desirous to settle a clear and right intelligence between us and our Subjects of our ancient Kingdome of Scotland which may be an assured foundation of their happinesse and peace for the time to come and an effectual means to root out all the seeds of animosity and divisions caused by these late troubles and also to unite the hearts and affections of our subjects one to another and of them all to us their King and lawfull Soveraign to the end that by their Obedience to our Royal and just Authority we may be put in a Condition to maintain them in peace and prosperity and to protect them in their Religion and Liberty as it appertains to us according to our charge and office of a King And as we have alwayes resolved to contribute whatever is to be done by us to obtain these good effects and for the just satisfaction of all our Subjects in this Kingdome We have now thought fit upon the Return of Mr. Windram to command and desire you to send unto us Commissioners sufficiently authorized to treat and agree with us both in Relation to the Interest and just satisfaction of our Subjects there as also concerning the aid and assistance which in all reason we may expect from them to bring and reduce the murtherers of our late most dear father of happy memory to condigne punishment and to recover our just rights in all our Kingdomes And we will that they attend us on the fifteenth of March at the Town of Breda where we intend to be in Order thereunto And in confidence of a Treaty as also to make known to you and all the World that we sincerely desire to be agreed VVe have resolved to addresse these unto you under the Name and Title of a Committee of Estates of our Kingdome of Scotland and will and expect that you use this grace no other wayes for any advantage to the prejudice of us or our affairs beyond what we have given this Qualification and Title for namely for the Treaty and in order to it Although we have considerations sufficient and very important to disswade and oblige us to do nothing in this kind antecedently at this time Also we hope the confidence which we declare to have in your clear and candid intentions towards us will furnish you with strong Arguments to form in your selves a mutual confidence in us which by the blessing of God Almighty by your just and prudent moderation and by that great desire we have to oblige all our Subjects of that Kingdome and by the means of the Treaty which we attend and hope for may be a good foundation of a full and happy peace and an assured security to this Nation for the time to come which we assure you is wished of us with passion and which we shall endeavour by all means in our power to effect This is the full of his Majesties Letter to the Committee of Estates in Scotland and much to this effect was there another writ by him to the Committee of the Kirk But this I the rather fully insert in regard of the many Calumnies cast upon it and by it upon his Majesty His enemies hereby taking occasion to carp upon him by pretending his inveterate desire of revenge which was so contrary to the last precepts given him by his dying father I think I need not answer his enemies objection they by those carps only condemning themselves of a self-guiltinesse but to the more sober sort of people I shall referre it and let them seriously consider whether the beginning progresse and end of the Letter demonstrate him not a man more addicted to peace and quietnesse then to revenge and destruction The principal Objection which his enemies have against him is that he desires the aid of his Scotch Subjects to bring the murderers of his Father to condigne punishment does this shew him a lover of Revenge or of Justice I would fain know which of his enemies or of his Fathers Murderers would not should I have done the same to any of their so near Relations have endeavoured to have brought me under the utmost censure of the Law But to proceed these letters are seriously debated both in the Committee of Estates and Kirk the first order its confideration to a select sub-Committee of their own consisting of nine Lords and others who present their opinions upon it to the grand Committee and these provide ready a state of the Case to be presented to the Parliament of Scotland which was shortly after to assemble But mean while a select number of the Kirk and State make up a Committee who by common consent were to consider what was to be done about sending Commissioners and Propositions to his Majesty these had strong and serious debates for the arrogant Kirkmen would not have his Majesty admitted into Scotland but upon Conditions which should make him wholly subservient to their commands but the State would have such tart conditions wholly waved and though their own were rough enough yet at length a mediation is concluded on between theirs and the Kirks And the Earle of Castles the Lord Lothian Burley and Libberton Sir Iohn Smith and Mr. Ieoffreys for the Estates Mr. Broady Lawson and Wood are appointed Commissioners for the Kirk These having received their Commissions and Instructions took their journey for Holland arrived at Breda some few daies before his Majesty got thither On the 16. March 1649. he also arrived there and on the 19. the Lord VVent worth Master of the Ceremonies conducted them to Audience being come before his Majesty who in a large Chamber purpose provided expected them The Lord Castles in behalf of the Estates and Mr. Lawson in behalf of the Kirk having made their Speeches declared the occasion of their coming and shewing their Commissions they delivered the ensuing Propositions in the behalf both of the Kirk and States of Scotland 1. That all those who had been excommunicated by the Church still continued so should be forbid accesse to Court 2. That all Acts of the Parliament of Scotland should be by him ratified and approved of That the solemn League and Covenant the Presbyterian Church-government The Directory Confession and Catechisme should be enjoyned in Scotland and the same used and practised in his family and an Oath to be taken by him that He would never oppose it or endeavour to alter it 3. That he would by solemn Oath and under his hand and seal declare and acknowledge his allowance of the solemn League Covenant and the National Covenant of Scotland 4. That he would consent and agree that all civil matters might be determined by subsequent Parliaments in Scotland and all Ecclesiastical matters by the General Kirk assembly as was formerly granted by his Royal father To these Propositions his Majesty demanded Whether this were fully and wholly all that the Committee of Estates and Kirk in Scotland had to desire or propound and whether these Commissioners
THE HISTORY OF His Sacred Majesty CHARLES the II. Third MONARCH of GREAT BRITAIN Crowned KING of SCOTLAND At SCOONE the first of Ianuary 1650. Begun from the Death of his Royall Father of Happy Memory and continued to the present year 1660. By a Person of Quality Bona agere mala pati Regium est LONDON Printed for Iames Davies and are to be sold at the Greyhound in Saint Paul's Church-yard 1660. To the Right Honourable HENRY Lord Marquess of DORCHESTER Earl of Kingston Viscount Newark Lord Pierrepoint and Manvers c. Right Honourable IT was not upon long Considerations but easie resolutions that I pitched upon your Lordship and determined to presume upon your patronage of this small review of the actions of his SACRED MAJESTY whose hard fortunes may now demand a Subjects protection since I could no where else find a person who bears so great a â—ame of true honour Generosity nor one whose assured loyalty will make him lesse ashamed or afraid to own his Prince And indeed my Lord when I looked upon these Nations once I may say almost peopled with Nobles and now in a great measure deprived both of her nobility and gentry 't was easie for me to find out the Prime of those remaining which a small search told me was your Lordship who though you have been no whit behind the foremost in Loyalty yet God hath been pleased to make others drink deeper in the Cup of affliction then your self But all those miseries which either your Lordship or other loyal persons have suffered cannot come in competition with those undergone by his SACRED MAJESTY who hath drunk up the very dregs of the Cup and suffered more then can be well spoken yet all with so incomparable a patience as worthily deserves our wonder My Lord you are amongst the Prime of the Nobility which God hath yet been pleased to spare this miserable Nation and as you are so I could not think any person fitter for the patronage of this small piece since both your loyalty may make you willing and your power able to protect it If I have soar'd too high either in the subject or dedication I shall humbly crave your Lordships pardon and answer to the first That I was willing to vindicate my Sovereign as far as in me lay from those many reproaches and calumnies cast upon him by his back-biting enemies by giving the best account that either my own knowledge or the surest intelligence I could get might enable me to of all his actions that he might appear the contrary of what he is represented and dirt be cast in the faces of his accusers To the second I wholly cast my self on your Lordship either to pardon or condemn But if my love to his Majesty may in the judgements of some have strained my pen too much in his favour I desire it may be imputed not to my intent but passion for the unworthy sufferings of so worthy a Prince would irritate any loyal Subject My Lord whilst your Lordship shall be graciously pleased to Patronize this small work that GOD would be pleased to restore his Majesty to be Patron of his Kingdomes people blesse your Lordship with all imaginary blessings shall be the daily prayer of Your Lordships most humble Servant I. D. To the Right Honourable Major General Richard Brown Colonel of the Regiment of horse of the City of London Alderman Iohn Robinson Colonel of the Green Regiment of the Cities Trained Bands Ald. Anthony Bateman Col. of the Red Ald. William Wale Col. of the White Mr. William Vincent Col. of the Blew Mr. Thomas Bludworth of the Orange and Mr. Lawrence Bromfield of the Yellow Right Honourable MAlice and error are the Epidemical diseases of our time and land so that whoever as a friend to his Countrey shall presume to discover any thing of a spirit of Love or Truth is likely to exasperate not a few That I trust both the Author and my self the Stationer have endeavoured to do and therefore must expect to meet with the hard censures and Calumnies of many yea even of such of whom we have no worse thoughts then that they suffer themselves to be abused with popular mistakes and unnecessary jealousies concerning that most Christian and Illustrious though now clouded Prince the subject of the following Book Whose eares according to the Ephesians Hieroglyphick of Calumny have been opened too wide to the malevolent aspersions of ignorant ill-interested persons and are therefore prejudiced against every relation that may represent him to the World as lovely and desirable We know Themistocles had the unhappy fate to be rendred odious to the people by Aristides gallant persons both but the latter under a mistake These we pity rather then be angry at them and desire to cure them of their beloved distemper by presenting them with this succinct and faithfull History But yet that I may not be altogether unprovided of a shelter if the storm of their zealous frenzy should chance to fall upon me besides a recourse to my own integrity which Ianus-like will make me Tanto frontosior quanto innocentior I humbly crave a room under the shadow of your wings where I question not but to lye safe Your honours have taken a charge upon you which obliges you to maintain the publick and common good interest of this Land and City where Res est publica Caefar Et de communi pars quoque nostra bono est Therefore to patronize the recommendation of his virtues for imitation and of his sufferings for commiseration cannot be unworthy your honours which is the humble desire of Your Humble and Obedient Servant JAMES DAVIES To all loyal Englishmen Gentlemen and fellow-Subjects I Here present you an History which though now you may confident I am you very lately could not in reason expect such was the perversnesse and crookedness of these times that no loyal subject might without danger attempt to write nay hardly to speak the truth of his Soveraign for a sort of men there were who having by violence usurped his Dominions thought that they had no surer ground to maintain their unjust possession then by scandalizing his most SACRED MAIESTY and deceiving of his Subjects many of whom had not but by such deceits converted their loyalty into Treason Yet God I hope will now be pleased to return them to their Allegiance and give encouragement to those who have constantly continued loyal that they may at length once more enjoy happinesse and every man sit under his own Vine and under his own fig-tree which the GOD of HEAVEN be praised we have now greater hopes of then ever If I have in this History-offended any loyal person I am heartily grieved I have impartially endeavoured the truth and if I be found in the contrary reason will easily convince me and I shall be sorry that neither my knowledge or intelligence extended to a more narrow search I think I have
represented his Majesty no otherwise then any loyal person for this age requires that distinction that hath either heard of or known him will confesse him to be but if they will not let them be convinced by that saying of a worthy Gentleman long time an attendant upon his Majesty who having given me a large account of his virtues at length concluded That Tully himself if now alive could not sufficiently expresse his praise Gentlemen it is to you in General that I present this History that you may see and be sensible to whom you have been loyal and then I believe that you will judge that your loyalty hath found it's just reward in being loyal to so just a Prince and if any of you have suffered for him read but his sufferings you cannot value your own Yet I intend not this at all to his pretended Tavern friends which I believe whilest they are so are so onely there and indeed I cannot look upon these as faithfull Subjects for how can that man be loyal to his Prince who hath not the power to be true unto himself Drunken subjects though never so loyal will prove the ruine both of themselves and their Soveraign Gentlemen let those that are truly loyal joyn their prayers with mine for the happinesse of his most SACRED MAIESTY since in his we must necessarily include our own and more then ours our COVNTRIES To the Readers in general Courteous Readers IF in this History I have displeased any person they cannot be so much displeased as I am sorry I have endeavoured to please all nor have I more then Iustice enforced me to favoured any I have laboured as I professed to write impartially where I have not done so I am confident there will not want Carpers If in some particulars affection hath swayed me though I confesse it a fault yet it brings it's excuse What loyal Subject can relate his Soveraigns sufferings without a passion what Free born English man's heart begins not to rise within him when he does but think of those Tyrannies and Oppressions his Native Countrey hath of late groaned under where I have been bitter it has been with reason where sweet with a great deal of Iustice Yet one thing I shall desire the Reader to take notice of that when I speak of the Presbyterians I mean not those moderate people who are as truly loyal as they are godly but some amongst them like wolves in sheeps clothing such as Straughan and Kerry in Scotland who only pretend themselves to be Presbyterians but are in their proof found Sectaries these are the Flea-bitten Clergy the Sowers of strife and sedition and a scandal to those to whom they pretend to be Brethren To conclude that all the Subjects of this Land may with one heart and voice agree together for the Restauration of our afflicted Sovereign but of our more afflicted selves to just Rights and Priviledges is the earnest prayer of A Hearty well-wisher to his Countrey THE HISTORY OF CHARLES the II. Third MONARCH of Great Britain c. THe Histories of Englands late oppreessours have already cloy'd and overladed the exuberant Presse whole Volumes daily coming forth either of the Actions of the late long Parliament or the Life of their aspiring Generall Cromwell which though adorn'd with all those flatteries that could possibly proceed from the most beneficed pens yet cannot in the least justifie their actions to the more sober sort of people for though their memories may here smell sweet to some who have rather tasted of their favour then suffered under their oppression yet do they but render them to the sufferers more infamous and to the Neuter ridiculous like the extolling of Don Quixot's Chivalry And though there have been some who have adventured to set them out to the life and paint them in their own colours yet have many of these as far exceeded the bounds of Truth as the others came short of it rather exasperated by their own or to please their fellow-sufferers into so great extremes have either side been lead out of fear or flattery anger or passion Moderation and Impartiality are the chiefest virtues of an Historian and therefore he who writes an History should chuse such a subject to write on where neither fear nor gain can induce him to flatter anger or passion to too much bitternesse Most of our modern Historians have proposed to themselves either profit advantage or employment by their Works which hath made them run into their so many grosse errours and flatteries whilst had they only endeavoured to represent things persons and actions impartially they had gained to themselves farre greater honour of true Writing I have chosen a subject to write of which I conceive may lead me to a mediocrity the Persons afflictions may induce me to pity him but they will in most mens judgements restrain me from flattery Nor need I out of fear I being now though unwillingly out of his reach mince the truth of his if any bad actions I confesse the Task I undertake is highly adventurous my pen may slip times may change however my heart shall guide me to an impartiality Charles the II. Heir apparent to the Crown of Great Britain and Ireland and crowned King of Scots whose History I intend to treat of was born on the 29. of May 1630. to the great joy of the King Queen and indeed the whole Nation for never yet had England a Prince born of so noble an extract and grand Alliance his father by lineal right and descent King of Great Britain and Ireland his mother daughter to that thrice Illustrious Prince Henry the Fourth King of France and worthily sirnamed the Great and Maria de Medicis By his Grand-mothers side was he near allied to the Kings of Denmark by the marriage of his Aunt the noble Princesse Elizabeth to the Elector Palatine of Rhene and King of Bohemia and afterwards by the marriage of his Royall Sister the Princesse Mary to the Prince of Orange Thus was he allied to most of the most Potent Princes in Christendome And happy might this Nation have been under his Government if we may believe the vogue of that wisest of men Solomon who pronounces that Kingdome blessed whose Prince is the son of Nobles He was some years after his birth according to the ancient Customes of England for the Kings Eldest son invested Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester and was in his minority brought up under the care of the Earle of Neweastle till in the year 1646. the Lord Hopton's Army in which he was being near inclosed by Sir Thomas Fairfax Generall of all the Parliaments Forces in the Devizes of Cornwall and the King his Fathers affairs being in a desperate condition all over England he was by the serious advice of his best friends perswaded to taâ—e shipping and depart for the Scillies from whence he was by the Parliament invited to return to London but he thought
losse he had saved himself by escaping out of the Field and had afterwards to disguise himself changed his habit with a Highlander yet all could not prevail to his Escape for the whole Countrey was raised up in armes in search after him and a price set upon his head by the States but especially the Presbyterian Ministers exhorted the people to endeavour his attachment as a thing necessary to their Salvation At length the whole Countrey being up in armes about him and no way left for this distressed Marquess to escape he thought it better to throw himself upon the Lord Aston formerly a friend of his and now out in the search with some of his Tenants then fall into the hands of his more inveterate and implacable enemies But this Lord notwithstanding he had formerly been Montrosse's follower either out of fear or covetousness durst not conceal him but sent him with a strong Guard to David Lesley by whom he was directly sent to Edenburgh and shortly after brought to his Tryal before the Parliament of Scotland where all the while notwithstanding those many ignominious affronts and disgraces thrown upon him as his being in triumphant manner brought through Edenburgh bound in a Cart yet he carried himself with so much Magnanimity and Courage That those of his Enemies who did not pity him yet were almost ashamed of their villanies towards him The Parliament of Scotland upon the first newes of this Noble Marquess being made a prisoner met and resolved to passe a sentence upon him before either he was come up or had at all answered for himself though when they allowed him to speak somewhat for himself which he pronounced with gravity void of Passion yet he had as good have held his peace for the sentence being agreed upon it was pass't to this effect That he should be carried to the place from whence he came and from thence tomorrow being the 21. day of May 1650. be carried to the high Crosse in Edenburgh and be hanged upon a Gibbet thirty foot high and there hang for the space of three hours in the sight and view of all people with his History and Declaration hanging about his Neck after which he should be taken down beheaded and quartered his head to be placed upon the Talbooth or Prison house in Edenburgh and his leggs and arms over the gates of the Cities of Sterling Glascow S. Iohns town and Aberdeen And in case he repented by which means his sentence of Excommunication might be taken off by the Kirk the bulk of his body might be buried in Grayfriers if not to be buried in the Common burying place for thieves and robbers Thus far did their unparallel'd hatred and malice extend even to his dead Corps This Sentence being aggravated by the Chancellor in the utmost terms of horrour that his spleen could invent was yet mildly and unpassionately received by this Illustrious Marquess who answered nothing to it But That he took it for a greater honour to have his head stand on the prison gate for this quarrel then to have his picture in the Kings Bed-chamber And least his loyalty should be forgotten they had highly honoured him in designing lasting Monuments to four of the chiefest Cities to bear up his memorial to all posterity wishing he had flesh enough to have sent a piece to every city in Christendome to witness his loyalty to his King and Countrey The next day being the day appointed for his Execution richly habited in a scarlet cloak laced with gold but his Soul adorned with constant Loyalty the far richer Ornament of the two he marched along the street with so composed a Courage and Gravity that most of his Enemies either pityed or admired him being come to the place of Execution he was some time detained with many frivolous questions of that flea bitten Clergy being ready to mount up the ladder he said it was Iacob's ladder by which he should mount to Heaven His Speech to the people was short and that much to this effect That he was sorry if his end should be scandalous to any good Christian but that it often happened to the righteous according to the wayes of the wicked that they who knew him should not disesteem him for this ignominious death That he confessed it was the judgement of God upon him for his private sins but as for his condemners they were but instruments That they had perverted judgement and justice and oppressed the poor yet he desired God to forgive them for he heartily forgave them That what he did in that Kingdome he did it in obedience to the just commands of his Sovereign to assist him against those which rose up against him That it was not his fault that he lay under the censure of the Church since 't was only for doing his duty That for what was said of him that he should blame the King he said 't was most false for saies he the late King lived a Saint and died a Martyr That if ever he should wish his soul in any mans place it should be in his That for the King now living he was a Prince under whom any people might live most happily his commands were righteous his promises faithfull and his dealings just Finally that he commended his soul to God his service to his Prince his good will to his friends and his name and charity to all good people This was the summe of his Speech on the ladder which and some private prayers being finished he mounted up to the top of that prodigious Gibbet where his History and Declaration being tied about his neck and his hands bound by the Executioner he turned about and gave him some gold asking If they had any more dishonour as they conceived it to put upon him he was ready to accept it and then with a great deal of magnanimity bidding the Executioner turn him off when he should hold up his hands it was accordingly performed Thus nobly lived and thus ignominiously and yet nobly died the truest of friends the loyallest of Subjects the faithfullest of servants the best of Masters and the valiantest of Captains Iames Graham Marquesse of Montrosse Earl of Rincardin Lord of Groam and Baron of Montdieu whose death was not only lamented as a private but rather as a publick loss most of the Princes in Europe deploring the unfortunate fall of so Noble and Heroick a person For he was endowed with such winning graces that wherever he came he was both honoured and esteemed and where-ever he Comâ—â—nded both feared and loved His enemies Malice though he was dead kept still alive for after they had beheaded him and cut off his quarters they would not permit that Bulk of his body which remained to be buried in any other place then the Borough Moor But this noble Marquess suffered not alone for soon after Col. Hurrie notwithstanding he pleaded the benefit of Quarter young Spotswood of Daersie a most compleat Gentleman Sir Francis
Hay Col. Sibbalds two most accomplished persons though they had all the favour to be beheaded There was like wise one Captain Charters who being put in hopes of life by the perfidious Kirk upon his recantation made a long Speech upon the Scaffold acknowledging his Apostacy from the Covenant and desiring to be reconciled to the Kirk but had notwithstanding his head struck off This was the fatal and Tragical Event of his Majesties affairs in Scotland under Montrosse's Conduct let us now turn to see how the Treaty at Breda went on in the mean time But before I proceed any farther give me leave to speak a word or two concerning the Magnanimous Col. VVil Sibbalds who say some confessed himself guilty of the Murder of D. Dorislaus the English Agent at the Hague which I must ingeniously confesse I believe upon good grounds to be only a Calumnie and Scannal raised from the so far extended Malice of his Enemies for I can find nothing either in his Speech at death or in any Records of credit tending to such a Confession though much against any likelyhood of it nor can I imagine that any man could with so much resolution as he dyed with part from this World and have so great a load and blot upon Conscience But to proceed Great debates there were in the mean time between his Majesty and the Scotch Commissioners concerning the Treaty and great demurres there were upon it for besides the striving of some Lords who had a kind of a serious Antipathy to the Scots perfidiousnesse and endeavoured to perswade his Majesty not to trust them who had betrayed his Father The King himself stuck highly as he had reason about the business of Taking the Covenant For 1. There was no reason why he should be enforced to relinquish the Religion of his Fathers and whilest he permitted to his Subjects Liberty of Conscience it would be very inconsistent with their so earnestly pretended desires of a peace and agreement to deny him the same priviledge which he gave them 2. That Covenant tendred and so earnestly prest upon him by them was an Obligatory Covenant to bind the Subjects to him and not for him to swear to and therefore he judged it sufficiently satisfactory to passe an Act for the peoples taking it Whilest these demurres and delayes were in the Treaty the Scotch Commissioners give a visit to the Illustrious Prince of Orange whom they intreat to be a Mediator between them and their King His Majesty like wise withdraw's himself for some time from Breda to the Hague there to advise with his Aunt the Queen of Bohemia the Prince of Orange and other friends about what he were best to resolve on or determine But the Estates of Scotland though their proposed Conditions were already unreasonable yet resolve to adde more weight to the Scale the Earl of Carnwarth and Mr. Murrey are sent over to the Commissioners at Breda with new instructions and propositions as 1. That his Majesty should confirm all Acts done in some late Sessions of Parliament without any exception 2. That neither Montross nor any of his Adherents be admitted to come into the Kingdome of Scotland But notwithstanding the harshnesse of the Conditions the King is earnestly pressed to come to a full Conclusion with the Scots Though many Lords of the contrary faction pleaded for an utter rejectment of their propositions alledging to his Majesty That the Covenanters horrid perfidiousnesse to his Father might be a sufficient motive and inducement for him not to trust them That the more willing he was to condescend to their propositions the more impudent they were still in proposing things most unreasonable That should he accept of their Conditions they would so tye up his hands that he would be then but a King onely in Title which he was without them On the other side the Earl of Lauderdale the Lords Wilmot Piercy and others of his Majesties Council who stood for an accommodation with the Scots urged That his Majesties affairs both in Ireland under the Marquess of Montross and in the Navy under Prince Rupert were in so weak and tottering a Condition that no help could be expected from them That all the Princes in Europe were so imbroyled in warrs of their own that it was in vain to crave any foreign aid And that therefore there was no way left for his Majesty to regain his lost Rights and Kingdomes but by complying with his Subjects of Scotland and though it were upon such Conditions as would at first seem harsh those Curbs might in time possession once got be thrown off by degrees these reasons swayed with his Majesty and the Treaty went on with a clearer face then formerly But now there happens a strong demurre or as most supposed a businesse that would wholly break off the Treaty for the newes of Montrosse's ignominious death being come to Breda extremely incensed the whole Court and those who were against the Treaty bestirred themselves strongly still endeavouring to avert the King wholly from it by telling him That they had by thus Murdering his Lieutenant Demonstrated to the World what they would do to him if they had him in their power That it was an act of rashnesse and desperation to trust them or to have any more to do with such a perfidious generation That they only cunningly and subtilly endeavoured to entrap him that they might destroy him But not withstanding their heat his Majesty conceals his anger which doubtless could not but be great for the death and the so ignominious death of so good and loyal a Subject and Servant and that too in his quarrel and for obeying his just commands only he expresses his resentment of their so strange proceedings to the Committee of Estates by a Message sent by Mr. Murrey to this effect That it could not but grieve and perplex him to hear that whilst they pretended to conclude a peace they proceeded in the way of War and that whilst they treated of an Accord with him they shed the bloud of his best Subjects and that in such a manner that if true as reported they could not imagine but it must extremely incense him he therefore desired them to give him an account of their businesse To this they return Answer That their affections were still reall to him and that it rejoyced their very soules to hear that he would be willing to concurre with them in a peace and agreement That as for the Death of Montross They desired it might be no obstacle in the way for that they did nothing in it but with a reall intention to promote his interest Thus they endeavoured to excuse themselves but it was not their excuse nor their so many reiterated Protestations of fidelity but the necessity of the Kings affaires which drew him not long after to conclude the Treaty at Breda notwithstanding the violent opposers of it by condescending to most of their desires The conclusion of the
under the Command of Huntley Atholl Seaforth c. who declared purely for the Kingly Authority disclaiming and disowning all power or order of the Kirk Parliament or Committee of Estates These having gotten together a considerable party it was supposed by the Committee of Estates that his Majesty was gon to them whereupon to quiet and allay them if possible an Act of Indemnity was passed by Parliament for what they had done but they sleighted it fell upon Sir Iohn Brown's Regiment slew and took prisoners many of his men Whereupon Lieu. General David Lesley was sent against but the whole businesse after the King's return to S. Iohnstonâ—s ended in a Treatie The third and greatest party were the Parliament and Committee of Estates Kirk who were equally for King and Kirk these were highly perplexed and discontented at the King's going away from S. Iohnston's and the more because they feared he was gon to the Atholmen many controversies and consultations were had about it some were so rigid as to propose that since he had diserted them they should look no more after him but let him take his own wayes Others were more mild and would yet have him understand their resentment for his leaving them nor wanted there some sticklers for his Majesty at length it was concluded that Major General Montgomery should speedily march after him and earnestly intreat him to return to S. Iohnston's Montgomery according to his order went and having had secret information that his Majesty was at the Lord Dedup's house in the North confines of Fife he first surrounds the house and then sends in a Messenger to acquaint the King with the earnest desires of the Committee of Estates that he would graciously be pleased to return with him to Saint Iohnston's but his Majesty at first absolutely refused as scorning to endure that slavery which they had subjected him to he was in the mean time earnestly solicited by Huntley and the Gordons to adhere solely to them which he so much seemed to incline to that he had almost made the breach implacable between that party and the Kirk but at length upon several propositions granted him he returned with Montgomery to S. Iohnston's The King being thus returned and Huntley's party come in by admitting those with him to bear publick Offices a general Meeting was resolved on to be held at Saint Iohnston's which should consist of King Lords Barons Burgesses and the Assembly of Ministers whereupon the Committee of the Kirk are summoned to meet but stand off alledging that Sterling was the more convenient place to meet in To which the States answered that they esteemed S. Iohnston's the fitter that if they would not meet they should consult for their own securities but at length they consent The grand Assembly meets and all parties seem now agreed Several Lords formerly in disfavour with the Kirk are received into Command in the Army or have liberty to sit in Parliament such as Hamilton Lauderdale Leith Bucheim Dedup and Crawford Major General Massey of the Englâ—sh was admitted to a Command in the Army Thus did their divisions begin to be Cemented which else must necessarily have hastened their Ruine About this time the King received the sad newes of the Death of the thrice Illustrious Prince of Orange Brother-in-law to his Majesty and who had demonstrated himself a true and faithfull friend to him in his necessities his Lady the Royal Princesse Mary was by him left great with Child and soon after his death delivered of a Posthume son And now on the first of Ianuary the day appointed by the grand Convention at S. Iohnston's the solemnity having been removed to Scone the usual place for the Coronation of the Kings of Scotland First his Majesty in a Princes Robe was conducted from his Bed-chamber by the Constable and Marshal to the Chamber of presence where he was by the Lord Angus Chamberlain placed in a chair under a cloth of Estate Then the Nobles and Commissioners of Barons and Burroughs entred the Room and having shown themselves to his Majesty the Chancellor spake to this effect Sir your good Subjects desire you may be crowned as righteous and lawfull heir of the Crown of this Kingdome that you would maintain the present professed Religion the National Covenant and Solemn League and Covenant That you would graciously be pleased to receive them under your protection to govern them according to law to defend them in their rights and priviledges by your Royal power they offering themselves in humble manner to your Majesty with their vowes to bestow land life and what else is in their power for the maintenance of Religion for the safety of your Majesties sacred person and maintenance of your Crown which they entreat your Majesty to accept and pray Almighty God that for many years you may enioy the same The King to this made Answer I do esteem the affections of my good people more then the Crowns of many kingdoms and shall be ready by Gods assistance to bestow my life in their defence wishing to live no longer then I may see Religion and the kingdom flourish in all happiness This ceremony performed the Nobles and Commissioners of Barons and Burroughs accompanied his Maiesty to the church of Scoone the spurres being carried before him by the Earl of Eglinton the sword by the Earl Rothes the sceptet by the Earls of Craford and Lindsay the Crown by the Marquess of Argyle â—mmediately before the Kings Maâ—esty who followed supported by the Constable and Marshal his train â—orn up by the Lords Montgomory Ereskine Newbottle and Machelene under a Canopy of crimson velvet supported by the Lords Drummond Garnegie Ramsey Iohnston Brechin and Yâ—ter which six were supported by six Noblemen's sons Thus they went to the Church which being fitted for the purpose the Honors were laid upon a Table provided for them and his Majesty ascâ—nded on a stage 24. foot square and seated himself in a chair to hear the sermon upon this stage there was another smaller stage erected wheron the Throne stood His Majesty being seated on the Chair a sermon was preached by Robert Douglas Moderator of the Commission of the General Assembly Sermon being ended the National Covenant of Scotland the solemn League and Covenant were distinctly read which done the Oath was ministred in these words I Charles King of great Britain France and Ireland do assure and declare by my solemn Oath in the presence of Almight God the searcher of all hearts my allowance and approbation of the National Covenant of the solemn League and Covenant and faithfully oblige my self to prosecute the ends thereof in my station and calling and that I for my self and successors shall consent and agree to all Acts of Parliament enjoyning the National Covenant and the solemne League and Covenant and fully establish Presbyterian Government the Directory of Worship Confession of Faith and Catechisms in the Kingdome of Scotland as they
to encourage his souldiers whom he found both encreasing in their numbers and much reioiced at his presence The Parliament of Scotland which had adiourned to give time for his Majesties Coronation being met again there were strong endeavors of the Kings that several Lords of the Royal party should be admitted to their seats in Parliament but the Assemblies of the Kirk at Sterling and Aberdeen as strongly oppose it and shew themselves discontented both at this proposal likewise at the new Levies in regard they were there admitted to commands in the Army as they now desired to have place in Parliament yet notwithstanding these murmurings they were upon their reconciliation to the church and passing the Stool of Repentance re-admitted to their places in Parliament such were Duke Hamilton the Marquesse of Huntley the Earls of Calender Crawford and others But stil not only many of the Ministers notwithstanding there was a select Committee appointed to examine and punish such persons who any way confronted and murmured against any designs or acts of State raile against these proceedings but some of the Nobles too are discontented insomuch that the Earle of Sutherland utterly refused to concur with them and if he could possibly would have opposed them by force And indeed very many or most of the Presbyterians were discontented For the Royal party by the admission of those Lords and others was grown stronger then the Kirk's and now bore all the sway which made the proud Marquess of Argyle and other Covenantier Lords murmur at being afraid lest in time they should wholly be laid aside they having already seen one of their party begun with for the Earl of Louden who customarily had the Lord Chancellorship of the Kingdome was removed from his place the Lord Burleigh constituted Chancellor in his stead Yet on the Covenanters side there wanted not some Ministers such were Mr. Robert Douglass and Mr. David Dicks who endeavoured to beget a right understanding in both parties that these sparks of discontent might not at last burst out into a flame as 't was very much feared they would but rather that in this time of danger they might lay aside all animosities and unite together against the common Eenemy who else would be the ruine of them both And now his Majesty to keepe a correspondency abroad sends the Earl of Dumferling Ambassador to the States of Holland he had likewise at the same time several other Ambassadors or Agents abroad in the Courts of several Princes to require aid but never found more then what fair and sugared promises produced And about this time Sir Henry Hide being sent over to England from Constantinople whither he had bin sent as Ambassador from his Majesty to the Grand Signior by Sir Thomas Bendysh his means who was then Ambassador for the Republick of England but yet deem'd a person of more loyalty to his Prince then to have sent his Ambassador to be murder'd if he could have avoided it after somewhat a formal trial suffered death on a Scaffold before the Royal Exchange in London for having taken Commissions from his Soveraign And not long after him Captain Brown Bushel who though he had formerly been an enemy to his Maiesties father yet now suffer'd death upon the Tower-hill London for having done some signal services by sea for his present Majesty But to return to the Kings affairs in Scotland where the special businesses in hand were the compleating the levies to 15000. foot and 6000. horse which went on apace and the fortifying the towne of Sterling which his Majesty intended for the place of his chief residence to the hastening of the which his Majesty went often in Progress to view the Works and encourage the pioniers And time it was to hasten those Works for the English drew every day nigher nigher towards them having already taken the Fort of Blackness which lay between Sterling and Edenburgh which was nevertheless not accounted so great a loss as the surprizal of the Earle of Eglington and one of his sons by a party of English horse at Dumbarton for this Earl was a person of a great deal of power in that Nation and his taking very much obstructed the going forward of the Levies But Sterling being almost fortified sufficiently his Majesty removed his Court hither where whilest he was his Birth-day being the 29. of May was kept through Scotland with all such tokens of joy as are usual upon such occasions but the town of Dundee exceded all the rest for besides their equal expressions of Joy they presented his Maiesty with a rich Tent six pieces of Field Ordinance and set out a Regiment of horse towards his assistance at their own charge At Sterling likewise were the head-Quarters kept most of the Scotch Army Quartering about it whither Middleton's leavies from the North being come and amounting to about 8000. men it came to be a dispute whether these should be a distinct Army by themselves or be joined with Lesley's Southern Levies but at length it was thought most convenient to joyne them and his Majesty to prevent those animosities which might arise between Middleton and Lesley for the Generalship took upon himself the Command of the whole From hence his Majesty sent a messenger to the Parliament still sitting at S. Johnston's with these demands 1. That the Act about the Classis of malignants should be revoked and disannulled and that an Act pass for its repeal 2. That there might be no more any mention of the name of malignants amongst them 3. That Duke Hamilton the Earls of Seaforth and Callender c. might have as full command in the Army as any others The demands were strongly debated vro con in the Parliament the Marquess of Argile and others of the covenanted strain endeavouring by all means possible to oppose them yet at length though with much difficulty they were carried in the affirmative it being urged by the more moderate sort too that the granting of these would be the only way to take away all animosities between those parties which they intended to unite The Parliament having granted these things to his Maiesty and given large Commissions and Instructions for the compleating of the levies about the beginning of June dissolved leaving all things in relation to civil and intestine distempers in a calm and quiet all parties seeming to be pleased and their actions united towards the opposing of their common Enemy Cromwell Whilest these things were thus transacted in Scotland a great and terrible plot was discovered against the Juncto then ruling in England their government in assistance of his Majesty to his just Rights This design was chiefly laid by those Presbyterians who had been such dire Opponents of his Majesty's blessed father of happy yet unhappy memory viz. the greatest part Presbyterian Ministers who had most of them formerly belcht out such firebrands from their Pulpits as had set both Church and State in a combustion
it was expected Major General Massey might raise in Glocestershire which was the then generally vogued reason But before his Majesty could passe over Warrington Bridge he had occasion to try the stoutnesse of his souldiers for here Harrison was resolved if possible to stop him and was endeavouring to that purpose to have broken down the Bridge but his Majestie's forces by a swift march from Charley prevented his design and forced him to an engagement The dispute was somewhat hot and long but at length his Majesty got the better for he gained a free passage over the Bridge though with the losse of some men This bridge gained his Majesty marched on towards the West without any opposition and indeed with as little assistance or increase of numbers yet being all along as he came proclaimed King of Great Britain France and Ireland by an English man whom he had created King at Armes Being come to Tong Norton his Majesty sent a Trumpet with his Royal summons to Colonell Mackworth Governour of Shrewsbury which ran thus C. R. Col. MACKWORTH BEing desirous to attempt all fair waies for the recovery of our own before we proceed to force and extremity and where the controversie is with subjects accounting that a double victory which is obtained without effusion of bloud and where the hearts that of right belong to us are gained as well as their strengths We do hereby summon you to surrender unto us our Town with the Castle of Shrewsbury as in duty and allegiance by the Laws of God and the Land you are bound to do thereby not onely preventing the mischief which you may otherwise draw upon your self and that place but also opening the foredoor to peace and quietness and the enjoyment of every one both King and people that which pertains to them under certain and known Laws the end for which we are come Given at our Camp of Tong-Norton this 20. August 1651. This Summons was accompanyed with a Letter from his Majesty exhorting him as he was a Gentleman to return to his duty and Allegiance upon promises of Pardon and reward To both which Col. Mackworth returned answer thus For the Commander in Chief of the Scottish Army SIR BY your Trumpeter I received two Papers the one containing a proposition and the other a direct summons for the rendition of the town and Castle of Shrewsbury the Custody whereof I have received by Authority of Parliament and if you believe me a Gentleman as you say you do you may believe I will be faithful to my trust to the violation whereof neither Allurements can perswade me nor threatnings of force especially when but paper ones compell me what principles I am judged to be of I know not but I hope they are such as shall ever declare me honest and no way differing herein as I know from those engaged in the same employment with me who should they desert that cause they are imbarqued in I resolve to be found as I am unremoveable The faithful Servant of the Commonwealth of England H. Mackworth Thus flat a denyal did his Majesties Royal summons receive here nor did his Commands to Sir Thomas Middleton Governour of Chirk Castle in Flintshire for the levying of men for his service find better successe But from hence his Majesty directs his course for Worcester where he arrives on the twenty second of Angust and notwithstanding some resistance made by the Parliaments souldiers quickly enters by the help of the towns men who joyfully returned to their Allegiance and Duty here 't was again solemnly debated whether they should remain here or march for London and was at length concluded that in regard of the Long and tedious marches that the Souldiery had had it would be much better to tarrie here that after some refreshment they might be able with more vigor and courage to endure the brunt The Earl of Derby who had some few daies before his Majesties arrival at Worcester brought him a supply of two hundred and fifty foot and sixty horse which he had brought with him out of the Isle of Man and was returned back into Lancashire out of hopes that by his influence upon that Countie he might get a more numerous force there having got together a considerable partie was routed by Col. Lilburn who was there with a partie to watch his motions and was first engaged by the Earl out of a design he had to hinder Lilburn's joyning with a Regiment of Cremwell's which was sent for the same purpose towards Manchester but the Engagers themselves were defeated and most of the Earles chief Commanders and the Gentlemen of note with him taken prisoners such were the Lord Witherington Sir Thomas Tilsley Sir William Throgmorton Col. Boynton and sundry others His Majesty being now at Worâ—ester and resolving there to stay and endure the utmost brunt all preparations possible are made for the fortifying of the place and gaining all advantages possible to which purpose a Line and several Mounts were quickly raised by the Pioniers and all passes about the Town and towards it secured But Major General Lambert on the Republick's side sending suddenly a party of Horse to discover the difficulty of the pass at Vpton where Major General Massey for his Majesty lay with a party of about 300. Horse and Dragoons those desperate fellows being not above fifty in number adventured over upon one piece of Timber which had been carelesly left from arch to arch And though Massey's men took the allarm yet was Lambert so quick in sending over relief to his Souldiers whom the Royal party had beleaguered in a Church that the pass was clearly gained and Major General Massey forced to retreat though as honourably as ever man did for himself still brought up the Rear in which service though his Horse was slain under him and himself shot in the arm yet he got off with a very inconsiderable loss And now Caomvvell's Army began to joyn with all those parties which had conspired there to ruine his Majesty whom they accounted already like a Bird in a Cage for his Royal Army consisted at the most of not above 10000. fighting men whereas the Army that then beleaguer'd and encompassed them was one of the greatest that had during the whole time of the late warre been raised in England amounting according to common computation to some 50. or 60. thousand Horse and Foot so that as I have been well informed this Army though in a more sanctified strain bragg'd and insulted more over his Majesty then the French Army at Agincourt did over the thrice Illustrious King Henry 5. Yet notwithstanding their assurances of making him their prize it pleased God though not to give him the successe that Henry the 5. had yet to deliver him out of their bloud-thirsty hands When I speak of the Armies insulting over his Majestie's misery I hope the Reader will understand me in the generality for though many and perhaps the major part were
under But let him that shall look upon the several passages of his read them over and over consider the several difficulties he passed the many dangers he was in to be betrayed the countrey being up round about the summe of money set upon his head for which many hundreds out of covetousness made it their business to search for him and they wil confess ingenuously that God was never so merciful to any people as to us in delivering his sacred Majesty so wonderfully out of the hands of his Enemies who breathed out no thing but his death and destruction that we may yet have hopes to be a happy Nation But let us now return to give a ful account of this dismal loss at Worcester in which most of his Maiesty's foot were either made a prise or a sacrifice to their enemies swords of the horse there escaped 3000. out of the field but were most afterwards either taken or knockt on the head by the Countrey in their flight three thousand were judged flain in the Field and about seven thousand taken prisoners whereof the chiefe were the Earls Derby Lauderdale Cleaveland Shrewsburgh and the Lord Wentworth and many other noble persons taken in the pursuit And the chief of those taken in the battel were the Earls of Carnwarth and Kelly the Lord Synclare Sir Iohn Packington the Maior Generals Montgomery and Piscotty and the Virgil of this Age that thrice worthy Mr. Richard Fanshaw Translatour of the renowned Pastor Fido and Secretary to his Majesty As for the thrice noble Duke Hamilton he was taken but not overcome over-powred but not vanquish't For after having made a most Heroick resistance he was reduced under his enemies power more for want of strength then valour but death entring in at those wounds which he so gallantly received in defence of his Soveraign soon after released him Major General Massey though he escaped the field yet his wounds being desperate he was forced to surrender himself to the Countesse of Stamford and was by her son the Lord Grey of Groby after the recovery of his wounds sent up prisoner to the Parliament and by them committed to the Tower from whence he not long after escaped and went to his Majesty beyond sea This strange and wonderful Victory as the Juncto at Westminster gave it out to be though they had six to one in the field made that sectarian party cock-a-hoop and to make it the greater publick days of Thanks-giving are appointed to make God the patronizer of their villanies murders tyrannies and treasons and now they boast in all their discourses how clearly it might appear that God owned their cause and disowned their adversaries I think a modern Writer hath sufficiently confuted that commonly received tenent of Polititians * That success denotes actions to be either just or unjust I shall therefore leave the sober Reader here to satisfie himself and refer it to him whether such do not justly deserve Ovid's wish Careat succèssibus opto Quisquis ab eventu facta notanda putat Let him for ever in success be poor That thinks it justifies his cause the more But this Nation is so highly sensible of the injustice put upon them by those who pretend so much right in their Cause that there 's no Loyal Subject but will think according to reason that it was not the justice of their cause but our own and the Nation's sinnes which caused God to raise up these men as scourges both to Prince and people and to the Prince onely for the Peoples sake Some I have heard which out of a spirit which I cannot well define have endeavoured to brand his Royal Majesty with Cowardize in this battel which from whence it could proceed unlesse from their own coward nature which would insimulate another in that of which themselves are guilty I cannot imagine since Cromwell the greatest of his Enemies because the most desirous of his Kingdoms yet had so much of truth in him as to give a high and noble Character of his Valour But to proceed We have now said enough of this fatal battel the seeming ruine of the Royal Interest in England unless God of his mercy be pleased to restore it for the good peace and quiet of these Nations since without it we cannot hope to enjoy any His sacred Majesty being landed in France near Havre de Grace from thence with a Noble Lord in his Company posted directly for Roan where they stayed to alter their disguises and furnish them with habits answerable to their Qualities his Majesty from thence having dispatch't Letters to the French Court to acquaint his friends there of his safe arrival which doubtlesse caused no little joy in those who were real to him and almost despaired ever again to have seen him The Duke of Orleans sends his own Coach to fetch him several persons of quality go to meet him by whom he was attended to Paris and there received with all possible expressions of joy lodgings and attendants being forthwith provided for him in the Lâ—uure where at his first arrival he was visited by the Queen his Mother the Duke of Orleans who of all persons in the Kingdome exprest himself the most ready to do him service and the next day visits him again accompanied with his Daughter Madamoiselle He is likewise courted by the Dukes of Beaufort Longueville Guize the Marshal Thurine and many other Peers and Nobles of France who all congratulate his safe deliverance And now his Majesty having lost all hopes of any further means of attaining his Dominions by force leads here a retired life yet living in regard of his high alliance extraction in great esteem with all the French Nobility Insomuch that notwithstanding his present low condition there was very great talk of a match to be made up between him and the Madamoiselle de Orleans the richest Princes in Christendom yet by some means or other it came to no effect though the Queen of England his Mother was an earnest promoter of it and also of the Duke of York to Longneville's daughter Whilest these things were transacting hapned that lately reconciled Fracture between the Prince of Conde Cardinal Mazarine most of the Princes of the Blood siding with the first the King of France who was newly declared of age to sway the Scepter himself with the last The cause of the quarrel was that extravagant power which Mazarine a stranger had usurped in the government of the Kingdome both depriving the Princes of the Blood of their Right and oppressing the people whose daily murmurings more encouraged the Princes against him This power he had got into his hands in the Regency of the Queen Mother whose grand favourite he only was The Princes therefore though they could not during her Regency who so much loved him yet hoped they might effect something now the King himself is come to govern to which intent they charge him with several miscarriages
privately taken out of their houses and shipt away in like manner it not being enough for him when he had impoverished them by taking away their Estates to look upon and insult on their misery at home but to make them as much as in him lay the scorn and derision of the World by selling them to those Plantations a punishment usually inflicted on none but thives and vagabonds Yet I hope those Noble soules who were thus dealt withall account those miseries and hardships they have endured but little in respect of the cause for which they suffered them But to return to our Princes abroad The Duke of Glocester in his journy from Paris with the Marquess of Ormand touched at the Hague where he found his Sister newly returned from her journey with his Majesty and having staid with her some time there she accompanied him to visit their Brother the King again at Colen with whom she staid till after the Fair at Franckford whither his Majesty accompanied with his Royal Sister the Duke of Glocester the Marquesse of Ormond the Earl of Norwich the Lord Newburg and seueral Ladies and persons of Quality went in progresse part of the way they went by Land and the other part by water being complemented in all Princes Countries through which they passed by their chief Ministers of State and saluted with the great Guns from their Towns and Castles but particularly being come into the Terrritories of the Elector of Mentz they were saluted by his grand Marshal who in the name of his Master the Elector invited his Majesty the Princesse Royal and the Duke of Glocester to his Court but in regard that the intent of their progress was to see that renowned Faire at Franckfort which now drew nigh his Majesty sent the Lord Newburgh back with the grand Marshal returning thankes to the Elector for his civilities but desiring to be excused rill their return when his Majesty with his Royal Sister and Brother would not faile to come and give him thanks in person and so his Majesty with his Noble company continued their journey Being arrived at Franckford advice was brought to his Majesty that the Queen of Swethland who had some time before voluntarily surrendred her Kingdom into the hands of Carolus Gustavus her Kinsman was passing that way in her intended Journey for Italy whereupon his Majesty sent a Noble Lord to acquaint her Royal Highnesse the Queen Christina that he was ready to wait upon her at what place soever she should be pleased to appoint for an interview her Majesty received the message with a great deal of affection telling the Messenger That she was highly obliged to his Majesty of England for so great an honour and that if he pleased she would not fail to meet him at Conningstein a villiage not farre from Franckford where his Majesty for the time resided And accordingly there these two Potentates both equally deprived of their Kingdomes onely with this distinction the one voluntary the other by force and Tyranny met The Queen of Sweden being there first attended his Majesty he being come was immediately admitted in a room there purposely provided and having had neer half an hours private discourse with her the Duke of Glocester was admitted and presently after the Lords that attended his Majesty there passing between their two Majesties many ceremonious complements and so after a little longer discourse they took their leaves The Princess Royal being a little indisposed went not to this interview His Majesty having tarried at Franckford as long as seem'd convenient to that Royal Company in his departure thence according to the promise he had before made by the Lord Newburgh passed through the Elector of Mentz his Countrey resolving to give him a visit but that Noble Prince had so much of honour in him that he met his Majesty a great part of the way and conducted him with his Royal Company to a Pallace of his where he sumptuously entertained them for three or four dayes and then himself in person accompanied them a good part of their way to Colen from whence shortly after his Majesties arrival there the Princess Royal departed for Holland In the mean the Protector of England having a good while before made a peace with the Hollander fearing that the Nation should grow rebellious to him if they lay free from Warres which would fill their purses resolues to keep them low and at diet to which effect he begins a war with Spain at first in his Western Territories but soon after that businesse not succeeding in his Europaean quartars which made Mazarine with all hast possible endeavour the concluding the League Offensive and Defensive with the Protector which being by him considered to be as benificial for his own interest as for the French was easily and willingly assented to but the chief Article of this Peace was that his Majesty the Dukes of York and Glocester with all their relations and friends should be expelied out of and no more admitted into the Kingdome of France Certainly had the French King had but the least touch or sense of honour he would have counted this the hardest condition in the World or indeed he would never at all have treated with the Protector but that he should yield to such a condition as to banish out of his Kingdome those who came to him for succour and relief in the utmost extremity that ever Princes were put to and these too his nearest relations being Brothers and Sisters children And this to make a league offensive with him who had murdered their Father and expelled them out of their Dominions What was this but the owning of that murder and aggravating their oppressions instead of relieving them But neither honour nor relation can stand in competition with self Interest His Majesty had before fore-saw what the event of this treaty would be and had therefore wisely withdrawn himself from France to prevent a complemental Explusion But the Duke of York who in regard of the great command which he had in the Army had stai'd there till the conclusion of the League was now warned to depart with all his retinue consisting of a gallant number of young English gentlemen bred up under his valour and conduct notwithstanding those many great services which he had performed for that Kingdom in requital of which he had only a complemental Apology made him for the necessity of his departure a small time respited for his stay during which he was visited by the Duke of Modena then in France and other French Grandees but more especially by the Marshal of Turine who extreamly loved im and above all others expressed a sorrow for his dismissement but at length the day perfixed being come his Grace having solemnly taken his leave of the King of France the Queen his Mother and the rest of his friends at the French Court he takes his journey towards Flanders accompanied by the Earle of Yarmouth and
of the Army from Lambert that by their help they return take their seats in the House and dissolve his Committee of Safety command the Soldiers of his Army to repair to their appointed Quarters and Order Generall Monck to bring up his Army to London in all which they are punctually obeyed Lambert's Souldiers deserting him and Generall Monck according to their orders marching up his Army quite through England Yet the Nation had so great hopes of the Noble General that in all his passage through England â—he is courted with addresses from the Gentry of every County remonstrating the distractions they long had and were still like to lye under and inteating that they would be as they hoped hee 'd prove the Deliverer and saver of his Countrey that to settle them in some way of Government a Parliament might be called by the free Votes of the people that they might no longer be Governed by such Wolves as onely made a Prey of them nor their Governours be subjected to the awe and force of an exorbitant Army To all these desires he returned answers promising such things as might be for the good of the Nation But being come to London where he was received with a great deal of joy he put the people almost quite out of hopes of him nay rather into a fear that instead of proving their deliverer he would be the means to enslave them for by the commandment of the Rump he enters the City with his whole Army imprisons many of their Common Council digs up their Posts and breakes down their Gates whilst the stupifi'd Citizens having now fear added to their slavery durst hardly murmur at but with sighs and nods bid adieu to their Liberty Yet notwithstanding this violence the Noble Generall revives their hopes and retiring himself into the City refusing to be subject to the Iuncto's command Shortly after he admits those Members of the House of Commons which were in 1648. forceably excluded by the Army for having given their Votes that the Rings Concessions at the Isle of Wight Treaty were sufficient grounds for a peace and settlement who having taken their places in the House we had now got a step towards our ancient happinesse one of the three Estates of the Kingdom viz. the House of Commons being permitted to sit freely a thing not known so us in twelve precedent years God of Heaven of his mercy to these Nations grant that the other two may in his due time admitted to the discharge of their power and trust that these Nations once so famous under that Government may no longer continue to be the scorn and derision of foreign Countries And great hopes there is now that these Kingdomes may again return to be happy since disloyalty the first cause of their miseries and distractions begins blessed be God every day to be depressed and loyalty to flourish many of those who formely with a zealous fury broak their oath of Allegiance to their King wishing now that they had a King to shew allegiance to perceiving that all innovations of Government are not whatsome would have themseem to be viz. ways to liberty freedom but meer baits of ambitions self-minded men to hook in the people to slavery But to return to his Majesty in Flanders of whose itenary life we have already given you a particular account it will not be impertiment to say somewhat of his sedentary and retired living that by his oeconomy we may judge of his Monarchy and of the government of those few subjects in his Family of that of his three Kingdoms His Majesty hath spent most of his time wherein he hath been out of his Dominions in Flanders under the protection of the Catholique King of Spaine nor had he ever anywhere else so setled a Court and habitation as here where his chiefe attendants are the Lord Chancellor Hide the Marquis of Ormond the Earle of Norwich the Lord Wentworth the Lord Digby and many others Nobles and Gentlemen whose loyalty to his sacred Majesty and his Royall Father hath made exiles to their Country a particular number of which he makes use of for his Councell doing nothing without serious and mature advice and yet being of so stagacious a judgement that whatever he sayes is seldome contradicted by the most judicious of his Councellors not out of feare or flattery but out of a reall assent to and concurrence with his judgement And indeed those great opportunities which he hath had by his so long being abroad of diving into the great Councels of Forrein Princes and States must necessarily make him a person of a very perspicuous understanding endow him with all those qualities which may deservedly attain the name of Great and render him as well an able Statist as a King he having during his expulsion travelled through and lived in the Countries of three the most potent Princes in Christendome viz. the Emperour 's of Germany and the Kings of Spaine and France and so to the Germain resolution added the Spaniards prudence and the Frenchmans expedition To these extraordinary helps which never a Prince in Christendome can boast of we may yet adde those more then ordinary gifts wherewith nature hath been pleased to endow him which being so extreamly improved we can hardly now discern but that it may be known what they were take the character of an Honourable Lord upon his death bed who speaking of him when about fifteen or sixteen yeers of age hath these words Truly I never saw greater hopes of vertue in any young person then in him Great judgement great understanding strong apprehension much of honour in his nature and a very perfect Englishman in his inclinations So that both nature and industry have seemed to use their utmost endeavours to make him a perfect Prince his very affliction turning in this to his benefit and making him in knowledge and sufferings the Refiner of knowledge unparraleld Some forreign Princes as well envying as pittying hiâ— expulsion This perfect knowledge of his he hath indeed had but small occasion to practice except a little in Scotland where I think hee demonstrated himselfe a person so prudent and carefull in his affairs that it is beyond my pens expression His Subjects good was his only care nor did he ever act any thing but what might tend more to theirs then his own interest still consulting whether it might benefit them not himself His Letter to Col. Mackworth Governour of Shrewsbury sufficiently demonstrates his affection to his very enemies he would win not conquer the hearts of those who though they have broke their Allegiance to him yet hee would esteem still his Subjects He would not conquer with blood lest he should be thought a Tyrant He endeavours by faire means to attain the love of his Subjects that what ever his very enemies think of him he may approve himself to be a just Prince And did fortune give him power yet would he rather attempt
severall other English Lords For upon the rupture of the peace between Oliver Cromwell and the King of Spain Don Iohn de Austria Governour Royall of the Low Countries for his Catholick Majesty commiserating our Kings unfortunate Condition now that his Interest might stand them in some stead had sent the Count De Fuensaldagne his Ambassadour to his Majesty of Great Brittain then resident as I said before at Colon inviting him into the Low Countries and assuring him in the name of his Catholick Majesty all possible service and assistance which invitation his Majesty graciously accepted and soon after took his journey from Colen towards Flanders and being come to Bruges the place appointed for his reception he was received with all honour imaginable and conducted to a Pallace purposely provided for him where he hath for the most part ever since remained Hither the Duke of York came accompanied as aforesaid having first in his way touched at Brussels where he was magnificently entertained and complemented by Don Iohn to whom he freely proffered his service in the Wars which was accepted with a great deal of thanks though he had not at first a command given him correspondent to that which he left in the French Army yet was his prudence courage valour and conduct in no lesse respect as afterwards by the Spaniards esteem of him appeared From thence he went to wait on his Majesty at Bruges where he was received with an affection correspondent to the near alliance with his sacred Majesty Before his Majestie's departure from Colen there happened a discocery of one of those persons who under pretence of waiting upon him Captain Manning by name discovered unto the Protector all his Designes and Counsels who being found out was by his Majesties Command sent to a strong Castle adjacent to Colen there to be kept close prisoner But all the Court being highly incensed against him for his perfidiousnesse one of his Majesties Servants though contrary to order pistol'd him as he was lighting out of the Coach at the Castle gate giving him lesse then the due regard of his so abominable treachery The Duke of York being arrived as I said at Bruges was highly carressed by all the persons of quality there resident and his Majesty who not withstanding Cromwell's earnest endeavours either to dispatch disable or make slaves of his loyal subjects had nevertheless some true friends io England who were still ready to venture lives estates for his so just cause had got together a considerable number of such English and Scotch whose Loyalty had banished them from their habitations and who were ready at all occasions to assist both his Majesty and themselves for the recovery of his and their just rights and estates but the continual advice which Cromwell alwaies had from those treacherous persons which he maintained about his Majesty made all enterprizes tending to the regaining of his Kingdoms and redeeming of his subjects liberty ineffectual This Army which his Majesty had quartered near the sea side to be ready on all occasions for transport was afterwards since there was no apparent hopes that his Majesty might make any succesfull use of them imployed in the service of the King of Spain For his Majesty of Spain had then great need of men in Flanders the English Protector having according to articles agreed upon between him the French King sent over six thousand foot for his assistance in his wars against Flanders in consideration of which help the English were to have Dunkirk which was agreed on to be beleaguer'd by the joynt-forces of France and England Whilst in the mean time the Protector Cromwell is by a parcel of a Parliament of which Sir Thomas Withrington was Speaker invested with his power and installed in Westminster-Hall and now he conferres those dignities which were formerly the Kingly rewards of loyalty upon his co-partners and followers and whether in mockery of that Government which he had so violently endeavoured to abolish or out of a perjured intention to settle it in himself which he swore not to endure in another he established a Pageant House of Lords who though then made to rule domineer over the Nation yet were formerly most of them persons not fit to be servants to some mean Mechanicks this was that Government which he had so solemly sworn against but when men have once forgot their Loyalty to their Soveraign what vices will they not run into But to return again to Flanders The English and French Armies had according to the articles concluded on betwixt them beleaguer d Dunkirk which Don Iohn knowing to be a place of great importance and an inlet into Flanders by sea for English Forces used his utmost endeavours to raise the sieges to which effect he levied what Forces he could either by his own or his Majesties influence having made up a considerable Army himself in person accompanied by the English Dukes of York Glocester together with those forces formerly addicted to his Majesties service advanced towards the joyntforce of the French English then beleaguering the Town who understanding by their scouts of his approach left such Forces in the leagure as might secure them within from a sally and drew up towards Don Iohn who had encamped near Fuernes the French and English were notwithstanding those forces they had left in the trenches much more numerous then the Spaniards both in horse and foot which made them the more resolved in the Encounter for though the others came to raise the siege yet the besieger were the first assaulters The first brush began with a forlorn hope of English infantry consisting of above three hundred who desperately charged upon a party of the Spanish foot which had advantageously dâ—â—â—n themselves upon a rising ground and seconded by Lockart's Regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonell Fenmick and some other additional supplies of English Infantry routed not only them but the other bodies of Spanish foot drawn up on the same manner In this charge Lieutenout Colonel Fenwick received his morrall wound and some other English Commanders were slain outright The Spanish Cavalry seeing their foot so easily put to a rout began likewise to flie nor could by any endeavoors be perswaded to stand whereupon the French Horse who had all that while stood still and seen the English do execution on the Enemies foot with a full career pursue their flying Enemies of whom they found little opposition but only what was made by the thrice valiant Duke of York's Râ—giment who for a time made the whole French Army to stand saved the lives of many of their flying friends which else had been sacrificed to the Enemies fury whilst in the mean time they dedicated their own lives or persons to their safeties For after they had made a very noble and gallant resistance over-powred by numbers and having no supplies to refresh their wearied bodies they were forced to yeild to their Enemies numbers