pleased to assent to their Acts of Parliament including the Articles of their Assembly their Religion Laws and Liberties ratified their grievances relieved for which we use to give the King Money The Scots Remonstrance professing that they would take nothing of the English but for Money or Security But we have defrayed them hitherto and are still provided to do longer That heretofore we established their Reformation and bore our own Charges and concerning mutual restitution of Ships and Goods which now our Commissioners have fairly accommodated already As for inferential and consequential Dammages such a Representment would not administer unacceptable matter of contestation We could truly allege that Northumberland New-castle and the Bishoprick will not recover their former Estate these twenty years that the Coal-mines of New-castle will not be set right for an hundred thousand pounds besides the price of Coals doth cost this City and other parts of this Kingdom above that value in loss And much more of this nature and dammage might be justly urged They say they do not make any former Demands but yet they make their Sum appear above four hundred and fourteen thousand pounds more than ever we gave the King A portentous apparition which shews it self in a very dry time the Kings Revenue totally exhausted the Kingdom generally impoverished and yet all this supply is to be drawn out of us onely without the least help from any his Majesties other Dominions an utter draining of this Nation unless England be Puteus inexhaustus yet I shall afford what is reasonable and honourable to a convenient considerable Sum of Money that they may go off with a handsome friendly Loss if they shall reject it we shall improve our Cause It was never thought any great wisdom overmuch to trust to a succesfull Sword A man that walks upon rising ground the further he goes the more spacious his prospect success enlarges mens desires extends their ambition breeds thoughts never dreamt on before But the Scots being truly touched with Religion according to their professions that onely is able to keep their words for Religion is stronger and wiser than Reason it self But we hope of a good conclusion of the effects of all these hitherto Inconveniences to the advance of Religion King and Kingdoms But for the present to satisfie the clamour of the Scots Master Speaker was ordered to write to the City of London to advance sixty thousand pounds upon security and Assignment out of the next Subsidies to be levied and to pay in the Money to the Chamber of London which was so humbly obeyed This being but one Loan for I finde several Acquittances for the like Sum of sixty thousand pounds mentioning therein For Supply of the Kings Army and providing for the Northern Counties And so belike were issued for Supply of both Armies The Dutch Ambassadour Lieger having made Overtures of a Marriage between William young Prince of Orange and the Kings eldest Daughter the Princess Mary which he very willingly inclined to accept yet though fit as his condition stood with the Parliament to acquaint them therewith And tells the House of Lords My Lords That freedom and confidence which I expressed at the beginning of this Parliament to have of your love and fidelity towards my Person and Estate hath made me at this time come hither to acquaint you with that Alliance and Confederacy which I intend to make with the Prince of Orange and the States which before this time I did not think expedient to do because that part which I do desire your advice and assistance upon was not ready to be treated on I will not trouble you with a long digression by shewing the steps of this Treaty but leave you to be satisfied in that by those who under me do manage that Affair Onely I shall shew you the Reasons which have induced me to it and in which I expect your assistance and counsel The Considerations that have induced me to it are these First the matter of Religion here needs no Dispensation no fear that my Daughters conscience may be any way perverted Secondly I do esteem that a strict Alliance and Confederacy with the States will be as usefull to this Kingdom as that with any of my Neighbours especially considering their Affinity Neighbourhood and way of their strength And lastly which I must never forget in these occasions the use I may make of this Alliance towards the establishing of my Sister and Nephews Now to shew you in what I desire your assistance you must know that the Articles of Marriage are in a manner concluded but not to be totally ratified untill that of Alliance be ended and agreed which before I demanded your assistance I did not think fit to enter upon And that I may not leave you too much at large how to begin that Council I present you here the Propositions which are offered by me to the States Ambassadours for that intent And so my Lords I shall onely desire you to make as much expedition in your Councils as so great a Business shall require and shall leave your Lordships to your own free debate This Proposition of Alliance both with the Prince and with the United Provinces was extremely and unanimously affected by all the People and was universally embraced without Fears or Jealousies upon our Liberties or Religion and soon concluded but what resulted think you from another party Papists Plots perpetually allarming for The very next Day four Members of the Commons House bore up the Message to the Lords of a monstrous Design of the Papists an Army of fifteen thousand in Lancashire and eight thousand in Ireland and I know not how many thousands in many places well armed and in pay raised by the Earl of Strafford the Earl of Worcester and others After-ages will think these Hyperboles for though there was no such Armies possibly by them nor no such Fears by others yet this Message was sent and carried from the Lower to the Higher House and gave the occasion to the multitude of People to frame Petitions sutable to Plots and Fears and Jealousies for the Parliaments purpose The thirteenth of February one of the Ship-money Judges so nick-named Sir Robert Berkley was by a motion of the Commons accused of High-treason and by Maxwell the Black Rod taken the next day from his Seat in the Kings Bench and kept Prisoner The Bill for the Triennial Parliament having passed both Houses was confirmed with the Kings royal assent February 16. and to let them see how sensible himself was of this his great grace he thought fit to put them in minde of their gratitude of fear of their failing My Lords And you the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons you may remember when both Houses were with me at the Banquetting-house at White-hall I did declare unto you two Rocks I wished you to shun this is one of them and of that consequence that
with the Original in the Signet Office and so these proceedings lay in the Deck of other complaints which the King understood and took time to number them up to the Parliament as Indignities to his Person and Honour to be so inquisitive after his actions But for the present he went on with his own more important affairs and sends Sir Richard Weston Chancelour of the Exchequer with this message to them That his Fleet is returned and their victuals spent the men must of necessity be discharged and their wages paid them or else mutiny will follow which may be of dangerous consequence That he hath in readiness about 40. Ships to be set forth upon a second service which want a present supply of moneys That the Armies quartered on the Coasts want victuals and clothes and they will disband if not furnished The Companies of Ireland lately sent must speedily be provided for else they may be subject to rebel Lastly the season for providing healthful victual will be past if this moneth of March be suffered negligently to elapse And therefore he desired to know without more ado what present supply be must depend upon from them that accordingly he might shape his course This necessary message produced no other Supply than this insolency from a Member Mr. Clement Cook Son to Sir Edward Cook now in Malignancie to the affairs of State It is better saies he to dy by a Foreign Enemy than to be destroyed at home And to make him the more One Turner a mean mad Doctor of Physick who got a room in the House for such like rants and he re-assaults with 6. Queries teaching to the Duke 1. Whether the King hath not lost the Regality of the Narrow Seas since the Duke became Admiral 2. Whether he not going as Admiral in this last Fleet was not the cause of the ill success 3. Whether the Kings Revenues hath not been impaired through his immense liberality 4. Whether the Duke hath not ingrossed all Offices and preferred his kindred to unfit places 5. Whether he hath not made sale of places of Iudicature 6. Whether Recusants have not dependance upon his Mother and Father-in-law Alas poor Doctor He did but gape saies one and had this clamour put into his Mouth by such as had enough rudeness and Raâ—cour in their hearts but not the courage to let the world see it in them Thereupon the King sends to them all for satisfaction from the whole House intent upon severe punishment against â—â—ose men but finding them earnest to aggravate the more he summons both Houses together and conveys his displeasure to them by the Lord Keeper Coventry My Lords and you the Knights Citizens and Burgessâ—s of the House of Commons His Majesties command hath summoned you hither and the same Command hath put me upon the service of signifying his Will to you His Will was that both Houses should be called together you my Lords as witnesses of the Justice of his Resolutions and of this Address to the House of Commons His Majesty would have you know there never was King who better loved his peoplâ— or was more sincerely affected towards the right use of Parliaments or more ready tâ— redress what shall be represented unto him in the quality of Grievance provided it be in a regular and decent way than Himself but he would also have you know that as he loves his People so he regards His Honouâ— and if he be sensible of his Subjects Grievances of his own he is much more especially when they flow from offences of such a nature as not onely blast his Reputation but impede the Progresse of his Weighty Affaires To come to Particulars His Majesty saith That whereas Mr. Coke spake very seditious words in your House he was so far from being questioned or censured for them by you as Doctor Turner animated with the same spirit made them his introduction to certain articles of Inquiry of as unsavory a condition pretended against the Duke but in truth libelling his Majesties Government And though his Majesty did not only by Sir Richard Weston but in his own Person declare his just displeasure and demanded Justice against those exorbitants yet have you not only halted in your obedience to him but have followed the very steps of Dr. Turner and upon false bottom'd suggestions endeavored to distain his Own and Fathers Honour He also complaineth That you have taken upon you to search his Signet-Office and to examine the Letters of his Secretary of State leaving him nothing free from their discovery a thing not formerly practised As concerning the Duke whom you seem to persecute with such asperity of disgust I am also commanded to tell you that his Majesty knows none better he acted nothing of Publique Employment without his Special Warrant that he hath discharged his Trust with abundant both Care and Fidelity that he merited that Trust both from his now Majesty and his late Father by his Personall hazard both at home and abroad And that since his Return from Spain he hath been sedulous in promoving the Service and Contentment of your House It is therefore his Express Command that you absolutely desist from such unparliamentary disquisitions and resign the Reformation of what is amiss to his Majesties Care Wisdome and Justice I am also to speak about the business of supply you have been made acquainted with the posture of his Majesties affairs both foreign and domestique and with his necessatous condition the charge of all martial preparations both by sea and land hath been calculated to you you promised a supply both speedy and sutable to his occasions but his Majesty complaineth that as yet you have performed neither failing both in the measure and in the manner In the measure by granting onely three subsidies and three fifteens a proportion vastly short of what is requisite In the manner being both dilatory and dishonourable to the King as arguing a distrust of him for you have ordered the Bill not to be brought into the House until your grievances be both heard and answered which is such a tacite condition as his Majesty will not admit of Therefor his Majesty commands you to take it into your speedy consideration and to return your final answer by Saturday next what further addition you will make and if your supplies commensurate and equal the demands of the cause he promiseth to continue this Session to your just content else he must and will entertain thoughts of your dismission Lastly I am commanded to tell you that his Majesâ—y doth not charge these distempers upon the whole body and the assembly of the House but as he is confident the greater number are persons of a more quiet dispose so he hopeth their influence and this his Majesties admonition will prevent the like for the time to come When he had done the King went on I Must withall put you in minde of times past you may
prevailing lessen the Army the souldiers mutiny by under hand applaud of their Commanders who being â—nabled openly appear Cashiering such as were too much Parliamentary an hundred Officers and more assisted by two in every Regiment selected Agitators forâ— the rest who intend a Democracy These seize the King indulge him with specious promises and frame propositions as to provide for the King and themselves and the Commonwealth which mollifies them into the Kings favour Taking boldnesse to declare envies on the Parliament accusing divers Members of High Treason endeavouring to dissolve them in seeming shew to Act for the Kings Interests The Army rises against the Parliament and both the Speakers fly to the Camp the City and Parliament prepare for defence but flagging their tail they deliver up themselves to the discretion of the Army and the Speakers are restored some members the Major and his Aldermen are imprisoned for High Treason but are dismissed impune A new Lieutenant set over the Tower of London a new model of the Militia and admiralty Thanks and payment voted for the Army but whether the Acts of the Camp or Ordinances of Parliament should be most prevalent holds a long debate which puts some Members to flight And most men at a gaze whether to elect Oligarchy or Democracy alike against the Presbytery Aristocracy and also against Monarchy and the King However Proposals are sent to the King in pretence of peace but in earnest to insnare him which he answers cautelously as referring rather to the Armies advice from whom He was forthwith aliened by impressions of fear from the Agitators in the Army and so cheated into a flight from Hampton Court to the Isle of Wighâ— designed so by his greatest enemies from whence He sends Concessions to the Parliament upon which he desires to treat but is brought to such extream overtures as that the Scots Commissioners at London absolutely oppose and so he was straitned struggling to satisfie discordant Interests and discovering his Inclination He was suddenly secured into close Imprisonment the Agitators are soon reduced into Order and the whole faction of Oligarchy railagainst the King in Parliament demand and obtain votes against any further commerce with him surreptitiously obtained of the Commons House but by menaces from the Lords not without Declarations of calumny upon the King published and preached to some Parishes and cunningly extort a few gratulatory Petitions of the people but coldly of all which notwithstanding the King is cleared by severall Apologies which wrought so as that the people began universally to resent the indignities done to the King and petition to settle again on foot the treaty with him over reasoning the mindes of the most Parliament Members And first Petitions from the County of Essex then from Surry and at last for the most of the other without prevailing some begin to Arm and in their Ensignes to be read in Capital the Liberty of King and People The Navy revolts to the Prince now beyond the Seas The Scots resent the Kings durance and make an Invasion by the Marquess Hamilton who is taken prisoner and their Army defeated and pursued home where in the midst of Domestick forâ—es raised against them by Argyle and the English Army also their foraign enemy that poor Nation was fain to submit to mercy and to the future effects of this conjoyned power Some other Insurrections also here at home not lasting out their besiegers were reduced which successes falling out thus on land the former Ships revolt from the Prince yet the Parliament now at liberty by the Armies Imployment abroad repeal the former votes of Non-address to the King and resolve to treat again with him at Newport in the Isle of Wight and necessary servants sent to him and some assistance of Councel but such was his admired wisdom and eloquence He alone discussed all Arguments And in the midst of the Treaâ—y the Parliament demand Ormonds Commission the Kings Deputy in Ireland to be recalled carping at the Kings answers though he grants many things unexpected and demands somewhat for himself easie enough for honest men to condescend unto which introduced great hopes of an happy issue but is choaked by the wilful faction pretending to joyne in their Desires until they had incited the Common Souldier against the peace and to demand the King to punishment And thereupon rendevouz near Londonâ— and Remonstrate against the peace and approved in a Council of war and exhibited to the Parliament but the Commons house incline to the Kings concessions which put the Army to a suddain seizure of the Kings person and bring him prisoner to London and enquarter round about the Parliament who yet debate concerning the King and vote that the Kings Concessions are a good foundation for setling a peace some principal Commanders herewith displeased beleaguer the houses of Parliament and Imprison certain Members and others are driven a way and the rest of the members now in power wrest Authority to themselves dependant on the Souldiery and determine publique affairs of punishing the King confirming the votes of no more address to him and anul such other and promise more reflecting on his life And erect a Tribunal of Subjects one hundred and fifty Iudges for that black deed to which the house of Lords dissent and reject the Commons vote which notwithstanding is confirmed and prosecuted for the Kings Tryal by a President oâ— an High Court of Iustice The Presbyterian Ministers declaim and the Scots protest against it The States of Holland Interpose The Lords offer themselves Pledges for the King The people murmur but in vain Mr. Peters in his pulpit animates the Iudges witnesses and Articles are publiquely cited against the King who is convented and accused he demurs to the authority of the Court which the president affirms to be denied from the people that chuse the King of England which the King denies He is convented the second and third time and reasoneth against the authority of the Court But he is prevented by the President with rebukes He is convented the fourth time and refuseth to submit to the Authority of the Court and craves leave to speak with the Members of both houses The President in a premeditated speech prepares to sentence of death which he commands to be read the Iudges rise up in approbation thereof Souldiers take him away and mock at him Inhumanely His behaviour magnanimous and prudent and prepares himself to undergo this bitter cup. The Iudges consult of the manner and time of his suffering whereto he is led forth His speech upon the Scaffoâ—d defends his Innocencie but submits to the justice of God pardons his Enemies pities the Kingdome points out the Errors of the factious shews them the way of peace professes to die a Protestant and is beheaded in monstrous manner they seize his writings Only his excellent Book is preserved to the Light The sadness of the people And ending in his Character He dead the
against their House and Privileges and the Vindication also of divers Members thereof in this Declaration Whereupon we declare that if any person shall arrest either of them or any Member of Parliament by any Warrant from the King onely is guilty of the Breach of the Privileges of Parliament And whereas by several Examinations taken the seventh of this instant January before the Committee in London it did appear that many Souldiers and Papists to the number of five hundred armed came with his Majesty on Tuesday last the fourth of this present to the House c. We do declare that it was a traiterous Design against the King and Parliament And whereas they the said Members did with approbation of the House absent themselves since which time a printed Paper in the form of a Proclamation dated the sixth of this instant issued out for their apprehending and Imprisonment We do declare that the said Paper is false scandalous and illegal and that notwithstanding they may and ought to attend the service of the House And we do declare that the publishing of several Articles of High Treason against them was a high Breach of the Privileges of Parliament a Scandal to his Majesty and Dishonour to the said Members which cannot be sufficiently vindicated unless his Majesty discover the Names of such persons who advised him thereto that they may receive condign punishment This House declaring that all such persons c. are declared publick Enemies to the State c. During these passages a tumultuous Number of common persons came to Westminster out of the City offering violence upon the persons of sundry Bishops going and coming out of the House of Peers which extremely deterred them from their future attendance there whereupon they petition the King and protest That whereas the Pâ—titioners were called up by Writ to attend in Parliament and have a clear and indubitable Right to vote in Bills and other matters debated and ought to be protected They protest before God that they are most willing to do their Duties there accordingly That they abominate all Actions or Opinions tending to Popery all Propensions or Inclinations to any Malignant party or any other partie to which their Consciences sâ—all not move them to adhere That they have been many times menaced affronted and assaulted by Multitudes of people in their coming to do their service to the Parliament and lastly chased away in danger of their Lives without any redress of their Complaints to both Houses c. They do therefore in all Duty and Humility protest before your Majesty and the Peers in Parliament against all Laws Orders Votes Resolutions and Determinations as in themselves null and of none effect which in their absence since the seven and twentieth of December have already passed as likewise against such as shall hereafter pass in that most honourable House during the time of this their forced and violent absence c. and humbly beseech his Majesty to command the Clerk of that House of Peers to enter this their Petition and Protestation Signed John Ebor. Thomas Duresm Robert Covent Lich. Jos Norwich John Asaphan Gul. Ba. Wells Geo Hereford Rob Oxon. Mat Ely Godfr Glouâ— Jo Peterburgh Mar Landaff This fell out as many would have it a leading case to their confusion wherefore the Lords on the thirtieth of December desire a Conference touching matters of high and dangerous consequence where the Lord Keeper told them That this Petition and Protestation of the twelve Bishops is extending to the deep entrenching upon the Fundamental Privileges and being of Parliaments And therefore it was resolved hereupon to accuse them of high Treason and Master Glyn sent of the Arrand to the Lords and to sequester them from Parliament and to be put in safe custody to make good their Answer to the Commons charge and so they were instantly by the Black Rod to be apprehended and were all by eight a clock at night brought on their Knees to the Lords Bar and ten of them committed to the Tower and two of them in regard of their age and the worthy parts of one of them the learned Bishop of Durham were committed to the Black Rod. Then the House of Commons pretending hazzard to their persons upon the late Assault of the King and his Retinue they sent a Message to the King for a Guard To present to his Majesty the just Fears of Designs and Practises to destroy them by a Malignant party in the Face and at the Doors of the Parliament and at your Majesties own Gates c. They humbly desire therefore to have a Guard out of the City of London commanded by the Earl of Essex Chamberlain of your Majesties Houshold And to this end they humbly desire a gracious and speedy Answer because theirs and the Kingdoms safety depends upon it and will not admit of any Delay The King gives Answer That with great grief of heart after their twelve Moneths sitting wherein they have obtained those things for their security and happiness as no Age can equal they should now be disturbed with Ielousies Distrusts and Fears protesting before God that had he any knowledg or belief of the least Design in any of violence against them he would pursue them to condign punishment with the same severity as the greatest Attempt upon his Crown Engaging solemnly the Word of a King that their security from violence shall ever be his care as the Preservation of Himself and Children And if this general Assurance shall not suffice He shall command such a Guard to wait upon them as he shall be responsible for to God who hath encharged him with the Protection of his Subjects There the City taking heart and hands with the House of Commons summon a Common Council where they debate the Jealousies and Fears possessing them and draw up a Petition To the Kings most Excellent Majesty Wherein they represent their Dangers and Distractions by the bloudy Rebellion in Ireland fomented and acted by Papists and of their Designs foreign and at home tending to the ruine of the Protestant Religion The putting out of persons of honour from being Constable of the Tower and the preparations there made the fortifying of White-hall the late Discovery of divers Fire works in the hands of a Papist His Majesties late manner in the House of Commons The effects of which just Fears overthrow the Trade of this City to the utter ruine of the Protestant Religion and the Lives and Liberties of the Subject And pray that by the Parliaments advice the Protestants in Ireland may be relieved the Tower be put in the hands of persons of trust a Guard appointed for the safety of the Parliament and that the late five Members may not be restrained nor proceeded against but by the Privileges of Parliament The King wondring at the wisdom of the City to be lead into the conceit of Fears and Jealousies upon such slender devised Grounds having
their affairs and was resolved to be relieved the recruit of the Parliaments Army was too slow for the service the London trained bands must do the deed and shop-windows must be shut up and trading suspended the expedition cried up out of every Pulpit and an Army was raised in an instant and upon their March Against whom Prince Rupert is sent from the siege at Glocester to retard their speed untill the King might rise and be gon which was upon the fifth of September and the Rear guard had fired their huts The Earl of Essex came to the brow of the Hills seven miles from the City and gave his warning piece but the Town had no minde to hinder the King being glad of his departing when all his indeavours were now prepared ready for a storm the besieged in want their Amunition consumed to three Barrels of powder but the Towns loss of men were not many not one hundred say they and two or three Officers Captain Harcus and his Ensign the King lost many more and especialy his precious time to no purpose had he waved Glocester and Marched to London directly whilst the Parliament had no Army in the Field London full of discontent and disorder and their actions of Council unresolved The Kings Northern Army under the Earl of Newcastle there also prevailing but it was his fate to be overtaken with this idle siege Sir Nicholas Crisp One of the Farmers of the Kings Customs of England had a high command also both in the Army by Land and afterwards in the Navy by Sea He being Colonel of a Regiment of Horse and his first service took the charge of Convoy of the train of Artillery sent from Oxford to the siege of Glocester and brought it in safety to the Kings Camp and there very much esteemed He was quartered in Rouslidge near Glocester at a Knights house where finding Sir Iames Enyon and other Gentlemen of no Command in the Army and had taken up so much of the house as was Incommode to the Colonel yet he continued then there with much civility Not long it was that the Guests had some horses missing out of the Pastures and so charged upon default the Colonels Souldiers and indeed very ruffly demanding the accompt from the Colonel himself who promised indeavours to finde them out buâ— refused to draw out his Regiment for that purpose onely to satisfie Sir Iames who urged it for his friend himself no otherwise concerned But being a person of eminency and of a Spirit answerable impatient of any delay or orderly proceedings departs and sends a Gentleman with this summon to Sir Nicholas Crisp to meet him with his sword in a field near the Quarters and with this express addition That if he did refuse upon any pretence he would pistoll him against the wall Upon which sharp and suddain summons of an hours warning the Colonel accompanied with a Gentleman findes Sir Iames at the place with him that brought the challenge and as it became a Christian desired to understand the true reason of the meeting professing that his Duty to the King in the charge he had there of present service might justifie his refusal to fight Yet he told him he was come to give him all satisfaction first as a Christian if he had done him Injury of which he professed ignorance Sir Iames shortly replied He came thither to receive no other satisfaction but by the sword which instantly he drew out and as soon so don by the other whose fortune was at an encounter to give a pass that pierced Sir Iames about the rim of the belly of which he was caried off to the same house in eminent danger But whilst he had life and memory the Colonel gave him a visit beseeching him to put by all passions and receive him infinitely afflicted at this misfortune unwillingly provoked to this mischief and so with Christian reconciliation they parted and he died two daies after Hereupon a legal trial was offered for any complainant to prosecute the matter And after some time on Munday the second of October a Council of war being set thereupon gave their opinion and sentence thus In the cause depending against Sir Nicholas Crisp Knight concerning the death of Sir James Enyon Knight slain by him in a Duel in September last The Court being informed that an Affixer was duly set up upon the Court house door according to their Order of the eight and tewentieth of September last and the affixer afterwards taken down and brought into the Court and Proclamation being made and no man appearing against him according to the Affixer yet upon examination of all the matter and difference between them and that the friends of the slain taking notice thereof The Court proceeded to sentence That although the Court doth condemn all manner of Duels and utterly disallow them yet in this particular case of Sir Nicholas Crisp in consideration of the great injury he received in his own Quarter and how much he was provoked and challenged the Court hath thought fit to acquit him from any punishment in this Court and doth leave and recommend him to his Majesties mercy for his gracious pardon the second of October 1643. Forth Lord Lieutenant general and President Dorset Bristol Northampton Andover Dunsmore Jacob Astley Arthur Aston William Brumchard John Byron Who all reported to the King the whole matter and brought him to kiss his hand and received a Pardon under the great feal of England and to confirm him in the Kings affection He had a Commission to be Admiral of a Fleet at Sea set out by himself and was undon for his Masters service The solemn League by Oath and Covenant being ordered to be sworn unto by all and divers consciencious persons excepting against the same and refusing were therefore committed and sequestred to their utter undoing Amongst many Doctor Featly that excellent and learned Divine and Minister at Lambeth had given by Letter to the Lord Arch-Bishop of Armagh Primate of all Ireland an accompt of his demeanour in this business of the Scotish Covenant and was therefore committed to the prison in the Lord Peters house in Aldersgate Street as many other noble houses turned into Jayles both his livings given away and his books bestowed upon White of Dorchester It was the Doctors reasons that raised all this stir He first excepted against these words We will indeavour the true reformedâ— Protestant Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Discipline worship and Government according to the word of God These words said the Doctor imply that the Worship Discipline and Government of the Church of Scotland is according to the word of God which said he is more than I dare subscribe unto much less confirm by an Oath for first I am not perswaded that any Plat form of Government in each particular circumstance is Jure Divino Secondly admit some were yet I doubt whether the Scots Presbytery be
provision be made for the education of the Children of Papists in the faith and Religion of Protestants for the imposing of Mulcts on Papists and disposing the benefit thereof at the discretion of the Parliament That provision be made for suppressing the practises of Papists against the Common-wealth for the executing the Laws against them without fraud and for the stricter forbidding of administring and frequenting Mass whether in the Court or whatsoever place within England and Ireland 3. That the power of the Militia by Land and Sea throughout England and Ireland reside in the Parliament solely to raise train as many Souldiers as they please to lead them whither they please to levy what monies they think fit for their pay whereby they may encounter intestine troubles and invasions foreign and that the King and his successors shall not claim any right therein for the space of twenty years after the expiration whereof if the Parliam shall think the safety of the Commonwealth to be concerned that an Army whether for Land or Sea service be raised and pay alotted them and exact the same by their Authority that such Votes shall have the force of a Law or Statute even though the King refuse If persons of what quality soever to the number of thirty be gathered together in Arms and at the command of the Lords and Commons shall not lay down Arms they shall be accounted guilty of high Treason without hope of pardon from the King To these by way of Corollarie were added some provisions touching the City of London Priviledges and ordinary power of Ministers of Iustice in executing sentence given 4. That by an Act the Cessation of Ireland and all Treaties and Articles there made without the consent of Parliament be voided That the right of prosecuting the Irish War depend upon the discretion of Parliament That the Deputy and all Ministers whether of the Martial or â—ivil Government be nominated by Parliament the Chancellor of Ireland Keep of the great Seal Treasurer all Officers of the Kingdom all the Judges the places offices honours 〈◊〉 Donations of Lands grâ—nted by the King since the Cessation made be â—ulled 5. That all Honours and Titles since the second of May 1642. at which time the 〈◊〉 of the great Seal carried away the Seal with himself from the Parliâ—ment be declared Null No man likewise 〈◊〉 chosen into the Order of Peeâ—age shall sit in the House of Lords without the consent of both Houses 6. That the Parliament raise what moneys they please for payment of the publick debts and dammages and for whatsoever publick uses they shall see hereafter needfull 7. In the first tank of Delinquents be reckoned to whom no hope of pardon shall be left either for life or fortune with the Kings Kings consent The two Princes Palatine of the Rhine Rupert and Maâ—ricâ— three Earls five Lords two Bishops two Judges of the Kingdom twenty two Knights whose names to remember were too large but these persons were those who had done the King the most acceptable service All Papists which had been in Arms namely the Marquess of Winchester with two Earls two Lords and six Knights as also all that raised or fomented the Rebellion in Ireland In the 2. Rank were placed fifty Noblemen and Knights all Memberâ— of the lower House who deserting the Parliament passed over to the Kings Party as also all the Judges Lawyers Clergy-men be banished from the Kings Court and abstain from publick Offices and that under penalty of Treason loss of life and fortunes that the Judges and Lawyers be proscribed from Courts and their practice the Clergy interdicted their Benefices and liberty of Preaching Such fell upon the third Rank as had committed or councelled ought against the Parliament none whereof shall obtain in future the Office of Justice of Peace or Judge or Sheriff or publick Officer To the fourth Rank are reckoned the Common Souldier and all persons of baser rank whose fortunes were narrower then two hundred pounds All the Lands and goods of those of the first Rank be publickly sold to pay publick debts but of the Members which in the new Parliament held at Oxford pronounced those guilty of High Treason which adhered to Westminster two parts in three of their lands and goods The Moity of others of the Judges Lawyers Clergy-men the third part and the sixth of all the third Rank be sold for the foresaid points The rest be let goe without Câ—nsure Provided they have ingaged themselves in the National Covenant All in the second and third Rank after the payment of their Fines the pardon of Parliament being sued granted be entirely restored 8. That all Offices of the Kingdom and chief Magistracies for â—wenty years next ensuing be collated and constituted according to the pleasure of Parliament 9. That the new Seal framed aâ— the Houses appointment pass by the King into the Seal of England and that no other hereafter be used That all Grants and Commissions sealed by this new one remain firm all under the old Seal which was with the King be voided from such time as the Keeper Littleton conveyed it away from the Parliament 10. That all Priviledges Grants Charters and Immunities of the City of London be confirmed with itâ—rated Acts That the Tower of London and Militia be ordered at the discretion of the Mayor of the City Members and Common Council therein That no Citizen be compelled to Military service out of the Liberties of the City unless at the Parliaments appointment and the last was 11. That the Court of Wards with all Offices and Employments thereto belonging be exterminated That all services likewise on that accompt imposed cease all inheritances which formerly were held of the King in Capite c. namely by Knights service being freed from burden and charges fifty thousand pounds notwithstanding being paid the King yearly in compensation These were the conditions of peace propounded by the Parliament for the Argument or Matter of the Treaty to be commenced so vehemently sought after by the desires of all men and by the Arms of many Nothing changed from those which being formerly sent to the King whilst he remained at Hampton Court were not only rejected by the King but also of the Army as being somewhat too unequal In this one thing they differed that in these last the Scots are unconsidered The Parliament Commissioners are vested with no other Authority then to reply to the Kings Arguments rejoyn Reasons to force his assent having no power to sweeten or alter a word nay not to pass over the Preface but are forthwith to adverâ—ise the Parliament touching the Kings Concessions to transact all in writing and to debate the Propositions one by one in order not to descend to another before agreement touching the precedent and the time limited to dispatch within fourty dayes The Treaty goes on for a good while when suddenly advice comes to the Parliament that
Court Besides all this the peace of the Kingdom is not the least in my thoughts and what hopes of settlement is there so long as power reigns without rule of Law changing the whole frame of that Government under which this Kingdom hath flourished for many hundred years nor will I say what will fall out in case this lawless unjust proceeding against me go on and believe it the Commons of England will not thank you for this change for they will remember how happy they have been of late years under the Reign of Queen Elizabeth the King my Father and my self untill the beginning of these unhappy troubles and will have cause to doubt that they shall never be so happy under any new And by this time it will be too sensibly evident that the Arms I took up were only to defend the fundamental Laws of this Kingdom against those who have supposed my power hath totally changed the ancient Government Thus having shewed you briefly the Reasons why I cannot submit to your pretended Authority without violating the trust which I have from God for the welfare and liberty of my people I expect from you either clear reasons to convince my judgement shewing me that I am in an errour and then truly I will readily answer or that you will withdraw your proceedings After Sentence the King being hurried away was mocked of the Souldiers suffering many things like to Christ they laying aside all reverence to Soveraignty acted Triumph on the Prisoner crying out justice justice That one defiled his venerable face with spittle I abhor to say it was wittingly done but we are assured he wiped it off with his Handkerchief they puft Tobacco fume no smell to him more offensive and cast their Tobacco pipes at his feet And such as salute him they Bastinado One that did but sigh out God have mercy had his Pasport They intrude almost into his Closet hardly permitting him private devotion with his own Chaplain the Bishop of London In their devotions interrupted and himself disturbed whilst he prayed and prepared for this bitter cup. But he with Majesty of minde when they cryed out for justice Poor souls saies he for a piece of money they would do so for their Commanders and at these Rebels he said Christ suffered more for my sake such as dissembled irreverence he with easie contempt eâ—â—ded by neglecting it Yet that little time was lent him he betakes himself to confessions of his sins pardon of his Enemies receiving the Eucharist reading the Scriptures godly conferences doing all the duties of piety And thus holily he seeks to overcome the terrors of death ere they assail him Whilst he prayes they prepare for his execution Sir Hardress Waller Colonel Harrison Colonel Doan Com. Gen. Ireton and Col. Okes are to consider of the time and place for execution And in the Painted Chamber Munday the 29. of Ianu. the President and Judges meet and with the â—â—mmittee resolve That the open street before White-Hall is the fittest place that the King be there executed tomorrow Tuesday between ten and two a clock upon a Scaffold covered with black near the Banquetting House where he was wont to ascend his Throne and shew the pomp of Majesty due to Princes there must he pass to his Funeral Pulpit and lay aside the spoiles of Majesty where he had put on the Insigns thereof It was supposed that the King would not submit his neck to his enemies Axe and therefore it was so provided with Staples and Cords that he could not resist And the Commons house considered that in case of execution they ordered a Proclamation to be made throughout the Kingdom To declare it high Treason to Proclaim any King of England without consent of the present Parliament for so the House is stiled And that none upon paines of imprisonment preach or speak any thing contrary to the present proceeding of the Supream Authority of the Nation the Commons of England assembled in Parliament A Member of the Army gave in the desires of the King That in respect Sentence of death was past upon him and the time of execution might be nigh That he might see his Children and to receive the Sacrament and to prepare himself for death and that the Bishop of London might pray with him in private in his Chamber This night Saturday 27. Ian. the King lodged at White-hall and the next day Sunday the Bishop preached there before the King in his Chamber and this Sunday the President and all the Members of the High Court of Justice fasted in the Chappel of Whitehall and Mr. prayed for them On Sunday means was made to deliver a Letter to him from his son the Prince of Wales which the King read and burnt it and then he was conveyed to St. Iames's the next morning being Munday While the Dutch Ambassadour had audience of the House read their â—â—structions and Letters of Credence in French their desires was to intercede for the Kings life and to keep and preserve a fair correspondence betwixt this Nation and the Estates of the Netherlands This day his Children had leave to visit him but stayed not long His Children being come to meet him he first gave his blessing to the Lady Elizabeth and bad her remember to tell her brother Iames when ever she should see him that it was his Fathers last command that he should no more look upon Charls as his eldest brother only but be obedient unto him as his Soveraign and that they should love one another and forgive their Fathers Enemies Then said the King to her Sweet-heart you 'l forget this no said she I shall never forget it while I live and pouring forth abundance of tears promised him to write down the Particulars Then the King taking the Duke of Gloucester upon his knee said sweet-heart now they will cut off thy Fathers head upon which words the child looked very stedfastly on him mark child what I say they will cut off my head and perhaps mak thee a King but mark what I say you must not be a King so long as your brothers Charles and Iames do live For they will cut off your Brothers heads when they can catch them and cut off thy head too at last and therefore I charge you do not be made a King by them At which the child sighing said I will be torn in pieces first which falling so unexpectedly from one so young it made the King rejoyce exceedingly Another Relation from the Lady Elizabeths own hand What the King said to me the 29. of Ian. 1648. being the last time I had the happiness to see him he told me he was glad I was come and although he had not time to say much yet somewhat he had to say to me which he had not to another or leave in writing because he feared their cruelty was such as that they would not have permitted him to write to me He
third appointed this form To be chosen by six Princes of Germany Three Ecclesiastical Arch-Bishops Moguntia Colen and Trevine Three Temporal the Duke of Saxonie the Count Palatine of the Rhene and the Marquesse of Brandenburgh and when those six voyces should happen equally divided that then the Duke of Bohemia before it was a Kingdom should determine the Election this was approved by all the Germain Princes and other Christian Princes and Estates of this world And the manner and conditions are these After his Election he is called onely Caesar and the King of the Romanes and not Emperour till he be Crowned and takes his Oath presently after his Election To defend the Catholick Religion and Pope of Rome To minister Iustice to keep the Lawes of the Empire c. and so is anointed and with some prayers upon him a drawn sword put in his hand a Ring on his finger a scepter in his other hand and three Bishops set the Crown Emperiall upon his Head Then all the Princes take Oath to him In Polonie after the same manner In Spain of late the Kings are not Crowned but have another admission equal and performed by the Arch-Bishop of Toledo Primate of Spain In France they have some alterations from their ancient manner by Lewis le Ieune who ordained the 12. Peers of France Six Ecclesiastical and six Temporal The Arch-Bishop and Duke of Rhemes anointeth and Crowneth the King The Bishop and Duke of Lava bears the Glasse of sacred Oyl The Bishop and Duke of Lanques the Cross. The Bishop and Earl of Beauvais the Mantle Royal. The Bishop and Earl of Koyon the Girdle The Bishop and Earl of Chaalons the Ring The Duke of Burgundy Dean of the Order holds the Crown The Earl of Gasconie and Guiennie the first Banner quartered The Duke of Normandy the second Banner quartered The Earl of Tholosa the Golden spurs The Earl of Campain the Banner Royal or Standard of War The Earl of Flanders the sword Royall And this day the King is severally apparelled three times First as a Priest Secondly a King and Warriour Thirdly as a Iudge He takes his Oath by the Arch-Bishop of Rhemes to the Church and to the people c. and so vested with the Mantle Girdle Ring Ointment and Crown with declaration what each signified And though this Ceremonie of sacring and Anointing Kings be more ancient than the Christian Kingdom of France yet is it the most ancient for particular Majestique manner and most of the Neighbour Kingdoms have affinity from her especially in England being the very same in effect The sacredness of the Hebrew Kings depended much upon their being anointed Anointing added a divine Majesty to their Kings and made them sacred and allied unto God exercising power and authority over things divine the virtue of the sacred Ointment being communicated to them formerly compounded by Moses of Aromatick ingredients and was yet for Initiation and Consecration till Iosiah hid it under ground in the Temple in the same secret place where the Ark of the Covenant Aarons rod Urim and Thummim and the Manna were laid up in preservation against the overthrow of the Temple by the Assyrians as had been prophecied and so lost to posterity in time of their Babylonish Captivity And therefore the King resolves on the day 2. February which is censured For a vanity though serious and the wisest Monarchs are very idle in it as not conferring one dram of solid grandure to the Throne and yet he acknowledgeth that as the King enters recognizance and stipulateth with the people to govern by Law so they acclaim him their King And is all this but vanity Though the Scriptures also exemplifies it in the Iews their first King Saul after the manner of all Nations and after him David Solomon Iehoash The Highâ— Priest anointing him with solemnities as you may see of Gods own appointing and the Ceremony to our Saviour when the Iews crowned him was no doubt in imitation of other Kings and may be a pattern for Christians But the day come which began his solemnitie conveyed him by water from White-Hall to Westminster not in usual state through the streets from the Tower the onely reason the dregs of the Infection not clearing the danger of such concourse of people which is put upon his frugality to save money And though it belonged to the Dean of Westminster Bishop of Lincoln to officiate some chief parts of the Celebrity yet he being under a deserved displeasure and in October last put out of his office of Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England and intrusted unto Sr. Thomas Coventry who sat in Chancery two Terms before much of his duty was conferred upon Dr. Laud Bishop of St. Davids not of Bath and Wells till September after And then concerning the alteration of the Prayer The very Committee for managing the particulars of the Coronation resumed then those ancient particulars of the Prayer till Henry the sixth's time Ut obtineat gratiam huic populo c. like Aaron in the Tabernacle Elisha in the waters Zacharias in the Temple Sit Petrus in Clave Paulus in dogmate and were suitors to the King not to suffer the Dean to that duty and had this answer Who was not worthy to keep the seal lesse deserving to Minister now to his Soveraign Nor was he admitted to the next Parliament nor had summons by Writ so no Proxy to appoint a suffrage though it is said and evilly mentioned by an Historian That the Dukes Mother intruded who loved the Bishop if fame belies her not better then was fitting But this scandal I have answered sufficiently See the Life and Death of King Iames. And his own letters will discover the truth dated the seventh of Ianuary 1625. to the Duke and signed Iohn Lincoln so then he was not Chanceller and saies that he is come to do service for the preparation to the Coronation c. and craves of the Duke to receive a creature of your own struck dead with displeasure and by him to be brought to kiss the Kings hands And another Letter to the King complains that he hath not received his Writ of summons unto the Parliament that he might make his Proxie c. Nor can he go into the County as he had done long since but in expectation of this Writ and that in his absence in this Parliament no use may be made of the Kings Name to wound the reputation of a poor Bishop Cabala 107 108. and so our other Historians are mistaken in this And the manner of his Delivery of the Seal was thus Sir Iohn Suckling was sent from the King to demand it but charily he locked it up in a Cabinet and sent it and the Key by the Knight inclosed in a Letter to the King and so was outed of the Seal but kept his Bishoprick of Lincoln and the Deanary of Westminster which indeed he had for his life and after
all retired to Bugden where he lived very Hospitably and in manner and order of the good Bishops not without an eye and ear over him of such as were Intelligencers of Court And at Westminster Hall the Ceremony begun towards the Abbey Church in order thus 1. The Aldermen of London by couples ushered by an Herauld 2. Eighty Knights of the Bath in their Robes each one having an Esquire to support and a Page to attend him 3. The Kings Serjeants at Law Solicitor Atturney Masters of Request and Iudges 4. Privy Councellors that were Knights and the chief Officers of the Kings Houshold 5. Barons of the Kingdome bare-headed in their Parliament Robes with Swords by their sides 6. The Bishops with Scarlet Gowns and Lawn sleeves bare-headed 7. The Vice-Counts and Earls not in their Parliament but in their Coronation Robes with coronetted Caps on their Heads 8. The Officers of State for the day whereof these are the Principal Sir Richard Winn Sir George Goring The Lord Privy Seal The Archbishop of Canterbury The Earl of Dorset carrying the first Sword The Earl of Essex carrying the second Sword The Earl of Kent carrying the third Sword The Earl of Mountgomery carrying the Spurs The Earl of Sussex carrying the Globe and Cross upon it The Bishop of London carrying the Golden Cup for the Communion The Bishop of Winchester carrying the Golden Plate for the Communion The Earl of Rutland carrying the Scepter The Marquess Hamilton carrying the Sword of State naked The Earl of Pembroke carrying the Crown The Lord Maior in a Crimson Velvet Gown carried a Short Scepter before the King amongst the Serjeants The Earl of Arundel as Earl Marshall of England and the Duke of Buckingham as Lord High Constable of England for that day went next before his Majesty The King entred at the West Gate of the Church under a rich Canopy carried by the Barons of the Cinque Ports His own Person supported by Doctor Neil Bishop of Durham on the one hand and Doctorâ— Lake Bishop of Bath and Wells on the other His train six yards long of Purpleâ—Velvet held up by the Lord Compton Master of the Robes and the Lord Viscount Doncaster Master of the Wardrobe Here he was met by the Prebends of Westminster Bishop Lawd supplying the Deans Place in their rich Copes who delivered into the Kings hands the Staff of King Edward the Confessor with which he walked up to the Throne Which was framed from the Quire to the Altar the King mounted upon it none under the degree of a Baron standing therein save only the Prebends of Westminster who attended on the Altar Three Chairs for the King in several places first of Repose the second the antient Chair of Coronation and the third placed on an high square of five steps ascent being the Chair of State All settled and reposed the Arch-bishop of Canterbury presented his Majesty to the Lords and Commons East West North and South asking them if they did consent to the Coronation of K. Charles their lawful Soveraign The King in the mean time presented himself bareheaded the consent being given four times with great acclamation the King took his Chair of Repose The Sermon being done the Arch-Bishop invested in a rich Cope goeth to the King kneeling upon Cushions at the Communion Table and askes his willingness to take the Oath usually taken by his Predecessors The King is willing ariseth and goeth to the Altar and is interrogated and thus answereth Coronation Oath Sir Sayes the Arch-bishop will you grant and keep and by your Oath confirm to the People of England the Laws and Customes to them granted by the Kings of England your lawful and Religious Predecessours and namely the Laws Customs and Franchises granted to the Clergy by the glorious King St. Edward your Predecessor according to the Lawes of God the true profession of the Gospel established in this Kingdome agreeable to the Prerogative of the Kings thereof and the antient Customes of the Realm The Kings answer I grant and promise to keep them Sir Will you keep Peace and Godly agreement according to your power both to God the holy Church the Clergy and the people I will keep it Sir Will you to your power cause Law Iustice and discretion to mercy and truth to be executed to your Iudgement I will Sir will you grant to hold and keep the Laws and Rightfull Customes which the Comminalty of this your Kingdome have and will you defend and uphold them to the honour of God so much as in you lieth I grant and promise so to do Then one of the Bishops read this Admonition to the King before the people with a lowd voice Our Lord and King wee beseech you to pardon and to grant and to preserve unto Vs and to the Churches committed to your charge all Canonical privileges and do Law and Iustice and that you would protect and defend Vs as every good King to his Kingdomes ought to be Protector and Defendor of the Bishops and the Churches under their Government The King answereth With a willing and devout heart I promise and grant my Pardon and that I will preserve and maintain to you and the Churches committed to your charge all Canonical privileges and due Law and Iustice and that I will be your Protector and Defender to my Power by the Assistance of God as every good King in his Kingdom in right ought to protect and defend the Bishops and Churches under their Government Then the King ariseth and is led to the Communion Table where he makes a solemn Oath in sight of all the people to observe the premisses and laying his hand upon the Bible saith The Oath The things which I have here promised I shall perform and keep So help me God and the Contents of this Book Then were his Robes taken off and were offered at the Altar He stood a while stripped to his Doublet and Hose of White Sattin Then led by the Arch Bishop and Doctor Lawd the Bishopâ—of St. Davids he was placed in the Chair of Coronation a Close Canopy spread over him the Arch-bishop anointing his Head Shoulders Arms and Hands with a costly ointment the Quire singing an Anthem of these words Zadook the Priest anointed King Solomon Hence he was led up in his Doublet and Hose with a White Coife on his head to the Communion Table where the Bishop of St. Davids Deputy for the Dean brought forth the antient Abiliments of King Edward the Confessor and put them upon him Then brought back to the Chair of Coronation he received the Crown of King Edward presented by the Bishop of Saint Davids and put on his Head by the Archâ— Bishop of Canterbury the Quire singing an Anthem Thou shalt put a Crown of pure Gold upon his head whereupon the Earls and Viscounts put on their Crimson Velvet Caps with Coronets about them the
by the Kings command expresly to leave the House and attempting to rise was by force held down by Master Hollis who swore he should sit still whilest they pleased but not prevailing Sir Peter Hayman moved Hollis to reade these Articles which the House protested First whosoever shall bring in Innovation of Religion or by favour seek to introduce Popery or Arminianism or other Opinions disagreeing from the true and orthodox Church shall be reputed a capital Enemy to this Kingdom and Common-wealth Secondly whosoever shall counsel or advise the taking or levying of the Subsidies of Tunnage and Poundage not being granted by Parliament or shall be an Actor or Instrument therein shall be likewise reputed a capital Enemy to the Common-wealth Thirdly if any man shall yield voluntarily or pay the same not being granted by Parliament he shall be reputed a Betraier of the Liberties of England and an Enemy to this Common-weath To each of these in order the House gave there a loud applause at every close which distempers reaching but to the Kings ear he sent for the Serjeant of the Mace but he was kept in and Sir Miles Hobart a Member locked the Door and kept the Key The King incensed at these insufferable Contempts sent Maxwel the Usher of the Black Rod to dissolve the Parliament but him and his Message they excluded which put the King into a forcible Posture the Captains with their Pensioners and Guard to break their entrance they fearing the effects suddenly slunk out of the House not daring to abide his anger who instantly came to the Lords and told them My Lords I never came here upon so unpleasant an occasion it being the Dissolution of a Parliament therefore men may have some cause to wonder why I should not rather chuse to do this by Commission it being a general Maxime of Kings to leave harsh commands to the Ministers themselves onely executing pleasing things Yet considering that Justice as well consists in reward and praise of virtue as punishing of vice I thought it necessary to come here to day to declare to you and all the World that it was meerly the undutifull and seditious carriage of the Lower House that hath made the Dissolution of this Parliament And you my Lords are so far from being causes of it that I take as much comfort in your dutifull demeanours as I am justly distasted with their Proceedings Yet to avoid mistakings let me tell you that it is so far from me to adjudg all that House guilty that I know there are many there as dutifull Subjects as any in the World it being but some few Vipers amongst them that did cast this mist of undutifulness over most of their eys yet to say truth there was a good number there that could not be infected with this contagion in so much that some did express their duties in speaking which was the general fault of the House the last day To conclude as these Vipers must look for their reward of punishment so you my Lords must justly expect from me that favour and protection that a good King oweth to his loving and dutifull Nobility And now my Lord Keeper do what I commanded you Who in the Kings name dissolved the Parliament But because Tunnage and Poundage was much disputed we shall shall say something to the first ground and occasion of them It is a fundamental truth essential to the constitution and government of this Kingdom and hereditary Privilege of the Subject that no Tax Tallage or other charge might be laid without consent in Parliament this was ratified by the contract of this Nation with the Conquerour upon his admittance and declared and confirmed in the Laws which he published and yet afterwardâ— broken by King Iohn and Henry 3. then confirmed by Magâ—â—â— Charta and other succeeding Laws but then attempted to be broken by the two succeeding Edwards when the Subject pursued those Breaches by the opportunity of frequent Parliaments and found relief procuring the right of the Subjects to be fortified by new Statutes And it may be observed that those â—ings in the very Acts whereby they did break the Law did really affirm the Subjects liberty and disclaimed that right of him a thing which hath been since challenged by successive Sovereigns the Merchant in those times usually giving consent to such Taxes but limited to a time to the ratification of the next following Parliament to be cancelled or confirmed But mostly these upon Merchandise were taken by Parliament six or twelve per pound for time and years as they saw cause for defence of the Sea sometimes also granted unto Noblemen or Merchants but for that use and afterwards they were granted to the King for life and so continued for divers Descents Between the time of Edward 3. and Queen Mary never any Prince some say demanded any Imposition but by Parliament Queen Mary indeed laid a charge upon Cloth by the equity of Tunnage and Poundage because the rate set upon Wool was much more than that upon Cloth and little Wool being transported unwrought she had reason to impose so much more as brought them to an equality but that there still continued a less charge upon Wool wrought into Cloth than upon Wool carded out unwrought untill King Iames his times when upon Nicholson's advice there was a further addition of charge which is that which we call the pretermitted Custome In Queen Elizabeths time some Impositions nay many increased the general prosperity of her Reign in the conjuncture of time and forrein affairs overshadowing and her power and will commanding without regret or complaint That of Currans was one for the Venetians having taxed a charge upon our English Cloth she raised that of the Currans with pretence to be even with them the sooner to take off the other And this came to be denied to King Iames by Bates a Merchant and a Sute in the Exchequer adjudged it for the King The three Judges then no more distinguished their several opinions The first that the King might impose upon forreign Commodities but not upon Natives to be transported or necessary to be imported for the use of the Kingdom The second Iudg was of opinion he might impose upon all forreign Merchandize whether superfluous or no but not upon native The third was absolute seeing the King had the custody of the Ports and Guard of the Seas and might shut up or open the Ports as he pleased 〈◊〉 had a Prerogative to impose upon all Merchandize exported or imâ—â—rted Afterwards King Iames laid charges upon all Commodities Outward and Inward not limited to time or occasion This Judgment and the right of imposing was a question in 7. and 12. Ian. and in 18. and 21. Ian. It was declined by the Commons House But in 1 Car. it was renewed by the Kings Propositions and then rather confirmed not abolished It was not sufficient for the King to break up the School of dissension
Spanish Ambassadour entered into their Traversies whiles an Anthem was sung and whilest the Dean Dr. Laud with three other Bishops went up to the Altar with a Latine Bible upon which the King laid his hand Secretary Coke having read the Oath the King kissed the Book and signed the Articles which he delivered up to the Ambassadour and so passed to the Banquetting-house to a princely Feast which the Kings good Friend assures us the Subject paid for with the aid of an old Prerogative-statute of Tax for Knighthood It was ancient indeed and from time to time of all Kings and Sovereigns since Edward the second framed then more for ease of the Subject than profit of that King then reduced to such to be made Knights that had twenty pounds per annum but before that time all men of fifteen pound per annum were required to take it But why it should ly skulking it seems to him onely who devises the matter and the manner To appear at the Coronation onely Ad arma gerenda not to be per force Knighted as was vulgarly supposed This vulgar Historian confines us to the manner Every man to receive a Belt and a Surcoat out of the Kings Wardrobe and if in four days there were no cause to fight without a Sword it seems they might take leave and be gone again The Statute is intituled Statutum de Militibus That our Sovereign Lord the King hath granted that all such as ought to be Knights and be not and have been distrained to take upon them that Order before the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord shall have respect to take upon them the foresaid Arms of Knighthood untill the Vigil of Saint Hilary c. And câ—rtainly it was their quality of thirty pound Rent per annum a plentifull Revenue in those former times made them capable not their sufficiency of body to bear Arms when thousands more of less Estates might be found fitter for fighting But being in force now notwithstanding those that refused it were brought to the Exchequer I believe above one hundred thousand pounds And the long Parliament that succeeded to please the People repealed it So that all the advantages he had to help himself were either condemned as done against the old Laws of the Land or else some new Law must be made to deprive him of the other that wanting all other means to support himself he might be forced upon the Alms of the Parliament The original ground was heretofore when the Services done by Ten were taken in kinde it was thought fit there should be some way of trial and approbation of those that were bound to such Services Therefore it was ordained that such as were to do Knights service after they came of age and had possession of their Lands and should be made Knights that is publickly declared to be fit for service Divers Ceremonies and Solemnities were in use for that purpose and if by the parties neglect this was not done he was punishable by Fine There being in those days an ordinary and open way to get Knighthood for those which were born to it c. The use of this hath for divers Ages been discontinued yet there have passed very few Kings under whom there hath not been these Summons requiring those holding Lands of such a value as the Law prescribes to appear at the Coronation or some other great Solemnity and to be knighted so as it is not new in the kinde nor new in the manner nor in excess of it indeed heretofore the Fines were moderate in some proportion and of late to meaner People Inholders Lease-holders Copi-holders Merchants and others scarce any man of value free from it And the Proceedings out by good Example President or Rule of Justice by Distresses and Issues The Disease of Europe was now become Martial War in Italy Germany in Bands of old Souldiers France afraid of a Neighbourstorm hindred all Propositions of Peace England besides the general Interest of the Reformed had the particular of the Palsgrave and always in Mutinies the States general are most concerned the Protestant Princes suppressed the House of Austria grown already to heigth threatned their â—uine nay the State of Venice was invited to increase the flame and disorder of this powerfull Body So then from North to South and of each side also was Germany beset with Enemies It was in Midsummer that Gustavus Adolphus King of Swede descended into Germany invited by themselves and incited by the assistance of all the former Princes and States though slenderly performed by them all Much to do he had to finde the cause of a Quarrel But Reasons he made and published which the Emperour answered and that sufficiently as we may conclude in the main concerning the Emperours depriving the Dukes of Meckelenburgh his Kinsmen of their Dutchies To which he was told That the Imperial Majesty was not to be controuled at home by foreign Pretences His Ears being open to Intercessours but not to Commands His general Pretence was as he vaunted to be the defence of the Protestant Cause and Religion which produced effects of a cruel bloudy and horrid War there then and other where since by the immense ambition of some few persons whom we may not name though their Vice we blame The Emperours old General Wallestein Duke of Frithland was at this Diet dismissed that Command by the perswasions of the French and Duke of Bavaria who had joyned a League defensive and offensive And his other General Tilly was turned Beadsman to his devotions and happy he had been to have so continued whilest he had Fortune his Hand-maid with as much glory as any Captain in the World which he changed to be conquered His former happiness was concluded in these That he heard Mass daily never touched a Woman never lost a Battel But he is wrought upon even by their Priests and prepares for War His first Master-piece was by cunning not force for finding Magdeburgh an Emperial rich Town of Saxony in some distraction then which brought such distraction after as no History can paralel The difference proceeded from their first choyce of Augustus Son to the Elector of Saxony for their Administrator But the Emperour and Pope commended the Arch Duke Leopâ—old now Governour of the Low Countreys The Town take parts and are appeased by Wallenstens power who turned the Town into a Garison and the forfeit of 150. thousand Rix Dollers Then Leopold presses further with very high demands which Christian of Brandenburgh and the Duke of Saxony interpose as therein concerned Brandenburgh enters the Town disguised and offers his and the King of Swedens protection who is received opening his passage into Pomerania and Meckelendburgh which he soon mastered And thus busied abroad he leaves Brandenburgh to rejoyce at his own designe when Poperheim posts thither makes havock of all before him and stops the Fox in his hole and besieges Magdeburgh December 1630.
Kings Bench in Westminster-hall where a Theatre was erected in height equal with the Bench covered over with green Cloth In the upper end was placed the Tribunal Chair of State for the High Steward on either side the Peers of the Realm and under them the Iudges in the lower end against the State were the Kings learned Council and at their backs two Pews lifted up to face the Court for the Prisoner and his Keeper and in the midst of the Court a place of descension for the Clerk of the Crown and his Assistant where they all met between eight and nine of the Clock that Morning First the Clerk of the Crown and the Iudges the Lieutenant of the Tower and the Prisoner retiring into a Room near hand then the Peers seven and twenty in number those of the Garter order wearing their Coller of Esses about their neck the chiefest of them were Weston Lord Treasurer Earl of Manchester Lord Privy Seal Arundel Earl Marshall of England and so the rest Then enters the Lord High Steward his Grace in a black Velvet Gown trimm'd with Gold Buttons and Lace before him 7. Maces of State born by the Serjeants at Arms attended by Sir Io Burroughs Garter principal King of Arms and Maxwel Usher of the Black Rod. The Judges Assistants for Counsel in case of Law were Sir Nicholas Hide Chief Justice of the Kings Bench Sir Thomas Richardson Chief Justice of the Common Pleas Sir Humphrey Davenport Chief Baron of the Exchequer and Baron Denham four Judges Iones Hutton Whitlock and Crook The learned Council were Sir Robert Heath Attorney General Sir Richard Chelton Solicitor General Sir Io Finch the Queens Attorney General and Sir Thomas Crew Serjeant at Law Sir Thomas Fanshaw Clerk of the Crown and Keeling his Assistant The Clerk of the Crown presented his Grace with the Patent of his Place of Lord High Steward of England After O yes he delivered the Patent to the Clerk of the Crown who read it and returned it back The Black Rod kneeling down presented him with the White Staff or Verge of State After a second O yes his Grace gave leave to the Peers to be covered and Proclamation made That the Judges should bring in as by Writ commanded all the Records touching the Earls Arraignment and the Peers answered particularly to their several names After the third O yes the Lieutenant of the Tower brought in his Prisoner into their powers and his Warrant being read his Grace addressed himself to the Peers My Lord Audley said he for so he stiled him as a Baron of England and not by his Creation of Earl Castlehaven being a forreign Title of Ireland by which Title onely he could not be tried by the Peers the Kings Majesty is given to understand both by report and also by Verdict of divers Gentlemen of quality in your County that you stand impeached of sundry Crimes of a most high and hainous nature and therefore he brings you this day to trial doing therein like the Almighty King of Kings in the eighteenth of Genesis who went down to see whether the sins of the Sons of Sodome and Gomorrah were so grievous as the cry of them that came before him And Kings on Earth can have no better Patern to follow than that of the King of Heaven and so hath summoned by special command these your Peers either to acquit or condemn you they being so noble and so just so indifferent Iudges for his Majesty desires that your Trial should be as equal and upright as Iustice it self wherefore you may speak boldly and confidently without fear to clear your self and so to be set free but if otherwise your own conscience accuse you give the honour to God and the King by confessing the truth without shifts or subtilties against it which are but Consilia adversus Dominum May it please your Grace said Audley I have stood committed close Prisoner six moneths without Friends or Counsel deprived of the knowledg of the particular circumstances of the Crimes laid to my charge unskilfull of the advantages or disadvantages of Law and but weak to plead at the best and therefore desire liberty of Counsel to plead for me Your long Imprisonment said his Grace hath been rather a favour for conveniency to bethink your self and you shall have all possible favour in this your first demand in which the Iudges shall satisfie you as in all other your deâ—ires in the prosecution of your Trial. The Judges gave opinion that in principal Causes Counsel is not to be allowed for matter of Fact but for matter of Law it may His Grace commanded the Clerk of the Crown to reade his Indictments being three in number The first for a Rape by assisting Brodway his own Servant to ravish his Wife the Countess of Castlehaven The other two for Sodomy committed on the Body of Brodway and on Fitz Patrick his Footman To which he pleaded Not guilty c. And therefore his Grace said thus to the Peers My Lords the Prisoner is indicted of Rape and Sodomy and pleads Not guilty My duty is to charge you with the Trial Yours to judg The Cause may move pity in some detestation in all but neither of them may be put in the Scale of Iustice for a Grain on either side sways the Ballance Let Reason rule your affections your heads your hearts to heed attentively and weigh equally In the right course the Iudges will direct you if doubts arise Ye are not sworn how to proceed the Law supposeth your integrity to Iustice which others are compelled unto by Oath And so God direct you Crew opened the Indictments and so was seconded and by turns all the other but the Attorney General proceeded in brief that the Crimes were far more base and beastly than any Poet invented or History ever mentioned Suetonius indeed sets out the Lives of Heathen Emperours whose Sovereignty had no Law to question their Power nor Religion to bound their wills from acting any Crimes And here ravelling into his former debauched life and profession of Papistry digressing from the matter of the Indictments the Prisoner desired that his Religion nor other circumstances not conducing to his crimes charged might be spared But he was told to forbear to interrupt the Council till the time fitting to make answer And so the Attorney went on with his Religion bred up a Protestant and after fell to Papistry for more liberty in evil or rather of both Professions or of either or of none at all Cor quod ingreditur duas vias non habet successum In the morning at a Mass afternoon at a Sermon believing in God thus basely God left him at the last to his lusts and so to Atheism to work wickedness without hope of Heaven or horrour of Hell His moral actions beyong imagination wicked for though he married this Lady as noble in birth as great in fortune so soon as
Councel at Hampton Court the case was concluded for the Arch Bishop as the greatest reason not to rule themselves having suffered such an Inconvenience there without so much as taking notice much lesse reforming It had been more then fifteen moneths that the Writs of Ship-money were issued out to divers Counties many Men and in special Mr. Hambden of Buckingham Shire being Assisted by the Sherifâ— made default of payment this Person well known and supposed a stake for others not without a resolved factious assistance of powerful parties And therefore the King this Michaelmas Term not precipitate into a quarrel advised the opinion of his Judges stating the Case by Letter to them To our trusty and well-beloved Sir John Bramstone Knight Chief Iustice of Our Bench Sir John Finch Knight Chief Iustice of Our Court of Common Pleas Sir Humphrey Davenport Knight Chief Baron of Our Court of Exchequer and to the rest of the Iudges of Our Courts of Kings Bench Common Pleas and the Barons of our court of Exchequer Charls Rex Trusty and well-beloved we greet you well taking into our Princely consideration that the Honor and safety of this Our Realm of England the preservation whereof is onely entrusted to Our care was and is more dearly concern'd then in late former times as well by divers councels and attempts to take from Us the Dominions of the Seas of which We are sole Lord and rightful Owner or Propriator and the losse whereof would be of greatest danger and peril to this Kingdom and other Our Dominions and many other wayes We for the avoiding of these and the like dangers well weighing with our self that where the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in danger there the charge and defence ought to be born by all the Realm in general did for the preventing so publique a mischief resolve with our self to have a Royal Navy prepared that might be of force and power with Almighty Gods blessing and assistance to protect and defend this Our Realm and Our Subjects therein from all such perils and dangers and for that purpose We issued forth Writs under our Great Seal of England directed to all Our Sheriffs of Our several Counties of England and Wales Commanding thereby all Our said Subjects in every City Town and Village to provide such a number of Ships well furnisht as might serve for this Royal purpose and which might be done with the greatest equality that could be In performance whereof though generally throughout all the Counties of this Our Realm We have found in Our Subjects great chearfulnesse and alacrity which We gratiously interpret as a testimony as well of their dutiful affection to us and our service as of the respect they have to the Publique which well becometh every good Subject Nevertheless finding that some few happily out of ignorance what the Laws and Customs of this Realm are or out of a desire to be eased in their particulars how general soever the charge be or ought to be have not yet paid and contributed to the several Rates and Assesments that were set upon them And fore-seeing in Our Princely wisdom that from thence divers Suits and Actions are not unlikely to be commenced and prosecuted in our several Courts at Westminster We desirous to avoid such inconveniencies and out of Our Princely love and affection to all Our People being willing to prevent such Errours as any of Our loving Subjects may happen to run into have thought fit in a case of this nature to advise with you Our Judges who We doubt not are well studied and informed in the Rights of Our Sovereignty And because the Trials in Our several Courts by the Formalities in Pleading will require a long protraction We have thought fit by this Letter directed to you all to require your Judgments in the Case as it is set down in the inclosed Paper which will not onely gain time but also be of more authority to over-rule any prejudicate opinions of others in the Point Given under Our Signet at our Court of White-hall the Second Day of February in the Twelfth Year of Our Reign 1636. CHARLS Rex CHARLS Rex VVhen the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concern'd and the whole Kingdom in danger whether may not the King by VVrit under the great Seal of England command all the Subjects in his Kingdom at their charge to provide and furnish such number of Ships with Men Victuals and Munition and for such time aâ— he shall think fit for the Defence and Safeguard of the Kingdom from such Danger and Peril and by Law compel the doing thereof in case of Reâ—usal or Refractoriness and whether in such case is not the King the sole Iudge both of the Danger and when and how the same is to be prevented and avoided The Judges return their Opinions thus May it please your Most Excellent Majesty we have according to your Majesties Command severally and every Man by himself and all of us together taken into serious consideration the Case and Questions signed by your Majesty and inclosed in your Letter And we are of opinion that when the Good and Safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in Danger your Majesty may by Writ under your Great Seal of England command all the Subjects of this your Kingdom at their charge to provide and furnish such number of Ships with Men Victual Munition and for such time as your Majesty shall think fit for the Defence and Safeguard of the Kingdom from such Peril and Danger And that by Law your Majesty may compell the doing thereof in case of Refusal or Refractoriness And we are also of opinion that in such Case your Majesty is the sole Iudg both of the Danger and when and how the same is to be prevented and avoided John Bramston John Finch Humphrey Davenport John Denham Richard Hutton William Jones George Crook Thomas Trever George Vernon Robert Barkly Francis Crauly Richard Weston Thus they subscribe which was inrolled in all Courts at Westminster Hall and without doubt Warrant sufficient for the King to proceed against any Defaulters specially singly against Hambden who appeared upon Process and required Oyer of the Ship Writs and so being heard he demurred in Law and demanded the Iudges opinion upon the Legality of those Writs which being argued in the Exchequer all the Iudges and those Barons except Crook and Hutton were of opinion for the Writs and the Barons gave Iudgment accordingly against Hambden who under hand advised held up the Quarrel by Intermissions till further time and conveniency The Queen bare the Princess Ann the seventeenth of March the third Daughter to the King This Midsummer Term were censured in Star-chamber three Delinquents confederate A medley of Mal-contents The one a Divine Mr. Burton who is a mistiled Sometime Tutor to the King which he never was nor any
valor for a wise man to set himself against the breaking in of a Sea which to resist at present threatens imminent danger but to withâ—draw gives it space to spend its fury and gaines a fitter time to repair the breach Certainly a Gallant man had rather fight to great disadvantages for number and place in the field in an orderly waie then skuffle with an undisciplined rabble Som suspected and affirmed that I meditated a War when I went from White-hall onelie to redeem My Person and Conscience from violence God knows I did not then think of a War Nor will any prudent man conceive that I would by so many former and some after-Acts have so much weakned My self If I had purposed to engage in a War which to decline by all means I denied My self in so manie particulars T is evident I had then no Army to flie unto for protection or vindication Who can blame Me or any other for with-drawing our selves from the daily baitings of the Tumults not knowing whether their furie and discontent might not flie so high as to worrie and tear those in pieces whom as yet they but plaied with in their paws God who is My sole Iudge is My Witness in Heaven that I never bad anie thoughts of going from my House at White-hall If I could have had but anie reasonable fair Quarter I was resolved to bear much and did so but I did not think My self bound to prostitute the Majesty of My place and Person the safetie of My Wife and Children to those who are prone to insult most when they have objects and opportunitie most capable of their rudeness and petulancie But this business of the Tumults whereof some have given already an account to God others yet living know themselves desperately guilty Time and the guilt of many hath so smothered up and buried that I think it best to leave it as it is onely I believe the just Avenger of all disorders will in time make those men and that City see their sin in the glass of their punishment T is more then an even-laie that they may one daie see themselves punished by that waie they offended Had this Parliament as it was in its first election and Constitution sate full and free the Members of both Houses being left to their freedom of Voteing as in all reason honor and Religion they should have been I doubt not but things would have been so carried as would have given no less content to all good men then they wished or expected For I was resolved to hear reason in all things and to consent to it so far as I could comprehend it but as Swine are to Gardens and orderly Plantations so are Tumults to Parliaments and Plebeian concourses to publique Councils turning all into disorders and sordid confusions I am prone somtimes to think That had I called this Parliament to any other place in England as I might opportunely enough have don the said consequences in all likelihood with Gods blessing might have been prevented A Parliament would have been welcom in any place no place afforded such confluence of various and vitious humors as that where it was unhappily convened But we must leave all to God who orders our disorders and magnifies his wisdome most when our follies and miseries are most discovered And with these Mutinies comes the Intimation of some practises in the North to distract the English Army the occasions you shall hear of hereafter But it gave â—ewel to the fiery faction and to the Parliament to fall into debate about a general National Protestation To maintain and defend with my life power and estate the true reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the doctrine of the Church of England against all popery and popish Innovations within this Realm contrary to the same doctrine his Majesties person Honour and estate The power of Parliament the lawful rights and Liberties of the subject and every person that maketh this protestation whatsoever he shall do in the lawfull pursuance of the same the third of May. This being too general in these words The true Reformed Protestant Religion c. They were explained by an ordinance to be only The publique doctrine professed in the Church of England so far as it is opposite to Popery and Popish Innovations and not to the maintaining any form of worship discipline or Government nor any Rites or Ceremonies of the Church of England the fifth of May And so it was taken by the Commons House the next day by the Lords and ordered to be taken by all the people of England Hereby it appears that they meant to question the discipline of the Church which they did They had no better way to qualifie the Kings discontent than to raise him some mony for the satisfying of high accounts which the Kingdom stood charged withall two Armies now on foot craving their pay And therefore a cunning Knight of Lancashire offered to procure his Majesty 650000. l. until such time as the subsidies should be raised with this declaration Provided that the King would pass a Bill not to adjourn the Parliament nor Prorogue it nor disolve it without the consent of both Houses to indure until the Greivances of this Kingdom were redressed And so complaints arising like Hidra's head never to have thereby any end yet to colour it they fell upon a great debate thereof but instantly order was given to draw up a Bill in pursuance of it And the Lords another way busie to lay a side the Bill of the Earls Attainder because it brought in the King as a Judge and so fell upon the several Articles of his Accusation resolving to send them to the Commons the next day with their Resolution when aâ—mongst forty five Lords twenty six of them voted him guilty of High Treason upon the fifteenth Article for Levying monies in Ireland by force in a warlike manner And upon the nineteenth for Imposing an Oath upon the subjects in Ireland which was for distinction of the Scots Covenanters as you have heard heretofore And so both these Bills of an everlasting Parliament and of the Attainder being compleated a conference was had of both Houses the next day after and some Lords dispatched to the King to request his answer who tells them That on Munday Following he would satisfie them I conceive it convenient in more particular to clear two mistakes of our Authors concerning The Articles of Ireland and the death of the Earl of Strafford reflecting upon the late most Reverend Prelate the Arch Bishop of Armagh Primate of all Ireland whilest he was living and worse pursued since his decease somewhat too sharp also on Dr. Barnard Herein I take leave in cool blood to interpose those Animadversions being intrusted therein by Command of the deceased Prelate Under whose hand writing and others also much of the matter is made evident to rectifie misunderstandings Intentionally thereby to end disputes The Historian takes
and Figures within the Churches and afterwards from without suppressing the very Signs and Sign-posts and this curiosity of Imployment was conferred upon such as had least to do and could intend to be busied abroad Sir Robert Harloe was found out to be the fittest person which makes me remember Chaucer's Character of such another A busier man there never was Yet seemed busier than he was The King had given knowledg of his Resolution to journey to Scotland and to set out the tenth of August to which the Houses had agreed but now thus near they desire the King to put it off a Fortnight longer the great affairs of State necessarily requiring his presence and instanced in some Bills yet to be passed and some settlement for the Government of the Kingdom in his absence he told them the warning was so long since as that they might have hastened their business to that purpose And so the same day passed some Bills for Knighthood free making of Gun-pouder and Saltpeter and signed a Commission for passing Bills in his absence unto the Lord Keeper the Lord Privy-Seal the Earl of Lindsey Earl of Essex Marquess Hartford the Earl of Bath and the Earl of Dorset And signed to another Bill for the Earl of Essex General of all his Forces on this side Trent by which he had power to raise Forces in case of necessity but to that request that the Earl of Pembroke should be made Lord high Steward in the place of the Earl of Arundel now absent and the Earl of Salisbury to be Lord Treasurer he had no minde to either of them But the day before the King's Journey into Scotland and the Parliament serious in some sudden affairs of importance they were forced to lay aside the solemnity of this Day being Sunday and to sit from Morning till Night but not to bring it into President they publish in Print That for many urgent occasions they thought it necessary to sit and do declare so much that no inferiour Court or Council or any person may draw this into Example for their encouragement in neglecting the due observation of the Sabbath Sunday August 8. And then they adjourned untill the twentieth of October and a standing Committee of the House of Commons consisting of fifty Members appointed during the Recess But the King gone to Scotland the Parliament at leisure to frame business against his return such a Freedom and Liberty was taken up of the People and such connivance from the Parliament as somewhat like the late Comedy The World turn'd up side down Many Jealousies in the hearts of the People many Divisions and Differences in Opinion which little favour the Parliaments proceedings The Prelatical party utterly discountenanced and Learning discouraged the Universities neglected Orthodox men slighted A wonderfull liberty and licence afforded to the Communalty of a long time had now taken root and Riots too Every one as his fancy increased took upon him by connivance of several Members of several Opinions to countenance such who without other authority order or decency rudely and riotously disturbing Church-service in time of Prayers tearing the Book of Liturgy the Surplices and such things which the Parliament onely connived at being to use such a considerable party in time of need Ridiculous Conventicles and Preachings in Conventicles nay openly in corners of the Streets by Trades-men Tub-preachers to the general scandal of all good men In earnest to wise men and religious these courses were offensive and thereby grew disaffected to Parliaments but there were ways invented some were taken off by Preferments others deterred and most men distracted with these varieties exprest a Mutation and change of Church and State which after followed Insolencies and Disorders in the Populacy uncorrected or connived at grow up to Insurrections and Rebellions as with the late Actions of the Scots after whose Example the Irish Nation resolve of the like Freedom the one of Reformation the other of old ancient Popery National pretence either had but the effects of the former were soon smothered and pacified for the present but this other taking fire in time of our English Distractions which afforded them means and boldness to contrive the most horrid Rebellion in Ireland that after-ages will not easily believe It fell out in the Kings absence at Scotland and so we shall take up that time to enter the Reader in the former part of that miserable story and first of all to give some account of the Grounds and their rebellious pretences Somewhat we have said concerning the State of Ireland from the first Conquest of the English to these times of King Charls who highly indulged his Subjects there in this last Year 1640. upon their late Complaints and their general Remonstrance to him from the Parliament sitting at Dublin by a Committee of four Temporal Lords of the Upper House and twelve Members of the House of Commons instructed to represent the heavy pressures which they pretended to have suffered under the Government of the Earl of Strafford The King took their Grievances into his royal consideration heard them himself and presently provided for their redress And upon the decease of Master Wansford Master of the Rolls in Ireland and then Lord Deputy under the Earl of Strafford who still continued Lord Lieutenant of that Kingdom though then accused of high Treason and imprisoned in the Tower of London the King sent a Commission of Government to the Lord Dillon of Kilkenny West and Sir William Parsons Knight and Baronet Master of the Wards there but finding his choice of Dillon to be much disgusted by the Irish Committee that Commission was forthwith cancelled with their approbation he placed the Government upon Sir William Parsons and Sir John Burlace Knight Master of the Ordnance both of them persons of great integrity who took the Sword the ninth of February 1640. who applied them selves with all possible content to the People In abating the Subsidies there being given in the time of the Earl of Strafford from fourty thousand pounds each Subsidy to twelve thousand pounds a piece so low were they reduced and drew up two Acts in Parliament most impetuously desired by the Natives The one was the Act of Limitations which settled all Estates of Land there for sixty years preceding The other Act for the relinquishment of the Kings Right and Title to the four Counties in Conaught legally found for him by several Inquisitions and ready to be disposed of to Brittish Undertakers as also to some Territories in Munster and Clare upon the same Title And that the King might testifie his own settled resolution for his future grace and favours to them he did about the end of May 1641. declare the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant General of Ireland perhaps upon the former score as Heir to his Uncle Sir Philip Sidney as to Sir Henry Sidney his Grand-father who had been Governour of Ireland in time
but three Days before at Guild-hall satisfied most of these Particulars yet he was pleased to return them an Answer That he cannot possibly express a greater sense of Ireland than he hath done and hopes by assistance of the Parliament may be effected to which he will contribute all his power And he hath removed a Servant of good trust and reputation from the charge of the Tower onely to satisfie the Cities Fears whose safety is as his own And for the fortifying of White-hall they must needs know of the Tumult there and at Westminster his own person endangered and if any Citizens were wounded it happened by their own corrupt Demeanours That his going to the House of Commons with his Attendance onely nor otherwise armed but as Gentlemen with Swords was to apprehend those five Members for Treason to which the Privileges of Parliament can extend nor to Felony nor Breach of the Peace against whom his Majesty intends lawfully to proceed with justice and favour And is confident that this his extraordinary way of satisfying a Petition of so unusual a nature will appear to be the greatest Instance of his clear Intentions to the Citie c. And because the proceedings against the five Members as they are numbered besides Kimbolton begat much Dispute and willing the King was to retrive his former Actings therein is now pleased by Mâ—ssage to both Houses to wave his former proceedings in reference to the Privileges of Parliament and all Doubts being thereby settled when the mindes of men are composed he will proceed thereupon in an unquestionable way and upon all occasions be carefull of their Privileges as of his Life or Crown But the House was hot upon it to dispatch the business to some issue and to that end the County of Bucks petition the King for Iohn Hambden their Knight of the Shire against whom and other Members in the manner of their Impeachment of Treason they conceive it to oppugn the Rights of Parliament being rather by the malice of their Enemies than their Deserts the Petitioners and others being through their sides wounded in their judgment and care by whose choice they were presented And pray that Master Hambden and the rest that ly under the burden or Accusation may enjoy their just Privilâ—ges But such increase and Numbers of ordinary people flocked tumultuously about White-hall and Westminster that the King Queen Prince and Duke of York were forced for security of their persons to retâ—re to Hampton Court being necessitated to consider of sufficient Forces about his Court as a Guard To whose aid came divers of the Gentry giving some cause of suspition to increase into a Number which the Parliament jealously considered And therefore now the King being in better leisure takes some time before he gives Answer to the Buckingham Petition concerning the five Members who were guarded to Westminster by Water with hundreds of Boats Barges Flags of Triumph by the Seamen and a Rabble of such other by Land braving and threatning as they passed by Whitehall Hereupon occasion is given to offer to the view of the World what were the Kings Reasons to retire from Westminster by his own Relation With what willingness says the King I with-drew from Westminster let them judg who unprovided of tackling and victual are forced to Sea by Storm yet better do so than venture splitting or sinking on a Lee-shore I staied at White-hall till I was driven away by shame more than fear to see the barbarous rudeness of those Tumults who resolved they would take the boldness to demand anie thing and not leave either my self or the Members of Parliament the libertie of our Reason and Conscience to denie them anie thing Nor was this intolerable oppression my case alone though chiefly mine for the Lords and Commons might be content to be over-voted by the major part of their Houses when they had used each their own freedom Whose agreeing Votes were not by anie Law or Reason conclusive to my Iudgment nor can they include or carrie with them my consent whom they represent not in anie kinde Nor am I further bound to agree with the Votes of both Houses than I see them agree with the will of God with my just Rights as a King and the general good of my People I see that as many men they are seldom of one minde and I may oft see that the major part of them are not in the right I had formerly declared to sober and moderate mindes how desirous I was to give all just content when I agreed to so many Bills which had been enough to secure and satisfie all If some mens Hydropick insatiableness had not learned to thirst the more by how much the more they drank whom no fountain of royal bountie was able to overcome so resolved they seemed either utterly to exhaust it or barbarously to obstruct it Sure it ceases to be Counsel when not Reason is used as to men to perswade but force and terrour as to beasts to drive and compell men to assent to whatever tumultuarie patrons shall project He deserves to be a slave without pitie or redemption that is content to have the rational Sovereigntie of his Soul and Libertie of his Will and Words so captivated Nor do I think my Kingdoms so considerable as to preserve them with the forfeiture of that freedom which cannot be denied me as a King because it belongs to me as a Man and a Christian owning the Dictates of none but God to be above me as obliging me to consent Better for me to die enjoying this Empire of my Soul which subjects me onely to God so far as by Reason or Religion he directs me than live with the Title of a King if it should carrie such a Vassallage with it as not to suffer me to use my Reason and Conscience in what I declare as a King to like or dislike So far am I from thinking the Majestie of the Crown of England to be bound by anie Coronation-Oath in a blinde and brutish formalitie to consent to whatever its subjects in Parliament shall require as some men will needs infer while denying me anie power of a Negative Voice as King they are not ashamed to seek to deprive me of the Libertie of using my Reason with a good Conscience which themselves and all the Commons of England enjoie proportionable to their influence on the Publick who would take it verie ill to be urged not to denie whatever my self as King or the House of Peers with me should not so much desire as enjoin them to pass I think my Oath fully discharged in that point by my Governing onely by such Laws as my People with the House of Peers have chosen and my self have consented to I shall never think my self conscienciously tied to go as oft against my Conscience as I should consent to such new Proposals which my Reason in Iustice Honour and Religion bids me
and to be published in all Churches c. May 5. And the Parliament finding no other way to encounter the King but by putting the people into a posture of War do require all persons in authority by virtue of their late Ordinance of the Militia to put the same in execution which by the Kings answer declares to be no legal power in any of the Houses and commands no Subject whatsoever to obey it And forthwith summons the Gentry of the County to York to whom he complains of all these illegal proceedings of the Parliament to the danger of his person and tells them his intent to have a Guard onely to secure his person in which he desires their assistance and the rather because the Members that came with the last Message to the King return not back but reside at York in whose presence all these passages were performed yet staid they here as a Committee to out-face the Kings actions keeping themselves in a double capacity as a Committee of Parliament and Free-holders of the County as they were all What Counsellours the King had at this time I finde not onely the Secretary Nicholas for as yet his affairs were but hatching at York the Parliament having spun out their business with humble and specious shews which amazed most men into some hopes of good effects those that could more narrowly pry into their actions and but Neuters were soon seized and presently questioned especially if he appeared a publick person of estate or interest Amongst whom Sir Thomas Gardner Recorder of London for six years last past was now impeached upon Articles drawn from Anno 1638. For advising the Mayor Sir Maurice Abbot and Common Council to pay the Tax of Ship-money and to levie the Loan-money for raising three thousand of the Trained Bands for the Kings service in his Expedition then against his good Subjects of Scotland That in 1639. he advised the Mayor Sir Henry Garraway and Common Council to impress Clothe and Conduct two hundred Citizens to serve in the said War against Scotland That he prevented the Citie Petition to the King against certain illegal Taxes and Levies That in May 1640. he perswaded them to lend to the King ten thousand pounds for that War against his good Subjects of Scotland And prevented sundry intendments of thousands of the Citie in December last to petition the House of Commons not to be diverted in their just way of proceedings That in January last he crossed the Order of the Commons House and the Citie election of the Committee for the Militia And advised two scandalous Petitions from the Citie to the King and to the Parliament viz. that the ordering of the Citie Arms was annexed to the Majoraltie and if otherwise conferred upon others it would reflect upon this Custome which every Free-man was bound to maintain And these were the high crimes for which they endeavour to hang him but he was carefull therein and got to the King May 5. Upon several Summons the County of York had meetings the Parliament Committee being there over-counselling the Free-holders in private prevailed with some of them by Protestation to oppose the Knights and Gentry who were willing to raise a Guard for the King And the Parliament declaring that it is against the Laws that any of his Subjects should attend him at his pleasure but such as are bound to it by special service and that such as do are disturbers of the peace and command the Sheriff to oppose any such with the power of the Countie and all people whatsoever to assist them herein May 17. In what miserable condition the people of the Kingdom were reduced unto no publick Officer knew how to command or Subject how or whom to obey so differing were their duties depending on several authorities thus distinct onely those for the King directly in love and duty for the other in fear or gain and so wrought upon gave the advantage on the Parliaments part whereas the the Kings assistance was purchased out of the fire of faithfull affections yet all ways and means of Prerogative were used as now for the King to adjourn the next Term to York which the Parliament vote illegal and order that the Lord Keeper Littleton issue out no Writs or seal any Proclamations to that end May 17. And now Designs being ripened into action the people are called upon and invited to a belief of the Parliaments just proceedings and the Kings mis-actions being guided by a malignant party summed up into a very large Declaration of the nineteenth of May ripping up all their former complaints and grievances from the first day of this Parliament to the date hereof in effect the very Exceptions and Repetitions formerly mentioned and controverted between the King and them even from the first dispute for the Militia the misprision of Kimbolton and the five Members Remembering the intended War against Scotland being a Design they say to alter Religion by thâ—se wicked Councils of the King from which God did deliver us never to be forgotten That the Rebellion in Ireland hath been countenanced by evil counsel about the King The Proclamation whereby they were declared Traitours was so long with-held as to the second of Ianuary though the Rebellion brake forth in October before and then but fourty Copies appointed to be printed nor any of them to be published without the Kings pleasure signified and so but a few onely could take notice thereof but the proceedings against the Scots were quick and sharp forthwith by Proclamations dispersed throughout all the Kingdom with publick Prayers and Execrations But to repeat the particulars they are but the same said over again The King calls it a Book and so for the bulk it may well be intituled and to answer each particular must needs be very tedious as himself professes His small malignant Iunto Council as the Parliament calls them to replie to their numbers of several Committees in these proceedings But the King being never weary of any of any pains to undeceive his people of these mischievous infusions daily instilled to corrupt their loyalty gives them answer the next day after the twentieth of May in effect what he had said as before recited in their due time and place The Parliaments complaints were always forced The Kings answers more ingenious and natural in the opinion of indifferent observers The Parliaments onely to amuze the people and to steal away their allegeance and duty to themselves and otherwise it had been but loss of time and business to answer or to reply And at length though penned on both sides with wit and art the wiser sort of the Subjects whom it most concerned were astonished at the reading of either But indeed as to the Kings connivence at or want of zeal against the Rebellion of Ireland so often hinted and now put home upon the Kings score He answers That he then being in Scotland immediately recommended the care of the business to the
contrary to Almightie God and to the King that they immediately retract that mischievous illegal and unjust Order To which he expects their speedy Answer and obedience and the rather that he may be secured that such part of the four hundred thousand pounds as is or shall be collected for the Irish service may not be imployed under false pretence in a War against the King August 13. This was home close to their conscience which they retort upon the King with this Answer That his Directions to them to retract their Order is a high Breach of privilege of Parliament that his wicked Counsellours have raised this bloudie and barbarous Rebellion in Ireland that they had a Design to raise a Million of Money to suppress them but the King with-drawing into the North from his Parliament their intentions were frustrate As also to send five thousand Foot and five hundred Horse to Ireland under the command of the Lord Wharton for Relief of Munster which failing Limrick is lost and Munster in much miserie The Kings Forces so quartered in and about the common Roads to Ireland that no provision can pass by land that way that be hath recalled two Ships appointed for the Guard of those Seas that certain suits of Cloath sent towards Chester for that service were taken by the Cavaliers and the Waggon-horses And that the House of Commons apprehending the danger of this Kingdom thought it necessarie to prepare a competent Armie for defence of the King and Kingdom but in regard that the Contributions of Plate by the well-affected could not be so soon coined they made bold to borrow this hundâ—ed thousand pounds for the present And so put it to the question Whether the King and his Cavaliers or the King and his Parliament do endeavour for the best To all this though I finde no Reply yet thus much in truth may be said that though the King recalled two Ships commanded by Captain Ketleby and Sir Henry Stradling they conceal that at the same time he sent Warrant to the Downs commanding four better Ships to attend that service which Warrant by the Parliaments means could finde no obedience by the absence of which four Ships the Rebells of Ireland had opportunity to bring store of Arms and Ammunition And it is as true that at this time the Parliament seized fourty good Ships of the Kings Navy and could spare none of them for the Irish service but imployed them against the King in the business of Hull And as to their Suits of Cloaths they likewise conceal that they were taken entring into Coventry then in open War against the King where no doubt they would have been disposed amongst their Souldiers who bore Arms against him And for the Horses of Draught they were certified to be useless for Ireland and so the King kept them for his service And the Earl of Leiceister Deputy of Ireland being now with the King at Nottingham his Man Errington was sent to fetch them for the King who hastens the Deputy to his charge and sent him for London And they do not hold forth their Excuse sufficient to say that the one hundred thousand pounds was for the necessitie of their Armie in defence of this Kingdom when the Irish Army was ready to perish for want of it which they imployed together with such part of the four hundred thousand pounds Subsidy as they had received to maintain this unnatural civil War at home And to forward their Forces Sir William Brereton and others Deputy Lieutenants for the County of Chester are directed to put in execution the Ordinance of the Militia with particular Advices and Orders how they shall act in reference thereto and to suppress all other forces and meetings any way intending the contrary and that the Parliament will bear them out herein August 18. And to the Gentry of the Northern Countries they declare that notwithstanding all the Kings vowes and protestations to govern by Law to blinde and deceive the people the most mischievous principles of Tyranny are practized that ever were invented That is to disarm the middle sort of people who are the body of the Kingdome and to maintain Souldiers by forced contributions To create a provincial Government in the North and the Countries are to associate with other Counties and such as will not shall be plundered and pillaged For prevention they do promise that all well affected people so plundered shall have full reparation out of the Estates of the Actors Counsellors and out of such as are withdrawn to York or shall persist to serve the King against the Parliament with Horse Arms Plate or money who are Traytors to the King Parliament and Kingdome And thus either party having endeavoured to win upon the People by Declarations Remonstrances and Answers which rather encreased suspition and jealousies and the Subject thereby the more deceived The King most graciously observing that mistakes have arisen by Messages between them which may be prevented happily by way of Treaty and so by freedom of debate for the peace of the Kingdome sends this Message to them from Nottingham the 25. of August which was presented to the Parliament by the Earls of Southampton and Dorset Sir Iohn Culpeper Chancellour of the Exchequer and Sir William Uvedal To which the Parliament make answer That untill his Majesty shall recall these Proclamations and Declarations of Treason against the Earl of Essex and them and their adherents And untill the Kings Standard set up in pursuance thereof to be taken down they cannot by the fundamental priviledges of Parliament give his Majesty any other answer But these Messengers were not suffered to sit in the Houses And the Earl of Southampton against whom there was not the least colour of exception or so much as a vote not suffered to deliver the message but compelled to send it by the usher of the black Rod and then commanded to depart the Town before they would prepare any Answer which they sent to the King To which the King Replies That he never intended to declare the Parliament Traytors or set up his Standard against them but if they shall resolve to Treat either party shall revoke these Declarations against all persons as Traytors and the same day take down his standard But nothing prevailing they yet make reply unless He will do as they desire forsake his evil Councellors and return to them representing the whole Kingdome there being no other way in the world to make his Majesty happy and his Kingdome safe And to confirm their Resolutions and to keep up their party that began to stagger at this refusal They order and declare That the Arms which they have and shall take up for the Parliament Religion Laws and Liberties of this Kingdome shall not be laid down untill the King withdraw his protection from such persons that are and shall be voted Delinquents and shall leave them to Iustice to the end that their Estates may
goodness of Almighty God Accusing that Malignant party to poison the hearts and corrupt the Allegeance of his Subjects by a false Imputation of his favouring Papists imploying them in his Army when he saith that numbers of Popish Commanders and others serve in the Army of the Earl of Essex being privately promised that if they would assist against the King all the Laws made in their prejudice should be repealed Another Scandal he mentioneth to be very senseless that the King should raise an Army against the Parliament to take away their priviledges when in truth it is raised to have some particular Members of this Parliament to be delivered up to Iustice. He being as tender of their priviledges and conform thereto which his Army never intends to violate That the Parliaments Army is raised to Murther and depose the King to alter the frame of Government and the established Laws of the Land That the greatest part of the Parliaments Members are driven away from their Houses by violence That the Book of Common Prayer is rejected and no countenance given but to Anabaptists Brownists and such Schismaticks That the contrivers hereof endeavour to raise an Implacable malice between the Gentry and the Commonalty of the Kingdome A common charge upon the King it had been and so continued to the end of his publique Actings That he favoured Papists and entertained them in his Army and so they were and might be in both subtilly and cunningly by practice on both sides conveyed thither under the masque and profession of Protestants which is a truth of no great wonder and yet in general those of Lancashire Recusants petition the King That being disarmed and so not able either to defend his Royal Person according to their duties nor to secure themselves and families they may be received into his gracious protection from violence being menaced by all kindes of people to whose malice they are subject and must submit And indeed great and heavy pressures were put upon them by both Armies notwithstanding Orders and Declarations to the contrary had been published by either Army And hereupon the King had given Warrant to Sir William Gerard Baronet Sir Cicil Trafford Knight Thomas Clifton Charls Townby Christopher Anderton and Io. Clumsfield c. Recusants in the County of Lancaster That although by Statutes all Recusants convict are to be disarmed to prevent danger in time of peace but now Armies being raised against the King and his Subjects are by them plundered and robbed and their Arms taken and used offensive against his Person His will and command therefore is and they are charged upon their Allegeance and as they tender the safetie of his Person and the peace of the Kingdom with all possible speed to provide Arms for themselves servants and Tenants during the time of open War raised against him and no longer to keep and use for his defence Yet the Parliament prepare Heads of an humble Address unto his Majesty for composing difference and â—â—â—ling a Peace but withall to prevent mis-constructions whereby their just defence may be hindered they do declare That their preparations of Forces for their defence shall be prosecuted with all violence And accordingly Letters are directed from the Lords To the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount Faulkland principal Secretarie to his Majestie or in his absence for Mr. Secretarie Nicholas or any of the Lords or Peers attending the King Grey of Wark My Lord I am commanded by the Lords the Peers and Commons assembled in Parliament to address by you their humble desires to his Majestie that he would â—e pleased to grant his safe Conduct to the Commiâ—tee of Lords and Commons to pass and repass to his Majestie that are directed to attend him with an humble Petition from his Parliament This being all I have in Commission I rest Your assured Friend and Servant Grey of Wark Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore Westminster Nov. 3. 1642. Which is granted so as the said Committee consist not of persons either by name declared Traitors or otherwise in some of his Declarations or Proclamations excepted against by name as Traitors and so as they come not with more than thirty persons and give notice before hand upon signification they shall have safe conduct Your Lordships most humble Servant Edward Nicholas Reading Nov. 4. Hereupon these Names are sent Algernon Earl of Northumberland Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomerie and four Members of the Commons Mr. Perpoint the Lord Wainman Sir Iohn Evelin of Wilts and Sir Io. Hippislie being the Committee of both Houses and desire his Majesties Pass and Repass under his Royal Hand and Signet Nov. 5. The safe Conduct is inclosed for all but Sir Io Evelin who is excepted being proclamed Traitor at Oxford and that if the Houses will send any other person not so excepted in his place His Majesty commands all his Officers to suffer him to pass as if his Name had been particularly comprised herein Reading Nov. 6. To recruit the Parliaments Army it is declared That all Apprentices that will list themselves in their service for the publick cause shall be secured from indemnitie of their Masters during their service and their time included to go on towards their Freedom and all their respective Masters are to receive them again when they shall return This Liberty made Holy-day with the Prentices and they were listed thick and threefold and now spoiled for being Trades-men ever after But it is time to consider what out dear Brethren of Scotland intended to do in this Distraction and therefore they are put in minde by a fresh Declaration of the Parliament How and with what wisdom and publick affection our Brethren of Scotland did concur with the desires of this Kingdom in establishing a peace between both Nations and how lovingly they have since invited the Parliament into a nearer degree of union concerning Religion and Church-government wherefore as the Parliament did for them a year since in their Troubles so now the same obligation lies upon our Brethren by force of their Kingdom to assist us Telling them that Commissions are given by the King to divers Papists to compose an Armie in the North which is to joyn with foreign Forces to be transported hither for the destruction of this Parliament and of Religion and Liberties of the people That the Prelatical partie have raised another Armie which his Majestie doth conduct against the Parliament and Citie of London And hereupon this Parliament desire their Brethren of Scotland to raise Forces for securing their own Borders and to assist here against the Popish and Foreign Forces according to that Act agreed upon in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms for the comfort and relief not onely of our selves but of all the Reformed Churches beyond Seas Nov. 7. 1642. The King as quick sends his Message to the Lords of his Privy Council in Scotland stating the condition between him and the
at Burford where they both met what their Councels were we may imagine by the sequel In the mean time it was confidently affirmed that divers of Essex his Souldiers were weary of their marching and left him Buâ— here at Burford it was concluded that General Essex with his heavy Guns should march fair and softly to these Counties of the West Countries to reduce them to the Parliament and that Sir W. Waller with the lighter Field Pieces should joyn with Massey's Forces and pursue the King to which Waller seems unwilling for he was the rather for the West to recover his late misfortunes there until his friends advised him to his own game better to act at a distance from Essex that two Suns cannot shine in one Sphere So that Essex marches to Farindon and Sir William towards Glocester which design gave jealousie to the Members at Westminster who voted ten thousand pound a moneth from their General to Sir William of which the Earl complains to the Parliament in a Letter and subscribes Your innocent though suspected servant ESSEX The King marches from Bourton on the water with his Army to Pershore and on Tuesday to Worcester joyfully received by that Loyal City He sent out relief to Dudly Castle and afterwards hearing that Waller came nearer by tedious and hungry marches the King intended to tire him out and to that end advanced towards Bewdly Iune 12. where he stayed four dayes But then considering how maliciously he was traced by a contemptible Adversary the King turns back vvith resolution to be furnished vvith Amunition from Oxford and to give him Battel Some Troops of Horse vvere therefore ordered to shevv themselves along the Shore of Severn tovvards Bridgenorth as if he meant to march to Shrewsbury Waller at Brovesgrove hears of this and had quartered some of his Horse at Kiddermister vvithin tvvo miles of his Majesty and presently dislodged them and made vvhat haste he could to get before the King Knovving that having a full proportion of Pikes and Ordnance of which the King had none he might fight at great advantage But the King amazed him and with his Foot came before night to Worcester his Horse soon following leaving Waller to encounter with his shadow two daies march behind And the next day Iune 16. the King marches through Eversham to Bradway and the next day to Burford and there he was provided from Oxford to meet the expected Wallers coming and meant to fight him Aâ— Whitney 7. miles from Oxford the King staies where some Forces came and imbodied with his Army during those marches the Parliament heard thereof and of the Kings absence from Oxford they vote therefore that all the Horses about London should be taken up to scour the County of Oxford from victualling that City least they should they said be troubled with a winters siege and crosse the Proverb after the stable door is shut to steale the Horses But the King being at Buckingham and having intelligence that Waller was at Chipping-norton and the next day to Pillerton in Warwickshire His Majesty marches to Brackley 26. of Iune and Waller to his Rendezvouse in Keâ—nton Fields where his friends came to him from Coventry VVarwick and Kenelmworth Castle with these he ascends Edge-hill and so to Harley The King marches to Culworth and lay that night at Sir Samuel Danvers On Friday VValler gets to Hanwel and so to Croch-hill near Banbury hither was the King come into Grymsbury Fields facing his Enemies all that day and stayed all that night having sent 1000. well commanded men under Conduct of Colonel Thelwall to defend that side of Burley towards his Enemy and also Nethorp a Village adjoyning which was disputed with losse on both sides till night But so soon as the Sun VValler drew off and advanced to Burton Hill somewhat neerer Banbury and stood in Batalia upon advantage of ground nor could be drawn dovvn so that he marches to Daintry leaving a Guard of Dragoons at Copredy Bridge being the passe over Charwel betvvixt the tvvo Armies The Kings Van and main Body gon and the Reare only passing by and the Musquetiers at the Bridge gon off then VValler makes dovvn to the Bridge vvith 2000. Horse and 9000. Foot 14. Pieces already gon over the rest of his Army coming after sufficient he thought to distresse the Kings Rear consisting of the Earl of Northampton and the Earl of Clevelands Brigades of Horse and Sir Bernards Tertia of Foot These faced about tvvice charging through and through and were so vvell seconded that they routed Sir VVilliams Horse and Foot killed 150. took his Ordnance viz. five Sakers one tvvelve pound Piece one Demiculverin tvvo Minions and tvvo three pound Pieces vvith other Leather Guns made by VVeems a Scot the Kings svvorm Servant and Master Gunner of England for vvhich Gun he had received of the King 2000. l. and by his place had 300. l. per. an for all vvhich he vvas novv become General of VVallers Artillery and novv God put him a Prisoner to the Kings mercy vvith the vvork of his hands and being brought before the King he said good faith his heart was alwaies with his Majesty There vvere these Prisoners Lieutenant Col. Baker Lieutenant Col. Baines three Captains Ramsey VVort and Hill tvvo Lieutenants Perry and Goodwin four Coronets Camfield Nichols Linde and Blades vvith other Ensignes and Officers 188. Common Souldiers and five Gunners The King lost tvvo Noble Kentish Knights Sir VVilliam Boteleer and Sir VVilliam Clark divers hurt the Lord VVilmot Lieutenant General of the Horse he vvas tvvice prisoner but rescued by Sir Frederick Cornwallis and Mr. Robert Haward Knighted for that Action Colonel Nevil hurt and so vvas Capt. Hatcher Capt. Boswel tvvelve Coroners vvere taken four of Foot and eight of Horse Coronet Bruke sore hurt vvith many Common Souldiers and 20. slain and this Defeat vvas performed the 29. of Iune and the King marched to Eversham and so to the Bath from vvhence vve hear no more of Sir VVilliam VValler but at London vvhither he travelled for Recruits and met his Dear Lady at VVestminster vvho saluted him aloud thou man of God come kisse me And in earnest Sir VVilliam did not much more in this Journey in reference to his Errand vvhich vvas to cath the King from his evil Councellours Indeed he faced VVorcester but at the like distance as an other Army did at Oxford vvheeled off and vvent to Glocester in hope of some Recruit to joyn vvith his Forces vvherein he failed for I finde from the very beginning of his Successes he was cried up for the London Conquerour and so stole the glory from their General who was used but coursly in their Discourses somewhat more dishonourably than he deserved and so increased eâ—mity and neglect between these two great Commanders and their confidents Massey being one devoted to Essex The King marches to Bath 15. Iuly and so towards the West into Cornwal in pursuit of General Essex
likeness and both Root and Branch feel the effects This difference of intentions among themselves begets fears and jealousies of their dearest servants Sir Philip Stapeleton and Sir Iohn Merick and others whose former merits cannot easily be satisfied and yet are rendred so suspected that lately the Parliament had commanded them up to London and would lop them off from their General Essex but they did not come and so Impeachments were talked of to frighten them to obedience Middleton a Scotish man Lieutenant General to Sir VVilliam VValler came before Dennington Castle near Newburie in Barkshire August 1. with three thousand Horse and Foot the Forlorn Horse he sends before who took some Stragglers next day their Horse surrounded the Castle and the next day after gained a Barn from the Garison and instantly summons the Castle and sends to Sir Iohn Bloys thus For the Governour of Dennington Castle Sir I demand you to render to me Dennington Castle for the use of the King and Parliament If you please to entertain a present Treatie you shall have very honourable conditions My desire to spare bloud makes me propose this I desire your Answer Jo. Middleton Which was For Lieutenant General Middleton Sir I am intrusted by his Majesties express command and have not as yet learned to obey any other than my Sovereign To spare bloud do as you please but my self and those that are with me are fully resolved freely to venture ours in maintaining what we are here intrusted with which is the Answer of Aug. 1. Jo. Bloys The Assailants advanced with their Foot and Scaling-Ladders into three Divisions and fell on in three places with much resolution and gallantry and so were received the Fight lasting six hours but having no hopes now to do their work they make a Retreat to their Body of Horse on the top of a Hill himself seeing his men bleeding on the ground One Colonel eight Captains one Serjeant Major Ensigns and others fourscore and seven common Souldiers and many wounded And it is confidently printed and as seriously attested That in all this hot and lasting Storm the Garison lost not more than six men The Governour Blois sent this Message For Lieutenant General Middleton Sir Christian charitie requires me to give you notice that I have here many Bodies of yours which I cannot accommodate with Christian Burial and many wounded whom I know not how to dispose you may and therefore I desire your Answer Your Servant Jo. Bloys Who answers Sir I conceive no inherent holiness to be in any place or Burial for all Earth is fit for that use for our wounded men your Prisoners if you please to exchange them for their qualities it shall be taken for a courtesie so done to Sir Your Servant Jo. Middleton And so Middleton marches Westward after the General Essex and at Bridgwater encounters Sir Francis Dorington and Sir William Courtney these men knew of Middleton's coming and lined certain Hedges and afterwards sent some Carriages towards the King in Cornwall slenderly guarded as a Bait which were soon seized and with them hastning through a long narrow Lane five Miles from Bridgwater where receiving the Shot from the Hedges he faced about in some disorder and fell into the hands of the two Knights who broke his party killed many and divers Prisoners Middleton retreats to Sherburn in Dorsetshire whereabouts he fell upon a Troop of the Kings Horse and beat them all which makes the News at London so cross and contrary Middleton was beaten Middleton won the Victory and both true in several places Then comes Colonel Horton Septemb. 29. who writes himself Adjutant General to Serjeant Major General Brown who sent this Summons To the Governour of Dennington Castle Sir I demand the Castle now in your possession for the use of King and Parliament which if you denie at your peril Sept. 29. 1644. Jer. Horton The Governour Lieutenant Colonel Blois answers Sir I have received your Summons I shall keep this place wherein I am intrusted by his Majestie in despite of â—ll your Forces contemning the peril you mentioned and should be ashamed were I in extremitie to render this Castle to so inconsiderable a partie Septemb. 29. 1644. Jo. Bloys Upon which Horton makes his Approach on that side next Newburie making his Battery from the foot of the Hill with store of Shot for twelve days and nights almost without ceasing with their great Shot above fourscore Shot a day and beat down three Towres with a part of the Wall and withall having received two Regiments of Foot and one Regiment of Horse from the Earl of Manchester he sends his second Summons to which by the Answer you may suppose what he said Sir neither your new addition of Forces nor your high threatning shall deter me nor the rest of those honest men with me from our Loyaltie to our Sovereign but do resolve to maintain this place to the uttermost of our powers and for the matter of our Quarters yours may expect the like Octob. 7. Jo. Bloys Then comes the Earl to Newburie in whose Army was the Governour 's Brother who writes to the Governour and hath this Answer That neither the Earl of Manchester nor all his Forces should ever deter him from his fidelitie to his Sovereign nor would he entertain any Parley with his Brother nor any other This not prevailing the Besiegers plyed their Artillery and afterwards removed their Battery on the other side making their Approaches by way of Saps Against whom the Garison sally out and removed them from their Trenches killed a Lieutenant Colonel and some others with their Cannonier and returned with Booty and yet they continued battering for two days after and so nineteen days being spent with loss of some hundreds and then took leave the Earl to Reading Windsor Forces to Newburie and Horton back to Abington The Church Reformation at London was commended to the diligent care of that zealous Member Sir Robert Harloe who had finished all abroad but did not meddle with the Kings Houses till now he enters VVhite-hall and by the help of a Ladder he ends his Reformation of the Chapell Figures Pictures Carvings I mean and paid the Windows for being painted breaks in pieces the Communion Table because it was called an Altar and the Rails went to rack against which for haste he broke his Shins Then he proceeds to the visitation of the Kings Galleries and Rooms removing away the most rare and excellent pieces pictures paintings of the most famous Artizans But of such what ere was vendible though in his sence abominably superstitious the Parliament was pleased to preserve until a good customer would purchase them for any use he pleased The King had for security of the Queens person removed her Majesty April 17. from Oxford towards the West guarding her Progresse with sufficient Forces to Exceter where she was brought to Bed of a fair Princesse the 16. of Iune from
into Order and Advancing the wind Westward which he designed to get and caused Fairfax to fall down into a large Fallow Field North-west of Naseby Flanked with a Hedge but from thence for more advantage they drew off or retreated to the side of the Hill which hastened the King the sooner to fall upon them The King in person had the main Battel his Right Wing commanded by the two Princes Rupert and Maurice his Left by Sir Marmaduke Langdale His Right Hand tertia by the Earl of Lindsie and Sir Iacob Ashley his Left by the Lord Bards and Sir George Lisle His Reserve of Horse were commanded by Colonel Howard Behind them the Kings Regiment of Foot being his Life-Guard and Ruperts Regiment of Foot on their Left Hand Cromwel had six thousand Horse and therefore gave way that Ireton should Command five Regiments of them for the Left Wing and himself with the rest the Right The King comes on apace with Gallantry and Resolution and his Right Wing charged first upon Cromwel who advances firing at a close charge they came to Blowes even to the Hilts and had the better of the King Fairfax main Battel had ill successe the Generals own Regiment only standing but all the rest gave ground nay fowlly routed run off in great disorder and without any attempt to recover fell back to their Reserves And their Colonels and Officers were forced to fight there which Reserves were commanded by Rainsborough Hamond and Pride The Kings Right Wing of Horse advanced roundly upon Fairfax his Left Wing and because these were not ready or would not quit their ground the other made a Stand a short pause and then fell on amain Some Divisions of either side Fought well charging home the middlemost of Fairfax did not for they were pressed upon and gave ground so did the Left Wing even to rout The Kings Foot had the better of one Brigade until Ireton came to their rescue with his Horse himself run through the Thigh with a Pike and into the Face with a Halbert his Horse shot under him and taken prisoner till the Battel being in disorder and his Keeper trusting him too far he escaped But whilst these fight hand to hand Prince Rupert followed the flight of the Enemies Left Wing almost to Naseby Town and returning Summoned the Train where he disputed not long ere he was fain to quit them and hasten to the Kings Army which was in distresse in several Brigades now Rallying into some Order It is confessed of all sides that the Kings Foot in some Tertia's fought with incredible courage being attempted in their Flanks Front and Rear had his other Foot fought but indifferently they might have served his turn The King kept close with his Horse himself in person Rallying them to hot encounter which was performed as men use to doe for their lives blood now near the last but Fairfax's Horse gave ground staying for his Foot which were Pillaging of their prey and others that had been routed Rallied again and so came up with a Body by these advantages their Horse were helped and the Kings overpowred by hardships impossible for valour to withstand shifted out of the Field towards Leicester and lost all being the fatal battel to the King and his party The King had the better Horse the other the more of Foot and throughout better Arms compleat in Amunition and in numbers overpowred the King both in Horse and Foot The Roll that came to the Parliament was thus Major General Skippon shot into the side Commissary General Ireton with these Colonels Cook Butler Francis wounded and many slain above a 1000. sundry Captains and Common Souldiers Of the Kings party the Earl of Lindsey Sir Iacob Ashley Colonel Russel and others hurt six hundred slain of the common Souldiers twenty Colonels Knights and Officers of note Prisoners are thus numbred in the Note 6. Colonels 8. Lieutenant Colonels 18. Majors 70. Captains 80. Lieutenants two hundred Ensignes and other inferiour Officers 4500. common Souldiers and many women 13. of the Kings Household Servants 4. of his Footmen 12. Pieces of Ordinance 8000. Armes 40. Barrels of Powder 200. Carriages all their Bagg and Baggage with store of rich pillage 200. Horse the Kings Standard and divers of Horse and Foot one of the Kings Coaches his Cabinet of Letters and Papers The King finding the Pursuit so hot leaves Leicester and hasts to Lichfield Fairfax follows and that night with his Horse surrounded Leicester and the next day his Foot comes up to the siege And with this newes to the Parliament comes other from sundry parts successe upon successe the Parliament regaining Hougham Garison near Grantham the 18. of Iune and divers Officers and men of quality prisoners Brereton from Cheshire beat a Party and took above 150. prisoners The like from a party of Shrewsbury who took 400. prisoners in a fight Another in Staffordshire a party of Captain Stone Governour of Eccleshall Castle took Major Fenningham and divers others prisoners So that the Parliament were glutted with fortunate events and much busied about the stowage of their prisoners who were driven in triumph up to London miserable spectacles of the Fate of War Convoyed by Colonel Io. Fines to be disposed of in prisons but these are full before Therefore they were crouded into the walled Military grounds where numbers of them were starved to death daily there being in all 4500. many Gentlemen among them there besides others of Note forced into several prisons whilst the City for joy sumptuously feast the Houses Nor did this satisfie untill the Parliament had filld their measure to the brim by publishing to the People in Print the Copies of the King and Queens secret and private Letters of conjugal affection to each other of which the King is sensible and indeavours to fling the shame into their faces upbraiding them for their incivility in this their inhumane action as he stiles it The taking of my Letters was an opportunity which as the malice of mine Enemies could hardly have expected it so they knew not how with honour and civility to use Nor do I think with sober and worthy mindes any thing in them could tend so much to my reproach as the odious divulging of them did to the infamy of the Divulgers The greatest experiments of Vertue and Nobleness being discovered in the greatest advantages against an enemy and the greatest obligations being those which are put upon us by them from whom we could least have expected them And such I should have esteemed the concealing of my Papers The freedom and secrecie of which commands a civility from all men not wholly barbarous nor is there any thing more inhumane then to expose them to publick view Yet since Providence will have it so I am content so much of my heart which I study to approve to Gods Omniscience should be discovered to the world without any of those dresses or popular captations
Garison of Hereford taken by Surprize which saved the labour of doing it by treachery as it had been agreed upon But this was done thus The Garison was strong and well appointed the Countrey about in affection and friendship together a piece much aimed at as thereby denuding the King of all his Welch Forces And truly the Knight was happy that the Treachery failed But Colonel Iohn Birch and Col. Morgan Governour of Glocester their design took the effect of a just and Souldier-like surprize Morgan had 1100. Horse and Foot and Birch with 900. Foot and a Troop of Horse march from Glocester to Hereford in one day and a night where he was provided of six lusty men in habit of Labourers and the seventh man must be for a Constable with a Warrant in his hand to bring these fellows to work in the Town as if for service of the Garison These men thus prepared with 150. Firelocks lodged in the dark as near the Gate as possible without discovery and a Body of men was ready to second the Design of the other and to enter with them In fine the Bridge is let down to the Constable and his Crew who with Pick-ax and Spade and no sooner entred but the Guard began to examine and to bustle and to kill three of the Guard whilst the Firelocks enter with Col. Birch and Skirmish till the Body came up commanded by Colonel Morgan and so entred the Town with small losse on either side some submitting wherein were eleven pieces of Ordnance much Arms and Amunition the Lord Brudenel 14. Knights 4. Lieutenant Colonels 3. Captains and other Officers and Gentlemen one hundred 18. December Amongst those of the most honoured was that worthy Lawyer Judge Ienkins sent up to the Parliament and committed to several â—ayles of whom we shall have occasion to mention in many sufferings of his This surprize was quick and gallant As for Treacheries and corruptions of Companies or Guards they have been used by some but hated afterwards in all We have met with such on both sides and but lately the offer of Sir Iohn Digby to Colonel Ker Governour of Plymouth It is true that the Parliament willing to intrust that Garison to another person I doe not finde it out of any doubt in that Gentleman but Digby took that occasion to tempt Ker with this treachery SIR I am troubled to understand that through the ingratitude of those you serve you are likely to be rewarded with the dishonour of having a person of much inferiour merit put over your head an injury insupportable to any man of spirit and which may offer you a justifiable occasion of doing a very eminent service to your Native King and Countrey and which if you will embrace to deliver up the Town with the Works of Plimouth I shall engage my self on my honour and the faith of a Gentleman you shall be rewarded with ten thousand pounds and have the command if you please of a Regiment of 500. Horse with what honour your self can desire Sir be not scrupulous in taking the advice of an Enemie that desires heartily on these terms to become your true friend and faithful servant Jo. Digby For Colonel Ker Governour of Plimouth 30. Decem. Colonel Ker returns him this Noble Answer SIR Your motion to Treason I have seen and detest it it is below my spirit for personal injury supposed only by an Enemie to take National revenge and for a Punctillio of honour to take advice from Hell and betray my trust I am sorry that one so ingenious as your self should abuse your natural parts only to doe mischief Yet I have no reason to wonder much at your perswasion to treacherie because I have had the experience of the indeavours of your Family to corrupt others also I remember the Gunpowder Plot the Letter which your Brother writ to the Lord Roberts in this place for the same purpose And his Negotiation with General Brown at Abington Surely these Principles came from Spain but you should have told me also that Spanish proverb To love the Treason and hate the Traytor c. 20. Decemb. Your assured servant Iames Ker. The great success of the Parliament and the distresses of the Kings party enforcing them by numbers to come in and submit upon qualifications of Composition somewhat reasonable heretofore but now the more strict That all such Delinquents that were contained in the first qualifications in the Propositions to be sent to his Majesty and humbled not themselves in obedience to the Parliament before the 25. of March next should forfeit their whole Estates And that those who are contained in the second qualification and came not in as aforesaid should forfeit the Moity of their Estates and that this Qualification should extend to none but those who cordially should submit and should take the National Covenant appointed by Ordinance of Parliament The King had caressed the Parliament for a Treaty of Peace and Cessation also but they finding the Kings Affairs to pinch without hope of his ever being able to make an Offensive War and as little power to defend Therefore to give some satisfaction to the world and to the Kings desires they intend somewhat The Parliament have been hammering Propositions and as the Kings condition changed to the worse they were the bolder to offer such terms as were never likely to be granted And first they please themselves with Votes improbable for additional Honours to be forced from the King and to be placed on their several Members to them and their Heirs for ever Sir Thomas Fairfax be made an English Baron with five thousand pounds Lands per annum and a Committee to consider how this Estate and others following may be setled upon him and others for ever His Father Fairfax to be an English Baron and an Earl The honour of an English Baron on Lieutenant General Cromwel with 2500. l. per an The Honour of Dukedoms on the Earl of Northumberland Essex Pembroke The Earl of Salisbury and Manchester to be Marquesses The Lords Roberts Say Willoughby of Parham Wharton and Howard to be Earls Mr. Denzil Hollis a Viscount Sir William Waller a Baron and 2500. l. per. an Sir Arthur Hazelrig such another which only he modestly refused but not theâ— money Sir William Brereton 1500. l. per an Skippon 1000. l. per an All which Honours and Grants are to be confirmed by his Majesty upon passing the Propositions and the Revenues and estates to be setled out of Delinquents Lands after the satisfying of publique debts of the Kingdom but not before 1. Sept. 1645. But how unlikely the Propositions should pass clogged with these designs against the very hair of the Kings Councellours And how unlikely any Propositions at all shall be consented unto if we consider the Kings inclination towards a Peace by the Contents of his late Letters to Prince Rupert upon occasion of Ruperts Letter and Advice to Treat and
yet suffers not your Majesties Service herein to proceed with that advantage it might do I conceive it not so fit to commit to Paper but I shortly send my Brother who shall fully inform your Majestie with all particulars and thereby rectifie your opinion and give you true 〈◊〉 who are your faithfull Servants I hope long ere this that â—â—ptain Bacon hath arrived with you since mine Enlargement and therefore I need onely tell your Majestie that my further Services intended for you will I hope without further crosses be suffered to go on though strange is the industrie used by many seeming Friends to hinder me therein but I am confident it shall not lie in their power your Majestie remaining still constant as I doubt not but you will to your favourable opinion and right interpretation of my poor Endeavours which if they may take place will procure you to be a glorious and happie Prince I having no other ends but to approve my self Your Sacred Majesties most dutifull and most obedient Subject and passionate devoted Servant Glamorgan Waterford Febr. 23. 1645. But in the mean time ere this last Letter of Glamorgan's was discovered the King had sent another Message Febr. 26. CHARLS R. His Majestie needs to make no Excuse though he sent no more Messages unto you for he very well knows he ought not to do it if he either stood upon punctilio's of Honour or his own private interest the one being already call'd in question by his often sending and the other assuredly prejudg'd if a Peace be concluded from that he hath already offered he having therein departed with many his undoubted Rights But nothing being equally dear unto him to the preservation of his People his Majestie passeth by many Scruples Neglects and Delaies and once more desires you to give him a speedie Answer to his last Message for his Majestie believes it doth very well become him after this very long Delay at last to utter his impatience since the Goods and Bloud of his Subjects cries so much for Peace Given at our Court at Oxford the six and twentieth Day of February 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated c. The King hears of their Votes and Debates daily canvasing the Heads of Propositions and to remove these Remora's that stuck in their way he clears them by another Message and presses for his coming to London CHARLS R. Notwithstanding the unexpected silence in stead of answer to his Majesties many and gracious Messages to both Houses whereby it may appear that they desire to 〈◊〉 their ends by force rather than by Treatie which may justly discouraâ—â— his Majestie from any more Overtures of that kinde yet his Majestie conceives he shall be much wanting in his Dutie to God and in what he oweth to the safetie of his People if he should not intend to prevent the great Inconveniences that may otherwise hinder a safe and well-grounded Peace His Majestie therefore now proposeth that so he may have the Faith of both Houses of Parliament for the preservation of his Honour Person and Estate and that Libertie be given to all those who do and have adhered to his Majestie to go to their own houses and there to live peaceably enjoying their Estates all Sequestrations being taken off without being compelled to take any Oath not enjoyned by the undoubted Laws of the Kingdom or being put to any other molestation whatsoever he will immediately disband all his Forces and dismantle all his Garisons and being accompanied with his Royal not his Martial Attendance return to his two Houses of Parliament and there reside with them And for the better securitie of all his Majesties Subjects he proposeth that he with his said two Houses immediately upon his coming to Westminster will pass an Act of Oblivion and free Pardon and where his Majestie will further do whatsoever they will advise him for the good and Peace of this Kingdom And as for the Kingdom of Scotland his Majestie hath made no mention of it here in regard of the great loss of time which must now be spent in expecting an Answer from thence but declares that immediately upon his coming to Westminster he will applie himself to give them all satisfaction touching that Kingdom If his Majestie could possibly doubt the Success of this Offer he could use many Arguments to perswade them to it but shall onely insist upon that great one of giving an instant Peace to these afflicted Kingdoms Oxford March 23. 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers c. But not prevailing we shall end this years Proposals hoping by the next to finde the Parliament herein better disposed The Garison of Westchester for the King was of great consequence and therefore commanded by a Noble Person the Lord Byron the Port and Passage for Ireland the Countrey Contribution was of such a Circuit and sufficiencie that the Parliament now somewhat setled in successes resolved in the begining of August last to besiege it But ere their Forces undertook it they drew considerable strength into the Shire Quartering thereabout and Associating with other of their Garisons The work begins enduring many a brunt from Chester who were well appointed and vexed their Enemies with several repulses to resolve upon a design thus Col. Iones who commanded the Horse for the Parl in a Leaguer near hand at Beeston drew off with Col. Louthian at midnight who commanded the Foot and both making a Party of 1300. Horse and Foot came the next morning at 4. a clock before Chester on the East-side dividing their Forces into four parts to storm in 4. places and being so early and undiscovered Captain Ginbert got upon the Out-works at Forrest-street end Finch on the left hand Holt and Davis at two other places They were opposed by as gallant resolute Commanders but came too late for the Enemy was got in and paid dear for their purchase The Forrest-street and Lanes thereto was taken with the possession of the Mayors House Sword and Mace and the Sheriffs Wand and these sent to the Parliament for signal of thus much success Sept. 23. These Suburbs they possess against the Sallies of the Town daily incounters of either side within and without the Town The Kings Forces thereabout endeavouring with all possible waies to relieve this so useful Garison But then the Enemy enlarges by degrees almost block up the West-side of Chester Oct. 2 The distress comes close which troubles the King at Oxford who gives order to draw out from several Garisons of Hereford Ludlow Bridge-North and Worcester such considerable Forces as made up 1700. Horse and 700. Foot commanded by a Noble Knight Sir William Vaughan and got into a Body near Denbigh Castle twenty miles off of Chester when the Besiegers hear of this and go to Council whether to rest their near appoach or to fight them far off They resolve draw out 1400. Horse and
with a Design specially to kiss the King In earnest it was so strongly conceited that the Parliament were put to it thereupon to conâ—ider what to do and order That in case the King comes to any Guard of the City he shall be instantly conducted to James's House with a Guard to prevent Resort to him and there to tarry till fresh and greater Forces come thither and to remain till further order that all who shall come to him are instantly to be imprisoned unless by direction of Parliament that none shall resort to that House And to effect all this the Guards are to be trebled and strengthened accordingly And yet as busie as they are with these matters of State yet they had time and necessity it seems to vote the Sale of the Brass Monument in the Chappel of Windsor Cathedral to be sold and if the value exceed not six hundred pounds then that Money to be paid unto the Governour Colonel Ven who was so cunning and had so much kindness afforded him by the Committee as to have it sold for no more and so he had that Money besides other Sums shared by the by of which the Parliament were deceived This Monument which the Committee call Brass defaced was that curious costly elaborate Tomb erected at the immense charge of Cardinal Wolsey intended for the memory of King Henry the eighth And so served the Cardinal's Design also for his own memory as the re-edifying of Paul's Church in London continues the Monument of Laud the Arch-bishop of Canterbury The other was a piece of rarity and sold for a Song to a Dutch man that made of it much more for the weight of Brass There had been some necessary occasion at the Garison of Dennington Castle for the King as usual in most Garisons besieged to fire the Out-houses and after the Surrender thereof upon Articles and the Governour gone home he was there seized arrested till he gave satisfaction for the Damage to the Neighbour Inhabitants for that Fire And thereupon an Ordinance was framed That all Articles of Surrenders should insert the Dammages by wilfull firing Which was strange to the Governours of Garisons and afterwards upon the like account increased to Inconveniences intolerable to all such Commanders of the Kings party who were likely now to pay for all which yet made them endure hardship enough ere their Surrender for against this Ordinance there was no limitation or power in the Parliaments Commanders And therefore it was that the City and Garison of Exeter amongst others for the King had endured a hard Siege by the Forces of Fairfax left there some time since to block them up whilest himself marched into the West-countrey and Cornwall and having reduced those parts he now returns with his Army to the Siege before Exeter with his Lieutenant General Cromwel contemporary in all the great Actions of the West and now saluted with Vollies of Well-come instantly they call a Council and resolve upon Refusal of their Summons forthwith after to storm to which the Governour answers That yesterday he received the Summons and at his Council of War it was agreed on that Commissioners might meet on either side to treat on Friday next April 3. Which Treaty lasted a long time having to do the Souldier said with long-tongu'd Lawyers always in enmity with the Sword which lengthened the Treaty ten Days and the Surrender not yielded but upon honourable terms wherein the General Fairfax and Cromwell never offered less than noble Conditions To march out with Arms Colours flying Drums beating and with Bullet c. to Oxford the Cornish into their Countie And so the Governour Sir Iohn Berkley marched out with two thousand persons whereof seven hundred Cornish The Princess Henretta Maria the Kings youngest childe went out thence and is disposed of by the Parliament at St. Iames's with the rest of the Kings Children for the present till she was conveyed away afterwards by her Governess into France Barnstable Town in Devonshire was surrendered April 7. and the Fort a Sevennight after so that this Moneth have been delivered up to the Parliament Ruthen Castle Exeter Barnstable St. Michael's Mount Dunston Castle Woodstock Garison and others Mischiefs to the King which puts him upon desperate Resolutions for safety of his person closely besieged in Oxford And the General having done his Work Westward returns to Newburie the nineteenth of April But now comes strange News of an Ecclesiastick Apostate Doctor Williams Arch-bishop of York he being quite out of hope in this low condition of the King longer to uphold himself in his high place of Episcopal Prelacie and desirous at last to make his peace with the Parliament hath betaken himself to his house at Purin near Conway in VVales put a Garison therein and fortified the same protesting against the Kings party and disswading the County from Contribution to the King And hath written to Colonel Mitton of the Parliaments party to assist him against the the Lord Byron who understanding of his Revolt had sent a party from Conway to besiege him soon after this Metropolitan became an utter Enemy against the King and no doubt his own conscience changing his Canonical Habit for a Coat of Mail with that bold open malepert petulant impudence as for the less dishonour to the Function I forbear to mention leaving him whilest he lived neglected of the Orthodox Ministers and a scorn even to his own Abetters And now is Dudley Castle surrendered to Sir VVilliam Brereton May 13. by Colonel Levison the Governour for the King upon very reasonable Conditions The General Fairfax comes to the Leaguer before Oxford the King being removed from thence in disguise the seven and twentieth of Aprill now the second time besieged for indeed the General having done so much in the West returns hither and began the siege afresh that he might have the honour to carry this Royal Garison which after close begirting and noble Sallies received the King gon and most of his Garisons thereabout surrendred no relief to be hoped for This City comes to a Treaty at Heding the seventeenth of May The Commissioners for the Treaty were these whom we mention for their memory Sir Iohn Mounson Knight and Baronet Sir Iohn Heyden Sir Thomas Gardner Sir George Binion Sir Richard Willis Sir Stephen Hawkins Colonel Gosnol Colonel Tillier Doctor Zouch Thomas Christy Iohn Dutton Ieffrey Palmer Robert Mead Esq For the Parliament were Lieutenant General Hamond Colonel Ireton Lambert Rich General Scoutmaster Walson Majors Desborough and Harison Mr. Herbert and Mr. Waller But the Treaty went on slowly The Commissioners for the King were bounded by Instructions of the Lords and others of the Kings Privy Council and Sir Thomas Glenham Governour of the Garison of Oxon Authorising the said Commissioners for the Garison to Treat for us and in our names with Sir Thomas Fairfax Lieutenant General of the forces now before Oxford or
some are set awork to advise the Duke of Yorke's escape which was thus The Royal Family were all at St. James's under government of the Earl of Northumberland and his Lady the Duke of York had been tampering not long since with Pen and Ink and framed a Letter in Ciphers to the Queen his Mother the rather to let her see how capable he was of Intelligence The Parliament blamed him for medling with writing without leave of his Governour but his ingenuity soon confessed his first fault and promised to offend no more in that kind nor did he and therefore had great freedom to walk within the walls in his sisters company the Princess Elizabeth of whom he seemed very fond His pretty sport was in the long covered Walk the Statue Row in the Privy Garden where a door opens into the Park there he walks and sports There was one Colonel Bamfield come over from the Queen and closely sent a Message to the Duke that at the said door in the Walk he would shadow himself without and whisper to him at the Key-hole his Mothers Message to trust his escape to his design The Duke borrows of the Gardner the Key into the Inner Garden because of his being often out of the way and with safety enough for it was out of minde the other door into the Park The evening come he accompanies his Sister very late and to have the more freedom he usually had the sport of Hide and Keep childrens play which shadowed his missing till very late and he was gone out at that door where Bamfield receives him on foot to the waterside that night and instantly habits him in womans apparel and down the River towards a Barque at Anchor neer Margates By the way in a Barge the Steersman peeps in behinde and sees Bamfield take off his Garter George under the Petticote which discovers so much that the man steers round and demurs but his mouth was made up and on they Rowed and boarded the Barque already under sail and safely landed at Dort in Holland a welcome guest to his dearest Sister the Royal Princess of Orange Tumults increase in several Counties and are seasonably allayed some by force or flattery others surcease of themselves But now to the purpose which the people drive at A Petition of the Grand Jury and many thousands of Knights Gentlemen and Freeholders of Essex presented to the Parliament 4. of May. That it is impossible that the sad and direfull effects of this late War should cease without the principal causes be taken away His Majesties absence from his Parliament hath been pretended the main cause of increasing Iealousies and misunderstandings between them And conceive that a timely concession to the King for a personal Treaty might remove all fears which are yet the only obstacles of peace And for the Army they pray That they may have their Arrears and so Disband them And that the Parliament would consider of that unum necessarium and condescend to the Royal Intimations of his Majesty for a personal Treaty without which no hope of peace or quiet of the Kingdom And after them comes another of Surrey That the King may be restored to his due Honour and Rights according to the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance and to be established in his Throne according to the splendor of his Ancestors To come forthwith to Westminster that he may Treat personally for composing of the differences That the Free-born Subjects may be governed by the known Laws now in force That the War beginning may be prevented that the Ordinances for preventing free Quarter may be duly executed and speedily to disband the Army having their Arrears due and paid them The Petitioners were many and numbers of them at present in the Hall whilst the Petition was debated and as usual some slight occasion is taken to Mutiny against the Guard of Subscribers one or two slain many hurt and the Tumult increasing by Abetters at hand on both sides more force of Horse and Foot were called from White-hall and the Mews but night came and parted the Fray And therefore to suppress these Tumults about London and in many Counties of the Kingdom and Wales all the Ordinances against Malignants are rigorously pursued against them and yet would not prevail But as these Petitions were conceived Mutinies So the City thought it time to be serious in one of theirs And very modestly acknowledge the high favours of Parliament in communicating sundry their Votes to the City wherein to their great comfort are expressed the Parliaments Resolutions not to alter the Fundamental Government of the Kingdom by King Lords and Commons And to preserve inviolably the Solemn League and Covenant and the Treaties between England and Scotland in the Propositions agreed upon by them both and preservation of their union according to the Covenant and Treaties And in the end thereof are much grieved for their Magistrates and fellow Citizens a long time under restraint and the City thereby deprived of their service Praying That the Parliament would improve the prosecuting and perfecting the said Votes and preventing a new and bloody War and that the Citizens and Recorder now prisoners may be released 23. May. The Parliament had proceeded against those of the City and against some Lords and other Members of the Commons who had tart and bold defences as refusing to be tryed by the Lords or by Councels of War but stand upon the tryals at the Common Law and by Juries of their own And in truth Tumults increased in each Counties that the Parliament knew not whether hand to turn unto so that to begin their clemency they are over intreated or rather wearied out to release the City Prisoners first and by degrees the rest And to remove the Lieutenant of the Tower and to pâ—t in Mr. West a Citizen to afford them their security of their own Militia and to caress them into some quietness who began to be angry Indeed the Presbyter now takes heart But among many Insurrections that of Kent increased formidably so that the General was desired to march upon them and was now Rendezvouzed on Black-heath The Kentish men for King Parliament and Kingdom offer a parley by Letter signed with several hands Sir Thomas Payton their Lieutenant General and Esquire Edward Hales their General to which they had this Answer from Fairfax SIRS I received a Message from you for a Pass for some Gentlemen as Commissioners to come treat according to an Order of Parliament To which I Ans. That I know not of any such order nor any authority in you to appoint Commissioners for such a purpose But I finding you and them in Arms against the Parliament I cannot admit of Treaty but if ye shall forthwith lay down your Arms and retire home I doubt not of the Parliaments mercy to such as have been deluded into this rebellion and their exemplary justice to the
The King and Hendersonâ— argue about Church matters Mr. Hudson conveyed the King from Oxford The City congratulatocy Petitions to the Parliament The Kings former letters to Ormond of April the thirteenth discovered The Kings Warrant to disband his forces Scots Armies letter to the Parliament The Kings letter to the Prince Hudson examined his confessions The Kings command to Ormond not to treat with the Irish Rebels The State of the Propositions of Peace Prosecution of the Propositions of Peace The Declaration against the Scots Papers Propositions sent to the King The Kings Message to the Parliament French Ambassadour Extraordinary hath Audience Parliaments Answer Propositions presented to the King The Kings Answer to the Propositions 〈…〉 The Scots offer to be gon with the rest of their demands The Kings Answer to the Scots Petition and Remonstrance The Propositions are urged to the King Debate how to dispose of the King Letters complaining of the Scots Army General Fairfax comes to London English Army mutiny for money The taking Covenant with exceptions Tender Consciences taken up Dispute about diposing the Kings person argued The Scots Answer One years account of the Scots Army Earl of Essex his Life and Death 〈…〉 Sir Io. Stowel Prisoner The Scots Papers concerning the dispose of the King Scots Argument Ready money for the Scots Army Sums of money disposed of to certain Members The Kings Message for a Treaty near London The King voted to Holmby The Parliament of Scotland's Queries Ministers of the Assembly answer The Parliament of Scotlands result concerning the King The Kings queries to thâ— Scots Army Scots Answer The Kings Reply The Scots Declaration concerning the King Commissioners to receive the Kings Person Scots Army depart Newcastle The King desires two of his Chaplains to be with him Serjeant Glanvile released upon Bail The King writes again for his Chaplains Eikon â—as page 106. Chap. 24 The Army Model City of London Petition Prince of Orange dies Of the Presbysâ—rial Government Tyranny and Power Practise of the Presbytery Of the persons authorized Their power how exercised Affairs of Ireland The Kings Letters to the Lord General of Ireland In vita Iulii Agricolae The Commons vote the Government of Ireland Dublin besieged by the Rebels Continuation of the Kings affairs under Montrose in Scotland David Lesly comes with Horse from the Scots Army in England Defeats Montroses Forces Surrender of Dunkirk to the Frencâ— 1647. A summary or entrance to this year 1647 Anno 1647. Prince Elector Palatine a Member of the Assembly of Divines The King contemplates his Captivity at Holmby Eikon Bas. cap. 23. Judg Ienkins refuses to be examined Army modelled Petition from the Army Rosvil in secret gives Letters to the King The Kings Answer to the former Propositions The Army discontent The City Petition burned Commissioners of the Parliament and of the Army treat The King taken into the Armies power The Army draws towards London The Armies Representation The Charge against eleven Members Their persons to be suspended Votes in Parliament concerning the 11. Members Answered by the Army Eikon Bas. cap. 26. The Kings desire to see his children retarded The Generals letter in the Kings behalf and herein the case of the Army in reference to the King The eleven Members have leave to navel Result of the difference between the Parliament and Army Both Speakers and some Members fly to the Army The General resents the outrage of the City Theâ— Cities Declaration against the Army The City in some disorder submit And treat with the Army The Army Bâ—igades come to Southwark The Kings Letter to the Gâ—neral for Protection The absent Members are setled again The Army marches in State to Westminster and in Triumph through the City The forced Acts of Parliament made null The late force of Parliament debated Armies Remonstrancâ— hereupon Six of the 11. Members surprized at Sea Sir Philip Stapleton died of the Plague Excise continued by ordinance of Parliament King at Hampton Court Scots Commissioners Sundry secret Petitions of mixed natures Divers Members condemned for Actors in the late Tumult Desires of the Army Propositions sent to the King and his Answer The Kings Message in Answer to the Propositions Debaâ—es hereupon Agitators of the Army present Agâ—tators send Letters to the General and Army The Generals Answer Scots Commissioners Letter to the Speaker The effects of the Kings Answer The Letter of Inteligence The King escapes from the Court Lieutenant Colonel Cromwels Letter to the Parliament The Kings Letter to Col. Whaley The Letter to the Lord Mountague The Letter to the Parliament The Generals Letter to the Speaker Death for any to conceal the King Col. Hamonds Letter to the Parliament Votes to secure the King The Kings Message to the Parliament from Carisbroke Castle Which Hamond refuses in his Letter to the Parliament The Kings Message to the Parliament for an Answer to his last from Carisbroke Castle Four Bills offered to the King with the Proposals The Scots Commissioners dissent Answer to the Bills and Propositions The Kings Servants dismissed Votes of no further adress to the King The Parliaments Declaration concerning those Votes An Answer to the Parliaments Declaration Mutinies about keeping Christmas The Kings Dâ—claration to his people after the Vote of no address The Kings Title altered in things Army Modelled Continuation of Military Actions under Montrose Ogleby escapes Gordon and Spotswood executed Gutlery Murrey Middleton comes from the Scots Army in England with Forces Montrose commanded by the King to lay dowâ— Arms. His Answer sent to the King Montrose disbandeth his Forces and takes leave of â— Scotlâ—nd The affairs of Ireland in chief Munster Treaty concluded Anno. 1648. Summary of the affairs of this year Vniversity of Oxford refuses to be visited by the Parliaments Ordinance Exceptions a the gainst Ordinance of Parliament Concerning the Covenant Negâ—tive Oath Earl of Pembroke Chancellor His Visitation of Oxford Col. Poycâ— revolts in Wales Major General Laughorn joyns with him and surprize Tenby Mutiny in London dispersed City consult and crave pardon Poyers power at Pembroke defeats the Parliaments forces Chepstow Castle taken Poyers party defeated and how Anno 1647. Laughorn escapes to Poyer Tenby surrendâ—ed Pembroke besieged Surrendred upon Aâ—ticles Anno 1648. The Prince writes in the Prisoners behalf Votes concerning the King and Government Duke of York escapes beyond Seas to Holland Petition of Essex for a Treaty with the King Surrey Petition very high gâ—d quarâ—el City petition to this purpose Prisoners of Tumult released Kent insurrection The Geneâ—als Letter in Answer to theirs They reply and fight Maidstone fight Votes against the eleven Members Lords and Aldermen are discharged Kentish men come to Black Heath and Disband The Generals Summons Rumour of impoisoning the King Insurrection of the Earl of Holland They write to the City for assistance Engage in â—ight Earl of Holland taken prisoner The Estates of Scotland disagree Scots protestation Committee of danger in Scotland