Gen. Cromwell upon their march after the Enemy And to prosecute the affairs of Scotland Liev. Gen. Monk was left with a party of 7000 Horse and Foot who straightway took in the strong Town and Castle of Sterling Aberdeen Abernethy Dundee Dunotter Castle Dunbarton Castle with severall others so that the whole Realme of Scotland was after a passage gained into Fife with little or no difficulty subdued and made tributary to the Republick of England The Scots Army The Scots enter the City of Worcester after many halts and skirmishes long and tedious marches weakned in their bodies and distracted in their minds decreasing rather then increasing at length put into Worcester whence the King sent out his Letters mandatory to Sir Thomas Middleton to raise forces for him and to Col. Mackworth Governour of Shrewsbury to the like purpose as he did to others also but without successe He was likewise proclaimed King of Great Britaine France and Ireland in most places where he came which blast of Honour like Jonah's Gourd quickly vanisht for alas by this project of theirs of coming into England they run themselves into inevitable danger as the Poet sayes Decidit in Scyllam qui vult vitare Charybdim being invironed on all sides with the Militia Forces of the severall Counties of the Nation besides Gen. Cromwels Army they so much dreaded there was likewise a considerable body of Horse and Foot under Major Gen. Lambert and Harrison that attended their motions Col. Robert Lilburne was left in Lancashire to hinder the Earl of Derby from raising Forces in those parts other parties were disposed into severall other places to hinder the enemy of Provision or stop their flight as occasion should be M The Earle of Derby being landed as was expected at Wyewater in Lancashire with about 300 Gentlemen and others endeavoured to raise the Country while the English were busied at Worcester and in short space by the accession of Papists Royalists and discontented Presbyterians they encreased to the number of 1500 Gen. Cromwells Regiment of Foot being then at Manchester was appointed to meet Col. Lilburne at Preston The Earl of Derby routed in Lancashire To prevent this conjunction the enemy bent their course towards Marchester to surprize the said Regiment whereupon Col. Lilburne assay'd to flank the enemy in their march and by that means to joyn with those Foot which the enemy perceived and prest to engage Now though Col. Lilburn was overmatcht with Foot in point of number whereby the dispute proved tedious and difficult yet in the space of an hour the enemy was totally routed many persons of quality were taken as Col. Leg Col. John Robinson Col. Bayns Col. Gerard 4 Lievt Col. 1 Major 4 Captains 2 Lievtenants 20 Gentlemen and Reformadoes 500 Common Souldiers with all their baggage Sumpters Arms and Ammunition the Earl of Derby's George Garter and other Robes with badges of the Order but he himself escaped and recovered Worcester There were slain the Lord Widrington Sir Thomas Tildesly Col. Matth. Boynton Sir William Throgmorton Sir Francis Gamuel with some other inferior Officers and about 60 private Souldiers Of the Parliaments party but ten were slain but many wounded For this piece of service Col. Lilburn was bountifully rewarded as he indeed deserved Gen. Cromwell who by delayes never contributed to approaching dangers with his Army came to Worcester before he was either desired or expected by his Adversaries when as the whole Army was presently disposed about the City in order to a close begirting thereof The first remarkable attempt was the possessing a Passe upon the Severne at a place called Vpton which was done by a party led on by Major Gen. Lambert and was presently made good by Lievt Gen. Fleetwoods Brigade who marched towards the River Teame over which was made a Bridge of Boats and another over Severn on the Generals side upon which the enemy took the Alarme and drew out Horse and Foot to oppose the Lievt Generals passage to whose relief there was commanded over Collonel Inglesbyes and Col. Fairfax Regiments of Foot the Generals Lifeguard and Col. Hackers Regiment of Horse all which were led on by Gen. Cromwell in person then was commanded over likewise Col. Goffs and Major Gen. Deans Regiments who fell to scouring the hedges which the enemy had lined and beat them from hedge to hedge and being seconded by a fresh supply after about an hours sharp dispute the enemy was forced to give ground and fly to Powick Bridge where with about three Regiments more they maintained another hot dispute but at length quitted their ground also and ran into Worcester except some that were taken After which renewing their courage they drew out what Horse and Foot they could on the Generals side thinking most of his Army had been on the other side making a bold and resolute sally whereby the Generalls men were forced a little to retire but the scales presently turned and in such sort that the enemy was totally routed The Scots routed at Worcester Sept. 3. 1651. both Horse and Foot their Works and Fort-Royall were taken and their Canon turned upon themselves the Town also was straightway entred and sacked most of the Scots Infantry were slain and taken but of their Horse above 3000 escaped of which Col. Barton lying about Bewdly with some Horse and Dragoons took neer upon a thousand Col. Lilburne with the Generalls Regiment of Foot met with the Earl of Derby that lately so narrowly mist his hands with the Earl of Lauderdaile and above an hundred persons of quality more In this engagement and the gleanings thereof there were taken prisoners neer 10000 and about 3000 slain Those of Quality taken were Duke Hamilton Earl Lauderdaile Earl of Rothes Earl of Carnwath Earl of Shrewsbury Sir John Packington Sir Charles Cunningham Sir Ralph Clare Lord Spine Lord Sinclare Earl of Cleveland Earl of Derby Earl of Kelly Col. Graves Mr. Richard Fanshaw Secretary to the Scots King 6 Col. of Horse 13 of Foot 9 Lievt Col. of Horse 8 of Foot 6 Majors of Horse 13 Majors of Foot 37 Capt. of Horse 72 Capt. of Foot 55 Quartermasters of Horse 89 Lievtenants of Foot Major Gen. Pitscotty Major Gen. Montgomery the Lievt Gen. of the Ordnance Adjut Generall of the Foot the Marshall Quartermaster Generall and Waggon-master Generall 76 Cornets of Horse 99 Ensigns of Foot 30 of the Kings Servants 9 Ministers 9 Chirurgions 158 Colours the Kings Standard Coach and Horses with other rich goods and his Collar of SS Many Parties were taken besides in severall other places as Warwickshire Shropshire Lancashire Cheshire Yorkshire c. insomuch that few of that great Body escaped but were either killed or taken Major Generall Massey being sorely wounded surrendred himself to the Countesse of Stamford and by the Lord Grey of Groby her Sonne was secured and sent to London whence in short space he made an escape In another place was taken Major Gen.
of her friends and others that she might be out of her pain she was cut down put into a Coffin and brought to a House to be dissected before some Physitians When they opened the Coffin they perceived a ratling in her throat a Fellow standing by stamped upon her breast and belly yet Doctor Petty and two or three more then present fell speedily to use some means to bring her to life and opened a vein laid her in a warm bed procured a woman to go into bed to her and continued the use of divers other remedies having respect to her sencelessness head throat and breast so that in a few hours she spake the next day talked and coughed very heartily and in short space perfectly recovered Upon which first her reprieve and then her pardon was procured After this she as upon the Gallows still insisted upon her innocency and integrity in relation to the fact for which she was condemned And indeed this was looked upon as a speciall providence of God thus to deliver her who in the judgements of those that understood the businesse was deemed guiltlesse Herein did the hand of God wonderfully appear in detecting the unadvised actings of men and in shewing us the danger we are in when we are swayed either by passion or prejudice against the meanest of his Creatures The Parliament weighing how prone the people were to adore the shadow of the late King though the substance was destroyed caused his Statue that was set up at the West end of the Cathedrall of St. Pauls to be pulled down and that also in the Royall Exchange over which they caused to be wrote this Motto Exit Tyrannus Regum Vltimus Anno Libertatis Angliae restitutae Primo Anno Domini 1648. January 30. They likewise caused that badge of Monarchy the Kings Arms to be defaced and expunged out of all Churches Chappels and places of publick worship and Courts of Judicature throughout their Dominions and this indeed was a means to make the giddy people forget the Garlick and Onyons of Egypt they much hankered after And to adde a more splendid lustre to their strength and greatnesse they were highly courted by Embassadors from the Neighbouring Nations viz. Holland Spain and Portugall yet the crafty Hollander held at a distance as rather willing the prosperity of the Royall party then heartily desiring or effectually endeavouring a peace with them The Spaniard as he had better ends so had he better successe though in all his addresses he was still reminded of his suspending and delaying the execution of justice upon the Assassinates of the English Resident at Madrid since which time till now the controversie between the King and Church about that businesse hath been in debate The Portugall Embassador after audience had before a Committee of Parliament The Portugal Ambassadour dismist home and several applications unto them not being fully impowered to give a plenary satisfaction to the State for their vast expences and to the Merchants for their great losses all occasioned by them was at length dismist Embassadors extraordinary were sent from the Parliament of England to the States of the United Provinces English Ambassadors are sent into Holland their Names were Oliver St. John and Walter Strickland men of singular parts and of approved integrity who in gallant Equipage with a magnificent train of followers set sail from the Downs March 11. 1651. On the 12. towards Evening they came to anchor before Hellevoit slugs but not without some danger On the 13. they went in Boats to Roterdam being met with Vessels from the States then by the English Merchants were conducted to the English house and nobly entertained During their stay there the Spanish Embassador sent a Gentleman to congratulate their safe Arrivall and to desire there might be a fair correspondency and right understanding between their Lordships and him About two or three dayes after they set forward for the Hague where by the way the Master of the Ceremonies with about thirtie Coaches met them and entertained them with some Complements and conducted them to a House at the Hague prepared for their reception where they were feasted three dayes by the States and then had audience they have audience where the Lord St. John made a Learned and Eloquent Speech in the English tongue and then delivered a Copy thereof in Dutch and English the heads whereof were in effect as follows That they were sent over to the High and Mighty States of the Netherlands from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England to make a firm League and Confederacy between the two Republiques if they think fit to accept thereof notwithstanding the many injuries the English have sustain'd from the Dutch Nation Secondly To renew and confirm those former Treaties and Agreements of trade and commerce made between the two Nations Thirdly He shewed them the notable advantages of England in respect of the pleasant and commodious situation thereof for the advancement of trade and all other accommodations Lastly He told them he was commanded by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England to let their Lordships know how highly they resented the Execrable murther of Dr. Dorislaus their Agent and that he doubted not but that their Lordships would use their utmost care and industry in causing a strict and diligent search to be made after the Authors thereof After which the States being acquainted with the many affronts the Ambassadors Gentlemen and others their attendants had received from English Cavaliers and other ruffians drew up a Proclamation and sent it to the Ambassadors by the Lord Catz to know whether they judged it full enough the contents whereof was to forbid all manner of persons whatsoever from giving any affront either in word or deed to any of the Ambassadors retinue upon pain of corporal punishment Three â—moneths was now spent in this tedious and costly Embassie and nothing obtained save affronts and abuses of all kinds and the Sword of Justice not drawn in their behalfe against any one of that riotous rabble that so frequently swarmed at the Ambassadors gates assaulting their servants and reviling their persons of which injuries the Parliament being deeply sensible and wearied with expectation of what fruits this Treaty would produce resolved that seeing all their Proposals and endeavours for a lasting and well grounded Peace were answered with dilatory shifts and evasions on purpose to gain time upon the English till they saw on which side the chance of war in Scotland would fall to call home their Ambassadors which sudden and unexpected news did so surprize the Hoghen Mogens that they courted them with frequent and unusuall visits and with a multitude of feigned expressions laboured to beget a good opinion in the English of the reality of their intentions towards an amicable compliance with this Nation notwithstanding all which the Ambassadors soon after return into England They return into England infectapace That which gave
go out nor come in nor get together in any one Port whereby to unite and get to a head in which condition I shal for the present leave them Gen. Cromwell and his Councell of Officers having finished their consultations and resolutions about those Persons to whom the Legislative Power of the Nation was to be committed Warrants were issued out to each person so chosen in the three Nations to appear at the Councel-Chamber at Whitehall July 4. 1653. a Copy whereof followes FOr as much as upon the dissolution of the late Parliament it became necessary that the peace safety and good government of this Commonwealth should be provided for and in order thereunto divers persons searing God and of approved fidelity and honesty are by my self with the advice of my Councel of Officers nominated to whom the great charge and trust of so weighty affairs is to be committed And having good assurance of your love to and courage for God and the Interest of his Cause and the good people of this Commonwealth I Oliver Cromwell Captain Generall and Commander in chief of all the Armies and Forces raised and to be raised within this Commonwealth do hereby summon and require you being of the Persons nominated personally to be and appear at the Councel-chamber commonly known or called by the name of the Councel-chamber at White-Hall within the City of Westminster upon the 4 day of July next ensuing the date hereof and then and there to take upon you the said trust unto which you are hereby called and appointed to serve as a Member for the County of _____ And hereof you are not to faile Given under my hand and Seal the _____ day of June 1653. O. Cromwell July 4. The severall Members met accordingly in the Councel-Chamber where was the Lord Gen. Cromwell and many of his Officers about him who standing up made an excellent usefull and seasonable Speech unto them recounting the many wonderfull mercies of God towards this Nation and the continued series of providences by which he had appeared in carrying on this Cause and bringing affairs into the present condition He set forth likewise the progresse of affairs since the famous victory at Worcester as also the actings of the Army thereupon after divers applications to the Parliament and much waiting upon them with the grounds and necessity of their dissolving the late Parliament which he declared to be for the preservation of this Cause and the interest of all honest men who have been engaged therein He in like manner held forth the cleernesse of the call given to the Members then present to take upon them the supreme Authority and from the Scriptures exhorted them to their duties and encouraged them therein He further defired them that a tendernesse might be used towards all conscientious persons of what judgement soever Which having ended his Excellency produced an Instrument under his own hand and Seal whereby he did with the advice of his Officers devolve and intrust the Supreme Authority and Government of this Commonwealth into the hands of the Persons there met Who or any forty of them are to be held and acknowledged the Supreme Authority of the Nation unto whom all persons within the same and the territories thereunto belonging are to yeeld obedience and subjection And that they sit no longer then the 3d. of Novemb. 1654. And three moneths before thein dissolution they were to make choice of other Persons to succeed them who were not to sit above a twelvemoneth and then to take care for a succession in Government Which Instrument being delivered to the Members his Lordship commended them to God and with his Officers withdrew From thence the Members adjourned forthwith to the old Parliament House and there sate de die in diem About this time John Lilburne of whom I have already made mention being a few moneths before banished the Land by an Act of the foregoing Parliament for certain crimes laid to his charge took occasion upon this change of Government to come into England and cast himself upon his Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwell craving his protection in several publick addresses who unwilling to interpose or meddle with affairs of that nature left him to the Law in somuch that he was commited to Newgate and the next Sessions or Gaol-delivery John Lilburn tried at the Sessions in the Old Baily he was brought to triall in the Old-Baily July 13. but nothing was done that day save that Councell was assigned him according to his demand July 14. he was again brought to the Barre but refused to put in his Plea unless he might have a copy of his Indictment which was at length granted him July 15. he appeared at the Barre again but little was done that day July 16. he appeared and delivered in divers Exceptions to the Bill of Indictment which were signed by his Councel and received by the Court which day the Sessions ended so that the businesse was put off to the next Sessions Aug. 13. he appeared before the Bench again and put in an Exception demanding an Oyer of the Judgement given against him in Parliament as well as of the Act grounded thereupon Aug. 16. he appeared again the Point argued on both sides but nothing more was done that day Aug. 20. he was again brought before the Court where he joyned issue and pleaded not guilty whereupon a Jury was impannel'd and Witnesses examined to make good the Charge as also Witnesses on the behalf of the Prisoner who in making his defence held the Court severall hours and in answer thereunto the Councel for the Common-wealth were also heard The Jury having the Charge after hearing the whole businesse withdrew Is quitted by the Jury and about twelve of the clock that night delivered up their Verdict That they found him Not guilty whereupon he was sent back to Newgate and soon after was from thence sent to the Tower where he yet remains Thus you see what endeavours were used to rid the Nation of this inconsiderable fellow by Tryals Banishment and what not but hitherto in vain when as many a gallant Heart farre transcending him in birth and parts have fallen by the sword of Justice in the twinkling of an eye But it may be God hath reserved him to be a greater plague to this Nation whose heart I fear is the seed-plot of sedition and division True it is he is a man of a penetrating judgement quick wit and voluble tongue bold and confident in all his undertakings he is likewise peevish and passionate out of measure affects popularity and is of an implacable spirit not to be appeased but with the bloud of his adversaries Nor can I deny but some of those things he aimed at were honest and usefull for the people but he steered not the right course to attain those ends The condition of the English affairs in Scotland was now much after this sort The state of Scotland although the