into Order and Advancing the wind Westward which he designed to get and caused Fairfax to fall down into a large Fallow Field North-west of Naseby Flanked with a Hedge but from thence for more advantage they drew off or retreated to the side of the Hill which hastened the King the sooner to fall upon them The King in person had the main Battel his Right Wing commanded by the two Princes Rupert and Maurice his Left by Sir Marmaduke Langdale His Right Hand tertia by the Earl of Lindsie and Sir Iacob Ashley his Left by the Lord Bards and Sir George Lisle His Reserve of Horse were commanded by Colonel Howard Behind them the Kings Regiment of Foot being his Life-Guard and Ruperts Regiment of Foot on their Left Hand Cromwel had six thousand Horse and therefore gave way that Ireton should Command five Regiments of them for the Left Wing and himself with the rest the Right The King comes on apace with Gallantry and Resolution and his Right Wing charged first upon Cromwel who advances firing at a close charge they came to Blowes even to the Hilts and had the better of the King Fairfax main Battel had ill successe the Generals own Regiment only standing but all the rest gave ground nay fowlly routed run off in great disorder and without any attempt to recover fell back to their Reserves And their Colonels and Officers were forced to fight there which Reserves were commanded by Rainsborough Hamond and Pride The Kings Right Wing of Horse advanced roundly upon Fairfax his Left Wing and because these were not ready or would not quit their ground the other made a Stand a short pause and then fell on amain Some Divisions of either side Fought well charging home the middlemost of Fairfax did not for they were pressed upon and gave ground so did the Left Wing even to rout The Kings Foot had the better of one Brigade until Ireton came to their rescue with his Horse himself run through the Thigh with a Pike and into the Face with a Halbert his Horse shot under him and taken prisoner till the Battel being in disorder and his Keeper trusting him too far he escaped But whilst these fight hand to hand Prince Rupert followed the flight of the Enemies Left Wing almost to Naseby Town and returning Summoned the Train where he disputed not long ere he was fain to quit them and hasten to the Kings Army which was in distresse in several Brigades now Rallying into some Order It is confessed of all sides that the Kings Foot in some Tertia's fought with incredible courage being attempted in their Flanks Front and Rear had his other Foot fought but indifferently they might have served his turn The King kept close with his Horse himself in person Rallying them to hot encounter which was performed as men use to doe for their lives blood now near the last but Fairfax's Horse gave ground staying for his Foot which were Pillaging of their prey and others that had been routed Rallied again and so came up with a Body by these advantages their Horse were helped and the Kings overpowred by hardships impossible for valour to withstand shifted out of the Field towards Leicester and lost all being the fatal battel to the King and his party The King had the better Horse the other the more of Foot and throughout better Arms compleat in Amunition and in numbers overpowred the King both in Horse and Foot The Roll that came to the Parliament was thus Major General Skippon shot into the side Commissary General Ireton with these Colonels Cook Butler Francis wounded and many slain above a 1000. sundry Captains and Common Souldiers Of the Kings party the Earl of Lindsey Sir Iacob Ashley Colonel Russel and others hurt six hundred slain of the common Souldiers twenty Colonels Knights and Officers of note Prisoners are thus numbred in the Note 6. Colonels 8. Lieutenant Colonels 18. Majors 70. Captains 80. Lieutenants two hundred Ensignes and other inferiour Officers 4500. common Souldiers and many women 13. of the Kings Household Servants 4. of his Footmen 12. Pieces of Ordinance 8000. Armes 40. Barrels of Powder 200. Carriages all their Bagg and Baggage with store of rich pillage 200. Horse the Kings Standard and divers of Horse and Foot one of the Kings Coaches his Cabinet of Letters and Papers The King finding the Pursuit so hot leaves Leicester and hasts to Lichfield Fairfax follows and that night with his Horse surrounded Leicester and the next day his Foot comes up to the siege And with this newes to the Parliament comes other from sundry parts successe upon successe the Parliament regaining Hougham Garison near Grantham the 18. of Iune and divers Officers and men of quality prisoners Brereton from Cheshire beat a Party and took above 150. prisoners The like from a party of Shrewsbury who took 400. prisoners in a fight Another in Staffordshire a party of Captain Stone Governour of Eccleshall Castle took Major Fenningham and divers others prisoners So that the Parliament were glutted with fortunate events and much busied about the stowage of their prisoners who were driven in triumph up to London miserable spectacles of the Fate of War Convoyed by Colonel Io. Fines to be disposed of in prisons but these are full before Therefore they were crouded into the walled Military grounds where numbers of them were starved to death daily there being in all 4500. many Gentlemen among them there besides others of Note forced into several prisons whilst the City for joy sumptuously feast the Houses Nor did this satisfie untill the Parliament had filld their measure to the brim by publishing to the People in Print the Copies of the King and Queens secret and private Letters of conjugal affection to each other of which the King is sensible and indeavours to fling the shame into their faces upbraiding them for their incivility in this their inhumane action as he stiles it The taking of my Letters was an opportunity which as the malice of mine Enemies could hardly have expected it so they knew not how with honour and civility to use Nor do I think with sober and worthy mindes any thing in them could tend so much to my reproach as the odious divulging of them did to the infamy of the Divulgers The greatest experiments of Vertue and Nobleness being discovered in the greatest advantages against an enemy and the greatest obligations being those which are put upon us by them from whom we could least have expected them And such I should have esteemed the concealing of my Papers The freedom and secrecie of which commands a civility from all men not wholly barbarous nor is there any thing more inhumane then to expose them to publick view Yet since Providence will have it so I am content so much of my heart which I study to approve to Gods Omniscience should be discovered to the world without any of those dresses or popular captations
the Plain and by a Trumpet challengs Baily to fight but was refused for the River I le parted them Then at Dunkildon where he escaped utter ruin for Lewis Gordon another Son to Huntley sometimes an Enemy was reconciled by his Brothers means he by true or counterfeit Letters from his father the old fox was tempted and carried away with him almost all the Gordons basely deserting his brother and Montrose ready to engage against the Enemy And so diverted the intended journey to Tay and marched towards Brechen sending his weakest men under the Hills to meet him there but by the way he Summons Dundee and storms it in three places beat them from their Sconces possessed their Ordnance and turned them upon the Town beat open their Gates and gets the Church and Market-place and fire the Town in several places When his Scouts bring tydings of Baily and Hurrey a mile off Montrose in all speed Rallies his plundring Souldiers wearied with twenty miles march and now more spent by fighting to fight he was not able to Retreat he must be overtaken In wonderful difficulties he resolves to Retreat Immediately he sends out four hundred Foot before him with convenient speed two hundred the most active to follow them and he with his Horse brings up the Rear trooping in open Order if need were to have room for light Musketiers The Enemy divide in two parts and so pursues them and now their Van closes up to the Retreaters and were welcomed by these Musketiers that Lined Montrose Horse and soon abated their pursuit and Skirmishing stoutly with their Horse untill night parted the fray and because that their wayes were belaid by the Enemy they amuze them by turning and winding off face about and march Southwest passing by them thus beguiled by night and the next morning turning North-ward passed over South-Eske near Goneston Castle thence to Brâ—chen to fetch those men which were left with the Carriages But they hearing of this distresse were got into the Mountains The Enemy came after them so near that they continually Skirmish untill he came to Gleneske This was that so much admired Expedition of Dundee renowned indeed encountering all extremities with patience for sixty miles march fighting without meat or sleep for three dayes and two nights to any purpose of refreshment Incredible but from him that assures this Narrative of his own knowledg and sufferings And now being safe he bides his Souldiers sleep whilst his unwearied Noble Soul fits a wake which resolves of his Warlike affairs He sends the Lord Gordon with those of his continuing loyal into his County to win upon his revolted Brother and his Fugitives and to recruit new forces which he performed with faithfulnesse and courage And Montrose with five hundred Foot and fifty Horse all that he left for himself marcht through Angus into Perth-shire so to distract the Enemy till he was Recruited For Hurrey was gone into the North with six hundred old Foot and two hundred Horse to suppresse the Lord Gordon and Bailey himself staies with an Army at Perth Montrose was twelve miles off at a Village called Krâ—if secure and he safe too conceives when Bailey sets out over night with all his forces discovered by Scouts time enough to finde their adversaries in order fit to retire following the course of the River Erne and made good the Fords thereof and himself the Rear guard repulsing his Enemy to their return and he Quartered at Laugh-Erne the next day to Balwidir where met him the Earl of Alboine with others that escaped out of Carlisle 18 of April Thence to Logh-Catrines where comes newes that Hurrey was upon engaging with Gordon that Gallant young Lord. Montrose makes speed to oppose Hurrey and passes by Balwidir and a Lake twenty four miles long the head of Tay then through Athole and Angus over Gransbane and through Glenmak-vale he comes to the midst of Marre and joynes with Gordon who had gotten one thousand Foot and two hundred Horse marching to Spey to finde the Enemy and was so near as six miles off ere Hurrey thought him past Garshame having over-run the report of himself But Hurrey would not be forced to fight and so passeth over the Spey speeding towards Innernesse the appointed Rendezvouz whither Montrose followes not far off for he was there also the next day and Encamped at a Village Aldern There was now ajoyned to Hurrey the Earls of Seaford and Sunderland the whole Sept of the Frasers the most of Murries Men and Cathnes with some out of the Town Garrison and all together draw up with three thousand five hundred Foot and four hundred Horse against Montrose's fifteen hundred Foot and two hundred Horse and not possible to Retreat Bailey was coming up with his Forces And ere his Enemy should joyn the best he could do was to chuse his ground draws up his Forces in a Valley under a Town on the top of a Hill and Hills behind and above it shadowing his Forces from sight Before the Town he places a few choice Foot with his Ordnance sheltered with Ditches The right Wing is committed to Mac-donel with four hundred Foot fortified with Banks Ditches Shrubs and great Stones and orders him to preserve himself entire as a Reserve safe from the Enemies Force of Horse and Foot and commits also to his charge that notable Standard of the Kings which he alwaies had born before him expecting that upon the sight of that the Enemy would order their best men against that Wing when he on the left Flank would force upon them And drawing the rest of his men to the other side he commends the Horse to the Lord Gordon and takes charge of the Foot himself Those first Forces under the Town seemed his main battle when God knows he had none nor reserves at all The Enemy came on as he imagined their Van upon those before the Town on the right Flank and as their Souldiers spend drew on fresh He therefore meant to fall upon them with his left Flank all at once when one whispered to him that Mac-donel on the right Flank was put to flight He of quick apprehension called aloud My Lord Gordon what doe we doe Mac-donel hath routed the Enemy and is upon execution shall we loyter and he have all the honour of the day with that commands to charge home upon Hurries Horse which began to run left their Flanks which they were to maintain open to disadvantage yet their Foot stood the shock stoutly but being pressed home they threw away their Arms and fled but Montrose remembring Mac-donel drew off thither to the right Flank where he found him though valiant as any man but with more heart then head-piece had advanced out of his fastness and was overpowered and routed and had he not drawn into a neighbours close he and his had been lost for himself was the last that drew off covering his head with a large Target which he alwaies
of Lemster and Ulster Novem. 1646. That the exercise of the Roman Catholick Religion be in Dublin and Drogheda and in all the Kingdom of Ireland as free as in Paris in France and Bruxells in Flanders That the Council of State called the Councel-Table be of Members true and faithful to his Majestie and such as may be no fear or suspition to go to the Parliaments party That Dublin Drogheda Team Newby Catherly Carlingford and all Protestant Garisons be manned by their Confederate Catholicks to maintain and keep the said Cities and Garisons for the use of our Soveraign Lord King Charls and his lawful Successors and for defence of the Kingdom of Ireland That the present Councel of the Confederators shall swear truly and faithfully to keep and maintain for the use of his Majesty and his Lawful Successors and for defence of the Kingdom of Ireland the abovesaid Cities and Garisons That the said Councellors and all Generals Officers and Souldiers whatsoever doe swear and protest to fight at Sea and Land against the Parliaments and all the Kings Enemies and that they will never come to any convention or agreement with the said Parliamentiers or any of the Kings Enemies to the prejudice of his Majesties Rights or of this Kingdom of Ireland That according to our Oaths of Association we will to the best of our power and cunning defend the Fundamental Lawes of this Kingdom the Kings Rights the Lives and Fortunes of the Subjects Owen O Neal Tho. Preston The Lord Lisle designed Lieutenant General of Ireland is but now this day taking leave of the Parliament to goe to Ireland Ian-28 and ere we can hope of his arrival there he writes to the Parliament he is willing to return for they had Debated his return before and so he came home again April 1. But the Parliament Vote the sending over more Forces into Ireland and with all vigour to carry on a Defensive War in that Kingdom with seven Regiments of Foot consisting of eight thousand four hundred besides Officers with three thousand Horse and one thousand two hunded Dragoons And all these to be taken out of the General Fairfax Army which was the occasion of much distemper between the Armies and the Parliament as will appear the next year But according to our former Method we may not omit the Kings affairs Military in Scotland under the Conduct of the Marquess of Montrose this year 1646. Montrose his late successe made him famous abroad which soon came to the Kings knowledg and although he were not able to send him supplies sufficient to Arm against the great power of his Enemies yet it was thought very fit to comply with him in Complements and therefore the King ot caresse him in some way sends from Oxford several Letters and Messengers to Montrose whilst he continued at Bothwel four miles East of Glascow amongst whom was Andrew Sandiland a Scotish man but bred in England a Church-Man faithful to the King and beloved of Montrose with whom he continued to the end of the War Another was Sir Robert Spotswood Son President of the Session in Scotland and now the Kings Secretary for that Kingdom The Instructions by all of them were to this effect That it was the Kings Pleasure Montrose should joyn unto himself the Earls of Roxborough and Traquair and to confide in their advice and endeavours of whose fidelity there was no question to be made That he should hasten towards the Tweed the River that runneth to Barwick and divides the Kingdoms where he should meet a party of Horse instantly sent by the King out of England with which he might safely give Battel to David Lesly if he should march that way with the Covenanters Horse as was suspected he would Each Messenger said as much and the King evermore over credulous confirmed the same by his Expresse which Montrose resolves to obey And here he receives a larger Commission from the King by Spotswood wherein he was impowered to give the honour of Knighthood which he did to Mack Donel at his departure Montrose intends the Kings commands and Journies to Calder Castle when the Earl of Albony whether Montrose would or no carries away with him his own men and all others of the Northern Forces Montrose passing by Edenburgh led his small Army through Louthian and in Straithgal joyns with Dowglasse whose forces mouldred daily In that coast Traquair himself came to him pretending faith and Loyalty to the King and the next day sends to him his Son the Lord Linton with a gallant Party of Horse as if to be under his Command that by that like pledg he might the better shadow his Villany which he intended the ungratfullest person to him and in him also to the King And now Montrose within twelve miles of Roxborough and Hume without any caresse from them and therefore mistrusting he resolves to seek them out and to bring them to reason But they cunningly send to David Lesly who by that time was come to Barwick with all the Scotish Horse out of England and willingly give him leave to pretend to the seizing of the Earls as Enemies to the Covenanters which was done the day before Montrose came to them Then comes Lesly over Tweed marching East of Lothâ—â—â— Montrose knowing their Wiles and fearing to be blocked up from passing to the North and Highlanders marches into Armindale so to Niddesdale South-westwards and the County of Ayre to raise Horse the Enemies strength being therein And from Kelsor comes to Iedburgh and Selkirk where he Quartered busied in some dispatches all night to the King and although he appointed the best of his Scouts who it seemes were false and suffered the Enemy with all their Forces to come within four miles ere he had warning Lesly that day when Montrose departed from Iedburgh mustâ—ered his Men upon Gladsmar in Lothianshire and marched straight to Serathgale to surprize Montrose upon the borders of Tweed and Linton had private Order from Traquair his treacherous Father to withdraw his party of Horse from Montrose and the Enemy within half a mile with six thousand the most Horse charged his Wing disorderly got together but Valiantly defended themselves until the third charge disranked routed the Foot after some resistance and over powered many who were all put to the sword after by Lesly's peculiar command and so to the very Women and Horse-boyes most of the Horse and some Foot shifted well and came to Montrose the next day An honest Irish Man seeing one of the Kings Standards engaged valiantly rescued it and stripping the staff wrapped it about his middle and brought it to Montrose who honoured him with the bearing thereof ever after The other Standard also born by William Hie Brother to the Earl of Kinole stript it off the staff and conveyed it with him to the borders of England and after when the coast was clear brought it to the North to his General But in
a way that were departing The King himself Orders all things four thousand elected out of all the Host besides Volunteers of the first rank that in all French Warrs catch at all occasions for honour and fame to whom came all the besieged whom Samprule Numbers 11100. and all the Islanders to gain them favour of their old Masters We had not 3300 foot scarce 60. horse half starved with their Grooms so that their foot exceeded Ours by two parts and their Horse by five I reckon not by colours or Captains some not 20. Onot 12. in a Company and those sickly If in all these hardships the French had but the heart to try Mastry in open field we should never have denied there some glimpse of glory This last fresh collected Army for expedition was mustred in the Haven of the Continent the shortest cut over to the Island and committed to the Duke Shawbergh with Marilane his Lieutenant General who would needs be landed with 80 Ships at Oleron less guarded by the English on that side Nay a third Fleet is preparing under command of brave Bassompiere and Haliere with 800. of their Kings Life Guard 150 of the Country thereabout 30. of the Kings horse and 3. great Brass pieces land at the Medow Castle and their Authors Fr. Mercury pag. 114. and Isnard pag. 193. assure us there were one hundred thousand loaves of bread and other proportionable provisions so it seems they were in fear to be rid of the English Bold Buckingham begins the assault selects 500. foot and 40. horse and holding it a high point of wisdome to be quick Neer the approach the French under the Meden fort and newly landed take the Alarm The first Rank meet the Charge at a distance with some loss which drew up the rest to battall and coming close to the fight the French were put to it to fly into the Castle with such fear as Isnard who saw it he sayes and never saw the like and as our English generally reported at their return home for in the flight of the French a Reformed French man on our side pursues his Country man with kill kill Another of theirs encourages his Runawaies to stand to it with Courage Messieurs Se ne sont que de francois as if the English were terrible And in a word had totally routed them had not their Guides directed them their waies which the dark night drove us into durty quagmires Isnard saies fifty of ours fell The Mercury saies but 38. how many of theirs we may guess in the dark by their own number of their principal Commanders Monsane Persemore Baville Pensamonte and others and so with this Victory Buckingham retreats to his Camp where finding our former Trenches possessed with the French he sends Stanley to recover them with a fierce fight neer the Bulwark of Antioch and with main force beat them out again with loss on both sides As we were packing away A Party of our Horse commanded by the Lord Mountjoy took a small Troop of theirs this Person Isnard terms â—meritus Miles qui jam functus est suo munere but it may be scandal Him they endeavour to surprize with six Horse in show who were chased to the Meden Castle when we discovered their Ambuscado of many more but we retired The French came over from the Continent by Shoals it was ingenious gallantry for us to stand our ground yet we assailed them Among many Approaches this for one We fell upon a Party in a dark night not discernable each from other and so mingled that by mistake we fell into their Camp a prey to the Enemy and so invincible Necessities enforced us to depart whether Conquerors or conquered from the Isle of Rhe Soldiers and Seamen so infeebled that sickness was the Physician of our want and want our sickness and death the onely cure So that Noble Buckingham had no other cause to stay but only that which might put any other to a flight ashamed to go away He denounces the Battail and the very set time and that by an Herauld resolving to assault St. Martin Castle to enjoy their Victual in despair of slow supply from England Upon intelligence that they were weak within decayed by death and their walls on the further sâ—de not finished to their intended height The French Prisoners many Gentlemen were commanded aboard and from thence to bring some scaling Ladders and other materials for use Toras hath this by intelligence the night before commands his shot to their stations in Coats of Male and his Guns in order and signified so much to the Medow-castle who upon our three times discharge of our Cannon should march up to the English which by their discovery would be about midnight Our Ladders but 40. and too short in one place we assayled in another and in another also At Toras Fort which yet we set up two yards under which we boldly assaulted not so ambitious perhaps of victory as of honourable death climbing to the upmost round there we stuck unmoveable untill opprest by shot which felled us to the ground not with one or two shot and other wounds but till they all together became deadly and then more dropt and not till Isnard confesses That Toras himself considered our Gallantry in impossibilities so much our valour wrought upon wonder Somewhat we did too for by the force of but eight hundred we drove the besieged from their place of strength fenced with a ditch and fort and thence into their inner Compass where they lay hid in the very foot of their Castle to their great loss and hitherto only as impossible any more our fury became abated And so unwillingly not therefore because unwilling we withdraw but not till brave Buckingham was assured of the Enemies sudden supply he commanded a Retreat by sound Early the next Morn in a well composed figure their Army with the new come French marches towards our Camp At La Flotta they met a small Troop of our Horse led by the Lord Mountjoy who with leisurely order retreated before the enemy untill time brought assistance of our other Souldiers before the Tower who suddainly marshalled into order the enemy in our face they make a Holt and streight way they turn to the Medow-castle Buckingham pursues this moving Army as far as La Flotta but only with five hundred and recovering that Village supposing our selves far enough and freed from the French we passed to our Camp I say not how easie it had been for their numbers and advantages to have done much more then they did if they durst to have dared our Resolution though we dropt one hundred fourty seven dead saies Isnard and of theirs he names many Gallants and a score more but our accompt reckons them far above ours which it seems he consents unto not killed but by heat of fight fell down dead Buckingham will be gone and what the Enemy could not do
the States preferred to the Throne and a fair occasion was offered to signalize his Inauguration and to be the terrour of his enemy the Muscovite who having done much spoyl in Lituania besieged the Polish Town of Smolensko The War was high and either party endeavour their succour Both of them in this quarrel indifferent to Great Brittanes Interest unlesse the Scots will afford the Pole their favour for countenancing their pedling trade of Land Merchandizing from Fair to Fairs And indeed they have reception there also for such of them as have been souldiers of fortune But the English upon a double account have increased their Naval trade to the Muscovite and our Merchants thereby inriched into an Incorporate Company setled in the time of Queen Elizabeth and so that great Duke or Emperour solicits King Charles for Assistance in his intended War and siege of Smolensko where because the English and Scots both had entertainment on either side they shall not want a Remembrancer The King of Swede at his first descending into Germany fomented this quarrel willing he was to engage Poland and all our neighbour Princes and States in any War the better to prevent their assistance to the Emperour countenancing and enâ—â—uraging divers of his own Officers strangers to take pay on either side The Muscovite sends abroad his Ambassadours for aid with particular Letters to King Charles for Men and Officers who recommended Colonel Thomas Sanderson which for a compleat double Regiment of two thousand English by the North Cape the first that ever transported Military men to that Nation by sea to the Town of Arch Angel the North part and Port to the Musco and the place where all Merchants strangers keep their Staâ—le There they land the sixth of August 1632 Commissioners are appointed to receive them upon such conditions as never were more noble for Souldiers the Colonels own single pay near 200 l. sterling a Moneth And being received and Carressed at Musco the whole Army march to Smolensko a strong Town in the borders of Poland formerly taken by Sigismund from the Muscovite with a two years siege like that of Ostend in Flanders if we consider the length of the siege and the number of the slain which amounted as Authours reckon to more than twenty thousand men and now was the Muscovite resolved to bid fair for the Game with an Hoast of fifteen hundred thousand Souldiers And being come after some Skirmishes the King of Poland in person draws down his whole Army thither to besiege the Besiegers Entrenching himself which was all he could do for the present against such a powerful Army of 120 thousand and so by degrees he cuts off all provisions which put the Musco General to quicken the siege and to make several attempts upon the strong Town And at last having summoned his Councel of War And amongst them of several Nations Colonel Sanderson Colonel Alexander Lesly a Scot differing in opinions fell to quarrel which the General opposed saying These that will not fight the Enemy let them keep their own quarters But gave command to countenance Colonel Sanderson with 3000 Foot to fall upon the Polish quarters weakened by drawing off their choisest Horse and Foot to Dorogobuse to prevent their Muscovite provision of relief and the General privately took Sanderson crosse the River to get a secret view for the best advantage of the designe When suddenly an Alarm came to the General who commanded Sanderson with speed to his quarters who passing by the brow of an Hill where Lesly drew out into Order and seeing Sanderson without any guard with a dozen of Horse followed him that took no heed of any Treason but minding his enemy before his face Lesly came close behinde him and with a brace of bullets shot him by the nape of the neck into the head stark dead the second day of December 1633. Upon which Murther the English drew into a Body with resolution of revenge upon Lesly and his Scots but for the instant were both commanded into a truce with great protestation that the Murtherer should be subject to severe punishment and so submitted him to a Guard of which the enemy having knowledge takes the advantage falls upon the Muscovite and in this disorder put them to a great losse and kills six thousand enforcing them to a Parly and to these base unheard-of conditions That an Army of an hundred and twenty thousand should cast their Arms and Colours at the feet of this King a Monster of Victory He pardons them all the strangers near fourteen thousand are never to bear Arms against the Crown of Poland and all Arms and Ammunition submitted to the Conquerour And not long after the general peace was ratified between them That the King of Poland should relinquish his Title and pretensions upon the great Duchy of Musco and the grand Duke his upon Smolensko and other such places formerly depending on the Muscovite These dishonourable conditions fell heavily upon the General who was at his return home soon-beheaded His Son the Lievetenant General whipt to death about the streets and his family banished for ever into the Countrey of Ibera there to catch Sables for the Emperours profit a customary punishment of such as have relation and dependance upon Traitours Nay the King of Swede had called in the Turk who to besiege Poland was entred into the Countrey but the King had timely gotten this Victory to put fire in the Turks tails beating them out again and forcing them also to beg a peace upon most honourable terms for the King at that same time when the third part of Constantinople was burnt to the ground with incredible losse a Prodigie threatning the Turk with that misfortune which afterward befel him The Murtherer Lesly after some time of imprisonment with great summes of money wrought his release there and to be sent Prisoner to the justice of King Charles whose subject he was Here he was cast into prison and suffered under the trial onely of the High Court of Honour where being arraigned he produced the Kings pardon who was pleased thus to excuse and that truly That being the Murther was committed in a foreign Nation the Laws of England could not reach to punish with death which said the King having passed a formal Tryal may give caution to his Subjects not to execute the like The pardon being onely to shadow from publick knowledge the weakness of our Laws against such foreign Offenders But the Hand of Heaven prosecuted this Murther for He wandring in foreign Wars came over hither again with some command in the Queens forces which She brought over from Holland for assistance of the King in the late Civil War where upon his first service he was 〈◊〉 and maimed in his Murtherous hand Then he returns into Muscovia where but for suspicion of Treachery he was imprisoned in a Tower and from the top was flung 〈◊〉 sharp stakes and lingred out a reasonable time of
Ordnance before to choose out so many commanded Musquetiers of the English of late come out of Ireland as might well be spared out of that Garison These were a thousand Musquetiers of Colonel Broughtons and Colonel Tilliers Regiments with a hundred and twenty of Colonel Sir Fulke Huncks All these sent down by the Severne met the Prince at Bridgenorth on Fryday Of Horse he took along his own Troop and Regiment with twenty of Major General Sir Hurrey's with these Forces he drew along three Field-pieces At Wolverhamton next day was his Army recruited by a hundred Horse and two hundred Foot of Colonel Levesons On Munday night he had notice at Ashby de la Zouch of two thousand two hundred Enemies under Sir Edward Hartop sent out by Meldruâ—â— to the pass and bridge over the Sore a mile from Loughborow in Leicester-shire Their purpose was either to intercept General Major George Porter or to prevent his joyning with my Lord Loughborow For thither with four Regiments of Horse and aâ— thousand commanded Musquetiers of my Lord of Newcastles men was Master Porter now come from about Newark to hinder the farther inroads into Leicestershire Dayly slight Skirmishes here passed For Meldrum not able to force the passaâ—â— and hearing of my Lord of Loughborow's drawing out they stole away Porter thus dis-ingaged was the next day together with my Lord Loughborow's forces conjoyned to the Prince's That night they all quartered in a Close by Bingham eight miles short of Newark About two of the clock the Moon then well up the drums beat and all marched Hitherto had the marches been so speedy as fame it self was prevented for by Meldrum's own Letter sent to the Lord Fairfax which was intercepted the night before they had no more but an uncredited rumor of Prince Rupert's coming On this dayes march Rupert had notice by his espyalls how the Enemies were busied all that morning in sending away their Cannons which proved no other then their drawing them off their Batteries into their chiefe work at the Spittle or Excester House a little more then musket shot from the Town for into that one Quarter had they that morning drawn all their Regiments and Amunition The Prince having intelligence of their amassing themselves into one Body which he supposed a preparation to march off suddenly advanc'd his Van of Horse upon the spur to overtake them the rest of his Horse had order to keep along with the Foot Cannon and Amunition Coming near the Beacon-hill a mile short of Newark he perceived some Horses of the enemies who upon his approach drew down the other side to their own Grosse The Prince thus easily gaining the hill increased his natural courage upon his apprehension besides of having many advantages upon a retreating enemy Whereupon Courage sayes he let 's charge them with the Horse we have and ingage them till our Reer and Foot be march'd up to us Trooping thus to the edge of the hill he perceived the most of the enemy in Battalia Horse and Foot near the Spittle all except four great Bodies of Horse who expected him at the very descent of the hill The Prince thus ordered his own few Forces first himself with his own Troop of Life-guards undertook to attack that Body on the left hand appointing my Lord Loughborow's Troop to second him and Colonel Gerard's Troop to be as a Reserve a little on my Lords right hand The Princes Regiment was cast out into five divisions two Troops to each division in the first and very right hand of all were Captain Gardiner and Captain Richardson then Captain Cobb and Captain Martin then the Lord Grandison and Sir Thomas Dallison next them the Troops of Sir Lewis Dives and the Lord Dillon Major Leggs and Lieutenant-Colonel O-Neales Troops being next unto the Life-guards this Regiment was seconded by Major General Porters Regiment the Field-word was King and Queen theirs Religion The fight began about nine a clock and after a while grew sturdy especially on Rupert's right wing the other doubling their files from three to six deep and charged two outmost Troops upon the Flanks so hard that Captain Martin came timely in to help to beat them off the Prince himself having pierced deep into the enemies and being observed for his valour was dangerously at once assaulted by three sturdy persons whereof one fell by Rupert's own sword a second being pistoll'd by Master Mortaigne one of his own Gentlemen the third now ready to lay hand on the Princes collar had it almost chopt off by Sir William Neale He thus dis-engaged with a shot only in his gauntlet with Sir Richard Crane and his own Troop charged quite thorow that Body pursuing them in rout home to their very Works at the Spittle presently after this his Regiment with their seconds likewise routed the three other Bodies four of the Troops charging even into the Work and bringing away a Captain Prisoner Loughborow also deported himself honourably some of his shrunk at the second charge himself rode back to rally and bring them up again Major-general Porter charged with much bravery though some of his also retired up the hill in disorder Colonel Charles Gerard did here like himself but by the fall of his horse was bruised shot in the arm and taken prisoner After a while both sides began to rallie and make ready for a second charge the Prince to make impression and they to receive it and though for a good while they disputed it toughly yet by fine force were they and all the rest driven quite out of the Field beyond their own Work Foot and Cannon at the Spittle divers of them hasting by a bridge of boats over that branch of the Trent into the Island four other Troops with as many Foot-companies hasted up to Muskham bridge upon the other side of the Island and main stream of the River about three quarters of a mile both from Newark and the Spittle here they stayed till towards evening when breaking the bridge behinde them and throwing one piece of Cannon into the Trent they then hastned to Nottingham In both these stiffe bouts the Prince took Five Cornets and Ninetie Prisoners whereof three Captaines some Gentlemen three Cornets besides other Officers and two Cannoniers And now as if an universal truce had been agreed upon there was some half an hours silence excepting that the enemies Cannonado's disturbed it For the Foot had not yet advanced and their Horse by this time had enough of it As for the Prince he now stayed for his Foot and Reer of Horse both left full two miles behinde when his Van began to double their march to overtake the enemy anon came up his Foot all that day commanded by Colonel Tilliar these resting themselves a while upon the hill the first division being part of those that came from Shrewsbury were led on by the Colonel these marcht down in the face of the enemy hooting at their Cannon these
ten times over Here they remained pretending a Peace but in earnest to settle Trade and to see which way the Game went and having leave to go to the King they caress him with their Masters the States great inclination to cement these Differences but the King knew their mindes not to engage for him and so they returned in the end of this year The Marquess of Newcastle had been besieged above nine Weeks by the Parliaments Forces in the North for the raising of which Prince Rupert advances out of Shropshire marching with his Army through Lancashire raises the Siege of Latham House takes three Garisons Stopford Bolton and Leverpool he came forward towards York and on Sunday last of Iune enquartered at Knaresburgh fourteen Miles off the next morning over Burrough-bridg and that night along the River to York upon whose approach the Besiegers quit their Quarters and those in York pursue the Rear and seize some Provisions the next morning Iâ—lie 2. the Prince advances after them resolving to give them Battel by noon yet was it almost seven a clock ere they began and upon disadvantage enough for the Parliaments Forces had choice of the Ground and stood it on a Corn Hill on the South side of Marston Moor four Miles from York and so the Prince taking their leavings fell on upon their Horse who began to shrink and their right Wing of Horse and Foot were routed by the Princes left Wing commanded by General Goring Sir Charls Lucas and Major General Porter And thus confessed by themselves Our right VVing of Foot say they had several mis-fortunes for our right VVing of Horse consisting of Sir Thomas Fairfax 's Horse in the Van and the Scots Horse in the Rear wheeled about and being hotly pursued by the Enemies left VVing came disorderly upon the Lord Fairfax his Foot and the Reserve of Scotish Foot broke them wholly and trod the most of them under foot The Fight was sharp for three hours till night put a period Some of the Prince's Horse followed execution too far and none advancing to supply their absence the Enemy rallied and did the work and many slain on both sides and Prisoners also taken three Prisoners of quality on the Cavaliers party Lucas Porter and Colonel Tilliard The Scots were the Reserve in all their three Armies but smarted at last because their Van both of Horse and Foot not standing brought execution upon them The Parliament printed two Relations the one a Scotish Captain says That Prince Rupert had got the Ground with VVinde and Sun of the Scots when it is certain it was late in the Evening that the loss of men of qualitie upon their parts was but one Lieutenant Colonel and some few Captains And yet he says that the Earl of Eglinton's Regiment lost four Lieutenants the Major the Lieutenant Colonel and the Earls Son mortally wounded that the number of their slain about three hundred and that of the Cavaliers almost three thousand that Prince Rupert took all the Ordnance out of York and lost them in this Fight which Sir William VVallar says were eight and twentie Pieces Another Relation five and twentie And another says twentie That in this Fight were taken ten thousand Arms. Sir VVilliam Waller says six thousand Another Scots Captain says three thousand For Colours they shew a Scene of 47. Colours The truth is that the Horse of both Armies were sufficiently scattered by night next morning the Prince marched towards Thursk and can onely say That he relieved York with some Cattel raised the Siege and was soundly beaten Yet from thence he marched with six thousand Horse and three thousand Dragoons into Lancashire But from the last Fight divers of the Kings party took leave to depart the Kingdom and landed at Hamburgh the Letters from thence names them the Earl of Newcastle lately made Marquess with his two Sons and his Brother Sir Charls Cavendish General King the Lord Falconbridg the Lord VViddrington the Earl of Cranworth the Bishop of London Derrie Sir Edward VViddrington Colonel Carnabie Colonel Basset Colonel Mozon Sir VVillam Vavasor Sir Francis Mackworth with about eighty other persons Sir Thomas Glenham was Governour of York a gallant Gentleman maintaining it against the Siege of all the main Northern Forces of the Parliament the Earl of Manchester the Lord Fairfax and his Son And although Prince Rupert had so far relieved the City as to send them in some Cattel but neither Men nor Amunition so that after his fatal Blow at Marston Moor and now marched away the City left utterly from further expectation of assistance and the Parliaments Forces now resolving to fall upon the storming which the Governour opposed with as much gallantry as his necessitous condition could afford but being over-powered and his wants increasing he was inforced to surrender the City upon honourable terms on the sixteenth of Iulie 1. That all Officers and Souldiers â—hall march out on Horse back with their Arms flying Colours Drums beating Matches lighted Bullets in Mouth with Bag and Baggage 2. VVith a Convoy to Skipton 3. The Sick to depart at pleasure 4. That no Souldier be plundered or enticed away 5. The Citie to enjoy their Trade 6. The Garison to be two parts of three Yorkshire men 7. The Citie to bear Charges with the Countie as usual 8. To dispose and enjoy their Estates according to the Laws of the Land without molestation 9. The Gentlemen there to dispose and carrie away their Goods at pleasure 10. That the Churches be not defaced no man plundered justice to be administred by the Magistrate as before 11. That all persons whose Habitations are within the Citie though now absent shall enjoy the benefit of these Articles The Parliament ordain new Levies to be raised ten thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse and one thousand three hundred Dragoons out of nineteen Counties South Counties Suffolk Norfolk Huntington Oxford Berks c. Not only to raise these thousands but must advance as much money as will pay them during their imployment so as it was said that the two Houses at Westminster would devour all the Houses in London It was murmured that as these two had ruined all the rest so ere long they would pull down one the other for the Lords were daily baited by the Commons as Peers which yet doe but should not sit above them so as Mr. Blaston lately told the Lower Members That the Lords had been allowed too long to domineer and we see said he how often they have been defective the Lower stickling to heave out the Higher by the strength of whose Votes and Number the Committee of State is newly reared up which at long running will be too hard for them both and then that very Committee will perchance split into two Factions when our Northern Brethren may prove the better Gamesters because the Elder at this kinde of Contract untill at the last the whole Cause will appear in its
in him by the Parliament and adhered to the Enemie to be proved by his words by his Letters and by his actions and 1. His compliance with the Enemie the Lord Digby and the Marquess Newcastle 2. His Refusal to supplie the Lord Fairfax with Amunition to the great Disservice of the Parliament and prejudice of the Affairs in the North. 3. His uttering divers scandalous words against the Parliament and Close Committee 4. His endeavouring to betray the Town of Hull to the Enemie 5. His holding correspondencie with the Queen by several Messengers 6. His causing a Demi-culvering to be planted on the top of the Castle against the Town and two Pieces in the Block-house to give fire on the Parliament Ships 7. His sending away Mayor Captain of the Ship Hercules 8. His quitting of the Garison at Beverley which strengthened the Town of Hull 9. His endeavouring to escape so soon as his Designs were discovered All which were proved upon him by several Witnesses above thrity persons and that was the business of this day On Munday after he comes to his Defence beginning with a tedious Narrative of his faithfulnesâ— in maintaining the Town of Hull against his Majestie at the beginning of the War when he might have expected great preferment and advantage To the first Article he saith That Captain Mayor sailing forth to meet the Providence the first Ship that brought the King Amunition took a Catch in the River Humber wherein was the Lord Digby in disguise of a French man Col. Aâ—hburnham and Sir Edw. Stradling whom he brought Prisoners to Hull where the Lord Digby told him that he was a Souldier of Fortune and for his Libertie would adventure to the Enemie and give Sir J. Hotham Intelligence which accordingly he did and returned several times but at last gave the slip and then sent a Letter of Inticement that he was the Lord Digby and wished him to return to his Allegeance to his Sovereign after which he had no further Treatie with him That he treated with the Marquesse Newcastle was to no other end but to keep the Riding of Yorkshire free from plunder for the maintenance of Hull which was then destitute of money That for the Letters which he should send to the Marquess He alledged he knew not but that they might be counterfeit being only like his hand Then he proceeded by way of defence producing Witnesses on his own part which were Commissarie Coply and other Knights and Gentlemen on purpose only to take off the testimonie of Examinants against him but they proved to little effect And so after some daies spent in examining Witnesses pro and con he was sentenced 7. December to be carried back and from thence to the place of Execution to suffer death by having his head cut off Two daies after comes his Son Captain Hotham to his Trial. His Charge against him was in effect That he being a Commander in the Parliament Service had Traiterously betrayed the Trust reposed in him perfidiously adhering to the Enemy all which would be proved And was by the Advocate of the Court the chief matters were these That he had been disobedient to the Commands of the Lord Fairfax Commander in chief of the Northern Counties and that he had refused to account for the Parliaments moneys raised in Yorkshire and converted to his own use And for his adhering to the Enemy It was instanced by his going into the Enemies Quarters and returning without any ingagement His several private Treaties with the Enemy under pretence of Exchanging Prisoners and private discourse with the Marquesse Newcastle twice by his own confession and that the Marquesse offered him to be made a Lord and to have General Gorings Command or any other Honours if he would turn to the King His omitting several opportunities to fight with the Enemy and permitting a Convoy from the Queen with Arms upon her first landing at Burlington and to passe to York without fighting That Lord General Cromwel being in Lincolnshire with him upon a Design against the Enemy Hotham was to Charge the Right Wing and Cromwel the Left whom he Routed and Chased them above two miles who returning found the Enemies Right Wing unmoved and so Hotham had not charged at all That after the discovery of some of his Treachery and whilst committed prisoner to Notingham Castle he sent his Servant John Keyes swearing him to secrecy with a Message to the Queen then at Newark how he was imprisoned and to be speedily sent up to the Parliament or to the General and prayes her Majesty to send a Party of Horse to rescue him and that he had a Regiment of Horse under his Command and should be ready for the Service she expected in Lincolnshire That his Company of Foot at Lincoln the Town of Hull Beaverly and the Ship called the Hercules were all at her Majesties Service That after his being released from Nottingham Castle he went to Lincoln and gave out many scandalous Speeches invective against the Parliament with inticements to Colonel Rositer to betray his trust who detesting such perfidie Hotham went to Hull to his Father and forthwith both of them received Letters from the Marquesse Newcastle about the betraying of Hull and other matters And that the day before they both were apprehended at Hull 18. June 1643. Hotham writ to the Marquesse an Answer to his Letters which were found in his Chamber sealed not having time to send them away wherein much of his treacherie was therein laid open On Thursday 12. Decemb. Hotham makes his defence large and verie formal from four afternoon till eight at night That he treated with the Enemie for the Parliaments advantage in setling a course for exchange of Prisoners and the like which he conceived he might doe without acquainting his Superiour and to that purpose pleaded the priviledge of all Commanders instancing divers and that he knew no Law against it nor was it prohibited by the Ordinance of War That before he adventured upon Treaties he still had advice of his Commander in Chief Sir John Hotham and some of his own Captains That for his not fighting the Queens Convoy they were far stronger yet he attacked the Rear as far as he might with safety And had learned this Maxim of War that a Commander in Chief is not to adventure upon an Enemy but upon advantage or compelled by necessity That for the businesse betwixt him and Lord General Cromwel He offered to prove that he charged the Enemies Right Wing to the utmost though it proved not so effectual as the others Actions upon the Left Wing That when he was committed to Notingham not knowing his crimes or by whose Order committed He sent to his Father to Hull to enquire the cause but denyed he sent his servant to the Queen and made many Objections against his man Keyes testimonie therein The words which he spoke to Rositer he confessed but were in passion and he recalled them
Desires to the King for more Men or at least Arms from beyond Seas and himself single lies close but Oglebey and his Friends were all surprized and imprisoned by the Covenanters untill the next year that Montrose set them at liberty who did him faithfull Service Montrose with onely two Gentlemen Rollock and Sibald hasts towards Scotland and by the way escaped Sir Richard Graham who was revolted to the Covenanters and undertook to discover all men affectionate to the King this Graham heretofore a very mean Iockey of the Duke of Buckingham's Stables by Industry and Deceit got into his favour to be the chief Master of his Horse and by the necessity of the Princes secret Journey into Spain was there serviceable and upon that score had grace and preferment to be made a Knight Baronet getting an Estate emulous to all his Neighbours and now becomes a Traitour But after four Days Montrose arrives at his Cosin Patrick Graham in the Sheriffdom of Perth with whom he resides disguised and sends his two Friends to discover the state of the Kingdom who return this News That all the people lay under subjection of the Covenanters and that the Marquess of Huntley had laid down his Arms and was fled to the North leaving his noble Family the Gourdons exposed to his merciless Enemies Covenanters Instead of ten thousand promised onely 110. Irish landed in the North of Scotland from Antrim under Command of Alexander Mac-Donel a Scot who met with Montrose in Atholde but Arguile their Enemy was in their Rear with an Army marching after them the Countreymen eight hundred joyn with Montrose who marches to Ern and passing by Weme Castle of the Meneses his Enemies who treacherously fell upon his Rear he burns their Houses and wasts their Fields this was the first Onset of War His noble faithfull Friend Patrick Graham commands the Athole men to scout before who meet with five hundred Foot under the leading of the Lord Kilton Son to the Earl of Taith descended of Grahams and Sir Iohn Drummond Son to the Earl of Perth both Kinsmen to Montrose raised to oppose the new-landed Irish but understanding of Montrose the state of the Kings affairs they all joyn in a Body these discover that the Covenanters were in Arms at their Rendezvouz at Perth and waited for them at Athole he marches within three miles of them drawn out in an open Plain Tippermore ready to fight and commanded by the Lord Elcho with the Earl of Tullibardin and the Lord Drummond with six thousand Foot and seven hundred Horse It was on Sunday the first of September Elcho had the right Flank one Sir Iames Scot the left and Tullibardin the Battel to each Flank Wings of Horse Montrose had not one Horse and being but few in Foot he draws out open as possible he could with his Files onely three deep commands his Ranks all to charge at once the first Rank kneeling the next stooping the third being the ablest men upright not to stoop but in the teeth of their Enemy and to spare Shot in vain and immediately after to fall in upon them with their Swords and Musquet-ends Montrose commands the right Flank against Scot the left to the Lord Kilponâ— and the Battel to Mac-Donel with his Irish. Montrose sends to the Enemy one Drummond Son to the Lord Maderty who told them That Montrose had his Commission from the King Victory they might have if they would please to conquer themselves and return to their Allegeance for his own part he was not covetous of any mans wealth nor ambitious of their honour nor envious of any mans preferment nor thirsty of bloud onely he begged of them to return faithfull to their King hitherto provoked with unspeakable injuries who had deserved to be the best of Kings These inhumane Wretches gave no Answer but send the Messenger Prisoner to Perth Being now within Musquet-shot the Enemy sends out Drummond with the Forlorn Hope at the first Onset routed them back to their Main Body and with a shout le ts loose his whole Forces upon them and puts them to flight pursued six miles two thousand slain and as many Prisoners the most take Oath with him but proved perfidious he took the City Perth but without one jot of Plunder Here he stays three Days to whom comes the Earl of Kinole with some Gentlemen of Gawry inconstant too Arguile was come up with his Army Montrose quarters in the Fields having passed over Tay near Conper a Village in Angus where Sir Thomas Ogleby Son to the Earl of Arley comes to him with others next morning early there happened a base Murder in Montrose's Quarters one Stuart lodging that night with the Lord Kilponten discovered his Design to murder Montrose inviting his assistance upon great assurance of preferment from the Covenanters who set him on work which being the Lord refused he suddenly stabb'd him with many wounds and before Day and dark he escaped to Arguile and was forthwith preferred to high Commands Montrose marches to Dundee who refuse to submit but he not fitted for a Siege turns towards Eske amongst his supposed Friends who yet withdrew onely the Ear of Arley a man of sixty years old with his two Sons Sir Thomas and Sir David and some others joyned with him through all extremities to the end And now they march towards Aberdine where lay Commissioners of the Covenanters with an Army of two thousand Foot and five hundred Horse commanded by the Lord Burgly labouring to assure the Northern parts which Montrose would prevent and fight them ere that Arguile should come and first gets the Bridg over Dee where he found the Enemy drawn up near the City Montrose had but fifteen hundred Foot and but just four and fourty Horse for he had given leave to Kilponten's men to convoy their dead Master home and the Athole men were returned with Spoil with these he made two Divisions mixing his best Fire-men and Archers nimble and quick on either Wing to prevent the Enemies Horse upon his Rear the right Flank to Iames Hay and Nathaniel Gordon the left to Sir William Rollock The Enemies left Wing was commanded by Lewis Gordon Son to the Marquess Huntly a Hare-brain'd Fellow that had forced his Fathers Friends to this Fight who charges Montrose's right Flank whom Rollock aided with twenty Horse and beating back three hundred to a Rout and run away but left them for the Enemies right Wing of Horse was charging their left who had no Horse till these twenty Horse were got in but not able to endure so great a Charge wheeled about and fell upon the Enemies Flank with their Swords and put them also to Flight Those Horse that stood it out were to be assisted with fresh Foot out of the Main Body which Montrose soon apprehending prevented them fell upon the other on all sides and put them to a Flight whom he followed with execution into the Gates and Streets
fought with Those that came up close upon him were Pikemen who stuck their points into his Target and which he as fast cut off with his Sword and when Montrose came in their Horse fled but their Foot fought to the last man and were all slain Nor had Hurrey himself escaped but that Aboin with the Enemies Colours which he had taken in the flight came in flourishing with them as in a brave which Montrose supposed the Enemies recruit and made much disorder The Enemy lost many stout men Campbel Laver a Colonel Sir Iohn and Sir Gideon Murray and sundry taken Prisoners Young Napier of Marcheston fought valiantly and came to Montrose his Uncle without his Fathers know ledge at Edenburgh whom the Christian Covenanters drag'd to the Goale an old good man of seventy years with his wife the daughter of the Earl of Mane Sir Stirling Keer his Brother his two sisters the one Wife to Sterling the other a Virgin and all upon this score cast into the Dungeon till it pleased God Montrose and Napier relieved them out this Battle was fought at Aldern 4 of May 1645. Montrose marches on to Elgine and over the Spey to Keeth to Frendrach and so to Strath-boggy Here Baily meets him not yet fitted to fight against fresh men and therefore in the night he passeth to Balvoine and then to Strath-done and Strath-spey to Bodenoth the enemy follownig with Skirmishes and beating up his Quarters so that Montroses men were over-wearied but were rid of the other now who went to Innerness The Earl of Lindsey prime Leader of the Covenanters next to Arguile who wanted care and courage took upon him the sole Command of their Army and was marched into Angus a Reserve to Bailey or to hinder Montrose passage over Forth fearing to have the War nearer Edenburgh Therefore Montrose seeks him out from Badenoth he marches through the Plain of Marre over Gransbain and came to the River Airley and Lindsey seven miles off at a Castle Newtil and ready to be assaulted the Northern men run home again being inveagled by old Huntley that hated Montrose his glorious successes and so Lindsey escaped a scouring or Montrose was resolved to have done the work or to have died there In some discontent he resolves afresh to follow Colonel Nath. Gordon whom he had sent before Bailey and Hurrey were returned from Innerness and quartered beside Dee and Montrose was come to the County Cramarro And by the way he sends Mac-donel to the farthest part of the Highlands to fetch such Forces as were there raised and sends away the Lord Gordon to Nath Gordon for those men which he had listed Lindsey joynes with Baily and so now was too hard for Montrose who therefore got to Kingarf Castle for fafety Then Lindsey with the best of his men leaves Bailey returns through Merne into Angus ranges up and down Athole Baily goes to Bogi the fair Castle of Huntley and to ruine his Countrey which Montrose means to defend and by his Scouts he findes that Bailyâ—s Foot stood on a Hill two miles off and his Horse guarded a Pass in the midst of the two Armies against whom he sends some horse and nimble Firelocks which were entertained with light Skirmishes afar off and so retire to their Pass man'd with Musketiers which Montrose endeavoured to remove with his Foot but night parted that design and the next morning he sends a Trumpet to Baily to come forth of his Pass and fight but he would not and so Montrose to draw him off marches to Druminere Castle being pursued by Baily to Ailford Hill which Montrose possesseth behind him a moorish place to prevent Horse before him a steep Hill Baily was an experienced Souldier and was drawn to Battle against his will by the Lord Balcurise a Colonel of Horse The Lord Gordon had the right Wing and assisted by Nath. Gordon the left to the Lord Aboin joyned with Rollock the main Battle to Glengar and Drummond of Ball and to them he added Geo. Graham Mr. of the Camp the Reserve hid behinde the Hill to Napier The number of Foot were equal each 2000. but Baily had six hundred Horse the other but two hundred Montrose drawes down to the Vale the Lord Gordon gives the Charge and was gallantly received but being closed and to handy blows Nathaniel calls to the Firelocks to fling down their guns and with their Swords pierce the Horses or ham-string them which they did and instantly Montrose draws on the Reserve from behind the Hill at whose unexpected sight the Enemy fly Aboin kept off attempting by light Skirmishes in small Parties upon them who seeing their own men on the left Wing to be routed and put to flight retreated handsomely with little losse their Foot were stout men refusing Quarter were all cut off And here falls the Lord Gordon who in too much gallantry the Battle being won would needs presse after the thickest by the flying Enemy and with a shot falls down dead Montrose not many two Gentlemen Culchol and Milton and some common Souldiers but the Lord Gordon answered for a Million mightily missed in the Military Affairs after this Battle was fought 2. Iuly 1645. And presently Montrose marches through Angus where he meets Patrick Graham with his men Athole men and Macâ—donel with fresh Highlanders a great power with Maclein the chief of his sept with 700. of his own friends also the chief of the Mac-ranolds with 500. men the Mac-gregories and Mac-nabies with good numbers And Glengar with 500. more out of the Plains of Maure many more and a hundred out of Badenoth all â—tout able men With these Montrose resolves to make his way to the heart of the Kingdom to come to the Parliament at St. Iohnstown so marches and comes to encampe in Methfin Forrest near the Town and soon frightned the Parliament who never dreamt he durst come so near amazing them upon the walls with a sight of Packsaddle draught and poor Jades all mounted in shew of goodly Troops when he had not 200. Horse and thus all gaze He expecting Forces from the North and they from Fife and other places which suddenly were come and so provoke to fight but Montrose was not fitted and so marches away to Dukheldon Aboin and Colonel Gordon are come with two hundred Horse and as many Firelocks whom they had mounted and made Dragoons amongst whom came the Earl of Airlye and Sir David his Son with eighty Horse of the most noble Family of Oglebies and so Montrose marches to Strath Erne Fife County is the most populous rich and full of Towns in all Scotland the Inhabitants not Martial Husbandmen and Traders but of new Fangled religious Opinions tot quot sententiae It is almost an Island the South bordering with the Scotish Firth the North with Tay the East with the Sea No entrance by Land but by the West in which strait both Armies now are lodged but they would not fight and
the French their turning home which for the present made a great rupture at Court and much danger to the Messengers person being assaulted at his lodging and forced to his refuge Upon which Carlton coming after did not expose himself to hazzard untill by publique Proclamations and Placands upon each post His person and all other English there had Protection upon pain of death and he received with all due respects and satisfaction mutual in each particular answerable to his arrand in which story the Historian is mistaken Indeed there was some time required to the necessity of the then imbroyled actions of the civil affairs of the French Court for Count Shally Guard de Robe having a handsom Wife somewhat wanton and upon distast of the Kings drollery who spared not to tell him so he resolved to impoâ—son his apparel with the connivance of other discontented Courtiers against the Cardinal Richlieu The Count upon summons before the Privy Council without more ado was condemned and forthwith beheaded at Nantes the Duke Momerancie then under restraint suffered some time after And Madam Chevereux as deep in the plot had hopt headlesse then had not the former Messenger from England part of his arrand advised her over night to fly from the danger which she did to the Duke of Lorain in much haste which may excuse her neglect not giving him thanks then nor ever after And in answer to what is reported by the French that they were cashiered without their wages they received all their due with large rewards which amounted unto twenty two thousand and eight hundred pounds Sterling and more remained but the pestiferous brood Madam Nurce and her daughters whom the wicked parents bred up afterwards in all the tricks of insolent mischief To appease these distempers the Marshal Ballampier came over Extraordinary and boldly demanded the Restitution and Return of the Queens Domestiques but it took not effect for at his being here our Wine-Merchantsâ— ships were arrested at Blay Castle upon the Gerond returning down the River from Burdeaux Town in November by Order of the Parliament of Rouen upon very slender pretence And as to this and that before we may conclude that the French brake League with us first without the Nice distinction rather he brake his word then his Faith And even now comes newes of the Emperours successe against the King of Denmark with whom affinity of kindred and reason of State had kept a strict and narrow correspondence with the late ayd from England of 6000 men under conduct of Sr. Ch. Morgan who on the seventeenth of August received a totall overthrow by Count Tilly and in fear of utter ruine The Sound like to be lost the English Garrison at Stoade straightly besieged and their trade and staple of Cloth at Hamburgh destroyed In these we are now concerned though abroad and as desperate at home the â—vil successe of our late fleet of thirty sail Men of Warre in the beginning of October last under command of the Lord Willoughby and the Earl of Denbigh were so scattered with an hideous storm as with much difficulty they got to Harbour being not far from shore which hastened them home and returned Denbigh to Court ere he was expected In whose short time of absence the young Marquesse Hamilton espoused to Denbighs daughter took a resolution when he wed her never to Bed her upon which he was divested of his place in the spicery worth 2500 per annum and the Marquesse malcontent a week before Denbies return departed for Scotland bidding the Court eternall valediction c. This story is mistaken throughout for in the life time of the old Marquesse the young Couple were contracted and often Bedded in a wanton way of consummating the Nuptials and Hamilton now grown man alwayes under tutelâ—ge of the King and filiall dependance upon his father in law whose wife was sister to the Duke of no such mean Extraction to be accounted impar Congressus and no fit match He indeed had a minde to visit Scotland for setling his estate there taking this convenient opportunity of Denbighs absence and with leave without any regret or cause at all After whom Denbigh hastens to invite him back to Court untill some short time might prepare them both to journey thither together which for some conveniences was deferred and about two years after the proper time for compleating the Marriage his Fathers former office in the Spicery was now exchanged for the Mastership of the Horse a very considerable difference in value for the better and thus this Tale takes end The King in want of monies to forward his designs and now not to sit down with his mishaps found himself under this Dilemma either to oppose his Enemies abroad or in short time to endanger a storm upon him at home for the miserable condition of the Rochellers strongly beleagured by their King under conduct of the Duke of Guise necessarily required more speedy relief then the sudden summoning of a Parliament and their tedious course of proceeding would admit with the Religious consideration if not Policy of dangerous consequence if not ruine to that strong fortresse of the Hugonotes rhe main defence of them Reformed and so neerly concerning our Profession though for the Persons and Faction of that Town King Iames not willing to undertake their Patronage so often solicited whose disposition was not to continue loyal when they had power to revolt And indeed since overtures made made to raise present monies by Benevolence or by Enhancing Gold Coin he calls it two shillings in twenty But concluded upon Loan which he calls illegal Tax and is justly blamed for that false title For in truth He summes it almost two hundred thousand pounds Which had it been referred to the hazzard of perhaps the total might have come short of any certain dependance But therefore the Commissions of the thirteenth of October instructed the officers not to go a begging for a Common-Boon but to require it of duty seeing those Subsidies of the Subjects which the last Parliament had granted by Bill though not passed it into an Act before their dissolution and was in kinde of the Soveraign raised by way of Loan untill the next Parliament should enable him to make payment or confirm this way of Levy by their subsequent Act And yet this way had it been in Bias to liberty so much disputed he was to be excused the necessity of his foreign Ingagements requiring which were put upon him as an Instrument by the House of Commons to break into wars which was now wilfully deserted notwithstanding his former Item to the Parliament not to be betrayed therein These proceedings brought with them miserable effects to the King not answering his expectation and enforcing desperate wayes and means to bring up the Refractory Lords and Gentry Prisoners to the Council-Table who were incouraged by others to undergo any pressures that might blazon the
he does demolishes his works fills his Ditches levels his Trenches And now again as often before the Rochellers beseech him not to depart untill he had gathered contribution from the villages of the Isle or else they were undone In compassion to them he makes not his going away so speedy as convenient Canophie Commander in absence of Schombergh to sound the depth of this mystery of staying thus long Sends two or three Noble persons to Buckingham for leave to convay their wounded away to the Continent To which Isnard sayes That brave Buckingham made Answer Ere long both sick and sound should be sent them for he resolved to take ship before more forces came to the Island unwilling to hazard himself or them to fresh men being already wearied with long siege that they might not boast to force him thence That the glory of the Castles safety was due to Toras by whose invincible patience and gallantry sustaining so many miseries be acknowledged himself rather overcome than conquered Toras was told this if Isnard devises not all of his own brain for the other Authors from whom he steals the most speak not one syllable hereof Onely Mercury pag. 188. gives us Buckinghams Letter to Canophie That after three dayes he would give free pass to all That the French could purchase small glory to fight with his few forces The sickness and constancy of Toras to whom all honour was due persvvaded him to think of departure notvvithstanding he vvould afford him another Paradox sin razon nothing more acceptable than to meet Toras vvith his svvord in his hand to determine the quarrel in battail or combat The next night comes Schomburgh and his Fleet I say not hovv many ships vvith hovv many men and horse their ovvn Authors are at difference and we minded not the many there being too many before but in earnest it was a very choice well ordered Army that night disposed far enough from us Marilane the next Morning meets Schomburgh and thus united they consult being seasonably instructed by the Islanders for their advantage In the Mid narrow way between both Castles the French Army was thus marshalled The front contained a part of the Kings guard with a band of Navar Champaine and Piemont The second consisted of some Champains and those Forces commanded by Rambure and Bellimont Du Plesse and Melleres bands concluded the third some voluntiers armed with Halberts appointed for the wings The Horse divided into two companies guarded each side of the Army Bussey Lamele with 25. horse marched some two hundred paces before their whole Army the whole horse 250 the foot 4000 compleat the whole we reckon not the Garrisons Islanders and others exceeding ours double and their horse five times Buckingham was not ignorant of these new forces and yet lay long a bed this morning as Mr. Hackluite Captain of the Watch reported But up he gets timely enough to depart about nine a clock the forenoon his sick Soldiers packing away before divides his forces into seven parts neer a Windmill challenges the French to battail his Number 3000. foot and 58. horse and here he stands but the enemy will not budge He views his Gallants and amongst them Sir Charles Rich and Sir Iohn Ratcliff deadly sick whom he desires to withdraw to the Ships No they came to fight and leaning on their Pikes challenge death it self Buckingham marches on and sees the Enemy follow at a fair and far distance and turns his Guns backward upon them And being come neer the village Coarda he offers them a second challenge confessed by their own Authors mary thus excused Marilane feigned a Holt and therefore we stood still Toras they say having lost two of his brethren grew fierce to force the fight lest we should recede unhurt that slew so many at our Coming but Marilane was of another mind rather to build us a Golden bridge to be gone and therefore they moved after our Motion we keeping ours and they their stands Being marched out of the plain to the Village Coarda and there saies Mercury A la entre de Coarda Les Enemies presentarant une autre fois la battail We went on through the village disposing some shot for safety behind the old Walls Walks Hedges and Ditches Schomburgh was come up to Marilane and both of them followed us slowly having past half our journey three miles and here again rallied marching on to the Causway to Anserine not far off And here I know not with what wanton wile again we made a fourth stand thinking it might concern our honor to provoke a fight but they being faint and dull the day past four a clock and at the very entrance of the Cause-way the very cause of our inevitable slaughter The Causway was in length 300. paces in breadth about four on eithers side ditches which mostly end at Salt pits The strait way led on to about 300 paces which then the Wooden Bridge entercepted from this Pass about eighty paces the same cross way runs on Hence on the left hand it bent with an Elbow turning and with another â—also to the very bridge whence lies an entrance into the Anserne Isle which bridge was built upon Ferry boats At the Flooâ— the water not fordable the banks more dangerous and neer the Bridge a monstrous mire not to be imagined and no passage but at lowwater On the left hand by reason of the mouth of the Causway was a Village or Farm called Damiere and before that a Court-yard big enough for a band of men encompassed with a Ditch On the right uneven ground a Marsh with standing Motes long waies and broad And thus the causway Upon the greater Bridge where both the Islands met was raised that unfortunate and preposterous Fortress but neither so high nor so strong as to defend us or hinder them when we had stayed now a whole day without fighting a careless temerity hastened us to this causway in a long not loose nor orderly march which had we but abated till Twilight we had not felt the danger And now comes our last but not alone Errour for though our Refuge was raised at the further end of the Bridge which had been better at the entrance of the Causway for our Harbour yet at present by military order that was to be attempted Here therefore we should have staied with our colours or withstood the Enemy by often incursions until our safety had been raised behind us For so it is said Archduke Albert had baffled a French Army neer Ambianie And the enemy knew full well that two Companies of ours commanded by Connoway Baste and Spry had past the bridge and were come to the Anserne Island And those commanded by Rich Bret and Morton these all sick were to pass the Causway and with these four small Guns to make good the bridge and therefore they had onely to deal with two remaining commanded
by Courtney Hawley and Bingley Part of these two Companies about two hundred a piece stood at the mouth of that Causway which bore not above five a Brest The other part was placed at the side of the Causway not far from Damier Our horse in the mean time by reason of these companies so dispersed one Troop thereof consisted of not above 30. and the other but 38. to receive the enemies first charge amongst those were some of the Reformed as it were to inclose the Companies and all this the enemy knew and what companies could not come to assistance To Schomburgh comes Marilane and requires the word yet he intended not presently to fight us but to afflict and take our last as a noble Gallant confessed for there they appear to approach the Causway not so by a strait but by oblique course The French now advance a pace and are stoutly received by us but overprest by multitude they underwent diverse fortune For one part of our Horse fell amongst whom was that gallant and unrevenged Cunningham Another part yielded amongst whom was the Lord Mountjoy and he civilly used Others by the Enemies numerous power and their own weight in a steep place were forced to fly and whiles thus hurryed through the straits of the Causway into Ditches and Salt pits we were thrown The way thus opened the French pursue and made no small slaughter upon us For with very long pikes they pierced some of us already in the dirt whose face not long before they scarce durst behold And those by our own horse to whom onely they could give place were thrust besides the top of the Causway and so pierced by the enemies spears Those Companies next the horse at Damiere with their colours flying fought a while but as the former overpowred with the number fell or fled Amongst these the Reformed by uneven and turning paths made their way to the furâ—her bridge with much danger For the Enemy spared none that they met with And in truth here was a very great Slaughter Buckingham did much by direction and example Nor did the diversity of their thoughts suite well some endeavouring to fly others forbad it they rendred themselves by turns to the enemies pleasure and endeavouring by heaps to pass the Bridge one stopping another and so forced the contrary way until mutually knitting together they were thrown into the Sea And in truth Rich and Bret and many other Noble souls defending that bloody bridge encombred and prest perished in the waters and as many as fell to the French were surely destroyed Beyond the Bridge was ammunition for which Crosby contended but by a promiscous torrent of fliers and pursuers forced away having no leasure to distinguish Friends from Foes But upon a turn of fortune the French were forced beyond the Bridge Marilane leading them whom Sir Thomas Fryar and Hacksvil with gallant Spirits fall upon and Crosby with the next stand and rallied force assist and so wrested the victory from the enemy And herein not to be partial consult with their own writers they confess it and name their gallants slain This nimble victory makes us consult to pursue the French but the paucity and fewness of our men night also come caused us to forbear and themselves say Their return so disturbed and altered the French affairs that Marilane forsaken by his runnawayes could neither by fair means nor force of Sword detain them It may be suspected so few to put to flight the French but remember heretofore the battails of Cressie Poictiers Agencourt small handfuls of ours vanquished theirs the French Naturally they must confess it spend all their fury at Assault and without fear given create fear to themselves for they chill their internal strength and run headlong into danger the cause in themselves I must confess the victory which we claim was as I may say but lamentable which yet the Law of Arms allows us No man perished of ours but who desired to dy pent up to fight not to fly we fought for French against French theirs not our own quarrel The number of ours lost are now in question We say but 500. they reckon of us 1100. and how By the old Breeches which we cast off and the miserable beseeches bought of the Islanders to make a shew and fill up their Accompt And for their purchase of our number of Colours an oversight of us not to send them away with our Guns I told you before how we were weakned not a dozen left to an ensign and for the French who buried their own accompt but two or three hundred we cannot disprove them The night as I said came on they are fled we not able to pursue We were to make good our design to depart the Isle of Rhe not to be forced to be gone Yet still we stand expecting fresh Assaults from the French which they might easily do but did not and returned We went on and Crosby had the Watch Guard that night and order at the third Watch to burn the bridge which he did without damage The next day Buckingham minding his departure sends Fryar and Bret to demand the dead bodies and Dolbier to treat about Exchange of Prisoners Schomburgh consents to the first but refers the second to his Kings pleasure and so some tiÌ„me after all were returned without ransome to either friends We make aboard but here the question the glory of the field who of our own to stay last upon the shore to avoid dispute it was ordered by lot and on ship too we weighed not anchor till eight daies dared the enemie with their numerous fresh Fleets to fight And so saies Schomburgh to the King He intends himself to declare to his Majesty the English state and stay in the Anserne Island ere they departed Buckingham aboard calls a Council and demands their opinions freely if enough had been done in honour to depart All consented in one and that truly we had done well But Buckingham offered his desire to land and force the Continent and somewhat might be conceived in safety to the Rochellers and their affairs who were concluded under such a condition no douâ—â— as rendred them in appearance as yet Neuters to our Design or at least under pressure of submission and so to secure themselves might betray us The 9. day we hoised sail and met the Earl of Holland neer our Western Coast where at Plymouth the whole Fleet came to ancher and our Duke posted to Court to the King who received him with extraordinary welcome after three Moneths stay in the Isle and some weeks and odd daies from the hour he went from England The ordinary Prisoners on both sides were upon former Treaty to be returned home And therefore it is not well recited to say That Lewis gratiously dismist them as an offertory to his Sister the Q. of England and refused the Lord Mountjoys round sum of his ransom
firm and sure Peace from all our Neighbours And accordingly produced the good effects in some measure But we are told that they did nothing neither of them meaning the other Fleet also which the Earl of Northumberland commanded the next year and onely the Earl of Lindsey and Essex for this year But pardon me my opinion they did more than expectation they secured the Seas you confess from Pyracies formerly molesting so then our Commodities were safely transported and the Merchandize of Christendom came home with ease to our profit And it was accounted the best security for the King of Spain to intrust his Treasure Bullion in our English Bottoms being coined here some hundred thousand pounds a year became good benefit to the Kings Mint and much thereof to the Merchant whose Commodities were exchanged thereby and the rest of the Money paid over by Exchange to the Spanish Army in Flanders It hath ever been the best ballance with England not to endure an over-bias of any our great Neighbours French or Spaniard And as our first interest with the Netherlands kept their Enemy aloof so now themselves forgetting their first Friends had contracted Confederacy with France the one to infest Dunkirk and other parts of Flanders by Land and the Hollanders by Sea thereby to bring him under who indeed was already bare enough not able to bring ten thousand men into the Field And so with other practices of the Dutch with the discontented Natives the French prevailed at Diest and Tillemont untill the monstrous insolencies of that Army French and Dutch together inflamed the very Natives so far to resent their own sufferings by the Souldier both out of the Countrey And to boot the English Fleet removed the Hollanders from before Dunkirk that neither of the Confederates nor thus combined could do other harm than to ravage the Countrey but left no Hold behinde them The Prince Electour wearied with long expectation of the Emperours Result upon former Overtures and Mediation of Neighbour States towards the restauration of his Patrimony the Palatinate was now come hither himself to solicit the Kings assistance and for the present and in order to the effect had reception with all the Caresses of Court-ceremonies and the Prince Charls dislodged from his Quarter at White-hall for this Kinsmans entertaiment And soon after arrived his third Brother Prince Rupert The 28. of December a Moneth after the Queen was delivered of her second Daughter and baptized Elizabeth the first of Ianuary after The effects of our Fleet and resolution concerning the Sea besides made the Hollander tack about to caress the English with the Ceremony of an Ambassy sent outwardly onely to congratulate the Queens happy delivery of a second Princess but to work the more into favour he came not empty-handed and meant to get more by the loss of a Present being a massie piece of Amber-greece two fair and almost transparent China Baâ—ons a rare Clock of excellent art and four very admirable pieces of Painting the Originals of Tintinet and Tisian those admired ancient Artizans It was the wisdom of the King sufficiently to consider to whom this Treasury might best be intrusted This while the Commissioners served the Time but not the Kings private turn It was too publick in many hands the disposing of that which more prudentially would do better in One ordering it single by himself to whom the King might communicate his In-comes and Expence and therefore this Spring in March he commits the Staff of that Office to Doctor William Iuxon Bishop of London who had Religion to be honest and no use of self-interest to be corrupt a single person needs not to be covetous Former Treasurers being bound to keep up their Titles to the dignity of their Place and their necessary expence to the fulness of their Family made them too bold with the Kings Money which he wanted A good Man this Bishop was before and after and so no doubt to the end It was no wonder then if the Kings insight in him should pick him out the most fit for that trust as well as before to make him a Bishop But our Historian was of greater insight but of less opinion of the Bishops Clerkship as none of the greatest Scholars implying a defect which he found out that deserves his censure The foreign affairs of the Sword were somewhat allaid in Germany by the Peace concluded at Prague in May this year and the Protestants reduced to their Profession as it was setled Anno 1627. and their Ecclesiastick Lands confirmed for forty years the Agreement at Pastavia after that time to be composed in an annual way But the zealous or rather the fiery parties of both sides not well pleased with whom Cardinal Richelieu designs undermined to bring all about back again to a quarrel which the Emperour wisely considering to make peace at home for a War abroad that may happen pursues the Agreement that such as were comprised should render up their Forces to the Emperour their Head or to be declared Enemies which caused many to submit by force for the present The Dukes of Mecklenbergh are re-invested onely the Swedes enjoy what Lands they had seized Duke Bernard therefore excluded retires to France and there juggled into an hatred of the Swedes for ever after In general the Swedes were displeased with the Peace which they had purchased so dear with their great Kings bloud and death of so many of their own which to appease the Electour Saxony profers them a hundred thousand Rix-dollers from the Protector for their Reward which they refuse and might having so many good Towns and Provinces that the whole Empire was not able to beat them out of Pomerania and so in fine they resolved to stand to it And the Chancellour Oxenstiern untill business might be quite fletched puts all which the Swedes held about Phelesbergh into the hands of the French for a huge sum of money and retires into Sweden to give councel from thence having sent before his Train and a hundred and fifty brave Horses for Breed into Pomerania all which fell into his Enemies hands and some Spoils sunk in the Sea a Vessel laden with invaluable Sacrilege of the Church Copes Organs Images Chalices the twelve Apostles of Wirtenbergh all shut up in the Belly of the Ship which was delivered without a Midwife within a League of the Coast of Sweden and all lost The Spoils of the Church produce misfortune But the Swedes are reproached for their avarice having been well paid Wages and Booty their Recompenses freed the Princes from ungraâ—efulness and that their Pretences were but Illusions and so were to be answered which made them turn to treat with the French Cardinal Richelieu the Instrument of all bloudy Scenes in Christendom was already watching so neaâ— as Lorain for any Mutations of Fortune and in a fury would needs besiege Collen whom the Hollanders refuse
long here retarded his service of Lieutenant of Ireland commissioned the Earl of Ormond Lieutenant General of the Forces there and presently after he received a confirmation of that charge from the King in Scotland together with the sum of twenty thousand pounds in Spanish pieces of Eight which passed there in Ireland for four pence more in each piece which the Merchants had for assuring the Money thither and all landed safe when upon the one and twentieth of November News came that the Rebells were in March and in sight of Tredagh which expected a present Siege to whom some small Relief was sent Novemb. 17. The Mill Mount in the Town of Tredagh the most defensive for the Guard of Meath side was fortified with four Guns The whole County of Louth scarce a Gentleman that was not a Papist excepted were drawn into this Conspiracy so that they were beset on that side of the Town Northward with five thousand or as their own List reported eight thousand The Infection spread over the Town One Stanley a Parliament Burgess there and created a Captain and many others nay the Sheriff of the County revolted Knight of the Shire also from us to Rebellion He with Stanley were used Commissioners from them to the Town upon pretended Treaties but to espy upon our Actions who were received not amiss as to protract time They pretended to Accommodation in respect of their Estates in the Town professing extraordinary affection to the Lord Moor advising him to retreat to his house Mellifont or any of their Castles where his Father lived secure during Tyrone's Rebellion and proffered him to be their General of all Meath and Louth and satisfaction forthwith to him and his Tenants for any Detriments this they did to draw from the Protestants such a noble and right faithfull Commander And so much cunning the Conspiratours used every where at the first that the State had sent aid into several Counties even unto such as proved Enemies which were understood by the Lord Moor and prevented in their way above more than a thousand Arms. The Lord Gormonston by petition procured five hundred Arms to his own house for securing of Meath which the Enemy waited to surprize but was discovered and the Arms brought to Tredagh by the Lord Mainman with a Fortnights pay for the Regiments which served them for twenty Weeks after The Parliament now drawing on the Lord Moor came to Dublin making most noble offers to raise six hundred men more Clothes and Pay till Supplies from England conditional that the four Companies in Tredagh not yet affixed to any Regiment might be added to his command there to make up a thousand by which Dundalk Aberdy and the whole County of Louth might have been secured but this not accepted yet the very offer being publick the Rebells thereat enraged took opportunity likewise of his absence and plundered his Estate to the purpose He was the onely Protestant Lord of the Pale except the Earl of Kildare and the Lord Hoath It was of a Sunday November 21. in the Morning that Mellifont three Miles off was beset and therefore two hundred Foot and a Troop of Horse was commanded out of Tredagh to aid the Forces there already when the Enemy marches down Tallihascot Hill with a thousand which gave a stop and the Men designed were staid in expectation of the Enemy to fall upon the Town which proved but to divert whilest fifteen hundred from several parts were drawing towards Mellifont The Forces there were but four and twenty Muskets and fifteen Horse some Servants and two Scouts abroad one of them cut off the other pursued to the Gates with a Note in writing from Mac Mahon directed to the Warders of the House to surrender upon Quarter and withall a Bullet for a Token The Quarter-master of the Troop boldly bid his Master do his worst they would never yield to Traitours The Enemy was lodged on the top of the hill their foot by marching over the Garden sides in multitudes whom those few from the house forced to retreat four or five times and ere long killed 140. and might have been made up to many hundreds had they not wanted powder having but six shot a peece cutting their bullets in halfes and to make even with their powder rammed in five or six together and did great execution Not a Man lost till all their powder was spent At their entrance the Serjeant did his best with his Halbert thrust some through others their braines broken out These at last yielded upon quarter whom yet they threw out of the window the horse unable to hold out opened the Gates made a desperate charge through the thickest and came safe to Drogheda The Enemy slew in all thirteen And one the next day being alive with fourty wounds they hacked him to death with their skeens An old Gentleman of eighty years they seized to shew them the house who brought them into the wine cellar and having well drunken they run him through and so to another blind Man they cut his throat so inraged they killed the dogs plundered and defaced the house to the loss of 2000. l. stripped the women and so departed so did another ruder rabble of the Tenants devastating all in one night And yet after all this the Lord Moor authorized by Parliament to treat with them they proffered to him all assurances of satisfaction on his part if he would turn to their side offered a Cessation till a Messenger might be â—ent to the King but all their pretences were feigned talking of the Kings prerogative That the Lord Deputy might be of their own Nation of their own pressures to have freedom of Religion which they alwaies confidently avouched confessing that their Priests and Fryars instigated them to this Rebellion as indeed was too true There was a rumour that O relies having taken Kebs Abracen and the Navan advanced from the County of Cavan towards Tredagh whereupon the State sent supplies thither but miscarried The two and twentieth of November 600. foot and 50. horse seâ— out of Dublin towards Tredagh marching but six miles that night to Swores and had advice to hasten thither the next day accordingly the Governour issued out with a sufficient force of foot and horse to meet them but in a Mutiny the other souldiers would go no further than Balradbury six miles more the next day somewhat on this side the bridge of Gillingstone in a great stubble field they were met with 2000. of the Enemy and in a fog were within Musket shot ere diâ—cried The Captain drew up the Rebels making a stand did so also And although his men seemed forward to fight yet commanded a Counter march in which compelled to take a ditch the Enemy misjudging it a flight began to shout which so afrighted them into confusion that they were charged and the most slain Two Captaines killed and the other three in all with one ensign escaped the 50.
horse of the Lord Ormonds Troop made their way through without loss of a man A great loss to us and a greater gain to the Rebells of Ammunition and monies and now it appeared plain who were the Enemies in the Pale heretofore Neuters The Governour of Drogheda upon our Scouts intelligence issued out with 600. foot and two Troopes of horse but came too late and now it became certain that whilst the Commissioners were in the Treaty at the Town they themselves were of this Plot. Not long after the Enemy took another advantage The Master of a Chester Bark corrupted by some Popish Merchants abroad he run her on ground at the Skerms in faire weather riâ—â—ing the English Passengers of store of money and fraughted with powder and Ammunition designed for Dublin At the which Landing of the English the Lord Netherfield as in favour to them sent them to Dublin assuring them that he would take Tredagh the next morning which was believed at Dublin before the Account and evermore in these surprisals the Enemy would boast of the special hand of Gods providence in their successes and likelyhood to deliver the Kingdom unto Catholiques The Lords and Gentlemen of the Pale being secretly the first contrivers of the Rebellion and had now drawn the Rebells down from the North into the Pale and that presently after the defeat of the English at Gelianston bridge the Lord Germanston a secret conspiratour summons the County at Dulick and after to the Hill of Crofty to the number of 1000. persons to whom came divers of the chief Leaders of the Northern Rebells where they are associated to live and die in their quarrel And a week after the like summons was to all the Lords and Gentry of the County of Meath to meet at the Hill of Taragh where multitudes assembled And now by reason the Northern Rebells had setled their Camp within the River of Boyne besieging Tredagh between that and the City of Dublin and all entercourse of the Pale interrupted the passages stopt so that the State were ignorant of what passed there They therefore called a grand Council of the Lords within distance of Dublin and so Letters were posted to them in effect That the State had present occasion to confer with them concerning the present estate of the Kingdom and the safety thereof And pray and require to his Lordship to be at Dublin the eight day of this Moneth at which time others of the Peers will be here From his Majesties Castle of Dublin the third of December 1641. To our very good Lord Georg Earl of Kildare Your very loving friends William Parsons John Buclaâ—r c. And the same day to other several persons who near about that time had made the publick Combination with the Ulster Rebells And there they frame their General answer thus in effect May it please your Lordship We have heretofore presented our selves and freely offered our advice and furtherance which was by you neglected c. Having received advertisement that Sir Charls Coot had uttered at the Council-board some speeches tending to execute upon these of our Religion a general Massacre by which wee are deterred to wait on your Lordships not having security for the safety of our lives but rather to stand upon our Guard till we shall be secured from perills Nevertheless we all protest to continue faithfull advisers and furtherers of his Majesties service concerning the present state of this Kingdome and the safety thereof Your Lordships humble servants Fingale Germaston Slame Dunsany Netervile Oliver Lowth Trimbleston Dec. 7. 1641. To this Letter the State gives answer by Proclamation with all satisfaction to the Lords to remove all misunderstandings and clear Sir Charls Coot from any such pretended speeches or any intention thereto and pray the Lords to attend the Board on the seventeenth day after But not prevailing Netervile and others of the Pale gather forces and quarter at Swores within six miles of Dublin and there encamped To whom the State send theiâ— warrant Immediately upon sight hereof to disband and separate and that Netervile and six other principal persons amongst them do appear to morrow morning at ten a Clock before the Council upon their utmost perills  Ormond Ossery c. Dec. 9. 1641. To which they answer That for the safety of their lives they were constrained to meet and resolve so to continue till they might be assured of their lives Hereupon by publique Proclamation the Earl of Ormond Lieutenant General of the Army hath warrant to suppress them and to bring up such shipping and vessels to the new Crane at Dublin and to destroy the rest the fourteenth of December The Rebels now declare Germanston general of their forces in the Pale Hugh Birne Lieutenant General and the Earl of Fingale General of their Horse and several Commissions to raise forces and in a very seemly order and proportion frame an Army with all manner of provisions accordingly The sad condition of Ireland was very often recommended to the King and Parliament of England with a proposition 10000. Scots to be sent over from Scotland with Letters met the King at his return from thence to London And Commissioners out of Scotland arrived at London to treat with the Parliament therein they make offer of 10000. men provided to receive forth an advance of 30000. l. of brotherly assistance to be afforded them by the Kingdom of England to have shipping for their transport and upon Landing in Ireland to have 100 horse joyn with each 1000 foot but to receive order and to obey their Scotish General which was condescended unto and great hopes of the effeâ—ts specially that the Parliament was so very often urged thereto by his Majesties several speeches as that of the fourteenth of December 1641. More he could not say or offer to do in person therein But ah alas all was delaied and nothing performed for the Parliament was more busied to quarrel their priviledges with the King and the house of Commons utterly refused to send any English Forces which the Lords proposed to be 1000. Foot so that Dublin began to be nearly distressed All the provinces of Munster likewise in rebellion The State therefore again send over Letters into England That the Rebells were formidable 20000 in a Body besides several other Brigadoes in divers Counties and complain that of the 20000. l. lately sent to them they received but 16000. But in fine the last of December arrives Sir Simon Harcourt with his Regiment out of England Tredagh was now beset on all sides by Sea and Land all ways of entercourse to Dublin stopped divers designs were devised for conveyance of intelligence thither And now upon this grand confedaracy of Meath and Lowth they style themselves the Catholique Army The Town increased their Fortifications Breast works before each Gate Platforms in convenient places where the walls were defective centinels put to their stands Ordnances mounted abundance
of morning-stars so called terrible weapons on the walls A world of Crescets for lights to the Town An iron chain cross the River warning to all Neighbours to draw in their Corn and Hay which was prevented the Enemy at midnight firing the worth of 1000. l. yet some grain was with much hazzard brought in and fired all our out houses from sheltring the Enemy At the beginning of December the first fruits of Skirmish at St. Lawrence Gate and west Gate The Town â—allied out 350. foot and two Troops of Horse for securing some carriages sent out for Corn from the Green Hills within half a mile the Enemy having intelligence from within and met in the middle way in a mighty Fog standing in Batalia and numbred to be 3000. At their shout the English Officers advised to retreat and no sooner said but the horse in the Rear ran back to the Gates discouraging any supply to speed for their succour yet the Governour Titchburn in this confusion the more resolute alighted and led the Foot forwards to the Succour advanced the Shot to the Hill and placed the Pikes in the narrow passage of the Lane to open for the Horse and so soon made ready The Rebells by this time had charged twice without doing hurt but the Aid being come up they charged them so full and effectual that without standing to the shock they fell back and fled chased a Mile and more in sight of the Town Walls with loss of two hundred and not one of the English hurt Amongst the Dead were one priest and three Captains one of them near a Kin to the Earl of Tyrone with pillage of some money Cloaths and Arms very useful to the Assailants Such of them Prisoners were often ransomed and if returned were well fed by their Town-sisters and so fully supplied as if they had been Martyrs Those of ours from them had been crouded in Dungeons fed with Garbage and Offals Dogs meat without Salt or Fire with Cabbage-stalks or a Sheaf of Beans and being returned almost starved seldom recovered Such of the Town Souldiers that were Papists were so poysoned by the Priests that they stole over the Walls at Mid-night by Dozens But after their usual manner with affording us false Allarms The Enemy sent an extraordinary Embassage by a Frier one Father Darcy lately a Prior of the Dominicans in that Town his Companion was a Captain of his own name beating a parley was admitted to the Captain of the Port who received his Commission in effect That the General and Captains of the Catholick Army had sent Father Darcy with others to treat with the Governour und Captains of the Town of Drogheda to whom they were to give credit as in their Names desiring safe Conduct and Return under the Governours hand before they would enter But ere it could be considered the Frier upon the bare word of an Officer presents himself By which he was told the safety of his life yet being imputed to his inconsiderate Act not skilled in arms he had Audience And his Arrand no less than the absolute surrender of the Town for his Majesties use and service assuring them beside of such Projects and Forces by Land and Sea as would confirm it impossible to be relieved The Governour and Council told him of their Commission from the King of such a Date to defend it against them but if theirs were of a later Date from his Majesty or the Lords Justices they would submit In the mean time they were better able to keep the Town than the Countrey was to keep them No such distress within to admit of so mean a thought were it by Sword or Famine to endure the most extremity And so having this â—nswer to his Arrand he took leave giving to the Governour a Copy of the Oath lately taken by the Lords of the Pale and by the rest of the Catholicks I A. B. in the presence of Almighty God and all the Angels and Saints in Heaven promise vow swear and protest to maintain and defend as far as I may with my life power and estate the publick and free exercise of the true Catholick Roman Religion against all persons that shall oppose the same I further swear that I will bear faith and true Allegeance to our Sovereign Lord King Charls his Heirs and Successors and that I will defend him and them as far as I may with my life power and estate against all such persons as shall attempt any thing against their royal Persons Honours Estates and Dignities and against all such as shall directly or indirectly endeavour to suppress their Royal Prerogatives or do any Act or Acts contrary to royal Government as also the power and Priviledges of Parliament the lawfull Right and Priviledges of the Subject and every person that makes that Vow Oath and Protestation in whatsoever he shall do in the lawfull pursuance of the same And to my power as far as I may I will oppose and by all ways and means endeavour to bring to condign punishment even to the loss of life liberty and estate all such as shall either by force or practice Counsels Plots Conspiracies or otherwise do or attempt any thing to the contrary of any Article Clause or any thing in this present Vow Oath and Protestation contained So help me God Upon this the Governour and Council thought fit to draw up a Protestation and Oath as followeth The Protestation Whereas we are beset with such who pretend their Attempts in taking of this Town to be for the advancement of his Majesties service which notwithstanding is but a pretext to delude the vulgar we the Governour and Captains for the further manifestation and approbation of our loyalty and faithfulness to his Majesty by whose immediate command we are charged for the defence of his royal Title in it doth likewise hereby unanimously make this following Protestation and Oath The Oath To defend this Town against all outward and inward attempts whatsoever for his Majesties service And discover any Plot Conspiracie or Combination which may or shall come to my knowledge from without or within which may be any way intended to the prejudice of the whole Town or Governours and Council Nor consent that the Town shall be givâ—n up upon any pretence or cause whatsoever without the consent of the Governour and Officers or without the special command from his Majesty or chief Governour or Governours of this Kingdom But Master Mayor and Aldermen after time allowed for consideration utterly refused this Oath pretending that thereby they might hazzard the favour of a fair Quarter and two chief Officers papistical yet having taken the Oath and afterwards stealing over the Wall the one brake his Back the other his Neck and sundry others none escaped without Maims The Siege growing hot yet thâ— weather cold about the end of December friezing the River Boyn in one night a boy was taken very early upon the
Ice and confessed that four Aldermens Wives sent him over to the Rebells with assurance that they might come over the Ice that night and for which service they had given him money and promised him more and confessed that the Rebells Answer was that they expected Intelligence from the men whose judgments would more prevail and fearing some Plot of the Governour they desired a better Token and Assurance On New-years day very early four of the Town-companies with a Troop of Horse resolved to visit some Quarters Northward but the Gates so frozen hindered the opening onely Captain Martin with his Company getting over the Wall killed fifteen and a Centinel and returned had the other got out they might have made them up as many hundreds so secure were the Enemy and ever flying any Aâ—sault left that Village and another to the fury of fire A Week after three hundred Foot and eighty Horse passed out at Saint Iohn's Port killed an hundred and forced an hundred into the River and drowned them amongst them one Art Ro Mac Moghon a great Commander they took fifty Arms Cows and other Booty burnt their Lodgings and pursued the Run-aways two Miles and not a Man of the English lost and so retreated And now the Town-victual was scarce confined to Herrings and Water without any Bread at all some Corn found stored up in Stacks was threshed and ground but by Querns not able to serve so many thousands Souldiers and Inhabitants the milch Cows killed and divided Coals grew scarce all firing of Wood whatsoever was spent all Provision for Horse failed which made them droop and unfit for service Sickness and Death raged every where Famine increased It was the eleventh of Ianuary that Relief came in a Pinnace a Frigot a Gabbard with two Shallops and another small Vessel all laden with Bisket and Munition of both extremely wanting But the wonderfull showres of the Enemies shot from each side the River and the Town Ordnance playing upon whole Companies which did execution on them but none of the English hurt yet the Enemy had sunk a Bark in the Channel to prevent Relief which was carried into the Sea with the Frost and chained the Channel which succeeded not coming in one Tide up the River to the Key without casting Anchor seldom seen before And in midst of the Towns jollity for this seasonable Blessing the Enemy took opportunity to make Invasion upon them This nights mirth made the Souldiers drunk Watches and all invited by the false Brethren Aldermen to strong Ale freely the Friers drawing in the Centinels from their Guards to be merry and securely asleep the Enemy at the early morning made a Breach in the Wall and were entered five hundred of the chief Commanders an hour and more undescried by the help of a dark night their Watch-word was Klan Patrick Saint Patrick's Childe and their own shout being come to the Key was the first Allarm rather by them intended to rouse their secret Friends being almost assured of their Design The Governour instantly ran out unarmed save with a Pistol in his hand caused a Drum to beat came to the Main Guard his own Company which his Ensign drew down to the Bridg and so met the Enemy whose Pikes being shorter by a yard charged them home to a Retreat after they had overturned a Drake The Governour having gotten more strength came to the God-speed and in the dark meets the Enemy which he took to be his own and by his tongue was known so that a Rebell le ts fly at him and hurt a Souldier beside him all give fire so effectual that the Enemy ran back the Lord Moor was this instant come in with but fifteen Horse which served the turn to chase them up the Hill others were lost in by-lanes and streets but by the light were soon discovered and paid dear for sculking and two hundred slain many of them principal Officers for it was their work of Gallantry and promised succesfull It may be imagined what mistakes happened in the dark of each other for but by their flight it was not discerned where the Breach opened for thâ—ir entrance an obscure place in an Orchard directed thither no doubt by intelligence from the Town-traitours without the Town were thousands expecting the opening of some Port which had been promised which being apprehended and to catch them in â—oils the Town set up a Bag-piper of theirs upon one of the Gates who merrily made them make more haste as if all were wone and upon other Gates they waved their Bonnets as signs of mirth It was some sport to see companies of straglers leaping Ditches for the nearer way and out of breath to get in with the first were buried and taken by Dozens and brought in a Rope till the Prisons were glutted Nor would they be enlightened with the truth till a Gun or two from the Mill Mount swept away thirty of them about the Walls Winde and Weather inviting our Pinnace prepared for her Voyage to fetch more Provision many a shot she scaped but a Fisher-boat in the rear steered on ground and was taken with thirty pounds of Pouder two Slings and one Harquebush and fourteen Prisoners who were exchanged The Pinnace also at an Ebb lay dry and was approached by an hundred men under shelter of Cart-loads of Furze ran under her very Stern with Pick-axes and Iron Crows began to bulge her but were beaten off by Captain Stutfield with Hand-granadoes killing many besides the execution of Musket and Cannon in their flight to the number of threescore the Pâ—nnace by lightning her Ballast and a change of Winde got off safe into the Pool and so the third day bid farewell In this time some hurt was done to the Lord Moor's Lands firing his Tenements Many Drum Parlies followed with Letters some so transcendent beyond all sense others vaporous and vanished into non-sense Two nights after there marched out fourty Musketiers under conduct of Lieutenant Greenham and twenty Horse commanded by Cornet Constable to fetch in some Stacks of Corn discovered by the Scouts these unexpectedly meet with five hundred in a Body newly come from the North and charge within half Musket-shot fought well at the first but shortly shogged and were routed threescore with a Lieutenant and an Ensign were killed nine Prisoners and one Ensign several Serjeants and two Colours marching home with this Triumph One of the Prisoners of quality was begirt with Saint Francis's Girdle as a Benediction for his Soul not for his Body for it scaped not the Bullet through the devoted Knots which was dyed from Grey to Bloud-red The next days Sally had better success firing three Villages took some Prisoners the English feasting themâ—elves with such countrey fare which their laden Backs could not bring home and new-cloathed with such Apparel as heretofore had been taken from their Fellows at Mellifont February the fourteenth a fresh Encounter by Sally invited the
hungry Souldier to fight for some Horse and Foot fell upon a Convoy of eighty Cows and two hundred Sheep and carried the Spoil without loss of a man to the extreme comfort of the hungry Souls within The next day thus fleshed another Sally of an hundred Foot and one Troop for Corn who met with fifteen hundred from several parts but the English retired without loss through a part of their Body killed nine and returned onely some twenty or thirty poor stragling people Men and Women were seized barbarously and basely butchered not affording any Quarter to the weakest The Rebells General O Neal was now returned from the North vvhither he marched vvith some Troops to fetch Artillery for Battery and fresh Supplies but failing of his Design he stole back in secret lodging unknovvn at Bewly tvvo Mâ—les off from vvhence he sent his Message to the Lord Moor. That he had taken all the Towns of the North but two which were at his pleasure That the whole Kingdom was in the like case and now wondered that Drogheda durst or should be so singular as to stand out to hope of deliverance from his hands Yet caressing his Lordship with unfeigned affection and offers of Honours with satisfaction of all his Losses If not to take warning before such a Day to prepare for his last for he would then take the Town and deny him Qâ—arter But before the Day intended even on Sunday morning Nevvs comes into the Church that tvvo Pinnaces six Gabbards three Frigots vvith a Shallop vvere safely arrived from Dublin vvithin the Bar laden vvith plentifull Relief for three Moneths and vvith a Prize also a Rebell Bark loaden vvith Herrings sailing to their Confederates Nay see the goodness of God to prevent Relief the Rebells had sunk another Bark in the Channel vvhich the Winde and Tide drove into the Sea and having alâ—o strongly chained together many Ship-masts with Timber bound up with a great Cable and supported by seven or eight great Boats cross the Channel the very day before the Relief burst in sunder of themselves with many the remarkable passages of Gods great mercy at that time A Bag of Pouder fired in one Gabbard scorched the faces of a few without more hurt and though the Enemy plaid their Shot on both sides the River not a man killed and with this small Fleet the Town was strengthened also with four Companies of fresh men making up the Lord Moor's Regiment complete And the whole Force of the Town was novv sixteen hundred Foot and an hundred and fifty Horse vvell furnished to look the Enemy in the face And their General O Neal that Sunday night making all the Force he could about evening applied his Scaling Ladders to the Wall and in special at one place near Saint Laurence Gate at a low private corner many Ladders were â—rought two of them presently fixed and mounted the Centinel missing Fire they advanced to the top where the Centinel knockt them down with the But end of his Musket and called to the Gunner who came conveniently to kill many and to make them fly and leave thirteen Ladders behinde the number of their Dead they dragged away and so not to be accounted but of the English not one With the Relief came a Proclamation from the State against those Rebells and was published wherein the Prizes for their Heads was assured for Neal's a thousand pounds Rely and others at eight hundred the rest at four hundred pounds which set the Souldiers in a heat to be at work for a Prize Then came several Messages and Letters from sundry Rebells of the North one Packet to the Lord Moor transcribed under his Sisters hand the Lady Blany their Prisoner with their Children and Sisters but no doubt of their inditing or correcting the same was an offer either of all their Prisoners in Ulster for the Lord Macquire now Prisoner at Dublin or else the Lady Blany with her Children and Sisters and other Gentlemen in or near the Castle of Moughan for two other of their Prisoners at Dublin for the soliciting of which was inclosed the Lady Blanies Petition to the Lords Justices with other private Letters from her to sundry of her Friends the Lord Moor and her Kinsmen All which after the reading of the Lord Moor were to be returned from whence they came We may not omit the memories of some treacherous base cruelties to their Prisoners the butchery of the Lord Calfield at Neal's own house to which as in favour he was removed and no sooner entered but was shot through the Back by a base Fellow The sudden hanging of Master Richard Blany for not going to Mass. Another of note enforced by torture to hear Mass and to receive their Sacrament being now they said well prepared for God bid him chuse his Engine an Halter or a Wieth by which they hanged him and so of many more Their drowning of five hundred English at Porta Down-bridg which for the stinck of the bodies is now câ—lled Down-sink Drowning others by hundreds poor miserable Women and Children At Newry they shipped two hundred packt into a rotten Vessel pretending to send them to Drogheda and being on ship-board took away Sails and Rudder and sent them to Sea to be cast away when the poor English had sweat in their Drudgery even to Death and done their Labour in hope of Mercy for their Reward had all their throats cut nay before their Death the Villains would wager which of their Companions could hack the deepest in their flesh and so killed them with wondrous wounds for sport and recreation It would weary the Reader to have Relations of thousands of such that no Heathen or Turkish stories can parallel But the Pinnaces unloaden of their welcome Burthens are sent back again for more supply when the Town issued out with two hundred and twenty Foot and an hundred and twenty Horse South-wards to Beanbeck burnt that and marched on to Smiths-Town and met with five Companies who instantly fled and in pursuit were slain three hundred two Colours taken by Major Fortescue and Captain Briar and hundred and sixty Cows The sight of thirty English Men and Women murdered in Ditches enraged these to revenge In this Encounter Sir Patrick Weyms commanded the Earl of Ormond's Troop and put Preston hard to it who left his Baggage good Booty and fled Amongst his Cloaths in a Portmantue were three Letters whereby appeared that the Lords Germanston and Trimelston and divers others were now discovered to be Traitours The Lord Moor and the Governour went out secured in much Corn by four Companies of Sir Iohn Burlace met with two Companies of Rebells against whom Captain Billingsley with eight Musketiers routed a Lieutenant with thirteen slain a Captain of Neal's taken Prisoner the rest escaped into Stanime the Castle of Calpe was taken and four and twenty therein put to the Sword Much Corn brought in daily some fresh
Provisions also from Sea and good success in all the Sallies made the Besiegers finde themselves besieged The Lord Moor would needs visit his own Rebell Tenants at Tallaghhallon protected by Callo Mac Brian he had but four hundred Foot and eighty Horse the Enemy were three for one whom Colonel Byron with the Foot attached but after the reply of the Rebells to three or four Ranks they fled four hundred men with seven Captains were slain Moyle Mac Moghan his Head valued in the Proclamation beyond his merit was taken Prisoner stripping himself naked was taken among the Dead sculking perswading himself that his Life should secure the Lady Blany and her Children not one of the English slain And the next day the Governour marched firing and pillaging round about the Enemy not appearing For the Rebell Generalissimo O Neal with all his Commanders were privately risen and gone leaving the Countrey to mercy and many of his secret Conspiratours in Tredagh to answer for all The Enemy now fled towards Dundalk and this Town now set open Gates and Ports for all the Countrey to come in with abundance of Provision to the refreshed Souldiers the 20. of March ending this year 1641. with News of their new Markets Eggs fifteen a Penny Hens two Pence a piece a milch Cow five Shillings twelve pence a good Horse Wheat the finest of eight Shillings a Barrel As the Enemy marched and fled they cut throats of all English Men Women and Children at Aberdee and Slane The Earl of Ormond Lieutenant General was marching to finde out an Enemy with three thousand Foot and five hundred Horse burning the County of Meath and so visited Drogheda which was now able to bid his Army welcome Here a Council of War was called the Lord Moor the Governour Sir Tichburn Sir Thomas Lucas Sir Simon Harcourt Sir Robert Ferrald with other Colonels and Captains resolved to pursue the Rebells but the Lord Ormond was called back by the Lords Justices to Dublin vvhich gave heart to the Rebells to gather again at Aberdee and Dundalk vvhither thousands resorted from all parts of Meath and Louth To unkennel them the Lord Moor marches out vvith a thousand Foot and tvvo hundred Horse tovvards Aberdee about a Mile from thence the Enemy appears in tvvo Divisions of tvvelve hundred a piece betvveen vvhom and the Tovvn a party of Horse gets and another party besides them and a Bog a Forlorn of an hundred scoured some Ditches stumbled on an Ambuscado beat them out and fell upon their Body vvho fled and four hundred slain but if my Intelligence and Authours tell truth here as in many the like Defeats not a man of the English slain sometimes for hundreds of the Rebells and here as it is recorded not one man lost onely an Horse-man shot in the Heel and an Horse in the Hoof. It may be supposed that the Protestants are partial to themselves but in assurance to the contrary take this for truth the Rebells naturally traiterous to their Sovereigns treacherous to each other their falsity brings them to covvardice and fear makes them cruel vvhere they prevail But on they go the English burning all about and marched tovvards Dundalk the Receptacle of Magazine and place of Protection for the County Provisions vvhich vvas assaulted the next Day fortified vvith double Walls double Ditches Marshes on the one side and the Sea on the other The next morning all the poor Protestant Prisoners vvere clapped up close vvith an intent to have hanged them all if the Tovvn came to hazzard The English approached about nine of the clock in the Morning their Ordnance planted upon a small Hill not far from the Gate vvhich vvere manned vvith five hundred men the Protestants Forlorn Hope of an hundred gave fire to the Gate vvere beaten avvay but came again a Division of three hundred commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Waiman began to pick-ax the Wall vvho fired the Defendants and entered the Breach the Horse follovving upon the Spur but made a Stand against three Brass Pieces maintained by five hundred men and therefore the Assailants retired but out of a small Castle they slevv ten of the English and three Officers and an Horse-man and here also was Ensign Fortescue eldest Son to Sir Faithfull Fortescue slain a hopefull Gentleman and the first of that Rank lost in any Fight But it was no time to delay having won the out-Town then fired all the houses about that Castle carrying the smoak and fire to the very Tower and Castle and so undescried got under the Walls to the very Gate blew it open and those within choaked and fired leaped out at the Windows A Serjeant with five men by promise of Pillage enter and were Masters of the Castle and thirty good Musketiers manned the Streets drew up Ordnance against the inner Gate and with ten Wool-packs ready in the Castle with which making a kinde Defence the Enemy fled leaving their Guns loaden Their Generalissimo O Neal now in the Town stole away with others over the River Tichburn enters killing all before him and sends to the Lord Moor that the Town was deserted who entered another way and were Masters of all by seven a clock at night above an hundred slain and of the Assailants but fourteen But by this O Neal had fled to Bally Muscomilen a Castle of the Lord Moor's and in revenge burnt it This Victory was the Break-neck of the Rebellion Northwards And the Lord Moor had Commission from the Lords Justices to be Governour thereof In this time Captain Gibson commanding the Garrison at Bewby harrased the Countrey killed many Straglers so that the whole Countrey lay at the Protestants mercy And thus far we have proceeded in the intire story of the Irish Rebellion for this year But we must look back to England and see what they did here from the Kings return out of Scotland the latter end of November 1641. The King returns from Scotland magnificently feasted by the City of London and he at Hampton Court caresses them with a Banquet and dubbed divers Aldermen into the honour of Knighthood but how well they deserved forthwith we shall finde their merit The King convenes both Houses and the second of December tells them in effect That although he had staid longer than he expected four Moneths yet he kept his word in making so much haste back again as his Scotish affairs could any way permit In which he hath had so good success that he hath left that Nation a most peaceable and contented People but he is assured that his expectation is much deceived in the condition wherein he hoped to have business at his return for since that before his going he had settled the Liberties of his Subjects and gave the Laws their liberty he expected to have his People reaping the fruit by quietness But he findes them distracted with Iealousies and Allarms of Designs and Plots That Guards have been set to defend both Houses He
with Mr. Hotham who was in ill case to continue but must be forced to retreat to Hull The Forces of the West in Cornwall for the King began to form into a Body near Pendennis Castle the Governour thereof Sir Nicholas Slaning a gallant Gentleman and assisted 〈…〉 others Sir Bevil Greenvile who possessed themselveâ—â—â—aunston the County Town of Cornwall but not long after Sir Ralph Hopton appears in chief command over the Cavaliers The Parliament had Plymouth the neighbour Port Town of Devonshire bordering Cornwall in the South and Sir George Chudly a Stickler for them for a time onely The Kings party increased in Mid-Wales and descending Southwards as he marches the Welch come to him from all parts of Hereford Monmouth mightily increasing by the power and industry of the Earl of Worcester their Brigades reaching to Oxford and round about where Prince Rupert commanded who took Powder and Match marching through Staffordshire to reprieve Manchester The Parliament party lay about Warwick Coventrie Worcester Buckingham and their Brigades round about even to Glocester Some Arms for the King are landed at Newcastle and ten thousand pounds in Money to raise Dragoons in Northumberland and to fall into Yorkshire which appeared for the King The King on his march from Wales descended Southward and now being near Stafford the Parliament order That the Citie of London be strongly guarded and Posts Bars and Chains be erected and set up in places and by-lanes of the Parishes of St. Margarets Westminster St. Martins in the Fields St. Clements Savoy Holborn St. Giles Covent-garden St. Johns Street â—lerkenwell Criplegate Shoreditch White-chapel Islington Mile-end Southwark Lambeth or any other places necessary at the charge of the Parish by equal Assesment Octob. 22. And the Parliament declare a solemn Protestation to all the world In the presence of Almightie God for the satisfaction of their Consciences and the Discharge of that great Trust which lies upon them That no private passion or respect no evil intention to his Majesties person no Design to the prejudice of his just Honour and Authoritie engaged them to raise Forces and take up Arms against the Authours of this War whereof the Kingdom is now inflamed And after they have by clearing themselves lodged the occasion upon the Contrivers Papists about the King for extirpation of the Protestant Religion wherein principally this Kingdom and Scotland are concerned as making the greatest Body of Reformation in Christendom they conclude For all which Reasons they are resolved to enter into a solemn Oath and Covenant with God to give up themselves lives and fortunes into his hands and defend this his cause with the hazzard of our lives against the Kings Armie according to a form agreed upon and to be subscribed and to associate and unite with all the well-affected of the Citie of London and other parts of his Majesties Dominions 〈…〉 expect their dear Brethren of Scotland that they will help and 〈◊〉 defence of this Cause which if the Popish partie prevail must needs involve Scotland in the like alteration of Religion and engage them also in a War against this Kingdom to defend their own Religion And this they do again they say protest before the everliving God to be the chief end of all their counsels and resolutions without any intention to injure his Majestie either in his person or just power Octob. 22. And the Battail of Edg-hill the next morning being Sunday After the Kings party had beat the Enemy at Worcester Fight the three and twentieth of September he joyns all his Brigades near hand and marches to meet General Essex hovering thereabout to watch the Kings Designs who lodged on Saturday night October 22. at Sir William Chancies six miles near Keinton and Essex at Keinton And early the next morning being Sunday the three and twentieth drew up into a Body near Keinton and ascending the top of Edg-hill with his Prospective Glass took view of Essex his Army in the Vale of the Red Horse about a Mile distant but before the King could draw into order he was saluted with three Pieces of Cannon from the other side with three Shouts of their Souldiers And being asked by his Officers what his Majesty meant to do To give him Battel said the King it is the first time I ever saw the Rebells in a Bodie God and good mens prayers to him assist the justice of my cause And instantly ordered the Fight by the return of two Shot of Cannon in answer to theirs about two of the clock after noon the Word was God and King Charls his greatest Body of Horse was on the right Wing and on the left some Horse and Dragoons The Parliaments Army was put into this order the Foot a good space behinde the Horse when the Charge began three Regiments of Horse on the right Wing the Generals Regiment commanded by Sir Philip Stapleton Sir Balfore's Regiment who was Lieutenant General of the Horse and the Lord Fielding's Regiment which stood behinde the other two as a Reserve Sir Iohn Meldrum had the Van with his Brigade Colonel Essex the middle the General 's Regiment the Lord Brook and Colonel Hollis had the Rear in the left Wing were twenty Troops commanded by Sir Iames Ramsey Commissary General And thus they stood The Earl of Lindsey Lord High Chamberlain of England was the Kings Captain General but the Fight was ordered by the Lord Ruthen since made Earl of Forth a Scotish man and the General lead on the main Body with a Pike in his hand it is said that General Essex lead on his Forces also but then it is confessed that he was advised to retire from Danger and so he escaped when the other was killed The Forlorn Hope was commanded by Major Baâ—stake and Captain Hamond both of them Officers in Sir Lewis Diveâ— Regiment of Foot and drawn down the Hill to the side of a Ditch lined with Musquetiers and both sides had no sooner fired but that the Kings Cannon followed and discharged six or seven Shot Prince Rupert General of the Horse commanding the right Wing routed their left Wing and followed them in chafe to Keinton Town and two Miles beyond killing all whom they overtook the Lord Ruthen ordered the left Wing of the Kings Horse with the Lord Wilmot both of them doing gallant service 't is true Prince Rupert presumed that he had left a sufficient Reserve of Horse behinde under command of the Earl of Carnarvan with some other Troops who seeing the Enemies Horse and Foot to run his spirit not accustomed to stand still followed too far and left their own Foot naked of Horse which Essex espying took the advantage and with his Horse fell upon the Foot including these Regiments the Lord Generals Colonel Fieldings and Colonel Bowels a Regiment raised by the Lord Paget and did much execution upon them this service being done by Colonel Hurry afterwards Major General for the Parliament The Lord General Lindsey
Companies of Horse under command of Sir Charls Cavendish Brother to the Earl of Newcastle the Enemy having left within Nottingham a thousand Foot The Queen marched with three thousand Foot thirty Companies of Horse and Dragoons six Pieces of Cannon and two Morters Mr. Iermin commanding all these Forces as Colonel of her Guard and Sir Alexander Lesley a traiterous cowardly murderous Scot ordered the Foot and Sir Gerard the Horse and Captain Leg the Artillery and her Majesty Generalissima extremely diligent with an hundred and fifty Wagons The King and Queen met at Edg-hill the first time since she landed out of Holland and so to Oxford where she continued till the seventeenth of April the next year and then she took her last leave of the King at Abington for the West and was brought to Bed at Exeter of a Daughter the sixteenth of Iune named Henrieta Maria and afterwards in Cornwall she passed over to France lands at Brest the fifteenth of Iuly and so to Paris where she since continues a sad sorrowfull afflicted Princess with incomparable sufferings which she hath undergone And now comes over an Ambassadour from France Monsieur Harcourt to mediate an Accommodation between the King and Parliament but prevailed not and so returned it being rather a flourish from the policy of Cardinal Mazarine to pry into the Actions of this great Difference and so to set them at a greater distance for it was Richlien's Master-piece to frame the Quarrel first and now for Mazarine not unlike to put them far asunder And presently after is Sir William Armin sent to Edinburgh from the Parliament to hasten the Scots Army hither having first sworn to the Solemn League and Covenant each to other The English Presbyters now scotiâ—ied throughout take Example by the Brethrens Principles in their former Insurrections of Scotland and therefore as they did heretofore so now the Parliament engage that Nation in a strict solemn League by Vow Oath and Covenant taken by the Parliament and afterwards sent down to all the Counties in England and Wales upon which the King observes That the Presbyterian Scots are not to be hired at the ordinary Rate of Auxiliaries nothing will induce them to engage till those that call them in have pawned their Souls to them by a solemn League and Covenant Where many Engines of religious and fair pretensions are brought chiefly to batter or rase Episcopacy This they make the grand evil Spirit which with some other Imps purposely added to make it more odious and terrible to the Vulgar must by so solemn a Charm and Exorcism be cast out of this Church after more than a thousand years possession here from the first plantation of Christianity in this Island and an universal prescription of time and practice in all other Churches since the Apostle's times till this last Century But no Antiquity must plead for it Presbytery like a young Heir thinks the Father hath lived long enough and impatient not to be in the Bishop's Chair and Authority though Lay-men go away with the Revenues all Art is used to sink Episcopacy and lanch Presbytery in England which was lately buoyed up in Scotland by the like artifice of a Covenant Although I am unsatisfied with many passages in that Covenant some referring to my self with very dubious and dangerous limitations yet I chiefly wonder at the Design and drift touching the Discipline and Governmet of the Church and such a manner of carrying them on to new ways by Oaths and Covenants where it is hard for men to be engaged by no less than swearing for or against those things which are of no clear moral necessity but very disputable and controverted among learned and godly men whereto the application of Oaths can hardly be made and enjoyned with that judgment and certainty in one's self or that charity and candour to others of different opinion as I think Religion requires which never refuses fair and equable Deliberations yea and Dissentings too in matters onely probable The enjoining of Oaths upon People must needs in things doubtfull be dangerous as in things unlawfull damnable and no less superfluous where former religious and legal Engagements bound men sufficiently to all necessary duties Nor can I see how they will reconcile such an Innovating Oath and Covenant with that former Protestation which was so lately taken to maintain the Religion established in the Church of England since they account Discipline so great a part of Religion Bâ—t ambitious mindes never think they have laid Snares and Gins enough to catch and hold the Vulgar credulity for by such politick and seemingly pious Stratagems they think to keep the populacie fast to their parties under the terrour of perjurie Whereas certainly all honest and wise men ever thought themselves sufficiently bound by former ties of Religion Allegiance and Laws to God and Man Nor can such after-contracts devised and imposed by a few men in a declared partie without my consent and without any like power or precedent from God's or Man's Laws be ever thought by judicious men sufficient either to absolve or slacken those moral and eternal bonds of dutie which lie upon all my Subjects consciences both to God and me Yet as things now stand good men shall least offend God or me by keeping their Covenant in honest and lawfull ways since I have the charity to think that the chief end of the Covenant in such mens intentions was to preserve Religion in purity and the Kingdoms in peace To other than such ends and means they cannot think themselves engaged nor will those that have any true touches of conscience endeavour to carry on the best Designs much less such as are and will be daily more apparently factious and ambitious by any unlawfull means under that title of the Covenant unless they dare prefer ambiguous dangerous and un-authorized novelties before their known and sworn Duties which are indispensible both to God and my self I am prone to believe and hope That many who took the Covenant are yet firm to this judgment That such later Vows Oaths or Leagues can never blot out those former Gravings and Characters which by just and lawfull Oaths were made upon their Souls That which makes such Confederations by way of solemn Leagues and Covenants more to be suspected is That they are the common Road used in all factious and powerfull perturbations of State or Church where formalities of extraordinary zeal and piety are never more studied and elaborate than when Politicians most agitate desperate Designs against all that is setled or sacred in Religion and Laws which by such Scrâ—â—es are cunningly yet forcibly wrested by secret steps and less sensible degrees from their known Rule and wonted Practice to comply with the humours of those men who aim to subdue all to their own will and power under the Disguises of holy Combinations Which Cords and Wit hs will hold mens Consciences no longer than force
greatest should not be without one And so a new one was framed engraven thereon the Picture of the House of Commons and Members sitting Reversed the Arms of England and Ireland Cross and Harp Palie And presentlâ— after Mr. Henry Martin a Member without much authority forced an entrance into the Abby Church at Westminister with spoil upon the utensils and ornaments of the Church and broke open two Doors into a private Room near the place where the Regalia Crowns Scepters and other Ensigns of State used at Coronation of their Sovereigns but finding some obstacle that barred his entrance till Mr. Wheeler shewed him the secret that opened the passage to their seizure only prevented for that time by the Earl of Holland and some of the Commons House perswading Mr. Martin to forbear till further pleasure of the Lords concurring which he did by sealing up the Doors His Assistants saying Let us take the Crown and set it upon the Duke of Glocester 's head whom we have with us Tush quoth Martin ye are Fools to talk of Crowns or Kings of which there will be so little use hereafter But after dispute at a Conference the Lords were brought to this Reason That many superstitious things amongst the Regalia were sit to be removed as no longer usefull Whereto one unhappily made a prophetick Reply He doubted the King himself will ere long be some superstitious Monument of decayed Divinity and so thought fit to be removed the King not making the Crown but the Crown the King which being now in their hands they may bestow the Kingdom on whom they please The Earl of Essex hovering about Tame gave Orders about to Buckingham Forces to allarm the Kings Forces some Skirmishes had been on Saturday night Iune 17. and the nex moâ—ning Prince Rupert provokes a Body of Horse to appear early the next morning whom he wasted many Prisoners Captain Sheiffield Son to the Earl of Moulgrave the chiefest but their chief Commander Serjeant Major Gunter shot dead in the place and Mr. Iohn Hambden a principal Member of the fire died a Week after of those wounds he had in this Fight Iune 18. He was a Gentleman of good Descent in Buckinghamshire the great Incendiary from the first of these Troubles setting the Wheel on work in the great Sute of Ship-money against the King and so forward in Junto with the five Members so troublesome to the Kings proceedings then he takes Arms and is made a Colonel for Buckinghamshire whose interest in that County together with his subtilty fairly shadowed by his civil carriage he became the ablest Actor of all though Mr. Pym spake more in the Parliament this man gave best counsel And now he dies on the Bed of Honour being a Souldier but unfortunate and before he had brought his Engines to some end he had buried his Son and Heir and two Daughters and his Grand-childe two onely Sons surviving the one a Criple the other somewhat at like a Lunatick He received his deaths wound in Chalgrave Field the place where he first appeared to draw up his Men to shew himself a Commander in this unhappy War It was before that Captain Hotham had been taken Prisoner and escaped ten Days since from Nottingham thence to Lincoln and recovered Hull so opportunely that together with his Father Sir Iohn they were both seized upon and sent Prisoners to the Parliament and the Commissioner Sir Matthew Bointon for his pains therein took possession of the Town and Command for he coming thither unsuspected being Hotham's Brother in Law and much intrusted makes himself Master of the Magazine and the affections of the Souldiers eâ—e Sir Iohn had espied the practice but then too late he got out to Beverley where he was set upon by his own Souldiers corrupted by Bointon who pursued him back to Hull and at the Town-gate called Beverley the very place where he acted against the Kings person heretofore was himself knocked off his Horse by the But end of a Musket and taken Prisoner seizing hâ—s Wife and Children rifled his House and legally plundered him of all his Treasure which he had raked together in the Ruine and Ransack of his neighbour Subjects to the value of ten thousand pounds sending him and his Son Wife and Children in a Ship Prisoners to the Parliament to the effect of their future sufferings on the Scaffold the first of Ianuary 1644. Thus were the military actions managed this way whilest Sir William Waller was in the West with his whole Body upon the hither end of Lands-down in a place of great advantage whence he sent out a good party of Horse and Foot towards the Cavaliers Sir Bevil Greenvile and Sir Nicholas Slaining two gallant Gentlemen of Cornwall lining the Hedges towards their Champain and there advanced a strong party of Horse under protection of his Musketiers so that some of Greenvile's Horse being drawn out within Musket-shot retired in some disorder towards the Rear of his Foot whereupon the Cornish Foot advanced and bravely beat them out of the Hedges and the former Horse speedily rallying again recovered their ground Then a strong party of Waller's Horse drew into a large Field upon their Adversaries left Wing which were charged by their Horse and intirely routed the Cornish Foot likewise driving theirs from Hedg to Hedg through Woods and down steepy Hills back to their main Body and at last forced them from the brow of a Hill which they had barracadoed and whereon they had planted Cannon for the ground they had was advantageous an high Hill walled behinde and on both sides with Works on the Front the passage up very narrow and dangerous one side Wood the other side Hedges and both lined with Musketiers This ground Waller had got and stood in an intire Body his Foot within the Flank of stone-laid Walls through which he had made places for his Horse to sally being drawn up in Battalia at the Rear of his Foot before the other party Horse and Foot could be drawn up in order Waller charged them with his Horse played so thick with his Cannon and Muskets that he forced them from the Hill which yet was again assaulted twice nay thrice and the fourth time with very great difficulty the Hill was regained which Greenvâ—â—e himself maintained with a Stand of his own Pikes against the power of the others Horse and Foot and Cannon to the acknowledgment of his Gallantry and Honour even by his Enemies where he was unfortunately slain in the Front of his men with his Serjeant Major and Captain Lieutenant dead at his feet and in earnest I have heard it confest with as much Honour as ever was conferred on an Enemy Then the Cavaliers rallied their Horse and drew up their Cannon it growing dark but shot on all sides till Mid-night when their Adversaries stuck light Matches on the Hedges which received Volleys from each part of the Body but in stead
of answering these they ran quite away leaving the Field with five hundred Muskets fourteen Barrels of Pouder a whole Stand of Pikes with some Arms but their Cannon they got off This Fight lasted form two a clock afternoon till one the next morning These aforesaid we finde slain with eight Officers and some Gentlemen of note Mr. Leak Son to the Lord Daincourt found dead at day-light with his Enemies Colours about his arm Mr. Barker Lieutenant Colonel Wall Serjeant Major Lower Captain Iames Captain Chalwell and Mr. Bostard But then it is said that Waller's Foot were absolutely dispersed or cut off with great loss of Officers Horse and Foot modestly reported onely it is assured the Cavaliers kept the Field Arms and Pillage and such other signs of Victory And this was done the fifth of Iuly Whilest Waller fights their General Essex solicites the Parliament with Letters inclining to petition for a Peace which though it took well with some Lords yet being read to the Commons Mr. Vassal a London Burgess desired that their General should be pressed to speak more plainly and that if after the expence of two Millions of Treasure he had a minde to lay down Arms he should let them know it that as good a Souldier as he should take them up meaning Sir Will. Waller who was generally cried up by the City untill they heard of his Defeat near the Devises Round-way-down whither the King having sent some Troops of Horse towards the West which came within three Miles of the Devises were met with by Waller's Forces being on the Down between the Cavaliers and the Town to hinder their joyning with the rest of the Army Some Regiments of Horse on each side began the fight with equal success till Waller's Horse made â— Retreat to their Strength which lay on a Hill where he was and drew out his Foot and commanded the Onset but his Horse not enduring the hazzard left the Foot to their Enemies Sword or mercifull Quarter hundreds of them slain and more Prisoners taken four fair Brass Guns Ammunition and Baggage eight and twenty Colours and nine Corners I wonder at this Defeat for Sir William Waller had advantage of number in Men and Arms five Regiments of Foot six of Horse five hundred Dragoons eight Brass Guns It is confest that the Cavaliers were but fifteen hundred Horse additional to the other Forces with two small Pieces of Cannon And to adorn the Victory the Queen made her triumphant Entry into Oxford that day her Return from beyond Seas And on the other side to encourage Sir William Waller at this time when their Generalissimo was suspected the Parliament voted to make and confirm Leases of the Office of Botelier of England a Place of good profit and credit both The twelfth of August the Earl of Lindsey Great Chamberlain of England was welcomed to Oxford from his Restraint and Imprisonment since Edg-hill Fight being now received by the Queen Council and Court with all Expressions of Honour to him and more could not be done for the present in respect of the Kings absence at Gloâ—ester Siege The five and 20. of August the Earls of Bedford and Holland went from London towards Oxford and being gotten to Wallingford intrusted themselves with the Kings Forces untill their coming to submit to his Majesty in the mean time they are received by the Governour Colonel Blagge with honourable respect and so at last they were brought to the King professing their Duty and Allegeance and acknowledging their Errours this long time whom the King received with favour and forgiveness They held not out in this their Protestation but fled back again to the Parliament The Committees of Nottingham and Lincoln held intelligence with some Prisoners of theirs in the Marshals â—ustody at Newark whom they designed to blow up or to surprize the Magazine there whilest they had some favour and freedom of the Goaler their Letter conveyed to the Imprisoned discovers as much as will be necessary to know the men more than the matter Gentlemen and Prisoners for the Lord Jesus our long laboured Design is now ripe Your care is expected according to your faith and promise We doubt not but the opportunity of the Liberty afforded you may advance the good Cause The Magazine is near enough to you Give notice to our Brâ—thren under the Provost Marshall Blessed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall finde so doing Matth. 24. 46. The appointed time holdeth which we hope to our hands Lift up your heads for your Redemption draweth nigh Luke 21. 28. Whereâ—ore comfort one another with these words 2. Thess. 4. 18. The rest will we set in order when we come 1 Cor. 11. 24. Greet all the Brethren 1 Thess. 5. 26. The Lord establish the Work of our hands upon us Work of our hands establish he it Psal. 90. is the Prayer of Yours in the Lord The Committee of Nottingham and Lincoln Scripture is often made use of by the Sectaries to factious and seditious ends and here to the hazzard of Murder the easiest terms I can afford them The Lecturers were the most busie meddling men even so as ever have been the Kiâ—kmen of Scotland and therefore Mr. Saltmarsh a seditious Minister contrived certain Propositions of Counsel which were read in the House amongst many were these 1. That all means should be used to keep the King and his People from sudden union 2. To cherish the War under the Notion of Popery as the surest means to engage the People 3. If the King would not grant their Demands then to root him out and the royal Line and collate the Crown upon some body else This last was too harsh to be swallowed by reasonable good men who excepted against it but Mr. Henry Martin said He saw no reason to condemn Mr. Saltmarsh adding That it were better one Family should be destroyed than many To which Mr. Nevil Pool replied That Mr. Martin might explain what One Family he meant Martin bold and beastly answers The King and his Children For which Speech before the time was ripe to discover that Secret he was voted a Prisoner to the Tower Mr. Pym himself urging upon him his extreme lewdness of life but this punishment was but to cool the heat of the House for that time for Martin was soon released upon the change of the Lieutenant of the Tower forthwith following The Recruits of the Army fell heavy upon the City of London who were caressed with all kindness to finish the Work and to set out Sir William Waller again and to win upon them Sir Edward Coniers was commanded to surrender his Lieutenancy of the Tower unto Pennington the Mayor of London and so Mistris Mayoress was quit with Mistris Ven that she should be Governess of Windsor Prison as she called it and thereby command over Souldiers which was a power she now might equal with hers
and Auxiliaries as being put upon the worst of service for their former ingratefull abuse and nicknaming their Noble General Now for the Honour of the field The General Essex Army marched away but left their heavy carriages behind some Barrels of shot Surgeons chests and their dead bodies to the view of the Cavaliers which the General Essex gave warrant to bury viz. To Mr. Fulk Minister and the Constables of the Parish of Enburn These are to will and require you forthwith upon sight to bury all the dead bodies lying in and about Enburn and Newbury-wash upon your peril if disobeying the one and twentieth of September 1643. Essex But the Kings care also appeared to the dead and wounded thus Our will and command is that you forthwith send into the Towns and Villages adjacent and bring thence all the sick and hurt Souldiers of the Earl of Essex's Army and though they be Rebells and deserve the punishment of Traytors yet out of our tender compassion upon them as being our Subjects Our will and pleasure is that ye carefully provide for their Recovery as well as for those of our own Army and then to send them to Oxford the one and twentieth of September 1643. To the Mayor of Newbery And so they were buried on both sides Many colours of the Kings Cornets were brought to London amongst them one was a draught of the Parliament House with the heads of the two Gun-powder Traytors set upon it with this Motto ut extra sic intus and being concluded to be of Colonel Spencers he and his Posterity were voted to be extirpated out of the Kingdome but yet it proved not his Colours The King and Queen stood the day upon the Hill and saw the fight a harder bout to both sides than that of Edge Hill Essex his aim was but to get through and pass to London so on they march homewards but Colonel Hurry makes after with a good party of Horse and fall upon theirs that brought up the Rear and daring to stand directly ran forwards quite through their own Foot and being in a narrow lane pressed them under the Horse heels routing themselves to the full so that the Cavaliers had less need to raise any courage for their Enemy suffered exceedingly whilst they clambred over or through the hedges took the shot or the sword at pleasure of the Assailants then indeed those that were gotten into the field did their part and forced the Horse to return backagain The success of which Battel gave much grace to the General Essex and repute to the London Trained bands a piece of service gallant on all sides enabled by its wonderfull rise lively progress nimble expedition Brave adventures but more advantage to the Parliaments party by which advance they might have framed an Army easily to have mastered the Country and distressed all the Kings Chief Garisons now reduced to those thereabout Bristol and Oxford and to engage the rest as Hereford and Worcester by stopping their supply of men and money And after Newbery fight the King sends Sir William Vavisor to Hereford with a strong party to raise Forces in those parts and to command in Chief in that County and Glocestershire to distress Glocester on the Welch side of the County and to Garison Teuxbury which he did coming from Hereford with seven hundred Horse and Foot carressed the Country with all candour but could not work upon them and therefore retyred back again yet the King had Garisons round about Snidley Castle maintained by the Lord Chandos stopt the entercourse with Warwick which was the only way of commerce with London Berkly Castle also for the King and kept by a Scotish Captain In the Forrest of Dean was Sir Iohn Winter strongly setled and to boot a Garison was put into Beverston Castle which enlarged their Quarters and stopt the Parliaments parties contribution and especially from Glocester who to subsist were forced to seek forrage placing a company at Frampton house to stop the incursions from Berkley Colonel Devereux his Regiment garisoned a strong house at Presbury within four miles of Snidley Another guard was set at Westbury on the edge of the forrest to affront Sir Iohn Winter who from the Pen secretary to the Queen was put to the pike and did his business very handsomely for which he found the enmity of the Parliament ever after Indeed he was assisted with the Lord Herberts Horse and threatned the Enemy out of the Forest and had made a passage over the Severn and New haven for that purpose Some weeks after the departure of the siege from Glocester Massie marched with hisâ— two Troops to Berkley Castle the Musketiers faced and kept in the Castellians whilst the Horse designed to fetch in Malignants but met with the Lord Herberts Troop and one hundred and fourty Horse besides which came to relieve the Castle which were fought with and retreated so did the Enemy return home again Sir Iohn Winter now entered upon the Government of Newnham and plundered all the Villages about and came within three miles of Glocester driving away store of Cattel Massy draws out seventy Horse pursues them to their Garison where they were entered with all their plunder five Troops of the Lord Herberts fell on Masseys Rears which stood them with advantage but Sir Iohn Winter chiefly respected his former secure Garison his own Horse in the Forrest and plagued the whole Country On the other side of Glocester the royall party erected new Governments Tedbury and Wootten-under-edge Massy marches that way with an eye upon Beverston Castle newly garisoned against him and commanding the rich Clothiers of Stroodwater hither he advanced with three hundred Foot and eighty Horse which did execution at Tedbury put to flight Sir Horatio Cary's Horse but with loss of twenty men slain and taken prisoners Massy brings up his men and two sakers against Beverston Castle surrounded it and planted his guns within pistol shot of the gate fifty Musketiers fixing their Pittar upon the Gate which failed and were forced back but the gate was not forceable and night coming on they drew off and advanced to Wotton-under-ege a temporary Garison of a Regiment of Horse which drew out upon a tilt retreated in at night but Issued out again fought Massy with indifferent success and so retreated to Bristol In this absence of Massy from Glocester Sir Iohn Winter taking that oportunity gathered forces from Monmouth and Hereford for surprizal of Glocester not without some Overtures from within Late at night Massy had Intelligence drew out fifty Musketiers from the Guard and sent them out with Captain Crisp three miles off to strengthen a good house in the passe but within a mile they were encountred by Horse and Foot drawn up in a broad lane near Higham house who retreated to Huntley The Welch forces though kept their Randevouz at Cofford in the Forrest and threatned Glocester divers of the Cavalier party in the
flanked with some Horse were wheeled to the right by and by into a medow at their coming the enemy drew all their Horse and Foot within their Spittle-work and coming up against this place both sides saluted one another at too far a distance with a short volley but Colonel Tilliar was not to stay here as being by his Orders to march up to the very Rivers side to recover the boat-bridg from the enemy but this being too well guarded he was glad to go off making a stand without reach of Cannon In this time were divers more Bodies of Foot brought down into the Field who charg'd up to the enemies Works and killed many Loughborow's being left upon the hill for a reserve Thus was the valley be spread with the Princes Battaglions and in this posture stood the Army Sir Richard Byron Governour of Newark likewise before this had sent part of his Garrison both Horse and Foot into another ground on the South-East side of the Town And by this time had the Prince notice given him by a Prisoner and by one of theirs that came over to him how they were so distressed for want of victualls that they were not able to live there two dayes Whereupon He began to resolve upon other councells esteeming it cheaper to block up their trenches then to storm them And block't up they were already in a very narrow room no more then the backside of the Spittle towards the River Besides which they were on all sides surrounded by His forces On the South side by the Town on the East by the Prince and on the North by Colonel Tilliar Into the Island on the West had the Prince sent five hundred Horse besides two hundred of the Newark Troopers Thus the late blockers found themselves now besieged yea without much hope of sudden relief or safe means to sally For so well had the Prince ordered them that had they sallied forwards He had then fallen upon their first issuing out both in Front and Flanks with his Army and the Town had charged them upon their Rear Had they offered to escape over their Boat-bridg those in the Isle had disturbed their passing and others entertained their coming over By this time had the Prince commanded Sir Richard Byron with his own and Sir Gervase Eyres Horse-Regiments with eight hundred of Sir John Digbyes Foot to advance so high into the Island as to put in betwixt the enemies two bridges By which interposition was all intercourse cut off betwixt them their greater Body at the Spittle and those at Muskham bridg upon this those eight Colours at the bridg retreated as aforesaid Under favour of these Town-forces too was Rupert resolved to cast up a Redoubt that night betwixt the bridges but going now to view the ground the enemy sent out a Trumpet to desire a Parley To make way for this and the more to sweeten and oblige the Prince had Sir John Meldrum some hours before sent home Colonel Gerard yet upon the parole of a Souldier and a Gentleman to return himself a Prisoner when ever he should be called They having sent out to parley quit their bridg which his Highness presently possessed by a hundred Musquetiers For the parley was appointed Sir Richard Crane Captain of his Life-guards with Sir William Neale Scout-master General the other sending Sir Miles Hobard and Sir John Palgrave into the Town Now true though it be that the enemies were distressed yet very wise Generals have not thought it safe to make such men desperate Besides which being now in the midst of their own Garrisons they might possibly be relieved And to confesse the truth the Princes Horse were so over-marcht and his Foot so beaten off their legs that He found his men lesse able for the present for them and the enemy were more then was believed For these reasons and for that as by intercepted Letters it appeared the Lord Fairfax and his Son Sir Thomas being both commanded by the Council of State to march other places might ere long have need of his presence the Prince at length condiscended to these Articles 1. That all Match Bullet Powder Cannon and all other Fire-arms belonging to the Artillery be delivered 2. That all Souldiers march away with their Swords by their sides and Colours and Drums 3. That all Officers march without molestation with Their Arms and Horses for themselves and Servants and all Bag and Baggage Money and whatsoever doth truly belong to Themselves 4. That all Troopers and Dragoons march with their Swords Horses and Colours 5. That his Highness send a Convoy to protect us from any injury two Miles from the utmost of his Highness Quarters March 22. 1643. Because we may conceive that the 22. Divines appointed to reform might do something in order to their Pensions the latter end of this Year produced the effects A Protestation by them for setling of the Church and their particular Exceptions against the Liturgie not that the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England should be utterly abolished but purged of Innovations and Absurdities And first of the later part the Innovations and Absurdities they make to be these I. Because there be some things in it of which we know not how to make any reasonable sense viz. 1. Whatsoever is manifest the same is light Ephes. 5. 13. See Epi. 3. Lent 2. In the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity See Col. Trin. 3. Every Parishioner must communicate thrice a year and also receive the Sacraments and other Rites See Rubrick after Communion 4. God is said to be Father of all that is called Father in Heaven Ephes. 3. 15. See Epist. 16. Trinity 5. This is the sixth Moneth which was called Barren Luke 1. 28. See Gosp. Annunc 6. Or ever your Pots be made hot with Thorns so let indignation vex him as a thing that is raw Psalm 58. 8. See Gosp. Annunc 7. When the company of the Spear-men and multitude of the Mighty are scattered abroad among the beasts of the people that they humbly bring pieces of Silver and when he hath scattered the people that delight in War Then shall the Princes c. Psalm 68. 30. II. Because as far as we are able to discern there is contradiction in it 1. To the Book of Articles which denieth that Confirmation hath any visible Sign whereas the last Prayer in Confirmation makes Imposition of Hands a Sign to certifie the Children of God's favour and gracious goodness towards them 2. To it self by affirming in the Catechism that there are but two Sacraments and yet ascribing to Confirmation all things that are required to the being of a Sacrament either in that Book or in the Book of Articles III. Because to our best understanding it seemeth to contain in it some untruths 1. Innocents are said to be Gods Witnesses and to have confessed and shewed forth his praise not in speaking but in dying See Col. Inno. 2. It
Parliament at Edenburgh but Montrose and his friends do not appear The Covenanters out vote the Royal party by seventy voyces assuming all Soveraign power with the King and ordain to Levy a powerful Army against the King in ayd of the English Parliament And now again they deal with Montrose who to work the Kings interests the better he accepts and is caressed by Alexander Henderson the Covenanters Apostle to satisfie his conscience who to sift the secrets with Napier Ogleby and Keer meet neer Sterling To those Henderson discovers that it was resolved to send an Army in ayd of their brethren in England against the King that for his own part he was happy to be a Minister and Mediatour in so blessed a businesse entreating Montrose to speak his minde freely and to commit the affairs to him effectually to manage it with the Parliament for profit and honour to them all To which Montrose returns a hopeful answer In company of Henderson comes one Sir Iames Rolloch chief of an ancient Family and Kinsman to Montrose who assures him that Henderson had instructions from the Parliament to treat Montrose acquaints all his friends who though passionate for the King yet his loss being without recovery and themselves unable to act they would be lookers on But he and Ogleby post's to England and arrive at Oxford whilst the King was at the siege of Glocester to the Queen they communicate all but she over-affected to the interest and power of the Hamiltons neglects them who go to the King at Glocester and inform him that of necessity the strength of treasons ought to be broken ere it grew to big The King in distresse what to doe to struggle with the deep-rooted confidence he had of the Hamiltons the subtil devices of desperate Courtiers who daily buzzed in his ears too Montrose's prejudice in ballance with Hamiltons and so returns to his winter quarters at Oxford where the publique reports of Scotland fixed Montrose's discoveries to be true the Scots Army being raised 18000. foot and 2000. horse and upon the borders then Hamilton in Scotland posts his Letters of discovery to the King with this excuse that he and his friends had prevailed to prevent an invasion the last Summer but now winter is come and the Army marching The King shews these Letters to Montrose and commands his advice and counsel to recover him from the treachery of such â—o whom he had intrusted his greatest concernments It was with several daies counsel thus concluded That the King should send some Souldiers out of Ireland inâ—o the west of Scotland to order the Marquesse of Newcastâ—â— the Kings General of his Northern Forces in England to assist Montrose with a party of Horse to enter the south of Scotland and so into the heart of that kingdom That the King of Denmark might be dealt with for some Troops of Germane Horse And Montrose to have some Army from beyond seas into Scotland All these the King would undertake to effect and gave assured trust in Montrose his valour faith and good fortune And instantly sends for the Earl of Antrim of Scotish extraction descended of the Noble and ancient Family of the Mac-donalds and lately matched in mariage to the Duke of Buckinghams Widow and being driven out of Ireland resided at the Court at England Antrim confirms this Counsel with assurance to Montrose that he would be in Arguile a part of Scotland bordering upon Ireland by the first of April 1644. and this was in December And Sir Io. Cockram is sent forthwith to the King of Denmark for Horse and Arms and post is sent to the Marquesse of Newcastle to prepare for Montrose's coming who is instantly Commissioned to be Governour of Scotland and General of the Kings Army there But presently comes Hamilton and his Brother the Earl of Lanerick post from Scotland and gives out by the way that they were banished their Countrey for Loyalty to the King and were forced to fly to him for succour With much adoe the King was advised to forbid them the Court Lanerick stayes in Oxford and suddainly gets to the Parliament at London and afterwards to the Scotish Army so soon as they entred England and ever since to do them service And thereupon Hamilton is sent prisoner to Pendennis Castle in Cornwal Montrose having intelligence of several Scots Counties suspected of disloyalty advised the King to invite the Scots in Court to a Protestation heartily to detest the courses of the Covenanters and condemned the coming in of the Army into England against the King and the Laws of the Land as an act of treason promising and vowing to acquit themselves of that scandal and to the utmost of their power and hazard of their lives and fortunes to oppose those that were guilty But as the most Scots took this Protestation so the Earl of Traquair and Mr. William Murray of the Bedchamber a while refusing for fear of the Covenanters yet afterwards engaged themselves by solemn oath to aid Montrose in Scotland by a day prefixt which Oath they basely broke Montrose hastens to the Marquesse Newcastle who discourses of nothing more then the necessity of his Army the Scots having spoiled his Recruits and were quartered within five miles of him that he could not spare a Horse but if hereafter he should winde himself from this present danger he would not be wanting in the best of his service to Montrose and so in much necessity he affords him 200. Horse with 2. brasse field pieces with Orders to all the Kings Forces to aid him in his journey to Scotland and was met by the Counties of Cumberland and Westmerland with 800. Foot and three Troops of Horse and he had got together some noble friends with 200. Horse more and enters Scotland the 13. of April 1644. where we leave him to that yeare It was this year that the French were famous for the Battle of Rocroy being besieged by Don Francisco de Melo with an Army so compleat as nothing additional could be devised But ere he sets down he creates the Duke of Alburquerque General of the Horse a young Portugâ—ese and God knowes a pittiful Souldier whom the Officers did not obey But when the French fell on they need not fight for the enemy began to rout and then to run and the other to follow their execution And this service was done by the fate without fighting of the Duke of Anguien now Prince of Conde He had the glory but General Gassion did the work and was the cause of the taking of Theouville But Melo was therefore turned out of command though of himself a gallant person but ill successe must be punished to please the Fates for the King of Spain was constrained thereby to call him home and to give the Government to Castel-rodrigo till the Arch Duke Leopold came himself thither But as the French won the day here so oftentimes they lose others these Two Monarches shuffling for the Goal
who whilst Waller hunted the King was gotten Westward and to please the Lo. Roberts with advice of his Iuncto Counsel a Committee of Members is perswaded into Cornwal to credit Roberts for getting his Rents his main end hitherto obstructed by the power of the Cavaliers in that County The King comes to Kingsmore in Somersetshire Iuly 23. and passed Tamer at Palton-bridge in Cornwal Aug. 1. and so to Liskard 8. miles disâ—â—nt from Essex who was at Lesttithyel in Cornwal 5. Aug. there he is encompassed his Majesty and Prince Maurice at Bonnock on one side and Sir Richard Greenvile in Bodmin and Sir Iacob Ashley at Haul which commands Foy Haven But so soon as his Majesties Army drew from Liskard he faced the enemy in their Quarters at Listithiel who had strongly fastned their Foot Quarter on one side of the Town and placed most of their Horse and some Foot on the hills beyond The Town is situate in a valley and Tyde flows up from Foy to the Bridg so as it is not Fordeable but at one passe between that and the Sea Upon sight of the enemy his Majesties Army was full of courage and desired to be engaged but that was not thought fit to be done and the way of distressing the enemy for want of Provisions was resolved on as the most secure and so drew into Quarters the King to Boconnocke the Lord Mohuns House his Army between him and a Heath that parted his Quarters and the enemy at Listithiel the distance between both being â—ot above a mile Assoon as his Majesty had fastned his which was quickly done every enclosure here being Cannon-proofe most of the chief Officers of both Armies subscribed a Letter to Essex by his Majesties consent notwithstanding his Majesties Gracious Letter to him immediately before was not vouchsafed an answer To the Letter sent by the Commanders he returned a Negative yet his denyal wrought no great effects on his Majesties Army for in this posture between the expectation of Sir Grenevile's assistance who was coming on from the West the starving of the enemy and many debates but no positive results His Majesty spent above eight dayes putting little in execution but drew out often on the Heath had some light skirmishes with the Horse Guards and so drew into Quarters again at last Sir Richard Grenevile came with his Force then the Army began more seriously in the prosecution of the design Grenevile fastning his Quarter at Lanhetherocke the Lord Robert's house beyond the River three miles West of his Majesty and possessed Leprin Bridg on the same River a mile above Listithiel and his Majesty on the other side placed Guards on all the passes on the River leading from his Quarters and Listithiel to Foy and possessing a house of the Lord Mohun's over against the Town and a Fort that commandes the very mouth of that Haven being there but half Musket-shot over this was the first work which conduced to his Majesties advantage which proved fatal to their Army they being thereby deprived of an Harbor to bring them in provisions or supplies which they had plentifully before and now they had only a small Creek at Mimibilley and Saint Blases Bay but neither of those safe for Ships yet they still possessed a large space of ground West-ward which made his Majesty after few dayes expectation conclude that he could not starve them in so short a time as was imagined and therefore drew nearer to their Quarters and fastned his Army within Encloâ—â—res on the Wings of theirs within Musket-shot each of the other between which lyes part of the Heath there not half a mile over At the farthest extent of the Kings Quarters on that Heath he built a Fort that by Cannon very much anoyed theirs though they returned daily twenty great shot for one of his the same day Grenevile on the other side of the River drew near to Listithiel took Lesterman Castle a strong Fort and a Passe underneath it little more then half a mile from the Town and hereby his Majesty bettered the communication of his Forces when he had secured these and his Quarters he lay still again expecting the event but the ill weather coming on he resolved on a new design which was to attempt on some of their Quarters by surprise and thereupon Prince Maurice's Army was ordered to have fallen on two dayes successively on the next Quarter to them but the first day it was thought neither easie to get nor advantageous being got and the next by delay and the enemies discovery of the design nothing was effected to the trouble and dislike of many who thought the same more easie then perchance it was yet that failing necessity forbad any longer idlenesse and so again his Majesty resumed the former design of starving them to which purpose General Goring with most of the Horse and Sir Thomas Basset with fifteen hundred Foot of Prince Maurice his Army were sent West to stop all provisions coming in at Saint Blase and to reduce them to straits by keeping their Horse and Foot close together This wrought the expected effect for on Friday night came intelligence that they were drawing their Cannon and Baggage towards Foy whereupon his Majesty made ready not knowing what they had done with their Horse who the next morning before day in great fear marched between his Majesties two Quarters being about two thousand five hundred commanded by Balfour but his Majesties Horse followed them though they made so great hast as that they were timely at Saltash near which Sir Edward Waldgraves brigade lay and was almost surprised but the gallant old man got his men together Flanked them slew a hundred took Major Abeâ—cromy and many prisoners Being well bruised here they laboured to transport themselves over the River for Plymouth their Horse being very weak and tired but in the afternoon that day General Goring and most of the Horse had order to pursue them and timely notice was given to all Forces in the Southern parts to meet them in the Front but failed Their Foot Army drew out likewise on Saturday and by eight in the morning marched away towards Foy his Majesty presently followed and having got the Bridg and Town of Listithiel advanced the Hill where he found two rare pieces of Cannon and about a mile farther three or four more with powder and Amunition which in their hast they left behind them Thus marching after them his Majesty fell in their Rear two miles from Listithiel and from hedg to hedg enforced them to an hasty retreat at length having got some advantage of an inclosure they made a stand and with their remaining Horse regained some fields whence they were forced before whereupon the King sent presently Captain Brett with the Queens Troop who in the Kings view forced them to retire regained the ground lost got more and returned gallantly and in good order with the losse only of four men and
many Arms and Ladders Hovvever they doe their best vvith Granadoes and great Shoâ— 154. of the first and of Canon above 800. Wherefore Lieutenant Colonel Green sallied out slevv and vvounded more and no doubt the Castle lost many But the Earl of Northampton for the King vvith good strength of Horse came from the Rendezvouz near Newbury quartering at Farnborough and then to Beechen-tree to meet Colonel Gage from Oxford vvhose Horse vvere commanded by Colonel Webb the Foot by Lieutenant Colonel Gerard and Major Kirke and all joyning they march to Aderbury and came to Banbury October 25. finding Colonel Fines his Horse in several bodies dravvn up on the South side of the Tovvn Here they stand a vvhile and face the Earl but soon retreated to the West side tovvards Hanwel their Foot novv come out of the Tovvn in some disorder follovved their Horse having sent their Baggage and Artillery that vvay the night before The Earl pursued them vvith three Regiments of Horse the Earl of Brainfords the Lord Wilmots and his ovvn and some Dragoons Colonel VVebb being sent on the left hand round about Crowth-hill with the most part of Oxford Horse to face or charge them in the Flank In the mean time Colonel Gage vvith the Foot enters Banbury Tovvn and relieves the Castle Northampton overtakes his Enemies neer Hanwel a Forlorn-hope being dravvn out by Captain Brown and joyning vvith Gages Oxford Horse but vvere valiantly opposed so that they vvithdrevv to the Ear◠〈◊〉 main Body vvith him and after a long and round dispute to 〈…〉 the enemy retreated somevvhat hastily and neer Hanwel they dispersed some to Copredy Hanwel Tovvn Broughton and Compton leaving their Carriages one Field piece and three Wagons of Arms and Amunition vvhich vvere sent to Banbury Castle and thus much it cost them for these vvere slain Captain Brown Captain Tylly the Earl of Brainford shot in the mouth and Colonel Webb vvas hurt in the hand so was Lieutenanant Colonel Smith and one Boteler commended for his gallantry was slain nine Troopers and many Common Souldiers killed and hurt But they that fled must needs be more the high waies could testifie many prisoners Cap. Vint and Lieutenant Vernon four Cornets of Horse many Horses and six Barrels of Powder Match and Shot c. Glocester being recruited by â—olonel Stephens with three Troops of Horse and tvvo Troops of Colonel Harlyes Regiment they drew out against Colonel Myn an active Cavalier and perpetual vexation to Massie who had discovered that some Forces out of Wales vvere to passe at Ast and advanced thither and missed narrowly of the Lord Herbert these being abroad Colonel Myns design was that their Forces in both Counties of Hereford and Worcestershire should joyn at Casselane and so march to the Gates of Glocester Massie therefore returns homewards from whence he sends for 220 Musquetiers and 100. more from Tewxbury to meet him on the march to cope with Myn. But being arrived and all things prepared to set out a dispute increased betvveen two of their own Majors Grey and Hamond and after a box on the ear they drew and for the blow Hamond kills him whose Souldiers now in Arms ready to advance turned back to the revenge which the Governour had much adoe to pacifie which gave the Enemy time to come on within three miles of the Town and to prevent their further advance Massies men at Highleaden passed the Brook and finde the Cavaliers quartered in Hartpury Fields quiet and still but was upon them by dark night took ten prisoners and some Forragers their main Body being gon that night to Redmarly and were followed to Eldersfield two miles from them At break of day Massie marches and by six a clock advanced to their Rendezvouz being 160. Horse and 850. Foot drawn up into Batalia and the Hedges lined with Musquetâ—ers The other divided his Foot into two Bodies and drew out his Horse into single Troops the Inclosures not giving room for a larger form and having disposed one Troop with the Tewxbury shot he drew out the remain to another place of advantage Massie leads the Van of three Troops being seconded by three other Troops commanded by Backhouse and thus drawn out they march to their Adversaries charging suddainly put them from their Ambuscado's beat their Horse to a flight and so got into the Van of their Foot and worsted them bâ—oke their whole Body many wounded and slain and some prisoners Myn slain in the place and 170. Major Buller seven Captains four Lieutenants five Ensignes twelve Serjeants and near 250. common Souldiers taken Prisoners But in this encounter Myn was alone for the Hereford and Worcester Forces were not joyned which was hourly expected and had done the deed as they designed it and so Myn was lost and those with him for Lieutenant Colonel Passy who commanded a fresh party of 150. Horse and 500. Foot just at the close of the fight was comâ—ng post to Myns Brigade to bring news of the others arrival but he was met by the Scouts and wounded and taken so neither of their parties had knowledge to prevent this mischief But up they did come being first discovered by Colonel Broughton met with some straglers in the pursuit such they cut off but the Body got home with all their prisoners Myns body was carried to Glocester and for his worth and honour they vouchsafed him burial his death much lamented with the losse of the English Regiment from Ireland Englishmen not Irish as many would now make the world believe them to be of the Irish Rebels but most untrue this defeat ruined the Kings power in South Wales Prince Rupert's Forces lay stragling between Shrewsbury and Worcester a while after the great Northern defeat at Marston Moor which were now rallied into an Army for the close of this Summers action To make a diversion from the West part and so to befriend Essex all the Glocester Forces that could be spared were drawn out towards Bathe with a thousand Horse and Foot Waller having returned to him the former Forces which he borrowed on purpose to disturbe the Kings Quarters and so to enforce him to withdraw a part of his main Body to enable Bristol and Bathe and hoped likewise to encounter Prince Rupert from Bristol who was there in person but in few dayes upon knowledge of the utter losse of Essex his Army in the West all these designes flatted But indeed it was time for Massie to return and look to himself for Prince Rupert had commanded Colonel Charles Gerrard out of Wales with other Forces to break their way through Glocestershire into the Western parts these were suppose◠〈◊〉 lye neer Worcester and to march to Cotswold Hills or by the borders of Herefordshire to make into Dean Forrest and thence over at Ast passage and to hinder these designes Massie retreats and in his return falls down before Berkley lodged in the Town two dayes and
then summons the Castle commanded by Colonel Vele made some assault but was worsted with losse Yet somewhat he did by the way he burnt the Boats at Ast Ferry and intending to passe over Severn to meet Prince Rupert who was nearer hand by an Allarm already in Casselane and by other Scouts it was assured that many Troops under command of Sir Marmaduke Langdale were come into Herefordshire and a party of them joyned with Colonel Lingens Horse had advanced within six miles of Hereford spoyling and plundering those Parishes that were in Association and defence with Glocester Prince Rupert being stopt at Casselane took his course towards Worcester joyning with Colonel Sandis Horse and Sir William Russels Horse and Foot and such other Foot as Dudly Castle could afford him and now abled in power with advantage of the march having left Massey in the Rear beyond Severn as was supposed He resolved to break through and to relieve Banbury in his way Massey hath intelligence and therefore forthwith conveyes his men over Severn at Tewxbury and was got as far as Stanway and gave notice to a Major of Horse neer about that brought 200. Horse and sent away his Foot already tyred and with his Horse resolved to joyn with Colonel Fines at Banbury but on the suddain he heard that 500. Horse were got over the River on this side Evesham approaching to his Quarters and that a Party of Foot were set at the Bridge to make good their repasse one half of their Forces being at Pershore the otehr at Eveshaâ— but four miles asunder but Massey got clear of them Prince Rupert keeps Rendezvouz neer Hereford with fourty two Troops of Horse resolving to passe at Ast Ferry and to guard it sends five hundred Horse and Foot fortifying Beachly for a standing Guard a place of strength a gut of Land tending between Severn and Wye the only commodious passage from Wales to Bristol and to the West of England the main entercourse of the Kings Army Massey hears of this and four dayes after the Cavaliers first fortifying ere the Line was half intrenched from one River to the other amd the other part well guarded with a high Quickset Hedge lined with Musquetiers and Ditched within with a fair Medow re-intrenched and here they had 600. Horse and Foot in all But being faced by an Enemy in the Evening within Musket shot they knew no more hurt could be done till the next morning for at high water it was inaâ—â—â—ssible being guarded by some Ships with Ordnance level with the banks and clearing the face of the approach from Wye to Severn Massey draws up for the onset neer the place of entrance where the otehr party had intended a Draw-bridge and there to storm Out of the Forlorn hope he selects ten Musquetiers to creep along the Hedges and thence to fall upon the very breach these gave the first Allarm to the intrenched who spent their first shot in vain and ere they recharge on went Massey's Forlorne hope the reserve follow ran up the Works rushed in among them they within did their parts gallant and well resolved but were surprised and overpowred with losse and some prisoners but many recovered their Boats and were saved nor could the Assailants boast much more for the bravery then success being in view of a multitude on Chepstow side that saw all their great Guns doing no Execution from each River casting beneath the Bank at low Ebb. Kirle was Lieutenant Colonel to Col. Holtby Governour for the King of Monmouth intending treachery of long time but his cowardize durst not indanger his own person in the design but now he takes occasion of Massey's quartering neer Monmouth and thus it was effected Massey feigns a Post from Glocester side requiring his suddain return with his Forces thitherward to secure that part of the Countrey from the Enemy who was now in plunder out of Bristol and Berkley this Message was come to his hands at Master Hollis house of High-medow a true Cavalier on purpose that he might post the news to the Governour of Monmouth which he did which gave reason for Lieutenant Colonel Kirle to be commanded out with his Troop to follow the Rear of Massey's retreat which he suddainly feigned towards Glocester and three miles on his way lodges his Forces in a Thicket of the Forrest sending his Scouts abroad prevented the discovery of any if in case Kirle should be honest The intelligence reaches Monmouth of Massey's marching away Kirle accordingly is sent out with his Troops to follow his Rear whom Massey surprises at midnight in High-medow House with all his Horse with whom in all possible silence he advances to Monmouth where the Alarm was gâ—ven by a Cornet of Kirles who escaped the surprisal and which Massey now knowing was in some doubt of honesty in Kirle to betray them all and therefore though denied with infinite Oaths he was mistrusted and an eye upon him whom yet Massey intrusts with a hundred Horse to march to Monmouth now in Alarm and upon Guard expecting and Enemy but Kirle comes up to the Draw Bridge pretends a return with many Prisoners perswaded the Guards and so prevailed by Oaths to the Officers of the Guards that the Governour commanded to let down the Draw-bridge with a little jealousie and a weak Guard and the Bridge drawn up again But Kirle with his Company now declares themsâ—lves overpower the Guard and made good the Bridge for a Body of Horse and Foot at hand and had a large Entrance subdued the Town in a moment the Governour and greater part of the Garrison escaping by the dark rainy night over the dry graft the rest put to the Sword divers Prisoners a Major three Captains and other Officers sixty Common Souldiers five Barrels of Powder and some Armes but the Town the best prize being the Key of South Wales and the only safe entercourse for the Kings Army between the West and Wales and the Northern parts Kirl's name hateful to the Countey for this base treacherie but Moumouth was regained in the week following This losse gave Alarm to the Earl of Worcester at Ragland Castle and to the whole Countey who called in Prince Ruperts Horse to assistance and appear in Arms. Massey sends out a small party of Musquetiers commanded by Captain Rochford who finde out the Countreymans Rendezvouz defended by Captain Gainsford and with him joyns Sir William Blaxton with a Brigade of Horse fall upon Massey's Horse Quarters two Troops and a hundred Musquetiers commanded by Captain Baily and Lieutenant Page beat them and put them to rout when their Major drew up the rest of their Troops and Massey came out also from Monmouth rescued their distressed Forces and overpowering the Cavaliers â—lew some and took others prisoners Colonel Gerard for the King draws up his Forces to Ragland Sir Iohn Winter with four hundred from Bristol to fortifie Beachly which Massey must hinder ere they adjoyn
and therefore at midnight with eight Troops and a hundred Musquetiers drew up to Clinewall to meet the Newnham Foot appointed for this design And in the close of the next Evening they came near the Cavaliers and that night forced their Ambuscado into their Works and the next morning make the onset and here Massie made one Principal being so put to it his Head piece knocked off with the Butt end of a Musquet but rescued and so the full Body coming up they had the better and so prevented the joyning of the Parties for that time During this time Colonel Broughton out of Glocester undertakes to Garrison Godridge Castle where he rousted with great undertakings Skirmishes and surprisals as all the other Garrisons usually did one from the other successefully Some Hereford Forces hearing of it drew out a small Party Summoned him Stormed and took him and his prisoners and carried them all above one hundred to Hereford nimbly done without any noise The King in his march out of the West sent part of his Army upon several Services yet still his Adversaries marched before him towards London as far as Basing near which place their strength were gathered into one Body the General Essex the Earl of Manchester and Sir William Wallers marching to a general Rendezvouz Wednesday October 23. but did not hazard their Forces against Basing House but left it after their Outguards were rowsed by Captain Markham with a Party of Horse The Kings Forces then at Kingscleer and the Enemy in Aldermarston Park and on Thursday night came privately over the Water at a Ford near Padworth and the next morning drew to Bucklebury five miles from Newbury where the King then was On Bucklebury Heath the Enemy made their Rendezvouz having refreshed their Army from Reading from hence they sent out several Parties to have fallen upon the Kings Horse Quarters but were repulsed by Lieutenant Colonel Bovel About twelve a clock on Friday they drew down their whole Army between Thatcham and Shaw where by strong Parties they attempted to force the Horse Quarters at Shaw but were Skirmished with a Part of Prince Maurice Horse some killed between them and then drew back to a Field before Shaw leaving some Foot and Dragoons to dispute the Hill vvhich vvas done till Midnight On Saturday morning Essex dravvs his Canon vvith four great Bodies of Foot and some Horse to that Hill there they stand in Batalia and shot with their Ordnance all that after-noon to loss in which time they drew the rest of his Army through Winterburn towards Boxford to have girâ— in the King which was all they did that night Early on Sunday morning October 27. about a thousand of the Earl of Manchester's Forces and London Trained Bands came down the Hill to pass over that part of the River Kennet which runs betwixt the Hill and Newburie these passed the River Eastward and therefore undiscerned of some of the Kings Foot who kept a Pass at a Mill Westward of the place where the Enemy passed over it being then not fully break of day and advanced upon those few Foot at the Pass over-pressing them with numbers had much the better untill Sir Bernard Astley Son to the Lord Astley came up with four hundred Musquetiers and fell on them to a Rout the while two other Bodies hasted over the River to second the first but the other rout their Seconds and both run through the River and some drowned The rest of Essex's Army consisting of his own Regiment and VValler's whole Forces with part of the E. of Manchester's Horse pursue their Design in surrounding the King towards Spine and about three a clock after-noon four thousand of their Horse and Dragoons with five hundred Pikes and some Cannon appeared on the West side of Newburie where the Cornish Foot and the Duke of York's Regiment commanded by Sir VVilliam St. Leaguer were setled with five Field Pieces and a Brigade of Prince Maâ—rice's Cornish Horse charged home and got ground at first till they were beaten back which some affirm to be the reason why the Foot retreated to the East side of Spine which place they made good till their Enemy left the Field but those Guards were spread so thin there and so many thousands of their Adversaries pressing on the Advantage that they there gained the Kings five small Pieces which they hastily drew off Essex's Horse having forced back the King 's advanced with a Body of five hundred Horse part being Essex's Life-guard and a sufficient Strength of Musquetiers betwixt Newburie and Spine where the King's Life-guards and Sir Bennet's Brigade were drawn up Major Leg was sent with a party of Horse towards those of the Enemy who finding himself over-powred made a Retreat whereupon the other advanced with Musquetiers on their right hand towards the River there being three small Inclosures betwixt Colonel Bennet and them which made him wheel off which his Enemy calls a Routing but indeed though his Enemy came on upon him yet when his Regiment came up not ready before he faced and charged handsomly as the other confesses and was seconded by the Lord Bernard Stuart Brother to the Duke of Richmond and Lenox fell upon their Flanks and routed them and execution followed among whom was the Commander of the Earl of Essex his Life-guard whom Bennet shot dead and others slain The King lost Captain Catlin of Sir VValgrave's Regiment and some Troopers Captain VValgrave Sir Edward's Son was dangerously hurt and their Adversaries advanced to that ground again and thus it happened with Essex's Forces on the West side of Spine But those on the East side were more confident of Success having setled three Bodies of Foot in certain Inclosures advanced over a Ditch with a great Body of Horse hoping to break in through the Kings Guards but were prevented by General Goring who instantly drew up the Earl of Cleveland's Brigade put himself in the Head of it together with the old valiant Earl and his other Colonels of his Brigade Colonel Thornhill Colonel Hamilton Colonel Culpeper and Colonel Stuart the General told them they must now charge home and suddenly advanced up to the Gap where about fourscore of the Enemy were come over these he fell upon and forced them back and followed them over the Ditch but hastily and not in order the Enemy killed many untill a new Body came to second them and both together joyned and ordered forced their Enemy to scatter and there they had the better and killed Major Urrie Colonel Urrie's Kinsman In this Charge it was that the good Earl of Cleveland he deserves a better Title for in earnest he was always valiant and faithfull to his Principals and now engaged and over-powered he was forced their Prisoner These Particulars are confessed in the most Pamphlets but it were not much amiss if either side would forbear over-triumphing when no cause is given for this I must say not partially No English
and three times storming it was fain to retreat to Farnham with much dishonour of his bruised Army and but two lost in the Garison and some small injury of battering the Chimnies and so gave time and liberty for further fortifying it able to do injury to their Enemies Trade and Forces and being sufficient against surprize or storm they resolve to starve it setling their several Forces six weeks together round about in the Neighbour Towns harrowing the Countrey untill they marched to Oxford And now comes Colonel Norton with Forces by intelligence of a run-away Souldier defeats a party drawn out to Odiam with divers Prisoners faced the house and quartered at Basing-stoak with a Regiment of Horse and Dragoons after him comes Colonel Morleys blew Regiment from Sussex Sir Richard Onslowes with five Ensignes of Red from Surrey and two more of White from Farnham are all drawn up upon the South side of Basing-stoak and distribute their Forces the White to Sherfield Onslow to Anwell house Morley with Nortons horse in Basing-stoak often skirmish but alwaies with loss to themselves and each of these had a Troop attending For in the Garison were these Gallants two Majors Cuffand and Langley two Lieutenant Colonels Iohnson and Peak and Colonel Peak sallying out oftentimes with Execution on their Enemy but very little loss to themselves So that now the besiegers suffering too much by being loose they contract their Quarters into the Park the Lane and the Close three sides with the Foot on their Horse on Cowdreys down and at night break gtound Onslow in the Lane had set up a Demy Culverin till a shot from the House silenced his Gun But these without had in this time run their Line within half Musquet shot However the Garison got out and fell upon Onslow whose Irish Souldiership was beaten his petty Culverin dismounted many killed till four Companies of Red came to his rescue more Forces come from Southampton and four fresh Companies two daies before Morley ambitious of some honour in the absence of their chief Norton sends this summons My Lord To avoid effusion of blood I send your Lordship this Summons to demand Basing House for the use of the King and Parliament if this be refused the ensuing inconvenience will rest upon you and your speedy Answer My Lord Your humble Servant Herb. Morley And had this sodain Answer Sir it is a crooked Demand and shall receive a sutable Answer I keep the House in the Right of my Sovereign and shall do it in despight of your Forces Your Letter I reserve in testimony of your Rebellion Winchester This is returned by a Drum with direction Haste haste haste post haste upon the Letter And whilest Morley plaies on the Water-house with his Guns the Garison got out but eight Foot-men fetcht in six Beasts grazing before Onslow's works and he looking on When Norton returns from Sir Waller's defeat at Cropredy Bridge and findes a Captain of Morley's shot dead at his â—oot from those within The hurt within is not much the Marquess hurt two men killed by chain shot the Carriage of their Cabonet broke from their Culverin and by excess of rain the Medowes floting the Besiegers widen more open from the Towers and receive much hurt whilest under covert of a Blinde they sally out again upon Onslow so luckily that he is forced to fly which daies work ends the year of their first Garisons and the second Moneth of the Leaguer These within are tyred with over duty of eight and fourty houres and therefore divide their reliefs every four and twenty the Gentlemen and Troopers doing the same duty of Foot within and without with Musquets or Brown Bill and for seven weeks keep their Horse with Grass and Sage which in the night they were forced to fetch under the Enemies Works And knowing their intentions by Prisoners rather to starve than to storm the doubt of more Forces removed they within resolve to make sallies A party therefore of Horse under Command of Cuffard falls upon some of their Foot lying at hazzard upon Cowdrey's Down whilest Cornet Bryan also about twenty Horse apeece riding at a rate falls in betwixt them and the Hedges rout them flying to Basing-stoak and are pursued with Execution with loss of Colours Trumpets seven Horses and three Troopers many slain and returning under command of their own Cannon not a man slain Then comes additional Forces with Colonel Whitehead's new raised Regiment to Cowdrey's Down the next morning Major Cuffard gets out with six Files of Musquetiers and twenty Troopers and some Brown Bills fall into the Park and attach their out-lines burn their Blinds and their Baskets bring off one of their Morter Peeces whilest Lieutenant Snow with twenty Musquetiers and twelve Bills fall upon the Lane Quarter of Onslow with execution on them break their Demy culverin fire their Guard and return with Arms and Ammunition and Match to their dishonour And therefore Oram Captain of the Guard for vindication must be called to a tryal for neglect or cowardize and evermore for holding correspondence with the besieged is cashiered their service They without are angry and with fifty Musquetiers fall upon the New Works of the Besiegers but soon draw back sixty more get to the Ditch under the Platform but being answered by the Bulwark flanking the ditch they return in hast leaving their Arms for they had three Guns with case shot pouring on their Rear In the Evening Cuffand and Cornet Bryan each with twenty Horse and fourty Musquetiers sally out upon the Down beating the Foot from their Workes and the Horse-guard from their Post pursuing them to Basing-stoak whence strengthned with Irish Horse force the other to retreat take Bryan and a Troop wound three and kill Ensign Emery And the other came home Lieutenant Cooper a Corporal and seven more From whom they are assured that divers were hurt the day before in the Trenches and Morley shot in the shoulder For a fortnight the Besiegers fall to battering having torn the Towers they fall upon the House side next the Town making a work within Pistol shot and because of short commons within some of cowardize get out to the Enemy Whilest necessities increased no beverage but water no bread but of Pease and Oats other Corn all spent Then comes this Summons My Lord These are in the Name and by the Authority of the Parliament of England the Highest Court of Iustice to demand the House and Garison of Basing to be delivered to me and hereof I expect your Answer by this Drum within one hour In the mean time I rest yours to serve you Rich. Norton And had Answer Sir whereas your demands pretend Authoritie of Parliament I answer that without the King there can be no Parliament but by his Majesties Commission I keep this place and without his command shall not deliver it to any pretender whatsoever Winchester Sept. 2. Which Answer findes no other Reply but
six score shot Canon and Culverin and the next day but twenty their Cannon over heat and faulty is drawn to Farnham No relief came according to promise from Oxford desperate they sally out Snow Byfield and Ontram each with twelve Troopers Brown Bills and eighteen Musquetiers and fall upon Onslow who seldome scaped the scowring gain his redoubt draw off his Demy Culverin with so many Prisoners as filled the Goal within with loss onely of three men and one hurt and retreat Whilest Sir William Waller with two Troops arrived at Basing-stoak and came out with his Horse faced the House had his Captain killed and many more from the works within so that this daies service is accounted with loss without sixty killed and twelve hurt two Gunners and two Lieutenants Those that sallied lost were six slain and but six wounded The Besiegers are re-inforced with two Companies two Waggons and twelve Troops of Horse the next day two Regiments their Artillery ten Guns followed with one Company For Sir Waller's whole Army appeared going to the West took their Leaves of the Leaguer for the King was sending relief from Oxford and Waller would not stay The Messenger Edward Ieffery being returned with this good news that they were advanced to Alder-Maston for there was ten out of a Company of Commanded men drawn out of several of the Kings Garisons of Oxford Wallingford Winchester and Dennington Castle amounting to fourteen hundred men the most part Foot but some were mounted Dragoons And all these commanded by Colonel Gage who by a still march in the night and yet many hazards by seven a clock September 12 was come to Chinham-down where he findes Colonel Norton by an Alarm standing ready in a Body and from him the Alarm went on to Colonel Morley and so to all their other Quarters And notwithstanding the advantage of ground which Norton had men fresh and prepared against tired Troops and wearied Foot a thick Fog also to blinde his Ambuscadoes against the Cavaliers that were strangers and could discern no way nor pass more than what their valour and the sword could cut out But Gage makes his approach appearing first on a Hill near the High way which leads to Andover Whereupon Norton charges with great courage and broke through the others Horse who having a reserve of Musquetiers and with more than ordinary valour to give them their due saies their Adversaries forced Norton to retreat or rather to fly to Morley's Quarters as far as the Church and so through Basing-stoak The day by this time clearing up Lieutenant Colonel Iohnson with some Musquetiers sally out of the Garison beat them at the Grange from their Line and pursue them to the Hill thence to the Delve clearing that Quarter with so small defence as is not easily to be believed nor their loss to be credited the slain are not numbred but the Prisoners brought in were counted sixty four common Souldiers two Serjeants one Lieutenant but indeed the suddain supply and boldly managed had amazed the Besiegers The relief consisted of many Horse Loads of Powder and Match a Drove of Cattel besides Plunder from Basing-stoak The Ammunition brought in the Convoy return to Cowdrey's Down and the Enemies Horse retreat to Chinham and forced from thence they finde in the Town fourteen Barrels of Powder one hundred Arms with good provisions of all sorts which are sent in also to the Garison Major Cufford and Hull marched out and take in Basing side Onslowes fatal place and quarter and in it two Captains Iarvas and Iephson one Lieutenant two Serjeants and thirty Souldiers who were made to draw Onslowes Demy-Culverin into the Garison their Tents and Huts fired and hastening away from their Works Colonel Morley's Cornet lost his Colours with this Motto Non ab Equo sed in Aequo victoria not from their Horse for they fled but in the equity of their Cause who had the victory All done with the losse of the Garrison Souldiers but fifteen and some hurt whereof five died and so Gage goes home again to Oxford by the way of Reading leaving their quarters in Blaze and only one left them quiet for Intelligence came to him that the Parliament Forces were drawing together neer Silchester and Kingscleer Lieutenant Colonel Iohnson was a Doctor of Physick but besieged and in this hazard for his life became a Souldier was now shot in the Shoulder whereof contracting a Feaver he died valiant in that Profession and learned in the other both Herbalist and Physician After this for many daies the Garrison had room and courage to march out and meet their Enemy in several Parties several times and return with Booties sometimes Arms otherwhile Cattel with losse to their Enemie when in October they might see from off their Towers the Van of the Earl of Manchesters Army march to Basing-stoake and Shefield the next day eight Regiments of Foot and some of Horse drawn to the South of Basing Troop to Farnham Sir William Wallers Regiment and others of the General Essex joyn to the Leaguer draw into Battalia the next day march towards Reading But in fine the besiegers wearied with twenty four weeks diseases and now Winter seizing them their Army wasted from two thousand to seven hundred the evil news from the General Essex Army in the West of England Newburie Battel lately passed the King come to Bulington Green raised Dennington Siege and now advanced to Hungerford from thence to Oxford and the Parliaments Forces leaving the Field the Besiegers at Basing began to consider and to resolve to rise and be gon At morning Sun the 16. of Novem. the Besiegers draw off their Wagons and Guns the Foot march to Odjam and fire their Huts for it was but time they had intelligence that Colonel Sir Henry Gage with one thousand Horse brings in Amunition and provision and so were quit of any opposers A Siege where the Souldiers within suffered all inconveniences incident thereto want of provision supplied as by miracle having no lesse then one hundred and fourty uselesse persons Sir William Waller harrowing with his Forces at Farnham Norton able to bring three times the Force against the the supplies yet all failed and Basing House now at liberty When at London it was confidently reported it was lost And the Lady Onslow reporting that the Parliament had considered their good service in the Cause and therefore had given Basing House to her Husband and hoped the world should then see them in a better condition but it proved otherwise he being forced out of his Lines of Communication On the tenth of Ianuary comes to the Scaffold William Laud Doctor of Divinity Arch Bishop of Canterbury and Primate of all England To begin the Story of his Life at the hour of his Death would be tedious and out of time and tune some have done it well and given him his due Nay Mr. Prynnes Breviate published on purpose to defame him to the
little darknesse upon nature but thou by thy mercies and passion hast broke through the jawes of death So Lord receive my soul and have mercie upon me and blesse this Kingdom with peace and plenty and with brotherly love and charity that there may not be this effusion of Christian blood amongst them for Iesus Christ his sake if it be thy will Then laying his head upon the Block and praying silently to himself he said aloud Lord receive my soul which was the signal to the Executioner who very dexterously did his Office at a blow This one Note I may not forget as a truth from an Honourable person then present upon the Scaffold that though the Chinks were stopped yet there remained a small hole from a knot in the midst of a Board and in which his finger of the right hand happened to fall into and to stop that also that his desire might be fulfilled lest his blood might descend on the peoples head his soul ascending to Heaven and leaving his body on the Scaffold to the care of men imbalming it with their tears His body was accompanied to the earth afterwards with great multitudes of people whom love had drawn together to perform that Office and decently Interred in the Church of Allhallows-Barking a Church of his own Patronage and jurisdiction according to the Rites and â—eremonies of the Church England He deserved that honour at his death being the greatest Champion of the Common Prayer Book whilst he lived Nor need Posterity take care to provide his Monument It being well observed by Sir Edward Deering He who threw the first stone at him that St Pauls Church will be his principal Monument and his own Book against the Iesuite his lasting Epitaph and so I leave him to that comfort which the Psalmist gives him The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance and shall not be affraid of any evil report Psal. 112. 6 7. Take this though for the present Thy brave attempt on Pauls in time to come Shall be a Monument beyond a Tombe Thy Book shall be thy Statua where we finde The Image of thy Nobler part thy Minde Thy Name shall be thy Epitaph and he Who hears or reads of That shall publish Thee The Kings Party had Garisoned a repaired Castle at the Devises and Colonel Devereux had a Garison at Roudon House between the Devises and Malmsburie being set upon and Besieged Colonel Stephens in Wiltshire newly made by the Parliament Governour of Beverston Castle was willing to give aide to the Besieged at Roudon and sets upon the Besiegers with three Troopes of his own and some Malmsburie Foot without staying for Devereux assistance broke through the Cavaliers and Relieves the House with Provision and Powder and alighting would needs eate and refresh himself with his friends giving time to the Cavaliers Party to Rally and cast up a Brestwork before the passage and so he with 1400. Horse and Foot cooped up all together and so the Besieged more straitned then before News gets to Glocester from whence comes sixty Horse well commanded and were to joyn with one hundred Horse and Dragoons from Malmsburie to break through the Cavaliers and these added to the four hundred and thirty within the House were conceived to force a Passage through the first Sconce But then comes Sir Iacob Ashlie with three thousand Massie raises the County about Strodewater doing what he could to face the Garison at Cirencester and to divert the danger of the Besiegers but nothing prevailed and so they were faine to Surrender upon bad quarter The Cavaliers grow strong on all sides and a stream of ill success rushes in upon their enemies upon Colonel Hopton having raised sixty Horse and fourty Foot Garisoned Castle-ditch near Lidburie in Herefordshire a Party from thence of three hundred Horse and Foot in twenty four houres took him Horse and Foot Prisoners to Hereford Sir Iohn Winter hath Guards set round about upon him to straiten his Garison his own House in the Forest of Deane but they break out through all those Guards and joyn with a Party of Foot from Cheystow which Landed at Lancaught intending to make good the Passe over Wye and so to issue out of Wales at pleasure To oppose them all the Guards drew together thither Sir Iohn violently charged the Forlorn of Foot who gave back to let in their Foot and so both Horse and Foot fell upon him some were slain Colonel Gamne and Vangerris Colonel Pore of Berkley Castle drowned but Sir Iohn and his escaped being the industrious enemy to all his Parliament neighbours These things happened the latter end of the year February about the time of surprizing Shrewsburie by the Parliament Prince Rupert falls back out of Shropshire and comes upon Herefordshire with all his Army the greatest in the Kingdom being a confluence of these Forces his own formerly Prince Maurice Colonel Gerard Lord Hastings Lord Ashlie and Sir Marmaduke Langdale and yet impresse more men in aboundance in all the neighbouring Counties with store of Arms necessity casting them in such waies of violence and coercive power prest-men of suspected fidelity and lesse value often deceiving them in Battle yet the King was forced to these waies for conducing to the sudden forming of an Army when the Kings affairs became desperate and so thrust in with the old Volunteers made up the bulk of a great Body when the Parliament had no such necessity to enforce rather a more cunning way to win upon that party the City of London being the undrained Magazine of Men and Money the common Asse that bare the burden and so ends this year A continuance of the brief Narrative of the Kings Affairs Military in Scotland under Conduct of the Marquesse of Montrose Montrose with considerable Forces enters Scotland 13. April 1644. comes to Dunfrize seises that Town expecting Antrims Irish but being there in some danger returns to Carlisle with his men for the Earl of Calander had raised a new Army in Scotland to second General Leslie in England and now besieging York Montrose having beaten a Garison out of Morpith pillaged the Castle and took a Fort at the mouth of Tine He plentifully sent Victuals to Newcastle which come from Almwick And is now sent for by Prince Rupert then in his way to raise the siege of Yorke but could not possible get to him till the retreat from that unfortunate Battle of Marston-moor and so returned back to Carlisle with a few but faithful gallant men He sends the Lord Oglebie and Sir William Rollock into the heart of Scotland in disguise who return with sad news that all Strengths in Scotland were possessed by the Covenanters The Earl of Traquair contrary to his Oaths and promises to the King was an Agent for the Covenanters Yet this man was more in the Kings Favour then any Scotish except the Hamiltons Montrose in these Difficulties sends Oglebey with his earnest
of Dundee It was a Fight of four hours space equal till Montrose his Men got the Advantage which soon after proved a Victory Could it be otherwise when a ragged Irish man having his Leg broke with a great Shot On my Comrades quoth he I am sure now to be mounted a Trooper and with his Skene cut off the skin by which it hung bidding his Fellow to bury it lest the hungry Scot feed on my flesh Then Montrose enters Aberdine affording his Souldiers two days rest When News comes that Arguile was at hand assisted by the Earl of Lothian with fifteen hundred Horse therefore Montrose removes to Kinton twelve miles off and from thence sends Sir William Rollock with News of his good Success to the King at Oxford and withall to get Supplies against so potent Enemies every day increasing so that he was forced to bury his great Guns in a Bog quit his heavy Carriages and to get into the High-land Mountains where the Enemies Horse could not come and for Foot he feared none to that end he marches to the River Spey at Richmursie ruined Castle and there incamps On the other side he findes the Countrey in Arms about five thousand to hinder his passage till Arguile might come at him Montrose was now fain to turn aside to Badenoth a rocky place where he lay sick some days but being recovered he returns to Athole and sends Mac-Donel with a party to the High-lands to win the people by fair means or to fight them by force himself marches through Angus and gets over the Grainsbane a perpetual Ridg of Mountains that parts the East and West of Scotland and so into the North and leaving Arguile so far behinde who by his slow Marches meant not to fight goes to Strathboggy to meet with the Gordons and perswades them to engage but they were hindered by Huntly himself their Chief out of malice to Montrose his Success and the Lord Huntly's eldest Son was detained by Arguile his half Uncle the Earl of Alboin the second Son inclosed within the Siege of Carlisle and Lewis another Son was forced with the Enemy so that the Gordons had no one of their Famâ—ly to fight under Here Montrose quarters sometime skirmishing abroad and evermore with Booties but doing no good as to get aid he in the end of October goes to Favy Castle and possessed it when on the sudden he hears that Arguile and Lothian were within two miles with two thousand five hundred Foot and twelve hundred Horse Montrose now Mac-Donel being gone had but fifteen hundred Foot and fifty Horse In this exigent and the best way he draws his Men up to a Hill rough ground Hedges and Diâ—ches as good as Breast-works and here such of the Huntly's Dependents fairly forsook him and up the Hill the Enemy mounts Lothian charging with five Troops and were no sooner encountred but retired and other of their Foot were beaten from a Fastness leaving some Bags of Powder behinde and towards night Arguile retreats two miles off and slept not it seems till the next day for then he did nothing neither to any purpose This while Montrose in mighty want of Shot melts all his Vessels into Bullets but Arguile was gone marcht off over the River the very same way he came three miles off back again like a Coward as he came and Montrose returns towards Strathboggy but is pursued by Horse which entertains Skirmish with his Rear till Arguile gets up to Montrose who was mounted on a Hill and which induces Arguile to come to a Cessation of Arms that they both might treat and whilest they confer Montrose is bought and sold for Silver to betray him which he could not better secure than resolving to march away by mid-night as far as Badenoth but sent away his Carriages before when on the sudden Sibbals his old Friend and first Comrade stole away with a Prisoner to Arguile but Montrose instantly posts his Command to his Convoy of the Carriages to return by which he meant to amuze the Enemy with longer stay that the Fugitives might not be believed untill after four days he with great skill and courage marched away to Balveny where most of his Men of Birth and Quality by Arguile's corruption and Bribe fell off from him onely that noble Lord Ogleby and his two Sons never forsook him nay the Irish and High-landers professed themselves the more intirely faithfull Montrose returns from Balveny to Badenoth and hears that Arguile with his Foot onely lay at Dunkeldon in Athole thither goes Montrose in wondrous haste one night twenty four miles through ways untroden untill'd waste full of Snow and never inhabited by mortal man but ere he gets thither and sixteen miles off Arguile had knowledg by Scouts and up he rises and runs away in wondrous Disorder they whither they would but himself goes into Perth a strong Garison By this time returns Mac-Donel with the Macarenolds five hundred Men and Patrick Graham from the Funeral of his Chief with some choice men of Athole and with this Recruit he marches to the great Lake the Head of the River Tay and so through Bradalbain into the Countrey of Arguile Why he did so is too tedious to tell but he never did any thing without Reason for his Resolution for in a word Arguile was powerfull tyrannous and cruel amongst the Highlanders formidable to any of the Kings Friends forcing the Countrey to fight against their wills and yet hated him in their hearts the Low-lands of the Kingdom garisoned with Covenanters and great Bodies of Horse and so Montrose had no other place to winter in and therefore with a minde beyond extraordinary through long and foul Winter way with incredible speed he comes to Arguile The Earl was listing Souldiers at a Rendezvouz secure by the Castle Innerare supposing no Enemy within an hundred miles nor was it imaginable that an Army could ever get thither when the trembling Cow-herds told him Montrose was within two miles and so scared him into a Fisher-boat and flies away leaving his Friends and Fortunes and his own Countrey to the mercy of a provoked Enemy a Countrey barren of Corn and mountainous but Pastures and Cattle which Montrose visits round about with three several Brigades of his Army by himself one Mac-Donel another and the chief of the Macarenolds the third they range and waste all kill all in Arms that will not submit and drive all serviceable men out of that Territory fire the Villages level with the ground with that like usage as Arguile had done to the Kings Friends he being the first of any that prosecuted with Fire and Sword and thus was Montrose forced to do from the thirteenth of December 1644. to the last of Ianuary following and so departing through Lorn Glencow and Aber he came to Logh-ness And here he meets with new-raised Forces of the Enemy the Earl of Seafort with the Garison of Inerness and the whole
with four thousand being seven or eight Regiments of Foot was quartered at Martobe who advanced to the very Rear of Goring fell upon them took some Prisoners but few slain Fairfax by this time was come up with his Horse Brigade within a Mile of the Cavaliers Head Quarters at Lang-port not knowing of the Ingagement of Massie who was quartered on the other side of the River Fairfax early the tenth of Iuly drew out seven Regiments of Horse in Sutton Field and a great part of his Foot likewise upon whose Advance Goring seeing the Resolution against him possest himself of a Pass very advantageous by the Hedges which he lined with Musquetiers this Pass lying between his Enemies Armies and hindered the conjunction and served his own turn to draw off his Ordnance and Provisions for Bridgwater with an honourable Retreat if need were but his Foot were soon beaten away from their Post and those that lined the Hedges and so with more security advanc'd their Horse Major Bethel the first man that forced the Pass with a single Troop the rest followed and charged Goring's Body that were ready in a Lane to receive them with as gallant a Charge as good Souldiers should do and forced them to a Retreat to their Body for more help when Colonel Desborough being at hand supplied that loss and with about four hundred Horse of the General 's Regiment gave a smart Encounter and turned the Scale of Fortune for Goring not able to endure their fresh Assaults and expecting more retreated to Bridgwater there were eleven hundred slain on both sides and prisoners to each party equally But Fairfax pursuing and the other disorderly retiring the Victory was more evident for Goring had the worst Men and Horse taken many Colours two Pieces and some Carriages for Ammunition And the News of these two Fights of Massie and Fairfax were presented to the Parliament by Major Harrison from the Army Goring marches away from Bridgwater towards the North of Devonshire Barnstable to whom Greenvile and Berkley hastening out of Cornwall and Devonshire to joyn with him met at Miniard six thousand strong and Prince Charls Hopton and the Lord Wentworth were gone into Cornwall to raise the County And the General Fairfax turns aside to salute the Club-men two thousand in a Body between Bristol and Bridgwater to whom he offers Propositions That the Kings Forces in Bridgwater might not be supplied by them that his men should have nothing of them but for necessary subsistence and to be paid out of the first moneys which was expected daily from the Parliament and justice shall be done to any that offends them But they continue in a Body and return him a doubtfull Answer More News of Success to the Parliament came poast from Pomfret Castle in the North Major General Poins having with much cost and time spent now at last receiving it by Surrender on the one and twentieth of Iuly upon honourable terms for the Surrender and with liberty to march to Newark with a safe Conduct to Doncaster and the military power of this Castle voted to be invested in the Gen. Fairfax which Northern Association had some limitation in his Commission but indeed it was suddenly done to prevent the Lords who had bestowed the command on Poins for his labour but the Commons Vote was first and so the Lords came too late We left Fairfax near Bridgwater which he meant to besiege and to plain his way four miles off he takes in a Garison Fort of the Kings called Burroughs upon good Quarter to march off not more than an hundred and fifty therein Then he sits down against Bridgwater rather to rest for he does nothing till his Money come from the Parliament to encourage his Army somewhat sullen for Pay which being come the three and twentieth of Iuly and the Army paid he surrounds the Town he had sent his Summons to the Governour but was answered with much courage being affisted by Council of gallant persons his Companions therein Sir Hugh Windham Sir Iohn Digby Sir Francis Courtney Tom Eliot was there too Sir Iohn Stowel and Sir Iohn Hales well fortified and fitted with Men and Ammunition and endured the first Onsets of their Enemy with Success which made the General to consult whether by Siege or Storm but he was told by the Renegadoes of their strength within and excellent store of good Victual which confirmed his Resolve to storm the Souldier animated the Day before by Mr. Peters preaching to them the piety of the Cause then the Foot towards Evening were drawn out and that Night spent in ordering for the Storm which began early at two of the clock in the Morning the one and twentieth of Iuly the General 's Regiment led on to the Work and gave not over till they had mastered the top and fixed his Colours gaining that Plat-form and the Guns and let down the Draw-bridg for a Captain one Reynolds to enter with a Forlorn of Horse scouring the Streets but with much loss forced the Besieged from the hither to the upper part of the Town Massie endeavoured to do his duty and did his good will on the other side but excuses himself not so ready at the time appointed and vvas beaten off and the Tovvnsmen had the better this lasted but an hour and being before day the Assailants escaped some of the great Shot that flevv over head and did no harm The hither Tovvn being vvon the Defendants vvere the more couragious to the admiration of the Assailants flinging their Granadoes and other combustible Shot that fired the hither Tovvn upon their Enemies heads not a house left standing so that vvhat vvas got vvas in fire vvhich put the General to a second Summons and to a Parley sending his Trumpet to tell them That he was moved in compassion to spare the effusion of more bloud and to save to the Inhabitants what was left from confusion This vvas in the Evening at six a clock But the Defendants vvould not stoop to a Treaty resolving sooner to die than to yield vvhich put Fairfax to a Resolution to vvin them by force and the next Morning early for Massie to begin the second Storm on that side of his Quarters Iuly 22. at the davvn of the day he fell on so did Fairfax on the other side but the Tide vvas up and high vvhich hindered the intention for a time and indeed Massie did but alarm and yet lost some men and the General put to it mightily troubled for this ill success and therefore summons them again pretending a Treaty in favour of the Women and Children from this horrid Destruction giving Cessation for that purpose till 4. a clock afternoon and so the Lady Governess a gallant person was intreated to quit the hazzard of an enraged Enemy with her went out the Lady Haule Mrs. Maire and divers others of quality but not prevailing by Storm they try by firing all their
the Scots Horse and Dragoons at Bewdly then marches to Tedbury and Ashburn and Skirmishes with Sir Iohn Gell and soundly beat him and took Prisoners then he comes to Welbeck-House August 16. But the Club-men increase numbers of several bodies in the Western Counties and are met with by Lieutenant General Cromwel disputing to have their men returned who were lately taken at Shaftsbury and Mr. Newman the Club Captain threatning that ten thousand men of that Gang were gotten together in Wilts and Dorsetshire and resolving to secure themselves from Plunder Cromwel talks little as to any other satisfaction but suddenly sets upon a party of them about Hamilton Hill near 2000. gotten together within an old Trench To whom he sends a Forlorne of fifty Horse but were answered with Bullets then a second Message and a third but seeing no other Answer could be expected he draws out the General Captain Lieutenant to reduce them to reason And whilest these dispute a narrow passage Major General Desborough wheeled about to their Rear beat them from their Works with some Execution upon a score of them hurt many and took 300. prisoners 14. of August and sends them to Sherburn the main Sticklers were Tubmen-preachers and other such like Ministers Nor would this Defeat suppresse the Fury for now they march formidable being to chuse their party and although this Encounter hapned yet I finde they are caressed for their Interests and their best plea was for the Kings Cause but did not declare pretending this while to be Neuters The Parliament therefore being put to it and considering the dangerous consequence publish an Ordinance against the Malignant Clubmen in several Counties That it shall be held Treason for any person to convene and Assemble together in a Warlik posture in any parts within the power of the Parliament without the directions and approbation of Parliament or some Authorized by them giving Authority to their Forces to seize such men and their Leaders to condigne punishment The King had a Flying Army not certain in any place nor whether he intended but mastering where he came Alarm'd his Enemies who while they consult to joyn Forces he is gone otherwhere doing his work as he went worsting his Adversaries and forcing Contributions thereabouts So that the Parliament were amazed how to give directions to their Forces abroad And of a sudden we finde him surprizing Huntington which he enters on Sunday afternoon in Service time with little resistance at the Bridge and to their cost that kept it the Captain and Lieutenant and most of his men slain and the Town submitted to a Ransome 24. August From thence he marches to Cambridge Forced the Town and Skirmished then to Owborn and by the way fined St. Ives 500. l. his Forces marched in several Brigades and did their Enemies much mischief Himself marches to Doucaster his way to Oxford 28. August Where he findes many missing some of his Nobles very Right Honourably run away to the Parliament being inticed it seems by the late Propositions for peace sent to his Majesty that all such should be received upon payment of the tenth part of their Estate Which allured them to come by scores and yet the word received did deceive them imagining that all comers should be so received no such matter fo the most of them of Estates were clapt up having no passes for the sence of the Propositions did not serve their turn Then finding their Error they get Passes so numerous from the Parliaments Forces that the Commons increase their Fine to these Conditions Such if they come not in by the first of December next shall pay the fifth part and those that were to be received on the payment of the third part shall pay the halfe of their Estates The King states not long at Oxford Factions and self interest guiding the most of their affairs and therefore he being well recruited gets out again to Wales and was at Ludlow 29. Septem and from thence he marches towards the Relief of Chester seriously beset by Brereton and others of long time And Major General Poins with a party of Horse appointed to attend his Majesties motion Skirting his Rear to take up what fell to ground in a wearied march some lame Horses which are reckoned to be his Life Guard The King came near to Chester Poins hastens his pursuit presumeing to fight upon hope of help from the Besiegers who did the work So then on Bauton Heath two miles off Chester there the King makes a holt to provoke the other who now engaged was soon worsted and forced back gave ground and retyred with much loss and had been more near his ruine but then in the Interim comes Colonel Iones and Lauthian with 500. Horse and 300. Foot drawn off from the Leaguer with this Signal the report of two great Guns which gave some encouragement to Poins to Rallie so the King was beset Rear and Front with fresh men and over-powered also with great number retreated into Chester the Town much weakened by the Batteries the Mines ready for springing and to fall on to Storming the King takes leave and marches thence into Wales again After the taking of Sherburn Fairfax calls a Councel of War and resolve to besiege Bristol governed by Prince Rupert and sufficiently well conditioned He sets down the 24. of August and thus enquarters Ireton with a Brigade of four Regiments of Horse one of Dragoons and five hundred Foot undertakes that side next Glocester and Fairfax the other side his Head Quarters about Cheere Rupert suddenly Sallies out and worsted his Enemy ere he was settled fires Bedmister and some Blindes being houses in the Suburbs in Temple-street His Forces are sufficient well furnished with provisions for food and fighting and yet he disarms the ill-affected for Fairfax increased in men by the assistance of the Clubbers who came opportunely to joyn with him and instantly fell upon a Fort near the Town called Porteshead-point and with much losse had it rendred at last with six pieces of Ordnance one Demi-culverin and 150. Arms the Garison about fourty men upon Conditions to march home It is a Fort of consequence commanding the Ships and Boats of the Rivers mouth so that 7. of their Ships entred Severn safely and Anchored in Kings Rode to block up that side Fairfax thus fitted commands a Fast and afterwards to Storm But sends to Rupert to surrender and to save bloodshed and hazard to the City His first Answer was to have time to send to the King but that refused he declines a Treaty but to make short work sends Propositions upon which he will surrender in effect Every man to march away in the height of Honour with their Arms flying Colours Drums Trumpets c. and as much Powder and match as they can carry about them with Bagg and Baggage Horse Arms ten Guns fifty Barrels of Powder c. and lastly the Lines and Fortifications slighted
Garison of Hereford taken by Surprize which saved the labour of doing it by treachery as it had been agreed upon But this was done thus The Garison was strong and well appointed the Countrey about in affection and friendship together a piece much aimed at as thereby denuding the King of all his Welch Forces And truly the Knight was happy that the Treachery failed But Colonel Iohn Birch and Col. Morgan Governour of Glocester their design took the effect of a just and Souldier-like surprize Morgan had 1100. Horse and Foot and Birch with 900. Foot and a Troop of Horse march from Glocester to Hereford in one day and a night where he was provided of six lusty men in habit of Labourers and the seventh man must be for a Constable with a Warrant in his hand to bring these fellows to work in the Town as if for service of the Garison These men thus prepared with 150. Firelocks lodged in the dark as near the Gate as possible without discovery and a Body of men was ready to second the Design of the other and to enter with them In fine the Bridge is let down to the Constable and his Crew who with Pick-ax and Spade and no sooner entred but the Guard began to examine and to bustle and to kill three of the Guard whilst the Firelocks enter with Col. Birch and Skirmish till the Body came up commanded by Colonel Morgan and so entred the Town with small losse on either side some submitting wherein were eleven pieces of Ordnance much Arms and Amunition the Lord Brudenel 14. Knights 4. Lieutenant Colonels 3. Captains and other Officers and Gentlemen one hundred 18. December Amongst those of the most honoured was that worthy Lawyer Judge Ienkins sent up to the Parliament and committed to several â—ayles of whom we shall have occasion to mention in many sufferings of his This surprize was quick and gallant As for Treacheries and corruptions of Companies or Guards they have been used by some but hated afterwards in all We have met with such on both sides and but lately the offer of Sir Iohn Digby to Colonel Ker Governour of Plymouth It is true that the Parliament willing to intrust that Garison to another person I doe not finde it out of any doubt in that Gentleman but Digby took that occasion to tempt Ker with this treachery SIR I am troubled to understand that through the ingratitude of those you serve you are likely to be rewarded with the dishonour of having a person of much inferiour merit put over your head an injury insupportable to any man of spirit and which may offer you a justifiable occasion of doing a very eminent service to your Native King and Countrey and which if you will embrace to deliver up the Town with the Works of Plimouth I shall engage my self on my honour and the faith of a Gentleman you shall be rewarded with ten thousand pounds and have the command if you please of a Regiment of 500. Horse with what honour your self can desire Sir be not scrupulous in taking the advice of an Enemie that desires heartily on these terms to become your true friend and faithful servant Jo. Digby For Colonel Ker Governour of Plimouth 30. Decem. Colonel Ker returns him this Noble Answer SIR Your motion to Treason I have seen and detest it it is below my spirit for personal injury supposed only by an Enemie to take National revenge and for a Punctillio of honour to take advice from Hell and betray my trust I am sorry that one so ingenious as your self should abuse your natural parts only to doe mischief Yet I have no reason to wonder much at your perswasion to treacherie because I have had the experience of the indeavours of your Family to corrupt others also I remember the Gunpowder Plot the Letter which your Brother writ to the Lord Roberts in this place for the same purpose And his Negotiation with General Brown at Abington Surely these Principles came from Spain but you should have told me also that Spanish proverb To love the Treason and hate the Traytor c. 20. Decemb. Your assured servant Iames Ker. The great success of the Parliament and the distresses of the Kings party enforcing them by numbers to come in and submit upon qualifications of Composition somewhat reasonable heretofore but now the more strict That all such Delinquents that were contained in the first qualifications in the Propositions to be sent to his Majesty and humbled not themselves in obedience to the Parliament before the 25. of March next should forfeit their whole Estates And that those who are contained in the second qualification and came not in as aforesaid should forfeit the Moity of their Estates and that this Qualification should extend to none but those who cordially should submit and should take the National Covenant appointed by Ordinance of Parliament The King had caressed the Parliament for a Treaty of Peace and Cessation also but they finding the Kings Affairs to pinch without hope of his ever being able to make an Offensive War and as little power to defend Therefore to give some satisfaction to the world and to the Kings desires they intend somewhat The Parliament have been hammering Propositions and as the Kings condition changed to the worse they were the bolder to offer such terms as were never likely to be granted And first they please themselves with Votes improbable for additional Honours to be forced from the King and to be placed on their several Members to them and their Heirs for ever Sir Thomas Fairfax be made an English Baron with five thousand pounds Lands per annum and a Committee to consider how this Estate and others following may be setled upon him and others for ever His Father Fairfax to be an English Baron and an Earl The honour of an English Baron on Lieutenant General Cromwel with 2500. l. per an The Honour of Dukedoms on the Earl of Northumberland Essex Pembroke The Earl of Salisbury and Manchester to be Marquesses The Lords Roberts Say Willoughby of Parham Wharton and Howard to be Earls Mr. Denzil Hollis a Viscount Sir William Waller a Baron and 2500. l. per. an Sir Arthur Hazelrig such another which only he modestly refused but not theâ— money Sir William Brereton 1500. l. per an Skippon 1000. l. per an All which Honours and Grants are to be confirmed by his Majesty upon passing the Propositions and the Revenues and estates to be setled out of Delinquents Lands after the satisfying of publique debts of the Kingdom but not before 1. Sept. 1645. But how unlikely the Propositions should pass clogged with these designs against the very hair of the Kings Councellours And how unlikely any Propositions at all shall be consented unto if we consider the Kings inclination towards a Peace by the Contents of his late Letters to Prince Rupert upon occasion of Ruperts Letter and Advice to Treat and
Field but never I believe at the Bar of Gods Tribunal or their own Consciences where they are more afraid to encounter those many pregnant Reasons both from Law Allegiance and all true Christians grounds which conflict with and accuse them in their own thoughts then they oft were in a desperate bravery to fight against those Forces which sometimes God gave me VVhose condition conquered and dying I make no question but is infinitely more to be chosen by a sober man that duely values his duty his soul and eternity be yond the enjoyments of this present life then the most triumphant glory wherein their and my enemies supervive who can hardly avoid to be daily tormented by that horrid guilt wherewith their suspicious or now convicted Consciences do pursue them especially since they and all the world have seen how false and un-intended those pretentions were which they first set forth as the only plausible though not justifiable grounds of raising a War and continuing it thus long against me and the Laws established in whose safety and preservation all honest men think the welfare of their Country doth consist For and with all which it is far more honourable and comfortable to suffer then to prosper in their ruin and subversion I have often praied that all on my side might join true pietie with the sense of their Loialty and be as faithful to God and their own souls as they were to me That the defects of the one might not blast the endevours of the other Yet I cannot think that any shews or truth of pietie on the other side were sufficient to dispence with or expiate the defects of their Duty and Loialtie to me which have so pregnant convictions on mens Consciences that even profaner men are moved by the sense of them to venture their lives for me I never had any victorie which was without my sorrow because it was on mine own Subjects who like Absolom died many of them in their sin And yet I never suffered any Defeat which made me despair of Gods mercy and defence I never desired such victories as might serve to conquer but only restore the Laws and Liberties of my People which I saw were extreamly oppressed together with my Rights by those men who were impatient of any just restraint VVhen Providence gave me or denied me Victorie my desire was neither to boast of my power nor to charge God foolishlie who I believed at last would make all things work together for my good I wished no greater advantages by the War then to bring my enemies to moderation and my friends to peace I was affraid of the temptation of an absolute conquest and never praied more for Victorie over others then over my self VVhen the first was denied the second was granted me which God saw best for me The different events were but the methods of divine Iustice by contrarie windes to winnow us That by punishing our sins he might purge them from us and by deferring peace he might prepare us more to prize and better to use so great a blessing My often Messages for Peace shewed that I delighted not in War as my former concessions sufficiently testified how willingly I would have prevented it and my total unpreparednesse for it how little I intended it The conscience of my Innocencie forbad me to fear a War but the love of my Kingdoms commanded me if possible to avoid it I am guiltie in this War of nothing but this That I gave such advantages to some Men by confirming their power which they knew not to use with that modestie and gratitude which became their Loialtie and my confidence Had I yielded less I had been opposed less had I denied more I had been more obeied 'T is now too late to review the occasions of the War I wish only a happie conclusion of so unhappie beginnings The inevitable fate of our sins was no doubt such as would no longer suffer the Divine Iustice to be quiet We having conquered his patience are condemned by mutual conquerings to destroy one another for the most prosperous successes on either side impair the welfare of the whole Those Victories are still miserable that leave our sins unsubdued flushing our pride and animating to continue Injuries Peace it self is not desirable till Repentance hath prepared us for it When we fight more against our selves and less against God we shall cease fighting against one another I pray God these may all meet in our hearts and so dispose us to an happy conclusion of these Civil Wars that I may know better to obey God and govern my People and they may learn better to obey both God and me Nor do I desire any man should be further subject to me then all of us may be subject to God With this Paper all good men no doubt joyned hearts and hands for a blessing upon the intended Treaty of Peace which we refer to the next year being weary of this that now takes end Continuation of the Military Actions for the King in Scotland under Conduct of the Marquesse Montrose this year 1645. We left the last year at the Victorious Battle by Montrose against the Earl of Arguile at Campbells in the High-lands they being by this defeat loosened from the tyranny of Arguilâ— began to offer themselves more willingly to the Kings service Montrose refresheth his men here for a few dayes and measuring again Logh-Aber Hills and Westward to Logh-Nesse and by the way viewing Harrick Arnes and Marne came to the River Spey and passes to Elgin the chiefest Town of Minray beyond the Spey but the Enemy there fled at his aproach and he takes Elkin by surrender in February where the Lord Gordon Eldest Son to the Marquesse Huntley came openly with some choice friends and submitted to Montrose as the Kings Vicegerent who used him as an intire loyal friend Then he draws off his Army to raise the Counties of Ramgh and Aberdine and so with addition of men he now marched 2000. Foot and 200. Horse and passing the River Dee he came to Marne encamping neer Fettercarne At Brechen he meets Sir Iohn Hurrey General of the Covenanters Horse and the forces there who drawing out 600. Horse to take view of Montrose's Army who therefore made shew but of 200. Horse well lined with nimble Musketiers the Enemy draws up and charges but perceiving the Foot he retreats and brought off his men in the Rear most stoutly and fled twenty four miles to Dundee so far pursued with slaughter and then return to Fethercarne and the next day to Brechin and marches the convenient way by Gravesbane towards the River Tay and so for the Forth This design the Enemy knew and thither comes Hurrey with his Horse and one Baily of great account fetcht from England to be General here with a powerful Army yet Montrose offers them Battel but the others fell off so he went to the Castle Innecarity and Eliot and so into
so Montrose marches to Kinrosse and then to Sterling and encamps in that fatal field Kilsithe the Enemy comes three miles off Baily being their head with whom he must fight at disadvantage or stay to be undone by the Earl of Lanerick Duke Hamiltons brother Cassils Eglington and Glenearne who were raising men in great numbers In this field were some Cotages and his Forces four thousand five hundred Foot and five hundred Horse where he lodgeth some men and the Enemies first work was to beat them but were worsted and driven back encouraging the next to fall on without direction up the Hill engaging themselves one thousand not to be got off He saies to Airly My Lord yonder men of ours are in distress it is most proper for you that the error committed by unadvised young men may be corrected by your Lordships grave and discreet valour And on he goes guarded with a Troop of Horse by Ogleby of Baldby upon the face of the Enemy who giving the charge were disputed with very sharply for a good while but facing about fell upon their own Foot and hotly pursued routed and trod them down Then with a shout all fell upon the Horse first who not enduring a long Charge fled and the Foot discouraged followed and were pursued with execution fourteen miles not a hundred came off All their Ordnance Arms and Baggage to Conquerors who lost many of the Oglebies and some common Souldiers the Enemies Horse carried the swiftest to Sterling others to the Frith saved themselves by Vessels as Arguile now the third time got into a Cock-boat and so into a Ship The chife prisoners were Sir William Morray of Blebe Iames Arnol brother to the Lord Burghly two Colonels Dice and Wallis and many more men of worth this famous Victory at Kilsithe was 15. Septem 1645. and not lesse then six thousand of the Enemy slain and this famous Battle thus to be lost they lodge upon Bailies down-right treachery So now the Northern parts are secured on his back the way opened to him in the South the power of the Covenanters suppressed their chief Leaders driven out of the Kingdom and no considerable Party in Armes yet in the West there were some stirring for the Earl of Cassells and Eglington were raising four thousand men Wherefore Montrose marches into Cludsdale and so to Glascow the principal City receiving the same with acclamations of joy executing legally some chief Incendiaries there and remove to Bothwell where he received the personal addresses of some of the Nobility and of others by their Deputies willingly submitting the chief being the Marquess of Dowglasse the Earls of Limmuck Anuandale and Herefield the Lords of Seton Drummond Fleming Marterty Carnegye and Iohnston Hamelton of Orbeston Charte of Heinsfield Towers of Innerlegh Stuart of Resyth Dalyel a brother of the Earl of Carnwarth Knights and many more Then he sends Napier and Colonel Gordon with a party of Horse to Edenburgh to Summon that City to settle it in peace and to release all prisoners of Loyalty or to threaten them with fire sword And near the City they make a stand the City Assemble and send Delegates together with the chief of the prisoners to intercede Lodowick Earl of Crawford of the Family of Lindsies and a gallant Germane experienced Souldier imprisoned by the malice of the Earl of Lindsey who was to succeed to his Honors Iames Lord Ogleby Son to the Earl of Arlye singularly beloved of Montrose cursing themselves and posterity if ever they should again revolt from their Loyalty or be unmindful of Montrose's mercy Napier having by the way of his March set at liberty his dear Father his Wife his Brother in Law Keer and his Sisters at Linnuck being removed thither from Edenburgh Castle and so all together to Montrose The Delegates of Edenburgh with humble submission beseech Montrose to accept the surrender of their City promising Faith and Loyalty to their King for ever after That the infection of Plague now reigning there had wasted their men but they were ready to pay contribution heartily acknowledging their Treasonable Actions against their gracious King by the cunning contrivance of a prevailing party engaging them in this Rebellion Montrose accepted their submission with the rendering of Edenburgh Castle to the King and his Officers to renounce all future correspondence with the Rebels the prisoners were all released but as to all the other Protestations they fall to their wonted treachery and Rebellion He sends Macâ—donel and Drummond of Ball into the Western Coasts to disperse Cassels and Eglington with other of the Nobily there who fly into Ireland and lurk in by places All the Towns Aire Irwin and the County submit and the people come presently to his side Then the South parts submit and therein the chiefest Earls of Hume Roxborough and Traquair men the most obliged to the Kings high Grace and Favour raising them from private Gentlemen to Honours Wealth and Powers But it was boldness in the Earl of Lanerick Duke Hamilton's Brother who had deceifully practised under hand all the Treacheries and Treasons of this War against their Sovereign Now he openly returns answer That he would have nothing to do with that side never pretending friendship where he meaned not to perform This man acted above board but the others treacherously they inviting David Lesley out of England with the Scotish Horse and so to deliver up Mentrose to ruine Montrose had suspition of all this but could not prevent each mischief for having lain long incamped at Bothwell and no Enemy in Arms most of the Highlanders laden with Spoil ran away and returned home the very Commanders desired Furloghs for some time to setle their Families and to return with many more Men within fourty Days to such as he could not hold he willingly gave leave and appoints Mac-Donel their Countreyman and Kinsman ambitious to be their Guide and to conduct them back again with him went three thousand stout Men and an hundred and twenty Irish for his Life-guard whom Montrose never saw after But we shall meet the next year and so much for this It is most strange to these Times but Posterity can never comprehend how the Swedes come to this greatness and to make War in so many parts of Europe and from whence they got so many Men that Sovereignty indeed is large but very desert and dispeopled so that we may speak it a truth there never came from thence sixty thousand Men as one of their own Grandees assures us one reason was that all the Protestants in Europe leagued with them like Ivy to the Tree as believing the Ruine of the Swedes included that of all the Lutherans The other that in their Fortune all the rest had interest principally in regard of Plunder for it is most certain that in Count Horn's Army were many Women in Mens Apparel acting like Amazons and brave Souldiers with so much courage did prosperity inflame
comes the Marquesse Douglasse and Sir Io. Daliel with other his friends in this Extremity with a small Party of Horse not a hundred charged through the Enemy and escaped and being pursued he made his Stand slew divers and took Bruce a Captain of Horse and two Cornets with their Colours Prisoners Traquair Triumphingly reported Montrose and the Kings party totally defeated But Montrose was well and made the best use of his evil fortune and therefore marching easily with good guard and valiant hearts he marched Northwards forded over Cluid River where met him by the way many of his Souldiers with the Earls of Crawford and Airly and now he was strong two hundred Horse and some Foot and with convenient hast he resolves to go Northward into Athole and so passing over Forth River and then Erne he comes to Perthshire And in his way he had sent Dowglasse and Airly with Angus North East and the Lord Eisken into Marria to raise their friends and dependance and sent Daliel to the Lord Carnegy with Commissions to that purpose and Letters to Mac-Donel and to Aboin to return to him with their Forces About August the Atholâ— Men furnished him with four hundred good Foot to march Northwards and when ever he returned Southward he should command the whole County only they desired to be spared now for their harvest Montrose with wonderful speed and unspeakable toil clambers over Gransbane Mountains to meet with Aboin and Mac-Donel whom he expected and so the return of other his Messengers with their New Forces then to return Southward again to meet with the Kings Horse which by sundry Letters he was promised from England Aboin was of himself faithful and forward enough but restrained Ersken was sick and Huntly was returned home but with envy and ambition crossed under hand Montrose's designs but at last Aboin meets him with fifteen hundred Foot and three hundred Horse at Druminore a Castle of the Lord Forles and that his Brother Lewes was coming with more Thus impowered he instantly returns the same uncouth wayes over Gransbane Mountains and to take up Erskins and then Murries Forces and so to march Southward Lewis was come and marching together the first dayes Journey stole away the next with such Forces aâ—s followed him And the third day after his Brother Aboin with the rest of his Men desired leave to return pretending their Fathers Command the Marquesse Huntly whose County was in danger by the Enemy now about Marre and would suddainly ransack their Country but was content his Father should be treated with To him therefore Montrose sends Donald Lord Rose and Iermin kinsmen whom he had lately releived from Imprisonment Rose was honest and ashamed of his Kinsmans refusal fell sick and could not return Iermin most noble never forsaking Montrose to the death came back with doubtful Letters fast and loose And so Aboin must go home Montrose came down through the plaines of Marre and Scarschiock into Athole and so with increase of Forces he falls into Perth Here Aboin sends him word that he had got leave to return and would be with him before the time limited by his Forlough And here also meets him two Messengers after each other Captain Thomas Ogleby of Pomie and Captain Robert Nesbet with Commands from the King That if possible he should march Southward to the borders to meet the Lord Digby Son to the Earl of Bristol who was sent to him with a Party of Horse The same Bearers he dispatches with the Letters to Huntly and Aboin but in vain expectation he trifled away much time at Strath Erne in the Perth And here dies that gallant Man the Lord Napier of Marcheston truly Noble of an Ancient Family his Father and Grand-father Philosophers and Mathematicians Famous through Christendom But indeed this man exceeded them in Civil Affairs highly heretofore esteemed by King Iames and lately by K. Charls made Lord Treasurer of Scotland and advanced into the Rank of higher Nobility his Loyalty had suffered all the effects of his Enemies malice often Imprisoned Sequestred and Plundered of all his Substance whose Elaborate Discourses of the Rights of Kings and of the Original in the Turmoyls of Great Britain I have heard of and read some Manuscripts in Parcels but heartily wish may be publick Montrose is now passed the Forth and come into the Lands and Estate of Sir Iohn Buchanan a stiff Ring-leader of the Covenanters and descended from old Buchanan ingrateful Schoolmaster to King Iames and yet for his sake he and King Charles had advanced this man to what he was Hereabouts at Leven Montrose Encamps being so near Glasco that oftimes he forces the City on purpose to deter the Convention of the Coâ—enanters here who sat in Councel to arraign their Prisoners whom Montrose endeavoured to rescue Here they had for their Guard three thousand Horse and he not more than 3. hundred and fifteen hundred Foot wasting the Countrey without resistance Notwithstanding before he came they had executed three gallant men we may not neglect their memory The first was the afore mentioned Sir William Rollock Montrose his first Friend and Companion in Arms. He was sent to the King after the Battle of Aberdine and taken prisoner and condemned but upon Arguiles offer of life he was dealt with to murder Montrose whose life he valued far above his own and to save him he accepted this offer and so got loose and instantlyâ— found out by Montrose discovering all which saved Montrose for the present and was the cause of his own suffering promising upon his word that if he did not doe it to return prisoner by such a day which he did to the grief of Montrose and paid dear for it to the death The next was the aforesaid Alexander Ogleby Eldest Son to Sir Iohn Imercarrit descended from those Famous in the Scotish Chronicles he was not yet more then youth under eighteen but of a dareing Spirit and Loyal to the King for which he was executed Unless we admit him of the Family in deadly fewd with Arguile Then comes Sir Philip Nesbit I finde him the Son of Col. Nesbit a Regiment in the Kings service in England we may adde those two Irish men that suffered at Edenburgh some dayes before Colonel O-Cahen and Colonel Laghlin the crime of them all concentred in this new Treason against the King and Covenanters Montrose having long looked for six weeks his absent Confederates out of the North Mac-donel Alboin and others the Lord Digby's Forces defeated by the way and he not able to hold out a piercing hard winter Camp He the 20. of November departs from Levin Marching Northward over the Snowy Mountains of Taich through Woods and Loghes the Strathern and over the River Tay returns into Athole where he met Captain Ogleby and Captain Nesbit whom we told you he had sent with the Kings Letters to Huntly but prevailed not Here against Montrose sends to Sir Iohn Dalyel to mediate the
him and the memory of his deceased Father His head on the Block he ended his life in these words Merciful Iesus gather my soul unto thy Saints and Martyrs who have run before me in this race He was learned in the Mystery of things Divine and Humane and in the knowledge of Eastern Tongues in History Law and Politiques and alike excellent for the intergrity of his life And preferred to this commendation by a neer observer of him that he loved the old fashion piety with his soul to explain his meaning he saies and yet Not a vain and Superstitious professor of it before others but to distinguish him a sound Protestant Professor and no new Fangler Hugh Scrimiger sometime his Servant had leave to bury his body and continuing sorrowful ere the Scaffold was taken away he passing by fell into a swound and being carried home dyed at his own door Then followed Andrew Gutlery Son to the deserving Bishop of Murrey and by his Judges hated the more for that Blair fell upon him also to repent for siding in the evil Cause He answered therefore came I here to suffer for a good Conscience and a good King which he embraced without fear and would dye without dread of death for his sins he trusted were satisfied by the merits of his Saviour to whom he recommends his soul. The last was William Murrey brother to the Earl of Tullibardin a youth of 19. years at the most who told them That this his day of suffering he accounted a meer honour to his House that he descended of that Ancient Family should deliver up his life for his good King and his Cause and desires that his Parents would not grieve at the shortness of his life being abundantly recompensed with the honourable death And so with his own and good mens prayers he suffered Execution also Montrose much troubled to hear of their deaths was extreamly importuned to sacrifice such Prisoners as he had being they said real Traytors indeed and for which Justice he had Warrant from Gods Vice-gerent the King But as he nere put any to death in cold blood as yet so he would never be said to break his word of Quarter by exchange or imprisonment All this time had Huntley trifled in Plundering as he Marched and gave way to the relief of Innerness and retreats to the Spye notwithstanding Montroses several Messages to him to return to the Siege or to joyn their Forces and to descend Southward and to oppose a new Enemy Major General Middleton Marching with six hundred Horse and eight hundred Foot as far as Aberdine but Huntley would not Although there came in to Montrose many friends and Tenants of the Earl of Seafort the L. Rose and from the farthest Northern Islâ—nds Sir Iames Mack-donel Mack-lins and Glengar the chief of Mac-renalds and many more And by this means before the end of March he might have Marched Southward with a greater Army then ever had been beheld in Scotland But for the present he surrounds and besieges Innerness for the commodious Haven and sent back three Troops of Horse to lodge about the Passes of Spye to have a Watch upon Middleton who was now eighty miles off And had timely warning to draw off from the Siege and from the Enemies strength of Horse and to Retreat beyond Nessa with some Skirmishes and equal loss and so passed by Benly into Rose and after through Long-Nasse Strath-glasse and Harrage into the bank of Sprey And being now not far from Huntley he takes a Troop of Horse and gallops to him twenty miles sending word before that he was coming to crave his Councel in the Kings affairs but Huntley took Horse and fled and the other returned the last of May. By whose example Seaford and others began to falter which put resolution in Montrose to force all the Northern Parts which he could easily doe having tried all the fairest means and failed therein for of late Middleton was entred into Aberdine with five hundred men whom Huntley had besieged and taken upon his own score in revenge to the Town which he plundered though the Kings friends and released all Prisoners that were of Middletons men Montrose busie about his Northern designe on the last of May comes a Herald from the King whose misfortune had as you have heard elsewhere cast himself upon the Scotish Convenanters Army at Newcastle this time twelve moneth 13. of May and commands Montrose to lay down his Arms and Disband and to pass over to France till his Majesties further pleasure The valiant man was amazed at this sad news being assured that they had forced this upon the Kings miserable condition with some secret hint to look to himself also But Montrose must obey and Summons all his Consederates whom he conceived this disbanding would concern and principally he sends Hurrey to Huntley that Montrose was willing to come to his Castle for to be present at this Consultation he Answered The K. had written to him of the same and that his Commands may not admit of second thoughts but to obey as he would They replyed that it was likely Montrose was of that opinion too however ever it might concern them all to provide for prevention of future mischiefs and the very joynt consult would advantage them even in the Enemies opinion He replyed that he had resolved for himself and would have nothing to doe with any body else Montrose sends his Answer to the King by Letters wherein he humbly presumed to be so far inquisitive of his condition with the Covenanters if safe in their hands whether his Majestie was stedfastly resolved to Disband that Army of friends who had exposed their lives and fortunes for his Cause whilst his Enemies were Armed in both Kingdoms what course should be taken for them and their safety not to be left to the mercy of murderous men and in a word whether his particular service might be acceptable in any other way To these he received no open Answer but had returned to him some Articles signed by the Covenanters which he in great regret refused as unconscionable and not vouchsafing to Treat therein he speeds the Messenger back to the King professing that as he had not taken up Arms but by the Kings Commission so he would have no Conditions prescribed him to lay them down by any mortal man but the King himself Therefore he humbly besought the King to sign the Conditions to which though perhaps very harsh he promised obediently to submit unto but disdained the Commands of any other Many of his Friends had underhand sought their peace with the Enemy and Huntley and his Party to please them resolved to force Montrose submission Antrim was arrived alone from Ireland without any Forces but sought to draw the Highlanders to himself calling Montrose in scorn the Governour of the Low lands But Montrose was to depart by the Articles before the first of September
that they should furnish him with Shipping and all things necessary these things were transacted the 1. of August and to imbarque at a port in Angus but their Ship not ready being so designed to engage his neglect he hired a Norway Man of Birgen thither he sends his friends Sir Io. Hurrey Iohn Dromond Henry Graham Iohn Spotswood Iohn Lily Patrick Melvin Geo. Wiseheart Doctor of Divinity Divid Gutlery Pardus La-sound a Frenchman Rodolph a German men pickt out for their abilities he sends them before and himself clad in a course suit he passed disguised as a servant to Iames Wood his worthy Chaplain from the haven of Montrose which flows to Brechen in Angus And from this time the State of Scotland had Elbow room without any Enemies at home The Scots Army being returned home out of England kept up a Body under colour of Civil diffentions there And their General David Lesley had Command of all and having notice that his Enemy Kilketto was retreated out of Arguile into Cantire and the Earl of Antrim into the Isles he drew off from Perth and came to Dundain and Arguile himself retreated to Inerne Castle quartering between Sterling and Dunkel The general Kirk Assembly of Scotland met Iuly 6. and ordered a publick Fast upon these Reasons That Gods hand is stretched out against them in the judgement of the Pestilence mainly increasing The great danger of Religion in the work of Reformation in both Kingdoms from the number and the Policy of Sectaries in England like to overturn the Foundation there laid with the expence of so much blood and pains And therefore they resolve to cleave to the Solemn League and Covenant against all the purposes and endeavours and underminings of their Enemy and pray for the Parliament of England and the Synod of Divines and the good effects and fruits of Truth and Peace which they now had for Montrose was gone But in this distempers of England the Scots increased their Forces and put England into fears and jealousies so that Allarm was often devised to see in what posture the English should be for seven thousand of the Scots were drawing Southward for fresh Quarters and are come over Spey River with Lesley Middleton in the East and Arguile's in the West and the Highlanders keep the Hills And not long after Lesley is come to Iaddard within fourty miles of Newcastle with fifteen hundred Horse and three thousand Foot for his part But notwithstanding the States of Scotland pretend to Disband unless their Kingdom be in danger of trouble the person of the King in any hazard or their Kingdom thereby dishonour'd and therefore for the present they raise two hundred thousand pounds Scotch for the present Sept. 27. but having knowledge by their Commissioners in England of the affairs here they will not Disband for at the beheading of the Lord Hart-Hill at Edenburgh one who had been for the King in the time of Montrose He scattered some Papers there to the people which mention the particulars of great troubles likely to be in England But to caress them and to see what they do 2. of the Lords and 4. of the Commons House are speedily to Post with Instructions to the Estates of Scotland where we leave them till the next year and proceed to a summary of the affairs of Ireland this year The Parliaments Commissioners are gon to Ireland to take possession of Dublin for the Marquess of Ormond and landed them the seventh of Iune and with them were Colonel Iones Captain Merridith Captain Parsons four hundred and fifty Hoâ—se and one thousand Foot commanded by Colonel Kinaston and four Captains mist at the time that Sir Charls Coot defeated a party of the Rebels The Parliament there now sitting gave good reception to the Commissioners in Iune Colonel Iones is made Governor of Dublin and much troubled by mutinies for advance mony and pay of arrears but were appeased and the old eleven Regiments of Foot reduced to seven viz. the Earl of Kildares Lord Moor Tichburn Benlace Willoughby Baily and Flowers in all about four thousand Many skirmishes are daily in several parts of the Provinces winning and loosing as the fate of war falls out but the complaint comes sad on the Parliament of England that their monies are gon their provisions in the field cannot last six daies and are forced to leave the field and go to garison for want of bread that Owen Roe the Rebel is with great forces in Connaught and Preston is marching against Dublin against whom Colonel Iones marches out with three thousand Horse and Foot and faced each other about twelve miles from Dublin the Enemy being eight thousand who fell on and forced Iones to retreat and then to fly and were pursued four miles taken prisoners and killed many the whole forces being in very sad condition But the eighth of August it was revenged by Colonel Iones upon Preston neer Trim killed five thousand four hundred and seventy Foot Souldiers three hundred of the Gentry seven thousand Arms taken four pieces of ordnance and great pillage with one hundred and fifty Oxen. About twelve a clock the Armies joyned battell continuing two hours Iones his Horse of two wings and some Foot having broken both wings of the Enemies the main body also advanced and did as much against theirs then the Enemy about three thousand drew up into a Bog and in abody whom Iones surrounded the Foot fall in and killed them those that came forth fell into the Horse and were all slain It was the greatest overthrow that we can boast of since the first war of the English against the Irish but not long after he rallies and joynes with Owen Oneal But the Lord Inchequin and his Souldiers understanding the differences of the Parliament and Army in England make their declaration and Remonstrance also yet they resolve to go on against the Rebels but will not admit of any alteration in Martial Government untill their arrears be paid them what is due both in England and Ireland And the Scots are called upon to Recall their â—orces out of Ulster in Ireland there being no further need of their forces the Parliament of England resolving to prosecute that war with the forces of England onely for Colonel Iones was successfull and had taken from the second of October to the nineteenth Castle Ricard Port Castle Athby Grucesfort the Mabber Belliloe Cabbrough Castle War Danmock Carrat Matrose Castle down and Castle Amoin And Inchequin hath his share of success in the Province of Munster the thirteenth of November neer Megallo and Clancard and killed two thousand five hundred upon the plain divers wounded and taken prisoners so that the Enemies loss is reckoned four thousand but at the close of these events the English cry out for recruit of men relief of Provisions and oft times ready to starve but the Kingdom of England are not at better leisure to help them being in much distemper at home
yet suffers not your Majesties Service herein to proceed with that advantage it might do I conceive it not so fit to commit to Paper but I shortly send my Brother who shall fully inform your Majestie with all particulars and thereby rectifie your opinion and give you true 〈◊〉 who are your faithfull Servants I hope long ere this that â—â—ptain Bacon hath arrived with you since mine Enlargement and therefore I need onely tell your Majestie that my further Services intended for you will I hope without further crosses be suffered to go on though strange is the industrie used by many seeming Friends to hinder me therein but I am confident it shall not lie in their power your Majestie remaining still constant as I doubt not but you will to your favourable opinion and right interpretation of my poor Endeavours which if they may take place will procure you to be a glorious and happie Prince I having no other ends but to approve my self Your Sacred Majesties most dutifull and most obedient Subject and passionate devoted Servant Glamorgan Waterford Febr. 23. 1645. But in the mean time ere this last Letter of Glamorgan's was discovered the King had sent another Message Febr. 26. CHARLS R. His Majestie needs to make no Excuse though he sent no more Messages unto you for he very well knows he ought not to do it if he either stood upon punctilio's of Honour or his own private interest the one being already call'd in question by his often sending and the other assuredly prejudg'd if a Peace be concluded from that he hath already offered he having therein departed with many his undoubted Rights But nothing being equally dear unto him to the preservation of his People his Majestie passeth by many Scruples Neglects and Delaies and once more desires you to give him a speedie Answer to his last Message for his Majestie believes it doth very well become him after this very long Delay at last to utter his impatience since the Goods and Bloud of his Subjects cries so much for Peace Given at our Court at Oxford the six and twentieth Day of February 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated c. The King hears of their Votes and Debates daily canvasing the Heads of Propositions and to remove these Remora's that stuck in their way he clears them by another Message and presses for his coming to London CHARLS R. Notwithstanding the unexpected silence in stead of answer to his Majesties many and gracious Messages to both Houses whereby it may appear that they desire to 〈◊〉 their ends by force rather than by Treatie which may justly discouraâ—â— his Majestie from any more Overtures of that kinde yet his Majestie conceives he shall be much wanting in his Dutie to God and in what he oweth to the safetie of his People if he should not intend to prevent the great Inconveniences that may otherwise hinder a safe and well-grounded Peace His Majestie therefore now proposeth that so he may have the Faith of both Houses of Parliament for the preservation of his Honour Person and Estate and that Libertie be given to all those who do and have adhered to his Majestie to go to their own houses and there to live peaceably enjoying their Estates all Sequestrations being taken off without being compelled to take any Oath not enjoyned by the undoubted Laws of the Kingdom or being put to any other molestation whatsoever he will immediately disband all his Forces and dismantle all his Garisons and being accompanied with his Royal not his Martial Attendance return to his two Houses of Parliament and there reside with them And for the better securitie of all his Majesties Subjects he proposeth that he with his said two Houses immediately upon his coming to Westminster will pass an Act of Oblivion and free Pardon and where his Majestie will further do whatsoever they will advise him for the good and Peace of this Kingdom And as for the Kingdom of Scotland his Majestie hath made no mention of it here in regard of the great loss of time which must now be spent in expecting an Answer from thence but declares that immediately upon his coming to Westminster he will applie himself to give them all satisfaction touching that Kingdom If his Majestie could possibly doubt the Success of this Offer he could use many Arguments to perswade them to it but shall onely insist upon that great one of giving an instant Peace to these afflicted Kingdoms Oxford March 23. 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers c. But not prevailing we shall end this years Proposals hoping by the next to finde the Parliament herein better disposed The Garison of Westchester for the King was of great consequence and therefore commanded by a Noble Person the Lord Byron the Port and Passage for Ireland the Countrey Contribution was of such a Circuit and sufficiencie that the Parliament now somewhat setled in successes resolved in the begining of August last to besiege it But ere their Forces undertook it they drew considerable strength into the Shire Quartering thereabout and Associating with other of their Garisons The work begins enduring many a brunt from Chester who were well appointed and vexed their Enemies with several repulses to resolve upon a design thus Col. Iones who commanded the Horse for the Parl in a Leaguer near hand at Beeston drew off with Col. Louthian at midnight who commanded the Foot and both making a Party of 1300. Horse and Foot came the next morning at 4. a clock before Chester on the East-side dividing their Forces into four parts to storm in 4. places and being so early and undiscovered Captain Ginbert got upon the Out-works at Forrest-street end Finch on the left hand Holt and Davis at two other places They were opposed by as gallant resolute Commanders but came too late for the Enemy was got in and paid dear for their purchase The Forrest-street and Lanes thereto was taken with the possession of the Mayors House Sword and Mace and the Sheriffs Wand and these sent to the Parliament for signal of thus much success Sept. 23. These Suburbs they possess against the Sallies of the Town daily incounters of either side within and without the Town The Kings Forces thereabout endeavouring with all possible waies to relieve this so useful Garison But then the Enemy enlarges by degrees almost block up the West-side of Chester Oct. 2 The distress comes close which troubles the King at Oxford who gives order to draw out from several Garisons of Hereford Ludlow Bridge-North and Worcester such considerable Forces as made up 1700. Horse and 700. Foot commanded by a Noble Knight Sir William Vaughan and got into a Body near Denbigh Castle twenty miles off of Chester when the Besiegers hear of this and go to Council whether to rest their near appoach or to fight them far off They resolve draw out 1400. Horse and
1000. Foot odds of their Enemies and yet left their Siege works well manned at Chester and meet the Cavaliers in their March sending their Forlorn by Captain Otter the Body commanded by Mitton Iones and Louthian against men of resolution and gallantry but overmastered because overpowred and with other advantages to boot defeated the Cavaliers kild some and took Horse and Foot more then will be imagined and this was 1. of November A second design of Relief was nobly attempted by the Lord Aston who in his way was met with near Stur-bridge Horse to Horse each a Regiment Aston too forward was wounded and taken prisoner he scaped no better others payed dear on both sides loss whereof neither bragged and this was ten days after the other defeat Thus abroad and more at home for Byron was a brave man discreet and valiant but could not doe much more then he did within doores for wearied a long time with Sallies outward was now overpowred and overpressed that he was forced to keep in and feed upon nothing even to nothing in great distress when Horse-flesh failed Sir William Brereton and Col. Mitton now command the Leaguer heretofore knowing the resolution of gallant Governours supposed it to no purpose to summon Byron that never used to yield yet now each Opposite fall to treat but the Overtures high neither of them would condiscend November 28. for Byron had intelligence of the Kings earnest desire and unfortunate endeavours for his Relief and the Parliament debating and voting for a Committee on purpose to order force upon force to joyn with Brereton for the gaining of this Garison blocking up and guarding all ways and passages about the County to hinder Relief December 9. And therefore the Townsmen murmur first then mutiny which Byron appeases with promises after a weeks expectation of Relief if none comes to treat upon Surrender and as yet none comes nor can and therefore Brereton ingeniously writes to him For the Lord Byron and the Mayor of Chester SIR Experience tells you on what Foundations your hopes of Relief were grounded but that you may see â—y tender care of the preservation of the Lives and Estates of the Inhabitants once more I summon you to deliver this Garison into my hands for the use of the King and Parliament with expecting your speedy Answer Your Servant Will. Brereton Chester Suburbs Jan. 17. But Byron was busie and did not answer Brereton sends the second time again SIR I perceive my Desire to preserve the Citie encourageth a great obstinacie as though you expected as good Conditions when you can hold out no longer as if you had treated the last Summons which proceeded not from any fear of disturbance for I believe your self is hopeless of Relief but to prevent further miserie and the ruine of that Citie which will be remediless I expect your Answer by three a clock this Day Your Servant Will. Brereton Jan. 12. To which Byron answers We are not convinced by experience of the groundless Foundation of our hopes of Relief neither is our Condition such as to precipitate us to a prejudicial Treatie however if within twelve Days we be not assured of Relief by a Gentleman and Citizen whom we shall send for that purpose with a Trumpet of ours and a Pass from you we shall then be contented to enter into a Treatie for Surrender upon honourable and orderly condition Charls Walley Mayor Your Servant John Byron Chester Jan. 12. And instantly replied unto the same Day The Writing sent by the Drummer is not satisfactory to the Summons neither will I assent to your Desires in any part of it If you return not a positive Answer before ten a clock to morrow morning expect no further Treatie Will. Brereton This was sharp and sudden but Byron stirs not having sent out a Messenger whose return he expected That if Relief came not by the end of this Moneth Ianuary at the furthest he could hold out no longer This Messenger is intercepted on his way which Brereton sends to the Parliament having private order if possible to spare the storming and plunder of that City which Brereton hoped to govern hereafter and he being that Countreyman was not willing to ruine the chief Town The time is come and they treat ten Days spent with several Transactions in hope of Relief for which strong preparations were made whereof the Besiegers had frequent advertisement that Sir Iacob Ashley and Colonel Vaughan had united and lay hovering about Bridg-North their Intention to have joyned with the Welch Forces under the Lord St. Paul and some Irish that came over in December last and those other lately landed at Blewmorris who were part of the Lord Digby's Regiment as the intercepted Letters mentioned to prevent which Conjunction Brereton sends three Regiments of Horse the Warwickshire the Reformado's Regiment and part of the Staffordshire Horse and Foot and also of the Cheshire Dragoons together with some of Colonel Mitton's Horse and Foot which Party was commanded by Mitton who marched to Ruthen the four and twentieth of this Moneth Ianuary intending to fall upon the Cavaliers Quarters who made their way and marched to Denbigh and so to Conway but Mitton came in good time after for Ruthen Castle was so ill provided that he hath hope to master it however the Conjunction of the Cavaliers is frustrate which probably occasioned the Cavaliers Retreat quite away so as now the Besieged hopeless sent out their Commissioners Ian. 30. to treat with the Assailants The first Day nothing was concluded The next Day the Besiegers importuned to lengthen the Treaty for three Days longer which being denied they conclude the first of February Between Iohn Lord Byron Field-Marshal General of North-Wales and Governour of Chester and Sir William Brereton Knight and Baronet Commander in chief of all the Forces of Cheshire The Lord Byron and all Noblemen Commanders and Officers and Souldiers in all their Apparel whatsoever The Lord Byron with Horse and Arms and ten Men alike accomplished to attend him His Lady and Servants with Coaches and in each four Horses with such other Ladies and Gentlewomen as he thinks fit and with his Books Evidences and Writings in his possession and all of them with not above fourty pounds in Money and twenty pounds in Plate The rest of the Noblemen and their Ladies answerable with Honour and Arms and not above thirty pounds in Money Every Knight and Colonel alike with ten pounds in Money and so in a respective condition and quality of every Officer to the common Souldier who was to march away with twenty Shillings In a word throughout their degrees Men and Women answerable and as reasonable for the Citizens So that I shall conclude for the honour of Sir William Brereton although he knew the Distress of the Garison yet he was so noble and so much a Gentleman and a Souldier that in earnest I finde his Concessions worthy of honourable Record which I mention