which the English had taken near Burnt Island after he had delivered his message he confidently told the souldiers their General was dead and that they did well in concealing it but he would never believe otherwise nor could he be convinced till the General ordered him to be brought into his presence who was now somewhat recovered so that upon his return this false rumour vanished But the Parliament of England hearing that he had a relapse afterward and a violent Ague they sent him two eminent Physicians Dr. Wright and Dr. Bates to use their utmost Art for his reâ—overy with an Order that gave him liberty to repair into England for recovering his health To which he made a return of Thanks by a Letter to the Lord President in which among others are these unusual expressions My Lord my sickness was indeed so violent that my Nature was not able to bear the weight thereof but the Lord was pleased to deliver me beyond expectations and to give me cause to say once more He hath plucked me out of the Grave So that now by the goodness of God I find my self growing to such a stare of health and strength as may yet if it be his good will render me useful according to my poor ability in the station wherein he hath set me I wish more steadiness in your affairs here than to depend in the least upon so frail a thing as I am indeed they do not nor do they own any Instrument this Cause is of God and it must prosper Oh that all that have any hand therein being so perswaded would gird up the loins of their minds and endeavour in all things to walk worthy of the Lord. So prays my Lord Your most humble Servant O. Cromwel Edenburgh June 3. At this time Ambassadors came to the Parliament of England from Spain Portugal and Holland the first was reminded of delaying execution on the Assassinates of the English Resident at Madrid The second not having full power to give satisfaction for the expences of the state and loss of the Merchants Goods by means of that King was quickly dismiss'd The Hollander kept at a distance rather wishing prosperity to the Royal party than heartily desiring peace with the Common-wealth of England Soon after Oliver St. John and Walter Strickland were sent Ambassadors Extraordinary to the States and were received with great splendor and having audience of the States-General at the Hague the Lord Ambassador St. John made a learned and elegant speech declaring That they were sent over to the High and Mighty States of the Netherlands from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England to make a firm League and Confederacy between the two Republicks if they think fit notwithstanding the many injuries the English have received from the Dutch Nation Likewise to renew and confirm the former Treaties and Agreements of Trade and Commerce made between the two Nations wherein he shewed them the notable advantages of England in respect of its commodious scituation for advancement of Trade and all other benefits Lastly That he was commanded to let them know how highly the Parliament resented the murder of Dr. Dorislaus their Agent not doubting but they would do their utmost to discover the Authors thereof After which the Ambassadors Gentlemen receiving several affronts from the Royal party there the States published a Proclamation to prevent it yet these abuses continued and no punishment being inflicted on any though the common people often swarm'd about the Ambassadors Gates and assaulted their Servants and the States evading any Treaty till they saw how matters would succeed in Scotland the Parliament highly resenting these proceedings suddenly recalled their Ambassadors to the great surprize of the States Who thereupon endeavoured by frequent visits to them to insinuate their amicable Intentions but the Ambassadors returned to England And that which gave some jealousie to the Parliament of their designs was Because Admiral Van Trump with a Fleet of Ships lay hovering upon the Coasts of Scilly as though he would attempt something against it and the occasion of it being demanded of the States they replied They had no other intent but to demand the restitution of such Ships and Goods as the Pirates thereof had taken from their people With which answer the Parliament were somewhat satisfied yet to prevent the worst April 18. 1651. Sir George Ayscough with a Squadron of ships designed for reducing the Caribbee-Islands was sent thither and landed three hundred Seamen besides souldiers and soon became masters of the Islands Tresco and Briers taking therein one hundred and fifty prisoners and killing twenty They took also two Frigates of thirty two and eighteen Guns and secured the best Harbour belonging to those Islands Hence the Enemy fled to St. Maries their chief strength which yet was soon surrendred Cornet-castle in the Isle of Guernsey was at this time attempted but through mis-information of the weakness of the place the design miscarried with the loss of many Officers and souldiers About this time Brown Bushel a very earnest stickler for the Royal party both by Sea and Land and who when in the service of the Parliament had delivered up Scarborough to the King was taken and beheaded at Tower-hill The Parliament of Scotland having adjourned during the Coronation of the King met again in March and some differences arose about restoring several Lords of the Royal party to their seats in the House which yet the Assembly would not admit of till they had passed the stool of Repentance which Duke Hamilton did with some kind of splendor having a Table placed before him with a black Velvet cover and a Cushion of the same and making a great Feast that day The King having now got some power endeavoured to regain reputation among his subjects by putting all the Garrisons of Fife into a posture of defence against the landing of the English drawing what Forces he could spare both Horse and Foot from Sterling and joining them with the new Leavies which for better security he Quartered on the Water side and then goes to the Highlands to compose all differences there and to incite them to rise and join with him from whence Midleten soon after brought a considerable body of Horse and Foot and the Town of Dundee raised a Regiment of Horse at their own charge and sent them with a stately Tent and six fine brass cannon for a present to the King then at Sterling whose Army now consisted in six thousand Horse and fifteen thousand foot but the Earl of Eglington being sent to the West with some other commanders to raise more forces coming to Dunbarton Collonel Lilburn upon notice sent a party of Horse who suddenly seized the Earl his Son Collonel James Montgomery Lieutenant Collonel Colborn and some others whom they carried prisoners to Edinburgh At the same time a design was discovered the English Covenanters intending a general rising in Lancashire to join with the Scots the chief
complain of want of pay of the neglect of Church-Government and the Covenant The Parliament answered That in two years space they had received above two hundred thousand pounds for pay besides a vast sum of money which had been extorted from the weeping Inhabitants of the Northern Counties and that their Army had not answered expectation lying idle the best time of the year and if they were so precise in observation of the Covenant why contrary thereto had they put Garrisons into Newcastle Tinmouth and Carlisle Neither ought they to mention Religion being unsettled since the Parliament were consulting about it being a matter which requires time and mature deliberation From these dissentions the King expected some advantage but yet Oxford was already block'd up by Fleetwood and Ireton and Fairfax was daily expected to come and turn it into a close siege therefore before this should happen the King resolved to go out of the City and consulting with some of his inward Councellors it was concluded he should go to the Scots Camp then lying before Newark the King sent Montruel the French Ambassador before and himself soon after as Coll. Ashburnhams man who had a pass from Fairfax to go out of Oxford about some private business with a Cloak-bag behind him escaped unknown and came to Newark which when the besieged Newarkers had notice of being in great streights they upon conditions surrendred the Town The Scots seemed amazed at the Kings unexpected coming to them and so signified the matter to the English Commissioners then on the place Letters were instantly written to London and Edinburgh and the Parliament at Westminster required the Scots to detain the King at Southwell near Newark but contrary to this Order they carried him to Kelham where a greater part of their Army lay and soon after without further Order removed their Camp Northward and carried him away to Newcastle with them excusing their departure by alledging Newark being yielded no work was left for them but that as the King came to them of his own accord unexpected so he followed their Army neither being intreated nor forbidden by them but they seemed to hasten their departure by reason of a rumour that Cromwel with all his Horse was marching toward them This action much offended the English Parliament and they complain'd both of the Scots and the King In the beginning of May General Fairfax with his whole Army came before Oxford the City was very strong having been fortified according to the most exact rules of Art to make it Impregnable invironed with regular Forts and provided with a potent Garrison of five thousand valiant Souldiers having great stores of all manner of provisions and the Governour Sir Tho. Glemham a person who had sufficiently demonstrated his courage and conduct in holding out York and Carlisle to the last extremity The General disposing his Quarters round about the City summoned the Governour to surrender who returned That he would send to know the Kings mind and then act accordingly This answer was not satisfactory yet Fairfax and his Commanders doubting it would be a tedious Siege were put in hopes by some spies that it could not hold out long by reason of the divisions between the Nobility and Souldiers the first being for treating now and so obtain honourable conditions which they did accordingly and the Parliament decreed That the besieged should have the best conditions rather than waste their Army which might be more useful elsewhere for they designed to send them into Ireland against the Rebels there Thus was Oxford surrendred and the Garrison marched out in sight of Fairfax's Army with great quiet and modesty on both sides The D. of York was honourably conducted to London where two of the Kings Children remained thither also went all the Noble-men neither were any of the besieged denied to go to London but the Princes Rupert and Maurice who being commanded to go out of England prepared for their departure Prince Charles about this time sailed from Scilly with a few of his inward Counsellors to Jersey in order to go to his Mother in France which the King having advice of sent him this short Letter from Newcastle Charles I write to you only that you should know what I am and that I am in health not to direct you at this time in any thing for what I would have you do I have already written to your Mother to whom I would have you obedient in all things except Religion about which I know she will not trouble you and go no whether without her or my command Write often to me God bless you Your loving Father C. R. Soon after the surrender of Oxford followed the end of this fierce War for Worcester Wallingford Pendennis and Ragland yielded to the Victors Peace now seemed to be restored to England but they had no security the Parliament being grievously troubled with factions among themselves and divided under the Names of Presbyterians and Independants not only in matters of Church-Government but often in their Votes and in transacting almost all other business and this humour spread it self into the City Country and Camp and the Parliament doubting Coll. Masseys Forces might muriny upon that account sent Fairfax to Disband them being two thousand five hundred Horse which was quietly done in eight days time though they did not then receive their pay The Scots as you have heard carrying the King into the North the parliament Voted That the person of the King should be disposed of by the Authority of both Houses of the parliament of England But the Scots denied to deliver him up alledging That he was no less King of England than Scotland which caused great dissention between the two Nations But at length upon paying the Scots two hundred thousand pounds they agreed to deliver up Berwick Carlisle and Newcastle to the parliament of England and the Kings person also to the English Commissioners to be carried into the South who was received with great respect and honour by the Earls of Pembroke and Denbigh and the other Commissioners and by them waited on with much observance and an honourable Guard to his palace at Holmby in Northampton-shire But the Civil Wars being ended a dissention more than Civil arose among the Conquerors which still increased under the Names of Presbyterians and Independants and extreamly imbittered the minds of men against each other one party complaining That the Covenant was broken The other That it was not rightly Interpreted by them And on both sides were men of Reputation and several petitions were drawn up against the Army lately so much admired as maintainers of the Independent party who then lay about Saffron-Walden in Essex Yea it was debated in parliament whether they should be Disbanded or not which Cromwel who sided with the Independents having notice of he thereupon with Ireton insinuated into the common Souldiers That the parliament intended to Disband them without their Arrears or else to
with a potent Army Lambert was sent before to suppress Glemham and Langdale who with their Forces being about three thousand retired into Cumberland and Westmoreland expecting to join with the Seets which they did and fell upon Lambert at Appleby forcing him to retire out of the Town but Cromwel having received all necessary supplies from the Parliament came and joined him and observed the motions of D. Hamilton being both but eight thousand six hundred men against the Scots and English Army of twenty one thousand who were marched into England as far as Preston in Lancashire where Cromwel resolved to fight them his forlorn ingaging them first with two hundred Horse and four hundred Foot and he himself leading up the main body in the best posture the place would admit being a dirty lane and inconvenient for Horse where after four hours dispute he put them to the rout whom the Conquerours persued through Preston and having cleared the Streets followed them as far as Warrington about twenty miles killing many in the chase and taking Lieutenant-General Baily prisoner with the greatest part of the Scots Army granting them only Quarter for their Lives Three thousand Scots were slain and ten thousand taken prisoners with above one hundred colours and all their Baggage Duke Hamilton finding the service too warm retreats over the Bridge with a good party of Horse and Foot but Cromwel ordered his men to fall in among them pell-mell with their swords drawn at which desperate courage the Scots being amazed betook themselves to flight and the Duke with a body of Horse got to Utoxâ—â—â—r where he was taken prisoner by the Lord Grey and about three thousand Horse with him Langdale was also taken by a Parliament Captain Conspiracies by land though over the whole Kingdom seemed not enough but the Sea likewise revolted from the Parliament divers of the chief Ships in the Royal Navy in June 1648. set the Vice-Admiral Rainsborough ashoar declaring they would serve the King and P. Charles now coming from Holland with twenty sail of Ships and two thousand men The Parliaments Vice-Admiral joined with them and the D. of York who had made his escape from London being also aboard At which the Parliament were much disturbed and sent to the E of Warwick to command the remaining Navy which he readily undertook but his brother though no souldier by commission from the Prince assembles five hundred Horse and Foot about Kingston-Heath depending on the affections of the Citizens having with him the D. of Buckingham his Brother L. Francis Villiers and the E. of Peterborough but Sir Michael Livesey and others soon dispersed them The L. Francis Villiers was slain and the L. Holland flying with the remainder of his Horse to St. Needs was altogether subdued Dalbeer and some other Gentlemen slain and himself taken prisoner At the same time Rossirer obtained a great Victory over one thousand Horse who were pillaging the Country out of Pomfret-castle About the end of August Warwick was with a good Fleet in the River of Thames when P. Charles with a great Navy of twenty stout Men of War came up the River and commanded him to take down his Flag and yield Obedience to him as chief Admiral by the Kings Commission Warwick refused yet declined fighting in that narrow channel expecting to be joined by the Portsmouth Fleet commanded by Sir G. Ayscough which the Royalists reported was revolted also but though most of the Mariners were inclined to the Prince yet Sir George by his prudent managery at length confirmed them in their Obedience to the Parliament and failing by P. Charles in the Night brought all his Ships safe to the E. of Warwick who now resolved to ingage the Prince but finding he was gone back to Holland for want of provisions he followed him soon after with the whole Fleet to Goree upon that coast Cromwel after he had given that great defeat to Hamilton following his Victory marches toward Scotland to assist Argyle and Levens against the Forces of Monroe and Lanerick and to give them an account what was become of Hamilton but upon his approach without effecting any thing they withdraw their Forces back into Scotland and Cromwel in his way reduced Berwick and Carlisle into the Parliaments power Before he entred Scotland he Rendevouz'd his Army on the banks of the Tweed and caused proclamation to be made at the head of every Regiment That no man upon pain of death should take from the Scots either Cattel or Goods without Order He then marches directly toward Edinburgh to consult about the affairs of both Kingdoms many of the Scots Nobility and Gentry were sent from the Committee of Estates to meet him who after congratulatory Orations made conducted him to Edenburgh where Argyle Leven and other Lords treated him and the rest of the English commanders with a magnificent banquet in the Castle Thanks were given by the Ministers to Cromwel who was by them stiled The preserver of Scotland under God many of these having denounced the wrath of God against that Army of Hamilton which by the success they now thought fulfilled Such also was the Testimony of the Committee of Estates written to the English Parliament concerning Cromwel Presently after the Forces of Monroe and Lanerick were disbanded and all others except fifteen hundred Horse and Foot under the command of Leven for settling the Kingdom It was also decreed by the Committee of Estates and Assembly of the Hirk for preservation of Religion and brotherly love with the English Nation That no man who had joined with Hamilton in the late Invasion of England should be chosen for the new Parliament which was then called or into the Assembly of the Kirk as being enemies to Religion and both the Kingdoms A strange and sudden alteration this was That the English Army which but a year before were by the Kirk party of Scotland called a bundle of Sectaries and reviled by all manner of opprobrious names should now be acknowledged by the same Scots to be the Instruments of God and Vindicators both of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland And this great change in the Council of Scotland had been more to he wondred at if the change that then happened in the English Parliament were not much more surprizing for who can imagine that Cromwel for vanquishing a Scotch Army by which the Nation was delivered from plunder and many other mischiefs should be acknowledged there the preserver of Scotland and that the same Victory of his against the Scots should please the Presbyterian Scots for Religion sake and for Religions sake displease the Presbyterians in England for the face of the English Parliament was now suddenly changed and the Voâ—es that had passed the year before of making no more addresses to the King were annulled and made void upon which they had published a Declaration of the reason and necessity of their proceedings New addresses are now made to the King with more
to be had but by the sword the parliament resolve to vindicate the Nations honour and to secure it from the like Insolencies for the future The Army likewise publish a Declaration wherein taking notice of the practices of some in that Kingdom who endeavour by unjust reproaches and false slanders to make the Army odious and render them rather monsters than men they to clear themselves desire them to remember what their behaviour was when they were there before or what wrong or injury was then done either to the persons Goods or Houses of any and therefore they had no reason by false reports to affright the people from their Habitations Further assuring all persons who were not active against the parliament that they should not have the least injary done them either in Body or Goods but upon complaint should have present redress and that they might securely continue in their Habitations Copies of these Declarations were given to the country people at Berwick-market and others sent into Scotland which afterward had good effect After which Cromwel marches from York to North-Allerton and thence to New-castle where he was nobly treated by Sir Arthur Haslerig the Governor and after imploring the blessing of Heaven and having provided for future supplies he posts to Barwick and July 20. 1650. Rendevouzed his Army upon Hagerstone-moor four miles from thence where appeared a gallant body of Horse of five thousand four hundred and fifteen with valiant Riders to manage them ten thousand two hundred forty nine Foot with a Train of Artillery consisting of six hundred and ninety In all sixteen thousand three hundred forty five After which they were Quartered on the banks of River Tweed In England John Lilburn about this time was tryed at Guild-hall a man of a restless and invincible spirit who is charged with publishing Books wherein the parliament are termed Tyrants Traytors Conquering Usurpers c. and though it was generally thought they were of his writing and publishing yet he made such a subtile defence that the Jury brought him in Not Guilty and so he was released Not long after Collonel Eusebius Andrews being found with a commission from King Charles H. was condemned by an High Court of Justice and beheaded at Tower-hill And one Benson who was condemned with him was executed at Tyburn At the same time an Insurrection happened in Norfolk an Undisciplin'd company assembling and roaring about pretending they designed the abolishing of popery the restoring the young King to his Crown and to revenge his Fathers death and to suppress Heresie and Schism But two hundred Horse being sent against them from Lyn and three Troops from the Army soen dispersed them twenty of whom of no eminency were hanged Sir Henry Hyde being sent Ambassador from King Charles the Second to the Grand Seignior at Constantinople had some concest with Sir Tho. Bendish the parliaments Ambassador there whereupon they had a hearing before the Vizier Bassa and the result was That Sir Tho. Bendish should dispose of Sir Henry Hyde as he thought fit who presently sent him to Smyrna and thence to England where he was condemned and beheaded before the Royal Exchange in London Prince Rupert and his Fleer lying in the Haven of Lisbon as you have heard General Blake came before the City with the parliaments Fleet and after having destroyed several French Privateers and some rich Sugar-ships of the King of Portugals he was forced by storm and to re victual to go to some other Port upon which P. Rupert took the opportunity to sail thence with his Fleet to Malaga where they burnt and spoiled several Merchants Ships Whereupon Blake reduced his Fleet to seven stout nimble Sailors sending the rest home with the Prizes and with these sailed with all speed after Prince Rupert to Malaga but they being gone to Alicant he still followed them taking in his way a French ship of twenty Guns with the Roe-buck a revolted ship and the Black Prince another of Prince Ruperts Fleet to avoid being taken ran ashoar and blew her self up Next day four more of the Princes Fleet ran ashoar at Cartagena and were cast away the rest making their escape and so Blake returned again to England The Scots had now finish'd their Treaty with King Charles the Second he having promised to confirm the Presbyterian Government in Scotland for three years provided that himself might have always three Chaplains of his own Election As also to confirm the Militia in the hands of the Estates for five years provided it afterward should return to himself It was now resolved a Message should be sent to invite him to make all possible speed to his Kingdom of Scotland though it was opposed in the parliament at Edenburgh and put to the Vote whether any more addresses should be made to the King and thirty two were for the Negative but the Affirmatives being the major part the message was sent accordingly with a protestation That they would assist him with their Lives and Fortunes to establish him in all his Dominions yet withal forbore not to advertise him they had Testimonies to produce of his tramactings by Letters with Montross of which they had intercepted three or four contrary to his promise at Breda however they were willing to dispence with him for what was passed so that he would without delay according to the Articles of agreement come over into Scotland and comply with the Parliament and the Kirk After which they prepared for his reception but prohibited Duke Hamilton the Earls of Lauderdail and Seaforth with many other persons of Quality who had constantly attended him in Jersey and Holland from returning into Scotland About the beginning of June 1650. he left the Hague and after a tedious storm and narrowly escaping some English Ships landed in the North of Scotland whither some Lords were sent to receive and accompany him to Edenburgh being entertained by the way with the acclamations of the people At Dundee new propositions from the Parliament and Kirk were sent him which with some seeming reluctancy he signed The Town of Aberdeen presented him with fifteen hundred pounds but the Committee of Estates sent to other places that designed the like enjoining them to bring whatever money and plate they had to bestow into the Treasury which they would appoint While they were in expectation of the Kings arrival the Committee of Estates and Parliament consulted about forming an Army for his service as they pretended and an Act was passed for Training every fourth man capable to bear Arms throughout the Kingdom and for raising sixteen thousand Foot and six thousand Horse the Earl of Leven to be General of the Foot Holborn Major-General David Lesley Lieutenant-General of the Horse and Montgomery Major-General the supream command being reserved for the King who arriving at Edenburgh was complemented with many congratulations and July 15. proclaimed King at the Cross and had a strong Guard to attend him and observe his
Protector All the great Offices of the Common-wealth such as Chancellor Keeper of the Seal Governor of Ireland Admiral c. if they become void in parhament time to be supplied by their approbation or in intervals of parliament with the approbation of the Council The Christian Religion as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures to be the publick profession of the Nation and those that administer it to be maintained by the publick but by some way more convenient and less liable to envy than Tythes None are to be compelled to consent to the publick profession by fine or any punishment ever but only by perswasion and arguments None that profess Faith in Jesus Christ are to be prohibited the exercise of their Religion provided he do not quarrel with nor disturb others except the papists and prelatists who are debarr'd that License All Sales of Estates made by parliament to stand good All Articles of War to be made good And lastly the protector and his successor upon entring that charge to swear to procure by all means the peace quiet and welfare of the Common-wealth to observe these Articles and to administer all things in his power according to the Laws Statutes and Customs of England After this Dec. 16. 1653. the protector came from White-Hall to the Chancery Court at Westminster attended by the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England the Barons of the Exchequer and Judges in their Robes the Council of the Common-wealth the L. Mayor Aldermen and Recorder of London in their scarlet Gowns and many of the chief Officers of the Army A Chair of State being set the Protector stood on the left hand thereof uncovered till the Instrument was read which he subscribed in the face of the Court and then swore to perform as follows I promise in the presence of God not to violate or infringe the matters and things contained in the Instrument but to observe and cause the same to be observed and in all things to the best of my understanding will govern these Nations according to the Laws Statutes and Customs and to seek their peace and cause Justice and Law to be equally administred Hereupon he sate down covered in the Chair the Lords Commissioners then delivered him the Great Seal of England and the Lord Mayor his Sword and Can of maintenance which he instantly returned Then the Court rose and the Protector was attended back as before to the Banquetting House at White-Hall the Lord Mayor bare headed carrying the Sword before him where an exhortation being made by Mr. Nicholas Lockier one of his Chaplains the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Judges departed And thus was the Protector confirmed in this high Dignity tho' many of his Officers and former admirers were much discontented thereat but to command obedience the Council emitted the following Proclamation which was published in England Scotland and Ireland Whereas the late Parliament dissolved themselves and resigned their powers and Authorities the Government by a Lord Protector and successive elective parliaments is now established And whereas Oliver Cromwel Captain General of all the Forces of this Common-wealth is declared Lord protector of the said Nations and hath accepted thereof We have therefore thought it necessary as we hereby do to make publication of the premises and strictly to charge and command all and every person and persons of what quality and condition soever in any of the said three Nations totake notice hereof and to conform and subject themselves to the Government so established And all Sheriffs Mayors Bayliffs c. are required to publish this proclamation to the end that none may have cause to pretend Ignorance in this behalf The Protector began his reign with seeming serenity and when the different parties in Religion made their complaints to him against each other he usually told them That his power was no greater in the Nation than a Constables which was to keep peace and quietness among all parties And persuant to the power given him by the new Instrument he supplies the several Courts at Westminster with the ablest Judges and Lawyers and the City of London to shew their concurrence to this great change invite the Protector to Dinner at Grocers-Hall Feb. 8. being Ashwednesday the Streets were railed to Temple-bar the Livery men standing in their Gowns he was met at Temple-bar by Alderman Vyner Lord Mayor who delivered him the Sword and receiving it again bore it on Horseback bare-headed before him all the way After a Noble enterrainment he was served with a Banquet in the conclusion whereof he Knighted Sir Tho. Vyner and would have done the same to the Recorder Steel but he declined it The Hollanders being weary of the Wars which they had maintained with such little success and so great cost send commissioners to treat with the pretector for a peace between both Nations which at length was concluded both with the King of Denmark and the Dutch who were to pay the charge of the War money being very necessary in his new Government and in April following it was proclaimed with great solemnity in London the two Dutch Ambassadors making magnificent Treatments and Fire-works to demonstrate their satisfaction therein The Protector now sends his eldest Son Henry into Ireland of which he was made Lord Deputy soon after and General Monk was sent into Scotland Likewise the Lord Whitlock who was sent Ambassador by the last parliament to the Q. of Sweden had now a new commission sent him from the Lord protector in whose Name he continued the Treaty with that Crown and afterward finished it In March following Monsieur Bordeux was sent Ambassador to England from the French King and Sir Anthony Ashly Cooper Coll. Sydenham and Mr. Strickland were appointed Commissioners by the protector to treat with him so that he was owned abroad as well as at home King Charles was then in the French Court who finding that notwithstanding his own and his Mothers endeavours to the contrary the Treaty between France and England was vigorously prosecuted by Cardinal Mazarine and foreseeing that if the peace were concluded he and his party must be obliged to depart France he thought it more Honourable voluntarily to leave that Kingdom than to stay till he were forced out by a complement so the King with his Brother the Duke of York and his Cousins Prince Rupert and Edward retired to Chattillon a House of the Prince of Condes from whence soon after the King and Prince Rupert went into Germany and indeed it happened as they suspected for one of the Articles of the French King with the protector was That none of the Royal Family of England should reside in the Dominions of France In Feb. 1654. several persons were committed to the Tower about a conspiracy against the protector the chief whereof Sir Gilbert Gerrard Coll. John Gerrard his brother the E. of Oxford Mr. Philip Porter Mr. Vowell a School-master at Islington and in June following an High Court
of the number of four thousand which was promised and expected Coll. Penruddock finding his affairs desperate resolved to try Devonshire and Cornwall and in this condition about 100 of the most resolute without staying any where came hungry sleepy and weary to Southmolton in Devonshire hoping at worst to get away by Sea but that Night their Quarters were beaten up by Capt. Crook about ten a clock and some Houses forced but coll Penruddock maintained his Quarters till he had Articled with the Captain and then surrendred himself with him were taken coll Jones a Kinsman of Cromwels coll Grove and sixty other prisoners with 120 Horse but Sir Joseph Wagstaff Mr Robert Mason Esq Clark and Mr. Tho. Mompesson escaped beyond Sea and so this rising was quickly supprest There were some appearances of the like at Rustord-Abby in Nottingham-shire at Hessummoor in Yorkshire and in the Counties of Montgomery and Cumberland for which some few were executed but those weak efforts with some others came to nothing and the Kings Restoration which was mightily expected at this time proved unsuccesful After which the King discovered the Treachery of Manning to him upon this occasion Some Gentlemen going for England came to take leave of the King at Colen to whom the King wished a good Journey and prosperity to their Design when they arrived in England they were seized and examined before the Protectors Council whether they did not speak with the King such a day repeating what past between them Advice hereof being sent the King he recollected that none but coll Tuke and this Manning who held the candle were present at this passage He declared the whole matter to the collonel who much surprized protested his innocency and by the Kings command went directly to Mannings chamber and not staying opening the door forced it and found him chewing of papers and a packet by him newly come from Thurloe the Protectors Secretary at which Manning was so much astonish'd he could not speak a word His Father was kill'd in the Kings service and himself had been Secretary to the E. of Pembroke and upon that account was intrusted with the Kings secrets At the instance of the whole Court the King ordered him to be shot to death in one of the Castles of the Duke of Newburg The Protector had drawn 4000 foot from Ireland and 600 Horse from Scotland but upon quelling this Rising they were remanded Coll. Penruddock and coll Grove were beheaded and seven others were hanged at Exeter The Protector had a great while been preparing a mighty Fleet with all necessary provisions for some notable Enterprize and every one fearing their own States could not guess whither this design tended At length those vast preparations produced two mighty Fleets one under the command of General Blake which was fitted only for the Sea and sent to the Streights the other about two months after was committed to the charge of Gen. Pen who was to take abroad him an Army under General Venables These Land Forces being about 3000 were divided into the several Ships which were thirty sail of men of War but had not necessary provisions for so great an Army the Commanders not knowing whither nor how far they were to go Dec. 19. 1654. This Fleet set sail from Portsmouth directly to the Barbadoes where the Generals had order to break open their Commissions this being the appointed place of Rendevouz whither having a fair wind they arrived Jan. 29. following and landed all their men in Carlisle-Bay The sudden departure of these two great Fleets caused the King of Spain who doubted they were designed against him to send the Marquess de Leda Governor of Dunkirk into England as Extraordinary Ambassador to penetrate into this grand Court secret but having spent several days after his arrival without receiving that satisfaction he desired he returned back again Whilst the Fleet was at Barbadoes the Officers were very diligent in their charges and caused the Shallops which they had brought from England ready framed to be set up and the water Casks to be trimmed Two Frigates are sent to St. Christophers and Nevis to raise men to compleat their Regiments and form Regiments out of the Seamen to serve upon occasion At length they ship'd 6000 men and a Troop of Horse raised by the Barbadians at their own charge and sailing thence March 31. 1655. in six days arrived at St. Christophers where they had a Recruit of 1300 Voluntiers most servants to the planters who willingly ingaged because during the time their service went on and they might afterward be as free as their masters so that though the Fleet was strengthned by seizing twenty Dutch ships trading there contrary to Articles yet they were all full tho' there were scarce provisions for half the number if any accident should happen From hence they steered directly for Hispaniola and April 13. 1655. came in sight of St. Domingo the principal Town and against which they chiefly designed A Council of War being called it was unanimously concluded That General Venables should land with his Forces and accordingly next day he sent ashoar seven thousand Foot a Troop of Horse and three days provision about ten or twelve Leagues Westward of the Town the Souldiers were even ravished with the hopes of the mountains of Gold they should obtain which seemed to put universal courage through the whole Army so that there appeared a certainty of Victory But the General whether by order or to engross all to himself soon quelled their expectations by making proclamation That upon the taking St. Domingo no man should presume to plunder either money plate or Jewels or to take or kill any tame Cattel whatsoever upon pain of death This it was judged defeated the whole design the Souldiers being unwilling to endanger themselves when there was no prospect of advantage howsoever they were obliged to march forward tho' with much difficulty passing through such thick Woods that they were forced to cut their way and could not find a drop of fresh water so that with the drought caused by the excessive heat of the Sun which even pierced their Brains and their discontent of mind for sorrow is dry most of them were faint and disabled Having in two days got through the Woods without opposition from the Spaniards they at length joined coll Bullards Brigade consisting of three Regiments of foot whom Admiral Pen had landed on the side of the Bay about two Leagues from the Town near a River of fresh water being the appointed rendevouz of the whole body which now consisted in nine or ten thousand men but most of them so weak as hardly able to go much less to fight yet being joined they marched on not doubting but to take the Town quickly A Forlorn Hope of 500 men under Capt. Cox the chief guide to this place advanced first after whom followed the whole Army being within four miles of the Town a small party of Horse suddenly
send them into Ireland to dye of Sickness or Famine which caused the Souldiers to use contumelious speeches against the two Houses and thereupon a Council of Officers was set up consisting of two Commission-Officers and two private Souldiers out of every Regiment to meet and consult for the good of the Army and to draw up and present all their Grievances to the General and these were called Adjutators Who having met by the Instigation of Cromwel and some others that made them sensible of their own strength they resolved upon seizing the King at Holmby-House under pretence of freeing him from that narrow restraint under which he was kept by the parliaments Order To effect which Cornet Joyce is sent thither with five hundred Horse who took the King out of the parliaments Commissioners hands and carried him along with them in the Army This the General certifies in a Letter to the parliament affirming it to be done without his consent and that the reason alledged by the Actors was Because certain persons had designed to take away his Majesty thereby to gather strength to make a new War which they were able and ready to prove When this was known an Order passed both Houses of Parliament and was sent to the General 1. That the King should reside at Richmond 2. That he should be attended by the same persons he was at Holmby 3. That Roffiters Regiment should Guard him And the Presbyterians who were the greater number in Parliament being further alarm'd by these proceedings resolved to divide the Army and send part of it to Ireland and presently to cashiere Cromwel and his Assistants And they publish a Declaration forbidding the Souldiers to Petition the Parliament as being under their command Likewise they had privately resolved to seize upon Cromwel then in London who having notice of it got secretly and hastily out of Town and with full speed rid to Tripoly-Heath so that his Horse was all in a foam and was received with the acclamations of the whole Army to whom he discovered the intentions and actions of the Parliament whereupon they entred into an Ingagement Not to Disband till the proposals they had drawn up for regulating all matters were answered and then marching to New-Marker they subscribed thereto Cromwel putting his Name first and the rest of the Officers generally followed so that several parchment Rolls were filled with their Names The next day was brought from the General and his Council of Officers an Impeachment of eleven Members of the House of Commons who were counted the chief of the Presbyterian party namely Sir W. Waller Coll. Massey Sir John Clothworthy Sir Denzil Hollis Coll. Long Mr. Anthony Nicholas Sir Ph. Stapleton Mr. Glyn Sir John Maynard Sir William Lewis and Coll. Edward Harley charging them with hindring the relief of Ireland obstructing of Justice and acting somewhat against the Army and the Laws of England The Members declared themselves ready to answer but the Army would have them secluded from their seats in Parliament till they had brought in their answer whereupon they withdrew themselves by consent for six months After which the Army marched nearer to London and came to Bedford the King going to the Earl of Bedfords-House near Wouborn And now the Citizens being for the Presbyterian party in the House and the Independents for the Army great divisions happened in London for the changing that Parliament having ordered the Militia of the City which had been established the 4th of May and put others better affected to the Army in their rooms the Presbyterian party were extreamly incensed thereat and came two days after to the House with a petition accompanied by a multitude of Citizens and Apprentices who coming to the door of the Commons cried out That they must grant their petition before they rose Whereupon the House beginning to rise they took the Speaker and held him in the Chair detaining him and the rest of the Members till they forced another Order from them ' That the King should come to London After which they adjourned to July 30. but then both Speakers were absent having withdrawn themselves to the Army whereupon two new Speakers were chosen the Lord Hunsdon and Mr. Henry Pelham Barrister by whom the following Orders were made that day 1. That the King should come to London 2. That the Militia of London should have power to raise Forces for defence of the City 3. They should also have power to choose a General for those Forces and that the eleven impeached Members should return to their feats The Citizens armed with these Orders presently proceed to raise Forces choosing Massey their General In the mean time the Lords and Commons which had left London consulting with the General and chief Commanders of the Army made an Order That all Acts and Decrees that had passed on July 26. and since should be accounted null and void and that they did adhere to the Declaration of the General and Council of the Army It was likewise decreed That the General with his Army should march to London Upon whose approach the Citizens who made some semblance of opposition meeting in Common-council and finding it impossible suddenly to raise Forces to oppose them they sent to the General for a pacification which by the consent of the Members of Parliament was granted them on these conditions 1. That they should desert the Parliament now sitting and the eleven Impeached Members 2. To recal their late Declaration 3. To relinquish their present Militia 4. To deliver up to the General all their Forts and the Tower of London 5. To Disband all the Forces they had raised All which not daring to deny were instantly ratified and so August 6. 1647. the Army marched triumphantly through London to Westminster with the two Speakers and the Members of Parliament whom they restored to their former Sears and the eleven secluded Members left London some going beyond Sea and others with passes to their Houses in the Country Both Speakers in the Name of the whole Parliament gave thanks to the General and made him Commander of all the Forces in England and Wales and Constable of the Tower of London a months pay was likewise given to the Army for a gratuity The next day Fairfax Cromwel Skippon and the other Commanders marched from Westminster through London to the Tower where some commands and the Militia were altered and to curb the City her Militia was divided Westminster and Southwark having power to command their own Trained Bands And thus was the Presbyterian party depressed and all things managed according to the Inclination of the Independents and the Army After this Fairfax marched out of London quartering his Souldiers in the Towns and Villages adjacent only leaving some Regiments about White hall and the Mewse to guard the Parliament his head Quarters being at Putney and the King about the middle of August after divers removes was at length brought to Hampton-court where he seemed
not at all restrained but lived like a Prince in all the splendor of a Court all sorts of people being freely admitted to kiss his hands and wait upon him yea his servants from beyond Sea even those who had been Voted Delinquents as Ashburnham Barkley and the rest were permitted by the Army to have safe recourse to him which was generally wondred at About this time a disturbance arose in the Army by a party called Levellers some of whom were seized at Ware and the principal sticklers shot to death others Imprisoned and all their favourers cashier'd twenty being discarded out of one Troop And now propositions were sent to the King at Hampton-court agreed upon by both Houses and with the concurrence of the Scotch Commissioners but the King refused to comply with them for Loâ—don and Lancrick newly come out of Scotland having privately discours'd with the King sent Letters to the Parliament requiring That the King may come to London and there personally treat with the Parliament about the matters in controversie Though not long before they denied it to be just that before the King had given satisfaction and security to the people he should be admitted to London or to any personal Treaty with the Parliament and refused to receive him into Scotland lest he might raise commotions there but they alledged in their defence That the King had been taken from Holmby against his will and without the consent of Parliament and still remained under the power of an Army not in that freedom proper for treating of matters of so great concernment But while the Parliament were framing propositions they were suddenly surprized with the news that the King was secretly withdrawn from Hampton-court Letters coming from Cromwel about midnight to the Speaker For Nov. 12. whilst the Commissioners of Parliament and Collonel Whaley who commanded the Guard expected when the King would come out of his Chamber to supper and wondred at his long stay at last about Nine a clock some going in missed the King finding his Cloak and a Letter written with his own hand to the Commissioners to be communicated to the Parliament wherein having discoursed about captivity and the sweetness of liberty he protested before God He did not withdraw to disturb the publick peace but for his safety against which he understood there was a Treasonable Conspiracy c. and that if he might be heard with freedom honour and safety he should instantly break through this cloud of retirement and shew himself the Father of his Country The Parliament startled at his departure sent some persons to the Sea-coasts to prevent his going beyond Sea and when it was reported he was concealed in London Ordered That if any man should closely detain the Kings person he should be punish'd with loss of Estate and Life But this cloud soon dissolved Letters coming from Coll. Hammond Governour of the Isle of Wight that the King was come thither and had delivered himself into his proâ—ection and that he would dispose of him as the Parliament should appoint who commending Hammond ordered That he should Guard the King with diligence and wait on with respect and honour and that all necessaries should be sent him The King sent a long Letter from thence to the Parliament wherein he desired to come to a personal Treaty at London which was also vehemently pressed by the Scots Commissioners Whereupon after a long debate Nov. 26. they drew up four propositions in the form of Acts to be signed by the King in the Isle of Wight and then he should be admitted to a personal Treaty which were 1. To pass an Act for settling the Militia of the Kingdom 2. An Act for calling in all Declarations Oaths and Proclamations against the Parliament and their adherents 3. For Incapacitating those Lords who were made after the Great-Seal was carried to Oxford from sitting in the House of Peers thereby A power to be given to the two Houses to adjourn as they shall think fit The Commissioners of Scotland declared against these Bills however Dec. 24. they were presented to the King who understanding the minds of the Scots and the Factions in London absolutely refused to sign them Which deniâ—l was sharply debated in the House and it was affirmed That the King by this denial had denied his protection to the people of England for which only subjection is due to him And therefore Jan. 17. a Declaration and Votes passed both Houses of Parliament That they will make no further Addresses to the King nor any other to make application to him without their Order under penalty of High-Treason That they will receive no more Messages from him to both or either Houses of Parliament or any other person This was seconded by a Declaration of the General and Officers of the Army which was presented to the House and thanks returned them for their Resolutions to adhere to the Parliament in their proceedings concerning the King and against him or any other that shall partake with him The Parliament likewise by their Declaration did endeavour to appease the minds of the people many of whom were extreamly discontented with these proceedings Tumults and Insurrections being daily feared so that the Parliament though victorious and guarded with a conquering Army no Forces visibly appearing against them yet were never in more danger and every man began to foresee Slaughter and War as Mariners observe a rising Tempest ' The threatning Waves in Tracts voluminous ' Boil up The Seas by blasts uncertain blown ' Betoken many Winds conception The Kings party though conquered had great hopes of retrieving their Cause and the same thing seemed to be the wish of many of those called Presbyterians out of their strong aversion to the Independents so that the King though set aside and confined within the Isle of Wight was more formidable this Summer than in any other when he was followed by his strongest Armies The Name of King had now a farther operation and the pity of the vulgar gave a greater Majesty to his person Prince Charles also by his absence and the Name of banishment was more desired of them and by his Commissions privately sent from his Father and Commands under his Name he was able to raise not only Tumults but Wars The Parliament for their security Quartered part of the Army about Westminster the Mewse and other places of the City and some Lords and Commons were chosen out of the House and called A Committee of Safety and sate at Derby-House with power to suppress Tumults and Insurrections and to raise Forces upon occasion which were the Earls of Northumberland Kent Warwick and Manchester the Lords Say Wharton and Roberts and thirteen of the H. of Commons among whom was Lieutenant-General Cromwel And it was not long e're they had occasion to make use of their Authority for upon Sunday April 9 1648. some Apprentices and other loose people playing in Moor-fields set upon a Company of the
submission than ever was before resolved on the eleven Impeached Members were restored to their seats and the Houses debated of treating with the King upon his own security personally at London with honour freedom and safety But this was not carried only a Treaty was Vored to be in the Isle of Wight and that the King should chuse the place in that Island In persnance whereof the E. of Middâ—esex and two of the H. of Commons were sent to the King who answered That he was very ready to treat of peace Upon which five Peers and ten Commoners were immediately chosen and sent to Newport During this Treaty the King found all kind of respect and observance from the Commissioners being attended with a Royal Retinue the D. of Richmond Marquess of Hartford the Earls of Southampton and Lindsey with a number of other Gentlemen of Quality who waited in his Train his own two Chaplains and divers of his Lawyers to advise him in the Treaty being likewise allowed him While these things were Transacting at Westminster Cromwel having finished matters in Scotland prepares for his return and Octob. 16. 1648. leaves Endenburgh being conducted some miles on his way by Argyle and other Scotch Noblemen who took their leaves with mutual demonstrations of kindness and marching toward Carlisle when he came into Yorkshire he was defired by the Committee to reduce the Castles of Scarborough and Pomfret in his way the last of which was defended by Coll. John Maurice with great courage not by the strength of the place but the valour of the Defendants The Garrison consisted of four hundred Foot and one hundred and thirty Horse but all daring fellows who daily performed some notable Exploit by their sallies as one time by seizing Sir Arthur Ingram with a Troop of Horse and obliging him to pay fifteen hundred pounds to obtain his liberty Soon after they took Captain Clayton and most of his Troop and brought into the Castle two hundred head of cattel and many Horses though Sir Hen. Cholmly at that time beleaguered it to keep them in One morning before day forty Horse sallied out and speeding to Doncaster where Coll. Rainsborough who had a commission to command the siege in chief then Quartered three of them went into the Town and inquired for Coll Rainsboroughs Quarters to which being directed they went thither pretending to deliver him letters from Lieutenant-General Cromwel the Collonel little suspecting their business considently opens the door to receive the letters but one of them instantly stabb'd him to the heart and though his Forces guarded the Town yet they got back into the Castle at mid-day To reduce this place Cromwel having settled the Northern counties now comes and orders the siege to be streightned leaving a strong party under Lambert who was come from Scotland to prevent their ranging abroad and in a while it was surrendred Cromwel marches up to London and takes his place in parliament who in his absence had recalled their Vote of Non-addresses and were treating with the King at Newport but while this Treaty proceeded and some months were spent in debates concessions and denials another sudden alteration happened which threw the King from the height of honour to the lowest condition for some fearing they might be in danger if the King were restored to his Throne contrived to take him away quite while others were as earnest for re-advancing him so that things were brought to no issue before Cromwels return who had now the thanks of the House given him by the Speaker for his prudent conduct of affairs in Scotland At the same time several petitions were presented to the Parliament and some to General Fairfax That whoever had offended against the Common wealth no persons excepted might be brought to speedy Jnstice that the same fault may have the same punishment in the person of K. or Lord as in the person of the poorest Commoner That such as speak or act on the Kings behalf till he be acquitted of shedding innocent blood be proceeded against as Traytors c. The first petition of this kind was presented to the parliament Sept 11. the Title was To the most Honourable the Commons of England assembled in Parliament The humble petition of many thousands of well-affected men in the Cities of London and Westminster in the Burrough of Southwark and the neighbouring Villages Inhabitants This petition which broke the Ice was in a month followed by several others from divers Counties in England and from several Regiments of the Army as from Oxford Leicester from many commanders in the Army from Iretons and Ingolsbys Regiment the design of all being the same That Justice might be done on the chief Authors of so much Bloodshed in England and that those who had been raisers of this second War and were now in the Parliaments custody Hamilton Holland Capel Goring and the rest might be punish'd and especially the King himself c. These petitions were daily presented to the Parliament during the Treaty and by them laid aside but at last these desires prevailed especially after the Remonstrance of Fairfax Cromwel and the General Council of Officers at St. Albans of Nov. 11. 1648. At the same time Cromwel sent Coll. Ewer to the Isle of Wight to take the King out of the custody of Coll. Hammond at Newport and to confine him to Hurst Castle till further Order and this without consent of the Parliament and thus the Treaty was violently broken off though the House of Lords Voted That the Kings Concessions were a sufficient ground of peace and the major part of the Commons did the same But Cromwel and the Army being now come to London resolve to hinder the same and discharge the Trained Bands from guarding the parliament Collonel Prides and Riches Regiments supplying their rooms by whom above forty Members of the House of Commons as they were coming to the House were seized and made prisoners Nay further they accuse M. G. Brown and above Ninety Members for inviting the Scots into England the last Summer and therefore desired they might be excluded the House which being done and the House new modelled they Voted That no message be received from the King upon pain of High Treason That Fairfax and the Army take care of the King and that the Council of War draw up a charge against him Dec. 13. 1648. The King is brought from Hurst Castle to Windsor and the Commons declare the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance to be void and that it is Treason for the King to levy War against the Common-wealth but the Lords deny that the King can commit any Treason against the Common-wealth and reject the Ordinance for his Tryal by a new Tribunal which they had erected to consist of one hundred and fifty Commissioners six whereof were of the Lords House the rest Officers of the Army and some few Citizens And the Commons further declare That the people under God are the original
of all just power and that the Commons of England being the peoples Representative have the supream Authority and what they Enact has the force of a Law though the House of Lords do not consent thereto Upon these and several other new political principles they proceed to Try Judge Condemn and Execute the King before his own palace-gate at White-Hall Jan. 30. 1648. But having already published a Book called The Wars of England Scotland and Ireland wherein is an exact relation of the Kings Tryal with the Reasons he would have offered against the pretended Jurisdiction of their Court of Justice and his last speech at the time of his suffering I shall refer the Reader to that and wholly omit it here The fatal blow being given the remainder of the House of Commons and the Army made it evident that they were not only for cutting off the King but Kingship it self and thereupon the House Voted That Kingly Government is unnecessary burdensome and dangerous and that whereas several pretences might be made to the Crown that any person who should proclaim Charles Stewart Son of the late King or any other King of England should suffer as in case of High Treason And soon after the House of Lords was likewise Vored useless and dangerous at which the Lords were so highly Incensed that a Declaration was suddenly published in the Name of all the Peers and Barons of England against the proceedings of the Commons and in definance of all Votes Acts and Orders to the contrary Charles the second was proclaimed King in the Name of all the Nobility Gentry and Commonalty of the Kingdom but they still proceed assuming new Ensigns of Soveraignty and cancelling the old causing all Writs Commissions c. to issue out under a new style and title that is The Keepers of the Liberties of England by the authority of parliament causing the old Great Seal to be broken and a new one made with this Inscription In the fifth year of freedom by Gods blessing restored And soon after they pulled down the Kings Arms in all places and his Statue at Guild Hall and the Royal Exchange A Council of State was constituted of forty and Bradshaw made president and the Council of Adjutators of the Army who had been so Instrumental in the late Revolutions was now dissolved who soon after petitioned the Lord Fairfax but those that subscribed it were by a Council of War Ordered to ride with their faâ—es to the Horses Tails before their Regiments with their crimes on their breasts to have their swords broken over their heads and to be cashier'd the army which much provoked their fellow souldiers so that a while after the Army Rendevouzing at Ware several Regiments in persuance of the former petition wherein they complain of erecting Illegal Courts of Justice and trying the free people of England by Martial Law with divers other grievances wore white colours in their Haâ—s to distinguish themselves among whom was Cromwels own Regiment of Horse who having notice of it ordered two other Regiments from remote Quarters to be there who knew nothing of the Intrigue and being all drawn up in Battalia Cromwel with a frowning countenance rides round and suddenly commands those two Regiments to surround a Regiment of Foot and then calls four men by their Names out of the body and with his own hands put them in custody of the Marshal instantly summoning a Council of War while their adherents secretly put their white colours in their pockets and were astonished at the action These four were tryed and found guilty but had the favour to cast lots for their lives whereby the two principal Mutineers escaped and the two ignorant fellows were shot to death upon the place in the view of the whole Army These now had the Name of Levellers given them and one Lockier was afterward shot to death for promoting a paper called The Ingagement and Agreement of the people c. in St. Pauls Church-yard and his Funeral was attended by above one thousand of the Lilburnian Faction all wearing black and Sea-green Ribbons the Army being now in a violent ferment and even ready to destroy one another which humour was cherished by John Lilburn not without incouragement from the Royal party who from their divisions hoped to reap advantage In persuance hereof Collonel Scroops Regiment of Horse dismissed their Officers at Salisbury and with colours flying marched to join Harrisons Iretons and Skippons Regiments who by the contrivance of the Agitators were all ingaged in the same designs This defection seeming of very dangerous consequence Gen. Fairfax and Cromwel with his own Regiment marched to Alton and had advice the Mutineers were gone to Abington after whom Cromwel made such haste that in one day he marched forty miles and having met with them he politickly proposed a Treaty before Harrisons Regiment should join them wherein all parties should receive satisfaction and that neither of them should keep at ten miles distance upon which the Levellers went to Burford and being opposed by the Souldiery at New-bridge to prevent Quarrels they went a little lower not doubting but they should all join upon Treaty and then put most of their Horses to grass they being in all above nine hundred consisting of twelve Troops entire of the best in the Army and leaving a guard of about sixty men some of their companions who were brought over to Cromwel giving Intelligence of their posture Coll. Reynolds about midnight rusht into their Quarters they â—â—ttâ—e expecting such rough treatment and seizing the Guards took the greatest part of the rest either asleep or drinking together with nine hundred Horse and four hundred prisoners whereof Thompson and two more only were Executed Cornet Don declaring such sorrow that he was reprieved at the place of Execution which their fellows beheld from the Leads of the Church and were told That every tenth man of them should die but Cromwel proposed the pardoning of them which was agreed to and they sent to their own Houses This proved the utter suppression of that Faction and rendred the Army wholly at the devotion of Cromwel About this time another illegal High Court of Justice was erected wherein Duke Hamilton the Earl of Holland Lord Capel and Lord Goring were brought to their Trial the three first were condemned and beheaded at the Palace-yard in Westâ—minster and a proclamation was published declaring the Kingdom of England to be a free State and Alderman Reynoldson was commanded to proclaim it in the City which he refusing was committed to the Tower and a new Lord Mayor was chosen by a â—ommon Hall who attended with several other Aldermen of the same temper readily proclaimed the Edicts of this new Republick in several places in the City England being thus subjected to the power of the House of Commons and the Army and Scotland not yet ripe for Invasion and the Nation full of Souldiers who having for so long a time led
a Military life could hardly be reduced to their former Imployments Our new States-men to prevent any ill humours that might gather among them resolved to make them serviceable to their Country in the reduction of Ireland all that Kingdom except Dublin and London-derry being in possession of the Irish which neither were able to hold out without speedy assistance from England This Rebellion the most barbarous and bloody that ever happened upon earth acted by Devils in humane shape rather than men butchering two hundred thousand protestants in eight weeks space without the least offence or provocation given or without sparing of age or sex was perpetrated Oct. 23. 1641. and though contrived so secretly and acted so furiously yet was Dublin wonderfully preserved to be a refuge to those poor protestants who escaped the rage of their bloody persecutors Many of them fled to England but found little relief for here all things seemed to forebode the re-acting the same Tragedy yet in the midst of the differences between the King and parliament it was agreed to send some Regiments thither if possible to hinder the progress of those Assassines but this relief was so small that it had no effect for the King finding the parliament prevail against him recalled those Troops from Ireland many of the Rebels coming along with them to his assistance so that this Kingdom lay more exposed to these bloody Wolves than ever and thus they continued for some years But this new state having renounced Monarchy and Episcopacy resolve now to use the same Instruments to recover Ireland and to that end they ordered an Army to be sent thither The Marquess of Ormond was made Lord-Lieutenant by the late King and the Rebels had made a confederacy among themselves and upon condition to have the free Exercise of their Religion and divers other ample priviledges and advantages which the necessity of affairs obliged him to yield to they joined their Forces to his being also assisted by a considerable number of others raised by the Earls of Castlehaven Clanâ—ickand and the Lord Inchiquin so that they were the greatest united strength in that Kingdom but the confederates having broken their Articles with the Lieutenant and being ready to besiege Dublin which he was not able to defend rather than it should fall into the hands of the Irish papists he surrendred it to Collonel Jones for the parliament and came over to the King who was then carried from one place to another by the Army and from thence he went over to Prince Charles then at Paris But the Confederates surprized at the great preparations made against them in England sent Letters to the Prince humbly intreating him to send back the Marquess of Ormond with an absolute promise to submit entirely to the Kings Authority and to obey his Lieutenant At their request he returned into Ireland about a year before Cromwel came over and with their united Forces they had reduced the whole Country except London-derry commanded by Sir Charles Coot and Dublin the principal City wherein was Collonel Jones with no great strength and who was very jealous of the sidelity of his own men that often deserted and went over to the other party The Irish confederates with an Army of twenty two thousand men lay under the very Walls of Dublin and sent divers threatning summons into it requiring a speedy surrender but they had no effect upon the valiant Governour Jones who yet not insensible of the great danger he was in sent many earnest Messages to the parliament of England to aid him with all speed with Men and Ammunition or else all would be quickly lost and they knowing the difficulties of his condition hasten their assistance to him gave order for sending thither Iretons Scroops Hortons and Lamberts Regiments of Horse with Hewsons Deans Ewers and Cooks Regiments of Foot and five Troops of Dragoons all old tried Souldiers that feared no Enemy and led by victorious commanders with some other Regiments new listed to make a number sufficient to effect the business Nothing was now wanting but a General to command this gallant Army which the parliament being sensible of Cromwels conduct and fitness desired him to accept which he readily did declaring at the same time That he did not doubt but God would use him as an Instrument to execute his vengeance upon the bloody Irish with which answer the parliament were so pleased that instantly they give him a commission to be General of all their Forces and Lord Governour both in the Civil and Military affairs of Ireland and Collonel Jones was made Lieutenant-General of the Horse After which they march to their Rendevouz at Milford in Wales and July 10. 1649. Cromwel set forward from London in a Coach and six Horses attended with many of the House of commons council of State and principal Officers of the Army with a Life-Guard of fourscore who had been lately commanders very gallantly accoutred In this state he march'd to Brainford where these Gentlemen took their leaves with wishes for his happy success from thence he rides post to Bristol to put his men and Train of Artillery into the Transport-ships and afterwards goes into Wales having sent Reynolds Regiment of Horse and Venables and Monks Regiments of Foot before from Chester who with a fair wind soon arrived at Dublin to the great joy of the Inhabitants being about three thousand in all who were very careful to recover them from the fatigues of the Sea in hopes by their means to recover their Liberties And in this they found themselves not mistaken for Collonel Jones much animated with these recruits resolved to attack the besiegers with the first opportunity and accordingly Aug. 2 when the Irish with a strong party of Horse and Foot marched with much assurance to Baggor-field a little way Eastward from the city toward the Sea from whence they designed to run their Trenches towards the Works of the city to prevent the landing any more supplies from England the besieged sound a necessity to prevent them and with twelve hundred Horse and four thousand Foot fell upon the Enemies new Works and rout their Horse at the first encounter most of the Foot being also either kill'd or slain consisting of fifteen hundred besides their Horse which so incouraged the English that they pursued their victory to Rathunines where the Marquess of Ormond with his whole Army of nineteen thousand men were Incamped who hearing of it wished they would come that he might have some sport with them he soon had his wish but the sport was somewhat rude for in a short time his Army was utterly put to the rout four thousand being slain upon the spot and in the pursuit and two thousand five hundred and seventeen prisoners most persons of Quality with the Marquesses own brother all their Cannon and Ammunition with a wealthy Camp became the reward of the conquering Souldiers who made themselves Gentlemen with the spoils of the
the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London and other persons of Quality all expressing the sence of their obligations Soon after he took his place in parliament and received the thanks of the House from the Speaker and then gave them a full account of the present condition of Ireland At this time Virginia and the Caribbee Islands revolt from the parliament and cry up the Monarchy and Liturgy who thereupon prohibit all Nations to Trade with them and in a few months they are wholly subdued by a Fleet sent thither under Sir G. Ayscough Prince Rupert infests the English Coasts from Scilly Jersey Ireland and France with the States revolted Ships to the great loss of the Merchants whereupon a Fleet well equipt is set forth against him who block him up in Kinsale which Town being taken by Cromwel they were forced to hasten away leaving three Ships behind and sailed to Lisbon where they were protected by the King of Portugal which caused a difference between that King and the English Republick About the same time that is May 3. 1649. Dr. Dorislaus who drew up the charge against King Charleâ— being sent as an Envoy to the States of Holland was treacherously murdered at the Hague by persons in disguise that broke into his Lodgings and afterward made their escape And not long after Mr. Anthony Ascham the English Agent in Spain was stabâ—d in his Inn in his way to Madrid and the murderers taking sanctuary in a church the King of Spain by all his authority could not bring them to Justice But the greatest danger to this new Common-wealth though victorious in Ireland seemed to be from Scotland for King Charles II. being in the Isle of Jersey and having notice of the great factions and differences in that Kingdom between the Covenanters and the Royalists he gives a commission to the Marquess of Montross who in the year 1645. was so successful for a time that the whole Kingdom of Scotland may be said to have been won and lost in one month by which commission he was to raise Forces in Holland and other parts wherewith if possible to abate the power of the Covenanters so that the King might be able to treat with them upon better terms He accordingly in a short time sends some Forces into the Isles of Orkney and a few more under Sir James Mongomery to the North of Scotland These the Committee of Estates resolve to oppose though raised for the Kings service and send propositions to him to Jersey which being granted they would enter into a Treaty to restore him to that Kingdom the substance whereof were That he would sign the solemn league and covenant and oblige all persons to take it To confirm all Acts of parliament in the two last Sessions and to have no Negative voice in their parliament and would appoint some place about Holland to treat in The King consented and promised in the word of a Prince to perform them and Breda a Town in Holland belonging to the Prince of Orange was the place appointed where the Scots Commissioners meet him and the Treaty in a short time was fully concluded wherein one Article was That the Marquess of Montross and his adherents be prohibited access into that Kingdom During this Treaty Montross being commissioned by the King fearing he should have an express command to desist and himself be banish'd his country landed as you heard at Orkney and in the North with some inconsiderable supplies of men and money against whom the parliament then sitting send an Army of seven thousand Foot and three Troops of Horse who utterly defeat his Forces which were only twelve hundred of whom two hundred were slain and all the rest taken except one hundred who made their escape and Montross himself who being three or four days in the open Fields without meat or drink with only one man discovered himself to the L. Aston but the pronused reward or fear of concealing him caused this Lord to send him to Edenburgh and he was soon after condemned and hanged upon a Gallows thirty foot from the ground and a few days after Sir John Urrey Sir Francis Hay Collonel Sâ—bald and Collonel Spotswood were beheaded for the same cause the last at his death confessing he was an actor in the death of Dr. Doritâ—aâ—s The King was somewhat startled at these proceedings but the Scots Commissioners desired him nor to stumble at these matters since they were all designed to promote his Interests so that finding it could not be redressed he was forced to conceal his resentments and the Treaty being finished the King prepared for his Voyage to Scotland The parliament of England having exact Intelligence of all these proceedings it was debated whether the War which was inevitable between them and the Scots should be Offensive or Defensive at length being sensible what desolations they brought along with them when they came in as Friends and afterwards as Enemies in Duke Hamiltons Invasion it was concluded to make Scotland the seat of the War and accordingly they Order the Army to march Northward but General Fairfax as well as some others being dissatisfied about the obligation of the National Covenant entred into between both Kingdoms which he conceived would not permit us to make War on Scotland desired to be excused and delivered up his commission which at first was a little startling but the parliament soon found another General of whose valour and conduct they had large experience which was Cromwel who accepted of the charge and had a commission to be General of all the Forces that now were or hereafter should be raised by the Common-wealth of England and all commissions formerly granted to Sir Tho. Fairfax were made void June 28. 1650. Cromwel with his Army marched toward Scotland and was received at York by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen with great respect The report of his coming surprized the Committee of Estates who sent a Letter to the Parliament That they admired the English should advance toward them and that many of their Ships were seized contrary to the Act of pacification which allowed three months warning and that the Forces they had raised were only in their own defence defiring to know whether those of the English were designed to guard their own borders or to invade Scotland The parliament by their Declaration declare the reasons of their proceeding and among others That the Scots endeavour to seduce the people of the Common-wealth of England from their affection and duty to the parliament and to promote the laterest of the late King under pretence of the Covenant and though they could claim no authority or dominion over us yet in Scotland they proclaimed Charles Stewart to be King of England and Ireland and since that promised to assist him against the Common-wealth and had declared against the English parliament and Army ranking them with malignants and papists These with many others were such intolerable provocations and no satisfaction being
Army when they were in England 4. For their not sufficient purging their Army 5. For their Commissioners unlawful and surreptitious manner of prosecuting the Treaty with the King and their crooked ways in bringing him home 6. For their not sufficient purging the Kings House 7. For their just grounds they have that the Kings Repentance was not sound nor from the heart After this Cromwel took order for the effectual reducing of the Castle of Edenburgh which the Scots accounted Impregnable by scituation and having a Garrison of four hundred souldiers and all manner of Ammunition and Provisions Collonel William Dundass being Governour But the General notwithstanding all seeming difficulties imployed many Scotch and English Miners who went so near the Works of the Castle that they carried off one Scots Colours three hundred Muskets and other Arms without any loss though the Scots sent many great and small shot among them so that the fortifications of Leith and the Mining at Edinburgh went on prosperously Octob. 2. The English searched the great Church at Edinburgh where they found one great Iron Gun two hundred new Muskets sixteen Barrels of powder sixty five bundles of Bandileers and Swords two hundred new Halberts three hundred new Pikes and two load of Match And now let us consider the calamitous condition of Scotland that when an Enemy was in the very bowels of their country there should be so many divisions among themselves even to the destroving of each other for one party in the North was for the King without the Kirk these with Middleton keep the Highlands Another were for the Kirk against the King whose chiefs were Collonel Ker. Stranghan and their Adherents in the West At third party were for King and Kirk as David Lesley Holbourn and those of Fife these were then at Sterling and most considerable having the authority of the Committee of Estates and General Assembly to countenance them All these had their Swords drawn against each other Things being in this posture Cromwel sends a Letter both to the Committee of Estates and to Ker and Stranghanâ— declaring What amicable ways they had hitherto used to prevent the effusion of Christian Blood before and since their coming into Scotland which though it succeeded not yet they should still endeavour the same assuring them their arms were still stretch'd out to imbrace them when ever God should incline them to come in and that they sought not domination nor to inslave them or depress their Church-Government nor sought their Goods or Estates but to carry on the Lords Work and that if they would still be blinded and persist in gain-saying and opposing then what further misery befel their Nation by Famine or Sword would lye heavy on them This Letter was sent by Collonel Whaley who soon after received an answer from Collonel Ker wherein they inveigh severely against the proceedings of the Army and That no Cessation or Treaty was to be made till the English were gone out of the Kingdom which they had unjustly Invaded So that there being no likelihood of an accommodation Major Brown with a party of Horse took in a strong place called Dalhouse and in it fifty Muskets fifty Pikes four Barrels of Powder with store of provisions supposed to be the Magazine of the Moss Troopers who kill'd divers English stragling for provisions some of whom were taken at Darlington Castle seven miles from Edenburgh Soon after Lambert with two thousand Horse marched toward Damfreize Collonel Ker being then about Pebles and Whaley in his march toward the Enemy took in Dalkeith Castle with a threatning summons wherein were store of Arms Cannon Powder March and Ball the Wall of it was thirteen foot broad at the top Lambert having with difficulty passed Hambleton River the next morning Ker resolved to surprize him and attempted it with much courage but the English being timely alarm'd suddenly surrounded most of the Scots Horse of whom they killed one hundred and took one hundred besides four hundred Horse and Furniture deserted by their Riders pursuing the rest to Ayre Ker himself being taken prisoner in the flight with several other Officers Collonel Stranghan and Captain Griffen with some others of the Western party came in to Lambert who brought them to the Head Quarters at Edenburgh Cromwel observing that the Mining of the Castle would be very tedious he raises a Mount upon a rising ground whereon to plant a Battery notwithstanding the utmost endeavours of the besieged and having mounted four Mortar-pieces and six Battering Cannon upon it he sent one summons more to the Governour That for preventing further mischiefs he would surrender the place to him upon proper conditions The Governour answered That he was intrusted by the Committee of Estates of Scotland to keep the Castle and desired two days time to acquaint them with his condition but this was denied Whereupon the Cannon and Mortars began to play and the Scots hung out a Flag of defiance in contempt of them but they had not plaid long e're they took it in so that it was judged some great damage was done by four or five shells that fell among them and presently put out a white Flag on the top of the Castle sending forth a Drummer the Governour desiring once again That he might have leave to send to the Committee of Estates which being again refused two Commissioners of each side concluded a Treaty whereby it was agreed That the Castle of Edinburgh should be surrendred to his Excellency the Lord General Cromwel on December 24. 1650. with all the Cannon Arms Magazine and Furniture of War thereto belonging That the Governor with all the Officers and Souldiers should then march forth with their Arms Colours flying Drums beating Matches lighted and Bullet in mouth to such place as they shall choose that such Inhabitants as have any Goods in the Castle shall have them restored There were taken in this strong Castle five French Cannon five Dutch half Cannon two Culverings two Demi-culverings two Minions two Falcons twenty eight brass Drakes two Petards seven thousand Arms eighty Barrels of Powder store of Canson shâ—t and other provisions proportionable It was much admired that this strong Hold the most Impregnable in all Scotland should be so soon surrendred considering its scituation and advantages being built upon a very high Rock or Precipice having only one entrance and that very steep and narrow so that not above three can go abrest overlooking and commanding all places about it insomuch that by the Cannon the English were often galled in their Quarters though at a considerable distance It was the common discourse at that time that it was assaulted with silver Engines but whether Coverousness Cowardice or Treachery were the cause it was of very great consequence and advantage to Cromwel and the further proceedings to his Army The sharpness of the Winter in that Northern Climate was so extream about this time that the War seemed almost at a stand
which news coming to London very much startled the Parliament and Cromwel was a little surprized thereat who by staying to reduce St. Johnstons had suffered the Kings Armâ— to get three days march before him which he excuses in a Letter to the Parliament and shews That the Army acted to the best of their Judgments Cromwel presently orders Lambert to march in the Reer of the Scots with a party of three thousand Horse and Dragoans Harrison was likewise commanded to attack them if possible in the Van and the General himself followed with about sixteen Regiments of Horse and Foot leaving the prosecution of the War in Scotland to Lieutenant General Monk with seven thousand Horse and Foot who presently took in the Town and Castle of Sterling with Aberdeen Abernethy Dundee Dimottercastle Dunbarton-castle and several others so that all Scotland was subdued to the Republick of England The King marched forward with his Army being proclaimed in all Towns as he went along and published a Declaration with a promise of pardon to all persons for all crimes except Cromwel Bradshaw and Cook A copy of the same Declaration was sent by the King in a Letter to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London but was by Order of parliament burnt by the Hangman at the Royal Exchange And a day or two after at a muster of the City Trained Bands at Bunhil-fields consisting of fourteen thousand men Lenthal the Speaker of the House came thither and caused a fellow with a Link to burn a copy of the Declaration at the head of every Regiment On the other side the Parliament pass an Act to make it High-Treason to correspond with or assist Charles Stewart with any relief whatsoever At length after many halts and skirmishes long and tedious marches of three hundred miles in three Weeks the Scots entred into Worcester Aug. 23. 1651. from whence the King sent his Letters Mandatory to Sir Tho. Midleton and Coll. Mackworth Governours of Shrewsbury to raise Forces for him but without success In the mean time the Parliament raised the Militia of the Counties and Cromwel and the rest of their Army coming up together they surrounded them on every side with their numerous Host it being never known before in England that so great Forces should be assembled in so short a time which in the whole were judged to be above fifty thousand and the Scots in Worcester no more than thirteen thousand The Earl of Derby about this time being landed as was expected at Wyewater in Lancashire with about three hundred Gentlemen and others endeavoured to raise the Country while the English were busied at Worcester and in a little time they increased to fifteen hundred Collonel Lilburn was sent thither to observe his motions and Cromwels Regiment of foot being at Manchester was appointed to join him at Preston To prevent which the Earl marched toward Manchester whereupon Lilburn endeavoured to flank them in their march so to join the foot which the Earl perceiving prest to ingage and Lilburn being over-match'd in foot the dispute proved tedious and difficult yet in an hour the Earl was totally routed and many persons of Quality taken and five hundred common souldiers with all their baggage arms and ammunition the Earl of Derbys George Garter and other Robes with the badges of the Order but he himself escaped and recovered Worcester There were slain the Lord Widdrington Sir Tho. Tildesley Collonel Matthew Boynton and other inferior Officers with about sixty private souldiers Of the parliaments party ten were slain but many wounded Cromwel having disposed the whole Army round about Worcester in order to a Siege the first remarkable attempt was possessing a pass upon the Severne at a place called Upton which was done by a party led by Lambert and Fleetwood who marched toward the River Teame over which was made a bridge of boats and another over Severn on the Generals side upon which the Kings party took the alarm and drew our Horse and Foot to oppose the Lieutenant Generals passage to whose relief Collonel Ingolsbys and Fairfaxes Regiment of foot the Generals Life-Guard and Hackers Regiment of Horse were all led on by Cromwel himself Then Collonel Goffe and Deans Regiments fell to scowring the Hedges which the Kings party had lined and beat them from Hedge to Hedge so that being seconded by a fresh supply they were forced to retreat to Powick-bridge where three Regiments of Scots more maintained another hot dispute but at length all retired into Worcester except some that were taken After which the Royalists renewing their courage drew out what Horse and Foot they could on Cromwels side the King leading them on they imagining most of his Army had been on the other side so that by this bold and resolute salley Cromwels men were forced a little to retire but after a fight of four hours wherein the King had his Horse twice shot under him the Works and Fort-Royal were taken and their cannon turned upon themselves and the English entred the Town upon which many of the foot threw down their arms which the King perceiving rode up and down among them sometimes with his Hat in his hand intreating them to stand to their Arms adding I had rather you would shoot me than keep me alive to see the sad consequences of this fatal day But all proving ineffectual the Earl of Cleveland and some others rallying some Forces put a small check to the Victors whereby the King had the opportunity to make his escape out of the Town which he did about seven a clock at Night in the dark with sixty Horse out of St. Martins-gate The whole Army now entring the City the souldiers furiously fly through all the streets doing such execution that nothing could be seen for some time but blood and slaughter till at last the plunder of the Town and the prisoners having a little satisfied their appetites they think of securing the rest Most of the Scots Foot were slain or taken but three thousand Horse made their escape The number of the slain and prisoners was about ten thousand Those of Quality taken were Duke Hamilton the Earles of Lauderdale Rothes Carnworth Shrewsbury Cleveland Derby and Kelby and several other Lords and Gentlemen six Collonels of Horse thirteen of Foot nine Lieutenant Collonels of horse eight of foot six Majors of horse thirteen of foot thirty seven Captains of Horse seventy two of foot fifty five Quarter-masters of Horse eighty nine Lieutenants of foot seventy six Cornets of horse ninety nine Ensigns of foot thirty of the Kings servants nine Ministers nine Surgeons one hundred fifty eight Colours the Kings Standard Coach and Horses with other rich plunder and his Collar of SS Many parties were taken in Warwickshire Shropshire c. so that few of that great body but were killed or taken M. General Massey being wounded surrendred himself and after made his escape M. General Midleton Lieutenant General Lesley were taken in
another place and soon after most of the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland were taken at a place called Ellet in that Kingdom where they were assembled to propagate the Royal cause namely Old General Lesley Earl Marshal Earl of Crawford the Lords Keith Ogilby Burgoiny Huntley Ley with many Knights Gentlemen and Ministers which soon after were ship'd and sent for England Such was the sudden change of the condition of the Scots and the King that he who a few days before was proclaimed King of Great Britain had now neither Camp nor Garrison to retire to five hundred pounds sterling being offered to discover him so that after travelling in disguise and through many dangers about England he at length found an opportunity to imbark at Shoreham in Sussex for Newhaven in France where he arrived Octob. 2. following Of the great number of prisoners taken none of Quality suffered but the Earl of Derby who was beheaded at Bolton in Lancashire and Sir Tim. Fetherstone Others of less note suffered at Chester Shrewsbury and other places Nor did many of the Royalists themselves expect any better fortune in this expedition than what happened as appears by Duke Hamiltons Letter to Sir William Crofts taken among other papers a few days before the fight to this purpose We are all laughing at the ridiculousness of our condition who having quit Scotland being scarce able to maintain it yet we grasp at all and nothing but all will satisfie us or to lose all I confess I cannot tell whether our hopes or fears are greatest but we have one stout argument and that is despair for we must now either shortly fight or dye All the Rogues have left us I will not say whether for fear or disloyalty but all now with His Majesty are such as will not dispute his commands So that we see this undertaking was not the product of deliberate counsel but of necessity and desperation This battel put a period to the Kings hopes of getting the Government by Arms and on the other hand secured to Cromwel all his former Conquests the influence whereof though acted in England was great in Scotland for their principal Nobility and souldiery being cut off they were no longer able to bear up but were soon reduced to the obedience of England And Cromwel giving an account to the Parliament of this great success he concludes his Letter by telling them That this was a crowning Victory which was afterward thought to proceed from the foresight of his future Greatness This fight happened Sept. 3. 1651. that very day twelve-month wherein the Scots received that fatal blow at Dunbar afore-mentioned After the battel Cromwel staâ—d no longer than to see the Walls of Worcester levelled to the ground and the Ditches filled up with earth to discover his aversion to the Inhabitants for receiving his Enemies into it and Sept. 12. came to London being met at Acton by the Parliament and their Speaker the Lord Mayor of London Aldermen and Recorder and hundreds of others to whom Steel the City Recorder made a Congratulatory Oration extolling all his Victories and Exploits with the highest flights of Rhetorick and applying to him the words of Psalm 149 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand to execute vengeance upon the Heathen and punishments upon the people to bind their Kings with chains and their Nobles with fetters of iron to execute upon them the judgment written this honour have all the Saints praise ye the Lord. After which he was conducted in triumph to his House near White-hall great number of Scotch prisoners coming after him through Tuthill-fields to Westminster as Trophies of his Victories and the Colours taken there with those at Dunbar Westminster Preston were hung up in Westminster-Hall After a short repose General Cromwel and Lieutenant General Lambert went to take their places in Parliament where they were entertained by the Speaker with a second Congratulatory Oration magnifying their courage and gallantry and acknowledging the great obligation which the people of England were under toward them The same day the Lord Mayor feasted the General and his Officers where mutual returns of kindness passed between them to the satisfaction of both parties Oct. 14. 1651. Collonel Hayn with two Regiments of foot and two Troops of Horse were shipp'd at Weymouth for reducing the Isle of Jersey in eighty Vessels under the command of General Blake who came to St. Owens Bay where the ships running aground the men leapt out some to the middle others up to the neck in water and ran ashoar the enemy playing hard upon them with great and small shot and gave a hot charge with their Horse yet after half an hours dispute they fled and left behind them twelve cannon and some colours After which the English marched further into the Island within sight of Elizabeth Castle under which was a Fort called St. Albans Tower where were fourteen Guns which upon summons was delivered and so was Orgueil castle and soon after Elizabeth castle upon very good terms to the Garrison and Governour Sir George Cartaret because of its great strength The Isle of Man was likewise reduced in a short time with the castles of Peele and Rushen both very strong and almost impregnable as well as Cornet castle in the Isle of Guernsey if the besieged had had resolution to defend them About this time died Admiral Popham and Henry Ireton Son-in-law to Oliver Cromwel at Lymerick which Kingdom in a little while after was wholly subdued and brought under the obedience of the Government of England The Parliament now passed two or three considerable Acts one for Incorporating Scotland into one Common-wealth with England another of Oblivion and free pardon a third to determine the Session of this Parliament on Nov. 3. 1654. a fourth for the increase of shipping and incouragement of Navigation wherein was enacted That no Goods or Commodities of the growth or manufacture of any places in Asia Africa America or Europe should be imported into England Ireland or any of the Territories thereof but only in English ships under the penalty of forfeiting the Goods and Ships And that no Goods whatsoever shall be brought in unless they be ship'd from the places of their growth and manufacture only Also that no Fish or Oyl made of Fish or Whale-bone shall be imported but only such as shall be caught in Vessels belonging to the English Lastly that no kinds of salted fish from Feb. 1. 1653. shall be exported in any other save English Vessels with several other exceptions and provisoes in reference to East-India Goods and of commodities from Turky Spain and Portugal This last Act was very grateful to the Merchants and Seamen but did extreamly surprize and disturb the Holl inders as judging it would cause a vast diminution in their Trade which with so much advantage they had long driven to the loss and detriment of the English Nation who
thereupon sent Ambassadors to desire it might be repealed but not succeeding herein they began to dispute our ancient right of the Flag in the British Seas by refusing to strike sail to our Men of War which occasioned a breach between the two Republicks for in May 1652. Admiral Trump with about forty two sail of Dutch ships was discovered on the back of the Goodwin Sands bearing toward Dover Road Major Brown being near with a squadron of English ships sent the Grey-hound frigate to speak with them to whom they struck their Topsail saying They came with a message from Admiral Trump to our commander in chief and coming aboard said That the great North winds had forced them farther South than they intended being compelled to ride some days off Dunkirk where they had lost divers Anchors and Cables professing they intended no injury to the English Nation General Blake who was Westward with the rest of the English Fleet having speedy advice of this passage hastened toward them and next morning May 19. saw them at Anchor in Dover Road and being within three Leagues of them they stood Eastward and received an Express from the States upon which they bore directly up to our Fleet Van Trump being headmost whereupon Blake shot three Guns without Ball at his Flag and Trump answered with a Gun on the averse side of the ship signifying a disdain and instead of striking his Topsail hung out a red flag which was the signal for his whole fleet and gave General Blake a broadside The fight continued four hours till Night parted them in which one Dutch ship was funk and another of thirty Guns taken with the Captains of both and about one hundred and fifty prisoners Of the English about ten were slain and forty wounded the English Admiral was much damaged in her Masts Sails Rigging and Hull but the rest of the Fleet had inconsiderable loss This attempt of the Hollanders while we were upon Treaty so incensed the Parliament that all the Addresses and Overtures of their Ambassadors and the sending hither two more could not appease them yea though they by several papers endeavoured to excuse it alledging That the unhappy fight between the ships of both Common-wealths happened without the knowledge and against the wills of the States taking God the searcher of mens hearts to witness the same and that with grief and astonishment they received the fatal News of that unhappy rash action and thereupon consulted about a remedy to this raw and bloody wound by appointing a solemn meeting of all the Provinces whereby they doubted not by Gods favour to remove not only the outward but inward cause of all further differences for the benefit of both Nations and to avoid the detestable shedding of Christian blood so much desired by their Enemies and therefore beseech the Council of State by the pledges of common Religion and Liberty to do nothing out of heat which afterward with vain wishes can never be recalled which they desire the more because their ships of War and Merchandize are detained in the English Ports To this the Parliament replied That calling to mind the demonstrations of friendship and good correspondence which they have always discovered toward the States General during all the troubles in England they are much surprized at such unsuitable returns especially at the acts of Hostility lately committed in the very Roads of England upon the ships of this Common-wealth and though they would willingly believe that the late Engaâ—ements of the Fleets happened without their knowledge or consent yet when they consider how disagreeable the actions of that State and their Officers at Sea have been in the midst of a Treaty offered by themselves and managed here by their Ambassadors and the extraordinary preparation of one hundred and fifty ships without any visible occasion and the Instructions given by the States to their commanders at Sea they have too much cause to believe that the Stares General design by force to Usurp the known Right of England in the Seas to destroy the Fleers that are under God their Walls and Bulwarks and thereby expose the Nation to be Invaded at pleasure as by their late action they have attempted to do Therefore the Parliament think themselves obliged to indeavour by Gods assistance to seek reparations for the wrongs already suffered and security against any such attempts for the future yet still desining that all differences if possible may be peaceably and amicably composed This answer quite broke off the Treatâ— and the Ambassadors having had audience of the Parliament took their leaves and departed And now these mighty States prepare to ingage each other and accordingly General Blake with a gallant Fleet advanced North towards the Isles of Orkney to seize all Vessels that were fishing there who took twelve Dutch Men of War that were guarding the Busses but discharged most of the Busses and Sir George Ayscough with his squadron being left to guard the narrow Seas discovered about thirty Dutch ships between Dover and Calice of which ten were taken and burnt the rest run ashoar on the Coasts of France Many other Dutch and French Prizes were daily taken Thence Sir George Ayscough sailed West to seek out the Dutch Fleer and Convoy home some Merchaur-men from Plymouth and being within seven or eight Leagues of Plymouth he had advice of them whereupon he resolved to stand over to the Coast of France and next day Aug. 16. 1652. had sight of them being about sixty sail of Men of War and thirty Merchant men the English were but thirty eight fail four Fireships and four Advice-ships yet they resolved to ingage the Enemy Sir George Ayscough and six other Frigates charged through the whole Dutch Fleet receiving much damage in their Masts Hulls Sails and Rigging yet they tack'd about and charged them all again till dark Night and had not some English Captains been deficient in their duty they had probably destroyed their whole Navy In this Ingagement some few English were slain and wounded and three Captains a Fireship of theirs was sunk with two other ships but the darkness of the Night concealed their other losses who stood away for the Coasts of France and the English for Plymouth to repair During this fight Blake came from the North into the Downs and took six rich Dutch Prizes sending some Frigates to reinforce Ayscough and soon after Captain Pen with his squadren hovering on the Coasts of France surprized six stout Men of War more now returned from the Venetian service and richly laden Sept. 5. General Blake riding in the Downs had notice of a French Fleet in Calice Road to whom he made up and chased them as far as they durst for the sands of Dunkirk taking most of them being ten Men of War between thirty one and twenty eight Guns and six Fireships This Fleet was to take in provisions at Calice for the relief of Dunkirk then besieged by the Spaniards who being
of Justice being erected they were brought before them and charged to design the Assassination of the Lord protector and thereupon Coll. Gerrard and Mr. Vowell were sentenced to be hanged which was accordingly executed upon Mr. Vowell at Charing-cross and Coll. Gerrard was beheaded at Tower-Hill who expressly denied the intention of the fact With him upon the same Scaffold but not upon the like account suffered at that time Don Pantalion Sa brother to the Portugal Ambassador then Resident in England who upon conceit that he had received some affront upon the New-Exchange in the Strand came thither one evening with a crew of idle fellows Lacquies and Servants to himself and his brother armed with pistols swords and Hand-Granadoes and firing a pistol killed one â—â—r Greenway standing quietly at a Stall and had done further mischief if this Coll. Gerrard had not stop'd their fury and with his sword drawn driven them all down stairs upon hearing the matter the Protector resolved the murderers should suffer without respect of persons and it appearing that though the person who committed the murder was a Knight of Malta and had made his escape yet that this Noble-man and the rest were accessaries he and four more of the Ambassadors were tryed and found guilty with an Irish youth Don Pantalion was beheaded with Coll. Gerrard the Irish boy was hanged at Tyburn and the other four pardoned and peace being soon after concluded with the K. of Portugal the Ambassador sorrowfully departed In the same month a ship fell accidentally on fire on Southwark side as she lay at Anchor which being cut away the ship was driven by the flowing tyde upon a shelf near the bridge where she stuck and blew up her powder there were eight persons killed one a Draper upon his Leads by the plank of the Ship and had the blow been any nigher it might have indangered the bridge it self The Lord Protector in pursuance of the late Instrument resolved now to call a parliament and Writs were sent out for their meeting Sept. 3. 1654. at Westminster Being assembled accordingly the Protector went by Water from White-Hall to the Parliament-House and sending for the Members into the Painted-Chamber he desired their company to hear a Sermon at the Abby-Church the next day and afterwards he would impart his mind to them About Nine next morning His Highness rode in his Coach to Church with whom sate his Son Henry and the Lord Lambert The Pages went before and his Gentlemen in rich Liveries marched bare-headed On one side of the Coach walked Mr. Strickland one of the Council and Captain of the Guards together with the master of the Ceremonies On the other side was Capt. Howard Capt. of the Life-Guard These were followed by the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal the Commissioners of the Treasury and the Privy-Council in their Coaches and in the rere came the protectors Ordinary Guard As he entred the Church four maces the purse and a sword born by the Lord Lambert were carried before him Dr. Tho. Goodwin preached the Sermon which being ended the Protector and the Parliament went to the painted-chamber where there was an appearance of a number of grave judicious persons to whom the Protector spake to this effect Gentlemen The parliament that are here met this day are such a congregation of wise prudent and discreet persons that England hath never scarce seen the like and few could have thought of such a door of hope not many years ago and therefore it would have been very necessary and worthy such an Assembly to give a relation of the series of Gods providences all along to these very times but that being very well known to most of you I shall at present omit it and proceed to declare to you in what condition these Nations were when the present Government was erected It was apparent that every mans heart was against another and every mans interest divided against each other and we had then such different humours that every thing almost was grown arbitrary There was also grown up a general contempt of God and Christ and the grace of God was turned into wantonness and his spirit made a cloak for all manner of wickedness and profaneness Nay the Ax was laid to the root of the ministry and the fifth monarchy was highly cry'd up by persons who would assume the Government but that desired thing wants greater manifestation than has yet appeared before men ought to change the Authority to make way for it While these things were in the midst of us and nothing but confusion in the hearts and minds of some men swarms of popish Priests and Jesuites daily arrived here to raise and foment divisions against the peace and quiet of the Nation And at the same time the Nation was likewise ingaged in a deep War with Portugal Holland and France so that we were in a heap of confusion and it was absolutely necessary that a speedy remedy should be applied thereto and this has been in a great measure done since the settling of this Government which is clearly calculated for the peoples Interest let malignant spirits say what they will and therefore with humbleness toward God and modesty towards you I will recount something in the behalf of this Government For first It hath endeavoured to reform the Law It hath put into the seats of Justice men of known Integrity and Justice It hath settled a way for trial and probation of ministers to preach the Gospel And besides all this It hath called a Free parliament blessed be God that this day you see a Free parliament As for the Wars a peace is made with Sweden Denmark the Datch and Portugal and one likewise very near concluding with France yet these things are only entrances and open door of hope But now Gentlemen I make no question to inable you to lay the top stone of this work and I shall recommend this maxim to your consideration That peace though it be made is not to be trusted farther than it consists with Interest and one great work that at present lies before this Honourable Assembly is That the Government of Ireland may be settled in terms of Honour and that you would avoid confusions lest Foreign States should take advantage by them And as for my self I assure you I do not speak as one that would Lord it over you but as one that would be a fellow servant to you in this great affair and so to conclude I desire you to repair to your House and use your liberty in choosing a Speaker The Protector having concluded his Speech the members immediately repair to their House and there choose William Lenthal Esq master of the holls to be their Speaker after which they begin upon the Instrument of Government and the question is in the first place proposed Whether the Legislative power should be in a single person or a parliament Those of the protectors party endeavour by all means
pretector might be desired to assume the stile of King as the most known and most agreeable Government This motion was seconded by several of the protectors Courtiers and April 9. the parliament having desired a meeting with him came to the Banquetting-house at White-Hall where-the speaker Sir Tho. Widdrington commended the Title and Office of a King as being settled in this Nation with Christianity it self approved by our Ancestors and consistent with our Laws and the temper of the people and then presented him the model of their humble petition and advice to that purpose His Highness in answer hereto said Mr. Speaker this is a weighty matter and therefore I desire space to seek God the charge that you would lay upon me being too heavy for me to bear without his assistance for the ENglish are the best people in the World and require all tenderness and consideration whatsoever to be used for preserving their liberties and properties The next day a Committee was appointed to wait upon him and receive his scruples and to offer reasons for his satisfaction The objections the protector made were First That the Title of a King is a Name of Office and any Name that may imply the supream magistrate hath the same signification and therefore there is no necessity of a change To this they reply That the Name of a King is only equal to and comprehensive of the Office of the supream magistrate It is a rule That the King of England cannot alter the Laws by reason of their Name and that there is no obligation upon any other that the very Title was declared necessary in the 9th of Edw. 4. in the controversie betwixt him and Hen. 7. and every action done by the King in possession was valid and that the Name King had beginning with our Laws and that new Laws must be made for settling the Government in a protector The other objection was the danger and difficulty of altering the same Government to a Common-wealth and the refusal of some Judges and acting of others upon that ground That another parliament might change those resolutions The dislike of the good people and Army that providence had laid aside the Title of King after seven years War and many of the chief of those who were Instrumental therein were dissatisfied These scruples the Committee endeavoured to remove by alledging That providence had now brought about affairs so that it seemed necessary for His Highness to comply with it and as for discontented persons they have been always found in the best of Governments But because this was a matter of consequence I shall repeat the speech made by the Lord Whitlock one of the Committee sent to the protector with his answer thereto who after several others had offered their sentiments summed up the most material reasons as followeth Sir I have but very little to trouble your Highness with so much hath been already spoken and so well that it will be hard for me or any other to undertake to add to it only the duty of my Imployment and something due to your Highness occasions me to speak a few words to acknowledge with very humble thanks the Honour and Right which you have done this Committee by the clear and free discourses and conferences which they have had with your Highness and for your frequent expressions and testimonies of affection and respect to the parliament whose-sense in this I may presume to speak That never any persons met their supream magistrate with more love duty and honour than the parliament have met your Highness with in their addresses which argument of love deserves that esteem and force which I doubt not but your Highness will put upon it I am fearful to be too tedious at any time especially at so late an hour and therefore shall speak but short to some things which I remember not to have been mentioned Your Highness was pleased at the last meeting to say That the original Institution of the Title King was by common consent and that the same common consent might institute any other Title and make it as effectual as that of King This must be acknowledged but withal you may be pleased to observe That the Title of King is not only by an original common consent but that consent also approved and confirmed and the Law fitted thereunto and that fitted to the Laws by the experience and industry of many Ages and many hundreds of years together whereas any other Title will be only by present common consent without that experience and approbation For that experience which your Highness mentioned to have been of other Titles and the due administration of Justice under them this experience is far short of the other and for the course of Justice we have cause to thank that care which placed so good Judges and Officers over us Yet give me leave to say That in private causes between party and party and in publick matters in nominal causes it was not easie to find Justice to be done by some Jurors and many questions have risen upon the occasion of those new Titles Concerning that tender point of good mens satisfaction I think it requires a very great regard from us and I doubt not but those good people will be fully satisfied if they consider the covenants promises and precepts which in the scripture are annex'd to the Name of King and although some have alledged that they belong to any chief magistrate as well as to King yet no man did ever read the original word translated otherwise than King Neither do I find the Title of Protector once mentioned in the holy Text. If the present Authority be a lawful Authority which I hope none of us will deny surely those good men who are so well principled in Godliness will not forget that precept of submission to Authority and to be satisfied with that which lawful Authority shall ordain their Rights and Liberties are the same with ours and the parliament cannot advise any thing for the preservation of the peoples Rights but these good men are included which I hope will be no dissatisfaction to them In all the changes which we have seen there hath been a dissatisfaction to some yet still the blessing of God hath gone a long through all these changes with those who carried on his Interest and the cause being the same the same mercies have been continued And I doubt not but if the intended change and restitution be made as I hope it will I doubt not but the same God will continue his blessings to that Good Old Cause wherein we are ingaged and that good men will receive satisfaction by it Your Highness hath been told That the Title of King is upon the foundation of Law and that a new Title must have a constitution to make the Laws relate unto it and that unto the Laws I shall only add this That a Title by Relation is not so certain and sale as a Title
upon the old foundation of the Law and that a Title upon a single present constitution as any new Title must be cannot be so firm as a Title built upon the present constitution and upon the old foundation of the Law likewise which the Title of King will be If any inconvenience should ensue upon your acceptance of this Title which the parliament adviseth your Highness's satisfaction will be that they did advise it On the contrary part if any inconvenience should arise upon your Highness refusal of this Title which the parliament hath advised your burthen will be the greater and therefore whatsoever may fall out will be better answered by your Highness complying with your parliament then otherwise the Question is not altogether new some instances have been given of the like to which I shall add two or three The Title of the Kings of England in the Realm of Ireland was Lord of Ireland and the parliament in the 33 year of Hen. 8. relating That inconveniences did arise there by reason of that Title did enact That Hen. 8. should assume the Stile and Title of King of Ireland which in the judgment of the parliament was preferred before the other In the State of Rome new Titles proved fatal to their Liberties their case was not much unlike ours they were wearied with a Civil War and coming to a settlement some would not admit the Title of Rex to be used but were contented to give the Titles of Caesar Perpetual Dictator Prince Senate Emperor So that at length the will of Caesar was their Law who said I am not a King but Caesar The Northern people were more happy among themselves a private Gentleman of a Noble Family took up Arms with his country-men against a Tyrant and by the blessing of God rescued the Native Liberties and Rights of their country from the oppression of that Tyrant This Gentleman had the Title of Marshal given unto him which continued for some years afterward their Parliament judging it best to resume the old Title Elected this Gentleman King and with him was brought in the liberty of Protestant Religion and the establishment of the Civil Rights of that people which have continued in a prosperous condition ever since in Sweden unto this day Sir I shall make no other application but in my prayers to God to direct your Highness and the Parliament as I hope he will to do that which will be most for his honour and the good of his people This speech was made April 26. 1657. but the Protector finding the inclinations of some of the people and especially of many Officers and Souldiers of the Army to be very averse to the Title of King which they had lately renounced and likewise doubting as it was then discours'd that they would fortifie his Title but weaken his Revenue who required Nineteen hundred thousand pound a year for the support of his Government besides the charge of the Spanish War he thereupon sent for the Parliament to the Banquetting-house at White-Hall May 8. following where he gave them his last and positive answer to this purpose Mr. Speaker I am come hither to answer that which was in your last paper to your Committee you sent me which was in relation to the desires which were offered me by the House in that they called their petition I confess that business hath put the Parliament to a great deal of trouble and spent much time I am very sorry that it hath cost me some and some thoughts and because I have been the unhappy occasion of the expence of so much time I shall spend little of st now I have the best I can resolved the whole business in my thoughts and I have said so much already in testimony of the whole that I think I shall not need to repeat any thing that I have said I think it is a Government that the aims of it seek much a settling of the Nation on a good foot in relation to Civil Rights and Liberties which are the Rights of the Nation and I hope I shall never be found to be of them that shall go about to rob the Nation of these Rights but to serve them what I can to the attaining them It hath also exceeding well provided for the safety and security of honest men in that great natural and religious liberty which is Liberty of Conscience These are great fundamentals and I must bear my Testimony to them as I have and shall do still so long as God lets me live in this World that the intentions of the things are very honourable and honest and the product worthy of a Parliament I have only had the unhappiness both in my conferences with your Committees and in the best thoughts I could take to my self not to be convicted of the necessity of that thing that hath been so often insisted upon by you to wit The Title of King as in it self necessary as it seems to be apprehended by your selves and I do with all honour and respect to the judgment of the Parliament testifie that ceteris paribus no private judgment is to lye in the ballance with the judgment of a Parliament but in things that respect particular persons every man that is to give an account to God of his actions he must in some measure be able to prove his own work that is To have an approbation in his own conscience of that he is to do or forbear And whilst you are granting others liberties surely you will not deny me this it being not only a liberty but a duty and such a duty as I cannot without sinning forbear to examine my own heart and thoughts and judgment in every work which I am to set my hand to or to appear in for I must confess therefore that though I do acknowledge all the other yet I must be a little confident in this that what with the circumstances that accompany humane actions whether they be circumstances of time or persons whether circumstances that relate to the whole or private or particular circumstances that compass any person that is to render an account of his own actions I have truly thought and do still think that if I should at the best do any thing on this account to answer your expectation it would be at the best doubtingly and certainly what is so is not of faith whatsoever is not of faith is sin to him that doth it whether it be with relation to the substance of the action about which the consideration is conversant or whether to circumstances about it which make all indifferent actions good or evil to him that doth it I lying under this consideration think it my duty only I could have wished I had done it sooner for your sake for saving time and trouble and indeed for the Committees sake to whom I must acknowledge publickly I have been unseasonably troublesome I say I could have wished I had given it sooner but truly this
of the Parliament presented to him several things that were laid on the Table which were a Robe of purple Velvet a Bible a Scepter and a Sword on each of which the Speaker made a short Comment as he delivered them 1. The Robe of purple This is an Emblem of Magistracy and imports Righteousness and Justice when you have put on this Vestment I may say you are a Gown-man This Robe is of a mixt colour to shew the mixture of Justice and Mercy indeed a Magistrate must have two hands Plectentem Amplectentem to Cherish and to Punish 2. The Bible is a Book that contains the Holy Scriptures in which you have the happiness to be well versed This Book of Life consists of two Testaments the Old and New the first shews Christum Velatum the second Christum Revelatum Christ Veiled and Revealed It is a Book of Books and doth contain both Precepts and Examples for good Government 3. Here is a Scepter not unlike a Staff to the weak and poor it is of ancient use in this kind It 's said in Scripture That the Scepter shall not depart from Judah it was of the like use in other Kingdoms however the Greek Poet calls Kings and Princes Scepter bearers 4. The last thing is a Sword not a Military but Civil Sword it is a Sword rather of Defence than Offence not to defend your self only but your people also If I might presume to six a Motto upon this Sword as the Valiant Lord Talbot did upon his it should be this Ego sum Domini Protectoris ad protegendum populum meum I am the Lord Protectors to protect my people After this the Speaker returned again to the Chair and administred the Oath to the Protector in these following words I do in the presence and by the Name of Almighty God promise and swear that to the uttermost of my power I will uphold and maintain the true Reformed Protestant Christian Religion in the purity thereof as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to the uttermost of my power and understanding and incourage the profession and professors of the same And that to the utmost of my power I will endeavour as chief Magistrate of these three Nations the maintenance and preservation of the peace and safety and Just Rights and Priviledges of the people thereof and shall in all things according to my best knowledge and power govern the people of these Nations according to Law The Oath administred Dr. Manton made a Prayer and then an Herald stood up aloft giving signal to a Trumpet to sound three times after which he did by Authority and Direction of Parliament publish and proclaim his Highness Lord Protector of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland requiring all persons to yield him due obedience This Proclamation ended the Trumpets again sounded and some Souldiers and other cryed out God save the Lord Protector Then was he again proclaimed by an Officer at Arms standing on the Stairs The Ceremonies ended the Protector attended by all the Officers of State went into the Palace-Yard in his Robes where entring his Coach he returned in State to White-Hall This year an Insurrection was designed by those called Fifth Monarchy men who had divers meetings in an House in Shore-Ditch several of them being discontented persons who had been formerly of the Army they had appointed to have Rendevouzed on Mile-end-Green and so have marched into other Countries to augment their party At length they were seized and some Arms and Ammunition taken with them and a Standard with a Lyon Couchant with this Motro Who shall rouse him up The Men taken were Venner a Wine-Cooper with their Scribe Grey Goaler Hopkins Ashton and others About them was sound a Declaration in print called The principle of the Remnant they were committed to prison but after released without prosecution Likewise M. Gen. Harrison Vice-Admiral Lawson Coll. Rich and Coll. Danvers were secured as Discontents About this time the victorious General Blake returning from the Coasts of Spain fell sick of the Scurvy and Dropsie and dyed just entring into Plymouth Sound where he passionately inquired for Land he was buried with an handsome Funeral from Greenwich and interr'd in Hen. 7. Chappel at Westminster The Protector to keep the Spaniards imployed every where makes a private agreement with France to fend a Brigade of his best Infantry which the French extreamly wanted to Flanders consisting of 6000 men and about May 4. 1657. they arrived in Picardy and joined with those Forces commanded by the Marshal Turein to which the protector was the more induced because the K. of Spain had invited K. Charles into his Dominions fince the breach with England and he was then at Bruges full of expectation of being restored by the power of that King and the Marquess of Ormond the Lord Wilmot the Lords Gerrard and Wentworth the Lord Twaf and General Middleton had their several Regiments Quartered about the Sea coasts in order to a Descent and the Dukes of York and Glocester had likewise commands in Flanders Sir John Reynolds one of Cromwels Knights formerly Commissary General of the Army in Ireland was General of the English Forces and coll Morgan Major Gen. Before their embarquement they Rendevouzed at Black-Heath where Mr. Hugh Peters gave them a Sermon for incouragement and were shipped with a months pay in hand and all new red coats About the middle of September the French and English Forces advance into the Spanish Territories and according to agreement sate down before Mardike a strong Fortress and put themselves between it and Dunkirk General Montague riding before the Splinter with a Fleet of War it was not long before a continued Battery made the besieged quit the wooden Fort which so incommoded them when taken by the English that they were obliged to yield to mercy Turenne not allowing them better terms because they had refused his first offers Mardike was presently put into the hands of the English according to agreement in consideration of our assistance and coll Morgan took possession thereof with several Regiments whom the Spaniards soon after endeavoured to remove by a sudden and fierce assault after the Armies were drawn into Winter Quarters since being only two miles from Dunkirk they were very fearful it might indanger that Town also Whereupon Don John of Austria resolved to hazard a Scalado and Attack by Night the Duke of York and the Marquess of Caravene managed the business and K. Charles and the D. of Glocester had conveyed themselves into Dunkirk to observe the success of it Oct. 22. About 4000 English Scots Irish and some Spaniards about Ten a Clock at Night began the storming of Mardike with Hand-Granadoes and all other Engines proper for an assault and were got into the Trenches and had mounted the Scaling Ladders but the English within being ready to receive them commanded by Reynolds Morgan and Lillingstone who were
Valour for he who was the life of the business received a wound in one of them of which he shortly dyed and with him the Spaniards lost possession of the Town of Dunkirk for after the French and English had played 14 days successively with their Mortar-pieces upon the place the Besieged grew weary of the sport and beat a Parley and the Town was delivered up to them Dunkirk being established in the hands of the English the French Army after about a months Siege possess themselves of Graveling a strong Fortress not far from Dunkirk so that the English and French had now in their hands all the Frontier Towns on this side Flanders Amidst these Triumphs and Successes the Lady Claypool the Protectors only Daughter and whose image she was said to be Dyed Aug. 6. at Hampton-Court from whence she was conveyed by Water four days after with a great many Mourning Barges to Westminster and there laid in the Painted-Chamber where a stately Hearse was prepared for her and about Twelve at Night was carried into K. Henry VII Chappel and there Interred in a place purposely provided for her Her death was said to beso grievous to her Father that it was thought the cause of his own soon after for having been very melancholly from that time till about the end of August his distemper at length appeared to be a Tertian Ague which together with other malignant humours so depressed his Vitals that it brought him to his end though with many strivings and strugglings he often falling into Swouns and Trances He could not be perswaded at first that his Distemper was mortal saying That as God had carried him to that height he did firmly believe he had some further Work for him to do and some of his Chaplains were of the same opinion But his Fits increasing and causing him to talk delitious and to faint often the Privy-Council concluding he could scarce endure another Fit repaired to him and earnestly pressed him according to the first Article of the Petition and Advice to Nominate his Successor and though he was hardly sensible yet they demanding if he did not appoint his Eldest Son Richard to succeed him he answered YES The Night before his departure he was observed to pray as followeth LORD I am a miserable Creature yet I am in Covenant with Thee through Grace and I may I will come unto Thee for thy people Lord thou hast made me though very unworthy a mean Instrument to do them some good and thee service and many of them had too high a value for me though others would be glad of my fall But Lord howsoever thou dost dispose of me do good to them Give consistency of Judgment one heart and mutual love unto them Let the Name of Christ be Glorious throughout the World Pardon such as delight to trample upon the Ashes of a Worm and pardon the folly of this short Prayer even for Jesus Christ his sake This was on Thursday Night and on Friday Morning Sept. 3. 1658. his twice Victorious day at Dunbar and Worcester there appeared all the signs of a dying person and about Three a Clock in the Afternoon he expired A day or two before his Death a very great Tempest happened which was thought to forbode it Thus you have a full account of the end of Oliver Cromwel Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland whose Valour mounted him to that height by which he raised his Family almost equal to the best of the Kingdom and the Nation to that Glory that Forreign Princes feared and envied him He had two Sons Richard who succeeded him and Henry who from fixteen years of Age was by his Father bred a Souldier and was at his Death Lord Deputy of Ireland And four Daughters Bridget first Married to the Lord Deputy Ireton and afterward to the Lord Fleetwood Elizabeth his second Daughter Married to the Lord Cleypool Master of his Horse Mary his third Married to the Lord Falconbridge Frances his youngest Married to the Lord Rich Grandson to the Earl of Warwick After his expiration the Corps was Imbalmed and wrapped in a sheet of Lead and Sept. 26. about Ten at Night removed from White-Hall in a Mourning Hearse where his Effigies was with great Magnificence exposed publickly to the view of multitudes who came daily to see it till November 3. following and then in great State it was conducted from Somerset-House to Westminster and placed in the Abbey-Church under a stately Monument Erected for it with the Banners and six Ensigns of Honour placed about it the Corps having been some days before Buried in a Vault purposely provided for it in King Henry the Sevenths Chappel Sic Transit Gloria Mundi A Catalogue of Books Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultrey near Cheapside History 1. ENglands Monarchs Or A Compendious Relation of the most remarkable Transactions from Julius Caesar to this present adorned with poems and the picture of every Monarch from K. William the Conqueror to the third year of K. William Q. Mary With a List of the Nobility the Knights of the Garter the number of the Lords and Commons who have Votes in both Houses of Parliament and many other useful particulars Price one Shilling 2. THE Wars in England Scotland and Ireland containing a particular and Impartial Account of all the Battels Sieges and other remarkable Transactions Revolutions and Accidents which happened from the beginning of the Reign of King Charles I. 1625. to His Majesties happy Restauration The illegal Tryal of K. Charles I. at large with his last speech at his suffering and the most considerable matters till 1660. with pictures of several accidents Price One Shilling 3. THE History of Oliver Cromwel being an Impartial Account of all the Battels Sieges and other Military Atchievements wherein he was ingaged in England Scotland and Ireland and particularly all the Sea Fights with the Dutch and French and likewise of his Civil Administrations while he had the Supream Government of these three Kingdoms till his Death Relating only matters of Fact without Reflection or Observation By R. B. Price One Shilling 4. HIstorical Remarks and Observations of the Ancrent and Present State of London and Westminster shewing the Foundations Walls Gates Towers Bridges Churches Rivers Wards Halls Companies Government Courts Hospitals Schools Inns of Courts Charters Franchises and Priviledges thereof with an account of the most remarkable accidents as to Wars Fires Plagues and other occurrences for above 903 years past in and about these Cities to the year 1681. Illustrated with pictures and the Arms of 65 Companies of London and the time of their Incorporating Price One Shilling 5. ADmirable Curiosities Rarities and Wonders in England Scotland and Ireland or an account of many remarkable persons and places and likewise of the Battles Sieges prodigious Earthquakes Tempests Inundations Thunders Lightnings Fires Murders and other considerable occurrences and accidents for many hundred years past Together
with the natural and artificial Rarities in every County in England with several curious Sculptures Price One shilling 6. THE History of the Kingdoms of Scotland and Ireland containing 1. An account of the most remarkable Transactions and Revolutions in Scotland for above 1200 years pasts during the Reigns of 68 Kings from 424. to K. James I. in 1602. 2. The History of Ireland from the Conquest thereof to this time with the miraculous persons and places strange accidents c. And a List of the Nobility and great Officers of State in both Kingdoms Plustrated with several pictures of some extraordinary observables Price One shilling 7. THE English Empire in America or a prospect of His Majesties Dominions in the West-Indies namely New-found-land New-England New-York New-Jersey Pensylvania Mary-land Virginia Catolina Bermudas Barbuda Anguilla Monserrat Dominica St. Vincent Antego Mevis or Nevis St. Christophers Barbadoes and Jamaica with an account of their Discovery Scituation and Product The Religion and manners of the Indians and other excellercies of these Countries To which is prefixed a relation of the first discovery of this New World and of the remarkable Voyages and Adventures of Sebastian Cabot Sir Martin Frobisher Captain Davies Capt. VVeymouth Capt. Hall Capt. Hudson Sir Tho. Cavendish the E. of Cumberland Sir VValter Rawleigh and other English VVorthies to divers places therein Illustrated with Maps and pictures of the strange Fruits Birds Beasts Fishes Insects Serpents and Monsters found in those parts of the VVorld Price One shilling 8. A View of the English Acquisitions in Guinea and the East-Indies VVith an Account of the Religion Government VVâ—rs strange Customs Beasts Serpents Monsters and other observables in those Countries And among others the Life and Death of Mahomet the Grand Impostor with the principal Doctrines of the Turkish Religion as they are display'd in the Alcoran Two Letters one written by the Great Mogul and the other by the King of Sumatra in the East Indies to our K. James I. of an unusual and extravagant stile The cruel Executions in those parts with the manner of the Womens burning themselves with their dead Husbands Together with a description of the Isle of St. Helena and the Bay of Souldania where the English usually refresh in their Voyages to the Indies intermixt with pleasant Relations and enlivened with pictures Price One shilling 9. THE English Heroe Or Sir Francis Drake Revived Being a full account of the dangerous Voyages admirable Adventures notable Discoveries and Magnanimous Atchievements of that Valiant and Renowned Commander As 1. His Voyage in 1572. to Nombre de Dios in the West-Indies where they saw a pile of Bars of silver near seventy foot long ten foot broad and twelve foot high 2. His incompassing the whole World in 1577. which he performed in two years and ten 〈◊〉 gaining a vast quantity of Gold and Silver 3. 〈…〉 into America in 1585. and taking the Towns of St. Jago St. Domingo arthagena and St. Augustine 4. His last Voyage into those Countries in 1595. with the manner of his Death and Burial Revised Corrected very much inlarged reduced into Chapters with Contents and beautified with pictures By R. B. Price One shilling 10. TWO Journies to Jerusalem containing first An account of the Travels of two English Pilgrims some years since and what admirable accidents befel them in their Journey to Jerusalem Grand Cairo Alexandria c. 2. The Travels of 14 English Merchants in 1669 from Scanderoon to Tripoly Joppa Ramah Jerusalem Bethlehem Jericho the River of Jordan the Lake of Sodom and Gomorrah and back again to Aleppo To which is added a Relation of the great Council of the Jews assembled in the plains of Ajayday in Hungary 1650. to examine the Scriptures concerning Christ By S. B. an English-man there present With the notorious delusion of the Jews by a counterfeit Messiah or false Christ at Smyrna in 1666. and the event thereof Lastly The Extirpation of the Jews throughout Persia in 1666. Epistle of King Agbarus to our Saviour with our Saviours answer Beautified with pictures Price One shilling 11. EXtraordinary Adventures of several famous men with the strange Events and signal mutations and changes in the Fortunes of divers Illustrious places and persons in all Ages being an account of a multitude of stupendious revolutions accidents and observable matters in divers States and Provinces throughout the whole world With pictures Price One shilling 12. THE History of the Nine Worthies of the World Three whereof were Gentiles 1. Hector Son of Priamus King of Troy 2. Alexander the great King of Macedon and conqueror of the World 3. Julius Caesar first 〈◊〉 of Rome Three Jews 4. Joshua Captain 〈◊〉 and Leader of Israel into Canaan 5. David King of Israel 6. Judas Maccabeus a valiant Jewish commander against the Tyranny of Antiochus Three Christians 7. Arthur King of Brittain who couragiously defended his country against the Saxons 8. Charles the Great K. of France and Emperor of Germany 9. Godfrey of Bullen King of Jerusalem Being an account of their Glorious Lives worthy Actions renowned Victories and Deaths Illustrated with poems and the picture of each Worthy By R. B. Price One shilling 13. FEmale Excellency or the Ladies Glory Illustrated in the worthy Lives and memorable Actions of Nine Famous Women who have been renowned either for Virtue or Valour in several Ages of the World As. 1. Deborah the Prophetess 2. The valiant Judith 3. Queen Esther 4. The virtuous Susanna 5. The chaste Lucretia 6. Voadicia Queen of Brittain in the reign of Nero Emperor of Rome Containing an account of the original Inhabitants of Brittain The History of Danaus and his fifty Daughters who murdered their Husbands in one Night Of the arrival of Brute Of the two Giants Corineus and Gogmagog Of K. Lear and his three Daughters Of Belin and Brennus who took the City of Rome Of the manner of Julius Caesars invading Brittain and of the Valour of Voadicia under whose conduct the Brittains slew 70 thousand Romans with many other remarkable particulars 7. Mariamne Wife to K. Herod 8. Clotilda Q. of France 9. Andegona Princess of Spain The whole adorned with poems and pictures to each History By R. B. Price One shilling 14. WOnderful Prodigies of Judgment and Mercy discovered in above 300 memorable Histories containing 1. Dreadful Judgments upon Atheists Blasphemers and perjured Villains 2. The miserable ends of many Magicians c. 3. Remarkable predictions and presages of approaching Death and how the event has been answerable 4. Fearful Judgments upon bloody Tyrants Murderers c. 5. Admirable Deliverances from imminent dangers and deplorable distresses at Sea and Land Lastly Divine goodness to penitents with the dying thoughts of several famous Men concerning a future state after this life Imbellished with divers pictures Price One shilling 15 UNparallel'd Varieties or the matchless action and passions of Mankind display'd in near 400 notable instances and examples discovering the transcendent
Agent herein being Thomas Cook of Grays-Inn Esq who was taken and committed After this a ship bound from the North of Scotland to the Isle of Man being by Tempest driven into Ayre was searcht and many papers seized that gave light into the business And a party of Horse and Dragoons marching to Grenoch seized Mr Birkenhead another Agent for the Royal designs about whom they found such Letters Commissions and Instructions as the whole Intrigue was discovered upon which Major General Harrison was sent with a Detachment of Horse and Foot to Carlisle to prevent Insurrection or oppose the Inroads of the Scots At London several were taken up viz. Mr. Christopher Love Major Alford Major Adams Collonel Barron Mr. Blackmore Mr. Case Mr Cawton Dr. Drake Mr. Drake Captain Farr Mr. Giobons Mr. Haviland Major Huntington Mr. Jenkyns Mr. Jequel Mr. Jackson Lieutenant Collonel Jackson Captain Mussey Mr. Walten Captain Potter Mr. Robinson Mr. Sterks Collonel Sowton Collonel Vaughan and others of all whom only Mr. Love and Mr. Gibbons suffered being both beheaded on Tower-hill Aug. 22. 1651. The rest among whom were seven or eight Ministers of London upon their humble petitions and acknowledgments were released and pardoned There happened about this time an Insurrection of two or three hundred in Wales who declared for King Charles upon a report that the English Army under Cromwel was defeated in Scotland but they were soon suppressed Collonel Monk was now sent by Cromwel to set down before Blackness which had sheltred some that had much annoyed their Quarters After the Batteries were made and some shot spent they required Quarter which was given and the place surrendred Yet the Scots grew very formidable and made many Infals upon the out Quarters and Garrisons of the English with much success by having the advantage of knowing the country so that several were slain whereupon Orders were given for contracting their Quarters by slighting the remote Garrisons and the Army was put into a marching posture for Fife Blackness being made their Magazine Captain Butler at the same time arriving in the Success Frigate at Leith with eighty thousand pounds for paying the souldiers which being distributed among them infused fresh courage into their hearts June 24. The Army being ready for a Campaign General Cromwel ordered them to march to Red-hall and thence to Peneland-hills where they Incamp'd and the General in his Tent treated the Lady Lambert General Deans and other English Ladies and Gentlewomen who came from Leith to view the Camp and then returned again The Army hearing the Scots were at Falkirk marched to Lithgow from whence they might see the Tents of the Scotch Army at Torwood four miles on this side Sterling and hoped to come to a Battel but the King having drawn his foot into Torwood fortified his camp which with the River and Bogs prevented any assault though Cromwel marched in sight of them and stood from twelve to eight at Night expecting the Scots approach but they only plaid on the English with their cannon at a distance so that the Army drew off to Glasgow and from thence to Hamilton but not being able to ingage them he attack'd Kalender-house where part of their forces were which denying to yield upon fummons the souldiers with Faggors passed over the Mote and in half an hour possess'd the house putting the Governour and sixty two souldiers to the sword and this in sight of the whole Scotch Army who did not once stir to relieve their friends Cromwel finding the Scots would protract the War resolves once more to attempt the taking of Fife whereby to prevent them from having any further supplies Whereupon there were drawn out sixteen hundred foot and four Troops of Horse who under the command of Collonel Overton were designed for this service and being imbarked in the twenty seven flat bottom'd boats sent from England for this purpose early in the morning they attempted to land at Queens-ferry which with the loss of six men was effected and presently fell to intrench themselves While this was doing Cromwel with his Army marched up close to the Scots that if they had gone toward Fife he might have ingaged them before they could have reached Sterling The Scots receiving the alarm the same day sent four thousand horse and foot under Sir John Brown to force the English out of Fife upon which Cromwel sent Lambert with two Regiments of Horse and two of Foot to reinforce the other party who in twenty four hours were ferried over and joined Whereupon collonel Okey with his Regiment fell in among the Scots whereby they were forced to draw up in Battalia and so did the English who were superiour in number but had the disadvantage of ground In this posture they continued facing each other about an hour and half when the English resolved to attack the Scots by ascending an Hill and thereupon Lamberts right wing falling furiously upon the Scots left they endured the shock with much resolution after a while the whole body ingaging in a very short time the Scots were utterly routed two thousand being slain and fourteen hundred taken prisoners with their commander Sir John Brown Collonel Buchan and many others of Quality Of the English few were killed but many wounded After which other Detachments were sent over to Fife so as to inable them upon occasion to ingage the whole Scots Army Immediately after the strong Castle of Innesgarrey scituate on a Rock in the midst of the Fryth between Queens-ferry and North-ferry was surrendred to the English the Garrison being so terrified that they were content to march out only with their swords by their sides to shew what profession they were of leaving behind all their Ammunition and Provisions with sixteen pieces of cannon July 27. The whole English Army appeared before Burnt-Island and the General sent a summons for the rendition thereof to which the Governour returned a modest answer and the next day desired a parley Commissions on both sides were chosen and after some debates it was agreed That all the Provisions Guns and Shipping of War should be delivered to the English c. and all the Officers and Souldiers to march out with Drums beating c. Thence they marched instantly to St. Johnstons a place of great strength and importance into which the King had lately put a Regiment of foot and therefore they made some difficulty at first to surrender but finding that Cromwel had ordered the draining of the Moat round about the Town the courage of the Scots failed them so that they soon delivered it up The King finding his affairs in Scotland grow very desperate he muster'd his Forces and finding them to be about sixteen thousand Horse and Foot with these and hopes of further supplies from his friends he resolves to return for England it self and accordingly the Scotch Army began their march from Sterling July 31. 1651. and the sixth day after entred England by the way of Carlisle