of the Governour and Garrison of Oxford made their demands which his Excellency sent up to the Parliament by Colonel Rich and Scoutmaster-General Watson two of the Commissioners for the Treaty on his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax part putting off the Treaty till the pleasure of the Parliament were knowne concerning them The heads of some of the principall of them were these Viz. 1. To have liberty to send to the King to know his Majesties pleasure Whether they shall surrender or not 2. That Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice have protection to remaine in any part of this Kingdome to have no Oath â—…posed on them to be at liberty to do as shall seem good unto them at any time hereafter 3. The Governour and all Officers and Souldiers to martch out in as full equipage as any since these Wars with six Guns ten barrels of Powder and to have thirty days time to know the King's pleasure how he will dispose of them 4. The Privy Seale and Great Seale to goe to the King And such as these The House of Commons upon reading of them conceived them so high that they thought not fit so much as to debate them but referd it to the General in what way he thonght fit to prosecute the reducing of that place May 24. or within a day sooner or later was Radcoat house surrendred after it had endured great extremity by our Granadoes one whereof falling on the top of a Tower made fearfull work tearing it into a thousand pieces and sending it severall wayes and at last falling into the Cellar let out all their Beere There were an hundred men in it who were to goe to their severall homes leaving their Armes behind them His Excellency upon the forementioned returne ftom the Parliament prepared Propositions to offer to the Garrison and sent them into Oxford on Saturday May 30. Whereupon at the desire of the Enemy the Treaty which upon their flying so high in their demands had been discontinued if not broken off was renewed againe they being willing to treat upon his Excellencies Propositions submitting therein as themselves said to the â—ate of the Kingdome rather then any way distrusting their owne strength or the Garrisons tenablenesse month June 1646 During this Treaty a Captaine of the Garrison of Oxford was taken in a Fishermans habit carrying Letters to the King from Sir Thomas Glemham and Secretary Nicholas relating the condition of the Garrison and how long probably they could hold out A few dayes before the Treaty ended when the Enemy peceived it was like to succeed they played with their Canon day and night into our Leaguers and Quarters discharging sometimes neer two hundred 〈◊〉 in a day at randome as was conceived rather to spend their Powder then to doe any great execution though they shewed good skill in that they levelled their pieces so as they shot into the Leaguer on Heddington-hill and on that side Lieutenant-Colonel Cotsworth was slaine with a great shot and likewise into the Leaguer on Colonel Rainsboroughe's side where they killed with their shot a Sutler and others in their Tents Our Canon in recompence playd fiercely upon the enemy and much annoyed them in their Works and Colledges till at last a cessation of great shot was agreed to on both sides Upon Saturday June 20. The Treaty for the surrender of Oxford was finished between the Commissioners and concluded upon the ensuing Articles The same morning that the Treaty for Oxford was concluded Farrington Garrison sent also to capitulate the Governour thereof Sir George Lisle being then in Oxford and to be briefe surrendred upon condition to have the benefit of Oxford Articles and so they were included in the same Agreement Articles of Agreement concluded and agreed June 20. by the right honourable Sir Richard Lane Knight Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England Francis Lord Cottington Lord high Treasurer of England William Marquesse of Hertford Edward Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain of his Majesties honorable Houshold Thomas Earl of Southampton Francis Earl of Chichester Francis Lord Seymor Sir Edward Nicholas Knight one of his Majesties principall Secretaries of State all of them being of his Majesties most honorable Privy Councel and Sir Thomas Glenham Knight and Governour of Oxford on the one party And his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight General of the Forces raised for the Parliament on the other party for and concerning the rendring of the Garrison of Oxford as followeth THat the Garrison of Oxford with the Castle Forts Mounts and places of Defence whatsoever With all the Ordnance Arms Ammunition and Provisions of War with all Magazines and Stores thereunto belonging exceping what is allowed in the ensuing Articles shall be delivered to the General Sir Thomas Fairfax or whom he shall appoint without wilfull spoyl or embezlement upon Wednesday the 24. of this instant June 1646. at Ten of the Clock in the Morning or thereabouts II. That his Highnesse the Duke of Yorke shall have an honorable Convoy to London where other of his Majesties Children are attended by his Officers and Servants and sitting accommodation for the removall of His Houshold and goods thither And shall have an Honorable provision besitting his Dignity appointed for Him by the Parliament and to remaine there untill His Majesties pleasure be knowne touching His setling there or elswhere and then to be disposed accordingly to any place within fourscore miles of London and shal have such Officers and Servants to continue about him as the Parliament shall approve III. That their Highnesses Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice shall have liberty and Passes for themselves with their Servants Horses Armes and Goods the number of their Horses for them and their Traine not exceeding seventy to repaire to any place within fifty miles of London so it be not within twenty miles of London without leave from the Parliament nor in any Garrison and there to abide for the space of six moneths after the Rendring free from any molestation by imposition of Oaths or otherwise and shall have Passes to goe beyond the Seas at any time within the said six moneths with their said Servants Horses Armes and Goods they engaging themselves upon their Honours not to use the liberty hereby granted in the meane time to any Hostility against the Parliament of England sitting at Westminster or any way wilfully to the prejudice of their Affaires And they are to have the benefit of such the ensuing Articles as may concerne them IV. That the Seales called the Great Seale Privy Seale Signet and the Seales of the Kings Bench Exchequer Court of Wards Dutchy Admiralty and Prerogative as also the Sword of State shall at such time and in the presence of two such persons as the General Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint be lockt up in a chest and left in the publick Library and if any of the aforenamed particulars shall not be then accordingly produced the default thereof shall not be charged upon any
no other satisfaction or assurance therein then this That the King hath made some offers to the Parliament and amongst them one concerning the Militia Something to the purpose as you say you have heard but the just certainty what his last overtures are or how far they are advanced to a generall accord I cannot at present certifie I do not heare they have proceeded so farre as to a Treaty And I beleeve that as the Parliament may be discouraged from the way of Treaty by former experiences of the fruitlesnesse thereof and the ill use the same hath been designed or driven unto viz. onely to gaine advantages for Warre without reall intentions for Peace so the late overtures that way are the lesse like to be succesfull by reason of the cleer and certaine discoveries the Parliament have had That his Majesty at the same time was and is labouring by Agents in all parts to draw in Forraigne Forces and especially that the Earle of Glamorgan by Commission from his Majesty had concluded a Peace with the Irish Rebels on tearmes extreamly dishonourable and prejudiciall upon the onely condition of sending over Force under the command of that Lord to invade England whereof I presume you cannot but have heard And though his Majesty did in a Letter to the Parliament disavow any such agreement and pretended he had given order to the Lord Digby for the attainting and impeaching the Earle of Glamorgan of high Treason for what he had done therein yet by late discoveries to the Parliament and especially by Letters intercepted the other day at Padstow from the Lord Digby the Earle of Glamorgan and others to Secretary Nicholas your selfe Sir Edward Hide the Lord Culpepper and others it is most cleer and evident that the arresting of the Earle of Glamorgan was onely for a present colour to salve reputation with the people and continue their delusion till designes were ripe for execution for the same peace is fully concluded with the Rebels the King to have the ayde conditioned upon the same agreement and the Earle of Glamorgan at liberty againe and to command that Force in chiefe Now for the overture of a meeting to treat further about the Propositions I sent though I know nothing materiall that I can adde or alter except in circumstances yet I shall not refuse or decline such a meeting or ought else that probably tends to the saving of blood or further misery to any Provided the meeting be speedily and number of persons not to exceed four or five But my Lord when you consider what I have before related concerning Forraigne supplies which I have reason to think you know beleeve you see what cause I have to be jealous of advantages sought by delayes and not to intermit any time or omit any opportunity to prosecute the service I have in hand And that there may be no colour of your expecting that forbearance on my part which you offer on yours I doe the more hasten back my resolution to you In pursuance whereof I doe not despise nor shall insult upon your present condition I question not nor yet shall I hope be much moved with the resolution of your men I presume not on former successes nor present advantage in fleshly power but desire to trust in God alone whose favour and blessing to this Army above others I doe not account in what is past or expect in future to be for any precedence in merit or goodnesse of ours whereby we should be more pleasing to him then others but from his owne Free grace and goodnesse towards his people whose welfare with the common good of the Kingdome we seek and desire with all faithfulnesse and integrity to pursue And so committing the issue of all to his good pleasure J remaine Your humble Servant THO. FAIRFAX March 9. 1645. Moreover besides the proportion this Answer might beare to the better information of the Lord Hopton his Excellency to satisfie him more fully commanded some of the Regiments to advance this day to Tregny an ill signe of a Cessation and the next day the Army advanced two severall wayes part of it following to Tregny the head Quarter that night another part of it to Probus and those parts But such was the force of the Lord Hopton's imagination upon his owne Souldiers that they instead of asking acted a Cessation when our Forlorne of Horse comming neer theirs not far from Probus they did not endeavour to put themselves in order to receive us nor did they make any tesistance but stood still our men much wondring thereat And what was the cause but a Cessation between the Armies as they beleeved or would seem to beleeve for so soon as our men came neer they cryed A Cessation a Cessation ours cryed No no there was none and much adoe had Commissary-generall Ireton and other Officers to perswade them there was none notwithstanding since they were so possessed and deluded we wisht them to be gone and we would take no advantage of them The Enemy expressing much sorrow that there was not a Cessation as they were informed retired seeming also to be somewhat affected that they had so noble and ingenuous an Enemy that took not this advantage to do them any hurt as we might have done there being no Cessation The Lord Hopton seeing his stratagem would not take but he must beg a Cessation if he would have it and that his men were so startled at the advance of our Army The Lord Hopton sends for a Treaty sent this night about twelve of the clock for a Treaty naming the place Tresillian-Bridge if his Excellency approved of it The Trumpet was returned about three in the morning That the General did hearken to a Treaty and would appoint Commissioners to meet at the place proposed by the Lord Hopton Hereupon Commissioners on both sides were nominated to meet at nine the next day being Tuesday morning March 10. But the General being unwilling to lose time gave Orders for a martch accordingly the Army that Tuesday advanced by breake of day and martched to a Randezvouz within two miles of Truro by ten of the clock where the Lord Hopton's Trumpeter brought a safe Conduct for our Commissioners and they having received the like from us a Cessation was agreed to but withall a Message was sent to the Lord Hopton from the General That he intended to quarter his Army at Truro and Saint Allen that night which he thought fit to give him notice of that none of his Forces might be left in the Towne when our Souldiers entred This much disrelished with the Lord Hopton and his Commissioners that he sent had much reluctancy against it The General upon conference with the Commissioners was content to let them have Saint Allen for their Quarter his Excellency reserving still Truro the prime Quarter to himselfe And here we had the Enemy in a pound so that he had but six miles bredth to break through if
in its proper place viz. The reduction of Borstall-House which was some few dayes before the surrender of Oxford agreed to be surrendred upon conditions And thus yon have a true though plaine and briefe account of the Actions of this Army which God reserved for such a time as our lowest estate when his season was to deliver us It was once intended the Story should have broken off at Oxford but you see it is cōtinued to the last piece of Service performed by this Army though somewhat more briefly then the former Actions which was for want of those Materials of Observaiions and Collections which were furnished me in the compiling of the Story till then by One to whom all that reap any satisfaction by this Story owe great thanks for his diligence and faithfulnesse therein And now there being no Enemy either in Field or Garrison his Excellency after sowe smal time of refreshment and rest from his continuall wearinesse and action was by the Parliament Ordered from Oxford into the West there to disband Major-General Massies Brigade whither accordingly he immediately martched viz. to the Devizes where in the space of eight dayes his Excellency disbanded the whole Brigade consisting of two thousand five hundred Horse whom to give them their due he found for the most part prepared to obey the Ordinance of Parliament which was the more commendable in respect that of many moneths Arreares which were behind they received but six weeks pay which yet is not wholly to be reckoned to the ingenuity of the men but in a great part to the carefulnesse and prudence of Major-General Massie Colonel Cook and the rest of the Officers Divers of the Disbanded come from very remote Countries and had Passes some for Egypt others for Mesopotamia and Aethyopia This work was no sooner over but it pleased God to visit the General with a sore fit of the Stone Saint Paul needed a Thorne in the flesh and by thirst and lack of water Sampson after his great Exploits might know himselfe to be a Man This fit continued on him for many dayes together so soon as he was recovered he made a Journey to London This was the first time of his visiting London since he martched forth with the Army having a small desire to see that place till he could bring an Olive branch in his mouth choosing rather to hasten Peace then spin out the War which made a humble Tent more acceptable to him till he had attained his end then a glorious City month November 1646 His Excellency comming to Loudon Novemb. 12. while he was yet some miles off the City he was met by the Mliitia of the City He who had so often encountred a Militia of Enemies is now embraced by a Militia of Friends who had no other Errand but to thank him who had done so much as that he had left nothing for them to doe but to fetch in this Man of War who had converted them to Men of Peace who through his Watch fulnesse and Valour had excused them from stirring out of their city to fight a Battell onely now in the interest of their owne honour they were drawne out to bring in the Prize of so many Battels even Englands Peace Many wel-affected Citizens also went forth with the Militia upon this Expedition and the hearts of thousands ran and met him whose persons were not seen there No sooner was he come to Town but the next day both Houses of PARLIAMENT were in motion to acknowledge their GENERAL and make a congratulatory Visit to him communicating their sense the one House to the other therein and making these repective ORDERS thereupon DIE VENERIS Novemb. 13. 1646. ORdered by the LORDS Assembled in PARLIAMENT that it is left to the SPEAKER of this House what to speak to Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX from this House upon these severall Heads viz. To Congratulate his comming to this Towne and to acknowledge his good Service done to the Parliament and Kingdome JOHN BROWNE DIE VENERIS 13. Novemb. 1646. ORdered by the COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT That Master SPEAKER and the whole House doe to Morrow at ten of the clcck give a Visit to Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX General of the PARLIAMENTS FORCES and returne him the Thanks of the COMMONS of England and an Acknowledgment of the great Blessings of ALMIGHTY GOD upon his faithfull Services wise Conduct and great Valour in the whole discharge of the great TRUST committed unto him and reducing the distracted Affaires of this KINGDOME to this happy condition and Issue H. ELSYNGE Cler. Parl. D. Com. Thus those that honour God God will honour and those that seek onely and are content with that honour that is of God shall sometimes perchance have the honour that is of Men last into the Bargaine On Saturday November 14. Both Houses actuated their Orders and Intentions and first the Right honourable EDWARD Earle of Manchester Speaker of the House of Lords pro tempore accompanied with the Earl of Northumberland Pembroke and divers other Peers of the Kingdome went together in their Coaches to his Excellencies house in Queenstreet to congratulate his Excellencies Successes and happy returne according to the Order of their House which the Earle of Manchester enlarged with divers Expressions of gratitude and honour to his Excellency The Contents of the Earle of Manchester's Speech In the Name of the House of PEERS giving his Excellency Thanks for all his Care and Paines in the defence of the Publick expressing their great Esteem of his memorable Services and faithfull Performance of the Trust reposed in him which their Lordships should alwayes have in remembrance and be ready upon all Occasions to expresse their Gratitude unto him And when they had done and were gone with never a jot lesse Honour I trow for that which they had left upon his Excellency the House of COMMONS also attended their SPEAKER on the same Errand where WILLIAM LENTHAL Esquire Speaker of that House delivered himselfe to this Effect SIR I Have a very hard Taske to performe to present the Respects of the House of Commons according to your Excellencies Merit and their desires to effect this accordinly I should have informed my self from Histories that have preserved the memories of the famous Worthies of former Ages and should have taken the Dimensions of the largest Coronts and Trophies wherewith they are made Glorious and even those would rather straighten then enlarge the Temples of yours Excellency or else I should have consulted some of the most Learned and Eloquent Oratours who have set forth the glorious Gests performed in former times whereby I might have insisted on some Paralell for your Wisdome Piety Justice and Valour but I conceive the Vertues and Successe which God hath bestowed upon you were very hardly to be matcht and rather needed more Industry and Memory to Enumerate then Oratory to Polish Heretofore when I read the Histories of the Acts of famous Princes and Warrious in this
know we are as soon broken as made up as soon flying as conquering We desire therefore Friends not to believe this Army shall do more because it hath done so much and that it cannot be conquered because it hath conquered But that it shall be still victorious while GOD is in it and no longer Accept these Mercies and with them the Instruments in the undeniable demonstration of their Love and Loyalty to their Country in so free an expence of their Blood and so chearfull undergoing all hardships of War for your sakes J. S. The state of the Kingdome when His Excellencie Sir THO. FAJRFAX marched forth May. 1645. Exhibited in Two TABLES The one shewing into what Counties Cities Towns Castles and Places of strength the KING reached and Garrisoned As also the Field-force His Maiestie had to maintain the same and to enlarge his Quarters The other shewing all along what Force Garrisons or Places of strength the PARLIAMENT had to check or ballance the Enemie In two DIVISIONS The one containing the Western Counties The other the Midland Parts THE FIRST DIVISION IN The KING had The Parliament had Cornwal The whole County intire to himself with these places of strength therein well fortified and manned Viz. The Mount the strong Castle of Pendennis Dennis-Fort and Helford-fort which commanded the commodious Harbour of Falmouth The Garrisons of Foy Salt-Ash Mount-Edgcombe and Lanceston Besides His Majesty kept some Forces at Padstow and St. Ives Neither Field-Force Port-Town nor Inland-Garrison and besides the People were generally disaffected to the Parliament Devon All Devon intire to himself except Plimouth only and therein these considerable Garrisons well fortified and manned viz. Excester Barnstaple and Dartmouth the Fort at Exmouth Pouldram-Castle Fort Charles at Salcombe Ilfordcombe Hoptons Fort and the other Forts before Plimouth St. Budeax the garrison at Sir Francis Drakes house Peymouth-house Barley-House and Inch-Garrison Plimouth only and that besieged Somerset All in his power except Taunton only which was then straitly besieged by him And in that County the strong Garrisons of Bristol and Bridgewater Bath Lamport Burrough Nunny-Castle Portshead-Point Ilchester Chidiak-House and Farley-Castle The garrison of Taunton close besieged at that time Dorset Portland-Castle and Island Corf-Castle and Sherborn-Castle The Port-Townes of Poole Lyme and VVeymouth Wilts The Garrisons of the Devizes Laicock-House Langford-House and Highworth Malmesbury Garrison only Hants The strong Garrisons of Basing and VVinchester The Garrisons of Portsmouth Southampton and Christ-Church Port-Towns Berks. Farringdon VVallingford Dennington and Radcot Abbingdon Reading and VVindsor Oxford The City of Oxford the Kings Head-garrison Banbury VVoodstock Gaunt-House Blechingdon-House Godstowe Henley-Garrison Bucks Borstall-house Garrison Alisbury The KINGS Field-Force for the VVEST The PARLIAMENTS Field-Force for the WEST The King's Field-Forces for the securing of these Western Counties and Garrisons even from Oxford to the Mount in Cornwal under the Command of the Lord Goring the Lord Hopton Sir Richard Grenvile and Major-General Sir John Digby Brother to the Lord Digby May modestly be computed to be in all 14000. Horse and Foot besides their severall Garrisons secured with Horse and Foot as may easily be credited if it be considered the great Force they had before Taunton during the two strait Sieges thereof and the many men they lost in both those services And yet with what a considerable Army they were at Lamport when they were beaten there and at the same time also maintaining the Siege before Plimouth with a considerable Force besides those 14000. His Highnesse Prince Charles was then in person in the West raising new Forces whose Presence had such influence on those Parts especially on the Club-men who were thereby made bold in their Meetings and received Commissions under his Highnesse hand and seal to form themselves into Regiments that it was no little addition of Reputation to that Army The Parliament not thinking it safe to spare the new raised Army under his Excellencie Sir Thomas Fairfax to attend the great busines of the VVest and leave the Parliament City and Association without a Guard and the Royal Army about Oxford unattended Designed onely the remaining Regiments of the Earl of Essex's and Sir VVilliam VVallers Horse which were not reduced into the New-Model to busie the Enemy in the West viz. Of Sir VVil. VVallers Colonel Cooks Colonel Fitz-James Colonel Popham and the Plimouth Regiment Of the Earl of Essex's the Relicts of Colonel Beer 's and Colonel D Albiers Regiments under Lieu. Colonel Buller assigned over to Major-Gen Massey which Regiments were formed into a Brigade and designed under the Command of Major-Gen Massey for the Western parts but a little before the Battel of Naseby THE SECOND DIVISION In the County of The KING had The Parliament had Hereford That County entirely to himself with the Garrisons of Hereford Gotheridge and Cannon-Froom No Garrison Place of Strength nor Field-Force Worcester The City of VVorcester Evesham-Garrison and Hartlebury-Castle Hawksworth Castle only Salop. The Garrisons of Ludlow Bridge-North Dawly Shrawarden-Castle Caes-Castle Morton-Corbet-House Stockley-Castle Rowton-Castle Linsel-Manour Apley-House High-Archal Carew-Castle Embleden-Castle Shrewsbury VVem-Garrison and Oswestree Stafford The strong Garrisons of Lichfield and Dudley and Burton and Trent The Garrison of Stafford Chester The City of VVestchester Beeston-Castle Hawarden-Castle Namptwich Leicester The Garrison of Ashby-de-la-Zouch Leicester town shortly after lost Lincoln Belvoir-Castle Lincoln-City Crowland Garrison Hougham Garrison Burleigh Nottingh On this side Trent the strong Garrison of Newark Shelford-House and VViverton The town and castle of Nottingham Errata Page 17. § 7. A whole line left out that should begin the Section viz. But the commands given with publique and unfained ends were not disputed but obeyed Accordingly c. p. 30. l. 1. for part read partee p. 68. l. last but one f. framing r. freeing p. 90. l. 11. f. Kenisome r. Keinsome l. 15. f. rather r. would rather l. 18â— f. setting r. setling p. 95. l. 25. f. in whom r. then in whom l. 30 31. f. and which r. which p. 119. l. 11. f. Priors fort r. Priors hill for t l. penult f. Town r. Line p. 131. l. 4. f. Bennet r. Sir Humphrey Bennet l. 4. f. prisoners r. hostages p. 136. § 7. Marg. l. 6. f. the mood r. that mood p. 140. l. 22. f. in all these r. in these p. 145. l. 6â— after the word Iustice supply an Irish Rebell was taken and executed p. 161. f. Dec. 32. r. Dec. 23. p. 163. l. penult f. set forward r. advanced p. 165. l. 7. f. three r. two p. 171. § 7. l. 4. f. â—own r. Fort p. 177. l. 15. f. S. Edmund r. Sir Edmund p. 179. l. 8 f. William r. Will p. 181. l. 31 32 f. in order to the Oxford horse r. in order to the checking of the Oxford c. p. 182. l. 10. f. Reymouth r. Peymouth p. 185. l. last but two f. advisable it might engage r. advisable being night to
the losse of Leicester and the danger thereupon of the Kings breaking into the Associated Counties Lieutenant-General Cromwel was ordered by the Committee of both Kingdomes to march only with three Troops of horse to secure the Isle of Ely which commands he in greater tendernesse of the publique service then his own honour in such a time of extremity as that was disputed not but fulfilled And his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax was commanded to rise from before Oxford and to march to defend the Association accordingly Orders were immediately given for the Forces on the other side the river to march to Islip and Major-General Brown was desired to put a garison into Gaunt-house being a place that was conceived would much conduce to the straitning of Oxford which accordingly was done and the bridge lately made pulled up and the next day being Iune 5. the Army rose from before Oxford and marched that day to Marsh-Gibeon ten miles The General in his march turned out of the way to see the siege before Bostol-house where Major-General Skippon according to order had that morning made some attempt but the successe was not according to our desires the Moat being much deeper then we expected This night at the Head quarter intelligence came that the King was marching from Leicester towards Daventry with intention to raise the siege at Oxford as was conceived which was by order before done to his hand Friday Iune 6. the Army marched to great Brickhill twelve miles where the head-quarter was that night which was once intended to be at Stony-Stratford but that the intelligence which came that night to us of the Kings horse facing Northhampton that day rendred it not safe so to adventure whilest the greatest body of our Horse sent into Derbyshire were not as yet returned This night a great fire happened at the Generals quarters at Brickhil which was so sudden and violent for the time that a man and a boy and three or four horses were burnt in the Barn where the fire began before the Guard could get to preserve them It happened most remarkably in the house of one who expressed no good affection to this Army and denyed to furnish those conveniences for quarter affirming that he had them not which afterwards by occasion of the fire he was enforced to bring out The next day Iune 7. the Army marched to Sherrington a mile East of Newport-Pagnel to the end the Forces with Colonel Vermuden who upon the Scots retreat to Westmerland were recalled and upon their march back might more conveniently joyn but especially to be on that side the River the better to secure the Association in case the King who the day before had faced Northhampton and seemed to intend that way should attempt to break into it wherein it appeared they did not consult their safety and quarter on the back of a garison as without incurring any great censure they might have done but rather consulted their honour and the publick service Expresses were sent to Lieutenant-General Cromwel into the Association to inform him whereabout our Army was that in case the Association were in danger he might know how to joyn with us Lords day Iune 8. the Army resting in their quarters severall parties of horse were sent out as far as Tocester to gain intelligence of the motions of the Kings Army who brought in some prisoners of Sir Marmaduke Langdales Brigade from whom information was gathered that the Kings Army continued still about Daventry Whereupon the General called a Councel of War to consider of the best way to engage the Enemy Where taking into consideration of what use Lieutenant-General Cromwel would be to them in a time of so great action The General propounded to the Councel of War and it was by them unanimously consented unto that a Letter should be writ to the Parliament to desire that they would please for a time to dispence with L. Gen. Cromwels absence from the House and to give way he might command their Horse there being like to be very speedily an engagement Which Letter was sent by Colonel Hamond who went Post the same day to the Parliament and was instantly returned with an answer according as was desired to the great content of the General and the whole Army This day Colonel Vermuden who the day before was with his party of Horse returned and come near to the quarters of the army himself came to the General desiring in regard of some speciall occasions which he said he had to draw him beyond seas that he might have leave to lay down his Commission which was yielded unto and accordingly he received his discharge At this dayes debate Major-General Skippon was desired to draw the form of a battell and at the same time the Army was divided into severall Brigades of Horse and Foot in order to their being better disposed for an engagement The General though not depending upon multitudes yet serving Providence in the use of all good means sent one Post after another to Sir Iohn Gel Colonel Rossiter to the Governours of Coventry Warwick Northhampton and Nottingham To march with all speed with their Forces to the Army for that there was likely to be speedily an engagement with the Enemy In the mean the Army neglected no time but on Wednesday Iune 11 though a rainy day marched from Stony-Stratford to Wootton within three miles of Northampton where intelligence still confirmed the Kings continuance at Daventry quartering all his Foot and Carriages upon Burrough-hill a place of great advantage having formerly been an ancient fortification and making show as if he had chosen that place to fight upon in case we durst advance to him But afterwards it appeared that his stay there was only till a part of 1200 horse were returned which he had sent from his Army to Oxford as a convoy with the plundered cattel sheep of Leicestershire Northamptonshire c. the better to enable Oxford to endure a siege in case it should be attempted again in his absence himself being intent upon a march for the relief of Pomfract and Scarborough which he then apprehended to have smal difficulty in it understanding the removall of the Scotish army The Army being come to Wotton they found there none of the best accommodation for quarter only what was wanting that way was kindly and respectively endeavoured to be supplied by the Major and Magistrates of Northhampton who the same night came to the General at the head quarter upon the errand of a congratulatory visit and present The next day the Army marched to Gilsborough four miles on the west of Northampton and within five miles of Burrough-hill where the Enemy still continued Marching in very good order for that they did advance directly upon the place where the enemy had pitcht himself A commanded party of horse gave the Enemy an alarm and took some prisoners by whom they understood the King was a hunting the Souldiers in no order and
was the rise and occasion of a most triumphant faith and joy in him expecting that GOD would do great things by small means and by the things that are not bring to nought things that are A happy time when the Lord of hosts shall make his Tabernacle in the hearts and countenances of our chief Commanders from thence to laugh his enemies to destruction and have them in derision to confusion Had not Major gen Skippon done gallantly he had not received such an early wound in his side and had he not had a Spring of Resolution he had not stayed in the field as he did till the battel was ended for being desired by his Excellencie to go off the field he answered He would not stirre so long as a man would stand That I mention not all those Officers and Souldiers particularly who behaved themselves so gallantly in this Action is to avoyd emulation and partiality I shall satisfie my self to adde concerning them and the whole businesse the words of the General and Lieutenant-General in their several Letters to the Speaker of the house of Commons with which I shall conclude * Lieut. Gen. Cromwels close of his Letter to the Speaker of the house of Commons Honest men served you faithfully in this action Sir they are trusty I beseech you in the name of God not to discourage them which they have not done blessed be God and I hope never will He proceeds and wisheth This action may beget thankfulnesse and humility in all that are concerned in it And concludes thus modestly himself He that ventures his life for the liberty of his Country I wish he trust GOD for the liberty of his Conscience and You for the Liberty he fights for c. The close of the Generals Letter to the Speaker All that I desire sayes the General is That the honour of this great never to be forgotten mercy may be given to GOD in an extraordinary day of Thanksgiving and that it may be improved to the good of his Church which shall be faithfully endeavoured by Sir Your most humble Servant Thomas Fairfax After the Battel was ended and the Horse gone in pursuit the Army marched 5 miles that night to Harborough the head-querter Most of the Prisoners that were taken in the fight were that night brought into Harborough church except those that were wounded and sent to Northampton Among other Writings taken in the Battel there was a Manuscript presented to the General written by one Sir Edward Walker Herald of Arms of the Kings great Victories in this War wherein there was one passage very observable That whereas he taking occasion to speak of the Irish cals them Rebels the King having perused the Book among the alterations he had made therein in divers places with his own hand in that place puts out Rebels and writes over the head Irish with his own hand so much care was there to correct and qualifie any Expression that might reflect on those blood-thirsty Rebels There was also brought to the head-quarter at wooden Image in the shape of a man and in such a form as they blasphemously called it the God of the Roundheads and this they carried in scorn and contempt of our Army in a publike manner a little before the Battel begun The next day Colonel Iohn Fiennes with his Regiment was sent up to London by the General with the Prisoners and Colours taken in the Fight His Regiment took 11. Colours in the Battel Who had a great share in the performance of that Day being placed with his Regiment in the Right wing of Horse carried himself gallantly and was very happy in his successe CHAP. VI. The Victory at Naseby improved by pursuing the Enemy who fled into Wales Leicester not long before taken by the Enemy summoned and after preparations for Storm surrendred upon Articles Some clamours of the Enemy for breach of Articles found to be unjust and the charge retorted on them Aâ— instance of the Enemies desperate Prophanenesse joyned with barbarous and inhumane Cruelty THe Enemy thus driven out of the field his Excellencie gave Orders for the Army Horse Foot and Train to march after them the next day which was Lords day without any more intermission the pursuing of the Victory being of parallel consequence with the getting it In obeying of which Orders the readinesse and chearfulnesse of the Souldiers was admirable and worthy our observation and remembrance That when in respect of their long and hard March for many dayes together before the Battel and the vehement and sharp battel they had fought they might well have pleaded for some time of refreshment yet no sooner was the Generals order given for marching but they repaired all to their Colours and that very next day after the battel marched to great Glyn the head-quarter four miles short of Leicester The Horse marched within a mile of Leicester that night and kept Guards which so alarm'd the Nobles and Gentry that had fled thither for security that they departed thence in much haste leaving the Lord Hastings to defend that place This day his Excellencie received intelligence that Sir Iohn Gell with about 2000 Horse was on his march towards the Army according to Orders formerly sent him as also that the King with one part of the Routed horse not judging himself safe in Leicester went thence that evening to Ashby-de-la-Zouch where he reposed himself some few houres but understanding that our Army advanced and that our Horse pursued the chase Mounted on horse-back in the night and fled to Liechfield and from thence into Wales without any considerable stay so great was the affright the other part of the Rout being the Northern horse under Sir Marmaduke Langdale fled the same night near Newark both passing so that it was the wonder of all men how they being in such a tired and distracted condition could escape Sir Iohn Gels horse who the same day were on their march from Nottingham towards Leicester This day furnished his Excellency with a full intelligence of the state both of our friends and our enemies affaires in the West by meanes of the contrivement of Scout-Master-generall the manner thus A Spie of his formerly imployed by him to Secretary Nicholas in Oxford was the day that the Army rose from before it sent to him again yet as one comming of his own accord to give him intelligence that the Army would that morning march away a thing they in Oxford knew well enough it being conceived that either the Secretary would send him or he might finde some opportunity to go into the West where Generall Goring then lay with his Army about Taunton and bring us the intelligence we desired accordingly it fell out Into the West he was sent first to Bath where the Prince of Wales then was to whom he brought the first news of the Parliaments Army rising from before Oxford from thence bearing the reward of ten pieces from the Prince
to General Goring about Taunton who received him and the news very gladly and looking upon him as a fit instrument to be imployed to the King then about Leicester and as they supposed intending Northward deal with him as about a businesse of great concernment to carry a Pacquet of Letters from him the Prince and his Councell to the King He with some seeming difficulty suffered himselfe to be perswaded received the Pacquet brought them to his Excellency fair sealed up discovering to him the true state of the Enemies Armies and affairs in the West The Letters from the Lord Goring to the King signifying how that in three weeks time nine dayes whereof was then expired he was confident to master our Forces at Taunton and by consequence to settle the West of England in an absolute posture for his Majesties service and march up with a considerable Army to his assistance advising the King by all means in the mean time to stand upon a defensive posture and not to engage till his forces were joyned with his Majesty Had these Letters bin delivered to the King as they might have bin but for this defeatment in all probability he had declined fighting with us for the present and staid for those additionals which would have been a far greater hazard this intelligence did withall much quicken us to make speed to relieve Taunton yet being so neer Leicester and Leicester in all probability being easily to be made ours considering the fear that they within were possest withall by the losse of the day at Naseby besides the want of men thereby in all likelihood to make good their Works it was resolved first to assay that accordingly Monday Iune 16. about noon the whole Army came before the Town The General sent a Summons to the Lord Hastings to surrender the Garrison with all the Ordnance Arms and Ammunition therein who returned a peremptory answer as if he meant to defend it to the last man whereupon a Councel of War being called it was resolved to storm the place warrants were sent to the hundreds to bring in ladders carts hay straw other things fitting for a storm wherein the country was very forward to give assistance Tuesday Iune 17. great store of ladders were brought in a battery was raised upon which two Demy-Cannon and a whole Culverine taken at Naseby were planted which played upon an old work called the Newark being the very same Guns which the King not many dayes before had used against the same place The Lord Hastings now beginning to perceive his condition was like to be desperate sent a Trumpeter with a Letter to the Generall desiring a parly concerning the surrender of the towne which his Excellency desirous to save blood hearkened unto Commissioners were appointed to treate on our side Colonel Pickering and Colonel Rainsborough Hostages on both sides were given the Treaty begun that evening and held debate till twelve a clock that night and was concluded upon these Articles 1. TThat the Lord Loughborough shall have quarter granted him and have protection for his Person to be safely conveighed to the Garrison of Ashby-de-la-Zouch 2. That all Field Officers Colonels Lieutenant Colonels Serjeants Majors and Captains and Lieutenants of Horse but not of Foot shall march away with their own particular single Horse and Arms with protections for their own Persons 3. That all the rest of the Officers shall be conveyed safely to the Garrison of Lichfield with Staves only and no other weapons in their hand 4. That all common Souldiers have quarter only for their lives and be conveyed to Lichfield without any other weapons save only staves in their hands 5. That before 10 of the clocke the said morning June the 18. the Governour of the Towne and the Lord Loughborough and all the rest of the Officers and Souldiers march out of the Garrison according to the agreement aforesaid 6. That Sir Thomas Fairfax be permitted to enter in at 10 of the clock the said Wednesday morning aforesaid with his Forces and take possession of the Garrison 7. That all the Pieces of Canon great and small now in the Garrison of Leicester be left to Sir Thomas Fairfax 8. That all the Armes and Ammunition now in Leicester be left to Sir Thomas Fairfax save only what is agreed to for the Officers of Horse aforesaid 9. That all the Provisions Colours Bag and Baggage be also left to Sir Thomas Fairfax 10 That all the Horse save onely those excepted for the Officers aforesaid that are in the Garrison of Leicester be delivered up to Sir Thomas Fairfax for the service of the Parliament 11. That all the officers souldiers have quarter for their lives 12. That all the Prisoners of War that are in Leicester at the same time be released and set free to serve the Parliament The Guards and Centinels of the gate-house prison in the Newarke hearing of the conclusion of the Articles about four a clock on Wednesday morning went away from their duty and left their Armes behind them and the prison door open whereupon the prisoners went out and finding the Enemy a plundering they fell a plundering too About seven a clock all their guards were drawn off the souldiers on the Line threw downe their Armes quit their Posts and the gates were opened which gave invitation to divers of our stragling souldiers to get into the Town at the Ports and over the works Complaint hereof being made to his Excellency by some from the Lord Hastings or Loughborow of the violation of the Articles by our souldiers His Excellency sent to the Lord Loughborow to keep all his men upon their guards and if any offered violently to enter the Towne before the time to fire upon them and immediately issued out a Proclamation commanding the punctuall observance of the Articles by his owne souldiers under paine of death But the Lord Hastings instead of standing upon his guard according to the Articles till ten of the clock that morning which he ought to have done whereby he might have prevented that inconveniency which fell out and have performed his Articles in delivering the Towne to his Excellency with the Arms and Ammunition mounted on horse-back in the morning with divers Gentlemen officers and others and left the towne some houres before the time appointed for his marching forth so that when our Commissioners came according to appointment to see the Articles punctually performed they found the Lord Hastings was gone and all the towne in a confusion but the souldiers were commanded off and things were presently settled in good order and about eleven a clock that day the Army entred the towne where we found divers Commanders of note viz. Serjeant-Major-Generall Eyres Colonell Lisle Lieutenant Colonell Mouldsworth Lieutenant Colonell Pemberton Major Naylor Major Trollop besides divers persons of quallity all wounded in the battail There were taken in the towne fourteen peece of Ordnance thirty Colours two thousand Armes five hundred
King to know his pleasure in it I rest Your servant Rupert Saturday September 6. A Trumpeter was sent in with a reply to Prince Ruperts answer in these words Sir your Overture of sending to the King to know his pleasure I cannot give way to because of delay I confess your answer doth intimate your intention not to surrender without his Majesties consent yet because it is but implicite I send again to know a more positive answer from your self which I desire may be such as may render me capable of approving my self Your Highness humble servant Tho. Fairfax This day came 12 Colours more of the well-affected Countrymen as an addition to the former Forces The Trumpeter was detained all that day and night Every thing was prepared for a storm the General was in the field to that end the Souldiers had their faggots on their backs and leaped for joy they might go on yet about ten at night for severall reasons it was held fit to give orders to put off the busines till Munday morning two of the clock and only to alarm the Enemy for that time as we did often to amuse them and keep them waking Lords day Septemb. 7. in the forenoon the Trumpet returned with these Propositions from Prince Rupert Sir Whereas I received your Letter for the delivery of the City Forts and Castle of Bristol and being willing to joyn with you for the sparing of blood and the preserving of his Majesties subjects I have upon those grounds and none other sent you these following propositions First that my self all Noblemen Commanders and Souldiers of Horse and Foot that have served either his Majesty or Parliament in England or elswhere as likewise all persons whatsoever men or women now resident in this City of Bristol Castle and Forts thereof shall have free liberty to march away out of the said city castle and forts with their Arms flying Colours Drums beating Trumpets sounding Pistols cockt Swords drawn Matches lighted at both ends and as much Powder and Match as they can carry about them with all their bag and baggage horses arms and other furniture ten peeces of canon 50 barrels of powder Match and Bullet proportionable 2. That neither mine own person nor the person of any Nobleman Commander Officer Gentleman or Souldier or any other of mine or their Retinues be searched molested or troubled upon what pretence soever but left to their liberties to depart or stay as it shall be most convenient for them 3. That none of your Army whatsoever shall entice or perswade any Officer or Souldier of mine from their Regiments or Colours with any promise of preferment or reward 4. That all such Officers and Souldiers that are hurt and sick and cannot now march out of this city castle and fort shall have liberty to stay till they be recovered and then have safe-conducts to go wheresoever they please either to any of his Majesties armies or garrisons or their own houses where they may live quiet and that in the interim those being sick and hurt may be protected by you and have civil usage 5. All prisoners taken on both sides since the beginning of this siege be forthwith set at liberty 6. That my self and all those above mentioned may not be required to march further in a day then what conveniently we may and that a day or two of rest be allowed upon our march if we shall find it requisite and that we be accommodated with free quarter during our march and a sufficient convoy to any of the Kings armies or garrisons which I shall name to secure us in our march from all injury or incivility that shall any ways be offered to us And likewise that there be one hundred and fifty carriage-horses and forty Wains with sufficient teams provided for carriages of all sorts 7. That no person here in these Articles mentioned shall be in their march â—endezvouz or quarters searched or plundred upon any pretence whatsoever And that two Officers be appointed by you the one for accommodation for free-quarters for Officers Souldiers and others and the other for providing of horses and carriages for our baggage and train 8. All Noblemen Gentlemen Clergy-men Citizens Resiants or any other person within this city suburbs and liberties thereof shall at any time when they please have free liberty to remove themselves their goods and families and to dispose of them at their pleasures according to the known and enacted laws of the land either to live at their own houses or elswhere and to enjoy their houses lands goods and estates without any molestation and to have protection for that purpose and this article to extend to all those whose estates are sequestred or not sequestred and that they may rest quiet at their abodes and travell freely and safely upon their occasions And for their better removal they may have Letters of safe-conduct with horses and carriages at reasonable rates upon demand 9. That all persons above mentioned may have free liberty to passe to any part beyond the seas any time within three moneths as their occasions shall require 10. That the Lines Forts Castle and other Fortifications about or in the city of Bristol be forthwith slighted and the City stated in the same condition it was before the beginning of this unnaturall warre And that hereafter the Parliament during this war place no garrison in it 11. That no Churches be defaced that the severall members of the foundation of this Cathedral shall quietly enjoy their houses and revenues belonging to their places and that the Ministers of this city may likewise enjoy their benefices without trouble 12. That no Oaths be imposed upon any person now in this city suburbs and liberties other then are required by the ancient and enacted lawes of the land 13. That the Major Sheriffs Aldermen and Citizens within this Corporation of the City of Bristol shall be free in their persons and estates and enjoy all their priviledges liberties and immunities in as full and ample manner as formerly at any time they did before the beginning of this war and that they shall have freedom of trade both by land and sea paying such duties and customes as formerly they have done to his Majesty and that no mulct of fine be imposed upon any person mentioned in this article upon any pretence whatsoever or questioned for any act or thing done or committed before the day of our marching forth That no free-quarters shall be put upon them without their own consents 14. That all other persons whose dwellings are in this city and now absent may have the full benefit of these articles as if they were present 15. That all Noblemen Gentlemen and others that have goods in this city and are now present or absent may have liberty at any time within three moneths to dispose of their goods as they please 16. That there be no plundering or taking away of any mans person or any part of his estate
these gallant Men of whose valour so much mention is made Their humble suit to you and all that have an interest in this blessing is That in the remembrance of Gods praises they may be forgotten It is their joy that they are Instruments of Gods glory and their Countries good It is their honour that God vouchsafes to use them Sir they that have been imployed in this service know that Faith and Prayer obtained this City for you I do not say ours only but of the people of God with you and all England over who have wrastled with God for a blessing in this very thing Our desires are that God may be glorified by the same spirit of faith by which we ask all our sufficiencie and have received it It is meet that He have all the praise Presbyterians Independents all have here the same spirit of faith and prayer the same presence and answer they agree here have no names of difference pitty it is it should be otherwise any where All that believe have the reall Vnity which is most glorious because inward and spirituall in the body and to the head For being united in Forms commonly called Vniformity every Christian will for peace sake study and do as far as Conscience will permit And for Brethren in things of the mind we look for no compulsion but that of Light and Reason in other things God hath put the sword in the Parliaments hands for the terror of evil doâ—rs and the praise of them that do well If any plead exemption from it he knowes not the Gospel If any would wring it out of your hands or steal it from you under what pretence soever I hope they shall do it without effect That God will maintain it in your hands and direct you in the use thereof is the prayer of Your humble Servant Oliver Cromwel Bristol Sept. 14. 1645. This night the General removed from his quarter at the Farm-house where he had been all the time of the siege extreamly ill accommodated by reason of the littlenes of the house which yet he contented himself withall in regard it lay so conveniently upon any Alarm But this night He and the Lieutenant-General removed and went to Bristol which they found so unlike what it had been formerly in its flourishing condition that it looked now more like a Prison then a City and the people more like Prisoners then Citizens being brought so low with Taxations so poor in Habit and so dejected in countenance the Streets so noysome and the Houses so nasty as that they were unfit to receive Friends or Free-men till they were cleansed Besides the publique mercy to the Kingdome in the Recovery of Bristol The Vindication of Colonel NATHANIEL FIENNES once Governour thereof seems to have been also particularly designed by Providence The General with the Lieutenant-General sitting upon Priors-hill-Fort after the Storm and most of the chief Officers of the Army upon a view of the place comparing the present strength of it with what it was when he delivered it and other circumstances freely expressed themselves as men abundantly satisfied concerning the hard misfortune that befell that Noble Gentleman And indeed whosoever shall compare both the Defences together according to this ensuing Paralel must needs confesse That if Prince Rupert deserved to be acquitted as he was by the King and a Councel of war at Newark the former Defence deserves to be commended For Prince Rupert in this latter had the advantage of the former 1. In the Line which was so much stronger then the former by the addition of a Fort-Royall many other Works 2. In the numbers of Men for defence which were a Prince Rupert had between 4 and 5000 horse and foot Col. Fiennes but 1700. of all sorts more then double 1200 of them Horse which nuÌ„ber of horse was a thing of great consideration in so large a line 3. In a place of great strength for b Viz. the Fort-Royal which though it be twice reckoned in this Paralel yet it is in a different respect viz. here as a place of retreat but above as it did flanker the Line and so strengthen it much Retreat And lastly which is as considerable as any thing in a probability of Relief the c This appeareth in Pr. Ruperts Apologie and that the designe of his Relief was laid very probably to have succeeded King having promised it and being resolved to have performed it in his own person with all the force he could have drawn together Yet he in the defence slew not 200. in all of our Men Embraced a Parley so soone as ever the Town was entred and concluded the Surrender upon no better Articles than the former Governour had On the other hand Col. Fiennes in the former tho he had a d Prince Rupert in his printed Declaration and Apologie alleadgeth That the Line he had to defend being about 4 miles in compaise was generally but 3 foot thick and 5 foot high the Graft commonly but 6 foot broad where it was widest but 7. But 4 footdeep wher it was deâ—pest but 5. And that in the opinion of all his Colonels Officers it was not tenable upon a brisk and vigorous assault Line full as large lesse strong tenable and in that part where the enemy entred his Works not finished nor half so many to defend theÌ„ tho the Royal fort was not then built nor any thing but a weak rotten Castle to retreat unto which by the judgment of the e The Officers exprest themselves so Officers of this army could not hold out 48 houres against a strong Battery much less till Relief could reach it whereof there was no likelihood nay the f Col. Fieâ—nes sending to the Earl of Essex for relief his Excellency wrote to the Lord â—ay That the Army was not in case to relieve him nor He thought ever would Governor having sent severall times received no answer but by intelligence which he had he understood He could expect no relief Yet to the utmost improving the means he had 1. He slew 1200. of the Enemy among whom divers prime Officers Commanders 2. Disputed the Suburbs a long while after the Line was entred 3. Entertained no Parley till all endeavours that could be used by promise of money or otherwise were not able to get 120 men together And at length purchased as good Conditions as the latter and in some g As may appear by comparing the Articles together substantiall points better However all wise men would have saved me this pains The sense of the Honourable House of Commons immediately upon the reduction of Bristol calling Col. Fiennes to his former state of Honour and imployment being beyond all that can be said Yet these Considerations are not in vain for that they serve as well to the commendation of the goodnesse of God in the assisting and bearing forth this Army through this undertaking Which by
the Lords day only the Train that was in the Rear marched that day up to the Van of the Army and thence on Monday to Chard About this time was Chepflow town and castle in Monmouthshire reduced by Col. Morgan governour of Gloucester And on Wednesday the 8. the General went to Lyme where he was honourably entertained by the Governour Col. Câ—ely and stayed there that night It was wonderfull to think considering the scituation of the place the meannesse of the Works about it that it should possibly hold out as it did against such a force as laid siege unto it section 2 This day passed not without bringing forth some good tidings to the Army for news came this morning to the General that Winchester was agreed to be surrendred to Lieutenant-General Cromwel the Terms whereupon and other particulars concerning the same I shall present you withall in the words of the Lieut. Generals Letter and Mr. Peters his Relation made to the House of Commons The Letter followes SIR Lieutenant-gen Cromwels Letter of the taking of Winchester I came to Winchester on the Lords day being the 28. of September with Cololonel Pickering commanding his own Colonel Montagues and Sir Hardresse Wallers regiments After some dispute with the Governour we entred the Town I summoned the Castle was denied whereupon we fell to prepare our Batteries which we could not perfect some of our Guns being out of order untill Friday following Our Battery was six guns which being finished after once firing of them round I sent him a second Summons for a Treaty which they refused whereupon we went on with our work and made a breach in the wall neer the Black tower which after about 200 shot we thought stormable and purposed on Monday morning to attempt it On Sonday night about ten of the clock the Governour beat a Parley desiring to treat I agreed unto it and sent Col. Hamond and Major Harrison in to him who agreed unto these inclosed Articles Sir This is the addition of another mercy You see God is not weary in doing you good I confesse Sir his favour to you is as visible when he comes by his power upon the hearts of his enemies making them quit places of strength to you as when he gives courage to your Souldiers to attempt hard things His goodnesse is in this much to be acknowledged for the Castle was well manned with 680 Horse and Foot there being neer 200 Gentlemen Officers and their servants Well victualled with 1500 weight of Cheese very great store of Wheat and Beere neer 20 Barrels of Powder 7 Peeces of Canon the Works were exceeding good and strong It is very likely it would have cost much blood to have gained it by storm we have not lost 12 men This is repeated to you that God may have all the praise for it is all his due Sir I rest Your most humble servant Oliver Cromwel Mr. Peters his Report made to the House of Commons containing some other particulars concerning Winchester section 3 Mr. Peters his relation of the taking of Winchester My commands from the Lieutenant-General are to give this honourable House a further Narrative of the Castle of VVinchester being upon the place and a spectator of Gods good hand in the whole work as also to present his humble request to the House in some particulars And before I speak to either of them if Gratitude it self were not sometimes unseasonable I would in my own name and in the name of many thousands return this honourable House most humble thanks for our Lieutenant-General in that you suffer with patience the vacancie of his place in this House My wish is that his spirit and that publique English spirit of Hampden Pym and Strowd may be doubled upon your new elected Members For our Lieutenant-General this I may say That Judgement and Affections are in him striving for the mastery I have rarely seen such heights and depths concent in one man That when I look upon the two Chiefs of our Army I remember Gustavus Adolphus and Oxenstern and I wish that our hopes in these may not be so short-lived as the Germans hopes in them were More I might say concerning him that sent me who is so far above the world and lives so little upon the States pay and minds himself so little but that he hath enjoyned silence to all his friends in any thing that might turn to his own praise For the Castle of Winchester we begun our Batteries upon Saturday morning which wrought so effectually that a breach wherein 30 men might go abrest was made the Enemy sallied out and beat our men from our guns which were soon recovered again We plaid then with our granadoes from our Mortar-peeces with the best effect that I have seen which brake down the Mansion house in many places cut off a Commissioner of theirs by the thighs the most austere and wretched Instrument in that country and at last blew up their Flag of defiance into the aire and tore the Pinacle in peeces upon which it stood Summons being sent as we entred upon this work was refused by the Lord Ogle their Governour And another Summons God sent them in the middle of their Battery his Lady to whom our Lieutenant gen had given leave to come forth and had gone some miles out of the town died by whom the Governour had during her life 1000. l. a yeare now lost by her death The chiefest street of the Town the Enemy played upon whereby divers passengeâ—s were wounded and some killed in which street my quartâ—rs were I have that cause to blesse God for my preservation The Lords day we spent in preaching and prayer whilst our gunners were battering and at 8 a clock at night we received a Letter from the Governour for a treaty which I have brought with me Colonel Hammond and Major Harrison were sent into the Castle on our party Sir Edward Ford and a Major of theirs were sent to us The whole night was spent about it our men standing upon some speciall terms with them and very desirous were we to accept Sir Edward Ford and Bennet to be our prisoners By eight of the clock on Monday morning it was agreed they should depart out of the Castle at five of the clock according to these Articles Articles agreed upon the 5. of October 1645. Between the Right honorable VVilliam Viscount Ogle governour of the garrison of the Castle of VVinton of the one part and Col. Robert Hammond and Major Thomas Harrison on the behalf of Lieutenant gen Oliver Cromwel of the other party for the surrender of the said Castle 1. That the Lord Ogle shall deliver up the Castle of Winchester with all the arms ordnance ammunition provision and all function of war whatsoever without any imbezelment waste or spoile unto that Officer or Officers as shall be thereunto appointed by the said Lieutenant gen to morrow being Monday the 6. of October
section 4 Langford-house surrendred to Lieut. general Cromwel This day intelligence came That after Lieut. general Cromwel had taken Basing he immediately marched towards Langford-house neer Salisbury faced the same with part of his Brigade sent in a Summons and that the Governour upon the experience that Basing and Winchester were not able to resist the Force that was come against that place conceiving his condition desperate hearkned to a Treaty and surrendred the place upon these ensuing Articles The Articles of Langford 1. The Commanders in chief of the said garrison to surrender the said house and garison to the said Lieutenant gen Cromwel on the morrow by twelve of the clock being the 18. of October then instant 2. All arms and ammunition in the said garrison to be delivered to the use of the Parliament without any imbezelling of them 3. The Commanders in chief to march away with horse and arms and the private Souldiers without arms to Oxford within ten dayes and to have a Troop of horse for their guard the first day and a Trumpet with a Passe the rest of the way 5. The rest of the Gentlemen not exceeding 14 more to march with their swords and pistols and horses if they should lawfully procure them 6. The Commanders in chief to have a Cart or Waggon allowed them to carry their goods to Oxford 7. If any Gentlemen of the said garrison had a desire to go to any other garrison or army of the Kings to have Passes to that purpose 8. The goods remaining in the said garrison to be delivered to the severall Owners thereof upon demand within two dayes next following the date hereof 9. Lieut. col Bowles and Major Frye to be left Hostages untill these Articles should be performed CHAP. V. Excester straitned in order to a Siege with severall Debates and Resolutions thereabout THese 6 Garrisons of the Devizes Laicock-house Basing Winchester Langford and Tiverton besides Berkley-castle being reduced since the taking of Bristol there was no garrison in the way between Excester and London to interrupt the passage so that a single man might travel without any fear of the Enemy all the obstructing garrisons being cleered except Corf-castle neer the Sea-coasts which yet was securely blockt up by the Governour of Poole and Col. Pickerings Regiment sent thither for that purpose A Councel of war called Monday Octob. 20. The General and the whole Army marched to Silverton and the parts thereabouts within five or six miles of Excester where a Councel of war was called to consult what was fit next to be done whether to advance further West before Excester was reduced or to march up to the Enemy and relieve Plymouth After a long and serious debate it was held fit in regard of the season of the yeare winter being comming on and the Souldier already very sickly and much wearied out by their continuall marches and hard duties Excester resolved to be straitned rather to make it their work to straiten Excester then to march further West for the present and to leave so considerable a garrison upon their backs wherein were 1000. horse at that instant besides 4000. Foot that might annoy the Eastern parts of the Country as well as the Army in the Rear if they advanced further This resolution was not so acceptable to the Gentlemen of those parts who would fain have had the Army advance further into the West and desirous enough was the General to comply with them but his judgement did not lead him to it at this time for the reasons before mentioned Wherefore Tuesday 21 Octob. the General went in person with a small party to Stoake and so on towards Excester till he came within lesse then a mile of the town viewed that part of the city and returned back that night to Silverton A counsel of war was againe called wherein it was concluded that one part of the Army should march over Ex by the way of Tharverton and the other to Stoake-bridge and parts thereabouts section 2 Wednesday October 22. the General with a great part of the Army marched to Newton Siers with an intention to have gone that night to Affington but the wayes being narrow and the dayes short was inforced to take up their quarter that night at Newton Siers where his Excellency received intelligence that Goring went the night before from Excester towards Okehampton with the greatest part of the thousand horse before mentioned section 3 Thursday October 23. the Army marched early from Newton Siers to a Rendezvouz at the Beacon within three miles of Excester with intention to go to Affington that night but such was the extremity of wet and unseasonable weather which it pleased God to send that in a few hours rain the wayes proved unpassable for our carriages besides that the narrowness of the wayes however represented by some Gentlemen of the countrey with the Army was found upon conferring with others to be such as was altogether incomplyant with the Armies march and would necessitate them to go many miles about whereby it was not possible in any seasonable time to get to Affington that night Whereupon unexpectedly the Head-quarters were appointed that night to be at Crediton some six miles from Excester where several of the Enemies horse came in to his Excellency informing him that Goring was gone from Okehampton towards Tavestock section 4 Friday October 24. the Army rested at Crediton horse and man being much wearied out with the extreame wet weather and their carriages broken a counsel of war was called whether it was fit to pursue the former resolution of straitning Excester on both sides Whilest the business was in debate Lieutenant-general Cromwel happily came in and the forces that were sent under his command to Basing and Winchester were by that time come to Hunniton The good news of Digby and Langdale routed at Sherborn This night the Army received the good news of the Lord Digbies and Langdales being routed at Sherborne The sum whereof was that the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale marching from Newark by the Kings appointment with some 1600 horse to joyn with Montrosse in Yorkshire As they passed by Doncaster and so onwards they beat up our quarters in several places and near Sherborn took 800 of our men that drew out there to oppose them laying their Arms on a great heap in the street of Sherborn till they could get carriages to carry them away but before they were so provided Colonel Copley Col. Lilborne and other Commanders of Yorkshire marching with all speed came upon them and routed them recovered all our arms and men took 400 of their men 600 horse many Commanders and persons of quality slew 40. amongst whom were Sir Francis Carnaby and Sir Richard Hutton took Digbies Coach and therein many Letters and papers of great consequence divers colours with much rich pillage section 5 A councel of war called The subject of the
the only plentifull and unharassed part of Devonshire As also that Greenvile was come with some fresh Foot out of Cornwal to Okehampton section 10 A letter to his Excellency from the Pr. of Wales his Highnesse At Autree a Trumpeter came to his Excellency from his Highnesse Prince Charles with a Letter desiring a Passe for the Lord Hopton and Lord Culpepper to go to the King upon a designe of a mediation of Peace between the King and both Houses of Parliament The scope of it which being a matter of great concernment the consideration thereof was put off to the next day when the Trumpeter was returned with a Letter from the General to the Prince intimating The summe of his Excellencies answer That it was no wayes proper for the General to intermeddle with any Propositions touching an accommodation between His Majesty and the Parliament And therefore had sent his Letter to the Parliament from whom his Highness must expect an answer section 11 The Parliament acknowledging their General In the interim a fair Jewel set with rich Diamonds of very great value was presented unto the General by Mr. Ash and some other Members of Parliament in the name of both Houses as a signal of that great honour which God had done him in the great service which by Gods assistance he performed for this Kingdome at Naseby-Battel and according to the commands of the Parliament they tyed it in a blue Ribband and put it about his neck section 12 The happy news of a second defeat of Digby briefly inserted About this time arrived at the Army certain intelligence of a second defeat given the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale who by killing of an hundred men and the taking of 200 horse and many prisoners among whom divers Commanders by Sir Iohn Brown were reduced to so much lesser number And were yet further extenuated as they fled towards Beeston-castle by Colonel Brigs who took 200 more of them About this time also were the severall garrisons of Worton Wiverton and Welbeck surrendred to valiant and active Major gen Poyntz And yet farther for the ease of the Ferry-boat that carried Digby to the Isle of Man reduced to the number of 20. besides some few Great ones that escaped with him by Major-general Vandrusk who took 180. of them flying through Westmerland And here is the end of 1600 of the Kings prime horse month November 1645 And with this came another peece of the Enemies being routed Nevemb 1. by Lieut. colonel Iones and Adjutant Louthian where were above 100. slain and about 400. taken prisoners among whom divers persons of quality few of ours wounded scarce any slain CHAP. VI. Severall passages between the Prince and his Excellency and between his Excellency and Goring Concerning Pouldrum The Enemies preparations to relieve Excester and Ours to meet them c. An overture of a meeting made to his Excellency from the Lord Goring Sir Iohn Berkley and others MOreover during the Armies stay at Autree the General was acquainted by a Person of credit with a desire of the Lord Goring Sir Iohn Berkley and others to give his Excellencie a meeting which was taken into consideration and after consultation with the Members of Parliament then present and divers Officers the General the next day thus expressed himself to the Gentlemen that had signified the former desire His Excellencies answer That if any thing came in writing from the Lord Goring or Sir Iohn Berkley to the aforesaid purpose he would afford a meeting Upon this intimation the next day came a Trumpeter from the Lord Goring with a Letter to the General in these words SIR A letter from Goring thereupon I have understood by a Person of honour and quality of your readines to have a meeting with some of the Generall Officers of both Armies and some others wherein there will be a necessity of setling some circumstances for the avoiding of all mistakes I have instructed Colonel Scroop and Colonel Philips in the particulars thereof and therefore shall desire that you will be pleased to grant them a Safe-conduct for themselves and two servants to go to your Quarters and return Your humble servant Geo. Goring Excester Novemb. 12. 1645. His Excellency advising thereupon This did put both the Officers and Members of Parliament there upon serious deliberation afresh and in issue this answer was returned by the General My Lord The answer his Excellency returned According to your Lordships desire I have sent you herewith a Safe-conduct for Colonel Scroop and Colonel Philips to come to my head-quarter where I shall be ready to receive them to morrow I am Your Lordships humble servant Tho Fairfax section 2 The reasons of his Excelcies entertaining the motion One main and principal reason inducing his Excellency and approved by those he consulted with to grant the Safe-conduct was For that it might likely increase the discontent or jealousie at least between Grenvile and the Lord Gorings faction if it were noysed that Goring came out to treat without the privity of Grenvile For any better effect of the Treaty was not expected His Excellencie understanding privately that which they intended to offer was in such a nature as was not proper for the Army to meddle with section 3 Col. Scroop and Col. Philips upon this Safe-conduct the next day came to the head-quarter at Autree but comming somewhat late had not accesse that night to the General but were entertained by some of the Colonels of the Army untill the next day when they were presented to the General who before such time as they began to say any thing of their errand to him declared himself to them to this effect The effect of the meeting That if they had any thing to say concerning the surrender of Excester or the disbanding of Armies or any thing else which was belonging to the General as a Souldier to take notice of he would hear them otherwise he could not And this was no more then was intimated unto them before they came by Com. gen Treton Col. Pickering and the Judge-Advocate whereupon they answered That the Instructions that they had were in order to a general Peace To which was replied That that was proper to the cognisance of the Parliament therefore the General as a Souldier and the Parliaments servant without their leave would not say any thing to it Whereupon the next day they returned back unto Excester much unsatisfied The General easily perceiving the drift of their intentions was To have had both Armies engage themselves to force both King and Parliament to Conditions section 4 His Excellencie acquainting the Parliament with the whole proceeding And no sooner did the General satisfie himself in the scope of these Overtures from the Prince and the Lord Goring but by an Expresse sent up to the Parliament and the Committee of both Kingdoms he was most carefull to
Army to countenance the Cornish and that they would put all upon this Cast of relieving Excester The Army advancing towards the Enemy Most of the enemies horse were sent the next being the Lords day to Okehampton which quickened the Army unto a resolution of a Rendezvouz between that and Crediton on the Monday which was made good accordingly The horse and some foot being drawn up at Cadbury-hill some foure miles from Crediton but upon assurance there that the Enemy did not stir from Okehampton and for that the weather was bitter cold and the ground so slippery that horses could not well march and for other causes it was held fit to take up quarters thereabouts Yet it was observed that this readines and motion of the Army checkt the Enemies further advance the Army took time to make provisions for a continued march by carriages on horse-back these parts admitting no other Tuesday passed with the good news of the surrender of Skipton-castle in Yorkshire the same day the Enemy appointed a Rendezvouz again but the extream hard weather rendring it impossible for our horse to march unless they were all frosted in an extraordinary manner kept us still in our quarters section 14 A messenger of the Princes taken The next day was delivered into our hands a messenger of the Princes going to Excester for Arms for the Prince his person who was come to Dartmouth when also his Excellency had intelligence that some Forces for his Majesties service were to be sent over by the Lord Goring out of France and to land at Dartmouth month January 1645 section 15 Sir George Chidley's house garrisoned for the straitning Excester Saturday Ian. 3. The blocking up of Excester was so much further endeavoured by the addition of Sir George Chidley's house at Ashton to the garrisons which were possest by our forces the better to stop provisions from going into Excester section 16 The next being Lords-day brought good news from Plymouth viz. That they had taken two Works and a Church from the Enemy at St. Budeaux and therein 105. prisoners besides 20 Officers but withall That the Enemy intended to demand satisfaction for the same of us and were for that end advancing with a considerable strength to relieve Excester CHAP. VII The slackening of the siege of Excester by the Armies advance to meet the Enemy leaving only a Force to block up the City With their great successe in those two actions The Defeat of the Enemy at Bovey-Tracy and the taking of Dartmouth with a particular account of their Marches and lesser Passages VPon this certain renewed intelligence on the morrow viz. Monday Ian. 5. a private consultation was had divers Officers of the Army sought councel of Heaven that day keeping it as a private day of humiliation in answer whereto God inclined their hearts to resolve of an Advance The Army by a councel of war resolved to advance towards the Enemy The next day a publique Councel of war was called and that the former resolution might appear to be the answer of God it was in this publique Councel resolved Nemine contradicente to advance into the South-Hams where the greatest part of the Enemy lay The Dragoons from Canonteen were before-hand with this Resolution who this day fell into the Enemies quarters took a Captain 9 men and 20 horse And that this purpose to advance might finde the less interruption The same day the Stockings and Shooes which the poor Foot had so great need of and had so long expected came to Tiverton most seasonably to fit them for a March wherewith they were so well satisfied as that they shewed much forwardnes to march without staying for Cloaths which they had great need of also being many of them all to tatters and the weather was extream cold to boot While he Army was preparing to march some of our Dragoons from petty garrisons on Wednesday snatcht at the Enemy at Huick took a Lieutenant 10 prisoners 22 horses and one of their Colours with this Motto Patientia victrix section 2 The Army advancing according to former resosolution Thursday Ian. 8. All things being prepared in readiness for a March the Horse and Foot with their Ammunition on horse-back set forward to Crediton and at the same time Sir Hardresse Waller with two Regiments marched from Crediton to * At this place Sir Hardresse Waller was engaged with a party of the Enemies horse and dragoons where he slew many of them took 60 prisoners 40 horse and gave an Alarm to the Enemy on all that side the country whilest the Army in the mean time did the following action at Bovey-Tracy Bow as if the Army had bent towards Okehampton where the Enemy had both horse and foot when as indeed it was only to amuse them For at the same instant a Brigade of horse and foot marched that night to Crediton and the next day though very cold and much snow upon the ground the same Brigade marched to Bovey-Tracy then the Enemies quarters Lieut. general Cromwel going in person with them who about six at night fell into their quarters at Bovey where part of the Lord Wentworths Brigade then lay took about 400 Horse seven Colours one of them the Kings colours with a crown and C. R. upon it Lieut. gen Cromwell beating up the enemies quarters at Bovey-Tracy The Enemy in Bovey were put to their shifts yet through the darkness of the night most of the Men escaped except a Major and some few Officers more and about 50 prisoners It was almost supper time with them when our men entred the Town most of them at that instant were playing at Cards but our Souldiers took up the stakes for many of their principal Officers who being together in one room threw their stakes of mony out at the window which whilst our Souldiers were scrambling for they escaped out at a back-door over the river and saved their best stakes In the mean time his Excellency with another part of the Army was advanced from Tiverton to Morton within three miles of Bovey but part of the Carriage-horses with the Ammunition by reason of the Frost could get no neerer then Fulford section 3 The former successe improved by pursuing the enemy from place to place The next day the weather still extream bitter cold the forces at Morton at Bovey-tracy had a rendezvouz near Bovey whereat intelligence was brought by the country that about 120. of those that escaped in the night were got into Ellington church whereupon a party of horse and foot were cōmanded after them which the Enemy in the church understanding fled away The Army marched that night towards Ashburton the Enemies head-quarter the night before A party of horse was sent to see if the Enemy had quit the town as his Excellency had intelligence they had done who finding the enemy at the towns end were engaged with them beat the enemies Rearguard
prisoners were set at liberty and had two shillings a man to carry them home That the Cornish might see we had forgot former injuries and respected them as much as any other County Commissioners were appointed to dispose of the Prize-goods taken in the Town towards the reparation of the Well-affected of the Town that suffered at the Storm who had the greatest part of the Goods distributed amongst them And now the General having reaped so great and happy an advantage by his digression from the siege of Excester though he left sufficient Force also to block it up The next day without any more delay returned to Totnes Issued out Warrants to four Hundreds to appeare there on Saturday at nine of the clock in order to the service of the Kingdome and particularly for the good of those Parts ANGLIA REDIVIVA OR ENGLAND'S RECOVERY PART IV. CHAP. I. The Army returning to the Siege at Excester Pouldram Castle surrendred A French Vessell struck into Dartmouth wherein Letters of consequence from the Queen How far the reducing of Excester was endeavoured before a second diversion HIS Excellency and the conduct of this Army in all their motion attending Providence having answered the call of God in rising from Excester and meeting the Enemy wherein they found that great assistance and successe that hath been related now discerning no further advantage offering it selfe against the Field-Enemy at present his Excellency with the advice of his Officers resolves with all speed possible to return with the Army to the Siege of Excester and to improve the advantage of that further reputation their late successes had given them in vigorous endeavours against that place and in the meane time till the other Forces could follow some Regiments martched toward Excester a Summons was sent to S. Edmund Fortescue Governor of Charls-fort at Salcomb from whence a refusal of surrender was returned consultation was had about Barnstable section 1 Saturday Jan. 24. The Country according to appointment of his Excellency appeared at Totnes in number about 3000. out of whom upon consultation with the Committees a Regiment was to be raised of such as were willing under Colonel Fowell which done the General martched to the Lady Reynolds her house whence on the Lords day after forenoons Sermon his Excellency martched to Chidley endeavouring first to take a view of Pouldram before which place Col. Hammond was set downe with some force Pouldram Castle surrendred But night comming on whilest he had yet two miles thither he was forced to returne to Chidley whithout viewing the Castle which ere the next day was happily put out of a capacity of being viewed by him but in a new Relation for about twelve at night the newes came to him of the surrender thereof and therein five Barrels of Powder Match and Bullet proportionable and four pieces of Ordnance section 2 A French Vessell by a good Providence strucke into Dartmouth upon a mistake Monday 26. Tidings were brought the General of a French Vessel that came from France with a Packet from the Queen which was struck into Dartmouth presuming it to have still been in the hands of the Kings Forces and indeed little likelihood was there that it should be in any other especially so sodainly and at a time of yeer so unseasonable for action or storm but that God encouraged the Army to undertake it and his strong Arm prospered them in their attempt The Packet of Letters which were of no small consequence strongly recovered The Vessel being thus delivered by immediate Providence into our hands the Packet of Letters was yet more strangely preserved and recovered out of the Sea wherinto it was thrown when they knew their mistake according to the Queens directions but God provided a Wave to bring it to the Boat that was sent out to seek it and so it was brought unto his Excellency wherein was found Letters from the Queen Lord Goring Lord Jermin Davenant and others intercepted Some of the Contents were these The speciall and most observable Contents of the Letters The Queen by her Letters in answer to some former Letters she had received touching the King's intentions of transporting the Prince to Denmark utterly dislikes it and neither approves of Holland or Flanders adviseth the bringing of him into France And as touching his Marriage with the Duke of Orleance his Daughter which seemed to be an objection against it Shee replyed That they knew she was engaged elswhere and what if he should marry her the Dutchesse of Orleance so far exceeding them in Riches and potent Alliances might be of great assistance to the King But desires That he may be disposed of any whither rather then to come into the hands of the Rebels touching the Scots affairse she had this expression That she had sent William Murray fully instructed with her mind about it The Lord Goring in his Letter to the Lord Wentworth and Sir John Berkley gave them assurance That now the Negotiation with France was happily concluded by the industry of the Lord Jermin In his Letter to Sir Hugh Pollard the Governour of Dartmouth he doth assure him That by the first of March he should have five well appointed Men of Warre of the second rank the least bearing above thirty pieces of Ordnance to be solely under his command so that he might grow rich upon the spoile of the Rebels or else put them to the charge of keeping an whole Navy before him The Lord Widdrington not so well satisfied with the preparations of France used this expression in one of his Letters That he gave all hopes for lost for ever returning to his owne Country again except the businesse of the Scots took effect section 3 A Summons sent into Excester But as to the Siege of Excester our Forces being drawn neer unto this side of the City a Sūmons was prepared wherein honorable conditions were offered them which Summons was sent in the next day being January 17. The Enemies Answer Whereunto on the morrow an Answer was returned very faire to this purpose That in honour they could not surrender upon the termes offered while they were in no worse condition and had such probable hopes of reliefe from the Prince His Excellencies Reply Thursday 29. A Reply was returned the conditions re-inforced and further urged by undertaking in the behalfe of the Parliament and General that what they promised in the Summons should be made good and this is as farre as they proceeded at this time being a second time diverted by other action section 4 The grounds of this second diversion from the Siege of Excester for newes came this day to the Army that the Enemies Horse from Oxford were come neer Corfe Castle and the Lord Gorings Forces were advanced up neer Barnstable portending a designe to joyne together to prevent which the General went from Chidley to Tiverton to give order about that point sent Colonel
Cook from thence with three Regiments of Horse of Major General Massies Brigade to attend the Enemies motion and the next day some Regiments of Horse and Dragoons martched from these parts to a Randezvouz toward the North of Devon though upon second advice they were recalled to Quarters month February 1646 section 5 The feare of another diversion from the Siege of Excester had almost driven the Army to a resolution of storming it insomuch that Warrants were issued out to all the Hundreds round about Excester for Ladders and also a dispatch to Plymouth to send their Scaling-ladders for that purpose which disposition of the Army what influence it might have upon the Enemy I know not but the Lords day Febr. 1. a Lieutenant and ten Horse well armed came in to Sir Hardresse Waller from the Enemy and that night the Plymouth Regiment took a Major and twenty Horse neer Barnstable and Tuesday following a Lieutenant-Colonell and fifteen men more with their Armes came in from the Enemy The General in the meane time being returned to Chidley section 6 Thursday 5. Upon intelligence of the Enemies Horse being gone towards Dunster Colonel Cook who had Orders to martch somewhat further Eastward in order to the Oxford horse that by information from the east were to be in Dorsetshire had Orders to returne Friday 6. Came newes that a Party of Horse of the Enemie computed by the countries information fifteen hundred had put some small reliefe into Dunster taking that opportunity when those Forces that attended therabout were drawn toward Corfe Castle in their retreat the Country with the assistance of Colonel Blakes Forces that were not able to oppose so great a Body and therefore during Reliefe secured themselves in a strong house fell upon their Rear slew some took others prisoners and disarmed more The same day the Army received the good newes of Belvoyr surrendred And now followes to discourse how the hand of Providence led us first into the north of Devon and then into Cornwall Onely first celebrate that good newes of the surrender of Westchester after a long Siege by that faithfull and indefatigable Commander Sir William Brereton which newes came to the General on the Lords day Feb. 8. CHAP. II. Our Army a second time diverted from the Siege of Excester with a particular account of the reasons thereof and the Motion and Actions of the Army occasioned thereby A Counsell of Warre called LOrds day Feb. 8. A Counsel of Warre was called to consider of martching with part of the Army into the north of Devonshire towards Torrington and Barnstable for the straightning thereof and for the better conveniency of Quarter the Army being much straightned for provisions where they were as also to possesse those parts and thereby dispossesse the Enemy who had some parties of Horse there which miserably oppressed the Country whilest they were in this Consultation certaine intelligence was brought by Spyes That the Enemy who had been labouring as for life to raise the Cornish and had brought a considerable number to Launceston to re-inforce their Army being in all about four thousand Foot besides their Horse were once more with all their strength martching over the River Tamar towards Torrington and as the Spyes informed would be there on Tuesday night likewise Letters from the Lord Wentworth to Sir John Berkley Governour of Excester being at the same time intercepted encouraging him to expect Reliefe shortly Upon this Orders were given for the drawing of most of the Horse and Foot to a Randezvouz the next day A Counsell of Warre called The subject of their debate Monday Feb. 9. A Counsel of Warre was called to advise what to doe and in issue it was resolved to advance towards the Enemy with part of the Army having already with the residue perfectly blocked up Excester on the west side also by setling Guards and Quarters at Affington Barley house and Reymouth-house within a mile of the City and a Garrison kept at Powdram besides that some of the Foot under the command of Colonel Shapcoat blocked up the Fort at Exmouth by which meanes Excester was now compleatly straightned and blocked up on both sides Accordingly Orders were immediately sent to the Horse and Foot to prepare for a martch and the Forces designed on both sides of Excester to straighten that place were commanded to receive Orders from Sir Hardresse Waller to whose care and judgment the management of that businesse was recommended whilest the rest of the Army advanced to the Enemy section 2 The Army on â—heir martch â—owards the Enemy Tuesday Feb. 10. The General and the Army begun their Martch and that day martched from Chidley to Crediton the head Quarter where the Army rested a day till the Treasure that was at Dartmouth was come up and other Forces that were to martch from other Quarters were drawne up to them The while fresh intelligence was brought to his Excellency that the Enemy with five thousand Horse and four thousand Foot were come to Torrington expecting a thousand Horse and Foot from Barnstable to joyne with them all under the command of the Lord Hopton who by a new Commission was made Commander in chiefe the Lord Goring being in France who had used much expedition in his martch having martched in one day from Stratton to Torrington being eighteen large miles they brought along with them much Cattle and Sheep which with salt and other provisions that were to come from Barnstable were for the Reliefe of Excester This Intelligence fully resolving the Army in the Motions and Intentions of the Enemy engaged them yet deeper in their Resolutions to make speed towards them and not passing one or two dayes intervened their martch In this interim tydings were brought the Army that Warham and the Committees there being surprized by a party of Horse from Oxford was by Colonel Cook regained he being with fifteen hundred Horse then about Shaftsbury and that Colonel Cromwel who commanded the Kings party was by him taken prisoner that the Horse were escaped and fled into Corfe Castle not apprehended by our Guards through the darknesse of the night Moreover that Mr Murrey and Sir David Conningham were taken coming out of France section 3 Saturday Feb. 14. The Army martched from Crediton to Chimleigh being ten miles the Weather wet and the way dirty the Enemy but a little before our Forces came were in the Towne and were beaten out by the Plymouth Regiment Lieutenant-colonel Wicks and others taken prisoners Here his Excellency received intelligence that the Enemy continued at Torrington and were a considerable Army upon which Sunday Febr. 15. the Army martched early from Chimleigh and had a Randezvouz two miles off in the way to Torrington Our Horse brought in divers prisoners to the Randezvouz who confest that the Lord Hopton was in Torrington and that he had sent out parties by three of the clock that morning to discover our motion also one
being the likeliest meanes to prevent or discourage the landing of any Forraign Forces in these parts or the raising of any more out of Cornwal In order to which I must earnestly recommend to your care two things especially The one to provide by the disposall of your Forces in the Mid-land parts that by excursions from Oxford hitherward I may not be diverted from prosecution of the Work in Cornwal to send againe that way nor the Sieges of Excester and Barnstable disturbed when I am engaged further West The other That money may be speeded if any ways possible but for a moneth or six weeks to enable the Horse as well as Foot to pay Quarters in Cornwal whereby the oppositions that People might make would in all likelihood be taken off and their affections or good opinions gained to make them helpfull to us against their present oppressors There came unto me this day a young man from Truro who certifieth me That Sir Walter Dudley came very lately from France to let those about the Prince know that if there were an absolute necessity they could bring over their men with a faire wind from France to be here by the middle of the next moneth expressing that they had neer 8000. Foot and a thousand Horse in readinesse and three months pay provided for them besides ten thousand pound in bullion daily expected a Mint being ready to coyne the same but yet intimated a conveniency in the giving a little more time for their comming over whereupon Sir John Culpepper was to goe in all haste to France upon Friday last as is supposed on purpose either to hasten al or a good part of those Forces over I think it will be very good that as much Shiping as may be obtained be hastened into those parts I shall upon this Information and the good successe God hath been pleased to give us so dispose of the Army as may most effectually conduce to a speedy and through settlement of these Westerne parts of the Kingdome therefore I desire you againe to have a speciall care that the Forces about Oxford be not permitted to range into these parts when the Army is like to be engaged so far West lest it occasion the division of our Forces and hinder the accomplishment of that we desire to effect I remaine Your most humble Servant THO. FAIRFAX Great Torrington Feb. 19. 1645. More particularly there was taken here Lieutenant-Colonel Wood eight Captaines Commissary Boney six Lieutenants one Cornet three Ensignes one Chirurgion four Serjeants two and fifty Troopers one hundred seven and twenty Gentlemen and about two hundred common Souldiers in all four hundred three and thirty whereof two hundred have taken up Armes being as they said forced in by the Enemy neer three thousand Armes broken and whole most of their Ammunition blowne up in the Church eight Colours brought in whereof one the Lord Hopton's owne with this Motto I WILL STRIVE TO SERVE MY SOVERAIGNE KING Slaine Major Threave Captaine Frye and divers Officers two hundred Souldiers besides those two hundred blowne up in the Church the Lord Hopton and Lord Caple wounded besides divers others of quality the Lord Hopton's Commission to be General under the Prince Sir George Digbye's to be Governour of the Forces before Plymouth and other Papers of consequence taken and about four hundred or five hundred pounds in Money taken at the Lord Hopton's Quarters with much plunder left in Portmantles there and in other places behind them section 6 Tuesday Feb. 17. The General rested at Torrington that day being spent in securing the prisoners and taking Lists of the names and sending some Forces towards Barnstable and that the Enemy might be kept in a continuall alarum and feare by our pursuing of them a Party were sent towards Holsworth to fall upon their Quarters whereupon they quit that place and the Country informed that their Horse were all fled into Cornwal that a great terror was upon them and those few scattered Foot that escaped in the dark at Torrington who all of them both Horse and Foot as his Excellency understood the next day drew into a Body in Cornwal to whom were now joyned the Princes Regiment of about eight hundred Horse which with some other Cornish Horse not before joyned to them mae up a Body of five thousand Horse much superiour in number to ours with this body of Horse and about a thousand Foot most Cornish they kept Guards on the other side of the River Tamar and this day there came by twenty and forty at a time of their Foot being most Devonshire men that were scattered the night before out of the Woods some with their Armes and others without them and listed themselves in the Army expressing that they onely waited for an opportunity to get to us so that this last defeat was in a manner the very ruining of all their Foot section 7 Commissary General Ireton sent to view Barnstable About this time MaJor-General Laughorne obtained great successe against the Enemy at Cardiffe in Glamorganshire abouâ— 400 of them slaine and 500 taken prisoners Thursday Feb. 19. Commissary-General Ireton was sent with a Party to view the Garrison of Barnstable and what places were fit to make Quarters and to keep Guards about the same whereupon one Regiment was sent to the Earle of Bathes at Tavestock to possesst it for Quarters That day there were three Ships in Biddiford which struck in thither thinking it had been in the Enemies power their burthen was small the Vessels were afterwards upon Petition released the owners being persons that had not voluntarily contributed against the Parliament This night the General returned back to Master Rolls his house at Stephenson in regard the Quarter at Torrington was inconvenient the Windowes shaken in pieces and the houses so shattered with the great blast that they could not performe a convenient shelter from the raine it being a time of extreame wet weather CHAP. III. His Excellency with the Army advancing into Cornwal driving the Enemy before them and possessing their Quarters A gallant piece of Service performed by Colenel Butler and his Party neer Stratton Prince Charles giving all for lost by his Excellencies pressing so hard upon them betakes himselfe to Scilly An advantage to the Parliaments Cause by a Packet of Letters from Ireland taken at Padstow section 1 FRiday 20. It was taken into consideration how far forth it was expedient to move towards Cornwall with the maine Forces to improve the advantage we had upon the Enemy which businesse was also further advised on the next day A Counsell of War Their Resolution and the Reasons therof At a Counsel of Warre where it was resolved nemine contradicente to martch into Cornwall The Reasons inducing them to that Vote were first To prevent the landing of any Forces out of France of which the Letters taken at Dartmouth gave an intimation Secondly to destroy the Field-enemy and by consequence
very poor Village and this was done both for security to lye close together being so neer an Enemy and for expedition to be the readier for a martch the next morning Besides it was held much advantage for the Army to lye close this night whereby they might keep good Horse Guards the better to discover and check the Enemy if he should seek to break through A little before they took the Enemies Scouts Intelligence came that our Dragoons under Captaine Farmer and Captaine Woggan were engaged with the Enemy as they were martching from the House they possest to joyne with the Army whereupon a Party of two thousand Horse were commanded under the Lieutenant General to fetch off our Dragoons but before the Horse came up they had acquitted themselves well the Enemy was retired and they were comming on to the Army That Party of the Enemy was commanded by Sir James Smith and had they not taken the nick of time and gone away when they did they had been all taken in their retreat by our Horse which came so instantly after them that they had like to have gained the passe The Enemy retreating This night his Excellency had intelligence that the Enemy had quit Bodman about ten at night Horse and Foot retreating yet further West Whither Hopton went and that the Lord Hopton otherwise Sir Ralph Hopton brought up the Reare most of the men poore creatures being drunk when they went away to mend their hard fortune His Excellency advancing after them About this time Ashby-de-la-Zouch a Garrison in Northamptonshire surrendred to the Parliament Monday early in the morning the Army following them martched towards Bodman and had a Randezvouz on the Downes on this side Bodman from thence part of the Horse and Foot were commanded to Ware-Bridge being a passage that was suspected very convenient for the Enemy in case they intended to break Eastward likewise Guards were commanded to Padstow for caution lest there the Enemy should get over the River and also the better to countenance the Townes-men that stood upon their guard against the Enemy Two actions little lesse then miraculous This day four Troopers pursued a party of two and forty Musquetteers of the Enemy beyond Bodman with their Muskets laden and matches lighted and after the rate of a miracle brought them away prisoners such feare was upon them from Heaven certainly likewise six Troopers pursued the Enemy on the left hand as farre as Lestithel made them quit their Guards there and hearing that Ammunition was going to Foy in Wane loads pursued the Convoy thither forced them to leave the Ammunition and so brought back four Wane loads of Match Powder Bullet and barrels of Muskets and safely convoyed the same to the head Quarter in Bodman the Troopers that did this action were rewarded but who is able to acknowledge the goodnesse and power of that God by whom they did these exployts Moreover a Party of our Horse this day took Sir John Greenvils Lieutenant-Colonel and others Tuesday March 3. The Army rested at Bodman Consultation was had what course was to be taken to keep the Enemy still before the Army their head Quarters then being at Truro their neerest Quarters about Saint Columb Grampond and Tregny between which Townes and Truro they lay then quartered keeping their maine Guard of Horse at Castle ô Denisse All the passes from the North Sea to the South Sea were taken into consideration and Guards of Horse and Foot disposed unto them and the Country were enjoyned to barricadoe up the Lanes and keep men upon the Foards Prince Charles gone to Scilly Wednesday March 4. His Excellency had certaine intelligence that the Prince was imbarqued and set sale for Scilly with his Lords and Gentlemen giving all for lost and so evidently irrecoverable did their condition appeare to all that their refuge of lyes failed them and they did not stick to say in desperation at their departure That all was lost The discouragement it was to the Enemy The Prince his flying much disheartned the Enemy and what a work should it have upon us It might become us here to stay and pause a while I cannot but run upon that Scripture in my mind Isaiah 51. 12 13 14. verses Who art thou that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that shall dye and of the son of man which shall be as grasse and forgettest the Lord thy Maker that hath stretched forth the Heavens and laid the foundations of the earth and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the Oppressor as if he were ready to destroy and where is the fury of the Oppressor The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed and that he should not dye in the pit or that his Bread should faile The poor Cornish like the captive exile hastened to be delivered lest they should dye in the pit and therefore took up Armes on any side to make an end of the Warre and restore a peace of any fashion for the fury of the Oppressor and where is the fury of the Oppressor A Ship hath embarqued them a strong wind hath carried them away Scilly hath opened her Armes and received them c. but I must remember my story The conditions for the surrender of Mount-Edgcomb a place of great strength and consideration were this day presented to the General by Master Coriton Master Lower Master Glanvile and Master Trevisa Gentlemen of the Country who were glad of the opportunity to present themselves to the General for his favour The Propositions were ratified by his Excellency and Letters of recommendation were agreed unto to be drawne and sent on their behalfe to the Parliament their seasonable comming in was a good service and Master Peter's industry in this Negotiation was great and worthy all acceptation and acknowledgment A Sūmons was this day sent unto some few Hundreds of the Country to appeare on Friday following upon the Downes at Bodman and strong Parties were sent out to see if they could meet with the Enemy who meeting with some of their Guards forced them to retreat beyond Saint Collomb This night the General had intelligence that a Ship was come into Padstow from Ireland that the Townes people seized on 't and stood on their guard against the Enemy and sent to our Dragoons who quartered neer them for their assistance Thursday 5. The Dragoons comming to their assistance boarded the Vessell some of the men were put to the sword others sore wounded Captaine Allen of Waterford an Irish Rebel had his life spared to the intent to make use of his Confession the Townes people were violent against them the Packet-Letters they brought were throwne over Board yet by the diligence of the Officers of Dragoons were found floating upon the water which being brought to the General there was found amonst them Letters from the Earle of Glamorgan that six thousand Irish were ready to be transported and four
thousand more should be ready by the first of May That three hundred speciall Irish were appointed for the Prince his Life-guard but Allen confest that an hundred of them were to be put into the Monnt an hundred into Pendennis and the other hundred to be about the Prince in case he should approve of this disposall There were Letters also of the Lord Digbies taken in that Packet being a narrative of his proceedings against the Earle of Glamorgan expressing how swimmingly he had carried his Body in that businesse Also Letters from the Earle of Ormond The Letters from Glamorgan to the King were not found Master Coriton and the rest of the Gentlemen who came from Mount-Edgcomb being so opportunely here when the Packet came had the Original Letters shewed unto them which gave them such satisfaction as that they freely exprest themselves that what force they could raise in the country should be assisting to the Parliament for the opposing of all Irish or any Forraigners whatsoever that should be brought over CHAP. IV. His Excellency with the Army driving up the Enemy into Cornwal A Summons sent to Sir Ralph Hopton and his Forces to come in with the severall transactions of that businesse untill the disbanding of all his Forces fully related c. IT was intended that the Army should advance on the morrow but upon consultation it was held fit to stay that martch and to consider of a Summons to be sent unto the Lord Hopton which was accordingly prepared and sent away by the General 's Trumpet which Summons followeth in these words Sir The Summons his Excellency sent to Sir Ralph Hopton THrough the goodnesse of God to his people and his just hand against their enemies your Forces being reduc't to such condition as to my sense the good hand of God continuing with us wherein alone we trust they are not like either to have subsistence or shelter long where they are or to escape thence nor if they could have they whither to goe to have better I have thought good for prevention of more bloodshed or of further hardship or extremity to any but such whose hearts God shall harden to their owne destruction to send you this Summons for your selfe and them to lay downe Armes and withall a tender of such conditions upon a present surrender and engagement never to beare Armes against the Parliament as may be better then any thing they can rationally expect by further standing out First therefore to the Souldiery in generall English and Forreigners I shall grant liberty either to goe beyond Sea or to their homes in England as they please and to such English as shall choose to live at home my protection for the liberty of their persons and for the immunity of their estates from all plunder or violence of Souldiers and all to goe their wayes with what they have saving Horses and Armes but for Officers in Commission and Gentlemen of quality I shall allow them to goe with Horses for themselves and one servant or more suteable to their quality and with Armes befitting Gentlemen in a condition of peace and such Officers as would goe beyond Sea for other Service to take with them their Armes and full number of Horses answerable to their Offices To all Troopers and inferiour sort of Horse-Officers bringing in and delivering up of their Horses and Armes twenty shillings a man in lieu of their Horses to carry them home To English Gentlemen of considerable estates my Passe and Recommendation to the Parliament for their moderate composition Lastly for your selfe besides what is before implyed to you in common with others you may be assured of such mediation to the Parliament on your behalfe both from my selfe and others as for one whom for personall worth and many vertues but especially for your care of moderation toward the Country we honour and esteem above any other of your Party whose error supposing you more swayed with principles of honour and conscience then others we most pitty and whose happinesse so farre as consistent with the publicke welfare we should delight in more then in your least suffering These things not from any need or other ends then humane and Christian having offered I leave to your consideration and theirs whom they concerne desiring your and their speedy resolution which I wish may be such as shall be most for the honour of God the peace and welfare of this poor Kingdome and for your and their good so far as may stand therewith And having herein discharged as I conceive the duty of an honest man a Souldier and a Christian if God shall see it good to let your hearts be hardened against your own peace I shall though with some regreet for that ill that shall ensue to any yet with cheerfulnesse and rejoycing at the righteous judgement of God pursue my charge and trust for the publick in another way not doubting of the same presence and blessing which God hath hitherto vouchsafed in the same Cause to the weak endeavours of T. F. March 5. 1645. Instructions were likewise prepared for those that were to offer something to the Country that should appeare the next morning Friday March 6. His Excellency had intelligence the Enemies Horse began to draw together as if they were resolved to break through for now was the time for them to doe it or never for one dayes advance more would drive them into so narrow a compasse that it was in vain to think of it afterwards This was made known to the Country people at their meeting upon the Downes whereupon there were above a thousand of them exprest much willingnesse to assist in the blocking up of all passages and wayes that might prevent the Enemies breaking through and the Irish Letters being shewed and read unto them by Master Peters did much heighten their resolution to aide and assist the Parliament against the Forreigners and not onely so but the forwardnesse they exprest to assist against the present Enemy in their Country with the great joy and content they shewed at the Armies being come thither for their reliefe saying they had not seen such a day this three yeers was beyond expectation and certainly there was the great hand and good providence of God in the opportune bringing in of this Packet of Letters thither whereby the Country was so much wonne unto us The happy event of this day had a further accession by the news of the taking of Corfe Castle by a stratagem and storm managed by the discretion of that worthy prudent Gentleman Colonel Bingham Governour of Poole Strict Orders were given to all our Forces upon the Guards to be very vigilant this night and on the morrow a martch was intended for the whole Army Accordingly March 7. The Army martched early to a Randezvouz some four miles from Bodman towards Saint Collombe but the weather proving extreame wet and the place they desired to reach that night being a long
martch it was held fit to take up quarter in the Villages thereabouts for as many as the places could receive and the General with the rest of the Army returned back to Bodman But to keep the Enemy waking that they might not refresh their Horse by any rest in their Quarters Colonel Rich was sent with a thousand Horse and Dragoons to fall on the Enemies Guards and Quarters and to bring in what prisoners he could light upon which accordingly he did neer Saint Columbe beat the Enemies Out-Guards to their Maine Guard their maine Guard being about six hundred most of them the Princes Life guard and Gentlemen then commanded by Major-General Pert who seeing no hopes of retreat drew out to give a Charge and gave a good home-charge to our first Division Maior-General Pert himself charged through but being shot was taken prisoner instantly the Enemy was put to the rout before the rest of our Divisions could come up That Division of ours that was commanded by Quartermaster-General Fincher who first charged them had the pursuit and execution of the Enemy for three or four miles wherein many were wounded and slaine about an hundred taken prisoners and about three hundred Horse But by reason the General and part of the Army retreated back this day to Bodman the Malignants began to rejoyce upon presumption that the Army was affronted and hereof they were so confident that they conveyed it up with much expedition to Oxford where it is certaine they had publick rejoycing for the great Victory obtained against FAIRFAX his Forces in Cornwal Lords day March 8. Though the day were very rainy the Army marched to other Quarters within six or seven miles of Truro to Saint Stephens Saint Blase and other parts Major-General Pert was brought to the head Quarters sore wounded he was a proper stout gallant man all meanes was used for his recovery if it might have been He satisfied divers there that those men that were so routed were the Princes Regiment most of them Gentlemen and Reformadoes That the Summons sent from the General to the Lord Hopton was not published The Copy of the Summons being read unto him he said that the conditions therein mentioned would be readily accepted by the Souldiery and if it were once published in the Army and refused by the Officers it would break them to pieces In Major-General Pert's pocket there was found a Letter intended to be sent to the Lords that were about the Prince to this purpose That the Kings condition is so low is not our fault we are not able to break through the Enemy nor strong enough to fight them therefore are resolved to compound for our selves and leave you to doe what you please This day the Lord Hopton returned back the General 's Trumpet without Answer to the Summons onely with this Apology Viz. By Colonel Rich his beating of their Guard That by reason of the interruption the last night he could not send a particular Answer to the General but would send one very shortly Which that he might vindicate from a delatory excuse he made haste and this day towards the Evening an Answer came from the Lord Hopton wherein he seemed willing to fancy the King and Parliament into a Treaty and Cessation and desired to know if it were not so as the Answer it selfe will shew the Copy whereof followeth Sir Sir Ralph Hoptons answer to his Excellencies Summons I Received yours bearing date the fift of this Moneth wherein I must acknowledge much kindnesse from you and a very Christian consideration of sparing blood But one thing there is I am confident you have too much honour to expect from me which is that to avoid any danger or to enjoy any worldly advantage I will renounce my Masters House to whom I am both a sworne Subject and a sworne Servant That I must professe I am resolved to undergoe all Fortunes with him and if there shall be cause to suffer any thing rather then in the least poynt to taint my honour in that particular and I hope there is not a man of any consideration in this Army under my command that is not so resolved yet in all honest and honourable wayes to procure the peace of this Kingdome and the sparing of Christian blood I take God to witnesse I am and still have been most desirous And I heare from good hands that our gracious Soveraigne is at present so farre advanced in a Treaty with the Parliament as that he hath promised to passe four of the principall of their Bils proposed whereof the entrusting of the Militia for seven yeers in hands agreed between them is one I desire you to deal freely with me in that particular for if that be so it will spare the labour of further Treaty being for my part ready to obey whatsoever his Majesty shall agree to God hath indeed of late humbled us with many ill successes which I acknowledge as a very certaine evidence of his just judgment against us for our personall crimes Yet give me leave to say your present prosperity cannot be so certaine an evidence of his being altogether pleased with you It is true we are reduced to a lower condition then we have been in yet have we a gallant Body of Horse that being preserved to a generall accord may be for good use against our common Enemies and being otherwise prest I may say it without vanity want not a resolution at lest to sell our selves at a deare rate against any oddes Your Propositions though they be not wholly consented to yet if a generall accord much more desirable be not in a likely forwardnesse to prevent them I shall be willing that eight Commanders of ours with three Country Gentlemen give a meeting as soon as you please to any equall number of yours at any indifferent place to consult of this great businesse and to conclude of some Propositions that may be reasonable and honourable for both Parts wherein I hope God will so blesse our cleer intentions as may produce a probable inducement to a generall Peace according to the unfained desire of Your Servant RALPH HOPTON March 8. 1645. But this Art would not do my Lord Hoptons Magick is not strong enough to condense the meer ayre of his owne fancy into a Cessation before our Armies as by the Generals Reply to this Answer the Reader may satisfie himselfe which here followes My Lord His Excellencies Reply I Should most truly and freely informe your Lordship the best I could in any thing that might lead you to a right understanding of things in order to the peace of the Kingdome or the reall good of your selfe and those with you so farre as may stand with my trust and duty to the publick to what I conceive your more certaine knowledge of that your desire to be informed in concerning the Kings offers to the Parliament would not be prejudiciall But the truth is I can give you
he attempted it And now we having the Passe at Truro the Lord Hopton drew his Forces to quarter more Westward and the Treaty was adjourned till next Morning and a Cessation observed on both Sides Wednesday the 11. The Commissioners on both sides met againe but could not make any great progresse into the Treaty the Cessation was continued for a day longer about one hundred and twenty Musquetteers came in this day with their Armes and Colours flying being of Colonel Trevanian's Regiment also divers Colonels Knights and Gentlemen of quality sent to the General making knowne their desires to be received into the protection of the Parliament which so disheartned Colonel Trevanian then with his Regiment at Perin that late that evening he sent unto his Excellency desiring he might be included in the Treaty with the Lord Hopton and have the same conditions that other Officers were to have These things so operated with the Governour of Saint Mawes Castle a principall Fort that had a great command of the Haven at Falmouth that he sent to the General to be received into favour And although Arrundell the Governour of Pendennis sent to command him to come into the Castle of Pendennis he fearing some evill intended against him refused and persisted in his former desire whereupon the General sent him conditions with a Summons which were accepted and he agreed to surrender By reason of the Cessation our Troopers mixed with the Enemies and upon this bruit abroad though without ground that the Enemies Troopers should lose their Horses they to make some advantage of them coursed good store of their best Horses to our men By twelve of the clock this night all the materiall poynts of the Treaty were concluded matters of circumstance onely remained which yet were so necessary to be concluded in order to the perfecting of the Treaty that the next day was allowed and the Cessation continued for the finishing thereof When the Treaty was fully ended and Hostages appointed the same day Saint Mawes Castle was surrendred and thirteen pieces of Ordnance in it whereof two great Brasse Pieces of about four thousand weight apiece and our Foot were sent to possesse it The Treaty being thus ended with great joy did the Enemies Officers receive our conditions and wisht they had sooner known our intentions towards them Those that seemed most discontented were the common Troopers that were to be dismounted who therefore to mend their conditions had changed away their best Horses for advantage before the disbanding And it is not to be credited how much our Army did get into the Enemies esteem during the Cessation and what sorrowfull expressions many of them did make that they han been so deluded concerning our carriage ingenuously confessing that the civility of our Army had been ever till now concealed from them Officers and Souldiers unanimously desired imployment for Jreland being willing to take the Sacrament Oath for that they proposed or to enter into what other Obligation should be thought fit That as they would never beare Armes against the Parliament in England so that they would not if they were imployed in Jreland by the Parliament desist from pursuing of their commands against the Jrish Rebels upon any countermand or other invitation of the Kings affirming that they had sufficiently smarted already for being enticed by him Saturday was appointed to be the day of disbanding which yet of very necessity was put off till the next day in the meane time one hundred and twenty more of the Enemies Foot with Colours came in and now all things being agreed the Commissioners of both sides supt this night with the General The next day which was appointed for the Disbanding was the Lords day in which the Army would have been glad to have rested but in regard time was precious and the country suffered so much by the Enemies Forces that lay upon them they by good warrant preferred mercy and necessity before sacrifice and the French Regiment under the command of Monsieur Laplane which was to be the first disbanded was that day brought to the place appointed for Disbanding Their Horses were very poore they having before by private contracts put off the best of them There were about three hundred dismounted but they having made their markets before most of their Horses as was but just were turned back upon their owne hands as not worth the twenty shillings an Horse which they were to receive according to the agreement In the space of five dayes more was the work finished and the whole Field force of the Enemy in the West of England disbanded viz. On Monday two Brigades of Horse Tuesday 17. the two Brigades of the Lord Cleveland's and Major-General Web's Wednesday 18. part of the Lord Wentworth's Colonel Bovile's Brigade Lord Hopton's Life-guard and Sir Richard Greenvil's Life-guar'd Thursday two Brigades more of which the Lord Goring's was one and the Princes Life guard Friday 20. the two last Troops of all the Cornish Horse were disbanded The number of Brigades in all that were disbanded were nine viz. the French Brigade consisting of three Regiments The Lord Wentmorth's Brigade consisting of four Regiments Sir James Smith's Brigade consisting of three Regiments The Lord Cleveland's Brigade consisting of four Regiments Major-General Web's of three Regiments The Lord Hopton's Brigade commanded by Colonel Bovile The Lord Goring's Brigade of five Regiments The Princes Life-guard consisting of nine Troops being seven hundred men armed Sir Richard Greenvil's Reformadoes The men that were dismounted are proper and lusty men To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire SPEAKER of the Honourable House of COMMONS SIR WHilst I lay at Bodman for the necessary refreshment of the Army and to block up the Passages from Bodman to the North and South Sea I sent a Summons with Propositions to Sir Ralph Hopton and the Army under his command A true Copy whereof I have here inclosed being encouraged thereunto by some of the Enemies Officers and Souldiers who came in to me and informed of their inclinablenesse to Conditions and hoping thereby either to bring them to such termes as should be to your advantage or would distract and weaken them and withall understanding by the intercepted Letters I sent you that an Irish Infantry was ready to be shipt for England I thought fit to try all meanes which in probability might break their Body of Cavalry upon the place When I had dispatched these Propositions to the Enemy J advanced upon Monday with all the Army from Bodman towards Truro being then the Enemies head Quarters and to Tregny where I quartered that night Sir RalphHopton sent a Trumpeter to me with a Letter desiring to have Commissioners apointed on both sides to meet at Tresilian-Bridge the next day with power to treat and conclude which I assented to The Treaty accordingly began the Commissioners meeting about four a clock in the Afternoon and J in the meane time advancing the quarters of the Army to Truro and
Saint Allen After some time spent between the Commissioners this agreement was made a Copy whereof I have here also enclosed and in execution thereof this day we began to disband the French Brigade under Colonel Lapland To morrow we proceed with three other Brigades they having nine in all and shall endeaveur to shorten this work as much as may be Truly Sir this must needs be acknowledged for an admirable mercy from the same gracious hand of providence that hath hitherto gone along with you that so considerable a force as this should be so baffled first at Torrington and afterwards should put themselves as it were into a Net whereby they were necessitated to take termes to the â—tter Ruine of so great a Bodie of Cavalry which according to all our information and the confession of our Enemies was not lesse at the time of the Treatie then four or five thousand Horse The Articles of Agreement will speak the mercie and needs no comment yet I hope I may make this observation upon them that thereby not onely so great a Body of Cavalry is broken but so many both Officers and Souldiers disobliged from taking armes against you and this at such a season when a Forraigne Aide so ready as the Earle of Glamorgan's Letters sent up formerly and now sent you speake at large the timely freeing of us for other services that remaine with discouragement put upon the Enemies Garrisons in these parts which we hope will cause them the more speedily to come in we trust will be good consequences of this work It 's the desire of us all the praise of all may be returned to God to whom it is onely due The reputation of this hath already produced a surrender of Saint Mawes Castle wherein we found about thirteen Guns and good proportion of Ammunition which place gives you a better interest in Falmouth-Harbour then the Enemy hath For by the advantage hereof you may bring in Shipping without hazard which they cannot It hath also occasioned the comming in of between three hundred and four hundred Foot of the Enemies with their Armes to me and given the Countries such heart against them That in Peryn a Towne formerly not very well affected and in Saint Ive they stand upon their Guards against the Enemy For further particulars concerning this businesse I referre you to Master Peters who since he came into this County where he was borne hath very much furthered the service in the bringing of the Country in so freely to the protection of the Parliament I remaine Your most humble Servant THO. FAIRFAX TRURO March 14. 1645. Articles of Agreement concluded betwixt Commissary Generall Ireton Colonell John Lambert Colonell John St. Aubin Commissary Generall Stane Captaine Edward Herle and Richard Deane Comptroller of the Ordnance Commissioners appointed on the behalfe of his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX Knight Generall of the Parliaments Army on the one part And Colonell Charles Goring Colonell Marcus Trevor Colonell Thomas Panton Colonell Jordan Bovill Sir Richard Prideaux Knight and Major Goteer Commissioners appointed on the behalfe of the Right Honourable the Lord HOPTON Generall of his Majesties Army on the other part as followeth I. IT is concluded and agreed That no person in the Lord Hopton's Army not formerly by name excepted by the Parliament from pardon shall be excluded from the privilege of this Treaty either as being a Forreigner or for having formerly served the Parliament but shall equally have the benefit of what shall upon this Treaty be granted to other persons of that quality that they are of in the Army And for any persons by name excepted by the Parliament they shall have present liberty if they desire it to goe beyond Seas with like recommendation and equipage as others of like quality or if they desire to live at home in England to make their addresses to the Parliament for that or other purpose they shall have leave and reasonable time so to do and the General 's protection to live quietly and at liberty in any place they shall nominate and chuse within the Parliaments Quarters untill they have received the Parliaments Resolution And if the Parliament shall not think fit to grant such their desires they shall then have leave and Passes to goe beyond Sea as before or to any of the King's Armies or Garrisons as they shall think fit II. That the Army and Forces under the command of the Lord Hopton shall within six dayes after the date hereof be wholy disbanded and discharged by the Lord Hopton and the Generall Officers Colonels and other Officers under his command according to the severall charges in manner hereafter expessed III. That all common Troopers Corporals of Horse Farriers and Sadlers that are mounted being of or belonging to the Forces under the command of the right honourable the Lord Hopton shall bring in and deliver up their Horses with their Bridles and Saddles and all their Armes unto his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax or unto whom he shall appoint to receive them in manner time and place as is hereafter exprest Provided that all Corporals and such common Troopers as shall appeare Gentlemen of worth and such other Troopers as shall goe beyond Sea shall be allowed to keep and carry away with them their Swords IV. That upon performance hereof they shall receive twenty shillings a man or keep their Horses and shall have their Passes to goe to their homes in England or beyond Sea with their Bag and Baggage which they shall have leave to carry with them or dispose of them as they please and those to whom Swords are allowed as before to passe with their Swords V. That the Commission-Officers of Horse under the Lord Hopton for their severall Troops respectively shall cause the said Horses and Armes to be duly delivered in without changes spoyling or imbezlement among themselves according to the effect of the first Article before-going VI. That this being performed all the said Commission-Officers of Horse in present command and all Trumpeters belonging to them shall have liberty to goe away either to their homes in England or beyond the Seas with their Bag and Baggage And also they shall have such number of Horses and Equipage as is hereafter allowed according to their severall qualities That is to say First For those that shall chuse to goe beyond the Seas the full number of Horses and Fire-armes if they have so many of their owne To Trumpeters one Horse a piece and their Trumpets To Quartermasters two Horses and one case of Pistols To Cornets three Horses and two case of Pistols To Lieutenants four Horses and three case of Pistols To Captaines Majors and Lieutenant-Colonels six Horses and four case of Pistols To Colonels eight Horses and six case of Pistols To the Adjutant generall six Horses and four case of Pistols To the other Adjutants of Brigades three Horses a piece and one case of Pistols To the Scoutmaster-generall six Horses and two
in the precedent or subsequent Articles to be carried away shall be delivered up to such persons and at such places neer Truro or Sir Thomas Fairfax his head Quarters as his Excellency shall appoint within six dayes after the date hereof without spoyle or imbezlement at the care as well of the General 's Officers of the said Army and all Commanders in their severall charges as by the persons themselves to whom such Armes or Furniture of Warre do belong or in whose custody they were XVI That whosoever shall after the conclusion of this Treaty purposely break spoyle or imbezle any of the Armes Horses or Furniture agreed and concluded to be delivered up in this Treaty shall forfeit the benefit due unto him by any Article in the Treaty And if any of the said Army after the conclusion of this Treaty shall plunder or wilfully do any violence unto any Inhabitants of the Country he shall give satisfaction unto the persons so wronged or lose the benefit of the Treaty and that the Commissioners of both parties or any three of them whereof one or more to be of Sir Thomas Fairfax his party and one or more to be of the Lord Hopton's shall have power to heare and determine all such cases accordingly XVII That the said Army and Forces under the command of the Lord Hopton from the time of the conclusion of this Treaty untill the time of their drawing out to be disbanded as in the ensuing Articles shall be quartered in such places Westward from Truro as Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint which shall be large enough for their accommodation and that the Cessation of Armes and of all Acts of Hostility betwixt the two Armies shall continue unto the time of the compleat disbanding of the Lord Hopton's Army XVIII That for the disbanding of the said Forces and delivering up of Horses Armes c. In performance of the precedent Articles Every Brigade and Regiment under the Lord Hopton's command shall by their respective Commanders be drawne out into such places of Randezvouz within two miles of Truro or Sir Thomas Fairfax his head Quarters and upon such dayes as Sir Thomas Fairfax shall for them joyntly or severally appoint notice of the same being given to his Excellency in writing sixteen hours beforehand under the Commissioners of the Lord Hopton's part or any of them two or more of whom shall for that and other purposes continue at Sir Thomas Fairfax his head Quarters untill the disbanding be finished and that the Quartermaster general or Adjutant of the Lord Hopton's with one Horsman from every Brigade shall also be there with them and that none of the said Brigades or Regiments shall be drawne out of their Quarters which shall be assigned to them as before otherwise then upon and according to such notice from Sir Thomas Fairfax as before except to and for their ordinary Guards XIX That to or before the drawing out of the severall Brigades or Regiments to such Randezvouz as before the chiefe Commanders of them respectively shall deliver unto whom Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint a true and perfect List of the Regiments and Troops in the severall Brigades and of all Officers and Souldiers in their severall Troops expressing by name which of them do chuse to goe beyond Sea and which do goe to live at home as also who are Reformadoes and in what degree of command they have served and that at the same times and places the Horses Armes and Furniture by vertue of the precedent Articles to be delivered up shall be delivered up accordingly and all the Officers and souldiers disbanded and discharged and there shall receive their passes with Warrants for quarters by the way for one night in a place and be conveyed towards their severall homes as farre as Chard if they goe so farre or unto Quarters assigned them for their transportation according to the precedent Articles That for the further performance of these Articles two Colonels of each Army shall be mutually delivered and kept as Hostages H. Ireton Jo. Lambert Jo. St Aubin William Stane Edward Herle Richard Deane Charles Coring Marcus Trevor Thomas Panton Jordan Bovill Richard Prideaux Jean Goteer There came in to the General during the Treaty many Lieutenant-Colonels Serjeant-Majors and Captaines Many Gentlemen of quality Ninety and six common Souldiers from Peryn with Armes Twelve more followed them One hundred more with their Arms and Colours of Colonel Trevanian's Regiment One hundred Officers and souldiers of Colonel Champernoon's Regiment Falmouth by this means and the surrender of St Mawes was ours on one side the Harbour Now having given you the Narrative give me leave to make some few observations on this succesfull progresse even to the Lands end which may well be the subject of greatest admiration and thankfulnesse The hard task the Army had in forcing up so great a Body as 5000 of the Enemies Horse into such a narrow neck of land through a Country so cragged in such a season of the yeer the ground all covered over with Snow the wayes so slippery and the Weather so bitter cold by a hard frost of that continuance as had not been knowne for many yeers before may well be compared with Hannibal's forcing his passage into Italy through the frozen Alps with Fire and Vinegar That five thousand Horse and more should be forced to capitulate and yeeld themselves to an Army comming short of that number in Horse is that which History can hardly paralell and Posterity will scarce beleeve And the benefit is as great as the wonder For had this Body of Horse escaped into the Mid-land parts they might in probability have much protracted the Warre and if they the Lord Ashlye's Foot and the Kings other Forces about Oxford had joyned together they would have been very considerable in the Field and so would necessarily have occasioned the diversion of the Army from the work they had in hand viz. the Reduction of the West which was of that vast importance to the Kingdom considering the Negotiations that were in France Ireland for the present bringing over Forces thither as by the intercepted Letters from those parts severally did appeare that nothing could be greater But by this good hand of God upon us this Body of the Enemy is secured their joyning prevented and all the mischiefe that would have ensued thereupon and Cornwal reduced Which last particular that you may see what a considerable summe alone and by it selfe it amounts unto cast it up and consider it as it was a Country having convenient Ports Harbours both for France and Ireland whose naturall scituation was very strong and apt for defence being all very mountainous and enwrapt with the Sea on all sides except toward Devonshire and there bounded by the River Tamar which in a right line runs almost from Sea to Sea From which advantages it hath been in ancient times one of the last places of retreat in the Kingdome and hath ever
standing in its full pride and strength being well recovered of all its wounds and batteries received in former assaults and having impregnible Works about it and great variety of invention bestowed upon it But to returne from whence I digressed to the siege of Oxford Our four Quarters being setled under their Canon shot and a Line begun to be drawne from the great Fort on Heddington Hill round Saint Clements lying without Magdalen Bridge his Excellency sent in a Summons to Sir Thomas Glenham Governour of Oxford requiring the surrender of that Garrison The Copy whereof followeth SIR I Doe by these summon you to deliver up the City of Oxford into my hands for the use of the Parliament I very much desire the preservation of that place so famous for learning from ruine which inevitably is like to fall upon it except you concurre You may have honourable termes for your selfe and all within the Garrison if you seasonably accept thereof I desire your Answer this day and remaine Your Servant THO. FAIRFAX May 11. 1646. The same day also his Excellency sent a Summons to the Governour of Borstal-house to the same effect for the substance the copy whereof followeth SIR I Doe by these summon you to deliver up the Garrison of Borstal-house into my hands for the use of the Parliament you may have honourable terms for your selfe and all within your Garrison if you seasonably accept thereof I desire your Answer this day THO. FAIRFAX May 11. 1646. As also the like to Radcoat And the same to Wallingford These four Summons were sent to the severall Garrisons May 11. Sir Thomas Glenham Governour of Oxford returned Answer to the Summons the same day as followeth SIR I Have received your Letter summoning me to surrender the City which was given me in trust for his Majesties use but in respect there are many persons of Eminency I must desire you to receive for Answer a Request that you will be pleased to send a safe Conduct for Sir John Mounson and Master Phillip Warwick to repaire unto you at such a time and place as you shall appoint by whom you shall understand what for the present is desired I remaine Your humble Servant THO. GLENHAM May 11. 1646. According as was desired passes were granted for Sir John Mounson and Master Phillip Warwick to come out of Oxford that day and meet our Commissioners Colonel Rainsborough Colonel Harlow and Colonel Lambert who were ready to receive them at the time and place appointed That which they had in commission was a desire from the Governour Sir Thâ—mas Glenham of liberty to send to the King to know his pleasure upon signification whereof from his Majesty they would returne a positive answer to his Excellency immediately Our Commissioners endeavoured to perswade them the vanity of any such desire and the Generals impatiency of any such delay advising them rather to take the present opportunity least they afterwards fell short of these termes they might now have by present compliance But Sir John Mounson and Master Warwick it seems were so bound up and limited in their Commissions that at present they could not undertake any thing in answer hereto but returning to Oxford took time till the morrow promising more then One of the Generals Trumpeters was appointed to goe with them into Oxford to bring their Answer the next morning On Tuesday May 12. The Trumpeter returned with a desire from Sir Thomas Glenham that in regard there were besides the Duke of Yorke and the two Princes many other persons of eminency Lords Knights and Parliament men otherwise Juncto men and other Gentry and Clergy besides the Inhabitants all concerned in the businesse to whom things could not possibly be represented fully in so short a time that further time might be granted by his Excellency Whereupon that what time would be lost that way might be saved the other all things went on for the siege the dispatch of the Line was hastened and order was given for the drawing up of the Batteries The same day Prince Rupert and with him neere an hundred Horse went forth of Oxford on Colonel Rainsborough's side to take the aire Prince Rupert riding without Boots only in his Shoos and Stockings a Party of our men martched up towards them and fired upon them in which skirmish Prince Rupert had a shot in the right shoulder but pierced no bone whereupon they retreated to Oxford where all sorts were very busie that day and the two following dayes consulting and advising But in issue Thursday 14. the Governour of Oxford sent to make knowne his desire to treat by Commissioners which was accepted of and a counsel of Warre being called it was concluded of Master Crook's house at Marston should be the place and on Monday following the Treaty to begin May 15. The Enemy made another sally out of Oxford and a Party of ours skirmished with them we lost two men Lords day May 17. The Governour of Oxford sent forth the names of the Commissioners for Treaty on his behalfe desiring his Excellency to returne the like number The names of both were On Sir Tho. Glenhams part On his Excellency Sir Tho. Fairfax part Sir John Mounson Lieut. Gen. Hamond Sir John Heyden Colonel Ireton Sir Thomas Gardner Colonel Lambert Sir George Bynion Colonel Rich. Sir Richard Willis Colonel Harley Sir Stephen Hawkins Scoutmaster-Gen Watson Colonel Gosnold Major Desborough Colonel Tyllier Major Harison Doctor Zouch M. Herbert Thomas Chisley Esq M. Waller M. John Dutton Four more to be named afterwards M. Jeffrey Palmer M. Phillip Warwick Capt. Robert Mead. Upon the receipt of the names of the Oxford Commissioners Sir George Bynion was excepted as being exempted from pardon by the Parliaments Propositions Much about this time also was brought to the Army the newes of the surrender of Newark it had been long besieged on the one side by Major-General Poyntz and on the other side by the Scottish Forces It was yeelded to the English Forces commanded by Major-General Poyntz who had given abundant demonstration of no lesse faithfulnesse and diligence then expert Souldiery in his attendance on that service The Scottish Forces presently upon the Kings comming to them retreated back in great haste from Newark northward before the Town was delivered or the Articles signed pretending the cause of Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army advancing toward them whereof there was little likelihood they being engaged before Oxford nor did so much as a Horse stirre that way But to returne to the Siege of Oxford A Treaty being resolved and accepted on both sides and to begin Monday the 18. Sir Thomas Glenham sent to the General desiring that in regard it was usuall at all Treaties to have a Secretary on each part That Master H. Davison his Secretary might have a Passe to come forth with their Commissioners which was 〈◊〉 unto and Master William Clark was appointed to assist the Commissioners on our part The Commissioners on the behalfe
and Pendennis month August 1646 OXford Garrison having run to its period of obstinacy against the Parliament and being now reduced many other Garrisons that attended its fate fell with it even like ripe fruit with an easie touch But these two Garrisons of Ragland and Pendennis like winter fruit hung long on Ragland Castle a strong hold in Wales Garrisoned for the King under the command of the Marquesse of Worcester scituated conveniently to command all the parts of South-Wales being straightned by some Forces of Sir Trevor Williams and Major-General Langhorne before Colonel Morgan was ordered from Worcester thither to command in chiefe the Forces that were and should be sent before it was at length formidably and closely besieged The same Captaine-Engineer that gave so good demonstration of his skill at Banbury at the reduction of that Castle Captaine Hooper was imployed here and so soon as he could get Spades and Shovels he went most dexterously to work against this Castle of Ragland Colonel Morgan at first had but fifteen hundred men to carry on the designe the Enemy was eight hundred strong within in Horse and Foot and made divers desperate sallies upon Colonel Morgan who received him as gallantly and in every of them was personally engaged with great hazard to himselfe in particular In one sally the Enemy took a Colour of ours the Cornet lost his life withall In exchange whereof a Major and Captain of the Enemies was slaine and divers wounded on the Enemies part But at length by the addition of two thousand more to Colonel Morgan from his Excellencies Army after Oxford was over as is noted before the Enemy in the Castle was reduced to more caution and taught to lye closer And especially when his Excellency in person was come thither from the Bath to put life into the Siege which was by that time in a good forwardnesse both for their Works and Approaches Who being come sent in this Summons into the Castle MY LORD BEing come into these parts with such a strength as I may not doubt but with the same good hand of providence that hath hitherto blessed us in short time to reduce the Garrison of Ragland to the obedience of the Parliament I have in order therto thought good to send your Lordship this summons hereby requiring you to deliver up to me for the Parliaments use the said Garrison and Castle of Ragland which as it onely obstructs the Kingdomes universall peace the rendition may beget such tearms as by delay or vain hopes cannot hereafter be expected I remaine My Lord Your Lordships most humble servant THOMAS FAIRFAX Leaguer before Ragland Aug. 7. 1646. 〈◊〉 which Summons begat an intercourse of many Messages from one side to the other with the copies whereof I shall continue that part of the Story SIR ALthough my infirmities might justly claime priviledge in so sudden an answer yet because you desire it and I not willing to delay your time to your letter of summons to deliver up my House and the onely house now in my possession to cover my head in these are to let you know that if you did understand the condition I am in I dare say out of your judgement you will not thinke it a reasonable demand I am loath to be the Author of mine owne ruine on both sides and therefore desire to have leave to send to his Majesty to know his pleasure what he will have done with his Garrison As for my House I presume he will command nothing neither am I knowing how either by Law or conscience I should be forced out of it To this I desire your returne and rest Your Excellencies humble servant H. WORCESTER MY LORD TOuching your sending to his Majesty it is that which hath been denied to the most considerable Garrisons of England further then an account to his Majesty of the thing done upon the surrender which I doe also freely grant to your Lordship And for that distinction which your Lordship is pleased to make it is your House If it had not been formed into a Garrison I should not have troubled your Lordship with a Summons and were it dis-garrisoned neither you nor your House should receive any disquiet from me or any that belong unto me This I thought good to returne to yours and thereby to discharge my selfe before God and the world of all extremities and sad consequences that will ensure upon the refusall of the rendition of your Garrison upon my Summons I remaine yours THO. FAIRFAX SIR I Doe so much confide in your Honour as that being at stake concerning leave to send to his Majesty I will at this time forbeare to make further motion in it Onely one thing which is extraordinary I offer to your consideration for the just cause besides my Allegeance of my reasonable request which is That upon his Majesties promise of satisfaction I am above twenty thousand pounds out of purse and if I should doe any thing displeasing unto him I am sure all that is lost and no benefit to the Parliament If you knew how well known I was in Henry Earle of Huntington's time unto your noble Grandfather at York I am assured I should receive that favour at your hands that safely you might afford God knowes if I might quietly receive my meanes of subsistence and be in security with the Parliaments approbation and freed from the malice of those Gentlemen that are of the Committee within this County I should quickly quit my selfe of the Garrison for I have no great cause to take delight in it I have that high esteem of your worth noblenesse and true judgment that knowing you will offer nothing ignoble or unworthy for me to doe as the case stands with me I desire to know what Conditions I may have and I will returne you present answer and in the meane time I rest Your humble servant H. WORCESTER MY LORD ACcording to your Lordships desire I have returned you conditions such as may be fit and satisfactory to the Souldiery To your Lordship and Family I have granted quiet and security from all violence of any that belongs to me I would perswade your Lordship not to fear any ill or disrespect from the Committee of this County I shall easily reconcile that Party or that they will doe any thing but as they shall receive order from the Parliament By this meanes you are at liberty to send to the Parliament and upon a present surrender and submission to their mercy and favour your Lordship cannot but think to receive better termes for your selfe then if you stand it out to the last extremity when besides the hazard of your person and of those in your Family which I do presume are deare to you and the spoyle of the Castle which cannot be avoyded in extreame undertakes against it Your Lordship hath no reason to expect better then the Marquesse of Winchester received who in making good Basing-house to the last narrowly escaped in
Where in respect his Majesty hath no Garison in England nor Army any where within this Kingdome and Dominion of Wales their Armes shall be delivered up to such as his Excellency shall appoint to receive them where the Souldiers shall be Disbanded and that all both Officers Gentlemen and Souldiers shall have the benefit of these ensuing Articles except persons excepted from Pardon and Composition they engaging themselves not to beare Armes hereafter against the Parliament nor doe any thing during their abode in the Parliaments Quarters prejudiciall to their Affaires III. That all such as desire to gae to their owne homes or to their private Friends shall have the General 's Passe and Protection for their peaceable repaire to and abode at the severall places they shall desire to goe unto the Officers and Gentlemen to passe with their Horses and Armes also such Officers or Gentlemen Reformed or not Reformed that want Horses shall martch with their Arms and all Officers Gentlemen Souldiers and others shall passe with Bag and Baggage IV. That all Officers Gentlemen and others comprized within this present Capitulation shall have three moneths time allowed them to remaine in any place within the Parliaments Quarters for the endeavouring their Peace and Composition and all Gentlemen that desire to goe beyond the Seas shall have their Passes for themselves and their Servants and all other Necessaries to any Sea Port to Ship themselves they paying the usuall Rate Provided They goe within three Moneths after the said surrender and that all Gentlemen Officers and others as shall desire to take Foraigne entertainment shall without exception have Passes for themselves and servants to goe to London or elswhere to treat with any Ambassadour or other to that purpose with their Bag and Baggage to martch to any Sea Port to be transported whither they please they likewise paying the usuall Rates accustomed V. That such as are wounded or sick shall either have liberty to stay in the Castle or be removed to such other places as the Governour shall choose for their Recovery VI That no Officers Gentlemen or Souldiers during these three moneths shall be questioned for any word spoken or acts done Relating to this War since the commencement of it That no person comprized within these Articles be Reproached Affronted Plundered or Injured in their martch quarters or places of abode or any person that shall Receive them shall be molested or suffer any prejudice therefore but shall have liberty during the limited time to passe about their lawfull occasions Provided they act nothing to the prejudice of the Parliament and in case any of these Articles be broken by any particular person that the punishment extend no further then the party so offending and that all these Articles may be faithfully observed according to the true intent thereof without any cavil or mental Reservation to infringe them or any of them On Wednesday August 19. The Castle was surrendred according to agreement to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax for the use of the Parliament the Enemy was no sooner martched forth but his Excellency entred the Castle took a view of it had some conference with the Marquesse and afterwards went that night to Chepstow where he was nobly entertained by the Committee there from whence on Thursday 20. he returned to his Quarters at Bath This Castle of Ragland was a very strong piece having a deep Mote encompassing it besides the River running by it there were delivered up with iâ— twenty pieces of Ordnance onely three Barrels of Powder but they had a Mill with which they could make a Barrell a day there was found great store of Corne and Man â—t Wine of all sorts and Beere the Horses they had left were not many those that were almost starved fur want of Hay of which they had none left not many Oats so that the Horses had like to have eaten one another for want of meat and therefore were tyed with chains there was also great store of Goods richFurniture found in theCastle which his Excellency committed to the cure and custody of Master Herbert Commissioner of the Army Mr. Roger Williams and Major Tuliday to be inventoâ—ied and in case any of the welaffected of the country could make a just claime to any of them as being violently taken from them of they compelled to bring them in thither they should have them restored There martched out of the Castle the Marquesse of Worcester the Lord Charley the Marquesses Sonne the Countesse of Glamorgan the Lady Jones Sir Phillip Jones Doctor Bayley Commissary Guilliam four Colonels eighty two Captaines sixteen Lientenants six Cornets four Ensignes four Quartermasters fifty two Esquires and Gentlemen Not any that martched forth had the least incivility offered them by our Souldiers but the Articles punctually observed to them After the Reduction of Ragland his Excellencies Forces being at liberty and there being three or four Garrisons in North-Wales yet unreduced before which Major-General Mitton was with some Forces his Excellency sent to Major-General Mitton offering him for the more expeditions reduction of those places to send him either Foot Horse or Artilery But his Excellency understanding from him that he had more Forces from the country then he could well maintain his Excellency commanded the Forces intended that way to martch to Quarters neer Oxford leaving the work of reducing those Garrisons wholly to Major-General Mitton who had given so great testimony both of his ability and faithfulnesse in former actions And now to Pendennis Pendennis castle a strong Hold in the utmost parts of Cornwal standing upon the Sea commanding in a great part the Harbour of Falmouth where Ships that Trade to the East frequently put in Garrisoned for thc King under the command of John Arundel of Trease Esquire was blockt up by part of his Excellencies Army under the command of Colonel Fortescue by land and by Captaine Batten Viceadmiral of the Parliaments Ships by Sea about the latter end of July the Enemy made a sally by Botes to fetch in reliefe but were forced back with losse About ten dayes before which a Summons was sent them but they in hope of Reliefe by Ships from Saint Mallowes returned a deniall and after those Ships were by contrary windes beaten to Morleys yet the Enemy persisted in his obstinacy expecting a propitious blast to bring their Reliefe to them nor could the fate of Oxford Worcester and Litchfield surrendred comming to their eares work them to any other resolution then to hold out without his Majesties speciall Warrant to surrender whom the Governour was very earnest to obtaine liberty to send unto or if not to the King at lest to the Prince and would faine have perswaded Colonel Fortescue to condiscend thereto as but a common curtesie but could not prevaile he not understanding it so by a Lieutenant of ours whom Colonel Fortescue exchanged another of theirs for he understood that a Shallop had gone forth about
3 others Lieut. Gen. Cromwel Ear. of Northampton Oxfordshire 500 April 16 1645 Bletchington hous By a party of horse and dragoons 4 houres  150  450 3 Lieut. Gen. Cromwel Col. Windebanke Oxfordshire 72 April 26 1645 neer Farringdon By a party of horse 2 houres 10 40  50 3 Col. Io. Fienes  Berkshire 150 April 27 1645 Bampton-Bush By a party of horse 2 houres  230  200  Lieut. Gen. Cromwel Col. Sir W. Vaughan Oxfordshire 60 May 11 1645 Taunton relieved the first time By part of the Army 54 200 slain in the siege 200  260  Col. Welden General Goring Somersetshire 30 May 22 1645 Oxford foot and horse Routed By a party of horse  3 200  200 1 Adjutant Flemming Capt. Gardiner Oxfordshire 12 May 24 1645 Godstow-house quitted  2 10  30  General Fairfax  Oxfordshire 6 June 1 1645 Gaunt-house yielded 3 2 82  100  Col. Rainsborough  Oxfordshire  June 14 1645 Naseby Battell fought in 2 houres 800 4500 12 and two Mort. pices 8000 112 Gen. Fairfax King Charles Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice Northamptonshire 200 June 18 1645 Leicester town yielded 3 6  14 2600 8 Gen. Fairfax Lord Hastings Leicestershire 300 June 27 1645 Highworth garris yielded 3 houres 4 70  180 2 Gen. Fairfax Major Hen Wiltshire 12 July 3 1645 Taunton Relieved the second time 5 weeks 1000 of the enemies 400  400  Gen. Fairfax Lord Goring Somersetshire 460 July 8 1645 Ilchester garrison quit 1    18  Gen. Fairfax Col. Phelips Somersetshire  July 1645 Ilmore Fight By a party of horse 2 houres 50 200  300 9 Major Gen. Massie Lord Goring Somersetshire 300 July 10 1645 Lamport Battell Lamport Garrison Fought and quit 1 60 1600 2 2500 32 Gen. Fairfax Lord Goring Somersetshire 1200 July 13 1645 Burrough hil fort yielded 4 8 151  200  Col. Okey  Somersetshire  July 23 1645 Bridge water stormed 11 30 1600 44 3000 9 Gen. Fairfax Col. Windham Somersetshire 200 July 30 1645 Bath City yielded 1  140 6 400 2 Col. Rich Sir Thomas Bridges Somersetshire 11 August 4 1645 A Club-Army on Hamilton-hill routed 1 houre 60 400  600 12 Lieut. Gen. Cromwel Master Bravel of Compton Dorsetshire  August 15 1645 Sherburne Castle Battered and stormed 16 200 of ours 340 19 600 2 Gen. Fairfax Sir Lewis Dives Dorsetshire 30 August 20 1645 Nunny Castle yielded 2 5   100  Col. Rainsborough Capt. Turbervile Somersetshire  August 28 1645 Portshotpoint Fo. yielded 6 3  6 140 1 Lieut. Col. Kempson  Somersetshire  Septemb. 10. 1645 Bristol City stormed 18 160 of ours 200 151 6000 8 Gen. Fairfax Prince Rupert Somersetshire and Gloucestershire 20 Septemb. 23 1645 Devizes Castle yielded 7 5  2 400  Gen. Fairfax Sir Charles Lloyde Wiltshire  Septemb. 24 1645 Laicock house yielded 2      Col. Pickering Col. Bovill Wiltshire  Septemb. 25 1645 Barkley Castle stormed 9 40 90 11 500  Col. Rainsborough Sir Charles Lucas Gloucestershire  October 8 1645 Winchester Castle yielded 6 4  7 500  Lieut. Gen. Cromwel Lord Oagle Hantshire  October 14 1645 Basing house stormed 6 40 300 11 500  Leiut Gen. Cromwel Marq. of Winchester Hantshire 80 October 18 1645 Langford house yielded 1      Lieut. Gen. Cromwel Sir Barth Pell Wiltshire  October 20 1645 Tiverton castle stormed 6 4 200 4 400 2 Gen. Fairfax Sir Gilbert Talbot Devonshire 20 January 8 1645 Near Barnstaple quarters beaten up By a party of horse   80  100 2 A Captain of the Plimouth Regiment Sir Allen Apsley Devonshire 80 January 1645 Bowe fight by a party 3 houres  60  100  Sir Hardresse Waller  Devonshire 40 January 9 1645 Bovy-Tracy quarters beaten up By a party of horse and foot  12 60  200 â—one of the K. with C. â— Lieut. Gen. Cromwel Lord Wentworth Devonshire 350 January 16 1645 Plimouth siege raised By the advance of the Army   22 5 left in the works 80  Gen. Fairfax Major Generall Sir John Digby Devonshire  January 19 1645 Dartmouth stormed 7 20 800 106 1600 14 Gen. Fairfax Sir Hugh Pollard Devonshire 60 January 25 1645 Poulderhamcastle yielded 1   2 300  Col. Hamond Sir 〈◊〉 Meredith Devonshire  February 16 1645 Torrington stormed  60 400 80 baâ—… of powd fired 1600 9 Gen Fairfax Lord Hopton Lord Wentworth Lord Capell Devonshire 70 February 24 1645 Engagement of horse near Stratton by a party  12 40  250 4 Col. Butler Major Gen. Web Devonshire 300 February 25 1645 Launceston quitted after dispute 2 houres 3 160  200  Gen. Fairfax  Cornwall 30 February 28 1645 Saltash garrison quitted    3 left in the works   Gen. Fairfax  Cornwall  February 29 1645 Lisard Town quitted    3   Gen. Fairfax  Cornwall  March 3 1645 Mount Edgcomb yielded    5   Gen. Fairfax Col. Edgecombe Cornwall  March 3 1645 Foy Town quitted   60 10 140  Gen. Fairfax  Cornwall  March 1645 Castle-Dennis engagement of horse by a party   100  300  Col. Rich Major Gen. Pert Cornwell 300 March 14 1645 Treaty at Truro Horse disbanded     2000 â—… Colours of horse Gen. Fairfax L. Hopton L. Wentw. Cornwall 4500 disbanded March 16 1645 Exmouth Fort yielded 46   16   Col. Sir Har. Waller Col. Arundell Devonshire  March 16 1645 Dennis Fort yielded    22 200 2 Gen. Fairfax  Cornwall  April 1646 Corfe castle By stratagem and storm 48 11  5   Col. Bingham Major Laurence Dorsetshire  April 13 1646 Excester city yielded 180 100 40 75 1500  Gen. Fairfax Sir Iohn Berkley Devonshire  April 15 1646 S Michaels mount yielded 15   15 400  Col. Hamond Sir Arthur Basset Cornwall  April 20 1646 Barnstaple Town Castle and Fort. yielded 30 20  35 400  Gen. Fairfax Sir Allen Apsley Devonshire  April 1646 Dunster Castle yielded 150 20  6 200  Col. Blagge Col. Windham Somersetshire  April 1646 Woodstock gar yielded 20 40  2   Col. Rainsborough Capt. Fawcet Oxfordshire  May 1646 Salcomb Fort yielded 50   8   Col. Welden Col. Fortescue Devonshire  May 1646 Banbury Castle yielded  8  9 600 8 Col. Whaley Sir William Compton Oxfordshire  May 1646 Radcot Fort yielded 15 6  2 140  Col. Saunderson Col. Palmer Berkshire  June 10 1646 Borstall House yielded 18   5 300  Gen. Fairfax Sir William Compton Buckinghamshire  June 24 1646 Oxford City yielded 55 60  300 2000  Gen. Fairfax The Lords of the privy Councell and Sir Thomas Glemham Oxfordshire  June 24 1646 Farringdon house yielded 55 40  4 500  Sir Robert Pye Sir William Courtney Oxfordshire  July 22 1646 Worcester City yielded  20  25 1500  Col. Rainsborough Col. Washington Worcestershire  July 27 1646 Wallingford cast yielded 65 5  7 800 7 Gen. Fairfax Col. Thomas Blagge Berkshire  August 17 1646 Pendennis castle yielded  17  94 860  Col. Fortescue Col. Arundell and Sir John Digby Cornwall  August 19 1646 Ragland castle yielded  20  23 500  Gen. Fairfax Marq. of Worcester Munmouthshire  Place this Table between folio 334. and 335.