THE LIFE and REIGNE OF Our SOVEREIGN LORD KING CHARLES the II In a compendious Chronicle relating both to his Majesties Person and Affairs With the chief Transactions of State in the Three Kingdomes from his Birth to this present By a Lover of his Prince and Countrey LONDON Printed by R. DANIEL for FRANCIS EGLESFIELD at the Marigold 〈◊〉 â—t Paul's Church-yard 1660. To the Happy Preserver of his Sacred Majesty the LADY JANE LANE MADAME THis smal Volume humbly Offered to your Hand contains part of the Life and Reigne of one of the Greatest Monarchs in the World The rest 't is hoped as it will be the imployment of a more elegant Pen so it will not be accomplisht till it afford a Chronicle of more years Prosperities in these Nations then this is of Miseries That I have presumed to dedicate it to your Ladiship if I incurre the censure of boldness I am confident every one will commend the fitnesse of my Choice Since nothing could be more proper then to intitle your Ladiship to the Relation of that Life which next under the Divine Providence you were chiefly instrumental to preserve To you Madame we owe all that can be ow'd from Christians Subjects or Men to any person upon Earth by whose dangerous but ever memorable Fidelity we are at length restor'd to whatever is dear to us in those three capacities and which is no small consideration to the liberty of publishing the impartiall truths as far as the best Relations afforded in this Book Nor is the present Age onely oblig'd to you but your glory shall live upon Record and your Name embalmea with praises be preserved in the memory of thankfull Posterity In all which respects I have thought it my duty both in testimony of my particular Loyalty Gratitude to present this Piece to your Ladiship as the Person that ha's the greatest right to it withall publickly to acknowledge my self MADAME Your Ladiships most devoted Servant and Eternal Honorer FR. EGLESFIELD A true and accurate Relation of the LIFE and REIGN Of our Soveraign Lord and KING CHARLES the II. KING Charles the first of that name having soon after his coming to the Crown married Henrietta Maria youngest daughter of Henry the fourth and sister of Lewis the thirteenth Kings of France was blessed with a Son on the twenty ninth day of May one thousand six hundred and thirty Upon whose birth as the King was going in solemn manner to the Church of S. Paul in London to present his gratefull devotions to God for his own and the Nations happinesse in receiving so eminent a Pledge of his favour there was observ'd a new Star appearing in the time of mid-day as if the Heavens seem'd by an extraordinary Production to aemulate the new splendor of the Earth The young Prince was baptised at S. Iames's on the twenty seventh of Iuly next ensuing by the hand of Dr. Laud then bishop of London Dr. Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury being rendred uncapable by an unhappy accident of shooting a man and received his Father's name Charles his Godfathers were his two Uncles Lewis the thirteenth King of France and Frederick King of Bohemia and Prince Elector Palatine of the Rhine whose absence occasioning them to depute their substitutes the late Duke Hamilton represented his Majesty of France and the Duke of Richmond the King of Bohemia His Godmother was Marta de Medicis Queen dowager of France represented by the Dutchesse of Richmond It deserves our notice that he was born the greatest Prince that ever these Nations knew never any before him having been born heir apparent to the Crowns of England Scotland France and Ireland which was intimated in the Silver coynes made at the solemnity of his Baptism on the reverse side whereof were the Armes of those four Kingdomes with this Motto Hactenus Anglorum nulli On the fourth day of November one thousand six hundred thirty one it pleased the Divine Providence to enlarge the Royal Family by the birth of a Daughter the Lady Mary who was afterwards viz. 2. May 1641. married to VVilliam of Nassau Prince of Orange by whom she hath a posthume Son named VVilliam a Princess whose perfections qualifi'd her for the bed of the greatest Potentate in Christendome had not the interest of Religion been more consider'd in her match then amplitude of Territory or Title By the blessing of Heaven upon the Royal bed the King became father to another Son the most illustrious and renouned Iames Duke of York upon the thirteenth of October in the year One thousand six hundred thirty three he was solemnly baptised on S. Iames's day next following and within a few dayes after created Duke of York Title born by his Father during the life of Prince Henry his elder brother This Prince hath though yet in his youth so signalized himself by his valour in the Armies of the Kings of Spain and France that I think this Age nor perhaps any of old cannot afford his parallel His Majesty likewise had another Son brought forth to him by his Royal Consort upon the twentieth day of Iuly 1640. who was Christned Henry and created Duke of Glocester And a Daughter at Excester during the Warres upon the sixteenth of Iune 1644. named after her Royal mother Henrietta Maria. This is the surviving Issue of our late Soveraign of blessed memory And having thus briefly given an account of the Parentage and Birth of these Illustrious Princes I shall proceed to represent the Life of Him who is particularly the Argument of this Relation CHARLES Prince of Wales now our Soveraign Lord King of Great Britain France and Ireland c. The care of his Infancy was committed to the right honourable the Countess of Dorset wife to the last Earle 'till after some yeares having out-grown female conduct the present Marquess of Newcastle was chosen by the King as a fit person to imbue his Youth with all the accomplishments requisite to greatnesse and the Reverend Dr. Duppa Lord Bishop of Chichester and now of Salisbury as one able to form his tender mind to true Religion and Virtue Every year of his Childhood afforded new promises and hopes and even in that age which usually has not the advantage of discretion either totally to subdue or at least to dissemble the motions of passions he express'd on all occasions an extraordinary goodnesse and sweetness of nature seeming to have been born with that equal temper of mind which few men render themselves capable of by the help of Philosophy and Religion Nor were his inclinations to Virtue more remarkable then those he had to excellent and solâ—d Arts which the composednesse of his Genius render'd more acceptable to him then the levity of the most exquisite divertisements In the ninth year of his Age he hapned to break his arme and was very sickly falling first into a Feaver and shortly after into the Jaundies but by the favour of the divine providence he happily overcame
for a Treaty with the King the honester and greater part take heart again recall the Votes of Non-Addresses Vote a Treaty send Commissioners with Propositions to the King All which his Majesty fully consented to and there was no difference between him and the Houses but concerniâ—g Presbytery which he granted should be established for three years All men now hoped for a happy settlement But alas now begin the greatest of our woes The Army who could not think their greatness and power would be durable if the King liv'd draw nearer to London petition for their Arrears and for Justice upon the King as the Capitall cause of the Evils of the Civil War to which effect also they publish a Remonstrance requiring withall that a peremptory Day be set for summoning the Prince of VVales and Duke of York and if they refuse to declare them incapable of Government or succession and to stand exiled as Traytors and if they render themselves yet they to be proceeded against for satisfaction with other damands of the like strain To bring their accursed design to passe Fairfax commands Colonel Hammond to deliver up his charge to Colonel Ewer by whom the King is conveyed out of the Isle of VVight to Hurst Castle Novemb. 30. contrary to the intentions and consent of the Parliament as they declar'd And thus the Treaty was violenty broken off Yet the Lords Vote the King's concessions a sufficient ground for Peace and so do the major part of the Commons But the Army march up to London discharge the Trained Bands from guarding the Parliament and order Pride's and Rich's Regiments to supply their places by whom above fourty Members are seiz'd on and confin'd Major General Brown ninety odde Members excluded the House Then the Army form a new Model of Government which they stile The Agreement of the people destructive to all the Fundamental Laws of the Land which was presented to the new molded House by Sir Hardres VValler and 16. Officers The House hereupon annull the Votes against Non-addresses and exclude all Members that will not joyn with them in this proceeding They then proceed to order the Tryall of the King and remove him though the Lords refus'd to concurre and declare no act of the Commons binding without their consent However force overcomes all Right Reason A pretended High Court of Iustice is erected of which Iohn Bradshaw newly created Serjeant at Law is made President The King is brought before them upon Saturday the 20 of Ianuary 1648. on Monday the 22. on Tuesday the 23. and on Saturday the 27. of the same moneth where persisting with magnanimity and reason to deny the power of the Court and being most impudently and insolently treated by Bradshaw he is condemned to be beheaded for Tyranny Treason and Murder According to which sentence having taken leave of his Children here is England and sent his blessing to his son in Holland he was put to death before White-hal Gate upon Tuesday the 30. of Ianuary the Dutch and French Embassadours in behalf of his Majesty made intercession for his life The Scottish Parliament publish'd a Remonstrance against the Parliaments Proceedings The Ministry of London declar'd their disallowance before God and Men The House of Peers offer'd themselves as pledges for his Sacred Majesty but all prevailed nothing The barbarous Iuncto are inexorable being made so desperate by their own guilt that they thought nothing could secure their former crimes but this impious detestable and unparallel'd murther of their Sovereign During his Majesties tryall which was carried on with all expedition and speed the Prince who could not be satisfi'd of that strange turn from a Treaty to a Tryall writ the following Letter to his Father by the Lord Seymour SIR HAving no means to come to the knowledge of your Majestie 's affairs but such as I receive from the Prints or whiâ—h is as uncertain reports I have sent this bearer Seymour to wait upon your Majâ—sty and to bring me an account of it and that I may withall assure your Majesty I do not only pray for your Majesty according to my duty but shall alwaies be ready to do all which shall be in my power to deserve the blessing which I now humbly beg of your Majesty upon Sir Your Majestie 's most humble and most obedient Son and Servant CHARLES Hague Ian. 23. 1648. But alas Sad were the tydings the Lord Seymour return'd with into Holland the most inhumane illegall and barbarous murther of the King of Great Britain by the hands of his English Subjects An Act which struck all Europe with horror and amazement and which certainly our Posterity will eternally detest To represent the sorrow and affliction of our Illustrious Prince with his Royal Brother the Duke of York and his Sister of Orange without doubt surpasses all the power of words No Prince ever lost a Father whom he was to succeed in Royalty with greater regret and indeed all circumstances consider'd I conceive no mortal man had ever greater occasion of grief Certainly had not the extraordinary grace of God supported him he could never have borne up against it I know not how better to resent his passionate resentment then by imitating the old Grecian Painter who being to pourtray Agamemnon present at the sacrifice of his Daughter represented all his followers weeping and lamenting but drew a veil over the Father's face as hiding the transcendent passion his Pencil was unable to expresse A few dayes before the King's death the Commons voted the style in Writs and all Judicial proceedings to be altered from Carolus Dei gratia c. the Great Seal with the Royal Scutcheon of England to be broken and a new one made with the Armes of England the Harp of Ireland with these words The Great Seal of England engraven on one side and on the Reverse the picture of the House of Commons sitting with these words In the first year of Freedome by God's blessing restored 1648. On the evening of that black day on which his Majesty suffered a Proclamation was set forth by the Iuncto prohibiting all persons upon pain of High Treason to presume to declare or publickly to promote Charles Stuart styled Prince of Wales eldest son of the late King or any of the rest of his Children to be King of England In pursuance of which determination having taken their King out of the way they proceed against Kingship and constitute a select Number of themselves joyn'd with the General and chief Officers of the Army in the Supreme authority The House of Peers is voted dangerous and unnecessary and an Act pass'd and proclaim'd in the City of London for the abolishing of Kingly Government and settling these Nations in way of a Free State It was also published 1. That it should be Treason to speak against this Form of Goverment 2. That it should be Treason for any to endeavour the exercise of Kingships in these Nations in his
own Person or promote it in another especially Charles the eldest Iames the second and Henry the third Sons of the late King After which they proceed as far as they could to abolish the very memory of his late Majesty his Arms are ordered to be defaced in all places throughout the Nations and his Statues broken all the regalia sold and imbezil'd the Crown Revenue to sale and all the goods of the Royal Family made prize on by those that had murdered and expell'd the Owners Neverthelesse there wanted not some in this sad consternation who shew'd themselves so resolute in asserting the Title of Prince Charles to the Crown of these Nations as to print and disperse this following Proclamation in several places of the City of London WE the Noblemen Iudges Knights Lawyers Gentlemen Freeholders Merchants Citizens Yeo-men Sea-men and other Free men of England do according to our Allegiance and Covenant by these present Heartily Ioyfully and Vnanimously acknowledge and Proclaim the illustrious CHARLES Prince of Wales next Heir to his Father King Charles whose late wicked murder and all Consenters thereunto We from our hearts abominate to be by Hereditary Birth-right and lawfull Succession rightfull and undoubted King of Great Britain France and Ireland And we will constantly and sincerely in our several places and callings defend and maintain his Royal Person Crown and Dignity with our estates and lives against all Opposers whom hereby we declare to be Enemies to his Majesty and Kingdomes In Testimony whereof we have caused these to be Publish't throughout all Counties and Corporations of this Realm The first day of February in the first year of his Majestie 's Reign But the Royal Party was so totally supprest throughout this Nation that they wanted power to make good what their consciences assur'd them was just and right This endeavour testifi'd their Loyalty and withall their weaknesse For though the hearts of most of the Nation were as willing to promote the Son's succession as to withstand the Father's destruction yet were they as unable to advance the one as they had been to prevent the other Indeed Ireland was in a manner wholly for his Majesty in many places whereof he was by joynt consent both of Protestants and Papists proclaimed King The Lord Marquesse of Ormond the Lord Inchequin and other great persons had considerable Forces in the field for his interest and all the Garrisons of that Island held out for him excepting the two most important the Cities of Dublin and London-Derry which were kept from returning to their Allegiance the former by Lieutenant General Iones then Governour and the latter by Sir Charles Coot who maintain'd their cause and authority who had barbarously murder'd his Royal Father in England Besides the Islands of Iersey Guernsey Scilly and Man remain'd faithfull to him though they were of no other advantage then to serve as places of retreat for the small Fleet that was left after the greatest part of it had again revolted to the Parliaments Navy The Parliament of Scotland as I said had protested against the proceedings of the English against their common King But at this time that Nation was divided into four grand Factions or Parties 1. The first consisted of such as had confederated with the English Parliament during the Warres till they saw their accursed design of destroying the King and subverting the Government these were the prevailing party who sent Duke Hamilton with that numerous but unfortunate Army into England 1648. They were willing though upon certain conditions to own and declare Prince Charles for their King only in this they sided with the English Independent Iuncto That they endeavoured to the utmost to depresse and discountenance the Malignants as they called those who had adher'd to his late Majesty who make up the second party The third consisted of such as were so strictly devoted to the Kirk and Convenant that they only projected the advancement of them and car'd not for any other interest either of King or Free-State but strenuously oppos'd both of which Faction Colonel Sâ—â—aâ—ghern and Colonel Kerre were two great Sticklers The fourth and last and worst were such as by unparallel'd treachery to their Prince their Native Countrey and as it appear'd afterwards to themselves too held secret correspondence with the Sectarian power and Army of England This Division I have made will give much light to the understanding of the reasons of the Scottish actions and their consequences when we come to relate them At present it may suffice to intimate that this Discord among themselves retarded them from publickly proclaiming and owning their lawfull King In the mean time the King having been a while a close Mourner in Holland and receiv'd the condolements of the Lords States who also deputed an Oratour Dr. Lotius to represent their sad sence of the inhumane murder of his Royall Father which he performed in an elegant Latine Oration extant in Print he committed the management of his affairs there to the care of his Brother and Sister of Orange and took a journey to France both to visit his disconsolate and forlorne Mother and to desire the assistance which he might reasonably conceive that King oblig'd both in honour consideration of consanguinity and the generall concernment of all Monarchs to afford him He was receiv'd in the French Court with much respect and after a short stay at Paris took up his abode at St. Germains having his Royall Brother the Duke of York with him He had not been long here but contrary to the expectationâ— as well as hopes of himself and all his Loyall Subjects news is brought him of the defeat of the Army in Ireland under the Marquis of Ormond then which a gallanter richer had scarce been seen during all the late Warrs The Marquis had laid siege to Dublin on the 21. of Iune 1649. but that City being reinforc'd with a supply of 3000. Horse and Foot from England and encouraged with the expectation of more the Besieged made severall Sallies out upon them from time to time and at length in one suppris'd the Marquis's maine Army and totally defeated it himself not without much difficulty escaping by flight 'T is very true the Marquis had an Army of about 20000. men but the greatest part of them were Irish and so such as he dar'd not trust besides I have heard it creadibly reported He might have taken Dublin if he had pleas'd but forbore to doe it meerly in tendernesse to the numerous Protestants were in it whom the Irish would have without question unmercifully destroy'd if they had taken the place by assualt and as yet there was no other way to take it by reason the besieged had high expectation of succour from England This was the first blow receiv'd by the young King and a great one it was indeed and so important that it made way for the losse of all that Kingdome About the same time also Sir Ch. Coot
been animated by frequent Victories and the spoil of such places as they had taken Possibly in England his Majesty might soon have forces competent to match them at least he should not be beset with so many difficulties and one fortunate Field might wholly turn the Scale Accordingly upon Thursday Iuly 31. 1651. all things being in readiness the Scotch Army left their Camp at Sterling which was soon after deliver'd to Lieut. Gen. Monk and the sixt day after being about 16000. entered England by the way of Carlisle Upon intelligence of this sudden March Cromwel's Army of which the greatest part was in Fife forthwith cros'd the Frith and first Lambert is sent with 5. Regiments of Horse and Dragoons to fall upon the Scots rear Cromwel himself soon after Aug. 6. following with 8. Regiments of Foot 2. of Horse and 8. great Guns having left 6000. horse and foot with Lieutenant General Monck to reduce the remaining garrisons of Scotland Major General Harrison being advanc'd the nearest England with 3000. horse and Dragoons attended the motion of the Scotch Army and the VVestminster Iuncto suddenly bestir themselves to raise the Militia of the whole Nation and make an Act to forbid all relief and succour to be given to his Majesty or his Forces under penalty of High Treason Immediately the Militia's of most Counties were drawn into the Field against him and for the hindring of his progresse 2000. of the County Militia of Staffordshire and 4000. out of Lancashire and Cheshire under Colonel Birch joyned with Lambert and Harrison whose first attempt upon the Royal Army was at VVarrington bridge the passage of which was very sharply disputed but at length gain'd by the Scots with the losse of some men In the mean time a party in VVales began to rise for the King intending to have joyned with the Earle of Derby from the Isle of Man but the design was crusht before it came to any thing The march of the Scotch Army was manag'd with extreme civility to the people as they past no souldier daring to plunder or steal the least thing whatever having been terrified by the punishment of one of their number who was shot to death for entering an Orchard But as this carriage of theirs together with his Majesties invitations did not so prevail upon the people to come in to him as he expected so by the way fear depriv'd him of about the fourth part of the Army he brought out of Scotland It was deliberated by bis Majesties council whether or no to march forthwith to London but the way was too tedious and the souldiers were much wearied with their journey already and it was hoped the interest Major General Massey had in Glocestershire would procure a confluence of men from those parts Asson as the Army entred England and afterwards at every Market-town his Majesty was proclaimed King of England by an English man whom he had created King at Armes with much satisfaction of the Country However such was the fate of these Nations for the punishment of whose sins a severe yoke was reserved by Providence for I know not what apparent reason to ascribe their actions to in this occasion that in stead of assisting their just and lawfull Prince they arose generally in Armes against him The Lord Fairfax who till then had been believ'd sensible of some remorse for his former proceedings appear'd in the Fâ—eld with a formidable body to flank the Royal Army as they marcht London pour'd out her numerous Militia and the adjacent Counties were by strict order of Parliament enjoin'd to set out Horse and Men at their own charges The King in the mean time receiv'd no considerable supply saving one Troop of Horse commanded by a noble young Gentleman Sir Cecill Howard son to the Lord Howard of Estrich Neverthelesse there wanted not courage in the breasts of the Nobility and Gentry with his Majesty whose great resolutions made them hope even in the midst of despair From Tong-Norton his Majesty sent a Trumpetter with a Letter and Summons to Col. Mackworth Governour of Shrewsbury which I shall venture to insert with the Answer His Majesties Letter was in these words Col. Mackworth Having sent you herewith a Summons to render into my hands my Town with the Castle of Shrewsbury I cannot but perswade my self you will doe it when I consider you a Gentleman of an ancient House and of very d fferent principles as I am informed from those with whom your imployment ranks you at present If you shall peaceably deliver them unto me I will not onely pardon what is past and protect you and yours in your persons and all that belongs to you but reward fo eminent and seasonable a Testimony of your Loyalty with future Trust and Favour and doe leave it to your selfe to propose the particular being upon that condition ready to grant you presently any thing you shall reasonably desire and to approve my self your Friend C. R. The Summons also which accompanied this Letter was to the same effect But whether the Governour lookt upon his Majestie 's condition too forlorn to engage on his side or acted really out of an hostile principle I will not determine but the answer he returned to his Soveraign Lord the King was in the following termes directed To the Commander in chief of the Scottish Army SIR By your Trumpetter I received two Papers the one containing a Proposition the other a direct Summons for the rendition of the Town Castle of Shrewsbury the custody whereof I have received by authority of Parliament And if you believe me a Gentleman as you say you do you may believe I will be faithfull to my trust to the violation whereof neither allurements can perswade me nor threatnings of force especially when but paper ones compell me What Principles I am judged to be of I know not but I hope they are suâ—h as shall declare me honest and no way differing herein as I know from those engaged in the same employment with me who should they desâ—rt the Cause they are embarqued in I resolve to be found as I am unremoveable the faithfull servant of the Commonwealth of England H. Mackworth About the same time also his Majesty sent the like summons to Sr Thomas Middleton Governour of Chirk Castle in Shropshire but this Gentleman was not altogether so civil as the former for in stead of returning any answer at all he caus'd the Messenger to be seized and sent away prisoner to VVrexham who was afterwards hanged at Chester for this service It having been resolv'd upon debate by his Majestie 's Council rather to march Westward then towards London his Army accordingly enter'd the City of VVorcester upon Friday the 22. of August 1651. after one or two repulses by the Forces that kept the City the Inhabitants not onely not opposing the Scots entrance but helping to beat the English Souldiers out In his Majestie 's March hither he had sent a
Speaker and was the same day feasted by Iohn Kendrick Mayor of London From whence he never after went forth upon any expedition About the latter end of October the Island of Iersey was reduc'd by Colonel Hain and General Blake from Sea and the Isle of Man was surrender'd to Colonel Duckenfield upon Articles by the Countesse of Derby whose renowned pious and valiant Lord was at Chester adjudgeed to death for engaging with the King at VVorcester by a Council of War after quarter given and beheaded at Bolton in Lancashire on the 15. of October with the teares and lamentations of most of the Spectatours Severall executions were also done upon others by shooting or hanging in divers places for the same cause as on Sir Timothy Fetherstonehaugh Captain Bendbow c. They were tryed upon the pretended Act made after the King 's coming into England viz. Aug. 12. 1651. prohibiting correspondence with his Majesty or his party under the penalty of High Treason His Majesty having upon his arrival at Paris been visited congratulated by the King Queen Nobles of France had a Princely Attendance assigned him and lodgings in the Louvre where he lead a retired life in expectation of some happier opportunity which it might please Providence to present him with for the recovery of his Kingdomes which he had now small hopes to obtain by the assistance of his own Subjects in either of them England being so strictly overaw'd by the numerous Army kept on foot for that purpose and Scotland and Ireland being in a manner wholly subdued by the English Armes Yet in Scotland there were still some small Forces up in the North as the Marquis of Huntley with about 1500. men and the Lord Belcarris The Marquis of Argyle also fortified his houses at Ander-arran and Lorne the Castles in Arran Island and was expected to join with 4000. with the former Moreover the Clergy were still very high against the English But it seemes the designes of the Noble men were onely to make themselves considerable that they might treat upon better termes For shortly after the Marquis of Huntly made his peace the Lord Belcarris divers other Lords came in to the protection of Lieut. Gen. Monck and Argyle having made an attempt to summon a Parliament and shuffled off and on for some moneths at length submitted and afterwards testified under his hand his agreement to the making of Scotland a Commonwealth with England and protested fidelity to it as establisht without King or House of Lords c. Upon which termes he was left at liberty with assurance to enjoy his Estate Had these Lords been cordiall to the Royall interest to which they had so solemnly sworne a little while before they might easily have maintain'd the Highlands against all opposition these places being naturally almost inaccessible and invincible Notwithstanding this low posture of his Majestie 's affairs he was treated with much honour by the Princes and Nobility in France and Madamoiselle de Orleans daughter to the late Duke of that Title being a very rich Princesse worth 60000. per annum and Soveraign Dutchesse of Montpensier shew'd great inclinations towards him in relation to marriage It is also reported that there was a match designed between his Majestie 's Brother the Duke of York and a daughter of the Duke of Longueville a Prince descended from the Royall House of France who was by her mother heire to the rich possessions of the Count of Soissons But the great troubles arising about that time between the King and the Princes of the Blood hinder'd the successe the Duke of Orleans and his Daughter being far ingag'd with the Prince of Conde against the King of France in a civil War occasioned by the imperiousness of Cardinal Mazarine who during the King's minority had by means of his great favour with the Queen ingrossed the whole Government of that Kingdome in a manner into his own hands usurp'd an inordinate power and all the grand offices had committed several enormous miscarriages during the Queen Mother's Regency The Princes of the Blood and generality of the Nation became so incensed against him hereby that an Arrest was passed by the Parliament of Paris for the banishment of the said Cardinal who thereupon retired to Colen and all his goods were confiscated But the Queen having a great inclination to bring him back again into France the Duke of Orleance and Conde vehemently opposed it and when no accommodation could be made the Prince withdrew his forces which he commanded for the King's service against the Spaniard to Stenay a strong Garrison where making great levies he got a considerable power into the field The Cities also of Paris and Bourdeaux owned the Prince's cause and quarrel Whereupon the King rais'd a great Army commanded by Marshal Turein and Count de Harcourt Several encounters pass'd between them the Illustrious Duke of York first serving as a Volunteer and afterwards commanding a Regiment at the siege of Estampes where he behav'd himself extreme honourably in two conflicts The Cardinal in the mean time return'd into France with 6000. men and the Princes on the other side invited the Duke of Lorrain to their assistance who had a mercenary Army of 10000. in the service of the King of Spain His Majesty of Great Britain understanding sufficiently the fatal effects of civill combustions partly out of sincere intentions for the good of France and partly out of the consideration of the advantageousnesse of its peace to his own affairs interceeded as a Mediatour between the King and the discontented Princes and his motion was gratefully accepted of by both Parties and thereupon Deputies were sent severall times by the Princes to represent their grievances but the King of France persisted resolute not to part with the Cardinal though the King of England urg'd him as far as possible to gratifie his incensed subjects if not by dismissing him altogether yet at least by sending him upon some honourable foreign imployment Of all which generous endeavours this noble prudent and Christian Prince obtain'd no other fruit but an extreme hatred from Mazarine At the same time his Majesty imployed himself in reconciling the French King and his subjects upon hopes of those endeavours succeeding he thought fit to deal with the Duke of Lorrain to transport his Army into Ireland where some Garrisons still held out Which affair was so far proceeded in that Articles were drawn up between the Duke of Lorrain and the Lord Taaf on behalf of his Majesty by which it was agreed amongst other things That the Duke should at his own charges land an Army of 10000. for the reducing of Ireland to his Majesty That he should be invested with the Title of Protector Royal of Ireland and have four Towns put into his hands for security for his disbursements with restrictions and cautions But these Articles never came to be signed partly because the Duke was conscious of his
disability to goe through with the enterprise and defray the charges of it and partly because he was at the same time dealt with underhand by the King of France to relinquish the Prince's party and offer'd by him such termes as they were not able to give him And as ill fortune would have it the manner of discovery of their agreemenâ— made the King of England be lookt upon as the Agent and procurer of it For the French King's Army under Turenne marching into Brie in view of the Lorrain Army the Duke of Beaufort was extreme desirous to encounter with them To which purpose he went into the field where he found King Charles and the Duke of York with the Duke of Lorrain who upon the approach of Beaufort presently withdrew And then this Duke urging him of Lorrain to fight found an extreme coldnesse in him to the business and presently after understood his conjunction with the Court-interest Whereupon the incensed Princes exclaimed against the perfidiousnesse of the Duke of Lorrain and against the English Princes as the causes of it Who though they made it sufficiently apparent that their transactions with the Duke of Lorrain were wholly about another affair yet the indignation of the Princes and people for this collusion so blinded their reasons that they would not be convinc'd of the innocency of the King and his Brother but bitterly inveigh'd against them and the Queen Mother whom they also were resolv'd to believe had been instrumental in the business so that they were induc'd to withdraw from the Louvre to St. Germains and the Queen to Chaliot Shortly after the Victory at Worcester the pretended Parliament as I said executed abundance of the Royall party and such as were suffer'd to live had their Estates confiscated and were kept severall yeares after in prison Their principall Acts pass'd the remainder of this year were I. An Act for the increase of shipping and encouragement of Navigation in which it was enacted 1. That no goods or commodities of the growth or manufacture of any places whatsoever should be brought hither but onely in English Ships and that from the very places of their growth and manufacture onely Also that no Fish or Oyle made of Fish or Whale-bone should be imported but onely such as should be caught in English Vessels nor any salted Fish exported in any other save English Bottomes c. This Act was apprehended by the Dutch as highly prejudiciall to the Trade which they had driven with extreme advantage above us during our intestine Wars and proved a great cause of the War that shortly follow'd between this State and the Vnited Provinces II. An Act to determine the Session of this Parliament on Nov. 3. 1654. Their dissolution was a point they did not love to think of but being urg'd by the Army and several Petitions for a new Representative after many debates and delayes they resolv'd to continue their sitting 3. yeares longer but they reckon'd without their Host and receiv'd a quietus about a year and half after from Cromwel III. An Act of Oblivion which was loaden with many heavy provisoes and exceptions IV. An Act for incorporating Scotland into one Commonwealth with England the Government of which they invested in these Commissioners Ol. St. Iohn Sir Henry Vane Maj. Gen. Lambert Maj. Gen. Deane Col. Fenwick Alderman Tichburne Major Salwey and Lieut. Gen. Monck As for Ireland the Government of it having been wholly referred to Cromwel he constituted his Son in Law Ireton to command in chief there wâ—th the Title of Lord Deputy In December 1651. arrived at Paris the Gentlewoman Mrs. Iane Lane who had been instrumental in his Majestie 's deliverance after the overthrow at Worcester of which fearing danger by the discovery of some unfaithful confidents she went on foot in disguise to Yarmouth and there took ship for France She was conducted into Paris with great honour his Majestie himself with the Queen his mother and the Dukes of York and Glocester going out to meet her upon the first sight his Majesty took her by the hand and saluted her with this obliging term VVelcome my Life The French Court also regarded her with much respect and honour together with her Brother Col. Lane who accompanied her thither About the Spring of the year 1652. broke out a furious War between the English the Dutch Common-wealths after Embassadors had been sent to no effect from either The first Act of Hostility was on the 19. of May 1652. After which many bloody Sea-fights pass'd between them both in the British Sea and the Streights with great losse of Ships and men on both sides but the Dutch were most commonly worstest During this sharp War his Majesty was as mindfull of his Interests using all endeavours for an accommodation between the King of France and the Princes as also between the Kings of France and Spain in the mean time also sending Embassadours to severall Potentates to desire assistance as the Lord Wilmot whom he had created Earle of Rochester to the Imperial Diet at Ratisbone the Lord Culpeper to the Hague and the Lord VVentworth to the King of Denmark But the Catholick Princes were the colder in gratifying his Majesty for that he shew'd no pronesse to embrace their Religion as the Emperor once expresly signified to him And indeed such was his Majestie 's constancy that no temptations of worldly advantages no resentment of adversity nor the sollicitations and arguments of severall grand Catholicks who endeavour'd to pervert him as Mr. Montagu Militiere and Salmonet could prevaile any thing upon him He propounded to the Dutch that if they would furnish him with a squadron of Ships he would set up his own Flags and command them in person Some of the Provinces were very inclinable to the motion but that of Holland which stood out against the admitting of the young Prince of Orange for Capt. Gen. was also backward to comply with his Majestie 's desires or undertake his interest then which act nothing could have been more honourable to them nor perhaps more beneficiall All that he could bring them to was that they granted liberty for his Ships to ride in their Ports with their Flâ—gs up as King of Great Brittaine c. The King of Denmark professed willingnesse enough to gratify his Majesty but his affairs were then in a doubtfull Estate and depended much upon the successe of the Dutch with whom he had partly engaged On December 1652. the English Iunto resolved to be rid of his Majestie 's younger Brother the Duke of Glocester and referr'd it to the Council of State to consider with what accommodation and to what place to send him The Council that they might seem to do something handsomely ordered him to go into Holland gave him a Bill for 1000. l. to be paid to him upon his arrival but such was their honesty that they took care that he should never receive one penny of it However he was
extremely respected at all the places he came at in the Low-Countreys as at Dunkirk Antwerp the Hague Leyden c. And having been for some time entertain'd by his Royal Sister where he had the honour of the Garter sent him from the King he departed to the Court of France being attended by Sir Marmaduke Langdale and Sir Richard Greenvile his Majesty himself the Duke of York Prince Rupert and others going two leagues out of Paris to meet him Towards the latter end of the year 1652. his Majestie 's hopes began to be something desperate concerning any considerable succour from France for that King in stead of uniting with the Prince's his subjects sent an Embassadour Mr. de Bordeanx Neufville to treat a Peace with England to which he was the rather induc'd for that Admiral Blake had not long before beaten and destroy'd the French ships under the Duke of Vendosme that were going to the relief of Dunkirk which defeat occasion'd the loss of that Town to the Spaniard Nor were his hopes likely to prove more successfull in the united Provinces for they were so weary of the War that they sent a Letter to England to cast about for an accommodation But before they effected any thing Cromwell finding his ambitious projects ripe being emboldned with former successes and backt with a strong Army on the 20. of April 1653. entred the Parliament House attended with some officers where he represented to them that their Dissolution was important to the publick good and welfare of the Nation with many reasons for it which none daring to oppose the Members departed the House To justify which Action He and his Council of Officers put forth a Declaration wherein it was pretended The Parliament was over-ruled by a corrupt Party who intended to perpetuate themselves deluding the Nation from time to time with hopes of a New Representative notwithstanding the Petitions of the Army and severall Counties That the Cause which God had so greatly blessed languisht in their hands and was in danger to be lost by their negligence of the publick and self-seeking with many more like crimes And thus fell this great Idol of the Nation this Parliamentum Infame which in a dozen yeares time had wrought more mischief to these Kingdomes then all the preceeding Parliaments had ever done good After this Cromwel with his Officers took the administration of Affairs into their own hands the Armies in Scotland and Ireland and the Fleet assenting to their proceedings But to gull the people a little longer and render Parliaments more contemptible to them Cromwel upon the 8. of Iune following sent out a summons in his own name to such persons as he pleas'd to meet at VVestminster on the 4. of Iuly Who accordingly appearing to the number of six score he impowred them by a writing under his Hand and Seal to be the Supreme Authority and Governours of the three Nations and that 40. of them should be a Quorum to dispatch business This Iunto of Sectaries and Officers of the Army going into the Parliament House in three dayes time gravely resolved that they would be called the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England and that their Chairman Mr. Rous should be called Speaker and that they would have a Sergeant at Armes and a Mace Thus they began ridiculously and continued in all their Actions for four moneths in which they voted down the High-Court of Chancery made a silly Act for Marriages Births and Burials confirmed the unjust Bill for Sale of the Estate of Sir Iohn Stowell Knight of the Bath ordered Sale of the remainder of the Royall Revenue made a tax for 6. moneths at 120000 l. per mensem struck fiercely at Tythes and Universities and then being partly weary and partly asham'd of themselves some of Oliver's faction by underhand appointment repaired to Cromwel and resigned their power into his Hands who at first seeming unwilling and excusing his inability was prevail'd with by importunity to accept it which he did with the Title of Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland The rest of the Sectarian Convention who refus'd to break up the Parliament and doe as their fellowes had done Cromwel sent Souldiers to turn them out of the House which was accordingly done and the doors lockt against them Decemb. 2. 1653. And upon the 16. of the same moneth having by the advice of his Officers framed and published an Instrument of Government consisting of 42. Articles he sent for the Commissioners of the Great Seale the Major and Aldermen of London with the Iudges and the Officers of the Army and was by them solemnly installed in Westminster-Hall taking an Oath to rule according to his Instrument and the Lawes of the Land though nothing could be more repugnant to the Lawes then that Instrument In this last year notwithstanding the former offer of Accommodation severall encounters had been between the Ships of this Nation those of the United Provinces in which the Dutch suffer'd much so that the common people there were in a great consternation Two of the principal Battels were on the 3. of Iune and the 29. of Iuly In the former the English got a remarkable Victory though with the losse of one of their Generals Dean by a great shot taking above 1300. prisoners and 11. Ships of War besides 6. sunk In the latter being the greatest blow the Dutch ever received from us their Admiral Martin Harper van Trump one of the most expert and renowned Seamen in the world was slain with a Musket shot and 2000. men more 1000. Prisoners taken and 27. Ships of War sunk and fired Which losses quite broke the spirits of the Dutch who thereupon began seriously to think of peace This Summer also it pleased God to visit his Majesty with a Fever which held him for some time with violence so that the London Pamphlets publish'd it to be mortal But the Divine Providence intended better things to this Nation and about the latter end of August recovered him to perfect health After which he departed from the Court for some time to Chantilly not far distant from Paris for better aire being accompanied with Prince Rupert who after various fortunes at Sea and separation from his brother Prince Maurice by a Hericano who was never after heard off put in with his Ships at Nantes at Britany and resided with his Majesty for a long time at Paris in the Palace Royall This year the Lord Hopton who had commanded an Army for his late Majesty in the Rebellion of England dyed of a Fever after five dayes sicknesse at Bruges in Flanders a person of great learning piety temperance and valour In the beginning of the next year his Majestie 's hopes of doing any good upon the United States were absolutely extinguish'd He had us'd all possible means by the intercessions of his friends to avert them from reconcilement with England and to that purpose was very active upon
them comparing the old Tyrant to Moses and his Impe to Ioshua the Guides and conductors of Gods people out of Aegyptian thraldome The chosen Members assembled at VVestminster on Ian. 27. and so did the Other House Great debates were amongst them touching the recognition of the Government transacting with the Other House as Lords during which two Speakers successively dy'd till the young Protector being undermined by a Caball of Officers Fleetwood Desborough c. weakly yielded to the Dissolving of the Parliament on Friday April 22. shortly after which a Fast being solemniz'd the remainder of the Long Parliament who had been dissolved by Cromwel in April 20. 1653. were invited by Lambert to sit again which they did on the 7. of May excluding by violence such of their Fellow-members as they had before secluded in Decemb. 1648. though they were the greater number Richard was thereupon depriv'd of his Government so was his brother Harry in Ireland And now this old Iunto being advanc'd again and congratulated as other Governments had formerly been from Scotland Ireland and the Fleet begin to act like subtile Politicians And to the end the Army might be kept in obedience to them they made the Speaker of the House General cashir'd many Officers and caus'd new Commissions to be deliver'd by the Speaker in the House of Parliament to all the Commanders both of Land and Sea-Forces The affections of the people they did not much value so long as the Army would stand to them To gratifie whom they impos'd a whole years Tax at 35000. l. per mensem to be paid immediately After which about Iuly they pass'd an Act for settling the Militia of Counties in such hands as they pleased But Lambert and the other Officers who intended to have the whole guard of the Rump and aim'd at other designs not relishing this proceeding it was laid aside Nothing could have been more odious to the Nation then this re-establishment of the Rump-Parliament who taking these courses to secure the perpetuall continuance of their sitting and resolving never to encrease their number by admitting their fellow-members or new ones legally elected in their places awakened the spirits of most of the Gentry of the Nation to attempt something for their Countries liberty by restitution of the ancient Government A great inclination there was in most Counties to take up Armes and several Offers were made in divers places but none was so considerable as that in Cheshire Lancashire and the parts adjoyning under Sir George Booth Sir Thomas Middleton and other Gentlemen in those parts They declar'd for a full and free Parliament to be elected by the People Sir George Booth had taken Westchester and was reported to be very numerous Whereupon Lambert was sent out against him with an Army of six or seven thousand men and a train of Artillery moreover forces from all quarters were appointed to draw to him so that all meeting he had a very puissant Army The party under Sir George Booth had been in Armes a a good time before Lambert came against them in expectation that other Counties would have done the like but this hope failing upon Lambert's approach many of them withdrew from him The rest came to an encounter with Lambert at Northwich and were without much difficulty defeated The number of the slain was not many but the Prisoners were in great multitudes Sir George Booth himself was also within a few dayes after taken in a disguise in an Inne at Newport-Pagnel in Bedfordshire as he was coming up to London Persons of quality taken besides him were the Earle of Derby the Lord Kilmurrey Major General Ranulph Egerton Sir William Neile Sir Thomas Powel of Flintshire Col. Massey of Cheshire Major Peter Brook The Earle of Stamford and Sir Thomas Leventhorp were also imprison'd in other places with some hundreds of Gentlemen for designing to levy war against the Commonwealth The Rump overjoy'd with this successe presented Lambert with 1000. l. to buy him a jewel but he thought it more suitable to his designes to distribute it amongst his Army During these actions in England his Majesty privately withdrew from Bruxells together with the Duke of York it was imagin'd by many that they were come concealed into England in expectation of the event or at least lay upon the Sea-coasts ready to have transported some forces in a Fleet which rode upon the Coast of Flanders in case matters had succeeded prosperously But not long after the suppression of the Cheshire Insurrection they appeared again at Bruxells from whence his Majesty dispatcht an Embassadour to attend with certain Proposals at the Interview of Cardinal Mazarini for the French King and Don Lewis de Haro for the Spanish who met upon the confines to treat a Peace between the two Crowns and a Marriage between the King of France and the Infanta of Spain The Embassadour was entertain'd by the two grand Ministers with very high testimonies of honour and respect and promised to have his Master's Interest taken into consideration assoon as the concernments of their own would permit But in England the pretended Parliament fell eagerly to their old beloved Trade of Sequestration and determin'd to exercise the utmost of severity upon the actors in the late Insurrection And no doubt they they would have prosecuted their intentions had not Providence diverted their malice by a breach which fell out between them and the principal Officers of the Army Lambert whose ambition instigated to him to be so active in the late change of Government and so popular in the management of his late expedition together with other grand Officers thought the Parliament so oblig'd to them for restoring them to Power and preserving them in it that they conceiv'd none of their demands ought to be denyed Whereupon at their return to London a Petition was presented to the House by Desborough for a General The Iunto remembring how their former General had serv'd them not only denied this request but vacated the Commissions of Lambert Desborough and 7. others and voted the supreme command of the Army into the hands of seven Commissioners whereof two or three were Army-men the others Members of Parliament Lambert and his Companions were so incensed herewith that upon the 11. of Octob. Forces were drawn out on either side at VVestminster those for the Iunto commanded by Haselrig Morley and others those for the Army by Lambert himself Desborough Berry and other Colonels and had not the Council of State interpos'd they had charg'd one another Neverthelesse the Army-party prevail'd and turn'd the Rump out of doors Oct. 13. Which being done the great Officers being assembled in Council at Wallingford-house dispos'd of commands among themselves Fleetwood was made General Lambert Lieutenant General Desborough General of the Horse and that they might satisfy Gen. Monck too who govern'd Scotland they made him Major General of the Foot As for civil Affairs they erected a Committee of
strict command he had lay'd upon him at his departure out of France of the horrid injury offer'd to his conscience honour and family of the vanity of his perswaders motives and the falseness and emptiness of their promises He also declar'd to him the more eligiblenesse of any degree of suffering and urg'd to him the fidelity of God's promises whose love he must expect to loose together with that of himself a most affectionate Brother in case he yielded to the inveiglements of his Temptours Moreover he desir'd him to reflect on their dead Father's last charge solemnly given him the day before his Glorification with the entail of his blessing annexed And in conclusion added That if he either chang'd his Religion or put himself into the Iesuites Colledge he had the last Letter from him and must never look to see England or his face again And that if which God forbid their businesse miscarried for ever the whole ruining of their Family and all the Nations too must be laid with all the consequent mischiefs at his doore as the chief cause of it Assoon as his Highnesse had read this admonitory Letter he transcrib'd a copy of it and sent it to the Queen desiring her permission to come to Paris both in regard of these commands of the King and of his Brother the Duke of York's approching return from the Army To which her Majesty answer'd that she should not cease wishing his eternall good by his conversion to which nevertheless she would not force him but wish'd him to hearken to what Mr. Montagu should further deliver to him which was that he would be willing to go to the Iesuites Colledge where he should have extreme freedome in every thing But all would not prevail upon his resolution However he return'd to Paris whereabout the 18. of November the Marquis of Ormond arriv'd from Germany with Letters and new Instructions having taken a long and dangerous voyage by reason the lately dissolved French Army had betaken themselves to the robbing of all passengers Before the intent of his journey was known the Queen of France and the Cardinal very closely press'd him and so did her Majesty of England both her self apart and by Mr. Montagu Which importunities proving fruitlesse some severities were proceeded to which occasion'd his Highnesse to leave the Palace Royal and go to the House of the Lord Hatton's in the Fauxbourgs where the former solicitations were renew'd but with as little successe After which the Duke desir'd the favour to see the Q. his Mother before his departure but was refus'd which denial having receiv'd with much grief he went away with my Lord of Ormond to Collen where his Majestie resided But let us look back a little upon the actions of the Usurper of his Majestie 's Dominions Cromwel's new Instrument enjoin'd the summoning of Parliament every three years and accordingly he sent out his new fashioned Writs and new contriv'd Indentures for the returning of Members and that after a new way ten or a dozen for most Counties one or two for Cities and Burroughs and many of these left wholly out The reason of which was because it was easier to pack elections in Counties by the interest of Army-Officers and other Creatures then in Borroughs They assembled at Westminster on the 3. of Septemb. 1654. Cromwel meeting them in the Painted Chamber made a Speech in which he indevor'd to shew the necessity of his taking the Government upon him and recounted the excellencies of it telling them also that he did not designe to be a Lord over them but their Fellow-Servant to the publick After which they chose Lenthall for their Speaker and betook themselves to their business The first debate was Whether the Legislative Power should be in a siâ—gle Peâ—son and a Parliament It was bandied with some heat till Cromwel thinking them too busy in making a Question of that which he would have believ'd sufficiently determin'd by his Instrument resolv'd to make them sensible of it wherefore sending for them into the Painted Chamber about 8. dayes after their first assembling he check'd them severely telling them 1. That the Fundamentals in the Government viz. such as were constituted by the Instrument could not be altered whereof that which they dâ—bated was one and 2. that the Militia was not to be trusted in any one hand or power but so that the Parliament ought to have a check upon the Protector and He upon Them 3. That Parliaments should not be perpetuall nor alwaies sitting 4. That there ought to be Liberty of Conscience in Religion Other things in the Government were examinable and alterable according to the State of Affairs For his own part his heart was even overwhelm'd with grief to see any of them should go about to overthrow what was settled viz. by his Instrument contrary to their trust received from the people After this Preface he deliver'd them a Paper called a Recognition to be subscribed by such as intended to sit in which they were to engage to be faithfull to the Lord Protector and the Commonwealth and not to propose or give consent to alter the Government as it was setled in one Person and a Parliament Such as refus'd to subscribe were excluded from sitting the rest repair'd again to the House where they took the Instrument in hand again and prepar'd a Bill for the settling of the Government some others which they intended to present to the Protector to be sign'd together But he having information given him all the way of their proceedings by some false Members suffer'd them to spend 5. months allotted them by the Instrument to sit without interruption and the very next day after went to the Painted Chamber where upbraiding them with Parricide in not owning the Authority that called them thither and endeavouring to subvert the Government owned by God as being the dispensation of his Providence after 12. years VVar he dissolv'd this Parliament as he had done two before Ian. 22. 1654. Within two dayes after their Dissolution a Plot was discover'd which Cromwel said was occasioned if not hatched by the Parliament it self Sir Henry Littleton high Sheriff of Worcestershire and Sir Iohn Packington of the same County were committed to the Tower thereupon and severall persons more in the North and Northwest Counties of England where the design was laid for an Insurrection Shrewsbury and Chrik-Castle were to have been surprised but it was prevented the discovery of the whole Conspiracy having been made to Cromwel by some secret insinuating Agents of his from the first birth of it till it was mature to break out At Shrewsbury the Lord Newport Sir Thomas Harris who were the chief there was taken prisoners and sent up to London Neverthelesse others were not deterr'd from attempting something for the deliverance of their Native Country from Bondage for upon the 11. of March 1654. a body of 200. consisting most of Gentlemen surprised Salisbury and took away all