undertaken and cleare my unfeigned reputation Thus much I thought good to say unto you that you may give a satisfactory testimony of that designe in my behalfe if you heare it falsely reported And I shall be ready to requite you in vindicating of truth and acknowledge my selfe Southampton Feb. 5. 1643. Your reall friend PET. MURFORD About the 6. of this instant came to the publike knowledge of the City of London and so to others in the Kingdome a notable designe from Oxford namely That in the latter end of Ianuary last the pretended Parliament or rather mischievous meeting of Popish Atheisticall and Malignant fugitive Lords and rotten Members of the most blessed Parliament at Westminster being brought into a desperate condition by the happy and good successe of our said Parliamentâ— Forces against them assembled themselves into a most illegall jugling Iunto or accursed Conventicle at Oxford and would needs there forsooth make a poor shew of Propositions for Peace And by their Lord Generall Ruthen the Popish Earl of Forth they contrived a Letter which was signed by the Prince the Duke of York 44 of the foresaid condition'd Lords and about an 100 rotten Commons and was sent as from Ruthen to his Excellencie the Parliaments most noble and renowned Lord Generall the magnanimous and heroick Eul of Essex and in that Letter manifested their scornfull esteem of our most renowned Parliament at Westminster not allowing it so much as the name of a Parliament which must needs argue a proper piece of intention really to advance a true Peace betwixt the King and his Parliament Now hereupon the said Letter being by his Excellencie communicated with the Parliament they thought it not fit to take notice of the said Message only it was consulted and resolved on by both Houses that my Lord Generall should be intreated to send a Complement to the Earle of Forth and to inclose the Covenant and Declaration agreed upon by both Kingdomes in this Letter which accordingly his Excellencie performed as followeth His Excellencies Letter to the Earl of Forth in answer to a Letter from Oxford subscribed by the Prince Duke of Yorke and divers Lords and Gentlemen at Oxford My Lord I Received this day a Letter of the 29. of this instant from your Lordship and therein a Parchment subscribed by the Prince Duke of York and divers Lords and Gentlemen but it neither having addresse to the two houses of Parliament nor therein there being any acknowledgment of them I could not communicate it unto them My Lord the maintenance of the Parliament of England and of the priviledges thereof is that for which we are all resolved to spend our blood as being the foundation whereon all our Lawes and Liberties are built I send your Lordship herewith a Nationall Covenant solemnly entred into by both Kingdomes of England and Scotland and a Declaration passed by them both together with another Declaration of the Kingdome of Scotland I rest Your Lordships humble Servant ESSEX Essex-house Ian. 30. 1643. About the 9. of this instant February our most noble and renowned Patriots in Parliament resolved on the sequestring of the Estates of many grand Malignants and Incendiaries and to order and dispose of their Estates for the publike use And they appointed a Committee accordingly to take order for the sequestrating of the Lands and Estates of the Earle of Berk-shire prisoner in the Tower and that the same should be disposed of for the use of the publike good And the like for the estate of the Earle of Carbery a great stickler for the adverse party in Wales The Lord Aborthorum Mr. Walter Mountague prisoner in the Tower The Lord Cottington that Spanish Don and grand Incendiary of the Kingdome And that all the goods and Chattels already sequestred and to be sequestred belonging to the aforesaid Lords and Gentlemen should be forthwith sold and the monies made use of for the publike service and more especially for supplies for the Noble Lord Fairfax in Yorkshire The like also for all the goods and chattels belonging to Sir John Banks Lord Chiefe Justice at Oxford The like for the Bishop of Winchester and the like for all the goods of all other Malignants sequestred and being in Cambden-house in London or elsewhere As also the goods and whole estate in and about London belonging to that unhappy and unholy Neuter or Ambo-dexter Dr. Vsher Arch-Prelate of Armagh resident at Oxford a man once I confesse of good yea of great esteem like his apostate brother Dr. White Bishop of Ely in City and Country both in England and Ireland but at length whose last dayes hitherto have proved his worst dayes Of whom one thing I may not here omit to his eternall shame and ignominie That upon debating of the businesse in Parliament concerning him there was evidence given in to the Parliament against him That upon the first framing of that pernicious Oath at Oxford to enjoyn all men to take up Armes against the Parliament this slye Archbishop was a chiefe Agent by his Episcopall rhetorick to perswade all men to take the said Oath yea and that he wished they might all dye in prison that refused to take it that divers who by his perswasions had taken it were afterward much troubled in conscience and some of them dyed in that condition much perplexed and unsatisfied A most sad and bad burthen to lie on the Conscience of such an unholy and unhappy Instigator thereunto whose perishing blood will I feare be one day severely required at his hands without repentance Also about the 10. of this instant certain intelligence came out of York-shire by Letters to London from the most Noble Lord Fairfax of the taking of Burlington in the said County the place where the Queene formerly landed when she unhappily returned out of Holland by a party of Horse and Foot commanded by that valiant and vertuous Colonel Sir William Constable who entred the Town in a full Carriere took 250 Common-souldiers besides Major New nam the Governour of the Town and divers other Officers with 2 Drakes and 500 Arms besides other Ammunition In this exploit Major Briery and Captain Bethel the one in the Van the other in the Reare did singular good service and put the Enemy into a great disorder This place being within 6 miles of Scarborough will make Sir Hugh Cholmley that perfidious Apostate to look about him And very shortly after came farther intelligence of another notable Exploit performed by the said brave and valiant Commander Sir William Constable who surprised a party of the Enemy at a place called Driffle between Malton and Scarborough where he took 300 of Newcastles Horse Colonel Washington one Serjeant-Major three Captaines divers Officers and about an hundred and sixty common Foot-souldiers and routed another Regiment besides Much about the same time came certain information by Letters from the Scotch Commissioners out of the North That since
they say the comming in of the Scottish Nation will occasion though they know very well that their former comming in was by Gods mercy a great means to prevent it and so also may this but they are too willing to forget or at least to silence what horrid cruelties are dayly committed by their bringing over of such multitudes of Irish Rebels or that this damdable Plot of theirs can be any Invasion of our Kingdome since these are forsooth the Kings honest Catholik Subjects O grosse and egregious daubing and dissimulation Now the Lords of the Councill of Scotland having received this Letter spent no long time about it but the very next day O the mercy of our God thus to cleare up their pious and prudent judgement herein dispatched an answer to that Letter much to this effect That they conceived their Lordships at Oxford were not so great strangers to their proceedings as not to know that their expedition into England was not intended till all other meanes were first assayed and disappointed That they will not deny the invitation of the Parliament to ayde them and that not onely out of pittie to see England bleed but out of sense of the danger of their owne Religion and Lawes they had thus as a maine cause taken up Armes at this present that they hold not the invitation of the Parliament any wayes invalid or null'd because they at Oxford are wanting thence or others are gone beyond the Seas having either wilfully deserted the Parliament or been expelled thence for their Delinquency but how this Parliament hath sought earnestly for Reformation of Religion for redresse of grievances and the happy settlement of the great affaires of that Kingdome and which was indicted by his Majestie for these ends is ratified by a speciall Act of Parliament not to be raised without advise and consent of both Houses as null and void and that those who stay in Parliament are not a sufficient number without them at Oxford is more than they can apprehend And as they are more deepely affected with unfeined griefe for these unhappy differences betweene his Majestie and his Subjects and more sensibly touched with the sufferings of their Brethren than desirous to judge of the Lawes and practises of another Kingdome So they doe hold themselves in duty obliged to their Countrey to clear that Kingdome of that unjust aspersion of invasion These things with sundry other excellent expressions were contained in this Letter or answer to the former as by the Letters themselves Printed and published at large appeared And heere now good Reader I shall again desire to cast Anchor to put in and make a short stay in the happy Harbour of this Moneths Voyages conclusion also a little to refresh and recollect thine and mine own serious thoughts in the most gratefull Contemplation and Recapitulation of all the eminent and excellent Parliamentary Mercies as so many specious and precious Merchandizes safely brought home in the Successefull adventure of the Arke of God in this Moneths Voyage which may conspicuously appeare to the eyes and understanding of any of all intelligent and impartiall Readers First In that most fragrant Aprill Primrose or odoriferous virtuous Violet I meane that most excellent Ordinance of Parliament for the better sanctifying of the Lords day In those brave Defeates given to our Adversaries The one at Munck-bridge by Sir Iohn Gell the other given to Colonell Bellusyes by victorious Colonell Lambere in Yorkeshire In the remarkable meanes of Conveyance of the Ammunition from Warwick to Gloucester And how thereby they were enabled to fright and secret their neighbouring Enemies Together with the taking in of Waltham-house by Colonell Whitehead with the good assistance of the London Brigade which God made victorious both going and comming In the happy Conjunction of the Lord Fairfaxes Forces with his most valiant and virtuous Son Sir Thomas Fairfax whereby their eminent designes were by Gods mercie greatly advanced which was immediately begun in the taking of Cawood Castle and the Isle of Axholme In the farther good successe and singular good service of Captaine Swanley in South-Walles And the regaining of Crowland a place of great concernment by the noble Earle of Manchesters Forces In the Hollanders Honourable attestation of precious Master Prynnes learned Labours in his Invincible Vindication of the Parliaments Power and Priviledges Together with the most comfortable correspondency betweene our Kingdome and Parliament and the Kingdome of Swethland and also States of the Vnited Provinces In that most Famous and admirable Victory obtained by the right Honourable and most renowned Lord Fairfax at Selby in Yorkeshire In the prosperous pursuit of Newcastles Atheistiall Army from Durham to Yorke by our valiant and vigilant brethren of Scotland the most noble Earle of Manchester and most worthily thrice Honourable Lord Fairfax who all uniting and joyning themselves together into a body about Yorke necessitated Newcastle to be enclosed and coop'd up within the walles of the said City In the brave Defeat given by renowned Sir William Waller to the Kings Cormorants at Basing-house Together with that other given by Northampton Forces to their Adversaries at Banbury And lastly in the Lords most gracious frustrating and foolifying that most pâ—rnicious Oxonian Plot to have diverted or rather perverted the Christian Amity and Fidelity of our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland in their pious purposes aud resolutions to come into our Kingdome for our timely and needfull assistance All which precious premises rightly regarded and most seriously considered especially that most remarkable Conquest at Selby and this the Lords most gracious turning of Oxonian Achitophels crafty and cruell Counsell into folly O who can but most justly and ingenuously acknowledge that in all in any of these rare and rich Parliamentary-mercies the Lord hath most comfortably caused his blessed Arke triumphantly still to over-toppe the high swelling waves and rough rising billows of Papists Atheists and mischievous malignants So that we may in strong and long experienced confidence in God conclude with holy David Yet truly the Lord is good to his Israel and to all such as are of an upright heart Great câ—use have wee therefore with magnanimous Martyn Luther in our greatest straits and seeming distresses to say and sing God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of trouble Therefore we wil not fear though the earth be removed and though the mountaines be hurryed or caryed into the midst of the sea and though the waters thereof roar and be troubled But now to goe on and to lanch forth again into the next Mouths adventure And first to begin with the certain intelligence which about the beginning of this Moneth of May came to London by Letters from Plymouth that that traiterous Skellum and base Apostate Sir Richard Greenvile came within two miles of Plimouth to a place called S. Butolphs with some Forces of Horse and Foot whereof
caused Proclamation to be made in his Army and in the Countrie about as followeth ROBERT Earle of Essex c. Captaine-Generall of the Army imployed for the Defence of the Protestant Religion King Parliament and Kingdome WHereas these Countries have beene very much afflicted and oppressed by the Euemy and we are now come to relieve them of their hard bondage It is therefore my expresse will and pleasure and I doe hereby straitly charge and command all Officers and Souldiers of Horse Foot and Dragoones belonging to the Army under my Command that they and every of them doe forthwith after Proclamation hereof made forbeare notwithstanding any pretence whatsoever to plunder or spoile any of the goods of the inhabitants of these Countries or to offer any violence or other prejudice unto them upon paine of death without mercy Given under my hand and Seale May the 26. 1644. Essex Say now then malicious Malignants was not this a better and more just Proclamation than that which came to the poore Inhabitants of those parts round about from Oxford Commanding all their Corne and Victuall upon paine of Fire and Sword And was it not thinke you better accepted of the said people than that Oxonian Edict that in all those Countreys all his Majesties Souldiers should have free Quarter for Horse and Man So that the Inhabitants were eaten up by such oppression and perforce made Slaves and Bondmen to the base lusts and wills of all the Dam-me cursed crew whose insolencies were hereby incredible and the relation of them very fearefull and grievous to modest and tender-hearted Christians About the 27th of this instant there were Letters drawne up such was the prudence providence of our ever to be honoured and renowned Parliamentary Statists to conserve and corroborate the blessed union amity between the two Kingdomes of England and Scotland to be sent to the Parliament in Scotland from both the Houses of Parliament in England expressing the obligation they stood bound in to the Kingdome of Scotland the high esteeme they have of their brotherly love for their assistance to this Nation desiring also that they may be united as well in Councills as in Forces And returning them hearty thankes for their care of the Army in Ireland for which they sent them word they had provided 30000 l. and also had sent downe 20000 l. to their Army now with us in England requesting them to accept their endeavours though their abilities answered not their desires Much also about the same time came credible Information by Letters out of Gloucestershire that that most valiant vigilant and couragious Commander Colonell Massey had taken Beverton Castle in Gloucestershire about 12 miles from Gloucester and within a mile from Tedbury which was surrendred to him on no other Conditions but onely for quarter for their lives Wherein hee tooke 60 Prisoners with all their Ordnance Armes and Ammunition And with the same successe he tooke the old Towne of Malmesbury wherein were 300 men and two Sonnes of the Earle of Barkeshire and 28 Officers 400 Armes 7 or 8 Pieces of Ordnance besides Powder Match and other Ammunition and provision The Governour of the Towne Colonell Howard being at the first summoned to deliver up the Town for the use of the King and Parliament Assembled at Westminster returned an answer That he would keep it for the use of the King and Parliament Assembled at Oxford but upon this Answer Col. Massey fell close to the work and after 13 houres hot fight he as aforesaid forced the Governour to make a recantation of his errour and to cry for mercy for his folly And from thence he presently marched into Wiltshire and possessed himself of the Garrison of Chippenham the Souldiers therein having onely Quarter for their lives And thus we see how admirably successefull the Lord of Hosts hath made this Loyall and most active Commander in all his Valiant and Magnanimous undertakings Whereupon shortly after The two Honourable Houses of Parliament taking into consideration the good service of this famous and Renowned Colonell and that in pursuance of his foresaid good successe he was marched on with about 2000. men to the Devizes thereby to open a passage for the bringing in of cloth to London out of the West country An Order was forthwith agreed on for speedy supplying him with money and other necessaries And another Ordinance of Parliament was also resolved on for the rewarding of this Noble Colonell for his so great and good service done to the Kingdome and that his never-dying honour might not too long be unrecompensed therefore to confirme and settle a 1000. l. a year of Sir John Winters estate an arch Papist in armes against the Parliament and one of the Queenes great favourites on him and his heires for ever A singular and most highly commendable act greatly redounding to their own just praise and to the encouragement of the rest of the valiant and active Souldiers and commanders of the Parliaments Forces and Garrisons About the 30th of this instant May it pleased the Lord to let us the happy inhabitants O that our Malignants also could see their happinesse therein of the most famous and ever to be renowned City of London see and know that he had a purpose to doe us good and to raise us now out of our late low estate and thereby to give us still more and more just cause to magnifie and omnifie his great name in blessedly advancing all meanes and wayes for the good of his despised and distressed Church and Children and to spread the banner of the Lord Jesus Christ triumphantly in the field against his too too long over-prided and insulting â—oes For about this time notwithstanding that by Gods admirable mercy and good providence we had now already in the field 6 or 7 very considerable armies as first That of our most noble and renowned Lord Generall his Excellency the Earle of Essex in the Westerne parts of the Kingdome Secondly that of our most loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland Thirdly that of the ever most worthily honoured Lord Fairfax and his most renowned Son Sir Thomas Fairfax Fourthly that of the no lesse renowned truly noble and to be ever honoured Earl of Manchester all these three last mentioned armies in the Northern parts of the Kingdome about Yorke Fifthly that of the magnanimous and most courageous Sir William Waller in the West also Sixthly that of the most noble and active Earle of Denbigh about Staffordshire and those parts Besides that brave commanders forces in Lancastershire I mean valiant Sir Iohn Meldrum and other lesser forces in divers other parts and places of the Kingdome That notwithstanding all these and many if not most of all these in great measure raised out of the most famous City of London yet I say about this time to the glory of our wonder-working God be it spoken the honour of the said great City the
Kingdomes returne and re-advance with all my said Forces unto a place called Spurstow heath where that night we quartered and thence advanced upon Munday morning towards Whitchurch we quartered that night likewise in the open Fields at a place called the Fennes in Flintshire where yesterday we marched towards Elsmore and so to the said Towne of Oswestree where the Enemy endeavoured by battering and storming of the same violently to have carryed it about two of the clocke in the Afternoon we came in sight of the Towne and within three miles of it where the Enemy having got intelligence of our approach prepared to receive us the chiefe Forces of our Enemy consisting of the most valiant Commanders and Souldiers drawn out of the garrisons of Chester Cheshire Shrewsbury Shropshire Ludlow Denbyshire Flintshire and other places The Enemy had taken the passage of water neere to Whittington and very furiously assaulted and charged us but were repulsed and forced to retyre through the courage of our Horse who most courageously entertained the Enemy three severall times the skirmish was doubtfull either side being forced so often to retreat but in the end our Foot Forces comming up relieved the Horse beat back the Enemy and pursued them with such force that the Horse thereby encouraged which indeed was formerly weary joyning with the Foot they put the Enemy to an absolute flight in which we pursued them Five miles towards Shrewsbury to a place called Felton-heath and where likewise we remained after their flight again thence Masters of the Fieldâ— In the skirmish with the Enemy and in the pursuite wee lost severall of our Horse some of our Troopers but never a Foorman which I am yet informed of many of the Troopers are hurt but I hope they will recover I lost one Captain Williams and one Captain Lieutenant Fletcher a very couragious man being Captain Lieutenant to Colonell Barton in my Brigade was dangerously shot but I hope not mortally As for the Enemy they lost many stout men had many of them taken prisoners the number whereof the inclosed will manifest some of them being of great quality As the Lord Newports eldest Son And besides in their flight such was their haste that wee found in the way of our pursuite of them the high way as it were strewed with store of Bread Cheese Bacon and other good provisions clothes and such necessary appurtenance to an Army besides some whole Veales and Muttons new kill'd The Enemy before the reliefe came had taken the Church being the strongest hold about the Town upon the approach of the reliefe they suddenly deserted it and sent their two battering pieces unto Shrewsbury In the way also were taken by our Forces seven Carts and Waggons loaden with provisions as Beer Bread and other necessaries whereof one was loaden with Powder and other Ammunition the Towne of Oswestree I find to be a very strong Town and if once fortified of great concernment and the Key that lets us into Wales SIR I had to my ayd 3. Regiments of Foot viz. Colonell George Boothes Regiment a gallant Regiment led by himselfe on foot to the face of the Enemy Another by Colonell Manwaring and the third by Colonell Croxon all of them stout and gallant Commanders and the rest of the Officers and Souldiers full of courage and resolution Major Louthien Adjutant Generall that brave and faithfull Commander to whom I cannot ascribe too much honour brought up the Reare that day SIR I rest Yours THO MIDDLETON Prisoners taken at Oswestree at the raising of the siege thereof Francis Lord Newport Son and heir to the Earl of Newport Captain Swinerton Captain of a Troope of Horse twenty Welsh and Shropshire Gentlemen one Cornet of Horse which had no command Lievtenant Norrell one Quartermaster two Corporalls 32 Troopers two pieces of Artillery to come up to the walls to save the Musketteers seven Carryages whereof one of powder 200 common-souldiers most of them Welsh great store of Armes found as was toucht before in the wayes and ditches There was since also taken Major Manly and Major Whitney under the walls of Shrewsbury in the pursuite of them About the 5th of this instant July came certain intelligence out of the North to London of that most famous and glorious victory wherewith it graciously pleased the Lord to crown our three most noble and ever to be renowned Generalls viz. Cenerall Lesley Earl of Leven in Scotland The most noble Earle of Manchester and the most renowned Lord Fairfax Which was most happily obtained on the second of this instant July 1644. being Tuesday toward night and that within the space of lesse than three houres The full and true relation of which Fight and famous Battell although the three most noble Generalls aforesaid sent it to London under their owne hands and divers other relations thereof have been published in print to shew the clearnesse and truth of the thing they every one in substance agreeing one with another yet both in regard of the fulnesse and faithfulnesse as also the pious enlargements of that Copy which was written by that very reverend learned and pious Pastour and Heroicke-spirited Gentleman Master Simon Ash Chaplaine to the most noble valiant and victorious Earle of Manchester I have therefore made choice of his excellent relation and here inserted it verbatim as it was printed and published with onely some interlacing and addition of some few materiall passages cull'd out of other authentick copies for the Readers better satisfaction and much content therein which was as followeth A true Relation of the Fight and famous Victory at Marstone-Moore neere YORKE from Master Ash his owne hand-writing VPon the thirtieth of June being the Sabbath towards evening we had certaine Intelligence that Prince Rupert with his Army were quartered at Burrow-brigs within twelve miles of Yorke and that he intended to fight with us the next day Heereupon the 3 Generalls resolved that night and in the morning to raise the Siege that they might be able to encounter the great Forces now ready to assault them with hope to returne unto the Seige upon the repulsion of the potent enemy You will easily believe that there was much joy and many manifestations thereof in the Citie upon removing of the Forces which had so long begirt it on every side And truely many of our hearts were oppressed with heavinesse looking upon this providence as speaking Divine displeasure against us but our God hath mercifully made knowne the groundlesnesse of our doubts and discouragements for ever blessed bee his Name Upon Monday July 1 we marched with all our Forces unto 〈…〉 on the Sâ—uch-side of the River Owsed with hope there to meet with Prince Rupert in his way towards Yorke In the afternoon our Army was set in Battaliâ— and our Souldiers were full of joy expecting to have a Battaile with the Enemy becaâ—sâ— we were assured by our Scouts that the Prince with his whole
lifting up their right hands bare and then afterwards to subscribe it severally by writing their names or their markes to which their names were to be added in a booke or parchment-role where-into the Covenant was to be inserted purposely provided for that end and to be kept as a record in the parish After all which there was also printed a Catalogue of the names of all such members of the House of Commons in Parliament as had subscribed to and taken the said Covenant being then 228. besides the Lords in the House of Peeres and divers others of the Lordâ— and Commons who being employed about the weighty affaires of the Common-wealth in remote parts of the Kingdome and so could not subscribe with the rest A most faire and sweet encouragement for all other persons in the Kingdome not onely to subscribe but to keep their Covenant having the Patterne and President of so many worthy and pious Patriotts set before them in so glorious and religious an Action which is not onely lawfull but all things considered exceeding expedient and necessary for all that wish well to true Religion the King and Kingdom to joyn in and to be as a singular pledge of Gods mercie and goodnesse to all the three Kingdomes About the aforesaid time also came certaine Intelligence by Letters to the Parliament of the proccedings of our loyall and loving brethren of Scotland about Newcastle who as it was credibly and constantly informed had then gained a Scence and the maine Out-workes with the losse of about 14. of their men whereof a Captaine a Lieutenant and a Serjeant of Colonell Linseyes Regiment were slaine That Generall Lesleys Sonne a brave and valiant young Gentleman had beaten 14. Troopes of the Popish Army into the Towne againe without the losse of a man and tooke two of their men Prisoners who protested that the Marquesse himself was then in the Town and that the Lord Widdrington Generall King and Sir Tho. Glemham were there also The probability whereof will appeare by an Answer returned from the Town to a Summons which the Committee of both Kingdomes sent to the Town of Newcastle which was as followeth The copy of the Summons sent by the Committee of both Kingdomes to the Town of Newcastle Right Wor and loving friends OVr appearance here in this posture through mis-informations and misunderstandings may occasion strange thoughts in you If we had opportunity of speech with you which we hereby desire and offer to you it is not impossible that as we hold out the same ends viz. the preservation of Religion the Kings true honour and happinesse the publike peace and liberty of his dominions so we might agree on the same way to promote them If you yeild to this motion you shall find us ready to do our parts therein but if worse counsell take place with you and parley be rejected although you will be unjust therby to your selves yet we have reason to expect you should be so just to us as to acquit us of the guilt of those manifold inconveniences and calamities which may be the fruits of those forcible wayes you will thereby constraine is to We desire your present Answer Subscribed the 3d. of Febr. 1643. By the Warrant and in the name of the Committees and Commissioners of both Kingdomes By us Your friends ARGILE WILLIAM ARMINE The Answer of the Town of Newcastle to the Summons of the Committee of both Kingdomes My Lord WEE have received a Letter of such a nature from you that wee cannot give you any answer to it more than this That his Majesties Generall being at this instant in the Town We conceive all the power of Government to be in him But were he not you cannot sure conceive us so ill read in these proceedings of yours as to Treat with you for your satisfaction in these particulars you write of nor by any Treaty to betray the Trust reposed in us or forfeit our Allegeance to His Majestie For whose Honour and preservation together with the Religion and Lawes of this Kingdome we intend to hazard our lives and fortunes and so we rest Your Servants John Morley Mayor Nic. Cole Tho. Liddle Lionell Madison Alexander Davison c. Subscribed by us Febr. the 3d. 1643. in the names of the Common-Councell and the rest of the Inhabitants of the Towne of Newcastle Shortly after these things the valiant Scots having gained as was forementioned the Scâ—nce and out works of the Town they rested not satisfied thus but sent out a strong party and gained also the keeles or Lighters and small boats betweene Stella and Newcastle and so made a bridge three miles above Newcastle toward Newboln over Tyne and shortly after their grand Brigade of the Scots army marched over to besiege Newcastle on the South-side and also to cut off all supplies from his Majestie and the Irish-rebells and rogues his best beloved subjects And thus was the invincible Popish army of the North of England beleagur'd in a small compasse and cut off from all manner of reliefe where for a season we will leave them till a farther and fitter occasion to make farther mention of their proceedings for this our Parliamentary Chronicles intentions and purposes And thus we see by Gods good providence that the North was in a very faire way of being totally regained to a right understanding of the state of things which will yet further appear more probable if we heer also consider the wonderfull good successe of the most noble and ever to be honoured and renouned Lord Fairfax who had about this time enlarged his quarters from Hull 20. miles towards Durham and by a party of horse commanded by that valiant victorious and religious Commander Sir William Constable drave that rotten apostate Sir Hugh Cholmley out of Scarbrough Towne into the Castle which caused such an operation in the hearts of the inhabitants of Whitby as that they were soone and surely reduced and settled as you already heard in part they were to the Parliaments side and presently after seized on Sir Hughs great House and Fort on the High-Clift disarmed his garrison and so kept it for the Lord Fairfax who afterwards sent 200. horse the better to secure it This most valourous and vertuous Gentleman Sr. William Constable stayed not here but advanced toward Yorke and beat up one of the enemies quarters neere Malton within twelve miles of Yorke who gave an alarme to their head quarters where there were 400. foot and 16. troopes of horse all put into order to charge but Sr. William with twelve troopes of horse most couragiously charged them routed them and tooke these prisoners following viz. Lieut. Colonell Washington Major Gray Capt. Iohn Vavazer Capt. Newsteed Capt. Witnell Capt. Corsfield Lieutenant Tuffni three Lieutenants of horse 5. Cornets 3. quarter-masters 3. Corporalls 2. Trumpets one minister or hedge-priest 175. foot and 300 horse and thus this noble Lord Fairfax shortly after
forces against them who came forth and faced them also whiles other some of his forces had placed themselves in some advantagious ambuscadoes and upon the ingagement of the rest in fight came upon the reere of Hoptons forces beat them soundly tooke about at least 80. of them prisoners among whom were 2. Cornets and other officers whom they safely carryed into Southampton And that most loyall and magnanimous commander Sir William Belfore had performed much good service against the enemy neere Basing-house in Hampshire where he defeated a party of Basing forces which sallyed out of the said House and fell upon his infantrie in their marching that way But Sir Williams horse wheeling about and comming in the rear of them killed 20. on the place routed 200. horse and tooke many prisoners whereof some were men of quality After which he advanced to Newbery and tooke possession of the Towne which the enemies garrison understanding of his comming toward them had quite quitted upon his approach thither at which time he was about 5000. strong in horse and foot And about the same time came certaine intelligence from forraine parts which I here mention as having reference to our present affaires in England that on the last Monethly fast day of Febr. last 1643. which was also kept at Delph in Holland the same day that ours was in England by the English Inhabitants and Merchants there residing and that the Prince Elector Palatine CHARLES subscribed the Solemine-League or Covenant entred into by the Kingdomes of England and Scotland and which had beene sent over and ordered by the Parliament to be taken by all the English in all those Provinces and that many also of the Court in Holland have done the like Also that the Swedes had about that time taken the King of Denmarkes castle of Elsenburge which guards the Sound on Norway side and that they had then also taken two Danish ships with 1200. of the king of Denmarkes souldiers And which is of greatest concernment and most remarkable that the Swedes were then expediting an Embassie to the Parliament of England wherein they desired the first motion wherof we touched before that they might associate themselves with the kingdomes of England and Scotland for the mutuall defence of one another in point of the Protestant religion against the Popish party in any part of the world Thus good Reader we see still dayly how the kingdome of Antichrist like Sauls house decayes and decreases more and more and therefore how justly and joyfully we may and must expect the House of David to encrease flourish and prevaile in all parts of the earth and thereby our glorious hopes more sweetly and firmely to be lifted up in expectation of the most happy holy Halcyon dayes of the Church of Christ in this last age of the world Amen and Amen About the 12. of this instant came farther intelligence also out of Yorkeshire That the most noble Lord Fairfax did still enlarge his quarters in those parts and that his two most valiant Champions Colonell Sir William Constable and Colonell Lambert grew more and more prosperous and victorious And in particular that Colonell Constable marching to Yorke quartered at a place called Pocklington and from thence to the enemies quarters and faced their Garrison at Tadcaster-Bridge within ten miles of Yorke on the East side fell valiantly on the Enemies and in short time took it In which Gaâ—rison he took 10 Captaines Lieutenants and Commissioners of Array besides other Officers about 200 Souldiers 300 Armes 3 peices of Ordnance 14 Barrells of powder besides match and other good prizes Much about this time the Declaration of both Kingdomes for the comming in of the Oxford partee by the first of March 1643. had a great influence upon many of the more ingenuous moderate and discreet delinquents among them so as divers of note and quality came in before and some â—ince the time assigned and very willingly took the Solemn League and Covenant Some of the most considerable of whom I have here thought fit to expresse by name viz. The Earl of Westmerland the Earl of Monmouth the Earl of Thanet Sir Francis Lâ—e one of the Gentlemen of the Kings Bed-chamber the Lord Paget who went to Warwick-Castle the Earle of Carlile Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper Baronet high Sheriffe of Dorsetshire and Governour of Weymouth Sir Edward Deering Sir Iohn Evelin of Hampshire Sir Iohn Evelin of Surrey Sir William Acton an Alderman of London Mr. Roger Pits Mr. Mason Mr. Carpenter and many other most of them men of eminency and great Estates who came to London and took the Covenant besides many who had submitted themselves to the Parliaments Garrisons at Northampton Warwick and other places too numerous to be here particularized and many more would fain have come away thence had they not taken such a strict course in all the Kings Quarters to retain and restrain them by setting up Gibbets at Oxford and threatning them most terribly with no lesse than hanging if they were taken in any such defection Here also I conceive it not unfit but in much pertinent measure consonant to these our Parliamentary mercies to make mention of that most vile and base Athesticall defection of that most ignoble and perjured Knight Sir Richard Geenvile which I say may justly come in as no small mercy to us in regard of the great designe of the Parliament about that time against the enemies thereof a mercy I say that he went then away since he was so rotten at the core and had so false a heart to the State and Parliament so soon when as he did us so little hurt where as had he stayed till our Forces had gone into the Field and had been to joyn in Battail with the Enemy as not long after they did he might especially being then also in such an eminent place of power and trust in the Army like his brother in iniquity Sir Faithlesse Fortescue at Edgehill Battell he might I say have done us a far greater mischiefe in the fight than he did by this his base flight But for this his so wicked and unworthy tergiversation he was followed with a most just reward for upon the 15. of this instant March being Fryday according to an Order of the Councill of War there were two Gibbets erected the one over against the Royall Exchange in Cornhill in London and the other in the Pallace yard at Westminster whereat Proclamation was made by the Provost Marshall and trumpeters of his Excellencies Armie declaring Sir Richard Grinvile that grand Apostate and Renâ—gado of England a Traiter unto the Kingdome which Proclamation was fixed upon both the foresaid Gibbets in writing in the words following Whereas Richard Greenvile hath of late presented his Service unto the Parliament and hath been entertained by the Parliament as a Colonell of a Regiment of Horse And whereas the said
blessed be God afterward proved true that the Ammunition came safely to Gloucester The second time also all that was sent came safely to them without danger or disturbance The third time when all that was appointed for Gloucester was sent away was also most safely conveyed by Colonell Beare who went with his Valiant Troopes without fear of the fiercest Enemie who now had need looke about them that they be not frighted with a worse feare than an Ignis fatuus for now Gloucester was hereby enabled not onley to be most secure within it selfe but also to offend and greatly to disturb their pernicious neighbours For since this the Country as 't was credibly reported came in unto Colonell Massey very much and deserted Mr Dutton and the rest of the Commissioners of Array in those parts and tooke the Covenant to serve the King and Parliament About the 10. also of this instant April came certaine intelligence by letters from severall persons of quality and note in the London brigade dated from a Town called Wickham within a mile of Waltham in Hampshire that on the 6. of April 1644. Major Gen. Browne that brave famous and victorious London Commander in his march from Southampton toward Waram had intelligence that Colonell Whitehead being set down before Waltham house aforesaid with about an 100 men there being also the like number within the said House to keepe and maintaine it who hearing that the London Brigade passed by that way he sent unto Major Generall Brown to desire his ayd in taking thereof with the quicker dispatch Whereupon the London Brigade marched toward the said House and planted their Ordnance against it but upon the valiant Majors drawing up his men to make an assault Propositions were sent forth from those in the House to the Major Generall which at last were assented unto being to this effect That the commanders and officers then in the House might passe away with their horses and their swords by their sides and the common-souldiers onely with a rod or staffe in their hands Which articles were accordingly performed on both sides the enemies leaving behind them all their armes and ammunition and good store of provision and rich plunder all which was divided among the souldiers to their great refreshment and encouragement After which the brave London Brigade marched away leaving the House to Colonell Whitehead to demolish and pull it downe if hee conceived it requisite or convenient And thus it pleased God to honour this London Brigade with this other victory making them successefull and victorious both in their going forth and in their comming home To God alone be all the praise and glory thereof And about the foresaid time also we had credible information by letters out of Yorkeshire to London that that noble Son Sir Thomas Fairfax was joyned with his most renowned Father the ever to be honoured Lord Fairfax and that they joyntly were full 2500. foot and 4000. horse a most gallant power and like to make a most notable diversion of Newcastles army And that about the same time great store of Corne and other provisions of all sorts were sent from Hull and other places to our brethren the Scots army The effects of which happy and honourable Union of this famous fathers and sons forces we shall have occasion to make mention of in its proper ensuing place In which interim we were credibly informed that the most noble Lord Fairfaxes forces had taken Cawood-castle neere Yorke belonging to the Arch-bishop of that Sea with divers of the Marquesse of Newcastles forces and much armes and ammunition therein and they had again possessed themselves of the Isle of Axholme with an 160 horse and 80 foot therein besides much armes and ammunition About the 12. also of this instant April came certaine intelligence out of Wales of the happily continued and brave exploits and singular good service of that most worthy and valiant Patriot and Sea-commander Captain Swanley which was confirmed by letters sent to noble Sir William Brereton which letters made mention of all Pembrookeshire Carnarvanshire and Mountgomery all these 3. Counties to be by Gods speciall blessing on his brave endeavours there joyned in an association for the King and Parliament and that they had taken all the chief Townes and castles of those Counties and in them the number of 49 pieces of ordnance And that if the Lord vouchsafe them a good preaching ministry of Pastors after his owne heart 't is very probable that those old now brutish Brittains may become pious Protestants for they begin now to be very much discontented at the comming over of so many of the blood-thirsty Irish rebells Much also about this foresaid time came certain information out of the Eastern-parts of the Kingdome that the affairs of those parts and especially about Lincolnshire went on very prosperously by Gods blessing on the forces of that most noble and pious Patriot and successefull Commander in chiefe the right honourable Earle of Manchester who had under the command of valiant Colonell King regained and repossessed themselves of those Townes which the enemy had lately before taken and particularly Crowland alias Croyland a most Malignant Town but a place of very great consequence which was surrendred to the said valiant Colonell King The articles agreed on betweene the said Colonell and Captaine Styles a pestilent Malignant and of the right Canterbury-cut Commander of the forces in the Towne were That the souldiers in the Towne should have quarter for their lives should march out with their swords but leave all the armes and horses in the Towne unto the Colonell which were accordingly performed and no violence offered them by any of our forces notwithstanding their most perfidious dealing with ours so lately at Newark There were taken in the Towne 80 horse and 300 armes About the 16. of this instant April 1644. The learned grave and pious Gilbertus Voetius ofVtrick one of the united Netherland Provinces declared his judicious and learned testimony of that most famous and ever to be most justly honoured Philopatriae Mr William Prynnes most elaborate Book entituled The Soveraigne Power of Parliaments in foure Parts c. Which testimony he sent in his Letter to Mr Walter Strickland the Parliaments Agent in the Netherlands dated Vltrajecti Non. Feb. 1644. In these words Accepi nuperrime commodato librum Gulielmi Prinne tam din mihi desideratum et Rationes omnes cum responsionibus tam solide et erudite pro Parliamentis contra adversarios instruct as atque explicatas deprebendi vt non videam quid ultra desiderari potest Debebat tractatus ille latine Gallice exstare vt Reformatis Theologis ac Politicis in Europa legi potest The sence and substance of which honourable Attestation is this in English That he did highly esteeme of the long desired labours of Mr. William Prynne with his solid and learned arguments in
made immediately for a speedy supplying of the said noble Earle with Carriages and all other military necessaries About the 25. of this instant came letters to the Parliament from Sir Will. Wallers army intimating that this ever to be renowned generous Generall having intelligence that a considerable convoy of the enemies was going with much Cattell and other necessary provisions for the further supply of their garrison at Basing-house he sent out a convenient party of his horse who suddenly encountred them seized on their cattell and carriage tooke of the enemy neere the said garrison one master Gunner 3 Serjeants 3 Corporalls 40 common souldiers a 1000 sheep and other fat cattell together with a considerable summe of money which they had gathered in the adjacent Counties to have helped to pay their garrison And about the 26. of this instant came letters out of the North assuring the Parliament that the most noble Lord Fairfax and his famous faithfull and thrice noble son Sir Thomas Fairfax were conjoyned with our loyall brethren of Scotland and that having a very brave army they had drawne their forces on each side the river of Ouze neer unto Yorke and had closely begirt the said City whereby they not onely stopt the passage of any persons from comming to the Earle of Newcastle by water but by land also having made good all the bridges and were in great hope in Gods good time and by the Lords gracious assistance to be victorious masters of the said City About the 28. also of this instant came letters from Northamptonshire informing us that a party of some 30 foot men with firelocks were sent out from Serjeant Major Whetham Governour of Northampton to collect money in that County neer Banbury they had onely a Clerke of a company with them who commanded that party which about Easter-day 1644. lay at Sir Iohn Draytons house at Cannons-Ashby 6 miles from Banbury But a party of the enemies about 200 and 20 horse with them from Banbury-castle having intelligence of their being abroad there marched into the Town which our Forces having notice of got quickly into the Church for their better-safety and defence whether the enemy pursued them and soone got in by fastning a pettard to the Church door which instantly forced it open whereupon our men got into the Steeple which they bravely maintained 2 houres together but at last the Enemy beginning to fire it they yeilded themselves upon composition and were all carried prisoners to Banbury save onely one whom being sorely wounded they left behinde who since got back again to Northampton and there declared these things as aforesaid Our men in this action killed one of theirs with a stone from the Steeple and wounded 2 or 3 others but the Enemy got all their Muskets and about 7 pounds in money and imprisoned all the Souldiers in a Barn in Banbury The next day the Committee and Governour of Northampton hearing hereof sent for an exchange of these prisoners which being refused Major Lidcot who commanded the horse in Northampton it was that same Lidcot that gave the Earl of Northampton a touch on the forehead that knockt him off from his horse at the fight neer Stafford where and when the said Earl was slain This brave Major I say being much displeased at their refusall of the said exchange presently after led forth about 5 or 6 Troops of Horse with 50 fire-locks to Banbury who being undauntedly led into the Town on foot most fiercely entred the same bravely set al our foresaid prisoners at Liberty out of the Barn and then most furiously marched into the very body of the Town where a partee of the Enemy opposed them but ours most bravely beat them into the Castle took 33 of them prisoners whereof 2 were Ensigns and 2 Corporalls released 10 men more whom the Enemy had pressed and intended to send to Oxford for his Majesties service slew 5 or 6 of the Enemies in the fight and took besides 40 horse as many Muskets and so returned back unto Northampton with the losse onely of one man who adventured too far and was taken prisoner Thus were they well revenged on their Enemies for their former losse having sodainly and souldier-like put themselves thus upon such a desperate and most dangerous adventure And much about the conclusion of this Moneth of April 1644. we were certified by Letters out of Scotland that our faithfull and loving brethren of that Nation were not a little encouraged at the prudent and pious progresse of our Assembly of Divines in England at Westminster they having sent Letters to some Members of the said Assembly and to their own Divines to the same effâ—ct intimating therein That England could give them no greater content and incouragement to gain their best assistance and love than this their willingnesse in joyning themselves with them in the Solemn Covenant thereby to set up a thorough Reformation in all their Churches according to the Word of God And together with those Letters they sent likewise a letter sent by the Juncto at Oxford to the Noble Earl of Argyle and other Lords of the Councill of Scotland which were much to this effect in briefe First therein manifesting their impious explanation of the Act of Association of both kingdomes which as they said with Iesuiticall Spirits was consented to by the Lords Subscribers thereunto and others that were prisoners with them at Oxford as though the Act of Association had not been made with the joynt consent of his Majesty and the Parliament of both Kingdomes but between a private Juncto and some aspiring Papists stupid Atheists Parasiticall Iesuite Priests and damnable Irish Rebels then at Oxford Withall they further averred That the Lords in Parliament at Westminster were not then above 25 and that the major part of the Commons were then with them at Oxford that there were nothing but tumults in London and unruly Voting which was the cause that they themselves had deserted that pretended Parliament as then they audaciously and maliciously called and counted it and what said they in this Letter Will ye my Lords get but a knock with a pollax or a Sequestration-lash But all this was but the Preface to this their learned Epistle Their subject matter follows in such modest straines as these We do conjure you my Lords by your common allegiance and subjection to the King by the amity and affection betwixt the two Nations by the Treaty of Pacification and by all Obligations both Divine and Humane to use your utmost endeavours to prevent the effusion of so much blood as must needs follow the invasion of this Kingdome this you must consider was before our Scottish brethrens comming in unto us by your intended Armies preparing for the pretended Parliament at Westminster Thus you see good Readers that our impious Oxonians seem to be very sensible and tender of the effusion of blood which
hid himselfe in Bean-Lands he had beene taken The Earl of Manchester with much labour did rally 500 of the Souldiers who were leaving the Field in great disorder and brought them backe againe to the Battell And the most noble and worthy Generall Lesly was much offended with his Souldiers who shrunk from the service of the day and having endeavoured both by words and blowes to keepe them in the Field with much wisedome and affection he pressed this argument Although you run from your Enemies yet leave not your Generall though you fly from them yet forsake not me Very many of the Scots both commanders and others did singular good service that day and stood stoutly to it unto the end of the fight and did therefore very well deserve to be sharers in the honour of the day and three Regiments of their Horse which with ours made the left wing of the Army being commanded by Major Generall Lesley did as brave and honourable service as any who served in the Field that day And although the right wing of our Army did not satisfyingly answer mens expectations yet the Earl of Eglington the Earl of Lindsey the Lord Cooper Sir James Lunsden and other Scottish Commanders with many of their Officers and Souldiers did as I said before give good proofe of their stoutnesse and magnanimity And as for any of them of each Nation who went away they were by their ministers and others so sharpely reproved and this their fault in such sort was aggravated to them that there was great hope they would regain their credit by good service upon the next occasion As for that famous and magnanimous Commander Lieut. Gen. Cromwell whose prowesse and prudence as they have rendred him most renowned for many former successefull deeds of Chevalry So in this great fight they have crowned him with the never withering Laurells of fame and honour who with so Lyon-like courage and impregnable animosity charged his proudest adversaries again and again like a Roman Marcellus indeed undauntedly out-daring and over-bearing his stoutest Popish and Atheisticall Antagonists even to the end of the fight and at last came off as with some wounds so with honour and triumph inferiour to none Colonell Sydney also Son to the Earl of Leicester charged with much gallantry in the head of my Lord of Manchesters Regiment of Horse and came off with much honour though with many wounds the true badges of his honour and was sent away afterward to London for cure of his wounds And as for that truly noble and renowned Commander Sir Tho. Fairfax that undanted never sufficiently praised Souldier whose former famous exploits have rendred him most magnanimous he also lost not a jot or title of honour this day for although many of his Souldiers did faint and fall backe yet his noble heart continued like the heart of a Lyon stout and undaunted for he stayed fighting in the Field untill being dismounted and wounded he was brought off by one of his Souldiers Yea and brave Colonell Lambert and some others of their officers went on most daringly through every difficult and dangerous adventure which they could meete with though I say much of their strength did unhappily shrinck from them Lieutenant Col. Needham did also very manfully in his place I nominate not here any other of my noble Lords Officers besides Liutenant Gen. Cromwell and Col. Sydney though I could have particularized Major Gen. Crawford and divers other Colonels with Lieut. Colonells Majors and Captaines who gained much honour by their very valiant carriages and exploits and therfore I hope my silence in regard of others who under the command of the two other Generalls did also most gallantly will not be offensive and the rather because I was not so well acquainted with them And it is exceedingly ill done of those who cast aspersions upon some in the Army in this fight who rather deserved commendations than uncomely calumniations Surely they neither Act christianly nor prudently who take courses to breed emulations and divisions in our Army and who cast reproach and discouragement upon such who are most ready to sacrifice their dearest heaâ—tblood in the present service of Christ in this Kingdome But to be briefe I found this generally among the Souldiers especially in my noble Lord of Manchesters Regiments to my hearts great content that they all gave the Lord of Hosts all the glory of this Victory wherein they were onely instruments Some also of the Enemies that were taken Prisoners have acknowledged the meere finger and hand of God in their rout and our victory And it pleased me wondrous well to heare and see our God honoured on both hands Yet I may not heere omit a strange speech as it was credibly reported to fall from Prince Rupert upon the disapointing of his hopes and the dis-joynting of his Forces to their ruine I am sure said he my men fought well and therefore know no reason of our Rout but this because the Devill did help his Servants These words surely intimate that he imagined the Devill gives the Victory in the day of Battell a most Atheisticall and heathenish opinion or else his Conscience told him which he would not confesse that God indeed did help his Servants Yea and a man of quality belonging to the Enemy whose name for some reasons I may not mention professed That his Conscience told him Our Cause was Gods Cause but yet his Honour would not suffer him to take part with us And the Lord Grandison who was sorâ—ly wounded in this fight and under the Chyrurgions hands for cure in Yorke told a friend that visited him That he had received 10. wounds on his body in this Battell One wound for the breach of every Commandement in the Decalogue See here then good Reader if heere be not a cleare assent to that of holy Moses Their Rocke is not as our Rocke even our Enemies being judges But to returne to to the finishing of this Fight The Runawayes with other poore people who attended the Army did grievously plunder our Wagons and other Carriages for the Wagoners Carters c. being affrighted with the flight of our owne Souldiers did leave their charge in the hands of such as love to rob and spoile It was a very sad sight to behold many thousands posting away being amazed with Panick feares Heere just occasion was given us to remember Keynton-battell at Edge-Hill Edge-Hill where the hearts of some were upheld with hopes when others gave up all as lost and that with much despondencie of spirit Upon our coole and recollected thoughts such of us as desired to acknowledg God in all his waies did firmely pitch upon these Conclusions The Lord saw that we are apt to rely upon the arme of flesh and therefore very much humane strength failed us And besides if the whole Army had continued couragious we should
his said relation as yee have seen toucht upon many remarkable prints of Gods admirable providence and prudence by his powerfull hand and strong arme carrying on this great work in extraordinary excellent and eminent manner to the unexpressible honour and glory of his great name Yet give me leave I pray now to adde some few more worthy the Readers most serious notice and observation as adding much also I beleeve to the praise and glory of our great and gracious Wonder-working God First That when Prince Rupert had by a by-way got into Yorke and come forth again our Generall fearing the Enemies advance to the Southerly Associated Counties to have spoyled the kingdome that way also which they might too certainly have done ours therefore marched away with their Van the rest following to prevent Rupert But he contrary to their thoughts falls with all his forces upon our Rear the Van being about two or three miles forward on their foresaid march and by a hot alarme comming sodainly to them forced for haste to returne disorderly to the fight and ere they could rally themselves orderly into battalia our Rear was engaged if not routed yet though tyred and faint they fell upon the Enemy That at the very beginning of the fight just as both Armies were joyning Battail and beginning the first encounter or assault of each other it pleased the Lord as it was most credibly affirmed for a certain truth that a sudden and mighty great storm of rain and hail and terrible claps of thunder were heard and seen from the clouds as if heaven had resolved to second the assault with a fierce Alarm from above Thirdly that about 2 or 3 Regiments of the Enemies side which at the first had routed and pursued a great party of our side which fled away from the Enemies first and fierce on-set Yet immediately after all that party of the Enemy was by a seconding party of ours following the Enemy in the Rear totally slain or taken prisoners Fourthly That God dealt with our 3 Noble Generalls Armies as he did with Gideons Army of all the thousands brought together at first he made choyce of some few hundreds to do this great work withall and when we seemed to be at the lowest ebbe of our strength a constant way of Gods admirable wisdome and power then on a sodain he turned the scale and came in with his irresistable power and never failing mercy and with a small number just as he did at Keynton battell got himself the Victory for us Fifthly that notwithstanding when Rupert that pert yea malepert giddy and bloody Prince had boldly and adventurously got into York and relieved it and thereby also released Newcastle and many or most of the Popish partee before inclosed within that City-walls which indeed was the main project or design the Enemy had at that time and that upon their return out of York all safe to the rest of their Army they called a Councill of War who also peremptorily resolved which indeed was their best and had been our worst blow of all to leave Yorke and make presently with all their strength into the Associated Easterly and Southern Counties Achitophels Councell most directly Yet then I say that this proud and bloody hair-brain'd young Prince should pluck out of his pocket the Kings Letter or Commission to him in speciall just like Hushaies Councell to crosse Achitophels charging them by no means to depart from York untill they had with all their combined powers given us battail O the admirable wisdome of our God thus to crosse that former fatall and terrible Councell as it must needs have proved Sixthly That the Counsells of Prince Rupert and others had designed the most valiant and expert Souldiers of the Popish and Atheisticall party to encounter the Wing of the Army commanded by renowned Lieutenant Gen. Cromwell as making account that in beating him they won the day and in particular Rupert had designed certain Troops of Horse all Irish-Papists and Gentlemen old Souldiers all who had been in service in Spain and France to give the first charge to the Brigade or party in which General Cromwell was and that they did confidently believe there was not a man of them but would dye rather than fly but they mist their expectations for many of them being indeed slain in the place all the rest fled Thus our God lets our proudest Enemies see and know The battell is not to the Rider nor the race to the Swift Sevently That upon the flight and departure of the Earl of Newcastle from the battell there passed many warm words betwixt Prince Rupert and him in Yorke after the rout they charging each other with the Cause thereof the Prince telling the Marquesse that he made not good his promise of assistance and the Marquesse replying in such a manner as mooved much passion and discontent yea and some say blows too And that thereupon the Marquesse of Newcastle with Generall King the Lord Witherington and very many moe fugitive gallants flying away beyond Sea to Hambrough and Holland Sir Thomas Glemham then governour of York did as 't was credibly assured and affirmed proclaim Newcastle a Traytor for his deserting Yorke and flying beyond Sea from his colours Thus as our English proverb is Theeves falling out among themselves True men by Gods mercy are like to enjoy their goods again Eightly That notwithstanding the extreame and extraordinary wants and straits which our Souldiers were put unto enough to move great compassion yea and admiration too and wherewith they were greatly pinched both the night before the battell and sometime since also as namely tyrednesse in travelling and hasty retyâ—ing to and fro such want of water much lesse of Beer to drinke that they had drained the wells even to the mud and were necessâ—â— to drink water out of dirches and places pudled and mired with the horses feet and that through want of accommodation of victualls very few of the common-souldiers had eaten above the quantity of one penny-loaf from Tuesday to Saturday morning following and as I said no beer at all to be had Yet I say notwithstanding all these that the Souldiers should fight so cheerfully and stoutly even by Gods admirable mercy to a glorious victory Ninthly That in the rout of the Enemy and in their flying and scattering about many of them ran most frightedly and amazedly to the place where some of the Regiments of Horse of the Parliaments side were standing on their Guard and all or most of their Riders were religiously singing of Psalmes to whom as the foresaid runawayes of the Enemy came neer and by their singing of Psalâ—ed perceiving who they were they all most fiercely fled back again and cryed out God damn them they had like to have been taken by the Parliament Round-heades For they only knew them I say to be the Parliament Souldiers by their
singing of Psalmes A blessed badge and cognizance indeed to be thus distinguisht from their impious Enemies which makes mee to think on that in the Gospell That when the Souldiers who were sent to apprehend our blessed Saviour and hee asking them whom they sought And they answered Jesus of Nazareth And Christ replying I am hee They sayes the Text fell down backward at those words stricken with terrour and amazement And so I say ô the power of godlinesse what reverence and terrour too it strikes into the hearts of profaine and irreligious Wretches Tenthly That before the Battell began as I have it from credible information Prince Rupert that bloody Plunderer would forsooth to seem religious just like a jugling Machivilian have a Sermon preached before him and his army his Chaplain took his Text out of Josuah 22. 22. The words were these The Lord God of gods the Lord God of gods he knoweth and Israel he shall know if it â—e in rebellion 〈…〉 us not this day Now how evident a demonstration from 〈◊〉 was heregiven by the successe of that dayes 〈…〉 enough one would have thought to have 〈◊〉 the most perverse Malignant In so much that God did so 〈…〉 himselfe in deciding the controversie by denying victory and successe to those who being in a false and bloody way had yet implored the Almighty to prosper them according to the justnesse of their Cause Eleventhly and lastly That this so glorious famous and full victory was by our good and mercifull LORD God bestowed upon us as an undoubted return of Prayer wee having but the very Weeke before been pressing the Throne of Grace on ouâ— Monethly Fast-day and publike Humiliation and prayer to the Lord even for this mercy a victory of Yorke â—â—at Yorke and the Lord heard us and granted us the desire of our Soules therein together with the lives and welfare of all our three most noble and renowned Generalls Praised and for ever magnified be the Lord our God for it Upon the immediate next Lords-day succeeding this famous victory all the three renowned Generalls with their whole Armies according to their pious and 〈◊〉 appointment celebrated a Solemn-day of most deserved and obliged Thanksgiving to the Lord and by their messengers to the Parliament who brought the intimation of this great victory desired that a Solemn-day all over the whole Kindome might be also appointed by their Authority and that they might have convenient knowledge thereof that so they likewise might again keep it with the rest of the Kingdome which accordingly was forthwith aâ—â—eâ—ted to by the Parliament and an order presently after printed and published a Copy whereof I have hereunto annexed Die Lunae 8. Julii 1644. IT is this day ordered by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament that Thursday come a seven-night being the eighteenth of this instant July shall be 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 far a day of publique Thankesgiving to be rendred vnto Almighty God for his great blessing and full victory 〈◊〉 Prince Ruperts Army in Yorkeshire to be kept in London and Westminster and all 〈◊〉 parts of the Kingdome Hen. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Coâ— And very shortly after a Committee of the House of Commons was appointed for providing necessary supplies for the Northern-Armies and it was also ordered by the Parliament that the Committee of both Kingdomes should forth with send a letter of thankes to the Earl of Manchester Generall Lesley and the Lord Fairfax for their great courage valour and fidelity expressed against Prince Rupert at the said great fight And yet for all these clear and reall demonstrations of this so absolute and 〈◊〉 a victory give me leave to tell the Reader that it may stand as another everlasting stain upon the Enemies of Truth and Honesty and as an indelible badge of their Atheisme and unheard of 〈◊〉 impiety thus even to mocke God with thanks for what they never received That just as they impudently also did at Keynton or Edgehill victory so now they made bonefires and caused the Bells to be rung in many places in their power and quarters yea and though that very night when they were so beaten out of the Field and so many of them ran into Yorke yet so intolerably impudent were they as so indeed are all Couzening Cormorants Malignants as to make Bonefires and cause ringing of Bells in the City of Yorke for their great victory obtained by Prince Robber that Prince of blood and lyes reporting openly in the streets that Generall Lesley was taken prisoner the Lord Fairfax slain and 14000 prisoners taken but that the Prince was so carefull of the welfare of the City that hee would not bring them thither for feare of oppressing that place with them yea and the next morning early when he fled thence betimes he told them he must abroad to catch more of the stragling Round-heads and would carry all his prisoners and ordnance taken to the King for else he said the Round-heads in the South would not believe he had got the victory O intolerable blasphemy thus to goe about grossely belying their owne consciences to abuse if possibly both God and Man Yea at Newcastle and at Newarke also and especially at Oxford they made great Bonefires with other triumphs by squibs and wilde-fire at Banbury also and Litchfield Exeter Bristol and all other places I say where the accursed Cormorants domineer'd Yea our sottish bewitched Moleâ—y'd Malignants of London also were â—o led along with a spirit of lying like their father the Devill that they mightily boasted of this Robbers vain victory over us the rouring of our whole three Armies the death and imprisonment of all our three most renowned and precious Generalls And thus I say have we seen the festivity of the Royalists 〈◊〉 Wit or the mad rage of the Malignant-Spirits notwithstanding that God gave such an eminent and notorious cheek to their impudence as Venerable Master Vineâ— said in his Sermon of Thankesgiving for this victory In that upon fictious confidence of successe they must needs as you have heard Antedate their Bells and Bonefires Whereas within a few houres there was nothing of the Enemies left in that field but Bag and Baggage Ammunition Ordnance Prisoners and Dead-Karkasses which had indeed 〈◊〉 more if that noble and most renowned Commander Sir Thomas Fairfax who is the honour of the fields he treads upon had not as he rode up and down taken up that sweet Word which Caesar once in such a case used Parcite civibus Spare the poore deluded Countrymâ—n O spare them I pray who are misled and know not what they 〈◊〉 A most excellent and pious Spirit and Speech and most beâ—itting such a valiant and virtuous Commander And thus I say blessed be our God that we see and know their vanity folly and madnesse having nothing to brag of but their own lying inventions For as we have aboundantly heard to
some intention to walk in his accustomed way of plundring robbing and spoyling the Country about him Whereupon the truely noble and valiant Lord Gray of 〈◊〉 hearing of this partee of the Enemy drew out of Leicester with all expedition thirsting to give his old Antagonist battell supposing this gallant partee which Hastings had gathered together would have put some valour into him But as soon as the Lord Grâ—y drew neer unto him he presently retreated to Asâ—â—by de la Zouch his old den and kennell of refuge to be there an onely spectator of the Lord Grey and Sir John Gells meeting who no sooner were joyned together but they fell upon Wilne-Ferry and Fort which had been Hastings chief trap to take the Carriers in their passage between Dâ—rby and Leicester with such resolution and courage that after 3 dayes siege giving the Enemy continuall Alarms with notable thunder-claps of Cannon both their Forces drew up close to the Ferry and Fort and immediately with admirable brave gallantry they stormed it kill'd 8 or 9 men took the Governour prisoner with 2 Captains 3 Lieutenants 3 Ensignes with their 〈◊〉 and Colours 2 Drakes 80 Souldiers neer an 100 Gentlemen and others which came in to their assistance with all their Armes and brought them all into Leicester In all which businesse the Lord Grey lost but one man and some few hurt but thanks be to God not mortally As soon as this businesse was thus successefully finished my Lord presently slighted the Works pull'd down the Fort and burn'd the House in its own rubbish 〈…〉 to Lâ—icester the Enemy never so much as attempting to 〈…〉 Charge Now during this time the prudent Lord Grey ever desirous to preserve his assoâ—iation hearing that a party of Newarke and Belvoir Horse was come up as farre as Melton Mowbray to plunder the Country in his absence he immediately sent Colonell Waâ—t with a party of Horse to drive the Enemy out of the Country or fight with them which was accordingly done and the Country thereby in the interim safely protected And here now I cannot I may not passe over without a great 〈…〉 of impious ingratitude the happy remembrance of that most sweet and Solemn-day of Thankesgiving to the Lord our all-good-giving and forgiving God which was rarely and religiously celebrated on Thursday the 18th of this instant July 1644. for that late and most admirable yea even miraculous Victory which the Lord our God gave unto our forces under the command of those three most renowned Generalls in the North neer the City of York And yet which happy day our impious and heaven-out-daring Adversaries the wretched Royalists had laboured as was before mentioned at the end of the description of that famous victory to cloud and to take off the Edge of our thankfulnes by spreading abroad false rumours and presuming I say most audaciously to mock God by outward appearances of their pretended and false joy whereas they had no salvation wrought for them in the thing wherein they seemed to rejoyce and one main argument which our Malignant-Enemies used to discourage and discountenance us and if it could have been to have infused into us to believe that there was some truth in their outward flourishes that so I say they might have cast ashes upon our heads in the day of our triumph was because the City of Yorke was not yeilded to us which said they would not nay could not hold out if Prince Ro. had beene routed But our most wise and mercifull God would not suffer them hereby to rob him of his honour and therefore it is most worthy our observation that the newes of Yorkes being certainly surrendred unto the Parliaments forces arived at London the very Thankesgiving-day before the time set a part for the duties of our Solemn-Thankesgiving Which now I say comes here next to be spoken of namely That on Thursday July the 18th 1644. The Lords and Commons of Parliament joyned together at Westminster in the cheerful solemnization of this day and every parish in and about London Assembling together both forenoone and afternoone to hear Sermons preached in their Churches and prayers and praises proclaimed to our so great and good God the Wonder-working God of this our Israel and in a speciall manner this was performed by the Right Honourable prudent and pious Lord Mayor of the City of London Sir John Wolaston together with the most worthy Aldermen and Sheriffs his Brethren as also all the Companies of the City of London in their Gownes and Liveries at Pauls-Church where after the morning Sermon was ended a volley of small shot was triumphantly discharged and two Ensignes or Colours were flourished and displayed on the toppe of Pauls-steeple which gave notice to the severall Forts in the fields and thereupon the Ordnance went off round about the City and after the afternoones Sermon great outward joy and thankesgiving was expressed both first in liberall summes of money collected in the Churches to refresh the loynes of the poore and afterward in ringing of Bells and making Bonefires in the streets that night yea and the neighbours and parishoners of divers parishes in London both Husbands and Wives supped altogether in extraordinary solemn-manner especially in the parish of Christs-Church in London where I my selfe was an unworthy part and present eye-witnesse of the same All or the greatest part of the said whole parish both men and women especially of the best sort and quality Knights Ladies Gentlemen and Gentlewomen yea all well-affected persons of fashion and ability assembled together in the great Hall of Christs-Hospitall to the number of about 200 men and their wives who being all very gravely and cheerfully met together and supper made ready their reverend pious and painfull Pastor Mr. Jenkins who indeed was the first mover of this so solemn meeting an act worthy a godly Divine indeed he I say began A Psalme of David as sweet heavenly musicke which all the Company sang together whiles the dishes of meat were brought in and set on the tables Then a blessing on the creatures craved and supper ended the said reverend Pastor as hee piously began so hee religiously concluded with thankesgiving and another Psalme sung by them all at their tables ere they rose all done in a most grave and reverend manner And here also I desire the godly Reader to take notice of one remarkable passage of Gods providence about this worke which happily preâ—eded this solemn-meeting in the foresaid place viz That upon the Wednesday the very immediate day before this meeting it pleased the Lord so to order and dispose it That that most worthy and most deservedly ever to be honoured religious and zealous Nehemiah of our dayes Sir Robert Harlow Knight of the Bathe came himselfe to the said Hospitall and caused by the power and authority of Parliament most happily invested on him a mighty great and most
that most famous defeat and glorious Victory given by the good hand of God to the Parliaments three most renowned and victorious Generalls the most religious and renowned Earl of Manchester his Excellency Generall Lesley and the ever to be honoured valiant and victorious Lord Fairfax against that barbarous and bloody hair-braind ignoble Rupert the disgrace of his progenitors and indelible stain of his Posterity In the notable and unexpected discovery of the Lord of Râ—chfords disloyalty to the Parliament in speciall and Kingdome in generall The taking of Greenland-house by Major Generall Browne And Taunton-castle by the most Noble Lord Generalls Forces In the taking of Cholmley-house by the most noble Earl of Denbigh Colonell Rossiter Governour of Lincoln his valour and activity against the Common-Enemy Captain Sydenhamâ— and Captaine Carrs most brave exploit against the Lord Inchiquin and the religious resolution of the Parliament to establish a learned and godly Ministry In the taking of Wilne-Ferry and Fort by the noble Lord Grey and valiant and faithfull Sir John Gell the said Lord Greys valour and vigilancy for the good of his Country and the most solemn and memorable Celebration of the Day of Thankesgiving at London for the most famous victory which God gave us at the great and bloody fight nere the City of Yorke In the most happy surrendering up of the City of York it self unto the three most noble Lord Generalls forementioned and the pious and prudent Message and motion which the said noble Generalls made and sent to the Parliament in point of farther thankfullnesse to God and satisfaction even to the worst of men In the most noble renowned and truely religious Earl of Manchesters successefull and victorious advance and progresse with his brave Army in taking Tickhill-castle and farther prosperous proceedings since the last great victory at Yorke And lastly In the brave defeates given to the Roysterly-regall Enemies both by Col. Laughorn and Capt. Moulton in Pembrookeshire by the noble Earl of Denbighs and Warwick Forces at Evesham the famous and ever to be renowned Garrison of Lyme at Colliton and Chard and finally in the most noble and renowned Lord Generalls brave and victorious and famous progresse into Devonshire and Cornwall and all those Western parts wherein hitherto by Gods power and providence he might worthily say as conquering Caesar said Veni vidi vici even all for the most part either voluntarily comming in unto him or violently enforced thereunto by his valiant and victorious forces All which most seriously and religiously considered have we not good Reader great cause justly and ingenuously to confesse and acknowledge to see and say with holy Samuel EBEN-EZER and to make this the glorious and gracious Motto of our Parliamentary Barke the Ark of our God most deeply ingraving it with indelible characters of golden-gratefull Remembrance HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED VS And therefore zelously and constantly to conclude and hold maugre all malicious contradiction whatsoever that our title is most truely and infallibly ratified from heaven by all those manifold and even miraculous premises and patternes thereof that GODS Arke hath most triumphantly over-topped and been born above all the Worlds boysterous Billows swelling surges And hitherto the Lords most faithfull and glorious Cause blessedly embarked in our most pious Parliament hath in all its just undertakings most impregnably prevailed and been preserved against all the Malignant Atheisticall and Papisticall Machinations Plots and Practizes that men or devills were ever able to invent and foment against Gods Truth and a glorious and pure Gospel-Reformation In so much that now upon all these serious considerations of the Enemies combinations and injurious conjurations on the one side and our Gods most omnipotent and omniprudent frustrations of them all thus from time to time wee may most worthily say as the holy Prophet once said especially on the gracious and most gratefull recordation of that most memorable and admirable victory at Marston-Heath neere Yorke and also all those late forementioned Westerne victories even of this last Moneth of July wee may say and that most worthily as the LORD God himselfe said by the holy Prophet Now also many nations are gathered together against thee O English ISRAEL that say let her be defiled and let our eyes looke on Zions defilement But they know not the thoughts of the Lord neither understand they his Counsell For hee hath gathered them together as sheaves into the barn-floor And hath said to all our renowned Generalls and to their Armies Arise and thresh O daughter of Zion for I have made thy horne as iron and thy horses hoofes as brasse and thou shalt beat and bruise in pieces as with a strong flale many people and I will consecrate their gain to my selfe saith the Lord and their substance to the Lord of the whole Earth And hast not thou ô England as then Zion was promised seen all this come to passe for thy sake upon thine Enemies Even many nations brought together English Irish Dutch French Walloons who not that could be was not gathered against thee to defile and spoil thee yea to glut their accursed eyes and hearts with wicked joy at thy ruine and defilements But ah wicked fooles how ignorant and unacquainted were they with the Lords Counsels and how farre his thoughts were above and against their thoughts who brought them but together at York and else where like so many Sheaves on the barn-floar of Marston-Heath and there and then most graciously and gloriously said to our renouned Generalls Commanders and Souldiers Arise arise and thresh those Sheaves of shame and dishonour for I have made your Swords and instruments of war as Iron flales and your horses hoofs as brasse to trample on them and tear them in peices And then did the Lord also most triumphantly consecrate unto himselfe and we as we were able most worthily gave their gain and substance even all the honour and glory of these great and most famous victories to the Lord our God alone whose strong arme alone got us and gave us these glorious victories over all those our fierce and furious Enemies Yea he alone I say According to their deeds accordingly hath repayed fury to his Churches and Childrens adversaries recompense to his Enemies and to the Irish I stand he hath repayed and will yet still repay recompence And thus indeed it must needs be for Their strength and defence was departed from them and our God had made them as bread for us to eat and devour Yea our God hath for us wounded and broken in pieces the heads of these Leviathans and given them as meat to us his poore despised people And hath wounded the hairy scalps of all these that thâ—s went on in their insatiable wickednesse That thus therefore the great name of the Lord might be feared from the North to the West and his glorious splendour from the rising of the Sun
Parliament Tewktsbery taken by Col. Massey About 60 of the kings souldiers drowned at Parrishaw at a bridge Sir William VValler also pursues catches some of them in the chase Shudley-castle taken by renowned Sir VVill. VValler The prisoners prizes Compton House in VVarwickshire taken by Col. Purfrey Great deserved honour put upon Serjeant Major Gen. Brown by an Ordinance of Parliament The noble Earl of Denbighes brave exploit against the kings forces at Dudley-castle The great danger of Col. Mitton and his forlorn hope The Earl of Denbighes brave resolution The enemy put to flight and pursued by the Lord Denbigh The slain and prisoners taken The famous Seige of Lime in Dorsetshire wholely raised The unsuccesfull assaults of the enemies against Lime Sir Ralph Hoptons low ebbe The enemies notable losses at Lime Siege The Seige quite raised Heaven was Lymes munition of Rocks The Enemies strength the Towns weaknesse The outragious fury and malice of the Enemie against Lyme The almost incredible courage of the Souldiers in Lime The noble E. of Warwicks testimony of Lime Divers of the enemies party come to the L Admirall profering their service to the Parliament 3. Children in one bed miraculously preserved 2. Maides lost three of their hands at once All the praise of this mighty preservation is due to the great God of Lime Limes deliverance a certaine returne of Prayer Thankes sent by the Parlia to the most noble L. Admirall for relieving Lime 1 Sam. Lime also rewarded with 10000 l. a yeare of the L. Paulets Estate Prizes taken at Sea by the Lo. Admiralls Ships Orders of Parliament touching Lime Sir Wil. Belfore sent to free Lime of its Siege finding it raised taks Weymonth Tanton-Dean The noble L. Grey of Groobies brave carriage at Leicester Preparation by Sea to help forward the reduction of the West to the obedience of the Parliament The hopefull progresse of things in the Wect. Gods great mercy to Manchester in the midst of Lancashires miseries Victualls very cheap at Manchester A very lâ—beral bountifull Collection also there for Boulton Weymouth taken by the L. Generall Brave prizes also taken both by Sea by Land An Excellent Ordinance of Parliament for constant reliefe to the wives children of Souldiers slain in the Parliaments service Our London Malignants Flea-bitings whereof I wish them many The Malignants Flea bitings Oswestree won by the most noble Earle of Denbigh The Towne is assaulted entred The Enemies fly to the Castle The Castle also surrendered on quarter for their lives Prisoners prizes taken The singular good affection of the West-Country to the Parliament Mr. Peters his good service to the kingdome An Ordinance of Parliament against rotten-hearted Revolters or deâ—erters of the Parliament Rats crawl out of ships to the main tops when the ship is ready to sink Revolters fitly compared to Rats and Bats A summary gratefull review and brief recitall of all the rare Parliamentary Mercies of this moneth Gods Arke above the Worlds waves Psal 77. 16. Exod. 14. 22. Iuly 1644. The Parlia L. Gen. successefull in the West Country Skellum Greenvill is beaten by Plymouth Forces Darbyes brave activity Barnstable shakes off the Cavilerian yoke and returnes to the Parliament The Enemy bravely beaten at Oswestree by the Earle of Denâ—â—es forces Oswestree besieged bâ— Col. Marow on the Kings side Sir Tho. Midleton comes to Oswestree to aid his brother Col. Mitton The Enemy beaten put to flight Our losse hurt The Enemies lesse The highways and passages strewed with store of the Enemies good provision The most famous and glorious victory neer Yorke The Word Signall The Enemy was assaulted by ours before they expected us Some of ours forced to a disorderly retreat The Enemy put to the worst Valiant Lieu. Gen. Cromwel charges Ruperts Horse through through Our right wing put to the worst Our left wings unwearied valour in charging the enemy How Prince Rupert escaped The Earle of Manchesters labour vigilancy Gen. Lesseys cariage in the fight The Scots good Service Lieut. Gen. Cromwell his due praise Col. Sydney his valour Renowned sir Tho. Fairfax his undaunted valour Col. Lamberts also And L. Col. Needhams Major Gener. Crawford others A just reproof to many prejudicate misreporters of this fight the souldiers therein The souldiers gave God the glory of this victory The Enemies did the like Prince Ruperts atheisticall speech touching this fight A sad confession of one on the Enemies side Deut. 32. 31. The Run-awayes rob'd our carryages Keynton battell justly remembred Gods wisdome in managing this victory to his due praise The noble E. of Manbesters carriage among his souldiers The souldiers religious replies to their Generall A sad spectacle to behold The number of the slain on the enemies side P. Ruperts Dog kill'd among the dead corps The names of divers persons of note slain in this fight Prisoners taken and the names of some of note Prizes taken The losse on our side Our souldiers got good prize God is a great man of War Esay 59 17 18 Nehim 4. 14. Certain observations collected out of all the premises for the farther illustrating of Gods glory Observation from our Armie marching to the Associated Counties when the Enemies were fighting A mighty storm of hail rain thunder at the beginning of the fight Two or 3 Regiments of the pursuing Enemies slain taken prisoners The victory got by a small number That Rupert having relieved Yorke must needs fight with us not go into the associated Counties Achitophels Hushaies Counsell The great hopes of the enemy to cut off our right-wing frustrated Ecclesi 9. 11. A foul falling out between P. Rupert the Marquesse of Newcastle And Newcastle flying beyond sea is proclaimed traitor at York The great tyrednesse and extream hunger and thirst which the Army indured and yet their admirable courage in fighting The Parliament Souldiers known to the Kings accursed cursing Cormorants by their singing of Psalmes The Royalists imprecating a curse on themselves were accordingly answered therein by the Lord. Josh 22. 22. 〈◊〉 This glorious Victory was a most evident and cleer return of Prayer The 3 Generalls and all their Armies Celebrate the next Lords day a day of Thanksgiving Order taken for supplying the Northern Armies with necessaries and thankes sent to the 3 Generalls from the Parliament The Royalists intollerable impudence in insulting and triumphing for what they never had Bells rung bonfires made in York for joy of Ruperts Victory Monstrous lyes Newcastle Newark and Oxford also triumph in Ruperts ridiculous Victory London malignants had a hand and a heart too in this lye Mr. Vines in his Sermon of thanksgiving for this great Victory p. 14. Sir Tho. Fairfax compared to Julius Caesar A note more touching Prince Robber and his brave Chivalry Prince Robber lost his Dog and his Bever and hid himself in a Bean-field A Letter of the Kings to the Marquesse
the same time came certaine intelligence by letters from Colonell Massey of more singular good successe which God had then given unto him against his neighbour enemies especially against that great Papist Sir John Winter the Queenes Secretary whom together with the most barbarous and bloody Irish-Rebells his so pious Mistresse imployed to settle the Protestant Religion I shall forbeare for brevities-sake to give an exact and particular relation how this most renowned Colonell by a brave martiall stratagem laid a train of powder and a granado at the end of it which did good execution to the purpose on the enemies the succinct number of the prisoners and the place where they were taken were as followeth Prisoners taken at Newnam which was Sir Iohn Winters head-quarter 3 Captaines 3 Lieutenants 4 Ensignes 12 Serjeants 4 Corporalls 4 Drums one Cannoneer one Engineer one provost Marshall 1 Chaplaine of the army 4 double barrells of powder 60 skaines of Match one Fawknet 3 Hambrough guns 4 Pieces of Ordnance 130 Common-souldiers besides good store of Armes Taken also at Westbury the same day which in the relation was about May the 7. the whole garrison with officers and souldiers one Capt. one Lieut. one Ensigne besides other officers 60 souldiers besides 9 slain 2 barrells of powder and 12 skaines of match At Litle-Deane also the day before slaine Lieut. Colonell Congrave the Governour thereof Captaine Wigmoore 70 others also slain there and at that time and 15 prisoners taken And thus have you briefely seene how that ever most worthily to be ever honoured and valiant Commander Col. Massey made notable advantages of that provision which was so lately before sent unto him And how to give this brave Commander his due praise or how to crown his browes with sufficiently flourishing green Laurells I confesse I am not able my expressions being indeed too low to set forth so high deserts and the present generation is so envious that if I could and should give him but so much right as I conceive him most worthy of and should not say as much of the rest they would I fear storme against me though I desire to exclude or extenuate no mans worth nor would disparage any in commending active Massey I will onely therefore say thus much in briefe and that most truely Many garrisons have done bravely but Massey at Gloucester hath exceeded them all And truly that brave Commander Colon Mitton of Wem garrison may challenge a second place in our highest and lowdest praises and expressions and why not renowned Lime garrison the third place which hath also done bravely to deep admiration as hath beene already and shall be yet more fully set forth in it's proper place All all the rest I say have done singularly well to Gods glory and their honour be it spoken As Captain Ludlow at Warder-castle Col. Norton Colon. Sydenham and the rest at Pool who have done as much as no man could expect more yea Warwicke garrison Alesbury and Northampton and the rest who have all done most heroickly and honourably and if they have come short of any others I hope they have meant as well as the best but peradventure had not the like opportunities thereto But to proceed About the 12. of this instant came credible information out of the Westerne parts from the garrison of Lyme that revived Prince Maurice not this ghost though he be ghost-like in reguard of his infirmity stormed the Town of Lyme a third time and was now also beaten off with great losse above 80 of his men being slain in one ditch and 60 in another and the rest of his army pursued even to their own workes and that Lyme garrison brought off 2 Pieces of the enemies ordnance within the command of their works though the enemy slew many of the poore Country-men to compell them to fight to have saved the 2 pieces of ordnance but all in vain And now upon Monday the 13. of this instant his Excellency the Parliaments Lord Generall of all their Forces advanced toward Oxford his Carriages went the day before and he in person followed the next day early in the morning which was Tuesday the 14th upon which day at Black-Fryers in London was a day of humiliation kept in the behalfe of the Western affaires at Saint Brides a Day of Thankesgiving for the Victory at Lincoln together with prayers and Solemn Supplications for the good successe of the Noble Earl of Manchesters Army and ere his Excellency left London he earnestly desired that a day might be set a part to seek the Lord for him and his brave Army which was accordingly performed in a most high and solemn manner by the Lord Mayor Aldermen Shriffes and Common-Councill of the City of London at Christs Church on Fryday the 17th of May A thing which had not been done before in all the time of these unhappy wars since they first began and therefore we have the greater ground of hope of a happy issue and good successe and that God will in mercy be found of those that seeke him first and which desire to go forth in his name and in his strength alone And about the 16th of this instant May we were certainly enformed at London that the Counties of Devon and Cornwall began to be sensible of and displeased at the concourse of the Irish comming into those parts declaring that rather than they would beare with it any longer they would with an unanimous consent as one man rise against them and expell them out of their Countries and thus we may hope that the kingdome will at length be beaten into a condition of having their eyes of understanding opened to see and believe those truths of their hastning danger which they before so long withstood to their late and long just misery and that now at length they will come back although it be by weeping-crosse which they might have avoyded had they not either through envy or ignorance fought against those who with the hazard of their lives have thus long preserved the Kingdome and untill this unhappy difference and inhumane discord and bloody war was plotted and managed by Romish-Iesuits and most ambitious and proud-Prelates no story can make report of so much basenesse of the English Nation especially after so much illumination as to take up armes against their owne Parliament chosen by themselves and which hath been in all ages the preservation of the subject But to proceed Whereas the Malignant-Spirits and most malicious adversaries of our Kingdome are continually working and contriving how to ruine themselves and the whole Church and State and had for this end by their active agents in Scotland the Marquesse Huntley the Lord Montrosse Craford Musgrave and others attempted an intestine insurrection in the Kingdome of Scotland about Aberdene the most malignant Towne in all that Kingdome hoping thereby by way of a divertive warre to bring off
our brethren of Scotland from Newcastles and Yorkes siege to looke to their owne Kingdome of Scotland which they intended thus to distresse and disturb with civill broyles and certain ruine if possibly they could like most desperate and villanous vipers But our wise and most worthy Brethren of the nation had most prudently foreseene by heaven inspired wisdome providence this machinated malice and probably ensuing mischiefe of these their suspected enemies and did therfore with all convenient circumspection endevour to shut fast their own doors before they adventured to look abroad And therefore the most Noble prudent and potent Earl of Argyle who had engaged himselfe for Marquesse Huntleys fair and peaceable demeanour in their absence though Huntly was a known Papist and who being a Papist held fast still that old Popish principle That no faith is to be kept with Hereticks And therefore in this time of the Scots absence in England he having first begun this seditious insurrection with but an inconsiderable stength The said Noble Earl of Argyle by Gods assistance having sodainly raised a fair Army soon stifled that abortive birth and wicked design the whole Country as one man rising with the foresaid Noble Earl and couragiously setting upon them put them all to flight and brake the neck of this their hellish hope and expectation ere they could grow to any great Maturity And since that the foresaid Montrosse and his Popish and Atheisticall mates making head again in Scotland and intending to get Dumfreiz into their possession again It pleased the Lord to raise up the Spirits not onely of that most Noble Scottish Peer aforesaid the Earl of Argyle but also of the Valiant Earl of Calender and others well-affected to this cause of God who soon raised a power of about 8000 horse and foot and quickly repelled the pride and expelled the persons of Montrosse and his mischievous confederates out of Scotland took from them all their Ordnance and many Armes and much Ammunition and forced them to flye into Cumberland and those parts and so to Carlile whether they were also pursued by the said noble Earle of Callender and as about this 16 or 18 of May we had credible information he beat them out of that Towne of Carlile and forced them to fly into the Castle where they were all then straightly besieged and in a fair way to be all surprized and taken therein Thus we see how our great and glorious God carries on the worke lifts up his Arke still above all the swelling Surges and billowing waves of Malignity to him be all the honour and glory thereof And this also I thus thought fit here to make mention of as having such clear and neer reference to the present weighty affaires of our own Nation and Kingdome About the 20th of this instant May a true and perfect Relation was made to the Parliament by Captain Iones and Captain Player who came out of Lime the Saturday before of the most valiant and resolute carriage of the Governour Captain Seeley a second Massey and his brave Souldiers in defending that Town against Prince Maurice who by storming of the Town by losse by sallies out of the Town and by running away from first to last hath lost 2000. of his men Col. Bluet Col. Strangewayes and divers persons of great note were slaine the ditches and trenches were severall times filled with the dead bodies of the enemy and Prince Maurice lost his owne colours and two battering pieces he sent a trumpet to fetch off the body of Colonell Strangewayes and tooke one away whom they said was the man These two Captaines likewise informed that the enemy had made above a 1000 great shot against the Towne and yet had slain with them but one old man that was making his will just as the bullet hit him the like at Gloucester where but one old woman and a pig was kill'd with a Cannon and that they had consumed at least 200 barrels of powder in shooting in the great and lesser guns That when the ditches were fill'd with dead bodies of the enemy Prince Maurice sent for a parley the Governour refused it and sent him word he would make a breach 20 yards where he would desire it and give him leave to come and take the Towne if he could but the Prince refused his offer and sent him word that he would make a breach himself and hang the Governour over the wall the Governour sent him a prisoner home and bad him tell Maurice England that had fed him and his brother with bread they in requitall came to consume with fire and sword but he hoped to see them both rewarded with a Halter or made shorter by the head One of Maurices Capt. whom the Town took being mortally wounded desired to receive the Sacrament a rare devotion in a cavaliere and being upon receiving of the Sacrament was demanded whether P. Maurice was alive he positively assured he was though he had been long and then continued very ill of an infirmity and presently after the Cavalier dyed There were 400 foot of Sir Arthur Hasteriggs then come into the Town of Lyme and a 100 more under the command of Captain Chase of Chichester a valiant and faithfull commander If Maurice pleased to abide any longer against Lyme as he did he was like to find as he did as harsh entertainement as ever he did formerly Much about the same time letters came to the Parliament from the Earle of Warwick informing them of the taking of a good prize by sea going to the Queen at Exeter intended to have put in at Dartmouth which had a convoy of four States-men of war under the command of Van Trumps Reare Admirall not farre from Callis Captaine Owen being Rear-Admirall to the Earle of Warwicke and having three more brave Ships met with the said Ship and Holland Men of Warre and demanded the prize which not being condescended unto he gave them a broad side or two whereupon the States Men of Warre it was conjectured according to their instructions from the States though not from Orange presently left the prize to the Parliament Ships who brought her into the Downes and the prize and Ship was estimated at 8000 l. at least And surely it might appeare that the prize was the greater by reason of so great a Convoy in provisions of Warre and other things which her Majestie sent for over About the foresaid time also came certaine intelligence to London that the Committee for the County of Kent lighted upon an excellent example of honour to God for the mercies they received in that County and so consequently to the whole Kingdome in that they had designed the 21th day of this instant May for a generall Day of Thankesgiving over all Kent for their deliverance from the late Rebellion raised through their whole County I shall here give the Reader a true Copy of their Warrant thereunto that