sought to have their goods or estates but to carry on the Lords work c. with a great deal of such like stuff To this Letter Coll. Kerre sends an Answer to Commis Gen. Whalley in very short terms telling him That though they were not in a capacity to act against the Englishmens unjust invasions yet they were in a capacity to suffer and should submit to Gods will either by doing or suffering till the time of their deliverance came that if it were their happiness to perish in their duty it would be a sufficient mercy to them and when the persecution had arrived to its height their captivity should be returned Adding that he thought it strange the English should talk of a cessation whilest they were captivating their poor people assaulting their Garrisons apprehending their Ministers tearing them from their holy callings and from their holy sighing stocks concluding the departure of the English out of that Kingdome and then desiring a Christian Treaty would be a great favour and mercy equally as great to the one as the other that in the mean time he should stand upon his guard and expect no further overtures of peace But to digress a little About the latter end of this moneth of October departed this life the Prince of Orange who had lately endeavoured to curb the High and Mighty States in him King Charles lost his greatest interest he had in those parts His Princess some ten days after his death was delivered of a young Prince which in part mitigated the grief for her Husbands death But let us look a little into Ireland where Sr John Dungan and Scurlog having gotten together neer 500 Horse and Foot met with a party of the Parliaments Army of about 300 charged them and overpowring them in Horse routed them slew 50 upon the place took neer 40 Prisoners and had carried them into the Woods had not Captain Essex with about 50 Horse 20 Dragoons and 100 Foot come to their rescue the body of the English Army lay before Limerick But to return again to Scotland Cromwell seeing that Peace would not be hearkned to disposes his Army to the Warre Major Brown with a party takes in Dalhouse a supposed harbour of Moss-Troopers of which sort of vermine he took divers in Darlington house whom he caused to be shot upon the place Collonel Monk is sent with a party to reduce Roselane Castle which with the help of some Granadoes he makes yeeld to mercy Major Generall Lambert marches to Dunfreez to joyn with Whalley who had taken Dalkeith Castle by a terrible summons in his march against Kerre and Straughan This Castle wall was thirteen foot broad at the top and well stored with Ammunition and Provision Collonel Kerre was now about Beebles Lambert having with much difficulty marched over the River to Hamilton resolves to quarter there that night which Kerre hearing resolved to beat up his quarters and if possible surprize the Major Generall this he attempted with a great deal of resolution but the English taking the Alarme intime on a sodaine encompassed most of the enemies Horse killed 100 took 100 besides 400 Horse and Furniture forsook of their Riders therest they pursued as far as Ayre in the which pursuit Collonel Kerre was was taken and severall of his Officers This defeat caused Straughan to come in who was with the rest carried by the Major Generall to the head Quarters Cromwell all this while strongly besieges the Castle of Edinburrough yet his mines prove ineffectuall in that hard Rock so that he causes an artificiall Mount to be raised whereon to plant his battery so that his Canons and Granadoes flew thick and three-fold at the Castle at which the Defendants at first hung out a red Flag in defiance but after a short time hung out a white one for Parley which was accepted and after a great many Messages to and fro surrendred upon Articles agreed upon between Major Abernethe and Captain Hynderson on the part of the Castle and Collonel Monck and Liev. Coll. White on the Generals to this effect First That the Castle be surrendred to his Excellency on the 24th of December with all the Arms Magazine and furniture of warre thereto belonging That the Governour with all the Officers and Souldiers should then march forth with their Arms Colours flying Drums beating Matches lighted and Bullet in mouth whether they shall think fit That such adjacent Inhabitants as had Goods in the Castle should have them restored and to that purpose they had liberty from the 19th to the 24th of December to fetch them away The sodain rendition of so strong a hold as this was made the world beleeve that the Canons plaid upon it with Silver instead of Iron shot About this time there was a kind of petty Insurrection in Norfolk by a company of inconsiderable persons who declared for the suppressing of Popery restoring King Charles to his Crown revenge of his Fathers death and for rooting out of heresie and schisme but being only begun by a disorderly number they were soon vanquished and the principall risers about 20 in number executed Sr Henry Hide having received a Commission from the King of Scots to be Ambassadour for him at the Grand-Signors Port in Constantinople being arrived there stood in competition with Sr Thomas Bendish then Ambassadour and the Case being heard before the Vizier the Verdict was given on Bendish his side so that Sr Harry Hide was forced to depart the Port whence coming to Smyrnd with an intention to go for Venice he was by a wile invited on board a Ship to a Feast was treacherously brought away to England and here beheaded before the Royall Exchange for having taken Commissions from that King The Winter being now at the height made the War in Scotland at a stand on the English part but the Scots having now as they thought throughly purged their King proceeded to his Coronation which was performed at Scone with as much Solemnity and Gallantry as their necessities would permit on the first of January 1651. The King crowned they proceed to the Excommunication of Straughan Swinton and others who had deserted them and were gone in to the English they then strive to pacifie dissenting parties and pass an Act for new Levies throughout the Nation The King is likewise created Generall of this Army now intended to be levied with an unusuall kinde of Ceremony viz. by crossing a Pike Musket Carabine and Sword over his Head Lothian Carre is made Major Generall and Middleton Lieutenant Generall David Lesley having layn down his Commission The English now beginning to stir Collonel Fenwicke is commanded to march with two Regiments of Horse and Foot for reducing of Hume-Castle who having faced it sent a Summons to the Governour to which he returned an answer the capriciousness whereof makes me insert both Thus ran the Summons Sir His Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwell hath commanded me to reduce this Castle you now
AN EXACT HISTORY of the several Changes of GOVERNMENT IN England From the horrid Murther of King CHARLES I. to the happy Restauration of King CHARLES II. WITH The Renowned Actions OF General MONCK Being the second Part of Florus Anglicus by J.D. Gent. London Printed for Simon Miller at the Starre in St Paul's Church-yard 1660. ENGLAND'S CONFUSION During its Interregnum A General View of the various Governments in England since the Murther of Charles the first 1. England Govern'd by Oligarchy from 1648. to 1653. 2. Under Oliver Protector the grand Tyrant from 1653. to 1658. 3. Under Richard not above seven Moneths 4. Under Fleetwood Lambert Vane Haselrig and the Rump of the Long Parliament Lastly The Actions of Renowned General Monck the chiefest Instrument under God of restoring his Sacred Majesty Charles the second to his Crown and Kingdoms TO THE READER Reader I Doe here present thee with a true though unparallel'd History of all the several Revolutions of Government in England for the space of twelve years since the Martyrdom of our Gracious Sovereigne Charles the First of ever blessed memory execrably murthered to make way for the Usurpation of ambitious Cromwell who after some time took the Office of Supreame Magistrate upon himself and kept it during his Life by Tyranny and Oppression when summoned by Death he bequeathed it to his Eldest Sonne Richard who either by cowardize or folly permitted himselfe to be supplanted by his neer Relations When in stead of one Vsurper England groan'd under an Athenian tyranny and from that to worse till at last such a horrid dismal blackness had overcast the whole Kingdom the Sword being drawn at one blow to cut off Magistracy and Ministry that it had been utterly destroyed had not Almighty God raised up that great and ever to be Renowned to all posterity General Monck the chief Instrument appointed by the Great God for the redemption of poor England from bloody and violent men by restoring a Free-Parliament the undoubted birthright of every English man and hath likewise as in duty bound by Gods blessing setled us under the Lawfull and happy Government of our dread Sovereign Lord King Charles the second whom God hath so miraculously preserved from the jaws of his blood-thirsty enemies and reserved him to this present time that England might once again enjoy her primitive beauty and lustre and have her Kings as at the first and her Counsellours as at the beginning Since then we are through all these miseries revolutions and changes by Divine Providence restored to a settlement Let it be the care of every English man as it is my hearty wish that we fall no more into those snares which formerly entrapped us but unanimously resolve our selves into a constant Duty and Allegiance to our Sovereigne Lord the King For thus and thus only can we flourish J. D. Courteous Reader These Books following are printed for Simon Miller and Sold by him at the Starre in St. Paul's Church-yard Small Folio DOctor Lightfoot his Harmony on the New Testament which will shortly be re-printed with large Additions The civil Wars of Spain in the Reigne of Charls the fifth Emperor of Germany and King of that Nation wherin our late unhappy differences are paralleled in many particulars A general History of Scotland from the year 767 to the death of K James c. By David Hume of Godscroft The History of this Iron Age. Mr Paul Baine on the Ephesians Eighteen Books of the Secrets of Art and Nature by John Wecker D. in Phys The Queen of Arragon a Play In fol. In Quarto large Jo. Barklay his Argenis Translated by Sir Robert le Grise Knight by his Late Majesties special Command Quarto Small An Eperimental Treatise of Surgery by Felix Wortz Abraham's Faith or the good Old Religion c. By John Nicholson Minister of the Gospel The Anatomy of Mortality By George Stroad Three Treatises 1 The Conversion of Nineveh touching Prayer and Fasting 2. Gods Trumpet sounding to Repentance 3. Sovereigne preservatives against distrustful thoughts and cares By Will. Attersoll Minister of Gods Word at Iefield in Sussex Aynsworth on the Cantic Paul Baine his Diocesans Trial. Gralle against Appolinius A Treatise of Civil policy c. By Samuel Rutherford Professor of Divinity of St Andrews in Scotland Politick and Military Observations of Civil and Military Government containing the Birth Encrease Decay of Monarchies the carriage of Princes and Magistrates Mr Pinchin his Meritorious price of mans Redemption cleared Astrology Theologized shewing what nature and influence the Starres and Planets have over men and how the same may be diverted and avoided Wells his Souls Progress Christ tempted the Devils Conquered Being a plain Exposition on the fourth Chapter of St Matthews Gospel By John Gumbleden Min. of the Gos The Saints Society D. Stoughtons thirteen choice Sermons with his Body of Divinity The Reasons of the dissenting Brethren concerning the Presbyterian Government together with the answer of the Assembly of Divines Camdens Remains The Harmonious Consent and Confession of Faith c. The Argument and Confession of Faith of all the congregational Churches of England agreed upon at the Savoy 1659. The Description of the Universal Quadrant c. By Tho Stirrup Mathem The whole Art of drawing painting limning and etching collected out of the choisest Italian and Germane Authours by Alex Brown Practitioner Large Octavo A Treatise of the Divine Promises By Edw. Leigh Esq Florus Angliens with the Lively Effigies of all the Kings and Queens since the conquest cut in brasse The Reconciler of the Bible wherein above two thousand seeming contradictions are fully and plainly Reconciled Evidences for Heaven containing Infallible signs and real demonstrations for Assurance of Salvation published by Edm. Calamy The Life and Reign of King Charls from his Birth to his Death by Lambert Wood. The Night-search the second part by H. Mill. A view of the Jewish Religion with their Rites Customs and Ceremonies Usefull Instructions for these Evil times held forth in 22. Sermons by Nich. Lockyer Provost of Eaton Colledge The Nullity of Church-Censures or Excommunication not of Divine Institution but a meer humane Invention Written by the famous Tho. Erastus and never before Englished Small Octavo Ed. Waterhouse Esq His Discourse of Piety and Charity Panacea or the Universal Medicine being a Discourse of the Admirable Nature and Virtues of Tobacco By Dr. Everard and Others A view and Defence of the Reformation of the Church of England very usefull in these times Mr. Pet. du Moulin his Antidote against Popery published on purpose to prevent the Delusions of the Priests and Jesuites who are now very busie among us Herberts Devotions or a Companion for a Christian containing Meditations and prayers usefull upon all occasions Extranem Vapulam or the Observator releved from the violent but vain assault of Haman Lestrange Esq and the back-blows of D. Bernard an Irish Dean by P. Hoylin D.D. Ovid de Pento in
judgeeth every mans actions impartially Some there were who got into Steeples and other places of defence thinking to save themselves but were all forced either by the sword or famine to yield who yet in cold bloud found as little mercy as their fellows had done in the heat of the Battell there being not above two escaping with their lives the Dean Barnard afterwards made Almoner and the other an old man by his leaping out of a Steeple which Cromwels Souldiers blew up with Gunpowder who though he broke his Leg yet had his life saved This great slaughter not being occasioned neither by the heat of the Souldiers but by Cromwels speciall Command who vowed somewhat to a noble Officer of his pleading for mercy for the Defendants That he would sacrifice their bodyes to the souls of the Englishmen they had murdered which he could not in justice say of those in Droghedah knowing them to be most Englishmen and such whose greatest fault was to serve their true and lawfull Soveraign in his just defence However this slaughter works for his ends for upon the News the Souldiers and Townsmen in Trim and Dundalke two adjacent Garrisons quit their holds and such was their haste in Trim that they l ft their great Guns behinde them on the Platforms and well might their fear be great at the News of Droghedahs taking when Sr Phelime O Neal at the hearing of it burst out in a passion swearing That if Cromwell had taken Droghedah by storm if he should storm Hell he would take it This considerable action having had such wished for success Cromwell directs his Army towards Wexford and in his way engarrisons Killingkerick and Arcklo Castle the feat of the Ormonds two deserted Forts many others in that March submitted whereof most being places inconsiderable were slighted others engarrisoned The first of October the Army faces Wexford and the Lord Deputy requires Collonel Synnot the Governour to make a speedy surrender of it he returnes an answer somewhat dubious so that many Papers pass between him and the Lord Deputy which was occasioned only by a design the Governour had to waste and delay time till the Earl of Castle-haven was entred into the Town with 500 men to strengthen the Garrison So when the Governour had received these recruits he no longer writes dubiously but plainly sends word to the Lord Deputy that he was resolved to stand it out to the utmost whereupon Cromwell being enraged at his mockery bends his force at the Castle which stands at the South-East end of the Town which after having received some hundreds of great Shot was forced to a rendition This so quelled the hearts of the stout Wexfordians that they quitred their Walls and gave the Enemy free leave to enter which they delayed not to do but meeting with no resistance fell in pell mell till they came to the Market-place where the Souldiers and Inhabitants reviving their courage in vain maintained their ground for a short time for they were soon over-powred and all that were found in Arms slain Thus Wexford being taken Cromwell marches on to Waterford and takes Passage-Fort but because of the Winter presently raises his Army and whilest severall parties are disposed in their winter-quarters they reduce severall engarrisoned places so that in fine all considerable places in Ireland except Limerick Waterford Clonmell Galloway and Kilkenny were in the possession of the Lord Deputy Cromwell But let us leave him thus victorious in Ireland and return to the King and Scots The King seeing business go so ill in Ireland resolves to comply somewhat neerer with the Scots who notwithstanding his giving Commissions to Montross still sollicit him by Commissioners and at length come to agreement with him The news of this and the Scottish great preparations for warre and as it is supposed to invade England makes the Parliament send over to Ireland for their victorious Generall Cromwell whom they intend to send into Scotland to hinder their coming into England Generall Fairfax having pleaded his disability to go but Cromwell before his coming away he reduces the City of Kilkenny and the strong Fort of Clonmell the one by Articles the other by storm which done leaving Ireton Deputy in his stead he takes Ship at Wexford and so came over to Bristoll and from thence by Post to London where upon Saturday the first of Iune he arrived with unexpressible imaginations of joy About this time Prince Rupert who had played many pranks at Sea is blocked up by the three English Admirals in Lisbone most of his Ships being before either taken or sunk who treat with the King of Portugall to force him out of his harbour which he by no means neither promises nor threats could be induced to do though the English surprize many of his Sugar-Ships coming from Brazill and threaten to take the rest in case he resolves not to renounce his protection of Prince Rupert but at last the English for want of water and victuals are forced to depart from before the Port which opportunity Prince Rupert taking gets out and steers for Malaga whither the English having victualled follow them take the Roe-Buck force the Black-Prince and four more ashore and Prince Rupert escaping with two Ships more they sleight him and giving over further search return with victory to England About this time likewise the English having sent Mr Anthony Ashcam Agent to the King of Spain he arrived the 5th of Iune 1650. at Sancta Maria where hearing many threats against his person he procured a guard for to convey him to Madrid where at his first arrivall lying at an Inne being the next day at dinner with his Interpreter six roaring Dons knockt at the door and having easie admittance Mr Ashcam rose to salute them whereupon the first stabbed Mr Ashcam and his Interpreter endeavouaing to escape was wounded in the belly both falling down dead in the place the murtherers though they escaped to the Sanctuary were fetched out by the King of Spain but again returned thither by the Popes speciall mandate The League and agreement being as I said before fully concluded between the Scots and the King so that there wanted nothing but their having him with them which to expedite he hastens from Breda comes to the Hague and there takes shipping from whence notwithstanding the wait laid for him he arrives safely at the Spey in the north of Scotland where he is received with the best entertainment the Scots could give him But before he ascend the Throne there are other Conditions to be agreed on which they told him not of before 1. He must take the solemn League and Covenant 2. He must subscribe to a Declaration of the Kirks own framing declaring That he renounced the sins of his Fathers house and of his own the Idolatry of his Mother by a constant adhering to the Cause of God according to the Covenant in the firm establishment of Church-government as it is laid down
possess which if you now deliver into my hands for his service you shall have fit terms for your self and those with you and ease the adjacent parts of a great Charge If you refuse I doubt not but in a short time by the Lords assistance to obtain what now I demand I expect your answer to morrow by seven of the Clock and rest To the Governour of Hume-Castle Your Servant George Fenwick To which the Governour next Morning returned this answer Right Honourable I have received a Trumpeter of yours as he tells me without a pass to render Hume-Castle to the Lord Generall Cromwell Please you I never saw your Generall As for Hume Castle it stands upon a Rock Given at Hume-Castle this day before seven a Clock So rests without prejudice to my native Country Your most humble Servant Tho. Cockburne After this conceited answer of the Governours he likewise salutes Collonel Fenwick with these Verses I William of the Wastle Am now in my Castle And awe the Dogs in Town Shan't gar me gang down But after the great Guns had played a little and a small breach was made at which Fenwicks men were ready to enter he was forced to surrender the Castle upon Quarter for life of which Captain Collinson with his Company took possession Collonel Moncke likewise though in somewhat longer time had the same fortune with three Regiments of Horse and Foot in reducing Timptallon-Castle which had many times cut off Passengers and done no little harm to the Country by frequent excursions the Governour and Souldiers finding no other Conditions being forced to surrender to mercy But to give some stop to the English Proceedings Generall Cromwell was taken with a violent Feaver which confined him many dayes to his Chamber insomuch that it was generally voted up and down the Scoth Camp that he was dead but a Trumpeter coming to Edinborough from Fife to demand restitution of a Ship laden with goods which was taken by the English Frigots going from Brunt Island to Fife and there confidently averring to the Souldiers that their Generall was dead which coming to Cromwels ears he caused the Trumpeter to be brought before him and not only gave him assurance of his life but of his recovery in great measure which at his return caused no small decrease of joy in the Scotch Army Generall Dean about this time arrived at Leith with a Squadron of English Ships bringing with him a convenient quantity of supplies both of men Money and provisions together with twenty seven flat bottomed Boats for transportation of the Army over into Fife so extreamly carefull were the Parliament of their Army in Scotland In the mean time the Scotch Levies go on vigorously Middleton marches out of the High-lands with a considerable number both of Horse and Foot The Town of Dundee to shew their affection to his Majesty advanced a brave Regiment of Horse at their own charge and sent them with six brass pieces of Ordnance for a present to their King at Sterling Whilest these things were acting in Scotland there happened a very strange accident at Oxford in England One Anne Green servant to Sr Thomas Read having been got with Childe by a Gentleman of the House about the fourth Moneth of her time by over-working fell in travell and not knowing what it might be went to the House of Office where with some straining an abortive Infant of about a span long fell from her which being found out she was carried prisoner to Oxford and there condemned for the Murther and hanged After she had hung near an hour all which time she was pulled by the Legs and strook on the Brest by some of her friends and some Souldiers that stood by with the But ends of their Muskets she was cut down put into a Coffin and brought to a house to be dissected by some Physicians when they opened the Coffin they perceived a ratling in her Throat whereupon one standing by stamped on her Brest and Belly but Dr Petty and two other Doctors present fell speedily to use some meanes to bring her to life which they did to the wonder of all men she still as upon the Gallows averring her innocency The Parliament now to abolish the shadow as well as formerly they had done the substance of Monarchy cause the Statuas of the late King which were set up at the West end of the Cathedrall of St Pauls Church aed that set up in the Royall Exchange to be pulled down and over the conspicuous place of the last caused this ignominious Motto to be set Exit Tyrannus Regum ultimus anno libertatis Angliae restitutae primo Anno Domini 1648. January 30. which might far better be inverted They likewise cause the Kings Arms in all places of the Kingdome to be defaced and expunged the Souldiers using all violence imaginable to his Majesties Pictures though but set up for Signs In the mean time the Parliament are courted by severall forreign Ambassadors from the Hollander Spaniard and Portugall all requesting peace and amity though 't is suspected the Hollander then intended a War But however the Parliament of England send over Oliver St John and Walter Strickland Esquires as Ambassadors extraordinary to Holland where they were entertained with a great deal of Ceremony The heads of their Ambassage was 1. That a firme league and confederacy be made between the two Republicks 2. That former treaties and agreements of trade and commerce be renewed 3. That the States of Holland would make strict search after the Murderers of Dr Dorislaus and that like affronts might be prevented for the future But notwithstanding the States had put out a Declaration commanding that none should upon strict amercements affront the English Ambassadors yet three Moneths were past and nothing agreed upon but innumerable affronts received the Ambassadors by Order of the Parliament of England returned home infect â pace But Van Trumps lying hovering with his Fleet of Scilly made the English Jealous that they intended some hostile attempt upon the place but the reason of his hovering being demanded the Hollanders answered that they only lay there to demand satisfaction for such Ships as those Pirates had taken from their people which satisfied for the present however the Parliament thought good to reduce those Isles under their own obedience which they shortly after did by a Fleet under Command of Admirall Blake and Sr George Askew In the mean time Cornet-Castle in the Isle of Guernsey which still held out with a Party for the King was assaulted by a considerable Party of Foot upon information given that there was but Forty men in the Castle and eighteen of them disabled when upon tryal there was found sixty good men in the Castle who made hot work for the assailants breaking their Ladders and killing many of them with Case-shot from the Flankers so that they were fain to get off by the Boat which proved as unfortunate two Boats full of
and Persons of quality that were taken with the King at Worcester there were none suffered under the Axe of the Parliaments Justice but only the Earl of Derby who notwithstanding his having quarter given him for life was by a Counsell of Warre condemned to death and accordingly had his head severed from his body on the 15th of October at Preston in Lancashire where he first began his rising and Sr Timothy Fetherstone who was executed shortly after Some other persons of meaner quality suffered death at Chester Shrewsbury and other places And now the Parliament having setled themselves so well at home begin to take into consideration the many wrongs affronts and mischiefs committed upon the English Nation by the Hollanders together with their delays in treating for an Accommodation therefore to shew their resentment they put forth an Act for encouragement of Navigation the most pleasing to the English Marriners and displeasing to the Hollanders that possible could be The heads of it were these 1. That no Commodity whatsoever of the growth or manufacture of Europe Asia Affrica or America or any part thereof as well of the English Plantations as others should be emported into England Ireland or any of the Territories thereof in any Ships but such only as do truly belong to this Commonwealth or the Plantations thereof under the penalty of the forfeiture of Goods and Vessels 2. That no Commodities whatsoever of forreign growth or manufacture which are to be brought into this Commonwealth in Ships belonging to the people thereof shall be by them shipped from any places but only from those of the said growth production or manufacture or from those ports where the said Commodities can only be or usually have been shipt for transportation and from none other places 3. That no sort of Fish usually caught by the people of this Nation nor any Oyl made of Fish nor any Whale Finne or Whalebones shall be imported as abovesaid but only such as shall be caught in Vessels belonging to the people of this Nation under the former penalty 4. That no kinds of salted Fish from the first of February 1653 shall be exported out of this Land in any other save English Vessels There were severall Exceptions and Provisoes in it in refference to the Commodities of East-India from the Levant seas from the Ports of Spain and Portugall This Act extreamly perplexes the Hollander who upon it they send over their extraordinary Ambassadours to renew a Treaty and endeavour by all means possible the calling in of that Act which would be so pernicious to their engrossing Trade but their designs failing in its recalling they grow angry and begin to dispute the unquestionable right of the English Soveraignty in the narrow Seas refusing to lore their top-sails which was the occasion of that great breach of peace between these two Republiques more potent in shipping then all the rest of the Christian world The first brush hapned thus In the beginning of May 1652 Van-Trump Admirall of the Dutch-Fleet with about 42 sail of Ships was discovered on the back side of the Goodwin sands bearing towards Dover-Road Major Bourne who commanded a squadron of the Parliaments Ships lying then in the Downs presently ordered the Greyhound Frigat to make sail and speak with them which she did with the foremost and they civilly strook their topsails and said They came from Admirall Trump with a Message to the English Admirall and coming aboard our Ships told our men That the Northerly winds having blown hard severall dayes they were forced further to the Southward then they intended and having rode some days off Dunkirk had lost there divers Cables and Anchors professing they intended no harm to the English Nation In the mean time Major Bourne having given Generall Blake who was to the Westward with the rest of the Fleet speedy advice of them he makes what haste he can towards them and on the 19th of May in the morning he spies them at Anchor in Dover-Road upon sight of him they weigh and stand to the Eastward where they met with an Express from the States whereupon they tacked about and bore directly for the English Fleet Van-Trump being in the head with his Flag aloft and refusing to strike Whereupon Generall Blake le ts fly three Guns but without Balls at Trumps Flag and Trump in disdain shot off a Gun to the windward and instead of loring his Flag hangs out a red one of defiance as a sign to his whole Fleet to begin the fight and gave Generall Blake a broad-side which was answered immediately with another so the fight began hotly on both sides and continued about four hours till night parted them There was one Dutch Ship sunk and another of thirty Guns taken with the Captains of both and neer 150 Prisoners of the English there was about 10 killed and 40 wounded some Ships and especially the Admirall dammaged in their masts sails and rigging but no considerable hurt done This attempt of the Dutch upon the English Fleet whilest their Ambassadours were treating for Peace so incensed the Parliament that notwithstanding all that possibly could be alledged either by those two Ambassadours then in England or two other sent over could not appease them but they were fully resolved to be revenged of the Hollander for this high and daring affront which finall answer their Ambassadours having received had leave to depart And now these two mighty Common-wealths prepare with all vigour possible for warre Generall Blake with a gallant Fleet of Ships is sent Northward toward the Isles of Orkney to seize upon all such as he should find fishing on those Coasts where he took 12 Dutch men of Warre which were Convoyers to those Fishermen Sr George Ayskew with his squadron of Ships left to guard the narrow Seas makes prize of many Holland Merchantmen and going to Plimouth to clear the Seas and convoy those English Merchantmen that lay there to London being about 8 or 10 leagues off Plimouth he receives intelligence of the Dutch Fleet calls a Counsell of Warre and resolves to find them out and the same day being the 16th of August between one and two in the afternoon they had sight of the Dutch Fleet and presently stood towards them with all the sayl they could pack The Dutch were 60 men of Warre and 30 Merchant men the English but 46 in all with Fireships and Scouts Sr George with a squadron of seaven Ships charges through and through the Dutch notwithstanding they at first brunt received very much dammage in their masts and rigging and had the rest of the Captains done their duty they had in all probability routed the Dutchmens great Fleet but at length the night parted them the English in this fight had severall Captains wounded and Captain Pack killed Prizes of Holland Merchant-men are daily sent into the River by Generall Blake Vice-Admirall Pen and Sr George Askew to the great encouragement of English Marriners those
English The Loves of Clirio and Lozia a Romance Mr. Knowles his Rudiment of the Hebrew Tongue A Book of Scheams or Figures of Heaven ready set for every four Minutes of times and very usefull for all Astrologers Florus Anglicus or an exact History of England from the Reign of William the Conquerour to the death of the Late King Linguae or the Combate of the Tongue and five Senses for Superiority a serious Comedy The Spirits Touchstone being a clear discovery how a man may certainly know whether he be truly taught by the Spirit of God or not The poor mans Physician and Chyrurgion Physicall Rarities containing the most choice Receipts in Physick and Chyrurgery for the cure of all Diseases Incident to mans body By R W lliams To which is added the physical Mathematicks By Hermes Tris-Megistus The Idol of Clowns or the Relation of Wat Tiler's Rebellion The Christian Moderator in 3 parts The Golden Fleece or a Discourse of the cloathing of England Dr. Sibbs his Divine Meditations Vigerius Precepts of Idiotismes Grotij Poemata Three Books of M. Matthews Minister at Swansey in South-wales 1 The Messiah Magnified by the mouthes of Babes in America or Gains and Gamaliel a helpfull Father and his hopeful Son discoursing of the three most considerable points 1. The great want of Christ 2 The great worth that is in Christ 3. The good way that is chalkt out by Christ 2. The New Congregationall Church prov'd to be the old Christian Church by Scripture Reason and History 3 The Reading Church-member Regularly call'd back to Christ and his Church A physical Dictionary An exact History of the several changes of Government in England from the horrid Murther of King Charles the first to the happy Restauration of King Charles the second with the Renowned Actions of General Monck by J. D. Duodecim Dr. Smith's practice of physick The Grammar War Posselius Apothegmes Fasciculus Florum Crashaw's Visions The Juniper Lecture Helvicus Colloquies The Christian Souldier his Combate with the three arch-enemies of man-kind the world the flesh and the devil Seasonable advice to the Apprentices of the Honourable City of London touching their duty to God and their Masters Heinsius de Crepundiis The History of Russia or the Government of the Emperour of Muscovia with the manner and fashions of the people of that Countrey Drexeliu's school of Patience Drexelius his right Intention of every ones action A School or Nurture for Children or the Duty of Children to Parents very usefull for all that intend to bring up their children in the fear of God Viginti Quarto The New Testament The third part of the Bible Sir Richard Bakers Meditations and Prayers for every day of the Week Playes The Ball. Chawbut Conspiracy Obstinate Lady The London Chanticlers a Comedy foll of various and delightfull Mirth neyer before published FLORVS ANGLICVS The Second Part. CONTAINING Englands Oligarchicall Government from the Death of CHARLES the I. to the Protectorship of OLIVER PART I. NO sooner had the fatall Axe severed England and her Liberties by severing King Charles his head from his body but the Parliament the better to maintain what they had now so farre prosecuted make Proclamation That none under penalty of being deemed guilty of high Treason should presume to proclaim declare publish or any way promote the Prince of Wales Sonne to the late King or any other Person to be King or Chief Magistrate of England or of any the Dominions belonging to them by colour of Inheritance Succession or Election or any other claim whatsoever without the free consent of the people in Parliament c. This Proclamation though it came not forth in full till the second of February yet was in part proclaimed on the very day of the Kings beheading They likewise the more to ensure their Government and to carry it on with the more plausibility publish an Act of State for the alteration of Writs in England Ireland and Wales as that in stead of King the Name Stile and Test Custodis Libertatis Angliae Authoritate Parliamenti be used and none other and all Writs c. should run so of which all concerned in the Law were required to take notice Yet they provide that all Patents granted by the late King should still stand in full force and vertue The Houses likewise take upon them a more then Papall power and because he Priest could indeed absolve them they are resolved to absolve themselves and all those engaged with them by an Act repealing the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy Sr Lewis Dives Sr Robert Stuart of Irel and the Lord Loughborough Collonel Poyer Collonel Laughorne and Duke Hamilton having escaped out of severall Prisons of which the last out of Windsor Castle a strict search was made for them but in vain except Duke Hamilton who was the next morning retaken in an Inne in Southwark The Lords House perceiving that by reason of his Majesties death the Judges gave not that assistance to them which was usuall by reason his death had extinguished their power as Judges desired that eighteen of the Commons might be sent to conferre with nine of the Lords but it would not be assented to The House of Commons having executed their King the Nobles are an eyesore to them they therefore resolve to take away as many of them as they can bring within their reach they resolve to begin with those they have already in hold and the Commission of the High-Court of Justice for his Majesties Triall being expired they create a new one consisting of sixty three persons of which any fifteen had power to act for the triall of Duke Hamilton as Earl of Cambridg Earl of Holland Earl of Norwich Lord Capell who attempted an escape but was retaken at Lambeth and Sir John Owen and in order thereto they likewise vote the adjournment of Hillary Terme which because the Judges had not power they do by their Proclamation of the second of February And now they take into consideration the reception of their numerous fellow members which by the arbitrary force of the Army had been excluded and at last they vote That none should be admitted into the House who had voted that his late Majesties Concessions were a ground for Peace and for the firm settlement of these Nations The Parliament having cut off one of those three Estates by which the Nation had so long been governed think likewise of abolishing the second that they alone might have the whole power therefore upon considerations of the House of Lords in what capacity they should stand they vote 1. That they would make no farther addresses to them 2. That they would receive none from them 3. That an Act be drawn to abolish that House as dangerous and useless Thus is the whole basis of that Government which had continued in England so many hundred years overthrown in ten dayes and the two ancient grand Estates of the Land cut off Having abolished
one Government they proceed to consider of the establishment of another but agree only in a negative Vote That there should for the future be no Government in England either by King or House of Lords They break the old Great Seal and cause a new one to be made which is delivered to the keeping of three Commissioners viz. Mr Keeble Mr Whitlock and Mr Lisle They likewise consider of Oaths to be administred to the Judges who thereupon meet and upon debate six of them are content to continue in their employments provided the fundamentall Laws of the Land be not altered which were viz. Chief Justice Rolles and Justice Jerman of the Kings Bench Lord Chief Justice St John Justice Phesant of the Common Pleas Lord Chief Baron Wild and Baron Yates and in order to these Judges satisfaction in their forementioned scruple the Parliament by their Declaration of the ninth of February do declare That they are fully resolved to maintain and shall and will uphold preserve and keep the fundamentall Laws of this Nation for and concerning the preservation of the lives properties and liberties of the people with all things incident there unto with the alterations touching King and House of Lords already resolved in this present Parliament for the good of the people and whatsoever shall be further necessary to the perfecting thereof and by it requiring all Judges Justices c. to execute and administer in their respective Offices and Trusts c. The House order a Committee to consider of such Persons as they should think fit to be Justices of the Peace throughout the Nation they likewise order another Committee to consider of Persons whom they might judg fit to constitute a Councell of State whose number should be forty whereof only five Lords or not above And whereas before they had only repealed they now wholly make void the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy Thus though the Parliament are endeavouring all means to make themselves as secure and firm in the Government as they can yet are the people generally discontented those who formerly affected them now sensible of the inconveniencies like to ensue the cutting off of their Prince as much disaffect them so that there is generally plotting in all Countries which makes the Parliament send forces into severall Counties to keep them in awe whilest the Royalists in Pomfret Castle still hold out hoping some relief may arise from those so universall discontents But let us from England pass a little into Scotland and we shall find that the Kings death is much more resented there at the first news of his Condemnation they proclaim a solemn Fast with Prayers to God for his deliverance but upon the news of his Execution such was their sorrow that the whole City of Edenborough seemd a flood of tears The Parliament upon this exigence are convened and putting it to the vote it passed nemine contradicente that his Eldest Sonne should be proclaimed King and accordingly a Proclamation was drawn which because of some niceties in it not usuall in things of this nature I think fit to insert as followeth viz. The Estates of Parliament presently convened in this second Session of the second trienniall Parliament by vertue of an Act of the Committee of Estates who had power and authority from the last Parliament for convening the Parliament considering that forasmuch as the Kings Majesty who lately reigned is contrary to the dissent and protestation of this Kingdom removed by a violent death and that by the Lords blessing there is left unto us a righteous Heir and lawfull Successor Charles Prince of Scotland and Wales now King of Great Brittain France and Ireland We the Estates of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland do therefore most unanimously and cheerfully in recognition and acknowledgment of his just right Title and succession to the Crown of these Kingdoms hereby proclaim and declare to all the world that the said Lord and Prince Charles is by the providence of God and by the lawfull and right of undoubted succession and descent King of Great Brittain France and Ireland whom all the subjects of this Kingdom are bound humbly and faithfully to obey maintain and defend according to the Nationall Covenant and the solemn League and Covenant betwixt the Kingdome with their lives and goods against all deadly enemies as their only righteous Soveraign Lord and King And because his Majesty is bound by the Law of God and fundamentall Laws of this Kingdom to rule in righteousness and equity to the honour of God the good of Religion and the wealth of his people it is hereby declared That before he be admitted to the exercise of his Royall power he shall give satisfaction to this Kingdom in those things that concern the security of Religion the unity betwixt the Kingdoms and the good and peace of this Kingdom according to the Nationall Covenont and the solemn League and Covenant for which end we are resolved with all possible expedition to make our humble and earnest addresses to his Majesty For the testification of all which we the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland publish this our acknowledgment of his just right Title and succession to the Crown of these Kingdoms at the Market-Cross in Edenborough with all usuall solemnities in like cases and ordain his Royall Name Portract and Seal to be used in the publike writings and Judicatories of this Kingdome and in the Mint-house as was usually done to his Royall Predecessors and command this Act to be proclaimed at all the Market-Crosses of the Royall Burghs within this Kingdom and to be printed that none may pretend ignorance God save King Charles the second This was done by the Parliament the Lords in all their Robes the Cross was richly hanged the Chancellor brought up the Proclamation read it to the King at Arms who proclaimed it there being an universall joy in the City and their great Guns from the Castle sending peals of the same into the adjacent Countries The solemnity being past care was taken for the sending Messengers to acquaint his Majesty with the business Sr Edward Douglas was chosen to go and acquaint him with it to desire him to take heed of evill Councellors c. that there should very speedily a more full address be made to him In the mean time a Fast is proclaimed and supplications made that God would prosper their addresses to him for the good both of the Kirk and State The Lords and the whole Parliament in the mean time put on mourning for the death of his Father But to return to England again The beheaded old King Charles was February 12. thirteen days after his death buried at Windsor in the same Vault where Henry the eighth was interred without any manner of solemnity the Bishop of London Dr Juxon and some few others attending him to his Funerall The Parliament not thinking that they are not yet secure enough whilest they have only power over
mens bodies endeavour the like over their souls They therefore Enact that every Citizen of London at the time of their admission to their Freedome should take the ensuing Oath viz. You shall swear That you shall be true and faithfull to the Commonwealth of England and in order there unto you shall be obedient to the just Government of the City of London You shall to your best power maintain the peace and all the due Franchises thereof and to your knowledge and ability do and perform all Acts and things belonging to a Free-man of the said City They likewise Enact that the said Oath Mutatis mutandis be taken by every Free-man in every City Borrough and Town Corporate in England and Wales at the time of their admission to Freedome as aforesaid The Extraordinary Ambassadors for the States of Holland having had audience and promise of Redress for the injuries done to their Ships provided the wrong-doers could be found out being on departure many thanks and civilities having past between them and the House they Order two Members to give them a solemn farewell who accompanied them to Gravesend The Army again Petition the Parliament in prosecution of some desires formerly presented to them viz. 1. To make and establish such wholesome Laws in the native Language as may preserve the Interest and Liberties of this Commonwealth 2. That Tithes may be abolished 3. That no punishment be inflicted upon any man for the Exercise of his Conscience 4. That all that had to deal in the publick Treasury be called to account and that free Quarter be taken off 5. That all Persons whatsoever may have a free and equall Administration of the Law 6. That Persons imprisoned for Debt having nothing to pay may be released and that such as are able and shelter themselves in prison be forced to pay 7. That all Persons in prison for pretended words c. be brought to triall and if found innocent have satisfaction for false imprisonment 8. That Provision might be made for the Poor of the Nation 9. That constant Pay may be provided to prevent free Quarter 10. That the Arrears of the Army might be paid out of the Kings Deans and Chapters Lands 11. That their want of Horses might be supplied 12. That care might be taken for prevention of clipt Money 13. That the Articles of Warre might be mitigated 14. That the Souldiers might not be put to the execution of civil Orders as seizing on unlicensed Books distraining of Moneys or the like so that the people may not complain of their intrenchment on their Liberties These were February 19. 1649. drawn up by the Army as their humble Petition and Address to the Parliament but we need not think it strange that every common Souldier should have liberty to propose what was necessary to be done in the Government since they had perfectly the whole power in their hands and had first by the fetches of some of their Commanders excluded and extirpated all other power to give life and being to this shadow of a Government this little finger of a Parliament and yet ten times heavier to the Nation then the whole loynes of its legal Magistracy But to return to our purpose the Parliament for so in their own language we must call them order the Triall of Duke Hamilton who though he was no Englishman yet was arraigned under the Name of Earl of Cambridge thereby to subject him to the English Law together with the Earl of Holland Lord Capell Lord Goring and Sr John Owen the two first of which were afterwards beheaded in Pallace-yard and the two last meeting with more favour from them were suffered to depart beyond Seas A Councell of State being setled by the Parliament they met at Derby House where some Propositions of the Parliaments in order to their unanimous Proceedings were tendred to them viz. the approbation of the Proceedings with the late King the House of Lords the present Alteration and some other These were by them received with some dislike to some of the particulars and their dislike being mentioned in the House was referred to a Committee The Prince Elector Palatine makes his Addresses to the Parliament with returnes of thanks for their former favours and desires that 5600lb due of his last years Pension might be paid that the Pension of 8000lb per annum might be continued and that he might have the Pass of the House for himself Family and forty Horse to go home The first and last desires were granted and the Summe due Ordered to be paid him but the Continuation of his Pension put off to further consideration The Parliament and Councell of State agree upon an Attestation to be taken by every individuall Member of the Councell of State which ran as followeth viz. I A. B. being of the Councell of State do Testifie that I do adhere unto this present Parliament in the maintenance and defence of the publick Liberty and Freedome of this Nation as it is now Declared and to the Government for future in way of a Republick without King or House of Peers And I do promise in the sight of God that through his grace I will be faithfull in the performance of the trust committed to me as aforesaid and therein faithfully pursue the Instructions given to this Councell by this present Parliament and not reveal or disclose any thing in whole or in part directly or indirectly that shall be debated or resolved on in Counsell without command or direction in Parliament or the Order and allowance of the major part of them that shall be present at such debates or resolutions In confirmation of the Premisses I have hereunto set my hand To which Attestation the Clerk of the Parliament is Ordered to see that every individuall Member of the Councell of State do Subscribe And now comes out the Protestation of the Parliament of Scotland against the Proceedings touching his Majesties Life and Person which because it was of so eminent concernment I shall here insert the most materiall Circumstances viz. That by their Letter of the sixth instant viz. January they represented unto you what endeavours have been used for taking away of his Majesties life for Change of the fundamentall Government of this Kingdome and introducing a sinfull and ungodly Toleration in matters of Religion and therein they did express their sad thoughts and great feares of the dangerous consequences that might follow thereupon and further they did earnestly press that there might be no proceeding against his Majesties Person which would certainly continue the great distractions of the Kingdomes and involve them in many evils troubles and confusions but that by the free Councels of both Houses of the Parliament of England and with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Scotland such course might be taken in relation to him as may be for the good and happiness of these Kingdomes both having an unquestionable interest in his Person as King of both
of that vast Charge is saved yet neither Custome Excise nor Taxes made lower but rather encreased the Souldiers Petitioning for a larger Taxe that free Quarter the greater oppression indeed of the two might be avoided Severall Troopers who pretended a Liberty to Petition without the consent of their Officers are punished five of them are condemned first to ride with their Faces to the Horse Tail then to have their Swords broke over their Heads and lastly to be cashiered a Letter which they had concerning the aforesaid Liberty being judged pernicious and scandalous to the Parliament and Counsell of State About this time began those great disturbances both in Army and Parliament occasioned by the distast given to Lieutenant Collonel John Lilburne by the Parliaments denying some desires of his But because the Discourse of it would now be too tedious we shall let it alone till we come to treat of its Effects But let us return now a little to Scotland where the Parliament upon rumours that the English Army were marching towards them prepare to resist and Vote the raising for their present defence 2000 Horse and 6000 Foot whilest the Lord Seaforth and Collonel Heisell are busied in fortifying Enderness and other strong places in the North all being resolved to defend and maintain the Cause of Charles the Second with their lives and fortunes many Englishmen flocking to them In the mean time Prince Rupert makes great Havock of the Merchants Ships and Goods in the English and Irish Seas which makes the Parliament hasten out their Fleet under the Command of Popham Dean and Blake as aforesaid And now on the ninth of March 1648. those three Lords Duke Hamilton as Earl of Cambridge the Earl of Holland and Lord Capell were beheaded in the new Palace-yard Westminster for having raised Arms against the Parliament nor could Duke Hamiltons pretending himself a stranger and not subject to the Laws of England nor the Lord Capells claiming the Lord Generals promise of Quarter finde them voices enough to save their lives though the Lord Goring and Sr John Owen escaped by Superiority of voices They all three died resolutely and handsomely befitting men of so noble descents The Parliament in some things to answer the Armies Petition Order a release of all Prisoners who were not in a capacity to pay their Debts the Commission nevertheless extending to the seizure of all their Estate and Moveables to pay as far as they will go They likewise Enact a rebate in Usury that none should take above six in the hundred which is an ease to the poor but a plague to the rich The 14th of March arrives at London Master Belford from the Parliament of Scotland who brings Letters expressing their high resentment for the securing of their Commissioners they assure them that they owned the Paper sent by their Commissioners by sending another Transcript of it so their Commissioners are discharged and it referred to the Counsell of State to send them an Answer The Parliament proceed in consideration of what was to be done in the farther punishing of offendors and Vote that fifteen be banished whereof the Marquess of Winchester the Lords Bristoll Cottington and Digby are four Judge Jenkins and Sr John Stowell are Ordered to be tried at the Kings Bench Bar. That Collonel Laughorne Powell and Poyer or any others who have held out any Castle or Fort since the first of March 1648. to be tried by a Counsell of War They proceed to the Confiscation of the Estates of the Prince of Wales Duke of York Duke of Buckingham Earl of Bristoll Earl of Newcastle Earl of Worcester Lord Digby Sr William Widdrington Sr Phillip Musgrave Sr Marmaduke Langdale Sr Richard Grimvile Sir Francis Dodington Sr Iohn Culpepper and Sr Iohn Byron any of which being taken in England are to die without mercy The Banishment of the Marquess of Winchester is remitted at last and he with Bishop Wren Voted imprisonment in the Tower during the Parliaments pleasure Brown Bushell is also Voted to be tried for his life The Parliament hoping to justifie their actions to the world abroad by Logick as well as they had done it by force at home cause a large and specious Declaration to be drawn up shewing the causes of their Actions and Proceedings against their late King and of the Alteration of the Government which they order to be Printed in Latin French Dutch and Italian the better to satisfie as they dream't the rest of the Christian world The Lieutenant Generall Cromwell now comes in play again action being so naturall to him he being appointed Generalissimo of those 12000 Horse and Foot which are Voted to be sent for the relief of Ireland and the reducing of Ormond Inchequeen and Owen Roe who had now made a full conjunction and lay neare Dublin with 22000 Men. And now the Parliament by their Act and Declaration of the 19th of February dissolve all Kingly Government disheriting the late Kings Children or any other from any claim right or title to the Government of England Wales or Ireland or any of the Honours Mannors Lands Tenements Possessions or Hereditaments belonging or appertaining to the Crown of England or Ireland And they by the same Act discharge and absolve all the people of England Wales and Ireland of what degree or condition soever from all Fealty Homage and Allegiance which is or shall be pretended due to any of the Issue and Posterity of the late King or any claiming under him This Act the Parliament Order to be proclaimed in the City of London by the Mayor Aldermen and Sheriffs in Person and likewise in the chief places of the Nation to which purpose Writs are sent down to the Sheriffs of the respective Counties But the Lord Mayor and severall of the Aldermen whose consciences would not permit them to proclaim it refusing to do it put a demur upon it throughout the whole Nation the effects of which the Parliament fearing called him to the Bar of the House and finding him resolved Order the degradation of him Alderman Bunce and three Aldermen more Alderman Andrews being found fit for the Parliaments purpose is appointed to sit on the Bench in the late Lord Mayors stead who readily executed the Parliaments Commands The Parliament Constitute a Committee for the sale of Parks Chases and Forrest-Lands of whom any three have power and authority to Act. The 24th of March the Castle of Pomfret which had held out near nine Moneths was forced to surrender for want of Ammunition The private Souldiers who were most of them inhabitants of Yorkeshire had liberty by Articles to go home to their habitations but the Governour and some others were exempted from Quarter nevertheless Lieutenant Collonel Morris the Governour escaped The Scotch Commissioners are at last dispatched to the King with full Instructions to treat with him of which the chief were First That his Majesty take the Covenant Secondly That he put from him all who have assisted
his Father or him formerly and particularly the Lord Montross Thirdly That he bring but 100 with him into Scotland And fourthly That he bring no forreign force into Scotland without their consent But whether these Conditions were by him agreed to or no I think is hardly known In the mean while the Parliaments friends in Ireland are but in a bad condition they therefore desire present aid Clanrickard Taffe and Preston with their Catholicks having made a full agreement with Ormond and Inchequeen the Articles were viz. after the Catholicks acknowledgement by way of preamble That Charles the second is King of Ireland and that they will stand to him with their lives and fortunes It is agreed 1. That the Catholicks have free exercise of Religion in Ireland and all penalties taken off 2. That a Parliament shall be held within six Moneths or after when the Catholicks desire 3. All Laws made in the Parliament of England since 41 in blemish of Catholicks in the next Parliament to be null 4. All Indictments against any Catholicks since 41 to be vacuated 5. Way and provision made that Catholicks may be Elected and Vote in Parliament 6. All Debts to remain as they were February 8. 1641. notwithstanding any disposition under colour of Attainder 7. The Estates of the Knights Gentlement and Freeholders of Connaght Clare Thomond Limerick and Tipperary to be secured by Act. 8. All incapacities of the Natives in Ireland to be taken away by Act. 9. All Honours Trusts c. to be conferred as well on Catholicks as Protestants 10. That the King take 2000lb per annum in lieu of the Court of Wards 11. Noble men to be capable of more Proxies then two in Parliament 12. That the depending of the Parliament of Ireland on that of England shall be as shall stand with the Laws of Ireland 13. That the Counsell-Table meddle only with State-matters 14. That all Acts forbidding the transport of Wooll be made null by the next Parliament 15. That if any have been wronged by Grants from King James or since they may have relief in Parliament 16. That divers particular Lords Knights and Gentlemen who have as they conceive been wronged may be righted 17. That all who have had their Estates taken from them in Cork Youghall and Dungarvan have restauration 18. That in the next Parliament an Act of oblivion pass to all Ireland 19. That no Lord Deputy or other Officer of Eminency farm the Customes 20. An Act against Monopolists and no imposition on Aqua-vitae 21. That the Court of Castle-chamber be regulated 22. The Acts prohibiting plowing with Horses by the tail and burning Oats in the Straw be nul'd 23. That his Majesty take off the grievances of the Kingdome 24. That Maritime causes be determined in Ireland 25. That no Rents be raised under pretence of defective titles 26. That Interest be forgiven from 1641. 27. That all this be Acted and of force till a Parliament agree it 28. That the Commissioners for the Catholicks that treated agree upon such as shall be Commissioners of the peace and hear all causes under 10lb. 29. That all Governours of Towns Castles c. made by the King be with the approbation of Catholick Commissioners 30. That none of his Majesties Rents be paid till a full settlement in Parliament 31. That the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer do try all Murthers Thefts c. 32. That hereafter such Differences as arise between Subjects be tried by a Court in Ireland 33. That the Roman Clergy that behave themselves according to this Agreement be not molested These Articles thus agreed on Ormond publishes a Declaration exasperating the horrid Murther of the late King and Declaring Charles the second King of Ireland as the true lawfull and undoubted Heir to his Father and to him and in his Defence they all resolve to stick with lives and fortunes The Counsell of State begin now to take the business of Ireland into more serious consideration and to dispatch relief the sooner Order that a convenient number of Shipping be made ready at Bristoll Leverpool Beaumorris and Milford Haven to transport the Army and to be at the direction of the Commander in chief for Ireland They likewise give Order that an Hospitall be provided for maimed Souldiers in Dublin That all those who are already in the Parliaments pay in Ireland do joyn with those now sent over under the Command of his Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwell That Bread Salt Cheese and other provisions be provided with a train of Artillery And that care be taken that continuall supplyes of men be constantly sent The seventh of Aprill the Parliament for the better supply of their Army and taking off the intollerable oppression of Free-Quarter pass an Act for 90000lb. a Moneth for six Moneths But in relation to their present exigencies for setting forward of the relief for Ireland the Generall Earl of Pembroke and some others are sent to the City to borrow 120000lb. upon the security of the two last Moneths Assessment And now the business of Ireland goes on vigorously the Parliament making sundry Votes for its furtherance viz. That care be taken for provisions for the Winter Quarters That a sufficient number of Ships be imployed on the Coast at the Command of the Generall by Land That provision be made for maimed Souldiers and for the Widows and Orphans of Souldiers slain That a train of Artillery be provided That the Troopers be supplyed with such Backs Brests and Pots as shall be fitting And that care be taken for the convenient sending over of Recruits And indeed it was no time to dally now except they meant to have lost all for Ormond Taffe Preston and Inchequeen are mustering their Forces to lay siege to Dublin London-Derry and Sr Charles Coot in it was already besieged by the Covenanters or Laggan Forces And though Owen Roe's standing out might make a kinde of schisme amongst them yet it was judged that their Army would be numerous enough both to besiege Dublin and reduce him for which last service Inchequeen was intended his Brother Sr Phellime not being so sure a friend to him as was imagined so that Ireland could not at that time seem to be in any other condition then near utterly lost to the Parliament The sale of the Deans and Chapters Lands coming under consideration were found worth 9000lb per annum impropriate which goes towards the Ministers maintenance and 18000lb per annum old Rent which is to be sold But 1. It was resolved that 300000lb be raised on it in way of doubling as on Bishops Lands 2. That no Bill of Faith pass but such as hath been allowed by Trustees 3. That the 600000lb due for Souldiers Arrears stand good upon the Excise till other security be setled 4. That this 600000lb be paid out of Lands belonging formerly to the Crown 5. That twelve Trustees be for this Act six nominated by the Generall and six by the Parliament 6. That
a few words of which these are part viz. It is easie to say the Lord hath done this it would do you good to see and hear our poor Foot go up and down making their boast of God but Sr it is in your hands and by this eminent mercy God puts it more in your hands to improve your power and his blessings to his praise we that serve you beg of you not to own us but God alone We pray you own his people more and more for they are the Chariots and horsemen of Israell disown your selves but own your authority and improve it to curb the Proud and the insolent such as would disturb the tranquility of England though under what specious pretences foever c. Again Since we came into Scotland it hath been our desire and longing to have avoided bloud in this business by reason that God hath a people here fearing his Name though much deceived and to that end we have offered much love to such in the bowels of Christ and concerning the truth of our hearts therein we have appealed unto the Lord c. and more this is the great hand of the Lord and worthy the consideration of all those who taking into their hands the instruments of a foolish shepheard to wit medling with worldly policies and mixtures of earthly power to set up that which they call the Kingdom of Christ which is neither it and if it were would such means be found effectuall to that end and neglect or trust not to the Word of God the Sword of the Spirit which is alone powerfull and able for the setting up of that Kingdom and when trusted to will be found effectually able for that end and will also do it This is humbly offered for their sakes who have lately too much turned aside that they might turn again to preach JESVS CHRIST according to the simplicity of the Gospell c. If this man could not dissemble well who ever did The Parliament ordered that the Scottish Colours taken from Duke Hamilton at Preston in Lancashire and those sent from Dunbar taken at the now recited battell should be hanged up in Westminster hall the one on the one side and the other on the other side About this time died in the Isle of Wight the Princess Elizabeth third Daughter to the late King Charles who had her Funerall rights performed in Newport Church in the same Island Tuesed Sept. 24. presently after which the Parliament gave order for the sending of Henry Duke of Glocester her Brother to the University at Heidelberg a Town of the Prince Electors where the Parliament ordered him an allowance of 1500lb per annum Quam diu se bene gesserit In the mean time by the care and pains of the Lord Deputy Ireton Munster and Vlster are reduced to obedience except some Tories which stand out and lie sculcking in the woods and fastnesses Waterford being surrendred there was nothing now left towards the Conquest of that Countrey but Connaught to which effect Limerick as the pass into it was blockt up Deputy Ireton But let us by a little leave these affairs in Ireland for the more important affairs of Scotland After the Victory won at Dunbarr the Scots not only lose all their Arms and Artillery in the Camp but likewise quitted Leith and Edinburrough whereupon the Lord Generall the 7th of Septemb. sends four Regiments to take possession of Leith where they found 37 Guns mounted on the Platforms some shot and store of Ammunition and the same day Cromwell draws the rest of the Army into Edenburrough without any loss save the Arm of a Souldier though the Castle plaid hot upon them After the Army had spent some time in fortifying Leith and Cromwell had by beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet proclaimed a Protection of Markets and liberty of Trade in Edinborrough and Leith the Army advances towards Sterling whither most of the Scottish Nobility and Gentry had retired from Edenborrough and Leith and Septemb. 18. being within a mile of the Town a Counsell of Warre was called and a Summons resolved to be sent for its surrender to the service of the Commonwealth of England and accordingly a Trumpeter was sent with a Letter who being come near the Town was met by a Gentleman on foot with a Pike in his hand who told him that he would neither let him come in nor receive his Letter The same day the Scots sent our a Trumpet desiring a release of Prisoners upon ransome but Generall Cromwell returned answer That he came not thither to make merchandize of men but for the service and security of the Commonwealth of England The Summons sent to Sterling not being received caused Orders to be given for the getting of Ladders and all things necessary for a storm but upon second thoughts the strength of the Enemy and dangers being considered it was agreed that the Army should draw off which accordingly they did and marched to Linlithgow which place lying between Edinborrough and Sterling being judged fitting to be made a Garrison of the Generall ordered to be fortified and leaving in it five Troops of Horse and six Companies of Foot marched with the rest to Edinborrough About this time Sept. 23. the afflicted Kirk of Scotland appointed a solemn day of Fasting and Humiliation 1. To humble themselves for their too much confidence in the arm of flesh 2. For the malignity and prophaness of their Army 3. For the plunderings and wickedness of their Army when they were in England 4. For their not sufficient purging their Army 5. For their Commissioners unlawfull and surreptitious manner of prosecuting the Treaty with their King and their crooked wayes in bringing him home 6. For their not sufficient purging the Kings house 7. For the just grounds they have to beleeve his Majesties repentance was not sound nor from the heart In the mean time Generall Cromwell endeavours to beget a right understanding with those that dissented from the King but stood for the Kirk viz. Coll. Kerre and Straughan and their adherents for there were three factions in Scotland viz. one in the North was for the King without the Kirk another party in the West was for the Kirk without the King the third was for King and Kirk and these were they then at Sterling who bore the greatest sway viz. The Committee of Estates and Generall Assembly To Coll. Kerr c. Commis Generall Whalley is sent with a party but he accosts them first with a Letter declaring That it was not unknown what amicable wayes they had used to avoid the effusion of Christian blood before and since they came into Scotland which though hitherto hath been ineffectuall yet they should endeavour the same Shewing further That their arms were still stretched out to imbrace them when ever God should incline them to come in and that they sought not dominion over them to enslave them nor to depress their Kirk Government neither that they
Leaguer at St Jones and with a great part of their Horse and Foot advance to oppose the Lieutenant Generals passage The Lord Generall to divert their design leads on in person on the other side of Worcester which he had undertook to attaque two Regiments of Foot Collonel Hookers Horse and his own Lifeguard whilest Fleetwood with Collonel Goffs and Deans Regiments of Foot marches on to a Hedge-fight which the Scots thought most secure and stoutly maintained their ground till the fresh supply of Blakes Gibbons and Marshes Regiments force them to retire to Pawick Bridge where they are again engaged by Collonel Hayns Cobbets and Matthews Regiments and at length still overpowred by the Enemyes fresh supplyes forced to retreat in some disorderly hast into Worcester Their success being so bad on this side against Lieutenant Generall Fleetwood they resolve to trie if they could have better fortune against Cromwell on the other side Therefore on a suddain they sally out with all the Horse and Foot they could and at the first shock made Cromwels men retire somewhat disorderly the King himself performing the duty of a valiant Commander in the head of his Horse but at length overpowred by their numerous fresh supplyes they were put to the rout The Horse flying amain towards the North and the Foot into Worcester followed at the heels by their victors who entred the Town with them which they sacked killed or took most of the Scots prisoners who found life or death according to the mercy of those into whose hands they fell From this Battell there escaped only about 3000 Horse most or all the Infantry being either slain or taken and near 100 prisoners of quality of which the chief were Duke Hamilton Earl of Shrewsbury Earl of Derby who fell now into Collonel Lilburnes hands though he mist him before Earl of Cleaveland Earl of Lauderdail Earl of Rothes Earl of Carnwath Earl of Kelly Lord Spine Sir John Packington Sr Charles Cunningham Sir Ralph Clare Major Generall Piscotty Major Generall Montgomery Collonel Graves and Mr Richard Fanshaw Secretary to his Majesty The number of the prisoners in the whole was given out to be near 10000 together with whom was taken the Kings Standard Coach and Horses Collar of SS and Star-Cloak Major Generall Massey likewise though he escaped the Battell yet not finding any secure shelter and being grievously wounded surrendred himself prisoner to the Countess of Stamford and was secured by the Lord Grey of Groby her son and after recovery of his wounds by him sent up to London from whence he shortly after escaped The News of this victory extreamly rejoyced the Parliament at Westminster who nevertheless were somewhat sorry for the escape of the King of Scots who notwithstanding the great search made for him and the Fine set upon his head escaped For after having quitted the field at Worcester he with only one servant with him retired into the Woods where he hid himself two or three dayes till at length coming to a Gentlemans house who had formerly been a servant of his Fathers he was by him conveyed to a noble Esquires house in that County where he lay disguised near two Moneths till the heat of the search was over from whence he came up to London as servant to a Gentlewoman and so at fit opportunity escaped into France Many of the Scotch Nobility were about this time taken by Generall Monck in Scotland at a place called Ellet where they were met together to negotiate the royall affairs viz. old Generall Lesley Earl of Marshall Earl of Craford Lord Keith Lord Ogilby Lord Bargayny Lord Huntly Lord Lee with many other Knights Gentlemen and Ministers who were shortly after sent by Sea to London The Lord Generall Cromwell after his great victory at Worcester on the third of September his ever propitious day on the eighth sets forward towards London where arriving on the twelfth he was met by the Speaker and most of the Members of Parliament the President of the Counsell of State the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London with great acclamations of joy and acknowledgement of the Parliaments obligation to him for his eminent services which was expressed by the Speaker in a very elegant speech Shortly after two of the Parliaments Chieftains left this world both men of eminent conduct the one Generall Popham one of the Admirals of their Fleet who was a man from whom all men expected excellent service for them had his dayes been prolonged The other the Lord Deputy Ireton who died of the plague under the Walls of Limerick whose body or a Coffin in its stead was afterwards brought over into England and laid in State in Sommerset-House and from thence carried with as much pomp as ever any Kings of England since the conquest to be interred in Westminster Abbey where his Effigies was likewise set up in requitall of his many services he having a long time been one of the Parliaments fortunate Commanders In the mean time the Parliament take order for the speedy reducing of the Islands of Gersey and Man in pursuance whereof Collonel Haynes with two Regiments of Foot and four Troops of Horse set sail out of Weymouth the 16 of October and arriving at Gersey though they found some opposition at Landing yet they easily forced their way and soon possessed themselves of the Island all the Forts in it being presently delivered to them except Elizabeth Castle which held out till the middle of December and was then surrendred upon Articles Collonel Duckenfield with his own Generall Cromwels and Generall Deans Regiments of Foot and two Troops of Horse on the 14th of October departed out of the Bay of Reaumorris towards the Island of Man and arriving there on the 17th in Ramsey-Bay there came aboard to them an Islander to assure them that they should have no opposition in their Landing that they might come securely under their Forts which they had taken possession of for them that only two Castles held out viz. Peel and Rushen which were held by the Forces of the Countess of Derby which they would help them to reduce He is at first distrusted having nothing in writing to show but Major Fox being sent ashore findes it true so the Army lands and besieges both the Castles of Peel and Rushen which after short time delivered up with bloud to Collonel Duckenfield for the use of the Parliament on the 26th of October 1651 where there was found good store of provision and Ammunition of all sorts Shortly after was surrendred to the Parliaments Forces the strong and impregnable hold of Corne-Castle in the Isle of Guernsey with good conditions to the defendants consideration being had to the strength of the place and the bloud might probably be yet spent in reducing it per force or the charge they must necessarily have been at in starving it out it being still found very well victualled Notwithstanding that numerous company of Noble men
where in the presence of God he promised upon Oath not to violate or infringe the matters and things contained in the aforementioned Instrument but to observe and cause the same to be observed and in all things to the best of his understanding govern the Nations according to the Laws Statutes and Customes seeking peace causing justice and Law to be equally administred Presently after the Administration of this Oath the following Proclamation was by Order of the Counsell published throughout all the Territories and Dominions of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland viz. Whereas the late Parliament dissolved themselves and resigning their whole powers and Authorities the Government of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland by a Lord Protector and successive trienniall Parliaments is now established And whereas Oliver Cromwell Captain Generall of all the Forces of this Commonwealth is declared Lord Protector of the said Nations and hath accepted thereof We have therefore thought it necessary as we do hereby to make publication of the premisses 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 to take notice hereof and to conforme and submit themselves to the Government so established And all Sheriffs Mayors Bayliffs c. are required to publish this Proclamation to the end none may have cause to pretend ignorance in this behalf This Proclamation was first of all proclaimed by a Serjeant at Arms in the Pallaceyard Westminster and by the Lord Major Sheriffs and Aldermen of London at the Royall Exchange and afterwards throughout all England Scotland and Ireland The City of London to shew their willing concurrence to this great Change invite the Protector to a Dinner at Grocers-Hall whither he is attended with a great deal of magnificence and received with as much pomp and splendor as possibly could be There he first first makes use of the Power given him in giving Titles of Honour by dubbing of Sr Thomas Viner then Lord Major of London Knight And now out of imaginary fears of danger the better to secure his state a seeming Plot is found out some Cavaliers are sent to the Tower and the others warned from London upon it but the Protector to shew his clemency at his first entrance into the Government after some small time of durance releases again those who were imprisoned in the Tower The King of Scots being now come into France was there honourably received by the Court where he took up his residence at which time there were many discontents of the Princes of the blood against the aspiring ambition of Cardinall Mazarine in so much that it had like to have come to a civill warre To compose which difference the King of Scots offered to mediate in order to a reconciliation wherein he so farre prevailed that he procured a Conference between Deputies on both sides to whom although he urged his own condition as an argument for the French King to compose the difference in love rather then to to stand it out all which proving ineffectuall both sides betake themselves to armes the Treaty not succeeding caused him to lie under the displeasure of the Cardinall The Scots in the Highlands under the command of Glencarne and Kenmore by Commission from the King rally and rise to a considerable body of neer 4000 Horse and Foot hoping they might once more fairly dispute their quarcell in field but Major Generall Morgan with 1500 Horse and Foot coming upon them at their Rendesvouz before they could get into any good order killed neer 200 on the place took most of the rest Prisoners Glencarne himself hardly escaping with about 40 Horse The three Agents from Holland having been here all this while and little or nothing agre on for the ratification of a Peace between the two States two of them went over to receive fuller power from the Lords States as was pretended but it was rather suspected that it was to fetch Money which was the only bait by which the Protector could be won to an accord for at their return the Peace was suddenly clapt up and by a large Proclamation annexed to the Articles shewing the reason 's of the Peace which would so much as was pretended redound to the good of the Nation though no understanding Englishman but might guesse at the inconveniencies of it proclaimed on the 5th of Aprill at London and after in other parts of England And now another Plot succeeds the last the chief designers are pretended to be Gilbert and John Gerrard Esquires brothers one Jones an Apotheeary Tewdor Fox and Vowell the design was to have slain the Protector raised an Army and brought in the King but how no man ever knew however these feigned Plots or at least Plots first contrived by themselves are good seturers of Tyrants and usurpers for hereby they fright men from reall designments the plotters are sent to the Tower and a High Court of Justice is erected for their triall Gerrard and Vowell are condemned to be hanged the rest are saved Vowell according to sentence was hanged at Charingcross but Coll. Gerrard upon Petition had the favour to be beheaded at Towerhill where he behaved himself so gallantly and looked death so unappalledly in the face that his very enemies were forced to admire his courage and constancy At the very same time Don Pantaleon Sa Brother to the Lord Ambassador of Portugall was beheaded on the same scaffold for having committed a ridiculous Riot on the New Exchange where followed by a crew of mad fellowes Servants and Lacquies to his Brother or himself he shot a Gentleman that was there walking in the head and had done further mischief had not the noble Coll. Gerrard who was for an other cause beheaded before him stopt their fury and with his Rapier drove them before him down stairs This Portugall came with so great fear to the block that many deemed his life was gone before the blow with the Axe was given The King of Scots being still in France and finding notwithstanding his own and his Mothers endeavours that the Treaty with France and England was vigorously solicited by Monsieur Newfvill Seeing that by necessary consequence the Peace being concluded he and his party must be enforced to leave France thought it a great deal better and more honourable voluntarily to desert that Kingdom then to stay till he were forced out by complement so he with his Brother the Duke of York his Cousins Prince Rupert and Edward retired themselves to Chatillon a house of the Prince of Conde's from whence not long after the King and Prince Rupert went into Germany But now Glencarne reenforced by hopes of Middletons coming out of Holland with supplies of Money and Ammunition begins to stirre again in the Highlands exhorting his Countrymen to gain themselves immortall fame by redeeming themselves and their posterity from the slavery and bondage they now lay under filling their
Protectors instrument were soon carried to his ear and therefore he fearing that in the end they would produce irreconcileable jarrs resolved to remedy them in time and to put the Parliament into a posture more complacent to his designs if possible he goes therefore by water from Whitehall to Westminster enters the Painted Chamber and sends for those Members of Parliament which were then sitting to whom he declared That the God of heaven knew what great grief and sorrow of heart it was to him to find them falling into heats and divisions That he would have them take notice of this that the same Government made him a Protector whech made him a Parliament That as they were intrusted with some things so was he with others That in the Gouernment there were certain Fundamentals which could not be altered As 1. That the Government should be in a single person and a Parliament 2. That Parliaments should not be perpetnall 3. That the Militia should not be trusted into one hand or power but so that the Parliament have a check on the Protector and the Protector on the Parliament 4. That in matters of Religion there ought to be liberty of Conscience and that persecution in the Church was not to be tolerated That the rest of the things in the Government were examinable and alterable as the State of affairs did require That for his own part his heart was even overwhelmed with grief to see that any of them should go about to overthrow what was setled contrary to their trust received from the people which cannot but bring very great inconveniences upon themselves and the Nation This was the summe of his perswasions to them but fearing that this would not sufficiently win them to his interest he provided a recognition to be signed by every individuall Member as followeth I do hereby promise and engage to be true and faithfull to the Lord Protector and the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland and shall not according to the tenor of the Indenture whereby I am returned to serve in Parliament propose or give my consent to alter the Government as it is setled in one person and a Parliament This was subscribed by many of the Members though the major part rather chose to abandon the House the rest conntinued sitting to the end of the five Moneths at which time the Protector seeing their dilatory proceedings and that they delayed the setling him in the Government the time being expired wherein his Instrument gave him leave not letting slip one day nor sarce an hour dissolves them Some time after the time of this Parliaments dissolution was there a horrible terrible Plot discovered against his Highness the Lord Protector and his usurped power The first appearance of its effects was at Salisbury whither on the 16th of March came a Body of about 200 Cavaliers and it being then the time of the Assizes there they took away the Judges Commissions clapt guards on all the Innes till they had seized upon all the Horses then left the Town and marched towards Pool commanded by their Captains Wagstaffe Penruddocke and Jones Another Party at the same time surprized the Town of Shrewsbury and endeavoured to have taken the Castle but being discovered that design was prevented There was likewse a Party to the number of 800 or a 1000 men got together in Montgomeryshire In Sherwood-Forrest likewise in Nottingamshire there was a Party gathered together but frighted with their own shadows they dispersed as did likewise two parties which were upon Yorkeshire and Northumberland This Plot was said to have been laid all over the Nation though there were so few appearances and all those vanished of themselves except that commanded by Wagstaffe Penruddocke and Jones which being pursued by Collonel Vntoncrooke out of Wiltshire into Devonshire were by him and John Copleston Esquire Sheriff of Devon totally routed Penruddocke and Jones taken and Penruddocke with some others executed For this service the Protector afterwards dubbed the Sheriff of Devon and in token of more favour gave him the Sword wherewith he Knighted him About the end of this year 1654 died that famous Antiquary and accomplished Scholler Mr John Selden of the Inner Temple whose fame was so great in Forreign parts that many persons of known wisdome and Learning came over on purpose into England to see and admire him Nor need any give him any larger Encomium then the Right Reverend Bishop of Armagh gave him in the Pulpit when he preacht his Funerall Sermon viz. That he esteem'd Mr Selden a man of such vast parts and Learning that he judged himself not worthy to carry his Books after him The Protector had a great while been preparing a mighty Fleet with all necessary provisions for some notable voyage all the world standing amazed at his preparations and every one fearing thuir own States they could not guesse whither his design tended At length those vast preparations produced two mighty Fleets the one under command of Generall Blake was fitted only for the Sea and sent to the Streights The other about two moneths after was committed to the charge of Generall Pen who was to take aboard him a Land Army commanded by Generall Venables These Land Forces being about 3000 were divided into the severall Ships which were in number 30 sail of good Ships but not provided with Provisions necessary for so great an Army nor so long a voyage nor indeed could the Commanders provide themselves things fitting they not knowing whither nor how farre they were to go The 19th of December 1654 this Fleet set sail for Portsmouth directly for the Barbadoes where the Generals had order to break open their Commissions this being the appointed place of Rendesvouz whether having a fresh gale of wind and fair they arrived on the 29th of January and came all to anchor in Carlyle-bay where presently after they landed their men The sudden departure of these two great Fleets made the King of Spain who feared thry were designed against him to send an express command to the Marquess of Leda then Governour of Dunkirk to pass into England in the quality of an extraordinary Ambassadour to see if he could possibly search out the certainty of that grand Court secret he accordingly being arrived in England spent severall days here but having no satisfaction in that which he most of all desired returned back again But to return to our West-India voyage whilest the Fleet abode at the Barbadoes the Generals Collonels and inferiour Officers look'd diligently after their respective charges the Shallops brought in quarters out of England are set up the Coopers are ordered to trim the Watercaske two Frigots are sent to St Christophers and St Mevis to raise Men the Generals striving to compleat their Regiments at the Barbadoes and form Regiments out of the Seamen to serve upon occasion and at length being in a full readiness they shipt about 6000 Men and a Troop of Horse which the Islanders
1. That they had traiterously and maliciously endeavoured to raise force and leavy warre against his Highness and the Government and to subvert and alter the same 2. That they had traiterously declared published and promoted Charles Stuart eldest Sonne to the late King Charles to be King of England Scotland and Ireland 3. That they had held intelligence with the said Charles Stuart These were the heads of the Charge against them Sr Henry Slingsby was likewise charged for endeavouring to seduce the Governour of Hull and perswading him to surrender that Garrison to the King for these they were both condemned as Traytors though there were no witness against Dr Hewit but the Confession of one Mallory who pretended himself to have been in the Plot and accordingly on the 8th of June he and Sr Henry Slingsby lost their heads on Tower hill how justly God of Heaven knows but we may have the liberty to guess by circumstances Many endeavours were used by severall persons of quality for the saving of Sr Henry Slingsby and many Peritions presented by the Ministers of London in behalf of Dr Hewit and his Daughter Cleypool begging on her knees but nothing could pacifie the Protector who was resolved these two worthy persons should be sacrifices to his tyranny There were likewise executed for this business Collonel Edward Ashton who was hangd drawn and quartered at Mark lane end in Fan-Church street Edmond Stacy who suffered the same death in Cornhill and John Betteby who suffered like wise in Cheapside the Romanlike death of the last being very well worth remembrance As the death of Dr Hewit was a prodigie to to the world so there could no less then a prodigie attend it For some time before his execution there came up the Thames as farre as Greenwich a Whale of a very great length and bigness it being the wonder of the all the beholders to imagin that such a Creature of such a vast bigness should either find the way up or be content to leave especially at that season of the year its naturall Element But let us return again to the scene of warre in Flanders where the English and French Armies are joyned together and set down before Dunkirk with a resolution to take it before they stirred whereupon Don John D' Austria knowing the importance of the place it being the Key of Flanders and next after Graveling a frontier to France besides the continuall supplies of Money it brought his Treasury and the many inconveniences would ensue by the English possessing it resolves rather to hazard his whole Army then not attempt its relief But whilest he is getting of force together the English and French forces had in a small time run their trenches to the counterscarp and still incroached nigher and nigher to the wall which the Spaniards having advice of and fearing lest their relief might come too late make what haste possible to its a shstarce the better to effect which Don Iohn dreins most of his Garrisons and compleats a body of 10000 with these he marches post hast through Fuornes and encamps within a mile and a half of the Marshall Turines quarters of which the Confederates having advice immediately dislodg with a body of 15000 or thereabouts leaving still sufficient to guard the trenches and make good the approaches in case the Townsmen should attempt a sally With this force of men and 10 pieces of Cannon Turine faces the Spaniard the English foot were drawn up in four great battalions and were ordered to give the first onset on four other battalions of the Spaniards foot which had taken the advantage of the ground by placing themselves upon three rising hillocks and were seconded by Don Iohn himself The English were commanded by the Lord Lockhart who having first commanded a forlorne hope of about 300 Muskiteers to mount the sand hills which he seconds with his own Regiment of Foot commanded by Collonel Fenwick who stoutly maintained their ground though the Spaniards played down continuall volleys of shot amongst them and the French refused to second them sent another considerable Brigade to their relief which made no dallying but immediately fell in amongst the Spanish Foot with the buttend of their Musquers who after some small resistance not having been used to such kind of Club-Law left the field and fled whereupon the French Horse seeing the good fortune of the English Foot fell in upon the Spanish Horse who few or none of them stood the charge except those under the commands of the Dukes of Yorke and Glocester who having made a gallane resistance were forced more overpowred with number then over-reached in valour to quit the field after the rest In this Battell a great part of the Lord Lockharts Regiments were either slain or wounded and amongst the rest Lieutenant Collonel Fenwicke who led them on was slain by a Musket-Bullet of the Spaniards side The slaughter was very great the French Horse after the Battell having little or no mercy in the pursuit so that there were near 3000 slain besides many the Spanish Nobility who were taken most wounded and many of which after died of their wounds This totall rout of the Relievers Army as it encouraged the besiegers so it totally discouraged the besieged for they could expect no relief neither by Sea nor Land the English Frigots blocking them up by sea and Don John D' Austria not being able to recruit his Army by Land But yet the Marquess of Leda to show he was not totally disheartned with a strong Party sallies out of the Town and falls upon the French Quarters which was counted rather an act of desperation then valour or hopes of success for here he who was the life of the business and whose life might still the action in being received a wound of which he shortly after died and with him the Spaniards possession of the Town of Dunkirk For those within after the French and English had for fourteen dayes together continued to play their Mortar-peeces upon the Town the inhabitants weary of the sport and despairing beat a Parly and desire to come to capitulation which being granted the Town was surrendred up upon Articles viz. 1. That the Town should be surrendred up with all their great Guns store of victuals magazines of Arms and Ammunition without any imbezlement whatsoever 2. That the Officers and Souldiers should march out with Drumms beating Colours flying two piece of Ordnance and their baggage 3. That they should have free liberty to march to St Omers with a conduct to convey them-thither 4. That the Inhabitants should remain indemnified in their persons or goods and enjoy their former priviledges and customs for two years nor be molested by any one in matters of Religion These Articles being thus concluded on and ratified by his Majesty of France the strong Town of Dunkirk was surrendred and possession taken of it by the King of France and Cardinall in person on the 25th of June 1658.
His Brother also Henry Cromwell late Lord Lieutenant in t Ireland upon the Parliaments advice surrendred his Government and Collonel John Jones William Steel Esquire Collonel Mathew Thomlinson Robert Goodwin and Miles Corbett Esquire were in his stead appointed by the Parliament to be Commissioners for the Government of Ireland In Scotland Generall Monke though he resignes not up his Government to the Parliament yet holds a fair correspóndency with them and by his and the rest of the Officers of his Armyes declare and keep a complyance to their Government which he punctually performed The Parliament endeavouring still more and more to oblige the Army pass an Act of oblivion and indemnity for all force or violence formerly put upon the House yet nevertheless to restrain them for the future the Commissions are issued out by the Speaker in the Name of the Parliament and not by a Generall as formerly Yet the Parliament take so much care to perform their promises to them that they order the immediate sale of Whitehall Hampton-Court and Sommerset-House towards the present payment of some of the Armyes Arrears About this time on the 11th of July 1659 happened a strange kind of Tumult in or about Enfield some part of the Chase which formerly lay common and was the chiefest stay and support of the Country people thereabouts for the feeding of their Catttle from whence proceeded the chief support and maintenance of themselves and Families being by the Parliament given to some of the Souldiers for their arrears was by them built upon and euclosed which so incensed the poor of the Country whose Families were almost ready to starve for want of such relief that notwithstanding Souldiers were sent to secure those Grounds the common people made a head fell upon the Souldiers took nine of them prisoners threw down a Barn and levelled the enclosures The Parliament upon audience given to an extraordinary Ambassador of the King of Sweden appointed three persons to go over as Plenipotentiaries to Coppenhaguen to treat of such a reconciliation between the two Kings of Swedeland and Denmarke as might best stand with the interest of England but their Ambassage hath as yet produced no considerable effect And now further to secure themselves in those designes they had in hand here they banish all Cavaliers under the stile of Malignants from London and twenty Miles about and pass an Act for the settlement of the Militia in the respective Cities and Countries of England and Wales But though this Parliament had taken away the Government of these three Nations from Richard Cromwell yet they are so kind to him as to protect him from all arrests and take care for the payment of his Debts which amounted to 29640lb and besides order him 10000lb per annum for his life out of the Common-weal hs Lands as much of which 't is probable he received as his Creditors did of what was owing to them And now the Parliament discover a female-Plot of the shee-Cavaliers for the subverting of their Government the Lady Mary Howard Daughter to the Earl of Barkshire and one Mrs Sumner are committed to the Tower upon pretence of being pryers to a horrible terrible design against the Government upon whose Examinations all the Horses about Town are taken Sr Ernestus Byrom and others committed to prison But now somewhat begins to appear severall Troops of Horse are sent into Kent and Surry to prevent infurrections there where they take severall Cavaliers to bring them up to London Major Generall Massey being likewise in Glocestershire endeavouring as it was pretended to raise Forces there for the King was surprized by a Troop of Horse who for the better securing him set up a Trooper behind him with whom coming down a Hill the Horse stumbled and fell and the night being dark and Massey nimble legged escaped from them into the Wood. The Parliament now begin to discover the reason of the buying up of so many Arms in London for Sr George Booth Sr Thomas Middleton and some others of the secluded Members having got a considerable quantity of Arms raised a Party in Cheshire Flintshire and Lancashire to the number of between three and four thousand men and declare for a Free Parliament and the due rights and priviledges of the Nation against that Fanatick and unlawfull power which now usurped dominion over them With these they rendezvows at Routon-Heath and from thence march to Manchester endeavouring to augment their Party Collonel Ireland in Lancashire and Governour of the Cattle of Leverpool promising them what aid and assistance he could though he never performed it This great rising at first startled the Parliament who immediately dispatch the Lord Lambert with three Regiments of Horse one of Dragoons and three of Foot to march with all possible hast to suppress them whilest severall Parties which endeavoured to rise in other Counties are prevented either by the Militia or the Parliaments Forces But Sr George Booths number daily encreases somewhat by the confluence of the Gentry of those parts unto him so that he made up a very gallant body of Horse He sends his Letters and Declarations up to London inviting them to joyn with him to maintain their priviledges and redeem themselves from the slavery they were now in But all proved ineffectuall that great City being over-awed by a small Party of the Parliaments Forces In the mean time Lambert makes a speedy march towards them two Regiments the one of Horse the other of Foot are by Order of Parliament sent out of Ireland under the Command of Collonel Axtill Collonel Hierom Zankey who joyn with Lambert neer Nantwich notwithstanding some endeavours of Sr George Booths Party to hinder their conjunction and on the 16th of August the Army faced one another the one on one side the River the other on the other Hereupon Sr George Booth sends a Trumpet to Lambert to tell him the reasons of his taking up of Arms and desiring that to avoid shedding of blood some persons might be appointed to conferre in order to a Treaty But Lambert returns him a short answer telling him that the readiest way to avoid shedding of blood was for them to lay down their Arms and surrender Chester and other Strengths which if they refused to do that he was sent to reduce them to their due obedience which by the help of God he did not doubt but to do Hereupon the next morning Lamberts Army advanced towards Nantwich-Bridge which was kept by a Party of Sr George Booths Sr Georges Horse and Foot were drawn upin Battalia in a Meadow just below the Bridge Lambert seeing that he could not draw his enemy out of his advantage resolved to beat him out and thereupon comands a stout Party of Foot to assault those which kept the Bridge which they did with a great deal of courage and resolution and were as stoutly resisted on the other side sometimes one gaining the advantage and sometimes the other till at length
Person and Authority and to proceed against all such Offenders according to Law and Justice which Declaration was published Munday May 7th From Ireland arrived a Declaration of the General convention there wherein they expressed their detestation of the most execrable murder of our late most Gracious Soveraigne Charles the first and the illegall proceedings of the High Court of Justice against him The Parliament Ordered 50000lb to be sent over to his Majesty for a present as a test of their duty and loyalty and 50000lb more towards the payment of the Arrears of the Army and sent a Committee to the City to desire them to raise the money immediately for which they should receive satisfaction by the next assessement and receive in the mean the interest at 6. per cent which was presently granted by the City and care taking for its spedy provision The Commoncounsell of the City of London to testifie their loyall gratitude to his Majesty Ordered 10000lb to be sent for a present to his Majesty and 300lb to be given to the Lord Mordant and Sr John Greenvile who brought them his Majesties Letter to buy each of them a Ring They likewise ordered that to the most illustrious Prince James Duke of York and his Princely Brother Henry Duke of Glocester a 1000lb be presented to each of them The Parliament Order that a stop be put to the sale of the Estates of the Lord Craven Sr John Stawell and Alderman Bunce and likewise to the estate of the Duke of Buckingham and that their names be inserted into the proviso of the Bill of of Grants and Sales The Horse adjourned Easter Term to Quinque Paschae being May 28th 1660. Upon the third of May the Lord Mountague having received a Letter from his Majesty together with his Majesties gracious message to the House of Commons the Letter to his Excellency and Declaration presently called a Counsel of War to whom he communicated the said Letters which were received by them all with much hearty affections and testimonies of their exact loyalty and duty to his Majesty whereupon the General firing the first Gun himself cried God blesse King Charles the Guns from the rest of the Fleet with those from Deal and Sandwich Castles did with loud Vollies re-eccho the joy for such a happy time the shouts of the Seamen testifying their extraordinary cheerfullnesse and alacrity But now comes the day the like whereof was never enrolled in the Enguish Calender nor ever was there known a day whereon the people did with so unanimous and generall consent testifie their unexpressible content and gladness And well might they since from this time alone we can truly date the restored happinesse of the English Nation what passed before being as it were only glimmerings of this immense and radiant light The Parliament having the day before Ordered the Proclamation of his Majesty to be on the 8th day of May he was with the greatest solemnity possible all the chief Lords of the Parliament attending in their Coaches together with many eminent Members of the House of Commons the Lord General the Lord Major and Aldermen with the whole Militia of the City Proclaimed Charles by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland the most potent mighty and undoubted King Nor did they intend by this Proclamation to seem as if they thought his Reign was to be begun from that time but confessed that forthwith upon the death of his Father the Imperiall Crown of England and the Dominions thereof did as absolutely bring unto him as now after Proclamation so that this is the twelfth year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord King Charles the second whom God preserve The House of Lords the House of Commons and the City of London made choice of severall most eminent and worthy persons of their number to attend his Majesty which that they may not by posterity be forgotten I have inserted their names For the House of Lords Earl of Oxford Earl of Middlefex Lord Brooke Earl of Warwick Lord Viscount Hereford Lord Barkley For the House of Commons Lord Fairfax Lord Bruce Lord Falkland Lord Castleton Lord Herbert Lord Mandevile Sr Horatio Townsend Sr Ant. Ashey-Cooper Sr George Booth Denzill Hollis Esq Sr John Holland Sr Henry Chomely For the honourable City of London Sr James Bunce Bar. Alderman Langham Alderman Reynardson Alderman Browne Sr Nicholas Crispe Alderman Thomson Alderman Fredrick Alderman Adams Recorder Wilde Alderman Robinson Alderman Bateman Alderman Wale Theophilus Biddulph Richard Ford. Will. Vincent Thomas Bludworth Will. Bateman J. Lowes Esq Major Chamberlaine Coll. Brumfield By Order from the Parliament that all Signs of the late Arbytrary Power might be rased the States Armes were to be taken down from all Churches and publick places that in the Parliament House and in Guildhall being taken down and the Kings Armes set up in their room the Statue of his late Majesty was likewise set up again at the Chappel in Guild-hall-yard The Votes of the Parliament were also for the Fleet to go immediately to receive his Majesties Orders and be at his Devotion That the Kings Majesty be desired to return speedily to Parliament and exercise of his Kingly Office That all Ministers shall in their publick prayers pray for his Majesty under the name of Our Soveraign Lord Charles by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. And the most Illustrious Prince James Duke of York with the rest of the Royall Progeny Which is the hearty and fervent prayer of the Author and all good Subjects and so let the conclusion be Long live King Charles II. THere is now made publique Eighteen Books of the Secrets of Art and Nature being the sum and substance of Naturall Philosophy First designed by John Wecker and now much inlarged by Dr. R. Read Sould at the Star in St. Pauls Church-yard