Ships richly laden in their usual course of Trade the Duke moved the Lords then assembled in Parliament to know whether he should make stay of those Ships for the Service of the State which motion being approved by the Lords the Duke accordingly did stay those ships and after procured a joynt Action to be entred in the Court of Admiralty in the name of the late King and himself as Lord Admirall against 15000 lib. pretended to be Pyratically taken by some Captains of the said Merchants ships and in the hands of the said Captains and accordingly an Attachment was served upon the said Merchants Whereupon the said Merchants being urged to bring in the 15000 lib. or to go to Prison made new suit to the Duke for the release of their ships who pretending that the Parliament must be moved therein the Merchants much perplexed and considering that they should lose much by unlading their ships and the losse of their voyage resolved to tender to the said Duke ten thousand pounds for his unjust demand who by colour of his Office extorted and exacted from them the said ten thousand pounds and upon receipt thereof and not before released the said ships That the motion in Parliament about the stay of the East-India ships was onely upon apprehension that they might be serviceable for the defence of the Realm That the Action entred in the Court of Admiralty against the East-India Company was not after as is suggested but divers moneths before that motion in Parliament yea before the Parliament began That the composition mentioned in this Article was not moved by the Duke but made by the late King and that the Company without any menaces or compulsion agreed to the Composition as willing to give so much rather then to abide the hazzard of the suit That of the said sum all but two hundred pounds was imployed by his late Majesties Officers for the benefit of the Navie And lastly that those ships were not discharged upon payment of the said sum of ten thousand pounds but upon an accommodation allowed that they should prepare other ships for his Majesties service whilest they went on their Voyage which accordingly they did VII Reply 7. That the Duke being great Admirall of England did by colour of the said Office procure one of the principall ships of the Navy-Royal called the Vant-guard and six other Merchants ships of great burthen to be conveyed over with all their Ordnance Ammunition and apparel into the Kingdom of France and did compell the said Masters and Owners of the said ships to deliver the said ships into the possession and command of the French King and his Ministers without either sufficient security for their redelivery or necessary caution in that behalf contrary to the duty of his Office and to the apparent weakening of the Navall strength of this Kingdom That those Ships were lent to the French King without his privity that when he knew thereof he did what appertained to his Office That he did not by menace nor any undue practice by himself or any other deliver those ships into the hands of the French that what errour hath since happened was not in the intention any way injurious to the State nor prejudicial to the interest of any private man VIII Reply 8. That the Duke knowing the said ships were intended to be imployed against the Rochellers and the Protestants else-where did compel them as aforesaid to be delivered unto the said French King and his Ministers to the end that they might be imployed against those of the Reformed Religion as accordingly they were to the prejudice of the said Religion contrary to the intention of our Soveraigne Lord the King and to his former promise at Oxford and to the great scandal of our Nation That understanding a discovery that those ships should be imployed against Rochel he endevoured to divert the course of such imployment and whereas it is alledged that he promised at Oxford that those ships should not be so imployed he under favour saith he was mis-understood for he onely said that the event would shew it being confident in the promises of the French King and that he would have really performed what was agreed upon IX Reply 9. That he hath enforced some who were rich though unwilling to purchase honours as the Lord Roberts Baron of Trure who was by menaces wrought to pay the summe of Ten thousand pounds to the said Duke and to his use for his said Barony He denyeth any such compulsion of the Lord Roberts to buy his honour and that he can prove that as the said Lord did then obtain it by the solicitations of others so was he willing formerly to have given a great sum for it X. Reply 10. That in the 18. year of the late King he did procure of the late King the Office of High Treasurer of England to the Viscount Mandevil now Earl of Manchester for which Office he received of the said Viâ—count to his own use the sum of 20000 l. of money and also did procure in the 20. year of the late King the Office of Master of the Wards and Liveries for Sir Lionel Cranfield afterward Earl of Middlesex and as a reward for the said procurement he had to his own use of the said Sir Lionel Cranfield the sum of 6000 l. contrary to the dignity of his late Majesty That he had not nor did receive any penny of the said sums to his own use that the Lord Mandevil was made Lord Treasurer by his late Majesty without any Contract for it and though his Majesty did after borrow of the said Lord 20000. pounds yet was it upon proviso of repayment for which the Duke at first past his word and after entred him security by Land which stood ingaged untill his late Majesty during the Dukes being in Spain gave the Lord satisfaction by Land in Fee-farm of a considerable value whereupon the Dukes security was returned back And that the 6000 l. disbursed by the Earl of Middlesex was bestowed upon Sir Henry Mildmay by his late Majesty without the Dukes privity who had and enjoyed it all entire XI Reply 11. That he hath procured divers Honours for his kindred and Allies to the prejudice of the antient Nobility and disabling the Crown from rewarding extraordinary virtues in future times That he believeth he were rather worthily to be condemned in the opinion of all generous minds if being in such favour with his Majesty he had minded only his own advancement and had neglected those whom the Law of Nature had obliged him to hold most dear XII Reply 12. That he procured and obtained of the late King divers Mannors parcels of the Revenues of the Crown to an exceeding greâ—â— value and hath received and â—o his own use disbursed great sums of money that did properly belong unto the late King and the better to colour his doings hath obtained severall privie Seals from
Kings Bench in Westminster-hall where a Theatre was erected in height equal with the Bench covered over with green Cloth In the upper end was placed the Tribunal Chair of State for the High Steward on either side the Peers of the Realm and under them the Iudges in the lower end against the State were the Kings learned Council and at their backs two Pews lifted up to face the Court for the Prisoner and his Keeper and in the midst of the Court a place of descension for the Clerk of the Crown and his Assistant where they all met between eight and nine of the Clock that Morning First the Clerk of the Crown and the Iudges the Lieutenant of the Tower and the Prisoner retiring into a Room near hand then the Peers seven and twenty in number those of the Garter order wearing their Coller of Esses about their neck the chiefest of them were Weston Lord Treasurer Earl of Manchester Lord Privy Seal Arundel Earl Marshall of England and so the rest Then enters the Lord High Steward his Grace in a black Velvet Gown trimm'd with Gold Buttons and Lace before him 7. Maces of State born by the Serjeants at Arms attended by Sir Io Burroughs Garter principal King of Arms and Maxwel Usher of the Black Rod. The Judges Assistants for Counsel in case of Law were Sir Nicholas Hide Chief Justice of the Kings Bench Sir Thomas Richardson Chief Justice of the Common Pleas Sir Humphrey Davenport Chief Baron of the Exchequer and Baron Denham four Judges Iones Hutton Whitlock and Crook The learned Council were Sir Robert Heath Attorney General Sir Richard Chelton Solicitor General Sir Io Finch the Queens Attorney General and Sir Thomas Crew Serjeant at Law Sir Thomas Fanshaw Clerk of the Crown and Keeling his Assistant The Clerk of the Crown presented his Grace with the Patent of his Place of Lord High Steward of England After O yes he delivered the Patent to the Clerk of the Crown who read it and returned it back The Black Rod kneeling down presented him with the White Staff or Verge of State After a second O yes his Grace gave leave to the Peers to be covered and Proclamation made That the Judges should bring in as by Writ commanded all the Records touching the Earls Arraignment and the Peers answered particularly to their several names After the third O yes the Lieutenant of the Tower brought in his Prisoner into their powers and his Warrant being read his Grace addressed himself to the Peers My Lord Audley said he for so he stiled him as a Baron of England and not by his Creation of Earl Castlehaven being a forreign Title of Ireland by which Title onely he could not be tried by the Peers the Kings Majesty is given to understand both by report and also by Verdict of divers Gentlemen of quality in your County that you stand impeached of sundry Crimes of a most high and hainous nature and therefore he brings you this day to trial doing therein like the Almighty King of Kings in the eighteenth of Genesis who went down to see whether the sins of the Sons of Sodome and Gomorrah were so grievous as the cry of them that came before him And Kings on Earth can have no better Patern to follow than that of the King of Heaven and so hath summoned by special command these your Peers either to acquit or condemn you they being so noble and so just so indifferent Iudges for his Majesty desires that your Trial should be as equal and upright as Iustice it self wherefore you may speak boldly and confidently without fear to clear your self and so to be set free but if otherwise your own conscience accuse you give the honour to God and the King by confessing the truth without shifts or subtilties against it which are but Consilia adversus Dominum May it please your Grace said Audley I have stood committed close Prisoner six moneths without Friends or Counsel deprived of the knowledg of the particular circumstances of the Crimes laid to my charge unskilfull of the advantages or disadvantages of Law and but weak to plead at the best and therefore desire liberty of Counsel to plead for me Your long Imprisonment said his Grace hath been rather a favour for conveniency to bethink your self and you shall have all possible favour in this your first demand in which the Iudges shall satisfie you as in all other your deâ—ires in the prosecution of your Trial. The Judges gave opinion that in principal Causes Counsel is not to be allowed for matter of Fact but for matter of Law it may His Grace commanded the Clerk of the Crown to reade his Indictments being three in number The first for a Rape by assisting Brodway his own Servant to ravish his Wife the Countess of Castlehaven The other two for Sodomy committed on the Body of Brodway and on Fitz Patrick his Footman To which he pleaded Not guilty c. And therefore his Grace said thus to the Peers My Lords the Prisoner is indicted of Rape and Sodomy and pleads Not guilty My duty is to charge you with the Trial Yours to judg The Cause may move pity in some detestation in all but neither of them may be put in the Scale of Iustice for a Grain on either side sways the Ballance Let Reason rule your affections your heads your hearts to heed attentively and weigh equally In the right course the Iudges will direct you if doubts arise Ye are not sworn how to proceed the Law supposeth your integrity to Iustice which others are compelled unto by Oath And so God direct you Crew opened the Indictments and so was seconded and by turns all the other but the Attorney General proceeded in brief that the Crimes were far more base and beastly than any Poet invented or History ever mentioned Suetonius indeed sets out the Lives of Heathen Emperours whose Sovereignty had no Law to question their Power nor Religion to bound their wills from acting any Crimes And here ravelling into his former debauched life and profession of Papistry digressing from the matter of the Indictments the Prisoner desired that his Religion nor other circumstances not conducing to his crimes charged might be spared But he was told to forbear to interrupt the Council till the time fitting to make answer And so the Attorney went on with his Religion bred up a Protestant and after fell to Papistry for more liberty in evil or rather of both Professions or of either or of none at all Cor quod ingreditur duas vias non habet successum In the morning at a Mass afternoon at a Sermon believing in God thus basely God left him at the last to his lusts and so to Atheism to work wickedness without hope of Heaven or horrour of Hell His moral actions beyong imagination wicked for though he married this Lady as noble in birth as great in fortune so soon as
Earl craved not to Answer an unexpected addition without time assigned yet the Lords prevailed and put him to a present reply 1. That he had withdrawn four and twenty thousand pounds and more from the Exchequer in Ireland and converted to his own use 2. That in the beginning of his Government the Garrisons of Ireland had been maintained by the English Treasury 3. That he had advanced popish and infamous persons as the Bishop of Waterford and others to the prime Room in the Church of Ireland Answer 1. That England was indebted to Ireland so much which he took up upon his own credit and paid it in again producing the Kings Authority and Letter for the same 2. That the Garrisons had been formerly burdensom to England which he so found and had so improved the Kings Revenues there that they were not burdensom at all 3. That he never preferred any but whom he conceived consciencious and honest not being able to prophesie of mens future conditions And for the Bishop of Waterford he hath satisfied the Law The next Day March 24. the particular Articles were inforced to each he answered in order The further Impeachment of Thomas Earl of Strafford by the Commons assembled in Parliament The first Article was not insisted upon 2. That shortly after the obtaining of a Commission dated the 21. of March in the 8. Year of his now Majesties Reign to wit the last Day of August then next following he the said Earl to bring his Majesties Liege-people into a dislike of his Majesty and of his Government and to terrifie the Iustices of the Peace from executing the Laws he the said Earl being then President of the Kings Council in the Northern parts of England and a Iustice of Peace did publickly at the Assizes held for the County of York in the City of York in and upon the said last Day of August declare and publish before the People there attending for the administration of Iustice according to the Law and in the presence of the Iustices sitting that some of the Justices were all for Law but they should finde that the Kings little finger should be heavier than the loyns of the Law Testified by Sir David Fowls and others The Earls Reply That Sir David Fowls was his profest Enemy that his words were clearly inverted that his expression was That the little finger of the Law if not moderated by the Kings gracious clemency was heavier than the Kings loyns That these were his words he verified First by the occasion of them they being spoken to some whom the Kings favour had then enlarged from Imprisonment at York as a Motive to their Thankfulness to his Majesty Secondly by Sir William Pennyman a Member of the House who was then present and heard the words Which Sir William declaring to be true the House of Commons required Iustice of the Lords against him because he had voted the Articles as a Member of the House whereupon Sir William wept 3. That the Realm of Ireland having been time out of minde annexed to the Imperial Crown of this his Majesties Realm of England and governed by the same Laws the said Earl being Lord Deputy of that Realm to bring his Majesties Liege-people of that Kingdom likewise into dislike of his Majesties Government and intending the subversion of the Fundamental Laws and settled Government of that Realm and the distraction of his Majesties Liege-people there did upon the 30. Day of September in the 9. Year of his now Majesties Reign in the City of Dublin the chief City of that Kingdom where his Majesties Privy Council and Courts of Iustice do ordinarily reside and whither the Nobility and Gentry of that Realm do usually resort for Iustice in a publick Speech before divers of the Nobility and Gentry and before the Maior Aldermen and Recorder and many Citizens of Dublin and other his Majesties Liege-people declare and publish that Ireland was a conquered Nation and that the King might do with them what he pleased and speaking of the Charters of the former Kings of England made to that City he further said that their Charters were nothing worth and did binde the King no further than he pleased Testified by the Earl of Cork and two other Lords The Earls Reply That if he had been over-liberal of his tongue for want of discretion yet could not his words amount to Treason unless they had been revealed within fourteen days as he was informed As to the Charge he said True it is he said Ireland was a conquered Nation which no man can deny and that the King is the Law-giver in matters not determined by Acts of Parliament he conceived all loyal Subjects would grant 4. That Richard Earl of Cork having sued out Process in course of Law for recovery of his Possessions from which he was put by colour of an Order made by the said Earl of Strafford and the Council-table of the said Realm of Ireland The said Earl of Strafford upon a Paper-petition without legal proceedings did the twentieth Day of February in the eleventh Year of his now Majesties Reign threaten the said Earl of Cork being then a Peer of the said Realm to imprison him unless he would surcease his Suit and said that he would have neither Law nor Lawyers dispute or question any of his Orders And the twentieth of March in the said eleventh Tear the said Earl of Strafford speaking of an Order of the said Council-table of that Realm made in the time of King James which concerned a Lease which the said Earl of Cork claimed in certain Rectories or Tithes which the said Earl of Cork alleged to be of no force said that he would make the said Earl and all Ireland know so long as he had the Government there any Act of State there made or to be made should be as binding to the Subjects of that Kingdom as an Act of Parliament And did question the said Earl of Cork in the Castle-chamber upon pretence of Breach of the said Order of Council-table and did sundry other times and upon sundry other occasions by his words and speeches arrogate to himself a Power above the Fundamental Laws and established Government of that Kingdom and scorned the said Laws and established Government The Earls Reply It were hard measure for a man to lose his Honour and his Life for an hasty word or because he is no wiser than God hath made him As for the words he confessed them to be true and thought he said no more than what became him considering how much his Masters Honour was concerned in him that if a proportionable obedience was not as well due to Acts of State as to Acts of Parliament in vain did Councils sit And that he had done no more than what former Deputies had done and than what was agreeable to his Instructions for the Council-table which he produced And that if those words were Treason they should have been revealed within
of Queen Elizabeth and himself a person not engaged in any publick pressures of the Common-wealth and therefore most likely to prove just and acceptable to the People The Papists likewise permitted privately to enjoy their Religion and a general good agreement between the Natives and the English in all parts In August the Popish party in Parliament grown high and incompatible with the present Government the Parliament was adjourned for three Moneths and then the Committee returned out of England and arrived at the end of August desiring that all the Acts of that Parliament might be proclaimed and sent down to the several Counties and so they retired to their places of abode In this great serenity and security the late Irish Army raised for the assistance of the Kings service against the Scots was disbanded and all their Army brought into Dublin Then there brake out upon the three and twentieth of October 1641. a desperate Rebellion universal defection and general Revolt of the Natives together which almost all the old English that were Popish totally involved A Rebellion so execrable as no Age no Nation can parallell the abominable Murders without number or mercy upon the Brittish Inhabitants of what sexes age or quality soever they were and this to be contrived with that secrecy amongst themselves that not one English man received any notice thereof before the very Evening of their intended Execution But though there were no direct appearance of the first Contrivers of this Rebellion yet I finde the Romish Clergy and the the Popish Lawyers great Instruments of the Fundamentals whereupon their bloudy Superstructions were reared The Lawyers standing up in Parliament as great Patriots for the Liberties of the Subject and Redress of Grievances boldly obtruding their pernicious speculations as undoubted Maxims of Law which though apparent to wise men yet so strangely were many of the very Protestants and others wel-meaning men blinded with an apprehension of case and redress and so stupified with their bold accusations of the Government as discouraged others to stand up to oppose them And then it was that the Parliament having impeached Sir Robert Bolton Lord Chancellour of Ireland of high Treason with other prime Officers of State that were of English birth and done their worst also against the Earl of Strafford in England Some of these great Masters and pretended Patriots took upon them impudently to declare the Law as they pleased to make new Expositions of their own upon that Text to frame Queries against Government Presidents they had enough of former proceedings in England they disdained the moderate qualifications of such as replied to them but those would not serve their turn New Model of Government they would have drawing it wholly into the hands of the Natives which they knew could not be compassed in a Parliamentary way they onely made preparatives there by desperate Maxims which being diffused would fit and dispose the people to a change Some of their Maxims they declared for Law that any one being killed in Rebellion though found by matter of Record would give the King no Forfeiture of Estate That though many thousands stood up in Arms working all manner of destruction yet if they professed not to rise against the King that it was no Rebellion That if a man were cuâ—lawed for Treason and his Land rested in the Crown or given away by the King his Heir might come afterwards and be admitted to reverse the Outlawry and recover his Ancestours Estate And many such were published this Session nay they presumed to attempt a suspension of Poyning ' s Act and at last the very abrogation of the Statute the best Monument of the English intire dominion over the Irish Nation and the annexion of that Kingdom to the Imperial Crown of England assuming a power of Iudicature to the Parliament in criminal and capital offences which no former age could presidence And so carried on their Session begun in May till the breaking out of the Rebellion and yet then they would hardly adjourn These and many other such which wise men fore-saw and since came to pass that Fools may run and read them They made the whole Body of State corrupt and ill-affected that the evil humours and distempers of the Kingdom required Cauteries This was the Disease as appears by all the Symptoms and the joint concurrence in opinion of all the pretended Patriots that held themselves wise enough to propose Remedies to so desperate a Malady But indeed although but pretences yet the King had condescended to their present relief giving much more satisfaction to their Agents lately in England than ever they could in any other time expect to receive or hope to enjoy but presently upon their return to Ireland this Conspiracy brake out Certainly the late successes of the Scots in their Insurrections gave encouragement to these they having happily succeeded in their affairs obtained signal Immunities from the King by their last Eruptions Our domestick garboils also might indulge them liberty to perplex the English the more and not the least advantage by the death of the late Deputy the Earl of Strafford whom the Irish equally pursued with the Zelots of Parliament in England and thereupon the unseasonable disbanding of the Irish Army eight thousand raised for the Scotish Expedition All these together added to them for their Design four thousand whereof were granted to Don Alonso de â—ardenes the Spanish Ambassadour to be transported from the danger of Innovation at home and the Officers and Colonels put out by the Parliaments commands might depart with their Regiments whither they pleased These were their Incitements and their Deceits followed they boast that the Queen was in the Head of their Forces that the King was coming with an Army that the Scots had concluded a League with them and to get credit therein they altogether caress the Scots that they were authorised by the Kings Commission which they counterâ—eited and produced at Farnham Abbey from one Colonel Plunket as appeared afterwards by several Confessions that they asserted the Kings cause against the Puritans of England And to their own Countrey-men they scatter Letters and Advertisements out of England that there was a Statute very lately made to compell all the Irish to be present at the Protestant worship under penalty of loss of their Goods for the first neglect the loss of their Inheritances for the second and their Lives for the third They gave there great hopes of recovering their Liberties and regaining their ancient Customes and to shake off the English yokâ— to elect to themselves a King of their own Nation and to distribute the Goods and Possessions of the English These Inducements made the Irish mad to perpetrate such hideous Attempts as no leading Age hath heard of They published also these Motives in print that our royal King and Queen are by the Puritans curbed and abused and their Prerogatives restrained diminished and almost wholly abolished
with Mr. Hotham who was in ill case to continue but must be forced to retreat to Hull The Forces of the West in Cornwall for the King began to form into a Body near Pendennis Castle the Governour thereof Sir Nicholas Slaning a gallant Gentleman and assisted 〈…〉 others Sir Bevil Greenvile who possessed themselveâ—â—â—aunston the County Town of Cornwall but not long after Sir Ralph Hopton appears in chief command over the Cavaliers The Parliament had Plymouth the neighbour Port Town of Devonshire bordering Cornwall in the South and Sir George Chudly a Stickler for them for a time onely The Kings party increased in Mid-Wales and descending Southwards as he marches the Welch come to him from all parts of Hereford Monmouth mightily increasing by the power and industry of the Earl of Worcester their Brigades reaching to Oxford and round about where Prince Rupert commanded who took Powder and Match marching through Staffordshire to reprieve Manchester The Parliament party lay about Warwick Coventrie Worcester Buckingham and their Brigades round about even to Glocester Some Arms for the King are landed at Newcastle and ten thousand pounds in Money to raise Dragoons in Northumberland and to fall into Yorkshire which appeared for the King The King on his march from Wales descended Southward and now being near Stafford the Parliament order That the Citie of London be strongly guarded and Posts Bars and Chains be erected and set up in places and by-lanes of the Parishes of St. Margarets Westminster St. Martins in the Fields St. Clements Savoy Holborn St. Giles Covent-garden St. Johns Street â—lerkenwell Criplegate Shoreditch White-chapel Islington Mile-end Southwark Lambeth or any other places necessary at the charge of the Parish by equal Assesment Octob. 22. And the Parliament declare a solemn Protestation to all the world In the presence of Almightie God for the satisfaction of their Consciences and the Discharge of that great Trust which lies upon them That no private passion or respect no evil intention to his Majesties person no Design to the prejudice of his just Honour and Authoritie engaged them to raise Forces and take up Arms against the Authours of this War whereof the Kingdom is now inflamed And after they have by clearing themselves lodged the occasion upon the Contrivers Papists about the King for extirpation of the Protestant Religion wherein principally this Kingdom and Scotland are concerned as making the greatest Body of Reformation in Christendom they conclude For all which Reasons they are resolved to enter into a solemn Oath and Covenant with God to give up themselves lives and fortunes into his hands and defend this his cause with the hazzard of our lives against the Kings Armie according to a form agreed upon and to be subscribed and to associate and unite with all the well-affected of the Citie of London and other parts of his Majesties Dominions 〈…〉 expect their dear Brethren of Scotland that they will help and 〈◊〉 defence of this Cause which if the Popish partie prevail must needs involve Scotland in the like alteration of Religion and engage them also in a War against this Kingdom to defend their own Religion And this they do again they say protest before the everliving God to be the chief end of all their counsels and resolutions without any intention to injure his Majestie either in his person or just power Octob. 22. And the Battail of Edg-hill the next morning being Sunday After the Kings party had beat the Enemy at Worcester Fight the three and twentieth of September he joyns all his Brigades near hand and marches to meet General Essex hovering thereabout to watch the Kings Designs who lodged on Saturday night October 22. at Sir William Chancies six miles near Keinton and Essex at Keinton And early the next morning being Sunday the three and twentieth drew up into a Body near Keinton and ascending the top of Edg-hill with his Prospective Glass took view of Essex his Army in the Vale of the Red Horse about a Mile distant but before the King could draw into order he was saluted with three Pieces of Cannon from the other side with three Shouts of their Souldiers And being asked by his Officers what his Majesty meant to do To give him Battel said the King it is the first time I ever saw the Rebells in a Bodie God and good mens prayers to him assist the justice of my cause And instantly ordered the Fight by the return of two Shot of Cannon in answer to theirs about two of the clock after noon the Word was God and King Charls his greatest Body of Horse was on the right Wing and on the left some Horse and Dragoons The Parliaments Army was put into this order the Foot a good space behinde the Horse when the Charge began three Regiments of Horse on the right Wing the Generals Regiment commanded by Sir Philip Stapleton Sir Balfore's Regiment who was Lieutenant General of the Horse and the Lord Fielding's Regiment which stood behinde the other two as a Reserve Sir Iohn Meldrum had the Van with his Brigade Colonel Essex the middle the General 's Regiment the Lord Brook and Colonel Hollis had the Rear in the left Wing were twenty Troops commanded by Sir Iames Ramsey Commissary General And thus they stood The Earl of Lindsey Lord High Chamberlain of England was the Kings Captain General but the Fight was ordered by the Lord Ruthen since made Earl of Forth a Scotish man and the General lead on the main Body with a Pike in his hand it is said that General Essex lead on his Forces also but then it is confessed that he was advised to retire from Danger and so he escaped when the other was killed The Forlorn Hope was commanded by Major Baâ—stake and Captain Hamond both of them Officers in Sir Lewis Diveâ— Regiment of Foot and drawn down the Hill to the side of a Ditch lined with Musquetiers and both sides had no sooner fired but that the Kings Cannon followed and discharged six or seven Shot Prince Rupert General of the Horse commanding the right Wing routed their left Wing and followed them in chafe to Keinton Town and two Miles beyond killing all whom they overtook the Lord Ruthen ordered the left Wing of the Kings Horse with the Lord Wilmot both of them doing gallant service 't is true Prince Rupert presumed that he had left a sufficient Reserve of Horse behinde under command of the Earl of Carnarvan with some other Troops who seeing the Enemies Horse and Foot to run his spirit not accustomed to stand still followed too far and left their own Foot naked of Horse which Essex espying took the advantage and with his Horse fell upon the Foot including these Regiments the Lord Generals Colonel Fieldings and Colonel Bowels a Regiment raised by the Lord Paget and did much execution upon them this service being done by Colonel Hurry afterwards Major General for the Parliament The Lord General Lindsey
confined by the Parliament at VVestminster Earl of Chesterfield and the Lord Mountague of Boughton These Members then disabled by Accidents have appeared since Peter Venebles Sir Io. Pawler Edward Bagshaw Sir Io. Burlacie Fr. Newport Anthony Hungerford Io. Russel Thomas Chichely Earl of Cork Sir Iervase Cliâ—ton Sir Guy Palmes Ro. Sutton Iervase Hollis Sir Patrick Curwin Sir Henry Bellingham Sir George Dalston Sir Thomas Stanford Sir VVilliam Dalston Mich. VVharton Sir Ro. Hutton Iames Sindamore Sir Io. Brich Sir Io. Stepny Imployed in his Majesties Service Sir Io. Finch Hugh Porter VValter Kurle VVilliam Stanhop Sir VVilliam Carnaby Sir Thomas Danby Io. Fennich Ralph Sneade Sir VVilliam Ogle Sir Thomas Iermin Sir Iohn Stowell Sir Robert Strickland Sir Ph. Musgrave Io. Coucher Io. Coventry Sir Henry Slingsby Sir Io. Malory Io. Bellasis Sir Thomas Ingram Lord Mansfelt Thomas Hebelthaite Sir Hugh Cholmly Sir George VVentworth Sir VValter Lloyd Iohn Vaughan Richard Ferrers George Hartnoll Sir VVilliam Udall Robert Hunt Thomas May. Sir Thomas Bourcher Sir Thomas Roe These Members taking into consideration the distressed estate of this Kingdom did the seven and twentieth day of this instant Ianuary send a Letter to the Earl of Essex for a Treaty of peace signed by all the Members with order to be published to this effect My Lord His Majesty having by his Proclamation of the two and twentieth of December last upon occasion of this Invasion by some of his Subjects of Scotland summoned all of the Members of both Houses of Parliament to attend him here at Oxford inviting us in the said Proclamation by these gracious Expressions That his Subjects should see how willing he was to receive advice for preservation of the Religion Laws and Safety of the Kingdom and as far as in him lay to restore it its former peace and security his chief and onely end from these whom they had trusted though he could not receive it in the place where he appointed VVhich hath been made good to us and seconded by such unquestionable Demonstrations of his deep and princely sense of the miseries and calamities of his poor Subjects in this unnatural VVar and his passionate affection to redeem them from that deplorable condition by all ways consistent with his Honour or with the future safety of the Kingdom c. We being most intirely satisfied of this truth and sensible of the Desolations of our Countrey and further Dangers threatned from Scotland c. And we being desirous to believe your Lordship however ingaged a person likely to be sensibly touched with these considerations do invite you to that part in this blessed work wich is onely capable to repair all our miseries and buoy up the Kingdom from ruine VVe therefore conjure you by all obligations that have power upon honour conscience or publick piety you will co-operate with us to its preservation by truly representing to and promoving with those by whom you are trusted this our Desire That they joyning with us in a right season some persons be appointed on either part to treat of such a Peace as may redeem it from the brink of desolation This Address we make being assured by his Proclamation of Pardon that his mercy and clemency can transcend all former provocations God Almighty direct your Lordship and those whom you shall present with these our real Desires as may produce a happy peace c. Your affectionate Friends c. Oxford Jan. 27. 1645. To these he returns no Answer to them but sends this Letter to the Parliament at Westminster where it wrought upon the Members according to their several affections The haste which the Scots Covenanters made rushed in their Army into England the sixteenth of Ianuary consisting of eighteen thousand Foot and two thousand Horse marching forwards till they came to the warm Sea-coal fires at Newcastle they knew the way hither having fared so well the time before in their first Expedition their then General and they being well rewarded here and at home by the Kings indulgent graces he following them into Scotland confirming unto them in full Parliament all the Privileges of Kirk and Kingdom and conferred many Honours and Offices He having done all this as before in particulars and ere he took leave to return wishing them to continue in allegeance and live in peace and if any difference should happen in England which he hoped God would divert he desired them to continue Neuters though he might expect Aid yet he would not disturb the Peace of his native Countrey To which they all obliged themselves by revival of their own Act to that purpose and at the publishing one of their chief that had been their General in the said Expedition fell on his knees and lifting up his arms and hands to Heaven wished they might rot to his body before he died if ever he would heave them up hereafter or draw his Sword against his gude King yet this Wretch Sir Alexander Lesly whom the King had made Lord Leven comes General of this Army also But their Harbinger came before them a Declaration spread abroad for satisfaction to their Brethren of England intentionally to answer three Questions The justness of their Cause The lawfulness of their calling thereunto And the faithfulness of their carriage therein For the first they appeal to the great Searcher of all hearts who knows that had not the love of Christ requiring to bear one anothers burthen and the Law of Nature challenging our endeavour to prevent our own Danger inveloped with our Neighbours and our Duty and Desire of rescuing the King from his pernicious Council we could with far more content have enjoyed our dry Morsel than entered into your Houses full of Sacrifices with strife c. And we profess before God and the world our hearts are clean and free from any other intentions than those expressed in our Solemn League and Covenant confederate with England viz. Reformation of Religion Honour of the King Peace of the Kingdoms Secondly and because a good necessarily requires a good Calling c. Providence hath so provided that the Parliament of England have a particular obligation upon this our Nation for refusing to countenance a VVar against us in 1640. and now desire our assistance to them and so with the sense of Piety Religion Honour and Duty to their Sovereign we may not resist our Call to this Expedition Thirdly then for our carriage herein we shall order our Army from Insolencies Rapines Plunderings and other calamities incident to War And we do freely give the Publick Faith of the Kingdom of Scotland unto the Kingdom of England that neither our entrance into nor continuance in England shall be made use of to other ends than is expressed in that Covenant which we shall keep inviolable And call God to witness their onely intent of VVar is to confirm all in Peace and so to return home again How they have performed these let the world judge I
signal compliance with the Army and their interest and what of importance my complyance was to them and their often repeated Professions and Ingagements for my Iust Rights in general at Newmarket and St Albans and their particular explanation of those generals by their Voted and Re-voted Proposals which I had reason to understand should be the uttermost extremity would be expected from me and that in some things therein I should be eased herein appealing to the Consciences of some of the chiefest Officers in the Army if what I have said be not punctually true and how I have failed of their expectations and my professions to them I challange them and the whole World to produce the least colour of Reason And now I would know what is it that is desired Is it Peace I have shewed the way being both willing and desirous to perform my part in it which is a just complayance with all chief Interests It is Plenty and Happinesse They are the inseparable effects of peace Is it security I who wish that all men would forgive and forget like me have offered the Militia for my time Is it liberty of Conscience he who wants it is most ready to give Is it the right administration of Iustice Officers of trust are committed to the choice of my two Houses of Parliament Is it frequent Parliaments I have legally fully concurred therewith Is it the Arrears of the Army Vpon a settlement they will certainly be paied with much ease but before there will be found much difficulty if not impossibility in it Thus all the world cannot but see my real and unwearied endeavours for Peace the which by the grace of God I shall never repent me of nor ever be slackned in notwithstanding my past present or future sufferings but if I may not be heard let every one judge who it is that obstructs the good I would or might do What is it that men are afraid to hear from me it cannot be Reason at least none will declare themselves so unreasonable as to confess it and it can less be impertinent or unreasonable discourses for thereby peradventure I might more justifie this my restraint then the causers themselves can do so that of all wonders yet this is the greatest to me but it may be easily gathered how these men intend to govern who have used me thus and if it be my hard Fate to fall together with the Liberty of this Kingdom I shall not blush for my self but much lament the future miseries of my people the which I shall still pray to God to avert what ever becomes of me C. R. And now was the strict custody of the King referred to the care and Command of the General to place and displace servants such as to him thought meet and only eight persons for the present allowed to him Of which and his strict Guards he expostulates with Hamond telling him that he might yet ere long be beholding to one of his Sons for his life for now was Prince Charles gone from Paris into Holland from whence we shall hereafter hear more of him February 4. The first alteration of Soveraignty was in Title of things properly stiled the Kings and therefore the Title of the List of his Majesties Ships is but now altered to the List of the Parliaments Ships and the Hollanders refuse to strike Top Sail to the English disputeing that they were the Elder States and indeed so they were and Elder Brothers in the other also The Army resolve of new Modelling themselves to put the Martial power into the best way for themselves to appear formidable in the Field to make good the Garisons and to take in all confiding persons and so to make more Officers and fewer Souldiers under their Command the easier to be governed and in time of Action soon filled up by Sir Thomas Fairfax who now takes an additional Title of Lord Fairfax being the unic Son to his Father who of a Corn on his great Toe iâ— turned to a Gangreen and killed him And so we end the troublesome affairs of State in England for this year But may not pass over those concernments of Scotland and Ireland contemporary Nor would we nor could we handsomly interrupt our History with them and therefore we insert them here by themselves And first of Scotland beginning where we left before The continuation of the Military Actions for the King in Scotland under conduct of the Marquess of Montrose this year 1647. The Covenanters held Convention at St. Andrews upon the East Sea in Fife carrying their prisonâ—rs with them where ever they removed both of War or others of the Kings Friends men of the best note the Lord Ogleby Sir William Spotswood William Murrey and Andrew Gutlery men of singular merit who here were to be sacrificed To which purpose they set up a couple of their Kirk men Kaint and Blaire and others also possessed with the same spirit That God required the blood of these men nor could the sin of the Nation be otherwise expiated or the revenge of heaven diverted sentencing their very souls to damnation But Ogleby the most eminent a Hamilton by the Mothers side and cousin German to Lindsey pretending himself sick had leave for his Mother Wife and Sisters to visit him in prison and whilst the Jaylors withdrew he got on his sisters cloths and put her in his place in bed And at evening passed out with them for a Lady and so got out of danger his sister suffered strict imprisonment in the same Chamber for a long time after and hastened the execution on the rest of the Prisoners The first was Nathaniel Gordon the next Colonel Gordon and then comes Sir Robert Spotswood he had been raised by favour of King Iames to the honour of Knighthood and Privy Councellor of Scotland King Charles made him Lord President of the Session and of late principal Secretary of Scotland Their Charge against him was not for Arms being a man of the Gown but they found Treason in his bringing of the Kings Commission to Montrose to be Vice-roy of the Kingdom and General of all the Kings Forces there It was no boot his Eloquent and Learned defence answerable to the fundamental Laws of that nation But the Earl of Lanerick heretofore Principal Secretary by his revolt against the King this Office was setled upon Spotswood this was additional to his Charge which because he was not able to bear out he was forced to fall under And on the Scaffold prepared to dye he made his last Speech to the People but Blair being by bad the Provost stop his mouth and privately praying Blair interrupting offered his prayers which the other refused adding That of all the Plagues with which God had scourged this Nation this was not the least nay greater than Sword or Pestilence that God had sent a lying Spirit in the mouthes of the pretended Prophets for which Blair basely reproached
Sanderson Shelden Hamond Oldsworth Turner Haywood Lawyers Sir Tho. Gardner Sir Orlando Bridgman Sir R. Holburn Mr. Ieffery Palmer Mr. Tho. Cook Mr. Io. Vaughan Clerks and Writers Sir Edward Walker Mr. Phil. Warwick Mr. Nich. Oudart Mr. Charles Whittane To make ready the House for Treating Peter Newton The Commissioners nominated to attend the Treaty for the Parliament were the Earls of Salisbury Pembroke Middlesex Northumberland and the Lord Say And of the Commons were the Lord Wainman Mr. Hollis lately re-admitted into the House Mr. Perpoint Sir Harry Vane Jun. Sir Harbotel Grimston Mr. Brown Mr. Crew Mr. â—lin lately re-admitted into the House Sir Io. Pots and Mr. Bulkley And the King desired a safe conduct for Commissioners to come out of Scotland to joyn in the Treaty with him viz. the Lord Carnagy Sir Alexander Gibson the Lord Clerk Register and Sir Iames Carmichel The two first were refused as having been in arms against the Parliament of England And that four Bishops might attend him Armagh Exeter Rochester and Worcester and for Doctor Ferne and Doctor Morley And for his Advocate Sir Thomas Reves and for Doctor Duck Civil Lawyers but none of these aforesaid the Kings friends were intromitted into the Scene or to speech but to stand behind the Hangings and in the Tâ—ring-room so that the Kings single solitary self opposed all the other party And Order is given to Colonel Hamond to free the King of his imprisonment to ride abroad where he pleaseth upon his engagement to return at night to Sir William Hodges House the place appointed to Treat where galloppiâ—g down a steep Hill 14 Septem and reining his Horse too hard the Bridle broke and he without a Curb ran with speed endangering the King whose excellent Horsemanship saved him from the terrible effects which amazed the beholders And it is remarkable that long before this Lilly had foretold in his Astrological Predictions pag 15. lin 31. And were his Majesty at liberty it shews or threatens danger to his person by inordinate Horsmanship or some fall from on high Friday the 15. of September the Commissioners of Parliament are come to the King and Saturday was kept a fast by him and all his Family and Friends assistant with the ancient service of the Book of Common Prayer and preaching with this particular Prayer for a blessing on the Treaty O Most merciful Father Lord God of Peace and truth we a people sorely afflicted by the scourge of an unnatural war do here earnestly beseâ—ch thee to command a blessing from Heaven upon this Treaty brought about by thy providence and the only visible remedy left for the establishment of an happy peace Soften the most obdurate hearts with a true Christian desire of saving those mens blood for whom Christ himself hath shed his O Lord let not the guilt of our sins cause this Treaty to break off but let the Truth of thy Spirit so clearly shine in our mindes that all private ends laid a side we may every one of us heartily and sincerely pursue the publick good and that thy people may be no longer so blindly miserable as not 〈◊〉 see at least in this their day the things that belong unto their peace Grant this gracious God for his sake who is our peace it self even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen The King told the Commissioners that he was glad of their coming to treat with him for a Peace and desired God to perfect that good work professing that he was in charity with all men not willing to revenge upon any nor to delay the hopes of a blessed issue and concludes to begin the Treaty on Munday morning 9. a clock 18. Septemb. The Treaty begins and to make it more difficult to Peace Occasion is given to oppose four Demands or Bills to the Kings demands which as a pledge of trust should be granted before whereto if the King assent they promise to commence a Treaty to the rest 1. To order for the future the Militia without the Kings consent to raise what Arms they please and that all others upon the pain of Treason shall not assemble to the number of thirty persons without the Authority of Parliament 2. That the Houses may sit and adjourn and assemble to what place and at what time at their own discretion 3. All Oaths Interdictions and declarations against the Parliament to be declared void 4. Whomsoever the King had dignified with Titles from the time himself departed and conveyed away the great Seal of England be degraded of their honours And these must be first ratified and to command them to be passed into Laws Then they go on with the Preface the matter of the Treaty For as much as both Houses of Parliament have been necessitated to undertake a War for their just defence and for the prosecuting thereof have bound themselves in a Covenant be it enacted by the Kings command The Propositions were in number eleven 1. That all Declarations and Proclamations against the two Houses of Parliament or their Adherents and all Judgments and Indictments c. against them be declared Null 2. That a Satute be Enacted for abolishing of all Arch Bishops and Bishops out of the Churches of England and Ireland for the selling of their Lands and Revenues As also that the calling and sitting in Synod of the Divines be approved 〈◊〉 the Royal assent the Reformation of Religion for England and Ireland according to such Models as the Members of Parliament have or shall decree consultations first had with the said Divines In particular that the King grant his assent that the Act of both Houses formerly made concerning the Directory as concerning the publick Celebration of Gods worship throughout England and Ireland for the abolishing the Ancient Liturgie for the form of Church Government and Articles of Religion with the Catechisms the great and the less for the more Religious observation of the Lords day for supressing of Innovations in Churches and Chappels for the incouraging of the publick Preachers to their duties by a just reward for prohibiting of Pluralities of Benefices and non-residence to Clergy-men henceforth pass into Statutes or Laws That the King would set his hand to the National League and Covenant and suffer himself to be bound by the same that by publick Act it be enjoyned all the Subjects of both the Kingdoms of England and Scotland to be bound thereby under a penalty to be imposed at the pleasure of both Houses That it may belong to the Houses of Parliament to visit and reform the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge the Colledges also of Westminster Winchester and Eaton That it be provided by Statutes that Jesuites Priests and Papists disturb not the Common-wealth nor elude the Laws as also for the discriminating of them an Oath be administred to them wherein they shall abjure the Pope of Romes Supremacie Transubstantiation Purgatory Image-worship and other Superstitious errors of the Church of Rome That
Stratherns descent and title to Sovereignty Raised to his ruine Dangerous to Sovereigns to prefer any Pretenders of Title The Scots design a new Government by Tables The Confession of Faith 1580. Negative confession what and when See Hist. 9. of Scots The Scots title to their new Confession of Faith examined Hamilton high Commissioner tâ— Scotland His Commission read in publiquâ— Covenanters demands Proclamation Hamilton posts to the King August 5. And returns Contracted into two Hamilton poasts to the King again And return to Scotland September 22. The Kings Declaration published For the general Assembly another Their Letter of thanks to the King Covenanters assume all authority A covenanting Female Imposturess Assembly dischâ—â—â—â—â— Against which the Covenanters protest Hamilton returns to England and the Scots begin to arm Iuly Eruption of Fire out of the Sea Queen Motlier of France comes hither The King prepares an Army Proclaims the occasion Hist p. 188. Obs. p. 151. English Army 1639. The Army marches to the North. Anno 1639. Obs. p. 157. The Scots and English in view The Armies Treat The Scots desires The Kings Declaration Artâ—cles of Pacification Scots submission Scots Protestation The proccedings in their Parliament in August Scotish Parliament prorogued Their Protestation The Scots deputies to the King Four Commissioners from Scotland Loudon his Speech Their Treasons summed up The Protestation of the Assembly and like of the Parliament Simeon and Levi. The Covenanters Declaration of grievances Observations thereupon It was ratified by Parliament most faise never ratified by Parliament never forbiden by any Act of Parliament These were confirmed by Parliaments and never repreaâ—ed but nâ—w most illegally called in question without King or Parliament Is this Assembly without the King of more validity six former Assemblies approved by the King and Parliament It Was no covenant but only a bare negative confession and abjuration of all points of Popery Nunquam de fide constare dum semper de fide disputamus Tertul Iâ— one Assemblie null what others 〈◊〉 act and constitute how shall the people be certain of their Religion Twenty years hence another Assembly was upon new alterations anul all which this hath done and there shall be never any certain Religion settled Oath administred to the Scots against their Covenant The Scots false Paper which was burnt This Paper was contradictory to the 7. Articles of Pacification Arnndel testifies Pembroke testifies Salisbury testifies All the Lords concurre The Kings report The Scots excuse concerning this Paper They pretend that verbal grants made the King contradict the signed Articles A pretty conceit The disagreeing of these Notes shew there was no truth in it This is like the rest as if they themselves had not dispersed them They were coÌ„mon and therfore one was burnt and others called in They acknowledge this letter by the French king They did mediate with Denmark Sweden and Holland for their assistance and offered to Denmark the isles of Orkney and had agents at every place for that effect Multitudo peccatorum tollit sensum poenâ—m peccati Formerly the Scots account themselves a free Republick They forget another duty to our King It is not against the law of nations for any King to imprison and execute his own subjects Considerations upon the 7. Articles Obs. 160. Protestation of the Covenanters the Preface Prince Elector comes over Hist. p. 163. fleets of Spain and Holland engage Arundel sent aboard the Spaniards What was the Spaniards Design Lord Keeper Coventry dies Sir Iohn Finch succeeds Reading at the Temple He is silenced and questioned Answer Scots Commissioners return Hist. p. 167. Hist. p. 167. The matter concluded at the Private Iunto The King resolves of a Parliament in England and anothâ—â— to be iâ—â—â—â—â—land Ob. p. 167. The Iunto subscribe to lend mony and so afterwards do all others herein mistaking those Obs. p. 170. Hist. p. 170. The grand Design In England he means The Earl and Countess had no such interest The King never thought so What execution doth he mean Of Nidsdale he means This was a false Parenthesis and injurious to the late King and his blessed memory and the rest of this Paragraph an idle conceit It was proved he never was there There were these men and pâ—aces but upon exâ—mination the matter but devised Unlikely Never taught any Religion Hist. p. 181. Obs. p. 171. Hist. of Qu. of Scots and K. Iames. 1640. Proeme Anno 1640. Parliament beigns the thirteenth of April Hist. p. 183. Parliament dissolved the 5. of May. Obs. p. 174. Convocation sit still Hist. p. 184. Bishops impose an Oath Hist. p. 185. Obs. p. 189. Hist. p. 186. Obs. p. 166. The entrance and original of all our Troubles Lambeth house beset by Puritans A Jovento of Council L. L. See L. L. of Ireland L. Admiral L. L. See L. L. of Ireland Lord Arch-bishop Lordâ— Archbishop of Canterbury L. Cottington L. L. See L. L. of Ireland London Derry in Ireland English Army ready Henry Duke of Glocester born Proclamation against the Rebells The King goes into Scotland At Newburn defeat New-castle deserted Hist. p. 189. Scots Petition Scots â—â—mands Anno 1640. Petition of the city of London The Kings speech to the Peers A meeting resolved Treaty at Rippon thus concluded Earl of Montross forsakes the Covenanters in private A Parliament resolâ—ved upon an ominous day Nov. 3. Obs. p. 208. The King in prudence calls this Parliament His excellent Book Eikon Basilike Eikon Basilike Chap. 1. of calling the Parliament Obs. p. 209. See Hist. Qu. of Scots and K. Iames in Folio Parliament sit The Kings Speech to the Lords Petitions against Grievances Pym 's Speech 1. Grievanceâ— of Religion in Popery Grievance 2 of Religion in Popary Innovations 3. Liberty of Persons and Estates Grievance 4. Compositions for Knighthood Sâ—ap Ship-money Inlargments of forrests Selling of Nusances Commissions for buildings Depopulations Military charges Muster-master his Wages Extrajudicials Monopolies countenanced by the Council-table Star-chambet The Kings Edicts and Proclamations Abuse of Preachers Intermission of Parliaments Lord Dighy's Speech Laws executed upon Recusants Monopolies voted out of the House Lords Pockets searched The Lieutenant of Ireland impeached of High-Treason Obs. p. 211. His condition examined Parliament borrow money of the City Bishop of Lincoln enlarged Hist. p. 217. Justice Howard killed by a Papist Prin and Burton return from durance Sir Francis Windbanck gets away Votes against Ship-money Ob. p. 218. London Petitioneth the late Canons denounced Obs. p. 220. Arch-bishop of Canterbury impeached See Obs. p. 216. and committed to custody Scots Covenanters charge against the Arch-bishop of Canterbury December 17. the Scots Charge against the L. Lieutenant of Ireland Money voted for the Scots Lord Keeper Finch his Speech to the Commons House Voted flyeth 〈…〉 〈◊〉 against Goodman the Priest The Kings Answer 〈…〉 The Scots affairs 1. Demand Answer 2. Demand Answer 3. Demand Answer 5. Demand Answer 6. Demand Answer 7. Demand Answer
fit for a Kings use because submitting to the regret of the peoples hate and had no doubt abilities to have ballanced affairs to the better had not his Assassination left things loose in the very time that he endeavoured to fasten them These grievances such as they were murmured into common knowledge made the Multitude most averse to supply the Kings necessities and his Instruments of Invention seeking thereby their own ends to advance the Prâ—sbyterian Faction by a discontented bussle put the King upon the most regretful wayes that proved his ruine Of Scotland But to heighten these Differences the Scots are called home from foreign parts and flocking to the English Court upon large expence their former begging trade almost out of use began confederacie with the English Puritan and Presbyter crying out upon the Queen and Popery some advantages they finde ready fitted to hand the busie Arch-bishop who must in this time of high discontent press a full conformity of their Kirk in Scotland with the English Discipline which occasioned the Commons and cunning Lords of both Nations to combine watching such a conjuncture of time and state that should force the King in to the Parliamentary way which they effected mightily insisting upon their Priviledges enlarged by former favour of Soveraigns specially of Queen Eliâ—â—beth whose interest lay couched in the Mad-headed Multitude lately become loose by sundry Laws which gave them equality with the Peerage and now cry out for liberty And so we shall enter upon some Observations in reference to their first Actors on their own Stage It is observable that upon the change of Soveraignty a Mutability and alteration of men and manners to follow The former Councellors and Favourites of State to decline yielding or overpowred with the Factions and Complots of such as seek to set up themselves with others ruine as in England so in Scotland The Earl of Niddisdale married into the Kindred of the Duke of Buckingham took to Faction the Earl of Mentith of the Ancient Noble Family of Grahames their Spirit was preserved in him but the Estate decayed in them all only Sir Iames Grahame I remember of some credit heretofore with King Iames applyed his policy then in spite to Somerset for the Induction of the Favourite Villiers buoy'd up by the Scots upon his score who had interest with that Duke ever after his noble 〈◊〉 and perfect character never ingratefull Another was Sir William Alexander of Menstrie and but Master of Requests for Scots Affairs yet great enough to bear up with any the most ambitious who with pâ—rsons some Bishops of their own and others of such like humours advised a general Revocation of things passed heretofore partly in minority of Princes in prejudice to the Crown a course most usual just and reasonable with the Kings Predecessors and yet now become grievous for great men to part with Grounded no doubt and that Legally upon former Revocations after dissolution of the Popish Religion and so annexed to the Crown but it was at this time done with all moderation and in effect for ease to the Gentry and the Ministery who of all proved most ingrate Another Symptome of discontent proceeded from men of the Noblest extraction Lords of the Erection or Laicks or as in England Impropriators who usually abused their gathering in of their Tithes against whom Petitions were frequent from almost all the Ministers and Gentry and their Farmers for their oppression in matters of Tithes none having power to carry away his nine parts or any part untill the Proprietary have set out his tenth part The Ministers likewise received no Tithes or but a poor pittance or stipend and so in dependence of such Patrons upon all occasions of Faction good or bad A necessary considered in point of State also That all those Ministers and others that pay Tithes the greatest part of the people should depend on the Nobility or Laick persons upon which reasons for reformation there issued out Commissions to sundry the Prime of Estates and Degrees the very offenders not omitted and called Commissioners of Surrenders of Superiority and Tithes the effect accordingly rendred a due and equal amendment of evill manners and freedom from that bondage and so acknowledged from all Nor were the Patrons displeased in point of profit as it was ordered only they were curbed of their usurpation in their Powers and Superiority over the people and therefore to deceive them it was bruited abroad as a design of the Bishops and struck at the Liberty of Religion Other complaints were fram'd against the Dependants and Favourites of the Lords of Session obstructing the equality of Justice Three of the chiefest Earls Hadington Lidsdale and Southeck led the way of surrendring their Patents from King Iames ad vitaâ— vel culpam and all others Patents were reformed durante beneplâ—citâ— Regis Yet see the ingenuity and grace of the King the last two Earls continued Privy Councellors And Hadington removed from the place of Secretary was rewarded with the custody of the Privy-seal of more honour but less gain And which angered them all Sir William Alexander made a Lord and soon after Secretary of State yet still to stop the mouth of malice Hadington had half the benefit of the signet Mentith made President of the Council a new Office in that Nation which formerly resided in 〈◊〉 Chancellour and afterwards created Earl of Stratherne These Mutations gave the first motions of discontent and proceed to Mutiny for Niddesdale comes thither with Commission of Grievance framed at Court to be setled in form of the English Star-chamber intentionally to raise fines from offenders for the Kings use which Niddesdale meant to beg to pay his debts A design effectually ruinous only to great men notorious oppressors But the Earls of Kinnoul Chancellor Marr Treasurer and old Hadington Privy-seal having continual intelligence out of the Kings Bed-chamber the most Scotch-men his own servants therein from first and last fatal Informers of all his secrets so moved their Faction and Friends armed with Scots Pistols and Whinyards their Mode in mutiny opposed Niddesdale to his teeth the very day of delivery of the Commission to be confirmed by the Council and old Hadington with his Hanger a man now of the Gown in the head of the Rout Niddesdale was fairly enforced to steal away by a back Postern and posted to England with his Commission in his Cloak-bag This the first fatal opposition to Soveraignty and Justice and the first foil which was never removed to the last of the Kings life Alexander also made an Earl unable to execute his Office of Secretary was contented to have assistance of another the manner of England Sir Archibald Attchison a Judge in Ireland his intimate friend but of such an unquiet Spirit as from his first Accession gave fuel to all those after Seditions Upon the surrenders of Superiority and Tythes Sir Iohn Stewart of Traham amongst others was deputed by the Gentry
third appointed this form To be chosen by six Princes of Germany Three Ecclesiastical Arch-Bishops Moguntia Colen and Trevine Three Temporal the Duke of Saxonie the Count Palatine of the Rhene and the Marquesse of Brandenburgh and when those six voyces should happen equally divided that then the Duke of Bohemia before it was a Kingdom should determine the Election this was approved by all the Germain Princes and other Christian Princes and Estates of this world And the manner and conditions are these After his Election he is called onely Caesar and the King of the Romanes and not Emperour till he be Crowned and takes his Oath presently after his Election To defend the Catholick Religion and Pope of Rome To minister Iustice to keep the Lawes of the Empire c. and so is anointed and with some prayers upon him a drawn sword put in his hand a Ring on his finger a scepter in his other hand and three Bishops set the Crown Emperiall upon his Head Then all the Princes take Oath to him In Polonie after the same manner In Spain of late the Kings are not Crowned but have another admission equal and performed by the Arch-Bishop of Toledo Primate of Spain In France they have some alterations from their ancient manner by Lewis le Ieune who ordained the 12. Peers of France Six Ecclesiastical and six Temporal The Arch-Bishop and Duke of Rhemes anointeth and Crowneth the King The Bishop and Duke of Lava bears the Glasse of sacred Oyl The Bishop and Duke of Lanques the Cross. The Bishop and Earl of Beauvais the Mantle Royal. The Bishop and Earl of Koyon the Girdle The Bishop and Earl of Chaalons the Ring The Duke of Burgundy Dean of the Order holds the Crown The Earl of Gasconie and Guiennie the first Banner quartered The Duke of Normandy the second Banner quartered The Earl of Tholosa the Golden spurs The Earl of Campain the Banner Royal or Standard of War The Earl of Flanders the sword Royall And this day the King is severally apparelled three times First as a Priest Secondly a King and Warriour Thirdly as a Iudge He takes his Oath by the Arch-Bishop of Rhemes to the Church and to the people c. and so vested with the Mantle Girdle Ring Ointment and Crown with declaration what each signified And though this Ceremonie of sacring and Anointing Kings be more ancient than the Christian Kingdom of France yet is it the most ancient for particular Majestique manner and most of the Neighbour Kingdoms have affinity from her especially in England being the very same in effect The sacredness of the Hebrew Kings depended much upon their being anointed Anointing added a divine Majesty to their Kings and made them sacred and allied unto God exercising power and authority over things divine the virtue of the sacred Ointment being communicated to them formerly compounded by Moses of Aromatick ingredients and was yet for Initiation and Consecration till Iosiah hid it under ground in the Temple in the same secret place where the Ark of the Covenant Aarons rod Urim and Thummim and the Manna were laid up in preservation against the overthrow of the Temple by the Assyrians as had been prophecied and so lost to posterity in time of their Babylonish Captivity And therefore the King resolves on the day 2. February which is censured For a vanity though serious and the wisest Monarchs are very idle in it as not conferring one dram of solid grandure to the Throne and yet he acknowledgeth that as the King enters recognizance and stipulateth with the people to govern by Law so they acclaim him their King And is all this but vanity Though the Scriptures also exemplifies it in the Iews their first King Saul after the manner of all Nations and after him David Solomon Iehoash The Highâ— Priest anointing him with solemnities as you may see of Gods own appointing and the Ceremony to our Saviour when the Iews crowned him was no doubt in imitation of other Kings and may be a pattern for Christians But the day come which began his solemnitie conveyed him by water from White-Hall to Westminster not in usual state through the streets from the Tower the onely reason the dregs of the Infection not clearing the danger of such concourse of people which is put upon his frugality to save money And though it belonged to the Dean of Westminster Bishop of Lincoln to officiate some chief parts of the Celebrity yet he being under a deserved displeasure and in October last put out of his office of Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England and intrusted unto Sr. Thomas Coventry who sat in Chancery two Terms before much of his duty was conferred upon Dr. Laud Bishop of St. Davids not of Bath and Wells till September after And then concerning the alteration of the Prayer The very Committee for managing the particulars of the Coronation resumed then those ancient particulars of the Prayer till Henry the sixth's time Ut obtineat gratiam huic populo c. like Aaron in the Tabernacle Elisha in the waters Zacharias in the Temple Sit Petrus in Clave Paulus in dogmate and were suitors to the King not to suffer the Dean to that duty and had this answer Who was not worthy to keep the seal lesse deserving to Minister now to his Soveraign Nor was he admitted to the next Parliament nor had summons by Writ so no Proxy to appoint a suffrage though it is said and evilly mentioned by an Historian That the Dukes Mother intruded who loved the Bishop if fame belies her not better then was fitting But this scandal I have answered sufficiently See the Life and Death of King Iames. And his own letters will discover the truth dated the seventh of Ianuary 1625. to the Duke and signed Iohn Lincoln so then he was not Chanceller and saies that he is come to do service for the preparation to the Coronation c. and craves of the Duke to receive a creature of your own struck dead with displeasure and by him to be brought to kiss the Kings hands And another Letter to the King complains that he hath not received his Writ of summons unto the Parliament that he might make his Proxie c. Nor can he go into the County as he had done long since but in expectation of this Writ and that in his absence in this Parliament no use may be made of the Kings Name to wound the reputation of a poor Bishop Cabala 107 108. and so our other Historians are mistaken in this And the manner of his Delivery of the Seal was thus Sir Iohn Suckling was sent from the King to demand it but charily he locked it up in a Cabinet and sent it and the Key by the Knight inclosed in a Letter to the King and so was outed of the Seal but kept his Bishoprick of Lincoln and the Deanary of Westminster which indeed he had for his life and after
all retired to Bugden where he lived very Hospitably and in manner and order of the good Bishops not without an eye and ear over him of such as were Intelligencers of Court And at Westminster Hall the Ceremony begun towards the Abbey Church in order thus 1. The Aldermen of London by couples ushered by an Herauld 2. Eighty Knights of the Bath in their Robes each one having an Esquire to support and a Page to attend him 3. The Kings Serjeants at Law Solicitor Atturney Masters of Request and Iudges 4. Privy Councellors that were Knights and the chief Officers of the Kings Houshold 5. Barons of the Kingdome bare-headed in their Parliament Robes with Swords by their sides 6. The Bishops with Scarlet Gowns and Lawn sleeves bare-headed 7. The Vice-Counts and Earls not in their Parliament but in their Coronation Robes with coronetted Caps on their Heads 8. The Officers of State for the day whereof these are the Principal Sir Richard Winn Sir George Goring The Lord Privy Seal The Archbishop of Canterbury The Earl of Dorset carrying the first Sword The Earl of Essex carrying the second Sword The Earl of Kent carrying the third Sword The Earl of Mountgomery carrying the Spurs The Earl of Sussex carrying the Globe and Cross upon it The Bishop of London carrying the Golden Cup for the Communion The Bishop of Winchester carrying the Golden Plate for the Communion The Earl of Rutland carrying the Scepter The Marquess Hamilton carrying the Sword of State naked The Earl of Pembroke carrying the Crown The Lord Maior in a Crimson Velvet Gown carried a Short Scepter before the King amongst the Serjeants The Earl of Arundel as Earl Marshall of England and the Duke of Buckingham as Lord High Constable of England for that day went next before his Majesty The King entred at the West Gate of the Church under a rich Canopy carried by the Barons of the Cinque Ports His own Person supported by Doctor Neil Bishop of Durham on the one hand and Doctorâ— Lake Bishop of Bath and Wells on the other His train six yards long of Purpleâ—Velvet held up by the Lord Compton Master of the Robes and the Lord Viscount Doncaster Master of the Wardrobe Here he was met by the Prebends of Westminster Bishop Lawd supplying the Deans Place in their rich Copes who delivered into the Kings hands the Staff of King Edward the Confessor with which he walked up to the Throne Which was framed from the Quire to the Altar the King mounted upon it none under the degree of a Baron standing therein save only the Prebends of Westminster who attended on the Altar Three Chairs for the King in several places first of Repose the second the antient Chair of Coronation and the third placed on an high square of five steps ascent being the Chair of State All settled and reposed the Arch-bishop of Canterbury presented his Majesty to the Lords and Commons East West North and South asking them if they did consent to the Coronation of K. Charles their lawful Soveraign The King in the mean time presented himself bareheaded the consent being given four times with great acclamation the King took his Chair of Repose The Sermon being done the Arch-Bishop invested in a rich Cope goeth to the King kneeling upon Cushions at the Communion Table and askes his willingness to take the Oath usually taken by his Predecessors The King is willing ariseth and goeth to the Altar and is interrogated and thus answereth Coronation Oath Sir Sayes the Arch-bishop will you grant and keep and by your Oath confirm to the People of England the Laws and Customes to them granted by the Kings of England your lawful and Religious Predecessours and namely the Laws Customs and Franchises granted to the Clergy by the glorious King St. Edward your Predecessor according to the Lawes of God the true profession of the Gospel established in this Kingdome agreeable to the Prerogative of the Kings thereof and the antient Customes of the Realm The Kings answer I grant and promise to keep them Sir Will you keep Peace and Godly agreement according to your power both to God the holy Church the Clergy and the people I will keep it Sir Will you to your power cause Law Iustice and discretion to mercy and truth to be executed to your Iudgement I will Sir will you grant to hold and keep the Laws and Rightfull Customes which the Comminalty of this your Kingdome have and will you defend and uphold them to the honour of God so much as in you lieth I grant and promise so to do Then one of the Bishops read this Admonition to the King before the people with a lowd voice Our Lord and King wee beseech you to pardon and to grant and to preserve unto Vs and to the Churches committed to your charge all Canonical privileges and do Law and Iustice and that you would protect and defend Vs as every good King to his Kingdomes ought to be Protector and Defendor of the Bishops and the Churches under their Government The King answereth With a willing and devout heart I promise and grant my Pardon and that I will preserve and maintain to you and the Churches committed to your charge all Canonical privileges and due Law and Iustice and that I will be your Protector and Defender to my Power by the Assistance of God as every good King in his Kingdom in right ought to protect and defend the Bishops and Churches under their Government Then the King ariseth and is led to the Communion Table where he makes a solemn Oath in sight of all the people to observe the premisses and laying his hand upon the Bible saith The Oath The things which I have here promised I shall perform and keep So help me God and the Contents of this Book Then were his Robes taken off and were offered at the Altar He stood a while stripped to his Doublet and Hose of White Sattin Then led by the Arch Bishop and Doctor Lawd the Bishopâ—of St. Davids he was placed in the Chair of Coronation a Close Canopy spread over him the Arch-bishop anointing his Head Shoulders Arms and Hands with a costly ointment the Quire singing an Anthem of these words Zadook the Priest anointed King Solomon Hence he was led up in his Doublet and Hose with a White Coife on his head to the Communion Table where the Bishop of St. Davids Deputy for the Dean brought forth the antient Abiliments of King Edward the Confessor and put them upon him Then brought back to the Chair of Coronation he received the Crown of King Edward presented by the Bishop of Saint Davids and put on his Head by the Archâ— Bishop of Canterbury the Quire singing an Anthem Thou shalt put a Crown of pure Gold upon his head whereupon the Earls and Viscounts put on their Crimson Velvet Caps with Coronets about them the
Barons and Bishops alwaies standing bareheaded Then every Bishop came to the King to bring their Benediction upon him and he in King Edwards Robes with the Crown upon his Head rose from his Chair and bowed to every Bishop apart Then was girt about him King Edwards Sword which himself after wards took off and offered it up at the Communion Table with two Swords more in relation to Scotland and Ireland or to some antient Principalities with his Predecessors enjoyed in France The Duke of Buckingham as Master of the Horse put on his Spurs and thus compleatly crowned his Majesty offered first Gold then Silver and afterwards Bread and Wine which was to be used at the holy Communion Then the King was conducted by the Nobility to the Throne upon the square Basis of five Descents the Quire singing Te Deum where he received the Oath of Homage from the Duke of Buckingham as Lord High Constable for that day and the Duke swore all the Nobility to be Homagers to his Majesty at the Kings knee Then the Earls and Barons laid their hands on the Crown upon the Kings head protesting to spend their bloods to maintain it to him and his lawful Heirs The Bishops kneeled down but took no oath the King kissing each of them Then the King took a Scrowl of Parchment out of his Bosom and gave it to the Lord Keeper Coventry who read it to the Commons four several times East West North and South the effect His Majesties pardon to all that would take it under his Broad-Seal From the Throne to the Communion Table where the Arch-bishop kneeling at the North side read prayers and the Quire sung the Nicene Creed the Bishops Landaff and Norwich read the Epistle and Gospels The Bishops of Durham and Saint Davids in rich copes with his Majesty received the Communion the Bread from the Archbishop the Wine from Bishop Saint Davids The King received last of all whilest Gloria Patri was sung and some prayers by the Arch-bishop conclude the solemnity After the King had disrobed himself in King Edwards Chapel he came forth in a short Robe of Red Velvet girt unto him lined with Ermins and a Crown of his own upon his head set with very pretious stones And thus the Train going to the Barges at the water-side they returned to White-hall about three a clock afternoon This being as yet the last solemnity of this King Charles I could say no less to preserve it to memory to shew what that State had been till it be so again And now the King calls a Parliament which met the sixth of February Sir Henage Finch Recorder of London chosen Speaker of the Commons House So soon are they summoned after their last Dissolution It was the Kings design then to take this short time of recess to cool the heat of some fiery Spirits and now for him to give all possible satisfaction to their former pressures of Grievances which had been lately fully cleared unto them in pursuance of their pretended devout care for settling of Religion But still the house of Commons scrutiny and by a Committee strictly examine what abuses had interferred the execution of his Majesties Grace therein And the Lords betake themselves to a Grievance of their own Order The old ones had a former complaint five years since to King Iames against such New Lords of foreign Titles of Honour that claimed thereby precedency of Inferior titles at home and were then quelled in that quarrel as being in the pleasure of the Prince to effuse the beames of Honour and to collate what he please upon whom and how he please But now another dress and much more boldly To the Kings most Excellent Majesty In all humility SHeweth unto your most Excellent Majesty your ever Loyal Subjects the Lords Spiritual and Temporal now in Parliament assembled That whereas the Peers and Nobility of this your Kingdome of England have heretofore in civility yielded as to strangers precedency according to their several degrees unto such Nobles of Scotland and Ireland as being in titles above them have resorted hither Now divers of the nâ—tâ—ral born Subjects of this Kingdom resident here with their Families and having their chief Estates among us do by reason of some late created Dignities in those Kingdomes of Scotland and Ireland claim Precedency of the Peers of this Realm which tends both to the dis-service of your Majeâ—â—â— and these Realms and to the great disparagemont of the English Nobility as by these reasons may appear 1. It is a novelty without precedent That men should inherit Honors where they possess nothing else 2. It is injurious to those Countreys from whence their Titles are derived that any should have Vote in Parliament where they have not a foot of Land 3. It is a grievance to the Countrey where they inhabit that men possessing very large Fortunes and Estates should by reason of foreign Titles be exempted from those services of Trust and Charge which through their default become greater pressures upon others who bear the burthen 4. It is a shame to Nobility that persons dignified with the Titles of Barons Viscounts c. should be obnoxious and exposed to arrest they being in the view of the Law no more then meer Plebeians We therefore humbly beseech your Majesty that you will be pleased according to the example of the best Princes and Times upon consideration of these inconveniences represented to your Majesty by the nearest Body of Honour to your Majesty that some course may be taken and an Order timely settled therein by your Princely Wisdom so as the inconvenience to your Majesty may be prevented and the prejudice and disparagement of the Peers and Nobility of this Kingdom may be redressed To which the King for the present Promised to take order therein And the next News was the commitment of the Earl of Arundel to the Tower and this the cause The King having a Design to reconcile an antient fewd of two families by contracting them into a Marriage between the Lord of Lorn son and heir to the Earl of Arguile and bred up in England a Protestant for that purpose and the Eldest Daughter of the late Duke of Lenox which though well known to the Earl of Arundel he very boldly marries his eldest Son the Lord Matravers unto her and excuses it to be the private contrivance of the two Mothers but he is committed to the Tower and being in time of Parliament the Peers Petition the King That no Peer is to be imprisoned without Order of the Upper House unless for Treason Felony or Denial of the security for the peace which retrived their old dispute Priviledge and lasted the debate of a Months time In which space Mr. Pym Chairman to the Câ—mmittee of Religion reports the Inquisition of their discovery A Letter to the Lord Maior of York for Reprieve of some Iesuits Priests and other Recusants which Letter was compared
well resemble us the Commons And as it is encompassed with Air and Fire and Spheres Celestial of Planets and a Firmament of fixed Stars All which receive their heat light and life from one great glorious Sun even like the King our Soveraign So that Firmament of fixed Stars I take to be your Lordships Those Planets the great Officers of the Kingdom That pure Element of Fire the most religious zealous and pious Clergy And the reverend Iudges Magistrates and Ministers of Law and Justice the Air wherein we breath All which encompasse round with cherishing comfort this Body of the Commons who truly labour for them all and though they be the Foot-stool and the lowest yet may well be said to be the setled Centre of the State Now my good Lords if that glorious Sun by his powerful Beams of Grace and Favour shall draw from the Bowels of this Earth an Exhalation that shall take fire and burn and shine out like a Star it needs not be marvelled at if the poor Commons gaze and wonder at the Comet and when they feel the Effects impuâ—e all to the corruptible matter of it But if such an imperfect mixture appear like that in the last Age in the Chair of Cassiopeia among the fixed Stars themselves where Aristotle and the old Philosophers conceived there was no place for such corruption then as the learned Mathematicians were troubled to observe the irregular motions the prodigious magnitude and the ominous Prognosticks of that Meteor so the Commons when they see such a Blazing-Star in course so exorbitant in the Affairs of this Common-wealth cannot but look up upon it and for want of Perspectives commend the nearer Examination to your Lordships who may behold it at a neerer distance Such a prodigious Comet the Commons take this Duke of Buckingham to be against whom and his irregular wayes there are by learned Gentlemen legal Articles of Charge to be delivered to your Lordships which I am generally first commanded to lay open First the Offices of this Kingdom that are the eyes the ears and the hands of this Common-wealth these have been engrossed bought and sold and many of the greatest of them holden even in this Dukes own hands which severally gave in former Ages sufficient content to greatest Favourites and were work enough for the wisest Counsellors by means whereof what strange abuses what infinite neglects have followed The Seas have been unguarded Trade disturbed Merchants oppressed their ships and even one of the Royal-Navy by cunning practice delivered over into foreign hands and contrary to our good Kings intention imployed to the prejudice almost to the ruine of friends of our own Religion Next Honours those most precious Jewels of the Crown a Treasure inestimable wherewith your Noble Ancestours my Lords were well rewarded for eminent and publique service in the Common-wealth at home for brave exployts abroad when covered all with dust and blood they sweat in service for the honour of this Crown What back-wayes what by-wayes have been by this Duke found out is too well known to your Lordships whereas anciently it was the honour of England as among the Romanes the way to the Temple of Honour was through the Temple of Virtue But I am commanded to presse this no further then to let your Lordships know one instance may perhaps be given of some one Lord compelled to purchase Honour Thirdly as dâ—vers of the Dukes poor kindred have been raised to great Honours which have been and are likely to be more chargeable and burthensom to the Crown so the Lands and Revenues and the Treasuries of his Maiesty have been intercepted and exhausted by this Duke and his friends and strangely mis-imployed with strange confusion of the Accompts and overthrow of the well established ancient Orders of his Majesties exchequer The last of the Charges which are prepared will be an injury offered to the person of the late King of blessed memory who is with God of which as your Lordships may have heard heretofore you shall anon have further information Now upon this occasion I am commanded by the Commons to take care of the Honour of the King our Soveraign that lives long may he live to our comfort and the good of the Christian world and also of his blessed Father who is dead on whom to the grief of the Commons and their great distaste the Lord Duke did they conceive unworthily cast some ill ordure of his own fowl wayes Whereas Servants were anciently wont to bear as in truth they ought their masters faults and not cast their own on them undeservedly It is well known the King who is with God had the same power and the same wisdom before he knew this Duke yea and the same affections too through which as a good and gracious Master he advanced and raised some Stars of your Lordships Firmament in whose hands this exorbitancy of Will this transcendency of Power such placing and dis-placing of Officers such irregular running into all by-courses of the Planets such sole and single managing of the great Affairs of State was never heard of And therefore onely to the Lord Duke and his procurement by mis-informations these faults complained of by the Commons are to be imputed And for our most gracious Soveraign that lives whose name hath been used and may perhaps now be for the Dukes justification The Commons know well that among his Majesties most royall virtues his Piety unto his Father hath made him a pious Nourisher of his Affections ever to thâ—s Lord Duke on whom out of that consideration his Majesty hath wrought a kinde of wonder making Favour hereditary But the abuse thereof must be the Lord Dukes own And if there have been any Commands such as were or may be pretended his mis-informations have procured them whereas the Laws of England teach us that Kings cannot Command ill or unlawful things when ever they speak though by their Letters-Patents or their Seals if the thing be evil these Letters-Patents are void and whatsoever ill event succeeds the Executioners of such Commands must ever answer for them Thus my Lords in performance of my duty my weaknesse hath been troublesome unto your Lordships It is now high time humbly to intreat your pardon and give way to a learned Gentleman to begin a more particular charge The Prologue ended Sr. Dudly sat down and the Impeachment was read so large as that for method we adjoyne it to the Dukes Answer which came in some dayes after In which time the Commons sent a Message to the Lords how mightily it did mis-become the honor of their House to permit a man so deeply impeached to sit in Councel with them whilest Sr. Dudly Diggs and Sr. Iohn Elliot the Van and the Rear of the Commons were beckened out to speak with two Gentlemen who proved to be two Messengers of the Kings Chamber having his Warrant to take them prisoners to the Tower where they lay till the Iudges resolved
into one Opinion that thereby no reason given to the House their Restraint was an Arrest of the whole Body and a breach of Priviledge must needs follow which was so remonstrated to the King and they therefore released But what ground â—r Presidents had the Judges a late law of their own making for it is well observed That in the Parliament 35. Eliz. Sr. Peter Wentworth and Sr. Henry Bromley by petition to the Upper House to be supplicants with them of the Lower House unto her Majesty for entailing the succession of the Crown the Bill being drawn by them These two were summoned before Sr. Thomas Henage one of the Privy Councel and commanded to forbear the Parliament and to stand secured to their Lodgings and after further examination before the Councel were committed Wentworth to the Tower Bromley and other Courtiers to the Fleet. Another instance Mr. Morice Attorny of the Dutchy of Lancaster for moving against the justice of the Courts of Ecclesiastical Iudges Subscriptions and Oaths was taken out of the House so saith another Authour and committed to Prison for whose release Mr. Wroth humbly moved the House to be petitioners to her Majesty But was answered That the Queen must not accompt for actions of Royal Authority which may be of high and dangerous consequence nor can it become them to search into the Prerogative of Soveraigns These Members were five in all and might have been Precedents for the King and his five Members in due place hereafter But this course now taught the Lords to resent the like indignity to them in the Earl of Arundels case who lay committed to the Tower as before said and so they would sit still without motion to any matter till that he might be reâ—admitted which was instantly done To ballance with the Dukes Enemies Three Persons his confederates were made Barons to compeer in the Lords House the Lord Mandevil the eldest son to the Earl of Manchester created by Patent Baron Kimbolton Grandison son to the created Baron Imbercourt and Sr. Dudly Carlton made Baron Tregate being newly returned from his Trade of seven years Leiger Ambassadour abroad in Venice and Holland But it is said That the Lords found out an Old Order to Counter checque that designe That no Creations sedente Parliamento should have power to vote but onely to sit Not to Iudge but to learn to understand during that Session so that their Suffrages were excluded But I am assured of the contrary for they sate and voted Hence it is truly observed That in the late Parliament 1640. Seymor Littleton and Capel were so created sedente Parliamento and Digby Rich and Howard of Charlton called by special Writ were also admitted their votes and afterwards the last of the nineteen Propositions to the King at York for the King to passe a Bill to restrain Peers made hereafter to sit and vote in Parliament unlesse with consent of both Houses To which the King absolutely refused But however they were admitted the Duke was put to his own Innocency partially stiled impudency and lodges injustice on the Peers whose ill opinion he sayes deprest him and partial affection elevated the other who received the Attornies charge with undaunted spirit and returned so home an Answer as the House was amply satisfied of which take his own so saying for we hear not a word more nor other of it than that he saies so But the Dukes defence came quick to the Lords the eighth of Iune Who he sayes sequestered him from the House until his cause was determined upon which he was much dejected when really of himself he had forbore the House And therefore this morning had resolved to send it but was advised to present it himself which we shall finde to this purpose The Commons Impeachment and Declaration against the Duke of Buckingham FOr the speâ—dy redresse of the great evils and mischiefs and of the chief causes of those evils and mischiefs which this Kingdom of England now grievously suffereth and of late years hath suffered and to the Honour and Safety of our Soveraign Lord the KING and of his Crown and dignities and to the good and welfare of his people the Commons in this present Parliament by the authority of our said Soveraign Lord the King assembled do by this their Bill shew and declare against GEORGE Duke Marquesse and Earl of Buckingham Earl of Coventry Viscount Villers Baron of Whaddon great Admirall of the Kingdoms of ENGLAND and Ireland and of the principalitie of Wales and of the Dominions and Islands of the same of the Town of Calais and of the Marches of the same and of Normandy Gascoigne and Guyen Generall Governour of the Seas and Ships of the said Kingdoms Lieutenant Generall Admirall Captain Generall and Governour of his Majesties Royall Fleet and Army lately set forth Master of the Horses of our Soveraign Lord the King Lord Waâ—den Chancellour and Admirall of the Cinque-ports and of the Members thereof Constable of Dover Castle Iustice in Eyre of all Forests and Chaces on this side of the River of Trent Constable of the Castle of Windsor Lieutenant of Middlesex and Buckingham-shire Steward and Bailiffe of Westminster Gentleman of his Bed-chamber and one of his Majesties honourable Frivie Councel in his Realms both of England Scotland and Ireland and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter The Misdemeanors Misprisions Offences Crimes and other matters comprised in the Articles following And him the said Duke do accuse and impeach of the the said Misdemeanors Misprisions Offences and Crimes ARTIC I. The Duke 's 1. Reply THat he the said Duke being young and unexperienced hath of late years with exorbitant ambition and for his own advantage procured and engrossed into his own hands severall great Offices both to the danger â—f the State and prejudice of that Service which should have been performed in them and to the discouragement of others who are thereby precluded from such hopes as their virtues abilities and publique employments might otherwise have obtained THat his late Majesty did of his own Royal Motion bestow them upon him and he hopeth and concieveth he may without blame recieve what his bountiful Master conferred upon him if the Common-wealth doth not suffer thereby Nor is it without precedents that men eminent in the esteem of their Soveraign have held as great and many Offices as himself But if it shall be proved that he falsely or corruptly hath executed those Offices he is and will be ready to resign them with his life and fortunes to his Majesties dispose II. Reply 2. That in the 16. year of the Reign of the late King he did give and pay to the then Earl of Nottingham for the Office of Great Admiral of England and Ireland and of the principality of Wales and Generall Governour of the Seas and Ships of the said Kingdomes and for the surrender of the said Offices to the intent the said Duke might
Schools of Cambridg in so much that when Peter Baro a French-man Professor for the Lady Margaret there reviving the Melancton way in his publick Lectures and drawing others to the same perswasion He was complained of by Doctor Whitakers Doctor Willet Master Chaterton Master Perkins and such like unto the Arch-bishop of Canterbury Doctor Whitgift to suppress that Faction who assembling at Lambeth Doctor Richard Fletcher Bishop of London and Doctor Richard Vaughan elect of Bangor with advice of Doctor Whitakers Doctor Tindal and others all parties to the Sute agree on the nine Articles to be sent to Cambridg for composing their present Controversie the six and tweneth of November 1595. Doctor Baro thus discouraged at the end of his first three years quits his Reading and retires home to Franâ—e leaving the University in much disorder for lack of such his abilities Amongst his followers was one Master Barret who in his Sermon at St. Maries not onely defended Baro but offended the opinions of Calvin Beza and such others of the Reformatours of which he was convented before the Heads Doctor Iames Mountague Master of Sidney College a worthy Divine but then of their own opinion and by them May 5. next following he was prescribed his Recantâ—tion and did so yet the contentions were disputed higher the nine Articles of Lambeth came down hastened upon this occasion otherwise perhaps they had not come at all But though these Articles were thus and no otherwise made and agreed and made known to Queen Elizabeth by William Lord Burleigh Lord Treasurer of England and Chancellour of the University who mis-liked the Tenets and Proceedings she much offended with such Innovations in the publick Doctrine of the Church resolved to attaint them all of Premunire but upon received esteem of that Prelate Arch-bishop whom she called her Black Husband and favouâ—ably admitting his Excuse she commanded him to recall and suppress those Articles which for a long time not a Copy thereof was to be found though after by degrees they peeped out and again in the Conference at Hampton-court 1603. Doctor Reynold's Record That the nine Assertions orthodoxal as he stiles them concluded upon at Lambeth might be inserted in the Book of Articles of the Church of England The King unacquainted with such novel Doctrine asked what they were and was told as before said To which he answered That when such Questions arise among Scholars the quietest proceedings were to determine them in the University and not to stuff the Book with all Conclusions Theological See Conf. p. 24 40 41. Let the Reader judg of these Reasons whether these nine Assertions thus authorized are so canonically confirm'd as to determine them orthodox Doctrine of the Church of England and those men for Arminians that do not subscribe to them or otherwise But we finde our Historian very positive for that party and so zealous for his orthodox men that being in the List alone without an Adversary he rants it very high accusing royal favour for sheltring the Arminians as he calls Doctor Cozins Manwaring and Sibthorp but also through the prevalency of the Bishops of Winchester and London advanced to great preferment c. And when he comes to the Papist he is in bodily fear lest Tiber should drown the Thames His Reasons are the uncontrouled preaching of several Points tending that way by Mountague Goodman Cozens and others Secondly the audacious obtruding superstitious Ceremonies by the Prelates Thirdly fixed Altars cringing towards them The last surely the most standing up at Gloria Patri dangerous dilapidations from the true Reformation which he calls Popery oblique we are like to be assured of a perfect account from this Authour that seems so partial in his Relations But we come to the Abuses in Civil affairs The Printer was questioned for printing the Petition of Right with the Kings first Answer which was not satisfactory He confessed that during the first Session of Parliament 1500. Copies were printed without that addition and since he had order from the Atturney General to reprint it with that Addition Many Merchants Goods seized and Informations in Star-chamber against them for not paying the Customes of Tunnage and Poundage Some Impositions against the Petition of Right and Privilege of Parliament upon which Sir Io Worstenholm the Farmers of the Custome Master Daws and Master Carmarthen his Assistants were called to account who were excused by the King that they acted by his command which he presumed the House of Commons would grant him by Bill as they had promised The Parliament would not understand it so their Commission onely impowred them to collect the Moneys but not to seize the Merchants Goods But for the Bill his Majesty had declared Tunnage and Poundage to be a Principal Revenue of his Crown and so his own already without cause otherwise to demand it or they to grant therefore that Record must be cancelled and the King confess his no Right thereunto else they cannot grant but their free gift The Parliaments Plot was this way for the King to leave his Customes to their Seisure as Delinquents by their undue behaviour therein which in honour he could not nor would The House in a Hubbub at Secretary Coke who brought this Message they adjourn for some days and when they met the King adjourned them till the first of March when up starts Sir Io Eliot with a stinging Complaint against the Lord Treasurer Weâ—â—on as accessary to all Evils in Church and State with a Design to transfer our English Trade unto Foraigners and so in love he was of what he meant to say that the Heads thereof were copied and published to the Treasurer who prepared the King with a Message that followed his Speech immediately to adjourn till the tenth Day but now they grow high and check the Speaker for admitting the Message and therefore they will go on and give ear to Eliot's Remonstrance which he offered to the Speaker and Clerk but they refuse and so he was bold to reade it himself In effect That they had considered of a Bill for Tunnage and Poundage but being over-pressed with other business and that of it self so perplext would require much leisure to discharge which at that time they could not this present Session moving hastily to an end And lest his Majesty should herâ—after as he had done heretofore incline to evil Spirits or be abused to believe that he might justly receive the Subsidies of Tunnage and Poundage which they humbly declare to be against the Fundamental Law of the Nation and contrary to the Kings late Answer to the Petition of Right And therefore they crave that his Majesty would for the future forbear such Taxes and not to take it ill if his Subjects refuse what is demanded by arbitrary and unwarrantable power The Speaker was moved to put it to the Vote whether it should be preferrd to the King or no To which he craved pardon having been ordered
the Room foreâ—shortened and looking downwards as from the clouds the rarest postures that late ages can paralel being the portraictures of King Iames in several relations with all Imaginary similitude of Him tending towards Eternity for which he was well rewarded with the honour of Knighthood to boot Indeed the Artist had an indifferent esteem for his skill and by his wealth was wise enough to receive Informations on both parts in reference to Peace but never to be Plenepotentiary of either side for truly I cannot call him so much as Agent for any unlesse we admit him Ambo-dexter-Ambassadour for he was the means that a greater man Don Carlos Colonas came after to do the work And I have some knowledge in the particulars that the other was rather set on by us when with that conveniency we had him here It was in Iuly That an Arrest was made upon one Billingham sometimes a Captain at the Isle of Rhe and an attempt made to his Rescue by some Templers being acted in their Quarters of Priviledge to their Houses and to their cost they were wounded by the opposition of the Lord Major and his City Bands that were wilde to flourish out their Ensigns against any Gentlemen their Patrons This undertaking increased to a hot skirmish of above five hundred Of the Majors Militia four were killed and sundry others hurt above an hundred on both sides and so the Evening parted the This uprore so neer the Court caused the King to speed Justice with an extraordinary Session to be held in Guild-Hall London for Arraignment of several of the Malefactors seized vpon in the quarrel And by ill hap laid hold on Two who were accounted Principalls because more publique Captain Ashurst and Iohn Stamford the late Dukes servant for it was no medling with the Students And though Stanford came by but by chance in a Coach and onely drew his sword without any part in the fray These Two onely were found guilty by the City Jury and executed at Tyburn Stanford had his pardon before being in company when a Watchman was killed at a Tavern called Duke-Humphreys and his relations to his late Master made his crime the more remarkable now exceeding the bounds of Reason so without the bounds of Mercy There had been a Manuscript Book contrived long since by Sr. Robert Dudly at Florence 1613. that discontented Catholique who descended from the Dudlies Earls of Warwick and so he stiled himself It was a Rapsodie of severall Projects for increase of the Kings revenue and somewhat in prejudice of proceedings in Parliaments Sundry Copies thereof were disperst by such as meant not much honour to the King and therefore suspected to contrive the Book though pretended for his Majesties Instruction as the manner had been to force such feigned discoveries and fix them for the Kings designes and therefore the Earls of Bedford Somerset and Clare Sr. Robert Cotten Mr. Selden and Mr. Saint Iohn were committed and an Information entered in Star-chamber against them But Sr. David Fowles upon oath cleered the suspition and discovered the Authour and so it ended William Herbert Son of Henry Earl of Pembrook dies in April He was the third Earl from his Creation 3 Elizabeth Baron Herbert of Cardiff Lord Parr Ros of Kendal Marmion and Saint Quintin Lord Warden of the Stanneries Governour of Portsmouth Knight of the Garter Chancellour of the University of Oxford and lately Lord high Steward of the Kings Houshold but not of England He married Mary the Eldest daughter and co-heir of Gilbert Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury and dies without issue so that his honours descended to Philip Herbert his brother He supped the night before his death with the Countesse of Bedford at Bishops-gate upon the day of his birth fifty yeers since from thence he went home to Baynards Castle sitting up as usual very late for he was a hearty feeder and went to bed very well But not long after he fetcht a deep and deadly groan which startled his Lady that lay by and she not able to awake him called for company who found him speechlesse and so continued till eight in the morning and then died as a figure flinger had told him many years before We are told his Character in a high strain of Magnificence but we may give way to his good commendations in a reasonable measure A proper Person well set of graceful deportment his minde truly generous of the ancient stock and manner of Nobility His defects were in letters and Travel He had onely the breeding of England which gave him a conceited dislike of foraign men their manners and mode or of such English that professed much advantage thereby so that the Scots at Court and he were ever separate and therefore he was onely the old Courtier that kept close to the Commonalty and they to him and was therein trusted by his two Soveraigns as not over furnisht with abilities to be lesse then loyal which jealous Princes usually suffered In May 29 day the Queen was brought to Bed of a Son Surpassing joy there was of all true hearts and good subjects and in Iune the 27. baptized at Saint Iameses with princely Ceremonies and named Charles His Godfathers were the King of France and the Prince Elector represented by the Duke of Lenox and the Marquesse Hamilton the Godmother was the Queen Mother of France and her Person represented by the Duchesse of Richmond A man would stand amazed to believe that a sort of pretended sanctified subjects should not desire the King to have any issue I have my Author The Puritan-party that could not descern the cause of joy when the Queen was with childe God having better provided for us then we were aware in the hopeful Progeny of the Queen of Bohemia These men brought in the Reformed Religion Presbytery when it would be unâ—ertain what Religion the Kings children would follow And he observes to his own knowledge that when the most of the Parish gave publique signes of rejoycing with Bonefires Bell-ringing and mutual feasting onely the Presbyterian or Puritan party as he stiles them were shut up as on the day of general mourning And it may be remembred that afterwards as the Kings Issue increased the Common Prayer for the Kings onely Sister and her children was left out and in place thereof a Prayer compiled for preservation of the Kings Issue for though the Presbyterians hated the whole Book they would not stick to mention the one in their Prayer of the Pulpit and leave those other out of Gods blessing till by express command they were made to conform At his Birth there appeared a Star visible that very time of the Day when the King rode to Saint Paul's Church to give thanks to God for the Queens safe delivery of a Son upon which occasion these Verses were then presented Rex ubi Paulinas accessit gratus ad aras Immicuit medioâ— lucida stella
proofs of his manhood had a strong minde to a second Marriage and as if recovered of his former Impotency to exercise himself upon tryal with Betty Paulet as they called her daughter she was indeed of a Knight extracted from that Nobility of the Marquesse of Winchester but by what venture of descent we need not enquire She was pretty but poor Beauty hath price enough and a great portion would not have him In March he was Married but being mistaken in his own abilities of the Bed having it seems not excercised that kinde of Low Countreys manhood found himself failing and so retired out of Town as to give occasion for others to court his Countess and his advantage of a second Divorce and in truth he was easily drawn thereto by such as hung upon him in former time his Revenue now divided into Families Wife and Women-creatures shared the less to his Dependants Their Design was to watch their Countess who was wanton enough for such a Husband and by a Ladder to her Chamber-window saw so much as forcing the Door Master Udal was found sitting upon her Bed-side very late unbraced with heat as in pursuit of her Sister who in merriment after some questions he had been commanded to kiss her she being shadowed in the Ladies Chamber where he went to seek her but the conclusion was Divorce though her innocency was pleaded and sealed with all possible protestations and so generally believed untill she proved with childe and yet the Earl was so wise as to father it Marry then the Moon-calf must fall at the minute of his own account which no doubt happened just with the birth of the Baby a jolly Boy and so as best right for him to nestle who seized it from the Mother never like to see it long alive nor what became of it we need not doubt But why these his dishonours were not more resented at Court agreeable to his Extraction in a prophetick relation to all King Charls his future mishaps is more of the Authours wonder than I can make of it and concludes that he became the Head of an Army giving the King Battel in a Pitch Fâ—eld partly upon the score of those indignities before which he supposes was charged on the Kings account It was in Anno 1627. Therefore Feoffees were legally intrusted to purchase in the Impropriations with their own and other good mens money and with the profit to maintain a constant preaching Ministery where the Word was wanting They consisted of 4. Divines to perswade the conscience 4. Lawyers for the Conveyances and four Citizens for no other end but their money There was no need of Captains for Captain Michael's Sword was then sheathed There are in England 9284. Parish-churches endowed with Glebe and Tithes But 3845. were either appropriated to the Clergy or impropriated as Lay-fines to private persons which latter these Feoffees endeavoured to redeem and might have done it in fifty years by the large summs soon advanced and no wonder the subtilty was not then discerned for in time the Purchasers would become the prime Patrons for number and greatness of Benefices multiply their dependence and increase non-conformity and therefore the Attorney General Noy exhibited a Bill in the Exchequer to overthrow their Apocrypha incorporatum First Breach of Trust for erecting a Morning Lecture at St. Antholines London the Land of Goshen and not in other places far distant where Souls famished for want of Food Secondly preferred Non-conformists and so their proceedings were censured as dangerous to the Church and State pronounced illegal and dissolved and their money confiscate to the King which yet of late was accounted a pious Project Good men and bad are Examples fit for History the one to follow these to shun And the man of the first rank was Mervin Lord Audley Earl of Castlehaven married to a second Wife the Daughter of the old Countess of Derby and Widow of the Lord Chandos by whom she had a Daughter married to the Lord Audley the Earls eldest Son This Earl upon Petition of his own Son and Heir the Lord Audley was committed in December last and indicted at Salisbury the County of his abode the 25. of March the first day of this year 1631. accused for causing one Skipwith of mean extraction and his Servant advanced by him to great preferment to assist him to ly with his Countess and to cuckold his Son Audley the Earl assisting and to hold his Wife whilest Brodway did ravish her and for acting Sodomy upon Brodway and Fitz Patrick his Servants a strange kinde of hideous monstrous quality in the sin of this Earl enforcing others to that wickedness wherein himself had no temptation for his excuse or inclination to the action which is the begining of sin no fruits or sensual pleasure for the present which is the act in sin no advance or profit in the future which is a reward to a mans self of his sin The uncouth baseness of the Rape the Master to serve the Servants to cuckold himself the highest horridity of a Wittal the Husband to ravish his own Wife nay to commit a Rape upon himself being both one a sin without former President or future belief so monstrous in the manner so execrable in the end The onely man of Nobility of infamous note that suffered judicial Execution by this King for I reckon not the Earl of Strafford under that notion These Crimes are bad enough we need not devise any more that he in Prison impudently told some Lords his whole delight was to damn Souls by inticing men the surest way to effect it which hath no credit and we shall lodg no other upon him but truths for certainly had he said this before his Trial it might have been remembred as all circumstances were then to advance his guilt And it becomes an Historian in dubious relations to admit the most Christian and charitable being more unlawfull to deceive Posterity by feigned narrative than to abuse a Judg by false Witness But of the other he was found guilty by Grand Inquest and so his cause put over to the Kings Bench and his Person sent to the Tower The manner of his Trial for Life was by a Court of High Commission delegated to some principal Person as chief Iudg constituted with a Power as being next to the King In some sort matching the Ephory amongst the Lacedemonians and therefore not to be longer intrusted than for the time of Trial for the business being done he breaks his Staff the Verge of his Power and Authority And Thomas Lord Coventry Lord Keeper of the Great Seal was by Patent of the thirteenth of April 1631. commissioned Lord High Steward of England for the Day being the five and twentieth of April And because it was the first and last Commission of this nature by this King we shall not spare the particular Narrative to rectifie mis-reports of many others herein It was at the
that solemnity was done and she in Bed he presents Amptil his Page to her Person and unchaste imbracements reasoning with Scripture that her Body now made subject unto him and so at his command if to evil not her fault let her sin ly at his door but she refusing he left her at this time and takes Amptil whom he That the Kings Majesty had committed the Trial of the business to your Grace my Lord High Constable the Earl Marshal and this Court which course was warrantable by the Laws of other Nations and also by our own who have used the same manner of Trial. That our Law admitted sundry Proofs for Treason which in other matters it did not That all Subjects were bound to discover Treasons and cited two ancient Civilians Hieronymus and Tiberius who gave their Reasons for this kinde of Trial. And he mentioned sundry Records of our own Chronicles and Examples herein as the Duke of Norfolk combating against the Duke of Hartford in Henry 4. his time Jo Ely and William Scroop against Ballamon at Burdeaux the King being there The Lord Morley impeached Mountague Earl of Salisbury And that Thomas of Walsingham and Thomas of Woodstock in their learned Writings expressed sundry Presidents for this manner of Proceeding wishing the Court in Gods Name to go on to the Trial and the Appellant to give in his Evidence Then the Appellant came up upon the Table to whom the Earl Marshal delivered the Petition which he had the day before exhibited to the King And the Defendant being also called up the Petition was read which was in effect That he having accused Ramsey of Treason and also Meldram his Kinsman and of Confederacy against whom Captain Nothwick was witness therefore had desired that the Court would proceed against Meldram first But he was told by the Court that their Cases differing the Appellant was ordered to deliver in his Charge against the Defendant which he did in writing by Bill containing sundry Particulars viz. That in May last in the Low-countreys Ramsey complained to him against the Court of England That the matters of Church and State was so out of frame as must tend to a change if not desolation That thereforefore he had abandoned the Kingdom to live where now he was and to expect a mutation forthwith to which end he had brought present Moneys to maintain him at six pounds a day for three years That Marqucss Hamilton had a great Army promised to him for pay whereof the King had given in hand ten thousand pound and all the Wine Customes in Scotland for sixteen years presently to be sold for the Armies subsistence And that he staid but for Ammunition and Powder to come over for which his Lordship was to mediate with his Majesty of Sweden and the States and then link themselves together of whose minde Rey should know hereafter That their Friends in Scotland had gotten therefore Arms and Powder out of England and that what he should procure in Holland was to be brought over by the Marquess and that all Scotland were sure to them except Three That France and Spain thirsted for England but Hamilton would defeat them for himself His onely fear was of Denmark where he meant to land and either to take him off or make a party That afterwards at Amsterdam Ramsey with Alexander Hamilton solicited him the Lord Rey to be true to them and to be of their Council though as yet they durst not reveal too much of Hamilton's secrets but if he repaired to England he would intrust him with Letters and that his Brother in Law Sea-port knew all This being the effect of the Charge He added That if Ramsey would deny it he was a Villain and a Traitour which he would make good And therewith cast him his Clove Ramsey denied all and said Rey was a Liar a barbarous Villain and threw down his Glove protesting to gar him dy for it if he had had him in place for that purpose Rey was temperate without any passion but smiling replied Mr. Ramsey we will not contend here Answer to my Bill Then Ramsey offered some Reasons of the impossibility of the Charge the slender Numbers of men from England but six thousand raw Souldiers against three Kingdoms whom the first Proclamation might dissipate That the Marquess was neither so wicked nor weak in judgment and if he should conceit to surprize the King what hope had he against his Children and Kindred And therefore said he my Lord Rey is a barbarous Villain and a Liar and he will gar him dy for it or lose his dearest bloud He was interrupted by the Earl Marshal telling him he must not stand upon conjectures but answer the Bill of Form according to Law and was advised to take counsel therein Then Ramsey in general acknowledged all the particular circumstances of time and place alleged by Rey and the discourse to that effect but concluded that no Treason was intended or uttered and craved Counsel to answer which was granted And so the Court adjourned till the fifth of December but upon a fresh Arrest by the Earl Marshal they were to put in Bail for Appearance which were the old Security and Ramsey ordered to answer upon Oath At which Day appearing the fame of the Cause brought thither such a crowd of People as was not imaginable Rey entered as before in manner and habit but Ramsey was new suited in black Satten and presented his Answer in writing to this effect That having well considered the time place and communication with the Lord Rey beyond the Seas as before urged he confesses That Rey demanded of him whether the Marquess Hamilton intended to come over and follow the Wars He said Yes And told him of his Forces six thousand men and of the ten thousand pounds in money and Wine-customes in Scotland which he would selt to maintain the Army and that he would come so provided with Ammunition that being joyned with his Friends he valued no Enemy Upon which Rey replied that his own two Regiments should wait upon him but the place of these Forces to meet was at Sea and there to receive directions from the King of Swede where to rendezvouz Upon which Rey said that his Life and Fortunes should wait on the Marquess who being told of his friendship wrote a Letter to Rey which Ramsey delivered in effect that Rey would get some Ammunition from the King of Swede which was wanting And that speaking in general of matters amiss in England Rey answered God amend all To whom Ramsey replied By God Donnold we must help him to amend all And to all the other matters and things he utterly denies and craves revenge upon Rey's person by dint of Sword Then Doctor Eden of Council for Ramsey spake to the Court That being assigned his Council his opinion was that the Defendant might decline the Combate and reply to the Appellant's Bill in brief with these Reasons First
spoken assunder and agreeing together made up a full proof That no testimony may be neglected in matters of Treason That if any part of the charge was denied by the Defendant and proved by the Appellant it might convince him in a manner of the Whole And urged the offence of Ramseys challenging Rey. But more of that hereafter But Doctor Reeves prosecuted the matter for that Ramsey's Councel endeavoured to prove that he might decline the Combate or forbear answering because of some words which reflected upon my Lord Rey as matter of reproach that Rey had uttered words of Treason to catch Ramsey and then to turn Informer But said he No office can be accounted base when the King and Kingdoms safety is concern'd citing a story out of Livie that the Romans confederate with the Sanubies were to undergo a base office that stood not with Honour and resolved so long as it was advantagious to the Romane State it might with Honour be undertaken Doctor Eden was earnest to excuse himself for putting in these words against the Lord Rey saying that his Client enforced to have them inserted But being a point of Honour the Earl Marshal iuterposed That true it was the best man may not refuse the basest office to preserve a King and Nation But again it was most unworthy the degree of honour for any man to angle and intrap another and then to present him to that Kings Iustice. Then the Pleaders argued concerning Meldrams Testimony That no proof ought to be omitted for the King But it was offered for Ramsey to joyn issue upon that point in Law for the Bill was laid against him not general but particular to Place Time and matter viz. That in May last in a Ship and afterward at Amsterdam then again at Delph Ramsey should say such and such words which if Meldram would justifie besides himself they ought to be admitted otherwise it was no good matter but must refer to a new Bill That the Defendant had answered fully for that the Lord Rey profered his service to the Marquesse without pressing to know any designe That nothing in the Letters could convict Ramsey That the Lord Rey standing upon his great offices under the King of Swede and so not necessitated to serve the Marquess He had not those places of command then but since and that since his coming into England he said that he would have served under the Marquess and concluded that Ramsey and the Marquess might use such words and yet not intend Treason to his Majesty But having in this Tryal medled so much with the Marquess the Court was fain to enter an order or Protection to clear the Marquess his words or actions from dishonour Then the Court proceeded to Examine witnesses viva voce Archibal Raukin was to prove the challenge as the Bringer upon these questions he confessed That he was in Ramseys chamber at Richmond the last of October That Ramsey did not imploy him to carry any challenge to the Lord Rey But at that time Ramsey told him that it was his grief to be restrayned not to meet Rey who was a Trayterous villain and wished to meet him in the open fields at Barn-Elms he would make him dye for it and tear his heart with other such words of reproach and wished this Deponent to tell Rey so much which he did but it was three weeks after and then not until the Lord Rey told him that Ramsey had sent him a challenge so that said Ramsey my Message was but a relation not a challenge But Rauken was observed to falter from what he affirmed before Dr. Reeves and others viz. to have carried the challenge and that Ramsey could not deny it so that Rauken was threatned not to accuse Ramsey Gilbert Seaton deposed That Ramsey said he had made it come to Rey's ears to have ended this businesse without troubling the King or Lords Then Doctor Duck summoned up all the proceedings observing that formerly in the presence of the King Ramsey had with deep protestations and oath denied the time place and matter which he now confesseth and though then not examined upon oath yet in France and other Countreys the very holding up of the hand is an oath and so Tertullian sayes of the Romanes and Ramsey confessing part he might be guilty of the whole charge Doctor Eden said That Rey was not a competent witnesse against Ramsey though for the King for he was particeps criminis Capitalis Inimicus for the first his Bill made him so for it Ramsey spake Treason so did Rey for the second it appeared by Reys violent prosecution and if all failed his sword must make it good and so the Defendant was not bound to answer nor to accept the challenge unlesse he will to which he is so willing But Doctor Duck said these Reasons did not currere quatuor pedibus Some of the Conspirators with Cataline were revealers of the Treason and allowed as witnesses Doctor Reeves concluded that although some of the Lord Reys witnesses did not affirm what they might it would encourage him to set a sharper edge upon his sword when he entered the Lists and that the God of right would so weaken the heart of Ramsey that it should fail him when he took his sword in hand The Holy-daies of Christmass drawing nigh The Court ordered that either party might repair to Sr. Henry Martin and possesse him with further proofs out of these witnesses already Examined but of no other And so adjourned the Court till Monday the ninth of Ianuary when after some small debates but no further Matter or Proofs the businesse was briefly determined to be referred to the Kings pleasure Which came to this Account That Hamiltons power with the King got all favour for Ramsey and well rewarded in due time And Rey having done the duty of a Loyal Subject left the Court and Kingdom and returned to his Command in Sweden But this story though tedious will enlighten us further to the truths of the Scotish affairs This Year increased Discontents in the Clergy at Oxford University First many conceived that the renovations reducing their use of primitive times in Divine service was now no lesse than Innovation against which they bitterly Invected in their Pulpits and Pasquils Their very texts giving just cause of offence and mutiny as Let us make us a Coptain and return into Egypt And he cryed against the Altar in the word of the Lord and said O Altar Altar and many such reflecting upon the Persons of the most Eminent in the Church and violating the Kings Declaration for depressing Arminian controversies some of the offenders being convented before their superiours the vice Chancellor Appeal to the Proctors Bishop Laud mistaking these retrograde proceedings in appeals from Ascendents to Descendents caused the King at Woodstock to order the difference and censured the offenders to be expelled the University The
executâ—â—◠〈◊〉 he wretchedly died IRELAND The State of England must be cleared of an Imputation That the not reducing Ireland to Civility since the Martial design 17 H. 2. above four hundred years was so continued in policy But if otherwise intended why not the Conquest perfected till their subjection to K. Charls In truth their former defects have been the faint prosecution of the War and loosness of Civil Governments The Souldiers ill paid and worse commanded the more barbarous the greater difficulty witness Caesars to reduce Brittains and their petty Princes a longer War then with all Asia and under one Monarch The King of Spain hath felt that by the States of the Netherlands not as yet but the whole Kingdom of Portugal he got in a trice Tributaries they were the first degree of subjection but more properly Soveraigns than Subjects And H. 3. grants run thus Rex Regi Tosmond salutem c And the Record says Onale Rex 100 l. de auxilio domini Regis Henrici c. and in truth the English Kings might rather deserve their Title Rex Regum for each Rebel is a King and vi armis Regnum suum obtinuit and the Armies sent over at several times were ill paid more unruly worst commanded till 36. Edw. 3. Extorting Coin and Livery Free-quarter and Money the general fault of all Commanders there which the Irish call damnable Custom and so did nothing but undo one another the English Colonies as hardly used as the Irish Until 9 Eliz. who sent over more men and spent more money there than all her Progenitors since the first onset on that Nation for she had three Rebellions Oneal anno 1566. was soon defeated with a thousand men or rather he was slain by accident of the Scots not the English Army Desmond more deep six thousand English quite defeated him But Tyrones Rebellion universally spread enforced the Queen to send Essex with forces indeed twenty thousand by Poll yet did nothing till Mountjoy made an end of that war under King Iames and so submitted to English Government Laws Magistrates the Kings pardon and Peace in all parts an intire and perfect Conquest as Merline prophesied At Sextus maenia Hiberniae subverteâ— Regiones in Regnum redigentur But concerning the Civil Affairs they were never brought to any degree of Reformation till the Governour Earl of Sussex laid the platform and proceeded in the way which Sr. H. Sidney pursued reducing the Countries into â—hires placing 〈◊〉 and Ministers of Laws but yet rather in a course of 〈◊〉 than by Civil Courts for though the greatest part of 〈◊〉 were vested in the Crown by Act of Parliament yet no seizure nor brought in charge the Irish having all and though the Name O-Neal were damn'd as High Treason yet Tirlagh Leynnagh was suffered to leave that Title and to intrude upon the possessions of the Crown and that with favour of the State and the Abbaries and Religious Houses in Tyrone Tirconnel and Ferminagh dissolved in 33 Hen. 8. were never reduced into charge but were continually possest by the Religious Persons until King Iames came to the Crown Nay more strange the Donations of Bishopricks being a flower of the Crown which the Kings of England did ever retain when Papacy was at the highest There were three of them in Ulster namely Derry Rapho and Clogher which were never bestowed by any former Soveraigns though they were undoubted Patrons until King Iames the first King that ever supplied these Sees with Bishops Indeed after the Government of Henry Sidney followed Sir Iohn Perrolt who advanced the Reformation in three principal points In establishing the Composition of Conaught in reducing Ulster into seven Shires though in his time the Law never executed in those new Counties by Sheriffs or Justices of Assize but the people left to be ruled by their own barbarous Lords Laws Lastly by vesting in the Crown the Laws of Desmond in Munster and planting English there After Perrot comes Sir William Fitzers He raised a Composstion in Munster and setled the possessions of the Lords and Tenants in Monahan one of the last Acts of State tending to Reformation in Queen Elizabeths days Thus former Soveraigns endeavoured since Edward 3. to reduce this Nation and before the Civil Wars of York and Lancaster the chief aim was to order the degenerate English Colonies not respecting the meeâ— Irish. But after Hen. 7. who united the Roses they laboured to bring both English and Irish to Alleageance but never perfected till King Iames. The former 〈…〉 〈…〉 And for the Civil part to settle peace after Tyrone that Act of State or Act of oblivion by Proclamation pardoned all offences against the Crown and particular Trespasses don before King Iames his time and the inslaved Irish under their tyrant Lords were received into his Majesties immediate Protection As publick Peace so publick Iustice the first Sheriffs in Tyrone and Tyrâ—onnel in Ulster and Pelham and the first Justices in those Counties and afterwards in the first years Government of Sir Arthur Chichester he established two other new Circuits of Assize in Connaught and Munster where for two hundred years before had not been executed and publick Iustiâ—e grew so great as that there was Magna messis sed operarii pauci round about the whole Kingdom twice a year which heretofore was but about the Pale like the Circuit of Cynosur a about the Pole Quae cursu interiore brevi convertitur orbe By the Circuits of Assize the Commons were taught to be free Subjects to the King not Slaves to their Lords that their Cuttings Cosheries Sessings and such Extortions were unlawfull so that these tyrant Lords wanting means humbly petitioned for licence to take some competent contribution for their support which being denied them they were fain to fly into foreign parts and as Extortion banished them who could not live but under the Law so the Law banished the Irish Lord who could not live but by extortion that in five years not so many Malefactours of Death in the six Circuits or two and thirty Shires as in one Circuit of the West of England the Irish in peace fearfull to offend the Law and thereby â—ull knowledge of the Irish their Countries Persons and Actions and so their ancient Allowances in their Pipe Rolls pro Guidagio Spiagio was well spared Under Officers doing that Aâ—rand the neglect of the Law made the very English 〈◊〉 Irish which now counts them to be civil English The â—est was the setling of the Irish Estates as well as English for though a Law of Queen Elizabeth enabled the Governours to take Surrenders and regrant Estates unto the Irish yet but few Irish Lords in her time offered to make any if they did it was regranted to them again and to no other and the poor Septes paid their Duties as before so 〈◊〉 such a Surrender there was but one Freeholder made in a whole County which was
Designs he passed into Silesia after Galasso with the Body of his Army surprized him near Stenaw defeated his numerous Horse and surrounded the Foot which yielded with sixscore Colours Baggage and Artillery and so all Silesia submitted And now by his following progress gave more than suspition what he had hatched for his own ambition and revenge of former disgraces for having collected his Forces at Egnar in Bohemia paid them three Moneths Money and took their Oath to himself without 〈…〉 〈…〉 Two of his Colonels Gordon and Lesly Scots and Butler an Irish Officer invite his chief Generals his Creatures to a Supper at Egnor where they were soon dispatched for their Masters sake the Emperour Butler comes to Wallestein thrusts open his Chamber-door he dressed for his Bed so staggered and hared him with this Reproach O Traitor to the Emperour and Empire Art thou there and therewith â—an him through with his Partizan stark dead and threw him out at the Window Thus ended that ambitious ungratefull Servant raised to this height from an ordinary Gentleman to be Prince of the Empire and Gâ—neralissimo of all his Forces in Germany Ambitious persons falling into perfidy are justly thus served which we mention here to close up the story though it happened the next year And so this Year remarkable for the Death of three Kings Sigismund of Poland who pâ—ously departed the nine and twentieth of April Gustave of Swede who was slain on the Bed of Honour the sixteenth of November And Frederick of Boheme who died of the Infection the nineteenth of November The Fundamental Laws of the Dane give a double Portion to the eldest Children of either Sex and to the rest equal shares and so by the death of Sophia Queen Dowager of Denmark our Kings Grand-mother there was due to him and his Sister Elizabeth in right of Queen Ann their Mother one hundred and fifty thousand pounds which was promised to our Ambassador the Earl of Leicester sent to that King partly to condole the old Queens death and by the way to demand his Portion The Complement of asking of him received another of owning to him being he was remembred of that Contract made with him 1625. of thirty thousand pounds a Moâ—â—th unpaid and yet due for support of his Army yet it seems was thus boldly concluded to draw on other Subscribers Confederates in that War and as usual not fully paid by any and so we may well be then in Arrear as I am sure the Dutch and French are to this day with him and us also The King had been very humbly solicited by the Scots earnest and affectionate supplications to chear and comfort them with his Court and to honour them with his Personal Coronation which he now resolves Not that that Crown was of 〈…〉 But the King to make good his own Inclination and Reason of State the main Arguments He sets out the thirteenth of May with a Princely Train the best of Nobility of England and all those here of Scotland and with them remarkable the English Treasurer and Secretary of State His motions were most certain not foreslowed His Guests were setled to their time and places otherwise He had made a mad Moneths Progress and many Entertainments would have been too sudden without such lawfull warning specially that of the Earl of Newcastles at Welbeck which he says cost the Earl six thousand pounds No such time place or provision But what he means was in Iuly the next year at Balfour Castle in Derby shire for the King Queen and their several Courts most sumptuous indeed And the King comes to Edenburgh the tenth of Iune and the eighth after designed for the solemn Celebrating of His Coronation glorious and bravely attended A little Metropolitan City God knows a long street rather But for a show It sets it forth at length from the Castle still descending to the Kings Palace Holy-rood House at a view the whole Triumphant Train a Mile and more where He was Crowned with all possible outward affection to his Person dissimulative for so it soon discovered And from this time we shall sum up the Scots perfidies smothered heretofore For now they begun secretly to consult and so to vent their â—islike of the Kings former Innocent Râ—vocation of Things scrambled from the Crown in his Fathers minority and his beneficial Commission of surrenders of Superiorities and Titles as before remembred But these Two Exceptions not sufficient to ground a Mutiny they mustered many such and feigned more And fell foul on some fears suggestions Innovation of Religion to be attempted this Parliament now assigned And withal politickly assured that nothing but calumnies could soil with suspicious jealousie or interrupt or relaxe the present joy of the common people grounding it on nothing more or other than a New Ratisioation of old Acts concerning the present Religion the Churches Liberties and priveledges assented unto by most voyces yet a wonder to many that soon dissented such as from that time became the great promoters of the after-Covenant shewing then the distemper of the heart that boyled out with too much heat at their mouth which seriously resolved it self into sedition soon after for having little more to do the King gratifies the greatest suitors with new Titles of Honour and no doubt consented unto by such as seemed disloyal to his just proceedings in Parliament there And yet these began to mutter but not as yet to mutiny till his departure which was not long after his visitation of Falkland Sterling Dumferling and other places eminent for any pleasure though none of them deserving the hazard the King had from danger of drowning in his passage over the Frith from Brunt-Island to Edenburgh and so came home to the Queen at Greenwich the 20. of Iuly But we may not forget whilest he was in Scotland the condition and behaviour of Sr. Iohn Stuart of Trahair lately made Baron Trahair Privy Councellor and Deputy Treasurer upon the resignation of the Lord Nappier a worthy states man Grand-childe to the afterwards renowned Matcheston and brother in law to the right famous Earl of Montrosse being in dislike of the times and aged and yet not without a considerable reward But Trahair acted his game more cunningly than honestly and now came into much favour with the King at this time He was created Earl of Trahair and in some years after Lord Treasurer of Scotland for upon the Earl of Mairs death Lord Treasurer Trahair was substituted in his place Marr was a Man of little Action and loving the Court of England was the lesse skilful to manage the affair of the Treasury But Trahair managing all tripled his own Estate in few years so faithful he was to himself not without complaint of the people And now in this Parliament There was a Tax granted to the King to be paid as formerly in four years amounting to one hundred thousand pounds Scots per
fire-coales into a flame the French being then upon a War with Spain and the Cardinal a great Statist knew that Englands best policy was ever to side with the weakest to ballance the biggest power neither of them to increase above the measure of moderation To that end Monsieur Montril was sent Emissary and Agent to work out the Design in England and Scotland as may appear by the Scots Letter to the French King as hereafter follows and that they had great incouragement from Richelieu but what assistance under hand I could never finde out fair promises and no doubt never to engage against them But Balmerino his great Enemy the Earl of Kinnol Lord Chancellour of Scotland took his leave of this life and left his Office to Spotswood Son to the first Superintendent formerly Arch-bishop of Glasgow and now Arch-bishop of St. Andrews aged above sixty years a learned moderate wise man as by his History appears the first of his Coat since the Reformation of that Dignity and that for the great advantage of the Church if rightly apprehended without that mistaken Vote never known before for three hundred years a Clergy-man to bear that Dignity I shall remember those that were Andrew Foreman 15 Iac. 4. James Stuart Brother to James the fourth James Beaton 10 Jac. 5. and Queen Maries Reign David Beaton Cardinal succeeded him Jo Hamilton Brother to the Duke of Chattleheralt was the last of the Popish Bishops and many more before those and all of them Arch-bishops of St. Andrews and Chancellours Then there were Willam Lowater anno 1412. Andrew Foreman Iac. 4. Gawin Dunbar Praeceptor to James 5 and after him James Beaton And these following were Arch-bishops of Glasgow and Chancellours Adam and Patrick Bishops of Brocher Chancellours annis 1360 1370. Thomas Spence Bishop of Galloway and Chancellour to Jac. 2. William Elphinston Bishop of Aberdene Chancellour to Jac. 3. Indeed in Scotland heretofore Justice was perâ—ormed by Itinerarie Courts like to the Judicature of Courts in England fifteen Judges in all seven Churchmen and seven Laymen and the President also a Churchman and the best offices of State were formerly in Bishops and Abbots which gave them abilities in purse to perform those great and pious works of charity honour and common benefit Abbies Churches Hospitals Bridges Causewayes and the like all Acts of the Clergy heretofore which now their successours destroy Death indeed was more indifferent with two Great Ones in England two Eminent Men of several factions the One Sr. Richard Weston Earl of Portland Lord High Treasurer of England the Kings great Favourite for his Abilities at this time the more useful in promoting Prerogatives and all advantages of raising money with some regret of the Commons for such services His place was therefore for the present put under power of Commissioners for some time after The other was Sr. Edward Cook a Common Lawyer and so bred up himself to please the people Increasing esteem on that score from his first rise Queen Elizabeths Attorney General chief Iustice of the Kings Bench under King Iames where he lost himself by too much liberty of Eloquence or Impudence and removed from that Court to his Countrey retirement in the County of Buckingham made high Sheriff to humble him towards this King with a clause in his Commission to avoyd his Election of being a Burgesse in Parliament of which he was the more ambitious because thereby the better able to shew his Enmity but he got it in Norfolk his birth-place and he a Law-wrangler was voted legally chosen notwithstanding his Commission of Restraint We may not forget the Affairs of Germany the Swede having a continued confederacy with the protestant Princes and the French assistance against the Emperour and Spain for although they fought and treated for a conjunction Duke Barnard had been so often bafled by former promises of Wallestien before his Murther that now he trusted to fair words no longer And the good Duke Francis Albert of Saxony Leumburgh the Instrument chosen to tye these two different dispositions into a Ligament was not his crafts master but was carried prisoner for many years to Vienna The King of Hungary for the Imperial party having cured the Army with good gold after the disorder of Wallestiens murther and taken new Oath of the souldiers when News came to his camp of a notable victory gotten by Arnem upon the Imperialists in Silesia and of his marching towards Prague whither the King sent so strong a supply Arnem was constrained to retire into Saxony at the same time that the Town of Ratisbone was regained for the Emperour in Iuly the brave and famous General Aldring being slain a little before at Lanshut He was of Luxenburgh obâ—curely born whose virtues and valour had raised thus high and eminent in many battels against Iohn de Wiert with successe And the businesse Military in Germany requiring all assistance for the Emperour against such a confederacy of friends Thither comes the Cardinal Infanto from Milan with the old Spanish Italian and Burgundian Bands through all Switâ—zerland soon reforming the riotous Swedes by their example into a true Military Discipline These forces joyning with the Imperialists marched into the Duchy of Weitemburgh but first must passe the fiery Tryal of a strong Town Norlington The Swedes and their Allies are likewise summoned together from all parts Horn joyns with Duke Barnard and advises to spare the Enemy a Town or two than to hazzard the publicque cause But the Duke would fight for it and designed the day the sixth of September and the rather because some private offer had been for Overtures of a Peace which the Swedes took for a good Augure what ere it presaged It procured to both Armies the most horred bloody fight that had been between Christians To the Protestants party were already arrived the forces of the Duke of Weitemburgh the Lantgrave of Hassia and Count Cratz He who was for Bavaria and should have betrayed Ingolstade to the Enemy and so being discovered was fled hither wanting none but the Rhingrave and his four thousand men The fight began early the most furious first shock was for a Hillock the storming of a mined fort lost many of the Swedes Infantry The Canon hidden behinde some bushes did mighty Execution also and the Swedes constrained to fly and their Cavalry pursued by the Duke of Lorain and Iohn de Wiert were utterly defeated eighty pieces of Canon three hundred colours and twelve thousand men slain and six thousand prisoners amongst whom that brave man Gustave Horn Nobly received by the King The fruit of this Battel began a peace short and sweet onely to let that miserable Countrey taste of the blessing which lasted not long when the revenger of blood opens the veins to let out more evil fumes This Victory might answer for their Eminent successe heretofore at Leipsick and Lutzen and as the Swedes did then so does
consequently have power to give order for the external part of Gods Service as was by Parliament granted to Queen Elizabeth and her Successours And the first Congregators calling themselves Protestants by Contract with Queen Elizabeth Anno 1559. received by Contract the Common Service-book of the Church of England for the better obtaining assistance from her to beat out the French then nestled in Scotland as Buchanan confesses Scoti ex servitute Gallica Anglorum auxiliis liberati eisdem Ritibus cum Anglis communibus subscripserunt lib. 19. in fine which was done by way of Indenture and thereupon Queen Elizabeth assisted them at their own charges and the English Service-book was so received by the Protestant Kirk of Scotland and practised as appears in Iohn Knox his History p. 111. of Buchanan's Edition in these words It is thought covenient advised and ordained that in all Parishes of this Realm Scotland the Common Prayer-book be publickly read weekly on Sundays and other Festival Days with the Lessons of the Old and New Testament therein contained conform to the Order of the said Book of Common Prayer and if the Curates of the Parishes be qualified to cause them reade the same and if they be not or refuse that the most qualified in every Parish shall reade it And that Preaching and Interpretation of Scriptures be used privately in the most convenient Houses where the People may quietly convene untill it shall please God to move the Princes heart to grant liberty of publick Preaching by faithfull and true Ministers And this was done Anno 1560. being so agreed upon the Year before And according to Queen Elizabeths Contract on her part she sent the Lord Grey with an Army of ten thousand Land-forces and an Navy by Sea which expulsed the French from thence but their turn served they afterwards devised another way of Discipline of their own like as those Covenanters did now refuse this Service-book not for any fault therein but because they would not have their Kirk depend upon the Jurisdiction and Order of the Church of England And whereas these Covenanters accused the Arch-bishop of Canterbury as Authour of this Book with the success thereafter as that they presumed to put their Platform of Geneva Discipline even upon the very Church of England as by their Solemn League and Covenant hereafter appeareth which though it take for a time with the prevalent party of their Faction in England yet shortly after as extravagant and they have since received their reward of slavery so just it is with God Some upright and honest Scots were in policy taken off either by subtilty or force And because the Earl of Strathern a bold man and had the Kings ear and deservedly too being faithfull and true these men set on Sir Iohn Scot Directour of the Chancery a busie Person to inform against his Descent which they call Service as Heir to David Earl of Strathern pretending to the Crown The story was thus briefly Robert the second of that Name and first of Stuarts about the Year of God 1370. entred his Reign at fifty years old having been Regent for his Uncle King David Bruce and had Issue by his Concubine Elizabeth Sir Moor's Daughter three Sons viz. John called Robert the third Robert Duke of Albany and Earl of Fife and Alexander Earl of Buchan In the second year of his Reign he married Aufeme Daughter to the Earl of Rosse and begat of her two Sons Walter Earl of Athol and David Earl of Strathern infeoffing upon them great Estates of Crown-lands intailed onely to their Heirs male legitime or to return to the Crown The King aged and infirm intrusted the power of the Militia to his eldest Son John Earl of Carrick and Lord of Kyll a valiant Person The Queen dying and leaving two young Sons the King marries his former Concubine Besse Moor and preferred her three Sons begotten out of Marriage before his legitimate Sons this being done by the Popes Dispensation and by Act of Parliament or by a Prior clandestine Marriage as was pretended yet the History bears it not But John succeeded by the name of Robert the third because two Kings Johns of England and France had been unfortunate And from this Robert lineally the Race of the subsequent Kings are descended David Earl of Strathern left onely one Daughter married to the Lord Graham's second Son who left onely one young Son Melissus Graham Earl of Strathern and King James the first returning to Scotland after eighteen years but noble Captivity in England and finding the Crown-rents much decayed caused a general search of the Dilapidation and the return made among others that the Earldom of Strathern ought to devolve to the Crown by the Intail and so it was reassumed but the young Earl so near a Kinsman he created Earl of Menteth with some small Rents at which the young mans Uncles the Earl of Athol aspiring to the Crown and Sir Robert Graham quarrel and murdered the King but were exemplarily punished and Athol forfeited since which time the Earls of Menteth lived privately untill this man was set up by the late Duke of Buckingham obtaining of the King neither of them acquainted with the Genealogy to be lineal Heir to that David Earl of Strathern his Predecessour to have the Title of Earl of Strathern who some years after vainly let fall these words that the King held the Crown of him and being tried and found guilty the Title was recalled and he had given to him the Title of Earl of Airth but discourted and put out of place or further medling in State-affairs extremely and specially aimed at by the former Contrivers of his ruine lest he might hinder their wicked intended Designs against the King and the estate of the Church and Bishops for the Man was noted to be very honest and faithfull though fâ—lly invented those words without any intention of mischief But it is dangerous to dally with the Sovereignty of Kings much more with their Crowns lest the wound become incurable nothing more dear than their Titles and Posterity And the restoring of Menteth in bloud was very disadvantagious to the King and indeed dangerous to the Earl himself comparing his case with others the like heretofore Henry the sixth of England restoring in bloud the Descent and Titlâ— of the Duke of York who openly thereafter made claim in Parliament for the Crown as in his own right laying down his Title thus The Son of Ann Mortimer who came of the Daughter and sole Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence third Son of King Edward the third is to be preferred by very good right in succession of this Kingdom before the Children of John of Gaunt the fourth Son of Edward the third but Richard Duke of York is come of Philippe the Daughter and sole Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence third Son of King Edward the third and to be preferred before the Children of the fourth Son
sets forth his Proclamation and Declaration To inform his loving Subjects of the seditious practices of some in Scotland seeking the overthrow of this Royal Power under false pretext of Religion the seven and twentieth of February 1638. referring to theirs in Edinburgh the fourth of February before and therein he discovers their traiterous intentions by the multitudes of their Pamphlets and Libels against Regal Authority by their Letters to private persons inciting them against the King by their Covenanters private meetings at London and in sundry places of the Kingdom some whereof he knows and some he hath seen by their contempt and protests against his Majesties commands by their rejecting of his Covenant because commanded by him and their inducing their own into Band and Covenant of conspiracy against him and lastly by their hostile preparations of Arms. He remonstrates all the former passages of his grace clemency and indulgence towards them their undâ—tifull returns of all and now their insolencies by their erecting a Print of their own raise Arms block up and besiege his Castles tax his Subjects slight his Counsellours set up Tables Councils of their own sit by Committees of their late pretended Assembly He takes God to witness he is constrained by these their Treasons to take Arms for the safety of that and this Kingdom They refusing the Oath of Allegeance and Supermacy because they have taken their Covenant He resolves to maintain Episcopacy there and refers to a large Declaration coming forth which suddenly succeeded of all the Passages as aforementioned to that Day of the Date February 27. at White-Hall To which they answer by theirs at Edinburgh the two and twentieth of March next following under the title of An Ordinance of the General Assembly And begin with their usual Canting That though the secrets of Gods way cannot be sounded yet considering his Providence in their personal affairs the Lord is about some great Work on Earth for the Cup of affliction propined to other Reformed Kirks is now presented to them though instead of a gracious Return of their humble Petitions from time to time the Return is a late Declaration of the seven and twentieth of February last libelâ—ed against them though the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against their Cause and the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ now in question which Declaration proceeds from the unchristian Prelates and their party inserting the image of their Hierarchy into the Kings Portraict and by their unequal poise overturn the Boat of all the Passengers and the Steer-man himself to perish And in good earnest they rip up their Reasons first by their long suffering of the Prelates insolency against their Ministery purity of Doctrine their Reformation the wonderfull Work of Gods Mercy to that Nation and so most falsly seting down the aforesaid Passages to their own ends fearing Popery to be introduced and because all the particular mischiefs calamities and curses recited shall not fall upon them to prevent the after-quelling of their childrens return wherefore hath the Lord done thus and hus against then the men shall say because they have forsaken the Covenant of the Lord therefore have all these Evils come upon them And for doing any harm to England cursed be their breasts if they harbour any such thought Implore the good opinion of their well affected Brethren in England And so to conclude their War defensive they cite the Law Natural and Civil that Ad defensionem sufficit quoâ— praecedat offensa vel justus timor offensae nec debet quis expectare primum istum melius enim jura intacta servare quam post vulneratam causam remedium quaerere quando praecedunt signa actus manifestae offensionis quando aliter nosmet tueri non possumus tum inculpata necessaria diciâ—ur tutela ac in dubia insultus quicquid facit in incontinentâ— praesumitur ad sui defensionem facere It is enough for defence that the offer of offence or just fear of offence go before as we profess it to be our case at this present even the defence of God and his Religion Edinburgh the 22. of March 1639. And so you see the occasion of this War which is untruly said to be the Arch-bishops advice and we are told the reason because it was the Bishops War the Covenanters called it so by which the Historian is observed to be one and that though it was so hinted a War to maintain the Bishops Hierarchy we are assured of the truth that though their contract and Covenant against the Liturgy and Episcopacy were their chief pretencs yet not the causes Religion the Vizard to disguise Rebellions when covetousness sacrilege rapine have a chief hand then as you may reade the true occasion in the entrance of this History under this Title The Scots Interest But as the English Clergy so the Nobility and Gentty had contributed largely and raised a considerable Power under Conduct of the Earl of Arundel the Kings General the Earl of Essex Lieutenant General of the Foot and the Earl of Holland of the Horse a considerable part of the Royal Navy with plenty of Corn and Ammunition intrusted the Kings fatal oversight to the command of the Marquess Hamilton who is marked out by an Observator and that justly to have anchored with his Fleet in the Frith of Edinburgh receiving his Mothers Visit a rigid Covenanter which the Scots themselves could then interpret That the Son of such a Mother would not hurt them for there he loitered to no good purpose for the King untill that he was informed of the Treaty tending to Pacification at Barwick and then he got on Land and poasted thither on purpose to disturb the intentions or master them to his own sinister respects as you shall reade hereafter And with these Forces the King himself sets ouâ— the very day of the same Moneth of his advance to this Crown March 27. And because it was a sudden War we shall soon march to the Enemy for in April he came to York where he stayed some time being the Rendezvouz for his Army marshalling his Men and consulting also of necessary Affairs of the State and Council-table and to indulge with a Proclamation April 13. Revoking and making null sundry Grants Licences and Commissions unduly obtained upon false suggestions I shall number them to the shame of such corrupt Ministers as did not prevent them viz. against Cottages and Inmates Scriveners and Brokers several Commissions for compounding with Offenders for transporting of Butter for importing of Log-wood for selling Under-sheriffs Places for destruction of Woods in Iron-works for Concealments and Incroachments within twenty Miles of London for transporting Sheep-skins and Lamb-skins for dressing Venison Pheasants Patridges in Inns Ale-houses Ordinaries and Taverns for licensing Wine-cask Brewers transporting Lamperes And revokes several Grants viz. for weighing Hay and Straw in London and three Miles compass the Office for registring
be kept at Edinburgh the sixth of August next where we intend God willing to be personally present and thereafter a Parliament the twentieth of August and there an Act of Oblivion to be passed And that upon their disarming and disbanding of their forces dissolving and discharging all their pretended Tables and Conventicles and restoring to the King all his Castles forts and Ammunition as also his Royal honours and to every one of his good Subjects their Liberties Lands Houses goods and means whatsoever taken and detained since the late pretended General Assembly the King will presently thereafter recal his Fleet and retire his Forces and cause restitution of their Ships and goods since the aforesaid time And since hereby it appears His Majesty intends not any alteration of Religion or Laws He expects their dutiful obedience And he takes God to witnesse that whatever calamities shall ensue by his necessitated suppressing of the Insolent disobedience is not occasioned by him but by their own procurement The Articles of Pacification were these the seventeenth of Iune 1639. 1. The forces of Scotland to be disbanded and dissolved within twenty four hours after the agreement of the Kings Declaration 2. The Kings Castles for Ammunition and Royal Honours to be delivered after the said Publication so soon as he should send to receive them 3. His Ships to depart presently after the delivery of the Castles and in the mean time no interruption of Trade 4. All persons goods and Ships detained by the King since the first of November to be restored 5. No Meetings Treatings Consultations or Convocations of any of the Scots but such as are warranted by Act of Parliament 6. All Fortifications to desist and to be remitted to the Kings pleasure 7. To restore to every one their Liberties Lands houses goods and means whatever taken and retained from them by whatsoever means since the first of November last The eighteenth of Iune the Declaration was signed by the King and these Articles by the Scots with this submission IN Obedience to his Majesties Royal Commands Wee shall upon Thursday next the twentieth of June dismisse our Forces and Immediately thereafter deliver His Majesties Castles c. And shall ever in all things carry our selves like humble and loyal subjects Signed Rothes Dumfirmlin Lowdon Dowglas Henderson Iohnston Now to show how the Scots performed these Articles Observe 1. That at the Scots very publishing of these Articles of Pacification though so infinitely advantagious to them they meet them with their Protestation scandalous and dishonourable to the King 2. They published a scandalous paper Intituled Some conditions of His Majesties Treaty with His subjects of Scotland before the English Nobility are set down here for remembrance So untrue and seditious as was burned by the Hangman They kept in body diverse forces and in pay all their Officers The fortification at Lieth kept up intire as at first They did after the time limitted and expired continue their unlawful meetings upon matters of State Ecclesiastical and Civil contrary to the Laws and Acts of Parliament They enforce subscription of the subject to the late pretended Assembly at Glasgow contrary to the Kings Proclamation They brand all such persons as took arms for the King with the aspersion of Incendiaries and Traytors to God and their Countrey They protest that all the members of the Colledge of Justice and all other the subjects were nor to attend the Session and would null all their Acts as ineffectual 3. They come to a Parliament wherein they deny the most essential and inherent Prerogatives of the Crown striving to alter the constitutions of Parliament and frame of Government as appears by their first Act which was that nothing done or to be done in Parliament should be valid except the form of electing the Articles heretofore observed were altered contrary to former Parliaments and the power of the Articles which have been ever since King David Bruce more then 300. years for the Lords of the Articles prepare all business bring them to the Parliament as appears the fourth Parliament of King Iames the sixth cap. 218. and indeed for eschewing impertinent confusion all Propositions and Motions are to be delivered to the Clerk Register and by him presented to the Lords of Articles which now they will not endure They urge to confound the third Estate in Parliament of Bishops formerly called the first Estate which King Iames the sixth and all his Predicessours before and since the Reformation were careful to preserve as appears anno 1560. when all church Jurisdiction in the persons of Bishops is alleadged to be dissolved And in anno 1587. when all Temporalities of Benefices were annexed to the Crown the Clergy retained still their Vote in Parliament and represented the third Estate see the first Parliament of Iames the sixth 1587 1597. 1609. Nay by a special Act the eighth Parliament of King Iames the 6. It is declared treason to impugne the three Estates to procure the Innovation of the power and authority of the same 3. Estates or any of them and so these men are thereby now guilty of Treason And to the Act of Oblivion they seek to justifie themselves and all their former proceedings and urge an act of Iustification to be recorded in Parliament which in truth is contrary to the nature of an Act of Oblivion as appears in that Act of Oblivion 1563. And whereas by their Article of Pacification they were to restore to the subject Liberty Lands goods c. the binding part of the Act never intended it seems to restore Bishops and Ministers c. They urge that all Scots assistant to the King shall be made equal if not more lyable to the defraying of their pretended charge in the late Expedition so that in this point the King must not onely justifie his subjects Rebellion but contribute his consent to pay their wages Then consider their demands of the King in this Parliament 1. That the Coyn be not medled with but by advice of Parliament 2. No stranger to command or to inhabit in any Castles of the Kings but by their advice 3. No Honour to be granted to any stranger but such as have a competency of Land rent in Scotland 4. No Commissioner of Iusticiary or Lievtenancy but for a limited time They protest against the Precedency of the Lord Treasurer and Lord Privy Seal as not warranted by a positive Law And though these demands answer themselves in the Negative see what may be said to them 1. For the Coyn Certainly it is a prerogative peculiar to the Crown and in any other person High Treason as in all Kingdoms in the world 2. No doubt they malign at the English strangers In good sooth the English did resent the dishonour to have a poor Scot created an Earl of England without a foot of land or a groat in his purse to perk above an English Viscount at home in England 3. It
est mala cujus finis est bonus contrary to Saint Paul Non est faciendum malum ut bonum inde eveniat And because the major part of that ignorant infatuated Nation remained as yet intangled in that Errour that these were the seven Articles of Pacification and burnt by the Hangman as the Ministery thundered out of their Pulpits to make the King odious I conceive it very necessary for the undeceiving of the Multitude and satisfying the most curious to set down verbatim his Majesties Proclamation there anent which is now rarely to be found for the Scots endeavour to suppress such Truths A Proclamation publishing an Act of State and his Majesties Command concerning a scandalous Paper lately dispersed amongst many of his Subjects WHereas a Paper containing many Falshoods and tending much to the dishonour of his Majesties late Proceedings in the Pacification given to his Subjects of Scotland hath been dispersed in divers parts of this Kingdom whereupon an Act of Council hath been made in these words ensuing viz. On Sunday the fourth of August sixteen hundred thirty nine his Majesty being in Council was pleased to acquaint the Lords with a Paper which he had seen in Barwick intituled Some Conditions of his Majesties Treaty with his Subjects of Scotland before the English Nobility are set down here for remembrance Which Paper being in most parts full of falshood dishonour and scandal to his Majesties Proceedings in the late Pacification given of his Princely grace and goodness to his Subjects of Scotland hath been very frequently spread here in England and avowed in Scotland by some to have been approved and allowed as Truth by somâ— of these Lords in England who attended his Majesty and were present at the Pacification in the Camp Whereupon the Paper having been read and his Majesty commanding these English Lords to declare their knowledg thereof The Earl Marshal first began to put his Majesty in remembrance that some few days after the Pacification was concluded some of the Scotâ— Lords coming to the Chamberlain's Tent sent to speak with him and the Earl of Holland and offered them a certain Paper which they pretended to have been collected for the help of their memories and not otherwise nor to be published but the said English Lords very dutifully and discreetly refused to accept of that or any such Paper but referred themselves totally to the Articles of Pacification in writing and the said Earl Marshal further declared that now upon the reading he for his part held the said Paper for the most part false and scandalous and no way agreeable to what his Majesty expressed at the Pacification Next the Lord Chamberlain declared that being ready to take horse and a number of his Friends about him taking their leave the Lord Loudon pressed him with much importunity to receive a Paper which he took not knowing what it contained but at night when he came to his Lodging doubting it might be some such Paper as was formerly offered and was refused took it without reading of it and sealed it up and so kept it untill he presented it to his Majesty at White-hall professing that till that time he had never read any one word of it nor seen any other Copy thereof which Paper being that which had been divulged was the very same which his Majesty commanded to be read at the Board The Earl of Salisbury likewise desired to justifie himself of a particular Scandal laid upon him that he had received and brought Copies of this Paper from the North which he declared could not be because he was come away from the Camp before that Paper was offered and had never seen it nor any Copy thereof before his Majesties return to Theobalds After this the Lord Chamberlain the Earls of Salisbury Holland and Berkshire concurred with the Earl Marshal that the Contents of that Paper were for the most part notoriously scandalous false and contrary to what his Majesty clearly expressed at the Pacification His Majesty likewise declared that before his coming from Berwick he shewed a Copy of this scandalous Paper to the Earl of Lindsey the Earl of Holland Mr. Treasurer Dorine and Secretary Cook who fully concurred in the foresaid opinion with the other Lords all which Lords and particularly the Earl of Holland avowed the falsness thereof to the faces of these Scots Lords who were believed to be the divulgers thereof the Lords of the Council of Scotland being there likewise present All which considered the whole Board unanimously became humble Petitioners to his Majesty that this false and scandalous Paper might be publickly burnt by the Hangman and that his Majesties pleasure might be published by Proclamation that no person or persons hereafter of what Degree or Condition soever presume to keep any Copy thereof but that within ten days after the said Proclamation published every such person and persons shall deliver to the next Iustice of Peace all and every Copies thereof the same to be immediately sent to one of the principal Secretaries upon peril of such punishment as the Law inflicts upon such as keep up seditious Papers which was accordingly ordered and commanded to be entred into the Council-book as an Act of State His Majesty therefore by the advice of his Privy Council doth hereby publish the said Act of State unto all his loving Subjects to the end that being forewarned they may avoid the Danger which may ensue by the detaining or concealing any Copy or Transcript of the said Paper strictly charging and commanding all manner of persons what soever that they presume not to keep any Copy of the same according to this Act upon such Penalties as are done by Law And his Majesty is hereby graciously pleased to pardon and remit the offence of such persons as have had any Copy of the said Paper and shall deliver it up within ten Days after Publication hereof as aforesaid Given at our Palace of Westminster the eleventh of August 1639. How evident it is to all men how poorly these pacifying English Lords Commissioners came off Pembroke Salisbury Holland and Berkshire Sir Harry Vane senior and Secretary Cook all except honest Berkshire sided afterwards with the Covenanters against the King And when the King charged the Scots Commissioners with this Paper they made no Answer as not being within their Instructions but afterwards in their grand Declaration the State of Scotland makes this pitifull Answer or Excuse As we are most unwilling to fall upon any Question which may seem to import the least contradiction with his Majesty so if it had not been the trust which we gave to the Relation of our Commissioners who did report to us his Majesties gracious Expressions related daily to us at Dunce the place of their Camp and put into Notes by many of our Number which were a great deal more satisfactory to us than the written Declaration the same would not have been acceptable which
made our enemies to number this Letter amongst the number of our pretended faults committed after the Parliament whereas it was written in May 1639. before our marching to the borders and therefore ought to have been buried in the Pacification and was occasionally made known to some English of quality in the Kings Camp and the want of subscription hath made our adversaries to Indorse it Au Roy But we affirm that it was neither sealed folded nor indorsed by us nor to our knowledge Examples have been of Letters old and of late to other Princes even to the Pope himself which are not hid from the world It sufficeth that we have justified the Lord Lowdon for putting his hand to such a Letter the guiltinesse or Innocency herein not being personal or proper to him but National and common to us all But had it been his fault being before his Commission and imployment to England he ought to have returned and to have been unclothed of his Commission and a private Man ere he had been questioned The dignity and safety of Nations Kingdoms Estates and Republiques are much interessed in their Commissioners and Legates dignity whether from Prince or Republique is the ground and law of Nations the effects bring Religion to God Piety towards our Countrey propulsation of injury keeping of Faith and Legates to be inviolable If any Person hath committed any offence at home against King Countrey or Subject the fundamental Liberties and Independency of Scotland and practise of all times before 1603. require that it be tried and judged at home in a loyal way by the ordinary Judicatories of the Land and therefore to intreat for his Liberty and safety who is to us as our selves and now imprisoned against all equity law or conscience Thus much the Scots plead not in excuse you see but in justification of these three particulars so far objected against them And now let us examine the condition of the seven Articles themselves As for the three first on the Kings part It was no great matter whether he would perform or no the Scots had been their own Carvers and had threatned to assemble of themselves and if need were could make it as useful as a Parliament But to disband such an Army upon any conditions was the first president from any Prince It hath been the policy of all Potentates to strike into a power without jealousie of their own subjects even when they are at the best and safest terms with their Soveraigns lest he should divert his forces upon them But it is truly observed He had ground and cause enough from abroad and at home also without seeking for reasons His two Invasions upon his potent Neighbours provoking the Spaniard at the Isle of Gades and the French at the Isle of Rhe. And therefore though it is a Maxim for an Army once raised to keep it self by free quarter rapine and Robbery if not otherwise maintained yet no such fear nor occasion now the Gentry were up and wilde for performing some gallantry of honour and went not far to fetch it nor to fear the purchasing from a despised petty enemy Nor was the King bound to disband but to recall his forces by Land or Sea from the coasts of that Kingdom until they had first performed their Articles which they were intended nor were the English willing to quit any of the charge and expence their Equipage being already paid for and fit for performance to the purpose intended But contrary to their expectations were dismissed without any caresse for all their love and loyalty which fell short to him ever after when his following troubles had most cause and occasion to command them For at the Publication of the Kings Declaration in Scotland the Covenanters were provided and did affront it with a Protestation To maintain their late General Assembly at Glasgow to be a free and perfect Assembly of their Kirk and all their proceedings there to stand in effect Especially their sentences of Deprivation and Excommucation of the sometimes pretended Bishops Their solemn Covenant and Declaration whereby the Office of Bishop is totally abjured That no Members of the Colledge of Justice shall attend the Session or Term upon avoyding and null of all their Acts and Sentences Nay what more did they not do to their not performing any one Article of Pacification Keeping up their Fortifications at Lieth their Officers in pay their continual unwarrantable consultations and in stead of restauration to the Kings wel-affected subjects what had been ravaged from them they secured some of their persons with a strickt eye upon them all I know not what their Insolencies were not incouraged to do even from our own party for that Libel which by the Title some conditions of his Majesties Treaty with his subjects of Scotland are here set down for Remembrance Indeed Pembrook Salisbury Holland and Brakshire renounced them or any such consent of his Majesty while theâ— were Commissioners and indeed they were burnt in Smithfield by the Hangman and Secretary Coke one of the Commissioners was turn'd out of office therefore and not unlikely to be guilty of that and too much contriving with those Covenanters then and alwayes after And however not true yet their Ministers made their pulpits speak it to be the virtual part of the Pacification and therefore the King to be no longer trusted And all those passages even whilst the Kings was present who therefore not to be longer affronted to his face and uncertain whom to trust there and such a sudden contracted kindenesâ—e being between two late enemies that wise men mistrusted â—oul effects and so did the King who hasted home to consult with his Junto at White hall in Iuly and the Scots Covenanters busie to frame a Protestation against the time of the intended Proclamation for their General Assembly and it was thus VVE Noblemen Barons Burgesses c. Acknolwledging his Maiesties high favour in calling again a free and Generall Assembly and Parliament c. And fearing to admit any thing which might import the violation of the Oath of God which ties us to maintain the late Assembly at Glasgow c. where the Enemies to Religion his Majesties honour and our peace the office of Arch Bishops and Bishops who are now cited by his Majesties Iurisdiction to assist in the next Assembly is abjured and they themselves for their Usurpations and Innovations were more solemnly Excommunicated Therefore lest this Indiction should import the least prejudice to the said full lawfull and National Assembly c. Wee therefore Declare 1. To maintain the late Assembly at Glasgow as most lawfull free and General c. ratifying all the Acts sentences and constitutions censures and proceedings especially the sentence of deprivation and excommunication of the pretended Arch Bishop and Bishops of this Kingdom 2. To adhere to our solemn Covenant with God whereby the Office of Bishops who yet usurp the Title is declared
the French and other strangers assistance the Iesuit in particular had combinations with the Covenanters not in love to them but in policy to ruine the right Reformed Religion by setting up the Presbytery and so all Schism to succeed and a Plot was pretended to bring it about The Narrative of this Design was sooner sent abroad than by Master Pryn or the other after him and needs not the credulity of Sir William Boswel 's Relation as to the thing but whether the Indictor devised this Narration and himself onely the Plotter as usual with politick Pretenders is much suspected yet it is confessed to be framed square enough to publick fame to be believed for truth and thus it was for I have met with some different Copies commonly transcribed which yet need not for they were scattered in Manuscript from the very Authours A Noble-man of Boheme Andreas ab Habern-field now become Physician to the Lady Elizabeth the Palsgrave relict made it known by a Friend to Sir William Boswel and by his means sent to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury Most Illustrious and Reverend Lord We have willingly and cordially perceived that our Offers have been acceptable both to his Royal Majesty and likewise to your Grace This is the onely Index to us that the Blessing of God goeth along with you whereby we are the more extimulated chearfully and freely to declare and discover those things whereby the hazzard of both your lives the subversion of the Realms both of England and Scotland the tumbling down of his Excellent Majesty from his Throne is projected Now lest the discourse should be enlarged with superfluous cicumstances we will onely premise some things which are meerly necessary to the matter First be it known to them that this good man the Informer of the ensuing discoveries was born and bred in the pontifical Religion and spent many years in Ecclesiastical Functions At length being judged a fit person for carrying on the present designe by the advice and command of the Lord Cardinal Barbarino he was made co-adjutor to Con the then Popes Nuncio to whom he appeared so diligent and sedulous in his office that hope of great preferment was given to him But he guided by a better inspiration was not wun by those sugar baits and conscious to himself of the vanities of that Religion whereof he had sometimes been a strenuous Defender having also observed the malice of rhe Romish party found his Conscience much oppressed for ease whereof he resorted in his belief to the Orthodox Religion And thought it his best way to reveal a plot tending to the destruction of so many Innocent souls conceiving his minde would better repose should he vent what he knew into the bosom of some confiding Friend This done he was seriously admonished by that Friend to give manifest tokens of his Conversion and to deliver from imminent danger so many innocent souls To this counsel he willingly consigned himself and delivered the subsequent matters to Writing whereby the Articles lately presented to your Grace may be clearly explicated and demonstrated 1 That the main of the businesse may be known it is to be considered that all these Factions which this day make Christianity reel have their rise from the Iesuitical off-spring of Cham which branch it self into four Orders The first are Ecclesiasticks these take into care the promotions of Religious affairs The second are Polititians their office is to take care for the raising of civil combustions in and refoming of Kingdoms The Third are Seculars who are properly designed for to intrude into offices of near relation to the persons of Princes to insinuate themselves into Civil affairs of the Court as Bargains and Sales The Fourth are men of a lower Orb Intelligencers and spies then to creep into the services of eminent persons Princes Earls Barons or the like and endevour to pervert or cheat them A Society of so many Orders the Kingdom of England nourisheth For scarce all Spain France and Italy can yield so great a multitude of Iesuites as London alone Where are found more then fifty Scotch Iesuites there the said Society hath elected for it self a seat of iniquity and hath conspired against the King and his greatest confidents especially against the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and likewise against both Kingdoms For it is most certain that the said Society hath resolved upon an Universal Reformation in the Kingdoms of England and Scotland And the determination of the end necessarily inferreth a determination of the means For promotion therefore of the undertaken villanny this Society is dubbed with the title of The Congregregation for the propagation of the Faith with acknowledgeth the Pope of Rome for their principal and Cardinal Barbarino for his Substitute and Deputy The chief patron of this Society is the popes Legate who hath special care of the business into his bosom this rabble of Traytours weekly deposite their Intelligences The Residence of this Legation was obtained at London in the name of the pope by whose mediation it might be lawful for Cardinal Barbarino to work so much the more easily and safely upon the King and Kingdom For none could so easily circumvent the King as he who should be palliated with the popes Authority Seignior CON was at that time the Popes Legate the Universal Minister of that conjured Society and a vehement promoter of the plot whose secrets as likewise those of all other intelligencers the present Informer of all these things did receive and dispatch as the business required CON tampered with the chief men of the Kingdom and left nothing unattempted by which he might corrupt them all and incline them to the Romish party he enticed with many various baits the very King himself he sought to delude with gifts of pictures Antiquities Idols and such like trumperies brought from Rome which yet prevailed nothing with the King Thus familiarly entertained by the King oft at Hampton-Court and at London he was intreated to undertake the Cause of the prince Palatine that he would interpose his authority and by Intercession perswade the Legate of Colen that the Palatine in the next Diet for the Treating about peace might be inserted into the conditions which hee promised but performed the contrary He intimated indeed that hee had been solicited by the King to such an effect but did not advise such consent lest peradventure the Spaniard should say that the Pope of Rome did patronize an heretical Prince In the interim CON smelling from the Arch Bishop the Kings most Confident that the Kings minde was altogether pendulous and doubtful resolved to move every stone and bend all his strength to gain him to his side being confident hee had prepared the meanes For he had a command to make offer of a Cardinals Cap to the Lord Arch-Bishop in the name of the Pope of Rome and that he should allure him also with higher promises that he might corrupt his sincere minde Yet
height as the Crown-customes increased five times greater in fine not onely to subsist of our self but to contribute to the English Exchequer and to make some retribution of those vast expenses from hence for four hundred years past The main assistance to this War came from the Gentry of England all Knights and Gentlemen holding Lands in capite of the King were to send Horse and Men answerable to their abilities so that the Aids completed the royal Army where of the Earl of Northumberland was appointed General and the Earl of Strafford his Lieutenant General but in truth Northumber land fell extreme sick and therefore not to disorder the form of the other Officers the King took the Command upon himself Generalissimo for I never read of a Royal Army and the King present but himself was chief the Earl of Northumberland his General and the Earl of Strafford Lieutenant General and having seen the Queens safe delivery of a Son born the twentieth of Iuly and christened Henry after created Duke of Glocester He hastens his Rendezvouz and the twentieth of August takes leave of London Two days after he declares the Scots to be Rebells by Proclamation That by all ways of mildness and clemency he hath endeavoured to appease the rebellious courses of his Subjects of Scotland who upon pretences of Religion have sought to shake off his Regal Government and now do take up Arms and invade his Kingdom of England and therefore his Majesty doth now declare that all those who have already entered or shall presume to enter in war like manner in any part of England and their Adherents and Assistants shall be adjudged and are hereby denounced Rebels and Traitours against his Majesty nevertheless if they will yet acknowledg their former crimes and crave pardon and yield obedience for the time to come he tenders them his gracious pardon they retiring home and demeaning themselves as loyal Subjects for the future August 22. 1640. And a Prayer is published for the Kings Majesty in his Expedition against the Rebells of Scotland to be said in all Churches c. viz. O Eternal God and mercifull Father by whom alone Kings reign thou Lord of Hosts and Giver of all Victory we humbly beseech thee both now and ever to guide and preserve our most gracious Sovereign Lord King Charls to bless him in his Person with health and safety in his Counsels with wisdom and prudence and in all his Actions with honour and good success especially against those his traiterous Subjects who having cast off all obedience to their Anointed Sovereign do 〈…〉 His Army was marched before hastening to meet the Scots who were entered England already for being come to North-alerton in the way to New-castle he was met by the Lord Conway with the ill News of a Defeat at Newburn upon Tine the Day before which was thus The Lord Conway Commander there in chief advising to secure the most considerable Passes had upon August 27 drawn out 1200. Horse and 3000. Foot placing the Infantry under shadow of a Breast-work to gall the Scots in theirâ— Pass over the River Tine near Newburn but their General Lesly over night had planted nine Pieces of Ordnance on his side of the River and blinded them with Bushes from sight of the English and in the morning craves leave of the Lord Conway to pass with his Petition to his Majesty he was admitted to pass with a considerable number but not with his Army but Lesly must not divide his Forces and so fords over 300. Horse which were by those behinde the Breast-work enforced to retire and Lesly to acquit them plaid his Cannon from the Blinde so furiouâ—ly as drove them from their Poast and like raw Souldiers cast down their Arms and fled Then their Cavalry re-advanced upon Mr. Wilmot Commissary General of the Horse accompanied with prime Gentlemen and stood to the Charge of Horse and Cannon also which so galled them and over powred by number as they retired in disorder 300. slain and imprisoned and Conway fain to retreat with this ill News to the King and because New-castle was not tenable against the Scots Army Sir Iacob Ashley the Governour was forced to desert it and two days after they possessed Durham And now comes the Earl of Strafford who brought up the Rear of the Army retreating to York whom the King staid and where there was time afforded to examine and conclude this Miscarriage upon Conway notwithstanding his best art of flourish and stout animosity to vindicate his either Cowardice or Treachery or both for so he was accused During this time the English Garison at Barwick issued out and recovered some Pieces of Cannon which had been left by Lesly at Dunse as over-usefull for his Train which gave Allarm to the Earl of Hadington commanding in Loâ—thian and the Merse with two thousand Horse and 〈◊〉 to pursue and rescue the Cannon and carried them to Dâ—nglass but the next day Hadington and twenty more â—nights and Gentlemen in an instant were all slain by an accident of â—ire which blew up the Magazine of Vaâ—lt that lay in a 〈◊〉 on the other side of the Court twelve score from his Lodging not slain therein very frolick and merry but were come out into the midst of the Court and there killed by the Stones that flew from the Vault which made it the more miraculous but whether by Accident or Design was never known But during these military actions the Scots gaining ground upon the English and now â—eated where they would be in warm Quarters with New-castle Coal good Fires Meat Drink and Lodging of the best and all these in great plenty They now take time to petition the King intâ—tuling it The humble Petition of the Lords of the last Parliament and others his Majesties loyal Subjects of Scotland Complaining in general of their sufferings for relief whereof they are constrained to come without prejudice to the peace of England or any the Subjects therein untill they are pressed with strength of Arms to oppose their Passage at Newburn and now present themselves to his Majesties goodness for satisfaction of their full demands and repair of their wrongs and losses with the advice of the Parliament of England to be convented To all the King answers by his Secretary of Scotland the Earl of Limrick that the King expects their particular Demands having already summoned the Peers of England to meet at York September 24. and commands them to advance no farther York September 5. LIMRICK Three days after comes their Demands directed to the Earl of Limrick in terms humble enough but very peremptory as to the Points Right Honourable As nothing on earth is more desired of us than his Majesties favour so we shall desire nothing herein but what may suit to his Majesties honour and peace of his Dominions The Particulars we should have expressed in our Petition but that they
are contained in our late printed Declarations which were sent to your Lordship which summarily we here repeat That the late Acts of Parliament may be published in his Majesties Name with the States of Parliament That Edenburgh Castle and other Strengths of Scotland may as to their first foundation be fortified and used for our defence and security That our Countreymen in England and Ireland may not be pressed with Oaths and Subscription warranted by your Law and contrary to their National Oath and Covenant That the common Incendiaries the Authours of Combustions in his Majesties Dominions may receive their Censure That our Ships and Goods with all the Dammage thereof may be restored That the wrongs losses and charges which all the time we have sustained may be repaired That the Declarations made against us as Traitours may be recalled That by the advice and consent of the States of England to be convened in Parliament the Garrisons may be removed from the Borders and any Impediment that may stop free Trade and settle Peace for our Religion and Liberties against all Fears of Molestation and the undoing of us from year to year or as our Adversaries shall take the advantage And that the meeting of the Peers the four and twentieth of this instant will be too long ere the Parliament will be convened the onely means of settling Peace the sooner they come the more shall we be enabled to obey his Majesties Prohibition of our advancing with our Army Nothing but invincible necessity hath brought us out of our Countrey to this place and no other thing shall draw us beyond the Limits appointed by his Majesty wherein we hope your Lordship will labour for our Kings honour and the good of our Countrey Leaguer at New-castle Septemb. 8. 1640. Your Lordships loving and humble Servants and Friends c. Those English Lords that meant not to fight either for necessity or honour fearing that their next Meeting might prevent a Parliament had this while devised their Petition to the King in effect for a Parliament the great aim on all sides answerable to the Scots desire before they set out from home which they published at the head of their Army in a Pamphlet called The Intentions of their Army viz. Not to lay down Arms till the Reformed Religion were settled in both Nations upon sure grounds the Causers and Abetters of their present Troubles be brought to publick justice and that in Parliament And these Abetters were the Papists Prelates and their Adherents in general but more particular the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and the Lieutenant of Ireland And therefore to answer them comes out a correspondent Petition from a Compound of six Earls one Viscount and four Barons being a Descant on the Scots Plain-song And to back these Petitions are poasted from London and other places presently after The Lords Petition was thus Most gracious Sovereign The zeal of that duty and service which we ow to your Sacred Majesty and our earnest affection to the good and welfare of this your Realm of England have moved us in all humility to beseek your Royal Majesty to give us leave to offer to your Princely wisdom the apprehension which we and others your faithfull Subjects have conceived of the great Distempers and Dangers now threatning the Church and State and your Royal Person and of the fittest means by which they may be removed and prevented The Evils and Dangers whereof your Majesty may be pleased to take notice are these 1. That your Majesties Sacred Person is exposed to Hazzard and Danger in the present Expedition against the Scotish Army and by occafion of this War your Majesties Revenue is much wasted your Subjects burthened with Coat and Conduct-money billeting of Souldiers and other Military charges and divers Rapines and Disorders committed in several parts of this your Realm by the Souldiers raised for that Service and your whole Kingdom become full of Fears and Discontents 2. The sundry Innovations in matters of Religion the Oath and Canons lately imposed upon the Clergy and other your Majesties Subjects 3. The great increase of Popery and the imploying of Popish Recusants and others ill-affected to the Religion by Laws established in Places of power and tâ—ust especially in commanding of Men and Arms both in the Field and sundry Counties of this your Realm whereas by Law they are not permitted to have any Arms in their own Houses 4. The great Mischiefs which may fall upon this Kingdom if the intentions which have been credibly reported of bringing in Irish and foreign Forces should take effect 5. The urging of Ship money and prosecution of some Sheriffs in the Star-chamber for not levying of it 6. The heavy charge upon Merchandise to the discouragement of Trade the multitude of Monopolies and other Patents whereby the Commodities and Manufactures of the Kingdom are much burthened to the great and universal grievance of your people 7. The great grief of your Subjects by long intermission of Parliaments and the late and former dissolving of such as have been called without the happy effects which otherwise they might have produced For remedy whereof and prevention of the dangers that may arise to your Royal Person and to the whole State they do in all humility and faithfulness beseek your most Excellent Majesty that you would be pleased to summon a Parliament within some convenient time whereby the causes of these and other great grievances which your people lie under may be taken away and the Authors and Counsellors of them may be there brought to such legal trial and condign punishment as the nature of their several offences shall require And that the present War may be composed by your Majesties wisdom without blood in such manner as may conduce to the Honour and safety of your Majesties Person the comfort of your people and the uniting of both your Realms against the common Enemy of the Reformed Religion And your Majesties petitioners shall ever pray c. Concluded the 28. of August 1640 Francis Bedford Roberâ— Essex Mulgrave Say Seal Edward Howard The Earl of Bristow William Hartford Warwick Bulling brook Mandevil Brook Paget The Kings Answer was BEfore the receipt of your Petition his Majesty well foresaw the danger that threatens himself and Crown and therefore resolved to summon all the Peers to his presence upon the 24 of this September and with them to consult what in this case is fittest to be done for his honour and safety of the Kingdom where they with the rest may offer any thing that may conduce to these ends And so accordingly the Lord Keeper had command and did issue out Writs of summons for their appearance at York the 24. of September And to meet them there comes To the Kings most Excellent Majesty The Humble Petition of your Majesties Loyal Subjects the Citizens of London Most Gracious Soveraign BEing moved by the Duty and Obedience which by Religion and Laws your Petitioners owe unto
Maxwell till ten Weeks after when being upon the Charge voted guilty of High Treason and not before he was sent to the Tower and four years after beheaded The Scots Covenanters charge against the Arch-bishop of Canterbury concerning Innovations in Religion the main causes of Commotions in Kingdoms and States the true causes of our present Troubles many and great besides the Books of Ordinances and Homilies First some particular Alterations in Religion without Order or Law a new Book of Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiastical Secondly a Liturgie or Book of Common Prayer full of dangerous Errours and we challenge the Prelate Canterbury the prime cause on earth That he was Authour of our changes in Religion by fourteen Letters of his to our pretended Bishops to promote the English Service-Book and for which neglect he lost the Bishoprick oâ— Edinburgh but may deserve a better advising him to return a List of the Names of such persons of Honour and Office that refuse More appears by Papers memorative Instructions to the Bishop of Saint Andrews and Ross for ordering the Affairs of the Kingdom to obtain Warrants to order the Exchequer Privy Council Commissions of Surrenders the matter of Balmerino's Process as might pleasure Prelates Warrants to sit in the High Commission once a Week and to gain from the Noble-men the Abbies of Kelso Saint Andrews and Conday for the Prelates ordering by his command even the meanest Offices in the Kirk Secondly the Book of Canons obtruded being devised for establishing a tyrannical power in the persons of the Prelates over the Consciences Liberties and Goods of the People and for abolishing the whole Discipline of our Kirk settled by so many general and provincial Assemblies Presbyteries and Kirk-Sessions by Law and continual practice since the Reformation The Book of Common Prayer which by our National Assembly is found to be Popish Superstitious and Idolatrous and repugnant to all our Doctrine and Discipline reformed And that Canterbury was the main Actor they prove by several Letters to several pretended Bishops for promoting and ordering the use thereof and the Book it self in writ is interlined margined and patched up by his hand the changes and supplements taken from the Mass-books different from the Service-book in England and without the Kings knowledg as in the Sacraments of Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. That our Supplications were many against these Books but Canterbury procured them to be answered with terrible Proclamations whereby we were constrained to use the Remedy of Protestations we were called Rebells and Traitours and procured War against us and after the Pacification at Barwick he advised to have it broken and to bring upon us this new War that our Convenant he called damnable treasonable railing against us in the presence of the King and Committee That his hand was to the Warrant for Restraint and Imprisonment of some of our Commissioners when we had manifested the truth of our Intentions Declarations Remonstrances and Representations true just and lawfull That he advised the breaking up of the last Parliament but sat still in his Convocation to make Laws against them tending to our utter ruine That he caused a Prayer to be used in all Churches in England whereby we are styled as traiterous Subjects c. That if the Pope had been in his place he could not have been more zealous against the Reformed Churches to reduce them to the Heresies Doctrines Superstitions Idolatries of Rome c. All which they will prove and desire justice upon him Their Charge also against the Earl of Strafford which was thus in effect That they had conjoyned with Canterbury by no other name the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whose malice was to do mischief to their Kirk and Countrey no cause moving but his own pride and superstitious disdain of their Kirk so much honoured first by sundry other reformed Kirks by many worthy Divines in England by their oppositions against Innovations in all his Majesties Dominions which he promotes by advancing his Chaplain Doctor Bromholm to the Bishoprick of Derry and Vicar general of Ireland one prompted to exalt Canterbury's Popery and Armenianism and Doctor Chapel to the University of Dublin on purpose to imprisoning and corrupting the Fountain of the Kirk and when the Primate of all Ireland pressed a Ratification of the Articles of the Confession of that Kirk in Parliament for barring of Innovation he boldly threatned him with burning of it by the Hangman although confirmed in England He disgraced our new Reformation begun in Scotland by a Pamphlet Examen conjurationis Scoticae The ungirding of the Scotish Armour Lysimachus Nicanor and he the Patron of the Works and them That notwithstanding their National Oath and Covenant warranted by general Assemblies approved by Parliament there and to be taken by all the People and their Loyalty to the King and lawfull proceeding the Innocency of their Covenant and Cause yet did he tend all his malice and force against them First by summoning some of the Scots Nobility and Gentry there in Ireland to Dublin and there conspired with the Prelate of Rothes and framed a Petition which the Scots there must exhibit to renounce the Scots Covenant and so thereby enforced all the Scots above sixteen years of age to the same upon pain of close Imprisonment whereby thousand others were forced to fly into Scotland leaving all they had behinde them to the weakning of the Scots Plantation and disservice to the King and Kingdom That by his means a Parliament is there called and although by six Subsidies unduly gotten and levied the Parliament before the Land was impoverished He now again extorted four Subsidies more otherwise Forces should have been levied against us as Rebells This being intended as a President to the Parliaments in England for levying a joint Army over the Subjects of both Nations And accordingly an Army was raised and brought to the Coast threatning to invade Scotland and to make us a conquered Province to the extirpation of Religion Laws and Liberties which enforced us of necessity to maintain our Forces on Foot to prevent his coming our Ships and Goods taken as Prize on the Irish Coasts inciting England to a War also against them Thus fitted he hastning over into England and at the delivery up of the Sword there he uttered these words If ever I return to this honourable Sword I shall not leave of the Scots neither Root nor Branch Being come to Court he acts all offices to our Commissioners who were to clear all our Proceedings at the Iunto using perswasions to stir up both King and Parliament to a War against us That course failing he plotted to break the Parliament and to have the Conduct of the Army in the Expedition against Scotland which he exercised according to the largeness of his Patent of his own devising and when the Scots Army came but in peace far from Intentions to invade but with supplication and petition of
others progress to an equal poise and in a word the same Ministers of State spurred on by ambitions and to raise their families from time to time have increased suspicions which have hatched these fatal wars through all Europe France styles her self most Christian but meddles least therein ordinarily attracting the Reformates to her interests and being enemies to the Pope and so to Spain which suffers not their doctrines in her dominions But Spain will be Catholique-zealous for her Religion and seldome declines her aid to any of her own unless by force proceeding from the necessity of State affaires through some new conjuncture Lewes the thirteenth attached the house of Austria with much authorâ—ty and power in so much that Richelieu the Angel Guardian of France by his puissant alliances begat an opinion that amongst polititians there he endeavoured the Universality for his Master and so to overthrow the Emperial house by the helpe of the Hollanders and his other underhand underminings which he could never so poise for any time but that the Scales were now up then down to his dying day The Earl of Strafford had passed upon him the Commons accusation and now it was time to form their compleat charge into twenty eight particulars and being ready Ianuary the thirtieth they were presented by Mr. Pym to the Peers in the presence of the Earl and although it was long two hundred sheets and so time would be taken up for engrossing and though the Treasons therein alleaged were of a standing time above fourteen years not suddainly to be answered unto yet the Commons were earnest for dispatch and he enjoyned such hast as by the four and twentieth of February it was read to the Lords in the Kings presence and the next day after to the Commons He craved aid of the Council which in cases of Treason is not allowed in plea de facto it may not but in matters de lege it may and so he had Councel And the place of his Trial could not be in the Lords House being of little Room to hold the House of Commons who desired to be present and to manage the accusation by their own members and in a full body of their house compleat which the Lords would not indure and they come as a Committe and so Westminster-hall was the place assigned and that not to big for this unparralel Trial the King Queen Prince and Courtiers being present and all the Parliament The scene was at the upper end reared of some heigth and above that a Chaire and cloth of State on either side a close private Gallery for the King Queen and Prince Before them seats for the Peers and on either sides Scaffolds mounted for all the house of Commons who sate bare headed and hundreds of others Auditors who could get leave to enter The command of the place and stage was ordered by the Earl of Lindsey not as he was made high constable for the day but as he was Lord great Chamberlain of England in right of his mother Mary the daughter of Iohn de vere the sixteenth Earl of Oxford who maried Peregrine Berty Lord Willoughby of Earesby by whom she had issue this Robert now Earl of Lindsey and thereby the disposing of all the Scaffolding as his fee when the Tryal was ended The Bishops being by ancient Canons disabled to be present at the sentence of blood and death but not from being assistants in examining and deposing of witnesses or giving Councel till now abridged by this Parliament to sit as Peers And it is observed that they were defended to have right of place presence by a Manuscript in many hands de jure Paritat is episcoporum and their Priviledges thereby asserted in this particular which yet they as the times were did not interpose but were contented to be absent giving advantage thereby to the Parliament to deprive them of their votes and after to destroy their calling On Munday the two and twentieth of March the day fixed for his appearing at Westminster-hall almost five moneths time since his first Commitment which it seems was taken up and spent for procuring proofs of witnesses purposely sent for from Ireland And in truth the rather for Intertaining some Overtures of the Court to take of the edge of his adversaries and the best and usual way was by their several preferments The Earl of Bedford to be Lord Treasurer Mr. Pym Chancelor of the Exchequer the Earl of Essex Governour of the Prince Mr. Hamden to be his Tutor the Lord Say Mr. of the wards and Mr. Hollis principal secretary in the place of Windebanck the Deputies place in Ireland also to another and the Earl of Warwick in some command in the Navy And it was in part prosecuted in relation hereto for the Bishop of London did deliver up the Treasury staff and the Earl of New-castle the governance of the Prince the Lord Cottington resigned up his offices in the Court of wards and Exchequer and it was not to be doubted that the Bishop of Salisbury Dr. Duppa would willingly quit his place of Tutor to the Prince But whether the Kings mind was herein mutable or what else intervened they thus concerned and baffled became irreconciliable to the Earls destruction and that this is true may be hinted from the Kings Declararion of the twelfth of August after what Overtures had been made by them saies the Declaration and with what Importunities for offices and preferments what great services should have been done for him and what other undertakings even to have saved the life of the Earl of Strafford So cheap a rate it seems might have saved that Incomparable Statesman The Earl of Arundel was made Lord High Steward and the Earl of Lindsey Lord High Constable and thus set as before said the Earl of Strafford was told by the High-steward that he was called thither to answer the Impeachment of High Treason preferred against him by the Commons of England and Ireland expressed in their accusation to which he had answered and both of them read took up this day and the Court adjourned to the next day when the house of Commons fell upon the first seven general Articles of subverting the fundamental Laws of both Nations and this was managed by Mr. Pym a paper sealed was opened and read which signified from the Parliament of Ireland that they had voted the Earl guilty of High Treason To which he in passion said There was a conspiracy against him to take away his life It would not admit of recollection and the Commons cried out for Justice against him who standing impeached of high Treason accuseth the Parliaments of two Kingdomes of a conspiracy against him for which inconsiderate words he humbly craved pardon not thereby intending either Parliament but meant it by some particular persons Mr. Pym craved that he should forthwith answer to three Articles more which were lately annexed to the charge But although the
to his Son Sir Harry Vane a Key to fetch some Papers out of a Cabiner in which he findes another Key to an inward Shutter which he opens and lighted upon these Notes who forthwith shews them to Master Pym and that afternoon occasioned a Conference with the Lords to whom he urges the Commons former Request that the Earl might answer to new Proofs referring to the three and twentieth Article and were grounded upon these Notes which he then produced and that the Commons desired that the Earl might answer to them the next Day at the Bar in Westminster-hall which was granted April the thirteenth he appeared and the Notes were read upon this ground No danger of a War with Scotland if Offensive not Defensive Then their several Opinions which he collected in brief with Nominal Letters for each Counsellours Name thus K. C. H. How can we undertake Offensive War if we have no more money L. L. IR. Borrow of the City an hundred thousand pounds Go on vigorously to levy Ship-money Your Majesty having tried the affections of your People you are absolved and loose from all Rules of Government and to do what power will admit Your Majesty hath tried all ways and being refused shall be aquitted before God and Man and you have an Army in Ireland that you may imploy to reduce this Kingdom to obedience for I am confident the Scots cannot hold out five Moneths L. Arch. You have tried all ways and have always been denied it is now lawfull to take it by force L. Cot. Leagues abroad there may be made for the defence of the Kingdom The Lower House are weary of the King and Church All ways shall be just to raise Moneys in this inevitable necessity and are to be used being lawfull L. Arch. For an Offensive not any Defensive War L. L. Ir. The Town is full of Lords put the Commission of Array on foot and if any of them stir we will make them smart The Earls Reply That being a Privy-counsellour he conceived he might have the freedom to vote with others his opinion being as the Exigent required it would be hard measure for Opinions resulting from such Debates to be prosecuted under the notion of Treason And for the main hint suggested from his words The King had an Army in Ireland which he might imploy here to reduce this Kingdom He answereth That it is proved by the single Testimony of one Man Secretary Vane not being of validity in Law to create Faith in a Case of Debt much lesse in Life and Death That the Secretaries Deposition was very dubious for upon two Examinations he could not remember any such words And the third time his Testimonie was various but that I should speak such words or the like and words may be very like in sound but differ in sense as in the words of my charge here for there and that for this puts an end to the Controversie There were present at this Debate but eight Privy-counsellours in all two are not to be produced the Arch-bishop and Windebank but Sir Harry Vane affirms the words I deny them then there remain four for further evidence viz. the Marquis Hamilton the Earl of Northumberland the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Cottington who have all declared upon their Honours that they never heard me speak those words nay nor the like Lastly suppose though I granted it not that I spake those words yet cannot the word this rationally imply England because the Debate was not cerning Scotland as is yielded on all hands because England was not out of the way of obedience as the Earl of Clare well observed and because there was never any the least intention of landing the Irish Army in England as the aforesaid Lords of the Privy-council are able to attest And having done the Lord High Steward asked him if he had any more to say in his own defence for the Court was willing to prepare matters for Judgment To which he made a summary Repetition of his several Defences And having ended he spake thus My Lords THere remaines another kind of Treason that I should be guilty of for endeavouring to subvert the Fundamental Laws of the Land That this should be Treason together that is not Treason in one part a Treason accumulative that when all will not do it alone being weaved up with others it should do it seems very strange Under favour my Lords I conceive there is neither Statute nor Common Law which doth declare this endevouring to subvert the Fundamental Laws of the Land to be high Treason for I have been diligent in the inquiry as you know it deeply concerns me and could never discover it It is hard to be questioned for life and honour upon a Law that cannot be shewn for it is a rule in Sir Edward Coke De non apparentibus non existentibus eadem est ratio Ihesu Where hath this fire lain hid so many hundreds of years without smoak to discover it till it thus burst forth to consume me and my children That punishment should precede promulgation of a law to be punished by a law subsequent to the Fact is extreme hard what man can be safe if this be admitted My Lords it is hard in another respect that there should be no token set by which we should know this offence no admonition by which we should avoid it If a man pass the Thames in a boat and split himself upon an Anchor and no Buoy be floting to discover it he who â—weth the Anchor shall make satisfaction but if a Buoy 〈◊〉 sot there every man passeth upon his own peril Now where is this mark where the token upon this Crime to declare it to be high Treason My Lords be pleased to give that regard to the Peerage of England as never to expose your selves to such moot-points such constructive interpretations of Laws If there must be a tryal of wits let the subject matter be of somewhat else than the lives and honours of Peers It will be wisdome for your selves for your posterity and for the whole Kingdom to cast into the fire these bloudy and mysterious volumes of constructive and arbitrary Treason as the Primitive Christians did their Books of curious Arts and betake your selves to the plain letter of the Law and Statute that telleth us what is and what is not Treason without being more ambitious to be more learned in the art of Killing than our fore-fathers It is now full 240. years since any man was touched for this alleged Crime to this height before my self let us not awaken these sleeping Lyons to our destruction by taking up a few musty Records that have lain by the walls so many ages forgotten or neglected May your Lordships please not to add this to my other misfortunes for my other sins be-slave me not for Treason Let not a president be desired from me so disadvantagious as this will be in the consequence to the whole Kingdom
valor for a wise man to set himself against the breaking in of a Sea which to resist at present threatens imminent danger but to withâ—draw gives it space to spend its fury and gaines a fitter time to repair the breach Certainly a Gallant man had rather fight to great disadvantages for number and place in the field in an orderly waie then skuffle with an undisciplined rabble Som suspected and affirmed that I meditated a War when I went from White-hall onelie to redeem My Person and Conscience from violence God knows I did not then think of a War Nor will any prudent man conceive that I would by so many former and some after-Acts have so much weakned My self If I had purposed to engage in a War which to decline by all means I denied My self in so manie particulars T is evident I had then no Army to flie unto for protection or vindication Who can blame Me or any other for with-drawing our selves from the daily baitings of the Tumults not knowing whether their furie and discontent might not flie so high as to worrie and tear those in pieces whom as yet they but plaied with in their paws God who is My sole Iudge is My Witness in Heaven that I never bad anie thoughts of going from my House at White-hall If I could have had but anie reasonable fair Quarter I was resolved to bear much and did so but I did not think My self bound to prostitute the Majesty of My place and Person the safetie of My Wife and Children to those who are prone to insult most when they have objects and opportunitie most capable of their rudeness and petulancie But this business of the Tumults whereof some have given already an account to God others yet living know themselves desperately guilty Time and the guilt of many hath so smothered up and buried that I think it best to leave it as it is onely I believe the just Avenger of all disorders will in time make those men and that City see their sin in the glass of their punishment T is more then an even-laie that they may one daie see themselves punished by that waie they offended Had this Parliament as it was in its first election and Constitution sate full and free the Members of both Houses being left to their freedom of Voteing as in all reason honor and Religion they should have been I doubt not but things would have been so carried as would have given no less content to all good men then they wished or expected For I was resolved to hear reason in all things and to consent to it so far as I could comprehend it but as Swine are to Gardens and orderly Plantations so are Tumults to Parliaments and Plebeian concourses to publique Councils turning all into disorders and sordid confusions I am prone somtimes to think That had I called this Parliament to any other place in England as I might opportunely enough have don the said consequences in all likelihood with Gods blessing might have been prevented A Parliament would have been welcom in any place no place afforded such confluence of various and vitious humors as that where it was unhappily convened But we must leave all to God who orders our disorders and magnifies his wisdome most when our follies and miseries are most discovered And with these Mutinies comes the Intimation of some practises in the North to distract the English Army the occasions you shall hear of hereafter But it gave â—ewel to the fiery faction and to the Parliament to fall into debate about a general National Protestation To maintain and defend with my life power and estate the true reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the doctrine of the Church of England against all popery and popish Innovations within this Realm contrary to the same doctrine his Majesties person Honour and estate The power of Parliament the lawful rights and Liberties of the subject and every person that maketh this protestation whatsoever he shall do in the lawfull pursuance of the same the third of May. This being too general in these words The true Reformed Protestant Religion c. They were explained by an ordinance to be only The publique doctrine professed in the Church of England so far as it is opposite to Popery and Popish Innovations and not to the maintaining any form of worship discipline or Government nor any Rites or Ceremonies of the Church of England the fifth of May And so it was taken by the Commons House the next day by the Lords and ordered to be taken by all the people of England Hereby it appears that they meant to question the discipline of the Church which they did They had no better way to qualifie the Kings discontent than to raise him some mony for the satisfying of high accounts which the Kingdom stood charged withall two Armies now on foot craving their pay And therefore a cunning Knight of Lancashire offered to procure his Majesty 650000. l. until such time as the subsidies should be raised with this declaration Provided that the King would pass a Bill not to adjourn the Parliament nor Prorogue it nor disolve it without the consent of both Houses to indure until the Greivances of this Kingdom were redressed And so complaints arising like Hidra's head never to have thereby any end yet to colour it they fell upon a great debate thereof but instantly order was given to draw up a Bill in pursuance of it And the Lords another way busie to lay a side the Bill of the Earls Attainder because it brought in the King as a Judge and so fell upon the several Articles of his Accusation resolving to send them to the Commons the next day with their Resolution when aâ—mongst forty five Lords twenty six of them voted him guilty of High Treason upon the fifteenth Article for Levying monies in Ireland by force in a warlike manner And upon the nineteenth for Imposing an Oath upon the subjects in Ireland which was for distinction of the Scots Covenanters as you have heard heretofore And so both these Bills of an everlasting Parliament and of the Attainder being compleated a conference was had of both Houses the next day after and some Lords dispatched to the King to request his answer who tells them That on Munday Following he would satisfie them I conceive it convenient in more particular to clear two mistakes of our Authors concerning The Articles of Ireland and the death of the Earl of Strafford reflecting upon the late most Reverend Prelate the Arch Bishop of Armagh Primate of all Ireland whilest he was living and worse pursued since his decease somewhat too sharp also on Dr. Barnard Herein I take leave in cool blood to interpose those Animadversions being intrusted therein by Command of the deceased Prelate Under whose hand writing and others also much of the matter is made evident to rectifie misunderstandings Intentionally thereby to end disputes The Historian takes
the field Observations upon his History The Historian replies Observator observed The Observator Rescued and Rejoynes And the Historian at a Non-plus his friend even Squire Sanderson as the man that mediates for him The Interim took up the Kings time in doubt what answer to return to his subjects a discontented people Himself their Soveraign troubled with a distracted conscience They for Justice He for Mercy In this perplexity saies the Historian the King consults with feur Bishops the sunday morning desiring them as Casuists to advice him what course to steer between these twog â—eat Rocks c. That three of them urged the opinion of the Judges and the votes of Parliament c. That they advised yea partly perswaded his Majesty though not fully convinced to pass the Bill But the motive to all he saies was a Letter to the King from the Earl himself that very day viz. Sir To set your Majesties conscience at liberty c. more of this hereafter But this Observator enforceth reasons That the Bishops were not sent for but sent to the King by the Parliament to inform his conscience and bring him to yeild to the Bill who consulted rather their own ends And names them the Primate of Armagh the Bishops of Lincoln Durham and Carlile the two last unskilled depended wholly on the other two and those two as the Parliament knew full well carried a sharp tooth against the Lord Lieutenant upon former grudges that of the Primate for abrogating of the Articles of Religion established in the Church of Ireland and setting in their place the Articles of the Church of England and because Doctor Bromel once chaplain to the Lord Lieutenant then Bishop of Derrie had opposed most in it c. That of the Bishop of Lincoln on whom was the most dependance of worse affections than the other c. The Historian replies in his observator observed page 41 That the Bishops were not sent to the King but sent for by the King That they were five not four Bishops That if any of them depended on the Iudgment of others it was the Bishop of London who at the last meeting spake not a syllable That Durham and Carlile spake as freely as any other That the Lord Primate had no sharp tooth against the Lieutenant and instances in that of the Articles of Ireland which were never abrogated and produces this Certificate of two Doctors of Divinity We who were present at and Members of the Convocation holden at Dublin Anno. 1634. do hereby testifie That upon the proposal of the first Canon wherein for the manifestation of our agreement with the Church of England in the confession of the same Christian faith and doctrine of the Sacraments as was then expressed wee did receive and approve the Book of Articles of Religion agreed upon in the Convocation holden at London Anno 1562. One of the Assembly stood up and desired that the other Book of Articles agreed upon in the Convocation holden at Dublin Anno 1615. should be joyned therewith Unto whom it was then answered that this addition was altogether needless that Book having been already sufficiently ratified by the decrees of the former Synod But that the least motion was then or there made for the suppressing of those Articles of Ireland hath no truth at all in it And therefore the Observator and whosoever else hath or doth aver that the said Articles either were abolished or any motion made for the suppressing or abolishing of them are grosly mistaken and have abused the said Convocation in delivering so manifest an untruth The eighteenth of March 1655. Nicholas Bernard Samuel Pullen And to prove no discontent between the Primate and Earl he remarks That before his sentence He did advise with the Primate concerning his defence And after sentence the Earl desired that the Primate might serve him in his ministerial office in his last and fatal extremity who prayed with him sent Messages to the King by him took him by the hand and led him to the Scaffold That there was never any controversie in that Synod of Ireland between the Primate and the Bishop of Derrie concerning the Articles That the King pressing the Judges to declare any particular Article which if proved was treason could not extort from them one single instance but that the Earl was guilty upon the whole matter So much saies the Historian The Observator is rescued with witty Arguments to make good his defence in justification of what he had said before concerning the Bishops in which he puts himself upon a very unhandsome expression is it likely saies he c. that the King would confide in Potter Bishop of Carlile a man of so much want and weakness concluding the Historians Ipse dico no proof at all And so keeping the field the Historian appears no more But the Observator having dispatched that adversary he finds out another and indeavours to be rescued from the back blowes of Dr. Barnard Indeed if there were any they could be no other for the Author there turned the back not the face being an Anonymus and so appeared in that disguised for he that smote a Clergie Man without his Priestly habit was thereby excused A man that walks in the dark may meet with a knock by such as mean him no harm for the Doctors aim was if I mistake not from his apprehension of the Authors disaffection to the Primate of Ireland endeavouring to blemish that worthy Prelate of our Church in some particulars following and gave it then suspected by the Arch-Bishop himself and others to be some Agent of the See of Rome though as yet not any one of them hath moved his tongue against this Isralite at his exile hence And wee may be sorry to see his sole enemies to be those of his own house in profession that out of themselves should arise Men speaking perverse things such pen and tongue combates are gratefull to none but to the grand adversary of us all It comes in my way by calm endeavours and command of the dead to vindicate him that holy Prelate and to compose what relates to him on either side specially in these two mistakes concerning the Articles of Ireland and the scandal put upon him in relation to the Earl of Straffords death as I have received it from himself and others and charged upon me to publish which was long since prepared by it self but after conceived more convenient to be inserted in this history First for the Articles of Religion established in the Church of Ireland Anno. 1615. and pretended to be abrogated Anno. 1634. it so far onely concerns the late Primate as being chosen by the Synode to draw them up which was no more a Scandal to them than for King Iames his sending into Ireland the Articles of Lambeth as the Author tells us were to those Indeed Dr. Heylen in his History of the Sabbath pag. 2. Cap. 8. hath
Kingdom all the prosperitie and happiness in the world I did it living and now dying it is my wish I do most humbly recommend it to every man that hears me and desire that they will lay their hands upon their hearts and consider seriously whether the beginning of the happiness of the Reformation of a Kingdom should be written in letters of bloud consider this when ye are in your own homes and let me be never so unhappie as that the least drop of my bloud should rise up in judgment against any one of you I acquit you all but I fear you are in a wrong way My Lord I here profess and with that I shall end that I do die a true and obedient Son to the Church of England wherein I was born and in which I was bred peace and prosperitie be ever to it And whereas it is objected if it be an Objection worth the answering that I have been inclined to Poperie I may truly say that from the time of one and twentie to this present going on now towards nine and fourtie years I never had in my heart to doubt of this Religion of the Church of England nor ever any man the boldness to suggest any such thing to the best of my rememberance to me So being reconciled by the merits of Christ Jesus my Saviour into whose bosome I hope I shall shortly be gathered to those eternal happinesses that shall never have end I desire heâ—rtily the forgiveness of every man for any rash and unadvised words or for any thing done amiss And so my Lords and Gentlemen Farewell Farewell all the things of this world I desire that ye would be silent and join with me in praier and I trust in God we shall all meet and live eternally in Heaven there to receive the accomplishment of all happiness where every tear shall be wiped away from our eys and every sad thought from our hearts and so God bless this Kingdom and Jesus have mercie on my soul. To this he added a Prayer not taken by any to strengthen his faith confirm him in patience and charity to preserve the King and his Realms in prosperity the Church in unity and to have mercy on his soul. Rising from his knees he delivered these commands for his children To his Son William Wentworth commends himself gives him charge to serve his God to submit to his King with all faith and allegeance in things temporal to the Church in things spiritual gives him charge as he will answer it to him in Heaven never to meddle with the patrimonie of the Church for it will be the Cancer that will eat up the rest of his Estate again charges it as he will answer him in Heaven Et sic finem fecit And to shew that his Speech on the Scaffold was not sudden but premeditate the Paper of the Heads written with his own hand as it was left upon the Scaffold doth evidence which the Primate took up Come to pay the last debt we ow to sin Rise to Righteousness Die willingly Forgive all Submit to justice but in my intentions innocent from perverting c. Wishing nothing but prosperitie to the King and People Acquit the King constrained Beseech to repentance Strange way to write the beginning of Reformation and settlement of a Kingdom in bloud Beseech that demand may rest there Call not for bloud upon themselves Die in the faith of the Church Pray for it and desire their Praiers c. This Prayer was found in his Chamber at the Tower his own hand-writing and the Petition which follows after O Almightie and most mercifull Father of whose goodness I am made and by whose favour I have hitherto subsisted I confess the multitude and greatness of my sins deserve I should be utterly out of thy protection be entirely left to my weak self that am unable to withstand even those assaults my own thoughts make Yet O most gracious and loving Father be thou true to thy goodness and mercy though I be deceitfull in thy services reconcile me in Jesus Christ unto thy self for his sake forgive and then enable me to forsake all my sins those principally that have procured my instant affliction discover unto me what in my minde and thoughts displeaseth thee that I may purge thence what thy blessed visitation seems now to point at there Good Lord so clear and sanctifie my reason that no fancie of mine own create in me any causless disturbance and strengthen me to endure and overcome what ever real affliction thou art pleased to impose affect me deeply with the apprehension of thine omnipresence with a sense of thy nearness to those in trouble let my faith see thine Angels pitcht about me and my heart by all these be as secure as it is safe Lord perswade my soul of the unquestionableness of that truth that nothing can befal me against thy will and ever dispose me to entertain chearfully what thou willest Make me in this to see how litle the specious but vain appearances and advantages of this life confer to the setling of a discomposed minde give me a due sense of mine own infirmitie yet good Lord suffer no infirmitie to make me diffident of thy support whose strength is best and most seen in weakness Let the malice and unweariedness of Satan render me more solicitous of what he would destroy and never suffer me to want that comfortable consideration that all his power is under thy restraint Dear Father sanctifie this affliction to me that I may willingly submit to whatsoever design thou hast upon my soul herein that I may decline those sins thou most warn'st me of by it prosecute that goodness thy grace in this visitation prompts me to For this end grant me carefully to observe mine own heart that my sorrow for what I finde may become proper and effectual and grow into such an endeavour of new obedience as shall never end And blessed be thy holy Name O Lord who for all my former repulsing of thee hast added this inward affliction to the perswasion of thy word and my outward troubles as if thou would'st leave nothing unattempted that might reduce me Lord though I have long neglected thy call abused thy patience and expectation yet now speak thy Servaâ—t hears and humbly acknowledgeth that wisdom and might are thine that thou who onely knowest onely canst help what is amiss O shew thy power and wisdom in great mercy on me either free me of this trouble of my soul or support me with patience and thankfulness to attend thine opportunitie Good Lord as thou recoverest my soul out of trouble so do thou my soul out of sin that it may be a thorow cure and that I seeing the innumerable accidents that we are here subject to and that our souls are not free but by thy favour may for the future make thy glory my design thy service the business of my life so to Jecure unto me thy favour
have sought to gain a like consent from me to Acts wherein my conscience is unsatisfied than the sharp touches I have had for what passed me in my Lord of Strafford's business Not that I resolved to have imploied him in my affairs against the advice of my Parliament but I would not have had any hand in his death of whose guiltlesness I was better assured than any man living could be Nor were the crimes objected against him so clear as after a long and fair hearing to give convincing satisfaction to the major part of both Houses especially that of the Lords of whom scarce a third part were present when the Bill passed that House And for the House of Commons many Gentlemen disposed enough to diminish my Lord of Strafford's greatness and power yet unsatisfied of his guilt in Law durst not condem him to die who for their integritie in their Votes were by posting their Names exposed to the popular calumnie hatred and furie which grew then so exorbitant in their clamours for justice that is to have both my self and the two Houses Vote and to do as they would have us that many 't is thought were rather terrified to concur with the condemning partie than satisfied that of right they ought so to do And that after-Act vacating the authoritie of the precedent for future imitation tells the world that some remorse touched even his most implacable enemies as knowing he had very hard measure and such as they would be very loth should be repeated to themseves This tenderness and regret I finde in my soul for having had any hand and that very unwillingly God knows in shedding one mans bloud unjustly though under the colour and formalitie of justice and pretences of avoiding publick mischiefs which may I hope be some evidence before God and man to all posteritie that I am far from bearing justly that vast load and guilt of all that bloud which hath been shed in this unhappie War which some men will needs charge on me to ease their own souls who am and ever shall be more afraid to take away any mans life unjustly than to lose mine own And now I take my leave of our two Writers the Historian and his Observatour They stop here and we part Friends But I am to go on towards my journeys end a great way farther The sad execution of this brave man put the great Officers of State in some doubt what to do with themselves as fearing that upon the like score they might be subject to destruction And because envy and insecurity wait nearest upon persons of eminency in office or because they considered that the ambition of the adverse party might be some way satisfied divers of the Kings nearest Officers resigned up their Places the seventeenth of May viz. The Lord Cottington Master of the Wards to the profitable desires of the Lord Say Dr. Iuxon Bishop of London resigning his Office of Treasurer of England into the hands of five Commissioners more sufficient than he could be The Earl of Leicester was made Lieutenant of Ireland perhaps to ballance with the late Lord's merit Marquess Hertford sworn Governour of the Prince in the room of the Earl of New-castle who hereafter the Parliament pretend to be a Papist The Earl of Essex made Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold and Pembroke put out The Officers of the English Army set a Design on foot by which it was pretended that they meant to force the Parliament but being discovered and soon made publick the manner and matter collected out of the Examinations in May and Iune were thus The Field-officers and Commanders being at London and Members of either Houses the Army was left to the oversight of Sir Iacob Astley the Ground of the Design was pretended from the Dislikes between the King and Parliament with the hasty Supply of the Scotish Army and the neglect of the English which begat Discontent in them and private Meetings and Consultations there and so brought up to Court But their Design not fixed fell into several Intentions which never came to head being crushed in the Embryo by sudden discovery In the general it was voted the nineteenth of Iune that the Scots should receive one hundred thousand pounds of their three hundred thousand pounds at Mid-summer next 1642. and the remainder at Mid-summer 1644. But the Scots by writing pretend necessity for the present and demanded twenty five thousand pounds there being in readiness but fifteen thousand pounds for the Parliament had designed fifty thousand pounds for the necessity of the English Army from whose Money the House of Commons soon consented to deduct ten thousand pounds for the Scots The Lord Piercy Commissary General Wilmot and Colonel Ashenburnham sitting together and murmuring at it Wilmot stept up and told Master Speaker That if such Papers of the Scots could procure Moneys he doubted not but the Officers of the English would soon do the like But it prevailed not to prevent the Scot and provoked the English Army to say that the Parliament had disobliged them These at London put themselves into a Iunto of sworn secrecy resolving to engage in some particular for themselves and the publick service of the King drawing up uncertain extravagant Heads by way of Petition to the King and Parliament For Money for the Army Not to disband before the Scots To preserve Bishops Votes and Functions To settle the Kings Revenue The Army tainted from hence meet at Burrowbrig draw up a Letter by way of Petition which Paper of Instructions was shewn to the King who seemed to approve of it say the Parliament by singing it C. R. which served onely as a direction to Captain Leg that none should see it but Sir Iacob Astley who in absence of the chief Commanders ordered the Army The main of the matter there was that all good men ought to thank God for directing the Kings heart to the desires of his Parliament by delivering up into their hands the chiefest of Counsellours and Servants and many other things to gratifie them which never was done by any his Ancestours By Petition of Right Triennial Parliament and such like yet that some turbulent spirits backt by rude and tumultuous Mechanicks seem not to be satisfied without the total subversion of the Government of State c. That therefore the Army so orderly governed though without Martial Law No payment and few Officers might be called up to attend the safety of the Kings person and Parliaments security or that both Armies should be disbanded for the ease of the Kingdom with a desire to procure the Officers hands hereto c. The Actours there were Sir Iames Ashley Sir Iohn Conniers Sir Foulk Hunks Colonel Vavisor Chudleigh William Leg and Oneal and others all examined to this purpose but none suffered for the same Amongst those others here above and some Courtiers was Master Henry Iermin who to avoid the bad effects of his Medling conveyed himself
service nor any Man to March upon such pretence the three and twentieth of October and Copies sent abroad to all the Countiâ—s And the same night the Lord Blaney arrived with the newes of the surprisal of his House his wife and children by the Rebels of Monâ—ghan This Rebellion began first in the North in the Province of Ulster so that every day and hour ill newes came posting like Iobs Messengers of fearful Massacres upon the English which increased a fear of some Massacre in Dublin by the Papists there The Council began to consider of their own forces to defend and were assured that the Mony was in the Exchequer the Kings revenues and English Rents for that halfe year lodged in Tenents hands a fit prey for the Rebels which they seized some Artillery Arms for 10000. men 1500. barrels of powder with Match and lead laid in by the last Earl of Strafford By which Lâ—st of his it appeared that the old standing Army in Ireland consisted only of 41. Companies of foot and 14. Troopes of Horse The foot Officers 246. and of Souldiers 2051. Inall 2297. The Horse Officers 42. and Horsemen 901. In all 943. These so dispersed as not without difficulty to march yet the Councel sent their Patents to several Garisons to march to Dublin And Letters dispatched to the King in Scotland and to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland not got out of London of the Rebellion and ill State of the Kingdome depending on Gods assistance the fidelity of the old English Pale and aid out of England that they intended to prorogue the Parliament and adjourn the Term. And that their present Army now subsisting contain but 2000. foot and 1000. Horse the five and twentieth of October 1641. with a poscript for recompense to Conally for his discâ—very as may stand with the Mark of his Majesties bounty for that service who had a present peece of money and a certain annuity during his life very considerable who carried these Letters to the Lord Lieutenant Those to the King were sent to Secretary Vane in Scotland and convayed by sea by Sir Henry Spotswood Other Letters were sent to the Earl of Ormond at Carick to repair with his forces to Dublin and commissions were sent to the Lords Viscounts of Clandeboys and Ardes and to others for the raising of the Scots in the Northern parts into Arms with power to destroy the Enemy or to receive them to Mercy but all these dispatches were sent by sea the whole Land passages stopt by â—he Rebels The Lords of the English pale repair to the Council offering their faith and service It is a large Circuit of Land possessed by the English from the first Conquest being the Countiâ—s of Dublin Mâ—th Lâ—wth Kildare Yet some of these Lords Popish â—umbly offered their sense of the wars in the late Proclamation as to be misinterpreted viz. the Conspiracy of evil affected Iâ—â—sh Papists as to reflect upon their persons which were afterwards explained to please them and so Proclaimed And now the Rebels up in all places they in Ulster had by the latter end of October possessed themselves of all the great part of the Province of Ulster except the Cities of London derry Colraingue and the Town aâ—d Castle of Eâ—cikillen the chief Rebels were Sir Philip Oneale 〈◊〉 Oneale his brother Rowry Mac Guire brother to the Lord Mac Guire Philip O Rely Mulmere O Rely Sir Conno Mac Gennes Call Mac Ruian Mac Mahon these with others the chief of every Sept had as at one instant surprized the Castles and places of the most considerable strengths and the English being lovingly intermixed with the Irish for a long time made the Conspiracy more easily to be effected Besides such of the English as had gotten into some places of strength able to indure a siege yet upon good quarter rendered themselves were sure to be butchered and murthered in cold blood men women and children And to keep of the Assistance of the Scots they openly professed and really did spare them the more easily afterwards to be swallowed up at a bit These were the first fruits of the Rebellion in all the Northern parts acted by Phelim O Neale the chief of that Sept and the onely remain of cruel alliance to the late Earl of Tirone He was of very mean parts with courage or conduct His education in England a Student of Lincolns Inn and a Protestant till of late lived lasily of a mean estate untill now that the Natives set him up for their General and with such Numerous a rabble that he marched down towards Lisnagarvy neer the Scots and fell upon them now without mercy and with other forces came up into the Pale and took in Dondalk about the beginning of November then they marcht to the County of Lowth and incamped at Ardee a small Town within seven miles of Tredagh antiently called Drohedagh which they Besieged afterwards The Newes from Dublin being instantly posted to the Town of Tredagh was there encountred with the like mischievous tidings from the North the treacherous surprisal of the Castles Blainey Carrick Charlemont Monahan with others came thick and three fold one upon another and a rumour that Dublin was already taken confirmed by numbers stripped and wounded that fled hither The first succour was the Lord Viscount Moor being then at Mellifont ten miles off who by the sad newes of his Sister the Lady Blanâ—y and her children imprisoned made speed to save himself with some part of his Troop not more than sixty hither at Midnight joyned in Counsel with the Major suddainly to prevent the mischief by many vipers in their own Bowels but of all the Muster not above fourty to be found gave great suspition the rest were not found Instantly were drawn out many old peeces scowred and planted at several Gates fower more were heaved out of a Merchants Ship in the Harbour and some powder the Lord Moor posts to Dublin offers to make up his own Troop and to raise one hundred foot with amunition which was speedily brought thither with him with a Commission to Captain Sea foule Gibson to command these Men and instantly to take the watch who was the 〈◊〉 and last worthy of Record for his faithful service watching 〈◊〉 own perâ—erson for ten nights together and continuing the war became Colonel of a Regiment By this time the Rebels had taken Dundalk and Dromiskin and pillaged all the Protestants within five miles The Papist Townsmen were discovered by their smiling countenance All promised relief failing Sir Faithful Fortescue being Governour posted to Dublin where finding no hope of Assistance he quitted his charge not willing to loose himself and his honour to boote in an impossible undertaking After a solemn fast some forces sallied out upon the thickest of the Rebells who fled and left much plundred goods and Cowes to comfort the Towns-people two hundred Rebels and eighty brought in Prisoners
whereof six only were hanged Many treacherous designs of the Town Papists failed many Protestants fled to sea and although Docter Barnard their chief Minister had the conveniency offered him to be gon he would not desert his Congregation thin as they were telling them as St. Ambrose said to Iustina Non prodam lupis gregem mihi commissum hic â—ccide si libet At this time comes a competent strength of one hundred horse and ten hundred foot under command of Sir Henry Tichburn appointed Governour of the Town the fourth of November which the Catholiques resented coldly upon whom the Protestants had just suspition and therefore wearied succours were faine to stand Guard that Night And now it was time to name the Brat and call it a through Rebellion which till now was favoured with the interpretation of an Act of discontented Gentlemen Not long after the State added three companies of foot so beside the Town Arms they were compleat 1500. foot and 160. horse Not many nights after there was dropt in the street a faire Declaration of the Catholiques of Ireland framed upon presumption that the design contrived had been effected and by the way at each corner seems to have been fixed and this the most authentick that came to light Whereas we the Roman Catholiques of the Kingdom of Ireland have been continually loving and faithfull Subjects to his sacred Majesty and notwithstanding the several and heavy oppressions suffered by the subordinate Governments to the ruine of our lives honours and estates yet having some liberty of our Religion from his Majesty out of the affluence of his Princely love to us we weighing not corporal loss in respect of the great immunity of the soule are instantly resolved to infix our selves in an immutable and pure allegiance for ever to his royal Majesâ—y and successors Now it is That the Parliament of England maligning and envying any graces received from his Majesty by our Nation and knowing none desired of us as that of Religion and likewise perceiving his Majesty to be inclined to give us the liberty of the same drew his Majesties Prerogative out of his hand thereby largely pretending the general good of his Majesties Kingdoms But we the sad Catholicks and loyal Subjects to his Majesty do probably finde as well by some Acts to pass by them the said Parliament touching our Religion in which the Catholicks of England and Scotland did suffer as also by threat to send over the Scotish Army with the Sword and Bible in hand against us That their whole and studied Plots both was and is not onely to extinguish Religion by which we onely live happily but also likewise to supplant us and raze the name of Catholicks and Irish out of the whole Kingdom And seeing this surmise so dangerous tending absolutely to the overthrow of the liberty of our consciences and Countrey and also our gracious Kings power forced from him in which and in whose prudent care of us our sole quiet and comfort consisted and without which the fear of our present Ruines did prescribe opinion and premonish us to save our selves We therefore as well to regain his Majesties said Prerogative being onely due to him and his Successours and being the essence and life of Monarchy hoping thereby to continue a strong and invincible unity between his royal and ever happy love to us and our faithfull Duty and Loyalty to his incomparable Majesty have taken Arms and possessed our selves of the best and strongest Forts of this Kingdom to enable us to serve his Majesty and to defend us from the tyrannous resolution of our Enemies This in our consciences as we wish the peace of the same to our selves and our posterity is the pretence and true cause of our raising Arms by which we are resolved to perfect the advancement of truth and safety of our King and Countrey Thus much we thought fit in general to publish to the world to set forth our innocent and just cause the particulars whereof shall be speedily declared God save the King Upon the fifth of November the Lords and Council of Ireland sent their second Dispatch from Dublin unto the King in Scotland and several Letters also into England to the Parliament and Council and to the Earl of Leicester elect Lord Lieutenant setting down the particular Narrative of the Rebellion and so take together the success of both Dispatches The first Letters arrived at London the last of October and that Even were delivered and the next Morning the Upper House sent them down to the House of Commons by the Lord Keeper Privy Seal High Chamberlain Admiral Marshal Chamberlain the Earls of Bath Dorset Leicester Holland Berks Bristoll Lord Mandevil Say Goring Wilmot who had Chairs to sit while the Letters were read and so departed The House instantly resolved into a Committee and order That fifty thousand pounds be forthwith provided That the Lords be moved that Members of both Houses may declare to the City of London the present necessity to borrow fifty thousand pounds to be secured by Act of Parliament That a Committee of both Houses consider of the affairs of Ireland That Owen O Conally the Discoverer shall have five hundred pounds presently and two hundred pounds per annum Pension till provision of Land of Inheritance of a greater value That the persons of all Papists of quality in England be secured That no persons except Merchants shall pass to Ireland without Certificate from the said Committee To all which the Lords consented Then the House of Commons vote twenty thousand pounds for present supply A convenient number of Ships for guarding the Sea-coasts of Ireland That six thousand Foot and two thousand Horse be forthwith raised for Ireland and Officers to be appointed over them That Magazines of Victual be forthwith sent to Westchester to be sent to Dublin as occasion shall require That the Magazines now at Carlile be forthwith sent over to Knockfergus in Ireland That the Kings Council consider of a Pacification for Rewards to such as shall do service in Ireland and for a Pardon to such Rebells as shall submit within a time and of a Sum of Money for Rewards to bring in the Heads of the principal Rebells That Letters of Thanks be returned to the Lords Justices there That the Committee do consider how and in what manner to make use of Scotland here And a Bill to be prepared for pressing of Souldiers for Ireland An Ordinance passed for the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to raise three thousand five hundred Foot and six hundred Horse and not to press our dear Brethren of Scotland any further than for one thousand Foot to pass from Scotland to the North of Ireland And Arms to be delivered out by the Master of the Ordnance out of the store for Ireland for eight thousand Foot and a thousand Horse Thus much was discoursed upon the first Letters And now upon the second Dispatch the Parliament voted two
hundred thousand pounds and make this Order The Lords and Commons c. having a due regard to the affections of the City of London particularly for fifty thousand pounds lent for the Irish affairs and fifty thousand pounds more lent to the Peers attending the King in the Northern parts before the beginning of this Parliament which are not yet paid shall be satisfied with Interest out of Moneys which are or shall be raised by Parliament and an Act to be passed therefore with all expedition Provided not to prejudice any Payments formerly appointed to be paid to any Members of Parliament that have lent any Moneys heretofore or before this Ordinance But to return to Ireland the Lords Justices and Council hastily provide for the victualling the Castle of Dublin for safety of that City and Commissions of Martial Law granted to several persons active men though Papists whom as yet they in prudence would not suspect as it appears to the Lord of Garmanston who after amongst the Popish Governours deserted their houses and openly declared themselves in actual Rebellion and found in his house which was in effect That they had power to whom they were directed Not onely to use Fire and Sword for the destruction of the Rebells and their Adherents but also to preserve the lives of any of them and to receive any of them into his Majesties mercy and favour which shewed their Intentions to reduce a rebellious Nation with lenitives which failing in the Cure they were enforced to violent Medicines Nay more to these in general now delivered Arms and Ammunition as to the Lord Garmonston for five hundred men for the County of Meath and so proportionable to others for all the Counties of the Pale and others round about arming the Enemy to cut the English throats so that by the midst of November several other Counties declare for the Rebells in Lemster and other Provinces and from all these places of Insurrection the poor miserable English that could fly were forced to come to Dublin for succour where they miserably perished for want of Relief that the publick burying places could not contain their Corps The Town of Dublin thus settled by Proclamation they prohibited the access of strangers to the Town and for loose people to depart Some Troops of Horse and Regiments of Foot were forthwith raised Sir Charls Coot had a Commission for a Regiment which he made up out of the poor wandring English and so had the Lord Lambert The Earl of Ormond was now arrived at Dublin with his Troop complete Curassers of an hundred men Sir Thomas Lucas with his Troop Captain Armstrong with his Troop Captain Yarner with his Troop Colonel Crawford a Scotchman came from thence recommended from the Prince Elector now with the King in Scotland And Sir Charls Coot made Governour of Dublin In August before the Rebellion the Parliament there had been adjourned to the seventeenth of November but upon the Rebellion the three and twentieth of October the Parliament was prorogued till to the four and twentieth of February which offended the Irish Papists Members as if so long time would be lost and no Grievances relieved Hereupon the Parliament had leave to sit one whole Day in case they would make a clear Protestation against the Rebells so that on the seventeenth of November there met a very thin Parliament of both Houses but the Popish would not endure to style the Insurrection a Rebellion but that they had rebelliously and traiterously raised Arms as the Protestation it self set forth by Parliament expresseth in effect Whereas the happy and peaceable estate of this Realm hath been of late and still is interrupted by sundry persons ill-affected to the peace c. who have traiterously and rebelliously raised Arms c. The said Lords and Commons in Parliament do detest and abhor their abominable actions c. and shall and will maintain the Rights of his Majesties Crown the Government peace and safety thereof against all opposers c. And if they shall not within a time limited lay down Arms submit and be suiters for grace and favour then the Lords and Commons will take up Arms and will with their lives and fortunes suppress them Phil. Percival Cler. Parl. The Parliament send Commissioners to treat with the Rebells in the North who heightened with their late Victories barbarously tore the Order of Parliament and Letter sent to them and returned a most scornfull Answer Within a few days after the Lord Dillon of Costelo and the Lord Taff imbarqued for England but by storm were driven into Scotland and so posted towards London and at the Town of Ware their Papers were seized and their persons committed by the Parliament of England and one Master Thomas Burk there at that time when the King retired to York and the Breach began in England where these Lords found means to ingratiate themselves at Court and so brought on the Cessation of Arms in Ireland which followed The twentieth of November the Lords Justices and Council sent a more particular account of the affairs of Ireland to the Lord Lieutenant who returns Answer that he had acquainted the King at Edinburgh with all their Dispatches and that his Majesty had referred the whole business of Ireland to the Parliament of England who had undertaken the charge and mannagement of the War as appears by the Order of Parliament transmitted over to Dublin where it was reprinted Novemb. 12. 1641. The Lords and Commons in this present Parliament being advertised of the dangerous Conspiracy and Rebellion in Ireland c. do intend to serve his Majesty with their Lives and Fortunes for the suppressing of this wicked Rebellion as shall be thought most effectual by the wisdom and authority of Parliament And have provided for a present supply of Money and raising six thousand Foot and two thousand Horse to be sent from England being the full proportion desired by the Lords Iustices in that Kingdom with a resolution to add such further succours as the necessity of those affairs shall require As also for Arms Munition and Victuals and other necessaries and have appointed three Ports Bristol Westchester and one other in Cumberland for Magazines and Store-houses They resolve likewise to be suiters to his Majesty for encouragement of such as shall upon their own charges raise Horse or Foot for this service that they shall be honourably rewarded with Lands of Inheritance in Ireland And for the better inducing the Rebells to repent they do hereby commend it to the Lords Iustices according to the power of Commission granted them to bestow his Majesties Pardon to such as shall in a convenient time return to obedience the greatest part whereof they conceive have been seduced upon false grounds And likewise to bestow such Rewards as shall be thought fit upon such as shall bring the Heads of the principal Traitours c. John Brown Cler. Parl. The Earl of Leicester having thus
long here retarded his service of Lieutenant of Ireland commissioned the Earl of Ormond Lieutenant General of the Forces there and presently after he received a confirmation of that charge from the King in Scotland together with the sum of twenty thousand pounds in Spanish pieces of Eight which passed there in Ireland for four pence more in each piece which the Merchants had for assuring the Money thither and all landed safe when upon the one and twentieth of November News came that the Rebells were in March and in sight of Tredagh which expected a present Siege to whom some small Relief was sent Novemb. 17. The Mill Mount in the Town of Tredagh the most defensive for the Guard of Meath side was fortified with four Guns The whole County of Louth scarce a Gentleman that was not a Papist excepted were drawn into this Conspiracy so that they were beset on that side of the Town Northward with five thousand or as their own List reported eight thousand The Infection spread over the Town One Stanley a Parliament Burgess there and created a Captain and many others nay the Sheriff of the County revolted Knight of the Shire also from us to Rebellion He with Stanley were used Commissioners from them to the Town upon pretended Treaties but to espy upon our Actions who were received not amiss as to protract time They pretended to Accommodation in respect of their Estates in the Town professing extraordinary affection to the Lord Moor advising him to retreat to his house Mellifont or any of their Castles where his Father lived secure during Tyrone's Rebellion and proffered him to be their General of all Meath and Louth and satisfaction forthwith to him and his Tenants for any Detriments this they did to draw from the Protestants such a noble and right faithfull Commander And so much cunning the Conspiratours used every where at the first that the State had sent aid into several Counties even unto such as proved Enemies which were understood by the Lord Moor and prevented in their way above more than a thousand Arms. The Lord Gormonston by petition procured five hundred Arms to his own house for securing of Meath which the Enemy waited to surprize but was discovered and the Arms brought to Tredagh by the Lord Mainman with a Fortnights pay for the Regiments which served them for twenty Weeks after The Parliament now drawing on the Lord Moor came to Dublin making most noble offers to raise six hundred men more Clothes and Pay till Supplies from England conditional that the four Companies in Tredagh not yet affixed to any Regiment might be added to his command there to make up a thousand by which Dundalk Aberdy and the whole County of Louth might have been secured but this not accepted yet the very offer being publick the Rebells thereat enraged took opportunity likewise of his absence and plundered his Estate to the purpose He was the onely Protestant Lord of the Pale except the Earl of Kildare and the Lord Hoath It was of a Sunday November 21. in the Morning that Mellifont three Miles off was beset and therefore two hundred Foot and a Troop of Horse was commanded out of Tredagh to aid the Forces there already when the Enemy marches down Tallihascot Hill with a thousand which gave a stop and the Men designed were staid in expectation of the Enemy to fall upon the Town which proved but to divert whilest fifteen hundred from several parts were drawing towards Mellifont The Forces there were but four and twenty Muskets and fifteen Horse some Servants and two Scouts abroad one of them cut off the other pursued to the Gates with a Note in writing from Mac Mahon directed to the Warders of the House to surrender upon Quarter and withall a Bullet for a Token The Quarter-master of the Troop boldly bid his Master do his worst they would never yield to Traitours The Enemy was lodged on the top of the hill their foot by marching over the Garden sides in multitudes whom those few from the house forced to retreat four or five times and ere long killed 140. and might have been made up to many hundreds had they not wanted powder having but six shot a peece cutting their bullets in halfes and to make even with their powder rammed in five or six together and did great execution Not a Man lost till all their powder was spent At their entrance the Serjeant did his best with his Halbert thrust some through others their braines broken out These at last yielded upon quarter whom yet they threw out of the window the horse unable to hold out opened the Gates made a desperate charge through the thickest and came safe to Drogheda The Enemy slew in all thirteen And one the next day being alive with fourty wounds they hacked him to death with their skeens An old Gentleman of eighty years they seized to shew them the house who brought them into the wine cellar and having well drunken they run him through and so to another blind Man they cut his throat so inraged they killed the dogs plundered and defaced the house to the loss of 2000. l. stripped the women and so departed so did another ruder rabble of the Tenants devastating all in one night And yet after all this the Lord Moor authorized by Parliament to treat with them they proffered to him all assurances of satisfaction on his part if he would turn to their side offered a Cessation till a Messenger might be â—ent to the King but all their pretences were feigned talking of the Kings prerogative That the Lord Deputy might be of their own Nation of their own pressures to have freedom of Religion which they alwaies confidently avouched confessing that their Priests and Fryars instigated them to this Rebellion as indeed was too true There was a rumour that O relies having taken Kebs Abracen and the Navan advanced from the County of Cavan towards Tredagh whereupon the State sent supplies thither but miscarried The two and twentieth of November 600. foot and 50. horse seâ— out of Dublin towards Tredagh marching but six miles that night to Swores and had advice to hasten thither the next day accordingly the Governour issued out with a sufficient force of foot and horse to meet them but in a Mutiny the other souldiers would go no further than Balradbury six miles more the next day somewhat on this side the bridge of Gillingstone in a great stubble field they were met with 2000. of the Enemy and in a fog were within Musket shot ere diâ—cried The Captain drew up the Rebels making a stand did so also And although his men seemed forward to fight yet commanded a Counter march in which compelled to take a ditch the Enemy misjudging it a flight began to shout which so afrighted them into confusion that they were charged and the most slain Two Captaines killed and the other three in all with one ensign escaped the 50.
horse of the Lord Ormonds Troop made their way through without loss of a man A great loss to us and a greater gain to the Rebells of Ammunition and monies and now it appeared plain who were the Enemies in the Pale heretofore Neuters The Governour of Drogheda upon our Scouts intelligence issued out with 600. foot and two Troopes of horse but came too late and now it became certain that whilst the Commissioners were in the Treaty at the Town they themselves were of this Plot. Not long after the Enemy took another advantage The Master of a Chester Bark corrupted by some Popish Merchants abroad he run her on ground at the Skerms in faire weather riâ—â—ing the English Passengers of store of money and fraughted with powder and Ammunition designed for Dublin At the which Landing of the English the Lord Netherfield as in favour to them sent them to Dublin assuring them that he would take Tredagh the next morning which was believed at Dublin before the Account and evermore in these surprisals the Enemy would boast of the special hand of Gods providence in their successes and likelyhood to deliver the Kingdom unto Catholiques The Lords and Gentlemen of the Pale being secretly the first contrivers of the Rebellion and had now drawn the Rebells down from the North into the Pale and that presently after the defeat of the English at Gelianston bridge the Lord Germanston a secret conspiratour summons the County at Dulick and after to the Hill of Crofty to the number of 1000. persons to whom came divers of the chief Leaders of the Northern Rebells where they are associated to live and die in their quarrel And a week after the like summons was to all the Lords and Gentry of the County of Meath to meet at the Hill of Taragh where multitudes assembled And now by reason the Northern Rebells had setled their Camp within the River of Boyne besieging Tredagh between that and the City of Dublin and all entercourse of the Pale interrupted the passages stopt so that the State were ignorant of what passed there They therefore called a grand Council of the Lords within distance of Dublin and so Letters were posted to them in effect That the State had present occasion to confer with them concerning the present estate of the Kingdom and the safety thereof And pray and require to his Lordship to be at Dublin the eight day of this Moneth at which time others of the Peers will be here From his Majesties Castle of Dublin the third of December 1641. To our very good Lord Georg Earl of Kildare Your very loving friends William Parsons John Buclaâ—r c. And the same day to other several persons who near about that time had made the publick Combination with the Ulster Rebells And there they frame their General answer thus in effect May it please your Lordship We have heretofore presented our selves and freely offered our advice and furtherance which was by you neglected c. Having received advertisement that Sir Charls Coot had uttered at the Council-board some speeches tending to execute upon these of our Religion a general Massacre by which wee are deterred to wait on your Lordships not having security for the safety of our lives but rather to stand upon our Guard till we shall be secured from perills Nevertheless we all protest to continue faithfull advisers and furtherers of his Majesties service concerning the present state of this Kingdome and the safety thereof Your Lordships humble servants Fingale Germaston Slame Dunsany Netervile Oliver Lowth Trimbleston Dec. 7. 1641. To this Letter the State gives answer by Proclamation with all satisfaction to the Lords to remove all misunderstandings and clear Sir Charls Coot from any such pretended speeches or any intention thereto and pray the Lords to attend the Board on the seventeenth day after But not prevailing Netervile and others of the Pale gather forces and quarter at Swores within six miles of Dublin and there encamped To whom the State send theiâ— warrant Immediately upon sight hereof to disband and separate and that Netervile and six other principal persons amongst them do appear to morrow morning at ten a Clock before the Council upon their utmost perills  Ormond Ossery c. Dec. 9. 1641. To which they answer That for the safety of their lives they were constrained to meet and resolve so to continue till they might be assured of their lives Hereupon by publique Proclamation the Earl of Ormond Lieutenant General of the Army hath warrant to suppress them and to bring up such shipping and vessels to the new Crane at Dublin and to destroy the rest the fourteenth of December The Rebels now declare Germanston general of their forces in the Pale Hugh Birne Lieutenant General and the Earl of Fingale General of their Horse and several Commissions to raise forces and in a very seemly order and proportion frame an Army with all manner of provisions accordingly The sad condition of Ireland was very often recommended to the King and Parliament of England with a proposition 10000. Scots to be sent over from Scotland with Letters met the King at his return from thence to London And Commissioners out of Scotland arrived at London to treat with the Parliament therein they make offer of 10000. men provided to receive forth an advance of 30000. l. of brotherly assistance to be afforded them by the Kingdom of England to have shipping for their transport and upon Landing in Ireland to have 100 horse joyn with each 1000 foot but to receive order and to obey their Scotish General which was condescended unto and great hopes of the effeâ—ts specially that the Parliament was so very often urged thereto by his Majesties several speeches as that of the fourteenth of December 1641. More he could not say or offer to do in person therein But ah alas all was delaied and nothing performed for the Parliament was more busied to quarrel their priviledges with the King and the house of Commons utterly refused to send any English Forces which the Lords proposed to be 1000. Foot so that Dublin began to be nearly distressed All the provinces of Munster likewise in rebellion The State therefore again send over Letters into England That the Rebells were formidable 20000 in a Body besides several other Brigadoes in divers Counties and complain that of the 20000. l. lately sent to them they received but 16000. But in fine the last of December arrives Sir Simon Harcourt with his Regiment out of England Tredagh was now beset on all sides by Sea and Land all ways of entercourse to Dublin stopped divers designs were devised for conveyance of intelligence thither And now upon this grand confedaracy of Meath and Lowth they style themselves the Catholique Army The Town increased their Fortifications Breast works before each Gate Platforms in convenient places where the walls were defective centinels put to their stands Ordnances mounted abundance
cannot doubt of his Subjects affections for he acknowledges the joyfull reception at his now entring into London He bringing as perfect affections to his People as ever Prince did or as good Subjects can possibly desire and is as far from repenting any good that he hath done this Session that he resolves to grant what else can be justly desired in point of Liberties or in maintenance of the true Religion Particularly he commends unto them the state of Ireland the prâ—paratâ—ons going on but slowly which is the cause that two Lords are arrived from 〈◊〉 who come instructâ—d from his Council there to aâ—swâ—r that demanâ— which both Houses made by Petition that met him at Bâ—rwick and which the Duke of Richmond did send back by the Kings command to his Scotish Council Therefore desires the Houses to appoint a Committee tâ— end the business with these two Lords Then because no Jealousie should aâ—ise concerning Religion he settles his Command for obedience to the Laws ordained for that purpose and Proclaimes the tenth of December That Divine service be performed in England and Wales according to the Laws and Statutes and that obedience be given by all people to the same And that all Ministers Ecclesiastâ—cal and Temporal do put the said Acts of Parliament in due execution against all contemners and disturbers of Divine service and that no Persons Vicars or Curates introduce any Rite or Ceremony other then these established by the Laws of this Land And two daies after he publishes his Proclamation That all the Members of both Houses repair to the Parliament at or before the twelfth of Januâ—ry next for continuance thereof c. And being come He salutes them thus the fourteenth of December Because thâ—y delaied the consideration of thâ— most iâ—portant business Ireland he reminds them that at his last presence He recommended to them the lamentable condition of the affaires of Ireland and the miserable condition of the Protestants there That he will not wast time to tell them the detestation he bears to Rebellion in General and of this in particular but knowing that Deeds and not Declarations must suppress this great insolencie therefore he offers his paines power and industry to contribute to this necessary work of reducing the Irâ—sh to obedience That for the Bill for pressing of Souldiers lodged with the Lords but if it come to him he promiseth to pass it And because some had started the question into a dispute concerning the â—â—unds of the Kings prerogative herein He offers to avoide such dâ—bate that the Bill shall pass with a Salvo Jure both for King and People and concludes Conjuring them by all that is or can be dear to them or him to hasten with speed the business of Ireland No sooner said but they Petitioned Him with what they had in readiness for priviledge of Parliaments being their Birth rights Declaring with all duty and reverence That the King ought not to take notice of any matter in agitation and debaâ—e in either Houses 〈◊〉 by their Information Nor ought not to propound any Condition Provision or limitation to any Bill or Act in debate or preparation or to manifest or declare his consent or discent approbation or dislike beforâ— it be presented in course Nor ought to be displeased with any debate of Parliament they being Iudges of their own errors and offences in debating matters depending That these priviledges have been broken of late in the speech of his Majesty on Thursday last the fourteenth of December particularly in mentioning the Bill for Impress offering also a Provisional clause by a Salvo Jure before it was presented and with all they take notice of his Majesties displeasure against such as moved a question concerning the same And they desire to know the names of such persons as reduced his Majesty to that Item that he may be punished as they his great Council shall advise his Majesty The King seeing them setled in this posture and to doe nothing till the Kings answer satisfactory to their Petition He with some regret withdrawes to Hampton Court hoping that his absence might take off the occasion of presenting him with such Exceptions But the next day they apoint a Committee to follow him thither having had time enough in their recess and the Kings being in Scotland to form matter enough to perplex him for now they speak plain all the whole frame of Government is out of tune which they Remonstrate as the State of the Kingdome which they accompany with a Petition But there fell out an Accident in Scotland whilst the King was there concerning the two Marquesses Hamilton and Arguile upon some information that their Persons were in danger they both withdrew from the Parliament of Scotland and for some daies removed out of Edenburgh the suggestions were examined in that Parliament where they had power enough yet nothing was apparent to their prejudice and the examinations upon the whole matter sent hither by the King to the Parliament in England such strange glosses and interpretations were made upon that accident reflecting upon the King and his honour as if at the same time there had been such a design to have been acted here as they had fancied there And a suddain resolution was taken here first by the Committee during the recess after by the Houses to have a Guarâ— for the defence of London and Westminster and both the Houses of Parliament which made some impression in the minds of the best Subjects in a time when they were newly freed from the fears of Two Armies to be now again awakened with the apprehension of dangers of which seeing no ground they were to expect no end But matters thus stated and all possible cunning used by a faction and their Emissaries the Ministers at this time when the clamour was raised of the unlawfulness that the Clergy should meddle in temporal affaires were their chief Agents imployed to derive their seditious directions to the people And were for a week together attending the doores of both Houses to be sent in their errands to inforce the most desperate feares in the minds of all men that could be imagined and to be sure that the memory of former bitterness might not slacken They therefore provide for the Kings Intertainment against his return to London a Remonstrance of the state of the Kingdome herein laying before the King all the mistakes all the misfortunes which had happened since his first coming to the Crown and before to that houre forgetting the blessed condition notwithstanding the unhappy mixture which all the Subjects had enjoyed by peace and plenty under this King to the envy of Christendome Objecting to the King therein the actions of some nay the thoughts of others and reproaching him with things which he after professes never entred into his Imaginations not to his knowledge into the thoughts of any other therein reviling the King to the people and complaining of
denie Yet so tender I see some men are of their being subject to Arbitrarie Government that is the Law of anothers will to which themselves give no consent that they care not with how much Dishonour and Absurditie they make the King the onely man that must be subject to the will of others without having power left him to use his own Reason either in person or by anie Representation And if my Dissentings aâ— anie time were as some have suspected and uncharitably avowed out of errour opinionativeness weakness or wilfulness and what they call Obstinacie in me which not true judgment of things but some vehement prejudice or passion hath fixed on my minde yet can no man think it other than the Badg and Method of Slaverie by savage rudeness and importunate obtrusions of violence to have the mist of his errour and passion dispelled which is a shadow of Reason and must serve those that are destitute of the substance Sure that man cannot be blameable to God or Man who seriously endeavours to see the best reason of things and faithfully follows what he takes for Reason The uprightness of his intentions will excuse the possible failings of his understanding If a Pilot at Sea cannot see the Pole-star it can be no fault in him to steer his course by such Stars as do best appear to him It argues rather those men to be conscious of their Defects of Reason and convincing Arguments who call in the assistance of meer force to carrie on the weakness of their Counsels and Proposals I may in the truth and uprightness of my heart protest before God and Men that I never wilfully opposed or denied anie thing that was in a fair way after full and free Debates propounded to me by the two Houses further than I thought in good Reason I might and was bound to do Nor did anie thing ever please me more than when my Iudgment so concurred with theirs that I might with good Conscience consent to them yea in many thing where not absolute and moral necessitie of Reason but temporarie convenience in point of Honour was to be considered I chose rather to denie my self than them as preferring that which they thought necessarie for my Peoples good before what I saw but convenient for my self For I can be content to recede much from mine own Interests and personal Rights of which I conceive my self to be Master but in what concerns Truth Iustice the Rights of the Church and my Crown together with the general good of my Kingdoms which I am bound to preserve as much as morally lies in me here I am and ever shall be fixt and resolute nor shall any man gain my consent to that wherein my Heart gives my Tongue or Hand the Lie nor will I be brought to affirm that to men which in my Conscience I denie before God I will rather chuse to wear a Crown of Thorns with my Saviour than to exchange that of Gold which is due to me for one of Lead whose embased flexibleness shall be forced to bend and complie to the various and oft-contrarie Dictates of anie Factions when in stead of Reason and publick concernments they obtrude nothing but what makes for the Interest of parties and flows from the partialittes of private Wills and Passions I know no Resolutions more worthie a Christian King than to prefer his Conscience before his Kingdoms And now the King is pleased to give the like Answer to the Buckingham Petition as was his late Message to the Parliament to which he refers them and therein so to proceed against the five Members as that it shall appear he had sufficient cause to question however he conceives that their Crimes cannot reflect upon those good Subjects that elected Master Hambden or the others to serve in Parliament But the Parliament in some doubt of the issue and effect of the Kings Design at Windsor and not willing to trust him in Arms before they might be as ready to encounter upon information of Troops of Horse to be gathered by the Lord Digby and Colonel Lunsford at Kingston where the County Magazine is lodged They order that the Sheriffs of the several Counties of England and Wales with the assistance of the Justices of Peace and the Trained Bands shall suppress all unlawfull Assemblies and that they take care to secure the Counties and their Magazines in them and to be published in all Market-towns Iune 14. And Lunsford was seized and sent to the Tower but Digby escaped beyond Seas All that the King could do to appease the wrath of the Parliament concerning the impeached Members by waving all Proceedings and no doubt quite declining away further prosecution This not satisfying to their spirits and the Court removed to Roiston the Commons fall upon the Attourney General Sir Edward Herbert being summoned to appear at the Lords Bar he is interrogated by a Committee of Commons Question Whether he did contrive frame or advise the said seven Articles against the impeached Members Answer He did not in any of the three or all Question Do you know the truth of these Articles or anie of them or by Information Answer He knows nothing of the truth nor was informed but by his Master the King Question Will you make good these Articles if required by course of Law Answer He cannot otherwise than the King shall command and enable him Question From whom had you these Articles and by whose advice did you exhibit them Answer It was the Kings express command from whose hand he received them Question Whether had you any Testimonie or Proof of these Article before the exhibiting of them Answer For the exhibiting he had the Kings command To which Answer Serjeant Wilde replied The House of Commons desires to know whether you had any Proof or Testimonie or any Information of any Proof of them Answer To this he desired time to consider in regard of a Trust between a Master and Servant This not yet satisfactory because so general the House of Commons resolve That he hath broken the Privilege of Parliament in preferring the Articles illegal and he is criminous and that a Charge be sent up to the Lords against him for satisfaction of this great Scandal unless by Thursday next he prove the Articles against any of them Jan. 15. The Parliament finding the King in good earnest and resolving to hasten the business to an issue and therefore both Houses petition him to give end to their humble Desires either to discharge the accused Members or to proceed judicially against them according to the Privilege and use of Parliament in such Cases observed and this was posted to him by the Earl of Newport and the Lord Seymer Ian. 21. The King by Letter returns Answer That finding his first mistake in the way of his proceeding which hath caused some Delaies for to be informed in what order to put the same and till then he thinks not fit to discover his
witness that he shall not fail on his part Ian. 20. It is true that the misery of Ireland cried out for Relief and as often the King enforced the consideration offering Propositions very probable which the Parliament always declined But the Scots having a fair Interest there in their British Plantations and a Committee being a foot to that purpose the Scots seeming very forward to do somewhat and to involve their Propositions together with their general Proposals of the Treaty of Peace make these Offers to transport two thousand and five hundred Scots into Ireland meaning thereby to hasten the end of theâ—r Treaty But upon these Articles That Provisions of Victuals be presently sent to Carrickfergus to be sold to the Scots Souldiers answerable to their Pay They to have the command of that Castle and Town to remain there or to enlarge their own Quarters into the Countrey That Match Pouder and Ball be sent from hence but what Arms Ammunition or Artillery shall go from Scotland with their Forces the same shall be supplied into Scotland out of England That a part of the brotherly Assistance thirty thousand pounds be advanced to them presently which though in proportion came but to seven thousand and five hundred pounds yet they crave ten thousand pounds for their encouragement That their Pay which was condiscended to commence from the eight of December last may be advanced to the eighth of February next when they hoped to march To have Ships of Convoy And that all this may be done without prejudice to their Treatie Jan. 24. The two Houses having swallowed these Propositions the Kings consent was desired but excepts very sparingly against the third Article as somewhat prejudicial to the Crown of England and desires conference with the Scots Commissioners there which being long disputed and the strength of the Kings Argument implying too great a trust for Auxiliary Forces in them To which they reply that they hoped that his Majesty being their native would not shew less trust in them than in the Neighbour Nation seeing his two Houses had consented yet although the Reason bore little force as the Kings condition now stood yet to take away all Delays of Dispute he condiscended And the Scots Commissioners following the King out of Scotland interpose Mediation between the King and Parliament in several private Addresses and in some Propositions in writing so effectually to the Parliaments purpose and their Designing that Mr. Pym is sent specially to give them Thanks on Saturday the twenty second of Ianuary My Lords We are commanded to present to you their affectionate Thanks for your wise Counsels and faithfull advice given to his Sacred Majestie for the appeasing and removing of the present Distraction and Distempers of this State My Lords The House of Commons are very sensible and do tenderly and affectionately consider that this your dutifull and faithfull advice is a large testimonie of your fidelitie to the King affection to this State and of wisdom for honour securitie and peace of his Majesâ—ie and both Kingdoms and not onely very acceptable to this House but likewise of great advantage to both Nations They clearly perceive you rightly understand the causes of our Distempers and your carefull endeavours to complie with them in the quieting and removing of the same that the brotherly Communion lately confirmed by both Parliaments of England and Scotland binde them both to maintain the peace and liberties of one another being highly concerned equally therein as the assured means of the safetie and preservation of both and being so united the Disturbance of the one must needs disquiet and distemper the peace of the other as hath been often acknowledged by them both They are likewise sensible that those waies which you advise are the onely means to settle peace and unitie in this Kingdom viz. First to endeavour a right understanding between his Majestie and his People by which he may truly see the real causes of these Disturbances and their Authours who are his faithfull and loyal Subjects his faithfull and dutifull Counsellours and who not by which means the brotherly affection betwixt the two Nations shall be confirmed to the glorie of God and peace of the Church and State of both Kingdoms their unitie advanced and all mistakes and jealousies betwixt his Majestie and this Kingdom removed and the establishment of the affairs settled in perpetual peace and tranquillitie the Liberties and Privileges of his Subjects freely enjoyed under his royal Scepter which is the most assured Foundation of his Majesties honour and greatness of the securitie of his royal Person Crown and Dignitie Secondly the removal and prevention of all such plots and practises entertained by the Papists Prelates and their Adherents whose aim in all these Troubles hath been to prevent all further Reformation and to subvert the puritie and truth of Religion their constant endeavours have been to stir up Division betwixt his Majestie and his People by their questioning the Authoritie of Parliaments and the lawfull Liberties of the Subjects and really weakening his Majesties power and authoritie royal upon pretence of defending the same which mischievous Counsels Conspiracies and Attempts have produced these Distempers in his Majesties Kingdoms of England and Ireland Thirdly that his Majestie would be pleased to have recourse onely to the faithfull advise of his Parliament and to depend thereupon as the happie means to establish the prosperitie and quiet of this Kingdom and in his royal wisdom to consider and prevent these Apprehensions of fear which may possess the hearts of his Majesties Subjects in his other Kingdoms if they shall conceive the Authoritie of Parliaments and the Rights and Liberties of the Subjects to be here called in question My Lords these your faithfull and loyal Propositions is the greatest Demonstration of your affections faithfully united and devâ—tâ—d to the securitie of his Majestie and your heartie Wishes and Desires of the peace and prosperitie as well of his Majesties Kingdom of England as Scotland and Ireland these Propositions have been the onely endeavours and intentions of his Majesties high Court of Parliament to effect and make manifest to all men and in any other means whatsoever that shall by you be conceived necessary to the composing and settling of these present Distractions they declare themselves desirous to have the same communicated unto them and they shall be right joyfull and thankfull therefore and will willingly and chearfully joyn with you in the same The House of Commons having an itching desire of power had moved the Upper House to joyn with them for obtaining the command of the Tower and mannagement of the Militia and being refused therein yet they will not be beaten off but singly of themselves petition the King for them both and other principal Forts of the Kingdom and pray for his gracious and speedy Answer Ian. 26. That his Majestie having preferred to the Lieutenancie of the Tower a person
Parliament here after he had â—itted Supplies thither from Scotland and after his return hither he observed such forms for that service as his Council in Ireland did advise they desiring the Proclamation no sooner nor so many by twenty to be by him signed which he did and printed them for haste and sent them over which divers of the Members of both Houses here well know who are the more to blame to suffer such an envious aspersion upon the King when themselves could satisfie the action And wishes that they could with aâ— good a conscience call God to witness that all their counsels and endeavours have been free from private aims personal respects or passions whatsoever as he hath done and does And was it not time for our Brethren of Scotland to put in their Sickle into our Harvest besides their being invited their late entertainment of Fidlers have in England set their wheel a going The King had written a Letter to his Scotish privy Council there of the State of his affairs here Declaring and clearing such imputations which the Parliament endeavoured to fix upon him and his mis-governing together with the indignities and intrenchments upon his person and honour which he is assured will be tender in their natural affection rather to be kindled than extinguished by his distress to which their Covenant bindes them by Oath and Subscription and clears the calumniation to be popishly affected to be guilty of the bloudshed in Ireland to bring in foreign Forces Wherein he calls God to witness he is falsly aspersed And who ever hereafter shall distrust this his Declaration the fault is in the malignitie of their rebellious humours and no ways deserved by him This so wrought upon the hearts of the Scots for that time that I know not how such a Petition was framed by the Nobility and people of the whole Nation and presented to the Council as more could not be required from the most faithfull and indulgent Subject humbly shewing in effect That to call in question the Kings royal zeal and resolution of preserving the Religion Laws and Liberties of these his Kingdoms is so undoubted as after so many reiterated asseverations emitted in his Declarations and Answers and so many evidences of his justice and wisdom cannot be conserved in any but an unchristian distrust And therefore justly challenges from them all due respect to his sacred Majestie by so many ties and titles so much professed and promised by them in their solemn Oath and national Covenant and Oath at his Coronation to defend and maintain the person greatness and authoritie of our dread Sovereign as by the Act of General Assemblie we have all sworn and signed and therefore are bound to represent to their Lordships their humble desires to be assured and known to his Majestie of their loyaltie and resolution And that some course may be taken to the view of the world that they intend the brotherly and blessed conjunction of both Nations happily united in loyaltie and subjection to our Sovereign tending nor intending as they attest God the Searcher of all hearts for any other end but performance of their humble dutie to their dread Sovereign to which they are bound by all ties of Nature Christianitie and Gratitude and to which they crave their Lordships to contribute their wisdoms and and speedie answer hereto May 20. A man would be amazed to finde other effects hereafter of this most serious Protestation which in a word came to this end they sold this their dread Sovereign Lord and King to the death and execution for a piece of money The Parliament hear of this and turn the Scale for eight days after the Scots Council do declare their earnest desires both to King and Parliament to joyn in a perfect union imbracing his Majesties expressions to them of his religious care of the Liberties and Laws of both Kingdomes And do in like manner with brotherly reciprocal affections acknowledg the care and zeal of the Parliament of England to keep a right undâ—rstanding betwixt the two Nations as both the Parliaments have avowed to each other And although they neither will nor should meddle with publick actions of any other Kingdom but as they are called yet since the Parliament of England have drawn the former practices of the Parliament of Scotland into example of Declaration they humbly desire the King to hearken to his greatest his best and most unparalleld Council And utterly disswade the King from any personal journey into Ireland and that a Mediation may be at home ere the wound be wider or the breach deeper To which end they have sent with this Message the E. Loudon Chancellour of Scotland who will give a more full declaration of their minde and desires which in fine came out to be A large Manifestation of their true and heartie affection to the Parliament of England protesting to do nothing contrary to them in their Privileges May 28. Nay after all this the old accustomed Rabble meet at Edinburgh and hearing of the late Letters from the King with the petitionary Answer and the late Message from the Council to the King by the Lord Loudon and finding the affairs of England likely to bring Grist to their Mill these Multitudes I say being as they style themselves The intire bodie of the Kingdom petition or rather threaten the Kings privy Council there not to meddle with any verbal or real ingagement for the King against the Parliament of England And so from that time forward we finde them covenanting to the destructive conclusion as hereafter follows Upon all these Scotish passages the Parliament of England do Protest That those sufferings expressed in those Papers betwixt his Majestie and the Parliament cannot be imputed to any actions of ours who endeavoured with all fidelitie the happiness of his Majestie labouring to take the blame from the King and to lay it on his evil Councils And as touching the Petition we with much contentment and thankfulness observe the faithfulness and good affection of our dear Brethren of Scotland to prevent all Iealousies so timely expressed to the Lords of the Council and we shall never cease to answer their great care with the like diligent endeavours to promote the honour wealth and happiness of that Nation and to preserve the unitie so strongly fortified by mutual interest and affections on both sides And desire the English Commissioners to assure the Scots Commissioners how heartily and joyfully we imbrace their kindness manifested in that Petition Hoping that this constant and inviolable amitie between us and them will prove very usefull for the advantage and securitie of both which it did for a time and ruine to both hereafter In what a miserable condition is the Kingdom when King and Parliament are so divided What not one wise man amongst them Yes truly the Earl of Bristol had a large sense thereof and in this strait he moves for
verdure and fertilitie in the Medows on both sides and then over-flowing of either on either side raised no Deluge or Inundation The ill of absolute Monarchy is Tyranny the ill of Aristocracie is Faction and Division the ills of Democracy are Tumults Violence and Licenciousness The good of Monarchy is the uniting a Nation under one Head to resist Invasion from abroad and Insurrection at home The good of Aristocracy is the conjunction of Councils in the ablest persons of a State for the publick benefit The good of Democracy is Libertie and the courage and industrie which Libertie begets In this Kingdom the Laws are joyntly made by a King by a House of Peers and by a House of Commons chosen by the people all having free Votes and particular privileges the Government of these Laws are intrusted to the King power of Treaties of war and peace of making Peers of chusing Officers and Counsellours of State Iudges for Law Commanders for Forts and Castles giving Commissions for raising men to make war abroad or to prevent or provide against Invasions or Insurrections at home benefit of Confiscations power of pardoning and some more of the like kinde are placed in the King And this kinde of regulated Monarchie having the power to preserve that Authoritie without which it would be disabled to preserve the Laws in their force and the Subjects in their Liberties is intended to draw to him such a respect and relation from the great ones as may hinder the ills of Division and Faction and such a fear and reverence from the people as may hinder tumults violence and licentiousness Again that the Prince may not make use of this high and perpetual power to the hurt of those for whose good he hath it and make use of the name of publick necessitie for the gain of his private Favourites and Followers the House of Commons an excellent Conserver of Libertie but never intended for any share in the Government or the chusing of them that should govern is soly intrusted with the first Propositions concerning the Levies of Moneys the sinews of peace and war and the impeaching of those who for their own ends have violated that Law which he is bound to protect and to the protection of which they were bound to advise him And the Lords being trusted with a judicature power are an excellent Skreen or Bank between the Prince and people to assist each against the incroachments of the other and by just judgment to preserve that Law which ought to be the Rule of every one of the Three For the better enabling in this beyond the Example of any of our Ancestours we were willingly contented to oblige our self both to call a Parliament every three years and not to dissolve it in fiftie daies and for the present exigent the better to raise money and to avoid the pressure our people must have suffered by a long continuance of so vast a charge as two great Armies and for the greater certaintie of having sufficient time to remedie the inconveniences arisen during so long absence of Parliaments we yielded up our Right of dissolving this Parliament expecting an extraordinarie moderation from it for so unexampled a grace and little looking that any Malignant party should have been encouraged or enabled to perswade them first to countenance the indignities and injustice we have endured and then by a new way of satisfaction for what was taken from us to demand of us at once to confirm what was so taken and â—o give up almost all the rest And so concludes Since therefore the legal power in Parliament is more than sufficient to restrain the power of Tyrannie and without the power asked from us we shall not be able to discharge that Trust which is the end of Monarchy and so a total subversion of Laws and that excellent constitution of this Kingdom famous and happie to a great degree of envie Since to the power of punishing which you have if the power of preferring be added we shall have nothing left for us but to look on Since the incroaching of one of these Estates upon the power of the other is unhappie in the effects to all Since this joint Government in us with our Guardian Counsellours would return us despicable at home and abroad Since so new a power will beget Divisions among them as Equals and contempt of us as become an Equal to them and so insolence towards our people so much their Inferiours Since all great changes are extremely inconvenient and beget yet greater changes which beget yet greater Inconveniences Since as great a change in the Church must follow this of the Kingdom Since the second Estate would follow the fate of the first and the like Propositions would be then sent to them as they now have joined to send to us till at last the common people flattered into licentious wilde humours discover this Arcanum Imperii that all this was done by them but not for them grow wearie of Iourney-work set up for themselves and call Paritie and Indepencie Liberty devour that Estate which had devoured the rest destroy all Rights Proprieties Distinctions of Families and Merit and by this means the splendid and excellently distinguished Form of Government end in a dark equal Chaos of confusion and the long Line of our many noble Ancestours fall into a Jack Cade or a Wat Tyler For all these Reasons Nolumus Leges Angliae mutari But we promise to be carefull of preserving the Laws as concerning â—s those of obedience not secure when these of protection are violated And will search in this heap of unreasonable Demands for so much as we may assent unto In pursuance of which we finde in the fourth Proposition which would take from us all the Trust we have something to which we answer That we have committed the principal places about our Children to persons of qualitie and pietie with regard to their principles of Religion if otherwise against whom the Parliament shall justly except we shall remove them if there be no under-hand dealing to seek faults to succeed in their places For the fifth Demand we will not suffer any share with us in the power of Treaties most improper for Parliaments yet we shall never propose any Treatie of Mariage for any of our Children without regard to Religion the good of the Kingdom and the honour of our Familie Concerning the Laws in force against Jesuits c. As we have by many Messages satisfied you and by our Proclamations assured that we will never pardon any popish Priest sufficiently expressing in many cases of late our zeal herein If you can finde any more effectual course we shall give our consent Concerning the Votes of popish Lords they in discretion have forborn to sit and we are content so long as they are not conformable to the Doctrine of the Church of England they shall not be admitted to sit but onely to give Proxies to Protestant Peers And
favour and grace by many Acts they would devise their Reasons of fear That he meant never to observe them To others that were deterred to consider the effects of abusing so gracious a Sovereign they would perswade them That those about the King could work him to their wills Then they get all the Militia and power of the Kingdom into their hands garison Hull and Hotham their Governour there and the Tower of London brought under subjection of one of their own and so with continual vexations caused the King to withdraw his person and to secure the Queen to pass beyond the Seas and himself to retire towards the North. What hath happened since his coming to York is so notorious as with amazement to all parts of Christendom to see the wisdom courage affection and loyalty of the English Nation so far shrunk and confounded by malice cunning industry of persons contemptible in number inconsiderable in fortune and reputation united onely by guilt and conspiracy against the King Treason licensed in Pulpits persons ignorant in learning seditious in disposition scandalous in life unconformable to Laws are the onely men recommended to authority and poweâ— to impoison the mindes of the multitude The Kings goods money and what not seized from him and to make the scorn compleat he must be perswaded That all is done for his good Opinions and Resolutions imposed upon him by Votes and Declarations That the King intends to levie war and then Arms are taken up to destroy him All Actions of his for his advantage are straightway voted illegal All the great Officers of State coming to the King are pursued with Warrants to all Mayors Justices Sheriffs and others to apprehend them compelling the Countries to take Arms against the King His Ships are taken from him and the Earl of Warwick made Admiral in despite of the King And after all this Mr. Martin should say That the Kings Office is forfeitable and the happiness of the Kingdom does not depend on him or any of the regal Branches of that stock And Sir Henry Ludlow should say That the King was not worthy to be King of England and that he hath no Negative Voice that he is fairly dealt with that he is not deposed that if they did that there would be neither want of modestie or dutie in them They publish scandalous Declarations commit his great Officers for doing their duties Raise an Army and chuse the Earl of Essex General with power to kill and slay whom he list They convert the Money given by Act of Parliament for the Discharge of the Kingdoms Debts and for Relief of Ireland and all to serve their turn to war against the King Commit those Lords that are loyal degrade nine Lords at a clap for coming to the King Take Tunnage and Poundage without the Kings consent But can the Nobility Gentry Clergy and Commonalty of England sacrifice their Honour Interest Religion Liberty to the meer sound of a Parliament and Privilege Can their experience Reason and Understanding be captivated by words And then he sums up many of his graces favours freedoms to them and the people And yet into what a Sea of Bloud is the Rage and Fury of these men lanching out to wâ—est that from him which he is bound to defend How have the Laws of Hospitality civility been violated discourses whispers in conversation been examined and persons committed and so kept during pleasure His and the Queens Letters broken open read publickly and commented upon that Christendom abhors to correspond with us Crimes are pretended against some men and they removed for others to be preferred If Monopolies have been granted to the prejudice of the people the calamity will not be less if it be exercised by a good Lord by a Bill now then it was before by a Patent And yet the Earl of Warwick thinks fit to require the Letter Office to be confirmed to him for three Lives at the same time that it is complained of as a Monopoly and without the alteration of any circumstance for the ease of the Subject and this with so much greediness and authority that whilest it was complained of as a Monopoly he procured an Assignment to be made of it to him from the person complained of after he had by his interest stopped the proceedings of the Committee for five Moneths before the Assignment made to him upon pretence that he was concerned in it and desired to be heard And the King concludes all with this Protestation That his quarrel is not against the Parliament but against particular men who first made the wounds and will not suffer them to be cured whom he names and will be ready to prove them guiltie of high Treason And desires that the Lord Kimbolton Mr. Hollis Mr. Pym Mr. Hambden Sir Arthur Haselrig Mr. Strode Mr. Martin Sir Henry Ludlow Ald. Pennington and Capt. Ven may be delivered up to the hands of justice to be tried according to the Laws of the Land Against the Earl of Warwick the Earl of Essex Earl of Stamford Lord Brook Sir John Hotham Major General Skippon and those who shall henceforth exercise the Militia by virtue of the Ordinance he shall cause Indictments of high Treason upon the Statute of 25 Edw. 3. Let them submit to their Trial appointed by Law and plead their Ordinances if they shall be acquitted he hath done And that all his loving Subjects may know that nothing but the preservation of the true Protestant Religion invaded by Brownism Anabaptism and Libertinism the safetie of our person threatned and conspired against by Rebellion and Treason the Law of the Land and Libertie of the Subject oppressed and almost destroyed by an usurped unlimited arbitrarie power and the freedom privilege and dignitie of Parliament awed and insulted upon by force and Tumults could make us put off our long-loved Robe of peace and take up defensive Arms. He once more offers pardon to all those that will desire the same except the persons before named if not he must look upon these Actions as a Rebellion against him and the Law who endeavour to destroy him and his people August 12. 1642. The Parliament had passed an Act for raising of four hundred thousand pounds by Overtures of Adventurers and Contributions and Loans for Relief of Irelaâ—d and Money and Plate was thereafter very heartily brought in to the Parliament when upon the thirtieth of Iuly the vote That the Treasurers appointed to receive the money already come in upon Subscriptions for Ireland do forthwith furnish by way of Loan unto the Committee for defence of the Kingdom one hundred thousand pounds for the supplie of the publick necessitie and defence of this Kingdom upon the Publick Faith Of which the King remembers them and of the Act of Parliament That no part of that money shall be imployed to any other purpose than the reducing of those Rebells And therefore charges the House of Commons as they will answer the
discharge the Debts and Loan monies of the Common-wealth September 6. What wayes endeavours and real expressions the King had made to prevent subsequent Miseries the world may judge and yet they have been so fruitless that though he hath descended to desire nay to press it not so much as a Treaty can be obtained unless he will denude himself of all force to defend him from a visible strength marching against him and to admit those Persons as Traytors to him whose duty Allegeance and the Law have appeared in his defence Indeed his power was now weak which the Parliament consider so that they would put him upon the Providence of God the Justice of his cause and the affection of his good people without doubt though it was far from his thoughts to put them out of his Protection yet if ever the Parliament should desire a Treaty of Him he promises piously to remember whose blood is to be spilt in the quarrel and would most cheerfully imbrace any reasonable accommodation And now the war on Foot and Forces raised a wonder it was what Tumults and Insurrections were dayly complained of to both parties which the King endeavoured to reclaim by his Declarations and exemplary Punishments So do the Parliament party and send down Sir Thomas Barrington and Mr. Grynistone into Essex to rectifie their disordres but being there they seize Sir Iohn Lucas and his Lady at Colchester and commit them to the Jayle and their eight Coach horses sent to their General Essex and Mr. Newcomen then for the King was sent to prison resolving to bring them speedily to their Trials in order to that Lucas was proclaimed Traytor by the Parliament brought up to London and committed to the Gatehouse I have not troubled the Reader with the remembrance of the Scots Nation who have so much troubled us And now I find them working on their design to set us forward to a further distance that they may the better come into the distraction with their ill Councel They kept a kind of Commissioners here to be at hand for their purpose who sent Advice and Intelligence to their General Assembly of Scotland of the condition and transaction of all our affairs here And accordingly the Parliament caress them with a Declaration as it was most fitting for their purpose to be believed To which the Assembly with universal consent in their canting manner held forth this Answer in the beginning of August last to this effect 1. That from the sense of their own late deliverance they bless God for preserving themselves in the midst of their divisions and troubles from a bloody war the compend of all Calamities 2. That the hearts of all their Members of this Assembly and of others well affected are exceedingly grieved that in so long a time the Reformation moves so slowly not onely Prelates formal professors prophane and Popishly affected but bad Councellors with spiritual wickedness in high places have prevailed so far that as in the times of the best Kings of Iudah of old and the most part of the reformed Kirk of late a through Reformation hath been a work full of difficulties Their Kirk and nation when God gave them the calling considered not their own dulness nor staggered at the promise through unbelief And who knoweth but the Lord hath now some controversie with England which will not be removed till the worship of his name and the Government of his House be setled 3. That the Commissioners of Scotland in the late Treaty of peace did represent their serious thoughts and desires for unity of Religion that in all his Majesties dominions there might be one confession of faith one directory of worship one Catechism and one form of Kirk Government when all his people may resort to one worship This Assembly doth now enter upon the labour of their Commissioners into which they are encouraged by the zeal of former Assemblies at Edenburgh December 1566. which ordained a Letter to be sent into England against the Surplice Tippet and Corner Cap and such other Ceremonies of that Kirk that they might be removed by the Assembly at Edinburgh April 1583. desiring their King to Command his Ambassadors then going to Queen Elizabeth that there might be an Union and Band betwixt them against the persecution of Papists in their Holy League of Trent and to disburthen their Brethren in England from the yoke of Ceremonies against the Liberty of the word And by the Assembly at Edinburgh March 1589. ordaining their Proselytes to use all means for the relief of the Kirk of England for maintaining the true discipline and Government of the Kirk of England And why not now much more being many waies encreased their zeal ought to be no less especially encouraged by his Majesties personal worship when he was with them and many acts of grace to their Ministry and Kirk and his gratâ—ous Letter to them Intimating that when any thing is amiss he will in a fair and orderly way reform and so done He will maintain and defend it in peace against all troubles without and against all Sects Heresies Schismes within And likewise the Parliament of England hath shewen their zeal and expressed their grief that the work hath been interrupted by a Malignant party of Papists evil affected persons a corrupt and dissolute Clergie by the Instigation of Bishops Their hope is that when they shall return to a peaceable Parliamentary proceeding to setle a Kirk reformation firm and stable Union between both Kingdoms they being mightily encouraged by a Letter from the reverend brethren of the Kirk of England upon all these grounds the Assembly doth confidently expect that England will now bestir themselves to a Reformation and first to begin with Kirk Government and that Prelacy the main cause of all their miseries be pluckt up root and branch which God hath not planted bearing no better fruits then sowre grapes which hath set on edg the Kingdom of England The Hierarchy being put by the work will be easie without forcing any Conscience by setling the Government of the Kirk by Assemblies for although the Reformed Kirks do hold without doubting their Kirk Offices and Kirk Government by Assemblies in their strong and beautiful subordination to be Jure divino and perpetual Yet Prelacy as it differeth from the Office of a Pastour is universally acknowledged by themselves and their adherents to be but an humane Ordinance introduced by humane reason and setled by humane Laws and Customs for supposed conveniency which therefore without wronging any Mans Conscience may be altered and abolished to which Reformation their Kirk will contribute their power and prayers c. Saint Andrews August 3. And answerable to this Declaration the secret Council of Scotland upon petition of the Assembly do concur and commend this Declaration as a means for the unity of Religion and uniformity of Kirk-government in his Majesties three Kingdoms Extractum ex libris actorum secreti Câ—ncilii
party not bound to observe the Articles but to assist the Parliament in defence of the common cause Octob. 16. And by this President they afterwards would not endure any new triall Upon this score of the common cause Mr. Iohn Fountain a Lawyer at London was desired whâ—t he would please to lend who answered That it was against the Petition of Right to answer Yea or No. Whereupon the House of Commons for that contempt in not giving his Answer at all committed him to the Gate-house declaring further the imbecillity of his judgment or positive refraction to draw on others to the like Errour And such as refuse their Contribution of money or plate are disarmed and if in the least measure active in words or perswasion against the Parliament have the brand of Malignancie their persons secured and within a little time after made Delinquents and forfeâ—t all And because the Earl of Essex gave a deep yellow for his colours every Citizens Dame to the Draggle-tail of her Kitchin had got up that colour of the cause untill the Earl of Pembroke and Mountgomerie in a fume with a Parliament Captain swore That his Turdcolour'â— Skarf should not excuse him from Commitment But some not affecting that color set up others in disdain to the Generals which increasing to a Faction some urging of a Design to be distinguished by these Ribands the Parl. declare That such persons as shall be seen to wear them for distinction shall be forthwith committed and further proceeded against as Malignants endeavouring to set Divisions among the people In the Generals Commission the fourth Article is printed and published That whosoever shall return from the King to the Parliaments Armie within ten Days after Publication shall have reception and pardon excepting persons impeached of Delinquencie or Treason or have been eminent Actors against the Parliament and except the Earls of Bristol Cumberland New-castle Rivers and Carnarvan Secretarie Nicholas Endimion Porter Mr. Edward Hide the Duke of Richmond Viscount Newark Viscount Falkland now principal Secretarie of State to the King And thus marshalled in this order The King having sent over the Queen out of the danger of these Distractions into Holland and remaining at the Hague she made application to the Prince of Orange to whose Son the Princess Maria was maried by whose interest she had the fairer means to promote the Kings affairs with the States of the United Provinces for Arms and Ammunition which had been procured by the Lord Digby there and some Officers sent over to the Kings Army The Parliament having knowledg hereof send over Mr. Walter Strickland a Member of the House of Commons their Residenciary with Credential Letters to the States thus To the High and Mighty Lords the States of the United Provinces High and Mighty Lords We are commanded by the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England to signifie unto your Lordships that they have chosen and appointed the Bearer hereof Walter Strickland Esq to repair to your Lordships and to present to you in their Names and in the Name of the whole Kingdom a Declaration and some Propositions and Desires very much importing the maintenance of the Protestant Religion which is the surest Foundation of the safetie and prosperitie of this Kingdom and your State and the ancient amitie between us to the advantage of both desiring your Lordships to give ear to what shall be delivered or propounded to you by him And to expedite your Answer thereunto in such manner as shall stand with your Wisdoms and the due respect of the common good of the State and of your selves which is the earnest desire of Your affectionate Friends and Servants Mandevil Speaker pro tempore for the Lords House William Lenthal Speaker of the House of Commons A Declaration of the Lords and Commons of the Parliament of England to the High and Mighty Lords the States of the United Provinces We the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled taking into serious consideration the meanes of composing the great distempers and combustions begun in this Kingdom which threaten the destruction and ruine of it and of all other Protestant Princes and States have thought good to make this Declaration to the High and Mightie Lords the States of the United Provinces That we under stand by a Letter of the Lord Digby a person fled out of this Kingdom for high Treason That as he often endeavoured by his wicked and malicious counsels to make division between his Majestie and the Parliament and hath been in great part the cause of that miserable and unnatural War which is made against us by his Majestie so he hath laboured by all means in the United Provinces to provide Arms Powder and Ammunition for the fomenting of that War and making it more dangerous to this Kingdom and for this purpose did address himself to the Prince of Orange by whose countenance and help as we are informed by the Lord Digby's own Letters he hath made provision of great quantities of Ordnance Powder Arms and divers other sorts of warlike provision And we are further informed by credible advertisement that the Prince of Orange in favour of the Lord Digby and those other wicked Counsellours and Incendiaries who being joyned together in these mischievous practises against the peace of this Kingdom hath not onely licensed but the better to encourage divers Commanders experienced Officers and Souldiers to resort into this Kingdom in aid of them against the Parliament hath promised to reserve their places for them in their absence and doth cause other provision of the same kinde to be made and prepared to be sent over for their supplie to the great hurt of this Kingdom and the danger of interrupting the most necessarie profitable and long continued amitie between the two States We further desire to let them know that we cannot believe that this is done by any authoritie or direction from their Lordships considering the great help that they have received from this Kingdom when heretofore they lay under the heavie oppression of their Princes and how conducible the friendship of this Nation concurring with the wisdom valour and industrie of their own people hath been to the greatness and power which they now enjoy Neither can we think that they will be forward to help to make us slaves who have been usefull and assistant in making them free-men Or that they will forget that our Troubles and Dangers issue from the same Fountain with their own and that those who are set a work to undermine Religion and Libertie in the Kingdome are the same which by open force did seek to bereave them of both It cannot be unknown to that wise State that it is the Iesuitical Faction here that hath corrupted the counsels of our King the consciences of a greaâ— part of our Clergie which hath plotted so many mischievous Designs to destroy the Parliament and still endeavoureth to divide Ireland from
peoples Their many and sore oppressions grieve me I am above mine own what I want in the hands of force and power I have in the wings of Faith and Prayer But this is the strange method these men will needs take to resolve their Riddle of making me a glorious King by taking away my Kingly power thus I shall become a support to my Friends and a terrour to mine Enemies being unable to succour the one or suppress the other For thus have they designed and propoâ—ed to me the new modelling of Sovereigntie and Kingship so without any realitie of power or without any necessitie of subjection and obedience That the Majestie of the Kings of England might hereafter hang like Mahomet's Tomb by a Magnetick Charm between the power and privileges of the two Houses in an aierie imagination of Regalitie But I believe the surfeit of too much power which some men have greedily seized on and now seek wholly to devour will ere long make the Common-wealth sick both of it and them since they cannot well digest it Sovereign Power in Subjects seldom agreeing with the Stomachs of fellow Subjects Yet I have even in this point of the constant Militia sought by satisfying their fears and importunities both to secure my Friends and overcome mine Enemies to gaine the peace of all by depriving my self of a sole power to help or hurt any yielding the Militia which is mine undoubted Right no less than the Crown to be disposed of as the two Houses shall thank fit during my time So willing am I to burie all Iealousies in them of me and to live above all Iealousies of them as to my self I desire not to be safer than I wish them and my people if I had the sole actual disposing of the Militia I could not protect my People further than they protected me and themselves so that the use of the Militia is mutual I would but defend my self so far as to be able to defend my good Subjects from those mens violence and fraâ—d who conscious to their own evil merits and Designs will needs perswade the world that none but Wolves are fit to be trusted with the custodie of the Shepherd and his Flock Miserable experience hath taught my Subjects since power hath been wrested from me and imployed against me and them that neither can be safe if both be not in such away as the Law hath intrusted the publick safetie and welfare Yet even this Concession of mine as to the exercise of the Militia so vast and large is not satisfactorie to some men which seem to be Enemies not to me onely but to all Monarchie and are resolved to transmit to posteritie such Iealousies of the Crown as they should never permit it to enjoy its just and necessarie Rights in point of power to which as last all Law is resolved while thereby it is best protected But here Honour and Iustice due to my Successours forbid me to yield to such a total alienation of that power from them which civilitie and dutie no less than Iustice and Honour should have forbad them to have asked of me For although I can be content to eclipse mine own beams to satisfie their fears who think they must needs be scorched or blinded if I should shine in the full lustre of Kingly power wherewith God and the Laws have invested me yet I will never consent to put out the Sun of Sovereigntie to all posteritie and succeeding Kings whose just recoverie of their Rights from unjust usurpations and extortions shall never be prejudiced or obstructed by any Act of mine which indeed would not be more injurious to succeeding Kings than to my Subjects whom I desire to leave in a condition not wholly desperate for the future so as by a Law to be ever subjected to those many factious Distractions which must needs follow the many-headed Hydra of Government which as it makes a shew to the people to have more eys to foresee so they will finde it hath more mouths too which must be satisfied and at best it hath rather a monstrositie than any thing of perfection beyond that of right Monarchie where counsel may be in many as the senses but the Supreme power can be but in one as the Head Happily when men have tried the horrours and malignant influence which will certainly follow my enforced Darkness and Eclipse occasioned by the interposition and shadow of that Bodie which as the Moon receiveth its chiefest light from me they will at length more esteem and welcome the restored glorie and blessing of the Sun 's light And if at present I may seem by my receding so much from the use of my Rights in the power of the Militia to come short of the Discharge of that trust to which I am sworn for my peoples protection I conceive those men are guiltie of the inforced perjurie if so it may seem who compell me to take this new and strange way of discharging my Trust by seeming to desert it or protecting my Subjects by exposing my self to Danger or Dishonour for their safetie and quiet Which in the Conflicts of Civil War and Advantages of Power cannot be effected but by some side yielding to which the greatest love of the publick peace and the firmest assurance of Gods protection arising from a good conscience doth more invite me than can be expected from other mens fears which arising from the injustice of their actions though never so succesfull yet dare not adventure their Authours upon any other way of safetie than that of the Sword and Militia which yet are but weak Defenses against the stroaks of divine vengeance which will over-take or of mens own consciences which always attend injurious perpetrations For my self I do not think that I can want any thing which providential necessitie is pleased to take from me in order to my peoples tranquillitie and Gods glorie whose protection is sufficient for me and he is able by his being with me abundantly to compensate to me as he did to Job whatever honour power or libertie the Chaldeans the Sabeans or the Devil himself can deprive me of Although they take from me all Defence of Arms and Militia all Refuge by Land of Forts and Castles all Flight by Sea in my Ships and Navie yea though they studie to rob me of the hearts of my Subjects the greatest Treasure and best Ammunition of a King yet cannot they deprive me of mine own innocencie or Gods mercie nor obstruct my way to Heaven We enter upon the militarie effects of this civil uncivil War betwixt the King and Parliament both parties preparing their several Armies The King is Generalissimo himself in person over his own his Captain General as yet named was the Marquess Hertford but when he came to action he elected for his General that faithfull loyal wellâ—experienced Commander the Earl of Lindsey Lord High Chamberlain of England And the Earl of Essex was Captain General for
at last The King in the head of his Army between Stafford and Wellington after the reading of his Orders military himself tells them Gentlemen I shall be very severe in punishing every person offending without distinction He cannot suspect their courage and resolution their conscience and loyaltie having brought them hither for their Religion their King and the Laws of the Land against their Enemies none but Traitors most of them Brownists Anabaptists and Atheists such as desire to destroy both Church and State and who have already condemned you to ruine for being loyal to him And makes this Protestation I do promise in the presence of Almightie God and as I hope for his blessing and protection that I will to the utmost of my power defend and maintain the true Reformed Protestant Religion established in the Church of England and by the grace of God in the same will live and die I desire to govern by the known Laws of the Land and that the Liberty and Propriety of the Subject may be by them preserved with the same care as mine own just Rights And if it please God by his blessing upon this Armie raised for my necessarie Defence to preserve me from this Rebellion I do solemnly and faithfully promise in the sight of God to maintain the just Privilege and Freedom of Parliament and to govern by the known Laws of the Land to my utmost power and particularly to observe inviolably the Laws consented unto by me this Parliament In the mean while if this time of War and the great necessitie and straits I am now driven unto beget any violation of these I hope it shall be imputed by God and Man to the Authours of this War and not to me who have so earnestly laboured for the peace of this Kingdom When I willingly fail in these particulars I will expect no Aid or Relief from any man or protection from Heaven But in this resolution I hope for the chearful assistance of all good men and am confident of Gods blessing Septemb. 19. And that the several Armies might not over-start each other the Parl. declares That all their Foot and Horse in London and all parts in England shall within eight and fourty hours march to their General the Earl of Essex for defence of the King and Kingdom the Privilege of Parliament and Liberty of the Subjects and such Regiments as are not four hundred and Troops not fourty shall be cashiered and disposed to recruit others excepting the Regiments of Colonel Essex and Ballard being in the States service Sept. 23. And order that Delinquents houses shall be preserved as houses of the Common-wealth for publick service or Prisons And because the Earl of Essex may be assured upon what Basis he is called to be their General they sent to him the Parliaments Petition to the King to be presented by him which tells his Majesty That his loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons in Parliament can not without tenderness of compassion behold the pressing calamities of England and Ireland by the practices of a prevailing partie with his Majestie to alter true Religion the ancient Government of this Kingdom introducing superstition in the Church and confusion in the State exciting incouraging and fostering the Rebellion in Ireland and as there so here begin the like Massacre by drawing on a War against the Parliament leading his Person against them as if by conquest to establish an unlimited power over the people seeking to bring over the Rebells of Ireland to joyn with them and all these evil Counsellours are defended and protected by him against the justice of Parliament who have for their just defence of Religion the King Crown and Dignitie of the Laws Liberties and power of Parliament taken up Arms and authorized the Earl of Essex their Captain General against these Rebells and Traitors And pray the King to with-draw his person and leave them to be supprest by this power and to return to his Parliament and that they will receive him with honour yield him obedience secure his person and establish him and his people with all the blessings of a glorious and happie Reign I cannot finde that this Petition was presented but I am assured that the General Essex twice sent to the King for a safe Conduct for those who should be imployed therein and it was refused they say to be received that humble and dutifull Petition as they stiled it 'T is strange for the King had never refused any Message or Petition from either or both Houses not onely with safety but candoâ—r when their Errand hath been full of reproach and scorn as the King says and the bringers bold arrogant seditious in their demeanour and therefore there needed to have been no more scruple in this But it was thus that the King being at Shrewsbury the Earl of Dorset receives a Letter from the Earl of Essex intimating that he had a Petition from both Houses to that purpose asking a safe Conduct for those that should be sent To whom the King answered That as he had never refused to receive any so he should be ready to give a fitting Reception and Answer to this and the Bringers of it should have safe Conduct excepting onely such persons as he had particularly accused of high Treason A fortnight after comes a second Letter to Dorset declaring That the Kings former Answer was voted a Breach of Privilege This second Answer differing but little from the former insisting That the Address should not be made by any whom he had accused of high Treason amongst whom the Earl of Essex was one but that his Ear should be ever open to hear any Petition from his Parliament Indeed the Petition was framed more fit to be delivered after a Battel and full Conquest of the King than in the Head of his Army thirty thousand men when it might seem somewhat in his power whether he would be deposed or no. For we finde the King in Wales caressing the Inhabitants of Denbigh and Flintshire Septemb. 27. And tells them That he is willing to take all occasions to visit all his good Subjects and hath cause to reckon them for their loyaltie expressed in their late Levies sent to him at their own charges against such a Malignant partie whose Designs are to destroy him his Crown Laws and Government of Church and State raising Tumults at London to drive from thence him and the greatest part of the Members of Parliament He is robbed of his Towns Forts Castles Goods Navie Revenue and at this time a powerfull Armie marching against him and among a thousand Scandals they have cast upon him the impious Rebellion in Ireland which he abhors and hath endeavoured by all possible ways and means to suppress but is obstructed by them And refers the naming of these Contrivers and their particular actions to his Declaration of the twelfth of August being supprest by them as all other his Protestations and
their affairs and was resolved to be relieved the recruit of the Parliaments Army was too slow for the service the London trained bands must do the deed and shop-windows must be shut up and trading suspended the expedition cried up out of every Pulpit and an Army was raised in an instant and upon their March Against whom Prince Rupert is sent from the siege at Glocester to retard their speed untill the King might rise and be gon which was upon the fifth of September and the Rear guard had fired their huts The Earl of Essex came to the brow of the Hills seven miles from the City and gave his warning piece but the Town had no minde to hinder the King being glad of his departing when all his indeavours were now prepared ready for a storm the besieged in want their Amunition consumed to three Barrels of powder but the Towns loss of men were not many not one hundred say they and two or three Officers Captain Harcus and his Ensign the King lost many more and especialy his precious time to no purpose had he waved Glocester and Marched to London directly whilst the Parliament had no Army in the Field London full of discontent and disorder and their actions of Council unresolved The Kings Northern Army under the Earl of Newcastle there also prevailing but it was his fate to be overtaken with this idle siege Sir Nicholas Crisp One of the Farmers of the Kings Customs of England had a high command also both in the Army by Land and afterwards in the Navy by Sea He being Colonel of a Regiment of Horse and his first service took the charge of Convoy of the train of Artillery sent from Oxford to the siege of Glocester and brought it in safety to the Kings Camp and there very much esteemed He was quartered in Rouslidge near Glocester at a Knights house where finding Sir Iames Enyon and other Gentlemen of no Command in the Army and had taken up so much of the house as was Incommode to the Colonel yet he continued then there with much civility Not long it was that the Guests had some horses missing out of the Pastures and so charged upon default the Colonels Souldiers and indeed very ruffly demanding the accompt from the Colonel himself who promised indeavours to finde them out buâ— refused to draw out his Regiment for that purpose onely to satisfie Sir Iames who urged it for his friend himself no otherwise concerned But being a person of eminency and of a Spirit answerable impatient of any delay or orderly proceedings departs and sends a Gentleman with this summon to Sir Nicholas Crisp to meet him with his sword in a field near the Quarters and with this express addition That if he did refuse upon any pretence he would pistoll him against the wall Upon which sharp and suddain summons of an hours warning the Colonel accompanied with a Gentleman findes Sir Iames at the place with him that brought the challenge and as it became a Christian desired to understand the true reason of the meeting professing that his Duty to the King in the charge he had there of present service might justifie his refusal to fight Yet he told him he was come to give him all satisfaction first as a Christian if he had done him Injury of which he professed ignorance Sir Iames shortly replied He came thither to receive no other satisfaction but by the sword which instantly he drew out and as soon so don by the other whose fortune was at an encounter to give a pass that pierced Sir Iames about the rim of the belly of which he was caried off to the same house in eminent danger But whilst he had life and memory the Colonel gave him a visit beseeching him to put by all passions and receive him infinitely afflicted at this misfortune unwillingly provoked to this mischief and so with Christian reconciliation they parted and he died two daies after Hereupon a legal trial was offered for any complainant to prosecute the matter And after some time on Munday the second of October a Council of war being set thereupon gave their opinion and sentence thus In the cause depending against Sir Nicholas Crisp Knight concerning the death of Sir James Enyon Knight slain by him in a Duel in September last The Court being informed that an Affixer was duly set up upon the Court house door according to their Order of the eight and tewentieth of September last and the affixer afterwards taken down and brought into the Court and Proclamation being made and no man appearing against him according to the Affixer yet upon examination of all the matter and difference between them and that the friends of the slain taking notice thereof The Court proceeded to sentence That although the Court doth condemn all manner of Duels and utterly disallow them yet in this particular case of Sir Nicholas Crisp in consideration of the great injury he received in his own Quarter and how much he was provoked and challenged the Court hath thought fit to acquit him from any punishment in this Court and doth leave and recommend him to his Majesties mercy for his gracious pardon the second of October 1643. Forth Lord Lieutenant general and President Dorset Bristol Northampton Andover Dunsmore Jacob Astley Arthur Aston William Brumchard John Byron Who all reported to the King the whole matter and brought him to kiss his hand and received a Pardon under the great feal of England and to confirm him in the Kings affection He had a Commission to be Admiral of a Fleet at Sea set out by himself and was undon for his Masters service The solemn League by Oath and Covenant being ordered to be sworn unto by all and divers consciencious persons excepting against the same and refusing were therefore committed and sequestred to their utter undoing Amongst many Doctor Featly that excellent and learned Divine and Minister at Lambeth had given by Letter to the Lord Arch-Bishop of Armagh Primate of all Ireland an accompt of his demeanour in this business of the Scotish Covenant and was therefore committed to the prison in the Lord Peters house in Aldersgate Street as many other noble houses turned into Jayles both his livings given away and his books bestowed upon White of Dorchester It was the Doctors reasons that raised all this stir He first excepted against these words We will indeavour the true reformedâ— Protestant Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Discipline worship and Government according to the word of God These words said the Doctor imply that the Worship Discipline and Government of the Church of Scotland is according to the word of God which said he is more than I dare subscribe unto much less confirm by an Oath for first I am not perswaded that any Plat form of Government in each particular circumstance is Jure Divino Secondly admit some were yet I doubt whether the Scots Presbytery be
Heels were their best Weapons of Defence which carried a few home again to their Quarters and others to Teuxbury now put under command of Sir Robert Cook by Commission from Waller The main Forces of the Kings party were drawn from these parts in Glocestershire towards Reading then besieged by the Earl of Essex and so Waller got freedom for a while and with some success without blows cried him up The Man of God and being now free not to defenâ— but to seek his Game he advances to Hereford with a thousand Horse and Dragoons assisted by Massie and the greatest part of the Lord Stamford's Regiment drew up before Bister's Gate on the North side of the Town aloof off and shot at Random untill Captain Grey with a party of Musketiers over the River towards Wye Bridg made shew there of an Assault and if need were to fall back to the Water side where Seconds stood to relieve them and it was time for the Town-horse â—allied out and drove them to a Church near Owen's Gate Massie this while draws up two Sakers against Wigmarâ—sh Gate the first shot pierced the Gate and strook off an Officers head behinde it and slew others following with other shot and scowring the Street they came to parley the whole day and the next to surrender the Prisoners were the Lord Scudamore Colonel Conesby and Sir William Crofts some Arms and Ammunition but the Souldiers this time of Parley got over Wye Bridg and went into Wales The Town compounded from Plunder and so deserted And so here as other where Waller seldom staid to endure any Siege of Surrender but with his Forces â—lew up and down no where to be found The next Attempt of these Forces thus combined flesh'd for any place came up before Worcester City viewed it for a day and a night but hastened away and some disorder at the noise of the Lord Capel's advance Then was Waller ordered to march to the West of England to prevent the joyning of Sir Hopton's Forces with the rest of the Kings Army and Sir Robert Cook was sent after him and Teuxbury slighted Massie in chief over Glocester who with an hundred and twenty Horse and Dragoons marched to Stow in the Wolds to beat up the Royalists Quarters and by break of day fell upon them took a Lieutenant and twelve Troopers Horse and Arms thence to Odington a Mile off and there surprized a Captain of a Troop with fourty Men and Horse but by this they were allarmed fell upon Massie's Rear near Slaughter with execution and having also Supply from Sudeley Castle charged Massie again at Andovers Ford which put him to dismount his Dragoons dividing his Men into three Bodies the Horse into the right and left Wing but looking back to bring them on he found them faced about and flying which put Massie to a pitifull shuffle amongst the Troops but came off with loss excusing that Design with the fault upon his new raised Forces Colonel Stephens with his Lieutenant and five and twenty Souldiers taken Prisoners and a dozen slain Stephens was forward enough but followed this Design unsent for and against Massie's desire who liked no partners in honour and so suffered him and his party to be led away Prisoners to Oxford where he died Sir Iohn Winter was now got up in good command for the King his House in the Forest of Dean in Glocestershire and of a sudden claps in a sufficient Strength of his own Confidents made it tenable and afterwards inaccessible as a Goad in the side of Glocester Garison and of terrour to all the Parliaments party thereabout for during this Sir William Waller in his March to the West was met with at the Devices and there defeated to the hazzard of his whole party casting these parts into a miserable plight the Parliament placing a great interest in the success of his Forces so that the King became Master of the Field and with his gallant Army came up to the Gates of Glocester Bristol yielded up the Earl of Essex's Army pined away Sir William Waller at London for fresh Forces the Earl of Stanford shut up within Exeter and now the Kings open Field had Campaigne from Cornwall to Scotland dividing his Army the one to besiege Exeter this other with himself come to Glocester The City and Castle of Bristol had been governed by Sir Thomas Essex for the Parliament against which Prince Rupert had made an Attempt but was called off upon other Designs Afterwards comes Col. Nathaniel Fines supplants Essex and hangs up several Citizens for intending to have delivered the same up to Prince Rupert But now the Prince at leisure sets down before it the twenty fourth of Iuly made some Attempt and had it surrendred after three days Siege It was in the very entrance of this War that the Parliaments Forces garisoned Coventry and had a squint eye upon such as were for the Commission of Aray Amongst many others Doctor Bird of the Civil Law was exposed to their scrutiny for his affection to the Kings Service and therefore the first man of note thereabout who under that score of Malignancy suffered the strange Justice by Plunder a new Name for a new Offence The Doctour took leave of his Habitation intending by the power of the Sword to repair his Losses and so soon as occasion offered he was intrusted with the garisoning of Ecclesâ—all Castle in Staffordshire belonging to Doctour Wright the Bishops See of Coventry and Lichfield with Commission to raise two hundred Foot and a Troop of Horse and to be Commander in chief there and the County adjacent subordinate to none but to the King and his Lieutenant General About April 1643. the More-landers Inhabitants so called from the low grounds in Staffordshire were got together into a Body not as yet for any cause and so not certain for any side untill Colonel Gell and others of his Faction took them up for the Parliaments Service and presently were called Gell's Brigade To suppress these the Garisons thereabout for the King drew out together viz. Colonel Bagot Governour of Lichfield Clâ—se Colonel Lane Commander of Stafford Garison and Captain Bird Governour of Eccleshall Castle and from each of these such â—en as could be spared met at a Rendezvouz four Miles from Stafford but their Enemy fled and these returned And that night was Stafford Town taken by treachery of one Stephens formerly Lieutenant Colonel under command of Colonel Cumâ—erford heretofore Governour of Stafford and high Sheriff of that County Stephens was now got to the Morelanders and being well acquainted with the Avenues into the Town surprized the place so suddenly that without any stroke of defence Lane and his Men as many as could escape by flight and others Gentlemen of good worth were seized and sent Prisoners to several places I shall not lodg any suspition or jealousie upon Lane because he saved himself and others suffered Stafford taken and
Eccleshal Castle surrounded with the Enemies Garisons the Governour the more wary adds to his former number of Men and gets in good Provisions and prepares for a Siege And long it was not ere Sir William Brereton Colonel Gell Colonel Greeves Colonel Ridgby and Colonel Iackson joyning Forces with the Counties of Stafford and Derby fell suddenly into Eccleshal Town and with easie bickering got possession of it standing in guard within the Church which faces the Castle The Governour burns all about not an Out-house Barn or Stable affords them other shelter The next day Brereton summons the Castle for the King and Parliament Bird makes present Answer That his Commission was to keep it for the King and unless the other could produce his Majesties Warrant to the contrary it would be labour lost to expect any other Reply but what power and strength should enforce Immediately the Besiegers with two Pieces of Cannon of four and twenty pound Bullet played all day against the Wall without any effect the next day they battered a Turret which at the last fell down and hurt three men and so their Ordnance continued their utmost force for a Week vvhen by so long trial they could not make any Breach they drevv off their Guns and made a Line to surround the Castle not so soon done but that they vvere fain to endure the good effects of several Sallies out of the Castle whereby he lost a Lieutenant and others and some hurt with greater execution on the Enemy And thus it continued for some Moneths with extremity to whose Relief the King sends in September the Lord Capel and the Lord Loughborough with considerable Forces against whom the Besiegers not able to withstand quit their Trenches and retire to the Church and there fortified themselves Then forthwith the Governour sends out what Forces he could spare joyning with the Lords sufficient now to attempt upon the Church by straitning or storming But it seems they had order onely to relieve the Castle not to fight afterwards and force the Enemy away but to be gon themselves and so to leave the business to desperation which the Governour knew would be destruction which he could not prevent and therefore with long dispute and many reasons offered and nothing prevailing he delivered it up to the Lords who put in one Captain Abel a Dane to command there But the old Souldiers not pleased with their New Governour and a stranger to them and a Foreign most of them immediately quit their service and marched away with Captain Bird. The Castle thus relieved the Parliament Commanders call a Council and now resolve to draw off and quit the Siege but a false brother discovering the weakness of the Castle and the discontent with their New Governour the Enemy attempts the battery again and after two daies the Dane surrenders it upon reasonable quarter Thus while the fight they Parliaments Ordinance commands all men to pay nothing to his Majesty the Queen or Prince which is due or ought to be paid unto them whereas the Lords and Commons in September last passed an Ordinance for seizing upon all his Majesties the Queens and Princes Revenues and for receiving all and all manner of Rents certain or casual in England and Wales with all the Arrears and Debts any way due to his Majesty Queen or Prince shall be paid to the Receivers of the Committee for the Revenue c. whose Acquittances shall be sufficient discharge There was late news from Virginia that the Plantation there denied contribution to the Emissaries of the Parliament complaining of the obstruction of their trade at London whereupon an Ordinance of Moderation came forth For abating the Excise upon Virginia Tobacco that the Protestants their brethren in other Countries may not suffer among Malignants and Delinquents in England endeavouring to gain upon Foreign Plantations which in truth were first setled mostly by such as could not indure Discipline at home Sir William Waller having deserved well of the Houses had a new Commission to be Sergeant Major General of Hampshire Surrey Sussex and Kent having layen long before Arundel Castle and this Commission being promised heretofore the General Essex obstructed it being suspected to play his own game with much vanity It was wonderfull how much the Lectures were frequented in London the Town so full of Schollars calling themselves plundred Ministers and so began the coloured Leaguer long Cloak Boots and Spurs as constantly in the Pulpit as heretofore the Gown Canonical Cloak or Cassock but then the Independant a new name for such as liked neither were working to set up themselves or rather thaâ— spirit that set the other at work plaies tricks with them and scatters them into thoughts and factions grinning on each other but yet not setled into tenents neither so that moderate men could not as yet tell what to make of either The Parliament therefore publish their Manifest in effect That it belongs to Christian Magistrates to be Leaders in Reformation of the Church That it is the dutyâ— of all people to pray for them and wait upon them That the Parliament have required the Assembly of Divines to make the VVord of God their own Rule That nothing can be more destructive against the cause of Religion than to be divided amongst themselves That the Assembly and Parliament for so it runs will not onely reform Religion throughout the Nation but will concur to whatsoever shall appear to be the Rights of particular Congregations That all people forbear till they see whether the right Rule will not be commended to them in this orderly way we enjoying more Liberty to serve God than ever was seen in England Here 's fast and loose the People in doubt what Profession to undertake or by this Declaration of what Religion was the Parliament then began Iack Presbyter so styled to be baffled in every Pamphlet and they again to return encounters the people had sport enough to be for neither and in truth of no profession at all but went a wool-gathering to pick up the flieces pilled from the Orthodox Ministry now in much misery mourning for the fall of Sion The Committee for Innovations appointed Workmen to pull down that famous Organ in St. Paul's Church at London and it was imprinted the like they did in King Henry the Seventh's Chapell at VVestminster and all other parochial Churches in and about London and so by degrees the whole Church of Paul's not repairing but uncovering the Roof whereby in time the whole Church and Steeple will fall down after so great a Sum of Money that had been heretofore contributed to the Repair or rather re-edifying thereof more gracefull than the first erecting And now the Parliament do publish That whereas his Majesty doth make a VVar against his Parliament for the promoting thereof divers Forces both of Horse and Foot have been and are levied therefore that no man be mislead through ignorance the
Merits The Queen began her Journey this day from Oxford towards the West of England those parts the most free from the poweâ— of her Enemies and more peaceable for her quiet rather than Oxford where though she were safe yet not secure from noise and business not much though regarding their Forces nor much troubled at the falsities for which the Parliament at VVestminster had voted her a Traitour besides the vain Libells that were let loose from Press and Pulpit in much plenty against the honour and dignity of Majesty and so she was conducted by the King Prince and Duke of York waited on with the chief Nobility and Gentry the first days Journey The King in presence of his Peers before they parted from Oxford received the holy Eucharist at Christ's Church from the hands of the Arch-bishop of Armagh used these publick Expressions immediately before his receiving the blessed Elements he rose up from his knees and beckning to the Arch-bishop for a short forbearance made this Protestation My Lord I espie hâ—re many resolved Protestants who may declare to the world the Resolution I do now make I have to the utmost of my power prepared my Soul to become a worthy Receiver and may I so receive comfort by the blessed Sacrament as I do intend the Establishment of the true Reformed Protestant Religion as it stood in its beauty in the happy daies of Queen Elizabeth without any connivence at Popery I bless God that in the midst of these publick Distractions I have still liberty to communicate and may this Sacrament be my Damnation if my heart do not joyn with my lips in this Protestation The King had caused a Garison in South Wales at Swansey a Town of good note in the County of Glamorgan under command of the high Sheriff residing there in person and were summoned from a Ship-board by Captain Molton To the Mayor and Gentlemen of Swansey Gentlemen these are to will and require you in the Name of the right honourable Robert Earl of Warwick Lord high Admiral of England Wales and Ireland and his Majesties Navy Royal at Sea that you forthwith yield the Town and Garison to the King and Parliament c. And this is the advice of your Friend who endeavours to preserve you if not I shall keep you without Trade till your forced obedience bring you to the mercie of him that tendereth to you grace and favour Milford-haven from the Ship called the Lion Ro. Molton This Lion-like sawcy Paper the high Sheriff received and suddenly sends Answer To Robert Molton Subscriber unto the Paper directed to the Mayor and Gentlemen of Swansey We cannot understand how we may with any justice or loyaltie return you the name of a Gentleman in answer to your rude and rebellious Paper in the front whereof you have the boldness and presumption in the Name of the right honourable as you term him whom we account otherwise Robert Earl of Warwick by you styled high Admiral of England and his Majesties Navie Royal which he hath illegally possessed to will and require us forthwith to yield the Town and Garison of Swansey into the obedience of the King and Parliament c. In defiance of which your traiterous Summons under a spurious shew of your loyalty and subjection to his Majestie We will not yield Town nor Garison nor any the least interest we hold of Life or Fortune under protection of his sacred Majestie but will defend the same against your proud and insolent Menacingâ— wherein your proper Trade is exhibited and in the account of a Rebell and Traitour we leave you to your self May 14. Subscribed by the high Sheriff and Gentlemen of Glamorganshire Certainly this Frolick for a Ship Captain to attach a Land Garison was not with any assurance to master it by his great Guns or that he could imagine so great fear in Master Sheriff to quit his trust upon a weak Summons rather it was with an intent to answer that Knack of a Troop of Horse in the North who finding some Sailers drinking in an Ale-house seized their Ship and Goods hard by in a blinde Creek If Captain Molton could have done so by Swansey he needed the less to give warning by Summons but he left it as he found it in the Sheriffs command Latham house was sore beset with a Siege against that noble Countess of Derby for above three Moneths by these Commanders Ashton Moor and Rigby nay by the power of Sir Thomas Middleton and Sir William Fairfax addition upon whom the besieged have sallied out and killed many at several times Colonel Moor's men erected a Breast of Mutton on a Pikes point held it up to the hunger-starved Rascals within daring them to come out and dine and the Countess was called to by name a young Gentleman Captain Chisnall desired my Lady that he might sally out ere the Table should be taken away which he did ere they had dined forced into their Trenches took divers Prisoners and some Colours which instantly they carried to the back Gates of the House opened them and shewing these Colours cried out A Latham a Latham the House is taken hereupon the Enemy being ignorant of this Deceit concluded it to be taken and advancing in a Body came in speed to the Gate where they were welcomed with three Pieces of Cannon and much execution and thus this Lady held out Latham till Prince Rupert came to her Relief For on Tuesday May 21. he marched on his way towards Lancashire and the five and twentieth towards Stopwash a border Town of Cheshire seated on the Banck of the River Mersey dividing these two Counties here the Parliament had a strong Garison who drew out with three thousand Horse and Foot and faced Rupert's Horse but at the coming up of his Foot in the Evening about six a clock the other side withdrew to the Hedges and lining them shot through which he must pass and therefore he commands Colonel Washington with some Dragoons to scowre the Hedges and forced them to the Town whom the Prince followed so close that he entered with them and took the Town Cannon Army and Amunition and many Prisoners Then being so near he sends Relief to the Countess of Derby who had now opposed a strong Siege of eighteen Weeks but her Adversaries were rising and going in fear to stay for Prince Râ—pert yet not without some Farewell therefore the Garison sallied out fell upon the Enemies Rear killed some and took Prisoners and so way was given for the Earl of Derby to return home to his own house The King having drawn out all his Forces from several Garisons to meet at Goring Heath in Oxfordshire the Parliament at Westminster was much troubled ordering that their General Essex the Earl of Manchester and Lord Grey with what Forces could be raised at London with the Garisons of Windsor and Alisbury and all to meet at the general Rendezvouz Alisbury in the
Father and Son Vaughan Windebank Greenvile Hide Morley Cole Riddell Ware Strongways Culpeper Floyd Esquires Endimion Porter Henry Jermin Jo. Bodevile David Jenkins Sir George Strode Sir Alexander Carew With twice so many Earls Lords Bishops Knights and Gentlemen of Scotland All Papists that have are or shall be in Arms against either Parliaments or of the Rebellion in Ireland Then are excepted all those of the then Parliament of Oxford and all such of Scotland that have assisted the King there All such as have deserted either Parliaments of both Kingdoms The Estates of such unpardonable to pay publick Debts The tenth part of all other Delinquents within the joint Declaration Then follows other Acts which the Parliaments shall mannage For arming the Kingdoms setling the Admiralties to name Commissioners That all Honours and Titles given since the great Seal went to the King viz. May 21. 1642. or hereafter to be made shall be null Not to vote in Parliaments and so for Scotland since June 4. 1644. The Governours of Ireland and the great Officers of both Kingdoms be nominated by the Parliaments of both Kingdoms The like for Scotland The Kings Children to be governed and married The Prince Elector to be restored Peace and War 〈◊〉 of Oblivion Armies disbanded All these as the Parliaments of both Kingdoms shall order Thus much in general Now for the City of London Acts for them Their Charters Customs Liberties to be confirmed notwithstanding any Non-user Mis-user or Abuser The Militia of London and the Liberties The Tower of London to be in the Mayor and Common-Council The Citizens not to be drawn out of London to any service The Acts of the Mayor and Common Council heretofore and hereafter to confirm as if by Act of Parliaments And these being granted they will endeavour that the King shall live in splendour c. 'T is true that all the Kings party were impatient for Peace which obliged the King to shew his real Intentions being assured that if he could come to a fair Treaty the chief of the Parliaments party could not hinder the Peace first because themselves are weary of the War and next because of their Distractions Presbyterians against Independents in Religion and General against General in point of Command Upon these grounds the most probable means for the King to procure a Treaty was to be used and the noise was therefore published of the Kings return to London the best Rhetorick to please the Popular that thereupon a Treaty would be procured or if refused it would bring most prejudice to the Parliament and advantage to the King for although he offered fair Propositions yet they were mixed with such Conditions as might not easily be admitted and so the Kings offer did but amaze the people into a milder opinion of his proceedings These Propositions for the present were neglected as unlimited yet the King imagined that in a Treaty Commissioners might Argue them into Reason and so returns the Messengers that he will send to the Houses which he did forthwith by this Letter CHARLES REX The Propositions presented to his Majesty being very long which contain matters in themselves of gâ—â—at weight and importance as being in great part in alteration of the frame of Government both in Church and State And the Messengers who presented them declaring that they have no power to treat or consent to any alteration it cannot be expected that his Majesty shall return a Present Particular and Positive Answer But as he hath from his soul alwaies desired the setling of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 peace in this distracted Kingdom for that purpose hath from time to time tendred all possible Overtures in hope that all will work upon the hearts of all persons concerned That even this apprehension such as it is upon further thought and consideration may produce some good effect towards it to which his Majestie calls God to witness therein shall nothing be wanting on his part which is agreeable to Iustice Honour and Conscience and there shall all possible expedition be used in preparing his Majesties Answer yet â—e intends speedily to send by Messengers of his own and to that purpose that there may be no losse of time He desires safe conduct be speedily for the Duke of Richmond and the Earl of Southampton with their attendance to bring up his Majesties said Answer And his Majesty doth heartily wish that God may so deal with him and his as he endeavours all just and lawful waies to restore this poor Kingdom to a lasting and happy peace G. Digby Secretary Oxford 27. Novem. 1644. The Parliament excepts against this Letter as directed to No body the Parliament not so much as named therein And it was remembred that the Lord Digby by his Letters told them long since That the Foundation upon which the King did build all his designs was never to acknowledge this a Parliament and that if he receded from that Maxim the King would undoe himself and all those that have appeared for him Yet after long debate it was resolved that their General Essex do forthwith return a Letter to Prince Rupert who in the absence of the Lord Brainford appears the Kings Lieutenant General That if his Majesty shall send to the Parliament of England Assembled at Westmin and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland they will with all readiness grant a safe conduct for the Duke of Richmond and the Earl of Southampton and treat with them according to his Majesties desire Which was so acknowledged by Prince Rupert in his Majesties Name and directed to the Earl of Essex and so they were received into Somerset House with this Order That no Member visit or speak or send any Message to either of them during their stay here And had audience of a Committee of twenty four Lords and twenty eight Commons and the Scotish Comissioners in the Painted Chamber which was in effect only That the King designed a Treaty and time speedily to be fixed and to be certified by those Messengers but they had Answer of both Houses that they would hasten and so required them to return back Upon the rumour of this intended Treaty and hereafter of a peace the King was assured that the Parliaments chief Articles would be to continue the Irish Wars Indeed this Article of Ireland was a tender point and the King resolved not only not to break the Cessation but to make peace with the Rebels to which end he had promised the Queen in France of some favours to the Catholicks of Ireland And expressely a little before the Treaty he writes to the Marquesse of Ormond That he is sorry to finde the sad condition of his particular fortune for which saies he I cannot finde so good and speedy remedy as the peace of Ireland and to redresse most necessary affairs here Wherefore I command you to dispatch it out of hand with this Addition to my former dispatch And for Poinings Act I
most considerable for his former wisdome discretion and valour and the first that reduced his Brigade into orderly obedience Him they now stile a worthy and valiant Member and one of the Saviours as God hath miraculously manifested him to be of this Israel from whom the House receives this account that since his coming to his Regiment the carriage of it hath been very obedient and respectfull to him and valiant a good testimony they lately gave against Longs Regiment And for any mutinous carriage to the Parliament they had expressed their hearty sorrow had desired him to send their humble petition to be received into former favour and for the quite removing the cloud of jealousie over them which they doubt not to clear by their valiant testimonies hereafter this was well taken and a President to others The Town of Newcastle Garisoned for the King had endured the utmost of Forces of the Scots Army and also of the Parliaments Northern Forces ever since the coming of the Scots And for many Moneths a most close and desperate siege to the great loss of the Besiegers by Sallies and other Executions Enduring such misery and yet with that resolution as can not be parallel'd by any other since these unhappy Wars Several Treaties and Cessations thereupon had been used by the Besiegers to win upon the Garison Then they fall to storming mining scaling and what not to enforce the Town Therefore on Saturday the 19 of October all the Scotish Forces with extraordinary violence assaulted the Town in several places at once and at the Evening became Masters thereof Sir Iohn Morley the Mayor with others got to the Castle and stood it out untill extraordinary necessity enforced them to a surrender upon good quarter The particulars you shall have from a Scot himself the Lord Humby directed to the Lord Chancelor and the rest of the Scotish Commissioners at London Right Honourable I should have gone into Newcastle on Thursday but was put off till Friday by these obstinate Miscreants especially the Maior of that Town Sir David Hume Iohn Rutherford and I went in on Friday at nine in the morning We had Commission from the General Lesley and Committee if we found real dealing to yield to honourable conditions The Maior Sir Nicholas Cole and Sir George Baker were treating with us they gave us big words do what we could they would not so much as come to speak of conditions of rendring up the Town And after three or four hours debate all that we could draw from them was that they would think upon our propositions and return them within three or four daies and that when all conditions were agreed upon they would give Hostages to surrender in case relief came not in twenty daies Nor would they so much as write to the General their own propositions so that after our return we sent to the Town these conditions forthwith to be accepted That all Officers should have liberty to stay or to march out in all honour with Arms bag and baggage to any Garison with a Convoy within sixty miles and all others not Souldiers should have the like liberty The Town to enjoy all their former Liberties and Charter with all manner of protection to the Inhabitants from plunder freedomes as any Town subject to the Parliament No free billeting imposed None to enter the Town but onely a competent Garison Signed by the General with this Caveat that they should send out Hostages by eight of the clock next morning for surrender of the Town before Munday 21. of October In stead of which they sent out to us a bitter invective Letter though they knew that all our Batteries and Mines were ready yet they boldly drew from us these enforcements Therefore this morning the Scots make three Breaches and to spring four Mines and so to fall on The Breaches were made reasonable low before three a clock after noon all the Mines played well and yet the Town stood out obstinate My Lord Chancellors Regiment and Backloughs entered a breach at Closegate The General of the Artillery his Regiment and that other of Edinburgh entered at a Mine under the White Tower Colonel Stuart and Gasks Regiments entered at a Mine but with hot dispute at Westgate this was our quarter Lieutenant General Baily had another quarter at Newgate with five Regiments his own Waughtons Cowpers Dunferlings and Dudhopes who entered by a breach many of our Officers killed Major Robert Hepburn much lamented Castles Kelhead Wedderburn Marshall and the Master of Yesters these had the third quarter Sinclare Aiton Niddery the Master of Cranston and the Lord Niddery had the fourth quarter who entered at two Mines They within made their utmost opposition with great Execution on us but we forced them and the Maior with others Gentlemen of quality got to the Castle more you shall hear within a day or two Octob. 19. 1644. Your Lordships humble Servant A. Humbie And presently upon this Letter Thanksgiving was made at London with hearty thanks to God for his great mercy in giving up the Town of Newcastle in England to our Brethren of Scotland And the 27 of October the Castle likewise surrendered with three hundred persons the Lords Craford Rea and Maxwell sent to Edinburgh to be executed and the Town taken by Onslought was plundered to the full and the Scots excused themselves that therein the Parliament of England would be the better pleased Basing House is the Seat and Mansion of the Marquess of Winchester and because it is no more now it is worthy the Record to Remember what it was It stands on a rising ground its form Circular encompassed with brick ramparts lined with earth and a very deep ditch but dry The lofty Gatâ—house with four Turrets looking Northwards on the right hand thereof without the Ditch a goodly Building containing two fair Courts before them is the Grange severed by a Wall and common Road again divided from the foot of Cowdreys down by Meads Rivelets and a River running from Basing-stoak a Mile distant from the West through Basing Town joyning upon the East the South side of the Castle hath a Park and toward Basing Town a little wood the place seated and built as if for Royalty having a proper Motto Aymez Loyalte Hither the Marquess first retired when the incivility of the War neither allowing neutrality or permitting peace to any enforced him to stand upon his guard not more then his Family yet twice the Parliaments attempts proved vain To him the King sends a hundred Musquetiers under command of Colonel Peak August 1643. against whom comes Colonel Harvey and Colonel Norton that very night but were beaten off to Farnham and after that it was re-enforced by Colonel Rowden with an hundred and fifty men more and the Marquess hath Commission to raise more November the sixth arrives Sir William VValler with his new levies seven thousand Horse and Foot and after nine daies
and three times storming it was fain to retreat to Farnham with much dishonour of his bruised Army and but two lost in the Garison and some small injury of battering the Chimnies and so gave time and liberty for further fortifying it able to do injury to their Enemies Trade and Forces and being sufficient against surprize or storm they resolve to starve it setling their several Forces six weeks together round about in the Neighbour Towns harrowing the Countrey untill they marched to Oxford And now comes Colonel Norton with Forces by intelligence of a run-away Souldier defeats a party drawn out to Odiam with divers Prisoners faced the house and quartered at Basing-stoak with a Regiment of Horse and Dragoons after him comes Colonel Morleys blew Regiment from Sussex Sir Richard Onslowes with five Ensignes of Red from Surrey and two more of White from Farnham are all drawn up upon the South side of Basing-stoak and distribute their Forces the White to Sherfield Onslow to Anwell house Morley with Nortons horse in Basing-stoak often skirmish but alwaies with loss to themselves and each of these had a Troop attending For in the Garison were these Gallants two Majors Cuffand and Langley two Lieutenant Colonels Iohnson and Peak and Colonel Peak sallying out oftentimes with Execution on their Enemy but very little loss to themselves So that now the besiegers suffering too much by being loose they contract their Quarters into the Park the Lane and the Close three sides with the Foot on their Horse on Cowdreys down and at night break gtound Onslow in the Lane had set up a Demy Culverin till a shot from the House silenced his Gun But these without had in this time run their Line within half Musquet shot However the Garison got out and fell upon Onslow whose Irish Souldiership was beaten his petty Culverin dismounted many killed till four Companies of Red came to his rescue more Forces come from Southampton and four fresh Companies two daies before Morley ambitious of some honour in the absence of their chief Norton sends this summons My Lord To avoid effusion of blood I send your Lordship this Summons to demand Basing House for the use of the King and Parliament if this be refused the ensuing inconvenience will rest upon you and your speedy Answer My Lord Your humble Servant Herb. Morley And had this sodain Answer Sir it is a crooked Demand and shall receive a sutable Answer I keep the House in the Right of my Sovereign and shall do it in despight of your Forces Your Letter I reserve in testimony of your Rebellion Winchester This is returned by a Drum with direction Haste haste haste post haste upon the Letter And whilest Morley plaies on the Water-house with his Guns the Garison got out but eight Foot-men fetcht in six Beasts grazing before Onslow's works and he looking on When Norton returns from Sir Waller's defeat at Cropredy Bridge and findes a Captain of Morley's shot dead at his â—oot from those within The hurt within is not much the Marquess hurt two men killed by chain shot the Carriage of their Cabonet broke from their Culverin and by excess of rain the Medowes floting the Besiegers widen more open from the Towers and receive much hurt whilest under covert of a Blinde they sally out again upon Onslow so luckily that he is forced to fly which daies work ends the year of their first Garisons and the second Moneth of the Leaguer These within are tyred with over duty of eight and fourty houres and therefore divide their reliefs every four and twenty the Gentlemen and Troopers doing the same duty of Foot within and without with Musquets or Brown Bill and for seven weeks keep their Horse with Grass and Sage which in the night they were forced to fetch under the Enemies Works And knowing their intentions by Prisoners rather to starve than to storm the doubt of more Forces removed they within resolve to make sallies A party therefore of Horse under Command of Cuffard falls upon some of their Foot lying at hazzard upon Cowdrey's Down whilest Cornet Bryan also about twenty Horse apeece riding at a rate falls in betwixt them and the Hedges rout them flying to Basing-stoak and are pursued with Execution with loss of Colours Trumpets seven Horses and three Troopers many slain and returning under command of their own Cannon not a man slain Then comes additional Forces with Colonel Whitehead's new raised Regiment to Cowdrey's Down the next morning Major Cuffard gets out with six Files of Musquetiers and twenty Troopers and some Brown Bills fall into the Park and attach their out-lines burn their Blinds and their Baskets bring off one of their Morter Peeces whilest Lieutenant Snow with twenty Musquetiers and twelve Bills fall upon the Lane Quarter of Onslow with execution on them break their Demy culverin fire their Guard and return with Arms and Ammunition and Match to their dishonour And therefore Oram Captain of the Guard for vindication must be called to a tryal for neglect or cowardize and evermore for holding correspondence with the besieged is cashiered their service They without are angry and with fifty Musquetiers fall upon the New Works of the Besiegers but soon draw back sixty more get to the Ditch under the Platform but being answered by the Bulwark flanking the ditch they return in hast leaving their Arms for they had three Guns with case shot pouring on their Rear In the Evening Cuffand and Cornet Bryan each with twenty Horse and fourty Musquetiers sally out upon the Down beating the Foot from their Workes and the Horse-guard from their Post pursuing them to Basing-stoak whence strengthned with Irish Horse force the other to retreat take Bryan and a Troop wound three and kill Ensign Emery And the other came home Lieutenant Cooper a Corporal and seven more From whom they are assured that divers were hurt the day before in the Trenches and Morley shot in the shoulder For a fortnight the Besiegers fall to battering having torn the Towers they fall upon the House side next the Town making a work within Pistol shot and because of short commons within some of cowardize get out to the Enemy Whilest necessities increased no beverage but water no bread but of Pease and Oats other Corn all spent Then comes this Summons My Lord These are in the Name and by the Authority of the Parliament of England the Highest Court of Iustice to demand the House and Garison of Basing to be delivered to me and hereof I expect your Answer by this Drum within one hour In the mean time I rest yours to serve you Rich. Norton And had Answer Sir whereas your demands pretend Authoritie of Parliament I answer that without the King there can be no Parliament but by his Majesties Commission I keep this place and without his command shall not deliver it to any pretender whatsoever Winchester Sept. 2. Which Answer findes no other Reply but
the King but Cromwel pursues them thither and by Treaty had the House and Garison rendered up to him upon Articles with all the Powder Amunition and Armes and seventy two Horse 24. April and this the first successe of the new Model This so sudden surrender startled those at Oxford and the Colonel was call'd to a Council of war condemned to be shot to death which he took with patience and courage clearly excusing himself not to be able to hold out against so great a Power and being besides over-swayed by the pewling tears of some Ladies got thither in a visit of his fair Bedfellow-Bride However his hopeful years so soon blossomed was presently resented by the King who graciously provided for his Widow and blamed Prince Ruperts malicious instigating with devised reasons to hasten the execution thus presently repented The Town of Taunton closely besieged by Greenvile Goring and Hopton for the King and lately have taken Colonel Pophams House and Garison at Willington by Storm fifty slain with a hundred and fifty Prisoners and much Amunition and Plunder The Scots not as yet marching Southwards and the General Fairfax not yet forwarded fit for the Field Indeed Cromwel was now returned from the West and lay surrounding Oxford and thereabouts with a Party of Horse fell upon Sir Henry Vavisor quartered neer Bampton Bush and surprized him and his whole Party one Colonel two Lieutenant Colonels a Major five Captains eight Lieutenants eight Ensignes Doctor Dunch a Divine twenty Serjeants two hundred and thirty Prisoners two hundred Arms and much Amunition Prince Rupert marching all night came now before Ludbury 22. April who intercepting some Scouts came upon Massie with an Alarm charging him into the very Town with whom were Major Farlow Baylie and Bacchus Kerle Gifford and More with their Forces and two hundred Musquetiers of the County 't is true they were suddenly put to it drew up at sight of Rupert came close and fought till Massies Foot might Retreat toward Glocester and the rest did little lesse then march off with hot charges wherein the Lord Hastings was slain But the Cavaliers followed the Retreat of the other whose Horse left the Foot to mercy and many cut off two hundred Prisoner with Major Bacchus almost dead and Harlow hurt Rupert had a mind to Massie and shot his Horse dead he hardly escaping with this Victory He returns towards Ludlow and so for Shrewsburie with reasonable Force neer six thousand Horse and Foot But hearing that Fairfax and Skippon with nine thousand men were marching together and onwards on their way from Windsor and Andover toward the relief of Taunton in the West Rupert Wheels off with Goring and comes to Burford twelve miles from Oxford purposely to clear the passage for the King and his Artillery to march out thence to draw towards Bristol and break into that Association and therefore Fairfax was ordered from Westminster to intrust Colonel Graves with a party of three thousand Foot and a thousand five hundred Horse sufficient to relieve Taunton and himself and Skippon to return and joyn with Cromwel and Brown to keep the King in or if abroad to attend his motion But the King with gallant Forces marched from Oxford attended on by Prince Rupert and Maurice towards Cambden and intending towards the relief of Chester his Infantry advancing after and commanded by Goring with thirty Field Pieces and other Carriages towards Worcester and pursued by Cromwel But how comes that to passe he being liable to the great Ordinance as a Member of the Commons but Cromwel was dispenced with by Order not to attend the House and to continue his Command for fourty daies longer which signified for ever The like Order for Brereton and Middleton in Chester Association and so had some others both of the Sword and the Gown the Commissioners of the great Seal and the Master of the Roles also for fourty dayes upon receipt of the Parliaments Order Fairfax returns but sends Colonel Graves with Forces to relieve Taunton and on Sunday 11. of May came before the Town with so great power that the Besiegers quitted their Trenches and marched away leaving a poor starved Town few left alive the Countrey haressed by Cavaliers and depopulated And for this and other good services of Colonel Blake the besieged Governour of Taunton he had thanks and from henceforth came into esteem both by Land and Sea but the Town was soon besieged again by the Cavaliers Fairfax is returned to Newburie and there rested his wearied Souldiers and then sits down about Oxford contracting his Forces into a narrow compasse Cromwell and Brown come to him to compleat the design being now at Maston a mile of Oxford The Garison therein fire the Suburbs drown the Medows slight the Out-garisons of Walverton and others such At his first coming and walking on the Bowling-green and viewing the Works an eight pound bullet whisked by his head and moved his Hat brims And now the States Ambassadours Borrel of Amsterdam and Reinsworth of Utrecht both made Knights and Barons by the King being sorry that the differences of these civil wars are beyond their endeavours of Reconciliation they take their leave And this Declaration sent after them from the Parliament To the High and Mighty Lords the States c. Most High and Mighty c. We the Lords and Commons of England in Parliament Assembled doe with all thankfulnesse acknowledge your Christian and Neighbourlie zeale to the Peace of this Nation by your Ambassadours for inviting our King to return to his dutie and for restoring us to a better confidence of his future carriage notwithstanding their fair intentions which perhaps being well managed might have produced better effects we may not conceale from you your Ministers grosse abusing their trust to our prejudice themselves rather interessed parties then publick Agents You have been thereby deceived and we despised and affronted by them We think fit to present these inclosed to your consideration wherein they were not satisfied to approach us to our faces and to take upon them to judge the quarrel against us except they glorie in it to make their boldness publique and increasing by the Addition of their own Authoriâ—ie other Particulars concerning these persons we have here authorized these bearers unto whom we desire credence to relate unto you and to demand justice upon them on our behalf upon the whole matter we do not doubt but you who verie well know how much more ill there is in War then in oppression will either afford your best assistance in suppressing tyrannie and preserving our Religion or at least be indifferent spectators of our labours to deliver our selves And God be blessed for it our condition is not yet so low but that we can resent if not return both courtesies and injuries which we therefore adde because we know it will be comfortable to our friends to hear and because we desire to give a
their journey to Westminster during their stay there and to return when they shall think fit whom his Majesty intends to send to the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland furnished with such propositions as his Majesty is confident will be the Foundation of a happy peace Oxford Decemb. 5. 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore To which the Parliament return Answer signed by the two Speakers and the Scotish Commissioners in effect thus That they were sensible of the sad condition of the three Kingdomes occasioned by his Majesties separation from them and that they will use all means possible for procuring of a safe and well grounded peace for the setling of his just and legal prerogative their undoubted priviledges and the Subjects liberties That had his Majesties intentions been the same with his pretences and expressions a happy peace had been setled long since That they cannot agree to his desires for coming of the Lords and Gentlemen with their attendants and followers into their Quarters in regard the design may be of dangerous consequence But that to shew their earnest endeavours and intentions for peace they were before his Majesties Letters sent in debate of propositions for peace which they are ready to draw up and finish with all expedition to be signed by way of Bill by his Majesty Decemb. 10. But although they had ordered Tuesdayes and Saturdayes express for debate of the Propositions yet they are not finished therefore the King remindes them with a Message in pursuance of the former thus C. R. His Majesty cannot but extreamly wonder that after so many expressions on your part of a deep and seeming sense of the miseries of this afflicted Kingdom and of the dangers incident to his Person during the continuance of this unnatural VVars your many great and so often repeated Protestations that the raising of these Arms hath been only for the necessary defence of Gods true Religion his Majesties honour safety and prosperity the peace comfort and security of his people you should delay a safe Conduct to the persons mentioned in his Majesties Message of the fifth of this instant December which are to be sent unto you with propositions for a well-grounded peace A thing so far from having been deâ—ied at any time by his Majesty whensoever you have desired the same that he believes it hath been seldom if ever practised among the most avowed and professed enemies much lesse from Subjects to their King But his Majesty is resolved that no discouragements whatsoever shall make him fail of his part in doing his utmost endeavours to put an end to these Calamities which if not in time prevented must prove the ruin of this unhappy Nation And therefore doth once again desire that a safe Conduct be forthwith sent for those persons expressed in his former Message and doth therefore conjure you as you will answer to Almighty God in that day when He shall make Inquisition for all the blood that hath and may be yet spilt in this unnatural War as you tender the preservation and establishment of the true Religion by all the bonds of Duty and Allegiance to your King or compassion to your bleeding and unhappy Country and of charity to your selves that you dispose your hearts to a true sense and imploy all your faculties in a more serious endeavour together with his Majesty to set a speedy end to these wasting Divisions and then he shall not doubt but that God will again give the blessing of peace to this distracted Kingdom Oxford the 15. of December 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore All this would not do the King in some trouble finding their neglect stirs them up another way offering a personal Treaty to prevent the Inconveniencies of Misunderstandings and the distance of place for amendments therefore he offers to come home to them and Treat December 26. C. R. Notwithstanding the strange and unexpected delayes which can be precedented by no former times to his Majesties two former Messages his Majesty will lay aside all expostulations as rather serving to lose time then to contribut any remedy to the evils which for the present doe afflict this distracted Kingdom therefore without further preamble his Majesty thinks it most necessary to send these Propositions this way which he intended to doe by the persons mentioned in his former Messages though he well knows the great disadvantage which overtures of this kind have by the want of being accompanied by well instructed Messengers His Majesty conceiving that the former Treaties have hitherto proved ineffectual chiefly for want of power in those persons that Treated as likewise because those from whom their power was derived not possibly having the particular informations of every several debate could not give so clear a judgement as was requisite in so important a businesse If therefore his Majesty may have the engagement of the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland the Major Aldermen Common-Councel and Militia of London of the chief Commanders in Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army as also those in the Scots Army for his Majesties free and safe coming to and abode in London or Westminster with such of his servants now attending him and their followers not exceeding in all the number of three hundred for the space of fourty dayes and after the said time for his free and safe repair to any of his Garisons of Oxford Worcester or Newark which his Majesty shall nominate at any time before his going from London or Westminster his Majesty propounds to have a personal Treaty with the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland upon all matters which may conduce to the restoring of peace and happiness to these miserable distracted Kingdoms And to begin with the three Heads which were Treated on at Uxbridg And for the better clearing of his Majesties earnest and sincere intentions of putting an end to these unnatural distractions knowing that point of security may prove the greatest obstacle to this most blessed work his Majesty therefore declares that he is willing to commit the great trust of the Militia of this Kingdom for such time and with such powers as are exprest in the Paper delivered by his Majesties Commissioners at Uxbridg the sixth of February last to these persons following viz. the Lord Privy Seal the Duke of Richmond the Marquesse of Hertford the Marquess of Dorchester the Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain the Earl of Northumberland the Earl of Essex Earl of Southampton Earl of Pembroke Earl of Salisbury Earl of Manchester Earl of Warwick Earl of Denbigh Earl of Chichester Lord Say Lord Seymour Lord Lucas Lord Lexington M. Denzil Hollis M. Perpoint M. Hen. Bellasis M. Rich. Spencer Sir Thomas Fairfax M. John Ashburnham Sir Gervas â—lifton Sir Hen.
Parliament no further Expectation of Aid from Ireland or any foreign Friend the Lord Ashley was onely in a Body but closely pursued by Sir William Brereton and Colonel Morgan Governour of Glocester and in the end not able to avoid the Quarrel they came to fight the one and twentieth of March where Ashley was totally defeated near Stow in the Wold upon the edg of Glocestershire himself taken Prisoner fifteen hundred Horse and Foot with his Baggage Ammunition and all and therefore he told them that took him Their Work was done they might go play Meaning that the King had lost all And it seems so by the hasty Vote of the Parliament to the Kings Letter which Message was in effect That he offers to come to his two Houses upon their Assurance for the safety of his Person and to advise with them for the good and safety of the Kingdom Provided that all those who have adhered to his Majesty may have liberty to return in peace to their own home to live in quiet without the Obligation of the National Oath or Covenant and Sequestration to be taken off from their Estates And that then his Majesty will disband all his Forces dismantle his Garisons pass an Act of Oblivion and free Pardon to all and give ample satisfaction to the Kingdom of Scotland March 23. But it is now too late and therefore they answer not at all unless he be willing to take notice of this Ordinance That in case the King shall contrary to the advise of Parliament already given to him come or attempt to come within the Lines of Communication that then the Committee of the Militia of London shall have power and are hereby enjoyned to raise such Force as they shall think fit to prevent any Tumult that may arise by his coming and to suppress any that shall happen and to apprehend and secure any such as shall come with him to prevent resort unto him and to secure his person from danger Nay more That all persons whatsoever that have born Arms against the Parliament are to depart the City by the sixth of April upon the penalty as followeth viz. The Lords and Commons taking notice of the great concourse and resort of Papist Officers and Souldiers of Fortune and such as have been in Arms against the Parliament of England from the Enemies Garisons and Quarters unto the Citie of London and Westminster and other parts within the Lines of Communication That such depart c. before the sixth of April next or to be declared against as Spies and to be proceeded against according to the Rules of War unless with licence of the Committee of Goldsmiths Hall and of the Militia of London and the Sub-committees are hereby to keep strict Guards and Watches to make frequent Searches Provided that this Act shall not extend to such as came in to the Parliament before the first of June last And that no Peer have licence but by the House of Lords And this Order to continue for a moneth after the sixth of April and no longer March 30. Then for fear that the King should come notwithstanding all their fore-warnings Letters are devised from several places of Intelligence That the King is resolved to come suddenly to London And with some Designs also hinted as might seem most dangerous to the Parliament and Kingdom Therefore the Parliament order That Letters shall be suddenly sent to the Prince as in answer to former received from him as also to the King that Commissioners will forthwith be sent to his Majesty with Propositions of Peace And now we have almost done fighting in the Field some Garisons onely stand out but others are daily surrendred And for these and such like Victories we have such City-feastings Bonefires and Bell-ringings as that we were imagined to be all mad which the Pay-masters of all the Aldermen and the rest expressed in the highest manner that could be as being the effects of joy union sweet harmony heavenly blessings and the like as indeed we want words also to express their conceits Then was there established a Court Martial in London with Articles published against such Inhabitants as were but tending to the malignancy of Cavaliery as that it was almost impossible for a conscionable Subject but to be liable to their punishment And withall comes out another Ordinance viz. That no persons whatsoever shall repair to the King Queen Prince or Lords malignant or to either of them or to any Commander or Officer of theirs or shall hold Intelligence with them or shall plot contrive or endeavour with the Enemie contrary to the Rules of War not to relieve any person that have taken up Arms against the Parliament not to assemble or mutinie And against such as have taken up Arms against the Parliament and have taken the Covenant no Officer shall desert his Trust none that hath been in Arms against the Parliament or assisted the Enemy shall come to London or Westminster without a Pass and shall not also within eight and fourty hours tender himself to the Parliament All these aforesaid shall die the death without mercie And this Ordinance to last for three moneths April 3. What should the Kings party his Souldiers and Friends do that had delivered up themselves and Garisons upon Articles and Quarter but to return home which indeed in effect was for all or the most to come to London for means for inquiry for subsistence and for courses to sell Lands raise Moneys to seek Relief and to compound multitudes of such are come and must suddenly be gone again others on their way to the City and ignorant of the Ordinances fell unwittingly under the Penalties and so are daily taken seized and hurried into Prisons or Goals and are utterly ruined ere they know for what This makes them repent their hasty Surrenders of Garisons rather to have been there slain in honour by the Sword than after all to be undone at home Aud to colour the cruelty it was surmized that probably these had some horrible Design against the Parliament City and Kingdom which was referred to other Committees to do and order the Cavaliers to dispose and command them as they should think fit A mischief to the Sufferers beyond all their former miseries thus to submit to a City Committee made up they said of Tradesmen and Tailours These Tidings reach to the knowledg of the King and his Council at Oxford who disorderly seek in private their own safety leaving the King to shift for himself But to make their own Jealousies of some colour and Punishments answerable thereto It is devised that the King notwithstanding the Refusal of his coming he is yet resolved to come some fix upon the Day others suppose it uncertain some say he comes disguised and others affirm positively that he is come and is to be seen at the Lord Mayors whether the City Wives went to visit my Lady Mistress Mayoress
such as he shall appoint and to this end you are authorized and required to compound and deliver such Articles and demands as now are or hereafter shall be given you for a full consent thereunto and to Treat from time to time upon such directions as shall be thought fitting upon the several Reports that ye shall make unto us c. Richard Lane Cust. Sigill Cottington Hartford Dorset Chester Southampton Seymor E. Nicholas Glenham Governour Never was Garison so long maintained so resolutely and so mightily opposed as this of Oxford during all the Treaty which did not exclude the power of Arms and the Articles not concluded untill the 25. of Iune the Surrender thus A guard of several Regiments were placed from the East Port on both sides the way to VVhately the way to march out in a very bitter and violent storm of an hour to the number of three thousand five hundred ordinary persons the Noblemen and Gentlemen had leave for some dayes to stay for Passes the whole number of the Garison supposed seven thousand Souldiers and Scholers in pay Thirty eight Pieces of Ordnance ready mounted the Works strong and large perillous to storm The Conditions were Noble and in Print but being slenderly performed afterwards by others not the Souldiers I leave it to the Cavalier to complain The Nobility were the Earls of Dorset Hertford Southampton The Lords Cottington Lane Dunsmore Secretary Nicholas and others who have sent Letters to the King of the Surrender Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice had conditions to transport themselves beyond Seas The Duke of York is to be conducted to the Parliament and so to St. Iameses to the rest of the Royal Children And the Prince Elector already at London had leave from the Parliament to his shame for being here to visite his Brothers Prince Rupert and Maurice which he did received their salutation with scorne Two daies after came up from the General the Seals of State which were delivered to him upon surrender of Oxford The Great Seal of England carried from Westminster to the King An. 1642. The Privy Seal Signet King-Bench Exchequer Court of Wards Admiralty and Navy and the Sword All which Seales were voted to be broken in peices but the Sword to be kept safe in the Wardrobe And were so done by a Smith in the House of Lords in presence of the Commons and the broken silver given in reward to the Speakers of either House And now the Parliament consider of a Term or Title to be given to the Commissioners intrusted with their Great Seal and are to be called Conservators of the Common Wealth of England The Duke of York included with Articles of Oxford and brought up to the Parliament the twenty eight of Iuly in some shew of honour to the view of the People but no sooner at St. Iames's with the rest of the Royal Children and under Government of the Earl of Northumberland and his Lady but all his Servants are turned away and others strangers put in their places where he stayed not long but got away into France some years hereafter In the like manner the youngest Princess Henretta-Maria was now convayed away from Oatlands by her Governess the Lady Dalkeith who complaines of the necessity that enforced her Take her own words to the Gentlewomen in that Family twenty fourth Iuly 1646. Gentlewomen You are witness with what patience I have expected the pleasure of the Parliament Impossible to finde any Iustice to her Highnesse or favour to my self or any of you I was no longer able to keep her but am forced to take this upon me You shall do well to repair to the King all of you which is the same service as to her Highnesse and enjoy the honour of serving him It will be a great mark of your faithfulnesse to her Highnesse for to conceal her absence as long as you can as if I had removed her to a better Air. All her Apparel and such peices of Plate belonging to her you may receive for your selves and believe me to be Yours A. Dalkieth So then the Eldest Son and the Youngest Daughter are with the Queen in France The two Dukes of York and Glocester with the Princess Elizabeth at St. Iames's The Prince in the West with his Army Mr. Withers the Poet had write a Pamphlet Iusticiarius Iustificatus against Sir Richard Onslow a Surrey Knight wherein he is accused but this Man being a Member poor Withers had the worst though he endeavoured to prove the Charge against the other Colonel Poines and Rossiter had a minde to Newark long since the last year but were not able to Manage the Siege with their slender forces and therefore the Scots were very much entreated before they would vouchsafe to descend so far Southward At last they were hired with the sum of thirty thousand pounds and came in December 1645. and then began the Siege And to entertain them with a Sally a fortnight after they fell upon Peat's Quarters beat them and carried in many Prisoners Two dayes after another encounter upon Colonel Thornies Troop and returned with Prisoners But now the Scots are lodged on the North side of Newark with two thousand Horse and three thousand Foot to make good Nuschams-bridg and the General Leven there in person upon some discontent left the Leaguer and went back to Newcastle Poines lay on the South side in this manner the Lincolnshire forces four Troops of Horse and six hundred Foot about Belvoir Rossiter and Le-hunt at Blechington and Claypool with the Leicester and Ely Foot five hundred lay at Benington Nottingham and Derby forces six hundred at Stoake The Parliaments Commissioners met with the Scots General at Nottingham who demanded two thousand five hundred and eighty pounds weekly for his Army at Newark consisting in all near ten thousand Horse and Foot He was offered ten thousand pounds part of their thirty thousand pounds faithfully promised but none as yet paid and so deep was the distaste that the Scotish Commissioners from London were fain to march thither to even this difference In the mean time not a day passed but some action happened The besieged fall upon Poines Quarters at Stoake beat his Horse and near surprised the Foot till Rossiter hearing Allarum came in and endeavoured to come between the Salley their home but were prevented and beaten to purpose many killed others hurt and return with fourty Prisoners But now the Siege grows hot and the Assailants are resolved to Storme and first to Summon which was done April the first and a stout and witty Answer returned by Bellasis the Governour and the next day such another Sally upon Poines's Quarters with notable Successe upon him many slain above fourty drowned Captain Iepson and Murrey slain by the winde of a Bullet and yet Poines gaines much upon the Queens Fort and turned the River Trent quite from the Town on the North side The
without the House of Lords We the Commons c. remembering that in the beginning of this War divers Protestations Declarations Suggestions c. were spread abroad by the King whereby the sincere Intentions of the Parliament for the publick good were mis-represented and so no need of a present War which is otherwise apparant by discoverie of the Enemies secrets and Gods immediate Blessings and Successes upon the Parliaments affairs and which Mistakes for some time had blemished the justice of this cause that if the Enemie had prevailed how dangerous the consequence would have been is now apparant And now notwithstanding Gods blessing on all our Endeavours Forces and Armies c. there are still the same spirits though under Disguise putting false constructions upon what hath already passed the Parliament as upon the thing under present Debate begetting a belief That we now desire to swerve from our first grounds aims and principles in the undertaking this War to recede from the solemn League and Covenant and Treaties between us and Scotland and that we would prolong these uncomfortable Troubles and bleeding Distractions to alter the fundamental constitution and frame of this Kingdom to leave all Government of the Church loose and unsetled and our selves to exercise the same arbitrary power over the persons and estates of the Subjects which this present Parliament thought fit to abolish by taking away the Star-chamber High Commission and other arbitrary Courts and the exorbitant power of the Council Table All which c. though our former actions are the best Demonstrations of our faithfulness to the publick yet if mis-believed may involve us into new Imbroilments We do declare our Endeavours are to setle Religion according to the Covenant to maintain the fundamental Rights of the Kingdom the Liberties of the Subject to desire a well-grounded peace in the three Kingdoms c. In effect Concerning Church-government we having so fully declared for a Presbyterial Government having spent so much pains taken up so much time for setling of it passed most of the particulars brought to us from the Assemblie of Divines called onely by us to advise of such things as shall be required of them by the Parliament and having published several Ordinances for putting the same in execution because we cannot consent to the granting of an arbitrary and unlimited power and jurisdiction to near ten thousand Iudicatories to be erected within this Kingdom and this demanded in a way inconsistent with the Fundamentals of Government excluding the power of Parliaments in the exercise of that Iurisdiction nor have we yet resolved how a due regard may be had that tender consciences which differ not in any Fundamentals in Religion may be so provided for as may stand with the Word of God and the peace of the Kingdom And let it be observed that we have had the more reason not to part with the power out of our hands since all by-past Ages manifest that the Reformation and purity of Religion and the preservation and protection of the people hath been by Parliament and the exercise of this power our Endeavours being to setle the Reformation in these Kingdoms of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of God and the Example of the best Reformed Churches and according to our Covenant Concerning a peace which is the right end of a just VVar to that purpose both Houses of Parliament have framed several Propositions to be sent to the King such as they hold necessary for the present and future safety of this Kingdom some of which are transmitted to our Brethren of Scotland where they now remain whose consent we doubt not to obtain since the Parliament of England is and ought to be sole and proper Iudg for the good of this Kingdom wherein we are so far from altering the fundamental constitution and Government of this Kingdom by King Lords and Commons that we onely have desired that by the consent of the King such powers may be setled in the two Houses to prevent a second and more destructive VVar not judging it wise or safe for the pretended power of the Militia in the King to have any authoritie in the same for the future introducing an arbitrary Government over this Nation and protecting Delinquents by force from the justice of Parliaments the chiefest grounds of the Parliaments taking up Arms in this Cause We do declare we will not interrupt the ordinary course of Iustice nor intermeddle in cases of private interest And as the Parliament have already for the benefit of the people taken away the Court of Wards and Liveries and all Tenures in capite and by Knights Service so we will take special care for the peoples ease in Levies of Moneys and in reducing Garisons Lastly whereas both Nations have entered into a solemn League and Covenant and Treaties between us concluded which we shall and have duly performed that nothing be done to the prejudice of either of them presuming that the good people of England will not receive prejudicate opinions by any forced constructions of that Covenant which is only to be expounded by them by whose authority it was established in this Kingdom April 18. But in great regret the Parliament order that the Preface to the Pamphlet intituled The Scots Commissioners Papers and the stating of the Question about the Propositions of Peace was this day burnt by the Hangman April 21. At length of time the eleventh of Iuly the tedious Propositions are finished and sent to the King by the Committee Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery and the Earl of Suffolk Mr. Goodwin Sir Iohn Hippesley Mr. Robinson and Sir Walter Earl The Propositions in general are these 1. That his Majesty would pass an Act for the Nulling of all Oaths Declarations and Proclamations against the Parliament of England of Scotland their Ordinances or their Adherents 2. The King to swear and sign the Covenant and an Act for the three Kingdoms to swear unto 3. An Act to take away Bishops and their Dependents 4. To confirm by Act the Assembly of Divines at Westminster 5. To settle Religion as the Parliament shall agree 6. In unity and uniformity with Scotland as shall be agreed upon by both Parliaments 7. An Act to be confirmed against Papists 8. Their Childâ—en to be educated in the Protestant Religion 9. And for Levies against their Estates 10. Against saying of Mass in this Kingdom 11. And in Scotland if they think fit 12. For observation of the Lords Day against Pluralities Non-Residents and for Regulating the Universities 13. That the Militia of England Ireland and Wales by Sea and Land be in the hands of the Parliament for twenty years and the like for Scotland and to raise Moneys for the same and to suppress all Forces raised in that time without their authority against all foreign Invasion Provided that the City of London may enjoy their Privileges to raise and imploy their
Forces as formerly 14. That all Honours and Titles conferred on any since the Great Seal was conveyed from the Parliament May 21. 1642. be made null and that those that shall be hereafter made Peers by the King shall not sit in Parliament without consent of both Houses 15. That an Act be passed to confirm all the Treaties between England and Scotland and a Committee of both Houses to be nominated Conservators of the Peace between both Kingdoms 16. An Act for establishing the Declaration of both Kingdoms of the thirtieth of January 1643. with the qualifications as follow The first Qualification That these persons shall expect no pardon In a word all the persons of Honour and Quality that have taken up Arms for the King in England or Scotland which because the Treaty took no effect is but frivolous to insert And all such others as being processed by the Estates for Treason shall be condemned before the Act of Oblivion be passed Then follows the second Qualification All Papists and Popish Recusants who have been now are or shall be actually in Arms or assisting against the Parliaments of either Kingdoms and by name the Marquess of Winton Earl of Worcester Lord Herbert Lord Brudnel Lord Arundel of Warder Earl Castlehaven and seven Knights and Gentlemen The third Qualification All persons that have assisted in the Rebellion of Ireland except such as are come in to the Parliament of England The fourth Qualification Herein are named above fifty Knights and Gentlemen that were at Oxford and it follows All such of the Scotish Nation as have concurred in the Votes at Oxford against the Kingdom of Scotland and all that have assisted in Arms against Scotland Then follows three Branches of this Qualification The fifth Qualification That all Iudges Officers and Practicers of the Law that have deserted the Parliament be incapable of Office or Practice in the Law the like of the Clergie With other Qualifications and Branches depending too tedious to insert and esteemed of all indifferent persons most improper for the King to consent unto And now comes the juggling French Agent Montril from the Queen in France with Letters to the King to make peace with his Parliament by any conditions reasonable And that the Prince of Wales is arrived at Paris without the Kings knowledg whom he designed to have come to him to Newcastle The Parliament had written to the King to give Warrant to his Lieutenant General Ormond in Ireland for disbanding his Forces andre ceive this Answer CHARLS R. That as none can be more deeply affected than his Majestie with the calamities of his Kingdom of Ireland so he will apply all future Remedies And as to the delivering of the City and Castle of Dublin Drogheda and all other Garisons in Ireland held for his Majesty into the hands of the Parliament of England He is most willing that all these places may be so disposed as they may best be secured from the Rebells and most for the safety of his good Subjects doth again earnestly press the Propositions so long expected expecting that they will contain the readiest means not onely of preserving those places which are already in his power but likewise of reducing the rest of that Kingdom possessed by the Rebells to his obedience all which will be setled upon the conclusion of a happy Peace which he will heartily endeavour Newcastle July 11. Which Message met the Commissioners on the way with the Propositions to the King The French Ambassadour Extraordinary had his first Audience of the 17. of Iuly in effect That he had a command from the Queen Regent and King of France to endeavour a composure of the Differences between the King and Parliament but understanding that Propositions are gone to his Majesty he hath no more to say to the Parliament but to take his leave and to desire their Pass for him to the King and to the States of Scotland and had this Answer That the Parliament receive with thankfulness the good Intentions of the King of France to these Kingdoms for ending of the Differences they had done their Endeavours and will so continue to do But they could not agree that any Foreign State interpose in the present remaining Differences nor that his Majesty of France in particular by his present Extraordinary Ambassadour And are very willing the Ambassadour have a Pass and be used with all respect and civility But the Ambassadour staid so long for this ceremony that he was gone towards the King without it The three and twentieth of Iuly the Propositions were presented to the King and the Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery being the best Man though the least able told the King That he knew well how unfit a Spokesman he was and desired that Mr. Goodwin might speak for them The King instantly asked If they had any power to treat They answered No. Then said he Saving the honour of the business an honest Trumpeter might have done as much I hope you expect not a present Answer to this high concernment They told him Their time was limited to ten Days And the French Ambassadour Balieme and Montril the Agent had Audience the next day and very private with the King We may easily believe how the King was beset with Petitions and Prayers hand over head to consent to all these Propositions by the English and Scots about him And how the Commissioners resented it appears in a Letter to the Speaker of the Commons We are sorry we cannot acquaint you with so good success as we desired having this Morning his Majesties Answer Negative with a Paper containing Offers to come to London and treat which we thought not fit to send because we know not the Parliaments pleasure whether or no they will take notice thereof as being no Answer to the Propositions We have taken leave and hasten home Earl Hepsley Goodwin Robinson August 2. 1646. It is likely they were sorry and said so but see what the King says for himself and concerning them dated a day before theirs and sent to the Houses a quick and sudden Answer to their tedious Propositions C. R. The Propositions tendered to his Majestie by the Commissioners c. to which the Houses of Parliament have taken twice so manie moneths for deliberation as they have assigned daiâ—s for his Majesties Answer do import so great alterations in Government both in Church and Kingdom as it is very difficult to return a particular and positive Answer before a ful debate wherein these Propositions and the necessarie explanations true Sense and Reasons thereof be rightly weighed and understood and that his Majestie upon a ful view of the whole Propositions may know what is left as well as what is taken away and changed In all which he findes upon discourse with the said Commissioners that they are so bound up from anie capacitie either to give Reasons for the Demands they bring or to give ear to
if the French or any other Nation should be called in thither it might be of dangerous consequence for so the Irish Rebells now threatned in case they should be put to extremity The Picts called for the Scots out of Ireland to assist them against the Britains and having done that Work they fell upon the Picts themselves and destroyed them and so took possession of that part of North Britain which from them ever since takes name of Scotland The like did the Saxons or rather a Rout of Pirates and Sea-Rovers they were no better invited to assist the miserable Britains against the barbarous Scots and put a final stop to their Incursions and after by Surprize of the Nobility of Britania and slew them The Remain of the people fled into the Mountains of Wales and Cornwall where they remain ever since and left the best of the Land to the insulting Saxons Nay did not Heraclius the Greek Emperour call for aid of the Rake-Hell Rabble of Scythians to assist him against the Saracens but no sooner got footing in the Empire and in process of time seized Constantinople slew Constantine the last of the Imperial Race of Paleologs and now possess that Seat the chief Residence for the great Turk descended of those Saracens But these were Pagans and Infidels we are all Christians Truly they can practise the old Rule Si violandum est jus regni causa violandum est in caeteris pietatem colas To gain Kingdoms we may bid Conscience good night And so it was happy for the King that his party called not over the French to fight for him nor would the Parliament at any time make Peace with the Irish wise enough they were to keep down the pride of the treacherous Scot that had good footing there in Ireland See before Anno 1643. the Treaty at Siginstone Septemb. 15. But the Parliament of England had considered of the order and manner of governing of Ireland by a Lord Lieutenant General and whom should they pick out but the Lord Lisle Son to the Earl of Leicester to command all the Forces raised and to be raised in and for reducing that Kingdom with a Council about him both at home and abroad the better to enable him for the Government but not as the Motto sets out Caesar this General went thither and so came home again as hereafter is mentioned The English Forces there in some distress the British in the North in great want but the happiness was that the Rebells were at difference amongst themselves And the thirteenth of May the Lord Lisle had order to beat his Drums to raise six thousand Foot and eight hundred and fifty Horse in England and Wales and for maintaining of these Forces it was ordered Six thousand pounds every six moneths end to the Treasurers for Ireland News came the fifteenth of Iune of the great Defeat given to the English and Scotish Forces in the Province of Ulster and the Parliament ordered five thousand Foot more fifteen hundred Horse to be added to the former Forces ordered in May and Arms Amunition and Victuals speedily to be sent over And notwithstanding the Parliamentary proceedings in Ireland by their advice and directions to such of their own party the King likewise had a particular party under the publick Government of the Marquess of Ormond Lieutenant General of his Majesties Forces for the Government of Ireland to whom he writes for the discharging all further Treaties with the Irish Rebells for any Peace as the Parliament advised the King to write the eleventh of Iune The Lord Broghall and the Lord Inchequin were particularly for the Parliament Broghall had intermixed several Successes against the Rebells he took Castle Lions and Inchequin Castle near Yougball then his Horse marched to Dungarven returning with five or six hundred head of Cattle and besieged the Garison of Blarnly Castle and the next Night gained the Out-works and the next Day set threeâ— Battering Guns against one of their new Flanks sixteen foot thick within the Castle their Powder took fire and blew up and spoiled twenty of their Men which with the bold Attempts of the Besiegers the Castle was surrendered the next Day the fifteenth of Iune two hundred persons to march away who left this exceeding strong place being held by faint hearts for a small space and now delivered up to slender Forces Musgrave was General for the Rebells and with the greatest Army of theirs was set down besieging Banratty against whom they sally out daily with very good Success Notwithstanding the Kings Letters at Newcastle whilest he was under durance That Ormond should not treat with the Rebells yet it seems he had finished and articled into a Peace with them August 1. That the Irish be not bound to take the Oath of Supremacy A Parliament to be held before November All Acts against the Roman Catholicks to be repealed Places of Strength to be in the hands of men of merit But the reason might be the wonderfull misery of the English and Scots Forces there impossible to hold out without any reasonable Food for Man or Horse And it was conceived there by Ormond and the Kings party that it was most convenient for the general good of the Protestants for it soon occasioned a Breach amongst the Rebells the Popes Nuncio and that Clergy protesting against it as being done without their privity and the chiefest of their Towns oppose the Peace as Limrick Waterford Wexford Lemster and Galloway And herein Ormond according to the Articles on either side was to assist against the Opposers of the Peace the fourteenth of Septembeâ— who marching with some thousands towards Kilkenny had intelligence by the way that a party of the discontented Rebells against the Peace had a Design against his person which made him suddenly to return to Dublin Concerning the thirty Articles the Popish Clergy disclaimed them and at a Supream Council ordered That all and singular Confederate Catholicks who shall adhere to the said Peace or consent with the Favourers of it or after any other manner shall entertain and imbrace it are absolutely to be accounted perjured specially for this reason because in these Articles there is no mention made of the Catholick Religion and the security thereof nor any regard had of the Consecration of the Priviledge of the Countrey as it was promised by the Oath But that all things are rather referred to the judgement of our most renowned King From whom in this present estate we can have nothing setled and in the mean time the Armies Weapons and Fortifications and the Supream Councel of the Confederate Catholicks it self are subjected to the Authority and Command of the Council of the State and the Protestant Officers of his Majestie from whom that we might be secure we have taken Oath For which and many other causes being moved only by our Consciences and having God before our eyes that it may be known to all and singular as
that they should furnish him with Shipping and all things necessary these things were transacted the 1. of August and to imbarque at a port in Angus but their Ship not ready being so designed to engage his neglect he hired a Norway Man of Birgen thither he sends his friends Sir Io. Hurrey Iohn Dromond Henry Graham Iohn Spotswood Iohn Lily Patrick Melvin Geo. Wiseheart Doctor of Divinity Divid Gutlery Pardus La-sound a Frenchman Rodolph a German men pickt out for their abilities he sends them before and himself clad in a course suit he passed disguised as a servant to Iames Wood his worthy Chaplain from the haven of Montrose which flows to Brechen in Angus And from this time the State of Scotland had Elbow room without any Enemies at home The Scots Army being returned home out of England kept up a Body under colour of Civil diffentions there And their General David Lesley had Command of all and having notice that his Enemy Kilketto was retreated out of Arguile into Cantire and the Earl of Antrim into the Isles he drew off from Perth and came to Dundain and Arguile himself retreated to Inerne Castle quartering between Sterling and Dunkel The general Kirk Assembly of Scotland met Iuly 6. and ordered a publick Fast upon these Reasons That Gods hand is stretched out against them in the judgement of the Pestilence mainly increasing The great danger of Religion in the work of Reformation in both Kingdoms from the number and the Policy of Sectaries in England like to overturn the Foundation there laid with the expence of so much blood and pains And therefore they resolve to cleave to the Solemn League and Covenant against all the purposes and endeavours and underminings of their Enemy and pray for the Parliament of England and the Synod of Divines and the good effects and fruits of Truth and Peace which they now had for Montrose was gone But in this distempers of England the Scots increased their Forces and put England into fears and jealousies so that Allarm was often devised to see in what posture the English should be for seven thousand of the Scots were drawing Southward for fresh Quarters and are come over Spey River with Lesley Middleton in the East and Arguile's in the West and the Highlanders keep the Hills And not long after Lesley is come to Iaddard within fourty miles of Newcastle with fifteen hundred Horse and three thousand Foot for his part But notwithstanding the States of Scotland pretend to Disband unless their Kingdom be in danger of trouble the person of the King in any hazard or their Kingdom thereby dishonour'd and therefore for the present they raise two hundred thousand pounds Scotch for the present Sept. 27. but having knowledge by their Commissioners in England of the affairs here they will not Disband for at the beheading of the Lord Hart-Hill at Edenburgh one who had been for the King in the time of Montrose He scattered some Papers there to the people which mention the particulars of great troubles likely to be in England But to caress them and to see what they do 2. of the Lords and 4. of the Commons House are speedily to Post with Instructions to the Estates of Scotland where we leave them till the next year and proceed to a summary of the affairs of Ireland this year The Parliaments Commissioners are gon to Ireland to take possession of Dublin for the Marquess of Ormond and landed them the seventh of Iune and with them were Colonel Iones Captain Merridith Captain Parsons four hundred and fifty Hoâ—se and one thousand Foot commanded by Colonel Kinaston and four Captains mist at the time that Sir Charls Coot defeated a party of the Rebels The Parliament there now sitting gave good reception to the Commissioners in Iune Colonel Iones is made Governor of Dublin and much troubled by mutinies for advance mony and pay of arrears but were appeased and the old eleven Regiments of Foot reduced to seven viz. the Earl of Kildares Lord Moor Tichburn Benlace Willoughby Baily and Flowers in all about four thousand Many skirmishes are daily in several parts of the Provinces winning and loosing as the fate of war falls out but the complaint comes sad on the Parliament of England that their monies are gon their provisions in the field cannot last six daies and are forced to leave the field and go to garison for want of bread that Owen Roe the Rebel is with great forces in Connaught and Preston is marching against Dublin against whom Colonel Iones marches out with three thousand Horse and Foot and faced each other about twelve miles from Dublin the Enemy being eight thousand who fell on and forced Iones to retreat and then to fly and were pursued four miles taken prisoners and killed many the whole forces being in very sad condition But the eighth of August it was revenged by Colonel Iones upon Preston neer Trim killed five thousand four hundred and seventy Foot Souldiers three hundred of the Gentry seven thousand Arms taken four pieces of ordnance and great pillage with one hundred and fifty Oxen. About twelve a clock the Armies joyned battell continuing two hours Iones his Horse of two wings and some Foot having broken both wings of the Enemies the main body also advanced and did as much against theirs then the Enemy about three thousand drew up into a Bog and in abody whom Iones surrounded the Foot fall in and killed them those that came forth fell into the Horse and were all slain It was the greatest overthrow that we can boast of since the first war of the English against the Irish but not long after he rallies and joynes with Owen Oneal But the Lord Inchequin and his Souldiers understanding the differences of the Parliament and Army in England make their declaration and Remonstrance also yet they resolve to go on against the Rebels but will not admit of any alteration in Martial Government untill their arrears be paid them what is due both in England and Ireland And the Scots are called upon to Recall their â—orces out of Ulster in Ireland there being no further need of their forces the Parliament of England resolving to prosecute that war with the forces of England onely for Colonel Iones was successfull and had taken from the second of October to the nineteenth Castle Ricard Port Castle Athby Grucesfort the Mabber Belliloe Cabbrough Castle War Danmock Carrat Matrose Castle down and Castle Amoin And Inchequin hath his share of success in the Province of Munster the thirteenth of November neer Megallo and Clancard and killed two thousand five hundred upon the plain divers wounded and taken prisoners so that the Enemies loss is reckoned four thousand but at the close of these events the English cry out for recruit of men relief of Provisions and oft times ready to starve but the Kingdom of England are not at better leisure to help them being in much distemper at home
some are set awork to advise the Duke of Yorke's escape which was thus The Royal Family were all at St. James's under government of the Earl of Northumberland and his Lady the Duke of York had been tampering not long since with Pen and Ink and framed a Letter in Ciphers to the Queen his Mother the rather to let her see how capable he was of Intelligence The Parliament blamed him for medling with writing without leave of his Governour but his ingenuity soon confessed his first fault and promised to offend no more in that kind nor did he and therefore had great freedom to walk within the walls in his sisters company the Princess Elizabeth of whom he seemed very fond His pretty sport was in the long covered Walk the Statue Row in the Privy Garden where a door opens into the Park there he walks and sports There was one Colonel Bamfield come over from the Queen and closely sent a Message to the Duke that at the said door in the Walk he would shadow himself without and whisper to him at the Key-hole his Mothers Message to trust his escape to his design The Duke borrows of the Gardner the Key into the Inner Garden because of his being often out of the way and with safety enough for it was out of minde the other door into the Park The evening come he accompanies his Sister very late and to have the more freedom he usually had the sport of Hide and Keep childrens play which shadowed his missing till very late and he was gone out at that door where Bamfield receives him on foot to the waterside that night and instantly habits him in womans apparel and down the River towards a Barque at Anchor neer Margates By the way in a Barge the Steersman peeps in behinde and sees Bamfield take off his Garter George under the Petticote which discovers so much that the man steers round and demurs but his mouth was made up and on they Rowed and boarded the Barque already under sail and safely landed at Dort in Holland a welcome guest to his dearest Sister the Royal Princess of Orange Tumults increase in several Counties and are seasonably allayed some by force or flattery others surcease of themselves But now to the purpose which the people drive at A Petition of the Grand Jury and many thousands of Knights Gentlemen and Freeholders of Essex presented to the Parliament 4. of May. That it is impossible that the sad and direfull effects of this late War should cease without the principal causes be taken away His Majesties absence from his Parliament hath been pretended the main cause of increasing Iealousies and misunderstandings between them And conceive that a timely concession to the King for a personal Treaty might remove all fears which are yet the only obstacles of peace And for the Army they pray That they may have their Arrears and so Disband them And that the Parliament would consider of that unum necessarium and condescend to the Royal Intimations of his Majesty for a personal Treaty without which no hope of peace or quiet of the Kingdom And after them comes another of Surrey That the King may be restored to his due Honour and Rights according to the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance and to be established in his Throne according to the splendor of his Ancestors To come forthwith to Westminster that he may Treat personally for composing of the differences That the Free-born Subjects may be governed by the known Laws now in force That the War beginning may be prevented that the Ordinances for preventing free Quarter may be duly executed and speedily to disband the Army having their Arrears due and paid them The Petitioners were many and numbers of them at present in the Hall whilst the Petition was debated and as usual some slight occasion is taken to Mutiny against the Guard of Subscribers one or two slain many hurt and the Tumult increasing by Abetters at hand on both sides more force of Horse and Foot were called from White-hall and the Mews but night came and parted the Fray And therefore to suppress these Tumults about London and in many Counties of the Kingdom and Wales all the Ordinances against Malignants are rigorously pursued against them and yet would not prevail But as these Petitions were conceived Mutinies So the City thought it time to be serious in one of theirs And very modestly acknowledge the high favours of Parliament in communicating sundry their Votes to the City wherein to their great comfort are expressed the Parliaments Resolutions not to alter the Fundamental Government of the Kingdom by King Lords and Commons And to preserve inviolably the Solemn League and Covenant and the Treaties between England and Scotland in the Propositions agreed upon by them both and preservation of their union according to the Covenant and Treaties And in the end thereof are much grieved for their Magistrates and fellow Citizens a long time under restraint and the City thereby deprived of their service Praying That the Parliament would improve the prosecuting and perfecting the said Votes and preventing a new and bloody War and that the Citizens and Recorder now prisoners may be released 23. May. The Parliament had proceeded against those of the City and against some Lords and other Members of the Commons who had tart and bold defences as refusing to be tryed by the Lords or by Councels of War but stand upon the tryals at the Common Law and by Juries of their own And in truth Tumults increased in each Counties that the Parliament knew not whether hand to turn unto so that to begin their clemency they are over intreated or rather wearied out to release the City Prisoners first and by degrees the rest And to remove the Lieutenant of the Tower and to pâ—t in Mr. West a Citizen to afford them their security of their own Militia and to caress them into some quietness who began to be angry Indeed the Presbyter now takes heart But among many Insurrections that of Kent increased formidably so that the General was desired to march upon them and was now Rendezvouzed on Black-heath The Kentish men for King Parliament and Kingdom offer a parley by Letter signed with several hands Sir Thomas Payton their Lieutenant General and Esquire Edward Hales their General to which they had this Answer from Fairfax SIRS I received a Message from you for a Pass for some Gentlemen as Commissioners to come treat according to an Order of Parliament To which I Ans. That I know not of any such order nor any authority in you to appoint Commissioners for such a purpose But I finding you and them in Arms against the Parliament I cannot admit of Treaty but if ye shall forthwith lay down your Arms and retire home I doubt not of the Parliaments mercy to such as have been deluded into this rebellion and their exemplary justice to the
the Earl of Holland to St. Needs and pursued by Colonel Scroop from Hartford who being guided by Spyes got the secret waies thither ere the Defendants were aware yet some were Mounted and in a Body but were beaten by a Forlorn and Routed before the rest entered the Duke with sixty Horse flyes away towards Lincolnshire and escapes beyond Seas Their General not up or not dressed was taken in his Câ—â—mber many that fought got away some slain others prisoners persons of good Note so that the Souldiers said they never met with such golden booties fine clothes gallant Horses and pockets full of Coin The Parliament say they lost but three And for the present the Earl of Holland is sent prisoner to Warwick Castle where he continued untill his Arraignment and Execution at Westminster the 9. of March as hereafter follows But the Prisoners of note were the Earl of Holland Sir Gilbert Gerard Colonel Skemisher Major Holland Major Slepkin Lieu Col. Goodwin Colonel Legg and one hundred more Dalbier and a Son of Sir Kenelm Digbies slain the Lord Andover was after taken at Dover and there imprisoned The Parliament of Scotland were now sitting since the second of March and not well pleased with the English proceedings it was thought fitting here to send English Commissioners to reside there during their Session And of the Lords House were chosen the Earls of Nottingham and Standford the Commons were Mr. Arthurst Colonel Birch Mr. Herle and Mr. Marshal Preachers For the Scots recruit their Army at home and the English expect an Invasion of them being generally dissatisfied there of our proceedings against the King here However the Commssioners of England resident there acquainted our Parliament here with Propositions of Scotland and this their Answer to some Papers sent thither That it was the desire of the Parliament of England to maintain a good correspondency between the two Nations 2. That this Kingdom would take speedy care for the advance of a hundred thousand pounds due unto that Kingdom and so long as that sum or any part should be forborn they should have Interest after the rate of 8. l. per â—ent for the same 3. And that concerning the Arrears due to the Scots Army in Ireland the Parliament of Scotland are desired either to propound a certain sum by the Lump for the service of that Army there or else to appoint Commissioners on their side or appoint their Commissioners with ours to repair into Ireland to audit the 〈◊〉 of that Army So then we find the outward pretences on both sides to keep a good correspondency And to Caress them the more ever and anon the Parliament of England would by debates and Orders shew an inclination to settle the Presbyterian Government here by that means to quiet the bawling Spirits of the Scots Ministery in their Kirk and Pulpits though it was never seriously intended here And even at this time Letters of Intelligence came from Scotland that Sir Tho Glenham Sir Lewis Divâ—â—â—ir Marmaduke Langdale and others from the Queen in France are expected in Scotland and many discontented English flock to Edenburgh from all parts Captain Wogans Horse Marched thither from the Army with a full Troop and two Companies of Foot landed out of Ireland at Chester and Marched thither likewise But as the Affairs of the English Parliament had suffered under several distractions so these of Scotland were managed with great disturbance some of their Members would raise an Army to espouse the Kings quarrel and to restore him Another party desire an Army to suppress the Sectaries of both Kingdoms but are loath thereby to strengthen the hands of Malignants in either Kingdom A third would have no Army at all and to some end or other they frame an Oath That Presbyterial Government be maintained That the King be not restored till he subscribe the Covenant and endeavours the extripation of Sectaries That Ecclesiastical Power is not subordinate to the Civil That the Kings Negative voice in England be taken away In Debate of these Passages two of their best Sparks the Earl of Kilmore allied to Hamilton and the Lord Granston to their General Leven went out in a Fury and fought a Duâ—l and most of many are for War The Parliament of England confer and Vote that all Members be summoned to attend the Houses on the 24. of the next Moneth April for the Estates of Scotland had formed a Committee of danger who had of themselves voted to raise fourty thousand men and these were Duke Hamilton Arguile the Earls of Crawford Lindsey Lauderdale Lanrick Calandar Traquair and Roxborough the Lords Eimeâ—pethen Waneston 〈◊〉 Humbe Collington Arneston Gartland and Ennis and eight Burgessâ—s But against the manner of this Vote not the matter a Protestation was made by eighteen Lords and fourty other to this effect Whereas we have desired that no Power be granted to any Committee to engage this Kingdom in a War before the Parliament resolve on a War and state the cause and ends thereof it being not agreeable to the Act of Parliament 1640 c. And protest not to be included but may be free of all the evill that may follow thereupon to the cause of God the Covenant Religion and to the Kings person and Authority to this Kirk and Kingdom or the union of both The Scots are come and their General Duke Hamilton consults there with Sir Marmaduke Langdale whether towards Lancashire or New-castle the Duke marches himself in the Van with his Trumpeters before in Scarlet Coats with silver lace and much state His life guard proper persons well cloathed His Standard and other equipage Prince-like In the Van marched four Regiments of Horse seven Colours to a Regiment and in all of the Van about two thousand Their body led by Major General Middleton seven Regiments ten Colours to a Regiment and therein neer seven thousand Some carriages came with them but their compleat will be from Carlisle the only reason of his hasting thither The Rear is brought up by the Earl of Calander with fifteen hundred Additional forces they expect from Major General Monroe of three thousand Scots from Ireland under his Command And for assistance of the English about three thousand now ready to be drawn out into Arms under Langdale in the North. The Scots Declarations are already passed to smooth his passage to the people And being come thus near as Annan he Summons Major General Lambert the Parliaments Northern Commander to this effect Noble sir The Parliament of Scotland upon the imminent danger to Religion his Majesties sacred person and the peace of his Kingdoms from the prevailing power of Sectaries in England did send to the Parliament of England such demands as they conceived necessary and no Answer nor satisfaction therein the danger increasing by Northern Forces drawn to the Borders The Committee of Estates in Scotland have commanded him and other noble Personages his
speaking freely to me Next that such men of all professions whom I shall send for as of necessary use to me in this Treaty may be admitted to wait upon me In a word that I may be in the same state of freedom I was in when I was last at Hampton-Court And indeed less cannot in any reasonable measure make good those offers which you have made me by your Votâ—s for how can I treat with honour so long as people are terrified with Votes and Orders against coming to speak or write to me And am I honourably treated so long as there is none about me except a â—arber who came now with the Commissioners that ever I named to wait upon me or with freedom untill I may call such unto me of whose services I shall have use in so great and difficult a work And for safety I speak not of my person having no apprehension on that way how can I judge to make a safe and well-grounded peace untill I may know without disguise the true present state of all my Dominions and particularly of all those whose interests are necessarily concerned in the peace of these Kingdoms which leads me naturally to the last necessary demand I shall make for the bringing of this Treaty to a happy end which is That you alone or you and I joyntly doe invite the Scots to send some persons Authorized by them to treat upon such Propositions as they shall make for certainly the publick and necessary Interesse they have in this great settlement is so clearly plain to all the World that I believe no body will deny the necessity of their concurrence in this Treaty in order to a durable peace Wherefore I will only say that as I am King of both nations so I will yeeld to none in either Kingdom for being truly and zealously affected for the good and honour of both my resolution being never to be partial for either to the prejudice of the other Now as to the place because I conceive it to be rather a circumstantial than real part of this Treaty I shall not much insist upon it I name Newport in this Isle yet the fervent zeal I have that a speedy end be put to these unhappy distractions doth force me earnestly to desire you to consider what a great loss of time it will be to treat so far from the body of my two Houses when every small debate of which doubtless there will be many must be transmitted to Westminster before it be concluded And really I think though to some it may seem a Paradox that peoples mindes will be much more apt to settle seeing me treat in or near London then in this Isle because so long as I am here it will never be believed by many that I am really so free as before this Treaty begin I expect to be And so I leave and recommend this point to your serious consideration And thus I have not only fully accepted of the Treaty which you have proposed to me by your Votes of the third of this moneth but also given it all the furtherance that lies in me by demanding the necessary means for the effectual performance thereof All which are so necessary implyed by though not particularly mentioned in your Votes as I can no wayes doubt of your readie compliance with me herein I have now no more to say but to conjure you by all that is dear to Christians honest men or good Patriots that ye will make all the expedition possible to begin this happie work by hasting down your Commissioners fullie Authorized and well instructed and by enabling me as I have shewed you to treat praying the God of peace so to bless our endeavours that all my Dominions may speedily enjoy a safe and well-grounded peace Caresbrook Castle 16. Aug. 1648. Charles R. For the Speaker of the Lords House pro tempore to be communicated to the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England at Westminster Here we see the Commissioners of Scotland are not to be communicated for they dissent And the King desired two of his Chaplains might be allowed to attend him which were appointed viz. Doctor Sheldon and Doctor Hamond Upon Debate of the Kings Answer the Lords Vote That the Votes of non addresse to the King be recalled That such persons as he shall send for as necessary to him in the Treaty be admitted And that he be in the state of freedom as at Hampton-Court with such servants as he desires That the Treaty be at Newport That the Scots be invited to treat with his Majesty upon the Propositions of both Kingdoms delivered to him at Hampton-Court That his Majesty be admitted to invite the Scots thereto That the Instructions of Parliament to Colonel Hamond be recalled That five Lords and ten Commons be chosen Commissioners to treat with the King That it be referred to a Committee of Lords and Commons for peace to prepare all things in readiness hereto To all those the Commons agree with this Proviso That the King invite the Scots to treat only concerning that Kingdom And these Votes were sent to the King who returns Answer My Lord and Mr. Speaker I have received your Letter of the 25. present and Votes which though not so full as I could wish for the perfecting of a Treaty yet because I perceive by what you have done that I am in some measure fit to begin one Such is my incessant and earnest desire to give a peace to these my now distracted Dominions as I accept the Treaty and therefore desire that such five Lords and ten Commons as my two Houses shall appoint be speedily sent fully Authorized and instructed to treat with me not doubting but what is now wanting will at our meeting upon debate be fully supplyed not only to the furtherance of this Treaty but also to the consummating of a safe and well-grounded Peace So I rest your friend Charles Rex I have sent you inclosed the List you desired and wish that according to one of your Votes you would send me a Pass for Parsons a Messenger of my Presence Chamber to go to Scotland and to receive his dispatch from me Carisbrook 28. August The List inclosed names these which I mention for the honour they had in their Masters esteem Gentlemen of my Bed-chamber Duke of Richmond Marquess Hartford the Earls of Lindsey and Southampton Grooms of my Bed-chamber George Kirke Iames Leviston Wil. Murrey Iohn Ashburnham Wil. Legg Barber Tho. Davis Pages of my back staris Hugh Hern Humphery Rogers Wil. Levit. Yeomen of my Robes Revet Queries with four or six Footmen as they shall finde fittest to wait Mr. Ro. Ternhit Mr. Io. Hensden Mrs Laundreâ—s with her Maid-servants A Groom of my Presence Parsons to wait as they did or as I shall appoint them these Sir Foâ—lk Greenvil Captain Tytus Captain Burroughs Mr. Cresset Mr. Hansted Firebrace Chaplains the Bishop of London Bishop of Salisbury Doctors
That the Supream power of England is immediately invested only in the people and their Representatives and had Voted therefore that all Committees which before consisted of Lords and Commons should have power to Act though the Lords joyn not herein After much debate the Commons resolved that the House would not agree with their Lordships This day Friday 19. of Ian. the King was brought from Windsor to St. Iames's And the Argument of the people thus long a hammering was perfected by the Commonwealth of the Army at White-hall and presented to the House of Commons by Sir Hardress Waller and 16. Officers Nay more there came a Woman-witch out of Hartfordshire who justified the Armies proceedings by her Revelations from God which was well accepted of the Council as coming from an humble spirit and her advice taken as very seasonable The Commons House being possessed of this great power as great as they list to take erect a new Tribunal for Tryal of the King which is called the high Court of Iustice and so to gain reverence from the Name over which are appointed 150. Judges or Tryers that so in number they might represent the people who are impowered to Convent Hear Iudge and Execute Charls Stuart King of England Into this number are Elected Members of both Houses and others of neither men of several conditions and professions Nay if it were necessary to prove it it was reported for truth there was one man and No-man or rather of double Sex an Hermophrodite But amongst the number were six Earls of the upper House the Judges of the Kingdom Commanders of the Army Members of the Commons and no Members of the City of London of Lawyers nay of several Trades and Professions And all these supposed themselves to deserve much for this desperate enterprize and twenty of them made up the Quorum Little regard is had of the higher House unless of a few Lords whose Authority there was deemed sufficient for Acting Yet when the Vote of the Commons House against the King was carried up there were unwittingly 17. Lords and the major part refused to assent and did reject the Vote as not grounded upon Law Hereupon such Lords which were to be Tryers of the King are expunged the Roll. And afterwards the Judges of the Kingdom are put out as deeming That it was against the received Laws of England that the King should be brought to tryal But on they go and appoint Mr. Iohn Bradshaw lately made Serjeant at Law to be President of the Court and one Cook to be Sollicitor The Presbyterian Ministers now too late declaim against it many more of other Sects by their Sermons Conference Protestations and Remonstrances publish and beseech That against the dreadful tyes of so many Oaths against the publick and private faith backed by Declarations and promises against the Law of the Land against the more sacred Dictates of divine Scripturâ— and Religion nay against the good of the Common-wealth they would not distain their own hands and the Kingdom with the Kings blood The English Nobility offer themselves Pledges on the Kings behalf and universally the people murmur but in vain The 19. Ian. the Scotish Commissioners delivered some Papers and a Declaration from the Parliament of Scotland wherein they express a dislike of the present proceedings against the King and declare That the Kingdom of Scotland have an undoubted interest in the person of the King who was not delivered to the English Commissioners at Newcastle for the ruine of his person but for more speedy settlement of the peace of his Kingdoms That they extreamly dissent and declare against the Tryal of him in regard of the great miseries that are like to ensue upon the Kingdoms And crave leave to make their personal addresses to the King The like Papers and desires were presented to the Gâ—neral and these were publick But we have met with a Scotish Paper of privacie belike from the other Faction and it was intercepted by our English Army it was intituled Instructions sent to the Scotish Commissioners from the Parliament of Scotland To use in your amplification the same mentioned in your Letter that it seemed not to import by proofe of any violence used against the Parliament or any member thereof That you have address to such Lords and Commons as are our friends and not ill-affected to the honest party That your amplifications be so concise that they give no occasion of offence That nothing proceed from you justifying the Kings proceedings Nothing in approbation of the late engagement Nothing which may import a breach or give or be a ground of a new War That they would delay to meddle with the Kings person according to their several promises and Declarations at Newcastle and at Holmby If they procâ—ed and pronounce sentence against the King that you enter your dissent and protest that this Kingdom may be free of the miseries which unevitably will follow without offering in your reasons that Princes are exempted from Tryal and Iustice. That none in this Parliament had or hath had any hand in any the proceedings of the Army against the King and Members of Parliament If they proceed then to shew the calamities that will follow and how grievous it will be to this Kingdom considering his delivering up at Newcastle If the Papers called the Engagement of the people be passed and shall import any thing anent the Processing of the Prince the changing of the Fundamental Government of the Kingdom that you enter your dissent You shall alter these Instructions or mannage your trust therein by the advice of our friends there To prosecute your instructions anenâ— the Covenant and against the toleratio To shew that the Kings last Concessions are insatisfactory to ours in point of Religion But all these Scotish tricks on either side signified little not to frighten Resolutions for the Actors in England arm themselves with pretensions of Gods providence and impulsions of the holy Spirit some there were even in the Pulpit bids them Courage that the time was come that the Saints of the earth should binde Kings and their Nobles with chains of iron and not to doubt but that the Prophesie belongs to them And in the Pulpit another with bended knees tears and hands lift up in the name of the people of England earnestly beseeching they would execute justice against Charls and not suffer Benhadad their Enemy to go away in safety raging and railing against Monarchy one expounds the story of the Trees in chusing a King when the Vine and Olive refused that Office underwent the harsher government of the Bramble After sundry meetings of the 38. Commissioners in the Painted Chamber at Westminster they had prepared all things expedient for the Tryal and the high Court of Justice was framed at the upper end of Westminster Hall the place of the two Courts Chancery and Kings-Bench were ordered into one and all
things fitted for to morrow Saturday 20. of Ian. the King is brought from St. Iames's through the Park in a Sedan to White-hall thence by water with Guards to Sir Iohn Cottons House at the back end of Westminster Hall The Judges met in the Painted Chamber attending the President Bradshaw in his Scarlet Robe the Sword born before him by Colonel Humphrey the Mace by Serjeant Denby the younger and twenty men for his Guard with Partizans Himself sits down in a Crimson Velvet Chair of State fixed in the midst of the Court with a Desk before him and thereon a Cushion of Crimson Velvet The seats of each side Benches covered with Scarlet cloth all of bloudy colours for the Tryers the Partizans divided themselves on each side O yes and silence made the great Gate of the Hall was set open for any to enter Col. Thomson was commanded to bring forth the prisoner who was with twenty Partizans and other Guards The Serjeant with his Mace receives him to the Bar where was placed a red Velvet Chair The King looks sternly upon the Court and up to the Galleries and then sits down not shewing the least regard to the Court but presently rises up and looks downâ—ards on the guards and on the multitude of people spectators The Act of Parliament for the Trying of Charls Stuart King of England was read over by the Clerk one Phelps who â—at on the right side of the Table covered with a Turkey Carpet placed at the feet of the President upon which lay the Sword and Mace The several names in the Roll of the Tryers were called over and 80. answered to their names In the charge the King is accused in the name of the people of England of Treason Tyranny of all the murders and rapines that had happened in the war many things being added for aggravation they repose all the vveight of the accusation on this That he raised war against the Parliament A vast number of people looking on vvith groans and sighs deploring the miserable condition of their good King The President stood up and said Sir You have heard your Charge containing such matters as appears in it and in the close it is prayed that you Answer to your Charge which this Court expects The King vvhilst he heard the Charge vvith countenance of Majesty and at some passages vvith a brovv of scornefull smile and novv in ansvver to the President asks these nevv Judges By what Authority they did bring to Tryal a King their most rightful Sovereign against the publick Faith so lately given him when he commenced Treaty with the Members of both Houses By what saies he emphatically Lawful Authority for said he I am not ignorant that there are on foot every where very many unlawful powers as of Theeves and Robbers in the High way he bids them only declare by what Authority they had arrogated this what-soever-power to themselves and he would willingly answer to the things objected Which if they could not he adviseth them to avert the grievous crimes from their own heads and the Kingdom Whatsoever they did he was resolved not to betray the Charge committed by God and confirmed by ancient descent The President rejoyns That he was called to account by Authority of the people of England by whose Election he was admitted King The King replyes The Kingdom descended to him in no wise Elective but Hereditary for above a thousand years That he stood more apparantly for the Liberties of the people of England by refusing an unlawful and urbitrary Authority then the Iudges or any other whosoever by asserting it That the Authority and power of the people was shewed in Parliamentary Assemblies but that here appeared none of the Lords who to the constituting of a Parl ought to be there and which is more some King ought to be there present but that neither the one nor the other nor both the Parliament Houses nor any other Iudicature on earth had any Authority to call the King of England to account much less some certain Iudges chosen only by his accusers masked with the Authority of the Lower House and the same proculcated Howbeit he wills them again they would at least-wise produce this their Authority and he would not be wanting to his defence forasmuch as it was the same offence with him to acknowledge a Tyrannical power as to resist a lawful one The President often interrupting the Kings speech told him That they were satisfied with their Authority as it is upon Gods Authority and the Kingdoms in doing of Iustice this their present work To which the King replyed That it was not his own apprehension nor theirs neither that ought to decide it And so the President commanded the prisoner to be taken into custody and so the Court adjourned till Munday next 22. Ianu. to the Painted Chamber and from thence to the same place again and the King returned in the manner as before to St. Iames's Munday the Court met in the Painted Chamber and considering the Kings Resolution to deny ther Jurisdiction and Judicature They resolve that he should not be suffered to argue either the Courts Jurisdiction or that which did constitute it of which debate they had no proper Cognizance nor could they being a derivative power which made them Judges from which there was no appeal And therefore with that distinction they Order That if the King offer to dispute the same again the President shall tell him that the Commons of England assembled in Parliament have constituted this Court whose power may not be permitted to be disputed by him That if he refuse to answer it shall be recounted a contumacie to the Court That if he answer with a salvo his pretended Prerogative above the Court He shall be required to answer positive yea or no. That he shall not have a Copy of his Charge till he own the Court and declare his intentions to answer This concluded they assemble in Westminster Hall and the King called for and brought to the Bar in the same manner and with much contumacy as the other day when the Sollicitor Cook moves that the Prisoner may make a positive answer or that the Charge may be taken pro confesso and the Court to proceed to Justice The President repeats in brief the passages of the last day and commands the King to Answer to the Articles of his Charge unless he had rather hear the Capital Sentence against him The King persists to interrogate concerning their Authority and saies That he less regards his Life then his Honour his Conscience the Laws the Liberties of the people all which that they should not perish together there were weighty Reasons why he could not prosecute his defence before the Iudges and acknowledge a new form of Iudicature for what power had ever any Iudges to erect a Iudicature against their King or by what Laws was it granted surely not by Gods Laws
8. Demand Hist. p. 212. Answer Question Answer Sir Benjamin Ruddier 's Speech Overtures of a Match betwixt the Lady Mary and Prince of Orange The Kings Speech to the Lords about it Pretended Plots of Papists The King passes the Bill for the Triennial Parliament His Speech concerning it Arch-bishop-accused of High-treason Lord Digby's Speech for Episcopacy Original of Dr. Reynald of Episcopacie Which the Arch Bishop of Armagh confirms Spanish Territories revolt Catalonia rebells Cassal lost And Turin And Arras Princes of France discontent and why Whether Spain aims at the universal Monarchy or no The charge against Strafford Answered His Tryal in Westminster Hall Ob. p. 224. Ob. p. 226. Anno 1641. March 25. March 27. April 1. April 2. Aprilâ— the conclusion of the Earls defence The Commons justifie their charge by Law The Earl answereth by Councel with satisfaction But is by the Commons voted by Bill guilty of high Treason Bill of Attainder The Kings speech in defence of the Earl of Strafford Prince of Orange maried the Princess Mary Tumult at Westminster crying out for Justice of the Earl Eikon Bas. chap 4. Upon the Insolencie of the Tumults National protestation Monies raised for the King Bill propounded for continuance of the Parliament Earl of Strafford voted guilty of High Treason by the Lords Hist page 257. Ob. pag. 240. Observatâ—r observed page 41. Observator rescued page 288. Articles oâ— Ireland The second Scandal of hastening the Earls death The kings foâ—mer promisâ— the main Dilemma The Earls Letter to the King upon the Tumult of the Prentices Eikon Bas. chap. 5. upon the Kings passing the Bill for the triennial Parliament and after setling this during this Parliaments Pleasure Bill for a perpetual Parliament Arch-bishop of Armagh's answer under his hand concerning the consult with the Bishops The Kings Letter in behalf of the Earl The Lords Answer The Earl brought to the Scaffold The Earl's Speech upon the Scaffold A design of the Aâ—my discovered Eikon Basilike c. 15. Upon Jealousies and Scandals cast upon the King Mr. Thomas his Speech against Bishops Bishops after the Reformation King Charls Mr. White 's Letter 〈…〉 New mods Ecclesiastical Government The Arch-Bishop of Armaghs Propositions in Church Government a The book of Ordination b Ibid ex Act. 20. 27. 28. x so taken in Mat. 2. 6. Rev. 12. 5. 19. 15. d 1 Tim. 4. 14. e Tertul. Apologet. cap. 39. f Nec de aliorum manibus quam praesidentium sumimus Id. de coronâ— militis cap. 3. g Dandi quidem Bâ—ptismi habet jus summus sacerdos qui est Episcopus dehinc Presbyteri Diaconi Id. de Bapt. cap. 17. h Omni actu ad me perlato placuit contrahi Presbyterium Cornel. apud Cyp. epist. 46. i Cyprian epist. 55. ad Cornel. k Concil Carthag 4. cap. 23. l Excerption Egberti cap. 43. m 15. q. 7. cap. Nullus x unde nomen Episcopi tractum est Hieron epist. 85. ad Evagrium Tunnage and Poundage The speaker to the King The King replies Bill of Poll-mony passed as also suppressing the High Commission Court and Star-chamber Court Qu. Mother of France dies at Colen Ambassadour to the Emperour at the Diet. Resolution to disband the Scots and English Army Dr. Wren Bishop of Ely committed to the Tower Judges questioned about Ship-money Commissioners in the Kings absence Bills signed Parliament sit on a Sunday Aug. 10. Disorders by connivance of Parliament Irish Rebellion the Proeme Parsons and Burlace made Lords Justices of Ireland The Earl of Leicester declared Lord Lieutenant Parliament adjourned for three Moneths Rebellion brake out Octob. 23. Motives to the Catholicks to take Arms. Irish Rebellion pre surmized Owen O Conally discovers the Conspiracy 22. October 1651. Conally examined Mac Mahon secured The discovery Proclaimed Rebellion first in Ulster The preparations of defence Letters sent to the King and Parliament All Ulster posessed by the Rebells Phelim O Neale the Generalismo Rebell his Character News sent to Droghedagâ— Lord Moor comes with succour Townes surprized by the Rebells The General Declaration of the Catholiques of Irelâ—nd Second Dispatch to the King in Scotland and to England Dublin victualled Protestation of the Parliament in Ireland against the Rebells The Parliam send to treat with the Rebells Letters again sent into England Order of Parliament in England concerning Ireland Tredagh fortified Lord Moor's house plundered English defeated at Gilingstone Bridge Surprise of shiping Letters summoning all the Lords of the Pale Their answer Netervile is commanded to disband His answer Tredagh besieged Skirmish at Greenhills Message from the Enemy The Oath of the Catholicks The Protestants Oath Several Enterprizes with effect against the Rebells The besieged in distress Relief to the Town The Enemies Invasion A Pinnace set out for Provision Several sallies O Neale returned Supply by sea O Neale storms the Town Letters from the Rebells iâ— the North. Base butcheries by the Rebells Feb. 26. Fresh Supply by Sea The Siege raised March 20. The Kings Speech to both Houses Proclamatâ—on for obedience to thâ— Lâ—ws concerning 〈…〉 The Kingâ— speech to the Houses The Parliament petition for priviledge A plot in Scotland Faction at hâ—â—e Parliament Petition and remonstrance Remonstrance of the Parliament The Kings Answer to the Petition The Kings Declaration in answer to the Parliaments Remonstrance Mutiny of the City Message concerning Ireland Proclamation of the Rebellion of Ireland The Lord Kimbolton and 5. Members are questtioned Articles against the 5. Members The King goes to the House of Commons to arrest the 5. Members Voted a breach of their Privilege Tumults against the Bishops who petition and protest Bishops accused of high Treason The House of Commons petition for a Guard The City in fear petition the King Answered 12 Ian. County of Bucks Petition The King with-draws to Hampton Court Eikon Bâ—s c. â— Upon the Kings retirement from Westminster Attourney General questioned about the five Members The Kings Letter concerning the Attourney General Upon the Kings coming to the House of Commonâ— Overtures for relief of Ireland The House of Commons petition for the Militia The Kings Answer Petition to the King concerning the five Members The Queen sent into Holland with the Princess of Orange Eikon Bas. c. 7. Petition for the five Members Petition to settle the Militia Lord Digby's Letters intercâ—pted Propositions for Ireland The Kings Answer concerning the Militia Parliament petition peremptorily for the Militia The Kings Answer Parliaments Declaration to the King of all his faults Parliament denude the King of all power and allegeance Proclamation at York concerning Tunâ—age and Poundage The County of York petition the King His Answer His offers concerning Ireland Hull and its Magazine desired by the Parliament Parliament disswade the King from going into Ireland Queries concerning the Militia concluded Magazine of Hull denied or entrance of the King Bill for the Militia Hotham's act at Hull avoâ—â—ed Parliament in a posture of War
The King and Hendersonâ— argue about Church matters Mr. Hudson conveyed the King from Oxford The City congratulatocy Petitions to the Parliament The Kings former letters to Ormond of April the thirteenth discovered The Kings Warrant to disband his forces Scots Armies letter to the Parliament The Kings letter to the Prince Hudson examined his confessions The Kings command to Ormond not to treat with the Irish Rebels The State of the Propositions of Peace Prosecution of the Propositions of Peace The Declaration against the Scots Papers Propositions sent to the King The Kings Message to the Parliament French Ambassadour Extraordinary hath Audience Parliaments Answer Propositions presented to the King The Kings Answer to the Propositions 〈…〉 The Scots offer to be gon with the rest of their demands The Kings Answer to the Scots Petition and Remonstrance The Propositions are urged to the King Debate how to dispose of the King Letters complaining of the Scots Army General Fairfax comes to London English Army mutiny for money The taking Covenant with exceptions Tender Consciences taken up Dispute about diposing the Kings person argued The Scots Answer One years account of the Scots Army Earl of Essex his Life and Death 〈…〉 Sir Io. Stowel Prisoner The Scots Papers concerning the dispose of the King Scots Argument Ready money for the Scots Army Sums of money disposed of to certain Members The Kings Message for a Treaty near London The King voted to Holmby The Parliament of Scotland's Queries Ministers of the Assembly answer The Parliament of Scotlands result concerning the King The Kings queries to thâ— Scots Army Scots Answer The Kings Reply The Scots Declaration concerning the King Commissioners to receive the Kings Person Scots Army depart Newcastle The King desires two of his Chaplains to be with him Serjeant Glanvile released upon Bail The King writes again for his Chaplains Eikon â—as page 106. Chap. 24 The Army Model City of London Petition Prince of Orange dies Of the Presbysâ—rial Government Tyranny and Power Practise of the Presbytery Of the persons authorized Their power how exercised Affairs of Ireland The Kings Letters to the Lord General of Ireland In vita Iulii Agricolae The Commons vote the Government of Ireland Dublin besieged by the Rebels Continuation of the Kings affairs under Montrose in Scotland David Lesly comes with Horse from the Scots Army in England Defeats Montroses Forces Surrender of Dunkirk to the Frencâ— 1647. A summary or entrance to this year 1647 Anno 1647. Prince Elector Palatine a Member of the Assembly of Divines The King contemplates his Captivity at Holmby Eikon Bas. cap. 23. Judg Ienkins refuses to be examined Army modelled Petition from the Army Rosvil in secret gives Letters to the King The Kings Answer to the former Propositions The Army discontent The City Petition burned Commissioners of the Parliament and of the Army treat The King taken into the Armies power The Army draws towards London The Armies Representation The Charge against eleven Members Their persons to be suspended Votes in Parliament concerning the 11. Members Answered by the Army Eikon Bas. cap. 26. The Kings desire to see his children retarded The Generals letter in the Kings behalf and herein the case of the Army in reference to the King The eleven Members have leave to navel Result of the difference between the Parliament and Army Both Speakers and some Members fly to the Army The General resents the outrage of the City Theâ— Cities Declaration against the Army The City in some disorder submit And treat with the Army The Army Bâ—igades come to Southwark The Kings Letter to the Gâ—neral for Protection The absent Members are setled again The Army marches in State to Westminster and in Triumph through the City The forced Acts of Parliament made null The late force of Parliament debated Armies Remonstrancâ— hereupon Six of the 11. Members surprized at Sea Sir Philip Stapleton died of the Plague Excise continued by ordinance of Parliament King at Hampton Court Scots Commissioners Sundry secret Petitions of mixed natures Divers Members condemned for Actors in the late Tumult Desires of the Army Propositions sent to the King and his Answer The Kings Message in Answer to the Propositions Debaâ—es hereupon Agitators of the Army present Agâ—tators send Letters to the General and Army The Generals Answer Scots Commissioners Letter to the Speaker The effects of the Kings Answer The Letter of Inteligence The King escapes from the Court Lieutenant Colonel Cromwels Letter to the Parliament The Kings Letter to Col. Whaley The Letter to the Lord Mountague The Letter to the Parliament The Generals Letter to the Speaker Death for any to conceal the King Col. Hamonds Letter to the Parliament Votes to secure the King The Kings Message to the Parliament from Carisbroke Castle Which Hamond refuses in his Letter to the Parliament The Kings Message to the Parliament for an Answer to his last from Carisbroke Castle Four Bills offered to the King with the Proposals The Scots Commissioners dissent Answer to the Bills and Propositions The Kings Servants dismissed Votes of no further adress to the King The Parliaments Declaration concerning those Votes An Answer to the Parliaments Declaration Mutinies about keeping Christmas The Kings Dâ—claration to his people after the Vote of no address The Kings Title altered in things Army Modelled Continuation of Military Actions under Montrose Ogleby escapes Gordon and Spotswood executed Gutlery Murrey Middleton comes from the Scots Army in England with Forces Montrose commanded by the King to lay dowâ— Arms. His Answer sent to the King Montrose disbandeth his Forces and takes leave of â— Scotlâ—nd The affairs of Ireland in chief Munster Treaty concluded Anno. 1648. Summary of the affairs of this year Vniversity of Oxford refuses to be visited by the Parliaments Ordinance Exceptions a the gainst Ordinance of Parliament Concerning the Covenant Negâ—tive Oath Earl of Pembroke Chancellor His Visitation of Oxford Col. Poycâ— revolts in Wales Major General Laughorn joyns with him and surprize Tenby Mutiny in London dispersed City consult and crave pardon Poyers power at Pembroke defeats the Parliaments forces Chepstow Castle taken Poyers party defeated and how Anno 1647. Laughorn escapes to Poyer Tenby surrendâ—ed Pembroke besieged Surrendred upon Aâ—ticles Anno 1648. The Prince writes in the Prisoners behalf Votes concerning the King and Government Duke of York escapes beyond Seas to Holland Petition of Essex for a Treaty with the King Surrey Petition very high gâ—d quarâ—el City petition to this purpose Prisoners of Tumult released Kent insurrection The Geneâ—als Letter in Answer to theirs They reply and fight Maidstone fight Votes against the eleven Members Lords and Aldermen are discharged Kentish men come to Black Heath and Disband The Generals Summons Rumour of impoisoning the King Insurrection of the Earl of Holland They write to the City for assistance Engage in â—ight Earl of Holland taken prisoner The Estates of Scotland disagree Scots protestation Committee of danger in Scotland
by Courtney Hawley and Bingley Part of these two Companies about two hundred a piece stood at the mouth of that Causway which bore not above five a Brest The other part was placed at the side of the Causway not far from Damier Our horse in the mean time by reason of these companies so dispersed one Troop thereof consisted of not above 30. and the other but 38. to receive the enemies first charge amongst those were some of the Reformed as it were to inclose the Companies and all this the enemy knew and what companies could not come to assistance To Schomburgh comes Marilane and requires the word yet he intended not presently to fight us but to afflict and take our last as a noble Gallant confessed for there they appear to approach the Causway not so by a strait but by oblique course The French now advance a pace and are stoutly received by us but overprest by multitude they underwent diverse fortune For one part of our Horse fell amongst whom was that gallant and unrevenged Cunningham Another part yielded amongst whom was the Lord Mountjoy and he civilly used Others by the Enemies numerous power and their own weight in a steep place were forced to fly and whiles thus hurryed through the straits of the Causway into Ditches and Salt pits we were thrown The way thus opened the French pursue and made no small slaughter upon us For with very long pikes they pierced some of us already in the dirt whose face not long before they scarce durst behold And those by our own horse to whom onely they could give place were thrust besides the top of the Causway and so pierced by the enemies spears Those Companies next the horse at Damiere with their colours flying fought a while but as the former overpowred with the number fell or fled Amongst these the Reformed by uneven and turning paths made their way to the furâ—her bridge with much danger For the Enemy spared none that they met with And in truth here was a very great Slaughter Buckingham did much by direction and example Nor did the diversity of their thoughts suite well some endeavouring to fly others forbad it they rendred themselves by turns to the enemies pleasure and endeavouring by heaps to pass the Bridge one stopping another and so forced the contrary way until mutually knitting together they were thrown into the Sea And in truth Rich and Bret and many other Noble souls defending that bloody bridge encombred and prest perished in the waters and as many as fell to the French were surely destroyed Beyond the Bridge was ammunition for which Crosby contended but by a promiscous torrent of fliers and pursuers forced away having no leasure to distinguish Friends from Foes But upon a turn of fortune the French were forced beyond the Bridge Marilane leading them whom Sir Thomas Fryar and Hacksvil with gallant Spirits fall upon and Crosby with the next stand and rallied force assist and so wrested the victory from the enemy And herein not to be partial consult with their own writers they confess it and name their gallants slain This nimble victory makes us consult to pursue the French but the paucity and fewness of our men night also come caused us to forbear and themselves say Their return so disturbed and altered the French affairs that Marilane forsaken by his runnawayes could neither by fair means nor force of Sword detain them It may be suspected so few to put to flight the French but remember heretofore the battails of Cressie Poictiers Agencourt small handfuls of ours vanquished theirs the French Naturally they must confess it spend all their fury at Assault and without fear given create fear to themselves for they chill their internal strength and run headlong into danger the cause in themselves I must confess the victory which we claim was as I may say but lamentable which yet the Law of Arms allows us No man perished of ours but who desired to dy pent up to fight not to fly we fought for French against French theirs not our own quarrel The number of ours lost are now in question We say but 500. they reckon of us 1100. and how By the old Breeches which we cast off and the miserable beseeches bought of the Islanders to make a shew and fill up their Accompt And for their purchase of our number of Colours an oversight of us not to send them away with our Guns I told you before how we were weakned not a dozen left to an ensign and for the French who buried their own accompt but two or three hundred we cannot disprove them The night as I said came on they are fled we not able to pursue We were to make good our design to depart the Isle of Rhe not to be forced to be gone Yet still we stand expecting fresh Assaults from the French which they might easily do but did not and returned We went on and Crosby had the Watch Guard that night and order at the third Watch to burn the bridge which he did without damage The next day Buckingham minding his departure sends Fryar and Bret to demand the dead bodies and Dolbier to treat about Exchange of Prisoners Schomburgh consents to the first but refers the second to his Kings pleasure and so some tiÌ„me after all were returned without ransome to either friends We make aboard but here the question the glory of the field who of our own to stay last upon the shore to avoid dispute it was ordered by lot and on ship too we weighed not anchor till eight daies dared the enemie with their numerous fresh Fleets to fight And so saies Schomburgh to the King He intends himself to declare to his Majesty the English state and stay in the Anserne Island ere they departed Buckingham aboard calls a Council and demands their opinions freely if enough had been done in honour to depart All consented in one and that truly we had done well But Buckingham offered his desire to land and force the Continent and somewhat might be conceived in safety to the Rochellers and their affairs who were concluded under such a condition no douâ—â— as rendred them in appearance as yet Neuters to our Design or at least under pressure of submission and so to secure themselves might betray us The 9. day we hoised sail and met the Earl of Holland neer our Western Coast where at Plymouth the whole Fleet came to ancher and our Duke posted to Court to the King who received him with extraordinary welcome after three Moneths stay in the Isle and some weeks and odd daies from the hour he went from England The ordinary Prisoners on both sides were upon former Treaty to be returned home And therefore it is not well recited to say That Lewis gratiously dismist them as an offertory to his Sister the Q. of England and refused the Lord Mountjoys round sum of his ransom
for two couple of Dogs from England When it was certain we had of of theirs here that came prisoners to the Duke and of greater quality to be exchanged for him and others and only the Common men returned free Nor does any of all our Adversaries Authors whom I have named that spit their malice most make the least mention hereof Only this our own writer defames us At this time Pens and Tongues were set on work to scandal and descant on this Expedition I have answered these our Adversaries Some of our own too do say It was propter Inscitiam temeritatem Ducis But Buckingham himself and others that lived to suffer under obloquie lodge the loss of the Design upon the Earl of Holland not seconding the expedition with recruit of Men and Victual with those ten Ships committed to his command for strengthing and continuance of the Siege and guarding the Passes to the Island which might have prevented the Relief of the Besieged And which Ships were ready part at Plymouth under oversight of the Lord Wilmot Vice Admiral the other Squadron made up at Chatham were to take in provision there and the Earl of Holland admiral of all T is true he failed of his time to attend the Wind which afterwards he lost so long that the King was returned his Summer progress ere Holland was got out of Portsmouth Roade but was aboard where he received the Kings angry Order That the Vice Admiral the Lord Wilmot hast post command at Plymouth to be gone with his Squadron and Holland might now stay his own leisure which so astonisht him to be left behind that instantly he quits his ship and all but his Secretary and one of his Chamber and with the help of a small fisher Boat skews the Wind to the Cowes in the Isle of Wight in imminent danger of drowning by the way and the next day by Post to Newport from thence he got into the weather and wind and so gained of thâ— way and landed again in the west posting to Plymouth timely enough to put to Sea And by the way he met with the Duke returned from the Isle of Ree for which he hardly escaped resentment and jealousie during life that Holland could have been content with his feigned hopes to succeed him favourite Thus ended this Design with loss of blood and honour Which had it succeeded saies one to our desire would not have rewarded the charge but he is much mistaken in this account for besides the preserving Rochel and the advantage to us of those Isles Rhe and Oleron and so footing in that part of Aquitain Besides the mid-way and conveniency of carrying on our Fleets and Forces towards Spain upon all occasions of quarrel with that Monarch But the Duke returned having an eye of Jealousie upon the Earl of Holland for retarding his necessary Recruit and so relief which indeed for the present had slender apology However the Duke posting to Court and heartily received of the King Professing that this neglect of Relief must lodge on his Friend and Confident Holland To which he acknowledged That indeed he had very affectionately intrusted him in ordinary affairs but never in such an esteem as to second him in Arms. And accordingly it being now in the Dukes power to reward his wilfull negligence Holland had orders to stay by the way and remain at Portsmouth under the notion of ordering the Ships and Souldiers there untill the Dukes further pleasure which was so long in resolve as lodged Holland under suspition to find the effects of utter ruin prevented only by his humble Remonstrance and submission to the Duke But the Landmen many strangers Irish and Scots were billeted by parcels in the County Villages and to the great regret of their Hosts that never felt any such burthen before nor could this give any just cause of murmurre at all And to boot Sir William Balfore a Scot Coâ—mander of Horse in the Netherlands and Dalbier a Dutch Commissary heretofore under Count Mansfield joined in commission with bills of Exchange thirty thousand pounds to buy and transport horses from beyond Seas into England for the Kings service which occasioned the more muttering in fear forsooth as the Turkish Ianizaries and terrour to force obedience of the people which report was fain to be palliated by Protestation That as they might be useful for suddain and foraign service so he willingly endeavoured at his own charge to ease their purses and so the Design took end with these Jealouâ—ies In the time of the Expedition to the Isle of Rhe the French had a gallant great Ship built at Texel in Holland named the Sancta Esprit and furnished with all materials necessary foâ— War Captain Trevere a worthy Englishman in his return from Hamburgh had Command to seize any Ships of the French upon the coast which lay there in the mouth of that Haven and this in the Harbour The night most proper for Trevers enterprize he procured a Dutchman Hollander for a round sum of money to direct him in the dark to aboard this great Ship which Toras the Governour of the Isle of Rhe caused to be built at his own charge upon the approach the French man let fly his great guns suspecting this Ship advancing so neer but Trevers made up with courage under this others upper Tire and shot the Frenchman through and through boarded her bravely and brought her away And fitting her with his own Men summoned the rest of his own consorts and so fell upon the whole French Fleet who in fear by the noise of the Cannon and ignorant of any event weighed anchor and got away to Sea in great confusion Spesse the French Agent complains to the States of Trevers boldness to seize any Ship in their Chambers of Harbour under their Protection To which Trevers tells them the Articles of Amity between his Royal Master and them to pursue Enemy in eithers Harbour which you have done said he by the Dunkirks out of English Ports But whilst they disputed Trevers hoists sail and comes home with his Prize and 20. whole brass Culverins two brass semi-Culverins two other great brass Guns sixteen large Iron Guns and two less In the Hold for Ballast was twelve great Guns arms of 1100. Souldiers eighty barrels of Powder And though a general command kept all the French Ships in Harbour not to stir whilest the English were Masters at Sea Yet Pennington the English Vice-Admiral took thirty four of theirs homeward bound rich Merchant men without loss of any of ours and others were forced out of their Havens under their very Castles and Forts to the terrour of the French At this time Abbot Arch-bishop of Canterbury was sequestred from those services which he could not at that present personally attend otherwise proper for his cognisance and jurisdiction and which as Arch-bishop he might and ought in his own person to perform and execute and a Commission
up and Anarchy goes down yet rather then to sink the Presbyter complies and the Houses agree whom the Army resolve so to ballance as by their Authority for the present to doe the great work and to dissolve Monarchy Some Members out of honour and conscience forbearing the rest of them receive the Report of the 38. Committee-men and their general Charge against the King That Charls Stuart hath acted contrary to his trust in departing from the Parliament setting up his standard making war against them and thereby been the occasion of much bloudshed and misery to the people whom he was set over for good That he gave Commissions to Irish Rebels c. and since was occasion of a second War c. besides what done contrary to the Liberties of the Subject and tending to the destruction of the Fundamental Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom 27. December The Queen of England now at Paris in France writes to the King which was conveyed to him by one Wheeler imployed by Major Boswels man where the Queen expresseth her deep sence and sorrow for the Kings sad condition with whom she bears an equal share and wishes to dye for him nor will she live without him for whose interest she hath and will doe her utmost in all possible waies and means to help him Then another Letter was delivered by the French Ambassador to the General from the Queen and directed To her trusty and welbeloved Tho. Lord Fairfax General imploring his help and assistance that she may have leave as the Ambassador unfolded to come over to the King her Husband to see him before he be proceeded against by any Tryal or Charge and to have a Pass for her secure coming and returning which letter the General sent to the House and they laid it aside And to confirm the present intended Tryal the Commons House declare That by the Fundamental Laws of the Realm it is Treason in the King of England for the time to come to levy War against the Parliament and Kingdom The Ordinance for the Kings tryal was refused by the Lords Ian. 2. but they will send answer and presently adjourn for ten daies The Commons examining the Lords Journal Books finde three Votes 1. To send an Answer 2. That their Lordships do not concur to the Declaration 3. That their Lordships reject the Ordinance for tryal of the King Upon which the Commons Vote That all Members and others appointed to act in any Ordinance are impowred and injoyned to Sit Act and Execute notwithstanding the House of Peers joyn not with them The House 4. Ianuary turned into a grant Committee resolve and declare 1. That the People under God are the Original of all just power 2. That the Commons of England assembled in Parliament being chosen by and representing the People have the Supream Authority of this Nation 3. That whatsoever is enacted and declared for Law by the Commons of England assembled in Parliament hath the force of a Law 4. That all the people of this Nation are included thereby although the consent and concurrance of the King and House of Peers be not had thereunto 5. That to raise Arms against the Peoples Representative or Parliament and to make War upon them is high Treason 6. That the King himself took Arms against the Parliament and on that account in guilty of the bloodshed throughout the Civil War and that he ought to expiate the crime with his own bloud Thus they prepare for the design which must be attempted by degrees The Tryal of the King The Ordinance for his Tryal was 6. Ian. ingrossed and read and the manner is referred to the Commissioners who are to try him and meet in the Painted Chamber Munday 8. Ianuary and resolved that Proclamation be made in Westminster Hall that the Commissioners are to sit again to morrow and that those who had any thing to say against the King shall be heard In this manner Mr. Denby the younger a Serjeant at Arms to the Commissioners rid into the Hall with his Mace and some Officers all bare six Trumpetters on Horseback sounded in the midst of the Hall and the Drums of the Guard beat without in the Pallace Yard and in like manner at the Old Exchange and in Cheapside 9. Ian. The Commons Vote the Title in Writs Carolus Dei Gratiâ c. to be altered and referred to a Committee That the great Seal of England be broken and ordered a new Seal with the Arms of England and the Harp for Ireland with this word The great Seal of England And on the reverse the picture of the House of Commons sitting with these words In the first year of freedom by Gods blessing restored 1648. And in perpetuam rei memoriam the Mayor Aldermen and Common Council petitioned the House of Commons for justice against the King to settle the Votes that the Supreme power is in them and the City resolving to stand by them to the utmost And this Petition was ordered to be Recorded in the Books amongst the Acts of the Common Council And in respect of the Kings intended Tryal Hillary Term begining the 23. of Ian. was adjourned for 14. dayes after and proclaimed in London and Westminster and all Market Towns The Scots Parliament began Ianu. 4. and the proceedings of the Parliament of England being reported to them they unanimously did dissent First in the toleration of Religion in reference to the Covenant in the Tryal of the King and in the alteration of the form of Government And in order hereunto some Papers were brought to the House of Commons at Westminster directed To William Lenthal Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons and no more where they use to say to be communicated to the House of Commons by which they acknowledge them an House and so the House thought not fit to read them but Voted to send Commissioners to Scotland to preserve a good correspondence between both Nations The Commissioners for the Kings Trial debated and concluded That the Sword and the Mace although with the Kings Arms thereon should be ordered to be in Court at his Tryal And the King to be brought from St. Iame's whither he was come a prisoner to Sir Robert Cottons House at Westminster The Higher House sat and sent a Message to the Commons grounded upon the dissent of the Lords Commissioners of the great Seal joyned with the Commons That they could not agree to pass the Act of the Commons for adjourning the Term without the Lords concurrence first to be had And that by the instructions given to the said Commissioners the Commons Commissioners could do nothing without assent of one of the Lords The Message therefore was to the Commons to concur with the Lords for adjourning the Term for a fortnight and that the Commissioners of the great Seal may be required to passe the same under seal This Massage crossed the Commons late Votes