Prosper speakes in his second Book De vitae contemptu cap. 4. Men that introduce prophanesse are cloaked with the name of Imaginary Religion for we have left the Substance and dwell too much in Opinion and that Church which all the Iesuits could not ruine is fallen into danger by her own The last particular for I am not willing to be long is my self I was born and Baptized in the Bosome of the Church of England established by Law in that profession I have ever since lived and in that I come now to dye what Clamours and Slanders I have endured for labouring to keep a Conformity in the external service of God according to the doctrine and Discipline of the Church all men know and I have abundantly felt Now at last I am accused of High Treason in Parliament a Crime which my soul ever abhorred this Treason was charged to consist of two parts An endeavour to subvert the Lawes of the Land and a like endeavour to overthrow the true Protestant Religion established by Law Besides my answers which I gave to the several Charges I protested my innocencie in both Houses It was said Prisoner's protestations at the Bar must not be taken I can bring no other witnesse of my heart and the intentions thereof I must therefore come now to it upon my death being instantly to give God an account for the truth of it I do therefore here in the presence of God and his holy Angels take it upon my death that I never endeavoured the subversion either of Law or Religion and I desire that you would all remember this Protestation of mine for my innocency in these and from all Treasons whatsoever whereof I would not for all the World be so guiltie as some are I have been accused likewise as an enemie to Parliaments No I understand them and the benefit that comes by them too well to be so But I did dislike the misgovernment of some Parliaments many waies and I had good reasons for it Corruptio optimi est pessima and that being the highest Court over which no other hath jurisdiction when That is misinformed or misgoverned the Subject is left without all remedy But I have done I forgive all the World and everie of those bitter Enemies which have persecuted me and humblie desire to be forgiven of God first and then of every man and so I heartilie desire you to joyn in prayer with me O Eternal God and Merciful Father look down upon me in mercy in the Riches and fulnesse of thy mercies look down upon me but not until thou hast nailed my sins to the Crosse of Christ not till thou hast bathed me in the Blood of Christ not till I have hid my self in the wounds of Christ that so the punishment due unto my sins may pâ—sse ove me And since thou art pleased to try me to the uttermost I humbly beseech thee to give me now in this great instant full Patience Proportionable Comfort and a heart ready to dy for thy Honour the Kings happinesse and this Churches preservation My Zeal to these far from Arrogancy be it spoken is all the sin humane frailty excepted and all incidents thereunto which is yet known to me in this particular for which I now come to suffer I say in this particular of Treason but otherwise my sins are many and great Lord pardon them all and those especially whatsoever they are which have drawn down this present Judgment upon me and when thou hast given me strength to bear it do with me as seems best in thine own eyes Amen And that there may be a stop of this Issue of Blood in this more then miserable Kingdom O Lord I beseech thee give grace of Repentance to all Blood-thirsty people but if they will not repent O Lord confound all their devices Defeat and Frustrate all their Designs and endeavours which are or shall be contrary to the Glory of thy great Name the truth and sincerity of Religion the establishment of the King and His Posterity after Him in their Just Rights and Priviledges the Honour and Conservation of Parliaments in their Just power the preservation of this poor Church in its Truth Peace and Patrimony and the settlement of this distracted and distressed people under their ancient Lawes and in their native Liberties And when thou hast done all this in meere mercy for them O Lord fill their hearts with thankfulnesse and Religious Dutiful obedience to thee and thy Commandements all their dayes So Amen Lord Jesus Amen and receive my Soul into thy Bosome Amen Our Father which art in Heaven c. This Speech and Prayer ended he gave the Paper written as he spake it desiring Doctor Sterne to shew it to his other Chaplains that they might know how he departed and so prayed God to shew his mercies and blessings on them all Then he applyed himself to the Fatal Block as to the Haven of his Rest but finding the people pressing upon the Scaffold he desired that he might have room to dye beseeching them to let him have an end of his miseries which he had endured very long Being now neer the Block he put off his Dublet and used words to this effect Gods will be done I am willing to go out of this world no man can be more willing to send me out of it And spying through the chinks of the Boards that some people were got under the Scaffold and the place of the Block he called to the Officers for some dust to stop them or to remove the people thence saying It was no part of his desires that his bloud shall fall upon the heads of the people When he was somewhat interrupted by one Sir Iohn Clotworthy who would needs try what he could doe with his Spunge and Vineger and stepping neer the Block asked him not to learn by him but to tempt him what was the comfortablest saying which a dying man could have in his mouth To which he mildly answered Cupio dissolvi esse cum Christo. Being asked again what was the fittest speech a man could use to expresse his confidence and assurance He answered meekly That such assurance was to be found within and that no words were able to expresse it rightly which when it would not satisfie the impertinent man unlesse he gave some place of Scripture whereupon such assurance might be truly founded He replyed to this effect That it was the word of God concerning Christ and his dying for us And so without expecting further questions he turned to the Executioner and gave him money saying here honest friend God forgive thee doe thy Office upon me with mercy and having given a sign when the blow should come he kneeled down upon his knees and prayed Lord I am coming as fast as I can I know I must passe through the shadow of death before I can come to see thee But it is but Umbra mortis a mâ—er shadow of death a
Yorkshire this Account came to the Houses that Sir Hugh Cholmley for the Parliament hath carried himself gallantly giving several Defeats to the Enemy at Malton and on the sixteenth of Ianuary joyning his Forces to Sir Matthewâ—Bointon they fell upon Colonel Slingsbie at Gisborough who was defeated and six hundred Horse and Foot that had done much spoil in the North. Slingsbie taken Prisoner and an hundred and fourty persons besides many killed and two hundred Arms recovered About Bradford and Hallifax God hath blessed my Son Sir Thomas says the Lord Fairfax having seized the Lord Savil's house at Howley and his Design against Leeds was thus he drew out from Bradford thither where Sir William Savil commands in chief after Summons the Assault began with great resolution on his Sons part the Town being fortified on all sides furnished with two Brass Sakers and manned with fifteen hundred Souldiers yet they forced an entrie in two Hours fight with loss on both sidesâ— not more than fourtie men but Sir Thomas took four Colours and five hundred Prisoners of which six are Commanders many Arms the Sakers and all their Munition On the Parliaments part were lost thirteen men Captain Brigs and Lee sore wounded The people observed he says that Sir William Savil and the chief Commanders on the other side soon after the Fight began fled by secret ways towards Pomfrait and their men after them by degrees but by the way Serjeant Major Beaumont was drowned crossing the River and Sir William narrowly escaped the like Sir Thomas intended to have marched to Wakefield where Sir George Wentworth commanded but the Enemie in fâ—â—â— was fled to Pomfrait and so Wakefield is invested for the Parliâ—â—â—nt The five and twentieth of Ianuary the Kings Forces marched out of Doncaster which was soon taken up by six Companies of Foot till more Forcesâ— shall come from the South to keep it The Earl of Newcastle hath drawn down all his Forces from the South of Yorkshire excepting those that keep Pomfrait Castle and yesterday marched from Sherborn to York with six and thirty Colours two Pieces of Cannon and three and fourty other Carriages and supposed to meet the Arms and Munition coming from Newcastle or to prepare for the Queens entertainment at York Selbie Ian. 26. 1642. Fer. Fairfax There had come forth two Proclamations the one from the Earl of Cumberland dated the first of December last the other from the Earl of Newcastle Ianuary 17. last publishing Ferdinando Lord Fairfax Sir Thomas Fairfax Sir Edward Loftus Sir Matthew Bointon Sir Henry Forbes Sir Thomas Malleverer Sir Richard Darby Sir Christopher Wray Sir Henry Anderson Sir Iohn Savil Sir Edward Rodes Sir Hugh Cholmley Sir Thomas Rennington Sir Thomas Norcliffe Knights Io. Hotham Tho. Hatcher Will. Lister Iohn Legard Io. Dudsworth Iohn Wastel Iohn Perce Willâ—White Iohn Robinson Arthur Beckwith Thomas Robinson and Thomas Stockdel and divers others and their Adherents to be Traitors which the Parliament resenting do as much against the Earls and so are alike quit upon that score The King had proposed a Treaty February 3. together with the cessation of Arms sixteen days since to which he received no Answer but puts them in minde thereof again whereupon the Parliament vote That there shall be a Treaty upon the Propositions before the disbanding and to begin March 4. next for twenty days and no more and a safe conduct desired by the Parliament for their Commissioners the Earl of Northumberland Lord Say Mr. Perpoint Sir William Ermine Sir John Holland and Mr. Whitlock But the King excepts against the Lord Say having been proclamed Traitor the third of November at Oxford and by Writ to the Sheriff to proceed agaisnt him for high Treason and so he was not admitted the rest were March 3. Oxford The Cessation of Arms was thus limited That all Arms Victuals Money Bullion and all commodities passing without safe conduct may be seized on either sides and the persons so passing That the Kings Forces in Oxfordshire shall advance no nearer Windsor than Wheatly and in Buckinghamshire no nearer to Alisbury than Brill and in Barkshire either Forces to contin â—e as they are The Parliaments Forces in Oxfordshire to advance no nearer to Oxford than Henley In Buckinghamshire no nearer than Alisbury The Kings Forces shall take no new Quarter nearer than twelve miles from Oxford any way nor the Parliament twelve miles from Windsor where the Parliaments Armie lay That no Siege shall be against Glocester but the Kings Forces to return And that the Parliament Forces remain as they are in Glocestershire c. February 28. And having treated without any success the Committee returns to the Parliament the seventeenth of April after During this Treaty comes out a weekly Assessment from the Parliament of England and Wales which amounted unto thirty three thousand nine hundred eighty one pounds thirteen shillings vast sums additional to the former and others subsequent In this time the Queen in Holland now imbarques for England the sixteenth of Feb. and with contrary windes and foul weather was forced back again and thereafter with much hazzard anchored at Burlington Bay the nineteenth and lands at the Key the two and twentieth wiâ—h Officers Munition and Money To her comes the Earl of Montrose and Lord Ogleby with two Troops of Horse being now received at York and the Queen forming a pretty Army whereof she hath the command and meets the King hereafter at Edg-hill three moneths hence Indeed she had been in very great danger in her passing out of Holland of which the King assures her he shall not be out of apprehension untill he may have the happiness of her company Thinking it not the least of his misfortunes that for his sake she hath run so much hazzard which it is impossible for him to repay but his heart being full of affection for her and admiration of her and impatient passion of gratitude to her he could not but say some thing leaving the rest to be read by her out of her own noble heart Oxford Febr. 13. 1642. The County of Glocester being mostly engaged in the Parliament service in the midst of their Enemy Oxford being the Kings head Garison Herefordshire his Forces Worcester entertain'd a strength Wales under power of the Lord Herbert The Earl of Essex and his Army drawn to London the Parliaments Forces in the West have their hands full two Regiments at Bristol and one at Glocester this County the most likely game for winter action but the strength of the County drawn to Cirencester a Frontier Town towards the Kings head Quarters and now made a Garison and Colonel Thetiplace that commanded a Regiment and two Companies of Foot added after some Horse and Dragoons raised by the Countrey and the rest of the Militia were to assist in danger more voluntary than regular but resting chiefly on Sir Robert Cook Sir Iohn Seymer Mr. Stephens and Mr. Hodges with
either by Treatie or Conquest the later of which his Majestie hopes none will have the impudencie or impietie to wish for And for the former if his personal assistance in it be not the most likely way let any reasonable man judg when by that means not onely all unnecessary Delaies will be removed but even the greatest Difficulties made easie And therefore he doth now again earnestly insist upon that Proposition expecting to have a better Answer upon mature consideration And can in be imagined that any Propositions will be so effectual being formed before a personal Treatie as such as are framed and propounded upon a full Debate on both sides Wherefore his Majestie who is most concerned in the good of his people and is most desirous to restore peace and happiness to his three Kingdoms doth again instantly desire an Answer to his said former Messages to which he hath hitherto received none Given at our Court at Oxon the four and twentieth of January 1645. To the Speaker of the House of Peers c. The King Prince and Rupert and Maurice were reconciled and all at Oxford extremely straitned for Provisions being blocked up but what Refreshments came at dear Rates he commands a Fast and Prayers to God directed to the Vice-chancellour and Heads of Houses in the Universitie of Oxford That Divine Service established by Law be read daily Morning and Evening as now it is in your respective Houses and also that upon Wednesdays and Fridays to meet four times each Day at Divine Service and so to continue during these sad Times and a general Fast each Friday from Food till five a clock after the Evening Service and this to be done now and hereafter according to the good Example of the Primitive Christians Edw. Nicholas But unhappily it fell out that now again the Parliament intercepted some Irish Letters and Papers in a manner the whole Transactions Copies between the King and the Irish Rebells Amongst many this Commission to Edward Lord Herbert Earl of Glamorgan to treat with the Irish Rebells CHARLS R. Charls by the grace of God c. To our trustie c. Edward Earl of Glamorgan We reposing great and especial trust and confidence in your approved wisdom and fidelitie do by these as firmly as under our great Seal to all intents and purposes authorize and give you power to treat and conclude with the confederate Roman Catholicks in our Kingdom of Ireland if upon necessitie any thing be condiscended unto wherein our Lieutenant cannot so well be seen in as not fit for us for the present publickly to own therefore we charge you to proceed according to this our Warrant with all possible secrecie and whatsoever you shall engage your self upon such valuable considerations as you in your judgment shall deem fit We promise in the word of a King and Christian to ratifie and perform the same of that which shall be granted by you and under your Hand and Seal The said confederate Catholicks having by their Supplies testified their zeal to our Service And this shall be in each particular to you a sufficient Warrant Given at our Court at Oxon the twelfth of May 20 Car. This Commission being but a Paper Copy and so hinted to the King he was pleased to pass it over as no sufficient ground to put him to the acknowledgment thereof yet it became him to excuse the effects of Glamorgan's Negotiations with the Irish which it seems were so averse from Ormond's Instructions as the Kings Lieutenant that Glamorgan was there committed by him and the Council And how to piece up these passages from censure he is pleased to frame a Declaration and sends it to the Parliament by Message Ian. 29. CHARLS R. His Majestie having received Information from the Lord Lieutenant and Council in Ireland That the Earl of Glamorgan hath without his or their directions or privitie entred into a Treatie with some Commissioners on the Roman Catholick partie there and also drawn up and agreed unto certain Articles with the said Commissioners highly derogatorie to his Majesties Honour and Royal Dignitie and most prejudicial unto the Protestant Religion and Church there in Ireland whereupon the said Earl of Glamorgan is arrested upon suspition of high Treason and imprisoned by the said Lord Lieutenant and Council at the instance and by the impeachment of the Lord Digby who by reason of his Place and former Imploiment in these affairs doth best know how contrarie that Proceeding of the said Earl hath been to his Majesties Intentions and Directions and what great prejudice it might bring to his affairs if those Proceedings of the Earl of Glamorgan should be any waies understood to have been done by the Directions liking or approbation of his Majestie His Majestie having in his former Messages for a personal Treatie offered to give contentment to his two Houses in the business of Ireland hath now thought fitting the better to shew his clear Intentions and to give satisfaction to his said Houses of Parliament and the rest of his Subjects in all his Kingdoms to send this Declaration to his said Houses containing the whole truth of the business which is That the Earl of Glamorgan having made offer unto him to raise Forces in the Kingdom of Ireland and to conduct them into England for his Majesties Service had a Commission to that purpose and to that purpose onely That he had no Commission at all to treat of any thing else without the privitie and directions of the Lord Lieutenant much less to capitulate any thing concerning Religion or any proprietie belonging either to Church or Laitie That it clearly appears by the Lord Lieutenants Proceedings with the said Earl that he had no notice at all of what the said Earl had treated and pretended to have capitulated with the Irish untill by accident it came to his knowledg And his Majestie doth protest That untill such time as he had advertisement that the person of the said Earl of Glamorgan was arrested and restrained as is abovesaid he never heard nor had any kinde of notice that the said Earl had entred into any kinde of Treatie or Capitulation with those Irish Comissioners much less that he had concluded or signed those Articles so destructive both to Church and State and so repugnant to his Majesties publick Professions and known Resolutions And for the further vindication of his Majesties Honor and Integritie herein he doth declare That he is so far from considering any thing contained in those Papers or Writings fraâ—ed by the said Earl and those Commissioners with whom he treated as he doth absolutely disavow him therein and hath given commandment to the Lord Lieutenant and the Council there to proceed against the said Earl as one who either out of falsness presumption or follie hath so hazarded the blemishing of his Majesties Reputaion with his good Subjects and so impertinently framed those Articles of hisown head without the consent
great Account 355 c. a Plot in Scotland 464. their Answer to the Kings Letter 516. Declaration of their Council 517. their Army kept up 554. their Declaration in Answer to the Parliament in England 563. their Army enter England 669. their Declaration 670. their Army Voted to be gon 904. their Letter to the Parliament 906. Declaration against their papers 914. their Army intend to return home 921 922. they urge the King with their Propositions 923. Letters of complaint against their Army 924. one years account of their Army 927. their Papers concerning the dispose of the King 930. Quaeries of their Parliament 936. and Result touching the King 937. their Declaration concerning the King 939. Horse from the Scots Army come into Engl. 968. their Commissioners Messenger staid at Newcastle 1005. their Letter to the Speaker 1014. their Estates disagree 1071. their Committee of danger vote a War ibid. their Army comes to Penreath and engages 1073 defeated at Preston 1074. and disbanded 1077. they dissent as touching the Kings Tryal 1120 they declare against it 1122. their private instructions touching it ibid. A new Seal voted and framed 622 1119 Fight near Shaw 737 Sherborn seized by the Marquess of Herford 576. taken by Storm by Sir Tho Fairfax 828 Fight at Sherburn in Yorkshire 835 Shipmoney debated 197. Lord Keepers Speech to the Iudges concerning it 204. again debated 213. Iudges questioned about it 429 Shrewsbury betrayed to the Parliament 798 Earl of Somerset confined 140 Overtures of Peace with Spain 139. which is concluded 144. the Spaniards design 281 〈…〉 Spine 737 Spoâ—swood executed 1045 Stafford taken by treachery 658. Earl of Stamford proclaimed Traitour 546 Sir Philip Stapleton dies of the plague 1003 〈◊〉 â—tar appears at noon day 142 Col. Stephens surprizing is surprized 788 Stode taken by Tilly 105 Sir John Stowel taken prisoner 930 Lord Strange impeached of high Treason 566 The Earl of Stratherns Descent and Title 230 raised to his Ruine ibid. County of Surrey Petition 1062 Fight at Sutton field 820 Swansey summoned 702 King of Sweden enters Germany 146. â—beats the Emperialists at Frankfuâ—t â— 147. is slain at Lutzen 189. his Character ibid. Ambassadour from Swedeland 199. Swedes displeased 208. Peace made with them 798 Synod began to sit 604 T. TAunton besieged by the Kings Forces 802. Relieved and again besieged 804 Tax of weekly meals 698 Tenby surprized 1056 besieged and surrendred 1060 Term adjourned to Reading 21. Mich. Term adjourned 567 Mr. Thomas his speech against Bishops 416 Tinmouth Caslte revolts and is taken 1073 Tomkins and Chal. hang'd at Lon. 621 â— of Traquair 191. is treacherous 225 Tilly defâ—â—ted 52 〈◊〉 with neighbouring Nations 18 Tredagh fortified 447. besieged 452. and in distress 455. is relieved ibid. invaded again 456. yet the besieged make several Sallies 457. have fresh supplies by Sea 459. the Siege raised 460 Tumults at Westminster for justice against the Earl of Strafford 402 Turin lost 371 V. LOrd Francis Villiers slain 1069 All Uâ—ster-pâ—ssessed by the Rebels 440 Treaty at Uxbridge 756. 758. Directions to the Kings Commissioners there 757. Observations concerning the Treaty 762 W. WAllestein murdered 190 Sir William Waller defeated at Lands down 625. and by Prince Maurice near Teuxbury 655. and at the Devices 657 He is set to take the King 706. and defeated at Copredy Bridge 708 Court of Wards and Liveries voted down 865 Lord VVentworth sent Deputy to Ireland 189. Impeached of High Treason 336. his condition examined ibid. charge against him 342 374. his Tryal at VVestminster 375. Conclusion of his defence 396. the Commons justifie their Charge against him by Law 397. he answ by Council but is nevertheless voted guilty of High Treason 398. Bill of Attainder against him 399. the Kings Speech in defence of him 400. voted guilty by the Lords 406. his Letter to the King upon the Tumult of the Apprentices and his Speech upon the Scaffold to p. 409 VVestchester besieged and surrendered 861 c. Mr. Whites Letter 421 Williams Arch Bishop of York against the King 889 VVinchester taken by Cromwel 833 The â—â—dy VVinter summoned to yield 705. her Answer ibid. Sir John VVinter recruited 805 Sir Fran. Windebank gets away 338 Col. Windebank shot to death 802 Withers complained of 892 Dr. Wren Bishop of Ely committed to the Tower 429 Y. YEomans hanged at Bristol Duke of York born â—â—4 brought 〈◊〉 London 891. escapes beyond Seas into Holland 10â— Arch-Bishop of Yorks Letter to the Lord Ashley 858 The County of York Petition the King and are Answered 506 The Articles of Neutrality for Yorkshire infringed 567. York relieved by Prince Rupert but the Siege is renewed and it surendered 719 c FINIS Anno. 1625. King James dies His Funeral Amiens described Boloign described Puts to Sea Lands at Dover Canterbury Hist. of King Charles pag. 7. A Parliament summoned H. 9. Ob. 28. Parliament siâ— The Kings Speech Hist. pag. 11 Observ. p. 28. Of Wars Petitions Answered Subsidies granted Dr Mountague questioned Caballa p. 115. Lord Mordant made Protestant Parliament at Oxford Observ. 34. Parliaments Petition Kings answer And urges for Supply Observ. p. 35. Cabal p. 107. Parliament dissolved Hist. p. 16. Treaty abroad Ill successe of Gades voyage H Pa. 18. Pa 19 Cabella pa. H. p. 17. Ob. p. 36. Term adjourned to Reading Of Coronation of Soveraigns Hist. 20. Kings 11. 12. Hist. 20. Ibid. Hist. 21. The Scaâ—â—old 2. February Epis. Hist. p. 16. Rex Epis. Rex Epis. Rex Epis. Rex Sworn Annointed Crowned A Parliament called Lords Petition The Kings Answer Earl of Arundel committed 1626. The King demands supply Anno 1626. Mr. Cook aâ—d Dr. Tâ—rners insolent speeches The Lord Keepers speech The Kings Speech The Commons Reply The E. of Bristows charge against the Duke Articles against the E. of Bristow Ob. p. 45 Hist. p. 45. Ob. p. 49. His ingrossing great Offices By buying the place of Admiralty And Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports Not guarding the Seas Stay of the St. Peter of New-haven And of the East India Fleet. Lending the Vant guard to the French To be imployed against Rochel Selling of honour And Offices Procuring honors for his Kindred His applying Physick to K. Iames. Hist p. 53. Parliament dissolved E. of Bristow Committed to the Tower Hist. p. 54. England and France at difference Hist. p 56. The French Insolent here at Court Sr. Dudly Carlton sent to complain Mcro Fr. Du Châ—snâ— Ill news abroad Our fleet comes home Hist. p. 63. Loan monies Hist. p. 69. Hist. p. 64. Ob. p. 41. Proposition for a more Toleration of Papists in Ireland Hist. pag. 65. The Clergies Protestation against Papistry Primate of all Ireland his Speech Abroad At home Pat. 13. H. 3. in Tur. Lond. Pat. 13. H. 3. membran 9. Pat. Gascony 1 Ed. 2. memb 25. in dorso Bishop Andrews dies 〈…〉 〈…〉 Anno 1627. The Dukes Manifesto The cause of this War Isâ—ardus pa. 1. Isnard p. 16. The
third appointed this form To be chosen by six Princes of Germany Three Ecclesiastical Arch-Bishops Moguntia Colen and Trevine Three Temporal the Duke of Saxonie the Count Palatine of the Rhene and the Marquesse of Brandenburgh and when those six voyces should happen equally divided that then the Duke of Bohemia before it was a Kingdom should determine the Election this was approved by all the Germain Princes and other Christian Princes and Estates of this world And the manner and conditions are these After his Election he is called onely Caesar and the King of the Romanes and not Emperour till he be Crowned and takes his Oath presently after his Election To defend the Catholick Religion and Pope of Rome To minister Iustice to keep the Lawes of the Empire c. and so is anointed and with some prayers upon him a drawn sword put in his hand a Ring on his finger a scepter in his other hand and three Bishops set the Crown Emperiall upon his Head Then all the Princes take Oath to him In Polonie after the same manner In Spain of late the Kings are not Crowned but have another admission equal and performed by the Arch-Bishop of Toledo Primate of Spain In France they have some alterations from their ancient manner by Lewis le Ieune who ordained the 12. Peers of France Six Ecclesiastical and six Temporal The Arch-Bishop and Duke of Rhemes anointeth and Crowneth the King The Bishop and Duke of Lava bears the Glasse of sacred Oyl The Bishop and Duke of Lanques the Cross. The Bishop and Earl of Beauvais the Mantle Royal. The Bishop and Earl of Koyon the Girdle The Bishop and Earl of Chaalons the Ring The Duke of Burgundy Dean of the Order holds the Crown The Earl of Gasconie and Guiennie the first Banner quartered The Duke of Normandy the second Banner quartered The Earl of Tholosa the Golden spurs The Earl of Campain the Banner Royal or Standard of War The Earl of Flanders the sword Royall And this day the King is severally apparelled three times First as a Priest Secondly a King and Warriour Thirdly as a Iudge He takes his Oath by the Arch-Bishop of Rhemes to the Church and to the people c. and so vested with the Mantle Girdle Ring Ointment and Crown with declaration what each signified And though this Ceremonie of sacring and Anointing Kings be more ancient than the Christian Kingdom of France yet is it the most ancient for particular Majestique manner and most of the Neighbour Kingdoms have affinity from her especially in England being the very same in effect The sacredness of the Hebrew Kings depended much upon their being anointed Anointing added a divine Majesty to their Kings and made them sacred and allied unto God exercising power and authority over things divine the virtue of the sacred Ointment being communicated to them formerly compounded by Moses of Aromatick ingredients and was yet for Initiation and Consecration till Iosiah hid it under ground in the Temple in the same secret place where the Ark of the Covenant Aarons rod Urim and Thummim and the Manna were laid up in preservation against the overthrow of the Temple by the Assyrians as had been prophecied and so lost to posterity in time of their Babylonish Captivity And therefore the King resolves on the day 2. February which is censured For a vanity though serious and the wisest Monarchs are very idle in it as not conferring one dram of solid grandure to the Throne and yet he acknowledgeth that as the King enters recognizance and stipulateth with the people to govern by Law so they acclaim him their King And is all this but vanity Though the Scriptures also exemplifies it in the Iews their first King Saul after the manner of all Nations and after him David Solomon Iehoash The Highâ— Priest anointing him with solemnities as you may see of Gods own appointing and the Ceremony to our Saviour when the Iews crowned him was no doubt in imitation of other Kings and may be a pattern for Christians But the day come which began his solemnitie conveyed him by water from White-Hall to Westminster not in usual state through the streets from the Tower the onely reason the dregs of the Infection not clearing the danger of such concourse of people which is put upon his frugality to save money And though it belonged to the Dean of Westminster Bishop of Lincoln to officiate some chief parts of the Celebrity yet he being under a deserved displeasure and in October last put out of his office of Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England and intrusted unto Sr. Thomas Coventry who sat in Chancery two Terms before much of his duty was conferred upon Dr. Laud Bishop of St. Davids not of Bath and Wells till September after And then concerning the alteration of the Prayer The very Committee for managing the particulars of the Coronation resumed then those ancient particulars of the Prayer till Henry the sixth's time Ut obtineat gratiam huic populo c. like Aaron in the Tabernacle Elisha in the waters Zacharias in the Temple Sit Petrus in Clave Paulus in dogmate and were suitors to the King not to suffer the Dean to that duty and had this answer Who was not worthy to keep the seal lesse deserving to Minister now to his Soveraign Nor was he admitted to the next Parliament nor had summons by Writ so no Proxy to appoint a suffrage though it is said and evilly mentioned by an Historian That the Dukes Mother intruded who loved the Bishop if fame belies her not better then was fitting But this scandal I have answered sufficiently See the Life and Death of King Iames. And his own letters will discover the truth dated the seventh of Ianuary 1625. to the Duke and signed Iohn Lincoln so then he was not Chanceller and saies that he is come to do service for the preparation to the Coronation c. and craves of the Duke to receive a creature of your own struck dead with displeasure and by him to be brought to kiss the Kings hands And another Letter to the King complains that he hath not received his Writ of summons unto the Parliament that he might make his Proxie c. Nor can he go into the County as he had done long since but in expectation of this Writ and that in his absence in this Parliament no use may be made of the Kings Name to wound the reputation of a poor Bishop Cabala 107 108. and so our other Historians are mistaken in this And the manner of his Delivery of the Seal was thus Sir Iohn Suckling was sent from the King to demand it but charily he locked it up in a Cabinet and sent it and the Key by the Knight inclosed in a Letter to the King and so was outed of the Seal but kept his Bishoprick of Lincoln and the Deanary of Westminster which indeed he had for his life and after
all retired to Bugden where he lived very Hospitably and in manner and order of the good Bishops not without an eye and ear over him of such as were Intelligencers of Court And at Westminster Hall the Ceremony begun towards the Abbey Church in order thus 1. The Aldermen of London by couples ushered by an Herauld 2. Eighty Knights of the Bath in their Robes each one having an Esquire to support and a Page to attend him 3. The Kings Serjeants at Law Solicitor Atturney Masters of Request and Iudges 4. Privy Councellors that were Knights and the chief Officers of the Kings Houshold 5. Barons of the Kingdome bare-headed in their Parliament Robes with Swords by their sides 6. The Bishops with Scarlet Gowns and Lawn sleeves bare-headed 7. The Vice-Counts and Earls not in their Parliament but in their Coronation Robes with coronetted Caps on their Heads 8. The Officers of State for the day whereof these are the Principal Sir Richard Winn Sir George Goring The Lord Privy Seal The Archbishop of Canterbury The Earl of Dorset carrying the first Sword The Earl of Essex carrying the second Sword The Earl of Kent carrying the third Sword The Earl of Mountgomery carrying the Spurs The Earl of Sussex carrying the Globe and Cross upon it The Bishop of London carrying the Golden Cup for the Communion The Bishop of Winchester carrying the Golden Plate for the Communion The Earl of Rutland carrying the Scepter The Marquess Hamilton carrying the Sword of State naked The Earl of Pembroke carrying the Crown The Lord Maior in a Crimson Velvet Gown carried a Short Scepter before the King amongst the Serjeants The Earl of Arundel as Earl Marshall of England and the Duke of Buckingham as Lord High Constable of England for that day went next before his Majesty The King entred at the West Gate of the Church under a rich Canopy carried by the Barons of the Cinque Ports His own Person supported by Doctor Neil Bishop of Durham on the one hand and Doctorâ— Lake Bishop of Bath and Wells on the other His train six yards long of Purpleâ—Velvet held up by the Lord Compton Master of the Robes and the Lord Viscount Doncaster Master of the Wardrobe Here he was met by the Prebends of Westminster Bishop Lawd supplying the Deans Place in their rich Copes who delivered into the Kings hands the Staff of King Edward the Confessor with which he walked up to the Throne Which was framed from the Quire to the Altar the King mounted upon it none under the degree of a Baron standing therein save only the Prebends of Westminster who attended on the Altar Three Chairs for the King in several places first of Repose the second the antient Chair of Coronation and the third placed on an high square of five steps ascent being the Chair of State All settled and reposed the Arch-bishop of Canterbury presented his Majesty to the Lords and Commons East West North and South asking them if they did consent to the Coronation of K. Charles their lawful Soveraign The King in the mean time presented himself bareheaded the consent being given four times with great acclamation the King took his Chair of Repose The Sermon being done the Arch-Bishop invested in a rich Cope goeth to the King kneeling upon Cushions at the Communion Table and askes his willingness to take the Oath usually taken by his Predecessors The King is willing ariseth and goeth to the Altar and is interrogated and thus answereth Coronation Oath Sir Sayes the Arch-bishop will you grant and keep and by your Oath confirm to the People of England the Laws and Customes to them granted by the Kings of England your lawful and Religious Predecessours and namely the Laws Customs and Franchises granted to the Clergy by the glorious King St. Edward your Predecessor according to the Lawes of God the true profession of the Gospel established in this Kingdome agreeable to the Prerogative of the Kings thereof and the antient Customes of the Realm The Kings answer I grant and promise to keep them Sir Will you keep Peace and Godly agreement according to your power both to God the holy Church the Clergy and the people I will keep it Sir Will you to your power cause Law Iustice and discretion to mercy and truth to be executed to your Iudgement I will Sir will you grant to hold and keep the Laws and Rightfull Customes which the Comminalty of this your Kingdome have and will you defend and uphold them to the honour of God so much as in you lieth I grant and promise so to do Then one of the Bishops read this Admonition to the King before the people with a lowd voice Our Lord and King wee beseech you to pardon and to grant and to preserve unto Vs and to the Churches committed to your charge all Canonical privileges and do Law and Iustice and that you would protect and defend Vs as every good King to his Kingdomes ought to be Protector and Defendor of the Bishops and the Churches under their Government The King answereth With a willing and devout heart I promise and grant my Pardon and that I will preserve and maintain to you and the Churches committed to your charge all Canonical privileges and due Law and Iustice and that I will be your Protector and Defender to my Power by the Assistance of God as every good King in his Kingdom in right ought to protect and defend the Bishops and Churches under their Government Then the King ariseth and is led to the Communion Table where he makes a solemn Oath in sight of all the people to observe the premisses and laying his hand upon the Bible saith The Oath The things which I have here promised I shall perform and keep So help me God and the Contents of this Book Then were his Robes taken off and were offered at the Altar He stood a while stripped to his Doublet and Hose of White Sattin Then led by the Arch Bishop and Doctor Lawd the Bishopâ—of St. Davids he was placed in the Chair of Coronation a Close Canopy spread over him the Arch-bishop anointing his Head Shoulders Arms and Hands with a costly ointment the Quire singing an Anthem of these words Zadook the Priest anointed King Solomon Hence he was led up in his Doublet and Hose with a White Coife on his head to the Communion Table where the Bishop of St. Davids Deputy for the Dean brought forth the antient Abiliments of King Edward the Confessor and put them upon him Then brought back to the Chair of Coronation he received the Crown of King Edward presented by the Bishop of Saint Davids and put on his Head by the Archâ— Bishop of Canterbury the Quire singing an Anthem Thou shalt put a Crown of pure Gold upon his head whereupon the Earls and Viscounts put on their Crimson Velvet Caps with Coronets about them the
solely intrusted with the person of the prince should leave behind him in a foreign Court so much scandal by his ill behaviour 10. That he hath been a great part the cause of the ruine of the Prince Palatine and his estate in so much as those affairs concern this kingdom 11. That he hath in his relation to both Houses of Parliament wronged the Earl of Bristow in his honour by many sinister aspersions 12. Lastly that the Earl of Bristow did reveal to his late Majesty both by word and letter in what sort the Duke had misdemeaned himself and abused his trust and the King by several wayes sent him word he should rest assured that he would hear the said Earl in due time and that four dayes before his sicknesse he signified to the Earl that he would hear him against the Duke as well as he had heard the Duke against him And not long after the King died having been much vexed and pressed with the said Duke Here is no High Treason herein mentioned if the charge were proved then no Traytor at all neither most nor least for indeed had this done it the Commons needed not their new Impeachment which followes and never amounted to more than Misdemeanors Misprisions Offences and Crimes Nothing rare with favourites and therefore never such pursued upon any before this person and these times Which might occasion an antient Baron the Lord Spencer To start up that was no upstart Lord and to demand Is this all you have to say against the Duke The Earl replyed Yes my Lord and I am sorry it is so much then quoth the Lord Spencer If this be all Ridiculus Mus and so sat down again Upon this a Crotchet took the Lord Cromwel in the Crown and out he goes to Mr. Richard Spencer a younger Son of that Lord and a great Zelot in the Lower house against the Duke Dick said he What is done in your House to day against the Duke My Lord said he he is charged with high Treason Tush Dick quoth the Lord High Treason If this be all Ridiculus Mus. The Charge I say might occasion this story of the Lords complements which out of doubt was told to the Historian for truth though couched in this wanton stile not usuâ—l with his gravity I confess And indeed if Mr. Richard Spencer have not forsaken his Memory he professes there was never any such confabulation with any Crotchet of Cromwells Crown and desires the Author to expunge it out of his next impression and me to excuse him in this But such a Charge as it was It served the turn for that time but not to prevent the Attornies Charge against the Eaâ—l which to my knowledge was framed long before and therefore needed no speeding as to prevention Yet being ready It was put in the next day abating one of the Earls number against the Duke for these were but Eleven Articles First That the said Earl being imployed by the late King Iames as his Ambassadour unto Ferdinando Emperour of Germany and unto Philip the fourth King of Spain in the years 1621 1622 and 1623. with Commission to treat with them for the plenary restitution of the Palatinate to the Count Palatine who maried the Lady Elizabeth the onely Daughter of his late Majesty and also to treat with the King of Spain for a Mariage to be had between his now Majesty then Prince of Wales and the Lady Donna Maria the Infanta of Spain did falsly trayterously and confidently inform the late King by sundry Letters That the said Emperour and King of Spain would really make restitution of the Dominions and Electoral dignity of the said Count Palatine and that the said King of Spain did really intend the Mariage aforesaid Whereas in truth the said Emperour and King or either of them never really intended such restitution and the King of Spain never intended the said Mariage whereof the Earl could not be ignorant whereby the the Dominions and Electorall Dignity aforesaid were utterly lost Secondly That the said Earl having received from his late Majesty particular directions to put the King of Spain to a speedy and punctual answer touching the Treaties aforesaid did nevertheless continue those Treaties upon Generalities without effectuall pressing the King of Spain to particular Conclusions sutable to his Instructions Thirdly that the said Earl to the intent to discourage the late King from taking up of Arms or entring into Hostility with the said King of Spain did many times both by word and letters to him and his Ministers extoll the greatnesse and power of the King of Spain and did cunningly strive to retard the late Kings Resolutions of declaring himself an Enemy to the King of Spain Fourthly That the said Earl being told upon his dispatch out of this Realm that there was little probability that these Treaties would have any good successe he then replyed He cared not what the successe thereof would be for he would take care to have his instructions perfect and to pursue them punctually and howsoever the businesse went he would make his fortunes thereby Fifthly that the said Earl on purpose to advance the Romish Religion did during the time aforesaid often by Letters and otherwise counsell and perswade his late Majesty to set at liberty Iesuits and Priests of the Romish Religion which were imprisoned according to the laws of the Land and to grant the Papists a Toleration of their Religion Sixthly That by the said Earls false Informations and Intelligences given to the late King and now his Majesty then Prince they were put into hopes and by long delayes they were put into jealousies concerning the said Treaties that there was not that sincerity in them which they expected Whereupon the said Prince his now Majesty was enforced to undertake in his own person a long and dangerous Journey into Spain intending either speedily to conclude the said Treaties or to discover the feigned Intentions of the Emperoâ—r and King of Spain and thereupon to dissolve them By which Journey the Person of the said Prince and in Him the peace and safety of this Kingdom was brought into apparent danger Seventhly That at the Prince his first coming to the said Earl in Spain he asked the Prince For what he came thither The Prince at first not conceiving the Earls meaning answered You know as well as I. The Earl replyed Sir Give me leave to tell you they say here in Madrid that you mean to change your Religion and added further Sir I do not speak this that I will perswade you to it or that I will promise to follow your example though you do it but as your faithful servant if you will trust me with so great a secret I will endeavour to carry it in the secretest way I can At which the Prince being moved said unto him I wonder what yoâ— have ever found in me that you should conceive I would be so base as for a wife to change
my Religion The Earl replying desired the Prince to pardon him if he had offended him saying It was but out of his desire to serve him Whereas it had been the duty of a faithful servant to God and his Master to have disswaded the Prince from it had he found him staggering in his Religion Eighthly That he afterward having Conference with the Prince about the Romish Religion trayterously endeavoured to perswade him to turn Romish Catholique using an Argument to that end That the State of England never did nor could possibly do any great thing but when obedient to the Pope of Rome Ninthly That during the time aforesaid the Prince advising with the Earl about a new Offer by the King of Spain That the Prince Palatine should marry the Emperours Daughter â—e brought up in his Court and so should be restored to the Palatinate The Earl said It was a reasonable Proposition And when the danger of changing his Religion was objected the Earl replyed That without some such great Act the peace of Christendom could never be procured Tenthly That the Prince departing from Spain and leaving the Powers of Disposorios with the said Earl to be delivered upon the return of his Dispensation from Rome the Prince fearing lest after the Dispensation the Infanta might be put into a Monastery wrote a Letter back to the Earl commanding him not to make use of those Powers untill he could give him assurance that a Monastery should not rob him of his Wife which Letter the Earl receiving returned an answer disswading that Direction Shortly after which the Prince sent another Letter discharging him of his former Command But his late Majesty by the same Messenger sent him a more express Direction Not to deliver the Disposorios until a full conclusion had concerning the Palatinate adding this expression That he would never joy to marry his Son and to leave his onely Daughter weeping In which Dispatch though there was some mistake yet in the next following it was corrected and the Earl tied to his former Restrictions which he promised punctually to observe Neverthelesse contrary to his Duty and Allegiance he after set a day for the Disposorios without any assurance or so much as treating of those things to which he was restrained and that so short a day that if extraordinary diligence with good successe in the Journey had not concurred the Princes hands might have been bound up and yet he never sure of a Wife nor the Prince Palatine of Restitution Lastly That in an high an contemptuous manner he hath preferred a scandalous Petition to this Honourable House to the dishonour of the late King and his now Majesty especially one Article of that Petition wherein he gives his now Majesty the Lye by denying and offering to falsifie what his Majesty had affirmed There needs no strain of partiality to implead the difference of these charges assuredly if the Earls charge against the Duke could have served the turn It might have spared the Commons Impeachment the other comming far short of the designe which was to do it to the purpose And therefore This weighty Cause was managed by six Members Mr. Glanvil Mr. Herbert Ma. Selden Mr. Pim Mr. Wans ford Mr. Sherland to them was added Sr. Dudly Diggs as Prolocutor and Sr. Iohn Elliot brought up the Rear And so though the matter of the Prologue may be spared being made up with Elegancy yet rather then it shall be lost you may please to read it at this length My Lords THere are so many things of great importance to be said in very little time this day that I conceive it will not be unacceptable to your Lordships if setting by all Rhetorical affectations I onely in plain Country language humbly pray your Lordships favour to include many excuses necessary to my manifold infirmities in this one word I am commanded by the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons house to present unto your Lordships their most affectionate thanks for your ready condescending to this Conference which out of confidence in your great wisdoms and approved Justice for the service of his Majesty and the welfare of this Realm they desired upâ—â— this occasion The House of Commons by a fatal and universal concurrence of complaints from all the Sea-bordering parts of this Kingdom did find a great and griâ—vous interruption and stop of Trade and Traffique The base Pirats of Sally ignominiously infesting our Coasts taking our ships and goods and leading away the Subjects of this Kingdom into barbarous Captivity while to our shame and hinderance of Commerce our enemies did as it were besiege our Ports and block up our best Rivers mouths 〈◊〉 Friends on flight pretences made embargoes of our Merchants goods and every Nation upon the least occasion was ready to contemn and slight us So great was the apparent diminution of the ancient honour of this Crown and once strong reputation of our Nation Wherewith the Commons were more troubled calling to remembrance how formerly in France in Spain in Holland and every where by Sea and Land the Valours of this Kingdom had been better valued and even in latter times within remembrance when we had no Alliance with France none in Denmark none in Germany no Friend in Italy Scotland to say no more ununited Ireland not setled in peace and much less security at home when Spain was as ambitious as it is now under a King Philip the second they called their wisest the House of Austria as great and potent and both strengthened with a malitious League in France of persons ill-affected when the Low-countreys had no being yet by constant counsels and old English wayes even then that Spanish pride was cool'd that greatness of the house of Austria so formidable to us now was well resisted and to the United Provinces of the Low countreys such a beginning growth and strength was given as gave us honour over all the Christian World The Commons therefore wondring at the Evils which they suffered debating of the causes of them found they were many drawn like one Line to one Circumference of decay of Trade and strength of Honour and of Reputation in this kingdom which as in one Centre met in one great man the Cause of all whom I am here to name the Duke of Buckingham Here Sir Dudly Diggs made a stand as wondring to see the Duke present Yet he took the Roll and read the Preamble to the charge with the Dukes long Titles and then went on My Lords This lofty Title of this mighty Man me thinks doth raise my spirits to speak with a Paulo majora canamus and let it not displease your Lordships if for foundation I compare the beautiful Structure and fair composition of this Monarchy wherein we live to the great work of God the World it self in which the solid body of incorporated Earth and Sea as I conceive in regard of our Husbandry Manufactures and Commerce by Land and Sea may
well resemble us the Commons And as it is encompassed with Air and Fire and Spheres Celestial of Planets and a Firmament of fixed Stars All which receive their heat light and life from one great glorious Sun even like the King our Soveraign So that Firmament of fixed Stars I take to be your Lordships Those Planets the great Officers of the Kingdom That pure Element of Fire the most religious zealous and pious Clergy And the reverend Iudges Magistrates and Ministers of Law and Justice the Air wherein we breath All which encompasse round with cherishing comfort this Body of the Commons who truly labour for them all and though they be the Foot-stool and the lowest yet may well be said to be the setled Centre of the State Now my good Lords if that glorious Sun by his powerful Beams of Grace and Favour shall draw from the Bowels of this Earth an Exhalation that shall take fire and burn and shine out like a Star it needs not be marvelled at if the poor Commons gaze and wonder at the Comet and when they feel the Effects impuâ—e all to the corruptible matter of it But if such an imperfect mixture appear like that in the last Age in the Chair of Cassiopeia among the fixed Stars themselves where Aristotle and the old Philosophers conceived there was no place for such corruption then as the learned Mathematicians were troubled to observe the irregular motions the prodigious magnitude and the ominous Prognosticks of that Meteor so the Commons when they see such a Blazing-Star in course so exorbitant in the Affairs of this Common-wealth cannot but look up upon it and for want of Perspectives commend the nearer Examination to your Lordships who may behold it at a neerer distance Such a prodigious Comet the Commons take this Duke of Buckingham to be against whom and his irregular wayes there are by learned Gentlemen legal Articles of Charge to be delivered to your Lordships which I am generally first commanded to lay open First the Offices of this Kingdom that are the eyes the ears and the hands of this Common-wealth these have been engrossed bought and sold and many of the greatest of them holden even in this Dukes own hands which severally gave in former Ages sufficient content to greatest Favourites and were work enough for the wisest Counsellors by means whereof what strange abuses what infinite neglects have followed The Seas have been unguarded Trade disturbed Merchants oppressed their ships and even one of the Royal-Navy by cunning practice delivered over into foreign hands and contrary to our good Kings intention imployed to the prejudice almost to the ruine of friends of our own Religion Next Honours those most precious Jewels of the Crown a Treasure inestimable wherewith your Noble Ancestours my Lords were well rewarded for eminent and publique service in the Common-wealth at home for brave exployts abroad when covered all with dust and blood they sweat in service for the honour of this Crown What back-wayes what by-wayes have been by this Duke found out is too well known to your Lordships whereas anciently it was the honour of England as among the Romanes the way to the Temple of Honour was through the Temple of Virtue But I am commanded to presse this no further then to let your Lordships know one instance may perhaps be given of some one Lord compelled to purchase Honour Thirdly as dâ—vers of the Dukes poor kindred have been raised to great Honours which have been and are likely to be more chargeable and burthensom to the Crown so the Lands and Revenues and the Treasuries of his Maiesty have been intercepted and exhausted by this Duke and his friends and strangely mis-imployed with strange confusion of the Accompts and overthrow of the well established ancient Orders of his Majesties exchequer The last of the Charges which are prepared will be an injury offered to the person of the late King of blessed memory who is with God of which as your Lordships may have heard heretofore you shall anon have further information Now upon this occasion I am commanded by the Commons to take care of the Honour of the King our Soveraign that lives long may he live to our comfort and the good of the Christian world and also of his blessed Father who is dead on whom to the grief of the Commons and their great distaste the Lord Duke did they conceive unworthily cast some ill ordure of his own fowl wayes Whereas Servants were anciently wont to bear as in truth they ought their masters faults and not cast their own on them undeservedly It is well known the King who is with God had the same power and the same wisdom before he knew this Duke yea and the same affections too through which as a good and gracious Master he advanced and raised some Stars of your Lordships Firmament in whose hands this exorbitancy of Will this transcendency of Power such placing and dis-placing of Officers such irregular running into all by-courses of the Planets such sole and single managing of the great Affairs of State was never heard of And therefore onely to the Lord Duke and his procurement by mis-informations these faults complained of by the Commons are to be imputed And for our most gracious Soveraign that lives whose name hath been used and may perhaps now be for the Dukes justification The Commons know well that among his Majesties most royall virtues his Piety unto his Father hath made him a pious Nourisher of his Affections ever to thâ—s Lord Duke on whom out of that consideration his Majesty hath wrought a kinde of wonder making Favour hereditary But the abuse thereof must be the Lord Dukes own And if there have been any Commands such as were or may be pretended his mis-informations have procured them whereas the Laws of England teach us that Kings cannot Command ill or unlawful things when ever they speak though by their Letters-Patents or their Seals if the thing be evil these Letters-Patents are void and whatsoever ill event succeeds the Executioners of such Commands must ever answer for them Thus my Lords in performance of my duty my weaknesse hath been troublesome unto your Lordships It is now high time humbly to intreat your pardon and give way to a learned Gentleman to begin a more particular charge The Prologue ended Sr. Dudly sat down and the Impeachment was read so large as that for method we adjoyne it to the Dukes Answer which came in some dayes after In which time the Commons sent a Message to the Lords how mightily it did mis-become the honor of their House to permit a man so deeply impeached to sit in Councel with them whilest Sr. Dudly Diggs and Sr. Iohn Elliot the Van and the Rear of the Commons were beckened out to speak with two Gentlemen who proved to be two Messengers of the Kings Chamber having his Warrant to take them prisoners to the Tower where they lay till the Iudges resolved
into one Opinion that thereby no reason given to the House their Restraint was an Arrest of the whole Body and a breach of Priviledge must needs follow which was so remonstrated to the King and they therefore released But what ground â—r Presidents had the Judges a late law of their own making for it is well observed That in the Parliament 35. Eliz. Sr. Peter Wentworth and Sr. Henry Bromley by petition to the Upper House to be supplicants with them of the Lower House unto her Majesty for entailing the succession of the Crown the Bill being drawn by them These two were summoned before Sr. Thomas Henage one of the Privy Councel and commanded to forbear the Parliament and to stand secured to their Lodgings and after further examination before the Councel were committed Wentworth to the Tower Bromley and other Courtiers to the Fleet. Another instance Mr. Morice Attorny of the Dutchy of Lancaster for moving against the justice of the Courts of Ecclesiastical Iudges Subscriptions and Oaths was taken out of the House so saith another Authour and committed to Prison for whose release Mr. Wroth humbly moved the House to be petitioners to her Majesty But was answered That the Queen must not accompt for actions of Royal Authority which may be of high and dangerous consequence nor can it become them to search into the Prerogative of Soveraigns These Members were five in all and might have been Precedents for the King and his five Members in due place hereafter But this course now taught the Lords to resent the like indignity to them in the Earl of Arundels case who lay committed to the Tower as before said and so they would sit still without motion to any matter till that he might be reâ—admitted which was instantly done To ballance with the Dukes Enemies Three Persons his confederates were made Barons to compeer in the Lords House the Lord Mandevil the eldest son to the Earl of Manchester created by Patent Baron Kimbolton Grandison son to the created Baron Imbercourt and Sr. Dudly Carlton made Baron Tregate being newly returned from his Trade of seven years Leiger Ambassadour abroad in Venice and Holland But it is said That the Lords found out an Old Order to Counter checque that designe That no Creations sedente Parliamento should have power to vote but onely to sit Not to Iudge but to learn to understand during that Session so that their Suffrages were excluded But I am assured of the contrary for they sate and voted Hence it is truly observed That in the late Parliament 1640. Seymor Littleton and Capel were so created sedente Parliamento and Digby Rich and Howard of Charlton called by special Writ were also admitted their votes and afterwards the last of the nineteen Propositions to the King at York for the King to passe a Bill to restrain Peers made hereafter to sit and vote in Parliament unlesse with consent of both Houses To which the King absolutely refused But however they were admitted the Duke was put to his own Innocency partially stiled impudency and lodges injustice on the Peers whose ill opinion he sayes deprest him and partial affection elevated the other who received the Attornies charge with undaunted spirit and returned so home an Answer as the House was amply satisfied of which take his own so saying for we hear not a word more nor other of it than that he saies so But the Dukes defence came quick to the Lords the eighth of Iune Who he sayes sequestered him from the House until his cause was determined upon which he was much dejected when really of himself he had forbore the House And therefore this morning had resolved to send it but was advised to present it himself which we shall finde to this purpose The Commons Impeachment and Declaration against the Duke of Buckingham FOr the speâ—dy redresse of the great evils and mischiefs and of the chief causes of those evils and mischiefs which this Kingdom of England now grievously suffereth and of late years hath suffered and to the Honour and Safety of our Soveraign Lord the KING and of his Crown and dignities and to the good and welfare of his people the Commons in this present Parliament by the authority of our said Soveraign Lord the King assembled do by this their Bill shew and declare against GEORGE Duke Marquesse and Earl of Buckingham Earl of Coventry Viscount Villers Baron of Whaddon great Admirall of the Kingdoms of ENGLAND and Ireland and of the principalitie of Wales and of the Dominions and Islands of the same of the Town of Calais and of the Marches of the same and of Normandy Gascoigne and Guyen Generall Governour of the Seas and Ships of the said Kingdoms Lieutenant Generall Admirall Captain Generall and Governour of his Majesties Royall Fleet and Army lately set forth Master of the Horses of our Soveraign Lord the King Lord Waâ—den Chancellour and Admirall of the Cinque-ports and of the Members thereof Constable of Dover Castle Iustice in Eyre of all Forests and Chaces on this side of the River of Trent Constable of the Castle of Windsor Lieutenant of Middlesex and Buckingham-shire Steward and Bailiffe of Westminster Gentleman of his Bed-chamber and one of his Majesties honourable Frivie Councel in his Realms both of England Scotland and Ireland and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter The Misdemeanors Misprisions Offences Crimes and other matters comprised in the Articles following And him the said Duke do accuse and impeach of the the said Misdemeanors Misprisions Offences and Crimes ARTIC I. The Duke 's 1. Reply THat he the said Duke being young and unexperienced hath of late years with exorbitant ambition and for his own advantage procured and engrossed into his own hands severall great Offices both to the danger â—f the State and prejudice of that Service which should have been performed in them and to the discouragement of others who are thereby precluded from such hopes as their virtues abilities and publique employments might otherwise have obtained THat his late Majesty did of his own Royal Motion bestow them upon him and he hopeth and concieveth he may without blame recieve what his bountiful Master conferred upon him if the Common-wealth doth not suffer thereby Nor is it without precedents that men eminent in the esteem of their Soveraign have held as great and many Offices as himself But if it shall be proved that he falsely or corruptly hath executed those Offices he is and will be ready to resign them with his life and fortunes to his Majesties dispose II. Reply 2. That in the 16. year of the Reign of the late King he did give and pay to the then Earl of Nottingham for the Office of Great Admiral of England and Ireland and of the principality of Wales and Generall Governour of the Seas and Ships of the said Kingdomes and for the surrender of the said Offices to the intent the said Duke might
Ships richly laden in their usual course of Trade the Duke moved the Lords then assembled in Parliament to know whether he should make stay of those Ships for the Service of the State which motion being approved by the Lords the Duke accordingly did stay those ships and after procured a joynt Action to be entred in the Court of Admiralty in the name of the late King and himself as Lord Admirall against 15000 lib. pretended to be Pyratically taken by some Captains of the said Merchants ships and in the hands of the said Captains and accordingly an Attachment was served upon the said Merchants Whereupon the said Merchants being urged to bring in the 15000 lib. or to go to Prison made new suit to the Duke for the release of their ships who pretending that the Parliament must be moved therein the Merchants much perplexed and considering that they should lose much by unlading their ships and the losse of their voyage resolved to tender to the said Duke ten thousand pounds for his unjust demand who by colour of his Office extorted and exacted from them the said ten thousand pounds and upon receipt thereof and not before released the said ships That the motion in Parliament about the stay of the East-India ships was onely upon apprehension that they might be serviceable for the defence of the Realm That the Action entred in the Court of Admiralty against the East-India Company was not after as is suggested but divers moneths before that motion in Parliament yea before the Parliament began That the composition mentioned in this Article was not moved by the Duke but made by the late King and that the Company without any menaces or compulsion agreed to the Composition as willing to give so much rather then to abide the hazzard of the suit That of the said sum all but two hundred pounds was imployed by his late Majesties Officers for the benefit of the Navie And lastly that those ships were not discharged upon payment of the said sum of ten thousand pounds but upon an accommodation allowed that they should prepare other ships for his Majesties service whilest they went on their Voyage which accordingly they did VII Reply 7. That the Duke being great Admirall of England did by colour of the said Office procure one of the principall ships of the Navy-Royal called the Vant-guard and six other Merchants ships of great burthen to be conveyed over with all their Ordnance Ammunition and apparel into the Kingdom of France and did compell the said Masters and Owners of the said ships to deliver the said ships into the possession and command of the French King and his Ministers without either sufficient security for their redelivery or necessary caution in that behalf contrary to the duty of his Office and to the apparent weakening of the Navall strength of this Kingdom That those Ships were lent to the French King without his privity that when he knew thereof he did what appertained to his Office That he did not by menace nor any undue practice by himself or any other deliver those ships into the hands of the French that what errour hath since happened was not in the intention any way injurious to the State nor prejudicial to the interest of any private man VIII Reply 8. That the Duke knowing the said ships were intended to be imployed against the Rochellers and the Protestants else-where did compel them as aforesaid to be delivered unto the said French King and his Ministers to the end that they might be imployed against those of the Reformed Religion as accordingly they were to the prejudice of the said Religion contrary to the intention of our Soveraigne Lord the King and to his former promise at Oxford and to the great scandal of our Nation That understanding a discovery that those ships should be imployed against Rochel he endevoured to divert the course of such imployment and whereas it is alledged that he promised at Oxford that those ships should not be so imployed he under favour saith he was mis-understood for he onely said that the event would shew it being confident in the promises of the French King and that he would have really performed what was agreed upon IX Reply 9. That he hath enforced some who were rich though unwilling to purchase honours as the Lord Roberts Baron of Trure who was by menaces wrought to pay the summe of Ten thousand pounds to the said Duke and to his use for his said Barony He denyeth any such compulsion of the Lord Roberts to buy his honour and that he can prove that as the said Lord did then obtain it by the solicitations of others so was he willing formerly to have given a great sum for it X. Reply 10. That in the 18. year of the late King he did procure of the late King the Office of High Treasurer of England to the Viscount Mandevil now Earl of Manchester for which Office he received of the said Viâ—count to his own use the sum of 20000 l. of money and also did procure in the 20. year of the late King the Office of Master of the Wards and Liveries for Sir Lionel Cranfield afterward Earl of Middlesex and as a reward for the said procurement he had to his own use of the said Sir Lionel Cranfield the sum of 6000 l. contrary to the dignity of his late Majesty That he had not nor did receive any penny of the said sums to his own use that the Lord Mandevil was made Lord Treasurer by his late Majesty without any Contract for it and though his Majesty did after borrow of the said Lord 20000. pounds yet was it upon proviso of repayment for which the Duke at first past his word and after entred him security by Land which stood ingaged untill his late Majesty during the Dukes being in Spain gave the Lord satisfaction by Land in Fee-farm of a considerable value whereupon the Dukes security was returned back And that the 6000 l. disbursed by the Earl of Middlesex was bestowed upon Sir Henry Mildmay by his late Majesty without the Dukes privity who had and enjoyed it all entire XI Reply 11. That he hath procured divers Honours for his kindred and Allies to the prejudice of the antient Nobility and disabling the Crown from rewarding extraordinary virtues in future times That he believeth he were rather worthily to be condemned in the opinion of all generous minds if being in such favour with his Majesty he had minded only his own advancement and had neglected those whom the Law of Nature had obliged him to hold most dear XII Reply 12. That he procured and obtained of the late King divers Mannors parcels of the Revenues of the Crown to an exceeding greâ—â— value and hath received and â—o his own use disbursed great sums of money that did properly belong unto the late King and the better to colour his doings hath obtained severall privie Seals from
by Courtney Hawley and Bingley Part of these two Companies about two hundred a piece stood at the mouth of that Causway which bore not above five a Brest The other part was placed at the side of the Causway not far from Damier Our horse in the mean time by reason of these companies so dispersed one Troop thereof consisted of not above 30. and the other but 38. to receive the enemies first charge amongst those were some of the Reformed as it were to inclose the Companies and all this the enemy knew and what companies could not come to assistance To Schomburgh comes Marilane and requires the word yet he intended not presently to fight us but to afflict and take our last as a noble Gallant confessed for there they appear to approach the Causway not so by a strait but by oblique course The French now advance a pace and are stoutly received by us but overprest by multitude they underwent diverse fortune For one part of our Horse fell amongst whom was that gallant and unrevenged Cunningham Another part yielded amongst whom was the Lord Mountjoy and he civilly used Others by the Enemies numerous power and their own weight in a steep place were forced to fly and whiles thus hurryed through the straits of the Causway into Ditches and Salt pits we were thrown The way thus opened the French pursue and made no small slaughter upon us For with very long pikes they pierced some of us already in the dirt whose face not long before they scarce durst behold And those by our own horse to whom onely they could give place were thrust besides the top of the Causway and so pierced by the enemies spears Those Companies next the horse at Damiere with their colours flying fought a while but as the former overpowred with the number fell or fled Amongst these the Reformed by uneven and turning paths made their way to the furâ—her bridge with much danger For the Enemy spared none that they met with And in truth here was a very great Slaughter Buckingham did much by direction and example Nor did the diversity of their thoughts suite well some endeavouring to fly others forbad it they rendred themselves by turns to the enemies pleasure and endeavouring by heaps to pass the Bridge one stopping another and so forced the contrary way until mutually knitting together they were thrown into the Sea And in truth Rich and Bret and many other Noble souls defending that bloody bridge encombred and prest perished in the waters and as many as fell to the French were surely destroyed Beyond the Bridge was ammunition for which Crosby contended but by a promiscous torrent of fliers and pursuers forced away having no leasure to distinguish Friends from Foes But upon a turn of fortune the French were forced beyond the Bridge Marilane leading them whom Sir Thomas Fryar and Hacksvil with gallant Spirits fall upon and Crosby with the next stand and rallied force assist and so wrested the victory from the enemy And herein not to be partial consult with their own writers they confess it and name their gallants slain This nimble victory makes us consult to pursue the French but the paucity and fewness of our men night also come caused us to forbear and themselves say Their return so disturbed and altered the French affairs that Marilane forsaken by his runnawayes could neither by fair means nor force of Sword detain them It may be suspected so few to put to flight the French but remember heretofore the battails of Cressie Poictiers Agencourt small handfuls of ours vanquished theirs the French Naturally they must confess it spend all their fury at Assault and without fear given create fear to themselves for they chill their internal strength and run headlong into danger the cause in themselves I must confess the victory which we claim was as I may say but lamentable which yet the Law of Arms allows us No man perished of ours but who desired to dy pent up to fight not to fly we fought for French against French theirs not our own quarrel The number of ours lost are now in question We say but 500. they reckon of us 1100. and how By the old Breeches which we cast off and the miserable beseeches bought of the Islanders to make a shew and fill up their Accompt And for their purchase of our number of Colours an oversight of us not to send them away with our Guns I told you before how we were weakned not a dozen left to an ensign and for the French who buried their own accompt but two or three hundred we cannot disprove them The night as I said came on they are fled we not able to pursue We were to make good our design to depart the Isle of Rhe not to be forced to be gone Yet still we stand expecting fresh Assaults from the French which they might easily do but did not and returned We went on and Crosby had the Watch Guard that night and order at the third Watch to burn the bridge which he did without damage The next day Buckingham minding his departure sends Fryar and Bret to demand the dead bodies and Dolbier to treat about Exchange of Prisoners Schomburgh consents to the first but refers the second to his Kings pleasure and so some tiÌ„me after all were returned without ransome to either friends We make aboard but here the question the glory of the field who of our own to stay last upon the shore to avoid dispute it was ordered by lot and on ship too we weighed not anchor till eight daies dared the enemie with their numerous fresh Fleets to fight And so saies Schomburgh to the King He intends himself to declare to his Majesty the English state and stay in the Anserne Island ere they departed Buckingham aboard calls a Council and demands their opinions freely if enough had been done in honour to depart All consented in one and that truly we had done well But Buckingham offered his desire to land and force the Continent and somewhat might be conceived in safety to the Rochellers and their affairs who were concluded under such a condition no douâ—â— as rendred them in appearance as yet Neuters to our Design or at least under pressure of submission and so to secure themselves might betray us The 9. day we hoised sail and met the Earl of Holland neer our Western Coast where at Plymouth the whole Fleet came to ancher and our Duke posted to Court to the King who received him with extraordinary welcome after three Moneths stay in the Isle and some weeks and odd daies from the hour he went from England The ordinary Prisoners on both sides were upon former Treaty to be returned home And therefore it is not well recited to say That Lewis gratiously dismist them as an offertory to his Sister the Q. of England and refused the Lord Mountjoys round sum of his ransom
the Queens Attorney chosen Speaker of the Commons house And thus the King Salutes them My Lords and Gentlemen THese times are for Action for Action I say not for Words therefore I shall use but a few and as Kings are said to be exemplary to their Subjects so I wish you would imitate me in this and use as few falling upon speedie Consultation No man is I conceive such a stranger to the common Necessitie as to expostulate the cause of this Meeting and not to think supply to be the end of it and as this necessitie is the Product and Consequent of your Advice so the true Religion the Laws and Liberties of this State and just Defence of our Friends and Allies being so considerably concerned will be I hope arguments enough to perswade Supply for if it be as most true it is both my Duty and Yours to preserve this Church and Commonwealth this exigent time certainly requires it In this time of Common Danger I have taken the most antient speedy and best way for Supply by calling you together If which God forbid in not contributing what may answer the quality of my occasions you do not your duties it shall suffice I have done mine in the conscience whereof I shall rest content and take some other course for which God hath impowred me to save that which the folly of particular men might hazzard to lose Take not this as a menace for I scorn to threaten my inferiours but as an admonition from him who is tied both by nature and dutie to provide for your preservations and I hope though I thus speak your demeanours will be such as shall oblige me in thankfulnesse to meet you oftner then which nothing shall be more pleasing to me Remembering the distractions of our last meeting you may suppose I have no confidence of good successe at this time but be assured I shall freely forget and forgive what is past hoping you will follow that sacred advice lately inculcated to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace The present Cause for supply of the Kings Necessities was for the Religious defence of our Reformed friends now in present danger And though the Parliament were convinced for their speedy Asistance yet they looked a squint upon themselves and but for shame had a minde first to do their own work the Peoples Grievances which were suggested to be many or else were made so by themselves But to put the King upon an after-game was not reasonable and so they gave him five Subsidies with unanimous consent Nemine contra dicente as Secretary Coke told him Whereupon sayes One the King wept for joy and bad him assure them he would deny them nothing of their just Liberties This the Observator notes as the fourth Presage taking it for granted that the King cried and which tendernesse of his the Parliament ever after made use of to his great dammage Therein insisting it seems by their continuall exacting upon the Kings Grace the more he gave the more they crave demanding to his death For indeed He denied them nothing either what was their due or what his favour could in reason afford them And forthwith they fall upon the peoples Liberties No freeman to be imprisoned by King or Council without legall cause alleaged As being an unreasonable thing To send a Prisoner and not withal to signifie his Crimes laid against him Acts 25. 27. But this their Opinion indured large debate in the Upper House wisely considering where the Prerogative should be suppressed in the King their interests depending would soon bring them low and at last contemptible And withal having the Kings Counsel to defend his right where the chief of them his Attorney General it is said pleaded impertinent for his Majesty but in what he doth not notifie and so we suppose him here to be partial for he confesseth that the Ducal or Royal party were so prevalent as that the other popular party or as in truth they were stiled the Lower House Lords of the Upper House durst not venture upon the Orderly Vote but moulded themselves into a Committee until the Lord Say which is understood to be such a Lord made his motion That they who stood for the liberties not fifty might make their Protestation upon Record and that the other opposit party the greater number but the weaker Head-piece should with Subscription of their Names enter their reasons upon Record that Posterity might not be to seek who they were that so ignobly betrayed the freâ—dom of our Nation and this being done then to proceed to Vote Indeed the Court-party might be daunted at such a designe which would have involved them in the danger to be stoned to death by the ignâ—rant Multitude who were wilde to have liberty in all things and might be easily drawn to do to those Lords as they did after in my Lord Sraffords case post them up to be knockt on the head for dissenting Lords Thus was Personal liberty setled against all presidents of former Soveraignty or future use and Custom Themselves the first breakers of this their Ordinance as we shall hereafter have too too sad occasion to mention but certainly their meaning was evermore to excuse themselves from positive laws though of their own devising Then whilest it was warm They crouded in all complaints upon liberty of goods unbilleting of Souldiers and nulling of Martial law in time of Peace To which indeed Magna Charta and six other Statutes which explain it affords them law for which they now petitioned and were answered by the Lord Keeper That the King consented those Evidences to be all in force and he would govern them accordingly His Royal word and promise being as binding to his conscience as any laws they could make whatever which he hoped would encourage them to proceed to the effecting of their necessary businesse This not so sufficient begat a question very modest Whether or no His Majesty should be trusted upon his word for his Coronation Oath swears him to maintain the Laws of the Land more of force then any Royal word could be and should it be voted in the Negative all foraign people would lodge that on them as dishonourable not to trust their King When up starts Sr Edward Coke We â—it sayes he to take his Majesties word but in a Parliamentary way sitting on his Throne in his Robes with Crown and Scepter in full Parliament both Houses present thus to be done with Ceremony makes his Royal word in Parliament and not a word delivered in his Chamber or sent to us by his Secretary or Lord Keeper And so he moved that More Majorum the House should draw a Petition de Droict of Right to his Majesty which should be confirmed by both Houses and assented to by the King and that Word be as firm an Act as any And so they framed a Petition presenting it to the Lords and after the severall
Reprobates and therefore believes our Churches regeneration is by infusion of Grace by sowing the good seed But to answer him in this Let all Christians religiously pray and live according to the grace of Restitution and humbly submit their judgements concerning the secresie of personal Election and so this man sins against the 17. Article 4 The Anabaptist His purenesse is a supposed birth without Original sin and his Tenet that Infants must not be baptized and this believer opposeth the 9. and 27. Articles 5. The Brownists purenesse is to serve God in Woods and Fields and his opinion is that Idolatry cannot be reformed without pulling down of Churches Christ indeed whipt the buyers and sellers out of the Temple though it was prophaned yet without any pulling down and this man is against the 35. Article 6. Loves familist serves God as well at his neighbours charge as at his own omnia sunt communia the things which they possesse are not their own but all are Common He teacheth that unlawful swearing is worse than murther and this is against the 39. Article 7. The Precisian will not swear before a Magistrate That unlawful swearing is a greater sin than murther God indeed is greater then man here is the compare but then the effect destructive is greater by murther God commands that the murtherer die blood for blood he deals not so severely with the swearer See the 39. Article 8 The Sabbatarian preaches down Holy dayes preaching that the Instrumental directing cause to keep holy the sabbath day he makes to be the keeping holy the sabbath But Gods holy Worship prayer is keeping holy the sabbath day for preaching the holy direction teacheth holy worship prayer to be the holy practise of that day to praise the Lord for our Redemption the sole principal end of preaching on the Lords day His preaching is a Sylva synonymorum Tautologies Iterations His praying much erroneous and this is against the 35. Article 9. The Anti-disciplinarian is above the Kings supremacy Imperious Imagination his highnesse is the Churches greatest Authority and he saith this is as good a rule to know the reformed true faith is the holy Writ He is a strict observer of the Law therefore he accounts it the best Religion His tenet is That Kings must be subject to the Puritan To the Puritans Presbyters Censure submit their Scepters throw down their Crowns lick up the dust of their feet This Mr. Rogers in his eleventh page of his Preface to the 39. Articles And T. Cartwright teacheth in his Reply page 1080. And here the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance are broken against the 21. Article His tenet that all Priests should be equal See Varellus and Vivetus sermons two Geneva Presbyters against the â—3 33. and 36. Articles and against the twentieth Article 10. The presuming Predestinatist hath an inspired knowledge to be saved by Gods absolute Election as sure as it were now in Heaven no life in him but Gods essential glory against the 17. Article and the 3. Article Thus was it then amongst us Reformed and since it hath increased ten times worse But the Papist is not clear from Crimes schismes and sins The contest between Iesuites Priests and Secular Priests have evermore their debates and now grounded upon this occasion Richard Smith titular Bishop of Calcedon his honour there in Greece but his profit from England over all the Romish Catholicques especially for ordaining of Priests and confirmations of persons Baptized But when he came hither we cannot finde till now we have caught him here Yet Pope Gregory the thirteenth delegated one William Bishop to Calcedon who died 1624. After him succeeded another by Mission of Urbane the eighth 1625. this Richard Smith to the same Title But why to a foreign Title and not at as easie a rate to English as in Ireland he had to all Sees there the reason is He had in Ireland a Counter-party of People for Number and Quality in every Diocesse and Parish not so in England where it had been ridiculous in the Granter and dangerous in the Accepter To oppose his power up starts Nicholas Smith a Regular in malice to his advancement and quarrelled also against Doctor Kelson President of the Colledge of Doway who had printed a Treatise of the dignity and necessity of Bishop and secular Clergy Nicholas Smith's Reasons were for the Regulars first such Bishops uselesse in England in times of persecution Either for Ordination which might be supplied by foreign Bishops Or Confirmation of children which any Priest might perform by Commission from the Pope Secondly Burthensom to the already pressures of the English Catholicques And Thirdly the Person of Calcedon not lawfully called Kelson undertakes Answers to all these and the Insolency of the Regulars seemed more secular And indeed the Irish Regular exceeded such in England maintaining That the superiours of Regulars were more worthy than Bishops which caused the Doctors of Sorborn in Paris to censure the Proposition and the Arch-Bishop of Paris to condemn Nicholas Smiths Book and other Tractates of that sense But Bishop Smith would take upon him to approve of such Regulars Priests as were to be constant Confessors which the Jesuites opposed as an usurpation upon them And being the better Polititians contrive a Declaration under the name of the most noble and eminent Catholiques against his pretended Authority which Declaration was offered to the Spanish Ambassadour Don Carlos de Coloma together with the Kings Proclamations to ferret his person He declined both his power and presence to seek safety in France The Bishop fled the dogs bark Knot vice provincial of the English Jesuites and Flood another of St. Omers undertake him and Kelson also but were censured and silenced though not their several factions unto this day But this bickering is lodged under the product of the peace with Spain as if to encourage the Catholiques to rant it in Ireland also towards a Toleration The Lords Justices at Dublin at Church in one Parish the Priests at Masse in another who were seized by the Arch-Bishop and Major and all the City Officers their Trinkets taken away Images hewen down the Priests and Fryers delivered up to the Souldiers and yet rescued by the people from whom a strong power enforced them and eight Popish Aldermen clapt in prison for being remisse to attend their Major upon which mis-behaviour and mutiny fifteen Houses were seized to the Kings use and the Fryers and Priests persecuted and Two of them to save publique Execution hang'd themselves in their hose-garters The Earl of Essex would needs try Mastery with a fresh Mistresse being over born by his first Wife as their story is truly told in the life of King Iames 18. years since He then but a stripling but ever since getting strength and being falsely fram'd for Martial Exploits in the Low-Conntries where he Disciplin'd himself but without any high renown or feats of Arms or any extraordinary
proofs of his manhood had a strong minde to a second Marriage and as if recovered of his former Impotency to exercise himself upon tryal with Betty Paulet as they called her daughter she was indeed of a Knight extracted from that Nobility of the Marquesse of Winchester but by what venture of descent we need not enquire She was pretty but poor Beauty hath price enough and a great portion would not have him In March he was Married but being mistaken in his own abilities of the Bed having it seems not excercised that kinde of Low Countreys manhood found himself failing and so retired out of Town as to give occasion for others to court his Countess and his advantage of a second Divorce and in truth he was easily drawn thereto by such as hung upon him in former time his Revenue now divided into Families Wife and Women-creatures shared the less to his Dependants Their Design was to watch their Countess who was wanton enough for such a Husband and by a Ladder to her Chamber-window saw so much as forcing the Door Master Udal was found sitting upon her Bed-side very late unbraced with heat as in pursuit of her Sister who in merriment after some questions he had been commanded to kiss her she being shadowed in the Ladies Chamber where he went to seek her but the conclusion was Divorce though her innocency was pleaded and sealed with all possible protestations and so generally believed untill she proved with childe and yet the Earl was so wise as to father it Marry then the Moon-calf must fall at the minute of his own account which no doubt happened just with the birth of the Baby a jolly Boy and so as best right for him to nestle who seized it from the Mother never like to see it long alive nor what became of it we need not doubt But why these his dishonours were not more resented at Court agreeable to his Extraction in a prophetick relation to all King Charls his future mishaps is more of the Authours wonder than I can make of it and concludes that he became the Head of an Army giving the King Battel in a Pitch Fâ—eld partly upon the score of those indignities before which he supposes was charged on the Kings account It was in Anno 1627. Therefore Feoffees were legally intrusted to purchase in the Impropriations with their own and other good mens money and with the profit to maintain a constant preaching Ministery where the Word was wanting They consisted of 4. Divines to perswade the conscience 4. Lawyers for the Conveyances and four Citizens for no other end but their money There was no need of Captains for Captain Michael's Sword was then sheathed There are in England 9284. Parish-churches endowed with Glebe and Tithes But 3845. were either appropriated to the Clergy or impropriated as Lay-fines to private persons which latter these Feoffees endeavoured to redeem and might have done it in fifty years by the large summs soon advanced and no wonder the subtilty was not then discerned for in time the Purchasers would become the prime Patrons for number and greatness of Benefices multiply their dependence and increase non-conformity and therefore the Attorney General Noy exhibited a Bill in the Exchequer to overthrow their Apocrypha incorporatum First Breach of Trust for erecting a Morning Lecture at St. Antholines London the Land of Goshen and not in other places far distant where Souls famished for want of Food Secondly preferred Non-conformists and so their proceedings were censured as dangerous to the Church and State pronounced illegal and dissolved and their money confiscate to the King which yet of late was accounted a pious Project Good men and bad are Examples fit for History the one to follow these to shun And the man of the first rank was Mervin Lord Audley Earl of Castlehaven married to a second Wife the Daughter of the old Countess of Derby and Widow of the Lord Chandos by whom she had a Daughter married to the Lord Audley the Earls eldest Son This Earl upon Petition of his own Son and Heir the Lord Audley was committed in December last and indicted at Salisbury the County of his abode the 25. of March the first day of this year 1631. accused for causing one Skipwith of mean extraction and his Servant advanced by him to great preferment to assist him to ly with his Countess and to cuckold his Son Audley the Earl assisting and to hold his Wife whilest Brodway did ravish her and for acting Sodomy upon Brodway and Fitz Patrick his Servants a strange kinde of hideous monstrous quality in the sin of this Earl enforcing others to that wickedness wherein himself had no temptation for his excuse or inclination to the action which is the begining of sin no fruits or sensual pleasure for the present which is the act in sin no advance or profit in the future which is a reward to a mans self of his sin The uncouth baseness of the Rape the Master to serve the Servants to cuckold himself the highest horridity of a Wittal the Husband to ravish his own Wife nay to commit a Rape upon himself being both one a sin without former President or future belief so monstrous in the manner so execrable in the end The onely man of Nobility of infamous note that suffered judicial Execution by this King for I reckon not the Earl of Strafford under that notion These Crimes are bad enough we need not devise any more that he in Prison impudently told some Lords his whole delight was to damn Souls by inticing men the surest way to effect it which hath no credit and we shall lodg no other upon him but truths for certainly had he said this before his Trial it might have been remembred as all circumstances were then to advance his guilt And it becomes an Historian in dubious relations to admit the most Christian and charitable being more unlawfull to deceive Posterity by feigned narrative than to abuse a Judg by false Witness But of the other he was found guilty by Grand Inquest and so his cause put over to the Kings Bench and his Person sent to the Tower The manner of his Trial for Life was by a Court of High Commission delegated to some principal Person as chief Iudg constituted with a Power as being next to the King In some sort matching the Ephory amongst the Lacedemonians and therefore not to be longer intrusted than for the time of Trial for the business being done he breaks his Staff the Verge of his Power and Authority And Thomas Lord Coventry Lord Keeper of the Great Seal was by Patent of the thirteenth of April 1631. commissioned Lord High Steward of England for the Day being the five and twentieth of April And because it was the first and last Commission of this nature by this King we shall not spare the particular Narrative to rectifie mis-reports of many others herein It was at the
that solemnity was done and she in Bed he presents Amptil his Page to her Person and unchaste imbracements reasoning with Scripture that her Body now made subject unto him and so at his command if to evil not her fault let her sin ly at his door but she refusing he left her at this time and takes Amptil whom he That the Kings Majesty had committed the Trial of the business to your Grace my Lord High Constable the Earl Marshal and this Court which course was warrantable by the Laws of other Nations and also by our own who have used the same manner of Trial. That our Law admitted sundry Proofs for Treason which in other matters it did not That all Subjects were bound to discover Treasons and cited two ancient Civilians Hieronymus and Tiberius who gave their Reasons for this kinde of Trial. And he mentioned sundry Records of our own Chronicles and Examples herein as the Duke of Norfolk combating against the Duke of Hartford in Henry 4. his time Jo Ely and William Scroop against Ballamon at Burdeaux the King being there The Lord Morley impeached Mountague Earl of Salisbury And that Thomas of Walsingham and Thomas of Woodstock in their learned Writings expressed sundry Presidents for this manner of Proceeding wishing the Court in Gods Name to go on to the Trial and the Appellant to give in his Evidence Then the Appellant came up upon the Table to whom the Earl Marshal delivered the Petition which he had the day before exhibited to the King And the Defendant being also called up the Petition was read which was in effect That he having accused Ramsey of Treason and also Meldram his Kinsman and of Confederacy against whom Captain Nothwick was witness therefore had desired that the Court would proceed against Meldram first But he was told by the Court that their Cases differing the Appellant was ordered to deliver in his Charge against the Defendant which he did in writing by Bill containing sundry Particulars viz. That in May last in the Low-countreys Ramsey complained to him against the Court of England That the matters of Church and State was so out of frame as must tend to a change if not desolation That thereforefore he had abandoned the Kingdom to live where now he was and to expect a mutation forthwith to which end he had brought present Moneys to maintain him at six pounds a day for three years That Marqucss Hamilton had a great Army promised to him for pay whereof the King had given in hand ten thousand pound and all the Wine Customes in Scotland for sixteen years presently to be sold for the Armies subsistence And that he staid but for Ammunition and Powder to come over for which his Lordship was to mediate with his Majesty of Sweden and the States and then link themselves together of whose minde Rey should know hereafter That their Friends in Scotland had gotten therefore Arms and Powder out of England and that what he should procure in Holland was to be brought over by the Marquess and that all Scotland were sure to them except Three That France and Spain thirsted for England but Hamilton would defeat them for himself His onely fear was of Denmark where he meant to land and either to take him off or make a party That afterwards at Amsterdam Ramsey with Alexander Hamilton solicited him the Lord Rey to be true to them and to be of their Council though as yet they durst not reveal too much of Hamilton's secrets but if he repaired to England he would intrust him with Letters and that his Brother in Law Sea-port knew all This being the effect of the Charge He added That if Ramsey would deny it he was a Villain and a Traitour which he would make good And therewith cast him his Clove Ramsey denied all and said Rey was a Liar a barbarous Villain and threw down his Glove protesting to gar him dy for it if he had had him in place for that purpose Rey was temperate without any passion but smiling replied Mr. Ramsey we will not contend here Answer to my Bill Then Ramsey offered some Reasons of the impossibility of the Charge the slender Numbers of men from England but six thousand raw Souldiers against three Kingdoms whom the first Proclamation might dissipate That the Marquess was neither so wicked nor weak in judgment and if he should conceit to surprize the King what hope had he against his Children and Kindred And therefore said he my Lord Rey is a barbarous Villain and a Liar and he will gar him dy for it or lose his dearest bloud He was interrupted by the Earl Marshal telling him he must not stand upon conjectures but answer the Bill of Form according to Law and was advised to take counsel therein Then Ramsey in general acknowledged all the particular circumstances of time and place alleged by Rey and the discourse to that effect but concluded that no Treason was intended or uttered and craved Counsel to answer which was granted And so the Court adjourned till the fifth of December but upon a fresh Arrest by the Earl Marshal they were to put in Bail for Appearance which were the old Security and Ramsey ordered to answer upon Oath At which Day appearing the fame of the Cause brought thither such a crowd of People as was not imaginable Rey entered as before in manner and habit but Ramsey was new suited in black Satten and presented his Answer in writing to this effect That having well considered the time place and communication with the Lord Rey beyond the Seas as before urged he confesses That Rey demanded of him whether the Marquess Hamilton intended to come over and follow the Wars He said Yes And told him of his Forces six thousand men and of the ten thousand pounds in money and Wine-customes in Scotland which he would selt to maintain the Army and that he would come so provided with Ammunition that being joyned with his Friends he valued no Enemy Upon which Rey replied that his own two Regiments should wait upon him but the place of these Forces to meet was at Sea and there to receive directions from the King of Swede where to rendezvouz Upon which Rey said that his Life and Fortunes should wait on the Marquess who being told of his friendship wrote a Letter to Rey which Ramsey delivered in effect that Rey would get some Ammunition from the King of Swede which was wanting And that speaking in general of matters amiss in England Rey answered God amend all To whom Ramsey replied By God Donnold we must help him to amend all And to all the other matters and things he utterly denies and craves revenge upon Rey's person by dint of Sword Then Doctor Eden of Council for Ramsey spake to the Court That being assigned his Council his opinion was that the Defendant might decline the Combate and reply to the Appellant's Bill in brief with these Reasons First
that by the words in the Bill No man can be charged a Traitor by one that is guilty in his own particular and so is not tied to be Defendant nor to answer such a Bill Secondly the incertainty and doubtfulness of the words in the Charge so that till the Court doth censure them to be treasonable the Defendant is not tied to answer Thirdly the Appellant refers the Combate till the last if he cannot in the mean time prove the Charge by any other ways then he offers to make it good by his Body So then the Defendant may forbear his Answer and decline the Combate And now my Lords said he I humbly shall acquaint you with the Defendants answer to me in private which was That though in Law he might yet in honour and innocency he would not decline the Combate but being his own consent his Advocate hath the less to say for him And so time was given for Rey's Replication till Friday after Reys Councel moved whereas Dr. Eden had excepted at some words in the charge he answered that whoever was accused of Treason was not to insist how polluted the answer was but how to approve and clear himself Then to refer the Combate to the last was well done ultimum refugium to expose his life for God the King and his Countrey This Speech being somewhat peremtory and directory to the Court he was told That the Court needed not his direction as to the Tryall of Combate their wisdoms would consider of that when it was time and so the Court adjourned both parties being admitted to have common Lawyers but to plead onely by Civilians This day come Rey appears as before But Ramsey in a new suit of Ash-colour cloth opened with scarlet colour the cloke scarlet cloth lined with ash coloured velvet and the whole suit and cloke overlaid with silver and Sky coloured lace The former proceedings were read by the Register and thereupon the Appellants Replication presented to the High Constable in effect That Ramsey in his answer had cunningly slipt over a part of the charge which was that the Lord Rey protested he was not ingaged in Wars for want of subsistence and therefore would not hazzard in any designe without sure knowledge upon which words depends much of the matter and main of that part of the Bill And so ripping up the several charges of the Bill the strength reasons and likelihood and the defendants defects in not clearing the chief points they went on with the Councel It was his part to inforce the charge against Ramsey to this effect He observed That the first day Ramsey denied all the charge whilest he stood upon positive resolution but afterwards his Councel brought him to particulars and taught him to Answer superficially first he knew nothing and yet now so much No doubt there was some stranger enterprize by the Marquesse Hamilton then to serve the King of Swede by Ramseys professing that Hamilton was a Protestant and bore Arms for Religion not caring with whom to grapple from hence observing That they intended somewhat to attempt of themselves Ramsey stiled the Marquesse his Master in discourse and in many of his Letters produced much of the discovery by Rey was to fish out of Ramsey the truth of his doubtful words How unlikely it was that Rey having two Regiments of old Souldiers Captain of the King of Swedes Dragoons in good pay for all should offer to serve Hamilton who was to be commanded by the King And that Ramsey might decline the Combate or forbear answering till the last was a strange opinion of Councel because combate was to be reserved till all other means of discovery fayled and therefore Rey his reasons were supplimental proofs and requesting Meldrams testimony but however he was now ready if the Court thinks fit to give the Combate presently And concluded with an example in case of Murther Two men fight in secret the one is slain the other flies and though without any witnesse of the fact his seeking to escape condemns him guilty So Ramsey having been accused of Treason above three Moneths by the Lord Rey and both confined Ramsey dispairing of his cause seeks his flight from Justice by sending to Rey a private challenger being a sufficient conviction in Law as by ancient Presidents in this Court viz. Kiteles after an Appeal seems a challenger to Scroop and was therefore adjudged guilty Doctor Duck Answered to all That first It was prudence for Ramsey to answer in general Negatively having been newly landed from Sea and might be excused till time and consideration to refresh his memory being not upon Oath And as yet the defendant need not answer perfectly till further time and favour to view the Exhibits in Court by copies which he desires And directly urged against the Lord Reys Replicâ—tion not to be allowed Because Rey referring himself now to Proofs might have saved the trouble of this Court of Honour and Chivalrie and hazzard of their Persons by Combate which intends the Trial without proofsâ— And that the Defendant having ingaged his sureties but to this day He humbly desires the time and place to be ordered for the sudden Combate according to the Law of Arms and custom of this Court Saying that the Duel foreseen must ensue upon the Appeal and Denial and therefore ought now to be granted Doctor Reeves moved for continuance of the Replication and consented to the Combate The Court admitted the Replication and ordered time till Wednesday for Exceptions thereto Doctor Duck offered some reasons to satisfie Rey and extremely to censure Ramsey where he was interrupted and told by the E. Marshall That the Court will save him the labour and councel till the Rejoynders be put in and then to be Ordered Doctor Eden shewed that the copies of the Letters Exhibited were not given out Nor shall sayes the Earl Marshal till the court have considered of the contents and so they were read The one was from Ramsey to Rey certifying him of passages in the Low-Countreys since their parting to put the Marquesse in minde of directing him how to dispose of the Ammunition and Arms in his custody subscribed  your servant Ramsey The other from the Lord Marquesse to the Lord Rey congratulating his love and affection expressing a great desire to meet him in Germany upon any terms he would propose And that Ramsey the Bearer was instructed for him to Treat with the King of Swede whom he desires to favour and assist which will oblige him his  friend and servant Hamilton Doctor Duck opened the whole matter and each particular Insisting That my Lord Reys evidence being for the King and he a person of Honour and Peer of Scotland his testimony was sufficient And moves that Mr. Meldram might be admitted for supply for though they were not joynt witnesses together of the words which made the charge yet for as much that they were
spoken assunder and agreeing together made up a full proof That no testimony may be neglected in matters of Treason That if any part of the charge was denied by the Defendant and proved by the Appellant it might convince him in a manner of the Whole And urged the offence of Ramseys challenging Rey. But more of that hereafter But Doctor Reeves prosecuted the matter for that Ramsey's Councel endeavoured to prove that he might decline the Combate or forbear answering because of some words which reflected upon my Lord Rey as matter of reproach that Rey had uttered words of Treason to catch Ramsey and then to turn Informer But said he No office can be accounted base when the King and Kingdoms safety is concern'd citing a story out of Livie that the Romans confederate with the Sanubies were to undergo a base office that stood not with Honour and resolved so long as it was advantagious to the Romane State it might with Honour be undertaken Doctor Eden was earnest to excuse himself for putting in these words against the Lord Rey saying that his Client enforced to have them inserted But being a point of Honour the Earl Marshal iuterposed That true it was the best man may not refuse the basest office to preserve a King and Nation But again it was most unworthy the degree of honour for any man to angle and intrap another and then to present him to that Kings Iustice. Then the Pleaders argued concerning Meldrams Testimony That no proof ought to be omitted for the King But it was offered for Ramsey to joyn issue upon that point in Law for the Bill was laid against him not general but particular to Place Time and matter viz. That in May last in a Ship and afterward at Amsterdam then again at Delph Ramsey should say such and such words which if Meldram would justifie besides himself they ought to be admitted otherwise it was no good matter but must refer to a new Bill That the Defendant had answered fully for that the Lord Rey profered his service to the Marquesse without pressing to know any designe That nothing in the Letters could convict Ramsey That the Lord Rey standing upon his great offices under the King of Swede and so not necessitated to serve the Marquess He had not those places of command then but since and that since his coming into England he said that he would have served under the Marquess and concluded that Ramsey and the Marquess might use such words and yet not intend Treason to his Majesty But having in this Tryal medled so much with the Marquess the Court was fain to enter an order or Protection to clear the Marquess his words or actions from dishonour Then the Court proceeded to Examine witnesses viva voce Archibal Raukin was to prove the challenge as the Bringer upon these questions he confessed That he was in Ramseys chamber at Richmond the last of October That Ramsey did not imploy him to carry any challenge to the Lord Rey But at that time Ramsey told him that it was his grief to be restrayned not to meet Rey who was a Trayterous villain and wished to meet him in the open fields at Barn-Elms he would make him dye for it and tear his heart with other such words of reproach and wished this Deponent to tell Rey so much which he did but it was three weeks after and then not until the Lord Rey told him that Ramsey had sent him a challenge so that said Ramsey my Message was but a relation not a challenge But Rauken was observed to falter from what he affirmed before Dr. Reeves and others viz. to have carried the challenge and that Ramsey could not deny it so that Rauken was threatned not to accuse Ramsey Gilbert Seaton deposed That Ramsey said he had made it come to Rey's ears to have ended this businesse without troubling the King or Lords Then Doctor Duck summoned up all the proceedings observing that formerly in the presence of the King Ramsey had with deep protestations and oath denied the time place and matter which he now confesseth and though then not examined upon oath yet in France and other Countreys the very holding up of the hand is an oath and so Tertullian sayes of the Romanes and Ramsey confessing part he might be guilty of the whole charge Doctor Eden said That Rey was not a competent witnesse against Ramsey though for the King for he was particeps criminis Capitalis Inimicus for the first his Bill made him so for it Ramsey spake Treason so did Rey for the second it appeared by Reys violent prosecution and if all failed his sword must make it good and so the Defendant was not bound to answer nor to accept the challenge unlesse he will to which he is so willing But Doctor Duck said these Reasons did not currere quatuor pedibus Some of the Conspirators with Cataline were revealers of the Treason and allowed as witnesses Doctor Reeves concluded that although some of the Lord Reys witnesses did not affirm what they might it would encourage him to set a sharper edge upon his sword when he entered the Lists and that the God of right would so weaken the heart of Ramsey that it should fail him when he took his sword in hand The Holy-daies of Christmass drawing nigh The Court ordered that either party might repair to Sr. Henry Martin and possesse him with further proofs out of these witnesses already Examined but of no other And so adjourned the Court till Monday the ninth of Ianuary when after some small debates but no further Matter or Proofs the businesse was briefly determined to be referred to the Kings pleasure Which came to this Account That Hamiltons power with the King got all favour for Ramsey and well rewarded in due time And Rey having done the duty of a Loyal Subject left the Court and Kingdom and returned to his Command in Sweden But this story though tedious will enlighten us further to the truths of the Scotish affairs This Year increased Discontents in the Clergy at Oxford University First many conceived that the renovations reducing their use of primitive times in Divine service was now no lesse than Innovation against which they bitterly Invected in their Pulpits and Pasquils Their very texts giving just cause of offence and mutiny as Let us make us a Coptain and return into Egypt And he cryed against the Altar in the word of the Lord and said O Altar Altar and many such reflecting upon the Persons of the most Eminent in the Church and violating the Kings Declaration for depressing Arminian controversies some of the offenders being convented before their superiours the vice Chancellor Appeal to the Proctors Bishop Laud mistaking these retrograde proceedings in appeals from Ascendents to Descendents caused the King at Woodstock to order the difference and censured the offenders to be expelled the University The
the Lord himself the rest Tenants in Villenage So though the Lord became the Kings Tenant the Counâ—rey remained barbarous But the late Commissions for accepting Surrenders and regranting Estates to them and for streng thning defectivâ— Titles they ever setled and secured the Under-tenant and so to establish Lord and Tenant Freeholder and Farmer The Province of Ulster though heretofore the most unreformed the Seat and Nest of the great Rebâ—llion was the best established of any Provinceâ—eâ—led â—eâ—led upon Surrenders projected and prosecuted by King Iames himself not giving any intire County being six of them to dispose unto any particular Person much less Iura Regalia for the best British Undertakers had but three thousand Acres for himself with power to create a Mannour and to hold a Court Baron making a mixt Plantation of British and Irish onely the Irish were transplanted from the Woods and Mountains into the open Plains and granting Markets and Fairs and erecting corporate Towns amongst them and all was so well setled towards the end of his Reign that Ireland the Land of Ire because the irascible power was predominate for four hundred years was likely to prove a Land of peace and concord and as in the eighth of Deuteronomy Terra Rivorum c. and so continued with Plantations of English and Scots untill Disputes and Differences between the Irish and Us for Religion made them insolent and grew into discontent between the Protestant Plantations and the Papists Irish for during the peaceable Government under Lords Iustices and Council the politick administration of that Kingdom intrusted to many and so the worse for the main body the Ramish Clergy insolent and cunning and the Romish Catholick so ignorant and poor and both increasing in number was moved in charity to suspend the payment of the State-penalty of twelve pence a Sunday for absence from Church being in some fear to irritate the People by levying these Fines before the expiration of the five thousand pounds quarterly Contribution of the County towards the Army And as this Grace might please the one so the Protestant took part at the unequal Levie of the 〈◊〉 in faâ—our of the Papist And beginning to boil into a Broâ—l the Justices were called home and the Viscount Wentworth sent Deputy to govern all singly by himself of whose Government and the Proceedings there we shall have further occasion to observe in their due time and place and so we return in a word and in order to take view what the succesfull King of Swede does in Germany Great Acts had been done on all sides but Gustave as yet the most glorious but indeed he came near his own upshot for being over-adored and beloved he would say that he was not long-lived as it proved And now the several Generals grew ambitious of Honour each one to excell The King would boast that he must beat a Priest which was Tilly a Souldier Papenhaim and a Fool Wallenstein but who indeed croubled him more than the other two For Wallenstein was turned Hollander in his Proceedings using the Spade with the Pike against whom the Swedes advance but with loss of the flower of their Forces about five thousand slain near Nuremburgh and Wallestein but fifteen hundred slain And so the King marches towards Saxony lest he should lose that Duke and Wallestein followed after him having sent for Papenhaim and Gustave desired to hinder their conjoyning but could not And being come was by subtil Wallenstein sent out to surprize Hall Not so far gone but was called back for the King resolved to give the Battel upon the departure being now near Nuremburgh and Wallestein at Lutzen The Onset was furious the Craats did well but the Swedes better and Papenheim now returned in the nick of time to repulse the Enemy when a Falcon-shot strook him dead a gallant man of valour felicity and fidelity He seemed to dy willingly when he was told that the King was dead which it seems was so at the first shock of the Armies having received five wounds two mortal The Swedes say he was slain by a great Lord of his own others say by Papenheim but he was found among the dead and so troden that he was hardly known His Death enraged the Swedes and enforced their Enemy to hast a Retreat Thus fell this Caesar. Fortune courted him at Leipsick and his Fate fell at Lutzen in the midst of his Triumphs and in the middle of Germany he was Son to Charls Duke of Sudermain who had usurped the Crown from his Nephew Sigismund King of Poland he had an Apprentiship in Arms disguised and unknown under Prince Maurice some say that after he was King he jouâ—neyed into Germany in the quality of a Horsman of War in Bohâ—mia when he saw Count Bucquoy's Army His Successes altered his natural complacency with austere severity yet was his Death deplored and revenged by his Generals not taking leave of Germany till they had got a Peace and the Spoils and a Share also of the Empire it self And to accompany this great Prince died also some days after Frederick King of Bohemia who accompanied Gustave into Bavaria who seemed willing to restore him to his Birth-right the Palatinaâ—e but under hard and unacceptable conditions And thus he died leaving one onely Daughter Heiress to his Crown and glory He wants no Charactâ—r from several Historians most men generally affording words of fame for victorious fortunes He was bred up in Arms in the natural Dissentions against the Pole whose Interest and Right to Sweden endured long dispute but somewhat calmed put this King to quarrell with his nearer Neighbour the Dane and that Difference decided he not willing to disband or able to discharge his Army over he comes any where upon any score to adventure the success of his burdensome Forces to whom Providence afforded this success as a Rod of Gods anger upon the glory of the Empire which he was pleased thus to chastise and the work begun to take the first Instrument away and intrust his further Mysteries of succeeding Events to future management which hath brought that Empire the Garden of Eden to monstrous misery and destruction of Millions of innocent Souls besides those others more so exceeding faulty and the prime Actors in the Tragedies never lived out to to enjoy their several Successes as we have said The Prince Elector some weeks before being at Ments where the Plague raged took infection from thence and died soon after upon the nine and twentieth day of November being eight days after the Enemies Rendezvouz of his most considerable Town of Frankendale into the hands of the English Ambassadours which otherwise had been taken by the Swede's Forces long time besieging it and not able to hold out had it given up God a mercy against their will Onely of the old ones Wallestein survives but near his end also for having prosperously effected his several
fire-coales into a flame the French being then upon a War with Spain and the Cardinal a great Statist knew that Englands best policy was ever to side with the weakest to ballance the biggest power neither of them to increase above the measure of moderation To that end Monsieur Montril was sent Emissary and Agent to work out the Design in England and Scotland as may appear by the Scots Letter to the French King as hereafter follows and that they had great incouragement from Richelieu but what assistance under hand I could never finde out fair promises and no doubt never to engage against them But Balmerino his great Enemy the Earl of Kinnol Lord Chancellour of Scotland took his leave of this life and left his Office to Spotswood Son to the first Superintendent formerly Arch-bishop of Glasgow and now Arch-bishop of St. Andrews aged above sixty years a learned moderate wise man as by his History appears the first of his Coat since the Reformation of that Dignity and that for the great advantage of the Church if rightly apprehended without that mistaken Vote never known before for three hundred years a Clergy-man to bear that Dignity I shall remember those that were Andrew Foreman 15 Iac. 4. James Stuart Brother to James the fourth James Beaton 10 Jac. 5. and Queen Maries Reign David Beaton Cardinal succeeded him Jo Hamilton Brother to the Duke of Chattleheralt was the last of the Popish Bishops and many more before those and all of them Arch-bishops of St. Andrews and Chancellours Then there were Willam Lowater anno 1412. Andrew Foreman Iac. 4. Gawin Dunbar Praeceptor to James 5 and after him James Beaton And these following were Arch-bishops of Glasgow and Chancellours Adam and Patrick Bishops of Brocher Chancellours annis 1360 1370. Thomas Spence Bishop of Galloway and Chancellour to Jac. 2. William Elphinston Bishop of Aberdene Chancellour to Jac. 3. Indeed in Scotland heretofore Justice was perâ—ormed by Itinerarie Courts like to the Judicature of Courts in England fifteen Judges in all seven Churchmen and seven Laymen and the President also a Churchman and the best offices of State were formerly in Bishops and Abbots which gave them abilities in purse to perform those great and pious works of charity honour and common benefit Abbies Churches Hospitals Bridges Causewayes and the like all Acts of the Clergy heretofore which now their successours destroy Death indeed was more indifferent with two Great Ones in England two Eminent Men of several factions the One Sr. Richard Weston Earl of Portland Lord High Treasurer of England the Kings great Favourite for his Abilities at this time the more useful in promoting Prerogatives and all advantages of raising money with some regret of the Commons for such services His place was therefore for the present put under power of Commissioners for some time after The other was Sr. Edward Cook a Common Lawyer and so bred up himself to please the people Increasing esteem on that score from his first rise Queen Elizabeths Attorney General chief Iustice of the Kings Bench under King Iames where he lost himself by too much liberty of Eloquence or Impudence and removed from that Court to his Countrey retirement in the County of Buckingham made high Sheriff to humble him towards this King with a clause in his Commission to avoyd his Election of being a Burgesse in Parliament of which he was the more ambitious because thereby the better able to shew his Enmity but he got it in Norfolk his birth-place and he a Law-wrangler was voted legally chosen notwithstanding his Commission of Restraint We may not forget the Affairs of Germany the Swede having a continued confederacy with the protestant Princes and the French assistance against the Emperour and Spain for although they fought and treated for a conjunction Duke Barnard had been so often bafled by former promises of Wallestien before his Murther that now he trusted to fair words no longer And the good Duke Francis Albert of Saxony Leumburgh the Instrument chosen to tye these two different dispositions into a Ligament was not his crafts master but was carried prisoner for many years to Vienna The King of Hungary for the Imperial party having cured the Army with good gold after the disorder of Wallestiens murther and taken new Oath of the souldiers when News came to his camp of a notable victory gotten by Arnem upon the Imperialists in Silesia and of his marching towards Prague whither the King sent so strong a supply Arnem was constrained to retire into Saxony at the same time that the Town of Ratisbone was regained for the Emperour in Iuly the brave and famous General Aldring being slain a little before at Lanshut He was of Luxenburgh obâ—curely born whose virtues and valour had raised thus high and eminent in many battels against Iohn de Wiert with successe And the businesse Military in Germany requiring all assistance for the Emperour against such a confederacy of friends Thither comes the Cardinal Infanto from Milan with the old Spanish Italian and Burgundian Bands through all Switâ—zerland soon reforming the riotous Swedes by their example into a true Military Discipline These forces joyning with the Imperialists marched into the Duchy of Weitemburgh but first must passe the fiery Tryal of a strong Town Norlington The Swedes and their Allies are likewise summoned together from all parts Horn joyns with Duke Barnard and advises to spare the Enemy a Town or two than to hazzard the publicque cause But the Duke would fight for it and designed the day the sixth of September and the rather because some private offer had been for Overtures of a Peace which the Swedes took for a good Augure what ere it presaged It procured to both Armies the most horred bloody fight that had been between Christians To the Protestants party were already arrived the forces of the Duke of Weitemburgh the Lantgrave of Hassia and Count Cratz He who was for Bavaria and should have betrayed Ingolstade to the Enemy and so being discovered was fled hither wanting none but the Rhingrave and his four thousand men The fight began early the most furious first shock was for a Hillock the storming of a mined fort lost many of the Swedes Infantry The Canon hidden behinde some bushes did mighty Execution also and the Swedes constrained to fly and their Cavalry pursued by the Duke of Lorain and Iohn de Wiert were utterly defeated eighty pieces of Canon three hundred colours and twelve thousand men slain and six thousand prisoners amongst whom that brave man Gustave Horn Nobly received by the King The fruit of this Battel began a peace short and sweet onely to let that miserable Countrey taste of the blessing which lasted not long when the revenger of blood opens the veins to let out more evil fumes This Victory might answer for their Eminent successe heretofore at Leipsick and Lutzen and as the Swedes did then so does
this Victorious General divide their great Body into flying Armies carrying on an offensive War up and down where they pleased for Norlington forthwith surrendred the Duchy of Weitemburgh soon submits and their Duke flies to Strasburgh The Emperour sufficiently recovering his Eagles Plumes formerly obscured by the Septentrional Mars And yet to shew to the world reason and right from the difference of contraries The one would have War in the continuation of Conquest But the Emperour declares his desire of peace even in Victory They would carry on all with violence He to restore all to the first owner by a moderate accommodation And truly so it was offered by the King of Hungary to the Duke of Saxony and the other Prince which was afterwards the next year accepted for a while until the French Flower de Luce with her Odour marred the scent of the sweet smelling Frankincense In which time the Cardinall Infanto took time to visit his Government in Flanders The aid of Ship-money had set out one Fleet for securing of the Narrow-Seas this summer under Command of the Earl of Lindsey not the Earl of Northumberland till next year with fourty gallant Ships the third of May and the Earl of Essex his Vice-Admiral with twenty sail And being abroad at Sea the King resolves to continue his designe for the future with formidable Fleets annually and so it was thought convenient to lay the charge of Ship-money universally upon all Counties And therefore the Lord Keeper had command to direct the Judges of Assizes in their Circuits for the promoting of the Writs which were to Issue out for the next year which he did at the usual Assembly of the State in Star-chamber the end of Midsummer term the seventeenth of Iune to this effect My Lords the Judges THe Term being ended you are to divide your selves to your several Circuits for the service of the King and the good of the subjects In the Terms the people follow and seek after justice four times in the year but in the Circuits Iustice is carried down to them for their ease twice in the year so gracious is the frame and constitution of the Kings Government It is the Custom that you receive directions as his Majesties or his Councel shall think seasonable to impart to you that no cause may be of complaint either for denial or delay of Iustice. Of the tryal of Nisi prius it moves in a frame if your Officers do their duties you cannot tread awry Look to the corruption of the Sheriffs and their deputies the partiality of Jurors Aâ—d because the time of Assizes is very short therefore apply your selves to these particulars Amongst many I shall commend unto you first the presenting and convicting of Recusants those â—orfeitures being many years assigned for the publique defence Next to make a strict inquiry after Depopulations and Inclosures a Crime of a crying Nature robbing God of his honour and the King of his subjects Churches and Houses going down together the Freeholders hate them as oppressions of an high Nature bringing to posterity that Wo which is pronounced to those that lay house to house and field to field to dwell alone in the widest of the earth The next is the numerous erecting of Ale-houses the pest of the Kingdome none to be permitted without Licence a few in fit places according to Law The Iustices of peace are often to blame herein I did once discharge two Justices for setting up one Ale-house You are to see that the vagabonds shall be duly punished Constables Headboroughs and watchmen are to do their duties herein and these to be elected out of the better sort of Yeomanry There have been Presidents that the whole County hath been accountable to the King for the election of a faulty Coronor And if the Lords of Leetes were so punished for ill Constables the mischief would finde remedy And for binding of Apprentices in the Country the Iustices of peace are to execute their printed directions therein and you are to return the Names of the Iustices of peace to the Lords of the Councell that are faulty in their duties One thing more I have in charge to give you of great weight the honour of the King and Kingdom and their safety Christendom is full of wars the goodnesse of God to us that we are in peace and plenty It is a good precept in Divinity and holdeth in policie too Jam proximus ardet which if well observed it would warn our Neighbours to â— stand upon our own Guard Not to be enforced to fight and therefore to arm our selves better then not to arm and to be forced to fight providence being better than necessity The king therefore hath commanded all Land forces to be in readiness and hath set to sea a Royal Fleet not all at his own charges but also with the assistance of the Maritan places of the Kingdom And his Majesty hath vouchsafed by his Writs to declare enough to satisfie well minded men and to expresse the clearnesse of his princely heart in ayming at the general good of all The dominion of the sea as it is the ancient and undoubted right of the Crown so it is the best security of this Land and all good subjects will endeavour that the dominion of the Sea may be preserved not to be lost or deminished The Woodden Walls are the best walls of the Kingdom and if the Riches and wealth of the Nation be respected for that cause the dominion of the Sea is to be preserved else what would become of our Woolls Lead and the like the prizes would fall to nothing if others should be Masters of the Sea There is a Case in the Book of Assizes 43. That certain men went down into the Countrey and reported there that no Wooll should passe over Sea that year which occasioned the Woolls so low prized that the men were questioned and fined what then may follow in the losse of the dominion of the Sea in all our Commodities but losse of Trade Therefore as his Majesty thought fit to set forth that Fleet now upon the sea so he being ingaged for the honour of himself and Kingdom to strengthen this with greater Forces and more shipping therefore he upon advice is resolved to send forth new Writs for the preparation of a greater Fleet the next year not onely to the maritime Towns but to the whole Kingdome as wholly interessed in the benefit And that you the Iudges are commanded in your charge at the Assizes and at all places opportunely to acquaint the people of his Majesties care and zeal to preserve his and the Kingdoms honour in the dominion of the Sea by a powerfull Fleet and you are to let them know how just it is for his Majesty to require this for the common defence and with what alacrity and chearfulness they are bound in duty to contribute the best way to assure unto us a
Councel at Hampton Court the case was concluded for the Arch Bishop as the greatest reason not to rule themselves having suffered such an Inconvenience there without so much as taking notice much lesse reforming It had been more then fifteen moneths that the Writs of Ship-money were issued out to divers Counties many Men and in special Mr. Hambden of Buckingham Shire being Assisted by the Sherifâ— made default of payment this Person well known and supposed a stake for others not without a resolved factious assistance of powerful parties And therefore the King this Michaelmas Term not precipitate into a quarrel advised the opinion of his Judges stating the Case by Letter to them To our trusty and well-beloved Sir John Bramstone Knight Chief Iustice of Our Bench Sir John Finch Knight Chief Iustice of Our Court of Common Pleas Sir Humphrey Davenport Knight Chief Baron of Our Court of Exchequer and to the rest of the Iudges of Our Courts of Kings Bench Common Pleas and the Barons of our court of Exchequer Charls Rex Trusty and well-beloved we greet you well taking into our Princely consideration that the Honor and safety of this Our Realm of England the preservation whereof is onely entrusted to Our care was and is more dearly concern'd then in late former times as well by divers councels and attempts to take from Us the Dominions of the Seas of which We are sole Lord and rightful Owner or Propriator and the losse whereof would be of greatest danger and peril to this Kingdom and other Our Dominions and many other wayes We for the avoiding of these and the like dangers well weighing with our self that where the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in danger there the charge and defence ought to be born by all the Realm in general did for the preventing so publique a mischief resolve with our self to have a Royal Navy prepared that might be of force and power with Almighty Gods blessing and assistance to protect and defend this Our Realm and Our Subjects therein from all such perils and dangers and for that purpose We issued forth Writs under our Great Seal of England directed to all Our Sheriffs of Our several Counties of England and Wales Commanding thereby all Our said Subjects in every City Town and Village to provide such a number of Ships well furnisht as might serve for this Royal purpose and which might be done with the greatest equality that could be In performance whereof though generally throughout all the Counties of this Our Realm We have found in Our Subjects great chearfulnesse and alacrity which We gratiously interpret as a testimony as well of their dutiful affection to us and our service as of the respect they have to the Publique which well becometh every good Subject Nevertheless finding that some few happily out of ignorance what the Laws and Customs of this Realm are or out of a desire to be eased in their particulars how general soever the charge be or ought to be have not yet paid and contributed to the several Rates and Assesments that were set upon them And fore-seeing in Our Princely wisdom that from thence divers Suits and Actions are not unlikely to be commenced and prosecuted in our several Courts at Westminster We desirous to avoid such inconveniencies and out of Our Princely love and affection to all Our People being willing to prevent such Errours as any of Our loving Subjects may happen to run into have thought fit in a case of this nature to advise with you Our Judges who We doubt not are well studied and informed in the Rights of Our Sovereignty And because the Trials in Our several Courts by the Formalities in Pleading will require a long protraction We have thought fit by this Letter directed to you all to require your Judgments in the Case as it is set down in the inclosed Paper which will not onely gain time but also be of more authority to over-rule any prejudicate opinions of others in the Point Given under Our Signet at our Court of White-hall the Second Day of February in the Twelfth Year of Our Reign 1636. CHARLS Rex CHARLS Rex VVhen the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concern'd and the whole Kingdom in danger whether may not the King by VVrit under the great Seal of England command all the Subjects in his Kingdom at their charge to provide and furnish such number of Ships with Men Victuals and Munition and for such time aâ— he shall think fit for the Defence and Safeguard of the Kingdom from such Danger and Peril and by Law compel the doing thereof in case of Reâ—usal or Refractoriness and whether in such case is not the King the sole Iudge both of the Danger and when and how the same is to be prevented and avoided The Judges return their Opinions thus May it please your Most Excellent Majesty we have according to your Majesties Command severally and every Man by himself and all of us together taken into serious consideration the Case and Questions signed by your Majesty and inclosed in your Letter And we are of opinion that when the Good and Safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in Danger your Majesty may by Writ under your Great Seal of England command all the Subjects of this your Kingdom at their charge to provide and furnish such number of Ships with Men Victual Munition and for such time as your Majesty shall think fit for the Defence and Safeguard of the Kingdom from such Peril and Danger And that by Law your Majesty may compell the doing thereof in case of Refusal or Refractoriness And we are also of opinion that in such Case your Majesty is the sole Iudg both of the Danger and when and how the same is to be prevented and avoided John Bramston John Finch Humphrey Davenport John Denham Richard Hutton William Jones George Crook Thomas Trever George Vernon Robert Barkly Francis Crauly Richard Weston Thus they subscribe which was inrolled in all Courts at Westminster Hall and without doubt Warrant sufficient for the King to proceed against any Defaulters specially singly against Hambden who appeared upon Process and required Oyer of the Ship Writs and so being heard he demurred in Law and demanded the Iudges opinion upon the Legality of those Writs which being argued in the Exchequer all the Iudges and those Barons except Crook and Hutton were of opinion for the Writs and the Barons gave Iudgment accordingly against Hambden who under hand advised held up the Quarrel by Intermissions till further time and conveniency The Queen bare the Princess Ann the seventeenth of March the third Daughter to the King This Midsummer Term were censured in Star-chamber three Delinquents confederate A medley of Mal-contents The one a Divine Mr. Burton who is a mistiled Sometime Tutor to the King which he never was nor any
who was Henry The very same reason in the Title of the Earl of Strathern the Children of a first Marriage by Common Law are to be preferred in the succession before the Children of the second Marriage for the marrying of Elizabeth Moor did but legitimate her Children to succeed after the Children of the first Marriage As for the authority of Parliament we may consider whether that Authority may confer and intail a Crown from a lawfull Heir thereof to the next apparant Heirs Or whether an Oath given unto a King by Mans Law should be performed when it tendeth to the suppression of Truth and Right which stand by the Law of God Then if one Parliament hath power to intail a Crown whether may not another Parliament upon the like consideration restore the same to the right Heirs But it may be objected that the Subject resigneth all his Right to his King and then consider whether a Subject may safely capitulate with his Prince that is to give over and quit claim all Right and Title which he hath to his Sovereign Crown his right being sufficient And if by his Capitulation his Heirs be bound And if besides it be honourable for a Prince to accept his conditions The trouble which Edward Baliol raised in Scotland their Histories mention notwithstanding that his Father John Baliol had resigned unto Robert King of Scotland all the Right which he or any other of his had or thereafter might have to the Crown of Scotland He anno 1355. gave to Edward the third King of England a full Resignation of his pretended Right of the Crown of Scotland as before being assisted by the said King and the confederate Gentlemen of Scotland in a Parliament holden at Perth where he had been confirmed King of Scotland by the three Estates If the Pope the King of Spain or France after some Revolution of years seeking to trouble the peace of this Isle should entertain and maintain one of the Heirs of the Earl of Strathern as Queen Elizabeth did Don Antonio the Prior of Crato who claimed the Crown of Portugal to reclaim whose Kingdom she sent a Fleet to settle him or should marry one of them to their nearest Kinswoman and served him armed with power to claim his Title to the Crown of Scotland as King James the fourth of Scotland practised upon Perkin Warbeck named Richard Duke of York to whom he gave in Marriage Katherine Gordoun Daughter to the Earl of Huntley and thereafter all his Forces to establish his said Ally invaded England whether had he not a fair Bridg to come over to this Isle It would be likewise considered if the Earl of Strathern though a mean Subject these two hundred years having been debarred all Title to the Crown and now by the favour of King Charls being restored in bloud and served Heir to his great Progenitours and indirectly as by appendices to the Crown if either out of displeasure and want of means to maintain his Estate he or his should sell or dispose their Right and Title of the Kingdom of Scotland to some mighty Prince such as was perhaps lately the King of Sweden who wanted nothing but a Title to invade a Kingdom not knowing whether to discharge his victorious Forces It would be considered if that Title disposed to such a Prince were sufficient to make him King of Scotland or if establishing his Right upon fair conditions such as is Liberty of conscience absolution and freedom from all Taxes Subsidies the People of Scotland might give him their Oath of Allegiance or if he might redact the King of Scotland to give him satisfaction or composition for his Right to the Crown of Scotland It was to be considered the times turning away the mindes of Subjects from their Prince by changes as hath befallen that inconstant Nation to these present times how dangerous was it besides to his own person And for the Earl the Examples following may inform for first Lewis King of France having under stood that a Nobleman of Artois called Canacare had vaunted to be lineally descended as in truth he was from Clodioule Chevelu and so by that succession was Heir to the Crown caused him extirpate and all his Race Henry 4. King of England after the deposure of King Richard the second kept Edmund Mortimer Earl of March who had a just Title to the Crown under such Guard as he could never attempt any thing till to his Death But Henry the seventh King of England took away Edward Plantaginet Duke of Warwick Heir to George Duke of Clarence in jealousie of his succession to his Uncle Edward the fourth Margaret Plantaginet his sole Daughter married to Richard Pole by Henry the eighth restored to the Earldom of Salisbury was attainted three score and two years after her Father had suffered and was beheaded in the Tower in whose Person died the Sirname of Plantaginet Ann Plantaginet Daughter to Edward the fourth being married unto Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey and Duke of Norfolk was the ground and chief cause that King Henry the eighth cut off the Head of Henry Earl of Surrey though he pretended that the cause of his Arreignment was for bearing certain Arms of the House of York which onely belonged to the King Mary Queen of England put to death the Lady Jane Grey and the Lord Guilford her Husband for their Title to the Crown and by the same reason was the destruction of Mary Queen of Scotland by Queen Elizabeth The like reason also made King James of Great Brittain imprison the Lady Arabella and her Husband she being with childe but by Imprisonment and flight she miscarried and died and then he was released The Duke of Guise deducing his Genealogy from Charls le grand in the Reign of the French King Henry the third was suspected to aspire to that Crown and suffered at last for that presumption And to return to Scotland it is evident in their History that for thâ—se two hundred years last past the Race of Euphane Ross in her children David Earl of Strathern and Walter Earl of Athol have been kept under and for good reason of State ought to be so still unless the policy of a Prince wâ—uld the rather raise them up to a considerable suspâ—â—ion thereby to deserve a greater Destruction This discourse of Strathern is inserted fâ—r particular satisfaction of some English that have doubâ—ed of his Descâ—nt And now the Sâ—ots begin to invest themselves with the supreme Ensigns of Sovâ—reignty and Marks of Majesty by erecting of four Tables of Council for ordering the Affâ—irs of thaâ— Kindgom a new way of Judicature of their own composing in contempt of the King and his Council erected much like those of the detestable pretended holy League in France entring into Covenant against all Opposers the King himself not excepted They erected many Tables in Edinburgh four were principal consisting of the Nobility Gentry Buâ—roâ—ghs and Ministers many subordinate Tables of
the Gentry in reference to their Shires these consulted of Propositions for the gâ—nâ—ral Table consisting of Commissioners elected out of the other four Tables which should be put in practice by a blinde Jesuitical zeal of obedience a neâ— form of Government in a Kingdom evermore Monarchical to this day and so they then would call it And the first Dung from this General Table oâ— Sâ—able rather of these unruly Horses was their Covenant and seditious Band pretended to preserve their Religion in renewing their ancient Confession of their Faith and security of the Kings person but aiming really at the destruction of both Concerning this their Confession of Faith 1. First It is observed against the vulgar Errour That the Ministers have been alwayes the Instrumental party subservient to the prevalent faction of the Nobility in all these late troubles as in all former since the first alteration of Religion And when Hamilton and Argyles power vanished it is manifest that the Ministers authority likewise took end having the rise and fall together 2. That the Confession of Faith in anno 1580. upon which the late Covenanters grounded and derived their Covenant in anno 1638. was onely a Negative Confession containing an abjuration of all points of erroneous doctrine of the Romish Church which a Iew Pagan Turk or any except a Romane Papist might have taken being consonant to the Oath of Abjuration here in England imposed upon suspected Recâ—sants 1643. and lately renewed by the Lord Protector though upon different ends And that it was no Covenant containing any Band of mutual defence without and against the Kings consent as this did but onely a Band for the maintenance of the true Religion and the Kings person with the Kings warrant and the Councels and the General Assemblies approbation anno 1590. as their own words bear in the frontispice of this their Covenant 1638. All which it wanted and consequently was a clear illegal combination of subjects against the King their undoubted lawful Supreme Magistrate which is High-Treason by the laws of all kindes of Government And that all strangers to the Scots History may the better apprehend what the Negative Confession was It will not be amisse to set down briefly the reason that moved King Iames to impose the same upon his Scotish Subjects It being inserted in the large Declaration page 57 58 59 concluding in these words To whom with the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost c. The rest therein after mentioned is forced in by the New Covenanters The occasion of that Confession King Iames the sixth having no kinred left in Scotland of his Fathers side except the Earl of Lenox an aged decreped Man without hopes of issue sent to France for Esâ—re Lord Aubigny near in blood that was to Lenox And being a young Gentleman of a comely personage and sweet disposition he was made first Gentleman of the Bedchamber then Earl of Lenox to preserve the house delapsed by right to the King and then Lord High Chamberlain Duke of Lenox and Privy Councellour with very great affection to boot whom a strong part of the Nobility oppose and set on some bâ—utefeu Ministers to pulpet him a Papist and to be sent into Scotland by the House of Guises in France to pervert the King and subvert the Protestant Religion and got Interest with Queen Elizabeth to side with them The King commends him to Mr. David Lindsay Minister of Leeth who understood French and was by him converted making his publique Recantation in St. Giles Church afterwards the Cathedral of Edinburgh and constantly came to the duties of the Church But this they said was done by dispensation from the Pope so that the King commanded his Chaplain Mr. Craig to draw up that Negative Confession subscribing it first himself then the Duke and after them his whole Houshold All this would not satisfie the Nobles nor their factious Ministers but they seized the King at Ruthen Castle and enforced him to banish the Duke who died shortly after a true Protestant at Paris 3. That the Interpretation which the New Covenanters without any lawful warrant of publique authority put upon the Negative Confession by making it abjure Episcopacy and the five Articles of Perth Assembly anno 1618. was contrary to the former practice of their own Kirk ever since either of them was determined See Grand Declaration page 364. which proves by Acts of Parliament that the Bishops had still votes in Parliament according to former times 4. That the Negative Confession was an un-hand som way for a King to take to suppresse a few Mutinous Ministers appears clearly by common reason and King Iames his own dissallowing of it afterwards in his conference at Hampton Court anno 1603. But his first Ordination thereof was onely pro tempore morte Mandatoris expirat Mandatum unlesse it had been renewed by the present King it could not be loyal 5. King Charles by his Coronation Oath 1633. is sworn to maintain the Church as then it was And all Ministers upon their Admission did take Oath of obedience to their Ordinary Bishops and to the five Articles of Perth by Acts of Parliament so commanded for so many years past at least these should have been removed by Acts of Parliaments before they could be renounced without perjury 6. Whether the Limitation contained in the third Article of the Solemn League and Covenant viz. To preserve and defend his Majesties Person and Authority in the third place and conditionally in the defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms not exprest nor known in the large extent as newly interpreted doth not fetter the subjects Allegiance and open a back door for them to rebel against the King if they imagine he doth oppose it which they conceive to be the true Religion and Liberties though never so falfe and how this can stand with the three and twentieth Article of the large Confession of Faith authorized in both Kingdoms 1645. by acts of Synods Holding forth That Infidelity or difference in Religion doth not make void the just Authority of the Magistrate or free the people from their due Obedience to him this being so how can the Covenanters give answer hereunto But the Title to this New device was thus The Confession of Faith subscribed at first by the Kings Majesty and his Houshold in the year of God 1580. thereafter by persons of all ranks 1581. By Ordinance of the Lords of secret Counsel and Acts of General Assemblies subscribed again by all sorts of persons 1590. By a new Ordinance of Councel at the desire of the General Assembly with a general Band for maintenance of the true Religion and the Kings person and now subscribed in the year of God 1638. by us Noblemen Barons Gentlemen Burgesses Ministers and Commons under subscribing To which the Royall Narration makes these Questions By what authority they durst exact an Oath without him or his
Deputy Magistrate Seeing therein their Title bears evidence against them for in their three first subscriptions is exprest either King Iames his own act or an ordinance of the secret Councel equivalent to regality or at the desire of the General Assembly to intreat it If they had power to command the new taking of an old Oath as they had not what authority had they to interpret it concerning the five Articles of Perth the Service Boâ—k the Book of Canons and high Commission their Predecessours abjuring onely those Romish corruptions of that time near sixty years since but what could not be more evident was taken upon trust with Jesuitical Equivocation to many such Objections The former Confession and Band annexed heretofore was mâ—de in defence of the King his Authority and Person with their bodies and lives in defence of the Gospel of Christ and Liberties of that Kingdom To which they now have added a mutual defence of one another against all opposers the King not exâ—epted nor any for him Nay by two Acts of their own Parliaments Declare all leagâ—es of subjects amongst themselves without the King to be seditious and punishable The Oath of Iames the sixth and ninth Parliament of Queen Mary the Kings consent never granted nor ever asked The fire of this seditious Covenant flaming throughout the corners of that Kingdom the King to appease those passages sends the Marquesse of Hamilton with power of High Commissioner to conclude and determine for the peace of the Kingdom But why a peace-maker Commissioner and not a war-like Commander And if by a fair Imparlance why Hamilton so much reason to be distrusted as before observed unlesse rather to be deceived than to distrust against the advice of some Scotish Lords the Earl of Sterling Secretary of State the Bishops of Rosse and Broken Privy Counsâ—llours Sr. Robert Spotswood Lord President of the Colledge of Justice and Sr Iohn Hay Master of the Robes who came post hither to disswade the King from him and to present the Marquesse Huntley for that service one utterly in Enmity against Covenanters where the other was suspected But the King carried on by fate suffered the weak contribution of the Duke of Lenox his advise though the old Enemy of his house than that a County Lord Huntley should carry it from them both And indeed it was a Royal deputation fitted for King Hamiltons ambition who having lost the Scotish army for the King of Swedes ayd He fell upon secret designes for his own ends obliging all Scots at Court his dependants and by his authority in Scotland he had the means to alien any from the King to himself as he did in his trust cosen the King by granting what the Covenanters desired even to his Crown by degrees To suspend and after to suppresse the Common Prayer and Canons the five Articles of Perth got by Inches from his Father to be confirmed by Parliament and the Covenant authorized with the calling of General Assemblies for votes of Covenanters to censure and Excommunicate the Bishops and to abolish Episcopacy and all the Royal Clergy to be ruined making himself the greatest figure in Scotland and the King his cypher He acting all in the after Warre as the story proceeds to shew in particular But in Iune the sixth day his Commission was read at Dalkieth four miles from Edinburgh where the Covenanters increased devising because some powder landing at the Fryth for supply of the provision of Edinburgh Castle that assuredly the plot was to blow away the Covenant by destroying the Covenanters And in earnest they were to disdain any notice of the Commissioner or his arrand unlesse he came to them where they were fixed with better force than to adventure out of Edinburgh they having openly landed two good ships loaded with Arms and Amunition and then invited him to come thither which he did Being met with the Nobility and Gentry Covenanters and all sides making a lane of the looser sort who were made believe that Popery and Bishops were One with bitter cursings against both and therefore He being setled at Haly-rood House desired the Covenanters to dismisse their Multitude which they did to be eased of the charge And then He demanded first What they would expect from him Secondly What might be expected from them in duty to the King To the first That nothing but a General Assembly and Parliament would please them and so in both they would be their own Judges and for return to any former obedience they acknowledge no dissertion in the least degree from justifying their actions and rather renounce Baptism than loose one Article of their Covenant or rebate one syllable of the literal rigour of it Religion and Laws be at stake They double their guards of the city the Ministers libel the pulpits and send to the Commissioner the Sunday Eve that whosoever should read the English service though in the Kings Chappel should die the death where they were observed and increasing Insolency they send several letters to each of the secret Councel to require them to take the Covenant Therein expressing the comfortable experience they have already of the wonderfull favour of God upon renewing their Confession of their Faith and Covenant their resolution and beginnings of Universal Reformation to God his great glory contentment of his Majesty blessing to the Kingdom and joy of all good subjects And doubt not that your Lordship will both subscribe to the Covenant and be promover to it in the duty of a good Patriot the Office and trust of a Privy Councellour this the time of trial of your affection to Religion the respect of your fame the eyes of men and Angels being upon your carriage the Lord Iesus a secret witnesse to observe and a Iudge hereafter to reward and confesse such men before his Father that take his part before men All and each of these call and cry to God and your Lordship in a cause of so great and singular necessity as you expect at the hour of death to be free of the terrour of God and to be refreshed with the comfortable remembrance of Christ Iesus King of Kings and Lord of Lords The Marquesse now findes this place too hot for him and removes to Dalkieth without adventuring upon the English Divine Service formerly continually used there for twenty years in audience of the Councel Nobility and Judges and here he Proclames his Maiest es gracious Declaration for relieving of their grievances and satisfying of good people in his forwardnesse for maintenance of the Religion professed in that Kingdom His aversnesse from Popery Not to presse the practise of the Service-Book and Canons but in a legal way of proceeding and had ordered the discharge of all acts and Councels concerning them and to indict a General Assembly or Convocation and Parliament to agitate the welfare of the Church and Kingdom The Covenanters afraid that this Justice and clemency might
sets forth his Proclamation and Declaration To inform his loving Subjects of the seditious practices of some in Scotland seeking the overthrow of this Royal Power under false pretext of Religion the seven and twentieth of February 1638. referring to theirs in Edinburgh the fourth of February before and therein he discovers their traiterous intentions by the multitudes of their Pamphlets and Libels against Regal Authority by their Letters to private persons inciting them against the King by their Covenanters private meetings at London and in sundry places of the Kingdom some whereof he knows and some he hath seen by their contempt and protests against his Majesties commands by their rejecting of his Covenant because commanded by him and their inducing their own into Band and Covenant of conspiracy against him and lastly by their hostile preparations of Arms. He remonstrates all the former passages of his grace clemency and indulgence towards them their undâ—tifull returns of all and now their insolencies by their erecting a Print of their own raise Arms block up and besiege his Castles tax his Subjects slight his Counsellours set up Tables Councils of their own sit by Committees of their late pretended Assembly He takes God to witness he is constrained by these their Treasons to take Arms for the safety of that and this Kingdom They refusing the Oath of Allegeance and Supermacy because they have taken their Covenant He resolves to maintain Episcopacy there and refers to a large Declaration coming forth which suddenly succeeded of all the Passages as aforementioned to that Day of the Date February 27. at White-Hall To which they answer by theirs at Edinburgh the two and twentieth of March next following under the title of An Ordinance of the General Assembly And begin with their usual Canting That though the secrets of Gods way cannot be sounded yet considering his Providence in their personal affairs the Lord is about some great Work on Earth for the Cup of affliction propined to other Reformed Kirks is now presented to them though instead of a gracious Return of their humble Petitions from time to time the Return is a late Declaration of the seven and twentieth of February last libelâ—ed against them though the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against their Cause and the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ now in question which Declaration proceeds from the unchristian Prelates and their party inserting the image of their Hierarchy into the Kings Portraict and by their unequal poise overturn the Boat of all the Passengers and the Steer-man himself to perish And in good earnest they rip up their Reasons first by their long suffering of the Prelates insolency against their Ministery purity of Doctrine their Reformation the wonderfull Work of Gods Mercy to that Nation and so most falsly seting down the aforesaid Passages to their own ends fearing Popery to be introduced and because all the particular mischiefs calamities and curses recited shall not fall upon them to prevent the after-quelling of their childrens return wherefore hath the Lord done thus and hus against then the men shall say because they have forsaken the Covenant of the Lord therefore have all these Evils come upon them And for doing any harm to England cursed be their breasts if they harbour any such thought Implore the good opinion of their well affected Brethren in England And so to conclude their War defensive they cite the Law Natural and Civil that Ad defensionem sufficit quoâ— praecedat offensa vel justus timor offensae nec debet quis expectare primum istum melius enim jura intacta servare quam post vulneratam causam remedium quaerere quando praecedunt signa actus manifestae offensionis quando aliter nosmet tueri non possumus tum inculpata necessaria diciâ—ur tutela ac in dubia insultus quicquid facit in incontinentâ— praesumitur ad sui defensionem facere It is enough for defence that the offer of offence or just fear of offence go before as we profess it to be our case at this present even the defence of God and his Religion Edinburgh the 22. of March 1639. And so you see the occasion of this War which is untruly said to be the Arch-bishops advice and we are told the reason because it was the Bishops War the Covenanters called it so by which the Historian is observed to be one and that though it was so hinted a War to maintain the Bishops Hierarchy we are assured of the truth that though their contract and Covenant against the Liturgy and Episcopacy were their chief pretencs yet not the causes Religion the Vizard to disguise Rebellions when covetousness sacrilege rapine have a chief hand then as you may reade the true occasion in the entrance of this History under this Title The Scots Interest But as the English Clergy so the Nobility and Gentty had contributed largely and raised a considerable Power under Conduct of the Earl of Arundel the Kings General the Earl of Essex Lieutenant General of the Foot and the Earl of Holland of the Horse a considerable part of the Royal Navy with plenty of Corn and Ammunition intrusted the Kings fatal oversight to the command of the Marquess Hamilton who is marked out by an Observator and that justly to have anchored with his Fleet in the Frith of Edinburgh receiving his Mothers Visit a rigid Covenanter which the Scots themselves could then interpret That the Son of such a Mother would not hurt them for there he loitered to no good purpose for the King untill that he was informed of the Treaty tending to Pacification at Barwick and then he got on Land and poasted thither on purpose to disturb the intentions or master them to his own sinister respects as you shall reade hereafter And with these Forces the King himself sets ouâ— the very day of the same Moneth of his advance to this Crown March 27. And because it was a sudden War we shall soon march to the Enemy for in April he came to York where he stayed some time being the Rendezvouz for his Army marshalling his Men and consulting also of necessary Affairs of the State and Council-table and to indulge with a Proclamation April 13. Revoking and making null sundry Grants Licences and Commissions unduly obtained upon false suggestions I shall number them to the shame of such corrupt Ministers as did not prevent them viz. against Cottages and Inmates Scriveners and Brokers several Commissions for compounding with Offenders for transporting of Butter for importing of Log-wood for selling Under-sheriffs Places for destruction of Woods in Iron-works for Concealments and Incroachments within twenty Miles of London for transporting Sheep-skins and Lamb-skins for dressing Venison Pheasants Patridges in Inns Ale-houses Ordinaries and Taverns for licensing Wine-cask Brewers transporting Lamperes And revokes several Grants viz. for weighing Hay and Straw in London and three Miles compass the Office for registring
these were Pembrook Salisbury Holland and others lately Commissioners in the Pacification And yet amongst them all the most unworthy kept in and bred in Hamilton At last the number was lessened to three the Arch Bishop the Lord Leivtenant of Ireland and Hamilton And at the close it was concluded on the fift of December And no wonder now to set down the truth as secret as this Junto was I draw my intelligence from a Letter written the tenth of December to the most Eminent of degree under obedience of the King the whole manner and matter of that debate which saies that on Thursday last the Iunto met when the King gave reasons of the evil and necessity of suddain prevention ere it should highten beyond remedie which in his Judgement ought to be by consent and assistance of 〈…〉 in England the Lord Lievtenant acknowledged it the 〈…〉 highly magnifying the Kings resolution and with the 〈…〉 confirmed professing afterwards in a fuller Assembly that 〈◊〉 he should know himself to be one principally aymed at for Examination in Parliament yet he so far preferred the Kings prosperity and the affaires of State as to hazard his own life and fortunes to his Innocencie and their Censure And the Lord Lievtenant wholly had the honour in the peoples opinion for promoting this Resolution Then was it also concluded for a Parliament also in Ireland to precede this herein and the Lieutenant to be dispatched thither to return time enough to this which was therefore resolved for that cause principally not to remove till the middle of April following and in the mean time to raise monies by that reputation sufficient to put himself in a posture of war And indeed the Arguments were urged pro and con unsafe unseasonable insecure because of the rancour left by the last Parliament the unseasonable recalling an Assembly after the peoples thoughts had laid them aside and the King had learned to stand on his own legs viz. power by Land and Sea and no doubt Insecure to many great ones a whipping Parliament as Sir Thomas Iermin named it But then the necessity of the affairs and the Kings resolution to satisfie all exceptions put it on And for present mony The Lord Lieutenant subscribed the Lone of twenty thousand pounds the Duke of Richmond as much more Hamilton pretended poverty and did not sign at all though his Scotish Imployment got him twice so much It after came to the rest some in zeal other in good manners few refused All the Judges Officers and dependants of Courts of Judicature were assessed by the discretion of the Council acording to their qualities and places of profit But herein mistaking the profit of the six Clerks places in Chancery for they were raised to the sum of two thousand pounds a piece beyond the benefit of their gain And indeed to draw on the Clergie and to shew that a Recusant in the rites of our Church may yet have a conscience of fidelity answerable to the duty of other obedient subjects the Queen had the honour of Promoting her interest with them appointing Sir Kenelm Digby and Mr. Walter Mountague to negotiate with the Catholiques for a hearty contribution being very proportional to their affections and beyond their proper abilities which was afterwards hinted as a great crime and therefore throughout the war called the Papist Army It was no matter for the Scots were termed Rebells here and in Ireland and more forward than the King with their faces but with a cunning carriage of counterfeite humility and Innocencie crave leave to prostrate their duty and obedience by access to his Majesties Throne of grace and mercy To that end the Covenanters did send their Commissioners the Earl of Dunfermling the Lord Loudon Sir William Dowglas and Mr. Barkley The two last not so much as mentioned in the Commission and the Lords onely authorized to plead Integrity and to demonstrate their fidelity but not impowred to propound particulars towards a Mediation any way satisfactorie at all to the Kings expectation and in truth they came but to juggle with this State as you have heard for at this time the Covenanters were so forward as to Imprison at home some of the Kings well affected Nobility and Gentry suspected by them and from birds of their feather the Hollander they procured many Commanders Scots and others with liberty to keep their places with Arms and ammunition upon trust though such Officers from thence as came to the King were soon casheered ungratefull People both for courtesies done to repay with injury and after to destroy as 't is observed that Naturale est odisse quem laeseris And the King could say of them both that They were lost by Favours and won by Punishment And thus forwarded like desperate Insurrectors they engage beyond Retrive themselves the first to proclaim their Discontents imploring Aid from their old Friends the French by the Letter to that King which they did not doubt under confidence of the Cardinal Richelieu and Con the Popes Nuncio to obtain The very original Letter to the French King whether sent or but intended came to the Kings hands as a close Secret and was found to be the Character of the Lord Loudon who was therefore though Commissioner from the Covenanters committed to the Tower in close confinement till the Marquess Hamilton procured his Release And this very Letter in the Kings presence being openly read in the Lords House the next Parliament the Commons being at the Bar without any great resentment which testified that the major part did not much dislike the Scots Proceedings as appears too true thereafter Nay before this their Letter to the French King they were encouraged six Moneths since from France by Chambers the Priest a bold Scot and Chaplain to Richelieu sent by him to advise them to take Arms and thereafter he sent his Page Hepburn with Letters to the principal of them in the Court here and then to Scotland and no sooner invited but they begin their Reaks the Covenanters first seizing Edinburgh and Sterlin Castle others in a seeming way of force because the Earl of Mar was hereditable Keeper of them both and secretly sided with them as also the Castle of Dunbarton before their Army was marched to Dunslow And besides this Letter to the French King they had implored help from the King of Denmark Sweden Holland Poland and their Letters were shewed to the King wherein they offer their Isles of Orkney and Shetland to the King of Denmark advising the Swede to fall upon that King in case he should assist his Kinsman Nay it is further reported that they solicited the Turk to ingage against the Emperour lest he should contribute to their prejudice But it seems by their own true Representation that they trusted chiefly to their English Brethren We are now come to the consideration concerning this resolved Rebellion whether besides the hopes of
the French and other strangers assistance the Iesuit in particular had combinations with the Covenanters not in love to them but in policy to ruine the right Reformed Religion by setting up the Presbytery and so all Schism to succeed and a Plot was pretended to bring it about The Narrative of this Design was sooner sent abroad than by Master Pryn or the other after him and needs not the credulity of Sir William Boswel 's Relation as to the thing but whether the Indictor devised this Narration and himself onely the Plotter as usual with politick Pretenders is much suspected yet it is confessed to be framed square enough to publick fame to be believed for truth and thus it was for I have met with some different Copies commonly transcribed which yet need not for they were scattered in Manuscript from the very Authours A Noble-man of Boheme Andreas ab Habern-field now become Physician to the Lady Elizabeth the Palsgrave relict made it known by a Friend to Sir William Boswel and by his means sent to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury Most Illustrious and Reverend Lord We have willingly and cordially perceived that our Offers have been acceptable both to his Royal Majesty and likewise to your Grace This is the onely Index to us that the Blessing of God goeth along with you whereby we are the more extimulated chearfully and freely to declare and discover those things whereby the hazzard of both your lives the subversion of the Realms both of England and Scotland the tumbling down of his Excellent Majesty from his Throne is projected Now lest the discourse should be enlarged with superfluous cicumstances we will onely premise some things which are meerly necessary to the matter First be it known to them that this good man the Informer of the ensuing discoveries was born and bred in the pontifical Religion and spent many years in Ecclesiastical Functions At length being judged a fit person for carrying on the present designe by the advice and command of the Lord Cardinal Barbarino he was made co-adjutor to Con the then Popes Nuncio to whom he appeared so diligent and sedulous in his office that hope of great preferment was given to him But he guided by a better inspiration was not wun by those sugar baits and conscious to himself of the vanities of that Religion whereof he had sometimes been a strenuous Defender having also observed the malice of rhe Romish party found his Conscience much oppressed for ease whereof he resorted in his belief to the Orthodox Religion And thought it his best way to reveal a plot tending to the destruction of so many Innocent souls conceiving his minde would better repose should he vent what he knew into the bosom of some confiding Friend This done he was seriously admonished by that Friend to give manifest tokens of his Conversion and to deliver from imminent danger so many innocent souls To this counsel he willingly consigned himself and delivered the subsequent matters to Writing whereby the Articles lately presented to your Grace may be clearly explicated and demonstrated 1 That the main of the businesse may be known it is to be considered that all these Factions which this day make Christianity reel have their rise from the Iesuitical off-spring of Cham which branch it self into four Orders The first are Ecclesiasticks these take into care the promotions of Religious affairs The second are Polititians their office is to take care for the raising of civil combustions in and refoming of Kingdoms The Third are Seculars who are properly designed for to intrude into offices of near relation to the persons of Princes to insinuate themselves into Civil affairs of the Court as Bargains and Sales The Fourth are men of a lower Orb Intelligencers and spies then to creep into the services of eminent persons Princes Earls Barons or the like and endevour to pervert or cheat them A Society of so many Orders the Kingdom of England nourisheth For scarce all Spain France and Italy can yield so great a multitude of Iesuites as London alone Where are found more then fifty Scotch Iesuites there the said Society hath elected for it self a seat of iniquity and hath conspired against the King and his greatest confidents especially against the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and likewise against both Kingdoms For it is most certain that the said Society hath resolved upon an Universal Reformation in the Kingdoms of England and Scotland And the determination of the end necessarily inferreth a determination of the means For promotion therefore of the undertaken villanny this Society is dubbed with the title of The Congregregation for the propagation of the Faith with acknowledgeth the Pope of Rome for their principal and Cardinal Barbarino for his Substitute and Deputy The chief patron of this Society is the popes Legate who hath special care of the business into his bosom this rabble of Traytours weekly deposite their Intelligences The Residence of this Legation was obtained at London in the name of the pope by whose mediation it might be lawful for Cardinal Barbarino to work so much the more easily and safely upon the King and Kingdom For none could so easily circumvent the King as he who should be palliated with the popes Authority Seignior CON was at that time the Popes Legate the Universal Minister of that conjured Society and a vehement promoter of the plot whose secrets as likewise those of all other intelligencers the present Informer of all these things did receive and dispatch as the business required CON tampered with the chief men of the Kingdom and left nothing unattempted by which he might corrupt them all and incline them to the Romish party he enticed with many various baits the very King himself he sought to delude with gifts of pictures Antiquities Idols and such like trumperies brought from Rome which yet prevailed nothing with the King Thus familiarly entertained by the King oft at Hampton-Court and at London he was intreated to undertake the Cause of the prince Palatine that he would interpose his authority and by Intercession perswade the Legate of Colen that the Palatine in the next Diet for the Treating about peace might be inserted into the conditions which hee promised but performed the contrary He intimated indeed that hee had been solicited by the King to such an effect but did not advise such consent lest peradventure the Spaniard should say that the Pope of Rome did patronize an heretical Prince In the interim CON smelling from the Arch Bishop the Kings most Confident that the Kings minde was altogether pendulous and doubtful resolved to move every stone and bend all his strength to gain him to his side being confident hee had prepared the meanes For he had a command to make offer of a Cardinals Cap to the Lord Arch-Bishop in the name of the Pope of Rome and that he should allure him also with higher promises that he might corrupt his sincere minde Yet
a fitting occasion was never offered whereby he might insinuate himself into the Lord Arch-Bishop to whom free access was to be impetrated by the Earl and Countesâ—e of Arundell as also by Secretary Windebank all whose intercessions he neglected and did shunne as it were the Plague the company or familiarity of CON. He was also solicited by others of no mean rank well known to him and yet he continued immoveable Trial also was made of another Secretary Cook who impeded accesse to the detestable design an utter enemy he was to the Iesuites whose access to the King he obstructed He treated many of them as they deserved he searcht into their factions by which means every incitement breathing an attractive power to the Romish Catholiques was ineffectual with him for nothing was so dear to him as his own Innocence whence being rendred odious to the conspirators he was in perpetual hazzard of losing his Place which being laboured for three years was at length obtained But for all this the King had left him a knotty piece for the Lord Arch-Bishop by his constancy opposed himself as an immoveable Rock Con and his party finding the Lord Arch Bishop so impregnable and that they laboured in vain began to boyle with malice and to plot how the Lord Arch-Bishop together with the King should be taken Sentence also is passed against the King who was the main concernment in the plot because nothing is hoped from him which might seem to promote the Popish Religion but especially when he had once declared himselfe that he was of the minde that any good and pious man may be saved in his own Religion To Act the Treason undertaken the criminall execution at Westminster caused by some puritanical writing gave the first spark a thing so much exasperated and exaggerated by the Papists and Puritans that if it went unrevenged it would be thought a blemish to their Religion the flames of which fire the subsequent Liturgie encreased In this heat a certain Scottish Earle one Maxwell if I mistake not was dispatcht to the Scots by the Popish party with whom two other Scottish Earles were correspondents he was to excite the people to commotion He was to raise commotions to re-inforce the sense of every injury and to spur on the people to Rebellion whereby the great disturber of the Scottish liberty might be destroyed There by one labour sâ—ares are laid for the King for which purpose the affaire was so ordered that very many English should adhear to the Scots That the King should be inferiour to them in Armes whereby he might be inforced to crave ayd from the Papists which yet should be denied him unlesse he would descend to conditions by which he should permit a general toleration of the Romish Religion which was the thing the Papists did aim at And should he be difficultly brought to such terms there was a Remedy hoped for For the young Prince who from his Cradle was educated in advantage to the Romish perswasion growing on fast in his youthfull age the Kings Death was contrived by an Indian Nut stuffed with a most fierce Poyson kept in the Society which Con then shewed me in a boasting manner and prepared for him as there was another for his Father During the Scotch Troubles the Marquess of Hamilton was often imployed by the King as Commissioner to compose Disorders there and pacifie the discontented party but returned as often without fruit His Chaplain repaired at that time to us and had secret conference with Con of whom I demanded in jest Whether also the Iews agreed with the Samaritans To which Con answered I would to God all Ministers were like him you may conjecture of this as you please Things standing thus there came to London from Cardinal Richelieu Master Thomas Chamberlain his Chaplain and Almoner a Scot by Nation who was to assist the College of Confederacy to advance the business and to â—ttempt all ways of exasperating the first heat for thâ—s service a Bishoprick was promised him Four moneths space he co-habited with the Society nor was he permitted to depart untill matters succeeding as he wished he might return with good News Sir Toby Mathew a Jesuited Priest of the Order of Politicians the most vigilant of the chief Heads who never went to Bed but got a Nap of an Hour or two in a Chair Day and Night plotted Mischief A Man principally noxious and the very Plague both of King and Kingdom a Man most impudent hunting all Feasts called or not called never quiet always in action and perpetual motion intruding into the company of all his Betters pressing Discourses whereby to fish out mens inclinations whatsoever he sucketh from thence either of advantage or noxious to the Conspiracy he imparteth to the Popes Legate reserving the most secret intelligence for the Pope himself or the Cardinal Barbarino In short he associates himself with any not a word can be spoken but he lays hold of it and accommodates it to his turn In the interim all his Observations he reduceth into a Catalogue and every Summer carrieth it to the general Consistory of the Jesuits Politicks which privately meet in the Province of Wales where he is a welcome Guest There are Councils closely hammered which are fittest for the ruining of the Ecclesiastick and Politick state of both Kingdoms Captain Read a Scot dwelling in Long-Acre Street near the Angel-tavern a Secular Jesuit who for his detestable service performed in perverting of a certain Minister of the Church with secret inticements to the Popish Religion with all his Family taking his Daughter to Wife obtained as a Reward an Impost upon Butter paid by the Countrey people procured for him from the King by some chief men of the Society who never want a Spur whereby he may be constantly detained in his Office In his house the whole Plot is contrived where the Society which hath conspired against the King the Lord Arch-bishop and both Kingdoms convene but on the Day of the Posts Dispatch they meet in greater Numbers for then all their Informers assemble and confer their Notes together and that they may be the less suspected convey all their secrets by Toby Matthew or Read himself to the Popes Legate who transmits the Pacquet of Intelligence to Rome With the same Read are intrusted the Letters brought from Rome under forged Titles and Names and by him delivered to whom they belong for all their Names are known to him Upon the same occasion Letters are also brought over under the covert of Father Philip though he be ignorant of the Plot who distributeth them to the Conspiratours In that very House there is a publick Chappel wherein an Ordinary Jesuit consecrates and dwelleth In this Chappel Masses are daily said by the Jesuits and the Children of some of the Domesticks and some the Conspiratours are baptized They who meet there come often in Coaches or on Hors-back in Laymens
are contained in our late printed Declarations which were sent to your Lordship which summarily we here repeat That the late Acts of Parliament may be published in his Majesties Name with the States of Parliament That Edenburgh Castle and other Strengths of Scotland may as to their first foundation be fortified and used for our defence and security That our Countreymen in England and Ireland may not be pressed with Oaths and Subscription warranted by your Law and contrary to their National Oath and Covenant That the common Incendiaries the Authours of Combustions in his Majesties Dominions may receive their Censure That our Ships and Goods with all the Dammage thereof may be restored That the wrongs losses and charges which all the time we have sustained may be repaired That the Declarations made against us as Traitours may be recalled That by the advice and consent of the States of England to be convened in Parliament the Garrisons may be removed from the Borders and any Impediment that may stop free Trade and settle Peace for our Religion and Liberties against all Fears of Molestation and the undoing of us from year to year or as our Adversaries shall take the advantage And that the meeting of the Peers the four and twentieth of this instant will be too long ere the Parliament will be convened the onely means of settling Peace the sooner they come the more shall we be enabled to obey his Majesties Prohibition of our advancing with our Army Nothing but invincible necessity hath brought us out of our Countrey to this place and no other thing shall draw us beyond the Limits appointed by his Majesty wherein we hope your Lordship will labour for our Kings honour and the good of our Countrey Leaguer at New-castle Septemb. 8. 1640. Your Lordships loving and humble Servants and Friends c. Those English Lords that meant not to fight either for necessity or honour fearing that their next Meeting might prevent a Parliament had this while devised their Petition to the King in effect for a Parliament the great aim on all sides answerable to the Scots desire before they set out from home which they published at the head of their Army in a Pamphlet called The Intentions of their Army viz. Not to lay down Arms till the Reformed Religion were settled in both Nations upon sure grounds the Causers and Abetters of their present Troubles be brought to publick justice and that in Parliament And these Abetters were the Papists Prelates and their Adherents in general but more particular the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and the Lieutenant of Ireland And therefore to answer them comes out a correspondent Petition from a Compound of six Earls one Viscount and four Barons being a Descant on the Scots Plain-song And to back these Petitions are poasted from London and other places presently after The Lords Petition was thus Most gracious Sovereign The zeal of that duty and service which we ow to your Sacred Majesty and our earnest affection to the good and welfare of this your Realm of England have moved us in all humility to beseek your Royal Majesty to give us leave to offer to your Princely wisdom the apprehension which we and others your faithfull Subjects have conceived of the great Distempers and Dangers now threatning the Church and State and your Royal Person and of the fittest means by which they may be removed and prevented The Evils and Dangers whereof your Majesty may be pleased to take notice are these 1. That your Majesties Sacred Person is exposed to Hazzard and Danger in the present Expedition against the Scotish Army and by occafion of this War your Majesties Revenue is much wasted your Subjects burthened with Coat and Conduct-money billeting of Souldiers and other Military charges and divers Rapines and Disorders committed in several parts of this your Realm by the Souldiers raised for that Service and your whole Kingdom become full of Fears and Discontents 2. The sundry Innovations in matters of Religion the Oath and Canons lately imposed upon the Clergy and other your Majesties Subjects 3. The great increase of Popery and the imploying of Popish Recusants and others ill-affected to the Religion by Laws established in Places of power and tâ—ust especially in commanding of Men and Arms both in the Field and sundry Counties of this your Realm whereas by Law they are not permitted to have any Arms in their own Houses 4. The great Mischiefs which may fall upon this Kingdom if the intentions which have been credibly reported of bringing in Irish and foreign Forces should take effect 5. The urging of Ship money and prosecution of some Sheriffs in the Star-chamber for not levying of it 6. The heavy charge upon Merchandise to the discouragement of Trade the multitude of Monopolies and other Patents whereby the Commodities and Manufactures of the Kingdom are much burthened to the great and universal grievance of your people 7. The great grief of your Subjects by long intermission of Parliaments and the late and former dissolving of such as have been called without the happy effects which otherwise they might have produced For remedy whereof and prevention of the dangers that may arise to your Royal Person and to the whole State they do in all humility and faithfulness beseek your most Excellent Majesty that you would be pleased to summon a Parliament within some convenient time whereby the causes of these and other great grievances which your people lie under may be taken away and the Authors and Counsellors of them may be there brought to such legal trial and condign punishment as the nature of their several offences shall require And that the present War may be composed by your Majesties wisdom without blood in such manner as may conduce to the Honour and safety of your Majesties Person the comfort of your people and the uniting of both your Realms against the common Enemy of the Reformed Religion And your Majesties petitioners shall ever pray c. Concluded the 28. of August 1640 Francis Bedford Roberâ— Essex Mulgrave Say Seal Edward Howard The Earl of Bristow William Hartford Warwick Bulling brook Mandevil Brook Paget The Kings Answer was BEfore the receipt of your Petition his Majesty well foresaw the danger that threatens himself and Crown and therefore resolved to summon all the Peers to his presence upon the 24 of this September and with them to consult what in this case is fittest to be done for his honour and safety of the Kingdom where they with the rest may offer any thing that may conduce to these ends And so accordingly the Lord Keeper had command and did issue out Writs of summons for their appearance at York the 24. of September And to meet them there comes To the Kings most Excellent Majesty The Humble Petition of your Majesties Loyal Subjects the Citizens of London Most Gracious Soveraign BEing moved by the Duty and Obedience which by Religion and Laws your Petitioners owe unto
your Sacred Majesty they humbly present unto your Princely and pious consideration the several and pressing grievances viz. 1. The great and unusual Impositions upon Merchandize exported and imported 2. The urging and levying of Ship mony notwithstanding which both Merchants their goods and Ships have been destroyed by Turks and Pyrates 3. The multitude of Monopolies Patents and Warrants whereby trade is decayed 4. The Innovations in matters of Religion the Oath and Canons newly imposed by the late Convocation whereby your petitioners are in danger to be deprived of their Ministery 5. The concourse of Papists and their habitation in London and the suburbs whereby they have more means and opportuâ—ities of plotting and executing their designes against the Religion established 6. The sudden calling and sudden dissolution of Parliaments without addressing of the subjects grievances 7. The imprisonment of divers Citizens for not paying Ship-mony and other impositions and the prosecution of others in the Star-Chamber for non conformity to commands in Patents and Monopolies whereby trade is restrained 8. The great dangers your Sacred Person is exposed unto in the present war and the various fears that have seized your petitioners and their families by reason thereof which grievances and fears have oâ—casioned so great a stop and destruction of Trade as neither to receive and pay as formerly and tends to the utter ruine of the Inhabitants of this City the decay of Navigation and clothing and other Manufactories of this Kingdom your petitioners humbly conceiving the said grievances to be contrary to the Laws of this Realm and finding by experience that they are not redressed by the ordinary Courts of Iustice do therefore beseech your Majesty to cause a Parliament to be summoned with all convenient speed whereby they may be relieved in the premisses The Scots proceeding hand in hand with some of the English petition also for the same in effect to call a Parliament for setling a peace between the two Nations and they had the like Answer which behoved the English to hasten for the Scots took liberty to ravage New-Castle seizing four great English Ships laden with Corn ere the masters knew who they were rifling houses and ranting every where laying a Tax of three hâ—ndred and â—ifty pounds per diem upon the Bishop of Durham and three hundred pounds upon Northumberland upon pain of plundering The day come the 24. the King salutes them thus My Lords UPon suddain Invasions where the Dangers are near and instant it hath been the custome of my Predecessors to Assemble the great Council of the Peers c. by their advice and asistants to give a timely remedie to such rules as could not admit a delay so long as must of necessity be allowed for the assembling a the Parliament This being our condition at this time and an Army of Rebells lodged within the Kingdome I thought it most fit to conform my self to the practise of my predecessors in like cases that with your advice and assistants we might joyntly proceed to the chastizement of their Insolencies and securing of our good Subjects In the first place I must let you know that I desire nothing more then to be rightly understood of my People and to that end I have of my self resolved to call a Parliament having already given order to my Lord Keeper to issue the writs instantly so that the Parliament may be assembled by the third of November next whither if my Subjects brings the like good affections that I do it shall not faile on my part to make it a happy meeting In the mean time there are two points to be considered wherein I shall desire your advice which indeed is the chief cause of your meeting first what answer to give to the petition of the Rebells and in what manner to treat with them of which that you may give a sure Iudgment I have ordered that your Lordships shall be clearly and truly informed of the State of the whole business and upon what reasons and advices that my Privy-council unanimously gave me were grounded Secondly how my Army shall be kept on foot and maintained untill your Supplies of a Parliament may be had for so long at the Scots Army remains in England I think no man will Councel me to disband mine for that would be an unspeakable loss to all this part of the Kingdome by subverting them to the greedy appetite of the Rebells besides the unspeakable dishonour that would thereby fall upon this Nation And after several meetings and debates a Messenger Mr. Bellows was sent from the King and Lords to the Scots Army to give them notice on Tuesday next that sixteen of the English Lords shall meet with as many Scots Lords at York to treat of the differences The English Lords were these Earls Bedford Essex Barkshire Holland Herford Bristow Salisbury Warwick Barons Mandevil Savile Howard Brook Paget Dunsmore Paulet Wharton But the Scots refuse the place York as not secure for their Commissioners so long as the Lieutenant of Ireland commanded there in chief who had proclaimed them Traytors in Ireland before the King had done so in England threatning to destroy their memory against whom they had matter of high complaint And so the place was named at Rippon The Scots Commissioners take exception at the Earl of Traquairs presence being no Commissioner on either side but was admitted as a person indifferent to satisfie the English concerning the former affaires in Scotland if questions should be debated The English proposed a Cessation of Arms but the Scots as they would obey his Majesties Commands not to advance so they could not return till they had the effects of their Arrand and therefore desired the way and means of subsistence in their Quarters and so the second of October they present their demands First How their Army should be maintained untill the Treaty be ended and the Peace secured Secondly if more Commissioners be required then for their safe convoy Thirdly Safe convoy for all Letters from them and the Parliament and to them Fourthly That there may be free commerce of both Kingdoms and that the Common trade of New-Castle be not hindred especially for victuals Their first Article is otherwise than their Pamphlet before expressed for there you shall have them profess to take up nothing of the people without ready mony And that failing to give Bills and Bands of debt for true payment but finding good correspondence and weak resistance they did not only spoile and plunder but enforced this first Article Indeed they were cryed up as the sons of Enoch and the English as Grashoppers though the Earl of Strafford then General desired the King that he might give them battel and as his Letters speak to the Arch Bishop of Canterbury he durst undertake upon the Perill of his head to beat them home again although now he held it not councelable as the case then stood And certainly it was generally
for never were men so idolized as these Commissioners feasted and presented by all sorts of People their Lodgings visited as a Novelty to frequent their Praying and Preaching more than ever were the Houses and Chappels of Popish Ambassadours and with more danger for here were fabricked the Petitions and Tumults which followed as you shall see hereafter And it is to be remembred that in the time of Queen Elizabeth when some Scots Commissioners came to her to settle the Differences of both Nations and had nestled themselves about Petty-France in Tuttle-fields far enough from dangerous connivance of the City Puritan in those days and there exercised their Prayers and Preaching and so increasing boldness they petition for to be allowed in publick which so startled her and her Council in fear of Innovation as that they were absolutely forbidden to pray or preach at any Meeting Tuesday the third of November the time prefixt the Parliament assemble and Master William Lenthall one of the Benchers and Readers of Lincolns Inn was elected Speaker who during their continuance near years He was a Person of known integrity and ample sufficiency for the dignity of that place through all that time of wonderfull distraction carried himself with extraordinary wisdom and judgment without blame And being set the King salutes them thus My Lords The knowledg that I have of the Scotish Subjects was the cause of my calling of the last Assembly of PARLIAMENT wherein if I had been believed I do most sincerely think that things had not fallen as we now see but it is no wonder that men are so slow to believe that so great a Sedition should be raised upon so little Ground But now my Lords and Gentlemen the honour and safety of this Kingdom lying so heavily at stake I am resolved to put my self freely upon the love and affections of my English Subjects as those of my Lords that waited on me at York very well remember I there declared Therefore my Lords I shall not mention mine own interest or that support I might justly expect from you till the common safety be secured though I must tell you I am not ashamed to say those charges I have been at have been meerly for the securing and good of this Kingdom though the success hath not been answerable to my desires Therefore I shall onely desire you to consider the best way both for the safety and security of this Kingdom wherein there are two things chiefly considerable First the chasing out of the Rebells And secondly that other in satisfying your just Grievances wherein I shall promise you to concur so heartily and clearly with you that all the World may see my intentions have ever been and shall be to make this a glorious and flourishing Kingdom There are onely two things more that I shall mention to you The one is to tell you that the Loan of Money which I lately had from the City of London wherein the Lords who waited on me at York assisted me will onely maintain my Army for two Moneths from the beginning of that time it was granted Now my Lords and Gentlemen I leave it to your consideration what dishonour and mischief it might be in case for want of Money my Army be disbanded before the Rebells be put out of this Kingdom Secondly the securing of the calamities the Northern People endure at this time and so long as the Treaty is on foot And in this I may say not onely they but all this Kingdom will suffer the harm therefore I leave this also to your consideration For the ordering of the great affairs whereof you are to treat at this time I am so confident of your love to me and that your care is such for the honour and safetie of the Kingdom that I shall freely leave to you where to begin onely this that you may the better know the state of all affairs I have commanded my Lord Keeper to give you a short and free account of those things that have happened in this interim with this Protestation that if his account be not satisfactory as it ought to be I shall whensoever you desire it give you a full and perfect account of every particular One thing more I desire of you as one of the greatest means to make this an happie PARLIAMENT that you on your parts as I on mine lay aside Suspicion one of another as I promised my Lords at York it shall not be my Fault if this be not an happie and good PARLIAMENT The Lord Keeper in pursuance of the Kings Commands summarily related all things referring to the Scotish Invasion which I shall not be nice to call Rebellion for so the King gave their Character and because ill resented by some persons of note and so intimated to the King he confirmed it to the Lords two days after My Lords I shall explain my self concerning one thing I spake the last Day I told you the Rebells were to be put out of this Kingdom It is true I must needs call them so so long as they have an Army that do invade us And although I am now under a Treaty with them and under my Great Seal do call them my Subjects and so they are too but the estate of my Affairs is briefly this It is true I did expect when I called my Lords and great ones at York to have given a gracious Answer to all your Grievances for I was in good hope by their wisdom and assistance to have made an end with that Business but I must tell you that my Subjects of Scotland did so delay them that it was not possible for me to end there therefore I can in no wise blame my Lords that were at Rippon that the Treaty was not ended but must thank them for their pains and industry And certainly had they as much power as affections I should by this time have brought these Distempers to a happy period so that now the Treaty is transported from Rippon to London where I shall conclude nothing without your knowledg and I doubt not but with your approbation for I do not desire to have this great work done in a corner but I shall lay open all the steps of this mis-understanding and causes of this great Difference between me and them and I doubt not but by your assistance I shall make them know their duty and enforce them to return whether they will or no. This whole Week was in a manâ—er spent by the Parliament in the settling of the Commissions for general Grievances wherein they had work enough made so to their hands and partly also in several set Speeches the bane of business rhetorically declaiming against them and dissecting their particulars which were made up on Munday after the ninth of November by a world of Petitions some framed I know not where but brought in by Bands of men and Troops of Horse-men from several Countreys craving redress of general Exorbitancies
pleased to assent to their Acts of Parliament including the Articles of their Assembly their Religion Laws and Liberties ratified their grievances relieved for which we use to give the King Money The Scots Remonstrance professing that they would take nothing of the English but for Money or Security But we have defrayed them hitherto and are still provided to do longer That heretofore we established their Reformation and bore our own Charges and concerning mutual restitution of Ships and Goods which now our Commissioners have fairly accommodated already As for inferential and consequential Dammages such a Representment would not administer unacceptable matter of contestation We could truly allege that Northumberland New-castle and the Bishoprick will not recover their former Estate these twenty years that the Coal-mines of New-castle will not be set right for an hundred thousand pounds besides the price of Coals doth cost this City and other parts of this Kingdom above that value in loss And much more of this nature and dammage might be justly urged They say they do not make any former Demands but yet they make their Sum appear above four hundred and fourteen thousand pounds more than ever we gave the King A portentous apparition which shews it self in a very dry time the Kings Revenue totally exhausted the Kingdom generally impoverished and yet all this supply is to be drawn out of us onely without the least help from any his Majesties other Dominions an utter draining of this Nation unless England be Puteus inexhaustus yet I shall afford what is reasonable and honourable to a convenient considerable Sum of Money that they may go off with a handsome friendly Loss if they shall reject it we shall improve our Cause It was never thought any great wisdom overmuch to trust to a succesfull Sword A man that walks upon rising ground the further he goes the more spacious his prospect success enlarges mens desires extends their ambition breeds thoughts never dreamt on before But the Scots being truly touched with Religion according to their professions that onely is able to keep their words for Religion is stronger and wiser than Reason it self But we hope of a good conclusion of the effects of all these hitherto Inconveniences to the advance of Religion King and Kingdoms But for the present to satisfie the clamour of the Scots Master Speaker was ordered to write to the City of London to advance sixty thousand pounds upon security and Assignment out of the next Subsidies to be levied and to pay in the Money to the Chamber of London which was so humbly obeyed This being but one Loan for I finde several Acquittances for the like Sum of sixty thousand pounds mentioning therein For Supply of the Kings Army and providing for the Northern Counties And so belike were issued for Supply of both Armies The Dutch Ambassadour Lieger having made Overtures of a Marriage between William young Prince of Orange and the Kings eldest Daughter the Princess Mary which he very willingly inclined to accept yet though fit as his condition stood with the Parliament to acquaint them therewith And tells the House of Lords My Lords That freedom and confidence which I expressed at the beginning of this Parliament to have of your love and fidelity towards my Person and Estate hath made me at this time come hither to acquaint you with that Alliance and Confederacy which I intend to make with the Prince of Orange and the States which before this time I did not think expedient to do because that part which I do desire your advice and assistance upon was not ready to be treated on I will not trouble you with a long digression by shewing the steps of this Treaty but leave you to be satisfied in that by those who under me do manage that Affair Onely I shall shew you the Reasons which have induced me to it and in which I expect your assistance and counsel The Considerations that have induced me to it are these First the matter of Religion here needs no Dispensation no fear that my Daughters conscience may be any way perverted Secondly I do esteem that a strict Alliance and Confederacy with the States will be as usefull to this Kingdom as that with any of my Neighbours especially considering their Affinity Neighbourhood and way of their strength And lastly which I must never forget in these occasions the use I may make of this Alliance towards the establishing of my Sister and Nephews Now to shew you in what I desire your assistance you must know that the Articles of Marriage are in a manner concluded but not to be totally ratified untill that of Alliance be ended and agreed which before I demanded your assistance I did not think fit to enter upon And that I may not leave you too much at large how to begin that Council I present you here the Propositions which are offered by me to the States Ambassadours for that intent And so my Lords I shall onely desire you to make as much expedition in your Councils as so great a Business shall require and shall leave your Lordships to your own free debate This Proposition of Alliance both with the Prince and with the United Provinces was extremely and unanimously affected by all the People and was universally embraced without Fears or Jealousies upon our Liberties or Religion and soon concluded but what resulted think you from another party Papists Plots perpetually allarming for The very next Day four Members of the Commons House bore up the Message to the Lords of a monstrous Design of the Papists an Army of fifteen thousand in Lancashire and eight thousand in Ireland and I know not how many thousands in many places well armed and in pay raised by the Earl of Strafford the Earl of Worcester and others After-ages will think these Hyperboles for though there was no such Armies possibly by them nor no such Fears by others yet this Message was sent and carried from the Lower to the Higher House and gave the occasion to the multitude of People to frame Petitions sutable to Plots and Fears and Jealousies for the Parliaments purpose The thirteenth of February one of the Ship-money Judges so nick-named Sir Robert Berkley was by a motion of the Commons accused of High-treason and by Maxwell the Black Rod taken the next day from his Seat in the Kings Bench and kept Prisoner The Bill for the Triennial Parliament having passed both Houses was confirmed with the Kings royal assent February 16. and to let them see how sensible himself was of this his great grace he thought fit to put them in minde of their gratitude of fear of their failing My Lords And you the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons you may remember when both Houses were with me at the Banquetting-house at White-hall I did declare unto you two Rocks I wished you to shun this is one of them and of that consequence that
others progress to an equal poise and in a word the same Ministers of State spurred on by ambitions and to raise their families from time to time have increased suspicions which have hatched these fatal wars through all Europe France styles her self most Christian but meddles least therein ordinarily attracting the Reformates to her interests and being enemies to the Pope and so to Spain which suffers not their doctrines in her dominions But Spain will be Catholique-zealous for her Religion and seldome declines her aid to any of her own unless by force proceeding from the necessity of State affaires through some new conjuncture Lewes the thirteenth attached the house of Austria with much authorâ—ty and power in so much that Richelieu the Angel Guardian of France by his puissant alliances begat an opinion that amongst polititians there he endeavoured the Universality for his Master and so to overthrow the Emperial house by the helpe of the Hollanders and his other underhand underminings which he could never so poise for any time but that the Scales were now up then down to his dying day The Earl of Strafford had passed upon him the Commons accusation and now it was time to form their compleat charge into twenty eight particulars and being ready Ianuary the thirtieth they were presented by Mr. Pym to the Peers in the presence of the Earl and although it was long two hundred sheets and so time would be taken up for engrossing and though the Treasons therein alleaged were of a standing time above fourteen years not suddainly to be answered unto yet the Commons were earnest for dispatch and he enjoyned such hast as by the four and twentieth of February it was read to the Lords in the Kings presence and the next day after to the Commons He craved aid of the Council which in cases of Treason is not allowed in plea de facto it may not but in matters de lege it may and so he had Councel And the place of his Trial could not be in the Lords House being of little Room to hold the House of Commons who desired to be present and to manage the accusation by their own members and in a full body of their house compleat which the Lords would not indure and they come as a Committe and so Westminster-hall was the place assigned and that not to big for this unparralel Trial the King Queen Prince and Courtiers being present and all the Parliament The scene was at the upper end reared of some heigth and above that a Chaire and cloth of State on either side a close private Gallery for the King Queen and Prince Before them seats for the Peers and on either sides Scaffolds mounted for all the house of Commons who sate bare headed and hundreds of others Auditors who could get leave to enter The command of the place and stage was ordered by the Earl of Lindsey not as he was made high constable for the day but as he was Lord great Chamberlain of England in right of his mother Mary the daughter of Iohn de vere the sixteenth Earl of Oxford who maried Peregrine Berty Lord Willoughby of Earesby by whom she had issue this Robert now Earl of Lindsey and thereby the disposing of all the Scaffolding as his fee when the Tryal was ended The Bishops being by ancient Canons disabled to be present at the sentence of blood and death but not from being assistants in examining and deposing of witnesses or giving Councel till now abridged by this Parliament to sit as Peers And it is observed that they were defended to have right of place presence by a Manuscript in many hands de jure Paritat is episcoporum and their Priviledges thereby asserted in this particular which yet they as the times were did not interpose but were contented to be absent giving advantage thereby to the Parliament to deprive them of their votes and after to destroy their calling On Munday the two and twentieth of March the day fixed for his appearing at Westminster-hall almost five moneths time since his first Commitment which it seems was taken up and spent for procuring proofs of witnesses purposely sent for from Ireland And in truth the rather for Intertaining some Overtures of the Court to take of the edge of his adversaries and the best and usual way was by their several preferments The Earl of Bedford to be Lord Treasurer Mr. Pym Chancelor of the Exchequer the Earl of Essex Governour of the Prince Mr. Hamden to be his Tutor the Lord Say Mr. of the wards and Mr. Hollis principal secretary in the place of Windebanck the Deputies place in Ireland also to another and the Earl of Warwick in some command in the Navy And it was in part prosecuted in relation hereto for the Bishop of London did deliver up the Treasury staff and the Earl of New-castle the governance of the Prince the Lord Cottington resigned up his offices in the Court of wards and Exchequer and it was not to be doubted that the Bishop of Salisbury Dr. Duppa would willingly quit his place of Tutor to the Prince But whether the Kings mind was herein mutable or what else intervened they thus concerned and baffled became irreconciliable to the Earls destruction and that this is true may be hinted from the Kings Declararion of the twelfth of August after what Overtures had been made by them saies the Declaration and with what Importunities for offices and preferments what great services should have been done for him and what other undertakings even to have saved the life of the Earl of Strafford So cheap a rate it seems might have saved that Incomparable Statesman The Earl of Arundel was made Lord High Steward and the Earl of Lindsey Lord High Constable and thus set as before said the Earl of Strafford was told by the High-steward that he was called thither to answer the Impeachment of High Treason preferred against him by the Commons of England and Ireland expressed in their accusation to which he had answered and both of them read took up this day and the Court adjourned to the next day when the house of Commons fell upon the first seven general Articles of subverting the fundamental Laws of both Nations and this was managed by Mr. Pym a paper sealed was opened and read which signified from the Parliament of Ireland that they had voted the Earl guilty of High Treason To which he in passion said There was a conspiracy against him to take away his life It would not admit of recollection and the Commons cried out for Justice against him who standing impeached of high Treason accuseth the Parliaments of two Kingdomes of a conspiracy against him for which inconsiderate words he humbly craved pardon not thereby intending either Parliament but meant it by some particular persons Mr. Pym craved that he should forthwith answer to three Articles more which were lately annexed to the charge But although the
of England and Ireland and to introduce an Arbitrary and Tyrannical Goverment against Law in the said Kingdoms and for exercising a tyrannous and exorbitant Power over and against the Laws of the said Kingdoms over the Liberties Estates and Laws of his Majesties Subjects and likewise for having by his own Authority commanded the laying and assessing of Souldiers upon his Majesties Subjects in Ireland against their consent to compell them to obey his unlawfull Commands and Orders made upon Paper-petitions in Causes between party and party which accordingly was executed upon divers of his Majesties Subjects in a warlike manner within the said Realm of Ireland and in so doing did levy War against the Kings Majesty and his Liege-people in that Kingdom And also for that he upon the unhappy Dissolution of the last Parliament did slander the House of Commons to his Majesty and did counsel and advise his Majesty that he was loose and absolved from Rules of Government and that he had an Army in Ireland which he might imploy to reduce this Kingdome for which he deserves to undergo the paines and Forfeitures of high Treason And the said Earl hath been also an Incendiary of the wars between the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland all which offences have been sufficiently proved against the said Earl upon his Impeachment Be it therefore Enacted by the Kings most excellent Majesty and by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by â—â—thority of the same that the said Earl of Strafford for the hainous crimes and offences aforesaid stand and be adjudged and attainted of high Treason and shall suffer such pain of death and incur the Forfeitures of his Goods and Cattels Lands Tenements and hereditaments of any estate of freehold or Inheritance in the said Kingdomes of England and Ireland which the said Earl or any other to his use or in trust for him have or had the day of the first sitting of this present Parliament or at any time since Provided that no Iudge or Iudges Iustice or Iustices whatsoever shall adjudge or interpret any Act or thing to be Treason nor hear or determine any Treason nor in any other manner than he or they should or ought to have done before the making of this Act and as if this Act had never been had or made Serving alwaies unto all and singular persons and bodies politique and corporal their Heirs and successors other than the said Earl and his Heirs and such as claim by from or under him all such right title and Interests of in and to all and singular such of the said Lands Tenements and Hereditaments as he they or any of them had before the first day of this present Parliament any thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding Provided that the passing of this present Act and his Majesties assent thereunto shall not be any determination of this present sessions of Parliament and all Bills and matters whatsoever depending in Parliament and not fully enacted and determined And all Statutes and Acts of Parliament which have their continuance until the end of this present session of Parliament shall remain continue and be in force as if this Act had not been This Bill of Attainder being read opened and affirmed by sundry Presidents and Acts of Parliament might no doubt remove the misty cloud of the Peers understanding And therefore the next day the heat of that house appeared towards his destruction contrary to the Kings conscience whose Judgement was that he deserved relief And to that end the first of May he called both Houses together and to them he opened himself for the Earls defence thus My Lords and Gentlemen I had no intention to have spoken to you of this business to day which is the great business of the Earl of Strafford because I would do nothing which might hinder your occasions But now it comes to pass that I must of necessity have past in the judgment I think it most necâ—ssary to declare my conscience therein I am sure you know I have been present at the hearing of this great cause from one end to the other and I must tell you that in my conscience I cannot condemn him of high Treason It is not fit for me to argue this business I am sure you will not expect it a positive Doctrine best becomes the mouth of a Prince yet must I tell you three truths which I am sure no man can tell so well as myself First That I had never any intention of bringing over the Irish Army into England nor ever was advised by any body so to do Secondly That there was never any debate before me either in publique Councel or private Committee of the disloyalty of my English subjects nor ever had I any suspicion of them Thirdly That I was never counselled by any to alter the least of any of the Laws of England much less to alter all the Laws Nay I tell you this I think no body durst ever be so impudent as to move me to it For if they had I should have made them such an example and put such a mark upon them that all posterity should know my intentions by it they being ever to govern by the Law and no otherwise I desire rightly to be understood for though I tell you in my conscience I cannot condemn him of high Treason yet cannot I clear him of misdemeanours therefore I hope you may find out a way to satisfie justice and your own fears and not oppress my conscience My Lords I hope you know what a tender conscience is and I must declare unto you that to satisfie my people I would do great matters but in this of conscience neither fear nor any other respect whatsoever shall ever make me goe against it Certainly I have not deserved so ill of this Parliament at this time that they should press me in this tender point therefore I cannot suspect you will go about it Nay I must confess for mis-demeanours I am so clear in them that though I will not chalk out the way yet I will shew you that I think my Lord of Strafford is not fit hereafter to serve me or the Common-wealth in any place of trust no not so much as a Constable Therefore I leave it to you my Lords to find out some such way as to bring me out of this straight and keep your selves and the Kingdome from such inconveniences So then in effect he tells them of his presence at the hearing of that great cause from one end to the other and that positively in his conscience he cannot condemn him of High Treason but could not clear him of misdemeanours and he hoped that they might finde out a way to satisfie Justice and their own fears and not to oppress the Kings conscience which neither fear nor any other respect whatsoever should make him go against it and leaves them the way to bring him out of this straight This
be evil because mine were good And having signed both these Bills the King sent Sir Dudley Carleton Secretary of State to the Earl to acquaint him what he had finished the necessity urging him so to do together with the Earls free consent and the return of his Paper-promise which ballanced all The Earl amazed seriously asked him whether his Majesty had passed the Bill as not believing without some astonishment that the King would have done it And being again assured that it was passed He arose from his Chair and standing up lift his eyes to Heaven clapt his hand upon his heart and said Put not your trust in Princes nor in the sons of men for in them there is no salvation I have been assured from him that heard the King speak it and others confirming that the Bishop of London did not disswade nor perswade the King in the passing of the Bill but wisely or cunningly said nothing at all Nor does it appear that any of the other Bishops Lincoln onely excepted did any way press the King to his death And for satisfaction of all the world that the Arch-bishop of Armagh did not urge his death but rather the contrary I was present when it was diâ—â—â—ursed by a person of honour and honesty one that in these times and in these particulars thus controverted would not be positive but in the truth And as willingly as necessarily he hath set it under his hand and ready to justifie it with his Oath and Honour in these words and so witnessed by those that were present That the late King being in the Garison of Oxford a publick rumour passed that the Arch-bishop of Armagh was then dead and so intimated to the King in his Bed-chamber who was pleased to resent the news with much sorrow and with very high expression of the Prelates remarkable piety and learning and so said all that were present in confidence of his great endowments of exemplary virtues Except Sir said one in his advice to your Majestie to the hasty resolution of the Lord Strafford's death To which the King in some passion replied It was false protesting with an Oath his innocencie therein and that after the Bill was passed said the King the Arch-bishop came to me with much regret and sorrow and that the Arch-bishop wept bitterly This as a great truth I am ready to aver says the Relator by my Oath and Honour as I do now under my hand this eighth day of May 1656. W. L. Hereupon having this under his hand and witness I urged the question with another person of like Honour who said that himself was present at that time relating the very same words in effect as the former and both of them I spake with apart many miles asunder and neither of them witting of the use which I now make thereof they mentioned each other to be present And this also is certified upon his Oath and Honour and under his hand also and witnesses G. K. And now we shall see what the Arch-bishop of Armagh hath been pleased to signifie as to the Observatours pag. 240. concerning the result of the Bishops That Sunday morning the five Bishops writes he for so many they were London being one of them were sent for by the King himself and not sent to him by the Houses of Parliament amongst whom the Bishop of Durham and Carlile were so far from depending wholly upon the judgment of the other two whom the Observatour accounts Politicians that they argued the case themselves as fully as did any other To the Argument of one of them the King also returned this Answer that his Syllogism was faulty because it had in it four terms And for that most uncharitable surmise writes he concerning the Arch-bishop of Armagh as if the displeasure he had conceived against the Lord Lieutenant were so great that it could not be satisfied but by the seeking of his very bloud It is hard to say whethâ—â—hat calumny be more malicious or ridiculous for both the ground of that conceited grudg is utterly false the Articles of Religion established in the Church of Ireland having been never abrogated by him or any other And in the ordering of this his the Earls last business there was no man with whom he held greater correspondency than with the Primate himself whereof this may be sufficient proof that as before his condemnation he did from time to time consult with him touching his answer to their present charge so also afterwards having obtained from the Parliament that the Primate might be sent unto him to prepare him for his death He chearfully imbraced his spiritual instructions prayed with him sent messages to the King by him and by no means would dispense with him for being absent from his Execution But taking him by the hand led him along to the Scaffold where with incomparable courage and as himself professed even then ready to lay hown his head without the least touch of any passion or fear he rendered up the spirit to him that gave it And as to the Historian's Paragraph pag. 263. l. 33. The Earl proceeding c. This Paragraph says the Arch-bishop is wholly to be left out for at his passing to the Scaffold there was a great silence amongst the people all of them universally commiserating his case in an extraordinary manner and with great passion lifting up their hands to heaven for him And to the Historian pag. 263. l. 38. The Earl being brought c. The Earl says the Arch-bishop being brought to the Scaffold his Chaplains prayed with him and himself remaining still upon his knee rehearsing with great reverence the five and twenty Psalm Afterwards arising he addrest his Speech unto the people to this effect after following But the occasion of the mistakes of the addressing of his Speech unto the Lords as the Historian hath My Lords It should be My Lord which the Earl used in the Singular Number turning himself to the Arch-bishop who stood by him as appears by the Pamphlet presently published concerning his suffering where the tenour of his Speech which he then used is to be taken as agreeing almost with the very syllable by him used and not as the Historian hath it for thus in truth it was My Lord Primate c. as hereafter in due place But to return to the tenth of May the King having the day before signed both Bills that of the continuation of the Parliament and this for the execution of the Earl and with one Pen of Ink and at one instant he sets his hand to the loss of himself and to the destruction of his faithfull and most able Counsellour and Servant The next day eleventh of May he being extremely troubled at what he had done concerning the Earl he vouchsafes to write to the Lords and sends this Letter by his Son the Prince of Wales My Lords I did yesterday satisfie the justice of the Kingdom by passing the Bill of Attainder
against the Earl of Strafford but mercie being as inherent and inseparable to a King as justice I desire in some measure to shew that likewise by suffering that unfortunate man to fulfill the natural course of his life in close imprisonment yet so that if he ever make the least offer to escape or offer directly or indirectly to meddle in any sort of publick business especially with me either by Message or Letter it shall cost him his life without further process This if it may be done without the discontentment of my people will be an unspeakable contentment unto me To which end as in the first place I by this Letter do earnestly desire your approbation and to endear it the more have chosen him to carry it who is of all your House most dear unto me So I desire that by conference you will endeavour to give the House of Commons contentment likewise Assuring you that the exercise of mercie is no more pleasing to me than to see both Houses of Parliament consent for my sake that I should moderate the severitie of the Law in so important a case I will not say that your complying with me in this my intended mercie shall make me more willing but certainly it will make me more chearfull in granting your just grievances But if no less than his life will satisfie my people I must say Fiat justitia Thus again recommending the consideration of my intentions to you I rest Your unalterable and affectionate Friend CHARLS R. If he must die it were charitie to reprieve him till Saturday To this Letter the Lords conceived this Order the same day May 11. 1641. This Letter all written with the Kings own hand we the Peers this day received in Parliament delivered by the hands of the Prince It was twice read in the House and after serious but sad consideration the House resolved presently to send twelve of the Peers Messengers to the King humbly to signifie that neither of the two intentions exprest in the Letter could with dutie in us or without danger to his Consort the Queen and all the young Princes their Children be possibly admitted Which being accomplished and more expressions offered his Majestie suffered no more words to come from us but out of the fulness of his heart to the observance of justice and for the contentment of his people told us that what he intended by his Letter was with an If If it may be done without discontentment to his people If it cannot be I say again the same that I wrote Fiat justitia My other intention proceeding out of charitie for a few days respite was upon certain information that his estate was distracted that it necessarily required some few daies respite for setlement thereof Whereunto the Lords answered Their purpose was to be suiters to his Majestie for favour to his innocent Children and that their Fathers provision for them might be confirmed Which pleased the King who thereupon departed from the Lords At his Majesties departure the Lords offered up to the King the original Letter which he had sent but he was pleased to say What I have written to you I shall be content it be registred by you in your House in which you see my minde I hope you will use it to mine honour Upon the return of the Lords thus much was reported to the House by the Lord Privie Seal Upon the fatal day Wednesday the twelfth of May the Earl was summoned to his period being conveyed from his Chamber in the Tower with these Ceremonies before him went the Marshal's men next them the Sheriff's Officers with Halberts then the Warders of the Tower being of the King's Guard and after the Earl's Gentleman Usher bare and then himself accompanied with the Primate of Ireland and others in his way passing by the Lodging of the Arch-bishop of Canterburie a Prisoner and casting up his eye to his Window where he looked out desired his Prayers and his Blessing who after some collection of his sadness resolved into comfort and doubted not when his own turn came that he should taste that bitter Cup with a most Christian courage The Earl being come to the Scaffold upon the Hill he addrest his Speech to the Lord Primate My Lord Primate of Ireland It is my very great comfort that I have your Lordship by me this day and I do thank God and your Lordship for it in regard that I have been known to you these many years I should be very glad to obtain so much silence as to be heard a few words but I doubt I shall not the noise is so great I come hither by the good will and pleasure of Almightie God to pay the last debt which I ow to sin which is death and by the blessing of that God to rise again through the merits of Jesus Christ to righteousness and life eternal I am come hither to submit to that Iudgment which hath passed against me I do it with a very quiet and contented minde I do freely forgive all the world a forgiveness that is not spoken from the teeth outwards as they say but from the very heart I can very well say in the presence of Almightie God before whom I stand that there is not a displeased thought arising in me towards any creature I thank God I can say and that truly too and my conscience bears me witness that in all the imploiments since I had the honour to serve his Majestie I never had any thing in the purpose of my heart but what tended to the joint and individual prosperitie of the King and people If it hath been my fortune to be mis-understood surely I am not the first that hath been so it is the common portion of us all whilest we are in this life to err but righteous judgment we must wait for in another place for here we are very subject to be mis-judged one of another There is one thing I desire to free my self of and I am confident speaking it now with so much chearfulness that it cannot be but that I shall obtain your Christian charitie in the belief of it I did alwaies think the Parliaments of England the happiest Constitutions that any Kingdom or Nation lived under and next under God the best means to make the King and his people happie so far have I been from being against Parliaments For my death I here acquit all the world and beseech the God of Heaven heartily to forgive them though in the intentions and purposes of my heart I am innocent of what I die for And my Lord Primate it is a very great comfort unto me that his Majestie conceives me not meriting so severe and heavie a punishment as is the uttermost execution of this Sentence I do insinitely rejoice in this mercie of his and I beseech God to return it upon him that he may findâ— mercie when he stands most in need of it I wish this
Kingdom all the prosperitie and happiness in the world I did it living and now dying it is my wish I do most humbly recommend it to every man that hears me and desire that they will lay their hands upon their hearts and consider seriously whether the beginning of the happiness of the Reformation of a Kingdom should be written in letters of bloud consider this when ye are in your own homes and let me be never so unhappie as that the least drop of my bloud should rise up in judgment against any one of you I acquit you all but I fear you are in a wrong way My Lord I here profess and with that I shall end that I do die a true and obedient Son to the Church of England wherein I was born and in which I was bred peace and prosperitie be ever to it And whereas it is objected if it be an Objection worth the answering that I have been inclined to Poperie I may truly say that from the time of one and twentie to this present going on now towards nine and fourtie years I never had in my heart to doubt of this Religion of the Church of England nor ever any man the boldness to suggest any such thing to the best of my rememberance to me So being reconciled by the merits of Christ Jesus my Saviour into whose bosome I hope I shall shortly be gathered to those eternal happinesses that shall never have end I desire heâ—rtily the forgiveness of every man for any rash and unadvised words or for any thing done amiss And so my Lords and Gentlemen Farewell Farewell all the things of this world I desire that ye would be silent and join with me in praier and I trust in God we shall all meet and live eternally in Heaven there to receive the accomplishment of all happiness where every tear shall be wiped away from our eys and every sad thought from our hearts and so God bless this Kingdom and Jesus have mercie on my soul. To this he added a Prayer not taken by any to strengthen his faith confirm him in patience and charity to preserve the King and his Realms in prosperity the Church in unity and to have mercy on his soul. Rising from his knees he delivered these commands for his children To his Son William Wentworth commends himself gives him charge to serve his God to submit to his King with all faith and allegeance in things temporal to the Church in things spiritual gives him charge as he will answer it to him in Heaven never to meddle with the patrimonie of the Church for it will be the Cancer that will eat up the rest of his Estate again charges it as he will answer him in Heaven Et sic finem fecit And to shew that his Speech on the Scaffold was not sudden but premeditate the Paper of the Heads written with his own hand as it was left upon the Scaffold doth evidence which the Primate took up Come to pay the last debt we ow to sin Rise to Righteousness Die willingly Forgive all Submit to justice but in my intentions innocent from perverting c. Wishing nothing but prosperitie to the King and People Acquit the King constrained Beseech to repentance Strange way to write the beginning of Reformation and settlement of a Kingdom in bloud Beseech that demand may rest there Call not for bloud upon themselves Die in the faith of the Church Pray for it and desire their Praiers c. This Prayer was found in his Chamber at the Tower his own hand-writing and the Petition which follows after O Almightie and most mercifull Father of whose goodness I am made and by whose favour I have hitherto subsisted I confess the multitude and greatness of my sins deserve I should be utterly out of thy protection be entirely left to my weak self that am unable to withstand even those assaults my own thoughts make Yet O most gracious and loving Father be thou true to thy goodness and mercy though I be deceitfull in thy services reconcile me in Jesus Christ unto thy self for his sake forgive and then enable me to forsake all my sins those principally that have procured my instant affliction discover unto me what in my minde and thoughts displeaseth thee that I may purge thence what thy blessed visitation seems now to point at there Good Lord so clear and sanctifie my reason that no fancie of mine own create in me any causless disturbance and strengthen me to endure and overcome what ever real affliction thou art pleased to impose affect me deeply with the apprehension of thine omnipresence with a sense of thy nearness to those in trouble let my faith see thine Angels pitcht about me and my heart by all these be as secure as it is safe Lord perswade my soul of the unquestionableness of that truth that nothing can befal me against thy will and ever dispose me to entertain chearfully what thou willest Make me in this to see how litle the specious but vain appearances and advantages of this life confer to the setling of a discomposed minde give me a due sense of mine own infirmitie yet good Lord suffer no infirmitie to make me diffident of thy support whose strength is best and most seen in weakness Let the malice and unweariedness of Satan render me more solicitous of what he would destroy and never suffer me to want that comfortable consideration that all his power is under thy restraint Dear Father sanctifie this affliction to me that I may willingly submit to whatsoever design thou hast upon my soul herein that I may decline those sins thou most warn'st me of by it prosecute that goodness thy grace in this visitation prompts me to For this end grant me carefully to observe mine own heart that my sorrow for what I finde may become proper and effectual and grow into such an endeavour of new obedience as shall never end And blessed be thy holy Name O Lord who for all my former repulsing of thee hast added this inward affliction to the perswasion of thy word and my outward troubles as if thou would'st leave nothing unattempted that might reduce me Lord though I have long neglected thy call abused thy patience and expectation yet now speak thy Servaâ—t hears and humbly acknowledgeth that wisdom and might are thine that thou who onely knowest onely canst help what is amiss O shew thy power and wisdom in great mercy on me either free me of this trouble of my soul or support me with patience and thankfulness to attend thine opportunitie Good Lord as thou recoverest my soul out of trouble so do thou my soul out of sin that it may be a thorow cure and that I seeing the innumerable accidents that we are here subject to and that our souls are not free but by thy favour may for the future make thy glory my design thy service the business of my life so to Jecure unto me thy favour
here and my eternal happiness hereafter through Jesus Christ our Lord in whose Name and words I conclude Our Father which art in Heaven c. The Petition of the Earl of Strafford unto the Lords before he died To the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in this present Parliament assembled The humble Petition of Thomas late Earl of Strafford sheweth That seeing it is the good will and pleasure of God that your Petitioner is now shortly to pay that dutie which we all ow to our frail nature he shall in all Christian patience and charitie conform and submit himself to your justice in a comfortable assurance of the great hope laid up for us in the mercie and merits of our Saviour blessed for ever Onely he humbly craves to return your Lordships most humble thanks for your noble compassion towards those innocent children whom now with his last blessing he must commit to the protection of Almightie God beseeching your Lordships to finish your pious intentions towards them and desiring that the reward thereof may be fulfill'd in you by him that is able to give above all we are able either to ask or think Wherein I trust the Honourable House of Commons will afford their Christian assistance And so beseeching your Lordships charitably to forgive all his omissions and infirmities he doth very heartily and truly recommend your Lordships to the mercies of our heavenly Father and that for his goodness he may perfect you in every good work Amen Tho Wentworth Some design there was no doubt of delivering the Earl of Strafford by escape as appears by examination of Sir Will. Balfore Lieutenant of the Tower who says he was commanded to receive Captain Billingsley into the Tower with an hundred men for securing of the place and to be under his command but coming thither Balfore opposeth his entrance and therefore the Earl expostulates with him by way of advice of the danger to deny the Kings commands to whom the Lieutenant said that there was a certain discovery of his intended escape by examination of three Women Goodwives of Tower-street that peeping in at his Gallery-doorkey-hole where he was walking with Billingsley they heard him advise therein by ascertaining his Brothers ship to be in readiness which was fallen down on purpose below in the River that they three might be there in twelve hours that if the Fort were but secured for three or four months there would come aid enough and that there was nothing to be thought upon but an escape and much more broken speech to that purpose To which the Earl answered that he had discourse with Billingsley thereabout but meant it as by the Kings authority to be removed to some other Castle and confessed the most of the Womens relation Besides the Lieutenant's examination that the Earl of Strafford sent for him four days before his suffering perswading him to assent to his escape for twenty thousand pounds to be paid and a Mariage of his Daughtâ—r to Balfore's Son And because the memory of this brave man may live for ever read his Character from the King his Master whose distinction concluded his death to be more safe then just I looked says the King upon my Lord of Strafford as a Gentleman whose great abilities might make a Prince rather afraid than ashamed to imploy him in the greatest affairs of State For those were prone to create in him great confidence of undertakings and this was like enough to betray him to great errours and many enemies whereof he could not but contract good store while moving in so high a sphere and with so vigorous a lustre he must needs as the Sun raise many envious exhalations which condensed by a popular odium were capable to cast a cloud upon the brightest merit and integrity Though I cannot in my judgement approve all he did driven it may be by the necessities of times and the temper of that people more than led by his own disposition to any height and rigour of actions Yet I could never be convinced of any such criminousness in him as willingly to expose his life to the stroke of justice and malice of his enemies I never met with a more unhappy conjuncture of affairs than in the business of that unfortunate Earl when between mine own unsatisfiedness in conscience and a necessity as some told me of satisfying the importunities of some people I was perswaded by those that I think wished me well to chuse rather what was safe then what seemed just preferring the outward peace of my Kingdoms with men before that inward exactness of conscience with God And indeed I am so far from excusing or denying that compliance on my part for plenary consent it was not to his destruction whom in my judgement I thought not by any clear Law guilty of death That I never bare any touch of conscience with greater regret which as a sign of my repentance I have often with sorrow confessed both to God and men as an act of so sinfull frailtie that it discovered more a fear of man than of God whose name and place on earth no man is worthie to bear who will avoid inconveniences of State by acts of so high injustice as no publick convenience can expiate or compensate I see it a bad exchange to wound a mans own conscience thereby to salve State-sores to calm the storms of popular discontents by stirring up a tempest in a man 's own bosom Nor hath Gods justice failed in the event and sad consequences to shew the world the fallacie of that Maxim Better one man perish though unjustly than the people be displeased or destroyed In all likelihood I could never have suffered with my people greater calamities yet with greater comfort had I vindicated Strafford's innocencie at least by denying to sign that destructive Bill according to that justice which my conscience suggested to me than I have done since I gratified some mens unthankfull importunities with so cruel a favour And I have observed that those who counselled me to sign that Bill have been so far from receiving the rewards of such ingratiatings with the people that no men have been harassed and crushed more than they He onely hath been least vexed by them who counselled me not to consent against the Vote of mine own conscience I hope God hath forgiven me and them the sinfull rashness of that business To which being in my soul so fully conscious those judgments God hath pleased to send upon me are so much the more welcom as a means I hope which his mercie hath sanctified so to me as to make me repent of that unjust act for so it was to me and for the future to teach me that the best Rule of Policie is to prefer the doing of justice before all enjoiments and the peace of my conscience before the preservation of my Kingdoms Nor hath any thing more fortified my resolution against all those violent importunities which since
so many forward to engage against me who had made great Professions of singular pietie For this gave to vulgar mindes so bad a reflection upon me and my Cause as if it had been impossible to adhere to me and not withall part from God to think or speak well of me and not to blaspheme him so many were perswaded that these two were utterly inconsistent to be at once Loyal to me and truly Religious toward God Not but that I had I thank God many with me which were both Learned and Religious much above that ordinrie size and that vulgar proportion wherein some men glorie so much who were so well satisfied in the cause of my Sufferings that they chose rather to suffer with me than forsake me Nor is it strange that so Religious Preâ—ensions as were used against me should be to many well-minded men a great tempâ—ation to oppose me especially being urged by such popular Preachers as think it no sin to lie for God and what they please to call Gods cause cursing all that will not curse with them looking so much at and crying up the goodness of the end propounded that they consider not the lawfulness of the means used nor the depth of the mischief chiefly plotted and intended The weakness of these mens judgments must be made up by their clamours and activitie It was a great part of some mens Religion to scandalize me and mine they thought theirs could not be true if they cried not down mine as false I thank God I have had more trial of his grace as to the constancie of my Religion in the Protestant Profession of the Church of England both abroad and at home than ever they are like to have Nor do I know any Exception I am so liable to in their opinion as too great a fixedness in that Religion whose judicious and solid Grounds both from Scripture and Antiquitie will not give my Conscience leave to approve or consent to those many dangerous and divided Innovations which the bold Ignorance of some men would needs obtrude upon me and my People Contrarie to those wel-tried Foundations both of Truth and Order which men of far greater Learning and clearer Zeal have settled in the Confession and Constitution of this Church in England which many former Parliaments in the most calm and unpassionate times have oft confirmed in which I shall ever by Gods help persevere as believing it hath most of Primitive Truth and Order Nor did my using the assistance of some Papists which were my Subjects any way fight against my Religion as some men would needs interpret it especially those who least of all men cared whom they imploied or what they said and did so they might prevail 'T is strange that so wise men as they would be esteemed should not conceive That Differences of perswasion in matters of Religion may easily fall out where there is the sameness of Dutie Allegiance and Subjection The first they own as men and Christians to God The second they ow to me in common as their King Different Professions in point of Religion cannot any more than in civil Trades take away the communitte of Relations either to Parents or to Princes And where is there such an Oglio or Medley of various Religions in the World again as those men entertain in their service who finde most fault with me without any scruple as to the diversitie of their Sects and Opinions It was indeed a foul and indelible shame for such as would be counted Protestants to enforce me a declared Protestant their Lord and King to a necessarie use of Papists or any other who did but their Dutie to help me to defend my self Nor did I more than is lawfull for any King in such Exigents to use the aid of any his Subjects I am sorrie the Papists should have a greater sense of their Allegiance than many Protestant Professours who seem to have learned and to practise the worst Principles of the worst Papists Indeed it had been a verie impertinent and unseasonable scruple in me and verie pleasing no doubt to mine Enemies to have been then disputing the Points of different Beliefs in my Subjects when I was disputed with by Swords points and when I needed the help of my Subjects as men no less than their praiers as Christians The noise of my Evil Counsellours was another usefull Devise for those who were impatient any mens counsel but their own should be followed in Church and State who were so eager in giving me better counsel that they would not give me leave to take it with freedom as a Man or Honour as a King making their counsels more like a Drench that must be poured down than a Draught which might be fairly and leisurely drunk if I liked it I will not justifie beyond humane Errours and Frailties my self or my Counsellours they might be subject to some Miscarriages yet such as were far more reparable by second and better thoughts than those enormous Extravagancies wherewith some men have now wildered and almost quite lost both Church and State The event of things at last will make it evident to my Subjects that had I followed the worst counsels that my worst Counsellours ever had the boldness to offer to me or my self any inclination to use I could not so soon have brought both Church and State in three flourishing Kingdoms to such a Chaos of Confusions and Hell of Miseries as some have done out of which they cannot or will not in the midst of their many great Advantages redeem either me or my Subjects No men were more willing to complain than I was to redress what I saw in Reason was either done or advised amiss and this I thought I had done even beyond the expectation of moderate men who were sorrie to see me prone even to injure my self out of a zeal to relieve my Subjects But other mens insatiable Desire of Revenge upon me my Court and my Clergie hath wholly beguiled both Church and State of the benefit of all my either Retractations or Concessions and withall hath deprived all those now so zealous Persecutours both of the comfort and reward of their former pretended Persecutions wherein they so much gloried among the vulgar and which indeed a truly humble Christian will so highly prize as rather not to be relieved than be revenged so as to be bereaved of that Crown of Christian Patience which attends humble and injured Sufferers Another Artifice used to with-draw my Peoples Affections from me to their Designs was the noise and ostentation of Libertie which men are not more prone to desire than unapt to bear in the popular sense which is to do what every man liketh best If the divinest Libertie be to will what men should and to do what they so will according to Reason Laws and Religion I envie not my Subjects that Libertie which is all I desire to enjoy my self so far am I from the desire of
of Queen Elizabeth and himself a person not engaged in any publick pressures of the Common-wealth and therefore most likely to prove just and acceptable to the People The Papists likewise permitted privately to enjoy their Religion and a general good agreement between the Natives and the English in all parts In August the Popish party in Parliament grown high and incompatible with the present Government the Parliament was adjourned for three Moneths and then the Committee returned out of England and arrived at the end of August desiring that all the Acts of that Parliament might be proclaimed and sent down to the several Counties and so they retired to their places of abode In this great serenity and security the late Irish Army raised for the assistance of the Kings service against the Scots was disbanded and all their Army brought into Dublin Then there brake out upon the three and twentieth of October 1641. a desperate Rebellion universal defection and general Revolt of the Natives together which almost all the old English that were Popish totally involved A Rebellion so execrable as no Age no Nation can parallell the abominable Murders without number or mercy upon the Brittish Inhabitants of what sexes age or quality soever they were and this to be contrived with that secrecy amongst themselves that not one English man received any notice thereof before the very Evening of their intended Execution But though there were no direct appearance of the first Contrivers of this Rebellion yet I finde the Romish Clergy and the the Popish Lawyers great Instruments of the Fundamentals whereupon their bloudy Superstructions were reared The Lawyers standing up in Parliament as great Patriots for the Liberties of the Subject and Redress of Grievances boldly obtruding their pernicious speculations as undoubted Maxims of Law which though apparent to wise men yet so strangely were many of the very Protestants and others wel-meaning men blinded with an apprehension of case and redress and so stupified with their bold accusations of the Government as discouraged others to stand up to oppose them And then it was that the Parliament having impeached Sir Robert Bolton Lord Chancellour of Ireland of high Treason with other prime Officers of State that were of English birth and done their worst also against the Earl of Strafford in England Some of these great Masters and pretended Patriots took upon them impudently to declare the Law as they pleased to make new Expositions of their own upon that Text to frame Queries against Government Presidents they had enough of former proceedings in England they disdained the moderate qualifications of such as replied to them but those would not serve their turn New Model of Government they would have drawing it wholly into the hands of the Natives which they knew could not be compassed in a Parliamentary way they onely made preparatives there by desperate Maxims which being diffused would fit and dispose the people to a change Some of their Maxims they declared for Law that any one being killed in Rebellion though found by matter of Record would give the King no Forfeiture of Estate That though many thousands stood up in Arms working all manner of destruction yet if they professed not to rise against the King that it was no Rebellion That if a man were cuâ—lawed for Treason and his Land rested in the Crown or given away by the King his Heir might come afterwards and be admitted to reverse the Outlawry and recover his Ancestours Estate And many such were published this Session nay they presumed to attempt a suspension of Poyning ' s Act and at last the very abrogation of the Statute the best Monument of the English intire dominion over the Irish Nation and the annexion of that Kingdom to the Imperial Crown of England assuming a power of Iudicature to the Parliament in criminal and capital offences which no former age could presidence And so carried on their Session begun in May till the breaking out of the Rebellion and yet then they would hardly adjourn These and many other such which wise men fore-saw and since came to pass that Fools may run and read them They made the whole Body of State corrupt and ill-affected that the evil humours and distempers of the Kingdom required Cauteries This was the Disease as appears by all the Symptoms and the joint concurrence in opinion of all the pretended Patriots that held themselves wise enough to propose Remedies to so desperate a Malady But indeed although but pretences yet the King had condescended to their present relief giving much more satisfaction to their Agents lately in England than ever they could in any other time expect to receive or hope to enjoy but presently upon their return to Ireland this Conspiracy brake out Certainly the late successes of the Scots in their Insurrections gave encouragement to these they having happily succeeded in their affairs obtained signal Immunities from the King by their last Eruptions Our domestick garboils also might indulge them liberty to perplex the English the more and not the least advantage by the death of the late Deputy the Earl of Strafford whom the Irish equally pursued with the Zelots of Parliament in England and thereupon the unseasonable disbanding of the Irish Army eight thousand raised for the Scotish Expedition All these together added to them for their Design four thousand whereof were granted to Don Alonso de â—ardenes the Spanish Ambassadour to be transported from the danger of Innovation at home and the Officers and Colonels put out by the Parliaments commands might depart with their Regiments whither they pleased These were their Incitements and their Deceits followed they boast that the Queen was in the Head of their Forces that the King was coming with an Army that the Scots had concluded a League with them and to get credit therein they altogether caress the Scots that they were authorised by the Kings Commission which they counterâ—eited and produced at Farnham Abbey from one Colonel Plunket as appeared afterwards by several Confessions that they asserted the Kings cause against the Puritans of England And to their own Countrey-men they scatter Letters and Advertisements out of England that there was a Statute very lately made to compell all the Irish to be present at the Protestant worship under penalty of loss of their Goods for the first neglect the loss of their Inheritances for the second and their Lives for the third They gave there great hopes of recovering their Liberties and regaining their ancient Customes and to shake off the English yokâ— to elect to themselves a King of their own Nation and to distribute the Goods and Possessions of the English These Inducements made the Irish mad to perpetrate such hideous Attempts as no leading Age hath heard of They published also these Motives in print that our royal King and Queen are by the Puritans curbed and abused and their Prerogatives restrained diminished and almost wholly abolished
And so the War was mannaged by the cursed Irish and also by the Parliamentaries Scots and English against the Kings party being commanded by his General the Marquess of Ormond alone to defend himself which could not last over long for the Kings Forces in England being defeated and the Irish Rebells straitning Dublin with a Siege thought it more honourable to surrender to the Parliaments Forces that and what ere the King held in Ireland than to suffer the Interest of the English and Protestants to fall under the power of the Irish and so retires himself But after the Kings Imprisonment in the Isle of Wight and no further address to him Ormond goes over again with new Instructions and dignified with the Title of the Lord Deputy of Ireland with intent to make the best Peace he could and so to associate the English Scots and Irish to him many English and Irish conjoyn and Inchequin also upon the Kings Death with Preston and Taff and the mindes of others remaining in suspence the Scots forbear hostility giving good hopes to unite with Ormond To counterpoise these the Governour of Dublin Colonel Jones for the Parliament are deprehended in the same Embraces with Owen Roe the Rebells General and so are associated together with their Forces which Ormond not able to suppress after many Encounters yielded up all that he possessed for the King and his succeeding party after and retired into foreign parts where he now remains Thus in brief the Particulars follow It is true that Sir William Cole upon bare apprehensions of something had writ a letter to the Lords Justices the eleventh of Octâ—ber of great resort to Sir Phelem Oneal in the County of Tirone as also to the Lord Mac Guire in the County of Formanagho that Mac-Guire had often journeyed into the pale was continually busied in Letters and dispatches And then afterwards Sir William Cole certified by Letters of the one and twentieth of October of what was revealed to him by several Irish viz. to seize upon the Castle of Dâ—blin to murder the Lords Justices and Council and Protestants there and so over all Kingdom But these Letters never came to their hands nor any warning till the Evening of the day of Rebellion When many of the Conspirators arrived at Dublin and the three and twentieth of October 1641. met at the Lion Tavern neer Copper Alley Owen O Conally a Gentleman of a meer Irish family but a true Protestant by long Conversation with the English addressed himself to the Lord Justice Parsons about nine a clock that night and made a broken relation of a great conspiracy to seize the Castle at Dublin giving him the names of them now come expressly for that purpose and to attempt it the next morning and that Hugh mac Mahon was one of them who had told him so much with whom he had been drinking and so distempered his Lordship gave the less belief However he commanded him to return to Mac mahon to get out more of the plot and not faile to return back that night to his Lordship who in the mean time with all possible speed and secrecie ordered strong Guards in every corner And about 10. a clock went to the Council with Barlace without the Town and Sir Thomas Rotheram and Sir Robert Meridith Chancellor of the Exchequer where expecting the return of Conally he was seized by the watch ready to be carried to prison to the hazzard of all had not a servant of the Lord Parsons rescued him and so was brought to the Council and somewhat recovered of his former distemper told this Tale. That he being at Monimore in the County of London Derrey on Tuesday he received a Letter from Colonel Hugh Oge Mac mahan to come to Conaught in the County of Monaghan and to be with him on Wednesday last whither he came accordingly but Hugh being gon to Dublin he followed him hither and came about six a clock this Evening and forthwith went to his Lodging found him there without the Town and â—oth together came to the Lodging of the Lord Mac Guire but he not at home they two returned back again Hugh telling him that this night great number of the Irish Noblemen Papists would arrive in Town who with himself would take the Castle by Morning then to force the City by the Ordinance and destroy all the Protestants and so divers others were ordered in all parts of the Kingdom to seize and destroy all the English at an houre designed viz. to morrow by ten a clock and that all possible posting or speed could not prevent it And Conally moved Hugh rather to discover it to the State to prevent the mischief but he answered he could not help it yet that they owned their Allegiance to the King and pay it to him but what they did was against the tyrannical Government over them and to imitate Scotland who got their priviledge by that course And Hugh swore that they would not part but go together to the Castle and if this matter were discovered some body should die for it whereupon Conally fained some necessity for his easement to go out of the chamber leaving his sword in pawn Hugh's Man comming down with him into the yard where in a trice he leaped over a wall and two pales and so came to the Lord Justice Parson Examined the two and twentieth of October 1641. Owen O Conally Hereupon The Justices instantly sent and seized Mac-Mohan and his Man who forthwith came to the Council and confessed all the plot That on that very day all the forts and Castles of Ireland would be surprized That he with the Lord Mac Guire Hugh Birn Captain Brian Oneale and others were come to surprize Dublin Castle and that twenty men of Each County were to meet here to joyn with them That all the Nobility and Gentry Papists were confederates impossible to be prevented and how ever they used him now in their power his blood would be revenged Then Mac Guire and others were suddainly seized on and the Town filling with strangers the Council removed into the Castle and by this time a rumor of something gave Items to Hugh Birn and Roger Moor chief of the conspirators who escaped over the River and so did Plunket and Fox but thirty others were taken of the meanest quality the chief Actors found friends enough in the Town to help their escape The next day The Lords Justices Proclaimed the discovery of a Disloyal and detestable Conspiracy intended by some evil affected Irish Papists against the lives of the Lords Justicâ—s and Council and others his Majesties faithful Subjects throughout this Kingdome c. We therefore require all good Subjects to betake themselves to their own defence c. And to advertise us with all speed of all occurents which may concern the peace of the Kingdome and we require that care be taken that no levies be made of men for foraign
hundred thousand pounds and make this Order The Lords and Commons c. having a due regard to the affections of the City of London particularly for fifty thousand pounds lent for the Irish affairs and fifty thousand pounds more lent to the Peers attending the King in the Northern parts before the beginning of this Parliament which are not yet paid shall be satisfied with Interest out of Moneys which are or shall be raised by Parliament and an Act to be passed therefore with all expedition Provided not to prejudice any Payments formerly appointed to be paid to any Members of Parliament that have lent any Moneys heretofore or before this Ordinance But to return to Ireland the Lords Justices and Council hastily provide for the victualling the Castle of Dublin for safety of that City and Commissions of Martial Law granted to several persons active men though Papists whom as yet they in prudence would not suspect as it appears to the Lord of Garmanston who after amongst the Popish Governours deserted their houses and openly declared themselves in actual Rebellion and found in his house which was in effect That they had power to whom they were directed Not onely to use Fire and Sword for the destruction of the Rebells and their Adherents but also to preserve the lives of any of them and to receive any of them into his Majesties mercy and favour which shewed their Intentions to reduce a rebellious Nation with lenitives which failing in the Cure they were enforced to violent Medicines Nay more to these in general now delivered Arms and Ammunition as to the Lord Garmonston for five hundred men for the County of Meath and so proportionable to others for all the Counties of the Pale and others round about arming the Enemy to cut the English throats so that by the midst of November several other Counties declare for the Rebells in Lemster and other Provinces and from all these places of Insurrection the poor miserable English that could fly were forced to come to Dublin for succour where they miserably perished for want of Relief that the publick burying places could not contain their Corps The Town of Dublin thus settled by Proclamation they prohibited the access of strangers to the Town and for loose people to depart Some Troops of Horse and Regiments of Foot were forthwith raised Sir Charls Coot had a Commission for a Regiment which he made up out of the poor wandring English and so had the Lord Lambert The Earl of Ormond was now arrived at Dublin with his Troop complete Curassers of an hundred men Sir Thomas Lucas with his Troop Captain Armstrong with his Troop Captain Yarner with his Troop Colonel Crawford a Scotchman came from thence recommended from the Prince Elector now with the King in Scotland And Sir Charls Coot made Governour of Dublin In August before the Rebellion the Parliament there had been adjourned to the seventeenth of November but upon the Rebellion the three and twentieth of October the Parliament was prorogued till to the four and twentieth of February which offended the Irish Papists Members as if so long time would be lost and no Grievances relieved Hereupon the Parliament had leave to sit one whole Day in case they would make a clear Protestation against the Rebells so that on the seventeenth of November there met a very thin Parliament of both Houses but the Popish would not endure to style the Insurrection a Rebellion but that they had rebelliously and traiterously raised Arms as the Protestation it self set forth by Parliament expresseth in effect Whereas the happy and peaceable estate of this Realm hath been of late and still is interrupted by sundry persons ill-affected to the peace c. who have traiterously and rebelliously raised Arms c. The said Lords and Commons in Parliament do detest and abhor their abominable actions c. and shall and will maintain the Rights of his Majesties Crown the Government peace and safety thereof against all opposers c. And if they shall not within a time limited lay down Arms submit and be suiters for grace and favour then the Lords and Commons will take up Arms and will with their lives and fortunes suppress them Phil. Percival Cler. Parl. The Parliament send Commissioners to treat with the Rebells in the North who heightened with their late Victories barbarously tore the Order of Parliament and Letter sent to them and returned a most scornfull Answer Within a few days after the Lord Dillon of Costelo and the Lord Taff imbarqued for England but by storm were driven into Scotland and so posted towards London and at the Town of Ware their Papers were seized and their persons committed by the Parliament of England and one Master Thomas Burk there at that time when the King retired to York and the Breach began in England where these Lords found means to ingratiate themselves at Court and so brought on the Cessation of Arms in Ireland which followed The twentieth of November the Lords Justices and Council sent a more particular account of the affairs of Ireland to the Lord Lieutenant who returns Answer that he had acquainted the King at Edinburgh with all their Dispatches and that his Majesty had referred the whole business of Ireland to the Parliament of England who had undertaken the charge and mannagement of the War as appears by the Order of Parliament transmitted over to Dublin where it was reprinted Novemb. 12. 1641. The Lords and Commons in this present Parliament being advertised of the dangerous Conspiracy and Rebellion in Ireland c. do intend to serve his Majesty with their Lives and Fortunes for the suppressing of this wicked Rebellion as shall be thought most effectual by the wisdom and authority of Parliament And have provided for a present supply of Money and raising six thousand Foot and two thousand Horse to be sent from England being the full proportion desired by the Lords Iustices in that Kingdom with a resolution to add such further succours as the necessity of those affairs shall require As also for Arms Munition and Victuals and other necessaries and have appointed three Ports Bristol Westchester and one other in Cumberland for Magazines and Store-houses They resolve likewise to be suiters to his Majesty for encouragement of such as shall upon their own charges raise Horse or Foot for this service that they shall be honourably rewarded with Lands of Inheritance in Ireland And for the better inducing the Rebells to repent they do hereby commend it to the Lords Iustices according to the power of Commission granted them to bestow his Majesties Pardon to such as shall in a convenient time return to obedience the greatest part whereof they conceive have been seduced upon false grounds And likewise to bestow such Rewards as shall be thought fit upon such as shall bring the Heads of the principal Traitours c. John Brown Cler. Parl. The Earl of Leicester having thus
horse of the Lord Ormonds Troop made their way through without loss of a man A great loss to us and a greater gain to the Rebells of Ammunition and monies and now it appeared plain who were the Enemies in the Pale heretofore Neuters The Governour of Drogheda upon our Scouts intelligence issued out with 600. foot and two Troopes of horse but came too late and now it became certain that whilst the Commissioners were in the Treaty at the Town they themselves were of this Plot. Not long after the Enemy took another advantage The Master of a Chester Bark corrupted by some Popish Merchants abroad he run her on ground at the Skerms in faire weather riâ—â—ing the English Passengers of store of money and fraughted with powder and Ammunition designed for Dublin At the which Landing of the English the Lord Netherfield as in favour to them sent them to Dublin assuring them that he would take Tredagh the next morning which was believed at Dublin before the Account and evermore in these surprisals the Enemy would boast of the special hand of Gods providence in their successes and likelyhood to deliver the Kingdom unto Catholiques The Lords and Gentlemen of the Pale being secretly the first contrivers of the Rebellion and had now drawn the Rebells down from the North into the Pale and that presently after the defeat of the English at Gelianston bridge the Lord Germanston a secret conspiratour summons the County at Dulick and after to the Hill of Crofty to the number of 1000. persons to whom came divers of the chief Leaders of the Northern Rebells where they are associated to live and die in their quarrel And a week after the like summons was to all the Lords and Gentry of the County of Meath to meet at the Hill of Taragh where multitudes assembled And now by reason the Northern Rebells had setled their Camp within the River of Boyne besieging Tredagh between that and the City of Dublin and all entercourse of the Pale interrupted the passages stopt so that the State were ignorant of what passed there They therefore called a grand Council of the Lords within distance of Dublin and so Letters were posted to them in effect That the State had present occasion to confer with them concerning the present estate of the Kingdom and the safety thereof And pray and require to his Lordship to be at Dublin the eight day of this Moneth at which time others of the Peers will be here From his Majesties Castle of Dublin the third of December 1641. To our very good Lord Georg Earl of Kildare Your very loving friends William Parsons John Buclaâ—r c. And the same day to other several persons who near about that time had made the publick Combination with the Ulster Rebells And there they frame their General answer thus in effect May it please your Lordship We have heretofore presented our selves and freely offered our advice and furtherance which was by you neglected c. Having received advertisement that Sir Charls Coot had uttered at the Council-board some speeches tending to execute upon these of our Religion a general Massacre by which wee are deterred to wait on your Lordships not having security for the safety of our lives but rather to stand upon our Guard till we shall be secured from perills Nevertheless we all protest to continue faithfull advisers and furtherers of his Majesties service concerning the present state of this Kingdome and the safety thereof Your Lordships humble servants Fingale Germaston Slame Dunsany Netervile Oliver Lowth Trimbleston Dec. 7. 1641. To this Letter the State gives answer by Proclamation with all satisfaction to the Lords to remove all misunderstandings and clear Sir Charls Coot from any such pretended speeches or any intention thereto and pray the Lords to attend the Board on the seventeenth day after But not prevailing Netervile and others of the Pale gather forces and quarter at Swores within six miles of Dublin and there encamped To whom the State send theiâ— warrant Immediately upon sight hereof to disband and separate and that Netervile and six other principal persons amongst them do appear to morrow morning at ten a Clock before the Council upon their utmost perills  Ormond Ossery c. Dec. 9. 1641. To which they answer That for the safety of their lives they were constrained to meet and resolve so to continue till they might be assured of their lives Hereupon by publique Proclamation the Earl of Ormond Lieutenant General of the Army hath warrant to suppress them and to bring up such shipping and vessels to the new Crane at Dublin and to destroy the rest the fourteenth of December The Rebels now declare Germanston general of their forces in the Pale Hugh Birne Lieutenant General and the Earl of Fingale General of their Horse and several Commissions to raise forces and in a very seemly order and proportion frame an Army with all manner of provisions accordingly The sad condition of Ireland was very often recommended to the King and Parliament of England with a proposition 10000. Scots to be sent over from Scotland with Letters met the King at his return from thence to London And Commissioners out of Scotland arrived at London to treat with the Parliament therein they make offer of 10000. men provided to receive forth an advance of 30000. l. of brotherly assistance to be afforded them by the Kingdom of England to have shipping for their transport and upon Landing in Ireland to have 100 horse joyn with each 1000 foot but to receive order and to obey their Scotish General which was condescended unto and great hopes of the effeâ—ts specially that the Parliament was so very often urged thereto by his Majesties several speeches as that of the fourteenth of December 1641. More he could not say or offer to do in person therein But ah alas all was delaied and nothing performed for the Parliament was more busied to quarrel their priviledges with the King and the house of Commons utterly refused to send any English Forces which the Lords proposed to be 1000. Foot so that Dublin began to be nearly distressed All the provinces of Munster likewise in rebellion The State therefore again send over Letters into England That the Rebells were formidable 20000 in a Body besides several other Brigadoes in divers Counties and complain that of the 20000. l. lately sent to them they received but 16000. But in fine the last of December arrives Sir Simon Harcourt with his Regiment out of England Tredagh was now beset on all sides by Sea and Land all ways of entercourse to Dublin stopped divers designs were devised for conveyance of intelligence thither And now upon this grand confedaracy of Meath and Lowth they style themselves the Catholique Army The Town increased their Fortifications Breast works before each Gate Platforms in convenient places where the walls were defective centinels put to their stands Ordnances mounted abundance
the House of Peers whose authority interest and priviledges was now as much slighted and despised as the King was after and as the Lords fell towards themselves in after successes easily passing over those former singular Acts of grace passed by him already in this Parliament or else ascribing them to their own wisdoms in the procurement and conclude against a Malignant party that they have no hope of setling the distractions of this Kingdom for want of a concurrence with the House of Lords into which number all these Lords were cast who presumed to dissent from any Propositions made by the House of Commons But not to hold you in suspence the business was thus When this engine Remonstrance was prepared for the people by the prime Leaders It was presented to the house of Commons and the greatest art imaginable to procure consent to have it passed there And after the longest debate that hath been observed from three a clock afternoon till ten a clock the next morning when many through weakness and weariness left the House So that it looked as it was sawcely said like the verdict of a starved Iury and carried onely by eleven voyces And shortly after that the King had been received with all possible expressions of loyal affection by the City of London against which it was murmured and the chief advancers of that duty discountenanced and their Loyalty envied at And when it was publiquely said in the House of Commons upon some dispute of a pretended breach of the order of the House That their Discipline ought to be severe for the Enemy was now in view meaning the King returned then I say was the Petition and Remonstrance presented to his Majesty at Hampton Court I could wish you had it at length as it was printed but this History growes big with necessary abreviations suppose these what the wit and malice of man could rake together to make a Sovereign suspected of his Subjects Their Petition thus in effect Most gracious Soveraign Your Majesties most humble and faithful Subjects the Commoners in this present Parliament doe with joy acknowledge this favoâ—r of God for his safe return into England when the dangers and distempers of the State have caused them to desire his presence and authority to his Parliament for preventing of eminent ruine and destruction to his Kingdome of England and Scotland fomented by a Malignant party for alteration of Religion and Government the increase of Popery by the practice of Iesuits and other Engineers and factors for Rome corrupting the Bishops and Privy Council They being the cause of the late Scotish war and the Irish Rebellion now for prevention they pray that his Majesty would concur with his Parliament deprive the Bishops of their Votes To take a way oppressions in Religion Church Government and Discipline To purge his Councils of such as are promotors of these corruptions and not to alienate any escheated Lands in Ireland by reason of the Rebellion And these being granted they will make him happy To this the body of their Remonstrance was annexed very particular and large which they draw down from the beginning of the Kings Reign pretending to discover the Malignant party and their designs and consequently the miseries thereby to the State And this they intitle A Remonstrance of the Kingdom Die Mercurii December 15. 1641. In brief to set it down from these Heads 1. The Root and the growth of these mischievous Designs 2. The maturity and ripeness to which they have attained before the beginning of this Parliament 3. The effectual means which hath been used for the extirpations of these dangers evils and progress that hath been made therein by the Kings goodness and the wisdome of Parliament 4. The waies of obstruction and opposition by which the Progress hath been interrupted 5. The courses to be taken for removing those obstacles and for the accomplishing of their dutiful and faithful intentions and endeavours of restoring and establishing their ancient honour greatness and security of this Crown and Nation The Root of all this mischief they finde to be a Malignant and pernicious Design of subverting the fundamental Laws and Principles of Government upon which the Religion and Iustice of the Kingdome are firmly established The Actors and Promoters hereof have been 1. The Iesuited Papists who hate the Laws as the Obstacles of that change and subversion of Religion which they so much long for 2. The Bishops and the corrupt part of the Clergy who cherish formalities and superstitions as the natural effects and more probable supports of their own Ecclesiastical Tyranny and usurpation 3. Such Councellors and Courtiers as for private ends have ingaged themselves to further the Interest of some foreign Princes or states to the prejudice of the King and State at home And to make it more credible the Remonstrance moulds out some common Principles by which they pretend â—ll the Malignant Councels and actions were governed and these are branched in four particulars in effect That the Malignant party maintained continual differences and discontents betwixt the King and the people upon questions of Perogative and priviledge that so they might have say they the advantage of siding with him and under the notions of Men addicted to his service gain to themselves and their parties the places of greatest trust and power in the Kingdome They suppressed the purity and power of Religion and such as we asserted to it as being contrary to their own ends and the greatest impediment to that charge which they thought to introduce Then to conjoyn these parts of the Kingdome which were most propitious to their own ends and to divide those who went most opposite which consisted in many particular observations to cherish the Arminian part in those points wherein they agree with the Papists to multiply and enlarge the differences between the Protestant and those which they call Puritans to introduce and countenance such opinions and Ceremonies as are fittest for accommodation with Popery to increase and maintain ignorance looseness and prophaness in the people that if these three parties Papists Arminians and Libertinâ—s they might compose a body fit to act such Councels and resolutions as were most conduceable to their ends And politickly they disaffected the King to the Parliament by slanders and false imputations and by putting him upon other waies of supply which in shew and appearance were fuller of advantage than the ordinary course of subsidies though in truth they brought more loss than gain both to King and People and have caused the distractions under which we suffer Then the Remonstrance comes to particular charges against this Malignant party 1. The dissolution of the Parliament at Oxford two subsidies being given and no grievance relieved 2. The loss of the Rochel fleete by our shipping delivered over to the French to the loss of that Town and the Protestant Religion in France 3. The diverting of his Majesties course of wars
denie Yet so tender I see some men are of their being subject to Arbitrarie Government that is the Law of anothers will to which themselves give no consent that they care not with how much Dishonour and Absurditie they make the King the onely man that must be subject to the will of others without having power left him to use his own Reason either in person or by anie Representation And if my Dissentings aâ— anie time were as some have suspected and uncharitably avowed out of errour opinionativeness weakness or wilfulness and what they call Obstinacie in me which not true judgment of things but some vehement prejudice or passion hath fixed on my minde yet can no man think it other than the Badg and Method of Slaverie by savage rudeness and importunate obtrusions of violence to have the mist of his errour and passion dispelled which is a shadow of Reason and must serve those that are destitute of the substance Sure that man cannot be blameable to God or Man who seriously endeavours to see the best reason of things and faithfully follows what he takes for Reason The uprightness of his intentions will excuse the possible failings of his understanding If a Pilot at Sea cannot see the Pole-star it can be no fault in him to steer his course by such Stars as do best appear to him It argues rather those men to be conscious of their Defects of Reason and convincing Arguments who call in the assistance of meer force to carrie on the weakness of their Counsels and Proposals I may in the truth and uprightness of my heart protest before God and Men that I never wilfully opposed or denied anie thing that was in a fair way after full and free Debates propounded to me by the two Houses further than I thought in good Reason I might and was bound to do Nor did anie thing ever please me more than when my Iudgment so concurred with theirs that I might with good Conscience consent to them yea in many thing where not absolute and moral necessitie of Reason but temporarie convenience in point of Honour was to be considered I chose rather to denie my self than them as preferring that which they thought necessarie for my Peoples good before what I saw but convenient for my self For I can be content to recede much from mine own Interests and personal Rights of which I conceive my self to be Master but in what concerns Truth Iustice the Rights of the Church and my Crown together with the general good of my Kingdoms which I am bound to preserve as much as morally lies in me here I am and ever shall be fixt and resolute nor shall any man gain my consent to that wherein my Heart gives my Tongue or Hand the Lie nor will I be brought to affirm that to men which in my Conscience I denie before God I will rather chuse to wear a Crown of Thorns with my Saviour than to exchange that of Gold which is due to me for one of Lead whose embased flexibleness shall be forced to bend and complie to the various and oft-contrarie Dictates of anie Factions when in stead of Reason and publick concernments they obtrude nothing but what makes for the Interest of parties and flows from the partialittes of private Wills and Passions I know no Resolutions more worthie a Christian King than to prefer his Conscience before his Kingdoms And now the King is pleased to give the like Answer to the Buckingham Petition as was his late Message to the Parliament to which he refers them and therein so to proceed against the five Members as that it shall appear he had sufficient cause to question however he conceives that their Crimes cannot reflect upon those good Subjects that elected Master Hambden or the others to serve in Parliament But the Parliament in some doubt of the issue and effect of the Kings Design at Windsor and not willing to trust him in Arms before they might be as ready to encounter upon information of Troops of Horse to be gathered by the Lord Digby and Colonel Lunsford at Kingston where the County Magazine is lodged They order that the Sheriffs of the several Counties of England and Wales with the assistance of the Justices of Peace and the Trained Bands shall suppress all unlawfull Assemblies and that they take care to secure the Counties and their Magazines in them and to be published in all Market-towns Iune 14. And Lunsford was seized and sent to the Tower but Digby escaped beyond Seas All that the King could do to appease the wrath of the Parliament concerning the impeached Members by waving all Proceedings and no doubt quite declining away further prosecution This not satisfying to their spirits and the Court removed to Roiston the Commons fall upon the Attourney General Sir Edward Herbert being summoned to appear at the Lords Bar he is interrogated by a Committee of Commons Question Whether he did contrive frame or advise the said seven Articles against the impeached Members Answer He did not in any of the three or all Question Do you know the truth of these Articles or anie of them or by Information Answer He knows nothing of the truth nor was informed but by his Master the King Question Will you make good these Articles if required by course of Law Answer He cannot otherwise than the King shall command and enable him Question From whom had you these Articles and by whose advice did you exhibit them Answer It was the Kings express command from whose hand he received them Question Whether had you any Testimonie or Proof of these Article before the exhibiting of them Answer For the exhibiting he had the Kings command To which Answer Serjeant Wilde replied The House of Commons desires to know whether you had any Proof or Testimonie or any Information of any Proof of them Answer To this he desired time to consider in regard of a Trust between a Master and Servant This not yet satisfactory because so general the House of Commons resolve That he hath broken the Privilege of Parliament in preferring the Articles illegal and he is criminous and that a Charge be sent up to the Lords against him for satisfaction of this great Scandal unless by Thursday next he prove the Articles against any of them Jan. 15. The Parliament finding the King in good earnest and resolving to hasten the business to an issue and therefore both Houses petition him to give end to their humble Desires either to discharge the accused Members or to proceed judicially against them according to the Privilege and use of Parliament in such Cases observed and this was posted to him by the Earl of Newport and the Lord Seymer Ian. 21. The King by Letter returns Answer That finding his first mistake in the way of his proceeding which hath caused some Delaies for to be informed in what order to put the same and till then he thinks not fit to discover his
Proofs and therefore to avoid more Mistakes that it be resolved whether his Majestie be bound in respect of Privileges to proceed by Impeachment in Parliament or be at libertie to proffer an Inditement at the Common Law or to have his choice in either thereupon he will speedily give Direction to proceed to the business Jan. 24. The Attourney General in fear to be grinded between these Disputes and finding his the hardest bargain supplicates the King for his Authority to take him off which he did by his Letter to the Lord Keeper from Roiston the fourth of March. Certifying That the third of January last he did deliver to the Attourney General certain Articles of Accusation ingrossed in Paper the Câ—pie being inclosed and commanded him to acquaint the house of Peers That divers great and treasonable Designs against Us and the State had come to the Kings knowledg of which he was commanded to accuse those six Persons of high Treason by delivering the Paper to them and to desire to have it read and that a Committee of Lords might examine such Witnesses as the King would produce and they to be under a command of secrecie and for the King to add or alter if there be cause And declares the Attourney General clear as to his Answer And had he refused the Kings command herein he would have questioned him for Breach of Oath Dutie and Trust to which he was obliged This as to the truth and the Attourneys defence but being weary of the business and finding no relief to be expected nor leave to proceed in his way against them he adds a clause to the Letter But having declared that we finde cause wholly to desist from proceeding against the Persons accused we have commanded our Attourney General to proceed no further there nor to produce nor discover any Proof concerning the same And so this Breach between the King and Parliament was stitched up but the Seam not well sewed the Rent grew the wider and either party more nicely concerning Prerogative and Privileges And because this Action of the Kings was often taken up as a Breach of Privilege unpardonable we may examine the Kings Reasons from his own Relation in his Eikon Basilike cap. 3. My going to the House of Commons says the King to demand Iustice upon the five Members was an act which mine Enemies loaded with all the obloquies and exasperations they could I filled indifferent men with great Iealousies and Fears yea and manie of my Friends resented it as a motion rising rather from Passion than from Reason and not guided with such Discretion as the touchiness of those Times required But these men knew not the just Motives and pregnant Grounds with which I thought my self so furnished that there needed nothing to such Evidence as I could have produced against those I charged save onely a free and legal Trial which was all I desired Nor had I anie temptation of Displeasure or Revenge against those mens Persons further than I had discovered those as I thought unlawfull correspondencies they had used and engagements they had made to embroil my Kingdoms of all which I missed but little to have produced Writings under some mens own hands who were the chief Contrivers of the following Innovations Providence would not have it so yet I wanted not such Probabilitie as were sufficient to raise Iealousies in anie Kings heart who is not wholly stupid and neglective of the publick Peace which to preserve by calling in question half a Dozen men in a fair and legal way which God knows was all my Design could have amounted to no worse effect had it succeeded than either to do me and my Kingdoms right in case they had been found guiltie or else to have cleared their Innocencie and removed my suspition which as they were not raised out of any malice so neither were they in Reason to be smothered What Flames of Discontent this spark though I sought by all speedie and possible means to quench it soon kindled all the World is witness The aspersion which some men cast upon that Action as if I had designed by force to assault the House of Commons and invade their Privilege is so false that as God best knows I had no such intent so none that attended could justly gather from anie thing I then said or did the least intimation of anie such thoughts That I went attended with some Gentlemen as it was no unwonted thing for the Majestie and safetie of a King so to be attended especially in discontented times so were my Followers at that time short of mine ordinarie Guard and no waie proportionable to hazzard a tumultuarie Conflict Nor were they more scared at my coming than I was unassured of not having some Affronts cast upon me if I had none with me to preserve a reverence to me for many people had at that time learned to think those hard thoughts which they have since abundantly vented against me both by Words and Deeds The Sum of that Business was this Those men and their Adherents were then looked upon by the affrighted Vulgar as greater Protectours of their Laws and Liberties than my self and worthier of their protection I leave them to God and their own Consciences who if guiltie of evil machinations no present impunitie or popular vindications of them will be subterfuge sufficient to rescue them from those exact Tribunals To which in the obstructions of Iustice among men we must religiously appeal as being an Argument to us Christians of that after-unavoidable Iudgment which shall rejudg what among men is but corruptly decided or not at all I endeavoured to have prevented if God had seen sit those future Commotions which I fore-saw would in all likelihood follow some mens activitie if not restrained and so now hath done to the undoing of many thousands the more is the pitie But to over-aw the freedom of the Houses or to weaken their just Authoritie by anie violent impressions upon them was not at all my Design I thought I had so much Iustice and Reason on my side as should not have needed so rough assistance and I was resolved rather to bear the Repulse with patience than to use such hazzardous Extremities The King evermore very sensible of the necessity of State proposeth unto them to consider of all those particulars necessary for his Majesties just Right and regal Authority and for settling of his Revenue And as for the settlement of their Privileges free enjoyment of their Estates the liberties of their persons the security of Religion and the settling of Ceremonies in the Church as may take away all just offence which when they shall have digested it shall then appear what his Majesty shall do protesting his innocency from intending any Design to cause their Fears or Jealousies and how ready he will be to exceed the greatest Examples of the most indulgent Princes to their People and calls Heaven and Earth God and Man to
witness that he shall not fail on his part Ian. 20. It is true that the misery of Ireland cried out for Relief and as often the King enforced the consideration offering Propositions very probable which the Parliament always declined But the Scots having a fair Interest there in their British Plantations and a Committee being a foot to that purpose the Scots seeming very forward to do somewhat and to involve their Propositions together with their general Proposals of the Treaty of Peace make these Offers to transport two thousand and five hundred Scots into Ireland meaning thereby to hasten the end of theâ—r Treaty But upon these Articles That Provisions of Victuals be presently sent to Carrickfergus to be sold to the Scots Souldiers answerable to their Pay They to have the command of that Castle and Town to remain there or to enlarge their own Quarters into the Countrey That Match Pouder and Ball be sent from hence but what Arms Ammunition or Artillery shall go from Scotland with their Forces the same shall be supplied into Scotland out of England That a part of the brotherly Assistance thirty thousand pounds be advanced to them presently which though in proportion came but to seven thousand and five hundred pounds yet they crave ten thousand pounds for their encouragement That their Pay which was condiscended to commence from the eight of December last may be advanced to the eighth of February next when they hoped to march To have Ships of Convoy And that all this may be done without prejudice to their Treatie Jan. 24. The two Houses having swallowed these Propositions the Kings consent was desired but excepts very sparingly against the third Article as somewhat prejudicial to the Crown of England and desires conference with the Scots Commissioners there which being long disputed and the strength of the Kings Argument implying too great a trust for Auxiliary Forces in them To which they reply that they hoped that his Majesty being their native would not shew less trust in them than in the Neighbour Nation seeing his two Houses had consented yet although the Reason bore little force as the Kings condition now stood yet to take away all Delays of Dispute he condiscended And the Scots Commissioners following the King out of Scotland interpose Mediation between the King and Parliament in several private Addresses and in some Propositions in writing so effectually to the Parliaments purpose and their Designing that Mr. Pym is sent specially to give them Thanks on Saturday the twenty second of Ianuary My Lords We are commanded to present to you their affectionate Thanks for your wise Counsels and faithfull advice given to his Sacred Majestie for the appeasing and removing of the present Distraction and Distempers of this State My Lords The House of Commons are very sensible and do tenderly and affectionately consider that this your dutifull and faithfull advice is a large testimonie of your fidelitie to the King affection to this State and of wisdom for honour securitie and peace of his Majesâ—ie and both Kingdoms and not onely very acceptable to this House but likewise of great advantage to both Nations They clearly perceive you rightly understand the causes of our Distempers and your carefull endeavours to complie with them in the quieting and removing of the same that the brotherly Communion lately confirmed by both Parliaments of England and Scotland binde them both to maintain the peace and liberties of one another being highly concerned equally therein as the assured means of the safetie and preservation of both and being so united the Disturbance of the one must needs disquiet and distemper the peace of the other as hath been often acknowledged by them both They are likewise sensible that those waies which you advise are the onely means to settle peace and unitie in this Kingdom viz. First to endeavour a right understanding between his Majestie and his People by which he may truly see the real causes of these Disturbances and their Authours who are his faithfull and loyal Subjects his faithfull and dutifull Counsellours and who not by which means the brotherly affection betwixt the two Nations shall be confirmed to the glorie of God and peace of the Church and State of both Kingdoms their unitie advanced and all mistakes and jealousies betwixt his Majestie and this Kingdom removed and the establishment of the affairs settled in perpetual peace and tranquillitie the Liberties and Privileges of his Subjects freely enjoyed under his royal Scepter which is the most assured Foundation of his Majesties honour and greatness of the securitie of his royal Person Crown and Dignitie Secondly the removal and prevention of all such plots and practises entertained by the Papists Prelates and their Adherents whose aim in all these Troubles hath been to prevent all further Reformation and to subvert the puritie and truth of Religion their constant endeavours have been to stir up Division betwixt his Majestie and his People by their questioning the Authoritie of Parliaments and the lawfull Liberties of the Subjects and really weakening his Majesties power and authoritie royal upon pretence of defending the same which mischievous Counsels Conspiracies and Attempts have produced these Distempers in his Majesties Kingdoms of England and Ireland Thirdly that his Majestie would be pleased to have recourse onely to the faithfull advise of his Parliament and to depend thereupon as the happie means to establish the prosperitie and quiet of this Kingdom and in his royal wisdom to consider and prevent these Apprehensions of fear which may possess the hearts of his Majesties Subjects in his other Kingdoms if they shall conceive the Authoritie of Parliaments and the Rights and Liberties of the Subjects to be here called in question My Lords these your faithfull and loyal Propositions is the greatest Demonstration of your affections faithfully united and devâ—tâ—d to the securitie of his Majestie and your heartie Wishes and Desires of the peace and prosperitie as well of his Majesties Kingdom of England as Scotland and Ireland these Propositions have been the onely endeavours and intentions of his Majesties high Court of Parliament to effect and make manifest to all men and in any other means whatsoever that shall by you be conceived necessary to the composing and settling of these present Distractions they declare themselves desirous to have the same communicated unto them and they shall be right joyfull and thankfull therefore and will willingly and chearfully joyn with you in the same The House of Commons having an itching desire of power had moved the Upper House to joyn with them for obtaining the command of the Tower and mannagement of the Militia and being refused therein yet they will not be beaten off but singly of themselves petition the King for them both and other principal Forts of the Kingdom and pray for his gracious and speedy Answer Ian. 26. That his Majestie having preferred to the Lieutenancie of the Tower a person
of a known Fortune and unquestionable Reputation wonders that he should be pressed to remove him without any particular Charge objected against him and therefore untill some just Exception be he is obliged to preserve his own work lest his favour and good opinion become a mis-fortune to his Servants As for his Forts and Castles of this Kingdom they shall alwaies remain in such hands as the Parliament may conâ—ide in which being the inseperable Flowers of the Crown vested in him derivative from his Ancestours by the Fuâ—damental Laws of the Kingdom he will reserve to himself and to bestow them as their Eminencie shall not be disproved by his Parliament For the Militia which by Law is subject to no command but his own when any particular course shall be digested by them for ordering the same inreference to his honour and safetie of the Kingdom He will then return to them a satisfactorie Answer therein And that he having granted to them more than ever any King hath done they will not ask more than ever any Subjects have desired And therefore conjures them by all the Acts of Dutie and Favour which they have received by their hopes of future happiness by their love of Religion and peace of the Kingdom in which that of Ireland cannot be forgotten That they will not be transported by unâ—â—cessarie Iealousies and Fears but that they will speedily pursue the proposed way by his former Messages to compose the Distractions of this Kingdom Nor was this satisfactory but that again they petition for the same and for his Majesties speedy and gracious Answer To which the King not over-hasty to resolve or rather not to alter from his former Resolutions therein The old way of Petitions are set on work from all Counties From the County of Suffâ—lk to the number of 1500. against the Votes of Popish Lords and Bishops in the House of Peers Ian. 31. and were answered approving their care and endeavour for the publick good with promise that the House of Commons will use their endeavour for their Desires Another Petition of 2000. Mechanicks Tradesmen about London to the same effect And were answered that the House of Commons were just now in consideration thereof The People were taught to reply that they doubted not the care of the Commons House but they were told that all their Distrust was in the House of Lords where the Popish Lords and Bâ—shops had the greatest power and there it stuck whose Names they desired to know and were so earnest that unwillingly they would withdraw whilest it was debated And afterwards had this Answer That the House of Commons had already endeavoured Relief from the Lords in their Requests and shall so continue till Redress be obtained And at the tail of these the City Dames accompanied a Petition to the like effects and were heartily treated for their care of the common good The second of February the House of Commons sent for Sir Edward Dearing one of their Members and examined him concerning his Book of all his Speeches this Parliament and some intended to be spoken in which some Particulars thereâ—n tended to the dishonour of that House and their Privileges for which he was excluded the House and his Book to be burnt at Westminster Cheapside and Smithfield and he committed to the Tower during pleasure The Committee met at Merchant-tailors Hall upon the Bill for raising four hundred thousand pounds for Ireland which was afterwaâ—ds effected but very little thereof sent to their succour A Message was sent from the Lords to the Commons that they had passed the Bill for disabling all persons in holy Orders to have any Place or Vote in Parliament or to exercise any temporal Jurisdiction which receiving some Amendments voted in the House of Commons the Bills were carried up by Sir Robert Harley to the Lords with high expressions of the Commons joy for the even Agreement and their Desire to the Lords to hasten the Bill for the King to pass But not to let him take breath for his second Answer hereto and being sensible that their five Members are lodged under the obloquy of Delinquency and under the Charge of high Treason both Houses once again petition that they may be informed within two Days what proof there is against them that they may be called to a legal Trial it being their undoubted Right that no Member of Parliament can be proceeded against without the consent of Parliament Febr. 2. And to these two Petitions presented both in a Day they receive this Answer That to the first of them when he shall know the extent of power which is extended to be established in those persons to be Commanders of the Forts and Militia and to what time limited no power shall be limited no power shall be executed by his Majestie alone without advice of Parliament so that they declare them such by Names whom he shall have just cause to refuse And to the other Petition That as he once conceived he had ground enough to accuse them so now he findes as good cause wholly to desert any prosecution of them And lest some of his Subjects may be involved in some unknowing and unwilling Errours he is ready to grant such a free and general pardon as his Parliament shall think convenient And now the Parliament considers the Kings Resolution in both those Petitions not to intrust the power of the Militia out of himself nor otherwise to clear Kimbolton and the five Members but inclusive by a general Pardon which they utterly refuse These two Demands of the Parliament necessarily depending each of the other the breach of Privileges giving them just cause of Fears and Jealousies to what excess the Kings will to do and power to execute might increase In these two therefore they as violently resolve to binde his hands and never left him till he was forced to take his leave of them which so daily follows But to prepare his affairs to his own intentions he resolves to send the Queen out of the Danger who was lately scared with a Report that the Parliament had an intent to accuse her of high Treason and that Articles were drawn up to that purpose which the Parliament excuse as a publick Scandal upon them To which she mildly makes answer That there was a general Report thereof but she never saw any Articles in writing and having no certain Authour for either she gave little credit thereto nor will she believe that they would lay any Aspersion upon her who hath ever been very unapt to mis-conster the Actions of any one person and much more the proceedings of Parliament and shall at all times wish an happy understanding between the King and his People In truth there had not been onely a Rumour abroad but a dangerous conceit that the Queen had so much power with the King as to mis-advise him and had she not resolved to be gone aside they did intend to drive her away
and profitable Pasture Bogs Woods and barren Mountains cast in over and above in free and common Soccage of the King as of his Castle of Dublin Secondly that out of those Acres a constant Rent to be reserved to the Crown of England in this proportion Out of each Acre thereof in Ulster one penny Connaught one penny half penny Munster two pence farthing Lemster three pence Thirdly that for erecting Mannours creating Corporations regulating of Plantations Commissioners shall be impowred by Parliament Fourthly all Undertakers to subscribe before several Days prefixt in reference to the distance of abode from London Fifthly their Moneys to be paid into the Chamber of London at four payments viz. a fourth part in ten Days after subsigning and the third payment at thrice three Moneths Sixthly at subsigning to pay down the twentieth part of his total Sum and if he fail of his residue of the first fourth part within ten Days he shall forfeit the twentieth part of the total deposited and so much more of his fourth payment to be added thereto as shall make up the one Moiety of the said first payment And if he fail in any other of the three payments he shall then forfeit his entire first fourth part and all his Subscription to accrue to the common benefit of the rest of the Undertakers which the King confirms Febr. 26. And the Committee of Members issue out their Warrants We the Committee appointed to receive the Moneys given by the Members of the House of Commons for the Relief of the distressed that are come out of Ireland require you to send a Certificate of what Sums of Money are collected in your Parish and the Moneys to us who are appointed to receive the same It is marvellous what Contributions were gleaned from the people by the prevailing Incitements of the Ministers such whining for the distressed Brethren of Ireland what vast Sums collected at every Church-doors and paid and how disposed is yet very doubtfull but how much or little the Members themselves did contribute mine eâ—s were never witness nor could I ever learn The Parliament thus forward in power press the King to confirm the Ordinance of the Militia To which the King now returned to Greenwich sends this Answer commanding the Lord Keeper Littleton to see it read to the House of Peers Febr. 28. He first findes great cause to except against the Preface which confesseth a most dangerous Design upon the House of Commons supposed to be an effect of the bloudy counsels of Papists which some may understand by their printed Papers to be his coming in person the fourth of Ianuary to demand the five Members In which he had no other Design than to require them to justice without any intent of violation upon any person nor was there any provocation by any of his Train As for the Militia he is contented to allow the persons named for the Counties but concerning the City of London and other Corporations it can not stand with justice or policy to alter their Government in that particular but will grant to them such Commâ—ssions as he hath done this Parliament to other Lieutenants or otherwiâ—e he shall do it than to have it first by some Law invested in him with power to transfer it to others and to be digested into an Act of Parliament rather than an Ordinance lest there be a latitude for his good Subjects to suffer under any arbitrary power whatsoever As to the time for continuance of that power he cannot consent to divest hâ—mâ—elf of the power which God and the Laws have placed in him to put it into the hands of others for an indefinite time And sinâ—â— the ground of their Designs refers to their Jealousies and Feaâ— he hopeth that his grace to them since the former Exceptions â—s sufficient to expell any fear from former suspitions And since he is willing to condescend to all their Proposals concerning the County Militia onely excepting that of London and other Corporations which will be more satisfactory if the Parliament weigh it well than their own Proposals by an Ordinance to which for these Reasons he cannot consent And because he perceives that in some places some persons begin to intermeddle of themselves with the Militia he expecteth that his Parliament should examine the particulars thereof being of great concernment and consequence and to be proceeded against according to Law And now it working very high the King takes leave of these parts and progresseth to Theobalds declining this place and his Parliament Nor are they willing to stay him being that his absence would contribute to their intentions yet thither they follow him with a Petition rather to put him forward than to recall him Therein protesting that if his Majesty persist in the Denial of the Militia the Dangers are such as will endure no longer Delay but to dispose of it by Authority of Parliament and resolve so to do as it hath been by them propounded And that for the safety of his person and people in much Jealousie and Fear he will be pleased to continue his abode near London and the Parliament and to continue the Prince at Saint Iames's or any other Houses near London to prevent the Jealousies and Fears of the people That by the Laws of the Realm the power of the Militia of raising ordering and disposing thereof in any place cannot be granted to any Corporation by Charter or otherwise without consent of Parliament and that those parts of the Kingdom that have put themselves in a posture of Defence have done it by Declaration and Direction of Parliament March 1. The King so much confounded with the former pressing Petitions and this so peremptory to which no Answers have appeared satisfactory in much regret he suddenly replies under his own hand That he is so amazed at this Message he knows not what to answer You speak of Iealousies and Fears says he lay your hands to your hearts and ask your selves whether I may not in earnest be disturbed with Fears and Iealousies And if so I will assure you this your Message hath nothing lessened them For the Militia I thought as much before my last Answer being agreeable to what in Iustice or Reason you can ask or I in honour grant which I shall not alter in any point I wish my Residence near you might be so safe and honourable that I had no cause to absent my self from White-hall Ask your selves whether I have not I shall take that care of my Son which shall justifie me to God as a Father and to my Dominions as a King I assure you upon mine honour I have no thoughts but of Peace and Iustice to my People which I shall by all fair means seek to preserve relying upon the goodness of God for the preservation of my self and Rights This is such a style of Resolution they quickly proceed to Voting of all the particulars of their former Petitions and
the Laws of this Land God bless and assist the Laws for my preservation But his complete Answer to all comes in a Declaration to the Parliament and to the people Having little encouragement to Replies of this nature when he is told of how little value his words are with them though accompanied with love and justice He disavows the having any evil Counsellours about him but leaves such to their censure where they shall finde them in the mean time they ought not to wound his Honour under the common style of Evil Counsellours He hath formerly declared his faithfull affection to the Protestant profession his whole life answerable in practise which should rather be acknowledged by them than to declare any Design of his to alter it in this Kingdom Imprecating God to be witness and that the Judgments of Heaven may be manifested upon those that have or had any such Design As for the Scots Troubles these unhappy Differences are wrapt up in perpetual silence by the Act of Oblivion passed in Parliaments of both Kingdoms which stays him from any further Reply to revive the memory of these Evils He thinks himself highly and causlesly injured in his royal Reputation to have any Declaration Action or Expression of the Irish Rebells or any Letters or strange Speeches to be uttered by such in reference to beget any mis-apprehension in the people of his justice piety and affection an evident advantage to the Rebells by raising Fears to us here and security to them there Concerning this sense of his good Subjects in Ireland what hath he not done in his Messages to both Houses offering his own person ready to adventure for their Redemption being to give an account to God for his Interest in them He calls God to witness he never had thought of any Resolution with his late Army to raise a Faction in London or to force his Parliament That Captain Leg was then lately come from the Army to White-hall with a Petition from the Officers desiring the Parliament might have no interruption in the Reformation of the Church and State to the modell of Queen Elizabeths days and for confirmation to Sir Iacob Ashley of my opinion therein I writ C. R. The Petition will satisfie if you shew it Master Iermin was gone from White-hall before the Restraint nor had he the Kings Warrant after that time fo◠〈◊〉 Lord Kimbolton and the five Members it hath been rubbed over so oft that but looking to his former Answer they will appear abundantly satisfied He had great reason to raise a Guard at White-hall to secure his own person and to receive the dutifull tender of his good Subjects service which was all he did to the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court And assures them in the word of a King that the Lord Digby had left the Court with Warrant to pass the Seas before the Vote of the House of Commons or that his absence could be excepted against As for the wilde Advertisements from Rome Venice Paris the Popes Nuntio the Kings of France and Spain which he is confident no sober man in all the Kingdom can believe that the King is so desperate so sensless to entertain such Designs to bring the Kingdom in destruction and bury his Name and Posterity in perpeal infamy And having done with his Answer somewhat he says besides interrogates them Can there yet want evidence on his part to joyn with his Parliament Hath he given no earnest but words Bids them look back upon their own Remonstrance in November last of the State of the Kingdom which valued his Acts of Grace and Iustice at so high a Rate that it declared the Kingdom a Gainer though it should charge it self by Subsidies and Poll-money six Millions of Pounds besides the contracting the Scots Demands of two hundred and twenty thousand pounds Nay more hath he not passed these Bills for the Triennial Parliament for relinquishing his Title to impose upon Merchants Goods and his power of pressing of Souldiers for suppressing the Courts of Star-chamber High Commission regulating the Council-table Are thâ—se but words The Bills for the Forests the Stannerie Courts the Clerk of the Markets the taking away the Votes of the Bishops nothing but words What greater earnest can he give than the Bill for the continuance of this Parliament the length of which he wishes may never alter the nature of Parliaments and for a perfect reconciliation with his people he offers a free Pardon Nor doth he repent but will meet them to add more with alacritie and kindness for the peace honour and prosperitie of this Nation We have heard what he hath done and his promise to do more which the common man and of the wiser sort also conceived very satisfactory I remember Master Hambden's Answer to an honest Member who demanded what they could desire more He answered To part with his power and to trust it to us And to that end they went on First by resolving or absolving the Oath of Allegeance no whit prejudiced by the Ordinance of the defence of the Kingdom That the Kings Commissions of Lieutenancy over the respective Counties are illegal and void But that their Ordinance for the Militia is to be obeyed as the Fundamental Laws of this Kingdom And that these shall be the Heads of another Declaration The King removes on his way Northward evermore looks back with a Heart eâ—rning after his People and Kingdom and at Huntington March 15. sends them this Message That he means to make his Residence at York desires them to expedite the business of Ireland and if calamities increase upon that People he shall wash his hands before all the World from imputation unto him He expects that as he hath been forward to retract any Act of his entrâ—nâ—hing upon them so he expects an equal tenderness in them towards him in an uâ—questionable Privilege and fundamental His Subjects not to be obliged to obey any Act Order or Injunction to which his Majestie hath â—ot given consent And therefore he requires that they presume not upon any pretence of Order or Ordinance to which his Majestie is not a partie of the Militia or any other thing to do or execute against the Laws he being to keep the Laws himself and his Subjects to obey them and commends unto them his Message of Jan. 20. To this they give no other Answer but resolve their former Vote of the Militia That to have their Votes questioned or contradicted is an high Breach of Privilege of Parliament and a Committee appointed to examine where and by whom this Message was counselled being suspected therefore Favourers of the Rebellion in Ireland and return Message to the King justifying their last Declaration in every particular And lest the Parliaments late proceedings should work in the people any Jealousie of the Kings inclination to favour Popery He proclames for putting the Laws in due execution against Papists Recusants at Stamford March 16. At York he
Parliament here after he had â—itted Supplies thither from Scotland and after his return hither he observed such forms for that service as his Council in Ireland did advise they desiring the Proclamation no sooner nor so many by twenty to be by him signed which he did and printed them for haste and sent them over which divers of the Members of both Houses here well know who are the more to blame to suffer such an envious aspersion upon the King when themselves could satisfie the action And wishes that they could with aâ— good a conscience call God to witness that all their counsels and endeavours have been free from private aims personal respects or passions whatsoever as he hath done and does And was it not time for our Brethren of Scotland to put in their Sickle into our Harvest besides their being invited their late entertainment of Fidlers have in England set their wheel a going The King had written a Letter to his Scotish privy Council there of the State of his affairs here Declaring and clearing such imputations which the Parliament endeavoured to fix upon him and his mis-governing together with the indignities and intrenchments upon his person and honour which he is assured will be tender in their natural affection rather to be kindled than extinguished by his distress to which their Covenant bindes them by Oath and Subscription and clears the calumniation to be popishly affected to be guilty of the bloudshed in Ireland to bring in foreign Forces Wherein he calls God to witness he is falsly aspersed And who ever hereafter shall distrust this his Declaration the fault is in the malignitie of their rebellious humours and no ways deserved by him This so wrought upon the hearts of the Scots for that time that I know not how such a Petition was framed by the Nobility and people of the whole Nation and presented to the Council as more could not be required from the most faithfull and indulgent Subject humbly shewing in effect That to call in question the Kings royal zeal and resolution of preserving the Religion Laws and Liberties of these his Kingdoms is so undoubted as after so many reiterated asseverations emitted in his Declarations and Answers and so many evidences of his justice and wisdom cannot be conserved in any but an unchristian distrust And therefore justly challenges from them all due respect to his sacred Majestie by so many ties and titles so much professed and promised by them in their solemn Oath and national Covenant and Oath at his Coronation to defend and maintain the person greatness and authoritie of our dread Sovereign as by the Act of General Assemblie we have all sworn and signed and therefore are bound to represent to their Lordships their humble desires to be assured and known to his Majestie of their loyaltie and resolution And that some course may be taken to the view of the world that they intend the brotherly and blessed conjunction of both Nations happily united in loyaltie and subjection to our Sovereign tending nor intending as they attest God the Searcher of all hearts for any other end but performance of their humble dutie to their dread Sovereign to which they are bound by all ties of Nature Christianitie and Gratitude and to which they crave their Lordships to contribute their wisdoms and and speedie answer hereto May 20. A man would be amazed to finde other effects hereafter of this most serious Protestation which in a word came to this end they sold this their dread Sovereign Lord and King to the death and execution for a piece of money The Parliament hear of this and turn the Scale for eight days after the Scots Council do declare their earnest desires both to King and Parliament to joyn in a perfect union imbracing his Majesties expressions to them of his religious care of the Liberties and Laws of both Kingdomes And do in like manner with brotherly reciprocal affections acknowledg the care and zeal of the Parliament of England to keep a right undâ—rstanding betwixt the two Nations as both the Parliaments have avowed to each other And although they neither will nor should meddle with publick actions of any other Kingdom but as they are called yet since the Parliament of England have drawn the former practices of the Parliament of Scotland into example of Declaration they humbly desire the King to hearken to his greatest his best and most unparalleld Council And utterly disswade the King from any personal journey into Ireland and that a Mediation may be at home ere the wound be wider or the breach deeper To which end they have sent with this Message the E. Loudon Chancellour of Scotland who will give a more full declaration of their minde and desires which in fine came out to be A large Manifestation of their true and heartie affection to the Parliament of England protesting to do nothing contrary to them in their Privileges May 28. Nay after all this the old accustomed Rabble meet at Edinburgh and hearing of the late Letters from the King with the petitionary Answer and the late Message from the Council to the King by the Lord Loudon and finding the affairs of England likely to bring Grist to their Mill these Multitudes I say being as they style themselves The intire bodie of the Kingdom petition or rather threaten the Kings privy Council there not to meddle with any verbal or real ingagement for the King against the Parliament of England And so from that time forward we finde them covenanting to the destructive conclusion as hereafter follows Upon all these Scotish passages the Parliament of England do Protest That those sufferings expressed in those Papers betwixt his Majestie and the Parliament cannot be imputed to any actions of ours who endeavoured with all fidelitie the happiness of his Majestie labouring to take the blame from the King and to lay it on his evil Councils And as touching the Petition we with much contentment and thankfulness observe the faithfulness and good affection of our dear Brethren of Scotland to prevent all Iealousies so timely expressed to the Lords of the Council and we shall never cease to answer their great care with the like diligent endeavours to promote the honour wealth and happiness of that Nation and to preserve the unitie so strongly fortified by mutual interest and affections on both sides And desire the English Commissioners to assure the Scots Commissioners how heartily and joyfully we imbrace their kindness manifested in that Petition Hoping that this constant and inviolable amitie between us and them will prove very usefull for the advantage and securitie of both which it did for a time and ruine to both hereafter In what a miserable condition is the Kingdom when King and Parliament are so divided What not one wise man amongst them Yes truly the Earl of Bristol had a large sense thereof and in this strait he moves for
dare present their tenderness of his sufferings their own just grievances and the sense of the violation of the Laws if they did it was stifled in the birth and called Sedition and burnt by the Hang-man They have so restrained his Houshold sworn Servants seized upon his Money which his credit had gotten to buy him Bread so that in effect they have blocked him up in York They have filled the Peoples ears with Fears and Jealousies idle Tales false Allarms by which to prepare the peoples impressions the better to advance their Design when it should be ripe And now the King it seems must be ready to receive these humble desires Nor do they tell the King that these Propositions are all No these are yet but Preparatives Some of these disguised with mixtures of real honest things others specious and popular and some already granted by the King all which are cunningly twisted with those other things of their main Design Ambition and private Interest and so not easily to be discerned in their proper colours Not that the King fixes this Design upon all and both Houses many absent many dissenting but professes to all the World that the malignity of the Design dangerous and wicked hath proceeded from all subtil informations mischievous practises and evil counsels of ambitious spirits dis-affected to God Religion unity peace and prosperity of the people with a strong influence upon the very actions of both Houses And these Propositions coming to the King in the name of both Houses he takes the more notâ—ce of every of them and answers to this effect following which because he expresseth in the first person plural not usual heretofore I shall so represent it If the nineteen Propositions had been in a Tragedie unknown to us and our people they might have been believed as they profess to be in order to the ends proposed in the Petition to us and our people honour peace and happiness But being understood will rather appear a Mockerie and a scorn And we unworthie of our Trust or Descent from so many famous Ancestours if we abandon that power which enables us to protect our people and Laws and so assume others into it as to divest our selves of it as if we were already vanquished and a prisoner and the most unfortunate of our predecessours that have been reduced to by the most criminal of their Subjects And though the Bait laid to draw us to it the promises of a plentifull and unparallel'd Revenue were reduced from generals which signifie nothing to clear and certain propositions would but resemble Esau's Bargain to part with such Flowers of our Crown as are worth all the rest of the Garland which gives us cause to believe that the Contrivers of these had no intention of a good Accommodation but rather to widen that Division which is by their fault fallen upon us both It is asked That all the Lords and others of our Privy Council and such or all great Officers and Ministers of State either at home or beyond Sea to leave out no person or place that our dishonour may not be bounded at home should be put from our Privy Council and from these Offices and Imployments unless by them approved How faithfull soever we have found them or how innocent in offending the onely Rule for all men to walk by But to this part of the Demand we are willing that they shall take a larger Oath than you desire in your 11th Demand for maintaining the whole Law That they shall be persons of Trust and abilities without exception reasonable And to be left to the justice of the Law upon sufficient charge or proof against any of them And that we have given you the best pledg of the effects of our promise and the best securitie for their dutie a Triennial Parliament to make them warie how they provoke and us warie how we chuse such as may discredit our Election But that without any fault objected onely because some persons who have too great an influence on both Houses shall judg them not affected to that new Utopia of Religion and Government into which they endeavour to transform the Kingdom we will never consent to the displacing of any of merit and affection to us and the publick whom we have intrusted since we conceive it would take away from the affection of our service the care of us and the honour of our justice And we the more wonder that it should be asked of us since by your twelfth Demand your selves count it reasonable after the present turn be served that the Judges and Officers who are then placed may hold them Quam diu se bene gesserint But this Demand is but one Link of a good Chain or but the first Round of the Ladder by which our just ancient regal power is endeavoured to be fetched down to the ground not with the persons now chosen but with our chusing that you are displeased for they must be approved by both Houses And of the two if we would grant away either we would sooner be content that you should nominate and we approve lest by our Election we should hazzard whom we esteemed to the scorn of your refusal if they be not agreeable to the passion interest or humour of the major part of the House Not to speak of the great Factions and Divisions which this power would introduce in the Parliament between both Houses and in the several Counties for the choice of persons and between them that were so chosen Nor is the potion prescribed onely for once for the curing of some pressure or present disease but for a Diet to us and our posteritie It is demanded That our Counsellours all chief Officers of Law and State Commanders of Forts and Castles and all Peers hereafter made be approved of by them from time to time and rather than ever it should be left to the Crown to whom it doth and shall belong if any place fall void in intermission of Parliaments the major part of the approved Counsellours is to approve them And so we must not onely acquit our Right but for Councellours we are restrained in the number as in the persons and if they have this power it were not fit we should be trusted to chuse those which were to be trusted as much as we It is demanded That such matters as concern the publick and are proper for the high Court of Parliament may be debated resolved and transacted onely in Parliament and such as presume to do to the contrary shall be censured by Parliament and such other matters of State as are proper for debate with our Privy Council shall be concluded by such of our Nobility or rather herein your Nobilitie and others as shall be chosen for that place by approbation of Parliament and that not publick acts concerning the affairs of the Kingdom proper for our privie Council be esteemed valid or proceeding from royal Authority unless it be done
law bound to be faithful not to the King only as King but to his Person as King Charles When Hugh Spencer caused it to be written tempore Edw. that Homage and Allegeance was more by reason of his Crown viz. his Kingdome than of his Person and if He can not be reformed by sute of Law nor will redress the evil from the people It ought to be removed by force and that his Liege be bound to govern in ayd of Him and in default of him for this he was condemned by two Parliaments and banished for ever Then to assist the King the people are bound by the duty of their Allegeance to serve and assist him at all seasons when need requires 11 Hen. 7. Cap. 18. And therefore the charges all his loving Subjects from levying forces other then according to a late Act this sessions for the present defence of England and Ireland or contribute money thereto And Proclaimes the Lawfulness of his commissions of Array issued into the several Counties of England and dominion of Wales and of the use of them and their execution And we may expect the Parliaments answer to all And first to the Kings Paper as they call it sent to the Lord Mayor Alderâ—men and Sâ—eriffs of London the fourteenth of Iune They declaim against the Kings proceedings therein mentioned justâ—fie their intents promise a just use and right disposing of the great Loans of money for suppressing the Irish Rebellion conveyed this Paper to be suppressed and do assure themselves that neither the Kings commands nor his threats can deterre the well affected for the publique to do their Duty to the Parliament to contribute their money Horse and Plate for preserving what is most precious Religion Libert Safety the overthow of the Cities Charter and exposing their wives and children to rapine violence and villany and the wealth of this famous City to be a prey to desperate and necessitous persons in which the Parliament will evermore protect them To which the King replies and they again to his Commission of Array and he again to them in such particulars as becomes to be a great Book and now left to the Lawyers to dispute on both sides and to which we refer the reverend readers And now we enter upon the war on both sides and being thus distinguished into faction they also were distinct in terms whether by hap or so designed by themselves The one called the Royal the other the Parliament party untill after a while they were nick-named the Cavaliers and the Roundhead The first a Title of Hoâ—nour to the Gallantest persons throughout Christendome this other I know not from whence derived which reminds me of what I have read That a Prince being ingaged in a foreign expedition and to invite his Subjects to a general assistance with their persons and purses devised a nickname with this odium That he which refused to wait upon him was for ever to be called Truant or Truand from the French or the Greek Trouein consumere quoniam in desidia inertia et otio tempus conterit as we say Truants which fixed upon him and his posterities till the policy of state to avoid friends and factions suppressed that term upon pain of punishment It were not amiss to wish it so with us if that could make us friends But on they go amain and wondrous busie on both sides Matter enough for much History wherein hitherto I have adventured on the Readers patience not to be brief which makes this Book thus big The rather to acquaint you with the manner as well as the matter the several stiles of eithers Publications the one very natural the other more forced But now we come to blowes down right war we are necessitated not to be tedious And because the Transactions are of a double nature Civil and Martial we shall set them apart for the better apprehension of their several stories For Defâ—ciunt arma nisi sunt concilia domi we will therefore afford the affairs of State the first place and the effects of War to follow for Cedant arma togâ— with this advice that although I have with extreme curiosity and pains laboured the truth out of the best Records and Relations and therein ingenious just and true yet the effects of War have been so partially exprest by such as set them down as that therein by comparing their Narratives if I willingly recede from either and make choice of a better Text between them I hope to finde a reasonable excuse professing that I have no self-seeking no self-interest if I forbear the ranting reputation which hath been bestowed on either And although we cannot deny them their equal value yet we shall abate them the numbers of their slain and wish in truth they had been less for fear if you afford them the total sum which they set down it would have depopulated this Nation into women and children The varietie of Actions of this present Age and Government have been very remarkable that of the Militarie not the least worthie though the storie thereof be below the Stage and requires not an uncontroulable pass without a Preface The Event of which War all Christendom have or may expect with admiration and horrour An Historie not to be viewed by intricate parcels but in one intire bodie the rise and progress of things being proceedings perplexed with multiplicitie of interwoven discourses and uncertain Relations partially put together by either partie when three Kingdoms came to be ingaged as too soon it happened and no part in either stand free the labour then must needs be large to lodg things in a narrow room and to comprize the several parts with their just true and perfect measure into little so many divided Plots are not easily to be gathered into a greater harmonie and a more exact symmeâ—rie of parts The life of this Narrative being as well to declare the delinquencie of States as its accomplishment and pretended perfection A standing Monument it must be wherein nothing may be thrust upon the world more than the thing it self But withall we shall endeavour a true Rehearsal of such particulars and rare changes as are more deserving to grace the composure and affect the Reader with this Protestation for my self herein Neuter to carrie no Byass affection to any side thereby to deserve a check or suspition to be more true to a Faction or their ends lest I should transgress against the honour of this work which I undertake The great Ingagement of this people in this cause began when the Parliament declâ—red their Resolution of a War quickened by the same principles in the main which did actuate that supreme Court the very motions of a Parliament spirit in the people complying with every Act of theirs whose Remonstrances were received with all obsequious respect more than the Declarations of the King and both of them blown up into a flame This partie intending to maintain
to the King disarmed the wel-affected to the King in that Town And that the Earl of Warwick contrary to the Kings command under his hand being legally discharged of any conduct of his Majesties Ships hath taken upon him to dispossess the King of his Navy and imployed them against him and imprisoned divers of his Majesties loyal Officers and Subjects And therefore the King is resolved with Gods assistance to force Hotham and all other his Assistants in this his treasonable defence and invites all his good Subjects to assist him in this his resolution Dated at Beverley the eighth of Iuly Three daies after the Parliament Resolve That an Army shall be raised for defence of King and Parliament and of all such as obey the orders of both Houses That the Earl of Essex shall be the general and they to live and dy with him and that a petition should be sent to the King by the Earl of Holland Sir Iohn Holland and Sir William Stapleton to Beverley and that the Earl of Bedford be General of the Horse which so troubled the Earl of Holland who was refused upon voting that it was never digested Indeed the Parliament were wary not to intrust two Brothers with Land and Sea service together The effect of their petition was to pray the King to disband all his forces which are reckoned up to be about Hull and from Newcastle Tynmouth Lincoln and Lincoln-shire to recall his Commissioners of Array and to dismiss his guards and come to his People and Parliament and hearken to their advice and then what they will do for him The King might smile at this and therefore tells them They were never unhappy in their Petitions and supplications whilst they desired the preservation of Religion the Kings Honour and the peace of the Kingdome But after their martial designs and some proceedings and effects of their forces and after their votes and raising of an Army their Generals assigned and possessing his Navy to advise him to denude himself and wait upon them is pitiful councel to which he will not submit The Parliament provide for the sinews of war to that end they declare for Lone of Money upon publique faith of the Parliament upon which and the Ministers invitations the best part of their preachings turned into perswasions and prayers to the people for their contributions and assistance that it became incredible what a mass of money plate and Ammunition was presented even at the Parliaments feet from the golden cupbords of vessels to the Kitchen-maids silver bodkins and Thimble The King had some help from the diligent indeavours of the Queen beyond Seas and out of Holland upon the pawned Jewels and at home contributions of the Lords and Gentry Loyal to his service for what was publique he gives thanks To the Vice-chancellor and all other his Loyal Subjects of the university of Oxford for the free Loan of a very considerable sum of money in this his time of so great and eminent necessity shall never depart out of his royal memory Nor is it reasonable to deny them a memorable Record for ever which in duty to them I may not do Beverley 18. Iuly From thence the King removes to Leicester summons the appearance of the Gentlemen Free-holders and Inhabitants of that County telling them of the acceptable welcome he hath found in these Northern parts finding that the former errours of his good Subjects thereabout have proceeded by mistakes and misinformatioâ—s proceeding from the deceits used by Declarations and publications of the Parliament pretended for the peace of the Kingdom which rather would destroy it To prevent their mischief he needs not ask their assistance of Horse Men Money and Hearts worthy such a Cause in which he will live and die with them Iuly 20. The Earl of Stamford Lord Lieutenant of the County of Leiceister for the Parliament had removed the County Magazine from the Town to his own house at Bradgate over which he had set a Guard or Garison against the Kings command for which he and his Adherents are by name proclaimed Traitours which troubled the Parliament and discouraged their party untill they were vindicated by a publick Declaration that being for the service of the Parliament and the peace of the Kingdom it was an high Breach of Privilege in the King and that the said Earl and his Assistants are protected by them and all good Subjects The first of August brings the King back again to Yorkshire where he summons the Gentlemen of that County tells them the forward preparations of the Parliament to a War and desires their advice what Propositions they conceive for them to ask and he to grant in reference to their and his safety and for the present desires them to spare him some Arms out of their store which shall be redelivered when his provisions shall come thither and that his Son Prince Charls his Regiment for the Guard of his person under the command of the Earl of Cumberland may be compleated The Parliament declare for the raising of all power and force by Trained Bands and otherwise to lead against all Traitours and their Adherents that oppose the Parliament and them to slay and kill as Enemies to the State and peace of the Kingdom naming such of the Kings party that were his Lieutenants of Array of the Northern Counties viz. the Earl of Northampton the Lord Dunsmore Lord Willoughby of Eresby Son to the Earl of Lindsey Henry Hastings and others of the Counties of Lincoln Nottingham Leicester Warwick Oxfordshire And for the Western Counties the Marquess Hertford the Lord Paulet Lord Seymer Sir Iohn Stowel Sir Ralph Hopton and Iohn Digby and others in the County of Somerset And to oppose these and others the Parliament doth authorize the Earl of Essex the General as also these to be the Lieutenants of several Counties viz. the Lord Say of Oxon the Earl of Peterborough of Northampton Lord Wharton of Buckingham Earl of Stamford of Leicester Earl of Pembroke of Wiltshire and Hampshire Earl of Bedford of Somersetshire and Devon Lord Brook of Warwick Lord Cranborn of Dorsetshire Lord Willoughby of Parrham of Lincolnshire Denzil Hollis of the City and County of Bristol And thus ranked they are to kill and â—lay their Enemies August 8. And the King traceth them in these steps replies to theirs and will justifie the quarrel and for that purpose published his Proclamation against the Earl of Essex the General that he is Rebell and Traitour to the King and his Crown and all Colonels and Officers under him that shall not instantly lay down are guilty of high Treason And because of their two particular Designs to march Northward against the King and others Westward to seize and force the Garison and Fort of Portsmouth therefore he commands Colonel Goring his Captain Governour there to oppose the Rebells And commands his Cousin and Counsellour William Marquess Hertford his Lieutenant General of
Aug. 16. Upon these grounds The Parliament of England take resolution and declare their approbation and thanks to the secret Council and Assemblie in Scotland for their desires of unitie in Religion and uniformitie in Church-government in the three Kingdoms we having say they often had that matter in debate concurring in judgment and experience of the manifold mischiefs which the Government of the Prelacie hath in all times and ages produced in this Church and State and so we hope to satisfie the Christian desires of our dear Brethren of Scotland although we know that hereby we shall exceedingly irritate that malignant partie who will bend all their forces to ruine that holy work and to ruine and destroy us in the undertaking being the very same partie which hath now incensed and armed his Majestie against us The very same Design of rooting out Reformed Religion endeavoured to begin that Tragedie in Scotland which being perfected in one Nation will be accomplished in the other Religion is the band and safetie of both And as we resolve by the national Covenant betwixt the two Kingdoms to be carefull of Scotland so we doubt not but the secret Council and Assemblie there will be always ready to express their brotherly kindness to us according to the Articles ratiâ—ied between both Parliaments and advantagious to all the professours of the Reformed Religion in Christendom And so this being the Proeme to their Declaration the Parliament goes on with lamentable sighs and groans from the bowels of their hearts for being obstructed in this piaculous work of true Reformation and after much striving and seeking God wrestling with the Engines of Satan they have jumped in resolution with their Brethren in Scotland that the Prelatical party is the cause of all distraction And being thus backed they take the boldness to declare That this Government by Arch-bishops Bishops their Chancellours and Commissioners Deans and Chapters Arch-deacons and other Ecclesiastical Officers depending upon the Hierarchie is evil and prejudicial to the state and Government of this Kingdom and resolve the same shall be taken away And according to our Declaration of the seventh of February we will consult with godly Divines to setle a Government of Reformation And intend that a Bill for this Assemblie may be passed for their Meeting the fifth of Novemb. next And desire their dear Brethren of Scotland to concur with them in petitioning the King for his approbation And because nothing will prosper without their handy work they pray them to send some out of their many good â—nd godly Divines of that Kirk to assist our Assemblie for setling of one Confession one Directorie and one Catechism in all three Kingdoms to the relief and deliverance of the poor afflicted Churches abroad and confusion of the tyrannie of Rome being the prime cause and fountain of all calamities bloudy massacres outrages cruelties and bitter persecution of Gods people and saints in all the Christian world for many ages Here is now a resolution to reform all Christendom and beat down Popery in a trice but the result was that under colour of Religion the Design went on and so prospered in outward success And now to encourage the well-affected to lend money and bring their Plate upon Publick Faith which without a mans strong belief could hardly get Customers to come in fearing belike that the Kings gentleness and mercy might agree to an Accommodation having been upon terms of Treaty on his part The Parliament therefore once again to ascertain their Resolution to fight it out to the last man and being confident of success do declare That the Arms which they have been forced to take up and shall take up for the preservation of the Parliament Religion the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom shall not be laid down untill his Majestie shall withdraw his protection from such persons as have been voted by both Houses to be Delinquents and shall leave them to the justice of the Parliament to the end that those great charges and damages wherewith all the Common-wealth hath been burdened since the Kings departure from his Parliament may be born by the Delinquents And all his Majesties good and faithfull Subjects who by loan of moneys or otherwise at their charges have or shall assist the Common-wealth may be repayed and satisfied out of the Delinquents Estates And these Delinquents were sure to be made so out of the noblest and richest persons in the Nation against whom there could be found but the scent of Malignancie so that it became a huge crime first to be rich or able in any condition to be either Neuter or not wel-affected to the Parl. or to be suspected so to prove it a slender Accusation would serve the turn witness sundry persons which we shall have occasion to speak of ruined upon that score onely And first they begin with Iames Lord Strange Son and Heir of William Earl of Derby who to the intent and purpose to subvert the Laws c. did upon the fifteenth of July last past at Manchester in the Countie of Lancaster traiterously summon call together and raise great Forces and did kill murder and destroy Richard Percival a Linnen Webster for which the Parliament impeach him of high Treason And the sixteenth of September he is so published in all Churches and Chapels and Markets in the Counties of Lancaster and Chester and where the Parliament had any power for the County was mostly for the King against which party the City of London are desired to advance sixteen thousand pounds for setting forth ten thousand Dragoons and some Troops of Horse for suppressing that party upon Publick Faith which was soon raised but not repayed The King being at Shrewsburie whither Judg Heath came and advised for the Adjourning part of Michaelmass Term from the first Return In Octab. Sancti Martini Octob. 4. And at Bridg-North he proclames Thomas Nichols Humphrey Mackworth and Thomas Hunt Esq guilty of high Treason active men in the Militia and assisting the Kings Enemies in their Rebellion Octob. 14. The L. Fairfax for the Parl and Mr. Bellases for the King with considerable parties Commissioners on either side had concluded upon certain Articles concerning the peace in Yorkshire and dated the 29. of September To which the Parliament take exception That the Parliament gave no such authoritie to binde that Countie to a Neutralitie it being prejudicial to the whole Kingdom for one Countie to withdraw from the rest which thâ—y are bound by Law to assist It being derogatorie to the power of Parliament for private men to suspend the execution of the Militia and therefore it is ordered that no such Neutralâ—â—â—e be observed in that Countie without any defensive force whereby it will be open to the King to return with his Armie for Winter quarter in that plentifull Countie New-castle near for his Supplies by Sea And so they declare the Lord Faâ—â—fax and his
party not bound to observe the Articles but to assist the Parliament in defence of the common cause Octob. 16. And by this President they afterwards would not endure any new triall Upon this score of the common cause Mr. Iohn Fountain a Lawyer at London was desired whâ—t he would please to lend who answered That it was against the Petition of Right to answer Yea or No. Whereupon the House of Commons for that contempt in not giving his Answer at all committed him to the Gate-house declaring further the imbecillity of his judgment or positive refraction to draw on others to the like Errour And such as refuse their Contribution of money or plate are disarmed and if in the least measure active in words or perswasion against the Parliament have the brand of Malignancie their persons secured and within a little time after made Delinquents and forfeâ—t all And because the Earl of Essex gave a deep yellow for his colours every Citizens Dame to the Draggle-tail of her Kitchin had got up that colour of the cause untill the Earl of Pembroke and Mountgomerie in a fume with a Parliament Captain swore That his Turdcolour'â— Skarf should not excuse him from Commitment But some not affecting that color set up others in disdain to the Generals which increasing to a Faction some urging of a Design to be distinguished by these Ribands the Parl. declare That such persons as shall be seen to wear them for distinction shall be forthwith committed and further proceeded against as Malignants endeavouring to set Divisions among the people In the Generals Commission the fourth Article is printed and published That whosoever shall return from the King to the Parliaments Armie within ten Days after Publication shall have reception and pardon excepting persons impeached of Delinquencie or Treason or have been eminent Actors against the Parliament and except the Earls of Bristol Cumberland New-castle Rivers and Carnarvan Secretarie Nicholas Endimion Porter Mr. Edward Hide the Duke of Richmond Viscount Newark Viscount Falkland now principal Secretarie of State to the King And thus marshalled in this order The King having sent over the Queen out of the danger of these Distractions into Holland and remaining at the Hague she made application to the Prince of Orange to whose Son the Princess Maria was maried by whose interest she had the fairer means to promote the Kings affairs with the States of the United Provinces for Arms and Ammunition which had been procured by the Lord Digby there and some Officers sent over to the Kings Army The Parliament having knowledg hereof send over Mr. Walter Strickland a Member of the House of Commons their Residenciary with Credential Letters to the States thus To the High and Mighty Lords the States of the United Provinces High and Mighty Lords We are commanded by the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England to signifie unto your Lordships that they have chosen and appointed the Bearer hereof Walter Strickland Esq to repair to your Lordships and to present to you in their Names and in the Name of the whole Kingdom a Declaration and some Propositions and Desires very much importing the maintenance of the Protestant Religion which is the surest Foundation of the safetie and prosperitie of this Kingdom and your State and the ancient amitie between us to the advantage of both desiring your Lordships to give ear to what shall be delivered or propounded to you by him And to expedite your Answer thereunto in such manner as shall stand with your Wisdoms and the due respect of the common good of the State and of your selves which is the earnest desire of Your affectionate Friends and Servants Mandevil Speaker pro tempore for the Lords House William Lenthal Speaker of the House of Commons A Declaration of the Lords and Commons of the Parliament of England to the High and Mighty Lords the States of the United Provinces We the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled taking into serious consideration the meanes of composing the great distempers and combustions begun in this Kingdom which threaten the destruction and ruine of it and of all other Protestant Princes and States have thought good to make this Declaration to the High and Mightie Lords the States of the United Provinces That we under stand by a Letter of the Lord Digby a person fled out of this Kingdom for high Treason That as he often endeavoured by his wicked and malicious counsels to make division between his Majestie and the Parliament and hath been in great part the cause of that miserable and unnatural War which is made against us by his Majestie so he hath laboured by all means in the United Provinces to provide Arms Powder and Ammunition for the fomenting of that War and making it more dangerous to this Kingdom and for this purpose did address himself to the Prince of Orange by whose countenance and help as we are informed by the Lord Digby's own Letters he hath made provision of great quantities of Ordnance Powder Arms and divers other sorts of warlike provision And we are further informed by credible advertisement that the Prince of Orange in favour of the Lord Digby and those other wicked Counsellours and Incendiaries who being joyned together in these mischievous practises against the peace of this Kingdom hath not onely licensed but the better to encourage divers Commanders experienced Officers and Souldiers to resort into this Kingdom in aid of them against the Parliament hath promised to reserve their places for them in their absence and doth cause other provision of the same kinde to be made and prepared to be sent over for their supplie to the great hurt of this Kingdom and the danger of interrupting the most necessarie profitable and long continued amitie between the two States We further desire to let them know that we cannot believe that this is done by any authoritie or direction from their Lordships considering the great help that they have received from this Kingdom when heretofore they lay under the heavie oppression of their Princes and how conducible the friendship of this Nation concurring with the wisdom valour and industrie of their own people hath been to the greatness and power which they now enjoy Neither can we think that they will be forward to help to make us slaves who have been usefull and assistant in making them free-men Or that they will forget that our Troubles and Dangers issue from the same Fountain with their own and that those who are set a work to undermine Religion and Libertie in the Kingdome are the same which by open force did seek to bereave them of both It cannot be unknown to that wise State that it is the Iesuitical Faction here that hath corrupted the counsels of our King the consciences of a greaâ— part of our Clergie which hath plotted so many mischievous Designs to destroy the Parliament and still endeavoureth to divide Ireland from
being too forward in the Fight and incompassed by the Enemy his noble Son the Lord Willoughby hastned to his rescue not staying for greater assistance than such by chance about him and were both over-powred and taken Prisoners the Father â—ore wounded and evil intreated died the next day Sir Edmund Varney Knight Marshal and Standard-bearer was killed and the Standard ingaged till a gallant Gentleman Mr. Iohn Smith instantly shot him dead and rescued it for which service he was presently dubbed Knight and Bannoret the first of that Honour and bore the Standard after and relieved Colonel Fielding with some others of quality repulsing their Enemies Horse and followed the pursuit The Foot on both sides continued hot fiering untill the Day was spent and Night five a clock parted the Fight which no doubt was fairest on the Kings side had he enjoyed the Light somewhat longer to have increased his advantage towards a Victory It must be acknowledged that the General Essex his Regiment of Foot Colonel Hollis and Colonel Hambdem's stood the brunt of the Battel most of their Men being London Prentices fresh and good Firers did bold service Among the Plunder General Essex his Waggon Saddles Cloke-bags and Cabinet were taken and therein some Letters and Papers of Intelligence sufficient to discover one Blake a secret Traitor in the Kings Court for which he was forthwith hanged in the high way a sign to all Traitors betwixt Oxford and Abingdon this Fellow had been a Merchant and for some service at Sallie in Barbarie releasing English Slaves purchased repute at home which shadowed him from any suspition to be an Intelligencer at the Kings Court to divers his Corresponds City Friends for which he so suffered After the King had given the first Word espying one to steal to the Enemy he altered it to God and King Charls The Kings Troop consisted of an hundred and twenty Noblemen and Gentlemen able to expend an hundred and fifty thousand pounds a year of their own and these charged first with much courage and so performed it that Day commanded by the Lord Bernard youngest Brother to the Duke of Richmond and afterwards created Earl of Lichfield Sir Arthur Aston commanded the Dragoons and gave notice to him the Lord Bernard how he should order his Charge which was to second him and to follow the Dragoons who beat off those that lined the Hedges having that Intelligence of Sir Fortescue's Cornet who was come from Essex's Army with assurance that his Captain would follow with his Troop as he did at the first of the Fight The Kings Army was about twelve thousand the Parliaments sixteen thousand men exceeding well armed and furnished with excellent Ammunition compleat The loss by view of the dead might be between five or six thousand between them The King certainly lost the lesse in number but the most of value men of great merit but not the most in place and Office of Command But now the question will be who had the better If you will not admit it a drawn Battel consider these particulars following The Kings design was to March on his way and Essex resolution was to attach him which he did not but rather Skirted his Marchings and gave the occasion that the King encountred him though being met he began the Challenge After the Battel the King kept the field in his Coach all that Night with great fires and the next day in the Fâ—eld Proclaimed several Pardons to such of the Enemy that would submit And then Marches to Aino the seven and twentieth of October where he dated his Proclamation of Grace and Favour to the Cities of London and Westminster The King without Interruption of his Enemy buries the dead Marches to Banbury Took the Town and Castle and they take Arms under him so then he was Master of the Field commanding his own way and doing his own work which he came about and Marches to Oxford His Enemy General Essex wheeles towards Warwick does no more and retreats to London where hâ—s Army Lodges for Recruits The next day after the fight the King sends Sir William Neve Garter Herald to Essex to exchange the Lord Willoughby Earl of Lindsey for the Lord St. Iohn Hue Bullenbroke of Bletso but ere iâ— could be dispatched St. Iohns dies by which he paies the first of his debts to his Creditors and the last debt to sin and death with the undoing of many of his Country worthy Gentlemen men bound for him in great sums of Money Colonel Essex Lieutenant Colonel Ramsey both slaine But to go on with the story The King Prince and Duke that Night retreated to the side of the Hill resting in their Coach all Night keeping divers fires but could discern but one fire from their Enemy so that it was supposed their General was Marched away untill the Morning discovered them to be drawn out and Colonel Brooks Regiment of Foot and others coming to joyn with them The King draws up also upon the Hill and about noon Essex Marches away The King at Edge-hill Proclaims his pardon to the Rebells now in Arms against him so be they will come in to him and seek it the four and twentieth of October And in Aino the seven and twentieth of October He sends his gracious Proclamation of Pardon to his Cities of London and Westminster excepting therein Alderman Fulk and Manwaring On Tuesday Morning at nine a clock the King forth with his forces faced the Town of Banbury being ready to fall on Captain Marrow who Commanded the Castle treated a while and by twelve a clock delivered up the Town and Castle though there were therein two Regiments of Foot blew coats belonging to the Lord Rochford and Peterborough and Captain Saiers Troop of Horse The Prince with three peeces of Cannon and some Foot and Horse Marched against Broughton House belonging to the Lord Say and at the first shot of Ordinance through and through it was delivered up From thence to Southampton The Earl of Essex retreated this while to Warwick and so the other way Marched to London But the Kings Forces returned to Oxford so through Abington and to Henley where they refreshed two or three daies then to Mâ—idenhead Windsor and Stains Saturday being a misty morning the Kings Forces made their Rendevouz on Hownslow Heath the Parliaments Forces being that morning drawn out of Kingston giving Liberty to the King to Command both sides of the River Thames who about eleven of the clock forced the Enemy out of Brainford but ere we go on let us return to some Civil affairs which were Acted by both parties after Edge-hill fight however controverted amongst parties Interested The King Publishes his Delaration to all his Loving Subjects after his late Victory against the Rebels on Sunday the three and twentieth of October 1642. Ascribing the preservation of him â—nd his Children in the late bloody Battel with the Rebels to the Mercy and
and sword he will take it for a favour but if you will not he doubts not but Gideon's Sword will do the Work alone I speak not it that I doubt you but that you would resolve that when you hear the Drums beat for it is resolved that the Drums shall beat to morrow our Drums shall beat to lead out our men and the Committees Drums shall beat to lead out their men say not I beseech you I am not of the Trained Band nor this nor that but doubt not to go out to work and fight couragiously and this shall be the Day of your Deliverance However on Friday the eleventh of November the King at Colebrook receives a Petition from the Parliament by the two Earls and Gentlemen named in the Conduct and not Sir Io. Evelin To the Kings most Excellent Majestie The humble Petition c. of the Lords and Commons in Parliament c. Being affected with a deep and piercing sense of the Miseries of this Kingdom and the Danger of your Majesties person the great effusion of Bloud with the late Battel and weighâ—â—g the addition of Loss and Miserie if both Armies should again joyn in another Fight as without Gods blessing and his Majesties concurrence will not probably be avoided to which they believe his Majestie hath a sutable impression of compassion to accept of this their Petition and to appoint some convenient place not far from London where your Majestie will be pleased to reside untill Committees of Parliament may attend with some Propositions to your Majestie for removal of these Distempers as may conduce to Gods glorie c. The King liked this Petition of an humble nature unlike their late Papers presented to him and the next day gives this gracious Answer He takes God to witness how deeply he is affected with the Miseries of this Kingdom which he hath striven to prevent and as he was not the first that took up Arms so he hath been ready of composing all things in a fair way to avoid the Destruction of his Subjects which would always make his greatest Victories to him c. And to that end he will reside at his own Castle at Windsor till Committees may have time to attend hiâ— which he wishes to be hastened either there or if it be refused any other place and God of his mercie give a blessing Nov. 12. But the same night after the Messengers were gone News came to the King that General Essex had drawn his Forces with his Ordnance out of London towards him and so he being almost surrounded some at Windsor Kingston and Acton if Brainford were possest likewise the King would be hemm'd in and his Army deprived either of moving or subsisting and so a Council of War concluded to advance towards Brainford and either to possess it or to repossess them which he did and many slain The King withall considered that it could not reasonably be esteemed an Aversion from Peace or an Intention to interrupt the Treaty then in expectation since on the other side he had cause to believe that if he would not preserve himself out of their power the very possibility of a Treaty would vanish And indeed willingness to receive a Treaty was never held to amount to a suspension of Arms otherwise why did Essex incompass him on all parts to Colebrook Towns end And there being no word of Suspension of Arms in all the Kings Answer nay since in that by wishing their Propositions to be hastened he implied that by this Arms were not suspended And most of all since the Parliaments Votes of proceeding as hath been said vigorously notwithstanding their Petition and their own actions sending after their Messengers great store of Forces evidently implied the same The King being resolved upon Reasons that his Advance was just yet he endeavoured to satisfie the Parliament that Peace was still his desire by a Messenger but so ill received as he and his Trumpeter were like to kiss the Gate-house The Message was thus Novemb. 12. Whereas the last night November 11. after the departure of the Committee with his Majesties Answer to their Petition he received information that the Earl of Essex had drawn his Forces out of London towards him which hath necessitated him to march with his Forces to Brainford he thinks fit hereby to signifie that he is no less desirous of the peace than he exprest in his foresaid Answer and desires to receive the Propositions of Brainford this night being Sunday or early to morrow morning And another Argument for the King is that so soon as the Earls Forces were removed from Kingston before any Forces appeared out of London the King gave order to quit Brainford and to possess Kingston And the success to the King was answerable to his just intention God being pleased to assist him by Land and Water so as with a third part of his Foot and with the loss but of ten Men to beat two of their best Regiments out of Brainford to kill him that commanded in chief and his Ensign Ralph Wilbie a hopefull Gentleman at the very Bridg and many others by land and water took five hundred Prisoners and as many Arms eleven Colours and store of Ammunition fifteen Pieces of Ordnance and then unfought with to march away to Oatlands Reading and so to Oxford And upon all this the Parliament voted to have no Accomodation although the King concluded That God so bless his future Actions as he is excusable and innocent from any deceit herein The Parliament in their Answer to the Kings Message do confess That they gave direction to the Earl of Essex to draw the Armie out of London and that part of it was inquartered at Branford whilest the Committee was with the King And they excuse it belike confessess to themselves of just Exceptions that they sent a Messenger with a Letter to know whether his Majestie intended forbearance of Hostilitie be found them in fight and could not pass Brainford The King replies That his Message of the twelfth though not received by the Parliament till the fourteenth was sent to them upon the same Day as it was dated and the way not clear was again sent upon the thirteenth and taken that morning by the Earl of Essex and though not directed to him was opened by him so as the slowness of the deliverie is not so strange as the stop of the Letter sent by the Parliament to the King which he never received and the King could not suppose to take any of the Parliaments Forces unprovided who in their March to Brainford might as well have been intended to Colebrook upon the King And indeed take other Observations to boot The Parliaments printing so out of time of such a Declaration as was their Reply to the Kings Answer to theirs of the six and twentieth of May but the day before they voted the sending of a Petition and the March of the
the Breaches of the State without the Ruines of the Church as I would be a Restorer of the one so I would not be an Oppressor of the other under the pretence of Publick Debts The Occasions contracting them were bad enough but such a discharging of them would be much worse I pray God neither I nor mine may be accessory to either And now dies Mr. Iohn Pym a Member of the House of Commons and a notable stickler for the Parliament he was ever observed to be an high Prebyterian in profession whose subtilty managed the most of their publick affair and ended his days when he had wrangled for the Mastery and left all in great doubt which party might overcome not without some regret and repentance they say that these Differences which he hatched should prove so desperate as he now too late fore saw would undo this Nation In the midst of May it was that Colonel Nath Fines Governour of the City of Bristol had discovered a Plot of the Inhabitants to betray the Town which after much Examination lighted upon Robert Yeomans and George Bourchier who had secretly provided themselves of Arms intending to kill the Centinels by night and possess the Main Guard whereby to master the greatest part of the other side within the Town to kill the Mayor and many others affected to the Parliament and by that means to betray the City to the Kings Forces which should lodg near hand for that purpose two miles off but the Plot pretended was discovered and those men condemned by a Council of War to be hanged This was known at Oxford whereupon the Kings Lord Lieut. of all his Forces the Lord Ruthen lately made Earl of Forth writes to the Governour of Bristol I having been informed that lately at a Council of War you have condemned to death Robert Yeomans late Sheriff of Bristol who hath his Majesties Commission for raising a Regiment for his Service William Yeomans his Brother George Bourchier and Edward Dacres all for expressing their loyalty to his Majesty and endeavouring his Service according to their Allegeance do therefore signifie to you that I intend speedily to put Mr. George Mr. Stevens Captain Huntley and others taken in Rebellion at Cirencester into the same condition I do further advise you that if you offer by that unjust Iudgment to execute any of them that those here in custodie must expect no favour or mercie At Oxford May 16. 1643. To the Commander in chief of the Council of War in Bristol Forth The Answer comes from the Governour Colonel Nathaniel Fines and the Council of War at Bristol in effect That if you shall not make distinction between Souldiers of Arms and secret Spies and Conspirators we will not onely proceed against them but others and if by any inhumane and unsouldierlike Sentence you shall execute those persons you named then Sir Walter Pye Sir William Crofts and Colonel Connesby and others whom we have here in custodie must expect no favour or mercie May 18. 1643. Nath. Fines President c. To Patrick Earl of Forth Lord Lieutenant General And so notwithstanding the Kings Letter also to the Mayor and Citizens in their behalf Yeomans and Bourchier were hanged May 30. There was a Plot discovered at London the last of May against the Cities of London and Westminster and by consequence the whole Parliament the chief of the Conspiracy were Mr. Waller a Member of the House of Commons Mr. Tomkins his Brother in Law and lately Clerk of the Queens Council Mr. Chaloner Mr. Hasel Mr. Blinkhorn Mr. White and others As for the Plot we have ravelled into the search of the truth but must take it from the Parliaments Declaration That they should seize into their custodie the Kings Children some Members of the Parliament the Lord Mayor and Committee of Militia all the Cities Out-works and Forts the Tower of London and all the Magazines Then to let in the Kings Forces to surprize the Citie and destroy all Opposers and to resist all payments of Taxes And much heartened they were by a Commission of Array sent from Oxford at that time and brought secretly by the Lady Aubigne Daughter to the Earl of Suffolk Widow of the late Lord Aubigne wounded at Edg-hill and died at Oxford the thirteenth of Ianuary This Commission was directed to Sir Nicholas Crisp and divers others This Plot was discovered the last of May. They were arreigned in publick at Guild-hall and all those four named condemned onely Tomkins and Chaloner executed the first 〈…〉 Door in Holborn the other in Corn-hill but the chief Conspirator Waller was by General Essex reprieved imprisoned a twelve-moneth in the Tower and after for a Fine of ten thousand pounds pardoned and for shame sent to travel into France The reason is much studied for satisfying the World why he the chief Actor the other but brought in by the by should receive such partial Justice because he was ingenious and confessed all and Mr. Pym had engaged his promise for his Life but certainly the most evident Reason is very apparent his great Sum of Money paid down and belike his ample confession of the particulars which the other at their death did not acknowledg Iuly 5. The Parliament having been put to it in want of the great Seal of England now at Oxford for confirmation of their Acts and Ordinances it had been oftentimes disputed and committed the making of another Seal for the use of the Parliament yet deferred the times not â—itted for so great a business the renewing of the Treaty being offered at on both sides But now the Parliament pass four Votes 1. That it is necessary the Great Seal to attend the Houses 2. That there hath been a failer of it at this Parliament 3. Much prejudice to the King Parliament and Kingdom 4. That the Houses ought to provide a Remedie thereof for the time to come Afterwards they made an Order That if the Lord Keeper Littleton upon Summons did not return with the great Seal within fourteen days he should lose his Place and whatever should be sealed therewith by him after that time should be null and vacate in Law A worthy Member desired the Serjeant at Law that ordered the Ordinance not to wade too far in the business before he did consult the Statute of 25 Edward 3. where Counterfeiting the Great Seal is declared high Treason To which the Serjeant replied That he purposed not to counterfeit the old Seal but to make a new Indeed the Parliament being the highest Court and Council had shewn their legislative power by passing Ordinances without the Kings assent to binde the Subject in the exercise of the Militia and that there wanted nothing but the executive part with a Great Seal for the administring justice in all Courts of Law and Equity which would sufficiently declare their power in all necessary Incidents of that supreme Council That since inferiour Courts had their proper Seals the
of answering these they ran quite away leaving the Field with five hundred Muskets fourteen Barrels of Pouder a whole Stand of Pikes with some Arms but their Cannon they got off This Fight lasted form two a clock afternoon till one the next morning These aforesaid we finde slain with eight Officers and some Gentlemen of note Mr. Leak Son to the Lord Daincourt found dead at day-light with his Enemies Colours about his arm Mr. Barker Lieutenant Colonel Wall Serjeant Major Lower Captain Iames Captain Chalwell and Mr. Bostard But then it is said that Waller's Foot were absolutely dispersed or cut off with great loss of Officers Horse and Foot modestly reported onely it is assured the Cavaliers kept the Field Arms and Pillage and such other signs of Victory And this was done the fifth of Iuly Whilest Waller fights their General Essex solicites the Parliament with Letters inclining to petition for a Peace which though it took well with some Lords yet being read to the Commons Mr. Vassal a London Burgess desired that their General should be pressed to speak more plainly and that if after the expence of two Millions of Treasure he had a minde to lay down Arms he should let them know it that as good a Souldier as he should take them up meaning Sir Will. Waller who was generally cried up by the City untill they heard of his Defeat near the Devises Round-way-down whither the King having sent some Troops of Horse towards the West which came within three Miles of the Devises were met with by Waller's Forces being on the Down between the Cavaliers and the Town to hinder their joyning with the rest of the Army Some Regiments of Horse on each side began the fight with equal success till Waller's Horse made â— Retreat to their Strength which lay on a Hill where he was and drew out his Foot and commanded the Onset but his Horse not enduring the hazzard left the Foot to their Enemies Sword or mercifull Quarter hundreds of them slain and more Prisoners taken four fair Brass Guns Ammunition and Baggage eight and twenty Colours and nine Corners I wonder at this Defeat for Sir William Waller had advantage of number in Men and Arms five Regiments of Foot six of Horse five hundred Dragoons eight Brass Guns It is confest that the Cavaliers were but fifteen hundred Horse additional to the other Forces with two small Pieces of Cannon And to adorn the Victory the Queen made her triumphant Entry into Oxford that day her Return from beyond Seas And on the other side to encourage Sir William Waller at this time when their Generalissimo was suspected the Parliament voted to make and confirm Leases of the Office of Botelier of England a Place of good profit and credit both The twelfth of August the Earl of Lindsey Great Chamberlain of England was welcomed to Oxford from his Restraint and Imprisonment since Edg-hill Fight being now received by the Queen Council and Court with all Expressions of Honour to him and more could not be done for the present in respect of the Kings absence at Gloâ—ester Siege The five and 20. of August the Earls of Bedford and Holland went from London towards Oxford and being gotten to Wallingford intrusted themselves with the Kings Forces untill their coming to submit to his Majesty in the mean time they are received by the Governour Colonel Blagge with honourable respect and so at last they were brought to the King professing their Duty and Allegeance and acknowledging their Errours this long time whom the King received with favour and forgiveness They held not out in this their Protestation but fled back again to the Parliament The Committees of Nottingham and Lincoln held intelligence with some Prisoners of theirs in the Marshals â—ustody at Newark whom they designed to blow up or to surprize the Magazine there whilest they had some favour and freedom of the Goaler their Letter conveyed to the Imprisoned discovers as much as will be necessary to know the men more than the matter Gentlemen and Prisoners for the Lord Jesus our long laboured Design is now ripe Your care is expected according to your faith and promise We doubt not but the opportunity of the Liberty afforded you may advance the good Cause The Magazine is near enough to you Give notice to our Brâ—thren under the Provost Marshall Blessed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall finde so doing Matth. 24. 46. The appointed time holdeth which we hope to our hands Lift up your heads for your Redemption draweth nigh Luke 21. 28. Whereâ—ore comfort one another with these words 2. Thess. 4. 18. The rest will we set in order when we come 1 Cor. 11. 24. Greet all the Brethren 1 Thess. 5. 26. The Lord establish the Work of our hands upon us Work of our hands establish he it Psal. 90. is the Prayer of Yours in the Lord The Committee of Nottingham and Lincoln Scripture is often made use of by the Sectaries to factious and seditious ends and here to the hazzard of Murder the easiest terms I can afford them The Lecturers were the most busie meddling men even so as ever have been the Kiâ—kmen of Scotland and therefore Mr. Saltmarsh a seditious Minister contrived certain Propositions of Counsel which were read in the House amongst many were these 1. That all means should be used to keep the King and his People from sudden union 2. To cherish the War under the Notion of Popery as the surest means to engage the People 3. If the King would not grant their Demands then to root him out and the royal Line and collate the Crown upon some body else This last was too harsh to be swallowed by reasonable good men who excepted against it but Mr. Henry Martin said He saw no reason to condemn Mr. Saltmarsh adding That it were better one Family should be destroyed than many To which Mr. Nevil Pool replied That Mr. Martin might explain what One Family he meant Martin bold and beastly answers The King and his Children For which Speech before the time was ripe to discover that Secret he was voted a Prisoner to the Tower Mr. Pym himself urging upon him his extreme lewdness of life but this punishment was but to cool the heat of the House for that time for Martin was soon released upon the change of the Lieutenant of the Tower forthwith following The Recruits of the Army fell heavy upon the City of London who were caressed with all kindness to finish the Work and to set out Sir William Waller again and to win upon them Sir Edward Coniers was commanded to surrender his Lieutenancy of the Tower unto Pennington the Mayor of London and so Mistris Mayoress was quit with Mistris Ven that she should be Governess of Windsor Prison as she called it and thereby command over Souldiers which was a power she now might equal with hers
their affairs and was resolved to be relieved the recruit of the Parliaments Army was too slow for the service the London trained bands must do the deed and shop-windows must be shut up and trading suspended the expedition cried up out of every Pulpit and an Army was raised in an instant and upon their March Against whom Prince Rupert is sent from the siege at Glocester to retard their speed untill the King might rise and be gon which was upon the fifth of September and the Rear guard had fired their huts The Earl of Essex came to the brow of the Hills seven miles from the City and gave his warning piece but the Town had no minde to hinder the King being glad of his departing when all his indeavours were now prepared ready for a storm the besieged in want their Amunition consumed to three Barrels of powder but the Towns loss of men were not many not one hundred say they and two or three Officers Captain Harcus and his Ensign the King lost many more and especialy his precious time to no purpose had he waved Glocester and Marched to London directly whilst the Parliament had no Army in the Field London full of discontent and disorder and their actions of Council unresolved The Kings Northern Army under the Earl of Newcastle there also prevailing but it was his fate to be overtaken with this idle siege Sir Nicholas Crisp One of the Farmers of the Kings Customs of England had a high command also both in the Army by Land and afterwards in the Navy by Sea He being Colonel of a Regiment of Horse and his first service took the charge of Convoy of the train of Artillery sent from Oxford to the siege of Glocester and brought it in safety to the Kings Camp and there very much esteemed He was quartered in Rouslidge near Glocester at a Knights house where finding Sir Iames Enyon and other Gentlemen of no Command in the Army and had taken up so much of the house as was Incommode to the Colonel yet he continued then there with much civility Not long it was that the Guests had some horses missing out of the Pastures and so charged upon default the Colonels Souldiers and indeed very ruffly demanding the accompt from the Colonel himself who promised indeavours to finde them out buâ— refused to draw out his Regiment for that purpose onely to satisfie Sir Iames who urged it for his friend himself no otherwise concerned But being a person of eminency and of a Spirit answerable impatient of any delay or orderly proceedings departs and sends a Gentleman with this summon to Sir Nicholas Crisp to meet him with his sword in a field near the Quarters and with this express addition That if he did refuse upon any pretence he would pistoll him against the wall Upon which sharp and suddain summons of an hours warning the Colonel accompanied with a Gentleman findes Sir Iames at the place with him that brought the challenge and as it became a Christian desired to understand the true reason of the meeting professing that his Duty to the King in the charge he had there of present service might justifie his refusal to fight Yet he told him he was come to give him all satisfaction first as a Christian if he had done him Injury of which he professed ignorance Sir Iames shortly replied He came thither to receive no other satisfaction but by the sword which instantly he drew out and as soon so don by the other whose fortune was at an encounter to give a pass that pierced Sir Iames about the rim of the belly of which he was caried off to the same house in eminent danger But whilst he had life and memory the Colonel gave him a visit beseeching him to put by all passions and receive him infinitely afflicted at this misfortune unwillingly provoked to this mischief and so with Christian reconciliation they parted and he died two daies after Hereupon a legal trial was offered for any complainant to prosecute the matter And after some time on Munday the second of October a Council of war being set thereupon gave their opinion and sentence thus In the cause depending against Sir Nicholas Crisp Knight concerning the death of Sir James Enyon Knight slain by him in a Duel in September last The Court being informed that an Affixer was duly set up upon the Court house door according to their Order of the eight and tewentieth of September last and the affixer afterwards taken down and brought into the Court and Proclamation being made and no man appearing against him according to the Affixer yet upon examination of all the matter and difference between them and that the friends of the slain taking notice thereof The Court proceeded to sentence That although the Court doth condemn all manner of Duels and utterly disallow them yet in this particular case of Sir Nicholas Crisp in consideration of the great injury he received in his own Quarter and how much he was provoked and challenged the Court hath thought fit to acquit him from any punishment in this Court and doth leave and recommend him to his Majesties mercy for his gracious pardon the second of October 1643. Forth Lord Lieutenant general and President Dorset Bristol Northampton Andover Dunsmore Jacob Astley Arthur Aston William Brumchard John Byron Who all reported to the King the whole matter and brought him to kiss his hand and received a Pardon under the great feal of England and to confirm him in the Kings affection He had a Commission to be Admiral of a Fleet at Sea set out by himself and was undon for his Masters service The solemn League by Oath and Covenant being ordered to be sworn unto by all and divers consciencious persons excepting against the same and refusing were therefore committed and sequestred to their utter undoing Amongst many Doctor Featly that excellent and learned Divine and Minister at Lambeth had given by Letter to the Lord Arch-Bishop of Armagh Primate of all Ireland an accompt of his demeanour in this business of the Scotish Covenant and was therefore committed to the prison in the Lord Peters house in Aldersgate Street as many other noble houses turned into Jayles both his livings given away and his books bestowed upon White of Dorchester It was the Doctors reasons that raised all this stir He first excepted against these words We will indeavour the true reformedâ— Protestant Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Discipline worship and Government according to the word of God These words said the Doctor imply that the Worship Discipline and Government of the Church of Scotland is according to the word of God which said he is more than I dare subscribe unto much less confirm by an Oath for first I am not perswaded that any Plat form of Government in each particular circumstance is Jure Divino Secondly admit some were yet I doubt whether the Scots Presbytery be
Lord and Commons do declare that all such persons as shall upon any pretence whatsoever assist his Majesty with Horse Arms Plate or Money are Traitours to the Parliament and shall be brought to condign punishment The French in publick appearing very sensible of the unchristian â—â—il War in this Nation had sent the Prince of Harcourt Extraordinary Ambassadour into England commissioned to mediate peace between the King and Parliament being received at London with all due respects but his Arrand was first to the King and therefore desires the Parliaments Pass and had it but notwithstanding at the out Fort at Hide Park corner was stopped the Guard having no such Warrant without searching his Coach and Train of Baggage which he highly resented as the greatest injury from any Nation but there he refused and staid untill some Members of the House were sent to relieve him with such publick scorns Libells and Pamphlets without President and knowing that he came to mediate the Parliament would not be backward upon that score and therefore voted Sir Henry Vane Mr. Saint Iohns with the Lord VVharton a Committee to relate to the City a great Plot discovered which was set forth to the Common Council on Munday the seventh of Ianuary still filling up the Periods of their Speeches with the Gun-powder Treason which they said was much like this Plot for a Peace It was frequent with the Armies whether necessity or special advantage to act extraordinary business on Sundays as Keinton Field Brainford Hopton-heath Leeds Chalgrove Field Basing The King had now large Territories for his Army to march in this Year set him up for on this Day Twelve-moneths past he had but one small County of all the West in Yorkshire but York City and Pomfret Castle and except Reading Wallingford Brill and Abington he had not a Souldier quartered out of Oxford when he had not one Ship nor any Port save Newcastle and Falmouth when the Parliament declared in print that he had not ten thousand Men. And yet the King hath now five small Armies better than Brigades and in all the Western Counties the Parliament hath not a Souldier but at Plymouth and Pool in Yorkshire none but Hull and in Cheshire onely Nantwich The last Battels if we may so call them were at Bodwin Tadcaster Hopton-heath Ancaster Middleton-cheany Stratton Bradford More Chalgrave Chuton Lands-down Round-way-down Auburn Newbury Leek Middlewich and if of some the King had the better of the rest not much to boast The remnant of South Wales is fully reduced and North Wales cleared the whole Principality Cavaliers The Parliament got from the King Strafford and Warrington but all these Towns were the Parliaments last Year which now the King hath viz. Saltash Cirencester Burningham Leege Lichfield Bradford Hallifax Wakefield Taunton Bristol Bath Dorchester Weymouth Biddeford Barnstable Appleford Tenby Haverford-west Pembroke Exeter The Marquess of Newcastle for the King in the Commission of Array was met at Chesterfield in Darbyshire with a vast concourse of people as a Novel to see and hear where he listed fifteen hundred Voluntiers assisted by Sir Iohn Gell his interest thereabout and Sir Iohn Harpers The Lord Byron had good success and took Crew House with all the Arms and Ammunition six Commanders an hundred threescore and five Souldiers as also he took Dodrington belonging to Sir Thomas Delves being a Garison and cleared many places Middlewich Beeston Castle Someback with sundry Prisoners his Brigade being now near seven thousand Horse and Foot Sir William Waller having besieged Arundel Castle in Sussex eight and twenty Days with the sacrifiâ—e of many men had it surrendered the Cavaliers at Oxford will not be perswaded but that it was not fairly delivered on their parts but rather by connivence if not for Reward and if we consult the strength of the place it self the Fortifications Men and Ammunition we may suspect no less not to credit the Purchasers for then it will seem true whose relations of the numbers of Men slain and strength of Ammunition surrendered as it is usual with all conquerours to account comes to a great Sum. This Service made Sir William Waller to fly high desiring the Parliaments Commission to him To place and displace all Governours of Towns and Castles within his Association But this took off the General Essex his Authority from whom all the military Commanders had Commissions And was occasioned through a late difference between Sir William and the Governour of Chichester who refused to admit Colonel Norton to enter his Garison being routed and pursued by the Lord Hopton which difference was by the Parliament referred to the General as it appears by his Letter to the House of Commons he tells them That in truth the Commission he sent to Sir William Waller was not so full as he usually grants and the Reasons why he was so limited are not to be discovered But tells them withall that he did no more than what he ought to do and that the charge he took upon him was not his own seeking though it was a great encouragement to him that the Houses thought him once worthy of the sole command which however lessened yet he will never desert the Cause as long as he hath any bloud in his veins till the Kingdom hath regained her Peace or an end made by the Sword But Sir VVilliam not well pleased with all this returned his Commission back to Mr. Nichâ—las with much regret as it appears by his Letters which accompanied this Surrender I have said he returned the Commission which is as good as nought The Counties of Devon and Cornwall Cavaliers for the King unanimously joyned in Association in these words VVhereas a few malevolent and ambitious persons in the name of two Houses of Parliament have by treasonable practices imbroiled this Kingdom in a Civil VVar pursued his Majesties person murdered his good Subjects some of them barbarously by the common Hangman against Law and Iustice others by hostile Assault brought a general devastation upon the whole Kingdom taking away all Liberty from the Members of both Houses by awing terrifying and assaulting them with Tumults and Arms usurping the Regal power counterfeiting a great Seal to shew their horrid intentions against the King Kingdom and Government and finding their Acts not likely to protect them from the punishment due to their merits have unnaturally invited the Scots to invade this Kingdom and in these Distractions to make a total Conquest of this Nation for Resistance whereof and preserving the common peace the Inhabitants of Devon and Cornvvall have united themselves and for continuance of which union this ensuing Protestation is to be taken I. A. B. do in the presence of Almighty God promise vow and protest with my utmost power to maintain and defend the true Reformed Protestant Religion established by Law in this Kingdom against all Popery popish and all other Innovations of Sectaries and Schismaticks as also his
Majesties person and Right against all Forces whatsoever and in like manner the Laws Liberties and Privileges of Parliament and of this Kingdom And I shall to my utmost power preserve and defend the peace of the two Counties of Devon and Cornvvall and all persons that shall unite themselves by this Protestation in the due performance thereof and to my power assist his Majesties Armies for reducing the Town of Plymouth and resistance of all Forces of Scots Invaders and others levied under pretence of any Authority of two Houses of Parliament or otherwise without his Majesties personal consent And hereupon they agreed upon several Articles in reference to the taking of this Protestation directed to all Sheriffs Constables Ministers of every Parish Church at the next general Meeting That the Army be governed according to his Majesties Articles That all such persons slain or as shall be slain in this VVar or die in the Service by whose life any other person held any other Lands or Rents the said other person shall grant an Estate or pay such Rents for life under such Covenants c. as to the person so slain and the Refusers to lose double value one half to the King the other to the party and to be imprisoned till payment That if any Minister shall refuse or neglect his particular duty in his Service or not reade the Kings Declarations or do any thing contrary to â—is Majesties Instructions to be secured and his Estate sequestred That there be provided a thousand Barrels of Powder and ten thousand Fire Arms at the charge of both Counties whereof Devon three parts and Cornvvall to be a fourth according to the proportion of the grand Subsidy The Earl of Manchester for the Parliament is as active in his Association having gone over all vvith a high hand came to the University of Cambridg being not yet resolved vvhether the Colleges and Halls be vvithin his Commission for Sequestration for clearing vvhereof the Parliament sent out their Ordinance That the Estates Rents and Revenues of the Colleges and Halls in the University of Cambridg are in no wise to be seized on but shall remain and be to the same University Colleges and Halls as if the Ordinance of Sequestration had never been made Which is most nobly done like true Patriots of Learning but then the next Proviso marrs all That if any part portion or dividend be due to any Head Fellow or Scholar in the said University being or which hereafter shall be a Malignant or Delinquent within any of the Ordinances of Sequestration then they shal be excepted from receiving any part or portion of his Allowance but shall be dealt with as it shall be ordered by the Earl of Manchester and none to be Receiver Treasurer or Bowser but such as shall be approved by him Sir Richard Byron Governour of Newark for the King understanding that the Adversaries vvere quartered at Harmiston and VVaddesdon three Miles from Lincoln sent out tvvo hundred and fifty Horse and some Dragoons under command of Sir Gervase Eyre vvho beat up their Quarters and took kill'd some but the reason having Quarter he carried avvay above three hundred Prisoners Horse and Arms. The King at Oxford vvith sufficient Friends to finish his civil affairs considered of the fitness and conveniency to assemble the Members of both Houses of Parliament at Oxford and having to that purpose the tvvo and tvventieth of December last by his Proclamation summoned them for this day the tvvo and tvventieth of Ianuary vvhere novv they met in the great Hall at Christ's Church vvhere his Majesty declared the occasion of his calling them together to be witnesses of his actions and privy to his intentions Telling them That if he had the least thoughtâ— disagreeing with the happiness of this Kingdom he would not advise with such Counsellors as they are And so they went to the publick Schools the Lords in the upper Schools and the Commons in the great Convocation-house Indeed he having renounced those Members that sate at Westminster he thought it fit to assemble such as he might confide in to vote and act as his proper Parliament countenanced with able Members the most ancient and most honourable Peers and very worthy Gentlemen not amiss to record them The Names of the Lords and Commons in the Assembly of the Parliament at Oxford Ianuary 22. 1643. Charls Prince Duke of York Cumberland Edw. Littleton C. S. Fr. Cottington Treasurer Duke of Richmond Marquess of Hertford Earls Lindsey Dorset Shrewsbury Bath Southampton Leicester Northampton Devonshire Carlile Bristol Barkshire Cleveland Rivers Dover Peterborough Kingston Newport Portland Visc. Conway Lords Digby Mowbray and Matravers Lords Wentworth Cromwell Rich. Paget Chandos Howard of Charlton Lovelace Savile Mohun Dunsmore Seymour Piercy VVilmot Leigh Hatton Iermin Carington Knights and Gentlemen Sir Iohn Fettiplace Sir Alexander Denton Sir Iohn Packington Thomas Smith Francis Gamul Iohn Harris Ioseph Iane. Richard Edgcomb I. Raleigh G. Fane P. Edgcomb VVilliam Glanvile Robert Hâ—burn Sir Ralph Sidenham Sir Fr. Godolphin Ger. Parry Ambrose Manaton Sir Richard Vivian Io. Palewheel Io. Arundel Thomas Lower Edward Hide VVilliam Allestry George Stonehouse Edward Seymor Peter St. Hill VVilliam Pool Roger Matthew Richard Arundel Ro. VValker Giles Strangways Io. Strangways Sir Thomas Helâ— Geraâ—d Nape Samuâ—l Turner VVilliam Constantine Henry Killegrew R. King Io. Dutton Henry Bret. VVilliam Chadwell Theo. Gorges Io. George Thomas Fanshaw Humph. Conningsby Richard Seaborn Arthur Ranelagh Thomas Tomkins Sampson Evers Io. Culpeper Ieffrey Palmer Io. Harison Thomas Fanshaw Roger Palmer Sir Orlando Bridgman VVilliam VVatkins Iohn Smith Sir Thomas Bludder Edward Littleton Harvie Bagot Richard Leveson Sir Richard Cave Sir Richard VVeston Richard Lee. Thomas VVhitmore Edward Acton C. Baldwin R. Goodwin Thomas Howard Thomas Littleton Robert Howard Io. Meux Matthew Davis Fr. Cornwallis Thomas Germin Io. Tailor VVilliam Basset VVilliam Pateman Edw. Ridney Thomas Hanham Edw. Philips Io. Digby Edw. Kirton Chr. Lewkin Edw. Alford Io. VVhite Io. Ashburnham VVilliam Smith Thomas Leeds I. Thin VVilliam Pledel Ro. Hide Edw. Griffin VValter Smith George Lowe Richard Harding Henry Herbert Endimion Porter Samuel Sandys Iohn Bâ—dvil William Morgan William Thomas Iohn Mistin Henry Bellasis Knights and Gentlemen George Wentworth William Malory Richard Aldbury Io. Salisbury William Herbert William Price Io. Price Knights and Gentlemen R. Herbert Charls Price Philip VVarwick Thomas Cook Herbert Price Io. Whisler These Peers then disabled by several Accidents appeared since Viscount Cambden Lord Abergaveny Lord Arundel Lord Capel Lord Newport Peers imployed in his Majesties Service Marquesses Winchester VVorcester Newcastle Earls Darby Huntington Clare Marlborough Viscount Falkonbridg Lords Morley Lords Darcy and Coniers Sturton Everâ— Daincourt Pawlet Brudenel Powesse Herbert of Cherbury Hopton Loughborough Byron Vaughan VVithrington Peers absent beyond Seas Earl of Arundel Earl of Saint Albans Lord Viscount Mountague Viiscount Strafford Lord Stanhop Lord Coventry Lord Goring Lord Craven of Hamsted Lord Craven of Ryton Peers
Close Committee For Subjects to make foreign Confederacies without their Soveraigns assent to invade the Territories of their undoubted King to go about by force to change the Laws and Religion established is grosse Treason without all contradiction and in this case it argues strongly who have been the Contrivers and Fomenters of all our Troubles No Covenant whatsoever or with whomsoever can justifie such proceedings or oblige a Subject to run such disloyal courses If any man out of Ignorance or Fear or Credulity have entred into such a Covenant it bindes him not except it be to Repentance Neitheâ— is there any such necessity as is pretended of your present posture your selves cannot allege that you are any way provoked by us neither are we conscious to our selves of the least intention to molest you Those ends which you propose are plausible indeed to them who do not understand them the blackest Designs did never want the same pretences If by the Protestant Religion you intend our Articles which are the publick Confession of our Church and our Book of Common Prayer established by Act of Parliament you need not trouble your selves we are ready to defend them with our Bloud If it be otherwise it is plain to all the World that it is not the Preservation but the Innovation of Religion which you seek however by you styled Reformation And what calling have you to refâ—rm us by the Sword We do not remember that ever the like indignity was offered by one Nation to another by a lesser to a greater That those men who have heretofore pleaded to vehemently for Liberty of Conscience against all Oaths and Subscriptions should now assume a power to themselves by Arms to impose a Law upon the Consciences of their fellow Subjects A vanquished Nation would scarce endure such Terms from their Conquerours But this we are sure of that this is the way to make the Protestant Religion odious to all Monarchs Christian and Pagan Your other two ends that is the honour and happiness of the King and the publick Peace and Liberty of his Dominions are so manifestly contrary to your practice that we need no other motives to withdraw you from such a course as tends so directly to make his Majesty contemptible at home and abroad and to fill all his Dominions with Rapine and Bloud In an Army all have not the same intentions We have seen the Articles agreed upon and those vast Sums and Conditions contained in them as if our Countreymen thought that England was indeed a Well that could never be drawn dry and whatsoever the intentions be we know right well what will be the consequents if it were otherwise no intention or consequent whatsoever can justifie an unlawfull action And therefore you do wisely to decline all disputation about it it is an easie thing to pretend the Cause of God as the Jews did the Temple of the Lord but this is far from those evident Demonstrations which you often mention never make Consider that there must be an account given to God of all the Bloud which shall be shed in this Quarrel The way to prevent it is not by such insinuations but to retire before the Sword be unsheathed or the Breach be made too wide you cannot think we are grown such tame Creatures to desert our Religion our Laws our Liberties our Estates upon command of Foreigners and to suffer our selves and our Posterity to be made Beggars and Slaves without opposition If any of ours shall joyn with you in this Action we cannot look upon them otherwise than as Traitours to their King Vipers to their native Countrey and such as have been Plotters or Fomenters of this Design from the beginning But if mis-information or fear hath drawn any of yours ignorantly or unwillingly into this Cause we desire them to withdraw themselve at last and not to make themselves Accessaries to that Deluge of Mischief which this second Voyage is like to bring upon both Kingdoms The Scots for a Moneth together have likewise spread abroad this slander That divers of the Nobility have lately deserted the King which the Lords of the Assembly of Parliament at Oxford took upon them to convince that in time to come there might not be left one Loop-hole of Excuse for this their Rebellion Directing their Letters To the Lords of the Privy Council and Conservatours of the Peace of the Kingdom of Scotland Our very good Lords If for no other reason yet that Posterity may know we have done our Duties and not sate still whilest our Brethren of Scotland were transported with a dangerous and fatal misunderstanding c. We have thought it necessary to tell you that when you are informed that the Earls of Arundel and Thanet and the Lords of Stafford Stanhop Coventry Goring and Craven are beyond Seas and the Earls of Chesterfield Westmerland and the Lord Montague of Boughton under restraint at London for their Loyalty and Duty to his Majesty and the Kingdom your Lordships will easily conclude how very few now make up the Peers at Westminster there being not above five and twenty Lords present or privy to these Councils And so they go on to give their Reasons why this Assembly at Oxford are dissenting and absent from Westminster being forced away by the Multitude of the meaner sort of the City Rabble of London and prosecuted by unparliamentary Debates and Votes without freedom or safety to their Lives And therefore we do protest against any Invitation made to the Scotish Nation to enter this Kingdom with an Army And we do conjure your Lordships by our common Allegeance under one gracious Sovereign by the amity and affection of both Nations by the Treaty of Pacification and by all obligation divine and humane which can preserve peace upon earth to prevent the effusion of so much Christian Bloud and the confusion and desolation which must follow this Invasion c. And therefore your Lordships may be assured we shall expose our lives and fortunes in the just and necessary defence of the Kingdom Engaging our Honours to be our selves most religious observers of the Act of Pacification and we hope to receive such an answer from you as may preserve the two Nations c. Your Lorships most affectionate humble servants And signed by all the Lords and Peers of the great Assembly at Oxford about sixty as before in the Roll aforesaid We will end this year with Prince Ruperts relief of that gallant Garison at Newark from the three weeks hot siege of Sir Iohn Meldrum for the Parliament wasting his Army from seven thousand to five thousand the manner was thus Prince Rupert being at West-Chester upon Tuesday night March 12. received his Majesties commands to march with all speed to the relief of Newark with four thousand Foot under five Regiments and four Colours and two thousand Horse and Dragooners Upon these Summons he made haste to Shrewsbury speeding away Major Legge General of the
County of Bucks and evermore Messages are sent to the Lord Mayor of London of all their Victories and now and then a Thanksgiving for the late Successes of Sir Waller's Victories which evermore had a long tail after that is to encourage the City to advance some speedy Payments And also vote that no Members of the Commons House that adhere to the King shall ever be received agaâ—n and if a Member of the Lords depart to the King it shall be Treason and never to be received again Colonel Purifoy with his Regiment of Horse is commanded to Glocestershire either to remove or take in the Cavalier Garisons assisted with four hundred foot with two great Guns drawn out of Glocester marched after Colonel Myn who was lodged at Rosse fortifying the Church with his own and Sir Iohn Winters Regiments but left them and marched to Ledbury in Herefordshire and there kept quarter drawing out 150. Musquetiers with all the Horse marched towards Hereford In whose absence Prince Rupert comes to Evesham with a Brigade of Horse and Dragoons intending to fall upon Upton-bridge and to get in between Glocester and Colonel Myn and Sir Iohn Winter who held Massey play the whiles in Wales where he fired Sir Iohn Winters Iron Mills and so returned where he found a prisoner Captain Oglethrop Governour of Beverston Castle by whom he understood the weaknesse thereof which stopt the passages of the County Thither he comes and demands the Castle for the King and Parliament and was rendred after some dispute and not tenable aginst such a force Some Forces in the absence of Sir Iohn Winter were sent to summon his Lady that kept Garison at home ingaging by the honour of Governour Massey that her Ladyship should receive protection for her and hers with good usage If she refuse this offer of mercy fire and sword must follow The Lady with great courage and more Loyalty sends him word Sir Mr. Winters unalterable Allegeance to his King and Sovereign and his particular interest to this place hath by his Majesties Commission put it into this condition which cannot be pernicious to any but to such as oppose the one and invade the other wherefore rest assured that in these relations we are by Gods assistance resolved to maintain it all extremities notwithstanding Thus much in Mr. Winters absence you shall receive from Mary Winter Massey marches to Malmsbury commanded by Colonel Henry Howard and being denied upon summons some Foot and Artillery were sent for from Tedbury drawn into the Suburbs causing a Blinde crosse the street to bring up his Ordinance neerer the Town within Carbine shot but in a panick fear that a Sally was coming out upon them they all fled and left their Ordinance behind Yet recovering and Rallying they gave the charge all together with a great shout came up to the Turn-pike and routed Colonel Howard and 100. men taken and so returned Then with fresh Forces he marches to Tewxbury which he took by surprise in the dead and dark night with the Governour Colonel Myn but were again beaten out by the Garrison Rallying then comes up the whole Body of Massies Foot and took the Town with much loss though the pâ—ice of his Prisoners General Essex and Sir William Waller being joyned Forces they hovered about Oxfordshire to divert them the King had a design And so the first of Iune went to Woodstock to his Horse Quarters where he supped and returned to his Foot Forces quartered at and about Wolvercâ—â— Amongst whom he was Billeted no better then in his Coach all that night and the next morning gave command for his Forces on the Charwel to come to his Army and altogether to march close to the walls of Oxford and about six a clock the same morning himself came back into Oxford The passages on the Charwel were no sooner cleared but the Parliament Forces began to account upon the effects as if the Kings Army were forced from thence with losse which was true in the main for the King lost some men But the King having setled his Orders at Oxford resolved to depart for he knew his Person was his Adversaries aime Then he commands a great Body of Foot to march towards Abington the better to amaze his Adversaries to hunt after the wrong sent And the same night the King with divers Lords and Gentlemen his own Troop and Menial servants went out of Oxford and came the next morning to Northlye where he drew up his Army of 3000. Foot and 4000. Horse 12. Drakes and 60. Carriages and left a Tertia of his Foot and a new raised Regiment of Horse under command of the Earl of Peterborough and all his great Ordinance at Oxford besides these of the Garrison and Ordnances of the place for defence thereof leaving behind also the Duke of York and the most of his Privy Council and gave Order for all Duties and Ceremonies of Court as if himself were still there present But Iune 4. news was carried to General Essex that the King was gone beyond them after whom all his Forces followed presently to Woodstock but such as scattered back again towards London no small numbers And in their march they faced Oxford again but far enough off and so drew up into Battalia upon Campsfield neer Woodstock where there fell such a prodigious storm that frighted their present enterprise of hunting the Lords Annointed like a Partridge For Captain Willoâ—ghby writes to his Couzin of Parham that his Lordship may do well to make good use of it for they suffered the anger of heaven for two houres space the Hailstones fell as big as Nutmegs thus he saies that felt them there yet no such storm was seen at Oxford The King refreshed at Mr. Parrets house in Northlye went forwards to Bourton on the water a Village between Burford and Stow on the World and there lodged at Doctor Temples the Parson there In this while Essex and Waller divided their Forces Essex attempts the River Charwell at Pitsworth Bridge but repulsed and Waller to passe Isis but was obstructed and the second time Essex is beaten back at the same Bridge but the King being gone Essex got over and Marched after him to Chipping-Norton but returned to Burford and there deputes Waller to follow the chace For the King a Party of Horse was gone towards Worcester leaving his maine Body to march softly after who were the fifth of Iune to quarter at Winchcombe a â—arge Town in the â—olswold Hills neer to Snidley Castle Essex was at a stand full well observing that he prosecuted an haâ—d taske for fighting would not so much waste his men as tedious and hungry marches after the Kings light Army when his own was loaden with heavy Ordnance and therefore resolved to give over this uncomely pursuit after his flying Soveraign And so thought it the wiser way to put this service upon his Rival General Waller and to stay for him
himsefe shot in the arm for this good service his Majesty presently Knighted him and he well deserved it His Majesty wanted only Horse to have utterly destroyed them for they were now unable to help themselves In this condition his Majesty pursued them all day getting still ground in the evening one whole Regiment of their Foot being Colonel Weyres staggared ran from field to field with their Cannon and Colours only at the appearance of but eight of his Majesties Horse and had not night come on all their Army had undoubtedly been destroyed The Gentlemen of his Majesties own Troop did most gallantly in that service being twice bravely led on by the noble and valiant Lord Bernard Stuart to the great terrour of the Rebels This no question caused their General Essex early the nex day to quit his glorious Command and in a small Boat to shift away by water some say for Plymouth as yet there is no certainty where he is nor of Roberts Meirick and others who are gone Thereupon yesterday his own Lieutenant Colonel Butler who was formerly taken Prisoner at the Lord Mohun's House and now exchanged for Sir John Digby came to desire a Parley which was accepted and Hostages interchangeably delivered the Treaty followed in the evening in the Kings Quarter the Treators for his Majesty Prince Maurice the Lord General and the Lord Digby Theirs Colonel Barkeley an insolent Scot Colonel Whichcott a zealous City Colonel and Colonel Butler after high demands the conclusion brought forth these Articles 1. It is agreed That all the Officers and Souldiers as well of Horse and Foot under the command of the Earle of Essex being at the time of the Conclusion of this Treaty on the West side of the River of Foy shall to morrow being the Second of September by eleven of the clock in the morning deliver up near the old Castle in their own Quarters All their Cannon and Train of Artillery with All Carriages Necessaries and Materials thereunto belonging and likewise All the Arms offensive and defensive both of Horse and Foot and all Powder Bullet Match and Amunition whatsoever unto such Officers as the General of His Majesties Artillery shall appoint to receive the same except only the Swords and Pistols of all Officers above the degree of a Corporal who are by this Agreement to wear and carry the same away 2. Secondly It is agreed That immediately after the delivery up of the said Artillery Arms and Amunition c. that all Officers and Souldiers both of Horse and Foot of the said Army shall march out of their Quarters to Listithiel with their Colours both of Horse and Foot Trumpets and Drummes And that all Officers of Foot above the degree of Serjeants shall take with them such Horses and Servants as properly belong unto themselves as also all reformed Officers their Horses and Arms not exceeding the number of fifty and likewise to take with them all their Bagge and Baggage and Wagons with their Teemes of Horses properly belonging to the said Officers 3. Thirdly It is agreed That they shall have a safe Convoy of a hundred Horse from their Quarters to Lestithiel and thence in their March the nearest convenient way to Poole and Warham provided that they secure the said Convoys return to Bridgwater or His Majesties Army and that in their march they touch not at any Garrison 4. Fourthly It is agreed That in case they shall march from Poole to any other place by land that neither they nor any of them shall bear Arms more then is allowed in this agreement nor do any Hostile act untill they come to Southampton or Portsmouth 5. Fiftly It is agreed That all the Sick and wounded Officers and Souldiers of that Army who are not able to march shall be left at Foy and there secured from any violence to their persons or goods and care taken of them untill such time as they can be transported to Plymouth 6. Sixtly It is agreed That all Officers and Souldiers of that Army for the better conveniency of their march shall be permitted to receive all such Monies Provisions of Victuals and other accommodations as they shall be able to procure from Plymouth To which end they shall have a Passe granted for any Persons not exceeding the number of twelve whom they shall send for the same 7. Seventhly It is agreed That there be no inviting of Souldiers but that such as will voluntarily come to his Majesties Service shall not be hindred MAURICE BRAINFORD Phil. Skippon Christ. Whitchcott According to these Articles his Majesty possessed himself of all the enemies train of Artillery viz. 49. Pieces of fair Brass Ordnance taken then and the day before among which was the great Basilisco of Dover 200. and odd Barrels of Gunpowder Match Ball c. proportionable above 700. Carriages and bewixt 8. and 9. thousand Arms Horse and Foot Amongst the Baggage were found a world of empty Bottles belonging to his Excellencies own Quarter As for their persons his Majesty out of his wonted Clemency was unwilling to shed blood they were his own Subjects which caused so many thousands of them instantly to desire imployment in his Majesties Cause to fight especially against them who had led them into all this and at last run away from them To speak truth this is the most high inexpiable piece of cowardize that ever was committed by one who took on him the name of a General to lead an Army of above ten Thousand men into such miserable necessity all which they endured through his Lordships conduct and then to steal away in a poor little boat by night leaving all his flock to starve or submit to the mercy of another Army But the Earl to excuse himself accuseth the Lord Roberts for betraying him into this County of Cornwal where he promised the people would rise upon his coming which they did to some purpose The Lord Roberts saies 't was the Earls own headinesse to advance Westward expresly contrary to the Ordinance of both houses adding that the Earl might have preserved all if he would have but entertained a Treaty with his Majesty by which pretence he might have gained time till relief had come The inferiour Officers accuse them both and both Officers and Souldiers say 't was long of Sir William Waller for not advancing who twenty to one will fault them at Westminster for not recruiting him and the Members must needs lay it upon the Citizens who would not by any means come forth with Waller And yet Sir William would never have run away by Sea nor his Excellency at Roundway-down you see now what hath been the old difference betwixt the Earl and the other the one for a Race-horse the other for a Cock-boat Though truly 't is a wonder that the Earl would take water when he should take possession of Ten thousand pound per annum which the Members voted him out of the Lord Capel's Lands And in his way as the King
in him by the Parliament and adhered to the Enemie to be proved by his words by his Letters and by his actions and 1. His compliance with the Enemie the Lord Digby and the Marquess Newcastle 2. His Refusal to supplie the Lord Fairfax with Amunition to the great Disservice of the Parliament and prejudice of the Affairs in the North. 3. His uttering divers scandalous words against the Parliament and Close Committee 4. His endeavouring to betray the Town of Hull to the Enemie 5. His holding correspondencie with the Queen by several Messengers 6. His causing a Demi-culvering to be planted on the top of the Castle against the Town and two Pieces in the Block-house to give fire on the Parliament Ships 7. His sending away Mayor Captain of the Ship Hercules 8. His quitting of the Garison at Beverley which strengthened the Town of Hull 9. His endeavouring to escape so soon as his Designs were discovered All which were proved upon him by several Witnesses above thrity persons and that was the business of this day On Munday after he comes to his Defence beginning with a tedious Narrative of his faithfulnesâ— in maintaining the Town of Hull against his Majestie at the beginning of the War when he might have expected great preferment and advantage To the first Article he saith That Captain Mayor sailing forth to meet the Providence the first Ship that brought the King Amunition took a Catch in the River Humber wherein was the Lord Digby in disguise of a French man Col. Aâ—hburnham and Sir Edw. Stradling whom he brought Prisoners to Hull where the Lord Digby told him that he was a Souldier of Fortune and for his Libertie would adventure to the Enemie and give Sir J. Hotham Intelligence which accordingly he did and returned several times but at last gave the slip and then sent a Letter of Inticement that he was the Lord Digby and wished him to return to his Allegeance to his Sovereign after which he had no further Treatie with him That he treated with the Marquesse Newcastle was to no other end but to keep the Riding of Yorkshire free from plunder for the maintenance of Hull which was then destitute of money That for the Letters which he should send to the Marquess He alledged he knew not but that they might be counterfeit being only like his hand Then he proceeded by way of defence producing Witnesses on his own part which were Commissarie Coply and other Knights and Gentlemen on purpose only to take off the testimonie of Examinants against him but they proved to little effect And so after some daies spent in examining Witnesses pro and con he was sentenced 7. December to be carried back and from thence to the place of Execution to suffer death by having his head cut off Two daies after comes his Son Captain Hotham to his Trial. His Charge against him was in effect That he being a Commander in the Parliament Service had Traiterously betrayed the Trust reposed in him perfidiously adhering to the Enemy all which would be proved And was by the Advocate of the Court the chief matters were these That he had been disobedient to the Commands of the Lord Fairfax Commander in chief of the Northern Counties and that he had refused to account for the Parliaments moneys raised in Yorkshire and converted to his own use And for his adhering to the Enemy It was instanced by his going into the Enemies Quarters and returning without any ingagement His several private Treaties with the Enemy under pretence of Exchanging Prisoners and private discourse with the Marquesse Newcastle twice by his own confession and that the Marquesse offered him to be made a Lord and to have General Gorings Command or any other Honours if he would turn to the King His omitting several opportunities to fight with the Enemy and permitting a Convoy from the Queen with Arms upon her first landing at Burlington and to passe to York without fighting That Lord General Cromwel being in Lincolnshire with him upon a Design against the Enemy Hotham was to Charge the Right Wing and Cromwel the Left whom he Routed and Chased them above two miles who returning found the Enemies Right Wing unmoved and so Hotham had not charged at all That after the discovery of some of his Treachery and whilst committed prisoner to Notingham Castle he sent his Servant John Keyes swearing him to secrecy with a Message to the Queen then at Newark how he was imprisoned and to be speedily sent up to the Parliament or to the General and prayes her Majesty to send a Party of Horse to rescue him and that he had a Regiment of Horse under his Command and should be ready for the Service she expected in Lincolnshire That his Company of Foot at Lincoln the Town of Hull Beaverly and the Ship called the Hercules were all at her Majesties Service That after his being released from Nottingham Castle he went to Lincoln and gave out many scandalous Speeches invective against the Parliament with inticements to Colonel Rositer to betray his trust who detesting such perfidie Hotham went to Hull to his Father and forthwith both of them received Letters from the Marquesse Newcastle about the betraying of Hull and other matters And that the day before they both were apprehended at Hull 18. June 1643. Hotham writ to the Marquesse an Answer to his Letters which were found in his Chamber sealed not having time to send them away wherein much of his treacherie was therein laid open On Thursday 12. Decemb. Hotham makes his defence large and verie formal from four afternoon till eight at night That he treated with the Enemie for the Parliaments advantage in setling a course for exchange of Prisoners and the like which he conceived he might doe without acquainting his Superiour and to that purpose pleaded the priviledge of all Commanders instancing divers and that he knew no Law against it nor was it prohibited by the Ordinance of War That before he adventured upon Treaties he still had advice of his Commander in Chief Sir John Hotham and some of his own Captains That for his not fighting the Queens Convoy they were far stronger yet he attacked the Rear as far as he might with safety And had learned this Maxim of War that a Commander in Chief is not to adventure upon an Enemy but upon advantage or compelled by necessity That for the businesse betwixt him and Lord General Cromwel He offered to prove that he charged the Enemies Right Wing to the utmost though it proved not so effectual as the others Actions upon the Left Wing That when he was committed to Notingham not knowing his crimes or by whose Order committed He sent to his Father to Hull to enquire the cause but denyed he sent his servant to the Queen and made many Objections against his man Keyes testimonie therein The words which he spoke to Rositer he confessed but were in passion and he recalled them
upon better thoughts and very sorrowful desiring that his Errors in Passion might not be drawn into Crimes And that had he intended to desert the Parliament he should have advised with some of his Officers and allured them with him which he was confident could never be proved against him He confessed that after he came to Hull and before his last apprehending he and his Father received two Letters from the Marquess Newcastle and that by his Fathers direction he writ a plausible Letter in Answer the better to hold him in hand to enlarge their own Quarters about Hull otherwise much straitned and the like The Letter was thus To the Right Honourable William Earl of Newcastle My Noble Lord. I confesse it is a great comfort to me in my distracted condition that I am blest with a Friend of so much Truth and Nobleness It is true the fickleness of those men reduced me into that uncertainty I never knew 〈◊〉 what Condition I stood and so I could not give satisfaction then according as you expected Yet you will not finde that ever I shâ—wed or communicated your Letters to any but those who were privy to it and can add to the advancement of the Business in hand and not any way to abuse you as some would make you believe The malice of my Enemies hatâ— been violent against me but God hath delivered me out of their hands I never expected better from the Popularity for none of those ever rewarded their best Citizens with any thing but with Death or Banishment As I resolved never to forsake the Party I had undertaken untill they had without any cause so disabled 〈◊〉 that no man can think that my Honour or Honesty is further engaged to serve them I confess I 〈◊〉 think my self a Freeman from them and resolve by the grace of God never to serve them more I cannot yet attend your Lordship but I shall mightily disserve you untill business be well framed here which I hope will be shortly if I could but obtain so much favour from you that Sir Hugh Chomley might be commanded to forbear the East Riding one fortnight else we shall be necessitated to be aâ— blows with him continually not that he can do any harm here but he will mightily trouble us whilst greater business should go forward I desire to know whether were executed after his pardon My Lord if I be taken the second time it shall be much against my will especially by those that were themselves my friends As soon as I have dispatched here I shall attend you to know your commands to Your most humble and affectionate servant Iohn Hotham Hull June 28. 1643. If you please to exchange Captain Wray for Major Sanderson I shall send to you And so on Tuesday 23. Decemb. had Sentence also to have his Head cut off The Execution of the Father Sir Iohn Hotham was Ordered to be the 31. of Decemb. upon Tower Hill and a multitude of people assembled where the Scaffold his Coffin the Executioner and all things in readinesse but about eleven a clock in his way from the Tower a Messenger came galloping with his Reprieve from the House of Lords till Saturday Ianu. 4. The Commons House conceived their Priviledge hereby thwarted and forthwith Ordered That no Officer or Minister of Iustice established by both Houses of Parliament shall hereafter staie Execution of Iustice upon any particular Order or Reprieve from either House without the concurrence of both Houses And sent to the Lieutenant of the Tower to Execute Sir Iohn on Thursday next the second of Ianuarie His Son Captain Hotham suffered the first of Ianu. although he Petitioned both Houses for mercy Fine or Banishment there acknowledging his Guilt with great Reluctancy Yet at the Scaffold speaking of his great Services to the Parliament concluded That he knew no matter of Treason by himself or his distressed Father against the Parliament and in many particulars arraigned the Proceedings of Parliament in a high measure And so had his head chopt off at a blow But the next day lest Sir Iohn should talk so too Mr. Peters the Preacher told the People that Sir Iohn had in his Chamber fully discovered his mind to him and so had the lesse to speak to them which was that he was ungrateful but he hoped that God had forgiven him But Mr. Peters went on and told the people that at Sir Iohn's first going out to be a Souldier at the Battle of Prague his Father should say to him Son when the Crown of England lies at stake you will have fighting enough The people muttered had he taken his Fathers meaning and fought for the Crown he had not been here to dye this day But Mr. Peters would needs have him sing the Psalm usually offered at Tyburn which poor Man he did but to a heavy Tune and so had his Head cut off also at a blow A couple of unfortunate creatures subject to the censure of each adverse party as having offended both Yet much pittied by the One against whom their Crimes were in comparison unpardonable and had their Punishment by Sentence of the Other to whose Service they might justly challenge a merit Apostates they were to the King and Parliament both and yet suffered for the lesse Offence which the King thus observes upon his repulse at Hull and their Fate that followed My repulse at Hull sayes the King seemed at the first view an act of so rude disloyaltie that my greatest enemies had scarce confidence enough to abett or own it It was the first overâ— Essaie to be made how patiently I could bear the losse of my Kingdoms God knows it affected me more with shame and sorrow for others then with anger for my self nor did the affront done to me trouble me so much as their sin which admitted no colour or excuse I was resolved how to bear this and much more with patience but I fore-saw they could hardly contain themselves within the compass of this one unworthy act who had effronterie enough to commit or countenance it This was but the hand of that cloud which was soon after to overspread the whole Kingdom and cast all into disorder and darkness For 't is among the wicked Maxims of bold and disloyal undertakers That bad actions must alwayes be seconded with worse and rather not be begun then not carried on for they think the retreat more dangerous then the assault and hate repentance more then perseverance in a fault This gave me to see clearly through all the pious disguises and soft palliations of some men whose words were sometime smoother then oil but now I saw they would prove very swords Against which I having as yet no defence but that of a good Conscience thought it my best policie with patience to bear what I could not remedie And in this I thank God I had the better of Hotham that no disdain or emotion of passion transported me by the
Forms of constant Praiers must be not amended in what upon free and publick advice might seem to sober men inconvenient for matter or manner to which I should easily consent but wholly cashiered and abolished and after many popular contempts offered to the Book and those that used it according to their Consciences and the Laws in force it must be crucified by an Ordinance the better to please either those men who gloried in their extemporarie vein and fluency or others who conscious to their own formalitie in the use of it thought they fully expâ—ated their sin of not using it aright by laying all the blame upon it and a total rejection of it as a dead letter thereby to excuse the deadness of their hearts As for the matter contained in the Book sober and learned men have sufficiently vindicated it against the cavils and exceptions of those who thought it a part of piety to make what prophane objections they could against it especially for Poperie and Superstition whereas no doubt the Liturgie was exactly conformed to the doctrine of the Church of England and this by all Reformed Churches is confessed to be most sound and Orthodox For the manner of using Set and Prescribed Forms there is no doubt but that wholsom words being known and fitted to mens understandings are soonest received into their hearts and aptest to excite and carrie along with them Iudicious and Fervent Affections Nor do I see any reason why Christians should be weary of a well-composed Liturgie as I hold this to be more then of all other things wherein the Constancie abates nothing of the excellencie and usefulness I could never see any Reason why any Christian should abhor or be forbidden to use the same Forms of Praier since he praies to the same God believes in the same Saviour professeth the same truths reads the same Scriptures hath the same duties upon him and feels the same daily wants for the most part both inward and outward which are common to the whole Church Sure we may as well before-hand know what we pray as to whom we pray and in what words as to what sence when we desire the same things what hinders we may not use the same words our appetite and digestion too may be good when we use as we pray for Our daily bread Some men I hear are so impatient not to use in all their devotions their own invention and gifts that they not only dis-use as too many but wholly cast away and contemn the Lord's Prayer whose great guilt is that it is the warrant and original pattern of all set Liturgies in the Christian Church I ever thought that the proud ostentation of mens abilities for invention and the vain affectations of variety for expressions in Publick Praier or any Sacred Administrations merits a greater brand of sin then that which they call Coldness and Barrenness Nor are men in those Novelties lesse subject to formal and superficial tempers as to their hearts then in the use of constant Forms where not the words but mens hearts are to blame I make no doubt but a man may be very formal in the most extemporary variety and very fervently devout in the most wonted expressions Nor is God more a God of variety then of constancy Nor are constant Forms of Praiers more likely to flat and hinder the Spirit of Praier and Devotion then un-premeditated and confused variety to distract and lose it Though I am not against a grave modest discreet and humble use of Ministers gifts even in Publick the better to fit and excite their own and the peoples affections to the present occasions yet I know no necessity why private and single abilities should quite justle out and deprive the Church of the joynt abilities and concurrent gifts of many learned and godly men such as the Composers of the Service-Book were who may in all reason be thought to have more of gifts and graces enabling them to compose with serious deliberation and concurrent advise such Forms of Praiers as may best fit the Churches common wants inform the Hearers understanding and stir up that fiduciarie and fervent application of their Spirits wherein consists the very life and soul of Praier and that so much pretended Spirit of Praier then any private man by his solitary abilities can be presumed to have which what they are many times even there where they made a great noise and shew the affectations emptiness impertinencie rudeness confusions flatness levity obscurity vain and ridiculous repetitions the senslesse and oft-times blasphemous expressions all these burthened with a most tedious and intolerable length do sufficiently convince all men but those who glory in that Pharisaick way Wherein men must be strangly impudent and flatterers of themselves not to have an infinite shame of what they 〈◊〉 do and say in things of so sacred a nature before God and the Church after so ridiculous and indeed profane a manner Nor can it be expected but that in duties of frequent performance as Sacramental administrations and the like which are still the same Ministers must either come to use their own Forms constantly which are not like to be so sound or comprehensive of the nature of the duty as Forms of Publick composure or else they must every time affect new expressions when the subject is the same which can hardly be presumed in any mans greatest sufficiencies not to want many times much of that compleatness order and gravity becoming those duties which by this means are exposed at every celebration to every Ministers private infirmities indispositions errors disorders and defects both for â—udgement and expression A serious sense of which inconvenience in the Church unavoidably following every mans several manner of officiating no doubt first occasioned the wisdome and piety of the Antient Churches to remedy those mischiefs by the use of constant Liturgies of Publick composure The want of which I believe this Church will sufficiently feel when the unhappie fruits of many mens ungovern'd Ignorance and confident Defects shall be discovered in more Errours Schisms Disorders and uncharitable Distractions in Religion which are alreadie but too many the more pitie However if violence must needs bring in and abet those Innovations that men may not seem to have nothing to do which Law Reason and Religion forbid at least to be so obtruded as wholly to justle out the publick Liturgie Yet nothing can excuse that most unjust and partial severitie of those men who either lately had subscribed to used and maintained the Service Book or refusing to use it cried out of the Rigour of Laws and Bishops which suffered them not to use the Libertie of their Consciences in not using it That these men I say should so suddenly change the Liturgy into a Directorie as if the Spirit needed help for Invention though not for expressions or as if matter prescribed did not as much stint and obstruct the Spirit as if it were clothed in and
most considerable for his former wisdome discretion and valour and the first that reduced his Brigade into orderly obedience Him they now stile a worthy and valiant Member and one of the Saviours as God hath miraculously manifested him to be of this Israel from whom the House receives this account that since his coming to his Regiment the carriage of it hath been very obedient and respectfull to him and valiant a good testimony they lately gave against Longs Regiment And for any mutinous carriage to the Parliament they had expressed their hearty sorrow had desired him to send their humble petition to be received into former favour and for the quite removing the cloud of jealousie over them which they doubt not to clear by their valiant testimonies hereafter this was well taken and a President to others The Town of Newcastle Garisoned for the King had endured the utmost of Forces of the Scots Army and also of the Parliaments Northern Forces ever since the coming of the Scots And for many Moneths a most close and desperate siege to the great loss of the Besiegers by Sallies and other Executions Enduring such misery and yet with that resolution as can not be parallel'd by any other since these unhappy Wars Several Treaties and Cessations thereupon had been used by the Besiegers to win upon the Garison Then they fall to storming mining scaling and what not to enforce the Town Therefore on Saturday the 19 of October all the Scotish Forces with extraordinary violence assaulted the Town in several places at once and at the Evening became Masters thereof Sir Iohn Morley the Mayor with others got to the Castle and stood it out untill extraordinary necessity enforced them to a surrender upon good quarter The particulars you shall have from a Scot himself the Lord Humby directed to the Lord Chancelor and the rest of the Scotish Commissioners at London Right Honourable I should have gone into Newcastle on Thursday but was put off till Friday by these obstinate Miscreants especially the Maior of that Town Sir David Hume Iohn Rutherford and I went in on Friday at nine in the morning We had Commission from the General Lesley and Committee if we found real dealing to yield to honourable conditions The Maior Sir Nicholas Cole and Sir George Baker were treating with us they gave us big words do what we could they would not so much as come to speak of conditions of rendring up the Town And after three or four hours debate all that we could draw from them was that they would think upon our propositions and return them within three or four daies and that when all conditions were agreed upon they would give Hostages to surrender in case relief came not in twenty daies Nor would they so much as write to the General their own propositions so that after our return we sent to the Town these conditions forthwith to be accepted That all Officers should have liberty to stay or to march out in all honour with Arms bag and baggage to any Garison with a Convoy within sixty miles and all others not Souldiers should have the like liberty The Town to enjoy all their former Liberties and Charter with all manner of protection to the Inhabitants from plunder freedomes as any Town subject to the Parliament No free billeting imposed None to enter the Town but onely a competent Garison Signed by the General with this Caveat that they should send out Hostages by eight of the clock next morning for surrender of the Town before Munday 21. of October In stead of which they sent out to us a bitter invective Letter though they knew that all our Batteries and Mines were ready yet they boldly drew from us these enforcements Therefore this morning the Scots make three Breaches and to spring four Mines and so to fall on The Breaches were made reasonable low before three a clock after noon all the Mines played well and yet the Town stood out obstinate My Lord Chancellors Regiment and Backloughs entered a breach at Closegate The General of the Artillery his Regiment and that other of Edinburgh entered at a Mine under the White Tower Colonel Stuart and Gasks Regiments entered at a Mine but with hot dispute at Westgate this was our quarter Lieutenant General Baily had another quarter at Newgate with five Regiments his own Waughtons Cowpers Dunferlings and Dudhopes who entered by a breach many of our Officers killed Major Robert Hepburn much lamented Castles Kelhead Wedderburn Marshall and the Master of Yesters these had the third quarter Sinclare Aiton Niddery the Master of Cranston and the Lord Niddery had the fourth quarter who entered at two Mines They within made their utmost opposition with great Execution on us but we forced them and the Maior with others Gentlemen of quality got to the Castle more you shall hear within a day or two Octob. 19. 1644. Your Lordships humble Servant A. Humbie And presently upon this Letter Thanksgiving was made at London with hearty thanks to God for his great mercy in giving up the Town of Newcastle in England to our Brethren of Scotland And the 27 of October the Castle likewise surrendered with three hundred persons the Lords Craford Rea and Maxwell sent to Edinburgh to be executed and the Town taken by Onslought was plundered to the full and the Scots excused themselves that therein the Parliament of England would be the better pleased Basing House is the Seat and Mansion of the Marquess of Winchester and because it is no more now it is worthy the Record to Remember what it was It stands on a rising ground its form Circular encompassed with brick ramparts lined with earth and a very deep ditch but dry The lofty Gatâ—house with four Turrets looking Northwards on the right hand thereof without the Ditch a goodly Building containing two fair Courts before them is the Grange severed by a Wall and common Road again divided from the foot of Cowdreys down by Meads Rivelets and a River running from Basing-stoak a Mile distant from the West through Basing Town joyning upon the East the South side of the Castle hath a Park and toward Basing Town a little wood the place seated and built as if for Royalty having a proper Motto Aymez Loyalte Hither the Marquess first retired when the incivility of the War neither allowing neutrality or permitting peace to any enforced him to stand upon his guard not more then his Family yet twice the Parliaments attempts proved vain To him the King sends a hundred Musquetiers under command of Colonel Peak August 1643. against whom comes Colonel Harvey and Colonel Norton that very night but were beaten off to Farnham and after that it was re-enforced by Colonel Rowden with an hundred and fifty men more and the Marquess hath Commission to raise more November the sixth arrives Sir William VValler with his new levies seven thousand Horse and Foot and after nine daies
Desires to the King for more Men or at least Arms from beyond Seas and himself single lies close but Oglebey and his Friends were all surprized and imprisoned by the Covenanters untill the next year that Montrose set them at liberty who did him faithfull Service Montrose with onely two Gentlemen Rollock and Sibald hasts towards Scotland and by the way escaped Sir Richard Graham who was revolted to the Covenanters and undertook to discover all men affectionate to the King this Graham heretofore a very mean Iockey of the Duke of Buckingham's Stables by Industry and Deceit got into his favour to be the chief Master of his Horse and by the necessity of the Princes secret Journey into Spain was there serviceable and upon that score had grace and preferment to be made a Knight Baronet getting an Estate emulous to all his Neighbours and now becomes a Traitour But after four Days Montrose arrives at his Cosin Patrick Graham in the Sheriffdom of Perth with whom he resides disguised and sends his two Friends to discover the state of the Kingdom who return this News That all the people lay under subjection of the Covenanters and that the Marquess of Huntley had laid down his Arms and was fled to the North leaving his noble Family the Gourdons exposed to his merciless Enemies Covenanters Instead of ten thousand promised onely 110. Irish landed in the North of Scotland from Antrim under Command of Alexander Mac-Donel a Scot who met with Montrose in Atholde but Arguile their Enemy was in their Rear with an Army marching after them the Countreymen eight hundred joyn with Montrose who marches to Ern and passing by Weme Castle of the Meneses his Enemies who treacherously fell upon his Rear he burns their Houses and wasts their Fields this was the first Onset of War His noble faithfull Friend Patrick Graham commands the Athole men to scout before who meet with five hundred Foot under the leading of the Lord Kilton Son to the Earl of Taith descended of Grahams and Sir Iohn Drummond Son to the Earl of Perth both Kinsmen to Montrose raised to oppose the new-landed Irish but understanding of Montrose the state of the Kings affairs they all joyn in a Body these discover that the Covenanters were in Arms at their Rendezvouz at Perth and waited for them at Athole he marches within three miles of them drawn out in an open Plain Tippermore ready to fight and commanded by the Lord Elcho with the Earl of Tullibardin and the Lord Drummond with six thousand Foot and seven hundred Horse It was on Sunday the first of September Elcho had the right Flank one Sir Iames Scot the left and Tullibardin the Battel to each Flank Wings of Horse Montrose had not one Horse and being but few in Foot he draws out open as possible he could with his Files onely three deep commands his Ranks all to charge at once the first Rank kneeling the next stooping the third being the ablest men upright not to stoop but in the teeth of their Enemy and to spare Shot in vain and immediately after to fall in upon them with their Swords and Musquet-ends Montrose commands the right Flank against Scot the left to the Lord Kilponâ— and the Battel to Mac-Donel with his Irish. Montrose sends to the Enemy one Drummond Son to the Lord Maderty who told them That Montrose had his Commission from the King Victory they might have if they would please to conquer themselves and return to their Allegeance for his own part he was not covetous of any mans wealth nor ambitious of their honour nor envious of any mans preferment nor thirsty of bloud onely he begged of them to return faithfull to their King hitherto provoked with unspeakable injuries who had deserved to be the best of Kings These inhumane Wretches gave no Answer but send the Messenger Prisoner to Perth Being now within Musquet-shot the Enemy sends out Drummond with the Forlorn Hope at the first Onset routed them back to their Main Body and with a shout le ts loose his whole Forces upon them and puts them to flight pursued six miles two thousand slain and as many Prisoners the most take Oath with him but proved perfidious he took the City Perth but without one jot of Plunder Here he stays three Days to whom comes the Earl of Kinole with some Gentlemen of Gawry inconstant too Arguile was come up with his Army Montrose quarters in the Fields having passed over Tay near Conper a Village in Angus where Sir Thomas Ogleby Son to the Earl of Arley comes to him with others next morning early there happened a base Murder in Montrose's Quarters one Stuart lodging that night with the Lord Kilponten discovered his Design to murder Montrose inviting his assistance upon great assurance of preferment from the Covenanters who set him on work which being the Lord refused he suddenly stabb'd him with many wounds and before Day and dark he escaped to Arguile and was forthwith preferred to high Commands Montrose marches to Dundee who refuse to submit but he not fitted for a Siege turns towards Eske amongst his supposed Friends who yet withdrew onely the Ear of Arley a man of sixty years old with his two Sons Sir Thomas and Sir David and some others joyned with him through all extremities to the end And now they march towards Aberdine where lay Commissioners of the Covenanters with an Army of two thousand Foot and five hundred Horse commanded by the Lord Burgly labouring to assure the Northern parts which Montrose would prevent and fight them ere that Arguile should come and first gets the Bridg over Dee where he found the Enemy drawn up near the City Montrose had but fifteen hundred Foot and but just four and fourty Horse for he had given leave to Kilponten's men to convoy their dead Master home and the Athole men were returned with Spoil with these he made two Divisions mixing his best Fire-men and Archers nimble and quick on either Wing to prevent the Enemies Horse upon his Rear the right Flank to Iames Hay and Nathaniel Gordon the left to Sir William Rollock The Enemies left Wing was commanded by Lewis Gordon Son to the Marquess Huntly a Hare-brain'd Fellow that had forced his Fathers Friends to this Fight who charges Montrose's right Flank whom Rollock aided with twenty Horse and beating back three hundred to a Rout and run away but left them for the Enemies right Wing of Horse was charging their left who had no Horse till these twenty Horse were got in but not able to endure so great a Charge wheeled about and fell upon the Enemies Flank with their Swords and put them also to Flight Those Horse that stood it out were to be assisted with fresh Foot out of the Main Body which Montrose soon apprehending prevented them fell upon the other on all sides and put them to a Flight whom he followed with execution into the Gates and Streets
both Armies and with his Rhetoriâ—k stops the onset and so both Hosts retired and Torstenton takes leave and returns to his party in Germany Gallasso lets him passe but follows him to the like intention as when he let the other goe oftentimes able to attach the other and to worst him just like that of the Danish Admiral and as deserving to forfeit his head as corrupted by the Swede Truly Galasso was a gallant man and better judgements may excuse him not to advance unlesse the Leaguer men first concluded upon Terms as between the French and Swedes which the Dane as was conceived could not refuse in regard the Emperour came in to extinguish the fire amongst them but left it flaming at home and being Leaguer'd together things might become as in the former condition before the War since the interest of Denmark seemed to require it and all to abase and weaken the Swede The good King was thus deceived upon respective interests of each Party and so the overtures of the Dunkerk failing the Emperâ—alists returned home leaving the Dane to himself in distresse for the losse of six stately Ships four taken and two fired the King not Master of himself having to do with his own States of different sense with his and the successe of affairs thereafter The Swedes almost Conquerours but the Kings virtue over-mastering such misfortunes gathers his Fleet at Copen-haven to preserve Zeland when the Hollander religious in nothing more then their Interest of gain both to see the Swedes to swell too big and to get the Sound arrived with a Fleet at Copen-haven land an Ambassadour who resumed the heat which Tuillery had left so hot and never left powring on the water of good counsel until he had cooled the Swede with threats also that made the Swede agree to a peace with much advantage to the Dane and gave the good King Christian quiet to end his daies in peace after that he had reigned above fifty years lodging all his malice into a Record until time come to be quit with the Swede for those encounters And thus we take leave of the year 1644. The great Ordinance for calling the Members of both Houses from Military and Civil affairs and places was with exception of such and such persons and places mentioned therein And a particular Commission was ordered by Parliament for the General Fairfax to execute all Martial jurisdiction and fight with and slay such as shall oppose him and to suppress all such Forces as are not raised by authority of Parliament And because sundry ill-affected persons had fomented discontents between the two Houses in relation to this new model of the Army and so report that the Commons went to undermine their Lordships priviledges which intention they do disclaim and abhor and do acknowledge the many Noble and Renowned Actions performed by their Lordships Ancestors in defence of the liberty of the Commons This Speech was made to the Lords by Sir Iohn Evelin from the Commons and concluded to assure them that the House of Commons consisted of no other persons but such as were Gentlemen c. And a Declaration was left by him unto the Lords from the Commons to publish to the world what he hath spoken on their behalfs The Kingdome of Sweden now under the Regency of the young Queen onely Daughter and Heir to Gustavus took this time and opportunity of the jealousie of the Parliament against the Crown of Denmark for assisting the King of Englands party to send Ambassadours to the Parliament for a Treaty of League and Amity with them which was heartily accepted and fixed into Articles so that by this we are accounted both as one And now comes Colonel Mitton into the House of Commons to receive Publick thanks for his fidelity to the State especially for that gallant Service in surprizing Shrewsbury In had been the Kings chief Garison and faithfull to his Interest and of long time had endured the vexation of a powerfull Enemy which they quitted by often sallies and plundering their Adversaries thereabout but was lately Feb. 22 last surprized by the Committees of Wem and Oswestrie being assisted with four Companies and four hundred Horse from the Neighbour associations and three hundred Staffordshire Foot and one Company under command of Colonel Bowes and all these under the general command of Mitton about fifteen hundred men But without all this adoe in numbring up their Forces it was in a word betrayed to the Parliament with many persons of quality the manner I could never well understand nor would they print the shame of treachery The Prisoners were eight Knights and Bâ—ronets fourty Colonels Majors Captaines and others of quality two hundred common men one Captain and five Souldiers slain They took fifteen pieces of Ordnance many hundreds of Arms divers Barrels of Powder Prince Maurice his Magazin the Town the Castle and all the works and without the loss of three men For they say there were but two killed by chance So that a day of thanksgiving was set apart for the Parliaments successes in taking Scarborough Plymouth Weymouth and Shrewsbury within a moneth The old General Essex lately laid aside took his retirement out of Town from the noise and clamour of his Officers now discarded And although their merits were much to the service of the Parliament yet divers of them also upon what account we may imagine were questioned and committed without their Arrears And others of them the wiser way gave up their Commissions to save the labour and dishonour of being taken per force Prudently considering that a new Model of manners in the main of the Militia must necessarily require a mutation and change of men to manage that service answerable to the mindes of such as command in chief For indeed Essex was not at all Presbyterian nor could he preach And therefore it was resolved by himself and his Counsellours for him to surrender his Commission together with the Earl of Manchester's and the Earl of Denbigh's two General Commanders before they should be thereto required They did it on a day together in the Lords House And Essex therewith delivers a Paper which spoke his sence April 2. Having received this great Charge in obedience to the commands of both Houses and taken their Sword into my hand I can with confidence say that I have for this now almost three years faithfully served you and I hope without loss of Honour to my self or prejudice to the Publick supported therein by the goodness of God and the fidelity and courage of a great many gallant men both Officers and Souldiers But I will neither trouble you nor my self by repeating either the difficulties or danger we have overcomed or the service that I have done you I see by the now coming up of these Ordinances that it is the desire of the House of Commons that my Commission may be vacated and it hath been no particular
respect to my self whatever is whispered to the contrary that hath made me thus long omit to declare my readiness thereto it being not unknown to divers men of Honour that I had resolved it after the action of Glocester but that some importunities pressed on me with arguments of publick advantage and that by those of unquestionable affection over-ruled me therein I now do it and return my Commission into those hands that gave it me wishing it may prove as good an expedient to the present distempers as some will have it believed which I shall pray for with as hearty a zeal as any can desire my doing this which I now do I think it not immodest that I intreat both Houses that those Officers of mine which are now laid by might have their debenters audited some considerable part of their Arrears payed them for their support and the remainder secured them by the publick Faith and that those of them that remain questioned may be brought to some speedy trial whereby they may receive either the punishment or justification that is due to them under which notion I remember onely three of whom I must testifie that they franckly and couragiously have adventured their lives and lost their blood for the Publick and that with continued fidelity for ought ever I could observe My Lords I know that jealousies cannot be avoided in the unhappy condition of our present affairs yet wisdome and charity should put such restraints thereunto as not to allow it to become destructive I hope that this advice from me is not unseasonable wishing my self and my friends may amongst others participate the benefit thereof this proceeding from my affection to the Parliament the prosperity whereof I shall ever wish from my heart what return soever it brings me I being no single example in that kinde of that fortune I now undergoe Good man little dreamed he heretofore to be so soon discarded being lately caressed from the King and the whole body of that Army offering to him the wayes and means of reconciliation and peace then in his power which indeed was some reason of his remove To tamper with an Enemy gives cause of suspition from those that imploy him and in truth they found him honourable and honest We say no more but they mistrust him and he comforts himself Not to be the single example of eminent Persons of this kinde and fortunes No we need not wander much out of the way to fetch a President from his Father for tampering with Tyrone he forfeited his head not long after Indeed Denbigh was neglected and Manchester was wise and saw how the world went biassed with desperate design to undoe all as they imagined But upon these surrenders the Lord calls a conference with the Commons and conclude this Declaration Whereas the Earl of Essex Earl of Manchester and Earl of Denbigh had this day in the House of Peers laid down their Commissions the House did declare that they did esteem it an acceptable service in this conjuncture of time and as an evident demonstration of the fidelity and care these three Lords had to the publick and therefore desired the House of Commons to concur for payment of their Officers arrears And a Committee was chosen to consider of gratifying those Lords for their former faithfull service Which when it shall come to their Receipt I shall not fail to remember the summons of their reward But not to trouble your expectation I shall take leave at this time to sum up his future condition He retired out of the publick apparance unto Eltham House in Kent where his melancholy disposition contracted into a Fever of which he dyed at London September 24. 1646. Of whom more particular in that due place and time The Earl of Warwick also surrenders his Commission of Admiral and that Office intrusted to Commissioners six Lords and twelve Commons they are named the Earls of Essex Northumberland Pembroke Warwick the Lords Say and North. But the Commons did the work the others for names sake onely Sir T. Fairfax in a Triumphing March sets out of London towards VVindsor his Army being compleat but stayed for the finishing the great Ordinance For discharging the Members of Parl from all Offices Military and Civil which indured notable debates ere that the Houses could concurre in each particular the substance thereof was That all and every the Members of either House shall be discharged at the end of fourty daies after the passing of the Ordinance of all their command Military or Civil conferred by Parliament since the 20. of November 1640. That all other Governours and Commanders not Members by Land or Sea shall continue in their Offices wherein they were intrusted the 20 of March 1644. Provided and excepted that Lieutenants or their Deputies in the several Counties Cities and Places or of any Custos Rotularum or Iustices of Peace or Sewers or any Commission of Oyer and Terminer or Goal Delivery And also that those Members of either House who had Offices by Grant from his Majesty before this Parliament and were by Him displaced before the sitting of this Parliament and have since by the Parliament been restored shall not be discharged from their said Offices or Profits thereof but shall enjoy the same April 3. At this time came forth a grievous complaint of a scandalous Pamphlet as they call'd it in Print Entituled A Character of a London Diurnal fathered by Mr. Cleveland of St. Iohns Colledg in Cambridg and appears say they a precious piece of wit in the eyes of Malignants I shall not thereby confess my self to be one if I commend it But did ever any man read more mistaken stuff forced together then what may be found in the Diurnals News Books of that time we hope that this History shall not be arraigned by those Texts The King continues at Oxford Garison but hath all things in readiness to march out for the City was hard beset by the Parliaments Forces the two Princes Brothers with Goring Hopton Gerard and others are all met at Bristol to confer about the war The Forces of Greenvile and Dorington continue blocking up of Taunton in the West Langdale hath lately relieved Sir Winter's house in the Forest of Dean and beat of Col. Massey with great loss Lieutenant General Cromwel and Waller follow the Western war and are now about Salisbury Skippon about Buckingham Brown about Abbington Brereton in Cheshire And the Scots sent unto by several Messengers to march Southwards the North being well cleared But the General Fairfax quartered at Windsor Lieutenant General Cromwel with a Brigade of but eleven hundred Horse had fallen upon the Kings Horse under the Command of the Earl of Northampton and part of the Queens Regiment at Islip Bridge neer Oxford and had taken four hundred Horse two hundred Prisoners the Queens Colours and those that escaped fled to Blackington House where Colonel Windebank kept a Garison for
1000. Foot odds of their Enemies and yet left their Siege works well manned at Chester and meet the Cavaliers in their March sending their Forlorn by Captain Otter the Body commanded by Mitton Iones and Louthian against men of resolution and gallantry but overmastered because overpowred and with other advantages to boot defeated the Cavaliers kild some and took Horse and Foot more then will be imagined and this was 1. of November A second design of Relief was nobly attempted by the Lord Aston who in his way was met with near Stur-bridge Horse to Horse each a Regiment Aston too forward was wounded and taken prisoner he scaped no better others payed dear on both sides loss whereof neither bragged and this was ten days after the other defeat Thus abroad and more at home for Byron was a brave man discreet and valiant but could not doe much more then he did within doores for wearied a long time with Sallies outward was now overpowred and overpressed that he was forced to keep in and feed upon nothing even to nothing in great distress when Horse-flesh failed Sir William Brereton and Col. Mitton now command the Leaguer heretofore knowing the resolution of gallant Governours supposed it to no purpose to summon Byron that never used to yield yet now each Opposite fall to treat but the Overtures high neither of them would condiscend November 28. for Byron had intelligence of the Kings earnest desire and unfortunate endeavours for his Relief and the Parliament debating and voting for a Committee on purpose to order force upon force to joyn with Brereton for the gaining of this Garison blocking up and guarding all ways and passages about the County to hinder Relief December 9. And therefore the Townsmen murmur first then mutiny which Byron appeases with promises after a weeks expectation of Relief if none comes to treat upon Surrender and as yet none comes nor can and therefore Brereton ingeniously writes to him For the Lord Byron and the Mayor of Chester SIR Experience tells you on what Foundations your hopes of Relief were grounded but that you may see â—y tender care of the preservation of the Lives and Estates of the Inhabitants once more I summon you to deliver this Garison into my hands for the use of the King and Parliament with expecting your speedy Answer Your Servant Will. Brereton Chester Suburbs Jan. 17. But Byron was busie and did not answer Brereton sends the second time again SIR I perceive my Desire to preserve the Citie encourageth a great obstinacie as though you expected as good Conditions when you can hold out no longer as if you had treated the last Summons which proceeded not from any fear of disturbance for I believe your self is hopeless of Relief but to prevent further miserie and the ruine of that Citie which will be remediless I expect your Answer by three a clock this Day Your Servant Will. Brereton Jan. 12. To which Byron answers We are not convinced by experience of the groundless Foundation of our hopes of Relief neither is our Condition such as to precipitate us to a prejudicial Treatie however if within twelve Days we be not assured of Relief by a Gentleman and Citizen whom we shall send for that purpose with a Trumpet of ours and a Pass from you we shall then be contented to enter into a Treatie for Surrender upon honourable and orderly condition Charls Walley Mayor Your Servant John Byron Chester Jan. 12. And instantly replied unto the same Day The Writing sent by the Drummer is not satisfactory to the Summons neither will I assent to your Desires in any part of it If you return not a positive Answer before ten a clock to morrow morning expect no further Treatie Will. Brereton This was sharp and sudden but Byron stirs not having sent out a Messenger whose return he expected That if Relief came not by the end of this Moneth Ianuary at the furthest he could hold out no longer This Messenger is intercepted on his way which Brereton sends to the Parliament having private order if possible to spare the storming and plunder of that City which Brereton hoped to govern hereafter and he being that Countreyman was not willing to ruine the chief Town The time is come and they treat ten Days spent with several Transactions in hope of Relief for which strong preparations were made whereof the Besiegers had frequent advertisement that Sir Iacob Ashley and Colonel Vaughan had united and lay hovering about Bridg-North their Intention to have joyned with the Welch Forces under the Lord St. Paul and some Irish that came over in December last and those other lately landed at Blewmorris who were part of the Lord Digby's Regiment as the intercepted Letters mentioned to prevent which Conjunction Brereton sends three Regiments of Horse the Warwickshire the Reformado's Regiment and part of the Staffordshire Horse and Foot and also of the Cheshire Dragoons together with some of Colonel Mitton's Horse and Foot which Party was commanded by Mitton who marched to Ruthen the four and twentieth of this Moneth Ianuary intending to fall upon the Cavaliers Quarters who made their way and marched to Denbigh and so to Conway but Mitton came in good time after for Ruthen Castle was so ill provided that he hath hope to master it however the Conjunction of the Cavaliers is frustrate which probably occasioned the Cavaliers Retreat quite away so as now the Besieged hopeless sent out their Commissioners Ian. 30. to treat with the Assailants The first Day nothing was concluded The next Day the Besiegers importuned to lengthen the Treaty for three Days longer which being denied they conclude the first of February Between Iohn Lord Byron Field-Marshal General of North-Wales and Governour of Chester and Sir William Brereton Knight and Baronet Commander in chief of all the Forces of Cheshire The Lord Byron and all Noblemen Commanders and Officers and Souldiers in all their Apparel whatsoever The Lord Byron with Horse and Arms and ten Men alike accomplished to attend him His Lady and Servants with Coaches and in each four Horses with such other Ladies and Gentlewomen as he thinks fit and with his Books Evidences and Writings in his possession and all of them with not above fourty pounds in Money and twenty pounds in Plate The rest of the Noblemen and their Ladies answerable with Honour and Arms and not above thirty pounds in Money Every Knight and Colonel alike with ten pounds in Money and so in a respective condition and quality of every Officer to the common Souldier who was to march away with twenty Shillings In a word throughout their degrees Men and Women answerable and as reasonable for the Citizens So that I shall conclude for the honour of Sir William Brereton although he knew the Distress of the Garison yet he was so noble and so much a Gentleman and a Souldier that in earnest I finde his Concessions worthy of honourable Record which I mention
man so turbulent that as Judg Ienkins said If the World were emptied of all but John Lilburn Lilburn would quarrel with John and John with Lilburn Now for satisfaction to those Sufferers to be had from their Judges most or all Parliament Members yet the Judges in general were fined hundreds of pounds to be paid them in general but every one excusing Is it I little or none was paid untill that afterwards one of their Widows revived the Suit and petitioned for the Remain of the Fine which was ready to be voted upon old Sir Henry Vane there being never another honest man of all the Judges left alive in the House of Commons for satisfaction which he would fain have excused for his proportionable part but a wise Member stood up and told them all It was a blessed time now when a single Counsellour of State after twenty years opinion should be sentenced by a Parliament to give satisfaction for a mis-judgment acted by a Bodie of Council so many years since a leading Case for each Privie Counsellour that was present if either of them should be hereafter questioned for judgment given in these our last Daies And so it proceeded no further We are weary of the War the Reader tired the writer tending to an end of this Year we shall Conclude with two or three remarkable Surrenders of several Garisons to Fairfax in the West The Town of Dart mouth in Dorsetshire was governed by Sir Hugh Pollard a Devonshire Knight a strong and convenient Port in the West Garisoned to the purpose for the Kings service since the beginning of this war but when many other of Garisons were gone and lost Sir Thomas Fairfax in the West takes a resolution to gain it and first sends sufficient Forces to straiten their Quarters thereabout And after the besiegers for the King against Plimouth had quitted their Trenches and gone not able to withstand Fairfax then at Totnes He now at leasure hastens from thence to Dartmouth and sends before two Regiments of Foot to march to Dicsam and two more to Stokefleming being on the West side of Dart River and having summoned the Town he resolved upon storming it the 17. of Ianuary in three places The first Post on the VVest gate by Colonel Hamond on the North by Colonel Pride and on Trutstal Church and works by Colonel Fortescue The Evening come the Assailants fall on to whom Colonel Lambert's Regiment was a Reserve and to Allarm the Town elsewhere Hamond in hot service enters the West gate against four Guns planted there and two others upon the Mill-pool upon his Flank but he went on and was bravely repulsed till at last he got one Fort after another viz. Mount-flaggon the VVest gate Paradise-fort and beat them off the Main Guard and so possessed the Town by the West gate to little Dartmouth Pride did his part on the North side to the Draw Bridge and by the way he meets with Hamond and his Men and so by degrees each Assailants together gained all but the great Fort on the East side called Kingsworth Fort and the Castle with the Fort which lay over at the Mouth of the Harbour called Gallant Bowâ—â— out of which the Governour and the Earl of Newport and others got out and the Governour doing his duty in other places was shot into the Thigh upon which he retreated to the Castle Some others of the Assailants Allarumed Kingsworth first commanded by Sir Henry Cary with his Regiment having in it 12. Guns a very strong Fort with 4. Bulwarks and made a gallant resistance and slew many and gave not over until over-powered he marched off upon honourable conditions for all was lost but the Castle and Gallants Bower Fairfax the next day Summons the Castle and after long disputes and costly purchase the Governour there surrenders upon good Quarter Colonel Seaâ—or and Mr. Denham being Hostages and the whole Garison delivered up with 103. peices of Ordnance 500. Prisoners This being done the General Fairfax by his Letters acknowledgeth it a sweet Mercy of God and the hearts of all under his command with integrity to serve the Parliament the successe of whose affairs he sayes depends upon the ordering of a gracious Providence which will carry them on through the greatest difficulties until God hath finished his own work The Governour and the Earl of Newport Colonel Seamour and Twenty Captaines of note Prisoners in all Eight hundred and odd And for this good service the Parliament order him to be put in possession of 2500. per. an as it was formerly voted And he marches away from Dartmouth to the effectual blocking up and after taking in of Exeter The 25. of Ianuary he and the Lord General march to Pouthrane Fort within three miles of Exeter lately surrendered sends their summons to Sir Iohn Barkley Governour of Exeter with conditions to himself his Officers Citizens and Souldiers Ianuary seventeenth To which the Goverour made a short and bold reply That his trust was delivered to him from his Majesty which he would discharge to his power That they have no reason to distrust a blessing from God in delivering that Garrison who is able to deliver them and may be so pleased without a Miracle the Prince having so considerable force at so near a distance to them that if all actions of their lives were as Innocent as their hands of the blood that hath and shall be spilt in defence of their righteous cause they shall in all events rest in perfect Peace of minde and will not despare c. Fairfax replies with some ingenuity but as yet not prevailes and therefore makes two bridges over the River Ex blocks up the City on all sides and now within Musket-shot He leaves the siege to Sir Hardrese Waller and marches himself to the North-west of Devonshire Burnstable and so into Cornwal for prince Charles was in person raising the Trained-bands in Cornwal having committed his Army to the Lord Hopton to the end if the successe failed he might ttansport himself to Scilly which he did afterwards But by the way Fairfax falls upon the Princes Forces at Torrington who drew out into the closes where they skirmished with great courage till each retired the Lord General Cromwel rides to the Barricadoes and gives fire with six Dragoons to try what the engaged would do which they soon found to their cost answering them with a very sharp volley and killed many The Forelorn of Fairfax thus engaged the Reserve came up to the Reliefe and was beaten untill the whole Army advanced and about Eight at night the Battle began near the Town to which at last they retreated and being followed the Horse got in after and received a charge so resolutely that they were like to give over But the Army seconding their losses with fresh men the Town was wholly gained but the Magazine in the Church by a train was fired the Church blown up and more mischief to
the purchasers then the sword had done before Eighty barrels of power did the work most terrible to the Assailants that dreamed not of such an Accident Upon the firing the Cavaliers gave a charge also in the amaze of their Enemy and commanded by Sir Iohn Digby did the execution resolutely and bid farewel at Eleven at night and marched away into Cornwal These were old Souldiers of Gorings and Greenviles and now scattered abroad by this encounter Hopton was shot in the Thigh and Digby in the Head some Prisoners and Horse taken of such as were slaine But the rest kept rendezvouz at Stratton the Prince at Lamiston and Fairfax follows The 25. of February he sends a party of 1000. Horse and 400. Dragoons before he came to Lamiston commanded by Colonel Basset a gallant Gentleman fell upon this forelorn-hope and after a hot skirmish and the whole Army coming near hand he quitted the Town And the Prince hears of this and the forces marching towards Pendennis Castle he quits the place and ships himself with the Lord Capel Lord Culpepper and Sir Edward Hide March the first to the Isle of Scilly The Lord Hopton with some small forces at Trurâ— in Cornwal the General sends him summons Sir Through Gods goodness to his people and his just hand against their Enemies forces being reduced to such condition as to my sense the hand of God continuing with us they are not like to have subsistence or shelter long to escape thence nor if they could have they whither to goe for better To prevent the shedding of more blood I have sent you this summons for your self and them to lay down Arms upon those conditions enclosed which are Christian-like Noble and Honourable to be accepted March 5. Some time was taken up in this Treaty and concluded That the Lord Hopton shall disband his Army in the West the General Fairfax excepting His Lordship to have fifty of his own Horse and fifty of Fairfax for his Convoy to Oxford all strangers to have Passes beyond Seas and to carry with them what is their own without Horses and Arms. All English Officers to go home to their Habitations or if they will beyond Seas Each Colonel to have his Horse and two Men and Horses to wait on them Each Captain one Man and Horse The Troopers Twenty shillings a piece and to goe where they pleased March 13. But Hopton hearing of the ill effects of the Propositions for peace takes shipping with divers other of his Officers and sailed into France where he remained many years after And the West being cleared Fairfax returns back again to the Siege of Bristol where we leave him to take breath And in this time also the Kings party spared not to weaken his Enemies Towns are retaken some surprised encounters answered defeats redoubled death and devastation that I dread to write of all It sufficeth that mostly we have named the Fields and Fights for I have almost done whilst I devote my self to his Majesties pious Meditations upon this subject The various Successes sayes the King of this unhappy war have at least afforded me variety of good meditations sometimes God was pleased to try me with victory by worsting my Enemies that I might know how with moderation and thanks to own and use his power who is only the true Lord of Hosts able when he pleases to repress the confidence of those that fought against me with so great advantages for power and number From small beginnings on my part he let me see that I was not wholly for saken by my peoples love or his protection Other times God was pleased to exercise my patience and teach me not to trust in the arm of flesh but in the living God My sins sometimes prevailed against the justice of my cause and those that were with me wanted not matter and occasion for his just chastisment both of them and me Nor were mine Enemies lesse punished by that prosperity which hardened them to continue that injustice by open hostility which was begun by most riotous and unparliamentary Tumults There is no doubt but personal and private sins may oft-times over-balance the justice of Publick engagements nor doth God account everie gallant man in the worlds esteem a fit instrument to assert in the way of VVar a righteous Cause The more men are prone to arrogate to their own skil valour and strength the lesse doth God ordinarily work by them for his own glory I am sure the event or success can never state the Iustice of any Cause nor the peace of mens consciences nor the eternal fate of their Soules Those with me had I think clearly and undoubtedly for their Iustification the Word of God and the Laws of the Land together with their own Oathes all requiring obedience to my just Commands but to none other under Heaven without me or against me in the point of raising Arms. Those on the other side are forced to flie to the shifts of some pretended Fears and wild fundamentals of State as they call them which actually overthrow the present fabrick both of Church and State being such imaginary Reasons for self-defence as are most impertinent for those men to allege who being my Subjects were manifestly the first assaulters of me and the Laws First by unsuppressed Tumults after by listed Forces The same Allegations they use will fit aâ—y Faction that hath but power and confidence enough to second with the Sword all their demands against the present Laws and Governours which can never be such as some side or other will not finde fault with so as to urge what they call a Reformation of them to a Rebellion against them some Parasitick Preachers have dared to call those Martyrs who died fighting against me the Laws their Oaths and the Religion Established But sober Christians know that glorious title can with truth be applied only to those who sincerely preferred Gods truth and their duty in all these particulars before their lives and all that was dear to them in this world who having no advantageous designs by any Innovation were religiously sensible of those Ties to God the Church and my self which lay upon their Souls both for obedience and just assistance God could and I doubt not but he did through his mercy crown many of them with eternal life whose lives were lost in so just a Cause the destruction of their bodies being sanctified as a means to save their soules Their wounds and temporal ruin serving as a gracious opportunitie for their eternal health and happiness while the evident approach of death did through Gods grace effectually dispose their hearts to such Humility Faith and Repentance which together with the Rectitude of their present engagement would fully prepare them for a better life then that which their enemies brutish and disloyal fiercenâ—sse could deprive them of or without Repentance hope to enjoy They have often indeed had the better against my side in the
fought with Those that came up close upon him were Pikemen who stuck their points into his Target and which he as fast cut off with his Sword and when Montrose came in their Horse fled but their Foot fought to the last man and were all slain Nor had Hurrey himself escaped but that Aboin with the Enemies Colours which he had taken in the flight came in flourishing with them as in a brave which Montrose supposed the Enemies recruit and made much disorder The Enemy lost many stout men Campbel Laver a Colonel Sir Iohn and Sir Gideon Murray and sundry taken Prisoners Young Napier of Marcheston fought valiantly and came to Montrose his Uncle without his Fathers know ledge at Edenburgh whom the Christian Covenanters drag'd to the Goale an old good man of seventy years with his wife the daughter of the Earl of Mane Sir Stirling Keer his Brother his two sisters the one Wife to Sterling the other a Virgin and all upon this score cast into the Dungeon till it pleased God Montrose and Napier relieved them out this Battle was fought at Aldern 4 of May 1645. Montrose marches on to Elgine and over the Spey to Keeth to Frendrach and so to Strath-boggy Here Baily meets him not yet fitted to fight against fresh men and therefore in the night he passeth to Balvoine and then to Strath-done and Strath-spey to Bodenoth the enemy follownig with Skirmishes and beating up his Quarters so that Montroses men were over-wearied but were rid of the other now who went to Innerness The Earl of Lindsey prime Leader of the Covenanters next to Arguile who wanted care and courage took upon him the sole Command of their Army and was marched into Angus a Reserve to Bailey or to hinder Montrose passage over Forth fearing to have the War nearer Edenburgh Therefore Montrose seeks him out from Badenoth he marches through the Plain of Marre over Gransbain and came to the River Airley and Lindsey seven miles off at a Castle Newtil and ready to be assaulted the Northern men run home again being inveagled by old Huntley that hated Montrose his glorious successes and so Lindsey escaped a scouring or Montrose was resolved to have done the work or to have died there In some discontent he resolves afresh to follow Colonel Nath. Gordon whom he had sent before Bailey and Hurrey were returned from Innerness and quartered beside Dee and Montrose was come to the County Cramarro And by the way he sends Mac-donel to the farthest part of the Highlands to fetch such Forces as were there raised and sends away the Lord Gordon to Nath Gordon for those men which he had listed Lindsey joynes with Baily and so now was too hard for Montrose who therefore got to Kingarf Castle for fafety Then Lindsey with the best of his men leaves Bailey returns through Merne into Angus ranges up and down Athole Baily goes to Bogi the fair Castle of Huntley and to ruine his Countrey which Montrose means to defend and by his Scouts he findes that Bailyâ—s Foot stood on a Hill two miles off and his Horse guarded a Pass in the midst of the two Armies against whom he sends some horse and nimble Firelocks which were entertained with light Skirmishes afar off and so retire to their Pass man'd with Musketiers which Montrose endeavoured to remove with his Foot but night parted that design and the next morning he sends a Trumpet to Baily to come forth of his Pass and fight but he would not and so Montrose to draw him off marches to Druminere Castle being pursued by Baily to Ailford Hill which Montrose possesseth behind him a moorish place to prevent Horse before him a steep Hill Baily was an experienced Souldier and was drawn to Battle against his will by the Lord Balcurise a Colonel of Horse The Lord Gordon had the right Wing and assisted by Nath. Gordon the left to the Lord Aboin joyned with Rollock the main Battle to Glengar and Drummond of Ball and to them he added Geo. Graham Mr. of the Camp the Reserve hid behinde the Hill to Napier The number of Foot were equal each 2000. but Baily had six hundred Horse the other but two hundred Montrose drawes down to the Vale the Lord Gordon gives the Charge and was gallantly received but being closed and to handy blows Nathaniel calls to the Firelocks to fling down their guns and with their Swords pierce the Horses or ham-string them which they did and instantly Montrose draws on the Reserve from behind the Hill at whose unexpected sight the Enemy fly Aboin kept off attempting by light Skirmishes in small Parties upon them who seeing their own men on the left Wing to be routed and put to flight retreated handsomely with little losse their Foot were stout men refusing Quarter were all cut off And here falls the Lord Gordon who in too much gallantry the Battle being won would needs presse after the thickest by the flying Enemy and with a shot falls down dead Montrose not many two Gentlemen Culchol and Milton and some common Souldiers but the Lord Gordon answered for a Million mightily missed in the Military Affairs after this Battle was fought 2. Iuly 1645. And presently Montrose marches through Angus where he meets Patrick Graham with his men Athole men and Macâ—donel with fresh Highlanders a great power with Maclein the chief of his sept with 700. of his own friends also the chief of the Mac-ranolds with 500. men the Mac-gregories and Mac-nabies with good numbers And Glengar with 500. more out of the Plains of Maure many more and a hundred out of Badenoth all â—tout able men With these Montrose resolves to make his way to the heart of the Kingdom to come to the Parliament at St. Iohnstown so marches and comes to encampe in Methfin Forrest near the Town and soon frightned the Parliament who never dreamt he durst come so near amazing them upon the walls with a sight of Packsaddle draught and poor Jades all mounted in shew of goodly Troops when he had not 200. Horse and thus all gaze He expecting Forces from the North and they from Fife and other places which suddenly were come and so provoke to fight but Montrose was not fitted and so marches away to Dukheldon Aboin and Colonel Gordon are come with two hundred Horse and as many Firelocks whom they had mounted and made Dragoons amongst whom came the Earl of Airlye and Sir David his Son with eighty Horse of the most noble Family of Oglebies and so Montrose marches to Strath Erne Fife County is the most populous rich and full of Towns in all Scotland the Inhabitants not Martial Husbandmen and Traders but of new Fangled religious Opinions tot quot sententiae It is almost an Island the South bordering with the Scotish Firth the North with Tay the East with the Sea No entrance by Land but by the West in which strait both Armies now are lodged but they would not fight and
Parliament no further Expectation of Aid from Ireland or any foreign Friend the Lord Ashley was onely in a Body but closely pursued by Sir William Brereton and Colonel Morgan Governour of Glocester and in the end not able to avoid the Quarrel they came to fight the one and twentieth of March where Ashley was totally defeated near Stow in the Wold upon the edg of Glocestershire himself taken Prisoner fifteen hundred Horse and Foot with his Baggage Ammunition and all and therefore he told them that took him Their Work was done they might go play Meaning that the King had lost all And it seems so by the hasty Vote of the Parliament to the Kings Letter which Message was in effect That he offers to come to his two Houses upon their Assurance for the safety of his Person and to advise with them for the good and safety of the Kingdom Provided that all those who have adhered to his Majesty may have liberty to return in peace to their own home to live in quiet without the Obligation of the National Oath or Covenant and Sequestration to be taken off from their Estates And that then his Majesty will disband all his Forces dismantle his Garisons pass an Act of Oblivion and free Pardon to all and give ample satisfaction to the Kingdom of Scotland March 23. But it is now too late and therefore they answer not at all unless he be willing to take notice of this Ordinance That in case the King shall contrary to the advise of Parliament already given to him come or attempt to come within the Lines of Communication that then the Committee of the Militia of London shall have power and are hereby enjoyned to raise such Force as they shall think fit to prevent any Tumult that may arise by his coming and to suppress any that shall happen and to apprehend and secure any such as shall come with him to prevent resort unto him and to secure his person from danger Nay more That all persons whatsoever that have born Arms against the Parliament are to depart the City by the sixth of April upon the penalty as followeth viz. The Lords and Commons taking notice of the great concourse and resort of Papist Officers and Souldiers of Fortune and such as have been in Arms against the Parliament of England from the Enemies Garisons and Quarters unto the Citie of London and Westminster and other parts within the Lines of Communication That such depart c. before the sixth of April next or to be declared against as Spies and to be proceeded against according to the Rules of War unless with licence of the Committee of Goldsmiths Hall and of the Militia of London and the Sub-committees are hereby to keep strict Guards and Watches to make frequent Searches Provided that this Act shall not extend to such as came in to the Parliament before the first of June last And that no Peer have licence but by the House of Lords And this Order to continue for a moneth after the sixth of April and no longer March 30. Then for fear that the King should come notwithstanding all their fore-warnings Letters are devised from several places of Intelligence That the King is resolved to come suddenly to London And with some Designs also hinted as might seem most dangerous to the Parliament and Kingdom Therefore the Parliament order That Letters shall be suddenly sent to the Prince as in answer to former received from him as also to the King that Commissioners will forthwith be sent to his Majesty with Propositions of Peace And now we have almost done fighting in the Field some Garisons onely stand out but others are daily surrendred And for these and such like Victories we have such City-feastings Bonefires and Bell-ringings as that we were imagined to be all mad which the Pay-masters of all the Aldermen and the rest expressed in the highest manner that could be as being the effects of joy union sweet harmony heavenly blessings and the like as indeed we want words also to express their conceits Then was there established a Court Martial in London with Articles published against such Inhabitants as were but tending to the malignancy of Cavaliery as that it was almost impossible for a conscionable Subject but to be liable to their punishment And withall comes out another Ordinance viz. That no persons whatsoever shall repair to the King Queen Prince or Lords malignant or to either of them or to any Commander or Officer of theirs or shall hold Intelligence with them or shall plot contrive or endeavour with the Enemie contrary to the Rules of War not to relieve any person that have taken up Arms against the Parliament not to assemble or mutinie And against such as have taken up Arms against the Parliament and have taken the Covenant no Officer shall desert his Trust none that hath been in Arms against the Parliament or assisted the Enemy shall come to London or Westminster without a Pass and shall not also within eight and fourty hours tender himself to the Parliament All these aforesaid shall die the death without mercie And this Ordinance to last for three moneths April 3. What should the Kings party his Souldiers and Friends do that had delivered up themselves and Garisons upon Articles and Quarter but to return home which indeed in effect was for all or the most to come to London for means for inquiry for subsistence and for courses to sell Lands raise Moneys to seek Relief and to compound multitudes of such are come and must suddenly be gone again others on their way to the City and ignorant of the Ordinances fell unwittingly under the Penalties and so are daily taken seized and hurried into Prisons or Goals and are utterly ruined ere they know for what This makes them repent their hasty Surrenders of Garisons rather to have been there slain in honour by the Sword than after all to be undone at home Aud to colour the cruelty it was surmized that probably these had some horrible Design against the Parliament City and Kingdom which was referred to other Committees to do and order the Cavaliers to dispose and command them as they should think fit A mischief to the Sufferers beyond all their former miseries thus to submit to a City Committee made up they said of Tradesmen and Tailours These Tidings reach to the knowledg of the King and his Council at Oxford who disorderly seek in private their own safety leaving the King to shift for himself But to make their own Jealousies of some colour and Punishments answerable thereto It is devised that the King notwithstanding the Refusal of his coming he is yet resolved to come some fix upon the Day others suppose it uncertain some say he comes disguised and others affirm positively that he is come and is to be seen at the Lord Mayors whether the City Wives went to visit my Lady Mistress Mayoress
such as he shall appoint and to this end you are authorized and required to compound and deliver such Articles and demands as now are or hereafter shall be given you for a full consent thereunto and to Treat from time to time upon such directions as shall be thought fitting upon the several Reports that ye shall make unto us c. Richard Lane Cust. Sigill Cottington Hartford Dorset Chester Southampton Seymor E. Nicholas Glenham Governour Never was Garison so long maintained so resolutely and so mightily opposed as this of Oxford during all the Treaty which did not exclude the power of Arms and the Articles not concluded untill the 25. of Iune the Surrender thus A guard of several Regiments were placed from the East Port on both sides the way to VVhately the way to march out in a very bitter and violent storm of an hour to the number of three thousand five hundred ordinary persons the Noblemen and Gentlemen had leave for some dayes to stay for Passes the whole number of the Garison supposed seven thousand Souldiers and Scholers in pay Thirty eight Pieces of Ordnance ready mounted the Works strong and large perillous to storm The Conditions were Noble and in Print but being slenderly performed afterwards by others not the Souldiers I leave it to the Cavalier to complain The Nobility were the Earls of Dorset Hertford Southampton The Lords Cottington Lane Dunsmore Secretary Nicholas and others who have sent Letters to the King of the Surrender Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice had conditions to transport themselves beyond Seas The Duke of York is to be conducted to the Parliament and so to St. Iameses to the rest of the Royal Children And the Prince Elector already at London had leave from the Parliament to his shame for being here to visite his Brothers Prince Rupert and Maurice which he did received their salutation with scorne Two daies after came up from the General the Seals of State which were delivered to him upon surrender of Oxford The Great Seal of England carried from Westminster to the King An. 1642. The Privy Seal Signet King-Bench Exchequer Court of Wards Admiralty and Navy and the Sword All which Seales were voted to be broken in peices but the Sword to be kept safe in the Wardrobe And were so done by a Smith in the House of Lords in presence of the Commons and the broken silver given in reward to the Speakers of either House And now the Parliament consider of a Term or Title to be given to the Commissioners intrusted with their Great Seal and are to be called Conservators of the Common Wealth of England The Duke of York included with Articles of Oxford and brought up to the Parliament the twenty eight of Iuly in some shew of honour to the view of the People but no sooner at St. Iames's with the rest of the Royal Children and under Government of the Earl of Northumberland and his Lady but all his Servants are turned away and others strangers put in their places where he stayed not long but got away into France some years hereafter In the like manner the youngest Princess Henretta-Maria was now convayed away from Oatlands by her Governess the Lady Dalkeith who complaines of the necessity that enforced her Take her own words to the Gentlewomen in that Family twenty fourth Iuly 1646. Gentlewomen You are witness with what patience I have expected the pleasure of the Parliament Impossible to finde any Iustice to her Highnesse or favour to my self or any of you I was no longer able to keep her but am forced to take this upon me You shall do well to repair to the King all of you which is the same service as to her Highnesse and enjoy the honour of serving him It will be a great mark of your faithfulnesse to her Highnesse for to conceal her absence as long as you can as if I had removed her to a better Air. All her Apparel and such peices of Plate belonging to her you may receive for your selves and believe me to be Yours A. Dalkieth So then the Eldest Son and the Youngest Daughter are with the Queen in France The two Dukes of York and Glocester with the Princess Elizabeth at St. Iames's The Prince in the West with his Army Mr. Withers the Poet had write a Pamphlet Iusticiarius Iustificatus against Sir Richard Onslow a Surrey Knight wherein he is accused but this Man being a Member poor Withers had the worst though he endeavoured to prove the Charge against the other Colonel Poines and Rossiter had a minde to Newark long since the last year but were not able to Manage the Siege with their slender forces and therefore the Scots were very much entreated before they would vouchsafe to descend so far Southward At last they were hired with the sum of thirty thousand pounds and came in December 1645. and then began the Siege And to entertain them with a Sally a fortnight after they fell upon Peat's Quarters beat them and carried in many Prisoners Two dayes after another encounter upon Colonel Thornies Troop and returned with Prisoners But now the Scots are lodged on the North side of Newark with two thousand Horse and three thousand Foot to make good Nuschams-bridg and the General Leven there in person upon some discontent left the Leaguer and went back to Newcastle Poines lay on the South side in this manner the Lincolnshire forces four Troops of Horse and six hundred Foot about Belvoir Rossiter and Le-hunt at Blechington and Claypool with the Leicester and Ely Foot five hundred lay at Benington Nottingham and Derby forces six hundred at Stoake The Parliaments Commissioners met with the Scots General at Nottingham who demanded two thousand five hundred and eighty pounds weekly for his Army at Newark consisting in all near ten thousand Horse and Foot He was offered ten thousand pounds part of their thirty thousand pounds faithfully promised but none as yet paid and so deep was the distaste that the Scotish Commissioners from London were fain to march thither to even this difference In the mean time not a day passed but some action happened The besieged fall upon Poines Quarters at Stoake beat his Horse and near surprised the Foot till Rossiter hearing Allarum came in and endeavoured to come between the Salley their home but were prevented and beaten to purpose many killed others hurt and return with fourty Prisoners But now the Siege grows hot and the Assailants are resolved to Storme and first to Summon which was done April the first and a stout and witty Answer returned by Bellasis the Governour and the next day such another Sally upon Poines's Quarters with notable Successe upon him many slain above fourty drowned Captain Iepson and Murrey slain by the winde of a Bullet and yet Poines gaines much upon the Queens Fort and turned the River Trent quite from the Town on the North side The
Souldiers of that Garison with a multitude came to his House in York broke his windows and cryed money money money forcing his doors to get it To whom he came out and asked them what they would have they cock't their Matches and held their Pikes to his breast and would have him their Prisoner until all their Arrears were paid and so took him to the Mayor of York with whom he found another Company of Mutiners that had forced their entrance into his Bed-chamber and left not till they had got all their Arrears from the Committee 14. Novem. But the Scots are to be gon and many desired the Covenant might accompany them and to be rid of all together Which yet by the Ordinance was to be taken by all the Inhabitants of the three Kingdoms and now read devoutly in the House by the Favourers of the Presbytery Not so said some and began the debate excepting tender Consciences A new Note lately taken up for a general distinction of each ones Faith excepting Papists But the result of this almost midnights debate after the reading thereof but once whether the Ordinance and the Instructions shall be read any more and Ordered to be read no more The great Debate continued from time to time in the Houses and with the Scots Commissioners about disposing of the Kings person And Papers and Pamphlets Printed by the Scots concerning their debates which took much with the people And therefore to undeceive them the House of Commons had drawn up a Declaration thereof but Voted not to desire the House of Lords consent but before the Printing they dealt fairly with the Scots Commissioners and sent them the Copy which they utterly neglected as being without the Lords assenting However it was Answered and the Commons Reply and the other rejoin and all the dispute hudled together in a printed Pamphlet difficult enough to pick out the true reason to which the Reader is referred Yet in a word thus the English assert We doe affirm that the Kingdom of Scotland hath no right of joynt exercise of interest in disposing the Person of the King in the Kingdom of England The Scots argue If this Argument were turned over the strength or weakness of it may the more easily appear Suppose the King were here at Westminster it may be upon the same grounds urged that the Kingdom of Scotland would have no consent in his disposal and so much the more that the Houses claim the sole interest and judgement to dispose upon the kings Person which we desire may be done jointly as may be best for the security and safety of both Kingdoms And we see no reason why it may not now be determined when he is in the Scotish Army who were intrusted by both and subject to the resolution of both Kingdoms as well as hereafter since he came thither of his own accord and his residence there is voluntary And if his Majestie shall think fit to repair to his Houses of Parliament they shall doe no act which may either hinder or disswade him but cannot constrain him or deliver him to the Houses to be disposed of as they shall think fit In a word the Objection of the Scots brings this result our Army say they cannot part with the King without the consent of the Kingdom of Scotland the Kingdom of Scotland cannot consent unless they may joyn in the disposal of his person they will not joyn till it be agreed that he be disposed of for the good of both Kingdoms But then the Commissioners fell to Debate the Propositions for the departure of their Army The Scots complained that they had no pay for six moneths the reason of their free Quarter Which is strangely enforced for an Argument when they took 19700. l. monethly in money besides much free Quarter Moreover they had by a just accompt for one year ending the last of October last seventy two thousand nine hundred seventy two pounds two shillings and eleven pence for the Custome and other Impositions of Coals only And now they must have two hundred thousand pounds in hand for the present to be gon Or else they advise out of their charity to the deplorable estate of the Northern parts to march into fresh Quarters more Southward to the warm sun And they were modest Not they say to have the King to go into Scotland which were prejudicial to both Kingdoms nor into Ireland or beyond seas And so whilst they dispute the Armies marching home is retarded For until the English dispose of the King the Scots are not like to have 40000. l. a considerable sum for Scots to sell their souâ—s And the Parliament argue the groundless Insinuations in the Scots Speeches and Papers as if the Parliament of England were averse from their Ancient and Fundamental Government by King Lord and Commons which we had thought say they The Declaration of the Commons 17. April last sufficiently cleared to the whole World or that they were not as really forward as any for procureing of a safe and wel-gounded Peace which is the greatest and chiefest of our desires and it will be manifested to the judgements and Consciences of all That as we really endeavour the good of the King and both Kingdoms so shall we constantly and faithfully persevere in these endeavours Not doubting but upon our sincere performing our Covenant and Treaties the blessing of God will so accompanie us as there will be a most sweet and brotherly agreement between the Nations pleasing to God and happie to all Oh the monstrous Miseries at this time of this unhappy Kingdom Religion unsetled the Civil Government loose a Foreign Army and another of our own eating out the bowels of meâ—â—y without compassion and the anger of God sensible to us all by the confluence of continual foggy rainy cold sâ—ckly unseasonable weatâ—er against which we fast and pray and sin the more and as if to appease Gods anger for all the Bloâ—d that hath been spilt we are ordering Councils of War Courts of Justice to censure Delinquents persecuted from Post to Pillar that they know not how to dispose of themselves from being made Offenders And now the War is ended the old General Essex must die the fourteenth day of September 1646. at Essex House in the Straâ—d His â—ife and Death we have in Print by his dear Friend who begins the Discourse with the Renown of his Fathers Master piece that he did â—eget so brave a Son and I may call it says he his Sons Master-piece that he did resemble so brave a Father But to give you a Parallel says he of these two Worthies is a Task impossible and I say impertinent He was born in London Anno 1592. his Mother the Widow of Sir Philip Sidney And in brief we shall say what is said of her Son That the Presages in his Cradle like Hercules be strang led in each hand the two invading Dragons
if the French or any other Nation should be called in thither it might be of dangerous consequence for so the Irish Rebells now threatned in case they should be put to extremity The Picts called for the Scots out of Ireland to assist them against the Britains and having done that Work they fell upon the Picts themselves and destroyed them and so took possession of that part of North Britain which from them ever since takes name of Scotland The like did the Saxons or rather a Rout of Pirates and Sea-Rovers they were no better invited to assist the miserable Britains against the barbarous Scots and put a final stop to their Incursions and after by Surprize of the Nobility of Britania and slew them The Remain of the people fled into the Mountains of Wales and Cornwall where they remain ever since and left the best of the Land to the insulting Saxons Nay did not Heraclius the Greek Emperour call for aid of the Rake-Hell Rabble of Scythians to assist him against the Saracens but no sooner got footing in the Empire and in process of time seized Constantinople slew Constantine the last of the Imperial Race of Paleologs and now possess that Seat the chief Residence for the great Turk descended of those Saracens But these were Pagans and Infidels we are all Christians Truly they can practise the old Rule Si violandum est jus regni causa violandum est in caeteris pietatem colas To gain Kingdoms we may bid Conscience good night And so it was happy for the King that his party called not over the French to fight for him nor would the Parliament at any time make Peace with the Irish wise enough they were to keep down the pride of the treacherous Scot that had good footing there in Ireland See before Anno 1643. the Treaty at Siginstone Septemb. 15. But the Parliament of England had considered of the order and manner of governing of Ireland by a Lord Lieutenant General and whom should they pick out but the Lord Lisle Son to the Earl of Leicester to command all the Forces raised and to be raised in and for reducing that Kingdom with a Council about him both at home and abroad the better to enable him for the Government but not as the Motto sets out Caesar this General went thither and so came home again as hereafter is mentioned The English Forces there in some distress the British in the North in great want but the happiness was that the Rebells were at difference amongst themselves And the thirteenth of May the Lord Lisle had order to beat his Drums to raise six thousand Foot and eight hundred and fifty Horse in England and Wales and for maintaining of these Forces it was ordered Six thousand pounds every six moneths end to the Treasurers for Ireland News came the fifteenth of Iune of the great Defeat given to the English and Scotish Forces in the Province of Ulster and the Parliament ordered five thousand Foot more fifteen hundred Horse to be added to the former Forces ordered in May and Arms Amunition and Victuals speedily to be sent over And notwithstanding the Parliamentary proceedings in Ireland by their advice and directions to such of their own party the King likewise had a particular party under the publick Government of the Marquess of Ormond Lieutenant General of his Majesties Forces for the Government of Ireland to whom he writes for the discharging all further Treaties with the Irish Rebells for any Peace as the Parliament advised the King to write the eleventh of Iune The Lord Broghall and the Lord Inchequin were particularly for the Parliament Broghall had intermixed several Successes against the Rebells he took Castle Lions and Inchequin Castle near Yougball then his Horse marched to Dungarven returning with five or six hundred head of Cattle and besieged the Garison of Blarnly Castle and the next Night gained the Out-works and the next Day set threeâ— Battering Guns against one of their new Flanks sixteen foot thick within the Castle their Powder took fire and blew up and spoiled twenty of their Men which with the bold Attempts of the Besiegers the Castle was surrendered the next Day the fifteenth of Iune two hundred persons to march away who left this exceeding strong place being held by faint hearts for a small space and now delivered up to slender Forces Musgrave was General for the Rebells and with the greatest Army of theirs was set down besieging Banratty against whom they sally out daily with very good Success Notwithstanding the Kings Letters at Newcastle whilest he was under durance That Ormond should not treat with the Rebells yet it seems he had finished and articled into a Peace with them August 1. That the Irish be not bound to take the Oath of Supremacy A Parliament to be held before November All Acts against the Roman Catholicks to be repealed Places of Strength to be in the hands of men of merit But the reason might be the wonderfull misery of the English and Scots Forces there impossible to hold out without any reasonable Food for Man or Horse And it was conceived there by Ormond and the Kings party that it was most convenient for the general good of the Protestants for it soon occasioned a Breach amongst the Rebells the Popes Nuncio and that Clergy protesting against it as being done without their privity and the chiefest of their Towns oppose the Peace as Limrick Waterford Wexford Lemster and Galloway And herein Ormond according to the Articles on either side was to assist against the Opposers of the Peace the fourteenth of Septembeâ— who marching with some thousands towards Kilkenny had intelligence by the way that a party of the discontented Rebells against the Peace had a Design against his person which made him suddenly to return to Dublin Concerning the thirty Articles the Popish Clergy disclaimed them and at a Supream Council ordered That all and singular Confederate Catholicks who shall adhere to the said Peace or consent with the Favourers of it or after any other manner shall entertain and imbrace it are absolutely to be accounted perjured specially for this reason because in these Articles there is no mention made of the Catholick Religion and the security thereof nor any regard had of the Consecration of the Priviledge of the Countrey as it was promised by the Oath But that all things are rather referred to the judgement of our most renowned King From whom in this present estate we can have nothing setled and in the mean time the Armies Weapons and Fortifications and the Supream Councel of the Confederate Catholicks it self are subjected to the Authority and Command of the Council of the State and the Protestant Officers of his Majestie from whom that we might be secure we have taken Oath For which and many other causes being moved only by our Consciences and having God before our eyes that it may be known to all and singular as
comes the Marquesse Douglasse and Sir Io. Daliel with other his friends in this Extremity with a small Party of Horse not a hundred charged through the Enemy and escaped and being pursued he made his Stand slew divers and took Bruce a Captain of Horse and two Cornets with their Colours Prisoners Traquair Triumphingly reported Montrose and the Kings party totally defeated But Montrose was well and made the best use of his evil fortune and therefore marching easily with good guard and valiant hearts he marched Northwards forded over Cluid River where met him by the way many of his Souldiers with the Earls of Crawford and Airly and now he was strong two hundred Horse and some Foot and with convenient hast he resolves to go Northward into Athole and so passing over Forth River and then Erne he comes to Perthshire And in his way he had sent Dowglasse and Airly with Angus North East and the Lord Eisken into Marria to raise their friends and dependance and sent Daliel to the Lord Carnegy with Commissions to that purpose and Letters to Mac-Donel and to Aboin to return to him with their Forces About August the Atholâ— Men furnished him with four hundred good Foot to march Northwards and when ever he returned Southward he should command the whole County only they desired to be spared now for their harvest Montrose with wonderful speed and unspeakable toil clambers over Gransbane Mountains to meet with Aboin and Mac-Donel whom he expected and so the return of other his Messengers with their New Forces then to return Southward again to meet with the Kings Horse which by sundry Letters he was promised from England Aboin was of himself faithful and forward enough but restrained Ersken was sick and Huntly was returned home but with envy and ambition crossed under hand Montrose's designs but at last Aboin meets him with fifteen hundred Foot and three hundred Horse at Druminore a Castle of the Lord Forles and that his Brother Lewes was coming with more Thus impowered he instantly returns the same uncouth wayes over Gransbane Mountains and to take up Erskins and then Murries Forces and so to march Southward Lewis was come and marching together the first dayes Journey stole away the next with such Forces aâ—s followed him And the third day after his Brother Aboin with the rest of his Men desired leave to return pretending their Fathers Command the Marquesse Huntly whose County was in danger by the Enemy now about Marre and would suddainly ransack their Country but was content his Father should be treated with To him therefore Montrose sends Donald Lord Rose and Iermin kinsmen whom he had lately releived from Imprisonment Rose was honest and ashamed of his Kinsmans refusal fell sick and could not return Iermin most noble never forsaking Montrose to the death came back with doubtful Letters fast and loose And so Aboin must go home Montrose came down through the plaines of Marre and Scarschiock into Athole and so with increase of Forces he falls into Perth Here Aboin sends him word that he had got leave to return and would be with him before the time limited by his Forlough And here also meets him two Messengers after each other Captain Thomas Ogleby of Pomie and Captain Robert Nesbet with Commands from the King That if possible he should march Southward to the borders to meet the Lord Digby Son to the Earl of Bristol who was sent to him with a Party of Horse The same Bearers he dispatches with the Letters to Huntly and Aboin but in vain expectation he trifled away much time at Strath Erne in the Perth And here dies that gallant Man the Lord Napier of Marcheston truly Noble of an Ancient Family his Father and Grand-father Philosophers and Mathematicians Famous through Christendom But indeed this man exceeded them in Civil Affairs highly heretofore esteemed by King Iames and lately by K. Charls made Lord Treasurer of Scotland and advanced into the Rank of higher Nobility his Loyalty had suffered all the effects of his Enemies malice often Imprisoned Sequestred and Plundered of all his Substance whose Elaborate Discourses of the Rights of Kings and of the Original in the Turmoyls of Great Britain I have heard of and read some Manuscripts in Parcels but heartily wish may be publick Montrose is now passed the Forth and come into the Lands and Estate of Sir Iohn Buchanan a stiff Ring-leader of the Covenanters and descended from old Buchanan ingrateful Schoolmaster to King Iames and yet for his sake he and King Charles had advanced this man to what he was Hereabouts at Leven Montrose Encamps being so near Glasco that oftimes he forces the City on purpose to deter the Convention of the Coâ—enanters here who sat in Councel to arraign their Prisoners whom Montrose endeavoured to rescue Here they had for their Guard three thousand Horse and he not more than 3. hundred and fifteen hundred Foot wasting the Countrey without resistance Notwithstanding before he came they had executed three gallant men we may not neglect their memory The first was the afore mentioned Sir William Rollock Montrose his first Friend and Companion in Arms. He was sent to the King after the Battle of Aberdine and taken prisoner and condemned but upon Arguiles offer of life he was dealt with to murder Montrose whose life he valued far above his own and to save him he accepted this offer and so got loose and instantlyâ— found out by Montrose discovering all which saved Montrose for the present and was the cause of his own suffering promising upon his word that if he did not doe it to return prisoner by such a day which he did to the grief of Montrose and paid dear for it to the death The next was the aforesaid Alexander Ogleby Eldest Son to Sir Iohn Imercarrit descended from those Famous in the Scotish Chronicles he was not yet more then youth under eighteen but of a dareing Spirit and Loyal to the King for which he was executed Unless we admit him of the Family in deadly fewd with Arguile Then comes Sir Philip Nesbit I finde him the Son of Col. Nesbit a Regiment in the Kings service in England we may adde those two Irish men that suffered at Edenburgh some dayes before Colonel O-Cahen and Colonel Laghlin the crime of them all concentred in this new Treason against the King and Covenanters Montrose having long looked for six weeks his absent Confederates out of the North Mac-donel Alboin and others the Lord Digby's Forces defeated by the way and he not able to hold out a piercing hard winter Camp He the 20. of November departs from Levin Marching Northward over the Snowy Mountains of Taich through Woods and Loghes the Strathern and over the River Tay returns into Athole where he met Captain Ogleby and Captain Nesbit whom we told you he had sent with the Kings Letters to Huntly but prevailed not Here against Montrose sends to Sir Iohn Dalyel to mediate the
have been usefull for the Parliament in case other Successes had failed and therefore he stuck close to them and in the time of all the Wars whilest his two Brothers Rupert and Maurice were fighting for the King their Uncle this Palatine was feasting with the Citizens at London every Thanksgiving Day in effect Drinking their own Healths which was the others Destruction But not to be out of the Gang he was much reformed also and upon his humble Desires was voted by the Commons to sit with the Synod of Divines at Westminster for his assistance in the composure of the Directory which will come out one day And now the six and twentieth of March we finde his Letter to the Lords House and conferred with the Commons Wherein his Highness desires to communicate some Intelligence of great concernment in relation to the Protestant Religion through all Christendom to such Committees as both Houses shall appoint And here were two Committees conjoyned to wait upon his Highness herein and that was all for it came to no more being a Design set on work by a Scotish man who had laboured amongst the Northern Lutherans first then he descends Southwards to the Genevians Oecolampadians Zwinglians Hugonians and now returned hither to the Prebyterians devising how by Articles of the general Fundamentals of Faith professed amongst them all to reconcile them into one certain Creed and so to one professed Reformation against the common Enemy Antichrist presuming that as the Roman Papists agree in the Catholick Cause so the Reformed Churches should setle into a Protestation alike But this Business was too deep for his Highness and too shallow for the Parliament to wade in and so it went off in a puff And during his being here with the Parliament his distressed Uncle the King is disconsolate at Holmby under captivity and guard of the Parliaments Commissioners which makes him contemplate this Soliloquy Yet says he may I justifie those Scots to all the World in this that they have not deceived me for I never trusted to them further than to men if I am sold by them I am onely sorry they should do it and that my Price should be so much above my Saviours These are but further Essaies which God will have me make of mans uncertainty the more to fix me on himself who never faileth them that trust in him though the Reeds of Egypt break under the hand of him that leans on them yet the Rock of Israel will be an everlasting stay and defence God's Providence commands me to retire from all to himself that in him I may enjoy my self whom I lose while I let out my hopes to others The solitude and captivitie to which I am now reduced gives me leisure enough to studie the worlds â—anitie and inconstancie God sees 't is fit to deprive me of Wife Children Armie Friends and Freedom that I may be wholly his who alone is All. I care not much to be reckoâ—ed among the Unfortunate if I be not in the black List of irreligious and sacrilegious Princes No Restraint shall ensnare my Soul in sin nor gain that of me which may make mine Enemies more insolent my Friends ashamed or my Name accursed They have no great cause to triumph that they have got my Person into their power since my Soul is still mine own nor shall they ever gain my Consent against my Conscience What they call Obstinacie I know God accounts honest Constancie from which Reason and Religion as well as Honour forbid me to recede 'T is evident now that it was not Evil Counsellours with me but a good Conscience in me which hath been fought against nor did they ever intend to bring me to my Parliament till they had brought my minde to their obedience Should I grant what some men desire I should be such as they wish meâ— not more a King and far less both Man and Christian. What Tumults and Armies could not obtain neither shall Restraint which though it have as little of Safetie to a Prince yet it hath not more of Danger The fear of men shall never be my Snare nor shall the love of any Libertie entangle my Soul better others betray me than my self and that the price of my Libertie should be my Conscience the greatest Injuries mine Enemies seek to inflict upon me cannot be without mine own consent While I can deny with Reason I shall defeat the greatest impressions of their malice who neither know how to use worthily what I have already granted nor what to require more of me but this that I would seem willing to help them to destroy my self and mine Although they should Destroy me yet they shall have no cause to Despise me Neither libertie nor life are so dear to me as the peace of my Conscience the Honour of my Crowns and the welfare of my People which my word may injure more than any War can do while I gratifie a few to oppress all The Laws will by God's blessing revive with the Love and Loyaltie of my Subjects if I bury them not with my consent and cover them in that Grave of Dishonour and Injustice which some mens violence hath digged for them If my Captivitie or Death must be the Price of their Redemption I grudg not to pay it No condition can make a King miserable which carries not with it his Soul 's his People's and Posterities thraldom After-times may see what the blindness of this Age will not and God may at length shew my Subjects that I chuse rather to suffer for them than with them haply I might redeem my self to some shew of Libertie if I would consent to enslave them I had rather hazzard the Ruine of one King than confirm many Tyrants over them from whom I pray God deliver them whatever becomes of me whose solitude hath not left me alone Judg Ienkins taken at the Surrender of Castle in Wales was convened before a Committee of the House of Commons to answer to some Questions propounded to him To which he gave no Answer but presented them with this Paper I stand committed for high Treason for not acknowledging nor obeying the power of the Parliament by adhering to the King in this War I denie this to be Treason and this is my Reason The supreme power by the Laws of this Land is in the King if he should submit to any Examination derived from your power which by the Negative Oath stands in opposition to the Kings power I should confess the power to be in you and so condemn my self for a Traitour indeed I am sworn to obey the King and the Laws you have no power to examine me by these Laws but by the Kings Writ Patent or Commission and you do not produce either you your selves this Parliament have sworn that the King is our onely supreme Governour your Protestations Vows and Covenant solemn League and Covenant your Declarations all of them publish to the Kingdom
from Michaelmas last and out of Compositions that shall be made before the concluding of the Peace and the Arrears of such as have been already made the assistance of the Clergy And the Arrears of such Rents of his own Revenue as his two Houses shall not have received before the concluding of the Peace his Majesty will undertake within the space of eighteen moneths the payment of 400000. pounds for the satisfaction of the Army And if those means shall not be sufficient his Majestie intends to give way to the sale of Forest Lands for that purpose this being the publick Debt which in his Majesties judgment is first to be satisfied and for other publick Debts already contracted upon Church Lands or other Ingagements his Majestie will give his consent to such Act or Acts for raising of monies for payment thereof as both Houses shall hereafter agree upon so as they be equally laid whereby his people already too heavily burthened by these late distempers may have no more pressures upon them than this absolute necessity requires And for the further securing of all fears his Majesty will consent that an Act of Parliament be passed for the disposing of the great Offices of State and naming of Privy Councellours for the whole term of his Reign by the two Houses of Parliament their Patents and Commissions being taken from his Majesty and after to return to the Crown as is expressed in the Article of the Militia For the Court of Wards and Liveries his Majesty very well knows the consequence of taking that away by returning of all Tenures into common Soccage as well in point of Revenue to the Crown as in the protection of many of his Subjects being Infants Nevertheless if the continuance thereof seem grievous to his Subjects rather then he will fail on his part in giving satisfaction He will consent to an Act for taking of it away so as a full recompence be setled upon his Majesty and his Successours in perpetuity and that the Arrears now due be reserved unto him towards the payment of the Arrears of the Army And that the memory of these late distractions may be wholly wiped away his Majesty will consent to an Act for suppressing and making null of all Oaths Declarations and Proclamations against both or either House of Parliament and of all Indictments and other proceedings against persons for adhering unto them and his Majesty proposeth â—as the best expedient to take away all seeds of future differences that there be an Act of Oblivion to extend to all his Subjects As for Ireland the cessation there is long since determined but for the future all other things being fully agreed his Majesty will give satisfaction to his two Houses concerning that Kingdom And although his Majesty cannot consent in Honour and Iustice to avoid all his own Grants and Acts past under his great Seal since the two and twentieth of May 1642. or to the confirming of all the Acts and Grants passed under that made by the two Houses yet his Majesty is confident that upon perusal of particulars he shall give full satisfaction to his two Houses to what may reasonably be desired in that particular And now his Majesty conceives that by these his offers which he is ready to make good upon the settlement of a Peace he hath clearly manifested his intentions to give full security and satisfaction to all Interests for what can justly be desired in order to the future happiness of his people and for the perfecting of these concessions as also for such other things as may be proposed by the two Houses and for such just and reasonable demands as his Majesty shall finde necessary to propose on his part he earnestly desires a personal Treaty at London with his two Houses in Honour Freedom and Saftety it being in his Iudgement the most proper and indeed only means to a firm and setled Peace and impossible without it to reconcile former or avoid future misunderstandings All these things being by Treaty perfected his Majesty believes his Houses will think it reasonable that the Proposals of the Army concerning the Succession of Parliaments and their due elections should be taken into consideration As for what concerns His Kingdom of Scotland his Majesty will readily apply himself to give all reasonable satisfaction when the desires of the two Houses of Parliament on their behalf or of the Commissioners of that Kingdom or of both joyned together shall be made known unto him C. Rex Islle of Wight 17. Nov. 1647. For the Speaker of the House of Peers c. And although the King is sufficiently alone from evil Councellours the Parliament have no minde that he should have any company and therefore send a Messenger with Warrants to seize those three Servants that waited on him thither But Hamond excuses them not to be delivered up to the Officer his reasons are truly noble and like a Souldier which he directs to the Speaker of the Lords House the Earle of Manchester My Lord Yesterday came an Officer with Warrants for apprehending c. And finding the matter of very great importance I have desired the Messenger to forbear the execution of his Warrants till I have given the Parliament to understand that in case they should be put in execution it would be impossible for me to preserve the person of the King in security to be disposed by the Parliament unless I should keep him close prisoner which I concieve neither fit nor safe for me to do especially of my self The ground being this The King hath declared himself to me that he came from Hampton Court for no other cause but for the preservation of his Person which was as he apprehended in such danger that he could not with safety continue longer there otherwise he would not have departed thence nor from the Army and that he chose this place rather than any other where he was at liberty that he might still continue under protection of the Army my self being a member thereof and that he might have free entercourse with the Parliament for the settlement of Peace to which he professes greater inclinations and desires then ever The King saith that in case these Gentlemen be taken from him and punished as evil doers for counselling him not to go out of the Kingdom but rather to come to the place where he now is for the ends aforesaid and for their endeavouring accordingly in attending him hither he cannot but himself expect to be dealt with accordingly his case being the same My Lord besides the care I shall alwaies have of these Gentlemen they have engaged their Honours not to depart from me and truly were not their ends the same with their pretences in relation to the Peace of this Kingdom they would never have advised and conducted the King hither There will be none left here for his attendance which besides the offence how great the inconveniencies will be to him your
must be the best and only remedy to remove our troubles That without a Treaty the Propositions may be esteemed Impositions That the King might have some just desires to move for the Crown and for himself and that every thing in the Propositions might not be of such importance as that the not granting it might hinder a peace That a personal Treaty is the best way to beget a mutual confidence between the King and Parliament And amongst other Protestations they aver That if Scotland had apprehended that the least injury or violence would have been committed against his person or Monarchical Government had they not received assurances from the Parliament to the contrary certainly all the threatnings and allurements in the world could never have perswaded them to have parted from the King and that it was their brotherly confidence in the Parliament fellow Subjects and the assurance that they had from both Houses that made them leave the King Then they complain of a vast deformity or multiformity of Heresies and sects endangering the ruin of Religion in this Kingdom But what ere the Scots have said in this Declaration the Parliament afterwards found out such Members at leisure that formed into a Committee for that purpose gave them a sound Answer But the King in the general Interest of all conceived them so unreasonable to be positively assented unto before a Treaty or dispute of some part or either of them as that he refused Giving his Reasons in a Letter or Message sealed up to the Commissioners for the Parliament to open But the Earl of Denbigh the cheif Commissioner desired the King that although they were intrusted only to bring the demands in writing and not to Treat yet they hope his Majesty would distinguish them from ordinary Commissioners and suffer them to see what was written professing that his Majesty should not receive disappointment or prejudice thereby The King Commands Ashburnham to read them aloud in these words C. R. The Necessity of complying with all engaged interests in these great distempers for a perfect settlement of peace his Majesty findes to be none of the least difficulties he hath met with since the time of his afflictions Which is too visible when at the same time that the two Houses of the English Parliament do present to his Majesty several Bills and Propositions for his consent the Commissioners for Scotland do openly protest against them So that were there nothing in the case but the consideration of that difference his Majesty cannot Imagine how to give such an Answer to what is now proposed as thereby to promise himself his great end A perfect Peace And when his Majesty further considers how impossible it is in the condition he now stands to fulfil the desires of the two Houses since the only ancient and known wayes of passing Laws are either by his Majesties personal assent in the House of Peers or by Commission under his great Seal of England He cannot but wonder at such failings in the manner of addresse which is now made unto him Unlesse his two Houses intend that his Majesty shall allow of a great Seal made without his Authority before there be any consideration had thereupon in a Treaty Which as it may hereafter hazard the security it self so for the present it seems very unreasonable to his Majesty And though his Majesty is willing to believe that the intentions of very many in both Houses in sending these Bills before a Treaty was only to obtain a trust from him and not to take any advantage by passing them to force other things from him which are either against his Conscience or Honour Yet his Majesty believes it clear to all understandings that these Bills contain as they are now penned not only the divesting himself of all Soveraignty and that without possibility of recovering it either to him or his Successors except by repeal of those Bills but also the making his Concessions guilty of the greatest pressures that can be made upon the Subject as in other particulars so by giving an arbitrary and unlimited power to the two Houses for ever to raise and levy Forces for Land or Sea service of what persons without distinction or quality and to what numbers they please And likewise for the payment of them to levy what monies in such sort and by such wayes and means and consequently upon the Estates of whatsoever persons they shall think fit and appoint which is utterly inconsistent with the Liberty and Property of the Subject and his Majesties trust in protecting them So that if the Major part of both Houses shall think it necessary to put the rest of the propositions into Bills his Majesty leaves all the World to judge how unsafe it would be for him to consent thereunto And if not what a strange condition after the passing of these four Bills his Majesty and all his Subjects would be cast into And here his Majesty thinks it not unfit to wish his two Houses to consider well the manner of their proceeding That when his Maiesty desires a personal Treaty with them for the setling of a Peace they in Answer propose the very subject matter of the most essential part thereof to be the first granted A thing which will be hardly credible to posterity Wherefore his Majesty declares That neither the desire of being freed from this tedious and Irksome condition of life his Majesty hath so long suffered nor the apprehension of what may befall him in case his two Houses shal not attend him a personal Treaty shall make him change his resolution of not consenting to any Act till the whole Peace be concluded yet then he intends not only to give just and reasonable satisfaction in the particulars presented to him but also to make good all other concessions mentioned in his Message of the twenty sixth of November last Which he thought would have produced better effects than what he findes in the Bills and Propositions now presented unto him And yet his Majesty cannot give over but now again earnestly presse for a personal Treaty so passionately is he affected with the advantages which peace will bring to his Majesty and all his Subjects of which he will not all dispair there being no other visible way to obtain a well grounded peace How ever his Majesty is very much at ease within himself for having fulfilled the Offices both of a Christian and of a King and will patiently wait the good pleasure of Almighty God to encline the hearts of his two Houses to consider their King and to compassionate their fellow Subjects miseries Carisbroke Castle Decem. 28. 1647. For the Speaker of the Lords House c. Herein the Commissioners found what pinched the Parliament and no sooner had the Parliaments Commissioners taken their leave and were gone towards Newport but Hamond turns out all the Kings Servants out of the Castle The confusion was so great that the King demands of
of Rochel doth fitly follow to shew how Malice when it is at the height is ordinarily accompanied for there are none but ignorant or forgetful men who know not that it was meerly the want of assistance from the two Houses of Parliament contrary to their pulick geneneral Engagement that lost Rochel and there is nothing more clear to any who hath known French Occurrences than that real assistance which the KING to the utmost of his power gave to those of the Religion at that time made the Cardinal of Richelieu an irreconcileable enemy to the King wherefore I cannot but say that it is a strange forgetfulness to charge the KING with that which was evidently other mens faults There as also other things that to any knowing man will rather seem jears than Accusations as the German Horse and Spanish Fleet in the year 1639. But my affection shall not so blinde me as to say that the KING never erred yet as when a just debt is paid Bonds ought to be cancelled so Grievances be they never so just being once redressed ought no more to be objected as Errors And it is no Paradox to affirm that truths this way told are no better than slanders and such are the Catalogue of Grievances here enumerated which when they are well examined every one of them will not be found such as here they are described to be Now as concerning those discourses which mention the beginnings of these troubles which are in two several places of this Declaration I will only say this That what the KING did upon those occasions was meerly to defend the Rights of his Crown which were and are evidently sought to be taken from him nor can I acknowledge all those Relations such as private Levies of men by Popish Agents Arming of Papists in the North calling in of Danish Forces and the like And as for the tale of calling up the Northern Army now renewed it is well known that the two Houses even at that time were not so partial to the KING as to have concealed a practice of that kinde if they could have got it sufficiently proved But if the Irish Rebellion can be justly charged upon the KING then I shall not blame any for believing all the rest of the Allegations against him And it is no litle wonder that so grave an assembly as the House of Commons should so slightly examine a business of that great Weight that the Scots great Seal did countenance the Irish rebellion when I know it can be proved by witnesseâ— without exception that for many moneths before until the now Lord Chancellour had the keeping of it there was nothing at all sealed by it Nor concerning this great point will I only say that the King is innocent and bid them prove which to most accusations is a sufficient Answer but I can prove that if the KING had been obeyed in the Irish affairs before he went last into Scotland there had been no Irish Rebellion and after it was begun it had in few moneths been suppressed if his directions had been observed for if the KING had been suffered to have performed his engagements to the Irish Agents and had disposed of the discontented Irish Army beyond Sea according to his contracts with the French and Spanish Ambassadours there is nothing more clear than that tâ—ere could have been no Rebellion in Ireland because they had wanted both pretence and means to have made one then when it was broken forth if those vigorous courses had been pursued which the KING proposed first to the Scots then to the English Parliament doubtless that Rebellion had been soon suppressed But what he proposed took so little effect that in many moneths after there was nothing sent into Ireland but what the KING himself sent assisted by the Duke of Richmond before he came from Scotland unto Sir Robert Steward which though it were little will be found to have done much service as may be seen by the said Sir Roberts voluntary Testimony given in writing to the Parliament Commissioners then attending the King at Stoak And certainly a greater evidence for constancy in Religion there cannot be than the KING shewed in his Irish Treaty for in the time that he most needed assistance it was in his power to have made that Kingdom declare unanimously for him and have had the whole Forces thereof imployed in his Service if he would have granted their demand in points of Religion they not insisting in any thing of Civil Government which his Majesty might not have granted without prejudice to Regall Authority and this can be clearly proved by the Marquess of Ormonds Treaties with the Irish not without very good evidence by some of the KINGS Letters to the QUEEN which were taken at Naseby that are concealed they too plainly discover the KINGS detestation of that Rebellion and his riged firmness to the Protestant profession Nor can I end this point without Remarking with wonder that men should have so ill memories as again to renew that old slander of the Kings giving Passes to divers Papists and persons of quality who headed the Rebels of which he so cleared himself that he demanded reparation for it but could not have it albeit no shew of proof could be produced for that allegation as is most plainly to be seen in the first book of the Collection of all Remonstrances Declarations c. fol. 69. 70. Thus having given a particular Answer to the most Material points in this Declaration the rest are frivolous and many of them groundless Yet one thing more I must observe that they not only endeavour to make Fables passe for currant coin but likewise seek to blinde mens judgements with false inferences upon some truths For Example It is true the King hath said in some of his Specches or Declarations that he oweth an account of his actions to none but God alone and that the Houses of Parliament joynt or separate have no power either to make or declare any Law But that this is a fit foundation for all Tyranny I must utterly deny indeed if it had been said that the King without the two Houses of Parliament could make or create Laws then there might be some strength in the Argument but before this Parliament it was never so much as pretended that either or both Houses without the King could make or declare any Law and certainly his Majesty is not the first King of England that hath not held himself accountable to any Earthly power besides it will be found that his Majesties position is most agreeable to all Divine and Humane Laws so far it is from being Destructive to a Kingdom or a foundation for Tyranny To conclude I appeal to God and the World whether it can be paralleld by example or warranted by Justice that any man should be yet denyed the sight of an accusation and so far from being permitted to Answer that if he have erred there is no way
signal compliance with the Army and their interest and what of importance my complyance was to them and their often repeated Professions and Ingagements for my Iust Rights in general at Newmarket and St Albans and their particular explanation of those generals by their Voted and Re-voted Proposals which I had reason to understand should be the uttermost extremity would be expected from me and that in some things therein I should be eased herein appealing to the Consciences of some of the chiefest Officers in the Army if what I have said be not punctually true and how I have failed of their expectations and my professions to them I challange them and the whole World to produce the least colour of Reason And now I would know what is it that is desired Is it Peace I have shewed the way being both willing and desirous to perform my part in it which is a just complayance with all chief Interests It is Plenty and Happinesse They are the inseparable effects of peace Is it security I who wish that all men would forgive and forget like me have offered the Militia for my time Is it liberty of Conscience he who wants it is most ready to give Is it the right administration of Iustice Officers of trust are committed to the choice of my two Houses of Parliament Is it frequent Parliaments I have legally fully concurred therewith Is it the Arrears of the Army Vpon a settlement they will certainly be paied with much ease but before there will be found much difficulty if not impossibility in it Thus all the world cannot but see my real and unwearied endeavours for Peace the which by the grace of God I shall never repent me of nor ever be slackned in notwithstanding my past present or future sufferings but if I may not be heard let every one judge who it is that obstructs the good I would or might do What is it that men are afraid to hear from me it cannot be Reason at least none will declare themselves so unreasonable as to confess it and it can less be impertinent or unreasonable discourses for thereby peradventure I might more justifie this my restraint then the causers themselves can do so that of all wonders yet this is the greatest to me but it may be easily gathered how these men intend to govern who have used me thus and if it be my hard Fate to fall together with the Liberty of this Kingdom I shall not blush for my self but much lament the future miseries of my people the which I shall still pray to God to avert what ever becomes of me C. R. And now was the strict custody of the King referred to the care and Command of the General to place and displace servants such as to him thought meet and only eight persons for the present allowed to him Of which and his strict Guards he expostulates with Hamond telling him that he might yet ere long be beholding to one of his Sons for his life for now was Prince Charles gone from Paris into Holland from whence we shall hereafter hear more of him February 4. The first alteration of Soveraignty was in Title of things properly stiled the Kings and therefore the Title of the List of his Majesties Ships is but now altered to the List of the Parliaments Ships and the Hollanders refuse to strike Top Sail to the English disputeing that they were the Elder States and indeed so they were and Elder Brothers in the other also The Army resolve of new Modelling themselves to put the Martial power into the best way for themselves to appear formidable in the Field to make good the Garisons and to take in all confiding persons and so to make more Officers and fewer Souldiers under their Command the easier to be governed and in time of Action soon filled up by Sir Thomas Fairfax who now takes an additional Title of Lord Fairfax being the unic Son to his Father who of a Corn on his great Toe iâ— turned to a Gangreen and killed him And so we end the troublesome affairs of State in England for this year But may not pass over those concernments of Scotland and Ireland contemporary Nor would we nor could we handsomly interrupt our History with them and therefore we insert them here by themselves And first of Scotland beginning where we left before The continuation of the Military Actions for the King in Scotland under conduct of the Marquess of Montrose this year 1647. The Covenanters held Convention at St. Andrews upon the East Sea in Fife carrying their prisonâ—rs with them where ever they removed both of War or others of the Kings Friends men of the best note the Lord Ogleby Sir William Spotswood William Murrey and Andrew Gutlery men of singular merit who here were to be sacrificed To which purpose they set up a couple of their Kirk men Kaint and Blaire and others also possessed with the same spirit That God required the blood of these men nor could the sin of the Nation be otherwise expiated or the revenge of heaven diverted sentencing their very souls to damnation But Ogleby the most eminent a Hamilton by the Mothers side and cousin German to Lindsey pretending himself sick had leave for his Mother Wife and Sisters to visit him in prison and whilst the Jaylors withdrew he got on his sisters cloths and put her in his place in bed And at evening passed out with them for a Lady and so got out of danger his sister suffered strict imprisonment in the same Chamber for a long time after and hastened the execution on the rest of the Prisoners The first was Nathaniel Gordon the next Colonel Gordon and then comes Sir Robert Spotswood he had been raised by favour of King Iames to the honour of Knighthood and Privy Councellor of Scotland King Charles made him Lord President of the Session and of late principal Secretary of Scotland Their Charge against him was not for Arms being a man of the Gown but they found Treason in his bringing of the Kings Commission to Montrose to be Vice-roy of the Kingdom and General of all the Kings Forces there It was no boot his Eloquent and Learned defence answerable to the fundamental Laws of that nation But the Earl of Lanerick heretofore Principal Secretary by his revolt against the King this Office was setled upon Spotswood this was additional to his Charge which because he was not able to bear out he was forced to fall under And on the Scaffold prepared to dye he made his last Speech to the People but Blair being by bad the Provost stop his mouth and privately praying Blair interrupting offered his prayers which the other refused adding That of all the Plagues with which God had scourged this Nation this was not the least nay greater than Sword or Pestilence that God had sent a lying Spirit in the mouthes of the pretended Prophets for which Blair basely reproached
that they should furnish him with Shipping and all things necessary these things were transacted the 1. of August and to imbarque at a port in Angus but their Ship not ready being so designed to engage his neglect he hired a Norway Man of Birgen thither he sends his friends Sir Io. Hurrey Iohn Dromond Henry Graham Iohn Spotswood Iohn Lily Patrick Melvin Geo. Wiseheart Doctor of Divinity Divid Gutlery Pardus La-sound a Frenchman Rodolph a German men pickt out for their abilities he sends them before and himself clad in a course suit he passed disguised as a servant to Iames Wood his worthy Chaplain from the haven of Montrose which flows to Brechen in Angus And from this time the State of Scotland had Elbow room without any Enemies at home The Scots Army being returned home out of England kept up a Body under colour of Civil diffentions there And their General David Lesley had Command of all and having notice that his Enemy Kilketto was retreated out of Arguile into Cantire and the Earl of Antrim into the Isles he drew off from Perth and came to Dundain and Arguile himself retreated to Inerne Castle quartering between Sterling and Dunkel The general Kirk Assembly of Scotland met Iuly 6. and ordered a publick Fast upon these Reasons That Gods hand is stretched out against them in the judgement of the Pestilence mainly increasing The great danger of Religion in the work of Reformation in both Kingdoms from the number and the Policy of Sectaries in England like to overturn the Foundation there laid with the expence of so much blood and pains And therefore they resolve to cleave to the Solemn League and Covenant against all the purposes and endeavours and underminings of their Enemy and pray for the Parliament of England and the Synod of Divines and the good effects and fruits of Truth and Peace which they now had for Montrose was gone But in this distempers of England the Scots increased their Forces and put England into fears and jealousies so that Allarm was often devised to see in what posture the English should be for seven thousand of the Scots were drawing Southward for fresh Quarters and are come over Spey River with Lesley Middleton in the East and Arguile's in the West and the Highlanders keep the Hills And not long after Lesley is come to Iaddard within fourty miles of Newcastle with fifteen hundred Horse and three thousand Foot for his part But notwithstanding the States of Scotland pretend to Disband unless their Kingdom be in danger of trouble the person of the King in any hazard or their Kingdom thereby dishonour'd and therefore for the present they raise two hundred thousand pounds Scotch for the present Sept. 27. but having knowledge by their Commissioners in England of the affairs here they will not Disband for at the beheading of the Lord Hart-Hill at Edenburgh one who had been for the King in the time of Montrose He scattered some Papers there to the people which mention the particulars of great troubles likely to be in England But to caress them and to see what they do 2. of the Lords and 4. of the Commons House are speedily to Post with Instructions to the Estates of Scotland where we leave them till the next year and proceed to a summary of the affairs of Ireland this year The Parliaments Commissioners are gon to Ireland to take possession of Dublin for the Marquess of Ormond and landed them the seventh of Iune and with them were Colonel Iones Captain Merridith Captain Parsons four hundred and fifty Hoâ—se and one thousand Foot commanded by Colonel Kinaston and four Captains mist at the time that Sir Charls Coot defeated a party of the Rebels The Parliament there now sitting gave good reception to the Commissioners in Iune Colonel Iones is made Governor of Dublin and much troubled by mutinies for advance mony and pay of arrears but were appeased and the old eleven Regiments of Foot reduced to seven viz. the Earl of Kildares Lord Moor Tichburn Benlace Willoughby Baily and Flowers in all about four thousand Many skirmishes are daily in several parts of the Provinces winning and loosing as the fate of war falls out but the complaint comes sad on the Parliament of England that their monies are gon their provisions in the field cannot last six daies and are forced to leave the field and go to garison for want of bread that Owen Roe the Rebel is with great forces in Connaught and Preston is marching against Dublin against whom Colonel Iones marches out with three thousand Horse and Foot and faced each other about twelve miles from Dublin the Enemy being eight thousand who fell on and forced Iones to retreat and then to fly and were pursued four miles taken prisoners and killed many the whole forces being in very sad condition But the eighth of August it was revenged by Colonel Iones upon Preston neer Trim killed five thousand four hundred and seventy Foot Souldiers three hundred of the Gentry seven thousand Arms taken four pieces of ordnance and great pillage with one hundred and fifty Oxen. About twelve a clock the Armies joyned battell continuing two hours Iones his Horse of two wings and some Foot having broken both wings of the Enemies the main body also advanced and did as much against theirs then the Enemy about three thousand drew up into a Bog and in abody whom Iones surrounded the Foot fall in and killed them those that came forth fell into the Horse and were all slain It was the greatest overthrow that we can boast of since the first war of the English against the Irish but not long after he rallies and joynes with Owen Oneal But the Lord Inchequin and his Souldiers understanding the differences of the Parliament and Army in England make their declaration and Remonstrance also yet they resolve to go on against the Rebels but will not admit of any alteration in Martial Government untill their arrears be paid them what is due both in England and Ireland And the Scots are called upon to Recall their â—orces out of Ulster in Ireland there being no further need of their forces the Parliament of England resolving to prosecute that war with the forces of England onely for Colonel Iones was successfull and had taken from the second of October to the nineteenth Castle Ricard Port Castle Athby Grucesfort the Mabber Belliloe Cabbrough Castle War Danmock Carrat Matrose Castle down and Castle Amoin And Inchequin hath his share of success in the Province of Munster the thirteenth of November neer Megallo and Clancard and killed two thousand five hundred upon the plain divers wounded and taken prisoners so that the Enemies loss is reckoned four thousand but at the close of these events the English cry out for recruit of men relief of Provisions and oft times ready to starve but the Kingdom of England are not at better leisure to help them being in much distemper at home
Seyman which held a weeks debate and being very prolix we shall refer the Reader to the Papers on each particular then set forth by the Kings friends and since imprinted and bound up together with other Writings and Papers of the Kings annexed to his Eikon Basilike where the dispute is set out at large But the time limited in the Treaty being now consummaâ—â— the Commissioners return and make their report to the Parliament of the Kings Concessions no waies answerable to their desires and so are voted unsatisfactory And at an instand Hamond renders up the charge of the Kings person to Col. Ewers as hereafter And whilst the Treaty is likely to conclude in peace the Commanders of the Army seem to entertain the hopes with gladness and profess That they will obey the Acts of the Houses that publick peace will be welcom to them above others that being free from the toyls of War they might settle their own private affairs and after the end of their tedious labours sit down to rest But what ere they said their intermingled friends in the Houses advizing some Commanders and common Souldiers hold meetings and frame Petitions That the Treaty with the King might be broken off and punishment on all without distinction glancing at the Kings person the Enemies of the Common-wealth and these are Printed and dispersed and which taking flame the Souldiers Rendezvouz near London to frighten their adverse party and a Remonstrance is conceiving by an able pen-man who under colour of dislike with the General takes time in private for the present only to frame a large Remonstrance of the Army But to usher it in with County Petitions 〈…〉 most pertinent from thousands of the County of Leicester minding the Parliament in this time of Treaty of two Declarations the one from the Assembly of Scotland charging the King with spilling of the bloud of many thousands in his three Kingdoms And the other Declaration of Parliament An. 1647. wherein they give Reasons of their no further address to the King and speak as high as these of Scotland they add also the Houses Answer to the Scots Commissioners Papers 1647. All which have made their hearts to tremble expecting with amazement what satisfaction they may have to these loud cryings and Heaven-provoking crimes viz. The death of his Father betraying Rochel the Spanish Fleet with an Army in it Proclamations to cry down Parliaments his correspondency with Rome the private Articles of his marriage his Commissions to the Rebels in Ireland his violent attempt upon his House of Commons inviting Foreigners to enslave the three Nations his proclaiming the Parliament of England Rebels the designed bloody Massacre in London by his Commission his destructive principle of yielding accompt to none but God his inviting over of the Irish Rebels to subdue this Parliament and such like together with this eight years misâ—ries of these three Kingdoms And that these are but a few of the many Reasons why they cannot repose any more trust in him And pray that proceedings against him may be accordingly least they build their peace upon ruined foundations that they may neither fear Treating with him nor trusting him with great and weighty affairs of the three Kingdoms And conclude as most charitable and Christian that speedy justice be executed on all prisoners the Parliaments Enemies And had thanks for this Petition But the Tide began to turn in October whilst they were Treating for now we are almost at quiet abroad and the Army at leisure Insurrections calmed Garrisons in opposition surrendred Scotland inâ—aders overcome the two Kingdoms brought in confederacy in Arms. And the House of Commons bethinks of raising vast sums for composition of Delinquents and accessaries in the late Insurrections and in executing such persons prisoners as are fitted for Justice To which eâ—d they have Petitions from the Mayor Aldermen and Common Council of London and the like unchristian charity from the prayers and Preachings of the Presbyterian and accordingly the Parliament proceed They begin with the Earl of Norwich and the Lord Capell as to impeaching them of Treason and Rebellion who Petitioned the House of Lords with the sense of their condition and of the quarter consented unto by the General Fairfax at the Surrender of Colchâ—ster The Lords send to the Commons assuring them that by the Generals Letter to them all others were to have quarter after some were shot to deaâ—â— And upon great debate the Houses were fain to desire the General to explain his Letter of the 29. of Septem He was now at his Head Quarters at St. Albans and long after they had this Answer The General does not take upon him to conclude but stating the business leaves them to the Civil power and so in effect to tâ—yal for life But ere they had Answer they are troubled at a demand of the Army for present payment of their Arrears amounting to the sum of three hundred fourteen thousand three hundred fifty one pounds and five pence whereof near fifty thousand pounds is due from the City of London Besides one hundred thousand pounds to be advanced in part of the Arrears due to the reduced Officers and Souldiers in a List remaining in the House of Commons and the debate was whether the new Sequestrations in the County of Essex should be exempted from being part of the money assigned for this purpose and conclude in the Negative This made a hubbub over all England the reduced Officers of all Counties are coming up to London under pretence for their Arrears The Parliament bustle how to avoid the inconvenience and declare That the Houses are upon passing an Ordinance for their satisfaction and that their coming up to London will much impede this and other the great affairs of the Kingdom and therefore they are commanded to forbear upon that or any pretence whatsoever and so had an Ordinance passed for payment of 23000. l. part of their Arrears 9. October The Courts of Westminster Hall were thin and were to be filled with Judges And in order thereto a new call of Serjeants at Law Out of Greyes Inn thâ—se to be Serjeants Sir Tho. Widdrington Sir Tho. Bednifield Mr. Kebble Mr. Thorpe and Mr. Bradshaw Out of Lincâ—lns Inn Mr. Sollicitor St. Iohn Mr. Sam. Brown Mr. Recorder Glyn and Mr Erle Out of the Middle-Temple Mr. Whitlock Mr. Coniers Mr. Puleston Out of the Inner-Temple Mr. Chapman Mr. Gales and Mr. Will. Littleton And not long after were called Will. Powel Io. Clark Iohn Elcontread Ro. Nichols Io. Parker and Rob. Barnard and were made Serjeants at Law Serjeant Roll is to be chief Justice of the Kings Bench Iermin and Brown Justices there Mr. Sollicitor chief Justice of the Common-pleas Sir Tho. Bedingfield and Creswel Justices there Serjeant Wild chief Baron of the Exchequer Mr. Gates a Baron there Mr. Whitlock Atturney Gen. of the Dutchy Mr. Prideaux Sollicitor Gen. Mr. Widrington one of the Kings Serjeants
up and Anarchy goes down yet rather then to sink the Presbyter complies and the Houses agree whom the Army resolve so to ballance as by their Authority for the present to doe the great work and to dissolve Monarchy Some Members out of honour and conscience forbearing the rest of them receive the Report of the 38. Committee-men and their general Charge against the King That Charls Stuart hath acted contrary to his trust in departing from the Parliament setting up his standard making war against them and thereby been the occasion of much bloudshed and misery to the people whom he was set over for good That he gave Commissions to Irish Rebels c. and since was occasion of a second War c. besides what done contrary to the Liberties of the Subject and tending to the destruction of the Fundamental Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom 27. December The Queen of England now at Paris in France writes to the King which was conveyed to him by one Wheeler imployed by Major Boswels man where the Queen expresseth her deep sence and sorrow for the Kings sad condition with whom she bears an equal share and wishes to dye for him nor will she live without him for whose interest she hath and will doe her utmost in all possible waies and means to help him Then another Letter was delivered by the French Ambassador to the General from the Queen and directed To her trusty and welbeloved Tho. Lord Fairfax General imploring his help and assistance that she may have leave as the Ambassador unfolded to come over to the King her Husband to see him before he be proceeded against by any Tryal or Charge and to have a Pass for her secure coming and returning which letter the General sent to the House and they laid it aside And to confirm the present intended Tryal the Commons House declare That by the Fundamental Laws of the Realm it is Treason in the King of England for the time to come to levy War against the Parliament and Kingdom The Ordinance for the Kings tryal was refused by the Lords Ian. 2. but they will send answer and presently adjourn for ten daies The Commons examining the Lords Journal Books finde three Votes 1. To send an Answer 2. That their Lordships do not concur to the Declaration 3. That their Lordships reject the Ordinance for tryal of the King Upon which the Commons Vote That all Members and others appointed to act in any Ordinance are impowred and injoyned to Sit Act and Execute notwithstanding the House of Peers joyn not with them The House 4. Ianuary turned into a grant Committee resolve and declare 1. That the People under God are the Original of all just power 2. That the Commons of England assembled in Parliament being chosen by and representing the People have the Supream Authority of this Nation 3. That whatsoever is enacted and declared for Law by the Commons of England assembled in Parliament hath the force of a Law 4. That all the people of this Nation are included thereby although the consent and concurrance of the King and House of Peers be not had thereunto 5. That to raise Arms against the Peoples Representative or Parliament and to make War upon them is high Treason 6. That the King himself took Arms against the Parliament and on that account in guilty of the bloodshed throughout the Civil War and that he ought to expiate the crime with his own bloud Thus they prepare for the design which must be attempted by degrees The Tryal of the King The Ordinance for his Tryal was 6. Ian. ingrossed and read and the manner is referred to the Commissioners who are to try him and meet in the Painted Chamber Munday 8. Ianuary and resolved that Proclamation be made in Westminster Hall that the Commissioners are to sit again to morrow and that those who had any thing to say against the King shall be heard In this manner Mr. Denby the younger a Serjeant at Arms to the Commissioners rid into the Hall with his Mace and some Officers all bare six Trumpetters on Horseback sounded in the midst of the Hall and the Drums of the Guard beat without in the Pallace Yard and in like manner at the Old Exchange and in Cheapside 9. Ian. The Commons Vote the Title in Writs Carolus Dei Gratiâ c. to be altered and referred to a Committee That the great Seal of England be broken and ordered a new Seal with the Arms of England and the Harp for Ireland with this word The great Seal of England And on the reverse the picture of the House of Commons sitting with these words In the first year of freedom by Gods blessing restored 1648. And in perpetuam rei memoriam the Mayor Aldermen and Common Council petitioned the House of Commons for justice against the King to settle the Votes that the Supreme power is in them and the City resolving to stand by them to the utmost And this Petition was ordered to be Recorded in the Books amongst the Acts of the Common Council And in respect of the Kings intended Tryal Hillary Term begining the 23. of Ian. was adjourned for 14. dayes after and proclaimed in London and Westminster and all Market Towns The Scots Parliament began Ianu. 4. and the proceedings of the Parliament of England being reported to them they unanimously did dissent First in the toleration of Religion in reference to the Covenant in the Tryal of the King and in the alteration of the form of Government And in order hereunto some Papers were brought to the House of Commons at Westminster directed To William Lenthal Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons and no more where they use to say to be communicated to the House of Commons by which they acknowledge them an House and so the House thought not fit to read them but Voted to send Commissioners to Scotland to preserve a good correspondence between both Nations The Commissioners for the Kings Trial debated and concluded That the Sword and the Mace although with the Kings Arms thereon should be ordered to be in Court at his Tryal And the King to be brought from St. Iame's whither he was come a prisoner to Sir Robert Cottons House at Westminster The Higher House sat and sent a Message to the Commons grounded upon the dissent of the Lords Commissioners of the great Seal joyned with the Commons That they could not agree to pass the Act of the Commons for adjourning the Term without the Lords concurrence first to be had And that by the instructions given to the said Commissioners the Commons Commissioners could do nothing without assent of one of the Lords The Message therefore was to the Commons to concur with the Lords for adjourning the Term for a fortnight and that the Commissioners of the great Seal may be required to passe the same under seal This Massage crossed the Commons late Votes
according to the prescript of his word which hath long since been miserably convulst and disjoynted And this a National Synod duly called and freely debating will best effectuate To the King namely my Successor you will render full right if you restore those things which by the clear letter of the Law stands expressed Lastly you will put the people in their rights and due Liberties not by listing them in the consort of the Throne and sway of the Scepter but by recovering unto the Laws their Authority and the peoples observance to the abrogating of which by the enormous power of the Sword when as by no means I could be induced I was brought hither to undergoe a Martyrdom for my people So his last breath gently dissolving into a most meek prayer the Bishop of London promps him â—hat if his most excellent Majesty pleased he would openly profess what he thought touching his Religion not that any one alive could suspect it of which himself at all times throughout the whole space of his life had given manifest testimony but for custom and the peoples satisfaction Hereupon saies the King That he deposited the testimony of his faith with that holy man meaning the Bishop or else expected defence on this behalf of all men who well knew his Life and profession Namely That I dye saith he in the Christian faith according to the profession of the Church of England as the same was left me by my Father of most blessed memory Then looking about upon the Officers Having saies he a most gracious God and most just Cause that I shall by and by â—â—â—ange this corruptible Crown for an Immarcessible one I both trust and exult and that I shall depart hence into another Kingdom altogether exempt and free from all manner of disturbance Then preparing towards the Circumstances the Bishop put on his night-cap and unclothed him to his Sky-colour Satten Wastecoat He said I have a good Cause and a gracious God and gave his George Order to the Bishop bidding him remember to give it to the Prince There is but one Stage more Sir saies the Bishop this is turbulent and troublesome and but a short one but it will soon dismiss you to a way further even from Earth to Heaven there you are assured of joy and comfort I go saies the King from a Corruptible to an Incorruptible Crown where no disturbance can be but peace and joy for evermore Then lifting up his eyes and hands to Heaven mildly praying to himself he stooped down to the Block as to a Prayer Desk and most humbly bowed down his generous neck to God to be cut off by the vizarded Executioner which was suddenly done at one blow Thus fell Charles and thus all Britain with him Tuesday 30. of Ianuary about the minute of two a clock afternoon There are those persons who have seriously observed some passasages afterwards against the Corps which they stile barbarous in relation to his blood shed thereabouts nay to the Block and to the Sand distained therewith and to his Hair the ground whereof was 〈◊〉 those things were procured by the Royal party well-affected even for a price Certainly there were very many such that coveted any thing as a Relique which evidenced his Martyrdom as they esteemed it And to this day there are divers Devoters that affirm the effects of Cure by application of those things distained with his bloud we need not go farre to finde out the truth hereof if we take the Narrative of the Woman-patient at Dedford near the City of London being thereby cured of her blindness and many others of like infirmities His Head and Trunk was instantly put into a Coffin covered with black Velvet and conveyed into the Lodgings at Whitehall There it was imbowelled by Chirurgions of their own but a Physitian privately thrusting himself into the dissection of the body relates that Nature had designed him above the most of Mortal men for a long life And all sides manifested by those that beheld the admirable temperature almost all ad pondus of his body and mind Then they bear it to St. Iames's House and Coffin it there in Lead About a fortnight after some of the Kings Friends the greatest of Nobility and Honour the Duke of Lenox Marquess of Hartford the Earl of Southampton and the Bishop of London begged the Body to bury it which they conducted to Windsor Chappel Royal and interred it there in the Vault of King Henry the eighth having only this Inscription upon the Coffin Charls King of England From the Bishop of London long time kept Prisoner they take away all the Kings Papers ransack his Coffers and clothes for Scripts and Scroles but Almighty God in his providence hath preserved a Volume of the Kings own a Posthume work of which if any man or Broughton shall impartially weigh the matter the Elegancy of the Stile the nerves of Reason the ardour of Piety even envy it self will confess he deserved the Kingdom amongst Writers and though his own is wrested from him the mercy of his Lord and Saviour hath given 〈◊〉 Crown of Erernal Glory He was a King worthy to be numbred amongst the best of Princes in al-beading ages a strength of will but of more and greater Endowments of vertue of a most strict temperature in the natural disposition of flesh and blood and by the effects of Divine grace the most exact observer of Conjugal Rites and therein for his continency much admired His personage comely of an even well timber'd tallness which assisted him to be excellent in all exercises and therein to be indefatigable for the minde or body None of the Kings no not one not of Britain only but also all as many as any where sat on Throne ever left the world with more sorrow for his his luck women miscarried men fell into melancholly some with Consternations expired men women and children then and yet unborn suffering in him and for him The Pulpit places of all Sects and Opinions lamented even the same men in vain bewailing the losse of him whom they strove heretofore who should first undoe now they extoll and compare to Iob for patience to David for piety to Solomon for prudence most worthy he was of Government if otherwise it had not been his due to Govern herein he performed that great piece to Act one man in every place with the same Tenor of Vertue and condition The same Mean in the most different fortunes without any mutation of the temperature of the mind He addulced as with Charms his Enemies to be made his adorers Reproaches he converted into Praises He in a word excelled in goodness of whom this world was not worthy and therefore the Heavens have him there He had his failings of perfection in the first years of his Reign not so well versed in the affairs of State but that he being put to it trusted too much to others
when once they have fully shaken off this yoke of vulgar incroachment since the publick interest consists in the mutual and common good both of Prince and people Nothing can be more happy for all then in fair grave and honourable waies to contribute their Counsels in Common enacting all things by publick consent without Tyranny or Tumults We must not starve our selves because some have surfeited of wholsome food And if neither I nor you be ever restored to our Right but God in his severest Iustice will punish my Subjects with continuance in their sin and suffer them to be deluded with the prosperity of their wickedness I hope God will give me and you that grace which will teach and enable us to want as well as to wear a Crown which is not worth taking up or enjoying upon sordid dishonourable and irreligious terms Keep you to true principles of piety vertue and honour you shall never want a Kingdom A principal point of your honour will consist in your deferring 〈◊〉 respect love and protection to your Mother my Wife who hath many waies deserved well of me and chiefly in this that having been a means to bless me with so many hopeful Children all which with their Mother I recommend to your love and care shee hath been content with incomparable magnanimity and patience to suffer both for and with me and you My prayer to God Almighty is whatever becomes of me who am I thank God wrapt up and fortified in my own Innocency and his Grace that he would be pleased to make you an Anchor or Harbour rather to these tossed and weather-beaten Kingdoms a Repairer by your wisdom justice piety valour of what the folly and wickedness of some men have so far ruined as to leave nothing entire in Church or State to the Crown the Nobility the Clergie or the Commons either as to Laws Liberties Estates Order Honour Conscience or Lives When they have destroyed me for I know not how far God may permit the malice and cruelty of my enemies to proceed and such apprehensions some mens words and actions have already given me as I doubt not but my bloud will cry aloud for vengence to heaven So I beseech God not to pour out his wrath upon the generality of the people who have either deserted me or engaged against me through the Artifice and hypocrisie of their Leaders whose inward horrour will be their first tormentor nor will they escape exemplary judgments For those that loved me I pray God they may have no miss of me when I am gon so much I wish and hope that all good Subjects may be satisfied with the blessings of your presence and virtues For those that repent of any defects in their duty toward me as I freely forgive them in the word of a Christian King so I believe you will finde them truly zealous to repay with interest that Loyalty and Love to you which was due to me In sum what good I intended do you perform when God shall give you power much good I have offered more I purposed to Church and State if times had been capable of it The deception will soon vanish and the vizards will fall off apace This Mask of Religion on the face of Rebellion for so it now plainly appears since my restraint and cruel usage that they fought not for me as was pretended will not long serve to hide some mens deformities Happy times I hope attend you wherein your Subjects by their miseries will have learned That Religion to their God and Loyalty to their King cannot be parted without both their sin and their infelicity I pray God bless you and establish your Kingdoms in righteousness your soul in true Religion and your Honour in the Love of God and your people And if God will have disloyalty perfected by my destruction let my memory ever with my name live in you as of your Father that loves you and once a KING of three flourishing Kingdoms whom God thought fit to honour not only with the Scepter and Government of them but also with the suffering many indignities and an untimely death for them while I studied to preserve the Rights of the Church the power of the Laws the honour of my Crown the priviledge of Parliaments the Liberties of my people and my own Conscience which I thank God is dearer to me than a thousand Kingdoms I know God can I hope he will restore me to my Rights I cannot dispair either of his mercy or my peoples love and pitty At worst I trust I shall but go before you to a better Kingdom which God hath prepared for me and me for it through my Saviour Iesus Christ to whose mercy I commend you and all mine Farewell till we meet if not on earth yet in heaven The world was busied with Epitaphs upon his death and there were those who have been passionately disposed to parallel his sufferings with the holy Jesus but we forbear to censure them or to say so much Only we may aver that he was a King whose Reign and Death makes as full and perfect a Story of goodness and glory as earth would suffer and whose Christian virtues deserve as faithful a Register as Earth can keep but Reader not to overwhelm thee in a deluge of sorrow as I am drowned in tears I conclude The End Those wonderfull mutations in Church and State which followed hereupon even to this day we may God willing adventure to sum up hereafter in a succeeding continued History whilst these by favour finde acceptance A Table of the chief Occurrences in the preceding HISTORY A. A Rch-bishop Abbot sequestred fol. 104 dies 194 The King Marches to Aino 586 Aldern Fight 876 Sir Giles Allington his incest 160 his case and sentence 161 French Ambassadour affronted 661 Amiens described 2 Sir Robert Amstroder sent Ambassador to the Emperour 143 and again the second time 162 Bishop Andrews dies 72 Princess Anne born 218 Arguile defeated 795 Bishop of Armagh his Speech 68. His direction to the Parliament touching the Leiturgie and Episcopal Government 363. He confirms Dr. Reynalds original of it 366 367. His Propositions in Church Government 423 Design of the Army discovered 409. New Modelling of it 770. They mutiny for money 926. They Petition the Parliament 979 are discontent 984 draw towards London 986. Their Representative 987. They come to Southwark 1000. March in state to Westminster and through London 1001. Their desires 1008. Their Agitators send Letters to the General 1011 which he answers 1013. They demand their Arrears and are voted payment 1098 Their large Remonstrance 1099 and Declaration 1100. They come to White-Hall ibid. Their Representative stiled the Agreement of the people 1107 Arras lost 371 Earl of Arundel committed 30 sent Ambassador to the new Emperour of Ger. 212. and aboard the Spaniards 280 Arundel Castle surrendred to Waller 662 Ashburnham sent into England 89 Lord Ashley defeated 885 Ast Ferry Fight 733 Lord
c. he is conveyed to the scaffold 1135. his speech there 1136 his preparation for death 1137. he is executed 1138. imbowelled ibid. interred in VVindsor Chappel 1139. his Character ibid. his Letter to the Prince of VVales 1140. his issue ibid. Prince Charls born 141. he desires conduct of Fairfax for 2. Lords to treat about a peace 843. is answ and replies ibid. he is invited to the Parl. 884 903. his Fleet 1078. he is invited to Scotland 1079. his Letterto the Lords in Parliament 1084 University of Cambridge ordered 664 Canophies Message to the Duk of Buckingham 97 Arch B. of Canterbury impeached 340 accused of high Treason 361. His arraignment 780. and Sentence 781. His Speech upon the Scaffold 782 Lord Capel impeached 1079 Carlisle surrendered 816 Sir Dud. Carlton sent Ambassadour to France 162 Carnarvan surrendered 893 Cassal lost 371 Cheapside Cross pulled down 614 Chepstow Castle taken 1059 Sir Geo. Chidleigh leaves the cause 638 Mutinies about keeping Christmas 1041 Church Government reformed in Scotland 194. Commotion about Church Ceremonies 290. new modes of Ecclesiastical Government 422 Cirencester taken by storm 602. surprized by Essex 646 Abuses in Civil affairs 129 Earl of Cleveland commended 737 Clubmen rise 817. treat with the Gen. Fairfax 818. are surprized by Cromwel 828 Cockram sent to the King of Denmark with Instructions 692 Colchester Summoned 1067. resolutely defended 1080. yet surrendered 1081 List of prisoners taken there 1082 House of Commons petition for a Guard 477. their misrule 820 Committee for the Kings Execution 〈◊〉 1132 Owen O Conally discovers the Irish conspiracy 438. is examined ibid. Covocation sits after the Parliament 305. Impose an Oaâ—â—â—â—â—07 their Canons denounced 339 Mr. Cook and Dr. Turner's insolent speeches 31 County of Corn. protests for the K. 663 County of Corn. caressed by the K. 628 A Juncto of Council called 309 Covenanters their pretended cause of Rebellion 228. Their Demands 238. They assume all Authority 243. A covenanting Female Imposturess 244. They protest against the discharging their Assembly 245. Their protestation 276. Their charge against the Arch-bishop of Canterbury 340 Sir Thomas Coventry dies 281 High Court of Iustice erected 1121. The place for it 1123. The number of the Iudges at the Kings Sentence 1129 Sir Nicholas Crisp kills Sir James Enyon 633 Lieutenant Gen. Cromwel defeats the Scots Army 1074. improves his successes 1075 enters Scotland and declares 1076. Their Nobility contract with him ibid. He is caressed there 1077 D. REason of the Danish War 796 Dartmouth Besieged and Surrendred 868 Earl of Denbigh delivers up his Commission 799 Dennington Castle assaulted the first time 722. A second attempt upon it 723 A grand Design 287 Devizes taken by Cromwel 833 Queen Dowager of Denmark dies 191 County of Devon protests for the K. 663 Lord Digbies first Speech in Parliament 334. His second for Episcopacy 362. 〈◊〉 Letter intercepted 496 836 Distempers in the Kingdom 1082 Sir Dudley Digs his Prologue against the Duke of Buckingham 42 Dublin victualled 445 besieged by the Rebells 965 Dudley Castle surrendred 889 Dunkirk surrendred to the French 972 E. ECcleshal Castle and Town taken 657 Edge-hill Battel 583 Prince Elector dies 190. Young Prince Elector arrives 207. departs with his brother 220. comes over again 279 is arrested for debt 816. visits his brothers Rupert and Maurice 891 is made a Member of the Assembly of Divines 974 Sir John Eliots speech and Remonstrance 130 Princess Elizabeth born 207 England and France at difference 59. English Army Marches to the North 249. Come within view of the Scots 250 they treat 251. Second expedition against the Scots 312 Sir James Enyon slain 633 County of Essex Petition 1062 E. of Essex his second Marriage 152. He is made General of the Parliaments Foot 545. Proclaimed Traitour 547. His Ensigns Colours 567. He sets out of London 577. Advises of peace 625. Musters at Hunsloe-heath 628. His Army is in distress 633. but recruits 698. He divides Forces with Waller 706. is defeated in Cornwal 709. A Letter to him from the Lords and Commanders in the Kings Army 716. He is degraded from his Generalship 770 delivers up his Commission with a paper 799 his death 928. Col. Tho. Essex Garrisoneth Bristol 581 Excize continued by Ordinance of Parliament 1004 Exeter delivered up to Prince Maurice 628. Summoned by the Parliaments Forces 869. Surrendred 888 F. LOrd Fairfax and others proclaimed Traitours 600. He takes Selby 700 Sir Tho. Fairfax made General 770. his Commission 798. he Marches to Bridge-water 821. comes to London 925. his Letter in behalf of the King 992 Dr. Featly imprisoned and why 635 John Felton murders the Duke of Buckingham 120. his confession 122 he is hanged in chains 124 Sir John Finch made Keeper of the great Seal 282. His Speech to the Commons House 344. Voted Traitour and flyeth 347 Eruption of fire out of the Sea 246 Fleet comes home 64. service of the Fleets at Sea 206. another Fleet for the narrow Seas 211 Tumult in Fleetstreet 140 French insolent at Court 61. peace concluded with France 138. Princes of France discontent and why 372 Ambassadour from France 615 Ambassadour extraordinary from thence hath audience 918 Mr. Fountain committed 567 G. GAdes voyage suceeds ill 19 Overtures from the Emperour of Germany 137 small effects of the peace there 207. the Emperour dies 212 English defeated at Gilingstone Bridge 449 Glamorgans Letter to the King 859 Serjeant Glanvile released upon bail 942 Sir Thomas Glenhams Answer to Arguiles Letter 675 Glocester besieged by the King 629. the siege left 632. Actions in the County of Glocester 633 c. Goodman reprieved 349. Remonstrance against him ibid. Gordon executed 1045 Skirmish at Greenhils 452 Major Grey slain 731 Gutlery executed 1046 H. A Letter from the Hague intercepted 595 Mr. John Hambden slain 623 Marquess Hamilton his design 147. he is made high Commissioner to Scotland 237. his Commission read in publick ibid. Poasts back to the King 239. returns again 240. Poasts the second time to the King 241. and returns to Scotland 242. comes again to England 246. he invades England with an Army 1071. Summons Lambert and is answered 1072. Is taken prisoner 1075 Col. Hamonds Letter to the Parliament 1020 he refuseth to deliver up the Kings attendants 1025 King at Hampton Court 1004 Major Hamond kills Grey 731 Henderson argues with the King 904 Sir Edward Herbert questioned about the five Members 482. The Kings Letter concerning him 484 Hereford siege raised 824 826. The Town surprized for the Parliament 839 Earl of Holland revolts to the King and back to the Parliament 626 and 639. his insurrection 1068. he is taken prisoner 1069 Present to the King and Queen from the States of Holland 207. Holland Fleet and Spanish engage 279. Holland Ambassadours have audience 718 Lord Hopton defeated at Torrington 869. he agrees to disband 870 Sir John Hothams act of excluding the King from Hull avowed 512. he
begins the quarrel 574. offers to betray Hull and Lincoln 615. he is seized prisoner with his son to the Parliament 624. his Tryal 740 and sentence 741. he is executed 744 Captain Hotham arraigned 741. his Letter to the Earl of Newcastle 743 his execution 741 Iustice Howard killed by a Papist 338 Hudson conveys the King from Oxford 905. his examination and confession 907 Hull and its Magazine desired by the Parliament 507. Entrance thither denyed the King 510 Huntington taken by the King 829 I. KIng James dies 2. His Funeral ibid. Iudge Jenkins refuseth to be examined 976 Jesuits and secular Priests at difference 151 Impropriations touched 153 Condition of Ireland and beginning of their troubles 185. It is in disquiet 199. Irish Rebellion presurmized 438 discovery of it proclaimed 439. first broke out in Ulster ibid. Towns seized by the Rebels there and their Declaration 442. dispatch from thence to the King in Scotland 443. Parliament in Ireland protest against the Rebels and send Letters again into England 446. Overtures for relief of Ireland 486. Propositions for Ireland 496. Cessation of Arms there for a year 640. Irish Forces come over to the King 650. Irish Letters intercepted 855. The Kings Message about Ireland ibid. peace proclaimed there 921. Government of Ireland voted 962 War in Italy 137 New Judges and Serjeants at Law 1098 Bishop Juxon made L. Treasurer 207 K. KEntish Insurrection 1063. Their Reply to Gen. Fairfax his Letter 1064. They come to Black-heath and disband 1066 Famous Battell at Kilsithe 880 The Lord Kimbolton questioned 472 Tax of Knighthood 145 L. LAmbeth house beset by Puritans 309 Lamiston quitted 870 Lands-down Fight 624 Siege at Latham House raised 703. It is surrendred to the Parliament 838 Major Gen. Laughorn joins with Poyer 1056 Earl of Leicester declared Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 432 Leicester taken by the King 808 Surrendred upon Articles to the Parliament 815 Levens Letter concerning the King 899 Lewis the just and the 13. dies 608 Dr. Leighton sentenced 114 Exceptions against the Leiturgy 682 Lichfield Close besieged and taken 613 Lidbury Fight 805 Mr. J. Lilburns Petition for peace 865 Earl of Lindsey returns from his Imprisonment 626 Bishop of Lincoln enlarged 337 Sir George Lisle shot to death 1081 Loan moneys 65 London Bridge burnt 178 â—ondoners Petition 318 339. They mutiny 471. Petition the King and are Answered 478. send another Petition to the King 597. which he Answers 598. Congratulate the Parliament 905. their Petition 947. declare against the Army 998 but submit and treat 999. Mutiny in London 1057 Duke of Lorain to assist the King 795 Lord Lowden his Speech 261 Sir Charls Lucas shot to death 1081 Sir John Lucas proclaimed Traitour by the Parliament and committed 563 M. MAc Mahon secured 439. Executed 768 Macquire executed 768 Magdeburgh besieged taken and burnt 147 Maidstone Fight 1065 Malmsbury taken 705 Earl of Manchester surrenders his Commission 799 Dr. Manwaring questioned 115 Princess Henrieta Maria espoused to K. Charls 2. sets forward to Amiens 3. thence to Boloign where she takes ship 4. Lands at Dover ibid. comes to Gravesend 5. is maried and the mariage proclaimed ibid. Princess Henrieta Maria born at Westminster 725 Marston Moor Fight 720 Court Martial erected in London 886 Mr. Henry Martin seizeth the Regalia at Westminster 623. conveyed into France 891 Masque of the Inns of Court 196 Lieutenant Col. Massey made Governour of Glocester 582. he meets Myn and defeats him 731 Prince Maurice enters Tewxbury 654. and defeats Waller 655 Meditation of the King upon calling the last Parliament 323. upon the Insolency of the Tumults 402. upon passing the Bill for the Triennial Parliament Hâ—h 2. upon jealousies and scandâ—â—â— cast upon him 410. upon his withdrawing to Hampton Court 480. upon his coming to the House of Commons 485. upon the Queens departure 492. upon the 19. Propositions sent to him 523. upon raising Arms against him 548. Seizing his Magazines Forts Navy and Militia 571. on the Solemn League and Covenant 616. upon the Rebellion in Ireland 642. upon the calling in of the Scots 671. upon his repulse at Hull 744. upon the abolishing of the Book of Common Prayer 747. upon the Treaty at Uxbridge 765. upon his Letters taken and divulged 812. upon the various successes of the War 871. upon his going to the Scots 902. upon being denyed his Chaplains 943. upon his captivity at Holmby 975 upon the Tumults and Distractions 989. upon his stricter imprisonment in Hurst Castle 1109 Five Members questioned 472. Articled against 473. the King comes to the house of Commons to arrest them ibid. which is voted a breach of priviledge 474 Charge against the eleven Members 988. Votes concerning them 989. they have leave to travel 996. six of them surprized at Sea 1003. votes against them discharged 1066. Divers Members accused for being active in a Tumult 1006 Several Members seized by the Souldiers 1104 Meneses spoiled by Montrose 790 Major Gen. Middleton comes from the Scots Army in England with Forces 1047 Money disposed of to certain Members 933 Monmouth betrayed 733. surprized again and how 738 Earl of Montrose forsakes the Covenanters 322. undertakes for the King 674. Military affairs under his conduct 687. he spoils the Meneses 790. defeats the Enemies at Aberdine 792. comes to Arguile and divastates all 794. his expedition to Dundee 875. his Victory at Aldern 876. at Kilsithe 880. Commands to him from the King 968. his Forces Defeated 969. he is Commanded by the King to lay down Arms 1047. he Disbands his Forces and takes leave of Scotland 1048 Lord Moor succours the English in Ireland 441. his house plundered 448 Dr. Mountague questioned 11 Lord Mordant converted 12 Munster Treaty concluded 1051 N. NAseby Fight 810 Netervile Commanded to Disband 451 Netherland States caressed on both sides 568 Newark Siege raised by Prince Rupert 678. renewed and the Town surrendred 892 Newburn defeat 313 Newbury first fight 646. Newbury second Fight 736 Newcastle deserted 313. besieged by the Parliament 772. and surrendred ibid. Battel at Norlington 203 Earl of Northampton relieves Banbury 730 Earl of Norwich impeached 1079 Atturney General Noy dies 199 O. OAth against Scots Covenanters 265 The Kings Officers quarrel at Newark 837. and quit their Commissions ibid. Phelim O Neal Generalissimo of the Rebels in Ireland 441. Storms Tredagh 485 Sir Richard Onslow complains of Withers 892 Overtures of mariage betwixt the Lady Mary and Prince of Orange 359 the mariage solemnized 402 Old Prince of Orange dies 948 Grand Ordinance to disable Members from Offices and Commands 801 Organs in St. Pauls Church pulled down 660 Duke of Orleans his endeavours 85 Directions to Ormond to make a peace with the Rebels in Ireland 755 which he doth 921 Divines at Oxford differ 174. Treaty there 610. Parliament assembled there 664. write to General Essex for a Peace 668. are prorogued 701. the Town is straitned 816. Fasting and Prayer there 854. second
8. Demand Hist. p. 212. Answer Question Answer Sir Benjamin Ruddier 's Speech Overtures of a Match betwixt the Lady Mary and Prince of Orange The Kings Speech to the Lords about it Pretended Plots of Papists The King passes the Bill for the Triennial Parliament His Speech concerning it Arch-bishop-accused of High-treason Lord Digby's Speech for Episcopacy Original of Dr. Reynald of Episcopacie Which the Arch Bishop of Armagh confirms Spanish Territories revolt Catalonia rebells Cassal lost And Turin And Arras Princes of France discontent and why Whether Spain aims at the universal Monarchy or no The charge against Strafford Answered His Tryal in Westminster Hall Ob. p. 224. Ob. p. 226. Anno 1641. March 25. March 27. April 1. April 2. Aprilâ— the conclusion of the Earls defence The Commons justifie their charge by Law The Earl answereth by Councel with satisfaction But is by the Commons voted by Bill guilty of high Treason Bill of Attainder The Kings speech in defence of the Earl of Strafford Prince of Orange maried the Princess Mary Tumult at Westminster crying out for Justice of the Earl Eikon Bas. chap 4. Upon the Insolencie of the Tumults National protestation Monies raised for the King Bill propounded for continuance of the Parliament Earl of Strafford voted guilty of High Treason by the Lords Hist page 257. Ob. pag. 240. Observatâ—r observed page 41. Observator rescued page 288. Articles oâ— Ireland The second Scandal of hastening the Earls death The kings foâ—mer promisâ— the main Dilemma The Earls Letter to the King upon the Tumult of the Prentices Eikon Bas. chap. 5. upon the Kings passing the Bill for the triennial Parliament and after setling this during this Parliaments Pleasure Bill for a perpetual Parliament Arch-bishop of Armagh's answer under his hand concerning the consult with the Bishops The Kings Letter in behalf of the Earl The Lords Answer The Earl brought to the Scaffold The Earl's Speech upon the Scaffold A design of the Aâ—my discovered Eikon Basilike c. 15. Upon Jealousies and Scandals cast upon the King Mr. Thomas his Speech against Bishops Bishops after the Reformation King Charls Mr. White 's Letter 〈…〉 New mods Ecclesiastical Government The Arch-Bishop of Armaghs Propositions in Church Government a The book of Ordination b Ibid ex Act. 20. 27. 28. x so taken in Mat. 2. 6. Rev. 12. 5. 19. 15. d 1 Tim. 4. 14. e Tertul. Apologet. cap. 39. f Nec de aliorum manibus quam praesidentium sumimus Id. de coronâ— militis cap. 3. g Dandi quidem Bâ—ptismi habet jus summus sacerdos qui est Episcopus dehinc Presbyteri Diaconi Id. de Bapt. cap. 17. h Omni actu ad me perlato placuit contrahi Presbyterium Cornel. apud Cyp. epist. 46. i Cyprian epist. 55. ad Cornel. k Concil Carthag 4. cap. 23. l Excerption Egberti cap. 43. m 15. q. 7. cap. Nullus x unde nomen Episcopi tractum est Hieron epist. 85. ad Evagrium Tunnage and Poundage The speaker to the King The King replies Bill of Poll-mony passed as also suppressing the High Commission Court and Star-chamber Court Qu. Mother of France dies at Colen Ambassadour to the Emperour at the Diet. Resolution to disband the Scots and English Army Dr. Wren Bishop of Ely committed to the Tower Judges questioned about Ship-money Commissioners in the Kings absence Bills signed Parliament sit on a Sunday Aug. 10. Disorders by connivance of Parliament Irish Rebellion the Proeme Parsons and Burlace made Lords Justices of Ireland The Earl of Leicester declared Lord Lieutenant Parliament adjourned for three Moneths Rebellion brake out Octob. 23. Motives to the Catholicks to take Arms. Irish Rebellion pre surmized Owen O Conally discovers the Conspiracy 22. October 1651. Conally examined Mac Mahon secured The discovery Proclaimed Rebellion first in Ulster The preparations of defence Letters sent to the King and Parliament All Ulster posessed by the Rebells Phelim O Neale the Generalismo Rebell his Character News sent to Droghedagâ— Lord Moor comes with succour Townes surprized by the Rebells The General Declaration of the Catholiques of Irelâ—nd Second Dispatch to the King in Scotland and to England Dublin victualled Protestation of the Parliament in Ireland against the Rebells The Parliam send to treat with the Rebells Letters again sent into England Order of Parliament in England concerning Ireland Tredagh fortified Lord Moor's house plundered English defeated at Gilingstone Bridge Surprise of shiping Letters summoning all the Lords of the Pale Their answer Netervile is commanded to disband His answer Tredagh besieged Skirmish at Greenhills Message from the Enemy The Oath of the Catholicks The Protestants Oath Several Enterprizes with effect against the Rebells The besieged in distress Relief to the Town The Enemies Invasion A Pinnace set out for Provision Several sallies O Neale returned Supply by sea O Neale storms the Town Letters from the Rebells iâ— the North. Base butcheries by the Rebells Feb. 26. Fresh Supply by Sea The Siege raised March 20. The Kings Speech to both Houses Proclamatâ—on for obedience to thâ— Lâ—ws concerning 〈…〉 The Kingâ— speech to the Houses The Parliament petition for priviledge A plot in Scotland Faction at hâ—â—e Parliament Petition and remonstrance Remonstrance of the Parliament The Kings Answer to the Petition The Kings Declaration in answer to the Parliaments Remonstrance Mutiny of the City Message concerning Ireland Proclamation of the Rebellion of Ireland The Lord Kimbolton and 5. Members are questtioned Articles against the 5. Members The King goes to the House of Commons to arrest the 5. Members Voted a breach of their Privilege Tumults against the Bishops who petition and protest Bishops accused of high Treason The House of Commons petition for a Guard The City in fear petition the King Answered 12 Ian. County of Bucks Petition The King with-draws to Hampton Court Eikon Bâ—s c. â— Upon the Kings retirement from Westminster Attourney General questioned about the five Members The Kings Letter concerning the Attourney General Upon the Kings coming to the House of Commonâ— Overtures for relief of Ireland The House of Commons petition for the Militia The Kings Answer Petition to the King concerning the five Members The Queen sent into Holland with the Princess of Orange Eikon Bas. c. 7. Petition for the five Members Petition to settle the Militia Lord Digby's Letters intercâ—pted Propositions for Ireland The Kings Answer concerning the Militia Parliament petition peremptorily for the Militia The Kings Answer Parliaments Declaration to the King of all his faults Parliament denude the King of all power and allegeance Proclamation at York concerning Tunâ—age and Poundage The County of York petition the King His Answer His offers concerning Ireland Hull and its Magazine desired by the Parliament Parliament disswade the King from going into Ireland Queries concerning the Militia concluded Magazine of Hull denied or entrance of the King Bill for the Militia Hotham's act at Hull avoâ—â—ed Parliament in a posture of War
for the Spaniard Cockram's Instructions to the King of Denmark Annâ— 1644. 〈…〉 Sir W. Waller 's Commission The Scots are caressed Fight at Braâ—dean Heath Essex's Army recruited Tax of weekly Meals Bewdley taken Fairfax in the North. Parliaments Army hastened The Parliament assembled at Oxford proroguâ—d Parliament at Westminster write to the Parliament in Scotland Anno 1643. The Queen journeys to the West and so to France The Kings Protestation aâ— the Sacrament of the Eucharist Swansey summoned Anno 1644. Siege at Latham House from Aâ—ril 17 raised May 27. The Lady Winter summoned to yield Her Answer Malmsbury taken The Kings design to march from Oxford Essex and Waller divide Forces Waller to catch the King Waller defeated at Copredy Bridge General Essex defeated in Cornwal Anno 1643. Anno 1644. The King returns to Oxford The Kings Letter to the Earl of Essex The Lords Letters to Essex Another from Tavestock Holland Ambassadours have audience for Peace York relieved by P. Rupert York surrendered to the Parliament Dennington Castle assaulted by the Parliaments Forces A second Attempt upon the Castle Church Reformation Princess Henretta Maria born at Exceter Iune 16. Ambassadours mediatours for Peace A Letter from beyond Seas to a member at Westminster The Kings Letter to the Parliament for a Peacâ— Upon the Victory against Essex's Army in Cornwal Banbury stormed by the Parliament and repulsed Earl of Northampton defeats the Besiegers Massey meets Myns design Grâ—y and Hammond fall out Myn de feated and slain Prince Rupert near Bristol Ast Ferry Fight Lieutenant Col. Kirle betrays Monmouth to Massey Military affairs in Monmouthshire Fight on the East side of Spine Earl of Cleveland commended Fight near Shaw Monmouth surprized and how Sir Iac. Astley at Cirencester Sentenced to death Captain Hotham arraigned Hothams Letter to the Earl of Newcastle Eikon Bas. cap. 8. p. 46. A new Government of the Church voted Eikon Bas. Cap. 16. Parliaments Propositions for Peace Directions to Ormond to make peace with the Rebels in Ireland Memorials for Secretary Nicholas at the Treaty Directions to the Kings Commissioners to treat Treaty at Uxbridge The Kings Commissioners offers concerning Religion Ireland Observations concerning the Treaty Anno 1644. Upon Uxbridg Treaty and other the Kings offers Eikon Bas. Chap. 18. Irish Rebels Macquire and Mac-Mahone Executed The design of new modelling the Army Newcastle siege Newcastle surrendred The siege of Basing House Basing relieved the 12 of Sept. The Besiegers rise from Basing Arch-Bishop of Canterbury arraigned Acts 6. 12. Acts 12. 3. Isa. 1. 15. Psal. 9. 12. Heb. 12. His Prayer at the Block Colonel Stephens surprizing was surprized The Cavaliers prevail Price Rupert in Wales with additional Forces Military affairs in Scotland Montrose spoils the Mâ—neses Dâ—feat at Aberdinc Fight at Favy Montrose in Arguile divastates all Arguile defeated A Design for the Duke of Lorain's assistance to the King The reason of the Danish War Anno 1645. General Fairfax his Commission Peace with the Swedes Shrewsbury betrayed to the Parliaments Forces Anno 1645. The Earls of Essex Manchester and Denbigh surrender their Commissions A Paper delivered to the Lord by the Earl of Essex together with his Commission Declaration in behalf of these Generals Grand Ordinance to disable Members from Offices and Commands Both Armies how disposed Blackington delivered to the Parliament Colonel Windebank shot to death Taunton besieged by the Kings Forces Taunton relieved for the present and again besieged State Ambassadours take leave Sir Iohn Winter recruited Lidbury fight A Protestation of Loyalty to the King Leicester taken by the King Naseby Fight Their Order The Kings Letters taken and divulged Upon his Majesties Letters taken and divulged Eikon Bas. ch 21. And his Declaration Leicester Surrendered upon Articles to the Parliament Prince Elector arrested for debt at the City feast Oxford straitned Carlisle surrendered Club-men are up Club-men treat with Fairfax His Answer Club-men's mis-rule Goring and Fairfax fight at Sutton Field Goring goes Westward Fairfax to Bridgwater Bridgwater bravely defended Bridgwater bravely defended at last surrendered Scarborough Castle delivered to the Parliament Bath rendered to Fairfax Siege of Hereford by the Scots raised by the King Summons Answers The King raises the Siege The Scots in discontent Sherburn taken by storm Club-men surprized by Cromwel Huntington taken by the King The King comes to Wales Fight at Bauton Heath Bristol besieged by Fairfax and Cromwel Cromwels Letter from Bristol to the Speaker He takes the Devizes And Winchester His Letter A Ranting Commander Basing taken by storm The wealth of Basing The Kings condition His Forces defeated at Sherburn in Yorkshire Digbie's Letters taken concerning Ireland The Kings Officers quarrâ—l Commanders quit their Commissions Belvoir surrendred to the Parliament Latham House rendred to the Parliament Hereford surprized for the Parliament Of treachery or Corruptions Qualifications concerning Delinquents Prince Charles desires conduct for two Lords to treat about a peace Fairfax's Answer The Princes Reply The Kings Letter to the Parliamentâ— for a conduct for persons to treat The Parliaments answer The Parliaments Answer to the Kings former Letters Anno. 1645. Fasting and Prayer at Oxford Irish Letters Intercepted The Kings Commission to the Barl of Glamorgan Message about Ireland and personal Treaty Arch-Bishop of York his letter to the Lord Ashley Digby's letter Glamorgans letter to the King out of Ireland Westchester besieged and surrendered Court of Wards and Liveries voted down Lilburn petitions for justice Dartmouth besieged and surrendred to the Parliament Exeter summoned Hopton defeated at Torrington Lamiston quitted Hopton agrees to disband Eikon Bas. pa. 17. 2. His expedition to Dundâ—e Aldern Battel Kilsithe famous Battel Foreign Affairs Prisoners of note Anno. 1646. The Prince of Wales invited to the Parliament The King at Oxâ—ord in distress Lord Ashley defeated totally The King desires to come to his Parliament He is answered negatively Cavaliers to depart the City Court Martial and their Articles Misery of the Cavalier The Brass Tomb of Windsor sold. Garisons surrendred Exeter surrendred Garisons rendred up to the Parliament Williams Arch-bishop of York turnned Souldier against the King Dudley Castle surrendred Oxford City besieged the second time Instructions to treat Oxford surrendred upon Articles Prince Elector visits his Brothers The Kings Seal of State broken The Duke of York brought to London Princess Henretta conveyed into France Sir Richard Onslow complains of Withers Newark siege and surrender of it First summons Second summons Banbury Castle surrendered and Carnarvan Ragland Castle besieged The King escapes out of Oxford And arrives at the Scots Army before Newark The Kings Letter to Ormond of his intention to go to the Scots Army Order to dispose of the King Levens Letter concerning the King The Kings Message to the Parliament from Southwel Votes to dispose of the King Eikon Bas. chap. 21. The Prince invited again to the Parliament The King enters into Newcastle The Scots Army voted to be gone
vote a war Oâ—hers dissent The State of the Scots Army come to Carlisle Summons Lambert by Letter Lamberts Answer Scots come to Penreath and engage Tinmouth Castle revolts and is retaken Lord General Cromwel comâ— against the Scots Scots Army defeated and how Capiâ—â—lâ—te and yield upon Articles Cromwel improves his success Hamilton taken and others Several Armies in Scotland Lieu. General Cromwel's Declaration in Scotland Scots Nobility contract with Cromwel And conclude in amity upon conditions Scots Armies disbanded Cromwel is caressed in Scotland The Prince of Wales his flight The States of Scotland invite the Prince thither Parliaments Vice-Admiral Batten goes to the Prince Colchester siege resolutely defended They capitulate by Letters Answer Lucas and Lisle shot to death The list of their prisoners Distempers in the Kingdom Petitions from all parts for a Treaty of Peace Voted to send to the King for a Treaty The Princes Letter to the Lords The Kings Message in Answer to the Votes and a Treaty Other Votes of the Parliament sent to the King His answer Commissioners to treat for the Parliament The King and his fast and pray Four Bills or demands Parliaments Propositions The Commissioners tyed up to conditions The Kings concâ—ssions in most things Propositions answered Concerning Ormond Earl of Norwich and Lord Capel impeâ—â—â—ed Arrears of the Army demanded Parliament Voâ—e payment New Judges and Serjeants at Law Petitions against the King and Treaty A large Remonstrance of the Army Hamond delivers the King to Col. Ewers Armies Declaration They come to White-hall Four Queries of the King concerning his Tryal The Kings Declaration concerning the Treaty The King is seized by the Army Divers Members seizâ—d by the Souldiers Agreement of the people Exceptions Vote against Vote Eikon Bas. cap. 28. The King brought to Windsor The Charge against the King The Queen writes to the King and General Votes of the Commons The Lords dissent Votes of the power of the Commmons house Proclamtaion for any to accuse the King New great Seal The Scots dissent The King brought to St. Iames's Form of the High Court of Justice The Lords and others against the Vote for Tryal The Scotish Declaration against the Kings Tryal Scots private instructions concerning the King The Actors proceeding The place of the Court of High Justice The Kings first Tryal The King accused Demurs to Authority of the Court and proves his Title successive not Elective Second Tâ—yal A Pre-Order in case the King will not answer The King interrogates their power and offers his reasons in writing The President prevent him with insolent rebukes Third dayes Tryal Saturday Tryal and Sentence The King râ—fuseth to Answer but before the two Houses of Parliament Presidents Speech The King not suffered to reply His Sentence Which the Tryers approvâ— The Kings Reasons against the jurisdiction of the Court a Hereabout I was stopt not suffered to speak any more concerning reasonâ— The King is abused by the Souldiery Hindered in his devorion and prayers The Committee order his Execution Ambassadors sue in the Kings behalf He is conveyed from St. Iames's to the Scaffold Passes to the Scaffold The King upon the Scaffold defends his innocency Howbeit he acknowledgeth Gods justice Pardons his enemies Takes pitty on the Kingdom Errours of the Faction How they may return to peace He praies Professes to dye a Christian according to the reformation of England He prepares to his death He is killed Reliques of the Kings death His body imbowelled His admired Book and Papers His Character only to be glanced at The Kings children The Kings Letter to the Prince of Wales
for two couple of Dogs from England When it was certain we had of of theirs here that came prisoners to the Duke and of greater quality to be exchanged for him and others and only the Common men returned free Nor does any of all our Adversaries Authors whom I have named that spit their malice most make the least mention hereof Only this our own writer defames us At this time Pens and Tongues were set on work to scandal and descant on this Expedition I have answered these our Adversaries Some of our own too do say It was propter Inscitiam temeritatem Ducis But Buckingham himself and others that lived to suffer under obloquie lodge the loss of the Design upon the Earl of Holland not seconding the expedition with recruit of Men and Victual with those ten Ships committed to his command for strengthing and continuance of the Siege and guarding the Passes to the Island which might have prevented the Relief of the Besieged And which Ships were ready part at Plymouth under oversight of the Lord Wilmot Vice Admiral the other Squadron made up at Chatham were to take in provision there and the Earl of Holland admiral of all T is true he failed of his time to attend the Wind which afterwards he lost so long that the King was returned his Summer progress ere Holland was got out of Portsmouth Roade but was aboard where he received the Kings angry Order That the Vice Admiral the Lord Wilmot hast post command at Plymouth to be gone with his Squadron and Holland might now stay his own leisure which so astonisht him to be left behind that instantly he quits his ship and all but his Secretary and one of his Chamber and with the help of a small fisher Boat skews the Wind to the Cowes in the Isle of Wight in imminent danger of drowning by the way and the next day by Post to Newport from thence he got into the weather and wind and so gained of thâ— way and landed again in the west posting to Plymouth timely enough to put to Sea And by the way he met with the Duke returned from the Isle of Ree for which he hardly escaped resentment and jealousie during life that Holland could have been content with his feigned hopes to succeed him favourite Thus ended this Design with loss of blood and honour Which had it succeeded saies one to our desire would not have rewarded the charge but he is much mistaken in this account for besides the preserving Rochel and the advantage to us of those Isles Rhe and Oleron and so footing in that part of Aquitain Besides the mid-way and conveniency of carrying on our Fleets and Forces towards Spain upon all occasions of quarrel with that Monarch But the Duke returned having an eye of Jealousie upon the Earl of Holland for retarding his necessary Recruit and so relief which indeed for the present had slender apology However the Duke posting to Court and heartily received of the King Professing that this neglect of Relief must lodge on his Friend and Confident Holland To which he acknowledged That indeed he had very affectionately intrusted him in ordinary affairs but never in such an esteem as to second him in Arms. And accordingly it being now in the Dukes power to reward his wilfull negligence Holland had orders to stay by the way and remain at Portsmouth under the notion of ordering the Ships and Souldiers there untill the Dukes further pleasure which was so long in resolve as lodged Holland under suspition to find the effects of utter ruin prevented only by his humble Remonstrance and submission to the Duke But the Landmen many strangers Irish and Scots were billeted by parcels in the County Villages and to the great regret of their Hosts that never felt any such burthen before nor could this give any just cause of murmurre at all And to boot Sir William Balfore a Scot Coâ—mander of Horse in the Netherlands and Dalbier a Dutch Commissary heretofore under Count Mansfield joined in commission with bills of Exchange thirty thousand pounds to buy and transport horses from beyond Seas into England for the Kings service which occasioned the more muttering in fear forsooth as the Turkish Ianizaries and terrour to force obedience of the people which report was fain to be palliated by Protestation That as they might be useful for suddain and foraign service so he willingly endeavoured at his own charge to ease their purses and so the Design took end with these Jealouâ—ies In the time of the Expedition to the Isle of Rhe the French had a gallant great Ship built at Texel in Holland named the Sancta Esprit and furnished with all materials necessary foâ— War Captain Trevere a worthy Englishman in his return from Hamburgh had Command to seize any Ships of the French upon the coast which lay there in the mouth of that Haven and this in the Harbour The night most proper for Trevers enterprize he procured a Dutchman Hollander for a round sum of money to direct him in the dark to aboard this great Ship which Toras the Governour of the Isle of Rhe caused to be built at his own charge upon the approach the French man let fly his great guns suspecting this Ship advancing so neer but Trevers made up with courage under this others upper Tire and shot the Frenchman through and through boarded her bravely and brought her away And fitting her with his own Men summoned the rest of his own consorts and so fell upon the whole French Fleet who in fear by the noise of the Cannon and ignorant of any event weighed anchor and got away to Sea in great confusion Spesse the French Agent complains to the States of Trevers boldness to seize any Ship in their Chambers of Harbour under their Protection To which Trevers tells them the Articles of Amity between his Royal Master and them to pursue Enemy in eithers Harbour which you have done said he by the Dunkirks out of English Ports But whilst they disputed Trevers hoists sail and comes home with his Prize and 20. whole brass Culverins two brass semi-Culverins two other great brass Guns sixteen large Iron Guns and two less In the Hold for Ballast was twelve great Guns arms of 1100. Souldiers eighty barrels of Powder And though a general command kept all the French Ships in Harbour not to stir whilest the English were Masters at Sea Yet Pennington the English Vice-Admiral took thirty four of theirs homeward bound rich Merchant men without loss of any of ours and others were forced out of their Havens under their very Castles and Forts to the terrour of the French At this time Abbot Arch-bishop of Canterbury was sequestred from those services which he could not at that present personally attend otherwise proper for his cognisance and jurisdiction and which as Arch-bishop he might and ought in his own person to perform and execute and a Commission
with Mr. Hotham who was in ill case to continue but must be forced to retreat to Hull The Forces of the West in Cornwall for the King began to form into a Body near Pendennis Castle the Governour thereof Sir Nicholas Slaning a gallant Gentleman and assisted 〈…〉 others Sir Bevil Greenvile who possessed themselveâ—â—â—aunston the County Town of Cornwall but not long after Sir Ralph Hopton appears in chief command over the Cavaliers The Parliament had Plymouth the neighbour Port Town of Devonshire bordering Cornwall in the South and Sir George Chudly a Stickler for them for a time onely The Kings party increased in Mid-Wales and descending Southwards as he marches the Welch come to him from all parts of Hereford Monmouth mightily increasing by the power and industry of the Earl of Worcester their Brigades reaching to Oxford and round about where Prince Rupert commanded who took Powder and Match marching through Staffordshire to reprieve Manchester The Parliament party lay about Warwick Coventrie Worcester Buckingham and their Brigades round about even to Glocester Some Arms for the King are landed at Newcastle and ten thousand pounds in Money to raise Dragoons in Northumberland and to fall into Yorkshire which appeared for the King The King on his march from Wales descended Southward and now being near Stafford the Parliament order That the Citie of London be strongly guarded and Posts Bars and Chains be erected and set up in places and by-lanes of the Parishes of St. Margarets Westminster St. Martins in the Fields St. Clements Savoy Holborn St. Giles Covent-garden St. Johns Street â—lerkenwell Criplegate Shoreditch White-chapel Islington Mile-end Southwark Lambeth or any other places necessary at the charge of the Parish by equal Assesment Octob. 22. And the Parliament declare a solemn Protestation to all the world In the presence of Almightie God for the satisfaction of their Consciences and the Discharge of that great Trust which lies upon them That no private passion or respect no evil intention to his Majesties person no Design to the prejudice of his just Honour and Authoritie engaged them to raise Forces and take up Arms against the Authours of this War whereof the Kingdom is now inflamed And after they have by clearing themselves lodged the occasion upon the Contrivers Papists about the King for extirpation of the Protestant Religion wherein principally this Kingdom and Scotland are concerned as making the greatest Body of Reformation in Christendom they conclude For all which Reasons they are resolved to enter into a solemn Oath and Covenant with God to give up themselves lives and fortunes into his hands and defend this his cause with the hazzard of our lives against the Kings Armie according to a form agreed upon and to be subscribed and to associate and unite with all the well-affected of the Citie of London and other parts of his Majesties Dominions 〈…〉 expect their dear Brethren of Scotland that they will help and 〈◊〉 defence of this Cause which if the Popish partie prevail must needs involve Scotland in the like alteration of Religion and engage them also in a War against this Kingdom to defend their own Religion And this they do again they say protest before the everliving God to be the chief end of all their counsels and resolutions without any intention to injure his Majestie either in his person or just power Octob. 22. And the Battail of Edg-hill the next morning being Sunday After the Kings party had beat the Enemy at Worcester Fight the three and twentieth of September he joyns all his Brigades near hand and marches to meet General Essex hovering thereabout to watch the Kings Designs who lodged on Saturday night October 22. at Sir William Chancies six miles near Keinton and Essex at Keinton And early the next morning being Sunday the three and twentieth drew up into a Body near Keinton and ascending the top of Edg-hill with his Prospective Glass took view of Essex his Army in the Vale of the Red Horse about a Mile distant but before the King could draw into order he was saluted with three Pieces of Cannon from the other side with three Shouts of their Souldiers And being asked by his Officers what his Majesty meant to do To give him Battel said the King it is the first time I ever saw the Rebells in a Bodie God and good mens prayers to him assist the justice of my cause And instantly ordered the Fight by the return of two Shot of Cannon in answer to theirs about two of the clock after noon the Word was God and King Charls his greatest Body of Horse was on the right Wing and on the left some Horse and Dragoons The Parliaments Army was put into this order the Foot a good space behinde the Horse when the Charge began three Regiments of Horse on the right Wing the Generals Regiment commanded by Sir Philip Stapleton Sir Balfore's Regiment who was Lieutenant General of the Horse and the Lord Fielding's Regiment which stood behinde the other two as a Reserve Sir Iohn Meldrum had the Van with his Brigade Colonel Essex the middle the General 's Regiment the Lord Brook and Colonel Hollis had the Rear in the left Wing were twenty Troops commanded by Sir Iames Ramsey Commissary General And thus they stood The Earl of Lindsey Lord High Chamberlain of England was the Kings Captain General but the Fight was ordered by the Lord Ruthen since made Earl of Forth a Scotish man and the General lead on the main Body with a Pike in his hand it is said that General Essex lead on his Forces also but then it is confessed that he was advised to retire from Danger and so he escaped when the other was killed The Forlorn Hope was commanded by Major Baâ—stake and Captain Hamond both of them Officers in Sir Lewis Diveâ— Regiment of Foot and drawn down the Hill to the side of a Ditch lined with Musquetiers and both sides had no sooner fired but that the Kings Cannon followed and discharged six or seven Shot Prince Rupert General of the Horse commanding the right Wing routed their left Wing and followed them in chafe to Keinton Town and two Miles beyond killing all whom they overtook the Lord Ruthen ordered the left Wing of the Kings Horse with the Lord Wilmot both of them doing gallant service 't is true Prince Rupert presumed that he had left a sufficient Reserve of Horse behinde under command of the Earl of Carnarvan with some other Troops who seeing the Enemies Horse and Foot to run his spirit not accustomed to stand still followed too far and left their own Foot naked of Horse which Essex espying took the advantage and with his Horse fell upon the Foot including these Regiments the Lord Generals Colonel Fieldings and Colonel Bowels a Regiment raised by the Lord Paget and did much execution upon them this service being done by Colonel Hurry afterwards Major General for the Parliament The Lord General Lindsey
negotiate the introducing by His Uncle the King of Denmark a foreign power to settle His affairs and under that pretext have given large Commission and particular instructions to the Fleet to visit search and intercept all such Danish ships as they should meet and to fight with sink or destroy all such as should resist them not permitting the same or to take and detain them having any arms or ammunition on board according to which they have searched visited and detained divers to the great prejudice and interruption of the Norway trade driven commonly in this Kingdom in their own Bottoms And that they did prepare force against others whom they permitted not to water nor any other accommodation being bound for the West-Indies and put in by stresse of weather in the West of England That in pursuance of their great design of extirpating the Royal blood and Monarchy of England they have endeavoured likewise to lay a great blemish upon His Royal Family endeavouring to illegitimate all derived from His Sister at once to cut off the interests and pretensions of the whole Race which their most detestable and scandalous design they have pursued examining witnesses and conferring circumstances and times to colour their pretensions in so great a fault and which as his sacred Majesty of England in the true sense of honour of his Mother doth abhor and will punish so he expects his concurrence in vindicating a Sister of so happy memory and by whom so near an union and continued League of amity hath been produced between the Families and Kingdoms That the particulars in which His Majesty doth desire his assistance are in the loan and raising of Men Money Arms and Ships all or such of them as may consist best with the conveniences of his own affairs and of such iu the first place as may be most requisite and are wanting to his Majesty That to set His levies on foot and to put him in a posture to protect his Subjects in all places that adhere to him and receive their contribution a hundred thousand pounds will be necessary for him which his Majesty desires by way of loan And for the restitution of it besides his Kingly word and solemn engagement upon this treaty he is contented of such his Crown Iewels as are in his disposure to leave His Royal pledge if it shall be desired The particulars of arms that he desires are six thousand Musquets fifteen hundred Horse-arms and twenty pieces of Artillery mounted Assistance of men he desires only in Hâ—rsmen and to know in what time thâ—y may be ready and how many That the Holy Island or Newcastle are designed for the landing of the said Horse and Magazin of the said provisions for reception likewise and protection of such his ships as he shall think fit to imploy for the countenance and security of those his Subjects that shall trade upon these Costs and for ascertaining the correspondency and intelligence between the two Kingdoms in which the number is left to be proportioned as may best sort and agree with his own affairs And for which the Holy Island is conceived one of the aptest Harbours in all his Majesties Dominions being capable of any ships whatsoever in a very great proportion an excellent rode at the entrance a ready out-let and a strong Fort under his Majesties command That in lieu of this assistance contributed by the King of Denmark his Majesty will oblige himself and ratifie in expresse Articles to restore into the Magazins of Denmark a like proportion of Arms and amunition to repay and defray the charges of the money leâ—t and levies of Horse and as soon as his affairs shall be setled and himself in a condition to do it upon all occasions to contribute the assistance of his Fleet in maintaining his Right and title to the Customs of the Sound against all persons whatsoever and to ratifie the Treaty thâ—â— was last made by Sir Thomas Roe to enter into a League offensive and defensive against intestine Rebellions In pursuance of which Treaty while the Negotiations and Articles may be severally perfected his Majesty doth expect this first Supply of Moneys and Arms present affairs not admitting a Delay in the same That in case the King of Denmark will lend Money upon Iewels there is in Holland a great Collar of Rubies and another of Rubies and Rearl that may be sent to him or delivered to his Agent here who may have order to pay the Money here or any other Iewels That there have been in Discourses several Propositions of Accommodation made by them to the King to which the King hath at all times made more Advances on his part than in reason could have been expected from him and the Difficulties have still risen on theirs And that whereas his Majesty doth understand that a person is addressed to the King of Denmark from his Parliament to insinâ—ate misunderstandings abroad with his Majestie 's Allies as they have done at home among his People his Majesty expects that he be neither received nor permitted to remain within his Dominions to become an Intelligencer and Spy upon the Treaty and Negotiations between their Majesties but that he be dismist and sent away so soon as ever he shall arrive These Instructions intend to state the affairs between the King and his Parliament which how truly rendered the History before doth express in particular The Parliament observe from hence that the King solicites Denmark making not onely Papists the Parliaments Enemies for Religions sake but all Princes though Protestants for Monarchies sake rather than fail of aid from thence And concerning the Rumour of his Mothers Queen Ann's chastity it is most true they did therein examine Witnesses upon Interrogatories most abusive base even to an Impossibility which yet was rumoured whispering to the great dishonour if possible of the memory of that virtuous noble Lady whom all Historians crown with glory and honourable Fame and which scandal I have not hitherto touched in this History nor would till now I finde his Majesty so sensible thereof that he signifies so much in private to the King of Denmark her Brother But the Parliament publish it in print to the World with their Paraphrase not to palliate the Injury but to increase the Scandal Sir William Waller had lain long at London for compleating his new Levies into a pretty Army and now he marches Commander in chief and as it was gotten without the Gen. Essex his good will so is he left at liberty without dependence on his direction And when he set forth from London his Expedition was accompanied with Fasting and Prayers and five several Sermons in one Church one day evermore recommending him The Servant of the State now going out to fight the Lords Battles against the Enemies of God And lest he should want Pay the Citizens will pinch their Bellies for the Parliament had put them by Ordinance to afford him one Meal a VVeek
which was assessed in Money proportionable to the condition of the Family The Scots are come and great care taken at Westminster for pay of that Army the twentieth part over all the North they have power to assess for themselves and all Malignants Estates that they can seize within their reach Nay several Counties and Associations are assessed for them Against whom the Marquess of Newcastle marched Northwards and to attack him in Yorkshire follows Sir Thomas Fairfax who was guided by his Father as the Father is by the grand Committee at Westminster as the Committee is by the Scots This dependency being very necessary to assure them good Welcome for so says their Letter to the Lord Fairfax My Lord VVe have taken into consideration the opportunity offered for reducing of Yorkshire whilest the Marquess of Newcastle hath drawn his Forces towards the North to oppose the Scots and how necessary it is to hinder his further Levies that Sir Thomas your Son march into the VVest Riding with all his Horse with two Regiments of Foot out of Lancashire and that your self take the Field with what Forâ—es you can and joyn with your Son for effecting these ends to hold a continual Intelligence with the Scots Army by drawing near Tees March 2. Northumberland Jo Maitland And here we see the great Earl of Northumberland invites the ancient Enemies of England into his own County and the Lord Fairfax into Yorkshire Cambridg University lay under the ordering of the Earl of Manchester Serjeant Major General of the Association where these Heads of Houses were turned out Dr. Beal Dr. Martin Dr. Stern in whose places were put in Masters of the Colleges Mr. Palmer Mr. Arrowsmith Mr. Vines as men more fit indeed such others as these were changed into the like I know not how more fit I am sure some of them are famous for false Latine Sir William Waller forward on his way to finde out the Lord Hopton who was drawn out of Winchester with sufficient Horse to oppose Sir William Balfore whom Waller had sent before to possess Alresford but came last for his Lordship was there first and forced Waller into small Villages in the morning Hopton drew down to Bramdean Heath and found Waller on a fair Hill and would not be forced thence till a long Dispute the Hill thus gained Colonel Lisle with his commanded Men kept it all night in this time of darkness Waller had mastered another Hill of greater advantage by the covert of Trees and Hedges which Colonel Appleford was to repossess and found it a hard Task to mount up against the powring shot of such as lined the Hedges not seen from whence it came Volleys well performed which yet were fain to give way to force which cost them dear enough for they paid a good price for it Here was a pretty breathing if Waller went off Hopton would follow to his undoing if they came on they would undo themselves but the Allarm was given by a mistaking Corporal of Hopton's who took his Enemies for Friends and so were engaged too far to seek throughout within their Ambuscadoes who now play their parts by this Advantage and put Hopton to a Retreat and neither parts had cause to cry Victoria for both sides were soundly beaten I intitle the Fight to the Lord Hopton but General Forth was there upon the other score he came in with the Lord Iohn Stuart sore wounded but I know not how concluded for dead yet Sir Arthâ—r Hasâ—erig called it A safe Deliverance though at London it was cried up for a Victory on this side Sir William Balfore in his Letter to his General â—ssex numbers then to be eight Commanders killed by him the Lord Stuart indeed and Sir Iohn Smith died afterwards of their wounds two gallant Gentlemen so did Colonel Sandys and Colonel Manning and Colonâ—l Scot Colonel Appleyard and Captain Pierson Sir Edward Stowel and Sir Henry Bard these were hurt and deserve honourable mention But at London they mention three Lords killed Stuart is confessed but not the General who they make a double one for his two Titles Forth and Ruthen And so they are described to be Gebal Moab and Ammon and to be utterly vanquished by the Servant of God Sir VVilliam VValler And the Parliament had some of theirs slain Dalbier wounded and Colonel Thomson had his Leg shot off by a Cannon Bullet And this happened upon a Friday March 29. The Cavaliers in disorder drew their Cannon off towards VVinchester but wheeled off unseen to Basing House VValler marches to VVinchester which was rendered to him upon Summons and Hopton is now at Oxford But a solemn Thanksgiving was ordered in London for this Victory and some Members sent to the City to encourage them for Supplies The Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery told them That the City Auxiliaries had done their part and if they went but once more they would rid the Kingdoms of these Rogues the occasion of all our miseries And upon these preparations and success of the Parliament the King draws all his Forces to a Rendezvouz to oppose his Adversaries And as VValler had done such Encouragements heightened others to undertake Mountains Colonel Griffith commonly called Prince Griffith had the confidence to propose to the House of Commons That if he might have a Commission to command in chief of all North Wales next under General Essex and to have Delinquents Estates there by him to be discovered and the Income of such as he should conquer in North Wales not exceeding the Sum of fifteen thousand pounds he would engage his Life and Estate to raise such Forces as should reduce Wales to obedience Which was referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms And he set out in all magnificence with his Silver Trumpets and guarded Coats But at his first Encounter with some of Prince Rupert's Forces whom he sought out for a single Duel Prince Griffith was totally routed which occasioned a merry Lady to tell him He looked sadly ever since he lost his Silver Trumpets And so cashiered he became debaucht and abused the Lady Herbert for which he was imprisoned but her honour much concerned he was released and so having spent a reasonable Fortune he was necessitated to travel beyond Seas where at Paris he was killed in a Tavern the end of his impudency We may enter this Spring with the setting out of General Essex and his Army to be recruited to seven complete Regiments of Foot and six Regiments of Horse and a constant Pay of thirty thousand five hundred and four pounds a Moneth for four Moneths And the Parliaments Navy to be complete for this Summer with addition of twelve Merchants Ships in the places of nine others unserviceable and fifteen small Catches to be added to the Fleet. And a new way of Contribution was devised for getting Moneys towards the charge of arming the Auxiliary Forces now raising within the City of London That all Inhabitants