against Prince Rupert 163 Exploits of Col. Massye about Glocester 92 Exploits yet more of Colonell Massyes 227 Englands just objurgation 229 Englands great wonder to Gods great glory Anno 1644. 237 Enemy bravely beaten at Oswestree 266 The low Ebbe of the Parliaments Army 22 Estates of Malignants sequestred 153 Enemy bravely beaten at Lyme 241 A brave Defeat given to the Enemy at Evesham 295 F. The Fellowship a brave ship taken by the Parliaments Forces 27 Fuell provided for for the City of London 35 The Lord Fairfax his Victory at Hull 38 Sir Thomas Fairfax at Horn-Castle 47 France sends into Scotland 54 A brave Fight at Stamford 75 Sir Tho. Fairfax 156 Lord Fairfax Victorious at Hull 163 The Lord Fairfaxes Forces conjoyned with Sir Tho. Fairfaxes 202 L. Fairfax and the Scots conjoyned 210 Fidelity of the Scots to England 211 Col. Fox Victorious at Budely 217 Forces of Northampton beate the Enemy 95 Sir Thomas Fairfax stormeth gains-Gains-borough 102 Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Valour at Marston-Moor Fight 274 Sir Tho. Fairfax compared to Julius Caesar 284 Foy in the West taken 297 G. Gally-slaves of Sathan are Wicked Men. 2 Gods glory is our Alpha and Omega ibid. Gainsbrough won 6 Gainsbrough taken again 51 Lord Gorings Letter intercepted and read in Parliament 155 Lord Generalls just praise 167 Gallows set up at Oxford and the cause 174 Sir Richard Greenviles defection from the Parliament 174 Gloucesters good condition 182 Gloucester releived with necessaries 192 Sir John Gell Victorious at Muck-bridge 199 Gloucesters Ammunition how conveyed thither 200 The Lord Generals advance with his Army 228 Gainsbrough stormed by Sir Thomas Fairfax 102 Grafton house taken 103 The Lord Generalls Mercifull Proclamation 235 The Lord Grey of Grooby his brave carriage at Leicester 257 The Lord Generall successefull in the West 264 3 Garnsey Gentlemen mightily preserved 122 Greenvill beaten at Plymouth 265 Government of the Church 162 Greenland-house taken 285 Lord Grey of Grooby and Sir John Gells forces take Wellney Fort. 287 The Lord Generall victorious in the West 296 Greenvils house at Tavestocke taken 297 H. Sir Edward Hales taken prisoner 15 Houghton Castle in Cheshire taken 18 The Earl of Hollands trunk seized on 27 Hull besieged 30 Hull remarkably preserved 31 Horn-castles famous Victory 42 Hulls victory related by Sir John Meldrums Letter 39 Hampshire Surry and Sussex Associated 57 30 or 40 of our Horse beate 1000 of the Enemies Horse 65 Hilsey house taken 167 Lord Hastings vexes the honest inhabitants of Leicester 169 Hinckly house 170 Sauls house decreaseth Davids house increaseth 173 Haverford west in Wales strangely taken 180 The Lady Hopton and two hundred prisoners taken 194 House of Peers take the Covenant 90 Sir Ralph Hopton writes to Sir William Waller 99 Sir Ralph Hoptons low ebbe 253 Hollanders underhand Enemies to the Parliament 116 Sir Tho. Holts house taken 117 Hildsden house taken 131 Sir Robert Harlow puls down a mighty crucifix at Christs-Hospitall in London 290 I. Capt. Johnsons brave courage 45 Intelligencers and Spies voted against 49 Irish Massacree 69 About 1500 Irish Rogues cast away at Sea by a storm 172 A Land storm also on the Irish ibid A Welch jest 179 Captaine Jordans good successe at Sea 182 The Lord John brother to the Duke of Lenox slain 190 Irish Rebels accorded with by the King 248 Justice of God prosecutes the wicked 249 K. The Earl of Kingstone slaine 7 Kentish Malignants rise in Rebellion 11 The King sends Letters into Scotland 54 The 3 Kingdomes to have one Councill of State 147 King Milus taken 156 The Kings great ayme at Cheshires County 161 The Kings children cared for by the Parliament 175 Kentish-mens brave behaviour at Alsford 193 Kents memorable gratitude to God 232 The Kings party unsuccessefull ever since the Irish cessation 102 The Kings Forces frighted 234 The Kings ungodly agreement with Ireland 248 The King pursued by Sir William Waller 248 L. Sir Michael Levesey at Yawlden in Kent 14 Londoners Petition against a pretended peace 23 Londoners take an Oath 24 A Loan of an 100000. l. to be raised in London for the Scots 38 Lincoln taken 51 Letters sent by the King into Scotland 54 London must be starved up 55 A Letter sent from Oxford to the Parliaments Lord Generall 152 A Letter from the Lord Goring intercepted and read in Parliament 155 Leicestershire men victorious at Hinckly 170 Col. Lamberts brave victory at Bradford 168 Col. Lambert again Victorious 171 Col. Laughorn in Penbrookshire 77 London Regiments brave valour at Alsford 193 Col. Lambert beats Bellassys in Yorkshire 200 Captain Layes Valour at Wareham 81 Solemn League or Covenant farther pressed 88 London petitions the Parliament for the setling of the State Committee 225 Lyme stormed by the Enemy and bravely repulsed 228 Lymes condition related 231 Lymes brave carriage against Prince Maurice ibid. Lymes valour testified by the Enemy 240 Lymes seige wholly raised 243. 252 Lyme bravely beats the Enemy 241 The Kings Letter to the Lord Mayor of London 121 Generall Lesleyes carriage at Marstone Moore fight 273 Col. Lamberts valour 274 Laystolk Garrison quitted 132 Col. Laughorns brave performances in Pembrookshire 294 Lyme garrison gives the Enemy a brave defeat 296 M Malignants of London imprisoned 27 Sir John Meldrum at Hull 39 Captain Moodies brave courage 45 Earle of Manchester victorious at Horncastle 42 Colonel Massies good service at Tewksbury 48 Earl of Manchester takes in Lincolne 51 Earl of Manchester takes Gainesborough 51 Earl of Manchesters care for the associated Counties 55 Malignants estates sequestred 153 Kings-Milus taken by Darby Forces 156 Members of Parliament that tooke the Covenant their names and number 157 Milford-Haven taken 161 Colonell Mitton beates Prince Rupert 161 Colonell Massey still victorious 183 Malignants mouthes stopt 194 At Munk-bridge Sir John Gell victorious 199 Letters of Mart granted against the Parliaments Enemies 84 Earl of Manchester again victorious at Lincoln 217 Colonell Massies brave exploits about Gloucester 92 Colonell Massey at Wotton garrison 93 Colonel Massyes just praise 227 Sir Thomas Middletons brave performances 84 Montrosse beaten in Scotland 230 A Message sent from England to Scotland 236 Col. Massey victorious 236 Malmsbury taken by Colonell Massye ibid. Colonell Massey still Victorious 237 Colonell Massies good services rewarded by the Parliament 237 Morpeth-castle taken by the Scots 247 Colonell Mitton his great daunger and deliverance 251 Two Maids had three of their hands shot off together 254 Gods mercy to Manchester in the midst of her misery 258 Malignants in London their Flea-biting 260 Marstonâ—Moores most famous victory described 269 Sir John Meldrum stormes Gainesborough 103 Monuments of Superstition to be demolished 222 The Earl of Manchesters labour and vigilancy at York fight 273 A learned and godly Ministry to be ordained 287 Captain Moultons brave performances in Pembrookeshire 294 N The Earle of Newcastle beaten from Gainesborough 6 Mewcastle besiegeth Hull 30 Newcastle in great straites
left also foure pieces of Ordnance behinde them which Canterburie men seized on and went to Sir Edward Hales house within half a mile of Sittingborn who notwithstanding that he was a Parliament-man and one of the Deputie Lievtenants of this Countie and so neer them yet used no meanes to appease any of these tumults but rather administred secret helps and encouragements to them and his Grand-childe and heire being chosen Captain of these rebells whom therefore with his Grand-father Sir Edward Hales they took into their custodie together with Mr Farnabie a School-Master a great stickler also in this insurrection and a man of a very insolent and malignant spirit and shortly after they were all namely Sir Edward Hales Sir George Sands the Major of Feversham Mr Farnabie and the rest of note were brought to London to the Parliament and after examination there were all committed to prison Sir Edward and Sir George to the Tower of London Mr Farnabie to Newgate and the rest to the Fleet. And thus by Gods great mercy and good providence this so dangerous an insurrection was most happily and timely appeased and this Countie afterward reduced into a most quiet and peaceable condition As by an Ordinance of Parliament which not long after came forth whereby authoritie was given to the Deputie Lievtenants and well-affected prime patriots of that Countie for the better securing of the peace thereof may more fully appeare and which said Declaration for the Readers fuller satisfaction I have thought fit heer to insert and set down verbatim as it was published by authoritie of Parliament An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament touching the Rebellion in Kent Die Mercurii August 16. 1643. WHereas divers ill-affected persons of the Countie of Kent have unlawfully and traiterously assembled themselves together and in a warlike and hostile manner possessed themselves of divers Towns and places in that Countie and have traiterously and rebelliously levied warre against the King and Parliament and robbed killed and spoyled divers of his Majesties Subjects And notwithstanding they were invited by an Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament to lay down their armes and every man to depart in peace to their severall places of habitation with an offer not onely to pass by their offences then already committed by them but to give redress to any just grievances they should in a peaceable and Parliamentarie way present to the Parliament yet they wilfully and contemptuously refused that favour offered unto them and gave battaile to those forces sent by authoritie of both Houses to suppress that insurrection where by Gods great goodness they were wholly routed and a very great number taken prisoners Now to the end the like inconveniences may be prevented heerafter and that the peace of the Countie may be better setled It is ordained by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled that Sir Henry Vane senior Sir John Sidley Sir Authony Welden Sir Michael Leveley Sir Henry Heyman Mr Nut Mr Augustine Skinner Mr Thomas Blunt Mr Thomas Franklin Sir Edward Boyse Mr Brown Sir William Springate Sir Edward Master Mr John Boyl Mr John Boyse Sir Peter Wroth Mr Richard Lee Sir Thomas Walsingham Mr Thomas Selyard and Sir John Robarts or any three of them shall forthwith seiz upon all the armes and horses of all those that have in person appeared in that insurrection and rebellion and of all such as have willingly assisted or countenanced the same or that have willingly relieved any of the said rebells with armes ammunition money or otherwise or that have refused to give their assistance being thereunto required to suppress the said insurrection or rebellion and that the horses that shall be so seized on shall be sent to the Citie of London to the Commissary for horses there to be entred and listed for the service of the State and that the armes so to be seized shall be laid up in some place of safetie in that Countie to the end the same may be distributed to the well-affected partie of that Countie when occasion requireth And it is further ordained by the authority aforesaid That the said Sir Henry Vane senior Sir John Sidley Sir Anthony Welden Sir Michael Levesey Sir Henry Heyman Mr Nut Mr Augustine Skinner Mr Thomas Blunt Mr Thomas Franklin Sir Edward Boyse Mr Brown Sir William Springate Sir Edward Master Mr John Boyse Mr John Boyl Sir Peter Wroth Mr Richard Lee Sir Thomas Walsingham Mr Thomas Selyard and Sir John Robarts or any three of them shall have power and are heerby authorized to enter upon and seiz all and singular the lands tenements and hereditaments and the goods chattells and cattell of all and singular the persons that were actors countenancers or abettors in the said rebellion who did not submit to the said Ordinance and immediately come in lay down their armes and repair to their places of habitation and to seiz and imprison their persons to the end they be proceeded against according to the Law and the merit of their offence Provided alwayes and it is further ordered by the authority aforesaid That the said Sir Henry Vane senior Sir John Sidley Sir Anthony Welden Sir Michael Levesey Sir Henry Heyman Mr Nut Mr Aug. Skinner Mr Thomas Blunt Mr Thomas Franklin Sir Edw. Boyse Mr Brown Sir William Springate Sir Edward Master Mr John Boyl Mr John Boyse Sir Peter Wroth Mr Richard Lee Sir Thomas Walsingham Mr Thomas Selyard and Sir John Robarts or any three of them shall have power and are heerby authorized to compound with such of the persons aforesaid as they shall think fit objects of such mercifull proceedings and to receive of them such summes of money by way of fine and ransome as they or any three of them shall think fit having respect to the offence and the estate of the person offending and to certifie the names and sums received of every person and return the same to the Guildhall in London to the treasurers appointed to receive money and plate upon the Propositions and every person that shall compound and pay the money according to this Ordinance shall be freed in their persons and estates and discharged from any farther prosecution for the crimes and offences committed by them in that rebellion or insurrection and it is further ordained that the said Sir Henry Vane senior Sir John Sidley Sir Anthony Welden Sir Michael Levesey Sir Henry Heyman Mr Nut Mr Augustine Skinner Mr Tho. Blunt Mr Thomas Franklin Sir Edward Boyse Mr Brown Sir William Springate Sir Edward Master Mr John Boyse Mr John Boyl Sir Peter Wroth Mr Richard Lee Sir Thomas Walsingham Mr Thomas Selyard and Sir John Robarts and every of them shall be protected and saved harmless by the authority of both Houses of Parliament for what they shall doe in pursuance of this Ordinance Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament that this Ordinance be forthwith printed and published About the 22
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
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
both Kingdomes of England and Scotland and there were sundry excellent speeches made there and then to the Citizens to set forth the great importance of their speedy assistance in this particular and how acceptable a work it would be to the Lord not onely to enter into a holy League or Covenant for reformation of the evills in Church and State but also to seal it with some benevolent and chearfull act of Contribution though but by way of loan to set forward the work that thus both hand and heart might goe together in the work and wee with holy David might manifest that wee would not offer a sacrifice to our God of that which cost us nought To which motion then most efficaciously made there All then present with very much chearfulness and alacrity declared their forwardness and willing assent to the utmost of their ability as was desired and at the same time and afterward also at the taking of the said Covenant in all the Parish-Churches in and about London great numbers subscribed for very considerable summes to be raised accordingly with all convenient and possible expedition And now good Reader thou mayst be pleased to remember that wee lately left the atheisticall Earl of Newcastle and his Popish Armie besieging the strong and important Town of Hull most bravely defended as I mentioned before by the most renowned and victorious Lord Fairfax the most noble and faithfull Governour thereof Now therefore to return to it again I shall heer acquaint thee that about the 14th of this instant October 1643. came certain intelligence to London from thence both by severall relations and also by Letters of a most memorable and brave bickering between the besiegers and the besieged wherein the Lord was pleased to crown the most noble Lord Fairfax with a very glorious and famous victory over those his Popish adversaries and thereby to raise that insolent Siege of this proud Atheist against Hull put the said new Marquess forsooth for honours at Oxford are t is too well known so cheap that they are most easily bought and sold for any base and treacherous designe against the Parliament and Kingdome of Newcastle to new troubles and driving him quite out of his little patience and probitie and making thereby his wit as well as his honestie run a wool-gathering and indeed plunging him into inextricable perplexities as was most remarkably evident in this most memorable and brave Defeat given to him and his Popish forces before Hull where he lay in Siege as you have already heard For now Winter being come on and he desirous to make Hull his most strong and advantageous Winter-quarter and safe retyring and retreating place on all disasterous occasions he now resolved to set stifâ—y and stoutly upon the work and with his utmost powers to endeavour to procure it but was now forced to make a new reckoning for thus reckoning without his hoste The description of which noble and renowned skirmish and brave bickering for the more full and clearer setting forth of the truth thereof I have heer thought fit to give the Reader a sight of the Copie of that renowned Commander Sir John Meldrums own letter even verbatim as he himself being a principall actor in the whole business writ and sent it to the Speaker of the Parliament onely I shall heer or there interlace some few materiall circumstances extracted out of the most noble Lord Fairfaxes Letter sent also about the same time to the said Mr. Speaker of the Parliament which was as followeth For my honourable Friend William Lentall Esquire Speaker of the Commons House of Parliament SIR I Shall not weary you much with the relation of some happie successes God hath blessed us withall since my arrivall at Hull knowing that many pens will be set awork whereby neither the truth in the narration nor the favour and mercy of God can be fairly and fully revealed There having been a supply sent into Hull Octob. 5th 1643. of about 400 Souldiers from the Earl of Manchester and about 250 from Sir William Constable Upon munday the 9th of the said October the Reginalists or Popish forces under the Earl of Newcastles command about break of day did with a great deal of courage being commanded by Denton Stricland and one Little a Countryman of mine who commanded in chief fell upon one of our Outworkes called the Ragged-jetty a place of great importance for the safe riding of our Shipping before the Town but by the resolution of two English Commanders and a Countryman of mine cousen-germane to Sir William Cunningham and the courage of the Gunners and Souldiers they were upon view of an hundred Musqueteers which followed mee from the Mount beaten out of the work and driven to a most shamefull retreat leaving the bodies of their Commanders dead upon the place many of their Souldiers killed and wounded Whereupon on the said 9th of October my Lord Generall called a Councell of warre where it was resolved for us to issue forth and to beat them out of their next workes approaching to ours The order was to fall out in two distinct bodies of five hundred Musqueteers apiece commanded under my charge by two Colonells Lambert and Rainsborow who with Major Forbess and Major Wren carried themselves very bravely in the business and thus the Lord Generall having placed three troopes of horse to keep off the enemies horse which were quickly drawn into a bodie from annoying our foot marching along about nine of the clock that morning toward the enemies line of approach on every side the enemy abandoning one work after another untill wee had made our selves masters of their Ordnance But as the Sun in its greatest brightness is subject to Eclipses so it fell out with us at this time for the forwardness and violence of our souldiers was abated by about an hundred pikes of the enemie who charging the Van of our foot scatter'd and drave us back again even so as that they regained their Ordnance and enforced us all to a shamefâ—ll retreat neither my self nor the other Commanders being able to stop any one man no if the Kingdome it self had been at the stake In this retreat Colonell Rainsborow was as I conceive either taken prisoner or killed dead and so fallen into some ditch for he could not be found but his mans dead body was found Upon my Lord Generalls order to shut the gates and upon the sense of their own miscarriage a body of our foot was drawn up again which falling again with as much animositie and heat of courage as formerly they had retreated did drive them again out of their workes recovered again all the Ordnance lost and gained beside a half-Cannon and a Demiculverin of brass which wee had not possessed in the first charge even one of their â—orreigne great brazen-staves which now through Gods mercy hath proved a Staff of Reed unto them Upon this change of the Scene of affaires the Marquess
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
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
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
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
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
horse they all marched willingly and cheerfully together till neer one of the clock that night in the way toward Basing but on a sodain were appointed to face toward the South and so toward Alton passing exactly between the hills till they obtained within half a mile of the said Town most privately undiscovered at all by the enemie our Scouts being so diligent that not a person stirring in all those passages was left at liberty to have any opportunity to enforme the enemie of our proceedings and being now in sight of the Town about nine of the clock in the morning wee understood by the Scouts we took that the Lord Craford was in the Town who had there about 500 horse the taking of which Scouts and some of them escaping gave opportunity for the said Lord to shift for himself who conceived himself and all the rest of his forces lost yet unhappily found a private hole by which he made an escape with a partie of his horse about 300 and rode Eastward toward Winchester roade where unexpectedly he met with some of our horse and so was enforced for feare to retreat back again into the Town and fled Southward which our horse perceiving pursued them hard whiles our valiant foote made the woods ring again with the eccho of their loud shoutings for joy There were three or foure of them slain in their flight but being in narrow lanes after half a miles pursuite our men retreated to us having taken about 30 horse and some prisoners In which interim out foot were not idle nor Sir William himself whose rare and politick exploits in this service deserve to be registred with the rest and best of his former brave atchievements and honourable actions The horse were immediately appointed to make good all passages so that the enemie could have no benefit of their accustomed trick of running away but were still taken by our horse when they attempted it Our foot also in the mean time behaving themselves bravely like men with great expedition and resolution beat the enemie out of their workes on the North-west East parts of the Town and possest themselves thereof where they cheerfully displayed their Colours in the face of their enemies and then our men advanced valiantly into the Market-place and the enemie being all Musketteers drew themselves into the works neer the Church where they had double trenches a half Moon and made the Church and a Barn thereby their chiefest refuge and heer grew a very hot fight which was continued neer two houres together by reason of a malignant in the Town who wilfully fired his own barn and other houses thereby to offend our men with the smoak by reason of which smoak indeed wee lost about three men but at last the said fire and smoak abating our men fell closs to their work again and enforced the enemie to retreat into the foresaid Church and barn where they were all taken prisoners The enemies to give them their due made good the Town with much courage and resolution and would not yeeld when they had lost many men so long as their Lievtenant Colonell Boles lived stood to it very stoutly but he being slain in the fight aforesaid and a chief commander besides of theirs much wounded they then began to shrink and then ours came in upon them and became Masters of the Town on all sides and the Town being now thus taken the enemie desired and obtained quarter yet being infected with Irish-rebells and their wonted treacherie one of them after quarter given fired off a pistoll in the said Church against Major Shambrook but by Gods providence he was not killed therewith but hurt in the thigh and hopefull to recover upon which act there was much adoe to keep our men from cutting them in pieces which it was believed they would have done could they have known the Irish from the other In this fight were taken prisoners 700 in the Church neer an 100 in the Barn above an 100 in the field with diverse Irish men and 〈◊〉 men also neer 200 horse a 1000 armes one Colonell one Major one Lievtenant Colonell 13 Captains 3 Coronets one of which with the Princes armes another the Earl of Straffords with divers other Colours hid in the Church There were slain of the enemies neer fortie among whom was Colonell Richard Bolles as aforesaid The enemies word was Charles ours was Truth and Peace The mighty providence of God was marveilously seen in this as in many other mercies toward us for in this fight for a certain truth there were not above five of our men slain and about six wounded and about six scorched with gunpowder by their own negligence And now all this being done as aforesaid our most worthy and renowned Major Generall caused the people of the Town to slight all the workes took the prisoners and tyed them two by two with match and sent most of them to Farnham Castle where they were kept in safe custody till they were otherwise disposed of After this we were credibly enformed that above 500 of these prisoners which Sir William took at Alton took the Covenant and served under Sir William Waller and about 500 more refused it and those prisoners being most of them Irish were afterward sent up to London with the Citie forces who safely and triumphantly conducted them thither One passage heerin I may not omit viz. That a little before this designe and fight the Lord Craford had begged the favour of our most worthy Major Generall to let him have a Hogshead of Sack which noble Sir William with a loving complement sent accordingly unto him which the Lord Craford caused to be carefully kept for his own drinking but by reason of this sodain and unexpected company coming thus to visit him he was struck with such a panick fear that he left the wine behinde him without any complement to be again at Sir Williams disposall but after the fight and his flight to Winchester their head quarter he sent a Letter to Sir William Waller to this effect SIR I Hope your gaining of Alton cost you dear It was your lot to drink off your own Sach which I never intended to have left for you I pray you favour me so much as send mee mine own Chiruâ—geon and upon my honour I will send you a person suitable to his exchange Sir your servant Craford Winton Decemb. 16. 1643. And soon after the said fight Sir Ralph Hopton also writ a Letter to Sir William Waller from his Quarters at Winchester which was to this purpose SIR THis is the first evident ill success I have had I must acknowledge that I have lost many brave and gallant men I desire you if Colonell Boles be living to propound a fit exchange if dead that you will send mee his corps I pray you send me a list of such prisoners
Iohn Byron of whom we made mention before The generall report and relation whereof came unto us to London on the 3. of this instant Ianuary 643 being the Monthly Fast-day at night just about the time of the conclusion of the holy exercises of that day and which was by Letters confirmed more certainly particularly the next day being Thursday and Friday following The substance and manner whereof was this The English and Irish Forces which but a little before came out of Ireland under the command of sir Michael Earnly and severall other Commanders having laid siege to that brave and faithfull Town of Namptwich resolving it is probable to doe some brave piece of service at their first arrivall into England had therefore made three severall onsets and assaults upon it and were most bravely repulsed every time by Captaine Booth Governour of the Towne with great losse to the Enemie Lieutenant Colonell Boughton and foure Captaines more besides many common Souldiers being there slain before the towne At last they hearing the advance of Sir Tho and Sir William toward them to relieve the besieged they raised their siege from thence and drew out their Forces upon a plaine neere the Town to give them bâ—ttell Both Armies bâ—ing met there continued a fierce encounter betweene them which was very bravely performed on both sides for the space of two houres at least At last the enemy Gods providence so ordering it began to give ground which our as vigilant as valiant Commanders soone perceiving were greatly encouraged thereat to animate and draw on their souldiers with the braver resolution Sir Thomas Fairfax most magnanimiously charged their Horse whereof bloody Byron was Commander who not daring to stand to so fierce a shock began first to fly mangre all his former lying vaunts over brave Sir William Brereton our Horse valiantly pursuing the opportunity thereof gave not over till they had â—â—terly routed their enemies and dispersed and scattered all their Forces The names of the Prisoners of eminency taken all of them either Commanders of the English Forces in Ireland or native Irish-rebells were Major Generall Gibson Sir Richard Fleetwood Major Sir Michael Earnley Sir Francis Butler an Irish Rebell Colonell Monck Colonell Warren Lieutenant Colonell Gibs Sir Ralph Dames Major Hamon 14. Captaines 20. Lieutenants 27. Ensignes 3. Cornets 4. Quarter-masters 40. Drummes 4. Serjeants 63. Corporals 1700. Common-Souldiers and above an 100. wicked Women and Irish Queanes with long and sharpe Skeanes or Knives to play the barbarous Cut-throats of such as they should have taken Prisoners or were wounded had they got the Victory 6. Pieces of Ordnance 4. Canoneers 27. Wagons laden with very rich spoiles taken by the Irish-Forces from the Inhabitants of those parts Very many of them were slaine on the Ground and in the pursuit of them among which were Colonell Wane a Lieutenant Colonell 4. Captaines yea and Sir Wil Brereton in his own Letter to the Parliament testifies that there were about 2400. of the Enemies slaine and taken Prisoners in this Battaile and at the siege of Namptwich there were above 500. slaine before the Towne and yet that in all that siege the Towne lost but 2. men in all Boasting bloody Byron himselfe fled like a cowardly beaten and bitten Dog with his taile between his leggs to Oxford there to bragg how he had made noble Sir William Brereton flye as his custome was and to vapour of his happy victory and good success he hath had since his former late inhumane butcherie of Lancashire Forces Herein still the Lord most wisely and justly suiting his Divine dispensations to mens actions and worthyly repaying to the wicked a suitable and proportionable measure of Iustice and revenge Of this and all the rest of his rich and rare mercies and wonderfull Victories and Deliverances let our Wonder-working God alone have all the most meritorious praise and glory And accordingly on the Fryday following which was the 2. of February the pious and prudent House of Commons in Parliament passed an Order to this effect That on the next Lords day publike thanks should be rendred unto Almighty God both for the seasonable comming in of our faithfull and loving brethren of Scotland to our assistance against the mighty Enemies of the Lord for the good successe of the Garrison of Nottingham against Newcastles treacherous fraud and forces together with the happy discovery and defeat of the severall late plotts of the Enemy against us as was forementioned and especially for this last foresaid famous Victory of Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir William Brereton against the English-Irish Forces in Cheshire and it was Ordered therein also that the said Order should be read by the Ministers of the severall Congregations in and about the Cities of London and Westminster and that the names of all such Ministers as should refuse to publish the said Order should be returned to the Parliament And here now I shall desire to cast Anchor againe and make a little stay of Contemplation and gratefull rumination on the precious Traffick and rich Commodities of this Moneths Voyage wherein the godly Reader may see at a sight and seeing admire the great mercies of our good God thus still carrying on his Arke and causing it to over-top all the troublesome waves and windes of Malignity that have thus still bruisht and rusht against it and bringing it home in safety to the Haven of this Moneths end fairely fraught with all these mercies As first in raising up the spirits of the Swedes to interrupt the Auxiliary designe of Denmarke against England In the taking of those two Houses Holts-House and Bewley-House two pernicious Kennels or Cages for the Kings Cormorants those birds of Prey to roust and nestle in for the fitter falling upon the spoile and plunder of the people and places neer about them In the happy and timely discovery of that pernitious plot of dividing the Parliament and City under the modest mask forsooth of pretended Peace by Sir Basil Brook Riley and the rest and the happy deliverance of those three honest and loyall Patriots of their Countrey in Gernsey from the present Imprisonment and intended future danger which they were in In the happy taking into the Parliaments possession of Arundel-Castle by Sir William Waller and his valiant Forces besides a brave Ship full fraught with Armes Ammunition and other good Merchandizes The most happy Harmony and union of Spirits Love and Loyalty between the Parliament and City of London most sweetly manifested in that famous invitation at Marchant-Taylors-Hall In that most noble Defeat given to Sir Nicholas Byron by valiant Colonell Mitton Sir Iohn Gells valiant surprisall of Burton on Trent and the taking of Hilsden-House by the Parliaments Forces In the happy discovery and disappointment of the base Plots and trecherous designes of mischievous Major Ogle both in endeavouring to sow the seeds
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
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
undertaken and cleare my unfeigned reputation Thus much I thought good to say unto you that you may give a satisfactory testimony of that designe in my behalfe if you heare it falsely reported And I shall be ready to requite you in vindicating of truth and acknowledge my selfe Southampton Feb. 5. 1643. Your reall friend PET. MURFORD About the 6. of this instant came to the publike knowledge of the City of London and so to others in the Kingdome a notable designe from Oxford namely That in the latter end of Ianuary last the pretended Parliament or rather mischievous meeting of Popish Atheisticall and Malignant fugitive Lords and rotten Members of the most blessed Parliament at Westminster being brought into a desperate condition by the happy and good successe of our said Parliamentâ— Forces against them assembled themselves into a most illegall jugling Iunto or accursed Conventicle at Oxford and would needs there forsooth make a poor shew of Propositions for Peace And by their Lord Generall Ruthen the Popish Earl of Forth they contrived a Letter which was signed by the Prince the Duke of York 44 of the foresaid condition'd Lords and about an 100 rotten Commons and was sent as from Ruthen to his Excellencie the Parliaments most noble and renowned Lord Generall the magnanimous and heroick Eul of Essex and in that Letter manifested their scornfull esteem of our most renowned Parliament at Westminster not allowing it so much as the name of a Parliament which must needs argue a proper piece of intention really to advance a true Peace betwixt the King and his Parliament Now hereupon the said Letter being by his Excellencie communicated with the Parliament they thought it not fit to take notice of the said Message only it was consulted and resolved on by both Houses that my Lord Generall should be intreated to send a Complement to the Earle of Forth and to inclose the Covenant and Declaration agreed upon by both Kingdomes in this Letter which accordingly his Excellencie performed as followeth His Excellencies Letter to the Earl of Forth in answer to a Letter from Oxford subscribed by the Prince Duke of Yorke and divers Lords and Gentlemen at Oxford My Lord I Received this day a Letter of the 29. of this instant from your Lordship and therein a Parchment subscribed by the Prince Duke of York and divers Lords and Gentlemen but it neither having addresse to the two houses of Parliament nor therein there being any acknowledgment of them I could not communicate it unto them My Lord the maintenance of the Parliament of England and of the priviledges thereof is that for which we are all resolved to spend our blood as being the foundation whereon all our Lawes and Liberties are built I send your Lordship herewith a Nationall Covenant solemnly entred into by both Kingdomes of England and Scotland and a Declaration passed by them both together with another Declaration of the Kingdome of Scotland I rest Your Lordships humble Servant ESSEX Essex-house Ian. 30. 1643. About the 9. of this instant February our most noble and renowned Patriots in Parliament resolved on the sequestring of the Estates of many grand Malignants and Incendiaries and to order and dispose of their Estates for the publike use And they appointed a Committee accordingly to take order for the sequestrating of the Lands and Estates of the Earle of Berk-shire prisoner in the Tower and that the same should be disposed of for the use of the publike good And the like for the estate of the Earle of Carbery a great stickler for the adverse party in Wales The Lord Aborthorum Mr. Walter Mountague prisoner in the Tower The Lord Cottington that Spanish Don and grand Incendiary of the Kingdome And that all the goods and Chattels already sequestred and to be sequestred belonging to the aforesaid Lords and Gentlemen should be forthwith sold and the monies made use of for the publike service and more especially for supplies for the Noble Lord Fairfax in Yorkshire The like also for all the goods and chattels belonging to Sir John Banks Lord Chiefe Justice at Oxford The like for the Bishop of Winchester and the like for all the goods of all other Malignants sequestred and being in Cambden-house in London or elsewhere As also the goods and whole estate in and about London belonging to that unhappy and unholy Neuter or Ambo-dexter Dr. Vsher Arch-Prelate of Armagh resident at Oxford a man once I confesse of good yea of great esteem like his apostate brother Dr. White Bishop of Ely in City and Country both in England and Ireland but at length whose last dayes hitherto have proved his worst dayes Of whom one thing I may not here omit to his eternall shame and ignominie That upon debating of the businesse in Parliament concerning him there was evidence given in to the Parliament against him That upon the first framing of that pernicious Oath at Oxford to enjoyn all men to take up Armes against the Parliament this slye Archbishop was a chiefe Agent by his Episcopall rhetorick to perswade all men to take the said Oath yea and that he wished they might all dye in prison that refused to take it that divers who by his perswasions had taken it were afterward much troubled in conscience and some of them dyed in that condition much perplexed and unsatisfied A most sad and bad burthen to lie on the Conscience of such an unholy and unhappy Instigator thereunto whose perishing blood will I feare be one day severely required at his hands without repentance Also about the 10. of this instant certain intelligence came out of York-shire by Letters to London from the most Noble Lord Fairfax of the taking of Burlington in the said County the place where the Queene formerly landed when she unhappily returned out of Holland by a party of Horse and Foot commanded by that valiant and vertuous Colonel Sir William Constable who entred the Town in a full Carriere took 250 Common-souldiers besides Major New nam the Governour of the Town and divers other Officers with 2 Drakes and 500 Arms besides other Ammunition In this exploit Major Briery and Captain Bethel the one in the Van the other in the Reare did singular good service and put the Enemy into a great disorder This place being within 6 miles of Scarborough will make Sir Hugh Cholmley that perfidious Apostate to look about him And very shortly after came farther intelligence of another notable Exploit performed by the said brave and valiant Commander Sir William Constable who surprised a party of the Enemy at a place called Driffle between Malton and Scarborough where he took 300 of Newcastles Horse Colonel Washington one Serjeant-Major three Captaines divers Officers and about an hundred and sixty common Foot-souldiers and routed another Regiment besides Much about the same time came certain information by Letters from the Scotch Commissioners out of the North That since
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
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
use of his Forces in the said Town About the 24. of this instant also came most certain information by Letters from Notingham to London of a most admirable and marvellous deliverance of the said Town and Castle from a most bloody plot intended against it by the Kings base and bloody Cormorants and also a very great Victory obtained by the Town and Castle upon the said Enemies on the happy discovery thereof which was thus related Some Horses laden with sacks went from Newcastle toward Notingham and about 30. Cavaliers or treacheâ—ous Cormorants with them some of them in the habits of plain Country men others of them like unto homely country-women in womens apparrell see here the devillish audacity and craft of the sons of darknesse who all with great confidence and undaunted audaciousnesse passed thus along as if they had been going to Nottingham Market but comming to the Court of Guard they were examined and made answer That they had brought corn to sell in the Market But it pleased God that some of the Souldiers perceived something to stick out in the supposed womens bosomes which bred an occasion of some mistrust and the Captain of the Guard being there and taking it into consideration he caused the women to be layd hold on and to be searched and withall bad the seeming Country-men to shut out the corn in a place which he had appointed them and promised to pay for it which they could no wayes avoyd but go they must though but with heavie hearts in which mean time the women were searched who in the search proved men and every one of them provided of his weapon under their coats which it seems was that which stuck out so and the pretended sacks of corn being emptied were found to be powder Pistols and Match Hereupon these couzening Cormorants were further examined but were very unwilling to confesse the Plot for all this onely they said they were sent as Spies from Newark but the prudent Governour before whom they were now brought seriously examining the businesse and being too old a bird to be caught or couzend with such chaffe took match and caused their fingers to be tyed therewith and told them what they must trust to except they would speedily discover the Plot. Hereupon they fearing presently to be trust up protested they would make the Plot fully and faithfully known unto them that they were sorry they were so unfortunate to go about so wicked a design and confest as follows That in the night these Cormorants and ten more being in all about 40. in number should with their pistols and other weapons have fallen upon the Court of guard on a sudden and so put them all to the sword at which time a party of horse and foot should be ready to march into the Towne and put all to the sword that stirr'd to make any the least resistance and thus to take all into their owne hands and they assured them that the said strength of horse and foot would certainely be there that night Whereupon the most valiant and vigilant Governour being not a litle joyfull that it had thus graciously pleased the Lord to discover this plot prepared that night for the enemies comming and had provided a strength to be ready at the time appointed who just accordingly as 't was made knowne came that night and being discovered by Nottingham forces our men couragiously issued out and set upon them speedily put them to the rout and retreat took prisoners between 2 and 300 of them and had they not wheeled about so soon there could scarce have a man of them escaped them the rest fled away in great disorder some swam over the river to save their lives for haste others betook them to horse back some to hedges to hide themselves for the time and there were afterward about an 100. found dead in the river who it seemes were in their hasty flight drowned and our men took above 300 Armes and many Horse besides the admirable and blessed deliverance from this base Plot and their barbarous intended cruelty therein And here good Reader I may very fitly there not having fallen out any other matter of great concernment this moneth cast Anchor and give our Arke a little rest in the harbour of this Mount-Ararat a little while to re-collect our serious thoughts and most gratefull recogitations and summary reperusalls of all the most excellent and eminent mercies and rich Parliamentary-merchandizes of this moneths prosperous Voyage through the boysterous and billowing Ocean of our Kingdomes sad intestine bloody distractions and disturbances As namely First in reciting renowned Col. Massyes brave surprisall of Colonell Sir Henry Talbot in his Quarters with the brave prizes and purchace obtained thereby In valiant and virtuous Sir Iohn Meldrums taking of the Isle of Axholme in Yorkeshire The happy prudent and politick establishment of a Councill of State for the more sute and secret managing of the most important affaires of all the three Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland The happy and timely discovery of the dangerous plot against Southampton The nullifying and foolifying of the Oxonian Propositions for a falsely pretended Peace thereby to have retarded and prejudiced the Parliaments proceedings together with the sequestring and selling away of Malignants goods for the publike use immediately thereupon setled and resolved on The many various and victorious defeates and performances of the Parliaments Forces both by the noble and renowned Lord Fairfaix Sir William Constable in the North and the rest of the Parliaments Forces in the Westerne parts of the Kingdom interception of dangerous Letters to the State and other successefull enterprises The happy and holy resolution of our most famous Parliamentary Statists in confirming and expatiating the progresse of the Solemn-League or Covenant throughout the whole Kingdome of England and Dominions of Wales to be taken by all of all sorts of people in Cities or Couâ—tries within their power and jurisdiction In the singular good successe yet further enlarged by the good hand of God unto us in the North by Sir William Constable at Sea by Captaine Swanley at Milford-Haven by Colonell Mitton and the mighty preservation of Cheshire The pious and prudent care taken by our Religious Parliamentary Senators for the regulating of the Government of the Church and about Preachers in London And lastly in the good successe of our Parliamentary Forces in Northampton Yorke Pool and the marveilous deliverance of Nottingham Town and Castle from that most desperate and deepe designe by the Royall Cormorants together with the brave Victory which God gave unto ours there immediatly upon the discovery of that pestilent Plot. All which religiously recollected and wisely reviewed will amount to thus much even a copious Cornucopia of rare and faire Mercies of the Lord still continued and enlarged to worthlesse and wretched England a scelerous and very sinfull Nation yet I say all these
Thiefe having intelligence that according to the direction of the Parliament the Nationall Covenant was taking throughout that County and to that purpose that there were Summons of all the Clergy-men Church-wardens and other Officers to come in to Leicester to take the Covenant whither accordingly they came for two or three dayes together with much freenesse and cheerefulnesse whereof I say Hastings having notice hee with 4 Troops from Bever-Worton-house coursed about the Countrey as farre as Dunton and Litherworth and tooke neere upon an 100 of the Clergâ—emen and others and carried them Prisoners to a Town called Hinckley intending to have carryed them to Ashby-de-la-Zouch c. using them very coursely and threatning to hang all them that should take the Parliaments Covenant nor were they content with this but roaving up and downe the Countrey they tooke away about 80 Kine Oxen and Horse from the poore Countrey people and one Master Warner a godly Minister whom they much abused threatning to hang him But the intelligence of these things comming to Leicestor and they most justly very ill resenting these outrages and cruelties lost no time but though all their horse were gone to Newark yet they resolved every private man to spare his owne horse and so sent away presently an 120 of the Foot Souldiers and some 30 Troopers that lay at Bagworth-house to keep it from the enemy under the command of Colonell Gray whom the Lord Gray had made Governour of Leicester These their Forces being upon their March toward Hinkley so well ordered the matter that about eight of the clock that night they fell most valiantly on them in their quarters undiscovered tooke the Enemies Scouts and without much resistance tooke the outworks and a piece of Ordnance and there performed their worke also with so good successe that they presently entred the Towne killed one of the Enemies Captains named Man-waring and foure or five more of their Souldiers wounded 9 or 10 of them very sorely presently routed them all tooke two of their Lieutenants one Quarter-master one Ensigne 45 Prisoners and 140 Horse with their Armes released all the Country men rescued all the Cattle and restored them to the right owners and so returned home safe with this victory and booty the next day being Shroâ—e-Teusday as then they called it None of Leicester men were slaine in this defeat onely 4 wounded whereof one was casually hurt by Colonell Gray because he forgot their Word in the fight which was God prosper us the Enemies Word being For the King But that which makes this exploitâ—the more remarkable was that the Enemy was between 4 and 500 strong as was credibly informed and ours not above 200 at the most Our men went on most couragiously in all the Service and had they not been too greedy of the prey we had meere taken them all And therefore desire to ascribe all the honour to God alone And about the same time also came certain intelligence to London that valiant and vigilant Colonell Norton had takes severall prisoners in his parts about Southampton and slaine divers of the seulking enemies among whom Sir Iohn Stowell was slaine in the place About the 18th of this instant came yet farther intelligence by letters out of Yorkeshire to London that that brave and valiant commander Col Lambert since his late famous victory at Bradford hearing that a party were gathering against him to oppose him in the West-riding of Yorkeshire be drew out his forces to meet them and discovering the enemy neere Kirkelesse consisting of about 11. troopes of horse of the Earle of Newcastles as good as they could make up for the designe Col. Lambert presently drew out a small partie which he sent upon the forlorne hope to draw the enemy into a noose who discovering onely a small party of our men they marched toward them Hereupon our men began to retreat the enemy followed In which interim brave Colonell Lambert having wisely carryed the businesse had placâ—d a party on each side of the enemy so as they were surrounded ere they were aware Whereupon with very litle harme the valiant Colonell surprized and cooped them up on three sides and there being a river on the fourth side they all became his prisoners irresistibly save only two or three who adventured to swim over the river who whether they were drowned or not was uncertaine for the river was deepe and dangerous The noble Colonell tooke prisoners at this time 4. Lieut. Colonels and Serjeant Maiors 7. Captaines 11. Cornets 300. souldiers and other officers with other purchase and prizes which the enemy had pillaged in the Country a sore pull from them and a faire strengthening of us blessed be the Lord for it And about the very same time we had certaine knowledge that Sir William Constable that most pious and prudent commander and one Captaine Carter had with a very small and unconsiderable losse taken two bridges in the East-Riding of Yorkeshire both of them very considerable places for their designes the one called Chester-bridge and the other was Stamford-bridge with them they tooke also divers prisoners and three pieces of ordnance there Much also about the same time came credible information to London that a party of Colonell Waights horse from Burley-House in Rutlandshire went out suddenly toward Beaver-castle intelligence having beene given them of a troope of horse quartered a mile off from the castle Whereupon they with the best preparation they could make of sadle-horses and others for dragoones the most part of their garrison troupers being then out in the service at Newarke siege with Sir Iohn Meldrum they fell on them in their quarters tooke divers of them prisoners and then went neerer the castle tooke thence 20. fatt oxen and at least 200. fat sheep and brought them all away safely with them to Burley-House And much about the foresaid time we were for certain enformed at London that divers ships at sea full fraught with Irish-bloody-rebells bound for Westchester met with a great storme by Gods justice and good providence which so violently tost and shattered them that at least a full regiment consisting of 1500. were cast away and drencht and drown'd in the salt streames of the sea as they had destroy'd others in the gory streames of their blood at land And about the same time it was enformed most infallibly that the noble garrisons of Pool and Warham beat upon the then ignoble Weather-cocke the Lord Inchiquins regiment of Irish bloody Rascalls in Dorsetshire with a fierce land-storme where they tooke divers prisoners 2. pieces of ordnance killed very many of them fired their magazine and returned victoriously and safely home againe About the 10th of this Instant March came information from Southampton that a party of Sir Ralph Hoptons horse came and faced that Town Whereupon the brave and valiant Governor thereof Colonell Norton sent out some
forces against them who came forth and faced them also whiles other some of his forces had placed themselves in some advantagious ambuscadoes and upon the ingagement of the rest in fight came upon the reere of Hoptons forces beat them soundly tooke about at least 80. of them prisoners among whom were 2. Cornets and other officers whom they safely carryed into Southampton And that most loyall and magnanimous commander Sir William Belfore had performed much good service against the enemy neere Basing-house in Hampshire where he defeated a party of Basing forces which sallyed out of the said House and fell upon his infantrie in their marching that way But Sir Williams horse wheeling about and comming in the rear of them killed 20. on the place routed 200. horse and tooke many prisoners whereof some were men of quality After which he advanced to Newbery and tooke possession of the Towne which the enemies garrison understanding of his comming toward them had quite quitted upon his approach thither at which time he was about 5000. strong in horse and foot And about the same time came certaine intelligence from forraine parts which I here mention as having reference to our present affaires in England that on the last Monethly fast day of Febr. last 1643. which was also kept at Delph in Holland the same day that ours was in England by the English Inhabitants and Merchants there residing and that the Prince Elector Palatine CHARLES subscribed the Solemine-League or Covenant entred into by the Kingdomes of England and Scotland and which had beene sent over and ordered by the Parliament to be taken by all the English in all those Provinces and that many also of the Court in Holland have done the like Also that the Swedes had about that time taken the King of Denmarkes castle of Elsenburge which guards the Sound on Norway side and that they had then also taken two Danish ships with 1200. of the king of Denmarkes souldiers And which is of greatest concernment and most remarkable that the Swedes were then expediting an Embassie to the Parliament of England wherein they desired the first motion wherof we touched before that they might associate themselves with the kingdomes of England and Scotland for the mutuall defence of one another in point of the Protestant religion against the Popish party in any part of the world Thus good Reader we see still dayly how the kingdome of Antichrist like Sauls house decayes and decreases more and more and therefore how justly and joyfully we may and must expect the House of David to encrease flourish and prevaile in all parts of the earth and thereby our glorious hopes more sweetly and firmely to be lifted up in expectation of the most happy holy Halcyon dayes of the Church of Christ in this last age of the world Amen and Amen About the 12. of this instant came farther intelligence also out of Yorkeshire That the most noble Lord Fairfax did still enlarge his quarters in those parts and that his two most valiant Champions Colonell Sir William Constable and Colonell Lambert grew more and more prosperous and victorious And in particular that Colonell Constable marching to Yorke quartered at a place called Pocklington and from thence to the enemies quarters and faced their Garrison at Tadcaster-Bridge within ten miles of Yorke on the East side fell valiantly on the Enemies and in short time took it In which Gaâ—rison he took 10 Captaines Lieutenants and Commissioners of Array besides other Officers about 200 Souldiers 300 Armes 3 peices of Ordnance 14 Barrells of powder besides match and other good prizes Much about this time the Declaration of both Kingdomes for the comming in of the Oxford partee by the first of March 1643. had a great influence upon many of the more ingenuous moderate and discreet delinquents among them so as divers of note and quality came in before and some â—ince the time assigned and very willingly took the Solemn League and Covenant Some of the most considerable of whom I have here thought fit to expresse by name viz. The Earl of Westmerland the Earl of Monmouth the Earl of Thanet Sir Francis Lâ—e one of the Gentlemen of the Kings Bed-chamber the Lord Paget who went to Warwick-Castle the Earle of Carlile Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper Baronet high Sheriffe of Dorsetshire and Governour of Weymouth Sir Edward Deering Sir Iohn Evelin of Hampshire Sir Iohn Evelin of Surrey Sir William Acton an Alderman of London Mr. Roger Pits Mr. Mason Mr. Carpenter and many other most of them men of eminency and great Estates who came to London and took the Covenant besides many who had submitted themselves to the Parliaments Garrisons at Northampton Warwick and other places too numerous to be here particularized and many more would fain have come away thence had they not taken such a strict course in all the Kings Quarters to retain and restrain them by setting up Gibbets at Oxford and threatning them most terribly with no lesse than hanging if they were taken in any such defection Here also I conceive it not unfit but in much pertinent measure consonant to these our Parliamentary mercies to make mention of that most vile and base Athesticall defection of that most ignoble and perjured Knight Sir Richard Geenvile which I say may justly come in as no small mercy to us in regard of the great designe of the Parliament about that time against the enemies thereof a mercy I say that he went then away since he was so rotten at the core and had so false a heart to the State and Parliament so soon when as he did us so little hurt where as had he stayed till our Forces had gone into the Field and had been to joyn in Battail with the Enemy as not long after they did he might especially being then also in such an eminent place of power and trust in the Army like his brother in iniquity Sir Faithlesse Fortescue at Edgehill Battell he might I say have done us a far greater mischiefe in the fight than he did by this his base flight But for this his so wicked and unworthy tergiversation he was followed with a most just reward for upon the 15. of this instant March being Fryday according to an Order of the Councill of War there were two Gibbets erected the one over against the Royall Exchange in Cornhill in London and the other in the Pallace yard at Westminster whereat Proclamation was made by the Provost Marshall and trumpeters of his Excellencies Armie declaring Sir Richard Grinvile that grand Apostate and Renâ—gado of England a Traiter unto the Kingdome which Proclamation was fixed upon both the foresaid Gibbets in writing in the words following Whereas Richard Greenvile hath of late presented his Service unto the Parliament and hath been entertained by the Parliament as a Colonell of a Regiment of Horse And whereas the said
that that sad accident fell out by Gods most wise ordering and disposing of things of the raising of the Siege at Newarke a businesse of mighty importance and great expectation on both sides especially on ours in great hope and as great fear on theirs But I say it pleasing the Lord thus to crosse our hope of comforts and to free them of their feares for the present and therein to give them a seeming Victory therein and thereby to raise up their instant and insolent swelling thoughts to an extream pitch of Pride and Arrogancy insomuch that their Mercurius Aulicus the Kings Lyer in Chiefe at Oxford-Mint must publish abroad to the World a huge blustring Declaration of the great and glorious Victory obtained by Prince Robber at Newarke not onely in raising the Siege but in an utter dissipation and discomfiture of our whole Army with many other Chymerian-additions The like credit also must be given to a farther fiction namely That the Scots were also totally defeated by the Earle of Newcastle whereas in very truth the Lord had at that very time given our loving Brethren of Scotland a brave Victorie against Newcastle whereof more in its due time And a Letter or Declaration was accordingly poasted from Oxford in all hast to Sir Ralph Hopton which was according to command openly read in the head of his Army and for their better encouragement it was seriously affirmed that now they had no considerable Enemy to encounter but onely a small despicable handfull of Round-heads under the Command of Sir William Waller which they said were so inconsiderable that halfe Sir Ralph Hoptons Army would bee easily able to give them an utter defeat which being done there would remaine nothing of difficulty for the making up of a compleat Conquest of the whole Kingdome save onely to march victoriously to London obtaine their Forts levell their workes and take the whole Plunder of that rich and rebellious Citie as a reward of their service Thus by this meanes they having deluded the Common Souldiers throughout their Army and animated them to fight it being also at that time when Sir William Waller had received a message which no doubt was as soone made known to his Adversaries not to engage his Forces in a fight for the present except he were assaulted by the Enemy or found an apparent advantage and accordingly Hopton speedily prepared himselfe to the onset with extraordinary celerity and resolved violence and vehemence Which Fight comming now to be handled and mentioned in the next place I shall herein give the best and fullest relation thereof that I could possibly fix upon which was penn'd by an actor and eye-witnesse thereof as it was presented to the most worthy and right Honourable Lord Mayor of London and the rest of the right Worshipfull Comittee for the City Militia which was as followeth May it please your Honour VPon Thursday the 21 th of this instant March 1643. our Brigade being quartered at Midhurst our Major Generall Browne received Orders from Sir William Waller to advance toward Winchester to a Towne called Trafford which accordingly he did with incredible speed almost at an houres warning and that night arrived there which we found to be a small Village not above seven or eight houses to quarter all our men there we met with much hardship staying for Orders till the Lords day following Upon Monday the 25. we marcht forwards to joyne with Sir William Wallers maine Body which accordingly we did and that night were appointed to Quarter at Westmean three miles distant from the maine Body where wee found a Partee of the Enemies Horse when our Quarter-masters entred the Towne which occasioned some action though not much considerable we onely tooke a Quarter-master prisoner The next day which was Tuesday we lay still onely our Scouts brought in some Prisoners 6 Troopes incountring with 16 of the Enemies put them to flight and brought away 3 of them prisoners The day following we discovered the Enemy who tooke some few of our men that were stragling from their Colours and soone after appeared in a great Body upon the hill on the left hand of the Towne intending as some Prisoners confessed to take us at Church it being the Fast day but it pleased God who foresaw the Plot to prevent the danger directing us to keepe the Fast the Wednesday before when we lay still at Midhurst so that we were provided to entertaine them and drew our men into a Body neere the Town which done Orders came to march away which accordingly we did in the Forlorne-Hope expecting the enemy every houre to fall upon us so that wee were forced to make a stand a mile or more from the Towne in extreame danger till Sir William Wallers Forces came up from Eastmean to joyne with us then we marcht along till we came neere to Cheeriton to a place called by some Lamborough-field where we quartered all night the Enemy lying upon Sutton-Common and some part of them neerer to us so neere that the Sentinels could heare one another talke Upon Thursday morning a commanded Partee was sent to view the Enemie which they did and encountered with a Forlorne-hope of the Enemies and behaved themselves very bravely so that day was spent in skirmishes where much gallantry and true valour was shewed by our Horse especially two men whose names I do not well remember to the perpetuall honour of the Actors and great admiration of the Spectators by whose meanes a considerable Partee was once engaged and the Enemy came on with a great Body which appearing we discharged one Gun which did such execution in our sight that they all fled This day a Councill of Warre was called by both parties both by us and the Enemy as since we are informed and the ingagement was such that of necessity they must give battaile or retreat with much dishonour the next morning we prepared for the Worke and having sought to God for assistance we did addresse our selves to the Service in the first place a Forlorne-hope was drawn out of our Brigade foure Files out of a Company led on by Captaine Tomson a stout man who were sent to take possession of a wood which lay on the right hand betweene us and the enemy which they obtained with ease in the Enemies sight but such was their policy that they fore-seeing the necessity of our gaining the wood if ever we gave battell to them in that place planted their Drakes on the farther side of the Wood which they discharged upon our men so thicke that the place was not tenible though the greatest part of Musketeers and some others were drawn up to them so that they were forced to retreat in one houres space which gave great encouragement to the Enemy who presently came on with their maine body of horse very powerfully and were met as couragiously yet being of the greater number for our whole
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
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
caused Proclamation to be made in his Army and in the Countrie about as followeth ROBERT Earle of Essex c. Captaine-Generall of the Army imployed for the Defence of the Protestant Religion King Parliament and Kingdome WHereas these Countries have beene very much afflicted and oppressed by the Euemy and we are now come to relieve them of their hard bondage It is therefore my expresse will and pleasure and I doe hereby straitly charge and command all Officers and Souldiers of Horse Foot and Dragoones belonging to the Army under my Command that they and every of them doe forthwith after Proclamation hereof made forbeare notwithstanding any pretence whatsoever to plunder or spoile any of the goods of the inhabitants of these Countries or to offer any violence or other prejudice unto them upon paine of death without mercy Given under my hand and Seale May the 26. 1644. Essex Say now then malicious Malignants was not this a better and more just Proclamation than that which came to the poore Inhabitants of those parts round about from Oxford Commanding all their Corne and Victuall upon paine of Fire and Sword And was it not thinke you better accepted of the said people than that Oxonian Edict that in all those Countreys all his Majesties Souldiers should have free Quarter for Horse and Man So that the Inhabitants were eaten up by such oppression and perforce made Slaves and Bondmen to the base lusts and wills of all the Dam-me cursed crew whose insolencies were hereby incredible and the relation of them very fearefull and grievous to modest and tender-hearted Christians About the 27th of this instant there were Letters drawne up such was the prudence providence of our ever to be honoured and renowned Parliamentary Statists to conserve and corroborate the blessed union amity between the two Kingdomes of England and Scotland to be sent to the Parliament in Scotland from both the Houses of Parliament in England expressing the obligation they stood bound in to the Kingdome of Scotland the high esteeme they have of their brotherly love for their assistance to this Nation desiring also that they may be united as well in Councills as in Forces And returning them hearty thankes for their care of the Army in Ireland for which they sent them word they had provided 30000 l. and also had sent downe 20000 l. to their Army now with us in England requesting them to accept their endeavours though their abilities answered not their desires Much also about the same time came credible Information by Letters out of Gloucestershire that that most valiant vigilant and couragious Commander Colonell Massey had taken Beverton Castle in Gloucestershire about 12 miles from Gloucester and within a mile from Tedbury which was surrendred to him on no other Conditions but onely for quarter for their lives Wherein hee tooke 60 Prisoners with all their Ordnance Armes and Ammunition And with the same successe he tooke the old Towne of Malmesbury wherein were 300 men and two Sonnes of the Earle of Barkeshire and 28 Officers 400 Armes 7 or 8 Pieces of Ordnance besides Powder Match and other Ammunition and provision The Governour of the Towne Colonell Howard being at the first summoned to deliver up the Town for the use of the King and Parliament Assembled at Westminster returned an answer That he would keep it for the use of the King and Parliament Assembled at Oxford but upon this Answer Col. Massey fell close to the work and after 13 houres hot fight he as aforesaid forced the Governour to make a recantation of his errour and to cry for mercy for his folly And from thence he presently marched into Wiltshire and possessed himself of the Garrison of Chippenham the Souldiers therein having onely Quarter for their lives And thus we see how admirably successefull the Lord of Hosts hath made this Loyall and most active Commander in all his Valiant and Magnanimous undertakings Whereupon shortly after The two Honourable Houses of Parliament taking into consideration the good service of this famous and Renowned Colonell and that in pursuance of his foresaid good successe he was marched on with about 2000. men to the Devizes thereby to open a passage for the bringing in of cloth to London out of the West country An Order was forthwith agreed on for speedy supplying him with money and other necessaries And another Ordinance of Parliament was also resolved on for the rewarding of this Noble Colonell for his so great and good service done to the Kingdome and that his never-dying honour might not too long be unrecompensed therefore to confirme and settle a 1000. l. a year of Sir John Winters estate an arch Papist in armes against the Parliament and one of the Queenes great favourites on him and his heires for ever A singular and most highly commendable act greatly redounding to their own just praise and to the encouragement of the rest of the valiant and active Souldiers and commanders of the Parliaments Forces and Garrisons About the 30th of this instant May it pleased the Lord to let us the happy inhabitants O that our Malignants also could see their happinesse therein of the most famous and ever to be renowned City of London see and know that he had a purpose to doe us good and to raise us now out of our late low estate and thereby to give us still more and more just cause to magnifie and omnifie his great name in blessedly advancing all meanes and wayes for the good of his despised and distressed Church and Children and to spread the banner of the Lord Jesus Christ triumphantly in the field against his too too long over-prided and insulting â—oes For about this time notwithstanding that by Gods admirable mercy and good providence we had now already in the field 6 or 7 very considerable armies as first That of our most noble and renowned Lord Generall his Excellency the Earle of Essex in the Westerne parts of the Kingdome Secondly that of our most loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland Thirdly that of the ever most worthily honoured Lord Fairfax and his most renowned Son Sir Thomas Fairfax Fourthly that of the no lesse renowned truly noble and to be ever honoured Earl of Manchester all these three last mentioned armies in the Northern parts of the Kingdome about Yorke Fifthly that of the magnanimous and most courageous Sir William Waller in the West also Sixthly that of the most noble and active Earle of Denbigh about Staffordshire and those parts Besides that brave commanders forces in Lancastershire I mean valiant Sir Iohn Meldrum and other lesser forces in divers other parts and places of the Kingdome That notwithstanding all these and many if not most of all these in great measure raised out of the most famous City of London yet I say about this time to the glory of our wonder-working God be it spoken the honour of the said great City the
to fall upon them and ease the Towne of them left the Siege totally and made hast away for feare of being taken as in a trap betweene the Town and the Generals Army as anone you shall hear most exactly and fully related About the beginning also of this instant Iune came certaine Information by Letters from that most pious Patriot Sir Wil. Armine Dated at Sunderland May 22th That the noble and religiously affected Earle of Callender having about a Moneth since entred the Kingdome out of Scotland as a second or reserve to the greater Armie of our Brethren of Scotland was about this time entred into Northumberland and had got possession of Morpeth-castle in the said County his Army then consisting of about 8 or 10000 men That by treachery between the Governour of the Southshields and the Mayor of Newcastle the Southshields was surrendred to the enemy without stricking one blow And that there was a Plot for the betraying of Sunderland also to the Enemy which being by Gods mercy timely discovered by the Seamen that lay upon the River with much difficulty they planted two Pieces of Ordnance commodiously and betaking themselves to their Armes they made good the passage repulsed the Enemy with strong hand and so secured the place against them For which excellent piece of service the Parliament Ordered that 200 l. should be given among them as a gratuity and the Captaine that had the command of the Shields was laid in hould till he also might have a just reward by a Councill of War for his said treachery Much also about the same time Letters were read in the House of Commons in Parliament from the Gentrie of Wales therein supplycating the House that Captaine Swanley that brave Sea-Commander an eminent person and famous for his good service in those parts as hath been already fully related might speedily returne unto them and continue Commander in Chiefe among them Whereupon it was speedily Ordered that the Leopard the Swallow and the Providence which he brought to the Downes with him should be forthwith re-victualed and that he should bee instantly recommended unto Wales as was desired and being in person called to the Barr in the Commons House of Parliament he had thanks returned for his good Service done and as a token of their good affection toward him and for his better encouragement it was Ordered That a Chaine of Gold of 200 l. value should be given to him and another of an 100 l. to Captaine Smith his valiant Vice Admirall A brave way to spur the Spirits of valiant Souldiers thus to engrave Characters of honour on their former famous and well-deserving Services The King as we all too well know made an agreement with his abominable Irish Canibals at Oxford to grant them a Parliament in Ireland of their own packing of Popish Natives and other such like most impious immunities and they having received their dispatch at Oxford went away for Ireland with great devillish joy and impious content to their hellish hearts But yet his Majesty and his accursed Councill would not permit the honest and well-affected Agents for the miserable and oppressed Protestants in Ireland to have favourable admittance to the King nor so much as to know what he had condescended unto it being so much against them But it pleased the Lord very shortly after to manifest to the world that he thrived and prospered accordingly For his Excellencie the Parliaments Lord Generall came thither with such a potent Army against Oxford and gave them there such a sudden alarme that Oxford proved too hot an habitation for his Majestie to reside in so that he was glad to fly after his beloved Irish-Rebels and to leave Oxford in a very distracted condition For upon Munday Iune the 3d 1644. about 12 of the Clocke at night he was glad to horse and away some 30 Coaches with Luggages and Court-baggages accompanying him and some of those Shee-Creatures crying out that they left their Iewels behinde them for haste and thus the next day they got to Burford where the King refreshed himselfe his Ladies and Souldiers but for a matter of two houres space for noble Sir William Waller comming at the same time to Whitney five miles distant gave them a sodaine and sound alarm whereat they all most frightfully cryed out to horse to horse away away and his Majestie with his naked Sword in his hand rode all about the Town to hasten his men away many of whom as 't was well known being more willing to stay behind and run to the Parliaments L. Generall the noble Earle of Essex than to serve his Majestie any longer Ah sad effects but most just reward of following such wicked Counsell and wretched Counsellours and oh the admirable justice of our most righteous God! in thus prosecuting the wilfull workers of iniquity with terrours and disgrace And here observe besides to this purpose what admirable operation this forlorne condition of the Enemies of Truth had upon the Councells of the Parliament and City of London For an Ordinance of Parliament was presently hereupon passed for the enabling of valiant and renowned Colonell Brown that noble Citizen who had done much most excellent service both in suppressing the Kentish Rebellion and at the battell neer Alsford where Hopton received such a fatall defeat as he could never recover nor recruit himself to this day to Command in chiefe as Major Generall of all the forces raised and to be raised for the reducing of Oxford Wallingford Greenland house and Banbury and of all other forces raised for the setling in peace of the Counties of Oxford Berks and Buckingham with power to use and exercise Martiall-Law according to the rules put forth by his Excellency the Earl of Essex the Parliaments Lord Generall About the 4th of this instant we had certain intelligence that noble Sir William Waller being in pursuite of those whom his Excellency the Lord Generalls horse had moved and pricked faster forward in their flight than they were willing and it comming speedily also to the knowledge of that most valiant and active Commander Col. Massey he presently also fell into martiall action and with a considerable party marched valiantly to Tewkesbury and after a slender dispute about it became master of it and with very little losse on his side slew Colonell Godfrey and a Quarter-master Gen. to that Runagado Wilmot a rancke Papist tooke Lieutenant Colonell Mynne prisoner and other Officers and Souldiers together with 300 new Pikes severall other Armes 18 Barrels of powder and other good purchase left in the Town and placed a garrison therein to prevent the Kings Army from reliefe there in case they should move that way About the 6th of this instant we were credibly informed that at a place called Parrishaw a Town about 7 miles from Worcester in the mid way between Evesham and Worcester the Kings forces passing or
rather flying that way they pulled up the bridge and laid the loose boards upon stones for a party of their own forces then behind to passe over and then they intended to take them away to hinder the passage of any of the Parliaments Forces then in pursuite of them But the Rear of the Kings Army marched so hastily away that the loose boards slipt away from the stones when many were upon it there being a great and deep water running swiftly under the bridge so that about 60. of them fell into the river and were drowned among whom were some Commanders of quallity Thus we see still how evill haunts the wicked man at the heeles to destroy him And Sir William Waller still pursuing them as we were credibly enformed fell upon a party of them and took the Queenes Serjeant Major 3 Cornets and about an 100 horse But the noble and prudent Lord Generall well knowing what a considerable and sufficient party Sir William Waller had to pursue them marched Westward and Colonell Masseys forces joyned with Sir William Wallers in the prosecution of this running flight of their Enemies And about the 8th of this instant June we had credible enformation touching the siege and taking of Shudley-castle by that noble and renowned Generall Sir Wil. Waller a very strong piece and of much consequence which Sir William plyed so close with his batterring pieces that in a short space he became master of it for they within came soon to a parley with him the issue whereof was That they delivered up themselves prisoners and onely had quarter for all their lives Wherein were taken prisoners Col. Sir William Mourton Lieut. Colonell Sayer Serjeant Major Aldham Serjeant Major Floyd 4 Captaines 7 Lieutenants 1 Cornet 4 Ensignes 7 Gentlemen of quality 289 common souldiers one Drum a Malignant Priest and his 2 Sons 80 horse 2 Drakes many were slain in the fight against the castle but not a man slaine on Sir William Wallers side A rare mercy and singular preservation The very same day also on which the former good service was performed as aforesaid Colonell Purefoy being returned from Glocester and not willing to be idle by the way but having taken up some more strength from Coventry to adde to his owne Warwicke forces set upon the Earl of Northamptons-House commonly called Compton-House being between Banbury and Warwick a place or House of very considerable-strength In which House they found as was credibly enformed 5500 l. in ready money besides 5 or 6 earthen-pots of money afterward found in a fish-pond they tooke also an 120 prisoners and all their Armes 60 Horse 400 sheepe neer an 100 head of Cattell 18 loads of excellent plunder and other good prizes and there also they tooke prisoners Colonel Knotsford and Captain Clarke And now about the 10th of this instant came out the Ordinance of Parliament mentioned a litle before printed and published for the association of Buckinghamshire Berks and Oxfordshire and a Committee was nominated therein for the raising of money upon Papists Malignants and Delinquents estates in those Counties and likewise to settle the Excise there and to levy money upon the Ordinance of Parliament for the 25th parts for the maintenance of the forces that are or shall be raised for the reducing of the Enemies garrisons in those Counties And that the said Committee have power to cut downe the wood and timber of Papists or Malignants to raise fortifications or for other services as there shall be occasion And likewise that they shall call before them the Malignant Clergy and Schollars in those Counties and place and displace such as they shall find occasion thereunto And all this power was put principally into the hands of this brave and loyall Citizen Serjeant Major Generall Brown who was thereby also of purpose made Serjeant Major Generall of all the forces raised or to be raised in all those Counties aforesaid and he had power by this authority of Parliament to assemble a Councill of war as oft as he saw occasion for the executing of justice on all sorts of offenders About the 12. of this instant came certain information by letters and otherwise from that most valiant and worthy Commander Sir William Brereton of an excellent exploit performed by that most valiant and noble Patriot of his Country the Earle of Denbigh against a party of the kings horse which came to raise his siege at Dudley-castle the manner whereof was thus related The King being upon his departure from Bewdley toward Shrewsbury sent a party of about 3000 horse against the Earle of Denbigh at Dudley-castle which horse comming suddenly on them the noble Earle sent a party of forlorn-hope commanded in chiefe by ever honoured Col. Mitton Governour of Wem who most bravely charged the Enemy but their force as I said being all horse and comming violently on our forlorne-hope seemed to be in a forlorn condition being on a sudden desperately engaged and in such a danger that it was advised by the Councill of War That the Earl could not without great hazard to his whole Army attempt to releive the forlorn-hope but must rather leave them to shift as they could and keep their trenches with their main body to receive the Enemy if they came on But the noble Earle to his perpetuall honour hating to see his dear friends sacrifice their lives in a Cause so just as Religion and Liberties and himself stand by a looker on resolved to relieve them maugre all disadvantages or dye in the attempt and with this martiall and most noble resolution he drew up his forces and himselfe in person leading them on against the Enemy with admirable courage cryed out thus to his Souldiers Come on Sirs follow mee for by the grace of God I will rescue Colonell Mitton or lay my bones in the place And thereupon charged them to so good purpose that he soon freed his forlorne-hope and in short time put the Enemies to a disorderly flight if not quite routed them and was in the pursuite of them divers miles together In which flight as was certainly enformed the Enemy lost above an 100 men which were slain in the place and among them one person of speciall note was then killed for whom they made much lamentation there were also 17 persons of quality taken prisoners besides the common-souldiers and 30 more afterward at Master Dudleys House whom that valiant and most worthy Commander Colonell Rudgeley who with his Staffordshire forces did singular good service in this fight tooke prisoners before they could retreat besides Horse and Armes and on the Earles side was onely 7 slain and some wounded I a little before made mention of the good hand of God upon the most valiant and courageous garrison of Lyme in their long and straight Siege by a furious and cruell Enemy And now about the 15th of this instant came certain intelligence of
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
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
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
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
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
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
and review of all the most memorable Parliamentary mercies of this Moneths Voyage 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. Gods Arke over-topping the Worlds waves swelling Psal 29. 1 2 3 10. February 1643. Col. Massey surpriseth Sir Henry Talbot in his quarters And performeth other brave exploits Sir Iohn Meldrum takes the Isle of Axholm The Island prisoners and prizes taken A Councel of State for all the 3 Kingdomes established The names of the Councel of State An ordinance of Parliament for the setling of the Councel of State The maine matter of this Councel of State and their place of meeting A pâ—ot against Southampton discovered and prevented The impious Oxonians being brought to a desperate condition pretend propositions for Peace A Letter sent to our Parliament or rather to his Excelcelency the L. General from Oxford A Complemental Letter returned from his Excellency the L. Gen. with a Declaration and the Covenant inclosed in it Malignants estates and goods sequestred and sold away for the publike use The Earle of Berks The Earle of Carbery Lord Aborthorum Wa. Mountague Lo. Cottington Sir Io Banks B. of Winchester B. of Armagh A brief bad memoriall of the Archbish of Armagh D. Vsher A most wicked imprecation of this Arch-Prelate of Armagh Burlington in Yorkeshire taken by sir Wil. constable Another brave exploit performed by sir Will. Constable at Driffle in Yorkeshire The progresse and successe of our Brethren of Scotland in the North. The Lord Gorings Letter intercepted and read in Parliament Divers noteble exploits of the Parliaments Forces briefely remembred Pools exploits Warwick-Castle Sir Tho. Fairfax his brave exploits Derby-Forces take Kings-Milus The Lo Fairfax Sir VVilliam Constable take VVhitby a Haven-Town in Yorkshire The prizes taken An Ordinance of Parliament for taking the Solemn Covenant over the whole Kingdome and Dominion of Wales An Emphaticall Exhortation Printed therewith The order or manner of taking the solemne League or Covenant as was prescribed by the Parliament A Catalogue of the names of the Members of the House of Commons that took the Covenant at least 228. at one time The proceedings of our brethren of Scotland about Newcastle A Summons sent to Newcastle and the answer thereunto The Scots proceedings after the foresaid answer Sir VVilliam Constables most successefull proceedings in the North. A brave victory obtained by Sir VVilliam Constable at Yorke A plot or designe against our brethren of Scotland most happily frustrated Milford-haven won by brave Capt. Swanley Prince Robber helpes on the designe Col. Mitton most bravely beates him Prisoners taken The County Palatine of Chester much aim'd at by the King Care taken in Parliament for setling of Church government Care taken about Preachers in London Northampton garrisons good successe Captaine Farmer taken prisoner A brief but good and gratefull note The noble Lord Fairfax his brave victory about Hull Pool Garrison took 3000. l. of Prince Robbers going to Waymouth A most dangerous plot against Nottingham Town and Castle discovered Cavaliers in Womens apparrell Sacks of Corn turn'd into powder pistols and match The cavalerian treacherous Metamorphosis discovered The Governour of Nottingham threats the cavalerian cormorants the racke to confesse the plot The confession discovery of the plot by the enemies themselves Preparation to encounter the enemy by night A brave victory obtained against the enemie beside the discovery and defeat of their plot A summary recitall and gratefull review of al this Moneths Parliamentary mercies Gods Arke over-topping the worlds waves swelling Exod. 19. 4. Esay 28. 29. March 1643. A returne of Prayer Biddle-house taken by Sir Tho. Fairfax and valiant Col. Ridgley The Prisoners prizes taken His Excellencie the Lord Generals just praises Grave Maurice Prince of Orange this wise Martial Maxime Hilsey-house in Buckingham shire taken The Princes Troope surprised about Banbury by Northampton Forces Another return of Prayer Colonel Lamberts brave victory obtained at Bradford The unequality of their Forces Mr. Ienkins Pastor of Christ-Church in London his excellent saying The great straights Colonell Lamberts Forces were put unto A very furious fight The admirable courage of our horse and foot The enemies flie The prisoners taken and the slaine The Covenant taken in Leicester Col. Hastings molests their proceedings therein His outrages in the Country Leicester Town heares therof and sets out against Hastings They marched that night suddenly to Hinkley against the enemy God gives ours a brave victory and booty at the Towne of Hinkley Our word and the Enemies word Sir Iohn Stowell slain neer Southampton Another brave prize taken by Col. Lambert Colonel Lambert his politick stratagem to ensnare the Enemie Sir Wil. Constable takes Chester bridge and Stamford bridge Col. Waight at Burley House The prize taken About a 1500. Irish rogues cast away in a storme at sea A land storme also destroyed them from Pool and Wareham garrisons Col. Norton at Southampton Sir Wil. Belfore in Hampshire CHARLES Prince Elector Palatine tooke the Covenant in Holland The Swedes also desire to associate with England against Rome The House of Saul decreases and the House of David increases Sir William Constable still victorious Tadcaster taken The good effects of the Parliaments Declaration to summon in delinquents from Oxford The names of reclaimed Delinquents Gallowâ— set up at Oxford to deter men from falling off from the Kings partee Sir Rich. Greenvile his base defection from us a great mercy to us Sir Faithlesse Fortescue fitly remembred here 2 Gibbets erected to Sir R. Greenviles eternall infamie A Coppy of the Proclamation fixed on the gibbets aforesaid The Parliaments most godly care taken for the pious institution of the Kings children at Saint Iameses Bredport and much good prize taken by brave Capt. Thomas Pyne Pynes of Lime in Dorsetshire Captain Tho. Pyne of Lime in Dorsetshire his most worthy praise Burleigh-house neere Lime in Dorsetshire taken An extract out of the relation of the brave reducing and securing Pembrookeshire to the Parliament by that renowned Sea Commander Cap. Swanley written more at large elsewhere by Cap. VVill Smith Vice-Admiral in the same Voyage Colonel Laughorne and the Mayor of Pembrook come aboard the Leopard The Earle of Carberies pride and menacing insolencies A remarkable passage full of serious note and compassion The inhumane carriage of the Earle of Carbery toward a grave Gentlewoman What strength the wel-affected Party in Pem were able to raise to defend themselves The brave resolution of the wel-affected in Pembrookeshire The victorious beginnings progresse of the noble Captaine Swanley and his Company A brave trick of a Welsh commander in chiefe A strong Fort at the Pyll taken The prize taken in the fort Sir Henry Vaughan and the rest of his râ—ut their brave deportment on the knowledge of our victory Sir John Stepney an exquisit welsh-Survey our A herde of blacke Bullocks mistaken for an army of men The marvellous pretty effects of the Welsh-mens feares Levit. 26. 17. Prov. 28.
of July 1643 came certain intelligence by Letters to London out of Cheshire that the most successfull forces of that renowned and pious patriot Sir William Brereton had happily taken from the Kings accursed Cormorants a very strong hold in those parts called Houghton-Castle which had long time been a sore goad in the sides of Sir Williams great affaires in that Countie but now was by Gods mercie and his vigilancie delivered up unto him and in his full possession and safe custodie Much also about this time the King having by the wicked Counsell of his most impious Achitophels at Oxford sent out a Proclamation in his own name to command all his loving Subjects to forbeare all commerce and trading with the Citie of London and to withhold all provision of victualls from them and all this under a great penaltie hoping by this meanes to starve the Citie and so in time to enforce it to their wicked intended tyrannicall subjection to Popery and slavery but blessed be the Lord this base plot had like issue with the rest for the Citie of London was not so easily to be begirt and starved by a Proclamation from Oxford though the Broad-Seal countenanced and commanded it for the Lords and Commons in Parliament presently upon this unpatternd Proclamation to starve a Citie for its honesty and fidelity and thereby to destroy the whole Kingdome passed an Ordinance to give the most renowned Lord Major of London and the Militia thereof power over all persons within the line of Communication sodainly to discover and disarm all malignants and to purge it of all such dangerous persons and about 5000 more Citie-Souldiers to be charged to doe dutie at all the Out-workes of the Citie Nay and our most renowned Parliamentarie-Statists rested not heer so tender were they of the welfare and preservation of the Citie in reference to that pernicious Proclamation but past an Ordinance in both Houses for the appointment of the then most pious and prudent Lord Major and two Sheriffs of London to take the charge of the Lievtenantship of the Tower of London Sir John Conyers having at his own voluntary desire obtained the consent of the Parliament to goe beyond Sea into Holland and after the expiration of the said ever to be honoured heroick and most active-spirited Alderman Penningtons most happie Majoraltie which by Gods gracious guide and speciall assistance he finished with more honour and renown the times thereof seriously considered than any of his predecessors in that place of honour and trust had done before him it pleased the Lord to put into the hearts of our most noble Parliamentarie Worthies to confer the said Lievtenantship of the Tower of London solely and wholly upon him as one in whom they had so good experience they might most indubitably confide in the faithfull managing of a place of so much trust and concernment for the welfare safety and security of the Citie and Kingdome and partly also as an honourable guerdon and repay of his former wise and loyall discharge of that his foresaid troublesome and chargeable Majoraltie And heer now good Reader I shall desire to cast anchor and make a little stay to pause and ponder on the most sweet Parliamentarie-Mercies of this first Moneth of our voyage and adventure into and through thus much of this boysterous and billowing Ocean of the Kingdomes distractions and disturbances and with a gratefull heart succinctly to see what God hath done for us as in a short Map and ocular prospect of them As first in that excellent Petition of the Assembly of Divines to both the Houses of Parliament for the good of Church and State in a pious reformation of things amiss in both Secondly in the Parliaments prosperous success at Gainesborough by the Lord Willoughby against the Earl of Newcastles forces there And the taking of the Town of Stamford by brave Colonell Cromwell Together also with the taking of Burleigh-House by the said brave Colonell Thirdly in another brave victorie obtained by the Parliaments forces at a second Siege of Gainesborough Fourthly in Gods admirable and timely appeasing of that desperate and dangerous Rebellion of the Kentish Malignants Fiftly in the taking of Houghton-Castle in Cheshire and that provident prevention of aâ—wicked plot to starve the Citie of London in keeping provision of victuall from it Sixthly and lastly in the most happie and prudent putting of the Tower of London into the safe custodie and government of the most worthy Lord Major and Sheriffs of London for the better safety and security of the said Citie and whole Kingdome Upon the which said serious review of all these rich and rare Parliamentarie-Mercies tell me good Reader hast thou not already seen Gods Ark most bravely born up above all the swelling and blustering waves of the worlds mischievous malignancy against it and It carried on with most pleasant and prosperous gales of Gods guard and guide and gracious protection of it Yes certainly witness this six-fold coard of clearly convincing testimony Great cause have wee therefore to check those proud waves of the world for their insolency against our God and his most righteous cause even in the Lords own words by his holy Prophet Feare yee not mee saith the Lord will yee not tremble at my presence which have placed the sand for a bound to the Sea by a perpetuall decree that it cannot pass it And though the waves thereof rise and toss themselves yet can they not prevail though they roar yet can they not pass over it Cease then and abate your pride O yee proud and pernicious Royalists since our God doth so curb and keep you in As for us wee shall therefore as wee have just cause triumph and sing God is our refuge and strength and a very present help in time of trouble Therefore will wee not fear though the earth be removed and though the mountaines be carried and hurried into the midst of the Sea But to goe on and to launch forth again in the deep for the further prosecuting of our next Moneths voyage About the beginning of August 1643 a brave Ship of about 300 tun bound from Denmark for Newcastle having been lately before taken at Sea by the most noble renowned and loyall Earl of Warwicks Ships within a league of Tinmouth laden with armes and ammunition to furnish and arme our Kings forces against the Parliament The Commander of which Ship was a Papist or Romish-Catholike and that which he pretended to be a countenancing supersedeas against all assaults of his Ship by any advers partie was a Letter from the King of Denmark which imported that the goods wherewith this Ship was fraught were his and therefore not to be toucht or medled with But the Ship notwithstanding all their pretexts being seized on and notice thereof immediately dispatcht away to the Parliament an Order was instantly returned to keep the Ship