from Hampton-Court which place was found to be too near to London for fear of a rescue in a dark and tempestuous night in November 1647. and forced to cast himself into the disloyal hands of Coll. Hamond Governour of the Isle of Wight and Brother to the most Learned and Reverend Dr. Hamond which consideration Cromwell forelaid would invite the King in his distresse to betake himself thither where we shall leave him in a most disconsolate Imprisonment the Votes of Non Addresses being not long after procured by Cromwell's Menaces to the Parliament when upon the Debate of them he declared in such like words That it was now expected by the good people of the Nation and the Army that the Parliament would come to some Resolution and Settlement as the Price of all the Blood and Treasure that had been expended in the War and that they would not now leave them to the expectation of any good from a Man whose heart God had hardned but if they did they should be forced to-look for their preservation some other way At the end of this Speech he laid his hand upon his Sword by his side as was the more observed because formerly in the same place it could not keep him from trembling when Sir Philip Stapleton a man of spirit and metal baffled him but Sir Philip and his seconds were now out of Dores Next to him spoke Ireton in the very same sense being newly chosen a recruit for the Parliament by their illegal writ of Election extolling and magnifying the valour civility and duty of the Army concluding with the same threats that if the Parliament would not settle the Kingdome without the King then they of necessity must and would So that after some Opposition the said votes passed against any further Addresse to be made to the King and now Oliver thought himself cock-sure and therefore the King Parliament and City being in his power he had no rub left to his Ambition but those Imps and Spirits of his own raising and conjuring up the Adjutators and Levellers of the Army who having conn'd their Lesson of the Agreement with the people were became most artful and skilful Governours already boasting in the Country many of which silly people they had induced to their side upon the accompt of laying all in common and in a wild Parity that the Parliament sate only during their pleasure and till a new Representative then a forming should take upon them the Government nor did they more dutifully respect and behave themselves to their Officers whom they counted as peices of the Prerogative Military therefore decried all Courts and Counsells of them which began to separate and act by themselves without the mixture of their Adjutators This exorbitancy and heigth of the Soldiery was altogether as destructive to Cromwell now he had done his work with them for this time as any of the other 3 Interests but desperate diseases must have desperate Cures for immediately the Headquarters being then at Ware Coll. Eyer a Leveller was seised and imprisoned and one Arnold a private Soldier shot to death for promoting the former solemn Engagement and Agreement of the People and after that He cashiered all such who favoured the same and to fan and cull out the rest he proceeded to disband 20 out of a Troop by which the most of that party were totally excluded the like was done in London by the Imprisonment of Mr. Prince and others of the same Faction Having for the present still'd that commotion in the Army the danger of a second war seemed a fresh to threaten the Juncto and Cromwell by reason of their injurious Votes of Non-Addresse and therefore to prevent so potent and formidable a Conjunction of all Interests and Parties against him He now by his Party and Emissaries proposeth an accommodation between the Presbyterians and Independents and a way and means whereby they may be so united at the motion of this in the House of Commons a Gentleman replyed That if there were any such persons who had any private Interest different from the publique and under the distinction of parties had prejudiced the Kingdome he was not fit to be a Member of that House Neverthelesse it was insisted on that the House would declare and ratifie their Votes of nulling and making void the Votes that passed in the absence of the Speakers that fled into the Army in 1647. and their Engagement of adhering to the Army which were tacitly confessed to be then unduly procured so fearful and doubtful was he again of the issue of those new Troubles he foresee would fall out and therefore would shelter himself and justifie his Actions by the Authority he had so often bafled The same Artifices he used likewise to the City offering them now upon the like condition of uniting Interests the freedome of their Lord Maior and Aldermen viz. Sir John Gayr Alderman Langham Alderman Adams and others and the setting up again their Posts and Chains but when they having already treated and engaged with the Scots then in preparation for a March into England refused to give ear to any propositions or terms resenting the base affronts He and the Army had put upon them He questioned his Argent Glover who gave him Commission to make any such Overtures and in great rage turned him out of his Service The danger still increasing he suffered the Lords as namely the Earls of Suffolk Lincoln Lord Maynard Willoughby c. whom he had impeached of High Treason after his March into London to be freed from their Imprisonment in the Tower and with them the Maior and Aldermen aforesaid and as a further satisfaction and submission to the Authority of the Parliament A Declaration of the Army is published wherein they bewail their former miscarriages and misdemeanors towards the Parliament their medling with the civil power and that force and violence they had offered to the two Houses and in Conclusion promise faithfully and dutifully to acquiesce in their Resolutions and Wisdom With this Hocus Pocus deluding the Presbyterian party into a kind of stupid neutrality or rather worse while yet they would by no means comply with the King untill Polyphemus Courtesie appeared in this Cromwellian Craft The Scots under Duke Hamilton having entred England and divers Insurrections happening in England and Wales according as was expected Cromwell was ordered by the Parliament to attend the first of them which was the Welch and Northern Armies though the Scots delayed their March so long till all was neer lost in England and after a short Siege upon the Defeat at St. Pagons which was atcheived in his absence took in Tenby-Castle Pembroke Castle held out a while longer thence he marched for Lancashire having joyned with Major General Lambert who attended the motion of the Scotch Army and at Preston his forces amounting to few more then 9000 Men whereas the Scots were not lesse then 20000 gave Duke Hamilton Battle
perorations of the Cause of God and the godly people committed to their charge which they could not tell how to answer to him if so easily they should give it up and leave the Common-wealth in such a distraction as would inevitably ensue and Major General Harrison and Arthur Squib the great Sequestrator of Haberdasher-hall were very copiously zealous in defence of their Authority But the Military or Court-party being the Major part not thinking them worthy of a dispute or longer debate the Speaker being of their side rose and left the House and them Sitting in it where to prayers they went and then resolved to continue Sitting In the mean time Rous the Speaker with the Mace before him and his Followers came to White-hall and there resigned the Instrument he gave them by which they were constituted a Parliament and gave him likewise to understand how they had left their Fellows Their surrender was kindly received by Oliver and they thanked for the pains they had taken in the service of the Common-wealth however he and they had missed of their intentions of the good should thereby have come to the Common-wealth which a strange spirit and perverse principle in some of the Members had solely hindered and as to them yet Sitting in the Parliament-house he dispatch'd away Leiutenant Colonel White a Confident of his to dislodge them who accordingly with a Guard of Red-coats came thither and entring the House demanded them in the Name of the Genetal to depart for that the Parliament was Dissolved who replying to the contrary and telling him they were upon Businesse and ought not to be thus disturbed he asked what Business they answered we are seeking of God Pugh saith he is that all that 's to no purpose for God hath not been within these Walls these 12. years and so fairly compelled them out muttering with the same wrath and sorrowfull look-backs as those that had Sate 30. times the same term and could almost have pleaded prescription Thus was the Power emptied from one Vessel to another as the Scribes and Chaplains of the Grandees phrased it and could find no settlement till Oliver was called to it by his Council of Officers to supply this gap in Government and now a Single Person with a Council is the only expedient for the safety of the People for that there is no trust nor truth in Parliaments as their often abberrations and failures had sufficiently declared and it was discoursed by the Abettors of this change that 't was not Monarchy which was quarrelled at but the corruptions and abuses of it in its unlimited unbounded Prerogative all which would be avoided by the circumscription of it in a Protector by his Council and a new Instrument of Government and the supreme power of a Triennial Parliament in whom during their Session the Soveraign Authority should reside So they said and so they did for after 4 dayes time in which Feak and his Freaking Partisans were almost run from their wits in rage and madnesse Cromwel was appointed and declared for Protector of this Infant Common-wealth and it was a tedious interval to him the Chancery Court at Westminster-hall being prepared for the Ceremony of the Instalment in this manner after the usual seeking of God by the Officers of the Army The Protector about one of the clock in the afternoon came from White-hall to Westminster to the Chancery Court attended by the Lords Commissioners of the great Seal of England Barons of the Exchequer and Judges in their Robes after them the Councel of the Common vvealth and the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Recorder of the City of London in their Scarlet Govvns then came the Protector attended vvith many of the cheif Officers of the Army a Chair of State being set in the said Court of Chancery the Protector stood on the left hand thereof uncovered till a large vvriting in Parchment in the manner of an Oath vvas read there being the power with which the Protector vvas invested and hovv the Protector is to govern the three Nations vvhich the Protector accepted of and Subscribed in the face of the Court and immediately hereupon sat dovvn covered in the Chair the Lords Commissioners then delivered up the Great Seal of England to the Protector and the Lord Mayor his Sword and Cap of Maintenance all which the Protector returned immediatly to them again The Court then rose and the Protector was attended back as aforesaid to the Banquetting house in White-hall the Lord Mayor himself uncovered carrying the Svvord before the Protector all the vvay and coming into the Banquetting-house an exhortation vvas made by Mr. Lockyer after vvhich the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Judges departed The Instrument or Module framed to be the Foundation of this present Government was chiefly made up of these following heads That the Supreme Legislative Authority be and reside in a single Person and the People in Parliament the Execution of that power to be in the Protectour with the advice of his Council not to exceed Twenty and One. All Proceedings to run in the Name and Stile of the Protector and all Honours Offices and Titles to be derived from him that he may pardon all Offences but Treason and Murther The Militia during the Parliament shall be in his and their hands but in the Intervals only in his and his Councils He and his Council to make War and Peace with forraign Princes Not make new Laws or abrogate old without Consent of Parliament A Parliament to be called within six Menths and afterwards every third year and if need be oftner which the Protector shall not dissolve without consent in Parliament till after 5. Months The Parliament of English to consist of 400. to be chosen by more equal distributions in Counties and Boroughs of Scotch 30 and so many of the Irish The Summoning of the Parliament to passe under the Seal of the Commonwealth to the Sheriffs and if the Protector omit or deny that then the Commissioners of the Seal be held under pain of High Treason to issue out such writs and in case of failure in him the High Sheriffs and some other By-blowes concerning the equality and fairness of Elections under great penalties No Royalist Irish Rebels or Papists to be capable of being Elected and in case they be to for feit two years Revenue and three parts of their goods None to be elected under the Age of 21. years nor unless he be a man of Integrity a lover of God and of good conversation None to have voyces in Election but such as were worth 200. pounds The Elections to be forthwith transmitted to the Council of State by the Secretary of the Commissioners in case of dispute to the Council of State Sixty to make a Quorum The Protector if need be to call Parliaments between the Intervals thereof Bills offered to the Protector if not assented to by him within 40. days to passe into Laws notwithstanding The Protector with the
was killed by Carbine shot refusing to take quarter at such perfidious peoples hands This Hurly burly being over and ended like a flash the General came to Oxford where he was highly treated and he and Oliver made Doctors of the Civil Law This proved the utter Suppression of that party rendred the Army entirly at his command without any farther dispute of their Leading so that they presently submitted to the Lot which Regiments should be sent to Ireland then almost reduced to the Kings obedience by the M. of Ormond which thus decreed it viz. 11. Regiments One of Dragoons under Col. Abbot Of Horse Iretons Scroops Hortons and Lamberts Of Foot Eures Cooks Hewsons and Deans And three new ones viz. Cromwells Venables and Phayrs Cromwell was ordained Commander in Chief and tituladoed with the Style of Lord Governour of Ireland while Fairfax was lest here to attend the Parliament and passe away his time in the Dotages of his Successe giving him the Honour of subduing that Realm and preparing it to his Usurtion He with a very potent Army was now landed at Dublin Whereupon a strong Garrison of 2500 Foot and 300 horse resolved men under the charge of Sir Arthur Aston was put into Drogheda the nearest Garrison to the late defeat of the Ms of Ormond which Cromwell having refreshed his Army a while at Dublin came to besiege The Town was stormed resolutely thrice and as well defended-Sir Arthur Aston being so confident that he advised the Lord Lieutenant not to precipitate any thing for he should hold them play a while but in the third assault Collonel Wall being unâ—ortuâ— nately killed his dismaid Souldâ—ers listened to thâ— offer of quarter before they had need of it and admitted them upon those terms Cromwell having notice that the Flower of the Irish Army was in his hands gave order to put all in Arms to the Sword where were killed Sir Arthur Asteâ— Sir Edmund Varney Collonel Warren Coll. Dun Finglassâ— Tempest c. with 3000 Souldiers the best in that Kingdome He comes next before Wexford which having resused to accept of a Garrison now the Enemy was under their walls was contented to admit of 500 Men under the command of Sir Edmund Butler and the Lord Lieutenant came also in sighthâ— the Town before whose face Stafford the Governour of the Castle basâ—ly betrayed it to Cromwell together with the Town who there are acheroroâ—fly murthered 2000 more Rosse was the next place whither a Garrison was sent under the command of Luke Taaf with order the Town not being tenable to render upon Conditions which accordingly a breach being made they did and marched away with their Arms. His next attempt was upon Duncannon but the noble Wogan and the English Cavaliers gave him a foyle hence he retreated to Rosseâ— â—ere he made a floating bridge that to having a passage to the other side he might comâ—ell Ormond either to divide his Army to observe his motions or otherwise to get a passage into Munster where he held intelligence with several places that would then Revolt and accordingly for all my Lord Taaff was sent thither before hand to secure them yet Youghall Corke and all the English Towns of Munster openly Revolted and many of my Lord Inchiqueens men allured by Money and Commands in Cromwell's Army ran over to the Enemy and his Excellency the L. Lieutenant having lost the opportunity of Fighting Cromwell by his dislodging from Duncannon by night vvhen the Irish vvere cheaâ—full and earnest to engage vvas never after in a condition fit to venture a battel He therefore passes over his Bridge and so into the County of Kilkenny facing his Enemy and moving up and dovvn after him vvhile his Lieut. G. Jonâ—s with parties took in the Castles and Carrick vvas vvretchedly betrayed to him by Martin that commanded there vvhence 〈◊〉 passes his Army into Munster and takes severall Castles by the appearance onely of his Horse onely at Kilteran he received a repulse but Ballisannon was sold to him Kilkenny was taken next aster a stout defence made the Towns-men complying contrary to the Souldiers knowledge who were driven into the Castle and there conditioned The next enterprize he went in hand with was to take Clonmell kept by Major Generall Hugh Neake who behaved himself so well that the Enemy having lost 2500 Men before it had gone away without it had it not bin that the Gariâ—on wanted Powder so that they got over the River to Waterford in the night leaving the Townsmen to make conditions for themselves which the Enemy not knowing the Souldiers were gone readily granted Soon after Collonel Roch received a brush from my Lord Broghill in the County of Cork vvhere the Bishop of Rosse being taken vvas hanged I have thus briefly discoursed of the War in Ireland that I might hasten to the grand event and from the Camp after another expedition conduct him to the Palace the main consequence of his Life vvhich rendred all his other actions so notable and conspicuous The Irish War thus in a manner ended and the Scotch War ready to Commence the Committee of Estates there having concluded vvith the King at Breda and he upon his Voyage to that Kingdom wheâ—e all correspondence with the English was by Proclamation forbidden and all manner of Provision stopt from carrying into England though the Juncto at Westmiâ—ster had used all Artifices to keep the Scots from closing with Him who were so far disposed thereto that they had barbarously murâ—hered the Great Marquiss of Montross a Hero far surpassing Oliver in Conduct and who was untimely and unfortunately taken away from the rescue of his Country Cromwell like a Fury was ready at hand to take revenge of that Fact For having been seeretly called for over from Ireland to amuse all Parties both the Irish who trembled at his presence and made no considerable resistance against him and his Fortune and the General himself at home who expected not such his sudden â—valship to his Command which gave him no time for mature consideration of the design the Scots who though Alarumed by frequent rumours of an English Invasion yet were not so forward in their Levies as having assurance of Fairfax's dissatisfaction he was now wasted over into England preventing the Letters he had sent to the States to know their express pleasure for his departing that Kingdome On the beginning of June he returned by the way of Bristoll from Ireland to London and was welcomed by Fairfax the General many Members of Parliament and Council of State at Hounsle-heath and more fully complemented at his Lodgings and in Parliament by the Thanks of the House and the like significant Address of the Lord Mayor c. of London being look'd upon as the only Person to the Eccsipse and diminution of the Generals Honour which we shall presently see him paramount in the same supreme Command The World that considered the carriage of this Politique towards his Prince
the Sight which appeared in this order The first room where the Spectators entered was wholly hung with Black at the upper-end whereof was placed a Cloath and Chair of State In like manner was the second and third all having Scutcheons very thick upon the Walls and Guards of Partizans placed in each room for people to pass through The fourth room was compleatly hung with black Velvet the Ceiling being of the same here lay the Effigies with a large Canopy of Black Velvet fringed which hung over it The Waxen Picture lying upon it's back apparrell'd in a rich Suit of Velvet robed in a little Robe of Purple-Velvet laced with a rich gold Lace furr'd with Ermins upon the Kirtle was a large Robe of Purple-Velvet laced and furr'd as the former with rich strings and tassels of Gold The Kirtle was girt with a rich embroydered Belt wherein was a Sword bravely guilt and hatched with gold which hung by the fide of this fine thing In the right hand was a Scepter in the left a Globe upon his head was placed a Purple-Velvet-Cap furr'd with Ermines sutable to the Robes behind the head was placed a rich Chair of Tissued gold whereon was placed an Imperial Crown which lay high that the people might behold it The Bed of State whereon he lay was covered with a large Pall of Black Velvet under which was a Holland Sheet born up by six stools covered with Cloth of Gold About the Bed was placed a compleat Suit of Arms and at the Feet of the Effigies stood his Crest This Bed had fix'd about it an Ascent of two steps a little from thence stood eight silver Candlesticks abut five foot high with white wax Tapers standing in them of three foot long All these things were environed with Rails and Ballasters four-square covered with Velvet at each corner thereof was erected an upright pillat which bore on their tops Lions and Dragons who held in their paws Streamers crowned On both sides of the Bed were set up in Sockets four great Standards of the Protectors Arms with Banners and Banrols of War painted upon Taffaty About the Bed stood men in mourning bare-headed and without the Rails others to receive people in and turn them out again When this Shew had been seen for many weeks together the Scene was then altered the Effigies being removed into another room it was there set up standing upon an Ascent under a Cloath of State being vested as it was before lying only now his purple-Velvet-Cap was changed for a Crown In the same manner as formerly were men waiting upon him bare-headed In this manner he continued until the 23. of Novemb. which day was appointed to to carry him in solemnity to Westminster-Abby This great Funeral was performed with very great State in this manner following All things being in readiness the Waxen Picture of the Protector with a Crown on his Head a Sword by his Side a Globe and Scepter in his hands was taken down from his standing and laid in an open Chariot covered all over with Black Velvet adorned with black Velvet and with Plumes and Scutcheons and drawn by six Horses in black Velvet The Streets from Somerset-house to Westminster-Abby were guarded by Soldiers in new Red-coats and Black Buttons with their Ensigns wrapt in Cypresse which made a Lane to keep off Spectators from crouding the Actors The Procession In the first place went a Marshal attended by his Deputy and 13. more on horse-back to clear the way after him followed the poor men of Westminster by two and two in Mourning Gowns and Hoods next to them the Servants of those Persons of quality that attended the Funeral These were followed by the Protectors late domestick Servants with his Barge-men and Water men Then came the Servants of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London Following them were Gentlemen Attendants on Foraign Ambassadors and Publick Ministers After marched the poor Knights of Windsor in Gowns and Hoods then the Clerks Secretaries and Officers of the Army Admiralty Treasury Navy and Exchequer next the Commissioners of the Excise of the Army and Committee of the Navy Then the Commissioners for approbation of Preachers behind these followed all the Officers Messengers and Clerks belonging to the Privy Council and both Houses of Parliament Next in order followed his Physitians The Head officers of the Army the Officers and Aldermen of London The Masters of Chancery and his Highnesse Council at Law The Judges of Admiralty Judges of both Benches and Lord Mayor of London The Persons Allied in Blood to the Protector and the Members of the other House The publick Ministers of Forraign-Princes The Holland Ambassador alone having his Train held up by four Gentlemen Then the Portugal Ambassador and the French Ambassador in like manner The Commissioners of the Great Seal The Commissioners of the Treasury The Members of his Privy-Council All the Grandees in Close Mourning but it was once advised other wayes for fear of a surprise in the Streets the rest but in ordinary The whole Assembly passing along in divisions were distinguished by Drums Trumpets Banners and Horses whereof there were eleven in all four being covered with black Cloath and seven in Velvet These passing in fine order at length came the Chariot with the Effigies on each side of which were six Banner-Rolls twelve in all born by several Persons and likewise several Pieces of the Protectors Arm carried by eight Officers of the Army attended by the Heralds Next went Garter principal King of Arms attended by a Gentleman on each hand bare-headed Next came the chief Mourner And to conclude all came the Horse of Honour in very rich Trappings imbroydered on Crimson-Velvet and adorned with white red and yellow Plumes of Feathers being led by the Master of the Horse The Rear of this brave shew was brought up by the Protectors Cuard of Halberdiers the Warders of the Tower and a Troop of Horse The Effigies in this manner being brought to the West-Gate of the Abby-Church of Westminster it was taken from the Chariot by ten Gentlemen who carried it to the East end of the Church and there placed the Picture in a most magnificent Structure built in the same form as one before had been on the like occasion for King James but much more stately And here they lodged and Usurped a Grave the impatient Spectators fretting at this pompous Mummery and Magnificent cheat taking his funeral triumphs for a more solemn Cozenage of the Executioner till the due inevitable justice of Heaven found them out after the reduction of His Sacred Majesty in peace to His Kingdomes which would very difficultly have been so accomplished if this resolute destroyer had survived to that blessed time On the 30. day of January 1660 that day 12 years of his most nefarious parricide his Carcasse with Bradshaws and Iretons having been digged out of their Graves were carried to the Red Lyon in Holborn and from thence drawn in Sledges to Tyburn where they hanged from Ten of the Clock in the morning till Sun-set with their Faces towards White-hall and were then inhumed under the Gallowes and His Head set upon Westminster-Hall to be the becoming Spectacle of his Treason where on that Pinacle and Legal Advancement it is fit to leave this Ambitious wretch FINIS
and Passes would suffer him the Kings Army as yet lying out of the Town a mile in the fields The first pass endevoured to be taken was Vpton-Bridge on Fleetwoods side which Major General Lambert attempted with 500. Horse and Dragoons who unespied crept upon their Bellies on a peice of Timber they had laid over the River which the surprizing Assailants after a brisk dispute wrested from Colonel Massey The Scots lâ—wing thus abandoned the place it was presently possest by a strong Party of Horse and Foot in order to the present advance of the rest of the Army The Scots now drawn closer to Worcester made many Salleys breaking down 2. or 3. Bridges over the River Team and shewing a well ordered and governed courage but September the third that ominous day he drew out from his own Post and having given the signal to the whole Army to fall on began the Fight in this manner Cromwell himself in person about 3. a Clock with hss Life Guard and Colonel Hackers Regiment of Horse with part of his own Regiment and Colonel Ingoldsby's and Fairfax's entire passed over his Bridge of Boats upon the Severn and marched towards the City after him Lieut. Gen. Fleetwood who had been most part of that day marching of 5. miles from Upton to Powick-bridge which the Kings Army had broken down passed with Colonel Goff's and Major General Dean's Regiments and joyntly advanced the Kings Forces encountring them at the Hedges and disputing every field with them in such order and with such gallantry that these already over lest they should not be wholly discouraged with the hotnesse of the service were relieved by reserves and they by others no considerable progress yet made the Highlanders proving excellent Firemen and coming to the But-end at every foot till weary and their Ammunition spent the King being then upon the place Commanded them in some hast into the City and hastned himself to the other side where Colonel Hayns Regiment with Cobbets stood about Powick bridge and were entertained with no less Manhood and Slaughter and though Colonel Mathews was the reserve to the other two Regiments yet did the Scotch Foot fairly drive them from their ground till their little Army being every way engaged and no seconds or supplies to be expected after some wheelings in a careless regard of the Enemy as if they feared not to make which way they pleased they drew likewise into the Town as did that Brigade which opposed the Regiments of the Lord Gray Colonel Blague Gibbons and Marsh But they stayed not long here for as if their pent spirits had broke out with greater fury they sallied out in great bodies upon the Generals side who had now brought the Militia Forces into play the Veterans wisely detrecting to engage first upon the Storm which was then intended but there was yet field matter enough to do In the Head of one of those squadrons the King himself charged with that gallantry which would have become our Admiration in other men and showed he had not forgot the Discipline of War in which he had been brought up from his youth In one of those Charges he made Duke Hamilton a better Soldier and nobler gallanter person then his Brother received a shot on his thigh whereof presently after he dyed The loss that was sustained by the Enemy fell principally upon the Essex Foot and those of Cheshire and Snrrey who returned in thin Troops and Companies to their Counties but fresh and entire Brigades and Regiments in Reserves namely Desborough's Regiment of Horse Cromwell's of Horse Major General Lambert's of Horse WWhaley's Harrison's and Tomlinson's Brigades with other Foot re-inforcing them the Scots by the over-powering multitude were driven into the Town Leshley with 2000. Horse upon what account not known not stirring out of the Town to relieve them when the Enemy entred pell mell with them and gained the Fort Royal about 7. a Clock at night at which time the King left the Town it being dusk and accompanied vvith some 60. Horse of the cheifest and most confident of his Retinue though many more pressed to bear him Company departed out of St. Martins-gate and it was reported that Cobbet very narrowly Mist of him as the King left his lodging whether he first hastned The Enemies Foot was now got into the Town and according to their Order fell a plundering the Town in a most barbarous manner as if Turks were again a Sacking of Constantinople and giving no quarter to any they found in the Streets through this their greedinesse of spoil they kept the Horse out lest they should have shared the better part and to that purpose kept the Gates fast aâ— they were and so favoured as God would have it the Kings escape some Scots who had got into one of the Churches held out till next morning when they obtained quarter for Life by which time there was not an Inhabitant in Worcester friend or foâ— left worth a farthing but the Loyal Inhabitants lost little by the bargain being supplied with fresh wares to their desires from London without any scruple of credit or paiment and their Debts forborn till such time as God should enable them which the Gentry and Inhabitants round about them endevoured to bring to passe by their more then ordinary resort to that Market for all necessaries and upon all occasions The Mayor being Knighted by the King and Aldermen vvere committed to Prison and the Wife of one Guyes vvho for betraying the designs of the King in that Garrison vvas hanged vvas revvarded vvith 200. l. per annum and 200 l. dovvn There were slain in Field and in Town in the last the most and in pursuit some 3000. and some 8000. taken prisoners in several places most of the English escaping by their Shiboleth the principal were Duke Hamilton who presently dyed of his wounds and at Newport the Earl of Lauderdale Earl of Rothes Earl of Carnworth Earl of Kelly Earl of Derby Earl of Cleveland the now Earl of Shrewsbury Sir John Packington Lord Spyne Sir Ralph Clare Sir Charles Cunningham Colonel Graves Mr. Richard Fanshaw Secretary to the King 6 Col. of Horse 13. of Foot 9 Lieutenant Colonels of Horse 8. Lieutenant Colonels of Foot 6. Majors of Horse 13. Majors of Foot 37. Captains of Horse 72 Captains of Foot 55. Quarter-masters 89. Lieutenants there were taken also some General Officers with 76. Cornets of Horse 99. Ensigns of Foot 90. Quartermasters 80. of the Kings Servants with the Kings Standard which he had set up when he summoned the Country the Kings Coach and Horses and Collar of SS but that which was Ten times more worth then all the Kings person they had no power to touch On the 12. of Sept. Cromwell came to London and was met about Acton with the Speaker and the Members and the Lord Mayor and the Recorder Steel who in a set Speech congratulated his great successes and like a false Prophet by a
Advice of his Councill in case of death or Breach of trust to substitute new Privy Counsellors A Competent Revenue to be setled for the maintenance of Ten thousand Horse and 15. thousand Foot and the Navy and not to be altered or lessened but by the Advice of the Council upon the disbanding of them the money to be brought to the Exchequer No new Levies nor Laws to be made without consent in Parliament All forfeited Lands unsold to belong to the Protector The Protectorate to be elective but the Royal Family to be excluded Oliver Cromwell to be the present Protector All places of trust and Office to be in the Protectors disposal if in Interval of Parliament to be approved and confirmed in Parliament The Rest for the purity and toleration of Religion out of which the Papist and Protestant were to be exempted and all Laws in favour of them to be abrogated All Sales of Parliament to be confirmed Articles of War to be made good And lastly the Protector and his Successor to be bound by Oath to observe these present Articles and to uphold the Peace and Welfare of the Nation which Oath was in 〈◊〉 verba I promise in the presence of God not to violate or infâ—inge the matters and things contained in the Instrument but to observe and cause the same to be observed and in all things to the best of my understanding govern the Nations according to the Laws Statutes and Customes to seek their peace and cause Justice Law to be equally administred The Feat needed no more security as good altogether as its Authority in this following Proclamation which was published throughout England Scotland and Ireland in these words Where as the late Parliament Dissolved themselves and resigning their Powers and Authorities the Government of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland in a Lord Protector and saccessive Triennial Parliaments is now established And whereas Oliver Cromwell Captain General of all the Forces of this Common wealth is declared Lord Protector of the said Nations and hath accepted thereof We have therefore thought it necessary as we hereby do to make Publication of the Premises and strictly to charge and command all and every Person or Persons of what quality and condition soever in any of the said three Nations to take notice hereof and to conform and submit themselves to the Government so established And all Sheriffs Mayor Bailiffs c. are required to publish this Proclamation to the end none may have cause to pretend ignorance in this behalf This Miscellany of the Laws and new projections suted a great many humours and different perswasions of the Phanaticks Independents Anabaptists and others being the second part of the Alchoran And because there is occasion for it we will discourse a little of the present State of Religion and what opinion Cromwel best aspected The Orthodox Protestants were wholly supprest and yet some Reverend persons as Dr. Vsher the Bishop of Armagh and Dr. Brownrig the Bishop of Exeter received some shews of respect and reverence from Him which he more manifestly boasted in the funeral Expences of the Learned Vsher and this to captate a Reputation of his Love to Scholars and the meek modest and vertuous Clergy The Presbyterian was rather tolerated then countenanced and yet such of them as would comply with his Court greatnesse were much in his eye and his favour for others of them he cared not pleasingly expressing himself how he had brought under the Pride and Arrogance of that Sect making those that would allow no liberty to others sue for it for themselves The Independents and Anabaptists he loved and preferred by turns and was most constant to them as the men that would and did support his Usurpation only he could by no means endure the Fifth Monarchy men though by their dotages he had raised himself to this height and therefore Feak and Rogers were by him committed to Prison in the Castle of Windsor where they continued a long while and not only so but he set Kiffin the Anabaptist whom he had taken out of design into his favour with his party together by the ears with Feaks to the raising of a Feud between them the Ballance of his Security in the Government The like he did betwixt the Presbyterian the Independent a subdivided Schisme from the Church of England as Feaks and Kiffins were from Independency whom when out of his zeal to the Unity of Christian Religion he seemed to bring together to compose and accommodate all Differences in the near probability of such expedients he would divide and more irreconciliably sever and alienate And this was all his practical Devotion But to return Great shooting of Guns at night and Volleys of Acclamations were given at the close of this mock solemnity by Cromwell's Janizaries while the Cavaliers were more joyfully disposed at the Hopes of the Kings Affairs but no body of any Account giving the Usurper a good word or miskiditche with his greatness save what was uttered in Fur by my Lord Mayor and the Complices in this Fact who tickled his ears with the Eccho of the Proclamation done with the usual Formalities These Triumphs so disgusted Harrison as also Col. Rich that he withdrew himself from the Gang and turned publique Preacher or Railer against his Comrade Oliver who was glad to be rid of such a busie and impertinent Assistant in the moduling of Government so Cromwell had now two Common-wealth-contradivided Factions against him the old and the new Parliaments and therefore it nearly concerned him to make much of the Anabaptist and Sectary which now succeeded Independency as the Religion maintained and favoured above all other and Kiffin a great Leader and Teacher was now in great request at the Court at White-hall and contrarily Sir Henry Vane jun. was look'd on askue as also Sir Arth. Hazilrig and Bradshaw and Scot and so the Fabel builders were confounded one amongst another The Council appointed by the Officers or taken rather by himself by whose advice he was to govern were 14. at first Lord Lambert Lord Viscount Lisle General Desbrow Sir Gilbert Pickring Major General Skippon Sir Anth. Ashley Cooper Walter Strickland Esq Sir Charles Wolsley Col. Philip Jones Francis Rous Esquire Richard Major Esquire John Lawrence Esquire Col. Edward Montague Col. William Sydenham I should have mentioned the Dutch War in its place which aggrandized him with the usual victorious successe but because he was never personally engaged in the Service but owed this Garland as he did the glory of Dunbar to the noble General Monk and wore but a second-hand Triumphal Robe I will not constellate Him with that Hero's Splendor and Brightness of Fame That which properly concerns Cromwell is rather the Dishonour of that War the Peace that ensued the Conclusion of it for the Stomach of that Nation had been so humbled by several great losses their Trade so spoyled and their Subjects so impoverish'd that
were made Serjeants and Mr. Hales one of the Justices of the Common-Pleas where St. Johns yet sate and of the Cabinet to his Protector besides having preferred his Man Thurloe his Secretary at the Hague to be his Secretary of State the Candle or Light of that Dark-Lanthorn which St. Johns was said to be in these mysterious times of Cromwell in all his attempts and designs of consequence and moment The Dutch Peace was also concluded on by the Ambassadors and the Commissioners of the said â—ouncil for the Protector between whom this private Article was agreed that the Prince of Aurange should never be restored to the Dignities Offices and charge his Ancestors held and enjoyed and this was urged for the better conservation of the Peace which would in his Restitution be endangered because of his Relation to the King The Protector dined in great State upon an Invitation from the Lord Mayor c. at Grocers-Hall the 8. of February being Ashwednesday a very unsuitable day for any Festival but his Entertainment who inverted all things the streets being railed from Temple Bar thither the Liveries in their Gowns in their gradual standings awaiting Him he was met at the said Gate by Alderman Viner the Lord Mayor who delivered him the Sword there and having received it from him back again bore it on Horseback before him all the way through which the same silence was kept as if a Funeral had been en passant and no doubt it was that muteness which Tacitus mentioned in Tiberius quale Magnae Irae vel magni metus est silentium no apprecations or so much as a How do ye being given during the Cavalcade After Dinner he was served with a Banquet in the conclusion whereof he Knighted Alderman Viner and would have done the same to the Recorder Steel for his learned Speech of Government calculated and measured for him but he for good Reasons avoided it My Lord Maior was forced to carry it home and anger his Wife with it who had real Honour both in her Name and Nature Oliver at his return had the second course of a Brick-bat from the top of a House in the Strand by St. Clements which light upon his Coach and almost spoiled his Digestion with the daringness of the affront search was made but in vain the person could not be found and vengeance was not yet from Heaven to rain upon him He published a little after an Ordinance for the Trial and Approbation of Ministers wherein Phillp Nye Goodwin Hugh Peters Mr. Manton and others were named Commissioners the question these men put to the Examinants was not of Abilities or Learning but grace in their hearts and that with to bold and saucy Inquisition that some mens spirits trembled at their Interrogatories they phrasing it so as if as was said of the Council of Trent they had the Holy Ghost in a Cloak Bag or were rather Simon Magus his own Disciples and certainly there were never such Symoniacks in the World not a living of value but what a Friend or the best purchaser was admitted into to which humane learning even where a former right was was a good and sufficient Bar no less to the ruine then scandal of the Church of England and the Protestant Religion and Professors thereof â—everal ignorant bold Laicks being inducted into the best Spiritualities as best consisted with Olivers Interest which depended upon the Sectary and their hideous divisions in Religion To return During those Protectoral Intrigues the King's Interest had got such footing again in England that all or most of the Gentlemen and Counties thereof were engaged for it and therefore while Lambert managed one Province the Affairs of the Parliament wherein Oliver would not descend so low as to be pragmatical and Sceptically busy with their Debates against His power as wrested and usurped from the people He was mainly intent upon the proceedings of the Royallists the particulars whereof he had betrayed to him weekly a constant correspondence being held betwixt Him and one Manning a Retainer and Under-Secretary to the King at Colen his Father being killed in his Service at Alresford in the year 1644. The price of this Treason was no lesse then 6000. l. a year most whereof came to the King by this fellows hands as sent over by his and his friends procurement but on purpose by so notable a service in the Kings necessities to sâ—rue himself into the secrets of His Majesties designs Hence came the Western Association and Attempt of the noble Penruddock in the West to be so suddenly defeated with the like Insurrections in several parts of England in the year 1654. For upon certain notice of the days appointed for their rising Cromwell to be before hand with them gave out supposed and false days and made the like Appearances particularly at Shrewsbury by which means the Confederates came to perceive there was some Treachery among themselves and did then wisely desist from the danger of taking publique Arms against Him For a fuller accompt of all which I must refer the Reader to the Histories of the Times lately published though I should take notice of his cruelty against those unfortunate Gentlemen The Event of this by which he had overreached the King in his own designs and the Hopes of his rich successes in the West-Indies by robbing another Prince whether his Fleet and Army under General Pen and Venables was now arrived which also I shall only mention for the Story is trite and vulgar made Oliver most blith and confident and his Court of Beggars and such like mean people very gay and jocund A great deal of State was now used towards him and the French Cringe and other ceremonious pieces of gallantry and good deportment which were thought unchristian and favouring of Carnality introduced in place of austere and down looks and the silent Mummery of Starch'd and Hypocritical gravity the only becoming Dress forsooth of Piety and Religion He had now a Guard of Halberdiers in Gray Coats welted with black Velvet over whom Walter Strickland was Captain and a Lord Chamberlain Sir Gilbert Pickering Two Masters of Requests Mr. Bacon and Mr. Sad'er a Master of his Horse his Son Claypoolâ— and generally all persons of Honour both to His own person and his Wives who very frugally Huswifed it and would nicely and finically tax the expensive unthriftiness as said she of the Other Woman who lived there before her But I must not engage in her impertinencies though a many pretty stories might be told of this obsolete Princesse It will be requisite to speak something of his manner and course of Life now raised to a very neer fruition of the Soveraignty this being the Solstice of his Fortunes His Custome was now to divert himself frequently at Hampton-Court which he had saved from Sale with other Houses of the Kings for his own greatnesse whether he went and came in post with his Guards behind and before as not yet
under 9. The chief Officers of Seate as Chancellors Keepers of the Great Seal c. to be approved of by Parliament 10. That his Highnesse would encourage a Godly Ministry in these Nations and that such as do revile or disturb them in the Worship of God may be punished according to Law and where the Laws are defective new ones to be made in that behalf 11. That the Protestant Christian Religion and no other and that a confession of Faith be agreed upon and recommended to the people of these Nations and none be permitted by words or writings to revile or repreach the said Confession of Faith c. Which he having Signed declared his acceptance in there words That he came thither that day not as to a Triumph but with the most serious thoughts that ever he had in all his life being to undertake one of the greatest burthens that ever was laid upon the back of any humane creature so that without the support of the Almighty he must sink under the weight of it to the damage and prejudice of these Nations This being so he must ask help of the Parliament and of those that fear God that by their Prayers he might receive assistance from God for nothing else could enable him to the discharge of so great a duty and trust That seeing this is but an Introduction to the carrying on of the Government of these Nations and there being many things which cannot be supplied without the assistance of the Parliament it was his duty to ask their help in them not that he doubted for the same Spirit that had led the Parliament to this would easily suggest the same to them For his part nothing would have induced him to take this unsupportable burthen to flesh and blood but that he had seen in the Parliament a great care in doing those things which might really answer the ends that were engaged for and make clearly for the Liberty of the Nations and for the Interest and preservation of all such as fear God under various forms And if these Nations be not thankful to them for their care therein it will fall as a sin on their heads Yet there are some things wanting that tend to reformation to the discountenancing vice and encouragement of virtue but he spake not this as in the least doubting their progress but as one that doth heartily desire to the end God may Crown their work that in their own time and with what speed they judge fit these things may be provided for There remained only the Solemnity of the Inauguration or Investiture which being agreed upon by the Committee and the Protector was by the Parliament appointed to be performed in Westminster-hall where at the upper end thereof there was an Ascent raised where a Chair and Canopy of State was set and a Table with another Chair for the Speaker with Seats built Scaffold-wise for the Parliament on both sides and places below for the Aldermen of London and the like All which being in a readiness the Protector came out of a Room adjoyning to the Lords House and in this order proceeded into the Hall First went his Gentlemen then a Herald next the Aldermen another Herald the Attorney General then the Judges of whom Serjeant Hill was one being made a Baron of the Exchequer June 16. then Norroy the Lord Commissioners of the Treasury and the Seal carried by Commissioner Fiennes then Garter and after him the Earl of Warwick with the Sword born before the Protector Bare headed the Lord Mayor Tichborn carrying the City Sword being the special of Coaks of the Protector by his left hand Being seated in his Chair on the left Hand whereof stood the said Titchborn and the Dutch Ambassador the French Ambassador and the Earl of Warwick on the Right next behind him stood his Sons Richard Fleetwood Cleypoole and the Privy Council upon a lower descent stood the Lord Viscount Lisle Lords Montague and Whitlock with drawn Swords Then the Speaker Sir Thomas Widdrington in the name of the Parliament presented to him a Robe of Purple-Velvet a Bible a Sword and a Scepter at the Delivery of these things the Speaker made a short Comment upon them to the Protector which he divided into four parts as followeth 1. The Robe of Purple This is an Emblem of Magistracy and imports Righteousness and Justice When you have put on this Vestment I may say you are a Gown-man This Robe is of a mixt colour to shew the mixture of Justice and Mercy Indeed a Magistrate must have two hands Plectentem amplectentem to cherish and to punish 2. The Bible it is a Book that contains the Holy Scriptures in which you have the happinesse to be well vers'd This Book of Life consists of two Testaments the Old and New the first shews Christum Velatum the second Christum Revelatum Christ vailed and revealed it is a Pook of Books and doth contain both Precepts and Examples for good Government 3. Here is a Scepter not unlike a Staff for you are to be a Staff to the weak and poor it is of ancient use in this kind It 's said in Scripture that The Scepter shall not depart from Judah It was of the like use in other Kingdoms Homer the Greek Poet calls Kings and Princes Scepter-Bearers 4. The last thing is a Sword not a Military but Civil Sword it is a Sword rather of defence then offence not to defend your self only but your people also If I might presume to fix a Motto upon this Sword as the valiant Lord Talbot had upon his it should be this Ego sum domini Protectoris ad protegendum populum meum I am the Protectors to protect my people This Speech being ended the Speaker took the Bible and gave the Protector his Oath afterwards Mr. Manton made a prayer wherein he recommended the Protector Parliament Council the Forces by Land and Sea Government and people of the three Nations to the protection of God Which being ended the Heralds by Trumpets proclaimed his Highness Protector of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging requiring all persons to yeild him due obedience At the end of all the Protector with his Train carried by the Lord Sherrard Warwick's Nephew ahd the Lord Robert's his eldest Son returned in the same posture the Earl of Warwick sitting at one end of the Coach against him Richard his Son and Whitlock in one and the Lords Lisle and Mountague in the other Boot with Swords drawn and the Lord Claypool Master of the Horse led the Horse of Honour in rich Caparisons to White-hall The Members to the Parliament House where they prorogued their sitting to the Twentieth of January He vvas novv setled and established in his first assumed Dignity to the satisfaction of some part of the Army only Lambert vvas gravelled with that clause in it which gave the Protector power to name his Successor Whereby he savv himself deprived and frustrated