l. per annum formerly voted to be conferred on his Excellency and his Heynes for ever might be presently setled possessed and enjoyed by him They likewise ordered That a Letter should be written to his Excellency to returne the thanks of both Houses of Parliament for his noble valour and unwearied paines in the service of the State and particularly in the storming of Dartmouth and to informe him what a great mercy the Parliament esteems this businesse of Dartmouth and how highly they respect and esteem of his Excellency and his designes and undertakings And here now I shall desire the Reader for Gods greater glory and high honour to consider seriously and most graciously and gratefully how admirable wisely powerfully and advantagiously for us the Lord carried on all these late great works in these few ensuing observations worthy our cordiall consideration As first That God all along cast such a pannick feare upon our Enemies such a Magor-Misabib into their hearts and spirits that they were a continuall terrour to themselves and that since our taking of Boviâ—-Tracy God hath given into our hands neer 1000 of the Enemies Horse and that upon the advance of a party of ours from Crediâ—â—on the Enemies fled and onely â—ix of Colonell Okeyes Dragoones put 500 of their Horse from their post at which time they fled from Plymouth leaving their Guns Arms and Ammunition behind them Secondly That Captaine Batten Vice-Admirall of the Parliaments Ships coming to block up Dartmouth by Sea as our noble Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax had ordered him liâ— upon a Ship of the Enemies bound for France wherein were many Gentlemen of quality and money and jewels to a good quantity together with many other rich 〈…〉 Thirdly which is indeed very remarkable That till our Forces came before Dartmouth in at least seven weeks space there had been little or no 〈◊〉 upon that 〈◊〉 but now our Army being there ther was such a mighty shole of Muâ—â—its taken as comfortably fed our Army and which so continued among them to the great admiration of all the Inhabitants Fourthly That in the storming of the Towne though all things answered not the appointments of the Councell of War yet there was no confusion or miscarriage in the whole worke and withall that we had very faire weather all the time of the siege and storme even to a minute till the Town was taken and then only it rained much Fifthly That notwithstanding the great strength of the Fortifications of the Town and in men and Ordnance also yet it was taken without much bloodshed we having lost but two men in all the whole worke that we could possibly heare of which was even a miraculous mercy to us considering I say that there were 〈◊〉 strong Works and Forts in it and about 100 Peeces ready mounted and manned which might have been thought sufficient to have maintained the Town and Harbour against a very potent Army Sixthly and lastly That Master Peters one of the Ministers of the Army at this time presented to the Parliament divers Colours taken in the Towne and Country and among the rest the Kings owne first Colours which he first advanced at Yorke against the Parliament with the Kings owne picture on it and a Sword in 〈◊〉 hand and a booke in the other together with a bundle of brave Letters found in the Governours House in Dartmouth some of the Princes some of Ruperts some of Gorings some of Culpeppers and their Commissions by Sea and Land besides a Popish Masse-Book and an Altar taken from the Engineer of Dartmouth who was a Dutch Masse Priest For all which so rare and remarkable free favours and mighty meer mercies so graciously conferred upon us our most renowned Parliamentary Worthies most rightly and religiously ordered a solemn day of Thanksgiving to be kept a Copy of which their Order I have here thought fit to insert which was as followeth Die Jovis Jan. 26. 1645. THe Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled do order and appoint this day fortnight being Thursday for a day of Thanksgiving for the taking in of Dartmouth and Hereford to be kept within the Cities of London and Westminster the Lines of Communication and ten miles about And this day three weeks for all other places over the Kingdome in the Parliaments power About the 26 of this instant January we received also certaine intelligence by Letters out of Stafford-shire that Captaine Stone that valiant and active Commander had sent out a party of about 100 and odde Horse to beate up the Lord Molinaux his Quarters who fell upon the Enemy at a place called Cark within seven miles of Stafford and managed their charge with such martiall resolution and dexterity that they routed 300 of the Enemies and tooke prisoners three Captaines two Cornets eight Reformadoes ten inferiour Officers about 100 Horse and divers prisoners above 100 Pistols In which conflict many of the Enemies were wounded and some slaine And thus they returned victoriously to Stafford againe with their Prisoners and Prizes And about the 28 of this instant we were certainly informed from our Army in the West that Pouldram Castle which was Sir William Courteens House a strong Garrison of the Enemies neer Exeter was surrendred to brave Colonell Hamond who commanded in chiefe upon these Conditions The Officers and Souldiers to depart to their own dwellings leaving all their Arms behind them There were about 120 in the Castle 4 Peeces of Ordnance unmounted 5 Barrels of powder with Bullet and Match proportionable but little other Provisions His Excellencies most courteous carriage and mercifull useage of those at Dartmouth notwithstanding that he wonne it by storme had a great influence and operation upon the spirits of the Enemies elsewhere and was not only a prevalent motive to these of Pouldram Castle to yeeld so soone unto his famoused mercy but made many others also shortly after to desert the Enemy for there being at least 120 Cornish men prisoners in Dartmouth notwithstanding their former even most barbarous cruelty to ours yet I say renowned and mercifull Sir Thomas Fairfax as I was credibly informed set them all at liberty and gave them two shillings a man to beare their charges And was not here a heaping of Coales of fire on their heads as our Saviour commands and commends in his Disciples and a rare way of winning of hearts even of those formerly heathenish cruell Cornish Enemies Those of them that would stay and take up Armes for the Parliament as divers did he gave them â—â—ree shillings a peece to all the Seamen in prison he freely gave their liberty and to all their Common Souldiers unwilling to take up Armes he gave Passes to go to their owne habitations nay to severall Officers of whom any of the faire conditioned Townesmen could give any good Character he also gave Passes to go to their owne homes also on promise of future faire and peaceable demeanour toward the
For this purpose wee must uncessantly renew our former desires to you That all other Affaires whatsoever set aside you will so farre take to heart the setling of matters of Religion in the Worship of God and Government of his House in this Kingdom as you may in your own and our Names become earnest sollicitours with the Assembly of Divines to put that businesse to a period and with the Parliament that where the foundation is laid by the Assembly their Authority bee not wanting for the compleating of the Work no greater incouragemâ—nt than this can come to the hearts of all those that are ingaged in this Cause with you nor can any meanes bee so powerfull to remove these great prejudices raised against our Cause by the abundance and variety of Sectaries Separatists and Schismaticks living amongst us to the great scandall of the Gospel and professors thereof This being done wee may with the greater confidence expect a blessing upon our endevours for Peace for which as no successe can alter our desires so wee are confident you are using all expedition possible for expediting your Propositions thereof that they may bee dispatched to his Majesty whose favourable acceptance is prayed for thereunto by Your affectionate Friends and Servant Sinclare J. P. D. Newcastle 23 Octob. 1644. See heer now then pious and impartiall Reader whether England hath not most just cause everlastingly to blesse the Lord our God in working thus gloriously for us by these our loyall Brethren and eternally and most entirely to love and embrace them in our best affections who have not only thus extraordinarily laid out themselves and carryed their lives in their hands for us and exposed themselves to such and so many marveilous dangers of death and destruction but also so sweetly preciously and piously declared as in this their last Letter is so clear and conspicuous their only ayme in all this and the rest of their toyles and labour of love to bee Gods glory the true Religions and pure Reformations splendour and the just Laws and Liberties of Subjects firm and faithfull establishment and whether our most wicked and wretched Malignants slanderous mouthes are not most abundantly stopped to Gods eternall glory and all good mens just rejoycing let all that hear of these truths righteously judge But now to proceed About the 25 of this instant came certain intelligence by Letters out of the West to London that Sir Richard Cholmley Brother to Apostate Sir Hugh Cholmley with about 2 or 300 Horse about Colliton Axmister Bemester and other places on the confines of Dorsetshire had driven away many Cattle from those Country people whereupon brave Colonell Seeley the most renowned Governour of Lyme having intelligence thereof drew out a party who soon discovering the plunderers fell upon them took 56 of them horse and armes rescued all the plunder they had got and so routed the rest that they all fled and dispersed themselves severall wayes Among the prisoners taken as aforesaid were 2 Captaines and 10 other Commanders and Officers who were all carryed to Lyme and all the plundered Cattell were mercifully restored to their owners Cholmley himself fled but was shot in his shoulder as was confest by the Prisoners taken and many others of the Enemy sore wounded Much about the same time information being given to the Parliament of intolerable cruelties and outrageous insolencies committed by barbarous Irish Rebels Oxfords good subjects and some of the very Natives of heathenish Wales by burning and destroying the Corn on the ground stripping all sorts of both sexes stark naked stigmatizing some half hanging others and then suffering them to live or rather to languish in that condition all which was informed I say by Letters to the Parliament by divers honest inhabitants of those parts and by some of the Committees of the Parliament at Haverford West in South-Wales And further information being given to the Parliament of one Colonell Mac Mayler an Irish-Rebell another of King Charles his good Catholick Subjects taken prisoner in Yorkeshire by the Lord Fairfaxes forces under the Command of that valiant and faithfull Commander Colonell Lambert as also the sad confirmation of such like cruelties of the Irish-Rebels at Boulton and Leverpool in Lancashire all which being as fresh bleeding wounds still in the sad memory of all people and now at this time most seriously considered of and well weighed by our most prudent Parliament Both Houses heerupon passed an Ordinance of Parliament requiring all Commanders in Cheif in any part of the Kingdom to give no Quarter to any Irish-Rebell taken by Sea or by Land in any part of the Kingdom And because all Souldiers in all parts of the kingdom might take notice hereof Letters were Ordered to bee sent down by the Committee of both kingdomes to all principall Commanders with that Ordinance inclosed in them for the more certain and exact execution thereof accordingly And about the 26 of this instant October the Parliament understanding by good intelligence that the King and his forces were about Newberry and Dennington Castle and that some part of the Parliaments Army was upon one side of Newberry neer about the place where the fierce battaile was fought between them the last year and that the rest of our Army was within 2 or 3 miles at farthest from Newberry between the Kings Army and Oxford and that both the Armies being so neer each other there was like to bee a speedy ingagement between them The Parliament therefore desired the Assembly of Divines at Westminster on Munday October 28 to turn their other intended businesses and affaires of that day into prayers for a blessing on our Armies which accordingly they did And the same Munday night Gods providence so ordered it that the Lord Generals Scout-Master Mr. Bedford came to Town and brought certain information to the Committee of both Kingdoms of a brave defeat given by his Excellencies Forces to the Kings Army neer Dennington-Castle which also was confirmed by a Letter directed to the honourable Speaker of the House of Commons sent from 3 or 4 Eminent Commanders and Officers in Armes whose names were subscribed thereto A Copy of which Letter being a full and complete relation of the fight I have heer for the Readers better content and fuller satisfaction inserted which was as followeth Honourable Sir THough our other employments in and about the Army may excuse us in point of news yet being eye-witnesses of this late fight and knowing your kinde acceptance of some presents though without the circle and especially to expresse our joy for this successe which the Lord of Hosts upon his own day has vouchâ—afed us Wee presume to presse in with the crowd and to make it more clear shall give you the preceding circumstances After a weeks tedious but speedy march of my Lord Generals Infantry and one nights refreshment at Redding in two dayes farther progresse wee drew up before Newberry
and brave Commander Colonell Ridgeley a principall and prudent Commander in the Earle of Denbighs Army about Staffordshire who about the beginning of this Moneth of November understanding that the Enemy in those parts began to stirre apace and to molest the peace and people of the Country thereabout and especially that the Enemy from Tongue-castle and Linshall Garrison were got about Eccleshall and had there gotten and taken away all the Cattle and horse that they could light upon in those parts to the number of about 200 at least Hee therefore I say sent out Captain Stones a brave Officer in Armes of his Regiment who with a considerable party being upon their March by his Scouts discovering which way the said Enemy moved hasted after them and having overtaken them hee most valiantly advanced up unto them and with his men fell most courageously upon them and presently put them to the rout took 27 of them prisoners slew 2 or 3 of them on the place and wounded many among which prisoners hee took Sergeant Major Fleetwood Sir Richard Fleetwoods Son and one Almand a most desperate and active Cavalier who had done much mischeif in those parts who also was sorely wounded and rescued all the 200 horse and Cattle from them and restored them to their right Owners at their return home And about the same time Captain Wagstaffe and Captain Wakefield with part of Colonell Chadwicks and Colonell Leighs Troops went forth together in their assignations about Hampton and in their March hearing that some of the Enemies were quartered thereabout they marched up unto them fell upon them in their quarters took about 13 or 14 of them prisoners and brought away above 20 good horse to Stafford with them And although I breifly mentioned a mixture of Thanksgiving together with our last day of the monethly Humiliation in the conclusion of the moneth of October last for the late many and great Victories given by our good God to the Parliaments forces yet now give mee leave good Reader heer to acquaint thee that our ever to bee honoured and most pious Worthies in Parliament Ordered by speciall appointment that the 5 of this instant November which was the former anniversary-anniversary-day of publick Thanksgiving for our most happy deliverance from the Popish Gunpowder-plot should also bee a particular day of solemn Thanksgiving to the Lord and was accordingly performed for our most memorable Victory at Newberry for the taking in of the Town of Newcastle and the Castle therein also together with the taking of Tinmouth castle the yeelding up of Leverpool to Sir John Meldrum and the brave defeat given to our Cavalierian adversaries in Lincolnshire Which said day of Thanksgiving for all these rare and famous Victories was very solemnly kept thorow-out the Cities of London and Westminster with Sermons in all Churches both forenoon and afternoon with ringing of Bells shooting off Ordnance at all the Forts round about the City and making many and mighty bonfires at night And to adde to all this dayes triumph as the Lord Major accompanyed with the Aldermen and Sheriffes his Brethren together with the severall Companies of the said City of London then attending him came back from the Sermon at Pauls Church through Cheapside there was just in the place where once that abominable monument of Idolatry the Crosse stood a frame of firre-wood set up and upon it divers Popish pictures and Romish Reliques Bookes Beads and Crucifixes were set on fire and bravely burnt to ashes making a most beautifull bonfire as they all past along Cheapside by it Praised bee the Lord who caused us thus justly to rejoyce About the 8 of this instant November wee received credible information out of the West by a Letter from a Commander of note and quality of the storming and taking of a strong Garrison of the Enemies which was Sir John Strangewaies House in Dorsetshire and had been a very ill neighbour to our renowned Garrison of Lime which service was most bravely performed by that valiant and loyall Patriot Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper Commander in cheif for the Parliament in that County a Copy of which Letter relating the gallant service performed therein for the Readers better content and satisfaction I have heer inserted Sir c. Wee marched from Dorchester to Abotâ—bury where Colonell James Strangewayes and all his Regiment were in Garrison they held both the House and the Church which joyned to the House It was night before wee summoned it and they in a scorn refused the summons of Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper a very active and noble Gentleman our Commander in cheif whereupon hee sent his Major Generall with a considerable party against the Church who presently assaulting it took it and all the men in it prisoners without the losse of one man of ours After this wee summoned them in writing the second time to yeild on fair quarter or else to expect no mercy if they forced us to storm them To this also they disdained to return an Answer upon which denyaâ—â— wee fell on and after as hot a storm as ever I heard of for six houres together it pleased God at length to give us the place when by no other means wee could get it wee found a way by desperately flinging in fired turf-fagots into the windowes and the fight thus grew so hot that our said Commander in chief who to his perpetuall renown behaved himself most gallanly in this service was forced to bring up his men within Pistoll shot of the House and could hardly then get them to stay and stand the brunt yet in all this time God bee praised wee lost but 3 men and some few wounded Now when as by the foresaid hot assault half of the house was on a light fiâ—e and not to bee quenched then at length Colonell James Strangewayes called out for quarter which our Commander in cheif was resolved no man in the House should have in regard they had so desperately and disdainfully scorned his summons and also in regard that the Cavaliers custome was observed to bee to keep such paltry houses and pilfring Garrisons against any of our Armies that they might therby bee sure to doe us mischeif and by reason of our observed clemency to have their lives at last granted to them But some of our Commanders upon one side of the House contrary to the minde of our said Commander in cheif and against the opinion of all the Officers in his absence had given them quarter which being granted them wee instantly rushed into the House which being of a light fire and their Magazine in it I beleive rather accidentally than as some reported purposely and trecherously it set on fire 4 or 5 barrels of Gunpowder and blew up between 30 and 40 of our men yet the Lord bee blessed my self and the rest were even miraculously preserved Wee took prisoners Colonell James Strangewayes Sir John Strangewayes his Son Governour of
the Parlour Then all the other Members of the House of Commons in order So for the middle Table and the like for the left hand Table going up towards the Lord Majors Table In the Parlour All the Assembly of Divines in order In the upper Roome over that sate The Recorder of London at the upper end The Aldermen on the left hand The Common-councell and divers Gentlemen of quality on the right After these the Lord Majors Officers that attended and divers others sate down in the same roome where the Aldermen and the rest dined The Trumpets continued sounding all the time of the Feast After Dinner and Thanks given by Mr. Marshall both Houses of Parliament the Assembly of Divines the Aldermen of the City and all the rest being assembled in the Hall they sang the 46 Psalm and after that departed And Friday June the 27 then next ensuing was ordered by the Parliament to bee set apart for a publick day of Thanksgiving for this Victory in all the Churches and Chappels in the severall Counties of the Kingdom under the power of the Parliament The House also ordered that Letters of thanks should bee writen and expedited to the renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax his Field-Officers for their extraordinary valour fidelity and judgement in this famous service against the Enemy And they likewise ordered that 2 worthy Members of the House of Commons should bestow at least 500 pound upon a jewell to bee presented to Sir Thomas Fairfax as an earnest of their love and affection to him And as for the Gentleman that brought this happy news to the Parliament from Sir Thomas in farther testimony of their great affection to their foresaid renowned Generall the Parliament most prudently ordered that an 100 pound should bee bestowed upon the first messenger 40 pound upon the second and for the other messengers that came from Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Secretary they also were all well gratified for their paines The House also about that time fell into a particular debate of the gallant great and faithfull service of that heroick and most valiant Commander Leivtenant Generall Cromwell and of the former desires of the Officers of the Horse under the Command of the Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax to have him Command them as their Leivtenant Generall and considering the great necessity of continuing him in that imployment notwithstanding the Self-denying Ordinance after a long and serious debate of this businesse they ordered that Leivtenant Generall Cromwell should continue Leivtenant Generall of the Horse under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax during the pleasure of Both Houses and that hee should receive pay as Leivtenant Generall from the time of the establishment of Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army and they sent to the Lords for their concurrence which was assented unto by them And upon the foresaid 19 of this instant June Both the Houses of Parliament and the prime Body of the City of London keeping the day of Solemn Thanksgiving as hath been forementioned It pleased the Lord as a farther addition to our former great Cause of Thankefulnesse and as an exact completing of our present just joy that day that that very day in the morning before the Sermons began the most welcome newes of the happy regaining of the Town of Leicester by ever to bee renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax was brought to London the particulars whereof I have heer thought fit to insert for the Readers better content and clearer satisfaction as they were related in a Letter from an eminent person there in the Army which was as followeth Honoured Sir Upon the routing of the Kings Army at Naseby as aforesaid Sir John Gell gathered together all the forces of Darbishire Nottinghamshire and the adjacent parts that possibly hee could and on Munday the 16 instant they met with â—ome of the Kings horse and took 200 of them and another party met with some of the Newarkers and fell upon them routed them took 60 horse 42 prisoners and 80 Armes On the said Munday June the 16. Sir Thomas Fairfax lay before Leicester and sent in a Summons to the Town to require the Governour to surrender it to him for the use of the Parliament and putting it to them to consider how the King was routed and shewing them what use they might make of that Clemency with divers other very gallant expressions to the summons to advertise them how much better it was for them to surrender than to force him to take it by storming To this summons the Enemy sent a negative Answer positively this that they would not surrender it whereupon Sir Thomas Fairfax called a Councell of Warre to consult about the storming of it which was soon concluded on that they should prepare all things in readinesse to round it the next day which was done with all expedition not losing any time So they sell presently to raising of Batteries and doing all things that were necessary for the storming thereof according as they had appointed and continued providing every thing that was requisite for the dâ—ing thereof to bee in a readinesse to batter it the next day and sent into the Country thereabouts for such helps as were necessary for the work which went on with great speed both night and day so desirous wee are to have a speedy end of the work that there may bee an end of these Warres if possible On Tuesday the 17 of June wee drew down our Ordnance and played with our peices against the Town wee stormed it playing with our Ordnance very hot on the Newark side which wee conceived was their greatest strength And in short time wee made a breach in their works which struck such a terrour into the hearts of the Enemy that the Governour sent to us to desire a Parley and offered to surrender upon very faire termes as upon capitulation should bee agreed upon To this request Sir Thomas Fairfax being willing to save the spilling of innocent blood as much as may bee hee assented and promised speedily to send in Commissioners for the Treaty and called a Councell of Warre and it was agreed that Colonell Pickering and Colonell Rainsborough should go into Leicester to treat with the Governour about the surrendring the said Garrison to Sir Thomas Fairfax And accordingly a safe conduct was desired for them which being sent they went to Capitulate with the Governour about the surrender thereof In the mean time Sir Thomas Fairfax was not idle nor did hee lose any time but went on providing and furnishing himselfe with Pittars Carts Hay Granadoes Ladders and all other things necessary for storming resolving to fall on at their return in case that they should not agree not knowing how things might fall out during which time there was both great pains and care taken by all in their places for the going on in the said work In the mean time wee had intelligence that the King was on Munday the 16 of June at
mercy to the enemy p. 358 Sir Thomas Fairfax advanced to Oxford p. 140 Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Forces or strength before Oxford p. 142 The King flyes from Leicester p. 172 G. SIr John Gell takes Winkfield Mannour p. 14 The Lord Generalls fidelity p. 37 Generall 〈◊〉 brother shot dead p. 59 God a multitude of Parliamentary mercies p. 63 Gratitude of the Parliament to well deservers p. 2â—â— Glamorgan-shire turned to the Parliament p. 317 Germanies Bloud p. 322 Gentry of Cornwall submit to the Parliament p. 383 The Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax honoured by the Parliament with a Jewell p. 170 Goods of Papists apprehended in Long Acre p. 183 H. TWelve brave Horses surprised from the enemy p. 6 Helmesley Castle taken p. 70 Col. Holbornâ—s good-service in the West p. 77. 82. 8. 96 Col. Harsnets Letter touching Abbington p. 93 The happy Harmony of both Houses of Parliament p. 127. 131 Hoptons Army totally routed in the West p. 367 A Day of Humiliation kept for our Forces in the West p. 182 Hopton summoned to come in p. 387 Hopton expects supplyes out of Ireland p. 391 Col. Hooke taken prisoner p. 74 I. LOrd Inchiquins Letter p. 5 An Irish Ship taken p. 44 Irish Rebells to have no quarter p. 36 Integrity of the Parliament p. 293 325 King James his sad and bad mention p. 321 Isle of Rees Bloud p. 323 Irelands Bloud p. 223 Irish Rebels bravely beaten at Sligo p. 342 An Irish Ship taken p. 386 Thirty Irish Rebels put to the sword p. 386 A Jewell of Five hundred pound sent to the noble Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax p. 170 A Jewell of Five hundred pound presented to Gen. Leven p. 203 K. THe King come to Newbery p. 56 Knares borough Castle taken p. 83 The Kings Plot in the North frustrated p. 259 The Kings Horse beaten at Kiddarminster p. 276 Kent Petitions the Parliament about the selfe-denying Ordinance p. 98 The Kings owne Life-guard troope of Horse taken p. 121 Kent rises againe in Rebellion p. 136 The King flyes from Leicester p. 172 The Kings Cabinet of Letters taken at Nasebie p. 175 The King escapes disguisedly out of Oxford p. 414 The Kings comming into the Scots Army p. 417 L. A Letter from the Lord of Inchiquin p. 5 Our Army in danger by a Plot at Leistithiel in the West p. 17 London Ministers Petition against Schismes p. 28 Col. Lambert takes a brave prize p. 44 Levon poole in Lancashire surrendred p. 62 Line apprehends a rich Ship driven into it p. 71 Laughorne Castle in Wales taken p. 71 Lin-Kegis in danger p. 79 The Parliaments gratitude to Major Generall Laughorne p. 278 Loyalty of Gen. Poyntz rewarded p. 281 A Letter touching Abbington p. 93 Letters of the Lord Digbies p. 303 About forty of the King Life-Guard surprised p. 320 Generall Lesley made Commander in chiefe at Newark p. 327 Londons providence and the Parliaments care for the Cities safety p. 337 The Kings Letter to the Parliament p. 345 The Kings Letter for a Treaty of Peace answered p. 347 London Petitions for Church-Government p. 349 Cabinet of Letters taken at Nasebie p. 175 Learning encouraged at Cambridge by the Parliament p. 135 Divers Lords come from Oxford to the Parliament p. 137 Londons Petition touching the Kingdomes sad condition p. 155 A List of Cornish Gentry come in to the Parliament p. 395 The Duke of Lenox and others come in to the Parliament p. 414 A Letter of the Commissioners of Scotland to the Parliament p. 416 Londons preservation from the plague of pestilence a great mercy p. 315 A Letter from the King to the Marquesse of Ormond in Ireland p. 437 Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax touching Oxford p. 445 The Kings Letters for yeelding up all his Garrisons p. 444 M. COlonell Massies Letter to the Parliament p. 3 Earle of Manchesters advance from Yorke p. 6 Col. Middleton beates the enemy p. 9 Sir Iohn Meldrum beates the enemy in Lancashire p. 10. p. 12. Our Magazine in the West in danger p. 17 Sir Thomas Middleton beates the enemy p. 23 Mountgomery Castle taken p. 23 Mourton-Corbet Castle taken p. 25 Macquire and Macmahone two Irish Rebels apprehended p. 27 Ministers Ordained at London p. 41 Sir Iohn Meldrums noble act touching Sir William Fairfax p. 34 The enemy bravely beaten at Mountgomery Castle p. 30 Col. Massies brave exploit against the enemy p. 34 Monmouth Towne and Castle taken p. 35 Col. Massies just praise p. 44 Sir Thomas Middletons performances in Wales p. 46 Malignants mouthes stopt p. 55. 135. Sir Thomas Middletons brave exploit in Mountgomeryshire p. 77 Montrosse prevailes in Scotland p. 269 Montrosse soundly beaten in Scotland p. 270 Not a moneth weeke or day hardly without a mercy p. 285 Mercy to Malignants intended by the Parliament p. 288 Election of Members of Parliament looked unto p. 293 Maintenance for the New-Modell'd Army p. 97 A passage of providence at Melton-moubury p. 103 Col. Massies brave Victory at the Forrest of Deane p. 116 Col. Massie beates the enemy neare Bristoll p. 129 Col. Massies danger and deliverance p. 144 Sir Iohn Meldrums good service requited p. 152 Col. Mittons Forces good service p. 167 Monethly continued Morning Prayers at London p. 207 The Ministers of two Counties Petition the Parliament for a Church Government to be establisht p. 434 Our mercies Baptized Gad a Multitude p. 63 Ministers of Londons and Westminsters most pious meeting at Sion-Colledge p. 445 N. NEw-Castle taken by the Scots p. 46 Newbery Fight p. 57 Newcastle Castle taken p. 61 Newcastle in free Trading againe p. 69 Our Northerne Forces in good condition p. 259 The fifth of Novembers Commemoration a Thankes-giving Day for the Parliaments continuation p. 315 Novembers seventeenth Queene Elizabeths just Commemoration noted on a speciall occasion p. 323 Newarke besieged by the Scots and their brave beginnings there to tame that enemy p. 327 The prisoners taken at Nasebie-fight brought to London p. 173 Newarke left by our Brethren of Scotland p. 419 O. LOrd Ogleby taken prisoner p. 11 The enemy beaten at Orinskirk p. 11 Ordination of Ministers at London p. 46 Ordinance against Irish Rebels p. 57 Ordinance of self-deniall p. 5 Care for chosing good Officers in London p. 82 Two excellent Ordinances of Parliament p. 312 An Ordinance for the maintenance of the New-modell'd Army p. 97 Oxford Lords come in to the Parliament p. 137 Oxford besieged by the Gen. Sir Thomas Fairfax p. 140 Master Occonnelly rewarded for his discovery of the desperate plot in Ireland p. 152 Oxford surrendred the manner how p. 446 P. A Plot upon our Magazine in the West p. 17 The Parliaments promptitude to the worke of Reformation p. 29 A Plot against the Parliaments Army in the West p. 37 Plottings of the Royalists to cousen the Kingdome p. 37 Plimouth mens admirable courage p. 38 A brave prize taken at Poole p. 44 More Plots of the enemy discovered p. 78
Parliamentary Chronicle The SuburB of the City of Chester woâ— by valiant active Coloâ—â—â— Iones The manner entring in the Subuâ—â—â— of Chester 〈◊〉 our forces A brave defeat given to a party of the Kings horse about Kidderminster by renowned Major Generall Poyntz Cardiff Town and Castle surrendred to the Parliaments forces The Devires Towne and Castle taken by valiant Leivtenant Generall Cromwell 〈◊〉 House in Wiltshire surrendred to the Parliament All Pembrokeshire reduced to the Parliaments obedience The Parliaments gratitude to Colonell Generall Laughorne Thanksgiving to God for these so great mercies The famous Victory obtained by Major Gen. Poyntz at Routon Heath neer Chester The King prepares to relieve Westchester Major Generall Poyntz his admirable activity to follow prevent the King Major Generall Poyntz his remarkable march to prevent or overtake the King The fight begun fiercely The Enemy put to a retreat Oâ—rs sorely put to it Col. Bethell and Col. Graves sorely wounded Ours much 〈◊〉 by the Enemy Major Generall Poyntz his Horse wounded on the head The admirable courage of Major Generall Poyntz The Enemy routed mixed with troubled ours The Enemy appeared again in a body on a hill The Enemy sallyed out of the City are repulsed Prisoners and prizes taken The slaine The Lord Bernhard Earl of Litchfield A day of deserved thanksgiving appointed by order of Parliament 500. â— Sent as a token to renowned Major General Poynz Alderman Adams chosen Lord Major of the City of London Religious Mr. Tomlins made a Baron of the Exchequer Other well deserving Gentlemen of the Law made Judges by the Parliament Barkley Castle surrendree to valiant Colonell Morgan and Colonell Rainsborough The Burning-Bush unconsumed Not a month a week nay hardly a day void of one mercy or other unto us Psal 68. 19. Psalm 32. 7. October 1645. A brave defeat given to the Enemie by Colonel Moore Governour of Gaunt-house Farleigh-Castle in Somersetsh taken Sandal-Castle in Yorkeshire taken Winchester Towne and Castle taken by victorious Leivten Generall Cromwell The list of what was taken from the edemie in Winchester Castle The strength of Winchester-Castle The Parliaments intended mercy even to Malignants and Delinquents The Excellent wisedome and justice of the Parliament mixed with their foresaid mercie Bazing-House taken A list of the prizes and prisoners taken at Bazing-House The slain and wounded Chepstow Town and Castle in Monmouthshire besieged and taken by valiant Colonell Morgan The Parliaments piety and gratitude The Parliaments integrity about the election of new Members for the House of Commons The writ for the right chusing of Members of the House of Commons A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Farringdon by Abington Forces A brave defeat given by Col Rossiter to the Banbury Forces which conducted the two Princes to Newarke Valiant Captain Allen Governour of Burleigh Garrison unhappily slaine Langford House neare Salisbury taken A note most worthy to be taken notice of Sir William Vaughanâ— Regiment bravely beaten The famous defeat given to the Enemy at Sherburne in Yorkshire Col. Copleyes Letter touching the most famous defeat given to the Enemy at Sherburne The Enemy surprizeth our Forces in Sherburne both Horse and Foote The difficulties our Forces met about Sherburne Both parties meet together in the Field The substance of Sir Marmaduke Langdalet Speech to his Souldiers before this fight The fight begun The Enemy routed and put to flight The Lord Digby wounded in the Fight and foure Pistols fired on Sir Marmaduke Langdale The Enemy pursued three miles Scarcely ten of our men slaine The importance of this businesse All our men and Arms recovered that were taken before The admirable and almost miraculous taking in of Tiverton Towne and Castle Major Generall Massie enters Tiverton The Generall fits downe before the Castle Church The admirable providence of God here that one of our Canoneers shootes a shot at adventure and breakes down the Draw-bridge of the Castle The Castle Church entred by 〈◊〉 Souldiers The Generals clemency The Prisoners and prizes taken in the Church and Castle The good condition of Wales for the Parliament Carmarthen Towne and Castle taken The Declaration of the County of Carmarthen Monmouth Towne and Castle taken by Colonell Morgan The manner of taking the Castle The prizes taken in the Castle The Parliaments gratitude to God for these great mercies and thanks to Col. Morgan The Letters taken in the Lord Digbyes Coach at Sherburne in Yorkshire read in the Parliament The substance of 3. or 4. of those Letters A brave defeat given to the enemy neer Denbigh Castle who intended to relieve Chester Another brave defeat given to the Enemy at Holt-bridge where Sir William Byren was taken prisoner Another most famous defeat and brave victorie over the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale in their march into Scotland to joyne with Montrosse The Lord Digby crost in his way and forced to goe another way The Burning-Bush unconsumed Isa 25. 9 10 11. Isa 28. 29. Psal 9. 19 20. November 1645. Two excellent Ordinances of Parliament Shelford-house stormed and taken by valiant Major Gen. Poyntz Shelford-house summoned The House taken A sore slaughter made in the House by the Enemies obstinancie Digbyes late scattered forces being rallyed again are againe met with and miserably mangled and brought to nothing Abarashwait a strong Garrison of the enemies in Cardiganshire taken Thanks returned to the Lord on this 5. of November for the happy preservation and Continuation of this present Parliament Thankes and praises also returned to the Lord by order of Parliament for the City of Londons preservation from the plague of Pestilence Worton Garrison surrendred Wiverton Garrison taken Welbeck-house surrendred Bolton Castle in the North surrendred A brave defeat given to the Enemy neer Canon-Froom and a notable Engine taken from them Col. Morgan frights away the Enemy The Engine is left behinde The Engine was called a Sow The description of it Master Rouses Psalmes approved of by the Assembâ—y of Divines A brave defeat given to the Lord Ashton and himself slain therin About forty of the Kings Life Guard surprized by Major Blundell of Reading The just and glorious commemoration of rare and renowned Queen Elizabeth on the 17 of November 1 Sam. 2. 30. Psal 112. 6. A briefe but bad and sad mention of King James his life and death 1 Sam. 2. 30. Prov. 10. 7. King James quite forgotten in the hearts of his people King James and King Charles not true to their Principles King James King Charles and Queene Elizabeth paraleld together in point of Reformation Queen Elizabeths rule King James and King Charles rule Parliaments made the Kings Stauking Horses to get Subsidies Arbitrary Tyranny The Power of godlinesse to be beaten downe Popery or prophanesse to be set up in Germanies blood Rocâ—els and the Isle of Rees blood Irelands blood England and Scotlands blood Other blood not yet revealed The Authors of all this The crafty colour of all
not this your zeal for God his Truth most illustriously flamed forth of late also in that most famous and faithfull that pious and prudent Remonstrance or Petition of yours exhibited to Both Houses of Parliament May 26. 1646. for the beating down of Heresies Errours and Schismes and the most religious advancement of the blessed work of pure Reformation and a holy and happy settled Government of the Church of God Such a pattern and monument of your Piety and godly zeal I say as shall remain to your Praise and indelible renown to Posterity throughout all Generations And hath not Heaven sweetly resented In Christ these your precious Expenses and fervent zeal for Religion as so many holy Holâ—causts and hath as it were even already sent down thanks and recompence of your Love and bounty in much measure into your Houses and Habitations Witnesse even to the just and joyfull admiration of your Friends and the envious astonishment of your Foes the constant and copious incomes of Peace and Plenty Health and Liberty but most especially and which indeed Crowns all the rest of the radiant and resplendent Gospel-Beams of pure and powerfull Word and Ordinances No leading into Captivity in your streets no slaughter or schrecvings out of your Wives Virgins and little Children nor Pestilentiall Mortality in your Houses And yee are and that most worthily for all these so rich and rare so many and marveilous Mercies the present Wonder of the whole World and ever O for ever so may yee bee the Praise of all succeding Posterity 5 TO our War-like VVorthies To all the famous and renowned Worthies of Great-Britaine and first To our meritoriously deare and entirely beloved loyall and faithfull Brother-Kingdome of Scotland to which wee are everlastingly bound in all mutuall and reciprocall bonds of Love and Vnity Whose hearts the Lord did so affect and envlame with Sympathizing Love and Zeal to his glorious Cause and to our then most low and calamitous Condition that with most brotherly â—ervour and fellow-feeling affection they entred into a holy League and Solemn Covenant with us of mutuall defence one of another Cheerfully left their own Country and Kingdom their dearest Friends Wives and Children and through many difficulties and distresses in a bitter and sore pinching Winter-march even to deep admiration carrying their lives in their hands came in unto us to help the Lord and us against his mighty and our most malicious Enemies And whom as the Lord made the main and principall instruments of the beginning of our happinesse both in saving our throats from the death-threatning knives of destruction and procuring us a most unhoped and unexpectible Parliament as the case was with us then which under God hath been the fountain of our felicity to this day So now at last also the Lord hath made choyce of them to bee the Consummators and as it were the main finâ—shers of our felicity in putting the Person of the King into their hands as counting them faithfull to improve such a Prize to the best advantage of his Glory and our Good if wee had but honest hearts so to consider it And heerin more especially and peculiarly to his Excellency Magnanimous and Victorious Generall Lesley Earl of Leven most worthily famous among us for ever both for this famous Prize the Kings Person put into his hands And for his most renowned Courage and Valour at Newcastle and Marston-Moore Next To his Excellency the most noble and renowned Lord Generall Robert Earl of Essex most famous faithfull and courageous at Keynton and Newberry To the most valiant and magnanimous present Captain-Generall his Excellencie Sir Thomas Fairfax as famous and faithfull at Naseby Bristol c. of which two most noble and loyall Generalls I may say as Plutarch in his Lives did of those two renowned ancient Romane-Commanders Fabius and Marcellus They have been under God The Sword and Buckler of the Kingdome To the right noble loyall and religious Robert Earl of Warwick the famous and faithfull Lord High-Admirall whose Chivalry at Sea and whose Seasonable Charity to Lime ought never to bee forgotten by us To the renowned Peers and Patriots of their Country the noble Earl of Manchester and famous and faithfull noble Lord Fairfax the Parliaments two most valiant and successefull Generals both in the North and Associated Counties To undaunted and never Enough honoured Sir William Waller who hath been a strong Wall and brave Bulwark indeed to this Kingdome as Portsmouth Aulton Alsford and his many other famous Victories can Witnesse To magn animous Sir William Fairfax and Sir John Meldrum those two most Courageous Commanders who most nobly spent their best blood for the best Cause that ever this Kingdom undertook To as valiant as virtuous Sir William Brereton famous for his valour and activity in Cheshire Namptwich and now lately at West chester To religious and magnanimous Major Generall Skippon that most pious Cornelius and Expert brave Souldier and Commander as was admirably evident in Cornwall and at Naseby of whom it was said Hee liv'd like an Angel pray'd like a Saint and fought like a Lyon To never sufficiently praised and prized Major Generall Massie farre more worth than his weight in Massie-Gold as the famous Siege of the City of Gloucester and all that County and the adjacent parts thereof can most copiously witnesse To Renowned and right valiant and Victorious Leiâ—tenant Generall Cromwel Those valiant victorious and active Patriots Sir John Gell and Sir Thomas Middleton Renowned Major Generall Brown Major Generall Laughorne and Major Generall Poyntz Valiant and victorious Colonell Mitton Colonell Sydenham Colonell Morgan and brave Captain Swanley Together with very many other most active loyall and most Courageous Commanders and brave Brittish-Spirited Souldiers Who all most like unto Davids Worthies honourably Commemorized 2 Sam. 23. have made themselves most meritoriously famous in this Present Age and to Future Posterity for their so faithfully and valiantly serving theiâ— GenRration Together also with the renowned Corporations and invincible Garrisons of Hull Gloucester Manchester Coventry Warwick Northampton Stafford Namptiwich famous and faithfull Plymouth Lyme and all the famous and faithfull Governours Holders and Vpholders of them With the most worthy and well-deserving Counties of Lancashire and Kent And the other most famous and faithfull Parliamentary-Patriots Cities and Counties most loyally and lovingly appearing in this great and good Cause and most freely and forwardly jeoparding Themselves and their All in the High-places of the Kingdome yea and whose gallantry of Spirits indelible Merits undaunted Resolutions Memorable adventures and great Engagements even to Life Estates and all that was most neer and dear unto them have most justly called for yea Commanded a resounding Acknowledgement of their so honourable and heroick Actions as an incessant Eccho of perpetuated Applause to all succeeding Generations Who have not onely made us to bee their deep-debtours but even the Gospel too together with all the Protestant-Churches of
brought them in and planted sure Vpon thy holy Mountain to endure In thine Inheritance thy precious Place Which Thou O Lord hast made full fraught with Grace And heav'nly Glory where Thy Self doth dwel Thy Sanctuary where all joyes excell By thine own export Hand most rarely made To all Eternity establisht staide Where Thou O Lord most gloriously dost Reign And shalt for ever evermore remain For why proud Pharaoh's Horse and Chariots All His daring Horsemen Riders strong and tall Into the Sea audaciously did enter And durst into the Deep most proudly venter But sodainly the Lords great Blast did blow And all the Waves and Floods did backward flow And drench and drown them All in Israels eye Whilâ—â— This his People passed over dry Thus as said Jethro in the very Thing Wherein they proudly dealt heavens glorious King Was admirably farre above them All And into utter Ruine made them fall And thus may I say Englands glorious King To whom so justly wee these praises sing Hath wondrously declar'd unto us All That in the Things intended for our thrall By our Papistick Atheistick Foes The Lord Jehovah farre above them rose And tumbled them into the Pit which they Had digg'd as deep as Hell for our decay For this O Lord this great deliverance Our Soules our Songs Thy Praise doe thus advance For this so great so gracious Love O Lord Our Hearts and Tongues thy Praises doe record For this so mighty Mercy glorious King For evermore wee will thy Praises sing And tell our Childrens Children of the same That they when wee are dead may blaze thy Fame To their Posterity for evermore O sing aloud all Laud and Praise therefore Advance O England then thy cordiall-voyce To Heav'ns great King who makes us thus rejoyce Omnis Gloria solius est Domini FINIS Imprimatur Ja. Cranford Aprill 4. 1646. THE BVRNING-BVSH not Consumed OR The Fourth Part of the Parliamentarie-Chronicle ABOUT the later and of the Moneth of July 1644. the Reader may bee pleased to remember that wee lest the Affaires of the Kingdome in a prosperous posture and Victorious condition for the Parliament both in the Northern parts of the Land after the most memorable and renowned Victory at Mâ—â—stone-Moore neer York together with the surrendring up of that great City it self into the power and possession of the Parliament and the Earl of Manchesters most successefull advance Southward after his departure from York with his conquering Army As also in the Western-parts of the Kingdom where the Lord had marveilously blessed the proceedings four most noble Lord Generall his Excellency â—he Earle of Essex both in releeving and securing of Liâ—â— Plimouth and other straitned Towns in the West and in the reducing of Saltash Causam Sâ—ellum Greenvills house Mount-Stamford Plimpton Barnstable Dartmouth and Warâ—ham with many other strong Holds and Towns in those parts Now therefore having by the good providence of God opportuniâ—y 〈…〉 so happily 〈…〉 famous History of the Parliaments most 〈◊〉 and inevitably necessitated proceedings and managing of affaires over the whole Kingdome for the publick safety and subsistence thereof against the destructive designes of the pornicious and viperous Adversaries thereof Atheists Papists Prelates and besotted yea bewitched Malignants I shall now I say by Gods gracious assistance and the Readers constant candor and Christian patience proceed to a Fourth part of this our Parliamentarie-Chronicle which for Varieties sake which in all things and actions addes delight and content I have termed or Entituled The Burning Bush not Consumed To which admirable-wonder shewn by God himself to Moses Exod. 3. 2 3. c. I doubt not but wee shall make a most full and fit resemblance and allusion in the admirable providentiall passages of this ensuing History For as the Angel of the Lord or as some the Lord Christ himself appearing unto Moses in a flame of fire in the midst of a Bush which Burned and was not consumed called unto Moses who voluntarily turning toward it exprest his desire to see this strange sight how it came to passe that the Bush so burning was not consumed to draw neer unto it and to put off his shooes from his feet in regard of the place of Gods presence So I shall now earnestly desire the godly Reader in the sight and 〈◊〉 of this most admirable and renowned History of the Burning estate of our â—ottering State and Kingdome all on fire with intestine furious flames of threatned ruine and confusion yet to this day even miraculously preserved by the All-saving presence of the Lords mighty protection and preservation dwelling in the midst of it whereby it is not nor hath been long ere this as otherwise it had been utterly consumed and turned into ashes of desolation and dâ—struction I shall now therefore I say desire the godly Reader to put off the shooes of prejudicacy and sinister construction and so to draw neer and seriously to peruse and take speciall notice of these miracles of mercy and divine providence with the 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Christian candor and singlenesse of heart and affection and seeing them greatly and graciously to admire and adore the infinite riches of the free grace and goodnesse of Him that thus dwelt in the Bush for it s so rare and unspeakable preservation And thus now let us accordingly come neer to behold this Wonder And for the first part and apparition thereof which presents it self to our eyes and understanding and wherewith I shall begin this Moneth of mighty and even miraculous preservations in this Burning Bush of our present Parliaments great affaires and necessitated Armes and negotiations shall bee of that most famous faithfull active and successefull Commander Colonell Massie Who about the beginning of this Moneth of August 1644. by his own Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament certified us of a very brave defeat which he had given to the Kings fiery Furies and Cosmorant-like devourers the Cavaliers under the command of Colonell Mynne which for the Readers better satisfaction I shall heer insert verbatim as it was Printed and published by authority of Parliament August 6. 1644. To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker to the Honourable House of Commons SIR KNowing the affaires of the Parliament so many and so weighty that their time is precious and therefore a tedious relation not so sutable to them having by this Post more fully related in my Letter unto the Lords and Gentlemen of the Committee of both Kingdomes it being their command I at all times should so doe I shall intreat you to excuse mee unto them at this time who shall suddenly God willing enform and render unto them a more perfect account of both the late following passages both of Gods displeasure yet afterward Mercy unto us That upon Friday last Colonell Generall Mynne being entred into our parts with a considerable strength both of Horse and Foot
not accepted and Hostages sent before eight a clock in the morning the nineteenth of this instant for surrender of the Town at or before Munday next they shall then bee altogether void and have no effect But in place of accepting the above Conditions which the Governour himself did afterwards acknowledge most honourable they not only returned this following Answer whereby their judiciall induration and obstinacy may appear but the Governour likewise the same morning while the Army was in action sent out a Letter to my Lord Sinclair full of mockeries and incivilities but before that day ended hee changed his strain and was resolved of his scruple whether there was such a man that had the name of Leven Answer of their three Commissioners to the Lord Generall his last Letter with the Articles Octob. 19. My Lord VVEE received your Letter wherein you say wee cannot make good that your Commissioners demands are against either his Majesties honour or the welfare of Newcastle Wee will give you but one reason amongst many whether it bee for his Majesties honour that the Town of Newcastle should be rendred to any of another Nation nay more if it bee for the honour of the English Parliament and that it is not for our welfare is so clear needs no answer And wheras you say you wonder wee are not ashamed to be so delatory having demanded a Treaty We say we wonder you can be so forgetfull knowing we have your Letter to show that the Treaty was your own motion but for Answer to the rest and to your Articles Wee say the delivery of Newcastle is not of so small moment but if you intend as you say time may well bee given till munday for giving answer for in case wee should give consent to let you have this Town there are divers more Articles then you have set down both fit for us to demand and you to grant Therefore if you would shun effusion of blood-shed as you professe forbeare your acts of Hostility untill wee give you Answer upon Munday wherein wee will not faile otherwise wee doubt not but God will require an account at your hands and besides will keep and preserve us from your fury So expecting your Answer Wee rest Your Friends Jo. Marlay Nich. Cole G. Baker Newcastle 19. Octob. 1644. The Letter sent by the Governor to my Lord Sinclair Octob. 19 My Lord I Have received divers Letters and Warrants subscribed by the name of Leven but of late can hear of none that have seen such a man besides there is strong report hee is dead therefore to remove all scruples I desire our Drummer may deliver one Letter to himself thus wishing you could think on some other course to compose the differences of these sad distracted Kingdomes than by battering Newcastle and annoying us who never wronged any of you for if you seriously consider you will finde that these courses will aggravate and not moderate distempers but I will referre all to your own consciences and rest Your Friend John Marlay Newcastle 19. Octob. By these former Letters Answers and Replies it is more than manifest how perversly obstinate the Enemy was and how carefully and patiently they were sought after but seeing their obstinacy desperate and incurable it was full time to proceed to action for the condition of the Army which had endured much hardship and of the Mines which were alwayes in hazard of discovery as they had formerly destroyed some seven or eight and the approaching Winter could not well admit of further delayes and thereupon October 19. early in the morning the Cannon began to play upon the walls from their severall Batteries while 8 a clock at which time the Hostages should have come out or otherwise they were to expect the extremities of Warre but since none came the service continued from all the Batteries and the Regiments were drawn up standing to their armes while the breaches were in readinesse and the Mines sprung About three a clock in the afternoon the Enemy by their countermines had very neer approached some chambers where the powder was lodged for blowing up the walls which being signified to his Excellency he forthwith ordered that fire should bee given to these two mines endangered and thereafter to maintain the breaches carefully while the generall assault should bee made from all quarters a little after the day failing and the breaches being made though not so large and passable as was needfull for so desperate service the word was given and the sign made to give fire to the rest of the Mines and for the Regiments to advance all at once towards the breaches and those places of the wall which were opened by the mine but they met with no small opposition and nothing was left undone by the Enemy to repell the fury of the assault They played very hotly and desperately from the Castle upon the breaches and from the â—â—anking-towers of the walls with scattered shot yet the Regiments advanced without any shrinking though the Cannon played from many places upon their full open bodies so that the difficile accesse to the breaches and the mighty advantages of their walls and works within the Town made a considerable losse of Souldiers and Officers of good quality yet notwithstanding all difficulties and resistances they acquit themselves as become a people that considered the importance of so high a cause and minded nothing but the happinesse of both Kingdomes and after two houres very hot dispute upon the breaches they found their first entry at the mine sprung on the West side of the Town neer to Close-gate and after their entry were furiously charged three severall times by the horse which were in Town but the charge was gallantly sustained and the place maintained while the reserve of that post came to assist thereafter they marched for the releif of the rest of the breaches and so the Souldiers gave over and forsook the walls and the whole body almost of the Army entring they became Masters of the Town which tasted of no lesse mercy and favour after the Victory than they found valour in obtaining the same for after their entry the Souldiers did quite vanish sheltring themselves in houses the Inhabitants kept close their doores the Regiments marched thorow the streets without any insolency or disorder never offering once to rifle a house or cut off either Citizen or Souldier they were presently after their entry in peaceable possession of all the corners and streets and on a sudden all tumult feare and noyse did cease Upon the first entry the Governour Lodovick Lyndesay sometime Earl Crawfoord the Lord Maxwell Doctor Wishart a man of a dangerous temper who had seasoned the people both before and the time of the siege with bitter Malignancy Mr. Gray and Alvay and others of the perverse crew authours of all the evils which might justly have falne upon the Town so exceedingly obstinate according to the rule of Warre did all betake themselves
to the Castle whence they cast over a white flag and beat a Parlee but before notice could bee taken thereof all the service was neer done The principall houses of the Town were preserved from plundering by the Officers the Common Souldiers that night after they had long kept their arms without doing any wrong or violence entred some houses of the meaner sort not safeguarded and did a little pillage and take away the goods out of them but lesse than ever any people or Army did in the like case which was the testimony of the most Malignants and Papists themselves expressing in these very words that no History can parallell where lesse cruelty and insolency and more mercy were shewn in any Town gained by storm which ought to bee no small matter of gloriation when the Enemies are constrained to acknowledge that the wayes and practises of those who have often declared the purity of their intentions are now found out to bee nothing different from their profession and indeed it were to bee wished that the well-affected in the Kingdom had as great feeling of the advantage given to the cause and the good they received since the comming in of that Army to England as the enemies to the peace and happinesse of both Nations are sensible of the hurt done to them and their designes But to return The Town being that same night secured and the Guards carefully appointed at the breaches and by the water-side to watch the escape of those who were within and with so much losse and paines now caught in the snare Next day thereafter being the Lords Day his Excellency did likewise enter the Town and with the Generall Officers and others of the Army did goe to the Church straightway and gave thanks to God that hee was pleased even according to the words and wishes of their Enemies to prosper and blesse his People according to the justnesse of their Cause The Governour who was lately so pertinacious and high minded that hee would neither hearken himself to any thing which might tend to the preservation of the Town but likewise published Proclamations that none should presume to speak of any compliance to a surrender did now become a humble suiter to the Lord Generall whom hee thought not to bee in the world that morning that his Excellence would bee pleased to suffer him and those that were with him in the Castle to depart to the Kings next Garrison as may appear by the following Letter wherein you see him a humble supplicant though in some of his former a scornfull Prophet A Letter sent by Sir John Marlay sometimes Governour of Newcastle to his Excellence from the Castle the day after the Town was taken Octob. 20. My Lord ALthough you have the fortune of War against mee and that I might I confesse have had honourable tearmes from your Excellency Yet I hope your Noblenesse will not think worse of mee for doing my endevours to keep the Town and to discharge the trust reposed in mee having had strong reasons so to doe as is known to many And now whereas I am compelled to betake my self to this Castle I shall desire that I and those with mee may have our Liberty and your Licence to stay or goe out of the Town with your safe Passe to his Majesties next Garrison which is not beleaguered with our Horses Pistolls and Swords And to have 14 dayes time to dispatch our Journey so many as please to goe And truely my Lord I am yet confident to receive so much favour from you as that you will take such care of mee as that I shall receive no wrong from the ignoble spirits of the vulgar sort for I doubt no other I must confesse I cannot keep it long from you yet I am resolved rather than to bee a spectacle of misery and disgrace to any I will bequeath my soule to him that gave it and then referre my body to bee a spectacle to your severity But upon these tearmes abovesaid I will deliver it to you and so intreating your Answer I rest Your friend and servant John Marley From the Castle in Newcastle the 21 of Octob. 1644. For his Excellency the Earl of Leven Generall of the Scottish Army Compare this Letter with that which hee sent out the day before then look what a day may produce And now could there bee any thing more just than to deny favour to a man so eminent in all the wayes of Malignancy so wicked an instrument One who had so exceedingly provoked the Army and had sleighted all gracious offers of Peace Hee is now overtaken in his season and as God in his Justice had decreed and his Servants foretold those enemies to the peace of the Kingdom in these parts are overthrown and were forced to surrender the Castle and come out upon mercy Sir John Marley was committed to his house by a strong guard to defend him from the fury of the incensed people for hee is hated and abhorred of all and hee brought many Families to ruine The rest that were in the Castle have likewise in constrained humility submitted themselves and are rendred Prisoners though not many dayes before these peaceable Divines taught the people that it was more lawfull one of them to eate another than to hearken to the Scottish Traytors or comply with them in any sort The Town is now in as good condition as ever any Town reduced by the extremity of Warre and thereupon exposed to the rapine of Souldiers which oft times is unavoidable All care was had to preserve the houses and goods of the Inhabitants so farre as possibly could bee done and to that effect many Proclamations made That no Officer nor Souldier should presume to trouble nor plunder the house of any under the pain of death And that better obedience might bee given thereto and all occasions of tumults wrongs and oppressions might the better bee avoided It was Ordered that no Officer nor Souldier should stay in the Town without speciall Order but to return to the Leaguer and his former Quarters And likewise for the further weale and ease of the Town the Quarters of the whole Army are enlarged and none ordained to stay in Town but the proper Garrison This is the true Relation of the successe of the Scottish Army against Newcastle whereby it would appear that God delights to co-operate with his Armies The best use that can bee made thereof and of all other Victories is to make them steps of advancement for the Reformation begun and great encouragement to expede the Work in hand and beat down all difficulties A Letter from the Committee at the Scottish Army to the Committee of both Kingdomes Right Honourable VVEE know not any better use you or wee can make of the great successe wherewith it hath pleased God to blesse our attempts against this Town than to make it evident to the world that Truth and Peace are the utmost of our desires and designes
38 peices of Ordnance 50 barrels of powder 500 Muskets a great number of Pikes and great store of shot and other sorts of provision And heerin now in breif wee may see the great goodnesse of God thus admirably completing our comforts to us by severall most wise providentiall degrees for though the Town of Newcastle was taken and in our full possession yet it was of little use unto us till the Castle therein was surrendred and though both this Town and Castle were taken yet they were not of any considerable and desired use for publick Trade by shipping till Tinmouth castle was surrendred which commands the entâ—ance into that River so as no Ships can passe it but with great hazzard but now Gods name bee ever glorified all letâ— and obstructions to a free Trade into that Town are quite taken away and any ships may passe and repasse most freely and fearlesly and the Ordinance of Parliament formerly inhibiting all commerce and Trading with Newcastle whiles it was in the power of the Royalists was shortly after by Both Houses of Parliament repealed and full power and licence now granted of free Trading thither againe by authority of Parliament And now upon the 31 of this instant October being the last wednesday of this Moneth wee had the Parliamentary monethly Fast solemnized before and close upon which the Lord did most graciously give us both admirable preventions of our prayers and singular returns of them after prayers even all along save only in that unhappy self-failing of our forces at Dunnington-castles and Bazing-houses releif by our own undoubted remissenesse if not worse whereby I say our said day of Monethly humiliation was and that most deservedly turned as much into a day of gratulation rejoycing and praising the Lord our God as of Fasting and Praying to God both for that famous Victory and â—urrender of the Town of Newcastle to our loyall and lowing brethren of Scotland which as learned reverend and truely religious Mr. Case justly said wee may most worthily baptize and Christen with the name of Gâ—d a Multitude for after it wee received a multitude of Mercies from the bountifull hands of our good God for presently upon that surrender fell out all the succeeding memorable mercies which have been in this moneths passages forementioned as namely the last famous Victory or defeat given to our Enemies the Kings Forces at Newberry the taking of the Castle in Newcastle-Town and of Tinmouth-castle shortly after the happy and remarkable unbloody surrender of the Town of Leverpool in Lancashire and the famous defeat given to the Newark forces by our most valiant and vigilant Forces of Leicester and Lincolnshire all fore-specified Heer therefore good Reader I shall desire thee together with mee to make a short stand and stay to see and admire this Moneths most admirable wonder also of the Burning-Bush not only not Consumed but even in the midst of most furious flames and conflagrations as it were growing green still and waxing more and more fair and flourishing Witnesse I say most conspicuously and undeniably that further discovery of that desperate and dangerous plot and designe closly and craftily carryed on for our inevitable ruine and destruction had it taken on our Army in Cornwall in the West but marveilously prevented by Gods good providence infusing such courage and faithfulnesse into the hearts of our Commanders and Souldiers Witnesse also the most successefull proceedings of the affaires of our best beloved brethren in the kingdome of Scotland together with the many mischeivous Array-men surprised in the Northern parts of our kingdom by the well-affected-people of those parts and putting them into the power and custody of renowned Generall Lesley Also the taking of Radcastle in Northwales by Sir Thomas Middleton together with the Parliaments most pious and prudent completing and publishing of that blessed Ordinance for Ordination of Ministers in and about London in a most pious and Apostolicall way and order Witnesse also that brave and most famous defeat given to the Enemies by that most renowned and ever to bee honoured and loved Commander Colonell Massie at Beechley where the said brave Colonell was admirably preserved both from death and danger Together with the surprisall of the Irish ship at White-haven in Cumberland the brave prize taken by renowned Colonell Sydenâ—am Governour of Pool in the West and another also by most valiant and loyall Colonell Lambert in the North. And witnesse Gods speciall providence and particular love and regard of the good not only of this Church and State in generall but also of his peculiar treasure and holy hidden ones in speciall viz. in the redemption and deliverance from a long and tedious captivity in the North of one of his most faithfull servants and sufferers for his Truth and Gospel namely Dr. John Bastwick lately then a prisoner in Knaresborough castle in Yorkshire Together with the farther brave performances of noble and renowned Sir Thomas Middleton in North-wales And all the rest of the most remarkable and memorable Victories I say of our most worthily ever to bee honored and beloved brethren the Scots at Newcastle and the other most memorable successes of our Armies as is fore-mentioned all which being put together and seriously considered doe abundantly make good the truth of this our Nations wonder in reference unto Moses his great wonder of his Burning-Bush not consumed and therefore gives us just occasion in admiration and contemplation thereof to break forth into a just ingenuous confession of the faithfulnesse of Gods promise to his Church and children by the Prophet Isaiah by whom the Lord tells his people Behold I have created the Smith that bloweth the coaleâ— in the fire and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work and I have created the waster to destroy But no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn And as the Lord sayes in the 15 verse of this foresaid Chapter Behold they shall surely gather together but not by mee Whosoever therefore shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake And thus hath the Lord most faithfully done for us in these our dayes even for us as sinfull and undeserving a people as were his Israelites of old And therefore let us in holy exultation with the pious Prophet David sing and say to the Lords everlasting praise and glory O who is God save only the Lord or who is a rock save our God The Lord liveth and blessed bee our rock and let the God of our Salvation bee exalted and praised for ever But now to proceed and goe forward to the farther progresse and prosecution of our just admiration of this our Nationall wonder in the next succeeding Moneth of November 1644. ANd first I shall begin with a brave exploit performed by the forces of that valiant Patriot
this Garrison his Major and 3 Captains and not 3 of his whole Regiment but were either killed or taken and the House was wholly burnt down to the ground and wee thereby freed of a pestilent and pernicious neighbour Colonell Bruen and Mr. Crompton behaved themselves very worthily in this action and Captain Starre incomparably bravely Yours C. A. November the 12 wee were for certain informed by Letters out of the North that a party of the Enemies horse advanced from Skipton and Knaresborough in Yorkeshire and fell upon the Parliaments guard before Helmesley Castle intending to have raised that siege Whereupon 240 of the most noble and renowned Lord Fairfaxes Horse under the Command of Major Sanderson were sent to releive them but our valiant Forces before Helmesley had quite routed the Enemy before their said help came unto them and pursued the Enemy over Black-Hambleton and took prisoners 1 Captain 5 or 6 Leivtenants one Cornet one Ensigne a Quartermaster and 44 Troopers there were about or 6 slain on the place and very many sore wounded ours also took 80 Horse together with a great quantity of Meal Salt and other provisions designed for the releif of Helmesley All which was performed without the losse of any save only Captain Leivtenant Frampton Leivtenant Shepperson and 3 common Souldiers About the 16 of this instant both the Houses of Parliament passed an Ordinance for the re-establishing of free Trade again at Newcastle which now lately had beer most happily reduced by Gods blessing on the valour and magnanimity of our loyall Brethren of Scotland to the obedience of the Parliament which said Ordinance for the Readers fuller satisfaction and content I have heer thought fit to insert verbatim as it was Printed and published by Authority of Parliament Die Jovis Novemb. 14. 1644. VVHere as the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament by an Ordinance of the 14 of January 1642. did for severall reasons in the said Ordinance mentioned prohibit all ships and other vessels to carry provision of victuals armes or money unto Newcastle Sunderland and Blyth or make return of any Coales or Salt from either the said places under pain of seizure of the said ships vessels and their lâ—ding And whereas by the good providence and blessing of Almighty God and the endevours of our brethren of Scotland the Town and Port of Newcastle upon Tyne and Castle of Tinmouth are lately rescued out of the hands of the Enemy and reduced to the obedience of the King and Parliament The Inhabitants of which places by reason of the rapine and spoile of the Enemy have been brought to extremity of want It is this day Ordered by the said Lords and Commons that the said Ordinance bee repealed and annulled And the said Lords and Commons doe hereby repeal and annull the same Joh. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum About the 20 of this instant came certain intelligence by Letters out of Yorkeshire to London that the Castle of Helmesley in that County which had been then besieged as was forementioned by the right honourable and thrice noble Lord Fairfaxes forces was now at length surrendred to his Lordship upon Articles of agreement Whereupon the said Castle with all the Ordnance Armes and Ammunition therein except what armes the Commanders and Officers marched out withall according to the agreement In this Castle were about 200 men 9 peices of Ordnance 300 Muskets and Pikes 6 barrells of powder and much money Plate and other good plunder and many of the common Souldiers turned to the Lord Fairfax whereof at least 40 went presently to assist at the siege of Scarborough And about the 24 of this instant November wee were informed by Letters out of Lincolnshire of the good successe against the Enemy there of that brave and most valiant active Commander Colonell Rossiters Regiment of horse and Colonell Fleetwoods Regiment of horse Commanded by valiant and virtuous Major Harrison who resolved to face the Town of Newark to try what strength of horse they had left since the last losse of neer about 800 horse upon a rout But in their way they also resolved to attempt the beating up of one of their quarters within a mile of Newark which accordingly they did and took there an 160 horse and 80 prisoners Major Heren Captain Cressey 3 Cornets 3 Leivtenants and divers Gentlemen and afterward faced the Town of Newark the enemy not daring to adventure out wherupon they victoriously returned and brought their prisoners and prize safely with them to Lincoln And about the 28 instant wee received certain intelligence by Letters out of the West that the valiant Souldiers of Lime marched out of that Garrison to meet the Enemy at Axminster who came thither to fortifie that Town thereby to have straitned the quarters of Lime But they being as vigilant as valiant and discovering the Enemies drift and unwilling to bee nosed by so bad a neighbour fell upon the said Enemy as they stood upon a posture of defence fitted and resolved as it seemed to entertain the charge of our forces but in the end were bravely routed by the Lime Souldiers who in the encounter killed Major Walker a desperate and wicked Cavalier 2 Captains and 2 Leivtenants and mortally wounded Sir Richard Cholmley Son in Law to the Lord Pawleâ— and brother to Sir Hugh Cholmley of Scarborough that disloyall apostate Run negado who commanded in Cheif this party and some Letters since have certified that the said Sir Richard is dead of his wounds In which incounter also the brave Lime forces took 4 peices of Ordnance great store of Armes many prisoners and drove the rest into a Church which was not then taken when this Letter came to our hands This most valiant Governour of Lyme deserves to bee had in high honour and remembrance for his former famous services also especially for his so manfully defending that poore Town against Prince Maurice and the Lord Pawlet and other mighty menacing powers as hath at large been forementioned And shortly after this brave defeat it pleased the Lord that a suddain storm arising at Sea a ship of Apsome was driven into the Haven at Lime and there seized on which was estimated to bee worth many thousand pounds a part whereof was ordered by the Parliament to bee imployed for the use and service of Lyme and the rest for the other Western parts the goods in the said ship being found to belong to divers rich Malignants of Exeter and Apsome and most of them consisting of speciall good Linnen cloath And besides that foresaid Victory at Axminster and rich prize so put into their hands in their haven wee had certain information that this most valiant and active garrison of Lime within 2 or 3 dayes after fell upon another party of the Enemies and did good execution on them and took prisoners 3 Leivtenants more with 50 other Officers and Souldiers took an 160 Muskets 10 Halberts 3 barrels of
Dragoones to the number of 450 were sent under the Command of Captain Farrar into Cardiganshire to meet them who in their return had upon the borders of Mountgomery shire a skirmish with about a 1000 of the Enemies where the Country was summoned in by Sir Richard Price and Mr. Pughe of Mathavern they met in the night in a very narrow passage where the Musketteirs played for an houre together upon them but no good could bee done Whereupon Captain Farrar led up the Horse in a full Carreir upon them which put them all to a present and confused flight our forces pursued them 3 miles together and slew at least 20 of them in the pursuite whereupon the Enemy cryed quarter quarter and had quarter given them wee there took 60 prisoners among whom were 12 Officers and an 100 armes wounded divers of them and put all the rest to flight The next morning Captain Farrar sent a Troop of Horse and a company of Dragoones under the Command of Captain Luke Floyd to summon Mathavern-house where the Enemy kept a Garrison where Mr. Pughe having had notice of our comming toward this house presently upon our appearing hee flew away and left the House whereupon wee instantly entred the Garrison took what was in it and then burnt it down to the ground to keep them from returning again to it to doe us any farther mischeif About the 16 instant wee had credible information by Letters out of the West that Colonell Holborn Major Generall of the forces sent to releive Taunton at this time much straitned by the Enemies being upon his March in Dorsetshire and upon the designe the Enemy had intelligence thereof and drew themselves into a body to meet him in battalia and Major Generall Holborn having also intelligence that they were come as farre as Chard hee marched thither with an intent to give them battaile But the Enemy discovering our forces drawing nigh them and seriously bent to encounter them fled out of the Town in great haste and left above an 100 armes behinde them dispersing themselves in a disorderly retreat but our forces pursued them and took a whole Troop of their Horse the Captain Leivtenant Cornet and all both Officers and Souldiers Horse and Armes besides 20 other prisoners whereof 5 were Officers together with all their Hay Oates and other provisions which they brought with them for their releif there And about the 18 of this instant wee received certain knowledge of divers plots and treacherous designes of the Enemies for the betraying of severall Townes and strong Holds their old trade of trechery into the Enemies hands but how our good God the most vigilant Watchman over his English-Israel most graciously discovered and disappointed them in their devillish designes and perfidious practises therein as namely the great danger of losing the Town and Castle of Stafford by the either unfaithfulnesse or negligence or both of Colonell Chadwick Governour of the said Town and Castle but by Gods goodnesse and by valiant virtuous and faithfull Sir William Breretons vigilancy timely prevented Another plot and most dangerous and desperate designe for the betraying of Dover-castle That of Abbington also wherin renowned valiant and faithfull Major Generall Brown most bravely befooled that spurious spark and glistring Glow-worm of Oxonian wit and base treachery apostate Digâ—iâ— Another plot against Reading and Ailesbury And another plot against Plymouth also to have betrayed the Island there into the Enemies hands All these much about one and the same time but all of them as seasonably discovered and prevented as they were secretly and deceitfully plotted But especially that most notable and craftily contrived Stâ—â—tagem which I may not heer by any means omit acted by Mr. Roger le Strange a strangely audacious and desperate Cavalier for the betraying of Lyn-Regis in Norfolk into the Enemies hands which being a place of great concernment and in regard of most neat and cleanly carriage of the businesse in the discovery and prevention of the plot a very remarkable peice and worthy of serious notice I have therefore heer for the Readers better content and fuller satisfaction thought good exactly to impart it as it was truely related and attested under the hand of that worthy and most loyall Gentleman Captain Lemon the faithfull discover under God and preventer of the plot which was as followeth Mr. Roger le Strange third Son to Sir Hamond le Strange sent to Captain Thomas Lemon of Lin to Appleton-Hall to the house of one Mr. Paston a Papist and at his comming to him with a design intended by him against Lyn for which hee said hee had a Commission from his Majesty to surprize the Town of Lyn which Commission hee presently shewed him and told him that if hee would undertake to bee assistant to him and raise a party within the Town to effect the designe that hee should have a 1000. li. for his pains and whatsoever preferment hee would desire either in the Town or in his Majesties Navy And farther hee told him that the King did value the surprising of this Town as half his Crown and that within 10 dayes after certain notice that the Town was reduced his Majesty would send a sufficient power to their releif and that those forces should bee under the command of the Lord Goring To which plot the said Captain Lemon for his own security having taken the Covenant and well weighing on a suddain the peace and good of the Common-wealth for the present hee seemingly gave consent the night then comming on hee departed from him with promise to come to him again the next day to advise farther of the designe but presently hasting to Lyn hee went to the Governour Colonell Valentine Walton and acquainted him with it who after long debate resolved the next day that at the time appointed hee should goe to the said Appleton-Hall and take with him a Corporall of his clad in a Sea-mans habit who seemingly should bee a partaker with him to effect their designe and comming thither the said Mr. Strange demanded of Captain Lemon what hee was that came with him who answered that hee was a man for their turne and immediately upon it the said Corporall himself answered very discreetly that hee was a pooreman living in Fishers-end in Lyn and kept an Ale-house and that hee was 40 pound the worse for the Round-heads whereunto Mr. Strange replyed It is no matter for when the designe is accomplished thou shalt have a 100 li. for it and a Cannoneers place which the Corporall seemingly was exceeding well pleased with But the better to know where the Commission was Captain Lemon said Mr. Strange this my friend by the way as wee came demanded of mee what security you had if in case the plot should bee discovered to save them from the gallows if it might bee Captain Lemon therefore said hee told him you had the Kings Commission which
Brayton in Barkeshire on the other side of the Town about 2 miles off The Enemy was there commanded by Major Hatton Farmer Major of the Princes Regiment our Horse carryed themselves very courageously beat the Enemy out of their quarter and pursued them within a mile of Farrington and killed the Major with divers others and mortally wounded the Captain Leivtenant of the Princes Regiment took many of the men and horse among whom were 5 Irish men whom wee hanged the same day in the Market-place and not above 12 of these horse got into Farringdon the rest were all slain or taken without the losse of any one of our men or horse Their intent was as wee were informed by prisoners and a Trumpeter who that evening came from Oxford to desire the Majors body that the horse should give us an allarm on the one side whiles the foot stormed us on the other And another that then came from Oxford gave our Major Generall information and both of them affirmed that wee slew in this fight Sir Henry Gage Governour of Oxford and many other Gentlemen of great quality and in particular that Leivtenant Colonell Lower Deputy Governour of Wallingford was also slain I am confident the Enemy had a great advantage of us by the bridge and hills yet the Lord fought for us and hath graciously delivered us out of their hands for which wee desire Thanks may bee generally given to the Lord of Hoasts and God of Battles and in particular for preserving us also in our safe passage to Abbington the Enemy being upon their march so neer us and had they taken us it would have occasioned great triumph in the Enemy there being of us 4 Colonells besides other Captains and Commanders Our Major Generall Dr. Wilson and Quarter Master Generall Burrowes remember their loves to you and would have given you a touch heerof but that I undertook to save them that labour I pray you acquaint our Friends heerwith as having exprest nothing but what I know to bee truth One of the Messengers from Oxford informed us that Prince Rupert engaged himself to the King and Lords with many vowes and protestations yea and execrations too That hee would dine the next Sunday in Abbington and that hee would bee Master of it by 12 a clock that morning forgetting that of Aâ—ab to Benhadad Let not him that girdeth on his harnesse boast himself as hee that putteth it off But missing his hopes and the Governour of Oxford being also slain hee was ashamed to march triumphantly into Oxford with the forces that returned but came sneaking in privately another way where the Lords mocking him askt him where was Abbington which hee boasted hee would so suddainly have But wee I say gave them such a breakfast as that it was beleeved hee would have little stomach thereafter to come and visit our noble Major Generall Wee could not for want of horse pursue the victory Colonell Fynes having left us and I think God would not vouchsafe to do him so much honour as to bee present at so noble an exploit For the number of ours slain I have already given you an account The number of the slain of the Enemy was not certainly known when I wrote this the Country reported 3 or 4 Cart-loads of dead and wounded corps to bee taken with them besides many that were drowned and others that were thrown in after they were slain and some found dead upon the place Sam. Harsnet Abbington this 12. of Jan. 1644. And heer also I shall desire the Reader to take notice that this brave Victory was thus happily obtained the very next day after that judgement was given upon that egregious and abominable hypocrite and atheist and most pestilent Incendiary the Arch Prelate of Canterbury And that on the very same day also wee had the certain information of those brave Victories and rich prizes forementioned by renowned Captain Swanley specified in his Letter to the noble Earl of Warwick as aforesaid About the 16 instant wee were certainly informed by Letters out of the West especially by an Expresse from the Lord Roberts Governour of Plymouth to the Speaker of the House of Commons that that most impious and impudent rotten-hearted Apostate Skellum Greenvill having gathered all the forces hee could raise in Cornwall and other parts of the West did about the 10 of January 1644. about eleven of the clock at night alarm the works of the Town of Plymouth in 4 severall places at once with neer 6000 men whereby after a very hot dispute the Enemy became Masters of the 4 great works of the Town out of two of which they were quickly beaten but held the third called Little Penny-quick and began to scale or rather digge down another fort called Great Penny-quick But at last by the admirable courage of the Commanders and Garrison-Souldiers they were quite beaten out of that too with great losse unto the Enemy leaving 75 of their men dead on the place and at last 4 times as many more slain in this Service besides many hundreds wounded For as soon as they were beaten off from the 3 works the Plymouth men who behaved themselves with extraordinary gallantry invironed the fourth work whereinto our men had got partly by digging and undermining and partly by scaling and the Enemy within it who seeing themselves so suddainly beset and ensnared as it were in their so late and so sure seeming gotten prize instantly surrendered it upon quarter for their lives In this brave bickering there were also many prisoners taken and much armes the victory was very great and the Enemy by it much discouraged Let our God alone therefore have the greater praise and glory for it About the 18 instant wee received certain information again by Letters out of the West of valiant Colonell Holborns taking in of Sydenbam-House in which hee had neer an 100 prisoners among whom was one Captain one Leivtenant and other Officers in armes together with some other persons of quality And hee surprized also the High-Sheriffe of Somersetshire and ten Commissioners of Array with him And also that hee shortly after took 300 prisoners with many Horse and Armes as they were forraging abroad in those parts for plunder and spoyl And about the 21 instant the House of Commons in Parliament had a debate concerning the New Modell for the setling of the Armies And proceeded to the nomination of divers Officers for the new Army by which means tho for the time the Self-denying Ordinance seemed at this time to bee laid aside they might recall any of the Members of either House to the publike Service at home as well as if the said Ordinance had then been past Upon the conclusion of the debate it was now therefore Ordered and Voted that Sir Thomas Fairfax should bee Commander in cheif of the 21000 Horse and Foot to bee now raised according to the New Modell and
nights together during all which time our valia Souldiers put off neither armes nor cloathes as I was credibly informed they by Gods infinite mercy obtained a most happy and comfortable enlargement and freedome from their cruell and murtherous-minded Enemies And thus Goring and Dives who were both present in this service marched away to Dorchester with their horse and foot which were above 4000. whereas ours that were invironed by them were not above 900. being also discouraged or at least wee justly might have been for want of releif and our little or no hope of relief besides the former successe of the Enemies and yet that ours should so gallantly quit themselves and so impregnably oppose and fall upon their Enemies when they were at their strongest and themselves in the lowest and most desperate condition and besides the Townesmen within being trecherous unto them of whom above 40 had conspired to seize on the Fort which Colonell Sydenham possessed and by procuring false keyes to the prison doores to let out all the prisoners and also as I toucht before to let in the enemies at their back-doores but the plot of the false keyes was timely discovered and prevented many of the Malignant Conspirators apprehended and imprisoned some in this fight were slain and some wounded and those imprisoned in a fit posture to bee hanged as afterward they were Wee lost but 10 men on our side in all this hot and furious service All which premises considered it must needs bee granted that the hand of God was indeed most visibly seen in the whole carriage of this admirable action and famous defeat wherein I say was an apparent vision of our present Parliamentary mighty wonder Viz. The Burning Bush in the midst of such furious flames not consumed To God alone therefore bee all the honour and glory of it And March the 8 wee had certain intelligence that a ship carrying 28 peices of Ordnance laden with store of armes and Ammunition was come into Weymouth from Rhoan in France supposing Weymouth had still been in the Enemies possession and so was seized on for the Parliaments use Yea and about the same time even 3 or 4 houres after the Enemy had quitted the Outworks of Weymouth whereof you have at large heard before a lusty serviceable ship of Weymouth called the Endevour carrying in her 12 peices of Ordnance and laden with Salt and other commodities belonging to some Malignants of those parts which ship then lay close under Portland Castle but having as it seemed many honest Sea-men in her suddenly they cut her Cables swiftly and of its own accord came off to Captain Batten then at Weymouth and Melcomb although the Castle of Portland had made at least 7 or 8 shots at her And thus wee see how God most graciously blessed the affaires of that Town at that time both by Sea and by Land to him alone bee all the praise and glory of it Shortly after to wit on Wednesday March the 12. Both Houses of Parliament most piously concurred for the keeping of a Solemn day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God at Christ-Church in London for all these so many and marveilous rich mercies of the Lord unto us Since the happy dissolution of that foresaid Treaty at Vxbridge as namely for the winning of Scarborough Town Haven Shrewsbury so unexpectedly and admirably put into the Parliaments hands The extraordinary recovering of Weymouth and even miraculous preservation of Melcomb Regis c. Where and at which foresaid time Reverend Learned and Religious Mr. â—rrowsmith and Mr. Vines Preached before the Lords and Commons of Parliament the Lord Major and Aldermen of the City of London accompanying them there at that holy service And both Houses of Parliament immediately after passed an Ordinance for the payment of 2000 pound to the brave Garrison of Weymouth for the encouragement and reward of the good service done there and for a supply of some necessaries in that Town And besides all these remarkable mâ—â—cies of our good God to the Parliament whereof you have most fully been informed since and even at the dissolution of that Mock-Treaty at Vxbridge We were yet farther credibly assured by Letters from Ailsbury about March the 16. That the King lost the Troop of Horse belonging to his own Life-guard the manner of the taking of which prize was thus related Ailsbury Garrison having intelligence of divers of the Kings horse quartered out of Oxford for want of necessaries about this time within the Town they that have spoiled a most fruitfull Kingdome will shortly I hope want bread and Pease for themselves Heerupon valiant Captain Abricomie a Scottish Commander in Ailsbury and Major Ennis of Newport-pagnell marched from their Garrisons toward Oxford with a party of horse to Killington where accordingly they met with the Kings own Troop as they had been informed Our party went over at Islip Mill and there they found the Enemy entrenched on the other side of the River but our party of horse had carryed Fagots and so filled-up the Trench with them and with earth and so handled it that they blew up the Bridge forced the Turn-pike and Chain surprized the Guard marched into the Town took 40 gallant horse worth some said 50 li. and Captain Cheyworth Commissary Generall to the King also the Kings Chirurgeons own mate with other prisoners and in their return home they took 4 more Cavalierian Troopers driving Cattle to the Kings quarters All which praised bee the Lord they brought home safely without any wound or losse of a man About March the 14. the House of Commons received Letters from Sir William Brereton that brave Commander and pious Patriot of his Country informing them of the singular good condition of Shrewshury and also of a notable defeat given to the Forces of Prince Maurice by a party of Sir William Breretons at Holt-Bridge in Cheshire under the Command of valiant Leivtenant Colonell Jones the manner whereof was thus Prince Maurice being still greatly vext in his minde at the sad losse of Shrewsbury and as vigilantly as possibly hee could watching to catch and lay hold on all opportunities to bee revenged on the Parliaments party at last resolved upon one and therefore sent a party of foot over the River of Dee which parts Cheshire and Wales and about 13 Companies got over the said River by laying over it a Bridge of Canvas dipt in Pitch over which 3 men might march abrest These all being thus past over intended in a dark night to have surprized Sir Williams said Garrison at Holt-bridge and to have forced their passage that way to some other farther design which Garrison the Prince understood was maintained by only 2 Companies of Firelocks under the Command of Leivtenant Colonell Jones who being thus now suddenly assaulted by the said numerous enemy yet had his men in order and readinesse to receive them and entertained them with such a
place and took neer as many prisoners 4 great barrells of powder being all they had there took all their field peices their bagge and baggage and dispersed the Enemy and had at this time utterly spoyled and ruinated them had not the darknesse of the night hindered his pursuite of them The Honourable House of Commons taking into consideration this prosperous successe which it pleased the Lord to give our brethren in Scotland which was of much concernment not only for the hoped peace of that Kingdome but of this also they therfore Ordered that publick Thanksgiving should bee made for the same the then next ensuing Lords Day in the severall Parish Churches in London and Westminster and within the Line of Communication and a Committee of the Lords and Commons addressed themselves to the Scottish Commissioners to congratulate them in that happy and seasonable Victory About the 14 instant among divers other usefull Ordinances of Parliament there was one passed by the House of Commons for exempting the University of Cambridge from all Military Taxes and other Contributions to the publike Service That nothing contained in any Ordinance or Ordinances of Parliament for or concerning the imposing levying or paying of any assessements taxes or charges whatsoever as well already made and charged as hereafter to bee made and charged by any former Ordinances shall not bee extended to charge the said University or any the Colledges or Halls therein or any the Rents or Revenues belonging thereunto nor to charge any Master Fellow or Schollar of any the said Colledges or any Reader Officer or Minister of the said University or Colledges for or in regard of any Wages Stipend or Profit due to them or any of them in respect of their places and employments in the said University any thing in the said Ordinances to the contrary notwithstanding Provided that the Tenents who enjoy Leases from the said University and Colledges doe claime no freedome or exemption or advantage by this said Ordinance Heer therefore that old Prelaticall slander of the Malignant Enemies is already clearly confuted who maliciously and falsly give out as if the Parliament were or would bee haters and discountenancers of Learning and parts whereas they ever aâ—med at the advancement thereof by a most necessary Reformation and cleansing of the University from its old stale and stinking lees and corrupted and corrupting dregs of Popery Arminianism superstition profanenesse and even open atheisme as was too evident in so many Prelaticall Popish and Arminian creatures therin such superstitious idle-addle-headed Governours so many formalists and politicians in Divinity meer Atheists in conversation who constantly infected the better wits and ingenous Spirits inducing and drawing them by their most prevalent pernicious examples to their own wayes and wicked practises But now the Fountain being purifyed and cleansed the streams must needs run abroad more clear into Church and Common-wealth by Gods blessing on the means About the 16 of this instant Aprill wee had suddain and certain intelligence out of Kent that about 3 or 400 mad-headed and discontented Malignants part of the rascality of that County were gotten into a body and had put themselves into a second open Rebellion and had taken Sir Percivall Harts house neer Farningham and had got divers horse and Armes which might threaten some danger to that flourishing County but by the speedy provision and care of the Committee and Gentry of that County the Serpent was crusht in the Egge for they had instantly ordered and authorized noble Colonell Blunt who indeed merited much honour in this Service to raise forces in the County for the suppressing of them who used such industry wisdome courage and fidelity therein that hee had soon raised a body of about 2000 horse and foot in one afternoon and part of the next morning and with quick expedition marched after them with 4 field peices toward Lunnington House and having found them out resolutely set upon them and had soon utterly routed and dispersed them took 50 of their principall Ring-leaders who were clapt up in safe custody till they might bee proceeded against by Martiall-Law And thus praised bee the Lord this spark of rebellion not being neglected was as timely quenched as it was soon kindled Much about which said time wee were certainly informed by Letters out of Hampshire that a party of renowned Colonell Nortons horse from Southampton being upon a design to fortifie Rumsey and so to straiten the Enemies Garrison at Winchester which the better to effect a party of his horse I say under the Command of Major Stewart were drawn out to face Winchester and so to keep the Enemy in play whilst Rumsey was thus fortifying which was done accordingly and after some small skirmishing Major Stewart retreated with the losse of 4 or 5 of his men and as many of the Enemies upon his retreat the Enemy advanced but now Major Stewart being seconded by a fresh party from Rumsey set again upon them routed and pursued them killed Leivtenant Coard and 6 or 7 more on the place took Captain Heath Cornet Barnes and 4 or 5 other Officers and about 30 horse and their Riders prisoners and brought them safe to Rumsey and afterward sent them to Southampton In this service Major Stewart received a shot in the thigh but not mortall only a badge of honour unto him praised bee the Lord for it About the 18 instant wee had clear intimation and knowledge of divers of the Lords and Peers of the Kingdom who having formerly deserted the Parliament and shown themselves in open opposition or at best in slie and faithlesse tergiversation from the Cause of God maintained by this present Parliament yet now at the length the Lord as wee hope having opened their eyes of understanding to see their errour and perswaded their hearts as wee trust to cleave to his Truth in sincerity and cordiall loyalty and therefore now I say divers of them were come in unto the Parliament from Oxford and took their Oath and the Solemn Covenant to bee true and faithfull to the service of the Parliament to the uttermost of their abilities both with their lives and fortunes First there came in about the 10 of this instant 3 Earles and 3 Lords Viz. The Earl of Bedford the Earl of Clare and the Earl of Leicester the Lord Pawlet the Lord Conway and the Lord Rich. And since that 5 more came in and took the same Oath and Covenant Viz. the Earl of Westmerland the Earl of Tenet the Earl of Monmouth and the Lord Savill The rest wee pray and trust will also in the Lords due time see their foul errours and seeing bee ashamed and sin no more in that kinde And about the 20 of this instant Aprill wee received certain intelligence by a Letter from a Member of the Committee of Worcester then residing at Warwick concerning a great and brave defeat given to Prince Maurice his forces in
Cromwell fell upon them neer Islip where proved to bee a Brigade of above a 1000. under the command of the Earl of Northampton and were part of the Queens Regiment part of the Lord Wilmots and part of the Earles own Regiments and bravely beat them at their own game fighting with them most valiantly though the best horse the King had and at the second charge entred their whole body or squadron of the Enemy and greatly disordered them following this advantage with so much courage and gallantry that in a short time they totally routed them following them in hot pursuit above 3 miles killed and took above 200. enforcing at the least 60 of them to drown themselves by making too much speed to get over a water In which fight wee also took 400 horse 3 Colours whereof one was the Queens richly embroydered with a Crown in the midst and 18 Flower de Luces wrought in gold with a golden crosse on the top wee took also about 20 Officers and divers arms wounded many who fled into Oxford and some into Blechington-House Whereupon renowned Leivtenant Generall Cromwell sent away his prisoners and marched against the said Blechington beset it and summoned Colonell Windebank to surrender that Garrison unto him which after some dispute about it it being a strong Garrison and now as strongly surrounded was surrendred to Leivtenant Generall Cromwell upon condition for the Souldiers to march away with their lives The Leivtenant Generall took there 250 Muskets 70 Horse a 100 Pikes and other Armes 3 barrels of powder with Match and other Ammunition And upon the 26 of this instant Aprill Major Generall Brown having notice that Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Horse were so neer him hee drew a party out of Abbington to march that way to bee in a readinesse if occasion were who marching toward Longworth had notice of a party of the Enemy to bee about Buckland so they marched that way but the Enemy was gone toward Farringdon But Major Generall Brownes forces followed them so close that they overtook them and fell upon them took a Captain 3 other Officers and 10 prisoners with which they intended presently to have returned toward Abbington but having intelligence of another party of the Enemies that were comming from the Devizes intended as was supposed for Oxford Scouts were sent to finde them out and having discovered them Major Generall Brownes forces fell upon them and presently put them to the rout took a Colonell a Sergeant Major 3 Captains 3 Leivtenants and divers other prisoners besides horse and armes and carryed them all safe to Abbington And the very same day toward Evening Colonell Feines with his Regiment having intelligence of a party of the Enemies that were come neer Witney hee drew toward them and with much gallantry fell upon them and in the fight and flight of the Enemy took from them a 120 horse 3 Colours 40 prisoners and 50 Armes About the 28 instant Leivtenant Generall Cromwell had intelligence that a party of the Enemies Foot under the Command of Sir Henry Vaughan formerly a Member of the House of Commons but since one of the Oxford Juncto were also about Witney toward Farringdon wherefore hee drew that way intending to fall upon them the next morning if hee could reach them and sending forth Scouts to discover the motions of Colonell Vaughan and receiving advertisement that hee quartered neer Bampton-Bush hee marched on that way parting his Body into severall Squadrons and with valiant courage marched up close unto them the Enemy having little courage to fight so terrible was the very name of Cromwell to them instantly begged quarter for their lives which was granted them and so Leivtenant Generall Cromwell took their Colonell Sir Henry Vaughan who was their Commander in Cheif 2 Leivtenant Colonells 1 Sergeant Major 5 Captains 8 Leivtenants 8 Ensignes 1 Doctor who was Chaplain to them whose name was Dunse 20 Sergeants and other inferiour Officers 230 prisoners and about 200 Armes some powder match and Ammunition with such provisions as they had with them And the rest of the day was spent in publike worship of God and giving thanks to the Lord through-out those our Armies which were within the hearing and knowledge of these great Victories for the same Finally about the latter end of this Moneth of Aprill wee had certain intelligence of the singular good agreement and sweet harmony of affections in renowned Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army and that the Souldiers expressed very much love affection and cheerfull obedience to their said noble Generall Sir Thomas and to one another in all their severall relations in the Army and that many of those that were thought to bee discontented men and had been Officers under the most noble Earl of Essex had now cheerfully listed themselves under Sir Thomas Fairfax as common Souldiers both Horse and foot And that the last muster of the Horse and Foot of his whole Army at that time was 4000 Horse and 13000 Foot and that some Regiments of horse and foot were then advanced toward distressed yet courageous Tauntons releif wherof more in its proper place And about this time our most prudent and provident State-Promethei of Both Houses of Parliament having so well Ordered their Land-affaires now also took into their serious consideration the businesse of the Admiralty and Sea-affaires how they might bee best ordered and managed for the best good and most considerable advantage and improvement every way of the welfare of our republick The most noble and renowned Earl of Warwick then before Lord Admirall being called from that publick imployment by the late Selfe-denying-Ordinance and they looking upon this businesse as a matter of no lesse weighty concernment than the safety under God of 3 Kingdomes Wherefore at last they came to this resolution that the businesse of the Admiralty should bee managed by Commissioners of Both Houses to continue for 6 moneths and so proceeded to nominate them who were to bee imployed in this great trust Viz. The Earl of Warwick for the House of Peeres and Mr. Bence and Mr. Peregrinâ— Pelham of the House of Commons the prosperous managing of which so weighty trust and employment by which foresaid Parliamentary Worthies wee shall have occasion to make farther mention in its proper place And now good Reader let mee heer again desire thee with godly and gratefull patience to make a little stay and to take a short survey and sweete review of all the rich and rare mercies of this Moneth also And therein to see and admire how graciously and gloriously the Lord hath dwelt in his Parliamentary Burning-Bush and hitherto kept it Vnconsumed both In the most sweet and singular harmony and good agreement between Both Houses of Parliament revived by the House of Peeres for the faster binding of the mutuall affections of Both Houses together And the good services of Major Generall Browns forces about Abbington
a 1000 Armes left behinde them for haste and divers barrells of powder with other Ammunition and provision and the Enemy taking along with them 12 or 14 Cart loads of their dead men besides many wounded Wee found about 200 wounded men of ours in the Town and not above an 100 slain in all this siege praised bee the Lord for it Since I came heer in 6 weeks time I saw a wonderfull change scarce a man to bee seen in a whole Village so barbarously had the Enemy unpeopled the Country I shall in all humility acquaint you with what I hear My Regiment is designed for the West I humbly intreat if it bee possible I may wait on your honour in your Army which if your Excellency shall please to grant it will much oblige Your most humble Servant Ralph Welden Palmister May 11. 1645. After the reading of this Letter in the House of Commons they began to consider of this great mercy and therefore Ordered in the first place That there should bee a publique Thanksgiving in all the Churches and Chappels in London and Lines of Communication on the next Lords day for the relieving of this distressed Town that so God may have the honour due unto him for it In the next place the House Ordered that a Letter should bee writ to Sir Thomas Fairfax giving him the Thanks of the House for his great care and faithfull service in omitting of no time for the releif of Taunton and that Sir Thomas Fairfax should bee desired to take particular notice of this gallant service of Colonell Welden A Letter was likewise Ordered to bee sent from the House to the Town of Taunton and to the Governour and Souldiers therein to give them the hearty Thanks of the Parliament for this extraordinary gallant service in maintaining the Town against the Enemy so long But the speciall regard that the Parliament had of this Garrison rested not there for An Order was made likewise by the House for the bestowing of 2000 pound upon the Souldiers of that Garrison for their valour and courage in this service And as an earnest of a further reward to the undaunted and ever honoured Governour Colonell Blake It was likewise Ordered that 500 pound should bee paid to him forthwith for his own use The House likewise taking into consideration that by reason of the late tedious and unwearyed marches of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes foot they had worn out their shooes and were in great need of supply it was further Ordered That it should bee referred to the Committee for the Army to provide and forthwith send down shooes for Sir Thomas Fairfaxes foot The House of Commons further made an Order of reference to the Committee of Both Kingdomes to take care that no advantage bee lost by the releif of Taunton but to use their endevour to improve it to the best advantage of the West and the whole Kingdome and wee have great cause to hope that care will bee taken thereof accordingly About the 15 of this instant May our most provident Parliamentary Statists for the more prudent regulating of the Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes New-Modelled Army Ordered certain very excellent Orders to bee observed by all Officers and Souldiers from the Commissioners of the Army to the meanest Souldier both to take care of false Musters of plundering of buying Horses for the State taken by the Souldiers that they should bee marked by the Mark-Master of the Army c. To forbid any Officers to quarter in any house but by Ticket from the Quarter-Master and to pay ready money for mans meat and horse meat according to the rates set down and in case any money should bee wanting to any man hee must receive a Ticket for it c. That Teames or any horses in Plough or Cart are not to bee taken except in case of necessity and then also by Warrant from the Commander in Cheif Divers other good Orders were then also ordained and appointed which are like by Gods mercy to produce good effects and a happy conclusion of this present unhappy Warre especially since wee know it is Gods way when wee manage our affaires without violence and wrong and wee see the Country us the Army passes along is extraordinarily taken with love and affection toward them at the sight of their fair and honest demeanour And heer I cannot omit to make mention of another singular mercy of God unto us in our Armies Viz. The most excellent love and good agreement of Major Generall Cromwell and of Major Generall Brown though both oâ— brave and high Spirits all the time of their being together at and about Oxford and elsewhere in all Orders and Commands even beyond compare yea even striving who should prefer the Service and honour of other more than of himself as if Davids and Jonathans 2 soules were transmigrated and mutually united in one body O if such sweetnesse and onenesse of hearts and affections had been found among our Commanders formerly wee had certainly now been in a farre better condition than as yet wee are like to bee in About the 20 of this instant our most noble pious and gratefull Parliamentary Worthies took into their serious thoughts the payment of the arrears of the most noble late Lord Generall the Earl of Essex whose faithfull and noble services for the State will make his name most honourable to posterity and Ordered the payment thereof partly out of the Kings Revenues and partly out of Haberdashers Hall in London And as a farther pledge of the Kingdoms love and gratitude to the said most noble Earl and as a requitall of his great losses sustained by the Enemy for his constant and loyall adherence to the Parliament and the Kingdomes just Cause an Ordinance of Parliament was passed by the House of Commons for the settling of 10000 pound per annum upon the said noble Earl out of the sale of Papists and Delinquents Estates The House also took into consideration the good service of the party that lately releived Taunton under the Command of Colonell Welden and Colonell Graves and agreed upon a certain pay for them during their service in the West and Ordered that 3000 pound should bee charged Monethly upon the Excise for 4 Moneths for the payment of those Forces The House likewise considered the most gallant service and high deserts of that noble and brave Commander Sir John Meldrum slain not long afterward to our great losse and sorrow at the siege of Scarborough-Castle and in particular his last brave Service in winning the Town Haven and shipping of Scarborough as also the brave assault hee last made upon the said Castle of Scarborough when hee received his most unhappy deaths-wound They Ordered that a Letter of Thanks should bee wrote unto him and that 500 li. should bee added to the 1000 pound formerly given him by both Houses of Parliament to bee bestowed upon him as an earnest of their affections
to him and they then also took order for monies to pay his well-deserving Souldiers as had been desired And they having formerly bestowed 200 pound per annum upon Owen Occonelly for his good Service in discovering the plot in Ireland who not receiving the same according to the said Order the House of Commons therefore Ordered the due and constant payment of the said 200 pound per annum out of the old customs of the Kingdom Thus Honos alit artes virtus compensata crescit And about the 23 instant wee had Letters out of Staffordshire which certified that when the Kings forces advanced for the releif of Chester then most hopefully besieged by ever to bee honoured Sir William Brereton by Stafford and Shropshire Captain Stone the valiant and active Governour of Stafford for the Parliament gave the Enemy severall successefull visits in their Rear at they past along and did good execution upon them therein And first how hee sent out a party of his Horse who fell upon a party of the Enemies quartered at Wâ—lverhampton killed 16 on the place took 26 Horse and most of their Riders and returned without any losse the Kings own quarters being then not above 2 miles off it That presently after this hee sent out another party even the next day who fell upon the Enemy quartered in the field neer Newport in Shrâ—pshire brought away 60 horse killed a Captain and about 20 others in the place And the next day following this that hee sent out another paity that fell upon their quarters at Pancridge killed 3. took 4 prisoners and 7 horses About the 28 of this instant May being that Moneths day of a publike Fast or humiliation and Reverend Mr. Henderson one of the Scottish Commissioners and reverend Mr. Whitaker Preaching before the House of Peers that day in the Abbey at Westminster and before the House of Commons Reverend Mr. Caryll and Mr. Ford as wee were that day labouring in prayers and other acts of humiliation to draw neer to our God wee found the Lord in mercy drawing neer to us for the Fast day being ended there came Letters from renowned Colonell Massie which gave us the happy intelligence of the taking of the strong Garrison of Evesham the manner wherof was breifly thus Colonell Massie with about 800 horse and 600 foot having lyen before Evesham a day or 2 stormed the Town and took it in an houres storming In which service wee received lesse losse than could have been expected in such a hot peice of service as for the time it proved not above 4 or 5 of our Souldiers slain and 2 Officers besides and about 30 common Souldiers wounded Wee slue of the Enemies 10 or 11. took divers Officers and common Souldiers to the number of about 548. and neer upon an 120 good horses a List of the prime prisoners was as followeth Colonell Robert Legge Governour of the Town Colonell Foster Leivtenant Colonell Bellingham Major Travillian 13 Captaines 16 Leivtenants 3 Reformadoes 20 inferiour Officers together with 20 barrels of Gun-powder 700 fire-armes and 2 Tuns of Match The taking of this brave Garrison was a very considerable peice of service in many respects and this not the least namely that by this means almost all Worcestershire will bee freed and mightily secured from Cavalierian Contributions which before were frequently gathered for the King And about the 30 of this instant wee were credibly informed by Letters out of Hampshire that a party of horse and foot belonging to Colonell Norton marched forth upon a design on Lanâ—ford-House The horse were commanded by Captain Betsworth Captain Smibark and Captain Gerson The foot were under the command of young Murford with part of these forces they placed an ambuscado neer the foresaid House undiscovered to the Enemy and Colonell Griffith seeing some of our forces facing the House sallyed forth to encounter them whereupon ours retreated to their ambuscado the Enemy hotly pursued them but were now as fiercely as unexpectedly assaulted and charged by ours on every side who took them all prisoners finding no way to escape There were surprized Colonell Griffith the Governour of Langford House his Captain Leivtenant a Cornet 8 other Officers 64 prisoners besides of common Souldiers and all their Armes and 10 of them slain upon the place And heer good Reader let mee again desire thee to make another very short stay for a most just and deserved gratefull Comtemplation on all the fair and famous mercies of this Moneth also and therein to see and admire the continued Miraculous wonder of our Parliamentary Burning-Bush still Vnconsumed notwithstanding the many singeing yea scorching assaults and hot attempts constantly and continually flashing against it both In the great danger and admirable deliverance of that ever to bee honoured Commander Colonell Massie from Prince Ruperts plot or design to have suddenly surprized him In the famous defeat given to the Enemy by Major Purefâ—yes forces in Warwickâ—shire In the as singularly seasonable as comfortable releif of the good Town of Taunton and the setting at liberty of so many precious Soules as that long siege had curbed and coopt in from necessary comforts And the excellent Orders set out by the Parliament for the well-regulating of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes New-Modelled Army In the happy harmony of our prime Commanders in the Army And the Parliaments most noble and renowned gratitude to those that have well deserved of the Kingdom by their industrious and loyall services In the brave services of Captain Stone Governour of Stafford against the enemy And the happy taking of Eveshams strong Garrison by renowned Colonell Massie and therein a most notable and evident return of Prayer And lastly In that brave defeat given to our Cavalierian adversaries by valiant and loyall Colonell Norton All which premises of this Moneth of May prudently piously and gratefully considered O say good Reader whether wee have not most just cause continually to praise our ever-living and all-good-giving God and with the holy Prophet to break forth into Soul-exulting and God-exalting raptures of joy and gratitude and to confesse and say O Lord thou art our God and wee will exalt thee and will everlastingly praise thy name for thou haste done wonderfull things for us and thy counsels of old and of later times too are nothing but faithfulnesse and truth unto us But now to proceed ANd heer now wee will begin the farther contemplation and just admiration of the rich and rare mercies I had almost said miracles of this Moneth of June also with the cordiall and comfortable mention of a most excellent Petition exhibited about the beginning of this Moneth on the 4 or 6 day thereof to the House of Commons in Parliament by the right Honourable Lord Major of London together with the Aldermen and Common-Councill of the said most famous and ever to bee renowned City touching their deep apprehension of divers disastrous sad
of another and could not charge above twice but were at push of pike The Enemies foot gave a little back and so did some few of ours and in the beginning of the fight the day was very doubtfull but then the right wing of our Horse wherein the Generall was in person charged in the flanck of the blew Regiment of the Enemies foot who indeed stood to it to the last man abundance of them being slain and all the rest surrounded wounded and taken prisoners These who were the very hope of their Infantry being lost horse and foot gave back But heer also the fight continuing with equall might and courage for the space of lesse than half an houre they had somewhat shattered our left wing and made them give back and were almost masters of our Artillery And heer as wee have it from credible relation a party of the enemies brake through our left wing of Horse came quite behinde our Rear of our Train the Leader of them being a person somewhat in habite like our Generall in a red Montero as our Generall had Hee came as a friend and our Commander of the guard of the Train went with his hat in his hand and asked him how the day went thinking verily hee had been our Generall The Cavalier who wee since heard for certain was Rupert asked him and the rest if they would have quarter whereupon they cryed no gave fire instantly and most bravely beat him off making him flie for his life and his companions But as I toucht before our right wing had done more upon them and besides our left wing bravely recovered their strength and ground and within half an houre or a very little more wee had quite driven them out of the field and so broken all their foot that wee verily beleeve there went not off a hundred in any one party or body After this first hot shock so received they rallyed again and put their horse into a posture to charge us which party wee were assured the King himself led up and charged with but What will hee doe when hee shall goe about to charge against God and his Countries best friends For this body was also as the rest of them possest with such a fear that though the King in that foresaid rallying of this body cryed out unto them Face about once more and give one charge more and recover the day But heer also it most mercifully pleased the Lord that the fresh forces of valiant and active Colonell Rossiter most fortunately came in unto us before the battail was quite ended who being all I say fresh men and unexpectedly falling on did admirably help to complete the Victory and to pursue the Enemy with their fresh horse with great slaughter even within the sight of Leicester So they by Gods great mercy together with our horse and foot came on I say with such impregnable and invincible courage that wee made them all fly again and wee after the breech of them killing as fast as wee could all wee found in armes and heer happy was hee that was best mounted to flye fastest for the renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax and valiant Major Generall Skippon fell sorely upon them and magnanimous Leivtenant General Cromwell pursued their horse with a full carreir about 12 or 13 miles at least even within 2 or 3 miles of Leicester the longest pursuite that ever was since this unhappy Warrebegan Thus by Gods infinite mercy wee had a great and wonderfull victory yea as great as ever since the warre began if not greater Which Victory as it is in the first and prime place to bee most justly attributed to our good God alone as the chief Cause and giver of it unto us So also in the next place to his valiant instruments and whom God only made so valiant and victorious over their Cavalierian Enemies and of these in the first place renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax hath merited exceedingly shewing such courage and resolution as hath rarely been seen in any which truely did so animate the Souldiers by his undaunted example as is hardly to bee exprest for certainly had you seen him and how his spirit was raised it would have made an impression in you never to bee obliterated God knows it is not heer hyperbolized but a reall Truth And as for Major Generall Skippon hee also did as magnanimously and valiantly as man could doe and was a great terrour to the Enemy receiving a wound in his side by a Musket bullet in this fight but blessed bee God not mortall onely an indelible badge of Honour unto him Valiant Leivtenant Generall Cromwell also did admirable bravely in this fight hee and his right wing of horse having expressed incomparable gallantry in this fight even to the amazement of their adversaries Yea and to speak the truth all our Officers and Souldiers did as bravely and courageously as could bee Commissary Generall Ireton did valiantly also behave himself in this fight and was sorely wounded but not mortally and so was Colonell Butler both of undaunted courage and did singularly well in this great service But I would not willingly attribute more to one Commander than to another for indeed as I toucht before they did all as gallantly as ever men on earth could doe and so did the Enemies foot which before the battail wee least valued Rupert and Maurice having at least 2000 horse more than wee had that charged fiercely on us at first but were so well received by ours though at first our left wing gave back a little that their hearts were broken at the very first especially by the thicknesse of our reserves and their orderly and timely comming on And thus wee having taken 8 peices of Ordnance in the field whereof 2 were Demi-Cannons one whole Culverin wee also possest all the rest of their Ordnance and their Carriages bagge and baggage abundance of Coaches and rich plunder whereof more anon more particularly Carts and Boates and great store of Bisket and Cheese a seasonable refreshment for our honest Souldiers that had marched so hard the day and night before and had not had a bit of bread to a Regiment for their refreshment thus the Foot and all the Train marched that night to Harborough about 4 miles from Naseby where then the head-quarter lay It was credibly conceived by the testimony of those that saw it and purposely viewed Immediately after the fight that from the battle to Harborough there were not slain above about 700. together with those slain in the field running away but in the pursuite between Harborough and Leicester at least 3 or 400 more were slain abundance of them sorely wounded and divers persons of note or quality fell among them one with a Starre and a red-Crosse on his Coat conceived to have been the Duke of Lenox but it was not hee 4 Lords came mortally wounded as was credibly reported to
And base things in the worlds esteem and things which are despised yea and things which are not God hath chosen as heer wee see to bring to nought things which are And heer me thinks I cannot pretermit but most justly make honourable mention of what I have been credibly informed of touching our most noble and renowned Generall himself Viz. That hee was observed before this fight to have been exceeding merry and cheerfull in his carriage and countenance among his Commanders and Souldiers But after this victory was obtained hee continually day by day carryed himself with very much settleed gravity of countenance lowlinesse and meeknesse of face and heart as giving God all the honour and willing to take none to himself Two rare postures indeed of a pious and prudent Cornelius or Commander and fit for all Souldiers especially Saint-like Souldiers to practise and imitate For indeed both Hee I mean this our most renowned Generall and all of us with him might most justly as reverend Mr. Marshall in his excellent Thanksgiving Sermon at Christ-Church the Thursday following this famous Victory say concerning this glorious Victory as the most noble and renowned late Lord Generall nobly said at Keinton-Victory Never more of God and lesse of man And therefore as wee were most justly bound our most pious and prudent Parliamentary Worthies immediately upon their perfect knowledge and understanding of this so glorious a Victory as you have thus fully heard appointed a day of Solemn Thanksgiving to bee celebrated to the high honour and praise of our great and gracious Wonder-working God a Copy of which their Order I have heer inserted which was as followeth Die Lunae Junii 16. 1645. ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament that Thursday next shall bee set apart for a day of Publique Thanksgiving to Almighty God in all the Churches and Chappels within the Cities of London and Westminster and Lines of Communication and weekly bils of Mortallity For the great and glorious Victory obtained by the Parliaments Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax against the Forces of the King And Mr. Marshall and Mr. Vines bee desired to Preach at Christ-Church before the Parliament And that the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councell doe meet the Parliament there And it is further Ordered That Friday being the 27 of this instant June bee set apart for a publick day of Thanksgiving for this Victory in all the Churches and Chappell 's in the severall Counties of the Kingdom under the power of the Parliament H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. About the 15 of this instant there came Letters out of Shropshire which certified of severall good services performed by Colonell Mittons forces in those parts and for better satisfaction I have heer thought fit to insert the Copy of the Letter it self which was sent to renowned Colonell Mitton himself which was as followeth SIR I Being desired by Leivtenant Colonell Goldgay to certifie our late proceedings at Oswestree and the good successe wherewith it pleased God to blesse your Forces there I am humbly bold thus to trouble you On Tuesday the third of this present June your Troop with a considerable party of your Foot marched unto Clerk being commanded by Leivtenant Colonell Goldgay where wee took 27 horse from under their walls being the best horse I have seen together in Wales Wee drawing off in order the Enemy sallyed out came through the wood with firelocks thinking to redeem their losse charged our Rear-guard of horse whom Captain Simpkins caused to face about and fall on them lying in the manner of an ambuscado which they did and soon got through them and got betwixt them and home killed 2 of them took 24. the Governours Leivtenant being one and his Organist whose losse hath caused a generall Melancholly in the Castle and if hee bee not changed their mirth and devotion it is to bee feared will perish together On Thursday the 6 instant wee marched in the like posture to Shraden went close under their works took from them 24 good horse which was the greatest part of Dr. Charles Vaughan then Governour his Troop wee expected them also to sally out but the Dr. though hee hath forgotten his Preaching since hee turned Cavalier yet remembred his Grammar-rule Optimum est alienâ frui insaniâ For being warned by the folly and harm of Cherkmen hee was content to sleep within doores in a whole skin and to suffer us to march away with our prize without any of their lets or least disturbance This wee did without the losse or hurt of any one man of ours Wee ascribe the praise and memory of the work to that God who hath hitherto crowned your endevours with successe and I doubt not in despight of malice will doe so still under whose banner of love I leave you and humbly rest yours to Command And now upon the 19 of this instant June being the next ensuing Thursday after the happy tydings of the foresaid most famous Victory at Naseby according as our most pious and prudent Parliamentary Senators had formerly Ordered and as our most renowned Generall himself Sir Thomas Fairfax had earnestly desired by the Messenger by whom the relation of the victory was first brought a day of Solemn Thanksgiving was celebrated and wholly set apart to give all the glory of that great Victory and mighty mercy to the Lord alone as it was most due in all Churches and Chappels within the Cities of London and Westminster and the Lines of Communication which was as on this day most solemnly performed in a speciall manner at Christ-Church in London where reverend and religious Mr. Marshall and Mr. Vines preached that day before the whole Body of the Parliament both Lords and Commons whom the Lord Major the Aldermen and Common Councell of London met there and had invited the said most honourable Lords and Commons to dine with them that day in their City at Grocers hall And heer I hope it will not bee offensive or tedious to my Reader to give him a short sight or intimation of the manner of the gallant entertainment the City gave the Parliament at Grocers Hall that day not to mention the Messes of their dainty chear which in great plenty was provided answerable to so honourable an Assembly but onely to shew you the speciall guests and the order of their placing according to their state and Orders which was thus At the upper end of the Hall sate the Lord Major On the left hand The Prince Elector Earle of Northumberland Earle of Kent Earle of Essex Earle of Manchester Lord North Earl of Elgar Lord Brighton Two of the Scotch Commissioners On the right hand Earle of Pembroke Earle of Nottingham Earle of Salisbury Earle of Denbigh Earle of Bullingbrook One Scotch Lord The Lord Say There were three Tables more in the Hall On the right hand going up sate Mr. Speaker at the upper end entring to the doore toward
Sheffield that hee came from Ashby de la zonch thither with about 2000 horse or more the day before viz. Sunday night and marched that morning viz. Munday morning to a Randevouz neer unto Dudley Castle wherewith the Litchfield and Dudley horse and others that came in to their Rendevouzes the King had then about 3000 horse as it was conjectured by the Country people which saw them But to leave him in this his most unhappy flying progresse occasioned by his own unholy miscarriages and unnaturall waged warre against God and his best Subjects and to come to our present businesse All the rest of that foresaid Munday June the 16. our Commissioners were in capitulation with the Enemy in Leicester and the Army went on preparing for a storm having received no answer all that night and looking for the return of our Commissioners the next morning and so very early resolving to fall on if they had not agreed with the Enemy But upon Wednesday June 18 about 2 of the clock the Commissioners viz. Colonell Rainsborough and Colonell Pickering returned with a full conclusion that the Town of Leicester was to be surrendred and delivered up to the King and Parliaments use upon fair and fitting Articles of agreement on both sides namely that Loughborough or Hastings that pestilent Rob-carryer should have quarter for his life and liberty to depart both hee and his Officers and Souldiers that would with a safe convoy for their persons c. But to leave all Armes Ammunition Ordnance great and small bagge and baggage behinde them in the Town save only what was agreed on for the Officers in the Articles With those Articles at large expressed our Commissioners being returned unto Sir Thomas Fairfax certifying farther how marveilous joyfull the poore Town of Leicester was at the hearing of the said agreement and that they should bee rid of the Cavalierian Roysters which accordingly was performed and on Wednesday morning about 10 of the clock Sir Thomas was permitted with all his forces to enter into Leicester and take possession thereof for the use of the King and Parliament Wherein was left 14 peices of Ordnance 30 Colours 2000 Armes 500 Horse 50 barrels of Gunpowder And all other their Armes and Ammunition and provisions in great plenty with all their bagge and baggage And thus you see the Lord doth wonderfully for us still yea above the reach of mans wisdom and truely wee cannot but much admire the goodnesse of Almighty God unto us in doing so great things for us we cannot ascribe it to any but to the hand of God alone who indeed is the Lord of Hosts the God of battails and the onely giver of all Victories to whom alone therefore bee all the honour and glory and praise Amen and Amen About the 20 of this instant June the prisoners which were taken by most renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax and famous and faithfull Major Generall Skippon at Naseby fight fore-mentioned being neer upon 5000 in number were conveyed from Northampton to London and being brought into London they all marched clean through the City with all the Colours Standards and Ensignes yea even the Kings and Queenes Royall Standards about 55 in number which were all carryed in triumph in the faces of the prisoners who were thus led along to Martins-Lane end in the Strand the cheif Officers and Commanders being separated from the Common Souldiers were conducted by severall guards to Peter-House in Aldersgatestreet the Common Souldiers were disposed of in the New Military Garden guarded by the Green and Yellow Regiments of the Trained Bands of the City of London where they had liberty to discourse and talk with their Malignant friends and where and when some of them most audaciously entered many dangerous speeches other some confest and complained they were prest men and enforced to take up Armes for the King The next day of their being there which was the Lords day for they came into London on the Saturday they had 2 eminently learned and pious Divines appointed to preach unto them and such was the piety and charity of our renowned Parliamentary Worthies that 200 pound was presently allotted to provide bread and beer for them which was distributed among them the same night of their comming to Town I appeal then to the very est and most malicious malignant that is whether the usage were not farre more Christian-like than that most base barbarous and inhumanely cruell usage of our forces in Atheisticall Cornwall though Articles and conditions to the contrary were consented to by the King himself who was there present where they poore soules were very many of them stript naked and enforced to march through water and mudde thick and thin yea and some to go in that naked condition without or bread or drink some 30. some 40. some almost 50 miles Besides this how many of ours have been imprisoned at Oxford Marleborough and other places who have been tyed and manacled their necks and heeles together and many of them starved to death yea even wilfully murthered in prison as I may justly say in not being allowed sustenance or Chirurgeons to heal their greivous wounds where is you see heer our Parliament piously and mercifully provided both sustenance and Chirurgeons for their prisoners bodies and soules too blessed bee the Lord for it Much also about the foresaid time wee had certain information that our loyall and loving brethren of Scotland were now advanced and arrived at Nottingham with 7000 foot and 4000 horse expecting command for their removall and promoving of some great design for the good of the Kingdome and for the carrying on of the hopefull re-establishment of a happy and holy peace among us and that in this their advance their horse in their march on the way met with some of the Kings stragling scattered and broken Troops fled from Naseby and took at least 60 horse and their Riders neer Skipton And much about the same time wee had certain intelligence by Letters out of Dorsetshire that Captain Butler having assured information that the Kings Garrison at Corff-Castle had store of Cattle and that they turned them out to grazing every day but fearing our forces they brought them into the Castle every night hee therefore drew forth out of Wareham a party of horse and foot in the night being assisted by Captain Jordon and Captain Lawrence and lay undiscovered all the night till morning and at break of day the Enemy in the Castle having turned out the Cattle and horse to grasse Captain Butler who commanded the horse drew neer the Castle and faced the Enemy whiles Captain Jordan and Captain Laurence drew up the foot entred the Town beat the Enemy to the Castle and bravely kept them play whiles the horse drove away their Cattle from under their very walls to the number of at least 140. and took about 20 good horse and brought them all off safely
vast body of Horse against him and had also Musketteirs in a hedge which did flank him and somewhat front him also yet this brave Major managed the charge with such gallantry that hee routed 2 of their divisions of about 400. received the charge of the third division both in front and flank but at last being over-powered by reason of their numbers increasing upon him hee bravely retyred to the Generalls Regiment which was not farre behinde him and Colonell Desborough with the Generalls Troops sheltered him by his flank and charged up himself with about 200 horse and dispersed and scattered the Enemy and gave freedome thereby for all our horse and foot to draw into bodies whereupon the enemy fell to plain running not being able to endure the charge The Generall Leivtenant Generall and some other Officers being on the hill at this charge commended it for as brave and resolute a peice of service as any they had seen performed since the beginning of these warres Our men having thus put the Enemy to flight pursued them within 4 miles of Bridgewater And in the flight the Enemy passing through their own Garrison of Langport most mischeivously and desperately fired the Town at the Bridge end to hinder our men in the pursuite but renowned Leivt Gen. Cromwell himself and his resolute Souldiers undauntedly resolved to passe through fire as renowned Massie had before through water as was fore-mentioned after them and so through the midst of Lang-port they passed although the fire was flaming very hot on both sides of them there being about 20 houses in all burnt down And heer mee thinks I cannot but take speciall notice of the faithfullnesse of our good God in all his holy and righteous promises which to his children as they are alwayes in Christ yea and Amen so at this time in a speciall and most peculiar manner that faithfull promise of his by the Prophet Isaiah was most exactly heer fulfilled to these his Saints and Christian Souldiers When thou possest through the waters I will bee with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee When thou also passest through the fire thou shalt not bee burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee for I am the Lord thy God the holy one of Israel and thy Saviour O the most particular and exact performance of this good word of God heer now I say to these his faithfull ones Even to wonder and admiration And thus it pleased the Lord to give us a glorious day of it by this so famous a defeat and apparent Victory Let the glory thereof bee ascribed primarily to our good God as to the Authour and giver of all Victories And in the next place to his pious prudent and valiant instruments our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax Leivtenant Generall Massie and Leivtenant Generall Cromwell and the rest of those valiant Commanders and Souldiers who were deeply ingaged therein A true and perfect List of the slain prisoners and prizes taken from the Enemy in this famous defeat Slain Gorings Quartermaster Generall of Horse Gorings Quartermaster Generall of Foot 60 Officers that were buried about Weston whereof some very eminent men 200 that were left dead upon the place whereof many Officers 100. or very nigh drowned Wounded Goring himself had a cut with a Sword over the eare Sir Thomas Aston and 3 or 4 Knights more wounded Taken Prisoners Leivtenant General Blothridge alias Bertridge Leivtenant Generall of the Ordnance Colon. Slingsby of Horse Colon. Hunningham of Horse Leivten Col. Standish of Horse Leivten Col. Gamble of Horse 3 Majors of Horse 4 Captains of Horse 11 Leivtenants of Horse 20 Cornets of Horse Colonels Leivtenant Colonels Majors Captains and Officers of Foot have not yet sent in their Lists save onely 3 of the Captaines of Horse 60 Inferiour Officers at least 1900 Prisoners Taken besides 35 Colours of Horse 21 Colours of Foot 2 Field peices 4000 and odde Armes 3 Cart-load of Ammunition 3 Cart-load of other purchase 2000 Horse taken and above Diverse Armes both of Horse and Foot daily found in the ditches which the enemy threw away when they fled The Camp Whâ—res fled away thâ—row the hedges 700 of those that are taken petition to serve the Parliament The losse on our part 2 Reformado Captains slain Major Bethells thumbe and fore-fingers shattered Colon. Butlers Captain Leivtenant slain Colonell Cook shot on the mouth slightly on his upper lip 4 or 5 of Bethels Troop slain and about 16 of his Troop wounded and very few more killed on our side The House of Commons Ordered upon the happy intelligence of this famous Victory that 200 pound should bee given to valiant Major Bethell for his speciall service in this brave fight And two good horses to bee given to valiant and virtuous Major Harrison who brought the news thereof And especially as was most boundenly fit our most renowned Worthies in Parliament Ordered and appointed that a solemn day of Thanksgiving should bee celebrated for the Lords exceeding great mercy and goodnesse unto us the Copy of which their Order I have heer thought fit to insert as it was printed and published by their authority which was as followeth Die Lunae 14 Julii 1645. ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled that Tuesday being the 22 of this instant July shall bee set apart for a publike day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God in all Churches and Chappels through the whole Kingdom under the power of the Parliament for the great and glorious Victory obtained by the Parliaments forces under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax on the Enemies forces in the West And that on the same day the Ministers doe likewise take notice of the great mercy of God in preserving the City of London during the sitting of this Parliament from the infection of the Plague and that this order bee printed and published Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament That the Committee of the severall Counties doe take care that the Order for a publick day of Thanksgiving on Tuesday sevennight bee dispersed to the severall Parishes in the respective Counties And that the Counties doe keep the same day And that the Members of this House that serve for the severall Counties doe send these Orders to the respective Committees accordingly And now all that I shall adde for the farther illustration of the just praise and glory of God touching this famous fight and glorious Victory shall bee onely these few serious and materiall Observations upon the same First that had not God made our Souldiers forget all their wearinesse and many other former and present difficulties and so hasted this famous work the Enemy had certainly been re-inforced with at least 5000 Welsh foot whereof 1500 were already come over Severn at that time Secondly Greenvile that vile Apostate and perfidious fugitive had undoubtedly brought down as many out of Cornwall with all
whom wee must of necessity have buckled joyntly together and so have undergone farre greater difficulty Thirdly that now wee having thus happily dissipated and scattered this great Army of his Majesties then in beeing not an Army is left unto him in any parts of the Kingdom but such as may bee with an ordinary active power still scattered and discomfitted and soon by Gods blessing bee brought to nothing Fourthly that if the Clubmen then risen up in Armes in those Counties and whereof I shall speak more particularly anon joyn with us now after this admirable successe they also may all suddenly bee at quiet and quickly see good dayes and the West all ours Fifthly I heer also desire Gods people with mee to take speciall notice of our most renowned Generalls wisdome valour and unparallelled expedition in this whole service ever since hee first began it and that according to the rules of Warre the honour of all next under our most great and glorious Lord God is cheifly due to him and that it is most clear that his rare Discipline and sweet Harmony with his forces with Gods blessing thereon hath been his Crown Sixthly consider the place where this defeat was given viz. a poore opprest Country and that in the remote parts of the Kingdome that so from the one end of the Land to the other wee and all they may see and know that God is for us and with us and it was also neer the place where the remaining part of the Enemy lay and it is a mercy to bee neer the Enemy and that in a conquering way too and not to bee forced to goe and seek him up and down Seventhly consider the persons by whom God gave this victory namely as I touched before in our famous Naseby fight that despised Army which was the scorn and by-word of many both seeming friends and open foes of whom O said some They 'le never fight being fearfull young Souldiers O sayes another You will quickly see an end of this poore New-Modelled Army I warrant you Alas alas sayes a third There is no worth in any of them all onely they pretend Religion forsooth but there is not a good Souldier among them and therfore they shall never bee able to stand against the Kings brave Army of old able experienced Souldiers Thus they proudly presumptuously yea most foolishly despised the day of small things And forgate that of wise Solomon That the race was not to the swift nor the battle to the rider Eightly and lastly take notice to what persons God had given the benefit of this blessed Victory namely that though indeed it must needs bee granted and with comfort recorded it was and is the most religious and praying Army that ever this Kingdome beheld yet mixed with very many wicked concomitants and rude and irreligious coadjutors as instruments therein yet I say in generall for us in this Kingdome who are a people most unfit for most unworthy of such and so rare mercies who have not yet repented us of our former abominations Yea who as much as in us is refuse our own mercies had not God thus freely loved us And therefore O what infinite and ineffable praise and thanksgivings are due to our God who thus continually heales our backslidings and loves us thus freely But now to proceed And now to perform my promise concerning the Western Club-men a disorderly rable and rude company of Mongrell Malignants and rotten-hearted nauseous Newtrals now about this time and lately before risen up in the West Of whom I confesse I have hitherto made no mention nor of their basenesse obstinacy and insolency both those of Wilts Dorsetshire and Sommersetshire because I looked on them as on a rude and undigested body of tergiversatious Batts and impious Atheisticall heathens worshipping the Sunrising and frighted at the Setting of it Who now seeing the rising of this Sun of Victory in the Parliaments Horizon especially the Sommersetshire Clubmen who indeed at the very first seemed to bee somewhat active Clubbers against Hopton Stowell and the rest of those Royalists and Roysterly incendiaries of the Western parts They now all began to appear for victorious Fairfax and besides about 80 of Gorings forces whom they had seized upon and disarmed before this fight they brought along with them who willingly also offered their service to the Parliament And after this they brought in many others of Gorings men prisoners to our forces and did other good service and stiffe execution against the Enemy where-ever they fastned on them Upon the 22 of this instant the publike day of Thanksgiving for the good successe of the Parliaments Army at Lang-port was according to Order of Parliament fore-mentioned solemnly celebrated in all the Churches and Chappels in London and Westminster and within the Lines of Communication And the Collections and contributions gathered that day in all Churches and Chappels aforesaid were for the releif of our distressed brethren in the West to refresh in some present measure their afflicted loynes And in the evening of that day after the performance of the publike and private holy duties thereof to the Lord our God other externall expressions of joy and thankfulnesse were performed also all over the City ringing of Bells and making of Bonfires especially in Cheapside whither a great many of Popish pictures Crucifixes Images Popish Books and such like paultry Romish trumpery which not long before I told you were taken in Long-Acre were now brought and just in the place where the guilded gaudy Crosse formerly stood were in a mighty Bonfire built up with firpoles and faggots burnt to ashes in the presence of multitudes of people triumphing at the sight of it Upon the 26 of this instant July came another most happy and plentifull increase of our comfort by Letters out of the West to London of the certain taking of one part of the strong Town of Bridgewater by our most renowned and heroick-hearted Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes forces and immediately after of the totall taking thereof by storm The exact manner whereof I have heer thought fit for the Readers fuller content and satisfaction to insert and set down in a Letter sent by a worthy Gentleman of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army who was a speciall actor in the Service to the Speaker of the House of Commons which was as followeth To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker to the House of Commons SIR I Writ to you formerly of the late Battaile with Goring and of the taking of Lang-port and Burrough two Garrisons of the Enemy since which time the Army hath blocked up Bridgewater in nature of a siege and yet have refreshed themselves being necessitated to lie still if no Enemy had been neer till our money came up which arrived here on Wednesday and the Army Horse and Foot being Mustered were paid on Friday and Saturday the rest this day But Action being most proper for this
into the House of Commons and had 30 pound given him as a reward The Enemy quitted 3 small Garrisons neer Bridgewater upon the taking thereof And that which yet more excellently and eminently sweetens this great mercy unto us was that it pleased the Lord who is the only true God that heares prayers that this great blessing was granted unto us upon Tuesday July the 22. which was a day set apart in London in a speciall manner to seek the Lord by prayer and humiliation for this very thing which I say the Lord gave in unto us on the same day wee sought it as a most certain and blessed return of Prayer O who then would not still and for ever trust such a gracious God and benigne and bountifull Lord and Master And heer also I have fit opportunity to give my Reader one note more touching this businesse of Bridgewater viz. That one Mr. Peters being sent from thence by Sir Tho. Fairfax our most renowned Generall with his own Letter to the Parliament for the confirmation of the truth of the premises touching the storming and winning of Bridgewater Hee also brought with him 3 Commissions out of the West which hee then also presented to the House of Commons The Contents of which were from the Prince to one Mr. Philips a Gentleman of that Country to raise a Regiment of horse a Regiment of foot and a Regiment of Dragoones The Commissions were dated in January last There were likewise other papers from the said Prince Charles by which the whole design of the Clubmen was made manifest and how they were drawn into a snare to fight against the Parliament and to gather themselves together in such a mutinous manner and into disorderly bodies without any heads till Commanders were sent and set over them But as in part yee have heard it pleased the Lord to frustrate their policies and to bring their mischeif upon their own heads apparently seen by the late comming in of the Sommersetshire Clubmen to the assistance of our noble Generall Sir Thomas and their late frequent galling of Gorings Army But now to proceed See still good Reader the admirable and unexhaustible bounty of our good God for the taking of Bridgewater was not all the good news which this 26 day of July produced unto us for on the very same day Sir Rowland Edgerton who came with a Letter out of the North intimating the surrender of the strong Castle of Pontefract was also called into the House of Commons to relate the manner of it which hee did and had thanks returned by the House for his speciall service and diligence in it When hee came away our Souldiers had entred the Castle wherein was exceeding great store of treasure and much Ammunition The particulars of the surrender of which said Castle was thus related in a Letter sent from the Committee at York to the Parliament To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons SIR VVEE thought fit the last week to summon Pontefract-Castle which caused the Enemy to desire a Treaty Whereupon Colonell Wastell Col. Copley Col. Overton Col. Bright or any three of them were authorized to treat and this day it was agreed that the Castle shall bee delivered up to the use of the Parliament to morrow at 8 of the clock in the morning with all the things therein save that the Officers were allowed to carry away what is properly their own so that it exceed not what a cloak-bagge will contain and the Souldiers to march to Newark with 200 Muskets and 200 Pikes Wee consented to so good conditions because the Plague was very hot in the Countrey and especially in that Town of which some of our Souldiers are dead Wee are also in Treaty with Scarborough which wee hope shortly will bee reduced Thus much wee thought fit to give you notice of desiring the House may bee acquainted therewith From Your very affectionate Friends and humble Servants Francis Pierrepont Wilfrid Lawson Henry Cholmley York the 20 of July 1645. And upon the 28 instant wee received most certain intelligence by Letters out of the North of the happy surrender also of the strong Castle of Scarborough to that most valiant and brave Commander and loyall Patriot Colonell Boynton who lay before it as Commander in cheif of those forces since the decease of that thrice noble and renowned Souldier and pious Cornelius Sir John Meldrum Which said strong Castle was surrendred on fair conditions Viz. That Sir Hugh Cholmley that wicked Apostate should march out with his forces to Newark if hee pleased or bee transported into Holland which indeed hee desired In the Castle hee left great store of Armes and Ammunition and 25 peices of Ordnance And about the 29 of this instant July came certain intelligence to the House of Commons in Parliament by Letters from the Scottish Army at Ludbury in Wales concerning the taking in of Cannon-Froom a strong and considerable Garrison of the Enemies which was taken by assault in which storm at least 70 of the Enemies were slain and but 8 of the Scots and some 20 hurt The Governour Colonell Barnold was therein taken prisoner and mortally wounded in the fight together with Captain Brisk Captain Houk and 30 other prisoners and all the Ordnance Armes and Ammunition therein seized on for the King and Parliament And the House of Commons had debate touching this and all the good service of our loyall Brethren of Scotland and Ordered that a Letter of Thanks should bee sent to the Earl of Leven signed by Mr. Speaker in acknowledgement of his faithfull Service for this Kingdom and farther therefore Ordered that a Jewell of 500 pound should bee with all covenient speed sent to the Earl of Leven and bee bestowed upon him as a badge of favour and respects from Both Houses of Parliament to his Excellency for the unwearyed and faithfull services since his comming over with the Scots Army into this Kingdom An excellent way by gratitude to spurre on the spirits and fasten the affections of our Souldiers to goe on in their fidelity and industry for the prosperous advance of the affaires of the Kingdom And about the same time wee received certain assurance by Letters out of the West that the forces of that gallant Garrison of Lyme had taken Chadwick-House belonging to Count Arundell a great Papist a place that did much mischeif and annoyance to those parts and lay within 6 miles of Lyme There were above an 100 prisoners and their Armes taken in it 30 horse 3 barrels of powder and good store of other provisions and Ammunition Much also about the same time wee were certainly informed of the rendition and delivering up of Rabby Castle in Durham upon faire and easie Articles or conditions viz. The Officers to march away with their Armes to Newark that cage of unclean birds and the common Souldiers with their lives only
of the State in those parts the House ordered that 2000. l. should be charged in course upon the receipt of the Excize with consideration also for forbearance thereof for the speedy supply of the Forces under the command of the said Col. Generall And for the encouragement and at a gratuity to the said Noble 〈◊〉 and Faithfull Colonell Genrall Laughorne the House ordered That the Estate of John â—arlow of 〈◊〉 Gentleman who had been long in actuall Armes against the Parliament shall be setled by Ordinance of Parliament upon the said Col. Generall and his Heires The House also Ordered That the Ministers of the severall Churches and Chappels in London Westminster and 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 should the next Lords day give thanks to Almighty God for the happy successe of our Forces in clearing the whole County of Pembroke for the surrender of the 〈◊〉 and of Lacock-House also in Wiltshire and it was ordered That the Lord Major of the City of London should give timely notice thereof accordingly About the 28. instant came certain intelligence by Letters out of Cheshire to the Parliament of a very great and notable Victory which our good God was graciously pleased to give to their Forces under the Command of valiant active and loyall Major Generall Pointz against the Forces of the King within three or foure miles at the 〈…〉 of the City of Chester the manner whereof was in briefe thus The King resenting the great danger he was in of the utter losse of Westâ—hester which in all probability was like suddenly to come to passe if speedy reliefe came not unto them Our Forces which besieged them since the taking of the Suburbs thereof having by their batterâ—es made a breach in the Wall and purposing 〈…〉 The King I say having knowledge of this their danger resolved with what strength he possibly could make presently to advance thither and with between â— and 5000 Horse and Dragoones part whereof he had drayned out of many of his Garrisons made all the speed he could to come timely to their help In which interim Major Generall Poyntz who indeed hath deserved much honour for his constant activity in the whole Service and resolution as I told you before most diligently to attend the Kings Motions having intelligence hereof and renowned Colonell Rossiter with his Horse being come up to Generall Poyntz and the Scottish and Cheshire Horse being joyned with them they all thus conjoyned together marched away with extraordinary expedition for Westhester and went on without any possible intermission day and night to get before the King and withall in his way took in a strong House with a Draw-Bridge moated which stood in the way of his march in lesse than an houres space And after a very hard march as I said day and night on the 24 of Septemb. in the morning his van curriers discovered the Enemy upon a Moore or Heath within three or foure miles at most of Chester called Rowton-Moore Whereupon notwithstanding his former tedious and even overtyring marches of neere upon 300 miles not resting above a day in a place together with divers difficulties which he was forced to passe through and all this to prevent or at least overtake the King yet I say notwithstanding all these he immediately drew into order and advanced upon them though all his forces were not then come up together for he supposed and hoped to take the Enemy at unawares it being probable they could have no intelligence of his being so neare though it proved otherwise for his Letters written that night to the Commander within the out-Lines of Chester giving notice of his advance were intercepted and the Enemy being possessed of the advantage of ground and in order confronted our Van led by Colonell Hugh Bethell in the middest of a Lane betwixt two Moores covered with the armed men of both Baâ—taliaes where was given a very sharp and gallant charge by both parties for after Pistols were discharged at half Pikes distance they disputed the matter with their Swords a full quarter of an houre neither yeelding ground to other till at length the Enemy was forced to retreat whom our men pursuing were re-encountred by a fresh reserve at the Lanes mouth and they were likewise discomfited and a third but being over powred were in the end forced to retreat through the Laneâ— uncapable of receiving a Reserve to second them here we had some losse the Enemy pursuing to the Lanes end but were beaten back for there was space for our Reserves to advance Colonell Bethell and Colonell Graves were then sore wounded after this the Generall perceiving the Enemy lay upon his advantage onely skirâ—â—â—ed him with some flying parties while he held correspondency with his friends in Chester Suburbs whose signe was the discharge of two peeces of Ordnance when they would issue out with Horse and Foot to joinâ— with him upon whose appearing the Enemy quitted their station and the Generall with a party advanced to take the most convenient ground giving command in Colonell Parsons Quartermaster generall of the Army Colonell Sandies who performed the duty of Commissary Generall of the Horse during the aforesaid march being then imployed to the Committee of both Kingdoms to order up the rest which was opportunely done for they joyned with the Auxiliary forces of Horse and Foot in the enemies ground and were drawn into many small Divisions and Reserves being much overnumbred by the Enemy who accompted themselves 5000 Horse and Generall Poyntz not above 2500 Horse besides two small bodies of Foot who were disposed in the two outmost intervals of Horse upon the very instant of this juncture the Enemy advanced with their whole Body and the Generall leaving the charge of the reserves to Colonell Parsons tooke care of and led up the Van Divisions with which after a round volly of shot from the Foot he joyned battell charging the Enemy in Front and Flanck where his horse was deeply wounded on the head being continually seconded with reserves as often as there was occasion the rest being kept intire followed at a due distance The prevailing Generall put the Enemy to a totall rout and although the pursuit was as hot as could be expected from such wearied Horse thorow narrow durty lanes and over ditches the Enemy rallied in a great moore wide of Chester in two vast bodies a great distance assunder the first not without some dispute were again routed and the other likewise who retreated upon the Warwick Regiment with such violence as bore them away confusedly intermixed with the flying Enemy up to the out-Works of the Suburbs the Musketeers within were never the lesse liberall of their Gunshot but the Divine providence appeared much in the distribution of the impartiall Bullets few or none lighting upon our men though many of the Enemy were found there expiring A Body of horse all the while of these last
the next morning and thence to Sherburne where they met with a Countryman who told them that our men were prepared for their coming as so indeed a party of ours were of about 800 Foot and some Horse upon whom the Enemy fiercely falling being but a handfull to them they soone routed the Horse beat Colonell Wrens Regiment at the North side of Sherburne and tooke all the Foot Prisoners disarmed them all presently and laid their Armes in a great heap in Sherburme street till they could get Carriages to take or send them away for their further use But we having certain intelligence hereof marched thither with all speed and being now come to Sherburne we drew up our Horse and ordered them into bodies for Charges and Reserves But here first we fell into a great strait for we durst not march thorow Milford fearing the Enemies with their Dragoones for we heard they had such but they had none might have put us into disorder but above the Towne through the hedges which also was some inconvenience we were forced whom we came neare Sherburne and the Enemy drawing out against us to draw over a narrow way through an impossable Brooke which we knew not of having much adoe thereby to bring our bodies againe into order which truly might have occasioned the losse of the day unto us had not the Enemy been somwhat too late being busie with their Armes and Prisoners taken in the Towne as God had wisely disposed of it for us in drawing out of the Towne So thus then by Gods assistance I brought up against every of the Enemies bodies as neer as I could a body of ours and resolutely faced them in the Field both parties striving who should be soonest in Battalia But here let me give thee good Reader a sight of Sir Marmaduke Langdales Speech made to his Souldiers in the Field before the Fight began which came to my hand and was unquestionably a true Copy of the substance thereof and this it was Gentlemen YOu are all gallant men and have done bravely but there are some that seeke to scandalize your gallantry for the losse of Naseby Field but I hope you will redeem your reputation and still maintaine that gallant report which you ever had I am sure you have done such businesses as never have been done in any war with such a number your march from Oxford first beating of Rossiter and the reliefe of Pomfret the like I believe was never done And I hope you are Gentlemen and that you will still maintaine it and redeeme that which you have lost For mine owne part I will not have you upon any designe but where I will lead you my self And thus now I say he led them on into the Field Now the Enemy being also much flusht and incouraged with their late good successe against us charged valiantly upon us and ours answered them with as brave gallantry as could be at first the left wings on both sides were routed but in the conclusion our Reserves coming on so seasonably and couragiously the Enemy was forced to flie and we by Gods blessing got the day though I must confesse divers of our Horse as I toucht before were routed at first and the mischiefe fell most upon my Regiment who charged the onely gallant men the Reformadoes that the Enemy had One of their chiefe Commanders the Lord Digby by name was wounded as we were credibly informed and Sir Marmaduke Langdale himself also had foure Pistols fired upon him but whether he was wounded or not was then uncertaine unto us But the Victory was clearly ours ever magnified and praised be our great and gracious God and we solely kept the Field and pursued the Enemy at least three miles together Many prisoners were taken we believe 400 at least Sir Richard Hutton was slaine upon the place whose Corps his kinred having protection thereunto buried in the place he formerly had desired to be laid in I have here sent the List of their slaine and prime prisoners taken by us which you shall receive by Colonell Lilburne Many of our men were wounded but hardly ten slaine This was certainly a great businesse and a rare mercy unto us for the Enemy made themselves absolutely sure to have been in the City of Yorke that night or the next day at farthest but now they are scattered blessed be the Lord for it And that which was not the least part of our Victory we recovered againe all our men and Arms which they had before taken from us in Sherburne as also the prevention of the Enemies intended march to Montrose in Scotland which with the taking of Yorke in the way was the maine designe which the Enemy eagerly aimed at in this their thus undertaken march Not unto us Lord not unto us but to thy name alone we give as most due all the honour and glory hereof Honourable Gentlemen your desire of a full relation hath made me thus tedious for which I crave your pardon I shall present your Order to the Officers and Souldiers in the expression of your good acceptance of this our Service and your farther intended care for us And for the present I rest Your most humble Servant Chr. Copley Octob. 16. 1645. A List of the prime Prisoners and of the Prizes taken at this Battell at Sherburne on Wednesday Octob. 15. 1645. about foure of the Clock in the afternoone COl Sir Francis Anderson Col. Bulmer Col. Chayton Col. Carnaby Lieut. Col Matthew Wentworth Lieut. Col. Gordon Major Graythorn Captaine Leneon Master of the Ordnance Capt. James Cholmley wounded Capt. Marshall wounded Capt. Pudsey wounded And foure Captains more Capt. Lieut. Salter Lieut John Turner and divers other Reformadoes Master Duke Tunstall a great Papist Mr. Clavering Mr. Lowither Col. Sir Francis Carnaby slaine Col. Sir Richard Hutton slaine and 40 more Mr. Slingsby sore wounded Col. Clavering and Carnabyes Colours taken with divers other Colours Lord Digbyes Coach and the Kings Surgeon in it but eespecially his Cabinet wherin were divers Letters some wherof of great cōsequence written in a new Character the Character also found which could open all Much gallant Pillage We lost not ten men but many wounded The Enemie were about 1600 intended for Montrosse ours about 2250. About sixe hundred of the Enemy gone towards Skipton 300 or 400 Troopers taken about six hundred Horses 40 slaine and many wounded The Countesse of Nidsdale taken and some other Ladies About October 24 we received certaine intelligence by Letters from the most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax his Excellency to the Parliament as also by other unquestionable informations out of the West of the taking of the Towne Church and Castle of Tiverton by his Excellencies Forces in those parts the manner whereof in briefe was thus faithfully related Upon Thursday Octob. 16. Major Generall Massie was ordered by the Generall to advance to Tiverton
and so to quarter beyond the River with his Brigade which accordingly he did and soone possest himselfe of the Towne of Tiverton forcing the Enemy out of it only those that had got into the Church and Castle to keep those places as long as they could It was then conceived hard for us nay almost impossible for us to hinder the Enemies Horse from marching Eastward if they would have attempted it with their whole strength except Lieutenant Generall Cromwell with his whole Brigade did come up timely to us On Friday the 17 instant the Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax himselfe sate downe before Tiverton Castle and Church to take them in and summoned the Enemy to deliver them up of which being denyed we planted our battering-Peeces against them which worke went forward that day and the next On Saturday Octob. 18. our batteries being finished by the afternoon Upon the Lords Day Octob. 19. the Generall caused severall great Peeces to be planted on the Batteries against the Castle very early in the morning so that they were ready to play by break of day and all our Canon began to play about seven of the Clock that morning against the Castles and the Enemy from thence answered us with their Peeces but blessed be God did no execution upon any of us But see the admirable and all-directing power and providence of our wonder-working God for us namely that after some shot which we had made against them one of our Canoneers by one shot from his Peece of Ordnance most gallantly and admirably if not almost miraculously in a moment performed this most difficult businesse for us for at that one shot it pleased the Lord so to direct the Bullet just like him 2 Chron. 18. 33. which drew a bowe at a venture and shot his arrow at King Ahab so that he dyed as the Lord had said by the Prophet so I say the Lord did so direct this bullet shot at a venture that it brake the Chaine of the Draw-Bridge quite in Peeces whereupon the Draw-Bridge presently fell downe and thereby made the passage open for our entrance into the Castle which most happy opportunity our Souldiers seeing instantly laid hold thereon and without any Order from the Generall chose rather couragiously to fight than to stand still and look on when God gave them so fit and faire an occasion which their resolution tooke so good effect that they soone possessed themselves of all presently entred the Castle and Church in which on flat we had only foure men slaine And though we entred thus yet such was the milde moderate and gentle carriage of the Generall and such his desire to spare the effusion of blood that I say notwithstanding they tooke it by storme yet he himself gave command that Quarter should be given to all that were alive which was accordingly performed We tooke in the Castle Sir Gilbert Talâ—â—â— Governour of the place above 20 other Officers and Gentlemen of note and quality and among them one Master Kemp a grand Malignant Priest above 200 Common Souldiers foure Peeces of Ordnance thirty Barrels of Powder 500 Armes and store of other Ammunition Provision and Treasure good prey for the Souldiers paines who so well deserved it The Workes of this Castle as the Generall himself testified were as strong and regular as ever he saw and this Garrison of singular good use both in order to the straitning of Exeter as also for securing of any thing for his Army whiles it stayes in the West O how are we therefore bound to our so great and glorious wonder-working 〈◊〉 who thus felicitates and facilitates our great and most dangerous endeavours for the effecting and finishing of his gracious Worke of Reformation among us ever magnified and blessed be his holy name which exceeds all praises for ever and ever About the 26 instant we had also certaine intelligence out of Wales of the excellent and most hopefull condition of things in that Principality viz. That the whole County of Pembrokeshire was totally reduced to the obedience of the Parliament and the greatest part of Glamorganshire where generally the Inhabitants shewed themselves very forward and active for the Parliament so as five or 6000 had taken up Arms against the Common Enemy of their true peace and welfare and many of them had joyned themselves to valiant Colonell Morgan and had done great good Service already in those parts and had taken Sir John Strangewayes a great stickler for the Royall Party And that the Towne and Castle of Carmarthen were surrendred to valiant victorious and faithfull Major Generall Laughorne for the use and service of the King and Parliament And that the Inhabitants all there about had unanimously and publikely made Declaration of their resolved fidelity to the Parliament and had to that purpose subscribed many hands and names in the behalf of the rest according to their spontaneous consent and agreement in a Declaration to the said Major Generall in these words WE whose names are subscribed in the name of our selves and all the Inhabitants of this County do absolutely declare for King and Parliament and will with our lives and fortunes assist the Forces raised by the Parliament against any other whatsoever that shall seeke to invade these Countries and do desire to be received into the King and Parliaments protection according to the Declaration of Major Generall Laughhorne And as for Contribution we also willingly submit thereunto proportionably to our neighbour Counties Octob. 11. 1645. About the 28 instant we were further certainly informed by Letters out of Wales that the Towne and Castle of Monmouth were taken by valiant Colonell Morgan with the assistance of the Clubmen of those parts under the conduct of Sir Trevor Williams being 1500 Foot and 200 Horse the manner of the taking of them in briefe was thus Upon Colonell Morgans advance that way with all those and his owne Forces and his neare approach to the Towne the Enemy voluntarily but out of just strong feare of him quickly quiâ—â—ted the Towne and drew all their Souldiers into the Castle for the Kings recruits since his sore losse at Naseby had drained his Garrisons halfe drie whether they betooke themselves for their present best refuge And as soon as Colonell Morgan came to make demand of the Towne the Townsmen and Inhabitants presently gave him all he could desire of them and faire admittance to 〈◊〉 As soone as he was entred the Towne he sent Summons to the Castle but received a flat deniall whereupon he summoned in the Country to bring in Spades Shovels Mattocks Baskets c. which was expeditiously and in short time performed by them The next day he began to mine and to salute the Enemy with some shot and this presently produced a Parley and the Parley soone brought forth Conditions upon which the Castle was delivered up to the valiant Colonell There were not in all
up but most fled And in this action Sir John Browne himselfe deported himselfe with as much gallantry as any man in the world could do the whole body being not discouraged though in number so much overmatched For the particulars of those that were killed and taken I refer you to the list where all the particulars are certified according to Sir John Brownes own letter The Lord Digby had a cleare rout as ever was given to any The Lord Digby himselfe with Sir Marmaduke Langdale and others of his chiefe Officers that escaped fled over to the Isle of man in a Cock-Boat The Isle of man is a malignant Island between Cumberland and Ireland the Earle of Derby is the Governour thereof for the King and of others that escaped there are divers taken straglers and their Horse and Armes but in a body there are none heard of save onely about 200. that are fled towards Bâ—â—m and a party are sent to stop them from getting in thereto if they can but of them that are fled that way of the Enemies many of them are fore wounded A List of what was slain and what was taken by Sir John Brown at the routing of the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale at Carlile Sands On the Enemies part ONe hundred slaine upon the place Many wounded Taken Prisoners DIgby his Quartermaster Generall 1 Colonell of Langdales Brigade 2 Lieutenant Colonels 3 Captains of Horse Divers other Officers Many Prisoners Taken besides TWo Hundred Horse and Armes The Lord Digbyes owne Standard Sir Marmaduke Langdales Standard 3 Colours of Horse On our part SIr John Browne shot thorow his side but not mortally for he is able to fit upon his Horse back Captaine Lesley wounded 30 and odde slaine amongst whom some Officers but none of note that I hear of 50 or there abouts wounded on our side in all Digby and Langdale with 1000 Horse were totally routed by Sir John Browne with a party of about 500. and Digby and Langdale fled to the Isle of Man in a Cock-boat And upon the intelligence hereof an Order passed both Houses of Parliament to this effect It is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That the Ministers in the severall Congregations in the Cities of London and Westminster and Lines of Communication do upon Wednesday next being the 5 of November take notice of the great mercy of Almighty God in preserving and continuing this present Parliament now full five yeares compleat notwithstanding all the designes and machinations of the Enemy against them And likewise to make most thankfull mention of Gods great mercy in the defeating of the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdales Forces in Scotland by Sir John Browne of Fardell Knight And that the Lord Mayor be desired to give the severall Ministers timely notice of this Order And now good Reader let me intreat thee as there is very great reason here to make a little stay and even to stand amazed in the serious and most gratefull re-view and re-cogitation of the still continued and multiplied mercies of our most good and gracious wonder-working God in this Moneth also to his blessed Burning-Bush still I say both unconsumed and also made most prosperously to stand and flourish in the midst of all the rough and outragious conflagrations and combustions of Malignants power and policie might and mischievous machinations to have utterly 〈◊〉 destroyed it root branch had not God I say the great and gracious the most wise and vigilant Watchman over his poore maligned English-Israel stood for them as hath been mightily manifested in its glorious preservation and propagation both in the brave defeat given to the Enemy by Col. Moore Governour of Gâ—â—nt-House the taking of Farâ—igh Castle in Somersetshire and of Sandall Castle in Yorkeshire In the happy surrender of the Town and Castle of Winchester into the Parliaments power and the pious resolutions of our Parliament to deale mercifully with Malignants and Delinquents notwithstanding their intended mercilesse cruelty towards us and yet herein also the Parliaments prudence and providence for the safety and welfare of the Kingdome In the most happy taking of Bazing-House that pernicious denne of theeves and thus cleansing that foule and filthie Augean-stall together with the taking of Chepstow Towne and Castle by Colonell Margan In the cleared integrity of the Parliament touching 〈◊〉 of new Members unto them the brave defeat given to the Enemy by our Abington Forces together with that other brave defeat given by valiant Colonell Rossiter to Banbury Forces neare Newarke In the taking of Langford-House neer Salisbury and the soundly beating of Sir William Vaughans Forces by Tamworth Garrison In the famous defeat given to the Enemy at Sherburne his York-shire by valiant Colonell Copley and the admirable and almost miraculous taking of Tiverton Town and Castle In the happy overture of things in Wales for the reducing of that Principality to the Parliaments obedience and the taking in of 〈◊〉 and Monmouth Towns and Castles to the Parliaments party And lastly In the discovery of Digbies Letters the brave defeat given to the Enemy neer Denbigh Castle coming to relieve Chester And that other brave defeat given to Sir William Byron on the like intention to relieve Westchester where he was taken Prisoner Together with that last not least famous defeat given againe to the Lord Digby and Langdale in their mischievously intended march into Scotland to Montrose Upon the most weighty and worthy gratefull consideration of all which most memorable and admirable Parliamentary mercies and mighty blessings O what infinite cause have we O in what innumerable and indissoluble bonds of obliged gratitude are we everlastingly bound to blesse the Lord our thus great and gracious wonder-working God And with the pious Prophet to be inlarged in our hearts and tongues with abundant expressions of joyfull confessions and exultations in our God and to sing and say in this our day Lo this is our God we have waited for him and he hath saved us This is the Lord we have trusted in him and now he hath made us to be glad and rejoyce in his mighty salvations for he hath trodden downe Moab our most proud and politick adversaries under his feet even as straw is trodden downe for the dunghill This also cometh all forth from the Lord of Hosts who is wonderfull in counsell and most excellent in working Go on O Lord we pray thee still to make thy great name more and more glorious and let not men prevaile Let still these irreligiâ—us Royalists be judged in thy sight Put them still in feare O Lord that they may know they 〈…〉 men So shall we thy people and the sheep of thy pasture give thanks 〈◊〉 to thee and blesse thy name as we do this day for ever and ever 〈◊〉 now to go on And here now we will begin the yet further most gratefull contemplation and admiration of the most
this Kingdome yea and their posterity after them and that for so many yeares together after her death verifying that faithfull word of the Lord Them that honour me I will honour And that of the holy Prophet David The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance Whereas her immediate Successour King James which makes the wonder indeed remarkable a Prince I confesse learned and wise after the worlds esteeme yea and bred and brought up in the Protestant Religion all his daies and in his raigne in Scotland held a precise Puritane but managing his whole Reigne in the Kingdome of England in such an unresolved way to say no more for God and true piety and in such a doubling condition twixt Protestantisme and Popery as extreamly encouraging Popish Jesuites and tyrannicall Prelates in both their impious and Antichristian waies and wiles even to the then brewing and now and of late times before broaching of all these most bloody and pernicious moderne mischiefes now most justly fallen upon us even now I say in his most unhappy Sons daies and all for our so jugling dealings with our God in then turning true piety into meere policie and machivilianisme and in our now of late more evident base backslidings from our first Love the Lord Jesus See therefore I say good Reader how our most wise and just God hath contrariwise verified that righteous saying of his They that despise me shall be lightly esteemed And that of the wise King Solomon The name of the wicked shall rot For ever since King James his decease his memory hath perished among his people who â—â—ver since the time of his death to this very day hath had one yeares annuall commemoration of his name and memory but is extinct and dead in the hearts of his people as his Corps lies dead and putrifying in the Urn of his Sepulchre Whereas had King James and King Charles his Son been sincere and cordiall indeed to their but meerly pretended Principles of true piety and the Protestant Christian Religion O how happy had England been O how glorious and illustrious had the name and memory of these two Princes been to the present age and its posterity Had I say these two immediate Successours of that pious Princesse lovely Elizabeth been as truly zealous for God in the suppression of Popery and Papists as she was who considering she was but a woman and began the Work of Reformation first of all and had therefore a hard pull of it the light of true Religion then breaking forth with much difficulty and in a glimmering light and weak twinkling condition yet was carried on by her and through Divine assistance brake forth through the clouds of many and mighty oppositions especially I meane in Doctrine to a most faire and hopefull condition O I say had they closely and faithfully followed this worke how had it long ere this time flourished by Gods gracious assistance who loves truth in the inner parts and growne up to tall growth in Discipline also as well as Doctrine and in all probability been brought to a great perfection But alas see in briefe the unhappy difference She was still guided by her most wise grave and faithfull Counsellors who were all for the most part brave Statists and solid Common-Wealths men and by her Parliaments by which meanes and by whose wisdome and providence not onely the Protestant Religion was strongly established but the Trade of the Kingdome abroad and at home mightily increased and her happy Subjects marvellously inriched Whereas both King James and his Sonne King Charles by their strange jugling and dallying with Religion and now at last palpably and down-right fighting against God though still as covertly as they can led therein by loose lewd and upstart Lords and Counsellours Priests and Prelates who strove strenuously to have made their lust our Lawes rejecting to be ruled by their Parliaments but making these onely their Staulking-Horses to get money for the someting of their illegall designes and their dissolving them without any redresse of grievances thus introducing all kindes of oppression upon the Subjects Estates bodies and soules by meer and monstruous Arbitrary Tyranny Thus I say making not onely themselves but also their formerly famous and flourishing Kingdomes as much as in them lay most unhappy every way being most miserably impoverished and almost totally and most ruthfully ruinated and all this I say by jugling with Religion in the prime place and dalâ—ying and dissembling with the Lord who though we our selves may be herein easily deceived cannot be mocked and all this to beat downe the power of godlinesse and to set up Popery or Atheisme and Prophanasse for confirmation of all which witnesse O witnesse the Oceans of Christian blood shed all over desolate Germany and in speciall the ruruine of the Palatinate and King James his Off-spring all which let England judge if England might not have timely saved in King James his time if King James had pleased witnesse the blood of most wofully ruinated Rochell and all the brave English blood spilt in the Isle of Ree in King Charles his daies witnesse O witnesse the late most lamentable Irish Massacree of almost 200000 English innocent soules there farre worse than so many doggs destroyed Yea witnesse all the still fresh gashes and bleedings or rather gushing streams nay floods of blood of Scotland and England to this day To say no more of other secret streames of blood which Heaven the most righteous revenger thereof will certainly reveal and vindicate in his due time and all this for the impious enjoyment of a cursed Spanish Match and the satisfying of the lust of a Popish Lady a proud Prelaticall and Atheisticall inconsiderable party of consciencelesse Cabinet-Counsellors and jugling Junctoe's of whom the Law takes no notice whose onely aimes interests and ingagements herein have been to ruinate Religion in the power and purity of it and to open a wide gushing sluce to Popery and Atheisme and base slavery of bodies and soules upon the poore miserable abused and seduced Subject and all under the specious but most fallacious vales and vizards of Protestantisme unity and universall conformity Pardon good Reader I pray thee this somwhat large digression if so I may call it yet certainly a very necessary one and whereunto I have been thus farre transported by my ardent zeale and fervour for God and my distressed Country especially being thereunto fairly led by occasion of this 17 of Novembers happy commemoration of that precious Paragon of her age and sex eternally to be renowned Queen Elizabeth But now to proceed About the 20 of this instant November we had certaine intelligence by Letters out of the West that a Barke going from Falmouth toward Foy laden with Kerseyes to the valew of 1500 l. was by some neglect of the Marriners and a great mist which happened
in their hands and to depart to the Kings next Garrison or home to their houses if they pleased and the House with all therein Ordnance Armes and Ammunition to be delivered up for the use of the Parliament In which there was taken eight Peeces of Ordnance six Murtherers 500 Arms with store of other Provisions and Ammunition with great plenty of rich prizes and pillage By the reducing of this House the whole County of Lancashire is now totally set at liberty and cleared of all its Enemies and Colonell Bâ—oth and the other Forces which lay before it advanced thence toward Chester to joyne with Sir William Breretons Forces before Westchester About the eighth of this instant we also received certaine intelligence by Letters out of the West that his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Forces had taken in Fulford House a strong Garrison also of the Enemies on the other side of Exeter with all the Armes and Ammunition therein By the taking of which Garrison the way was made fully open to Plymouth so that our Army there had a free passage to advance for their relief which not long after was also happily effected whereof more in its more proper place And now about the 20 of this instant December Letters were read in the House of Commons both from Colonell Morgan and Colonell Birch fully relating the particulars of the taking of the Towne and Castle of Hereford the substance of both which Letters together with other unquestionable information whereof I have here for the Readers better content and full satisfaction therein set downe a true and exact Narration which was as followeth Colonell Birch having been not long before in London was by Order from the Committee of both Kingdomes sent post to his Forces at Bristoll for the effecting of some designe against the City of Hereford which ever since our Brethren the Scots raised their siege thence was growne very jocond proud and secure of all danger from thence he marched to Gloucester to advise with Colonell Morgan about the designe but finding the way which was at first intended altogether frustrate and the Governour of Gloucester at that time not very well Colonell Birch went with Sir John Bridges neer to Hereford and sent for thither two Gentlemen with whom Sir John had treated before about matters tending to this businesse who were then out of Hereford fearing to come into the Town and there Colonell Birch was fully satisfied concerning the Enemies supine security and the apparent negligence of the Guards of the Towne being I say most fearlesse of any approaching danger to them And now Colonell Birch consulting againe with Colonell Morgan whom now he found in perfect health and most active to promote the worke presently Colonell Morgan provided about 1100 Horse and Foot to joyne with Colonell Birches 900 Foot and his own Troop being about 50 more Horse which were quartered about Gloucester to be ready at an houres warning whensoever they should be called and ordered to furnish themselves with knap-sacks and provisions for a long march and so about Munday Decemb. 15. they began to march from Gloucester at which time the snow being almost knee deep they were constrained to march in file one by one both Horse and Foot and so to keep one track intending to reach to Hereford that night but I say the snow was so deep and the weather so extream cold that the Foot Souldiers had a very hard march insomuch that three of them died by the way the Foot being to beat their way thorow the snow Here Colonell Morgan and Colonell Birch were constrained to make an hault before they had marched within six miles of Hereford but their forlorne hope had marched within two miles thereof and were so neer ingagement that they came not off without some difficulty But the two gallant Commanders finding that they were discovered the better to colour their businesse marched back halfe way to Gloucester with part of their foot and lodged them at Ledburie 10. or 12. miles from Hereford and others of their horse marched almost to Gloucester After which having rested their foot and the Enemie now conceiving that they were marcht back and quite gone suddainly on Wednesday December the 17. about 9. of the clock they marcht againe toward Hereford the same way and in files as before and came by midnight within twice Musket-shot of Hereford and there rested the whole body of the Armie being 2000. Horse and foot effective Now here I must remember you that Colonell Birch as you heard before had been in these parts 4. or 5. dayes before to lay the designe and to view the ground with those worthie Gentlemen fore mentioned Sir John Bridges and the others At which time it pleased the Lord to put an excellent prize and oportunity into their hands which they accordingly by Gods assistance wisely made an excellent improve ment of and which tooke also most answerably For about that time Scudamore the Governour of Hereford had sent out a warrant under his owne hand to the High Constable of an adjacent Towne for Labourers to be sent into Hereford to breake the ice about the City now this warrant they had happily laid hould on and taken from the high-Constable the substance of which warrant was thus THese are straightly to Charge and Command you to send to my Garrison at Hereford out of your hundred a hundreth able men with spades Shovells Pickaxes and other necessaries fit for Piâ—ners for his Majesties Service whereof you are not to saile as you will answer the contrary at your utmost perill Barnabas Scudamore Given under my hand this 14. of Decemb. 1645. Now the Governour of Gloucesters Secretarie had made a returne to this warrant as from the high Constable of the hundred expressing That he had now sent the Constable of such a Towne with 6. men to worke the rest were to follow And upon this ground Colonel Birch had plotted and contrived the worke as followeth He had provided 6. faithfull and resolute men in the forme of Labourers and one more with them a stout and resolute Livetenant to be as a Constable with this warrant to bring thosâ— his Townesmen to worke in the City To whom for their present encouragement he had given a good summe of money in hand and had promised them a larger reward on their faithfull performance which accordingly they all did as now you shall heare These 6 men and their Constable together with 150. firelocks in the darke of the night lodged neere the Gate of the City in one of the burnt houses within Pistoll shot of the bridge even as neere as the ground would possibly admit In all which time ours with carefull Spies and Scouts kept back all intelligence from the Enemie So that they never discovered or suspected us after our first retreat toward Gloucester Now I say these Firelockes were for the better managing of the businesse left to
Signet and Royall Segnature in the twenty yeere of our reigne c. It was therefore ordered by the said Earle in the Kings behalf 1 That all the professors of the Roman Religion in Ireland of whatsoever degree or quality shall enjoy the free and publique use of the Roman Catholike Religion 2 That the professors of the said Roman Religion shall enjoy all the Churches within the Kingdome of Ireland other than such as are now actually enjoyed by his Majesties Protestant Subiects 3 That all the Roman Catholick Subiects of Ireland should be exempted from the iurisdiction of the Protestant Clergy 4 〈◊〉 whereas there was an Act made 〈◊〉 Parliament holden in Dublin in the second yeare of Queen Elizabeth entituled An act restoring to the Crowne the ancient Right and Jurisdiction over the State Ecclesiasticall and for the abolishing of all forraigne and Popish power repugnant to the same And whereas there was another Act for the Vniformity of Common Prayer and Service in the Church and Administration of the Sacraments and sundry mâ—cts laid upon the professions of the Roman Religion it is accorded and granted that a Parliament shall be called in Ireland and that an Act shall passe for the reliefe of his Maiesties subiects and that neither of the said Statutes nor only branch Article clause or sentence in them neither in any other Statute made either by his Majiesty or any of his Predecessors touching the free and publique use of the Catholique Religion shall extend or be of my force to prejudice the professors of the Roman Church for any matter or cause whatsoever And these things and some other of the like nature being granted by the King according to his promise made in the word of a Christian and a King the Confederate Catholicks did oblige themselves to bring in the number of 10000 men who are to be armed there one half with Muskeâ—s the other with Pikes to be shipped to serve his Majesty in England Wales Scotland at his Majesty shall appoint Thus have I set forth the Kings Letter to the Parliament on the one side and his Letter or Declaration to the most bloody and barbarous Rebels of Ireland on the other side And now how the King is able to reconcile these two vast contrarities and to give the Kingdome and Parliament full satisfaction as in that Letter to them he saies he will concerning the affaires in Ireland let the world judge and God and his owne soul be witnesse Therefore the Parliament as by Gods mercy to us they have done all things hitherto for the most part with much moderation and 〈◊〉 did very 〈◊〉 I think present to his Majesty in theâ—â— Letter or Declaration sent unto him on their knowledge of these things that the war in Ireland being fomented and prolonged by his Majesty to the utter ruine almost of the Kingdome of England and Scotland that untill satisfaction and security be 〈◊〉 given to 〈◊〉 Kingdomes for the same his Majesties coming to London could not be convenient nor assented unto Thus I say the Parliaments providence next under the infinite wisdom and mercy of our good God hath still wonderfully discovered and disappointed all the pestilent plots and dangerous designes of our adversaries and maugre all their malicious machinations and craftiest combinations made all our Parliamentary great grave and godly affaires go on with wonderfull safety and security ever magnified and praised be the Lords most glorious mercies for it But now to proceed About the 14 of this instant January we received certain intelligence by Letters out of the West that the Enemy in those parts continued in a most distracted condition flying still before us and our men loosing no advantage and opportunity to pursue them And that they no sooner had heard of our Forces approach toward Plymouth but as they were in their Garrisons and Holds before Plymouth about Plympton they immediately forsook them to provide for themselves by a shamefull flight and were no sooner fled but our men became masters of their Works There were found in Plympton upon this the Enemies hasty flight seven peeces of Ordnance which in that confused haste they were not able to draw off there were also taken divers barrels of powder and great store of Armes and Ammunition and it much joyed the Garrison of Plymouth to see a full deliverance come so soone and so unexpectedly and that in the depth of snow and dead of Winter whereas according to ordinary reason there could in such a time no reliefe be expected But the Garrison of Plymouth to be sure made good use of the flying condition of their Enemies for immediately they sallyed forth after them and tooke about 60 of them one whereof was said to be a Commander of note and one of the most active against the Parliament in those parts And as the Garrison of Plymouth was active so our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax with his most loyall and active Forces would loose no time or opportunity but tooke all occasions of the Enemies feares and flights and following them close made them quit Sir Francis Drakes House which they had made a strong Garrison and our men took possession of it And then Sir Thomas commanded a considerable party to march to Dartmouth who with much willingnesse undertooke the march and the Town being summoned the Enemy not onely refused to submit but sent out a party to fire some out houses supposing that they might be beneficiall to us during the siege but our Forces routed the party took 40 Horse and divers prisoners and slew the Lieutenant Colonell that commanded the said party And in the meane time Sir Thomas Fairfax sent to Captaine Batten Vice Admirall of the Parliaments Ships in the Westerne stode to come up to Dartmouth 〈◊〉 because he would storme it both by Sea and by Land whereof more in its more proper place January the 16 a Petition was 〈◊〉 to the House of Peers in the name of the Lord Mayor Alde â—men and Common-Councell of the City of London for the speedy setling of Church Government in the City and over the whole Kingdome as the day before they had presented one of the same to the House of Commons and upon the presenting of the Petition Alderman Gibbs made a Speech to their Lordships and after some consideration of the Petition the Lords returned them a most acceptable answer which Petition together with the Answer thereunto from the Lords for the Readers better content and satisfaction and the honour of that most famous and renowned City in such a pious Act and Petition I have thought fit here to insert them which were as followeth To the Right Honourable the LORDS now Assembled in the High Court of PARLIAMENT The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common-Councell Assembled Sheweth THat in Novemb. last the Petitioners made it their humble request to this honourable
taken slaine and totally routed his horse many taken and dispersed and the rest gone in great disorder toward Cornwall where shortly I hope we shall meet with the remnant left of that crew and put an end to the Field Enemy in the West of England They confest they had 8 Regiments of Horse consisting of 2500 men some other of their Officers that are prisoners say 3000. Indeed they are very resolute men sought valiantly and after they were chased from hedge to hedge defended their Barracadoes and Works at push of Pike and with the butt end of their Muskets till our Foot got over a hedge and flankd them so that they were forced to quit it They were old Cornish Foot and all Greenâ—iles and Gorings old Souldiers both English and Irish who were ingaged in this service but now are scattered We have abundance of men wounded both Officers and Souldiers more than have been at any storme since the Army came forth for indeed every hedge was as it were a Bulwark to the Enemy so strong are their hedges in those parts but few of ours killed many of the Enemies both Horse and Foot Let the glory of the victory be all given to God Our first Word in this fight was Emanuell God with us and a Farre Push in our hats Their Word was We are with you and a handkercheif tyed about their right Armes but by taking some of ours prisoners the Enemy had gained the Word and Signâ—â— and therefore we changed our Word which was Truth and a handkercheif or white marke in our hats A true List of the Prisoners and of the number slaine and wounded on both sides in this fierce fight and brave victory at Torrington PRisoners taken of the Enemies 600. among whom were many of quality even 80 of the Princes Life-Guard 30 of Hoptons Life-Guard one Lieutenant Colonell 9 or 10 Captaines 6 Lieutenants one Cornet 3 Ensignes together with other Officers 200 Horse 3000 Armes Hopton himself shot in the thigh neer the belly one Letter said shot dangerously in the belly Sir John Digby wounded in the head and some others of note sorely wounded and Major Threave and Captaine Frie and other Officers slaine Of the Enemies slaine in the City by firing the Magazine 200. full 80 barrels of powder blown up in the Church which as was most credibly and for certaine informed was done on purpose by Hoptons instigation who gave 20 l. to one of their owne party to fire the same a most cruell act 20 of ours slaine in the fight and by blowing up the Magazine and no more and about 100 wounded The Lord Hoptons Commission to be Generall under the Prince Sir John Digbies Commission to be Governour of the Forces before Plymouth and other Papers of consequence taken Of the Lord Hoptons about 400 or 500 li. in money left behind at his Quarters with much plunder left in Portmantles and in other places behind them All the Enemies bagge and baggage taken and great store of provisions taken in the Town the Enemy totally routed and fled in great disorder into Cornwall and ours still in the pursuit of them The two Messengers that brought the Letters intimating this great victory were called into the House of Commons and had 40 l. given them as a gratuity for their pains in the journey And the Messenger that brought this foresaid List and other Letters in confirmation of this great victory had 20 l. given to him also And upon the 23 of this instant Febr. the House of Commons ordered that Thursday come fortnight being the 11 of March a day of solemne Thanksgiving should be kept in London and Westminster and within ten miles about for this great mercy and brave victorie at Torrington And for the Countrie it was ordered that in respect Thursday 7. night was by a former order appointed a day of Thankesgiving for the surrender of Chester in the severall Counties under the Parliaments power that on the same day hearty thankes should likewise be rendred by the Ministers of the severall Counties for this other great mercy at Torrington Upon the 24. instant the House of Parliament taking occasion by an ordinance for the discharging of the Ward-ship of the Heyres-male of Sir Christopher Wray late a most worthie Member of the House of Commons They fell upon a serious debate touching the Legality or Illegality of Wardships in generall and after some time spent therein they ordered that the Court of Wardships it selfe and all Wardships Austres les Mains Primer Seisins and all other charges incident to the said Office should be from that present day taken away And all Tenures of homage and all fines licences pardons of Alienation c. should be likewise taken away This Vote being presently sent up to the Lords House for their Concurrence their Lordships concurred accordingly therein And for the better satisfaction of the Reader I have thought fit to set downe the Copy of the order or Vote it selfe verbatim which was as followeth IT is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament that the Court of Wards and Liveries and all Wardship Lilerie Primer Seisins and Austres les Maines and all other charges insident or rising for or by reason of Wardship Livery Primer Seisin or Austres les Maines be from this day taken away and that all Tenures by Homage and all Fynes Lycences Seisures and Pardons for alienation and all other charges insident thereunto he likewise taken away and that all Tenures by Knights service either of his Majesty or others or by Knights service or Soccage in Capite of his Majesty be turned into free and Common Soccage This act of grace and happines to the Kingdome I conceive not to be inferiour to any of the former Acts or Votes passed by the Parliament and must needs be extraordinary acceptable especially to the Gentrie of England who by meanes of that Court were kept under in a mighty deale of homage and vassalrie in their Children and estates and they therefore now so much the more bound to doe God the more good spirituall service by how much he hath thus set them and theirs at such an enlarged libertie and freedome from this temporall service About the 26. of this instant Februarie we had certaine and full confirmation by Letters both from active and courageous Colonell Birch of the famous victorie obtained over the Enemie at Cardiffe by the Parliaments forces under the Command of valiant and faithfull Major Generall Laughorn Sir Trevor Williams and Colonell Morgan the substance whereof was as followeth Ragland-Castle in Wales having long time beene fortified by the Earle of Worcester a Papist did of late much increase in strength and committed many cruelties upon the Countie of Monmouth plundring firing and destroying Townes and Houses having the whole Countrie under their power except some few Garrisons of the Parliaments no way able to resist them Now at
you with the Armies coming to Launceston and of the taking 300. horse neere Stratton By reason of the long marches the Foot had taken and many straglers behind the Generall and the Army rested at Launceston two dayes and on Saturday last the Army advanced five or six miles towards Bodman And this day the Horse and Foot had a Generall Rendezouz upon the Downes within eight Miles of Bodman the Forlorn Hope being sent out they 〈◊〉 with the Eenmies Scouts there being eight of them together which our men tooke not one escaping they all confesse they had no intelligence of our coming that they belonged to a Guard of 300. Horse that was kept on a Passe within three miles of Bodman and within two miles where they were taken the Army advancing neere to that place we discovered a Body of the Enemies Horse at about two miles distance who made a stand and faced us for a while but before ever we came were them retreated to Bodman As we were upon the Moore intelligence came That the two Companies of Dragoons that were sent towards Camelford the other day and had possest an House the better to gaine intelligence if the Enemy intended to breake through Eastward were in some hazard by a great Body of the Enemies Horse that were 〈◊〉 betweene them and the Randezvouz and forced them into a Close for their security whereupon a thousand Horse were sent to relieve them but before they came the Dragoons themselves had beaten off the Enemy and made good their retreat to a Church without the losse of a man Sir James Smith with his Brigade was the man that had a Designe to have surprized them but now we are in a manner gotten betweene him and Bodman for the Army quarters in the field and all the Villages hereabouts that he can hardly make his retreat unlesse he tooke the opportunity before our Horse came up At our coming into Cornwall especially at Launceston we found the people possest with an opinion That there would be no mercy shewn unto the Cornish but after a day being at Launceston the Towne seeing the carriage of the Souldiers so faire and not one House plundered not so much as the Governours own house and the Country being possest with the like opinion of the civill carriage of this Army came into the Market and brought in provisions for supply of our Forces but in regard Gorings Forces had plundered the Countrie of all their Horse people were glad to bring it in on their backs And Friday being the day for the Posse of the whole Countey to appeare at Bodman all the North part of Cornwall refused to appeare they positively affirming They found us Friends and not Enemies and those that were on the Westside of Bodman likewise refused to come in saying They had not greater Enemies than Gorings Horse that were among them A Gentleman whom I spake withall this day who was at their meeting said The Horse onely appeared the Posse Foot wholly refused to come in and indeed there cannot be a greater advantage to us than to drive Gorings Horse before us for their carriages are so barbarous that they made every mans hand against them where they came The Army had beene this night at Bodman but in regard the Enemy is numerous in Horse and that we marched much upon the Downs and was like to be late before we could get in it was held fit to quarter in the Fields and Villages thereabouts and the next day to march in a close Body Horse and Foot though it be the slower way yet it is the more secure The Prisoners that were taken this day told me they were glad with all their hearts they were taken upon so faire quarter for they knew they should bee all taken at last they said and that they give themselves already for lost And indeed God hath stroken their hearts with a terrour Some Gentlemen of quality have sent privatly for protections whose not appearing against us though not for us keeps all that part of the Countrey in where they are And just now we have intelligence that the Lord Mohun is unwilling to obey the Lord Hoptons Commands and rather stands upon his Guard against his Forces than to assist him with any as far as I can conceive in my poore judgement we shall drive the Enemy to a corner and it may please God to bring their Horse to accept of conditions as well as formerly they did bring our Foot for unlesse this very night they doe breake through which they can hardly do considering how our Forces are laid we have them then before us to the Lands end Your most humble Servant J.R. St. Blessenden March 1. 1645. THe Messenger staying till the morning I thought fit to give you this further account of the Enemies motion and our proceedings This morning by breake of the day the Army was drawn to a Rendezvouz upon the Heath within two miles of Bodman a party being sent out to discover if the Enemy were in the Town brought Intelligence they quit the Towne last night about ten of the clocke Horse and Foot the Lord Hopton bringing up the Rear himselfe The most of the Foot they had were Welchmen having Leeks in their Hats and drunke and went out disorderly They march'd toward Truro with a good part of their horse the rest of their Horse we this morning received Intelligence marched towords Warre-Bridge as if they intended to goe Eastward whereupon Lieutenant Generall Cromwell who went the night before to relieve our Dragoons was sent unto by the Generell to desire him to secure the passage at Ware-Bridge by placing some Dragoons there who being there with one thousand Horse and foure hundred Dragoons will give a seasonable interruption to the Enemies advance that way We finde the Towns-people in Bodman no wayes fearefull of our coming rather desiring it They say they have had no Market these two Market dayes by reason that Gorings Horse rob'd the Market people and take away their Horses There were two Regiments of Foote and two of Horse sent this morning from their Rendezvouz about nine of the clock to assist those forces at Ware-Bridge thereby we might the better drive the Enemy before us into a narrow compasse of Land At this place where we are we may see the Sea on both hands if the Enemy had had any gallantry left in them they would have shew'd it upon our approach to Bodman their only strength consisting in Horse where they had roome enough upon the Downes to play their Game but they never appeared but once and that at two miles distance and retreated I have spoken with some of the Inhabitants of this Town who were at the grand Posse at Bodman on Friday last and they affirme That of the whole County of Cornwall there did not appeare Eighty men but Gorings Horse and the Horse of the County all appeared in a great body Those Foot that were in Bodman
Hosts by whose providence you are made such victorious Ministers of our deliverance from such intollerable bondage and next to our great and wise Councell by whose publique care and commission we have the happinesse this day to see you Conquerors for the preservation of our Religion so long violated and restitution of our liberty so long inthralled Neither may we omit a gratefull acknowledgement of the unexampled valour and vigilance which have been so magnanimously exercised for the reducing of this unhappy Kingdome from the wofull condition of a bloody war to so fair hopes of an assured and most happy peace And now since it hath pleased God thus to blesse us we presume not to motion through difference your future care of his Glory and the Common-Wealths good having so many rare examples of your readinesse to defend both However give us leave as a people that to our great grief and misery have so long a time wanted the happie influence and equity of the Law to relieve us to mention our desires of their reparation whereby also to distinguish our selves from those which have with an high hand indeavoured to subvert them and as hitherto you have not wanted our Prayers to God for a blessing upon your Counsels and Actions So now your Honour shall not want the ready though weak assistance so far as the lives and fortunes shall extend of your servants and faithfull votaries The taking into consideration this Petition and the coming in of the persons afore mentioned as also the rising of the Inhabitants at Camelford Ginny-Hill and other parts in the East and North of Cornwall for our assistance it was held fit to summon a Posse of five or six of the hundreds to appear at Bodman-Down to morrow being Friday where some will be fitted with Instructions to impart the Generals minde unto them For to morrow part of the Army advances to Saint Columbe and other parts the Enemy is retreated from Castle Dennis and last night had his Head Quarter about Truro some part of their Forces at S. Allens and kept Guard neer S. Columb as our staying here three daies will prove to our advantage in setling these Eastern parts of the Country So we are confident it will do so for the Western for Gorings Horse will sufficiently incline the people to wish the coming of this Army for their ease and preservation The Enemy gave out they would plunder Truro because the people there already appear for us but it was answered Whether should they go with their plunder when they had it Severall of the Princes servants have sent unto the Generall for Passes to come in and to repair to their homes which I conceive they now solicite for in regard the Prince is gone to Sea but where he is landed we yet hear not Last night a Vessell out of Ireland came into Padstow the Townsmen seized upon her and three other Vessels going out with plundred Goods and sent to our Forces at Ware-Bridge for assistance which was this morning accordingly sent unto thme A Spie is just now come from the Enemies Quarters most of their forces are North of Truro We shall be very neer Truro to morrow night I beleeve the Generall after one daies advance will send a Summons to the Lord Hopton I take my leave and rest Your most faithfull and humble Servant Jo. Rushworth Bodman March 5. 1645. two in the afternoon SInce the writing of my Letter here is Captaine Farre come from Padstow who with Captaine Wogan boarded the Irish Vessel and with the assistance of the Townsmen and Townswomen put them all to the Sword but two about thirty in all wicked naturall Irish God hath most seasonably brought that Vessell thither It enrages the Country against the Kings party for bringing in of forraigners These are but the fore-runners of many thousands speedily to come over as by their Packets of great concernment appears Indeed of so great concernment considering from whom they come that it is not fit to be lightly mentioned they were thrown into the Sea yet recovered an expresse is to come up with them We have cause to blesse God for such a mercy Severall of those Letters subscribed by Glamorgan Ormond and Digby were this day read to Master Corriton Mr. Lower Mr. Glanvile Mr. Trevisa c. And one of the two Irish that had not his throat cut was brought before them which hath so satisfied them of the Kings intentions and ready preparations to bring in bloody Irish Rebels into this Kingdom that they offer to the hazard of Life and Estate in person to oppose them I will say no more till the Letters come Pardon my haste Bodman March 5. 1645. six at night A Summons is gone to Hopton Which Summons coming in here most fitly by that mention therof and of most singular excellencie and worthy to be recorded to posterity I have thought convenient and very necessarie here to insert it the Copy whereof was as followeth Sir through the goodnes of God to his people and his just hand against their enemies your forces being redâ—ced to such condition as to my sense the same good hand of God continuing with us wherin alone we trust they are not like either to have subsistance or shelter long where they are or to escape thence nor if they could have they whither to go for better I have thought good for prevention of more bloodshed or of further hardship or extremity to any but such whose hearts God shall harden to their owne destruction to send you this Summons for your selfe and them to lay downe Armes and withall a tender of such conditions upon a present surrender and ingagement never more to beare Arms against the Parliament as may be better than any thing they can rationally expect by further standing out First therefore to the Souldery in Generall English and Forrainers I shall grant liberty either to go beyond Sea or to their homes in England as they please and to such English as shall chuse to live at home my Protection for the liberty of their persons and for the immunity of their estates from all plunder or violence of Souldiers and all to goe their wayes with what they have saving Horse and Armes But of Officers in Commission and Gentlemen of quality I shall allow them to go with horse for themselves and one servant or more sutable to their quality and with Armes befitting Gentlemen in a condition of Peace And such Officers as would goâ— beyond Sea for other service to take with them their Armes and full number of horses answerable to their Offices To all Troopers and the inferiour sort of Horse Officers bringing in and delivering up their horses and armes twenty shillings a man in lieu of their horses to carry them home To English Gentlemen of considerable Estates my Passe and Recommendation to the Parliament for their moderate composition Lastly for your Selfe besides what is before implyed to you in
common with others you may be assured of such mediation to the Parliament in your behalfe both from my selfe and others as for one whom for personall worth and many vertues but especially for your care of and moderation towards the Country we honour and esteeme above any other of your party whose Errour supposing you more swayed with Principles of Honour and Conscience than other we most pity and whose happinesse so far as consistent with the publike welfare we should delight in more than in your least suffering These things not from any need or other ends than Humane and Christian having offered I leave to your consideration and theirs whom they concerne desiring your and their speedy resolving which I pray may be such as shall be most for the honour of God the peace and welfare of this poore Kingdome and for your and their good so far as may stand therewith And having herein discharged as I conceive the duty of an honest man a Souldier and a Christian if God shall see it good to let your hearts be hardned against your own peace I shall though with some regret for that ill which shall insue to any yet with cheerfullnesse and rejoycing at the righteous Judgements of God pursue my charge and trust for the publique in another way not doubting of the same presence and blessing which God hath hitherto vouchafed in the same Cause to the weake endeavours of Thomas Fairefax March 5. 1645. About the 16. of this instant we received more certaine intelligence by Letters out of the West of the still continued good hand of God unto us in Cornwall and in perticular of a brave defeat given to the Enemie by our forces there at or about Saint Cullumbe and the taking of that Garrison from the Enemies which being fully and faithfully set forth to the Parliament by master Rushworths Letter I have here thought fit to give the Reader a sight of the Copy thereof which was as followeth TO The Honorable William Lenthal Esq Sheaker of the Honorable House of COMMONS SIR BY the last Messenger the Packet from Ireland taken in the vessel at Padstow was sent unto you which I hope came safe to your hands by which original letters under the hand of the Earle of Glamorgan you will perceive how as yet he is imployed for the bringing over of an Army and what private correspondency there is between him the Prince the Lord Hopton and other persons of Note notwithstanding he is under the cloud of being accused of High Treason his being at liberty acting the Kings Commands in bringing over an Army of naturall Irish Rebels and his correspondency with the Prince Hopton c. is enough to satisfie the World by whose Command he manages that Affaire I also acquainted you with a Summons sent to the Lord Hopton or rather honorable conditions if he would instantly lay downe Armes and disband the Forces in the West which being sent unto him upon Thursday last and no Answer returned on Friday On Saturday the Army advanced towards Saint Collumb and being drawn to a Rendezuouz foure miles from Bodman the Weather proved so extreame wet that it was not held fit to advance on any further that day and so the Foot were appointed to Quarters in Villages thereabouts and a mile or two forwards The Horse being likewise at the Rendezvouz returned to their Quarters but some went to Quarter neerer the Enemy and to the Guards except a very good party of about eight hundred Horse and Dragoons commanded by Colonell Rich who was sent away with the same with Orders to fall upon the Enemie Guards or Quarters as he should see it most fit for the service and accordingly within two houres of Evening he fell upon their Out-guards neere St. Cullumb beat them to their Main-guard Being then drawn up in a Body ours likewise drew into three Divisions one commanded by Colonell Rich another by Major Fincher and the third by Major Scroop The Enemy seeing no way but to fight the Van of them gave a very good charge Major Generall Pâ—rt breaking through one Division himselfe But they were instantly put to the Rout and we had the pursuit of them for three or foure Miles killing many tooke about an hundred prisoners whereof Major Generall Pert was one and betwixt two hundred and three hundred Horse This so Alarm'd the Enemy that it made them desert the Head-quarter for a mile and caused them to draw all their Horse to a Rendezvouz at eleven of the Clock at night on Michel-Downe and so continued in the Wet in a great Raine till the next morning thinking the whole Army had been advanced Our party returned to St. Collumb and this morning brought the Prisoners to Towne This party of the Enemies were of the Princes own Regiment most of them Reformadoes Officers they confesse their Souldiers are very weary and that if it were published among them they might have Passes to go home it was not in the Officers power to keepe them together They likewise say that most of their Officers if they knew they might be accepted into the protection of the Parliament they would desert the Service Being askt if they had heard any Propositions were sent unto them from the Generall offering honorable conditions both to Officers and Souldiers they answered they never heard of any so by that we perceive the Lord Hopton with some few of his Councel keepes the propositions from being published There are some others come from thence who say that the French are mighty inquisitive to know whether they might be so far received into favour as to have leave to goe beyond seas Laying all these together we are of opinion that it will not be in Hoptons power to hinder a good effect to the propositions sent him so soon as the same is published amongst them which before this we hope by some means that hath beene used is effectually done This day the Generals Trumpeter that went with the sommons is returned with a briefe answer from the Lord Hopton to this purpose That he had taken the letter from the Generall into consideration but the suddaine advance of our forces gave an interruption to mention at this time any particulars but by a Trumpeter of his own he would send a particular answer The Trumpeter was curteously used and much respected This evening the Lord Hoptons Trumpeter is come with a letter in answer to the Generals propositions which indeed implies a willingnesse to end the businesse of the West without more blood shed but yet desires to be satisfied whether the King and Parliament be not neare a conclusion of a Peace for being intrusted by the King it concerns him to support his honour as long he can and yet withall inclines to have some Countrey Gentleman come unto him to satisfie him of the state of affaiers Taking altogether it argnes a coming to us though it seems yet a distance or else a way to get
time which I rather believe because he invited a cessation untill some Irish doe land which is the thing rumoured abroad in their Army and expected to be there within eight and forty houres and indeed a duplicate of that Packet we intercepted at Padstow is since arrived with the enemy whereby its probable they hasten ships unto them for the bringing over those Irish that were intended for Chester into these parts What ever his intention is the Generall will not lose a minute of time All the Regiments this day advanced to and beyond Cullomb within three miles of Truro with a great part of the horse the headquarter is at Bodman with one Regiment there which we leave to secure the passe To morrow the Generall and Lievtenant Generall advance after the Army and I believe will quarter at Truro to morrow at night This advance as it is like to further a good effect upon the Propositions if God incline their hearts unto it so it will I hope dispatch the businesse before such time as any Irish can land If there be a Treaty it must not be such a one as shall take up above one dayes time therefore a few dayes will decide that businesse and I hope with Gods blessing much to your advantage and the peace and welfare of this Kingdome Major General Pert is run through the body and shot in the body yet not mortall There was found in his Pocket a Copy of a Letter to the Lords about the Prince either sent or to be sent by him advising them That now was a good time to Treat before our Forces advance further declaring That they feared else their Condition would be desperate The Countrey is very forward to assist in the Barrocadoing up of all Lanes and Passes where probably the Enemy if they intend to breake through may attempt to passe by This being all I have to trouble you with I rest Your most faithfull and Humble Servant J. R. Bodman March 8. 1645. Much also about this same time Sir Ralph Hopton looked very earnestly for new supplies out of Ireland and received Letters thence that he should have them and that they were ready for him if he would be pleased to send forth ships to transport them over unto him But Foy also was now taken by the Parliaments forces and in it 13. peeces of Ordnance and the newes hereof made Pendennis tremble hearing especially her enemies approaching neere her and now already thundring against her walls The inhabitants of Cornwall on all sides come in unto renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax being overcome as much by his mercy and clemency as by his might and courage who thus drove his Enemies still before him terrifying Hopton also by his power and prowesse and now at last inviting him by his Summons the effects whereof you now shall heare namely that about the 18 of this instant March we received the certaine intelligence of the Demands of Sir Ralph Hopton upon our most noble Generals Summons which were as followeth Sir Ralph Hoptons Demands SIR I Received yours bearing date the fifth of this Moneth wherein I must acknowledge much kindnesse from you and a very Christian consideration of sparing of blood But one thing there is I am confident you have too much honour to expect from me which is that to avoid any danger or to enjoy any worldly advantage I will renounce my Masters Service to whom I am both a sworne Subject and a sworne servant that I must professe I am resolved to undergoe all fortunes with him and if there shall be cause to suffer any thing rather than in the least point to taint my honour in that particular and I hope there is not a man of any consideration in this Army under my command that is not so resolved yet in all honest and honourable wayes to procure the peace of this Kingdome and the sparing of Christian blood I take God to witnesse I am and still have been mostdesirous And I heare from good hands our Gracious Soveraigne is at present so farre advised to a Treaty with the Parliament as that he hath promised to passe foure of the principall of their Bils proposed whereof the intrusting the Militia for seven yeares in hands agreed between them is one I desire you to deale freely with me in that particular for if that be so it will spare the labour of further Treaty being for my part ready to obey whatsoever his Majesty shall agree unto God indeed hath of late humbled us with many ill successes which I acknowledge as a very certaine evidence of his just judgement against us for our personall crimes Yet give me leave to say your present prosperity cannot be so certaine an evidence of his being altogether pleased with you It is true we are reduced to a lower condition than we have been yet have we a gallant body of Horse that being preserved to a generall all accord may be for good use against our common Enemies and being otherwise prest I may say it without vanity want not a resolution at least to sell our selves at a deare rate against any odds Your Propositions though they be not wholly to be consented unto yet if a generall accord much more desirable be not in a likely forwardnesse to prevent them I shall be willing that eight Commanders of ours with three Country Gentlemen give a meeting as soon as you please to an equall number of yours at any indifferent place to consult of this great businesse and to conclude of some Propositions that may be reasonable and honourable for both parts wherein I hope God will sâ— blesse our cleare intentions as may procure a probable inducement to a generall peace according to the unfaigned desire of Your Servant RALPH HOPTON March 8. 1645. A Party of yours falling upon a Guard of ours yesterday it is likely they have taken some prisoners I desire the favour from you to receive a List of them by this Trumpeter till I receive a positive Answer to the contents of this Letter I shall not permit any of mine to attempt any thing upon any of your Forces Your Servant RALPH HOPTON Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Answer My Lord I Should most freely and truly inform your Lordship the best I could in any thing that might lead you to a right understanding of things in order to the Peace of the Kingdome or the reall good of your selfe and those with you so far as may stand with my trust and duty to the Publiqve to what I conceive your more certaine knowledge of that your desire to be informed in concerning the Kings offers to the Parliament would not be prejudiciall But the truth is I can give you no other satisfaction or assurance therein than this That the King hath made some offers to the Parliament and amongst them one concerning the Militia something to the purpose as you say you have heard but the just certainty what his last overtures are or
how far they have advanced towards a generall accord I cannot at present certifie I do not hear they have proceeded so far as to a Treaty and I believe That as the Parliament may be discouraged from that way of Treaty by former experiences of the fruitlesnesse thereof and the ill use the same hath been designed or driven to viz. only to gaine advantages for Wars without reall intention of Peace so the late overtures that way are the lesse like to be successefull by reason of the clear and certaine discoveries the Parliament have had That his Majesty at the same time was and is labouring by Agents in all parts to draw in Forraign Forces and especially That the Earle of Glamorgan by Commission from his Majesty had concluded a Peace with the Irish Rebels on Termes extreamly dishonourable and prejudiciall upon the only condition of sending over forces under the command of that Lord to invade England whereof I presume you cannot but have heard And though his Majesty did in a Letter to the Parliament disavow any such agreement and pretended he had given order to the Lord Digby for the attainting and impeaching the Earle of Glamorgan of high Treason for what he had done therein Yet by late discoveries to the Parliament and especially by Letters intercepted the other day at Padstow from the Lord Digby the Earle of Glamorgan and others to Secretary Nicholas your selfe Sir Edward Hide the Lord Culpepper and others it is most cleare and evident that the arresting of the Earle of Glamorgan was onely for a present colour to salve reputation with the people and continue their delusion till designes were ripe for execution for the same peace is fully concluded with the Rebels the King to have the aid conditioned upon the same agreement and the Earle of Glamorgan at liberty againe and to command that force in chiefe Now for the overture of a meeting to treat further about the Propositions I sent Though I know nothing materiall that I can adde or alter except in circumstances yet I shall not refuse or decline such a meeting or ought else that may probably tend to the saving of blood or preventing further misery to any Provided that the meeting be speedily and number of persons not to exceed 4 or 5. But my Lord when you consider what I have before related concerning forraign Supplies which I have reason to think you know and believe you see what cause I have to be jealous of advantages sought by delayes not intermit any time or omit any opportunity to prosecute the service I have in hand and that there may be no colour of your expecting that forbearance on my part which you offer on yours I do the more hasten back this my resolution unto you In pursuance whereof I do not despise nor shall insult upon your present condition I question not nor yet shall I hope be much moved with that resolution of your men I presume not on former successes nor present advantage in fleshly power but desire to trust in God alone whose favour and blessing to this Army above others I do not account in what is past or expect in future to be for any precedence in merit or goodnesse of ours whereby we should be more pleasing to him than others but from his owne free grace and goodnesse towards his people whose welfare with the common good of the Kingdome we seeke and desire with all faithfulnesse and integrity to pursue And so committing the issue of all to his good pleasure I remaine Your humble Servant T. FAIRFAX March 9. 1645. A List of such as are come in to Sir Thomas Fairfax during the Treaty THirty five Lieutenant Colonels Serjeant Majors and Captains came in March 11. Forty Gentlemen of quality that came in the same day some of great note One hundred Gentlemen and others that have stoâ—ne away by parties out of the Enemies Quarters Ninty six common Souldiers from Penryn with Arms. Twelve more followed them Forty from Penryn are gone home and have laid down their Armes Colonell Treoanian the Governour of Penryn by Treaty since All the Officers and Souldiers in the Fort and Harbour The Governour of Maus Castle All the Souldiers and Officers there One hundred Officers and Souldiers of Colonell Champernoones Regiment Falmouth by this meanes is ours on that side the Harbour Two thousand Horse at least that are ours by the Treaty Three or foure thousand Arms. About the same time also we received certaine information that Sir William Vaughan having united himself with Colonell De Villier had a resolution to make some new attempt againe in Wales but he and his Company were so well entertained by Captaine Ashley who was not above halfe so many in number that the whole body of the Enemy consisting of about 300 Horse were encountred routed and pursued by ours many of the Enemy slaine and taken prisoners the List whereof was thus in brief five killed upon the place 12 mortally wounded Captain Johnson taken Prisoner two Captains more two Lieutenants one Cornet eighteen other Prisoners and good store of Arms. And by the same Letters we received further intelligence that by the vigilant care of the brave and active Committee of Shrewsbury there was raised a very strong Worke within lesse than Musket shot of High-Archall by meanes whereof the Enemy could not stir either in or out but with their apparent danger And at the erecting of this Fort they tooke their opportunity of the Governour of High-Archals absence and before his returne they had made themselves so strong that although Sir Jacob Ashley came along with him with about 1000 Horse and Foot they were inforced to retreat and go back againe not daring to adventure on a place so gallantly manned and made so inaccessible both by art and nature as that was which indeed was the winning of that strong Garrison as you shall shortly heare in its proper place About the 20 of this instant March we received certaine knowledge of the taking of Shruardon Castle a place of great importance which brave service was performed by that active Patriot and couragious Commander Major Generall Mitâ—on And much about the same time also we received a full and exact relation of the remarkable successe of valiant and active Colonell Birch before Goderich Castle expressed by himself in his Letter to the Honourable Speaker of the House of Commons which was as followeth Honourable Sir SInce my last the 7 instant finding the forces of Goodrich under command of Sir Henry Lingen so active that a passenger could not be safe between Gloucester and Hereford nor could I quarter Horse abroad but they were in much danger nor could draw forâ—â—â— towards Ludlow or Worcester but they would come neer unto the City to plunder therefore I chose rather to run the hazard of storming the House wherein they kept their out-Guard upon their Boats and Stable being within 20 foot of
Peeces Divers Drakes and small Peeces 4000 Armes gathered divers Armes not taken in 40 Barrels of Gunpowder Many thousand weight of Bullets and Lead Match and other Ammunition proportionable and plentifull Little fresh meat onely Poultry and that very scarce Salt meat some plenty but much of it tainted and not fit to be eaten Butter and Cheese some store Beere and Wine many Barrels Corne good store Fewell for fire very little A List of the Lords Knights Colonels and chief of the Gentry that marched out of Newark to their own homes to submit to the Ordinances of Parliament Lords LOrd Bellasis Governour Lord Davencourt Lord Laxington Knights Sir John Burrell Sir Guy Palmes Sir Charles Dalison Sir Robert Dalison Sir Robert Tredway Sir George Hennings Sir Jarvis Skroop Sir Philip Constable Sir Thomas Ingram Sir Bryan Balmes Sir Jarvis Nevill Sir Simon Fanshaw And others Great Clergy-men DOctor Farmer Chancellor of Lincoln Doctor March Dean of Yroke Doctor Hurst and others Chiefe Officers MAjor Generall Eyre Colonell Gilby Colonell Trollop Colonell Herne Colonell Darsey Colonell Atkins And others The most malignant Aldermen of the Towne were The Major of Newark Alderman Atkinson Alderman Standish And others And upon the same ninth of May aforesaid being Saturday we received the certaine intelligence of the surrendering of the Castle of Banbury such another most pestilent pernicious and vexatious den of Theeves and Royall Robbers as was Bazing House in Hampshire and especially most vexatious and pernicious to the Inhabitants of Northamptonshire its next neighbour but now at last I say by Gods great mercy and the valour and vertue of our brave Commanders and Souldiers brought upon its knees of submission being given up to that brave and couragious Commander Colonell Whaley by Sir William Compton then Governovr thereof upon faire and honourable Articles of agreement which was done on Friday May the 8. the substance of those articles also being to this effect That all the Officers were to march away with Horses and Swords but the Common Souldiers without Armes their wearing apparell and half their moneys by just accompt and both Officers and Souldiers to have Passes to any place in England or Wales not beleaguered the City of London excepted and those that desire it Passes to go beyond Sea and that upon these Conditions the Castle of Banbury to be delivered up as aforesaid to Colonell Whaley with all the Ordnance Armes Ammunition and Colours without imbezlement for the use of the Parliament which was accordingly performed on the said Friday in the forenoone And now the Houses taking into their just and serious consideration the great and many mercies of God to us in our Forces and by them also to the whole Kingdome both in thus surrendring Newark and Banbury now in our power and possession and that Tuesday May the 12 having been formerly appointed a day of solemn thankesgiving to Almighty God throughout London and Westminster and 20. miles adjacent round about it for the happie surrender of Exeter and other great mercies not long before conferr'd upon us together with this none of the least of now at last the Lords giving our King into the hands and harbour and custodie of our most Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland It was therefore Ordered that on this said day of Solemn thanksgiving the severall Churches and Chappell 's in the City of London and Westminster and 20. miles about it should likewise give most heartie thankes to the Lord our God for all these subsequent and additionall rich and rare mercies and that Tewsday seven night following being May 19. should be kept as a Solemn day of Thankesgiving by all the Ministers in the Country over the whole Kingdome and Dominion of Wales within the power of Parliament About the 16. of this instant May came Letters from valiant and active Colonell Morgan giving us certaine intelligence of the taking of Hartlebury-castle lying between Dudley and Worcester and was the Bishop of Worcesters seat a hopefull omen for the taking of Worcester it selfe also indue time Which Castle being now surrendred to brave Colonell Morgan the Officers marched forth with Horse and Armes Troopers and Common Souldiers with out Armes and all the rest of the Articles being according to agreement fairely performed on both sides the brave Colonell tooke possession of the Castle wherein also were taken 6. peices of Ordnance 200. Armes 15. barrells of powder match and bullet proportionable and a full proportion of all manner of prosions for 200. men for 6. moneths at least And about the 20. instant we received certaine information by Letters from valiant and active Colonell Birch also of the agreement for the surrender of that strong Castle and Garrison of Ludlow which was delivered on the like conditions to those of Hartleburie And here I must acquaint the Reader that the Lord having by his most wise and admirable providence in some hopefull measure given a blessed returne to all the prayers of Gods faithfull ones over the whole kingdome in bringing in the Person of the King unto us and committing him unto the care and custodie of our Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland some sweets of this remarkable overture of these things began now to break forth to the comfort of our hearts for the present and hopefull perswasion if not assurance of more good to follow in the Lords good time as was now manifested both by a Letter sent by his Majestie to the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England at Westminster Assembled which his Majestie desired might be Communicated with Both Houses which accordingly was done at a conference where and when the said Letter was reade and another letter to the Commissionres of the Parliament of Scotland And those being passages of speciall Eminencie and wherein the whole Kingdome may no doubt desire to be in some measure at least satisfied I shall therefore for the Readers content herein be somewhat more larger than Ordinarie though there by I increase both mine owne paines and charges at the presse in giving the Reader the substance of some of them which was as followeth That his Majestie is not come into the Scots Army out of any intent to divide the Kingdomes in affection or prolong the War but that he might secure his person and labour the composing the difference between him and his Kingdoms and settle all well and in regard Religion is the chiefe point he desires that may be first insisted upon and settled according to the advise of the Assembly of Divines of both Kingdoms assembled at Westminster And for the Militia he is willing to concur with that propounded at Vxbridge that it be in such hands as shall be agreed for 7. yeeres And for Ireland he will doe what he can to satisfie desires of that kind And for the disbanding of his Armies and sleighting Garrisons and so avoyding the effusion of more bloud he is willing likewise to
scandalized by a rable of rotten hearted impious and impudent Sectaries of the City and for the super-eminent Excellencie of the Thing it selfe speaking indeede much merited honour for it selfe I have here thought fit to insert it which was as followeth And here first good Reader thou shalt see the honour which the most Honorable House of Lords in Parliament put upon it in giving speciall Order for the speedie printing and publishing of it to all the world and then after it thou shalt have their most noble and ever to be renowned resent and singular approbation and Commendation of it immediately after it Die Martis 26 Maii. 1646. IT is this day Ordered by the Lords in Parliament Assembled That the Remonstrance and Petition of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councell of the City of London this day exhibited to the House of Peeres and their Lordships Answer thereunto shall be forthwith printed and published And the care for the true printing thereof is hereby specially recommended unto Colonell John Bellamie who is by this Order authorized and required to print and publish the same accordingly And none else are to presume to print and publish the same as they will answer the contrary at their perils Jo. Browne Cleric Parliamentorum To the Right Honourable the LORDS Assembled in High Court of Parliament The humble Remonstrance and Petition of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common-Councell assembled OUR duty in the first place doth lead us to begin all our Addresses as we most heartily and humbly do these with all due and humble acknowledgement of the great Labours and endeavours which Your Lordships have these many yeers employed in Reformation both of the Church and Common-Wealth and in preservation of both with the humble tender of our constant devotion to serve the Parliament according to our Covenant made before Almighty God In the next place we most humbly crave pardon although we do presume to returne againe unto your Lordships and humbly yet plainly lay open the sorrowes and feares of our hearts even in this season when as God hath blessed your Armies with the greatest successes and that man might perswade himselfe that the War is almost at an end For first when we remember that it hath been long since declared to be farre from any purpose or desire to let loose the golden Reins of Discipline and Government in the Church or to leave private persons or particular Congregations to take up what form of Divine Service they please when we looke upon what both Houses have resolved against Brownisme and Anabaptisme properly so called when we meditate on our Protestation and Covenant And lastly when we peruse the Directory and other Ordinances for Presbyteriall Government and yet finde private and separate Congregations daily erected in divers parts of the City and elsewhere and commonly frequented and Anabaptisme Brownisme and almost all manner of Heresies Schismes and Blasphemies boldly vented and maintained by such as to the point of Church-Government professe themselves Independent we cannot but be astonished at the swarmes of Sectaries which discover themselves every where who if by their indeavours they should get into places of profit and trust in Martiall and Civill affaires it may tend much to the disturbance of the Publike Peace both of the Church and Common-wealth We also cannot but call to minde what Vowes we have made to God in the same Covenant as well as our former Protestations to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of the Parliament and the Liberties of the Kingdomes and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties person and Authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdomes that the world may beare witnesse with our Consciences of our Loyalty and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesties just Power and Greatnesse and do humbly rest in the assurance we have received in the many former Declarations of both Houses concerning their intentions towards his Majesty his Royall Posterity and the Peace of this Kingdome which we doubt not but your Lordships will pursue with all speedy dispatch of Propositions to his Majesty now whilst God doth so mercifully and miracuously go along with your Armies in all the parts of the Kingdome We may not in the next place forget our Brethren of Scotland how first they were invited to engage with this Kingdome in Gods Cause when yet they were at peace at home in what Covenant this Nation is mutually linked with them at what time in relation both to the weak condition of our Forces then and the season of the yeare they adventured upon an Enemy warmly lodged and well armed and prepared what they have since suffered for this Cause in their own Kingdome how successefull ever since God hath made our Forces in suppressing the Common Enemies of both Nations and what present hopes we have of a well-setled Peace while we continue in this mutuall amity And then cannot but lament the many jealousies which the Enemies of our Peace Union and good Government do now strive to beget between both Nations and tremble at the sad effects thereof if not timely prevented by the wisdome of the Parliaments of both Kingdomes We cannot also omit humbly to represent unto your Lordships consideration how many Citizens have already suffered and how many more will be undone if your Lordships shall still make use of that ancient Priviledge to protect your selves the Assistants of this Honourable House and the Servants of both and others from being proceeded against in any course of Law for Debt which now because this Parliament hath already sate so long and is likely by reason of the unsettlednesse of affaires to sit much longer would especially require some expedient for relief of so many as otherwise must daily suffer under this Priviledge And now that the Kingdom is almost reduced by which means the Revenues of the Kingdome will be unburthened and the Customes and Excise increase and the publike charge of the Kingdome decrease now that Delinquents do daily come in and compound and now that the Enemy hath but few Holds left we hope that the great and extraordinary Taxes and burthens on this City and their Trade shall be in the future abated that the Debts owing to the City and Citizens of London either by particular Assurances of the Parliament or upon the Publike Faith of the Kingdome be taken care for and discharged as well as those assigned upon the Excise and may not be diverted from the uses appointed by former Acts and Ordinances And we humbly crave have to present to the consideration of this Honourable House the Committee of Haberdashâ—rs-hall as being one of the greatest grievances of this City and which so long as it is continued doth hinder the concoursie of people thereunto and tendeth much to the destruction of the Trade and Inhabitants thereof And now also we doubt not but God
the other particulars of 〈◊〉 Petition into serious and speedy consideration And have commanded me to give you hearty thanks for the Reall Testimonies of duty and good affections which not onely by your words but by your Actions you have constantly manifested unto them Jo. Browne Cleric Parliamentorum And the very same day and time the said noble Citizens exhibited the like Remonstrance and Petition to the honourable House of Commons of which I say no more but leave it to the Lords most gracious and righteous wisdome and mercy for a happy returne in his own due time But that which is yet farther very memorable and remarkable in this businesse which I only toucht before and as you saw it most evidently true before was That the very day before the Remonstrance was exhibited in Parliament the Kings Majestie himselfe as it were to honour and encourage them in that their famous and faithfull resolution sent a particular Letter to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councell 〈…〉 which they being all at that time assembled in their Guild-Hall was publikely read in the audience of them all And which is yet more memorably remarkable and worthy serious and sacred observation That a day or two at the farthest after they had exhibited their Remonstrance as aforesaid the truly religious and sincerely affected Ministers of two Counties Suffolk and Essex as it were to back the Cities brave Remonstrance exhibited a most excellent Petition to the Lords and Commons in Parliament attested by at least 300 Ministers hands subscribed to it which also for the piety and excellency of it I have thought fit for the Readers better delight and satisfaction here to insert which was as followeth To the Right Honourable the House of Lords now Assembled in PARLIAMENT The Humble Petition of the Ministers of the Counties of Suffolk and Essex concerning the Church-Government presented to the Right Honourable Houses of Parliament Sheweth THat your solemne League and Covenant great and glorious Victories the expectation of the Reformed Churches beyond the Seas the longing desires of our Brethren of Scotland the humble Petitions of the Reverend Assembly and the great City of this Kingdome the pressing miseries of the Orthodox and well-affected Ministers and People in the Country cry aloud to your Honours for a settling of Church-Government according to the Word From the want of this it is Right Honourable that the name of the most High God is blasphemed his precious truths corrupted his Word despised his Ministers discouraged his Ordinances vilified Hence it is that Schisme Heresie Ignorance Prophanenesse and Atheisme flow in upon us Seducers multiply grow daring and insolent pernicious Bookes poyson many souls â—â—ety and learning decay apace very many Congregations ly waste without Pastours the Sacrament of Baptisme by many neglected and by many re-iterated the Lords Supper generally dis-used or exceedingly prophaned confusion and ruine threatning us in all our Quarters In all humility therefore acknowledging your unwearied labours for the publique good your successefull endeavours for saving this Kingdome your hopefull beginnings of a blessed Reformation we out of conscience and in tender regard to the glory of God and the salvation of our people beseech your Honours That a forme of Church-Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches may with all possible speede be perfected and confirmed by your civill sanction that Schismaticks Hereticks seducing Teachers and soul-subverting Books be effectually suppressed That further care may be had of Ordination for a supply of able and Orthodox Ministers and all good meanes used to make up the sad breaches in this our Sion So shall the Church of God be setled your hands strengthened the sacred Covenant performed our feares prevented the Judgements of God diverted And your Petitioners shall ever pray c. The Lords Answer to the said Petition THe Lords are glad to finde this zeale and care in the Ministery of the Counties of Suffolk and Essex for the preventing the further increase of Heresie and Profanenesse and for the promoting a growth in the power of godlinesse The Lords desire you to continue still in your endeavours therein and they will not be wanting to give you all encouragement They have commanded me to give you thanks for your expressions of your good affections to the Parliament and this Cause and do assure you that they will improve their power for the suppressing of Errour Heresie seducing Teachers and soul-subverting Booke and likewise for the setling of Church Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches to which they hold themselves obliged by their solemne League and Covenant and that their Lordships have appointed that their Petition with this answer shall be printed and published John Brown Cler. Parliamentorum The Answer of the House of Commons to the Minister Petition Die Mercurii 27. Maii. 1646. THe House being informed that divers Ministers of the Counties of folke and Essex were at the doore they were called in and presented to the House a Petition intituled The humble Petition of the Ministers of Suffolke and Essex the which was read The Ministers were againe called in and Master Speaker by command of the House acquainted them That most of the particular desires of their Petition are now under consideration and they hope will be brought to a settlement speedily That the House is very sensible that through some intervening obstructions the Church-Government hath not beene so fully settled as they desire and that they give them thankes for their good affections and desire them to put all Ordinances in execution concerning Church-Government as lye within their power H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. This speciall act also of Divine providence so oportunely bringing in these Ministers Petition much to the very same effect as the Cities Remonstrance was and full of much piety and zeale for God and his Great Cause the present miserably distracted and distorted Church by abhominable Errours and Scismes I could not but most gratefully and gladly record in these our Parliamentarie-Annals as no small mercie of the Lord unto us and worthy to be taken notice of to the glory of God and honour of those two most worthily to be honoured Counties And about the third of June,1646 We were certainely informed of the taking of Salcomb-Regis which was surrendred to Colonell Welden and also that Bostol-house a most pestilent and pernicious Garrison of the Enemies was also yeeled up unto the power and possession of the Parliament And upon the 4. of June it pleased the Lord to put into the hearts of our most worthy Parliamentarie worthies to set forth an Ordinance of Parliament for the settlement of that great scruple and Question among Gods people as touching the point of worthy or unworthy Communicants at the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and for the more full and certaine establishment of the Presbyterian Church Government a mercie long
the bringing of the Churches of God in the three Kingdomes to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion Confession of Faith forme of Church-Government Directory for Worship and Catechising which thing both Kingdomes are by Covenant obliged sincerely and really to endeavour and that not for a time but constantly so that neither of the Kingdomes can be loosed or acquitted from the most strait and solemne obligation of their continued and constant endeavouring these good ends so farre as any of them is not yet attained it being also understood that our concurrence to the sending of the Propositions shall be without prejudice to any Agreement or Treaty between the Kingdomes and shall not infringe any engagement made to the Kingdom of Scotland nor be any hinderance to our insisting upon the other Propositions already made knowne to the Houses and it being understood that it is not our Judgement that every particular and circumstance of thâ—se Propositions is of so great importance to these Kingdomes as Peace and Warre should depend thereupon Vpon these grounds which we make knowne only for clearing our consciences and for discharging Our selves in the trust put upon us without the least thought of retarding the so much longed for Peace We condiscend and agree that the Propositions as they are now resolved upon be in the name of both Kingdomes presented to the King whose heart we beseech the Lord wholly to incline to the Councels of Truth and Peace June 25. 1646. Die Veneris 26. Iunii 1646. ORdered by the Lords in Parliament Assembled that the Marquesse of Argyles Speech with the Paper concerning the Propositions be forthwith printed and published John Brown Cler. Parliamentorum And at the same time with the foresaid Paper there was another Paper delivered in unto the Parliament being a Letter from his Majesty to the Marquesse of Ormond in Ireland discharging all further Treaty with the Irish Rebels for thus now blessed be God His Majesty was pleased to terme them not Catholike Subjects as formerly and this being a businesse of so high and eminent concernment I have here also thought fit to give the Reader a Copy thereof which was as followes CHARLES REX RIght trusty c. Having long with much griefe looked upon the sad condition which our Kingdom of Ireland hath bin in these divers years through the wicked and desperate Rebellion there and the bloody effects which have ensued thereupon for the settling whereof we would have wholly applyed our selves if the difference betwixt us and our subjects here had not diverted and withdrawne us and not having bin able by force for that respect to reduce them we were necessitated for the present safety of our Protestant subjects there to give you power and authority to treat with them upon such pious honourable and safe grounds as the good of that our Kingdome did then require But for many reasons too long for a Letter We thinke fit to require you to proceede no farther in Treaty with the Rebells nor to engage us upon any conditions with them after sight hereof And having formerly â—ound such Reall proofes of your ready obedience to our commands We doubt not of your care in this wherein our service and the good of the Protestant subjects in Ireland is so much conâ—erned From New-Castle the 11. of June 1646. And upon the 29. of this instant June the Lords and Commons in Parliament held a serious debate and Consultation about the the time and persons by whom to send away the Propositions for a happy Peace among us which now they had quite finished and as was forementioned our Deare Brethren of Scotland had fully and fairely assented unto for his Majesty to sign and confirm unto us And now all these late and last admirable passâ—ges of Divine provicence thus sweetly and amiably concurring to make us a most happy o-that they may make us a most holy people by our gracious and gratefull improvement of them to the best advantage of Gods glory and our best good both for Soule and body I will now most joyfully and thankfully close up all with that of the blessed Prophet David that sacred and sugred Singer of Israel Thou O Lord hast for us turned our mourning into Dancing thou hast put off our Sackcloth and girded as with gladnesse To the end that our Glory may Sing praise to thee and not be silent O Lord our God we will therefore give thankes to thee for ever and ever And thus I a poore weake and most unworthie instrument the meanest I say and most unable of many thousands having now by the good hand and helpe of Divine providence even by the only ayde and assistance of the Lord my good God led you on my Deare Christian brethren thus farre in the full and faire view and perusall of this so famous and renowned historie though I confesse in a very plaine and unpolisht style and in the most blessed and beautifull sight of this admirable and amiable wonder of the Burning-Bush hitherto Vnconsâ—med yea hitherto I say even most miraculously prospered preserved even to a strongly hoped period of our bloody wars and happy enjoyment of sweet and precious Peace I say if now at last Pride wanton ingratitude to God and men I mean mainly our Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland cut us not short therof in the haven of our hoped happinesse not withstanding all the most violent flames of malice and virulent furie of unreasonable and outragious men yea of such Ephesian Beasts as the holy Apostle Paul was forced to fight with for the vindication of his great Masters immaculate Cause unsported Truth what shall I say more unto you all my deare Brethren the honest and happy Readers of this honourable History the blessed eye-witnesses and possessors of all these rich and rare forementioned mercies I will now most thankfully shut up all with a word or two and but a briefe word or two as having in all my former parts of this Parliamentary Chroniâ—le said so much already in this kinde of Christian Caution and Exhortation to you all in generall as to mine owne soule in particular First then hath our good God out of his meere mercie and free favour and grace in Christ Jesus onely been so bountifull unto us a sinfull Nation as thus to load us with his love even then when we have been loading him with our sins and provocations Hath he thus remembred us in our low estate as not onely to let us be as at this day a Nation a People but a beloved Nation yea even as it were a people desired Hath the Lord not onely given us our lives as a prey unto us but also given our cruell-hearted and bloudy-minded enemies as bread for us to eate and devour And herein fulfilled and made good his Word and Promise to his people That they shall be as mighty men which tread downe their Enemies in the
us Nay and hath not the Lord againe on the other side made good his faithfull promise to us his people excellently set forth by holy Jeremy that all they that thirsted to devoure us are themselves devoured and all our adversaries even every one of them have tasted misery and they that spoiled us are spoiled and all for the most part that preyed upon us the Lord hath given as a prey unto us but hath mercifully as the Prophet there excellently and most pertinently to our purpose and case condition goes on restored health unto us and graciously healed us of our formerly felt and feared wounds the enemy having called and counted us out-casts even Traitors and Rebels saying in scorne and derision of us This is Sion these are the fasting and Praying Round-heads whom no man seeketh after but to deride and ruinate them Againe hath not the Lord according to his yet further most faithfull promise by his holy Prophet Ezekiel purged out from among us the Rebels indeed both English Irish French and Germane Rebels who sorely transgressed against our God and hath forced them forth out of our Country and Kingdome where they sojourned witnesse Windebanke Finch Newcastle Goring both Father and Sonne Jermine Digby Langdale and the rest and God would not let them enter into nor abide in our now most hopefull Land of rest and peace yea hath not the Lord as he further said of them by pious Isaiah accordingly made it good unto us Your Brethren the Royalists that hated you and strugled and strove to cast you out and pretending but most falsly that it was for my names sake deceitfully said Let the Lord be glorified but this our wise our righteous and good God hath contrariwise appeared unto our joy and they themselves are confounded and asham'd All this I say the Lord hath done for us all these ample and admirable testimonies we have seene and found to assure us that God is with us and therefore we ought wonderfully to be confirmed and encouraged against whatsoever men or Devils can doe against us wherefore from all these pâ—evalent premises on our enemies and precious promises made good to us we may justly say with holy Job Lo thus we have searched and seene so it is heare it O England and know thou it for thy good The Lord is wise in heart and mighty in strength who ever hardned himselfe against him and hath prospered None certainly for as the Prophet Isaiah excellently to this purpose surely the Princes and Grandees of the world even carnall and Atheisticall machivillian Statists are very fooles and the counsell of such wifest Counsellours is but base and brutish for as he goes on admirably how say yee of Pharaah so I of Bristoll Cottington and Digby I am the Sonne of the wise the Sonne of ancient Princes and Peeres But where are they now Where are those wise men What 's become of their craftiest cursed Counsell hence therefore we may clearly conclude with Jethro Moses Father in Law and with him say most certainly Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods than all the most potent and politicke Peeres and Potentates of the world for in those very things wherein they dealt most proudly and lifted up themselves most superciliously he hath admirably all along been still above them Give me leave now therefore in a word or two for conclusion to speake plainely to any to all of what ranke order or condition soever they be Who art thou O cowardly carnall man so leaning on the arme of Flesh and consulting with meere carnall reason that thou shouldest still notwithstanding all that hath been done and said and seene be afraid of man that shall dye yea thus dye as thou hast heard and seene with shame and obloquie or that thou shouldâ—t dread any Sonne of Man which shall be made as Grasse And forgettest the Lord thy God and Maker and hast manifested too evidently that thou fearest continually every day with strange pusilanimity unchristianly cowardice fond and false feares and imaginary conceited Chimera's and all this forsooth because of the furie of the oppressour as if he were ready to devoure and destroy and yet saith the Lord unto thee where is the furie of the oppressour what 's become of all his braggs and boastings even to this day O let us then put on Princely Davids Christian courage and resolution and feare and confide in the Lord alone and with his invincible magnanimity of soule and spirit say and say most justly Thou even thou alone O Lord art to be feared for who may stand in thy sight when thou art angry For thou hast made the wrath of man as it is at this day to praise thee and the remainder of his wrath thou hast wonderfully restrained as is most evident to all 〈◊〉 eyes and understanding O therefore I say againe and againe to our Honourable Parliament and reverend Assembly to the noble City of London and our famous Army since we have seene with our eyes as well as by the hearing of our eares what the Lord our God hath done to our unreasonable and incorrigible enemies on the one side and how he hath most graciously borne us as it were on Eagles wings and brought us in his infinite meere mercy thus neare unto himselfe on the other side O therefore I say to my selfe to all O that we would now at length obey his voice indeed O that we would now break off from our provoking sinnes and most seriously break our hearts for our sinnes with that godly sorrow which is unto Repentance never to be repented of And that we would cordially and conscientiously remember and keepe our solemne 〈…〉 Covenant made with our God and with one another and with a speedy and pious resolution would pay our vowes especially that to build up Gods House to set up a Church-Government most substantially that is as neare as may be in a Scripturall Modell and therein lovingly to joyne with our most loving Brethren of Scotland most worthy perpetually to be embraced by us with all due expressions of most cordiall love and endlesse amity as having been under God the maine meanes if not onely instruments of purchasing and procuring for us this present precious Parliament and so consequently of all our had and hoped happinesse and let us for shame oh for foule shame let us leave off our unchristian our ungratefull our ungracious biting of them and snarling at one another thankfully and religiously labouring to keepe the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and pure Love for then oh then and not till then the Lord will certainly make us a peculiar Treasure to himselfe above all the people of the world To this say Amen O Lord I pray thee by the worke of thy Spirit of Grace in Christ Jesus and let All that read and heare it
Countries Liberties in collecting as truly and faithfully as I was able a Catalogue of the most eminent Persons and Commonders on the Parliaments Party also as I have done on the Kings who in this the Kingdomes Common calamity have been taken away out of this world of wretchednesse and valley of teares by the Sword of the enemy and so have as it were passed over by that sharp bridge to their long looked for and heartily hoped for heavenly Canaâ—n The most eminent Persons slaine on the Parliaments Party since the beginning of these unhappy Civill Warres 1 THe Lord St. Iohn Part 2 Page 198 2 The Lord Brooke p. 2 p. 272 3 Sir William Fairfax brother to the most noble and renowned Lord Fairfax p. 4. p. 33 4 Sir Iohn Meldrum p. 4. p 5 Major Generall Charles Fairfax Sonne to the aforesaid noble Lord Fairfax and brother to our present most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax slaine at Marston-moore fight 6 Colonell Essex p. 2. p. 198 7 Col. Hampden p. 2. p 8 Col. Tucker p. 2. p. 418 9 Lieut. Col. Ramsey p. 2 10 Serjeant Major Quarles p. 2. p. 216 11 Major Stawham a brave Scottish Gent. p. 2. p. 380 12 Major Fitz-Simons p. 4. p 13 Major Bradbury p. 4 p 14 Major Iackson p. 4. p. 123 15 Captain Lacis p. 2. p. 216 16 Cap. Lister p. 2. p. 230 17 Cap. Nuttie p. 2. p. 309 18 Cap. Massie p. 2. p. 410 19 Cap. Hunt p. 2. p. ibid 20 Cap. Oglesby p. 2. p. 221 21 Cap. Williams p. 2. p. 267 22 Cap. Pue p. 3. p. 278 23 Master Hugh Popham p. 3 p. 303 24 Major Haynes p. 4. p. 341 25 Cap. Dove p. 4. p. 257 26 Lieut Col. Ingoldsby p. 4 p. 401 27 Cap. Allen. p. 295 28 Major Francis Sydenham p. 119 29 Col. Iohn Gunter Some few more 't is probable there might be but I professe ingeniously and most sincerely not one more as yet come to my knowledge or spontaneously pretermitted by me in my most sedulous search over the whole Foure Parts of this our Parliamentary Chronologie which I have diligently done as well for satisfaction to the honest-hearted Readers touching the slaine I say on our side as those on the enemies side in which two so vastly discrepant and largely unequall Catalogues both for number and quality though ours I confesse especially considering some of them as most pious Saints and precious Patriots farre transcended the very best of the enemies for spirituall waight and worth the udicious and impartiall religious Reader may see by comparing them both together how the Lord our most righteous and gracious God hath put a difference between the precious and the vile and yet manifesting in some measure for just Causes best knowne to his owne unsearchable wisedome and I am sure for the best good of his beloved-ones every way that as touching the outward stroke of death I say in a Common calamity it hapneth to the good as to the bad and how dyeth the wise man but even as the foole as wise King Solomon witnesseth Ecclesiastes 2. 15 16. Note also yet once againe good Reader for the yet more remarkable manifestation of Gods righteousnesse and mercy in putting another most notable difference between the Army of his enemies and the Army of his Saints and Servants fighting his battailes that as was toucht before and shewne in the Catalogue of the slaine on the Kings fide in the very first set battaile and field fight that was fought by the enemy against the Parliament which was at Keinton or Edge-hill the Kings first great Lord Generall of all his Forces the Earle of Lindsey who should have been the great Atlas and Hercule in-upholder of the Kings so oft pretended and protested just Cause was one of the first that was slaine in that first famous Fight whereas both in that renowned Victory and in all the progresse of these bloody Broyles and most uncivill Civill Warres over the whole Kingdome even I say from that first Fight to this day both our most renowned Generalls I meane his Excellency the Right Honourable Lord Generall Robert Earle of Essex and the renowned Generall his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax that now is have both of them come off hitherto with abundance of honour and renowne not onely free from death but also ever blessed be the Lords wonderfull mercy in it not so much as toucht with the least wound or hurt on their bodies for ought that ever I yet heard to this present day The like also we may most happily and faithfully say of his Excellency renowned Generall Lesley Earle of Leven Lord Generall of the Forces of our loving and loyall Brethren of Scâ—tland the vertuous and Victorious Generall of the forces of the Associated Counties North-easterly I meane the most noble Earle of Manchester and the thrice noble and renowned Generall of our Northerne forces in Yorkeshire the valiant and victorious Lord Fairfax in which remarkable mercy and me thinks most excellent and eminent observation and for all which so rich so rare and singularly sweet free mercies and most admirable dispensations of Gods wonder-working wisedome mercy and justice power and protection over us and thus manifested to and for us a wicked and worthlesse Nation a sinfull and provoking people Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto Him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lambe for ever and ever Revel 5. 13. Amen and Amen A Table of all the most materiall Passages mentioned in this Fourth Part of The Parliamentary Chronicle And here I desire the Reader to take notice that all the Forts Townes Castles and Garrisons taken since Nasebie Fight are to be found in the particular Catalogue of them before A. ADvance of the Earle of Manâ—hester from York p. 6 Our formidable Army coopâ— up in the West p. 18 â—ur Army plotted against in Cornwall p. 21 Ammunition safely conveyed to Oâ—westree p. 22 A Commitiee for the Army appointed p. 36 An ignoble Act of the Kings in Cornwall p. 38 Array-men in the North surprized p. 39 Augmentation of Ministers meanes p. 41 Sir ' Antheny Ashley-Cooper stormes Sir John Strange-waies house p. 67 Captaine Allen beates the enemy p. 251 Suddaine alteration of things in Scotland p. 270 Alderman Adams chosen Lord Mayor of London p. 282 Abbington Forces beat the enemy p. 93 Assembly of Divines at Westminster p. 319 The Lord Ashton beaten and slaine p. 320 The Army new Modell'd p. 97 Ashbie Cavaliers soundly beaten at Cole-orton p. 104 Apsley-house taken p. 115 Activity of Abbington p. 126 352 132. Our Armies prosperous proceedings in the West p. Assizes of Oyer and Terminer revived p. 364 Admiralty of the Sea taken into consideration p. 143 A brave defeat given to the enemy at Axminster p. 70 Our Armies good successe in Cornwall p. 378 The answer of Sir Thomas Fairfax to Hoptons demands p. 393 Our Armies march Eastâ—â—rd out of Cornwall p. 400 Prosperous Affaires in Scotland
by storming it by our brethren of Scotland The Scots pious prudent carriage before the storming of Newcastle Marley the Major of Newcastle his proud dissembling carriage toward the Scâ—ts What great most just cause England hath for ever to love most entirely their faithfull brethren of Scotland Malignants most slanderous mouths justly stopped A brave exploit performed by renowned Col. Seelâ—y Governour in Lyme The most just reasons of an Ordinance of Parliament against Irish Rebels taken prisoners by Sea or Land who are to have no quarter granted them Certain intelligence brought to London that ours and the Kings forces were within 2 or 3 miles of Newberry and like to be engaged The Copy of a Letter sent to the honourable Speaker of the House of Commons relating the whole fight at Newberry 28 Octob. 1644. The King in Newberry The Enemies strength at Newberry was 8000 foot and 5000 horse God heer took more care for his servants than the King did of his best Subjects Our Army was necessitated to quarter al night in the open field Ours took 2 or 3 cart loads of the Kings provision and 100 horse and foot of the enemies The fight begun The fight maintained for at least 3 houres space with admitable courage fiercenes on both sides The Earl of Cleveland others taken prisoners 9 of our brave peices of Ordnance which had been lost in Cornwall heer now recovered our men fought like devils as the Cornish Souldiers cryed our running away The King â—â—ed out of Newberry with only one Troop of horse General Gorings brother shot dead in the fight Prisoners tâ—ken at Newberry fight The King flying out of Newberry reviles the Major Prizes-taken at about Newb. An Order of Parliament for a day of publik Thankâ—giving to God 〈◊〉 brave defâ—at happy Victory A just check to our improvidence in not improving this braveadvantage as we might have done The Castle in the Town of Newcastle taken by our brethren of Scotland The names of the prisoners taken in the Castle A most famous defeat given to the Enemies at Bever Vale by Sir Jo. Gells Sir Tho. Fairfax his forces 800 horse and 400 prisoners taken at Bever-Vale Colonell Sydenâ—ams good service in the West Leverpool in Lancashire surrendred up to Sir Jo. Meldrum The manner how Leverpool was taken Prisoners taken the goods of the Town recovered by Sea Tinmouth-castle surrendred unto Generall Leven with 38 peices of Ordnance in it and great store of oâ—her Armes Ammunition The most wise providentiall degrees of Gods completing his mercies to us This Moneths day of humiliation was also most justly turned as much into a day of exultation Reverend Mr. Cases baptizing of the surrender of Newcastle with the name of Gâ—d a Multitude The Burning-Bush not consumed 1. A brief most grateful â—ecapâ—tulation of all the memorable mercies of this moneth of October 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The Burning-Bush not consumed Isa 54. 16 17. Ibid. ver 15. Psal 18. 31. 46 Novemb. 1644. A brave exploit performed by Captain Stones one of valiant Col. Ridgele yes Officers in armes against the Enemy about Eccleshall This 5 of November a day of publik thanksgiving for divers great and famous victories The great triumph in the City of London on this solemn day of thanksgiving The Enemies Garrison at Sir Jo. Strangeways House in Dorsetstire stormed taken by Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper The storming of this Garrison continued 6 hours together Between 30 40 of our men blown up with powder in the taking of this house A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Helmsley castle Free Trading with Newcastle re-established by the Parlia Helmsley castle in Yorkeshire taken by the thrice noble Lord Fairfax A brave defeat given to the Enemy in Lincolnshire by Major Harrison A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Axminster by Lime forces A rich ship driven into Lime Haven by a storm Another brave defeat given to the Enemy by Lime Garrison Laughorn castle in South-wales taken by Colonell Beal A brave exploit performed by Col. Sydenham against the Enemy at Dorchester The admirable courage valour of Colon. Sydenham and his Souldiers A grateful summary review of the various ways of the Burning Bush not consumed Psal 46. 11. Decemb. 1644. A brave defeat given to the Enemies at Salisbury by Sergeant Major Dewet Colonell Cooke Leivtenant-Col Hook with others taken prisoners The self-denying Ordinance for calling home al the Members of both Houses of Parliament The substance of the Ordinance or Vote it self A day of Humiliation ordered to bee set apart for both Houses in private to seek the Lord touching this great Vote Isaiah 65. 1. Crowland taken by Col. Rainesborough A brave defeat given to the Enemy at â—edâ—ury by renowned Col. Massie Good service done by Sir Tho. Middletons forces about Mountgomery-shire A brave defeat given to the Enemy in the West by Col. Holborn Plots conspiracies of the Enemies discovered and prevented Stafford Town and Castle in danger Doverâ—castle Abbington Ailâ—bury Reading Plymouth Lyn-Regis in great danger to have been betrayed An exact relation of the crafty contrivement dâ—scovery of the plot to betray Lyn-Regis The Kings esteem of Lyn-Regis Captain Lemon seems to consent to the plot The Governour of Lyn made acquainted with the businesse The brave carriage of the businesse Leivtenant Sâ—ubbin 5 or 6 more with him sent from Lyn by the Governour came in a disguise to perfect the work Mr. Strange findes himself betrayed Mr. Strange his CommissioÌ„ taken and sent up to the Parliament The Copy of the Commission Iounton-Dean in the West releived Colon Holborns activity brave service in the West Care taken by the Parliament for the choosing of good Officers in the City of London Captain Redmans brave service neer Northampton Knaresborough-castle in Yorkshire taken Cumhire Abbey a strong Garrison of the enemies in Mountgomery shire taken by Sir Tho. Middleton Captain Stones brave defeat given to the Enemy at Tongue-castle Another by Major Dewet And another by Col. Thorney The most noble Queen of Sweden desires Association with the Parliament of England The Burning-Bush not consumed Psal 367 8. 32. 7. January 1644. Sir Alexander Carew beheaded for treason Sir John Hotham beheaded for treason Captain Hotham also Son of Sir John Hotham beheaded on Towre-Hill A remarkable passage of Divine providence The Directory for pure worship Voted in Parliament the Common-Prayer Book abolished The Arch Prelate of Canterb. to be now effectually brought to his Condemnation A remarkable note Divers brave exploits performed by the Parliaments forces against the Enemies Cardigan Town Castle taken by Col. Laughorn in Wales and a brave prize at Sea The Arch Prelate of Canterbury executed for treason on Towre-Hill Isaiah 6. 10. Prov. 11. 10. A brave defeat given to the Kings forces at Abbington by renowned Major Generall Brown A Copy of Col. Harsnets Letter to Capt. Jones touching
to bee highly honored and advanced Malignant slanderers mouthes against the Parliament stopped A second rebellion in Keâ—t but soon suppressed by valiant Colonell Blunt A brave â—ef at given to the Enemy at Rumsey by valiant Colon. No tens forces Divers of the Lords at Oxford come in unto the Parliament The Earles Lords names that are returned from Oxford to the Parliament A brave defeat given to Prince Maurice his forces in Worcestershire Major Pilkinton slain Divers brave victories defeats given to the Enemy about Oxford Sir Tho Fairfax advanced into the field set down before Oxford An extract out of Letters of Leivtenant Gen. Cromwels victory at Oxford A brave victory obtained by Leivten Gen. Cromwell neer Islip by Oxford The Enemy is totally routed Blechington-house summoned surrendred Major Generall Browns brave defeat given to the Enemy about Oxford Colonell Feins gives the Enemy a brave defeat Another brave victory obtained by Leivtenant Generall Cromwell at Bampton-Bush over Sir Henry Vaughan and his forces A brave prize taken The singular good estate of our Army at Oxford under the noble Generall Sir Tho. Fairfax Our Army at this time was 4000 horse 13000 foot The businesse of the Admiralty Sea-affairs is taken into consideration Commissioners for the Admiralty nominated The Burning-Bush not consumed Psal 30 11 12. May. 1645. The Copy of Colon. Massies own Letter setting forth his great danger as great deliverance The good successe valiant services of the the Parliaments forces at Warwick under Major Purefoy A brave prize taken The happy releif of the precious Town of Taunton by renowned Sir Tho Fairfaxes forces under the command of Col. Welden Col. Graves The brave Discipline of our Army in the West our releif come to Taunton Hopton 〈◊〉 to Tauntâ— to surrender Colonel Blakes reply The siege raised the Enemies fled The seasonablenesse of Taunton â—â—leif at this time The Enemies losse before Taunton Excellent Orders appointed by the Parliament for the well-regulating of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes new Army The hopefull effects of a well regulated army Major General Cromwell and Major Generall Brown compared to David Jonathan The Parliaments most singular gratitude for the good services done to the kingdom by the Right honourable the Earl of Essex others The Souldiers that releived Taunton gratefully remembred by the Parliament Renowned Sir John Meldâ—uâ—s gallant service required Mr. Owen Occoâ—elly taken into farther consideration for his loyall discovery of the Irish plot The brave services of valiant Captain Stone Governour of Staâ—â—â—d castle against the Enemy A blessed return of Prayer Evesham taken by renowned Colon. Massie The prisoners prizes taken A brave defeat given to the Enemy by Col. Norton at Langford house in Hampshire The Burning-Bush not consumed Isai 25. 1. June 1645. The most famous City of Londons most excellent Petition to the Parliament touching the then present sad condition of the Kingdom A Copy of the Petition of the Citizens of London to the Parliament A brave defeat given to the Enemies neer Chester by valiant Leivâ—en Col Venables A most brave defeat given to the Newarkers at Houghâ—â— house by valiant and active Colon. Rossitâ—r A iust reward of a sleeping souldier according to the rules of Martiall Discipline â—olon Rossiter bravely recovers Hougâ—m house The prisoners prizes taken at Nougham houses recovery The most famous fight and glorious victory obtained at Naseby in Northampton-shire over the Kings forces exactly described The Kings Army at Daventry The Kings Army not willing to fight marcheth toward Southaâ—â— The Royall army advanced to Harborough And froÌ„ thence to Nâ—sâ—by The manner of Marshalling our Army for the battail The Kings Army advanceth toward us The fight begins 2 Châ—â—oâ— 32. 7 8 Heer the fight was very hot furious on both sides The Kings blue Regiment of Foot â—uinated and destroyed Our left Wing is some what shatter'd The Enemy is beaten by our right Wing The King himself rallyed his Horse again The Kings words to his Souldiers The Enemy is beaten again The Enemy is pursued 12 or 13 miles within 3 miles of Leicester The high and prime praise of this victory given to God in the first place The Renowned Generall next as most worthy praise Courageous Major General Skippon Valiant Leivtenant General Cormwell Commissary Generall Ireton and Colonell Butler The Enemies Foot fought also very stoutly Good store of Bisket and Cheese takes to refresh our Souldiers at the end of the Fight Our Souldiers marched to Harborough that night The slaine in the Field of the Enemies The Ensignes of the Enemies taken in the field One great encouragement to our Souldiers to fight bravely was the rich plunder of the Enemies Very many Irish Queanes in the field how they were used The slaine on out side in the Fight A most slanderous and abominable lie of Secretary Nicholas put upon the Parliament The Victory pursued by our Horse toward Leicester A List of what losse the King did sustaine in this famous fight The slain and wounded Prisoners Prizes 〈…〉 〈◊〉 on the Victory â—1 The 〈◊〉 and condition of the Kingdome 1. The Kingdome fourfold sad condition at this time 2. 3. 4. 2. Considering the Army it self The new Model'd Army despised and scorned 1 Cor. 1. 27 28. An Excellent note touching the Generall himself about this fight and Victory Two rare postures in a victorious Generall or Commander Reverend Mr. Marshall in his Thanksgiving Sermon at Christ-Church in London The good Service of valiant Colonell Mittâ—â—â— Forces in Shropshire A day of solemn Thanksgiving set apart to praise the Lord for the late great Victory at Naseby which was especially celebrated at Christ-Church in London The thanks of the Parliament sent to the noble Generall his field officers A jewel of 500 li. to be sent as a present to Sir Tho Fairfax from the Parliament The messengers of this victory rewarded Leicester regained the news therof brought to London on the Thanksgiving day in the morning the more to sweeteÌ„ that dayes joy The manner of the regaining of Leicester The Kings flying from Leicester Preparation to storm Leicester Leicester surrendred to Sir Thomas Fairfax upon composition The prize taken in Leicester The Prisoners taken at Naseby fight being neer 5000 with 55 Colours c. brought up to London The prisoners disposed of into several holds The usage of the Cavalierian prisoners by our Parliament The usage of our Parliaments prisoners by the King his Cavaliers Our Brethren of Scotlands advance to Nottingham A brave exploit performed by the Garrison of Wareham in the West A brave defeat given to the Enemy by valiant Colo. Jones in Cheshire The Kings Cabinet of Letters taken at Naseby sent to the Parliament the Letters opened and read 4 Main heads of the Letters 1. 2. 3. 4. The Cabinet of Letters publikely read in Guild Hall in London afterward printed published with Annotations Stckesey Castle
Frigot taken by our ships Hilford Castle taken Livetenant Colonell Ingoldsby slain by Musket shot A day of solemn Thanksgiving for the forementioned great mercies to the King Our noble Generals advance to Exeter Inch-House surrendred Pouldram Fort taken High-Archall surrendred to the Parliament Bridge-North Towne taken by Shrewsbury forces Colonell Billingsley slaine in the Storme Portland castle surrendred Exmouth-Fort neere Exeter taken Aprill 1646. Dennington Castle taken An Order of both Houses of Parliament for restraint of Papists and other Delinquents from coming to the Cities of London and Westminster An Order also concerning the Kings private coming to London A brave defeat given to the Kings Horse neare Farringdon Treaty about the surrender of the City of Exeter to the Parliament Three strong Forts already delivered up to the Generall Justification of the large Articles of conditions agreed unto upon the surrender of Exeter Ruthin-Castle surrendred to the Parliament A brave defeat given to Denbigh forces by Colonell Mitton Captaine Cottingham slaine Prisoners and prizes taken at Denbigh and Ruthin The Raglanders soundly beaten by Sir Trevor Williams Many Gentlemen of Wales came out of Ragland castle to Sir Trevor and submitted to the Parliament Master Fog a Minister rewarded for his Loyalty to the Parliament The strong Garrison of the City of Exeter surrendred to the Parliament The first letter The second Letter The manner of their marching out of the City of Exeter Branstable Towne and Câ—stle surrendred Sir Michaels-Mount surrendred Titbury-Castle surrendred Aburisthwait Castle in Wales surrendred Dunstar-Castle surrendred Our WesternArmie advanced toward Oxford Woodstock-Garrison surrendred Bridge North Castle surrendred The just praise of the most faithfull and active Committee of Shrewsbury The Duke of Lenox and others come in unto the Parliament The King escaped out of Oxford in a disguised manner 1 Sam. 2. 30. May. 1646. The Parliament informed of the Kings departure out of Oxford toward London Both Houses of Parliaments Order published throughout London and Westminster touching concealing the King The Parliaments providence for the welfare of the City of London A Copy of the â—etter from the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland to the Commissioners of both Houses concerning His Majesties coming to the Scotch Army The manner of the Kings coming into the Scots Army and discovering himself unto them Newark surrendred to the King and Parliament The summe of the Articles of Agreement Our Brethren of Scotland drew off from Newarke Banbury Castle surreâ—dred to the Parliament A day of Solemn thanksgiving to the Lord for late great mercies to us Hartlebury Castle taken The prizes taken therein Ludlow surrendred to the Parliament Some hopefull sweet effects of the kings being in the custodie of our loyall Brethren of Scotland The summe of the kings Letto the Parliament of England The famous Citie Remonstrance exhibited to Both Houses of Parliament Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdome pag. 19. The Parliaments Declaration upon his Majesties Declaration after the Battell at Edge-hill pag. 659. * This desire of the City of London is no more nor other in effect than the House of Commons in Parliament it self voted as most justly at the taking of the Protestation May 5. 1641. Salcoomb Regis Surrendred Bostol-House also yeilded up to the Parliament Ordinance of Parliament for the better settlement of Presbyterian Church Government Bostoll Garrison surrendred Carnarvan Towne and Castle surrendred The Propositions for a wel grounded Peace resolved and in speciall 〈…〉 of the Kingdom The Ministers of London and Westminsters pious meeting and religion resolution in Zion Colledge Letters from Sir Thomas Fairefax Articles for the Surrender of Oxford and the Messengers rewarded by the Parliament The Duke of Yorke to come from Oxford to S. James-House Beaumorris Town and Castle surrendred The manner of the surrender of Oxford His Majesties Letter to the Marquesse of Ormond The Propositions for Peace sent to the King Psal 30 11 12 Ehen-Ezer The summary use of all Caution and Exhortation 1 Caution Zechar. 10. 5. Ezra 9. 6. Deut 32. 6. Ier. 37. 10. Iohn 5. 14. Mat. 12. 45. 2 Exhortation Reformation both Nationall and personall Building of Gods house Schisme and Errour petitioned against The danger of it briefly described The building of Gods house petitioned Hest 6. 3. The great fault and â—ayling of these times Scripture Eye-salve 2 Chron. 16. 9 Gods eye of providence over us Zeche 8. 1â— Our Fasts turned into Feasts Num. 23. 13. No enchanment or Divination against Gods Israell Isa 54. 17. No weapon formed against us hath proâ—pered Jer. 30. 16 17. Our devourers are devoured and our spoylerâ— are spoyled Ezekiel 20. 38 The regaâ—â— Rebels purged out of the Kingdome Isay 66. 5. The Royalists impious hypocrisie unmasked Great encouragements for Gods Children Iob 5. 27. Marke this O England Isa 19. 11 12 13 14. A true description of the Kings Counsellours Exod. 18. 11. Isa 51. 12 13. A just objurgation and too tâ—ue taxation on all Psal â—6 7 10 An exhortation to Christian courage and godly resolution Exod. 19. 4 5. Breake off from sinne Remember our Covenant Bâ—â—ld Gods House Love our Brethren of Scotland Our Brethren of Scotland were the main meane of procuring this present Parliament Exod. 19. 5. One hundred and forty Cart-loads of dead and wounded at Newbery fight some at Brainford at Dorchester and Causham at Marston-moore A Looking-glasse for Malignants
upon their legges with sticks in their hands They left 300 good Armes behinde them and good store of powder and Ammunition And upon the 30 of this instant July to make this Moneth a most compleatly victorious Moneth indeed it pleased the Lord to deliver up also into the Parliaments happy possession the strong Garrison of the Town of Bathe which was related in a Letter sent from thence by an eminent Commander and actour in the same which for the Readers better content and full satisfaction I have heer thought fit to insert and impart as it was Printed and published by authority which was as followeth SIR AS I gave you an account of the taking of Bridgewater so God multiplying his mercies upon us wee having taken in Bath also I shall breifly give you an account thereof only I cannot omit something yet behinde of Bridgewater for wee have found 6 peices of Ordnance which the Enemy had hid and there is left besides what was destroyed by the fire 44 barrels of Gunpowder and 4000 weight of Match On Saturday last Sir Thomas Fairfax marched out of Bridgewater Leivtenant Generall Cromwell hath been ill but God bee thanked hee mends that night wee marched to Marstock about nine miles on the way to Sherburn where wee quartered that night and Sunday night On the Lords day wee heard that Rupert had been himself in person the day before at Bath with Sir Thomas Bridges to encourage him to keep it against us promising him releif in case he should bee besieged On Munday the 28 of July 1645. the Generall marched to Sherborn about 14 miles from Marstock Major Generall Massie was left further West And the same day viz. Munday about 60 horse most Welsh came from Prince Rupert to strengthen Bath and other Officers with them to Govern the Town because that Prince Rupert had found when hee was there two dayes before that Sir Thomas Bridges was quite out of heart to keep it for the very name of Sir Thomas Fairfax strikes a terrour to the Enemy But when they were come into Bath the Town cryed out as one man all against the Welsh No Welsh no Welsh Neither did Sir Thomas Bridges take it well that hee should bee displaced and another put in which caused a great division in the Town that the Officers and Horse would not stay to dispute it yet neverthelesse some Welsh stayed in the Town which did much displease both the Governour Officers Townsmen yea and the Garrison Souldiers also On Tuesday the Generall sent two Regiments of horse and two Troops of Dragoons under the Command of Colonell Rich to view and give account of the condition of the Garrison of Bath then held by Sir Thomas Bridges for the King The Army removed to Wells Colonell Pickering is with a party before Sherborn a nest of most mischeivous vermine under whom the Countrey hath much suffered and by whom before wee came thither some of our own messengers have been taken and our Letters intercepted and the Countrey doe wholly complain against them for very great plunderers and barbarous neighbours Wee made on towards Bath having no foot at all with us onely the aforesaid 2 Regiments of horse and 2 Companies of Dragoones and about an houre before Sunset the South side was close beset the Dragoones lay about Holliwell and wee kept them on the South and on the West parts of the Town But the North part of the Town lay open for wee came not to block them up nor had wee Forces to doe it then present there The Enemy might have gone away on the North part of the Town in despight of all that wee could doe to hinder them but God did so infatuate them that they had not power as in our former victories so particularly in this taking of Bath the hand of God was much seen for us About Sunset wee gained Holliwell and placed our Dragoones within half Pistoll shot of the Gate on the Bridge at Bath where there was some skirmishing and the Dragoones behaved themselves very gallantly In the night the Enemy within took severall Allarms and were in great fear of us I conceive they knew not our strength only before had some intelligence of the advance of our Army On this present Wednesday morning the Enemy heard of a party from Malmsbury on the North side of them but they were not considerable but they were struck with such a fear that Sir Thomas Bridges sent a Messenger very early forth of Bath to us to desire a parley which wee wondred at so wee presently held a parley with them and by Sunrising had the Garrison of Bath delivered up to us upon very good Conditions 1. All both Officers and Souldiers to have quarter for their lives 2 That Sir Thomas Bridges and all the Officers bee permitted to march away to Bristoll without let or molestation 3 That Sir Thomas Bridges and all other Field Officers and Captaines have liberty to march away with Horse and Armes 4 That all Officers under the degree of Captains march away without Arms only staves in their hands to Bristoll 5 That Sir Thomas Bridges with all the Officers aforesaid doe immediately march out of the Garrison and surrender it to Colonell Rich for the service of the Parliament 6 That all the Ordnance Armes and Ammunition bee surrendred also 7 The common Souldiers to bee left all prisoners All which was done and wee were possest of the Garrison by break of the day And truely you may think it a strange thing for horse to take a Town and no foot within 15 miles of it but you may see how God infatuates men and possesseth them with a fear that deprives them of wisdome and courage Bath July 30. 1645. A List of what was taken in the Garrison of Bath by Colonell Rich on Wednesday July 30. 1645. Left in the Town according to the Articles aforesaid 200 prisoners which were 100 Garrison Souldiers 100 Welsh that came in but three houres before into Bath 200 Muskets an 100 Pikes 6 peices of Ordnance 10 barrels of Gunpounder 10 barrels of other Ammunition a great quantity of Match and Bullet Sir Thomas Bridges his Standard Colours in the Royall Fort 5 Colours besides good store of Victuall and other provisions some Pistols and Swords all Sir Thomas his bagge and baggage besides the Armes and provisions of the Townesmen Together with divers Halbert-Roundâ—eads and other weapons This Garrison was of great consequence for the straitning of the passage to Bristoll whereof more in its more proper place And that which makes this mercy much the sweeter and spiritually comfortable to us is that as that former famous mercy of Bridgewater was given in unto us even whiles wee were a praying for that mercy upon occasion of a speciall and extraordinary Fast Day So this likewise was unexpectedly cast into our laps even in the very time and on the day of our Solemn set Monethly Fast Day even as a
gracious prevention of our Prayers the Lord heerin most exactly verifying his own faithfull promise by the Prophet I am found of them that sought mee not And according to that also in the same Chapter Before they call I will answer and whiles they are yet speaking I will hear And is not heer a gracious God indeed and is not our God a bountifull-handed and free-hearted Master indeed who payes us our wages before our work is done and that farre more than wee asked or ever did or could deserve yes most certainly And for the farther and clearer confirmation ratification and admirable yea almost incredible illustration of this truth give mee leave good Reader to put thee in minde how that much about the beginning of June last it pleased the Lord to hint in the heart of a godly Minister by name Mr. White Preaching occasionally at reverend and religious Mr. Cases Church in Milkestreet in London the impregnable and even invincible power of Prayer and of what precious consequence and concernment it might bee for the advancement of Gods glorious Cause if Gods people would bee pleased every morning constantly to set apart half an houre or an houre at most to seek the Lord by servent Prayer for a speciall blessing upon the present great affaires and negotiations of the Kingdom both by Counsell and Warre for the good of Church and State which hint or holy alarm as I may call it reverend and religious pious and painfull Mr. Case cheerfully laying hold on presently began this godly work and for the space of one whole Moneth upheld it in his own Church most sacredly and sweetly Whom reverend and religious Mr. Calamy as I take it immediately succeeded all the next ensuing Moneth and so this most blessed work hath continued and constantly been carryed on to the high honour and glory of our Prayer-hearing God the wonderfull good of the Kingdome and the unexpressible joy and comfort of Gods people especially who have been partakers and actours in it For as it hath been most justly observed O what sweet and singular successes have been given to all our Armies ever since this pious and precious work began not a Moneth nay a week nay scarsely 2 dayes have past without a blessing on our Armies if not a Victory in one part of the Kingdome or other Take good Reader but a succinct Summary of what God hath done heerin only since June and July now last past the rest I shall give thee afterward in their more proper places As namely First That most famous and glorious victory at Naseby The singular good successe of our forces in Shropshire The last releif of Taunton The admirable re-taking of Leicester Highwarth and Ilchester The late forementioned famous Victory obtained by Gods mighty assistance through fire and water at Lang-port and Burroughs which famous victory wee obtained that day moneth whereon wee obtained Naseby Victory rare mercies indeed two famous Field-victories obtained in the space of one Moneth The surrender of Carlile The reconcilement and comming in of the Western Clubmen to the Parliaments party The winning of strong Bridgewater and strange and speedy obtaining of Bath The gaining of the strong Castles of Pontefract Scarborough Cannon-Frâ—â— Chadwick-house and Rabby Castle In these Field-victories and 10 or 11 strong Garrisons and Castles above 10000 prisoners taken above 50 or 60 peices of Ordnance Much above 10000 Armes and great plenty of Ammunition bagge and baggage and all this done within the space of lesse than two Moneths Tell me now then good Reader and speak thy conscience freely doe not all these rare and almost incredible mercies clearely confirme the truth of what I have affirmed that ever since the Throne of grace hath been so constantly and daily prest with Prayer our faithfull Prayer-hearing God hath admirably crowned his own works in us and for us And say I pray thee may I not most justly stile these two Moneths of June and July Menses Mirabiles two most deservedly admired Moneths And hast thou not now again good Reader seen and that in a most abundant measure this our great Miracle and amazing-wonder even The Burning-Bush not only not Consumed but gloriously made to spread and flourish in the midst of all the most fierce and furious flames of Antichristian Atheisticall and Maligaant wrath and outrageous fury Yes certainly I know thou wilt easily and truely acknowledge it and that if ever heer was that faithfull word of the Lord confirmed and made good to his maligned Church and children Now weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn This is the heritage of the Servants of the Lord and their righteousnesse and salvation is only of the Lord. Not unto us therefore Lord not unto us but unto thy name alone wee give all the honour and glory of all these great and gracious deliverances and many and mighty mercies Thou only hast thus encompast us with Songs of deliverance Thy mighty hand and thy strong and out-stretched arme alone hath gotten to thy self and given to us these great and glorious Victories to thee alone therefore â—ee all the honour and glory throughout all generations And now to go on in the continuation and happy contemplation of this next Moneths most memorable Wonder of our Burning-Bush the Parliaments Cause still un-consumed still eminently prospered And here I shall begin this Moneths observation herein with that brave defeat given to the Enemy by that valiant active and faithfull Commander Captain Allen neare Stamford in Lincolneshire which was as followeth About the beginning of this Moneth of August 1645. we received Letters of certain intelligence from Burleigh House in those parts that a party of Newarkers being joyned with Belvoyre Forces to the number of about 300 in all were gathering Taxes or Contribution Money about Stamford and the parts thereabout whereof valiant Captain Allen having notice he with Captain Collins drew forth all the Horse belonging to the Garrison being in number not above 130. or 140. at most whereof some were Dragoones which came after who found the Enemy neer Carlebie retreating homeward with their Prisoners and Plunder among whom they had taken an Alderman of Stamford Sir Robert Dallison being their Commander in Chiefe and they above two for one of ours where a hot encounter was begun between them for our men notwithstanding set upon them with admirable resolution and were as it must be confessed at first gallantly received but I say after a sharp and short dispute it pleased God to do much for ours and to make couragious Captain Allen a speciall instrument of a brave victory his brave Souldiers taking more than ordinary courage at his valiant and undaunted behaviour among them insomuch that they utterly routed the Enemy leaving dead and desperately wounded twelve or fourteen on the place and took Prisoners