death of King Charles the First to the re-establishment of His Son King Charles the Second wherein the Reader may see in the fall of the House of Cromwells that Greatnesse built upon perjury is of short continuance and that what ever aspiring Phaetons pretend None but Apollo is able to guide the Chariot of the Sun Charles the First of Glorious Memory being by a part of the Parliament who had usurped to themselves the power of the whole or more sentenced to death by the mouth of that audacious Traytor Bradshaw was the 30. of January 1648. in pursuance of their designes most execrably murthered before His Pallace at White-Hall by severing His head from His body A Prince whose vertues far exceeded any Eulogy we can bestow upon Him His own pencill best pourtraies Him the greatness of His worth being best expressed in the many miseries sustained by His losse But the end of their malice rested not here it reached also to His posterity whom by Proclamation they deprive of all Right in the Government of these three Kingdomes and vote the Kingly Office quite down contrary both to the Word of God and the Fundamental Laws of the Nation Yet though they cast a fair glosse on the matter every ones Comment did not agree with their Text and first Ireland saving onely Dublin and London Derry shew their dislike by revolt for the Marquesse of Ormond and the Lord Inchiquine having made a peace with the Quondam Rebels with a joynt consent Proclaime His Eldest Son King by the name of Charles the second solemnly inviting Him to come over to them being then in France with His Mother But the King though against the advice of His Mother as plausibly as he might waves this invitation because he was unwilling to distaste His better friends in England and Scotland by seeming to countenance those with His presence whom they suppos'd he had already too much countenanced with His commission And indeed it fell out much for the best considering the sudden ill successe of His friends there For their numerous Army amounting to no lesse then twenty two thousand men with which they were then beleaguering Dublin either by the carelesness of the Commanders or security of the Souldiers was beat from before it by the besieged and utterly routed by the third part of their number Soon after Cromwell also arrived there with an Army sent out of England to perfect their work of deformation who soon made the Conquest compleat putting many of the Irish to death especially at Tredagh where he continued Killing in cold blood for four days together pretending they were Rebels quite forgetting what himself and his masters were In the year 1649. a part of the Army falsly and undeservedly by Cromwell and his Faction called Levellers make a defection from the rest for they observing the exorbitant Counsels of Cromwell and his Council of State were resolved not to be instruments of bâ—inging the kingdome into further slavery but rather to assert their own and the Nations liberty and it is thought to joyn with the King whom they had fought against rather then lose their enterprise Whether such were their intentions or no I shall not debate but sure it is that those differences did not make ill for the Royall party who seeing the opportunity were not idle so that in a short time their designes were render'd so probable that His Majesty was resolved to transport himself into Jersey then in the safe hands of the Earl of Yarmouth to attend the success Whence if occasion serv'd he might with more ease waft himself into the West of England which part it is said that upon notice of the Southern disorders he was to have fallen While His Majesty stayd in Gersey he summons Guernsey but in vain and because that seemed not to be misfortune enough he received the news of the Levellers being utterly quell'd through the treachery of Aeres and Reynolds for which piece of service Cromwell was not ungratefull the forces of Cromwell falling upon them while they were in treatie suspecting nothing lâ—ss then force of Armes Upon this the King retired again into France though he were the sooner forc'd to doe it because he had certain intelligence that the Enemy was sending a fleet of ships to take from him that small remnant of His large dominions that yet remain'd unreduced But from Scotland far greater dangers threatned the Parliamentary Juncto for though the Scots had sold their King before yet feigning an abhorrency of the English proceedings and that the world might take notice they were innocent of His murther they likewise Proclaime Prince Charles King of Great Brittain France and Ireland and thereupon send Mr. Windram Laird of Libberton to treat with His Majesty about sundry articles before His reception to the Crown who having received his dispatches hasts unto Him being then in the Isle of Jersey The summe of their desires was to this effect 1. That His Majesty would graciously be pleased himself to signe the solemne League and Covenant and that he would passe an Act in Part that every person in that kingdome might take it 2. That He would passe divers Acts of the Parliament of Scotland which was concluded on the two last Sessions 1. For approving of their disclaiming Duke Hamiltons last return for receiving severall Acts made by the English for the Militia 2. That the Kings of Scotland may have no Negative voice 3 That His Majesty would recall the late Commissions given to Montrosse 4. That He would put away all Papists from about Him 5. That He would appoint some place about Holland to treate with their Commissioners An Honorable company of the most noble Lords in Scotland being to be appointed to attend His Majesty to whom likewise they send a sufficient provision to maintain Him a traine suitable to His birth and deserved greatnesse 6. That He would be graciously pleased to give a speedy answer to their desires By these proâ—ositions the Reader may perceive that notwithstanding their pretensions they intended Him a King onely conditionally and indeed those bitter pills they afterwards made him swallow may give the world just cause to think that their self ends bore greater sway with them then Love and Loyalty to His Majesty However nowithstanding the Lord Cleaveland and others alledged their Treachery unto His Father that they were Scots still and might doe the same unto Him That the Marquesse of Montrosse who had lately received Commissions to assault the North of Scotland was raising forces in Holland of whose valour and fidelity he need not to doubt of the Majority of voices carrying it for a Treaty it was resolved on and this answer returned to their Propositions That as to what was acted in the two last Sessions of Parliament He was content a generall Act of Oblivion should be passed but could not approve it That neither those of Montrosses nor Duke Hamiltons party in his last engagement should bear Office
security to all interests to perswade a re-admission of the Lord Richard to his Protectorship which was well answered by a stout Officer telling them their onely end in that was to set up one again whom they themselves had already learn'd to pull down that they were under command and knew it their duty not to dispute but to submit to what orders they received from their superiours which they likewise wished them to doe The dispute being ended they prepare for action but Col. Alureds Troop deserting them Lambert seeing himself forsaken seeks to fly but providence had so ordered it that notwithstanding he was mounted on a Barbery which might have hastned him in his flight yet being on ploughed land his Horse was of little advantage to him And now he who before had gained the name of stout and valiant in many battles when he saw Col. Ingoldsby ride up to him and demand him prisoner was presently taken without drawing his sword and driven to that pittyfull shift to cry out Pray my Lord let me Escape Pray my Lord let me Escape There were taken with him Colonel Cobbet Major Creed Lieutenant Colonel Young Captain Timothy Clare Captain Gregory and Captain Spinage and some other private souldiers Colonel Okey Colonel Axtel and Captain Cleer Okeys son in law escaped though pursued four miles April the 24. the day before the Parliament sitting they were brought up prisoners to the Council who after examination committed Lambert Cobbet and Creed close prisoners to the Tower The same day the Militia forces of the City Trained Bands and Auxiliaries according to an Order of the Council marched into Hide Park the Mayor in his Coller of S's with the Mace Sword and Cap of Maintenance the Aldermen in Scarlet and the Commissioners of the Militia in handsome equipage going before them to a place erected for their entertainment Each Col. had his Tent and their Regiments very full severall of the Nobility and Gentry of great quality going as Voluntiers in Alderman Robinsons Regiment were 250. in the rest very many The Regiments were all so gallantly accountered as did sufficiently speak both the riches and strength of the City there being little visible difference betwixt the Trained Bands and Auxiliaries but onely in their age This certainly was an happy Omen of our future settlement that the day before the sitting of the Parliament there should not onely appear so gallant a Body of able Citizens to defend them but the Chief of that faction that endeavoured the disturbance of the Nation should be delivered into their hands and the rest of his Accomplices timely discovered and dispersed April 25. both Houses of Parliament met at Saint Margarets Church in Westminster where Doctor Reynolds preached before them taking his Text out of Mal. 4. ver 2. The Sermon ended they repaired to their Houses The Lords made choice of the Earl of Manchester for their Speaker the House of Commons of Sir Harbotle Grimstone This was a great joy to the whole Nation to see our Grand Council restored again to their former priveledges a large step to our ancient freedome yet not comparable to what the first of May produced when both Houses of Parliament and Generall Monck received each of them a Letter from his most Sacred Majesty King Charles the second with a gracious Declaration to all his Loving Subjects brought by Sir John Greenvil since made Earl of Bath His Letters speake his piety and unwearied care for his Subjects prosperity desiring rather to prepare and improve the affections of his Subjects at home for his restauration then to procure assistance from abroad though then propounded to him to invade either of his kingdomes Our intended brevity will not permit us to give you the exact draught of his Letters though deserving to be Registred in Letters of Gold take a view of his gracious expressions of piety goodness and love to the Nation in this his following Declaration CHARLES R. CHARLES by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all our Loving Subjects of what degree or quality soever greeting If the generall distraction and confusion which is spread over the whole kingdome doth not awaken all men to a desire and longing that those wounds which have so many years together been kept bleeding may be bound up all we can say will be to no purpose However after this long silence We have thought it Our duty to declare how much We desire to contribute thereunto And that as We can never give over the hope in good time to obtain the possession of that Right which God and Nature hath made our due so we doe make it our daily suit to the Divine Providence that he will in compassion to Us and Our Subjects after so long misery and suffering remit and put Us into a quiet and peaceable possession of that Our right with as little blood and damage to Our people as is possible Nor doe we desire more to enjoy what is Ours then that all Our Subjects may enjoy what by Law is theirs by a full and entire Administration of Justice throughout the Land and by extending Our mercy where it is wanted and deserved And to the end that the fear of punishment may not engage any Conscious to themselves of what is passed to a perseverance in guilt for the future by opposing the quiet and happinesse of their Country in the restauration both of King Peers and People to their Just Ancient and Fundamentall Rights We do by these presents declare That We doe grant a free and generall pardon which We are ready upon demand to passe under Our Great Seal of England to all Our Subjects of what degree or quality soever who within fourty days after the publishing hereof shall lay hold upon this Our grace and favour and shall by any publick Act declare their doing so And that they return to the Loyalty and Obedience of good Subjects excepting onely such persons as shall hereafter be excepted by Parliament Those only excepted let all Our Loving Subjects how faulty soever relie upon the word of a King solemnly given by this present Declaration That no Crime whatsoever committed against Us or Our Royall Father before the Publication of this shall ever rise in Judgment or be brought in Question against any of them to the least endamagement of them either in their Lives Liberties or Estates or as far forth as lies in Our power so much as to the prejudice of their Reâ—utations by any Reproach or term of distinction from the rest of Our best Subjects We Desiring and Ordaining that hence forward all Notes of Discord separation and difference of parties be utterly abolished among all Our Subjects whom We invite and conjure to a perfect Union among themselves under Our Protection for the Re-settlement of Our Just Rights and theirs in a free Parliament By which upon the word of a King We will be advised And
should return to our Royall Soveraign without some Testimony of their respects to your self They have therefore ordered and appointed that 500 l. shall be delivered unto you to buy a Jewell as a Badge of that Honour which is due to a person whom the King hath Honoured to be the messenger of so Gracious a Message and I am commanded in the name of the House to return you their very hearty thanks And as at land such was the affections of the Seamen where Generall Mountague having received two Letters the one from His Ma esty the other from the most Illustrious Duke of Yorke as also those others sent to the House of Commons and his Excellency together with His Majesties Gracious Declaration he immediately caused a great gun to be shot off the usuall summons to call his Officers together who coming aboard he communicated His Majesties Letters unto them which being read with anunamimous consent they declared themselves for His Majesty professing their exact Loyalty to live and die in his defence deâ—â—ring the Generalls of the Fleet humbly to present the lame to His Majesty But no sooner did the under Sea-men hear thereof but their over-joy'd hearts burst forth into loud acclamations of joy this news was more welcome to them then had they taken the wealth of the West Indies for prize And now to expresse their Loyalty the Generall himself fired a great Gun crying God blesse His Majesty Then might you see the Fleet in her pride with Pendants loose Guns roaring Caps flying and loud Vive le Roys ecchoed from one ships Company to another which were answered with the great Guns from Deal and Sandwich Castles The Noble Generall gave two pipes of Canary to the Commanders and Gentlemen in his ship And as at sea so in Ireland was seen the same complyance for the Convention there hearing what was done in England send a Declaration hither wherein they first expresse their disclaime of the sinfull and exemplary force put upon the House iâ— 1648. and whereas also the said persons did presume to erect a high Court of Justice and by an ugly and execrable sentence condemn the King to death they do declare their detestation of the fact and protest against those inhuman unparallell'd and barbaâ—ous actions as being the foulest and highest assassination that ever prot hane or sacred History ever recorded May the 8. 1660. His Majesty was solemnly Proclaimed by the Loâ—ds and Commons the Lord Mayor c. in the Cities of London and Westminster with an universall testification of Loyalty from all degrees of people The manner whereof being so remarkable each â—erson in his proper Sphear contending to out-vy each other in expressions of obedience to His Sacred Majesty take as followeth Between one and two of the Clock the Lords met in the Painted Chamber where they continued till they were placed in order the Earl of Manchester Speaker first then the Duke of Buckingham the Earl of Oxford c. Thus they walked all along with the Heralds before them through the Court of Requests and Westminster-Hall to the Pallace where they staid befoâ—e the Hall gate whither also presently after came the House of Commons Being placed in order both Lords and Coâ—mons stood bare whilest Mr. Bish dictated and Mr. Râ—ley king at Armes with a loud voice Proclaimed Charles the second in these words The Proclamation Although it can no may be doubted but that His Majesties Right and Title to His Crown and Kingâ—omes is and was eâ—ery way compleated by the death of his most Royall father of glorious memory without the Ceremony or solemnity of a Proclamation yet since Proclamations in such cases have been always used to the end that all good subjects might upon this occasion testify their duty and respect And since the armed violence and other the Calamities of many years last past have hitherto deprived us of any such opportunity whereby we might express our Loyalty and allegiance to His Majesty We therefore the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament together with the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London and other freemen of this kingdome now present do according to our Duty and Allegiance heartily joyfully and unaminously acknowledge and proclaime That immediately upon the decease of our late Soveraign Lord King Charles the Imperial Crown of the Realme of England and of all the Kingdomes Dominions and Rights belonging to the same did by inherent Birth right and lawfull undoubted succession descend and come to His most Excellent Majesty Charles the second as being lineally justly and lawfully next Heir of the Bloud Royal of this Realme and that by the goodness and providence of Almighty God He is of England Scotland France and Ireland the most potent mighty and undoubted King And thereunto we most Humbly and Faithfully do submit and obliege our selves our Heires and Posterity for ever God save the King The Proclamation being ended the Lords and Commons took their Coaches proceeding to the further solemnity of proclaiming His Sacred Majesty as followeth First the Head Bayliffe of Westminster and his Servants riding with White staves to prepare the way then followed a gallant Troop of Officers of the Army and other Gentlemen with Trumpets before them then the Life-guard very stately mounted and richly clothed after them a Class of six Trumpets and three Heralds then a Herald between the Serjeant to the Commons and the Mace of the Council next Mr. Ryley king at Armes in his rich coat of the Kings Armes between Serjeant Norfolk and Serjeant Middleton after whom came the Usher of the Black Rod and Mr. Bish together These ushering the way in the next place came the Earl of Manchester Speaker to the House of Lords in his Coach and six Horses then the Speaker of the House of Commons in his then his Excellency the Lord Generall in his after which followed both Houses of Lords and Commons in their Coaches and last of all a Troop of Horse In this manner they came to White-hall where they Proclaim'd His Majesty a second time and then in like order proceeded Being come to Arundell-House they made a stand where Mr. Ryley king at Armes taking one of the Heralds and six Trumpets with him advanced forward toward Temple-Bar which according tâ— agreement being shut he came to the gate knocked â—nd demanded entrance being asked who it was that knocked he replyed that if my Lord Mayor would come to the gate he would deliver his Message to him who accordingly coming the Trumpets sounded after which silence being made it was demanded of the king of Armes Who he was and what was his message to which he answered We are the Heralds at Armes Appointed and Commanded by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled to demand entrance into the famous City of London to proclaime Charles the second King of England Scotland and Ireland and we expect your speedy answer to this demand to this they answered
Foxes Martyrology not any who had the least appearance of Noblenesse and worth but suffered by death or sequestration whilest his own Mushrom'd Gentility sprung up in a Night of Rebellion were the simple nothings then adored His spies of whom he had many were very usefull to him the charges of whom amounted to no lesse then two hundred Thousand pounds per annum These were not onely distributed about all places of England but very conversant in the Courts of most Christian Princes by this silver hook he gained intelligence from most places and seldome are any secrets so close lock't up that a golden key will not open Then for Souldiers he took such a course that he had always enough of them having brought the Commons so low by want of Trade that they must either take up Armes or starve nor would he want occasion to keep up an Army on foot for when he had no cause he could soon create one witness the war he made with Spain Englands fast friend in all the late troubles by which the Trade of England hath been more detrimented then by all the wars we have had since 1638. Having thus tyrannized over England the space of five years he at last made his exit in a most horrible tempest we may well say that God was not in that winde though we have cause to praise his blessed and holy name for that wind-fall As he lived unbeloved so he died unlamented breathing out his soul with the sin of perjury for at his being chosen Protector he called God to witness he was against Englands government being made Hereditary abusing to that purpose the saying of Solomon Ecclesiastes 2.19 Who knoweth whether his son shall be a wise man or a fool Yet at his death he endeavoured all he could to settle it in his posterity leaving his Son Richard Protector of England and his Son Henry Lord Lieutenant of Ireland And though at his death the Common-wealth was indebted some millions of pounds yet never was any King of England buried in that state as was this grand Tyrant the charges of his funerall amounting to no lesse then sixty thousand pounds besides that he was presumptuously interred among His Majesties Ancestors at Westminster in that very place where His Majesty had intended for His own rest as if he had resolved not only to detain Him from His right when He was alive but when He was dead also The Protector being interred among the Kings and Queens at Westminster at a vaster charge then had been used before in the richest times his Son Richard an honest private gentleman well beloved in Hampshire ascended the throne by the invitation and encouragement of Fleotwood Desborough Sydenham the two Jones's Thurlow and others the relations and confidents of his father and by the contrivance of the Court received congratulations prepared at Whitehall from most of the Counties and Cities of England and from the Armies of England Scotland and Ireland with engagements to live and dye with him with addresses from the Independent Churches brought by Goodwin and Nye their Metropolitans This introduction being made to transferre the Government from the line of the Stuarts to the line of the Cromwells it was conceived by some who had proceeded thus far that a Parliament chosen by influences from Court would easily swallow what was so well prepared to their hands Accordingly it was resolved by the Protectors Juncto that a Parliament should be called who being met at the time and place appointed they first declare Richard Cromwell Lord Protector and chief Magistrate of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland Then they vote after 14. days opposition from the honest party in the house to transact with the new House of Lords Other things they did not so pleasing to the Protector and his party For they order a Committee to look after the accompts of the Nation in order to retrenching and lessening the charge of the Common-wealth They had also by a saving vote asserted their interest in the fleet and had under consideration an act for taking away all Laws Statutes and Ordinances concerning Excise and Tunnage and Poundage after three years Proceeding thus successfully with much satisfaction to the Nation the Protector and the Officers of the Army who before were jealous of one another grew now jealous of the House of Commons and therefore they thought it seasonable to contend for the power before the People should recover it from them both In order hereunto the Officers of the Army keep their Councels at Wallingford-House and the Protector with his party countermin'd them at Whitehall The result of the Officers debates was a Canting Representation written in such an equivocating language that the sting was easily visible through the Honey Hereupon the Protector begins to think of securing himself and forbids their meetings but in vain Wherefore both sides keep guards one against another day and night In this divided posture affairs continued till Friday the 22. of Aprill 59. on which morning early the Protectors brother Fleetwood Disborough his Unkle carrying the greater part of the Army with them and the Protectors party flinching the conquest was obtain'd without one drop of blood and the Protector forc'd to consent to the dissolving of the Parliament contrary to the best advice his own interest and promises Far different was the courage of this young Protector from that of our magnificent Hero Henry the 5. who having hastily taken the Crown from the pillow of his not yet deceased father and being by him with a sad sigh told that God knew how unjustly he had gotten it replyed That since his father had by his sword attained it and being now at his death by Gods Providence devolved on him that therefore his sword should maintain it as his Right against all opposers But our pittifull Protector wanted both his wit and valour for having by fortune gotten a Crown without the effusion of either bloud or treasure yet was loth to do so much as to draw a sword for its preservation thus according to the English Proverb Lightly come lightly go men seldome prizing that which they never sweat for The fathers servants being now grown the Sons Masters allow him some thousands of pounds and order him to retire into the Country but the turning out Richard was not all they had to do his Brother Henry was still possessed of Ireland who was looked upon as a man of a more couragious spirit and doubtless they had found him so would the Officers of the Army have stuck close to him as at first they promised but they according to the course of the world left him when he had most need of them and so made him incapable either of assisting himself or restoring his Brother The Protector being thus devested of all power and authority Lambert comes again upon the stage a person of so large a spirit and undaunted courage that Oliver fearfull of his great endownments had
Sir if it please you to have a little patience we shall speedily give you an answer to your message After some little conference between the Lord Mayor and Aldermen the Gates were opened and the king at Armes entred with Trumpets sounding before him and was joyfully received by the Lord Mayor in his Crimson Velvet Gown and Hood the Aldermen and Sheriffs in Scarlet and the Officers of the Militia gallantly accoutred on Horse-back Both sides of the streets were guarded by the Mililia forces of London from Temple-Bar to the Old Exchange and stood all with their swords drawn as also the Officers and severall spectators in windows The City Horse fell in next the Life-guard then the Lord Mayor and Aldermen after whom the Herald and the rest as formerly When they came to Chancery-lane end they proclaimed His Majesty a third time where at the word Charles the second in the Proclamation the king at Armes lifting himself up with more then ordinary cheerfulness and expressing it with a very audible voice the people presently took it and on a suddon carried it to the Old Exchange which was pu sued with such shouts that is was near a quarter of an hour before silence could be made to read the rest of the Proclamation After this they went to Cheapside where His Majesty was proclaimed a fourth time the shouts of the people then being so great that though Bow-bells were then ringing yet could not the sound of them be heard Thence they went to the Old Exchange where His Majesty was again proclaimed with the loud shouts and acclamations of the people and so the solemnity ended But to recount the numberless number of Bonfires the ringing of Bells shooting off Guns and the joyfull expressions of the people that attended this gallant and well ordered procession would wear a pen of steel to the stumps and tire the hand of the most unwearied writer But this joy was not confined within the walls of the City the whole Kingdome participating of the benefit so did they also share in the triumph Our Chronicles make mention even to admiration of the solemnities at the Coronation of Richard the first but no History can shew a president of such transcendent joy as was at the proclaiming of Charles the second Take a view of their solemnities at Sherborn in Dorsetshire by which you may give a guesse at the rest On Munday May 14. the Kings Majesty after solemne prayers praises and a seasonable premonition at the Church by Mr. Bampfield to prevent exorbitancie was with high expressions of joy proclaimed by Mr. Birstal Master of the kings School there to whom Sir John Strangways High Steward of Sherborn-Castle did read the Proclamation himself not being able by reason of his age to utter it with so loud and audible voice as was requisite The performance was attended by divers persons of quality viz. Mr. George Digby second Son to the Earl of Bristoll Esquire Fulford Esquire Rogers one of Judge Mallets sons and many other Esquires and Gentlemen who brought with them as many Horse and Foot well armed as together with the Town Forces made up between five and six thousand Besides the melody of divers Consorts of Loud Musick there were the Martiall Noises of many Drums and Trumpets innumerable Volleys of shot the continuall ringing of Bells and loud acclamations of many Thousands of Men Women and Children had that thwack'd the streets so full that thousands of people as well in Armes as others were constrained to stay in the fields for want of room to receive them The very Earth did seem to quake and the Aire to tremble at the mighty rending shouts that were at that irerated On the top of the Tower of the Ancient Cathedrall were four large white flags with red crosses in them displayed on high poles The Conduit that day and the next ran with Claret besides many Hogsheads of March-bear and large Baskets of white loaves set out in the street for the Poor In the close of the day some of the witty wags of the Town did very formally represent an High Court of Justice at the Sessions Bench whither by a formidable guard was brought a grim Judge or Lord President in a Bloud-red Robe and a tire for his Head of the same Hue who being gravely set down in the Chair of Judicature with sundry asseslours the Cryer in the Name of the Supreme Keeper of the Liberties of England did command silence After the appointing of an Attorney Generall a Solliciter Generall and other Officers for the due constituting of so High a Court and the empanneling of a Jury John Bradshaw and Oliver Caomwell whose Effigies were artificially prepared and brought thither by a Guard of Souldiers were indicted of High Treason and murthering of the King commanded to hold up their bloudy-hands which for the purpose were besmeared with bloud They were asked Whether they did own the Authority of the Court which being silent the whole multitude present cryed out Justice my Lord Justice on these bloody Traytors and Murtherers They were asked again whether they owned the Authority of the Court and upon refusall sentence was passed upon them to be dragg'd to the place of Execution to be there hang'd upon two Gibbets forty foot high on both sides the States Armes which had lately been erected by Captain Chasee one of Lamberts Champions which sentence was accordingly executed The Honest Officers that dragg'd them to Execution from the lower part of the Town to the upper had many a blow with Fists Swords Halberts and Pikes which were aimed at the execrable Malefactors As they hung upon the Gibbets they were so hack'd and hew'd so gored and shot through that in a short time little remained besides Cromwells Buffe-coat and Bloudy scarfe that was worth the burning yet would nor the people be satisfied till they had made a fire between the Gibbets and burnt all they could get of their garbage or garments and at last tore down the States Armes to help make up their funerall pile At night besides the multitude of Bonfires there were three huge piles of faggots fired on the brows of three of the Highest Hills about a mile distant from the Town which were visible over all the Marshes of Sommerset-shire in part of Wales and the greatest part of Black-moor This extraordinary joy of the people of this Town might perhaps proceed from the native Genius of the place which having enjoyed formerly the residence of many a King and Bishop and the felicities that attend those Governments in Church and State did cause them to be even transported with joy at the restitution of the one and fair hopes of restauration of the other to these so long harrased Kingdomes and Churches And now the Parliament and City like the men of Israel and Judah when David was forced from Jerusalem by Absalon strive who shall be forwardest to bring the King home The Parliament ordered 50000l to be presented to His