A BRIEFE AND EXACT RELATION OF THE Most Materiall and Remarkeable Passages that hapned in the late well-formed and as valiently defended Seige laid before the City of GLOCESTER Collected by John Dorney Esquire Towne-clarke of the said City who was there resident the whole Siege and applied himselfe wholy to this businesse Published by Authority and entred into the Stationers Hall-Booke according to Order LONDON Printed for Thomas Vnderhill at the signe of the Bible in Wood-streete M. DC XLIII A Briefe and exact Diurnall Containing the most materiall and Remarkeable passages that happened in the late well formed Siege laid before the City of GLOUCESTER AFter the unexpected surrender of Bristoll the City of Gloucester was assaulted with severall Letters Messages and such verball solicitations by divers in the Kings Army of no meane quality thereby pretending our good and expressions of their love and care of us but really intending their own sinister ends and our destruction Amongst the rest there came a Letter on Friday August 4. dated August 3. from a Captaine of a Troope of Horse in the Kings Army to Mr. Alderman Pury one of the Burgesses of the Parliament for this City full of perswasive oratory for the yeelding up of this City with great promises as heretofore of preferment and braggs of the greatnesse of the Army that was then on their march coming against us viz. All Prince Ruperts Forces from Bristoll with addition of 1500. armed Welch and 2000 Club-men out of Wales and Armes sufficient to arme them from Bristoll 800 Foote with a Regimenent of Horse from Worcester and 5000 Foote with a Brigado of Horse of the Queenes Forces from Oxford and if he would send an answer it must be by the Sunday-night following or not at all But Mr. Alderman Pury whose fidelity is sufficiently known to be so firme to the Parliament that it is not to be shaken by promises or threats thinking it not worthy of so accordingly sent no answer Saturday August 5. We received intelligence that about 2000 Horse from Bristoll were advanced within 10 mile of this City whereupon severall messengers were dispatched to the Parliament Sunday August 6. Generall Garret faced this City with his Brigado of Horse in Tredworth-Field and sent a Trumpeter to the Governour for 4 Horses of his formerly taken by a party of ours in Cotswold for which he offered others in exchange for them or any other satisfaction In the After-noone a small party of Horse and Foote commanded by Captaine Blunt and assisted by Lieutenant Colonell Matthewes Captaine White Captaine Pury the younger and Captaine Lieutenant Harcus issued forth of the North-gate and at Wotton tooke about 10 Prisoners and sending home the Foote the said Captaines with the few Horse they had went along to Vpton St. Leonards and thence to the foote of Painswickes-Hill on the top of which they discovered a party of the enemies Horse and so going round about by Matson they retreated without the losse or hurt of any This day we wrought hard in the amending and repairing of our Bulwarkes Munday August 7. Newes came to Captaine Pury the younger to Gloucester That the enemy was plundering at Tuffleigh about a mile and halfe from Gloucester nowly assigned for his Quarters for the billeting of his Souldiers who thereupon acquainted Captaine Evans therewith resolving to take what men of theirs they could on the suddaine get to surprize the enemy But being come thither assisted with Lieutenant Pierce they understood that they were gone away with their plunder to Mr. Woods house at Brockthroppe about a mile and a halfe further They thereupon having not above 40 Foote and some few of Captaine Backhouses horse left some few Foote to secure their retreat and with the rest marched forward to meete with the enemy skirmished with them compelled them to take refuge in the house killed one in the Orchard and hurt or killed others in the house and tooke one prisoner and 7 Horses But perceiving a party of Horse that looked on on the hill all the while to make towards them they were forced to retreat without any losse only one through his own indiscretion taken prisoner As they were just at the Townes-end they met with the Governour and a party of Musketteers coming to their rescue newes being brought to Towne that they were in danger of being cut off Tuesday August 8. We understood that the King with all the Foote from Bristoll and carriages were come to Berkeley and that they intended to speed their march towards us Wednesday August 9. We had intelligence that provision was made for the entertainement of his Majesty at Princknedge in the Lady Bridgemans house about 3 miles off the City and that the Foote and carriages would be there that night we likewise received intelligence that the Lord Chando's that day dined at Brockworth at the Guises there whereupon a party went out of the North-gate towards Barnewood skirmished with the enemy and did some execution upon them and amongst the rest a little boy of Captaine Nelmes Company having shot away all his Bullets charged his musket with a pebble stone and killed a Commander therewith we retreated without any losse at all Thursday August 10. His Majesty with about 6000 Horse and Foote as we conceived the Welch Worcester Forces coming after faced us in Tredworth Field at the foote of Ribinhoods-hill about a quarter of a mile off the Towne about 2000 Horse more faced us in Walham within Canon-shot at randome of our workes Towards the afternoone his Majesty sent a message by 2 Heraulds at Armes whereof the one being Somerses Herald read the message at the Talsey as followeth Out of our tender compassion to our City of Glocester and that it may net receive prejudice by our Army which we cannot prevent if we be compelled to assault it we are personally come before it to require the same and are gratiously pleased to let all the inhabitants of and all other persons within that City as well Souldiers as others know that if they shall immediately submit themselves and deliver this City to us we are contented freely and absolutely to pardon every one of them without exception And doe assure them in the word of a King that they nor any of them shall receive the least damage or prejudice by our Army in their persons or estates But that we will appoint such a Governour and a moderate Garison to reside there as shall be both for the ease and security of that City and that whole County But if they shall neglect this offer of grace and favour and compell us by the power of our Army to reduce that place which by the helpe of God we doubt not we shall easily and shortly be able to doe they must thanke themselves for all the calamities and miseries that must befall them To this message we expect a cleere and positive answer within 2 houres after the publishing hereof and by these
of the Fryars Orchard all along the middle of the said Orchard and so making up all passages into the Towne between that and the East gate This day as hath beene confessed by some of the Kings Army we killed three of their principall Canoneers This day and the night following the enemy shot divers Granadoes into the Town whereof one fell in at the top of M. Hathwayes house into his Chamber over his Kitchin and thence obliquely descending through the end of the Chamber took that with it and brake in his Court One piece fell in the Kitchin Chimney where three women were sitting by the fire but by Gods blessing hurt neither of them The rest did no other hurt then to houses and that not much neither We expected that the enemy would have fallen on this night whereupon we beat up an Alarme with our Drummes round about the City The enemy attempted to make a passage over the Moat at the place they had battered but being descried by our Sentinels they were beaten off with some losse by our musketteers Sunday 20. August This morning that Rogue Hatton one of our Canoneers ran away to the enemie The enemy followed hard their trench-work and carrying of Fagots And some of ours whilst other went to Church as at other times to implore divine assistance wrought likewise at our works within the City Munday August 21. Two severall parties were designed for the nailing of the enemies Canon The one being about 200. Musketteers commanded by Captaine Stevenson and assisted by Captaine Moore sallied forth at the North gate to have fallen upon their trenches at the East gate but their guide foolishly mistaking the way brought them round about to S. Iacob Ashleyes Quarters at the Barton where about 40. Muskettiers encountred with five Colours of the enemy and having slaine divers of them and taken Lievetenant Anderson and Lievetenant Trappes prisoners forced them to a retreat then marching through the Barton Court they faced and fired at eight Coulors more and so retreated In the retreat two troops of the enemies horse came upon the reere but ensigne Matthewes facing about charged them and forcing them to retyre made good our retreat In this Skirmish were two killed three hurt and a Serjeant of Captain Nelmes taken prisoner This party was all of Colonell Stephens Regiment and some few of Colonell Devereux men The other was of the Lord Stamfords Regiment commanded by Captain Blunt assisted by Captain William White who sallied forth by boat down Severne and marched up to the enemies quarters at Severne street beat the enemy out of their redoubt there our Canon the mean while playing from the Barbican upon the houses there killed Serjeant Major Wels Captain of the Watch and some common souldiers took one prisoner and advanced up to the Turnepike at the upper end of Severn street But the designe failing through the misguidance of the other party they were called off and by the help of our Ordnance from the Barbican made a fair retreat without losse of any only two wounded Wednesday August 23. About 15. Musketeers sallied out of the North gate and gave the enemies an alarme and so retreated This day the enemy received supply of prvision and ammunition by water from Bristoll We employed our selves in lyning the Fryars Barne on the outside with earth for the preservation of our Canon there in strengthening of our brestworks there conceiving the enemy had intended a Battery against it In the evening the enemy shot some few granadoes into the Town which did no harme And about 9 of the clock at night two of ours out of a Company all the other sallies being in like manner Commanded men out of both Regiments sallied out of the North-gate and giving the enemy an allarme retreated The enemy thereupon after our retreate spent good store of powder and shot against the wind Thursday August 24. This day there was a conference with Mr Bell of Sancthurst hurst and Mr Hill of Tewxbury within the draw-bridge at the North gate upon their desire thereof by a Letter sent that morning intimating thereby that they had something to impart unto us for our good by word of mouth which could not be done by Letter or otherwise The effect of their speech was to perswade the yeelding up of the citie in regard of the great power terrible threats of the enemy and the small hopes and in a manner impossibility of relief withall adding the heavy burthens under which the countrey groaned which they said were likely to prove heavier if we yeelded not To this speech they received a resolute negative answer and so departed The enemy made divers shot this day with two piece of Ordance they had newly planted at Lanthony but did little hurt killed none One bullet of about 20. pound weight came through a chamber of the Inne called the Crown câ—rried a Boulster before it into the window and there slept in it This night came the only rain that happened during the whole siege which much annoyed the enemy in their trenches This night we discovered a fire upon Wain-loades hill which gave us some encouragement because we had appointed a man we had formerly sent out if he heard of any relief and could not come to tell us thereof to make a fire there which he now did accordingly But the enemy not willing the countrey should take notice of it or their souldiers be discouraged thereby endevoured to perswade them it was their Stratageme purposely made to deceive us and to draw us out upon some Ambuscadoes they pretended to have layd Fryday August 25. some few Musketteirs of ours this morning sallied forth of the North port and gave the enemy an Alarm who through the suddennesse of the Alarm and hurly burly thereupon had a Barrell of Powder blowne up In the afternoone their Ordnance playd from Gawdie Greene and they likewise from thence shot many Granadoes two fell into the South-gate-streete whereof one mortally wounded a woman but did no other harme some others fell upon severall houses in the Citie and shrewdly battered them but did no other hurt one fell-downe upon the enemies workes They shot likewise great fire-balls which did no harme They also shot great stones out of their morter-pieces which did little hurt and killed none In the evening and night following they shot from their battery at Lanthony above twenty fiery melting hot Iron Bullets some 18 pound others 22 pound waight in the night wee perceived them flying in the ayre like a starre shooting male of them fell into houses and stables where hay was but by Gods great providence did no hurt at all One came through three houses fell into a chamber of Mr. Comelins the Apothecary and being perceived many payles of water were cast upon it to quench the same but that little avayting it was cast into a Cowle of water where after a good space it cooled This night it being suspected that
presents doe give leave to any persons safely to repaire to and returne from us whom that City shall desire to imploy unto us in that businesse And doe require all the Officers and Souldiers of our Army quietly to suffer them to passe accordingly The Herald mentioned the publishing of this message openly in the streete but his Majesty by his message not requiring the same the Governour would no wayes permit it But the Heralds being withdrawne after some debate in satisfying Mr. Major scruples touching his Oath of Majoralty an answer was drawne and unanimously agreed unto both by Citizens and Souldiers in these words following We the Inhabitants Magistrates Officers and Souldiers within this Garrison of Gloucester unto his Majesties gracious message returne this humble answer That we doe keepe this City according to our Oathes and Allegiance to and for the use of his Majesty and his Royall posterity and doe accordingly conceive our selves wholy bound to obey the commands of his Majesty signified by both Houses of Parliament and are resolved by Gods helpe to keepe this City accordingly This answer was immediately sent to his Majesty who was by that time come to Tredworth-Field attended by Prince Charles the Duke of Yorke Prince Rupert Lord Generall Ruthen c. by Serjeant Major Pudsey and a Citizen who accordingly presented the same and so returned Thereupon his Majesties Forces advanced forward into our suburbs chiefely on the east-part into Barton-streete where we killed a Commander from the East-gate But the houses proved too hot for such inhabitants for we had after the returne of our messengers fired all our suburbs on the North-east and South parts as being those that could and would have done us most harme yet one Issolds house in Barton-streete by reason of a garden betwixt that and the next above tooke not fire so that the enemy played from thence with Musket-shot against us till we by 5 or 6 Canon-shot from the walles forced them to quit that place Our Canon likewise from the Pen upon the West-gate discharged upon the body of Horse in Walham and doing some small execution there made them goe seeke better quarters Our Women and Maides wrought all this after-noone in the little meade out of our workes in the very faces of those houses in fetching in Turfe for the repairing of our workes we were forced now through want of men for the guarding of the City it selfe we being not above 1400 at most to quit our out-guards of the Wine-yard and the two Sconces we had formerly made at each corner of the Isle of Alney for the securing thereof and the River of Seaverne Friday August 11. Upon breake of day we discovered that the enemy had the night before begun their entrenchments in Gawdy Greene on the South-part of the City and about Issolds house on the East part both within lesse then Musket-shot of our walles They had likewise cut the Pipes that conveied our water from Robinhoods-hill to our Conduits and diverted the course of water that drove our Corne-mills so that we were forced to content our selves with Pumpe and Seaverne water and to grind our Corne with Horse-mills Their Pioneeres plied their workes in their trenches the Musketteeres on both sides playing hard we lost only a boy and a girle through their indiscretion gazing over the walles The Welsh Forces under Sr. William Vavasor advanced to the Wine-yard where after 2 houres solemnity they with great valour tooke it no body being there to make a shot against them Yet upon their entry of the outward worke when they saw another within they according to their knowne prowesse immediately ran out yet taking heart againe they at last to their eternall glory tooke it Upon their drawing up on the side of the hill our Demeculverin discharged from the Pen fell amongst them and did good execution we discovered them through our prospectives carrying away their dead or maimed and afterwards divers gazing where the Bullet grazed that durst adventure so farre to kill her nowne Cozens and Countrymen Among this crew had that treacherous Adams once a Lieutenant Colonell under Sir William Waller placed himselfe They about 2 dayes afterwards leaving a sufficient guard at the Wine-yard and the Sconse by Maysemore made a Bridge of Boats there and joyned with the Forces that had now newly come from Worcester and quartered on the North west side of the City at Longford and the Kingsholme where they made their leagure in two fields there about lesse then halfe a mile off us The Lord Generall Ruthen had placed his leagure at some grounds behind Lanthony within a quarter of a mile of the Towne it being somewhat sheltered from our shot by a rising ground that lay betweene yet our shot hapned sometime amongst them and did some execution There their Lord Generall pitched his Tent and Sir Jacob Ashley quartered at Mr. Woods house in Barton-streete Captaine Lieutenant Harcus assisted by Colonell Stevens Ensigne at midnight issued forth of the South part with a small party beat the enemy from their trenches and brought away many of their Shovels and Pickaxes The same night the enemy making an approach in Barton-street our Canon from the East-gate killed 6 of them whereof one was a Lieutenant Colonell and another a Captaine of the Queenes black Regiment under Colonell Blackwell Sir Jacob Ashley was then shot in the arme The enemy likewise advancing somewhat from Lanthony toward the Barbican our guards there fired upon them and killed and wounded many of them as we have received information by divers confessions August 12. Saterday In the forenoon a party commanded by Captaine Leivetenant Harcus sallied forth through a door we made for that purpose in a brick-house adjoyning to the towne wall on the South East part over against Rignall stile making a bridge of Ladders over the moat and fell into the enemies trenches in Gawdy Green beat them out gained some working tooles Arms and Prisoners and retreated without losse of any onely two wounded This was a hot skirmish for the space of halfe an houre In the afternoon a party of about 150. Musketteers commanded by Captain Gray sallied forth over the works at the little Mead and fell upon the enemies quarters at the Kingsholme marched up to their Main-guard there killed Captain Rumney and about 8. or 9. common souldiers took 5. prisoners and divers Armes burnt their Main-guard and houses they quartered in and retreated without the losse of any These were the Worcester Forces with whom the Welsh had not yet joyned The same afternoon after our retreat the enemie had planted two great Culverins of between 15. and 16. pound bullet at the East side out of Musket shot point blanke with which they made some store of shot intending to batter the Town-wall but did no harm although many fell into the Town They then likewise began the making of a redoubt in a field neer Lanthony towards Severn making a breast-work from it to
Lanthony wall crosse the causey And we perceiving by their Canon Baskets they placed in their Square redoubt in Gawdy Green that they intended a battery there began the lining of our Towne wall from the South to the East gate which we shortly after perfected That night the enemy shot severall great Granadoes out of their Morter pieces they all brake but did no harme we have since received intelligence from some that were the whole Leaguer in the Kings Army that their biggest Morter-piece brake at the first discharging of it they say the biggest in England Sunday August 13. The Enemy having planted three pieces of Ordnance on their battery at Gawdy Green of 15. and 23 lb. bullet weight began to batter the wall and brick-house over against Rignall stile killed one of our men no souldier in the said Brick-house as he was peeping there but did no other harm This day we began the blocking up of the South port making a damme of earth against the draw bridge and a breast-work Canon proofe against the wall reaching from the draw bridge to the gate and lining the houses on each side and the Almes-house between the gate and draw-bridge with earth Munday August 14. We had some suspition and kind of intelligence that they were drawing Ordnance to the Kingshome And that it lay in some grounds undiscovered between the North gate and the Margarets wherupon a party of about 150. Musketteers commanded by Captaine Mallery sallied forth of the North port to surprize it but not finding any retreated without losse but killed four of the enemies and took two prisoners and fired some of their quarters at the Margarets This day the enemy played with their Ordnance from Gawdy Green and battered the Town wall on the South-side of the Fryers Orchard but we quickly made up the breach with wool-sackes and Canon Baskets By this time they had drawne their trench in Gawdy Green neer the meat at Rignall stile where they made a kind of Mine to drain the moat which much sunk the water of the moat between the South and East ports Tuesday 15. August The enemy removed their tents and carriages to their Leaguer neer Lanthony And in the afternoon valiant Iames Harcus Captain Lievetenant to the Earl of Stamford was slaine in the Fryars Orchard as he was too venterously looking what execution a Granado had done which he then threw into the enemies trenches Wednesday 16. August About 150. Musketteers commanded by Captain Crispe sallied forth at the North port and fell upon the enemies trenches upon the East side of the Friars Orchard killed above 100. men as is confessed by some of the enemies themselves wounded many beat them out of their trenches took some Spades Shovels and Arms and retreated without the losse of any only two wounded after an exceeding hot skirmish for the space of halfe an hour or more the Canon and Muskets on both sides playing most furiously Amongst others a Serjeant and Corporall of Captaine Nelmes Company were observed to behave themselves very bravely The enemie began this day to intrench between Barton street and the Fryars Barne within musket shot of the wals And we imployed some time in lining of the house adjoyning to the North gate with earth and in amending and strengthening the works about the Fryars Barne Thursday 17. August The enemy shot divers Granadoes out of their battery in Gawdy Green into the Towne whereof about four fell upon some houses and brake into them but by Gods providence did no harme and one fell into the street neer the South gate but a woman coming by with a payle of water threw the water thereon and extinguished the phuse thereof so that it did not break but was taken up whole it weighed 60. pound weight This night the enemy made divers alarmes about the City and our Ordnance and Muskettiers plaid hard against them They then likewise brought fagots and the like to the moate by the Fryars Orchard but were beaten off by our musketteers from the wals This day a printed paper conteyning the Kings Message and our Answer thereunto was sent out of the Kings Army unto M. Alderman Pury with a perswasive Letter for the surrendring up of the Citie the close of which printed paper runs thus Let the world now judge if his Majestie could have sent a more gratious Message to his most loyall Subjects and whether these desperate Rebels deserve any mercy who after so many Offers do still refuse a pardon but since their returning this rebellious answer they have set their own suburbs on fire which surely is not to keep the City either for King or Parliament Printed at Oxford c. At the same time there was also sent unto him certain specious considerations and reasons subtilly composed tending to satisfie Conscience in the delivering up of the Citie not withstanding the late Oath and Protestation wherewith all the said Capt. Pury being not convinced did not divulge the same till after the siege was raised Friday 18. August The enemy played with their Ordnance at Gawdy Green upon the wall on the South side of the Fryars Orchard but did small hurt thereunto They having likewise after the conjunction of the Welsh with the Worcester Forces drawn 4. pieces of Ordnance to the Kingsholme one whereof they planted against the Awnyate and the sconces thereunto adjoyning A partie of about 400. Muskettiers commanded by Major Pudsey and Captain Gray assisted by Captain Faulkner and Captain Massie sallied forth of the North gate being led by one Weaver a stout fellow of Captain Pury the youngers Company as their guide and having sent Lieutenant Pincocke with about 50 Musketteers over the workes at the little meade to give them an alarme who advancing up to their Canon that made but one shot against them in the mean while they got behind their Canon and brestwork there and fell upon their maine-guard killed divers of their Officers and two Canoneers with about 100 Common Souldiers mortally wounded Captain Basset with divers others took Lieutenant Tipper and about 4 others prisoners nailed their Canon and retreated without other losse then 2 killed and about 4 taken prisoners Saturday August 19. The enemy having planted 3 peeces of Ordinance at Gawdy greene as afore said and now 3 more on the East side of the Fryars Orchard neare Rignall stile within lesse then Pistoll-shot of the Town-wall and 2 more in another Battery neare the East-gate They began a most furious battery upon both sides of the corner of the wall next Rignall stile making above 150 great shot thereupon wherwith they shrewdly battered the wall but our earth-workes stood firme by all this shot there was only a man and a maide hurt and a Canon-bullet its force being almost spent running along the ground struck down a pigge which our souldiers eat and afterwards well jeered the enemy therewith Upon this Battery of the wall we began a brestwork from the wall on the South side