mens Fates did usher out what their devices had introduced as great Events never go unattended the Solemn League and Covenant first invented by Arguile and his Complices which had raised such a Combustion in the three Kingdoms was Sacrificed to the Flames by a Vote in Parliament the common Hang-man in ample manner burning it in several places in London which also was done all the Kingdom over with great Acclamations which being omitted hitherto when so often unwelcome occasion hath been given to recite it take it now in this its Mittimus A Solemn League and Covenant for Reformation and Defence of Religion c. WE Noblemen Barons Knights Gentlemen Citizens Burgesses Ministers of the Gospel and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland by the providence of God living under one King and being of one Reformed Religion having before our eyes the Glory of God and the Advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ the Honour and Happiness of the Kings Majesty and his Posterity and the true Publick Liberty Safety and Peace of the Kingdoms wherein every ones private Condition is included And calling to minde the Treacherous and Bloody Plots Conspiracies Attempts and Practises of the Enemies of God against the true Religion and Professors thereof in all places especially in these three Kingdoms ever since the Reformation of Religion and how much their Rage Power and Presumption are of late and at this time encreased and exercised whereof the deplorable Estate of the Church and Kingdom of Ireland the distressed estate of the Church and Kingdom of England and the dangerous Estate of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland are present and publick Testimonies We have now at last after other means of Supplication Remonstrance Protestations and Sufferings for the Preservation of our selves and our Religion from utter Ruine and Destruction according to the commendable practice of these Kingdoms in former times and the example of God's People in other Nations after mature deliberation resolved and determined to enter into a Mutual and Solemn League and Covenant wherein we all subscribe and each one of us for himself with our Hands lifted up to the most High God do Swear 1. THat we shall sincerely really and constantly through the Grace of God endeavour in our several Places and Callings the Preservation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government against our Common Enemies The Reformation of Religion in the 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 shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdoms to the neerest Conjunction and Vniformity in Religion Confession of Faith Form of Church-Government Directory of Worship and Catechising That we and our Posterity after us may as Brethren live in Faith and Love and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us 2. That we shall in like manner without respect of persons endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacy that is Church-Government by Arch-Bishops Bishops their Chancellors and Commissaries Deans Deans and Chapters Arch-Deacons and all other Ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hierarchy Superstition Heresie Schism Prophaneness and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to Godliness and sound Doctrine and the power of Godliness left we partake in other mens sins and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues And that the Lord may be one and his Name one in the three Kingdoms 3. We shall with the same sincerity reality and constancy in our several Vocations endeavour with our Estates and Lives mutually to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of the Parliaments and the Liberties of the Kingdoms and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties person and Authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms That the World may bear Witness with our Consciences of our Loyalty that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesties just Power and Greatness 4. We shall also with all faithfulness endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shall be Incendiaries Malignants or evil Instruments by hindering the Reformation of Religion dividing the King from his people or one of the Kingdoms from another or making any Faction or parties amongst the people contrary to this League and Covenant that they may be brought to publick Trial and receive condigne punishment as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve or the supreme Iudicatories of both Kingdoms respectively or others having power from them for that effect shall judge convenient 5. And whereas the happiness of a blessed Peace between these Kingdoms denied in former times to our Progenitors is by the good providence of God granted unto us and hath been lately concluded and setled by both Parliaments We shall each one of us according to our place and interest endeavour that they may remain conjoyned in a firm Peace and Vnion to all Posterity and that justice may be done upon the wilful opposers thereof in manner expressed in the precedent Article 6. We shall also according to our Places and Callings in this common Cause of Religion Liberty and Peace of the Kingdoms assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant in the maintaining and pursuing thereof and shall not suffer our selves directly or indirectly by whatsoever Combination Perswasion or Terrour to be divided and withdrawn from this blessed Vnion and Conjunction whether to make defection to the contrary part or to give our selves to a detestible indifferency or neutrality in this Cause which so much concerns the Glory of God the good of the Kingdoms and Honour of the King but shall all the daies of our lives zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition and promote the same according to our power against all Lets and Impediments whatsoever And what we are not able our selves to suppress or overcome we shall reveal or make known that it may be timely prevented or removed All which we shall doe as in the sight of God And because these Kingdoms are guilty of many sins and provocations against God and his Son Iesus Christ as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers the fruits thereof We profess and declare before God and the World our unfeigned desire to be humbled for our own sins and for the sins of these Kingdoms especially that we have not as we ought valued the inestimable benefit of the Gospel That we have not laboured for the Purity and Power thereof and that we have not endeavoured to receive Christ in our Hearts nor to walk worthy of him in our Live◠which are the Causes of other sins and transgressions so much abounding amongst 〈◊〉 and our true unfaigned purpose desire and endeavour for our selves and all others under our Power and Charge both in publick and
and with a broad Sword cleaved his Head and killed him suffering his Pagâ— to escape but by a mistake wounding another Dutch-man for him at their 〈◊〉 coming in and having done the deed quietly departed and though the States pretended a Hue and Cry yet the people were generally well satisfied and applauded the Execution but our States here were outragiously mad and published a Paper wherein they imputed this Fact to the Royalists and upon the next occasion threatned to retaliate it upon those of that party then in their Hands yet Ascham their Agent and Envoy to Spain some time after with 〈◊〉 Interpreter Signour Riba was served in the same manner at his arrival at Madrid in his Inn by one Sparks and other English Merchants upon the same account Sparks fled to the Venetian Embassadors and thence to Sanctuary but by the subtile Don to curry with our Masters then dreadful to his Plate-trade and for othâ—r designed advantages was at their important instance taken thence and with all mens pitty and indignation at the meanness of the Spaniard thereafter Executed The King on the 15 of Iune departed from the Hague in company with his Sister and her Husband the Prince of Aurange in their Coach and came early to Rotterdam where the Burgers were in Arms and was Nobly received and saluted at his passing the Gates with all the Artillery and Ringing of the Bells and other signes of Joy and Honour though the English Company there durst not as of themselves give any particular proof thereof From thence to Dort where he was received in the same ample manner and then to Breda and so to Antwerp where by the Arch-Dukes order he was met and entertained with 〈…〉 and presented with a most splended Chariot with eight Horses 〈…〉 welcomed by the Marquess of Newcastle who had fixed 〈…〉 out of respect to the great Civility he found from that people 〈…〉 him Excise-free with other immunities and priviledges and 〈…〉 to Brussels whâ—re his Treatments were most Royally ordered as the Kâ—ng â—ftâ—rwâ—rds acknowledged for the most sumptuous magnificenâ—y and pâ—easing 〈◊〉 He ever met with and with the same grandeurs as if the King of Spain had received them himself which Amplitudes were observed throughout 〈◊〉 passage and at his departure thence the Duke of Lorrain gave him the like entertainment and conveyed him on his way to France where in Compâ—â—gne the French King accompanied with the most and chiefest of his Nobility received him with all the Testimonies of affection and Honour and brought him in State to Saint Germains to the Queen his Mother where we will leave him in Counsel with his surest and most beloved friends The Dutchess of Savoy his Aunt having made him an assignment of 50000 Crown a year and several the like proffers from others of his Family while His Brother the Duke of Gloâ—cester and the Princess Elizabeth were transferred from the Earl of Northumberland's to the care of the Countess of Leicester at Penshurst with the maintenance of 3000 a year which was afterwards lessened when they came into the custody of Anthony Mildmay at Carisbroke in the Isle of Wight there being a bold but credible rumour of a resolution of our States putting the Duke to a Merchant or some other Trade The Commonwealth of England was now wholâ—y busiâ—d about the affairs of Ireland which proving very desperate Colonel Monk lately dismist from his Imprisonment in the Toâ—er upon account of his service in this Kingdom having vowed 〈…〉 draw Sword against the King in England was ordered privately to jâ—yn 〈…〉 O Neal and Nuntio party the bloodiest of 〈◊〉 the Râ—bels to pâ—â—â—erve what was yet leâ—t the Parliament of which more hereafter and in the mean time all possible speed was made for the Expedition hencâ— money was mainly wanting and therefore the City was desired to lend â— 20000 l. upon the security of the Act of 90000 l. per mensem but that not proving satisfactory the Act for the sale 〈◊〉 Dean and Chapters-lands then greedily bought up by old Arrears Debentures and Doublings was offered and additional Acts for removing of Obstructions were passed and sums of money to be raised thereupon secured for the same Lieutenant-General Cromwel was complemented with the Command which aâ—ter some debate he accepted and was Voted Lord-Governour of Iâ—eland Fairfax yet continuing General in both Kingdoms Towards the second of Iuly most of the Army designed for that service was drawn to the Sea-side and Colonel Venables Regiment shipped over with some 1500 more which with Tuthills Regiment newly landed before made Iones the Governour of Dublin 7000 strong with which he attempted several times against the Marquess of Ormond with little and various success On the 13 of August Cromwel having passed to Bristol and by reason of cross weather compelled to go for his passage to Milford-Haven with a Fleet of 60 Dutch and English Bottoms set sail and the next day after landed at Dublin his whole Force with Iones now made his Lieutenant-General amounting to 15000 men It will be now very necessary to give an account of the state of that Kingdom and because it is the first atchievement of the New State it shall be rendred entire without any interfering affair though without any other Apology it will take up the most part of the remaining year The Relation whereof we have from an Actor and Eye-Witness there as he hath most elegantly and orderly laid it down worthy of all belief and even pleasant in the ruines he deplores who with many other Loyal English Gentry having escaped or left England to the barbarities of the Usurpation joyned with the more civiller Irish and pursued the Kings Cause in this another of his Kingdoms The Marquess of Ormond Lord-Lieutenant of that Kingdom being prest with the danger of a Siege from the Roman-Catholick-Confederates who had broken their League and Treaty with him had delivered Dublin as aforesaid in 1647. to the Parliaments Commissioners having articled for his free passing to the King and for those sums of money he had expended for the English Interest out of his own private purse when that Exchecquer was drained and accordingly having waited on the King while the Army carried him about with an account of his Actions passed into France whence about September 1648. the said Catholick Confederates perceiving a storm impending on them from England had by Letters to the King importuned His resending to them upon their Engagement and Protestation of plenary submission to his Majesties Authority and to him as his Lieutenant as being the onely fit qualified person for his Interest Birth and Relation to preside in that Nation His Lordship accordingly undertook the Commission and though all things promised fair by the agreement made with the Lord Inchiqueen who had had several successes against the Rebels and had joyned Forces with the said Confederates yet did the
Commanders in the like nature besides Plundrings what hath been taken going out of the Land to the King Lastly Monthly Taxes upon all the Lands in the associated Counties and the Cities of London and Westminster besides what they took for Contribution in their Garrisons c. which came to 60000 l. a month and so given in if not more and by the year amounts to 720000 l. and in five years comes to 3600000 l. and is 360 Waggons loading of silver at 10000 l. a Waggons loading And this higher afterwards This in five years time amounted besides the Customs and the Kings Revenues and Ecclesiastical Profits sequestred in their hands to neer 20000000. But he that is able to reckon what the Sales of the same lands of King Queen and Prince Bishops Deans and Chapters the Nobility and Gentry as Delinquents together with the Monthly assessment at the same time of 100000 and 120000 per mensem come to Erit mihi magnus Apollo I mention not Decimation nor the Piedmont-Sacriledge nor other slier Artifices of Cromwel nor the Prize-money c. But if an estimate be taken of their gettings by their spending let that almost insuperable debt left upon the Kingdom and discharged by the King upon his Return be the unenvied testimony thereof Vale. A CHRONICLE OF THE CIVIL WARS OF ENGLAND SCOTLAND and IRELAND THE FIRST PART BEING The Commons War NO higher or greater cause can be assigned for this War setting aside the sins of all Times and Nations to which the Justice of Heaven is seldome long a Debtor but the fate and catastrophe of Kingdoms and Monarchies which do at certain periods of time taste of that vicissitude and mutability to which all other sublunary things are more frequently subjected The secondary causes of it are so many and so uncertain so variously reported and believed that it would spend much of the paper allotted to this History in ascertaining them Therefore to contain and keep within the limits of this designment something onely shall be said of them that was obvious to every eye not savouring of partiality or affection Many disorders and Irregularities no doubt there were in the State contracted through a long and lazy peace bolstred up with an Universal trade which procured a general wealth the Parents of Wantonnesses the excess of National riches being but as the burden which the Ass carries and mistakes for provender people being onely the better able to sustain their future misery with their present plenty These conceived abuses in the manage of the State like ill humours where they finde an equal resistance or over-power of nature sunk and descended upon the Ecclesiastical Regiment too impotent to sustain those general assaults which were given it No storms or tempests can be raised or maintained below without the Celestial influences or disturbances in the upper Region nor often are there any Commotions or Wars among or in Nations where Religion which ought to be the peaceablest and most innocent perswasion is not the Primum Mobile the great mover of the Machine of Destruction Quantum Religio potuit suadere malorum Nothing from abroad could any way break off that continued series of peace we had so long enjoyed we had made the Nations round about us to wonder at and to dread the putting forth of that strength which had been matured and ripened by the sunshine of so great a prosperity so many years together while the world about us was hurled into the confusions of Ruine and War ready to become a prey to the next potent Invasion Strange moreover it is That the miserable Distractions and Confusions which ensued should be derived from no greater beginnings then a few Ceremonies in the Church that War which stands upon none should be founded and fixt upon them and yet nothing more certain can be charged with the guilt of so much misery as these Kingdoms so long suffered under but the Cavils Discontents and disputes about them A grudging there was for many years before in the Raigns of Queen Elizabeth and King Iames in whose days and at his first assumption to this Crown a Conference was before him managed by the Reformists about them where that learned King so justified the use of them that for a while all obâ—oquâ—es against them were silenced and the Church and State enjoyed its greatest blessings of Peace and Uniformity Nor was there much noise about them in the beginning of the Raign of King Charles but towards the middle it began to threaten a storm in the year 1635. towards the conclusion whereof some Uproars and Commotions were raised decrying those Ceremonial Rites used and practised in the Church such being the ushering in by a general murmur what was plainly and distinctly declared in the beginning of the year 1637. from whence this Chronicle takes its rise by Mr. Pryn Dr. Bastwick and Mr Burton seconded and asserted by that famously known person Iohn Lilburn These men though questionless from different grounds and respects as this age hath lived to see by Mr. Pryn who proved a great and happy instrument in the Kings Restitution and consequently the resettlement of the Church printed several Books against the aforesaid Ceremonies for these Books they were apprehended which were charged also to be full of Invectives against the Bishops and Episcopal Government and were severely censured in the Star-Chamber to the exasperation of a great part of the Kingdom They were all three sentenced to be set in the Pillory and to have their ears cut off Mr. Pryn to be stigmatized on both cheeks each of them fined five thousand pounds apiece to the King and to be imprisoned during the Kings pleasure which was accordingly executed in every point of the sentence and as valiantly and stoutly undergone by these sufferers who after they had stood in the Pillory three thereof being set up in the Palace-yard at Westminster were sent to remote Castles in the adjacent Isles of Guernsey and Iersey from whence as we shall see hereafter they were brought back to London I may not dis-joyn the story of Iohn Lilburn from theirs though divided by time he suffering the year after being whipt at a carts tail for imprinting and vending several Books of the same purport and contents against the Bishops This man proved a great trouble-world in all the variety of Governments afterward being chief of a faction called Levellers he was a great proposal-maker and modeller of State which by his means was always restless in the Usurpation He died a Quaker and such as his life was such was his death This year also Dr. Williams then Bishop of Lincoln and Dean of Westminster formerly Lord Keeper relapsed again into the Kings disfavour for some dishonourable words uttered against the King which were taken hold of and prosecuted in the Star-Chamber where he was fined ten thousand pounds though his enemies would rather have had him resigned his
their turn without Religion and such specious pretences were pleaded to the subversion of the Government therefore the Service-Book opportunely offering it self though in 1616. at Aberdeen a piece very like it had passed by the General Assembly onely altered in some places lest in totidem verbis some factious spirits might have misconstrued it as a badge of dependance of that Church upon England to the prejudice of the Laws and Liberties and by their own Bishops afterwards and revised by the King who observed many of that Nation reverently here to use it and also that it had been read in the Koyal Chappel in Scotland as aforesaid being enjoyned to be read on Easter-day 1637. in Edinburgh but deferred for some reasons though no opposition appeared then till the twenty third of Iuly on that day such a Tumult and Riot happened the heads of the vulgar being secretly prepossest as deep waters run smoothest till they come to some breach as for everlasting notice and memorial of so paltry an introduction to the grandest and miraculous change and subversions which followed it is here briefly though satisfactorily transcribed ON the Twenty third of July being Sunday according to publique warning given the Sunday before the Service-Book was begun to be read in Edinburgh in St. Giles Church called the Great Church where were present as usual many of the Privy Council both the Archbishops and other Bishops the Iustices and the Magistrates of Edinburgh No sooner was the Book opened by the Dean of Edinburgh but a number of the vulgar most of them women with clapping of their bands cursing and outcries raised such a barbarous hubbub in the place that none could bear or be heard The Bishop of Edinburg who was to Preach stept into the Pulpit which is immediately above the place where the Dean was to read intending to appease the Tumult by putting them in minde of the sacredness of the place and of the horrible prophanation thereof But then the rabble grew so enraged and mad that if a stool aimed to be thrown at him had not been providentially diverted by the hand of one present the life of that Prelate had been endangered if not lost The Archbishop of St. Andrews the Lord Chancellor with divers others offering to appease the multitude were entertained with such bitter curses and imprecations that not being able to prevail with the people the Provost Bailiffs and divers others of the Council of the City were forced to come down from the Gallery on which they usually sit and with much ado in a very great Tumult and confusion thrust out these disorderly people making fast the Church-doors After all which the Dean proceeded to read Service which was devoutly performed being assisted by the Lords and the Bishops then present Yet the clamor rapping at Church-doors and throwing of stones in at the Church-windows by the rabble without was so great that the Magistrates were constrained to go out and use their endeavours for to appease the multitude After a little pause and cessation the Bishop of Edinburgh Preached and after Sermon done in his going from Church was so invironed with a multitude of the meaner sort of people cursing and crowding him that he was near being trod to death if he had not recovered the stayrs of his Lodging where he was again assaulted and was like to have been pulled backwards if the Earl of Weems from his next Lodging seeing the Bishops life in danger had not sent his servants to rescue him who got the Bishop almost breathless into his Chamber In other Churches the Minister was forced to give over reading And so that Morning passed Between the two Sermons consultation was held how to suppress those out-rages and ' was so ordered that the Service was quietly read in St. Giles other Churches in the afternoon But yet the rabble intermitted nothing of their madness for staying in the streets at the comming home of the Earl of Roxborough the Lord Privy Seal with the aforesaid Bishop in his Coach they so fiercely assaulted him with stones that he had like to have suffered the death of the Martyr St. Stephen so that if his footmen had not kept the multitude off with their drawn Swords their lives had been very much indangered Thus the Reformation began there with such terrible profanations of the Lords day and of the Lords House an ill omen what in future would be the conclusion and this done by the same many-headed Monster that in like manner began the troubles in England nor ever was the Union more perfect and streight then in such mischiefs To prevent and redress these ills the Privy Councel set forth a Proclamation thereby discharging all concourses of people and tumultuous meetings in Edinburgh under pain of death at which time the Magistrates of the said City before the Council-Table professed their detestation thereof and profered their utmost power in the discovery of the principals in that uproar though they afterwards shamefully failed in their promise and appeared among the chief of the Covenanters even while they were glozing with the King and the Archbishop of Canterbury in England by letters full of duty and affection to his Majesty and his Churches service All businesses of note for a time seemed to be hushed and calmed by reason of the long Vacation which in that Kingdom beginneth always on Lammas-day and the Harvest which drew all sorts of people from Edinburgh except the Citizens so that all was quiet till the ensuing October and then the conflux of all sorts soon enlivened the tumults again the Ministers who undertook the reading of the second Service-book publiquely relenting their forwardness and recanting and reneging it and to that purpose presented a Petition desiring it might not be imposed on them this being backt with such an Universal rendezvous of all sorts gave the Council the fear of an Insurrection for prevention whereof a Proclamation again was published which under pain or Rebellion commanded all persons except they should show cause of their further stay about their particular affairs to depart the City and return to their Houses Seconded also with another whereby his Majesties Council and Session which is the Term were declared to be removed from Edinburgh to Dundee and a third for seizing and discovering of a certain seditious Book against the English Ceremonies which second book was ordered to be publiquely burnt upon the seizure These Proclamations were next day overtaken with another Insurrection For on the 19 of October 1667. the Bishop of Galloway and Sir William Elphinston Lord chief Justice of that Kingdom being appointed by the Lords of the Council to examine witnesses in a Cause depending before them passing through the streets to the Council-House were suddenly encountred and surrounded with an enraged multitude the Bishop hardly by the means of one of the parties in that Suit getting safe to the Council where through the like irreverence
English Lords and to perswade them of the honest intentions of the Scotch Nation were therefore for a while committed but soon after set at liberty having in part effected their errand and insinuated a good opinion of their proceedings withal begot an intelligence and correspondence with some of the Peers who before were well inclined to their cause This appeared soon after in the English Councils of War where the first Gallantry and Resolutions of the Principal Commanders were seen to flag and abate and dissolve into more soft and pliable dispositions to peace The English Army being far superiour in Arms men and bravery was encamped near Barwick and the Scots at Dunslo when by mediation of the persons aforesaid a Treaty was begun which ended presently in a short-lived Peace upon several Articles which being not performed on the Scots part are needless here to repeat In the mean time the Parliament of Scotland according to the Kings Proclamation when he also summoned their Assembly met on the appointed 15th of May and was prorogued till the last of August at which time they sate four days and therein formed four demands for the King The Assembly also sate a little before and abolisht Episcopacie the Liturgy and the Book of Canons with the High Commission c. These things coming to the Kings knowledge together with a Pamphlet prevaricating the conditions of the late Treaty their Letters to the King of France for aid their new Provisions for Arms their levying of Taxes of ten marks per Centum and continuing their Officers and Fortifications induced him by his new Commissioner the Earl of Traquair to command the Adjournment of the Parliament until the second of Iune next ensuing upon pain of Treason Against which Command the Covenanters declare and send a Remonstrance to the King by the Earl of Dumfermling and the Lord Loudon the Chancellour of that Kingdom afterwards who coming without Warrant from the Kings Commissioner Traquair were sent back again Whereupon Traquair a person suspected to have abused his trust comes himself and advising with Hamilton they both propound to the Council the affairs of Scotland being so desperate whether it were not more expedient the King should go himself in person into Scotland than to reduce them by Arms which after many politique considerations was Resolved in the Affirmative That nothing could reclaim them to their duty but force of Arms. This again brought the Earl of Dumfermling and the Lord Loudon to London with two other Commissioners where before the King again they insisted upon the justification of their innocence and withal desired that the King would ratifie and confirm their proceedings and that their Parliament might proceed to determine of all Articles or Bills brought to them to the establishing of Religion and Peace But instead of an Answer to their requests the King charged them with the aforementioned Libel and their Letters and Intelligence held with the French King which then came to English light and were known by the Characters to be the writing of the Lord Loudon who was thereupon committed for a short time but released upon the mediation of the Marquess Hamilton After his release he and Dumfermling presented their Assemblies and Parliaments Remonstrance to the King and the Commissioner returned also and gave a full account of the state of that Kingdom All three of them being admitted unto the Council together the matter was there managed with so much anger and sharpness that the King and the Scots were more exasperated against one another than before The Prince Elector Palatine the Kings Nephew by the Queen of Bohemia about this time came into England having utterly lost his interest in the Palatinate by the late defeat given him there by Count Hatsfield the Emperours General where Prince Rupert so famous afterwards in our Wars and the Lord Craven were taken he staid not long here but departed again and was taken at Lions by the French having past so far undiscovered he was soon after released and returned into England where by the Parliament he had 8000 l. a year assigned him out of his Uncles the Kings Revenue till after His Murther he departed home upon the Articles of Munster-Treaty by which he was restored to his Dignities and Sovereignty being conveyed hence in 1649. in a man of War to the Brill in Holland This year was signalized also by a famous Sea-fight between the Flemings and the Spaniards in the Downs Don Antonio Ocquendo was Admiral of the Spanish Fleet which consisted of seventy Sail of great Ships and Gallions on which were put aboard as the report went twenty five thousand men designed for the service of the Spaniard against the Dutch of the one side and the French on the other and were ordered to be landed at Dunkirk with money for the paying of his Armies then afoot On the 17th of September they were met by the Vice-Admiral of the Holland-Fleet who engaging them in the Chanel was worsted but getting to windward kept near them continuing firing to give Van Trump then before Dunkirk notice of their approach Betwixt Dover and Calice the two Dutch Fleets joyn and attaque the Spaniard the English Fleet under the Command of Sir Iohn Pennington looking on the while who being sore bruised was forced to the English Coast where the Spanish Ambassadour desired they might be protected for two Tides by the Kings Ships but that could not be allowed for the Kings Neutrality between both Whereupon in the night some part with the most of the Treasure and fourteen Ships got safe to Dunkirk the rest Van Trump being recruited with an hundred Ships in an instant almost of time set upon and dispersed sinking and taking and stranding very many so that few escaped home This was the second luckless Armado of the Spaniard on which the malecontents of this and the Kingdom of Scotland grounded many false and scandalous surmises against the King To return again to Scotland where I may not omit one fatal passage On the 19th day of November being the Anniversary of his Majesties Birth part of the Walls of the strong Castle of Edenburgh fell down which was likewise interpreted for an ill Omen such another though more unhappily and nearly significant was that of the fall of the head of his staff at his Tryal before the pretended High Court of Justice For the repairing of these ruines the King sent the Lord Estrich Col. Ruthen and others who were resisted by the Covenanters as men not qualified for the service No hopes for these and other reasons being conceivable of treating and perswading the Scots to obedience a Resolution was taken vigorously to prosecute the War commenced the year before to which purpose it was debated at a Cabinet-Council where none were present but the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the Earl of Strafford and Hamilton and there agreed that a Parliament
must be called in England and Ireland and that in the mean time for the speedy raising of money the Nobility Gentry and Clergy should subscribe what sums of money they would advance to this service for the present occasion till the King could be otherwise helped by Subsidies To this purpose the Earl of Strafford first subscribed twenty thousand pounds the like did the Duke of Richmond and the Nobility according to the several values of their Estates The Clergy granted four shillings in the pound in their Convocation which presently followed to be paid for six years together only the City of London were refractory and could not be induced to lend one farthing to the carrying on of that War By these Loans however of the Kings Loyally affected Subjects he was again in a formidable posture and the Earl of Strafford besides his own personal disbursments had procured four Subsidies to maintain ten thousand foot and fifteen hundred Horse from the Parliament of Ireland he had newly called for which he was honourably brought into the House of Peers in the Parliament of England whither by his Majesties call from his Lieutenantship of Ireland he was then arrived to assist the King with his prudent Counsels Sir Thomas Coventry Lord Keeper of the Great Seal dieth the tenth of Ianuary after he had for fifteen years behaved himself in that place like a wise and honest man Sir Iohn Finch Chief Justice of the Common Pleas succeeds him of whom more anon Anno. Dom. 1640. THe 13th of April this year being the 16th of the Kings Reign a Parliament was summoned at Westminster at the opening whereof the King acquainted them with the affronts and indignities he had received from his Scotch Subjects whom he spared not to call Rebels which was somewhat resented by the Members of the House of Commons who out of dislike of Episcopacie here did not much favour that War against them which by a nick-name was then called Bellum Episcopale Therefore upon the Kings desires to them for a supply of money by which he might be enabled to reduce the Scots they presently started their old grievances which caused a debate whether the King or the Subjects should be relieved first for so they made the Scotch War the Kings personal and distinct business This alteration and the apparent unwillingness of the House of Commons to advance any mony except their previous desires viz. of clearing the properties of the Subject and the establishing of the true Religion and Priviledges of Parliament were confirmed and granted by the King reduced his Majesty to a present necessity and dilemma either of complying with the Scots or to take mony as he could raise it by his own credit and Authority to subdue them for there was no hopes in the Parliaments delays And this was the true Reason of the dissolving that Parliament which happened May the 5th to the great grief of all good people who were sensible of the Kings difficulties and the approaching evils The Convocation of the Clergy sate at the same time and were continued beyond the Parliaments dissolution though contrary to practice and custom where as before is said they contributed and confirmed the Grant of the fifth part of their Ecclesiastical Livings for six years towards the carrying on of the War against the Scots I may not omit the concession of the King in this affair to the Parliament wherein he offered upon the granting of him some Subsidies to remit and acquit his claim of Ship-mony and other advantages of his Prerogative At this Convocation some new Canons were made with Salvoes and dispensations for some which had been strictly heretofore enjoyned but especially and mainly for Episcopacie and the Doctrine of the Church of England in opposition to Popery was hereby established by the Oath of c. As likewise in opposition to the Scotch Covenant This Convocation ended May 29. none dissenting but Dr. Goodman Bishop of Glocester who since died a Roman Catholique and owned that faith As a testimony of the sincerity of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury in the Protestant Religion I shall here insert therefore a passage relating to these Canons Upon the Bishop of Glocester's refusal thereof the Arch-Bishop would have proceeded to the Censures of the Church immediately and therefore gave him according to the Canons three admonitions one upon the neck of another that he should forthwith subscribe and if he had not been whispered that so weighty a matter required deliberation and distance of time he would there have suspended him from his Dignities and Office This Noble Prelate for these and the like vigorous actings both in Church and State fell into the obloquy of the male contents the Chief of whom were the Nonconformists then called Puritans who abounded in London the most whereof upon a distaste taken from the censure of Mr. Pryn Dr. Bastwick and Mr. Burton did mightily maligne him so that on the ninth of May a Paper was posted upon the Exchange animating Apprentices to rise and sack his house at Lambeth next Monday which they were the more forward to do because it was rumoured that he was the first instigator of the King to dissolve the last Parliament But he had intelligence of their designes and provided to receive them According to their appointed time in the dead of the night they came to the number of five hundred and beset his house and endeavoured to enter but were quickly beaten off and glad to retreat having in some measure vented their anger against him in railing and scandalous language such as the streets were full of before in scattered Libels and breaking his glass-windows The day following many of them upon enquiry were apprehended and imprisoned but three days after forcibly rescued from thence by their Companions who broke open the Prison-doors for which one Bensted a Sea-man was apprehended and hanged afterwards in St. Georges-fields and his head and quarters set upon the several Gates of the City The Scotch Parliament now sat again and were more violent in their proceedings than before for having notice of the discontents in England they presently advanced with their Army thitherwards about the same time that the Queen was delivered of a Son Henry Duke of Glocester of whose decease we shall speak in its place The King to be in a readiness to receive them had also appointed an Army of which he made the Earl of Northumberland General and the Earl of Strafford Lieutenant-General but the Earl of Northumberland falling sick he himself sent away part of the Army under the Command of the Lord Conway and advanced out of London with the remainder and came in person to Northallerton During his March the Lord Conway had but ill success He had drawn about 1200 Horse and 3000 Foot to secure the Passes upon Tine near Newborn So far was the Scotch Army advanced under the Command
some through fear others out of compliance with the major part agreed to the ensuing Articles which for an envious remark I have transcribed First That there be a Cessation of Arms both by Sea and Land from this present Secondly That all Acts of Hostility do thenceforth cease Thirdly That both parties shall peaceably return during the Treaty whatever they possess at the time of the Cessation Fourthly That all such persons who lived in any of his Majesties Forts beyond the River of Tweed shall not exempt their Lands which lye within the Counties of Northumberland and the Bishoprick from such Contributions as shall be laid upon them for the payment of eight hundred pound per diem Fifthly That none of the Kings Forces upon the other side of Tweed shall give any impediment to such contributions as are already allowed for the competency of the Scotch Army and shall fetch no victuals nor forage out of their bounds except that which the inhabitants and owners thereof shall bring voluntarily to them and that any restraints or detention of Victual Cattel or Forage which shall be made by the Scots within those bounds for their maintenance shall be no breach Sixthly That no recruit shall be brought into either Armies from the time of the Cessation and during the Treaty Seventhly That the contribution of eight hundred and fifty pounds per diem shall be onely raised out of the Counties of Northumberland Westmerland and the Bishoprick and the Town of Newcastle and that the not payment thereof shall be no breach of the Treaty but the Counties and Towns shall be left to the Scots power to raise the same but not to exceed the sum agreed upon unless it be for charges of driving to be set by a Prizer of the forage Eighthly That the River Tweed shall be the bounds of both Armies excepting always the Town and Castle of Storkton and the Village of Egyshiff and the Counties of Northumberland and the Bishoprick be the limits within which the Scotish Army is to reside having liberty from them to send such Convoys as shall be necessary onely for the gathering up of the Contribution which shall be unpaid by the Counties of Northumberland and Cumberland Ninth and Tenth Articles of private injuries Eleventhly No new Fortifications to be made during the Treaty against either Party Twelfthly That the Subjects of both Kingdoms may in their trade of Commerce freely pass to and fro without any stay at all but it is particularly provided that no member of either Army pass without a formal Pass under the hands of the General or of him that commands in chief This was the sum of that unlucky Cessation which was afterwards at London concluded in a Treaty soon after the sitting of the Parliament who in February next paid the Scots off giving them the stile of their dear brethren which much pleased them but the money which accrewed by an arrear of 124000 l. was a great deal more acceptable And thus with their pay and dismission out of this Kingdom I dismiss them for this time from any further Narrative and look home to our own affairs in England The Parliament sate down on the third of November and immediately fell to questioning several chief Ministers of State Bishops and Judges pretending thereby both to satisfie this Nation and the Scots Monopolies also were voted down and much more good was promised and expected from the Parliament The principal of those Grandees that were accused was the Earl of Strafford against whom Mr. Pym is sent from the Commons to the Lords with an Impeachment of High Treason whereupon he was sequestred from sitting as a Peer and his Privado Sir George Ratcliff was sent for out of Ireland by a Serjeant at Arms. Soon after the aforesaid Earl was committed to the Usher of the Black Rod and so to the Tower in order to his ensuing Tryal yet he obtained the assignation of Councel and a Sollicitor for the better managing his defence The Bishop of Lincoln contrariwise was released out of the Tower and Mr. Pryn Dr. Bastwick and Mr. Burton returned from their kind of banishment in great pomp and bravery attended by many hundreds on Horseback with boughs in their hands to London for the Tide was turned and ran strong the other way In the interim the Lord Keeper Finch and Sir Francis Windebank Secretary of State both charged with no less than High Treason wisely withdrew themselves into Forein parts and weathered the storm that would have sunk them One Iohn Iames the Son of Sir Henry Iames of Feversham in Kent and of the Romish Religion audaciously adventured to stab Mr. Howard a Justice of Peace in Westminster-Hall the said Mr. Howard being about to deliver to the Committee for Religion a Catalogue of such Recusants as were within his liberty The House of Commons now Voted the Assesment of Ship-mony about which there had been so much ado and so many contests together with the Opinions of the Judges and the Writs for it and the judgment of the Exchequer against Mr. Hambden to be all illegal and the Arguments of the two Justices Crook and Hutton shewing the illegality thereof to be Printed and also ordered a Charge of High-Treason to be drawn up against eight others of the Judges Which business of Ship-money being made so accessary to our ensuing Troubles I have thought fit to insert these Records concerning the same The Case as it was stated by the King to the Judges CHARLES REX WHen the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in danger Whether may not the King by Writ under the Great Seal of England command all the Subjects in this Kingdom at their charge to provide and furnish such number of Ships with Men Victual and Munition and for such a time as he shall think sit for the defence and safeguard of the Kingdom from such danger and peril and by Law compel the doing thereof in case of refusal and refractoriness And whether in such cases the King is not sole Iudge both of the danger and when and how the same is to be prevented and avoided Their Opinions MAy it please your most excellent Majesty we have according to your Majesties command severally and every man by himself and all of us together taken into serious consideration the Case and Questions signed by your Majesty and enclosed in your Letter And we are of opinion that when the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in danger your Majesty may by Writ under the great Seal of England command all the Subjects of this your Kingdom at their charge to provide and furnish such a number of Ships with men victual and munition and for such time as your Majesty shall think fit for the defence and safeguard from such a danger and peril and that by law your Majesty may compel the doing thereof
command all and every our Earls Barons Knights Mayors Bailiffs Constables Ministers and others our faithful Liege-people of our County aforesaid as well within Liberties as without by vertue of these presents to be counselling aiding and assisting to you and every one of you in all and singular the Premises And we likewise Command you the said Sheriff that at certain times and places which you or any three or more of you as aforesaid shall appoint shall cause to convene before you all such men in the County aforesaid by whom the Array Assesment and Appointment can best be effected and compleated and to detain those in Prison who for their Rebellion shall happen thither to be committed In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witness our self the 11th day of June in the 18 Year of our Raign Per Ipsum Regem The Reader must know that this Ordinance of the Militia was framed in February and declared to be a Law whether the King should give his Royal assent or no in March ensuing and several things done at that time in the several Counties in pursuance of it So that it long precedes the Kings Commission of Array though for dignity sake I have here Postposed it The Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament for Ordering the Militia of the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales WHereas there hath been of late a most dangerous and desperate design upon the House of Commons which we have just cause to believe to be an effect of the bloodie Councels of Papists and other ill-affected persons who have already raised a rebellion in the Kingdom of Ireland And by reason of many discoveries we cannot but fear they will proceed not onely to stir up the like rebellions and insurrections in this Kingdom of England but also to back them with forces from abroad It is ordained by the Lords and Commons now in Parliament assembled that shall have power to assemble and call together all and singular his Majesties Subjects within the County of as well within Liberties as without that are meet and fit fothe Wars and them to train exercise and put in readiness and them after their abilities and faculties well and sufficientlie from time to time to cause to be arrayed and weaponed and to take the Muster of them in places most fit for that purpose And shall have power within the said Countie to nominate and appoint such persons of quality as to him shall seem meet to be his Deputie-Lieutenants to be approved of by both Houses of Parliament And that any one or more of the said Deputies so assigned and approved of shall in the absence or by command of the same have power and Authoritie to do and execute within the Countie all such Power and Authoritie before in this prâ—sent Ordinance contained And so shall have power to make Colonels and Captains and other Officers and to remove out of their places and to make others from time to time as he shall think fit for that purpose And his Deputies Colonels Captains and other Officers shall have further Power and Authority to lead conduct and employ the persons aforesaid Arrayed and Weaponed as well within the County of as within any other part of this Realm of England or Dominion of Wales for the suppression of all Rebellions insurrections and invasions that may happen according as they from time to time shall receive directions by His Majesties Authority signified unto them by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament And it is further ordained that such persons as shall not obey in any of the Premises shall answer their neglect and contempt to the Lords and Commons in â— Parliamentary Way and not otherwise nor elsewhere and that every the powers granted as aforesaid shall continue until it shall be otherwise ordered or declared by both Houses of Parliament and no longer John Brown Clerk Parl. How contrary to any Law Practice or Precedent of any Parliament this Ordinance was I refer the Reader to examine in his Majesties Answer to it Many Messages and Answers and Papers past betwixt the King and the Parliament which though out of their order we shall present at one view intire in this Place this History not allowing every one a particular room Those of the Kings were less strained yet more elegant then the Parliament's the great ingredients and most substantial part of their Addresses were Jealousies and Fears with which the King was constantly baited for want of more solid Arguments and which no reason could rectifie or dispel being irrefutable because inexistible it being like fighting with a shadow which canot be driven away They protested all along that if his Majesty should persist in the denyal of the Militia the Dangers were such as would indure no longer delay but that they should be forced to dispose of it by Authority of Parliament and must resolve so to do as it was by them propounded Desiring that for the safety of his person and people in much jealousie and Fear he will be pleased to reside in or neer London and to continue the Prince at St. Iames's or any other Houses neer London to prevent the Jealousies and Fears of the people Affirming That by the Laws of the Realm the power of the Militia of raising ordering and disposing thereof in any place cannot be granted to any Corporation by Charter or otherwise without consent of Parliament and that those parâ—s of the Kingdom that have put themselves in a posture of defence have done it by direction and Declaration of Parliament The King much troubled with those unreasonable Papers replyed that he was so much amazed at this Message that he knew not what to answer You speak of jealousies and fears said he lay your hands to your hearts and ask your selves whether I may not in earnest be disturbed with jealousies and fears and if so I assure you this Message hath nothing lessned them For the Militia I thought as much before My last answer being agreeable to what in Iustice or reason you can ask or I in honour grant I shall not alter in any point I wish my residence near you might be safe and honourable that I had no cause to absent my self from Whitehal Ask your selves whether I have not I shall take that care of my Son which shall justifie me to God as a father and to my Dominions as a King I assure you upon mine honour I have no thoughts but of peace and Iustice to my people which I shall by all means possible seek to preserve relying upon the goodness of God for the preservation of my self and my rights This quickned in the Parliament a resolution that the Kingdom be put presently into a posture of defence and a publique Declaration thereupon to be made They talkt of advertisements and extraordinary preparations of forraign Princes by land and Sea In order to this the Beacons were made up new
seems and appears he had the Kings express command to fight that Army with all convenient speed and advantage Accordingly it was his intention to fight them that morning or at least by noon marching in view of them on the plain called Marston-Moor But it proved seven at night before both Armies Engaged The Parliamentarians had taken the advantage of a Corn-hill on the South-side of Marston-Moor four miles from York so that the Prince accepted of what fighting ground they had left him His Army was divided into Wings whereof the Marquess of Newcastle commanded one the Prince the main Battel though he charged in the left Wing where was General Goring Sir Charles Lucas and Major-General Porter Son to Mr. Endymion Porter of the Bed-Chamber Being thus resolved and drawn in Battalia ready to charge and begin the Encounter it was resolved upon the signal that the Princes left Wing should commence the Battel whither some new Reserves were brought to enforce and assist them The right Wing of the Parliamentarians Horse which consisted of the L. Fair-fax's Troops in the Van and of the Scotch Cavalry in the Rear against which the Prince had a more peculiar indignation was at the first Onset of the Kings left Wing of Horse commanded as aforesaid put to Total rout the Royalists following them in the pursuit so far as it was their unhappy custom that thereby they became the overthrow of their own Army The Scots some of them ran ten miles an end and a wey bit crying out Quarter with other lamentable Expressions of Fear During this Slaughter and Conquest in that part of the Field the Victory stood dubious on the other where the Earl of Manchester's Horse were on the Left Wing of their Army These were Raised out of the Associated Counties of Bedford Cambridge Suffolk Buckingham c. commonly called the Eastern Associates and both for Arms Men and Horses the compleatest Regiments in England They were more absolutely at the command of Colonel Cromwel then Lieutenant-General to Manchester an indefatigable Souldier and of great courage and conduct of whose â—â—â—ions we should have spoken before and have mentioned how he first secured those Counties for the Parliament purging that is to say extinguishing the University suppressing several endeavours for the King namely taking Sir Thomas Barker Sir Io. Pettus and Capt. since Sir Thomas Allen Admiral of the Seas and other the prime Gentlemen of Suffolk Prisoners at Lowestoft in Suffolk as they were met at a Rendezvous there to promote the Commission of Array as he did Sir Henry Connisby at Saint Albans soon after having reclaimed himself from the open vanities of Youth and taken up the secret Vices of Old men so that certainly a stranger change was never wrought in any man each Vice skipping over its medium of vertue which he touched not at all becoming the contrary extream his youthful Debaucheries proving in his Old Age all manner of Atheistical Prophaness as Perjury Hypocrisie Cruelty in a word what not so that indeed they had no more parallel than his as strange Fortunes He was born April the 25th in Saint Iohns Parish in the Town of Huntingdon and was Christened in that Church the 29th of the same month Anno Dom. 1599. where Sir Oliver Cromwel his Uncle gave him his name being received into the Bosom of the Church by her Rites and Ceremonies both which he afterwards rent and tore and ungraciously and impiously annulled and renounced That I may use my own words in his Life and Death lately printed and transcribe a Paragraph or more which are of use here for the information and satisfaction of Posterity That year 1599 was the last of that wonderful Century and did just precede the famous and celebrated Union of the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland under King Iames as if it were congenial to Crowns as to other lesser accessions of Felicity in private persons to have at the same instant a temperament and allay to their Lustre and Greatness thâ—â—â—s Fortunes right hand presented a Scepter so her left hand was ready with a Scourge to wreak her Envy and fury upon the glory and Grandeur of that renowned Succession to and accrument of Dominion The subtilties Arts and Policies of his that Goddess under the name of Providence potently and irresistibly conspiring with his as close Treasons and dissembled Treacheries to the ruine and overthrow of this Church and Kingdom singly and insensibly accomplished by the mean and unobserved hand of this bold and perjurious Politique Every thing hath its Good and Evil Angel to attend it and that grand and happy Revolution was to be afflicted and persecuted by this Fury to an almost dissolution of its well-composed and established frame He was descended of a very ancient Knightly Family of his name in the County of Huntington where for many Ages they have had a large and plentiful Patrimony it will suffice therefore to deduce him from no further Originals then Sir Henry Cromwel his Grandfather a Gentleman highly honoured and beloved both in Court and Country who had issue Sir Oliver his eldest Son Henry Robert and Richard and Sir Philip the youngest whose Son upon suspicion of Poysoning his Master was accused thereupon convicted and hanged some thirty five years ago This our Oliver was Son of Mr. Robert Cromwel the third Son of Sir Henry a Gentleman who went no less in esteem and reputation that any of his Ancestors for his personal worth until his unfortunate production of this his Son and Heir whom he had by his wife Elizabeth Steward the Niece of Sir Robert Steward a Gentleman of a competent fortune in this County but of such a maligne effect on the course of this his Nephews life that if all the Lands he gave him as some were Fenny ground had been irrecoverably lost it might have past for a good providence and a happy prevention of those Ruines he caused in the three Kingdoms For that estate continued him here after his debauchery had wasted and consumed his own Patrimony and diverted him from a resolution of going into new-New-England the Harbour of Nonconformists which design upon his sudden and miraculous conversion first to a civil and Religious deportment and thence to a sowre Puritanism he straightway abandoned by the former Repentance he gained the good will and affection of the Orthodox Clergy who by their perswasions and charitable insinuations wrought him into Sir Robert Steward's favour insomuch that he declared him his Heir to an Estate of four or five hundred pounds a year by his second change to Non-conformity and Scrupulous Sanctity he gained the estimation and favour of the Faction some of the Heads whereof viz. Mr. Hambden and Master Goodwin procured him the Match with a Kinswoman of theirs Mistris Elizabeth Bowcher the Daughter of Sir Iames Bowcher and afterwards got him chosen a Burgess for Cambridge by their interest
wicked instruments to justice that have misled him is the principal ground of our fighting Sir if God makes this clear to you as he hath to us I doubt not but he will give you a heart to deliver this place notwithstanding all the other considerations of Honour Courage Fidelity c. Because of their constancy and use in the present business depends upon the right or wrongfulness of this that hath been said And if upon such conviction you shall surrender it and save the loss of blood or hazard the spoiling of such a City it would be an occasion glorious in it self and joyful to us for the restoring of you to the endeared affections of the Parliament and People of England the truest friend to your Family it hath in the World But if this be hid from your eyes and through your wilfulness this so great famous and ancient a City be by your putting us to force the same exposed to the ruine and extremities of War which yet we shall in that case as much as possible endeavour to prevent then I appeal to the righteous God to be judge between you and us and to require the wrong And let all England judge whether the burning of its Towns ruining its Cities and destroying its people be a good requital from a person of your Family which hath the Prayers Tears Purses and blood of its Parliament and People And if you look on either as now divided hath ever had that same party both in Parliaments and People most zealous for their assistance and restitution which you now oppose and seek to destroy and whose constant grief hath been that their desires to serve that your Family have been ever hindred or made fruitless by that same party about his Majesty whose Counsel you act and whose Interest you pursue in this unnatural War I expect your speedy Answer to this Summons with the return of the Bearer this evening and remain Your Highness Humble Servant THO. FAIRFAX The Trumpeter was detained all the night during which there was a voluntary Cessation on both sides which continued all the next day when this Answer was returned SIR I Received yours by your Trumpeter I desire to know whether you will give me leave to send to the King to know his pleasure in it Your Servant RVPERT To which this was the Reply next day SIR YOur overture of sending to the King to know his pleasure I cannot give way to because of delay I confess your Answer doth intimate your intention not to surrender without his Majesties consent yet because it is but implicite I send again to know a more positive Answer from you self which I desire may be such as may render me capable of approving my self Your Highness Humble Servant THO. FAIRFAX In the mean while additions of Country-forces by means of Mr. Ashe and others promoting the Generals Warrant to that purpose being come to the Leaguer a Storm was concluded on for that intelligence came to the Army and was seconded with advice from the Committee of both Kingdoms that the King who was then newly come out of the Associated Counties of which by and by was intended for the relief of Bristol and to that purpose was to joyn with General Goring who was newly inforced as was said before and was now about Collumpton in Devonshire whose Letters intercepted being sent to Secretary Nicholas said that within three Weeks time he should be in a condition to relieve the Town So that the Prince did prudently temporize with Fairfax by sending out a Draught of very high Articles while succour might be sent him and his Lines finished though others and those valiant expert Commanders of whom for honours sake Colonel Pretty ought not to be forgotten declared that the Town was tenable by force and needed not the courtesie or charms or words to preserve it but it since appears that the Prince had Orders from the King if it came to extremity to surrender it upon honourable Articles On the 10 of September the City having been alarmed two nights together about two of the Clock in the morning the Storm began which was round the City for the Sea-men also having by the loss of Portshed which was rendred to Colonel Weldens Regiment free riding in the River attempted it of their side but the Tide failed them the disposal of the several posts of the several Regiments was after this manner The signal being given which was by setting on fire a great heap of straw and faggots on the top of a hill and the shooting of four great Pieces of Ordnance against Pryors Fort from the place where the General was to reside all the time of the Storm the General Assault began Colonel Montague and Colonel Pickerings Brigade with their Regiments at Lawfords gate entred speedily and recovered two and twenty great Guns and took many Prisoners in the Works them Major Desborough seconded with his Horse of the Generals Regiment and part of Colonel Graves Sir Hardress Waller's Regiment and the Generals between Lawfords gate and the River Froom Lieutenant-Colonel Pride's Regiment part against Pryors Fort and part to alarm the great Fort who in the mean while took a Fort wherein were some Welch-men Colonel Horn and Colonel Raustings attempted neer Pryors Fort. The Horse that entred here were led on by Captain Ireton seconded by Major Bethel who received a shot in the thigh whereof he after dyed whose Troops likewise mortally wounded Colonel Taylor of the Kings party The Line being thus thrown down by the Pioneers and mastered both by the Foot and Horse the Royalists Horse retreated and stood in a Body under the favour of the great Fort and Coulstons Fort. Priors-hill-Fort held out the most obstinately but at length was resolutely mastered where Prides Souldiers gave no quarter except to a very few in regard of the great slaughter they within made by their gallant defence But on the Somersetshire-â—ide the success was not answerable where Colonel Weldens Ingoldsby and Herberts Regiments were appointed to storm these by reason of the height of the Work which they had not rightly calculated the Ladders proving too short were repulsed with great loss of above 300 men Leiutenant-Colonel Purefoy and Major Cromwel killed in the general Assault and soon after some part of the Town was set on fire to make the other more defensible And then the Prince thought good to treat and obtained the Conditions he first propounded saving that the General would not admiâ— of freeing the City from any Garrison I may not omit that Sir Richard Crane a familiar and Favorite of the Prince was killed some time before in a Salley According to the honourable Articles of the Surrender on the 14 of September the Royalists Marched out and then assigned as was before agreed Oxford for the place they would go to and because of the danger of the Clubmen had 1000 Arms lent them at the
business of Ireland wholly to the two Houses and will make no Peace but with their consent And further in order to this desired Personal Treaty he offers the Militia for seven years with such limitations as were expressed at Uxbridge the 6 of February 1644 all Forces disbanded and Garrisons dismantled and then all things to be in Statu quo That the Houses shall nominate the Admiral Officers of State and Iudges to hold their places during life or quamdiu se bene gessâ—rint which shall be best liked And likewise liberty to Tender Consciences behaving themselves peaceably with a general Act of Oblivion in both his Parliaments of both Kingdoms respectievly These Concessions extending likewise to his native Realm of Scotland And now his Majesty having so fully and clearly expressed his intentions and desires of making a happy and well-grounded Peace if any person shall decline that happiness by opposing of so apparent a way to attain it he will sufficiently demonstrate to all the World his intention and design can be no other than the total subversion and change of the ancient and happy Government of this Kingdom under which this Nation hath so long flourished This was followed with two Messages more the first of the 26 of February where he saith that he needs make no excuse though he sent no more Messages unto them for he very will knows he ought not to do it if he either stood upon punctilio's of honour or his own private interest but nothing being equally dear unto him as the preservation of his People he passeth by many scruples neglects and delays and once more desires a speedy Answer which he provokes by a second Message of the 3 of March complayning of their unexpected silence and offering upon the faith of both Houses for the preservation of his honour person and estate and liberty given to all who adhered to him to go quietly to their houses without any manner of Sequestration and not to be compelled to take any Oath save what was warranted by the Laws of the Land to disband his Forces and dismantle his Garrisons and with no Martial but Royal attendance return to his two Houses and there reside with them And Concludes with a tender of an Act of General Pardon and Oblivion Yet notwithstanding all these forcible and reasonable perswasions and as many obliging Caresses and Condescentions with which never Subjects or Parliaments of England were so treated they continue inflexible and rather the worse and more arrogant than at his first overture for they resolved to proceed in their own method spending their spare time in wrangling and debating their most quarrelsome Propositions and on purpose totally to obviate and preclude the Kings designe if he should so resolve of coming to London they throw these rubs in the way thither by this Ordinance in the first place That in case the King shall contrary to the advice of Parliament already given him come or attempt to come within the Lines of Communication that then the Committee of the Militia of the City of London shall have Power and are hereby enjoyned to raise such Forces as they shall think fit to prevent any Tumult that may arise by his coming and to Suppress any that shall so happen and to apprehend and secure any such as shall come with him and to secure his Person from danger That all persons whatsoever that have born Arms against the Parliament are to depart the City and Lines of Communication by the 6 of April or to be taken for Spies and proceeded against according to the Rules of War in such cases This Order to continue for a month and no longer Which shewed it was a sudden Legislative by-blow made temporary according to their present apprehension fear and occasion And then to bear the people in hand and to seem to intend their satisfaction they promise to dispatch their Propositions with all speed and to make this shew to appear more real as if they were about a Settlement they resolve to vouchsafe to give the Prince a like account of it That Commissioners shall forthwith be sent c. Which Letters and Cajole were turned afterwards into another deeper fetch or invitation upon his Majesties going to the Scotch Army of the Prince to the Parliament whom it was spread by the Faction if the King should by his complyance prevail upon the Scots to take upon them his Interest they would set up as a balance to his Majesties Authority having the Scale of indubitable Succession on their side against the quarrelled and perplexed possession of the Crown and the Person of the King on the Scots But these were but sudden emergent thoughts pro re nata and to be used onely if the Rebellion came to such extremity And here we may wonder how through so many patches of policy and the changes of designes one single Usurper attained the compleat intire result of so many inconsistent devices and practices The Prince was then departing for France when this sollicitation was intended and we shall see how soon their mind changed Exeter being delivered while the General was before Barnstable with the other part of the Army that Town and Fort also rendred it self upon Terms so that now there was nothing left the King in the West and very few places elsewhere the Garrisons that were yeilded this month being no less than six and those considerable viz. Ruthen-Castle Exeter Barnstable St. Michaels Mount Woodstock and Dunster-Castle to Major-General Mitton the General Colonel Hammond Colonel Rainsborough and Colonel Blake And this Iune also the Arch-Bishop of York declared himself for the Parliament and maintained his House for them at Purin in Wales Dudly-Castle May the thirteenth Surrendred by Colonel Levison to Sir William Brereton General Fairfax having done here marched now East-ward and on the 19 of April came to Newbury and advanced directly to Oxford from whence the King as before escaped Upon his approach he summoned a Council of War to advise which way to proceed by whom it was agreed that considering the strength of the place they should make a Line and Starve them for that it would be very hazardous to attempt it by Storm to which was added another reason pretence of their Civility lest by Batteries they should demolish the Colledges and destroy the Library by their Shot and Granadoes preceding the assault To this purpose a regular Circumvallation was finished and a great Fort raised upon Hedington hill within half a mile and less of the City Eastward thereof and a Battery likewise but to little effect Sir Thomas Glemham was Governour who to his everlasting Honour had so well defâ—nded York and made very honourable Conditions but to the wonder of Valour and Gallantry had defended the City of Carlile against the Scots which was forgot to be mentioned in its place other Actâ—ons câ—owding it out for nine moneths and upward against Sickness Famine
Newcastle what he must trust to if he will not comply with the offers of the Parliament If you refuse to assent you will lose all your friends in Parliament lose the City and all the Country and all England will joyn against you as one man they will process and depose you they will charge us to deliver your Majesty to them to render their Garrisons and to remove our Armies out of England and so both Kingdoms for eithers safety to agree and settle Religion and Peace without you to the Ruine of your Majesty and posterity and if you lose England you will not be admitted to come and Reign in Scotland We confess the Propositions are higher in some things than we approved of but we see no other means of closing with the Parliament And immediately thereupon Instructions are sent them from Scotland concerning the giving over of the King It had been debated in their Parliament and from thence sent to the Assembly for their advice by whom it was remitted in the affirmative and carried but by two voices in the Parliament and was accordingly transacted at Newcastle and London But the Scots were not so willing to be rid of the King as the Northern Counties were to be rid of the Scots of whom besides free quarter that Army had levied 20000 l. a month an unheard-of rate and a most unreasonable Several general complaints had been made but now they made up a charge of particulars with variety of imputation upon them which being also Printed the Scots Commissioners desired the suppression thereof or some other reparation which was as one may think well repaid in the sums of money they received upon this Contract which at first demand was no less than a Million but in consideration of a present round sum abated to 400000 l. whereof 200000 l. to be paid at two payments the first upon quitting Newcastle and marching beyond the River Tine the other upon the delivery of the King and their departure out of England and surrendring Carlile and Berwick to the performance on either part Hostages to be given The Scots insisted upon security for the remaining 200000 l. naming very conscionably and brotherly the sale of Delinquents estates but the Parliament would not so undervalue their credit nor prostitue it to their lustful eye cast upon so fair a partage of their Conquest nor buy the King and sell his friends The money they had was enviously enough bestowed on them being the sacrilegious rapine of Church-Lands then exposed to sale by Ordinance of Parliament but conveyed in pomp to the place of payment in thirty six Waggons six Regiments of the Army by the order of the General going with it for its Convoy and according to the agreement the first 100000 l. was paid at Northallerton in December Not to prosecute this subject further through so many diversities and change of countermines nor to touch on those irreverend Declarations from the Scotch Parliament and Assembly and their Reasons as unmannerly of not admitting the King into that his Kingdom it will suffice to say that at last they acquainted the Parliament having received their money that they were now upon going home and desired to know what service the Parliament would command them to the Parliament of Scotland which the King foreseeing and that he should be thus basely abandoned by them he betakes himself afresh to his sollicitation of his English Parliament wherein he saith That he had endeavoured by his Answer of the 24th of July last to their Propositions delivered him in the Name of both Kingdoms to make his intentions fully known But the more he endeavoured it he more plainly saw that any Answer be could make would be subject to misinformations and misconstructions which upon his own explanations he is most confident will give such satisfaction as to establish a lasting Peace He proposeth therefore again his coming to London upon security of both Houses where by his personal presence he may not onely raise a mutual confidence betwixt him and his people but also have all doubts cleared c. To conclude it is your King who desires to be heard the which if refused to a subject by a King he would be thought a Tyrant for it and to that end which all men did profess to desire Wherefore he conjures them as they desire really to shew themselves what they profess as good Christians or subjects that they accept this his Offer which he is confident God will so blâ—ss as to a happy Settlement c. A Reply was sent to the former by Sir Peter Killigrew one who had been the Parliaments Messenger throughout but none to this the two Houses being taken up with the business of disposal of his person somewhere else which was wholly remitted to them by the Negative Resolves of the Parliament of Scotland upon the Question of the Kings coming into that Kingdom That the Government shall be managed in the same manner and way as it hath been these five years last past and that fresh Assays and all means in the interim shall be used to make the King take the Covenant That if he shall do so yet the taking of it or passing the Propositions will not warrant them to assist him in England nor is the bare taking of it sufficient otherwise That the clause in the Covenant for defence of the Kings person is to be understood of the defence and safety of the Kingdom That if he refuse the Propositions he shall be disposed according to the Covenant and Treaty That he shall execute no power or Authority in Scotland till he do signe them and take the Covenant and that the Vnion be kept between both Nations His Majesty guessing at this their desperate and perfidious desertion of him had sounded their Commissioners then attending him in what condition or estate he was among them whether at Liberty or a Prisoner and put the Dilemma upon them If at liberty why he might not dispose of himself any-whither if in restraint what did they mean by his assenting and signing the Propositions which in no case could be valid or binding if agreed by him while a Prisoner To this the Scots had nothing to say but their Covenant with the English which they might not contravene and that according to the above mentioned Resolves which they now declared he was to be rendred to such hands as the Parliament of England should appoint who were expected every day upon that errand They further excused themselves from their reception and admission of his Majesty into Scotland from the danger and hazard they might incur his party being not yet so disbanded but that by his neer presence and advantage of his person they would resume their Arms and Courages and put that Nation in a worse broyl than before and for conclusion they told him they were in no condition to entertain him in that state and dignity
due to his person the Treasure exhausted and his Revenews eaten up so that there was but one way for his Majesty to turn which he might make hereafter large and convenient enough by a present speedy complyance with his two Houses at Westminster This made the King to look about him and to cast about which way to prevent and eschew this streight in which the baseness of the Scots had thus engaged him A design was therefore thought on of his escape from them but it was presently discovered and the surrender of him the rather expedited for the Scots were such honest dealers that having received their money upon the bargain they would not defeat their Chapmen of their purchase A wretched advantage to either the Scots never thriving after it but being totally at last vassalized and subdued and the Presbyterians in England every day growing less and less till they were swallowed up in the Anarchy and Medly of the following times and benighted in the succeeding confusions and Schisms We will leave the King thus in the Ballance between England and Scotland and cross over to Ireland of which little mention hath been yet made but shall now be remembred in its own series In the first four months of that Rebellion no less than 150000 Men Women and Children were Massacred there by the Irish Rebels an account whereof hath been published taken by the Rebels themselves lest they should have seemed more Cruel and Barbarous than indeed they were Some of these Murders were committed by old English Families Grafted upon Irish stocks and thereby became Roman-Catholicks such as were the Lords of the Pale who openly sided with the Irish and were their Chief Officers and Leaders The Earl of Leicester had been appointed Lord Deputy and he hastned thither but some difficulties intervening he by Commission appointed the Earl afterwards Marquess then Duke of Ormond to be his Lieutenant-General in that service who after many successful Encounters with the Irish whose numbers maintained the War more than their Valour though raised by the greatest incentive imaginable Natural desire of Libertie from the pressing Calamities of the Protestants there and the urgency of his Majesties affairs in England had concluded a Cessation by order of the King in 1643. Notwithstanding the Parliament-party and the Scots still carried on the War And to shew the Irish what they should trust to the Parliament in 1644 had Arraigned Mac Mahon and the Lord Macquire who a little before had broke out of Prison and after a months hiding were taken at the Kings-Bench Bar where Macquire insisted mainly on his Peerage but was over-ruled and both by a Jury of Middlesex-Gentlemen found guilty and sentenced for High-Treason for which soon after they were Executed as Traytors at Tyburn The Lord Inchiquin and the Lord Broughil condescended not likewise to this Treaty but with intermixed success stood out against the whole power of the Rebels and were at last greatly distressed To remedy this the Lord Lisle Son to the Earl of Leicester was now ordered to go for Ireland with an Army of 8000 men the Lord Muskerry was likewise General for the Irish in the Southern parts of the Kingdome who took several places of strength in a short time whereupon the Marquess of Ormond proceeded to make that Cessation a kind of Peace it being judged by the Lords of the Council there not onely an expedient for their safety for the Rebels threatned to besiege Dublin but also to divide them against one another the more moderate of them who had some sence of the Kings condition and had not altogether Renounced their Loyalty being for a composure but the Popes Nuncio and the inveterate Irish such as the Family of Oneal and Masquire and generally the Popish Clergy Opposing themselves thereto Notwithstanding it took some effect for the Marquess perceiving that no good could be done at present with the Parliament of England with whom he had Treated for supplies and assistance and had in lieu of it offered the Surrender of the places he held upon conditions to them and the Forces they should send came to agreement with the Rebels there and though the King had by his Letters from Newcastle ordered him not to proceed farther to any conclusion with them according as the Parliament had desired him yet seeing the necessity of falling into the hands of the Rebels or the Parliament and considering that the King when he writ this was in restraint and so his Commands might be dispensed with and that the Kings intention was to be judged better by them who saw the necessity of it upon the place and so not give way to other mens designs and false representations of it to his Majesty received these Propositions for Peace following being signed in November 1646 from the haughty Irish who thought themselves absolute First That the exercise of the Roman Catholick Religion be in Dublin and Drogheda and in the Kingdom of Ireland as free as in Paris or Brussels Secondly That the Council-Table consist of Members true and faithful to his Majesty and who have been enemies to the Parliament Thirdly That Dublin Drogheda Team Newby Cathirly Carlingford and all Protestant Garrisons be manned by the confederate Catholicks to keep the same for the use of the King and defence of the Kingdom Fourthly That the said Counsellours Generals Commanders and Souldiers do swear and engage to fight against the said Parliament of England and all the Kings Enemies and that they will never come to any agreement with them to the prejudice of his Majesties rights or the Kingdoms Fifthly That both parties according to their Oath of Association shall to the best of their power and cunning defend the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom the Kings rights and liberties of the Subject These the Irish insisted upon and were held in play that they should be granted with such Provisoes as should become the Kings Honour and Conscience of which if that Loyalty they pretended was any way Real they ought not to be less sollicitous than the Marquess and in the mean while the Peace to be as good as Established which indeed by the said moderate party was thenceforward observed as to his Majesties Interest in that Kingdom The Parliament to stop this Agreement a little before dispatcht away the Lord Lisle who weary of his Journey at his setting out was recalled but part of his Army was Transported with whom was Colonel Monck the after Renowned General who being Tampered with and for his Liberty having endured a long Imprisonment in the Tower for the space of three years undertook an Employment for the Parliament in Ireland The Forces shipped from Chester were neer two thousand accompanied with three Commissioners from the Parliament to the Marquess who having offered Dublin upon some Terms which they were to present to his Majesty for him to signe upon non-performance thereof on their part by keeping the Paper from
the Kings sight now refused the delivery of the City without his Majesties Command so that after a Noble Treatment given the Commissioners they for the present ceased any further Transaction and shipped away the said Forces under Colonel Monck for Belfast in the North of Ireland where they did very good service against Oneal and his fellow-Rebels The conclusion of this Peace was as ill resented by the Nuncio and all the said Popish party as it was by the Parliament For the Catholick Armies having lately had several great successes and neither of the two other Kingdoms then in a condition to relieve that of Ireland thought upon nothing less than a shaking off the English yoak which so often in former ages they had attempted but never had the like probabilities as now the Clergy therefore who were generally addicted to the Spaniard under whose protection they would render themselves and the Nation thundered out Excommunication against any that should acquiesce in the said Peace and Agreement and with an Army of 17000 Horse and Foot resolve notwithstanding thereof to march and besiege Dublin This result begot a division among them as by the Marquess was afore consulted but yet so great a strength remained to that party against the Peace that the said Marquess was forced to resume his former Treaty with the Parliament concerning the delivery of those places he held to their Commissioners who being sensible how difficult a work it would prove to begin a new Conquest of that people if either by force or a Treacherous Peace they should possess themselves of that little that was left to the English Protestant interest did labour with the King the Marquess and the Scots that there might be no entertainment of any Accommodation with them being ready they said to Transport over a numerous Army to râ—duce and subdue that Rebellion which they pretended had ere long been done if the King would have permitted them by a complyance with their Propositions The King indeed was loth to abandon himself and his hopes in that Kingdom with his Forces in England and Scotland at the same time sadly foreseeing how the two Houses would use their Victory and plainly seeing how his Scotch Subjects had already abused him therefore he with no little reluctancy was brought to give way to the demand concerning Ireland but there being no remedy all the assurances he had from the Marquess and the Lord Digby as well as from the transaction of the Marquess of Worcester then Earl of Glamorgan being disappointed by the Rebels falseness and Treachery who indeed thought of nothing less than Peace whereby the English Forces there could not be spared to his assistance he consented to supersede and cease all manner of Treaty with the Enemy as aforesaid which it is probable they coming to understand did therefore the rather Violate their Accord which so unwillingly they entred into as doubting of the performance of it it being wholly out of his Majesties Power and Authority Whatsoever the matter was the Lord of Ormond was at last constrained as the lesser Evil to close with the Parliament and surrender of which and the War prosecuted there by them in the next year The 13 of September the Earl of Essex the former General dyed of an Apoplexy suddenly having for a little while before retired himself to his house at Eltham not without great suspicion of poyson or some such practice For he was known to have had his judgment rectified concerning the Quarrel and to have stickled for a composure of the War in the House of Peers and his influence on the Army not yet so weakned but that he could make a party there to any design he should stand for and the Reformadoes his fast friends He was an able Souldier confest whether so much a man disputed the reproaches of his debility that way as loud and unmannerly as the praises of his Valour and conduct were justly due and renowned The Royalists derided him with the stile of his OXCELLENCY jeering him with his two unfortunate Marriages first with the Lady Francis Howard from whom he was divorced for his impotency and frigidity quoad hanc and the Daughter of Sir Amias Pawlet in Wiltshire suspected of incontinency with Mr. Vâ—edal Her he had declined himself who during the War continued at Oxford while her Husband was in the field Nor did he suffer less reproach from the Pâ—anatick Rabble who prostituted his honour at the same rate They that were once most highly in love with his person scorning and contemning him like adulterous fondness which converts into extreme hate and contempt By them whom his popularity had estranged from their first love to their Prince was he alike repudiated with publike dicteries and representations in Pictures So Transitory is Vulgar esteem grounded no other where than upon levity and desire of change the deserved fate of such Grandees who with the specious debauchery of good Commonwealths-men and Patriots corrupt the minds and alienate the affections of the Subject to dote upon the bewitches and flatteries of Liberty of which such persons are held forth by their courtesie and affability to be the main assâ—rtors so that it may be said of this Earl that he was alike served with his wives and the Commonalty saving that by the last he lost his innocency and the real honour of his house and Family But the Parliament to which the Faction very readily concurred to make reparation for those indignities done him of which they could not otherwise acquit themselves ordered his Exequies to be performed in a very solemn and magnificent manner The Independent party to colour and allay with the pomp and honour of his Funerals the envy and suspicion of his death not grudging belike to make a golden bridge for a departing Enemy as they might well reckon him to prove to their succeeding designs when his duty to his injured Prince and love to his abused deluded Country and indignation of those affronts and contumelies put upon him should raise in him a spirit as able to lay that white Devil of Reformation as he was to conjure it up in the dreadful shape of an unnatural and disloyal War Cineri Gloria sera venit Mart. He was drawn in Effigie upon a Chariot from Essex-house in the Strand to the Abby-Church at Westminster where Mr. Vines an eminent Presbyterian Preached his Funeral-Sermon upon this Text Knowest thou not that a Prince is this day fallen in Israel very learnedly and elegantly most of the Parliament-Nobility in close mourning following him on foot The Effigie was afterwards placed in the uppermost Chancel in very great state till a rude vindictive fellow laid his prophane hands upon it and so defaced it privately in the night that it was by order removed Very few condolements were made after he being like to be soon forgotten who had neither interest nor relation to his Honour remaining dying childless
in the lump of the Souldiery against the Parliament but it was best judged by the irreconcileable malice against them which they made appear not long after in those most insolent and daring affronts in assaulting seising impeaching and secluding them several times in the two years ensuing From this Military rage and indignation they were presently put upon an unpractised and as licentious as dangerous a design even to the Authors themselves as it afterwards proved though their confident ambition made them venture it of chusing out two out of each Company and Troop to be their Adjutators and to draw up the sence of the Army and to assist at the Councils of War and advise therein for the Peace and safety of the Kingdom even to such a sawcy degree of strange freedom as to give their Vote and to put in their spoke to any debate This highly conciliated them and the whole Army to act whatever was privately suggested to them by Cromwel and engaged them alike in the hazard which by these desperate courses he was resolved to run counting it no diminution of his greatness if by the basest servilities and wretched Familiarities he could attain his Tyranny By these ADJUTATORS or AGITATORS a Protestation of the Army was drawn and published where they declared not to disband nor go for Ireland until all their Arrears were paid and the people restored to those rights for which they had engaged and the Kingdom setled and Peace secured by an Act of Indempnity principally for themselves Which demands being formed into a Petition which was pretended to be no more than a Transcript of a nother from several Counties to the General to the same purpose was delivered to the House by Colonel Hammond Colonel Rich and Colonel Ireton The Presbyterians now plainly saw what they must trust to and therefore put on a good face and generously shewed their displeasure of this undutiful procedure and to cry quits with their Country-cheat put the County of Essex and some other adjacent to Petition them to pursue their resolutions of disbanding In the intrigues of which affair we will leave them embroyled and proceed to their no less perplexed consultation concerning the King On the sixth of February the King was delivered and Newcastle at the same time by the Scots to the Parliament Commissioners whose names were as followeth the Earl of Pembroke Earl of Denbigh Lord Mountague Sir Walter Earl Sir Iohn Holland Sir Iames Harrington Sir Iohn Cook Mr. Crew afterwards Lord Crew of Stene and Major-General Brown and two Ministers Mr. Marshal and Mr. Caryl whom they might well have spared Marshal being an Amphibiam or Hermaphrodite of Presbytery and Independency to this as a Pensioner to the other a Chaplain and was not much unlike Major-General Skippon who had the same Ianus aspect to the Army and City to the last whereof he approved himself a most Treacherous friend as in all other the secret practices of the Presbyterians afterward Caryl was downright Independent both of them so inacceptable to the King that he would by no means admit either of them to preach before him which begat such a disgust in Caryl that he mightily promoted ever after the Independent slander of the Kings obstinacy Marshal lived not long after being discovered and slighted by all Parties The Commissioners having kist his Majesty's hand acquainted him with their Order and Instructions to convey him to his house at Holdenby in North-hamptonshire but the King desired New-Market as more convenient and nearer to London but understanding he was not at their disposal who were tyed up by the Parliament he acquiesced and with a sorrowful mind departed attended with near 1000 Horse accompanied by the Commissioners On the eighth of February at night he lodged at Durham next to Aukland to Richmond to Kippon to Leeds to Wakefield to Rotheram to Mansfield whereabouts he was met by the General who at his approach alighted and his Majesty gave him his hand to kiss and this commendation That he was a truely Noble person and had kept the Articles and Conditions he had so fairly given to Leicester and so to Holmby being all the way thither gratulated by the people as if in a Progress So far was any part of the Kingdom and those had been his sharpest and sorest Enemies from thinking him the cause of their Troubles as he was afterwards most untruly Blasphemed that with all joy and gladness imaginable they would have brought him in with their Peaceful Troops without more ado to his innocent Throne instead of a Prison where upon his arrival Proclamation was made That none that had assisted him or deserted the Parliament should presume to come near his person This solitude gave him opportunity though as he saith most elegantly himself sad occasion for some of those excellent Meditations in his Eikon Basil. particularly that of his restraint in this place which was so much the more tedious by their barbarous refusal of admitting his Chaplains or but any two of them to minister to him in this distress He had twice so passionately and with such obliging language that his Christianity passed on his Regality wooed the House of Lords to do him that favour that they could not in pity and Piety refuse but the House of Commons peremptorily withstood them alleaging that those Chaplains would the more indispose him and avert him from complying with them as to Religion This denyal grievously troubled the King but since there was no perswasion of them he endeavoured to convince their Commissioners in whose company he past some hours of his confinement at Bowles and other exercise which he in particular affected with Major-General Brown who most dutifully reconciled himself to the King protesting his sorrow to have engaged so far against him and his resolution to hazard as much for him if there should be occasion With this Gentleman and the Earl of Pembroke most an end he diverted the duress of this recluse life shewing himself pleasant in the intervals of his studying and devotions and when the said Earl fell sick most kindly visited him but to all of them he shewed himself so affable and courteous in his converse so obliging in his discourse yet so Majestick and Authoritative in his Argumentation and State-conferences that they were all save Harrington his ungrateful domestick meerly constrained to acknowledge their errour and to profess a most willing obedience for the future to his person and Government Though we shall conclude this year with an indignity done him by their Masters who a while before had caused the Great Seal of England which the Lord Littleton had carried to Oxford to be broke in pieces in the House of Lords presuming thereby to cancel whatever had passed it since that time But it made too deep an impression to be so easily obliterated as we shall see in the year 1660. Anno Dom. 1647. THus had
actions therein The third was An Act whereby all Titles and Honour of Peerage conferred on any since the 20 of May 1642. being the day that the Lord Keeper Littleton deserted the Parliament and carried away the Seal were Declared Void And it was further to be Enacted that no person that shall hereafter be made a Peer or his Heirs shall sit or Vote in the Parliament of England without the consent of both Houses of Parliament The fourth was An Act concerning the Adjournment of both Houses of Parliament whereby it was Declared that when and wither the two Houses shall think fit to Adjourn themselves the said Adjournments shall at all times be valid and good and shall not be judged or deemed to end or determine the Session of this Parliament The Proposals were 1. That the new Seal be Confirmed and the old Great Seal and all things passed under it since May 1642. be made Void 2. That Acts be Passed for raising moneys to pay publike Debts 3. That Members of both Houses put from their places by the King be restored 4. That the Cessation in Ireland be made Void and the War left to both Houses 5. That An Act of Indempuity be passed 6. That the Court of Wards be taken away and such Tenures turned into common Soccage 7. That the Treaties between England and Scotland be confirmed and Conservators of the Peace and Vnion appointed 8. That â—he Arrears of the Army be paid out of Bishops Lands Forfeited Estates and Forrests 9. That An Act be passed for abolishing Bishops and all appendants to them 10. That the Ordinance of disposing Bishops Lands be confirmed by Act. 11. That An Act be passed for the sale of Church-lands 12. That Delinquents be proceeded against and their Estates disposed of according to their several Qualifications 13. That an Act be passed for discharge of publike Debts 14. That Acts be passed for setâ—ling the Presbyterian Government and Directory Fâ—urteen of the 39 Articles revised by the Assembly of Divines Rules and Directions concerning suspension from the Lords-Supper 15. That the chief Officers in England and Ireland be named by both Houses 16. That an Act be passed for the conviction of Popish Recusants 17. That an Act be passed for the Education of the Children of Papists by Protestants 18. and 19. Against Papists for levying penalties and prohibiting the hearing of Mass. 20. An Act be passed for Observation of the Lords-day 21. A Bill for Suppressing Innovations 22. And Advancement of Preaching 23. And against Pluralities and Non-residencie Withâ—l The Commissioners were to desire His Majesty to give His Royal Assent to those four Bills by His Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England Signed by His Hand and Notified to the Lords and Commons Assembled together in the House of Peers it not standing then with the safety of the Kingdom for His Majesty to do it otherwise to wit at London and a Bill to be drawn for such Letters Patents to be presented Him and then a Warrant to Edward Earl of Manchester c. whereupon a Committee shall be sent to the Isle of Wight to Treat with Him only It was not intended to shew these shapeless abortions of Laws but that they should have been buried in their Chaos yet being the though unprepared matter of this beautiful Form of the Kings Answer the darkness of the one occasioning and preceding the light of the other they are here represented in this unreasonable lump an◠〈◊〉 Nothing indeed shews them better or it may be said worse so that they 〈…〉 Paraphrase or Comment Give me leave only to insert thâ— Scots sense of 〈◊〉 Bills and Proposals The Commissioners of Scotlanâ— having understood the proceeding of the Parliament in the business now 〈◊〉 publikely protested against it here and immediately followed the Commissioâ—ers to the Isle of Wight where they likewise presented His Majesty with this Paper There is nothing which we have more constantly endeavoured and do more earnestly desire than a good Agreement and happy Vnion between Your Majesty and your Parliaments of both Kingdoms neither have we left any means unessayed that by united Councils with the Parliament of England and making joynt applications to Your Majesty there might be a composition of all differences But the new Propositions communicated to us by the two Houses and the Bills therewith presented to Your Majesty are so prejudicial to Religion the Crown the Vnion and Interest of the Kingdoms and so far different from the former proceedings and engagements betwixt the Kingdoms as we cannot concur therein Therefore we do in the name of the Kingdom of Scotland dissent from these Proposals and Bills tendred to Your Majesty Lowden Lauderdale Charles Erskin Kennedy Berclay This was the first equal and good Office meant the King though they had greater concerns of their own but it something served to justifie the King to His people in His refusal to Sign them The Kings Answer was as followeth For the Speaker of the Lords House pro tempore to be Communicated c. CHARLES REX THe necessity of complying with all engaged Interests in these great distempers for a perfect Settlement of Peace His Majesty finds to be none of the least difficulties he hath met with since the time of His afflictions which is too visible when at the same time that the two Houses of the English Parliament do present to His Majesty several Bills and Propositions for His Consent the Commissioners for Scotland do openly protest against them so that were nothing in the case but the consideration of that difference His Majesty cannot imagine how to give such an Answer to what is now proposed as thereby to promise himself his great End A Perfect Peace And when his Majesty further considers how impossible it is in the condition he now stands to fulfil the desires of his two Houses since the onely ancient and known ways of passing Laws are either by his Majesties personal Assent in the House of Peers or by Commission under his Great Seal of England He cannot but wonder at such failings in the manner of Address which is now made unto him unless his two Houses intend that his Majesty shall allow of a Great Seal made without his Authority before there be any consideration had thereupon in a Treaty which as it may hereafter hazard the security it self so for the present it seems very unreasonable to his Majesty And though his Majesty is willing to believe that the intention of very many in both Houses in sending those Bills before a Treaty was onely to obtain a Trust from him and not to take any advantage by passing them to force other things from him which are either against his Conscience or Honour yet his Majesty believes it's clear to all understandings that these Bills contain as they are now Penned not onely the devesting himself of all Soveraignty and that without possibility of recovering it either to him or his
Petitioned against it but in vain the Sectaries had packt a new Common-council by Authority from the Juncto who constituted aâ—y 40 of them a Court and supreme to the Mayor whose first work was the framing a Petition for Justice against the King and other Capital Offenders which was afterwards delivered by Titchburn and had the thanks of the Mock-Parliament for their pains who now entred a Protestation against that satisfactory Vote of the 5th of December aforesaid and pursue the Dictates and Directions of the Army A little while before this Colonel Rainsborough was slain at Doncaster by a party of Royalists that â—allied out of Pomfract then besieged by Sir Edward Rhodes and the County-Forces as he was in his Inn and his Souldiers about him under a pretence of delivering him a Letter from Crowel They would have only taken him prisoner and carried him through his own Leaguer into their Castle but he refusing they pistoled him in his Chamber and departed untoucht A strange yet brave Adventure Scarbrough-Castle now likewise yielded to the Parliament whom we will leave and see the Armies like violence and outrages upon the King Colonel Ewres was appointed by the Parliament to this Service who assisted by Colonel Cobbet on the first of Decemb. according to Command received from Hammond the person of the King and hurried him out of that Isle away prisoner to Hurst-Castle within the term of those 20 days after the Treaty in which he was to remain according to the Houses Declaration in Honour Safety and Freedom This Castle stands a mile and a half in the Sea upon a Breach full of mud and stinking oaze upon low Tides having no fresh water within two or three miles of it so cold foggy and noysome that the Guards cannot endure it without shifting Quarters Here they frayed the King a while till Harrison was on his way to receive him who brought him to Winchester where the Mayor and Inhabitants caused the Bells to ring and at the Towns-end as was due and usual in the middle of the mire presented his Majesty with the Keys of the City and the Mace but in the very Ceremony were tumbled in the same mire by the Horse at the Command of Harrison The next day the King came to Farnham and so to Windsor where he kept his sorrowful and last Christmass being pent up in a corner of the Castle no man besides his Guards to come to him and all respect and reverence to his Person forborn while by Order of the Juncto he was sent for up to his Palace of St. Iames's Harrison impudently riding covered in the same Coach with him and his Myrmidons wounding any that shewed their Loyal Compassion and lamented this miserable condition of their beloved Sovereign In which we must leave him and return to our Grandees These offals of a Parliament having by an Ordinance taken away the Oaths of Supremacie and Allegeance usually administred to Freemen c. thereby to free themselves from those ties of Duty upon them and to make way for their ensuing Trayterous designe in order whereunto the Council of War had forbid any Ceremony or State to be used to the King and his Attendants lessened now proceeded roundly to their Army Journey-work for on the 28 of December Thomas Scot brought in the Ordinance for Trial of the King it was read and recommitted three several times and the Commissioners names of all sorts to engage the whole Body of the Kingdom in this Treason inserted and to give it a Foundation these Votes passed That the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament dâ— Declare and Adjudge 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 of England With this Declaratory Vote the said Ordinance was carried up to the Lords by the Lord Gray of Grooby Ianuary 2. 1648. The Lords being 16 in number met that day and received it promising to send an Answer by Messengers of their own The first Question started by some Lords who had rather had a thinner House was Whether it should be presently debated which was affirmed The first Debate was upon the Declaratory Vote to which the Earl of Manchester said That the Parliament of England by the Fundamental Laws consisted of three Estates King Lords and Commons whereof the King is the first and chiefest He Calls and Dissolves Parliaments and without him there can be no Parliament and therefore it 's absurd to say the King can be a Traytor against the Parliament Then the Earl of Northumberland added That the greatest part at least twenty to one of the people of England were not yet satisfied whether the King Levied War first against the Houses or the Houses against him And if the King did Levy War first against the Houses there is no Law to make it Treason in him And for them to declare Treason by an Ordinance when the matter of Fact is not proved nor any Law extant to judge it by is very unreasonable The Earls of Pembroke and Denbigh said they would be torn in pieces before they would assent with the Commons so the Lords cast off the Debate and cast out the Ordinance and adjourned for seven days This netled the Commons who thereupon resolved to rid their hands of King Lords and their Fellow-Commons together by a leading Vote That all Members of Committees should proceed and act in any Ordinance wherein the Lords were joyned though the Peers should not Sit nor concur with them And added thereunto three other Democratical Resolves Ian. 4. 1648. 1. That the People are under God the Original of all just Power 2. That the Commons of England in Parliament Assembled chosen by and Representing the People have the Supreme Power of the Nation 3. That whatsoever is enacted or declared for Law by the House of Commons Assembled in Parliament hath the force of Law Which passed without one Negative Voice which shewed at whose beck they were And thus first they hatcht this Monster called An Act for the Trial of the King c. which is here transcribed transferring the names of the Commissioners to their ensuing Character An Act of Parliament of the House of Commons for Trial of Charles Stuart King of England WHereas it is notorious that Charles Stuart the now King of England not content with the many Encroachments which his Predecessors had made upon the People in their Rights and Freedom hath had a wicked designe to subvert the Antient and Fundamental Laws and Liberties of this Nation and in their place to introduce an Arbitrary and Tyrannical Government and that besides all other evil ways to bring his designe to pass he hath prosecuted it with Fire and Sword levied and maintained a Civil War in the Land against the Parliament and Kingdom whereby this Country hath been miserably
the last Court you were told the occasion of your being brought hither c. you were then pleased to make some scruples concerning the Authority of this Court c. Since that the Court hath taken into consideration what you then said they are fully satisfied with their own Authority and they hold it fit you should stand satisfied with it too and they do require it that you do give a positive and particular Answer to this Charge that is exhibited against you they do expect you should either confess or deny it if you deny it it is offered in the behalf of the Nation to be made good against you their Authority they do avow to the whole world that the whole Kingdom are to rest satisfied in and you are to lose no more time but to give a positive Answer thereunto King When I was here last 't is true I made that Question and truly if it were onely my own particular case I would have satisfied my self with the Protestation I made the last time I was here against the Legality of this Court and that a King cannot be tried by any Superiour Jurisdiction on Earth but it is not my case alone it is the Freedom and Liberty of the people of England and do you pretend what you will I stand more for their Liberties For of Power without Law may make Laws may alter the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom I do not know what Subject he is in England that can be sure of his Life or any thing that he calls his own therefore when I came here I did expect particular Reasons to know by what Law what Authority you did proceed against me here and therefore I am a little to seek what to say to you in this particular because the Affirmative is proved the Negative often is very hard to do but since I cannot perswade you to do it I shall tell you my Reasons as short as I can My Reasons why in Conscience and the duty I owe to God first and my people next for the preservation of their Lives Liberties and Estates I conceive I cannot answer this till I be satisfied of the legality of it All proceedings against any man whatsoever President Sir I must interrupt you which I would not do but that what you do is not agreable to the proceedings of any Court of Iustice you are about to enter into Argument and Dispute concerning the Authority of this Court before whom you appear as a Prisoner and are Charged as a Delinquent if you take upon you to dispute the Authority of the Court we may not do it nor will any Court give way unto it you are to submit unto it you are to give in a punctual and direct Answer whether you will Answer to your Charge or no and what your Answer is King Sir by your favour I do not know the forms of Law I do know Law and Reason though I am no Lawyer professed yet I know as much Law as any Gentleman in England and therefore under favour I do plead for the Liberties of the people of England more than you do and therefore if I should impose a belief upon any man without Reasons give for it it were unreasonable but I must tell you That by that Reason that I have as thus informed I cannot yield unto it President Sir I must interrupt you you may not be permitted you speak of Law and Reason and there is both against you Sir the Vote of the Commons of England Assembled in Parliament it is the Reason of the Kingdom and they are those two that have given that Law according to which you should have Ruled and Reigned Sir you are not to dispute our Authority you are told it again by the Court. Sir it will be taken notice of that you stand in contempt of the Court and your contempt will be recorded accordingly King I do not know how a King can be a Delinquent not by any Law that ever I heard of all men Delinquents or what you will let me tell you they may put in Demurrers against any proceedings as legal and I do demand that and demand to be heard with my Reasons if you deny that you deny Reason President Sir you have offered something to the Court I shall speak something unto you of the sense of the Court Sir neither you nor any man are permitted to dispute that point you are concluded you may not Demur to the Iurisdiction of the Court if you do I must let you know that they over-rule your Demurrer they sit here by the Authority of the Commons of England and all your Predecessors and you are responsible to them King I deny that shew me one precedent President Sir you ought not to interrupt while the Court is speaking to you this point is not to be debated by you neither will the Court permit you to do it if you offer it by way of Demurrer to the Iurisdiction of the Court they have considered of their Iurisdiction they do affirm their own Iurisdiction King I say Sir by your favour that the Commons of England was never a Court of Judicature I would know how they came to be so President Sir you are not to be permitted to go on in that speech and these Discourses Then the Clerk of the Court read as followeth Charles Stuart King of England You have been accused on the behalf of the people of England of High Treason and other high Crimes the Court have determined that you ought to Answer the same King I will Answer the same as soon as I know by what Authority you do this President If this be all that you will say then Gentlemen you that brought the Prisoner hither take charge of him back again King I do require that I may give in my Reasons why I do not Answer and give me time for that President Sir 'T is not for Prisoners to require King Prisoner Sir I am not an ordinary Prisoner President The Court hath considered of their Iurisdiction and they have already affirmed their Iurisdiction if you will not Answer we shall give order to Record your default King You never heard my Reasons yet President Sir your Reasons are not to be heard against the highest Iurisdiction King Shew me that Jurisdiction where Reason is not to be heard President Sir we shew it you here the Commons of England and the next time you are brought you will know more the pleasure of the Court and it may be their final determination King Shew me wherever the House of Commons was a Court of Judicature of that kind President Serjeant take away the Prisoner King Well Sir remember that the King is not suffered to give his Reasons for the Liberty and Freedom of all his Subjects President Sir you are not to have liberty to use this Language how great a friend you have been to the Laws and Liberties
Sir That which you now tender is to have another Iurisdiction and a co-ordinate Jurisdiction I know very well you express your self Sir that notwithstanding what you will offer to the Lords and Commons in the Painted-Chamber you would nevertheless proceed on here Sir because you shall know the further pleasure of the Court upon that which you have moved the Court will withdraw for a time King Shall I withdraw President Sir you shall know the pleasure of the Court presently The Court withdrew for half an hour into the Court of Wards Then the Court commanded the Serjeant at Arms to withdraw the King and to expect order for his return again The Court withdrew for half an hour and returned this withdrawing was occasioned by the importunacy and disturbance of Colonel Downs who sate next to Cromwel but Downs was quickly quieted being awed by Cromwel during this short stay President Serjeant at Arms send for your Prisoner Sir their withdrawing and adjournment was pro forma tantum for it did not seem to them that there was any difficulty in the thing the Court is now resolved to proceed King Sir I know it is in vain for me to dispute I am no Sceptick for to deny the power that you have I know that you have power enough Sir I confess I think it would have been for the Kingdoms Peace if you would have taken the pains to have shown the lawfulness of your power For this delay that I have desired I confess it is a delay but very important for the Peace of the Kingdom for it is not my person that I look on alone it is the Kingdoms welfare and the Kingdoms Peace it is an old sentence That we should think on long before we have resolved of great matters suddenly Therefore Sir I do say again that I do put at your doors all the inconveniency of an hasty Sentence I confess I have been here now I think this week this day eight days was the day I came here first but a little delay of a day or two further may give peace whereas an Hâ—sty Iudgement may bring on that trouble and perpetual inconveniency to the Kingdom that the Child that is unborn may repent it and therefore again out of the Duty I owe to God and to my Country I do desire that I may be heard by the Lords and Commons in the Painted-Chamber or any other Chamber that you will appoint me President The Court will proceed King I say this Sir That if you will hear me I doubt not but I shall give some satisfaction to you all here and to my people after that and therefore I do require you as you will answer it at the dreadful day of Judgement that you will consider it once again President Sir I have received direction from the Court. King Well Sir President If this must be re-enforc'd or any thing of this nature your Answer must be the same and they will proceed to Sentence if you have nothing more to say King I have nothing more to say but I shall desire that this may be entred what I have said President The Court then Sir hath something to say to you which although I know it will be very unacceptable yet notwithstanding they are willing and are resolved to discharge their Duty and so proceeded by way of â—iery how other Nations in all times had taken the same course with their Kings and Princes deposing and executing of them especially and more frequently in the Kings Native Realm of Scotland mis-citing and wresting and abusing the truth of History to varnish the Rhapsody and Treason of this lying Harangue of all which one most remarkable paragraph as noted by the King himself with an admiration is here inserted Sir That that we are now upon by the command of the highest Court hath been and is to Try and Iudge you for those great offences of yours Sir the Charge hath called you Tyrant a Traytor a Murtherer and a publike Enemy to the Commonwealth of England Sir it had been well if any of all these terms rightly and justly might have been spared if any one of them at all King Ha! President To do Iustice Impartially and even upon You is all our Resolutions Sir I say for your self we do â—eartily wish and desire that God would be pleased to give you a sense of your sins that you would see wherein you have done amiss that you may cry unto him that God would deliver you from Blood guiltiness A good King was once guilty of that particular thing and was clear otherwise saving in the matter of Uriah Truly Sir the story tells us that he was a repentant King and it signifies enough that he had died for it but that God was pleased to accept of him and to give him his pardon Thou shalt not dye but the Child shall dye thou hast given cause to the enemies of God to blaspheme King I would desire onely one word before you give Sentence and that is That you would hear me concerning those great Imputations that you have laid to my charge President Sir You must give me leave to go on for I am not far from your Sentence and your time is now past King But I shall desire you will hear me a few words to you for truly what ever Sentence you will put upon me in respect of those heavy Imputations I see by your speech you have put upon me that I Sir it is very true that President Sir I must put you in minde truly Sir I would not willingly at this time especially interrupt you in any thing you have to say that is proper for us to admit of but Sir you have not owned us as a Court and you look upon us as a sort of people met together and we know what Language we receive from your party King I know nothing of that President You dis-avow us as a Court and therefore for you to address your self to us and not to acknowledge us as a Court to judge of what you say it is not to be permitted and the truth is all along from the first time you were pleased to dis-avow and disown us the Court needed not to have heard you one word for unless they be acknowledged a Court and engaged it is not proper for you to speak Sir we have given you too much liberty already and admitted of too much delay c. The President commands the Sentence to be read Make an O Yes and command Silence while the Sentence is read O Yes made Silence commanded The Clerk read the Sentence which was drawn up in Parchment Whereas the Commons of England in Parliament have appointed them an high Court of Iustice for the Trying of Charles Stuart King of England before whom he had been three times convented and at first time a Charge of high Treason and other Crimes and Misdemeanours was read in the behalf of the
of Beaten Gold and Cromwel with 300 pounds worth of Plate and 200 pieces of Gold and great rejoycing there was and smiling too at this the Cities kindness whose Proclaiming of the Act for abolishing the Kingly power having touched before I think I am not obliged to the worth or worshipfulness of the matter to say any thing more of it here in its place but in lieu thereof will pleasure the Reader with a contra-aspect in this Archive and Premier Record of Englands being a Free-State Created by these Hogen Mogen words Be it Enacted and Declared by this present Parliament and by the Authority thereof that the People of England and all the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging are and shall be and are hereby Constituted Made and Declared a Commonwealth and Free-State and shall so be Governed by the Supreme Authority the Representatives of the people in Parliament and by such as they shall constitute as Officers for the good of the people and that without any King Single Person or House of Lords And for the Honour and Grace of this Free-State a new Mace was now made and brought to be Consecrated in the House wrought with Flowers instead of the Cross and on the bottome and the top the Arms of England and Ireland which was so well liked that they ordered all the Maces in England should be made after that pattern But that which they did most like a Free-State was giving and bounteously bestowing Estates upon one another for besides smaller Rents and lesser Sums kindly squandered and reciprocated among the Journey-men by themselves no less than 4000 a year was given to Fairfax out of the Duke of Bukingham's Revenues the Lord Cottington's Estate to Bradshaw and so to other their deserving Favorites And to requite the City for their civility of the late Treatment and to engage them at a pinch New-park with all the Deer therein was liberally conferred upon them to hold it in Common Soccage from any body a very excellent Tenure and Title Great givers must be great receivers and therefore besides their former Act of selling the Kings Houshold-goods which was pretended to satisfie his Debts but such Creditors as ventured upon them found them dear pennyworths not onely in conclusion but for the present being rated and prized so unreasonably that 100 l. in goods would not yield above ten in money There came out an Act for the sale of Deans and Chapters Lands the product whereof though encumbred with Debentures amounted to a clear account of incredible sums and another for the sale of the Mannors Houses Lands and Forrests of the King Queen or Prince but White-hall for that it was the residence of my Lords the Committee of Estates Saint Iames's and Windsor-Castle were by them excepted and Cromwel for a pleasant retreat for his future greatness saved Hampton-Court and Greenwich and the French-Church having obtained the use of the Chappel of Somerset-house rescued that likewise from sale because the Purchasers could not build upon the ground with any conveniencie if that were not demolished But the grand money-making Act the very Mint of their Commonwealth was an Act of the 7th of April for 90000 l. a Month which rose higher afterwards though in the middle of the War it was never more than 56000 and there were three Armies in pay but it seems the good Husbands had accounted and then published it that the Monthly charge was 160000 pound and that the standing force amounted to 40000 men in England and Ireland About this time several Inland Castles were demolished as Winchester Lancaster Belvoir Nottingham c. and some reparations made to the several Proprietors It will be requisite now to enquire what and how the King doth since we left him at the Hague while his Rebels rant it away in such ample manner and carry all before them 'T is true he wanted not a Kingdom being lookt upon by the people of those Vnited Provinces with the same respect as if he were their Soveraign nor did they â—ail of giving manifest demonstration thereof His Fathers Death was with all State Condoled and his ascent to the Throne Gratulated and that moreover both by the Swedish and Danish Embassadors then resident at that Court especially the Prince of Aurange by his respects and observance obliged all persons to the reverence of his Person as if no such misfortunes had befallen him nor could any thing but a vertuous tempered minde amidst such caresses and Honours been sensible of so sudden so dis-regarded and discountenanced adversity To better also his condition as to his Kingdoms came forth several defences of his Authority in several Treatises especially that of Salmasius called The Royal Defence which one Milton since stricken with blindness cavilled at who wrote also against that imcomparable Book and Remains of King Charles the Martyr about this time produced to light though endeavoured by all means to be supprest called Eikon Basilike in an impudent and Blasphemous Libel called Iconoclastes since deservedly burnt by the Common Executionâ—r doth justly challenge to be here Registred Thus He triumpht by the Pen and great were the expectations of his like success by the Sword Scotland being wholely his and Ireland vâ—ry neer reduced to the same obedience the affairs of both which Kingdoms calling him away He resolved to depart from this His long-continued abode and after mature consultations with the Princes His Allyes and His neerer Relations His disconsolate Mother then in France to determine to which Realm He should first betake Him but before His departure fell out this remarkable passage at His Court at the Hague One Doctor Dorislaus a Dutch-man and School-Master that fled his Country and here became a Civilian then pertainer to the University of Oxford and a Professor there but disappointed of his ambitious expectations in the beginning of the War became the Parliaments Judge-Advocate in their Army and at the expiration thereof by his acquaintance with Sir Henry Mildmay a great Enemy to though raised by the King at whose House in Essex he ordinarily played at Cards on Sundays was promoted to the Employment of drawing up that Charge against the King and the rather for that no Englishman durst finde or make a way to that illegal and unprecedented business After that perpetration he was thought the onely fit man to be sent over as an Envoy to his Country-men to prosecute the designs of that Fact which would look the handsomer to them by this their Subjects hand in it though he durst not have appâ—ard there but in the quality of a Forrain Minister He arrived there in May and the first night as he was at Supper there one Colonel Whitford a Scotch-man then attending the Kings Court with some twelve other Royalists regretting and disdaining the affront done to the King by the impudent boldness of this Fâ—llows address in the Face of His Majesty entred his Lodging
now a coming from Newcastle and London for the accommodating their passage Cromwel likewise was very earnest and intent upon making or finding a way by Sterling and therefore on the eighth of February he marched thither again having been informed of some Fords thereabouts where he might pass his Army or at least impede their raising of new Forces and way-lay their marching into England which was given out as the grand designe a Force being lefâ— on that side the Water sufficient to sustain any impression of the English and to that Expedition Duke Hamilton Duke of Buckingham Lords Cleaveland Wentworth Wilmot and Colonel Massey who had a Noble and full Regâ—ment and was to be Major-General with Titus and Colonel Graves were designed Cromwel as was said to this purpose in very tempestuous weather reached his intended passes but found the approaches to them so boggy and unpassable that in the same stress of weather his Army half spoiled with cold and other discommodities he was forced to retire again as he had done twice before having onely Alarm'd the Scots and put them into a sudden posture of defence and to await the time of his Boats arrival and a happier season of the year About this time Hume-Castle was taken by Colonel Fenwick the Garrison having held it to extremity being forced to deliver it at mercy February 4. A Copy of the Governours Answer to the Summons for the quaint briskness thereof I have thought fit to pleasure the Reader withal Right Honourable I have received a Trumpeter of yours as he tells me without your Pass he had forgot it it seems and left it behind upon the Table to Render Hume-Castle to the Lord-General Cromwel please you I never saw your General nor know your General as for Hume-Castle it stands upon a Rock given at Hume-Castle this day before seven a Clock So resteth without prejudice of his Native Country Your most Humble Servant Iohn Cockburn Timtallon-Castle which had been very prejudicial to the English Sea-traders to Leith and had taken more men than all the Garrisons in Scotland having been Besieged above a week by Colonel Monke upon the 21 of February after the Mortar-pieces had played and a Battery of six Great Guns was raised yielded to mercy Sir Iames Seaton the Governour newly knighted not being able to obtain any other Condition but Colonel Monke out of his usual civility suffered not a man of them to be stript or plundered There were 15 Great Guns taken in it and the passage not onely freed but an Inlet opened to the Bass Island General Ruthen Earl of Brentford and Forth nominated to be this Kings General also deceased about this time and left that Command without any further competition to David Lesley old Leven having likewise retired himself both from Counsel and Service as superannuated but indeed disregarded Our New States at home found it opportune being grown so potent abroad and so dreaded at home to discard their Journey-men of the Council of Sate whose assistance they were forced to use though they would not assent and concur with them in their alteration of the Government and the Murder of the King c. but would act as it was now altered in the rearing of their Model twenty one of them such as were instrumental and principal in the Change as Cromwel Bradshaw and others of the Kings Judges being continued and twenty new ones of the same gang were surrogated in the others places for they could now do the work and receive the wages themselves To those a power was given of executing the Admiralship to all purposes and intents as any Admiral of England had executed it before About this time one Iohn Fry another of the Kings Judges having written a blasphemous Book against the Trinity but purposely against the Divinity of Christ as the Socinians teach was by a Vote disbanded their Company in the House and his Book ordered to be burnt by the Sheriffs of London not a word of the Hangman in the Order for that would have sounded ominous to the whole pack of them now in pomp and great splendor The King having visited Dundee Aberdeen and other places accompanied with Arguile who had raised men for Him in his Countries returned to St. Iohnstons and the Low-lands against the sitting down of the Parliament at that City which was appointed on the 2 of March in which interim He gave Audience to a Dutch Envoy who came to complain of the taking of 20 of their Merchant-ships by Sir Iohn Greenvile Governour for the King in the Isle of Scilly to which the King gave a favourable Answer The Earl of Derby likewise seized divers Vessels belonging to the English Irish Trade and held intelligence with the King in Scotland having employed one Master Berkenhead in the business who was taken about the beginning of March by Colonel Lilborne Sir Philip Musgrave and Sir Theophilus Gilby hardly escaping by rowing away in a Boat Several Dutch ships laden with Ammunition sent by the Lord Iermin as the Dutch pretended arrived likewise at Dundee whereabouts and over all the adjacent parts Drums were beating and a speedy march was resolved on The Earl of Calender a great Hamiltonian which party now swayed being newly come over Sea an Employment in spight of the Kirk was intended to be conferred on him On the 27 of February the Prince of Aurange was Buried in great state at Delf in Holland and Interred in the Vault of his famous Predecessors By the taking of these Papers and Mr. Berkenhead after the Earl of Derby's designe in Lancashire whither Massey was to have marched with a flying party and a kind of a motion he made that way but immediately retreated the States at Westminster to exact scrutiny addrest themselves and having traced it gave order for the apprehension of one Thomas Cook of Grays-Inne Esquire who being brought and attending at the Council-door gave his Keeper the slip and was pursued with a Proclamation and 100 pounds offered to any should take him and bring him in and was taken thereupon the next Week in an Upholsters-house in London and committed to the Tower and Major-General Harrison was ordered to march speedily into Lancashire to attend all motions and designes in those parts This Month Maj. Harrison of Guernsey Island kept for the Parliament having a designe upon Cornet-Castle held by Colonel Burgess for the King being now and then relieved with Shallops and Boats which struck in thither from the Coast of France attempted it by Storm having false information that most of the Garrison were dead and the rest weak and feeble but were so stoutly received that very few that Engaged got off again the Tide too coming in and drowning many of them to the utter disheartning of them from any future Assault so that they resolved to try what fair means would do and by a sum of Money amounting to 1500 pounds
with other good Conditions and Indemnity which there being no likelihood of doing His Majesty any Service by longer keeping it relief also being so very scarce difficult and uncertain was at last accepted and that little Citadel delivered into their Hands In Ireland the Forces there remaining being now under the sole Command of the Marquess of Clanrickard whom the Earl of Castlehaven did to the last assist in the Kings Service being drawn to the relief of Finagh were there totally routed 800 taken and killed Colonel Macdonnel his Lieutenant-Colonel and Major taken prisoners Colonel Mac Hugh and Colonel Caban killed and 376 Officers besides taken upon which followed the Rendition of Finagh upon Articles After these successes several Officers having liberty to go for England it was the fortune of the Colonels Axtell Sadler the Irish Adjutant-General and Colonel Le Hunt to be taken Prisoners by a Frigat of Scilly and there Landed and Imprisoned till such time as that Island acknowledged the possession of the States of England who having erected their High Court of Iustice had in revenge of Dorislaus and Ascham Sentenced Sir Henry Hide Cosen to Sir Edward then Lord-Chancellor with the King for taking upon him the quality of an Embassador from His Majesty to the Grand Seignior at Constantinople and demanding Audience in his Name which they aggravated with imputations of his designe of seizing those Merchants Estates there and Affronting Sir Thomas Bendish the old Resident there with his new Commission It booted nor availed Sir Henry who at his Tryal having been long out of England would have used the Italian Tongue as the readiest for his defence which was also charged upon him as his vanity and pride to deny extenuate or justifie the several parts of his accusation his Name was guilt enough He was Sentenced to be Beheaded which Death he suffered against the Old Exchange on Cornhill with as much courage of minde as weakness of Body and is justly inscribed to the Roll of Martyrs Captain Brown Bushel who had delivered Scarborough to Sir Hugh Cholmly then revolted in the year 1643. from the Parliament and being Prisoner at Hull for the same had been exchanged by Hotham then winding about to his Allegiance suffered in the same manner the 29 of March But it is not a rude Prolepsis of the time to assigne him because of the nearness of their Deaths for the same cause of Loyalty his place in this year in the Company of Sir Henry Hide Yet before we conclude the Revolution of this year we must adde one of the most remarkable occurrences in it viz. the Embassadors sent by this State to that of the Low Countries who departed hence about March the 10 and landed at Rotterdam the 14 being met by the way by two Yachts of State and handsomely accommodated at the English-house there by some of the said Company The Names of them were Chief-Justice Saint Iohn of the Common-Pleas formerly the Kings Sollicitor and the Earl of Straffords vehement Adversary and Mr. Walter Strickland stiled in their Credentials the Lords Embassadors Extraordinary from the Parliament of England and were the first that they ever sent to any Forrain Princes for as from Kings and Sovereigns they had just cause to fear their united Forces to chastise that infamous Regicide whose example was so dangerous to themselves Anno Dom. 1651. ON the 30 of March attended by a gallant Retinue of their own and such as that State sent with Coaches they were received to Audience where Saint Iohn in a well-composed Speech very gravely declared that notwithstanding several injuries received by the English Commonwealth and Subjects from that State yet the Parliament had sent them first to make a firm League and Friendship with them if they should think fit 2. That to that purpose they would renew that most amicable Treaty of Commerce made between the King of England and the Duke of Burgundy their then Sovereign in 1495. 3. He set forth those many advantages in point of Trade and Navigation the Dutch might receive from England by such a League discoursing of the commodiousness and Excellent Situation of the Ports and Harbours and other Emoluments 4. He expressed the just resentment of the Parliament for the Death of Doctor Darislaus and that he doubted not but their High and Mighty Lordships would give satisfaction therein and cause Justice to be Executed upon those Offenders Which said a Committee was appointed to confer with him further and he conducted in the same manner as he came to his own Lodgings But the States General shewed no great readiness to embrace this new Friendship of their Rival States although the Province of Holland did endeavour to promote it for the Prince of Aurange's Interest was yet very potent in their Assemblies which was the reason no Address had been made before in his life-time from the Parliament who very much courted this peoples Amity not onely from the nearness and likeness of both their rises to be Commonwealths but for that no danger was so neer and to be feared elsewhere from the Interest and Alliance of the King But the people were far more averse to any accommodation with Traytors and Murderers as they called these Ministers and their followers which Clamours were heightned by the Royalists then yet in great numbers residing there The Duke of York being then in the Country with the Princess of Aurange his Sister as also the Queen of Bohemia and Prince Edward her Son who first gave these Embassadors an Affront as they chanced to meet him in their Coach taking the Air neer the Hague with his Sister the Princess Henrietta in his Hand where in indignation he gave them the opprobrious names of Dogs and Traytors The next day several uproars were made about their House as if there were a resolution to Storm it nor was it safe for them or any of their Gentlemen to stir abroad and several advices were given them of designed attempts upon their persons Of both these affronts and injuries they complained to the States who after a long and tedious delay summoned Prince Edward to appear and answer but he pleaded he was a Prince of the Empire and Subject to no other Jurisdiction and for the other appointed them a Corps du guard to secure the House and by a Proclamation prohibited all manner of injuries or violence to be done unto them but notwithstanding the said indignities were yet committed frequently In this sort they continued there expecting an Answer and Conclusion which Mounsieur Bellieur did likewise hinder what in him lay his Servants and attendants being as quarrelsome and slighting of these English as any whosoever and in the interim six of the chiefest Gentlemen of their Retinue travelling upwards the Country were met by a Lorain-Colonel one Harter then going to the Spaw and kept Prisoners for a Ransome which at length was paid to the Spanish-Governour of
Limburgh into whose hands upon a remove they lighted This troublesome delay so displeased their Westminster-masters that on the 18 of May the Parliament recalled them which being notified to the States they seemed surprized and by consent of the Embassadors sent away an Express accompanied with Mr. Thurloe Saint Iohn's Secretary to London to desire a longer respit in hope of a satisfactory Conclusion But after a vainâ—r Expectation thereof saving this dubious insignificant Resolution as the States called it In haec verba The States General of the Netherlands having heard the report of their Commissioners having had a Conference the day before with the Lords Embassadors of the Commonwealth of England do declare That for their better satisfaction they do wholly and fully condescend and agree unto the 6 7 8 9 10 and 11 Propositions of the Lords Embassadors which were the most unconcerning and also the said States do agree unto the 1 2 3 and 5 Articles of the year 1495. Therefore the States do expect in the same manner as full and clear an Answer from the Lords Embassadors upon the 36 Articles delivered in by their Commissioners the 24 of June 1647. This indifferency being maintained and strengthned by the presence and Arguments used in a Speech made by Mr. Macdonald the Kings Agent then at that time Resident at the Hague who also printed their Articles or Propositions with his Comments on them another Months time being spent they were finally remanded and departed on the 20 of Iune re infecta to the trouble as was pretended of most of the Lords of Holland When Saint Iohn gave the States Commissioners who came to take leave of him these parting words My Lords You have an Eye upon the Event of the Affairs of the Kingdom of Scotland and therefore do refuse the Friendship we have offered now I can assure you that many in the Parliament were of opinion that we should not have come hither or any Embassadors to be sent to you before they had superated thâ—se matters between them and that King and then expected your Embassadors to us I nâ—w perceive our errour and that those Gentlemen were in the right in a short time you shall see that business ended and then you will come to us and seek what we have freely offered when it shall perplex you that you have refused our proffer And it â—ell ouâ— as he had Divined it Upon his coming home after those welcomes and thanks given him by the Parliament he omitted not to aggravate those rudenesses done him and to exasperate them against the Dutch and the angry effects of his Counsels and report soon after appeared On the 9 of April in order and designe to abolish all Badges of the Norman Tyranny as they were pleased to call it now that the English Nation had obtained their natural Freedom they resolved to Manumit the Laws and restore them to their Original Language which they did by this ensuing additional Act and forthwith all or most of the Law-books were turned into English according to the Act a little before for turning Proceedings of Law into English and the rest written afterwards in the same Tongue but so little to the benefit of the people that as Good store of Game is the Country-mans Sorrow so the multitude of Sollicitors and such like brought a great deal of trouble to the Commonwealth not to speak of more injuries by which that most honourable profession of the Law was profaned and vilified as being a discourse out of my Sphere At the same time they added a second Act explanatory of this same wonderful Liberty both which here follow Be it Enacted by this present Parliament and by the Authority thereof That the Translation into English of all Writs Process and Returns thereof and of all Patents Commissions and all Proceedings whatsoever in any Court of Iustice within this Commonwealth of England and which concerns the Law and Administration of Iustice to be made and framed into the English Tongue according to an Act entituled An Act for the turning the Books of the Law and all Proces and Proceedings in Courts of Iustice into English be and are hereby refered to the Speaker of the Parliament the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal of England the Lord Chief Iustice of the Upper-Bench the Lord Chief Iustice of the Common-pleas and the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer for the time bâ—ing or any two or more of them and what shall be agreed by them or any two or more of them in Translating the same the Lords Commissioners shall and may affix the Great Seal thereunto in Cases where the same is to be fixed And so that no miss-Translation or Variation in Form by reason of Translation or part of Proceedings or Pleadings already begun being in Latine and part in English shall be no Errour nor void any Proceedings by reason thereof Provided That the said recited Act shall not extend to the certifying beyond the Seas any Case or Proceedings in the Court of Admiralty but that in such Cases the Commissioners and Proceedings may be certified in Latin as formerly they have been An Act for continuing the Assessment of 120000 l. per mensem for five Months from the 25 day of April 1651. for maintenance of the Armies in England Ireland and Scotland was likewise passed By our way to Scotland we must digress to a petty commotion in Wales Hawarden and Holt-Castle Seized and a Hubbub upon the Mountains which engaged Colonel Dankins to a craggy expedition Sir Thomas Middleton purged and the Coast cleared of a Presbyterian discontent upon which score the noise was raised but the story not taking Presto on all 's gone and the invisible Royalists cannot be found or sequestred for their combination in Lancashire-plot now started and hotly sented and pursued by the Grandees of the Council of State and the Blood-hounds of their High Court of Iustice again unkennelled of which more presently Blackness-Castle was now delivered to General Cromwel in Scotland on the first of April while he yet continued sick of an Ague General Dean being newly arrived with Money and supplies from England two days before and on the 11 of the same Month the Scotch Parliament sat down where they rescinded that often-mentioned Act of Classes of Delinquents whereby way was made to the restoring of the Loyal Nobility to their seats in Parliament and an Act passed from the perceipt of the dangerous consequences of the Western Remonstrance that it should be Treason to hold correspondence with or abet the Enemy Cromwel having already made another journey into those parts to carry on his business at Glascow which place had been infamed at the beginnig of the Scotch Troubles and was now by the just Judgement of God the Stage designed to act the Catastrophe and last act of three Kingdoms Ruine For I must remember the Reader that here the first Scene of our misery was laid
by the illegal convention of the general Assembly of the Kirk By his Forces thereabouts the Earl of Eglington with his second Son and some other persons of Note were surprized in their designe of raising Forces for the King at Dunbarton His Majesty still continuing at Sterling London the Chancellor being now outed of his Presidentship Mr. Gutbery and Bennet and other Kirk-blades Committed for their refractoriness to the Kings Authority which yet they would not own but as subordinate to the General Assembly But for the prevention of such future sidings and divisions those men had caused a Committee by Parliament was now empowred to manage the War and substitute Officers without any more impertinent reverences to the Presbytery the King being also declared Generalissimo Cromwel after some debates and publike disputes with the Ministers viz. Gillespy Rutherford c. of Glascow aforesaid concerning the lawfulness of his Invasion which he performed as he said in much weakness of both Argument and Body seeing there was no drawing the Scot out that way to fight which way they intended for an undisturbed march marched back to Edenburgh by the beginning of May and in his way burned the Lady Kilsithes House for holding intelligence with the King having notice of the arrival of his Boats at Leith for the Transportation of his Army into Fife which was the last remedy the failure of Victuals in the Scotch Camp which therefore they should be forced to abandon and march proving a meer delusion In the mean while on the 15 of April in a mist the Lord Montgomery Son to the Earl of Eglington and Lord Cranston with 500 Horse and Dragoons marched from Sterling and resolutely charged into Lithgow a Garrison the English had fortified upon their first march to Sterling to the Market-place whence having taken what Prisoners they could in hast meet with they retreated and being pursued by Major Sydenham of Sir Arthur Haslerig's Regiment the Governour in place of Colonel Sanderson lately deceased they faced about and routed him killing most of his Followers to the number of some 60 himself being wounded mortally in the Groyn whereof not long after he died that Government being twice vacated already The Lord Register Warriston now had a Pass from Sterling to come to Edenburgh about the Records and the ships loading that was staid after Cromwels Pass and permission by Articles and prosecuted the business so to effect that the said Goods Papers and lading got before him to Sterling May 31. whither he had no more mind after Cromwel and he had conferred to return The Dutch had now sent Van Trump their Admiral with 12 sail of Men of War to Scilly Island to demand satisfaction for 20 ships which Sir Iohn Greenvile the Governour had seized and had further instructions to Treat with the said Governour which besides the aim this State had to integrate all the Antient Dominions of England under a new Commonwealth did very much enjealous them that that important place might be put into Dutch hands thereupon a Fleet was presently manned for the Reduction of that place and Sir George Ayscue who was then preparing for a Voyage to Barbadoes in the Rainbow and two other Men of War upon the same account was ordered to attend General Blake in that Service who Imbarqued in the Phoenix-Frigat and on the 18 of May with great resolution he landed some of his Forces in the Islands of Tresco and Brier which were as stoutly defended by the Noble Colonel Wogan who in his Voyage from Ireland had taken up Arms here for the King again and made a very great slaughter of the first Invaders but footing being gained by fresh Boats succeeding the other he past over to the Isle of St. Maries both more naturally and Artificially Fortified and of very difficult access Some few attempts were nevertheless made but rather to shew there was an Enemy there who would fain be admitted and who otherwise might prove very troublesome to their Trade and to that effect a Summons or invitation was sent unto the Governour who having as it was believed the Kings leave for what he should do therein and knowing with England it would return and without would be of little use to the Crown after some Messages accepted of a Treaty which after caresses and civilities on both sides concluded in a Rendition of the Isle on the second of Iune upon very Honourable Terms The Governour Sir Iohn the son of Noble Sir Bevil Greenvile after Earl of Bath a person always much in the Kings Favour receiving a considerable sum of Money and Indemnity for his Estate and person freed from all manner of Arrests and molestations whatsoever the Officers and Souldiers to go whither they would of whom Sir Fulk Hunks with Doctor Lesley the Bishop of Down sailed for Ireland Colonel Wogan for Scotland to pursue the quarrel there also In all there went out 9 Colonels 4 Lieutenant-Colonels 10 Serjeant-Majors 60 Captains saith the Catalogue 40 Lieutenants and other under-Officers of a proportionable number which over Sir George Ayscue proceeded in his Voyage Prince Rupert was now at Sea from Toulon with five Men of War and two Fire-ships sailing the Mediterranean-sea in Company with his Brother Prince Maurice and much discourse there was of the Duke of Lorrain's shipping and Transporting some Forces for Ireland by an Agreement made with the Irish and promoted at the French Court whither the Duke of York was now expected and Sir Edward Hide arrived out of Spain and several Provinces and Cities were by report assigned him for his security but the whole story proved meer Castles in the Air for it 's supposed the Duke was unwilling to come where his plundering Troops should finde Blows instead of Booty and he had his own Country and Dominions to regain first An Agent likewise came now to the Parliament of England and owned them as such from the great Duke of Florence May the 21. The Lord Howard of Escrick a Peer who had got himself returned a Burgess for Carlisle was about this time convicted of Bribery dismissed the House and committed to the Tower Cromwel being at Edenburgh having notice how the King lay encamped at Sterling Lesley's Foot quartering on the South-side and Middleton's on the North-side of the Park encompassed with a Stone-wall and that abundance of Provision was brought in daily supposing they would march drew all his Forces out of the West with as much care and conduct as could be and Encamped likewise in the Fields by Edenburgh in a readiness for them whether to march or fight But in the mean time he was taken very ill of his Ague so that Doctor Wright and Doctor Bates an eminent Physitian and a concealed Royalist as appears by a polite Piece of his written some time before entituled Elenehus Motuum nuperorum in Anglia were sent down to attend his Cure and many blithe and anxious
Dean was now remanded and returned from Scotland as a more confiding deserver on whom another Sea-General was to be conferred Sir George had 300 l. in Ireland per annum and 300 l. in Money for his pains In the mean time the States of Holland sent away Messengers and Expresses to Denmark and the Hans Towns to Sweden and Poland to give notice of the Commencement of this War and to gain these several States to their party Cordage and Tar being no way else to be had as also to give timely advice to their Merchants how to manage and secure their Estates from the English A Proposal was likewise framed of sending for Prince Rupert then about the Western Isles of America having taken some West-Country Ships being known by his black Ancient which he wore in his Poop as a mourning Emblem of the Kings Death attended but with a Fleet of six ships and espousing the Kings Quarrel but those were but high-flown vapours of their own without any ground save that the Prince of Aurange was generally and publickly commended to and almost enforced upon the State as Statdholder and Captain-General as was his Father and some affronts were done to those that were known to be disaffected to that Family among whom was the Lord Embassador Paw whose house they attempted to Storm nor was De Wit one of their prime Seamen much more in favour as the Zealanders soon after evidenced Their Interest indeed was so much the more considerable because of the Marquess of Brandenburgh the next ally but the King whose Usurped Rights it vindicated and asserted would much conduce to the advantaging of them in a vigorous prosecution of the War from whom they had already promises of a large assistance of 10000 men upon no other score but his Nephews as appeared in his non-performance of that proffer when the States of Holland boggled at the Overtures and Demands made by the other Provinces about the Prince and in the same kinde he served them having engaged their concernment in the Polish War not long after leaving them in the lurch after the Elbing-Treaty So that of all Princes their Friends they now relied most upon the Dane and the French with whom they doubted not to make a League Offensive and Defensive against the English Slily assisted by the Spaniard and hoping of a fair beginning of Amity with Sweden onely Yet nevertheless confident were our States of going luckily through this hazardous and potent Enmity or would their proud stomacks Drunk with success as the Dutch Declaration twitted them abate a sillable of what they had determined for having given that Categorick or positive Answer above recited upon the Dutch Embassadors desire of leave to depart according to their Superiours as peremptory orders they without any more ado presently offered them Audience in order thereunto Monsieur Paw in a Latine Speech delivered the sense of the Quarrel and Breach in very equal words without any further expedients mentioned by them to resume the accommodation Paw at his return quickly died of a surfeit of broyl'd Salmon no way lamented by the house of Aurange a man suspected of ill Counsel given against the Martyr-King he being sent hither about the time of his Martyrdom and known to have some of his Majesties Houshold-goods and Jewels as Bribes however honested by a pretence of purchase for his service to the English States The Lord Williamson and his colleague Embassadors of Denmark demanded the same Audience the same time being about the 29 of Iune In Ireland after Sir Charles Coot had taken in Ballymote he pressed so hard upon the Lord Clanrickard that he was forced for shelter to betake himself into the Isle of Carick while Sir Charles quartered at Portumna resolved to reduce him which being inevitable the gallant Marquess came now at last in this desperate Juncture to an Agreement which was no more than ordinary Liberty to Transport himself and 3000 Irish more into any Pieces Country and service then in Amity with England within a short limitation of time Not long after Colonel Richard Grace being pursued into his Fastness being the strong Fort of Inchlough in a Bog yielded upon the like Terms on the first of August to Colonel Sanckey there marched out with him 1050 men for Transportation O Brian yet held out in the Mountains of Kerry and Cork Birn Phelim Mac Hugh and Cavenagh in the Fastnesses of Wexford and Wicklow O Neal and Rely in Vlster to all which places under Reynolds Venables Sanchy Sir Charles Coot and Lieutenant-General Ludlow distinct Forces were ordered to march Fitz Patrick and Odwire's men were also now shipt the Commissioners for the Parliament very willing to be rid of their Company and they as glad to be gone to avoid the Halter then threatned by a High Court of Iustice. In Scotland there were some stirs in the Highlands by Glengary the Frazers and Mac Reynolds and some other Septs whereof one Mac Knab was killed with some more of his men being in a party which was met with by the English Highland-Forces of Lilburn and other Regiments Encamped at Innerara one of Arguile's strong Castles but nothing else happened though the Scots were 1500 strong but Arguile absolutely complied with the Parliament sending them provision and supplies of all sorts yet before Summer was quite spent the Highlanders had made a shift to surprize two of their new-Garrisoned Castles in these parts and made good their several Clans and possessions At home the Parliament had a greater mischief breeding against them than they feared from the most dangerous of their Forrain Enemies A dangerous Imposture of Ambition whose quabbing beating pains gave them no rest nor could all their skill tell how to asswage or cure it It swelled every day more and more in continual Addresses Desires Petitions Declarations till it came to be ripe and then burst out to the dissolution of this Political body This was the reiterated and inculcated story of the Parliaments providing for future equal Representatives and putting a period to this than which nothing could be more distastful and of greater antipathy to the present Members which yet they did most artfully conceal and dissemble in a hundred complying Votes and Resolves even to the ascertaining of the longest day November the 5 1654. for their sitting but that was two years too long for Cromwel whose Fingers itched to be managing a Scepter In order to this delay the Committee that first sat and hatcht upon this Bill were removed from the Nest and the addle Eggs put under the chill incumbency of other Wilde-towl and they to proceed therein with all expedition a thing so unlikely that Sultan Cromwel who expected a Grand Cairo brood resolved not to be baffled much longer or await the leisure of his Mercenary servants as after a Fast and Humiliation of him and his Council of Officers and the Communication of the grounds thereof to the whole Army in
of the Dutch was Boarded and taken and two more of their Men of War were sunk and another Blown up at the same time so that de Wit was glad to give over the Conflict and to ply his Sails being followed till the English Fleet was no more than 12 Leagues East-South-East off the Maze and that Coast of Holland which was no good shore for them to trust to and with the remainder of his Fleet pitifully torn came into Goree and there Harboured This Defeat he imputed to several of his Captains who did not their devoir in the Fight so that Commissioners of the Admiralty were appointed to try such as he should charge for their Cowardise or Failure he also added for another Reason the over-match of the English in number and ships which being beyond expectation more troubled the States than this easie Discomfiture Blake with Triumph came into the Downs and the most of his Fleet into Port to mend and recruit the Damages they had received having lost besides neer 300 men and as many wounded the Dutch twice their number for whose cure and entertainment several Houses in the nature of Hospitals were erecting on the Coast of Kent neer Dover and Deal by order of Parliament who enacted also the return of all Sea-men out of the Service of any other Prince or State into England in 40 days in these parts of the World allowing a twelvemonth to those in the East-Indies confirming the usage and custom of Death without mercy by throwing over-board such Carpenters and Ship-wrights as should be found in the Enemies ships c. The Noble Marquess of Worcester lately come from beyond Seas where his wants and distresses suffered him not to continue any longer was this Month of September taken in London and Committed to the Tower and ordered for a speedy Trial but after consideration of the matter it was superseded and his Lordship left in that forgotten durance There had been great discontents among the Vnited Provinces concerning their chusing of a Staâ—dholder and Captain-General which was to be the Prince of Aurange as was said before and these Disorders and Misfortunes at Sea did rather improve the Pince's Interest and therefore the States of Holland and Friesland prudentially bethought themselves of a means to be rid of both and that was by sending a Letter tending to an accommodation into England which at the worst should happen would be of much advantage to them this came about this time after the Fight and was in like manner answered as their other Papers so that as de Wit went out with a Mutiny the Sea-men refusing to go on Board till they were paid for their service already done in this War for which two of them were Executed at Amsterdam and some Burgers shot upon a sudden surmise of a Rescue so was he welcomed home with the like Uproar of the Women of Flushing who hated him the rather because he was a main Anti-party to the Family of Aurange to which that Province was always so addicted that though the States of Holland sent an Embassie to them to disswade them from their resolution taken in favour of the Prince and they hardly laboured it with Arguments of the Common Safety and the Nature of the War in hand which would thereby upon all events be made Irreconcilable yet they prevailed not but were dismist to the next General Vergadering or Assembly of all the Provinces who had effected their designe in Denmarke by making sure of that King to their Interest he refusing to let the 22 English Merchant-men go away out of his Port being laden with Hemp and Tar and such other necessaries for shipping and had recalled his Embassadors here in England but till their Arrival proceeded no further than a bare Imbargo having brought them within the Booms of his Castle at Elsenore for the better securing of them The want of those Commodities which mightily retarded the equipping of the English Fleets caused the Parliament to give order to Blake to send away Captain Ball with a Squadron of 18 Men of War to sail for the Sound and to carry a Letter to the King desiring him to deliver the said Ships and Goods to be Convoyed for the Dane at first pretended his care of saving them from the Dutch home by the said Fleet who in ten days time came to an Anchor within a mile of Elsenore-Castle and sent the Letter ashore by one of his Captains who was affronted by some of the Dutch there seizing his Boat but received a cold Answer that the King would not deliver them and did wonder they did approach so neer his Royal Residence with so great a Fleet which being received Captain Ball concluded presently to return but the night of his departure on the last of September the Antelope a new stately built Frigat of 50 Brass Guns run upon a Rock on Iutland side by the unadvisedness of the Pilot about three in the Morning and was there bulged and broke to pieces In his return he met and took 14 Holland Fisher-men but the Tyger-Frigat after a fight took and Boarded a Man of War of 20 Guns having killed and wounded 40 of them and brought them all up to Yarmouth Upon further dispute of this detainer which was of such evil consequence to our States it was at last alledged by that King that he kept those ships and Goods in lieu of those Moneys due to him from the late King according to his engagement with his Father in the German-War for the maintenance of so many Regiments against the Emperor and for other Sums accruing to him in the right of his Aunt the Mother of the said King and the Dutch were very willing to be dealing and chaffering on that account offering him the value of the Goods to what they should be rated at there in ready Money or rather than fail they would content the English Merchants that were concerned in those Bottoms and Ladings Myn Heer Boreel was likewise instant with the French King at this time for a speedy Conclusion of a League Offensive and Defensive Captain Pen having been recalled out of the Streights to this Service here Captain Badiley was sent in his place with the Paragon a Navy-Ship and 3 nimble Frigats the Phoenix the Constant Warwick and the Elizabeth who meeting with four Merchant-men from the Streights were set upon neer Portolongone in the Kingdom of Naples belonging to the Spaniard by Van Galen Commander of the Dutch Fleet of War in those Seas and after a day and a halfs dispute the English being sore battered and having by the ill managing of the fight by the ships crue of the Phoenix lost that Frigat were forced to retire under the protection of the Fort of Longone where the Dutch would have fallen upon them but were not permitted which made the Dutch block up the Port for a while but the Governours Command and another Fleet of the English under
that though his Death be unknown yet his Life and the Renown of it is famous and the Glory of it Proclaimed throughout the World he set sail from those unfortunate Islands and arrived at Nants in Briâ—any in March with the Swallow and a Prize laden with Tobacco and a little Frigat and soon after his Arrival fell Sick but happily recovering he was invited to Paris and Complemented by the French King who sent the first Gentleman of his Chamber to salute him and highly and cordially welcomed by our Soveraign yet in that Court where now the whole Royal Family were very neer met together Monsieur Borâ—el Embassador from the Queen of Sweden being the third within the space of a year arrived in England about the same time and other Letters came again from the States of Holland and West-Friezsland to the Parliament the Dutch at the same time meditating on a speedy Peace and a potent carrying on of the War having prohibited the Greenland-Voyage again for that year and making all Expedition to set de Wit with another Fleet to Sea the Ballance of Victory standing still in aequilibrio for what was lost in the Channel was gained in the Streights and 't was concluded they that could raise most Men and Ships would be sure to carry it And their first designe was now upon our Colliers the great Nursery and Seminary of Sea-men for the Service whom if they could intercept being about 150 sail and but ten Men of War for their Convoy the Work was done A Fleet of 20 great ships and some little Frigats was dispatcht first and de Wit followed which first Squadron having been descryed by the Colliers at Sea they with their Convoy put into Scarborough and there under the protection of that Castle and new Platforms raised to gall the Dutch if they approached which was well perceived by them they Anchored till the Dutch drew quite off having pretended it twice before upon the coming of Vice-Admiral Pen with his Fleet that way The year ends with the release of Sir Iohn Gell and some Scotch Prisoners out of the Tower among whom was Mr. Robert Douglas and submission of the Lord Iniskillin Colonel Conuer and Mac Guire in Ireland upon the usual Terms of Transportation and an Act Constituting Iohn Bradshaw their bold President and their great Favourite to be Chancellor and Bartholomew Hall one of the Lord Whitlock's Dependants to be Atturney of the Dutchy of Lancaster that they might do something for their Friends before they dye And lo a Revolution A CHRONICLE OF THE CIVIL WARS OF ENGLAND SCOTLAND and IRELAND THE THIRD PART BEING The Protectorate Anno Dom. 1653. NOw to the reproach of Fortune and her glorious Pageant of an English Commonwealth which she had set up for another Wonder in the world to brave the Pyramids of Stone Colossus of Brass as to the defence of Times injury having subdued all likelihood or appearance of danger from without all Princes being ready to entertain their Friendship See the frailty of this structure the undermines and the cheating deceitful labour of their Architect and prime Workman in the Ground-work of this Republican Fabrick That Foundation was laid upon the Ruines of Monarchy the seeds whereof being laid in the King's Death through a four years corruption of time reared its Head now though with a forced and precoce blade a fading verdure that bespoke its unseasonableness and sudden perishment in the Family and Person of this Usurper and exerted it self afterwards in the Hundredfold Fruits of an yielding and obedient people to their Rightful Soveraign It was perceivable now what Chimera's were in the projection of the Commonwealth which had so many ambitious and covetous Masters every one of them managing his designe and stretching it to the same measure of perpetuity Sons and Nephews being brought into the Parliament and the same Relations upon the score of Inherent Merit brought into the Army and these interessedly opposite and contrary to one another the Single self to the reducing of it to Monarchical Regiment in this very Democratick form being solely intended so that it was little labour for Cromwel with his Instrument in his Hand to charm the several divided Factions of that Individuum vagum there being no other cement or obligation of their holding together but that glutinous and sticking Guilt of the Kings Blood and all places of Command and Profit were already in the Hands of his Friends and Favourites without any quarrel or indeed without any perceivance of his Grand designe which as it had worried the Kingdom to the destruction of the King so was it after to weary them with another Parliament by their barbarous and strange proceedings and so recommend himself to the People He indeed took a very happy juncture for the Execution of it just as the Scale of the Dutch difference was turned and Victory was inclining to the English and when a very potent Fleet was out at Sea and the Moneys at the rate of 120000 l. per mensem was just coming in and their Exchequer and other Receipts pretty full with the several Incomes Forfeitures and Revenues and as to his assurance of it he wanted not any assistance the Army onely his and a third part of the Parliament joyning with him in his Conspiracy which yet was a rash and hazardous venture There had been no Law nor Government before now even Prudence and Wisdom forsook the Grandees and Principals in the proceeding Rebellion For it was then clearly and truly judged that the setting up of this private and indeed debaucht Person and Family in opposition to the King the memory of whose super-excellent Vertues Gifts and Graces and His cruel Martyrdom were yet recent and His Heirs would presently ruine the Usurper for it being like to prove a War betwixt the Crown and Iack Cade it was rightly concludible that no longer than his Rebel-rout could be maintained and kept together could it be expected that Oliver's bloody house could stand The prosperous Rebel never boded this nor did he think it within his consideration his great aims were upon the Parliament an impotent and feeble Crue that stood upon his Crutches and yet threatned to beat him with them such Masters of Defence they were This made him forsake his Wiles and Fabian delays and with his Sword riddle the Oracle of this Delphick Parliament by its dissolution Fate never played such a frolick prank nor was there ever such a Scene of Mirth in all her Mazes and Varieties of Government Nor often do wicked great men survive the infamy and dishonour of their Actions and live the infamous obloquie and reproach of themselves but as if God would invert the threatned punishment of the breach of the fifth Commandment these unexampled parricides were decreed to outlive the desire of Life and to see all their Greatness buried their Reputation abroad and their Dread at home fallen into such Ignominy and Disgrace
were rather Simon Magus his own Disciples and certainly there were never such Simoniacks in the World not a Living of value but what a Friend or the best Purchaser was admitted into to which Humane Learning even where a former Right was was a good and sufficient Bar no less to the Ruine than the Scandal of the Church of England and the Protestant Religion and professors thereof several ignorant bold Laicks being inducted into the best Spiritualities as best consisted with Oliver's Interest which depended upon the Sectaries and their hideous divisions in Religion Anno Dom. 1654. HAving thus described the Foundation of this Stratocracy or Army-power we shall not be obliged to any tedious survey of the superstructure which was onely for shew and of little duration supported with temporary shifting Props in every emergency for this great one rather inhabited a Labyrinth than a Court which shewed much variety of Art but like a House of Cards was ready to be whelmed over his Head with every gust of adverse Fortune a cross Restive Government he had of it and was never able to keep it in the right Road and true way of policy And so we proceed in a brief account of State-Occurrences The 6 of April came forth an Ordinance settling Commissioners for Probation of Wills and Administrations c. by want of which power there having been no settled Judge of the Prerogative-Court whose Name abolished the thing very great and many inconveniencies had happened to the Nation Another Ordinance prohibited Cock-matches and Horse-races and all such confluxes or meetings of people for a Plot was now a hatching at White-hall and this was the first overt-signe of it Next the Commission of the Great Seal was altered and Whitlock Lisle and Sir Thomas Widdrington were made Commissioners A Prohibition by another Ordinance to the Committee at Salters Hall concerning Prisoners which were selling of Estates though never so barred by Law to satisfie the Creditors which would have made a quick confusion of Propriety And the Dutch Peace the charge of the War being now paid by that State according to private agreement of the sum was fully concluded and in April Proclaimed A Quaking Prophetess named Hannah Trapnel a forerunner of Iames Naylor now appeared who reported her Visions and Raptures and was attended by several of the Grandees of the male-contented party as Carew and others the most of her delusions she acted in the Counties of Devonshire and Cornwal till she was with some of her Partizans secured in Prison The Scotch Affairs were reputed finished as to any War though the Bustle yet so held and encreased in the Highlands that the spoils of the Conquest were now set out and made accomptable to the Victor The Lords Estates and Hereditaments of the Scotch Nobility and Gentry who Invaded England under Duke Hamilton and came in with the King to Worcester and were yet in Arms were ordered to be sold and to that purpose were invested in the Trust of Sir William Hope Lockhart Sir Richard Saltonstall Lieutenant-Colonel Wilks and others and were actually seized into their hands and the rest of them were Fined in several sums of Money to be paid within six Months some 2000 l. some 5000 l. some few 10000 l. but none under 1000 l. amounting to a greater mass of silver than Scotland was worth in ready Cash so that those who were compell'd to obey though many complemental and humble applications and addresses as is customary to that Nation were made for mitigation were forced to take up Money at unreasonable Interest which rose at last by the like occasions to 30 in the hundred An Ordinance passed with this for uniting of Scotland into one Commonwealth with England it seems the Act of Parliament to the same purpose was not sufficient and the Arms thereof ordered to be quartered as were the Irish with our Cross and Harp and Oliver's Lion Salâ—ant was placed in the middle which is as good Herauldry as this Escutcheon deserves That Kingdom by vertue thereof to be charged no otherwise in Assessments and Tax than proportionably to England and to pay no greater Excise c. An Ordinance likewise for mending and repairing Highways and Bridges which the War had spoiled and were yet every where unrepaired a very necessary and good work for the benefit of the Nation no Waggon being suffered thereafter to travel with above five Horses nor six Oxen and one Horse and care was taken likewise about the shodding of the Wheels General Monke arrives in Scotland and Proclaims Oliver in great state at Edenburgh and Arguile plainly and openly sides with the English and foments divisions among the Scots his Son the Lord Lorn departing in a discontent and quarrel from the Earl of Glencarn and returning to the old Fox his Father The French King Crowned at Rheims having been declared Major and our Soveraign invited to the Solemnity while the Intrigues of Mazarine were driving a conclusion of peace with Cromwel The Designe now appeared which Oliver had hatched for some while and had laboured by his treacherous Agents to mature to something therefore first of all a general search is made throughout London for Cavaliers and thereupon Colonel Iohn Gerrard as before Mr. Vowel and Somerset Fox were brought before the High Court of Iustice Proclaimed the 13 and sitting the 31 of Iune in which interval they had prepared their business and provided Witnesses and drew up the Charge After twice or thrice Conventing of the aforesaid Gentlemen an Accusation was brought of their intention to assassinate the Protector with one Major Henshaw and others fled to the proof whereof they produced young Mr. Charles Gerrard against his Brother as also one Wiseman and one Mr. Hudson a blinde Minister whose Brother was that eminent person who accompanied and guarded the late King in his flight from Oxford that had been cherished by Mr. Vowel against him who yet retracted from his Examination and could not be brought by the threats of the Court to make it good and yet they made it valid Somerset Fox as he was instructed before by promise of Life confessing the Guilt thereby involving the other two innocent Gentlemen and craving mercy It availed not them to deny this Charge though never so much reason and strength of argument on their side Lisle the President summing up the prejudiced suffrages of the Court gave Sentence of Hanging which was Executed Iuly the 10 on Mr. Vowel at Charing-Cross where with a Roman Spirit tempered with Christian Patience he suffered his Martyrdom off from a Stool â—etcht from the Guard the adjacent Neighbours refusing to lend any thing to his Death the Executioner having his Ladder not in readiness Colonel Gerrard was Beheaded on Tower-hill who expresly denied the intention of the Fact and from this reason because he thought it might be far from the honour and great minde of the King whose injunction this was said
Hunt whom his Sisters coming to visit and take their farewel of him over-night of his Execution he changed Cloaths with one of them pretending before to be indisposed and to keep his Bed and with a Handkerchief as weeping and sobbing before his eyes was let out while a Guard at door watched his Sisters sleep that night who next Morning waking the supposed Major to make ready for Death perceived the Stratagem this incensed Cromwel farther so that he commanded all that were in Prison for that Rising should be forthwith Transported to the Caribbe-Islands and some Argier-Merchants or worse undertook it and sold them to the Barbarous and inhumane Flanters worse than ever were the Natives for Bond-men and Slaves About the same time all Jesuits and Seminaries were anew Exiled and all suspected Catholicks to abjure the Pope Purgatory Transubstantiation and all the Doctrines of that Church or else all their Estates to be seized The Judges Thorp and Nudigate laid down their Commissions in May. During the War in America and for all our Fleet lay in those parts the Spanish Plate-Fleet which was thought the main aim of our preparation and was therefore much feared for desperate was now at Sea and presently the Marquess De Lede who defended Maestricht so bravely some time before against the Prince of Aurange was sent Embassador to the Protector that the honourableness of his Person might gratifie Cromwel's ambition of Courtship and sweeten him to the Friendship and Alliance he had in his Instructions to offer and more easily to insinuate into the mystery of this conjunct designe He was nobly attended besides a numerous train of Lacqueys in silver and Green Livery and had Audience May 5 and continued his Complement and Cabal together the space of five Weeks in which time most of the action had passed in America and returned unsatisfied and re infecta though dismist with more than ordinary respects about the middle of Iune Now happened an occasion or rather Cromwel made it one for him to shew his zeal to the Protestant Cause and to shew himself to the World the Champion or Hector thereof this was also one secret step and reach to the Crown by invading the sacred Title of the Defender of the Faith due onely to the Hereditary Soveraigns of England Herein also he aimed as in the Proverb to hit two Birds with one Stone not doubting but to finde another Mine in the Charitable mindes and compassion of this Nation towards the parallel suffering of the old Waldenses in Piedmont to the Irish Massacres which were set out and drest here with greater skill of Butchery than the actors could handsomely do it there and it was said the Copy was drawn from that Original Most certain it is that they were in Rebellion and that the Duke of Savoy their Soveraign did chastise them to their Obedience though the Marquess Pianella a very zealous Catholick and the Earl of Quince the French Kings Lieutenant-General of his Italian Armies then joyned with that Dukes and stranger-Souldiers have little regard to any Religion where they may ravage without controle might exceed their Commissâ—on in inflicting the extremity of War which they had brought upon themselves and were before also odious more than enough to their Catholick Neighbours Whatever the matter was Cromwel takes the Massacre for granted enjoyns a Fast and at the close of that a Collection not limited and terminated in the liberal contributions in the Church at the Bason but the Collectors and other Officers of the Parish with the Minister were to go from door to door and stir up the Richer sort to a chearful Contribution which indeed was very forwardly and charitably given and intended and forthwith Mr. now Sir Samuel Moreland one of Mr. Thurloe's Secretaries was sent away as Envoy to the Court of Savoy Mr. Pell was dispatcht to the Protestant Cantons of Switzerland upon the same account and Mr. now Sir George Downing was sent after Mr. Moreland by the way of France where he began the complaint and proceeded All those three met together at Geneva to advise with that State how to manage this importance of Religion but Mr. Downing never pursued this Project farther being remanded hence to go Secretary of the Council newly made for Scotland Pell was sâ—nt of his formâ—r errand to the Cantons and Mr. Moreland returned to Turin to the Duke's Court where perceiving this fraud of Cromwel it was no great matter to bring him over soon after to the Kings service in which he continued Alderman Viner and Pack were made Treasurers for this Money which amounted to a very large sum and reaching the designe of the Protector a small parcel whereof was now remitted to Geneva the French King having newly before accommodated the business the Duke refusing to admit Cromwel's Mediation By this conclusion the truth appeared for in the very liminary words they acknowledged the Rebellion in express terms and begged pardon of their gracious Lord his Royal Highness which was here imputed and charged to the prevaâ—ication and collusion of the Cantons Mediation and the three Pastors their Commissioners in that affair There was one Artifice of the Protectors to set this business forward and to countenance it omitted which was Addresses from the Army here and abroad offering their service in this common Cause of the Protestant Religion no way doubting but that God in his due time would confound those Enemies of his People as he had shewn his Salvation by themselves in the same Controversie to that day Several Fires yet burst out in many parts of the Kingdome one in Barnaby-street in Southwark and new diseases were most rife and mortal This Easter-Term one Mr. George Coney a Merchant having been committed by the Commissioners of the Customes to the Serjeant at Arms for refusing to obey their Orders and Fine set for not paying the dues of some Merchandizes brought his Habeas Corpus in the Kings-Bench where he intended to disprove the Authority and Legality of his Commitment and baffle-their Warrant To this purpose Serjeant Maynard Twisden and Mr. Wadham Windham were retained of Counsel by him who pleading such matters for their Client as entrenched upon the Protector 's pretensions and his Publicans Power in that place into which profitable Employment they had scrued themselves by a pretence of serving the publick gratis and without any Salary were instantly committed to the Tower to consider better of Cromwel's Prerogative and to help his Jaylor Berkstead the Lieutenant thereof with the Fees of that chargeable Imprisonment where no Habeas Corpus would be allowed except upon the Knee their enlargement being granted upon their Petition and Submission to the Usurper Those and the like Forces and violences in the Law and the fear of infaming the Bench and his own Credit made Chief-Justice Rolles relinquish his place and sue for a Quietus est just as old Sir Henry Vane deceased
Nation of the Iews who had proposed a Toleration their own Judges their Burying-places the revocation of all Laws and Statutes against them protection from the fealty to him and had strengthned the reason of this with a round sum of Money Cromwel wanted not plausible Arguments of his own from the hopeful juncture of time of making the flock of Christ but one Fold and others cited places of Scripture several Conferences were held about it before him with the Judges as Steel c. and Ministers as Ienkins Manton c. who being not satisfied with what appeared from the arguments of Manasseh Ben Israel the Jewish Agent the publick admission of them was laid aside and the Iews gull'd of their Money they had upon that account already paid The Ships at Iamaica had been roving abroad and burnt St. Martha and took some spoil while Doyley the Commander in chief by Land had made some Inroads into the Country under Colonel Wood and was building or planting a new Town at Cagway-Point In Scotland new Commissioners were added for the sale of Delinquents Lands and to prevent their frauds in the purchasing thereof a New great and Privy-Seal and Signet was likewise sent down thither from England and the Protestors and Resolution-men continued at the same distance A Proclamation there to stop all Comers to that Kingdom upon pretence of Infection in Holland and of all going out without License The Earl of Glencarn upon suspition of a Plot being taken and secured by General Monke in Edenburgh-Castle In England to affront the Spanish Imbargo which now turned to seizure the price of Canary-Wines which were feared to rise by the War were now by Proclamation abated to nine pence a pint having continued at twelve some years before The Princess of Aurange departed by the way of Antwerp and Peronne in France in Ianuary to visit her Mother at Paris and the King preparing according to invitation to go into Flanders where neer Lovain in February he privately conferred with the Earl of Fuensaldagne neer Lovain the Arch-Duke of Leopold being upon his departure for Germany and Don Iohn of Austria to succeed in that Government for the King of Spain From hence his Majesty the War betwixt Spain and us being publique came to the Royal Mansion of Treveur neer Brussels in order to a nearer conjunction of Counsels and Odwyr newly returned and concealing himself in Ireland gave suspition here of some new designe upon Ireland and thereupon all Papists and Irish were again disarmed and commanded to keep at home within their Limits The King's Family yet continued at Colen but upon his remaining setling in Brugis where soon after he was received in State it removed thither also so the Spaniards embraced and shook hands with his Interest as their own affairs governed them In England many sad accidents happened together the Abbey of Spalding being let out into Chambers in one of them as the folks were prophaning by Dancing and making merry therein the Roof fell and was the Death of 23 persons Ianuary 22. Sir Thomas Ashcock cut his Throat a Paper being found in his Chamber where he had reckoned twenty several preservations before and yet God gave him up to this Temptation Mr. Skipwith a young Gentleman who had had a grudge against Sir Thomas Wortley for keeping his Sister Company met with the said Sir Thomas whereupon both drew their Pistols but Skipwith killed him dead though Wounded himself A Stationer's Servant in Fleet-street being taken in Bed with his fellow-serving-maid got an opportunity and presently Hang'd himself Mr. Chamberlain of Oxford-shire killed Colonel Granthamson at Southampton-buildings in a single Duel The most Reverend the Arch-Bishop of Armagh died March 21 a Prelate of great and incomparable Learning and Piety as his Works do sufficiently declare a person challenged as Indifferent to the Church-Government by Bishops but no doubt falsly however it gave the Protector a fine occasion of personating a love to Learning and good men in the expence of his decent and fitting Interment 200 l. being allowed thereunto out of the publick Money the best and justest of all those sums he squandered upon his dying and perishing Ambition He was not buried till the 17 of April ensuing being then brought from the Countess of Peterburgh's His great Patroness at Rygate to St. George's so to Somerset-House and thence to the Abbey at Westminster Mr. Bourdeaux Embassador returned for England and Lockhart as was said dispatcht for France The River of Thames Ebbed and Flowed twice in two hours this Year and the last twelve Years there was much alteration in them Freeman Sonds the younger Son of Sir George Sonds killed his onely Brother in Bed and was Hanged for it which sad and strange story had almost past observation Anno Dom. 1656. GEneral Blake and Montague began this year with their Fleet of War sailing for the Coast of Spain having toucht at Tangier and directed thence their course to Cadiz-bay and the removing of the English-staple at Roterdam by Proclamation to Dort and the arrival of Mr. Lockhart in France as touched before together with a rencounter at Sea of the Advice President and Drake English Frigats with the Maria of Ostend one Erasmus Bruer a Fleming Captain off the Coast of Scarborough It was stoutly managed by the Enemy from Morning till Night when being totally disabled and over-powered he yielded nothing but himself and Marriners remaining of the Conquest and not many sound ones of those for the ship sunk presently she was the Admiral of that place Worsley the Major-General died before he could be good in his Office and was buried with the Dirges of Bell Book and Candle and the Peals of Musquets in no less a repository than Henry 7th's Chappel as became a Prince of the Modern Erection and Oliver's great and rising Favourite With him went down the Wrestling in Moor-fields an exercise used time out of minde in that place before the War and now resumed again together also with pitching of the Bar and generally all pastime and sort of sports was damned and to make his Exit the more remarkable Hannam the most notorious private Thief in England to expiate his sad villany at Colen having promised Cromwel some Papers taken at that time was retaken in another Robbery in London and had his due by being hanged Forces under Colonel Brayn who was to Command in chief in Iamaica were now shipt from Port Patrick in Scotland where the Citadel of St. Iohnstones was fired and almost consumed but Provisions saved with 1000 stout Fellows but Fate so crost Oliver that no Governour of his sending and nomination survived long after their arrival and Colonel Doyley was a kinde of an old Royalist as were many or the most of the remaining Officers whom he had made it his Religion not to trust He had in England appointed at this time a Committee
take in fresh Water leâ—t Rear-Admiral Stayner with 7 Frigats to ply before that Port who about the middle of September descryed at Sea eight sail as it proved from the West Indies who having met and taken a Portugal Prize and informed by them that the English were gone off the Coast made securely to Cadiz where Captain Stayner and his Squadron but two whereof engaged with him in the Speaker viz. the Bridgewater and Plymouth taken by them at first for Fisher-men by reason of their lying so low in the Water assailed them and after a fierce fight the Spaniard being loth to part with his Treasure overcame them There were two Sunk two escaped two run aground and two taken by the Speaker-Frigat In one of them was the Marquess of Badajox of the Family of Lopez who had been Governour for the King of Spain's Peru who was killed in the Fight with his Wife and a Daughter the Eldest Son and his Brother were saved and brought safe to the Generals with this Prize wherein were two millions of Pieces of eight and as much there was in one of them that was Sunk The Admiral who carried the Flag for concealing of the chiefest ship with the Portugal prize recovered the Shore Soon after General Montague with the young Marquess and part of the Fleet to convoy the Silver returned into England and delivered the Bullion into the Mint and the young Marquess was set at liberty For this a Thanksgiving with a Narrative to be read thereon was appointed by the Parliament who emitted their Declaration of War against Spain About the same time Five Frigats returned also from Iamaica According to the 34th Article of the Instrument which this Juncto roundly danced to Cromwel having Named Fiennes and Lisle to be Lord-Commissioners of the Great Seal and Serjeant Glyn to be Lord Chief-Justice of England he now proposed them to the House for their approbation which they did with Glee and confirmed them in their places and to reciprocate his officious comportment they of their part opened the intercourse betwixt him and the Parliament by presenting him several Bills to Signe and Ratifie as Acts the chief whereof were the Annulling the Title of the King for security of his Person taking away Wards and Liveries and that the Passing those Acts should not determine the Session these were firmed in the Painted-Chamber in ample manner and form by this new-fangled-Legislator Nov. 27. At the latter end of October died Iohn the 4th King of Portugal who had so sucessfully wrested the Kingdom of Portugal from the unjust possession of the Spanish Monarchy after almost 100 years Usurpation of it in the remarkable year of 1640. He died of the Stone in his Kidneys in the fifty and odd year of his Age leaving behinde him by his Queen the Sister of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in Spain his Son Alphonso the sixth King of Portugal and Donna Catharina the Illustrious Infanta of the same since Married to our Gracious Soveraign King Charles the second The Sect of Quakers was grown to such a heigth of Impudence by the presumptions and deceitful Revelations of the Light within that there was scarce any Blasphemy which they would not say and act and yet very many were bewitched with it The Divinity of Christ had been oppugned by Biddle the Socinian and now it was Personated with reverence be it spoken by one Iames Naylor a Quaker who resembling in his Proportions and Complexion the picture of Christ had in all other things as the setting of the Beard and Loâ—ks in the same fashion â—arâ—d to counterfeit our Blessed Lord. To this purpose he had Disciples and Women ministring to him whose Blasphemous Expressions and aâ—â—â—ications of several Scriptures relating properly to the loveliness and Transceâ—â—â—â—nt Excellency of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to this Impostor will if repeated move Horrour and Trembling in every Christian. His first appearance in this manner was at Bristol where a man leading his Horse Bare-headed and one Dorcas Erbury and Martha Symmonds going up to the Knees in Mire by his Horse-side sung aloud Holy Holy Holy Hosanna c. For this they were seized by the Magistrates and being complained of to the Parliament were brought up to Town into which as in all places they entred singing the same Blasphemies At the Bar of the House a Committee having reported their opinion concerning his punishment he was Sentenced in December to be set in the Pillory twice and Whipt twice and his Forehead to be Stigmatized with the letter B. for Blasphemer and Bored through the Tongue with which he used to answer to any Question Thou hast said it and the like He was likewise Whipt at Bristol and thence returned to Bridewel to be kept close and to eat no more than what he earned In Newgate after his punishment the Impostor continued one Mr. Rich a Merchant of credit that held him by the Hand while he was in the Pillories with divers others licked his Wounds the Women were observed some to lay their Head in his Lap lying against his Feet others to lean it upon his Shouldiers and questionless the Quakers would have persisted in this delusion and set up and made something of this Idol if he had not been kept from them for as soon as ever any came into his Company they would first take him by the Hand and in a strange note say Holy c. But being thus removed after three days wilful abstinence having weakned himself even unto Death he begged some Victuals and then was set to work which he performed and came by degrees to himself and to reduction At the return of the Rump he got his liberty but survived it not his additional pretended Divinity having attenuated and wasted his Humanity and that Body sublimed and prepared for Miracles went the way of all Flesh. It is to be noted that Lambert stickled much to have saved him from Sentence and punishment he being his Souldier but the truth was Lambert perceived what Cromwel was driving at to engross the Soveraignty to himself and Family and it was high time therefore to ingratiate with all parties the better to be able to oppose him and henceforth sprung and appeared the feud betwixt these two Army-Potentates The King kept his Court at Bruges some eight Leagues from the Court at Brussels where Don Iohn was now Governour for the King of Spain and had had several consultations together about the carrying on of the War and many fair overtures made The Duke of York was newly arrived as also the Princess of Aurange so that all the Royal Family except the youngest Daughter and Mother were present together He had newly listed some Regiments of his three Nations into his service and pay which were now quartered about Flanders Several Prisoners of both sorts were now released as Sir Henry Vane Mr. Feak Mr. Rogers Judge Ienkins Esquire as
his leave to depart the Harbour For said he I am very sure Blake will presently be amongst you To this the resolute Don made no other reply but Get you gone if you will and let Blake come if he dares They that knew Blake's Courage could not but know it needless to dare him to an Engagement All things being ordered for fight a Squadron of ships was drawn out of the whole Fleet to make the first onset these were Commanded by Captain Stainer in the Speaker-Frigat who no sooner had received Orders but immediately he flew into the Bay with his Canvas Wings and by eight in the Morning fell pell-mell upon the Spanish Fleet without the least regard to the Forts that spent their shot prodigally upon him No sooner were these entered into the Bay but Blake following after placed certain ships to pour Broad-sides into the Castle and Forts these played their parts so well that after some time the Spaniards found their Forts too hot to be held In the mean time Blake strikes in with Stainer and bravely fought the Spanish ships which were not much inferiour in number to the English but in Men they were far the superiour Here we see a resolute bravery many times may carry the day and make number lie by the Lee this was manifest for by two of the clock in the afternoon the English had beaten their Enemies out of their ships Now Blake seeing an impossibility of carrying them away he ordered his men to fire their Prizes which was done so effectually that all the Spanish Fleet were reduced to Ashes except two ships that sunk downright nothing remaining of them above water but some part of their Masts The English having now got a compleat Victory were put to another difficulty by the Wind which blew so strong into the Bay that many despaired of getting out again But Gods Providence was miraculously seen in causing the Wind upon the sudden to Vere about to the South-West a thing not known in many years before which brought Blake and his Fleet safe to Sea again notwithstanding the Spaniards from the Castle played their Great Guns perpetually upon them as they passed by The Wind as it proved a Friend to bring the English forth so it continued to carry them back again to their former station near to Cadiz This noble Service made Blake as terrible as Drake to the Spaniard there being less difference betwixt the Fame and report of their Actions and Exploits than in the sound of their Names and it was accordingly resented here by all parties Cromwel whom it most concerned sent his Secretary to acquaint the House with the particulars who ordered a Thanksgiving and 500 l. to buy the General a Jewel as a testimony of his Countries Gratitude and the honour they bore him One hundred pound to the Captain that brought the Tidings and Thanks to all the Officers and Souldiers and shortly after the Speaker returning home being so bruised and torn in the late Engagement that she was unfit for further service till repaired the Captain of her Richard Stainer was Knighted who indeed deserved that Honour from a better Hand nor did his merit miss of it This was atchieved on Munday the 20th of April The Protector having refused the Title of King awaiting a more opportune time and advantage to reach that top and height of his Ambition which inwardly tormented him was now by the Parliament to be confirmed in his former Dignity and a Committee called of the Settlement was ordered to prepare an Explanatory part to the Humble Petition and Advice in respect of the Protector 's Oath his Councils the Members of Parliament the other House which was to consist of sixty and odd Lords of Cromwel's Election of which in their place we shall give an account all which being prepared and finished the Lord Craven thought it a fit time for him to offer his Case to the Parliament by whom a day was no sooner set for Hearing and the Protector 's Council ordered to attend but he sends a Letter directed to Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Thomas Widdrington Speaker of the Parliament to Adjourn but understanding the main business of the Assessment was not yet finished he sent another to forbid his former but desired them to make it their sole Affair Whereupon the Lord Craven was referred to the first day of their Access after the Adjournment When all the Acts were ready for Signing the Protector came to the Painted-Chamber and sent for the Parliament where the Speaker tendered him these Acts of State besides others relating to Trade c. 1. An Act for Assessment of 60000 l. a Month for three Months from March for the three Kingdoms Another Money-Act for 50000 l. for three years at 35000 l. for England 6000 l. for Scotland and 9000 l. for Ireland An Act for preventing multiplicity of Buildings in and about the Suburbs of London and within ten miles thereof and a whole years Revenue to be paid for every Dwelling or House built upon any new Foundation since 1620. and this was the reason and soul of that Law An Act for punishing such as live at High Rates and have no visible Estates And lastly for the observation of the Lords day There was a Bill brought in for ascertaining and satisfying the Publick Faith that these Patriots might seem to intend the ease of the people but it was but once read and committed and resumed afterwards to as much purpose very briskly by the Council of this Protector At the signing of these Cromwel made this short Speech I perceive that among these many Acts of Parliament there hath been a very great care had by the Parliament to provide for the just and necessary support of the Commonwealth by these Bills for Levying of Money now brought to me which I have given my consent unto and understanding it hath been the practise of those who have been chief Governours to acknowledge with thanks to the Commons their care and regard of the Publick I do very heartily and thankfully acknowledge their kindeness herein The principal substance of the Humble Petition c. was this 1. That his Highness under the Title of Lord Protector would be pleased to exercise the Office of Chief Magistrate over England c. and to Govern according to all things in this Petition and Advice also that in his life-Life-time he would appoint the person that should Succeed in the Government after his Death 2. That he would call Parliaments consisting of two Houses once in three years at farthest 3. That those persons who are Legally chosen by a Free Election of the people to serve in Parliament may not be excluded from doing their Duties but by consent of that House whereof they are Members 4. In the fourth was shown the qualifications of Parliament-Members 5. In the fifth the power of the other House 6. That the Laws and Statutes of the
prove it He defended himself by allegation that that which was said by him was but in jest and discourse and that the Action was altogether impossible he being but a single person Dr. Hewit would not acknowledge the Court but pleaded several Cases against it and was taken or surprized for a Mute Had he pleaded it is thought he might have escaped for Mallory the main Witness against him was fled for the present Next Mr. Iohn Mordant was set to the Bar who argued his Case so warily and pliantly after a Demurrer to the Court taking Notes of the Witnesses Evidence that he alone of the three was quitted but by one Voice Colonel Pride his undoubted Fate troubled with the Stone and being long at Urine withdrawing himself on that occasion while in the mean time the Court by one suffrage agreed upon his acquittal so that he may well be said Evasisse Calculis it being the custom of the Court to give Sentence by plurality of Voices Mr. Mallory being retaken together with Sir Humphry Bennet and Mr. Woodcock were charged next with the said Designes Mallory pleaded Guilty and was respited and saved Sir Humphry Bennet's Cause was not then determined Mr. Woodcock so handsomely and bravely defended himself that they could not fasten the Charge In the mean while on the 8 of Iune Sir Henry Slingsbury and Dr. Hewit were beheaded on Tower-hill Sir Henry suffering very readily and with submission the Doctor most devoutly and courageously with prayers for the King The Tyrant not satisfied with this brought in more viz. Mr. Carent in whose Ware-house Arms were found and Iohn Summers Edward Stacy Iohn Bettely Edward Ashton Oliver Allen and Fryar to the same Bar where they were all but Mr. Carent Condemned who escaped by the noble refusal of one Mr. Pits of the same party whose Examination they relyed upon to give Evidence against his Friends and chose rather to suffer Imprisonment and a Fine of 500 l. to be laid on him than to be branded with the note of Treachery how fairly soever to be excused Three of the other viz. Ashton as before and at the time of his seizure a Prisoner to Newgate and Iohn Bettely were Executed at Tower-street and Cheap-side by Hanging and Quartering both protesting their Innocency Bettely after he had hung almost a quarter of an hour pulled off his Cap with his Hands Stacy two days after was Hanged against the Exchange in Cornhil None of them but were worthy of far better ends which made the Tyrant most Execrably Odious The old Earl of Warwick presently after the Espousals of his Grand-son young Mr. Rich with Frances the youngest Daughter of the Protector died April 18. to whom his late honorary services and dishonourable Relations to this Protector were none of the least unhappinesses At the end of May the Lord Faulconbridge the other son for Fleetwood nor Claypole had either Manners or Worth to be employed in the Complement was sent away with a great Train to Salute and Gratulate the French King now at Calis upon the opening of the Campania and was received very splendidly in the mean while that his Uncle Sir Henry Slingsby was adjudged to Death and though he returned on the fifth of Iune three days before Execution and did what he could to save him yet all proved in vain for since Mr. Mordant and Mr. Woodcock had escaped there was no room for his life Soon after Monsieur Mancini Mazarine's Nephew and the Duke of Crequi came hither with the return of the Complement and were entertained highly at Brook-house and at Hampton-court with Feasting and Hunting and presently returned and that I may have done with this wretched Family of Cromwel the Lady Claypole died at Hampton-court August 6 of a disease in her Inwards and being taken Frantick with the stopping of her Terms raved much against the bloody cruelties of her Father and about the death of Dr. Hewit for whom to give her her due 't is said she interceded She was brought by Water to the Painted-chamber and in State buried in Hen. 7th's Chappel her Aunt Wilkins being Mourner c. The Earl of Mulgrave died coming up to London August 21. and though misplaced I must remember the great Whale 60 foot long that 〈◊〉 up as far as Greenwich Iune the 2 to the wonder of all people and the dangeâ—ous pastime and sport of such who hunted him with Guns and other Weapons thousands of people went down to see it upon the Sand. Sir Thomas Widdrington was made Lord Chief-Baron and the High Court of Iustice Adjourned till November And so we pass to the Flandrian-Coast to take an entire view of the joynt Forces and actions in those parts against the Spaniard and our Soveraign then concerned in that War A formidable Siâ—ge was framed before Dunkirk by the joynt Forces of English and French wâ—â—ch hotly Alarm'd the Spaniards in all their quarters hereupon Don Iohn of Austria takes these two things into serious consideration first the Importance of the place â—or its Situation it was a Key to Flanders a Frontier to France next after Graveling and a certain supply of Moneys by continual Booties brought in thither by his Men of War On the other side should he lâ—se Dunkirk the English in whose possession it would be put had a Door opened and fit opportunity to bid fair for all Flanders Here might an Army be landed from England and from hence incursions made into the heart of the Country In the mean time the Spanish Ports Newport and Ostend could expect no less than to be perpetually infested by Men of War which would utterly spoil their Trade and ruine the Inhabitants These and such-like considerations mounted Don Iohn upon fixt resolutions to undertake the Relief of Dunkirk though it were to the hazard of his whole Army In the mean while the Confederate Forces Beleaguering this strong place did in a small time working like Moles run their Trenches to the Spanish Counterscarp and still encroaching upon the Wall they promised fair to a speedy accomplishment of their Designe These things were well known to the Spanish Army who now saw the Relief of Dunkirk would admit of no delay for were it not speedily accomplished the Town of necessity must lie prostrate to the Enemies mercy The better to effect which therefore Don Iohn the Spanish General having drained his Garrisons to fill up his Army suddenly advanced with 15000 men to the relief of his distressed Friends these by a swift march through Fuernes quickly seated themselves upon some sandy Hills within an English mile and a half of Turenne the French General 's Camp The report of the Enemies neer advance made both the French and English Officers consult upon the best course that could be taken to repel the Force that now sate upon their Skirts and endeavoured to frustrate their labours in the present Siege if no worse success Time for
and instead of aiding the Swede stood more than neutral upon the Danes side having received the like civilities from that King to the murmur of the Swedes and several intercourses of intelligence aâ—d friendship and other intrigues betwixt the Dutch Admiral and himself frequently passed But to return to the Parliament Now the Game began out came a Remonstrance from the Army to Richard setting forth in what danger the Good Old Cause was by which term it was cognized ever after That the asserters of it were every where Vilified the great Patriots and Patrons of it the Judges of the King put into Printed Lists and marked for destruction with the ruine of all the Godly and the Cause together the Army was purposely kept from Pay that they might Mutiny and therefore desired be would signifie as much to the Parliament for some speedy redress And in the mean while the Souldiers that kept Guard made bold with his Victuals and would stop it from his Table This Remonstrance was Lambert's and the Republicans project who never left haunting of Fleetwood's house upon pious and Religious pretences soothing him with the complements of his Gifts and Graces and what happiness it were for the Nation if the Government were laid upon his Shoulders as no doubt they urged it was intended by his Father-in-law In the heat of this business died Mr. Chaloner Châ—â—e on the 15 of April their Speaker a man fit in every respect for the Chair and of a judgement and resolution as cross to the sway of the Times which he was designed in this place to oppose In pursuance of this Remonstrance Alderman Titchborne being set at work by the same hands that moulded Fleetwood engaged Oliver's Militia-Officers of the last Establishment to make an Address to Fleetwood and the Army whom they promised to stand by in their defence of the same Good Old Cause so that being now back'd with these seconds of the City they resolved on the project of Ruining the Protector though when too late the Officers hurl'd into such confusions that they could neither help themselves nor him by the implacable ambition and revenge of Lambert who had scrued and recovered his interest in the Officers would have made him a kind of Duke of Venice with a Title and a Pension and Parliament together Several advices were given Richard all this while by his Friends Col. Ingoldsby Goffe and Col. Charles Howard made a Viscount by Oliver and he urged by them to seize upon the chief of those Army-Conspirators and dispatch them as the onely sure way to be rid of their Interest in the Army he was likewise sollicited by other hands to embrace the Kings Title and close with his party and there was a report that the Danish Embassador then Resident here had Instructions to treat with him about it to offer him most honourable Terms and to engage his Masters Word for the performance which hath since been confirmed to be true As to the Counsel about seizing the Officers Col. Ingoldsby his Cousen undertook it upon his own score and engaged at his own peril with his order to effect it but such the suspense and pusillanimity that possessed Richard his neer Relation to Fleetwood and Desborough prompting him to expect nor dread any harm from that party where they were chief and he thought himself well enough if he saved his Skin that he could be brought to no resolution and so the fair occasion of crushing that Cockatrice of the Rump which was hatching at Wallingford-house where Fleetwood dwelt and by which House that party was distinguished was totally loâ—t The Protector at last beginning when it was too late and but then thinking of securing himself from being surprized with their Complements and stood upon his Guard But the Commons-House as became English-men wisely and courageously resolved to let the Officers know that they took them still to be their Servants though they had for too many years ill deserved their Wages Rebelling and Usurping the Government at their pleasure and intending to try what they meant by the Good Old Cause which as they seemed to represent it smelt of Gunpowder and Ball and whether the Repentance held forth in their said Representation were real or Military passed these Votes on Munday April 18. Resolved That during the Sitting of the Parliament there shall be no General Council or Meeting of the Officers of the Army without direction and Authority of his Highness the Lord Protector and both Houses of Parliament And secondly That no person shall have or continue any Command or Trust in any of the Armies or Nations of England Scotland and Ireland or any the Dominions and Territories thereto belonging who shall refuse to subscribe That he will not disturb or interrupt the free-meetings in Parliament of any the Members of either House of Parliament or their freedom in their Debates and Counsels And the same time to shew their care of the Army and to prevent jealousies they passed these following Votes Resolved That the House do presently take into consideration the ways and means for satisfaction of the Arrears of the Armies and providing present pay for them And secondly That Serjeant Maynard the Attorney-General and Sollicitor-General do forthwith prepare an Act of Indemnity for all such as have acted under the Parliament and Commonwealth While the House spent the rest of their time in considering how to provide Money without laying new Burthens on the people great contests grew between the Protector and the opposite Officers of the Army both sides keeping Guards night and day againct one another the Protector having in pursuance of the Votes of the House forbidden the meetings of the Officers In this divided posture affairs continued till Friday the 22 of April on which Morning early Fleetwood the Protector 's Brother Desborough his Uncle and the rest of the mutinous Officers carrying the greater part of the Army after them and the Protector 's party flinching the Conquest was made without one drop of Blood which was strange in so Ancient Hereditary just and undoubted a Title and the Protectorâ—forced to consent to a Commission and Proclamation ready prepared giving Desborough and others power to Dissolve the Parliament contrary to the best advice and his own Interest and promise And accordingly the same day the Black Rod was sent twice to the House of Commons from Fiennes Speaker of the Other House for them to come thither but they admitted him not in and much scorned the motion having ever looked upon that Mushroom-house as the Lower-house and their own creature the language being to send down to the Other House when they sent the Declaration for a Fast for a trial of transacting with them And therefore understanding there were Guards of Horse and Foot in the Palace-yard after some motion made by Mr. Knightly Sir Arthur Haselrig and others wherein Sir Arthur exceeded That the House should first declare it
which the Rump were now unarmed to dispute his Commission from them as Commissioner for governing the Army being then also expired and the publication of a Petition subscribed by Barebone's and others to abjure the King as afterwards with the Mayor and Court of Aldermen at Guild hall who used their endeavours with him in the business he marched out of the City with his Army to their Quarters and on Saturday sent another Letter to the Parliament wherein he laid open the dangerous designes countenanced by themselves in conniving at Lambert particularly the business of Barebone's Petition setting forth that there had been Oaths too many already and as before in the afternoon he Rendezvoused in Finsbury-fields and from thence marched into London where he and his Army were joyfully entertained declaring himself for the City and a free Parliament Towards evening the City rung every where with the news of it with such Acclamations and shone with so many Bonfires where they burnt and roasted all manner of Rumps in detestation of the Juncto then sitting that it seemed a Theatre of mad extasied people nor is it possible any expressions of it should reach the sense and belief of Posterity Money being thrown among the Souldiers as if now there would be no more occasion for it but that the Golden Age swiftly approached The Speaker at his return from the House being in danger of his life Innumerable the Ballads and Ribaldry made of this Rump The General continued in London and disarmed most of those Phanatick persons who had been listed by the Committee of Safety and notwithstanding the Order of the Rump yet kept their Arms. The aforesaid Conferences were yet held and the General assisted at the debates between some of the Members sitting and those that were excluded in 1648 in order to some composure having promised to stand by the City in the attainment of such a settlement as should secure the Nation These conferences coming to no Issue and the Rump having at last finished their Qualifications so rigid and unreasonable that no good or fair meaning appeared in them as he modestly and fairly told them He came with his Army into Westminster and parts adjacent and having that morning convened the aforesaid secluded Members at White-hall went with them to the House of Commons and see them safely sit in Parliament who presently vacated many Orders made by the aforesaid Remnant in 1648 in reference to the Death of the King and their own forcible seclusion as also all Votes lately made by them touching new Members to be elected to sit and serve in Parliament also all Orders referring to Sir George Booth's business and all Imprisonments and Sequestrations thereupon Next they constituted the General Captain and Commander in chief of all the Forces of England Scotland and Ireland discharged all Prisoners upon the account of a Free Parliament and suspended the Power of the Council of State till they had erected a new one of which the General was made one They likewise ordered the Gates and Portcullises of the City of London to be repaired and set up at the publick charge more especially care was taken by them for securing the Militia into honest and faithful hands both in London and the respective Counties The dispatch of the aforesaid Assessment was also recommended to the Commissioners and a great advance of money lent by the City for the present occasions their promptness now overmatching the Force before Sir Charles Coot declares for a Free-Parliament by the re-admission of the secluded Members and thereupon possessed himself of Dublin-castle having first of all surprized Galloway from Colonel Sadler in this manner He invited him and his Officers all Anabaptists to his house over the water to be merry which doing Sir Charles pretended a desire of drinking a glass of Wine in Galloway privately with Sadler so they two secretly took Boat with each a servant and being on the other shore Sir Charles said Colonel Sadler I am resolved for a Free-Parliament and to have this Garrison you have a Sword about you draw and fight or else engage your honour will make no disturbance in the Town upon our admission and my Declaration to which Sadler amazed and troubled answered He would acquiesce Whereupon he caused the Gate to be opened and Sir Charles having declared himself the Souldiers cried out A Coot a Coot and a Free-Parliament Whereupon nevertheless he secured and kept him prisoner as he did Sir Hardr. Waller at Dublin aforesaid and immediately all Ireland declared themselves satisfied in this most happy Change offering their lives and fortunes in the maintenance and defence of the Parliament to be now assembled Some Phanatick Troops of Rich's Horse rendezvoused at Bury in Suffolk where they began to mutiny but Colonel Ingoldsby and Captain Philip Howard Captain of the Life-guard being sent against them they presently were quieted and received their old Colonel Ingoldsby for their Commander whereupon a Proclamation issued for the better regulating the Army and keeping it in obedience requiring all Officers and Souldiers immediately to depart to their several Quarters and not remove without the Generals order or license in that behalf This made the Army sensible of that duty the Parliament expected from them whereupon they one Regiment after another presented their Addresses to the General owning and congratulating his happy management of the Affairs of the Kingdome Nor indeed was ever any man so deservedly courted but especially the City shewed themselves most affectionate admirers of those great Services he had done his Country most of the Twelve Companies having invited him successively to their Halls where he was feasted with all sumptuous Magnificence love or charge could show and afford The Parliament had no less resentments of his glorious undertakings for besides the Generalate they setled upon him the Stewardship of the Mannor of Hampton-court to preserve not Usurp and possess that Royal Mansion Several Prisoners of the Phanatique-Party nothing being charged against them were freed by the General who was now also constituted one of the Generals at Sea and Col. Montague now Earl of Sandwich the other The Scotch Lords who were taken Prisoners at Worcester and had been long secured in Windsor-Castle were now by order of Parliament released that Nation under Major General Morgan quietly awaiting the issue of the Affairs in England The Presbyterian-party were now very busie to have their Profession Established by Act of Parliament and therefore a Confession of Faith was tendred to the House which having been seven times read was passed and ordered to be Printed and likewise the Solemn League and Covenant was also ordered to be reprinted and read in all Churches once in every year and to be set up in the Parliament-house but it soon after found a different entertainment The Parliament resolved during their Session which should continue no longer than the end of March to proceed only
Loyalty the Bonfires continuing till day-break fed by a constant supply of Wood and maintained with an equal excess of gladness and fewel Thus far this memorable and miraculous Affair hath carried me not willing to break off the gladsome speculation and review of his glory and happy Influences I must now a little retrospect to what passed at home in the Parliament and Kingdome Several Acts were in agitation one for removing and preventing all questions and disputes concerning the Sitting and Assembling of this present Parliament as also that of Oblivion and Indempnity and another for Sales and Purchases and in the mean while it was ordered by the Lords That a stop be put to the demolishing defacing or committing wast in any Houses or Lands belonging to his Majesty and that no Wood nor Timber should be felled and the like done in the Lands belonging to the Duke of Buckingham the Lord Craven and Sir Iohn Stawel The Commons ordered Ten thousand pounds to be sent as a present to the Duke of York also that the Scotch Colours taken at Preston Dunbar and Worcester and hung up in Westminster-hall should be taken down which was accordingly executed and the Kings Arms placed in the Courts of Judicature Col. Harrison one of the Kings most malicious Judges was apprehended in Staffordshire and brought up to London and by his Excellencies Order Committed to the Tower while Whitehall was then a preparing for his Majesty The House of Commons taking into consideration the business of the Piedmont-Collection-money declared their detestation and abhorrence of the diversion of the said Money from the charitable uses to which pretendedly it was designed The King was Proclaimed with great joy throughout the Nation while divers of the Kings Judges out of consciousness of their guilt escaped beyond Sea In Ireland also the King was by the Convention there Assembled Proclaimed with the usual Ceremonies Several of the eminentest of that Nation were also ordered to be sent to his Majesty in the name of that Kingdome with a present of Four thousand pound to the Duke of York so sympathetically did the Irish Harp move with the same touches on the English The most Illustrious Princes the Dukes of York and Gloucester went to the House of Lords and there took their places whither the next day came the King himself by Water in the Brigandine which brought him aboard the Charles from Holland the Yeomen of the Guard making a lane the Heralds at Arms in their rich Coats the Maces and the Lord General Bare-headed before him being seated the Commons were called to whom the King in a Speech pressed very much the Act of Oblivion and Signed some Bills viz. One for Confirmation of the Parliament Another for the Tax of Seventy thousand pounds per Mensem for three Moneths from the 24 of Iune A third for continuance of Process and Judicial Proceedings and then returned to Whitehall where he chose the Lords of his Privy Council among whom were several of the Long Parliament His Majesty also graciously and judiciously provided for the Benches and Courts of Judicature for the Chancery the Lord Chancellour Hide for the Rolls the Lord Culpepper who soon after dyed and the place was by the Kings favour bestowed on Sir Harbottle Grimstone for the Kings Bench Sir Robert Foster Justice Mallet and Sir Thomas Twisden in the Common-Pleas Justice Atkins and in the Exchequer Sir Orlando Bridgeman Sir Ieoffry Palmer Attorney and Sir Heneage Finch Sollicitor-General Mr. Iohn Heath son of Sir Robert Atturney to the Dutchy But of this a fuller account Several Persons guilty of the Murther of King Charles the First making their escapes beyond Sea a Proclamation drawn up by the Parliament was published by his Majesty summoning the persons therein named who sate gave Judgment and Assisted in that horrid and detestable Fact to render themselves within Fourteen days after the Publication of that His Majesties Royal Proclamation to the Speaker or Speakers of the Parliament or to the Lord Mayor of London or to the respective Sheriffs of the Counties of England and Wales and that no person should presume to conceal or harbour them under misprision of Treason whereupon divers came in and submitted and were secured in the Tower Several Addresses were made to the King from the Nobility and Gentry of all the Counties congratulating his Majesties Restitution to his Throne and Kingdoms and testifying their exceeding joy and willingness to maintain his Majesties Royal Person and Authority Divers eminent persons for their service and affection to his Majesty were honoured with Knighthood The House of Commons ordered that others besides the Actual Judges of the King should be excepted out of the Act of Oblivion which was now very far proceeded in as namely Andrew Broughton Phelps Iohn Cook Hugh Peters and Edward Denby This so affrighted others who had a hand in that execrable business that Colonel Iohn Hutchinson a Member in this Parliament and Colonel Francis Lassells Petitioned the House confessing their guilt and withal the Artifices that were used to draw them in and by this submission obtained Pardon upon some forfeitures Hugh Peters was taken about this time in Southwarke at first he denyed his Name but being brought before Sir Iohn Robinson then made Lieutenant of the Tower he was known and acknowledged himself and was there secured The Parliament thought not themselves nor the people of England freed from that guilt and punishment which our unhappy times had contracted unless they laid hold on his Majesties Grace mentioned in his Declaration from Breda and therefore Resolved That the House doth declare that they do in the Name of themselves and all the Commons of England lay hold on his Majesties gracious Pardon mentioned in his Declaration with reference to the excepting of such as shall be excepted in an Act of Pardon and accordingly a Declaration was made and presented to the King by Master Denzill Hellis His Majesty was graciously pleased to signifie his readiness and willingness to comply with that his Royal Word and gave direction for a Proclamation to that purpose In the mean while several of the eminentest in Offices under the Usurpation to make sure of this Grace offered from Breda got their particular Pardons exemplified under the Great Seal of England as they were well advised by the notoriety of their Guilt and their distrustful Consciences to secure and discharge which trouble the King was more than ordinary pressing for a speedy Passing of the Act of Oblivion as on the other side his Sentiments of those services to his Restitution gave him the immediate resolutions of dignifying those Illustrious Personages who most instrumentally and principally did accomplish it And therefore on the 12 of Iuly he honoured the most noble General Monck with the Titles of Duke of Albemarle which Dutchy formerly was appropriate to the Blood Royal and was extinct in the Reign of Henry the
usual confidence of his Party made an end His Quarters were disposed of by his Majesties Orders and his Head set upon a Pole in White Chappel near the place of his Meeting for example to his Fellows Some discourses there were of a Design about Dunkirk and the Duke of York passed over there this Month carrying the Garrison money and upon his arrival viewed the Fortifications and Lines and found it stronger by some new Forts the Governour the Lord Rutherford now made Earl of Tiviot and Governour of Tangeir had raised thereabouts and after a short stay returned again for England In Ireland Sir Charles Coot Earl of Mountrath one of the Three Justices of that Kingdome died and was buried in State the power of the other Two remaining being invested in Sir Maurice Eustace and the Earl of Orery till the arrival of the Duke of Ormond He had done excellent Service in that Kingdome against the Rebels and though he afterwards sided with those here yet did he by his last Actions in securing that Kingdome to the Interest of his Majesty and helping on the Restitution redeem his former demerits which could be charged on him no otherwise than as a Souldier of Fortune he was one of General Monck's right hands in carrying on the Change The Duke of Ormond was by the Parliament of Ireland gratulated upon his appointment to that Government by Letters sent from the Speakers of both Houses The Council for the Principality of Wales was also erected by the King and setled at Ludlow the usual Residence the Earl of Carbery Lord Vaughan was made President the old Earl of Norwich Clerk of the Council and others of the Nobility and Gentry Assistants Judges also were established and the said Lord President in great State brought into the Town attended by a great Train of the chief Persons thereabouts and joyfully welcomed and complemented This Christmass the Honourable Society of Lincolns-Inne renewed their Custom of the Inns of Court by chusing a Prince who during the Festival commands like a Soveraign in the places adjoyning to the said Inne the Gentleman chosen this time was one Iohn Lort Esquire a Gentleman of Wales by the Title of Prince Le Grange he gave and the King was pleased to accept a Treatment from him the Ceremonies due to a Prince being exactly observed in every respect a Council Judges and Officers of State Honour and Nobility attending this his Highness whom the King at the expiration of his term of Royalty made a Knight Baronet The Marquess Durazzo Embassador from the Republick of Genoa was about this time honourably received by the King attended through the City to Sir Abraham Williams his house by the Earl of Carlisle Complemented from the King by the Earl of Bullingbrook and brought to Audience by the Lord Buckhurst In Scotland Episcopacy which had been so long banished thence was now reduced with all gladness and testimonies of a welcome reception after the experience of so many miseries and confusions which had befallen that Nation through the Fury and Zealotry of the Kirk The four Bishops that were Consecrated at Lambeth a little before this whereof Dr. Iames Sharpe Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews Metropolitan of Scotland was one Consecrating others in that Kingdom the whole Order being there defunct by the long Usurpation of the Presbyterian Discipline To the confirmation therefore of this Sacred resetled Authority the Lord-Commissioner with most of the Nobility and Gentry accompanied the Arch-Bishop of Glascow where the Kirk-Rebellion was first hatched to that City where the face of things was quite altered no Person or occasion ever welcomer or more acceptable than this as their Bells and Bonefires declared And here the Lord Commissioner put sorth a Proclamation prohibiting the payment of any Ecclesiastical Rents o Tythe or profits of the Ministry whatsoever to any who in a short time limited should not acknowledge and own their Diocesan Bishop and his Authority and receive Induction from him Some few grand Factious Predicants stood out and were cuted of their Livings and others the most unquiet and refractory Commanded to depart that Kingdom now well cleared of that Clergy the Original and Fountain of those bitter waters and Rivers of Blood which overflowed the three Nations A like Church-work was taken in hand in England the King at his Entrance into London upon his Restitution-day May 29 fadly observed and shook his Head at the Ruines of St. Paul's Cathedral and therefore the first vacancy his affairs permitted him was bestowed on the consideration of that Religious Structure and thereupon he issued out a Commission to Sir Orlando Bridgeman Sir Ieoffery Palmer and others of the Long Robe with other Gentlemen to take some speedy Order for the Repair thereof and to that pious work he gave the Arrears of Impropriations and Ecclesiastical Livings excepted out of the Act of Oblivion impowering to call all such as owed any Moneys thereupon to account and to lay it out to that use The former Dean of which Cathedral Dr. Nicholas Brother to Master Secretary of State Sir Edward died now of a malignant Feavor called the Country new Disease and Dr. Barwick a man that had suffered all Extremities even of Dungeon and Famine in the Tower from the Rump soon after the King's death was substituted by the King in his place it being reckoned with the late improvement the best Deanry now in England Soon after Dr. Nicholas died Dr. Nicholas Monke Bishop of Hereford and Brother to the Noble General whose private Contemplative liâ—e was no less observed than Jewels in the dark which then shine brightest his Illustrious Brother governing the conspicuous splendor of the Times while he ruled with the recluse vertues of his minde in the obscurity of the Church which afterwards spread and lustre it borrowed from the Beams of this its Luminary though now suddenly deprived of a great part of it in this his Setting And most fit it is that his Name should be Canonized and for ever had Sacred in our Kalendar and Church-Annals About the same time died also Dr. Brian Walton Lord-Bishop of Chester famous for the Polyglotte-Bible and other Excellencies becoming a Prelate nor did his successor Dr. Ferne many weeks outlive him whose defences of the Church will never be forgotten And lastly died Dr. Thomas Fuller known by his several Books and indefatigable industry better than by any account can here be given of him Such a Train of Scholars and Learned men did barbarous Death lead in Triumph to the Captivating Grave that her envious Pomp might draw our eye and tears to this sad spectacle and that might honourably accompany the Fate of the Bishop of Hereford A Fleet was Rigg'd and set to Sea to fetch home the Queen from Portugal and to carry the Forces to Tangier which was delivered by the Portugueze Garrison to Sir Richard Stayner who with 500 men was left to maintain it till the Earl
of Peterborough designed for that Command should arrive And for the Queens own Transportation the Royal Charles which brought the King from Holland was sent with this Fleet. In the mean while the Queen of Bohemia the King's Aunt died February 13. aged 66 years having been out of England 49 years and survived all the misfortunes of her Family which almost from the time of her Marriage in 1612. on St. Valentines day on the eve of which she now died had fallen very thick and chiefly and solely upon it She now came to her rest among her Royal Ancestors and Relations whose Glories and Honours she left more flourishing and greater than ever Her Decease was followed with a most violent and Tempestuous Winde February the 18th by which several persons were killed and much damage done in all parts of the three Kingdoms and in Forrain Countries which might give notice that all those Troubles and Calamities this Princess had suffered and by which most parts of Europe were Tempested were quite blown over and she gone to her last Repose A very unfortunate accident happened the same Month The Lord Buckhurst but now mentioned his Brother Mr. Edward Sackvile Sir Henry Bellasis Knight of the Bath Son and Heir to the Lord Bellasis Mr. Bellasis Brother to the Lord Faulconbridge and Mr. Wentworth Son to Sir George accompanying an acquaintance out of Town upon their Return being informed there were High-way men and Thieves in the Road meeting a Tanner and suspecting him for one of them after some resistance made by him killed him for this mischance they were Arraigned at the Kings Bench Bar but by the Iury quitted it not being probable that Persons of their Estates and Quality would set upon a single Person to do him injury but it might happen meerly by a mistake and good intent of freeing the Road. The Parliament had under their consideration the bringing of Lambert and Vane to their Tryal being excepted out of the Act of Oblivion as main Authors and Contrivers of those Troubles in the Rebellion and therefore desired His Majesty that he would be pleased to send for them from their remote Prisons they were in that they might be brought to Tryal that such bold Treasons might not pass with impunity On the other hand that they might testifie their acknowledgments to the Duke of Albemarle of his great merit and services in the Redemption of his Country they by Act now resolved to settle some Mannors and Lands upon him and confirmed the Kings Grants and Patents or what should afterwards by Grants or Patents be conferred on him The Duke of Ormond was likewise presented with the sum of Thirty thousand pounds in Bills of Exchange as a gratuity from the Parliament of Ireland in respect of the Services he had done that Kingdome in the same capacity before where also the Bill of settlement of Lands was the sole Affair in Debate the difficulty about Claims of the English and Irish intricating and perplexing the Bill so that the Dukes presence was very much desired as by whose prudence understanding and competent knowledge together with his equal relation to both Parties that tedious Work could only be accommodated which brings with it the conclusion of the year 1661 the 14 th year of the King Anno Domini 1662. THE beginning of this and the end of the last year was remarkable with a very notable Providence which for the more compact account of it is totally referred hither It hapned that among other the Fugitives for the parricidial Conspiracy in the Death of the King Miles Corbet Colonel Okey and Col. Barkstead which had traversed most parts of Low and some of High Germany where they had for a while resided at the City of Hanow under borrowed names about the beginning of March were returned to Delf in Holland having appointed their Wives to meet them there to understand their Affairs in England but these their Letters being intercepted and opened by the vigilance of Sir George Downing His Majesties Resident at the Hagâ—e they were all three taken together at Barkstead's and Okey's Lodging just as Corbet after Supper was going home by the Thief-takers and the Marshal of that Town Okey offered a resolute Escape Barkstead denyed himself and desired he might fetch his Cloak in the next Room Corbet as he said having taken Physick that day fell a Purging upwards and downwards in a very strange manner Sir George himself was present at the seizure and had them that Night secured in the common and ordinary Prison and thence conveyed them by the States order on Board the Blackmore Frigot then accidentally at Helveâ—t-Sluce having only brought over Mr. Armorer sent from the King to the Lords upon special occasions About the end of March they came to Gravesend where Sir Iohn Robinson Lieutenant of the Tower by Warrant from his Majesty with a Guard carried them to the Tower whence on the 16th of April they were brought to the Kings Bench Bar and there demanded what they could say for themselves why they should not die according to Law the Act of Attainder being read to them To which they alledged they were not the same persons mentioned therein whereupon Witnesses being ready were called and a Jury impannelled who gave verdict that they were the same persons and so the Lord Chief Justice Foster proceeded to Sentence which was the same with the former complices and sufferers for that Fact and was Executed on Saturday April the 19 at Tyburn where they with better ends than any of the rest acknowledged their resolved acquiescence under the Kings Government as of God and exhorted others to do so especially Colonel Okey a person that for his valour and other good qualities was pitied by all men for his being so blinded and ensnared in this Crime to his destruction They all pretended no malice to his late Majesty and their mistake of the Parliaments Authority for good and sufficient They were all three Hanged Bowelled and Quartered but his Majesty was graciously pleased out of regard to Colonel Okey's Christian and dutiful carriage to return his Quarters to his Friends to be interred which was done in the Chappel of the Tower by the Rites appointed in the Common-Prayer to prevent the unruly concourse of the Fanaticks who assembled in multitudes to accompany his Corps insomuch that the Sheriffs were forced to disperse them Barkstead's and Corbet's quarters were set upon the Gates the Head of the former upon a Pole on Traytors Gate in the Tower and Corbet's on London-Bridge For this kindeness and civility of the Dutch States the King ordered his Resident to thank them in his Name from which parts several of the Fanaticks that fled thither upon the Kings Restitution about this time travelled into Germany an invitation being published from one of the Princes there for all Nations to come and inhabit with full priviledges and immunities certain waste places of his
Dominions and an invitation was sent hither from them to others of the same principles to follow them Her Majesty Queen Catharina was now expected to be at Sea and therefore his Majesty came to the Parliament and acquainted them with the same and desired that as a Complement to her they would cause the Highways and Streets of London to be fitted and cleansed against her reception and to make what hast with convenience they could with the dispatch of those Bills under their consideration And soon after to remedy the perversness and obstinacy of the Quakers against taking the Oaths of Allegeance and Supremacy and their meeting and Conventicling publickly together to the pestring of the prisons whither they were Committed and their Enthusiast tricks one Thomas formerly a Lieutenant of that party poysoning himself and one Powel a Widdow poysoning of her Son-in-law and another person a Bill was passed against them with the said Bill for High-ways now ready for the King's assent which he gave by his Commission to the Lord Chancellor Lord Treasurer Duke of Albemarle and Earl of Manchester By this Act several inconvenient passages in London are to be enlarged and Houses that jutted into the street and obstructed the ways were to be pulled down as the upper end of Ludgate-hill on the South-side of the street and elsewhere Having but onely mentioned the Kings Declaration of his Marriage for his choice whereof both the Lords and Commons returned him their thanks it will not be impertinent in this place to give a larger and fuller account thereof This Royal Bride Heaven had more especially prepared and predisposed out of the Royal Family of the Kings of Portugal which having suffered an Ecclipse by the powerful interposition of the Spanish Monarchy for the space of neer an hundred years was now revisited in its Splendor in the assumption of Iohn Duke of Braganza the fourth of that Name King of Portugal by almost as miraculous a Turn as that of our Captivity by the Kings Restitution So Providence was pleased to adapt and fit both these Princes Conditions and Estates to this happy juncture of them in this Royal and happy Estate This was designed by King Iohn in the beginning of our Troubles and of his Reign and was one of the first Acts of State he did with us managed here by Don Antonio de Souza his Embassadour hither who was very instrumental in transacting His late Majesties Affairs of Forraign Concernments receiving and returning his Dispatches One Ingredient no doubt in point of Civility and Honour among those other of Affection and Interest that make up this Princely Match These were something as also his Majesties reflection on his Personal picque with the Spaniard who had very much disobliged him in the time of the Usurpation by courting and owning his Rebels to satisfie himself of some pretended injuries done him by his Grandfather and Father by loss of his Spanish Fleet in the Downs which the King had a most inviting opportunity here to remember Upon the return of the Conde de Mello as aforesaid with the Articles of Treaty and Marriage to Lisbon they were presently noysed about the City and more loudly reported from all the Cannon in the River both Portuges and Forraigners by which means without further Proclamation it was publick about the Town who like over-joyed People betook themselves to the presentest yet most solemn de monstrations thereof by Bonfires and Entertainments c. the Streets resounding with Healths al Re del Grand Brettanna which continued that Night and the next Day Not long after by an Express from England from the King to her she was Complemented with the Stile of Queen of Great Britain which put that Court into a new Splendor both to her Retinue and Attendance and all Honours and Duties done her as if she were actually Crowned It will not be much material to insist on all the other particulars viz. those several Messages sent and returned betwixt those two Royal Lovers together with the intercourse betwixt the Two Crowns in point of Alliance and Security nor the numerous resort of the English every day to Worship this Sun of the East and pay their Early Devotions to her It will be more unnecessary to relate those Romances and Fictions made by the Phanatick Crew at Home that there were a Fleet of Spaniards and Hollanders that lay ready in her way to intercept her Passage into England We will only mention the happy Arrival of that Fleet and the Royal Charles from England with Sir Richard Faâ—shaw sent to salute the Queen for his Majesty who now impatiently expected her Arrival as did the whole Nation together with him Just at the same time the Earl of Sandwich now the second time visited the Queen being appointed to attend her departure and to convey her into England the King her Brother and Mother with his Nobles and the whole Court in a solemn Procession and Cavalcade from his Palace where the English Gallantry there present assisted accompanied her till she Arrived at the River-side the Golden Tagus where she entred a Stately Brigandine and the Naval Triumphs commenced their Glory For as soon as the King and Queen were reimbarqued for Lisbon and returned with the discharge of all the Cannon the Fleet immediately with a fair wind and leading Gale began their course being as they past the River saluted by all the Block-Houses Forts and Castles with the imitation of their Thunder That Night and part of the next day the Wind and Weather was very propitious but then coming clear about and contrary it so retarded the Voyage that in a Fortnights time they hardly got into the middle of the Bay of Biscay where the Queens Majesty dispatcht away Mr. Montague Sir Tho. Sands and Sir Ioseph Douglas on the 29 of April at Seven at Night to give an account to the King of Her Condition which the untowardliness and averseness of the Wind had much altered by protracting her longing desires of meeting the King and also incommodating her by the tossing and topping of the Sea so that she lay sick for the most part of the Voyage until about Fifth of May with indefatigable working and skill the whole Fleet reached the Islands of Scilly the furthermost Western Dominions of England Her Arrival had been every day expected a fortnight before which caused the King to send down his only Brother the Duke of York Lord High Admiral to attend on her upon the Coast and to Complement her in his Name whereupon his Highness hasted to Portsmouth and on the Eleventh of May attended by the Duke of Ormond the Earls of Suffolk and Chesterfield the Lord Berckley and other Persons of Quality went aboard the stately Yacht with which the City of Amsterdam presented the King to Coast about the Isle of Wight to meet her Majesty On the same day Sir Ioseph Douglas making towards Portsmouth with an Express from her Majesty to
Duke of Ormond who hath so often Governed this Realm hath given the greatest pledges of assurance of an happy Establishment whose beginning I will not trouble with the short-lived rumours of Commotions and Stirs now very frequent and rise by the Arts of our Male-Contents Thus far have I deduced the account of the Three Kingdoms from the most Funest War to a blessed and most promising Peace to us and our Posterity and may there be in the succeeding years of His Majesties and his Royal Progenies Reign which Almighty God derive through innumerable descents no other occasion of our Pens than the gratulatory Records of our undisturbed unalterable Repose Plenty and Tranquillity A BRIEF ACCOUNT Of the most Memorable TRANSACTIONS IN ENGLAND SCOTLAND and IRELAND AND Forein Parts From the Year 1662 to the Year 1675. LONDON Printed by I. C. for T. Basset at the George near Cliffords-Inne in Fleetstreet 1676. A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF TRANSACTIONS IN ENGLAND SCOTLAND and IRELAND c. THere is a justice due to the Memory of Actions as well as the Memory of Men and therefore since the times of Usurpation have had the favour done them as to have the Transactions of those Years publikely recorded though to the shame of those Times that had nothing but Enormity to signalize 'em with more justice may we assay to take a short view of those great and Noble Actions perform'd in the succeeding Years Not that we pretend to a History but in short â—â—â—nals and brief Collections to facilitate the way for those that shall hereafter take a larger and more considerable pains Anno Dom. 1663. THat which the expectations of people were most fix'd upon the beginning of this Year was the Session of Parliament which beginning on the 19 th of February 1662 continued to the 27 th of Iuly 1663. The first thing remarkable was a Petition of both Houses Representing that notwithstanding his Majesties unquestionable zeal and affection to the Protestant Religion manifested by his constant prosession and practice against all temptations whatsoever yet by the great resort of Iesuits and Romish Priests into the Kingdom the Subject was generally much affected with jealousie that the Popish Religion might much encrease and the Church and State be thereby insensibly disturb'd upon which the King set forth a Proclamation Commanding all Iesuits and Irish Scotch and English Priests to depart the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales before the 14 th of May then next ensuing upon pain of having the penalty of the Laws inflicted upon them But while they are bringing other Consultations to maturity many other things preceding the Conclusion of their deliberations are to be related In April his Majesty kept the Feast of St. George at Windsor where the Duke of Monmouth and the Prince of Denmark by his Deputy Sir George Carteret Vice-chamberlain were install'd Knights of the Garter Toward the later end of May came News from Iamaica that the English under the Command of Capt. Mymms being about 800 men had made an attempt upon the City of Campeach in the Golden Territories of the King of Spain and that they took the Town though defended with four Forts and 3000 men But the Spaniards having intelligence of their coming had sent away their Women and Riches yet though they miss'd their chief aim they took the Governour brought away 50 pieces of Ordnance and 14 Ships which were in Harbor The beginning of Iune brought News of a Conspiracie of several wicked persons in Ireland who were endeavoring to raise a new Rebellion there by surprizing the Castle of Dublin The Designe was to have been put in execution upon the 21 th of May and the Dâ—ke of Ormond first to be seiz'd To which effect divers persons with Petitions in their hands were to wait in the Castle while 80 Foot in the disguise of Handicrafts-men attended without Their business it was to trifle about for an opportunity to surprize the Guards The Plot was discovered and 500 lib. a head set upon five of the Ringleaders to what persons soever should apprehend them About this time his Majesty caus'd the Earl of Middleton's Commission as Commissioner of Scotland to cease and appointed the Earl of Rothes to succeed him in the same Quality On the third of Iune His Majesty by his Commission under the Great Seal of England to the Lord Chancellor Lord Treasurer Lord Privy Seal Duke of Albemarle Marquess of Dorchester and Lord High Chamberlain pass'd ten Bills which were all private ones but three of which the chiefest was for repair of the High-ways of Huntington Hertford and Cambridge-shires About the beginning of December Mr. Paul Rycaut Secretary to the Earl of Winchelsey came from Constantinople bringing with him the Grand Seigniors Ratifications of the several Treaties made with Argier and as a mark of the Kings satisfaction in the management of his Employment and the Message he brought His Majesty was pleas'd to honour him with a fair gold Chain and a Medal No less mindful was he of the Loyalty of his Island of Iersey and as a reward thereof muâ—â—bout the same time he order'd a stately silver Mace richly gilt to be bestowed upon the Bayliff or Chief Magistrate of the Island to be born ever after before him and his Successors as an honourable Badge of his Majesties affection to them for their constant adhering both to his Father and Himself It was received with all imaginable demonstrations of joy and the first that had the honour to have it born before him was Philip Carteret Esq. Brother to Sir George Vice-Chamberlain to his Majesty But now so loud and so hainous were the rebellious Treasons daily discovered in the North that it was thought convenient to give requitals of another nature and in the depth of winter to send a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to York for trial of the most notorious Offenders in that Conspiracie Seventeen were first arraign'd ten of which appeared to have been actually in arms at Farnley-wood The Plot was excellently open'd to have been a Designe which came from the Bishoprick about a year before and that an Intelligence was settled between the disaffected there and in Yorkshire as also in Ipswich in Suffolk and other Counties an Oath of Secresie taken and Agents employ'd at London and in the West of England for assistance In Iune preceding two Agitators were sent into Scotland to reconcile the Sectaries there who were entertained at one Oldroyd's house in Deusbury commonly known by the name of the Devil of Deusbury and afterwards divers meetings were appointed at a place called Stanh-house in York-shire Whereupon Marshden and Palmer were sent to London as Agitators to the Secret Committee there and at their return brought Orders to rise the 12 th of Octob. with assurance that the Insurrection should be general and Whitehal be attempted Nottingham Glocester and Newcastle were to be seized as Passes
very few his Memory however is there held in great Honor as if the Memory of his Courage were the Soul of the Garrison And seeing we are got so far abroad it may not be unseasonable to remember the famous Battle fought between the Turks and Christians under the conduct of Montecuculi it being one of the 〈◊〉 famous Occurrences of this year most fatal to the Infidels who that day left dead upon the field the flower of their Infantry to the number of 6 or 7000 among which two Bassaes all their Cannon above forty Colours with Plunder inestimable To which Honorable Victory the wounds of the French did not a little conduce Nor are we so slenderly to pass by another Atchievement of Geneal Souches the general good of Christendom being equally concern'd in both who with an unequal number of only six thousand encountring above 15000 of the Enemy near the Garrison of Lewentz with the loss only of 250 slew eight thousand thereby gaining an absolute Victory vast Booty and Provisions of all sorts All this while though there was open War with Argier and that Lawson kept so vigilant an eye over them yet by reason that either through Cowardize or want of sufficient force they were constrain'd to keep close in their Harbors that sedulous Admiral could do little good upon them otherwise than by blocking up their Harbors to keep them from Roving doing mischief His Majesty therefore having more occasion for so great and eminent a Commander at home sent for both him and C. Berkley into England to employ them against a more Noble Enemy in pursuance of which Order Sir Iohn Lawson returns for England leaving Captain Allen to Command in Chief in his Room who in a short time after brought them to that distress that they were glad to accept of Peace upon terms advantageous enough for the King of England The Divan disowning the Breach and laying the fault upon some few that for their own benefit would not be rul'd by their Superiors As thus his Majesties Arms so were his Counsels active abroad The Earl of Carlisle is sent Embassador to Muscovy and Sweden whither also Sir Gilbert Talbâ—t was likewise employ'd as a particular Envoy as likewise Mr. Coventry to Denmark All upon such important Instructions as the emergency of Affairs at that time requir'd but in general to keep a strict union and Correspondence with those Nations Neighbours of his Enemies Sir George Downing was presently after his return into England sent back again with full Instructions what he had to do Many Conferences he had about the Lists of Damages but the Dutch would return no positive Answer to any thing nor come to any Agreement hoping to prove the event of certain great expectations which they had not the least of which was the return of a vast Treasure in several great Fleets of Merchant-men His Majesty well knowing how strong a Nerve of War Mony is resolv'd to way-lay those vast Masfes of Wealth as they pass'd his own Channel mov'd also by certain Intelligence which he had that the Dutch were resolv'd in contempt of his power to send their Guinee preparations by Sea and that Opdam should convey them through the Channel To which end and purpose that he might be before-hand with the preparations of the Dutch the King strives with all his Puissance to make ready his Navy Whose Royal endeavours and indefatigable pains in his own particular Person were answered by the Success For such was the alacrity of his Subjects that saw him continually travelling from place to place by the presence of his own Majesty to encourage forward the work and to see all things effectually and speedily done that the City freely at the first demand made by the Earl of Manchester Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold suppli'd him with another Loan of another hundred thousand Pounds which so highly promoted his Royal Designe that while the Dutch slattering themselves with vain suppositions of his want of Men and Mony and broken with the Calamity of the Pestilence were only forc'd to look on and with envy behold his vigorous preparations the King had furnish'd out such a magnificent Navy to the Sea as the Ocean had hardly seen in any former Ages On the other side the Dutch having consider'd the dangers of the Northern Passage seemingly lay aside all thoughts of going about by Scotland and resolve to force their passage through the Channel The Commissioners therefore of the several Admiralties having revictual'd Opdams Fleet from the middle of October to the middle of December gave him order to hasten out to Sea with the first wind and to Conduct the Guinee-Succors through the Channel having taken care for some other Ships from the Vlie and Texel to joyn with him and in the mean time they sent a Galliot before to their Director-General in Guinee to give him notice of their Proceedings Which resolution taken and carried on with so much vigour most men believ'd to have been extorted from them by the necessity of their present condition for they had scatter'd many Contempts upon the English Nation and yet falter'd in the point of execution Nor was the Issue of this Bravado it self other than what their â—ear presented for about the middle of October Prince Rupert arriv'd at the Spit-head with sixteen Sail of Men of War The first thing he discover'd was a small Man of War of 14 Guns which the Prince suspecting to be employ'd for Discovery and Advice sent his Smack out to Sea with Orders to forbid him to beat there any longer unless he were upon Trade upon which Message he vanish'd At the beginning of November the Duke of York Lord high Admiral of England departed towards his Charge at Portsmouth having receiv'd a most gracious farewel from his Majesty in a short while after he went aboard and joyn'd with the Prince and Earl of Sandwich so that it was no easie thing to unlock the Narrow Seas Opdam lay with his Fleet in the Goree and great debates there were whether he should out or no but the Wind continuing cross put an end to that Dispute And a fair excuse they had for not adventuring upon so great disadvantages as they were like to have found for as we said before the Duke was now joyâ—â—d with the Prince and the Earl of Sandwich Thereupon about the beginning of December perceiving great likelihood of Frosts and high Winds they thought good to lay up till Spring which was accordingly put in Execution to the great dissatisfaction of the Merchants who now found themselves abandon'd and left to all the hazards of a Winter Voyage Opdam return'd to the Hague and the Seamen were paid off And last of all for the better Information of the King of France how Affairs stood Monsieur Benninghen was dispatch'd away Post for Paris To recompence the Stay of the Royal Navy to
among actions of lesser note at Sea the courage of Captain Howard deserves remembrance who now commanding one of the King's ships render'd himself as signally faithful to his Sovereign as to his Owners who having certain Victuallers and other Merchant-men under his Convoy as he passed by the Bay of Cadiz five Dutch Men of War then under sail before the Bay having notice thereof being Vessels of 43 40 and 36 Guns apiece had immediately fetch'd up the Merchant-men but the Captain so behav'd himself with his Merlin a Frigat of 12 Guns only that the whole English Fleet had time to escape into the Bay of Tangier and by and by perceiving the headmost of the Dutch ships of 45 Guns who had done him most mischief to be making after the Fleet to their inevitable Ruine he frankly ran himself aboard the Dutch-man where he fought above an hour board and board till being himself dangerously wounded and all his Men dead or desperately wounded save eight he was at length compell'd to yield and carried into Cadiz But to return neerer home to the Grand Affairs betwixt England and Holland we finde the Netherlanders in no small perplexity They had now recalled their Embassador Van Gotch out of England who took his leave of the King at Oxford by him the King sends a Letter to the States wherein though he could not but charge them as the Authors of the War yet he signified to them his readiness to come to any fair terms of Accommodation nor could this Letter be so stifled by the contrary Faction but that the People got a view of it by which when they saw the disposition of the King of England they were not a little enrag'd at the Province of Holland who had so much endeavour'd to keep them in ignorance and made them more pliant to yield to those Alterations that not long after followed Munster so bestirs himself all the Winter that he allows no time for rest but upon Thaws and milde Weather so that he defeated several considerable parties of the Dutch and advanced not a little way into their Country of Friezland burning and spoiling some and taking other of their Towns whilst Prince Maurice with 18000 men is forc'd to look on without being able to attempt any thing of moment Their chief Assistants were the King of France and Dukes of Lunenburg As for the first he sent them a Supply of men but they brought along with them so much Rudeness and such Diseases into the Country that the Dutch were soon weary of their company for they were forc'd to quarter ' am in the Brandenburgher's Country which did them no good The thâ—eats of Waldeck and the conjunction of the Confederate-Forces did them as little kindness only it caus'd the Bishop to retire with his main Body out of Friezland leaving a sufficient strength in Garrisons for he had destroyed already 900 Horse in one place 200 Foot in another he had defeated two Troops of their Horse and 500 Foot in another place and 400 Foot that had repossessed themselves of Vriesveen forcing them to render themselves and had now Garrisoned his Foot in his new Conquests and withdrawn his Horse into his own Country The Dukes of Lunenburg grew cold in their assistance and sent to excuse themselves to the King of England for what they had done as being ignorant of the Grounds and Causes of the Bishop's taking Arms. The Brandenburgher offer'd a Mediation with the Bishop but with much delay Their main hopes was in the King of France who believing the Ballance of Affairs not even enough yet and 't is thought rather acting as he did out of an affectation of Sovereignty in the Mediterranean-Sea not only continues their friend but declares War against England acquainting the Queen-Mother of England that though he could no longer keep off a Declaration of War against his Majesty of Great Britain yet that he should always preserve the same esteem and value for his Majesty's Person hoping his Majesty would continue the same kindness and affection for him Accordingly upon the 27 th of Ianuary the French King's Declaration of War was publickly proclaim'd upon pretence of Succouring the States General in consequence of the Treaty 1662. But the Lord Hollis the King of England's Embassador in France having remonstrated the great injustice of that Declaration which subjected all English-men in their Estates and Persons to the last acts of Hostility contrary to the Treaties between the two Crowns allowing each party three Moneths time for the withdrawing their Estates and Persons after a Rupture The King of France thereupon issu'd out a second Proclamation giving the English the said Liberty of three Moneths to Transport themselves and Goods However in return of the first Declaration the King of England soon after that is to say in February publish'd also his Declaration of War against the French Importing that whereas the French King pretending an Alliance Defensive with the States General had proclaim'd a War against his Subjects That he was resolv'd to prosecute the War which the French King had so unjustly undertaken against him with his utmost Force by Sea and Land It was then admirable to see with what a harmony and chearfulness the Maritime Counties offer'd their service to his Majesty upon their receiving his first Orders to put themselves into a posture of defence But he being tender of continuing them under the trouble of a needless Duty was pleased to direct their dismission and return home till further occasion In the mean time Sr. Christopher Mimms was Crusing about with a Squadron of stout Ships who hearing of a Squadron of the Dutch that were out at Sea near Ostend he made away for Discovery and at length had a view of them out of fight of Land about Newport being in all 16 Sail and 3 Flags Fain he would have been dealing with them but they not daring to abide the shock made all the Sail they could away and easily escap'd him being neer their own Burrows The Pestilence was now so well abated that the King return'd again to White-Hall where the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London attended Him and humbly welcom'd Him home to his Chief City after so long and melancholy an absence The Term also which to prevent the too early resort of People to London and Westminster had been Adjourn'd to Windsor was now again Adjourn'd from thence to Westminster But the Parliament who should have met the 20th of this month were again Prorogu'd till the 23 of April by a special Commission directed to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and others of the Lords both Spiritual and Temporal About this time Sir Thomas Clifford the Kings Extraordinary Envoy to Sweden and Denmark return'd into England And the Earl of Sandwich was sent Ambassadour extraordinary into Spain where what good Services he did the following years will declare And to shew
own Lands for the Publick benefit and to remit the Duties arising from Hearth-money for seven Years to all that should Erect any New Buildings according to his Declaration And therefore Valentine Knight for presuming to Print certain Propositions for Re-building the City with considerable advantages to the Crown was Committed to Custody as being repugnant to the Gracious offers of the King After this Distraction in the City the Parliament met at Westminster according to the time limited at their last Prorogation to whom the King expressed his satisfaction to see them so happily met again making known to them the Progress and vast Expenses of the War and the urgent occasion of supply Whereupon the House resolv'd that the humble and hearty thanks of the House should be return'd to the King for his great Care in the Management of the War and that they would supply him proportionably to his Occasions and afterwards in a Body attended the King in the Banqueting-House to signifie the same to his Majesty in order whereunto they Voted a Supply of 1800000 l. In relation to which in Ianuary following they passed an Act for raising money by a Pole and otherwise toward the maintenance of the present War to which the King gave his Royal Assent in the House of Lords But that not being thought sufficient they so diligently ply'd their business that in February they passed another Act for granting the Sum of Twelve hundred and fifty thousand three hundred and forty seven pounds thirteen shillings for the same reasons and upon the same occasion as the former And to shew their readiness to forward the Re-building of the City they passed another Act for Erecting a Court of Judicature to determine all differences touching Houses Burn'd or Demolish'd in the Fire which with an Act for the Relief of Prisoners was the chief business of this Session being upon the 8 th of February Prorogu'd till the 10 th of October following That Fire which had lay'd the City of London in Ashes now threatned the City of Westminster and the Kings Palace it self having by the misfortune of a Candle falling into the straw violently seiz'd upon the Horse-Guard in the Tilt-yard over against White-Hall burning down the North-West part of the Building but being so close under the King 's own Eye it was by the timely help which the King and the Duke of York caus'd to be apply'd in a very short time stop'd and wholly master'd About this time complaint was made by several Merchants of the ill dealings of the Inhabitants of the Canary-Islands in enhansing the Prizes of their Wines Banishing the English Consul and Factors out of the Island of Tenariff publickly declaring against the Loading or Unloading of the English Ships with other severe dealings with the Merchants of England Traâ—ing thither Upon consideration whereof the King put forth a Proclamation Prohibiting the Importing of any Wines of the growth of the Canary-Islands and all Trade and Commerce with those Parts And at the same time another Proclamation came forth Prohibiting the Importation of any Manufactures Wines Merchandizes or Commodities whatsoever of the Growth of France or of any Lands Territories or Places belonging to the French King No less care was taken for suppressing the Insolencies of the Papists upon the humble Address of the Lords and Commons made to the King to that purpose And therefore all Popish Priests and Jesuits were by publick Proclamation likewise Commanded by a prefix'd time to depart the Kingdom And now the King to justifie his Breaking with Denmark Published a Deduction of all the Transactions of Affairs between Himself and the King of Denmark with his Declaration of War against the said King and the Motives that oblig'd him thereto wherein the King alledges that he had been unavoidably provok'd by the King of Denmark by many Aspersions Indignities and breach of Faith which that King had offered him making the Assault made by His Majesties Ships in the Port of Berghen the Ground of his late entring into a League Offensive and Defensive with the States of the Vnited Provinces whereas in truth his Majesty had the Freedom of that Port frankly offer'd him by the King of Denmark himself at a time when his Majesty thought nothing of it and that in order to the doing those very Acts of Hostility wherewith he was then reproach'd And for a good Omen of his Majesties Success in the beginning of November came News That the Vice-Admiral of Denmark was taken by some of His Majesties Frigats upon the Coast of Scotland Too long had the City now lain in Ashes when Sir George Moore a Proprietor in some Houses in Fleetstreet upon promise of conforming to the Model Form and Scantling set by the Committee appointed by the King for that purpose had liberty given him to begin that great Work which was soon after followed with that Expedition and Beauty that none could imagine but they who beheld it It was a Year of Wonders and this not the least which happen'd in the County of Lincoln where at a place call'd Welborn after a Prodigious Thunder with Hail-stones as big as Pigeons eggs there follow'd a Storm and Tempest with so great violence that it threw down most of the Houses to the ground broke down and tore up Trees by the Roots dispersing the Corn and Hay from thence going to the next Village call'd Willington it threw down some Houses which with the fall kill'd two Children thence proceeding to Nanby it fell so violently upon the Church that it dash'd the Spire in pieces tearing and rending the Church it self both in the Body and Timber-work so that it left little of the Wall standing with the body of the Steeple It was observed to run only in a Chaâ—el which had it held any considerable breadth could not but have Ruin'd a considerable part of the County But that which after so many severe Calamities reviv'd the Hearts of the City was the absolute ceasing of her devouring Enemy The Sickness in acknowledgment whereof the King order'd a publick day of Thanksgiving In Scotland there happen'd a Riot of no small consequence at Dumfreeze where some persons having gathered the people of the Neighbouring Parishes to the number of about two hundred arm'd with Clubs and Sythes took Sir Iames Turner out of his Bed carried him naked into the Market-place and had much ado to be restrain'd from cutting him in pieces for his severity as they pretended in exacting Fines upon Nonconformists Nor was this contemptible number long ere they increased to a considerable force in all 1600 men and were marching within four miles of Edenburgh when hearing that the whole Country was up in Arms against them they thought it more convenient to return but being set upon by Lieutenant-Colonel Dyel and Major-General Drummond neer Glencarn-Kirk they were totally defeated 500 slain upon the place and
Confederates to be Dissolv'd Soon after Lubomirskie with both his Sons kiss'd the Kings Hands and took the Oath of Fidelity Last Year you heard how Sabaday the great upstart Prophet to the Iews went to Constantinople to dâ—mand the Land of Promise for the Iews but upon his Arrival the Great Turk consulting with his Mufti and one of his Judges what to do with him concluded That he was to be dealt with as a Traytor to the Ottoman Empire and so to be Flea'd alive after which that People fell very severely upon the Iews and slew a great Number of them But the Sentence was respited and he only sent to the Prison of the Seven Towers in the Dardanelli from whence he wrote a Letter to the Hebrews in Smyrna encouraging them to stand fast in their Opinion after that taking upon him the Title and Personage of a Great King and Prophet insomuch that many Thousands of his Religion made their Visits to him in the Prison But the Visier taking notice of the great Confluence of People to him and fearing their Principles might lead them to some Action prejudicial to the Government gave Order to bring him from the Dardanels to Adrianople where being by a Learned Iew of his own Country after seven days Conference with him found to be an Impostor the Grand Visier so wrought upon him by Threats and Promises that he was content to lay his Royal Titles aside and to take a servile Employment upon him in the Grand Signiors Court leaving to his Country-men only Shame and Repentance To visit Sweden in the Circuit of this Year we find the Swedish Prince highly offended with the City of Bremen for encroaching too much upon the Priviledges of that Crown and assuming upon themselves to be a free Member of the Empire After tedious Parleys they come to Blows Wrâ—ngle lays close Seige but Brandenburgh Lunenburgh and the Dutch Engage in their Defence bringing their Forces together for their Relief the noise whereof for the Enemy now drew near so far wrought upon the Swede that he was willing to come to Composition and at length Articles are agree'd upon and the Siege rais'd upon condition That they should clayme no Vote or Session in the Meetings of the nether Circle That they should pay their Contributions as thereby directed That the Works of the City built upon the Kings Ground should continue That they should forbear to use the Title of a Free Imperial City For other things to enjoy their Customs Priviledges and Ecclesiastical and Civil Rights as in the Treaty 1648. But the Venetians have their Hands full the Great Turk bending all his Forces to the Conquest of Candia The Grand Visier had already laid Siege to the Great Town and rais'd a Battery near the Lazaret to hinder the Passage of the Veneâ—ian Ships for its Relief and was so offended with the Bassa of Canea and Candia Nova that he took off their Heads for being defective in their Duties as he pretended the Summer before The Venetians on the other side were very sâ—dulous in the Defence of their Territories solliciting all their Neighbouring Princes and having already receiv'd great Encouragements from the Pope and therefore the Event of the Siege was to be this Year Discovered Anno Dom. 1667. THE Swedes had offer'd a mediation last Year between the King of England and the States of Holland the result whereof was That the King of England did accept of Breda for the place of Treaty and would send for the Management thereof the Lord Hollis and Mr. Henry Coventry so soon as the Passports necessary for their Transportation should be ready which being communicated by the Swedish Embassadors they embraced the Offer most willingly however their preparations for setting out their Fleet were carried on with all imaginable diligence which the King of England saw but resolving that they should waste this Summer in a fruitless expence stood only upon his own Guard Some Ships the English had abroad but not to do any considerable Service but what their own Courage when they accidentally fell in with the Enemy led them to among the rest Captain Dawes in the Elizabeth meeting with 15 Sail of Rotterdam Men of War Fought with their Rear-Admiral of 64 Guns and Five others of 48 and 50 Guns and presently after with the Admiral of 70 Guns and two of his Seconds yet got clear of them all forcing the Enemy to lye by the Lee. Not long after the same Frigat engaged with Two Danish Men of War of 40 Guns apiece where after four hours Fight Captain Dawes was slain with a great Shot yet had the heart to Cry For God's sake never yield the Frigat to those Fellows Not long after the Lieutenant being desperately wounded the Master succeeding him slain the Gunner took place who so well ply'd the two Danes that they Steer'd away to their own Shore while the English Anchor'd within a Mile of them to repair the Damages which they had receiv'd The next morning though but badly ready yet they resolv'd to expect the Danes again who though they were to Windward of the English and had the advantage of the Current yet they would not attempt any thing â—urther although the English shot off a Gun in Defiance but could by no means come nigh them and therefore bore a way for England By this time the English Embassadours are Arriv'd at Breda and had made their Publick Entrie which was very Solemn they were met a Mile from the Town by 200 Horse sent by the Governor with whom went the Commander of the Town in the Governors Coach the Horse led the Van then sixteen Pages on Horseback and after them four Trumpets in the King of England's Liverie after them the Gentlemen of the Horse to the Embassadors followed by the Mareschal of the Embassie who preceded the Embassadors Coach which was very rich drawn with six Horses besides three others of their own and the Governors At the Gate of the Town they were met and Complimented by the Governor who passed with them in their own Coach to their House but while they were busie at the Transactions of Peace it will not be amiss to follow the Dutch Fleet in their Military Progress About the beginning of Iune they appear'd abroad at Sea with a considerable Fleet and finding no Enemy to resist 'um they kept plying upon the English Coast for many weeks together They had toward the latter end of April made an Attempt with a Squadron of Ships upon Burnt Island in Scotland but were beaten off with loss Their next attempt was upon the Platform at Sheer-Ness which being a place of small strength and consequently unable to resist the Force of their Artillery after a stout resistance made was quitted by Sir Edward Sprague Animated with this Success with 22 Sail they made up toward the Chain though with some difficulty several Vessels being sunk about Muscle-Bank which was
make of any Exactions practis'd upon them by any of the Officers Sub-Officers or Clerks in the Navy-Office or Treasury-Office that if the same should appear to be true Justice might be done upon the one and Satisfaction given to the other About this time dy'd Mr. Abraham Cowley one of the chiefest Ornaments of this Age whose Immature Death succeeding Ages will lament when they finde what Treasures they have lost by his untimely Fate His temperate Life did not deserve so short a Period But Heaven perhaps thought he had done enough that could not well do more than make himself Immortal His Body was convey'd from Wallingford-House to Westminster-Abbey attended by many Persons of very great Quality over whose Grave has been since Erected a stately Monument to Eternize his Memory In America the French had a Design upon Mevis having drawn out all their Forces from Martenico Guadaloup and St. Christophers strengthen'd also with an additional force of their own and two Dutch Men of War being in all 32 Sail but being encountred by 10 Sail of the English who were sent by Lieutenant General Willoughby for the relief of the Island the English so smartly Encountr'd them that he Chased them home to St. Christophers Upon the Return of the English to Mevis they found Sir Iohn Harman newly Arriv'd there with seven Men of War and two Fireships who understanding what had happen'd resolv'd to fall upon them in their own Ports which he did so effectually that he burn'd their Admiral and six or seaven of their best Ships more the rest all but two were sunk partly by the industry of the Enemy partly by the Shot of the English Ships in which Service the English lost not above 80 Men with little damage to their Vessels From the other Indies two ships about this time arriv'd under the Convoy of Sir Ieremy Smith who having been cruising in the Streights the most part of the Summer had met with no opportunity of considerable action more than to keep the Dominion of the Seas However at length he made a shift to meet with two Dâ—â—ch East-Indie-Prises outward bound which he brought home returning into St. Helâ—ens-Road toward the end of September Nor did the Dutch at any time Triumph where the number was not too unequal as appeared by the success of six of our smaller Frigats who falling in with three Holland Men of War of 42 36 and 30 Guns and two Merchant-men to the Northward took the three Men of War and one of the Merchant-men being forc'd to quit the other upon view of a whole Squadron of the Enemy At home the King had notice of the great concourse of very many persons of the Romish Religion to the Chappels of St. Iames and Somerset-house and therefore gave order in â—ouncil That if any of his Subjects not being of the Families of the Queen or Queen-Mother or of Forrein Embassadors should repair to hear Mass or perform any Exercises of the Romish Religion that they should be severely prosecuted and such punishments inflicted upon them as by Law were provided And for the better discovery of such as were addicted to Popery the Lord-Keeper was Authoriz'd to issue out Commissions of Dedimus Potestatem for administring the Oaths of Allegeance and Supremacy in all places of England and Wales where they had not been already granted by the Lord-Chancellor The abuses also of the Company of Woodmongers were look'd into and upon frequent consultations thereupon had it was thought fit that for the conveniency of the Publick their Charter should be surrender'd which when they peremptorily refus'd to do the Atturney-General was order'd to proceed against them by Quo Warranto and by Information in the Crown-Office The City began to rise with more splendor now than ever which the King to forward as much as in him lay as soon as the Foundation of the Royal Exchange was appointed to be laid was pleased to be present and assisting at the Solemnity His Majesty there placing the first Stone with the usual Ceremonies Not long after the Duke of York attended with several persons of Honour went into the City and being honourably receiv'd by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen with the usual Ceremonies upon such occasions laid the first Stone for a second Pillar which gave so great an encouragement to the Workmen that never did so large a Structure go on with greater Vigour The remaining part of the Year was more for Counsel than Action And therefore the King for the better regulating affairs for the future among other Important parts thereof taking into his consideration the ways and methods of managing matters at the Council-Board establish'd several standing Committees for several businesses with regular daies for their Assembling And not content to have Peace at home His Majesty to shew himself a Mediator among his Neighbours sent his Embassador the Earl of Sandwich on that Grand Errand of making Peace between Spain and Portugal who soon after he had his dispatches arriv'd at Lisbon He no sooner had had his Audience but upon the resignation of the former King the Infanta his Brother took possession of the Scepter However so well he manag'd his employ that in a short while after the Articles were fully agreed on between the two Crowns of Spain and Portugal and the Ratification mutually exchang'd between the said Embassador of England and the Spanish and Portugueze Commissioners and soon thereupon publish'd both at Madrid and Lisbon The Insolencies of private Men of War were about this time very great and therefore the King taking into consideration as well the safeguard and protection of his own Subjects as of his Allies the disturbances of Commerce and the diminution of his own Revenues in his own Ports and Harbours set forth a Proclamation commanding an inviolable Tâ—uce and Cessation in his own Ports Havens and Roads That his Subjects by Sea and Land should do their utmost to hinder the roving and hovering of any Men of War neer the Entry of any of his Ports or Harbours That if any Men of War of one side came into any Port where were Merchant-men of another party the Merchant-men should be suffer'd to depart two Tides before the Men of War That no Privateer with forrein Commission should stay above 24 hours in any of his Majesties Ports or Harbours That none of his Majesties Subjects should contract or deal with any forrein Man of War That no Mariner or Officer being the King 's Subject should presume to put himself into the service of any forrein Prince or State Toward the beginning of this Moneth the Paâ—â—â—ament according to their Adjournment met At which time the King coming to the House of Lords directed his Speech to both Houses telling them that he had made a League Defensive with the States of the Vnited Provinces with a League also for an Efficacious Mediation of Peace betwixt the two Crowns
Reside there as his Legate France may be thought to have no kindness for the Jesuits however the most Christian King could not be said to do amiss not to let 'um Triumph over their Superiors for Complaint being made that the Jesuits in the Diocess of Fambers had refus'd to give Obedience to the Bishop of that Diocess the King gave leave to the Bishop to proceed against them by Excommunication according to the Priviledges of the Gallicane Church whereupon the Bishop suspended them from all their Functions forbidding them to Preach Teach or Confess any person within the Territories of his Diocess The King of France being now Master of several Towns of Flanders late under the Jurisdiction of the Spaniards and having totally reduc'd the County of Burgundy under his Subjection of which in favour of the Prince of Conde he immediately granted two Reversions one to the Duke D' Enguien Son of the said Prince and the other to the Duke of Bourbon his Grand-Child thought it convenient to listen to the Mediation then proffer'd by several Princes of Europe chiefly by the King of England and the States of the Vnited Netherlands so that a Treaty was concluded upon and Aix la Chapelle appointed the Place for the Commissioners to meet in In the mean time while the Spaniards lay upon their Demurs a League was Concluded by the Mediation of the Earl of Sandwich the King of Englands Embassador at Lisbon between the two Crowns of Spain and Portugal a League of sincere and perpetual Peace containing a Release of Prisoners Nullity of Confiscations Freedom of Commerce and such other Usual Articles which were in Six Months after Publication to be Confirm'd and Ratifi'd by the King of Great Britain And now as if the General Design of Europe were Peace the Commissioners meet at Aix la Chapelle for the King of England Sir William Temple for the Dutch Mr. Beverning for the French Monsieur Colbert for the King of Spain the Baron of Bergeick who having some time before Sign'd Provisional Articles in order to a final Conclusion whereby a suspension of Arms was granted and the March of the French Army Countermanded at length fell seriously to their Work so that by the second of May the Articles of General Peace were sign'd by the Plenipotentiaries of both Kings and afterwards Proclaim'd through all the Chief places of France Spain and Flanders to the general content of Europe and satisfaction of the Mediators But notwithstanding this fair Peace the Spaniards did not like the Neighbourhood of the French and therefore would have made an Exchange of some other Territories of theirs lying farther off for that oâ— Frâ—nche Comâ—e On the otherside the French not satisfi'd with what they had got Claim'd several Towns as dependencies upon their late Conquests as the Towns of Conde Newport and other places Hereupon to end these differences and to settle the bounds of the French Jurisdiction Commissioners are appointed to meet at Lille but they determine nothing upon which the French King makes a positive demand of all that he Challeng'd and the Spaniards Order the several Commanders to have a care of the Defence of their several Charges In which posture we leave 'um hatching new Discords for this Year Leaving these great Actors upon the Stage of the World we are coming to one who is making his Exit for the King of Poland at the beginning of the Year had signifiâ—â— to the publick Dyet of that Kingdom his Resolution to make a Resignation many applications were made to him whether Real or out of Ceremony not here to be determin'd that he would please to change his purpose and some other delays happen'd as in a matter of so great importance so that the Ceremony was not perform'd till September at which time the King appearing in the publick Assembly and in a pathetick Speech insisting on his misfortune to meet with such bad times and desiring pardon for what had been done amiss during the time of his Raign departed out of the Assembly and in his own Coach leaving the Castle went to a private House he had in the City The Nobility would have attended him but he refus'd it But there were enough that ardently coveted what he had so calmly forsaken The Duke of Muscovy was urgent for his own Son The Emperour for the Prince of Lorrain And the French King for the Duke of Newburg a Creature of his own But the Pole refus'd all but more especially the French whose Embassador the Bishop of Bezieres they would not endure should stay in the Kingdom to have any finger in the Election Nor was any thing this Year concluded In Holland Monsieur Cariâ—ius put a very hard Riddle to the States When they would be pleas'd to pay his Majesty the King of Denmark several sums of Money which he pretended to be due upon Promise particularly 400000 Rixdollars from the States of Holland and 14000 from those of Amsterdam This Question occasion'd many Debates and Conferences and was at length put to the Arbitration of the King of France Now for varieties sake and to shew there was some Justice at Rome I must not omit an Act of the Pope at this time raigning A Complaint being Exhibited to his Holiness by a person of Tivoli that whereas he had liv'd several years with his Mother with great content and satisfaction upon an Estate of 1500 Dollars per Annum His Mother falling sick was during her sickness so far prevail'd upon by a Jesuit her Confessor that she had by Will given away all the Estate to the Order not reserving any thing for the subsistance of him her Son The Pope extreamly dissatisfi'd with this Complaint sent for his own Confessor and in very severe Language commanded him to finde out the General and in his Name to require him to write to the Superior at Tivoli to restore the Petitioner his Land again Nor must we omit now we are at Rome the Canonization of an American Virgin named Rosa a Nun in a Covent of St. Dominick For every body in England does not understand what a glorious thing it is to be made a Saint The Church was hung with Tapistry and Inscriptions in honour of the New Saint on the Altar stood her Image and about it the Arms of the Pope the King of Spain the Kingdom of Peru and this Religious Dominican During the Te Deum one of the Cannons of St. Peters Church was fir'd a great number of Drums and Trumpets sounding and several Vollies of shot given by a Squadron of Germans drawn up neer the Church After which a solemn Mass was sung by six Quires of Musick In the Afternoon the Pope heard Vespers in the same Church present several Cardinals with the Embassadors and Ministers of Forrein Princes and the Evening spent in Lights and Fire-works The Venetians are busied for the defence of their Candia and by the Assistance of the French hold the Turk hard to it this
year besides that their Admiral Morosini with Twenty five Gallies some few Galliasses and several Fireships engaging above One hundred of the Turks Gallies with Sixty Saicks burnt sunk and took the greatest part of them among the rest of his Prisoners Two Bashaws with six Months Provision and Ammunition for supply of the Besiegers The success of Gayland an Enemy of the English must not be omitted who being at Argilla and hearing of a great Defeat given by Taffalette to Ben Buker wherein Ben Buker himself was taken Prisoner and that there was little hopes of getting another Army into the Field to oppose the Conquerour and finding how the ill news work'd upon his own people who began to threaten to desert him unless their wants were supplied he got out of Argilla with 300 men and Transported himself for Argier At this time about the beginning of March the King of Portugal having caus'd his Brother the King to resigne married the Queen and was by the three Estates of that Kingdom confirm'd in his Regency and in a solemn manner they swore Obedience to him accordingly Now though all things went well at home on the French side yet they had not the success which they promis'd themselves at Madagascar where by engaging themselves in other peoples Quarrels they not onely lost many Men but carrying themselves too high and imperious and forcing the Inhabitants to carry their Arms for them the Natives taking hold of the opportunity fell so heartily upon their new Lords that they destroy'd the greatest part of them But Queen Christina having disintrigu'd her self out of these Hurly-burlies at the latter end of the Year arriv'd at Rome where her entertainment was Pompous and Magnificent Nor did the Pope himself the next day disdain to give her a visit in his own proper person glad no question of so Eminent a Proselyte Anno Dom. 1669. THe 25 th of March being past the Year 1669 begins A Year wherein there could be nothing more calm and quiet than the surface of the English Affairs had not the future effects of its silent contrivances made it appear that though action fail'd 't was busie enough in Council Therefore Envoys and Embassadors were frequently employed a most certain Prognostick of active designes About the beginning of the Year the Earl of Carlisle was sent Embassador Extraordinary to Sweden While he repos'd himself in Copenhagen in which Court he was well known he receiv'd a Letter sent after him by the King of England in return of a very obliging Letter from the King of Denmark with the receipt whereof the King of Denmark was so well satisfied and pleased that at the seasonable instance of his Lordship he was pleas'd to cause his Orders to be dispers'd to all his Ports particularly to his Custom-places and Havens in Norway for restoring the Engish Trading to any part of his Kingdom or Dominions and the same priviledges which they formerly enjoy'd according to the Treaty concluded in the Year 1660. Being arriv'd in Sweden among other Transactions he had a private Audience in which he presented the King of Sweden with the little George worn by the Knights of the Order of the Garter which the King received with great expressions of joy being after that solemnly and publickly by a particular Commission presented and invested by the said Earl with all the peculiar Habits and Ornaments belonging to the said Order Other Embassadors were sent to other parts as Mr. Montague Extraordinary for France Sir Peter Wyche for Muscovy In Iuly the Earl of Winchelsey return'd from his Embassie at Constantinople Nor can History be so ungrateful to Learning as to bury in silence the Honour due to its most bountiful advancers It was therefore this Year that the University of Oxford being assembled in a full Body went to take possession of the New Theatre the magnificent gift of Dr. Sheldon Arch-Bishop of Canterbury where after the reading his Grace's Grant by the Register of the University Dr. South the University-Orator made a Speech sutable to the occasion After which several Panegyricks were pronounc'd in Prose and Verse concluding the Ceremony with several sorts 〈◊〉 Musick both Vocal and Instrumental But in the King's Ears the discords of Schism were more unpleasing for now from several parts of the Kingdom came several Informations that they who separated themselves from the established Worship met in greater numbers than formerly to such a degree as to endanger the publick Peace and greatly to the contempt of the Kings Indulgence to Tender Consciences which forc'd the King to issue out his Proclamation for the suppressing of such Meetings by putting the Laws in execution and proceeding particularly against the Preachers Learning always deserves an honourable Mecaenas and therefore the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury having upon satisfactory reasons refus'd the Vice-Chancellorship of Oxford Dr. Fell with the greatest part of the Body of the Convocation meeting at Worcester-house Install'd the Duke of Ormond Chancellor of that University The King was now diverting himself together with the Duke of York in the New Forest in Hampshire when they both receiv'd an express of the Death of their Mother the Queen Dowager of England who died upon the last of August at Colâ—mbe after a long Indisposition and decay of Health which made them both repair with all speed to Hampton-court Her body was for some time expos'd with usual Ceremonies in the Gallery of St. Columbes after which her Heart was in a Silver-Vessel inscrib'd with her Name and Title carried to the Monastery of Chaliot Her Body was carried to St. DeniÌ„s and plac'd in a Chappel behinde the Quire In November following she was buried after the Form and Magnificence which was formerly used at the Funeral of the Queen-Mother This Moneth brought us news that the Enemy was more than ordinarily busie about Tangier appearing often and in great numbers both of Horse and Foot They laid two considerable Ambushes to have surâ—riz'd the Garrison but one was discovered by the Sentinels the other by the barking of Dogs purposely kept there by the People and Souldiers by which means they were beaten off with considerable loss This not taking effect they appeared next day on the other side of the Town and gave the occasion of a smart dispute for an hour but were thence also forc'd to retire much to their disadvantage This made them quiet for some time when on a suddain they again shew'd themselves behinde a Hill neer a Fort call'd Iames's Fort here as the Onset was powerful so they met with equal resistance and a courage so much superiour as quickly forc'd 'um to leave the Enterprize and many of their men behinde with the loss only of one Corporal which this Year ended all the trouble of that Garrison The Duke of Ormond had been some time since call'd out of Ireland who thereupon left his Son the Lord Ossory to command in his
room But now to take the charge from-both the Lord Roberts arrives at Dublin Upon the news of this change the Lord Mayor and Aldermen the Provost of the Colledge the Dean of Christ-Church and most of the Clergy attended the Lord Ossory where the one acknowledged the many benefits which the City had received from the Government of his Father and himself the other the many benefits which the Church had enjoy'd as well by their good Examples as by the plentiful provision made them by the Clergy The reception of the new Lord-Deputy was intended to have been made with much State and Solemnity but he waving those publick Honours met the Lord-Deputy and the Council at the Council-Chamber the same Evening after his arrival where after he had taken the usual Oath the Lord-Deputy deliver'd him the Sword He was no fooner enter'd upon his Government but he issu'd out a Proclamation commanding all Governors and Officers to repair to their several Charges and Duties not admitting any dispâ—nsation to the contrary London had long layn in Ashes and the Confluence of all the World had been as long confin'd within the narrow limits of a Colledge-Court but now again the Merchants to their great satisfaction and the lasting Merits of Sir William Turner then Lord Mayor whose indâ—â—aâ—igable paâ—â— and zeal was Eminent in advancing and forwarding so great a Work met in the Royal Exchange a Fabrick equal to the Honour of the Undertakers and holding a true proportion with the rest of the Goodly Buildings of the Reviving City But now men began to listen after things a higher Nature seeing both Houses of Parliament again Assembled upon the 19th of October The King in a Speech acquainted them With his joy to see them at that time and the hopes he had of a happy meeting which he promis'd himself from the great experience he had of their Affection and Loyalty of which he did not doubt the Continuance briefly minding them of his Debts which though pressing he was unwilling to call for their Assistance till this time acquainâ—ing them also that what they last gave was wholly apply'd to the Navy and to the Extraordinary Fleet for which it was intended desiring they would now take his Debts effectually into their Consideration Afterwards hinting to them a Proposal of great Importance concerning the Vniting of England and Scotland which because it requir'd some length he left that and some other things to the Lord Keeper to open more fully which was by him done and then both Houses Adjourn'd At the beginning of November both Houses in pursuance of a Vote which they had made attended the King in the Banqueting House where the Lord Chief Justice Vaughan supplying the Room of the Lord Keeper in the name of both Houses return'd their Humble Thanks to the King for his Care of the Publick in Issuing out his Proclamation for the suppressing of Conventicles Humbly desiring his Majesty to continue the same care for the future In Reply to which his Majesty return'd an Answer to the satisfaction of both Houses But now Christmas drawing near and having sate above a Month without effecting any thing of consequence the Lords sent the Usher of the Black-Rod to the House of Commons to tell them That by Vertue of the King's Commission they desird their Attendance who Attending accordingly with their Speaker the Commission was read and the Parliament Prorogu'd till the 24th of February next ensuing At the same time that the Parliament of England sate at Westminster the Parliament of Scotland sate at Edenburgh where the Earl of Lauderdale having taken the Chair of State as Lord Commissioner of Scotland the Earls Commission was first read and then the doubtful Elections of Members refer'd to Examination That done the Kings Letter to the Parliament was twice read seconded by a shorter from the Lord Chancellor perswading them to a concurrence with the King in his Design of Uniting the Two Kingdoms Then they proceeded to Elect the Lords of the Articles the Bishops choosing Eight Bishops and those Eight Eight of the Nobility and these Sixteen making choice of Eight Knights and as many Burgesses by whom all Affairs were to be prepar'd for the House During this Session they Publish'd an Act for the Naturalization of Strangers within the Kingdom of Scotland Declaring that all Strangers of the Protestant Religion that should think fit to bring their Estates into the said Kingdom or should come to set up new Works and Manufactures therein should be Naturaliz'd as Native-Born Subjects of that Kingdom to all intents and purposes The King farther Declaring That upon application by such Strangers made to him he would grant them the free and publick use of their Religion in their own Language and the Libertie of having Churches of their own However no persons were to have the benefit of the said Act till first by Petition to the Lords of the Privy-Council containing an exact designation of their Names and places of Birth and former residences and that tâ—ey be of the Protâ—stant Religion They also made another Act asserting his Majesty's Supremacy over all persons and in all Causes Ecclesiastical By Sea little was this Year done only Sir Thomas Allen being again sent with a Squadron of Ships about the beginning of August came before Argier and sending in his Boat began to Treat they in Argier seem'd willing to make restitution of such Money as they had taken from an English ship bound for the East-Indies but not agreeing to some other demands the Treaty prov'd ineffectual thereupon he began actual Hostility seizing a Bark laden with Corn which rode in the Bay with eleven Moors and a Brigantine which he took in view of the Town From hence having done little or nothing else considerable he set sail for Tripoly the Bashaw of which place sent him an assurance of his readyness to prâ—serve Peace and a good Correspondence with the King of Great Britain And after a short crusing up and down in those Seas he return'd for Cadiz where this Year leaves him But being now so neer the English Territories at Tangier the King of England's Embassador Mr. Henry Howard must not be forgot who being sent by the King his Embassador Extraordinary to the Emperour of Morocco at that time Taffalette by vertue of his new Conquests was now arriv'd at Tangier but understanding the danger of hazarding his person among those Barbarians stay'd at that place expecting a sufficient strength to convoy and conduct him to his place of Audience In November he receiv'd his Safe-Conduct with an assurance from the Emperour that he should not fail of receiving all satisfaction in order to whatsoever he should desire for his security and that he had already caus'd Justice to be done to such as were found guilty of giving any affronts to his people And true it was that he caus'd all the English which were taken by the
agreed upon by the Respective Ministers meeting at the Spanish Embassador's-House at the Hague where they sign'd and exchang'd all acts thereto belonging Anno Dom. 1670. IN the beginning of April the Parliament having prepar'd several Acts ready for the King to signe the King came to the House of Lords and gave his Royal Assent signifying also his consent for an Adjournment till the 24 of October ensuing having only granted the King an Imposition upon all Wines and Vinegar for such a certain time And prepar'd a Bill to Authorize such Commissioners as the King should nominate for treating with the Scotch Commissioners in order to the Union desir'd This Moneth also the Lord Iohn Berkley arriv'd in Dublin to succeed the Lord Roberts as Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland who upon weighty considerations was call'd back again into England And now in this time of leisure the Princess of Orleans comes to Dover to visit her two Brothers his Majesty and the Duke of York her stay in England was short and her stay in this World not much longer for in a short while after her return into France she departed this life the Court of England being not only grieved but astonished at the suddenness of her death Upon some apprehension of private designes a Proclamation was issu'd out commanding all Souldiers and Officers who had serv'd under the late Usurped Powers to depart the City and not to come within twenty miles of the same for a prefix'd time and in the mean while not to wear Arms upon a severe penalty The Parliament of Scotland now sitting and understanding what the Parliament of England had done in that Affair the Act for the Treaty of Union pass'd both Houses at Edenburgh and was touch'd by the Commissioner with the Royal Scepter of which although the designe were of high concernment yet because the Event was not correspondent it will be enough to say that the Commissioners on both sides had often Conferences and great encouragements from the King but it met with so many delays and difficulties that as a thing not to be compass'd it was at length laid aside The King was every year very intent upon the suppression of the Pyrates of Argier which was the only War he now had wherein though his Commanders had prosper'd by taking particular Prizes and single Ships yet never could they meet with a Body of those Rovers to signalize their Courage till now neither was this a Body of above seaven men of War too many for the Algerines to run the Fate they did There were the Hampshire Portsmouth Iersey and Centurion Frigats under the Command of Captain Beach these met the seven Argier Men of War the least of which had 38 Guns and full of Men who after a short dispute were forc'd to run all their Ships ashore where they were all burn'd two by themselves and the rest by the English besides the loss of most of their men and the Redemption of 250 Christian Captives Valour gets Renown but Cowardise Disgrace therefore Captain Iohn Peirce and Andrew Legate for the loss of the Saphire Fregat in the Streights were both about this time which was in September try'd for their Lives at a Court Marshal held upon the River of Thames where it plainly appearing that the said Frigat was basely and shamefully lost through the default and cowardise of the said Captain and Lieutenant they were both Condemn'd to be Shot to Death and soon after both Executed Both Houses of Parliament re-assembl'd according to their Adjournment This Month the Ratification of the Peace between England and Spain beyond the Line was agree'd and Ratifi'd and the Ratifications Exchang'd and Notice given to the Governors in those Parts for the punctual observation thereof on both sides In the mean while the Prince of Orange Arrives to give his Uncle a Visit He came to London upon the 30th of October but his stay here was not long However he visited both the Universities and his entertainmenâ— was in all places answerable to the Dignity of his Person His coming no question had a Mysterie in it but Mysteries of State are not to be div'd into However at the beginning of the Spring he return'd well satisfi'd both as to his Publick Reception and private Concerns In November Sir Thomas Allen return'd home with his Squadron having made many attempts upon the Pyrates of Argier whose Cowardice still shuning the English Force made the Voyage seem the less successful leaving Sir Edward Sprage in his Room December seldom passes without some act of Villany one more remarkable was at this time perform'd for the Duke of Ormond going home in his Coach was between St. Iames'â— and Clarendon-House by six persons Arm'd and Mounted forc'd out of his Coach and set behind one of the Company who was riding away with him but he was at length Rescu'd partly by his own strength partly by others coming to his Assistance A Fact which rendred the performers not so bold as it render'd the Duke Memorable in his Forgiveness Sir Edward Sprage was now the King's Admiral in the Mediterranean Sea of whose Action the next year must give a farther Accompt The Parliament having at this time compleated several Acts the King came to the House and gave his Royal Assent to them being chiefly for Regulation of the Law and for an Additional Excise upon Beer and Ale During this Session the Lords and Commons by their Humble Petition Represented to the King Their fears and apprehensions of the growth and encrease of the Popish Religion whereupon the King in compliance with their desires by His Proclamation commanded all Iesuits and English Irish and Scotch Priests and all others that had taken Orders from the See of Rome except such as were by Contract of Marriage to wait upon the Queen or Forreign Embassadors to depart the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales upon pain of having the Laws and Statutes of the Realm inflicted upon them Forrein Affairs 1670. The first occurrence of Moment is the Election of the new Pope Cardinal Altieri who at first refus'd the Honour but the perswasion of the Cardinals prevailing he told them they had open'd upon Him the Gates of Hell and so yielded to their importunity He had no Nephews and therefore Adopted Cardinal Paluzzi whose Brother had Married his Neece And now the Grandeur of the House of Orange began to revive again The States Concluding in a full Assembly his admission into the Council of State and setling an honourable Pension upon him Nor was he long without the Title of their Captain General by Sea and Land In Flanders some Alteration happen'd by reason that the Constable of Castile growing sickly could not abide the trouble of business any longer he departed privately to Ostend and so by Sea for Spain in his place the Count de Monterey was soon advanced While Tangier makes us concern'd
manner as any of his Ancestors had enjoy'd they also renounc'd that perpetual Edict by which they had oblig'd themselves never to admit of a Stadtholder and discharg'd the Prince of the Oath he had taken never to accept of that Dignity which thing thus begun by a Tumult was afterwards Confirm'd in a full Assembly of the States General There were at this time taken from them by the French several Towns and Forts some of them of great Importance and by the Bishop of Munster six and besides this by the former Maestricht by the latter Groninghen Besiedg'd their Fleet in Port patching up their bruises Yet now the King of England compassionating their Condition and believing those misfortunes might have rendred 'um more humble sent over the Duke of Buckingham and the Earl of Arlington to try if now at length they would hearken to any Reasonable Terms of Accommodation It was remarkable with what joy and satisfaction they were receiv'd by the People the Men Women and Children joyning in their Acclamations as they pass'd along the Streets God bless the King of England God bless the Prince of Orange and the Devil take the States They passed from Holland through the Prince of Orange's Camp to Vtrecht where they found the King of France who had now reduc'd the whole Province of whom they had their Publick Audience in the Camp thither likewise came the Lord Hallifax sent by the King of England as his Envoy Extraordinary and was after his Audience joyn'd with them in Commission being thus all together they attended the Motion of the Camp in expectation of Plenipotentraries from Holland upon their last Proposition While they are upon Extraordinary Affairs abroad Henry Coventry Esq now return'd from Sweden is made Secretary of State at home in the room of Sir Iohn Trevor deceas'd and the Duke of Richmond Arrives in Sweden Embassador Extraordinary from the Court of England where he afterwards Dy'd Toward the Latter end of this Month the Duke of Buckingham Earl of Arlington and Lord Hallifax Arriv'd at White-Hall having expected fourteen days in the French Camp the return of the Dutch Deputies so that all which they effected at that time was a Promissory Act between the two Kings not to treat or conclude without a Participation and Inclusion of each others Interests which was afterwards form'd into Articles and Ratifi'd and Exchang'd with the French Embassadour at London The King of France had now drawn the Gross of his Army from the Neighbourhood of Amsterdam Marching for Boys-le-dâ—c and Maestricht both which he left block'd up the first by Turenne the second by Chamille and being satisfi'd at present with the Victorious Progress he had made return'd for Paris Yet the taking of Nimmenghen by Storm wherein were made Prisoners of War 4000 of the best Soldiers which the Dutch had and the appearance of the English Fleet upon the Coast of Holland was occasion enough to continue the Tumults and Insurrections which were now so general that there was scarce a Town in Holland where the people were not Masterless 'T is true the heat of Action began to cool for some time nor did the English Fleet do any thing more considerable but onely keep the Seas besides that they mist the taking of the Dutch East-Indie-Fleet of which there was only this account that the Cambridge and Bristol being upon the Scout had met with the East Indie-Fleet with whom there happen'd a smart Encounter insomuch that the Cambridge was forc'd to ly by to splice her Rigging and that though they both followed 'um again and gave 'um many Broad-sides yet because they could no way separate 'um nor the Bristol could carry out her lower tire they were forc'd to quit the Fight Only one ship too severely chac'd was forc'd to destroy her self This Moneth the Earl of Essex arriv'd in Ireland and having taken the usual Oath had the Sword delivered to him as Lord-Deputy of Ireland in the room of the Lord Berkley In Holland the Prince of Orange being now setled in the Supream Authority did not a little win the favour of the people by endeavouring to call to an account the chief of those who had been their former Leaders Among the rest he Imprisons Ruart Van Putten and his Brother De Wit Van Putten was accus'd of an Intention to have destroyed the Prince of Orange by the assistance of a Barber who was to have receiv'd from him a considerable sum of Money for doing it The Court of Holland upon examination of their Crimes having Condemned both the Brothers to lose all their dignities and employments and ordered 'um to quit the Country as Banish'd men Thereupon De Wit goes to the Prison to fetch away his Brother but the people being incensed that they deserved a greater punishment as they were coming out again forc'd 'um back again broke open the Prison-door hal'd 'um out and thus the Rabble having got 'um into their possession never left till they had beat and trampled 'um to death This not sufficing they dragg'd their dead Bodies about the Streets cut off their Fingers and Ears and then hung 'um up naked by the Heels upon the Gallows such was the miserable end of those two Brothers The first good fortune that befel the Dutch next to that of the escape of their East-Indie Fleet was the defence of Groninghen to which the Bishop of Munster had laid a most furious and close Siege but notwithstanding all his fury after several attacques and the loss of many men was at length forced to break up his Siege and depart having battered and burnt down above two hundred Houses with his Guns and Granadoes The Dutch had no question promised themselves great matters from the Emperour but there was nothing appear'd to give them any hopes till at length a general Treaty was concluded for the publick Security and general Defence of the Empire at Ratisbone which though it prov'd slow as passing three Colledges That of the Electors That of the Princes and That of the Free-Towns yet after this Conclusion the Imperial Forces being upon their march from one side and the Brandenburgher on the other to make a conjunction upon the Frontiers of the Enemy made a very seasonable diversion to give the Netherlander some breathing time so that Turenne was forc'd to draw off to attend their motion toward Leipstadt and the Bishop of Munster thought it convenient to look toward his own Territories for fear of the Brandenburgher So that now the Prince of Orange had some time to look after the Civil affairs and to settle disorders at home which he did by a change of the Magistrates in most of the Towns of the Low Countries wherein he was not a little encouraged by the satisfaction which it gave the generality of the people who now began to bâ— by little and little better composed in their mindes In England the Parliament
which was to have met in October next was upon weighty considerations adjourned till the fourth of February following But in Scotland the Parliament had sate till this very time and had made several Act for the publick good of the Nation among the rest one that gave toward the defraying the King's Expences 864000 l. Sterling About this time also the Duke returning to London from the Fleet put an end to all further expectations of any considerable actions at Sea this year But to return to the French Camp Marshal Turenne upon the approach of the Imperialists and Brandenburghers sends to the Electors and Princes of the Empire to let them know in the King of France's Name That it was not the King's intention to meddle with any thing that belonged to the Empire and that if any of his Troops had entred into it it was the inevitable consequences of the War against the United Provinces and therefore understanding that several Forces were upon their march toward his Conquests to disturb his Possession and to give occasion of jealousie to his Allies he was therefore obliged to pass his Army over the Rhine And as for the Duke of Brandenburgh that the King had frequently requested him not to meddle with a War in which he had no concern And therefore if things went further they were desir'd to take notice that it was once in their power to have preserved the peace of the Empire and their own The Elector of Cologne and Bishop of Munster openly declared at the Dyet against the March of the Imperialists but the rest being for the most part Deputies could make no Reply without larger Commissions But the Duke of Hanover absolutely shew'd his dislike of their March by denying them passage through his Territories But now Sir Edw. Sprague gives us occasion to return to Sea again who being left with a Squadron to keep the Seas went to the Northwards where he spoil'd the Dutch Fishing-trade taking a Buss several Doggers and 350 Prisoners By Land Fortune might have been more kinde to a young General such as was the Prince of Orange in his first attempts but she favour'd him not at all For whereas he thought to have done great things he had still the worst in all his chiefest designes first at Woerden which he thought to have retaken from the French but being encounter'd by the Duke of Luxemburgh was forc'd to retreat with the loss of above 1500 of his men the second time at Charleroy which he had surrounded with the assistance of Count Marciâ— in order to lay a formal Siege to the place but being assail'd from without by the Sieur Montal and by the Garrison from within he was forc'd to raise his Siege and march off having lost neer 700 of his Souldiers the last in his attacque upon Swart-sluce where his designe again failing above 1600 of the Dutch came short home As for any thing else this year there was little considerable done either by the Prince Turenne or Bournonvile who was now General of the Imperialists in the place of Montecuculi Onely a kinde of Chess-play among the great Commanders and moving of the Armies from place to place as the Commanders saw most for their advantage yet for all that Turenne got ground and advanced as far as Hoxter Returning home we finde some changes of great Officers The Lord-Keeper Bridgeman desirous through Age to resigne his place the Earl of Shaftsbury was in his room made Lord-Chancellor of England and not long after the Commissioners of the Treasury laid aside and Thomas Lord Clifford Controuler made Lord High Treasurer And now the time coming on for opening the Exchequer again the King by another Declaration signified that the same inevitable Necessities still continuing which urg'd him to make the first stop did now compel him to make a second till the first of May ensuing In Holland the Duke of Luxenburgh General for the King of France taking advantage of the Frost with a great body of men advances almost as far as Leyden forces the Dutch from the strong Posts of Bodegrave Newerbrug and Swammerdam and takes them which put the Cities of Leyden and Amsterdam into such a Consternation that the Dutch to defend themselves were forc'd to cut their Dikes and put the Country under Water which caus'd such an Inundation that all the course Goods in Cellars and Ware-houses were utterly spoil'd being forcâ—d to bring all their Cattle into New Town and to kill great numbers of them meerly for want of Fodder for them But among all these disasters the retaking of Coverden did not a little revive them which they took with little loss the Bishop of Munster having drawn out a considerable part of the Garrison a little before upon some other designe Toward the beginning of December the Duke of Richmond Extraordinary Embassador from the King of England to the Court of Denmark departed this life He had been at Elsenore to dispatch the English Fleet there in a season of much Snow and very excessive Cold whence going aboard the Yarmouth-Frigat toward the Evening he return'd to shore in the ships Pinnace but in his passage was so pierc'd with the extremity of the sharp Air that before he came to the Shore he was insensible of what he did and in that condition being carried to his Calesche expired therein in his passage to Elsenore Upon his death the vacant honour of Knight of the Garter was supplied by the Earl of Southampton who was immediately Elected by the Soveraign and Companions of the Order It was no time to act but to provide for War and therefore the King in order to his preparations for the next Spring for the encouragement of his Seamen puts forth a Proclamation promising to every Seaman that would voluntarily List themselves in a Second Rate a free Largess to the value of six Weeks pay and to every one that would voluntarily List themselves in a Third Rate a free Largess to the value of one Moneths pay And further that their Pay should begin from the very first day of their Listing themselves Toward the latter end of the Year the Parliament the time of Prorogation being expired met again and being summoned to attend the King in the House of Lords the Chancellor by the King's Command acquainted them that by the advancement of Sir Edward Turner to be Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer the place of Speaker of the House was void and being thereupon directed to choose a new one they returned to the House and elected Sir Iob Charleton In the Afternoon of the same day the King met them again in the Lords House where after he had approved their choice he declared to them the success and charge of the War and his resolutions to carry it on with their assistance for the honour of the Nation which particulars were more largely insisted upon by the Lord Chancellor The
and that he did not receive the profits of it But the Emperour denied he knew of his being a Plenipotentiary and that it was not for one of his Subjects to take up Interests contrary to the Interest of his Soveraign and would not hear of his Release During these Treaties the King of France had possess'd himself of a great part of the Palatinate and had put a Garrison into Germerstein of 300 Souldiers yet proffered the Elector if he would stand Neuter to satisfie him for all his Damages and to withdraw his Souldiers out of Gemerstein and put it into the Hands of any Neutral Prince of the Empire which he refus'd upon Caprara's coming to his Succour The Switzers to hinder the King of France from coming into Burgundy offered that Burgundy might stand Neutur proffering themselves security that that Province should punctually observe the Neutrality and that they would guard the Avenues into it against any Forces of the Empire And thus stood Affairs at the end of this year Anno Dom. 1674. PEace being now concluded between the English and the Dutch this Year was not memorable for much at home The first motion of the Court this Moneth was to Windsor where the Earl of Mulgrave was Install'd Knight of the Garter This Moneth also the King by his Embassador the Lord Lockhart offer'd his Mediation between the King of France and the Queen of Spain to compose the differences betwixt them And to the end he might be no way concern'd in their differences by publick Proclamation forbid any of his Subjects to enter into the Service of any forrain Prince He also set forth a Proclamation forbidding the broaching and uttering false and scandalous News as also against any that should talk impertinently of the Government or the Governours In May Sir Lionel Ienkins and Sir Ioseph Williamson return'd to London from Cologne Who were followed into England by the Baron de Reed Van Benninghen and Van Haren Extraordinary Embassadors from the States of Holland In Iune came a strict Proclamation against the Jesuites and Friests Commanding their discovery and apprehension and promising five pounds for every one that should be discovered and taken Toward the beginning of September upon Resignation of the Duke of Buckingham the Duke of Mâ—nmouth was made Chancellor of the University of Cambridge The Ceremony was performed with all its circumstances at Worcester-house in London Not long after the Right Honourable the Earl of St. Albans having resign'd into his Majesty's Hands the Staff of Office of Lord-Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold his Majesty was pleas'd to give it to the Right Honourable the Earl of Arlington in recompence of his long and faithful Services and particularly for having performed to his Majesties satisfaction for the space of twelve years the Offiâ—e of Principal Secretary of State which his Majesty was pleas'd to conâ—er at the same time upon the Right Honourable Sir Ioseph Williamson Knight one of the Clerks then of his Majesties most Honourable Privy-Council for his long and faithful service in the said Office under Sir Edward Nicholas and the Earl of Arlington and in his place Philip Lloyd Esq was sworn one of the Clerks of the Privy-Council Upon the 22 of September his Majesty was pleas'd to cause a Proclamation to be published for the further prorogation of the Parliament from the 10 th of November till the 13 th of April ensuing In the beginning of December the Earls of Ossory and Arlington together with the Heer Odike not long before Extraordinary Embassador in England arrived at the Hagne where they went to pay their Respects to the Prince of Orange About the same time was concluded between his Majesties Commissioners and those of the States General of the Vnited Provinces a Treaty Marine for all parts of the World in pursuance of the 8 th and 9 th Articles of the late Treaty of Peace made at Westminster the February before and was after ratifi'd by the States in the beginning of February following Presently after His Majesty having been graciously pleased to Translate the Right Reverend Father in God Dr. Crew Bishop of Oxford and Clerk of the Closet to his Majesty to the Sea of Durham made choice of the Honourable Dr. Compton Brother to the Right Honourable the Earl of Northampton to succeed in his place Toward the middle of December His Majesty having been pleased at his entertainment at Guild-Hall when Sir Robert Viner was newly Lord-Mayor of the City graciously and freely to condescend to the acceptance of the Freedom of London in the Chamberlains Office from the Hands of Sir Thomas Player Chamberlain beyond the Example of any of his Predecessors The said Sir Robert Viner Lord-Mayor thereupon having first obtained his Majesties leave presented his Majesty in the Name of the City with the Copy of the Freedom in a large square Box of Massie Gold the Seal of the Freedom hanging at it enclosed in a Box of Gold set all over with large Diamonds Toward the beginning of Ianuary Her Royal Highness was brought to Bed of a Daughter Christen'd at St. Iames's by the Bishop of Durham by the Name of Catherina Laura the Duke of Monmouth being God-father and the Lady Mary and the Lady Anne God-mothers The Term begining at the latter end of Ianuary Sir Francis North the King's Attorney-General was sworn Lord Chief-Justice of the Common-Pleas in the room of Sir Iohn Vaughan deceased In the beginning of February his Majesty caused several Orders and Resolutions concerning Papists to be publish'd That the Conviction of Popish Recusants should be encouraged quickned and made Effectual That no Person of what Condition or Quality soever should presume to say Mass in any part of this Kingdom That all Persons born within His Majesties Dominions being in Orders by Authority deriv'd from the Church of Rome should depart the Kingdom by a short time prefix'd That none of His Majesties Subjects should presume to send their Children to be Educated in any Popish Colledges or Seminaries upon a strict Penalty That none of his Majesties Subjects being Popists or so reputed should presume to come into His Majesties Presence into White Hall St. James's or any place where His Majesties Court should be And Lastly That care should be taken for the suppression of Conventicles Forrein Affairs 1674. The first thing that presented it self of most Importance beyond Sea this Year was that the King of France gave order to quit all his Conquests in the Netherlands belonging to the States of Holland except Maestricht The States also to be rid of so great a trouble as the Bishop of Munsteri makes Peace with him the Baron D' Issola signing the Articles on the behalf of the Emperor The chief Articles whereof were That the Bishop should restore all places taken during the War That the Treaty of Cleves should be punctually observ'd And that the King of
Spain and the Emperor should be Warranters for the Observance And now for the better support of the Prince of Oranges Dignity the Dutch East-India Company unanimously resolv'd to give Him and his Heirs Male after him Three in the Hundred of all that their gains upon the division And then having secur'd themselves from Munster they made an agreement with Lunenburgh to keep 14000 Men in the Service of the States they paying him such a certain Sum. About this time also the difference between the King of France and the State of Genoa were wholly Reconcil'd by the Mediation of the King of England But on the other side the King of France continues his German War so that Besancon the chief City of Franche Compte falls into his hands being rendred upon ordinary Articles after a short Siege Nor did the Ciradel hold out much longer The next Town Besiegd was Dole which not being able to withstand the Fortune of the French Arms yielded it self After which Solines and Castle St. Anne being taken made the Conquest of Franche Compte compleat About the middle of Iune was fought the Battle of Sanzeime between the Marshal Turenne and the Imperialists wherein the Imperialists being far less in Number had the worst It was fought from Nine in the Morning till Night when the Imperialists finding themselves over-powr'd retir'd in very good order leaving behind about 2000 Men. Nor was the loss of the French less considerable for they lost a great many common Soldiers but more Commanders A little before this the Dutch had taken the Island of Normantier from the French where they destroy'd a great deal of Corn but not long after quitted it upon Agreement made with the Inhabitants and the Religioâ—s Order of Cistertians in that Island to pay them 14000 Crowns in four Months and for their security taking with them the Abbot and some of the Principal Islanders After that they approach'd Bell Isle intending to have made a descent there but the Castle upon the Island was too well provided for their Entertainment In August was tought the Battle or rather Notable Skirmish call'd the Battle of Seneff between the Prince of Conde and the Confederates Imperialists Dutch and Spaniards in shoâ—t thus That the Confederates Army being upon their March toward a place call'd Binch the French tell upon the Rear and forcing them to Retreat through a narrow way which they could only pass in Files put them into great Confusion upon this the French soon became Masters of the Baggagâ— and Cannon when the Prince of Orange and after that the Germans came and engaged the Enemy so that the Fight continued till Night and then the French were forc'd to retreat to their Camp and the Prince of Orange and the Imperialists remain'd Masters of the Field The Prince of Orange was in great danger having been long Engag'd with the Enemy Several Officers of Quality were slain on both sides among the rest on the Prince of Orange's part Sir Walter Vane Major-General to the Prince having bravely behav'd himself was shot in the back and knee of which he dyed soon after and of 32 Colonels of the Dutch Army 26 were either Kill'd or Wounded the stress of the Fight lying upon them Many Common Souldiers were slain on both sides though the greatest Number was reported to be lost by the French being said to be above 3000 and many more confiderable Officers than upon the Dutch side The next Attempt of the Prince of Orange and the Confederates was upon Oudenard to which they had laid a â—ormal Siege but they were soon disturb'd by the Prince of Conde upon whose Approach and Resolution to fall upon them the Confederates drew off and marched toward Ghent In November Graves a strong Town Besieg'd by the Dutch was after a rough Siege and many Assaults retaken from the French The Garrison consisting of 1600 Foot aâ—d 400 Horse marching out upon Composition And now the Army of the Confederates and the French under Turenne lying near one another produc'd some considerable Action though their wary Commanders would not put all to the push nor was the Victory fully determin'd by the grandest of their peformances In the first place 4000 French Horse most of them the Troops of the King's Houshold Commanded by Monsieur Montauban fell upon some Munster Troops and a Regiment of Imperial Cuirassiers who guarded a certain Passage and with the suddainness of the Attack put the Imperialists into disorder but Caprara's Regiment that of the Prince of Lorain and some others coming to their Assistance they gave a stop to the Enemy till such time as other Lorain-Regiments came in the Fight was sharply maintain'd on both sides but at last the French were forc'd to retire the slaughter being great on both sides but greatest on the French and among the rest Mountauban himself was taken Prisoner The next was an Engagement between the Gross Bodies of both Armies for Turenne Advancing toward Colmar found the Confederates drawn up in Battalia readily attending his coming The Fight was bloody and tedious and many of the French Commanders were slain but more common Souldiers of the Imperialists side but Night coming on all Action ceased However the French continued in Arms all Night expecting to have renew'd the Fight next Morning but when the Imperialists perceiv'd that they retreated in great Disorder to Schlestadt and repassed the Rhine at Strasburgh Turrenne made himself Master of Colmar and sent Provisions to Brisaâ— which together with his keeping the Field were the Reasons that the French concluded themselves the Victors and sung Te Deum for their success at Paris On the other side the Imperialists took themselves to be Conquerours because their loss was no greater In Flanders there was nothing remarkable only the change of the Governour For Monterey being call'd home the Duke de Villa Hermosa was sent to succeed him Anno Dom. 1675. UPon the 13 th of April both Houses of Parliament met in pursuance of their last Prorogation They sate till above a Week in Iune following But the difference between the two Houses increasing about the business of Fag and Shirley upon which four Lawyers were Committed by the Commons to the Tower His Majesty was pleased upon the 9 th of Iune to Prorogue them again till the 13 th of October following having only signed some private Bills In May arriv'd in England the Prince of Newburgh having made some stay in London he went to Oxford where he was nobly treated by the University In the Barbadoes a Conspiracy was discover'd among the Blacks to have destroy'd the English which had been carried on with great secrecy till the very time of the Execution and was begun by the Blacks belonging to Captain Swanley who was kill'd by them But the Plot being found out several were made Exemplary In New-England the Natives under King Philip Hegamore of those parts fell upon the English and kill'd several and
Mentz and Collen at odds 547 Messiah counterfeit 548 Meetings supprest 573 Middleton now a Parliamentarian General 62. Taken 301. Seeking aid from the Dutch 344. Lands in Scotland 358 Militia Ordinance 29 30. Petitioned by the Parliament 30 to 33. Messages about it ibid. On foot in Lincoln-shire 34 Mings Sir Christopher chaced the Dutch 544. Sails for the Coast of Sweden 545. General Wrangle comes aboard him ibid. Miracle ominous 390 Mohun Lord for the King Lord Hopton Sir John Berkley and Col. Ashburnham Commissioners for the King in the West 43 Montross Marq. his Battles and activity 73 74. His Declaration 254. Tragedy and death from 255 to 266. His Interment 497 Monarchy the antient and only British Government 223. Abolished in Scotland by English States 308 Monke a Colonel from Ireland to assist the King taken prisoner at Namptwich and thence to the Tower of London 53. To Ireland again 123. General his acts in Ireland for the pretended States 237. He had the honour of Dunbar 274. In Scotland 358. In Sir George Booths c. 426. Secures the Scotch Nobility 427. Declares against the proceedings of Lambert c. And secures Anabaptist Officers maintains intelligence in England and protracts time by offers of Composure 430 431. Sends Commissioners to London they agree to no purpose obtains his desire of the Scotch Convention 432. Signifies his coming to London 435. His passage and Narrative of his Cabal 436 437. Thanked by the Parliament 442. The great instrument of the Restitution Meets the King at Dover 450. Dignified with the Order of the Garter 451. With the title of Duke of Albemarle 455 Monmoth betrayed and regained 64 Monmouth Duke made Capt. Kings Guard 568. His valour at Maestricht 596. Made Chancellor of Cambridge 599 Monro Sir George defeated 247. His enterprize in Ulster 250 Modiford Sir Thomas in Jamaica 530 Mordant Lord John seized 403. Tryed and quitted 404. Summoned 423 Morris Col. Executed 254 Moor Lord 240 Morpeth Earl affronted in Holland 532 Moreland Sir Samuel 448 Mother of Cromwel dies 366 Montague Gen. 416. Dignified with the Earldome of Sandwich 455. To Algier and Lisbon 500. Brings home the Queen 507 Mulgrave Earl made Knight of the Garter 598 Munster success in Holland 544 Munson Lord Sir Henry Mildmay and Wallop Sentenced 501 Musco alteration in their Religion intended 558 Myn Colonel slain and his party routed by Massey 64 N Naerden taken from the Dutch 597 Nailor James the Quaker personates our Saviour 384. Sentenced ibid. Released by the Rump 426 Newburg Prince arrives in England 602 Newberry disorders 525 Newark yielded 701 Newcastle Earl afterwards Marquiss 42. Besieged in York 58. Disswades fighting after the defeat at Marston-moor sets sail for Hamburgh with most of the Nobility and Officers of his party 61 Newcastle taken 67 New-park given the City by the Rump 235 News of the Change by Cromwel acceptable to the King at Paris 344 New-buildings 392 Nimmegen taken 586 No Address votes 162 Nobility of the Loyal and Presbyterian party 444 Noblemen English for the Scotch peace against Strafford's advice 15. Summoned to a general Council at York ibid. Conclude the Peace ibid. Secured by the Rump in the Tower 753 Nobles their Catalogue 488 Nonconformists increase in the Reigns of Qu. Elizabeth and King James 2 Indulged 582 Norfolk-Insurrection 278 Northampton burnt 602 North Sir Francis Lord Chief-Iustice of the Common-pleas 599 Northumberland Earl General of the Scots second expedition 22. His reasons to reject the Ordinance for the Trial of the King 194 Northampton Earl 42. Killed 44 Northern Counties oppressed by the Scots 120 Norton Colonel 66 Norwich Earl General in Kent at Rochester and Black-heath at Bow and Stratford 174 Nuntio of the Popes in Ireland his business 123. Party in Ireland 238 Nye one of the Commissioners for approbation with Lockier 359 O Oblivion Act by the Parliament 309 Oblivion Act by the King 456. Another 590 Obstructions in sales of Kings and Queens Lands c. removed 310 Okey Col. dismist from Command 366 Okey Berkstead and Corbet seized in Holland tried and Executed 505 506 Omens and Prognostications of the Dutch War 315 O Neal Hugh put into Clonmel 248. Defends it very handsomly 252 O Neal joyns with the Independant-party 237 O Neal Sir Phelim hanged 333 Opdam made Lieutenant-Admiral in place of Van Tromp 349 Orange Prince arrives in England 578. Made Captain-General in Holland 579 584. Declared Stadtholder 586 Order for the Murther and Execution of the King 217 Ordinances of Parliament obeyed as Acts 36. For tryal of the King disputed and thrown aside by the Lords entituled by the Iuncto and passed as an Act 194 to 196. Ordinances published in Parliament 364 Orleans Dutchess comes into England 577. Dies ibid. Ormond Marquiss Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland 53. Capitulates with the Parliament Commissioners 164. Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland 238. He hath no power to punish any faults or Delinquents 243. Recruits his Forces and Garrison-Towns ibid. Makes agreement with O Neal by means of Daniel O Neal his Nephew 244. Resolves to fight Cromwel before Duncannon 246. Before Carrick 247. But disappointed he leaves Ireland 277. Hardly escapes out of Sussex 401. Main Instrument of the Restitutioâ— Made Earl of Brecknock 455. To Ireland Lord-Lieutenant 511. Duke of Ormond Chancellor of Oxford 571. Assaulted in the Night 578 Osborne Sir Thomas Lord-Treasurer 591 Other House meet and fawn upon the Commons 399. The Names of the Members ibid. Overton Maj. Gen. seized in Scotland 366 Overton Colonel 469 Owen Dr. preacheth before the Protector and Parliament 382 Owen Ro the great Rebel dies 248 Oxford the Kings chief Quarters and Court 47. Besieged by Fairfax 75. Yielded 106 P Pack Alderman 374 and 386 Palaffi Imbre revolts from the Emperour 548 Parliament in Ireland 4. Grant Subsidies to carry on the Scotch War 20 Parliament in England called and dissolved and why 12 Parliament in Scotland and Assembly and adjourned 17. Meet again and order their Army to march into England 13 Parliament meets at Oxford 56 Long Parliament 15. Enact a Triennial one 18. Deny his Majesties desire of going for Ireland the reasons 32 33. Forbid any resort to the King but his Servants Arm the several Counties Admit of no ways of accommodation 35. Arm and fight c. and having prevailed agree not about disposing the King 113 114 121. Buy the King from the Scots after much tampering and send Propositions to the King 118 119 121. Are refractory to all his condescentions offers and messages as appears 121. New Speakers 139. Fugitive Members sit with the Army in Council 140. Constrained to humour a Treaty in the Isle of Wight 158. Four Bills passed as Preliminaries with Proposals ibid. Necessitated to vote a personal Treaty the votes of Non-addresses cancell'd 180 181. Agree to his Majesties condescention as a ground for Peace 192. Forced by the Army ibid. Turned into a Iuncto 193. Parliament-men twelve a penny 339. Dissolved the manner of
In this condition some 100 of the most faithful and cordial of the party Hungry Sleepy and Weary having staid no where reached Southmolton in Devonshire hoping at worst to get away by Sea but that night on the 15 of March their Quarters were beaten up by Captain Crook about ten a clock and some Houses forced but Colonel Penruddock maintained his quarters till he had Quarter promised and Articled which Crook afterwards unworthily and basely denied There were taken with him Colonel Iones a Kinsman of Cromwel's and Colonel Grove an old Royalist and some 60 other Prisoners and 120 Horse Sir Ioseph Wagstaff Mr. Robert Mason Esquire Clark and Mr. Thomas Mompesson escaped beyond Sea and so this unhappy effort was suppressed There were some shadows of the like at Rufford-Abbey in Nottinghamshire at Hessen-moor in York-shire neer Wrexham in Montgomery in Northumberland for which some were Executed and a like rumour of a designe upon Shrewsbury Sir Henry Slingsby in Custody and Sir Richard Maleverer and Mr. Hutton taken who fled for it and were retaken at Chester from whence they made a final escape and Sir Thomas Harris and the Lord Newport secured therâ—upon but all vanished and came to nothing and those mighty and pregnant hopes of the King's Restitution now in every mans Mouth and Wish proved frustraneous hac vice and Oliver very prajeant that he could thus over-reach the King in his own Designes This Treason came to be discovered to the King in this manner Some Gentlemen that were seized upon their coming home having visited his Majesty at Colen who was pleased upon their parting to go to the Stairs head with them and expressed some good apprecations of a designe which at their Examination were verbatim interrogated if they were not spoken at such a time Advice hereof was given to the King who remembring none but Colonel Tukâ— and this Manning who light the Candle to be present at the parting the same time declared the whole matter to the Colonel who surprized with the news having protested his Innocency by the Kings command went directly to Manning's Chamber and not staying the opening of the Door forced it and found him a chawing of Papers and a Packet by him newly come from Thurloe but so agast that he knew not what to say His Father had been slain a Colonel in the Kings Service as is afore related he himself had been the Earl of Pembroke's Secretary and for these considerations admitted into this Trust which he so basely abused At the instance of the whole Court the King was prevailed upon to let him be shot in one of the Castles of the Duke of Newburgh to terrifie all other faithless and disloyal Servants and to satisfie for some of that Blood Cromwel had spilt upon the score of his Perâ—idy where he wretchedly and most abjectly died Cromwel had drawn 4000 Foot out of Ireland under Colonel Axtel and Sadler and 600 Horse were marching out of Scotland two Troops whereof came from Ireland by that short cut of Sea to Ayre but upon the quelling of this Western-rising they all were remanded In February happened another terrible Fire in Fleet-street neer the Horn-Tavern which begun in a Grocers house and consumed eleven more the like happened at Aberfoyle in Scotland but far greater for quantity Major Wildman a great Leveller was taken neer Marleborough inditing Declarations against the Protector and was committed to Chepstow and the Lord Gray of Grooby was brought Prisoner to Leicester but upon application made to Oliver not long after released Lockhart one of the Scotch Judges Married Oliver's Niece about this time and grew famous thereby in the process of the Rebellion The regulation of Chancery and Hackney-Coaches took force now Another horrible Fire in Thredneedle-street to the loss of 200000 l. and upwards One Harris that was Hanged afterwards in 1661. for Counterfeiting the Lord Chancellor Hide 's Hand and breaking of a house therewith by armed Souldiers and was one of those that carried a Javelin at the Kings Martyrdome about this time Cheated one Manton and other Merchants with a counterfeit License as from Cromwel for Importing some Oyls and Whalebone from Holland which were forbidden by the Act and got neer 1000 l. of them Commissary-General Reynolds was made a kinde of Major-General of North-Wales which Module obtained all over England soon after but this was the proto-type The insensible and uâ—regarded growth of all Heresie and Errour in this licentious Toleration which invaded the Church among many other most pernicious Tenets besides c. made the Socinian to pass unobserved in this Chronicle since it would have been an Augean labour to cleanse the Current of time from that Sink and Colluvious Filth of those Monstrous Opinions Upon this score the Racovian-Catechism its divulgation and the suppression of it by the Ececutioner's Hands in the Fire came to be omitted in the year preceding As likewise Biddle the famous Seducer and Teacher of those Blasphemous Principles who was by this Dumb Parliament as Oliver called it committed to the Gate-house and thence sent to a remote Prison and his Books Burnt in the same manner besides the Englishing of the Alchoran and the three Grand Impostors damned for shame mist his due observation which therefore are here added in the close of this year Anno Dom. 1655. THe Cabal of Cardinal Mazarine and Cromwel's designe was now visible in the West-Indies and that formidable and amusing Expedition displayed to those parts of the World The rich Conceits the Usurper cherished from thence appeared in those frequent divertisements he gave himself beyond his usual reservedness and from that more than ordinary Pomp and State he arrogated to himself like another Grand Seignior nothing but Golden Smiles to be seen in his Court where the solemn Cringe and the parasitical Glaver were as much now studied to humour this Greatness as matriculating and introducing Piety and austere Hypocrisie And never was such a strange mixture in the Arts of any Courtier as these Times beheld much like the mysteries of the as strangely framed and tempered Government With much impatience did all men indeed await the issue of this grand Affair and to be certain the Hours could not be less tedious to them to whom belonged the approaching Golden Age but Parturiunt montes The following abstract will admonish the great ones that Fortune is not to be over-tempted and that without the Concurrence of good Deliberation Conduct and Valour she is not always obliged to her Favourites But to proceed during the abode of the Fleet at Barbadoes the Generals Colonels and inferiour Officers were not negligent in their several stations General Pen caused the Carpenters of each ship to set up those Shallops which were brought over in quarters out of England and ordered the Coopers to trim and fit Water-Casks Besides he sent two Frigats to St. Christophers and Mevis for raising
of Voluntiers there In the mean time General Venables formed a new Regiment of Seamen to serve upon occasion at Land these were put under the conduct of Vice-Admiral Goodson the rest of the Regiments brought out of England were easily compleated to a full number likewise a Troop of gallant Horse were raised by the Islanders at their own cost and charges the Carcases of which were afterwards buried in the Souldiers Bellies for want of better food But these were not all the strength for the Planters Servants understanding that if they would serve the State their time should still go on and that at last in spight of their Masters they should enjoy their Freedoms in as ample a manner as if they had served them this spurred them on to become Souldiers of Fortune and many were presently listed into several Regiments accordingly The Fleet was also augmented by twenty sail of Dutch Vessels which were made prize for presuming to traffique with Prohibited Goods contrary to the Articles of Peace betwixt the two Nations The Land-Army being now in readiness their number was found to be so great that every ships share was as many as it could carry March 31 they set Sail from Barbadoes and in six days after came by the Lee under St. Christophers Here joyned with them about 1300 more which came off from several Islands in hopes to be made for ever from hence they shaped their course directly for Hispaniola On the 13 of April the whole Navy came fair by the Island and plainly discovered the sown of Sancta Domingo Immediately hereupon a Council was called and the Guides consulted withal here it was concluded that General Venables should to Land According to which resolution the next day he landed about ten Leagues to the West-ward of the Town with 7000 Foot a Troop of Horse and three days Provision of Victuals No sooner were they landed but every mans Tongue was tipt with Gold nothing could be thought on but the plunder of Plate and Jewels small things could not enter their minds as for Hangings Housholdstuff c. they would be cumbersome to carry and therefore they resolved to leave such things behinde them In this extasie of joy was the Souldiery when behold upon a sudden there appeared a Procâ—amation from the General commanding that when they entred the Town of Sancta Domingo no man should plunder either Money Plate or Jewels neither kill any tame Cattle on pain of Death This made the Army look Sower on their imaginary Sweetness their Golden Hearts were now turned to Leaden Heels so that it was indifferent to them whether they went farther or tarried there yet for all this on they marched through Woods of incredible thickness meeting no Enemy except the excessive heat of the Sun which caused an intolerable drought that oppressed them sorely having not had one drop of Water in many miles march but what they carried in their own Bladders so that Urine was as White-wine to them that could swallow it General Pen after the landing of these men set ashore three Regiments more under the Command of Colonel Buller in a Bay where a fair Fresh-water-River disburdened it self this was within two Leagues of the Town and appointed to be the place for conjunction of the whole Army It was not long before the General according to the appointment having peaceably past the Woods came to the River and joyned himself with Buller's Brigade Here upon view the Army was sound to be 9700 but few fighting men From this River the Army hasted away to take possession of the Town which in imagination was already won there marched on before the rest a Forlorn Hope consisting of 500 men afterward followed the main Body of the Army In this order they marched within four miles of the Town when on the sudden a small party of Spaniards encountered the Forlorn Hope and in an instant forced them in confusion through the next Regiment which was also routed the Body of the Army coming up to their rescue made the Enemy to retire to a Fort hard by in the Woods without any considerable loss at all to the Spaniards On the English side was slain Captain Cox the chief Guide for the place and many others The General having now seen the imbecility of his men through want of Water and many other necessaries he caused them to march back again to the River from whence they came to refresh themselves in order to a full prosecution of the designe in hand To which end Scaling-Ladders were made and two small Drakes mounted with a Morter-piece and Granado-shells which were landed from the Fleet these were conveyed by Water to be set on shore at a convenient place neer the Fort. All things being now in readiness to try conclusions the Army once again dislodged and were by the Guides promised to be brought upon the Town of St Domingo by a private way where they might pass thorough the Woods free from any Fort. Such a way there certainly was but these blinde Guides taking another to be it the whole Army were brought neer to the place where before they had been shamefully repulsed The Spaniards in the mean time having certain intelligence by Negroes and Molattoes of the English march prepared to entertain them in their passage April 25 1655. the whole Army approached near to a Fort which the Spaniards had in the Wood built of Brick in a triangular form without Flankers in it were nine pieces of good Ordnance and 300 resolute fellows to manage them The English Army a little before noon approaching neer this Fort were upon the sudden charged by a party of the Enemy that lay undiscovered among the Trees These resolute Spaniards being about seventy in number at first fired a round Volley of small shot upon the Forlorn Hope and then flew in like mad-men with their sharp Steel-Lances upon the English who were already even suffocated with Thirst and hardly able to stand much less to fight so that in a moment the General 's running-Regiment with half the Army flew back to the Rear and possest their fellows there with such a Pannick fear that every one began to shift for himself Mean while the Spaniards pursued the Victory with the greatest slaughter they were able to make for meeting with no resistance but what that ever-Renowned Gentleman Major-General Hayns was able to make with twelve men whom he engaged by the honour of their Country one whereof was Ensigne Boys who died not unrevenged in the midst of their Enemies they wreaked their fury at pleasure on these frighted men till at last being overcome with killing they retreated back in Triumph with seven English Colours the evident Trophies of their Victory The retreat of the Enemy gave opportunity for the Living to number the Dead Upon view it was found that 600 were slain outright 300 Wounded most in their backs and besides 200 more crept into Bushes and ran away