have not heard any thing of service from that Army onely that some Foote were sent to the assistance of Sir Iohn Meldrum at the Siege of Scarborough-Castle and some also were sent to Pontfract but had not libertie to stay the end of these works in regard of other employment So that wee have free leave to passe on to the Spring at which time the Scottish Committee for the Army after the dispatch of their own affaires in Parliament and Assembly returned The Generall himselfe being come before into England toward the end of Ianuary In the second yeares service the first thing that offers it selfe was Lievtenant Generall Lesleys going with a Party of Horse and Foote to the assistance of Sir William Brereton who was then besieging Beeston-Castle and intending Chester but hearing that Prince Rupert was drawing towards him with a considerable force sent to the Committee of both Kingdomes at Westmorland for ayd who desired that Lievtenant Generall Lesley might goe with a Party of Horse to his assistance which accordingly was done A Party of Yorkshire Horse being also joyned with him but of that conjunction wee had no further newes or fruit but that the Enemy came not far enough to fight us and our Forces stood upon the defensive Whereupon the Lieutenant Generall shortly after returned into the West-Riding of Yorkshire about Hallifax where he remained for a space About this time the Parliament finding ground to new-mould the severall Armies under the Command of the Earles of Essex and Manchester and Sir William Walter a course of equall hazard and necessity which God hath since blessed with successe to admiration into one body under the Command of the valiant and victorious Sir Thomas Fairfax by this means and especially by the forwardnesse and opposition of some who made it their great businesse to crosse this worke so little did they value the publique good in respect of their owne conceits wills and interests it came to passe that we lost some ground in the start at the Spring but through mens diligence and Gods blessing it was quickly recovered About this time I say the Parliament sent to the Scots Army and their Committee that they would hasten the advance of that Army Southward with all possible speed in regard that this change and opposition had brought their affaires into some distraction And to enable and encourage them for their March sent them 30000. li And accordingly about the time that Sir Thomas Fairfax upon order from the Committee of both Kingdomes marched from Windsor westward with a piece of an Army which was the first of May the Scots Army came to Rippon in Yorkshire where there were severall debates betwixt their Committee and our Commanders about matter of Provisions the English Commanders still pressing the necessity of Marching Southward the King having drawne his Army into the field and promising all possible care for accommodation But in the midst of these disputes the King drawing Northward and the Scots having intelligence out of Cheshire of the Kings intendment to send a flying Army over the Hills through Lancashire into Scotland The debate about marching Southwards and making Provisions for it was turned into a dispute which was the best way into Lancashire for the journey was resolved by the Scots The English Commissioners told them if they must goe the neerest way passable enough was the way that Prince Rupert marched from Lancashire to the reliefe of Yorke which was by Skippon but they chose rather to goe about by the way of Stainmore commonly called in those parts The Devills Gallary for the uncouthnesse of it into Westmerland which had a little before resisted some Scottish Officers requiring Contribution as they say beyond their power and beside the Parliaments authority There they stayed some time but the flying Army being not to be found or heard of the Scots march back againe the same way to Rippon about the beginning of Iune First having sent some more commanded men to Carlisle which was shortly after reduced by the joyned Forces Scots and English which I onely mention now left in the Narrative I should be thought fit to omit an action of moment but reserve the story of it to another place at which time the Parliament sent downe two of their owne Members to waite on the Scots Army and hasten their march Southwards who accompanyed the Army to Nottingham and from thence the chiefe Officers of the Scots Army sent a Letter to the Parliament which the Author of Truth 's manifest thinks fitter to print though neither they that writ it nor they that received it judged meet to doe Within two dayes after the date of the Letter it pleased God to honour the Army under the Command of sir Thomas Fairfax and blesse these Kingdomes with an eminent and seasonable victory over the Royall Army at Nazeby which was a happy foundation of the recovery of Leicester within three dayes after and many other successes wherewith God hath followed their valour and diligence to this day By this meanes the heat of the Warre was over for that yeare especially in these parts the King having no field Forces left but those under the Command of Goring in the West After this the Scots Army with all readinesse march Southward through Warwickshire Worstershire and so towards Hereford whither some Commissioners were sent from Parliament to joyne Counsels and endeavours with them a field Enemy not appearing they resolve to besiege Hereford the reducing which place was thought very necessary for the prevention of the Kings recruits commonly fetch't from those parts The siege went on hopefully Mines and Batteries were prepared and the taking of the City which never was accounted very strong continually expected but in the meane time it pleased God to suffer Montrosse with his wicked crue to give our Brethren in Scotland a sad overthrow I am sure all good people had reason to accompt it so at Kylsyth where many good men were lost and the Forces of that Kingdome almost totally dissipated which occasioned the recourse of many eminent persons to Barwick and discovered a more generall malignancy in Scotland then was expected The newes of
this coming to the Army after some consultation had they raised their siege to which they were induced as by the condition of their owne Country so by the report of the Kings coming towards them with a strength of Horse which might endanger them they having sent Lieutenant generall Lesley away towards the North where he stayed with respect to Scotland as also to interrupt the Kings intentions Northward whither he most applyed himselfe When sir Thomas Fairfax was gone Westward with his Army it was expected that the Partie with Lieutenant Generall Lesley and the English with him should have pursued or fallen upon the Enemie at that time but the King marching Southward towards Huntington and the Scottish Horse being bound Northward it could not be At this time the necessities of Scotland so requiring the Lieutenant Generall marched into Scotland where suddenly after his arrivall he happily fals upon Montrosse now divided from Kilketto and not looking for him so soone and obtaines a happy victory over him and seasonably through Gods mercy alters the face of things in Scotland This newes meets the Scottish Armie marching Northwards in Yorkshire and staies their journey further and gives them libertie to repose in the North and West ridings of that County which by the calamitie of these Warres are now almost wasted and will be brought either to utter ruine or some dangerous way of preventing it unlesse the Parliament afford timely reliefe While the Army was quartering here the Lord Digby comes with a Party of Horse as is said for Scotland he surprizes the English Foot quartered at Sherburne but by the seasonable pursuit of Collonel Copley and Collonel Lilburne was defeated lost his booty and his baggage with divers Letters of moment into the bargaine and was forced to take a hilly way to Cumberland where sir Iohn Browne got an advantage of him as his remnant was passing over a water where the tyde hindered one part from the reliefe of the other and so he was forced to the Isle of Man and thence hath betaken himselfe into Ireland from whence we daily heare from him This passage concerning my Lord Digby though his greatest blow was by the Yorkeshire Forces I thought fit to insert that I might not omit that action of sir Iohn Brownes which the Parliament was pleas'd to take notice of After the Scottish Army had lyen sometime in Yorkeshire about November at the desire of the Parliament and the Committee of both Kingdomes they marched to block up Newarke on the North-side where they had possession given them of Muskham Bridge which the Enemy had intended to burne but did it not and the Fort in the Island that commands it which makes their worke on the North-side Trent very easie in regard the Towne Forts and Castle stand on the South-side the River Since their blocking up Newarke there hath not beene much of action once the Enemy by the advantage of the Ice fell into their Quarters killed the Adjutant Generall of Foot but received as well as did hurts since that the Enemy made a sally upon the Scots who were making a Fort in the Island but after some little losse on each part were very well repelled and beaten in And let me not forget the readinesse of the Lieutenant Generall to send some Foot to Collonel Poyntz for the strengthning his Quarters at Stoake And so have we followed the Scots Army consisting now of about seven or eight thousand Horse and Foote most Horse according to a Muster lately taken by the English Commissioners to the siege of Newarke where also is a Committee of Lords and Commons from the Parliament contributing their best assistance to the carrying on the Service against Newarke who have above these three moneths expected a Committee from Scotland to joyne with them according to the Treaty but they are not yet come It is hoped notwithstanding that there shall be such mutuall care and concurrence betwixt the Forces as that strong Garrison shall in due time be reduced to the great advantage of the North and happinesse of the whole Kingdome which is very much concerned in the successe of it And thus have you a true Narrative of the entrance and proceedings of the Scottish Army since it came into England where I have not willingly nor I hope negligently omitted any thing materiall more circumstances might have been brought in to attend the substance of this discourse but many of them being not acceptable it was thought best to omit them or at least referre them to the second part which containes Animadversions upon some passages of the Manifest and other Papers printed to the disadvantage of Truth and reflecting upon the Parliament of England THE Animadversions FIRST the whole Booke and the printing of it to me deserves an Animadversion Who is this man that makes so bold an adventure to intermeddle in things of highest consequence betwixt the two Kingdomes their Parliaments and Armies which their Wisdome and tendernesse made them forbeare Me thinks their silence might have prompted reverence to the Author He calls indeed his booke An Answer pag. 4. and alleadges Scripture for it but to whom is it An Answer none had put pen to paper in this businesse it came not into the thought of any wise man to meddle and the very Diurnals which bespatter every body were very modest as to the Scots and their Army Therefore is the Gentleman constrained for want of work to make himselfe an Adversary which he calls by the name of Sinisirous Reports in the second line of his Relation Had it not been better to have suffered these Reports to have vanished in the ayre then to give them the advantage of an Eccho I feare lest the work prove unprofitable as unnecessary works use to doe forward vindications sometimes occason untoward Questions and controverted things have sometimes more advantage by silence then debate But well meaning men as they are styled must be undeceived Let that be put to the issue whether so or rather whether those that have been before deceived by Reports be not now cousned in Print If it be found so it is a double fault the falshood in the Booke is one Truth in the title another Per amici fallere nomen Tuta frequensque via est sed via crimen habet But to the particulars The first thing is his Animadversions upon the Commissioners of Scotland for not being so popular in their applications and satisfactions to the multitude as he thinks fit In which notice may be taken of his expressions and of his charge the expressions to mee seeme disproportionable to the honour and employment of so Honourable and worthy persons He tells them pag. 3 That he cannot esteeme their prudence in this Pag. 4. You have mistaken the right way sirs ibid. you are hugely mistaken Pag. 11. He chargeth them with being meale-mouth'd and with remissenesse and concludes with his Magisteriall hopes pag. 13. that being freely admonished they will
after the first charge by the shot which though it was not very dangerous being but a rake in the neck yet the Pistoll being discharged so neare that the powder hurt his face and troubled his eyes was a better excuse for withdrawing if he had done so which yet he did not then many a gay man had that day Pag. 37. It is said that the Scots upon the taking of New-Castle carryed themselves with such moderation that the Enemies who had been in Armes against them were constrained to speake well of them Their moderation is acknowledged as to violence but as for the Testimony fetched from the mouth of the Enemies there was too much reason for it in regard that they especially one of the principall of them Sir Nicholas Cole a person excepted from pardon in the Propositions of both Kingdomes sent to the King at Oxford was detained for some time from the Justice of the Parliament of England who sent a Warrant for him by the Generall of the Artillery then commanding in Chiefe in the absence of the noble Generall who kept him company frequently let him live in all freedome and jollity and would not part with him till by an Order from the Parliament of Scotland procured by a Commissioner sent thither he was constrained so to doe and for other Enemies they sought and found protection in some Regiments of the Scottish Army which occasioned their speaking well But I have no mind to aggravate but must adde that the excuse he makes of Military order in the next page satisfies not for as I take it our Military force serves for nothing but the establishment of Civill power and peace I know no Military Order could keep the party above named from being disposed according to the will of the Parliament from the 20. of October till the February after and till the Parliament of Scotland very justly and honourably interposed their Authority Pag. 38. and 39. He makes a digression to set forth the malignancy and poverty of the North thereby to prejudice many of their just complaints and to make the stirring of the Westmoreland-men the more inexcusable I shall give you as true an account as the Manifest of the North both in generall and with respect to the particular mentioned of the rising in Westmoreland First as for the Malignancy of the North it had three disadvantages first its distance from the Parliament and City of London Secondly the want of good Ministers which I wish the Parliament and Assembly would heartily consider of there being not above foure Ministers in the foure Northern Counties capable of persecution by the Enemy when these Warres began The people are destroyed for want of knowledge If some of that strength which hath been spent at London in endlesse Debares about Discipline had been bestowed in Doctrine in the North and such like barren places Heu quantum terrae potuit pelagique parari Hoc quem civiles c. I wish Ministers were more of the temper of that holy Apostle who laboured more abundantly then they all who strived to preach the Gospel not where Christ was named lest he should build on another mans foundation But the warmth and accommodations of the South and Principles of self-love in men too suitable to them are fundi nostri calamitas This hath been the principall means how the Northern parts both of England and Scotland have proved so disadvantagious to this Cause And lastly the Nobility of these parts who were well affected lived out of the Countrey and the Gentry through the want of the powerfull preaching of the Gospel were not so sound which hath made the North in the condition it was But yet give me leave to say that for ought I ever observed or heard the Commonalty of these parts were never so ill affected but if due care had been taken to ingage them they had been as serviceable to this Cause as any other Northumberland as Norfolke But more particularly for Cumberland and Westmoreland they have shewed themselves the least disaffected of any other For first though they were arrayed by Sir Philip Musgrave under the pretence of the defence of their owne Countries yet they never would be perswaded to goe out of them to the prejudice of the Parliament for ought I have heard they were willing to agree with Laneashire and when they were in Armes and might have resisted the Scotch Horse for they had that strength which the Horse thought not fit to force yet upon a Letter from Mr. Barwis they gave way for the Scots to come in among them And the County of Cumberland raised 1800. Foot and 400. Horse at their own charge under the Command of Sir Wilfred Lawson for the reduction of Carlile And these Counties were not so poore but that in the space of six moneths or little more the Scottish Horse and Dragoones had from thence about the value of one hundred thousand pounds in mony and provisions more then ever the Earle of Newcastle had from them which argues they were not so poore and spent as that they were sensible of the least thing could be demanded And to speake more particularly of Westmoreland where the resistance to the Scots was though I know no man justifies the action for they should have addressed to the Parliament yet these things may be considered First they had expended for the entertainment of the Scotch Army 40000. l. or thereabouts as much as they could well indure without intermission so that now indeed they began to be sensible Secondly the Generall had so farre resented their charge that he had under his hand forbidden his Souldiers levies of money Thirdly the Parliament had also made an Ordinance for the entertainment of the Scottish Army dated February 20. laying the charge of it upon all parts of the Kingdome in their power that the North might be eased which for ought the Scottish Officers then knew might be effectuall for their pay Fourthly the Scottish Horse there quartered had so full pay for the Winter that the necessities of the County were beyond the necessitie of the Souldier These things considered will make the Westmorland mens resistance though it may be not justifiable yet not wholly inexcusable seeing their ground was necessity and their end the vindication not onely of the Authority of Parliament forbidding arbitrary Impositions by Armies and ordering other wayes of provision for Souldiers but of the Scottish Generall who had strictly forbidden the continuance of the assessement There is added pag. 39. a bitter and I think unjust reflection upon the Commissioners employed by the Parliament in the North who were Sir William Armyne Mr. Hatcher Mr. Robert Goodwin Mr. Barwis Mr. Darley Mr. Fenwick who put too much power in the hands of wicked Malignants as Recusants Prelaticks men lately in actuall Rebellion who spoyle the Countrey oppresse honest men c. A high Charge but no proofe except the Assertion he sayes indeed that men without