all suspect Him gone into the West This Munday afternoon Mr. Whitgreave had notice that some Souldiers were in the neighborhood intending to apprehend him upon information that he had been at Worcester Fight The King was then lain down upon Mr. Huddlestons bed but Mr. Whitgreave presently secures his Royal Guest in the secret place and my Lord also leaves open all the Chamber dores and goes boldly down to the Souldiers assuring them as his Neighbours also testified that he had not been from home in a fortnight then last past with which asseveration the Souldiers were satisfied and came not up stairs at all In this interval the Rebels had taken a Cornet in Cheshire who came in His Majesties Troop to Whiteladies and either by menaces or some other way had extorted this confession from him concerning the King Whom these Bloud-hounds sought with all possible diligence that he came in company with His Majesty to Whiteladies where the Rebels conceived He might still be whereupon they posted thither without ever drawing bit almost kill'd their horses and brought the faint-hearted Prisoner with them Being come to Whiteladies on Tuesday they call for Mr. George Giffard who lived in an appartiment of the House present a Pistol to his breast and bad him confesse where the King was or he should presently dye Mr. Giffard was too loyal and too much a Gentleman to be frighted into any infidelity resolutely denies the knowing any more but that divers Cavaliers came thither on Wednesday night are up their provision and departed and that he was as ignorant who they were as whence they came or whither they went and beg'd if he must dye that they would first give him leave to say a few prayers One of these Villains answered If you can tell us no news of the King you shall say no prayers But his discreet answer did somewhat asswage the fury of their Leader yet they searched every corner of the house broak down much of the Wainscoat and at last beat their Intelligencer severely for making them lose their labours During this Tuesday in my Lord Wilmots absence His Majesty was for the most part attended by Mr. Huddleston Mr. VVhitgreave being much abroad in the neighborhood and Mrs. VVhitgreave below stairs both inquisitive after news and the motions of the Souldiery in order to the preservation of their Royal Guest the old Gentlewoman was this day told by a Countrey man who came to her house that he heard the King upon his retreat had beaten His Enemies at VVarrington bridge and that there were three Kings come in to his assistance which story she related to His Majesty for divertisement Who smiling answered Surely they are the three Kings of Colein come down from heaven for I can imagine none else His Majesty out of the Closet window espy'd two Souldiers who pass'd by the gate in the Road and told Mr. Huddleston he knew one of them to be a Highlander and of his own Regiment who little thought his King and Colonel was so near And His Majesty for entertainment of the time was pleas'd to discourse with Mr. Huddleston the particulers of the Battle of Worcester the same in substance with what is before related And by some words which His Majesty let fall it might easily be collected that His Councils had been too often sooner discovered to the Rebels than executed by His loyal Subjects Mr. Huddleston had under his charge young Sir John Preston Mr. Thomas Palyn and Mr. Francis Reynolds and on this Tuesday in the morning the better to conceal His Majesties being in the house and excuse his own more than usual long stay above stairs pretended himself to be indisposed and afraid of the souldiers and therefore set his schollers at several Garret windows that survey'd the roades to watch and give notice when they saw any Troopers coming This service the youths perform'd very diligently all day and at night when they were at Supper Sir John cal'd upon his Companions and said more truly then he imagin'd Come Lads Let us eat lustly for we have been upon the life-guard to day On Tuesday night between twelve and one of the clock The Lord Wilmot sent Col. Lane to attend His Majesty to Bentley Mr. Whitgreave meets the Colonel at the place appointed and brings him to the Corner of his Orchard Where the Colonel thought fit to stay whil'st Mr. Whitgreave goes in and acquaints the King that he was come Whereupon His Majesty presently took his leave of Mris. Whitgreave saluted her and gave her many thanks for his entertainment but was pleas'd to be more particular with Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston not onely by giving them thanks but by telling them he was very sensible of the dangers they might incur by entertaining Him if it should chance to be discover'd Therefore His Majesty advis'd them to be very careful of themselves and gave them direction to repair to a Merchant in London who should have order to furnish them with moneys and means of conveiance beyond sea if they thought fit However His Majesty concluded that if it should please God ever to restore him to the Government of His Dominions He should not be unmindful of their civilities and fidelity to Him Thus grateful was this Excellent King for even that which was every good subjects duty and thus sollicitous in the midst of His own dangers for their Security After His Majesty had vouchsaf'd these gracious expressions to Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston they told His Majesty All the service they could now doe Him was to pray heartily to Almighty God for His safety and preservation and then kneeling down His Majesty gave them His hand to kiss and so went down stairs with them into the Orchard where Mr. Whitgreave both humbly and faithfully deliver'd his great Charge into Col. Lanes hands telling the Colonel who the person was he there presented to him The night was both dark and cold and His Majesties cloathing thin therefore Mr. Huddleston humbly offer'd His Majesty a Cloak which He was pleased to accept and wore to Bentley from whence Mr. Huddleston afterward received it As soon as Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston heard His Majesty was not onely got safe to Bentley but march'd securely from thence they began to reflect upon His advice and lest any discovery should be made of what had been acted at Moseley they both absented themselvs from home The one went to London the other to a friends house in Warwickshire where they liv'd privately til such time as they heard His Majesty was safely arriv'd in France and that no part of the aforesaid transactions at Moseley had been discover'd to the Rebels and then return'd home This Mr. Whitgreave is descended of the ancient family of the Whitgreaves of Burton in the County of Stafford and was first a Cornet afterwards Lieutenant to Capt Tho. Giffard in the first War for His late Majesty Mr. John Huddleston is a younger brother
Douglas also received his deaths wound and Sir Alexander Forbus was Shot through both the calves of his legs lay in the wood all night and was brought a prisoner to Worcester the next day The Rebels in this Encounter had great advantage as well in their numbers as by fighting both with horse and foot against His Majesties foot only the greatest part of His horse being wedg'd up in the Town and when the foot were defeated a part of His Majesties horse afterwards fought against both the Enemies horse and foot upon great disadvantage At Sudbury gate a Cart loaden with Ammunition was overthrown and lay cross the passage of the gate so that His Majesty could not ride into the Town but was forc'd to dismount and come in on foot In the Friers street His Majesty put off his Armor which was heavy and troublesome to him and took a fresh horse and then perceiving many of His Foot-souldiers begin to throw down their Arms and decline fighting His Majesty rod up and down among them sometimes with his hat in his hand entreating them to stand to their Arm 's and fight like Men other whiles encouraging them but seeing himself not able to prevail said I had rather you would shoot me then keep me alive to see the sad consequences of this fatal day Such was the magnaminity of this Prophetique King During this hot Engagement at Perry-wood and Red-hil the Rebels on the other side the Water possess'd themselves of S. Johns and those of His Majesties Army that were there without any great resistance laid down their Arms and submitted to mercy When some of the Enemy were entred and entring the Town both at the Key Castle hill and Sudbury gate without any Conditions Th' Earl of Cleveland Sir James Hamilton Col William Carlis then Major to the Lord Talbot Capt. Tho. Hornyold Capt. Tho. Giffard and Capt. Richard Kemble Captain Lieutenant to the Lord Talbot rallied what force they could though inconsiderable to the Rebels numbers and Charg'd the Enemy very gallantly at Sudbury gate and in the Street or that name Here Sir James and Capt. Kemble were desperately wounded and others slain yet this Action did much secure His Majesties march out at S. Martins gate who had otherwise been in danger of being taken in the Town About the same time Colonel Drummond with a Party of Scots maintain'd the Castle hill with much resolution till such time as Conditions were agreed on for Quarter So that the Rebels having at last subdued all their opponents fell to Plundring the City unmercifully few or none of the Citizens escaping but such as were Sectaries and of their party When His Majesty saw no hope of Rallying His thus discomfited foot He march'd out of Worcester at S. Martins gate about six of the Clock in the evening with his main Body of horse as then commanded by General David Lesley but were now in some confusion The Foot consisting most of Scots were almost all either slain or taken and such of them who in the Battle escaped death liv'd longer to dye for the most part more miserably many of them being afterwards knock'd o' the head by Country people some bought and sold like slaves for a small price others went begging up and down till Charity failing them their necessities brought upon them diseases and diseases death Before His Majesty was come to Barbon's bridge about half a mile out of Worcester He made several Stands faced about and desired the Duke of Buckingham Lord Wilmet and other of His Commanders that they might rally and try the fortune of War once more But at the Bridge a serious Consultation was held and then perceiving many of the Troopers to throw off their Arms and shift for themselves they were all of opinion the day was irrecoverably lost and that their only remaining work was to save His Majesty from those ravenous Wolves and Regicides Whereupon His Majesty by advise of His Council resolv'd to march for Scotland Immediately after this Result the Duke ask'd the Lord Talbot If he could direct the way Northwards His Lordship answer'd that he had one Walker in his Troop former Scout-master to Col Sands that knew the way well Who was accordingly call'd to be the Guide and perform'd that duty for some miles but being come to Kinver heath not far from Kederminster and day-light being gone Walker was at a puzzle in the way Here His Majesty made a Stand and consulted with the Duke Earl of Derby Lord Wilmot c. whether He might march at least to take some hours rest The Earl of Derby told His Majesty that in His flight from Wiggan to Worcester he had met with a perfect honest man and a great convenience of concealment at Boscobelhouse before mentioned but withall acquainted the King it was a Recusants house And it was suggested that those people being accustomed to persecution and searches were most like to have the readiest means and safest contrivances to preserve Him His Majesty therefore resolv'd to goe thither The Lord Talbot being made acquainted with His Majesties resolution and finding Walker dubious of the way called for Mr. Charles Giffard a faithful Subject and of the noble Family of Chillington to conduct His Majesty towards Boscobel which office Mr. Giffard willingly undertook having one Yates a servant with him very expert in the wayes of that Countrey and being come neer Sturbridge it was under consideration whether His Majesty should march through that Town or no and resolved in the affirmative and that all about His Person should speak French to prevent any discovery of His Majesties presence Mean time Lesley with the Scottish Horse had in the close of the Evening taken the more direct way North-ward by Newport His Majesty being left onely attended by the Duke of Buckingham Earl of Derby Earl of Lauderdail Lord Talbot Lord Wilmot Colonel Thomas Blague Colonel Edward Roscarrock Mr. Marmaduke Darcy Mr. Richard Lane Mr. William Armorer since Knighted Mr. Hugh May Mr. Charle Giffard Mr. Peter Street and some others in all about sixty Horse At a house about a mile beyond Sturbridge His Majesty drank and eat a crust of bread the house affording no better provision and as His Majesty rode on he discoursed with Col Roscarrock touching Boscobel-house and the security which the Earl of Darby and he found at that place Upon further consideration by His Majesty and Council and to the end the Company might not know whither His Majesty directly intended Mr. Giffard was required to conduct His Majesty to some house neere Boscobel the better to blind the design of going thither Mr. Giffard proposed Whiteladies another Seat of the Giffards lying about halfe a mile beyond Boscobel and 26. miles from Worcester and stil reteins its ancient name of Whiteladies from its having formerly been a Monastery of Cistertian Nuns whose habit was of that colour His Majesty and his Retinue being safely conducted to Whiteladies by Mr. Giffard alighted
now as they hop'd out of danger of any present surprise by pursuit George Pendrel who was a servant in the house opened the Dores and after His Majesty and the Lords were entered the House His Majestes Horse was brought into the Hall and by this time it was about break of day on Thursday morning Here every one was in a sad consult how to escape the fury of bloud-thirsty Enemies but the greatest solicitude was to save the King who was both hungry and tired with this long and hasty March Col. Roscarrock presently caused Barthol Martin a boy in the House to be sent to Boscobel for William Penderel and Mr. Charles Giffard sent also for Richard Penderel who lived near hand at Hobbal Grange they both came forthwith to Whiteladies and were brought into the Parlour to the Earl of Derby who immediately took them into the inner Parlour where the King was and told William Penderel in particular This is the King pointing at His Majesty thou must have a care of Him and preserve Him as thou didst me to which commands William yielded ready obedience and Mr. Giffard and also much conjure Richard to have an especial care of his Charge Whilst William and Richard were thus sent for His Majesty had been advised to rub his hands on the back of the Chimney and with them his face in order to a disguise and some person had cut off his Locks of hair His Majesty having put off his blue Ribband Buff-coat and other Princely ornaments put on a noggen course shirt of Edward Martins who lived in the House and Richard Penderels green Suit and Leather Doublet but had not time to be so exactly disguised as he was afterwards for both William and Richard Penderel did advertise the company to make haste away in regard there was a Troop of Rebels commanded by Colonel Ashenhurst quarter'd at Cotsal but three miles distant some of which Troop came to the House within half an hour after the Company were gone Richard Penderel conducted the King out at a back dore unknown to most of the Company except some of the Lords and Colonel Roscarrock who waited on His Majesty into the backside and there with sad hearts took leave of him and carried him into an adjacent wood belonging to Boscobel call'd Spring Coppice about half a mile from Whiteladies William Humphry and George scouting abroad and bringing what news they could learn to His Majesty in the wood as occasion required His Majesty being thus as they hoped in a way of security the Duke Earl of Derby Earl of Lauderdail Lord Talbot and the rest having for their guide Mr. Charles Giffard and being then not above 40. horse of which number His Majesties pad-nag was one rode by Mr. Richard Lane one of the Groom's of His Majesties bed-chamber march'd from Whiteladies Northward by the way of Newport in hope to overtake or meet General Lesley with the main Body of Scotch horse As soon as they were got into the Road the Lord Leviston who commanded His Majesties life guard overtook them pursued by a party of Rebels the Lords with their Followers faced about and repeld them but when they came a little beyond Newport some of Lilburn's men met them in the Front other Rebels from Worcester pursued them in the Rear themselves and horses being sufficiently tired the Earl of Derby Earl of Lauderdail Mr. Charles Giffard and some others were taken and carried prisoners first to Whitchurch and from thence to an Inn in Bunbury where Mr. Giffard found means to make an escape but the noble Earl of Derby was carried to Westchester and there tryed by a pretended Court Martial held the first of October 1651. by vertue of a Commission from Cromwel grounded on an execrable Rump-Act of the 12. of August then last past the very title whereof cannot be mentioned without horror but it pretended most traiterously to prohibit correspondence with CHARLES STUART their lawful Soveraign under penalty of high Treason loss of life and estate Prodigious Rebels In this black Tribunal there sate as Judges these persons and under these titles Col. Humphry Mackworth who was plac'd in the Sella Curulis President Major General Mitton Col. Robert Duckenfield Col. Henry Bradshaw Col. Thomas Croxton Col. George Twisleton Lieu. Col. Henry Birkinhead Lieu. Col. Simon Finch Lieu. Col. Alex. Newton Capt. James Stepford Capt. Samuel Smith Capt. John Downes Capt. Vincent Corbet Capt. John Delves Capt. John Griffith Capt. Tho. Portington Capt. Edward Alcock Capt. Ralph Pownall Capt. Rich. Grantham Capt. Edw. Stelfax This was the Authority and some of these the persons that condemned this noble Earl to death notwithstanding his just Plea That he had Quarter given him by one Captain Edge who took him Prisoner But this could not obtain Justice nor any Intercession mercy So that on the 15. of October He was executed at Boulton in Lancashire in a most barbarous and inhumane manner The Earl of Lauderdail with divers others were carryed prisoners to Windsor castle where they continued many years Whilst the Rebels were plundring these noble persons the Duke with the Lord Leviston Col. Blague Mr. Marmaduke Darcy and Mr. Hugh May forsook the road and betook themselves to a by-way and got into Chessardine woods not far from Nâ—wport where they receiv'd some refreshment at a little obscure house and afterwards met with two honest Laborers in an adjoining wood to whom they commmunicated the exigent and distresse which the fortune of war had reduc'd them to and finding them like to prove faithful the Duke thought fit to imitate his Royal Master quitted his horse delivered his George which was given him by the Queen of England to Mr. May who preserved it through all difficulties and after restor'd it to his Grace in Holland and chang'd habit with one of the Workmen and in this disguise was convey'd by one Nich. Mathews a Carpenter to the house of Mr. Hawley an hearty Cavalier at Bilstrop in Nottingamshire from thence to the Lady Villiers house at Brooksby in Leicestershire and after many hardships and encounters his Grace got secure to London and from thence to His Majesty in France At the same time the Lord Leviston Col. Blague Mr. Darcy and Mr. May all quitted their horses severally shifted for themselves and most of them through various dangers and sufferings contrived their escapes In particular Mr. May lay 21. dayes in a hay-mow belonging to one Bold an honest husband man who liv'd neer Chessardine Bold having all that time Rebel-souldiers quartered in his house yet faild not to give a constant relief to his more welcom Guest and when the Coast was clear of Souldiers Mr. May came to London on foot in a disguise The Lord Talbot seeing no hope of rallying hasted towards his Fathers house at Longford neer Newport where being arrived he convey'd his horse into a neighbours barn but was immediately pursued by the Rebels who found the horse sadled and by that concluded
and Francis Yates each of these took a Bill or pike-staff on his back and some of them had pistols in their pockets two march'd before one on each side His Majesties horse and two came behind a loof off their design being this that in case they should have been question'd or encountr'd but by five or six troopers or such like small party they would have shew'd their valor in defending as well as they had done their fidelity in otherwise serving His Majesty And though it was near Midnight yet they conducted His Majesty through by-ways for better Security After some experience had of the horse His Majesty complain'd It was the Heaviest Dull Jade he ever rode on to which Humphry the Owner of him Answer'd beyond the usual notion of a Miller My Leige Can you blame the horse to goe heavily when he has the weight of three Kingdoms on his back When His Majesty came to Penford Mill within two Miles of Mr. Whitgreaves house His Guides desired Him to alight and goe on foot the rest of the way for more security the Foot way being the more privat and the nearer and at last they arriv'd at the place appointed by Mr. Huddleston which was a little grove of trees in a Close of Mr. Whitgreaves cal'd the Pit-leasow in order to His Majesties being privately convey'd into Mr. Whitgreaves house William Humphry and George returned with the horse the other three attended His Majesty to the House but His Majesty being gon a little way had forgot it seems to bid Farewel to William and the rest who were going back so He cal'd to them and said My troubles make me forget my self I thank you all and gave them His hand to kiss The Lord Wilmot in pursuance of his own appointment came to the meeting place at his hour where Mr. Whitgreave receiv'd him and conveyd him to his old chamber but hearing nothing of the King at his prefixed time gave occasion to suspect some misfortune might have befaln him though the night was very dark and rainy which might possibly be the occasion of so long stay Mr. Whitgreave therefore leaves my Lord in his chamber and goes to Pit-leasow where Mr. Huddleston attended His Majesties coming and about two hours after the time appointed His Majesty came whom Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston convey'd with much satisfaction into the house to my Lord who expected him with great solicitude and presently kneeld down and embraced His Majesties knees who kiss'd my Lord on the cheek and ask'd him earnestly what is become of Buckingham Cleveland and others To which my Lord could give little satisfaction but hop'd they were safe My Lord addressing himself to Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston said though I have conceal'd my friends name all this while now I must tell you this is my Master your Master and the Master of us all not knowing that they understood it was the King Whereupon His Majesty was pleased to give his hand to Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston to kiss and told them he had receiv'd such an Account from my Lord Wilmot of their fidelity that he should never forget it and presently ask'd Mr. Whitgreave where is your secret place which being shewed His Majesty He was pleas'd therewith and returning into my Lords chamber sate down on the bed-side where his Nose fell a bleeding and then puld out of his pocket a handkercher suitable to the rest of his apparel both course and dirty His Majesties Attire as was before observ'd in part was then a leather-doublet a pair of green breeches and a Jump-coat as the Country call's it of the same green a pair of his own stockens with the tops cut off because embroider'd and a pair of stirrop stockens which were lent him at Madeley a pair of old shoos cut and slash'd to give ease to his feet an old grey greazy hat without a lyning a noggen shirt of the coursest linnen His face and hands made of a reechy complexion by the help of the Walnut-tree leaves Mr. Huddleston observing the coursness of His Majesties shirt to disease him much and hinder His rest ask'd my Lord if the King would be pleased to change His shirt which His Majesty condescended unto and presently put off his course shirt and put on a flexen one of Mr. Huddleston's who pul'd off His Majesties shoos and stockens and put him on fresh stockens and dry'd His Feet where he found some body had innocently but indiscreetly put white paper which with going on foot from the place where His Majesty alighted to the house was roll'd between his stockens and his skin and serv'd to encrease rather then asswage the soarness of his feet Mr. Whitgreave had by this time brought up some bisket and a bottle of sack His Majesty ate of the one and drank a good glass of the other and being thus refresh'd was pleas'd to say cheerfully I am now ready for another March And if it shall please God once more to place me in the head of but eight or ten thousand good Men of one mind and resolv'd to fight I shall not doubt to drive these Rogues out of my Kingdoms It was now break of the day on Munday morning the eighth of September and His Majesty was desirous to take some rest In order whereto a Palet was carried into one of the secret places where His Majesty lay down but rested not so well as His Host desired for the place was close and inconvenient and they durst not adventure to put Him into any bed in an open Chamber After some rest taken in the hole His Majesty got up and was pleased to take notice of and salute Mr. Whitgreaves Mother and having His place of retreat still ready sate between whiles in a Closet over the Porch where He might see those that pass'd the road by the house Before the Lord Wilmot betook himself to his Dormitory he conferr'd with Mr. VVhitgreave and advised that himself or Mr. Huddleston would be alwayes vigilant about the house and give notice if any Souldiers came and sayes this noble Lord If it should so fall out that the Rebels have intelligence of your harbouring any of the Kings Party and should therefore put you to any torture for confession be sure you discover me first which may haply in such case satisfie them and preserve the King This was the expression and care of a loyal Subject worthy eternal memory On Munday His Majesty and my Lord resolv'd to dispatch John Penderel to Col. Lane at Bentley with direction for the Colonel to send my Lords horses for him that night about midnight and to expect him at the usual place My Lord accordingly goes to Bentley again that night to make way for His Majesties reception there in order to a resolution taken up by His Majesty to go Westward under the protection of Mrs. Jane Lanes Pass it being most probable that the Rebels wholly pursu'd His Majesty Northwards and would not at