to encourage his souldiers whom he found both encreasing in their numbers and much reioiced at his presence The Parliament of Scotland which had adiourned to give time for his Majesties Coronation being met again there were strong endeavors of the Kings that several Lords of the Royal party should be admitted to their seats in Parliament but the Assemblies of the Kirk at Sterling and Aberdeen as strongly oppose it and shew themselves discontented both at this proposal likewise at the new Levies in regard they were there admitted to commands in the Army as they now desired to have place in Parliament yet notwithstanding these murmurings they were upon their reconciliation to the church and passing the Stool of Repentance re-admitted to their places in Parliament such were Duke Hamilton the Marquesse of Huntley the Earls of Calender Crawford and others But stil not only many of the Ministers notwithstanding there was a select Committee appointed to examine and punish such persons who any way confronted and murmured against any designs or acts of State raile against these proceedings but some of the Nobles too are discontented insomuch that the Earle of Sutherland utterly refused to concur with them and if he could possibly would have opposed them by force And indeed very many or most of the Presbyterians were discontented For the Royal party by the admission of those Lords and others was grown stronger then the Kirk's and now bore all the sway which made the proud Marquess of Argyle and other Covenantier Lords murmur at being afraid lest in time they should wholly be laid aside they having already seen one of their party begun with for the Earl of Louden who customarily had the Lord Chancellorship of the Kingdome was removed from his place the Lord Burleigh constituted Chancellor in his stead Yet on the Covenanters side there wanted not some Ministers such were Mr. Robert Douglass and Mr. David Dicks who endeavoured to beget a right understanding in both parties that these sparks of discontent might not at last burst out into a flame as 't was very much feared they would but rather that in this time of danger they might lay aside all animosities and unite together against the common Eenemy who else would be the ruine of them both And now his Majesty to keepe a correspondency abroad sends the Earl of Dumferling Ambassador to the States of Holland he had likewise at the same time several other Ambassadors or Agents abroad in the Courts of several Princes to require aid but never found more then what fair and sugared promises produced And about this time Sir Henry Hide being sent over to England from Constantinople whither he had bin sent as Ambassador from his Majesty to the Grand Signior by Sir Thomas Bendysh his means who was then Ambassador for the Republick of England but yet deem'd a person of more loyalty to his Prince then to have sent his Ambassador to be murder'd if he could have avoided it after somewhat a formal trial suffered death on a Scaffold before the Royal Exchange in London for having taken Commissions from his Soveraign And not long after him Captain Brown Bushel who though he had formerly been an enemy to his Maiesties father yet now suffer'd death upon the Tower-hill London for having done some signal services by sea for his present Majesty But to return to the Kings affairs in Scotland where the special businesses in hand were the compleating the levies to 15000. foot and 6000. horse which went on apace and the fortifying the towne of Sterling which his Majesty intended for the place of his chief residence to the hastening of the which his Majesty went often in Progress to view the Works and encourage the pioniers And time it was to hasten those Works for the English drew every day nigher nigher towards them having already taken the Fort of Blackness which lay between Sterling and Edenburgh which was nevertheless not accounted so great a loss as the surprizal of the Earle of Eglington and one of his sons by a party of English horse at Dumbarton for this Earl was a person of a great deal of power in that Nation and his taking very much obstructed the going forward of the Levies But Sterling being almost fortified sufficiently his Majesty removed his Court hither where whilest he was his Birth-day being the 29. of May was kept through Scotland with all such tokens of joy as are usual upon such occasions but the town of Dundee exceded all the rest for besides their equal expressions of Joy they presented his Maiesty with a rich Tent six pieces of Field Ordinance and set out a Regiment of horse towards his assistance at their own charge At Sterling likewise were the head-Quarters kept most of the Scotch Army Quartering about it whither Middleton's leavies from the North being come and amounting to about 8000. men it came to be a dispute whether these should be a distinct Army by themselves or be joined with Lesley's Southern Levies but at length it was thought most convenient to joyne them and his Majesty to prevent those animosities which might arise between Middleton and Lesley for the Generalship took upon himself the Command of the whole From hence his Majesty sent a messenger to the Parliament still sitting at S. Johnston's with these demands 1. That the Act about the Classis of malignants should be revoked and disannulled and that an Act pass for its repeal 2. That there might be no more any mention of the name of malignants amongst them 3. That Duke Hamilton the Earls of Seaforth and Callender c. might have as full command in the Army as any others The demands were strongly debated vro con in the Parliament the Marquess of Argile and others of the covenanted strain endeavouring by all means possible to oppose them yet at length though with much difficulty they were carried in the affirmative it being urged by the more moderate sort too that the granting of these would be the only way to take away all animosities between those parties which they intended to unite The Parliament having granted these things to his Maiesty and given large Commissions and Instructions for the compleating of the levies about the beginning of June dissolved leaving all things in relation to civil and intestine distempers in a calm and quiet all parties seeming to be pleased and their actions united towards the opposing of their common Enemy Cromwell Whilest these things were thus transacted in Scotland a great and terrible plot was discovered against the Juncto then ruling in England their government in assistance of his Majesty to his just Rights This design was chiefly laid by those Presbyterians who had been such dire Opponents of his Majesty's blessed father of happy yet unhappy memory viz. the greatest part Presbyterian Ministers who had most of them formerly belcht out such firebrands from their Pulpits as had set both Church and State in a combustion
it safer for his Person to depart from thence to his Sister at the Hague till the Royall affairs in England might gain a better posture which he did and there found a reception answerable to his birth Not long after the King his Royall Father being in danger to be inclosed in Oxford by Generall Fairfax who returning out of the West had designed to block it up took care for his safety and attended only by Mr. Ashburnham or as some say attending on him went privily out thence and threw himself upon the Scotch Army then at Newark who shortly after notwithstanding his confidence of them for a summe of money delivered him up most perfidiously and traiterously to his implacable Enemies the English Army These after many pretences of Treaties and seeming willingnesse to come to an accord with him on that black day the 30. of Ianuary 1648. most villanously and trayterously beyond the imagination of the World murder'd him Thus far is a short view of those hardships and afflictions undergone by this noble Prince during his fathers life and raign we will now proceed to those he hath since ran through which we may more properly particularly call his Own Among which the Chief and greatest and from whence all his other miseries flowed as from their spring head was the deprivation of his Kingdome and Royalties For that part of the Parliament of England which had usurped the whole power or more were not onely content to take away his Fathers life but by their Proclamation deprive him of all right in the Government of those three Kingdomes which they take upon themselves contrary both to the Word of God the Fundamental Lawes of the Nation and his own undoubted right by birth he being lineally descended from that Family which had successively governed England for above three hundred yeares He was at the time of his Fathers death at the Court of his Sister the Royall Princesse of Orange in the Hague in expectation to hear rather of the Conclusion of a Treaty then of his Murder to which effect he writ by the Lord Seymour the following Letter to him some short time before his Death For the King SIR HAving no means to come to the knowledge of your Majesties present Condition but such as I receive from the prints or which is as uncertain reports I have sent thts bearer Seymour to wait upon your Majesty and to bring mean account of it that I may withall assure your Majesty I doe not onely pray for your Majesty according to my duty but shall alwaies be ready to do all which shall be in my power to deserve that blessing which I now humbly beg of your Majesty upon Sir Your Majesties Most humble and most obedient Son and Servant CHARLES Hague Jan. 23. 1648. And here he staid till he heard the heart-breaking newes of his Fathers Murther when shortly after he took his Iourney to the Queen his mother in France hoping there to get aid but found none which might render him in a Capacitie to revenge his Father's Death or demand his own Right by force and in vain it was to think of any fair means to attain it Yet there wanted not some friends of his in England who willing to demonstrate how ready they were to adventure themselves for him and his right as far as their weak abilities would stretch caused under hand a Proclamation to be printed proclaiming him King of England Scotland France and Ireland and advising all his good Subjects to give all due Allegiance to him but the low condition of the Royallists then in England and the great strength and potency of the Parliaments Army made this Proclamation unvalid and those who at a fit opportunity would willingly have complied with it were forced to direct their Obedience to the contrary Goal But though England prov'd thus defective to his Interest not so much I dare say in Allegiance as power Yet Ireland is at his Devotion for the Marquess of Ormond and the Lord Inchequin having made a peace with the Quondam Rebels he is by joynt consent both of Papists and Protestants proclaimed King in most towns of that Nation Dublin and London Derry only excepted which were kept from their Allegiance the one by the Lieu. General Iones the other by Sir Charles Coot who jointly strove to justifie the Parliament of England's late ctions He being thus proclaimed there is solemnly invited to come over to them to which invitation his Mother earnestly adds her desires but the best of his friends and Counsellours as earnestly disswaded him upon reasons drawn both from prudence and Policy since in probability the design not succeeding it would utterly ruine his hopes with all the Protestant party then stedfast to him both in Scotland England or that if he would needs venture himself with this party they desired him at least to attend whether by any good event of theirs there might be any probability of successe 'T is supposed that this Council swaied with him more out of his real affection to the Protestant Religion then any other Politick reason Yet he immediately after took a journey to the Isle of Iersey which startled some as though he had intended to have proceeded thence for Ireland but that suspition proved unnecessary he was accompanied hither by his Brother the Duke of York who was lately come to him out of Holland and many other Nobles and Gentlemen the Islanders immediately upon his arrival most joyfully proclaimed him King and the Lord Iermyn Earl of Yarmouth was made Governour of that Island who constituted Sir George Carteret his Deputy Governour The King sends from hence his Royal Command to the Governour of Gernsey Island which was then wholly subjected Cornet Castle only excepted to the Parliaments force requiring him to surrender the said Island to him and that his good Subjects there might have liberty to return to their due obedience but his Command proved ineffectual Many affirm but how true I know not that the Reason of the Kings removal to this Island was out of design to surprize Dartmouth and some other places in the West by the Levellers help who having then made a defection from the Parliaments Army in England were say they to have joyned with the Royallists for the intents and purposes aforesaid but whether so or no I cannot affirm though I can certainly tell this that were it so it proved uneffectual for the Levellers were soon overpowered and quell'd Whilest King Charles was here expecting a Messenger from the States of Scotland came new's of the unfortunate overthrow of the Marquess of Ormond his Army by Lieu. General Iones before Dublin which caused a general sorrow among all his followers for there had been great hopes and expectations of that Army it amounting to no lesse then twenty two thousand men and was esteemed able not onely to have taken Dublin but likewise to have resisted Cromwell's then new comming Army in the field yet whether
King of France and Queen Mother and courted according to his birth by the rest of the Grandees and Peers of the Kingdome Likewise during his Majesties abode here arrived his Quondam Preserver Mrs. Iane Lane who after she had taken leave of his Majesty at Bristow returned home and lived for some space in a great deal of security not doubting she could be betrayed Yet at length by what means I know not though indeed I have heard of many relations that I dare not relate any it came to light yet she had some timely notice of it whereupon she who had formerly disguised his Majesty in a Serving-mans habit now disguises her self in that of a Country wench and that trots on foot to save her life which she was like to loose for having formerly saved his sacred Majesties quite crosse the Countrey to Zarmouth where she found shipping which convey'd her safe into France great search after her departure there was made for her but in vain which so incensed the Souldiers that they burnt down to the ground that poor Cottage where his Majesty first took shelter after his Escape from Worcester She being arrived in France sends a Letter to the Court whereupon his Majesty almost overjoyed at her Escape who had been the cause of his immediately sends some persons of quality in Coaches to conduct her to Paris whither being near come himself with the Queen his Mother the Duke of York Glocester went out to meet this Preserver of the life of their Son Sovereign and Brother the Coaches meeting and she being descended from her Coach his Majesty likewise descends and taking her by the hand salutes her with this gratefull expression Welcome my life and so putting her into his own Coach conducts her to Paris where she was entertained with the applause wonder of the whole Court she could indeed deserve no less for I believe neither past or future ages can or will ever parallell so great a pattern of female Loyalty and Generosity Whilst his Majesty was thus passing away his time in France more in contemplation then action Oliver Cromwel made General of all the Iuncto's forces in England Scotland and Ireland finding now a fit opportunity to put his long-laid ambitious designs in execution had dissolved that Iuncto which had usurped the Kingly power or more over England and taken upon himself though not the title yet the Royall power authority over these Nations which the people though unwilling yet were forced to submit to and though he had not at first any basis whereon to ground his new usurped Regality yet in stead of one Iuncto he pluckt down he easily sets up another which I may the more justly call so in regard there was not one of them chosen by the free Votes of the people but by his own Arbitray Election those such persons who knew well enough what they had to doe before they met these after a short time of sitting without doing any thing besides the making of some impertinent laws which were forceably imposed on the people surrender their power as dying men do their souls to God into his hands that gave it who by the help of the Officers of the army Lamberts instrument makes himself immediatly King of England Scotland Irelaand which government he had often swore against though under the title of Protector This I must needs say Noble Tyrant having got the Dominion of three such Kingdomes into his possession made it now as much his study to preserve himself safe in his Estate and Grandezza as he did before to acquire it to which purpose he thought it most suitable to that design to make some remarkable disturbance amongst the neighbouring Princes then to contine that War begun by the Iuncto of Parliament with the Dutch to which purpose several motions of a Treaty passed His sacred Majesty though he had sundry times before solicited the assistance of those United Provinces for the regaining of his Right in his Kingdomes now more earnestly upon secret intelligence of the first motions of this Treaty sends the Lord Gerard his Embassadour to the United States more earnestly intreating them to own his Interest then before proffering that if they would vest out a squadron of good Ships under his Flag he would command them himself in person His Sister the Princess of Orange and other of his friends in the Low Countries addicted to his Interest earnestly prosecutes his desires and use their utmost influence on the States of the United Provinces for the performance of his propositions Nor are there five of these Provinces nor Van Trump himself their Admiral unwiling to comply with him Only the Province of Holland the most potent at sea stands out chiefly out of the disgust they had lately taken to the family of Orange whose Interest and command they were fearfull might be restored should his Majesty who was Uncle to the young Prince be invested in his Territories His Majesty likewise to advance his hopes of their assistance when Monsieur Bortell came from those United States to negotiate a League with the King of France used his utmost Interest to promote the Treaty and in fine brought it to a desired period notwithstanding the United States sent no other answer to his Embassy then a cold Letter of Complements His designs thus failing him here he directed himself to a more hopefull course by interposing himself a Mediator with the Pope other Catholick Princes for an accord and peace between the two mighty Crowns of France and Spain And indeed two such potent Monarchs had been in better capacity with their joynt forces to have assisted him had the peace went forward as there was great hopes then the United States of the Netherlands but Cardinall Mazarine by a piece of secret State-policy endeavoured to obstruct all proceedings which might tend to a Treaty or accord Nor was this Cardinal's Spleen to his Royall Majesty yet allayed for his supposed Council against him in the forementioned difference between the King and Princes but farther to prejudice him his affairs he endeavours the promotion of a peace betwixt the Protector of England the French King his Master which though opposed by all the force Interest that either himself or the Queen his Mother had in the French Court yet was by the Cardinal whose will was a law all other government in that Kingdome being but a meer shadow vigorously carried on and an Ambassadour sent over to treat of an accord where having been sometime in England his Majesty was by secret intelligence informed that the chief Article insisted upon in the Treaty by the Protector of England was the excluding himself relations and followers out of the Kingdome of France and it 's Territories wherefore least the treaty should be suddenly concluded upon those terms and he ceremoniously excluded he thought it more honourable himself to leave that Kingdome of his on accord and having
had power to remit or recede from any of these particulars and further what they had to propound concerning his affairs in England To which the Commissioners replied That they had acquainted him with their full power according to the instructions they had received from the Committees of Estates and Kirk in Scotland Upon which his Majesty made Answers That he would consider of their Propositions and doubted not but to return them such an Answer as might give his Kingdome of Scotland satisfaction and so dismissed them for the present But let us thus leave his Majesty and Council debating about the Scotch Commissioners propositions and discourse a little about his affairs under the conduct of the thrice noble and Illustrious Marquesse of Montross who having notwithstanding the opposition which Hamilton gave to the design obtained Commissioners from his Majesty to levy what force he could on that side the sea endeavoured to the utmost of his power to effect it but chiefly among the Princes of the German Empire where he found large and fair promises but very little real assistance onely the Duke of Holstein suppled him with four ships well arm'd and mann'd though these were likewise by some strange neglect delayed a long time at Amsterdam which much retarded the service Colonel Cochran likewise who had been sent Agent into Poland to the Scottish Merchants there for assistance of men and money having received a considerable quantity of money and good supply of corn disposed of the first to his own use sold the other and himself revolted from the service General King who was expected out of Sweden with a party of Horse came not all so many crosses there were in the beginning of the businesse as bad Omens to it's future ill successe But at length the Marquesse fearing least if the King should conclude with the Scots before he had attempted any thing his Commissions would be recalled fatally resolved to depart Scotland as he was so with four ships indifferently well armed but with not above six or seven hundred men and those most strangers besides a small Frigat of sixteen Guns and one thousand five hundred good Armes given him by the Queen of Sweden he set sail and this was all the strength he carried with him from Hamburgh to assault that potent Kingdome Two of these ships and those the biggest were sent before and directed to steer their course for the Orcades but these unfortunately met with a storm and were amongst those rocky Islands their men armes and ammunition cast away so that a third part of the force raised for this expedition was lost But notwithstanding these fatal disasters the sad presages of his ruine the noble Marquess proceeds and with the small number that was left him lands amongst the Islands where he gets together a pretty considerable number which had almost the face of an Army but was for the most part composed of raw and unskilfull fellows a party of these he sends out who without resistance enter the Isle of Orkney there being no Garrison there from thence he dispatches Commissions to Scotland and the Islands adjacent for the levying of Horse and Foot which because the inhabitants of those places to which they were sent could not resist obeyed and not long after the sending of those Commissions Montrosse himself with those forces he had and those Gentlemen resolved to engage in partaking of his fortune landed in Scotland at the point of Cathanes the very farthest land to the Northwest of that Kingdome The people here whom he expected to have joyned with him were so sensible of the miseries of the former war and now more terrified with the name of Foreigners deserted their dwellings and fled away some never stopping till they came to Edenburgh The Parliament of Scotland who were now assembled though they had former advice of the Marquesses designs yet could not tell the place of his landing but now alarm'd by the flying Countrey David Lesley is commanded with the body of the Army to march directly towards them for fear Montrosse should grow too numerous and Colonell Straughan whose valour the States highly approved is ordered with a party of select Horse to advance before to hinder the Marquesses levyes and if he saw opportunity to fight him Montrosse in the mean time to satisfie the World and because the people should not be startled at his invasion whilst the King was upon Treaty publishes a very patheticall Declaration declaring the justnesse of his cause and to clear himself from the aspersion of sinister ends and that his intention was onely against some particular persons who had against the Laws of the Kingdome raised and maintained a war against his Majesties father and did now by their wiles and subtile practices endeavour to destroy the son also and therefore exhorting all Subjects of that Nation to endeavour to free themselves from the tyranny of those who then by an usurped power ruled over them But notwithstanding this Declaration the Countrey came very slowly in Straughan in the mean time advances with all possible speed towards the Royal party whilest Montrosse had not for indeed he could not effect any thing Material besides the fortifying of Dunbath Castle but the Marquess hearing of the Enemies approach made his whole Forces march at a great rate to recover a passe yet neverthelesse before they could come at it the front of the Army discovered Straughan's forlorn hope who marching with hast upon the Marquesses Army found them both almost tired and out of breath and Order however a forlorn hope of 100. Foot are drawn out to meet them who giving them a resolute Charge forced them to no Orderly Retreat but being seconded by Straughan's whole body of Horse they again maintained their ground resolutely Charging upon the Marquesses main Body the Islanders immediately threw down their arms and cryed for quarter but the Holsteiners and Hamburgers made an Orderly retreat for the present into some bushes which having a short time defended they were at last enforced to yield This was a sad blow to his Majesties affairs in Scotland there being great hopes that had Montrosse succeeded and kept them in play both Kirk and State would have come to milder Conditions with him Yet the Marquess himself escaped for the present out of this Battel Though there were near two hundred slain and twelve hundred taken in the field for the Country coming in upon them few Escaped Amongst the Prisoners of Note there were taken Col. Hurry the Lord Frenderick Sir Francis Hay of Dalgettey Col. Hay of Noughton Col. Grey and several other Officers together with the Kings standard which contained this Emphatical Motto IVDGE AND REVENGE MY CAVSE O LORD and whereon was pourtrayed to the life the Effigies of his Majesties Father beheaded But long it was not ere this thrice Heroick Marquess fell into the hands of these his cruel Obdurate and inveterate enemies for though when he saw the battel at a
Treaty was soon carried to Edenburgh where the Parliament being met it was yet by some of those who favoured the Sectarian party in England made a debate whether they should make any more addresses to the King So impudent were they even after the Treaty was concluded with him but there were found but thirty of these malevolent persons so to the major part of the Votes carrying it in the affirmative it was Resolved that another message should be sent unto him to invite him to make all possible speed to his Kingdome of Scotland protesting that they would venture lives and fortunes in assisting him to regain his Right and Kingdomes but they not onely debarre him from having those whom he chiefly favoured to wait upon him but likewise prohibit the Duke Hamilton the Earles of Lauderdale and Seaforth and many other persons of quality's return to Scotland and they nominate such persons as they thought fit out of their own gang to be officers of his houshold there The Iuncto then sitting and governing in England had certain intelligence all along of the proceeds of the Treaty between his Majestie and the Scots together with their Protestations to assist him in the recovery of his Rights in England by some who sat in the Parliament of Scotland betrayed their counsels and earnestly solicited the English to assault Scotland before they were themselves assaulted and invaded to which effect they prepare an Army without any just pretence which they give to Oliver Cromwell to command making him Generalissimo of all the Forces of that Commonwealth in the room of Sir Thomas Fairfax whose Commission was between taken away and laid down Some time before his Majestie's departure from Holland into Scotland news was brought of the unfortunate losse of all Prince Rupert's Fleet most of his ships being either taken sunk or burnt by General Blake Admiral to the English Navy so though the Treaty was concluded with Scotland his Majestie's affairs went every where else to wrack At length all things being in a readinesse his Majesty about the beginning of Iune 1650. took shipping at Scheveleng in Holland and after a tedious storm and narrow scape of some English Vessels which lay in wait for him arrived at Spey in the North of Scotland Some Lords are sent down to receive him to accompany him to Edenburgh where two stately houses are richly provided and furnish't to entertain him He was all along the Countrey entertained with the general joy of all the people several presents being given to him by the Towns as he came along Aberdeen presented him with 1500. l. but the Committee of Estates Kirk fearing that such diet would make too unweildy to their pleasures sent an injunction to severall places requiring them that whatever moneys they had to bestow they should bring it unto such Treasuries as should be appointed by them Thus they permit not the Subjects to shew their good will to their Sovereign nor him to receive it Nor were the States and Kirk as yet content with those hard conditions but they send him new Propositions to Dundee to sign which after some reluctancy he performed for indeed he could do no otherwise being now in their clutches The Parliament and Committee of Estates in Scotland had while they expected his Majestie's arrivall been consulting about the framing of an Army every fourth man in the Kingdome is ordered to be trained and sixteen thousand foot and six thousand horse to be raised for his Majestie's present service Of this Army the Earle of Leven is made General of the Foot and Holborne Major General David Lesley Lieutenant General of the Horse and Montgomery Major General the place of Generalissimo was reserved for the King though he never went into the field with his Army His Majesty being come to Edenburgh is received by the Parliament and Committee of Estates and Kirk with infinite complements and expressions of fidelity and affection and with great acclamations of joy from the people and on the 15. of Iuly is again solemnly proclaimed King at Edenburgh-Crosse but his coronation yet deferred by reason of the then troubles For the English Army notwithstanding the Scots had expostulaled them the unjustnesse of invading their Countrey was advanced upon the borders and at Muscleborough the Scots under Montgomery with a small party set upon the English Army but were worsted and so the two Armies moved at a distance one from the other till they came as far as Dunbar where the Scots had got a considerable advantage by reason of a passe and bragg'd they had got the English in a pound but whether by their own carelessenesse and oversecurity or the over reaching courage and valour of the English I cannot tell a total loss they had there the passe gain'd from them and themselves wholly routed and dispersed I am the shorter in relating the passages between these two Armies in regard that though the King was made Generalisssimo yet he had no influence upon the Army which might rather be called the States or Kirks then the Kings for though he was there present and bore the title of King yet they had the whole powes and made and revoked Laws and Orders The King was then with the States at Saint Iohnstones when the news of this losse and that of the Death of his Sister the Princesse Elizabeth arrived much about the same time and some have been bold to affirm that the latter grieved him more then the former in regard of the imperiousnesse which 't was probable the States of Scotland would have usurped had the successe answered their minds And sufficiently imperious were both they and the Kirk already notwithstanding the ill fortune of their affairs for so great was their insolency towards his Majesty in their earnestnesse to purge his house in extorting Declarations from him against his own party and proceedings and in usurping the whole government of affairs to themselves in placing guards of their own creatures upon his Person c. That his sacred Majesty no longer able to suffer such intolerable affronts and abuses went secretly away accompanied onely with four horse towards the North of Scotland where the Marquess of Huntley the Ealres of Seaforth and Atholl the Lords Ogilby and Newburgh with the Gourdons were ready to appear for him with a considerable party Scotland was not at this time only perplexed with a foreign enemy in her bowels but with civil distempers and divisions for in the West there was a party under the command of Straughan and Kerr who declared against the actions of the Committee of Estates for their too much hast and precipitation in the Treaty with the King for their receiving him before he had given any evidence of a real change That they believed his profession of the cause and Covenant was counterfeit therefore refused to submit to his power These men were purely for the Kirk against the King's Authority Another Party there was in the North
but now whether out of a real sence of their errour which I have the charity to believe it was they had a desire to return to their Allegiance to his son their lawful and native Soveraign or out of an ambition by joining with their Scottish brethren which I am loath to judge to get the power again into their hands which was snatched from them by the Independent English Army and the Iuncto of Sectaries in England they had laid a design to raise both a contribution of money and levy men for his Majestie's assistance here but their plot was betrayed by the intercepting of letters in a ship forced by foul weather into Ayre in Scotland but bound with provisions for the Isle of Man whereupon the chief undertakers in London were apprehended viz. Mr. Cook Mr. Gibbons Mr. Christopher Love Mr. Jenkins Dr. Drake and others of which two viz. Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Love were condemned by a High Court of Justice and suffered Death on the Tower Hill for that cause against which they had once so strongly declared But to return again to the chiefe Scene in Scotland The English Army had long had a desire to bring the Scots to a field-battel which his Majesty upon sundry good reasons and serious advice declined So Cromwel endeavoured to the utmost of his power to force them to it therefore several times fac'd his Majesty's Army which lay encamped at Torwood within three miles of Sterling but could not yet draw them out of their trenches the chief reason being imagin'd to proceed from their stay for Argile Huntly and Seaforth who were gone into their several Territories to compleat the King's Levies Cromwel perceiving that he could not draw the Scots to a Field-battle upon a sudden draws off his Army and transports sixteen hundred Foot and four Troopes of Horse over unto Fife on such a suddain that it startled his majesties whole Army and Cromwell with an unparallel'd expedition faced again the royal Army with a resolution to fall upon their Rear if they should attempt a motion thitherwards but they offered not to stir for already order had been given to Sir John Brown Governour of Sterling to march with four thousand Horse foot to drive out that party of Cromwell's which were already landed in Fife of which intelligence being brought Lambert and Okey with two Regiments of Horse and two of foot are with all possible hast wafted over to reinforce the party already there with which additional supply of men they routed Sir John Brown who expected none but the first landed party taking himself several other Officers of quality prisoners killing two thousand upon the place and taking near 1200. prisoners and shortly after Cromwell transports most of his Army over the Fife and resolving to stop the passage which the Scots had over by Sterling marches to S. Iohnstone's and takes it almost upon summons His Majesty seeing the English Army was advanced so far Northward thought it in vain to attempt the forcing them back and knowing that the Scots naturally fight better in anothers then in their own Countrey resolves to advance with all possible speed into England where he yet hoped notwithstanding the discovery of the late design to find some loyal souls to joyn with him for the Recovery of his Right and Kingdomes Many were there who opposed this intention of his Majesty and among those Dvke Hamilton was one of the chiefest whose dislike may sufficiently appear by his Letter to Mr. Crofts after their Advance to this effect We are now laughing sayes he at the ridiculousnesse of our present state we have quit Scotland being scarce able to maintain it and yet we graspe at all and nothing but all will satisfie us or to loose all I confess I cannot tell whether our hopes or fears are greatest but we have one stout Argument Despair for we must now either stoutly fight or die all the Rogues have left us I shall not say whether out of fear or disloyalty but all now with his Majesty are such as will not dispute his Commands But notwithstanding his dislike and his and others oppositions yet the Kings resolve takes place and on Iuly the 31. 1651. his Majesties Army began to advance from Torwood near Sterling steering their course directly for England which they entred six dayes after by way of Carlisle This march of the Royal Army made Cromvvell with the greatest part of his forces immediately recrosse the Frith and forthwith send Major General Lambert with a select party of Horse and Dragoons to fall upon the Rear of his Majesties Army whilest they hoped that Major General Harrison who then lay near the borders with about three thousand Horse and Dragoons would attach them in the Front shortly after Himself followed with the rest of the Army which could be spared amounting to about eight compleat Regiaments of Foot and two of Horse But then this greater preparation is made against him in England for the Iuncto then sitting at Westminster not only interdicted all aid or assistance either of men or monyes to be given to his Majesty under the penalty of High Treason but also in all or most of the Countries had caused a numerous force to be raised the Church-Militia of the City of London being likewise sent out against him and for the present impeading of his march two thousand of the Countrey-Militia of Staffordshire and four thousand out of Lancashire and Cheshire under the command of Collonel Birch had joyned with Harrison But besides all this many of the Royal Army had in their march deserted their Colours and near a fourth part of the Army was wanting but these were most of them such as were not very well affected to the businesse nor cause they went about and therefore there was but little misse of them for the rest of the Army marched on chearefully and continued to the utmost push stedfast and loyal and were so contentedly obedient to all Military Discipline that 't is believed that in all their march through all that in part of England they hardly took the value of sixpence forcibly But notwithstanding this unwonted civility of the Scotish Army and his Majestie's earnest invitations the Countrey came very slowly in whether besotted dulled and contented with that slavery they then lay under or over-awed by an armed power I cannot well tell but such was their backwardness that few or none besides the Lord Howard of Estrich his son with a Troop of Horse came in to him during his long tedious march through England Nor did his Majesty with his Army take that course which was expected by most he should for the great fear of his Enemies and greatest hopes of his friends were that he would march directly for London but he contrary to their expectations being coming into Lancashire struck off at Warrington either doubting the enterprize for London too hazardous or out of the hopes had of the forces
England let us now take a view of his Majesties affairs in Scotland which Kingdome was not yet wholly conquered for the Lords Seaforth Atholl Glencarne Kenmore and Glengary and several others who had some of them been formerly followers of the Noble Marquesse of Montrosse by Commissions to the Earle of Glencarne had levied sundry small parties in their several Territories which all joyned would have made up a considerable Army besides the help which they expected Middleton should bring them out of the Low Countries they therefore made all possible speed to joyn but in their match the Earl of Glencarne is set upon by Col. Morgan his party routed himself hardly escaping This defeat of Glencarn's who was the chief though it discouraged the rest yet made them not wholly desist for they had yet hopes of those supplies which they expected Middleton to bring out of the Low-Countries who at length arrives brings with him Monroe to be his Lieu. General he being Commissionated General which highly displeased Glencarne who had been the greatest instrument of his Armies raising which was now joyn'd and made up a Considerable body who protested that he would not raise an Army for others to Command so high a dispute there was between Glencarne and Monroe insomuch that many affirm though some say the contrary that it came to a Duell in which Monroe was worsted and disarmed by Glencarne however the dissention still continues for Middleton pretended that he had not power to take away Monro's Commission which was given him by his Majesty Genclarn scorning to be under him being of Nobler blood and accounting himself as good a Souldier deserts the Army with five hundred Horse in his company goes in to General Monck with whom he makes his Composition Yet notwithstanding his desertion caused by those differences amongst themselves for superiority the only way to ruine any designe Middleton pursues his businesse and Commission and had made up a pretty considerable Number when Generall Monck engaging him at Lougherry after a hot dispute totally routed him scattered his party and had almost taken himself Prisoner but he escaping returned again into Holland Thus his Majesties ill fortune still attends his affairs God still permitting his Enemies to taper up in the World advance themselves not that he in the want of us but that we in the want of so Noble a Prince might be yet farther Miserable But let us return again to his Majesty at the Spaw where he having staid a while courted by all the adjacent Grandees at length takes his journey in company of the Princesse Royall his Sister towards Colen where being arrived they were received with all possible honour and demonstrations of joy and affection the great Guns discharging at their entrance and the Deputies of the City coming out to meet them in solemn manner conducting them in great pomp to the pallace provided for them by the chief Magistrate of the City Shortly after their Arrival the Grandees of the place entertained his Majesty and his Royal Sister at a sumptuous Banquet or Collation where they expresse in many ceremonious complements the high resentment they had of his Majesties condition and the great honour which he did them in being pleased to come and visit their City After a short time of abode here his Majesty was envited by the Duke of Newburgh to his Pallace at Dunsell-dorf where he his Sister were most sumptuously and Royally entertained for some daies and here the Royall Princesse took her leave of her Brother his sacred Majesty and returned for Holland the King accompanying her on her way as far as Red nguen and from thence returned back again to Colen where he was joyfully received And now more of his Majesties â—oyal subjects are put to the wrack â—n England by tyrannizing Cromwell general design must needs be laid over all England and perhaps might â—e so though Cromwell knew it well enough before it was like to take any effect which appeared by his setling the London Militia in the hands of his own Criado's his apprehending of Sir Henry Littleton Sir Iohn Packington and many other of the Royall party yet he lets it still go on that he might have the better colour for keeping his Scaffold in ure whilst he having certain intelligence of all proceedings from his hired Agents had care to prevent them when they just came to the height that he might then lay the surer hold on the undertakers so now though he was sure to prevent all risings which might be near London yet he lets others in the Countries more remote to go on so farre as they might only raise to a head but not have any secure place of strength to retreat to in case of a defeat where they might again have made a head The surprizal of shrewsbury and Chirke Castles are to that effect now prevented But a partyin Dorset Wiltshires made a body consisting most of Gentlemen who surprized Salisbury took away all the Horses and Marched towards Cornwall where they expected a greater force to rise with them but being eagerly pursued by Captain Crook with a party of Horse were overtaken at Southmolton in Devonshire and after a hot dispute most of them either slain or taken but Sir Ioseph Wagstaffe the chief Commander of this small loyal party escaped The Captains Penruddock Grove and Iones were taken afterwards being tried by a Commission of Oyer and Terminer were condemned to death Captain Iones was reprieved but Grove and Penruddock were beheaded at Exceter The last of which parted nobly with his life and died with a resolution worthy of the cause for which he suffered Many others likewise were hanged for this enterrize Yet these and their fellows might have come off better had other Counties as they promised risen to their assistance for all the Countries in England had designed as they say to rise but whether besotted dull'd and fearful or else prevented by a force upon them I cannot tell but sure I am they fail'd Yet in York shire there were two parties up in several places but dissipated by their own fears at Hexam Moor the Gentry in that shire had a Rendezvouz of whom Sir Hen. Slingsby was taken remained prisoner in Hull till such time as he was brought up to London where he suffered death under pretence of another design as shall in due time be declared But now the Protector finds another course to rid himself of all such English men as were Loyal to their King and Countrey Several of those who were active in the late design and had been taken are out of the Prisons hurried aboard Ships and though they were free-born English men and many of them Gentlemen sent to be slaves in the Foreign Plantations nor were they alone served so but many who though they had not actually stirr'd yet being by the Protector known as persons not very well affected to his Tyrannical Government were
or trust to the swiftnesse of their horses heels but very few of them escaped among which were the Dukes of York and Glocester though the first was not heard of till three daies after which made some suspect that he was taken by the French Forces but by Turine after at a fit opportunity nobly releast I may particularly take occasion here to commend the valour of the Duke of York's own Troop who indeed bore the brunt of the whole Battel though I cannot deny but they were seconded by some very Noble spirits of the Spaniards but the personal valour of Mr. Henry Bendish son to Sir Thomas Bendish Ambassadour for the English Nation in Turky who had the ill fortune to be taken prisoner must not be forgotten Let us now change the Scene a little to England where the Protector begins to die the Scaffold in as deep a purple as the Vest given him at his late Instalement bore and that not onely with the bloud of those seculars that were loyal to their Soveraign but having as he thought now secured to himself the Government his hand reaches to the sacred Clergy nor will he strike at a reed or a shrub amongst them but imitating the Ancient fable of the Iupitrian Thunder strikes at the Olympus the Atlas the mainest pillar and support of the Protestant Religion for no lesse then the Reverend Doctor Hewet's blood will now satisfie his insatiate Cruelty a man whose vertues and piety as they were beyond expression so I think was the manner of his death beyond example This Doctor Sir Henry Slingsby who had ever since the forementioned rising in Yorkshire layn prisoner in Hull Castle with many others are accused of a design to have seized on the Tower of London and the Magazine at Hull both in one day the one by a divine the other by a Prisoner but these persons must have several others to be their assistants and that especially in London who while the Doctor was securing the Tower must fire the City of London in several places Those that make plots may as easily discover them and with as much ease prevent them the Protector could do both but to make some shew of a great deel of fear in the businesse Worthy Alderman Tichburn then Lord Mayor of London is immediately commanded to settle the Militia the Protector telling him as he easily might that there was a grand design in hand probably of his own contriving against his Government that the Marquess of Ormond had lately been in England transacting about it that the Common Enemy for so was his sacred Majesty then styled lay ready with a potent Army ships hired to transport them on the Sea coasts of England and that therefore the Militia should be settled in confiding hands meaning such either whose interest or fear must render them faithful to the Protector shortly after according to the common course the persons to be accused are apprehended the chief of which were Dr. Hewet Mr. Iohu Mordant brother to the Earl of Peterborough Col. Ashton Capt. Henry Mallory Mr. Woodcock Iohn Betteley Edmund Stacy Henry Fryer Iohn Sumner and Oliver Allen who were all accused to be complices of this grand design And because no English Law could take away these mens Lives The ordinary Tyrannical way of a High Court of Justice must do it Sir Henry Slignsby who was brought prisoner from Hull Castle was the first who came before them and is accused for having endeavoured to draw the Governor of that Castle from his Allegience excellently good to the Protector and pleading not guilty yet was by two Witnesses found ready convicted and condemned Dr. Hewet being come before them according to the example of his Royal Master King Charles the first refused to plead or own the Iurisdiction of the Court for which contempt as they were pleased to interpret it he had the same sentence pronounced against him and was afterwards together with Sir Henry Slingsby executed on Tower-hill Mr. Mordant brother to the Earl of Peterborough disavowed likewise the Authority of the Court but at last being induced to plead was acquitted so was Mr. Woodcock Mallory Fryer sumner and Allen were sentenced but reprieved Ashton Stacy and Bettely were hanged drawn and quartered in several places of London And here we must not forget the magnanimous death of Iohn Betteley who having made a Speech clearing his Innocency and the justness of his Cause undauntedly leapt off the Ladder and died a worthy sufferer for the Royal Interest His sacred Majesty during these strange Murders and oppressions of his Subjects in England by a power which had usurpt the Regality is forced to sit still his urgent necessities not giving him leave either to revenge their deaths or redeem the surviving who heavily groaned under the yoke his onely remedy now was his prayers to God which he pursues with an earnest devotion that he would be pleas'd in his good time to deliver his faithful Subjects from those miseries and burdens they then struggled under and without doubt God hath heard and will perform his pious desires As an introduction to which it pleased the DIVINE MAJESTY to take out of this world the grandest opposer of his Majesty's Right OLIVER CROMWELL who from a mean beginning had raised himself by force to be the arbitrary Governour of these Nations is by the Almighty called to give an account of his actions before the High Tribunal of Heaven where are neither false witnesses nor interessed Judges and that on the same day on which he had gained two such signall victories over his Majestie's forces at Dunbar and Worcester viz. on the third day of September Yet he thought he had so certainly secured the Government of these three Nations for himself and that he nominates his son Richard for his Successour a person to speak the truth as not at all endowed with his fathers courage so not at all inclined to his ambition one whom if fame lies not of him could have willingly been content to have surrendred his Protectorship to the Kingship of the lawfull heir and by law undoubted Successour But those Officers of the Army whose ambition though not in so high a degree had so engaged them as Complices to Oliver Cromwell in his high late designes against his King and Countrey had so great a load of guilt upon their consciences that they could not hear of much less agree to the admission of his sacred Majesty Nor was it indeed only thus but some ambitious spirits there were and particularly Maj. â—eneral Lambert whose high-flown thoughts made him fancy Idea's in his brain and forc't him to attempt the enterprising to make him Commander of these three Nations as Oliver by his means had done before which designes of his in the sequell ruin'd him and discovered those grand cheates and abuses which that party had put upon the Nation endeavouring to enslave them to their own arbitrary power whilst they pretended those
taken his leave of the King of France the rest of the Nobility accompanied with his Cousin Prince Rupert he departed for Germany where the Lord Wilmot had long been Ambassador for him to solicite aid and assistance Yet notwithstanding his Brothers the Duke of York and Glocester staid still in France The first having under the Command of the Marshal of Turine against the Spaniards performed such Eminent services as had made him deservedly esteemed a most valorous and prudent Prince insomuch that notwithstanding his Youth he was made Lieu. Generall of the French Army and thought so well worthy that Command that when Turine the most esteemed Generall the French have for a long time had lay desperately sick and it was expected that he should breath his last he was by the King of France sent to to desire him that seeing there were so little hopes of this life he would nominate such a General of his Army as he might judge fit to succeed him To which Turine answered that if his Majesty would have his affairs prosper he should make choice of a Noble valorous and fortunate Generall which if he did he could make of choice of no fitter person then the thrice Heroick Duke of York As for his Brother the Duke of Glocester he remained at the Pallace Royall in Paris with the Queen his Mother who shortly after the Departure of his Royall Majesty endeavoured by all the bonds of filial obedience and the most prevailing Arguments could be used to perswade him to become Roman Catholick noâ— did she alone but the Queen Mother of France and the prime Nobility of that Kingdom attempted the same when the Rhetorique of the Court could not prevail the most eminent for learning set upon him with that depth of reason as long acquired study and their own interest could oblige them to use or furnish them withall nor were Arguments and Reaonly used but the highest temptatiâ—ns this world could present to a Prince in Adversity such were a Cardinals Hat and a Revenue suitable to his Dignity when these could not prevail the indignâ—tion of a Royall Mother was poured forth upon him which brought him the deprivation of his Tutor his Servants and all Comforters in these temptations But that Noble Prince was so far indowed during this affliction with the Principles of the Religion of the Church of England besides that naturall piety and constancy flowing from his most religious Father of blessed Memory that by the depth of Truth and Reason he defended himself against these attempts After this he is committed to the care of one Mr. Walter Mountague Abbot of Nantueil living at Pontoise who keeps him in very closely and works and persists still in endeâ—â—ouring to pervert him using the Argument of Duty and obedience to his Mothers commands which she did injoyn him to doe or never more to see her face which from that day to this he hath not seen This Noble soul replyed with a sorrowful heart That as the Queens Majeâ—ty was his Mother he ought her duty but as his Brother was his King and Sovereign he ought him Duty and Allegiance which he could not dispute Whilst he is at Pontoise the most noble and religious Lord 〈◊〉 takes occasion to go wait upon the Dukâ— according to private instructions received from his Majesty who to his great sorrow had advised of these particulars he is admitted with much trouble to the presence of the Duke who imbraced him as his Deliverer with some difficulty urging the commands of his Majesty and his own arguments he is delivered to his care who conducts him with a speciall respect and diligence to his house in Paris where he is entertained divers daies with all honour confirmed with all diligence by that learned Lord in his so well imbued Principles untill the arrivall of the Marquesse of Ormond who by the Kings Command receives and conducts him to his Majesties Court His Majesty in his journy towards Germany came first to Chatillon a Castle belonging to the Prince of Conde whither he was accompanied by his Brother the Duke of Yorkâ— and his Cousins Prince Rupert and Edward Palatines here Prince Edward and the Duke of York left them the one going to Bourbon the other returning to the Army where he continued a good while after his Majesty and Prince Rupert continuâ—d for some few daies their journy together 'till the Prince parted from him to go visit his Brother Frederick at Hidelberg his Majesty passing through Cambray and Leige to the Spaw where he took up the first place of his Residence in Germany whither his Sister the Royall Princess of Orange came to visit him and they no doubt during the time of their being there were as merry as two such afflicted Princes could But let us a little leave his Majesty at the Spaw and look into his Kingdomes where Cromwell that he might secure himself in his ill-gotten Estate endeavours by all means possible either to take away the lives or wholly impoverish and disable his Majesties loyal Subjects who are continually charged with something which he by his usurped power takes hold of to destroy them several persons are apprehended and charged with a design to have seized on the Tower and proclaimed his Majesty King of those Kingdoms which by right were his for tryall of which persons a High Court of Justice a thing we now in England know very well was erected for the tryall of those persons and Col. Iohn Gerard Mr. Peter Vowel and Sommerset Fox were condemned to be hanged drawn and quartered for no lesse then High Treason forsooth though there were then no Act in being making it Treason to conspire against the Power then in being in England But somewhat of the sentence was remitted and Col. Gerard was beheaded and Mr. Vowel only hanged Mr. Fox reprieved I have always observed that in all the tryals made by those High courts of Justice for plots as they call them there hath still been some one person who though brought to tryall have either not been condemned though look't upon by the people as eminent in the businesse as any and though Condemned yet have been reprieved what others guesse of it I will not determine I know what I do The truth is that his Majesty had alwaies the ill fortune to have such false servants about him as have for the Lucre of money either betrayed any enterprize of his for the gaining of his right the Protector especially being very prodigal in such expences his intelligence as most affirm standing him in no less then two hundred thousand pounds per annum or else those persons engaged for him being many of them deboist fellows and who often ran upon designes uncommissioned have in a Tavern both layd and betrai'd their own undertakings or else some here in England who have undertaken in such businesses have either for fear or gain betrayed both their Prince friends and Countrey Thus much for