the large proffers the enemy made to the Army if they would with-draw or with-hold And besides the many reproaches sleightings and calumnies that Army did patiently undergo by a factious party amongst our selves had not the hand of God guided and carried on noble Lesley and renouned Calender with the rest of those worthy pious Patriots our condition had been miserable before this day and we weltering in our owne blood our wives defloured our children massacred our houses rifled our lands confiscated our goods divided amongst a generation whose Religion teacheth them Rebellion whose Faith is Faction and Division whose meere Mercy is Cruelty Having past through the grounded evidences of this noble religious and faithfull Peers willingnesse activenesse and perseverance in assisting us I shall also particularize some of the most materiall passages he hath performed since his first entrance into England which was with much courage his Army being put to great straights with hunger cold and often skirmishing with the enemy whom he drive before him and fell upon Carlisle and tooke it with all the Ammunition marched againe and beat up Newcastles Army and by the assistance of the Earle of Leven and the Earle of Manchester with the Lord Fairfax and his valourous son the truly honourable Sir Thomas Fairfax besieged Newcastle in Yorke with-drew and gave battell to him with Prince Ruperts Army and routed them both after tooke Yorke and afterwards this noble Earle of Calender marched Northward and tooke the strong Garrison of Gateshhead neare Newcastle with much Armes and Ammunition and returned and assisted in the taking Newcastle by storme with all the Armes and Ammunition therein much more hath this faithfull Generall performed which is here omitted his owne worth speaking for him to all that know him more than I can here expresse Henry Gray Earle of Standford Lord Gray of Groby Bonvile c CHAP. VI Upon the right Honourable Earl of Stamford This noble slip not of the last edition Of ancient stocke and formidable name To Englands foes of old when Spains ambition 'Gainst Queen Elizabeth did mischiefs frame Heroicke Stamford not degenerate Is true and loyall unto Church and State Exeters defence and Lord Hoptons flight At Modbury field declare his heart is right A Renouned worthy amongst the rest is this gallant Peer the noble Earle of Stamford whose former generations have been a terrour to Englands enemies as he himselfe hath been since the time he was made Generall of South-Wales with the foure Counties of Glocester Worcester Hereford and Cheshire upon the 10. of Decemb. 1642. he marching from hence towards them was received with much joy and a considerable party ready to march along with him he delayed no time to be in action with them but forthwith marched towards Cornwall and coming to Newbridge and finding the bridge pulled downe and a strong Garrison in the towne forced his passage through the river with a hot dispute on both sides at last beat the enemy took much Ammunition and marched forward and beat the Lord Hopton from Bristoll towards Exeter joyned with the Devonshire men and still pursued him from holes to holes like a fox brought those malignant Counties into a good condition securing and taking many Garrisons and had he had money and ammunition those parts in all appearance had been sooner gained but where the fault lay my Lord himselfe best knowes and it may be in time will manifest it to others if I be not mistaken I could wish great men professing Religion would lay aside covetousnesse and under-hand dealing and be no longer like Water-men rowing one way and looking another I presume this noble Earle of Stamford is sensible of some particulars which I here omit it is and hath been the noblenesse of his disposition to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace being free from the spirit of faction and division which breeds confusion from which good Lord deliver us Basil Feilding Earle of Denbigh c CHAP. VII Upon the right Honourable Earle of Denbigh Lo here a gemme of honour casting forth Resplendent beams of magnanimity But words too weake are to describe his worth VVho 's more enobled then by Progeny His pious soule shews that a righteous cause Is dearer to him then a Monarchs I awes Ches Shrop. and Staffordshire may well expresse Their love and valour and their thankfulnesse I Eealousies arise amongst some sort of men without cause as sometimes there did of this noble Earle of Denbigh I must confesse had his fathers blood and his been of one and the same putrified temper we might all have had just cause to fear a piece of treachery but I hope God hath moulded his heart in his owne hand and framed it according to his will as hath evidently appeared hitherto by his proceedings First in standing to the Parliament and taking the most solemne League and Covenant for Reformation and rooting out of Bishops and all other erroneous and factious persons which if brave Denbigh once decline I shall recall what I have and hope to affirme of him Secondly his taking up armes and adventuring his life in the high places of the field as was evident at his taking of Russell-Hall the 29. of May 1646. as also routing the Kings Forces neer Dudley the 10. of June 1646. And taking by storme the strong Garrison of Oswestree the 22. of June 1646. with Chomley-House and many more I omit for brevity sake intending to speak more at large hereafter and as time shall make evident The most Noble Ferdinand Lord Fairfax Generall of the Northern Countyes CHAP. VIII Upon the right Honourable Ferdinando Lord Fairfax This happie heart heated with heav'nly fire Stands up against the Rampant Lions pawes Frustrates the haughty hope and vast desire Of Popish regulating Lives and Lawes Discovers Protean Hothams treacheries Preserves ingaged Hull from foes surprize Routed and rooted out Lycaons brood Of wolvish natures loving native blood Shine on resplendent Fairfax or Faire-Torch To friends a light to foes a fire to scorch Thou and thy fellow-Stars in Englands night When neither Sun nor Moon do shine give light HEre is a right Noble in blood and actions deserving to be ranked amongst the most noble of our Peers and Patriots for his good and faithfull service for Church and State as may evidently appeare by his former gallant actions in the North of England which it were great ingratitude to omit I shall only point at the chiefe which by the Arme of God assisting the noble Lord Fairfax performed and deserve to be written in capitall letters for after Ages to read c. At his first being made Generall of the North there was a great Army in the field a malevolent Countrey the greatest part being Papists and Athiests the Parliament sending down the Covenant to be taken in those parts himselfe first began and some of the godly party followed
THE Civill VVarres OF ENGLAND BRIEFLY Related from His Majesties first setting up His Standard 1641. To this present Personall hopefull Treaty WITH The lively Effigies and Eulogies of the chief Commanders who like Starres in their courses have fought against the Romish Sicera or the great Scarlet Whore with whom the Kings of the Earth have committed Fornication Rev. 17. 2. Together with the distinct appellations proper motions and propitious influences of these memorable Starres Chronologically related from Anno. 1641. to Anno. 1648. Collected by JOHN LEYCESTER Ecce triumphales Anni Quoque Sydera fausta LONDON Printed for John Hancock at the first shop in Popes-Head Alley next to Corn-hill 1649. Of all the Guifts of Gods most sacred Spiret The Guift of Tongues being of much precious merit By which Man mainly differs from a Beast And all rare Knowledge richly is increast How much to our Industrious Ricraft then Is due for his great Paines and vsefull Pen Who thus hath made so Copious a Collection Of th' Orient Characters for fair Direction So learn those Songues A Work most Excellent And of more Worth than Pearles most Orient For which with gratefull heart giue God the Praise And Crown Graue Ricrafts Browes wth fragrant Bayes I Vickers Scripâ—st W. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A SURVEY OF ENGLANDS CHAMPIONS AND Truths faithfull Patriots OR A Chronologicall Recitement of the principall proceedings of the most worthy Commanders of the prosperous Armies raised for the preservation of Religion the Kings Majesties Person the Priviledges of Parliament and the Liberty of the Subject c. With a most exact narration of the severall Victories as also the number of Commanders and Souldiers that have been slain on both sides since these uncivill civill wars began With the lively pourtraitures of the severall Commanders By JOSIAH RICRAFT Published by Authority Psal. 44. 5. Through thee wee have thrust back our adversaries by thy name have we trodden down them that rose up against us London Printed by R. Austin and are to be sold by F. H. in Popes head Alley and in Cornhill neer the Royall Exchange 1647. TO THE Honour and Glory of the Infinite Immense and Incomprehensible Majesty of JEHOVAH THE Fountaine of all Excellencies the Lord of Hosts the Giver of all Victories and the God of PEACE IF that one Star in vast circumference so much exceeds the globe of earth and seas and if the soule more vast by intelligence exceeds the magnitude of Pleiades What admiration then to him belongs what trembling joy what duty love and feare What exaltation in all psalmes and songs that tongue or pen objects to eye or eare Who hath so many millions of soules and stars created stretching forth The heav'ns on th' Axis turning into Poles terminated in the South and North Who without quantity is only great and without quality is only good More perfect than perfection more compleat then can by Seraphims be understood To this Jehovah-jireth who unfolds all close contrivings 'gainst his little flocke To this Jehovah-Nissi who upholds his Church on 's powers everlasting Rocke To this Jehovah-Shallom God of Peace that twice hath made our civill wars to cease Maugre open force and secret fraud To this Ocean without bottome or banke of blisse First let the Rivers of our praises runne and first ascribe all glory to this sunne Of righteousnes which makes these stars to shine but with his frowne great Potentates decline By J. O. LEY A small crumme of mortality Septemb. 23. 1648. To the Impartiall Reader I Present to thy view no Astrologicall predictions limiting divine providence to the necessity of secondary causes a worke savouring more of Luciferian pride than piety nor yet the Apples of Sodom specious lyes such as Mercurius Aulicus Pragmaticus and divers others of that gang have baited their hookes withall to catch silly simple soules but an historicall relation and naked narration of our late warlike exploits the persons by whom the times when and the places where being satisfactorily expressed and explained All which have not a coulour but a reality of true notions but in the â—eightiest motive to reading as will make the â—ost clamorous Malignant as silent as a Seriphian Frog But howsoever all humane knowledge is imperfect and therefore no writing can be so exact in every point and circumstance as to be accounted infallible for that Epithite is peculiar onely to the sacred Scriptures and to no other booke in the world yet I am sure this booke is much more truer than that Aulicus by whose helpe Prince Rupert routed the Parliaments Army at Long-Marston for joy whereof Bonefires were made at Oxford in an. 1644. As for these Metaphorical or Mystical resplendent stars whose aspect hath been as sadly ominous to the foes as benevolous to the friends of Gods Truth and true Religion I hope that I have so kept within the circle of modesty and reason in the expression of their merits and the accommodation of their due praises that none but such to whom goodnesse in others seemes miraculous and to whom no blood or condition of estate is acceptable but those who are stamped with Caesars Image who if there were such a peace concluded as they could wish were as fit to receive the marke of the Beast as before can justly repine at it But to my own judgement I seem rather to have transgressed by diminishing than enlarging their high deserts by my weake industry But if it be lawfull and equall to calumniate slander and disgrace an enemy which is Cavaliers practise not my tenet then by the rule of contraries it is lawfull and equall to praise and commend a friend especially such friends who have preferred the life of Religion Lawes and Liberty before their owne lives and faire estates But it is very comicall to consider how prettily the Malignants tearmes of contempt doe jumpe with their contemptible fortunes for they called that gallant souldier Generall Brown a Woodmonger a tearme very suitable to their sufferings for they know very well that this Woodmonger hath oftentimes cudgelled their Militia from the Generalissimo to the Corporall and made them run almost to every point of the Compasse I could recount many others of our worthies here inserted grossely abused and traduced by the obstreperous goosse-quill of Phaetons Sycophants and his followers but Crimine ab uno discite nunc omnes As for the Historicall part of this booke which I have drawne in this method first the chiefe heroicke actions of our Noble Generalls and Renowned Commanders are particularly described then followeth in Order a List of all the severall Victories and Encounters the names of the Cities Towns and Castles taken by storme or surrender with the names of the Earles Lords Knights Generalls Collonels Lieut. Col. Majors Capt. and Gentlemen of quality slain in this unnatural war on both sides with the number of common Souldiers to which is added the Commissioners names imployed in this present Treaty with His Majesty which the Lord
the commendation of the greatest part of Europe the Low-Countreyes and divers parts beyond Seas at this day eccho forth his praise and with a sorrowfull looke and pale face bid him Adieu brave Lesley adieu but the love he bare to Religion his King and Countrey ingaged him to steere his course towards these Kingdoms and coming to the Court of England was courted and consulted withall and being found neither knave nor foole was presently discountenanced and so departed into his owne Countrey of Scotland and was there received with much triumph and joy they knowing he was free from cowardice or covetousnesse which is often the losse of Armies and Garrisons if I be not mistaken Oxford Banbury and Bristoll will witnesse yet neither profit or penury could incline him or decline him from doing or suffering to his uttermost in the cause of Religion Lord-Bishops and all that depend upon their Episcopall Hierarchy will remember renouned Lesley who was under God the two-edged Sword that cut them and their wild branches off at the root witnesse the yeare 1640. in which time he entred England with an Army of twenty thousand men and upon the first entrance routed the Queens Regiment of Horse and Foot and all the rest fled finding a paire of heels to be of more use for security then a paire of hands but notwithstanding this advantage our Brethren were desirous to treat with His Majesty who condescended thereunto and hearing the reasonablenesse of their Propositions condescended thereunto and so in peace they did depart not long after but in the yeare 1642. a civill Warre arising amongst our selves and the Parliaments Army not able to suppresse the enemy were necessitated to desire the assistance of our Brethren of Scotland who were as ready to help us as we were readie to desire their help their sensiblenesse of our misery was exprest in tears as may appeare by the relation of our Messengers the Lord Wharton Sir Henry Vane M. Solicitor S. John M. Marshall and M. Burroughs and that which puts a seale of confirmation to these and other relations of their love and willingnesse to help us is their coming into England so suddenly after and at such an unseasonable time as they did it being mid winter that they marched in snow and water to the mid leg for a hundred miles together and their noble Generall his Excellency the Earl of Leven most resolutely fell to the work although in an enemies Countrey having before him the Earl of Newcastle with an Army of 20 thousand strong yet he drove them before him killing and taking prisoners many of them daily and upon a sudden he wheeled about with his Army and tooke Cockit Island with the town Jan. 20. 1643. and afterwards marches up to the enemies quarters and beats them up taking in also the strong Garrison of Alnwick Febr. 14. 1643. and afterward hastned his march further into the enemies Countrey and takes in the Town of Morepeth Febr. 22. 1643. and marches againe up to the enemy and beats up his quarters and takes the strong Garrison of Tinby March 19. 1643. and afterwards marches forward and takes Sunderland with great store of Ammunition Newcastles rage being risen drawes up his whole Army as intending to give battell to the Earle of Leven but no sooner did he draw up but Newcastles popish ragged Regiments ran away and our Brethren of Scotland marched forward and tooke the strong Garrisons of Durham and Lomby Aprill 14. 15. 1644. they marched yet forwarder and beat severall parties of the enemies and tooke Morepeth Castle with all the Ammunition the 2. of June 1644. and having notice of the renouned Earl of Manchester's marching up towards them they with much rejoycing hastned to meet him whom they longed to see the face of and having met him with much joy saluted him and so joyned both their Armies together and drove the Popish Earle of Newcastle and all his Army into York and there besieged him Prince Rupert being at that time in Lancashire hastens to raise their siege making his boasts how he would beat the Scots and would know of what mettle those fresh-water souldiers were made which e're he departed he very well knew to the deare price of 4500. mens lives upon the place called Marston-Moore never to be forgotten by Prince Rupert nor the Earl of Newcastle and after the spoile of the battell was taken they marched up to Yorke and tooke it with all the Ammunition and when this was performed the Earle of Manchester marched Westward and the Earle of Leven Northward and tooke Gateshead 12. of August 1644. and straightly besieged Newcastle upon Tine prepared mines and all accommodation for storme offered faire terms but were not accepted then stormed the towne and tooke it the 20. of October 1644. with much Arms and Ammunition and afterwards tooke Tinmouth Castle marched up to Carlisle and took it also and afterwards besieged the strong Castle of Scarborough and took it with the Castle of Rabi and the Castle of Canon-Froome and since have been assistant in the taking of Newarke And for the gallant service of this noble Generall the Earle of Leven let true-English-men give him true honour and praise let that tongue cleave to the roof of that mouth that is so ungratefull and uncivill as to foment divisions betwixt us and these our Covenanted-Brethren The Right Honble. Robert Earle of Warwick Lord Rich of Leeze Lord High Admirall of the Seas CHAP. III. Upon the right honourable and noble Patriot Robert Earle of Warwicke * A third bright star within our Hemi-Spheare Of Reformation is this noblest Rich Richer indeed then can to men appeare Because his aymes on noble ends do pitch This trusty Pilot waits upon the Ocean Watching both forraigne and domestick Foes Then to the land thus in their restlesse motion Are pious souls whom God doth here dispose To honour him and do his will on earth And them he honours with a second birth VVhich begets in Warwick prudence and love A lions heart yet harmlesse as the dove IT were great ingratitude to let passe or bury in oblivion the many glorious things that this our high Admirall of England Robert Earl of Warwicke hath performed both by Sea and Land since the year 1642. which both his and our adversaries at home and abroad know to their griefe he was unto our Kingdome under God as a bulwarke of defence a rock of refuge a castle and tower to flie unto a strong and mighty wall to defend us from the malicious pride and cruelty of France Spain Denmarke and all the world beside and had not brave renouned Warwicke stood to us and guarded our coasts we and our Kingdome had long e're this been a prey to our enemies at home and abroad But God be praised who put it into the hearts of our Parliament-Worthies to make so good a choice and they
prosperously proceeded and the winter drawing on apace they came to London the chiefe Garrison of England and so soon as Forces were able to march this renowned Browne did march forth with a Brigade against Arundell Castle and by a fierce storme tooke it with all the Ammunition and not long after this service marched into Kent and quel'd the mutineers that had made a great uproare there afterwards cleared those parts and marched up to Waltham-house and tooke it with much Ammunition and from thence marched to Greenland-house and tooke it also and afterwards took Abbington and fortified it just under the enemies noses and defended it most valiantly against all the power the King then had in his chiefe Garrison of Oxford tooke also an opportunity and marched forth and took the strong Garrison Ballasith-house with all the provision and retreated back to Abbington and preserved it from all the furious attempts of the enemy These with many more gallant pieces of service did this gallant Commander performe and though many proffers of honour riches and preferment were made him yet this may be valiant Brownes honour that he did refuse all and stood for that cause his Covenant had ingaged him unto and doth persevere to this day which if he also doe to the end it will be a crowne of honour to religious renowned Browne for ever ANd now having briefly recited many of the gallant actions of some of our valiant Commanders I shal also add hereunto the names of many more who have been seconders of the former in gallant performances and because most of their actions are included with the former I shall at present only speak to part of the particulars but for the future God willing I do intend to speak more at large for the first the truly worshipfull Colonell Hollis his birth and blood speak him to be a man that is free from basenesse his actions in the field have been valiant and his ends faithfull and I dare bouldly say it was not profit honor or preferment did allure that thrice noble hearted Hollis neither was it the Tower of London in which he was most unjustly imprisoned did any wayes daunt this valiant-hearted publike-spirited noble descended and religious affected Denzill Hollis from prosecuting the designe of God and his Country and for many of his valiant actions in the field I might speak much to his praise as also of his valiant Regiment not inferiour to any in England or that ever was in England since these last troubles in England but at present I forbeare for brevities sake and for his learned speeches profound motions and religious orthodox advice and Councell in the Honorable House of Commons I could insert somthing to his honour which is well knowne if it were proper for time and place And next in order to religious Hollis I shall speak of faithfull Covenant-keeping Sir Philip Stapleton somtimes Commisary-Generall to Englands generally beloved Generall the Earle of Essex and as it hath been said of that religious Earle deceased that when he was alive there was none like him in a publike Covenant engaged heart so when he died he left not his fellow so I may truly say of the truly worshipfull Sir Philip Stapleton if without prejudice I may speak it there is not his fellow-Knight nor will hee leave his fellow behind him I wish England were worthy of such men as hee is I might add to this renowned Stapleton many gallant things he hath both performed by his sword and his Councell which are more for his honour then all his enemies I hope can invent for his dishonour but for me to pretend as some of the new light-mongers do to light a candle to the sun were a master-peece of folly therefore I shall say no more but leave brave Stapleton beclad with wisdome honour and glory as a robe And so I shall descend to speak of valiant Sir David Lesley whose actions do deserve to be written in letters of gold for to rehearse them were to mention almost all the victories of that faithfull Army of our true-harted brethren of Scotland but I shall at present only give religious Sir David Lesley this character a man noble by birth noble in mind and noble in actions true to his Country true to his Covenant and true to his God as also loyall to his King in all just wayes and proceedings which renders not him only honour but also that Army which had such and many such like religious Commanders and Souldiers And the next to this religious and faithfull Lesly is Sir George Booth the elder of Cheshire who when the troubles first began stood up for his Countrey exciting his tenants so to do promising them that had leases of their lands from him that if any such did suffer in person or goods he would make them recompence and if any had Lease by life and should be slaine the life of his wife child or friend should be put in his stead a brave religious resolution if all the Gentry that had adhered to the Parliament had done the like the warres could never have lasted so long But this religious brave Booth thought it not enough so to doe but tooke a place of command himselfe and was verie active and couragious for the preservation of his Countrey did many gallant exploits which I hope hereafter to mention at large and at present give him this Character faithfull free grave godly brave Booth the flower of Cheshire Another neighbour and associated vigilant and valiant Commander is Sir John Seaton a Lancashire Gentleman for activity piety and constancy inferiour to few in England he is the man under God did pull down the pride rage and cruelty of the proud potent Papisticall Lord Strange who with his great Army thought to carry all before him but as we have just cause so let us blesse God and honour true-hearted Sir John Seaton for those great gallant things that have been done in reformed Lancashire and consequently in all England And as great honour is due to valiant Season for all his victories performed which are mentioned in the List of the Lord Generall so to valiant vigilant and religious true-hearted and right honourable Colonell Harvey who when things were at a low condition was willing to doe his Kingdome service marched forth with a Brigade of the City of London and with a small party did most valiant things which I omit for brevities sake And because I have somwhat more knowledge of him then many of whom I have and am to speak of I can without flattery say of true-hearted Harvey thus much that I ever found him a man of a noble spirit free from by private and base ends aiming at the good and prosperity of the Common-wealth active for the ends contained in the most sacred Nationall League and Covenant a man most free from the scab of errour adhering to no faction nor party further then the Covenant union of the Kingdomes and truth
ungratefull but acknowledge he hath done England good service Likewise Vice-Admirall Batten hath performed most gallant service at Seas and with the Navy hath been as a Bulwarke to preserve our distracted Kingdome from forraigne power which had in all appearance long ere this made us miserable Many valiant things have by him been performed as also the valiant Reare-Admirall Swanley whom I designed to bring up the Reare his actions in Wales Cornewall Devonshire and the Northerne parts of England can witnesse to bee such as deserve a History of themselves to be extant to succeeding Generations And thus much I can say as most conclude with mee that there is not his fellow at Sea this day for valour and judgement in the commanding and mannaging a Navy at Sea I crave pardon in my rude conclusion and desire to be excused by many whom I shall hereafter mention as Sir Robert Pye Colonell Sir Hardresse Waller Colonell Sir Arthur Hasterig Colonell Sir James Harrington Colonell Sir William Constable Colonell Sir Matthew Boynton a man whom England owes much honour to as also those deceased valiant hearted Worthies who adhered to the Parliament I have here nominated as also all others that have beene slaine on the Kings party with the common souldiers on both sides as also those that fled out of the Kingdome all which I hope will bee excepted of without prejudice from him who hath hitherto been and resolveth by the help of God for the future to bee the Kingdomes most faithfull servant in reality constancy and sencerity to serve them Josiah Ricraft A perfect List of the many Victories obtained through the blessing of God by the Parliaments Forces under the Command of his Excellency Robert Earl of Essex and Ewe Viscount Hereford Lord Ferrers of Chartley Bourchier and Lovaine Lord Generall of England His Excellency Alexander Lesly Earl of Leven Lord Generall of the Army of our Brethren of Scotland And the right honourable Edward Lord Mountague Earl of Manchester Viscount Mandevile Lord Kimbolton Chancellour of the University of Cambridge Major-Generall of the Associated Counties c. With the names of the Cities Towns Castles and Forts taken from the Enemie since the beginning of these unnaturall Warres in the Yeares 1642 43 44 to the 14 of June 1645. 1 THe first City in England assaulted by the Cavaliers since these unnaturall warres began after the King was denied admittance into Hull was renowned Coventry the King came in person against it and the inhabitants thereof most couragiously issued forth and routed their Forces took two peeces of Ordnance and many Prisoners July 26. 1642. 2 The Cavaliers had no sooner recruited but ingaged with the Forces under the command of the Lord Brook near Southam where they were again routed and many taken Prisoners 3. Portsay Island the 15. of August taken with all the Armes and Ammunition therein 4 The Town and Castle of Portsmouth in Hamshire taken with all the armes and ammunition therin by the renowned Patriots Sir William Waller and Sir Iohn Meldrum of happy memory 5 Southsay castle taken by surprisall with all the armes and ammunition 6 His Majesties Forces routed neare Worcester about the 12 of September 1642. by his Excellency Englands faithfull Lord Generall the Earl of Essex in which fight the religious and faithfull Colonell Brown did gallant service 7 The ever to be honoured town of Manchester in Lancashire the Garrison thereof being but few in number and brought to great penury yet most gallantly issued forth beat the Lord Strange raised the siege and took many Prisoners 8 Cawood Castle in Yorkshire taken by storme with all the arms and ammunition the 23. of October 1642. 9 His Majesties Forces routed at the never to be forgotten and famous fought battell of Edg-hill Octob. 22. 1643. where was taken the Kings standerd L. Willoughy Sir Edward Stanley Col. Vavasour Col. Lunsford and many hundreds more in which fight was slaine the Earl of Lindsey L. Generall of His Majesties Forces the Lord Aubeny Sir Edmond Verny the Kings Standerd-bearer with divers other Officers of quality and many hundred common souldiers in which battell his Excellency the Earl of Essex fought so gallantly shewing much courage and fidelity that his very enemies did acknowledge it 10 The Castle of Farnham taken by storm with all the armes and ammunition by the renowned Sir William Waller 11 Madbury neare Plymouth taken by storme with all the ammunition 12 The City and Castle of Winchester taken by Sir William Waller and in it the L. Grandison and 65. other Gentlemen and Commanders 1000. Foot 600. Horse 200. Dragoones and 600. armes with all the rest of the arms and ammunition December 7. 1642. 13 The Earl of Newcastles Army in the North neer Tadcaster routed by the noble Lord Fairfax about the 8. of December 1642. 14 Arundell castle in Sussex taken by storme Decemb. 16. 1642. with all the armes and ammunition by Sir William Waller and Col. Brown 15 Chichester taken by Sir VVilliam Waller the 26. of December 1642. with all the armes and ammunition therein 16 The Earl of Newcastles Popish Army again routed neer Bradford by the noble and religious Lord Fairfax January 3. 1642. 17 The said Army of the Earl of Newcastle had no sooner rallied and recruited but they were again routed by the noble and successefull Lord Fairfax neer Leeds the 9. of January 1642. 18 His Majesties Forces routed neer Henly upon Thames the 11. of January 1642. and many hundreds taken prisoners 19 Leeds taken by noble Sir Thomas Fairfax January 26. 1642. with all the armes and ammunition therein 20 His Majesties Forces under the command of Sir Thomas Aston routed neer Namptwich by the noble and truly religious Sir VVilliam Brereton Jan. 28. 1642. taken prisoners 110. Foot and 100. Horse 21 The town of Preston in Lancashire taken by Sir Iohn Seaton by storme Feb. 10. 1642. with all the armes and ammunition therein 22 Lancaster town and Castle taken Febr. 13. 1642. with all the Ammunition 23 The Cornish Cavaliers routed the 26. of February 1642. neere Madbury five pieces of Ordnance 200. Arms 120. Prisoners taken 24 Lichfield Close taken March 3. 1642. with all the ammunition 25 Lastoll surprised with all the armes and ammunition 26 The Army under the command of the Earle of Northampton routed neer Stafford and the Earle himselfe slaine by faithfull Sir VVilliam Brereton and Sir John Gell about the 25. of March 1643. 27 Malmesbury taken by storme March 28. 1643. by Sir VVilliam VValler with all the armes and ammunition 28 The Welch Army under the command of the Lord Herbert were routed in the Forrest of Deane by Sir VVilliam VValler and Col. Massey 29 Tewksbury taken by faithfull Colonell Massey with all the armes and ammunition about the third of Aprill 1643. 30 The town of Wigon in Lancashire taken by Sir John Seaton with all the armes and ammunition therein 31 Monmouth in Wales taken by Sir VVilliam VValler about
of Essex made Generall of England in the yeere 1641. The Kings forces routed and Worcester taken Edge hill sight Prisoners taken Reading taken Aprill 18. 1643 Glocester relieved Cirencester taken Newbery sight * Alexander Lesley earl of Leven acquired the highest reputation as a soldier under Gustavus Adolphus king of Sweden who appointed him governor of Stralsund which he bravely and vigilantly defended against the Imperialists He was also governor of the cities along the coast of the Baltic and afterward felt-marshall over the army in Westphalia He had the supreme command of the Scottish army when it invaded England and was upon the cessation of arms betwixt the two kingdoms created an earl and about the same time made governor of the castle of Edinburgh He also commanded the army that marched into England in 1644 and which had so considerable a share in the battle of Marston Moor the greatest that was fought during the civil war Soon after the defeat of the royal army at this place general Leven the earl of Manchester and Fairfax with their combined forces sat down before York which presently surrendered upon terms They soon after divided their armies and Leven returning into the North took the rich town of Newcastle Zachary Hamilton preceptor to the Pretender's son told lord Hailes that Lesley was a soldier of fortune and that one day on a march in Scotland he said to an officer There is the house where I went to school How General answered the officer I thought you could not read Pardon me I got the length of the letter G. The due praise of Alexander Lesley Earl of Leven Lesleyes salutation and courting at the Court of England See their Speeches in print Cocket Island taken Ian. 20. 1643. Tinby taken March 19. 1643. Durham and Lomby taken April 14 15 1646. York besieged The battell at Marston-moore York taken Newcastle besieged Newcastle taken Octob. 20. 1644. Carlisle taken Newark taken by the assistance of our brethren of Scotland * The Earl of Warwick who assisted in the king's council was not much wondered at for deserting his royal master whom he had never well served nor did he look upon himself as obliged by that honour which he knew was conferred upon him in the crowd of those whom his majesty had no esteem of or ever proposed to trust so his business was to join with those to whom he was indebted for promotion He was a man of a pleasant and companionable wit and conversation of a universal jollity and such a licence in his words and in his actions that a man of less virtue could not be found so that one might reasonably have believed that a man so qualified would not have been able to have contributed much to the overthrow of a nation and kingdom But with all these faults he had great authority and credit with those people who in the beginning of the troubles did all the mischief and by opening his doors and making his house the rendezvous of all the silenced ministers in the time when there was authority to silence them and spending a good part of his estate of which he was very prodigal upon them and by being present with them at their devotions and making himself merry with them he became the head of that party and got the character of a godly man When the king revoked the earl of Northumberland's commission of admiral he accepted that office from the parliament and never quitted their service and when Cromwell dissolved that parliament he betook himself to the protection of the Protector married his heir to his daughter and lived in so entire a confidence and friendship with him that when the Protector died he exceedingly lamented him The earl of Warwick died April 19 1659 aged 71 and lies buried in Folstead Church Essex He left his estate which before was subject to a vast debt more improved and repaired than any man who trafficked in that desperate commodity of rebellion The due praise of Robert Earl of Warwick The E. of Warwick made high Admirall of England in the yeer 1642. The Navy at Sea secured Portsmouth taken Carmarthen Casurprized by the Earle of Warvvick * Edward earl of Manchester a nobleman of many great and amiable qualities was a zealous and no less able patron of liberty but without enmity to monarchy or the person of the king He was one of the avowed patriots in the house of peers and the only member of that house who was accused by Charles of high-treason together with the five members of the house of commons In the civil war he had the charge of seven of the associated counties and with his usual activity and address raised an army of horse which he commanded in person Soon after he entered upon his command he forced the town of Lynne to submit to the parliament and defeated the earl of Newcastle's army at Horn Castle In 1644 he took Lincoln by storm and had a principal share in the victory at Marston Moor After the battle of Newbury he was suspected of favouring the king's interest was even accused by Cromwell of neglect of duty and by the self-denying ordinance deprived of his commission He had been bred up in the court under the favour of the duke of Buckingham a lady of whose family he had married and had attended upon the prince when he was in Spain was called to the house of peers in the lifetime of his father which was a very extraordinary favour Upon the death of the duke of Buckingham his wife being likewise dead he married the daughter of the earl of Warwick a man in no grace at court and looked upon as the greatest patron of the Puritans because of much the greatest estate of all who favoured them after this second marriage lord Manchester totally estranged himself from the court and entered into all the politics of his father-in-law but at last he heartily concurred in the restoration of Charles the Second who appointed him lordchamberlain of his household He died May 5 1671 aged sixty-nine The due praise of the Earle of Manchester Colours and prisoners taken Horncastle Gainesborough and Lincolne taken York besieged Tickell Shelford and VVelbeck taken The due praise of the Earle of Calendar James Levingston earl of Calendar who descended from the house of Linlithgow was formed as a soldier in the wars of Bohemia Holland Sweden and Germany and acquired a great reputation in his military character He was a gentleman of the bedchamber to Charles I. who created him lord Levingston of Almont in 1633 and earl of Calendar 1641. Upon the eruption of the civil war he took the side of the parliament but afterward attached himself to the king He marched into England soon after the battle of Marston Moor with ten thousand men to assist the earl of Leven in reducing York He was lieutenant-general of the Scots army that attempted to rescue Charles from his confinement in the Isle of Wight His most
signal exploit was the taking of Carlisle in which he found a seasonable supply of arms and ammunition He freely confessed to Charles I. upon what errors and mistakes he had been corrupted and by whom and pretended so deep a sense of what he had done amiss that it was believed he would have taken a command in the king's army which he declined as it might have been penal to him in Scotland by some clause in the Act of the Pacification but especially upon pretence it would disable him from doing him greater service in that kingdom whither shortly after the standard was set up he repaired with all solemn vows of asserting and improving his Majesty's interest in those parts The earl of Calendar died in October 1672. The hand of God carrying on our brethren of Scotland Carlisle taken York taken The due praise of the noble E. of Stamford Henry lord Grey of Groby married Anne daughter and co-heir of William Cecil earl of Exeter in whose right he was possessed of the castle borough and manor of Stamford whence he took his title He was colonel of a regiment in the parliament army under the earl of Essex and was very active in their service particularly in Herefordshire and Cornwall In the Mercurius Rusticus is an account of his sending captain Kirle to plunder the house of Thomas Swift vicar of Goodwich in the county of Hereford who was supposed to have been plundered oftener than any other person during the civil war He was grandfather of the celebrated dean of St. Patrick's The earl of Stamford died the 21st of August 1673. Religion a cloke for covetousnesse The due praise of the noble E. of Denbigh Basil Fielding son of William Fielding earl of Denbigh was an officer in the parliament army at Edge-hill where his father fought on the part of the king In 1644 he took Russel House in Staffordshire and by that means opened a communication between Coventry and London and afterwards with a small number of men routed three thousand of the king's forces sent to the relief of Dudley Castle which he was then besieging In 1643 he succeeded to the peerage by the death of his father in consequence of several mortal wounds he had received in a hot engagement near Birmingham Upon the new modelling of the army he resigned his commission together with the earls of Essex and Manchester but still continued to act in concert with the republican party The earl of Denbigh was the chief of the commissioners sent to treat with the king in the Isle of Wight and when his majesty was about to deliver to him his answer to the parliament sealed he told him That though they had no authority to treat with him or to do any thing but to receive his answer yet they were not to be looked upon as common messengers and to carry back an answer that they had not seen and upon the matter refused to receive it and said they would return without any except they might see what they carried The king conceiving their return without his answer would be attended with the worst consequences told them that he had some reason for having offered to deliver it to them in that manner but if they would give him their words that the communicating it to them should be attended with no prejudice to him he would open it and cause it to be read and thereupon he opened it and gave it to one to read The earl of Denbigh died November 28 1675. Russell Hall and Oswestree taken The due praise of the right honourable L. Fairfax Ferdinand lord Fairfax at the commencement of the civil war received a commission from the earl of Essex generalissimo for the parliament to command all the forces of Yorkshire and the adjacent counties in chief by which in less time than could be reasonably imagined he was enabled to draw together an army of five or six thousand horse and foot so that York was in danger of falling into the hands of the parliament But the earl of Newcastle marched quickly to its relief and having left a good garrison in Newcastle and fixed such small garrisons in his way as might secure his communication with that port to which all his ammunition was to be brought he entered York and though the lord Fairfax kept Selby and Cawood the earl of Newcastle was absolute master of the field and totally routed Fairfax at Adderton Moor in June 1643 but he and his son sir Thomas gained a complete victory over colonel Bellasyse governor of York at Selby the eleventh of April 1634 for which the parliament ordered a general thanksgiving After sir Thomas Glemham had surrendered York and the earl of Newcastle had retired beyond the seas he succeeded to the government of that city and of the northern counties He died at York March 13 1647-8 The Covenant taken in york-shire Newcastle routed neer Tadcaster Newcastle again routed neer Bradford VVhitby Cawood and Axholm Island taken The due praise the right honourable L. Roberts John lord Roberts had the command of a regiment under the earl of Essex and at Newbury led the parliament forces to the charge with great gallantry and by his courage and conduct routed the royal army He with part of his brigade defended Plymouth against the combined force of the enemy and several times repulsed them to their great loss He was a leading man in the councils of the patriotic junto and had afterward a principal hand in the restoration He had much learning but it was mixed with the pedantry of the time of James I. and was of a morose and splenetic temper He was appointed lord-lieutenant of Ireland by Charles II. in 1669 in a time of confusion when the various claims to the estates in that kingdom was to be adjusted His parts were by no means equal to this government at so critical a juncture as he had a genius rather for starting than solving difficulties He treated the Irish nobility with haughtiness and contempt and was himself treated with much less ceremony than he expected The king found it necessary to remove him from this employment and soon after his return to England appointed him president of the council and created him earl of Radnor He was observed to puzzle business and retard the dispatch of it more than any man that had ever been in the great offices which he enjoyed He died in the year 1685. His daughter Letitia Isabella who was first married to Charles earl of Drogheda was afterward the wife of Mr. Wycherly the dramatic poet The King routed at Newbery sight 15 Garrisons taken in Cornwall The due praise of the right honorable L. Brook Lord Brook was one of those patriots who so ardently longed for liberty that he was determined to seek it in America if he could not find it at home He and lord Say had actually agreed to transport themselves to New England but the sudden turn of affairs prevented their voyage Having
to carry with him he changed his mind and set his instruments to cross such a supply of men and money as he had proposed and caused Lambert to be appointed to that office Sir William was author of a book of Divine Meditations which was published after his decease He died Sept. 19 1669. The due praise of Sir William Waller Portsmouth taken Arundel Castle taken * Major-general Massey a Presbyterian and a soldier of fortune offered to enter into the king's service before he was retained by the parliament which he served with a fidelity that was greatly applauded He was governor of the city of Gloucester which he held out with invincible resolution against the flower of the royal army till the earl of Essex could be supplied with a sufficient body of forces to raise the siege The defence of this city is one of the most signal instances of bravery in the whole course of the war He was set aside by the Independents upon the passing of the self-denying ordinance and shortly after volunteered his service in the cause of king Charles the Second who from the time that he had recovered any authority in Scotland granted a commission to the duke of Buckingham to raise a regiment which Massey was to command under him and to raise another regiment of foot and the English which should resort thither of which they expected great numbers were to list themselves in those regiments And there were some who had enlisted themselves accordingly but the discipline the Scots had used to the king and their adhering to their old principles even after they seemed united for him had kept the king's friends in England from repairing to them in Scotland Massey had got a great name by his defending Gloucester against the late king and was looked upon as a martyr for the Presbyterian interest and so very dear to that party and therefore as soon as they came within the borders of England he was sent with some troops before and was always to march at least a day before the army to the end that he might give notice of the king's coming and draw the gentry of the counties through which he passed to be ready to attend upon his majesty In the beginning of the night when Massey was going for Gloucester a troop of the parliament army beset the house where he was and took him prisoner and putting him before one of the troopers well guarded were proceeding to a place of security But that tempestuous night had so much good fortune in it to him that in the darkest part of it going down a steep hill with woods on both sides he either by his own activity or the connivance of the soldier found means to disentangle himself from the man and to effect his escape into the woods and got clean off The due praise of Major Generall Massey * Philip Skippon was sergeant-major-general of the parliament army major-general of the London militia and governor of Bristol After the passing of the self-denying ordinance he was preferred to the same post in the army that he held before to which he was thought justly to be entitled on the ground of his merit He was president of the council of war under the earl of Essex and both in the cabinet and the field approved himself an excellent soldier He commanded the infantry at the battle of Naseby where he exerted himself with his usual intrepidity Magnanimous Skippon says May was grievously wounded yet would not forsake the battle but with all possible endeavours discharged his part till the victory was obtained He was a zealous republican and indeed went the greatest lengths with that party His name frequently occurs as a member of the house of commons in the Interregnum He was also one of Cromwell's council of state He had 1000l a year in lands of inheritance assigned him by the parliament for his services The duke of Buckingham's estate at Blecheley in Buckinghamshire was given to him on that nobleman's forfeiture but at the Restoration it reverted to the real owner Walker says he was heretofore waggoner to sir Francis Vere but if he were a waggoner which is extremely improbable it adds much to the greatness of his character to have been able to raise himself to such eminent posts in the army and the state under every disadvantage of education The due praise of Major Generall Skippon Grafton-house taken Barnstaple and Taunton taken * Sir John Meldrum a Scotsman when he entered into the service of the parliament joined himself to sir William Waller and first displayed his military talents in the West particularly at the taking of Portsmouth When the earl of Newcastle besieged Hull a second time he made a bold sally from that fortress beat the earl and his whole army from their works and raised the siege Upon this success he with the assistance of sir Thomas Fairfax took the strong town of Gainsborough Dec. 20 1643 and a few weeks after the isle of Axholm He next defeated a body of forces under the command of the lords Byron and Molineaux near Ormskirk The most signal of his actions was the taking of the town and castle of Scarborough It is said he was mortally wounded in taking this castle but bishop Kennet informs us that he received his death-wound at Ailresford in Hampshire and that he was buried in Westminster Abbey but his body was in 1661 taken up and with several others buried in a pit in St. Margaret's church-yard The due praise of Sir Iohn Meldrum * Sir William Balfour though he had great obligations to the court made no scruple of attaching himself to its most virulent opponents He was turned out of his office of the Tower a little before the breaking out of the civil war and was succeeded by colonel Lunsford He afterwards served in the rebel army as lieutenant-general of horse under the earl of Essex and commanded the reserve at the battle of Edge-hill with which he charged so vigorously that he soon dispersed the king's best infantry and seized his artillery He also greatly distinguished himself in the taking of Newbury Shortly after the earl of Essex had relieved Lyme and advanced with his forces into Cornwall he found it expedient to his safety to quit the army in order to escape to Plymouth on which occasion sir William Balfour contrived to pass through the whole of the king's army under command of lord Goring and continue his march even to London with less loss or trouble than could have been imagined passing all the king's garrisons in his way through the supineness and neglect of Goring who had intelligence of their rout but received the notice when in one of his jovial exercises and neglected the opportunity of intercepting the enemy till they had passed his quarters and it was too late to pursue them in any time Nor was any man called in question for this supine neglect it being not thought fit to make severe inquisition