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
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
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
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
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
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.
that when the affairs of this Kingdom will possibly dispence with us the Parliament allowing and you accepting of our assistance We shall be most willing if need so require to help and serve you faithfully in your own Kingdom and to engage our selves to suppresse the Enemy there and to establish you again in peace In the mean time we shall endeavour to help you by our prayers and to wrestle with God for one blessing of God upō both Nations between whom besides many other strong relations and engagements We hope the Vnity of Spirit shall be the surest Bond of Peace And this whatever suggestions or jealousies may have been to the contrary we desire you would believe as you shall ever really find to proceed from integrity of heart a sense of your sufferings and a full purpose to answer any call of God to your assistance as become Your Christian friends and servants in the Lord Thomas Fairfax Oliver Cromwel Thomas Hamond Henry Ireton Edward Montague Richard Fortescue Richard Inglesby Iohn Pickering Hardresse Waller William Herbert Robert Hamond Iames Gray Thomas Pride Robert Pye Thomas Rainsborough Thomas Sheffield Charles Fleetwood Ralph Welden Iohn Raymond Leon Wattson Arthur Evelin Richard Dean Thomas Iackson Iohn Desborough Christopher Bethel The report concerning the storm being made unto the Counsell of War and fully agreed unto the Canon baskets were ordered to be filled Seamen and boats sent for Thursday September 4. The weather that had been so extream wet before that many Souldiers and Horses dyed thereby with extream hard duty in that wet season began to alter to the great reviving of the drooping souldier Our great guns played this day from off the new battery against Pryors for t Summons was also prepared to be sent to Prince Rupert and being agreed unto was sent in accordingly which runs in these words For his Highnesse Prince Rupert Sir for the service of the Parliament I have brought their Army before the City of Bristol and do summon you in their names to render it with all the Forts belonging to the same into my hands for their use Having used this plain language as the business requires I wish it may be as effectuall unto you as it is satisfactory to my self that I do a little expostulate with you about the surrender of the same which I confesse is a way not common and which I should not have used but in respect to such a person and to such a place I take into consideration your royal birth and relation to the Crown of England your honour courage the vertues of your person and the strength of that place which you may think your self bound and able to maintain Sir the Crown of England is and will be where it ought to be we fight to maintain it there But the King misled by evill Counsellours or through a seduced heart hath left his Parliament under God the best assurance of his Crown and Family the maintaining of this Schisme is the ground of this unhappy war on your part and what sad effects it hath produced in the three Kingdomes is visible to all men To maintain the rights of the Crown and Kingdom joyntly a principal part whereof is that the King in supream acts is not to be advised by men of whom the Law takes no notice but by his Parliament the great Counsel of the Kingdom in whom as much as man is capable of he hears all his people as it were at once advising him and in which multitude of Councellours lyes his safety and his peoples interest and to see him right in this hath been the constant and faithfull endeavour of the Parliament and to bring these wicked instruments to justice that have misled him is a principal ground of our fighting Sir if God makes this clear to you as he hath to us I doubt not but he will give you a heart to deliver this place notwithstanding all the other considerations of honour courage fidelity c. because of their constancy and use in the present business depends upon the right or wrongfulness of this that hath been said And if upon such condition you shall surrender it and save the losse of blood or hazard the spoiling of such a City it would be an occasion glorious in it self and joyful to us for restoring of you to the endeared affection to the Parliament and people of England the truest friend to your Family it hath in this World But if this be hid from your eyes and through your wilfulness this so great so famous and ancient a City and so full of people be by your putting us to force the same exposed to ruine and the extremities of war which we yet shall in that case as much as possible endeavour to prevent then I appeal to the righteous God to be judge between you and us and to require the wrong And let all England judge whether the burning of its Towns ruining its Cities and destroying its people be a good requital from a person of your Family which hath had the prayers tears purses and blood of its Parliament and people And if you look on either as now divided hath ever had that same party both in Parliaments and amongst the People most zealous for their assistance and restitution which you now oppose and seek to destroy and whose constant grief hath been their desires to serve your Family have been ever hindred or made fruitless by that same party about his Majesty whose counsel you act and whose interest you pursue in this unnaturall war I expect your speedy answer to this Summons with the return of the Bearer this evening and remain Your Highness humble Servant Thomas Fairfax This day about 2000 well affected countreymen who with many more upon treaty with the Lieutenant-General at the beginning of the siege had engaged their assistance to make good the same marched with some 36 Colours in the face of Bristol had quarters assigned them and kept guards Two pieces of Ordnance also were sent unto them for their encouragement it not a little grieving the Enemy within to see the forwardness of the countrey to come to our assistance for which reason and to lay an effectual caution against their revolt it was held fit to make use of those force◠from the countrey rather then for any considerable service could be expected from them The Trumpeter that went in with the Summons was detained all night during which space no sally was made by the Enemy nor no alarm given by us Only the Sea-men and their boats comming up the river to St. Vincents Rock was all the motion this day produced Neither upon Friday September 5. was there any sallying out but all was quiet on both sides and the Trumpeter returned from Prince Rupert with an answer to the Generals Summons in these words Sir I received yours by your Trumpeter I desire to know whether you will give me leave to send a Messenger to the