some few Vipers among them that cast this mist of undutifulnesse over most of their eyes yet to say truth there was a good number there that could not be infected with this contagion in so much that some did expresse their duties in speaking which was the Generall fault of the House the last day To conclude as these Vipers must look for their reward of punishment so you my Lords must justly expect from me that favour and protection that a good King oweth to his loving and dutifull subjects And now my Lord Keeper doe what I command you who in the Kings name dissolv'd the Parliament The Parliament being dissolv'd the King sets forth a Declaration of the Causes Grounds and Motives that caused him to dissolve them together with an account of all the Transactions of this and the last Parliament Not long after the King sent for ten of the last Parliament to appeare at the Councell Table viz. Mr. Hollis Sir Miles Hobert Sir John Eliot Sir Peter Hayman Mr. Selden Mr. Stroud Mr. Correton Mr. Valentine Mr. Long Mr. Kirton who having been examin'd by the Lord Treasurer some were sent to the Tower some to the Gate-House others to the Fleete which afterward begot a very high controversie in Law The Queen being affrighted was before her time delivered of a Son who was baptized Charles which lived not above two houres The States of Venice sent over an Ambassadour to mediate for a peace betwixt us the French which was concluded in eight Articles and confirmed with solemn Oaths on both sides Two great Reasons were given for the Kings suddaine consent to a peace the one was the ill successe and bad fortune that alwayes attended his warlike designes the other and maine the sinews of war being dried and shrunk up the Exchequer was very barren Peter Reuben the famous Painter of Antwerp came over into England and made overtures of a peace with Spaine by offering the restitution of the Palatinate then which nothing was more desirable of the King but he had not full power to performe On the 29 of May 1630. the Queen was deliver'd of her second Son who was baptized the 27 of June at St James's with all Princely ceremony and named Charles which caused great rejoycings and acclamations among the people excepting the Puritan party At his birth a Star appeared visibly at noone day just as the King went to St Pauls Church to give thankes where he was presented with these Verses When to Pauls-Cross the Gratefull King draw nere A shining Star did in the Heavens appeare Thou that consults with divine Mysteries Tell me what this bright Comet signifies Now is there borne a valiant Prince i' th West That shall Eclipse the Kingdoms of the East The King being deeply sensible of his brothers miseries and being informed of a Diet at Ratsbone sent Sir Robert Anstruther Ambassadour to the Emperour and Estates in Germany to mediate in his brothers behalfe to which the Emperour return'd Answer that no forraine businesse was to be medled withall at the Diet but as soone as possibly he could he would doe that which might be for his Honour and he hoped to his Majesties content upon which the Ambassadour returnes One Layton a Rigid Presbyter who published a book call'd Zions Plea in which he excited the Parliament and People to kill all the Bishops Very abusive also to the Queene calling her the Daughter of Heth a Canaanite an Idolatresse was sentenced in the Star-Chamber to have his nose slit his eares cropt and stigmatized in the forehead which he for some time prevented by an Escape out of the Fleete but being taken underwent it The Peace betwixt England and Spaine was at last concluded the Articles being the same in effect with those that were betwixt King James and Philip the Third excepting that the King of Spaine should dispose of all his Interest in the Emperour toward the restitution of the Palatinate which was proclaimed Sunday the 27 of November 1630. with Great solemnity Aprill the 25. 1631. Mervin Lord Audley Earle of Castle-Haven was arraigned at the Kings-Bench Bar before Thomas Lord Coventry who for that day was appointed Lord High Treasurer of England he being found Guilty of Rape and Sodomy was by his Peeres condemned and Executed the 14 of May at Tower hill And on the 27 of June following Mr. Broadway and Fitz Patrick servants to and concriminaries with the Lord Audley were tryed at the Kings-Bench-Bar and being found Guilty the one of Rape the other of Sodomy were condemned and on the sixt of July were executed at Tyburne The Queene was the 4th of November 1631. deliver'd of her eldest Daughter who was baptized Mary December 2d 1632. The King was visited with the small Pox but by Gods blessing soone recovered Anno 1632. The Church of St Paul which by the pious zeale of our Auncestors was raysed to that huge bulke that all Christendome was not able to paralell being through age decayed was by the piety of his Majesty the Bishops the Nobility Gentry and Commonalty of the Nation begun to be repaired and a very great progresse was made therein but the unhappy differences of the Nation ensuing caus'd its obstruction Anno 1633. The King having been often solicited to goe into Scotland in order to his personall Coronation on the 13th of May he sets forward with a Princely Traine most of the English Nobility all the Scots that attended here and on the way was very Nobly treated by diverse of the Nobility and Gentry ospecially by the Earle of Newcastle at Welbeck On the 10 of June he came safe to Edenborough where he was Crowned with all outward seeming affection and on the 20 of July return'd safe to the Queen at Greenwich In the beginning of August dyed the Reverend Prelate George Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury William Laud then of London immediately succeeded him October the 13th 1633. the Queen was delivered of her second Son who was baptized James and on the 24 of the same moneth was by Letters pattent created Duke of York The King taking into his Princely care the Irreverend and remisse service of God in the Kingdome of Scotland sent Orders to be observed by the Deane of his Chappell as in England 1 That prayer be said twice a day according to the English forme 2 The Sacrament to be administred once a moneth and to be received Kneeling 3 That he which Officlates on Holy dayes doe it in his Surplice Which though backt with a Letter requiring exact obedience the Deane durst not performe for feare of discontenting the people The King by the Advice of the Bishops and Councell Reviv'd his Fathers Declaration for tolerating Lawfull Sports on the Sunday which gave great distast to the people especially to the puritanicall party On the second of February being Candlemas day at night the King and Queene were entertained at White Hall with a Mask of the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court The
the stoutest men of the Enemies Army Apprentices and Seamen and such as had been in Armes for the King The fight continued for six houres they valiantly disputed in every streete at last the Towne is taken with the loss of sixty men in it were taken 1300 prisoners diverse of quality 400 Horse eight pieces of Ordinance with good store of booty The Generall shewed personall Valour by Charging in his slippers Many of the Kentish forces march over Rotchester bridge toward London where on Black heath they muster a considerable Army whither many apprentices and resolute persons repaire under the Command of old Goring The Essex men had by this time secured the Committee men and sent to require an answer to their Petition to which the Parliament speedily send an answer The Sea-men likewise Revolt and refuse to receive the Earle of Warwick but upon their own tearmes they likewise sent Vice-Admirall Rainsborough on shoare and unanimously declare for the King Whilst the Earle of Warwick shews his affection for the Parliament his brother the Earle of Holland unfortunately riseth in armes with the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Francis who with 500 Horse at Kingston take the advantage of the Armyes dividing But by the care and industry of Sir Miles Livesey who fell on them they were put to flight The Lord Francis refusing quarter was kild Major Dalbere and diverse others were kild the Earle of Holland fled to St Needs where he was totally subdued and taken by Colonell Scroope and immediately sent prisoner to Warwick Castle While the Essex men were requiring an act of Indempnity Sir Charles Lucas was come to Chensford with a party of 2000 Horse and foote Colonell Whaly was orderd to goe against them Those with Goring being denied a passage over London bridge come over on Essex side secure Bow bridge with a small party whilst the rest march further into the County Sir John Owen in North-Wales endeavours to raise forces for the King which the Sheriffe of a County Indeavoured to impede but being too weake was taken prisoner and his party supprest a second time severall partyes well affected to the Parliament joyne together and with contrary successe to the former fell upon Sir John Owen tooke him prisoner and totally disperst his forces Pomfret castle is likewise surprized by one Morrice The Generall spared what forces he could over into Essex with the assistance of the well affected of the County who pursued the Enemy till they came to Colehester which Towne they closely begirt but diverse times sallyes were made out to fetch in provisions The Lieutenant Generall having laine long before Pembrooke Castle and hearing of the Scots on their March for England and the Report of the Prince Duke of York being at Sea thought fit to give Conditions to Poyer and Langhorne for the delivering up of the Towne and Castle that thereby he might have Liberty to advance Northwards which Conditions were accepted And to say truth as things then stood it was of a considerable value as to the service of the Parliament On the 13 of July Marquesse Hamilton enterd England with an Army of 9000 Horse and foote the Generality of the people of Scotland were wholly averse to it the Ministers every where exclaiming against the Duke The Duke immediately sent a Letter to Lieutenant Generall Lambert of the Grounds and Motives of their coming into England which the Lieutenant Generall as speedily answer'd The Parliament immediately Vote that those Scots that enter England in a Hostill way with authority of Parliament are enemies to the Kingdome of England and shall be proceeded against as such July the 17. the Commons debate to what place his Majesty shall come and concluded the King name three places two whereof within twenty miles of London and one within ten and the Parliament to make choice of one of the three Mr Ashurst comes from Scotland with a Declaration of the Councell of Estate in which they declare that they were Invited in upon which the Parliament Vote all those hat Invited them in to be traytors On the 18 of July the Commons consider'd of a personall treaty with his Majesty and having duly weighed all the Inconveniences that might arise by his Majesties coming to London and duly considerd all the objections against his Majesties granting the three Propositions before the Treaty they resolv'd that the Treaty should be in the Isle of Wight and that it be with Honour freedome and safety they appointed a Committee to consider of time manner and place July 30 they Vote to send to his Majesty to nominate a place in the Island to trat in two of the Commons were orderd to goe to his Majesty to that purpose They likewise order the Earle of Warwick to fight with the Revolted ships notwithstanding their specious Declaration Information was brought to the Parliament that Colonel Bourton Governour of Scarborough Castle had declar'd for the King Major Huntington left the Army having taken distast at the proceedings of some Grandees The Prince from aboard in the Downs sent a Letter to the Speaker of the House of Peeres relating to a Treaty with his Majesty and diverse other particulars which was laid aside On the same day a Petition was presented from the Court of Aldermen and Common Councell of the City of London for a personall Treaty his Majesty to be freed of his restraint Church Government to be setled according to the Covenant all Acts of Hostility to sease to which the Commons promised a speedy and satisfactory answer Lieutenant Generall Cromwell being joyn'd with Lambert their force is 5000 Horse and Dragoones and 7000 foote he sent a Letter to the House giving them an account of his proceedings with a returne of thanks for their care in providing for his Army Tinmouth Castle Revolted but was suddenly retaken The Lieutenant Generall immediately marches to Pomsret assaulted the Towne with much Resolution kild thirty and took an hundred prisoners The Lorch of Middlesex return'd from his Malesty with his answer which was to this effect That if the peace of his Dominions were not dearer to him then any Inlerest he had too much reason to take notice of severall Votes that past against him with his sad condition seven moneths together and sets down what soever he conceives is necessary to so blessed a worke professing he can no more treat in this condition then a blind man judge of colours or that he can run a race whose foote is tyed and therefore desires the recalling of those Votes that bar mean from coming to him and that all that he shall send for for necessary use may have leave to come unto him and waite on him in this treaty the place Newport and that he may be in the same condition that he was in at Hampton Court conceiving he cannot treat in honour so long as men are afraid to come to him for safety he mentions not as not fearing his person
to Next he took care for the solemne Interring of the Royall Corps which on the 14 of May was performed with all funerall Rites his Statue was lively presented on a magnificent Heare King Charles being present thereat His funerall Sermon was preached by Dr Williams Lord Keeper and Bishop of Lincolne King James by his death had intailed a war and an empty Exchequer upon his Successour which in all humane probability was the occasion of the great differences and vast breaches betwixt him and the people The King though much possest with griefe yet there remained some part for love he had still an eye toward France and to manifest it he sent out Letters of procuration to the Duke Chevereux to Espouse the Lady Heneretta Maria which Espousalls were solemnly performed in the Church of Nostredam in Paris The Bride prepares for England the Duke of Buckingham and the Earle of Montgomery with divers other Gentlemen of quality were sent to attend her At Bulloigne she was attended with one and twenty Ships and divers Ladies of Honour and on Sunday the 12 of Jane 1625. she landed at Dover the King then lay at Canterbury and the next day met her at Dover whence with all solemnity she was conducted to Somerset-House in London where a Chappel was prepared for her devotion with a Covent adjoyning of Capuchin Fryers according to the Articles of Marriage London at that time was much visited with the Contagion which broke out under the same roof that it formerly did at King James his Initiation into the Government and that which is more remarkable on the same day The King was not altogether Rapt up with the enjoyment of his deare Consort but he was mindfull of the affaires of State summons a Parliament which being met he speaks to this purpose My Lords and Gentlemen You are not ignorant that at your carnest Intreaty March 23d 1623. my Father of happy memory first took up Arms for the recovery of the Palatinate for which purpose by your assistance he began to forme a considerable Army and to prepare a Goodly Armado and Royall Navy but death intervening between him and the atchievement the war with the Crowne is divolved upon me to the prosecution whereof I am obliged both in nature and Honour so I question not but the same necessity continuing you 'le cherish the Action with the like affection and further it with a ready contribution True it is you furnished my father with affectionate supplyes but they hold no simmetry proportīo with the Charge of so great an enterprize for those your donatives are all disburst to a penny and I am inforc't to summon you hither to tell you that neither can the Army advance nor the Fleete set forth without further ayd Consider I pray you the eyes of all Europe are defixt upon me to whom I shall appeare ridiculous as though I were unable to out goe Muster and Ostentation if you now desert me Consider it is my first attempt wherein if I sustaine a foyle it will blemish all my future Honour If mine cannot let your own reputation move you deliver and expedite me fairely out of this warre wherewith you have encumbred let it never be said wherein you have betraid me I desire therefore your speedy supply speedy I call it for else it will prove no supply the Sunne you know is entring into his declining point so it will be soone too late to set forth when it shall be rather too soone to returne Againe I must mind you of the mortality now Regnant in the City which should it as so it may and no breach of proviledge neither arrest any one member of either House it would soone put a period both to consultation and session so that your own periclitation necessitates an early resolution In summe three of the best Rhetoricians Honour Oportunity and Safety are all of a plot and plead you see for expedition Perhaps it may be expected I should say something in way of account of my Religion as also of the temper and tenure of my future Government but as I hope I have not been guilty of any thing which may justly start the least question in either so I desire you will repose in this assurance that I will in neither vary from those principles wherein I have been instituted at the feete of that eminent Gamaliel my late Father Which being ended he valed his Crowne This Speech I set downe at large it being the first and I think not Inferiour to any for Rhetorick Though this Speech consisted of very pressing Arguments yet the Parliament made but slow hast for they had two Petitions one for Religion the other for Grievances which were presented to King James the last Session but received no answer which Petitions were presented to the King with this pretence that he might have time to consider and give a deliberate answer To the Petition for Religion his Majesty promised very faire but to the Petition for Grievances his Majesty gave very many satisfactory Answers he caused the Accounts of the severall disbursments relating to the Army and Navy to be delivered in to the Parliament which wrought such good effect that they gave him freely two Subsidies from Protestants four from Papists and three from the Clergy The King taking notice of the small appearance in the House by reason of the Infection Adjourn'd the Parliament to Oxford and the first of August the Parliament met at Oxford where they presented his Majesty a Petition against Recusants which the King readily and freely assented to The King urgeth the speedy Contributions which caused great debates some were very free and willing others were backward and pretended the businesse was managed with green heads speaking very unworthily of the Duke the greater part that refused resolved upon a Remonstrance the King being informed of it and fearing the distemper would grow too high dissolves the Parliament In September the States of Holland send over an Ambassadour to request a League offensive and defensive against their common enemies the Emperour and the King of Spaine which the King consented to on condition they would bear a fourth part of the charge of the Fleet Buckingham and Holland are sent over into the Low Countryes to advise with the Ambassadours of severall Princes about the restauration of the Kings sister but they were disappointed for the Danes denied ability the French unwilling upon their returne came the sad newes of the ill successe of our Fleete who put out the 8 of October and by the 12. were dissipated by reason of a furious storme which was so violent that 50 ships of 80 were missing for some time the storme being over a Councell was called and concluded to annoy the Ships in Gades Bay but finding it difficult by reason of a Fort just before it orders were issued out to cleere it or secure it in order to the designe but finding it Impregnable by Sea they conclude to
resorting to Westminster every day caused the King for his own safety to repaire to Hampton Court with the Queen and Prince for which by many good men he was much blamed The next day after the King went to Hampton Court many Citizens with a great company of boats with Guns and flags Guard the five Members in Triumph to Westminster which gave occasion to the King to dislike the City The House of Commons Petition the King for the Militia To which he gives a speedy answer though not satisfying to them They likewise Petition that the five Members may be estated and cleared of that Imputation of Treason To which he answered That he had ground and proofe enough to accuse them but he is willing to forbeare prosecution if that will not doe to satisfie the people he will pass a free and Generall pardon as they shall think fit The King after he had been at Hampton Court some small time sends for the Earle of Essex then Lord Chamberlain and the Earle of Holland Groom of the Stoole to attend him but they refused rather choosing to obey his Writ upon which he sends a Messenger for the Staffe and Key the Ensignes of their Office which they willingly resign'd The Queen having receiv'd a Message from both Houses by the Earle of Newport and the Lord Seamor that they intended to charge her with Treason She answered she never saw any Articles in writing and therefore gave little credit and she hop'd they would lay no aspersions upon her that never mistrusted the actions of one single person much lesse the whole House and that she ever wisht a happy and right understanding betwixt the King and his people In February the King and Queen went to Canterbury and so to Dover with the Princess Mary wife to the Prince of Orange The Queen went along with her into Holland and some affirme carried the choicest Jewells of the Crown with her to pawn During the Kings stay at Canterbury he signed the Bill to take away Bishops Votes in Parliament The King came back to Greenwich and sends for the Duke of York to attend him in his going to York where he intended to reside From Greenwich he removes to Theobalds where he is presented with a Petition for the Militia and likewise to reside neer London and not to take his Son with him The King refused to give any other answer to the Militia then what he had already done and that he should take such care of his Son as should justifie him to God as a Father and to his Dominions as a King and that he conceiv'd himselfe not safe neer London The House immediatly Vote That his Majesties answer was a flat deniall and likewise Order The Earle of Northumberland Lord High Admirall to take care for the providing and rigging of the Royall Navy for the service of the Kingdome The House seeing they could not prevaile with the King for the Militia past an Order for setling the Militia throughout England and Wales in confiding persons hands From Huntingdon the King sent a Message to both Houses shewing the Grounds and Reasons of his removall to York desiring them to expedite the necessary supplyes for Ireland and forbids them by any pretence of Order or Ordinance to meddle with the Militia or to doe or execute any thing against Law he being tyed up by the Law as well as his subjects and must obey Upon which the House drew up a Declaration of their utter dislike of his proceedings The King at Stamford puts forth a Proclamation for putting in execution the Laws against Papists And being at York puts forth a Proclamation for Tunage and Poundage The eight of Aprill 1642. the King sends a message to both Houses declaring his Intentions to goe himselfe in person to chastize the bloody rebells and that he intended to raise forthwith by Commission a Guard for his own person consisting of 2000 foote and 200 horse and to arme them from his Magazine at Hull Upon which the Houses Petition to remove the Magazine from Hull The Gentry Ministers and Freeholders of the County of York Petition the King to which his Majesty gives a speedy and gracious answer The House again Petitions that the Magazine at the Tower of London being much drained that from Hull may be brought up to which his Majesty answered That for the Charge of Locking to the Magazine at Hull as it was by them at first voluntarily undertaken though unnecessarily yet you may free our good people of that Charge and leave it to Vs to look to who are the proper owners of it The Parliament though they could not prevaile by Intreaty resolve to doe it by possicy for they had sent to keep out the Earle of Newcastle and committed the Towne and Fort to a faithfull Friend of theirs Sir John Hotham The County of York petition the King that the Magazine may remaine there for the security of the Northern Countyes and during the Contests the Parliament went on might and maine setling the Militia in many Countyes and by Reason the Earle of Northumberland was indisposed in health and could not attend the Sea-service they petition that the Earle of Warwick may be Admirall The King utterly refuses the Earle of Warwick yet notwithstanding the Earle of Warwick being Encouraged by some Votes of the House though with some opposition got possession of most part of the Navy The King attended by many of the Nobility a great number of Gentlemen and some Souldiers came before the walls of Hull but found the Gates shut and the Bridges drawne up by the Command of Sir John Hotham a Member of the Commons House Sir John Hotham appeared on the wall Kneelling downe Intreating his Majesty not to command that which he must be inforc't at that time to deny and that he could not admit him in without breach of trust to the Parliament craving leave that he might have time of acquaint the Parliament The King being very wrath desired to know if he had any Order in writing expressly to deny his entrance And after some houres stay Proclaimed Sir John Hotham a Traytor after he had received The Duke of York and the Prince Elector out of the Town who had been there one day The King forthwith sends a Message to the Parliament accusing Hotham for a traytor and likewise sent a Letter to the Mayor of Hull to take care that no part of the Magazine should be conveyd away without his consent there were Scouts appointed to Intercept all Letters between London and Hull and a Letter accordingly was Intercepted going from the Parliament to Hull giving encouragement to Sir John to continue firme nothing doubting but they would stick by him The House being Informed of the Intercepting of their Letter Voted it a high breach of the priviledge of Parliament and that what Sir John had done was in obedience to that House and that the proclaiming him a traytor without due process of Law
enemies to the State Petitions were likewise on the other side out of Essex and other Counties presented to the Parliament of their utter dislike of the Armyes proceedings But to close the breach Commissioners are chosen by the Parliament and Army and meete in order to a Right understanding The Parliament order 60000 l. a moneth for payment of the Forces appointed to prevent free quarter Upon his Majesties desire to come neere London the Lords Vote him to come to Otelands so soone as the House can be provided to which the Commissioners consent After his Majesty had been neere five moneths at Holmbey on the fourth of June 1646. neare a thousand Souldiers Commanded by Cornet Joyce came somewhat late to Holmbey and desired to speake with his Majesty it was answered that then it was unseasonable However with much Importunity Cornet Joyce was admitted into his Majesties presence where he tould him he was come by command of the Army to remove him from that place his Majesty replyed it was then too late but in the morning he would speak further with him His Majesty according to his promise came downe in the morning to the Cornet where he was attended by the Souldiers he askt them by what Authority they came there they replyed from the Army He further askt if they came from Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army the Cornet replyed from the Army His Majesty said what if I should refuse to goe with you would you compell me they replyed we hope your Majesty will not refuse but we have command to bring you His Majesty replyed I have these Questions to put to you which if you consent to I will goe with you The first was That he might have no violence offer'd to his person they all unanimously shouted and cryed out none none Secondly He desired that his trunks and papers might not be rifled and tumbled they promised to set a Guard on them and that they should not be toucht Thirdly He requir'd such servants to attend him against whom there was no just acceptions they answered he should Lastly He desired that nothing be Imposed upon him contrary to his Conscience they answered it was not their Judgement to force-any thing against conscience on any one much lesse on his Majesty At one of the Clock his Majesty went along with them The next day the Generall sent a Letter to the Parliament to certifie that he knew nothing of the party that attended his Majesty neither what number nor by what Authority the reason that the party had sent to him he sends up which was that there were certaine persons that intended to take away his Majesty thereby to make a new warre the plot and plotters they were able to prove when call'd thereunto which necessitated them to secure his Majesties person His Majesty was according to his own desire convey'd to Newmarket by this we see clearely that the Greatest in the world are but pilgrims on Earth The Generall and Army Randevouz at St Albones and sent a Letter of his Intentions to come to London with the Army Eleven Members of the Commons House are Impeached by the Army On the 28 of June 1647. His Majesty was brought to Hatfield the Duke of Richmond attending him with many of the old Courtiers Dr Hamond and diverse others of his Chaplains were admitted to read divine service to him according to the Ancient custome of the Church of England The House being Informed of the Duke of Richmond and the Chaplains attendants on his Majesty Order a Letter to be forthwith sent to the Governour for their removall The Generall by Letters certifie the Parliament of his Majesties desire to see his Children and his request for continuance of those persons about him and further to satisfie them that the Army have no treaty with his Majesty nor ayme at nothing more then the setling of the peace of the Kingdome From Hatfield his Majesty was removed to Causum attended by all that waited on him at Hatfield excepting the Duke of Richmond who voluntarily absented himselfe The House according to the Kings request order his Children to goe to him and the Earle of Northumberland to attend them his Majesty was Joyfull at the sight of his Children The Generall being in the presence Chamber was much respected which moved the Princess to aske who it was who being Inform'd it was the Generall she immediately addrest her selfe to him with great civilitie and thankt him for this great happinesse that she then enjoyed the sight of her deare Father effected by him alone which she should ever thankfully acknowledge and endeavour to requite The Generall return'd humble thankes and that what he had done was but the least of those duties he was oblig'd to serve his Majesty and Children in and kissing her Hand withdrew The Eleven Members discharge themselves of their charge and require leave of the House to goe beyond Sea which was consented too Upon the Armyes removing to Bedford his Majesty was brought to Wooborne a House of the Lord of Bedfords with his old attendance The Parliament Order the Militia of London to raise Forces and immediately the Train'd Bands and Auxiliaries are commanded to man the Forts upon Information of the Armyes coming to London Colonell Massey was appointed Major Generall Colonell Poins and others are put into Command The Generall Orders a Randevouz at Hounslow in order to his coming to London thither diverse of the Members of both Houses with the Speaker repaire and consult of Getting the Citie without blood and accordingly a party is sent to face Southwark Fort upon whose approach it was deliver'd up to them The City petitions the Generall The Generall requires all the Forts from Tyburne to the Thames to be delivered up to him that he might Guard the Parliament and secure the eleven Members On the seventh of August the Generall and Army march in triumph through the City most of the Souldiers having Bays in their hatts in token of Victory Immediately Sir Thomas Fairfax is made Constable of the Tower by which he hath power to constitute a Lieutenant and accordingly the Honour was conferd on Colonell Titchburne Massey and Poyns fly over into Holland The Generall presents a Declaration to the House of the Grounds and reasons of the Armyes March The Lords and Commons Null all those Votes that past during the time that the Major part of the House went to the Generall On the twelfth of August was appointed a thanksgiving for the preservation of the City His Majesty was remov'd to Oatlands on the 23 of August he went to Sion to visit his Children and rested that night Upon his Majesties desire he was remov'd to Hampton Court and his Children orderd to be with him Both Houses order the Casting downe of the Workes about the City the maintaining whereof was very chargeable and burthensome The Houses Vote of sending Propositions to his Majesty to which the Scotch Commissioners consent and on the seventh of
the Country people in Armes on their own defence seaze on diverse straglers many expecting no good leave him at last he moves toward Staffordshire Severall parties of Horse were sent after them one meets with Middleton who commanded 400 Horse falls on him disperst his company and took him prisoner Sir Marmaduke Langdale is appareheded in an Inne The Duke sent to the Lord Gray for a Cessation and to render himselfe prisoner to him which accordingly he did Immediately Commissioners are appointed by the Parliament to examine him Colonell George Monroe being newly come into England with a considerable body for a reserve understanding the totall defeat of Hamilton returnes back into Scotland and not long after came the Marquesse of Argile Lord Louden Leaven and other of the Nobility to Lieutenant Generall Cromwell to manifest their utter dislike of Hamiltons coming with an Army and Monroes endeavours to Levy Forces for the prosecution of the War and to desire his assistance against him To which the Lieutenant Generall return'd answer of his wiilingnesse to assist them and to joyne with them to subdue Monro and that he did really believe that God gave the Dukes Army into the hands of those under his Command to make way for the reliefe of the faithfull in Scotland he forthwith communicates it to the House who accordingly Vote that they approve of his Entring Scotland for the assistance of those that endeavour'd to oppose Hamiltons Levies The Parliament Orders so many of the Scots prisoners being in all 15000 that were forc't away be sent home in regard of the dearnesse of provissions The rest to be sent to severall parts abroad The King from Caresbrooke August 28. 1648. sent a Letter to the Speakers of both Houses thus My Lord and Mr Speaker I have receiv'd your Letter of the 25 of this moneth with the Votes that you sent me and though they are not so full as I could have wisht to the perfecting of a Treaty yet because I conceive by what you hav done that I am in some measure fit to begin on such is my uncessant and earnest desire to give a peace to these my now distressed Kingdomes as I now accept the Treaty therefore desire that such five Lords and ten Commons as my two Houses shall appoint be speedily sent fully Anthorized and Instructed to treat with me not doubting but what is now wanting will at our meeting upon debate be fully supplied not onely to the furtherance of this Treaty but also to the Consummating of a safe and well-grounded peace So I rest your good Friend Charles R. Indorsed For the Earle of Manchester Speaker of the House of Peeres pro tempore and William Lenthall He likewise Inclosed the Names of those persons which he desir'd might attend him most whereof were Granted him The Towne of Colchester having held out the longest siege of any Towne in England since the first beginning of the troubles in Expectation of Relief from the North but the Scots Colours being brought before the Towne totally disappointed them of their Expectation and being by famine the sorest of Calamities compeld to deliver the Towne up to mercy they having sed neere ten dayes together on Hors-flesh The Great ones endeavouring to escape were turn'd back by their own men The Towne was deliver'd up on these Conditions The Generall permitting the Common Souldiers to depart with life and the Officers to remaine at his disposall he to exempt from mercy whom he pleased the remainder to be remitted to the mercy of the Parliament The Towne to Rayse 14000 l. to preserve it from plunder And accordingly August 27. they marcht out on the Conditions above exprest The miseries of the Towne were great there being hardly so much as Hors-bread lest to have preserv'd them alive one day On the 28 of August at a Councell of War it was resolv'd that Sir Charles Lucas Sir George Lisle and Sir Barnard Jaskin a Papist be shot to death And accordingly Sir Charles Lucas was brought out into the Castle yard where he insisted upon an appeale but being deni'd he took Courage and looking death in the face with an undaunted resolution submitted himselfe Sir George Lisle was next brought forth who Kist Sir Charles being dead and after private prayer desir d a speedy death more desperate then many of the ancient Romanes on Record It s Credibly reported by Eye-witnesses that upon the very place where they were executed there groweth no grasse notwithstanding all the ground thereabout is very fertill Sir Barnard Jaskin was reprieved The Generall sent immediately a Letter to the Commons giving them an account of the whole proceedings as to Colchester as likewise certified the names of those Officers prisoners which were neere two hundred and to know their pleasure withall Telling them that to satisfie the Souldiery and to take vengeance he had caused to be shot to death Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle the first having contrary to promise falsified his word with him the second directed the shooting of poysoned bullets both being against the Law of Armes August the 31. the Commons took into Consideration the Kings Letter and those persons that he had nominated And by reason that some of them were exempted persons others prisoners or under bail they were not all allowed The rest that his Majesty had nam'd had freedom to goe The next day the Lords and Commons nominated their Commissioners to treat with his Majesty viz. The Earle of Northumberland the Earle of Pembrooke Lord of Salsbury Lord of Middlesex Lord Say and Seale for the Commons Mr Hollis the Lord Wainman Mr Perepoint Sir Harbottle Grinastone Sir Henry Vane Junior Sir John Corbet Mr Crew Mr Samuel Browne Mr Glin and Mr Bulkley The Commons order a Letter to be sent to his Majesty with the names of the Commissioners withall letting him know how far they had proceeded in the Treaty They further considered of Instructions for the Treaty and require money of the City to defray the Charge The Prince Riding in the Downs with the Revolted ships sent a summons to the Earle of Warwick to tender and submit himselfe to the Kings Majesty for the better security and settlement of the Kingdome The Lord Admirall returnes answer that God-willing he will performe the trust reposed in him and for setling the Kingdome he leaves that to the Parliament September 11. a Petition was presented to the Commons entituled The humble Petition of thousands well affected in the City of London giving diverse Reasons why they assisted them in the war with their lives and fortunes giving them to understand that they expected other meanes for a settlement then a personall Treaty as likewise taking particular notice of the severall wants and necessities of the Nation concluding that they had laid to heart the blood and losse of the people and wisht them seriously to consider whether an act of oblivion will satisfie Gods Justice and appease his wrath Which Petition