the cheif of that Cabal Several Towns and Castles lost and taken by both parties Anno Domini 1644. SIR William Waller after his reducement of Arundel Castle marched to finde out my Lord Hopton to cry quits with him for his defeat at Roundway Down both Armies were near one another a good space for my Lord hovered about Winchester and those parts at Brandon Heath near Alesford Hopton was drawn up having a little before in his intended march to the releif of Arundel beaten Col. Norton into Chichester who endeavoured to impede him and stood ready to receive Sir William who had taken the advantage of a hill from which the Cavaliers with fury beat him and drove him to another where under the shelter of some buâ—hes and trees he so galled the Kings Horse that they were forced in disorder to retreat on their foot There was a hollow betwixt both Bodies which each endeavouring to gain many men found it for their graves on both sides My Lord Hopton therefore seeing the slaughter that was made and likely to continue upon his men timely drew off his Artillery and Canon towards Winchester and then wheeling about marched for Basing and so presently to Oxford In this fight was killed on the Kings part that valiant person Iohn Lord Stuart second Brother to the Duke of Richmond who died at Abbington of his wounds received Here Sir Iohn-Smith Col. Sandys Col. Scot and Col. Manwaring with divers other persons of quality wounded among whom was Sir Edward Stawell eldest son to Sir Iohn and Sir Henry now Lord Bard besides private souldiers above 1400. Of the Parliaments side few men of note killed about 900 common souldiers Colonel Dolbier wounded and Colonel Thompsons leg shot off by a Canon buller The Earl of Essex and Waller who had followed my Lord Hopton to Basing and there shewed a mind or besieging the House now joyned their Armies together amounting to a very great strength with intention to set upon the King at Oxford wherefore the Queen was sent away with a sufficient Convoy to Exeter in the mean time Essex plunders Abbington and makes a Garrison of it afterwards The King in the mean while marcheth with his Army from Oxford to Worcester which caused the two Parliament Generals to divide their forces again Waller was to go after the King as they termed it A King-catching while Essex marched with another gallant Army into the West which was totally lost from the Parliament The King had but few forces about him by reason that Prince Rupert was sent with the greatest part of the Army to the relief of York then besieged by the joynt power of three Armies the Scots Manchesters and Fairfaxes Prince Rupert in his way storms Bolton and plunders it The King having traversed his ground came back again from Worcester and Sir William Waller from out of the skirts of Glocestershire was ready at his heels so he overtook him neer Banbury at a place called Cropredy-Bridge Waller drew up in Bartalia on a hill expecting the advantage of the Kings pasting the Bridge which the King adventuring to do Waller descends from his Post and fall upon the Kings Rear beyond the Bridge where he was so gallantly received by the Earls of Cleveland and Northampton that he was quite routed 600 kill'd and 700 taken prisoners his Train of Artillery and many of his Officers so that Sir William was forced to fly to have recourse â—o London for another recruit It was therefore resolved upon this defeat of Waller that the Kâ—ng should immediately follow the Earl of Essex who was advanced so far that the Queen who was delivered of the Princess Henrietta at Exeter the sixteenth of Iune in the moneth of Iuly was fain to be gone from Exeter for fear of a siege and carry the young Lady along with her into France where she landed on the 25th at Brest in Britany At the beginning of August the King had overtaken the Earl of Essex at Lâ—stithel his force in so ill a condition through their long march and their want of necessaries which the Country people kept from them that it was concluded an easie thing to conquer them The King therefore resolved to coop them up and keep all manner of provisions from them After two or three daies league in this manner the Parliament horse broke through the Kings Army by night the General and the Lord Roberts at whose instance this expedition was undertaken got by boat from Foy to Plymouth and the foot being destitute and deserted by the horse under the Command of Major General Skippon came to a Capitulation by which it was agreed they should render their Aâ—ms Ammunition Artillery and Stores into the hands of the King and have liberty as many as would to pass home they engaging never more to bear Arms against the King so that by this defeat the Parliament were quite undone in the West as to present appearance But though success crowned the King here it failed him as much in the North whether Prince Rupert was advanced as was said before for the relief of York For upon notice of the Princes approach having with him the bravest Army that ever was seen in England both for number and persons The Confederate Forces of Scotch and English drew ofâ— from before the City and drew up into a fighting posture On the 〈◊〉 of Iuly the Marquess of Newcastle the Prince joyned their forces together On the third both Armies met one another upon a great plain called Marston-Mooâ— the Prince being General commanded the right wing General Goring Sir Charles Lucas and Col. Tillier the main body and my Lord of Newcastle the left wing who had a stout Regiment of White-coats called his Lambs At the first onset the Prince totally routed the Scots who were opposed to him and out of desire of revenge for their unnatural siding with the Parliament of England pursued them so lar that he came not back time enough to the assistance of his own But most remarkable was the valour of the English under Manchester led by Lievtenant General Cromwell who being the Reserve of the Army when the Prince was so far ingaged fell in so impetuously with the Curaziers that they bore down all before them the field was now almost cleared the Scots and Fairfaxes men on one side being fled and giving the day for lost and the main body of the Kings being discomfited and Prince Rupert just returned to see the overthrow so that there was none standing in the field save only my Lord of Newcastles men upon whose Lambs a terrible slaughter was committed while they discharged the parts of valiant expert and Loyal Subjects refusing quarter and casting themselves into rings till there were very few of them left and it had been a shame for the enemy to have killed such gallant and brave persons In conclusion the Cromwellians prevailed killing of the King Army
4000 men and rather more prisoners The slaughter that was on the Parliament side was 5000 which fell most upon the Scots on whom the Prince did fierce execution The Fight being thus over which was the bloodiest of all the Wars Prince Rupert fled into Lancâ—ire and so Westward and the Marqueâ— of Newcastle and the other Lord with him took shipping at Newcastle and departed the Kingdome and soon after York â—ndred it self by its Governour Sir Thomas Glenham to the Parliament During the Kings absence in the West and the Princes in the North Sir William Waller had recruited himself and joyned with the forces of Col. Norton and Col. Morley who had drawn down before Basing a house of the Marquess of Winchesters garrison'd by him and kept for the King which being distressed for want both of Ammunition and provision was distressed by the enemy many brave salleys they made and a multitude of men they slew so that it was afterwards called Bâ—sting-House Waller was resolved not to rise cost what it would at length relief was put into it under the conduct of Col. Gage nevertheless he persisted in the enterprise Till after Newbery fight the King marching that way the forces left to block it up rose and departed without it a little before which Banbury siege was also raised by the said Col. Gage afterwards made Governour of Oxford and the Earl of Northampton Hitherto the King seemed to have fortune inclineable to him saving in that unfortunate business of Marston-Moor Now the case began to be disputed Essex had raised another Army aided also by Waller and other forces resolved to fight the King so it came to another battel at the same place of Newbury the Parliamentarians to revenge their disgrace at Lestithiel the Cavaliers to repair their loss at Marston-Moor it was a cruel fight only no more were killed in this then in the former what advantage was lay on Essexes side few men of note were slain on either side save Sir William S. Leger of the Kings and a Colonel of Foot of the Parliaments The Earl of Cleveland making good the Kings retreat was taken prisoner and had it not been for the darkness of the night the King had hardly escaped them Sir George Lisle performed here signal service for the King and the Trained-Bands for the Parliament Essex had clearly the field and from thence marched to the siege of Dennington Castle under whose walls the King had sheltered and drawn his Artillery Somewhat before this Colonel Massey had defeated and slain Col. My and by intelligence with one Kirle had surprized Monmouth Town and had some other successes against Prince Ruperts parties while he staid about Bristol upon design of new Leavies Dennington Castle was as said before but the King sending a considerable force to relieve it the besiegers drew off and marched away to the great scandal of the Earl of Essex and the Officers then in command under him After this sad experience of one anothers strength the Parliament sent Propositions to the King at Oxford which begat the Treaty at â—xbridge before the meeting whereof the Parliament had executed Sir Iohn Hothum and his Son their first Champion for endeavouring or designing to render Hull to the King from which he had formerly shut him out As also 〈◊〉 Alexander Carew for betraying his like trust of Pl◠〈◊〉 Fort. Also during the designment of a Treaty the Com◠〈…〉 â—er-Book was abolished by Ordinance and a Directo◠〈…〉 in the room thereof and for consummation of all the 〈…〉 Bishop of Canterbury was beheaded likewise Though the project of a Treaty was now in hand yet never was the design of the War carried on more fiercely and subtilly The Independents now first appeared the Army must be new modelled another General and other Officers and no persons Members of the House to have any Military Command only Cromwell got himself excepted This design was not nosed by the Presbyterians who were convinced of some deficiency in their old Commanders so that Sir Thomas Fairfax was unanimously agreed upon for General and under him all factious Secâ—aries and wild principled men obtained Command whilest the former Officers were reduced to the condition of Reformad's amongst whom not long after they cashiered Colonel Massey having shifted him from his Government of Glocester to a Command in the Army Alâ—ngdon had been garrison'd by Essex in his expedition into the West Colonel Gage the Governour of Oxford had a design upon it and in the attempt was killed at Cullam bridge The thirtieth of Ianuary that fatal day began the aforesaid Treaty at 〈◊〉 which continued some 23 daies in dispute without any power of the Parliament Commissioners to conclude without them and so ended on the 22 of Feb. The Parliament forces surprize Shrewsbury but Col. Rossiter is defeated in Leicestershire an active man for the Parliament and Sir Marmaduke Langdale relieves Pontâ—sraâ—l Castle and defeat the besiegers twice superiour to him in number About this time there was a kind of Faction in the King Court at Oxford and some alterations betwixt the partie concerning the Kings Councel so that some Lords Savil Percy and Andover were confined and the Parliament that is the Members of the same Houses at Westâ—inster who adhered to the King who by the Kings Order were the year before convened oâ— Oxford were so some reasons adjourned till the tenth of October but that Parliament signified nothing The House oâ— Commons voted that in their new Generals Commission the words For Preservation of His Majesties Person should be left out and accordingly they were so and so ended the year 1644. the last of the King felicity Anno Domini 1645. WE will begin this year though we post-date the time that we may recite all the exploits in Scotland together with the actions of the Renowned Marquess of Montross appointed Governour of the Kingdome of Scotland The year before he came into Scotland attended only by three men much ado he had to pass the wayes being so strictly guarded during the Scotch Army was in England At his arrival in the Highland being supplyed with a 1100 men from the Marquess of Antrim out of Ireland and another addition under the Lord Kilpont and the Earl of Perths son he matched to find out the Army of the Covenantes then gathered under the command of the Earl of Tullibarne the Lords Elch and Drummond consisting of a great force into Perthshire where at Tepper-Moor he obtained a great victory his Souldier for want of Arms and Ammunition making use of the stones lying advantagiously on the fighting ground Here he killed no less then 2000 men whereupon Perth City opened its Gates to the Conquerour To withstand and repress so dangerous an Enemy within the bowels of the Kingdome another Army waâ— raised and put under more expeâ—ienced Captains in the mean while Montross had fallen into Argyles Country
you in a way First you are out of the way for certainly all the wayes you ever had yet as far as I could find by any thing is in the way of Conquests Certainly this is an ill way for Conquest in my Opinion is never just except there he a just and good cause either for matter of wrong or a just title and then if ye go beyond the first quarrel that ye have that makes it unjust at the end that was just at first for if there be only matter of Conquest then it is a great robbery as a Pyrate said to Alexander That he was the great Robber himself himself was but a petty Robber And so Sirs I do think for the way that you are in you are much out of the way Now Sirs to put you in the way believe it you will never go right nor God will never prosper you until you give God his due the King his due that is my Successor and the people their due I am as much for them as any of you You must give God his due by regulating rightly his Church according to the Scripture which is now out of order and to set you in a way particularly now I cannot but only this A National Synod freely called freely debating among themselves must settle this When every Opinion is freely and clearly heard For the King indeed I will not the Laws of the Land will clearly instruct you for that therefore because it concerns mine own particular I only give you a touch of it For the People truly I desire their liberty and freedome as much as any body whomsoever But I must tell you that their liberty and their freedome consist in having Government under those Laws by which their lives and theirs may be most their own it is not in having a share in the Government that is nothing pertaining to them A Subject and a Soveraign are clean different things and therefore until you do that I mean that you put the people into that liberty as I say certainly they will never enjoy themselves Sirs it was for this that now I am hither come for if I would have given way to an arbitrary way for to have all Laws changed according to the power of the Sword I need not have come here and therefore I tell you and I pray God it be not laid to your charge that I am the Martyr of the people Introath Sirs I shall not hold you any longer I will only say this to you that I could have desired some little time longer because I would have put this what I have said in a little better order and have had it a little better digested then I have done and therefore I hope you will excuse me I have delivered my Conscience I pray God you take those courses that are best for the good of the Kingdome and your own Salvation After some Ejaculations he laid down his Head upon the Block and stretched out his hands The Sâ—gn 〈◊〉 had it severed from his body at one blow by the Vizarded Executioner who presently held it up and shewed it to the people His Head and Trunk were afterwards coffined in Lead and exposed to publick view at S. Iames's till lastly the Duke of Lenâ—â— the 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 there interred it with only this Inscâ—â—ption upon the Coâ—â—â— CHARLES KING OF ENGLAND MDC.XLVIII After this most 〈◊〉 murder they declared themselves to be a Free State setting out a Proclamation wherein they declare thâ—t no person hath Right to the Crown oâ— England abolishing thereby the â—ingly â—overnment and debarring of our Rightful Soveraign â—om any claim c. declaring him also a Traytor with the rest of the Royal Issue for refusing the publication of which the Lord Mayor Reynoldson was outed imprisoned and fined 2000 l. In March they proceed with their High Court of Justice newly modelled and a new President to the Tryal of these Noble persons they had in custody about the last years risings whereof Duke Hamilton Earl of Holland Earl of Norwich the Lord Capel and Sir Iohn Owen were condemned to be beheaded the Duke and Holland and Capel were accordingly executed in the Palace-yard the other two with much ado were pardoned Pâ—ntâ—fract Castle was now rendred to the Parliament by Colonel Morris being the last Garrison for the King in England Now they had leisure to look towards Ireland whether Lievtenant General Cromwell was sent with an Army of 10000 men which landed about this time at Dublin where a little before Colonel Iones the Governour having received a supply of 1000 men had sallied out and beaten my Lord of Ormond from off the siege where he lay with 20000 and upwards through the carelesness and treachery of the Guards Here were slain to the number of three thousand and five thousand taken prisoners this proved the loss of all Ireland which was then entirely for the King save this City and London-Derry Anno Domoni 1649. Cromwell upon his arrival sets presently forward towards Tredah whereinto the Lord Lievtenant Ormond had put a Garrison of choice English and some Irish to this Town he gave three assaults and was valiantly repulsed but in conclusion of the third the Town was entred and man woman and children put to the sword for three daies in cold bloud with the Governour himself Sir Arthur Aston a well experienced and valiant Captain Anno Dom. 1649. and 1650. VPon this success Trim and Dundalk yielded themselves to him the Marquess of Ormond hovering neer him with his Army but yet not daring to attempt any thing Wexford was the next Town he attaqued which by storm he took also putting all in arms to the sword thence to Passage Fort and so to Waterford from whence he considering the Winter approaching drew off to quarters having already possession of most of the Towns of Ireland Limrick Galloway Clonmell and Kilkenny excepted which soon after were reduced by him and his Successor Ireton and that Kingdome was wholly brought in subjection to the Parliament The next thing that busied the new Commonwealth was the affairs of Scotland who had long before proclaimed the King and were now treating with him therefore they recalled home Lievtenant General Cromwell whom upon Fairfaxes refusal of going against the Scots they now advanced to be General He came Iune the last to London having landed at Bristol and was highly treated by the Parliament Dorislaus that drew up the charge against the King was killed at the Hague in May last and Ascham that was sent on the same errand to the King of Spain was killed also by some English men in his Inne at Supper this did mightily inrage the new Commonwealth that their Minâ—sters could no where be protected According to the conclusion of the Treaty between the King and his Subjects
To that intent one Mr. Giffard an Inhabitant thereabouts was called for who with the assistance of one Mr. Walker formerly a Scoutmaster in the â—ings Army with some difficulty the King riding all the night brought him to a place called the Wâ—ite-Ladies a mile bâ—vâ—nd Boscabell to avoid suspition of staying there At their coming to White-Ladies on break of day Thursday Septemb. 4. one George Pendrill the youngest brother of the four being awakened with the loud noyse they made at the gates and hearing distinctly Mr. Gâ—ffards voice calling him ran down in hiâ— shirt and opened the door whereupon the King and thâ— Noblemâ—n presently entred the house the Kings horse being brought into the Hall where another consultation was held what should be done for the safety of the Kings person in this exigence At last it was concluded that this George should go presently to Tong and enquire what news or whether any parties were stirâ—ing or no and in the mean while one Martin was sent by Colonel Rosâ—anrck by order of the Earl of Derby for William Pendrill the eldest Brother who presently came and there met his Brother George who had brought Richard by Mr. Giffards order along with him and informed the King that the coast was yet clear Whereupon all dispatch was made to get the King out before any further danger the King hair was first out off by my Lord Wilmot then rounded by William Pendrill and at the same tâ—me Richard had by direction from Mr. Giffard fetcht his bâ—st cloaths being a jump and breeches of green course cloth and a Doe-kin leather doublet the hat was borrowed of Humphrey Pendrill the Miller being an old grey one that turned up its brims the shirt which in that Country language they call an Harden or Noggen-shirt a kind of linnen that is made of the coursest of the hemp was had of the aforesaid Martin George Pendrill lent the band and William Creswell the shoes which the King having presently unstript himself of his own cloaths did quickly put on His â—uft-coat and linnen doubler and a grey pair of breeches which he wore before he gave into his brothers hands who forthwith buried them under ground where they lay five weeks before they durst take them up again The Jewels off his arm he gave to one of Lords then departing Straightwith William Pendrill was brought to the King by the Earl of Derby and the care and preservation of his most Sacred Majesty committed to his charge and the rest of the Brothers the Earl himself would have staid but there was no undertaking security for them both so presently the Lords took their heavy leave and departed every one shifting for himself The Duke of Buckingham Earl of Derby Lord Talbot the Earl of Lauderdale and the rest of that party being overtaken at Newport in their march Northward and routed the Duke escaped and found a hiding place at a friends of his Family in Shropshire the rest were taken the Earl of Derby most inhumanely and unjustly beheaded at Bolton with Sir Timothy Fetherston-Haugh and some others elsewhere and imprisoned only the Lord Wâ—lmot since deceaâ—ed during the Kings Exile abroad staid behind and waâ— by Iohn Pendrill through many difficulties and tryals oâ— several places conveyed safely to Mr. Whitgreaâ—s at Mosely Now the King and his company being departed having taken a Woodbill into his hand went out with Richard into the adjoyning wood called Spring Coppice William departed home and George and Humphrey went out to scout and lay hovering about the woods to hear or see if any approached that way You must note here that these Brothers had taken into their assistance one Frances Yates their Sisters Husband who was also with the King in the wood they being by profession wood-cutters But the King had not been an hour in the wood before a party of horse in pursuit of him was come to White-Ladies and had enquired and sound out by some of the Inhabitants that the King with a party had been there as they supposed but they affirmed directly that he was gone away with all speed from thence in the said company Northwards Upon which words spurr'd on by the expectat on greediness of their prey supposing the King and his Lords were all together they made no stay or further inquisition or search save only in the house and rode away as fast as they could possible This the King was informed of by his two aforesaid Scoâ—ts who stragled for intelligence neer the village This Thursday the King continued all day in the wood upon the ground Richard Pendrill being constantly with him and sometimes the other three It proved to be a very rainy day and the King was wet with the showers thereupon Francis Yates his wife came into the wood on whom the King at first lookt something dubiously yet resolutely askt her whether she could be faithful to a distressed Cavalier To which she replyed Sir I will die rather then discover you She brought with her a blanket to keep the King dry and his first meat he eat there viz. a mess of milk eggs and sugar in a black earthen cup which the King guessed to be milk and apples and said he loved it very well After he had drank some and eat some in a Pewter spoon he gave the rest to George and bid him eat it for it was very good There was nothing of moment passed this day in Court but only his Majesty exchanged his Wood-bill for Francis Yates his Broom-hook being something lighter The King was hardly brought to fashion himself to their gate or to bend his streight body down to his feet the language in his stay and passing to Worcester he could tune pretty well most of the day was spent in conforming him to their words till about five a clock that evening the King with his gallant Retinue of Richard Humphry George and Francis Yates left the wood and betook himself to Richards little house where he went under the name of William Iones a Woodcutter newly come thither for work At his coming the good wife for his entertainment at supper was preparing a Fricass of Bacon and Eggs and while that was doing the King held on his knees their Daughter Nan He eat very little ruminating and pausing on his intended passage into Wales After supper ended the Mother of the Pendrills came and kneeled and took her leave of the King so did the rest of his poor mean attendants only Richard went along with the King to conduct and guide him it being then dark and the way troublesome Their intended journey was to Mr. Wolfes of Madely some 5 miles distant from White-Ladies of whom the King had a good character from his servant Richard By the way they were put to a fright at a Mill-water by a Miller that had taken into his protection some of the same undone party so that Richard was forced to wade through and the King to follow
to Oxford The King marched from Oxford where by the way to London came Commissioners from the Parliament rendring Propositions and desiring that during the Treaty the Kings Army should march no neerer this way to spin time while Essex could recruit his Army therefore the King advanced from Câ—lebrook and came to Brainford where part of the Parliaments Army being the Regiments of Col. Hollis Hambdenâ— and the L. Brooks for a while maintained themselves stoutly but being over-power'd some were driven into the river and there drowned and 300 slain and as many taken prisoners This brought a general consternation upon the City of London all shops were shut up and all the Regiments both Trained-Bands and Auxiliary were drawn out so that the Earl of Essex had a most compleat and numerous Army oâ— a sudden Hereupon the King presently marched away fearing to be incompassed by the Parliamentarians over Kingston-bridge which he broke down to stop the pursuit Essex made after him to Reading and so to Oxford where he took up his Winter quarters The Cities of Winchester and Chichester delivered to the Parliament Marlborough to the King and my Lord Hopton prevailed against the Earl or Stamford several Townes taken for the King in the West others for the Parliament in the North. Cyrencester had been Garrisoned by the Parliament Forces of Glocester being the midway betwixt that City and Oxford upon this place Prince Rupert had a design though his march that way was given out for the regaining of Shudly Castle out of which Col. Massey had smothered the Cavaleirs with wet hay for after he had passed some ten miles beyond Cirencester he suddenly returned back and surprising the Guards within two hours time became Master of the place puting the Earl of Stamfords Regiment to the sword who made a stout opposition taking 1100 prisoners and 8000 Arms and other provisions for war it being newly made a Magazeen From thence the Prince came before Glocester summoned the Town and departed The Lord Brooks and Northampton were in Arms against each other in the Counties of Warwick and Stafford where several small skirmishes had been between them at last in March the Lord Brook came and besieiged Litchfield Close garrisoned by the King and as he was viewing the approaches to it out of a window in the Town a single bullet from the Close shot him in the head through the eye of which he fell down dead nevertheless the siege was continued and the Close delivered to the Parliamentarians In the North the Queen landed at Bridlington Bay with some supplies of money and Arms for the King and with her Lieut. Gen. King she was conveyed to York and afterwards met the King at Edge-hill where the fight had been And so ended this year with the surrender at Malmsbury to the Parliament again and the defeat of the Lord Fairfax who was chief of the Parliaments forces in the North of ' Bramham by the Earls of Newcastle and Cumberland Scarborough delivered to the King by Brown Bushel Anno Domini 1643. PRince Rupert having coasted the Country from Glocester into Wales returned back by Litchfield intending to reduce it again he had not long lain before it but he compelled the Garrison to surrender To the releif hereof Sir Iohn Gell and Sir William ' Brereton having gathered a considerable strength marched these were met by part of Prince Ruperts forces and some under the command of the valiant Earl of Northampton where the said releif was defeated Sir Iohn Gell routed though the victory cost dear through the loss of that brave Earl who refusing quarter was killed by a private Souldier After General Essex had recruited his Army with new supplies the first thing he attempted was the siege of Reding which being manfully defended by Sir Arthur Aston till he received a wound on his head by the falling of a brick-bat and the releif brought by the King himself from Oxford being worsted at Caversham-Bridge after ten days siege was yeilded by Col. Fielding then substituted Governor to the Parliament In the North things went something equaller then before on the Parliaments side Sir Thomas Fairfax had defeated the Kings Forces under the Marquess of Newcastle at Wakefield and hoyed up the sinking interest of that Cause Monmouth likewise was taken by the Parliaments Forces as also Worder Castle but in the West the King prevailed my Lord Hopton commanded there being a valiant and expert Royalist for the Parliament the Earl of Stamford and Colonel Chidleigh these opposite Forces met the 16. of May in Stratton-field where the Parliamets foot stood stifly to the business but the Horse either through treachery or cowardize not seconding or releiving their Foot an entire Victory fell to the Cavaleers some 1500 of the Parliamentarians being slain and taken prisoners but do of great account lost on either side Chidleigh afterwards came over to the King and my Lord Hopton was made for this good service Baron of Stratton Now the Parliament flew high in their Consultations at home the Grandees working upon the sober part of the Parliament that this action of the Queens in bringing over Arms Money and other provisions for the assistance of the King was a dangerous destructive business wound up the anger of the Two Houses to such a pitch that the Queen was proclaimed Traytor and at the same time down went all the Crosses throughout England particularly the third of this moneth Cheapside-croâ—s was demolished After this beginning of Reformation the Parliament took the Solemn League and Covenant at Westminster this was first framed in Scotland and was generally taken by them in the year 1639. the main drift of it was against the Episcopal Dignity and was now for the mutual endearment of the two Nations assistance being promised the Parliament from Scotland pressed upon all in England where the Parliaments power was paramount being taken throughout London the fifth of this moneth The Earl of Essex advanceth from Reading to Tame where a general sickness seized upon the Army during their quartering thereabout Prince Rupert fell into part of their quarters but the Essexians taking the Alarum and drawing out the business came to a fight in Chalgrave field where Colonel Hambden was mortally wounded It was observeable that in this place the said Colonel Hambden first listed and trained his men in the beginning of the war The Lord Keeper Littleton having fled with the Great Seal to Oxford according to the Kings Command the Parliament voted a new Great Seal to be made The Parliament to redress their affairs in the West had made Sir William Waller Major General of those Counties and had sent him down with a well-furnished Army to meet the Kings Army under my Lord Hopton who having cleared Devonshire after Strafton fight marched Eastward where in Somersetshire Sir William had taken Taunton and Brâ—dgewater Both these Armies met at
Landsdown neer Bath Iuly the fifth The Cavaliers were less in number but supplyed that with valour the fight began about three in the afternoon and was maintained till neer the same time next morning Here my Lord Hoptons powder was blown up by which he was hurt himself and was compelled for want of it to quit the field and shelter his Army in the Devices of his side were lost in this fight about a thousand The persons of quality slain were Sir Bevil Greenvile Mr. Leak my Lord Denicourts son Mr. Barker Mr. Lower and other Gentlemen The loss of private souldiers was as great on Sir Williams side but no persons of extraordinary note Upon my Lord Hoptons taking into the Devices Sir William Waller presently pursued him and cooped him up whereupon a Messenger was dispatcht to the King to inform him of the desperate condition my Lord was in if not timely relieved Prince Maurice the Earl of Carnâ—van and my Lord Wilmoâ— were sent presently with a party of fifteen hundred horse who made such expedition that on the thirteenth of Iuly by break of day they presented themselves alike to besiegers and the besieged to whom they gave a signal of their relief upon a rising ground and presently in an entire body charged Sir Williams Army being received by Sir Arthur Hazelrigs Curaziers at first but they being broken the Fortune of the day soon fell to the Royallists The Parliaments Foot after a little execution done upon them the besieged also being ready to fall upon them laid down their Arms and submitted Sir William Waller and Sir Arthur with much difficulty and greater speed escaped and came throughout to London with the bad news Here were slain neer a thousand men four thousand taken four brass Guns twenty eight Colours of Foot and nine Cornets This loss soon reduced Bristol into the Kings hands being delivered by Colonel Fiennes after three dayes siege for which surrender he had like to have lost his head These successes drew the King into the West where Dorchester Portland Weymouth and Melcomb submitted themselves The like in the North Beverley taken by the Earl of Newcastle Bedford Appleford and Barnstable surrendred and after a little dispute before Exeter and some Granadoes thrown in and firing part of the Suburbs the great Sconce being taken in storm that City was delivered to Prince Maurice and Sir Iohn Berkley made Governour It was therefore concluded to set upon Glocester being the only considerable place that held out for the Parliament in the West and lay very inconvenient hindring the intercourse betwixt Wales and the Kings Countryes the King therefore the tenth of August came himself from Oxford in person before it with a Royal Army while it was hardly imaginable where the Parliament could raise another Army and that done to march for London which proved a fatal mistake to the King for if he had gone directly for London there was no opposition in readiness against him not any place to stay him The King therefore summons Glocester to which the Governor and Mayor return a negative answer so the Guns were set on work many attempts on both sides till the besieged had little or no ammunition left them when on the eighth of September Essex having made up an Army with the Trained-Bands of London and new raised men in the respective Militia's and associated Counties then entirely at the Parliaments devotion came to the releif of it having been encountred at Stow in the Would by several parties of Horse under Prince Rupert but he could not be stopt from advancing Being come within five miles of Glocester upon the brim of a steep hill he discharged two pieces of Canon as a signal of their releif which was answered by the Town whereupon the King drew off from before the siege and marched hastily away intending to intercept Essex from returning his men being almost wearied and tired out with their hard march and weather But Essex having releived the Town with all manner of provision directed his march back again and falling into Cirencester from whence the King dislodged the day before and had lest some baggage behinde him took 400 prisoners and the next day matched toward Newbery and by the way was attaqued in Auborn Chase by several Squadrons of the Kings Horse here was killed that French Marquess Mous De la Vejuville having behaved himself valiantly The next day the King possest himself of Newberry the place Essex aimed at so that both Armies met hâ—re and began the fight early in the morning abundance of resolution and valour was manifested on both sides but especially the Trained Bands of London performed far beyond releif Prince Rupert was repelled and beaten back to the right wing of the Kings Army but returned again to the charge with greater fury This Battel like Edge-hill was dubious as to the success but something more bloody The Kings General here was the Lord Ruthen made lately Earl of Brentford On the Kings side were slain near 2500 men among whom were the Earl of Carnarven who had done the King special service the Earl of Sunderland and the learned Lord Faulkland very near the Kings person with Col. Constable Of the Parliaments side not any of note slain save Col. Tucker and some few Officers the number of their slain being near 3500 men After the fight was over in the field a party of Horse under the command of Col. Hurrie followed the Parliament Army in the Lanes toward Reading and put them into some disorder but the body facing about they were repelled back again with loss And so the Parliamentarians to Reading the Trained Bands to London whether soon followed the General and the King returned to Oxford This moneth the King pressed by his Protestant Subjects of Ireland who were not able to subsist longer under the war conclude a Cessation with the Irish Rebels and in November following received a Supply of 3000 men of his Protestant Army which landed in Wales under the command of Sir Michael Ernely the renowned Col. Monk now Duke of Albemarle and others which being by Prince Ruperts order divided into other Regiments were made unserviceable pat of them with the said Colonel being being surprised at Nantwich by Sir Thomas Fairfax Mr. Pym a great stickler of the Faction and the onely Grandee of the times died Hawarden Arundel and Beeston Castles rendred to the King Graston House taken by the Parliament and Arundel in the next Monâ—th taken again by Sir William Waller Now according to stipulation and Compact the Scots enter England with an Army of 2000 in maintenance and purstiance of the end of the Covenant against this invasion the King protested as a Rebellion and sent the Marquess Hamilton prisoner to Pendennis as having deceived the trust the King put in him he all along suggesting that the Scots would never attempt such a thing and yet maintaining correspondencies with
entertained and consultation is held between them what 's fit to be done while the Parliament sitting at Westminster are advising about listing of forces appointing Massey Poyntz and others for General Officers and recall those Members against whom the Army had exhibited a full charge But the Army advanceth neer London so that all these preparations and the stomach of the City soon were dashed and new agreements made their Fortifications and Works to be demolished and the Army admitted to march through in triumph so the fugitive Members were reseated again with their Speaker and all things put in the same bad state and condition they were before and several Lords the Lord Mayor some Aldermen and divers Citizens of great wealth and quality are the one committed to the Black Rod and the other to the Tower so that now all things passed in both Houses according to the disposition of the Army the Parliament being wholly subservient to their designs having made my Lord Fairfax Generalissimo and Constable of the Tower of London In Ireland after the Marquess of Ormond had delivered up by capitulation the Government to Colonel Iones for the Parliament the said Colonel marched out and fought with the Lord Preston but was forced to fly being overpowred by him but the business came to a second encounter neer Trym where the victory fell to Iones killing 5470 foot souldiers taking a very great booty and a number of prisoners and the Lord Inchequin defeats another Army under the Lord Taaf where were slain 4000 more of those Rebels and Sir Charles Coot gave them another defeat so that most of the Towns were reduced and the Rebellion neer extinguished The Scots therefore were desired to retreat with their forces out of Vlster Anno Domini 1648. BEgin we now with the 24th year being the last of King Charles the First 1648. wherein the King seemed as formidable in his interest as ever he was from the beginning of the War The Parliament was divided and jealousies betwixt them and the Army encreased every day Trading stopt so that on the ninth of April another tumult happened in London by the Apprentices who seized the Gates took a Drake from the Lord Mayors and planted it at Ludgate but the Army horse entring with their General at Aldersgate marched to Leaden-Hall and after a little skirmish dispersed them Several Petitions for restitution of the King came from several Counties But in Wales a stronger Insurrection broke out Major General Laughorn formerly a great man for the Parliament Colonel Poyer and Colonel Powell of the same side refuse to disband and presently seize upon Pembroke Castle Tenby Castle and declare for the King Chepstow Castle is likewise taken by Sir Nicholas Kemish for the same side Against these Colonel Horton is sent with three thousand men Horton receives a brush by falling with part of his men under Colonel Fleming into an Ambuscado Whereupon Laughorn hearing of Cromwells advance also resolved to fight Horton so the business came to a fight at S. Fagons where the Welsh being taken on a sudden not intending to fight that day were presently after the first onset routed above five thousand of their eight being taken a great many killed and the rest sheltred in the two Castles aforesaid Sir Iohn Owen was up in Arms in North-Wales and had defeated the Sheriff opposing him but was afterwards taken himself Cromwell storms Tenby Castle and takes it and after a sbort resistance Pembroke yielded upon discretion as to the lives of those three Commanders whereof one Colonel Poyer died by lot and so Cromwell having quieted Wales Sir Nicholas Kemish being slain by the storming of Chepstow Castle which he had newly taken marched into Lancashire to meet the Scotch Army who under their General Duke Hamilton having joyned with those English forces under Sir Marmaduke Langdale Sir Philâ—p Maâ—grave were advancing for London to restore the King This Army consisted of 24000 men effective At the same time also the Kentishmen having seen and heard the usage their Neighbours of Surrey had for petitioning for peace being some of them killed by the Army-guards in Westminster Hall resolved to ask or demand with their sword in their hands that which the Surrey men had been refused They rose to the number of ten thousand and had designed the Duke of Richmond for their General which upon his refusal was conferred upon the Earl of Norwich To suppress this rising whether abundance of stout valiant young men resorted out of London General Fairfax was sent in person and to glose with the Londoners the old Militia was again confirmed At Maidstone a part of the Kentishmen opposed themselves against the General maintaining the Bridge so resolutely that it came to a very hot encounter so that the General was forced to alight out of his Coach and led in his men himself After they had passed the Bridge they were forced to fight every hedg before they came to the Town where the fight was continued with the like gallantry and had any relief come it would have been a question whether it had not utterly routed the Parliament Upon this defeat the other greater party that were at Rochester slipt away to Black-Heath and from thence ferried and passed over into Essex and made their Head-quarter at Bow but the City stirred not in favour of them but a party of horse of the Army was sent thither where after some light skirmishes they removed further into Essex where many Gentlemen joyned with them my Lord Capel and others and so to Colchester whether the General presently after followed them To second this part of the Navy revolts also and set ashore Col. Râ—nsborough their Commander and Pontefract Castle was surprized by Col. Morris and now the Parliament having so many irons in the fire null those Votes of non-Address to the King and resolve of a Treaty as the best expedient To further which purpose the Prince of Wales having imbarqued himself in the Reformation came into the Downs with 25 Sail of Men of War where he landed â—ome men and had Deal and Sandwich Castles delivered him but the E. of Warwick and Sir George Ayscue making into the Dowâ—s together and the Prince lacking victual he set sail for Helvoâ—t Sluce not being able to do any thing for his friends at Colchester whether Warwick also followed him This was not all that was done for the King for this very same time the Earl of Holland the D. of Buckingham his brother the Lord Francis the Earl of Peterborough and others assembled at Kingston and declared for the King being about a thousand and more hourly expected but Sir Michael Livesey falling upon them suddenly they were forced to leave the Town losing that Noble Gentleman the Lord Francis who refuâ—ed quarter and so speeded to S. Neots in Bedfordshire where Colonel Scroop fell upon them in their quarters killed Colonel Dalbeir and took the Earl
of Holland prisoner with some forty more the Duke and the Earl of Peterborough hardly escaping and dispersed the whole party The Scotch Army was advanced now as far as Preston in Lancashire where Lievtenant General Cromwell being joyned with Major General Lambert awaited them At this time also Scarborough declares for the King Sir Matthew Boynton being Governour there August 17. both Armies faced one another and within two hours time the Scots begin to flinch so that the brunt of the fight fell upon the English who sided with them The Scots being ready to fly the Parliament Army doubled their courage and put them to the rout two several wayes The next morning being the 18th of August the Scot made a stand and did some notable execution on the pâ—râ—â—â—ers but the Army coming up they fled again crying Mercy Mercy so that they might be heard five miles together an end multitudes were killed and more taken prisoners being in number equivalent to the Army that vanquished them Duke Hamilton fled first to Namptwich with three thousand horse there the Country took five hundred of them and thence to Vttoxeter in Staffordshire where he was taken by my Lord Grey of Grooby Monro escaped with part of the Scotch Horse to Berwick and so into Scotland but Middleton was taken by the way thither After it was known which way Hamilton took Cromwell followed after Monro into Scotland and there begun intelligence with some of those Scots in tendency to his aâ—ter-design and after they had cajoled one another he departed into England having received the thanks of the Committee of Estates for the service he had done their Nation Upon the news of this defeat sent in by General Fairfax to the besieged in Colchester a Councel of War was held what to do it was once agreed to make an eruption out and attempt the whole Army beleaguring them but this through some suspition amongst the Souldiers of being deserted by their Officers in the action was frustrated whereupon it came to a resolve of treating with the Enemy and so it was concluded the besieged having eaten all their horses and the dogs in the Town that the Officers should be left to discretion the souldiers to have their lives and the Town to pay 14000 l. to preserve it from plunder Whereupon the Town being surrendred Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle were shot to death presently and not long after the Lord Capel was beheaded by a sentence of the High Court of Justice In the perplexity of these affairs the Treaty was voted in the Isle of Wight and accordingly effectually prosecuted the King being in a kind of Regality in the said Isle and so far had it proceeded that in November the Parliament voted the Kings Concessions to be sufficient ground for them to proceed on to the settlement of the Kingdome when the Army being now Lords and Masters through their late success came and put a force upon the House of Commons excluding above 140. and by the remnant of their faction in the House unvoted these Votes and the Army next remov'd the King from Wight to Hurst Castle then to Winchester then to Windsor and so to Saint Iames and last to the High Court of Justice where after four times being at that detestable Bar and refusing to own their Jurisdiction they pronounced the Sentence and the order place and time of the execution was referred to Colonel Harrison c. who appoint Tuesday Ian. 30. before Whitehall gates in the open place where accordingly that execrable murder was perpetrated by the hands of a Vizarded Executioner to the amazement of the whole world and to the unexpressible sorrows of this Church and Kingdome The Kings last words on the Scaffold being the sum of the Life Tryal and Death of that most incomparable pious Prince are here fully inserted to serve for all I shall be very little heard of any body else I shall therefore speak a word to you here Indeed I could have held my peace very well if I did not think that holding my peace would make som men think that I did submit to the Guilt as well as to the Punishment But I think it is my duty to God first and then to my Country to clear my self both as an honest man a good King and a good Christian I Shall begin first with my Innocency and in trâ—ath I think it not very needful for me to insist long upon this For all the world knows that I did never begin a War with the two Houses of Parliament and I call God to witness unto whom I must shortly make an account that I did never intend to incroach upon their Priviledges They began upon me it is the Militia they began upon They confess the Militia was mine but they thought it fit to have it from me And to be short if any body will look to the dates of Commissions of their Commissions and mine and likewise to the Declaration he will see clearly that they began these unhappy Troubles not I. So as far the guilt of these enormous Crimes that are laid against me I hope that God will clear me out I will not for I am in charity and God forbid that I should lay it upon the two Houses of Parliament there is no necessity of either I hope they are free of this guilt but I believe that ill Instruments between them and me have been the chief cause of all this blood-shed So that as I find my self clear of this I hope and pray God that they may too Yet for all this God forbid that I should be so ill a Christian as not to say that Gods Judgements are just upon me Many times he doth pay Justice by an unjust Sentence that is ordinary I will only say this That unjust Sentence that I suffered to take effect is punished by an unjust Sentence upon me So far I have said to shew you that I am an innocent man Now to shew you that I am a good Christian I hope there is a good man that will bear me witness that I have forgiven all the world and even those in particular that have been the chief causers of my death Who they are God knows I do not desire to know I pray God forgive them But this is not all my charity must go further I wish that they may repent for indeed they have committed a great sin in that particular I pray God with S Stephen that this be not laid to their charge And withall that they may take the right way to the peace of the Kingdome for my charity commands me not only to forgive particular men but to endeavour to the last gasp the peace of the Kingdome So Sirs I do wish with all my soul I see there are some here that will carry it further that they endeavour the peace of the Kingdome Sirs I must shew you both how you are out of the way and put
it from the English but were valiantly repulsed General Blake returning home from hiâ— Triumphs over the Spaniard died on Shipboard in sight of English Land and General Reynolds returning out of Flanders to England was cast away in the Goodwin Sands and with him Colonel White and others By one of the clauses of the humble Petition and Advice it was declared that the Parliament should consist of two Houses therefore Cromwell during the adjournment fill'd up the number of that Other House that was its name consisting of sixty two persons most of them Officers of the Army and his neer Relations most of them of mean extraction These nevertheless at the expiring of the prorogation appeared and took their places in the House of Lords according as the antient custome was whether the Protector came and sent for the House of Commons where he made a canting speech to them but the Commons returning to their House having admitted all their Members would neither own the new Lords nor him that made them so but fell into high disputes about the Government so that Cromwell seeing how the game was likely to go came and in a great â—ury within ten daies after their resitting dissolved them Anno Domini 1658. After the dissolution of this Parliament as of course and according to custome another plot was discovered and this was clearly of Cromwells own making the City was to be fired and a general insurrection and massacre of the well-affected In this snare were taken Sir Henry Slingsby Doctor Hewet and Master now Sir Thomas Woodcock Iohn now Lord Viscount Mordant and others of meaner rank as Colonel Ashton Thomas Bettley Edmond Stacy and others Sir Henry Slingsby and Doctor Hewet were beheaded at Tower-hill and the three last hang'd and quartered in the streets of London Dunkirk after a gallant defence and a field battel in attempting the relief where the English had the honour and the French and English the victory of the day was on the 25th of Iune delivered to the United Forces and by the French King put into the English hands Lockhart formerly Ambassador in France and then General of the English being made Governour thereof Now it pleased God suddenly after this tyranny and cruelty committed on those innocent persons above-named to call this Protector to an account who lingring some time with an ague and a pain in his intestines on the third day of September his great fortunate day breathed out hâ—s last his death being ushered by a most terrible wind and the coming of a Whale up the River of Thames of twenty yards long Thus ended that wretched Politique After Oliver Protector war dead his Son Richard according to an Article in the Instrument oâ— Government by which he was to declare his Successor was by his Fathers Councel proclaimed Lord Protector of these three Nations with the usual solemnities and accordingly owned by several addresses from most parts of the Kingdome but drawn and subscribed by some particular persons of the times who obtruded them upon the rest He was courted also by the French Swedish Dutch Ambassadors who all condoled him for his Fathers death After a little respit of time Richard was advised to call a Parliament the Courtiers thinking that what with the Army and the Lawyers they should make their party good for the Protector in the House of Commons being sure of their other House of Peers and in the mean time took care for his Fathers Funerals which were solemnized in most ample manner above the expences usual to any of our Kings deceased November 23. 1658. The Parliament being convened on the 27th of Ianuary the Protector and his new Lords gave them a meeting in the Lords House where he made a speech to them which was seconded by the Keeper Fiennes and so departed to Whitehall the Lords keeping their seats and the major part of the House of Commons not vouchsafing audience betook themselves to their own house and elected Challoner Chute for their Speaker The Parliament being in some measure fuller then it used by reason of Knights and Burgesses from Scotland and Ireland began with the old Trade of questioning the power In conclusion the debate came to this result that they would recognize the Lord Protector but so that nothing should be binding till all other Acts to be prepared by the Parliament should likewise pass and be confirmed For the other House also that no stop might be put to the great design of setling the Kingdome which was then aimed at and that question of owning them being but a baulk to their proceeding they resolved to transact with them for this Parliament as a House of Peers not excluding the right of other the Peers of England The Protector at the instance of the King of Sweden had rigg'd forth a Fleet for the Sound which being ready to set sail the Parliament ordered that for this time the Protector should have the mannagement of the Militia in this expedition reserving to themselves the Supreme right thereto that Fleet after six moneths time returned back again re infecta Now the debates flew high in the House of Commons tending to the lessening the power of the Sword which was grown so exorbitant therefore the Army being sensible whereto such consultations would finally tend resolved to break up the Parliament and accordingly having secured the Protector made him sign a Commission to Fiennes to dissolve it which accordingly was done though the House of Commons to prevent it adjourned themselves for three daies but then out came a Proclamation forced likewise from the Protector whereby he declared that Parliament to be absolutely dissolved Now the Army and some of the tail of the Parliament which were turned out by Oliver in 1653. joyn their heads together and so make way for their free Commonwealth again Richard Protector is laid aside the Officers of the Army playing some eight daies with the Government and then resigning it to those men who very readily imbraced the motion and met May 7. in the House the Old Speaker and some forty more making up a Quorum and forthwith published a Declaration how that by the wonderful Providence and goodness of God they were restored which to most seemed the saddest judgement could befall the Nation Presently they fall to their old trade of squeezing money and providing sure for themselves against any more attempts of the Army leisurely purging out those that had been active with Oliver against them but by all means refuse to admit those Members that by the like force were formerly secluded in 1648. They depose the Protector and make him sign a Resignation yet promising him the yearly allowance of 10000 l. per annum and the payment of his debts so that they thought themselves now cock-sure levying money by taxes before hand to gratifie the Army for the peoples love they never expected and then settle the Militia in confiding hands Anno Domini 1659. But