February 1647. they were carried to his Majesty by Major Generall Browne and the Scotch Commissioners who were to bring an answer in six dayes upon the Receit of the Propositions he desired to know whether they were the same with those he received at Newcastle it was answered there was onely some little alterations as to persons that served him in the late war then he desired to know of the Scotch Commissioners if they concur'd they answer'd they did His Majesty said they were matters of Great concernment and requir'd serious consideration but he would take care that they should have an answer within the time limited The Committee and Commissioners order 6000 foote 2400 Horse and 500 Dragoones to be sent into Ireland and care was taken to provide all necessary provisions The Commons likewise Order a moneths Gratuity to be given to the Army They likewise Vote a standing Army of 18000 foote 7200 Horse and a 1000 Dragoones be kept up as a standing Army for England An answer came from his Majesty which was by the House Voted not satisfactory The Commons took into consideration the Actions of diverse Eminent Citizens in London tending to a new war Vote a Charge of high nature be brought in and the Lord Mayor Alderman Adams Alderman Langham Alderman Bunce and Sheriffe Cullam with diverse other active Citizens were taken into Custody diverse Lords were committed to the Black Rod as the Earle of Lincolne Earle of Suffolke Lord Barkley Lord Willowby Lord Maynard Lord Hunsden September the 28. 1647. The Commons once more Vote to send to his Majesty and to that purpose they considered of severall Propositions That about Religion being the maine thing They also Vote his Majesty be desired to give his consent to such Act or Acts of Parliament as shal be presented to him for setling of Presbyterian Government according to the matter of severall Ordinances of Parliament for the Directory or Church Government to continue for the space of three yeares from the time that the King shall give his consent to such Act or Acts. They likewise Voted the Common-prayer-booke shall not be used in private The Souldiers about his Majesty are very civill permitting his Majesty to Hunt with the Duke of Richmond Marquesse of Hartford Marquesse of Ormond Earle of Southampton and diverse others of the Nobility without any Interruption His Majesty sent a Letter to the Generall desiring his Children to stay with him a night or two it being too great a Journey to goe and come to St James's in a day which he communicates to the Parliament They Order the Earle of Northumberland to satisfie his Majesty about his Children The Heads of the Propositions agreed upon by both Houses to be presented to his Majesty were these 1. The Militia for twenty yeares in the hands of Parliament or Committee of Parliament in Intervalls 2. Money be raised to pay the publique debts of the Kingdome 3. All Honours bestowed by his Majesty since the 22 of May 1642. to be Null and Voyd 4. Nulling his Majesties Great Seale and confirming that of the Parliament 5. Totally to abolish Bishops and their Hierarchy roote and branch 6. All their Lands to be sould for the payment of publique debts and other necessary Charges of the Kingdome 7. Make voyd the cessation of Ireland 8. The Election of all the Chiefe Officers of trust as Treasurer Admirall be by Parliament and they to hold during their good behaviour The Deputy of Ireland to be appointed by Parliament and to hold during pleasure 9. The Presbyterian Government to be settled as to the Religious service of God 10. The Treaties betwixt England and Scotland be confirm'd as it is now agreed 11. Justices of peace and Sheriffs to be Chosen by Grand Jury men 12. That his Majesty restore all such servants to their places as have been put out for adhering to the Parliament 13. That his Majesty passe an Act for the sale of Deane and Chapters Lands and the money to be dispos'd of as both Houses of Parliament shall think fit 14. That his Majesty shall not give pardon of Life to seven excepted persons 15. That his Majesty passe an Act for the dis-forresting all the Forrests and Chases in England 16. That his Majesty passe an Act for securing the arreares of the Souldiers of the Army and all other Souldiers that have serv'd the Parliament and those arreares to be payd out of the Remainder of Bishops Lands 17. That the Count of Wards be null and that his Majesty have 50000 l. per Annum in lieu of it 18. A period may be set to this Parliament All which being Granted His Majesty the Queene and Prince to Enjoy their revenues and the King to Governe The Commons order diverse of his Majesties old servants be discharg'd and that there be a stricter Guard then usuall The Scotch Commissioners sent a Letter to the House of the deep sense of his Majesties Imprisonment withall desiring his Majesty may come to London to treat with Honour Freedome and Safety and advise that it would withall be the most profitable and effectuall meanes for attaining of a happy peace and setling Religion the Restoring of his Majesty to his just Rights and continuing and strengthning a good understanding with both Nations Which Letter was layd aside News was brought to the House that his Majesty had made an escape out of his restraint from Hampton Court The manner thus November 11. 1647. He according to his custome withdrew himselfe to be private a little before Evening prayer staying somewhat longer then was usuall it was taken notice of yet at first without suspition but he not coming forth suddenly there were feares which increased by the Crying of a Grayhound severall times within in the room and upon search it was found that the King was gone and by the way of Paradice a place so call'd in the garden much about the close of the Evening He left on the Table three Papers one to the Parliament one to the Commissioners and a third to Colonell Whaly one of them was as followeth Liberty being that which in all times hath been but especially now is the condition the aym and desire of all men common reason shews that Kings lesse then any should endure captivity yet I call God to witnesse with what patience I have endur'd a tedious restraint which so long as I had any hopes that this sort of my suffering might conduce to the peace of my Kingdomes or the hindring of more effusion of blood I did willingly undergoe but now finding by too certaine proofes that this my continued patience must not onely turne to my personall ruine but likewise be of more prejudice then furtherance to the publique good I thought I was bound as well by naturall as politicall obligations to seeke my safety by retiring my selfe sometime from the publique view both of my friends and enemies and I appeale to all indifferent men to judge if I have not
enemies to the State Petitions were likewise on the other side out of Essex and other Counties presented to the Parliament of their utter dislike of the Armyes proceedings But to close the breach Commissioners are chosen by the Parliament and Army and meete in order to a Right understanding The Parliament order 60000 l. a moneth for payment of the Forces appointed to prevent free quarter Upon his Majesties desire to come neere London the Lords Vote him to come to Otelands so soone as the House can be provided to which the Commissioners consent After his Majesty had been neere five moneths at Holmbey on the fourth of June 1646. neare a thousand Souldiers Commanded by Cornet Joyce came somewhat late to Holmbey and desired to speake with his Majesty it was answered that then it was unseasonable However with much Importunity Cornet Joyce was admitted into his Majesties presence where he tould him he was come by command of the Army to remove him from that place his Majesty replyed it was then too late but in the morning he would speak further with him His Majesty according to his promise came downe in the morning to the Cornet where he was attended by the Souldiers he askt them by what Authority they came there they replyed from the Army He further askt if they came from Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army the Cornet replyed from the Army His Majesty said what if I should refuse to goe with you would you compell me they replyed we hope your Majesty will not refuse but we have command to bring you His Majesty replyed I have these Questions to put to you which if you consent to I will goe with you The first was That he might have no violence offer'd to his person they all unanimously shouted and cryed out none none Secondly He desired that his trunks and papers might not be rifled and tumbled they promised to set a Guard on them and that they should not be toucht Thirdly He requir'd such servants to attend him against whom there was no just acceptions they answered he should Lastly He desired that nothing be Imposed upon him contrary to his Conscience they answered it was not their Judgement to force-any thing against conscience on any one much lesse on his Majesty At one of the Clock his Majesty went along with them The next day the Generall sent a Letter to the Parliament to certifie that he knew nothing of the party that attended his Majesty neither what number nor by what Authority the reason that the party had sent to him he sends up which was that there were certaine persons that intended to take away his Majesty thereby to make a new warre the plot and plotters they were able to prove when call'd thereunto which necessitated them to secure his Majesties person His Majesty was according to his own desire convey'd to Newmarket by this we see clearely that the Greatest in the world are but pilgrims on Earth The Generall and Army Randevouz at St Albones and sent a Letter of his Intentions to come to London with the Army Eleven Members of the Commons House are Impeached by the Army On the 28 of June 1647. His Majesty was brought to Hatfield the Duke of Richmond attending him with many of the old Courtiers Dr Hamond and diverse others of his Chaplains were admitted to read divine service to him according to the Ancient custome of the Church of England The House being Informed of the Duke of Richmond and the Chaplains attendants on his Majesty Order a Letter to be forthwith sent to the Governour for their removall The Generall by Letters certifie the Parliament of his Majesties desire to see his Children and his request for continuance of those persons about him and further to satisfie them that the Army have no treaty with his Majesty nor ayme at nothing more then the setling of the peace of the Kingdome From Hatfield his Majesty was removed to Causum attended by all that waited on him at Hatfield excepting the Duke of Richmond who voluntarily absented himselfe The House according to the Kings request order his Children to goe to him and the Earle of Northumberland to attend them his Majesty was Joyfull at the sight of his Children The Generall being in the presence Chamber was much respected which moved the Princess to aske who it was who being Inform'd it was the Generall she immediately addrest her selfe to him with great civilitie and thankt him for this great happinesse that she then enjoyed the sight of her deare Father effected by him alone which she should ever thankfully acknowledge and endeavour to requite The Generall return'd humble thankes and that what he had done was but the least of those duties he was oblig'd to serve his Majesty and Children in and kissing her Hand withdrew The Eleven Members discharge themselves of their charge and require leave of the House to goe beyond Sea which was consented too Upon the Armyes removing to Bedford his Majesty was brought to Wooborne a House of the Lord of Bedfords with his old attendance The Parliament Order the Militia of London to raise Forces and immediately the Train'd Bands and Auxiliaries are commanded to man the Forts upon Information of the Armyes coming to London Colonell Massey was appointed Major Generall Colonell Poins and others are put into Command The Generall Orders a Randevouz at Hounslow in order to his coming to London thither diverse of the Members of both Houses with the Speaker repaire and consult of Getting the Citie without blood and accordingly a party is sent to face Southwark Fort upon whose approach it was deliver'd up to them The City petitions the Generall The Generall requires all the Forts from Tyburne to the Thames to be delivered up to him that he might Guard the Parliament and secure the eleven Members On the seventh of August the Generall and Army march in triumph through the City most of the Souldiers having Bays in their hatts in token of Victory Immediately Sir Thomas Fairfax is made Constable of the Tower by which he hath power to constitute a Lieutenant and accordingly the Honour was conferd on Colonell Titchburne Massey and Poyns fly over into Holland The Generall presents a Declaration to the House of the Grounds and reasons of the Armyes March The Lords and Commons Null all those Votes that past during the time that the Major part of the House went to the Generall On the twelfth of August was appointed a thanksgiving for the preservation of the City His Majesty was remov'd to Oatlands on the 23 of August he went to Sion to visit his Children and rested that night Upon his Majesties desire he was remov'd to Hampton Court and his Children orderd to be with him Both Houses order the Casting downe of the Workes about the City the maintaining whereof was very chargeable and burthensome The Houses Vote of sending Propositions to his Majesty to which the Scotch Commissioners consent and on the seventh of
prevent his ruine they therefore desire his Majesty may come to London to treate with Honour freedome and safety and that neither he nor his Parliament be Inviron'd with Souldiers that so their consultations being free all differences may be ended by a personall Treaty the best way to settle a sure and lasting peace See the uncertainty of men in the world that those very Scots that had not long before declared that it was altogether Inconvenient for the Parliament to admit his Majesty to come to London untill he had given satisfaction to their just and reasonable desires should now desire the King to come to London which at that time swarm'd with Malignants apt for any tumult nay the Parliament it selfe at that time could not sit with safety without an Army to guard them On the 23 of November 1647. both Houses Voted not to have any personall Treaty with his Majesty Yet after three dayes debate in the House they conclude that foure Propositions be drawne up in forme of Acts to be sent to his Majesty to signe which when he had signed they would admit a personall Treaty at London The Propositions were as followeth 1. That a Bill may be past into an Act by his Majesty for setling the Militia of the Kingdome 2. A Bill be past by his Majesty calling in all his Declarations Oathes Proclamations against the Parliament and those that have adhered to them 3. To passe an Act that those Lords who were made after the Great Seale was carried to Oxford may be made uncapable of sitting in the House of Peeres thereby 4. That power may be given to the two Houses to adjurne as the two Houses of Parliament shall thinke fit On the 30 of November the King sent a Letter to the Generall and Army by Sir John Barkley desiring their furtherance of a personall treaty with a promise of Recompence when all should be setled To which answer was return'd that they had wholly left it to the Parliament and that they would be passive The Army sent a large Declaration to both Houses taxing them with neglect contrary to promise and laying forth the wants of the Army by reason they had not expedited their pay which must necessitate them to take free quarter and be burthensome to the subjects if not by them timely prevented His Majesty sent another Letter to the Lords wherein he expresseth himselfe that if any thing had been of more concernment then the peace of this Kingdome he would with patience have expected an answer to his former Letter but his tender affection to his subjects welfare hath prevalency with him to presse a personall Treaty and Intimates that if the Houses please that he come among them it will no doubt speed a good end The Lords and Commons according to their former order Vote the Lord Qenbigh and the Lord Mountague for the Upper House Mr Lisle Mr Goodwin Mr Kemp and Mr Bulncley for the Commons to carry the four Propositions to his Majesty which if he signe they will admit of a personall Treaty The Scots Commissioners likewise went to his Majesty and after some conference with him declare against the four Bills to this effect That they had endeavour'd by all wayes and meanes with the Parliament of England for the furthering of a happy peace but having seene the Propositions now brought to his Majesty they apprehend them to be prejudiciall to Religion the Crowne and the Vnion betwixt both Kingdomes and therefore in the name of the Kingdome of Scotland declare their dissent Colonell Hamond wrote a Letter to the Parliament that he could not secure his Majesty unlesse they would allow him more strength there being so great a concourse into the Isleland upon which the Commons order that his Majesties person be secured and more Forces be sent for the security of the Island The Commissioners return'd with a large Message from his Majesty shewing the Grounds and reasons why he cannot passe any thing till the whole Treaty be concluded on professing he is willing to give any reasonable satisfaction to whatsoever shall be requir'd He now againe earnestly presses for a personall Treaty of which he will not despaire there being no visible way left for the Kingdomes peace but by it However his Majesty is at peace and quietnesse within himselfe in having fulfild the offices both of a Christian and a King and will patiently waite the good pleasure of Almightie God to incline the hearts of his two Houses to consider their King and compassionate their fellow subjects miseries It s very observable that his Majesty received the Parliaments Commissioners very gratefully desiring them all to be assistants to him in promoting a wel = grounded peace the expression he said was theirs but it was a very good one he tould them there were many Interests to be considered of Viz. the Parliament Army and Scots he desir'd all might be considered but when he was inform'd of a dissenting Declaration of the Scots he tould them he was very sorry for it and he hoped they might agree in the maine though they might differ in circumstances His Majesty deliver'd his Message to the Commissioners open with Injunction to keep it secret till they had deliver'd it to the Parliament There hapned a tumult at Newport in the Isle of Wight diverse declaring for the King and one Captain Burleigh caused a drum to be beaten up for the service of his Majesty the Mayor and others that came to his assistance fell upon them disperst them took the Captain who was afterwards executed This tumult caused the Governour of the Island immediately to discharge all such as had ayded and assisted his Majesty in the late War against the Parliament Munday the third of January 1657. The Commons tok into consideration his Majesties Message and finding the same as it appeares to them not satisfactory nor that he hath any Inclination to a composure it was put to the Question Whether any addresses should be made hereafter after many houres debate it was Resolv'd That 1. No addresses shall hereafter be made to him by the Parliament of England 2. That none shall on paine of Treason make any addresse without leave from the Parliament 3. That no written Paper Message or Declaration be received from his Majesty on penalty of Treason They likewise Vote that Colonel Hamond and Sir William Constable shall have power to displace any man from his Majesty whom they shall thinke fit Immediately they take care for the managing of the affaires of the Kingdome by compleating the Committee of Darby-House who were to transact the whole businesse of the Kingdome they Vote the Earle of Kent in the roome of the Earle of Essex who was dead Mr Nathaniell Fines and Mr John Evelin in the roomes of Sir Philip Stapleton dead and Mr Glin who was sequestred the House Sir William Waller was continued The Committee being compleated were 21 in number Viz. the Lord of Northumberland Earle of Kent
the stoutest men of the Enemies Army Apprentices and Seamen and such as had been in Armes for the King The fight continued for six houres they valiantly disputed in every streete at last the Towne is taken with the loss of sixty men in it were taken 1300 prisoners diverse of quality 400 Horse eight pieces of Ordinance with good store of booty The Generall shewed personall Valour by Charging in his slippers Many of the Kentish forces march over Rotchester bridge toward London where on Black heath they muster a considerable Army whither many apprentices and resolute persons repaire under the Command of old Goring The Essex men had by this time secured the Committee men and sent to require an answer to their Petition to which the Parliament speedily send an answer The Sea-men likewise Revolt and refuse to receive the Earle of Warwick but upon their own tearmes they likewise sent Vice-Admirall Rainsborough on shoare and unanimously declare for the King Whilst the Earle of Warwick shews his affection for the Parliament his brother the Earle of Holland unfortunately riseth in armes with the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Francis who with 500 Horse at Kingston take the advantage of the Armyes dividing But by the care and industry of Sir Miles Livesey who fell on them they were put to flight The Lord Francis refusing quarter was kild Major Dalbere and diverse others were kild the Earle of Holland fled to St Needs where he was totally subdued and taken by Colonell Scroope and immediately sent prisoner to Warwick Castle While the Essex men were requiring an act of Indempnity Sir Charles Lucas was come to Chensford with a party of 2000 Horse and foote Colonell Whaly was orderd to goe against them Those with Goring being denied a passage over London bridge come over on Essex side secure Bow bridge with a small party whilst the rest march further into the County Sir John Owen in North-Wales endeavours to raise forces for the King which the Sheriffe of a County Indeavoured to impede but being too weake was taken prisoner and his party supprest a second time severall partyes well affected to the Parliament joyne together and with contrary successe to the former fell upon Sir John Owen tooke him prisoner and totally disperst his forces Pomfret castle is likewise surprized by one Morrice The Generall spared what forces he could over into Essex with the assistance of the well affected of the County who pursued the Enemy till they came to Colehester which Towne they closely begirt but diverse times sallyes were made out to fetch in provisions The Lieutenant Generall having laine long before Pembrooke Castle and hearing of the Scots on their March for England and the Report of the Prince Duke of York being at Sea thought fit to give Conditions to Poyer and Langhorne for the delivering up of the Towne and Castle that thereby he might have Liberty to advance Northwards which Conditions were accepted And to say truth as things then stood it was of a considerable value as to the service of the Parliament On the 13 of July Marquesse Hamilton enterd England with an Army of 9000 Horse and foote the Generality of the people of Scotland were wholly averse to it the Ministers every where exclaiming against the Duke The Duke immediately sent a Letter to Lieutenant Generall Lambert of the Grounds and Motives of their coming into England which the Lieutenant Generall as speedily answer'd The Parliament immediately Vote that those Scots that enter England in a Hostill way with authority of Parliament are enemies to the Kingdome of England and shall be proceeded against as such July the 17. the Commons debate to what place his Majesty shall come and concluded the King name three places two whereof within twenty miles of London and one within ten and the Parliament to make choice of one of the three Mr Ashurst comes from Scotland with a Declaration of the Councell of Estate in which they declare that they were Invited in upon which the Parliament Vote all those hat Invited them in to be traytors On the 18 of July the Commons consider'd of a personall treaty with his Majesty and having duly weighed all the Inconveniences that might arise by his Majesties coming to London and duly considerd all the objections against his Majesties granting the three Propositions before the Treaty they resolv'd that the Treaty should be in the Isle of Wight and that it be with Honour freedome and safety they appointed a Committee to consider of time manner and place July 30 they Vote to send to his Majesty to nominate a place in the Island to trat in two of the Commons were orderd to goe to his Majesty to that purpose They likewise order the Earle of Warwick to fight with the Revolted ships notwithstanding their specious Declaration Information was brought to the Parliament that Colonel Bourton Governour of Scarborough Castle had declar'd for the King Major Huntington left the Army having taken distast at the proceedings of some Grandees The Prince from aboard in the Downs sent a Letter to the Speaker of the House of Peeres relating to a Treaty with his Majesty and diverse other particulars which was laid aside On the same day a Petition was presented from the Court of Aldermen and Common Councell of the City of London for a personall Treaty his Majesty to be freed of his restraint Church Government to be setled according to the Covenant all Acts of Hostility to sease to which the Commons promised a speedy and satisfactory answer Lieutenant Generall Cromwell being joyn'd with Lambert their force is 5000 Horse and Dragoones and 7000 foote he sent a Letter to the House giving them an account of his proceedings with a returne of thanks for their care in providing for his Army Tinmouth Castle Revolted but was suddenly retaken The Lieutenant Generall immediately marches to Pomsret assaulted the Towne with much Resolution kild thirty and took an hundred prisoners The Lorch of Middlesex return'd from his Malesty with his answer which was to this effect That if the peace of his Dominions were not dearer to him then any Inlerest he had too much reason to take notice of severall Votes that past against him with his sad condition seven moneths together and sets down what soever he conceives is necessary to so blessed a worke professing he can no more treat in this condition then a blind man judge of colours or that he can run a race whose foote is tyed and therefore desires the recalling of those Votes that bar mean from coming to him and that all that he shall send for for necessary use may have leave to come unto him and waite on him in this treaty the place Newport and that he may be in the same condition that he was in at Hampton Court conceiving he cannot treat in honour so long as men are afraid to come to him for safety he mentions not as not fearing his person
was laid aside Money being provided on the 14 of September the Commissioners set forward for the Isle of Wight forty dayes was the time limited his Majesty desir'd that the first day on which nothing was performed but visits might not be reckoned for one of the forty The next day the Personall Treaty began and it may very well be call'd Personall for was it ever knowne that a King of England argued and disputed alone with able men selected out of the Parliament they personally to argue pro and con with a King His Majesty being seated in a Chair of State those his assistants by him were silent His Majesty desir'd a Copy of the Heads that they came to treat upon the Commissioners answered they were the same with those at Hampton Court His Majesty replyed some of those Heads concern'd Scotland the Commissioners said they came to treat onely of those that concern'd England and Ireland The King desir'd the Scots might be Included to which the Commissioners answered they had no Instructions to permit it his Majesty further desired that what papers he might put in during the Treaty might be no way obliging till such time as all was agreed The Commissioners Insisted on the first Article which was that his Majesty should recall all his Declarations to which he brought many pressing arguments professing he was in a very great straight to yeild would leave a blot and staine upon himselfe and those that assisted him and to breake off the Treaty upon that would be very prejudiciall to him and the whole Kingdome desiring some expedient might be found out The next day the Commissioners gave weighty reasons to his Majesty which mov'd him to signe it with this proviso that if the whole was not concluded this concession of his should not be taken advantage of The second Proposition wholly related to the settlement of the Church which being very long took some time In it he scrupled at two things first at his own taking the Covenant the second against pluralities much wondring that this should be put on him when the Parliament had granted more pluralities to some men then ever he did to any after much serious consideration the King gave in a Paper wherein he agreed First to settle the Directory secondly to passe an Act to confirme the Assembly thirdly that Presbyterian Government be setled for three yeares in the Interim a consultation be had what Government shall be setled at the expiration of the three yeares provided he and his party may have Liberty to use the old forme he liked not the sale of Bishops Lands for ninety nine years and utterly refused to take the Covenant Further adding that when he came to London he should be willing to passe any thing that his two Houses should advise to As to the Proposition for taking away all Honours since 1642. his Majesty is consenting that all persons on whom Honours have been confer'd since May 21. 1642. shall be uncapable of sitting in the House without the consent of both Houses of Parliament Concerning Delinquents his Majesty consents that all persons that have had any hand in the plotting contrary designes or assisting the Rebellion of Ireland shall expect no pardon For Delinquents his Majesty desires they may compound moderately for their Estates and further for the quiet and settlement of the Kingdome his Majesty is willing that all those Delinquents whom the Parliament shall not thinke fit be not admitted to Councell or Court without the consent of both Houses The Commissioners being bound up to receive a positive answer durst not accept of that Divers meetings and arguings were on both sides for and against at last on the 21 of October the King put in a Paper containing the Heads of those things that he requir'd which were 1. That he be put in a condition of freedome Honour and safety and have the faith of the two Houses therefore 2. That he may be restored to his Lands and Revenues 3. That he may have compensation for the Court of Wards and such other of his revenue as he shall part withall 4. An Act of Oblivion and Indempnity be past Which Propositions the Commissioners communicate to the Lords who upon debate finde them to be so reasonable as to consent to them all They likewise Informe the House of his Majesties answer to Religion and the Covenant which the House Vote not satisfactory and will by no meanes permit him the use of the Common prayer but for the Covenant they are content to suspend it but order the Commissioners to proceed on the rest The Lords Vote that they approve of his Majestie suspension of Episcopacy for three yeares provided it take no place afterward but by consent of Parliament The Lords and Commons Vote their Commissioners returne from the Treaty excepting the Earle of Northumberland Mr Perepoint and Mr Hollis The Commons debated of his Majesties Propositions and Vote that they agree 1. That he be in Honour freedome and safety according to the Laws 2. That he have his revenue as before excepting the Dedications of such Forts and Garrisons as were of old accustom'd to be allow'd maintenance 3. That he have compensation for the Court of Wards 4. That an Act of Oblivion be past All which they communicate to the Lords The King having Granted the Parliament to dispose of all Great Offices for ten yeares they Vote it satisfactory Lieutenant Generall Cromwell enters Scotland and puts out strict Proclamation for the Civill deportment of his Army He no sooner enters the Kingdome but Monroe and others dispairing of successe disband the new Levies and returne malancholly to Edenborough The Lieutenant Generall was with many of the Officers of the Army Nobly feasted by the Nobility and Gentry of that Nation at Edenborough The Scots send Commissioners to London to the Parliament to shew their Just dislike of the late Levies On the 9th of October he had Carlile deliver'd up to him who immediately appointed Sir Arthur Haslerig to be Governour Endeavours were made for the betraying of Pendennis Castle but it was timely prevented Lanerick the Governour of Barwick sent desiring Conditions for the delivering of the Town which was accordingly consented to The Lieutenant Generall with the Army returne out of Scotland not without much thanks from the Generality of the Nobility The Committee of York Petition the Lieutenant Generall to take care of the siege of Pomfret who accordingly sent a sharp summons to the Governour to which the Governour sent a Reply which in effect was a deniall Major Generall Skippon Reports to the House the great danger they were in by reason of the great concourse of Malignants and disaffected persons into the City together with the plots tending to assassinate many of the Members and of his Inability to assist them without a Guard requiring if they thinke it convenient that some of the Army come to Guard them upon which the House appointed a time to consider of
serve for a speciall Order was signed for their departure and sent the Lord Charlton to give his Brother a true account of that action The French King being informed of his Message would not permit him audience but sent Monsieur the Marshall de Bassom Pierre as extraordinary Ambassadour to demand their Restitution who might as well have saved the labour for it was in vaine the King would by no means permit it all the Merchants Ships were stopt by an Imbargo at Burdeux which incenst the King so high that he resolv'd on open wars with France And accordingly in October a Fleete of thirty sail under the Command of the Earle of Denbigh and the Lord Willowby set out which by a violent storme were very much damaged and forc't to return Anno 1626. dyed the Reverend Prelate Bishop Andrews a man very well skil'd in the Orientall Languages truly pious and devout Three hundred thousand pound was borrowed by Loane toward the Reliefe of Rotchell which was then intended to be besieged by the Duke of Guiz. On the 27 of June the Duke with six thousand horse and foote and ten of the Navy Royall assisted with ninety Merchant men set sale for Portsmouth and published a Manifesto of the Kings undertaking for the reliefe of the Protestants Sir John Burroughs with divers Gentlemen of quality and 1200 Souldiers landed in the Isle of Rhe who were received by the French valiantly which by their valour made it hard to distinguish who had the better The Duke perceiving the backwardnesse of the French to engage lands his horse and sends Sir William Beecher with 500 foote and some horse to the reliefe of Rotchell Upon their approach to Sr Martins Towne the Inhabitants immediately fled into the Castle The Duke being possest of the Towne raised batteries against the Castle where after he had laine before it two moneths without doing any considerable hurt and by poysoning their springs had almost inforc't them to yield had not Monsieur Balon at high water by twelve Pinaces in the dead of the night supplyed their necessities and on the 29 of October Marshall Schomberg at Port dela Pree landed 4000 foote and 200 horse who facing the besiegers put them to a great fright whereupon they resolve to rise be gon and in their retreat had diverse skirmishes The French with fury fell in on the reare of my Lord Mountjoys Troops who endeavouring to fly routed our own party which the Enemy perceiving pursue with violence We lost in that Encounter neere 2000 common Souldiers and 50 Officers prisoners of note 35. besides 100 common Souldiers which the King dismist out of respect to his Sister But the Duke being returned with those few scattered Troops the King resolves speedily to besiege Rotchell endeavouring to gain the Towne by famine built three Forts and drew a line toward the Land with many Redoubts within Musket-shot of the Town and by the Advice of Cardinall Ritchlew made a Huge Boone or Barachado a-crosse the Chanell almost 1500 yards in length leaving a small space for the ebbing and flowing of the Sea The Rotchellers perceiving their utter ruine approaching send over Deputies into England to solicite the King in their behalfe who promised what assistance he could The Kings necessities were at that time very great wanting almost what ever was necessary for a warre He resolves to summon a Parliament to meete on the 17th of March 1627. March 17. 1627. the Parliament met Sir Jo. Finsh was chosen Speaker And thus the King speaks to them My Lords and Gentlemen The times are for action for action I say not for words therefore I shall use but a few and as Kings are said to be exemplary to their subjects so I wish you would imitate me in this and use as few falling upon speedy consultation No man is I conceive such a stranger to the common necessities as to expostulate the cause of this meeting and not to thinke supply to be the end of it and as this necessity is the product consequent of your advise so the true Religion the Laws and Liberties of this state and Just defence of our freinds and allies being so considerably concern'd wil be I hope argument enough to perswade supply for if it be as most true it is my duty and yours to preserve this Church and Common-wealth this exigent time certainly requires it In this time of common danger I have taken the most antient speedy and best way for supply by calling you together if which God forbid in not contributing what may answer the quality of my accasions you doe not your duties it shall suffice I have done mine In the conscience whereof I shall rest content and take some other course for which God hath impowred me to save that which the folly of some particular men might hazzard to lose Take not this as a menace for I scorne to threat my inferiours but as an admonition from him who is tied both by nature and duty to provide for your preservation and I hope though I thus speake your demeanour will be such as shall ablige me in thankfulnesse to meet you oftner then which nothing shall be more pleasing to me Remembring the distractions of our last meeting you may suppose I have no confidence of good successe at this time but be assured I shall freely forget and forgive what is past hoping you will follow that sacred advise lately inculcated to maintaine the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace The Parliament being deeply affected with the necessities of our neighbour Protestants and freinds in eminent danger forthwith granted five subsidies with unanimous consent Secretary Cooke brings the news to the King who wept for joy and bid him tell them he would deny them nothing of their just liberties Immediatly the House fall upon the peoples libertyes and vote that no freeman be imprisoned by King or Councell without legall cause alledged They draw up a petition to this effect 1. That no person be compeld to make give or yeild any gift loan benevolence tax but by common consent of Parliament 2. That no freeman be imprisoned or detained of his liberty but by the Laws of the Land 3. That the souldiers and mariners be removed from billiting and the people eased for the time to come 4. That martial Law be revoked Which petition was presented to which his Majesty gave a speedy answer with plenary satisfaction and withal told them he having done his part if the Parliament have not a happy conclusion the sin was theirs he was free Which answer was received with great acclamation and Joy The House having fared so well fall a ripping up of old fores and drew up a Remonstrance which reflected upon the Duke at which the King stood amazed They likewise were drawing a Bill against Tunnage and Poundage which the King would by no means permit On the 26 of June the King prorogued the Parliament to the 20 of
October and in his speech made an ample illustration of his concessions to the petition of right which by some was accounted a great failing And now a 3d Fleet is reasdy at Portsmouth for the releif of Rotchel The Duke was very diligent in preparation when on the 23 of August 1628. the Duke having prepared himselfe to wait on the King who made that in his progresse cal'd for his breakfast the Duke comes downe from his chamber to a lower parlour where taking leave of Sir Tho. Frier one of his Colonels Just as he was going in one Felton stabd him to the heart with a knife which the Duke took out but the effusion of the blood was so great that he died instantly the Earl of Cleveland and others that were within hearing reported that the murtherer seconded his blow with these words The Lord have mercy upon thy soul The murtherer imediatly went into the Kitchin the report throughout the house was wher 's the murtherer which he misconstrued her 's the murtherer suddenly starting cried I am he who was imediatly secured and hardly escaped the fury of the servants The King was at his devotion when the news was brought who was not in the least startled at it The commons rejoice at it and by this means hoped of a freer and more permanent correspondency betwixt the King and people which the event suddenly shewed The Dukes body was inter'd the 25 of September at Westminster at the charge of his Executors Felton was arraigned at the Kings bench-bar who upon examination confest That the only motive that induced him to the fact was the late Remonstrance of the Commons and that he could not sacrifice his life to a nobler cause then by delivering his Country from so great an enemy He being found guilty was hanged at Tiburne and his body afterwards sent to Portsmouth to be hanged in Chaines This tragicke act nothing hindred the Fleets motion which by the personal industry care of the King set fail from Portsmouth the 8 of September 1628. the Earl of Linsey being Admiral and being arived at the mouth of the haven found that monstrous Boone and Baracado finished which was designed by Cardinal Ritchlew a cross wind suddenly arose beat them back with great confusion which the Rotchellers beholding from the bulwarks imediately set open the gates and submitted themselves wholly to the King who entred the 8 of October and found onely four thousand remaining of twenty two thousand the Fleet upon the news returned home safe A Proclamation was proclaimed against Papists The 20 of October the Parliament met divers complaints and petitions were exhibited touching the seising of marchants goods for Tunnage and Poundage The King had notice of it summons them to the banquetting house and thus speaks The occasion of that meeting was a complaint made in the lower House for staying some merchants goods for denying Tunnage and Poundage which difference might be soon decided were his words and actions rightly understood for if he did not take these duties as appendixes to his hereditary prerogative and had declared he chalenged them not of right and onely desired to enjoy them by the gift of his people why did they not passe the Bill as they promised to him to clear his by-past actions and future proceedings especially in this his time of so great necessity Therefore he did now expect they should make good what they promised and put an end to all questions emergent to their delay Two Committees were appointed one for Religion the other for civil affairs that for Religion report that upon due inspection they find it in a very tottering and declining condition The other report that many marchants had had their goods seised for not paying the customes of Tunnage and Poundage being then against the Petition of Right and priviledge of Parliament for which Sr Jo. Worsham M. Daws M. Carmarthen Farmers of the Customes were required to give an account The King intervenes and tels the Parliament that what they did was as men addicted to his command neither were they commissionated to take it as a due debt but he presumed the Parliament would performe their large professions and grant it by bill They replyed the Farmers did it without warrant the warrant being only to levy and collect not to seize for the Bill they desired his pardon being to insist on matters of Religion first The King requests them to forbeare prosecuting these men and intimated that what they did was by his warrant The House in great discontent adjourned for some few dayes and being met again they resolved upon a Remonstrance which the Speaker refusing to read and offering to rise Mr. Hollis held him and swore he should fit there so long as they pleased which not prevailing Mr. Hollis read these ensuing Articles as the Protestation of the House 1. Whosoever should bring in Innovation of Religion or by favour seek to introduce Popery or Arminianism or other opinions disagreeing from the true and orthodox Church shall be reputed a Capitall enemy to the Kingdome and Common wealth 2. Whosoever shall councell or advise the taking and levying the subsidies of Tunnage and Poundage not being granted by Parliament or shall be an actor or instrument therein shall be reputed a Caitall enemy to this Common-wealth 3. If any man shall voluntarily yeild or pay the said Subsidies of Tunnage and Poundage not being granted by Parliament he shall be reputed a beirayer of the Liberties-of England and an enemy to the Common-wealth At which the House gave a great shout The King advised of it sent the Usher of the blacke rod to dissolve the Parliament who would not be admitted Sir Miles Hobert lockt the door The King incensed at their contempt sent for the Captain of the Pensioners and the Guard to force a passage the members fearing the issue slunk away The King went presently into the House of Lords and delivered his mind as followeth My Lords I never came here upon so unpleasing an occasion it-being the dissolution of a Parliament therefore you may have some cause to wonder why I should not rather choose to doe this by Commission it being a generall Maxim of Kings to leave harsh commands to their Ministers themselves onely Executing pleasing things yet considering that Justice consists as well in reward and praise of vertue as punishment of vice I thought it necessary to come here to day to declare to you and all the world that it was meerely the undutifull and seditious carriage of the Lower House that hath made the dissolution of this Parliament and you my Lords are so far from being causes of it that I take as much comfort in your dutifull demeanour as I am justly distasted with their proceedings yet to avoyd mistakings Let me tell you that it is so far from me to adjudge all that House guilty that I know there are many there as dutifull subjects as any in the World it being but
not here for not long after it was observed that a great concourse of people from all parts of that Kingdome came to Edenborough which occasioned the Lords of the Councell to put forth severall Proclamations to prevent the like disorders but they nothing prevailed for the next day the Bishop of Galloway going to the Councell was followed by a great multitude railing and reviling him untill he came to the Councell-doore where he was no sooner enter'd but they beset the House with very great multitudes threatning destruction to all that were within The Councell immediately require ayde of the Provost and other Magistrates of the City who returne answer that they were in the like danger The tumult still increasing they of the City were forc't for the safegard of their own lives to subscribe as followeth 1. To joyne in opposition to the Service-Book and to Petition against it 2. To restore Ramsey and Rollock two silenced Ministers 3. To receive in Mr Henderson formerly silenced Which being signed the Councell thought was a good step to suppresse the tumult but entring into the High street The Lord Treasurer and other Lords were afresh assaulted trodden under-foote and brought back by violence to the Councell-House where being in great danger they require ayde of diverse Noblemen disaffected to the Common-prayer-book who promised what assistance they possibly could and in the end return'd home safe In the afternoon proclamation was made at the crosse of Edenborough for prevention of the like disorders but to smal effect some Citizens demanding the restitution of the Ministers and the performance of what was subscribed Suddenly two petitions were presented against the Common-prayer book and the Composers and Abettors of it which petitions were sent to the King with the narrative of the whole who immediatly sent instructions for adjourning the Tearm to Sterling a strong place and to make proclamation of severe penalties to be inflicted on the breakers and contemners of the peace which was no sooner proclaimed but the Lord Hume Lindsey and divers others protest against it and in contempt of Authority compeld the Heralds to hear the Protest or Covenant read all which being imparted to the King he sends Marquesse Hamilton as high Commissioner to settle peace and a right understanding who dealt treacherously and deceitfully trifling away eleven moneths time having three times returned to and again for England and at last published the Kings gracious Proclamation nulling the Service book and high Commission promising an Assembly to be held at Glascow Novem. 21. 1638. and a Parliament at Edenborough the 15. of May 1639 but this nothing satisfied for the more the King granted the more averse they were During the treaty the Covenanters had provided Officers Armes and what was necessary for a war The General Assembly being met they proceed to declare against the Book of Common prayer which occasioned the Bishops to draw up a protest against their proceedings and in conclusion by the Unanimous consent of all the Councel excepting Argile the Assembly was dissolved Proclamation was made and published throughout the Nation shewing the grounds and reasons of their dissolution which proclamation was opposed by the Covenanters with a protestation to adhere to all their former Covenants to put by all the Bishops Some they excommunicate and not long after totally abolished Episcopacy as being as they pretended inconsistant with the word of God and Lawes of that Nation Which occasioned the Marquesse and Commissioners to returne for England seemingly much discontented In the interim the Covenanters began to raise Armes Levy souldiers Impose taxers upon the people seize some of the Kings Castles raise fortifications and prepare for a war and chose David Lesley an old souldier to be General Toward the latter end of October 1638. came the queen mother into England many of the Common people were troubled at it as being generally by them lookt upon as a forerunner of a greater mischiefe The Scots are very high and insolent assuming all authority and invent new and unheard of Judicatures in defiance to the King and Councel and having cast of Episcopal Jurisdiction declare for the Calvinistical presbyterian Government which for a long time had bin hatching in that Kingdome but could never take head till then The King to suppresse their insolency by the advise of the Bishops prepares an Army which they contributed very largely to and being backed with the assistance of the Nobility and Gentry a considerable force is raised the Earle of Arundell being made Generall The King on the 17 of March the day of his Inauguration advances against the Scots The Scots hearing of the Kings advance march forward under the Conduct of their Generall David Lesley to meet him with Petition in one hand and their Armes in the other and on the 28 of May both Armies came within view The Scots after some time sent to treat about a pacification the King willingly consented to it and for the English were chosen the Earls of Holland Pembroke Salishury and Barkshire and Sir Henry Vane for the Presbyterian Covenanters the Earle of Rothes and Dunferling Lord Louden Douglas Archibald Johnson and Alexander Henderson Who after much Consultation conclude Articles of pacification on both sides which were signed the 18 of June Which Articles were as follow On the Kings part 1. His Majesty to confirme what his Commissioners promised in his name 2. That a Generall Assembly be called to sit at Edenborough August 6. 3. That a Parliament be called and sit at Edenborough the 20 of August 4. That he recall all forces by sea and land and restore all ships arristed and detained since the pretended Assembly at Glascow upon the Covenanters disarming and dishanding of their forces dissolving their tables and restoring to the King all his castles forts and ammunition and releasing all the persons lands and goods then under restraint since the pretended Assembly at Glascow This to be done by declaration On the Covenantes part 1. All the forces of Scotland to be disbanded within forty eight houres after publication of the Kings declaration 2. They to render up after the said publication all Castles Forts Ammunition of all sorts so soone as the King should send to receive them 3. They to hold no meetings treatings or consultations but such as are warranted by act of Parliament 4. They to desist from all fortifications and these to be remitted to the Kings pleasure 5. They to restore to all the Kings subjects their lands liberties houses goods and meanes taken or detained from them since the first of Feb. last Notwithstanding the declaration the Scots are stil averse and draw up a Protestation of sticking close to the late Generall Assembly at Glascow and to their solemne Covenant and perfidiously broke all their Articles of agreement continue their meetings neglect slighting the fortification and continue their officers in pay which with many other insolencies compeld the King to consider of reducing them to
obedience The King fummons his Privy Councel who conclude a Parliament to be called the 13 of April 1640 and for the present each of the Councel except Hamleton who pretended poverty subscribed large Contributions for the carrying on of the war untill such time as the Parliament should convene which was a leading card for the rest of the Nobility the Judges and others The Scots being informed of the Kings Preparation for a war sent the Lord Dunferling Lord Louden Sir Will. Douglas and M. Markham as Commissioners to represent the affaires of their transactions which were friendly received by the King and he well hoped that all differences might be composed with lenity and gentlenesse but it could not possibly be for during the treaty most of the Nobility that wisht well to the Kings interest in Scotland are imprisoned procured old souldiers out of Holland made divers fortifications required ayd of the King of France and by colouring their designes with the pretence for Religion and the cause of God they had gained a very strong party here in England By this time Episcopacy was totally extirpated in Scotland and the Presbyterian Contagion began to reigne here in England The Bishop of Canterbury a man learned pious and devout though unseasonably zealous was by the vulgar lookt upon as a great freind and favourer of Popery by reviving ancient Ceremonies in the Church and service of God which gave great occasion of discontent to the more precise and godly party On the 13 of Aprill 1640. the Parliament began and were composed for the most part of persons of Honour affectionate to Religion and their Country onely some sew violent restlesse spirited men that endeavoured to represent all the transactions of the King in the most ugly colours The King laid before them the treacherons designs of the Scots and demands 12 subsidies Mr. Pim and divers other members made long speeches reciting the greivances both of Church and State which were very many for it is with Government both Ecclesiasticall Civil as it is with watches that how good and excellent soever they be length of time disorders them they urge that there was never more need of redressing grievances and that would be the onely way to procure the Subsidies required The King promised to redresse the grievances afterward The King seeing them very backward concerning the Subsidies which his pressing necessities call'd for on the sift of May came into the House and dissolv'd the Parliament using Civill Language protesting that he would governe as much according to Law as if a Parliament were constantly sitting yet Mr Bellosis and Sir John Hotham were committed for speeches a small time and Mr Crew Chaireman to the Committee for Ministers was committed to the Tower for refusing to discover some Petitions presented to the Parliament The Convocation now sitting had formed an Oath for maintaining their Hierarchy as the Scots on the other side had Covenanted for the destruction of Episcopacy for which they were much blamed by many good men They likewise granted a large Contribution of 45. in the pound for six years to be assest on all the Clergy of England toward the carrying on of the Scotch war which was lookt upon as Illegall being without consent of Parliament And now the English in Imitation of the Scots began in a rude manner to assault the Archbishop of Canterbury as they did the Archbishop of St Andrews conceiving him to be the onely man that advised the King to break up the Parliament and on Munday the 16 of May 1640. a great number of rude disorderd persons meet together and goe to his house at Lambeth beset it but he being forewarned had sufficiently provided for his own safety Some of the principall were apprehended and committed to the White Lyon in Southwarke which not long after was violently by the multitude broke open and the prisoners discharge One of the Principall Riag-leaders was afterwards apprehended and condemned to be hang'd drawn and quartered to terrifie the rest The King being in want applyes himselfe to the City for supply but they being discontented at the last dissolution pretend poverty a likely thing after so many yeares of peace plenty and prosperity as they had enjoyed under his Government besides they are a little troubled at the questioning of their London-Dery Lands in Ireland by the Star-Chamber They Gentry were generally more free and afforded large Contributions by which meanes the Army began to Muster the Earle of Northumberland was appointed Generall and the Earle of Strafford Lievtenant Generall but both being indispos'd in health the King resolved to goe himselfe in person In July 1640. The Queene was delivered of a Son who was baptized Henry August 20. 1640. The King advances toward the North the Army having rendevouzed some dayes before whether being come he was informed of the sad disaster of a defeate given by Lessly to 1200 Horse and 3000 foote under the Command of the Lord Conway who were lest to secure the passe over the River Tine nere Nuburne as likewise Sir Jacob Astley Governour of Newcastle quit the Towne after he had sunck all the Ordinance as being no way tenable By this time the Earle of Strafford was recover'd and came to his command much troubled at my Lord Conways loss which Conway stoutly alledg'd was neither through neglect nor oversight Yet notwithstanding the Covenanters had a Check in their own Country Lesley having left some superfluous Ordnance at Dounse which the Garrison of Warwick being advertised of adventure forth and did seaze them which allarum'd the Earle of Haddington who with 2000 horse and foote pursue and with a very sharp Encounter rescue them which were carried back to Duglasse The Earle being at dinner the next day with diverse Knights and Gentlemen in a roome over the Magazine of Powder in the midst of their mirth they were suddenly blowne up whether by easualty or on purpose it was not known In September following the King was at Yorke presented with a Petition subscribed by eleven of the English Nobility To which he made Answer as followeth Before the receipt of your Petition his Majesty well foresaw the danger that threatens himselfe and Crowne and therefore resolveth the twenty-fourth of this moneth to summon all the Peeres and with them to consult what in this case is fittest to be done for his own honour and safety of the Kingdome where they with the rest may offer any thing that may conduce to these ends And accordingly they were by Writs from the Lord Keeper summoned to attend the 24 of September Great were the sufferings at that time of the Northerne Counties for Lesley the Scots Generall had imposed a tax of 350 l. per diem on the Bishoprick of Durham and 300 l. per diem on Northumberland on penalty of plundering and likewise seaz diverse English Ships laden with Corne in Newcastle Road as lawfull prize On the 24 of September the Lords assembled at Yorke
that for which he was condemned acquitting all the world and desired God to forgive them wishing presperity and happinesse to the Kingdome and desired they would seriously consider whether the Reformation of a Kingdome should be written in Letters of blood much fearing they were in the wrong way professing he died a true sonne of the Church of England wherein he was borne and in which he was bred addressing himselfe to his brother Sir George Wentworth desired to be remembred to his Wife and Children willing him to Charge his Son never to meddle with the patrimony of the Church for it would prove a Canker to his estate and after a short time spent in prayer he submitted his neck to the Block which was struck off by the Executioner at one low There was at that time a discovery made of diverse persons that had endeavour'd the Earles escape out of the Tower diverse Gentlemen of worth were engaged in it but the timely discovery prevented its execution Upon which the House oderd some Lords to be assistant to the Lievtenant of the Tower for the safety of the City Severall Great persons were displaced as The Earle of Essex made Lord Chamberlain in the roome of Pembroke The Marquesse of Hartford Governour of the Prince in the roome of the Earle of Newcastle Dr Juxon Lord Treasurer resigned his Office to five Commissioners The Lord Cottington Master of the Wards was displaced and the Office conferd on the Lord Say In May last the Parliament to engage the people to stick close to them framed an Oath or Protestation which was by them taken and sent through England to be taken by the people The Parliament being secured for their everlasting sitting began to consider of the raising of moneys for the payment and disbanding of the two Armies much Plate was melted downe and the Earle of Holland was by joynt consent of King and Parliament order'd to goe downe as Generall to disband the English Army The House in February following Voted 300000 l. for the Scots and dayes of payment to be appointed For the Levying of this money a Bill was brought into the House for Pole-money Viz. a Duke 100 l. a Marquesse 80 l. Earles 60 l. Vicounts and Baronets 40 l. Knights of the Bath 30 l. Knights Bachelours 20. l. Esquires 10 l. every Gentleman able to expend 100 l per annum 5 l. and so every one according to their degree no person exempted every Head paid six pence which Bill with two other were offerd to the King one for putting downe the Star-Chamber another for putting downe the high Commission at which the King was a little startled The House Voted he should signe all or none which notwithstanding he past that for Pole-money and tooke time for the other two and not long after with much Importunity he past them also Sir Thomas Roe was sent in the quality of an Ambassadour to the Emperour to solicite the restoration of the Prince Elector which after much stay and nothing effected he returnes The Parliament considering the heavy burdens of the Northern Counties Order 100000 l. part of the 300000 l. to be paid to the Scots and in August following both Armies were quietly disbanded and departed to their own homes Bishop Wren is committed to the Tower for misdemeanors amounting to treason The Judges that gave their opinion for Ship-money are questioned and severall Charges drawne up against them The King having Inform'd the House of his resolutions to take a Journey to Scotland on the tenth of August set forward out of London towards Scotland but that very Morning came to the House and past diverse Bills and likewise sign'd a Commission for the passing of Bills in his absence the Commissioners appointed were the Lord Keeper the Lord Privy Seale Marquesse of Hartford Earle of Lindsey Earle of Essex Earle of Dorcet Earle of Bath He likewise signed another Bill constituting the Earle of Essex Generall of all the Forces on this side Trent by which he had power in case of necessity to Levy an Army The Parliament adjourned from the eight of September till the 20 of October and appointed a standing Committee of fifty Members to act in the Intervall The Parliament being adjourn'd and the King gone to Scotland every one tooke advantage to vent the humour of his own braine many using Irreverend behaviour during the time of divine service many outrages and riots were committed against Clergy-men and the Prelaticall party as they cald them strange and unheard-of practices were used as tub-preaching and that openly in the streets which gave occasion to many sober minded men to thinke evill of the Parliament as though it was their contrivance During the Kings being in Scotland a Letter was sent from the English-Committee in Scotland to the standing Committee at Westminster discovering a plot against the lives of Marquesse Hamilton and others the greatest Peeres in Scotland the Earle of Craford and others being the Conspirators which occasioned the standing Committee to prevent the like here to appoint strong guards in severall parts of the City and so to continue till the next meeting of both Houses Before the King return'd from Scotland about the end of October 1641. brake out the most barbarous and inhumane Rebellion in Ireland that ever was heard of in any age of the world The Innocent Protestants turn'd out of their estates and above two hundred thousand persons men women and children most barbarously and cruelly murdered But we will leave Ireland weltring in her blood and look home Where in November 1641. we find the King return'd from Scotland and was by the City of London feasted and in Great State conducted to Hampton Court with much seeming expressions of Joy some few dayes after the King Invites the Aldermen and principall Citizens to Hampton Court where they were sumptuously feasted and diverse Aldermen were Knighted During the Kings residing at Hampton Court the Commons present the King a Remonstrance of the state of the Kingdome with a large recitall of all the Grievances and oppressions that the people had groaned under since the beginning of his Raigne Upon which within few dayes the King published a Declaration in answer to their Remonstrance And now began visibly to appeare the sad breach betwixt the King and his Parliament which did daily increase untill the Kingdome was involved in a sad war Great endeavours are used to stir up the Common people with a dislike of the Kings actions to which purpose freedome was given to every party without contradiction to write and publish many bitter and Invective Pamphlets against the Bishops and their Government and all the ill actions of the Kings Ministers were laid upon him and not content with that they came downe in Great multitudes to Westminster and by the way gave uncivill and threatning Language to diverse Gentlemen at Whitehall-Gate Which caused the King to send to the Lord Major to summon a Common Councell to receive his
pleasure which by the Chancelour of the Dutchy he declares his utter dislike of the numerous multitude coming in that rude manner and desires care may be taken to prevent the like for the future assuring them of his care and protection And the same day the King sent to the City the Commons Petition for a Guard to defend them from a malignant party now prevalent which Petition the King denied promising them in the word of a King That his care for their security should be as great as for his wife and children and if that wauld not serve their turne he would appoint a Guard of such as he would be answerable to God for Proclamation was made against the Irish Rebells and the King desires the two Houses to enter into Debate concerning reliefe and proposes that 10000 Volunteers be raised and sent over if the Commons will pay them The King being inform'd of a designe carried on by diverse Members of the House of Commons which held Intelligence with the Scots endeavouring to subvert his Authority and the better to carry on their designes countenanced the Tumults in the City causes Sir William Killigrew and Sir William Fleming to goe to the Chambers and Studies of diverse Members of the House of Commons to seale up their Trunkes and to seize on their papers as the Lord Kimbolton Mr Pim Mr Hamden Mr Deuzill Hollis Sir Arthur Haselrig and Mr Stroud but none of their persons could be met with they presently make report to the House who immediatly Vote it a breach of the priviledge of Parliament and that it shall be lawfull to make resistance and to require the ayde of a Constable to keepe such persons endeavouring to seize on any member till the further pleasure of the House On the third of June the King sent his Atturney Sir Edward Herbert to demand the five Members and sent a Sergeant at Armes to charge them with Articles of high treason and with them the Lord Mandevill the Earle of Manchesters second son which Articles were these 1. They endeavoured to subvort the Government to deprive the King of his Legall power to place on the subjects an Arbitrary and tyrannicall Power 2. They had endeavoured by foule aspersions upon his Majesties Government to alienate the affections of his people from him 3. That they endeavoured to draw his Army from his obedience to side with them in traiterous designes 4. That they traiterously invited and encouraged a forraine Power to invade his Majesties Kingdome of England 5. That they had traiterously endeavoured to subvert the very rights and beings of Parliaments 6. That they had endeavoured by force and terrour to compell the Parliament to joyne with them in their traiterous designes and to that end have actually raysed and countenanced tumults against the King and Parliament 7. That they traiterously conspir'd to Levy and actually have Levied war against the King The 4th of January 1641. The King attended with diverse Gentlemen came to the House-door he onely enter'd the House of Commons seating himselfe in the Speakers Chaire demands five Members of that House to be delivered to him Their names were Sir Arthur Haselrig Mr. Denzill Hollis Mr. Pim Mr. Hamden Mr. Stroud The King finding they were not there for they were absent by appointment of the House rises from the Speakers Chaire and tells them he was very sorry for that occasion and that no King ever was nor should be more carefull to preserve the priviledges of Parliament then he should be that those five Members were dangerous men he protested in the word of a King that he never intended any force but to proceed against them in a Legall way he expected they would send them so soone as they came into the House The King is no sooner gone out of the House but they are in a great confusion crying out Priviledge priviledge and the next day Voted the Kings coming to the House a breach of the priviledge of Parliament The King made Proclamation the next day for their apprehension which the day following the Commons Voted illegall and scandalous The day after he had been at the House be went in his Coach to London being inform'd they were fled thiher where all the way as he went the Citizens and others flock'd about his Coach desiring him not to Infringe the priviledge of Parliament Upon his returne one Walker flung into the Kings Coach a seditious pamphlet entituled To your Tents O Israel for which he was apprehended The Gentlemen of the Inns of Court offered their service to the King as a Guard a smal Court of Guard is built at White-Hall-Gate and some Gentlemen entertained Within two dayes after a great multitude came out of London in their accustomed manner to Petition against Bishops and in their passage by White-Hall using menacing tearmes which the Gentlemen not brooking some small mischiefe was done At Westminster they offered violence to diverse Bishops which caus'd 14 of them to draw up a Protest against the proceedings of the House The Commons resent it ill and Vote them Guilty of High Treason The City Petition the King concerning the putting of persons of Honour out of the Tower and placing others in their roomes and of the Great preparations in the Tower of the fortifying White-Hall and withall desire that the five Members may not be restrain'd nor proceeded against but by consent of the House to all which his Majesty gave an answer Two thousand Petitioners came out of Buckingham-shire to Petition the King in the behalfe of Mr. Hamden their Country-man desiring that he and the rest of the five Members may injoy the Priviledges of Parliament which moved the King to send to the Parliament that for the present he would wave his proceedings against the five Members The multitude not being content with the destruction of Bishops they openly demand the Liturgy of the Church to be abolished condemning the use of all set-formes of prayer The Pulpits every where sounded aloud that now was the time that the Israelites should plunder the Egyptians and that the Just should wash their footsteps in the blood of the ungodly and publickly exhorted the people to take up armes against the Kings Evill Councell as they calld it and to destroy all such as joyned with them and to this effect these following Texts of Scripture were pressed by the zealous Ministers Luke 19.27 Those mine enemies that would not that I should Raigne over them bring hither and slay before me Judges 5.23 Curse ye Meroz Curse ye bitterly the Inhabitants thereof because they came not to help the Lord against the Mighty Jer. 48.10 Cursed be he that doth the work of the Lord deceitfully and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood Thus there was no way for Reformation in these mens accounts but to pluck up and to destroy and all for the Love of God and for the advancement of the Kingdome of Jesus Christ The great multitudes still
is a breach of their priviledge against the Laws of the Land and the liberty of the subject They likewise past an Order to prevent the Levying any Souldiers in Yorkshire or Lincolnshire to force a passage into the Towne of Hull and the more to enrage the King Hotham is ordred to Levy The trained bands which being come into the Towne he disarmes and dismisses them There was a select Committee appointed to goe to Hull with Instructions for the safety of the Counties of York and Lincoln to whom all Sheriffs Justices of the peace Constables and other Officers are requir'd to be ayding and assisting Things began to grow very high The King summons the Gentry of the County of York where he gave them a large account of all the messages and replyes touching Hull and the Reasons why he did not signe the Bill for the Militia To be short You see my Magazine is going to be taken from me directly against my Will The Militia against the Law and my consent is going to be put in execution and lastly Sir John Hothams Treason is countenanced all which being considered none can blame me to apprehend dangers and upon this reall Ground to tell you that I am resolv'd to have a Guard onely to secure my person In which I desire you assistance that I may be able to protect you the Laws and the true Protestant Religion from any affront or Injury Which speech was by them received with great affection The Parliament being inform'd of the Kings Speech to the Yorkshire Gentry declare that it is against the Laws and liberties of the Kingdome that any of the subjects thereof should be commanded by the King to attend him at his pleasure and that whosoever upon pretence of his Majesties command shall take up Armes in a warlike manner shall be esteemed disturbers of the peace and to be proceeded against accordingly and likewise signed an Order to the Sheriffe of that County to take care to suppresse the raising of the trained bands upon the Kings Command But the Parliament Issue out Commissions to all parts of the Kingdome appointing certain dayes for all the trained bands to be exercised in each County and that severall Members be sent into the severall Counties to see the Commissions put in execution and all the Magazines in the severall Counties to be put into the hands of their confiding friends Which Commissions were answered by Proclamation from the King forbidding the trained bands and all others to rise or muster on pretence of any Ordinance of Parliament without his consent The breach was now growne wide the Parliament still opposing and thwarting the King on all occasions moved diverse of the Members to desert it and repaire to the King so that in a small time the Lords at York were more in number then those at Westminster The names of those that went were the Marquesse of Hartford the Earle of Lindsey Cumberland Huntington Bath Southampton Dorset Salisbury who presently return'd Northampton Devonshire Bristoll Westmerland Barkshire Munmouth Rivers Newcastle Dover Carnarvan Newport the Lord Howard Charlton New-wark Pawlet Paget Matreverse Willowby Rich Fawconbridge Chandois Coventry Lovelesse Savill Seymor Mohune Dunsmore Lord Capell Gray of Ruthen Together with above fifty of the Commons House whose departure startled the active men of the House who notwithstanding having gone so far proceed and Vote That it appeares that the King being seduced by evill Councell Intends to make war against the Parliament and that when he doth it is a breach of trust reposed in him and likewise that whosoever shall ayd or assist him in the said war are traytors by the fundamental Laws of the Kingdome And on the 30 of May by Vote summon nine of those Lords that went to returne but they utterly refused which the House deemed a sleighting of them which occasioned Mr. Hollis after a long Speech to Impeach them of high treason which the Peeres afterwards confirm'd in Voting them never to sit in the House more and to be uncapable of any priviledge of Parliament And not long after the Lord Keeper Littleton sent away the Great Seale to the King and immediately followed it which put the House to a great plunge for the present In June 1642. The two Houses sent a Petition with 19 Propositions to the King to which he reutrn'd a smart answer taxing them that they had contrary to law pressed their Ordinances on the people wrested from him the command of the Militia countenanced the Treason of Hotham and had directed to the people Invectives against his Government asperst him with the favouring of Papists and with an utter dislike of the Propositions protested that if he were vanquisht and a prisoner in worse condition then any the most unfortunate of his predecessors had ever been reduced unto he would never stoop so low as to Grant those demands and to make himselfe of a King of England a Duke of Venice And now both sides prepare for war The Parliament the 10 of June 1642. past an Order for bringing in money and plate to maintaine horse and foote for defence of the publick peace for which they did engage the publick faith The King on the other side receives advice by Letters from Amsterdam of a considerable quantity of Armes and Ammunition which was provided upon some Jewells pawned by the Queen he likewise sends Commissions of Array with Letters to the Lieutenants of the severall Counties making use of the Parliaments Vote and declares That the Kingdome being in danger of Enemies abroad and a Popish party at home it is necessary to put the people in a posture of defence that you immediately cause to be restored all the ancient trained bands and free-hold bands and to appoint Collonells and Captaiens and other Officers to command them The Parliament Vote the Commission to be against Law and the actors therein to be esteemed disturbers of the peace Whereupon the King summons the Lords of the Councell with the rest of the Nobility at York and declares that he requires no obedience of them but what shall be according to law and requires them to yeeld to no commands Illegally Imposed by any other and that he will not Ingage them in any war against the Parliament except for necessary defence against such as shall Invade him or them Upon which with unanimous consent they all freely engag'd to him their duty and allegiance The King sends a Letter to the Lord Mayor of London Aldermen and Sheriffes forbidding any contribution of money and plate toward the raising of any Armies whatsoever for the Parliament By this time the Armes were arrived from Holland but the King wanted men to weild them yet by his Speeches and Declarations had gained the affections of many of his people and a considerable number was got together and from Beverly he sends a Message and Proclamation to the Parliament of his Intentions to goe against Hull requiring it might be delivered up to him
was largely contributed by the Gentry and offers the Crowne Lands in Morgage to ease the Country of the burthen of taxes and free Quarter The Earle of Lindsey is chosen Generall for the King and the Generall Rendevouz of his Forces was appointed at York The Earle of Essex Generall for the Parliament appointed a Rendevouz of all the Parliament Forces at Northampton being about 20000 Horse and foote who gave stirct Charge to restraine all prophaness and disorders in their Army He divided his Army into severall bodyes to prevent the Roving of Prince Rupert and to find out the King from Northampton he marches to Coventry thence to Warwick Worcester was possest by Sir John Byron a skirmish happened betwixt Prince Rupert and Mr. Fines Collonell Sands Captain Hales and others Thus the Prince came out of Worcester into a greene Meadow resolv'd to fight those he could first meete withall The passage to the Meadow was narrow Collonell Sands being over-valiant Charg'd with his Regiment before the rest could come up both sides being equall in number fought with Great resolution but the prince fearing the Generalls approach retired into Worcester though with some loss in the Reare being pursued through the Towne by the Parliaments Forces Collonell Sands and Sergeant Major Duglaas were slaine at the first Charge There was found dead in all thirteen person The Prince marcht immediately to Ludlow and the King with some horse marcheth into Wales and made a Speech full of protestations to the Gentry of Denbighshire and Flintshire and returnes to Shrewsbury where his strength much increased being 16000 foote and 5000 Horse and Dragoones Both Armies think of providing winter Quarters Collonell Essex with two Regiments of foote is appointed Governour of Glocester but not long after was order'd to Bristoll The towne being divided and hearing of his coming began to mutiny but he had a party which opened the gates to him in the night and surpriz'd the Mutiners Upon Essex Removall from Glocester Collonell Massey was appointed Governour The Earle of Essex sends horse and soote to the Lord Wharton to make a body to prevent the Cavaliers going to Wollverhampton The King being at Shrewsbury summons the County to bring horse and carts for his removall who marches neer Coventry and that night lay at Southam The King so exceedingly increased in strength that he caused feare in those at London who order all the trained bands of London and the adjacent Counties to be in readiness and to set up Posts and Chaines in all the passages into the City and order twelve Companies out of London for the security of Windsor Castle The Parliament Vote that it was and should be lawfull for all Counties in England to enter into a mutuall association for the defence each of other The danger that the Parliament apprehended was reall for the King had gotten between the Earle of Essex and London and they conjectur'd it more fesable forhim to attempt London then fight the Army Yorkshire at that time abounded with Cavaliers commanded by the Earle of Cumberland Sir Francis Wortley Sir Marmaduke Langdale and Sir Thomas Glenham In Cornwall there was a considerable strength for the King who were commanded by Sir Ralph Hopton In Wales they began to body besides the Army the King Commanded and a great body of horse commanded by Prince Rupert The King with an Army of 14000 foote and 4000 Horse and Dragoones came on Saturday the 22 of October within six miles of Keynton and quarter'd his Army at Crepeda and Edghill The Earle of Essex quarter'd at Keinton with his Army On Sunday the 28. both Armies draw up in a body The King having the advantage of a high hill called Edg Hill at the foote of which was a vale call'd the Vale of the red horse where Essex his Army was drawne up upon a Rising Ground in Battalia three Regiments of horse on the right wing commanded by Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Belford and the Lord Fielding Sir John Meldram commanded the Van the Generall Collonell Hollis and the Lord Brooks in the Reare on the left wing twenty Troops of Horse commanded by Sir James Ramsey The Earle of Lindsey was Generall for the King but the Battaile was order'd by the Lord Ruthen Earle of Forth The Generall on foote led on the maine body of the Army with a pike in his hand The Earle of Essex shewed personall Valour till he was disswaded not to expose himselfe to danger and so retir'd to the body The Forlorn on the Kings side was commanded by Major Backstake and Captain Hamond who being come downe to the bottom of the hill charg'd the Parliaments Forlorn which was no sooner done but the Kings Canons began to play Prince Rupert Generall of the Horse Commanded the Right wing Charg'd furiously the Left wing of Essex his Army and Routed them pursuing them to Keinton Towne tooke the Carriages the Earles Waggons and Cloak-bag being too Eager of the plunder The Earle of Lindsey being too adventurous was kil'd and by reason of the absence of Prince Rupert the maine body of the Kings was assaulted with great fury and his Standard taken Sir Edmund Varney the Standard-bearer being kil'd which was afterwards retaken by an unknown person and convey'd away The foote on both sides Charge with equall Valour untill the night came on which parted the fight Both Armies continue in the field all night and the next day the King made Proclamation of pardon to such as would lay down their armes and submit The Victory was much disputed both sides returning thanks to God for Victory Indeed there was reall signes of Victory on both sides by the taking of Colours and Canons of equall number And although the Parliament lost more men yet the King lost more men of quality The number of the slaine was computed to be between five and six thousand The Kings Army drew off toward Keinton and the Earle of Essex withdrew toward Warwick In Examining the Earle of Essex his Cabinet they discover'd one Blake that attended the King to be Treacherous by holding a Correspondency who was immediatly condemn'd by a Councell of War and hang'd in the high way On the Parliaments side were slain of note the Lord St John Collonell Ch. Essex Lieutenant Collonell Ramsey The Parliament take care to recruite their Army by giving Liberty to apprentices to serve their time in the war which occasion'd very many to leave their trades and repaire thither They likewise solicite the Scots to raise and Army for their own defence The King on the other side sends a Declaration to his Councell in Scotland Stating the quarrell betwixt him and his Parliament requiring their assistance The King and Prince Rupert repaire neer London with a flying Army which occasioned the Parliament to provide for their own safety The Earle of Essex likewise drew neer to the City quartering his men at Acton and the places adjoyning The Kings Artiffery with some Troopes of Horse
advance from Colebrooke to Branford eight miles from London fell upon Collonell Hollis his men which quarter'd there but the Lord Brooks and Collonell Hamdens Regiments came speedily to their reliefe and for a time maintained a bloody fight The Earle of Essex was sitting in the House when the news was brought who immediately horst and with what strength he could hastens to meete the King but night approaching the King retired All that night vast numbers of Souldiers flockt from the City above three times the number of the Kings Army and they had hem'd hm in on every side had not Kingston bridge been left destitute over which the Kings traine of Artillery was drawne whilst a body of Horse faced the Enemy and then retired toward Oxford The Parliament orders the Generall to follow him and fight him The Kings Forces in the North under the Command of the Earle of Newcastle and the Earle of Cumberland being 8000 Horse and foote were too potent for the Lord Fairfax Lieutenant for the Parliament The Earle marches to tadcaster where the Lord Fairfax and Captaine Hotham were fell on the Towne and forc't the Lord Fairfax with some loss to quit the Towne and march to Cauwod and Selby for supplyes for his Army Sir Thomas Fairfax is sent to Leeds with diverse Troopes of Horse but was forc't to retire In December Goring with Armes money and eighty old Commanders with the Queens Standard arrives from Holland and joynes with the Earle of Newcastle The Counties of Norfolk Suffolk Cambridge Hartford Essex associate and the Lord Gray of Wark is appointed Major Generall over them The Parliaments Forces possesse themselves of Winchester and Chichester The Parliament send Propositions to Oxford by four Lords and eight Commoners To which the King returnes a speedy answer The Queen arrives the 16 of Feb. 1642. and brings over Arms money and Ammunition with her from Holland The Earle of Montross and the Lord Ogle present their service to her at York with two Troops of Horse which she afterward made up a considerable body The Earle of Essex in the Spring marcht forth of his winter quarters resolving to besiege Reading which was possest by the Kings Forces in it was 3000 Souldiers and twenty pieces of Ordinance the Generall sits downe before it in Aprill 1643. with an Army of 16000 foote and 3000 Horse which after sixteen dayes was delivered up on easie conditions by the Deputy Governour Collonell Fielding Sir Arthur Aston the Governour being indisposed by reason of his wounds At Cirencister was the most considerable party for the Parliament in all those parts Prince Rupert with a considerable Army marches against it the Towne not being fortified he falls on with a furious assault which at first was Gallantly received but after two houres dispute possest himselfe of the Towne the most part of the Earle of Stamfords Regiment being cut off seized a considerable Magazine with above 3000 Armes and eleven hundred persons which were conveyed to Oxford Immediately he faces Glocester summons the City To which Massey Replyed That he kept the City for King and Parliament and would not deliver it to any forraine Prince The Army in Wales raised for the King advance toward Glocester and in their march fall on a Regiment of Collonell burroughs which they rout diverse Officers being slaine took fifty prisoners and so march on to Glocester News was brought to the Parliament of a considerable defeat given to their forces in Devonshire and that Prince Maurice and the Marquesse of Hartford had Intentions to secure all the West for the King And not long after there was a discovery made for the betraying of Bristoll but by timely notice it was prevented and the Conspirators executed Likewise a discovery was made in London of a plot to settle the Kings Commission of Array for which Mr. Tomkins and Mr. Chaloner were both Executed The Lord Brookes a very active man for the Parliament being in Staffordshire with his Forces with Intentions to dissipate those Gentlemen that were got together for the King advances to Litchfield The Earle of Chesterfeild had some Forces in the Towne for the King who upon the Lord Brookes his advance to the Towne quits it and retires with his Forces to the Close which was far more tenable then the Towne Brookes takes possession of the Towne and being in a Window peeping to watch an advantage against the Enemy was shot into the Eye and died immediately His Souldiers notwithstanding the losse of their chiefe Commander fall on with much resolution and after a short dispute possest themselves of the Church and Close took the Earle of Chesterfeild with divers Commanders and many common Souldiers Prince Rupert immediatly lays siege to Litchfield and having notice of the advance of some of the Parliaments forces under the Command of Brereton and Gell to raise the siege drew out neer a thousand Horse and Dragoones fell on the enemy which they put to flight and by their flight left Bag and baggage to the Kings forces with divers pieces of Ordinance and many prisoners But the Earle of Northampton Charging in the head of the body was slaine they returne to the siege spring a mine and scale the walls whereupon the besieged desire a Parly and on reasonable conditions quit the Towne In May 1643. the Lords and Commons Vote that an Act be past for an Assembly of Divines immediately to be call'd to settle Religion They likewise Vote the making of a new Great Seale a thing never heard or read of in the Natition which Mr. Prin defens in his book entituled The opening of the Great Seale of England Sir John Hotham sends word to the Earle of Newcastle that Hull and Lincolne shall be deliver'd up to him for the service of his Majesty and both father and son resolve to stand on their own Guard at Hull Mr Jermin Generalissimo for the Queen was at New-wark who levying a considerable party for the securing of the County she with thirty Companies of Horse and Dragoones and three thousand foote meets the King at Edghill it being the first time she saw him since her departure into Holland The King and Queen retire to Oxford The Parliament draw up Articles of High Treason against the Queen That she had pawned the Jewells of the Crowne raised the Rebellion in Ireland endeavoured to raise a party in Scotland against the Parliament that she had appeared in the head of a Popish party which was at last past by both Houses They likewise Vote that the King and Queens revenue should be detained and imployed in the publick service They likewise Voted a new and unheard of tax to be laid upon Beer Wine Tobacco and whatsoever is necessary for support of life which they call'd Excize Sir John Hotham and his son are both taken prisoners by Sir Matthew Beynton their estates seazed and confiscate Sir John endeavouring to escape was knockt downe by a Souldier at the same Gate
that he denied the King Entrance They are both sent by Sea prisoners to the Parliament and Sir Matthew took possession of the Towne June 17. 1643. The Earle of Essex at Tane orders the Buckingham Forces to beat up the Kings quarters which accordingly they did Prince Rupert having notice of it falls in with a body of Horse Routed and disperst most of the party There was slaine the Earle of Musgraves Son and Mr. Hamden one of the five Impeached Members a man violently active against the King At that time the Parliaments Army was much visited with the Contagion many dying daily On the fift of July was a great defeat given to Sir William Waller in the West after he had continued there victoriously for some time by a party from Oxford conducted by the Lord Wilmot which defeate gave a great Check to the Parliament The Generall by reason of the sicknesse and other great wants of his Army marches towards London quartering them at Kingston on Thames and other adjacent places Great were the successes of the King almost in every part of the Kingdome for Sir William Waller was quite routed in the West Sir Ralph Hopton in the head of a Gallant Army upon whom the King was pleased for his fidelity and Valour to confer the Honour and Title of a Baron Prince Rupert was order'd to besiege Bristoll which in short time was deliver'd to him Prince Maurice besieged Exceter whither the Earle of Stamford was fled which on the fourth of September 1643 was diliver'd up to him upon Articles Sir John Barkly was made Governour The Lord Fairfax Sir Thomas Fairfax and most of the Parliaments forces in the North were defeated driven into Hull by the Lord of Newcastle who at that time commanded the Greatest Army in England and not onely able to terrifie the Parliaments Forces in England but likewise formidable to any Scotch forces that should come to their assistance Collonell Goring landed at Newcastle with 200 old Souldiers The Earle of Newcastle in his march from Tadcaster surprized Leeds and in it diverse persons of quality friends to the Parliament he likewise proclaimes the Lord Fairfax traytor The King in the Head of a Gallant Army summons Glocester offering free pardon and protection to the Inhabitants if they would lay downe their Armes requiring a positive answer in two houres In the Interim he surrounds the Towne with six thousand Horse and foote by the time appointed the Magistrates Officers and Souldiers returne this answer That they kept the Towne for his Majesty and his Royall posterity and doe accordingly conceive our selves wholly bound to obey the Commands of his Majesty signified by both Houses of Parliament and are resolved by Gods Help to keep the City accordingly The King stood amazed at their confidence for at that time they could not hope for reliefe In the Towne was onely one Regiment of foote an hundred Horse beside the trained bands in all not exceeding fifteen hundred men The King resolves to lay a close siege and a considerable party Intrencht on the South and East side though they within sallied out with some damage to the Kings forces the Welsh and Worcestershire forces on the North west side Generall Ruthen on the South-side the East and South parts were dam'd up with Earth They within make no lesse then eight sallies in ten dayes with no small prejudice to the besiegers The King prepares for a storme which with much valour was performed on both sides a mine was sprung under the East gate which they countermand by the industry of Collonell Massey the Governour The Parliament being inform'd of the Kings Intentions toward Glocester order the Generall to march out who mustred about 10000 Horse and foote at Hounslow and so marches forward for the reliefe of the Towne They likewise took care for recruiting an Army for Sir William Waller The Generall being come within seven miles of Glocester fired some pieces of Ordinance to give notice of his approach On the first of September a party of Horse is sent to face him whilst the King drew off from the siege Many of the Kings friends much blamed him for sitting downe before the Towne when he might without difficulty have come to London and fully ended the work for the Parliament were never in so low a condition since the beginning of the warre as they were when the King first sat downe before the Towne The Lords House being sensible of the danger Uote a Treaty and the Commons were consulting of it The Parliament sent to require the assistance of their brethren of Scotland and Vote 30000 l. be instantly borrowed for their advance The Solemne League and Covenant was drawn up and taken by all the Members of both Houses and orderd to be Imposed on all the associated Counties Doctor Featly a reverend and learned Divine was Imprisoned for refusing to take it The King immediately sends out his Proclamation against it in these words Whereas there is printed a paper pretended to be order'd by the Commons in Parliament on the 21 of September last to be printed and published which Covenant though it seemes to make specious expressions of piety and religion it is indeed nothing else but a traiterous and seditious combination against him and against the established religion and Lawes of this Kingdome in pursuance of a traiterous designe and endeavour to bring in forraine forces to invade this Kingdome his Majesty doth therefore straitly charge and command all his loving subjects of what degree and quality soever upon their allegiance that they presume not to take the said seditious and traiterous Covenant most straitly forbidding all his subjects to tender the said Covenant as they will answer the contrary at their extreamest perill The Earle of Bedford and Holland came to Oxford to tender their allegiance to the King but after a short stay return'd to the Parliament The Marquesse of Ormond the Kings Lieutetenant Generall in Ireland upon the Kings Letter sends over five Regiments of Souldiers for the Kings service every Officer and Souldier first took an Oath to defend the Protestant cause and the Kings person against all enemies Essex suddenly surprizes Cirencester by killing the Centery marcht into the Towne without any opposition and in it took Great store of Armes and Ammunition with thirty Cart Load of provisions which was there reserv'd for the Kings Army From thence he marches to Chilleton The Kings Forces drew up on Maverne hills The Earle of Essex drew off toward Hungerford and from thence toward Newbery which the Kings Forces had possest before-hand On Wednesday the 20 of September 1643. was fought the famous battell of Newbery on which depended the condition of the whole Kingdome The Kings Forces early in the morning had possest themselves of Biggs hill Essex his own Regiment assisted with Collonell Barkleys and Collonell Holburnes Regiment marcht and Charging furiously beate them from the Hill and possest it By this time a great
with part of the Army marches Westward who after he had soundly batterd the Castle at the Devizes forc't it to be surrendred and not many dayes after he comes before Winchester and summons it which was on honourable Conditions surrenderd He immediately marches to Basing-House which for a time had been besieged but to no purpose and having summon'd it he on refusall resolv'd to storme it by which meanes he got it The General was now before Tiverton and had raised severall Batteries by which meanes he gained the Towne In October 1645. Langford-House was delivered up to Lieutenant General Cromwell The General approaches neere Exceter October 20. 1645. summons it and received a flat deniall it was for sometime besieged but by reason the King had a body moving up down it was twice deserted onely a party left to surround it upon the Armies returne from the West after it was storm'd was delivered up on Articles He likewise summons Dartmouth on refusall took it by storme A great defeate was given to Hopton at Torrington who not long after was forced to disband his Army in the West Sir Marmaduke Langdale received a great defeate neare Sherburne In March Ashbe de la zouch was surrendred to the Parliaments forces In the same Moneth Prince Charles set saile for Scilly with diverse Lords and Gentlemen Other Garrisons as Westchester Barnstable St Michaels Mount Ruthen Castle Woodstock together with diverse other Garrisons were delivered up to the Parliament The Scots Army was at that time besieging New-wark with the assistance of some York-shire Horse There was not at that time a Towne or Castle in England but what was either besieged or blockt up by the Parliaments forces The Commons Vote the Committee of Darby-House to take care to besiege Oxford and accordingly the Generall having secured the West returnes with intent to besiege it which at that time was the Kings Royall seate The King Causes a Muster of Horse which in all amounted to 1100 Horse and Dragoones great care is taken to make good the Workes and to repaire what ever is amisse The Towne being besieged the King offers to come to the two Houses upon assurance of the safety of his person and to advise with them for the good and safety of the Kingdome Provided all that have adhered to his Majesty may have Liberty to goe to their own homes in safety their sequestrations to be taken off upon these conditions his Majesty is willing to disband all his Souldiers and dismantle his Garrisons passe an act of oblivion and free pardon to all These Propositions the Parliament would by no meanes consent unto they having him at that advantage The King seeing no hopes on the 27 of Aprill 1646. in disguise came out of Oxford attended by Mr John Ashburnham and one more severall conjectures past which way he should goe The Parliament being mis-inform'd that he was come to London Order that Proclamation be made that whosoever shall conceale his Majesty shall dye as a traytor and forfeit his estate On the sixt of May 1646. His Majesty came to the Scots Army and had cast himselfe upon them which occasioned the Scotch Commissioners to write to the Parliament that contrary to their expectation the King was come to their Army ingaging to stand for the Interest of the Kingdome The Commons Vote that his Majesties person be disposed of as both Houses shall desire and direct and that he be sent to Warwick Castle Upon the Kings desire to the Governour Newark was deliver'd up to the English The Scots marcht away to Rippon with the King The Parliament seeing the King was got into the Scots possession sent a Letter to the Prince of Wales then in Gersie to invite him to come to London with promise of Honour and safety but he durst not venter The siege before Oxford being more close then formerly the Generall sent a summons to Sir Thomas Glenham the Governour who sent a civill answer with a request that Sir John Minson and Mr Philip Warwick may informe his Excellency in order to a Treaty and accordingly on Articles it was surrendred on Honourable tearmes The 19 of May the Scots Army came with the King to Newcastle the reason of their retreating Northward was for feare that Sir Thomas Fairfax should have falne on them and compeld them to deliver up the King A great dispute was at Newcastle betwixt the King and Mr Alexander Henderson which was since published Divers Propositions were presented to the King by the Commissioners from the Parliament who were the Earle of Pembrooke Earle of Suffolke Sir Walter Earle Sir John Ipsley Mr Goodwin and Mr Robinson who came to Newcastle the 27 of July and ordered to return in ten dayes the next day the Propositions were presented and his Majesty promised an answer within the time but withall told them that if they had not power to treate they might as well have sent a Trumpet at the reading of the Propositions his Majesty protested he would never give away his Crowne and Militia and further told Mr Marshall he could not in Conscience signe some things therein required His Majesty gave the Commissioners in a Paper which not being satisfactory they returne to London The Scots likewise petition him to take the Covenant and likewise they set out a Declaration of their Intentions for the good of both Kingdomes Litchsield Worcester and Wallingford were all deliver'd on Articles In July 1646. Prince Rupert went for France and Prince Maurice for the Hague where they both safely arrived The Duke of York came for London and was Honourably received by the Nobility His Majesty wrote four times to Montrosse at the Scots Commissioners request to lay downe his Armes In August 1646. the Commons order the Presbytenan Government to be settled in London In the same Moneth the Commons caused the Great Seale to be broken in the Lords House The 14 of September 1646. dyed the Noble Earle of Essex of an Appoplexie a man truly faithfull to the Interest of his Country The House having respect to his former service Voted 3000 l. to be given toward his funerall Mr. Vines preached his funerall Sermon he was Honourably attended to his Grave not without much Lamentation Upon the Kings refusall of the Propositions the Scots sent Commissioners to the Parliament to desire an agreement betwixt them Pendennis and Ragland Castle are in August surrendred The Scots Commissioners demand 500000 l. upon the payment of which they offer to deliver up the King And accordingly it was Voted by the House to deliver 200000 l. then borrowed of the Citizens of London and raised out of the saile of the Bishops Lands together with the assistance of the Excize and 200000 l. more secured to them to be payd at severall times October the 8th 1646. the House Votes to every Member 1000 l. a piece in recompence of their Good service and that so many as are Lawyers may have Liberty to plead within the
Earle of Warwick Earle of Manchester Vicount Say and Seale Lord Wharton and Lord Roberts For the Commons Mr Perepoint Mr Nathaniell Fines Sir Henry Vane senior Sir Arthur Haslerig Sir Gilbert Gerard Sir William Ermine Sir John Evelin Sir Henry Vane junior Sir William Waller Mr Crew Mr Soliciter St John Mr Wallop Mr Samuel Browne Lieutenant Generall Cromwell A Generall Councell of the Army being met at Windsor they were very Joyfull and unanimously approv'd of the Votes of the House touching his Majesty and ordred two Declarations to be drawne up one to shew their good liking of the Houses proceedings with promise to ayd and assist them in setling the Kingdome yea without the King or against the King the second for the maintenance of the Peerage of England with Resolution to stand by Lords and Commons to the last man On the 17 of January the Votes for non-addresses past the Lords House They Ordred Colonel Barksteds Regiment to quarter in White Hall Colonel Rich his Regiment of Horse to quarter in the Mews His Majesty having heard of the Resolves of both Houses continues very chearfull and is much retired The Scots Commissioners desire leave to Returne The House of Lords added four of their order to the Committee of Darby-House Viz. the Earle of Salsbury the Lord Mograve Earle of Denbigh and Lord Howard The Earle of Pembrooke was Voted Chancellor of Oxford Both Houses Vote that the Committee of Darby-House have plenipotence to order the dispose of the Army Commanded by Sir Thomas Fairfax as they shall thinke fit The Commons consider'd of Commissioners to goe to Scotland to acquaint the Parliament of Scotland with the miscarriages of their Commissioners here And Order Mr Goodwin Mr Ashurst Mr Brian Stapleton and Colonel Birch to receive their Instructions from the Committee of Darby-House The Lords joyne the Earle of Nottingham and the Earle of Stamford to goe with them The second of February the Commons past an Order that all the servants lately made by the Commissioners attending his Majesty be removed and that the Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax place such about his Majesty as he should thinke fit provided they exceed not thirty They likewise order'd a Declaration to be drawne up to satisfie the Kingdome of the Grounds and Reasons of their passing the Votes for non-addresses The 21 of February Judge Jenkins was brought to the Bar of the House where he refused to kneele a Charge was read against him That he had condemn'd or pasT sentence upon men to be hang'd drawne and quarter'd for not assisting against the Parliament That he tooke up Armes himselfe that he stir'd up others to levy war and assist against the Parliament that he accused the Parliament and charg'd them with counterfeiting the Great Seale and bein requir'd to speak what he had to say for himselfe he answer'd that they had no power to try him he assur'd with confidence the Militia was in the King alone he said Kings did not formerly covenant to maintaine the Law but onely to be mercifull to the people He endeavoured to terrifie the Parliament with his Majesties numerous Issue in Geniollogy he pray'd the Laws might be protected he saith there can be no Laws without a King and that there is none in Venice nor the Vnited Provinces for his ill deportment and words which were indeed a breach of the priviledge of the House he was fined 1000 l. and the House Voted a Charge to be brought in against him His Majesty at Caresbrooke Castle is very much dejected and discontented at his confinement and the removall of his old servants he will not permit his haire nor beard to be medled withall but by a Barbar of his own choosing by which meanes he is growne very hairy The Scots Commissioners Report to their Parliament much to the prejudice of the Parliament of England touching their proceedings with the King The Lords and Commons Concur that no forces be raised in London nor ten miles round but by speciall warrant from the Committee of Darby-House The House being Inform'd that one Colonell Poyer Governour of Pembroke Castle had refused to deliver it up being required thereunto by Letters from the Generall Order that if the said Colonell Poyer shall not within twelve houres after notice hereof surrender the Castle with all the Armes and Ammunition therein that then the said Colonell Poyer and all that shall adhere to him are hereby declared Traytors and Rebells and the Generall is hereby required to reduce the said Castle and to bring the said Colonell Poyer and his adherents to Justice and the Generall was requir'd to send this Order that the Colonell might not plead excuse Colonell Langhurne likewise raised a body of men and came to the assistance of Colonell Poyer and had gathered together a considerable body of men neere 2000 Horse and foote They publish a Declaration of their Resolutions to establish his Majesty in his full power and dignity The Generall Order'd thirty Companyes of Horse and foote to suppresse them under the Command of Colonel Horton The King though set aside and confin'd to the Isle of Wight was more formidable this Summer then ever he was since the beginning of the late troubles for the very name of a King was now grown into great credit with the people throughout the Kingdome and by it not onely tumults but Armyes were raised A mutiny hapned at Bury about a Maypole some discontented persons declare for the King the House order the Generall to send some forces who besieged it and after some time was delivered up to mercy Chepstow was likewise surprized for the King On the 22 of Aprill the Earle of Northumberland Inform'd the House of the escape of the Duke of Yorke from St James's The manner thus The Earle went as his custome was to attend the Duke at eight a clock at night after some stay the Duke came from his brothers Chamber when the Earle was gone the Duke went out againe as his manner was in way of play to obscure himselfe that his Gentlemen might seeke him which accordingly they did but could not find him upon search they Informe the Earle who upon enquiry dilcovers that he had borrowed the Key of the Garden doore the day before of the Gardner as also there was discovery made of his footsteps The Parliament in Scotland order a Committee for safety who advise that an Army of 40000 men be forthwith Levied for the preservation of his Majesty and Kingdome of Scotland notwithstanding diverse Lords Knights and Gentlemen Members of the Parliament Remonstrate of their utter dislike of it Immediately the Parliament of England Order the fortifying of Newcastle and Hull to prevent the Scots Invasion The Parliament men being summon'd to attend the House were cald over and found to be neere 320 men A Petition was presented to the Parliament from the City Requiring the Armyes removall from the City and that the Posts and Chaines may be put up for the
He the said Charles Stuart hath given Commissions to his Son the Prince for that purpose By which cruel and unnaturall war by him the said Charles Stuart Levied continued and renued as aforesaid much Innocent blood hath been spilt many families have been undone The publique Treasury wasted and exhausted Trade obstructed and decayed Vast expence and damage to the Nation incur'd and many parts of the Land spoyled some even to desolation And for further prosecution of the said evill designes He the said Charles Stuart doth still continue his Commissions to the said Prince and other Rebells and Revolters All which wicked designes Wars and evill practices of him the said Charles Stuart have been and are carried on for the Advancing and Vpholding of the Personall Interest of Will and Power and pretended Prerogatives to himselfe against the Publique Interest Right Justice and peace of the Nation by and for whom he was Intrusted as aforesaid By all which it appeareth that He the said Charles Stuart hath been and is the occasioner Author and contriver of the said Vnnatural War and thereby Guilty of all the Treasons Murthers Rapines burnings spoyles desolations damage and mischiefe to this Nation acted and committed in the said Wars or occasion'd thereby And the said John Cook doth for the said Treasons and Crimes on the behalfe of the people of England Impeace the said Charles Stuart as a Tyrant Traytor Murtherer and a Publique and Implacable Enemy to the Common wealth of England And therefore prayeth that the said Charles Stuart King of England may be put to answer all and every the premises that such Proceedings Examinations Tryalls Sentences and Judgements may be hereupon had as may be agreeable to Justice The Lord President Replyed Sir you have now heard your Charge Read and in the Close it is prayed in behalfe of the Commons of England that you answer to your Charge The Court Expects your Answer The King I would know by what Power I was cald hither I was not long agoe in the Isle of Wright how I came thither is too long to relate or then I thinke now to speak of there I was in treaty with both Houses of Parliament was as much publique faith as its possible we were almost come to the Conclusion of a Treaty I would now know by what Authority I meane lawfull for there are many unlawfull Authorities in the world theeves and robbers by the high way but I would know by what Lawfull authority I was brought from thence and carried from place to place and when I know by what Lawfull Authority I shall answer Remember I am your King and what sins you bring upon your heads and what Judgements upon this Land thinke well upon it I say thinke well upon it before you goe from one sin to a greater Therefore let me know by what Lawfull Authority I am seated here In the meane time I shall not betray my trust I have a trust committed to me by God by old and Lawfull descent I will not betray it by answering to a new and Unlawfull Authority Lord President If you had been pleased to have observ'd what had been hinted to you by the Court at your first coming hither you would have knowne by what Authority Which Authority requires you in the name of the people of England by which you are Elected King to answer them The King No Sir I deny that Lord President If you acknowledge not the Authority of the Court they must proceed The King I doe tell them so England is an hereditary and not an Elective Kingdome and hath been so neare 1000 yeares therefore let me know by what Authority I am cald hither I stand more for the priviledge of my people than any that are seated here still urging to know by what Authority he was seated there and he would answer otherwise not President Charges the King with Interrogating the Court which did not beseeme him in that condition The King tould him he was brought from the Isle of Wight by force and he did not come there as submitting to the Court professing to stand for the priviledge of the House of Commons still urging a Legall Authority warranted by the Word of God or the Constitution of the Kingdome and he would Answer President Seeing you will not answer the Court will consider how to proceed in the meane time you are to be carried away by them that brought you hither The Court desires to know whether this is all you will answer The King Sir I desire you would Give me and all the world satisfaction in this it s no sleight thing you are about I am sworne to God for the peace of my Country and therefore you would doe well to satisfie God and then the world by what Authority you doe this there is a God in Heaven that will call you and all that Gives you power to account President The Court expects your finall answer you desire satisfaction of their Authority it is upon Gods Authority and that 's our present Work The King That which you have said satisfies no reasonable man President That 's in your apprehension we thinke it reasonable that are your Judges The King Neither your apprehension nor mine ought to decide it President Commands the King to be taken away And accordingly he was convey'd back to St James's Two dayes after on the 22 of January the Court meet in the painted Chamber where they order that the King shall not be sufferd to argue the Jurisdiction of the Court and that in case the King should againe dispute their Authority the President is to let him know that the Court hath consider'd his demands the last day and that he ought to rest satisfied with this answer That the Commons of England assembled in Parliament have constituted this Court whose power may not nor shall not be disputed against by him Further That in case the King shall not answer the President is to let him know that the Court doth take it as a contumacy and record it and in case he answer with a saving notwithstanding of his pretended Prerogative above the Jurisdiction of the Court the President to refuse his protest and require his positive answer whether he will own the Court or not And in case the King shall continue in his contempt The President shall command the Clarke to demand of the King them Charles Stuart King of England you are accus'd in behalfe of the people of England of divers high Crimes and Treasons which Charge hath been Read to you The Court requires you to give your positive answer either to confesse or deny And forthwith the Court assembles in Westminster Hall where after their Names are cald over the Captaine of the Guard is commanded to fetch the King who being brought and seated as before a Great shout was made by the people Soliciter Cooke againe accuseth the King as before the Charge being Read he required he might give a positive answer
which if he refuse the Charge to be taken pro Confesso and the Court proceed to Justice President Requires the King to give a positive answer and either confesse or deny it is offerd in behalfe of the Kingdome to be made good against you for the Authority of the Court they avow it and the whole Kingdome are to rest satisfied with it I therefore require your positive answer The King persisted in his former protest against the Jurisdiction of the Court and that a King could not be tryed by any superior Jurisdiction on Earth and tould them that pretend what they would be stood for their Liberties for if Power without Law may alter the fundamentall Laws of the Kingdome what subject is he that can be secure of his Life or Estate and going to shew reasons why he could not allow them a Court he was Interrupted by the President who tould him they would not allow him to dispute the Authority of the Court desiring a punctuall and direct answer The King I understand Law and reason and therefore under favour I doe plead for the Liberty of the people more then you doe and therefore if I should Impose a beliefe upon any man without reasons given for it it were unreasonable The President againe Interrupted him telling him he might not be permitted to speake of Law and reason there The Vote of the Commons of England assembled in Parliament are the reason of the Kingdome Sir you are not to dispute our Authority and it will be taken notice of that you stand in contempt of the Court and your contempt will be recorded King I doe not know how a King can be a Delinquent by any Law I ever heard of I demand to be heard my reasons if you deny that you deny reason President Sir Neither you nor any man shall be permitted to dispute the Authority of the Court further telling him that if he demurr'd to the Jurisdiction of the Court they sitting there by the Authority of the Commons of England he and all his Predecessors are responsible to them The King I deny it President You ought to disturbe or Interrupt the Court in speaking They have considerd of their own Jurisdiction King I say Sir The Commons of England were never allow'd a Court of Judicature President Sir you are not to be permitted to goe on in these discourses Then the Clarke Read as was Ordered in the painted Chamber requiring the King to answer Upon which the King promised to answer so soone as he knew the Authority of the Court. President If that be all you have to say then take away the Prisoner To which the King reply'd I require to give in my Reasons which the President would not permit The King urges againe to give in his Reasons but the President tould him his Reasons were not to be heard against the highest Jurisdiction To which the King answered shew me the Court where Reason is not to be heard The President againe commands the Prisoner to be taken away who was accordingly convey'd back to S James's The President ordered to record the default On the 23 of January 1648. The Court met againe according to the usuall manner and the Prisoner was brought with his Guard and seated in his Chaire Soliciter Cooke made a formall Speech addressing himselfe to the President and in the Close craved Judgement to be pronounced against the Prisoner The President addresses himselfe to the King and tells him That it was not for him to dispute the Jurisdiction of the supreame and highest Authority of England from whom there is no appeale and further to let him know that the Court was sensible of his delays and that they ought not to be thus trifled with and that they might in Justice take advantage of those delays and proceed to Judgement against him yet neverthelesse by direction of the Court I require a positive answer whether you are Guilty or not Guilty of the Treasons laid to your Charge To which the King reply'd when I was here last I did desire to speake for the Liberties of the people of England but was Interrupted I desire to know whether I may speake freely or not President Sir I must let you know from the Court that you are not to be permitted to run out into any discourses untill such time as you have given a positive answer to the matter that hath been Charg'd upon you The King For the Charge I value it not a rush it s the Liberty of the people I stand for I that am your King and sworne to maintaine the Laws for me to acknowledge a new Court that I never heard of here he was Interrupted Sir you ought not to Interrupt me How I came here I know not there is no Law for it to make your King your Prisoner President Sir you must know the pleasure of the Court. The King By your favour Sir President Nay Sir by your favour you may not be permitted to fall into these discourses The Court once more demands your positive answer Here the Clarke Read the same as before To which the King replyed To give satisfaction to the people of the Clearenesse of my proceedings not by way of answer but to satisfie them that I have done nothing against the trust that hath been committed to me but to acknowledge a new Court against their priviledge or to alter the fundamentall Laws of the Kingdome you must excuse me President Sir This is the third time you have disownd the Court and put an affront upon it how far you have preserv'd the priviledge of the people your actions have spoke it mens Intentions are knowne by their actions you have written your meaning in bloody Characters but Sir The pleasure of the Court is that the Clarke Record your default and you Gentlemen that take Charge of the Prisoner take him away Who was Immediately convey'd back to St James's as accustomd On the 27 of January 1648. The Court met againe in Westminster Hall being in all seventy eight Whose Names were John Bradshaw Sarjeant at Law President Oliver Cromwell Lieutenant Generall Commissary Generall Ireton Major Gen Skippon Lords Thomas Lord Gray of Groby Philip Lord Lisle Colonells Edward Whaly Thomas Harrison Isaac Ewer Thomas Pride Rowland Wilson Richard Ingolshy William Purofoy Henry Martin Hewson Edward Ludlow Robert Titchburne John Huchinson Owen Row Adrian Scroope Robert Lilburne John Harrison Richard Deane John Okey John More William Goffe John Desborough Edmond Harvey Francis Lasseley John Venne John Downes Anthony Stapeley George Fleetwood James Temple Thomas Hamond Thomas Wait. John Barkstead Godfry Boswell Mathew Tomlins Herbottle Morley Knights Sir Henry Mildmay Sir John Danvers Sir William Brereton Sir Miles Livesey Francis Thorpe Sargeant Aldermen of London Isack Pennington Thomas Atkins John Fowkes Thomas Scott Thomas Andrews Esquires Gilbert Millington John Blackstone William Heinington Cornelius Holland Miles Corbet Francis Allin John Carme John Jones Peregrine Pelham John Gowden Thomas
Chaloner John Aldred William Say Dennis Bond. Henry Smith Gregory Clement Humphry Edwards Henry Smith James Chaloner John Fry Abraham Burrell William Cowley Nicholas Love John Lisle Vincent Potter John Corbet Thomas Blunt Thomas Boone John Lawnes Augustine Caranell John Downe John Dexwell Silence being Commanded at the Kings coming into the Court there was a great Cry made in the Hall for Execution Execution The King desir'd to speake and hopes he shall give no occasion of Interruption President You may but you must heare the Court first the King presses to be heard before Judgement to which the President promised he should Then the President began his Speech addressing himselfe to the Court how that the Prisoner at the Bar hath been severall times Charg'd with Treason in the name of the people of England and requir'd to answer That he hath been so far from obeying the Court by submitting to their Justice that he began to offer reasoning and debate unto the Authority of the Court and being requir'd to answer he was pleased to be contumacious and refused to answer whereupon the Court have thought fit to take the matter into their consideration and have considerd of the Notoriousnesse of the fact Charg'd upon the Prisoner and upon the whole are agreed and resolv'd of a sentence to be pronounced on this Prisoner but in respect he desires to be heard before sentence the Court are resolv'd to heare him provided he meddle not with the Jurisdiction of the Court but if he have any thing to say in his own defence the Court is willing to heare him The King tells them a hasty sentence once past may sooner be Repented then recald desiring he might be heard in the Painted Chamber before the Lords and Commons I cannot be Judge of that I have to say but if it be reason and really for the welfare of the Kingdome and Liberty of the subject I am sure it will be well worth the hearing before my sentence be past therefore I doe conjure you as you love that you pretend I hope its reall the Liberty of the subject and the peace of the Kingdome that you will grant me a hearing before you passe sentence to which the President Reply'd that it was a further declining of the Jurisdiction of the Court. The King craving pardon for his Interruption endeavour'd to cleere it that it was not a declining of the Court although he could not own it The President tould him they had with much patience waited his leasure as to an answer and that what he had offerd tended to a delay and such delayes neither the Kingdome nor Justice could admit of but the Court is content to withdraw for a time and you shall know their further pleasure The Sarjeant at Arms declares from the Court that the Prisoner was to be withdrawne untill such time as they should send for him After halfe an houres space the Court being set The President Commands the Sarjeant at Armes to send for the Prisoner who being brought The President tould the King that the Court had withdrawne pro forma Tantum that they had considerd of what was offerd and of their own Authority which was founded by the supreame Authority of the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England and that they had acted according to their Concession but the returne that you are to expect from them is that they have been too much delay'd by you already and Judges are no more to delay then to deny and notwithstanding what you have offerd they are resolv'd to proceed to punishment and Judgement and this is their unanimous resolution The King Sir It is in vaine for me to dispute I know you have power enough but it would have been for the Kingdomes peace if you would have shewn the lawfulnesse of your power it is not my own good I look at but the Kingdomes peace and welfare I doe put at your doores all the Inconveniences of a hasty sentence I confesse I have been here eight dayes it s but a little delay of a day or two more that may give the Kingdome peace whereas a hasty Judgement may bring on that trouble and perpetuall Inconveniency to the Kingdome that the child unborne may repent it therefore once againe I desire to be heard by the Lords and Commons in the painted Chamber President You have already received the Resolutions and Judgement of the Court in it they desire to know if you have any thing more to say before sentence The King If you will grant me this delay I doubt not but to give some reasonable satisfaction therefore I require you as you will answer it at the dreadfull day of Judgement that you will consider it To which the President replyed If you have nothing more to say we must proceed to sentence The King I have nothing more to say President The Court hath something to say to you though it will not be acceptable to you dilating upon the Charge and the severall particulars whereof the Prisoner was Guilty Illustrating his speech with divers examples sacred and prophane that the people have deposed nay executed their Kings for mis-government In the Close of which the King desired to be heard before sentence concerning those Imputations Charg'd upon him The President Replyed that his time was now past and he was not far from sentence The King againe moves to be heard concerning those Imputations but the President tould him that he not acknowledging them to be a Court they could not admit of what he had to say and further Insisting upon his guilt minding him what the Scripture saith For to acquit the Guilty is of equall abomination as to condemne the Innocent We may not acquit the Guilty what sentence the Law denounceth to a Traytor a Murtherer and a Publique Enemy to the Country that sentence you are now to have read unto you and that is the sense of the Court. O yes and filence Commanded the President appoints the Clarke to read the sentence which was That whereas the Commons of England in Parliament assembled have appointed them a High Court of Justice for the trying of Charles Stuart King of England before whom he had been three times Convented and at the first time a Charge of High Treason and other Crimes and misdemeanours was read in behalfe of the Kingdome of England c. Reading the Charge To which Charge he the said Charles Stuart refused severall times to answer For all which Treasons and Crimes this Court doth adjudge that the said Charles Stuart as a Tyrant Traytor Murtherer and a publique Enemy shall be put to death by severing his head from his body The sentence being read the President tould him The sentence read and published is the Act Sentence Judgement and resolution of the whole Court Upon which the Court stood up assenting to what the President had said The King would have been heard but the President tould him he was not to be heard after sentence and
General Cromwell continued 97. is Victorious at Ipslcy bridge 98. Takes Blechingdon house ib. Routs the Club-men 107. Takes the Devises 108. Takes Langford House ibid. Takes Winchester ibid. Orderd to suppress Poyer Lang borne 144. Takes Pomfret Castle 148. Goes against Hambleton 148. Enters Scotland 164. Takes Carlile and Barwick 165. Returns from Scotland ibid Cornet Joice seazes the King 118 Committee of Darby House 137 Chepstow Castle surprized for the King 140. retaken 145 Colchester surrendred 158 Commissioners goe to the Isle of Wight 160 City in danger 165 Countryes Complaint of free quarter ibid Charge against the King 173 D. Dutch Ambassadour arrives in England 10 Digby accuses Buckingham 12 Sir Dudly Digs sent to the Tower 13 Divers Members of the Commons House Committed 24 Dispute about Ship-money 31 Dutch Ambassadour Treats of a Match betwixt the Kings Eldest Daughter and the Prince of Orange 47 Drums beaten up in London 71 Dutch Ambassadour mediates for a peace 94 Sir Lewis Dives took Waymouth for the King 96 Drums beaten up in Colchester for the King 142 E. Englands Coasts Infested by Pirates 28 England happy if ever 31 Episcopacy turnd out of Scotland Earle of Haddington blowne up 42 English Nobility petition the King ibid. Earle of Strafford sequestred the House 45. Triall in Westminster Hall 48. His speech at his Execution 52 Earle of Warwick gets possessiof the Navy 65 Earle of Bedford Generall of the Horse for the Parliament 71 Essex Chiefe Randevouz at Northampton 75. Befieges Reading 81. Relieves Glocester 87. Surprizes Cirencester 88. Laid aside 97. His death and buriall 112 Edg-Hill Battell 77 Earl of Northumber land made Governour of the Kings Children 97 Essex men Petition for a personall Treaty 143. Secure the Committee men 146 Ewers made Governour of the Isle of Wight 167 F. French King requires Ayd 13 The French require satisfaction 15 Felton stabs Buckingham 19 He is araign'd and Executed 20 The Fleete sets forth from Porchmouth ibid. A Fleete set out to scoure the Seas 31 Five Members Impeacht 45 Lord Fairfax and his Sonne takes York 94 Sir Thomas Fairfax made Generall 97. Relieves Taunton 99. Takes Bostoll house 101. and Gaunt house ibid. Takes Leicester 104. Relieves Taunton 105. Takes Bridgewater 106. Takes Bath ibid. Takes Sherburne Castle by Storme 107. Takes Bristoll ibid. Takes Exeter 108. and Dartmouth ibid. Takes Tiverton ibid. Receiv'd in state at Leicester 116. Enters the City of London 123. Goes into Kent 146. into Essex 153. Sends a Letter concerning Colchester 159. Comes to London 168 Lord Francis kild 147 G. Gundamore Ambassadour for England 2 Pope Gregory dies 3 Gentlemen of the Innes of Court their maske 28 Sir Richard Gurney sent to the Tower 72 Goring Lands at Newcastle 86 Great seale broken 112 Glenham secures Carlile for the King 148 H. Mr. Hollis his Insolency in the House 22 Mr. Hollis Accuseth the Earle of Strafford 45 Sir John Hotham denies the Kings entrance into Hull 65 Sir John Hotham his son declares for the King 83. both seazed prisoners 84. beheaded 96 Hopton in the West for the King 77. is Victorious in the West 100 Horton Routs the Welsh 144 Hambleton made Generall of the Scots Army 144 Enters England 148. is beaten 154 Holland Routed and fled 147 Major Huntington leaves the Army 150 I. King James Inclind to peace 2. His speech to the Parliament 3. His death and Character 5. Buriall 6 James Duke of York born 28 Dr. Juxon Bishop of London made Lord Treasurer 30 Irish Rebellion brake out 55 Innes of Court Gentlemen tender their service to the King 60 Judge Jenkins sentence at the Bar of the House 138 Insurrections in Cornwall 14◠Judges displac't 171 Bishop Juxon order'd to attend the King ibid. K. The Kingdome big with Expectation of Parliament 44 King and Queen meet at Edghill 84 Kentish Insurrection 145 Muster on Black heath 146 L. LONDON visited with the plague 7 Dr. Layton sentenc't 26 Bishop Laud made Archbishop of Canterbury 28. He gave order to Romove the Communion Table 31 Revives the Ancient Ceremonies of the Church 39 is assaulted by the multitude 40. Accas'd by the Commons 46. Condemn'd and Executed 95 Lessly defeats the English 41 Lords House complaine of breach of priviledge 45 Their Votes concerning the King 170 Lord Keeper Littleton goes after the Seale to the King 68 Lindsey General for the King 75 Loves unadvised Expression 96 Langdale Routs the Lincolashire Horse 96. He is defeated 109. Rayses forces in the North. 145 Lawhorne declares for the King 140 Sir Charles Lucas for the King 147. is shot to death 158 and Sir George Lisle ibid. M. Montrosse discernes the deceit of the Scots 44 Members of the Commons House made long speeches 45 Members goe to the King at York 67 Massey made Governour of Glocester 76. Summons Malborough 92 Prince Maurice besieges Exeter 85. Takes Evisham by storme 100 Marston More fight 94 Members of the Commons House Impeacht 120. They discharge themselves 121 Massey flies into Holland 123 Mayor and Aldermen of London Impeacht of high trea son 123 Mutiny at Bury 140 Maidston Retaken 146 Members secluded the House 168 N. Northerne Counties suffer by the Scots 46 Earle of Newcastle in the North. 80 Newbery Battell 88 Earle of Northampton Routs the Northampton Horse 97 Naseby Battell 103 Newcastle and Hull sortified 141 O. Overtures of a Match with France 4 Ormond sends over forces for the King 88 Oxford besieged 101. more streightned 109. Surrendred 111 Sir John Owen Rayses forces for the King 147 P. Parliament require an account of the Princes journey into Spaine 4. Break off the Match ibid. Parliament petition concerning Religion and Grievances 9. They Article against Buckingham 13. The third Parliament supply the Kings wants 18. Remonstrate against Buckingham 19. They dissolve themselves 23. Parliament in Aprill 1640. 29. dissolved 40. Another Parliament in November 1640. 43. Long Parliament began 44 Relieve distressed Ministers 45. discharge Burton Prin and Bastwick ibid. Petition for a Guard 56. Petition for the Militia 61. Send a Message to the Queen 62. Order the Rigging of the Navy 63. setling the Militia ib. Petition the Magazine at Hull be brought to London 64. Issue out Commissions for the Militia 67. Petition the King 68. Order bringing in money and plate 69. Vote an Army to be raised 70. declare against the Commission of Aray 72. Vote the Counties to associate 76. solicite the Scots 79. Vote an Assembly of Divines 83. a new great Seale ibid. Articles of high treason against the Queen 84. detaine the King and Queens Revenue ibid. Require the assistance of Scotland 87. Vote it Treason for any Member to desert the House 92. make proclamation concerning the King 110. Vote the King to Warwick Castle ibid. send Commissioners to Newcastle 111 Vote Presbytery to be set led 112. Vote 400000 l. for the Scots ibid. Vote the Confession of Faith 113. Vote the King to come to Holmbey 114. Vote the disbanding of the Army 117. Vote the City be put in a posture of defence 121 Vote Propositions be sent to the King 124. Votes cōcerning the Kings flight 139. Vote a personall Treaty 132. send Commissioners to Scotland 134. Votes for non-addresses 136. Lords consent to non addresses 137. Null the Votes for non-addresses 142. Vote the Scots entring England Enemies 149. Vote the King to come within twenty miles of London ibid. Nominate the Isle of Wight for a Treaty ibid. Null the Votes for non addresses 151. Appoint Commissioners to Treat 159. sit all day and night 168. The remainder of the House continue sitting 169. Null the Vote for Concessions 170. Vote a Charge against the King ibid. The Priests Impose a penance on the Queen 14 Petition of Right 18 Proclamation against Papists 27 Prince Charles borne and dieth 24 Prince Charles his birth 25 Goes for Scille 109 Peace betwixt England and Spaine 26 Princess Mary borne 27 St. Pauls Church began to be Repaired ibid Old Par brought to London 30 Prince Elector comes to London ibid Princess Elizabeth borne ibid Princess Anne borne 32 Prin Bastwick and Burton sentenc't Prince Henry borne 41 Alderman Penington petitions against Episcopacy 46 Princess Mary married to the Prince of Orange 50 Prince Rupert Prince Maurice arrives 74 Plot for betraying London 82 Plot for betraying Bristoll ib. Proclamation against the Covenant 88 Pomfret Castle taken 106 Prince Maurice for the Hague 112 Pendennis Castle surrendred ibid Poyer and Powell declare for the King 140 Pomfret Castle surpris'd 147 Surrender Pembrooke Castle 148 Proclamation for witnesses against the King 171 Q. Queen arrives in England 7 Queen-Mother comes for England 36 Queen arrives from Holland 81 Queen goes for France 91 R. Rumors of a plaister applyed to King James his wrist 5 Rotchell besieg'd 17 Prince Rupert arrives in England 74. Summons Glocester 82. Besieges Litchfield 83. Routs the Buckingham forces 84. Besieges Bristoll 85. takes Leicester by storme 100. goes for France 112 Ragland Castle surrendred 112 Representative orderd 169 S. The Treaty of the Spanish Mateh dissolvd 4 Statutes against Recusants 11 Ship-money 29 The Scots hatch mischiefe 30 Scotch Service-book revisd 32 Scots petition against the Common prayer-book 34. They Arme 35. Their Propositions 43. a cessation 44 Their deceir 45. Scots Army enter England 90. Besiege Newwark 107. Carry the King to Newcastle 111 desire the King to take the Covenant 192. Scots unreasonable demands 112. Their threatning 113. quit Newcastle 116. are sensible of the Kings imprisonment 126. Letter to the Parliament 132. raise an Army for the King 141. Scots Declaration 143 Star-Chamber Voted down 53 Scarborough Castle taken 106 Sherburne Castle taken 107 Surrey petition for a personall Treaty 144 Sea-men Revolt from Warwick 146 Scarborough Castle for the King 150 T. Tearme at Reading 11 Tunnage and poundage complain'd of 21 Tumults at Westminster 50 Tumult in the Isle of Wight 135 Tinmouth Castle revolts and retaken 150 Treaty in the Isle of Wight 161 V. An Uproare in Edenborough at the Reading of the Common-prayer-book 33 Uxbridge Treaty 96 W. Bishop Wren accus'd by the Commons 26 Secretary Windebank flies ibid Worcester secur'd for the King 75 Winchester for the Parliament 81 Lord Wilmot defeats Waller in the West 85 Waller takes A undell Castle 89.