apprehending their Designs he comes to the discontented Princes of France who had raised an Army at Sedan And from thence from the Count of Soissons the Duke of Guise and the rest a Manifesto is published of their taking Arms for the Peace of Europe and expulsion of him who fomented the publick Wars They make Alliance with the Emperour and Cardinal Infanta and joyning Forces with General Lamboy they come to Battel where the Count de Soissons was slain and their Forces overthrown and Richlieu gets more advantage thereby against the House of Austria The close Committee for managing the business against the Earl of Strafford sate very constantly and took great pains in framing the Articles against him and preparing of Witnesses for proof of them for some of which Witnesses there were Messengers sent into Ireland to bring them hither All the Papers Proofs and Examinations in this business were committed to Whitelocke's care and charge being Chairman to the Committee The Committee had often resort to the House of Commons for their direction upon any Point of Difficulty and they were appointed by the House to be the Managers of the Evidence against the Earl and accordingly they divided the work among themselves January 30. Mr. Pym presented to the Lords the particular Articles of the Charge against the Earl of Strafford being 28. The Earl was immediately sent for to the Lords House where he heard the Articles read and they being two hundred sheets of paper and some of the Treasons being of fourteen years standing he desired three Months time to make his Answer which must also of necessity be very long and being unto matters of so high concernment especially to his own life and fortunes This time was opposed by the House of Commons and at length the Lords ordered his Answer to be brought in by the 24th of February next which was done though to the great labour of his Lordship and of Sir Richard Lane and others of his Councel and on that day it was read in the Audience of the King and in the House of Commons the next day after Some Disputes arose between the two Houses touching the Tryal 1. Whether Councel should be allowed for the Earl which the Commons opposed as not allowable in case of high Treason which the Lords said was true as to pleading of Matter of Fact but not in Matters of Law which was at length yielded to 2. Concerning the place of Tryal the Lords desired it might be in their House which the Commons opposed because they intended to manage their Accusation by Members of their own House in the presence of the whole House for which the Lords House would be too little whereupon Westminster-hall was agreed upon 3. The Commons intended to come in the Body of their whole House which the Lords not assenting to they at last yielded to come as a Committee of the whole House But there was a Proposal the Subject of much Discourse to prevent all this trouble and to restore the Earl of Strafford to his former Favour and Honour If the King would prefer some of the Grandees to Offices at Court whereby Strafford's enemies should become his friends and the King's desires be promoted It was that should be made Lord Treasurer the Lord Say Master of the Wards Mr. Pym Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr. Hollis Secretary of State Mr. Hampden Tutor to the Prince others to have other places In order whereunto the Bishop of London resigned up his Treasurers Staff the Lord Cottington his place of Master of the Wards and the rest were easily to be voided But whether upon the King's alteration of his mind or by what other means it came to pass is uncertain These things were not effected and the great Men baffled thereby became the more incensed and violent against the Earl joyning with the Scots Commissionres who were implacable against him The time and place of the Earls Tryal was appointed Westminster-hall prepared for it and never was there or any where else seen a more solemn and majestick Tribunal In the middle of the Theatre below on Forms covered with red cloth sate the Lords in their Parliament Robes their faces upwards at the head of them with his face towards them sate in a Chair the Earl of Arundel for that occasion made Lord High Steward of England and at that Tryal the Speaker of the Peers the Earl of Lindsey was made Lord high Constable of England for that time and had the ordering of the place Scaffolds were erected on either side of the Hall and at the lower end on those Scaffolds sate the Members of the House of Commons uncovered as a Committee of the whole House and many hundreds more of Gentlemen who could get places with them Beyond the Peers towards the upper end was placed a Chair and Cloth of State for the King raised on a Foot-pace on either side whereof was a close Gallery for the King Queen and Prince to be private At the lower end of the State on a Scaffold did usually sit Ladies of Quality on the right hand at the lower end even with the Lords was a place with partitions for the Committee of Parliament and a Door backwards out of it to a place for a withdrawing Room for them to retire to and consult as there was offered occasion On the other side of the place for the Committee and adjoyning to it was a place made for the Earl of Strafford with a Seat and Room for the Lieutenant of the Tower to be next to him and places for the Earl's Secretaries and for his Councel to be near him The Bishops were excluded by the Canons of the Church to be assistant in cases of blood or death and therefore they absented themselves from this Tryal Monday 22. March 1640. was the first day of the Earl's appearing on this Theatre the King Queen and Prince and divers foreign Lords and many Ladies with them attending there the Lords in their Robes on their Seats and the Scaffolds full of the Members of the House of Commons and many others mixed with them The Earl was brought to the Bar by the Lieutenant of the Tower his habit black wearing his George in a Gold Chain his Countenance manly black his Person proper but a little stooping with his Distemper or habit of his body his behaviour exceeding graceful and his speech full of weight reason and pleasingness The Lord high Steward declared to him That he was called thither to answer to the Impeachment of high Treason preferred against him by the Commons of England and Ireland Then his Accusation was read and next his Answer to it in which most part of that day being spent the Court arose The next day Mr. Pym made an Introduction very rhetorical and smart to the Articles and the first seven of them were managed as to the evidence by Mr Glynne and the proof was to his subverting the fundamental Laws
of some Opinions delivered at the Council-table of Juncto May 5. 1640. being the day that the last Parliament was dissolved the discovery whereof was thus Secretary Vane being out of Town sent a Letter to his Son Sir Henry Vane the younger then in London with the Key of his Study for his Son to look in his Cabinet for some Papers there to send to his Father The Son looking over many Papers among them lighted upon these Notes which being of so great concernment to the Publick and declaring so much against the Earl of Strafford he held himself bound in duty and conscience to discover them He shewed them to Mr. Pym who urged him and prevailed with him that they might be made use of in the Evidence against the Earl of Strafford as being most material and of great consequence in relation to that business Accordingly they were now produced to the House of Commons and in the Afternoon at a Conference with the Lords and the next day the Earl being brought to Westminster and both Houses being met the Notes were openly read the Title of them was No danger of a War with Scotland if Offensive not Defensive Then followed the Opinions interlocutory K. C. How can we undertake offensive War if we have no more Money L. L. Ir. Borrow of the City 100000 l. go on vigorously to levy Ship-money your Majesty having tried the affection of your people you are absolved and loose from all rule of Government and to do what power will admit Your Majesty having tried all ways and being refused shall be acquitted before God and Man And you have an Army in Ireland that you may imploy to reduce this Kingdom to obedience for I am confident the Scots cannot hold out five Months L. Arch. You have tried all ways and have always been denied it is now lawful to take it by force L. Cot. Leagues abroad there may be made for the defence of the Kingdom the lower House are weary of the King and Church all ways shall be just to raise Money by in this inevitable necessity and are to be used being lawful L. Arch. For an offensive not any defensive Warr. L. L. Ir. The Town is full of Lords put the Commission of Array on foot and if any of them stir we will make them smart To this the Earl answered That it were hard measure for Opinions and Discourses by Privy Counsellors in a Debate of Council to be prosecuted under the Notion of Treason As to the words that the King had an Army in Ireland to reduce this Kingdom they are only proved by the single testimony of one man Secretary Vane which is not of validity enough in Law in a matter of Debt much less in point of Life and Death 2. That the Secretarie's Deposition was exceeding dubious upon two Examinations he could not remember any such words the third time his Testimony was not positive but that I spake those words or the like and words may be very like in sound yet differ much in sense 3. There were present at the Debate but eight Privy Counsellors two of them the Arch-bishop and Secretary Windebank cannot be produced Secretary Vane affirms the words I deny them Four remain for Evidence Marquess Hamilton the Earl of Northumberland the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Cottington all these have declared upon their Honours that they never heard me speak those words nor any the like 4. Suppose I spake the words which I grant not yet cannot the word this rationally imply England as is yielded on all hands because England was not out of the way of obedience as the Earl of Clare well observed and because there never was any the least intention of landing the Irish Army in England as the Lords of the Council are able to attest This Paper of so great Consequence was missing at the Committee and by the Earl's Answer supposed that he had seen it and that it was conveyed to him by some of the Committee Whitelocke being in the Chair and having the charge and custody of all the Papers he was suspected more than others to have acted this piece of Treachery Great inquiry and search was made for the Paper but it could not then be found He told them when it was missing and that amongst such a multitude of Papers as he had in his custody it was not easie to see that he had them all again when they were brought forth or any of them called for That he never shewed this Paper to any but to the Committee and knew not who had it or what was become of it nor did he convey it or know of any that had conveyed it away But this would not serve the House was acquainted with the missing of the Paper and they ordered That every one of the Committee should make a solemn Protestation in the House that they did not convey it away nor know what was become of it All of them made this Protestation and the Lord Digby with more earnestness and deeper Imprecations than any of the rest yet afterwards at the Battel of Naseby the King's Cabinet being taken among the Papers in it was a Copy of these Notes under the Lord Digby's hand whereby Whitelocke was cleared and the Conveyer of the Paper to the King and from him to the Earl of Strafford was fully discovered The Earl having delivered his Answer to the additional Proof the Lord Steward told him That if he had any thing to say further in his defence he should proceed because the Court intended to prepare Matters for their speedy Judgment VVhereupon he made a summary Repetition of the several parts of his former Defence and concluded thus It is hard to be questioned upon a Law which cannot be shewn where hath this fire lain hid so many hundreds of years without smoak to discover it till it thus burst forth to consume me and my Children That punishment should precede promulgation of a Law to be punished by a Law subsequent to the Fact is extream hard what man can be safe if this be admitted My Lords it is hard in another respect that there should be no token set by which we should know this Offence no admonition by which we should avoid it If a man pass the Thames in a Boat and split himself upon an Anchor and no Buoy be floating to discover it he who oweth the Anchor shall make satisfaction but if a Buoy be set there every man passeth upon his own peril Now where is the Mark where the Token upon this Crime to declare it to be High Treason My Lords Be pleased to give that regard to the Peerage of England as never to expose your selves to such Moot Points such constructive Interpretations of Laws If there must be a tryal of Wits let the subject matter be of somewhat else than the Lives and Honours of Peers It will be wisdom for your selves for your Posterity and for the whole Kingdom to cast
of the Brethren in Scotland The King was about Worcester with about 5000 Pointz and Rossiter followed him A party from Shrewsbury fell upon a party of the King 's at Bishops Castle as they were plundring on a faire day routed them rescued all the Plunder took 200 horse and many Prisoners 6. Care was taken for payment of the allowance to the Prince Elector The Declaration sent to the Lords for the Undeceiving the People of Wales A Committee appointed to cast up the Arrears due to the Earl of Essex and to consider of a way for payment of them and what mark or badge of honour is fit to be bestowed on him for his great services An Ordinance past for raising horse and Dragoons in London the Lord Herbert of Ragland was sent into Ireland to sollicite supplies from thence for the King Debate of the point of suspending from the Sacrament Voted that the Presbytery should not meddle with any thing of meum and tuum till it were determined by the Civil Magistrate An Ordinance touching the Wives and Children of Delinquents if dwelling here and Protestants to have the 5th part of the Delinquents Estates Passed Letters certified that the Scots Army had raised their Siege from before Hereford and were marching Northward to goe home again Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army before Bristol kept a day of humiliation and after that intended to storm the Town The Clubmen declared that they would all assist Sir Thomas Fairfax The Governour of Weymouth with the assistance of some Seamen entred Corfe Island took a Fort there and a Demy Culverin and slighted the Fort. 200 Reformadoes were surprised in their Quarters near Thame by Forces from Oxford and Bostall-House 120 horse and men were taken and the rest of them escaped 9. Mr. Pëters was called into the House and gave them a particular Account of the Siege of Bristol and the cause of sitting down before it to prevent the plunder and cruelties of Prince Rupert in that Country and he pressed the desire of Sir Thomas Fairfax to have Recruits sent to him Several Orders passed for Recruits and money shoes and stockings and all necessary supplies for the Army and touching the pressing of able men to serve in the Army and not such as were vagabonds who could not be found out if they ran from their Colours Intercepted Letters signified that a Peace was concluded by the King and the Irish Rebels and that many of them were expected to be shortly here to assist the King 10. Debate of the Church business Order for the burial of Mr. William Strode a Member of the House in the Abbey of Westminster near the Corps of Mr. Pym and for all the House to accompany his Corps at his Funeral and that 500 l. be paid to his Executors Divers private Petitions answered and one day in every week appointed to hear private petitions Sir Thomas Fairfax being provided to storm Bristol sent in to Prince Rupert to offer him honourable Propositions if he would forthwith surrender the Town to avoid shedding of more bloud and spoil of the City The Prince desired liberty to send a Messenger to the King to know his pleasure but that was denyed as too much delay Then the Prince declyning a Treaty by Commissioners sent high Propositions of his own which Sir Thomas Fairfax refused but returned his final Answer to the Prince how far he would grant what was desired and no further but this was not accepted by Prince Rupert 11. Order for a Declaration to be drawn of the cruel acts done by the Governour of Jersey upon the Inhabitants there and that if for the future he shall put to death any of the Isle whom he shall take Prisoners for every one so slain the Parliament will hang up three of the King's men their Prisoners 12. Debate about the business of the Church A Committee of both Houses appointed to receive from the Scots Commissioners what they had to impart to them touching the marching of the Scots Army northwards Writs ordered for new Elections of Members in several places Letters and Messengers from Bristol informed that Prince Rupert having delayed the Treaty for surrender of it till his Counterscarfes and inmost Lines were finished and then refused the honourable Conditions offered to him by Sir T. Fairfax thereupon Sir T. F. ordered to storm the City in this manner Col. Welden to have one Brigade of his own Twiseldens Fortescues and Herberts Regiments who were to make good Somersetshire side and to storm in three places Col. Mountague to command the General 's Brigade consisting of the Generals Mountagues Pickerings and Sir Hardres Waller's Regiment to storm on both sides of Lawford Gate Colonel Rainsborough's Brigade of his own Skippon's Harmond's Birche's and Berkley's Regiments were to storm on this side the River Froome and two hundred of them to go in Boats with the Seamen to storm Water Fort. One Regiment of foot and another of horse to be moving up and down in the Close to alarm the Royal Fort. One Regiment of Dragoons and two Regiments of Horse to attempt the Line and Works by Clifton September 9. At Twelve at Night all the Army both horse and foot were drawn round the City in a posture to storm the signs when to begin were by the kindling of a fire of straw and discharging four great Guns the Parliaments word during the storm was David and after the Line was entred the Lord of Hosts About Two in the Morning the storm began the Souldiers shouted for joy the service was hot especially at the Prince's Fort where Rainsborough performed very bravely They cut in pieces most of the Souldiers within the Fort with their Captain Price and took four great Pieces in the Fort and two more in a Redoubt Colonel Mountague's men took sixteen Pieces in the several Works and Half-moons which they gained by storm Welden's Brigade fell on with great resolution but the Mote being very deep on Somersetshire-side and his Scaling-ladders too short he only alarm'd them on that side The Club-men terrified the Enemy on Bedminster-side In Rainsborough's and Mountague's Brigades not above forty men slain The Parliaments Horse entred with the Foot the Pioneers having thrown down the Line The Prince's Horse were beaten off and Colonel Taylor formerly a Member of Parliament wounded and taken three Majors and other Prisoners On the Parliaments part Captain Ireton and M. Bethel were wounded Prince Rupert fled into the Castle and sent to Sir T. Fairfax for a Parley who yielded to it and the City was surrendred upon far lower terms on the Prince's behalf than he was before offered Three Messengers who brought this good News had 20 l. a piece given to them 13. Debate about providing money for the Army and sale of the Lands of Bishops Deans and Chapters for that purpose Report that the Commissioners of Scotland had acquainted the Committee of both
and divers great Lords remained in Oxford till they might receive the Kings order for which they had sent Messengers to him The next day the Citizens opened their Shops and there was a full Market again Farringdon was likewise surrendred and accommodation was sent for to London for removal of the Duke of York thither and surely no action or agreement either of War or Peace was ever more punctually observed than was this of the Oxford Articles Order for an Express to be sent to Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice that the Parliament took notice of their breach of the Oxford Articles by coming so near to London as Oatlands and requiring them to transport themselves beyond Seas within ten days if it could be or else to lose the benefit of those Articles Debate about the Preamble to the Propositions for Peace 27. The propositions for Peace were all agreed and a Committee named to consider of the manner of passing them and another Committee to be as Conservators of the Peace between both Kingdoms 29. Debate about the dismantling of Garrisons that of Oxford put off that of Winchester voted to be slighted Referred to the Committee of the Army to take care for the security of the City upon the repair of so many Delinquents thither from the Kings Quarters Order about the Judges who are to go Circuits and for allowances for them The General Commanded a select Council Cromwell Ireton Lambert Fleet-wood and Whitelocke to consult about disposing part of the Army to several Places and Sieges where there was need of them and also about the reducing of Wallingford and what conditions to send to them According to their advice Articles were drawn up to be sent to Wallingford and Whitelocke was made use of as their Secretary and there were two Regiments sent thither two more to Ragland and four Regiments to Worcester 30. The Princes Rupert and Maurice sent a very respectful answer to the Parliaments Letter to them that they were sorry that they had given them any offence had no intention to do it and would obey their orders The Prince Elector had leave to go and see his Brethren A Committee named to draw up an additional proposition for confirmation of the great Seal and invalidating of Acts passed by the Seal which was carried away to Oxford One Morgan a Popish Priest executed July 1646. July 1. Debate upon Ordinances touching the Excise and for moneys for Soldiers and Widows Order for reception of the French Ambassador one of the Lords and two of the Commons to come to him at his first landing The Garrison of Worcester agreed to a Treaty for the surrender of it 2. The Earl of Kent voted to be L. Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Orders that all Papists and Irish be put out of the lines of Communication and out of Corporations and that they that came from Oxford should be in their lodgings by nine a Clock the like for others that came out of any of the Kings Garrisons and that they have no Arms and that at Guild-hall they produce their Passes and ingage not to bear Arms against the Parliament and this order to be published by beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet Thus we may see that even after almost a Conquest yet they apprehended no safety such are the issues and miseries of a Civil War that the Victors are full of fears from those whom they have subdued no quiet no security O let our Prayers be to God never to have such calamitous times again Letters from Major General Mitton informed the readiness and assistance of Bishop Williams to promote the Parliaments affairs and particularly for the reducing of the Castle of Conwey giving his advice and being very active in that and all other matters for the Parliament 3. Letters from Sir Tho. Fairfax gave an account of the disposal of his Forces since the rendition of Oxford and the state he had put that City in and he sent up the great Seals and several other Seals which were there rendred to him Mr. Harbert one of the Commissioners for the Army presented the Seals to the House The great Seal which was carried away from the Parliament the Privy Seal the Signet Royal the Seal of the Kings Bench the Seals of the Exchequer and of the Court of Wards and of the Admiralty and the Sword Order for all those Seals to be broken and the Sword to be kept in the Kings Wardrobe Vote for the Earl of Salisbury to be one of the Commissioners of the great Seal in the place of the Earl of Bullingbroke deceased The proposition past the Commons and sent up to the Lords for making void what passed under the great Seal at Oxford and honours in Ireland and for confirming the great Seal here to which the Lords agreed and it was ordered to be communicated to the Scots Commissioners Order for Letters from both Houses to the King to desire him to send order to the Marquess of Ormond to deliver the Forts in Ireland in his hands to such as the Parliament should appoint A Petition from L. C. Lilburne to the Commons appealing from the judgment of the Lords who had Committed him referred to a Committee to consider of the priviledges of the Commoners of England 4. L. G. Pointz called into the House gave them an account of the Northern Forces they ordered a thousand pound to him in part of his Arrears and two hundred pound as a guift to buy him a Sword and a brace of Geldings and ordered three hundred pound per An. to him and his Heirs and gave him the thanks of the House Ordinance for ten thousand pounds for the Northern Forces Petition of London shewing that they intended to Petition the King a Copy of which they presented to the House for their approbation the House appointed a time to consider of it The Lords gave the City thanks for the like Petition Col. Jones his Regiment to be hastned for Ireland Papers from the Scots Commissioners which they received from New-Castle presented to the House One was a Declaration from General Leven and his Officers That they will adhere to the Covenant and will preserve the Vnion between the two Kingdoms and not countenance any disaffected to either Parliament that they abhor all wayes contrary to the Covenant Disclaim the Kings Letter to the Marquess of Ormond That as they came into England out of affection and not in a mercenary way so they will be as willing to return home and want of Pay shall be no hindrance thereunto and that the Kings unexpected coming to their Army hath not wrought in them any thing contrary to the Covenant Another Paper was a Petition of General Leven and his Officers to the King That his Majesty would take a speedy course to settle Religion and Church-Government the Liberties Priviledges of his Kingdoms to sign the Covenant and to comply with the Councils
Limrick in Ireland The Lord Inchequin took Pilborne Castle by Storm and put all in it but eight to the Sword The Governor of Silley Islands for the King sent to Captain Batten to treat for the surrender of them to the Parliament and the Treaty was begun Letters informed the Particulars of the surrender of Pendennis Castle that there was taken great store of Arms and Ammunition ninety five pieces of Cannon two Murderers but little Provision That there marched out of it four Knights eight Colonels many other Officers and Gunners and a thousand Soldiers and two hundred left sick behind Mardike in the Low Countreys was surrended upon Articles to the French September 1646. September 1. An Ordinance for Sir Jo. Heles Composition The Commissioners of the great Seal continued for a Month longer Upon Papers from the Scots Commissioners demanding four hundred thousand pound for their Army after long debate the House agreed to it and to days of payment of it Voted that the Election of Mr. Toll a Member of the House to be Major of Lynne ought not to have been without the consent of the House yet in respect it was for the advantage of that place the House granted the petition of the Town that he might execute the place of Major there and have Power to make a Deputy 2. An Ordinance for punishment of Blasphemies and Heresies committed Order for divers Committees to give account what Moneys they had issued The Scots Commissioners insisted to have two hundred thousand pound upon their advance to Scotland but the House would allow only an hundred thousand pound 3. The Earl of Cleaveland is released he ingaging his Honour to the Lieutenants of the Tower to render himself again if required by the Parliament An Ordinance to make Mr. Hallingham Vicar of South-Wales in Essex Order for Money for Soldiers Wives and Widows upon the Excise An Ordinance to make Mr. Elliston Parson of Sandford in Essex Ordinances past for Compositions 4. Orders concerning new Elections Letters of the Generals gallant entertainment by the Welch and in other places 5. Though a day of Adjournment yet the House sate till seven at night to dispatch the business of the removal of the Scots Army and at length voted to give them two hundred thousand pound at their advance to Scotland if it could be raised and sent a Committee to treat with the Common Council of London for the raising of it 7. Commissioners fram the States of Scotland came to perswade his Majesty to Sign the Propositions The Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland presented a Remonstrance to the Committee of Estates there desiring that Malignants and Incendiaries may not be favoured that all possible means might be used to confirm the union between England and Scotland and to preserve the Reformation of Religion and to bring the Churches in both Kingdoms to the nearest Conjunction and perfect Reformation according to the Covenant They sent another Remonstrance to the King to the same effect to which the King answered That the Assembly had no authority to intermeddle in the affairs of this Kingdom or Church and then justifies his own proceedings Earnest Letters came from Ireland for supplys and recruits 8. The day of publick thanksgiving no intelligence received 9. Sir Jo. Stowell was found guilty of Treason by a Jury of Somersetshire Orders touching Compositions of Delinquents another touching a general day of thanksgiving After the Surrender of Mardike the French designed the taking in of Dunkirke 10. The Common Council of London propounded for security of the two hundred thousand pound to be advanced for the Scots That all who had contributed upon the propositions for Horse Money and Plate may contribute the like Sum upon this proposition for the two hundred thousand pound and be secured both sums out of the Excise and Bishops Lands The House agreed to this and returned thanks to the Common Council only they excepted Advowsons out of the security and added to it the Sale of Delinquents Estates Order for an hundred pound for the Church-Wardens of the Abbey and St. Margarets Church in Westminster to maintain Watchmen to look to the doors of houses infected with the Plague The Lords desired the Concurrence of the Commons for taking away all Countrey Committees and for appointing new Commissioners for the great Seal 11. Mr. Edwards continued Major of Chester by Ordinance for thirteen Months A Menial Servant of Mr. Martin a Member of the House being arrested contrary to the Priviledge of the House was released and the Bayliff that arrested him and knew him to be Mr. Martins Servant was sent for as a Delinquent Ordinance touching the Excise in the Northerne and Westerne Associations not consented to by the Commons Orders for new Elections 12. The Commons sate not but the Lords sate about the two hundred thousand pound for the Scots and agreed to what the Commons had voted except the additional security by sale of Delinquents Estates which the Common Council of London did not insist upon the Committee of the Parliament met with the Committee of Common Council as often as was held requisite for the carrying on of this business and agreeing upon the security to those who should lend Money or double their former Loans according to the propositions for raising of the two hundred thousand pound 14. Letters certified that the Commissioners of the Estates of Scotland had been often with the King and pressed him to consent to the propositions and to take the Covenant That the King questioned their power which they justified as relating to both Kingdoms and were very plain with his Majesty who said he was not satisfied in point of Conscience to subscribe it they moved that some able Divines might be conferred with by him for his satisfaction and that was appointed Letters informed a discontent among the Irish Rebels about the Peace the Popes Nuntio Bishops and Clergy protesting against it because done without their consent and because it gave liberty of Conscience to the Protestants Forces were hastning thither out of England This Evening the noble Earl of Essex dyed at Essex House Orders for twelve hundred pound for the Duke of York and for a constant maintenance for him and for Money for the Northerne Forces A Remonstrance from Cleveland and other Northerne parts of the insupportable burden of the Scots and English Forces upon them referred to the Northerne Committee Order for a new Election Order that the House should accompany the Earl of Essex his Body at his Funeral Order for Money for Masseys Brigade H great Petition of Lancashire debated Upon the news of the death of the Earl of Essex both Houses adjourned to the next day 16. The House sate in a grand Committee to debate the Ordinance touching Blasphemies and Heresies The Lords ordered a Writ to be sent to the new Viscount of Hereford to whom that honour descended by the death of
acquainted the Houses with his Highness's Letter it not being in his power to act further the Parliament having ordered the way in which the Prisoners should be proceeded against not so much for hostility as for breach of the trust they reposed in them to the ingaging the Nation again in War and blood Subscribed Your Highness most humble Servant Fairfax Letters from the North that as yet there was no ingagement with the Scots 21. The Commons concurred with the Votes touching the Treaty and referred it to the Committee of both Houses for peace to prepare thing needful for the Treaty They thought fit again to send to his Majesty to let him know how far they had proceeded as to treat and to have his approbation A Letter from the General that he had received an order from the Lords to deliver the Earl of Holland from Warwick Castle to be confined to his house at Kensington A Letter from the Lord Admiral that upon the Lords Passes for some to go beyond Seas they had gone to the Prince as M r Aleburton the Scots Agent the Lord Andover and others The Commons desired a conference with the Lords about it and that a Letter be sent to the Lord Admiral and to the Lord General to make stay of all such persons notwithstanding their order Upon Petition of thousands of the Suburbs that had joyed with Major General Skippon he was ordered to grant them Commissions and the committee for suppressing of tumults to furnish them with Armes Letters from Salop that Sir Henry Lingen with a party of Horse took sixty of Colonel Harly's men and about two daies after a party of Colonel Harlies and Colonel Hortons men met with Sir Henry Lingens men about Radnor regained all their Horse and Prisoners took Sir Henry Lingen and Colonel Crofts and many other of the Kings commanders Prisoners slew divers of the party and routed the rest Letters from Colchester Leaguer that the approaches were so near that the besiegers and the Enemy laid aside their Muskets and in stead of shooting cast Stones at one another Some petitions inclosed in a Letter from the Lord Norwich and the rest were sent to the General expressing that at the desire of the inhabitants they had thought fit to send them And that they should be constrained for the better accommodation of the Souldiery to turn out the Towns People whereby their Houses and goods would be left liable to spoil and ruine for prevention whereof they had thought fit to treat with his Lordship for the surrender of the Town if he pleased to which purpose they would send six Officers if his Lordship would appoint the like number With this came another Letter offering an exchange of Captain Gray for M r Weston and M r Rowling the General accepted of the exchange but as to the Treaty said he would send answer by a Messenger of his own The General was in some danger by a shot from the Town that one who was exchanged told the Lord Norwich he heard the Parliament Souldiers discoursing sharply against those in Colchester and one of them bid him tell Goring that they would bore a hole through his nose and draw him with a Rope through Cheapside crying Here is the great Bull of Colchester The inclosed Petitions were one to the Earl of Norwich the Lord Capell and Sir Charles Lucas from the inhabitants of Colchester That having received their Commands to depart the Town for better supply of the Souldiers they might Petition the Lord Fairfax for Liberty to pass into the Country to prevent the danger of their lives without his leave They prayed their honours to give way for their Petition to be presented to the Lord Fairfax and till they had his answer that they might not be inforced from their habitations The Petition of the inhabitants of Colchester to the Lord Fairfax was to inform his Lordship that the Commanders in Chief in the Garrison had ordered all the inhabitants to provide with expedition to depart the Town or otherwise by power they should be forced thereto for that whatever became of the Townsmen the Souldiery who maintained the Kings cause must and shall be provided for That being driven to this Exigency they have no other means but to fly to his Christian Charity and clemency and humbly to pray that he would give them leave to pass into the Country for the preservation of their lives Subscribed by the Major and four Aldermen in the name of all the Petitioners To the Letter the General returned this answer He was willing to believe that the pressing necessities of the miserable inhabitants of Colchester had wrung from them the Petition inclosed in their Letter That he should not onely clear himself to all the world from the occasion of their sufferings but so far contribute to their relief as to allow all the inhabitants of the Town the Lords first ingaging not to restrain any who shall be willing to come out to enjoy the Liberty in their Petition desired Provided the Committee of the County of Essex then Prisoners with the Lords in the Town be sent out with the first only he shall not permit the wives and Children of any Towns-men or others who shall abide with the Lords in Armes to have the benefit above-mentioned Concerning the rendition of the Town he offers That all such officers and Souldiers under the degree of a Captain excepting all such who being Members of his Army have since the 10. of May last deserted their Colours they ingaging themselves never hereafter to bear Arms against the Parliament shall have passes without injury offered them to return to their respective homes And all Captains and other superiour Officers with the Lords and Gentlemen to submit to mercy Subscribed Your Lordships Servant Tho. Fairfax An Express came from Lieutenant General Cromwel in the general of his defeating the Scots Army under Duke Hamilton New Instructions for Colonel Hammond 1. That the King be removed to Newport in the Isle of Wight the place of the Treaty 2. That he be in the same condition and freedom there as he was at Hampton Court 3. That no person in the first Exception out of Mercy nor under restraint of the Parliament nor of late actually in Arms against the Parliament be admitted to the King 4. That no person that hath been in Arms against the Parliament or aiding or assisting to them or of whom there is just cause of suspicion be admitted into any Fort or Tower in the Isle of Wight 5. That no person of any forrain Nation be admitted to come into the same without leave from both Houses of Parliament 6. That if the Kingdom of Scotland send any to treat with his Majesty they shall have a Pass from both Houses 7. That his Majesty pass his Royal word not to go out of the Island during the Treaty nor twenty eight daies after
Officers Commissioners of the Seal and of the Treasury and his Council The Earl of Warwick carried the Sword before him and the Lord Mayor of London carried the City Sword His Highness standing under the Cloth of State the Speaker in the Name of the Parliament presented to him 1. A Robe of Purple Velvet lined with Ermine which the Speaker assisted by Whitelocke and others put upon his Highness then he delivered to him the Bible richly gilt and bossed after that the Speaker girt the Sword about his Highness and delivered into his hand the Scepter of massie Gold and then made a Speech to him upon those several things presented to him wishing him all prosperity in his Government and gave him the Oath and Mr. Manton by Prayer recommended his Highness the Parliament the Council the Forces by Land and Sea and the whole Government and People of the three Nations to the blessing and protection of God After this the people gave several great shouts and the Trumpets sounding the Protector sate in the Chair of State holding the Scepter in his hand on his right side sate the Ambassadour of France on the left side the Ambassadour of the Vnited Provinces Near to his Highness stood his Son Richard the Lord Deputy Fleetwood Claypole Master of the Horse his Highness Council and Officers of State the Earl of Warwick held the Sword on the right side of the Chair and the Lord Mayor of London held the City Sword on the left hand of the Chair near the Earl of Warwick stood the Lord Viscount Lisle general Mountague and Whitelocke each of them having a drawn Sword in their hands Then the Trumpets sounded and an Herauld proclaimed his Highness Title and Proclamation was made and loud Acclamations of the People God save the Lord Protector The Ceremonies being ended His Highness having his Train carried by the Lord Sherwood Mr. Rich the Earl of Warwick's Grandchild and by the Lord Roberts his Son accompanied by the Ambassadours and attended as before went in State to Westminster-Hall Gate where he took his rich Coach In the upper end of it himself sate in his Robes in the other end sate the Earl of Warwick in one Boot sate his Son Richard and Whitelocke with a drawn Sword in his hand and in the other Boot sate the Lord Viscount L'Isle and General Mountague with Swords drawn in their hands Cleypole led the Horse of Honour in rich Caparisons the Life Guard and other Guards attended the Coach the Officers and the rest followed in Coaches to White-hall The Speaker and members of Parliament went to the House where they passed some Votes and ordered them to be presented to his Highness Then according to the Act of Parliament the House adjourned it self till the twentieth of January next The Bills passed by his Highness this Parliament besides those mentioned before were An Act for the preventing of the multiplicity of Buildings in and about the Suburbs of London and within ten miles thereof An Act for quiet enjoying of sequestred Parsonages and Vicarages by the present Incumbent An Act for discovering convicting and repressing of Popish Recusants An Act and Declaration touching several Acts and Ordinances made since the twentieth of April 1653. and before the third of September 1654. and other Acts c. Instructions agreed upon in Parliament for Joseph Aylloffe Thomas Skipwith Jeremy Banes Adam Ayre Esq James Robinson and William Marr Gent. Commissioners for surveying the Forrest of Sher-wood Robert Frank John Kensey Thomas Wats Esq and George Sargeant Gent. Commissioners for surveying the Forrest or Chase of Need-wood James Stedman Robert Tayler Thomas Tanner Esq and John Halsey Gent. Commissioners for surveying the Forest or Chase of Kingswood Henry Dewell William Dawges Joseph Gamage Esq Richard Johnson Gent. Commissioners for surveying the Forrest or Chase of Ashdown or Lancaster great Park John Baynton Hugh Web Esq Major Rolph and Nicholas Gunton Gent. Commissioners for surveying Enfield Chase in pursuance of an Act of this present Parliament Intituled an Act and Declaration touching several Acts and Ordinances made since the twentieth of April 1653. and before the third of September 1654. and other Acts c. An Act for punishing of such persons as live at high rates and have no visible Estate Profession or Calling answerable thereunto An Act for Indempnifiing of such persons as have acted for the service of the publick An Act for the better observation of the Lord's Day An Act for raising of fifteen thousand pounds Sterling in Scotland An Act for an Assessment at the rate of five and thirty thousand pounds by the month upon England six thousand pounds by the month upon Scotland and nine thousand pounds by the month upon Ireland for three years from the twenty fourth of June 1657. for a Temporary supply towards the mantainance of the Armys and Navys of this Common-wealth An Additional Act for the better Improvement and advancing the Receipts of the Excise and new Impost A Book of Values of Merchandize imported according to which Excise is to be paid by the first Buyer An Act for continuing and establishing the Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage and for reviving an Act for the better packing of Butter and redress of abuses therein An Act for the better suppressing of Theft upon the Borders of England and Scotland and for discovery of High-way-men and other Felons An Act for the improvement of the Revenue of the Customs and Excise An Act for the assuring confirming and settling of Lands and Estates in Ireland An Act for the Attainder of the Rebels in Ireland An Act for the settling of the Postage of England Scotland and Ireland An Act for the Adjournment of this present Parliament from the 26th of June 1657 unto the 20th of January next ensuing The humble additional and explanatory Petition and Advice in these words TO HIS HIGHNESS THE LORD PROTECTOR OF THE Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging The humble Additional and Explanatory Petition and Advice of the Knights Citizens and Burgesses now assembled in the Parliament of this Common-wealth WHereas upon the humble Petition and Advice of the said Knights Citizens and Burgesses now assembled in the Parliament of this Common-wealth lately presented and consented unto by your Highness certain Doubts and Questions have arisen concerning some particulars therein comprised for explanation whereof May it please your Highness to declare and consent unto the Additions and Explanations hereafter mentioned and may it be declared with your Highness Consent In the fourth Article That such person and persons as invaded England under Duke Hamilton in the year 1648 Or advised consented assisted or voluntarily contributed unto that War and were for that cause debarred from publick trust by the Parliament of Scotland be uncapable to Elect or be Elected to sit and serve as Members of Parliament or in any other place of publick trust relating unto the fourth and thirteenth
Seal was at the first committed to the Custody of the two Speakers to be made use of by the Warrant of the Houses afterwards it was committed to the Custody of two Lords and four Commoners as Commissioners who had the Authority of Keeper of the Great Seal The Lords were the Earls of Manchester and Bullingbrook the Commoners were Mr. Brown Mr. S. John Mr. Wilde and Mr. Prideaux The Courts of Justice were not-yet open no practice for Lawyers August 12. The Earl of Lindsey being released from his Imprisonment by the Parliament came to the King at Oxford and was highly welcomed there but the Earls of Holland and Bedford found it otherwise to them For they about August 25. upon some distaste at the Parliament left them and got to Wallingford where the Governour Blagge received them with great shews of Honour and brought them from thence to the King at Oxford To him these Lords professed their Duty and Allegiance acknowledging their former Errours and promising wholly to desert the Parliament and to adhere to his Majestie 's Interest But not long after finding less favour and respect to them from the King and his Party than they expected upon this new Discontent they found means again to quit Oxford and to return to the Parliament About the same time the Earl of Clare left the Parliament and went to the King to Oxford but finding such Entertainment as Holland and Bedford had done both from the King and those about him he stoutly told the King That he intended to return to his own house in Nottinghamshire and prayed his Majestie 's leave for it The King wished him not to go but finding him resolute upon his Journey sent to have him stopped but in the mean while the Earl found means to pass the Guards and got home to Houghton and from thence to the Parliament It was said in Drollery that these three Earls had much confirmed others to continue with the Parliament for they having tried both Parties found it by Experience that this was the best to be in and to adhere unto A Book set out by Saltmarsh a Minister gave distaste to sober men by these among other his Counsells 1. That all means should be used to keep the King and his People from a sudden union 2. To cherish the War under the notion of Popery as the surest means to engage the people 3. If the King would not grant their Demands then to root him out and the Royal Line and to Collate the Crown upon some body else Some excepting against this in the house of Commons Mr. Henry Martyn said He saw no reason to condemn Mr. Saltmarsh and that it were better one Family should be destroyed than many Sir Nevill Poole moved that Mr. Martyn might explain what one Family he meant Who boldly answered The King and his Children Upon this some of the Members urged against his lewdness of life and the height and danger of these words And divers speaking sharply against Mr. Martyn he was committed to the Tower but shortly after released and re-admitted to his place in Parliament Sir Edward Coniers is removed fom his place of Lieutenant of the Tower and the Charge thereof given to the Lord Mayor Pennington The Parliaments Commissioners in Scotland send word of a fair Correspondence with the State there and their readiness to comply with the Parliament in order to which they had sent from them the Form of a Covenant to be taken by both Nations This the Parliament refers to the Assembly of Divines then sitting for their Advice in it Sir John Evelyn of Wilts had writ a Letter from the Earl of Northumberland's house at Petworth to Sir John Evelyn of Surrey which being intercepted and suspicious both of them being Members of the house of Commons were Imprisoned Both Houses passed an Ordinance August 28 for demolishing and removing all Monuments of Idolatry and Superstition out of all Churches and Chapels in England and Wales Divers Members of both Houses were Members of the Assembly of Divines and had the same liberty with the Divines to sit and debate and give their Votes in any Matter which was in consideration amongst them In which Debates Mr. Selden spake admirably and confuted divers of them in their own learning And sometimes when they had cited a Text of Scripture to prove their Assertion he would tell them Perhaps in your little Pocket Bibles with gilt Leaves which they would often pull out and read the Translation may be thus but the Greek or the Hebrew signifies thus and thus and so would totally silence them The Lord Willoughby of Parham had done great Service for the Parliament in Lincolnshire He had taken in Gainsborough and divers Prisoners there among whom was the Earl of Kingston who with the rest being sent by Water in a close Boat towards Hull A party of Cavaliers as they passed by called to the Boat to stay and because they did not the Cavaliers shot at them and the Earl with his man and no other in the Boat were slain by their own Friends The Lord Willoughby kept the Town afterwards against the Earl of Newcastle's Forces till over-powred with Numbers he was forced to surrender it upon honourable conditions Colonel Cromwell gave assistance to the Lord Willoughby and performed very gallant Service against the Earl of Newcastle's Forces This was the beginning of his great Fortunes and now he began to appear to the world He had a brave Regiment of Horse of his Country-men most of them Freeholders and Freeholders Sons and who upon matter of Conscience engaged in this Quarrel and under Cromwell And thus being well armed within by the satisfaction of their own Consciences and without by good Iron Arms they would as one man stand firmly and charge desperately The Parliament ordered Recruits for the Lord Willoughby and for Cromwell and both of them became in the Parliaments favour Gloucester was the general subject of discourse the King was set down before it with his whole Army the Governour Massey not only refuseth upon his Majestie 's Summons to render the City to him but sallies forth upon some of their Quarters and did cut off 300 of their men A Conspiracy of the Mace-bearer and others to kill the Governour and chief Military Officers was discovered and the betraying of the Town prevented some of the Conspirators being executed Gen. Essex advanced with his whole Body from Ailesbury towards Gloucester Aug. 29. The Enemy made a breach in the Outworks and some Assaults but was gallantly repulsed The King drew his Forces from Exeter and the West to the siege of Gloucester yet the Besiegers were very doubtful whether to continue or raise the siege Warwick Castle held out against the King's Forces and Colonel Bridges the Governour acquitted himself with much honour The Earl of Denbigh was made Major General of Coventry and some part adjacent The Lord Gray and Colonel
for their passage and that they were not to part with it but they shewed it to his Messenger and gave him a Copy of it with which he returned to the Governour and after some two hours attendance he sent a Troop of Horse to convoy them into the Town They went directly to the Governour 's quarters who received them not rudely but with hight enough and called for wine for them he told them that he believed the King was returned to Oxford and that it was more probable they might find him there than in any other place Amongst other discourses he and the Earl of Denbigh fell into relations of some passages of War wherein both the Earl and Colonel Blake had been Actors and both of them being high Spirits could not brook any diminution to the honour of each other or of their parties They differed upon some matters of fact and grew unto very high words insomuch as the Lord Maitland looked very pale and he and others thought that they should have their throats cut by the garrison and Blake looked very big upon them and his words were answerable All the Company held it fit to remove from this Garrison seeing the Carriage of Blake so full of insolence and incivility and with much difficulty they at last got into their Coaches and and took leave of the proud Governour The next morning they took their journey towards Oxford and upon the Hill half a mile before they came to the Town they stayed in the field till they sent a Messenger to the Governour of Oxford Sir Jacob Ashley to acquaint him with their being there to wait upon the King according to their safe Conduct whereof they sent him a Copy and desired entrance and accommodation in the City The Messenger returned that Sir Jacob Ashley would acquaint his Majesty with their being there and know his pleasure about it and then he would send to them accordingly and after three or four hours stay in the wet and cold open field then came an Officer and a Troup of horse to Convoy them into the City As they past along the streets the rude multitude the people part of that body for whom they underwent so many hazards of their lives and fortunes to preserve them in their Rights and Liberties and from Slavery and Popery which some about the King as was believed endeavoured to bring upon them Part of this People of England as they past along the Streets reviled them with the names of Traitors Rogues and Rebels and the like and threw stones and dirt into their Coaches a great incouragement and reward for their service for them They went on their way taking no notice of these affronts and abuses and were brought to their quarters to a mean Inn the sign of the Katherine Wheele next St. John's College which house was little above the degree of an Alehouse The Officer made a slight excuse to them for making them stay so long before they were admitted into the Garrison the which he said could not be till the Governour had spoken with the King which took up some time and that the providing of quarters for them was very difficult in regard the Town was so full of the King's Forces After they were setled in their quarters divers of the King 's great Officers and Lords came to visit them and some had their particular friends who came thither to them among whom was Sir Edward Hyde who came to Visit some of them and in discourse in general about the Propositions for peace profess'd his earnest desire and endeavour that they might take effect The Earl of Lindsey who then lay sick of wounds he had received sent a Gentleman in his name to visit Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke and to tell them that if he had been able to come abroad he would himself have visited them The Commissioners Servants informed them of a great bussle in the Hall of the Inne That some Officers of the King's Army came in thither to them and fell to quarrel with them called them and their Masters and the Parliament Rogues and Rebels and Traytors and would not suffer them to come near the fire upon which they quarrell'd Mr. Hollis went presently to one of the King's Officers who was there a tall big black man and taking him by the Collar shook him and told him it was basely and unworthily done of them to abuse their Servants in their own quarters and contrary to the King 's safe conduct and presently took away his Sword from him Whitelocke did the like to another great mastiff Fellow an Officer also of the King's Army and took away his Sword from him Upon this fearing some Design upon them and that more of the King's Officers and Souldiers would come in to affront them they caused the door of the Inne to be shut up and sent to acquaint the Governour with this abuse and affront offered to them He presently sent a Captain who took away those two Officers who had been disarmed and carried them to prison he excused a little the matter to the Commissioners and brought a Guard of Foot-souldiers to attend at the door of their quarters This business was much talked on among the King's Officers and Souldiers and most of them said that Hollis and Whitelocke had done well and like Gentlemen in disarming those two that offered the affront whom they much condemned and they were after this quiet The next day they had access to his Majesty who used them civilly and gave to every one of them his hand to kiss but he seemed to shew more disdain to the Scots Commissioners than to any others of their Company The Earl of Denbigh read the Propositions to his Majesty who heard them with much patience and when they were all read told them that he would consider of an Answer to be given to them Hollis and Whitelocke thought themselves obliged in civility and courtship to return a Visit to the Earl of Lindsey But all the Commissioners having agreed that none of them should singly give any Visit to any of the King's Officers or great Lords nor in company without acquainting their Fellow-commissioners therewith They thought fit to tell them their Intentions with their leave to return a Visit to the Earl of Lindsey who had so courteously first sent to visit them and all their Fellow commissioners approved thereof and wished them to doe as they intended The same Evening about Eight or Nine of the Clock Hollis and Whitelocke went to the Court to the Earl of Lindsey's Lodgings whom they found ill and in his Bed and divers Lords with him among the rest the Lord Savile then newly made Earl of Sussex The Earl of Lindsey expressed much contentment and that he took it extream kindly that they would come to visit him and treated them with extraordinary respect and courtesie and no man with him was so forward to complement them as was the Lord Savile When they had
Parliaments party The King's Garrison in Latham-house as was informed contrary to an agreement and cessation of Arms â—allied out and did much mischief to the Parliaments friends Jan. 29. The Commissioners for the Treaty on both parts met at Vxbridge and had their several quarters those for the Parliament and all their Retinue on the North side of the Town and those for the King on the South side and no intermixture of the one party of their Attendants with the other the best Inn of the one side was the Rendezvous of the Parliaments Commissioners and the best Inn of the other side of the Street was for the King's Commissioners The Evening that they came to Town several Visits passed between particular Commissioners of either party as Sir Edward Hyde came to visit Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke the Lord Culpepper visited Sir Henry Vane and others of the King's Commissioners visited several of the Parliaments Commissioners and had long Discourses about the Treaty and to perswade one another to a compliance Mr. Whitelocke visited Sir Edward Hyde and Mr. Palmer and Sir Richard Lane and others and several of the Parliaments Commissioners visited divers of the King's Commissioners and had discourses with them tending to the furtherance of the business of the Treaty The Town was so exceeding full of company that it was hard to get any quarter except for the Commissioners and their Retinue and some of the Commissioners were forced to lie two of them in a Chamber together in Field Beds onely upon a Quilt in that cold weather not coming into a Bed during all the Treaty This place being within the Parliaments quarters their Commissioners were the more civil and desirous to afford accommodations to the King's Commissioners and they thought it fit to appoint Sir John Bennet's House at the further end of the Town to be fitted for the place of meeting for the Treaty The foreway into the House was appointed for the King's Commissioners to come in at and the backway for the Parliaments Commissioners in the middle of the house was a fair great Chamber where they caused a large Table to be made like that heretofore in the Star-chamber almost square without any upper or lower end of it The King's Commissioners had one end and one side of the Table for them the other end and side was for the Parliaments Commissioners and the end appointed for the Scots Commissioners to sit by themselves Behind the Chairs of the Commissioners on both sides sate the Divines and Secretaries and such of the Commissioners as had not room to sit next to the Table At each end of the great Chamber was a fair withdrawing Room and Inner-chamber one for the King 's the other for the Parliaments Commissioners to retire unto and consult when they pleased The first night of their being together a little before Supper an intimation was given that the Chancellour of Scotland expected both at the Table and Meetings to have precedence of all the English Lords and that Mr. Barkley and Mr. Kennedagh expected to have precedence of the English Commissioners who were but Esquires except Mr. St. John to whom they were pleased to allow precedence because he was the King's Sollicitour Upon Discourse the Arguments they insisted upon for the Chancellour were That he was the prime Officer of Scotland and had precedence of all Dukes there unless they were of the Blood Royal and both the Kingdoms being now united he was to have the same precedence in England as he had in Scotland To which was answered That he was not Chancellour in England nor had any precedence here but in courtesie as Earl of Loudoun that formerly when the great Officers of England attended the King into Scotland as soon as they came thither they ceased to execute their Offices and had no precedence there and that it ought to be alike with the Chancellour of Scotland when he was here For the precedence of Mr. Kennedah and Mr. Berkley before the Commissioners who were Esquires they were informed that Mr. Whitlocke and Mr. Crew were eldest Sons of Knights and that by the Law of England those were to have precedence next to Knights and consequently before the Scottish Gentlemen with which they were satisfied but still they insisted upon the point of the Chancellour's precedence The Earl of Northumberland smiled at this contest and seemed to contemn it of whose great Honour and Family and the Antiquity of it the Scots Commissioners could not be ignorant nor of the difference between that and the Family of the Earl of Loudoun Yet Northumberland moved for satisfaction of the Scots that the Chancellour and one other of the Scots Commissioners might sit at the upper end of the Table which was not taken for the chief but for the Womans place and the rest of the Commissioners to sit in their ranks on either side and so that matter was for the present settled Officers had been sent down from the Parliament to prepare all things fit for the Commissioners and for their Diet and Entertainment at which the Scots Commissioners were contented to have their share and things were ordered very nobly and handsomely Mr. Thurloe and Mr. Earle were Secretaries for the English and Mr. Cheesely for the Scots Commissioners none sate at the Table with the Commissioners but the Ministers when there was room and sometimes strangers or persons of Quality that came into them and a very full Table was there kept for them and alwaies before every Meal one of the Ministers Mr. Marshal or Mr. Vines and now and then Mr. Henderson prayed and suitable to the occasion On the first day of their meeting Jan. 30. in the Evening before they entred upon the Treaty each side desired to know the others power for the Treaty and to have Copies thereof A Petition from Kent presented by their Committee express their good affection to the Parliament and encourage the Commons to pursue the Self-denying Ordinance and the thanks of the House was returned them The King's forces advancing towards Newport Paganel Sir Samuel Luke the Governour was sent down thither Divers Orders were made for Supplies for the several forces The Members of the House attended the Burial of Mr. John White of the Middle Temple a Member of the House of Commons a Puritan from his youth to his death an Honest Learned and Faithfull Servant to the publick but somewhat severe at the Committee for plundered Ministers The Lords read the Bill or Ordinance for raising Forces under Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Commons ordered a Letter to be sent to him for his speedy coming up to the Parliament and whilst the Treaty for Peace went on they did not slacken their pains to prepare for War in case the Treaty should take no effect For the motion of the Scots Army Southwards Letters were past by the Commons and sent up to the Lords Jan 31. The Commissioners for the Treaty having
came to the House with a Petition and Proposals to the House for raising of 500 Horse and money to pay them out of Delinquents Estates for the which the House gave them thanks and ordered a Committee to treat further with them upon these Proposals Debate about Supplies for Ireland and particularly for the Province of Munster referred to the Committee of Lords and Commons for Ireland and to the Committee of Accounts to state the former charges for that Kingdom The Committee for the Lord Savile's business sate again this Afternoon and Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke offered to make a Narrative to the Committee for their satisfaction and to answer any Questions which should be asked of them by any of the Committee Then Mr. Brown the Chairman moved the Committee whether it were not fit that as Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke were present when the Lord Savile was heard so now the Lord Savile should be present when Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke made their Narrative This held not much debate it being judged by most of the Gentlemen there present to be improper and unfit and moved by the Chairman in too much favour to the Lord Savile It was then taken into debate whether Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke should be heard speak by way of Narrative or whether they should be examined as to a Charge and it was over-ruled that they should be heard by way of Narrative Then Sir Peter Wentworth moved that whilst the one of them was making his Narrative the other might withdraw and that they should not both be present together to hear what one another affirmed or denied But this was not regarded Mr. Hollis began first and made his Narrative and after he had done Mr. Whitelocke spake and both their Narratives were the same in effect with what they had spoken before in the House and they denied some of my Lord Savile's Informations which were not true and he had no proof but his own honour which was not in much esteem of most of them 11. Debate of the desire of the Scots Army to have Commissioners of the Parliament to reside with them which was agreed and a Message sent to the Lords to name those of their House who should be of this Committee Debate about the Ordinance for sale of Delinquents Estates Order for the Committee of the Navy to send two Barks to Weymouth for the safety of the Fishermen in those parts whom the Clubmen had injured The Committee for the Lord Savile's business sate not this day Some friends who sounded the Solicitor St. John and the other great men of this Committee told Whitelocke that they found them not so sharp against him as against Mr. Hollis whom they were resolved to ruine if they could But Mr. Whitelocke being so much involved in this business with him they could not separate them but either both or neither must be ruined They prepared accordingly for their defence and although many private Messages were sent to Whitelocke and private Conferences with him that if he would desert Mr. Hollis and discover what he could say against him that he should not only be preserved but be rewarded and preferred yet they could not prevail with him to confess any thing against Mr. Hollis or the trust of friendship wherein he held himself engaged 12. Debate of the Ordinance for sale of Delinquents Estates An Ordinance read for raising a 1000 Horse and 500 Dragoons and Money for them in associated Counties The Committee of Kent who had power of Martial Law gave judgment of death against 30 who were in the late Insurrection there yet ordered that they should throw the Dice for their lives and but four of them to be executed only two who refused to throw the Dice were ordered to be executed The House sate in the Afternoon and a Messenger brought them this relation from Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army That Goring with his whole Army being quartered at Langport expecting more Forces from the King to joyn with him Sir Thomas Fairfax having notice thereof called a Council of War Whose result was to give battel to the Enemy if they could force them to it That accordingly they advanced in several bodies L. G. Massey with his Brigade of 4000 horse and about 7 or 8 foot Regiments advanced in the Rear of Goring's Army fell on a party of them took many Colours about 200 prisoners and more horse but few in this service were slain Sir Thomas Fairfax by that time was advanced near Goring's head quarters at Langport not knowing of Massey's engagement who was quartered on the other side of the River July 10 Sir Thomas Fairfax very early drew out with seven Regiments of horse and most part of his foot into the field near Sutton Goring perceiving this possest himself of a Pass which lay between Sir Thomas Fairfax and Massey and hindred the conjunction of their Forces not above four a breast being able to march through the Lane in which the Enemy had lined the Hedges with Musquetiers By this they intended to bring off their Ordnance and Carriages and to make an honourable retreat to Bridgwater But upon the firing of Sir Thomas Fairfax his foot they beat off Goring's foot from the hedges whereby Fairfax his horse might advance Major Bethel with a single Troup entred the Passage the rest of the horse following him and gallantly charged the whole body of Goring's horse who were in the Lane and as gallantly received him but he routed their first party then their reserve and so retreated to the body After this Col. Desborough with about 300 horse of Sir Thomas Fairfax his Regiment charged Goring's horse and after a short but hot engagement wherein both parties did very gallantly Goring's horse were routed and put to flight and pursued almost to Bridgewater There were about 400 slain on both sides 2000 prisoners taken by Sir Thomas Fairfax 1200 horse and about 40 Colours 4000 Arms two pieces of Ordnance six Carriages with Ammunition M. G. Porter next in Command to Goring and with him 100 Officers were taken After this good news they went in the better humour to the Committee of the Lord Savile where Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke had procured the Earl of Denbigh to come and desired that he being one of the Commissioners with them at Oxford would be pleased to declare his knowledge concerning the Matters in question before the Committee The Earl of Denbigh then told the Committee that he was desired by them to be there and had leave of the House of Peers to be at this Committee and would acquaint them upon his honour with the truth of what he knew in this business He told them that he did well remember that at their first coming to Oxford there was care taken by them for their carriage and discourse there that they were so punctual that he read the Propositions before-hand that there might be
the Earl of Essex to sit in Parliament Divers Scotch Ministers endeavoured to satisfie the Kings Conscience that he might take the Covenant but could not prevail 17. An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for charging ten thousand pound upon the Excise for poor Widows Officers Wives and others The Lords desired the concurrence of the Commons that the Earl of Northumberland be made L. Lieutenant of York-shire in the stead of the Earl of Essex deceased A Petition of the Levanâ— Merchants against Sir Sackvile Crow for Cruelties and Tyrannies exercised by him against their Company and desiring his Commission might be made void was referred to a Committee Order for four hundred pound for relief of poor Irish Protestants here 18. Order for a Letter to the Grand Seignior to revoke the Commission of Sir Sackvile Crow from being Agent at Constantinople and power given to the Merchants to chuse a new Agent Voted That no Consultation touching his Majestics Person should hinder the March of the Scots Army out of England nor violate the Treaties and that the Kings Person should be disposed of as both Houses of the Parliament of England should hold fit The Speaker desired he might communicate some secret Intelligence which he had to a Committee and was ordered to do it to the Committee of both Kingdoms and the Committee of the Admiralty Order for stating Arrears of Accounts 19. The Houses sate not The Estates of Scotland met about the surrender of the English Garrisons c. 21. The Commissioners from Scotland not being able to prevail with the King to pass the propositions returned into Scotland The Kings did not absolutely refuse to do it but said he hoped they would grant him a hearing which for better accommodation he desires may be near London and doubts not but after a full hearing he may not only have but receive full satisfaction Letters informed of the Irish Rebels drawing with a great Army towards Vlster and that the Marquess of Ormond was gone with Forces to joyn with them to suppress such as withstand the new Peace The Committee of Worcester took great care in listing their Soldiers for Ireland 22. No means prevailing with the King to pass the Propositions the House named a Committee to turn those Propositions into Ordinances of Parliament Order that the Committee of both Kingdoms do communicate to the Scots Commissioners the Votes of the House for disposing of the Kings Person Ordinance for Money A Committee for satisfying the City about the security for the two hundred thousand pound Letters of the surrender of Silley and Col. Rouse appointed Governor Reasons offered by the Commons to the Lords for continuance of the Commissioners and Treasurers of the Army The Lords Voted the Lord Roberts to be Governor of Silly but before that the Commons Vote was passed for Col. Rouse The Lords concurred with the Commons in the Vote for disposing of the Kings person The Duke d'Anguienne Besieged Dunkirk The Spaniard raised Forces to relieve it 23. The House proceeded in a grand Committee upon the Ordinance against Blasphemies and Heresies A Petition of Lieutenant Col. Lilburnes Wife accompanied with many Women at the door of the House and mentioning the Tyranny of the Lords by their imprisoning of her Husband and thereby divorcing her from him and desires Justice Intelligence came that upon discovery of a Plot against the Person of the Marquess of Ormond and those with him they returned back to Dublin 24. A new Committee appointed of both Houses to treat with the Scots Commissioners about disposing of the Kings Person this new Committee was purposely named to carry on the design touching the Kings Person as was intended The Committee of Foreign Affairs appointed to receive what the Spanish Ambassador desired to communicate to both Houses Order that no Passes should be granted to transport any Horses for six Months An Ordinance sent up to the Lords to put the Office of Chancellor of Chester in the Speakers of both Houses Order for the Forces of Cheshire for Money A day set to consider how the Army under Sir The. Fair fax shall be disposed of 25. Orders for Money and Cloaths for the Forces in Vlster Order to continue the Committee of both Kingdoms till the last of November next and that if the Scots Commissioners shall refuse to joyn with them then they were to act by themselves Votes That the Estates of the Lord Capell Lord Cottington Marquess of Winchester Earl of Worcester and Sir Charles Smith should be sold to raise Money for Ireland Some of the Assembly of Divines from the rest brought into the House such Heads of the Articles of Faith as they had perfected The Establishment and securing of Wallingford Castle referred to the General and a Committee named to draw up a new establishment thereof 26. The House sate not 28. Letters from the North certified that the Convention at Edinburg agreed that the Scots Army should march out of England upon the receipt of the two hundred thousand pound as agreed and all Towns and Castles held now by them in England to be delivered up that they are sending a Plenipotence to their Commissioners here to determine with the Parliament of England as to the dispose of his Majesties Person The Irish Rebels by Declaration disclaimed the Peace made with the Protestants The Articles of the Surrender of Silly Islands sent up 29. Vote That no Office shall be conferred by any Committee upon any person without consent of the Parliament A Committee of the long Robe appointed to make some amendmerts in the Ordinance for security to the advancers of the two hundred thousand pound Great complaints of the Quartering of the Scots Army in the North and in Lancashire Denbigh Castle was upon Treaty of surrender Order against the great resort of multitudes of People to the door of the House and it was observed then that some of those Gentlemen who formerly most incouraged such resort were now most fearful of them 30. The publick Fast day the House met after the Sermons and ordered an Ordinance to be drawn up to be read in every Congregation on every Fast day and therein the sins of the Nation to be mentioned and lamented and particularly in relation to Ireland The Ordinance for Observation of the publick fast day sent up to the Lords with some amendments An Ordinance to be drawn up to prevent clandestine Marriages without the consent of Parents October 1646. October 1. Order for five hundred pound to be paid to the Executors of the late Earl of Essex for defraying some ingagements and for the charge of his Funeral and that of four thousand five hundred pound due to his Countess who was disaffected to the Parliament four thousand pound should be paid to the State and five hundred pound to Col. Mathews and to the Servants of the Earl A question being propounded whether the great Seal be disposed of
grievously Wounded lay there and Starved 14. Letters to Collonel Mitton to hasten the slighting of the Garrisons in North-Wales A Committee appointed to draw Instructions for Commissioners of both Houses to press the King to grant the Propositions Upon a Petition of the reduced Officers of the Lord Fairfax and a Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax Order for a fifth part of their Arrears to be paid to them 15. Difference about the alterations in the Ordinance for Oxford University and an Order about a fitting maintenance for the Heads of Houses there Upon a Petition of some of the Bishops Order for the Committee to dispatch the reference to them about maintenance for the Bishops and an Order to deface all Superstitious Monuments and Scandalous in both Universities and that the Committees for Ireland do meet daily about that business An Ordinance past the Commons giving power to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councel of London to choose thirty one persons of the City to Govern their Militia for one year Mr. Devereux newly returned a Member of the House for Wales was suspended being a Delinquent and a Charge against him 16. Orders for mony for Ireland and for four thousand pounds for the Lady Brooke and her Children whose Husband Sir William Brooke was slain in the Parliaments service and for five hundred pounds for Mr. Sanderson for his service and losses Allowance for the Treasurers to Goldmiths-Hall and Licence to Sheriffs to reside out of their Counties 17. Letters from Saffron Walden certified That the General with the Parliaments Commissioners and two hundred Officers of the Army had conference about part of the Army going for Ireland that the Earl of Warwick one of the Commissioners spake with many Exhortations to the Officers to accept of the terms and undertake for Ireland setting forth the necessity concernment and honour of the service That the General did much incourage the Officers to ingage for Ireland That Collonel Lambert in the name of the Officers desired to know what satisfaction the Parliament had given to the four Quaeries concerning Arrears Indemnity Maintenance in Ireland and Conduct That Sir John Clotworthy one of the Commissioners said they were all answered except that of Indemnity whereof the Parliament would take care and had given Instruction to the Judges not to receive any Indictment against Souldiers for things done in tempore loco belli till the Ordinance could be brought in Then it was moved concerning Commanders and answered That Major General Skippon and Major General Massey were named by both Houses to be General and Lieutenant General Collonel Hammond said that if they had assurance that Major General Skippon would go he doubted not but a great part of the Army would ingage with him It was cryed out All All Fairfax and Cromwel and we all goe Some few of the Officers subscribed to go for Ireland most of the rest signed presently a Declaration to the same effect as formerly and to Authorise Lieutenant General Hammond Collonel Hammond Collonel Lambert Collonel Lilburnc Collonel Hewson and Collonel Rich to declare their sence and to act for them 19. The House Sat not Letters come from Holmeby that the Dutch Ambassadour had Audience of the King and acquainted him with the death of the Prince of Orange The Earl of Lotherdale and Dumferling came to London with Commission to joyn with the Parliaments Commissioners in persuading the King to Sign the Covenant and Propositions 20. Apprentices of London came to the House for answer to their former Petition for days of Recreation the Commons referred it to a Committee to draw up an Ordinance to abolish all Festival-days and Holy-days and to appoint the second Tuesday in every Month a day of Recreation for all Apprentices Schollars and Servants with limits against Tumults Disorders and Unlawful Sports Referred to a Committee to settle Augmentations for Ministers in Dorchester A Bayliff Committed for Arresting a Servant of Mr. Speaker Debate about the Government of the Church by Presbiteries The City propounded for security for two hundred thousand pounds last desired to be borrowed of them the remainder of the Bishops Lands Papists and excepted persons Estates and the Excise in course which was agreed unto Order for twenty thousand pounds for Ireland The proceedings of the Commissioners to get Forces for Ireland proved not so effectual as was expected That generally they were unwilling to go unless the General and their other Commanders went with them The General sent a Letter to every Regiment to persuade them to ingage in this Service 21. Order for the third part of the Arrears of the Scots Officers be abated for free Quarter Horse and Arms c. The Lord Rich referred to his Composition Instructions sent up to the Lords for the Commissioners to go to the King to persuade him to Sign the Propositions c. Another for Collecting the Arrears of the Bill of four hundred thousand pounds upon the County of Bucks Order for Pay to the Messenger of both Kingdoms and fifty pounds apiece above it and for Pay for Sir Thomas Fairfax's Messenger An Ordinance Read for payment of mony long since borrowed of Mr. Steward Several Votes of either House Communicated to each other touching security for the two hundred thousand pounds and touching scandalous persons The Councel of War in Ireland Sentenced Collonel Brocket worthy of death and his Regiment was conferred on Collonel Monke That the Souldiers are in very great want there and the Lord L'Isle very careful to get Supplies for them and to do service 22. Letters informed the great resort of people to the King to be cured of the Kings-Evil Whereupon the House Ordered a Declaration to be drawn To inform the people of the Superstition of being Touched by the King for the Evil. And a Letter of thanks Ordered to the Commissioners at Holmeby Progress about the business of the Church Order for a Declaration for payment of Tithes and other Duties to Ministers and for Presentations to Benefices A Petition of a Merchant of Hull for ten thousand nine hundred pounds owing to him by the State referred to a Committee and Ordered that he have four thousand pounds in the mean time Report of the Transactions with the Army about going for Ireland The Argiere Duty continued for one year Labour to get the Souldiers ingage for Ireland proved not effectual 23. Votes pursuant to Truro Articles The Lords differed from the Commons about the Security for the two hundred thousand pounds to the City of London Officers that undertook for Ireland were of Horse seventeen of Dragoons seven and of Foot eighty seven but they could get only a few of their several Troops and Companies to go with them Much Debate about Disbanding of the Army or sending the Army intirely into Ireland and other motions the result deferred to another time 24. The House was Adjourned 26. The Commissioners returned from the Army presented to the House a List of
not named 26. The Monthly Fast day Sir John Owen was sent to Windsor Castle upon a Charge of high Treason and Murder against him for the business of North Wales Letters from Colchester Leaguer that an Exchange was offered of M r Ashburnham for Sir William Masham That the Lord General had caused the Pipes of Water to the Town to be cut off whereby the besieged had no Water but what was muddy or annoyed with Dead Horses and the besiegers got a great store of Lead That the Common Souldiers in the Town had lived upon Horse-flesh five days together and at a Court of Guard they Roasted a whole Horse at which the Foot was merry but the Troupers discontented That the General sent in Papers upon the heads of Arrows into the Town by that means dispersed among the Common Souldiers in the Town that if they would deliver up the Lord Goring Lord Loughborough Lord Capell and some others of their Chief-men that the rest should have passes and quarter and go to their homes The Prince and Duke of York came to Yarmouth with nineteen Ships in which were supposed to be two thousand men some of them landing near the Town were set upon by a party of the Parliaments Horse who took seven of them Prisoners but a party of Townsmen issuing out rescued the Prisoners and the rest of the Princes men got into the Town The General sent Colonel Scroop with eight Troops of Horse and Dragoons towards Yarmouth and a thousand of the Norfolk Foot were ordered to joyn with him to hinder the landing of the Prince and his Forces there Letters from Major General Lambert that the Scots and his Forces are near one another and have had several Skirmishes but few lost on either side that the Yorkshire Horse and a thousand of Lieutenant General Cromwells Foot are joyned with him 27. Both Houses made the Earl of Pembroke Constable of Windsor Castle and Keeper of the great Park and Forest And his Lordship a little time after made Whitelock his Lieutenant of the Castle and Forest Sergeant Glanvile made his composition and was released from imprisonment Order for fourty thousand pounds for furnishing the stores of the Kingdom and for night thousand for the Fort of Tilbury and Colonel Willoughbies accompts for it to be stated Letters from the Lord Willoughby excusing to his Friends his going out of England without their advice He was in the beginning of the troubles very hearty and strong for the Parliament and manifested great personal courage honor and military as well as civil abilities as appears by his actions and Letters whilest he was in the service of the Parliament In whose favour and esteem he was so high that they voted him to be General for the Horse under the Earl of Essex and afterwards to be an Earl But having taken a disgust at the Parliaments declining a personal Treaty with the King and being jealous that Monarchy and consequently degrees and Titles of Honor were in danger to be wholly abolished he was too forward in countenancing and assisting the late tumults in the City when the Members of Parliament were driven away from Westminster to the Army Upon the return of the Members he was with other Lords impeached of high Treason for that Action and rather than appear and stand to a Tryal for it he left his Country and was now with the Prince in his Navy for which the Commons voted his Estate to be secured 28. After many hours Debate in the House of Commons it was carryed upon the question not to adhere to their first vote that the King should sign the three propositions before the Treaty And it was after that resolved upon the question that his Majesty in person should be treated with by Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament in the Isle of Wight upon the whole matter of the propositions at Hampton-Court for setling the Peace of this Kingdom Upon a Letter from Lieutenant General Cromwell advanced North-wards with his Forces as far as Gloucester the House ordered three thousand pair of shoes to be provided for his Foot to be ready for them as they should march through Northamptonshire Letters from Colchester Leaguer That two expresses from Yarmouth came to the General one from the Town showing how much they were laboured by the Prince for his admittance into the Town which they modestly excused and that the Prince put to Sea again towards Harwich or the Downes The other Express was from the Forces in Loving-land under Major Jarmey informing how confidently the Ships attempted to land a Trumpeter to summon Yarmoth That Major Jarmy took some of those who came with the Trumpeter whose examinations declared That aboard the Admiral was the Prince Prince Rupert the Lord Willoughby Willmot Hopton Culpeper and Gerard Sir Henry Palmer and many persons more of quality That they resolved by a Council of War to sink Ships in the Harbour because they had not admittance in the Town but did not put their resolution into execution That Major Jarmy was put to great Straits to secure both sides of the Town and being denyed the Ferry Boat or any other Boat was forced to swim over a Troup of Horse That Captain Johnson endeavoured to raise a tumult and make head against the Parliament the multitude throwing up their Caps and crying for Prince Charles and Captain Johnson but the Bayliffs and other Magistrates did appease the tumult and a present of provisions was sent aboard the Prince That the heads of a Declaration were taken from some that came from aboard the Prince to be published in his name to this effect showing the grounds and reasons of his Highness appearing in the fleet upon the Coast to be 1. The establishing of Religion according to the Agreement of his Majesty with the Scots Commissioners 26. Dec. last 2. The mutual performance of that agreement and pursuance of all concessions therein on his Majestys part 3. The restoring of his Majesty to his liberty and just rights in order to a personal Treaty with his Majesty with honour freedom and safety 4. The maintenance of the freedom and just priviledges of Parliament 5. The defence of the liberty and property of the subject against all violence and oppression and therein the abolition of excise contribution free quarter and other illegal taxes 6. The obtaining an Act of Oblivion and Indemnity 7. The disbanding of all Armies and setling a well grounded and happy Peace 8. For the defence of his Majestys just rights in the Narrow Seas the protection and securing the Trade of his Majestys subjects and the support of his Navy and all the Officers and Mariners of the same The Lords Willoughby Hopton and Culpeper together with his Highness's Secretary or any two of them are appointed to digest these heads into a Declaration and to present it to his Highness in Council Charles P. A Petition from the Lord Major
Officers were ordered to march with the General his Regiment to Windsor to be Prisoners there the other Officers were sent to the Mount Pendennis Cardiffe Oxford Arundel and other strengths but none beyond Trent The Common Souldiers were to be conveyed to Bristol and other Sea-Towns to be transported to America Venice or as shall be appointed the Gentlemen Souldiers were Committed to the care of Troupers till further order Letters from the North that of Scots Irish and English there are above seven thousand under Major General Monroe and they have twenty pieces of Ordnance that Lambert advanced to joyn with Cromwell against Monroe that the siege of Scarborough Castle continued 5. Letters from the Earl of Warwick of his pursuit of the Prince and of the revolted Ships A long debate about the Militia Order that all persons who were in the late Insurrections should be incapable of being Jury-men and that the Judges in their Circuits and the Justices of Peace at their Sessions do see this Order put in execution Ordered that the former Orders and Ordinances for the taking away the Voyces of Delinquents in Elections should be put in execution and all Officers of Cities and Towns Corporate to take notice thereof Order for a call of the House and a Fine of twenty pound upon those absent Order for three thousand pound for Lieutenant Colonel Lilburne as reparation for the Sentence against him in Star-Chamber A Message from the Lords that Doctor Burges may have his place at S. Pauls settled under the great Seal That the Earl of Cleveland may have his Liberty for three Months upon bayle to take the air in the Country for his health and to recommend a Petition from the Countess of Kildare for some reparation of her great losses in Ireland Letters from New-Castle that divers English came thither to ask quarter of the Governour and to desire to be imployed That the Committees of Berwick and Carlisle sit upon sequestrations and raise monies notwithstanding the troubles there That many English are with Monroe incouraged by their Land-lords and that Colonel Fenwicks Horse and some Dragoons relieved Holy Island near Berwick and stormed Fenham Castle in which was a Garrison of Scots 6. Order for mony for Tradesmen who trusted the Lord Inchequin for Armes Both Houses approved the appointment of monies for the Treaty five hundred pound for Coach and Horses for the King six thousand pound for his Majesties private use and three thousand pound for the charges of the Commissioners Debate of an Ordinance for sale of the Lands of Deans and Chapters The Commons agreed to the Earl of Clevelands Liberty upon Bayle so as he ingage upon his honour not to Act against the Parliament Letters from Holland that it was disputed amongst the states whether the Prince of Wales being returned thither they should entertain him in a publick way or give him an allowance per diem and they agreed to allow him a thousand gilders a day and some discontents were among the Sea-men in the Prince his Fleet. Order about stating Sir Jo. Clotworthy's accounts and for his pay and they declared an acceptable sence of his carriage 7. The thanksgiving day for the Victory aginst the Scots Sir Peter Killigrew returned with his Majesties answer to the last Message from the Houses desiring that the Treaty may be hastned that he could have wished all those desired by him might have been admitted to him but will not let that hinder the Treaty he desired Dr. Reeves and Dr. Ducke to be admitted to him in relation to the Treaty At the sight of a Gentleman in mourning for Sir Charles Lucas the King wept 8. Letters from the Earl of Warwick of the constancy unanimity and courage of the Officers and Sea-men in the Parliaments Fleet and that the revolted Ships though more in number avoided them That the Castles of Deal and the rest at the Downs upon which the Protection of the Fleet and of trade have such a dependance are in great want of reparation which he recommends to the Parliament Debate upon the Ordinance for Sale of Deans and Chapters lands Major Husbands sent to the House acquainted them with the surrender of Sandowne Castle in Kent and of the condition of the other Castles in Kent Referred to the Committee at Derby House to write to the Committee of Kent and Colonel Rich to advise with the Lord Admiral about the repair of those Castles and of pay for them Upon the General his Letter that four thousand Pounds of the fourteen thousand Pounds imposed on Colchester to free them from plunder could not be raised and was remitted by the General the House ordered five thousand Pounds to be raised out of the delinquents Estates in those parts to make up the Summ for the Souldiers who should have had the pillage of the Town 9. Order for a hundred and fifty pound for M r Rolphe for his unjust imprisonment The City of London advanced two thousand Pounds for the business of the Treaty Major Armestrong one of the Prisoners at Windsor was rescued at Brainford the House ordered the Captain of the Guards to send a party of Horse to apprehend those that made the rescue Letters from the North that Lieutenant General Cromwell was at Berwick that the Country generally rose with him against Monroe that Cromwell sent to Edenburgh to recal Major General Monroe and the Forces with him out of England and to surrender our Garrisons 11. Both Houses thought not fit to grant a Pass with Blanks for the King to send into Scotland but they advised his Majesty first to send into Scotland for them to name the Persons they would send hither and then a Pass to be granted to them M r Parsons had a Pass to go to his Majesty and to Scotland Instructions passed for Carriages to the Isle of Wight and things preparatory to the Treaty A Pass to Major Belford to transport six horses into France The business of Garrisoning the Earl of Lincoln's House referred to the Committee of Derby House and the Committee of Lincoln to secure it A Petition from thousands well affected persons in and near London giving reasons why they first assisted the Parliament and that they expected other ways from them than a Treaty they mentioned twenty seven heads which they expected from the Parliament 1. That they would have made good the supremacy of the People from all pretences of Negative Voices either in King or Lords 2. Laws for Election of Representatives yearly and of course without Writ or Summons 3. That their time of sitting exceed not forty or fifty dayes and to have fixed a time for the ending of this Parliament 4. To have exempted matters of Religion and Gods worship from the compulsive or restrictive power of any Authority 5. That none be forced or pressed to serve in War 6. To have made both Kings Queens
for Ships and for two Months gratuity for the Marriners who served against the revolted Ships Referred to a Committee to inquire who printed and contrived a scandalous Pamphlet called A Solemn Declaration of the Members secluded the House by the Army That all Acts Ordinances Votes and proceedings of the House of Commons since the Seclusion of the Members and continuance of the Armies force upon it are no way obligatory but null and void The House declared it to be False Scandalous and Seditious and tending to destroy the Government and that all who had a hand in it shall be uncapable of any Office or trust or to be a Member of Parliament and that every absent Member before he sit shall disavow that Pamphlet The Army past a Declaration that whereas some enemies had written to Merchants beyond Seas to call home their estates out of England because the Army had seised upon mens goods and designed to destroy all Trade and propriety the Army declare against it and that they will maintain and preserve both according to Law and with all freedom 16. The new Ordinance for the Militia transmitted to the Lords Another that no Malignants be elected or Electors of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council Men of London A party of Horse went to Hurst Castle to remove the King to Windsor Castle The General Council of the Army sate upon the agreement of the people Colonel Butlers Troop and Major Finchers were disbanded 18. The Lords concurred in the Ordinance with the Commons for disabling Malignants to be elected or Electors of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council Men or any other Officers or places of trust on pain of two hundred pound one half of it to the Informer and the other half to the Maimed Souldiers A Sheriff of Nottinghamshire appointed A Committee appointed to draw up an expedient for the Members of the House to subscribe as Dissenters to the Vote That the Kings answer to the propositions was a ground of peace Order for the Sergeant at Arms to apprehend Sir Charles Kemish for staying in Town contrary to the Ordinance he being a Delinquent Both Houses agreed of a list of Persons to attend the King A day of Humiliation appointed for the two Houses and M r Cokayn and M r Bond to preach and M r Foxley to pray Intelligence of a new Fleet preparing by the Prince for Scilly Guernsey and Jersey and for Ireland and many discontented Persons and Reformadoes resorting to him A Committee named to confer with the Lord Admiral about this matter Letters came to the General from Major General Lambert and his Officers in complyance with the Armies Remonstrance by the Forces in the North and desiring a correspondence with the Army to whom they gave some cautions touching the prosecution of their Remonsrance When the Chancery business was over Sir Thomas Widdrington and Whitelock went to the Rolls by appointment where Lieutenant General Cromwel and Colonel Dean met them And with the Speaker they had a long discourse together about the present affairs And then another time was appointed by the Lieutenant General for them to meet again and to consider and confer how the settlement of the Kingdom might be best effected and to joyn Counsels for the publick good 19. An Ordinance past for the payment of twenty eight thousand pound taken by the Souldiers out of Weavers-Hall Referred to a Committee to consider of the great abuse in providing bad victuals for the Ships and how the persons may be punished and the like prevented Upon a Letter from the General referred to a Committee to consider how the arrears due to Colonel Rainsborough may be charged and paid to his wife An Ordinance past both Houses for making the Earl of Pembroke Constable of the Castle and honour of Windsor and Keeper of the Forrest and great Park there Order for levying the arrears of Deliquents compositions being two hundred thousand pound Letters from Scarborough of the hopes of a speedy surrender of that place and that the Scots are not well pleased with the late transactions of the Army in England The Parliaments Ships upon the Coast of Ireland took a Dutch Ship loaden with Wine Salt c. of three hundred Tun bound for Waterford The Cessation was continued in Ireland between the Marquess of Ormond and the Rebels Mr. Pierrepoint expressed much dissatisfaction at those Members who sate in the House and at the proceedings of the General and Army A visit to Lieutenant General Cromwell who lay in one of the Kings rich beds in White-hall 20. An Additional Ordinance past for election of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council men of London The Committee appointed to attend the General about the Secluded Members reported his answers that the business was of great concernment and he believed the House would not expect a present answer from him but he would prepare it as speedily as he could and in the mean time desired the House would not trouble themselves to send any more to him concerning that business Order for the same Message to be renewed to the General The House approved of what the Committees of Nottingham and Derby had done for relief of the Forces before Scarborough and Pontefract Sixteen of the secluded Members were set at liberty by order of the General to sit again in the House if they please and the rest were still in custody Two new Listed Souldiers in Colonel Deans Regiment with two more took upon them to apprehend a Citizen of London under pretence of a Warrant from the Council of War and that they had a great Charge against him when there was no such matter but they designed by this means to get money of him The Citizens acquainted some of the Council of War herewith who disowned the business caused the Souldiers to be apprehended two of them ran away the other two were sentenced to ride the wooden horse at the Exchange and to run the Gantlet 21. Order for repayment of the money taken out of Weavers-Hall to be for the use of the Navy A Petition from divers of Somersetshire that justice may be done upon Delinquents the Petitioners had the thanks of the House and the Petition was ordered to be printed Order that M r Strickland use the best endeavours he may to hinder the intended Sale in the Low Countries by the Prince of the Ordnance of the revolted Ships Both Houses past an Ordinance concerning Lieutenant Colonel Lilburne In the after-noon the Speaker Lieutenant General Cromwell Sir Thomas Widdrington and M r Whitelock by appointment met about six a Clock and discoursed freely together about the present affairs and actions of the Army and the settlement of the Kingdom In the conclusion Sir Thomas Widdrington and M r Whitelock were desired to draw up some heads upon the discourse to be considered by the same Company 22. Both Houses kept the Solemn Fast this day The
Second Charter dated anno 15. of his Reign he sayeth In Honour of King Edward who made me his Heir and adopted me to rule over this Nation In his Charter dated 1088 of the Liberties of St. Martins the Great in the Manuscript thereof are these words In Example of Moses who built the Tabernacle and of Solomon who built the Temple Ego Gulielmus dei dispositione Consanguinitatis haereditate Anglorum Basileus c. The Charter of H. 1. his Son to this Abby In Honour of Edward my Kinsman who adopted my Father and his Children to be Heirs to this Kingdom c. In another Charter of Henry 1. in the Book of Ely he calls himself the Son of King William the Great who by hereditary right succeeded King Edward It is true that as to his pretence of Title by the Will of the Confessor Mathew Paris objecteth That the device was void being without the consent of the Barons To which may be answered That probably the Law might be so in H. 3. time when Paris wrote and was so taken to be in the Statute of Carlisle and in the case of King John But at the time of D. Williams Invasion the Law was taken to be That a Kingdom might be transferred by Will So was that of Sixtus Rusus and Asia came to the Romans by the Will of King Attalus the words by Annaeus Florus are Populus Romanus bonorum meorum Haeres esto Bythinia came to the Romans by the last Will of their King Nicomedes which is remembred by Utropius together with that of Lybia Cicero in his Orations tells us That the Kingdom of Alexandria by the last Will of their King was devolved to Rome And Prasitagus Rex Icenorum in England upon his death-bed gave his Kingdom to the Emperour Nero. As to Examples in this point at home this King William the 1. by his Will gave England to his younger Son William Rufus King Steven claimed by the Will of Henry the first King Henry 8. had power by Act of Parliament to order the Succession of the Crown as he pleased by Will. And the Lords of the Councel in Queen Marys time wrote to her That the Lady Janes Title to the Crown was by the Will and Letters of Edward 6. As the Case of Henry 8. was by Act of Parliament So Duke William after he had Conquered Harold was by the general consent of the Barons and People of England accepted for their King and so his Title by Will confirmed And he both claimed and Governed the Kingdom as an Heir and Successor confirmed their antient Laws and ruled according to them This appears by Chronica Cronicorum speaking of William the Bastard King of England and Duke of Normandy he saith That whereas St. Edward had no Heir of England William having conquered Harold the Usurper obtained the Crown under this Condition That he should inviolably observe those Laws given by the said Edward It is testifyed likewise by many of our Historians that the antient Laws of England were confirmed by Duke William Jornalensis sayeth That out of the Merchenlage West-Saxon-Lage and Dane-Lage The Confessor composed the Common Law which remains to this day Malmsbury who lived in Duke Williams time sayeth that the Kings were Sworn to observe the Laws of the Confessor so called sayeth he because he observed them most religiously But to make this point clear out of Ingulphus he sayeth in the end of his Chronicle I Ingulphus brought with me from London into my Monastery Crowland the Laws of the most righteous King Edward which my Lord King William did command by his Proclamation to be anthentick and perpetual and to be observed throughout the whole Kingdom of England upon pain of most heinous punishment The Leiger Book of the Abby of Waltham commends Duke William for restoring the Laws of the English Men out of the Customes of their Countrey Radburn follows this Opinion and these Laws of Edward the Confessor are the same in part which are contained in our great Charter of Liberties A Manuscript entituled De gestis Anglorum sayeth That at a Parliament at London 4 W. 1. the Lawyers also present that the King might hear their Laws He Established St. Edward Laws they being formerly used in King Edgars time There is also mention of the 12 men out of every County to deliver truely the State of their Laws the same is remembred by Selden History of Tithes and Titles of Honour and in a manuscript Chronicle bound with the Book of Ely in Cottons Library One of the worthy e Gentlemen from whom I differ in Opinion was pleased to say That if William the Conquerour did not introduce the Laws of Normandy into England yet he conceives our Laws to be brought out of France hither in the time of some other of our Kings who had large Territories in France and brought in their Laws hither else he wonders how our Laws should be in French Sir I shall endeavonr to satisfy his wonder therein by and by but first with your leave I shall offer to you some Probabilities out of the History That the Laws of England were by some of those Kings carryed into France rather than the Laws of France brought hither This is expressly affirmed by Paulus Jovius who writes That when the English Kings Reigned in a great part of France they taught the French their Laws Sabellicus a Venetian Historian writes That the Normans in their Manners and Customes and Laws followed the English Polydore Virgil contradicting himself in another place than before cited relates that in our King Henry 6. time the Duke of Bedford called together the chief men of all the Cities in Normandy and delivered in his Oration to them the many Benefits that the English afforded them especially in that the English gave to them their Customes and Laws By the Chronicle of Eltham H. 5. sent to Cane in Normandy not only Divines but English Common Lawyers by the Agreement at Troys So there is much more probability that the Laws of England were introduced into France and Normandy than that the Laws of Normandy or any other part of France were introduced in England If the Normans had been Conquerours of England as they were not but their Duke was only conquerour of Harold and received as Hereditary King of England yet is it not probable they would have changed our Laws and have introduced theirs because they did not use to do so upon other Conquests The Normans conquered the Isles of Guernsey and Jersy yet altered not their Laws which in their local Customes are like unto ours The like they did in Sicily Naples and Apulia where they were Conquerours yet the antient Laws of those Countries were continued I hope Mr. Speaker I have by this time given some Satisfaction to the worthy Gentlemen who differed from me That the Laws of England were not imposed upon us by the Conqueronr nor brought over hither either out of Normandy or any
it is a mercy not to be slighted by us that though this pretious cause have so many Enemies yet so few adventure to come in to them That their Army is 12000 Horse and Foot effective and their Foot so much harrassed by often and frequent Marches that they did importune the King to take pitty on them who answered That they should suddenly have refreshment gave them good words and told them what assistance he expected from his Friends That they have very few English Horse among them their Foot Highlanders that Major-General Massey marches with a party to Glocester in hopes that upon his approach his old Friends will appear for him My Lord General came last night to Warwick the Foot will be there this night we shall either this day or to morrow march neer the Enemy and not give them the liberty of ranging far and though their confidence be much in their passes yet I trust we shall not find them and the work so difficult as it seems at a distance both to you and us How ever you know hitherto the Lord hath carried us through the greatest streights before we have attained our desired issue and if it be so now it shall be the less strange to us I shall not further trouble you save to subscribe my self Sir Banbury 25 Aug. 1651. Your most Faithful and Humble Servant Charles Fleetwood A Messenger from the Army brought an account that the Lord General the Lieutenant General the Major-General the Lord Grey of Groby met at Warwick That Lieutenant General Fleetwood went from them to Banbury to his Forces that the Lord Generals Foot and train were to be in Warwick That the Enemy was fortifying Worcester where they proclaimed their King 27. Letters That the Militia in Coventry and in all the Countries thereabouts appeared very willingly and numerously against the Scots Of Hail fallen about Tossiter as big as Muskets Bullets which killed many Birds and broke many Windows and such Lightning for 4 hours as never was seen by any Man alive which burnt a reck of Wheat in the Field and did a great deal of hurt to Trees and Gardens That the Lieutenant-Generals Foot was come up to Warwick and the Forces marched to Stratford upon Avon That the Enemy was fortifying of Worcester very fast and sent parties of Horse to bring in Provisions but their Army moves not as yet That the Lord Talbot the Earl of Shrewesburies Eldest Son was come to the King That the Major of Worcester and a Committee man were Knighted by the King One Young that was Treasurer to the Committee and that had a hand in contriving the Revolt of Worcester was taken That Glocester was in a good condition and had men enough to defend it and none of the Scots appeared before it nor any Summons was sent to it many of the Country Horse and Foot came in to their defence That the Scots intrenched themselves a mile and half West of Worcester in the Fields the King sent a summons to all between 16 and 60 to come in to him to Worcester but none came That the Scots brought in 16 Cart-loads of Ladders with the Rear of their Army The Lord General intended to be this night at Evesham within 2 miles of Warcester 28. A Messenger from the General who left him upon his March fron Stratford to Evesham that the Forest of Dean rose for the Parliament and many came into Glocester and Hereford to defend those places whither the Scouts brought word that the Enemy was marching with some Horse and Foot and that they had left 4 Regiments in Worcester That Fleetwood was at Shipton to joyn with the General at Evesham That Coventry sent Provisions to the General and his Army very seasonably That the Generals Horse faced Worcester and the Enemies bodies went towards Hereford An intercepted letter said that the King was come within 30 miles of London with a gallant Army and that the Earl of Derby was come to him with 4000 Horse and the Earl of Northumberland with 4000 Foot That Somersetshire had 2 Regiments of Foot under Collonel Pine and Collonel Kedley and 2 Regiments of Horse under Collonel Popham That the Kings Horse was about 7000 and their Foot as many that their discipline is very strict and some Prisoners brought before the King were courteously treated by him and having kissed his hand were discharged That Collonel Lilburn with a good party was marched towards the Earl of Derby and the Parliament Ships went after the Earls Frigats 2 of which Frigats were split coming neer the Shore to land the Soldiers That York shire was active in raising Forces for the Parliament and that the Lord Fairfax declared to joyn with them in any capacity to the great incouragement of that Country That 1300 of their Horse and Dragoons were in Scotland 29. Letters That after the taking of Sterling Collonel Okey marched with 1400 Horse and Dragoons to meet with some Lords sent from the King into the West of Scotland and he took some of them and frighted away the rest and sined the Towns where they sat That one may ride with 200 Horse all over the West of Scotland that a party met with 14 Scots Ministers and took them prisoners they confessed they had been silenced by the Assembly of the Kirk whom they opposed they were there upon dismissed That Collonel Lilburn fell upon the Earl of Derby neer Wiggen who had got together 1500 Men that the dispute was hot for neer an hour and then the Earls Forces were routed the Earl himself wounded but escaped Lieutnant Widdrington and 80 Officers and Persons of quality slain 400 Prisoners taken whereof many Officers and Gentlemen that Collonel Lilburn had not half their number and scarce half of them could come up to charge That Collonel Lilburn lost but one Officer and not above 10 or 12 in all The Earl retreated into Cheshire with about 80 Horse and a party gone in pursuit of him thitherwards That Lieutenant-Collonel Ashurst fled with a few to an house for his security That Lieutenant-General Fleetwood marched with his Brigade within 3 miles of Worcester where the King was fortifying the place that they brake down Vpton Bridge and lay as large as Malverne hills That some few of the Country come in to them and they exact Mony or Provisions from the Country that the General hath sent for Collonel Lilburn and Collonel Clerk with their Regiments to come to him 30. Letters That at the routing of the Earl of Derby were taken prisoners 5 Collonels the Adjutant General 4 Lieutenant Collonels 1. Major 4 Captains 2 Lieutenants and slain and dead since they were taken the Lord Wid. drington Major-General Sr. Thomas Tiddesly 1 Collonel 2 Majors and divers others of quality All their Baggage Sumpters Arms and Ammunition taken and the Earl of Derbyes 3 Cloaks with Starrs his George and Garter with other Robes That Collonel Lilburn took many Commissions of the Kings to
several persons in the North to raise Forces for him The Parliament ordered 500 l. to Collonel Lilburn 200 per Annum as a marke of Honour for his faithful service and 100 l to his Lieutenant that brought the news from him And ordered that the Ministers in the respective Churches in London and Westminster do the next Lords-day give thanks to God for the surrender of Sterling Castle and for the defeat of the Earl of Derby and pray for a blessing upon the Parliament Forces now neer an Ingagement The Parliament ordered to Collonel Mackeworth a chain of Gold with a medal as a mark of their Favour for his faithful and gallant refusal of the Kings Summons to render Shrewsbury Castle Letters That the Generals Head quarters were within 2 miles of Worcester that the Enemy seemed to be resolved to venture all at Worcester in and about which place all the Kings Army were and they had raised a new Fort that the Parliaments Guards were within Musket Shot of it and General Fleetwood with his Body lay at Vpton That the pass at Vpton Bridge was taken by Major-General Lambert That a party of the Enemy sallyed out of Worcester but the Parliaments Forces beat them back to their works and killed 14 of their men that the Country came in freely to the Parliaments Army That Massey with a Troop of Horse ferried over the Severne between Tewksbury and Glocester and discoursed with some Women there who say that Masseys Horse was killed under him at Vpton and he wounded in the Hand and Leg. That the Enemies Horse incamp a mile on the other side of Worcester and their Foot most part in Worcester That Cromwel drew his Army in the face of Worcester but they would not meet him with their Army but there was some small pickeering and Shooting of Muskets behind the Hedges but nothing considerable attempted 31. The Lords-day the Ministers who were not of the rigid Presbyterian judgment gave thanks in their Churches for the successes of the Parliaments Forces in Scotland and against the Earl of Derby according to the Parliaments Order for that purpose And they likewise prayed to God for his blessing upon the Parliaments Forces now neer to an Ingagement with the Enemy But some of the more rigid Persons did not think fit to observe that Order but neglected it and had their private Meetings to pray to God to bless their Brethren of the Prebytery and their Country-men September 1651. Sept. 1. Letters from Major General Lambert's Quarters That he marched 28. Aug. in the Morning with a Party of Horse and Dragoons from Evesham towards Vpton about Ten in the Morning he approached to the Bridge over the Severne which the Enemy had broken down all but a Foot Plank The Dragoons got up upon the Bridge before the Enemy in the Town who were about 2 or 300 Horse and Dragoons took the Allarum while they fired upon the Bridge against the Enemy in the Town being within their sight and shot our Horse partly forded and partly swam over the River about Pistol-shot from the Bridge We and the Dragoons advanced withal and forthwith by the Major General 's Order took possession of the Church upon a little Hill near the Bridge-foot being about eighteen The Enemy drew up and came to the Church and shot their Pistols and thrust their Swords in at the Windows but the Dragoons gallantly fired upon them killed three or four of their Men eight or nine of their Horse and took one Scot shot in the Arm Massey's own Horse being killed upon the place and we are very strongly informed Massey shot in the Arm. By this time our Horse were come up in a small Party at whose appearance the Enemy faced about without charging our Men had the Pursuit but not knowing but that the Enemy might be a great Body forbore And Major General Lambert sent for Lieutenant General Fleetwood with his whole Brigade where my Lord Grey is to make good what they had gained being four Miles behind He presently mounted 300 Foot behind Troopers and hastened to the Bridge the rest following Major General Lambert in the mean time using abundance of diligence to make up the Bridge for the Party to march over and receiving no interruption from the Enemy it was speedily accomplished so that we marched all over the Passe at night Two Guns came to us and we had a hot but false Allarum that night Collonel Blundell commanded the Guard and at night took the Prisoner whose Examination is inclosed In the Morning Collonel Blundell sent out another good Party of Horse and Dragoons who marched Three Miles toward the Enemy and had Scouts a Mile and a half further but discovered no Enemy only being in the sight of Worcester they discovered the General with his Forces near Worcester and his Guns playing upon the Town Major General Lambert and Major General Deane themselves wrought in the making up of the Bridge and as soon as it was done the General sent to them to come to him then near to Worcester Major Mercer carried himself stoutly and gallantly in this Business and indeed Massey brought up the Rear very stoutly when they turned about at least forty Carabins were shot at him within half Pistol-shot and he was for certain shot in the Hand and Thigh This was a very seasonable Mercy and more advantageous than can well be expressed Major Mercer possest Maxfield House betwixt Vpton and Worcester the Enemy quitting it upon our taking the Passe This day the General came to visit us at this Passe and was entertained with abundance of Joy by extraordinary shouting of each Regiment Troop and Company as he went to salute them That the Enemy lay in and near Worcester on Hereford-shire side the Lord General on this side Lieutenant General Fleetwood on the other side at Vpton That the Enemy had burnt down the Suburbs of Worcester to the Walls round about That their Grandees are much distracted and think they were betrayed into this Place many Sallies they have made but were beaten back once they Sallied out with 1000 upon 300 of ours but they were gallantly repulsed and seven or eight of them killed with the Commander that led them On Saturday the Lord General was with the Lieutenant General viewing his Forces and consulting how to carry on the Work when the Boats were ready that his Train was come to the Lieutenant General From Scotland of gatherings of the Scots especially Highlanders who plundered the Country People and then fled up to the Hills where the Parliament Forces could not follow them That the Lieutenant General in Scotland marched with a considerable Party and some Great Guns towards St. Johns Town near which the Scots were making new Levies but they were all dispersed That the Lieutenant General sent a Summons to the Town of Dundee and the Country about to come in and submit to the Parliament of England but they