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A95892 Magnalia Dei Anglicana. Or, Englands Parliamentary chronicle. Containing a full and exact narration of all the most memorable Parliamentary mercies, and mighty (if not miraculous) deliverances, great and glorious victories, and admirable successes, ... from the yeer, 1640. to this present year, 1646. Compiled in four parts; the two first, intituled, God in the mount. The third, Gods ark overtopping the worlds waves; the fourth, The burning-bush not consumed: this last part, comming up to these present times, and to our most renowned generall, Sir Thomas Fairfaxes late famous actions, in the west, and the happy (because unbloody) rendition of Oxford, in this present yeer, 1646. Collected cheifly for the high honour of our wonder working God; and for the unexpressible comfort of all cordiall English Parliamentarians. / By the most unworthy admirer of them, John Vicars.; God in the mount. Part 4 Vicars, John, 1579 or 80-1652. 1646 (1646) Wing V319; Thomason E348_1; ESTC R201016 408,597 484

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not accepted and Hostages sent before eight a clock in the morning the nineteenth of this instant for surrender of the Town at or before Munday next they shall then bee altogether void and have no effect But in place of accepting the above Conditions which the Governour himself did afterwards acknowledge most honourable they not only returned this following Answer whereby their judiciall induration and obstinacy may appear but the Governour likewise the same morning while the Army was in action sent out a Letter to my Lord Sinclair full of mockeries and incivilities but before that day ended hee changed his strain and was resolved of his scruple whether there was such a man that had the name of Leven Answer of their three Commissioners to the Lord Generall his last Letter with the Articles Octob. 19. My Lord VVEE received your Letter wherein you say wee cannot make good that your Commissioners demands are against either his Majesties honour or the welfare of Newcastle Wee will give you but one reason amongst many whether it bee for his Majesties honour that the Town of Newcastle should be rendred to any of another Nation nay more if it bee for the honour of the English Parliament and that it is not for our welfare is so clear needs no answer And wheras you say you wonder wee are not ashamed to be so delatory having demanded a Treaty We say we wonder you can be so forgetfull knowing we have your Letter to show that the Treaty was your own motion but for Answer to the rest and to your Articles Wee say the delivery of Newcastle is not of so small moment but if you intend as you say time may well bee given till munday for giving answer for in case wee should give consent to let you have this Town there are divers more Articles then you have set down both fit for us to demand and you to grant Therefore if you would shun effusion of blood-shed as you professe forbeare your acts of Hostility untill wee give you Answer upon Munday wherein wee will not faile otherwise wee doubt not but God will require an account at your hands and besides will keep and preserve us from your fury So expecting your Answer Wee rest Your Friends Jo. Marlay Nich. Cole G. Baker Newcastle 19. Octob. 1644. The Letter sent by the Governor to my Lord Sinclair Octob. 19 My Lord I Have received divers Letters and Warrants subscribed by the name of Leven but of late can hear of none that have seen such a man besides there is strong report hee is dead therefore to remove all scruples I desire our Drummer may deliver one Letter to himself thus wishing you could think on some other course to compose the differences of these sad distracted Kingdomes than by battering Newcastle and annoying us who never wronged any of you for if you seriously consider you will finde that these courses will aggravate and not moderate distempers but I will referre all to your own consciences and rest Your Friend John Marlay Newcastle 19. Octob. By these former Letters Answers and Replies it is more than manifest how perversly obstinate the Enemy was and how carefully and patiently they were sought after but seeing their obstinacy desperate and incurable it was full time to proceed to action for the condition of the Army which had endured much hardship and of the Mines which were alwayes in hazard of discovery as they had formerly destroyed some seven or eight and the approaching Winter could not well admit of further delayes and thereupon October 19. early in the morning the Cannon began to play upon the walls from their severall Batteries while 8 a clock at which time the Hostages should have come out or otherwise they were to expect the extremities of Warre but since none came the service continued from all the Batteries and the Regiments were drawn up standing to their armes while the breaches were in readinesse and the Mines sprung About three a clock in the afternoon the Enemy by their countermines had very neer approached some chambers where the powder was lodged for blowing up the walls which being signified to his Excellency he forthwith ordered that fire should bee given to these two mines endangered and thereafter to maintain the breaches carefully while the generall assault should bee made from all quarters a little after the day failing and the breaches being made though not so large and passable as was needfull for so desperate service the word was given and the sign made to give fire to the rest of the Mines and for the Regiments to advance all at once towards the breaches and those places of the wall which were opened by the mine but they met with no small opposition and nothing was left undone by the Enemy to repell the fury of the assault They played very hotly and desperately from the Castle upon the breaches and from the ●●anking-towers of the walls with scattered shot yet the Regiments advanced without any shrinking though the Cannon played from many places upon their full open bodies so that the difficile accesse to the breaches and the mighty advantages of their walls and works within the Town made a considerable losse of Souldiers and Officers of good quality yet notwithstanding all difficulties and resistances they acquit themselves as become a people that considered the importance of so high a cause and minded nothing but the happinesse of both Kingdomes and after two houres very hot dispute upon the breaches they found their first entry at the mine sprung on the West side of the Town neer to Close-gate and after their entry were furiously charged three severall times by the horse which were in Town but the charge was gallantly sustained and the place maintained while the reserve of that post came to assist thereafter they marched for the releif of the rest of the breaches and so the Souldiers gave over and forsook the walls and the whole body almost of the Army entring they became Masters of the Town which tasted of no lesse mercy and favour after the Victory than they found valour in obtaining the same for after their entry the Souldiers did quite vanish sheltring themselves in houses the Inhabitants kept close their doores the Regiments marched thorow the streets without any insolency or disorder never offering once to rifle a house or cut off either Citizen or Souldier they were presently after their entry in peaceable possession of all the corners and streets and on a sudden all tumult feare and noyse did cease Upon the first entry the Governour Lodovick Lyndesay sometime Earl Crawfoord the Lord Maxwell Doctor Wishart a man of a dangerous temper who had seasoned the people both before and the time of the siege with bitter Malignancy Mr. Gray and Alvay and others of the perverse crew authours of all the evils which might justly have falne upon the Town so exceedingly obstinate according to the rule of Warre did all betake themselves
to the Castle whence they cast over a white flag and beat a Parlee but before notice could bee taken thereof all the service was neer done The principall houses of the Town were preserved from plundering by the Officers the Common Souldiers that night after they had long kept their arms without doing any wrong or violence entred some houses of the meaner sort not safeguarded and did a little pillage and take away the goods out of them but lesse than ever any people or Army did in the like case which was the testimony of the most Malignants and Papists themselves expressing in these very words that no History can parallell where lesse cruelty and insolency and more mercy were shewn in any Town gained by storm which ought to bee no small matter of gloriation when the Enemies are constrained to acknowledge that the wayes and practises of those who have often declared the purity of their intentions are now found out to bee nothing different from their profession and indeed it were to bee wished that the well-affected in the Kingdom had as great feeling of the advantage given to the cause and the good they received since the comming in of that Army to England as the enemies to the peace and happinesse of both Nations are sensible of the hurt done to them and their designes But to return The Town being that same night secured and the Guards carefully appointed at the breaches and by the water-side to watch the escape of those who were within and with so much losse and paines now caught in the snare Next day thereafter being the Lords Day his Excellency did likewise enter the Town and with the Generall Officers and others of the Army did goe to the Church straightway and gave thanks to God that hee was pleased even according to the words and wishes of their Enemies to prosper and blesse his People according to the justnesse of their Cause The Governour who was lately so pertinacious and high minded that hee would neither hearken himself to any thing which might tend to the preservation of the Town but likewise published Proclamations that none should presume to speak of any compliance to a surrender did now become a humble suiter to the Lord Generall whom hee thought not to bee in the world that morning that his Excellence would bee pleased to suffer him and those that were with him in the Castle to depart to the Kings next Garrison as may appear by the following Letter wherein you see him a humble supplicant though in some of his former a scornfull Prophet A Letter sent by Sir John Marlay sometimes Governour of Newcastle to his Excellence from the Castle the day after the Town was taken Octob. 20. My Lord ALthough you have the fortune of War against mee and that I might I confesse have had honourable tearmes from your Excellency Yet I hope your Noblenesse will not think worse of mee for doing my endevours to keep the Town and to discharge the trust reposed in mee having had strong reasons so to doe as is known to many And now whereas I am compelled to betake my self to this Castle I shall desire that I and those with mee may have our Liberty and your Licence to stay or goe out of the Town with your safe Passe to his Majesties next Garrison which is not beleaguered with our Horses Pistolls and Swords And to have 14 dayes time to dispatch our Journey so many as please to goe And truely my Lord I am yet confident to receive so much favour from you as that you will take such care of mee as that I shall receive no wrong from the ignoble spirits of the vulgar sort for I doubt no other I must confesse I cannot keep it long from you yet I am resolved rather than to bee a spectacle of misery and disgrace to any I will bequeath my soule to him that gave it and then referre my body to bee a spectacle to your severity But upon these tearmes abovesaid I will deliver it to you and so intreating your Answer I rest Your friend and servant John Marley From the Castle in Newcastle the 21 of Octob. 1644. For his Excellency the Earl of Leven Generall of the Scottish Army Compare this Letter with that which hee sent out the day before then look what a day may produce And now could there bee any thing more just than to deny favour to a man so eminent in all the wayes of Malignancy so wicked an instrument One who had so exceedingly provoked the Army and had sleighted all gracious offers of Peace Hee is now overtaken in his season and as God in his Justice had decreed and his Servants foretold those enemies to the peace of the Kingdom in these parts are overthrown and were forced to surrender the Castle and come out upon mercy Sir John Marley was committed to his house by a strong guard to defend him from the fury of the incensed people for hee is hated and abhorred of all and hee brought many Families to ruine The rest that were in the Castle have likewise in constrained humility submitted themselves and are rendred Prisoners though not many dayes before these peaceable Divines taught the people that it was more lawfull one of them to eate another than to hearken to the Scottish Traytors or comply with them in any sort The Town is now in as good condition as ever any Town reduced by the extremity of Warre and thereupon exposed to the rapine of Souldiers which oft times is unavoidable All care was had to preserve the houses and goods of the Inhabitants so farre as possibly could bee done and to that effect many Proclamations made That no Officer nor Souldier should presume to trouble nor plunder the house of any under the pain of death And that better obedience might bee given thereto and all occasions of tumults wrongs and oppressions might the better bee avoided It was Ordered that no Officer nor Souldier should stay in the Town without speciall Order but to return to the Leaguer and his former Quarters And likewise for the further weale and ease of the Town the Quarters of the whole Army are enlarged and none ordained to stay in Town but the proper Garrison This is the true Relation of the successe of the Scottish Army against Newcastle whereby it would appear that God delights to co-operate with his Armies The best use that can bee made thereof and of all other Victories is to make them steps of advancement for the Reformation begun and great encouragement to expede the Work in hand and beat down all difficulties A Letter from the Committee at the Scottish Army to the Committee of both Kingdomes Right Honourable VVEE know not any better use you or wee can make of the great successe wherewith it hath pleased God to blesse our attempts against this Town than to make it evident to the world that Truth and Peace are the utmost of our desires and designes
Worcestershire which Letter comming to my hands I have heer for the Readers better content and satisfaction inserted which was as followeth SIR I Sent you by an expresse which was carryed into Banbury the relation of a great Victory which God in mercy gave unto us against Prince Maurice his Horse And of my apprehension of a very happy opportunity for the reducing of that County to the obedience of the Parliament were some wants of ours supplyed All the Enemies horse in Worcestershire particularly Prince Maurice his Regiment Sir John Knotsfords Regiment with the County Troop commanded by Captain Wilde the Reformado Troop commanded by Captain Pitchard and the Hartlebury Troop commanded by Captain Gunter being all between 5 or 600 Horse drew up and faced Warwick upon a hill about a mile distant from the Town Warwickeshire horse being a day before drawn away towards Gloucester the remaining forces heer belonging to Warwick as also those of our Horses remaining in Warwick were immediately commanded forth Viz. 20 horse that appertained to Colonell Bridges 2 Captains of our Committee viz. Captain Milward with his Troop and Captain Halford with so many Horse as could immediately bee got ready Also 2 Troopes consisting of about 80 Horse which came before from Newport Pagnell marching towards Gloucester So that in all wee drew out a party of about 150 Horse which Major Hawksworth commanded and 200 Foot commanded by Major Bridges It pleased God that after some houres skirmishing with them ours twice charging them through and through with admirable courage the Enemy giving ground and retreating till they came to a Lane and place of advantage that our Horse charged them again Captain Pitchard was shot and taken prisoner by our Captain Halford who expressed much courage and singled out Major Pilkinton and after they had each of them discharged their Pist●ls fell to it with their swords Captain Halford struck off his head-peice and perriwigge with the first blow and with the next gave him a wound on his head Captain Halford seeing Major Hawksworth dangerously engaged amongst the Enemies Horse made up to his releif with his Cornet Parsons and releived him only his Cornet was shot through his neck but the wound not mortall The issue of all was this the whole body of the Enemy utterly routed about 60 prisoners taken amongst which the great Philistine Pitchard Captain of the Reformadoes being shot in foure places was taken prisoner Also Captain George Action Captain Souch Cartwright Son to Sir Philip Cartwright late Governo●r of Jersey with other Officers and Gentlemen of quality Amongst others that were slain besides Major Pilkinton who commanded in cheif one of the Bar●sleyes a Gentleman of a good family in our County and divers others not yet known Wee brought off at least 140 Horse taken from the Enemy and the whole body of them scattered all to peices by 8 miles 〈◊〉 This great body of the Enemy being all their Horse appertaining to them in our County was thus broken by the gallantry of our men In this action I give not any eminent or particular mark of bravery on any one all doing so exceeding well But the valour of Major Hawksworth was so much taken notice of by the Enemy that they termed him The Devill in Buffe Were wee able to follow the blow and so keep down their now dejected spirits Our friends here of whom you have heard much would doubtlesse bee more bold and appear in our behalf and of how great consequence that may bee I forbeare to expresse Guy Mouldsworth Leivtenant Colonell to the Princes own Regiment was taken and engaged his honour to bee a true prisoner Wee understand by the Trumpeter this day that hee intends to come and resigne up himself to us This Captain Pitchard is a pernicious villain who the day before hee was taken pulled down the house of one Mr. Hunt a Member of our Committee I pray you bee a petitioner to the Parliament that hee may not bee exchanged without us hee being our prisoner as also that wee may bee permitted to secure our prisoners in Warwick castle which hitherto hath not been granted us which besides the hazzard hath occasioned great expence wee being necessitated to hire Keepers to look to them I have omitted one thing which is the wonder of the mercy that in all this service which lasted many houres wee lost not one man only our Cornet Parsons wounded The enemy had plundered the Country of 200 beasts and had robbed some Carriers of their Cloath all which wee rescued and restored Wee have had 2 Trumpeters from Worcester to know what prisoners wee have their Letters ask not after any particulars but wee know they misse many There are hitherto of all the Enemies Horse not above 50 returned to Worcester which dropt in by two or three at a time and being rid so exceeding hard it is beleived are made unserviceable Your affectionate Servant N. L. About the 22 of this instant Aprill wee received certain intelligence by Letters from about Oxford both from renowned Leivtenant Generall Cromwell from valiant and active Major Generall Brown and others of credit and repute in their Armies of divers memorable victories and brave defeats given to the Enemy at the then siege of Oxford by ever to bee honoured Sir Thomas Fairfax Generall of the Parliaments Armies over the whole Kingdom and now thus farre advanced into the field and set down before Oxford which victories being all exactly set forth in their Letters to the Parliament and to severall friends in London I shall heer for the Readers better content and satisfaction set down the most materiall things extracted and faithfully collected out of their severall Letters which were as followeth Upon the 23 of this instant Aprill there were quartered between 2 and 3000 horse about Oxford to stop the Kings Artillery and Carriages from passing out which were ready in Oxford with a Convoy to march as intelligence was given toward Rupert And Leivtenant Generall Cromwell having intelligence that they intended to passe through Shotover-Wood hee drew toward Woodstock and so thereabout toward Islip to bee ready to attend their motion in case they came that way At last hee had intelligence that about 100 horse and foot were marching toward him wherupon some of our men shewed themselves in a small party which drew the Enemy neer and Command was given by Leivtenant Generall Cromwell that all our Forces should bee in a readinesse and upon their watch all the night for fear of the Enemy which was carefully done the Leivtenant Generall himself being in his own person to encourage them all the while with them for there came intelligence that the Enemy intended to watch an opportunity to take our Forces at an advantage and so to set suddenly upon them of which our security they much presumed but found our men too vigilant for them For ere ours were looked for by the Enemy Leivtenant Generall
into the House of Commons and had 30 pound given him as a reward The Enemy quitted 3 small Garrisons neer Bridgewater upon the taking thereof And that which yet more excellently and eminently sweetens this great mercy unto us was that it pleased the Lord who is the only true God that heares prayers that this great blessing was granted unto us upon Tuesday July the 22. which was a day set apart in London in a speciall manner to seek the Lord by prayer and humiliation for this very thing which I say the Lord gave in unto us on the same day wee sought it as a most certain and blessed return of Prayer O who then would not still and for ever trust such a gracious God and benigne and bountifull Lord and Master And heer also I have fit opportunity to give my Reader one note more touching this businesse of Bridgewater viz. That one Mr. Peters being sent from thence by Sir Tho. Fairfax our most renowned Generall with his own Letter to the Parliament for the confirmation of the truth of the premises touching the storming and winning of Bridgewater Hee also brought with him 3 Commissions out of the West which hee then also presented to the House of Commons The Contents of which were from the Prince to one Mr. Philips a Gentleman of that Country to raise a Regiment of horse a Regiment of foot and a Regiment of Dragoones The Commissions were dated in January last There were likewise other papers from the said Prince Charles by which the whole design of the Clubmen was made manifest and how they were drawn into a snare to fight against the Parliament and to gather themselves together in such a mutinous manner and into disorderly bodies without any heads till Commanders were sent and set over them But as in part yee have heard it pleased the Lord to frustrate their policies and to bring their mischeif upon their own heads apparently seen by the late comming in of the Sommersetshire Clubmen to the assistance of our noble Generall Sir Thomas and their late frequent galling of Gorings Army But now to proceed See still good Reader the admirable and unexhaustible bounty of our good God for the taking of Bridgewater was not all the good news which this 26 day of July produced unto us for on the very same day Sir Rowland Edgerton who came with a Letter out of the North intimating the surrender of the strong Castle of Pontefract was also called into the House of Commons to relate the manner of it which hee did and had thanks returned by the House for his speciall service and diligence in it When hee came away our Souldiers had entred the Castle wherein was exceeding great store of treasure and much Ammunition The particulars of the surrender of which said Castle was thus related in a Letter sent from the Committee at York to the Parliament To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons SIR VVEE thought fit the last week to summon Pontefract-Castle which caused the Enemy to desire a Treaty Whereupon Colonell Wastell Col. Copley Col. Overton Col. Bright or any three of them were authorized to treat and this day it was agreed that the Castle shall bee delivered up to the use of the Parliament to morrow at 8 of the clock in the morning with all the things therein save that the Officers were allowed to carry away what is properly their own so that it exceed not what a cloak-bagge will contain and the Souldiers to march to Newark with 200 Muskets and 200 Pikes Wee consented to so good conditions because the Plague was very hot in the Countrey and especially in that Town of which some of our Souldiers are dead Wee are also in Treaty with Scarborough which wee hope shortly will bee reduced Thus much wee thought fit to give you notice of desiring the House may bee acquainted therewith From Your very affectionate Friends and humble Servants Francis Pierrepont Wilfrid Lawson Henry Cholmley York the 20 of July 1645. And upon the 28 instant wee received most certain intelligence by Letters out of the North of the happy surrender also of the strong Castle of Scarborough to that most valiant and brave Commander and loyall Patriot Colonell Boynton who lay before it as Commander in cheif of those forces since the decease of that thrice noble and renowned Souldier and pious Cornelius Sir John Meldrum Which said strong Castle was surrendred on fair conditions Viz. That Sir Hugh Cholmley that wicked Apostate should march out with his forces to Newark if hee pleased or bee transported into Holland which indeed hee desired In the Castle hee left great store of Armes and Ammunition and 25 peices of Ordnance And about the 29 of this instant July came certain intelligence to the House of Commons in Parliament by Letters from the Scottish Army at Ludbury in Wales concerning the taking in of Cannon-Froom a strong and considerable Garrison of the Enemies which was taken by assault in which storm at least 70 of the Enemies were slain and but 8 of the Scots and some 20 hurt The Governour Colonell Barnold was therein taken prisoner and mortally wounded in the fight together with Captain Brisk Captain Houk and 30 other prisoners and all the Ordnance Armes and Ammunition therein seized on for the King and Parliament And the House of Commons had debate touching this and all the good service of our loyall Brethren of Scotland and Ordered that a Letter of Thanks should bee sent to the Earl of Leven signed by Mr. Speaker in acknowledgement of his faithfull Service for this Kingdom and farther therefore Ordered that a Jewell of 500 pound should bee with all covenient speed sent to the Earl of Leven and bee bestowed upon him as a badge of favour and respects from Both Houses of Parliament to his Excellency for the unwearyed and faithfull services since his comming over with the Scots Army into this Kingdom An excellent way by gratitude to spurre on the spirits and fasten the affections of our Souldiers to goe on in their fidelity and industry for the prosperous advance of the affaires of the Kingdom And about the same time wee received certain assurance by Letters out of the West that the forces of that gallant Garrison of Lyme had taken Chadwick-House belonging to Count Arundell a great Papist a place that did much mischeif and annoyance to those parts and lay within 6 miles of Lyme There were above an 100 prisoners and their Armes taken in it 30 horse 3 barrels of powder and good store of other provisions and Ammunition Much also about the same time wee were certainly informed of the rendition and delivering up of Rabby Castle in Durham upon faire and easie Articles or conditions viz. The Officers to march away with their Armes to Newark that cage of unclean birds and the common Souldiers with their lives only
Captain King and Captain Smith took 51. Prisoners besides and 80. Horse whereof Sir Robert Dallisons was one but himself had escaped besides they took Major Coney Captain Styles Lieutenant Nicholsen Lieutenant Thorp Lieutenant Nicholas Mahum Cornet Metcalf Thomas Martin Adrian Scroop and some other Reformadoes and rescued and brought safely home again above twenty honest Countrymen whom they were carrying away prisoners and thus I say they all returned triumphantly home againe with not a man of their own killed or mortally wounded a rare mercy and preservation indeed to God be all the glory thereof About the fourth of this instant August Letters were sent from the Army in the West to the Parliament and read in the House of Commons concerning his Excellencies Sir Thomas Fairfaxes entring of the Town of Sherburne and besieging of the Castle and of a fight in that interim with the unruly Clubmen of Derset and Wiltshire especially who still remained very refractory and insolent but were at last soundly beaten into better behaviour by renowned Lieut. Gen. Cromwell as by his own Letter to the Parliament was certified of and which notable bickering and brave defeat I shall here give the Reader a summary and satisfactory account in these two particular Relations following and first concerning the surprising of the Kings Commissioners at Shaftsbury it was briefly thus The Generall being marched from the Leaguer westward upon some intended designes that way left Sherburne Castle still sufficiently besieged and the Enemy seeing their friends straightned in the Castle used means for some addresses to be made to the King for some course to be taken for their reliefe and procured a Letter from the King to that purpose which was sent to his Agents of the Clubmen to gather strength for the raising of the Siege upon Sir Thomas Fairfaxes advance The Leaders of the Clubmen receiving these Letters from the King met at Shaftsbury on Saturday the 2 of August 1645. to consult what course to take for the effecting thereof having their Instructions ready some observations were made that they were not full enough for the carrying on of this designe and that therefore three more might be added to them But in the meane while our wise and vigilant Generall Sir Thomas hearing of the proceedings of these Clubmen and doubting that if they should go on they might much impede the proceedings of those whom he had left at Sherburne Castle for the taking thereof where were in that Leagner Colonell Pickering with a Brigade of 2000. Foot and Colonell Whaleys Regiment of Horse to whom the Generall returned the same day being Saturday to Sherburne whether being come and having taken up his head Quarter there he presently from thence sent away Colonell Fleetwood with his own and Colonell Whaleys Regiment of Horse to speed to Shaftsbury so to oppose and destroy the Kings Commissioners Jesuiticall designe there against us With which two Regiments Colonell Fleetwood forthwith marched to Shaftsbury dividing his Forces that so when he came neer the said Town he might and did surround it as a Guard with his Forces whilst the rest marched into Shaftsbury where the Commissioners were then sitting and thus they surprized them all no● one of them escaping whom thus taken they brought Prisoners to Sherburne where they were all examined one by one and our as vertuous as valiant Generall learnedly and religiously confuted them all one by one the Clergy by Scripture and his Advocate Young by Law shewing them plainly how they themselves had dangerously acted contrary to their own principles and pretences The List of all their names was also sent together with this relation the particular mention whereof for brevities sake I forbeare the totall number of them was full 50. some of the chiefest of them were these Master John Saintlo Master Richard Buckridge Master William Smith Master Jarvis Master Hollis Master Lovell Master Estmond Master Goodwin Master Davis c. and divers of them most pestilently Malignant Priests or Ministers And at the foresaid time wee received the certain intelligence of the routing and dispersing of 2500. of the forementioned Clubmen by valiant Lieutenant Generall Cromwell which were gathered in a body in battalia upon Hambleton-Hill neer Blanford which in briefe was performed as followeth The Kings Commissioners who were the heads and Ringleaders of the refractory Clubmen of Dorcester and Wilts being all surprized and imprisoned as was before related The said Clubmen most peremptorily and insolently sent upon the Lords Day at night to have their Leaders re-delivered unto them and caused their Bells to be rung in all places and Alarms to be given in their ●●all way of rising and about 2500. of them instantly met in a body at Hambleton-hill with their Colours displayed which were all white for they had gotten white silken Colours and their Drums and severall Weapons Muskets Pikes Pistols Birding-Peeces Bils Halberts and many other severall Weapons and had thus drawne themselves into a Body Whereupon Lieutenant Generall Cromwell with 500. Dragoones and 500. more in a reserve to march after them marched out from the Leaguer toward these ●●toward Clubmen and facing them they drew into Battalia and stood in a great and ancient Roman-work which is upon those hils and admitted a Parley Lieutenant Generall Cromwell demanded of them the reason of their rising They answered To redeeme their Heads or Leaders requiring their Commissioners to be delivered to them and then they said they would returne home but without their Leaders they would not disband Lieutenant Generall Cromwell returned answer That they had them Prisoners And that they were to answer for what they had done and that they were at Sherburne with the Generall and made a very full and worthy speech to them to perswade them to be wise and returne home in peace shewing them how they have been misled by a company of Malignants and declaring what care the Generall had taken to secure their Estates and settle peace amongst them and what comfort they found that submitted thereunto But the Clubmen were very unruly vapouring and protesting punctually to rescue and redeeme their Leaders and indeed they are the very notorious Ringleaders of the Malignants of these parts but the moderate party especially about Sommersetshire do much deride their folly Lieutenant Generall Cromwell took great pains to appease them without shedding of blood but nothing would satisfie them but to have their Leaders their Heads delivered to them Whereupon the Clubmen being in Battalia Lieutenant Generall Cromwell drew up his Forces and charged them with the 500. Dragoons and slew some 12 of them wounded many took some 200 or 300 Prisoners of the most notorious of them and routed and dispersed the rest who fled all home leaving their Colours and their Arms behind them And we hope that now they will no more trouble us againe A List of what was taken from the Clubmen in the fight between them and Lieutenant
and most earnestly desired by all except our most pernicious and disorderly Se●●aries and Libertines And the Ordinance to continue thus for the space of three yeares And whereas I gave a hint or touch before of our Cause of jealousie that the Kings putting himselfe into the hands of our loving and loyall brethren of Scotland and his writting of faire and smoth Letters was not so Cordiall as we did and could have desired how ever we trust and pray the Lord who hath the hearts of Kings in his hands and can turne them as the Rivers of water May and will in his good time heare the prayers of his people therein also I shall here give the Reader a notable Demonstration that our said jelousie was not groundlesse as may too evidently appeare by this ensuing Letter of his Majesties if it were his Majesties owne act whereof there is some uncertai●●ty it being assured that his Majestie disclaimed it and so t is hoped it was not his but that most wicked Agents Secretarie Nicholases sent to the Marq Marquis of Ormond in Ireland a little before he departed from Oxford which shewed his still hollow and unholy heart to plot and foment new inlargements of our bloody broyles and Civill warres which Letter being sent by Ormond to that loyall and brave Commander in Armes Major Generall Monroe in Ireland and by him to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland by Sir Robert King I have here thought fit to insert it verbatim as it was printed and published by order of Parliament which was as followeth CHARLES REX RIght trust and entirely beloved Cousins and Concellors We greet you well having used all possible and honorable meanes by sending many gracious Messages to the two Houses of Parliament wherein wee have offered them all they have heretofore desired few or none will believe this that have had any knowledge of the Parliaments just desires and what the answers have beene to them and desire from them nothing but what they themselves since these unhappy wars have offered to procure Our Personall Treaty with them for a safe and well grounded Peace and having in stead of a dutifull and peaceable returne to Our said Messages received in stead thereof either no answer at all or such as argues nothing will satisfie them but the ruine not only of Vs Our Posterity and Friends but even of Monarchy it selfe and having lately received very good security that We and all that doe or shall adhere to Vs shall be safe in Our Honors Persons and Conferences in the Scottish Army and that they shall really and effectually joyne with Vs and with such as will come in unto Vs and joyne with them for Our preservation and shall imploy their Armes and Forces to assist Vs to the procuring of a happy and well grounded Peace for the good of Vs and our Kingdomes in the recovery of Our just Right We have resolved to put our selves to the hazard of passing into the Scots Armie now lying before Newarke and if it shall please God that We come safe thither We are resolved to use our best endeavors with their assistance and with the conjunction of the Forces under the Marquesse of Montrosse and such of Our well affected Subjects of England as shall rise for Vs to procure if it may be an honorable and speedy Peace and those who hitherto refused to give eare to any means tending therunto of which Our resolution We held it necessary to give you this advertisement as well to satisfie you and all Our Counsell and Loyall Subjects with you to whom We will that you communicate these Our Letters that failling in Our earnest and sincere endeavors by Treaty to put an end to the miseries of these Kingdomes We esteemed Our selfe obliged to leave no probable expedition unattempted to preserve Our Crowne and Friends from the usurpation and tyranny of those whose actions declare so manifestly their Designe to overthrow the Lawes and happy established Government of this Kingdome And now We have made knowne to you Our Resolvtion We recommend to your speciall care the disposing and managing of Our affaires on that side as you shall conceive most for Our Honor and service being confident the course We have taken though with some hazard to Our Person will have a good influence on that Our Kingdom and defer if not altogether prevent the Rebels meaning the Parliament transporting of Forces from them into that Kingdome And We desire you to satisfie all Our well affected Subjects on that side of Our Princely care of them whereof they shall receive the effect as soone as God shall enable Vs We desire you to use some meanes to let Vs and Our Councell at Oxon here frequently from you and of your actions and conditions there and so God prosper your Loyall Endeavors SATURDAY June 6. Thus have you seene the Kings Letter full indeede of much evill and Demonstration of no change of heart from his former bloody cruell and unkingly practises of the ruine of himselfe and his Kingdomes as much in as him lay if indeede it were his owne act as it was too strongly presumed to be upon which many jelousies being raised and founded against our Loyall brethren of Scotland they therefore in vindication of their owne integritie presented a Declaration to the Houses of Parliament in the name of the Commissioners of Scotland which was read accordingly and which I have here thought fit to insert for the Readers better content and satisfaction which was as followeth For the Right Honourable the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore Right Honourable THis inclosed paper having very lately come to our hands which although it hath not so much as colour enough to deceive yet neverthelesse as Generall Major Monro in testimony of his integrity did communicate the thing to the Commissioners of Parliament in Vlster so we for preventing mistakes many Copies of the same thing being spred among the people have thought good to communicate the same to the Honourable Houses with our sense upon it that by their wisdome and reciprocall care a right understanding in all things may still be preserved between the Kingdomes Whether any such Letter was signed by the King at Oxford or whether it was invented of purpose to support a declining party we do not know what may concerne the King in it we leave to himself who as he hath since the date of that paper expressed contrary intentions and resolutions in his Messages to both Kingdomes so he can best tell what he wrote at that time we are onely to speake to the matter of the paper which cometh from the hand of Secretary Nicholas unto whose informations what credit ought to be given the Houses very well know It doth consist in our perfect knowledge and we declare it with as much confidence as ever we did or can do any thing that the matter of the paper so farre as concerneth any assurance or
capitulation for joyning of Forces or for combining against the Houses of Parliament or any other private or publike agreement whatsoever between the King upon the one part and the Kingdom of Scotland their Army or any in their name and having power from them upon the other part is a most damnable untruth We shall not need to expresse how improbable it is if there had been any such agreement that the King about the same time should have sent a Message to both Houses offering to come to London and to follow their advice in all things without offering any satisfaction to the Kingdome of Scotland and that before he received the answer of the Houses he should write such a Letter to Ireland and give order to make it knowne not onely to his Privie Councell but to his other Subjects of that Kingdome Nor will we insist how improbable it is that the King should make this knowne to the Marquesse of Ormond and neglect to acquaint the late Earle of Montrosse who had been much more concerned and who would no doubt if he had knowne any such thing have communicated the same to Generall Major Middleton and prevented the defeating of himself his associates and forces about the middle of May after the King was with the Scottish Armie Nor how unlikely it is that he who is for the time Commander in chiefe for the Scottish forces in Ireland should be for the space of seven or eight weeks totally ignorant of any such agreement or if he had known any such thing that he would have communicated it to the Commissioners of the Parliament and immediately marched himself to the fields against the Enemy Nor shall we need to call to minde the expressions in the Lord Digbies intercepted Letters which gave our Nation the character of such as could not be gained to that side no not after all applications used There are other more sure and more publike Testimonies since the date of that lying Paper which make the falsehood of it more than palpable as if divine providence had purposely ordered all the late actions of the Kingdome of Scotland and of their Forces both before and since the third of April to be so many reall confutations of that groundlesse invention Wee meane severall late fights with the Rebels under the late Earle of Montrosse and Allaster Mac Donald the delivery of Newark the restraining and debarring of Delinquents and Malignants from the Kings Person and from our Army the late publike Declarations of the Church and State of Scotland in the beginning of April as likewise of the Generall and Committee with the Army agreed upon about the end of Aprill and published the 15 of May in Scotland against a Band of the Earle of Seaforth and his Associates As for other reasons so especially for this that the said Band did tend to the weakning of the confidence and Union between the two Kingdomes firmly joyned and mutually engaged for assistance to each other in this Cause as may appear more fully by the Declarations herewith presented Nor can we passe the Paper delivered to the King by the Committee of Estates upon the 15 of May last that if His Majestie should delay to go about the readiest waies and meanes to satisfie both his Kingdomes they would be necessitated for their own exoneration to acquaint the Committee of both Kingdoms at London that a course might be taken by joynt advice of both Kingdoms for attaining the just ends expressed in the Solemne League and Covenant We shall say no more of this particular God hath his owne time to make manifest who have dealt sincerely and who falsely and as our Nation did refuse to joyne with the Enemies Forces when they were strongest and did joyn with our Brethren of England in their weakest and most necessitous condition so we shall never look for a blessing from God upon either Nation longer than they continue faithfull to God and to each other according to the Covenant and Treaty And we do confidently expect from the wisdome and Justice of the Honourable Houses that this and such like Papers shall finde no more credit here than Papers and Declarations against themselves did formerly finde in Scotland and that Declarations and publique Papers from the Kingdome of Scotland or their Committees or Commissioners shall have such acceptation with both Houses as they desire Declarations from themselves or Papers from any in their Name may have with their Brethren of Scotland Nor do we doubt but God will dissipate all these clouds of calumnies and mis-understandings endeavoured thereby and will give such a frame of spirit to both Nations as may continue them in a brotherly accord and mutuall confidence for the good both of this and of the succeeding Generations which hath been is and shall be most earnestly wished and faithfully endeavoured by Your very affectionate friends and humble servants Lauderdaill Johnston Charles Erskine Henry Kennedie Robert Barnlay Worcester House the 8. of June 1646. Die Lunae 8 Junii 1646. Ordered by the Lords assembled in Parliament That the Letter of the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland Dated the 8 of this instant June 1646. shall be forthwith printed and published Jo. Browne Cleric Parliamentorum And because there were many suspicions and jealousies loved and fomented in the hearts and uttered too frequently by the tongues of many ill affected ones to our faire loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland That they would not easily be got out of the Kingddome of England no not when our warres were quite ended and we had no more need of them among us as some yea many of them maliciously took upon them to conceive and spatter abroad with their base and busie tongues I have therefore also here thought fit to insert another Letter or Declaration inclosed in the foresaid Letter or Declaration to the Lords in Parliament by the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland as was forementioned which I conceive may and will give faire and full satisfaction touching that suspition also to those that are not too much byassed with prejudice and partiallity which was as followeth IT is not light but grievous to us to heare of any disorders at all committed by any person in that Army how great soever the necessities be unto which they are redacted or that our Army should be any longer burthensome to this Kingdome And we do in the Name of that Kingdome and Army declare and assure That as they came into this Kingdome upon an earnest invitation from both Houses of Parliament and for the ends expressed in the Covenant and Treaty and Declaration of both Kingdoms the close whereof doth expresse the resolution of both to have Truth and Peace setled upon a firme Foundation before their laying down of Arms so their continuance neither is nor shall be made use of to the least encroachment upon the Government of this Kingdome nor to any other ends besides those expressed in the Covenant and