of Newcastle and Generall King brought down their whole Armie upon us from their head quarter Whereupon wee turned the two last pieces now taken by us upon this bodie of their armie and thereupon they were all instantly forced to a most wretched retreat and to stand at a distance untill wee had sleighted their whole line of approach and then wee brought off nine pieces of Ordnance the Demy-Cannon aforementioned called by some one of the Queenes gods and by others the Queenes Pocket-pistoll which at first we made shift to draw out of danger of the enemies recovery till wee had more leasure toward night to fetch within the walls as afterward wee did and brought them safely within our quarters Now after the enemie perceived they had lost the two brass-pieces which they did imagine wee were not able to draw off their whole bodie of foot with fortie Colours drew themselves as a fresh reserve both horse and foot within Pistoll-shot to our Ragged-Jettie resolving it seemed to fall upon it that night which they did with great fury and violence But it pleased the Lord infinitely to manifest great strength in the weakness of our weary men and as it were to put new spirits into their tyred bodies and after a hot skiâ—mish of about two houres at least wee also having ordered as they perceived two hundred Musqueteers to keep without the Jetty which could not possibly have been done if the enemie had had Ordnance and having put so many resolved men within the said Jetty thus I say at length it pleased the Lord so to order and dispose of things that they all betook themselves to their heeles about midnight and weâ—e driven quite out of the field and forced to retyre quite away to their head-quarter The Marquess of Newcastle himself and Lievtenant King were beholders of the second part of this act and as it was reported King himself was wounded in two severall places Our Ordnance did them a great deal of mischief and if wee had had but a fresh bodie of foot they had been put to a great strait indeed In their retyring their other great-god helpless gods stuck fast in the myre untill all the Country-people were called together to draw her off Among the Captains that deserved well in this service Captain Micklethwait Parsons Bethel and Hardstaff for the horse Captain Clayton the bearer heerof who hath a generall love of all the Souldiers did us singular good service Captain â—almond Captain Sibbalds and Captain Crooker did all of them carry themselves very valiantly I my self had a blow on my side by a slug of cutted-iron shot from the great piece but thanks be to the Lord was not the worse for it but I beleeve had her Majestie known where the shot should have lighted shee would have checkt the Gunner for not charging full home Whilest wee were in this service to increase our comfort we heard the noyse of the great incounter in Lincolnshire whereunto also God hath pleased to give a happie issue whereby wee may perceive that God is certainly upon the stage and that Dagon must down Since the beginning of this my Letter wee understand that Colonell Rainesborow is safe Sir I desire that you will continue your accustomed favour toward Your affectionate friend and servant JOHN MEâ—DRUM From Hull Octob. 14. 1643. And although this virtuous and valourous Commander Sir John Meldrum in his wisedome and humility forbeares to write ought of his own best deservings in that foresaid Service yet I cannot forbear to give the Reader at least one touch thereof attested by the most noble and renowned Lord Generall himself the Lord Fairfax in his Letter to the Speaker of the Parliament which in brief was this That itpleased God to give you my Lords own words by the gallant courage and activitie of Sir John Meldrum and the spirit and valour of the other Commanders and Officers that all which the Souldiers had got and lost at the first assault forementioned by their sodain fear and retreat was totally recovered again and that with advantage too and the whole victory in the Conclusion And now having formerly toucht upon the mention of that famous fight and most glorious victory which our good God graciously conferred upon that as virtuous as valiant Generall the noble Earl of Manchester against the Popish and atheisticall forces of Newcastle in Lincolnshire under their Papisticall Commander the Lord Widrington and Generall Henderson at Horn-Castle I shall now in the next place give the. Reader a most exact and full and fair account thereof also in all the materiall and substantiall passages of it especially for the just advancement of the honour of the Lord our God and the great comfort of all that wish the welfare and prosperitie of our Jerusalem About the 10th of October 1643. my Lord of Manchester having had notice when he was at Linne of a great force of horse and Dragooneers come into Lincolnshire under the command of Generall Henderson and that upon the retreat of Sir Thomas Fairfax and Colonell Cromwell from about Lowth they were much heightned with confidence of success when ever they could draw-out forces to an engâ—gement The want of foot and Dragooneers made Sir Thomas Fairfax and Colonell Cromwell very unwilling to fight with them till they had acquainted my Lord and tryed what supplies he could afford them and withall his Lordship was assured if he could draw any forces toward Balenbrook-Castle the enemy was so confident of his own strength that he would bring down all his force to fight with him Upon these grounds my Lord drew all his forces both horse and foot from Linne save onely one troop of horse and six companies of foot which he left for the guard of that Town with Colonell Walton whom he made Lievtenant-Governour Thus upon the Munday my Lord drew out all his foot out of Boston ten Companies he laid in Bolenbrook-Town under the command of Major Knight Serjeant Major to Sir Miles Hobart Colonell Russells Regiment was quartered at Strickford within a mile of them and my Lords own being but three Companies the rest being sent to Hull and left at Linne at Stickney and the horse were all quartered in the Townes round about at eight and ten miles distance Upon this Munday at night Major Knight summoned the Castle of Bolenbrook in my Lord of Mâ—nchesters name but was answered That his bug-bear words must not winne Castles nor should make them quit the place that night our men took in a little house on the right hand between the Castle and the Church and resolved the next night to endeavour to break-open the Church-doores and there to mount a Morter-piece and thence fire the Castle The enemie had notice on the fryday following that my Lord was coming or come into those parts and thereupon drew out all their horse and Dragooners from their severall Garrisons at Lincoln Newark and Gainsborow with a
bold resolution to finde him out and fight with him Upon Tuesday those of the Castle kill'd one or two of our men and as Major Knight and Quarter-master Generall Vermeyden were viewing of it made some shot at them and one of them hit the said Quarter-master Generall a little below the ancle but pierced not the skin onely bruis'd his leg That afternoon my Lord of Manchester came himself to Kirkby which is within a mile of Bolenbrook with Colonell Cromwell where also my Lord Willoughby met him and Sir Thomas Fairfax was then at Horn-Castle about five miles off one of his Regiments having the watch at Edlingston about three miles farther but neerer to the enemie My Lord had not been long there before he received a Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax that an allarm was given to some of our Quarters and that himself had sent out some horse to discover what it might be and would immediately give him a farther account which he did by another Letter about an houre after the partie being returned and could get no information of any enemy neer but conceived it to be a mistake However Sir Thomas resolved to stay there untill the evening and then to come to Kirkby to my Lord. My Lord conceived it fit and so did all those that were with him to give the allarm to all his quarters and to appoint Horn-Castle to be the Allarm-place and then to goe himself immediately thither to Sir Thomas Fairfax and when all their men were thus drawn together to take farther resolutions and so immediately with my Lo. Willoughby and some Officers with him he took horse for Horn-Castle Sir Thomas Fairfax in the mean time getting no intelligence of the enemies approach came away toward Kirkby to my Lord. Before my Lord had reached Horn-Castle the allarm came to him in good earnest that the enemie was fallen into our quarters and was marching toward Horn-Castle Coming neerer the Town he could hear great shouting and noyse which he conceived to be the enemies triumph having beaten our men out of the Town but it proved otherwise for some of our men falling upon the enemies forlorn-hopes though but part of two troopes seeing themselves desperately engaged resolved to put the best face on it and fell upon them with crying and shouting which did exceedingly amaze the enemie and gave our men the easier passage through the midst of them Now my Lord finding the enemie come into his quarters before he could have any certain information where he was and the allarm-place possessed by the enemie he appointed Kirkby and Bolenbrook-hill for all his men to repair unto and accordingly sent word to all the quarters whither all our men came but that night except three troopes that were directed to Stickney and three or four troopes that went by the way of Tottershall and came not in till next morning Many of our troopes came to Horn-Castle according to the first orders but finding the enemie there came away without any loss at all or very little The enemie had fallen into our quarters at Thimbleby and some Townes thereabout where three or foure of our troopes were in a manner surprized but finding themselves ingaged gave so good testimony and proof of their courage and resolution that the enemie had little or no cause to brag of that nights work which being of so memorable consequence I have thought fit briefly heer to relate which was thus Captain Johnson Captain Samuel Moody and Captain Player were three of the commanders of these troopes which the enemie had thus almost surprized in their quarters and were afterward also environed about by the enemie who had gotten between them and the bodie of their horse so that they were forced to break through two bodies of the enemies horse of at least a thousand horse in each body but with admirable courage and resolution they with their troopes charged the enemy crying all of them as before they had agreed among themselves with a shout and loud voyce Come on come on all is our own all is our own which so amazed the enemie expecting some ambuscado that these three troopes brake thorow the first bodie and so thorow the second doing great execution yet lost but three men After that they hasting toward the Town of Horncastle where they thought the Earl of Mâ—nchester was about a mile before they came at the Town they discovered another partie of the enemies horse Heer they discreetly agreed to goe soberly toward them every man making answer to him that asked any question nothing but Friends friends all friends as if they had been of the enemies troopes and were going upon some design it being yet dark therefore when the enemies called to them Who is there the other all answered Friends friends and so they passed but as soon as they were past and thought themselves secure they turned faces about and asked the enemie Who are you for They answered for the King Then said they Wee are for the King and Parliament and charging the enemy fled toward Horncastle and the enemy pursuing followed them to the Town-side there being no forces in the Town on either side but they in the Town had with carts and timber barracadoed the passages into the Town so that by this meanes there was some loss in the troopes being thus unexpectedly put to their shifts but the loss was but little a Cornet and some few others and they brought half a douzen of prisoners with them Which could not but manifest a most evident hand of God in so great a preservation But to proceed All that night wee were drawing our horse to the appointed rendevouz And the next morning being Wednesday my Lord gave order that the whole force both horse and foot should be drawn up to Bolenbrook-hill where he would expect the enemie being the onely convenient ground to fight with him But Colonell Cromwell was no way satisfied that wee should fight our horse being extremely wearied with hard duty two or three dayes together The enemy also drew that morning their whole body of horse and Dragooneers into the field being 74 Colours of horse and 21 Colours of Dragooneers in all 95 Colours Wee had not many more than half so many Colours of horse and Dragooneers but I believe wee had as many men besides our foot which indeed could not be drawn up untill it was very late The enemies word was Cavendish and ours was Religion I beleeve that as wee had no notice of the enemies coming toward us so they had as little of our preparation to fight with them It was about twelve of the clock ere our horse and Dragooneers were drawn up after that wee marched about a mile nearer the enemie and then wee began to descry him by little and little coming toward us But untill this time wee did not know wee should fight but so soon as our men had
knowledge of the enemies coming they were very full of joy and resolution thinking it a great mercie that they should now fight with him Our men went on in severall bodies singing Psalmes Quarter-master Generall Vermeyden with five troopes had the forlorn-hope and Colonell Cromwell the Van assisted with other of my Lords troopes and seconded by Sir Thomas Fairfax Both armies met about Ixbie if I mistake not the Townes name both they and wee had drawn up our Dragooneers and gave the first charge and then the horse fell in Colonell Cromwell fell with brave resolution upon the enemie immediately after their Dragooneers had given him the first volley yet they were so nimble as that within half pistoll-shot they gave him another his horse was killed under him at the first charge and fell down upon him and as he rose up he was knockt down again by the Gentleman that charged him who 't was conceived was Sir Ingram Hopton but afterward he recovered a poor horse in a Souldiers hand and bravely mounted himself again Truly this first charge was so home-given and performed with so much admirable courage resolution by our troops that the enemie stood not another but were driven back upon their own body which was to have seconded them and at last put them into a plain disorder and thus in less than half an houres fight they were all quite routed and forced to run for their lives though they were two for one and as soon as our men perceived them to shrinke they fiercely charged within them all and then I say they ran for it leaving all their Dragooneers which were now on foot behind them Thus our men pursued them and did execution upon them about five or six miles all the way being strewed with broken armes dead men and horses And heer I may not omit to make mention of the rare courage and valour of that most noble Commander Sir Thomas Fairfax who when they first viewed the enemie and saw great odds in their number was so much the more inflamed with godly courage and resolution saying Come let us fall on I never prospered better than when I fought against the enemie three or four to one One hundred of their men to avoid the furie of our men were drowned many were wounded and in one gravell pit above an 100 were hid some there breathing their last breath others less wounded my Lord of Manchester most mercifully gave order that care should be taken of them all And heer it must not be forgotten that some with mortall wounds upon them cryed out The Commission of Aray the Commission of Aray brought us hither full sore against our wills wee were as true servants to the Parliament and our Religion and liberties as any in England and woe to those that were the cause that Lincoln and Yorkshire became a prey to the enemie wee die as true friends to the Parliament as any Two hundred horse were found left in the Castle their riders being all fled many hundreds fled into the waters up to the arme-holes they that lay slain in the high wayes were very many and divers of qualitie for there were brave bodies stript naked Sir George Bowles was slain and Sir Ingram Hopton Colonell Shelley was taken prisoner among those taken out of the water and Colonell Ayres the number of horse taken in all were about 2000 of prisoners about 1000 and as many slain of armes 1500 and not 100 of the enemies 't was verily believed to be found in a body of 94 Standards 35 were taken Wee lost very few of our men none of note wee hardly found above one officer hurt and that was Colonell Cromwells Captain-Lievtenant Our foot were not drawn up to the place where the fight was untill after the fight and chase was over Horse and foot though very weary marched on toward Horncastle where my Lord lay that night with all the foot his horse being sent to their old quarters in the Townes adjoyning And truly both Officers and Souldiers did their dutie that day singularly well and bravely my Lord himself also took wonderfull paines in bringing the business to this foresaid pass in drawing up all the foot to have relieved the horse in case they had been put to straits and had needed it But God himself did all taking away the enemies hearts and giving resolution and courage to our men to him therefore be all the honour and glory of this famous victorie Now whiles these things were thus in agitation the noble Lord Fairfax had a Letter brought unto him which was intercepted written by that ignoble Popish Lord Widrington the then present Governour of Lincoln in which Letter writing to his great Lord the Marquess of Newcastle he confirmes by his own confession the truth of this great victorie Another Letter was also intercepted written by Generall Hinderson also to the Governour of Newark The former Letter enforming Newcastle that the loss of all Lincolnshire and Yorkshire too was in a great hazard especially if he were forced to quit Hulls siege too and in his said Letter also certifying the loss of divers of their prime Commanders for certain slain in the foresaid battail Hindersons Letter also importing a pitifull complaint of his loss in the said fight and assuring the Governour of Newark that since the fight he was not able to rally or get together hardly 400 men of all his former great and numerous forces And that which addes extraordinarie lustre to the honour of our wonder-working God and which I may not heer by any meanes omit It pleased the Lord by his admirable providence so to order it that both this great victorie at Horncastle and that brave victorie also obtained by the most renowned Lord Fairfax at Hull under the command of that most worthy and expert Commander Sir John Meldrum were bestowed by the Lord our God upon his people and Parliament upon one and the same day namely Wednesday October 11 1643. And now to goe on About the 16th of October 1643. came Letters from Gloucester to London with most credible intelligence that the truly valiant and magnanimous Commander Colonell Massie that ever to be honoured and renowned Governour and by Gods wonderfull assistance maintainer of Gloucester having true intelligence that about a regiment of the Kings Welch forces were come to Tewksbery intending to fortifie and quarter themselves there and to make that Town winter-Garrison This noble and most vigilant Colonell being very desirous to be rid of such unfriendly and unruly neighbours speedily and privately drew forth a considerable partie of horse and foot from Gloucester and marched with them to Tewksbery where he sodainly and resolutely fell upon the enemie slew above 30 of them took many prisoners and forced the rest to flie for their lives some of whom were in that their hastie flight drowned in the river Severn He also took
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
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
chief Serjeant Major Generall Willis a very considerable Commander even that perfidious run-away Willis taken prisoner formerly at Winchester belonging to the Cavalerian garrison at Shrewsbery and his brother Major Willis Capt. Offley Capt. Hatton Capt. Rixam and another Capt. with an 100 inferiour Officers 250 horse and armes 30 of them being the prime horse of all those parts eight double barrells of powder 700 waight of Match 3 pieces of Ordnance all which he brought safe to Stafford together with all the provision that Sir Nicholas had brought at this time from Shrewsbery for supply of his own and his Cousens wants which indeed renders this exploit more famous and of the greater consequence the enemie in those parts being then in such want of warlike provision as they were About the 23th also of this instant came certain intelligence out of Darbishire by Letters to London that that valiant and most loyall and active Knight and brave Commander Sir John Gell took Burton upon Trent and therein divers Commissioners of the Array being Knights Esquires and Gentlemen of great qualitie in that Countie with about nine-score common-Souldiers their guard much armes ammunition and treasure Colonell Hastings himself hardly escaping by flight This defeat was also so much the more advantageous in that it was very probable to be a meanes to recover three troops of horse of ours then lately surprized at Melton in Leicestershire by exchange and some prisoners to boot Much about the same time came true information to London that Sir Alexander Deyntont house in Oxfordshire called by the name of Hilsden-House was taken by some of the Parliaments forces it being about 14 or 15 miles from Oxford and some 7 or 8 miles from Aylesbury It was taken by a partie that went from Newport-Pannell and some from about Banbury they being in all not above an 100 yet there were in the House an 140 many whereof were then taken prisoners and about an 100 armes but Sir Alexander himself escaped And heer also having happily had the opportunitie of a pretty piece printed and published by Order from this noble and renowned Earl of Manchester I have thought fit to adde and insert some very memorable notes and observations collected and divulged by the said noble and pious Patriot upon the many remarkable mercies of the Lord conferred upon the seven associated Counties Cambridge Essex Hartford Huntingdon Norfolk Suffolk and Lincoln since their first association most worthy our most serious sight and consideration both for the just honour and glory of God and the singular encouragement of those and all other the Counties of this whole distressed and distracted Kingdome First then I shall desire the Reader to remember the great mercie and good providence of God in quenching that fire which began to be kindled at Laystolk by some eminent malignants there which would undoubtedly have hazarded all the Eastern parts of this Kingdome if God had not I say by a seasonable providence timely prevented the same by some of the noble Earl of Manchesters vigilant Commanders of the association this disturbance beginning to break out in that very conjuncture of time in which there had been a confederacie of the disaffected of those parts togather to a head Secondly the reducing of Croyland which is a place strong by scituation and which had a professed Papist for its Governour which how dangerous it was to some parts of this association and to the neighbouring parts of Lincolnshire Northamptonshire and Hantingdonshire is well known to those that were subject to their daily plunderings and pillagings Thirdly The defeat given to the enemies at Grantham where 11 of the Parliaments troops facing 21 or 22 troops of the enemies five of the associated troops charging the right wing of the enemies body utterly routed them and had the execution and chase of them almost two miles and got five or six of their Colours Fourthly The taking of Burleigh-House where was also taken the Lord Cambdens regiment of horse with their Colours three or foure Companies of foot and Dragooneers with all their ammunition and with about foure hundred prisoners Fifthly The defeat given to the enemies horse at Gainesborough to the breaking of neer 30 troops of the enemies horse where was slain the Lievtenant Generall Charles Cavendish Colonell Heron the high Sheriff of Lincolnshire forced into Trent with many other Officers and Souldiers who were there drowned and whereby Gainesborough was at that time relieved with ammunition which then it exceedingly wanted and this battle fought and victory gotten as without any considerable loss to us so within a mile of the Marquess of Newcastles armie Sixthly The saving neer 20 troops of horse belonging to the Lord Fairfax and under that renowned Gentleman Sir Thomas Fairfax his Son with which horse he hath since performed such notable good service in Cheshire and other parts which said horse were almost starved by the strait siege of Hull and could not in probabilitie have been thence delivered but by the horse of this association which was done by 14 troops of horse and 3 of Dragooneers belonging to this association there being nothing in assistance of them but six troops belonging to the Lord Willoughby and neer 40 troops of the enemies under the Command of Sir John Hinderson who had opportunitie to have fought with our horse before wee could come to joyn with Sir Thomas Fairfax his troops if he had pleased but did not take it Seventhly The taking of Lyn-Regis a strong Town and of great importance by raw undisciplin'd new raised Souldiers which was a place as likely to have undone this whole association as any which rebelled at such a time as the Marquess of Newcastle was at the strongest and so absolute in Lincolnshire that if he would have engaged his armie to have come to the rescue thereof the forces of this association then raised had not been considerable to have made resistance Eighthly The fight at Winsby where ours being about 60 colours of horse and Dragoons did encounter neer 90 colours of the enemie both parties being by estimate between 8 or 9000 horse Dragoons the enemie being in all probabilitie about 5000 of that number where ours gave them such a defeat that they took and killed about 1100 of them and took neer thirty of their Colours Ninthly The taking of Lincoln where the force of the defendants were in computation many more than of the assailants which the enemy surrendred to us on hard termes to themselves where we got about 3000 armes the enemies colours with good proportion of ammunition and five or six pieces of Ordnance Tenthly The taking of Gainesborough by storm the greatest part of the foot being our association-men who repulsed the enemie got over their works without any loss and possessed the Town whereby Lincolnshire formerly almost totally under the command of the enemies became wholly cleared of them
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
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
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-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
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
Namptwich Sir Wil. Brereton followes Capell and makes him retreat to Wem The Lord Capell soundly beaten at Wem All this Relation was written and attested by a very pious Souldier of this action Divers rare passages of Gods providence preservation of our forces in this defeat Thirty or forty of our horse and Dragoons chase and beat a thousand of their horse Psal 62. 9 10. The renowned Earl of Manchester spoiles Newark of provision Bullingbrook-Castle taken by the Lord Willoughbie of Parrhaâ— The declining condition of the Earl of Newcastles armie The defection also of the Gentrie of Yorkshire from him A yet farther defection of other Northern Counties from the Kings partie The Cessation of armes in Ireland a main cause of this foresaid defection The Kings Declaration from Oxford justifying that abominable Irish Cessation Mark this well ô English-MalignaÌ„ts touching this Irish Cessation Mark this also and admire it Almost twâ— hundred thousand Englâ—sh Protestants butchered in that most barbarous Irish-Massacre Mark this also And this too and tremble at it Isaiah 5. 20 The contrary effects of the Irish Cessation A New-Broad Sâ—â—l of England Sir Wil. Waller apprehends the Lord Saulton a Popish Scotish Lord at Newbery and 4000 li in money with him The brave fight at Stamford Mount neer Plimouth and the excellent effect it produced A proper note and fitly applyed Pools brave performances Captain Layes undaunted resolution at the Town of Warham Warham prepares to encounter the Poolians The Poolians politick carriage in approaching the Town Pool-men enter the Town of Warham The enemies flie Prisoners taken Prizes taken The Poolians victorious and safe return The Earl of Warwick made Lord high Admirall of England The brave exloits of the most valiant and faithfull Governour and garrison of Warwick Castle The valiant brave performances of Sir Wil. Brereton Sir Thomas Midleton An OrdinaÌ„ce of Parliament granting Letters of Mart to Merchants and Seamen against the enemies of the Parliament The Arks safe arrivall at the end of this Monethly voyage The holy-Merchant-like improvement of this Moneths voyage to Gods glorie A Summarie recitall of all the rare and rich mercies of this Moneths voyage 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Gods little flock preserved thus in his Ark gives all the honour to God alone December 1643. A New Great Seal of England The New Great Seal of England confirmed The names of the Commissioners The manner of the Solemnity of the delivery of the New great Seal of Eâ—gland to the Commissioners The Solemn-League or Covenant to be farther pressed where not yet taken The House of Peers take the solemn League and Covenant The Earles Lords that took the Covenant at westminster Commanders in Armes Knights and Gentlemen also take this Covenant The Covenant sealed in the City of London with the Loan of an 100000â—â— The main end of this holy League and Covenant Oxford Spiders suck poyson out of the herb Grace GODS Ark carried on prosperously notwithstanding all advers blustring blasts against it Many deserted Oxford took the Covenant The brave exploits of renowned Colonell Massie at Gloucester Colonell Vavasor beaten from Tewksbery Sir John Winter frighted from Newnham Wotton garrison also dissolved discomfited by Col. Massey A plot against the Citie of Gloucester prevented The manner of discovering the plot Sir John Winters plot defeated A brave defeat given to the Lord Digbie at Plyâ—â—uth The Town forced to a retreat The enemie put to a retreat The enmie soundly beaten The slain and prisoners taken A brave defeat given to the enemie at Dunscot neer Tociter by the Northampton forces The most famous defeat given to the L. Craford at Alton is Surrey The manner of their ordering the business They marched at night The secret carriage of their march The Lord Craford and 300 horse got out of the Town The slain and prisoners taken in the pursuite The Town begirton all sides with our horse and foot The enemie is beaten out of their trenches Our men enter the Town A very fierce fight for the space of neer two houres The enemie fought valiantly Lievt Colonell Boles slain in the fight The Town is totally taken Major Shambrock shoe with a pistoll in the church after quarter given The prisoners and prizes taken The slain on the enemies side The slain on our side Above 500 of the prisoners take the Covenant and served under Sir William Waller Sir Wil. Waller sends the Lord Craford a hogs head of Sacâ— The Lo Crafords Letter to Sir 〈…〉 Sir Ral Hoptons Letter to Sir Wil Waller A remarkable passage of Gods providence Mr John Piâ—s departure out of this life A plot to convey away the young Duke of Gloucester and the Ladie Princess Elizabeth to Oxford discovered and prevented The triumphant return of the trained Bands of London and Westminster with their prisoners The prisoners they brought The brave company that went out of the Citie to meet them An excellent Ordinance of Parliament for the conservation of the good government of the Citie of London The brave exploits of valiant Colonell Sydenham of Pool The notable reformation at Canterbury in the Cathedrall in Kent Austine first Bishop of Canterbury Christ and the 12 Apostles Twelve more Popish Saints Picture of God the Father and the Holy-Ghost Pretty sport with a Prebendaries wife of Canterbury As good sport also with her husband the Prebendary himself Seven figures of the Virgine Mary A Cathedrall Petty-Canon shoots his fools bolt at this work Thomas Becket a Romish Saint an English traytor Gainesborough stormed by Sir Tho. Fairfax and Sir John Meldrum and a brave prize taken The Kings partie most unsuccessfull ever since the Irish Cessation Pious Serjeant Major 〈◊〉 Skippon and his brave Londoners at Grafton-House Grafton-house stormed by the Londoners and brave Northampton forces Grafton-house taken and the rich prizes and spoiles therein An OrdinaÌ„ce of Parliament enabling the Militia for the City of London to send forth two regiments unto Sir Wil. Waller A notable plot against Nortingham Castle Colonell Hutchinso Governour of Nottingham Castle his constancy and fidelity to God and his Cause * The offers to Captain White was 10000li. and 100 to his Officers to procure it A Pack of Cavalerian plots A brave defeat given to the Belvoir Cormorants by Colo. Waight Governour of Burleigh-house Colo. Waight sends the enemie a challenge Capt. Plunket a most wicked and bloudie Irish-Rebell slain Colo. Waights brave resolution at a second charge The enemy is put to flight The prisoners and prizes taken A most worthy act in Colonell Waight after the fight The siege of Plymouth deserted The enemie resolves to storme Plymouth A very fierce encounter on both sides At least one hundred of the enemies slain and not above 16 of ours The Siege quite deserted and 660 of the sick enemies left behind Major Generall Basset his ingenuous coÌ„fession touching this siege The horrible malice mischiefe of the Kings
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
Liberties Their main if not onely ayme therein being the honour of God and settlement of Religion sound doctrine and discipline in the Church of God the redemption of our King from Cavalerian and Popish thraldome and therein his best good and investure into all his most just rights and Prerogatives and the vindication of our Lawes and Priviledges our just inheritance which with honest Naboth wee would not wee might not sell away especially for Popish and tyrannicall slavery on any conditions yet see notwithstanding the pious Parliaments Peeres and Peoples honest aymes loyaltie integritie heerin as aforesaid how those venomous Spiders of Oxford suckt poyson out of those fragrant flowers and Herb of grace most Satanically slandring abusing this holy Covenant the honest Covenanters Which was most evidently seen in a most impious and audacious paper under the title of a Proclamation against the Covenant which those vipers at Oxford most villanously and trayterously using and abusing the Kings name therein set forth and published to open view which said Proclamation coming to my hands I have thought fit heer to insert that the world may see how atheistically bold they are to abuse all sacred and most holy things at their own impious and Plutonicall pleasure which was as followeth By the King His Majesties Proclamation forbidding the tendering or taking of a late Covenant called a Solemn-League and Covenant for Reformation c. WHereas there is a printed paper entituled A Solemn-League and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion and happiness of the King and the peace and safety of the three Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland pretended to be ordered by the Commons in Parliament on the 21. day of Sept. last to be printed and published Which Covenant though it seemes to make specious expressions of piety and religion is in truth nothing â—lse but a traiterous and seditious combination against us and against the established Religion and Laweâ— of this Kingdome in pursuance of a traâ—â—erous designe and endeavour to being in forein force to invade this Kingdome Wee doe therefore straitly charge and command all our â—â—ing Subjects of what degree or qualitie soever upon their allegiance that they presume not to take the said seditious and traiterous Covenant And we do likewise heerby forbid and inhibite all our Subjects to impose administer or tender the said Covenant as they and every of them will answer the contrary at their utmost and extremest perills Given at our Court at Oxford this ninth day of October in the 19th year of our Reign God save the King Oxford printed by Leonard Litchfield Printer to the Vniversitie of Oxford 1643. Thus you see how these accursed and most corrupt Counsellers at Oxford do most basely abuse the Kings name to countenance their wicked wayes and most destructive designes against God and goodnesse most blasphemously calling counting that most holy and religious Covenant and League of loyaltie to God and the King a Combination of treacherie and perfidious rebellion But yet notwithstanding this and all the rest of their Muehivillian plots and practises thus to sink overtop and over-turn Gods sacred Ark his glorious Cause and work of Reformation Our most wise and good God most powerfully and prudently breathed on this his holy Ark most blessed prosperous gales carried on the work most successfully and notwithstanding I say all the adverse brushes and blustrings against it this blessed Covenant was since that freely and cheerfully taken both by the rest of the Lords and Commons in Parliament who had not formerly been present at the first taking of it and by the Judges Lawyers Clerkes and Gentlemen of all sorts and ranks whatsoever Ministers and people in Citie and Country yea and divers both Earles Lords Knights Gentlemen and Officers in armes Souldiers and others who have since deserted the Kings partie and left Oxford that sink of muddie slime and cage of unclean birds have heartily as wee hope and freely taken this Covenant and entred with the rest of Gods people into this holy League to live die in this our most blessed and glorious Cause But now to proceed About the 6th of this instant December came credible intelligence by Letters to London from out of Gloucestershire that whereas the enemies resolutions were grown very high and lofty to garrison and entrench themselves round about the Citie of Gloucester yet that they have been bravely lopt and cut down by the vigilancie valour and prudent circumspection of that most famous ever to be renowned Commander Colonell Massey As first Colonell Vavasor being appointed Governour of Tewksbery issued out his Warrants in that name to the adjacent parts commanding in provisions and pioners for the strengthning of his garrison and establishment of his government there But by two troops of horse sent out of Gloucester he was so disanimated frighted that his government soone dissolved and Tewksbery was quite quitted by them and he thus freed of so troublesome a neighbour as he intended to have been After this Colonell Sir John Winter the Court Papist and one of the Queens white-boyes entred upon the government of Newnham with such forces as the Lord Herbert could afford him horse and foot but by a partie sent out by this active and resolute Colonell Massie after some of Winters forces had got a good purchase of stoln Cattle into their filching fingers and were entred their garrison at Newnham ere Colonell Masseys troops could reach them after a complement of thanks given to one Major Adams a grand sheep-stealer in those parts for his extraordinary care in that piece of the every which he had new brought in unto them but I say ere the said complement was fully ended the Gloucester troops most resolutely arrived at this Towns end which being so sodain changed the close of the foresaid complement into a fearfull alarm cry Wee are all lost wee are all lost So that with the loss of two of their colours and 7 or 8 men slain they quitted that government also Besides after this the enemie took courage on the other side of Gloucester to erect new governments at Tedbury Wotton which caused that valiant and vigilant Governour Colonell Massey to march that way also with what forces he could possibly make against them but two troops of his horse which were seen before by the enemie were so formidable and terrible to them at Tedbury that with the loss of some 14. or 15. of their Souldiers slain and taken prisoners the whole regiment government and governours with Horatio Carey fled thence and were dissipated scard scattered with such a panick feare and trembling as hardly to return again in haste to that government Upon this good success this most worthy and unwearied Col. Massey took the opportunitie to march to another Garrison at Wotton where the enemy being and that with good reason jealous of him expected his
and the holy Ghost being there found were zealously confounded and turned as they deserved into base rubbish And as the work went on the wife of one Dr Blessenden a Prebend of that Church came in very devoutly and cryed out Oh hold your hands I pray what hurt do these images spoyl not such a fair and beautifull Church and when shee saw a man strike at the image of Christ lying in a manger shee screekt out as was credibly enformed to her Popish husband who thereupon came into the Cathedrall and according to accursed custome no doubt began to plead for Baal those Popish images telling them that were there of the lawfulness of them from the Cherubims in the Temple But whiles he was must seriously and sottishly disputing thus with some godly Ministers then present to assist the Commissioners he grew very sick of this dispute and was fain to give way to the work which went on most fervently After his departure they fell upon 7 large images of the Virgin Mary pictured in the window over the steps going into the Quire all which were in severall as glorious shapes as paint and Art could make them with Angells lifting her up to heaven with these inscriptions Gaude Maria Sponsa Dei c. And under her feet were placed the Sun Moon Starres and in the bottome of that window this inscription In laudem honorem beatissimae Virginis c. And heer now there came in a Petty-Canon and shot off his pety-canon or his fools bolt told them they exceeded their Commission but they soon sent him away with a flea in his ear and a mote in his eye much vext and perplext to see his Demi-gods Semi-Saints so coursly handled After this they came to a most gorgeous and idolatrous image of Thomas Becket forsooth that arch-traytor to the King which they also instantly defaced and demolisht and so went on most zealously and religiously in ruinating and turning into rubbish all those monuments of idolatrie in that Cathedrall blessed be the Lord for it December also the 20th 1643. came certain intelligence by letters from Hull to London that those two right valiant and magnanimous Commanders Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir John Meldrum about noone time of the day assisted by some men by water sent unto them by the most noble Lord Fairfax from Hull sodainly and successfully stormed the Town of Gainesborough in Lincolnshire took therein 500 armes store of other ammunition together with 260 prisoners common-Souldiers besides the Lord Caworth Col. Saint-George the then Governour of the said Town also Lievtenant Colonell Royalston Major Hern and Major Chappell 16 Captains 2 Lievtenants 2 Ensignes and other inferiour Officers Another brave gale of winde indeed besides that of Alton lately mentioned to fill the sailes of our floating-Ark and make it sail on the more chearfully through the boysterous billowes of the Kingdoms intestine broyles praised for ever be the Lord of hosts for it And heer good Reader give mee leave to tell thee and to desire thee to take serious note and observation of it That ever since that accursed Cessation in Ireland with those most barbarous and inhumanely bloudy Rogues and Rebells and the Kings so tender respect unto them as to terme them his Catholick Subjects and contrariwise the Parliament but a pretended Parliament and them and all their loyall adherents traytors and rebells the righteous God of Heaven hath never prospered any design of moment which his Majestie or his accursed Cormorants have taken in hand but still they have been most unsuccessful and put to the worst every way and every where For besides the many marveilous forementioned victories which God hath most graciously given to the Parliaments partie ever since that so odious unreasonable cessation which have been in their proper places before related Now also about the 20th or 22th of this instant came certain information by Letters and other indubitable intelligence from Northampton to London that pious and valiant Serjeant Major Skippon with a partie of the most renowned Citizens of London who for their admirable valour fidelity and constancy to the Common-wealth and for the maintenance of the true Religion preservation of the known Lawes indeed and liberties of this Kingdome especially now in these modern times when the Kingdome has most need of them are no whit inferiour to the most famous ancient conquering Romanâ—s being and returning successfull and victorious where soever they be together with a partie of the valiant victorious Northampton forces also had most courageously stormed Grafton-House a place of great strength and consequence being also the Queenes own jâ—yuter and after much hard service and many most furious assaults made upon it they having also sent a partie at the same time to face Tociter that so they might prevent all relief from coming to Grafton at last most victoriously obtained the same and took prisoners therein Col. Sir John Digbie a rank noted and most active Papist and brother to that arch-traytor and incendiarie George Lord Digbie Col. Sir Edward Longervile and 5 Colonells more above 300 common-souldiers 600 armes 6 piece of Ordnance 80 brave horse besides many brave sadle-horse together with many other rich things of great worth and estimation which were all left for plunder to the valiant Souldiers and which they had and divided among themselves most merrily This brave victory together with that at Alton could not choose but be a singular encouragement to our other London trained-bands and auxiliaries who now about the 23th of this instant December were designed by an Ordinance of Parliament enabling the Militia of London thereunto to send forth such regiments of horse and foot as they should think fit for the farther relief and supply of Sir William Waller and about this time they did accordingly send forth the White and Yellow Regiments of the â—ained hands auxiliaries in the roome of those who had lately returned home as you heard before By which Ordinance of Parliament the City Militia had also power given them to recall the same forces at their pleasure and to proceed against such as refused to goe out according to their votes and the Ordinance of the Militia either by fine or imprisonment as seemed fit to them And that the brave and undaunted spirited Citizen and successfull Commander Colonell Richard Brown was by the said Ordinance appointed to be Serjeant Major Generall of the said Citie-forces And much about this time there fell out another remarkable passage much to his Majesties dishonour since his still persisting in his unnaturall disaffection to his loyall Subjects and iâ—religious affection to the Irish-Rogues and Rebells viz. That the Marquess of Newcastle plotted and contrived by one Colonell Dacre to have corrupted and undermined the valiant and most loyall governour of Nottingham-Castle Colonell Hutchinson to betray the said Castle and Town into the
sent you the originall I preserve by me as a testimony of their unworthy proffers To Colonell Dacre SIR Your propositions sent to me on Wednesday last by Captain Poulton for which you shewed him my Lord Newcastles Commission were so unworthy of a Gentleman so wicked and base that once I thought in contempt and scorne to have forgotten them yet lest my silence may receive too favourable an interpretation from you know and tell your Generall that set you on this brave imployment that I abhorre the thought of treason to my Country though I might thereby grow as great for wickednesse as he tell him I le weare no title but what my faith and vertue purchaseth and I le leave my children an honest though a small inheritance to whom my spotless name not tainted with the foule blot of treason shall be an ornament when the remembrance of all treacherous Apostates shall rot with infamie and I doubt not but my gracious Prince once cured of his mistake will reward my loyall constant faithfulnesse to his Regall Power and Parliament with a larger recompence than he propounds for my corruption if he doe not vertue is its own reward Tell your most Excellent Generall his threats and promises are both alike contemptible to me I feare not those and I hate these I fight not to repaire a broken fortune but to maintain a just quarrell in which may that man perish and fall low as the depth of hell that can be hired to prove unfaithfull tell him if you dare that it had been an imployment more beseeming you or any Gentleman had he sent you with ten thousand armed men to assault our well defended wals than with so many pieces of contemned gold to lay your siege against an honest heare I could honour an enemie for performing brave and gallant things but such attempts as these will render your persons as odious to all honest men as your rebellion and I am sorie you should undertake so base a service as to deserve the just neglect and scorne of John Hutchinson Nottingham Castle Decem. 16. 1643. Postscript Pray Sir send me word what you should have had for the procuring this that I may know at what rate the enemie valueth this Castle To Colonell Dacre SIR You have now convinced me of an errour I once thought it possible that some rash misâ—led young men might still among the Cavaliers have retained a sense of Gallantry and Honour though no Religion and have been enriched with those morall vertue which made the Heathen famous such a one I beleeved you to be but since you can attempt to buy mee to so great a villany as you did in your late propositions by Captain Poulton I must needs be perswaded you would never offer me what you your self would not have done 'T is I confesse strange to me you could imagine that a Christian a Gentleman or a Commonwealths-man would ever prove such a villain as for a little gaudie dirt to sell his soule his honour and his Countrey perish that most contemned gain with all that can accept or offer it Dacre 't was base in you to think so of me I am sure you cannot so mis-interpret any act of mine as to receive from it the least ground of encouragement to such an opinion and had you known my Brother you would have thought it easier for you your self alone to have conquered all the men now fighting in the Kingdome than to corrupt that guard of vertues which protect his constant soule from treacherous thoughts Did you think men of sense will part with reall honour for a Title you are not capable of a religious consideration or I could tell you that our â—ouls redeemed with an unvaluable price are by you most unequally valued at a poore inconsiderable summe of money but your thought cannot reach heaven look upon earth and give me an example where ever any Traytor preserved his foul name from an horrid blot of infamy on him and on his house for ever How can you think He that by you will be corrupted to betray anothers trust will not by another be again corrupted to betray yours Keep your despised coyn to tempt some fraile waiting-woman it may work with her to procure such honest things as you affect but desist these base attempts on men of noble spirits with whom they will but render you as contemptible as your offers Consider the unworthy message you sent and blush at the remembrance of your guilt in it and if yet you have so much worth left in you repent the injury you did to him that was your Friend Farewell that name for evermore between us George Hutchinson Trent Bridges Decemb 16. 1643. To his truly noble friend Captain Poulton Noble Sir I Was in hopes to have waited on you this day but indeed I received an Expresse last night from my Lord Generall wherein I am commanded to wait on his Excellency neer Chesterfield this day Sir I hope you remember the businesse I sole to you of when you were at my quarter I will engage my selfe upon my life that what I promised shall be really performed if you please but to consider and truly value the business I make no question but I may obtain my desires which I will assure you is not for any particular ends but in the first place to serve my gracious King and then my friends which I will assure you I shall ever esteeme your Lievtenant Colonell and your selfe to be desiring very much to heare from you by this bearer wishing us all to agree for upon my word it troubles me to think that all honest men should not be of one side Which the Lord grant that we may all be I remaining alwayes Sir Your most humble servant Richard Dacre Watnell Friday morning the 15. of December My humble service to my truly noble friend your Lievtenant Colonell and tell him I wish him as my owne soule To Colonell Dacre SIR Had the Cavaliers since found out away to performe their promises better than they did at Bristoll Gainsborough c. you might have had some hopes of a young man whose best fortune is his sword but so unworthy have their dealings ever been so little faith and honour doe you give testimony of in tempting me to act such things as gallant men would not accept if offered that I must tell you these unworthy wayes you take to advance your cause are but so many confirmations to me in this I do maintain against you He that fights for honour not for plunder to which the Dutch Prince hath well trained all your armies would scorne to receive his enemies Fort on any conditions but such as were purchased by his prevailing valour not undermining treachery to which Sir I am as unflexible as you to worth and goodnesse The Governour I beleeve and his brother have returned you their answers and you may in this receive the negative resolution of Thomas Poulton Nottingham Castle
last delivered up to Sir William Waller and all within the Castle left to his mâ—rcie wherein he took prisoners Sir William Ford high Sheriff of Sussex who formerly brake out of Windsor-Castle and had sent a Letter to his Majestie offering to bring him a thousand men and to undertake the conquest of the whole County of Sussex although it be sixty miles in length but before he had gone twelve miles thereof he was caught again for want of a running horse There was also then taken Sir Edward Bishop Colo. Bamfield Lievtenrnt Colonell Roles Major Massey Major Moulines and divers other Gentlemen of qualitie of Sussex There were also taken above fifty Reformadoes that had all Commissions to raise Companies 1200 prisoners and their armes divers Engineers about 4000li. in money great store of other rich prize and pillage And heer now if wee reckon up these our late victories together and the number of prisoners taken wee shall easily see they will amount to at lest a little armie As namely first at Alton 900 at Gainesborough 700 at Grafton 300 at Sir Tho. Holts-House neer an 100 almost as many at Bewly-House by Sir William Constable and Sir John Meldrum in a House in Yorkshire from which Sir Hugh Cholmley ran away at least an 100 and heer now at Arundell-Castle above a 1000 besides what had then lately been taken by Pool Southamptons garrisons which in all may arise to at least 3300 horse and foot besides all the ammunition and armes In most just and serious consideration whereof have wee not great cause to magnifie the mercies of our good God unto us in thus still weakning the armies of our adversaries and strengthning our hands against them And yet again to adde to the lustre of this foresaid famous victory very shortly after the taking of the foresaid Castle it pleased the Lord so to order and dispose of things that Sir Will. Waller seized on a very rich prize by Sea namely a Dunkirk-Ship of a great burthen which had been chased by the Hollanders as was then credibly enformed and was forced into the harbour at Arundell and that not till wee had taken the Castle which Sir William himself went aboard of and found in her about 20 excellent brass pieces of Ordnance an 100 barrells of powder 2000 armes great store of other ammunition divers Commanders and other persons of qualitie together with a great quantitie of linnen cloth as considerable in value as the other prizes which could not but be a singular advantage to Sir William for the present better securing and defence of Arundell-Castle And about the 8th or 10th of this instant came certain information from Leverpool in Lancashire to London that a Ship of the Kings which he had sent from Bristoll to Chester with good store of armes and ammunition most unexpectedly but very happily opportunely came into Leverpool to serve the Parliament the Sailers therein having compelled their Master to put in there which armes and ammunition came very seasonably to help to arme recrute Colonell Ashtons regiment which a little before had received some loss in their valiant performances against the enemies of their Country And about the 12th of this instant moneth of January 1643. the famous and ever to be renowned Citie of London being very sensible of the great care and indefatigable pains of the Parliament in and for the defence and preservation of Religion the whole Kingdome and liberties thereof from that slavery and misery which the Prelaticall and Popish faction would bring upon them and also of their singular vigilancy and great providence and circumspection to discover all plots and secret designes against the Citie and Parliament to divide the one from the other and so to destroy both together and to shew that they are the more inseparably conjoyned and firmly united the one to the other notwithstanding all the joynt endeavours and sly insinuations of the adversaries and in speciall of that late mischievous Machination by Colonell Read that base Irish-Rebell Sir Basil Brook and the rest of that accursed rable as was forementioned The City I say was therefore pleased in the name of the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councell their representative-Body by both the Sheriffs some selected Common-Councell-men to make an humble request to the Parliament by way of testimony of their gratitude for the great endeavours as aforesaid of the Parliament for the good of the whole Kingdome to invite them all therefore even of both the Houses to a dinner at Merchant-Taylors-Hall in London on Tuesday or Thursday then next ensuing whether day might best stand most convenient with the great affaires of the Kingdome Expressing farther to both Houses that they desired that that late designe to have divided the Parliament Citie might appeare by this loving action of theirs more firmly to have united them to one another Which motion of theirs was most acceptable to the Parliament as appeared by the answer given them by the Speaker in the name of the House of Commons which in substance was this That the House of Commons had considered the loving expressions delivered by them at the barre in the name of the whole Citie of London manifesting their great esteem of the endeavours of the Parliament and their sense of the late designe of the enemie against both the Parliament and the Citie by such a division to involve both of them into one universall calamity declaring their resolution to continue in a faithfull compliance with the Parliaments good endeavours and to live and die with them in the maintenance of the publick Cause having now also desired them as a testimony of this and to deceive the expectation of their enemies that they would honour them with their presence at a dinner in the City The Speaker therefore told them he was commanded by the House to take notice of the good affection of this great City therein and that the House looked on the invitation as a seasonable demonstration of their love to them and their resolved loyaltie to the Cause and that therefore they were resolved on Thursday then next ensuing to give them a meeting according to the Cities desire And said he that both they and you may lay hold on this opportunity joyntly to acknowledg the continued blessing of God in prospering this Parliament and the City from the secret practises and malicious open designes of their enemies and particularly in this lewd and last discovery they desired that on the foresaid Thursday morning at their intended meeting about eight of the clock there might be in such a place as the City should think fit to make choice of an able godly Minister intreated to preach a Sermon for the commemoration among the rest of Gods manifold mercies of this late and not the least deliverance both of the Parliament and City and indeed therein of the whole Kingdome And
and of this Nation to keepe inviolate And they declare that they are so far from desiring harme or losse to any of their Brethren of England that their sincere and reall intentions are not to adde fuell nor bring oyle but water to extinguish these lamentable combustions and fires which they have with so much duty and love laboured to quench That their taking of Armes is not to make Warrs if they be not necessitated but to obtaine a better grounded and more durable Peace for enjoying our Religion and Liberties in all the three Kingdoms and that the wicked who are the unworthy authors of all our troubles being removed from our King a right understanding may be ' established betwixt his Majestie and his people And as they have solemnly sworne to protect all who shall adhere to this Covenant So doe they certainly expect that all their Brethren in England who are zealous for the true Protestant Religion loyal to the King and faithfull for their Country will joyn with them in procuring these just desires which being obtained they shall be most willing and ready to returne to their Native Countrey esteeming it their greatest happinesse that truth with Peace may be established in all his Majesties Dominions ANd here give mee leave good Reader to add 2 or 3 things omitted in that former Relation but very observable in their said March which were these First that on Thursday Ianuary the twenty fifth their Army had a hard and difficult March in respect of a very great thaw after much frost and snow upon the ground at that time which so swelled the waters whereof there were not a few in their way that oftentimes it came up to the middle and sometime to the arme-pits of their Foot insomuch that the horse passed with little lesse difficulty which though it was not without much hazard and danger yet blessed be God without the least harme or dammage to the meanest Souldier Sir Thomas Glemham also did intend to hinder the Scots March and advance forward to cut Feltam-Bridge but the Masons and workemen which he brought thither for that purpose were so affrighted and amazed by reason of the exclamation and execrations of the Countrey women upon their knees that while Sir Thomas went into a House to refresh himselfe they all stole away and before he could get them to returne again he received an alarm from the Scottish Horse which made himselfe also to fly away with speed to Morpeth but there also he stayed not long but Marched to Newcastle Also the great storm of Snow which in reason the Scots could not but expect would encounter them in the way especially at that time of the yeare and might have killed many of their Foot did not by Gods providence hurt any of them but contrariwise did greatly hinder the enemy from putting in execution their wicked resolutions to plunder and drive away all the Cattle and goods and burning up of all the Corne of the whole Country where the Scots should passe that so they might starve their Army Lastly that there was so great a Frost the like whereof had not been seen in any mans memory in those parts that in two nights the River of Tweed freezed so strong and thick as that the whole Army of our brethren the Scots and all their Ammunition which was at a place called Kelso marched most safely upon the ice which otherwise could not possibly have come over the River in a long time after and that with difficulty and danger too But their forces have thus happily passed on to Alnwick the Lord Marquesse of Argyle marched to Cocquet-Island which was yeilded to him at the first shot which they discharged against the Towne though they had 70 Souldiers within it 7 pieces of brasse Ordnance and victuals almost for a yeare And were not here remarkable testimonies and cleare demonstrations of Gods speciall good hand of Providence guiding and guarding this blessed Army so safely and securely in so imminent and eminent dangers and difficulties as these were Yes most assuredly and none questionlesse but a meer Mole-ey'd Malignant or open Atheist can deny it But to goâ— on Shortly after our said Brethren of Scotlands arrivall thus into the Kingdome besides a most excellent satisfactory Declaration set forth and sent abroad in print by our said brethren as was touched in the former relation of their march There was also another Declaration which had past the Convention of Estates in Scotland about the 28. or 29. of Jan. 1643 that was unanimously confirmed by our pious and prudent House of Commons in Parliament and transmitted to the House of Lords and by them also assented to which in effect declared who in both the Kingdomes should be received into mercy and who not viz. First all Papists in armes to be proceeded against for their lives as Traitors and their estates confiscate The like for all Irish Rebels whom His Majesty doth entertain in these wars Secondly None of the grand Incendiaries and fomenters of this war to have any mercy shewed them either for life or estate Thirdly That all such as have or shall refuse the Covenant to have all their estates forthwith sequestred Fourthly That such Noblemen Knights Gentlemen and others that have been misled to take up arms against the Parliament and shall returne to the Parliament by the first of March or to any part of their Armies shall be protected as to his life and liberty but as to his estate a competencie shall be allowed to him and his family but a proportion must go out of it to help to satisfie the losses of others that have suffered and to defray the charges of the Kingdome And for the yet more happy compleating of the Parliamentary mercies of this Moneth both privative and positive both by freedom from secret mischievous and treacherous plots and conspiracies and thereby great dangers threatned as also by many admirable and comfortable Victories and thereby sweet and soveraigne blessings obtained See here how in the very close and shutting up of this Moneth it pleased the Lord on the very night of this Moneths Fast-day or Monethly Humiliation and seeking the Lord in the face of Christ as a most immediate and gracious returne of our prayers a thing which I have all along observed in most of the Moneths of these our Parliamentary passages in both the former parts of this our Parliamentary Chronicle how it pleased the Lord I say as a blessed return of prayer to crown us in the conclusion of this moneth with a most memorable and almost incredible famous Victory by Gods almighty power and mercy obtained by his ever to be honoured Instruments therein those two renowned valiant and victorious Commanders Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir William Brereton neer Namptwich against the Forces which came out of Ireland into those parts and were then under the Command of bloody Bragadochio Sir
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
defence of the Parliament against the common adversaries thereof and held it very fit that the said Bookes containing four parts should be translated into the Latin and French tongues that so they might be read of all the reformed Divines and States-men in Europe This passage I have here most deservedly added as a Parliamentary-Mercy of the Lord in thus raising this faithfull and heroick-hearted Patriot from his once being as it were buryed alive in the grave of a most unjust and barbarous forreigne Perpetuall Banishment thus to vindicate the most honourable reputation of our most renowned English Parliaments About the 18. of this instant out most pious prudent and provident Parliamentary Statists taking into serious and deliberate consideration the good affection which the Swedes beare to this Kingdome which they have severall waies expressed to this our present Parliament they therefore held it very fit that faire correspondencie should be continued betwixt them and us and thereupon agreed on an Ordinance with the consent of the Committees of both Kingdoms to send with their Agents to the Sweeds to declare their reciprocall amity and mutuall affection to them As likewise into Zeland and other the united Provinces who had likewise declared their good affection to the proceedings of the Parliament have endevoured to prevent the bringing over of Armes and Ammunition into this Kingdome to be imployed against them And about the 19 of this instant came certaine intelligence to the Parliament by Letters from the most noble renowned L. Fairfax that most famous faithfull and never sufficiently honoured pious Patriot of his Countrey intimating the admirable good successe wherewith it pleased the Lord God of Hosts to Crowne him since he and his most magnanimious and virtuous Sonne Sir Thomas Fairfax joyned their Forces together and especially touching that famous and admirable Victory which they obtained at Selby in Yorkeshire For the Readers better satisfaction wherein and the fairer cleerer Demonstration of the very truth wherof I have here thought fit to give thee the Copy of the said Letter verbatim as it was by Order and Authority of Parliament Printed and published Which was as followeth A Letter sent from the Right Honourable the Lord Fairfax to the Committee of both Kingdomes concerning the great Victory lately obtained by Gods blessing at Selby in Yorkeshire My Lords ACcording to the Orders sent to mee and my Sonne from your Lordships we have now joyned our Forces together and though the Enemy held all the passages from the East-riding to the West and by that meanes intercepted divers of our Letters and thereby became acquainted with our appointments and so endeavoured to prevent them which forced me to decline Selby and make a passage over the River tenne miles below it in Marshland where my Men and Carriages being passed with some difficulty on Sonday and Monday last I instantly marched with the whole Army consisting of two thousand Horse and Dragoones and two thousand Foot or thereabouts to Ferry-Bridge and so to Selby where Colonell Iohn Bellasyss commanding in chiefe in Yorkeshire then lay with an Army of fifteene hundred Horse and 1800 Foot as themselves confest though reports made it much more numerous Vpon Wednesday our Forlorn-hope of Horse beat in a partee of the Enemies Horse and followed them into the Towne taking divers of them prisoners and the day being farre spent I quartered the Army within a mile of Selby that night and drew them out againe early the next morning and then with the Foot in three Divisions one led up by my selfe a second by Sir Iohn Meldrum and a third by Lieutenant Colonell Needham fell upon the Towne to storm it in three places altogether where the Enemy received us with much courage and made strong resistance for two houres or thereabouts but in conclusion my owne Foot Regiment forced a passage by the River side and my Sonne with his Regiment of Horse rushed into the Town where he was encountred by Colonell Bellasyss and the Enemies Horse but they being beaten backe and M. Bellasyss himselfe wounded and taken prisoner and our Foot entred on al sides the Town the Enemy was wholly routed and as many as could saved themselves by flight some towards Cawood some towards Pontefract and the rest towards Yorke over the River by a bridge of Boates laid by themselves We pursued them every way and tooke in the Towne and chase the prisoners Ordnance Armes Ammunitions and Colours mentioned in the List inclosed Of my owne men I lost in the fight divers gallant Commanders and Souldiers and very many sore wounded And indeed all my Army both Commanders and Common souldiers behaved themselves with as much courage as ever I observed in men All which we must acknowledge to God alone who both infuseth courage and gives Victory where he pleaseth I shall now I hope be able to raise more Forces in the Countrey and improve this Victory that God hath bestowed on us to the best advantage This being all for the present untill further occasion I rest Your Lordships most affectionate and humble Servant Fer. Fairfax Selby 12 April 1644. A List of the Officers taken Prisoners the 11. of April 1644 Colonell Iohn Bellasyse Colonell Sir Iohn Ramsden Colonel Sir Thomas Strickland Lieutenant Colonell Tyndall Lieutenant Colonell Forbes Major Heskit 8 Commanders of Horse 14 Captaines of Foot 4 Lieutenants of Horse 20 Lieutenants of Foot 6 Cornets 11 Ensignes 9 Quartermasters Elias Walker Master of the Magazine Richard Ludlow Provost Marshall And divers Serjeants Trumpets Corporals Drums and others Officers Divers slaine and lay strewed in the way to Yorke for four miles together others that fled to Pomfract were pursued as far as Ferry-Bridg Foure Brasse Pieces of Ordnance Seven Barrels of Powder Sixteen Bundles of Match Two thousand Armes or above Many Horse and Foot Colours taken but as yet sixteene or seventeen come in And sixteene hundred common Souldiers Above five hundred Horse The Pinnance taken at Gainsbrough All their Bag and Baggage and many Ships and Boats upon the River And foure hundred more prisoners were taken at Homcough neere Selby and some commanders among them And was not here good Reader the Arke of God mightily elevated and borne up maugre all the malignity of this terrible Storme of wrath and rage in the enemy above all the swelling waves and boysteâ—ovs billowes of the enemies fiercest fury Did not the Lord ride gloriously in triumph on the Chariot of his innocent and upright Ark and curb the pride of these proud swelling surges and cause his blessed Arke I say safely to float above them all Yes certainly it must needs be confest even by our adversaries themselves who to their shame sorrow felt and found it so Now then the L. Fairfax presently after the fight and victory obtained as aforesaid sent a letter to the Parliament and therein desired to be directed by them how to dispose of the
made immediately for a speedy supplying of the said noble Earle with Carriages and all other military necessaries About the 25. of this instant came letters to the Parliament from Sir Will. Wallers army intimating that this ever to be renowned generous Generall having intelligence that a considerable convoy of the enemies was going with much Cattell and other necessary provisions for the further supply of their garrison at Basing-house he sent out a convenient party of his horse who suddenly encountred them seized on their cattell and carriage tooke of the enemy neere the said garrison one master Gunner 3 Serjeants 3 Corporalls 40 common souldiers a 1000 sheep and other fat cattell together with a considerable summe of money which they had gathered in the adjacent Counties to have helped to pay their garrison And about the 26. of this instant came letters out of the North assuring the Parliament that the most noble Lord Fairfax and his famous faithfull and thrice noble son Sir Thomas Fairfax were conjoyned with our loyall brethren of Scotland and that having a very brave army they had drawne their forces on each side the river of Ouze neer unto Yorke and had closely begirt the said City whereby they not onely stopt the passage of any persons from comming to the Earle of Newcastle by water but by land also having made good all the bridges and were in great hope in Gods good time and by the Lords gracious assistance to be victorious masters of the said City About the 28. also of this instant came letters from Northamptonshire informing us that a party of some 30 foot men with firelocks were sent out from Serjeant Major Whetham Governour of Northampton to collect money in that County neer Banbury they had onely a Clerke of a company with them who commanded that party which about Easter-day 1644. lay at Sir Iohn Draytons house at Cannons-Ashby 6 miles from Banbury But a party of the enemies about 200 and 20 horse with them from Banbury-castle having intelligence of their being abroad there marched into the Town which our Forces having notice of got quickly into the Church for their better-safety and defence whether the enemy pursued them and soone got in by fastning a pettard to the Church door which instantly forced it open whereupon our men got into the Steeple which they bravely maintained 2 houres together but at last the Enemy beginning to fire it they yeilded themselves upon composition and were all carried prisoners to Banbury save onely one whom being sorely wounded they left behinde who since got back again to Northampton and there declared these things as aforesaid Our men in this action killed one of theirs with a stone from the Steeple and wounded 2 or 3 others but the Enemy got all their Muskets and about 7 pounds in money and imprisoned all the Souldiers in a Barn in Banbury The next day the Committee and Governour of Northampton hearing hereof sent for an exchange of these prisoners which being refused Major Lidcot who commanded the horse in Northampton it was that same Lidcot that gave the Earl of Northampton a touch on the forehead that knockt him off from his horse at the fight neer Stafford where and when the said Earl was slain This brave Major I say being much displeased at their refusall of the said exchange presently after led forth about 5 or 6 Troops of Horse with 50 fire-locks to Banbury who being undauntedly led into the Town on foot most fiercely entred the same bravely set al our foresaid prisoners at Liberty out of the Barn and then most furiously marched into the very body of the Town where a partee of the Enemy opposed them but ours most bravely beat them into the Castle took 33 of them prisoners whereof 2 were Ensigns and 2 Corporalls released 10 men more whom the Enemy had pressed and intended to send to Oxford for his Majesties service slew 5 or 6 of the Enemies in the fight and took besides 40 horse as many Muskets and so returned back unto Northampton with the losse onely of one man who adventured too far and was taken prisoner Thus were they well revenged on their Enemies for their former losse having sodainly and souldier-like put themselves thus upon such a desperate and most dangerous adventure And much about the conclusion of this Moneth of April 1644. we were certified by Letters out of Scotland that our faithfull and loving brethren of that Nation were not a little encouraged at the prudent and pious progresse of our Assembly of Divines in England at Westminster they having sent Letters to some Members of the said Assembly and to their own Divines to the same effâ—ct intimating therein That England could give them no greater content and incouragement to gain their best assistance and love than this their willingnesse in joyning themselves with them in the Solemn Covenant thereby to set up a thorough Reformation in all their Churches according to the Word of God And together with those Letters they sent likewise a letter sent by the Juncto at Oxford to the Noble Earl of Argyle and other Lords of the Councill of Scotland which were much to this effect in briefe First therein manifesting their impious explanation of the Act of Association of both kingdomes which as they said with Iesuiticall Spirits was consented to by the Lords Subscribers thereunto and others that were prisoners with them at Oxford as though the Act of Association had not been made with the joynt consent of his Majesty and the Parliament of both Kingdomes but between a private Juncto and some aspiring Papists stupid Atheists Parasiticall Iesuite Priests and damnable Irish Rebels then at Oxford Withall they further averred That the Lords in Parliament at Westminster were not then above 25 and that the major part of the Commons were then with them at Oxford that there were nothing but tumults in London and unruly Voting which was the cause that they themselves had deserted that pretended Parliament as then they audaciously and maliciously called and counted it and what said they in this Letter Will ye my Lords get but a knock with a pollax or a Sequestration-lash But all this was but the Preface to this their learned Epistle Their subject matter follows in such modest straines as these We do conjure you my Lords by your common allegiance and subjection to the King by the amity and affection betwixt the two Nations by the Treaty of Pacification and by all Obligations both Divine and Humane to use your utmost endeavours to prevent the effusion of so much blood as must needs follow the invasion of this Kingdome this you must consider was before our Scottish brethrens comming in unto us by your intended Armies preparing for the pretended Parliament at Westminster Thus you see good Readers that our impious Oxonians seem to be very sensible and tender of the effusion of blood which
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
his said relation as yee have seen toucht upon many remarkable prints of Gods admirable providence and prudence by his powerfull hand and strong arme carrying on this great work in extraordinary excellent and eminent manner to the unexpressible honour and glory of his great name Yet give me leave I pray now to adde some few more worthy the Readers most serious notice and observation as adding much also I beleeve to the praise and glory of our great and gracious Wonder-working God First That when Prince Rupert had by a by-way got into Yorke and come forth again our Generall fearing the Enemies advance to the Southerly Associated Counties to have spoyled the kingdome that way also which they might too certainly have done ours therefore marched away with their Van the rest following to prevent Rupert But he contrary to their thoughts falls with all his forces upon our Rear the Van being about two or three miles forward on their foresaid march and by a hot alarme comming sodainly to them forced for haste to returne disorderly to the fight and ere they could rally themselves orderly into battalia our Rear was engaged if not routed yet though tyred and faint they fell upon the Enemy That at the very beginning of the fight just as both Armies were joyning Battail and beginning the first encounter or assault of each other it pleased the Lord as it was most credibly affirmed for a certain truth that a sudden and mighty great storm of rain and hail and terrible claps of thunder were heard and seen from the clouds as if heaven had resolved to second the assault with a fierce Alarm from above Thirdly that about 2 or 3 Regiments of the Enemies side which at the first had routed and pursued a great party of our side which fled away from the Enemies first and fierce on-set Yet immediately after all that party of the Enemy was by a seconding party of ours following the Enemy in the Rear totally slain or taken prisoners Fourthly That God dealt with our 3 Noble Generalls Armies as he did with Gideons Army of all the thousands brought together at first he made choyce of some few hundreds to do this great work withall and when we seemed to be at the lowest ebbe of our strength a constant way of Gods admirable wisdome and power then on a sodain he turned the scale and came in with his irresistable power and never failing mercy and with a small number just as he did at Keynton battell got himself the Victory for us Fifthly that notwithstanding when Rupert that pert yea malepert giddy and bloody Prince had boldly and adventurously got into York and relieved it and thereby also released Newcastle and many or most of the Popish partee before inclosed within that City-walls which indeed was the main project or design the Enemy had at that time and that upon their return out of York all safe to the rest of their Army they called a Councill of War who also peremptorily resolved which indeed was their best and had been our worst blow of all to leave Yorke and make presently with all their strength into the Associated Easterly and Southern Counties Achitophels Councell most directly Yet then I say that this proud and bloody hair-brain'd young Prince should pluck out of his pocket the Kings Letter or Commission to him in speciall just like Hushaies Councell to crosse Achitophels charging them by no means to depart from York untill they had with all their combined powers given us battail O the admirable wisdome of our God thus to crosse that former fatall and terrible Councell as it must needs have proved Sixthly That the Counsells of Prince Rupert and others had designed the most valiant and expert Souldiers of the Popish and Atheisticall party to encounter the Wing of the Army commanded by renowned Lieutenant Gen. Cromwell as making account that in beating him they won the day and in particular Rupert had designed certain Troops of Horse all Irish-Papists and Gentlemen old Souldiers all who had been in service in Spain and France to give the first charge to the Brigade or party in which General Cromwell was and that they did confidently believe there was not a man of them but would dye rather than fly but they mist their expectations for many of them being indeed slain in the place all the rest fled Thus our God lets our proudest Enemies see and know The battell is not to the Rider nor the race to the Swift Sevently That upon the flight and departure of the Earl of Newcastle from the battell there passed many warm words betwixt Prince Rupert and him in Yorke after the rout they charging each other with the Cause thereof the Prince telling the Marquesse that he made not good his promise of assistance and the Marquesse replying in such a manner as mooved much passion and discontent yea and some say blows too And that thereupon the Marquesse of Newcastle with Generall King the Lord Witherington and very many moe fugitive gallants flying away beyond Sea to Hambrough and Holland Sir Thomas Glemham then governour of York did as 't was credibly assured and affirmed proclaim Newcastle a Traytor for his deserting Yorke and flying beyond Sea from his colours Thus as our English proverb is Theeves falling out among themselves True men by Gods mercy are like to enjoy their goods again Eightly That notwithstanding the extreame and extraordinary wants and straits which our Souldiers were put unto enough to move great compassion yea and admiration too and wherewith they were greatly pinched both the night before the battell and sometime since also as namely tyrednesse in travelling and hasty retyâ—ing to and fro such want of water much lesse of Beer to drinke that they had drained the wells even to the mud and were necessâ—â— to drink water out of dirches and places pudled and mired with the horses feet and that through want of accommodation of victualls very few of the common-souldiers had eaten above the quantity of one penny-loaf from Tuesday to Saturday morning following and as I said no beer at all to be had Yet I say notwithstanding all these that the Souldiers should fight so cheerfully and stoutly even by Gods admirable mercy to a glorious victory Ninthly That in the rout of the Enemy and in their flying and scattering about many of them ran most frightedly and amazedly to the place where some of the Regiments of Horse of the Parliaments side were standing on their Guard and all or most of their Riders were religiously singing of Psalmes to whom as the foresaid runawayes of the Enemy came neer and by their singing of Psalâ—ed perceiving who they were they all most fiercely fled back again and cryed out God damn them they had like to have been taken by the Parliament Round-heades For they only knew them I say to be the Parliament Souldiers by their
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
strong Stone-wall but God seasonably sending Colonell Hubbard and Colonell Palsgrave to his assistance both with men and Ordnance the brave Colonell with this auxiliarie strength immediately advanced to the said Burleigh-House sate down before it and having commodiously planted his Ordnance shot at it two or three houres beginning about three of the clock that morning but could doe no good that way the house being so strongly built Then the noble Colonell sounded a parley to the enemie and offered them quarter to have their lives and libertie to depart without their weapons But the enemy utterly refused the motion resolutely answering that they would neither take nor give quarter Heerupon the valiant Colonell gave present order to storm and assault it with his Musketteers whereupon the fight grew very hot and was bravely performed on both sides for a while and with much difficultie and danger on ours the enemy being very active and confident and thus the assault continued divers houres till at last the Cavaliers courage began to fall ours pressing on them very fiercely and furiously so that they sounded a parley from within the House whereupon the as virtuous as valourous Colonell commanding presently that not one of his Souldiers should dare to shoot or kill any man during the parley on pain of death notwithstanding their former cruell and bloudy answer to his foresaid proffer of quarter to them In brief they soon concluded upon quarter for their lives and so they took them all being 2 Colonells 6 or 7 Captaines 3 or 400 foot about an 150 or 200 horse with all their armes and ammunition together with the pillage of the whole house Admirable was the providence of God in this victory in that in all this fight which continued about nine or ten houres not above six or seven of our men were slain though many were hurt in that so hot and fierce an encounter or assault onely about two miles beyond Stamford toward Grantham some 400 Club-men coming to the ayd of the Cavaliers and having kill'd some of our Colonells Scouts he sent three or foure troops of horse to meet and encounter them who at the first onset had almost slain one of the Captaines of one of our said troopes so furiously they fell upon ours at the first whereupon ours being instantly much enraged fell very fiercely upon them and had quickly slain about fiftie of them and forced the rest to flie into a great Wood hard by them for their lives Immediately after this brave victory thus most successfully atchieved namely about July the 31 1643. this noble and renowned Colonell sent a Letter to Cambridge to the Parliaments Committee there informing them of his brave proceedings also with the Earl of Newcastles Popish forces who had then lately again besieged Gainesborough which for the Readers better content therein and clearer satisfaction I have thought fit heer to insert verbatim as it came to my hands The Copie of a Letter written by Colonell Cromwell to the Committee at Cambridge July the 31 1643. Gentlemen IT hath pleased the Lord to give your Servant and Souldiers a notable victory now at Gainesborough I marched after the taking of Burleigh-House upon the Wednesday to Grantham where I met about 300 horse and Dragooneers of Nottingham with these by agreement with the Lincolners wee met at North-Scarl which is about ten miles from Gainesborough upon the Thursday in the evening where wee â—arried untill two of the clock in the morning and then with our whole body advanced toward Gainesborough About a mile and half from the Town we met a forlorn hope of the Enemy of neer an 100 horse our Dragoneers laboured to beat them back but not aliting from their horses the Enemy charged them and beat some four or five of them off their horse then our horse came up and charged them and made them retire into their main bodie Wee advanced and came to the bottome of a steep hill upon which the enemy stood wee could not well get up but by some tracts which our men assaying to doe the body of the enemie endeavoured to hinder but wherein wee prevailed and got the top of the hill This was done by the Lincolners who had the Vanguard When wee all had recovered the top of the hill wee saw a great bodie of the enemies horse facing us at about a Muskets shot or less distance and a good reserve of a full regiment of horse behinde it wee endeavoured to put our men into as good order as wee could they enemy in the mean time advanced toward us to take us at a disadvantage but in such order as wee were wee charged their great bodie I having the right wing we came up horse to horse where wee disputed it with our swords and pistolls a pretty time all keeping close order so that one could not break the other at last they a little shrinking and our men perceiving it and pressing in upon them immediately we routed this whole bodie some flying on one side others on the other side of the enemies reserve and our men pursuing them had chase and execution about 5 or 6 miles I perceiving this body which was the reserve standing still unbroken kept back my Major Whaley from the chase and with mine own troop and the other of my regiment in all three troops wee got into a bodie In this reserve stood Generall Cavendish who one while faced mee another while faced foure of the Lincoln-Troopes which was all of ours that then stood upon the place the rest being ingaged in the chase at last the Generall charged the Lincolners and routed them I immediately fell on his rear with my three Troopes which did so astonish him that he gave over the charge would fain have delivered himself from me but I pressing on forced them down a hill having good execution of them and below the hill drove the Generall with some of his Souldiers into a Quagmire where my Captain Lievtenant slew him with a thrust under his short ribs the rest of the bodie being also wholly routed and not one man staying upon the place Wee after this defeat which was so totall relieved the Town with such powder and provision as wee brought which done wee had notice that there were 6 troopes of horse and 300 foot on the other side of the Town about a mile off us whereupon wee desired some foot of my Lord Willoughbies about 400 and with our horse and their foot marched toward them when we came toward the place where their horse stood we beat back with my troopes about two or three troops of the enemies who retired into a small village at the bottome of the hill When wee had recovered the hill we saw in the bottome about a quarter of a mile from us a regiment of foot and after that another and then also Newcastles own regiment
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
farther and enjoyning them not to ayd his two Houses of Parliament which he said were in actuall rebellion against him c. But praised for ever be our good God by whose gracious providence their hearts were most wisely and resolutely established not to be dasht and daunted therein but they utterly refused to yeeld to either of his demands and commands in both the Letters and sent his Majestie an answer suteable to their Christian dutie and the nature also of such a Message and command and so went on most religiously and resolvedly in the just and warrantable work they had so advisedly undertaken But now to goe on in the manifesting as I promised and setting forth in order the progress of the great work at home by our adversaries designes against the Citie of London and therein the whole Kingdome in that their forementioned grand plot to starve up the Citie by taking from them all the neighbour Countries succours and supplements of all kindes and thus at last hoping to bring it low and according to that old Proverb If you will tame a wanton Colt take away his provender and tame it and make it stoop to their most untaimed wilde and wicked tyranny but yet how our most wise and righteous God crost and confounded this their wicked work and devillish designe And now in the first place I must tell you how the most noble and victorious Earl of Manchester being in Lincolnshire prosecuting his successfull and victorious enterprises in those parts as hath been formerly and fully related having intelligence that the Oxonian-Cormorants were entred into Bedfordshire with purpose to make an inroad into the rest of the associated Eastern-Counties whereof he was made Commander in chief under his Excellencie the Lord Generall His Lordship therefore held it not fit to leave them without relief against such plundering and all-devouring Cormorants and greedie unwelcome guests and was therefore necessitated to grant such a composition to the Lord Widrington Colonell Henderson c. then in the Citie of Lincoln as otherwise he would not that thus he might hasten to the preservation of those his foresaid Counties and so having gotten this Citie as hath been forementioned he presently sent away renowned and victorious Colonell Cromwell with a considerable part of his forces toward Huntington to interrupt the Cormorants pernicious intentions in those parts and about Cambridge but his Excellencie the Parliaments renowned Lord Generall being then at St Albanes with his armie presently sent Messengers to countermaund the brave Colonells resolutions and required him to return again to my Lord of Manchester and to prosecute those intended Services in the North assuring him that by Gods assistance he would take speciall care that the associated Counties should receive no prejudice by the Kings Cormorants which he most nobly made good and accordingly performed For presently after it his Lordship sent a considerable strong partie of horse and foot toward Newport-Pannell against those greedie Cormorants who hearing of their certain and speedie approach made all the haste they were able to flie away from thence for fear of being intrapped in a nooz whereby on a sodain those parts were already fairly and fully cleared from fear of them both at Newport and Bedford too And heerby also Colonell Cromwell being returned to the noble Earl of Manchester his great and noble designes in those parts went on again most successfully and thus by Gods speciall providence and great mercie the Kings Cormorants were doubly disappointed of their late high-built hopes and pernicious purposes For by their intended fortifying of Newport they hoped to have establisht one main branch of the foresaid swelling designe to have starved up the Citie by thus encroaching by degrees into the Eastern-associated Counties and also by their thus coming and nestling by little and little in them they strongly hoped to have drawn and diverted the Earl of Manchester quite out of Lincolnshire and so to have taken him off from the pursuite of his victories in those parts But his Excellencie as I said before most nobly clipt the wing of that high-soaring hope of theirs by marching into those parts to expell the enemie out of them and so the safelier to secure them Thus I say the Lord our good God doubly blest us against this devillish designe of theirs blasting it in the bud stifling it in the birth and very beginning of it and making it abortive to them and giving us great assurance thereby of yet more hopefull advantages as by Gods blessing wee shall have fit and fair opportunities to mention them in their severall succeeding and proper places And now good Reader let mee desire thee heer to make a little stay to strike sail and cast thine anchor of serious recogitation and summarie contemplation into the deep Ocean of all this Moneths many and most rich mercies and Parliamentarie preservations of this Ark of Gods Cause First In the Lords stirring up of the hearts of our Parliamentarie-Worthies to remember the welfare of the poor children of Christs Hospitall and also raising up the affections of the Citizens of London to seal their holy League and Covenant with a large and liberall contributed loan of a great summe of money for our brethren of Scotlands advance unto our help In the most noble Lord Fairfaxes brave victorie against the Earl of Newcastle at Hull and thereby raising the siege thereof In the right noble and victorious Earl of Manchesters renowned victories over the Popish and atheisticall forces in Lincolnshire at Bolenbrook and Horncastle Famous Colonell Massies good service at Tewksbery and that also by the Parliaments Garrison at Warwick-Castle against the Kings forces at Cambden In the Ordinance of Parliament against Spies and intelligencers and farther famous prosecution of the most noble Earl of Manchesters victories in the gaining of the Citie of Lincoln and strong Town of Gainesborough And lastly In the most happie frustrating and defeating of the enemies deep and dangerous designe to starve the Citie of London and so to enforce the conquest of it and in Gods crossing that other great designe of our Oxonian Achitophells to have hindred our honest Brethren of Scotlands resolution to advance forward to our assistance All these rare mercies I say layd together and seriously considered O how can wee choose but be extraordinarily elevated to a high pitch and peg of obliged gratitude to our great and glorious God who hath so powerfully and prudently propped up and protected his thus poor menaced and assaulted Ark securely bearing it up above all the raging and swelling waves and boysterous billowes of fierce and furious adversaries beating and brushing against it with their utmost envie and most malevolent oppositions And therefore I say with holy David to break forth into insulting and triumphant joy in the Lord and say Our hearts are fixed O God our hearts are fixed wee will sing and give praise
said perfidious ignoble Marquess of Newcastles hands for the Kings use but that the Reader may see the Christian courage constancie and fidelity of this most worthily to be honoured Governour and the most base and unworthy â—ampering and inticing insinuations of Newcastle and his Agent thereunto I have heer thought fit to give the Reader the exact Narration thereof by the interchangeable letters which passed to and fro between either partie under their own hands which will fully clearly demonstrate the thing and give the Reader much satisfaction content in the perusall thereof which was as followeth A discovery of the treacherous attempts of the Kings Cormorants or Cavaliers to have procured the betraying of Nottingham-Castle into their hands exprest in a Letter sent to one Mr Millington a worthy Member of the House of Commons and 4 more at the same time SIR I Have thrice been tempted upon the offers of great rewards and honours to betray this Castle The first was by Sir Rich Byron another by Mr Sutton both which I 〈◊〉 the Committee with all 〈…〉 scornfull refused 〈…〉 being this third time 〈…〉 I thought it my duty to acquaint those 〈◊〉 â—eer entrusted me both for their satisfaction my own discharge if any thing should happen to my prejudice heer-after for I expect that now they see their attempts in this kind fruitless they will as basely endeavour to blemish with false aspersions that honesty which with bribes they cannot corrupt be pleased therefore to understand the whole proceeding of this last offer and the occasion which was this Colonell Dacre one that was formerly in the North a familiar friend and acquaintance of my brothers sent to me to desire that he might have the libertie to see him to which with the knowledge of the Committee I gave consent then being in his company he desired some words in private with my brother pretending a desire to be satisfied in some doubts of his concerning this warre but some accidents then falling out he was prevented of that private conference and therefore desired that my brother some two dayes after would come to his quarters but he to prevent all suspitions would not goe but writ him a deniall after which Colonell Dacre writ very earnestly to him to come againe and invited Captain Poulton to come with him but my brother would not only with the leave of the Committee he sent Cap. Poulton to excuse it of whose going we intended to make such use as if we could to discover how the enemy lay and what their intentions were so soon as he came thither he was most kindly entertained and Colonell Dacre taking him aside told him that now the Governour of Nottingham and his brother had an occasion offerd to gain themselves great honour to do the King very good service and to receive a great recompence for so doing which he demanding how that was the Colonell told him that if I would deliver up the Castle the command of it should be confirmed to me and my heâ—â— I should receive ten thousand pound and be well assured of it before ever I delivered the Castle and that I should be made the best Lord in Nottinghamshire that my brother should have three thousand pound to deliver the Bridges that Cap. Poulton should have two thousand pound to get this effected to which Cap. Poulton answered that he thought it was an impossible thing for the Governour had formerly been tempted with such like offers and had refused them that we all scorned so base an act and for his own part he would starve and rot before he would betray his trust the Colonell was further importunate with him to move it to me and that you may saith he be better assured I doe not this without Commission he then pul'd out of his pocket a paper written with these words or to this effect These are to authorize Col. Dacre to treat with Col. Hutchinson and Lievtenant Colonell Hutchinson for the surrendring up of the Castle and Bridges of Nottingham for the service of his Majesty and to make them large promises which shall be performed and this paper signed with W. Newcastle at the bottome and he further desired that he might but come to the Castle to speak with me when Captain Poulton told him there was no hope of obtaining that he entreated him that he would but deliver the message to me which he told him he would doe and the Colonell told him that if I would not deliver the Castle yet if he himself would but leave us and come away he should immediately have a Regiment of horse delivered into his command and earnestly pressed that I would send him an answer which presently after both my brother and I did the Copies whereof I have heer sent you There were also two Officers of Cap. Whites Troop whom we sent along with Captain Poulton whom Colonell Dacre also took aside and made large offers both to Capt. White and them if they would procure him to turn to their side But Capt. White hath so often scorned and refused such unworthy offers that this did but increase his contempt of them whose faith and honestly hath been apparently great in this cause I confesse had it not been for drawing a scandall or jealousie on my self I would have gone so far as to have gotten the Propositions under Col. Dacre his hand if not under the Marquess his hand but this I durst not doe lest my own honest intentions should in the mean time have bin mistaken I therfore thought it sufficient to make it presently known to the Committee so to acquaint you with it and withall to assure you that were I certain we should utterly bedeserted and left as for any reliefe I yet heare of we are like to be our Souldiers being 30 weeks behinde with pay and the whole Country now possessed by the enemie yet I would maintaine my faithfulnesse to the Parliament so long as I have one drop of bloud left in me and when I am forced to the last extremity â—â—am confident God will give me strength to maintain this Christian resolution that I have by Covenant both with God and man bound my selfe unto which is that I will rather choose to die ten thousand deaths with a clear conscience to God and an honest heart to my Country than to sell my soule for the purchase of my life and all the wealth and honours this world can bestow upon me Your sonnes are both well here in the Castle and I heare your wife is so in the Country onely I heare your goods and corne are wholly plundred What service I am able to doe for you here if you please you may command Your friend and servant John Hutchinson Nottingham Castle Decem. 18. 1643. Postscript Sir just as my Letters were going to Colonell Dacre there came one from him to Captain Poulton the copie of which with Captain Poultons answer I have here also
made some great shot against the House which caused a parley while the parley was some shot was made from the House which hurt or killed two of Coventrymen Whereupon they left parling and instantly fell to battering the House whereby they kill'd divers of them within and forcibly made their way into the House took about 80 prisoners some horse and all the plunder of the House so returned safely to Coventry Shortly after they issued out again under the command of Colonell Boswell and marched to Bewley-House which was one Mr Sheldens being a very strong hold on the edge of Warwickshire but in the County of Worcester which the enemy had strongly fortified But in brief Coventry forces forced their passage and surprized it and the whole garrison and much wealth and rich pillage therein and all the Irish-Rogues whom they found there they put to the sword and victoriously returned safely home again Much also about the same time namely the beginning of this instant Ianuarie 1643. it pleased the Lord the great and glorious searcher of hearts and discoverer of the most secret and deepest designes of the most politick and pernicious enemies of his Church and children to bless our Kingdome and Parliament in the timely revelation of a very dangerous plot and conspiracie under a pretence of Propositions for peace forâ—ooth to which end there was a new Cross-Petition contrived under a colour of accommodating the differences between the King and the Parliament but thereby in very deed to destroy the Parliament by dividing the City of London from it and by such a combustion to prevent the coming in of the Scots to the ayd and assistance of the Kingdome and Parliament Now the parties who were prime promoters and machinators of this plot were Colonell Read a Jesuiticall Papist and a great Commander in the Rebellion in Ireland and a prisoner to the Parliament but released and then residing at Oxford Sir Basill Brook a notorious Papist also and personally acting also in that Irish-rebellion and a prisoner to the Parliament and who to make his aboad at London the firmer and more immoveable contrived as I was credibly enformed to have an Execution for debt layd upon him that thus without suspect or molestation he might actuate at London in the plot One Mr Violet or rather stinking Varlet a most malignant Goldsmith or rather a Projector in that trade And one Mr Riley a Citizen of London Scout-Master Generall for the Citie of London who had the name and reputation of an honest religious man but in the issue of this discourse will be found to appear either a very simple fool or a notorious hypocrite and down-right deep dissembler The place of meeting was at the three-Cranes in the Vintrie and at The Man in the Moon The way and manner of contrivance thereof was first that Mr Riley being in much credit in the Citie must be a means to get this Irish-Rebell Read out of prison by whose meanes for the better effecting of their plot he being at liberty an address was easily made to my Lord Generall that one Captain Read a poor old man taken by the Earl of Manchesters forces tonight be exchanged for one that was a Quarter-Master for the Parliaments armie and then in prison at Oxford and was a Scout of Mr Rileys Now my Lord Generall relyed so much on the supposed integrity of Mr Riley that he forthwith granted his Exchange and the Rebell-Read was thereby presently released But before this Read departed out of the City He Mr Riley and Sir Basill Brook had conference together about this designe and it was agreed that Colonell Read should direct his letters to Mr Riley by the name of The Man in the Moon and that one Mr Wood should be the Messenger between London and Oxford This Wood being an apprentice of London living then in the Stocks Read being come to Oxford propounds the designe to his Majestie who instantly called to advise with him the Queen the Lord Digbie a proclaimed traytor and the Dutchess of Buckingham the Arch-Prelate of Canterburies convert forsooth wife to the great Irish-Rebell the Earl of Antrim then at Oxford His Majestie with these rebells and traytors contrived what they should propound to the City to beget Propositions for Peace just such an intended peace as Bynions should have been and thereupon they concluded to write to the City that his Majesty was resolved to maintain the Protestant Religion and that in as ample manner as the Irish-rebells and atheisticall traytors thus admitted to be of his Majesties Cabinet Councell would or could require his Majestie to settle it for the good and content of the whole Kingdome the clean contrary-way Now at the first time of their generall meeting they concluded of the draught of a Letter to the Lord Major and Court of Aldermen from his Majestie full of expressions of love to encompasse the designe to his loyall Subjects the Citizens of London though traytors rebells a little before and this was dispatched by Wood with a Letter from Colonell Read to Mr Riley by the name of the man in the Moon to passe over his Majesties Letter with Sir Basill Brook to put it into such words as they should think fit but Read writ in his Letter to Riley that what he did he should do it quickly for it must be done and concluded before the Scots come in or not at all and withall writ to have Violet set at liberty to come to Oxford to seek an exchange that he might passe to and fro on this occasion They met accordingly and concluded of the Letter for his Majesty to signe of some Propositions Violet was the Clerk that writ them Sir Basill Brook and Mr Riley as was enformed contrived them Mr Riley loses no time but applies himself to Sir Arthur Hasâ—erig and propounds Mr Violet in exchange for a brother of his Mr Hasterig prisoner to the pretended Lord Loughborough commonly called Master Hastings and to have leave to goe to Oxford Sir Arthur thinking Mr Riley to be the man he was reputed to be gave way and his libertie was obtained to goe to Oxford to solicite this exchange Violet goes accordingly carries with him the Letter for the King to subscribe and other Instructions and as by his Examination he confesseth he imparted the same onely to the King Queen Dutchess of Buckingham Colonell Read and the Lord Digby who all met together and that he stayed not seven houres in Oxford but returned with the Letter directed to the Lord Major and Aldermen signed by his Majestie under his signet Violet returned and the Letters being imparted to Mr Riley and Sir Basill Brook means was used how to engage others in the plot whereupon Violet attempted to sound Sir David Watkins and soon came to the bottom of honest Sir Davids judgement who told him he did like well of
Admirall for the Maria-Pinace to ride before this Town We are yet in safety blessed be God but daily braved by the Enemy yet hitherto they have not dared to fasten upon this Town And I have observed that they have never come before this place or neer it but we have still worsted them we have alwayes taken prisoners horses armes wounded or slain some of them On Thursday last we took sixe men and Horse wherof one was a Cornet On Saturday wee tooke two men Horses and Armes shot a Captaine who lyes languishing at Rumsey and wounded three men more The Lord bee still our defence and refuge and give us thankfull hearts for his preservation over us This poor County of Hampshire having had its share of blood and misery in this sad Tragedie of our Nation that there is hardly left any thing for man or beast therein I perceive you have received knowledge of a treacherous practice for the delivery of this Town but lest you should bee misinformed therein I will give you a briefe account thereof Some few daies before Christ-tide last the Lord Hopton marched with his Army from Winchester towards Southampton with a purpose to face it as we were informed but he came not within two Miles thereof to outface it but marched to Redbridge the way into the New Forrest brake it downe to hinder us of Provision from thence after so horrible an Act he faced about and marched to his old quarters again without attempting any further atchievement The next day here arrived a Letter from one Mr. Iasper Cornelius sometimes an Atturney of this Town but run away before my comming hither for Malignancy directed to Mr. R. Mason a Merchant of this Towne intimating that this Cornelius was the day before with the Lord Hopton before this Towne and was the meanes of diverting the Lord Hoptons intent of attempting this place and tells Mr. Mason he had made choice of him to deliver an inclosed Letter to me with all secresie which I received yet the said Cornelius was an unknowne man to me by his Letter he insinuates that then was a fit time for me to doe his Majesty good service and that I was not the man I was formerly meaning as I conceived that the government of this Towne was imposed upon my honoured friend Colonel Norton which I long sued to be eased thereof and by it he thought I was a disconted person and so fit to be wrought upon but he was deceived I being never better pleased then to be eased of so great a burthen which I had borne long enough though it pleased his Excellency to require my service with a more sutable command to my disposition made me Serjeant Major to Colonell Norton which pleased me farre better after the receit of this Letter I instantly acquainted my Colonell and Master Mayor therewith we all agreed I should shew a seeming complying the better to bottome their designe and to find out what malignant party they had made in this Town I forthwith gave him a copie of a Character to explaine his minde more fully To which he replied That by the command of his Superiours he did in the name of His Majesty and his Countrey and two Lords which he named offer me a thousand pounds in money a present imployment of more value and honour than at present I had His Majesties pardon under the great Seale and his favour if I would be a meanes to reduce the Towne of Hampton to His Majestie I returned a seeming complying Answere and demanded the one thousand pounds in hand or the moity thereof and assurance given me for the residue the imployment named the Pardon sent me this performed he should soon see what I would say to it In the interim my Colonell acquainted my Lord Generall and Sir William Waller with the offer made by Cornelius wherein I continued the Treaty to regaine time untill Sir William Waller had finished his businesse at Arundel and drawne his Army this way and then to have drawne the Enemy hither in hope of gaining this place whilest Sir William might have fallen behind them in this place of advantage and so to have deceivd such treacherous corrupters I continued the Treaty untill I had his Majesties Signe Manuall for a Pardon sent me and afterwards the Pardon it selfe but I could get no money but strong engagements of honour to performe with me when the worke desired was effected I whiled out a moneths time with them to the exchange of eight Letters Master Robert Mason being still the man they employed to bring theirs and receive my Letters whom they had bound to secrecie by an Oath before I knew thereof who brought me the copy thereof hoping to have gained me to the like saying he had no engagement all this time on me neither by protestation nor promise to performe with them and which I still delayed which put the Projectors to a jealousie that I was not reall all to them yet to draw them still on I framed some offers in the nature of Articles for my selfe and this Towne to which the Lord Hopton subscribed that upon his honour he would performe them but I still pressed for the money but could not obtaine it they fearing I would Craford them as Poole did yet Master Mason offered me to become bound for it which I accepted of but before he could performe on Friday last was sevennight he earnestly pressed me to declare my reality in the designe I saw the man in a distracted extasie by his over-zealousnesse and rashnesse for them having no assurance of me my bowels pittied him his wife and many children told him plainly I never intended to be a villaine and traytor to betray a trust committed to me and the lives and goods of so many innocent people to be made a prey to cruelty and told him I have revealed it from the beginning to my Colonell Then he begged I would conceale his name I told him I could not but in compassion of his condition gave him leave to goe to his house being but three Houses from mine in which time I went foorthwith to acquaint my Colonell with what had hapned betweene Master Mason and my selfe wee concluded instantly to seize his person and caused all the gates to be secured but yet hee escaped from us and could not be found although we searched carefully for him since we heare he is at Winchester and shall be preferred and imployed in matter of trust In all the time of our Treaty I could not discover that he had any confederates of any Townsmen with him but had undertaken it to carry it alone But I was grieved that I was conceived by the adverse part to be a fit Instrument for them But now they have tryed me I am confident they will never doe the like but to revenge themselves on me But I will to all the world declare and maintaine my faithfulnesse to my Countrey and Cause I have
our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland's advance into this Kingdome from Barwick toward Newcastle and their taking of Alnwick and Morpeth the two only Towns of defence and strength twixt Barwick and Newcastle That they also took the strong Island of Cocquet with about 200 men and their Arms 7 peeces of Ordnance and other necessary martiall provisions Also that Colonel Gray brother to the Lord Gray of Wark with a Regiment of Horse came in unto the Army of our said brethren of Scotland and most cheerfully took the Covenant That they had rescued a head of cattle which were driven away by the enemy toward Newcastle and that they most honestly restored them to the persons from whom they were taken A notable act of justice and that the Counties of Northumberland and Westmerland most cordially came in and adhered to them About the tenth of this instant certaine letters being intercepted were read in Parliament which came from the Lord Goring to the Lord Digby dated at Paris Feb. 7. 1643. The summe whereof in briefe was this That he hoped this Letter would have better successe to come to the hands of his most blessed sacred Mistresse than his former Letters had That he was in nothing more happy than to be accounted a Trator at London considering his sacred Mistresse had the same badge of honour stamped upon her before him in whose service he professed hee would be ever faithfull to the quicke and was not here think'st thou good Reader a pure and sure slave to Sathan That the same morning he wrote this Letter he was called to sweare to be true to the two Crownes of England and France and afterward was to dine with the King And further specifying what forreine forces armes and ammunition were in preparation to be sent into this Kingdome And said he in this very expression let my Mr. hang me if I do not furnish him with armes ammunition c. And concludes thus that what he writes they may believe to bee as true as Gospell This flashey letter of this old doting shamelesse Traytor full as yee see of blasphemy and Treason and so adjudged by the Parliament they have ordered to be recorded with an other former intercepted Letter of his which will be sufficient evidences to make good their impeachment of high Treason against him See heere then good Reader the good hand of Gods wise and just providence thus to discover the secret and slavish enemies of his Church and people But to goe on Besides those former brave exploits of that pious and prudent Commander Colonell Sir William Constable aforesaid There came certaine intelligence to London much about the middst of this instant February of divers other most valiant performances and victorious atchivements of the Parliaments Forces in severall other places worthy our most thankefull remembrance both to Gods glory and the Instruments deserved praise The first was performed by the brave and active well-deserving Garrison of Pool in Dorsetshire who sallied out and by an Ambuscado their enemies owne late Stratagem against Pool with some little losse not long before they entrapped Colonell Windham and about 7. or 8. score of his Horse and slew his Lieutenant Colonel Barker but the Colonell himselfe with the rest of his men taken as aforesaid they carried Prisoners into Pool A Partie also of Warwick Garrison issuing out toward Stow on the Wold in Gloucestershire tooke a Cavalier Colonell Prisoner and about 30 good Horse with him And heere also I may most justly commemorate diverse brave atchievements of Sir Thomas Fairfax that as famous as pious Commander in Cheshire since his last great Victory at Namptwich who most prosperously pursued his late Victory in those parts took a strong hould called Keel-House Another called Adlinton-House Duddington also belonging to sir Thomas Delves And Crew-House where he tooke an 150. Royalists Prisoners and great store of Armes and Ammunition together with Dorison-House another strong Garrison of the Enemies where he tooke 200. Prisoners with good store of armes and ammunition Darby Forces also having been two dayes before Kings-Mylus a very strong House of the Earle of Huntingtons neere Wildon-Ferrey upon the River of Trent whereinto Colonell Hastings alias Rob-Carryer had put a Garrison of Souldiers who much annoyed that part of the Countrey but the House being very strong their Ordnance did no great execution upon it Whereupon that brave and most couragious and faithfull Patriott Sir Iohn Gell chose 5. men out of each of his Troopes to storme it who made such a desperate assault upon it that they tooke this House with the losse onely of three of his men whence they brought 46. Prisoners with their armes to Darbey but Captaine Daniel and his Lieutenant they sent Prisoners to Nottingham-Castle Lastly that most noble and renouned successefull Patriott of the Northern parts the good Lord Fairfax with his valiant Commander sir William Constable marched toward Whitby a Haven-Town in the farthest part of Yorkeshire with a very considerable Army intending if the Enemy would not deliver up the Town to Storm it For this Whitby was a very strong Garison of the Earle of New-Castles But the Enemie considering in what a condition they were surrendered up the Town to the Lord Fairfax wherein were above 500. Captaines Lieutenants Commanders Officers and Common-souldiers besides at least 20. of the Commission of Array and almost a 1000 Saylers and Inhabitants of the Town all which delivered up the Towne and with it themselves to the said most noble Lords Service together with 40. Vessels greater and lesser in the Haven So this most Honourable Lord with valiant sir William Constable seized on all their Workes Ships Ammunition 500. Armes many Barrels of Powder Match and other traine of Artillery and it was verily beleeved about an hundred pieces of Ordnance in the ships and on the Workes for the use of the Parliament About the 16th of this instant February 1643. an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament and instructions agreed upon by them for the taking of the Solemne League and Covenant throughout the whole Kingdome which we have formerly mentioned to have been solemnly taken by both Houses of Parliament and in and about the whole Cities of London and Westminster and the Dominion of Wales was new Printed and published together with a most emphaticall and patheticall â—xhortation made by the Assembly of Divines at the motion and desire of our most pious and prudent Parliamentary Worthies for the more willing and cheerfull taking thereof and for the better and more full satisfaction of all such scruples as might arise thereupon which was ordered to be taken after this manner The minister was first to read the whole Covenant distinctly and audibly in the Pulpit and during the reading thereof the whole congregation to be uncovered and at the end of his reading thereof all to take it standing
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
became Master of the whole East-riding of Yorkeshire The Kings Oxonian Councellors or rather Conventiclers and devouring Cormorants having had a deepe designe by that late conquered and quelled bloody Byron forementioned namely with his so great a strength which was also to be augmented in Cheshire by very many Irish-rebells to be then shortly landed at Milford Haven and thus I say with a very strong army of those Irish-Rebells Welsh Papists and viperons Malignants to have put a stop to the Scots army in the North but I say Byron was conquered by that most brave defeat as you have already heard given him at the raising of the siege at Namptwich by those two famous Commanders Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir William Brereton Prince Robber also with all the forces he could collect and make up was to meete them at their randevouz in the said County-Palatine of Chester About twelve ships fraught with Irish Rebells were to have beene landed at Milford Haven but most valiant and couragious Capt. Swanley having by Gods good providence put into the said haven was first possest thereof before they came thither and when they came most bravely beat them all off againe from landing there only a part of 2. regiments landed afterward at Bewmorice for whose safe conduct a regiment of horse was sent from Prince Plunderer who went in person toward Chester with what forces could be spared to helpe to maintaine the foresaid designe and there he sent out a most base and bloody warrant up and down that County to summon all that were able to come in unto them to joyne with him in that wicked design and for those that refused this was to be their punishment viz. To looke for no mercy but speedily to expect fire and sword Whereby he compelled many for feare to march with him into Shropshire but that brave magnanimous and active Commander Colonel Mitton timely understanding thereof fell upon some of their quarters and after a short skrimish without any considerable losse to himselfe routed a whole regiment of them tooke about 60. horse two of Sr. Rich. Fleetwoods sons Commanders in that regiment and other officers 50. foot-souldiers prisoners an 100. armes And thus partly and especially by those two noble Commanders Sir Tho. Fairfax and Sir William Brereton partly by Capt. Swanley and partly also by this defeat of brave Colonell Mitton this their great and wicked designe was by Gods great mercy quite broken in pieces and came to nought And thus also was this poore County-Palatine of Chester upon which the kings eye was more fastned to fixe and augment strong forces there for the greater advancement of this and his other great designes than on any one County in the kingdome Witnesse his first sending thither that Cow-stealer the unsuccessefull atheisticall Lord Capell who was soone beaten thence Then Serjeant Major Willis surprized by Colonell Mitton Then the bloody Lord Byron beaten as aforesaid And after all these pilfering Prince Robber himselfe 〈◊〉 as you have heard by the said most valiant Colonell Mitton Thus was this County at last brought into a more quiet and stable condition ever praised and blessed be the Lord our good God for it About the 16. of this instant Feb. 1643. there was a conference between both the Houses of Parliament which was managed by the noble and truely pious Earl of Manchester the effect whereof was this That whereas there were divers inconveniences and great disturbances begun to be brewing and already raised and likely to grow much greater if not timely prevented in the City of London by reason of many unhappy differences of opinions in matters of Religion by Anabaptists Antinomians and such like the honourable Peeres did therefore desire that both Houses would joyn together in sending to the Assembly of Divines to expedite their care in setling of Church-Government with as much speed as conveniently might be and in the mean time an Order was drawn up to be sent to the Lord Major of London which was also read in the Churches Wherein it was desired that speciall care might be taken that none did Preach in any Church but such as the Minister or the Pastor thereof â—hall answer for their Doctrines delivered if justly questioned of which therefore all Ministers especially were to be very carefull A course marvelous fit to be put in execution least if such Tares take root it might cost more care and toyle to pluck them up and root them out and thereby also endanger the pulling up of the good corn which by a timely prevention might be easily remedied and better Ordered About the 18. of this instant came certain Intelligence by Letters from Northampton to London that a partee of Horse was lately before sent out from thence upon a design within three miles of Banbury where they had Intelligence that Captain Farmer son to Sir Hutton Farmer a great Royalist was quartered with his Troopes who comming suddenly into the same Town they took the said Captaine and above 40. horse divers Commanders Officers and common souldiers with some Armes and brought them all safely into Northampton Thus our hopes of prosperous successe through Gods assistance doe still encrease there having scarcely one day past about this time of the yeare for above a moneth together wherein we have not had comfortable tydings and certaine relation of good service done by the Parliaments forces at Northampton Warwicke-Castle and other parts Let God have all the glory even the Lord of hosts who onely is the giver of all victories About the 20th of this instant came certaine intelligence by letters from Hull That the noble and ever to be honoured and loved Lord Fairfax with a sufficient party issued out of Hull upon the enemies quarters routed 3. Regiments of their horse tooke 300. of them in the fight above an 170 prisoners slew 50 on the ground and took divers Captaines and Commanders And that the most notorious Prince of Robbers or as now the King hath made him the Duke of Cumberland or Plunderland call him what you please having got together among all his great and rich pillage and plunder and sent about 3000. l. in gold and silver toward Waymouth intending as was conceived to passe it away by Sea into his own Country but the brave Garrison of Poole I call it a Garrison but may indeed call and count it an Army for its Valour and Vigilancy it having equalled if not transcended some of our great bodies this last winter in Martiall exploits having had private Intelligence thereof watched them narrowly and at a fit oportunity fell upon the convoy thereof neer unto Dorchester surprised them and all their Horse Armes and Ammunition and bravely took from them the said 3000. l. in gold and silver and carryed all away with them to Pool a brave and suddain unexpected accommodation to Valiant Captain Bingham to be imployed for the
precious particulars aboundantly declaring and cleering the truth of all herein intended namely How our God hath most graciously and gloriously caused this his deare Darling his holy Arke his precious Cause thus maintained by our ever blessed Parliamentarie Worthies to over-top and safely rise and ride above all the worlds boysterous and swelling Waves still struggling and striving to overturne it And therefore plentifull enough to cause us all to confesse with holy Moses That we have all seene what the Lord hath done to our Egyptian Malignants and how he hath born us up with Eagles wings and brought us so neere unto himselfe And therefore with the pious Prophet most gratefully and graciously to acknowledge That all these Mercies come forth from the Lord of Host who is wonderfull in Counsell and most excellent in working wonders And now to proceed Thus having a little heere made a stay and refreshed our Weather beaten Barke and in some measure fitted it for this next succeeding Moneths Voyage I shall now cheerfully put forth againe and lanch into the Maine And first of all acquaint the Reader that about the beginning of this instant March as a happy return of Prayer on the last Moneth day of Humiliation came certaine intelligence that Bidle-house upon the edge of Staffordshire and neere Cheshire was taken or rather with discretion surrendred to that most famous and faithfull Commander Sir Thomas Fairefax and that most valiant and loyall Patriot Col. Ridgeley which house was of so great consequence that by this meanes all the Moore-Landers are freed from the great annoyance of a vexatious Enemy and in a condition to assist their neighbour Cheshire In which foresaid House were also taken the Lord Brereton who was supposed to be taken before but it was a meere mistake and with him 4 Colonels 200 Common-Souldiers 500 Armes and great store of riches Plate Gold and Silver Also that the Forces of our most renowned Lord General whom we may very fitly Paralel with that famous old Roman Commander Fabius Hanibals sore Antagonist Of whom for his prudence and providence it was said by Cicero that famous Romane Oratour Vnus homo nobis cunctando restituit â—om Or to that most renowned old Prince of Orange Grave Maurice who was never rash in any attempt or waighty enterprise he undertooke yet ever for the greatest part most victorious but like a grave and discreet Generall still pondered how he might win and not lose I meane any of his Souldiers For he never accounted that Commander valourous who had not more care of his Souldiers than of his Towns Forts or Castles which either he tooke or kept but would as neere as might be make both sure So I say this our most noble Lord Generall hath all along most prudently carried on all his great designes with like wisdome and Martiall moderation and discretion and about this time his Forces about Alesbury and Newport-pannell performed a most excellent piece of Service under the command of renowned and active Colonell Cromwell and Colonell Craford without the losse of any one man slaine on ouâ— side at Hilsey-house when they tooke Sir Arthur Denton Colonell Smith and divers other Gentlemen of quallity together with an 100 Horse and about 300 Souldiers whereof there were about 150 Walloones and Frenchmen such a pack of bloody Villaines that the world hardly had the like they having committed many great Robberies in those parts all which Walloones therefore and Frenchmen had no quarter given them but were put to the Sword as they most worthyly deserved And since the taking of this Hilsey-house we were credibly informed that the brave Garrison of Northampton went out with a Party and faced Banbury and thereabout surprised all or the greatest part of the Princes Troope and brought them safe to Northampton About the second also of this instant as another rich returne of Prayer even within two dayes after the last Monethly Fast-day came certaine Intelligence by Letters out of Yorkeshire to London of a brave Victory obtained through the mercy of our good God by that valiant Commander Colonel Lambert under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax in the West-Riding of Yorkeshire not farre from Bradford where the Bradford Garrison understanding that Colonell Lambert advanced that way to reduce that Towne to the Service of the Parliament they presently sent intelligence of this his resolution to Yorke as also of the weakenesse of this Colonels condition wherupon a commanded power of Horse and Foot led by Colonell Iohn Bellasis Governour of York farre exceeding Colonell Lamberts Forces at least three to one in number was forthwith dispatched to releeve them In briefe both parties faced each other not farre from Bradford and Colonell Lamberts Forces though lesse in number did exceede in valour for indeed as reverend Master Ienkins Pastour of Christ-Church in London sweetly said Wee have oftentimes known that God hath had too many to fight his battailes but never too few and the encounter grew exceeding hot and for 7 howres space the thundring disputation was fiercely continued at length by Gods great mercy Colonel Lambert perceived he had the better of his enemies but yet his necessity was such that for want of Powder he knew not what to doe for none of his Souldiers had at the most above two charges left Hereupon a Councill of Warre was sodainly called and as suddenly it was agreed that before they would offer any paâ—ley to the enemy the Horse should charge once more which in that desperat exigence was performed with such undaunted courage and resolution of spirit that the Enemies Horse not able to withstand the shock began a little to give ground which our Cavalry soone observing they followed the advantage with so much impregnable courage that they forced them to a very disorderly retreat and our Foot taking notice of the brave action and advantage their Horse had gotten as valiantly charged the body of the enemies Infantry who perceiving their owne Horse to abandon them began to leave the Field and swiftly to retire toward Yorke even with what confused speed they possibly could The brave successefull Colonell Lambert could not follow them in pursuâ— by reason of the great want of Powder in which at that present he was But he tooke Prisoners in the fight Colonell Sir Iohn Girlington and divers other Officers in Armes and persons of quality and about an 100 common Souldiers Colonell Bellasies himselfe being shrewdly put to the switch and Spurre to escape there were above an hundred slaine in the place And thus this valiant Colonell Lambert after this defeat and brave Victory so fortunately atchieved presently entred into Bradford and re-garrison'd it for the use of the Parliament About the 5 or 6 of this instant March 1643. came certaine Intelligence by Letters out of Leicestshire to London that Colonel Hastings that noble or rather notable
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
Designes and winning divers Ships and valuable Prizes from them Together with Gloucesters good posture and condition And Colonell Beares and Colonell Masseyes victorious achivements over the Enemies In our loyall Brethren of Scotlands safe passage over the River Tyne without resistance and the feare and terror of the Lord put into the Enemies hearts that they durst not set upon our brethren but being enforced to wait on the Scottish Forces day and night in the Fields lost many hundreds of their Army to the great weakning thereof and enforcing of them to a hasty retreat to Durham In the brave defeat given to the Enemy at Collyton neere Lyme by valiant Captaine Pyne and the excellent reformation of the Cathedrall at VVestminster And lastly in this last fore-mentioned most famous defeat and glorious Victory which God in his great mercy gave Sir VVilliam VValler and Sir VVilliam Belfore at Alsford in Hampshire against Hopton and his formidable Forces who had even already swallowed us up in their deepe hopes and greedy expectations but wherein God admirably frustrated their high-built-hopes and dasht in pieces their deepest designes In just and serious Contemplation and Consideration then of all those precious premises who can deny but that he hath most evidently and undenyably seene in this Monethes most prosperous and successefull Voyage Gods Arke Over-topping the worlds waves swelling and although the outragious waves of wicked men Atheists Papists and perverse Malignants gave the Arke especially in this Alsfords bickering many sore brushes against its sacred sides to overturne it So that we might say with holy David The floods were lifted up O Lord the floods did lift up their voice as in those Oxoniensia Sesquipedalia verba the floods did lift up ther waves But the Lord was mightier than the noise of their many waters yea than all the mighty waves of the Sea And therefore let us all with most cheerfull hearts and voyces with that sacred sugered Singer of Israel aforesaid in holy exultation and gracious gratification Say and Sing Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered and let all those that hate him flee before him As smoake is driven away so drive thou them away O God as wax melteth before the fire so let the wicked perish at the presence of the Lord. But let thy righteous ones still be glad and rejoyce yea let them exceedingly râ—jâ—yce in thy Salvation And now to proceed ANd here now to hoyse up our sailes again and begin the next Moneths Voyage see what singular and soveraign good fruit we are all ready fraught with in the very first setting forth to the farther praise and glory of God a work most pleasing to heaven and all true holv and heavenly minded Saints namely how it pleased the Lord to put into the hearts of our most pious Patriots and precious Parliamentary Worthies the care of the more holy strict sanctification of the Lords Day about the beginning of this moneth of April to passe and publish a most excellent Ordinance of Parliament wherein were many sweet holy and holesome Orders and Penalties agreed on and confirmed to be put in exact excution and inflicted upon all manner of Offenders against the same And among them this one clause was also added That the Ordinance formerly made for the burning of all books of giving Liberty for prophane pastimes and Lawful recreations forsooth as our impious Pontificians wickedly termed their wickedly termed their Bacchanalian sports set out by the Arch-Prelate of Canterburies license and allowance should all be put in execution throughout the whole Kingdome under the Parliaments power and Authority And was not here a blessed blast and faire gaile of wind breathed out from heaven it selfe upon this Arke of God to carry it on successefully in this Moneths troublesome Voyage through the swelling Seas of this so sorely distracted and distressed Kingdome And about the 2 of this instant April came certain Intelligence by Letters out of Derbyshire to London That that brave active and faithfull Commander in Armes Sir Iohn Gell after the raising of the Siege at Newarke had such a Vigilant eye upon the Enemie that he sent forth a partee which fell upon one of their quarters at a place called Munk-bridge upon Dove-river not many miles from Derby where they killed 22 on the place routed the rest and drave divers men and horse into the said River where they were drowned took an 140 horse and 80 prisoners Much also about the same time came credible information by Letters out of Yorkeshire to London that Colonell Bellasis Governour of Yorke marched out thence toward Bradford where his Victorious Antagonist brave Colonell Lambert lay with his Regiment which Bellasis intended and hoped to have an oportunity to set upon and surprise But the Vigilant Colonell having timely intelligence of his comming sallyed out of the Town to meet the Enemy after a little facing one another Colonell Lambert warily perceiving that the Enemy were too numerous a partee for him to encounter with thought it not safe to advance beyond his Works whereunto he discreetly retreated and there maintained the fight very valiantly and beat off the assailants with their losse having kil'd and wounded so many that the Enemy was forced to a hasty retreat which the Valiant Colonel soon perceiving pursued them therein at least 6 miles in which Action Colonell Lambert took 200 horse and furniture and a 100 Foot and took Colonell Bagshaw a notorious Lancashire Papist 8 Captains and other Officers and Commanders About the 8th of this instant we had certain Information by Letters from Gloucester to London that the supply of powder and other Military Ammunition and Provision which had long lyen about Warwick expecting an oportunity to be conveyed to Gloucester to Colonell Massey was now at last come safely thither and it is worthy the observation in what manner it was effected which in briefe was thus It was sent by parcells at 3 severall times the first time severall barrels of Powder Match Flax Brimstone and some quantity of Money were sent by honest Carriers with their pack-horses about 14 in number which were conveyed with a guard of 60 Horse In the night time the Forlorn Hope as they past along espied a fire in severall places in a small compasse as they conceited which out of sodaine fear they took to be the Enemy The Enemy also espied the same fire and conceived that the Parliaments Forces were there The Parliaments Forces upon their fear wheeled about quite out of the way the Enemy by reason of their fear hastily retreated from them but the honest Carriers not knowing or once dreaming but that the convoy of the Parliaments Forces was before them drove on their Horses till they came to one of Colonell Masseys outmost Garrisons where the Ammnition was joyfully received and presently convoyed into Gloucester but the convoy turned to VVarwick with onely hopes which
regular fortification and might have proved great offence to us whereupon they contracted themselves retreating in great fear and confusion toward Newark and the other side of Trent where at a generall Rendevouz at or about Mansfield they met with all Newcastles horse who together with them made up about an 100 troopes who quartered on that side Trent to the almost undoing of that part of the Country Now his Lordship being much affected with the distresse of the Country and perceiving that the vagabond-like Enemie declined to fight with him and were onely inclined to plunder he advanced to Grantham and from thence to Lincoln resolving by the Almighties assistance to attempt and take that place whereby he might either really weaken those Enemies of God and this Kingdome or else necessitate them to fight with us We came to Lincoln on Fryday the third of this Moneth iâ— the afternoone on which day in the morning Colonell Sir Peregrin Bartie high sheriffe of this County the Earle of Lindseyes brother and sometime Governour of this City was brought prisoner unto us by a party of ours We drew up our whole army in the face of the City on the brow of the hill neer Lanwicke and perceiving the enemy had made the entrance into that part which is called the old Towne very strong my Lord sent a trumpet to them with a fair demand of the place for the King and Parliament whereunto a very uncivill answer was returned reproaching us with the defeat at Newarke hoping we should be served here as there The next day we sent out a party of our Horse towards Gainsbrough and tooke some Prisoners who told us of a great body of Horse to the number of 5 or 6000. that were comming against us under Colonell Gorings Command which made my Lord resolve to storme them that afternoone and to that intent the scaling Ladders were brought forth and the Foot made ready to set on but second and better thoughts stayed us till next morning we having intelligence that they were farre enough off from comming to their reliefe for that night My Lord in the meane time sent 2000 Horse under the Command of Lieutenant generall Cromwell to meet the Enemy and to stop them from comming to relieve the City and thereupon the Foot were by Order drawne off from about the Hill which the Enemy perceiving it caused them to insult hooping and hollowing against us thinking we were affraid to set upon them but the next morning they were forced to sing another note in another tune For that night Order was given for the Foot to lye on the severall quarters of the Hill round about their Workes and to bee all in a readinesse to fall on from every quarter when they heard the great Ordnance goe off which was betweene 2 and 3 in the morning there being accordingly 6 Pieces together let fly And my Lord had a little before commanded 2 Regiments of Foot viz. Colonell Russells and Colonell Montagues to draw down toward the Gate and Draw-bridge which they accordingly did with admirable alacrity and resolution being led on by those two most valiant and religious Colonels who through the might of God so undauntedly approached the Enemy that after a very short dispute even within lesse than a quarter of an houre terrour seized on the enemies spirits and our men seized on their workes and so with incredâ—ble courage possest themselves of the low Town the enemy flying to the upper Towne and castle Ours tooke divers of the enemy in this brave bickering without the losse of any on our side which we humbly acknowledge to Gods glory to be a great mercy Upon the enemies retreat they endeavoured to have fired the low Town but ours pursuing closely prevented their mischievous intention in a great part and helped most industriously to quench those houses which they had fired We pursued no farther at this present resolving by Gods helpe to have stoâ—med the other part of the Towne and castle the next morning by breake of day though the common souldiers seemed to be impatient even of that short and needfull delay but by reason of much rain which fell that night and all the next day and night we were necessitated to deferre this worke till Monday following in which interim the Lord gave us the Sabbath day wherein we might seeke him for his blessing in so great a businesse Now the Enemy having by their Horse whom Colonell Cromwell strongly waited on with our whole Body of Horse enforced us thereunto it was consulted on whether the former resolution of Storming the next morning should hold or not it was presently agreed againe that by the help of our God the Lieutenant Generâ—l should with our Horse attend the Enemies Horse as aforesaid our Foot storm the Towne which was done accordingly wherein we received merveilous mercie from God who gave much wisdome and valour to our men as was then manifested for that at most in one quarter of an houre as was fore-showne wee gained their Workes every Division beating backe the Enemy and entring the places allotted to them to the admiration of the wisest and ablest of our enemies who did confesse that though they knew our intentions to storme them that night and therefore had drawne out all their Forces being 21 Foot Companies and 2 Troops of Horse besides the helpe of many of the City to make good their Works against our assault yet they were not able to stand out against the fiercenesse of our men whom as they said they thought to bee starke mad to come on in so desperate a manner at which as then so now on this second on-set they were so amazed and terrified that they fled to hide themselves but their pursuers found them out though they were crept into their Cathedrall many of them For our men never left running and pursuing of them untill they came to the top of the hill which would have been enough to have tyred a very Horse where being under the Castle-workes ours set up the Scaling-ladders which they in the Castle seeing left their Firing and fell busily to throwing downe of great stones upon us from over their Works and Walls by which we received more hurt than by all their former shot yet all would not daunt our men but up to the top of the Ladders they got which proved 100 short many of them to reach to the top of their Wallâ—s and their Workes they being most of them as high as London walls but yet they made shift to get up which the Enemy perceiving they had no spirit now left in them but betooke themselves to their heeles from the walls and our men close following them having all got over the walls and works shouting and hollowing and following them as fast as they fled but they not knowing whither to runne cryed out for Quarter saying they were
the blood of the Protestants that was upon them And about the same time we were certainly enformed that the most gallant and active Governour of Gloucester Colonell Massey loosing no time to annoy the Enemie nor omitting any opportunity to advance and advantage the Kingdomes Cause intercepted a Letter going from Wales to Oxford the contents whereof signifying that if assistance came not all Wales would be utterly lost And he also having intelligence of some preparations for that designe on the Enemies side to be put in action by Colonell Mynne he instantly and resolutely fell upon Mynnes quarters took divers Prisoners and Horse and brake the necke of that designe And about the same time it pleased the Lord very graciously to defeat our Adversaries devillish designs in the discovering of a most treacherous plot for the betraying of Gloucester into the enemies hands which was acted and agitated by one Edward Stanford Esquire a knowne Papist who plotted with an honest and loyall-hearted Gentleman Captaine Backhouse a Captaine of Horse under Colonell Massey In whom this Papist conceived he had a deep interest by reason of former ancient and intimate acquaintance To whom this Stanford assured a reward of 5000 l. for effecting the Treason But Captaine Backhouse most loyally and politickly deceived the said Popish Traitor and by speciall assent and good liking of Colonell Massey exchanged divers Letters about the firme contriving and carrying on of the businesse and so brought the Popish Agent into such a Fooles or Knaves Paradise as that he received 200 l. in hand of the said moneyes from Stanford and held out the acting of the businesse at least 3 moneths in treaties about it and things so fell out in that interim that partly Captaine Backehouse seemed to be necessitated to put it off but principally themselves were not fitted for action therein So that in the upshot they found themselves wound into a dangerous noose had it gone on and so voluntarily themselves left it off All this being at large related in print by Captain Backhouse himselfe with the interchangeable letters that past betweene them wherein was a cleare and full discovery of the whole plot to the just shame of those blood-thirsty traitors and the most deserved honour of that most loyall and faithfull commander Captain Backhouse May the 10. the most renowned and ever to be highly honoured Citizens of London observing a long and tedious obstruction in the Parliament about the re-establishing of the State-Committee of both Kingdomes which in its former setlement had produced much good to the affaires of the Kingdome and finding that the City Malignants began in their common discourse to seem to have great hopes of an utter dissolution thereof and most justly much fearing the ill consequences that were likely to follow thereon and considering that the main rub and remora thereof was in the House of Peeres The religious resolute prudent and provident Citizens therefore petitioned First their owne City Common-Council and the Common-Councill in the name of the whole City lamenting the not farther continuing of this Committee for both Kingdomes petitioned the whole House of Peeres for a most happy and speedy concurrence with the House of Commons especially now when an unanimous correspondency betweene them even in this conjuncture of time might redound much to their honours and the singular good of the Kingdome it having in 3 moneths time almost ruined our adversaries in their deepest designes against us as affaires then stood To which petition the Lords returned a very respective answer with great thankes for their love and care for the publike good And upon the 15. of May following the two Sheriffs of London with severall of the Aldermen and Common-Councill being the representative body of the City of London presented to the House of Commons in Parliament an humble petition expressing to that honourable House their thankefullnesse for the great and undefatigable paines which the House had now for some yeares past taken in the service of the publike Telling them withall that they were very sensible of the great discouragements they had received by some late obstructions yet did humbly desire them to loose no time in setling the Committee of both kingdomes assuring them that the City was resolved to obey the orders and directions of the House of Commons and that with the House of Commons they would live and dye as by the petition it selfe it was more at large expressed The House of Commons hereupon by their Speaker instantly returned many thanks to the City for their continued affection to the publique and to that House in particular and because a Petition so full of affection and resolution for the good of the publique might appeare to posterity They ordered it to be entred in the Journall-Book of the Parliament and the answer thereunto which was framed in expressions so suitable to the Petition as that it was exceedingly for the honour of the City and for the terrour of the enemies of this great Cause who eagerly sought and were in great hope at this time to have divided the one from the other The substance of this answer was delivered by Master Speaker as aforesaid on the very day of the delivery of the said City Petition and upon the Saturday following their Petition having been delivered but the Thursday before being May the 18th it was by expresse Order of the House delivered in writing by divers members of the House at a Common Councill in Guild-Hall sitting there of purpose to recieve the same Yea and upon the 20th or 21 of May next ensuing the Lords sent to the House of Commons this so long desired Ordinance for setling the Committee of both kingdomes with the alteration only of one word in it and the addition of two words more than were in it before and thus this weighty matter so long in disputation and expectation was now comfortably composed and yeelded unto to the great content of the well-affected and to the adversaries of the Causes great vexation and discouragement But yet within a day or two after the House of Commons moved the House of Lords againe by way of a reply to former Propositions therein with solid reasons why they could not concur with the Lords to have an additionall number of 15. to mannage the State-affaires with secrecy which is the key of certainty this having been the great blocke and obstruction in this weighty businesse and matters of high concernment being best carryed on when the number is the least So that at last the Lord was pleased to direct the heart of the Peeres to a full and clear setlement of this great businesse according to the desire of the House of Commons and long longed expectation of all the Well-affected Party and to the heart vexation of Malignants who hoped for an unhappy intestine division hereby among our selves Much also about
joy of Gods people and the extreame terrour of the malignant Papisticall and Atheisticall adversaries of the great and glorious Cause of God there was a generall muster of all the City forces yet remaining within the line of Communication besides 6 Regiments of the City forces then abroad upon the publique service which were found to be no lesse than 12 regiments of foot of the London Train'd bands containing 40 companies Also Sir Iames Harringtons regiment being the Train'd bands of Westminster and that liberty containing 8 companies Colonell Hudsons regiment being that of Southwarke containing also 8 companies Also 4 regiments of Auxiliaries containing 20 companies within the City Colonell Willoughbies regiment being the Auxillaries of the Hamlets containing also 8 companies In all 48. All the companies of each severall regiment being more than 6 Companies in a Regiment were taken for a guard for the City and Parliament The rest being 12 Regiments 6 Companies in a Regiment marched about Noon on Thursday May 30. 1644. to Hyde-Parke where Tents were pitcht and Ordnance planted and whither the Right Honourable Sir John Wollaston then Lord Mayer of London together with the Right honourable the Lady Majoresse and other Ladies and Gentlewomen in about 30 Coaches went to see this famous Muster performed and where met them divers of the Lords and 〈◊〉 of Parliament who were there entertained in great State together with all the brave Colonels and Commanders The other 12 were thus disposed of 7 Companies to Guard the Works and Forts upon the Northside of the River 2 Companies to Guard the Southern side 1 Company for Westminsterh The other 2 Guarded the City one Company thereof at the Exchange the other Company halfe at the Tower-hill and the other at Pauls The names of the Colonels whose Regiments went forth were these The Right Honourable the Lord Mayors of the City of London Col. Atkins Col. Penningtons Col. Adams Col. Warners Col. Towers Col. Haringtons Col. Hâ—â—sons Col. Towes Col. Willoughbies Col. Shepheards and Colonell Harsnets This good Reader is here mentioned not to cause our hearts to be lifted up with pride by the Reedish-props of the arme of flesh No God forbid it God the searcher of all hearts knowes I am for from it and should much grieve if any should make such a sinister use of it but unfeinedly desiring in the words and with the spirit of the prophet Hosea to â—â—y out and confesse that Ashut shall not save 〈◊〉 we will noâ— ride 〈◊〉 horses nor will wee say to the workes of our hands ye are our gods for in thee the fatherlesse findeth mercy No I say I only doe it to shew forth the admirable power and great pitty of the Lord toward us who thus graciously raised us up and Remembred us in our â—owestate for his mercy endureth for ever But now to go on About the 3â— of this 〈◊〉 May we had certain intelligence that Russell-Hall in Staffordshire was surrendred to the noble Earle of Denbigh who managed the worke there with singular martiall prudence and prowesse There was taken in it Colonell Lane and divers other commanders at least 〈◊〉 other prisoners and all the 〈◊〉 in the House They tooke there also above 10000 l. worth of goods and wares that had beene plundered and pillaged from the carriers comming from London and other parts going toward Lancashire this being observed to have beene one of the most thee â—ing garrisons of the royall Cormorants in all that County in that they had sometimes taken 7 â—â—ore packs at a time from the Country so that 〈◊〉 piece of service hath much advantaged the security of the Country there about both in reguard they may have more free and fearlesse passage for the time to come to Coventry and London and also in reguard that a greater part of the goods thus taken will be restored to the proper owners And much about the same time we were for certain enformed by letters from Plymouth that the garrison therein sallying forth with a considerable party fell upon the enemies quarters at a place called Milbrooke 2 miles from thence where they tooke 9 pieces of ordnance a 150 prisoners a 100 cowes and 300 sheepe In which encounter 10 of the enemies were slain and 6 of ours And Colonell Martyn the brave Governour thereof did then also certifie that hee was in a good posture of defence onely that he desired some farther supply of provision to be sent unto him for which purpose 3 barks were speedily laden with victuals and all other necessaries for reliefe of the said brave Towne and faithfull inhabitants thereof Much also about the same time came certaine information by letters from Nottingham to London that that valiant and faithfull Governour of Nottingham castle Colonell Hutchinson whom neither the power nor the promises of the atheisticall Marquesse of Newcastle could ever make to startle from his loyalty and sincere obedience to the Parliament had lately sent forth a party of horse toward Newarke where they encountred with a party of the enemies horse under the command of Captain Thimbleby and Captain Cartwright and after a hot skrimish and brave bickering forcing them to fly they tooke in the pursute between 50 and 60 horse and about 20 officers and gentlemen prisoners among whom was Captain Cartwright and a Captain Lieutenant whom the acute Rhetorick of their swords perswaded to keepe them company to Nottingham-castle the foresaid Captain Thimbleby being slain in the fight And finally about the end of this Moneth of May came certain Newes of divers letters intercepted dated at Lyme May 24. under the hands of Portescue formerly a Parliamenterian Ashburnham her Majesties bed-chamber friend and some others of that stamp who informed their great masters Bristol and Heath by those letters that that villanous Town of Lyme had destroyed more brave gentlemen of the West and men of honour than had been lost in all the West since these wattes began But that they were resolved once more to storme it for a farewell and would dispute it line by line and worke by work yet feared they should be forced to leave the siege else the Country people they said would cut their throats they were so bent for the Parliament at Westminster And shortly after according to the tenour of the foresaid Letter they assaulted this brave Towne whereupon the Towne-Souldiers suffered them to make a breach in their Workes and then ran away from the defence of the Worke as if indeed they had fled away from the Enemy but by that time that 3 or 4 hundred of the Enemies were entred the breach they instantly made use of the advantage and cut off and tooke every man of them Prisoners with their Armes and Ammunition and had the slaughter of the Enemy from other of their Works and thus by Gods great mercy beat off their Enemy and rested safe and secure for this time also And here
now having thus happily finished this Months Voyage I shall desire to cast Anchour and put to shore and make a little stay desiring the Christian Reader with me to make a briefe review and succinct recitall of all the rich Merchandize of this Moneths Voyage the better to raise up our soules to a just and gratfull valuation and admiration of them As First the brave defeat and repulse of the Enemies at Plymouth And Colonell Foxes valiant and active performances and taking of Budely-house in Worcestershire The most successefull progresse of the most renowned Earle of Manchesters Forces in Lincolnshire and taking of the Towne and Castle of Lincolne The Pious Ordinance of Parliament for the demolishing of all Organs and Superstitious Monuments of Popery in Churches and Chappels or else where together with valiant Captaine Swanleys yet farther brave exploits in Wales And Colonell Massies at or about Gloucester The brave Citizens of Londons Petition for the re-establishment of the State-Committee and the happy result thereof Together with more of renowned Colonell Massies brave performances about the adverse Garrisons neere Gloucester Lyme Stormed and its Enemies bravely repulsed The renowned Lord Generalls advance of his Army Westward and a day of Humiliation set a part in London to seeke the Lord for a blessing on it And Devon and Corwalls defection from the bloody and barbarous Irish A most devillish designe and pestilent plot to have undone Scotland and England too by a divertive Warre but most blessedly crost and prevented with the discomfiture and disgrace of those that plotted and acted it A brave and briefe description of the state of that famous Garrison at Lime Together with a brave prize taken at Sea by the most noble Earle of Warwicks Ships And Kents pious pattern of gratitude to God for its great deliverance The truely Noble Earle of Pembrookes love and loyalty to the Parliament attested Cawood-castle And Ayremouth Isle and Fort taken by valiant and virtuous Sir Iohn Meldrum in the Northerne parts of the Kingdome The most renowned Lord Generals prosperous progresse and advance with his Army into the West Valiant Captain Temples brave exploit at Islip The gratulatory Message sent by the Parliament in England to the Parliament in Scotland More of renowned Colonel Masseys admirable activity and the Parliaments most worthy gratifying of his good Service And lastly Englands great wonder to Gods great glory in the famous Muster of so many thousand Souldiers in and about the City of London all compleatly Armed notwithstanding so many Armies abroad in the Field before it The taking of Russell-house that notoriously theevish Garrison Together with the brave defeate given to Newarke by Nottingham Garrison And the brave condition of that famous Towne of Lime notwithstanding the long and tedious Siege against it All which being rightly regarded and seriously laid to heart have we not still great and just cause to see and say that God hath most triumphantly carried and borne up his holy Arke the Parliaments blessed Cause above all the raging and roaring billowes and swelling surges of the turbulent Ocean of this our greatly distracted and disturbed Nation carrying it on I say most smoothly with pleasant gales of good things bestowed and preserving it most happily from malice and mischiefe threatned And therefore how great cause hath England in almost infinitely bounden gratitude to confesse with holy David and sincerely to say Lord thou art good and thou doest good And therefore also to exult and rejoyce in the Lord our God yea and as good David saith To make our boast of God all the day long and to praise his name for ever and ever With a Selah Especially since as the holy Spirit of God himselfe declareth in Hannahs sweet Song There is none holy as the Lord for indeed there is none beside him neither is there any Rocke like our God Talke no more therefore so exceeding proudly ô yee Atheisticall Malignants and Popish Irish-Rebels let not such arrogancie come out of your mouth for the Lord is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed Yea and as holy Iob saies He is most wise in heart and mighty in strength Who hath hardned himselfe against him and hath prospered ANd now I shall againe put out our blessed Barke to Sea hoise up our Sailes and launch forth into the Deepe and prosecute this our next ensuing Moneths Voyage wherein we shall see how the Lord still carries on his glorious Arke the Parliaments Cause above all the furious Floods and raging Waves of its outragious and impious Adversaries And in the first place I shall desire to remember the Reader how it most graciously pleased the Lord to bring off his blessed Arke from a very dangerous and death-threatning Shelfe of devouring Quick-sands and most safely and securely to set it afloat againe carrying it on with most pleasant and prosperous gales I meane the happy and honourable releiving and raising of the Seige of that long beseiged and greatly straightned famous Towne of Lime in Dorsetshire a most full exact and true relation wherof sent in a Letter to a friend at London and comming to my hands I have thought fit here to insert for the Readers better content and satisfaction which was as followeth An exact and true relation of the relieving of the most resolute Garrison of Lime in Dorsetshire Sir I Have written one Letter to you since I came into this Bay where also I have received yours I blesse God for present health onely much sadnesse of spirit is contracted from the sad spectacles which besieged Lime continually offers to our view a Towne which deserves aboundance of pitty and love they being so constantly under the violence of a cruell Enemy But God hath brought our most noble Lord Admirall to this Towne to a singular purpose it tending directly to the preserving of that distressed Towne it not having in it at his Lordships comming above a dayes bread and a small quantity of ammunition There were then in the Town 4000 Soules whereof a 1000 in garrison who though they wanted shoes stockings cloathes and pay and had not departed from Lyme since the beginning of the siege yet were all of them resolved to stand out to the last man and when they could doe no more to breake through the Enemy with their swords At my Lords first comming he sent on shoar neere 40 barrels of powder and some match which came along with his Lordship purposely for their reliefe The ships under his Lordships Command did before his comming spare what provisions they could none comming from any other parts and the passages by sea being neer blockt up his Lordship contracted for 350. l. worth of corn and other provisions being then bound for Plymouth to be sold there and tooke order to send it into the Towne himsefe undertaking the price The condition and courage of the besieged did so prevail with our seamen
the Parliaments Cause above all the boisterous Billowes and swelling Surges which have tost and tumbled it too and fro purposing thereby to have over-topt or over-turned it but our God I say who is Soveraigne Lord of Sea and Land hath borne up the beautifull Sailâ—s of his blessed Arke and carryed it on most comfortably and brought it home safely to its home and harbour And therefore who can be so stupid and stony-hearted as not to acknowledge but that this is the Lords owne Worke and it is marvellous in our eyes and therefore in spirituall exultation to sing out with holy David and say The waters saw thee O God the proud waves and waters of the world even wicked and bloody men and were afraid before thee and the great depths were troubled at thee So that as Moses also sang The Children of Israel went into the the middest of them upon dry ground and the mighty waters were so farre from drowning or destroying them that they were a wall of safe-guard on their right and on their left hand to defend them And therefore as the foresaid sweet Singer of Israel Not unto us Lord not unto us but to thy great name be all the praise and glory of all these rare and rich mercies of all these many and mighty Deliverances But now to proceed ANd now we shall by Gods safe assistance put forth to Sea again with our blessed Barke the Arke of our God even our most righteous Cause and make this our next Moneths Voyage and begin first wiâ—h a present touch upon the Parliaments most renowned Lord Generalls successefull proceedings in the Westerne parts of the Kingdome From whence wee were certified by Letters from Chard that about the latter end of the last moneth and beginning of this there came in unto his Excellency within the circuit of twelve miles at lâ—st 4000 men who were all drawn into Rankes and Files in a Meadow whither his Excellency came to welcome them together with the noble Lord Roberts Lord Marshall of the Field who made an excellent speech unto them which they most cheerefully accepted with great and frequent acclamations they all offering themselves to live and dye in the Parliaments Cause and this in part confirmes what I mentioned before touching these West Countreymen at Dorchester Plymouths brave Garison also offered to take the Field with the most noble Lord Roberts who was Ordered aud resolved to goe into Cornwall and a part of that Garrison went out at that time about seven miles from Plymouth beat up a quarter of the Enemies tooke 44 Horse with their Riders Prisoners were pursued by that Skellum Greenvill but he also was beaten backe in great disorder with the losse of divers of his men Colonell Arundell a Member of the Oxford Junto and Major Wiseheart were slaine Colonell Digby brother to the traiterous Lord Digby wounded in the face and Greenvile himselfe closely put to it for his life but escaped the Gallowes as yet Much about the same time we were also informed by Letters out of Darbysh that that most worthy and active Patriot S. Ioh. Gel having sent 3 troops of horse 2 troops of dragoons to the E. of Denbigh then in Lancashire had also a small party of Horse abroad towards Nottingham seeking adventures who were met by some of the Kings Forces from Winkefield and divers of ours by them taken Prisoners but the alarme comming to Darby a fresh Party was sent out who in Winkefield set upon the Enemy as they were carousing and rejoycing at dinner for their good successe where they recovered all their owne men tooke 80 of the Enemies Horse and Riders and brought them all safe to Darbie without the losse of one man of their owne About the 4th of this instant Iuly we had also certaine newes out of the West that the greatest part of the Garrison at Barnstable being called off by Prince Maurice who it was then said was to goe to Pendennis Castle to be a Life-guard to the Queene yet the Garrison would needs leave a stinking savour behind them of their old trade of Plundering Whereupon the Inhabitants knowing the Lord Generall was at hand tooke courage and stoutly resisted them and in the issue bravely overcame their late tyrannicall Masters Which the most noble Lord Generall understanding of presently sent them a strong Party of Horse under the Command of the noble Lord Roberts and Sir Phillip Stapleton to helpe them to beat them quite away and keep them out from returning againe And thus they most happyly shooke off that servile Yâ—akâ— of those cruell Cavees and twice repulsed young Digby and others whom Prince 〈◊〉 â—ent to have reduced them again under that banefull bondage and killed divers of them and tooke many others prisoners And now we hope they begin to taste how sweet religion and Liberty is And ô how vâ—liant they grow being now sensible I say of what it was that made their brave Brethren of Lyme with so much unheard of 〈◊〉 to fight and stand it out against such spoylers of their peace and conscience comforts Much also about the foresaid time we had certain intelligence at London by a letter sent by that brave Commander Sir Thomas Midleton to the Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons concerning the brave and victorious raising of the siege of Oswestree lately taken by the noble Earle of Denbigh as was forementioned who left that brave Commander Colonell Mitton Governour of the said Town and Castle and which presently after my Lords departure for Lancashire was besieged by the Kings forces of those parts under the Command of Colonell Marrow which Letter containing a full relation of the carryagâ— of the whole worke I have thought fit here to insert as it was printed and published by authority of Parliament which was as followeth To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons HONOURED SIR NOt to trouble you with vain relations whereby to hinder the other serious imployment for the Kingdomes good May it please you to be advertised That the Town of Oswestree late taken by the Forces of the Parliament under my Brother Colonell Mittons Command was upon Saturday last begun to be begirt and since strictly besieged by the Kings forces consisting of about Fifteen hundred Horse and Three thousand five hundred Foot under the command of Colonell Marrow And that thereupon in pursuance of a Councell of War's determination occasioned by â—â—â—â—arnest and importunate Letter from my Brother Colonell Mitton directed to wee for speedy reliefe and raising of the siege of the said Towne I did upon the Lords-day last past with such Forces of Horse and Foot as I then had with me and the Foot Forces of Cheshire all of us then at Knotsford upon a determinate resolution to have marched for Manchester and then for the service in the North According to enjoyment of the Committee of both
Kingdomes returne and re-advance with all my said Forces unto a place called Spurstow heath where that night we quartered and thence advanced upon Munday morning towards Whitchurch we quartered that night likewise in the open Fields at a place called the Fennes in Flintshire where yesterday we marched towards Elsmore and so to the said Towne of Oswestree where the Enemy endeavoured by battering and storming of the same violently to have carryed it about two of the clocke in the Afternoon we came in sight of the Towne and within three miles of it where the Enemy having got intelligence of our approach prepared to receive us the chiefe Forces of our Enemy consisting of the most valiant Commanders and Souldiers drawn out of the garrisons of Chester Cheshire Shrewsbury Shropshire Ludlow Denbyshire Flintshire and other places The Enemy had taken the passage of water neere to Whittington and very furiously assaulted and charged us but were repulsed and forced to retyre through the courage of our Horse who most courageously entertained the Enemy three severall times the skirmish was doubtfull either side being forced so often to retreat but in the end our Foot Forces comming up relieved the Horse beat back the Enemy and pursued them with such force that the Horse thereby encouraged which indeed was formerly weary joyning with the Foot they put the Enemy to an absolute flight in which we pursued them Five miles towards Shrewsbury to a place called Felton-heath and where likewise we remained after their flight again thence Masters of the Fieldâ— In the skirmish with the Enemy and in the pursuite wee lost severall of our Horse some of our Troopers but never a Foorman which I am yet informed of many of the Troopers are hurt but I hope they will recover I lost one Captain Williams and one Captain Lieutenant Fletcher a very couragious man being Captain Lieutenant to Colonell Barton in my Brigade was dangerously shot but I hope not mortally As for the Enemy they lost many stout men had many of them taken prisoners the number whereof the inclosed will manifest some of them being of great quality As the Lord Newports eldest Son And besides in their flight such was their haste that wee found in the way of our pursuite of them the high way as it were strewed with store of Bread Cheese Bacon and other good provisions clothes and such necessary appurtenance to an Army besides some whole Veales and Muttons new kill'd The Enemy before the reliefe came had taken the Church being the strongest hold about the Town upon the approach of the reliefe they suddenly deserted it and sent their two battering pieces unto Shrewsbury In the way also were taken by our Forces seven Carts and Waggons loaden with provisions as Beer Bread and other necessaries whereof one was loaden with Powder and other Ammunition the Towne of Oswestree I find to be a very strong Town and if once fortified of great concernment and the Key that lets us into Wales SIR I had to my ayd 3. Regiments of Foot viz. Colonell George Boothes Regiment a gallant Regiment led by himselfe on foot to the face of the Enemy Another by Colonell Manwaring and the third by Colonell Croxon all of them stout and gallant Commanders and the rest of the Officers and Souldiers full of courage and resolution Major Louthien Adjutant Generall that brave and faithfull Commander to whom I cannot ascribe too much honour brought up the Reare that day SIR I rest Yours THO MIDDLETON Prisoners taken at Oswestree at the raising of the siege thereof Francis Lord Newport Son and heir to the Earl of Newport Captain Swinerton Captain of a Troope of Horse twenty Welsh and Shropshire Gentlemen one Cornet of Horse which had no command Lievtenant Norrell one Quartermaster two Corporalls 32 Troopers two pieces of Artillery to come up to the walls to save the Musketteers seven Carryages whereof one of powder 200 common-souldiers most of them Welsh great store of Armes found as was toucht before in the wayes and ditches There was since also taken Major Manly and Major Whitney under the walls of Shrewsbury in the pursuite of them About the 5th of this instant July came certain intelligence out of the North to London of that most famous and glorious victory wherewith it graciously pleased the Lord to crown our three most noble and ever to be renowned Generalls viz. Cenerall Lesley Earl of Leven in Scotland The most noble Earle of Manchester and the most renowned Lord Fairfax Which was most happily obtained on the second of this instant July 1644. being Tuesday toward night and that within the space of lesse than three houres The full and true relation of which Fight and famous Battell although the three most noble Generalls aforesaid sent it to London under their owne hands and divers other relations thereof have been published in print to shew the clearnesse and truth of the thing they every one in substance agreeing one with another yet both in regard of the fulnesse and faithfulnesse as also the pious enlargements of that Copy which was written by that very reverend learned and pious Pastour and Heroicke-spirited Gentleman Master Simon Ash Chaplaine to the most noble valiant and victorious Earle of Manchester I have therefore made choice of his excellent relation and here inserted it verbatim as it was printed and published with onely some interlacing and addition of some few materiall passages cull'd out of other authentick copies for the Readers better satisfaction and much content therein which was as followeth A true Relation of the Fight and famous Victory at Marstone-Moore neere YORKE from Master Ash his owne hand-writing VPon the thirtieth of June being the Sabbath towards evening we had certaine Intelligence that Prince Rupert with his Army were quartered at Burrow-brigs within twelve miles of Yorke and that he intended to fight with us the next day Heereupon the 3 Generalls resolved that night and in the morning to raise the Siege that they might be able to encounter the great Forces now ready to assault them with hope to returne unto the Seige upon the repulsion of the potent enemy You will easily believe that there was much joy and many manifestations thereof in the Citie upon removing of the Forces which had so long begirt it on every side And truely many of our hearts were oppressed with heavinesse looking upon this providence as speaking Divine displeasure against us but our God hath mercifully made knowne the groundlesnesse of our doubts and discouragements for ever blessed bee his Name Upon Monday July 1 we marched with all our Forces unto 〈…〉 on the Sâ—uch-side of the River Owsed with hope there to meet with Prince Rupert in his way towards Yorke In the afternoon our Army was set in Battaliâ— and our Souldiers were full of joy expecting to have a Battaile with the Enemy becaâ—sâ— we were assured by our Scouts that the Prince with his whole
hid himselfe in Bean-Lands he had beene taken The Earl of Manchester with much labour did rally 500 of the Souldiers who were leaving the Field in great disorder and brought them backe againe to the Battell And the most noble and worthy Generall Lesly was much offended with his Souldiers who shrunk from the service of the day and having endeavoured both by words and blowes to keepe them in the Field with much wisedome and affection he pressed this argument Although you run from your Enemies yet leave not your Generall though you fly from them yet forsake not me Very many of the Scots both commanders and others did singular good service that day and stood stoutly to it unto the end of the fight and did therefore very well deserve to be sharers in the honour of the day and three Regiments of their Horse which with ours made the left wing of the Army being commanded by Major Generall Lesley did as brave and honourable service as any who served in the Field that day And although the right wing of our Army did not satisfyingly answer mens expectations yet the Earl of Eglington the Earl of Lindsey the Lord Cooper Sir James Lunsden and other Scottish Commanders with many of their Officers and Souldiers did as I said before give good proofe of their stoutnesse and magnanimity And as for any of them of each Nation who went away they were by their ministers and others so sharpely reproved and this their fault in such sort was aggravated to them that there was great hope they would regain their credit by good service upon the next occasion As for that famous and magnanimous Commander Lieut. Gen. Cromwell whose prowesse and prudence as they have rendred him most renowned for many former successefull deeds of Chevalry So in this great fight they have crowned him with the never withering Laurells of fame and honour who with so Lyon-like courage and impregnable animosity charged his proudest adversaries again and again like a Roman Marcellus indeed undauntedly out-daring and over-bearing his stoutest Popish and Atheisticall Antagonists even to the end of the fight and at last came off as with some wounds so with honour and triumph inferiour to none Colonell Sydney also Son to the Earl of Leicester charged with much gallantry in the head of my Lord of Manchesters Regiment of Horse and came off with much honour though with many wounds the true badges of his honour and was sent away afterward to London for cure of his wounds And as for that truly noble and renowned Commander Sir Tho. Fairfax that undanted never sufficiently praised Souldier whose former famous exploits have rendred him most magnanimous he also lost not a jot or title of honour this day for although many of his Souldiers did faint and fall backe yet his noble heart continued like the heart of a Lyon stout and undaunted for he stayed fighting in the Field untill being dismounted and wounded he was brought off by one of his Souldiers Yea and brave Colonell Lambert and some others of their officers went on most daringly through every difficult and dangerous adventure which they could meete with though I say much of their strength did unhappily shrinck from them Lieutenant Col. Needham did also very manfully in his place I nominate not here any other of my noble Lords Officers besides Liutenant Gen. Cromwell and Col. Sydney though I could have particularized Major Gen. Crawford and divers other Colonels with Lieut. Colonells Majors and Captaines who gained much honour by their very valiant carriages and exploits and therfore I hope my silence in regard of others who under the command of the two other Generalls did also most gallantly will not be offensive and the rather because I was not so well acquainted with them And it is exceedingly ill done of those who cast aspersions upon some in the Army in this fight who rather deserved commendations than uncomely calumniations Surely they neither Act christianly nor prudently who take courses to breed emulations and divisions in our Army and who cast reproach and discouragement upon such who are most ready to sacrifice their dearest heaâ—tblood in the present service of Christ in this Kingdome But to be briefe I found this generally among the Souldiers especially in my noble Lord of Manchesters Regiments to my hearts great content that they all gave the Lord of Hosts all the glory of this Victory wherein they were onely instruments Some also of the Enemies that were taken Prisoners have acknowledged the meere finger and hand of God in their rout and our victory And it pleased me wondrous well to heare and see our God honoured on both hands Yet I may not heere omit a strange speech as it was credibly reported to fall from Prince Rupert upon the disapointing of his hopes and the dis-joynting of his Forces to their ruine I am sure said he my men fought well and therefore know no reason of our Rout but this because the Devill did help his Servants These words surely intimate that he imagined the Devill gives the Victory in the day of Battell a most Atheisticall and heathenish opinion or else his Conscience told him which he would not confesse that God indeed did help his Servants Yea and a man of quality belonging to the Enemy whose name for some reasons I may not mention professed That his Conscience told him Our Cause was Gods Cause but yet his Honour would not suffer him to take part with us And the Lord Grandison who was sorâ—ly wounded in this fight and under the Chyrurgions hands for cure in Yorke told a friend that visited him That he had received 10. wounds on his body in this Battell One wound for the breach of every Commandement in the Decalogue See here then good Reader if heere be not a cleare assent to that of holy Moses Their Rocke is not as our Rocke even our Enemies being judges But to returne to to the finishing of this Fight The Runawayes with other poore people who attended the Army did grievously plunder our Wagons and other Carriages for the Wagoners Carters c. being affrighted with the flight of our owne Souldiers did leave their charge in the hands of such as love to rob and spoile It was a very sad sight to behold many thousands posting away being amazed with Panick feares Heere just occasion was given us to remember Keynton-battell at Edge-Hill Edge-Hill where the hearts of some were upheld with hopes when others gave up all as lost and that with much despondencie of spirit Upon our coole and recollected thoughts such of us as desired to acknowledg God in all his waies did firmely pitch upon these Conclusions The Lord saw that we are apt to rely upon the arme of flesh and therefore very much humane strength failed us And besides if the whole Army had continued couragious we should
Gods glory and our great comfort as witty and worthy Britanicus well noted his Majestie made Bonefires in the morning and our three foresaid noble Generalls quenched them and put them all out again before night And though now I have done with this brave Battell and famous Victory yet give me leave Good Reader to add this one note for a conclusion which I had from very credible and good information viz. That our Malignants choice Champion and stout Souldier Prince Robber as valiant and courageous as they would have the world hould him to be yet I say this great Kill-â—owe besides the losse of his dainty Dog found dead among the rest of the slain lost also his brave Beaver in the field or flight for found it was and himselfe as divers affirmed lay hid in a Bean-field as was toucht before after a litle service done in the field untill it was dark and then got away into Yorke And in the same place where the Marq. of Newcastles Commission was found there was also found a Letter signed with Charls Rex to it saluting the Marquesse of Newcastle by the name of Right Trusty and most entirely beloved Couzen and Councellor by which we may observe that he was most entirely beloved that put Armies into Papists hands to cut the troats of Protestâ—nts signifying by that Letter That his Lordship should take care that the Lord Viscount Rochford should have all his Rents paid unto him for that he was reconciled to his Majesty If then his Majesty spake truth the Lord of Rochford deserved much blame who was thereupon accused by the House of Commons for adhering to the Enemies and upon Thursday Iuly the 11. the said Lord comming to the House of Peers was saluted with an impeachment of high Treason and committed prisoner to the Black Rod. About the 12 of this instant it was for certain informed that although they at Oxford boasted much of the relieving of Greenland-House yet now by Gods mercy it was yeilded upon fair termes and moderate Articles unto Major Generall Brown and that for the present his Souldiers maintained a Garrison in it But that it was resolved on not to continue it so but to have it demolished to the ground The taking of this House was of great concernment to the City of London for by that means great quantities of provisions may be securely convayed by water to London out of Oxfordshire and Barkshire and aboundance of Wood out of the Oxford Malignants estates in those parts to serve London for fuell all the succeeding winter Much also about the same time came certain intelligence by Letters out of the Western parts of the Kingdome that the Forces of his Excellency the Parliaments most Noble Lord Generall under the Command of Sir Robert Pye and Colonell Blake had taken Taunton Castle a peice of great strength and concernment also in those parts and that in it they had taken 4 Iron peeces of Ordnance 6 Murtherers 4 Hogsheads of Beef a load of Iron great store of powder one Demi culverin 2 tun of Match one powder-Mill a great quantity of bullets 2 Loads of Cheese 2 Hogsheads of Oatmeal with great store of Salt Wheat Meal and other sorts of provision with store of Housholdstuffe and rich moveables and Colonell Reve who commanded the Castle for the King and the rest of his souldiers had quarter to March away to Bridgewater the Kings next Garrison Town About the 14th of this instant came also certain information by letters from the truely noble Lord Denbigh that whereas he had made a shew as if he would have drawn his Forces toward Shrewsbery as intending to besiege it yet indeed his private resolution 〈…〉 upon the House of the Lord Cholmley and tooke it which was a singular good 〈◊〉 of service to the State in 〈◊〉 that this House had been a very great and long mischiefe to the Country in those neer adjacent 〈◊〉 into it Much also about this foresaid time we were certified by letters out of Lincolnshire of the brave activity and valour of Colonell Rossiter Governour of Lincoln who weekly used to fall upon the Enemy neer Newark and that at one time he took a Major a Captaine and 30 Troopers and their horses Shortly after also that issuing out again he took another Major 3 Captains and 50 horse more with their Riders within three miles of Newark The Commanders especially were good prize these not being so easily 〈◊〉 as Horses those Newarke plunderers making a shift frequently to take an 100 horse in a hight out of the Villages about them Thus that poor County of Lincoln was continually wronged and turned by that pestilent den of plunderers About the 16th of this instant came certain intelligence of some late performances and good Service done by Captain Sydenbam and Captaine Carr neer Dorchester which was informed to be thus The Lord Inchiquin drew out of Warchaâ—â— about 240 horse and Dragoons and came against Dorchester intending to plunder burn and destroy all before them but making some pause before they fell upon the Town it gave Valiant Captain Sydenham and Captain Carr the opportunity of comming to their reliefe before they had attempted the intended mischiefe and so they fell upon the said Enemies about a mie from the Town beat them soundly back again took 160 prisoners with 60 horse and good store of their late gotten plunder elsewhere loaden in a Waggon and that some of the Enemies so taken being Irish Rogues euen 8. of them thus taken had such quarter given them as they gave the Protestants 〈◊〉 Ireland viz. That they hanged them up presently they having pursued their Enemies about 12 miles killing many of them by the way About this foresaid 〈◊〉 the honourable House of Commons in Parliament took into confideration having also before it passed the bill and great businesse of Ordination of Ministers the pious and religious 〈◊〉 of a godly and learned ministery of which there was and iâ— great complaint of the 〈◊〉 of and not without cause thankes to our former wicked Bishops almost all over the whol Kingdome And thereupon they agreed that all such as shall have Ordination shall be sound men well skil'd in Philosophy Logick and in the Tongues If all these and piety especially must precede it is to be feared that an age will not furnish all the Parishes in England and Wales in such a manner How ever we have just cause to blesse the Lord most heartily for so blessed and long desired a godly resolution in them and to wait on God for the good issue thereof Much also about the 18th of this instant July came certain intimation by Letters to London from out of Leistershire that Generall Hastings that wicked Râ—b-Carrier of all those parts was at Colchetâ—â— with about 2000 horse and Foot they being all he could possibly draw out of all the Garrisons under his Command with
that most famous defeat and glorious Victory given by the good hand of God to the Parliaments three most renowned and victorious Generalls the most religious and renowned Earl of Manchester his Excellency Generall Lesley and the ever to be honoured valiant and victorious Lord Fairfax against that barbarous and bloody hair-braind ignoble Rupert the disgrace of his progenitors and indelible stain of his Posterity In the notable and unexpected discovery of the Lord of Râ—chfords disloyalty to the Parliament in speciall and Kingdome in generall The taking of Greenland-house by Major Generall Browne And Taunton-castle by the most Noble Lord Generalls Forces In the taking of Cholmley-house by the most noble Earl of Denbigh Colonell Rossiter Governour of Lincoln his valour and activity against the Common-Enemy Captain Sydenhamâ— and Captaine Carrs most brave exploit against the Lord Inchiquin and the religious resolution of the Parliament to establish a learned and godly Ministry In the taking of Wilne-Ferry and Fort by the noble Lord Grey and valiant and faithfull Sir John Gell the said Lord Greys valour and vigilancy for the good of his Country and the most solemn and memorable Celebration of the Day of Thankesgiving at London for the most famous victory which God gave us at the great and bloody fight nere the City of Yorke In the most happy surrendering up of the City of York it self unto the three most noble Lord Generalls forementioned and the pious and prudent Message and motion which the said noble Generalls made and sent to the Parliament in point of farther thankfullnesse to God and satisfaction even to the worst of men In the most noble renowned and truely religious Earl of Manchesters successefull and victorious advance and progresse with his brave Army in taking Tickhill-castle and farther prosperous proceedings since the last great victory at Yorke And lastly In the brave defeates given to the Roysterly-regall Enemies both by Col. Laughorn and Capt. Moulton in Pembrookeshire by the noble Earl of Denbighs and Warwick Forces at Evesham the famous and ever to be renowned Garrison of Lyme at Colliton and Chard and finally in the most noble and renowned Lord Generalls brave and victorious and famous progresse into Devonshire and Cornwall and all those Western parts wherein hitherto by Gods power and providence he might worthily say as conquering Caesar said Veni vidi vici even all for the most part either voluntarily comming in unto him or violently enforced thereunto by his valiant and victorious forces All which most seriously and religiously considered have we not good Reader great cause justly and ingenuously to confesse and acknowledge to see and say with holy Samuel EBEN-EZER and to make this the glorious and gracious Motto of our Parliamentary Barke the Ark of our God most deeply ingraving it with indelible characters of golden-gratefull Remembrance HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED VS And therefore zelously and constantly to conclude and hold maugre all malicious contradiction whatsoever that our title is most truely and infallibly ratified from heaven by all those manifold and even miraculous premises and patternes thereof that GODS Arke hath most triumphantly over-topped and been born above all the Worlds boysterous Billows swelling surges And hitherto the Lords most faithfull and glorious Cause blessedly embarked in our most pious Parliament hath in all its just undertakings most impregnably prevailed and been preserved against all the Malignant Atheisticall and Papisticall Machinations Plots and Practizes that men or devills were ever able to invent and foment against Gods Truth and a glorious and pure Gospel-Reformation In so much that now upon all these serious considerations of the Enemies combinations and injurious conjurations on the one side and our Gods most omnipotent and omniprudent frustrations of them all thus from time to time wee may most worthily say as the holy Prophet once said especially on the gracious and most gratefull recordation of that most memorable and admirable victory at Marston-Heath neere Yorke and also all those late forementioned Westerne victories even of this last Moneth of July wee may say and that most worthily as the LORD God himselfe said by the holy Prophet Now also many nations are gathered together against thee O English ISRAEL that say let her be defiled and let our eyes looke on Zions defilement But they know not the thoughts of the Lord neither understand they his Counsell For hee hath gathered them together as sheaves into the barn-floor And hath said to all our renowned Generalls and to their Armies Arise and thresh O daughter of Zion for I have made thy horne as iron and thy horses hoofes as brasse and thou shalt beat and bruise in pieces as with a strong flale many people and I will consecrate their gain to my selfe saith the Lord and their substance to the Lord of the whole Earth And hast not thou ô England as then Zion was promised seen all this come to passe for thy sake upon thine Enemies Even many nations brought together English Irish Dutch French Walloons who not that could be was not gathered against thee to defile and spoil thee yea to glut their accursed eyes and hearts with wicked joy at thy ruine and defilements But ah wicked fooles how ignorant and unacquainted were they with the Lords Counsels and how farre his thoughts were above and against their thoughts who brought them but together at York and else where like so many Sheaves on the barn-floar of Marston-Heath and there and then most graciously and gloriously said to our renouned Generalls Commanders and Souldiers Arise arise and thresh those Sheaves of shame and dishonour for I have made your Swords and instruments of war as Iron flales and your horses hoofs as brasse to trample on them and tear them in peices And then did the Lord also most triumphantly consecrate unto himselfe and we as we were able most worthily gave their gain and substance even all the honour and glory of these great and most famous victories to the Lord our God alone whose strong arme alone got us and gave us these glorious victories over all those our fierce and furious Enemies Yea he alone I say According to their deeds accordingly hath repayed fury to his Churches and Childrens adversaries recompense to his Enemies and to the Irish I stand he hath repayed and will yet still repay recompence And thus indeed it must needs be for Their strength and defence was departed from them and our God had made them as bread for us to eat and devour Yea our God hath for us wounded and broken in pieces the heads of these Leviathans and given them as meat to us his poore despised people And hath wounded the hairy scalps of all these that thâ—s went on in their insatiable wickednesse That thus therefore the great name of the Lord might be feared from the North to the West and his glorious splendour from the rising of the Sun
39 The Kings forces frighted from New-port-pannell 55 Newcastles declining condition 67 Northern Counties leave the Earle of Newcastle 68 Newcastles forces beaten by Colonell Rudgeley 78 Namptwich bravely relieved with a glorious victory 142 Names of divers delinquents or malignants 153 Names and number of Parliament members that took the Covenant 157 Newcastle besieged by the Scots 158 Northampton garrisons good service 162 Nottingham preserved from a notable plot 163 Northampton forces tooke the Princes troope 168 Colonell Norton at Southampton 172 Names of reclaimed delinquents 174 The E. of Newcastles great losse 183 The Earl of Northampton beaten by Colonell Beare 18â— Newcastle flyes to Durham 208 Newcastle got into Yorke 209 Northamptons forces revenged on Banbury 211 Northampton forces victorious 95 A notable plot against Nottingham-castle 104 Newarke garrison beaten 240 Colonell Needhams valour 274 Another desperate plot against Nottingham 133 Newbridge in the West taken 297 O Ordinance of Parliament against the Kentish rebells 16 Oxfords proclamation to starve up the City of London 18 An Oath or Covenant taken by Londoners 24 Ordinance of Parliament to search 〈◊〉 and carriages 30 Ordinance for a collection for sick and 〈◊〉 souldiers 33 A charitable Order in Parliament for Christs-Hospitall 37 Ordinance against Spies 49 Oxfords Propositions for a pretended Peace 152 Ordinance for taking the Covenant 157 Oxford sets up gallowes and why 174 Ordinance for sanctifying the Sabbath 199 Ordinance for demolishing of Organs c. 222 Oxford Spiders sack poyson from hole some flowers 91 Oxford deserted by many 92 Oswestree taken 260 Ordinance of Parliament against rotten revolters from the Parliament 260 The Enemies bravely beaten at Oswestree 266 Ordinance for the well governing of the City of London 100 Serjeaâ—t Major Ogle a notable traitor and plotter 135 Observations on the fight at Marston-Moore 278 P Parliament compared to God Ark. 1 Proclamation from Oxford to starve London 18 Alderman Pennington made Lieutenant of the Tower of London 19 Four Proclamations sent to the Lord Mayor of London at one time 35 Captain Players brave resolution and courage 45 A great Plot against London 52 A plot to hinder the Scots advance 53 The Plot to starve the City of London frustrated 55 Plantations abroad cared for by the Parliament 58 Almost two hundred thousand English Protestants massacred in Ireland 69 A Plot against Southampton discovered 148 Propositions for a pretended peace 152 Pools exploits 155 A Plot against the Scots discovered 161 Preachers at London to be provided for 162 A Plot against Nottingham discovered 163 Pools exploits against Prince Rupert ibid. The Princes Troop taken 168 The Palsgrave takes the Covenant in Holland 172 The Parliaments care for the pious institution of the Kings Children 175 Capt. Tho. Pyne 175 Capt. Tho. Pyne his just praise 176 Pembrookshire hopefully reduced to the Parliament 176 Pembrookshires brave resolution 178 Captain Tho. Pyne victorious at Collyton 184 Preachers greatly wanted in Wales 202 Master Pâ—ynnes honour attested out of Holland 203 Plymouth gives the Enemy a brave Defeat 215 Pools brave performances 81 A Plot against Gloucester 94 A Plot to undo England and Scotland 229 A brave Prize taken at Sea 232 Master John Pym honourably mentioned as deserved 99 A Plot to convey the two young Princes from Saint Jamses to Oxford 99 A Plot against Nottingham Castle 124 The Earl of Pembrookes just praise 233 Plymouth garrison takes a brave prize 240 A Pack of Plots 109 Plymouths Seige deserted 111 An admirable providence by Pilchards at Plymouth 112 Parishaw bridge destroyed 60 Royalists 250 Prizes at Sea taken by our ships 256 Preparation by Sea to help the West affaires 257 Prizes taken by Sea and Land 259 A Plot against the Parliament 118 The Parliament invited to a feast by the Londoners 124 Pretended peace petitioned against 23 A Plot against Southampton discovered 1â—â— A Plot of Religion to divide the City and Parliament 134 Propositions for Peace to be tendred to the King 292 R. Reformation petitioned for by the Assembly of Divines 4 Rebellion in Kent 11 Rebellion at Canterbury appeased 15 Col. Rudgely bravely defeats the Enemy 78 Return of the Train'd Bands of London and Westminster to London 99 Russell-Hall in Staffordshire taken 239 About 60 Royalists drowned together 250 Revolters from the Parliament 262 Rats crawl up ships Masts when the ship is ready to sinke 262 Reformation in King Henry sevenths chappel at Westminster 113 Reformation in Canterbury-Minster 101 Prince Ruperts atheisticall speech 275 Royalists impudency in triumphing for what they never had 283 Colonell Rossiters activity 285 Lord Rochford impeached of High Teason 285 S. Stamford in Lincolnshire taken 7 A Ship of Denmarke taken 20 Spies and Intelligencers ordered against 49 Souldiers revolt from the King at Bristol 61 Surrey Sussex and Hampshire associated 57 The Lord Saulton a Scotish Popish Lord apprehended 75 The Scots march from Barwick fully related 137 Stamford mount neere Plymouth 75 The Scots successefull progresse in the North. 154 Capt. Swanley successefull at Milford Haven 161 Sir John Stowell slain at Southampton 170 The Sweds desire to associate with our Parliament 173 Capt. Swanley Victorious in Penbrookshire 176 Sir John Stepney a brave Welsh surveyour a pretty jest of him 179 The Scots passe over Tyne 183 Security the bane of safety 184 Sanctification of the Sabbath day ordered 199 Captain Swanley still victorious in Wales 202 Sweathland and England respond together 204 Selbies famous victory 205 Scotlands fidelity to England 211 A new great Seal of England 86 Captain Swanley still victorious 224 Sweet Sympathy twixt the Parliament and City of London 226 Secrecy is the Key of certainty 226 Colonell Sydenhams Valiant Exploits 101 Serjeant-Major Skippon takes Glaston house 103 Sunderland preserved from a treacherous Plot. 247 Capt. Swanley honoured with a chain of Gold by the Parliament 248 Capt. Swanley Commander in chiefe in Wales 247 Shâ—â—ly-Castle taken 250 Swedes vex the Danes who would have vexed us 117 A brave Ship taken 123 Sick and mained souldiers cared for by the Parliament 33 Col. Sydneys valour at Marestone-Moore fight 273 Col. Sydenhams brave valour 286 Scots advance into England 136 T. Trunkes to be searched and other carriage 32 Tewksbury lookt unto by Colonell Massey 48 Sir Henry Talbot surprised in his quarters 146 Tadcaster taken 173 Tinby Town and Castle taken 181 Triumphant return of the Trained Bands of London and Westmin 99 Capt. Temples brave Exploits at 〈◊〉 235 Tewksbury taken 249 Taunton-Dean taken 257 Pâ—pish trinkets burnt 128 Taunton Castle taken 285 Publike Thanksgiving famously celebrated at London for the glorious Victory at Marstone Moore 288 Tâ—ckhill taken 293 Tastcaster in the West taken 297 V. Aglorious Victory at Namptwich 142 Sir Henry Vaughan a Welch Commander his valour described 179 Victory at Selby 205 Col. Vavasor beaten 93 A Vniversall plot against the Protestant Religion over all Christendome 116 Victory at Marstone-Moore 269 Vse of all this History 302
the Danish-Ship Aug. 4. 1643. Another brave prize taken at the same time The seasonableness of that Danish prize wherein Gods providence is the more to be observed The low ebbe of our armies briefly touched Divers of the Danish armes sent to Hull to the noble Lord Fairfax Clubs called Round-heads sent to Hull A plot for a pretended Peace in the house of Peers in Parliament The Citizens of London Petition the ParliameÌ„t against the pretended Peace The Parliaments present answer to the Petition The effects of the said Petition An Oath or Covenant to be taken by all Citizens of London Citie-Malignants imprisoned in Saint Faiths Church under Pauls in Ships on the Thames The Earl of Hollands Tâ—unks seized on by water The Fellowship a brave Ship of Bristoll taken by Capt. Smith in the Swallow a Parliament-Ship Sir Wiâ—â—allers CommissioÌ„ to advance with his intended designes is granted by his Excellencie A brief recapitulation of all these last recited Parliamentarie-Mercies by way of obliged thankfulness 1. 2. 3. 4. GODS Ark fairly carried on with fair blasts of good success against its boysterous billowes and swelling waves Psal 136. 4. September 1643. Sir Alexander Carews plot against Plimouth timely discovered and the danger prevented Hull besieged by the Earl of Newcastle Gods mightie preservation of the Town Beverly pitifully plundred by the enemies The Earl of Newcastle despairs of getting Hull A sodain and most remarkable preservation of Hull Hulls very great danger at this time by Powder sodainly blown up The admirable hand of God in Hulls mightie danger The occasion of Huâ—ls so great danger The Parliaments care for the encouragement of London Apprentices in their Service of the Kingdome Sir Jo. Wollaston most happily chosen Lord Major of the Citie of London The Authors just and experimentall attestation and commendation of Sir John Wollaston Lord Major of London The mercies of this Lord Majors choice also was a sweet return of prayer A notable triall by Gods most wise disposall put upon the Lord Major of London and most loyally managed by him Foure Proclamations sent at one time to the Lo Major of London to be published in the Kings name in the Citie Provision of firing ordered by the Parliament for preventioÌ„ of dangerous muâ—â—nâ—es by the poorer sort Woods to be cut down to furnish the Citie and parts adjacent with fuell What woods were to be cut down A summary gratefull review of this Moneths Parliamentarie-Mercies GODS Ark carried on with fair and prosperous gales Psal 68. 19. October 1643. The Parliaments charitable act and order for the good of the poor children of Christs Hospitall in London The Authors own gratefull acknowledgement of Gods goodness to him in the said Hospitall An 100000 li to be raised in the Citie of London for the advance of an army of 21000 Scots to come into England 2 Sam. 24. A famous victorie obtained by the Lord Fairfax against Newcastles Popish forces whereby the Siege of Hull was raised The Marquess of Newcastle put to great straits by this Defeat A Copie of Sir John Meldrums Letter to the Speaker of the Parliament touching the brave victory he obtained at Hull A brief touch of Sir Jo. Mâ—â—drums worth and valour attested by the renowned Lord Fairfax himself The most famous and renowned victory obtained by the right honourable Earl of Manchester at Horncastle in Lincolnshire Bolenbrook-Castle summoned The enemie prepares to meet and fight with the Earl of Manchester Our forces are drawn all neer each other about Bolenbrook The enemie gives ours the allarm about Horncastle Ours bravely bicker with the enemies forlorn-hopes Three or four of our troopes in great dangâ—r but came off most bravely Cap. Iohnsons Cap. Moodies and Captain Players brave courage and resolution The commanders notable discretion and courage The great strait they were still put unto Bolenbrockhill designed to be the place to fight The enemies strength and ours The word on both sides Both armies in sight of each other The pietie of our armie Both armies met at a Town called Ixbie Gen. Cromwells great danger The sight in the very heat of it The enemie â—â—ins to 〈◊〉 The enemies flie Sir Tho. Fairfax his undaunted courage The issue of the fight The Commission of Aray cryed out on by the dying Souldiers The spoyl and prizes taken The armie with the most noble Lord of Manchester possess themselves of Horncastle Letters of the enemies intercepted confirming the truth of this great victorie This famous victory and that also at Hull were obtained both in one and the same day Col. Massies good service at Tewksbery Another brave defeat given to the Kings forces by the Parliaments forces in Warwick-Castle An OrdinaÌ„ce of Parliament against Spies and intelligencers The Citie of Lincoln taken by the noble Earl of Manchester The prize taken in the Citie of Lincoln Gainesborough also taken by the said noble Earl of Manchester The great design against the Citie of London The great plot and designe was how to contrive to starve up the Citie of Londoâ— The manner and wayes of the enemies contriving their plot against London The manner of the enemies acting their coÌ„trivements 2 Chro. 16. 9. How God all along crost and disappointed all the enemies deep designes Another great ploâ— of the enemies to hinder our Brethren of Scotlands coming in to our ayd and assistance An Embassadour sent from the Queen-Regent of France into Scotland to divert those our brethren from coming to ayd us Two Letters sent by our King into Scotland to cross the Scots resolution to ayd England The substance of both the said Letters The Royallists hopes heerin also frustrated The grand plot of starving up the Citie of London now prosecuted by the Royallists but blessedly frustrated The Earl of Manchester resolves to ayd his associated Counties out of Lincolnshire by Colonell Cromwell Col Cromwell sent out of Lincolnshire into Huntingtoâ—shire with considerable forces Col. Cromwell ordered by the Lo. Generall to return again into Lincolnshire The Kings Cormorants flie out of Newport-Pannell The great plot mightily dasht damped alreadie A summarie recapitulation of all this Moneths Parliamentarie-mercies and therein the sweet preservation of his Ark his great Cause GODS Ark still born-up above the tops of all its advers swelling waves of opposition Psal 57. 7. Psal 60. 12. November 1643. An association of Hampshire Surrey Sussex and Kent Sir 〈◊〉 Waller Commander in chief of this association The Parliâ—ments providence for the welfare of forein English Plantations A considerable number of English-Irish Protestant Souldiers landed at Bristoll out of Ireland revolted from the King to the Parliament The English-Irish Souldiers fall foul on their Commanders and Officers They march away to Gloucester to serve under Colonell Massiâ— A remarkable hand of Gods providence in this business A most brave defeat given to the Lord Capell by Cheshire Shropshire forces The manner of the performance of the defeat The Lord Capell marches toward