faithfull religious and honourable Pillars of the Truth and maintainers of their rights and priviledges and Patrons of the true Religion appeare with so united a concurrence of hearts and spirits The same morning there was set up in Cheapside in the place where the Crosse formerly stood a standing frame of slight Firre-poles on which were hung up divers Pictures and Trinkets as Crosses Crucifixes Images and Saints Agnus Dei's Beads Whippes and other superstitious Reliques and frivolous inventions of Papists all which with a chest of Popish Books were set on fire at the coming by of the said honourable Persons as a testification of their detestation and hatred of all such Romish and Babylonish superstitions and to declare their intentions to reforme take away those things which may justly incense the wrath of God against us one thing is also very remarkable that after they had been honourably entertained at Merchant-Taylors-Hall and dinner ended in stead of idle Maskings and other such uncomely actions heertofore used at such publike meetings to declare their union of spirit as in the presence of God all both Lords Commons at the godly motion of the reverend Assembly of Divines publikely and unanimously heavenly harmony indeed sung together the 67 Psalme to testifie their thankfulnesse to God A religious president worthy to be imitated by all godly Christians in their both publike and private feastings and meetings And which addes much to the admirable radiant lustre of this so precious a day of rejoycing in the Lord and to make this our joy yet more complete on this very same day of this so rare and fair an Assembly namely the 18th of this instant January our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland came with their whole armie into England to help the Lord and us his greatly abused servants against our mightie and most malicious enemies All which I mean both this most memorable and unparalleld Love-feast and the seasonable entrance of our brethrens brave armie and all in one day how much they must needs vex the impious Oxonians and all the rest of our motley-Malignants and how great and unexpressible cause they gave of cordiall comfort and enlarged thankes to the Lord to all his Saints and servants I leave to every rationall and honest Reader religiously to judge and consider And for the yet greater and most just glory of God within a day or two after namely about the 20th of this instant both Houses of Parliament to shew their deeply obliged thankfulness to the Lord for that late foresaid great deliverance agreed most piously upon an Order for a publick day of thankesgiving in all Churches in and about London for Gods great mercy in preserving the Parliament and Citie of London from the secret practises and most malicious designes of their foresaid enemies Sir Basill Brook Read Violet and Riley which was immediately printed and published and accordingly performed on the appointed day Much about this foresaid time also came certain intelligence by letters from about the parts of Staffordshire and Namptwich to London of an unhappie defeat given to the Parliaments forces of Lancashire part whereof were enforced to flie to a Church for their farther hoped safety but were there also environed and at last broken in upon and by that base and bloudy pretended Lord Sir John Byron most barbarously put all to the sword at his accursed Turkish command and which was worse to triumph in this his inhumane barbarity he immediately upon this villanous victory of his wrote a Letter to his as base and treacherous brother the mischievous Marquess of Newcastle which was by Gods providence intercepted by noble Sir William Brereton and by him sent to the Honourable House of Commons in Parliament a true Copie whereof in aeternam rei infamiam being afterward printed and published I have thought fit heer to insert for the Readers fuller content and satisfaction A Copie of Sir John Byrons I had almost said Sir John Butchers Letter to the Marquess of Newcastle dated December 26. 1643. My Lord I Have already dispatched two Messengers to your Excellency to give you an account of my proceedings in these parts I am now at Sambich and have thought fit to acquaint your Excellency that Brereton for the relief of Namptwich had so prevailed with the Lancashire-men as to draw thence 1500 foot which I having notice of immediately marched toward him but as soon as I came within sight of him he instantly according to his custome ran away a most intolerable egregious Popish lyer as all men know that know that noble and renowned Commander in great confusion so that now those 〈◊〉 are so dispersed that they are not like to meet together again And I doubt not but by Gods assistance in a short time to clear this Country if your Excellencies forces advance toward Stopford to be able to set footing in Lancashire The rebells had possessed themselves of a Church at Bartumley but wee presently beat them forth of it and I put them all to the Sword Which I finde to be the best way to proceed with these kinde of people for mercy to them is crueltie so indeed sayes Salomon of such wicked ones as Byron I am my Lord your Excellencies most humble servant J. B. But now to come to my intended purpose this forementioned relation being onely an introduction to what followes that this inhumane monster bloudy Byron and all his accursed malicious adherents might clearly see and take notice of a divine providence notwithstanding this his insulting blasphemous Letter which over-powers the greatest potency of the proudest Bragadochiâ—es yea mightiest Monarches in the world which oppose his all-sacred soveraign power and authoritie There came therefore most certain intelligence by Letters out of Cheshire to London of divers brave repulses given to buteherly Byrons forces at the siege of Namptwich by the most valiant besieged Souldiers and Inhabitants of the said Town And shortly after by a Letter under Col. Mittons own hand which was brought to London about Jan. 20th 1643. By which it was for certain advertised That Sir Nic. Byron Governour of Westchester uncle to this foresaid bloudy Byron having heard of the sore repulses and defeats given to their forces at Namptwich which redounded to the great loss of his proud insulting kinsman bloudy Byron as aforesaid at his said kinsmans intreatie Sir Nicholas advanced with a partie of horse and foot from Westchester to fetch in armes and ammunition both to supply his kinsmans wants therein and his own too their Ship being carried to Lerpool as was forementioned which should have supplied those their wants and coming unto a Town called Elsmere neer Colonell Mittons quarters this most valiant and loyall Commander Colonell Mittan drew forth his regiment fell upon the enemies forces aforesaid who were then in the Town he killed above 60 of them in the place took the said Sir Nicholas Byron Commander in
the Parliaments Cause above all the boisterous Billowes and swelling Surges which have tost and tumbled it too and fro purposing thereby to have over-topt or over-turned it but our God I say who is Soveraigne Lord of Sea and Land hath borne up the beautifull Sailâ—s of his blessed Arke and carryed it on most comfortably and brought it home safely to its home and harbour And therefore who can be so stupid and stony-hearted as not to acknowledge but that this is the Lords owne Worke and it is marvellous in our eyes and therefore in spirituall exultation to sing out with holy David and say The waters saw thee O God the proud waves and waters of the world even wicked and bloody men and were afraid before thee and the great depths were troubled at thee So that as Moses also sang The Children of Israel went into the the middest of them upon dry ground and the mighty waters were so farre from drowning or destroying them that they were a wall of safe-guard on their right and on their left hand to defend them And therefore as the foresaid sweet Singer of Israel Not unto us Lord not unto us but to thy great name be all the praise and glory of all these rare and rich mercies of all these many and mighty Deliverances But now to proceed ANd now we shall by Gods safe assistance put forth to Sea again with our blessed Barke the Arke of our God even our most righteous Cause and make this our next Moneths Voyage and begin first wiâ—h a present touch upon the Parliaments most renowned Lord Generalls successefull proceedings in the Westerne parts of the Kingdome From whence wee were certified by Letters from Chard that about the latter end of the last moneth and beginning of this there came in unto his Excellency within the circuit of twelve miles at lâ—st 4000 men who were all drawn into Rankes and Files in a Meadow whither his Excellency came to welcome them together with the noble Lord Roberts Lord Marshall of the Field who made an excellent speech unto them which they most cheerefully accepted with great and frequent acclamations they all offering themselves to live and dye in the Parliaments Cause and this in part confirmes what I mentioned before touching these West Countreymen at Dorchester Plymouths brave Garison also offered to take the Field with the most noble Lord Roberts who was Ordered aud resolved to goe into Cornwall and a part of that Garrison went out at that time about seven miles from Plymouth beat up a quarter of the Enemies tooke 44 Horse with their Riders Prisoners were pursued by that Skellum Greenvill but he also was beaten backe in great disorder with the losse of divers of his men Colonell Arundell a Member of the Oxford Junto and Major Wiseheart were slaine Colonell Digby brother to the traiterous Lord Digby wounded in the face and Greenvile himselfe closely put to it for his life but escaped the Gallowes as yet Much about the same time we were also informed by Letters out of Darbysh that that most worthy and active Patriot S. Ioh. Gel having sent 3 troops of horse 2 troops of dragoons to the E. of Denbigh then in Lancashire had also a small party of Horse abroad towards Nottingham seeking adventures who were met by some of the Kings Forces from Winkefield and divers of ours by them taken Prisoners but the alarme comming to Darby a fresh Party was sent out who in Winkefield set upon the Enemy as they were carousing and rejoycing at dinner for their good successe where they recovered all their owne men tooke 80 of the Enemies Horse and Riders and brought them all safe to Darbie without the losse of one man of their owne About the 4th of this instant Iuly we had also certaine newes out of the West that the greatest part of the Garrison at Barnstable being called off by Prince Maurice who it was then said was to goe to Pendennis Castle to be a Life-guard to the Queene yet the Garrison would needs leave a stinking savour behind them of their old trade of Plundering Whereupon the Inhabitants knowing the Lord Generall was at hand tooke courage and stoutly resisted them and in the issue bravely overcame their late tyrannicall Masters Which the most noble Lord Generall understanding of presently sent them a strong Party of Horse under the Command of the noble Lord Roberts and Sir Phillip Stapleton to helpe them to beat them quite away and keep them out from returning againe And thus they most happyly shooke off that servile Yâ—akâ— of those cruell Cavees and twice repulsed young Digby and others whom Prince 〈◊〉 â—ent to have reduced them again under that banefull bondage and killed divers of them and tooke many others prisoners And now we hope they begin to taste how sweet religion and Liberty is And ô how vâ—liant they grow being now sensible I say of what it was that made their brave Brethren of Lyme with so much unheard of 〈◊〉 to fight and stand it out against such spoylers of their peace and conscience comforts Much also about the foresaid time we had certain intelligence at London by a letter sent by that brave Commander Sir Thomas Midleton to the Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons concerning the brave and victorious raising of the siege of Oswestree lately taken by the noble Earle of Denbigh as was forementioned who left that brave Commander Colonell Mitton Governour of the said Town and Castle and which presently after my Lords departure for Lancashire was besieged by the Kings forces of those parts under the Command of Colonell Marrow which Letter containing a full relation of the carryagâ— of the whole worke I have thought fit here to insert as it was printed and published by authority of Parliament which was as followeth To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons HONOURED SIR NOt to trouble you with vain relations whereby to hinder the other serious imployment for the Kingdomes good May it please you to be advertised That the Town of Oswestree late taken by the Forces of the Parliament under my Brother Colonell Mittons Command was upon Saturday last begun to be begirt and since strictly besieged by the Kings forces consisting of about Fifteen hundred Horse and Three thousand five hundred Foot under the command of Colonell Marrow And that thereupon in pursuance of a Councell of War's determination occasioned by â—â—â—â—arnest and importunate Letter from my Brother Colonell Mitton directed to wee for speedy reliefe and raising of the siege of the said Towne I did upon the Lords-day last past with such Forces of Horse and Foot as I then had with me and the Foot Forces of Cheshire all of us then at Knotsford upon a determinate resolution to have marched for Manchester and then for the service in the North According to enjoyment of the Committee of both
that most famous defeat and glorious Victory given by the good hand of God to the Parliaments three most renowned and victorious Generalls the most religious and renowned Earl of Manchester his Excellency Generall Lesley and the ever to be honoured valiant and victorious Lord Fairfax against that barbarous and bloody hair-braind ignoble Rupert the disgrace of his progenitors and indelible stain of his Posterity In the notable and unexpected discovery of the Lord of Râ—chfords disloyalty to the Parliament in speciall and Kingdome in generall The taking of Greenland-house by Major Generall Browne And Taunton-castle by the most Noble Lord Generalls Forces In the taking of Cholmley-house by the most noble Earl of Denbigh Colonell Rossiter Governour of Lincoln his valour and activity against the Common-Enemy Captain Sydenhamâ— and Captaine Carrs most brave exploit against the Lord Inchiquin and the religious resolution of the Parliament to establish a learned and godly Ministry In the taking of Wilne-Ferry and Fort by the noble Lord Grey and valiant and faithfull Sir John Gell the said Lord Greys valour and vigilancy for the good of his Country and the most solemn and memorable Celebration of the Day of Thankesgiving at London for the most famous victory which God gave us at the great and bloody fight nere the City of Yorke In the most happy surrendering up of the City of York it self unto the three most noble Lord Generalls forementioned and the pious and prudent Message and motion which the said noble Generalls made and sent to the Parliament in point of farther thankfullnesse to God and satisfaction even to the worst of men In the most noble renowned and truely religious Earl of Manchesters successefull and victorious advance and progresse with his brave Army in taking Tickhill-castle and farther prosperous proceedings since the last great victory at Yorke And lastly In the brave defeates given to the Roysterly-regall Enemies both by Col. Laughorn and Capt. Moulton in Pembrookeshire by the noble Earl of Denbighs and Warwick Forces at Evesham the famous and ever to be renowned Garrison of Lyme at Colliton and Chard and finally in the most noble and renowned Lord Generalls brave and victorious and famous progresse into Devonshire and Cornwall and all those Western parts wherein hitherto by Gods power and providence he might worthily say as conquering Caesar said Veni vidi vici even all for the most part either voluntarily comming in unto him or violently enforced thereunto by his valiant and victorious forces All which most seriously and religiously considered have we not good Reader great cause justly and ingenuously to confesse and acknowledge to see and say with holy Samuel EBEN-EZER and to make this the glorious and gracious Motto of our Parliamentary Barke the Ark of our God most deeply ingraving it with indelible characters of golden-gratefull Remembrance HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED VS And therefore zelously and constantly to conclude and hold maugre all malicious contradiction whatsoever that our title is most truely and infallibly ratified from heaven by all those manifold and even miraculous premises and patternes thereof that GODS Arke hath most triumphantly over-topped and been born above all the Worlds boysterous Billows swelling surges And hitherto the Lords most faithfull and glorious Cause blessedly embarked in our most pious Parliament hath in all its just undertakings most impregnably prevailed and been preserved against all the Malignant Atheisticall and Papisticall Machinations Plots and Practizes that men or devills were ever able to invent and foment against Gods Truth and a glorious and pure Gospel-Reformation In so much that now upon all these serious considerations of the Enemies combinations and injurious conjurations on the one side and our Gods most omnipotent and omniprudent frustrations of them all thus from time to time wee may most worthily say as the holy Prophet once said especially on the gracious and most gratefull recordation of that most memorable and admirable victory at Marston-Heath neere Yorke and also all those late forementioned Westerne victories even of this last Moneth of July wee may say and that most worthily as the LORD God himselfe said by the holy Prophet Now also many nations are gathered together against thee O English ISRAEL that say let her be defiled and let our eyes looke on Zions defilement But they know not the thoughts of the Lord neither understand they his Counsell For hee hath gathered them together as sheaves into the barn-floor And hath said to all our renowned Generalls and to their Armies Arise and thresh O daughter of Zion for I have made thy horne as iron and thy horses hoofes as brasse and thou shalt beat and bruise in pieces as with a strong flale many people and I will consecrate their gain to my selfe saith the Lord and their substance to the Lord of the whole Earth And hast not thou ô England as then Zion was promised seen all this come to passe for thy sake upon thine Enemies Even many nations brought together English Irish Dutch French Walloons who not that could be was not gathered against thee to defile and spoil thee yea to glut their accursed eyes and hearts with wicked joy at thy ruine and defilements But ah wicked fooles how ignorant and unacquainted were they with the Lords Counsels and how farre his thoughts were above and against their thoughts who brought them but together at York and else where like so many Sheaves on the barn-floar of Marston-Heath and there and then most graciously and gloriously said to our renouned Generalls Commanders and Souldiers Arise arise and thresh those Sheaves of shame and dishonour for I have made your Swords and instruments of war as Iron flales and your horses hoofs as brasse to trample on them and tear them in peices And then did the Lord also most triumphantly consecrate unto himselfe and we as we were able most worthily gave their gain and substance even all the honour and glory of these great and most famous victories to the Lord our God alone whose strong arme alone got us and gave us these glorious victories over all those our fierce and furious Enemies Yea he alone I say According to their deeds accordingly hath repayed fury to his Churches and Childrens adversaries recompense to his Enemies and to the Irish I stand he hath repayed and will yet still repay recompence And thus indeed it must needs be for Their strength and defence was departed from them and our God had made them as bread for us to eat and devour Yea our God hath for us wounded and broken in pieces the heads of these Leviathans and given them as meat to us his poore despised people And hath wounded the hairy scalps of all these that thâ—s went on in their insatiable wickednesse That thus therefore the great name of the Lord might be feared from the North to the West and his glorious splendour from the rising of the Sun
shall be laborious and faithfull in the right governing of all such persons as be resident in or upon the said Plantations and due ordering and disposing all such Affaires as concerne the safety and welfare of the same is of very great advantage to the publique good of all such remote and new Plantations It is hereby further ordained and decreed That the said Robert Earl of Warwick Governour in chief and Admirall of the said Plantations together with the aforesaid Commissioners Philip Earl of Pembrook Edward Earl of Manchester William Viscount Say and Seale Philip Lord Wharton John Lord Roberts Sir Gilbert Gerard Knight and Baronet Sir Arthur Haselrig Baronet Sir Henry Vane junior Knight Sir Benjamin Rudyer Knight John Pym Oliver Cromwell Dennis Bond Miles Corbet Cornelius Holland Samuel Vassall John Rolls and William Spurstowe Esquires or the greater number of them shall have power and authoritie from time to time to nominate appoint and constitute all such subordinate Governours Counsellors Commanders Officers and Agents as they shall judge to be best affected and most fit and serviceable for the said Islands and Plantations And shall heerby have power and authoritie upon the death or other avoydance of the aforesaid chief Governour and Admirall or any the other Commissioners before named from time to time to nominate and appoint such other chiefe Governour and Admirall or Commissioners in the place and roome of such as shall so become voyd And shall also heerby have power and authority to remove any of the said subordinate Governours Counsellors Commanders Officers or Agents which are or shall be appointed to Governe Counsell or Negotiate the publike Affaires of the said Plantation and in their place and roome to appoint such other Officers as they shall judge fit And it is heerby ordained That no subordinate Governours Counsellors Commanders Officers Agents Planters or Inhabitants whatsoever that are now resident in or upon the said Islands or Plantations shall admit or receive any other new Governours Counsellors Commanders Officers or Agents whatsoever but such as shall be allowed and approved of under the hands and Seales of the aforesaid chief Governour and high Admirall of the said Plantation together with the hands and Seales of the aforementioned Commissioners or any six of them or under the hands and Seales of such as they shall authorize thereunto And whereas for the better government and security of the said Plantations and Islands and the Owners and Inhabitants thereof there may be just and fit occasion to assigne over some part of the power and authoritie granted in this Ordination to the chief Governour Commissioners afore-named unto the said Owners Inhabitants or others It is heerby ordained That the said chiefe Governour and Commissioners before-mentioned or the greater number of them shall heerby be authorized to assigne ratifie and confirme so much of their afore-mentioned authoritie and power and in such manner and to such persons as they shall judge to be fit for the better governing and preserving of the said Plantations and Islands from open violence and private disturbance and distractions And lastly That whosoever shall doe execute or yeeld obedience to any thing contained in this Ordinance shall by vertue heerof be saved harmlesse and indempnified Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament that this Ordinance shall be forthwith printed and published John Brown Cler. Par. About the 8th of November 1643. came certain intelligence to London by Letters out of the Western parts of the Kingdome and also by the testimony of divers credible persons that a certain considerable number of English-Irish Protestant Souldiers being transported out of Ireland to Bristoll under the command of Sir Charles Vavasor on pretence to fight in England for the King and Parliament where being arrived and thinking that Bristoll had been still in the Parliaments possession but finding it otherwise on their arrivall and that their commanders would have enforced them to have taken an oath or Covenant to fight against the Parliament they utterly refused it declaring that they did not come from fighting against the bloudy Papists in Ireland with an intent to take part with the same and the other Papists in England and thereupon there being a great mutinie between the Souldiers and their Commanders the Souldiers slue some of their Commanders in the place enforced the rest of their Commanders to flie to Oxford for shelter After which they unanimously departed out of Bristoll toward Bathe and from thence also putting themselves under the Command of one Apleton a brave spirited man and valiant Souldier they marched to Gloucester to the most renowned Colonell Massey to be disposed of by him in the Parliaments service and before their departure from Bathe divers of the genâ—rie and well-affected inhabitants of that Countie as was also credibly informed being weary of the Kings Cormorants tyranny laid hold on the opportunitie and joyned themselves with those Souldiers and put themselves into the same service with them And was not heer a most remarkable hand of Gods providence thus at the very first of these the enemies bloudy and base attempts in that most atrocious and scelerous Cessation of armes in Ireland manifesting thus I say in the very front of their devillish designe the Lords high indignation against them and undoubted purpose to blast and bring to nought the rest of this their most nefarious villanie in his own due time to their greater shame sorrow smart and infamie But to proceed About the 10th of the foresaid November came certain information by Letters and other very credible testimonies out of Shropshire of a very notable and brave Defeat given to that irreligious if not atheisticall and pragmaticall but yet blessed be the Lord that unfortunate and unsuccessfull upstart Lord Capell and his vulturous and ravenous Harpies by the most valiant forces of Cheshire and Shropshire under the happie conduct of that most virtuous and victorious Commander Sir William Brereton and his unanimous and magnanimous associates therein Sir Thomas Midleton and most courageous Colonell Mitton which was as followeth Sir Thomas Midleton having authoritie to raise forces for the defence of the King Parliament and Kingdome in Nâ—rth Wales as Colonell Mitton had in Shropshire desired and deserved indeed by the good service they had done in Staffordshire as they went the assistance of Sir William Brereton who commanded in chiefe in Cheshire and is a Colonell in and hath a tender care of and interest in the affections of Staffordshire Souldiers This noble Colonell willing to accommodate those Worthies drew part of his forces from Namptwich to safeguard them into and make provision for their safety in Shropshire and thus marching together to Wem a little Town about six miles from Shrewsbery the place of their torment as Capell had made it unto honest men At Wem I say they began to fortifie and this lusty Lord Capell perceiving by the help of his Councell
improvement wee can make of this our voyage for the honour of our good God in briefly observing and admiring the menacing molestations and shrewd brushes and disturbances which the advers waves and boysterous billowes rocks and sands of most wicked and ungodly proud presumptuous enemies of this Ark labouring to overtop or overturn it yet now by the Lords almightie and irresistible power and sweet protection all those proud waves were broken the rocks removed and the devouring sands securely evaded Both in the good hand of God first Uniting and associating the Counties of Hampshire Sussex Surrey and Kent and ordaining renowned Sir William Waller Commander in chief over them Secondly In the Parliaments pious care and providence for the welfare of forein English Plantations Thirdly In causing a considerable number of English-Irish-Protestant Souldiers transported out of Ireland and landed at Bristoll to fight against the Parliament to revolt from the Kings designes by them and really and readily to turn to the Parliaments-side against the Parliaments enemies Fourthly In that brave defeat given by the Parliaments forces in Shropshire and Cheshire to that proud and unsuccessfull upstart Lord Capell Fifthly In the most successfull pious and renowned Earl of Manchesters spoyling and bereaving of that pernicious Town of Newark of their provision the taking of Bullingbrook-Castle the declining and perishing condition of proud and Popish Newcastles armie and the notable defection of the Gentrie of â—orkshire and other Northern-Counties from the Kings partie Sixthly In the admirable contrary effects which the wisdome of the Lord our God caused the accursed Cessation of armes in Ireland to bring forth which mainly appeared in the Parliaments perfecting and producing their former long intended new Broad-Seal of England and the hopefully happie effects thereof Seventhly In renowned Sir William Wallers brave prize taken about Newbery The most excellent effects which the loss of Stamford-Mount at Plymouth produced And renowned Colonell Rigbies famous victorie at Thurland Eighthly The brave atchievements and victorious performances of the little Town yet greatly renowned Garrison at Pool in Dorsetshire Ninthly The happie re-establishment of the renowned Earl of Warwick in the place of Lord high Admirall of England for the singular securitie and safety of the Kingdome as well by sea as by land Tenthly The brave exploits of the valiant Governour and Garrison of Warwick Castle Eleventhly The most successfull proceedings and brave atchievements of those two renowned Colonells and Commanders Sir William Brereton and Sir Thomas Midleton Twelfthly and lastly the most prudent and provident Ordinance of Parliament granting out Letters of Mart by Sea for the better hindrance of the accursed designes of our Oxonian adversaries in the rebellious and most bloudy Kingdome of Ireland And now tell mee good Reader dost thou not see plainly by all these premised passages and apparent prints of Gods providence The Lord sitting as a most prudent and propitious Pilot at the Stern of his Ark and graciously and gloriously carrying it on safely and securely through the midst of all these molesting and raging waves of wicked men and all their most desperate and devillish designes against it whereby wee may and must most justly and ingenuously acknowledge with the sweet Psalmograph the holy Prophet David Thou O Lord art our safe and secure hiding-place Thou alone dost preserve us from troubles Thou dost encompasse us with songs of deliverance But to proceed The first thing wherewith I shall begin this Moneth of December shall be that happie and blessed business to this Kingdome of fully confirming and setting on foot the new Great Seal of England But before I come to the present relation of what was more fully setled and confirmed therein Give me leave good Reader to acquaint thee with what formerly past about it in Parliament namely That about the midst of October last when as the Commons debating on the speedie putting it in execution they considered a collection of certain Acts then read setting forth the power and use of the great Seal of England and reviewed their former votes touching the absence of the other great Seal at Oxford the substance of which former votes having relation to what was then farther agreed upon I have thought fit heer to insert Resolved on the Question 1. That the great Seal of England ought to attend the Parliament 2. That the absence of it hath been a cause of great mischiefes to the Common-wealth 3. That a remedie ought to be provided for those mischiefes 4. That the proper way is by making a New great Seal And they then proceeded to some farther votes touching the same which were to this effect Resolved on the Question That the great Seal at Oxford be disanull'd and what ever act or thing hath passed under it since it was carried away from the Parliament to be voyd and of none effect and that an Ordinance of Parliament be forthwith drawn up to that purpose By which Vote those late thundring Proclamations against the Parliament and well-affected Subjects of the Kingdome and the many new honours conferred on c. and many others at Oxford for their good service in withholding his Majestie from his Parliament and fostering this unnaturall rebellion against the Parliament Kingdome thereby occasioning the death of many thousands of his Majesties good and loyall subjects will fall flat to the ground Also resolved on the Question That Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament be forthwith appointed viz. Three of the House of Peeres and six of the House of Commons if the Lords so think fit to have the trust of the new great Seal which is to reside with the Parliament for the use of the Parliament and Kingdome And lastly resolved on the Question That the House of Peeres be forthwith desired to nominate such members of their House to joyn with a proportionable number of the Commons House as Commissioners for the said New great Seal and that all businesses proper to the Seal be dispatched by them or by order of both Houses All which was accordingly ratified not long after as was manifested in the Ordinance of Parliament for the great Seal forementioned After which long and serious agitation consultation and debates in both Houses of Parliament a Declaration from both Houses now fully resolved on and the Lord Ruthen Earl of Kent being with full approbation of both Houses chosen and made a Commissioner thereof in stead of the Earl of Rutland first chosen who upon some scruples of conscience objected by him was acquitted of that service and the Ordinance of Parliament accordingly altered The new great Seal was now I say delivered to the Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament for the putting thereof into due execution viz. To the Earl of Kent and the Earl of Bullingbrook for the House of Peers Mr Saint John Sollicitor Generall Mr Serjeant Wilde Mr Prideaux and Mr
most happie and admirable freeing the brave Town of Plymouth from a long and dangerous Siege And lastly The pretty prankes and successfull surprisall of those loose and lewd Cavalerian Commanders and royall-Cormorants in the midst of supine and secure carding and dicing by valiant and vigilant Cap. Clark and his Northampton forces Together with the WindsorGarrisons apprehending of the 4 high-Constables and 80â—â— in money and divers Malignants also at their Christmas Bacchanalian feastings As also that religious reformation of King Henry the sevenths Chappell at Westminster All which so rich and rare mercies powred upon us with so open and bountifull a hand out of the Lords rich and unexhaustible treasury of free grace and meer mercie so many defeats and victories against our adversaries their great loss and our great gain such plots discovered such Ordinances for the States Church and Cities good confirmed and that not onely this moneth but one moneth successively after another O who can choose but say and apparently see Gods Ark still triumphantly over-tapping the worlds waves thus incessantly raging and swelling against it And who seeing seriously considering and cordially tasting with the palate of true christian godly gratitude the soveraigne sweetness of all these exuberant blessings can choose but stand and admire and adore our great and good and wonder-working God and with that sweet Psalmograph of Israel holy King David can forbear to break forth into amazing exultation and sing and say O how great is thy goodness O God which thou hast layd up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for those that trust in thee before the sonnes of men But now to proceed And heer now again to launch out into the deep begin this next ensuing Moneths voyage for new discoveries descriptions of Gods admirable dealings in most undeserved mercy with this our sinful Nation and Kingdome in the remarkable preservation of his so menaced and molested Ark tost up and down on the wretched waves of these our most unnaturall intestine bloudy broyles I shall in the first place desire to take libertie a little to touch upon one forein passage of Gods most wise and wonderfull disposing of things as well abroad as at home for our welfare verifying that notable Scripture The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is upright and perfect towards him So far forth onely as it hath notable influence resultance on our Kingdomes present affaires which is this That about this time it pleased the Lord to give us intelligence from Denmark that whereas the Jesuiticall plot now in sad and sanguine agitation is to destroy the Protestant Religion throughout all Christendome And because Great-Britain and Ireland are the main fat morsells their treacherous teeth so water for as their principall impediment in the way of their wicked work for an epidemicall and universall tyranny over mens bodies and soules two of these at least being the speciall upholders of the true Christian Religion indeed I mean the refined and refining pure Protestant Religion which is the goad in their sides and the offensive pearl in their eye To destroy which they have now I say engaged or at least endeavoured to engage all these three Kingdomes in the first prime place in a most degenerous unnaturall warre one against another and each of the Kingdomes against it self as in part they have most devillishly done the most miserable effects whereof wee all to our present sorrow see and feel And for the better corroborating and strengthning of this their great and Catholicall designe they have in a deluding way procured the neutrality of Denmark Holland who have more than underhand contributed much against us therein much more was shortly expected from Denmark had it not pleased the Lord in his admirable wisdome and mercy towards us to stirre up the heart of the resolved Queen of Sweden in revenge of the bloud of that late precious never enough honoured King of Sweden her dear deceased husband slain in the Germane warres in defence of the Protestant Religion to be a great block in their way and a mightie obstacle to this their deep designe and strangely to cut short that armie which the King of Denmark had plotted with the Emperour as t was cunningly contriv'd by the Romish Jesuiticall Counsell to raise up first for the destruction of the Swedes his neerest neighbours and so to sweep them out of Germany and afterward for farther designes against England And to this end the King of Denmark had secretly desired assistance from his neighbour the King of Poland next neighbour on the other side to the Swedes but divine providence most blessedly discovered the plot and by Letters from Denmark which the Swedes happily intercepted the whole plot was made known The Swedes also by the same good hand of providence wisely concealed it yet diligently prepared to prevent the danger and by speedy adding some strength to that they had made ready for another design els-where they fell sodainly upon part of the King of Denmarks Country before they thought of any surprisall and therefore were unready to make any considerable resistance the Swedes heerby O the admirable unfathomed depth and profundity of the wisdome and justice of our God! have most valiantly and resolutely run through or over-run the whole Country of Holstein a brave and rich Province being most Southward of all Denmark to Germanie which is the Duke of Holts Country second Son to the King of Denmark And they most victoriously have proceeded farther into the other parts of Denmark by Gâ—stavus Horn a brave Swedish Commander and have taken some of their chief Magazines many thousands of armes some of which no doubt intended to be sent against us for heerby the King of Denmark was constrained to make stay of 2 ships laden with armes to have been sent to England and must then be employed and all little enough in his own defence Thus wee see Man purposeth but God disposeth Our God can take the wicked in his own craftines every way and every where and bring to nought the Counsels of Princes But his own work shall stand and prosper in the thing for which he sends it This I thought good heer to premise as a certain and seasonable addition to the honour of our great and glorious wonder-working God and the just ground of raising up our hearts spirits to a yet higher pitch of praising his name for our wonderfull preservation both at home and abroad And about the beginning of this instant January came credible intelligence from Warwickshire to London that Coventry forces marched out to Sir Thomas Holts-House about 14 miles from Coventry and a little mile from Brumingham and summoned them within the House but they refused to yeeld wherupon Coventry forces
of sedition in the City of London by Master Nye Master Goodwin and other Independents in the Plot against Windsor and that also at Aylesbury and the most happy preservation of Nottingham Towne and Castle by loyall and valiant Colonell Hutchinson The long desired and seasonable comming into this Kingdome of our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland to our assistance with a potent Army to help to re-establish Peace and Truth among us In the harmonious pious and prudent consent of the Commissioners and Estates of both Kingdoms in a most excellent Declaration for the just terror and trouble of our Popish and Atheisticall Adversaries as a condigne punishment of their viperous insolencies And lastly in that most memorable and famous Victory which the Lord graciously vouchsafed to give unto his two faithfull and magnanimous Joshuahs Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir William Brereton at Namptwich All which admirable Parliamentary mercies being rightly reflected on and seriously considered of with a truly pious and gratefull heart who can choose but sâ—e and say Gods Ark was here also triumphantly over-topping the Worlds waves and winds fiercely raging and swelling And upon the right and religious review thereof who can but in all bounden gratitude with holy David break out into most thankfull expressions of soule and say Ascribe unto the Lord O happy England ascribe unto the Lord glory and strength ascribe unto the Lord the glory due unto his great name worship the Lord in the beauty of holinesse For the voice of the Lord is upon the great waters yea the Lord rideth upon many and mighty waters as King for ever And now to proceed About the beginning of this moneth of February came certain advertisement by Letters out of Gloucestershire to London that the ever to be renowned Commander Col. Massey had lately before issued forth with a party of his Souldiers and had fallen upon Sir Henry Talbots quarters at Shepstow where he surprized the said Colonel 3 Captains 3 Lieutenants 3 Irish Reformadoes Serjeant Major Moore besides 60 Common Souldiers with much arms and ammunition And that he had also the week before this sent out a Frigot man'd with his Garrison-souldiers which took a Vessel going with supplies to the Enemies forces at Worcester the Bark was laden with Tobacco and some ammunition which was all brought into Gloucester for his own Souldiers And it was likewise then confirmed that divers parties of his Horse had taken divers Carriers going with severall parcels of Gunpowder and other Military necessaries to the Enemy which he also disposed of to his own better uses Also about the beginning of this instant Febr. came certain intelligence from Sir Iohn Meldrum that brave pious and prudent Commander that whereas a little before some French-men had treacherously betrayed about 20 of Sir Iohn's Souldiers and a Captain of his together with divers well-affected Inhabitants of the Isle of Axholme into the hands of Newcastles Cavaliers Sir Iohn hereupon resolved to go into that Island with a convenient party to repay that affront and to give them their due desert for their said treachery and about the 4. of February Sir Iohn approaching the Isle most valiantly assaulted and took the Royall Fort or chiefe Defence of the said Island which commands all the passages from Newark upon Trent and that he purged the Island of all the Malignants therein and took there about an hundred prisoners most of them men of quality 8 peeces of Ordnance 300 Arms and a Troop of Horse of Newcastles Cormorants together with 5 Hoyes upon the River which were going forth with provision to Newcastles Army Much also about the same time our most pious and prudent Parliamentary Worthies having long and divers times had much debate in both Houses about a resolved Councel of State for the more sure secret transacting and managing of the principall and most weighty affaires in and about all the three Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland and having deliberated most seriously both of the persons and power of those that were to be chosen thereunto and after a most wise and discreet regulating thereof so as that they may never commence nor determine a Peace without the House of Commons consent and good liking They at last agreed that all those personages which were nominated by the Lords should be returned without any alteration and so resolved to transmit the businesse to the Lords The names of those that were to be of this Councell are these following The Earle of Northumberland the Earle of Essex the Earle of Warwick the Earle of Manchester the Lord Vicount Say and Seale the Lord Wharton and the Lord Roberts Of the house of Commons Sir Gilbert Gerard Sir William Waller Sir Arthur Haslerigge Sir William Armyne Sir Henry Vane senior Sir Henry Vane junior Sir Philip Stapleton Mr. Crew Mr. St. Iohn Sollicitor Mr. Brown Mr. Glyn Recorder of London Mr. Perpoint and Mr. Wallop And for the State and Kingdome of Scotland the Lord Lowden the Lord Maitland Sir Archibold Johnstone and Mr. Berkley But shortly after namely about the midst of this instant February the Ordinance for the absolute setling of this great Councel of State passed both Houses with a joint concurrence in all particulars both the time of their sitting for three moneths to advise consult order and direct concerning the Recruits regulating and government of the Armies and concerning Treaties and Answers and other the great affairs of the three Kingdoms The names of the persons ye have had their place of meeting was Derby-house in Chanel-row in Westminster This piece of State-policie may by Gods mercy and hath already as we have found by happy experience it hath and doth produce much good to the whole three Kingdomes and is no doubt a mighty terrour and startling to the Enemies God in his mercy go on still to direct them for the best advancement of his glory and the blessed peace and welfare of the three Kingdomes About thâ—5 of this instant came certain intelligence by Letters to London of another mischievous designe plotted against the Town of Southampton most happily discovered and prevented by the wisdom and loyalty next under God of Mr. Peter Murford Serjeant Major to Colonel Norton the most noble and active Governour of the said Town Which Letter containing the exact relation thereof and having in it divers very observable passages I have therefore thought fit for the Readers better and more full content and satisfaction therein here to insert verbatim as it was printed and published by Order and Authority A true Copy of Mr. Murfords Letter touching the discovery of a new Plot against the Town of Southampton by the Kings Cormorants or Cavaliers SIR YOur Letter is come to my hands which I take kindly from you I should desire to exchange lines oftner with you I thank you for your newes I had Letters this day from my Lord
became Master of the whole East-riding of Yorkeshire The Kings Oxonian Councellors or rather Conventiclers and devouring Cormorants having had a deepe designe by that late conquered and quelled bloody Byron forementioned namely with his so great a strength which was also to be augmented in Cheshire by very many Irish-rebells to be then shortly landed at Milford Haven and thus I say with a very strong army of those Irish-Rebells Welsh Papists and viperons Malignants to have put a stop to the Scots army in the North but I say Byron was conquered by that most brave defeat as you have already heard given him at the raising of the siege at Namptwich by those two famous Commanders Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir William Brereton Prince Robber also with all the forces he could collect and make up was to meete them at their randevouz in the said County-Palatine of Chester About twelve ships fraught with Irish Rebells were to have beene landed at Milford Haven but most valiant and couragious Capt. Swanley having by Gods good providence put into the said haven was first possest thereof before they came thither and when they came most bravely beat them all off againe from landing there only a part of 2. regiments landed afterward at Bewmorice for whose safe conduct a regiment of horse was sent from Prince Plunderer who went in person toward Chester with what forces could be spared to helpe to maintaine the foresaid designe and there he sent out a most base and bloody warrant up and down that County to summon all that were able to come in unto them to joyne with him in that wicked design and for those that refused this was to be their punishment viz. To looke for no mercy but speedily to expect fire and sword Whereby he compelled many for feare to march with him into Shropshire but that brave magnanimous and active Commander Colonel Mitton timely understanding thereof fell upon some of their quarters and after a short skrimish without any considerable losse to himselfe routed a whole regiment of them tooke about 60. horse two of Sr. Rich. Fleetwoods sons Commanders in that regiment and other officers 50. foot-souldiers prisoners an 100. armes And thus partly and especially by those two noble Commanders Sir Tho. Fairfax and Sir William Brereton partly by Capt. Swanley and partly also by this defeat of brave Colonell Mitton this their great and wicked designe was by Gods great mercy quite broken in pieces and came to nought And thus also was this poore County-Palatine of Chester upon which the kings eye was more fastned to fixe and augment strong forces there for the greater advancement of this and his other great designes than on any one County in the kingdome Witnesse his first sending thither that Cow-stealer the unsuccessefull atheisticall Lord Capell who was soone beaten thence Then Serjeant Major Willis surprized by Colonell Mitton Then the bloody Lord Byron beaten as aforesaid And after all these pilfering Prince Robber himselfe 〈◊〉 as you have heard by the said most valiant Colonell Mitton Thus was this County at last brought into a more quiet and stable condition ever praised and blessed be the Lord our good God for it About the 16. of this instant Feb. 1643. there was a conference between both the Houses of Parliament which was managed by the noble and truely pious Earl of Manchester the effect whereof was this That whereas there were divers inconveniences and great disturbances begun to be brewing and already raised and likely to grow much greater if not timely prevented in the City of London by reason of many unhappy differences of opinions in matters of Religion by Anabaptists Antinomians and such like the honourable Peeres did therefore desire that both Houses would joyn together in sending to the Assembly of Divines to expedite their care in setling of Church-Government with as much speed as conveniently might be and in the mean time an Order was drawn up to be sent to the Lord Major of London which was also read in the Churches Wherein it was desired that speciall care might be taken that none did Preach in any Church but such as the Minister or the Pastor thereof â—hall answer for their Doctrines delivered if justly questioned of which therefore all Ministers especially were to be very carefull A course marvelous fit to be put in execution least if such Tares take root it might cost more care and toyle to pluck them up and root them out and thereby also endanger the pulling up of the good corn which by a timely prevention might be easily remedied and better Ordered About the 18. of this instant came certain Intelligence by Letters from Northampton to London that a partee of Horse was lately before sent out from thence upon a design within three miles of Banbury where they had Intelligence that Captain Farmer son to Sir Hutton Farmer a great Royalist was quartered with his Troopes who comming suddenly into the same Town they took the said Captaine and above 40. horse divers Commanders Officers and common souldiers with some Armes and brought them all safely into Northampton Thus our hopes of prosperous successe through Gods assistance doe still encrease there having scarcely one day past about this time of the yeare for above a moneth together wherein we have not had comfortable tydings and certaine relation of good service done by the Parliaments forces at Northampton Warwicke-Castle and other parts Let God have all the glory even the Lord of hosts who onely is the giver of all victories About the 20th of this instant came certaine intelligence by letters from Hull That the noble and ever to be honoured and loved Lord Fairfax with a sufficient party issued out of Hull upon the enemies quarters routed 3. Regiments of their horse tooke 300. of them in the fight above an 170 prisoners slew 50 on the ground and took divers Captaines and Commanders And that the most notorious Prince of Robbers or as now the King hath made him the Duke of Cumberland or Plunderland call him what you please having got together among all his great and rich pillage and plunder and sent about 3000. l. in gold and silver toward Waymouth intending as was conceived to passe it away by Sea into his own Country but the brave Garrison of Poole I call it a Garrison but may indeed call and count it an Army for its Valour and Vigilancy it having equalled if not transcended some of our great bodies this last winter in Martiall exploits having had private Intelligence thereof watched them narrowly and at a fit oportunity fell upon the convoy thereof neer unto Dorchester surprised them and all their Horse Armes and Ammunition and bravely took from them the said 3000. l. in gold and silver and carryed all away with them to Pool a brave and suddain unexpected accommodation to Valiant Captain Bingham to be imployed for the
the full and cleare raising of that famous Siege to the perpetuall shame and disgrace of Maurice Pawlet Stoell Ashburnham Strangewayes and others which was confirmed by a Letter sent by the most renouned Earl of Warwick Lord Admirall to the Speaker of the Honourable House of Peers in Parliament and by Master Iesops Letter also and others the substance of all which in effect was this That since the most Noble and ever to be honoured Earl of Warwicke performed that brave Service in so timely relieving Lyme in the deepest of its distresse and continued there observing the occurrences and carriage of affaires as well without as within the Town and that the Enemyes had in the space of 4 or 5 dayes shot many Volleys of great and small shot into the Town but most unsuccessefully the besieged answering them still as courageously as ever at the first Hopton also comming to the Leaguer and hoping to have made some recruite of his broken fragments but was refused and at Dartmouth also whither he came with but 7 Horse giving out there that he was to raise an Army of 15000 men if hee could have got them and Maurice also now tyred with so â—oylesome a worke and terrified also with fear of the Parliaments Lord Generalls approach into those parts and especially to this Town to free it of its fear of his forces and unneighbourly neighbourhood that thus I say after the Enemies losse of at least an 105 Officers besides some more superiour Officers and commanders 25 Gunners and above 2000 common souldiers more than they lost at Bristol and Exeter as some of themselves confest Prince Maurice on sad and serious consideration of all these disasters and many more about June the 14th by two of the clock in the morning quite raised this his siege and went clear away to Exeter After whose departure the noble Lord Admirall Master Iesop and many others going into Lime to view the Townes line and the Enemies workes and truely comparing the very great slendernesse of the Towns line with the extraordinary strength and solidity of all the Enemies Works they could not but greatly admire what had been done by them and were forced most freely to confesse and grant that the defence of Heaven was meerly and cleerly their munition of rocks and that it was little lesse than a miracle that they should hold out so long and violent a Siege especially the Towne standing at the bottome of two hills and their Workes so low and thinne that in many places one might have runne over them and a strong hand might have thrust them downe they being in effect as it were paper or pasteboord walles and in the latter end of the siege the Enemies outragiously shooting into the Towne barres of Iron pieces of Anchors and great Shot blowne up to as great a measure of heat as was possible they having a Forge on purpose which falling on Houses fired many yet were sodainely quenched with onely hurt not death of but three men insomuch that all that saw and considered these things could not choose but with admiration ingenuously confesse that certainely there was never more valour and undantednesse of spirit shewn in the world against a potent and pestilent Enemy than was in thus defending this place and that every man deserved as the most noble Earle of Warwicke himselfe there publikely professed some eminent badge of honour to remaine to their posterity in memoriall of this most famous Siege About the time of the end of the Siege some 26 of the Enemies side came in unto the Lord Admirall freely and faithfully proffering their service to the Parliament among whom was Lievtenant Fair an Officer of the Lord Brogall brother to the Lord Inchiquin and 10 also of Inchiquins Regiment came in unto them One Irish woman left behinde was slaine and almost pull'd in pieces by the women of Lime In the Siege many houses were burnt and yet a Granado falling into a roome in one house and breaking upon a bed wherein lay 3 children not one of them had any harme there was scarce a house in the whole Towne that was not battered and scarce a roome into which shot had not beene made At one last great fire in the Towne two maides carying betweene them a vessell of water had three of their hands shot off One of these t is probable was that honest maid that spake so christianly as was forementioned in the reliefe of Lime touching the losse of one of her hands In all this the most noble and renowned Lord Admiralls pious and singular charitable affection to the Towne gained a most just acknowledgement from them That they all did owe their lives under God to his most honourable Lordship But above all all honour and praise is most due to the great God of Lime in this his mighty and even miraculous deliverance of it it being also a businesse of so great consequence as by Gods mercy to bring in the whole West Countrey who resolved long before to obey no command on the other side till Lime was taken O had Prince Maurice but obtained one Commander of the Parliaments that is God and their good Cause what a Victor might he have proved with but halfe the strength which by relation hee brought of the Country people thereabout The Enemies cursed the unlucky houre as they called it of their comming thither having lost as I said before from the first to the last at least 2 or 3000 Souldiers and the Town but six score men with the most Ever praised be the great God of battailes for it And thus the Lord at last to the glory of his great name and joy of his servants set Lime at liberty from all their former feares and dangers To all which mercies let me adde this as a prime result of them all that I make no doubt but that the prayers put up at that instant on their behalfe both aboard our Ships and in other parts of the Kingdome were a speciall and speedy meanes to shorten their dangers shelter their persons and hasten this their happy deliverance The thus happy relieving of this brave Garrison of Lime by the ever renowned and most highly to be honoured Earle of Warwick was and that most deservedly taken by the Parliament as a most singular and acceptable service done to the Kingdome who thereupon Ordered That a Letter of thankes should be sent unto him from both the Houses of Parliament for his great care love and loyalty therein And that not onely this brave Garrison of which we may say as the Damesels sang before the Arke That Saul had slain his thousand but David his ten thousand So other Garrisons have slaine their thousand done very bravely but this of Lime it s ten thousands far out-stript them all to encourage I say not onely this Garrison but that the whole Kingdome might as well
hid himselfe in Bean-Lands he had beene taken The Earl of Manchester with much labour did rally 500 of the Souldiers who were leaving the Field in great disorder and brought them backe againe to the Battell And the most noble and worthy Generall Lesly was much offended with his Souldiers who shrunk from the service of the day and having endeavoured both by words and blowes to keepe them in the Field with much wisedome and affection he pressed this argument Although you run from your Enemies yet leave not your Generall though you fly from them yet forsake not me Very many of the Scots both commanders and others did singular good service that day and stood stoutly to it unto the end of the fight and did therefore very well deserve to be sharers in the honour of the day and three Regiments of their Horse which with ours made the left wing of the Army being commanded by Major Generall Lesley did as brave and honourable service as any who served in the Field that day And although the right wing of our Army did not satisfyingly answer mens expectations yet the Earl of Eglington the Earl of Lindsey the Lord Cooper Sir James Lunsden and other Scottish Commanders with many of their Officers and Souldiers did as I said before give good proofe of their stoutnesse and magnanimity And as for any of them of each Nation who went away they were by their ministers and others so sharpely reproved and this their fault in such sort was aggravated to them that there was great hope they would regain their credit by good service upon the next occasion As for that famous and magnanimous Commander Lieut. Gen. Cromwell whose prowesse and prudence as they have rendred him most renowned for many former successefull deeds of Chevalry So in this great fight they have crowned him with the never withering Laurells of fame and honour who with so Lyon-like courage and impregnable animosity charged his proudest adversaries again and again like a Roman Marcellus indeed undauntedly out-daring and over-bearing his stoutest Popish and Atheisticall Antagonists even to the end of the fight and at last came off as with some wounds so with honour and triumph inferiour to none Colonell Sydney also Son to the Earl of Leicester charged with much gallantry in the head of my Lord of Manchesters Regiment of Horse and came off with much honour though with many wounds the true badges of his honour and was sent away afterward to London for cure of his wounds And as for that truly noble and renowned Commander Sir Tho. Fairfax that undanted never sufficiently praised Souldier whose former famous exploits have rendred him most magnanimous he also lost not a jot or title of honour this day for although many of his Souldiers did faint and fall backe yet his noble heart continued like the heart of a Lyon stout and undaunted for he stayed fighting in the Field untill being dismounted and wounded he was brought off by one of his Souldiers Yea and brave Colonell Lambert and some others of their officers went on most daringly through every difficult and dangerous adventure which they could meete with though I say much of their strength did unhappily shrinck from them Lieutenant Col. Needham did also very manfully in his place I nominate not here any other of my noble Lords Officers besides Liutenant Gen. Cromwell and Col. Sydney though I could have particularized Major Gen. Crawford and divers other Colonels with Lieut. Colonells Majors and Captaines who gained much honour by their very valiant carriages and exploits and therfore I hope my silence in regard of others who under the command of the two other Generalls did also most gallantly will not be offensive and the rather because I was not so well acquainted with them And it is exceedingly ill done of those who cast aspersions upon some in the Army in this fight who rather deserved commendations than uncomely calumniations Surely they neither Act christianly nor prudently who take courses to breed emulations and divisions in our Army and who cast reproach and discouragement upon such who are most ready to sacrifice their dearest heaâ—tblood in the present service of Christ in this Kingdome But to be briefe I found this generally among the Souldiers especially in my noble Lord of Manchesters Regiments to my hearts great content that they all gave the Lord of Hosts all the glory of this Victory wherein they were onely instruments Some also of the Enemies that were taken Prisoners have acknowledged the meere finger and hand of God in their rout and our victory And it pleased me wondrous well to heare and see our God honoured on both hands Yet I may not heere omit a strange speech as it was credibly reported to fall from Prince Rupert upon the disapointing of his hopes and the dis-joynting of his Forces to their ruine I am sure said he my men fought well and therefore know no reason of our Rout but this because the Devill did help his Servants These words surely intimate that he imagined the Devill gives the Victory in the day of Battell a most Atheisticall and heathenish opinion or else his Conscience told him which he would not confesse that God indeed did help his Servants Yea and a man of quality belonging to the Enemy whose name for some reasons I may not mention professed That his Conscience told him Our Cause was Gods Cause but yet his Honour would not suffer him to take part with us And the Lord Grandison who was sorâ—ly wounded in this fight and under the Chyrurgions hands for cure in Yorke told a friend that visited him That he had received 10. wounds on his body in this Battell One wound for the breach of every Commandement in the Decalogue See here then good Reader if heere be not a cleare assent to that of holy Moses Their Rocke is not as our Rocke even our Enemies being judges But to returne to to the finishing of this Fight The Runawayes with other poore people who attended the Army did grievously plunder our Wagons and other Carriages for the Wagoners Carters c. being affrighted with the flight of our owne Souldiers did leave their charge in the hands of such as love to rob and spoile It was a very sad sight to behold many thousands posting away being amazed with Panick feares Heere just occasion was given us to remember Keynton-battell at Edge-Hill Edge-Hill where the hearts of some were upheld with hopes when others gave up all as lost and that with much despondencie of spirit Upon our coole and recollected thoughts such of us as desired to acknowledg God in all his waies did firmely pitch upon these Conclusions The Lord saw that we are apt to rely upon the arme of flesh and therefore very much humane strength failed us And besides if the whole Army had continued couragious we should
have ascribed the glory of the victory unto man and therefore it pleased the Lord in reference to his owne praise to lessen our strength that so his owne arme might justly be exalted But I say to go on The Enemies being all beaten out of the Field the most noble Earle of Manchester about 11 of the Clock that night did ride about to the Souldiers both Horse and Foot giving them many thankes for the exceeding good service which they had done for the Kingdome And he often earnestly intreated them to give the honour of their Victory unto God alone He also further told them that although he could not possibly that night make provisions for them according to their deserts and necessities yet that he would without faile endeavour their full satisfaction in that kind in the morning betimes The Souldiers unanimously as my Lord had desired and most cheerefully gave God the glory of their deliverance and this great Victory and told his Lordship with much alacrity that though they long fasted and were faint yet they would willingly want three dayes longer rather than give off the Service or leave his Lordship That might we kept the Feild when the Bodies of the dead were stripped and in the morning there was a mortifying object to behold when the naked bodies of thousands lay upon the ground and many were not altogether dead but lay groaning and gasping their last We judged that the number of the slaine was at the least 3000 of the Enemys but the Countrey men who were commanded to bury the dead Corps told us they for certaine buried 4150 bodies and we beleeve as it s most probable they were best able to know the truth by the burying of them Of which 4150 two thirds were assured to be Gentlemen and persons of quality that is almost 2000 which as reverend Master Ash said was the more easily believed by reason of the very white and smoth skinnes of the many dead bodies in the field apparently seene when they were stript And that those of quality slain in this fight might be taken away and have a more honourable buriall than the rest if their friends pleased Sir Charles Lucas was desired as was credibly enformed to goe along to view the corps as they lay spred on the ground and to choose whom he would which he did but would not say whom he knew of them But one gentleman at least that had a bracelet of haire about his wrist he said he knew and desired the bracelet might be taken off saying that an honourable Lady should give thankes for it As he passed along he said in the presence and hearing of many Alas for King CHARLES Vnhappy King CHARLES And we may all most justly say Alas poore ENGLAND Vnhappy ENGLAND to be so miserably rent and torn for the satisfying of impiety folly and wilfullnesse in Papists Prelates and atheisticall Malignants And among the dead men and horses which lay on the Ground we found Prince Ruperts Dog killed which is onely here mentioned by the way because the Princes Dog hath been so much spoken of along time and was more prized by his Master than creatures of much more worth Divers men of good quality were found and knowne to be slaine in the foresaid number as namely The Lord Carey eldest Son to the Earle of Monmouth Colonell Ewers Nephew to the Lord Ewers Colonell Roper brother to the Lord Baltinglasse Sir Wil. Wentworth brother to the Earl of Strafford late Vice-roy of the kingdome of Ireland Sir Francis Dacres neer kinsman to the Lord Dacres Sir William Lambton of an ancient family to the Bishopprick of Durham Colonell Slingsby Son to Sir William Slingâ—by Sir Marmaduke Louddon Sir Thomas Mettom Monnsieur Saint Paula a French Gentleman Sir Richard Gloedhill made knight by the Earl of Newcastle Lieutenant Col. Lisle who heretofore had done good service in Holland Colonell Houghton Son to sir Gilbert Houghton Col. Fenwicke eldest Son to Sir Iohn Fenwicke Col. Prideaux son to BPP Prideaux Lieut. Col. Atkins Lieutenant Colonell to the Marquesse Lieutenant Col. Stonywood a Commander in the late warrs of Ireland Davenant the Poet also a loose liv'd Gentleman and divers others not yet so particularly known but these thus named I had from credible testimony Wee also tooke at least 1500 prisoners of which also many were men of quality and great esteem with the Enemy viz. Sir Charles Lucas Lieutenant Gen. to the Horse Porter Major Gen. to their Foot forces Major Generall Tilliard a very stout and able souldier who came out of Ireland the Lord Gorings Son with divers other Field-Officers Wee tooke all the Enemyes Cannon Ammunition Waggons and Baggage The Earl of Manchester had for his part ten pieces of Ordnance one case of Drakes about 1500 Muskets 40 barrels of powder three tun of great and small bullet 800 Pikes besides Swords Bandileers c. Now it is very admirable to consider and we cannot but admire Cods rare mercy in it how few were slain in the Battell on our side In the Earl of Manchesters Army Captain Walton had his leg shot off with a Cannon bullet and onely Captain Pue a foot Captain was slain and not above six more of our foot that we could find slain and about twenty wounded in the Moore The totall number that we could reckon and find to be slain in all our Armies was at most but between 2 and 300 of which our greatest number was among them who ran away and the carriage-keepers Many of our Souldiers the horsemen especially met with much gold and silver and other Commodities of good worth and indeed they very well deserved such encouragements by their excellent service and brave adventures and therefore as our proverbe is Win gold and wear gold Thus did the Lord put on righteousnesse as a brest-plate and an helmet of Salvation upon his head and he put on the garments of vengeance for cloathing and was clad with zeal as with a cloake And according to their deeds accordingly he did repay fury to his adversaries and recompence to his Enemies Yea surely in this famous battell the Lord seemed to say and sound courage into the hearts of our Souldiers as Nehemiah to his people at the reedifying of Ierusalem when they were molested by wicked Tobiah Sanballet and their accursed complices Be not affraid of them but remember the Lord your God who is great and terrible and fight for your brethren your sons and your daughters your wives and your houses And thus far we have principally made worthy use of reverend and religious Master Ash his unquestionable authentick relation of this most famous fight and most memorable victory with some interlacing I say of some materiall passages which I borrowed from most credible testimony And now although that our foresaid very venerable author and precious pattern by whom I have thus chosen to write hath in
singing of Psalmes A blessed badge and cognizance indeed to be thus distinguisht from their impious Enemies which makes mee to think on that in the Gospell That when the Souldiers who were sent to apprehend our blessed Saviour and hee asking them whom they sought And they answered Jesus of Nazareth And Christ replying I am hee They sayes the Text fell down backward at those words stricken with terrour and amazement And so I say ô the power of godlinesse what reverence and terrour too it strikes into the hearts of profaine and irreligious Wretches Tenthly That before the Battell began as I have it from credible information Prince Rupert that bloody Plunderer would forsooth to seem religious just like a jugling Machivilian have a Sermon preached before him and his army his Chaplain took his Text out of Josuah 22. 22. The words were these The Lord God of gods the Lord God of gods he knoweth and Israel he shall know if it â—e in rebellion 〈…〉 us not this day Now how evident a demonstration from 〈◊〉 was heregiven by the successe of that dayes 〈…〉 enough one would have thought to have 〈◊〉 the most perverse Malignant In so much that God did so 〈…〉 himselfe in deciding the controversie by denying victory and successe to those who being in a false and bloody way had yet implored the Almighty to prosper them according to the justnesse of their Cause Eleventhly and lastly That this so glorious famous and full victory was by our good and mercifull LORD God bestowed upon us as an undoubted return of Prayer wee having but the very Weeke before been pressing the Throne of Grace on ouâ— Monethly Fast-day and publike Humiliation and prayer to the Lord even for this mercy a victory of Yorke â—â—at Yorke and the Lord heard us and granted us the desire of our Soules therein together with the lives and welfare of all our three most noble and renowned Generalls Praised and for ever magnified be the Lord our God for it Upon the immediate next Lords-day succeeding this famous victory all the three renowned Generalls with their whole Armies according to their pious and 〈◊〉 appointment celebrated a Solemn-day of most deserved and obliged Thanksgiving to the Lord and by their messengers to the Parliament who brought the intimation of this great victory desired that a Solemn-day all over the whole Kindome might be also appointed by their Authority and that they might have convenient knowledge thereof that so they likewise might again keep it with the rest of the Kingdome which accordingly was forthwith aâ—â—eâ—ted to by the Parliament and an order presently after printed and published a Copy whereof I have hereunto annexed Die Lunae 8. Julii 1644. IT is this day ordered by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament that Thursday come a seven-night being the eighteenth of this instant July shall be 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 far a day of publique Thankesgiving to be rendred vnto Almighty God for his great blessing and full victory 〈◊〉 Prince Ruperts Army in Yorkeshire to be kept in London and Westminster and all 〈◊〉 parts of the Kingdome Hen. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Coâ— And very shortly after a Committee of the House of Commons was appointed for providing necessary supplies for the Northern-Armies and it was also ordered by the Parliament that the Committee of both Kingdomes should forth with send a letter of thankes to the Earl of Manchester Generall Lesley and the Lord Fairfax for their great courage valour and fidelity expressed against Prince Rupert at the said great fight And yet for all these clear and reall demonstrations of this so absolute and 〈◊〉 a victory give me leave to tell the Reader that it may stand as another everlasting stain upon the Enemies of Truth and Honesty and as an indelible badge of their Atheisme and unheard of 〈◊〉 impiety thus even to mocke God with thanks for what they never received That just as they impudently also did at Keynton or Edgehill victory so now they made bonefires and caused the Bells to be rung in many places in their power and quarters yea and though that very night when they were so beaten out of the Field and so many of them ran into Yorke yet so intolerably impudent were they as so indeed are all Couzening Cormorants Malignants as to make Bonefires and cause ringing of Bells in the City of Yorke for their great victory obtained by Prince Robber that Prince of blood and lyes reporting openly in the streets that Generall Lesley was taken prisoner the Lord Fairfax slain and 14000 prisoners taken but that the Prince was so carefull of the welfare of the City that hee would not bring them thither for feare of oppressing that place with them yea and the next morning early when he fled thence betimes he told them he must abroad to catch more of the stragling Round-heads and would carry all his prisoners and ordnance taken to the King for else he said the Round-heads in the South would not believe he had got the victory O intolerable blasphemy thus to goe about grossely belying their owne consciences to abuse if possibly both God and Man Yea at Newcastle and at Newarke also and especially at Oxford they made great Bonefires with other triumphs by squibs and wilde-fire at Banbury also and Litchfield Exeter Bristol and all other places I say where the accursed Cormorants domineer'd Yea our sottish bewitched Moleâ—y'd Malignants of London also were â—o led along with a spirit of lying like their father the Devill that they mightily boasted of this Robbers vain victory over us the rouring of our whole three Armies the death and imprisonment of all our three most renowned and precious Generalls And thus I say have we seen the festivity of the Royalists 〈◊〉 Wit or the mad rage of the Malignant-Spirits notwithstanding that God gave such an eminent and notorious cheek to their impudence as Venerable Master Vineâ— said in his Sermon of Thankesgiving for this victory In that upon fictious confidence of successe they must needs as you have heard Antedate their Bells and Bonefires Whereas within a few houres there was nothing of the Enemies left in that field but Bag and Baggage Ammunition Ordnance Prisoners and Dead-Karkasses which had indeed 〈◊〉 more if that noble and most renowned Commander Sir Thomas Fairfax who is the honour of the fields he treads upon had not as he rode up and down taken up that sweet Word which Caesar once in such a case used Parcite civibus Spare the poore deluded Countrymâ—n O spare them I pray who are misled and know not what they 〈◊〉 A most excellent and pious Spirit and Speech and most beâ—itting such a valiant and virtuous Commander And thus I say blessed be our God that we see and know their vanity folly and madnesse having nothing to brag of but their own lying inventions For as we have aboundantly heard to
To the Right Honourable Alderman ADAMS Lord Mayor of the most famous and Renowned City of London The Right Worshipfull Sir Iohn Wollaston and Sir Richard Sprignall Together with the Right Worshipfull the Lady Rebecca Wollaston and the Lady Anne Sprignall their most virtuous and truely pious Consorts All my ever most highly honoured good Friends J. V. most Cordially prayeth the Fulnesse of the Kingdome of Grace here and of the Kingdome of Gloâ—y hereâ—fter Right Honoâ—rable Right Worshipfull THe much Christian Courtesie and very many and most constant immerited favours whereof from time to time I and mine have most sweetly tasted from your Honour and Worships But especially the serious observation of the pious and painfull yea even indefatigable Labours of Love for God and his great Cause which not onely I but even the whole Kingdome in generall and this renowned City in speciall have cleerly taken notice of and been most happily sensible of to proceed from your Honour and Worships Et O terque quaterque felicia saecula quae Vos tales Patriae genuere Parentes This double and indissoluble Ligament I say of ever bounden Gratitude hath most deeply engaged me to dedicate and consecrate This third Part of my Parliamentary-Chronicle to your good Honour and Worships as a most true Tessera and Sincere Symbole of that ever obliged observance which together with my poor All I most justly and ingenuously acknowledge to be most due unto you All my ever most highly honoured good Friends in generall and hereby also in a more speciall and peculiar manner to take oportune occasion to give-in my most cordiall congratulation and just and joyful Acclamation for your good Honours happy inauguration unto the most honourable Majorallity of this celebrious and most Renouned City of London which though it may seem to come somewhat too tardily yet I assure your Honour it comes now most cordially and though it cannot speak so loudly as others yet I assure you my good Lord it speaks as lovingly as the best of your good Lordships most devoted Votaries Which therefore together with my best Services hoping your good Honour Worships wil in your accustomed Candor and even connative ingenuity receive with the Heart Hand of courteous and candid Acceptation I shall hereby be still more and more deeply endeered in all my best endeavours especially in my poor Prayers to presse the Thron of Grace that your good Honour and Worships may long flourish as most famous tall-grown Cedars on the tops of the Mountains of this our English-Lebanon inferiour to None of your former famous Predecessours and shall hereby also most obligedly rest Your good Honours and Worships in what he is to be ever Commanded JOHN VICARS To the Courteous and Christian Reader THe continued Encouragements and most aimable approbation Christian and candid Readers which you All especially the truely religious and reverend Divines both of City and Country have given unto me in the former two Parts of this our Parliamentary-Chronicle have set a sharpe edge upon my serious Affections and beene as a Spirit-quickening Spur to stimulate and stir forward my most zealous Resolutions and Endevours to the Continuation of this our Parliamentary-Chronicle and most famous and renowned History to a third Part thereof Wherein as formerly so now I have laboured with all the Discretion care and consciencious Sedulity wherewith I was possibly able to communicate nothing therein but true and innocent Intelligence of all our most famous and important Parliamentary Proceedings in way of rare and reall mercies to this Kingdome in speciall for the space of one entyre 12 Month past Yet herein I must ingenuously confesse I may possibly have missed in some particular circumstantialls either of Manner Time Persons or Numbers considering that they are all for the most part received from severall remote Hands and remote Habitations yet for thy better assurance herein I have according to the wise counsell of a most learned and religious Divine my much honoured good Friend Reverend Master Arrowsmith still taken mine Intelligence as neer as I could from the Lame-post Wherefore I heartily desire thee good Reader with christian candor and ingenuity to connive at and pardon what ever small slips or failings thou mayest peradventure meet with from me herein who faithfully assure thee that I have with my best ability striven in all equitable Sincerity to wrong None but to right All as neer as I could Whereunto if thou vouchsafest courteously to condescend together with the grant of a portion in thy holy prayers for the poor and unworthy Authour I shall justly account all my great paines herein plentifully repayed and for the same most gratefully rest Thine in the Lord John Vicars GODS ARK OVER-TOPPING THE VVORLDS WAVES MOst truly sayes the princely Prophet David They that goe down into the Sea in Ships and that are busied in great Waters These see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the Deep And as truly may I say They that goe forth and lanch into our English-Ocean to use the said holy Prophets Metaphor and keep a little to his Sea-Allegories in the Ship of serious Contemplation and pious Exploration may as easily and admirably see and discover the strange workings of the Lord and the rare wonders which he does in the deep deportments and various vicissitudes of State-affaires in this I say our English-Ocean Upon one side they may see the huge swelling waves the mightie and big billowes of furious floods and raging and roaring waters I mean wicked and ungodly men Atheists Papists Prelates and rotten-hearted Malignants in Citie and Countrey puffing snuffing blowing and beating their braines and vexing their hearts to overtop and overturn to swoop away and swallow-up in the deeply ingurgitating whirpool of their irreconciliable rage and malice the Ark of the Lord his Church and Children principally personated and represented in Both Houses of Parliament and in the happie Assembly of Divines sweetly subservient unto them in the long longed for pure and thorough Reformation of all things amiss in Church and State On the other side they may see the most admirable and indeed unexpressible power and providence the most infinite wisedome and unfathomable mercie of our good God the as prudent as potent Pilot and Moderator of all that his English-Ark bearing it up most safely and securely sustaining and maintaining it maugre all the beatings and billowings the sitly surges and swellings of all those raging and roaring waves and waters and making it still fairly to float and over-top their highest rising and most furious flashing and desperatest dashing waves craggiest penetrating rockes swallowing sands and shelves and mightiest and most malicious puffes and blasts of malignity and mischief all of them conspiring and aspiring with malice pride and impious ambition either to swallow-up or per fas aut nefas to tear in pieces this most honest holy and harmless Ark of God but all
and to inventorie the goods thereof and to let the Danish Commander know that the Parliament would be answerable touching the disposall of them according to their discretion and direction And thereupon the Ship was brought safely to London and there unladen A Copie of the true Inventorie of the fraight and goods wherein I have heer thought fit to insert for the Readers better satisfaction and content as I my self received it from the hands of one of the most eminent and most worthy Members of the Militia in the Citie of London which was as followeth Barrells of Gunpowder 476 Bundles of Match 890 Drums 050 Belly-pieces of armour 150 Swords 3040 Muskets 2977 Pistolls 493 Head-pieces 3000 Round-heads or Clubs 1000 Pikes very good ones 1500 Musket-rests 3000 Forks to fight against horses 0500 Collers of Bandiliers 3000 Belts 1 Hogshead Hangers 1 Hogshead Girdles 2 Hogsheads Hangers 4 Barrells Pistoll-keyes 1 Firkin Flasks 3 Barrells Hangers 1 Barrell Moulds for Muskets 2 Kilderkins Stones for Pistolls 1 Firkin Souch-powder 1 Firkin Cannon-Bullets 197 And pigs of Lead 14. And neer upon the same time a Ship laden with Sea-coales whereof I had unquestionable information from Newcastle and bound for Holland was then also apprehended by the vigilancy of the most noble Earl of Warwicks Ships wherein they found about 3 or 4000li. in money hid deep in the coales which was to have bought armes c. in Holland for the Kings use but thus happily diverted another and a better way And truly Reader there must needs be seen a speciall hand of Gods providence toward us in this Danish prize formentioned for this Ship could not have been seized on in a more seasonable time than as thus it pleased the Lord to dispose it considering the great use the Parliament had at that time of the said armes and ammunition to help to set forth a new armie then making ready to march forth again under the command of that noble and renowned Generall Sir William Waller and especially also the circumstances of that time considered namely the then ill success of our armies in the North under the command of the noble Lord Fairfax and the most unhappie surrender of Bristoll and Exeter also shortly after it to the Kings forces Sir William Wallers unhappie defeat in the West Countrie and the Lord Generalls armie being mouldred and crumbled away and almost quite torn in pieces by sickness and such like casualties as that he was not able to advance and take the field to affront the Kings and Kingdomes enemies untill they could be conveniently recruited and fill'd up and furnisht with men and armes Of all which having most fully made mention in the Conclusion of the Second part of our Parliamentarie Chronicle I shall cease to speak any more thereof And now about this time namely the 6th of August 1643. the Parliament being credibly and comfortably enformed out of Yorkshire that the most noble and renowned Lord Fairfax had in much competent measure recruited his Armie at Hull and got together some troops of horse and companies of foot that so he might the better both increase and strengthen his forces the Parliament sent him many Muskets Carbines Pistolls hookes and piked Clubs viz. Round-heads as they were termed that so his honest Round-heads might with them soundly beat and bang Newcastles Rattle-heads or rather Rotten-headed and hearted Papists and Atheists as not long after by Gods mercy they did by the brave conduct of renowned Sir John Meldrum together with 200 barrells of gunpowder part I say of this Danish prize so happily seized on as aforesaid Much also about the foresaid time there was a generall report and that upon good grounds and reasons all about the Citie of London that there was a purpose if not a plain though private plot at Oxford to work some of the Peeres in Parliament to treat again upon some articles or propositions for a pretended peace and indeed a motion was made as was credibly reported in the House of Lords to set it on foot which was generally much disrelisht and disliked in the Citie of London and began to cause great jealousies and feares among the wisest and best-affected Citizens as they and the whole Kingdome had just cause wee having ever received greatest dammage and detriment by such fained and treacherous treaties Whereupon the most renowned famous and faithfull Citizens of London with an unanimous consent resolved to joyn together as one man in a Petition to the Parliament in the name of the Lord Major Aldermen Commons of London which Petition coming to my hands I have heer thought fit to insert for the Readers better content and satisfaction therein To the Right Honourable the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House in Parliament The humble Petition of the Lord Major Aldermen and Commons of the Citie of London in Common Councell Assembled Sheweth THat your Petitioners having heard that such propositions and offers have been lately sent from the House of Peers to this honourable House which as wee greatly fear if yeelded unto may be destructive to our Religion Lawes and Liberties And finding already by experience that the spirits of all the well-affected partie in the Citie and Counties adjacent that are willing to assist the Parliament both in person and purse are much dejected thereat and the brotherly assistance from Scotland as well as the raising and maintaining of forces our selves thereby likely to be retarded all which the Petitioners refer to your serious consideration and considering our present sad condition lies upon us in a speciall manner through the incensed patience of the Almightie by delay and want of execution of justice upon traitors and Delinquents and having an opportunitie yet afforded us to speak our humble desires are That you would be pleased so to persist in your former resolutions wherupon the people have so depended and wherein yee have so deeply engaged your selves though you should perish in the work that justice may be done upon offenders and delinquents And since wee are as willing as ever to expose what wee are and have for the crowning of so good a cause you would be pleased by passing the Ordinance hereunto annext or one to this effect to put us into a probable way for ours and your defence wherein your Petitioners will by the blessing of God be never wanting But will ever pray c. This Petition being presented Aug. 7. 1643. by the Petitioners aforesaid to the House of Commons was well accepted and thankes returned by Mr Speaker for their care of the Kingdomes welfare with promise that the particulars desired should speedily be taken into consideration and to consider of an Ordinance to the purpose in the Petition mentioned which was referred to a Committee Now this Petition thus exhibited to the Parliament by Alderman Atkins in the name of the Lord Major Aldermen and Commons as aforesaid shortly after
Westminster and the Liberties thereof be forthwith printed and published John Brown Cler. Parl. About which said time and upon this well-grounded encouragement by the aforesaid Ordinance of Parliament the most renowned Citizens of London began to take a more strict and exact care of the welfare of their Citie and by an Order from the Citie-Militia very many persons of dis-affected malignant Citizens were seized on and for want of safe prisons to retain them in custodie they were committed into the enclosures of the walls of St Faiths Church under the superstitious and superfluous fabrick of Pauls great and mountainous Cathedrall and very many others also for want of strong prisons were imprisoned in Ships upon the river Thames and kept safe under hatches with sufficient and constant guards to keep them safe from plotting and practising mischief at home Much also about the same time the Earl of Holland having mostâ—ignobly disloyally by stealth left the Parliament and fled to Oxford about 14 or 16 of his Trunks which had also been surreptitiously conveyed by water up the river Thames in a Barge and bound for Oxford and all of them full fraught and stuft up both with money and other most rich and costly robes and commodities were stayed and seized on and carried back to Windsor-Castle and from thence were conveyed speedily after to London About the 20th of August also 1643. came credible information by Letters from the coasts of Wales that the Fellowship of Bristoll a ship of about 400 tun carrying 24 pieces of Ordnance and the Hart-frigot in companie with it set sail from Bristoll for Miâ—ford-Haven whither being come they summoned the Countie of Pembrook and enformed them for now Bristoll Cavaliers had already learnt from Oxford the exact art of lying as well by Sea as by Land that all the Parliaments forces were quite overthrown and discomfâ—â—ed and that now all the Kingdome repaired apace to his Majestie and that Chaâ—tam Rochester and all Kent were revolted from the Parliament with a great many more of such like false and fictitious inventions which the flashie and ill-affected Gentry of that Countie seemed too easily to give ear unto yet somewhat disliked these Maritime Cavaliers or Cormorants that they should thus sodainly come on shore among them and cast up workes to secure the landing of the Irish Souldiers and rebells as their purpose was among them But whiles this was in doing and the Inhabitants seeing the drift and intention heerin as aforesaid and somewhat unwilling to have it so yet could hardly tell how to help themselves and hinder it The Swallow a brave Ship in the Parliaments service under the command of the right noble and ever to be honoured Earl of Warwick came sodainly into the said harbour and came to anchor neer unto the Fellowship of Bristoll and presently summons the Captain to come on board his Ship who a while insisted on quarter and would capitulate to be set on shore but Captain Smith for so was his name that was Captain of the Swallow utterly refused any termes of quarter and without delay gave him a broad side wherewith he killed 3 or 4 of the Fellowships men whereupon they presently yeelded their Ship and themselves prisoners among whom as was credibly enformed were foure Sea-Captains viz. Captain William Hale Captain Brooks Captain Burley and Captain Barnaby This excellent piece of service was performed by Captain Smith aforesaid a very gallant and religious Gentleman who too well knows the King is unhappie in nothing more than in being too indulgent to the Popish partie about him who seek his ruine under a false and perfidious pretence of his happiness And about the latter end of August aforesaid that right noble and renowned Commander Sir William Waller notwithstanding the malicicus hearts foul mouths and false tongues of inveterate malignants belching and bruiting abroad many disgracefull reports to the contrary thereby to encrease and encourage as much as in them was discontent and distractions among the people obtained from his Excellency the Lord Generall his long desired and much expected Commission for his advance of the important affaires of the Kingdome which was delivered unto him on Saturday August 26th in the honourable House of Commons by Mr Speaker and that with much and universall joy and content and with the generall prayers of the whole House for his prosperous and happie success the fruits and effects whereof wee shall by Gods mercy taste of and declare in Gods due time And whereas also many persons had either ignorantly or maliciously or both given out to disparage this designe that the power of his Commission extended onely to about six or ten miles distance from London the said Commission is for certain of so ample and so large extent that he may conduct his forces into any Countie of the Kingdome as the exigencie of affaires shall necessitate and require And now good Reader let mee desire thee heer again to recollect thy thoughts a little by a gratefull revise and contemplation on all those last past memorable passages and Parliameâ—tarie-Mercies and Merchandizes of this moneths voyage also as First the most happie taking of that rich prize the Danish Ship so fraught with armes and ammunition Secondly the dangerous plot for a pretended Peace discovered and prevented and the most happie and contrary issue it produced in occasioning an Oath and Covenant in the Citie of London to unite and knit them the more firmly and faster together and thereby securing the most dangerous Citie-Malignants in safer custodie Thirdly the apprehending of the Earl of Hollands rich Trunks Fourthly the taking of the Fellowship a brave Bristoll-Ship and the confirming of Sir William Wallers Commission by his Excellencie the Lord Generall for the advancement of that brave Commanders intended great designes And now then tell me good Reader on the brief review of all these memorable mercies were not heer many most fair and prosperous blasts of good success to help to carry on Gods-Ark his holy-cause through the midst of the troublesome and tumultuous Ocean of these the Kingdomes intestine and destructive swelling waves and waters of unnaturally homebred and inbred broyles and bloudy dâ—ssentions like so many devouring whirpools gaping to ingurgitate all into their insatiate maâ—â—es of all-devouring mischief and destruction And on this so sweet and comfortable consideration still to return with enlarged alacrity of spirit all the honour and praise of all these sweet and singular mercies and free favours to God alone who onely does wondrous things for his mercie endures for ever But to goe on in happie progress of the next moneths voyage and adventures About the beginning of September 1643. came certain information by letters from Plimouth to London that one of the members of the House of Commons in Parliament namely Sir Alexander Carew governour of a considerable Island neer Plimouth which commands the Sound there
had proved an apostate and endeavoured secreâ—ly to betray that Island and thereby the brave Town of Plimouth into the hands of the Cornish Cormâ—rants But by Gods great mercie and good providence was timely prevented therein by the fidelity of the Officers in armes and honest Souldiers who upon the first discovery of his perfidious purpose sodainly seized on his person and kept him in safe custodie till he might be sent away to the Parliament to receive just punishment for such a base and perfidious demerit Also about the beginning of September aforesaid came certain intelligence to London by letters from Hull that the said brave strong Maritime Town having been besieged by the Earl of Newcastles Popish and atheisticall armie consisting of about 15000 horse and foot who lying about Cottingham and Newland and those other neer adjacent parts about a mile or two distant from Hull had cast up severall workes against it and planted divers pieces of Ordnance and batteries on them And though they frequently shot against the Town very many 36 pound bullets and other Canon-shot yet by Gods great mercie and good providence did very little or no hurt at all by them yea that on the Lords-dayes when the Inhabitants were at Church serving the Lord their God the bullets came whisling over the Church and flew into their market-place but did no harm save onely to a Malignants-house and chimney in the Town and ever praised be our good God by the most noble and renowned Lord Fairfax his wisdome and valour and martiall circumspection they were still kept at such a distance from the Town that the enemie could not shoot their granadoes into the Town as they desired and vehemently endeavoured but they pitifully spoyled the Country about Hull and especially the Town of Beverly which as soon as they came into they miserably plundred yea and they thought to have done the Town of Hull a terrible mischief by cutting them short of fresh-water but blessed be the Lord the Town felt no great want thereby being very competently furnished with all sorts of provision and sustenance for men Now Newcastle grew exceeding mad and was extremely vexed that he was so hopeless of getting the Town having been formerly so hopefull at least in his high and proud conceits to get it for his Winter-quarters and to be a Sanctuarie for him from the Scots and it was generally reported and that probably enough that he car'd not for the loss of 10000 of his men so he might buâ— get possession of it But by Gods blessing on the most noble Lord Fairfax his valour and vigilancie there is no fear of that strong Town in all probabilitie Yet see how it pleased the Lord it should fall out within the said Town in the time of this Siege which is the thing I mainly intended to mention at this time and in this place namely That about Septemb. the 16th 1643 being Saturday an accident happened at the North-Block-house of the Town the danger whereof had not the Lord marvellously prevented and had it fallen out on the side of the Town where the enemies lay as it did on the most remote â—ide from them had undoubtedly ruined the whole Town For there were at least â—ortie Carthages of Gun-powder sodainly blown up and some granadoes which lay there in the same place and all fired which quickly brake down a great part of that strong Block-house both within and without which breach and loss 't was verily believed could not be repaired with at least 2000li. charge but I say the especiall providence of God heerin appeared in that it was blown up on that side of the Town which lay next to the Sea-side otherwise it would have been a very advantageous opportunitie to the enemies for their more secure assaulting and storming of the Town Besides this was also very remarkable above the rest and in it the hand of God most eminently was seen that it blew open a door in which very room there were fourteen barrells of Gun-powder some with the heads open yet took not fire which had it done it would most certainly have blown up at least the whole house have spoyled some considerable part of the Town But I say by Gods great mercie and admirable providence they were all untoucht and it did no other harm than as aforesaid It was conceived and feared at first that it came by some treacherie but upon diligent search and inquisition 't was clearly found to be done by the carelesness of a Gunner There were foure men killed by it and as many hurt and with this loss the danger ended blessed and praised be the Lord our God for it And now wee shall for a while leave Hull in this besieged posture and condition and speak of some other Parliamentarie-passages worthie our notice and observation About the midst of September 1643 our most prudent and provident Parliamentarie-Senators in their pious and prudent care for the encouragement of Apprentices and young men to be chearfull and forward to assist the Kingdomes great affaires against the common-Adversaries thereof set out an Ordinance of Parliament for the securing of their indempnitie in going forth in service and listing themselves under the command of Sir William Waller in his Expedition As also another Ordinance came forth at the same time for the searching of Trunkes and any other carriages that past out of London And a third also for a Collection to be made for sick and maimed Souldiers All which three said Ordinances of Parliament for the Readers better satisfaction content and delight I have thought fit heer to insert The Copie of an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for the securing those Apprentices from indempnitie that list themselves under the Command of Sir William Waller Die Veneris Septemb. 15. 1643. WHereas in times of common danger and necessitie the interest of private persons ought to give way to the publick It is ordained and declared by the Lords and Commons in Parliament That such Apprentices unto Watermen plying and rowing upon the river of Thames as have been or shall be listed to serve as Souldiers for the defence of the Protestant Religion and libertie of the Kingdome his Majesties royall person the Parliament and the Citie of London under the Command of Sir William Waller Their sureties and such as stand ingaged for them shall be secured against their Masters their Executors and Administrators from all loss and inconveniencies by forfeiture of bonds Covenants infranchisements or otherwise And that after this publick service ended the Masters of such Apprentices shall be commanded and required to receive them again into their service without imposing upon them any punishment loss or prejudice for their absence in the defence of the Common-wealth And the Lords and Commons doe further declare That if it shall appear that the Masters of such Apprentices have received any considerable
loss by the absence of their Apprentices they will take care that reasonable satisfaction shall be made unto them out of the publick stock of the Kingdome according to justice and indifferency H. Elsynge Cler. P. D. Com. An Order of Parliament That all Trunks and Carriages that come out of the Citie be searched at the Courts of Guards c. Die Sabbathi Septemb. 23. 1643. IT is this day ordered by the Commons assembled in Parliament That all Trunks and other Carriages that come out of the Citie to pass the Courts of Guards shall not pass till they be searched by such men as the Committee for the Militia shall depute or by the Courts of Guards And that my Lord Major be desired to give order that no Flâ—x Brimstone or Saltpeter or other things that tend to the making of provisions for warre be permitted to pass these ten dayes either by water or by land unless it be by warrant under the hand of Mr Speaker and that such goods shall be good prizes as shall be so seized And it is left to the Committee for the Militia to reward those that shall so seiz the same out of the said goods and the persons that shall so send any of the said goods as aforesaid shall be secured and tryed by a Councell of warre And this Order is to be printed and published and to be sent to the severall Courts of Guards by the Committee for the Militia Hen. Elsynge Cler. P. D. Com. An Order of Parliament That a Collection be made in all Parish-Churches and Chappels throughout London Westminster for sick and maimed Souldiers c. Die Sabbathi Septemb. 23. 1643. IT is this day Ordered by the Commons assembled in Parliament That on Wednesday next being the day appointed for publick humiliation there shall be a Collection made in all the Parish-Churches in and about the Citie of London and Westminster that are mentioned in the bill of Mortalitie as also in the severall Chappels within the said limits by the Church-Wardens and other Officers of the said Parishes and Chappels for and toward the relief of sick and maimed Souldiers And the moneys by them so collected they are not to detain upon any pretence whatsoever but to make payment thereof at Tallow-Chandlers-Hall neer Dowgate on Fryday next being the 29th of this instant Septemb. 1643. unto Mr William Greenhill Mr John Pocock Mr John Randall and Mr Richard Hutchinson or any two of them Citizens of London appointed to be Treasurers for the receiving and paying of moneys to sick and maimed Souldiers And it is heerby likewise ordered That the Ministers of the said severall Parishes and Chappels shall earnestly perswade the people freely to give and contribute to this so pious charitable and honourable a work in this time of great extremity there being many maimed men heer already and more expected from the Armie for the recovery and cure of whom there is great reason to provide they having so freely and cheerfully hazzarded their lives for the preservation of all our lives and liberties and the true Protestant Religion Hen. Elsynge Cler. P. D. Com. Ordered by the Commons in Parliament That this Ordinance and Order be forthwith printed and published Hen. Elsynge Cler. P. D. Com. And heer also I may not omit justly to enumerate and commemorate the great blessing of the 29th day of this September 1643. as a singular Parliamentarie-mercie and speciall blessing of the Lord our good God both to the most famous and renowned Citie of London in speciall and indeed to the whole Kingdome of England in generall namely the happie continuance of the successfull godly and gracious government of the said most famous Citie by the comfortable and desired choice of that most worthy virtuous and pious patriot and Senator of the said Citie Sir John Wollaston to succeed for the ensuing year in the honourable Majoraltie thereof who was chosen thereunto with a most full fair and unanimous consent and suffrage of the heartie votes and voices of all the numerous company of grave and well-affected Citizens then assembled thereunto in the Guild-Hall of London A rare mercy indeed considering the times for I make no question nay I am most confidently assured out of that intimate and ancient experience which I my-self have most happily had of his singular piety and ingenuity of spirit and sweetness of naturall endowments and approved cordiall affection and constant adherence to the cause of God in the Parliaments proceedings that he will with no less deserved honour and reputation by Gods gracious assistance manage the â—elme of government and steer the Stern of the Ship of the Cities great Ocean and motion of serious and important affaires than his former famous Predecessour did And that also which sweetens this mercie and makes it so much the more remarkably eminent is that his honourable choice also as his pious Predecessours was a happie and holy fruit and return of prayer it being on the very next day after our monethly day of publick humilitation when the Lord had been in particular sought unto for this blessing And for the confirmation in part of what I have thus fairly and faithfully attested of him It pleased the Lord very shortly after his inauguration into his honourable Majoraltie ere he was as the Proverb is hardly warm in the seat of authoritie as aforesaid now to put him even already upon an honourable tryall of his love loyalty to the great cause in present question and agitation and as he was now an eminent Cedar of our Lebanon and but new-now planted on the top of the Cities mountain and so obnoxious to many and mightie blustering blasts of tryall and probation So I say it pleased the Lord to administer an occasion to shew and set forth his loyaltie and fidelitie and that God had enabled him and would so still like a strong well-grown well-grounded Oake to stand fast and most immovable to oppose withstand and break the force of the either violent blasts of malignitie or slie and insinuating breathings of treachery wherewith he now I say was already assaulted from Oxford thus About the first of November then succeeding a Messenger was sent from Oxford with no less than four Proclamations to be delivered to the Lord Major of London all of most pernicious and dangerous consequence and by him and his authoritie to be published and proclamed in the Kings name throughout the Citie of London The first to alter the generall Monethly Wednesday-fast contrary to an act established by King and Parliament and strange and uncouth reasons given for the cause of the alteration thereof one reason being in regard of the horrid and damnable Cessation of armes in Ireland O monsirum infandum informe ingens c. The second Proclamation was to make all money coined in Ireland currant in England The third to command all Counties in the Kingdome to accept such new high Sheriffs as
were prickt at Oxford and to remove the office of Green wax from London to Oxford The fourth to inhibite the administring and taking of the Nationall League and Covenant between England and Scotland of which Proclamation more heerafter in its more proper place But I say this our most worthie wise pious and loyall Lord Major to the glory of God his own just honour the joy of all Gods people and the vexation of all the base malignant spirits in London whose false faithless and graceless hopes in him were now at the first I say most worthily frustrated and blasted by him even in the very bud who no sooner received the said four Proclamations but the presently sent the Messenger and them with a strong guard to the Parliament who took it as a singular and acceptable service from the Lord Major kept the Proclamations and committed the Messenger to Newgate-prison as a Spie for coming from Oxford to London without either their warrant or his Excellencies the Lord Generalls contrary to their late Ordinance of Parliament About the latter end also of the said September 1643. the Parliament taking into serious consideration the great inconveniences which the Kingdome in generall and the Citie of London in speciall were like to feel and finde in the insuing Winter-season by reason of the want of Sea-coal fuell and firing which would fall most heavily upon the poorer sort of people and might cause a mutinie and molestation of the peace of the Citie if not timely prevented and they not therein competently provided for according to that old adagie That hunger and cold will break through stone-walls Therefore upon a Message from the House of Lords in Parliament a Committee also of the House of Commons was appointed to joyn with a Committee of Lords to consult about the prevention of this otherwise inevitable danger and to take order for the felling and cutting of wood for the better supply of the Citie and parts adjacent with firing for the winter season according to an Ordinance of Parliament which both Houses had passed immediately after viz October 2d 1643. and by virtue whereof the said Committee had power to appoint the felling and cutting of such quantitie of wood as they should think fit within sixtie miles of London in all Forests Chases and Parkes belonging to the Kings or Queenes Majesties or out of any other woods groves springs or other land where fellable wood was belonging to any Arch-bishops Bishops Deanes Chapters c. Papists Delinquents or other Malignants against the Parliament and the same to be disposed of for the better supply of the Citie as aforesaid and to be sold at such rates as the said Committee should think fit And now again good Reader be pleased a little heer to re-peruse and review the sweet Parliamentarie-Mercies of this Moneth also First In the timely preservation of Plimouth from a treacherous plot Secondly In the Siege and preservation of Hull from that dangerous casualtie by Gunpowder Thirdly In the three-fold Declaration of the Parliaments pietie and providence Fourthly In the happie election of Sir John Wollaston to be Lord Major of the Citie of London in such a time of so great need of godly and loyall Magistrates Fifthly The dashing that dangerous designe in pieces of the four pernicious Proclamations sent to the said most worthily honoured Lord Major and in the Parliaments so prudent and provident provision of fuell in this Winter-season And then tell mee good Reader whether God did not heerin also most smoothly carry-on his Ark with prosperous gales maugre all the swelling surges of the wicked intentions of its envious adversaries and on the sweet sight and serious consideration thereof to give the Lord onely all the praise and glorie and with holy David to break forth into a holy extasie of rejoycing gratitude and say Blessed be the Lord our God who thus daily loads us with benefits and blessings even the Lord the God of our salvation And now to goe on And heer now I shall begin this moneth of Octobers successfull voyage with a singular act and evidence of our most renowned Parliaments piety and charitie to that most famous Nursery of many succeeding thousands of poor helpless Orphans I mean Christs Hospitall in London The best and most beautifull Flower of my Garden Where and I most heartily bless my good God that I have this happie and fit and fair opportunitie to acknowledge and to let the whole Kingdome know as I am infinitely bound to Gods due glorie and mine own comfort I the unworthy Author of this Parliamentarie-Chronicle have from my tender infancie had my best beeing breeding and education And to which House of Charitie and so consequently to the renowned Citizens of London the pious and provident Patrons thereof next under God I owe my self and my poor All what ever it be both for all my former happie education and present sustentation there in my place and Calling But to leave this brief and gratefull digression which I hope was not altogether impertinent to this place I am sure not to my person and condition and to come to the present business It pleased God I say to put into the hearts of our plous Parliamentarie-Statists to set forth a singular act and order of Parliament for the good of the poor Children of Christs Hospitall in these hard and pinching times that they might have comfortable sustenance and maintenance notwithstanding the great straits and necessities of the Kingdome Which order of Parliament happily coming to my hands I have thought good heer to insert for the Readers betâ—er content and satisfaction which was as followeth Die Lunae Octobris 1643. IT is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament That all the Rents and Revenues belonging to Christs Hospitall which are to be payd for the immediate use and advantage of the Children of the said Hospitall shall be free from the Ordinance of the Twentieth and Fifth part and from all other Taxes or Charges whatsoever And they doe require all Assessors heerby to take notice heerof Provided that the Tenants who injoy good and considerable bargaines in their Leases from the said Hospitall doe claime and enjoy no freedome exemption or advaâ—tage by this Order Joh. Brown Cler. Parliament October the 6th 1643. The House of Commons in Parliament adjourned themselves into severall Committees and one choice Committee of them assembled the same day at a Common Hall in London which was called on purpose to consult with the Citizens for the speedie raising of an 100000li. for the advance of the Scottish Armie unto us for repayment of which summe our Brethren of Scotland undertook as hath been formerly mentioned to bring 21000 men into this Kingdome which said 100000li. was also desired to be borrowed of the Citie upon loan and to be certainly repaid out of moneys procured from forein parts upon the publick Faith of
of Newcastle and Generall King brought down their whole Armie upon us from their head quarter Whereupon wee turned the two last pieces now taken by us upon this bodie of their armie and thereupon they were all instantly forced to a most wretched retreat and to stand at a distance untill wee had sleighted their whole line of approach and then wee brought off nine pieces of Ordnance the Demy-Cannon aforementioned called by some one of the Queenes gods and by others the Queenes Pocket-pistoll which at first we made shift to draw out of danger of the enemies recovery till wee had more leasure toward night to fetch within the walls as afterward wee did and brought them safely within our quarters Now after the enemie perceived they had lost the two brass-pieces which they did imagine wee were not able to draw off their whole bodie of foot with fortie Colours drew themselves as a fresh reserve both horse and foot within Pistoll-shot to our Ragged-Jettie resolving it seemed to fall upon it that night which they did with great fury and violence But it pleased the Lord infinitely to manifest great strength in the weakness of our weary men and as it were to put new spirits into their tyred bodies and after a hot skiâ—mish of about two houres at least wee also having ordered as they perceived two hundred Musqueteers to keep without the Jetty which could not possibly have been done if the enemie had had Ordnance and having put so many resolved men within the said Jetty thus I say at length it pleased the Lord so to order and dispose of things that they all betook themselves to their heeles about midnight and weâ—e driven quite out of the field and forced to retyre quite away to their head-quarter The Marquess of Newcastle himself and Lievtenant King were beholders of the second part of this act and as it was reported King himself was wounded in two severall places Our Ordnance did them a great deal of mischief and if wee had had but a fresh bodie of foot they had been put to a great strait indeed In their retyring their other great-god helpless gods stuck fast in the myre untill all the Country-people were called together to draw her off Among the Captains that deserved well in this service Captain Micklethwait Parsons Bethel and Hardstaff for the horse Captain Clayton the bearer heerof who hath a generall love of all the Souldiers did us singular good service Captain â—almond Captain Sibbalds and Captain Crooker did all of them carry themselves very valiantly I my self had a blow on my side by a slug of cutted-iron shot from the great piece but thanks be to the Lord was not the worse for it but I beleeve had her Majestie known where the shot should have lighted shee would have checkt the Gunner for not charging full home Whilest wee were in this service to increase our comfort we heard the noyse of the great incounter in Lincolnshire whereunto also God hath pleased to give a happie issue whereby wee may perceive that God is certainly upon the stage and that Dagon must down Since the beginning of this my Letter wee understand that Colonell Rainesborow is safe Sir I desire that you will continue your accustomed favour toward Your affectionate friend and servant JOHN MEâ—DRUM From Hull Octob. 14. 1643. And although this virtuous and valourous Commander Sir John Meldrum in his wisedome and humility forbeares to write ought of his own best deservings in that foresaid Service yet I cannot forbear to give the Reader at least one touch thereof attested by the most noble and renowned Lord Generall himself the Lord Fairfax in his Letter to the Speaker of the Parliament which in brief was this That itpleased God to give you my Lords own words by the gallant courage and activitie of Sir John Meldrum and the spirit and valour of the other Commanders and Officers that all which the Souldiers had got and lost at the first assault forementioned by their sodain fear and retreat was totally recovered again and that with advantage too and the whole victory in the Conclusion And now having formerly toucht upon the mention of that famous fight and most glorious victory which our good God graciously conferred upon that as virtuous as valiant Generall the noble Earl of Manchester against the Popish and atheisticall forces of Newcastle in Lincolnshire under their Papisticall Commander the Lord Widrington and Generall Henderson at Horn-Castle I shall now in the next place give the. Reader a most exact and full and fair account thereof also in all the materiall and substantiall passages of it especially for the just advancement of the honour of the Lord our God and the great comfort of all that wish the welfare and prosperitie of our Jerusalem About the 10th of October 1643. my Lord of Manchester having had notice when he was at Linne of a great force of horse and Dragooneers come into Lincolnshire under the command of Generall Henderson and that upon the retreat of Sir Thomas Fairfax and Colonell Cromwell from about Lowth they were much heightned with confidence of success when ever they could draw-out forces to an engâ—gement The want of foot and Dragooneers made Sir Thomas Fairfax and Colonell Cromwell very unwilling to fight with them till they had acquainted my Lord and tryed what supplies he could afford them and withall his Lordship was assured if he could draw any forces toward Balenbrook-Castle the enemy was so confident of his own strength that he would bring down all his force to fight with him Upon these grounds my Lord drew all his forces both horse and foot from Linne save onely one troop of horse and six companies of foot which he left for the guard of that Town with Colonell Walton whom he made Lievtenant-Governour Thus upon the Munday my Lord drew out all his foot out of Boston ten Companies he laid in Bolenbrook-Town under the command of Major Knight Serjeant Major to Sir Miles Hobart Colonell Russells Regiment was quartered at Strickford within a mile of them and my Lords own being but three Companies the rest being sent to Hull and left at Linne at Stickney and the horse were all quartered in the Townes round about at eight and ten miles distance Upon this Munday at night Major Knight summoned the Castle of Bolenbrook in my Lord of Mâ—nchesters name but was answered That his bug-bear words must not winne Castles nor should make them quit the place that night our men took in a little house on the right hand between the Castle and the Church and resolved the next night to endeavour to break-open the Church-doores and there to mount a Morter-piece and thence fire the Castle The enemie had notice on the fryday following that my Lord was coming or come into those parts and thereupon drew out all their horse and Dragooners from their severall Garrisons at Lincoln Newark and Gainsborow with a
bold resolution to finde him out and fight with him Upon Tuesday those of the Castle kill'd one or two of our men and as Major Knight and Quarter-master Generall Vermeyden were viewing of it made some shot at them and one of them hit the said Quarter-master Generall a little below the ancle but pierced not the skin onely bruis'd his leg That afternoon my Lord of Manchester came himself to Kirkby which is within a mile of Bolenbrook with Colonell Cromwell where also my Lord Willoughby met him and Sir Thomas Fairfax was then at Horn-Castle about five miles off one of his Regiments having the watch at Edlingston about three miles farther but neerer to the enemie My Lord had not been long there before he received a Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax that an allarm was given to some of our Quarters and that himself had sent out some horse to discover what it might be and would immediately give him a farther account which he did by another Letter about an houre after the partie being returned and could get no information of any enemy neer but conceived it to be a mistake However Sir Thomas resolved to stay there untill the evening and then to come to Kirkby to my Lord. My Lord conceived it fit and so did all those that were with him to give the allarm to all his quarters and to appoint Horn-Castle to be the Allarm-place and then to goe himself immediately thither to Sir Thomas Fairfax and when all their men were thus drawn together to take farther resolutions and so immediately with my Lo. Willoughby and some Officers with him he took horse for Horn-Castle Sir Thomas Fairfax in the mean time getting no intelligence of the enemies approach came away toward Kirkby to my Lord. Before my Lord had reached Horn-Castle the allarm came to him in good earnest that the enemie was fallen into our quarters and was marching toward Horn-Castle Coming neerer the Town he could hear great shouting and noyse which he conceived to be the enemies triumph having beaten our men out of the Town but it proved otherwise for some of our men falling upon the enemies forlorn-hopes though but part of two troopes seeing themselves desperately engaged resolved to put the best face on it and fell upon them with crying and shouting which did exceedingly amaze the enemie and gave our men the easier passage through the midst of them Now my Lord finding the enemie come into his quarters before he could have any certain information where he was and the allarm-place possessed by the enemie he appointed Kirkby and Bolenbrook-hill for all his men to repair unto and accordingly sent word to all the quarters whither all our men came but that night except three troopes that were directed to Stickney and three or four troopes that went by the way of Tottershall and came not in till next morning Many of our troopes came to Horn-Castle according to the first orders but finding the enemie there came away without any loss at all or very little The enemie had fallen into our quarters at Thimbleby and some Townes thereabout where three or foure of our troopes were in a manner surprized but finding themselves ingaged gave so good testimony and proof of their courage and resolution that the enemie had little or no cause to brag of that nights work which being of so memorable consequence I have thought fit briefly heer to relate which was thus Captain Johnson Captain Samuel Moody and Captain Player were three of the commanders of these troopes which the enemie had thus almost surprized in their quarters and were afterward also environed about by the enemie who had gotten between them and the bodie of their horse so that they were forced to break through two bodies of the enemies horse of at least a thousand horse in each body but with admirable courage and resolution they with their troopes charged the enemy crying all of them as before they had agreed among themselves with a shout and loud voyce Come on come on all is our own all is our own which so amazed the enemie expecting some ambuscado that these three troopes brake thorow the first bodie and so thorow the second doing great execution yet lost but three men After that they hasting toward the Town of Horncastle where they thought the Earl of Mâ—nchester was about a mile before they came at the Town they discovered another partie of the enemies horse Heer they discreetly agreed to goe soberly toward them every man making answer to him that asked any question nothing but Friends friends all friends as if they had been of the enemies troopes and were going upon some design it being yet dark therefore when the enemies called to them Who is there the other all answered Friends friends and so they passed but as soon as they were past and thought themselves secure they turned faces about and asked the enemie Who are you for They answered for the King Then said they Wee are for the King and Parliament and charging the enemy fled toward Horncastle and the enemy pursuing followed them to the Town-side there being no forces in the Town on either side but they in the Town had with carts and timber barracadoed the passages into the Town so that by this meanes there was some loss in the troopes being thus unexpectedly put to their shifts but the loss was but little a Cornet and some few others and they brought half a douzen of prisoners with them Which could not but manifest a most evident hand of God in so great a preservation But to proceed All that night wee were drawing our horse to the appointed rendevouz And the next morning being Wednesday my Lord gave order that the whole force both horse and foot should be drawn up to Bolenbrook-hill where he would expect the enemie being the onely convenient ground to fight with him But Colonell Cromwell was no way satisfied that wee should fight our horse being extremely wearied with hard duty two or three dayes together The enemy also drew that morning their whole body of horse and Dragooneers into the field being 74 Colours of horse and 21 Colours of Dragooneers in all 95 Colours Wee had not many more than half so many Colours of horse and Dragooneers but I believe wee had as many men besides our foot which indeed could not be drawn up untill it was very late The enemies word was Cavendish and ours was Religion I beleeve that as wee had no notice of the enemies coming toward us so they had as little of our preparation to fight with them It was about twelve of the clock ere our horse and Dragooneers were drawn up after that wee marched about a mile nearer the enemie and then wee began to descry him by little and little coming toward us But untill this time wee did not know wee should fight but so soon as our men had
knowledge of the enemies coming they were very full of joy and resolution thinking it a great mercie that they should now fight with him Our men went on in severall bodies singing Psalmes Quarter-master Generall Vermeyden with five troopes had the forlorn-hope and Colonell Cromwell the Van assisted with other of my Lords troopes and seconded by Sir Thomas Fairfax Both armies met about Ixbie if I mistake not the Townes name both they and wee had drawn up our Dragooneers and gave the first charge and then the horse fell in Colonell Cromwell fell with brave resolution upon the enemie immediately after their Dragooneers had given him the first volley yet they were so nimble as that within half pistoll-shot they gave him another his horse was killed under him at the first charge and fell down upon him and as he rose up he was knockt down again by the Gentleman that charged him who 't was conceived was Sir Ingram Hopton but afterward he recovered a poor horse in a Souldiers hand and bravely mounted himself again Truly this first charge was so home-given and performed with so much admirable courage resolution by our troops that the enemie stood not another but were driven back upon their own body which was to have seconded them and at last put them into a plain disorder and thus in less than half an houres fight they were all quite routed and forced to run for their lives though they were two for one and as soon as our men perceived them to shrinke they fiercely charged within them all and then I say they ran for it leaving all their Dragooneers which were now on foot behind them Thus our men pursued them and did execution upon them about five or six miles all the way being strewed with broken armes dead men and horses And heer I may not omit to make mention of the rare courage and valour of that most noble Commander Sir Thomas Fairfax who when they first viewed the enemie and saw great odds in their number was so much the more inflamed with godly courage and resolution saying Come let us fall on I never prospered better than when I fought against the enemie three or four to one One hundred of their men to avoid the furie of our men were drowned many were wounded and in one gravell pit above an 100 were hid some there breathing their last breath others less wounded my Lord of Manchester most mercifully gave order that care should be taken of them all And heer it must not be forgotten that some with mortall wounds upon them cryed out The Commission of Aray the Commission of Aray brought us hither full sore against our wills wee were as true servants to the Parliament and our Religion and liberties as any in England and woe to those that were the cause that Lincoln and Yorkshire became a prey to the enemie wee die as true friends to the Parliament as any Two hundred horse were found left in the Castle their riders being all fled many hundreds fled into the waters up to the arme-holes they that lay slain in the high wayes were very many and divers of qualitie for there were brave bodies stript naked Sir George Bowles was slain and Sir Ingram Hopton Colonell Shelley was taken prisoner among those taken out of the water and Colonell Ayres the number of horse taken in all were about 2000 of prisoners about 1000 and as many slain of armes 1500 and not 100 of the enemies 't was verily believed to be found in a body of 94 Standards 35 were taken Wee lost very few of our men none of note wee hardly found above one officer hurt and that was Colonell Cromwells Captain-Lievtenant Our foot were not drawn up to the place where the fight was untill after the fight and chase was over Horse and foot though very weary marched on toward Horncastle where my Lord lay that night with all the foot his horse being sent to their old quarters in the Townes adjoyning And truly both Officers and Souldiers did their dutie that day singularly well and bravely my Lord himself also took wonderfull paines in bringing the business to this foresaid pass in drawing up all the foot to have relieved the horse in case they had been put to straits and had needed it But God himself did all taking away the enemies hearts and giving resolution and courage to our men to him therefore be all the honour and glory of this famous victorie Now whiles these things were thus in agitation the noble Lord Fairfax had a Letter brought unto him which was intercepted written by that ignoble Popish Lord Widrington the then present Governour of Lincoln in which Letter writing to his great Lord the Marquess of Newcastle he confirmes by his own confession the truth of this great victorie Another Letter was also intercepted written by Generall Hinderson also to the Governour of Newark The former Letter enforming Newcastle that the loss of all Lincolnshire and Yorkshire too was in a great hazard especially if he were forced to quit Hulls siege too and in his said Letter also certifying the loss of divers of their prime Commanders for certain slain in the foresaid battail Hindersons Letter also importing a pitifull complaint of his loss in the said fight and assuring the Governour of Newark that since the fight he was not able to rally or get together hardly 400 men of all his former great and numerous forces And that which addes extraordinarie lustre to the honour of our wonder-working God and which I may not heer by any meanes omit It pleased the Lord by his admirable providence so to order it that both this great victorie at Horncastle and that brave victorie also obtained by the most renowned Lord Fairfax at Hull under the command of that most worthy and expert Commander Sir John Meldrum were bestowed by the Lord our God upon his people and Parliament upon one and the same day namely Wednesday October 11 1643. And now to goe on About the 16th of October 1643. came Letters from Gloucester to London with most credible intelligence that the truly valiant and magnanimous Commander Colonell Massie that ever to be honoured and renowned Governour and by Gods wonderfull assistance maintainer of Gloucester having true intelligence that about a regiment of the Kings Welch forces were come to Tewksbery intending to fortifie and quarter themselves there and to make that Town winter-Garrison This noble and most vigilant Colonell being very desirous to be rid of such unfriendly and unruly neighbours speedily and privately drew forth a considerable partie of horse and foot from Gloucester and marched with them to Tewksbery where he sodainly and resolutely fell upon the enemie slew above 30 of them took many prisoners and forced the rest to flie for their lives some of whom were in that their hastie flight drowned in the river Severn He also took
farther and enjoyning them not to ayd his two Houses of Parliament which he said were in actuall rebellion against him c. But praised for ever be our good God by whose gracious providence their hearts were most wisely and resolutely established not to be dasht and daunted therein but they utterly refused to yeeld to either of his demands and commands in both the Letters and sent his Majestie an answer suteable to their Christian dutie and the nature also of such a Message and command and so went on most religiously and resolvedly in the just and warrantable work they had so advisedly undertaken But now to goe on in the manifesting as I promised and setting forth in order the progress of the great work at home by our adversaries designes against the Citie of London and therein the whole Kingdome in that their forementioned grand plot to starve up the Citie by taking from them all the neighbour Countries succours and supplements of all kindes and thus at last hoping to bring it low and according to that old Proverb If you will tame a wanton Colt take away his provender and tame it and make it stoop to their most untaimed wilde and wicked tyranny but yet how our most wise and righteous God crost and confounded this their wicked work and devillish designe And now in the first place I must tell you how the most noble and victorious Earl of Manchester being in Lincolnshire prosecuting his successfull and victorious enterprises in those parts as hath been formerly and fully related having intelligence that the Oxonian-Cormorants were entred into Bedfordshire with purpose to make an inroad into the rest of the associated Eastern-Counties whereof he was made Commander in chief under his Excellencie the Lord Generall His Lordship therefore held it not fit to leave them without relief against such plundering and all-devouring Cormorants and greedie unwelcome guests and was therefore necessitated to grant such a composition to the Lord Widrington Colonell Henderson c. then in the Citie of Lincoln as otherwise he would not that thus he might hasten to the preservation of those his foresaid Counties and so having gotten this Citie as hath been forementioned he presently sent away renowned and victorious Colonell Cromwell with a considerable part of his forces toward Huntington to interrupt the Cormorants pernicious intentions in those parts and about Cambridge but his Excellencie the Parliaments renowned Lord Generall being then at St Albanes with his armie presently sent Messengers to countermaund the brave Colonells resolutions and required him to return again to my Lord of Manchester and to prosecute those intended Services in the North assuring him that by Gods assistance he would take speciall care that the associated Counties should receive no prejudice by the Kings Cormorants which he most nobly made good and accordingly performed For presently after it his Lordship sent a considerable strong partie of horse and foot toward Newport-Pannell against those greedie Cormorants who hearing of their certain and speedie approach made all the haste they were able to flie away from thence for fear of being intrapped in a nooz whereby on a sodain those parts were already fairly and fully cleared from fear of them both at Newport and Bedford too And heerby also Colonell Cromwell being returned to the noble Earl of Manchester his great and noble designes in those parts went on again most successfully and thus by Gods speciall providence and great mercie the Kings Cormorants were doubly disappointed of their late high-built hopes and pernicious purposes For by their intended fortifying of Newport they hoped to have establisht one main branch of the foresaid swelling designe to have starved up the Citie by thus encroaching by degrees into the Eastern-associated Counties and also by their thus coming and nestling by little and little in them they strongly hoped to have drawn and diverted the Earl of Manchester quite out of Lincolnshire and so to have taken him off from the pursuite of his victories in those parts But his Excellencie as I said before most nobly clipt the wing of that high-soaring hope of theirs by marching into those parts to expell the enemie out of them and so the safelier to secure them Thus I say the Lord our good God doubly blest us against this devillish designe of theirs blasting it in the bud stifling it in the birth and very beginning of it and making it abortive to them and giving us great assurance thereby of yet more hopefull advantages as by Gods blessing wee shall have fit and fair opportunities to mention them in their severall succeeding and proper places And now good Reader let mee desire thee heer to make a little stay to strike sail and cast thine anchor of serious recogitation and summarie contemplation into the deep Ocean of all this Moneths many and most rich mercies and Parliamentarie preservations of this Ark of Gods Cause First In the Lords stirring up of the hearts of our Parliamentarie-Worthies to remember the welfare of the poor children of Christs Hospitall and also raising up the affections of the Citizens of London to seal their holy League and Covenant with a large and liberall contributed loan of a great summe of money for our brethren of Scotlands advance unto our help In the most noble Lord Fairfaxes brave victorie against the Earl of Newcastle at Hull and thereby raising the siege thereof In the right noble and victorious Earl of Manchesters renowned victories over the Popish and atheisticall forces in Lincolnshire at Bolenbrook and Horncastle Famous Colonell Massies good service at Tewksbery and that also by the Parliaments Garrison at Warwick-Castle against the Kings forces at Cambden In the Ordinance of Parliament against Spies and intelligencers and farther famous prosecution of the most noble Earl of Manchesters victories in the gaining of the Citie of Lincoln and strong Town of Gainesborough And lastly In the most happie frustrating and defeating of the enemies deep and dangerous designe to starve the Citie of London and so to enforce the conquest of it and in Gods crossing that other great designe of our Oxonian Achitophells to have hindred our honest Brethren of Scotlands resolution to advance forward to our assistance All these rare mercies I say layd together and seriously considered O how can wee choose but be extraordinarily elevated to a high pitch and peg of obliged gratitude to our great and glorious God who hath so powerfully and prudently propped up and protected his thus poor menaced and assaulted Ark securely bearing it up above all the raging and swelling waves and boysterous billowes of fierce and furious adversaries beating and brushing against it with their utmost envie and most malevolent oppositions And therefore I say with holy David to break forth into insulting and triumphant joy in the Lord and say Our hearts are fixed O God our hearts are fixed wee will sing and give praise
Awake up our glorie awake Psalterie and Harp and let us all awake right early thus to blesse and magnifie the Lord. For through our God wee shall doe valiantly and it is he that shall tread down our enemies under our feet But now to goe on About the beginning of this November our most prudent Parliamentarie Statists wisely considering and most circumspectly advising on the inveterate malice and mischievous designes of the Oxonian Atheists against the Parliament and Cities of London and Westminster as hath been foreshewn they therefore past an Ordinance of Parliament wherein they declared that they held it most fit and necessary for the better setling and securing of the state of this distracted and much dilacerated Kingdome that all such Committees as were then nominated in the said Ordinance all Colonells Captaines and other Officers and well-affected persons inhabitants of the Counties of Hampshire the Town and Countie of Southampton Surrey Sussex and Kent shall and may associate themselves and mutually ayd succour support and assist one another in the mutuall defence and preservation of themselves from the inroades and outrages of the Kings Cormâ—rants and have power thereby given them to raise forces of horse and foot to suppress and expell all such forces as are or shall be raised in the said severall Counties to levie war against the Parliament or that shall make any insurrections or shall plunder or destroy any of his Majesties good subjects in those Counties And the Lord Generall the Earl of Eâ—â—ex was thereby desired to grant a Commission to that most valiant and renowned Commander Sir William Waller to command in chief as Serjeant Major Generall of all such forces raised in the said Counties the happie and successfull issues of which said association you shall now shortly have in their succeeding proper places And that the world might see and all Malignants mouthes be stopt if it were possible to doe it the godly and Christian care of this most renowned and pious Parliament not onely at home but abroad also providing for the welfare of forein English Plantations our most prudent and provident Parliamentarie Senators set forth an Ordinance of Parliament whereby that most noble renowned loyall and pious patriot Robert Earl of Warwick was made Governour in chief and Lord high Admirall of all those Islands and Plantations inhabited planted or belonging to any of his Majesties the King of Englands Subjects within the bounds and upon the coasts of America which said Ordinance for the Readers better satisfaction and full content therein I have thought fit heer to insert and interlace An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT Die Jovis Novemb. 2. 1643. VVHereas many thousands of the natives and good Subjects of this Kingdome of England through the oppression of the Prelates and other ill affected Ministers and Officers of State have of late yeeres to their great griefe and miserable hardship been inforced to transplant themselves and their families into severall Islands and other remote and desolate parts of the West-Indies and having there through exceeding great labour and industry with the blessing of God obtained for themselves and their families some competent and convenient meanes of maintenance and subsistance so that they are now in a reasonable well setled and peaceable condition But fearing lest the outragious malice of Papists and other ill-affected persons should reach unto them in their poor and low but as yet peaceable condition and having been informed that there hath been lately procured from His Majesty severall grants under the great Seale for erecting some new Governours and Commanders amongst the said Planters in their aforementioned Plantations Whereupon the said Planters Adventurers Owners of Land in the said forein Plantations have preferred their Petition unto this present Parliament that for the better securing of them and their present Estates there obtained through so much extreame labour and difficulty they might have some such Governours and government as should be approved of and confirmed by the authoritie of both Houses of Parliament Which Petition of theirs the Lords and Commons having taken into consideration and finding it of great importance both to the safety and preservation of the aforesaid Natives and Subjects of this Kingdome as well from all forain invasions and oppressions as from their own intestine distractions and disturbances as also much tending to the honour and advantage of His Majesties Dominions have though fit and doe heerby constitute and ordaine Robert Earle of Warwick Governour in chiefe and Lord high Admirall of all those Islands and other Plantations inhabited planted or belonging to any His Majesties the King of Englands Subjects or which hereafter may be inhabited planted or belonging to them within the bounds and upon the coasts of America And for the more effectuall speedier and easier transaction of this so weighty and important a businesse which concernes the well-being and preservation of so many of the distressed Natives of this and other His Majesties Dominions The Lords and Commons have thought fit that Philip Earle of Pembrook Edward Earl of Manchester William Viscount Say and Seale Philip Lord Wharton John Lord Roberts Members of the House of Peeres Sir Gilbert Gerard Knight and Baronet Sir Arthur Haselrigg Baronet Sir Henry Vane junior Knight Sir Benjamin Rudyer Knight John Pym Oliver Cromwell Dennis Bond Myles Corbet Cornelius Holland Samuel Vassall John Rolls and William Spurstow Esquires Members of the House of Commons shall be Commissioners to joyn in ayd and assistance with the said Earl of Warwick chief Governour and Admirall of the said Plantations which chief Governour together with the said Commissioners or any four of them shall heerby â—avâ— power and authority to provide for order and dispose all things which they shall from time to time finde most fit and advantageous to the well-governing securing strengthning and preserving of the said Plantations and chiefly to the preservation and advancement of the true Protestant Religion amongst the said planters inhabitants and the further enlargement and spreading of the Gospel of Christ amongst those that yet remain there in great and miserable blindnesse and ignorance And for the better advancement of this so great a work It is heerby further ordained by the said Lords and Commons That the aforesaid Governour and Commissioners shall heerby have power and authority upon all weighty important occasions which may concern the good and safety of the aforesaid Planters to call unto their advice and assistance therein any other of the aforesaid Planters Owners of Land or Inhabitants of the said Islands and Plantations which shall then be within twenty miles of the place where the said Commissioners shall then be and shall have power and authority to send for view and make use of all such Records Books and Papers which doe or may concern any of the said Plantations And because the well-setling and establishing of such Officers and Governours as
of War how prejudiciall this was like to prove to his designes he heerupon led on his misled animals to Namptwich hoping to get abroad what he prudently foresaw he was like to loose neer home but being come to Namptwich he found that that Garrison gave him his hands and his belly full ere Sir William Brereton who most providently watching his motions was on his march toward them could come to their relief Which also this nimble gallant perceiving he quickly retreats toward Wem and with his whole armie consisting of about 4000 horse and foot fell desperately upon that small strength which Colonell Midleton and Colonell Mitton had there who contrary to his good Lordships expectation did most bravely maintain the fight untill renowned active and indefatigable Sir William Brereton was come againe from Namptwich to their rescue assistance who being now all together did such execution upon the enemie that it with the particular circumstances of Gods admirable providence therein deserve to be perpetuated to all posteritie in those parts The particulars whereof being so memorable I have heer thought fit for the Readers better satisfaction and more full content to set down as they came from singular good hands which were as follow 1. That whiles wee quartered at Drayton as wee were on our March to assist Sir Thomas Midleton and the rest when there came with all possible speed upon us no less as was credibly reported than a 1000 horse from Shrewshery to have surprized us in our quarteâ—s they were all repelled and beaten back again by onely a partie of thirtie or fortie horse and Dragooneers commanded by Captain Munck there being divers of them slain and the rest pursued by our horse many miles toward Shrewsbery at which time some of Major Bromhalls men were taken prisoneâ—s some slain and some wounded and one Geâ—rge Cook a very valiant man of Sir William Breretons own troop was slain and one Peter Anlet another of them taken prisoner but afterward redeemed 2. That wee were not interrupted in our march to Wem all the next day nor disquieted or disturbed there during six or seven dayes untill wee had made some works of defence which though they were then but sleight and weak yet were of some encouragement and advantage to our men 3. That when they had made mightie preparation to hinder us in our fortification at Wem and that notwithstanding all the forces they could make united into a bodie which were said to consist of three or foure thousand which quartered within three or foure miles of Wem yet that they should and did receive interruption by two or three Companies of our Dragooneers who were quartered at Lappington a little village about two miles from Wem who hearing of the enemies approach betook themselves to the protection of the Church and Churchyard which they did most valiantly maintain a long time untill by the multitudes of the enemies encompassing them they were enforced to betake themselves onely to the Church where they behaved themselves so valiantly as that their enemies could not take the Church untill they fired the porch roof of the Church which were covered with shingles by which meanes some of our men were almost suffocated and stifled so as they were constrained to deliver up themselves prisoners though wee speedily rescued many of them Our Souldiers then wounded were Major Spotswood and Captain Daughtie since reported to be dead and one other Captain wounded and their Cannonier wounded or slain and their whole armie was repulsed by less than 200 foot and 300 horse of ours who hasted from Wem to the relief of our men in the Church so soon as they heard the enemies Cannon play and our horse pursued and routed them so as they left one of their Cannons within our power but by reason of the darknesse of the night wee knew not thereof nor could we see to pursue them the lanes being narrow and hedges thick They took Major Bromhall prisoner and we took Master Needham the Lord Vicount Kilmurreys sonne prisoner If they had then come on to Wem they had found the Town very weak and naked and much less able in respect of the workes to make resistance and defence than when they did make their violent assault upon tuesday and wednesday 17. and 18. October 4. That betwixt the first and second assault at which time they were much more encouraged by the increase of their strength from Litchfield Dudley Worcester and some from the Kings armie and when their forces were all united and in readinesse The Lord in his wisdome and goodness was pleased so to order as that there were many interruptions and diversions which occasioned their delay as want of cariages and steering their course toward us and assaulting Namptwich on purpose to withdraw the Cheshire forces out of Wem during which intermission wee made good use of our time in Wem to perfect the workes 5. That when they all came against Namptwich upon Munday October 16. they were so confident of surprizing the same as that the Lord Capell as it is reported returned backe all the Chester horse which were tendered unto him and coming to his assistance returning this answer That he had strength sufficient to take Namptwich to which end he did speedily and that before notice was given of his approach seize upon and possesse himselfe of Acton Church and Dartford house and attempted to force their passage by the way of Beame-bridge but by the valour of those few men who were left in the Town they were repulsed from passing the water not without the losse of divers of their men Foure whereof were found dead in the ditch those that attempted to undermine the walls in the darknesse of the night were taken prisoners and this night and the next morning there were neer forty prisoners taken besides many horses and armes and many of their men run away And upon the newes of our approach to their reliefe they sent away their carriages and marched after them with speed towards Wem This was the fift time they did come before and attempt this poore Town of Namptwich which the Lord hath miraculously preserved and defended and returned them alwayes backe with shame and dishonour 6. That whilst the Cheshire Souldiers continued in Wem which were about 500 Musketteers besides horse the enemy did forbeare to make any attempt against the Town but were repulsed and beaten off with great loss by a far lesse number than the third part of those who were commanded out of the Town and gone to relieve Namptwich as though the Lord judged all too many and preferred rather to deliver them by Gideons three hundred to whom the whole glory of this deliverance is to be attributed and ascribed 7. The unparalleld magnanimity resolution and dexterity of those young Souldiers who were not in any service except some of them in that skirmish at Lappington before they were ingaged in this
siege at Wem whose courageous spirits were so supported and transported beyond themselves as did much admire and daunt the enemie there being no such thing expressed as any desire or willingnesse to entertain or embrace the motion of a parley or treaty with the enemy seeming all to be as of one mind resolved to fight and stand it out to the last man 8. The great slaughter and execution which was performed upon the enemy when they set upon Wem there being six cart loads of dead men carried away at one time besides the wounded and as it is said there were fifteen found buried in one grave neer the Town-workes and divers were seen dead and stripped lying upon the ground the next day And that little execution which was done upon our men whereof we lost not above three in the Town Major Marrow and one Souldier and one boy and we had very few others hurt 9. The qualitie of the persons slain or wounded even such as were most eminent or considerable Col. Win certainly slain his Major Vaughan wounded in the ribs one of Winters Captainâ— shot in the back Captain Davison taken prisoner since dead Captain Francis Manley shot in the leg Captain Ellis of Oswestray wounded some say slain Captain Jones slain as some say Colonell Scriven slightly wounded Sir Richard Willis Major Trercon and Major Braughton wounded as some report the certainty I cannot affirme their Cannoneer shot in the leg Captain Chapman taken prisoner who was Captain Lievtenant to Colonell Woodhouse exchanged for Captain Zanchie Captain Lievtenant Smith a Papist who was Captain Lievtenant to Sir Rich Willis Colonell Scrivens Captain Lievtenant taken prisoner a Gentleman of good quality shot in the back at Leighi-bridge 10. The various circumstances of admiration which happened during the fight wherein the Lords hand is much to be acknowledged First One of their great Cannons or Morter-pieces or both as it is reported brake with the first shot sure I am that part of the carriages of one or both of them was broken and left in the lane Secondly The mighty execution which our Cannon did upon the enemies whereas their Cannon and Morterpiece though discharged did no execution at all having as it should seem no commission from heaven to touch any of those that fought the Lords battail Thirdly A Cannon discharged in the night by Col. Mittons order intended to give Sir William Brereton and his Souldiers who were marching warning that the Town was not taken and onely levelled at one of the enemies fires as some report dismounted one of the enemies Cannons wounded their Cannoneer in the knee or leg Fourthly A barrell of powder was blown up which burned or wounded 15 of their men whereof 12 dyed Fifthly The confessions and acknowledgements which the Lord extorted out of the mouthes of some dying men as it is reported of Colonell Winter that he should reply to some who were lamenting their misfortune to be repulsed by a few that there were more with them in the Town than against them for God was with them and divers other expressions to the like purpose Sixthly Others confidently report that one of their Cannons taking fire twice or thrice yet could they not procure the same to be discharged wherewith they were much amazed and did draw off their pieces and retreated All this I thought fit heer thus particularly to relate as a just and rare monument of Gods power and providence in thus taking the proud and self-conceited wickedly wise ones of this world in their own accursed craftiness and still as hath been clearly seen and shewen all along in this narration making good and ratifying to the full that of the holy Prophet David an excellent place appliable most fitly to the vain and prophane enemies of Gods truth in these our dayes Surely men of low degree are vanity and men of high degree are a lie to be laid in the ballance they are altogether lighter than vanity Trust not therefore in oppression and become not vain in robberie But to goe on About the 14th of this instant November came credible information by letters to London from the most noble Earl of Manchesters forces in and about Lincâ—lnshire that about 4000 of the said renowned Earles horse being then quartered about Newark had dâ—iven away most of the cattle bâ—asts sheep and horses from about all those parts unto Bostâ—n and Lincoln thus to shorten and necessitate the garrison in Newark of provision And that the Lord Willoughbie of Parrhaâ— had taken Bullingbrook-castle from the Newcastellian Cormorants As also that brave and most valiant Commander Sir Thomas Fairfax with about 12 troopes of horse was now gone into the West-Riding of York-shire where a partie of the never-sufficiently praised Manchesterians and other loyall Lanca-shire forces appointed to meet him for the farther advancement of some great designe in those parts and for the further terrour of the Popish and atheisticall Newcastellian forces whose formerly reputed formidable and flourishing armie was at that time as was most credibly and frequently enformed in a very tottering torn and declining condition for that upon the mustering thereof hee could hardly bring together 7 or 8000 horse and foot into a complete body And therefore no wonder that he had sent so many Letters to Oxford one whereof was for certain intercepted by the Parliaments forces whereby he signified that unless his Majestie did move with his Armie very speedily that way to his assistance all the Northern parts would be totally lost especially also because he found the gentrie of Yorkshire much discontented and most unwilling to march out of their own County which indeed was a rare mercie also and a great overture of things there by the good providence of our God thus ordering it And for the farther confirmation heerof about the 16th of November 1643. came certain intelligence to London by Letters out of the remoter Northern parts that above an hundred Gentlemen and substantiall Freeholders well mounted were gone out of Northumberland into Scotland and had listed themselves under one Colonell Welden a Northumberland Gentleman to come in with the Scots and that the generalitie of the people of those parts were even impatient till our brethren of Scotland were come in among them their burthens having been so intolerable by reason of the Popish armie and their so insolent carriages over them that they now longed exceedingly to be eased thereof Yea and that divers other Gentlemen in other Northern Counties had declared themselves some privately and some publikely that they would now no longer assist the King especially in regard of that horrible and accursed Cessation which he had made with the most abominâ—bly bloudy rogues and rebells of Ireland The Gentlemen that then did lay down their armes in a publike manner were as was credibly enformed Sir Edward Hussey Mr Sutton Sir Philip Therold with divers others of like quality as then in discretion forborn to be
before were a nominating fit persons to be presented to his Majestie to be entrusted with the places of strength within the Kingdome But for further observations upon this Commission and the probability of the truth thereof for works in tenebris must come to light by circumstances be pleased to read the Booke entituled The Mystery of Iniquitie where this Commission is at large set down and you will finde Endymion Porter had the great Seal of Scotland in his custody when the Commission to begin the Rebellion in Ireland was sealed as he had the great Seal of England in custody when the Commission to make a Cessation with those bloudy Rebells called by his Majestie Subjects was sealed But see now as was touched before how the most wise God graciously ordered the effects of all these most wicked plots to fall out exceeding contrary to the wicked hopes and aymes of the Jesuiticall incendiaries and Atheisticall projectors of them turning their counsell into folly and blasting these their high or rather hellish hopes even at the first springing and sprouting of them into execution witness I say that forementioned example thereof in the Irish Souldiers transported out of Ireland to Bristoll yea and that of one Arundell Master of Pendennis-Castle in the West who as it was credibly informed by Letters to London discharged two pieces of Ordnance against two ships fraughted with Irish-Rebells notwithstanding that they produced the Kings Warrant for their landing there and that he also sent a Poste to Oxford to know his Majesties pleasure signifying withall that if they landed the Gentrie of all those parts would forsake the King Witness also that remarkable piece of State-policie and providence whereunto our most prudent Parliamentary Worthies were now at last inevitably necessitated to have recourse by this most odious Cessation and divers other such like destructive designes of the Oxonian adversaries of the Kingdome I mean the establishment and setting on foot a New-broad Seal of England to be resident in the Parliament a piece of great and high concernment for the better advancing and forwarding of the future great and waightie affaires of the Kingdome A Copie of which Declaration and Ordinance of Parliament I have heer thought fit for the Readers better content and satisfaction to insert verbatim as it was printed and published by order of Parliament Novemb. 11. 1643. A Declaration and Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT Touching the Great Seal of England WHereas the Great Seal of England which by the Laws of this Realm ought to attend the Parliament being the Supreme Court of Justice and Judicature within this Realm for the dispatch of the great and weighty affaires of the Common-wealth which is especially interessed and concerned therein was above a yeer last past that is to say the two and twentieth day of May An. 1642. by the then Lord-Keeper thereof Edward Lord Littleton then a Member and Speaker of the House of Peers in Parliament contrary to the great trust in him reposed and duty of his place secretly and perfidiously conveyed away from the Parliament into the Kings Army raised against the Parliament the said Lord-Keeper departing therewith into the said Army without the leave or privity of the said House By means whereof great mischiefs and inconveniences have ensued to this Kingdom and the Kingdom of Ireland And whereas the said Great Seal ought constantly to remain in the hands and custody of one or more Officer or Officers sworn for that service and to be used and imployed for the weal and safety of His Majesties People which notwithstanding hath been divers times sithence the conveying away thereof as aforesaid put into the hands of other persons not sworn and Popishly and dangerously affected who have had the disposing and managing thereof at their own wills and pleasures and hath been trayterously and perniciously abused to the ruine and destruction of the Parliament and Kingdom by granting and issuing out divers illegall Commissions of Array and â—other unlawfull Commissions for raising of Forces against the Parliament by issuing out of most foul and scandalous Papers under the Name and Title of Proclamations against both Houses of Parliament and divers Members thereof and others adhering to them and proclaming them Traytors and Rebells Commissions of Oyer and Terminer to proceed against divers of them as Traytors and other Commissions to seize and confiscate their Estates for no other cause but for doing their duties and services to the Common-wealth as likewise by granting that horrid Commission for executing of that most bloudy and detestable designe of Waller Tomkins and others for the destruction of the Parliament and Citie of London and of the Army raised for their just defence and as if Massacres and Assasinations had been but light and veniall crimes another Commission hath been granted under the same Seale for a Cessation of Armes with the barbarous and bloudy Rebels in Ireland after the effusion of so much innocent bloud and slaughter of above one hundred thousand Protestants Men Women and Children by their mercilesse and bloudy hands whereupon a Cessation of Armes is accordingly concluded and those brutish Rebels thereby imboldned to prepare themselves not onely for a totall Extirpation of the Protestants remaining there but for a Conquest also of this Kingdome And further by granting of severall Commissions and Offices of Trust and Command to notorious Papists who by the Laws and Statutes of this Râ—alm are made uncapable thereof and by conferring of Honours and Dignities and granting of Lands and Estates to divers exorbitant Delinquents who stand legally impeached of high Treason and other high Crimes and misdemeanours in Parliament All which and many other unlawfull and enormous Acts have passed under the said Great Seale since the removall thereof from the Parliament as aforesaid Which the Lords and Commons taking into their consideration and finding all wayes and means obstructed for the procuring of any redresse from his Majestie in the Premisses notwithstanding their long hopes and uncessant Labours for the obtaining thereof are bound in duty and of necessitie to provide some speedy Remedy for these insupportable mischiefes BE it therefore Declared and Ordained by the said Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament that as well all and every the said acts formerly mentioned which have passed under the said Great Seal as also all Letters Patents and Grants of any Lands Goods or Estates of any person or persons whatsoever for adhering to the Parliament all Compositions or Grants of any Wardships or Leases of any Wards Lands Liveries Primer seizins Ouster le maines since the said 22. of May 1642. which have not according to the due course of Law passed through the Court of Wards and Liveries established by Law All grants since the said 22. of May 1642. of any Honours Dignities Mannors Lands Hereditaments or other thing whatsoever to any person or persons which have voluntarily contributed or shall voluntarily contribute
any Aid or Assistance to the maintenance of that unnaturall War raised against the Parliament And all pardons granted to any such person or persons And all other Acts or things whatsoever contrary to or in derogation of the Proceedings of both or either of the Houses of Parliament which have passed under the said Great Seal since the removall thereof from the Parliament shall be and are heerby declared to be utterly Invalid void and of none effect to all intents and purposes And that all and every act or thing which after the publication of this Ordinance shall passe by or under the said Great Seal or under any Great Seal of England other than what is heerby appointed and established shall be utterly voyd frustrate and of no effect and every person or persons which shall put the same in use or shall claime any thing thereby shall be held and adjudged a publique Enemy of this State And be it further Ordained by the said Lords and Commons that a great Seal of England already by them made and provided shall be forthwith put in use and shall be and is hereby authorized and established to be of like force power and validity to all intents and purposes as any Great Seal of England hath been or ought to be And that it shall be put into the hands and custody of the persons hereafter named who are heerby Ordained Commissioners for that purpose that is to say John Earl of Rutland and Oliver Earl of Bullingbrooke Members of the House of Peers and Oliver St Johns Esquire His Majesties Solicitor Generall John Wilde Sergeant at Law Samuel Brown and Edmund Prideaux Esquires Members of the House of Commons which said persons or any three or more of them whereof one Member or more of the Lords House also one Member or more of the House of Commons shall be present shall have and are heerby Authorized to have the Keeping Ordering and disposing thereof as also all such and the like Power and Authoritie as any Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper or Commissioner of the Great Seal for the time being hath had used or ought to have Ordered by the Commons in Parliament that this Declaration Touching the Great Seal be forthwith printed and published H Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. And for the more legall and authentick proceeding heerin the Parliament swore a new Clerk of the Crown Mr Willis the late Clerk of the Crown and Mr Augar his deputy having absented themselves who as soon as he was sworn according to the Act for a trienniall Parliament did swear those Commissioners of the Great Seal as that act doth direct every Lord Keeper or Commissioners of the Great Seal to swear when they enter upon the custody of the Seal Thus prudently and providently was this business of so great weight and consequence carried And now to proceed Although it pleased the Lord that that most noble and renowned Commander Sir William Waller had not that success at Basing-House in Hampshire by reason of the most impregnable strength of the baracadoes and fortifications in and about it which was expected and bravely endeavoured Yet about the midle of this November wee had credible information by Letters from thence that before Sir William had drawn his foot forces from before the said Basing-House and voluntarily raised that Siege Sir William having certain intelligence of the arrivall of the Lord Saulton a Scotish Popish Lord on Sussex coasts who had been in France to promove the Popish designes in England and was now landed and making for Oxford but was happily met with about Newbery by the troopes of horse sent out by Sir William to way-lay him where they apprehended him and about ten or twelve horse with him together with a summe of about 4000 li in money as was most credibly enformed with whom also were found Letters of great importance and concernment who with his Letters was forthwith safely sent up to London to the Parliament to be secured in safe custody by them About the 20th of November 1643. a Letter was sent to the honourable House of Commons in Parliament and directed to the honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the said House concerning a great fight at Mount Stamford neer Plimouth at which fight though the said Fort was lost to the enemie yet in regard of the brave defence of it and the singular good event which notwithstanding the loss thereof it produced I have heer most justly thought fit to insert the relation of it as a rare Parliamentarie-Mercie as it was sent in a Letter I say to the Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament together with the Copie of a Vow and Covenant which the Deputie Lievtenants Commanders Townsmen and Souldiers took to live and die in the defence of the Town of Plimouth which were as followeth The Copie of a Letter sent from the Commander in chief of the Town and Port of Plimouth to the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons concerning the great fight at Mount Stamford SIR SInce my last unto you of the 28th of October 1643. the enemie hath pressed hard upon us against Mount Stamford workes with their great Ordnance and began to play against the same on the Sabbath day last being the 5th of November hoping by that means to perform what the hellish plot of the Popish-Gunpowder-Treason should have done They played so hard against it all that day with batteries and it being not any way made to endure the same that some of our Guns they dismounted and some clogged with earth which fell upon them so as wee could not make use of any of them in so much that on the morrow they surrounded the Worke fell on with all their strength of Horse and Foot upon all quarters yet the chiefe Commander of the Fort behaved himselfe so bravely that three times he forced them to retreat and could wee have got any indifferent reliefe over the Water in any reasonable time wee had kept the Fort. Yet neverthelesse the Enemy sent a Parley three times before the Captain would accept of it Then conditions were made That all Souldiers should march away with their Armes flying Colours and Bullet in their mouths and that the Captain should have any one piece of Ordnance away that he would make choice of The Enemy lost foure or five Captaines before the Fort besides divers other Officers and many Souldiers Wee lost at that time no Officer of note onely one Lievtenant killed with a great shot and divers Souldiers taken prisoners which were all exchanged the next day for some of their own men that we had formerly taken I beleeve they will not brag much of their victory by getting that Worke for wee are now better and in more safety in the Towne than before For wee were forced to keepe a Leager there and continually to relieve them so that our men were forced to very hard duty to keepe all the
that Postern-gate but about 200 of them were taken prisoners and much ammunition and armes besides many fat beeves sheep and other provision which was then provided for the next dayes Market with good store of other pillage and the Souldiers who before had resolved to be in no Drapers debt for new-cloathes borrowed as much cloath as would serve their turn of other kinde neighbour Cormorants who at the first word gave them no deniall therein and thus by the time that they had made a diligent search through the whole Town for their enemies which were left behinde they got much other fraight for their vessells and sent home also a good quantitie of hay and provender with their other prizes to welcome home brave Captain Sydenham with his horse who was then likewise gone Eastward from Pool to Winborn to demand that Town also but his main purpose was to keep the Warham alarm from them at Winborn and so to farther Captain Layes design which as aforesaid he bravely effected and returned safely to Pool About the 28th of this November also it pleased our good God so to order and dispose of things by the wisdome and providence of our ever to be honoured Worthies in Parliament that the most noble and renowned pious and valiant Earl of Warwick was by an unanimous consent of both Houses voted to be Lord high Admirall of England an honourable title fit to be invested on so honourable trustie and noble a personage and indeed I cannot exactly say whether the title more honours him or he the title but this I am sure of the title is most like to be more honoured and the Kingdome the better secured by him whose actions are and ever have been most like himself honourable pious and faithfull Much also about the aforesaid time came credible information by severall Letters to London out of Warwickshire that Serjeant Major Bridges Governour of Warwick Castle had sent our severall parties of horse from the Castle at severall times which brought in from within two miles of Banburie out of the Lord Sayes grounds at lest a 1000 sheep which the Banbury garrison had stoln from the poore inhabitants of the Countries and places adjacent And also that they had surprized an hundred horse of the enemies taken a Serjeant Major and some other Officers and to the great comfort and content of the Inhabitants of Gloucestershire had lighted upon an high Sheriff commonly called the Task-Master Generall who had layd many heavie impositions and taxes upon the Country-people of those parts making their lives grievous unto them Also that understanding that a company of ragged Welch-vermine were come into Worcestershire and intended to nestle and fortifie themselves in Caughton-House belonging to Sir Robert Throgmorton a great Papist the said brave Governour sent thither about 80 Musketteers who speedily possessed themselves of the House fortified it very strongly and since that sent fifty horse thither beside to make the said House a more strong and complete garrison for part of his Souldiers the better to free and secure those parts from the plunderings and rapines of the enemies forces And certainly had all the Parliament Commanders been as faithfull courageous and active as this most valiant Commander was and as the ever to be renowned Colonell Massie governour of Gloucester Colonell Wardlow governour of Plimouth and the governour of Pool valiantly to watch and lay hold on advantages as these have done from time to time the enemie had been in a lower estate and condition than now they are and wee might have put a more speedie period to this warre But wee must most wisely ascribe the event of all things to the all-disposing hand of our most wise God who thus orders it giving over some to cowardize and others to treachery that so he may the more weaâ— us from relying too much on the arme of flesh and cause us to trust more unto and to see far more in the Creator than in any creature-props and 〈…〉 About the 30th also of this foresaid November came certain information to London by Letters out of Cheshire that Sir William Brereton that most famous and successfull pious Patriot and Sir Thomas Midleton that most loyall and valiant Commander went on very successfully in those parts and that after they had taken Holâ—-Castle the draw-bridge over the river Dee Harden-Castle and the Town of Rexham by which meanes they made stop of all provisions out of Wales going to the relief of Chester Sir Thomas Midleton went out with a partie into Flintshire and that the Town and Castle of Flint presently were surrendred unto him and after that that the Town and Fort of Mostin and foure pieces of Ordnance in it were also surrendred to him whereby they garrison'd their men in all the Townes about Chester the Country coming in unto them as also many Gentlemen of note and qualitie and that with very much freeness About the foresaid time also our most renowned Parliamentary Statists passed an Ordinance of Parliament for the better encouraging of all Merchants Masters of Ships Mariners and others to be approved of and appointed thereunto by the most noble Earl of Warwick Lord high Admirall of England that should set forth any ships or pinnaces to Sea waâ—likely appointed equipped and manned at their own proper cost and charges that in recompence of the same and their adventures therein they should have and enjoy to their own proper uses all such ships ammunition goods moneys and Merchandiazes which they took or surprized by sea or by land intended or designed against the Parliament and their adherents in this Kingdome or for the relief of the rebells in the Kingdome of Ireland or that had carried or whom they should take carrying any supplies to the intents aforesaid And also that so much money should be paid to them or their assignes by the Treasurer of the Navie for the time being as should enable them respectively to victuall their ships and pinnaces for so many moneths as they shall employ them at Sea in this service accounting twenty â—â—lings to each man for moneths victualls and not exceeding forty 〈◊〉 to every hundred tuâ—â—s burthen of their respective 〈…〉 every voyage Thus wee 〈…〉 and mercy of our good God to counsell 〈…〉 our most honoured Worthies to 〈…〉 fare of the Kingdome both by sea and by land ever magnified and praised be his holy and great Name for it And thus having by Gods providence and gracious assistance carried on the historicall Narration of Gods Ark even the holy Cause of our pious Parliament in all this Moneths victorious Voyage and having now thus happily arrived to the end thereof I shall heer now desire the godly Reader to give me leave a little while to cast anchor and to make a short stay of recapitulation of and profitable rumination on the rare and rich mercies of this Moneths voyage thereby to see what holy merchantlike
and the holy Ghost being there found were zealously confounded and turned as they deserved into base rubbish And as the work went on the wife of one Dr Blessenden a Prebend of that Church came in very devoutly and cryed out Oh hold your hands I pray what hurt do these images spoyl not such a fair and beautifull Church and when shee saw a man strike at the image of Christ lying in a manger shee screekt out as was credibly enformed to her Popish husband who thereupon came into the Cathedrall and according to accursed custome no doubt began to plead for Baal those Popish images telling them that were there of the lawfulness of them from the Cherubims in the Temple But whiles he was must seriously and sottishly disputing thus with some godly Ministers then present to assist the Commissioners he grew very sick of this dispute and was fain to give way to the work which went on most fervently After his departure they fell upon 7 large images of the Virgin Mary pictured in the window over the steps going into the Quire all which were in severall as glorious shapes as paint and Art could make them with Angells lifting her up to heaven with these inscriptions Gaude Maria Sponsa Dei c. And under her feet were placed the Sun Moon Starres and in the bottome of that window this inscription In laudem honorem beatissimae Virginis c. And heer now there came in a Petty-Canon and shot off his pety-canon or his fools bolt told them they exceeded their Commission but they soon sent him away with a flea in his ear and a mote in his eye much vext and perplext to see his Demi-gods Semi-Saints so coursly handled After this they came to a most gorgeous and idolatrous image of Thomas Becket forsooth that arch-traytor to the King which they also instantly defaced and demolisht and so went on most zealously and religiously in ruinating and turning into rubbish all those monuments of idolatrie in that Cathedrall blessed be the Lord for it December also the 20th 1643. came certain intelligence by letters from Hull to London that those two right valiant and magnanimous Commanders Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir John Meldrum about noone time of the day assisted by some men by water sent unto them by the most noble Lord Fairfax from Hull sodainly and successfully stormed the Town of Gainesborough in Lincolnshire took therein 500 armes store of other ammunition together with 260 prisoners common-Souldiers besides the Lord Caworth Col. Saint-George the then Governour of the said Town also Lievtenant Colonell Royalston Major Hern and Major Chappell 16 Captains 2 Lievtenants 2 Ensignes and other inferiour Officers Another brave gale of winde indeed besides that of Alton lately mentioned to fill the sailes of our floating-Ark and make it sail on the more chearfully through the boysterous billowes of the Kingdoms intestine broyles praised for ever be the Lord of hosts for it And heer good Reader give mee leave to tell thee and to desire thee to take serious note and observation of it That ever since that accursed Cessation in Ireland with those most barbarous and inhumanely bloudy Rogues and Rebells and the Kings so tender respect unto them as to terme them his Catholick Subjects and contrariwise the Parliament but a pretended Parliament and them and all their loyall adherents traytors and rebells the righteous God of Heaven hath never prospered any design of moment which his Majestie or his accursed Cormorants have taken in hand but still they have been most unsuccessful and put to the worst every way and every where For besides the many marveilous forementioned victories which God hath most graciously given to the Parliaments partie ever since that so odious unreasonable cessation which have been in their proper places before related Now also about the 20th or 22th of this instant came certain information by Letters and other indubitable intelligence from Northampton to London that pious and valiant Serjeant Major Skippon with a partie of the most renowned Citizens of London who for their admirable valour fidelity and constancy to the Common-wealth and for the maintenance of the true Religion preservation of the known Lawes indeed and liberties of this Kingdome especially now in these modern times when the Kingdome has most need of them are no whit inferiour to the most famous ancient conquering Romanâ—s being and returning successfull and victorious where soever they be together with a partie of the valiant victorious Northampton forces also had most courageously stormed Grafton-House a place of great strength and consequence being also the Queenes own jâ—yuter and after much hard service and many most furious assaults made upon it they having also sent a partie at the same time to face Tociter that so they might prevent all relief from coming to Grafton at last most victoriously obtained the same and took prisoners therein Col. Sir John Digbie a rank noted and most active Papist and brother to that arch-traytor and incendiarie George Lord Digbie Col. Sir Edward Longervile and 5 Colonells more above 300 common-souldiers 600 armes 6 piece of Ordnance 80 brave horse besides many brave sadle-horse together with many other rich things of great worth and estimation which were all left for plunder to the valiant Souldiers and which they had and divided among themselves most merrily This brave victory together with that at Alton could not choose but be a singular encouragement to our other London trained-bands and auxiliaries who now about the 23th of this instant December were designed by an Ordinance of Parliament enabling the Militia of London thereunto to send forth such regiments of horse and foot as they should think fit for the farther relief and supply of Sir William Waller and about this time they did accordingly send forth the White and Yellow Regiments of the â—ained hands auxiliaries in the roome of those who had lately returned home as you heard before By which Ordinance of Parliament the City Militia had also power given them to recall the same forces at their pleasure and to proceed against such as refused to goe out according to their votes and the Ordinance of the Militia either by fine or imprisonment as seemed fit to them And that the brave and undaunted spirited Citizen and successfull Commander Colonell Richard Brown was by the said Ordinance appointed to be Serjeant Major Generall of the said Citie-forces And much about this time there fell out another remarkable passage much to his Majesties dishonour since his still persisting in his unnaturall disaffection to his loyall Subjects and iâ—religious affection to the Irish-Rogues and Rebells viz. That the Marquess of Newcastle plotted and contrived by one Colonell Dacre to have corrupted and undermined the valiant and most loyall governour of Nottingham-Castle Colonell Hutchinson to betray the said Castle and Town into the
December the 16. 1643. Thus wee see what wayes these irreligious and perfidious Court-Cormorants take to devour and destroy all in their Harpeian-reach and to compass this wicked designe by such base dishonourable aymes and meanes just as that ravenous Prince Ruperts or rather Prince Robbers underhand dealings to betray Bristoll The Earl of Crafords base agreement with loyall Capt. Sydenham to betray Pool C. R. to a writing to betray Aylesbery George Lord Digbie subscribed in a Letter to Sir John Hotham to betray Hull and this most unworthy endeavour to have basely obtained this Town and Castle of Nottingham In all which we may most apparently perceive and see our good and gracious great and glorious wonder-working God our most mercifull Shepherd of his Israel who never slumbers nor sleeps but is most wise and watchfull over us for good even then when wee least deserve or desire the same but now to goe on About the 24th of this instant came certain intelligence by Letters from Leicester to London that about an 140 of the Newark and Belvoir Cormorants went into Rutlandshire to plunder and pillage the Country where they took many kine sheep and horses from the Country people which being timely made known to Colonell Waight who most valiantly kept and commanded Burleigh-house upon the edge of that Countie with a competent garrison for the Parliament he issued out of the said House with but about 60 valiant choice men and marched toward them to Strozby-Heath where about he overtook them and sent a trumpet to sound them a challenge but they having more mind to be gone with their prey than to stay and fight went on theâ—â—with Whereupon this valiant Colonell with his resolute Comrades fell courageously on them and so necessitated them either to fight or die and at the very first encounter which was very hot for the time Allen his Capt. Lievtenant so bravely charged them that he mortally wounded Capt. Plunket the vilest villain among all the Cormorants of Bever or Belvoir-Castle or Newark either and one mentioned in the Kings Proclamation in the beginning of this Parliament for a notorious Irish Rebell but now it seem'd come over to fight for the Protestant religion and who was heer made their chief Commander in this robbing designe who immediately dyed of the said wound Colonell Lucas also was sorely cut over the face with a sword and had not his horse been better than himself he had been at that time taken prisoner And upon a second charge Colonell Waight so bravely bestirr'd himself with his valiant associates that though he had his horse shot under him and his Lievtenant shot in the thigh yet they carried it on so resolutely that his enemies betook themselves to their heeles and ran away in the pursuite of whom even to Belvoir or Bever-Castle they slew divers of them took about 60 of their horse 46 prisoners many armes recovered the greatest part of the prey from them wounded many of those that fled and all this without the loss of any one man of theirs and but three wounded About the 26th day following 36 of those prisoners were brought into the Town of Leicester that they might be safelier there kept than at Burleigh-House After this victory thus by Gods mercie obtained the noble Colonell so ordered the business with his Souldiers that all the stoln cattell recovered from the robbing enemies were restored to their proper owners again A most just and laudable act in him and most worthy to be imitated by all the Commanders that fight on the Parliaments side in defence of our Religion propertie and liberties About the 28th of this instant Decemb. came also certain newes from Plymouth that the Kings Cormorants who had long besieged that Town but by Gods admirable providence and protection had been prevented of their pernicious purposes against it had now at last a speciall designe upon it namely to storm it about the 23th of this instant at night whereof their prudent and valiant Governour Colonell Wardlaw having timely intelligence he caused all such persons as were able to bear armes in the Town to stand upon their guard and also drew forth the greatest part of his forces that night who most industriously and undauntedly cast up a sconce against the enemies trenches and in the morning sent out a partie upon the forlorn hope who skirmishing a while with the enemies began to retreat whereupon the enemy supposing they had none to second them followed them close till at last the rest of the Governours forces appeared for their relief and after a very fierce encounter between both parties Plymouth-men being then off from their workes and with remarkable courage enforced their enemies to a very hastie retreat from the Town slew at least an 100 of them in this assault with the loss of not above 16 of their own men and made them heerby quite relinquish the Siege leaving behinde them about 660 of their sick and maimed Souldiers to our mercy which was far greater than their malice and mischief deserved of us who were not able to be conveyed away nor so much as to crawle out of their trenches And upon the day of their deserting this siege departure out of their trenches one Thomas Basset the enemies Major Generall called to one of Plymouth Officers in their workes and bidding them farewell told them that he verily thought God fought against them and said moreover That if he could be convinced that he was not in the right he would hang himself at his door ere he would take up armes in this quarrell on the Kings part Heer yet yee may see was some ingenuity in a seduced Malignant And this was avouched for most true in the Narration of Plymouths siege published by authority of Parliament pag. 13. Thus I say they left the siege and departed some to Plympton others to Modbery and the rest to Tavestock But in their retreat they most wickedly maliciously swept that part of the Country about the Town of all sorts of provisions that possibly they could get within their reach and knowledge not leaving a sheep swine or cowe behind them and to express the depth of this their diabolicall rage and malice they burnt all the hay and corn thereabout thus utterly undoing many poor people who had nothing els to live upon And heer I may not omit one most memorable print of Gods admirable providence to Plymouth in the time of this their long and strait siege but must with all bounden praises to the Lord gladly make mention of it to stirre up others also to help to magnifie and admire the name of our good and gracious Lord God therein which was this That after the Town had been a long time strictly besieged and no fresh victuall either flesh or fish could be had it having pleased God also that the Ships which had long time been sent
made some great shot against the House which caused a parley while the parley was some shot was made from the House which hurt or killed two of Coventrymen Whereupon they left parling and instantly fell to battering the House whereby they kill'd divers of them within and forcibly made their way into the House took about 80 prisoners some horse and all the plunder of the House so returned safely to Coventry Shortly after they issued out again under the command of Colonell Boswell and marched to Bewley-House which was one Mr Sheldens being a very strong hold on the edge of Warwickshire but in the County of Worcester which the enemy had strongly fortified But in brief Coventry forces forced their passage and surprized it and the whole garrison and much wealth and rich pillage therein and all the Irish-Rogues whom they found there they put to the sword and victoriously returned safely home again Much also about the same time namely the beginning of this instant Ianuarie 1643. it pleased the Lord the great and glorious searcher of hearts and discoverer of the most secret and deepest designes of the most politick and pernicious enemies of his Church and children to bless our Kingdome and Parliament in the timely revelation of a very dangerous plot and conspiracie under a pretence of Propositions for peace forâ—ooth to which end there was a new Cross-Petition contrived under a colour of accommodating the differences between the King and the Parliament but thereby in very deed to destroy the Parliament by dividing the City of London from it and by such a combustion to prevent the coming in of the Scots to the ayd and assistance of the Kingdome and Parliament Now the parties who were prime promoters and machinators of this plot were Colonell Read a Jesuiticall Papist and a great Commander in the Rebellion in Ireland and a prisoner to the Parliament but released and then residing at Oxford Sir Basill Brook a notorious Papist also and personally acting also in that Irish-rebellion and a prisoner to the Parliament and who to make his aboad at London the firmer and more immoveable contrived as I was credibly enformed to have an Execution for debt layd upon him that thus without suspect or molestation he might actuate at London in the plot One Mr Violet or rather stinking Varlet a most malignant Goldsmith or rather a Projector in that trade And one Mr Riley a Citizen of London Scout-Master Generall for the Citie of London who had the name and reputation of an honest religious man but in the issue of this discourse will be found to appear either a very simple fool or a notorious hypocrite and down-right deep dissembler The place of meeting was at the three-Cranes in the Vintrie and at The Man in the Moon The way and manner of contrivance thereof was first that Mr Riley being in much credit in the Citie must be a means to get this Irish-Rebell Read out of prison by whose meanes for the better effecting of their plot he being at liberty an address was easily made to my Lord Generall that one Captain Read a poor old man taken by the Earl of Manchesters forces tonight be exchanged for one that was a Quarter-Master for the Parliaments armie and then in prison at Oxford and was a Scout of Mr Rileys Now my Lord Generall relyed so much on the supposed integrity of Mr Riley that he forthwith granted his Exchange and the Rebell-Read was thereby presently released But before this Read departed out of the City He Mr Riley and Sir Basill Brook had conference together about this designe and it was agreed that Colonell Read should direct his letters to Mr Riley by the name of The Man in the Moon and that one Mr Wood should be the Messenger between London and Oxford This Wood being an apprentice of London living then in the Stocks Read being come to Oxford propounds the designe to his Majestie who instantly called to advise with him the Queen the Lord Digbie a proclaimed traytor and the Dutchess of Buckingham the Arch-Prelate of Canterburies convert forsooth wife to the great Irish-Rebell the Earl of Antrim then at Oxford His Majestie with these rebells and traytors contrived what they should propound to the City to beget Propositions for Peace just such an intended peace as Bynions should have been and thereupon they concluded to write to the City that his Majesty was resolved to maintain the Protestant Religion and that in as ample manner as the Irish-rebells and atheisticall traytors thus admitted to be of his Majesties Cabinet Councell would or could require his Majestie to settle it for the good and content of the whole Kingdome the clean contrary-way Now at the first time of their generall meeting they concluded of the draught of a Letter to the Lord Major and Court of Aldermen from his Majestie full of expressions of love to encompasse the designe to his loyall Subjects the Citizens of London though traytors rebells a little before and this was dispatched by Wood with a Letter from Colonell Read to Mr Riley by the name of the man in the Moon to passe over his Majesties Letter with Sir Basill Brook to put it into such words as they should think fit but Read writ in his Letter to Riley that what he did he should do it quickly for it must be done and concluded before the Scots come in or not at all and withall writ to have Violet set at liberty to come to Oxford to seek an exchange that he might passe to and fro on this occasion They met accordingly and concluded of the Letter for his Majesty to signe of some Propositions Violet was the Clerk that writ them Sir Basill Brook and Mr Riley as was enformed contrived them Mr Riley loses no time but applies himself to Sir Arthur Hasâ—erig and propounds Mr Violet in exchange for a brother of his Mr Hasterig prisoner to the pretended Lord Loughborough commonly called Master Hastings and to have leave to goe to Oxford Sir Arthur thinking Mr Riley to be the man he was reputed to be gave way and his libertie was obtained to goe to Oxford to solicite this exchange Violet goes accordingly carries with him the Letter for the King to subscribe and other Instructions and as by his Examination he confesseth he imparted the same onely to the King Queen Dutchess of Buckingham Colonell Read and the Lord Digby who all met together and that he stayed not seven houres in Oxford but returned with the Letter directed to the Lord Major and Aldermen signed by his Majestie under his signet Violet returned and the Letters being imparted to Mr Riley and Sir Basill Brook means was used how to engage others in the plot whereupon Violet attempted to sound Sir David Watkins and soon came to the bottom of honest Sir Davids judgement who told him he did like well of
last delivered up to Sir William Waller and all within the Castle left to his mâ—rcie wherein he took prisoners Sir William Ford high Sheriff of Sussex who formerly brake out of Windsor-Castle and had sent a Letter to his Majestie offering to bring him a thousand men and to undertake the conquest of the whole County of Sussex although it be sixty miles in length but before he had gone twelve miles thereof he was caught again for want of a running horse There was also then taken Sir Edward Bishop Colo. Bamfield Lievtenrnt Colonell Roles Major Massey Major Moulines and divers other Gentlemen of qualitie of Sussex There were also taken above fifty Reformadoes that had all Commissions to raise Companies 1200 prisoners and their armes divers Engineers about 4000li. in money great store of other rich prize and pillage And heer now if wee reckon up these our late victories together and the number of prisoners taken wee shall easily see they will amount to at lest a little armie As namely first at Alton 900 at Gainesborough 700 at Grafton 300 at Sir Tho. Holts-House neer an 100 almost as many at Bewly-House by Sir William Constable and Sir John Meldrum in a House in Yorkshire from which Sir Hugh Cholmley ran away at least an 100 and heer now at Arundell-Castle above a 1000 besides what had then lately been taken by Pool Southamptons garrisons which in all may arise to at least 3300 horse and foot besides all the ammunition and armes In most just and serious consideration whereof have wee not great cause to magnifie the mercies of our good God unto us in thus still weakning the armies of our adversaries and strengthning our hands against them And yet again to adde to the lustre of this foresaid famous victory very shortly after the taking of the foresaid Castle it pleased the Lord so to order and dispose of things that Sir Will. Waller seized on a very rich prize by Sea namely a Dunkirk-Ship of a great burthen which had been chased by the Hollanders as was then credibly enformed and was forced into the harbour at Arundell and that not till wee had taken the Castle which Sir William himself went aboard of and found in her about 20 excellent brass pieces of Ordnance an 100 barrells of powder 2000 armes great store of other ammunition divers Commanders and other persons of qualitie together with a great quantitie of linnen cloth as considerable in value as the other prizes which could not but be a singular advantage to Sir William for the present better securing and defence of Arundell-Castle And about the 8th or 10th of this instant came certain information from Leverpool in Lancashire to London that a Ship of the Kings which he had sent from Bristoll to Chester with good store of armes and ammunition most unexpectedly but very happily opportunely came into Leverpool to serve the Parliament the Sailers therein having compelled their Master to put in there which armes and ammunition came very seasonably to help to arme recrute Colonell Ashtons regiment which a little before had received some loss in their valiant performances against the enemies of their Country And about the 12th of this instant moneth of January 1643. the famous and ever to be renowned Citie of London being very sensible of the great care and indefatigable pains of the Parliament in and for the defence and preservation of Religion the whole Kingdome and liberties thereof from that slavery and misery which the Prelaticall and Popish faction would bring upon them and also of their singular vigilancy and great providence and circumspection to discover all plots and secret designes against the Citie and Parliament to divide the one from the other and so to destroy both together and to shew that they are the more inseparably conjoyned and firmly united the one to the other notwithstanding all the joynt endeavours and sly insinuations of the adversaries and in speciall of that late mischievous Machination by Colonell Read that base Irish-Rebell Sir Basil Brook and the rest of that accursed rable as was forementioned The City I say was therefore pleased in the name of the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councell their representative-Body by both the Sheriffs some selected Common-Councell-men to make an humble request to the Parliament by way of testimony of their gratitude for the great endeavours as aforesaid of the Parliament for the good of the whole Kingdome to invite them all therefore even of both the Houses to a dinner at Merchant-Taylors-Hall in London on Tuesday or Thursday then next ensuing whether day might best stand most convenient with the great affaires of the Kingdome Expressing farther to both Houses that they desired that that late designe to have divided the Parliament Citie might appeare by this loving action of theirs more firmly to have united them to one another Which motion of theirs was most acceptable to the Parliament as appeared by the answer given them by the Speaker in the name of the House of Commons which in substance was this That the House of Commons had considered the loving expressions delivered by them at the barre in the name of the whole Citie of London manifesting their great esteem of the endeavours of the Parliament and their sense of the late designe of the enemie against both the Parliament and the Citie by such a division to involve both of them into one universall calamity declaring their resolution to continue in a faithfull compliance with the Parliaments good endeavours and to live and die with them in the maintenance of the publick Cause having now also desired them as a testimony of this and to deceive the expectation of their enemies that they would honour them with their presence at a dinner in the City The Speaker therefore told them he was commanded by the House to take notice of the good affection of this great City therein and that the House looked on the invitation as a seasonable demonstration of their love to them and their resolved loyaltie to the Cause and that therefore they were resolved on Thursday then next ensuing to give them a meeting according to the Cities desire And said he that both they and you may lay hold on this opportunity joyntly to acknowledg the continued blessing of God in prospering this Parliament and the City from the secret practises and malicious open designes of their enemies and particularly in this lewd and last discovery they desired that on the foresaid Thursday morning at their intended meeting about eight of the clock there might be in such a place as the City should think fit to make choice of an able godly Minister intreated to preach a Sermon for the commemoration among the rest of Gods manifold mercies of this late and not the least deliverance both of the Parliament and City and indeed therein of the whole Kingdome And
Master Speaker told them farther that he was commanded in the name of the House to assure them that as the Cities resolution was to live and die with them So they resolved by the grace of God never to desert the City but to make it one of their greatest cares to watch all opportunities to advance the honour happiness of this City which under God hath been the principall meanes of the preservation of this Parliament Now on Thursday January the 18th 1643. according to this foresaid invitation the whole Parliament of Lords and Commons with the Assembly of reverend and learned Divines and the Scottish Commissioners met at Christ-Church in London between 9 and 10 of the clock in the morning in the first place to testifie and acknowledge their bounden gratitude unto almightie God for the gracious preservation both of the Parliament and City from the late desperate designe of those pernicious Conspirators aforesaid who had complotted with Oxford agents to have made a dissention and discord between them There preached before them that day that venerable pious and learned Divine Master Stephen Marshall who before the Sermon made an elegant and patheticall Preface wherein he did excellently set forth both the true occasion of their meeting and the admirable lustre and glory of that most honourable Assembly the like never seen since England was a Kingdome Which being singularly observable I have heer for the Readers better delight and most full satisfaction therein exactly set down and inserted which was to this effect Right Honourable and well beloved in our Lord THis day is a day purposely set apart for feasting and it is like one of the Lords Feasts where you have a Feast and an holy Convocation and you are first met heer to feast your soules with the fat things of Gods House with a Feast of fat things full of marrow and wine on the lees well refined and afterwards to feast your bodies with the fat things of the Land and Sea both plentie and daintie But if you please you may first feast your eyes Doe but behold the face of the Assembly I dare say it is one of the excellentest Feast that ever your eyes were feasted with Heer in this Assembly you may first see the two Houses of Parliament the Honourable Lords and Commons who after thus in my yeares wrestling with extreame difficulties in their indeavouring to preserve an undone Kingdome and to purge and reforme a back-sliding and a polluted Church you may behold them still not onely preserved from so many treacherous designes and open violences but as resolved as ever to goe on with this great work which God hath put into their hands Here you may also see his Excellency my most honoured Lord and neer him that other Noble Lord the Commander of our Forces by Sea as the other is by Land and with them abundance of Lords resolute Commanders all of them with their faces like Lyons who after so many terrible Battles and abundance of difficulties and charging in the faces of so many Deaths are yet all of them preserved and not a haire of their head falne to the ground Here also you may behold the representative Body of the Citie of London the Lord Major the Court of Aldermen the Common-Councell the Militia and in them the face and affection of this glorious Cities this Citie which under God hath had the honour of being the greatest meanes of the salvation of the whole Kingdome and after the expence of Millions of Treasure and thousands of their lives still as courageous and resolute to live and die in the Cause of God as ever heertofore Here you may likewise see a reverend Assembly of grave and learned Divines who daily wait upon the Angel in the Mount to receive from him the lively Oracles and the pattern of Gods House to present unto you All these of our own Nation and with them you may see the Honourable Reverend and Learned Commissioners of the Church of Scotland and in them behold the wisdome and the affection of their whole Nation willing to live and die with us all these may you behold in one view And not onely so but you may behold them all of one minde after so many plots and conspiracies to divide them one from another And which is yet more you may see them all met together this day on purpose both to praise God for this union to hold it out to the whole world and thereby to testifie that as one man they will live and die together in this Cause of God Oh Beloved how beautifull is the Face of this Assembly verily I may say of it as it was said of Salomons Throne that the like was never to be seen in any other Nation I question whether the like Assembly was ever to be seen this thousand yeares upon the face of the earth Me thinkes I may call this Assembly The Host of God I may call this place Mahanaim and I beleeve there are many in this Assembly that would say as old Jacob did when he had seen his son Josephs face Let me now die seeing my son Joseph is yet alive And for mine own part I am almost like the Queen of Sheba when shee had seen the Court of Salomon it is said that shee had no spirit in her and I could send you away and say that you had no cause to weep to day or to morrow but to eate the fat and drink the sweet and send portions one unto another and I should send you away presently but that I have first some banquetting-stuffe for your soules such as the hand of God hath set before you for your inward refreshing the ground whereof you shall finde in the 12 Chapter of the 1 Book of Chronicles and three last Verses Upon which Text the said Mr Marshall made an excellent Sermon sitting his discourse suitable to the persons and occasion After the conclusion of the Sermon the said Honourable Assembly went to Merchant-Taylors-Hall to dinner all the Regiments of the London Trained Bands standing in a compleat posture from Christ-Church to Merchant-Taylors-Hall as two wals between which they passed without presse or disturbance The first that went forth were the Common-Councell men and Militia of London in their gownes after them the Lord Major and Court of Aldermen in their scarlet gownes on horsebacke with their Officers and Attendants next came the Lord Generall and the Lord Admirall and the Earl of Manchester together with about 16 Earles and Lords of the Peers House of Parliament divers Colonels and Military Commanders all on foot and immediately after them came neer two hundred of the worthy Members of the House of Commons and the Speaker of that House with the Mace born before him and then the Commissioners of Scotland and after all these about 80 Divines of the Reverend Assembly All which did much content and delight the spectators to see these so noble
Admirall for the Maria-Pinace to ride before this Town We are yet in safety blessed be God but daily braved by the Enemy yet hitherto they have not dared to fasten upon this Town And I have observed that they have never come before this place or neer it but we have still worsted them we have alwayes taken prisoners horses armes wounded or slain some of them On Thursday last we took sixe men and Horse wherof one was a Cornet On Saturday wee tooke two men Horses and Armes shot a Captaine who lyes languishing at Rumsey and wounded three men more The Lord bee still our defence and refuge and give us thankfull hearts for his preservation over us This poor County of Hampshire having had its share of blood and misery in this sad Tragedie of our Nation that there is hardly left any thing for man or beast therein I perceive you have received knowledge of a treacherous practice for the delivery of this Town but lest you should bee misinformed therein I will give you a briefe account thereof Some few daies before Christ-tide last the Lord Hopton marched with his Army from Winchester towards Southampton with a purpose to face it as we were informed but he came not within two Miles thereof to outface it but marched to Redbridge the way into the New Forrest brake it downe to hinder us of Provision from thence after so horrible an Act he faced about and marched to his old quarters again without attempting any further atchievement The next day here arrived a Letter from one Mr. Iasper Cornelius sometimes an Atturney of this Town but run away before my comming hither for Malignancy directed to Mr. R. Mason a Merchant of this Towne intimating that this Cornelius was the day before with the Lord Hopton before this Towne and was the meanes of diverting the Lord Hoptons intent of attempting this place and tells Mr. Mason he had made choice of him to deliver an inclosed Letter to me with all secresie which I received yet the said Cornelius was an unknowne man to me by his Letter he insinuates that then was a fit time for me to doe his Majesty good service and that I was not the man I was formerly meaning as I conceived that the government of this Towne was imposed upon my honoured friend Colonel Norton which I long sued to be eased thereof and by it he thought I was a disconted person and so fit to be wrought upon but he was deceived I being never better pleased then to be eased of so great a burthen which I had borne long enough though it pleased his Excellency to require my service with a more sutable command to my disposition made me Serjeant Major to Colonell Norton which pleased me farre better after the receit of this Letter I instantly acquainted my Colonell and Master Mayor therewith we all agreed I should shew a seeming complying the better to bottome their designe and to find out what malignant party they had made in this Town I forthwith gave him a copie of a Character to explaine his minde more fully To which he replied That by the command of his Superiours he did in the name of His Majesty and his Countrey and two Lords which he named offer me a thousand pounds in money a present imployment of more value and honour than at present I had His Majesties pardon under the great Seale and his favour if I would be a meanes to reduce the Towne of Hampton to His Majestie I returned a seeming complying Answere and demanded the one thousand pounds in hand or the moity thereof and assurance given me for the residue the imployment named the Pardon sent me this performed he should soon see what I would say to it In the interim my Colonell acquainted my Lord Generall and Sir William Waller with the offer made by Cornelius wherein I continued the Treaty to regaine time untill Sir William Waller had finished his businesse at Arundel and drawne his Army this way and then to have drawne the Enemy hither in hope of gaining this place whilest Sir William might have fallen behind them in this place of advantage and so to have deceivd such treacherous corrupters I continued the Treaty untill I had his Majesties Signe Manuall for a Pardon sent me and afterwards the Pardon it selfe but I could get no money but strong engagements of honour to performe with me when the worke desired was effected I whiled out a moneths time with them to the exchange of eight Letters Master Robert Mason being still the man they employed to bring theirs and receive my Letters whom they had bound to secrecie by an Oath before I knew thereof who brought me the copy thereof hoping to have gained me to the like saying he had no engagement all this time on me neither by protestation nor promise to performe with them and which I still delayed which put the Projectors to a jealousie that I was not reall all to them yet to draw them still on I framed some offers in the nature of Articles for my selfe and this Towne to which the Lord Hopton subscribed that upon his honour he would performe them but I still pressed for the money but could not obtaine it they fearing I would Craford them as Poole did yet Master Mason offered me to become bound for it which I accepted of but before he could performe on Friday last was sevennight he earnestly pressed me to declare my reality in the designe I saw the man in a distracted extasie by his over-zealousnesse and rashnesse for them having no assurance of me my bowels pittied him his wife and many children told him plainly I never intended to be a villaine and traytor to betray a trust committed to me and the lives and goods of so many innocent people to be made a prey to cruelty and told him I have revealed it from the beginning to my Colonell Then he begged I would conceale his name I told him I could not but in compassion of his condition gave him leave to goe to his house being but three Houses from mine in which time I went foorthwith to acquaint my Colonell with what had hapned betweene Master Mason and my selfe wee concluded instantly to seize his person and caused all the gates to be secured but yet hee escaped from us and could not be found although we searched carefully for him since we heare he is at Winchester and shall be preferred and imployed in matter of trust In all the time of our Treaty I could not discover that he had any confederates of any Townsmen with him but had undertaken it to carry it alone But I was grieved that I was conceived by the adverse part to be a fit Instrument for them But now they have tryed me I am confident they will never doe the like but to revenge themselves on me But I will to all the world declare and maintaine my faithfulnesse to my Countrey and Cause I have
our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland's advance into this Kingdome from Barwick toward Newcastle and their taking of Alnwick and Morpeth the two only Towns of defence and strength twixt Barwick and Newcastle That they also took the strong Island of Cocquet with about 200 men and their Arms 7 peeces of Ordnance and other necessary martiall provisions Also that Colonel Gray brother to the Lord Gray of Wark with a Regiment of Horse came in unto the Army of our said brethren of Scotland and most cheerfully took the Covenant That they had rescued a head of cattle which were driven away by the enemy toward Newcastle and that they most honestly restored them to the persons from whom they were taken A notable act of justice and that the Counties of Northumberland and Westmerland most cordially came in and adhered to them About the tenth of this instant certaine letters being intercepted were read in Parliament which came from the Lord Goring to the Lord Digby dated at Paris Feb. 7. 1643. The summe whereof in briefe was this That he hoped this Letter would have better successe to come to the hands of his most blessed sacred Mistresse than his former Letters had That he was in nothing more happy than to be accounted a Trator at London considering his sacred Mistresse had the same badge of honour stamped upon her before him in whose service he professed hee would be ever faithfull to the quicke and was not here think'st thou good Reader a pure and sure slave to Sathan That the same morning he wrote this Letter he was called to sweare to be true to the two Crownes of England and France and afterward was to dine with the King And further specifying what forreine forces armes and ammunition were in preparation to be sent into this Kingdome And said he in this very expression let my Mr. hang me if I do not furnish him with armes ammunition c. And concludes thus that what he writes they may believe to bee as true as Gospell This flashey letter of this old doting shamelesse Traytor full as yee see of blasphemy and Treason and so adjudged by the Parliament they have ordered to be recorded with an other former intercepted Letter of his which will be sufficient evidences to make good their impeachment of high Treason against him See heere then good Reader the good hand of Gods wise and just providence thus to discover the secret and slavish enemies of his Church and people But to goe on Besides those former brave exploits of that pious and prudent Commander Colonell Sir William Constable aforesaid There came certaine intelligence to London much about the middst of this instant February of divers other most valiant performances and victorious atchivements of the Parliaments Forces in severall other places worthy our most thankefull remembrance both to Gods glory and the Instruments deserved praise The first was performed by the brave and active well-deserving Garrison of Pool in Dorsetshire who sallied out and by an Ambuscado their enemies owne late Stratagem against Pool with some little losse not long before they entrapped Colonell Windham and about 7. or 8. score of his Horse and slew his Lieutenant Colonel Barker but the Colonell himselfe with the rest of his men taken as aforesaid they carried Prisoners into Pool A Partie also of Warwick Garrison issuing out toward Stow on the Wold in Gloucestershire tooke a Cavalier Colonell Prisoner and about 30 good Horse with him And heere also I may most justly commemorate diverse brave atchievements of Sir Thomas Fairfax that as famous as pious Commander in Cheshire since his last great Victory at Namptwich who most prosperously pursued his late Victory in those parts took a strong hould called Keel-House Another called Adlinton-House Duddington also belonging to sir Thomas Delves And Crew-House where he tooke an 150. Royalists Prisoners and great store of Armes and Ammunition together with Dorison-House another strong Garrison of the Enemies where he tooke 200. Prisoners with good store of armes and ammunition Darby Forces also having been two dayes before Kings-Mylus a very strong House of the Earle of Huntingtons neere Wildon-Ferrey upon the River of Trent whereinto Colonell Hastings alias Rob-Carryer had put a Garrison of Souldiers who much annoyed that part of the Countrey but the House being very strong their Ordnance did no great execution upon it Whereupon that brave and most couragious and faithfull Patriott Sir Iohn Gell chose 5. men out of each of his Troopes to storme it who made such a desperate assault upon it that they tooke this House with the losse onely of three of his men whence they brought 46. Prisoners with their armes to Darbey but Captaine Daniel and his Lieutenant they sent Prisoners to Nottingham-Castle Lastly that most noble and renouned successefull Patriott of the Northern parts the good Lord Fairfax with his valiant Commander sir William Constable marched toward Whitby a Haven-Town in the farthest part of Yorkeshire with a very considerable Army intending if the Enemy would not deliver up the Town to Storm it For this Whitby was a very strong Garison of the Earle of New-Castles But the Enemie considering in what a condition they were surrendered up the Town to the Lord Fairfax wherein were above 500. Captaines Lieutenants Commanders Officers and Common-souldiers besides at least 20. of the Commission of Array and almost a 1000 Saylers and Inhabitants of the Town all which delivered up the Towne and with it themselves to the said most noble Lords Service together with 40. Vessels greater and lesser in the Haven So this most Honourable Lord with valiant sir William Constable seized on all their Workes Ships Ammunition 500. Armes many Barrels of Powder Match and other traine of Artillery and it was verily beleeved about an hundred pieces of Ordnance in the ships and on the Workes for the use of the Parliament About the 16th of this instant February 1643. an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament and instructions agreed upon by them for the taking of the Solemne League and Covenant throughout the whole Kingdome which we have formerly mentioned to have been solemnly taken by both Houses of Parliament and in and about the whole Cities of London and Westminster and the Dominion of Wales was new Printed and published together with a most emphaticall and patheticall â—xhortation made by the Assembly of Divines at the motion and desire of our most pious and prudent Parliamentary Worthies for the more willing and cheerfull taking thereof and for the better and more full satisfaction of all such scruples as might arise thereupon which was ordered to be taken after this manner The minister was first to read the whole Covenant distinctly and audibly in the Pulpit and during the reading thereof the whole congregation to be uncovered and at the end of his reading thereof all to take it standing
precious particulars aboundantly declaring and cleering the truth of all herein intended namely How our God hath most graciously and gloriously caused this his deare Darling his holy Arke his precious Cause thus maintained by our ever blessed Parliamentarie Worthies to over-top and safely rise and ride above all the worlds boysterous and swelling Waves still struggling and striving to overturne it And therefore plentifull enough to cause us all to confesse with holy Moses That we have all seene what the Lord hath done to our Egyptian Malignants and how he hath born us up with Eagles wings and brought us so neere unto himselfe And therefore with the pious Prophet most gratefully and graciously to acknowledge That all these Mercies come forth from the Lord of Host who is wonderfull in Counsell and most excellent in working wonders And now to proceed Thus having a little heere made a stay and refreshed our Weather beaten Barke and in some measure fitted it for this next succeeding Moneths Voyage I shall now cheerfully put forth againe and lanch into the Maine And first of all acquaint the Reader that about the beginning of this instant March as a happy return of Prayer on the last Moneth day of Humiliation came certaine intelligence that Bidle-house upon the edge of Staffordshire and neere Cheshire was taken or rather with discretion surrendred to that most famous and faithfull Commander Sir Thomas Fairefax and that most valiant and loyall Patriot Col. Ridgeley which house was of so great consequence that by this meanes all the Moore-Landers are freed from the great annoyance of a vexatious Enemy and in a condition to assist their neighbour Cheshire In which foresaid House were also taken the Lord Brereton who was supposed to be taken before but it was a meere mistake and with him 4 Colonels 200 Common-Souldiers 500 Armes and great store of riches Plate Gold and Silver Also that the Forces of our most renowned Lord General whom we may very fitly Paralel with that famous old Roman Commander Fabius Hanibals sore Antagonist Of whom for his prudence and providence it was said by Cicero that famous Romane Oratour Vnus homo nobis cunctando restituit â—om Or to that most renowned old Prince of Orange Grave Maurice who was never rash in any attempt or waighty enterprise he undertooke yet ever for the greatest part most victorious but like a grave and discreet Generall still pondered how he might win and not lose I meane any of his Souldiers For he never accounted that Commander valourous who had not more care of his Souldiers than of his Towns Forts or Castles which either he tooke or kept but would as neere as might be make both sure So I say this our most noble Lord Generall hath all along most prudently carried on all his great designes with like wisdome and Martiall moderation and discretion and about this time his Forces about Alesbury and Newport-pannell performed a most excellent piece of Service under the command of renowned and active Colonell Cromwell and Colonell Craford without the losse of any one man slaine on ouâ— side at Hilsey-house when they tooke Sir Arthur Denton Colonell Smith and divers other Gentlemen of quallity together with an 100 Horse and about 300 Souldiers whereof there were about 150 Walloones and Frenchmen such a pack of bloody Villaines that the world hardly had the like they having committed many great Robberies in those parts all which Walloones therefore and Frenchmen had no quarter given them but were put to the Sword as they most worthyly deserved And since the taking of this Hilsey-house we were credibly informed that the brave Garrison of Northampton went out with a Party and faced Banbury and thereabout surprised all or the greatest part of the Princes Troope and brought them safe to Northampton About the second also of this instant as another rich returne of Prayer even within two dayes after the last Monethly Fast-day came certaine Intelligence by Letters out of Yorkeshire to London of a brave Victory obtained through the mercy of our good God by that valiant Commander Colonel Lambert under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax in the West-Riding of Yorkeshire not farre from Bradford where the Bradford Garrison understanding that Colonell Lambert advanced that way to reduce that Towne to the Service of the Parliament they presently sent intelligence of this his resolution to Yorke as also of the weakenesse of this Colonels condition wherupon a commanded power of Horse and Foot led by Colonell Iohn Bellasis Governour of York farre exceeding Colonell Lamberts Forces at least three to one in number was forthwith dispatched to releeve them In briefe both parties faced each other not farre from Bradford and Colonell Lamberts Forces though lesse in number did exceede in valour for indeed as reverend Master Ienkins Pastour of Christ-Church in London sweetly said Wee have oftentimes known that God hath had too many to fight his battailes but never too few and the encounter grew exceeding hot and for 7 howres space the thundring disputation was fiercely continued at length by Gods great mercy Colonel Lambert perceived he had the better of his enemies but yet his necessity was such that for want of Powder he knew not what to doe for none of his Souldiers had at the most above two charges left Hereupon a Councill of Warre was sodainly called and as suddenly it was agreed that before they would offer any paâ—ley to the enemy the Horse should charge once more which in that desperat exigence was performed with such undaunted courage and resolution of spirit that the Enemies Horse not able to withstand the shock began a little to give ground which our Cavalry soone observing they followed the advantage with so much impregnable courage that they forced them to a very disorderly retreat and our Foot taking notice of the brave action and advantage their Horse had gotten as valiantly charged the body of the enemies Infantry who perceiving their owne Horse to abandon them began to leave the Field and swiftly to retire toward Yorke even with what confused speed they possibly could The brave successefull Colonell Lambert could not follow them in pursuâ— by reason of the great want of Powder in which at that present he was But he tooke Prisoners in the fight Colonell Sir Iohn Girlington and divers other Officers in Armes and persons of quality and about an 100 common Souldiers Colonell Bellasies himselfe being shrewdly put to the switch and Spurre to escape there were above an hundred slaine in the place And thus this valiant Colonell Lambert after this defeat and brave Victory so fortunately atchieved presently entred into Bradford and re-garrison'd it for the use of the Parliament About the 5 or 6 of this instant March 1643. came certaine Intelligence by Letters out of Leicestshire to London that Colonel Hastings that noble or rather notable
body was not then together forced ours to a disorderly retreat at which time the day was doubtfull if not desperate our Foot all the while was engaged on the left wing to drive the Enemy from the hedges where our men played their parts gallantly and drove them from hedge to hedge by degrees till they had forced them to the top of the hill our Horse doing little for the space of an houre after their retreat onely some Parties incountring with each other at which time our Noble Major Generall Browne who was ever known to be a valiant man and must be lookt upon as a speciall instrument in the worke drew off 100 men from the hedges and in his own persons led them on to charge the Horse which they did most gladly couragiously and forced the enemies horse to wheele about whereupon our body of horse came on againe and that very manfully at which time they charged quite through the enemies body and put them to a rout so that they were forced to retreat to the top of the hill where they first appeared this was about two of the clock in the afternoon at which time they began to retreat and sent their carriages away their body of foot followed after the horse and some few foot onely being left to face and to fight with us at the last it pleased God to raise up the spirits of some few not above 300 and to put such courage into them as to adventure out of the closings to charge the maine body upon the plain which they did so resolutely that they put them al to flight our horse pursued them 2 miles at the least til the enemies horse overtook their own foot who cried out as the countrey people said Face them face theÌ„ once more face them which they did but to small purpose for our horse came up at the first charge they were all routed again fled our horse pursuing them til they overtook the foot routed them likewise and dispersed them severall waies som fled to Basing some to Alton and some to Winchester by the way they cryed out the Kingdoms lost the Kingdoms lost c. and when they left Alsford where they had long quartered they set the towne on fire at both ends which doubtlesse had burt to the ground but that our men came in and put it out there was only fouâ—eor five houses burnt Thus it pleased God who alone is the giver of all Victory to vouchsafe us not onely a deliverance which we should have owned as a mercy but a glorious conquest As for the instruments I dare not challenge any of neglect in this dayes service to speak the truth both Horse and foot quit themselves bravely We tooke prisoners in the fight Sir Edward or Sir John Stowell Major Gener of a Brigade a man of great estate Col. Beard Colonell of a Regiment of Horse and of a Regiment of Foot who was employed in Ireland Lieut. Col. Kingston Captain Price Capt. Chidleigh Captain Iackeson Cap. Seamer Ensigne Cowper Lieut. Kite Ensigne Mellis Ensigne Marsh Ensigne Midley Cornet Constable Cornet Ducket Iohn Morsey Phisitian Together with many other Captaines and Commanders besides common souldiers the certaine number I know not whereas we have not lost 40 men that we know of one of our men that was taken prisoner but left behind by reason of his wounds told me himselfe they had not taken 20 prisoners in all and I know not of 20 slain the most considerable losse on our part is the Col. Tompson a brave man is shot with a Drake and his Leg is cut off we are in great hopes of his recovery Major Boswell is desperately wounded Cap. Melton is taken prisoner some few are wounded but I hope not mortally the certaine number of the slaine I cannot report those that speake most sparing say 500. they told us in Alsford that they fetch'd off cart-loads of dead men and some they buried and some they carryed with them the Lord Iohn the Duke of Richmonds brother is slaine and Generall Ruthen as some informed though the Malignants are loath to part with such a souldier or to heare of his death but it is certaine he escaped safe to Reading On Saturday morning I spake with the Messenger who came from Sir Will Waller to our Major Generall with Orders for wee stayed at Alsford 14 miles behind Sir William Waller who affirmed that the Horse and Foot were totally routed not a body of 200 Foot to be found of the great army consisting in all of 12000. that we had taken seven pieces of Ordnance many carriages and that Sir William would set upon Winchester immediately being within a mile and a halfe of it then I trust in God he is by this time possest of it Many passages I am forced to omit for brevities sake both in and after the fight wee had both the same word God with us but see what it is to dissemble with a God of truth Our next word was Iesus helpe us so he did and then the last word was Glory be to God Give me leave to end here and let this day be ever in our thoughts and the word be ever in our mouthes a day wherein God was seene in the high places of the field a wise mighty wonder-working God there is not an Atheist that can owne thee and not acknowledge it to be digitus Dei 'T is God alone that hath done the worke to him alone be all the praise The rest is this March 30. 1644. Gentlemen I am your humble servant E. A. The Queens Regiment being there and Prince Maurices forces most of the Irish neither giving nor taking quarter And thus hast thou seene good Reader to Gods eternall glory and thine and all Englands unexpressible joy and comfort how the Lord hath by his almighty power and unsearchable rich grace and wisedome done that for us which he promised by the Prophet take notice of this Scripture and the conclusion of that verse Thus saith the Lord of hostes The fast of the fourth Moneth and the fast of the fifth Moneth c. shal be to the house of Iudah joy and gladnesse and chearefull feasts Therefore marke this love the Truth and Peace Even so truely the Lord hath most directly dealt with us For this very Moneths Fast-day being a day of most just and great sorrow and humiliation for our sad losse at Newarke Siege it pleased the Lord our good God that the very next and immediately ensuing Lords-day proved a jubile and joyfull-day that our then last Wednesdayes fast and Prayers were turned into a feast of most joyfull and gladsome praises of the Lord in our so admirable and so immediate repairation of that former losse by this so great and glorious a victory which was on the Fryday immediately following Wednesday before As if the Lord had seemed be it spoken with holy reverence to be sorry for
Plate and money yet what plate goods or Jewels did properly belong to her and her attendants was permitted the next day to be friendly conveyed to Oxford with her she being used with all respect and civility by Sir William VValler and Sir VVilliam Belfore so was not the Honourable Lady Fairfax used at Bradford in Yorkeshire though afterwards she was onely and barely sent home Fiftly the taking of the said Lady Hopton so neer Redding put the garrison at Redding into such an affright and terrour that on the 3. of March the said enemy quitted that great garrison Town and the like in other garrisons also about Oxford and those parts Sixtly that Sir VVilliam VValler pursued the enemy to Salisbury entred that Towne and tooke there neere upon 500 Armes and made all the Cathedrall men run for feare of after-claps Seventhly and lastly that Sir William Waller rested not there neither but sent out a Partee of about 1000. Horse and Dragoones into Dorsetshire and at a Towne called White-Church tooke sir Iohn Mills and 100. Gentlemen more who were met there together to raise men for Hopton Which partie went presently after to VVeymouth for farther designes And now false and foul mouth'd malignants judge even ye your selves whether Hopton was not soundly beaten to suffer all this without least resistance all this while and so long away One thing more of moment I may not here pretermit for the honour of the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight neer Portsmouth viz. That since this routing of Hoptons forces as aforesaid they not only supplyed Sir William Wallers army in a very large manner with victualls which was then very welcome refusing to take one penny of pay for the same but farther of their owne voluntary accord as hath beene since credibly enformed raised 300 stout able men and sent them to Sir William together with large expressions of their chearfulnesse and forwardnesse farther to assist him with their lives and fortunes as their should be an occasion offered Now the Honourable House of Commons in Parliament taking into their serious consideration this so happy successe of their Forces under the Command of Sir Wil. Waller and Sir William Belfore as aforesaid against the Forces of the King under the Command of Sir Ralph Hopton In acknowledgement of Gods singular great mercy herein Ordered that on Aprill the 14th being the Lords day Publike Thanksgiving should be in all Churches and Chappels on the Southside of Trent within the power of the Parliament and that the like thanksgiving should be on the Northside of Trent 14 dayes after which was to be the 28th of April then next ensuing which Order of Parliament for the Readers better content and satisfaction I have thought fit here to insert as it was Printed and published by their Authority Die Lunae 1 April 1644. An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled appointing a Solemne day of Thanksgiving c. THe Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled having certaine information of the great mercy of our good God in the happy successe of the Forces of the Parlioment under the Command of Sir William Waller and Sir William Belfore on Friday March 29. 1644. Doe in their acknowledgement of Gods mercie herein Order That upon the Lords Day which will be on the 14 of this instan April Publike Thanksgiving be given in all Churches and Chappels on the Southside of Trent within the power of the Parliament unto the Lord of Hosts that giveth all Victory for the seasonable and extraordinary blessing whereby the Army under the Command of Sir Ralph Hopton was totally routed with the losse of very few of the Parliaments Forces And all Ministers in their respective Churches and Chappels are hereby directed and Commanded to give notice thereof and to Exhort and excite their people to acknowledge and improve this great blessing in a Spirituall way that as this mercie was bestowed in returne of our Prayers and Humiliation upon the late and solemne Fast the Wednesday before this Victory So God may have the sole honour and glory of it in our praises and thanksgivings and that the like thanksgiving shall be made on the Northside of Trent 14 dayes after which will be on the 28 of this instant April Ordered that this Ordinance of publike Thankesgiving be forthwith Printed and Published And that the Printer of the House doe bring in a convenient number to the Members of the House to be sent into the severall Counties Hen. Elsynge Cl. Parl. D. Com. And heer now good Reader let me desire thy godly and Christian patience and permission a little to make a pause and cast Anchour againe at the end of this Moneths happy voyage briefely to revise and survey the precious Merchandizes and happy Incoms of Gods goodnesse to our English Nation in protection of his Holy-Arke the Parliaments Cause So constantly and cruelly molested tost and turmoyled by the swelling waves and insolent surges of wicked and ungodly Adversaries which will be most conspicuously evident to all In the taking of Biddle-House in Staffordshire by Sir Thomas Fairfax and Colonell Ridgeley Hilsey-house in Buckinghamshire and the surprising of the Princes Troop by Northampton Forces In Colonell Lamberts brave victory at Bradford in Yorkeshire The notable defeat given to Hastings at Hinchley in Leicestershire where and when the Solemne Covenant was setling and taking in those parts together with another most brave defeat given by the foresaid valiant Colonell Lambert to Newcastles Forces as also Sir William Constables good successe and Colonell Waights also at Burleigh-house In the notable Sea-storme wherein about 1500 Irish Rebels were cast away and the Land Storm also which God raised against those bloody Irish-Rascals at Pool and VVareham in Dorsetshire together with the singular good successe of Colonell Norton against the enemies at Southampton Sir VVilliam Belfores good successe against the enemy neere Basing-house in Hampshire The Prince Palatines taking of our Covenant in Holland and the whole Kingdome of Sweathlands voluntary Message and desire to enter into Amity and Confederacy with our Parliament against the Adversaries of the true Protestant Religion Sir VVilliam Constables victorious taking of Tadcaster in Yorkshire The singular good successe of the Parliaments Declaration for calling in Delinquents from Oxford and how God turned that wicked Apostacy of Greenvile into a mercy unto us Together with the pious care of the Parliament for the godly institution of the Kings Children at S. Iameses and the singular good successe of the Parliaments Forces at Bredport and Burley-house neere Lyme The most victorious proceedings and magnanimous atchivements of the Parliaments Forces in South-VVales by renowned Captaine Swanley who most happily prevented much-intended evill there and reduted the whole County of Pembrooke to the obedience of the Parliament The yet farther good successe of the Parliaments side by Sea in valiant Captaine Jordanes chasing the Earle of Marlebrough the Kings Admirall from his intended
Designes and winning divers Ships and valuable Prizes from them Together with Gloucesters good posture and condition And Colonell Beares and Colonell Masseyes victorious achivements over the Enemies In our loyall Brethren of Scotlands safe passage over the River Tyne without resistance and the feare and terror of the Lord put into the Enemies hearts that they durst not set upon our brethren but being enforced to wait on the Scottish Forces day and night in the Fields lost many hundreds of their Army to the great weakning thereof and enforcing of them to a hasty retreat to Durham In the brave defeat given to the Enemy at Collyton neere Lyme by valiant Captaine Pyne and the excellent reformation of the Cathedrall at VVestminster And lastly in this last fore-mentioned most famous defeat and glorious Victory which God in his great mercy gave Sir VVilliam VValler and Sir VVilliam Belfore at Alsford in Hampshire against Hopton and his formidable Forces who had even already swallowed us up in their deepe hopes and greedy expectations but wherein God admirably frustrated their high-built-hopes and dasht in pieces their deepest designes In just and serious Contemplation and Consideration then of all those precious premises who can deny but that he hath most evidently and undenyably seene in this Monethes most prosperous and successefull Voyage Gods Arke Over-topping the worlds waves swelling and although the outragious waves of wicked men Atheists Papists and perverse Malignants gave the Arke especially in this Alsfords bickering many sore brushes against its sacred sides to overturne it So that we might say with holy David The floods were lifted up O Lord the floods did lift up their voice as in those Oxoniensia Sesquipedalia verba the floods did lift up ther waves But the Lord was mightier than the noise of their many waters yea than all the mighty waves of the Sea And therefore let us all with most cheerfull hearts and voyces with that sacred sugered Singer of Israel aforesaid in holy exultation and gracious gratification Say and Sing Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered and let all those that hate him flee before him As smoake is driven away so drive thou them away O God as wax melteth before the fire so let the wicked perish at the presence of the Lord. But let thy righteous ones still be glad and rejoyce yea let them exceedingly râ—jâ—yce in thy Salvation And now to proceed ANd here now to hoyse up our sailes again and begin the next Moneths Voyage see what singular and soveraign good fruit we are all ready fraught with in the very first setting forth to the farther praise and glory of God a work most pleasing to heaven and all true holv and heavenly minded Saints namely how it pleased the Lord to put into the hearts of our most pious Patriots and precious Parliamentary Worthies the care of the more holy strict sanctification of the Lords Day about the beginning of this moneth of April to passe and publish a most excellent Ordinance of Parliament wherein were many sweet holy and holesome Orders and Penalties agreed on and confirmed to be put in exact excution and inflicted upon all manner of Offenders against the same And among them this one clause was also added That the Ordinance formerly made for the burning of all books of giving Liberty for prophane pastimes and Lawful recreations forsooth as our impious Pontificians wickedly termed their wickedly termed their Bacchanalian sports set out by the Arch-Prelate of Canterburies license and allowance should all be put in execution throughout the whole Kingdome under the Parliaments power and Authority And was not here a blessed blast and faire gaile of wind breathed out from heaven it selfe upon this Arke of God to carry it on successefully in this Moneths troublesome Voyage through the swelling Seas of this so sorely distracted and distressed Kingdome And about the 2 of this instant April came certain Intelligence by Letters out of Derbyshire to London That that brave active and faithfull Commander in Armes Sir Iohn Gell after the raising of the Siege at Newarke had such a Vigilant eye upon the Enemie that he sent forth a partee which fell upon one of their quarters at a place called Munk-bridge upon Dove-river not many miles from Derby where they killed 22 on the place routed the rest and drave divers men and horse into the said River where they were drowned took an 140 horse and 80 prisoners Much also about the same time came credible information by Letters out of Yorkeshire to London that Colonell Bellasis Governour of Yorke marched out thence toward Bradford where his Victorious Antagonist brave Colonell Lambert lay with his Regiment which Bellasis intended and hoped to have an oportunity to set upon and surprise But the Vigilant Colonell having timely intelligence of his comming sallyed out of the Town to meet the Enemy after a little facing one another Colonell Lambert warily perceiving that the Enemy were too numerous a partee for him to encounter with thought it not safe to advance beyond his Works whereunto he discreetly retreated and there maintained the fight very valiantly and beat off the assailants with their losse having kil'd and wounded so many that the Enemy was forced to a hasty retreat which the Valiant Colonel soon perceiving pursued them therein at least 6 miles in which Action Colonell Lambert took 200 horse and furniture and a 100 Foot and took Colonell Bagshaw a notorious Lancashire Papist 8 Captains and other Officers and Commanders About the 8th of this instant we had certain Information by Letters from Gloucester to London that the supply of powder and other Military Ammunition and Provision which had long lyen about Warwick expecting an oportunity to be conveyed to Gloucester to Colonell Massey was now at last come safely thither and it is worthy the observation in what manner it was effected which in briefe was thus It was sent by parcells at 3 severall times the first time severall barrels of Powder Match Flax Brimstone and some quantity of Money were sent by honest Carriers with their pack-horses about 14 in number which were conveyed with a guard of 60 Horse In the night time the Forlorn Hope as they past along espied a fire in severall places in a small compasse as they conceited which out of sodaine fear they took to be the Enemy The Enemy also espied the same fire and conceived that the Parliaments Forces were there The Parliaments Forces upon their fear wheeled about quite out of the way the Enemy by reason of their fear hastily retreated from them but the honest Carriers not knowing or once dreaming but that the convoy of the Parliaments Forces was before them drove on their Horses till they came to one of Colonell Masseys outmost Garrisons where the Ammnition was joyfully received and presently convoyed into Gloucester but the convoy turned to VVarwick with onely hopes which
blessed be God afterward proved true that the Ammunition came safely to Gloucester The second time also all that was sent came safely to them without danger or disturbance The third time when all that was appointed for Gloucester was sent away was also most safely conveyed by Colonell Beare who went with his Valiant Troopes without fear of the fiercest Enemie who now had need looke about them that they be not frighted with a worse feare than an Ignis fatuus for now Gloucester was hereby enabled not onley to be most secure within it selfe but also to offend and greatly to disturb their pernicious neighbours For since this the Country as 't was credibly reported came in unto Colonell Massey very much and deserted Mr Dutton and the rest of the Commissioners of Array in those parts and tooke the Covenant to serve the King and Parliament About the 10. also of this instant April came certaine intelligence by letters from severall persons of quality and note in the London brigade dated from a Town called Wickham within a mile of Waltham in Hampshire that on the 6. of April 1644. Major Gen. Browne that brave famous and victorious London Commander in his march from Southampton toward Waram had intelligence that Colonell Whitehead being set down before Waltham house aforesaid with about an 100 men there being also the like number within the said House to keepe and maintaine it who hearing that the London Brigade passed by that way he sent unto Major Generall Brown to desire his ayd in taking thereof with the quicker dispatch Whereupon the London Brigade marched toward the said House and planted their Ordnance against it but upon the valiant Majors drawing up his men to make an assault Propositions were sent forth from those in the House to the Major Generall which at last were assented unto being to this effect That the commanders and officers then in the House might passe away with their horses and their swords by their sides and the common-souldiers onely with a rod or staffe in their hands Which articles were accordingly performed on both sides the enemies leaving behind them all their armes and ammunition and good store of provision and rich plunder all which was divided among the souldiers to their great refreshment and encouragement After which the brave London Brigade marched away leaving the House to Colonell Whitehead to demolish and pull it downe if hee conceived it requisite or convenient And thus it pleased God to honour this London Brigade with this other victory making them successefull and victorious both in their going forth and in their comming home To God alone be all the praise and glory thereof And about the foresaid time also we had credible information by letters out of Yorkeshire to London that that noble Son Sir Thomas Fairfax was joyned with his most renowned Father the ever to be honoured Lord Fairfax and that they joyntly were full 2500. foot and 4000. horse a most gallant power and like to make a most notable diversion of Newcastles army And that about the same time great store of Corne and other provisions of all sorts were sent from Hull and other places to our brethren the Scots army The effects of which happy and honourable Union of this famous fathers and sons forces we shall have occasion to make mention of in its proper ensuing place In which interim we were credibly informed that the most noble Lord Fairfaxes forces had taken Cawood-castle neere Yorke belonging to the Arch-bishop of that Sea with divers of the Marquesse of Newcastles forces and much armes and ammunition therein and they had again possessed themselves of the Isle of Axholme with an 160 horse and 80 foot therein besides much armes and ammunition About the 12. also of this instant April came certaine intelligence out of Wales of the happily continued and brave exploits and singular good service of that most worthy and valiant Patriot and Sea-commander Captain Swanley which was confirmed by letters sent to noble Sir William Brereton which letters made mention of all Pembrookeshire Carnarvanshire and Mountgomery all these 3. Counties to be by Gods speciall blessing on his brave endeavours there joyned in an association for the King and Parliament and that they had taken all the chief Townes and castles of those Counties and in them the number of 49 pieces of ordnance And that if the Lord vouchsafe them a good preaching ministry of Pastors after his owne heart 't is very probable that those old now brutish Brittains may become pious Protestants for they begin now to be very much discontented at the comming over of so many of the blood-thirsty Irish rebells Much also about this foresaid time came certain information out of the Eastern-parts of the Kingdome that the affairs of those parts and especially about Lincolnshire went on very prosperously by Gods blessing on the forces of that most noble and pious Patriot and successefull Commander in chiefe the right honourable Earle of Manchester who had under the command of valiant Colonell King regained and repossessed themselves of those Townes which the enemy had lately before taken and particularly Crowland alias Croyland a most Malignant Town but a place of very great consequence which was surrendred to the said valiant Colonell King The articles agreed on betweene the said Colonell and Captaine Styles a pestilent Malignant and of the right Canterbury-cut Commander of the forces in the Towne were That the souldiers in the Towne should have quarter for their lives should march out with their swords but leave all the armes and horses in the Towne unto the Colonell which were accordingly performed and no violence offered them by any of our forces notwithstanding their most perfidious dealing with ours so lately at Newark There were taken in the Towne 80 horse and 300 armes About the 16. of this instant April 1644. The learned grave and pious Gilbertus Voetius ofVtrick one of the united Netherland Provinces declared his judicious and learned testimony of that most famous and ever to be most justly honoured Philopatriae Mr William Prynnes most elaborate Book entituled The Soveraigne Power of Parliaments in foure Parts c. Which testimony he sent in his Letter to Mr Walter Strickland the Parliaments Agent in the Netherlands dated Vltrajecti Non. Feb. 1644. In these words Accepi nuperrime commodato librum Gulielmi Prinne tam din mihi desideratum et Rationes omnes cum responsionibus tam solide et erudite pro Parliamentis contra adversarios instruct as atque explicatas deprebendi vt non videam quid ultra desiderari potest Debebat tractatus ille latine Gallice exstare vt Reformatis Theologis ac Politicis in Europa legi potest The sence and substance of which honourable Attestation is this in English That he did highly esteeme of the long desired labours of Mr. William Prynne with his solid and learned arguments in
defence of the Parliament against the common adversaries thereof and held it very fit that the said Bookes containing four parts should be translated into the Latin and French tongues that so they might be read of all the reformed Divines and States-men in Europe This passage I have here most deservedly added as a Parliamentary-Mercy of the Lord in thus raising this faithfull and heroick-hearted Patriot from his once being as it were buryed alive in the grave of a most unjust and barbarous forreigne Perpetuall Banishment thus to vindicate the most honourable reputation of our most renowned English Parliaments About the 18. of this instant out most pious prudent and provident Parliamentary Statists taking into serious and deliberate consideration the good affection which the Swedes beare to this Kingdome which they have severall waies expressed to this our present Parliament they therefore held it very fit that faire correspondencie should be continued betwixt them and us and thereupon agreed on an Ordinance with the consent of the Committees of both Kingdoms to send with their Agents to the Sweeds to declare their reciprocall amity and mutuall affection to them As likewise into Zeland and other the united Provinces who had likewise declared their good affection to the proceedings of the Parliament have endevoured to prevent the bringing over of Armes and Ammunition into this Kingdome to be imployed against them And about the 19 of this instant came certaine intelligence to the Parliament by Letters from the most noble renowned L. Fairfax that most famous faithfull and never sufficiently honoured pious Patriot of his Countrey intimating the admirable good successe wherewith it pleased the Lord God of Hosts to Crowne him since he and his most magnanimious and virtuous Sonne Sir Thomas Fairfax joyned their Forces together and especially touching that famous and admirable Victory which they obtained at Selby in Yorkeshire For the Readers better satisfaction wherein and the fairer cleerer Demonstration of the very truth wherof I have here thought fit to give thee the Copy of the said Letter verbatim as it was by Order and Authority of Parliament Printed and published Which was as followeth A Letter sent from the Right Honourable the Lord Fairfax to the Committee of both Kingdomes concerning the great Victory lately obtained by Gods blessing at Selby in Yorkeshire My Lords ACcording to the Orders sent to mee and my Sonne from your Lordships we have now joyned our Forces together and though the Enemy held all the passages from the East-riding to the West and by that meanes intercepted divers of our Letters and thereby became acquainted with our appointments and so endeavoured to prevent them which forced me to decline Selby and make a passage over the River tenne miles below it in Marshland where my Men and Carriages being passed with some difficulty on Sonday and Monday last I instantly marched with the whole Army consisting of two thousand Horse and Dragoones and two thousand Foot or thereabouts to Ferry-Bridge and so to Selby where Colonell Iohn Bellasyss commanding in chiefe in Yorkeshire then lay with an Army of fifteene hundred Horse and 1800 Foot as themselves confest though reports made it much more numerous Vpon Wednesday our Forlorn-hope of Horse beat in a partee of the Enemies Horse and followed them into the Towne taking divers of them prisoners and the day being farre spent I quartered the Army within a mile of Selby that night and drew them out againe early the next morning and then with the Foot in three Divisions one led up by my selfe a second by Sir Iohn Meldrum and a third by Lieutenant Colonell Needham fell upon the Towne to storm it in three places altogether where the Enemy received us with much courage and made strong resistance for two houres or thereabouts but in conclusion my owne Foot Regiment forced a passage by the River side and my Sonne with his Regiment of Horse rushed into the Town where he was encountred by Colonell Bellasyss and the Enemies Horse but they being beaten backe and M. Bellasyss himselfe wounded and taken prisoner and our Foot entred on al sides the Town the Enemy was wholly routed and as many as could saved themselves by flight some towards Cawood some towards Pontefract and the rest towards Yorke over the River by a bridge of Boates laid by themselves We pursued them every way and tooke in the Towne and chase the prisoners Ordnance Armes Ammunitions and Colours mentioned in the List inclosed Of my owne men I lost in the fight divers gallant Commanders and Souldiers and very many sore wounded And indeed all my Army both Commanders and Common souldiers behaved themselves with as much courage as ever I observed in men All which we must acknowledge to God alone who both infuseth courage and gives Victory where he pleaseth I shall now I hope be able to raise more Forces in the Countrey and improve this Victory that God hath bestowed on us to the best advantage This being all for the present untill further occasion I rest Your Lordships most affectionate and humble Servant Fer. Fairfax Selby 12 April 1644. A List of the Officers taken Prisoners the 11. of April 1644 Colonell Iohn Bellasyse Colonell Sir Iohn Ramsden Colonel Sir Thomas Strickland Lieutenant Colonell Tyndall Lieutenant Colonell Forbes Major Heskit 8 Commanders of Horse 14 Captaines of Foot 4 Lieutenants of Horse 20 Lieutenants of Foot 6 Cornets 11 Ensignes 9 Quartermasters Elias Walker Master of the Magazine Richard Ludlow Provost Marshall And divers Serjeants Trumpets Corporals Drums and others Officers Divers slaine and lay strewed in the way to Yorke for four miles together others that fled to Pomfract were pursued as far as Ferry-Bridg Foure Brasse Pieces of Ordnance Seven Barrels of Powder Sixteen Bundles of Match Two thousand Armes or above Many Horse and Foot Colours taken but as yet sixteene or seventeen come in And sixteene hundred common Souldiers Above five hundred Horse The Pinnance taken at Gainsbrough All their Bag and Baggage and many Ships and Boats upon the River And foure hundred more prisoners were taken at Homcough neere Selby and some commanders among them And was not here good Reader the Arke of God mightily elevated and borne up maugre all the malignity of this terrible Storme of wrath and rage in the enemy above all the swelling waves and boysteâ—ovs billowes of the enemies fiercest fury Did not the Lord ride gloriously in triumph on the Chariot of his innocent and upright Ark and curb the pride of these proud swelling surges and cause his blessed Arke I say safely to float above them all Yes certainly it must needs be confest even by our adversaries themselves who to their shame sorrow felt and found it so Now then the L. Fairfax presently after the fight and victory obtained as aforesaid sent a letter to the Parliament and therein desired to be directed by them how to dispose of the
prisoners he had taken 400 of them being by him sent to Hull and the rest sent after He also declared to the Parliament that by Gods great mercy in this brave Victory he was now become master of the Field in all Yorkeshire And upon the receipt of this letter and the happy intelligence of this so renowned victory it was presently Ordered by the Parliament that the next ensuing Tuesday which was in Easter-Weeke should be a solemne day of thankesgiving throughout London and Westminster unto almighty God for this great victory The Copy of which order comming to my hands I have here also inserted which was as followeth Die Mercuri 17. April 1644. IT is this Day Ordered by the Commons assembled in Parliament That the Ministers in the severall Churches and Chappels within the Line of Communication and Parishes within the Bills of Mortality do give notice to their Parishoners of the great Successe it hath pleased God to give the Parliaments Forces in Yorkeshire and Pembrookeshire And to acquaint them that the Houses have appointed and set apart Tuesday next for a publike Thankesgiving to be given to Amighty GOD for his great Blessings and Successes H Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. Very shortly after all this the Parliament Ordered that 8000 l. should be immediately sent away to the said most noble and renowned Lord Fairfax as an encouragement to the Souldiers to goe on the more cheerfully in their present designes Now the hopefull consequence of this great blow was by Gods good providence and assistance more undoubtedly than the victory it selfe For now this noble and renowned Lord Fairfax was not onely as himselfe worte Master of the Field in all Yorkeshire but hee was thereby also enabled to advance even to the Teez-side without interruption to assist our loving brethren of Scotland and now also Newcastle must either fight with the Scots before the Lord Fairfax come to them or else retreat as afterward ye shall heare he did and what a disadvantage to the Enemie this must needs be any may most easily judge For now no other way had he left or else if he stayed he must be intrapped in a pound Another great advantage was now got by this famous Victory namely That the passage was now layd open between the West Riding and Hull so as the trade of cloath might now again be continued to the great comfort and encouragement of all those parts And here let me give the Reader this one more note and observation worthy our most serious thoughts and commemoration that by this so renowned and famous a victory it pleased the Lord to give us two most speciall and choyce occasions of two most solemne and set dayes of Thankesgiving to the Lord in one and the same Moneth over the whole Kingdome for two such famous and memorable victories over our fierce and furious enemies as that of Alsford and this at Selby such a rare and sweet mercy as we have not till now enjoyed since these unhappy and unnaturall warres began among us our ever most gracious and glorious wonder-working God be ever praised and magnified for the same But now to go on About the 20. of this instant April came certaine intelligence by letters to the Parliament and Scotch-Commissioners from our loyall and loving brethren of Scotlands army in Yorkeshire That Newcastles army having been forced to retreat from Hilton toward Durham our brethrens army drew to Easington being the midway betwixt Hartlepoole and Durham where they found reasonable good quarter for their horse resolving to abide thereabout till they made the enemy either fight or fly Those quarters they kept till about the 10. or 12. of April when as after a fast kept the day before they marched to a place called Quarrendon-Hill but two miles from Durham The enemy seeing them draw so neere and observing also his souldiers to decrease upon the approach of danger hee drew as many forces as could be spared out of Newcastle and Lumley-castle to uphold his strength of foot but finding all would not doe and not a litle plunged perplexed at the news from Selby and that the noble Lord Fairfax had obtained such a full considerable and compleat victory which was on the 11. of April He upon the 13. of the same was now enforced to remove his whole force and strength and that in great hast too and left Durham to our Brethren of Scotland and leaving behind him his troublesome luggage and provision and great quantity of victuals and directed his march Westward The noble and vigilant Generall Lesley omitted no time in pursuite of him but upon the first notice without any respect to the ransacking their for saken quarters raised his Leaguer from Quarrendon-Hill and marched after him to Ferry-Hill and so to Darnton which is as far South as the enemy could reach by that time onely a litle Eastward of him and 14 miles on this side Durham and thus followed on their resolution being meerely guided by the enemies march following them which way soever they went whom they now intended to follow close or rather march along with either till they had advantage to fight with them or should meet the noble Lord Fairfax to enclose him And if there be any truth in reports Newcastle lost at this time and upon the last straits and distresses which he was put unto one halfe of his army without fighting and shortly after all this the fugitive Marquesse quitted also Lumley-castle and so betooke himselfe to the City of Yorke intending to make that his City of refuge or rather skulking den as long as he could Whither at last as intelligence came to London about the latter end of April 1644 he was most securely arived with the remainder of his forces both horse and foot and whither our valiant and vigilant brethren of Scotland followed him being about the same time at a place called Burrough-bridge some twelve miles from York Northerly being now by this time ready to joyne with the ever honoured and right noble Lord Fairfax And it was enformed to the Parliament about the 22 of this instant that Rupert that Prince of Plunderland was got to Beaver-castle and advanced toward the North to joyn as 't was strongly conjectur'd with Newcastle if not prevented Whereupon the most noble Earle of Manchester went presently to Stanford with about 4000 gallant horse and 5000 foot intending to follow him close and to sit upon his skirts as soone as any advantagious opportunity was offered And upon this information an expresse was forthwith sent from the Parliament and the Committee of both Kingdomes with an order unto him to advance with all his forces and to attend this Prince Robbers removes and by waiting for all advantages if it were possible to force him to fight which 't was conceived was not so easie a matter to do as to hasten him to filtch and therewith an order was
they say the comming in of the Scottish Nation will occasion though they know very well that their former comming in was by Gods mercy a great means to prevent it and so also may this but they are too willing to forget or at least to silence what horrid cruelties are dayly committed by their bringing over of such multitudes of Irish Rebels or that this damdable Plot of theirs can be any Invasion of our Kingdome since these are forsooth the Kings honest Catholik Subjects O grosse and egregious daubing and dissimulation Now the Lords of the Councill of Scotland having received this Letter spent no long time about it but the very next day O the mercy of our God thus to cleare up their pious and prudent judgement herein dispatched an answer to that Letter much to this effect That they conceived their Lordships at Oxford were not so great strangers to their proceedings as not to know that their expedition into England was not intended till all other meanes were first assayed and disappointed That they will not deny the invitation of the Parliament to ayde them and that not onely out of pittie to see England bleed but out of sense of the danger of their owne Religion and Lawes they had thus as a maine cause taken up Armes at this present that they hold not the invitation of the Parliament any wayes invalid or null'd because they at Oxford are wanting thence or others are gone beyond the Seas having either wilfully deserted the Parliament or been expelled thence for their Delinquency but how this Parliament hath sought earnestly for Reformation of Religion for redresse of grievances and the happy settlement of the great affaires of that Kingdome and which was indicted by his Majestie for these ends is ratified by a speciall Act of Parliament not to be raised without advise and consent of both Houses as null and void and that those who stay in Parliament are not a sufficient number without them at Oxford is more than they can apprehend And as they are more deepely affected with unfeined griefe for these unhappy differences betweene his Majestie and his Subjects and more sensibly touched with the sufferings of their Brethren than desirous to judge of the Lawes and practises of another Kingdome So they doe hold themselves in duty obliged to their Countrey to clear that Kingdome of that unjust aspersion of invasion These things with sundry other excellent expressions were contained in this Letter or answer to the former as by the Letters themselves Printed and published at large appeared And heere now good Reader I shall again desire to cast Anchor to put in and make a short stay in the happy Harbour of this Moneths Voyages conclusion also a little to refresh and recollect thine and mine own serious thoughts in the most gratefull Contemplation and Recapitulation of all the eminent and excellent Parliamentary Mercies as so many specious and precious Merchandizes safely brought home in the Successefull adventure of the Arke of God in this Moneths Voyage which may conspicuously appeare to the eyes and understanding of any of all intelligent and impartiall Readers First In that most fragrant Aprill Primrose or odoriferous virtuous Violet I meane that most excellent Ordinance of Parliament for the better sanctifying of the Lords day In those brave Defeates given to our Adversaries The one at Munck-bridge by Sir Iohn Gell the other given to Colonell Bellusyes by victorious Colonell Lambere in Yorkeshire In the remarkable meanes of Conveyance of the Ammunition from Warwick to Gloucester And how thereby they were enabled to fright and secret their neighbouring Enemies Together with the taking in of Waltham-house by Colonell Whitehead with the good assistance of the London Brigade which God made victorious both going and comming In the happy Conjunction of the Lord Fairfaxes Forces with his most valiant and virtuous Son Sir Thomas Fairfax whereby their eminent designes were by Gods mercie greatly advanced which was immediately begun in the taking of Cawood Castle and the Isle of Axholme In the farther good successe and singular good service of Captaine Swanley in South-Walles And the regaining of Crowland a place of great concernment by the noble Earle of Manchesters Forces In the Hollanders Honourable attestation of precious Master Prynnes learned Labours in his Invincible Vindication of the Parliaments Power and Priviledges Together with the most comfortable correspondency betweene our Kingdome and Parliament and the Kingdome of Swethland and also States of the Vnited Provinces In that most Famous and admirable Victory obtained by the right Honourable and most renowned Lord Fairfax at Selby in Yorkeshire In the prosperous pursuit of Newcastles Atheistiall Army from Durham to Yorke by our valiant and vigilant brethren of Scotland the most noble Earle of Manchester and most worthily thrice Honourable Lord Fairfax who all uniting and joyning themselves together into a body about Yorke necessitated Newcastle to be enclosed and coop'd up within the walles of the said City In the brave Defeat given by renowned Sir William Waller to the Kings Cormorants at Basing-house Together with that other given by Northampton Forces to their Adversaries at Banbury And lastly in the Lords most gracious frustrating and foolifying that most pâ—rnicious Oxonian Plot to have diverted or rather perverted the Christian Amity and Fidelity of our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland in their pious purposes aud resolutions to come into our Kingdome for our timely and needfull assistance All which precious premises rightly regarded and most seriously considered especially that most remarkable Conquest at Selby and this the Lords most gracious turning of Oxonian Achitophels crafty and cruell Counsell into folly O who can but most justly and ingenuously acknowledge that in all in any of these rare and rich Parliamentary-mercies the Lord hath most comfortably caused his blessed Arke triumphantly still to over-toppe the high swelling waves and rough rising billows of Papists Atheists and mischievous malignants So that we may in strong and long experienced confidence in God conclude with holy David Yet truly the Lord is good to his Israel and to all such as are of an upright heart Great câ—use have wee therefore with magnanimous Martyn Luther in our greatest straits and seeming distresses to say and sing God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of trouble Therefore we wil not fear though the earth be removed and though the mountaines be hurryed or caryed into the midst of the sea and though the waters thereof roar and be troubled But now to goe on and to lanch forth again into the next Mouths adventure And first to begin with the certain intelligence which about the beginning of this Moneth of May came to London by Letters from Plymouth that that traiterous Skellum and base Apostate Sir Richard Greenvile came within two miles of Plimouth to a place called S. Butolphs with some Forces of Horse and Foot whereof
regular fortification and might have proved great offence to us whereupon they contracted themselves retreating in great fear and confusion toward Newark and the other side of Trent where at a generall Rendevouz at or about Mansfield they met with all Newcastles horse who together with them made up about an 100 troopes who quartered on that side Trent to the almost undoing of that part of the Country Now his Lordship being much affected with the distresse of the Country and perceiving that the vagabond-like Enemie declined to fight with him and were onely inclined to plunder he advanced to Grantham and from thence to Lincoln resolving by the Almighties assistance to attempt and take that place whereby he might either really weaken those Enemies of God and this Kingdome or else necessitate them to fight with us We came to Lincoln on Fryday the third of this Moneth iâ— the afternoone on which day in the morning Colonell Sir Peregrin Bartie high sheriffe of this County the Earle of Lindseyes brother and sometime Governour of this City was brought prisoner unto us by a party of ours We drew up our whole army in the face of the City on the brow of the hill neer Lanwicke and perceiving the enemy had made the entrance into that part which is called the old Towne very strong my Lord sent a trumpet to them with a fair demand of the place for the King and Parliament whereunto a very uncivill answer was returned reproaching us with the defeat at Newarke hoping we should be served here as there The next day we sent out a party of our Horse towards Gainsbrough and tooke some Prisoners who told us of a great body of Horse to the number of 5 or 6000. that were comming against us under Colonell Gorings Command which made my Lord resolve to storme them that afternoone and to that intent the scaling Ladders were brought forth and the Foot made ready to set on but second and better thoughts stayed us till next morning we having intelligence that they were farre enough off from comming to their reliefe for that night My Lord in the meane time sent 2000 Horse under the Command of Lieutenant generall Cromwell to meet the Enemy and to stop them from comming to relieve the City and thereupon the Foot were by Order drawne off from about the Hill which the Enemy perceiving it caused them to insult hooping and hollowing against us thinking we were affraid to set upon them but the next morning they were forced to sing another note in another tune For that night Order was given for the Foot to lye on the severall quarters of the Hill round about their Workes and to bee all in a readinesse to fall on from every quarter when they heard the great Ordnance goe off which was betweene 2 and 3 in the morning there being accordingly 6 Pieces together let fly And my Lord had a little before commanded 2 Regiments of Foot viz. Colonell Russells and Colonell Montagues to draw down toward the Gate and Draw-bridge which they accordingly did with admirable alacrity and resolution being led on by those two most valiant and religious Colonels who through the might of God so undauntedly approached the Enemy that after a very short dispute even within lesse than a quarter of an houre terrour seized on the enemies spirits and our men seized on their workes and so with incredâ—ble courage possest themselves of the low Town the enemy flying to the upper Towne and castle Ours tooke divers of the enemy in this brave bickering without the losse of any on our side which we humbly acknowledge to Gods glory to be a great mercy Upon the enemies retreat they endeavoured to have fired the low Town but ours pursuing closely prevented their mischievous intention in a great part and helped most industriously to quench those houses which they had fired We pursued no farther at this present resolving by Gods helpe to have stoâ—med the other part of the Towne and castle the next morning by breake of day though the common souldiers seemed to be impatient even of that short and needfull delay but by reason of much rain which fell that night and all the next day and night we were necessitated to deferre this worke till Monday following in which interim the Lord gave us the Sabbath day wherein we might seeke him for his blessing in so great a businesse Now the Enemy having by their Horse whom Colonell Cromwell strongly waited on with our whole Body of Horse enforced us thereunto it was consulted on whether the former resolution of Storming the next morning should hold or not it was presently agreed againe that by the help of our God the Lieutenant Generâ—l should with our Horse attend the Enemies Horse as aforesaid our Foot storm the Towne which was done accordingly wherein we received merveilous mercie from God who gave much wisdome and valour to our men as was then manifested for that at most in one quarter of an houre as was fore-showne wee gained their Workes every Division beating backe the Enemy and entring the places allotted to them to the admiration of the wisest and ablest of our enemies who did confesse that though they knew our intentions to storme them that night and therefore had drawne out all their Forces being 21 Foot Companies and 2 Troops of Horse besides the helpe of many of the City to make good their Works against our assault yet they were not able to stand out against the fiercenesse of our men whom as they said they thought to bee starke mad to come on in so desperate a manner at which as then so now on this second on-set they were so amazed and terrified that they fled to hide themselves but their pursuers found them out though they were crept into their Cathedrall many of them For our men never left running and pursuing of them untill they came to the top of the hill which would have been enough to have tyred a very Horse where being under the Castle-workes ours set up the Scaling-ladders which they in the Castle seeing left their Firing and fell busily to throwing downe of great stones upon us from over their Works and Walls by which we received more hurt than by all their former shot yet all would not daunt our men but up to the top of the Ladders they got which proved 100 short many of them to reach to the top of their Wallâ—s and their Workes they being most of them as high as London walls but yet they made shift to get up which the Enemy perceiving they had no spirit now left in them but betooke themselves to their heeles from the walls and our men close following them having all got over the walls and works shouting and hollowing and following them as fast as they fled but they not knowing whither to runne cryed out for Quarter saying they were
the blood of the Protestants that was upon them And about the same time we were certainly enformed that the most gallant and active Governour of Gloucester Colonell Massey loosing no time to annoy the Enemie nor omitting any opportunity to advance and advantage the Kingdomes Cause intercepted a Letter going from Wales to Oxford the contents whereof signifying that if assistance came not all Wales would be utterly lost And he also having intelligence of some preparations for that designe on the Enemies side to be put in action by Colonell Mynne he instantly and resolutely fell upon Mynnes quarters took divers Prisoners and Horse and brake the necke of that designe And about the same time it pleased the Lord very graciously to defeat our Adversaries devillish designs in the discovering of a most treacherous plot for the betraying of Gloucester into the enemies hands which was acted and agitated by one Edward Stanford Esquire a knowne Papist who plotted with an honest and loyall-hearted Gentleman Captaine Backhouse a Captaine of Horse under Colonell Massey In whom this Papist conceived he had a deep interest by reason of former ancient and intimate acquaintance To whom this Stanford assured a reward of 5000 l. for effecting the Treason But Captaine Backhouse most loyally and politickly deceived the said Popish Traitor and by speciall assent and good liking of Colonell Massey exchanged divers Letters about the firme contriving and carrying on of the businesse and so brought the Popish Agent into such a Fooles or Knaves Paradise as that he received 200 l. in hand of the said moneyes from Stanford and held out the acting of the businesse at least 3 moneths in treaties about it and things so fell out in that interim that partly Captaine Backehouse seemed to be necessitated to put it off but principally themselves were not fitted for action therein So that in the upshot they found themselves wound into a dangerous noose had it gone on and so voluntarily themselves left it off All this being at large related in print by Captain Backhouse himselfe with the interchangeable letters that past betweene them wherein was a cleare and full discovery of the whole plot to the just shame of those blood-thirsty traitors and the most deserved honour of that most loyall and faithfull commander Captain Backhouse May the 10. the most renowned and ever to be highly honoured Citizens of London observing a long and tedious obstruction in the Parliament about the re-establishing of the State-Committee of both Kingdomes which in its former setlement had produced much good to the affaires of the Kingdome and finding that the City Malignants began in their common discourse to seem to have great hopes of an utter dissolution thereof and most justly much fearing the ill consequences that were likely to follow thereon and considering that the main rub and remora thereof was in the House of Peeres The religious resolute prudent and provident Citizens therefore petitioned First their owne City Common-Council and the Common-Councill in the name of the whole City lamenting the not farther continuing of this Committee for both Kingdomes petitioned the whole House of Peeres for a most happy and speedy concurrence with the House of Commons especially now when an unanimous correspondency betweene them even in this conjuncture of time might redound much to their honours and the singular good of the Kingdome it having in 3 moneths time almost ruined our adversaries in their deepest designes against us as affaires then stood To which petition the Lords returned a very respective answer with great thankes for their love and care for the publike good And upon the 15. of May following the two Sheriffs of London with severall of the Aldermen and Common-Councill being the representative body of the City of London presented to the House of Commons in Parliament an humble petition expressing to that honourable House their thankefullnesse for the great and undefatigable paines which the House had now for some yeares past taken in the service of the publike Telling them withall that they were very sensible of the great discouragements they had received by some late obstructions yet did humbly desire them to loose no time in setling the Committee of both kingdomes assuring them that the City was resolved to obey the orders and directions of the House of Commons and that with the House of Commons they would live and dye as by the petition it selfe it was more at large expressed The House of Commons hereupon by their Speaker instantly returned many thanks to the City for their continued affection to the publique and to that House in particular and because a Petition so full of affection and resolution for the good of the publique might appeare to posterity They ordered it to be entred in the Journall-Book of the Parliament and the answer thereunto which was framed in expressions so suitable to the Petition as that it was exceedingly for the honour of the City and for the terrour of the enemies of this great Cause who eagerly sought and were in great hope at this time to have divided the one from the other The substance of this answer was delivered by Master Speaker as aforesaid on the very day of the delivery of the said City Petition and upon the Saturday following their Petition having been delivered but the Thursday before being May the 18th it was by expresse Order of the House delivered in writing by divers members of the House at a Common Councill in Guild-Hall sitting there of purpose to recieve the same Yea and upon the 20th or 21 of May next ensuing the Lords sent to the House of Commons this so long desired Ordinance for setling the Committee of both kingdomes with the alteration only of one word in it and the addition of two words more than were in it before and thus this weighty matter so long in disputation and expectation was now comfortably composed and yeelded unto to the great content of the well-affected and to the adversaries of the Causes great vexation and discouragement But yet within a day or two after the House of Commons moved the House of Lords againe by way of a reply to former Propositions therein with solid reasons why they could not concur with the Lords to have an additionall number of 15. to mannage the State-affaires with secrecy which is the key of certainty this having been the great blocke and obstruction in this weighty businesse and matters of high concernment being best carryed on when the number is the least So that at last the Lord was pleased to direct the heart of the Peeres to a full and clear setlement of this great businesse according to the desire of the House of Commons and long longed expectation of all the Well-affected Party and to the heart vexation of Malignants who hoped for an unhappy intestine division hereby among our selves Much also about
the same time came certaine intelligence by letters from Colonell Massey of more singular good successe which God had then given unto him against his neighbour enemies especially against that great Papist Sir John Winter the Queenes Secretary whom together with the most barbarous and bloody Irish-Rebells his so pious Mistresse imployed to settle the Protestant Religion I shall forbeare for brevities-sake to give an exact and particular relation how this most renowned Colonell by a brave martiall stratagem laid a train of powder and a granado at the end of it which did good execution to the purpose on the enemies the succinct number of the prisoners and the place where they were taken were as followeth Prisoners taken at Newnam which was Sir Iohn Winters head-quarter 3 Captaines 3 Lieutenants 4 Ensignes 12 Serjeants 4 Corporalls 4 Drums one Cannoneer one Engineer one provost Marshall 1 Chaplaine of the army 4 double barrells of powder 60 skaines of Match one Fawknet 3 Hambrough guns 4 Pieces of Ordnance 130 Common-souldiers besides good store of Armes Taken also at Westbury the same day which in the relation was about May the 7. the whole garrison with officers and souldiers one Capt. one Lieut. one Ensigne besides other officers 60 souldiers besides 9 slain 2 barrells of powder and 12 skaines of match At Litle-Deane also the day before slaine Lieut. Colonell Congrave the Governour thereof Captaine Wigmoore 70 others also slain there and at that time and 15 prisoners taken And thus have you briefely seene how that ever most worthily to be ever honoured and valiant Commander Col. Massey made notable advantages of that provision which was so lately before sent unto him And how to give this brave Commander his due praise or how to crown his browes with sufficiently flourishing green Laurells I confesse I am not able my expressions being indeed too low to set forth so high deserts and the present generation is so envious that if I could and should give him but so much right as I conceive him most worthy of and should not say as much of the rest they would I fear storme against me though I desire to exclude or extenuate no mans worth nor would disparage any in commending active Massey I will onely therefore say thus much in briefe and that most truely Many garrisons have done bravely but Massey at Gloucester hath exceeded them all And truly that brave Commander Colon Mitton of Wem garrison may challenge a second place in our highest and lowdest praises and expressions and why not renowned Lime garrison the third place which hath also done bravely to deep admiration as hath beene already and shall be yet more fully set forth in it's proper place All all the rest I say have done singularly well to Gods glory and their honour be it spoken As Captain Ludlow at Warder-castle Col. Norton Colon. Sydenham and the rest at Pool who have done as much as no man could expect more yea Warwicke garrison Alesbury and Northampton and the rest who have all done most heroickly and honourably and if they have come short of any others I hope they have meant as well as the best but peradventure had not the like opportunities thereto But to proceed About the 12. of this instant came credible information out of the Westerne parts from the garrison of Lyme that revived Prince Maurice not this ghost though he be ghost-like in reguard of his infirmity stormed the Town of Lyme a third time and was now also beaten off with great losse above 80 of his men being slain in one ditch and 60 in another and the rest of his army pursued even to their own workes and that Lyme garrison brought off 2 Pieces of the enemies ordnance within the command of their works though the enemy slew many of the poore Country-men to compell them to fight to have saved the 2 pieces of ordnance but all in vain And now upon Monday the 13. of this instant his Excellency the Parliaments Lord Generall of all their Forces advanced toward Oxford his Carriages went the day before and he in person followed the next day early in the morning which was Tuesday the 14th upon which day at Black-Fryers in London was a day of humiliation kept in the behalfe of the Western affaires at Saint Brides a Day of Thankesgiving for the Victory at Lincoln together with prayers and Solemn Supplications for the good successe of the Noble Earl of Manchesters Army and ere his Excellency left London he earnestly desired that a day might be set a part to seek the Lord for him and his brave Army which was accordingly performed in a most high and solemn manner by the Lord Mayor Aldermen Shriffes and Common-Councill of the City of London at Christs Church on Fryday the 17th of May A thing which had not been done before in all the time of these unhappy wars since they first began and therefore we have the greater ground of hope of a happy issue and good successe and that God will in mercy be found of those that seeke him first and which desire to go forth in his name and in his strength alone And about the 16th of this instant May we were certainly enformed at London that the Counties of Devon and Cornwall began to be sensible of and displeased at the concourse of the Irish comming into those parts declaring that rather than they would beare with it any longer they would with an unanimous consent as one man rise against them and expell them out of their Countries and thus we may hope that the kingdome will at length be beaten into a condition of having their eyes of understanding opened to see and believe those truths of their hastning danger which they before so long withstood to their late and long just misery and that now at length they will come back although it be by weeping-crosse which they might have avoyded had they not either through envy or ignorance fought against those who with the hazard of their lives have thus long preserved the Kingdome and untill this unhappy difference and inhumane discord and bloody war was plotted and managed by Romish-Iesuits and most ambitious and proud-Prelates no story can make report of so much basenesse of the English Nation especially after so much illumination as to take up armes against their owne Parliament chosen by themselves and which hath been in all ages the preservation of the subject But to proceed Whereas the Malignant-Spirits and most malicious adversaries of our Kingdome are continually working and contriving how to ruine themselves and the whole Church and State and had for this end by their active agents in Scotland the Marquesse Huntley the Lord Montrosse Craford Musgrave and others attempted an intestine insurrection in the Kingdome of Scotland about Aberdene the most malignant Towne in all that Kingdome hoping thereby by way of a divertive warre to bring off
joy of Gods people and the extreame terrour of the malignant Papisticall and Atheisticall adversaries of the great and glorious Cause of God there was a generall muster of all the City forces yet remaining within the line of Communication besides 6 Regiments of the City forces then abroad upon the publique service which were found to be no lesse than 12 regiments of foot of the London Train'd bands containing 40 companies Also Sir Iames Harringtons regiment being the Train'd bands of Westminster and that liberty containing 8 companies Colonell Hudsons regiment being that of Southwarke containing also 8 companies Also 4 regiments of Auxiliaries containing 20 companies within the City Colonell Willoughbies regiment being the Auxillaries of the Hamlets containing also 8 companies In all 48. All the companies of each severall regiment being more than 6 Companies in a Regiment were taken for a guard for the City and Parliament The rest being 12 Regiments 6 Companies in a Regiment marched about Noon on Thursday May 30. 1644. to Hyde-Parke where Tents were pitcht and Ordnance planted and whither the Right Honourable Sir John Wollaston then Lord Mayer of London together with the Right honourable the Lady Majoresse and other Ladies and Gentlewomen in about 30 Coaches went to see this famous Muster performed and where met them divers of the Lords and 〈◊〉 of Parliament who were there entertained in great State together with all the brave Colonels and Commanders The other 12 were thus disposed of 7 Companies to Guard the Works and Forts upon the Northside of the River 2 Companies to Guard the Southern side 1 Company for Westminsterh The other 2 Guarded the City one Company thereof at the Exchange the other Company halfe at the Tower-hill and the other at Pauls The names of the Colonels whose Regiments went forth were these The Right Honourable the Lord Mayors of the City of London Col. Atkins Col. Penningtons Col. Adams Col. Warners Col. Towers Col. Haringtons Col. Hâ—â—sons Col. Towes Col. Willoughbies Col. Shepheards and Colonell Harsnets This good Reader is here mentioned not to cause our hearts to be lifted up with pride by the Reedish-props of the arme of flesh No God forbid it God the searcher of all hearts knowes I am for from it and should much grieve if any should make such a sinister use of it but unfeinedly desiring in the words and with the spirit of the prophet Hosea to â—â—y out and confesse that Ashut shall not save 〈◊〉 we will noâ— ride 〈◊〉 horses nor will wee say to the workes of our hands ye are our gods for in thee the fatherlesse findeth mercy No I say I only doe it to shew forth the admirable power and great pitty of the Lord toward us who thus graciously raised us up and Remembred us in our â—owestate for his mercy endureth for ever But now to go on About the 3â— of this 〈◊〉 May we had certain intelligence that Russell-Hall in Staffordshire was surrendred to the noble Earle of Denbigh who managed the worke there with singular martiall prudence and prowesse There was taken in it Colonell Lane and divers other commanders at least 〈◊〉 other prisoners and all the 〈◊〉 in the House They tooke there also above 10000 l. worth of goods and wares that had beene plundered and pillaged from the carriers comming from London and other parts going toward Lancashire this being observed to have beene one of the most thee â—ing garrisons of the royall Cormorants in all that County in that they had sometimes taken 7 â—â—ore packs at a time from the Country so that 〈◊〉 piece of service hath much advantaged the security of the Country there about both in reguard they may have more free and fearlesse passage for the time to come to Coventry and London and also in reguard that a greater part of the goods thus taken will be restored to the proper owners And much about the same time we were for certain enformed by letters from Plymouth that the garrison therein sallying forth with a considerable party fell upon the enemies quarters at a place called Milbrooke 2 miles from thence where they tooke 9 pieces of ordnance a 150 prisoners a 100 cowes and 300 sheepe In which encounter 10 of the enemies were slain and 6 of ours And Colonell Martyn the brave Governour thereof did then also certifie that hee was in a good posture of defence onely that he desired some farther supply of provision to be sent unto him for which purpose 3 barks were speedily laden with victuals and all other necessaries for reliefe of the said brave Towne and faithfull inhabitants thereof Much also about the same time came certaine information by letters from Nottingham to London that that valiant and faithfull Governour of Nottingham castle Colonell Hutchinson whom neither the power nor the promises of the atheisticall Marquesse of Newcastle could ever make to startle from his loyalty and sincere obedience to the Parliament had lately sent forth a party of horse toward Newarke where they encountred with a party of the enemies horse under the command of Captain Thimbleby and Captain Cartwright and after a hot skrimish and brave bickering forcing them to fly they tooke in the pursute between 50 and 60 horse and about 20 officers and gentlemen prisoners among whom was Captain Cartwright and a Captain Lieutenant whom the acute Rhetorick of their swords perswaded to keepe them company to Nottingham-castle the foresaid Captain Thimbleby being slain in the fight And finally about the end of this Moneth of May came certain Newes of divers letters intercepted dated at Lyme May 24. under the hands of Portescue formerly a Parliamenterian Ashburnham her Majesties bed-chamber friend and some others of that stamp who informed their great masters Bristol and Heath by those letters that that villanous Town of Lyme had destroyed more brave gentlemen of the West and men of honour than had been lost in all the West since these wattes began But that they were resolved once more to storme it for a farewell and would dispute it line by line and worke by work yet feared they should be forced to leave the siege else the Country people they said would cut their throats they were so bent for the Parliament at Westminster And shortly after according to the tenour of the foresaid Letter they assaulted this brave Towne whereupon the Towne-Souldiers suffered them to make a breach in their Workes and then ran away from the defence of the Worke as if indeed they had fled away from the Enemy but by that time that 3 or 4 hundred of the Enemies were entred the breach they instantly made use of the advantage and cut off and tooke every man of them Prisoners with their Armes and Ammunition and had the slaughter of the Enemy from other of their Works and thus by Gods great mercy beat off their Enemy and rested safe and secure for this time also And here
in this as in other things see and be assured that good and faithfull Service shall not be unrewarded It was therefore Ordered by the Parliament that 10000. l. a year out of the Lord Paulets Estate should be conferred upon the Towne of Lime for their loyalty and courage in this famous Siege which hath been indeed to admiration for that besides the straights they have been driven too their impregnable courage in so stoutly defending themselfe from the malice of their blood-thirsty Enemies hath sometimes caused their very water to be noysome with the blood of those that sought their ruine and destruction O the admirable power wisdome and justice of the righteous Lord of Heaven and Judge of the whole World But to goe on At the same time and from the same hand and ships of the most noble Lord Admirall at Lime it was informed that their ships had taken upon the Seas since their setting forth from the Downes two Prizes one at Dartmouth a Vessell laden with Oyle and Salt for Holland and the other that was brought in unto them was a Dutch Galliot laden with good Commodities for the Enemy at Aptham and Exeter to the value of at least 8000 l. And the Master himselfe of the Galliot confessed that they had for her more safe Convoy the Company of two Statesmen of War who had aboard their Ships 5 Barrels of money amounting to a 1000 Dollars confined to some Malignants in Exeter The Factor under whose charge the money was committed being aboard the Men of War was loath to be discovered but at length was apprehended and brought before his Lordship and for some peremptory and unmannerly speeches to his Lordship was put into safe custody And all the goods proved good prize From aboard the James at anchor before Lyme June 1. 1644. This blessed businesse of Lyme and the most noble Lord Admirals singular and seasonable supply afforded to it did also produce immediately after these severall Orders from the Parliament First that a letter was drawn up as was toucht before and sent to the most noble Lord Admirall signifying how sensible the House was of his so great and good service and returning him the thankes of the whole House for the same And truely these Parliamentary acknowledgements and gratulations are very good for the publique either by land or by water and that Excellent Lord deserves thanks of no lesse demension than a Parliament Secondly that a Letter was drawn up as from the whole House also to the Town of Lyme to enforme them that the House took speciall notice of their faithfull and valiant service And indeed it is a gratefull and most worthy act of the House to let no desert escape their notice For it is not fit that such places as have borne the heate of the day should take cold under the shadow of State-neglect Thirdly that the Lord Mayor of the City of London was thereby desired to send notice to all Churches and Chappels in and about the said City and County of Midelsex to desire the Ministers in their prayers the next Lords-day to give thanks to Almighty God for the great deliverance of the said Towne of Lime from the rage and intended malice and mischiefe of their outragious enemies Much about the foresaid time the Parliaments ever to be honoured Lord Generall the most noble Earle of Essex had sent out as he was desired by the Parliament a Party of Horse to the reliefe of Lime under the Command of that most loyall valiant and most virtuous Gentleman Sir William Belfore but as yee have already heard the Morris was done and danced away before Whereupon their Horse wheeled about toward Weymouth and after they had faced the Towne and given them Summons they within presently yeelded and 400 Souldiers were content to leave their heavier weapons and to march away with sticks onely in their hands The noyse of Lime and Weymouth and the Lord Generals terrour flew to Taunton-Deane and they also soone quitted the Garrison and daunced after Maurices pipe Truely I cannot tell what to say to these things but must most justly admire Gods infinite mercy whose hand was most manifestly seene now in the West as well as in the North working all our workes there for us But of the winning of these Townes and the rest we shall speak shortly after more fully in their more proper place Much also about the foresaid time we had certaine Intelligence by Letters out of Leicestershire that the loyall and right noble Lord Grey of Grooby who hath so bravely and faithfully defended the Town of Leicester as having divers times engaged his person and done singular good service for the Kingdome with that very small strength which hee had there notwithstanding the great strength and oft incursions of the enemy in those parts yet that he marched out of Leicester and tooke divers of the Kings Cormorants or Cavaliers which were stragling up and downe to plunder and sent them prisoners to Leicester and that he fell upon their Quarters neere Vlstrup tooke some Prisoners there and made the rest retreat and in despight of the Enemy and all their power safely conducted Sir Iohn Gells Ordnance and Artillery designed for Darby or Leicester About the 18 th of this instant Iune we had certaine Information out of the West that the most noble Lord Admirall sent word to his Excellencie the Parliaments Lord Generall that as his Lordship moved by Land so he would saile by Sea and so be assistant to him in the clearing of those Westerne coasts And that for this purpose the noble Lord Admirall designed the Iames the Admirall of his Navy for that businesse a Ship of 875 tun Captaine Richard Blithe being Commander thereof and fitted with 50 Pieces of Ordnance and 260. men in her Also the Constant Reformation Captaine William Battin being Commander thereof a Ship of 740 tun fitted with 40 Pieces of Ordnance and 250. men in her The Expedition Captain Ioseph Iordan being the Commander thereof fitted with an 100 men and 18. pieces of Ordnance together with some other lesser ships which being designed to attend the Lord Generalls marches and removes and to move by Sea still as his Army did by Land and was thus most hopefull by Gods helpe in due time to reduce all the West to the obedience of the King and Parliament whereof more in its due and proper place Much also about the same time came farther intelligence out of the Western parts of the Kingdome that his Excellency had sent severall parties to summon Wareham Bridge-water Portland-castle and other Malignant Townes in those parts that at least 800 men were gathered together in Somersetshire to joyn with his Excellency and that unhappy Hopton having lately then prest about 2000 Souldiers there giving out they were to resist the French from landing but they soone finding it otherwise most of them deserted him and came in unto his Excellency
Whereupon poore sir Ralph calling a Councill of Warre it was resolved they should presse no more it causing them the sooner to desert him And thus we see how graciously the Lord begins to carry on the work in those parts About the 20th of this instant wee were most credibly informed by letters from Manchester from very credible hands that notwithstanding the present great pressures on that County of Lancashire in this Moneth by reason of that bloody rover Prince Robbers entring the same and spoyling and destroying all the good of the land before him especially at poor blood-dyed Boulton Yet I say this famous Town of Manchester was by the good hand of God preserved from the rage and wraâ—h of that furious and filching Enemy and did even at that time enjoy great plenty of Food and other necessaries yea notwithstanding that they then had 3 or 4000 Souldiers in the Town victualls of all sorts being very cheap among them Wheat sold for 3. s. 8. d. a measure good butter 2. d. far a pound the best Cheese at 2. d. bating farthing flesh-meat very cheap And that ye may know that money also was not very scanty there On the 16. instant being the Lords-day there was a collection made among them at Manchester for poor distressed and pâ—undred Boulton at the Church and Chappell at Salford where was gathered 7 score pounds besides much money that came in after that publike Collection And was not this a rare mercy especially at such a time and in such a County to be able to be givers and not receivers and to live in such a height of plenty notwithstanding so great misery round about them O our great and Wonder-working God who thus dost manifest that thou not onely art Good but dost Good Much also about the same time came farther intelligence by a letter from the noble Lord General which was read in the Lords House of Parliament wherein his Excellency informed them of the taking of the Town of Weymouth a very strong and considerable Sea-Town upon surrender The Commanders and Officers going away on horse-backe with their swords and pistols and the Common Souldiers as I toucht before only with staves in their hands Hee tooke in the Town 27 pieces of Ordnance and 50 other pieces in the harbour and all the ships neer it above an 100 barrells of Powder besides much Armes and Ammunition Hee farther writ that the Country did dayly come in unto him in great numbers so that his Army was very much augmented in those parts and by a Scout of the West it was farther informed about the same time that besides this brave prize at Weymouth there were taken about 2000 Armes more at the least and betwixt 30 and 40 ships by the most noble Lord Admirall About the 21. of this instant there came forth a most Excellent Ordinance of Parliament viz. For the constant payment of 200 l. a Weeke out of the Excise-money both for the support and sustenance of sicke and maimed Souldiers and also for the reliefe of the Wives and Children of such as have been slain in the Service of the Parliament This is indeed a good piece of State-Charity to heal the miseries as well as may be which the Kingdome hath been necessitated to make and it is the most possible supply and recompence that when we cannot give them the lives of their friends and husbands again yet to give them their livelyhoods And this makes the States of the Netherlands so to flourish and their famous charity in this kind engages even divine providence to blesse them with a dayly prosperity About the 22. of this instant came information by letters from the Leaguer at York that the noble E. of Manchester had received a losse of about 200 men by the too timely springing of a Myne Whence this was observable among our London Malignants who having quick intelligence of any thing which they thinke may prejudice our comfort and content gave out according to their accustomed use and manner of lying and carryed it current from prison to prison and from place to place that the Earl of Manchester had received a sore blow enlarging it also to the purpose that he himselfe was hurt his Forces routed the siege at York raised and Prince Plunderer come to York and this they averred with Oathes and Execrations And their fool-hardy confidence of this newes was such that when they were answered The Siege at Lyme was raised Weymouth and other Townes and rich prizes by Sea and Land taken and with them was taken the Kings principall Magazine for the West Country They impudently replyed all these were but a Flea-biting to that at York which was onâ—ly the losse of those 200 men at the Myne all the rest of their reports most grossely fâ—lse Now I say this their Flea-biting was no more but their losse of 80 pieces of Ordnance mounted in the Town and ships an 180 some writ 200 Barrells of Powder 2000 good muskets 200 pair of pistols 60 sail of ships besides the Town of Weymouth it selfe its Forts also and the Castle at Sandfoot many such Flea-bitings I say may the Enemies have I beseech the Lord. About the 24th of this instant we were certainly enformed by letters from the valiant and victorious Commander Colonel Mitton that the noble and right valiant Earl of Denbigh in pursuance of some Directions from the Parliament advanced into Shropshire with Directions to have intercepted 40 Barrells of Powder going to Prince Robber but the noble Earl failing thereof it being conveyed another way into Wales he thought it not amisse being so neere some of his Enemies quarters to make some attempt upon them yet so as that he was resolved not to loose above 24 houres and accordingly with the advice of Colonell Mitton marched toward Drayton where he left a good reserve and so advanced to Oswel-stree and with the Forlorn-hope consisting of 200 Foot and two Troopes of Horse he faced the Town about Iune the twenty second at two of the clocke in the afternoone and had a hot dispute of the businesse for the space of two houres the Earle by that time had made his approaches so neer and played so fiercely upon the Enemy with both small and great shot that a breach was made in the wall of the Town which he bravely entred and with the losse of onely one man and three wounded he bravely brake his way into the Towne the Enemy flying into the Church and then to the Castle who were so closly pursued and my Lords Pioners so nimble in their Undermining wherein Colonell Mitton shewed himselfe with much valour and dexterity that they within presently condescended to surrender the Castle only to have quarter for their lives which accordingly was granted them and thereupon these Prisoners â—nd Armes following were taken viz. Lieutenant Col. Bladwin Capt. Iohn Farrell and 3. Captaines more 3
Lieutenants 2 Cornets 2 Ensignes Commissary Richard Edwards 9 Serjeants 9 Corporalls and one Drum-Major besides 305 Common Souldiers 8 Townesmen in Armes 200 Muskets a 100 Pikes and other warlike weapons and 40 Barrels of Powder And of what great advantage this Town was to those parts especially for the reducing of North Wales those that know that Country do very well know But this Noble Earl rested not here this successe made him not forget the directions of the Committee of both Kingdomes nor to loose any time but that he hastned to expedite what was directed and by him before resolved And so the very next day he Ordered his March accordingly leaving that ever to be honoured Gentleman and brave commander Col. Mitton Governour of that brave Town and Castle a man most fit for such a trust as Wem can witnesse And about the 28. of this instant we were credibly advertised by Letters from Dorchester that the Country at least 20 miles about from the said Town being summoned to appeare there came in most freely and it being offered unto them That any one that desired a Passe to go to Exeter Bristoll or any other parts of the Kings quarters should go together on the left hand and should have their free Passes and all those that were convinced in their consciences of the justnesse of the cause on the Parliaments side should go to the right or hold up their hands and accordingly every one there assembled did so not one desiring a passe to go to the Enemie holding up all their hands most cheerfully this being upon the ending of a Sermon preached then by Master Peters who hath done great Service for the State both by Sea and by Land both in England Ireland and Holland And much about the last of this instant Iune 1644. for the conclusion of this Moneth An Ordinance of Parliament was happily past That no Lords nor Commons who have deserted the Parliament and complyed with Oxford shall be re-admitted into the Lords House nor Members of the House of Commons be any more admitted into the House of Commons without the consent of both Houses A good bar and like to be a strong prop to the firmer stablishing of the State of the Kingdome Who if they had come when their pretended House at Oxford stood on its flashy glosse and false glory we might have thought they had come out of conscience and affection to the Parliament at Westminster but now to leave their own ship when it is upon sincking and to crawl up the main top then is but like Vermine Rats to leave the ship for fear of drowning And truely in this case One constant Royalist though bad 's the best is more worth than 2 of these rotten-hearted Turn-coats But now let these ignoble spirited Deserters revolters sit as they deserve as Britannicus said well 't is pitty either House should again be stained with the Apostacy of such tergiversatious Bats For to be sure those that have once known that way to Oxford would every Spring and Fall every ebbing and flowing of the tide of affaires have been troubled with a fit of shifting sides and parties and be willing to take the ayre 44 miles from London And now having thus by Gods good providence and assistance finished this Moneths Voyage also I shall here desire as is most fit to cast anchor again and to put to shoar a little to refresh our Vessell and to bring forth all the Merchandize and rich Commodities of this Moneths Adventure to a summary sight and revise thereby to set an edge upon our affections to stir up our most gratefull hearts the more to praise the Lord our great and good God the Father and fountain of them As first The happy and most seasonable reliefe of the long and straitly besieged Town of Lime in Dorsetshire by the most noble and renouned Lord Admirall the Right honourable Earl of Warwick together with the serious consideration of the Admirable and almost incredible courage of the Inhabitants and Souldiers thereof in so undauntedly defending it by Gods most impregnable power and assistance The most Loyall and Valiant ayde and help afforded to us by the Noble Earl of Callender in the Northern parts of the Kingdome and the Parliaments most wise and gratefull respect to Captain Swanlyes good service in Wales The kings most unworthy signing and assenting to the most wicked demands and Articles of the Irish Rebels after which he was forced to flye up and down with as much just fright of a wounded conscience as needlesse fear of his most friendly pursuers The Parliaments most prudent and provident making that brave and most gallant Citizen Colonell Brown Serjeant Major Generall of 3 Counties viz. Oxford Berks and Buckinghamshire Renouned Colonell Masseys taking of Tewksbury And Gods just judgement on some of the Kings Forces at Parrishâ—â— in their flight from Sir William Waller their victorious and most valiant pursuer and his brave taking of Shudley Castle as he past along in pursuite of the King Valiant and active Captain Purefreys taking of Compton House in Warwickshire neer Banbury and a most brave defeat given to the Enemy by the most noble and renowned Earl of Denbigh at Dudley-castle to his indelible high renowne and the Enemies extreame great losse and dishonour The totall and most remarkable raising of the long and tedious Siege of Lyme to Gods great glory our unexpressible comfort and Prince Maurices eternall shame and infamy Together with the Parliaments most wise and worthy brave carryage in and about that businesse both in their ordering of thankes to God the Lord Admirall and Lyme it selfe as also in bestowing a brave and bountifull reward on the Town of Lyme for their valour and loyalty to the Cause of God Sir William Belfores taking of Weymouth and Taunton-Deane the noble Lord Grey of Groobies brave carryage at Leicester and the Lord Generalls and Lord Admiralls preparations both by Sea and by Land to reduce the West to obedience to the King and Parliament and their hopefull progresse therein Gods admirable goodnesse to Manchester in Lancastershire together with that excellent Ordinance of Parliament for constant reliefe to Wives and Children of Wounded and Slain Souldiers in the Parliaments service The most noble and right valiant Lord Denbighs winning of that strong and important Towne of Oswelstree with the prisoners and prizes taken therein And lastly The singular good affection which wrought in the hearts of the West-Country people toward the Parliament and their upright Cause together with an excellent Ordinance of Parliament against rotten-hearted Revolters and Deserters of the Parliament All these so rich and rare Merchandizes and comfortable Commodities brought in unto and by our precious Parliament for the happy advance of Gods Cause thus agitated in the Kingdome seriously considered and rightly aestimated who can deny but that our God hath most admirably this Moneth also carryed on his blessed Arke
his said relation as yee have seen toucht upon many remarkable prints of Gods admirable providence and prudence by his powerfull hand and strong arme carrying on this great work in extraordinary excellent and eminent manner to the unexpressible honour and glory of his great name Yet give me leave I pray now to adde some few more worthy the Readers most serious notice and observation as adding much also I beleeve to the praise and glory of our great and gracious Wonder-working God First That when Prince Rupert had by a by-way got into Yorke and come forth again our Generall fearing the Enemies advance to the Southerly Associated Counties to have spoyled the kingdome that way also which they might too certainly have done ours therefore marched away with their Van the rest following to prevent Rupert But he contrary to their thoughts falls with all his forces upon our Rear the Van being about two or three miles forward on their foresaid march and by a hot alarme comming sodainly to them forced for haste to returne disorderly to the fight and ere they could rally themselves orderly into battalia our Rear was engaged if not routed yet though tyred and faint they fell upon the Enemy That at the very beginning of the fight just as both Armies were joyning Battail and beginning the first encounter or assault of each other it pleased the Lord as it was most credibly affirmed for a certain truth that a sudden and mighty great storm of rain and hail and terrible claps of thunder were heard and seen from the clouds as if heaven had resolved to second the assault with a fierce Alarm from above Thirdly that about 2 or 3 Regiments of the Enemies side which at the first had routed and pursued a great party of our side which fled away from the Enemies first and fierce on-set Yet immediately after all that party of the Enemy was by a seconding party of ours following the Enemy in the Rear totally slain or taken prisoners Fourthly That God dealt with our 3 Noble Generalls Armies as he did with Gideons Army of all the thousands brought together at first he made choyce of some few hundreds to do this great work withall and when we seemed to be at the lowest ebbe of our strength a constant way of Gods admirable wisdome and power then on a sodain he turned the scale and came in with his irresistable power and never failing mercy and with a small number just as he did at Keynton battell got himself the Victory for us Fifthly that notwithstanding when Rupert that pert yea malepert giddy and bloody Prince had boldly and adventurously got into York and relieved it and thereby also released Newcastle and many or most of the Popish partee before inclosed within that City-walls which indeed was the main project or design the Enemy had at that time and that upon their return out of York all safe to the rest of their Army they called a Councill of War who also peremptorily resolved which indeed was their best and had been our worst blow of all to leave Yorke and make presently with all their strength into the Associated Easterly and Southern Counties Achitophels Councell most directly Yet then I say that this proud and bloody hair-brain'd young Prince should pluck out of his pocket the Kings Letter or Commission to him in speciall just like Hushaies Councell to crosse Achitophels charging them by no means to depart from York untill they had with all their combined powers given us battail O the admirable wisdome of our God thus to crosse that former fatall and terrible Councell as it must needs have proved Sixthly That the Counsells of Prince Rupert and others had designed the most valiant and expert Souldiers of the Popish and Atheisticall party to encounter the Wing of the Army commanded by renowned Lieutenant Gen. Cromwell as making account that in beating him they won the day and in particular Rupert had designed certain Troops of Horse all Irish-Papists and Gentlemen old Souldiers all who had been in service in Spain and France to give the first charge to the Brigade or party in which General Cromwell was and that they did confidently believe there was not a man of them but would dye rather than fly but they mist their expectations for many of them being indeed slain in the place all the rest fled Thus our God lets our proudest Enemies see and know The battell is not to the Rider nor the race to the Swift Sevently That upon the flight and departure of the Earl of Newcastle from the battell there passed many warm words betwixt Prince Rupert and him in Yorke after the rout they charging each other with the Cause thereof the Prince telling the Marquesse that he made not good his promise of assistance and the Marquesse replying in such a manner as mooved much passion and discontent yea and some say blows too And that thereupon the Marquesse of Newcastle with Generall King the Lord Witherington and very many moe fugitive gallants flying away beyond Sea to Hambrough and Holland Sir Thomas Glemham then governour of York did as 't was credibly assured and affirmed proclaim Newcastle a Traytor for his deserting Yorke and flying beyond Sea from his colours Thus as our English proverb is Theeves falling out among themselves True men by Gods mercy are like to enjoy their goods again Eightly That notwithstanding the extreame and extraordinary wants and straits which our Souldiers were put unto enough to move great compassion yea and admiration too and wherewith they were greatly pinched both the night before the battell and sometime since also as namely tyrednesse in travelling and hasty retyâ—ing to and fro such want of water much lesse of Beer to drinke that they had drained the wells even to the mud and were necessâ—â— to drink water out of dirches and places pudled and mired with the horses feet and that through want of accommodation of victualls very few of the common-souldiers had eaten above the quantity of one penny-loaf from Tuesday to Saturday morning following and as I said no beer at all to be had Yet I say notwithstanding all these that the Souldiers should fight so cheerfully and stoutly even by Gods admirable mercy to a glorious victory Ninthly That in the rout of the Enemy and in their flying and scattering about many of them ran most frightedly and amazedly to the place where some of the Regiments of Horse of the Parliaments side were standing on their Guard and all or most of their Riders were religiously singing of Psalmes to whom as the foresaid runawayes of the Enemy came neer and by their singing of Psalâ—ed perceiving who they were they all most fiercely fled back again and cryed out God damn them they had like to have been taken by the Parliament Round-heades For they only knew them I say to be the Parliament Souldiers by their
Gods glory and our great comfort as witty and worthy Britanicus well noted his Majestie made Bonefires in the morning and our three foresaid noble Generalls quenched them and put them all out again before night And though now I have done with this brave Battell and famous Victory yet give me leave Good Reader to add this one note for a conclusion which I had from very credible and good information viz. That our Malignants choice Champion and stout Souldier Prince Robber as valiant and courageous as they would have the world hould him to be yet I say this great Kill-â—owe besides the losse of his dainty Dog found dead among the rest of the slain lost also his brave Beaver in the field or flight for found it was and himselfe as divers affirmed lay hid in a Bean-field as was toucht before after a litle service done in the field untill it was dark and then got away into Yorke And in the same place where the Marq. of Newcastles Commission was found there was also found a Letter signed with Charls Rex to it saluting the Marquesse of Newcastle by the name of Right Trusty and most entirely beloved Couzen and Councellor by which we may observe that he was most entirely beloved that put Armies into Papists hands to cut the troats of Protestâ—nts signifying by that Letter That his Lordship should take care that the Lord Viscount Rochford should have all his Rents paid unto him for that he was reconciled to his Majesty If then his Majesty spake truth the Lord of Rochford deserved much blame who was thereupon accused by the House of Commons for adhering to the Enemies and upon Thursday Iuly the 11. the said Lord comming to the House of Peers was saluted with an impeachment of high Treason and committed prisoner to the Black Rod. About the 12 of this instant it was for certain informed that although they at Oxford boasted much of the relieving of Greenland-House yet now by Gods mercy it was yeilded upon fair termes and moderate Articles unto Major Generall Brown and that for the present his Souldiers maintained a Garrison in it But that it was resolved on not to continue it so but to have it demolished to the ground The taking of this House was of great concernment to the City of London for by that means great quantities of provisions may be securely convayed by water to London out of Oxfordshire and Barkshire and aboundance of Wood out of the Oxford Malignants estates in those parts to serve London for fuell all the succeeding winter Much also about the same time came certain intelligence by Letters out of the Western parts of the Kingdome that the Forces of his Excellency the Parliaments most Noble Lord Generall under the Command of Sir Robert Pye and Colonell Blake had taken Taunton Castle a peice of great strength and concernment also in those parts and that in it they had taken 4 Iron peeces of Ordnance 6 Murtherers 4 Hogsheads of Beef a load of Iron great store of powder one Demi culverin 2 tun of Match one powder-Mill a great quantity of bullets 2 Loads of Cheese 2 Hogsheads of Oatmeal with great store of Salt Wheat Meal and other sorts of provision with store of Housholdstuffe and rich moveables and Colonell Reve who commanded the Castle for the King and the rest of his souldiers had quarter to March away to Bridgewater the Kings next Garrison Town About the 14th of this instant came also certain information by letters from the truely noble Lord Denbigh that whereas he had made a shew as if he would have drawn his Forces toward Shrewsbery as intending to besiege it yet indeed his private resolution 〈…〉 upon the House of the Lord Cholmley and tooke it which was a singular good 〈◊〉 of service to the State in 〈◊〉 that this House had been a very great and long mischiefe to the Country in those neer adjacent 〈◊〉 into it Much also about this foresaid time we were certified by letters out of Lincolnshire of the brave activity and valour of Colonell Rossiter Governour of Lincoln who weekly used to fall upon the Enemy neer Newark and that at one time he took a Major a Captaine and 30 Troopers and their horses Shortly after also that issuing out again he took another Major 3 Captains and 50 horse more with their Riders within three miles of Newark The Commanders especially were good prize these not being so easily 〈◊〉 as Horses those Newarke plunderers making a shift frequently to take an 100 horse in a hight out of the Villages about them Thus that poor County of Lincoln was continually wronged and turned by that pestilent den of plunderers About the 16th of this instant came certain intelligence of some late performances and good Service done by Captain Sydenbam and Captaine Carr neer Dorchester which was informed to be thus The Lord Inchiquin drew out of Warchaâ—â— about 240 horse and Dragoons and came against Dorchester intending to plunder burn and destroy all before them but making some pause before they fell upon the Town it gave Valiant Captain Sydenham and Captain Carr the opportunity of comming to their reliefe before they had attempted the intended mischiefe and so they fell upon the said Enemies about a mie from the Town beat them soundly back again took 160 prisoners with 60 horse and good store of their late gotten plunder elsewhere loaden in a Waggon and that some of the Enemies so taken being Irish Rogues euen 8. of them thus taken had such quarter given them as they gave the Protestants 〈◊〉 Ireland viz. That they hanged them up presently they having pursued their Enemies about 12 miles killing many of them by the way About this foresaid 〈◊〉 the honourable House of Commons in Parliament took into confideration having also before it passed the bill and great businesse of Ordination of Ministers the pious and religious 〈◊〉 of a godly and learned ministery of which there was and iâ— great complaint of the 〈◊〉 of and not without cause thankes to our former wicked Bishops almost all over the whol Kingdome And thereupon they agreed that all such as shall have Ordination shall be sound men well skil'd in Philosophy Logick and in the Tongues If all these and piety especially must precede it is to be feared that an age will not furnish all the Parishes in England and Wales in such a manner How ever we have just cause to blesse the Lord most heartily for so blessed and long desired a godly resolution in them and to wait on God for the good issue thereof Much also about the 18th of this instant July came certain intimation by Letters to London from out of Leistershire that Generall Hastings that wicked Râ—b-Carrier of all those parts was at Colchetâ—â— with about 2000 horse and Foot they being all he could possibly draw out of all the Garrisons under his Command with
some intention to walk in his accustomed way of plundring robbing and spoyling the Country about him Whereupon the truely noble and valiant Lord Gray of 〈◊〉 hearing of this partee of the Enemy drew out of Leicester with all expedition thirsting to give his old Antagonist battell supposing this gallant partee which Hastings had gathered together would have put some valour into him But as soon as the Lord Grâ—y drew neer unto him he presently retreated to Asâ—â—by de la Zouch his old den and kennell of refuge to be there an onely spectator of the Lord Grey and Sir John Gells meeting who no sooner were joyned together but they fell upon Wilne-Ferry and Fort which had been Hastings chief trap to take the Carriers in their passage between Dâ—rby and Leicester with such resolution and courage that after 3 dayes siege giving the Enemy continuall Alarms with notable thunder-claps of Cannon both their Forces drew up close to the Ferry and Fort and immediately with admirable brave gallantry they stormed it kill'd 8 or 9 men took the Governour prisoner with 2 Captains 3 Lieutenants 3 Ensignes with their 〈◊〉 and Colours 2 Drakes 80 Souldiers neer an 100 Gentlemen and others which came in to their assistance with all their Armes and brought them all into Leicester In all which businesse the Lord Grey lost but one man and some few hurt but thanks be to God not mortally As soon as this businesse was thus successefully finished my Lord presently slighted the Works pull'd down the Fort and burn'd the House in its own rubbish 〈…〉 to Lâ—icester the Enemy never so much as attempting to 〈…〉 Charge Now during this time the prudent Lord Grey ever desirous to preserve his assoâ—iation hearing that a party of Newarke and Belvoir Horse was come up as farre as Melton Mowbray to plunder the Country in his absence he immediately sent Colonell Waâ—t with a party of Horse to drive the Enemy out of the Country or fight with them which was accordingly done and the Country thereby in the interim safely protected And here now I cannot I may not passe over without a great 〈…〉 of impious ingratitude the happy remembrance of that most sweet and Solemn-day of Thankesgiving to the Lord our all-good-giving and forgiving God which was rarely and religiously celebrated on Thursday the 18th of this instant July 1644. for that late and most admirable yea even miraculous Victory which the Lord our God gave unto our forces under the command of those three most renowned Generalls in the North neer the City of York And yet which happy day our impious and heaven-out-daring Adversaries the wretched Royalists had laboured as was before mentioned at the end of the description of that famous victory to cloud and to take off the Edge of our thankfulnes by spreading abroad false rumours and presuming I say most audaciously to mock God by outward appearances of their pretended and false joy whereas they had no salvation wrought for them in the thing wherein they seemed to rejoyce and one main argument which our Malignant-Enemies used to discourage and discountenance us and if it could have been to have infused into us to believe that there was some truth in their outward flourishes that so I say they might have cast ashes upon our heads in the day of our triumph was because the City of Yorke was not yeilded to us which said they would not nay could not hold out if Prince Ro. had beene routed But our most wise and mercifull God would not suffer them hereby to rob him of his honour and therefore it is most worthy our observation that the newes of Yorkes being certainly surrendred unto the Parliaments forces arived at London the very Thankesgiving-day before the time set a part for the duties of our Solemn-Thankesgiving Which now I say comes here next to be spoken of namely That on Thursday July the 18th 1644. The Lords and Commons of Parliament joyned together at Westminster in the cheerful solemnization of this day and every parish in and about London Assembling together both forenoone and afternoone to hear Sermons preached in their Churches and prayers and praises proclaimed to our so great and good God the Wonder-working God of this our Israel and in a speciall manner this was performed by the Right Honourable prudent and pious Lord Mayor of the City of London Sir John Wolaston together with the most worthy Aldermen and Sheriffs his Brethren as also all the Companies of the City of London in their Gownes and Liveries at Pauls-Church where after the morning Sermon was ended a volley of small shot was triumphantly discharged and two Ensignes or Colours were flourished and displayed on the toppe of Pauls-steeple which gave notice to the severall Forts in the fields and thereupon the Ordnance went off round about the City and after the afternoones Sermon great outward joy and thankesgiving was expressed both first in liberall summes of money collected in the Churches to refresh the loynes of the poore and afterward in ringing of Bells and making Bonefires in the streets that night yea and the neighbours and parishoners of divers parishes in London both Husbands and Wives supped altogether in extraordinary solemn-manner especially in the parish of Christs-Church in London where I my selfe was an unworthy part and present eye-witnesse of the same All or the greatest part of the said whole parish both men and women especially of the best sort and quality Knights Ladies Gentlemen and Gentlewomen yea all well-affected persons of fashion and ability assembled together in the great Hall of Christs-Hospitall to the number of about 200 men and their wives who being all very gravely and cheerfully met together and supper made ready their reverend pious and painfull Pastor Mr. Jenkins who indeed was the first mover of this so solemn meeting an act worthy a godly Divine indeed he I say began A Psalme of David as sweet heavenly musicke which all the Company sang together whiles the dishes of meat were brought in and set on the tables Then a blessing on the creatures craved and supper ended the said reverend Pastor as hee piously began so hee religiously concluded with thankesgiving and another Psalme sung by them all at their tables ere they rose all done in a most grave and reverend manner And here also I desire the godly Reader to take notice of one remarkable passage of Gods providence about this worke which happily preâ—eded this solemn-meeting in the foresaid place viz That upon the Wednesday the very immediate day before this meeting it pleased the Lord so to order and dispose it That that most worthy and most deservedly ever to be honoured religious and zealous Nehemiah of our dayes Sir Robert Harlow Knight of the Bathe came himselfe to the said Hospitall and caused by the power and authority of Parliament most happily invested on him a mighty great and most
blasphemous Crucifix which had continued there in marvellous fair and fresh oyâ— colours undeâ—â—ced for the space of above a 100 or six score yeares at least upon all the length and bredth of the wall at the upper end of that great Hall and onely a great picture in a large frame of the manner of the donation of the Hospitalls to the City of London set before it and that monstrous Crucifix standing behind it This abominable and most blasphemous Crucifix which no man before durst touch to deface it King CHARLES himself having at his sight of it commanded the contrary this most pious and religious noble Knight now caused I say to be presently at his comming pulled down and broken I dare say into 1000 pieces I my selfe being an eye-witnesse and assistant in this businesse it being all most gorgeously painted on boards neatly and closely joyned together And thus I say was that fair roome made far more fair and cleanly swept of that most filthy and Popish-dirty Corner that night against the next dayes solemn-meeting as aforesaid and all the wood and boards so pull'd down and broken in pieces was reserved for this Thursday-night the Thankesgiving Evening and by the children of the Hospitall a great Bonefire was made of the fame in a great yard called the Townditch just at the time when the foresaid assembly were at supper All this foresaid solemn Celebration of this day of Thankesgiving justly serving besides the outward expression of christian joy and triumph for the shame and vexation of our audacious adversaries the Parliaments Enemies and all their malicious and malignant atheisticall adherents But now to goe on And now in the very next place comes most properly to be remembred and informed the manner and truth of the happy rendition and surrender of the City of York into the Parliaments possession Which also being fully and faithfully set out by the pious pen and zealous heart of that most religious and truly venerable Gentleman Master S. Ash I have thought fit here againe to write by his Copy and to plow with his Heifer and to set it downe as hee hath delivered it under his owne hands testimony which was as followeth Upon Thursday Iuly the 11th our Armies saith hee having after the foresaid famous fight and glorious victory closely begirt York again with a strong and straight siege and made very neer approaches to the walls of Yorke and raised batteries whereby was made some Execution and our men being now busie in preparing ladders and other instruments for the storming of the Town Hereupon the Enemy within perceiving our serious resolution presently sent and desired a treaty According to which desire Sir William Constable and Colonell Lambert were sent by the Lord Fairfax into the City upon other answerable hostages sent out of the City for their security and safe return They went in upon the next Saturday morning and having spent that day in parley they returned with this request to the three Generalls That there might be Commissioners authorized to treat and conclude upon Articles for the peacable surrender of the City Our three Generalls having demanded the judgement of some Ministers whether the worke of the Treaty might be approved and allowed on the Lords-day and receiving encouragement that it might They thereupon immediately appointed the Lord Hamby Sir William Constable and Colonell Mountague to goe the next day into the Town three Hostages being sent out of the Town for their security who continued their Treaty and Debate till Munday about noon and then returned with the Articles to be subscribed by the three Generalls which were 14. in number and which was done accordingly But the particular recitall whereof I forbeare for brevities-sake and as knowing they were aboundantly known to all that have heretofore read these relations Now if any upon the perusall of those Articles did conceive or imagine that too much favour was granted to the Enemy I desire that these 〈…〉 First That the benefit which could be expected for our Armies or the Kingdome by taking the Town by storme could not possibly in any mâ—asure counterveil the miserable consequences thereof to many thousands Who knowes how much precious blood â—ight have been spilt upon so hot a 〈…〉 the Town could have preserved their houses and shops 〈…〉 thousand Souldiers had broken in upon them with heat and violence How much would this County have suffered in the ruinâ—â— of this City And how many of our good friends in other places 〈◊〉 drive Trades with Citizens here would have been pinched in their estates by the impoverishing of their Debters Upon Tuesday the Enemy went out of the Town according to Articles our Souldiers were set on both sides the way where they were to passe for the space of a mile from Micklegate and the Officers according to command went from place to place to prevent the doing of any wrong to the Enemies as they marched away That morning very early as I should have told you before all the Souldiers in the Royall Fort which is a curious and strong worke possessed with needlesse feare did run away and left their Armes behinde them The fourth part of them at least who marched out of the Town were women many very poore in their apparell and others in better fashion Most of the men had filled and distempered themselves with drink the number of the Souldiers as we conjectured was not above a thousand besides the sick and wounded persons When the Enemies were departed our three Generalls went together into the City attended with many of their Officers The first house they entred was the Minster-Church where A Psalme was sung and thankes given unto God by Master Robert Duglas Chaplaine to the Lord Leven for the giving of that City into our hands upon such easie termes At which time notice was given that Thursday after should be kept by the whole Army as a day of Thankesgiving for that great mercy which accordingly was observed Now the three most noble Generalls also as was credibly enformed Manchester Leven and Fairfax with the Committee of those parts as a most reall testimony of thankes to God both for their great Victory at YORKE and for this taking of the City of YORKE sent to the Parliament presently after their possession thereof desiring that Propositions of Peace might be prepared and sent to the King to shew their true desire of Peace notwithstanding this great Victory and advantage against the Kings party But withall desiring that they might treat with their Swords in their hands and that the War might be prosecuted as a speciall meanes next to Gods blessing to bring about the better termes and ascertaine the reallity and expedition of the worke And they also desired that businesse about religion might be setled with all convenient speed in the Church now that we had so good successe Now surely to desire Propositions of
for even then when the Enemies came in like a flood then did the Lord lift up his Standard against them And truly the Lord hath dealt with all our proud Enemies all along in a most eminent and evident manner had we but eyes and hearts of undersanding to see and perceive it even ever since these last most notorious and odious plots and practizes of the Atheisticall Royalists in the abominable businesse of the accursed cessation and confederation with the bloody Rogues and Rebells of Ireland just as it is most notably set forth by the Prophet Ezekiel concerning Pharaoh King of Aegypt Our proud Enemies were like young Lyons of the nations and as a Whale in the sea and came out of their rivers and troubled our waters with their feet and fouled our rivers with mud and blood But the Lord our God did then spread out a net over them with a company of many people who brought them up into his net and dragg'd them and there the Lord left them as fish upon dry-land and cast them forth upon the open field and caused the fouls of the heaven to remain upon them and had they been left unburied all the beasts of the land had been filled with them as those inhumane bloody Irish-Rebels suffered many of our poor English Protestants to be devoured by hogs and dogs left unburied in their fields and ditches And now therefore good Christian and candid Reader thou who hast any true English-ingenuity and piety sparkling in thy soul speak from thy heart and conscience and tell mee truely have wee not great and everlasting cause with most cordiall-exultation and ravishing joy of Soul and Spirit to break out again and again into holy Moses his most excellent short and sweet expression of GODS infinite and admirable goodnesse Who is like unto thee ô Lord among the gods who is like unto thee glorious in holinesse fearfull in praises doing Wonders Let every one of us therefore joyntly and severally with that sweet Singer of Israel holy David with heart and voyce sing and say I will remember the Workes of the Lord surely I will remember his Wonders of old and of late I will meditate also of all his workes and talke of all his excellent doings For who is so great a God as our God yea thou art God that doest wonders thou hast declared strength among the people Thou hast with thy strong arme redeemed thy people even the sons of Jacob and Joseph It is better therefore as the same Psalmograph sweetely to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man Yea it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes And who then would not feare thee O King of nations for unto thee alone indeed doth appertain all honour and glory for as much as among all the wisemen of the nations and in all their Kingdomes there is none like unto thee our God Finally therefore good Reader to shut up all all that I can say herein having said so much already in my two former parts of this our Parliamentary-Chronicle is and shall be onely this That me thinkes all these so many and so manifest evidences of Gods best presence with us and of Gods all powerfull hand of providence thus admirably upholding us in the Innocency and Integrity of our Cause which he so cleerly makes and ownes to be his Cause by all those late and former Northern and Western Victories and other most specious returns of prayers should make us walk more yea most comfortably and confidently with our God That our God having thus enabled us to overcome the Beares and the Lyons of impious audacious opposition of the work of Reformation in Church and state will not fail also to deliver into our hands and unto our beleeving hearts the greatest seeming Goliahs and uncircumcised Philistims of proud and lewd reluctancies and obstructions which either men or devils can raise up against Gods glorious cause and unspotted Truth which is great and shall prevail onely let us wisely waite and beleeve for as I have oft on these like occasions said to my Christian friends who have still been harping and hammering on this demand I but when shall this be A too curious and indeed unchristianly question Beggers must be no carvers neither of the time nor means But the true Beleiver makes not haste but is willing to waite because the Vision which is for an appointed time at the end shall speak and will not lye Onely though it tarry yet waite for it because it will surely come and will not tarry as the Prophet most pertinently and excellently In sum Let me advise thee good Reader who ever thou art as holy Moses advised and encouraged his fainting Israelites in their greatest strait of Pharaoh and his furious Hoast behinde them the Red Sea before them and impassable hills and mountains on both sides of them Fear not but stand still in immovable true faith holy universall Obedience and heavenly harmonious Vnity one with another O take heed of intestine Divisions which spoil us in this triple pious posture I say Let us all voyd of all slavish fear stand still and see the Salvation of our God Whereunto the Lord in Christ through whom onely we are able to do this and all things graciously enable us Amen and Amen The Authours humble request to the Courteous Reader Courteous Reader I Must and do ingenuously acknowledge that in the publication of the second Part of our Parliamentary-Chronicle I committed two reall errours by mis-information given unto me by two known friends whom I much credited The one of them thou shalt finde Page 246. and in the Table or Index in the Alphabet B In both which Sir John Byron is said to be slain at Burford whereas he was but sorely wounded silenced as dead al the time of his cure which mistake I beseech thee good Reader who hast or may'st have that second Part utterly to obliterate and put out The other mistake by like mis-information thou shalt find Page 332 333. concerning the putting of the Commission of Array in Execution Viz. That Colonell Rudgeley was there said to be a principall agent therein Which in truth is far otherwise Hee being all along even ever since these unhappy wars began a most absolute Antagonist against that illegall Commission and a most loyall and constant freind to the Parliaments Cause having both in his person and in his purse manifested himselfe a true Patriot to his Country in the County of Stafford and a principall actour in the winning of Stafford Town and Castle and also of Chillingford-House from the Kings Cormorants All which I having lately had from most singular and substantiall testimony to be most true have chosen rather to take the shame on my self thā to suffer so noble a Gentleman to receive any eclipse of his honour by mine or my friends mistake
I therefore earnestly beseech thee good Reader in the pages fore-cited to correct and amend with thy pen also this so materiall mistake therein The Authors promise of part of Requitall for the foresaid favour ANd in part of requitall of thy fore-desired friendly favour I shall good Reader both promise as I hope I have now in this third Part performed more care for the future And also hasten out for thy full content the fourth Part of this Parliamentary-Chronicle which I intend if the Lord permit to compleat and bring up to the very present time of its immediate publication with all the most famous admirable and almost incredible Victories and Successes of this last Sommer and Autumn-Season I having even now almost quite finished and fitted the said promised fourth Part for the Printers Presse if at least I find as I hope I shall this my present third Part so courteously accepted as to make the speedier way for the comming forth thereof and so consequently for the compleating of this so fair and famous a History Thyne J. V. FINIS An Exact Table of all the most materiall Passages of this third Part of the Parliamentary-Chronicle A THe Arke and Parliament compared together Page 1. The Assembly of Divines petition the Parliament 2. The Assemblies petition for Reformation 4 Apprentices provided for 31 The Authors gratefull remembrance of Gods goodnesse to him 37 The Associated Counties cared for 55 The Isle of Axholm taken 147 The Bishop of Armagh his memoriall 153 The famous Victory at Alsford 185 Axholm Island taken 202 The famous defeat at Aulton 95 The Earl of Argyle in Scotland 230 The Isle and Fort of Ayremouth taken 234 Abington taken by the Lord Roberts ibid. Arundell Castle besieged and taken 122 Association of Hampshire Surry and Sussex 57 Army of the Earl of Newcastle declining 67 Ammunition conveyed to Gloucester and how 200 Aâ—lesbury to be betrayed 135 Advance of the Scots into England 136 B. Burleigh-house taken 7 Colonell Brown beats the Kentish Rebels 13 Sir William Brereton wins Houghton Castle 18 Beverly pittifully plundred 30 Bullenbrook Castle taken 67 A new Broad Seal 71 The Scots march from Barwick into England 137 Burlington taken 154 Biddle-house taken 167 Bradfords Victory obtained by Colonell Lambert 168 Burleigh house garrison active 171 Sir William Belfore in Hampshire 172 Bredport taken 175 Burleigh-house in Dorsetshire 176 Colonell Beares brave defeat given to the Enemy 182 Colonell Bellasis beaten 200 Basing-house defeated 209 Banbury Forces beaten 211 Sir William Breretons brave performances 84 The enemy â—â—ated at Budely 217 Col. Boles slain 97 Belvoir forces beaten 110 Major Gen. Brown made Commander in chiefe of 3 Counties 249 Major Gen. Brown much honoured 251 Sir William Belfore at Lime 257 Bewley-house taken 17 Sir Bazill Brooks plot discovered 118 A Bristoll ship taken 124 Banstable shakes off the Cavalerian yoake 265 Beverton Castle taken 236 A brave Bonefire of Popish trinkets 128 Bloody Sir John Byron 129 Burton upon Trent taken 131 Bodmin in Cornwall taken 297 Beggars must be no carvers 303 C. Colonell Cromwell beates the Earle of Newcastle 6 Col. Cromwell takes Stamford in Line 7 Clubmen in Lincoln beaten 8 Col. Cromwels Letter shewing his Victory at Gainsbrough 8 Generall Cavendish slain at Gainsbrough 9 Canterbury Malignants rise 15 City Malignants Imprisoned 27 A Covenant or Oath to be taken in London 24 A Commission to Sir Wil. Waller 28 Sir Alexander Carews plot at Plymouth 29 Care taken for Apprentices 31 Christs-Hospitall relieved by the Parliament 37 Cambden Cormorants beaten 49 The Kings Cormorants beaten at Newport Pannell 55 The Lord Capell beaten at Wem 62 Cessation in Ireland justified by the King 68 Contrary effects to the Irish Cessâ—tion 71 A Councill of State for the 3 Kingdomes 147 Sir William Constables good service in the North. 154 The Covenant taken the manner how 157 Sir William Constables good service at Yorke 160 Cheshire much aimed at by the King 161 Church-government 162 Covenant taken in Leicester 169 Chester-bridge in Yorkshire taken by Sir William Constable 171 The Earl of Carberies pride and cruelty 177 The E. of Carbery quite vanquisht 181 Cathedral at Westminst reformed 184 Cawood-castle taken 202 Crowland regained 203 Correspondence with the Swedes 204 Commissioners for the New Broad scale 88 Carnarvan Town and Castle taken 224 Covenant taken by the House of Peers 90 Commanders in Arms take the Covenant 90 Covenant sealed with loan of 100000 l at London 90 The Earl of Callender stirs in Scotland 230 The L. Crawford saluted by Sir Wil. Waller 98 Canterbury Minister reformed 101 Cawood Castle in Yorksh taken 233 Chippingham Garrison taken 237 A Chain of gold bestowed by the Parliament on Capt. Swanley 248 The Kings Commanders catcht at Cards and Dice 112 Compton-house taken 251 3 Children in one bed miraculously preserved 254 Coventry Forces take Holt-house 117 Coventry forces take Bewley-house ibid. Citizens of London invite the Parliament to a Feast 124 Covenant to be taken over the whole Kingdome 157 A Collection for sick and wounded souldiers by an Ordnance 33 Leiut Gen. Cromwells due praise 273 Major Gen. Crafords valour 273 Croyland subdued 132 Cholmmy-house taken 285 A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Chard 296 D. A rich Danish ship taken 20. Delinquents woods to be cut down 36 A brave defeat given to the Enemies of Cambden 49 A great design against London 52 The Kings Declaration justifying the Irish cessation 68 Defection of the Northern Counties from the King 68 A Declaration touching the great Seal 72 A Declaration touching the cessation in Ireland 70 A brave Defeat given to the Enemy by Col. Rudgeley 78 A Declaration consented to by England and Scotland 142 The Parliaments Declaration sent to Oxford 152 Divers Delinquent Lords c. names 153 Daâ—by Forces take Kings Milus 156 The Parliaments Declaration tooke good effect at Oxford 175 Delinquents reclaimed 174 Durham fled unto by Newcastle 228 A brave Defeat given to the Enemy by Col. Fox 216 The Kings Declaration against the Covenant 91 Deserters of Oxford 92 Lord Digby beaten at Plymouth 94 The Enemy beaten at Dunscot 95 The Famous Defeat at Aulton 95 The Devizes molested by Col. Massye 237 The Lord Denbigh takes Russell-Hall 239 A brave Defeat given to the Enemy at Nottingham 240 The Lord Denbigh against Dudley Forces 251 The great Danger and Deliverance of Col. Mitton ibid. The Lord Denbigh wins Oswestree 260 The Danes our underhand Enemies 116 The Danes vexed by the Sweeds 117 The great Design of the Royalists 121 Darbies brave activity 265 A desperate Designe against Nottingham 133 E. England likned to the Sea 1 Embassadors sent from France into Scotland 54 English-plantations taken care of 58 English-Irish Souldiers revolt from the King 61 England and Scotland consent in a Declaration 142 Exploits of the Parliaments Forces 155 Explaits of Pool ibid. Exploits of Warwick Castle 156 Exploits of Sir Thomas Fairfax ibid. Exploits of Pool
39 The Kings forces frighted from New-port-pannell 55 Newcastles declining condition 67 Northern Counties leave the Earle of Newcastle 68 Newcastles forces beaten by Colonell Rudgeley 78 Namptwich bravely relieved with a glorious victory 142 Names of divers delinquents or malignants 153 Names and number of Parliament members that took the Covenant 157 Newcastle besieged by the Scots 158 Northampton garrisons good service 162 Nottingham preserved from a notable plot 163 Northampton forces tooke the Princes troope 168 Colonell Norton at Southampton 172 Names of reclaimed delinquents 174 The E. of Newcastles great losse 183 The Earl of Northampton beaten by Colonell Beare 18â— Newcastle flyes to Durham 208 Newcastle got into Yorke 209 Northamptons forces revenged on Banbury 211 Northampton forces victorious 95 A notable plot against Nottingham-castle 104 Newarke garrison beaten 240 Colonell Needhams valour 274 Another desperate plot against Nottingham 133 Newbridge in the West taken 297 O Ordinance of Parliament against the Kentish rebells 16 Oxfords proclamation to starve up the City of London 18 An Oath or Covenant taken by Londoners 24 Ordinance of Parliament to search 〈◊〉 and carriages 30 Ordinance for a collection for sick and 〈◊〉 souldiers 33 A charitable Order in Parliament for Christs-Hospitall 37 Ordinance against Spies 49 Oxfords Propositions for a pretended Peace 152 Ordinance for taking the Covenant 157 Oxford sets up gallowes and why 174 Ordinance for sanctifying the Sabbath 199 Ordinance for demolishing of Organs c. 222 Oxford Spiders sack poyson from hole some flowers 91 Oxford deserted by many 92 Oswestree taken 260 Ordinance of Parliament against rotten revolters from the Parliament 260 The Enemies bravely beaten at Oswestree 266 Ordinance for the well governing of the City of London 100 Serjeaâ—t Major Ogle a notable traitor and plotter 135 Observations on the fight at Marston-Moore 278 P Parliament compared to God Ark. 1 Proclamation from Oxford to starve London 18 Alderman Pennington made Lieutenant of the Tower of London 19 Four Proclamations sent to the Lord Mayor of London at one time 35 Captain Players brave resolution and courage 45 A great Plot against London 52 A plot to hinder the Scots advance 53 The Plot to starve the City of London frustrated 55 Plantations abroad cared for by the Parliament 58 Almost two hundred thousand English Protestants massacred in Ireland 69 A Plot against Southampton discovered 148 Propositions for a pretended peace 152 Pools exploits 155 A Plot against the Scots discovered 161 Preachers at London to be provided for 162 A Plot against Nottingham discovered 163 Pools exploits against Prince Rupert ibid. The Princes Troop taken 168 The Palsgrave takes the Covenant in Holland 172 The Parliaments care for the pious institution of the Kings Children 175 Capt. Tho. Pyne 175 Capt. Tho. Pyne his just praise 176 Pembrookshire hopefully reduced to the Parliament 176 Pembrookshires brave resolution 178 Captain Tho. Pyne victorious at Collyton 184 Preachers greatly wanted in Wales 202 Master Pâ—ynnes honour attested out of Holland 203 Plymouth gives the Enemy a brave Defeat 215 Pools brave performances 81 A Plot against Gloucester 94 A Plot to undo England and Scotland 229 A brave Prize taken at Sea 232 Master John Pym honourably mentioned as deserved 99 A Plot to convey the two young Princes from Saint Jamses to Oxford 99 A Plot against Nottingham Castle 124 The Earl of Pembrookes just praise 233 Plymouth garrison takes a brave prize 240 A Pack of Plots 109 Plymouths Seige deserted 111 An admirable providence by Pilchards at Plymouth 112 Parishaw bridge destroyed 60 Royalists 250 Prizes at Sea taken by our ships 256 Preparation by Sea to help the West affaires 257 Prizes taken by Sea and Land 259 A Plot against the Parliament 118 The Parliament invited to a feast by the Londoners 124 Pretended peace petitioned against 23 A Plot against Southampton discovered 1â—â— A Plot of Religion to divide the City and Parliament 134 Propositions for Peace to be tendred to the King 292 R. Reformation petitioned for by the Assembly of Divines 4 Rebellion in Kent 11 Rebellion at Canterbury appeased 15 Col. Rudgely bravely defeats the Enemy 78 Return of the Train'd Bands of London and Westminster to London 99 Russell-Hall in Staffordshire taken 239 About 60 Royalists drowned together 250 Revolters from the Parliament 262 Rats crawl up ships Masts when the ship is ready to sinke 262 Reformation in King Henry sevenths chappel at Westminster 113 Reformation in Canterbury-Minster 101 Prince Ruperts atheisticall speech 275 Royalists impudency in triumphing for what they never had 283 Colonell Rossiters activity 285 Lord Rochford impeached of High Teason 285 S. Stamford in Lincolnshire taken 7 A Ship of Denmarke taken 20 Spies and Intelligencers ordered against 49 Souldiers revolt from the King at Bristol 61 Surrey Sussex and Hampshire associated 57 The Lord Saulton a Scotish Popish Lord apprehended 75 The Scots march from Barwick fully related 137 Stamford mount neere Plymouth 75 The Scots successefull progresse in the North. 154 Capt. Swanley successefull at Milford Haven 161 Sir John Stowell slain at Southampton 170 The Sweds desire to associate with our Parliament 173 Capt. Swanley Victorious in Penbrookshire 176 Sir John Stepney a brave Welsh surveyour a pretty jest of him 179 The Scots passe over Tyne 183 Security the bane of safety 184 Sanctification of the Sabbath day ordered 199 Captain Swanley still victorious in Wales 202 Sweathland and England respond together 204 Selbies famous victory 205 Scotlands fidelity to England 211 A new great Seal of England 86 Captain Swanley still victorious 224 Sweet Sympathy twixt the Parliament and City of London 226 Secrecy is the Key of certainty 226 Colonell Sydenhams Valiant Exploits 101 Serjeant-Major Skippon takes Glaston house 103 Sunderland preserved from a treacherous Plot. 247 Capt. Swanley honoured with a chain of Gold by the Parliament 248 Capt. Swanley Commander in chiefe in Wales 247 Shâ—â—ly-Castle taken 250 Swedes vex the Danes who would have vexed us 117 A brave Ship taken 123 Sick and mained souldiers cared for by the Parliament 33 Col. Sydneys valour at Marestone-Moore fight 273 Col. Sydenhams brave valour 286 Scots advance into England 136 T. Trunkes to be searched and other carriage 32 Tewksbury lookt unto by Colonell Massey 48 Sir Henry Talbot surprised in his quarters 146 Tadcaster taken 173 Tinby Town and Castle taken 181 Triumphant return of the Trained Bands of London and Westmin 99 Capt. Temples brave Exploits at 〈◊〉 235 Tewksbury taken 249 Taunton-Dean taken 257 Pâ—pish trinkets burnt 128 Taunton Castle taken 285 Publike Thanksgiving famously celebrated at London for the glorious Victory at Marstone Moore 288 Tâ—ckhill taken 293 Tastcaster in the West taken 297 V. Aglorious Victory at Namptwich 142 Sir Henry Vaughan a Welch Commander his valour described 179 Victory at Selby 205 Col. Vavasor beaten 93 A Vniversall plot against the Protestant Religion over all Christendome 116 Victory at Marstone-Moore 269 Vse of all this History 302
W. Wicked men compared to the Waves of the Sea 1 Lord Willough by of Parham wins Gainsbrough 6 Sir Thomas Walsingham taken prisoner by Kentish Rebells 12 Sir William Waller hath his Commission to advance 28 Sir John Wollaston chosen Lord Mayor of London 34 Sir John Wollastons fidelity cleared by a great tryall 35 Woods of Delinquents cut down 36 Wem Forces beat the Lord Capell 60 Lord Willougâ—by of Pâ—rtham takes Bâ—llingbrook Castle 67 Sir William Waller apprehends the Lord Saulton 75 Warwick Castles Exploits 156 Whiâ—by in Yorkeshire taken 156 Col. Waights good service 171 Westminster Cathedrall bravely reformed 184 Sir William Waller at Winchester 192 Whitechurch in Dorcetshire taken 195 Isle of Wights love to Sir William Waller ibid. Waltham house taken by Colonell White-head 201 Sir William Waller heats the Enemy at Basing 299 The Earl of Warwick made Lord high Admirall of England 83 Warwick Castles brave Service ibid. Sir John Winter beaten from Newnham 93 Wotton Garrison spoiled by Colonell Massey ibid. Sir William Waller sends a present to the Lord Craford a 〈◊〉 of Sacke 98 At Wantage the Kings Forces are frighted 234 The Women of Lymes admirable courage at that siege 246 Sir Will. Waller pursues the King 248 10000. l. Proffered to Capt. White to be a taitor to his Country 106 Col. Waight beats the Kings Cormorants of Belvoir 110 Sir William Waller takes Shudley Castle 250 Weymouth taken by Sir William â—elfore 257. Western affaires going on successefully 258 Wives and children of souldiers slain or maimed provided for 259 Windsor-castles brave exploits about Redding 113 Sir William Waller takes Arundell Castle 122 Winsby fight 133 Windsor Castle to be betrayed 135 Weln Ferry and Fort taken 287 Western parts hopefully reduced to the Parliament 298 Our enemies as Whales caught in Gods net 301 Wait and believe is a Christians duty 303 Y Goods service done at York by Sir William Constable 160 York is Newcastles last shelter 209 The Yoke of Cavalerian slavery Shaken off by Barnstable â—65 〈…〉 Marston-Moor Victory 291. FINIS Imprimatur Jan. 31. 1644. Ja. Cranford Psal 107. 23 24. England fitly likned to the Sea The wicked and ungodly rable to the raging waves of the Sea The Parliament and Assembly of Divines compared to the Ark of God God the Pilot The Ark over-topping the waves The wicked are Satans Gally-slaves The Authors two former Voyages in this English-Ocean Gods glory is ought to be the Alpha and Omega of all mercies The Authors third Voyage An Apologie for the pretermissioÌ„ of some preceding Parliamentarie-Mercies in the third Part of the Parliamentary-Chronicle and which come now to be heer related July 1643. A recitall of some former Parliamentarie-Mercies omitted in their proper place in the former Narration The Assembly of Divines petitioÌ„ the Lords and Commons in Parliament for speedy reformation of some speciall evills among us A copie of the Petition of the Assembly of Divines delivered to both houses of Parliament July 19 1643. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. The Parliaments Answer to the Divines Petition A fan gale to carry on the Ark of God Gainesborough in Lincolnshire won by the noble Lord Willoughby of Parrham The pâ—izes taken Colo. Cromwell raises the Newcastelian forces from besieging Gainesborough The Earl of Kingstone slain in a pinnace by Newcastles Cavaliers The Town of Stamford taken by Colonell Cromwell Return of our Monethly fast dayes prayers Burleigh-house in Lincolnshire taken by Colonell Cromwell A parly sounded by Colonell Cromwell Burleigh house stormed A parly sounded from within the House The House taken and the priz The great providence of God in the preservation of our Souldiers in this victorie 400 Clubmen come to ayd the Cavaliers discomfited and fiftie of them slain by ours Col. Cromwels own relation of his brave victory over the enemie at Gainesborough Siege A hot skirmisâ— at a hill The hill gained by the Lincolners The fight most fiercely begun Ours rout the enemies horse Ours have them in chase five or six miles Generall Cavendiâ—sh charges the Lincolneers most fiercely Colo. Cromwell charges him as bravely Generall Cavendsh slain Gainesborough relieved Another skirmish with the Newcastelians on the other â—ide of Gainesborough Newcastles whole Armie appeares Ours retreat and safely recover the Town The rising of the Kentish Malignants The new oath or Covenant is pretended to be the cause of this insurrection The main end of imposing this Oath The main plot of the Keâ—tish Malignants Seven-Oakes is their Rendevouz Their chief Ringleaders Sir The. â—â—lsingham and Captain Rolf taken prisoners by these Rebells And in great danger of their lives Sir Hen. Vâ—â—e sent into Kent by the Parliament with a Declaration of pardon to appeale them Col. Brown sent also into Kent with forces both horse and foot from London This Kentish insurrection was a part of Tompkins and Challenors conspiracie The Cities great care and providence The Rebells flie from Senock to Tunbridge The Rebells Petition the Parliament Their Petition rejected whiles they were armed Colo. Brown charges the rebells A hot skirmish for at least three houres space Col. Browns most valiant and resolute courage The Rebells are put to fâ—â—ght Prisoners taken The slain on both sides Their Priests were the principali fomenters to this rebellion About 5000 of them were assembled at Tunbridge The Inhabitants of Tunbridge desperate Malignants Sir Michael Levesey also at Yawlding his good service against those rebells Sir Michael plants his Ordnance against the Town yet endeavours by treatie to appease them The Town very much sleights Sir Michael A remarkable passage of Gods providence against the rebells in Yawlding Master Godfrey in Sir Michael his name fairly appeaseth the rebells The prize found in the Town Yawlding set in good order and quiet Canterbury Fevershâ—m malignants began then to rise also The well-affected partie of Canterburie appease this insurrection The Major of Fevershams carriage in the business Sir Geo. Sands taken prisoner The Major of Canterburie marcheth on to Sittingborn Sir Ed. Hales his Grandson a Captain of these rebells taken prisoner The heads of the Rebells brought to London and imprisoned Houghton Castle in Cheshire taken by Sir Will Breretons forces A Proclamation from Oxford to starve the Citie of London The Cities care and providence to prevent this plot of the impious Oxonians The L. Major and two Sheriffs of London take the Lievtenantship of the Tower by authoritie of Parliament A just brief touch of the due praise of Ald. Penningtons happie Majoraltie Alderm Pennington only made Lievtenant of the Tower of London A succinct most gratefull review of all the Parliamentarie-Mercies of this moneth 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Gods Ark above the worlds waves Jeâ— 5. 22. Psal 46. 1 2. August 1643. A ship of about 300 tun bound from Denmark to Newcastle laden with arms and ammunition taken at Sea A true Copie of the Inventorie and particular prize and goods taken out of
the Danish-Ship Aug. 4. 1643. Another brave prize taken at the same time The seasonableness of that Danish prize wherein Gods providence is the more to be observed The low ebbe of our armies briefly touched Divers of the Danish armes sent to Hull to the noble Lord Fairfax Clubs called Round-heads sent to Hull A plot for a pretended Peace in the house of Peers in Parliament The Citizens of London Petition the ParliameÌ„t against the pretended Peace The Parliaments present answer to the Petition The effects of the said Petition An Oath or Covenant to be taken by all Citizens of London Citie-Malignants imprisoned in Saint Faiths Church under Pauls in Ships on the Thames The Earl of Hollands Tâ—unks seized on by water The Fellowship a brave Ship of Bristoll taken by Capt. Smith in the Swallow a Parliament-Ship Sir Wiâ—â—allers CommissioÌ„ to advance with his intended designes is granted by his Excellencie A brief recapitulation of all these last recited Parliamentarie-Mercies by way of obliged thankfulness 1. 2. 3. 4. GODS Ark fairly carried on with fair blasts of good success against its boysterous billowes and swelling waves Psal 136. 4. September 1643. Sir Alexander Carews plot against Plimouth timely discovered and the danger prevented Hull besieged by the Earl of Newcastle Gods mightie preservation of the Town Beverly pitifully plundred by the enemies The Earl of Newcastle despairs of getting Hull A sodain and most remarkable preservation of Hull Hulls very great danger at this time by Powder sodainly blown up The admirable hand of God in Hulls mightie danger The occasion of Huâ—ls so great danger The Parliaments care for the encouragement of London Apprentices in their Service of the Kingdome Sir Jo. Wollaston most happily chosen Lord Major of the Citie of London The Authors just and experimentall attestation and commendation of Sir John Wollaston Lord Major of London The mercies of this Lord Majors choice also was a sweet return of prayer A notable triall by Gods most wise disposall put upon the Lord Major of London and most loyally managed by him Foure Proclamations sent at one time to the Lo Major of London to be published in the Kings name in the Citie Provision of firing ordered by the Parliament for preventioÌ„ of dangerous muâ—â—nâ—es by the poorer sort Woods to be cut down to furnish the Citie and parts adjacent with fuell What woods were to be cut down A summary gratefull review of this Moneths Parliamentarie-Mercies GODS Ark carried on with fair and prosperous gales Psal 68. 19. October 1643. The Parliaments charitable act and order for the good of the poor children of Christs Hospitall in London The Authors own gratefull acknowledgement of Gods goodness to him in the said Hospitall An 100000 li to be raised in the Citie of London for the advance of an army of 21000 Scots to come into England 2 Sam. 24. A famous victorie obtained by the Lord Fairfax against Newcastles Popish forces whereby the Siege of Hull was raised The Marquess of Newcastle put to great straits by this Defeat A Copie of Sir John Meldrums Letter to the Speaker of the Parliament touching the brave victory he obtained at Hull A brief touch of Sir Jo. Mâ—â—drums worth and valour attested by the renowned Lord Fairfax himself The most famous and renowned victory obtained by the right honourable Earl of Manchester at Horncastle in Lincolnshire Bolenbrook-Castle summoned The enemie prepares to meet and fight with the Earl of Manchester Our forces are drawn all neer each other about Bolenbrook The enemie gives ours the allarm about Horncastle Ours bravely bicker with the enemies forlorn-hopes Three or four of our troopes in great dangâ—r but came off most bravely Cap. Iohnsons Cap. Moodies and Captain Players brave courage and resolution The commanders notable discretion and courage The great strait they were still put unto Bolenbrockhill designed to be the place to fight The enemies strength and ours The word on both sides Both armies in sight of each other The pietie of our armie Both armies met at a Town called Ixbie Gen. Cromwells great danger The sight in the very heat of it The enemie â—â—ins to 〈◊〉 The enemies flie Sir Tho. Fairfax his undaunted courage The issue of the fight The Commission of Aray cryed out on by the dying Souldiers The spoyl and prizes taken The armie with the most noble Lord of Manchester possess themselves of Horncastle Letters of the enemies intercepted confirming the truth of this great victorie This famous victory and that also at Hull were obtained both in one and the same day Col. Massies good service at Tewksbery Another brave defeat given to the Kings forces by the Parliaments forces in Warwick-Castle An OrdinaÌ„ce of Parliament against Spies and intelligencers The Citie of Lincoln taken by the noble Earl of Manchester The prize taken in the Citie of Lincoln Gainesborough also taken by the said noble Earl of Manchester The great design against the Citie of London The great plot and designe was how to contrive to starve up the Citie of Londoâ— The manner and wayes of the enemies contriving their plot against London The manner of the enemies acting their coÌ„trivements 2 Chro. 16. 9. How God all along crost and disappointed all the enemies deep designes Another great ploâ— of the enemies to hinder our Brethren of Scotlands coming in to our ayd and assistance An Embassadour sent from the Queen-Regent of France into Scotland to divert those our brethren from coming to ayd us Two Letters sent by our King into Scotland to cross the Scots resolution to ayd England The substance of both the said Letters The Royallists hopes heerin also frustrated The grand plot of starving up the Citie of London now prosecuted by the Royallists but blessedly frustrated The Earl of Manchester resolves to ayd his associated Counties out of Lincolnshire by Colonell Cromwell Col Cromwell sent out of Lincolnshire into Huntingtoâ—shire with considerable forces Col. Cromwell ordered by the Lo. Generall to return again into Lincolnshire The Kings Cormorants flie out of Newport-Pannell The great plot mightily dasht damped alreadie A summarie recapitulation of all this Moneths Parliamentarie-mercies and therein the sweet preservation of his Ark his great Cause GODS Ark still born-up above the tops of all its advers swelling waves of opposition Psal 57. 7. Psal 60. 12. November 1643. An association of Hampshire Surrey Sussex and Kent Sir 〈◊〉 Waller Commander in chief of this association The Parliâ—ments providence for the welfare of forein English Plantations A considerable number of English-Irish Protestant Souldiers landed at Bristoll out of Ireland revolted from the King to the Parliament The English-Irish Souldiers fall foul on their Commanders and Officers They march away to Gloucester to serve under Colonell Massiâ— A remarkable hand of Gods providence in this business A most brave defeat given to the Lord Capell by Cheshire Shropshire forces The manner of the performance of the defeat The Lord Capell marches toward
1. Haverford-west strangly taken without looking for as yet or fighting for Our forces marched toward Tynby summon it Admirable resolution in the assaulting of Tynby on both sides Commissary Guyne a stout souldier but a desperate enemy to Gods Cause The enemies Mr Gunner slaine The rare providence of God over ouâ— men Harm watch harme catch Tynby taken though of almost impregnable strengh The prize taken Carew Castle taken A sum of the totall Victory over the Earl of Carbury Capt. Jordanes good successe at sea chasing the Earle of Marlbrough the kings admiral Two ships taken at sea with their prizes Two ships more their prizes taken Glocesters good condition Col. Beares brave defeat given to the Earle of Northampton at Cambden Col. Massey stil victorious Our Brethren of Scotland passe over the River Tyne without resistance Newcastles great losse of Souldiers lying in the field Captain Tho. Pynes most brave defeat given to the Cormorants at Colliton neer unto Lyme Security is the bane of safety The prisoners and prize taken Excellent Reformation of the Cathedral at Westminster Quantum mutatur ab illo Popish trumpery expelld pious preaching establisht An introduction to the subsequent famous victory at Alsford Asshur is but Gods Rod to scourge his sinning children Psal 125. 3. Hoptons preparation Sir VVilliam VVallers preparation Hoptons head-quarter was at Winchester Sir William Wallers head-quarter A necessary preamble before the Fight Oxfords blustring Bravadoes about the raising of the Siege at Newarke Mercurius Aulicus the Kings Lyer in chiefe 〈…〉 Notorious boasts lyes to cousen the poore seduced Souldiers A message sent to Sir VVill. VValler not to engage himselfe in fight A true exact relation of the famous fight most memorable victory obtained at Alsford by renouned sir VV. VValler against sir R. Hopton The Enemies plot to surprise us at Church prevented A brave skirmish between us and the Enemy A Councill of War called on both sides The fight fiercely begun The day at this time very doubtfull Major Gen. Browne bravely charges the Enemies horse The Enemies put to the rout retreat The Enemy put totally to flight Prisoners taken The Lo. Iohn brother to the Duke of Lenox slaine in this â—ight Zach. 8 19. This moneths Fast day repayed within 2 or 3 dayes after with a blessed Feast day A returne of Prayers Exod. 15. 11. The pursuite of the Victory The Enemies flye to Basting-house and Andover c. How the Enemies Ordnance escaped from being all taken Sir William Waller is come to Winchester Gloucester fully relieved with necessaries The Kentish mens brave behaviour in this fight The admirable valour also of the City Regiment Observations upon the Victory Malignants lying mouthes stopt with the undeniable truths concerning this Victory The Lady Hopton and a traine of 200. taken by Sir Will. Belfore together with mony plate Whitchurch in Dâ—rsetshire taken with Sir John Mills a 100 Gentlemen more The Isle of Wights memorable and commendable Act of love to sir VVilliam VVallers army A day of publike thankesgiving ordered to be kept in all Churches for Gods great mercy in this so famous victory A most gratefull Summary recapitulation of all the Parliamentary Mercies of this Moneth Gods Arke over-topping the Worlds Waves swelling Psal 93. 3 4. Psal 68. 1 2 3 April 1644. A most excellent Ordinance of Parliament for the better sanctifying of the Lords day A fair gale of winde to carry on our floating Arke in the voyage Sir Iohn Gell that famous commander gives the enemy a brave defeat at Munkbridg Abrave defeat given again to Colonell Bellasâ—s by Victorious Colonell Lambert How the Ammunition for Gloucester was conveyed thither from VVarwick A strange mistake by night both by the Enemy and our Forces yet the Ammunition got safe to Gloucester Gloucester greatly enabled to oppose the adversaries by the safe coveyance of the Ammunition to it Waltham house taken by Col. Whitehead with the assistance of the London Brigade Propositions to surrender the House yeilded unto God honoured the London Brigade with Victory both going forth and comming home The Forces of Sir Tho. Fairfax and the Lord Fairfax his Father conjoyned together Cawood Castle and Axholm Island taken More of Captain Swanleys good Service in South VVales Want of pious preachers in Wales a great hindrance of their reducing to the Parliament Crowland regained by the Earle of Manchesters Forces under the command of Valiant Col. King Articles of agreement for delivering up the Town Hollands honourable attestation of famous Mr. William Prynne his learned Labours in the Parliaments Vindication This passage of Hollands honourable Attestation of Mr. Prynnes Book a Parliamentary mercy Fair correspondency between the Swedes and our Kingdome and Parliament The like also with the united Provinces The most famous and admirable victory obtained by the Right Honourable Lord Fairfax at Selby in Yorkeshire Gods Arke here mightily carryed up above all these swelling and blustring billows This brave victory thus obtaned the Lord Fairfax was now master of the Field A Day of Solemn Thanksgiving appointed 8000. pound ordered presently sent to the most Noble Lord Fairfax The most hopefull consequent advantages of this great Victory Two dayes of Solemn Thanksgiving in one the â—ame Moneth Newcastles Army sorely put to it Our brethren of Scotland draw up close to Durham The Marquess of Newcastle deserts and flyes from Durham General Lesly pursues him Newcastles great losse without any fighting Newcastle is got into the City of Yorke Prince Plunderer at Bever-castle The noble Earle of Manchester follows him close Sir Wil. Waller gives the enemy a brave defeat about Basing house The most noble Lord Fairfax our brethren of Scotland conjoyned into a body 30. Northampton souldiers surprized and taken prisoners by Banbury garrison All our Northampton souldiers imprisoned in a barne at Banbury Northampton forces are most bravely revenged on Banbury garrison The christian amity fidelity of our brethren of Scotland toward us of England The substance of a letter sent by the Iuncto at Oxford to the Lords of the Councell of Scotland Foul and false imputations laid on the Parliament at Westminster by the Oxford juncto O the wretched Rhetorick of the Oxfordians to argue themselves their posterity into perpetuall slavery Notorious and Devillish hypocrisie in this Oxford Juncto's jugling Our brethren of Scotlands wise and provident answer to the Oxonian Letter A Summary most gratefull recitall of all the excellent Parliamentary Mercies of this Moneth God Arke over-topping the worlds Waves swelling Psal 73. 1. Psal 46. 1 â— 3. May. 1644. A brave defeat repulse given to the Enemies at Plymouth A great providence at our Souldiers first adventure The Enemies beaten into the Church Ours obtain a brave victory The enemies horse face Plymouth againe Ours make a very fair and safe retreat A brave defeat given to the enemy by valiant active Colonell Fox Budely in Worcestershire surprized by valiant
Col. Fox Sir Tho. Littleton surprized by Col. Fox Mr. Goads relation of the most happy and prosperous progresse of the thrice noble and renowned Earl of Manchestâ—r in Lincolnshire The manner of the Earle of Manchesters march An 100 troops of Newcastles horse plunder the Country on the other side of Trent The Earle of Manchester advanâ—â—â— to Lincolne Sir Pâ—regâ—in Barty taken prisoner and brought to my Lord of Manchester Lincoln summoned by my Lord of Manchester Resolution to storme the Town Colonel Cromwell sent out with 2000. horse to oppose Col. Goring from relieving Lincoln Preparation to storm the City of Lincons Colonell Russels and Col. Moâ—ntague lead on most bravely to the on-set The lower town taken The Enemie in their retreat endeavoured to fire the Lower Town A second full resolution to storm the Town and Castle as was formerly intended The furious assaults on the Enemy in the upper town Castle The indefatigable paines and courage of our men about the Castle The scaling Ladders set up against the Castle wals The Town Castle obtained The slain the prisoners taken The losse on our side very inconsiderable Two Officers slain but 10 Common Souldiers The singular piety of the most noble renouned Generall A brief List of the Commanders Officers in Armes taken prisoners All the Common souldiers taken were willing to fight for the Parliament An Ordinance of Parliament for the demolishing of all Organs and superstitious monuments c. Capt. Swanley takes Carnarvan Town Castle other good prize Col. Massyes constant activity Col. Mynne beaten in his Quarters A Plot to betray Gloucester discovered 5000. l. profered for a reward to betray Gloucester 200. l. paid in hand of the 5000. to Capt. Backhouse The â—â—â—successe of their plot from themselves The Citizens of London petition the House of Peeres for the re-establishment of the State-Committee The result issue of the Cities petitioning the House of Peeres The Citizens of London also petition the House of Commons The result issue of the Cities â—â—â—tion to the House of Commons Singular sympathy 'twixt the House of Commons and the City of London The happy event of the City Petition in the principall expectation from both Houses of Parliament Secrecy is the Key of certainty The State-Committee for both Kingdomes established Col. Masseyes brave defeats given to the Enemies at Newnam Westbury and Little Dean Newnam defeat The prisoners and prizes taken Wesbury defeat The prisoners and prizes taken The defeat at Little Dean the prisoners and prizes taken Col. Massyes just Encomium The just commendation of divers other garrisons Lyme stormed the enemy bravely repulsed A day of Humiliation set a part to seeke the Lord upon the advance of the L. Gen. Army Devonshire Cornwall disaffected to the Irish Amost just objurgation of England from Devon Cornwalls great folly in deserting the Parliament A most wicked devillish plot to undoe Scotland also with England by the Popish Royallists there by way of diversion to recall our brethren of Scotand from assisting us The Noble Earl of Argyle stirs against the Popish insurrection begun in Scotland The Earl of Argyle breaks the neck of this Plot and puts the Marquesse Huntly to flight The Earl of Calender also riseth with about 8000. horse and foot to suppresse this intestine insurrection Montrosse forced to flye into the Castle of Carlile The present state of Lyme related to the Parliament by Cap. Iones Cap. Player The brave most resolute carriage of the Governour of Lyme to Pr. Maurice A brave prize taken at Sea by the noble Earle of Warwicks Ships An excellent patterne of gratitude in the County of Kent A just most deserved testimony of the right noble Earle of Pembrookes love loyalty to the Parliament Cawood Castle and all in it surrendred to the Parliam The Isle and Fort of Ayremouth taken also by Sir Iohn Meldrum The Kings Forces durst not bid battell to the Parl. L. Generall at Wantage Abington taken by the noble Lord Roberts Valiant Cap. Temples brave exploit on the enemies at Islip The most noble L. Generals mercifull Proclamation A Parallel of that Proclamation with the Oxonian Edict lately published from Oxford A most prudent pertinent Message sent by our Parliament in England to the Parliament in Scotland Beverton Castle in Gloustersh taken by Col. Massey Malmesbury taken by Col. Massey Chippenham Garrison in Wilts taken by Col. Massey Col. Massey advanceth into wilts with 2000. men toward the Devizes A most Noble and Renowned act of the Parliament in rewarding the good Service of Col. Massey Englands great wonder to Gods great glory May 30. 1644. Above 6 brave Armies at one time in the Kingdome on the Parliaments side The true muster of the City forces of Westminster at this 〈◊〉 Hosea 14. 3. Psal 136. 23. Russel-hall in Staffordshire taken good prize therein by the Earle of Denbigh This garrison was a most notorious thievish place A brave prize taken by Plymouth garrison The Garrison of Notingham gave Newarke Garrison a brave defeat Limes undaunted Valout testified by its adversaries themselves The Enemy bravely beaat Lime A gratefull summary recitall of all the foresaid Parliamentary mercies of the moneth past Gods Arke borne up above the worlds swelling waves Psal 119. 68. Psal 44. 8. 1 Sam. 2. 2 3. Iob 9. 4. Iune 1644. Lime most notably releived and the Seige wholly happily raised The most noble Lord Admirall arived at Lime Lymes distressed condition at his Lordships comming The most virtuous Lord Admiralls piety charity to Lyme Yea of my Lords honest Seamen too An assault upon the Towne to the enemies great losse The Enemies pride high hopes The most noble Lord Admiralls Stratagem The Enemy was mistaken frustrated of his hopes A very furious Assault upon the Towne bravely received The number of the slain in this Assault The enemies be fooled in reckoning without their hoast The enemies stomacke now come downe The enemies rage in firing the Towne Gods power providence was Lymes wals bulwarks The admirable courage of the women of Lyme The most pious reply of a maide in Lyme whole hand was shot off The continuance of Limes troubles took away the sense of fear terrour of them Prince Maurice leaves Lime raises his Siege The Earle of Calender possessed of Morpeth-Castle in Northubmerland Sunderland delivered from a treacherous Plot. A reward of 200 l. bestowed on the honest Seamen for their loyalty good service Valiant Capt. Swanley made commander in chief in Wales A Chaine of Gold worth 200 l. bestowed on Captain Swanley by the Parliament The Kings most ungodly agreement with the Irish Rebels Expelled him from his former secure abode at Oxford Valiant active Sir Will. Waller follows the King Gods justice prosecutes the wicked with terrour disgrace Major Gen. Brown made Commander in chiefe of 3 Counties by the
lifting up their right hands bare and then afterwards to subscribe it severally by writing their names or their markes to which their names were to be added in a booke or parchment-role where-into the Covenant was to be inserted purposely provided for that end and to be kept as a record in the parish After all which there was also printed a Catalogue of the names of all such members of the House of Commons in Parliament as had subscribed to and taken the said Covenant being then 228. besides the Lords in the House of Peeres and divers others of the Lordâ— and Commons who being employed about the weighty affaires of the Common-wealth in remote parts of the Kingdome and so could not subscribe with the rest A most faire and sweet encouragement for all other persons in the Kingdome not onely to subscribe but to keep their Covenant having the Patterne and President of so many worthy and pious Patriotts set before them in so glorious and religious an Action which is not onely lawfull but all things considered exceeding expedient and necessary for all that wish well to true Religion the King and Kingdom to joyn in and to be as a singular pledge of Gods mercie and goodnesse to all the three Kingdomes About the aforesaid time also came certaine Intelligence by Letters to the Parliament of the proccedings of our loyall and loving brethren of Scotland about Newcastle who as it was credibly and constantly informed had then gained a Scence and the maine Out-workes with the losse of about 14. of their men whereof a Captaine a Lieutenant and a Serjeant of Colonell Linseyes Regiment were slaine That Generall Lesleys Sonne a brave and valiant young Gentleman had beaten 14. Troopes of the Popish Army into the Towne againe without the losse of a man and tooke two of their men Prisoners who protested that the Marquesse himself was then in the Town and that the Lord Widdrington Generall King and Sir Tho. Glemham were there also The probability whereof will appeare by an Answer returned from the Town to a Summons which the Committee of both Kingdomes sent to the Town of Newcastle which was as followeth The copy of the Summons sent by the Committee of both Kingdomes to the Town of Newcastle Right Wor and loving friends OVr appearance here in this posture through mis-informations and misunderstandings may occasion strange thoughts in you If we had opportunity of speech with you which we hereby desire and offer to you it is not impossible that as we hold out the same ends viz. the preservation of Religion the Kings true honour and happinesse the publike peace and liberty of his dominions so we might agree on the same way to promote them If you yeild to this motion you shall find us ready to do our parts therein but if worse counsell take place with you and parley be rejected although you will be unjust therby to your selves yet we have reason to expect you should be so just to us as to acquit us of the guilt of those manifold inconveniences and calamities which may be the fruits of those forcible wayes you will thereby constraine is to We desire your present Answer Subscribed the 3d. of Febr. 1643. By the Warrant and in the name of the Committees and Commissioners of both Kingdomes By us Your friends ARGILE WILLIAM ARMINE The Answer of the Town of Newcastle to the Summons of the Committee of both Kingdomes My Lord WEE have received a Letter of such a nature from you that wee cannot give you any answer to it more than this That his Majesties Generall being at this instant in the Town We conceive all the power of Government to be in him But were he not you cannot sure conceive us so ill read in these proceedings of yours as to Treat with you for your satisfaction in these particulars you write of nor by any Treaty to betray the Trust reposed in us or forfeit our Allegeance to His Majestie For whose Honour and preservation together with the Religion and Lawes of this Kingdome we intend to hazard our lives and fortunes and so we rest Your Servants John Morley Mayor Nic. Cole Tho. Liddle Lionell Madison Alexander Davison c. Subscribed by us Febr. the 3d. 1643. in the names of the Common-Councell and the rest of the Inhabitants of the Towne of Newcastle Shortly after these things the valiant Scots having gained as was forementioned the Scâ—nce and out works of the Town they rested not satisfied thus but sent out a strong party and gained also the keeles or Lighters and small boats betweene Stella and Newcastle and so made a bridge three miles above Newcastle toward Newboln over Tyne and shortly after their grand Brigade of the Scots army marched over to besiege Newcastle on the South-side and also to cut off all supplies from his Majestie and the Irish-rebells and rogues his best beloved subjects And thus was the invincible Popish army of the North of England beleagur'd in a small compasse and cut off from all manner of reliefe where for a season we will leave them till a farther and fitter occasion to make farther mention of their proceedings for this our Parliamentary Chronicles intentions and purposes And thus we see by Gods good providence that the North was in a very faire way of being totally regained to a right understanding of the state of things which will yet further appear more probable if we heer also consider the wonderfull good successe of the most noble and ever to be honoured and renouned Lord Fairfax who had about this time enlarged his quarters from Hull 20. miles towards Durham and by a party of horse commanded by that valiant victorious and religious Commander Sir William Constable drave that rotten apostate Sir Hugh Cholmley out of Scarbrough Towne into the Castle which caused such an operation in the hearts of the inhabitants of Whitby as that they were soone and surely reduced and settled as you already heard in part they were to the Parliaments side and presently after seized on Sir Hughs great House and Fort on the High-Clift disarmed his garrison and so kept it for the Lord Fairfax who afterwards sent 200. horse the better to secure it This most valourous and vertuous Gentleman Sr. William Constable stayed not here but advanced toward Yorke and beat up one of the enemies quarters neere Malton within twelve miles of Yorke who gave an alarme to their head quarters where there were 400. foot and 16. troopes of horse all put into order to charge but Sr. William with twelve troopes of horse most couragiously charged them routed them and tooke these prisoners following viz. Lieut. Colonell Washington Major Gray Capt. Iohn Vavazer Capt. Newsteed Capt. Witnell Capt. Corsfield Lieutenant Tuffni three Lieutenants of horse 5. Cornets 3. quarter-masters 3. Corporalls 2. Trumpets one minister or hedge-priest 175. foot and 300 horse and thus this noble Lord Fairfax shortly after