altogether like the Pharisee that prayed in the Temple but really often would he mourn in secret and many times did his eyes in publike distil tears at the Nations stubbornness To take him in the whole he was a Man better fitted to make a Prince of then the People was to receive him this we see sufficiently in the management of the Government to his Death But afterwards the sudden disaster which befel his Posterity was so admirable that it cannot be imputed to any thing else but Digitus Dei A Catalogue of Honours conferr'd on several Persons by Oliver Cromwel Lord Protector in the time of his Government His Privie Council HEnry Lawrence Lord President Lieut. Gen. Fleetwood Major Gen. Lambert Philip Lord Lisle Nathaniel Fiennes Commissioner of the Great Seal John Desbrow Edward Mountague Generals at Sea Sir Gilbert Pickering Sir Charls Woolsley Col. William Sydenham Edmund Earl of Mulgrave Walter Strickland Esquire Philip Skippon Major Gen. Col. Philip Jones Richard Major Esquire Francis Rouse Esquire John Thurloe Secretary of State The Members of the other House alias House of Lords 1. LOrd Richard Cromwel 2. Lord Henry Cromwel Deputy of Ireland 3. Nathaniel Fiennes 4. John Lisle Commissioners of the Great Seal 5. Henry Lawrence President of the Privie Council 6. Charls Fleetwood Lieut. Gen. of the Armie 7. Robert Earl of Warwick 8. Edmund Earl of Mulgrave 9. Edward Earl of Manchester 10. William Lord Viscount Say and Seal 11. Philip Lord Viscount Lisle 12. Charls Lord Viscount Howard 13. Philip Lord Wharton 14. Thomas Lord Faulconbridge 15. George Lord Euers 16. John Cleypole Esquire 17. John Desbrow 18. Edward Montague Generals at Sea 19. Bulstrode Whitlock 20. William Sydenham Commissioners of the Treasury 21. Sir Charls Wolsley 22. Sir Gilbert Pickering 23. Walter Strickland Esq 24. Philip Skippon Esq 25. Francis Rous Esq 26. John Jones Esquire 27. Sir William Strickland 28. John Fiennes Esquire 29. Sir Francis Russel 30. Sir Thomas Honywood 31. Sir Arthur Haslerigge 32. Sir John Hobart 33. Sir Richard Onslow 34. Sir Gilbert Gerrard 35. Sir William Roberts 36. John Glyn. 37. Oliver St-John Chief Justices of both Benches 38. William Pierrepoint Esquire 39. John Crew Esquire 40. Alexander Popham Esq 41. Philip Jones Esq 42. Sir Christopher Pack 43. Sir Robert Tichborn 44. Edward Whalley Com. Gen. 45. Sir John Barkstead Lieut. of the Tower 46. Sir Tho. Pride 47. Sir George Fleetwood 48. Sir John Huson 49. Richard Ingoldsby Esq 50. James Berry Esquire 51. William Goff Esq 52. Thomas Cooper Esq 53. Edmund Thomas Esq 54. George Monke Gen. in Scotland 55. David Earl of Cassils 56. Sir William Lockhart 57. Archibald Johnson of Wareston 58. William Steel Chancellor of Ireland 59. Roger. Lord Broghil 60. Sir Matthew Tomlinson 61. William Lenthal Master of the Rolls 62. Richard Hampden Esq Commissioners of the Great Seal and their Officers NAthaniel Fiennes John Lisle William Lenthal Master of the Rolls Officers attending HEnry Middleton Serjeant at Arms. Mr. Brown Mr. Dove Judges of both Benches John Glyn Lord Chief Justice Peter Warburton Richard Nudigate Justices of the upper Bench. Oliver st-St-John Lord Chief Justice and Edward Atkins Matthew Hale Hugh Windham Justices of the Common Bench. His Barons of the Exchequer RObert Nicholas John Parker and Roger Hill Serjeant at Law Erasmus Earl Atturney General Edmund Prideaux Sollicitor William Ellis Serjeants at Law called by him to the Barre RIchard Pepes 25 January 1653. Thomas Fletcher 25 January 1653. Matthew Hale 25 January 1653. William Steel 9 February 1653. John Maynard 9 February 1653. Richard Nudigate 9 February 1653. Thomas Twisdon 9 February 1653. Hugh Windham 9 February 1653. Unton Crook 21 of June 1654. John Parker 21 of June 1654. Roger Hill 28 of June 1655. William Shepard 25 October 1656. John Fountain 27 November 1656. Evan Scithe Viscounts CHarls Howard of Glisland in Cumberland created Baron Glisland and Lord Viscount Howard of Morpeth the 20th of July 1657. Baronets JOhn Read Esquire of Bocket Hall in Hertfordshire created Baronet the 25 of June 1656. John Cleypole Esquire created Baronet the 16th of July 1657. Thomas Chamberlayn of Wickham Esquire made a Baronet the 6th of October 1657. Thomas Beaumont of Staughton-Grange in Leicestershire Esq created March 5. 1657. John Twisleton Esq of Horsemans-Place in Datford in the County of Kent created Baronet of the same March 24. 1657. Henry Ingolds by Esq created 31 of March 1658. Henry Wright of Dagenhams in Essex Esq created Baronet March 31. 1658. Edmund Dunch Esquire of East-Wittenham in Berkshire created Baron of the same place April 26. 1658. Griffith Williams Esq of Carnarvon made a Baronet the 28 of May 1658. Knights when and where made SIr Thomas Viner Lord Mayor of London at Grocers-Hall Feb. 8. 1653. Sir John Copleston at White-Hall June 1. 1655. Sir John Reynolds at White-Hall June 11. 1655. Sir Christopher Pack Lord Mayor of London at White-Hall Septemb. 20. 1655. Sir Thomas Pride at White-Hall Jan. 17. 1655. Sir John Barkstead at White-Hall Jan. 19. 1655. Sir Richard Combe at White-Hall Aug. 1656. Sir John Dethick Lord Mayor of London at White-Hall Sept. 15. 1656. Sir George Fleetwood of Bucks Sir William Lockhart at White-Hall December 10. Sir James Calthrop of Suffolk Sir Robert Tichborn Lord Mayor of London and Sir Lislebone Long Recorder December 15. Sir James Whitlock at White-Hall January 6. Sir Thomas Dickeson of York March 3. 1656. Sir Richard Stainer at White-Hall June 11. 1657. Sir John Cleypole Baronet at White-Hall July 16. 1657. Sir William Wheeler at Hampton-Court Aug. 26. 1657. Sir Edward Ward of Norfolk at White-Hall Novemb. 2. Sir Thomas Andrews Alderman of London at White-Hall Novemb. 14. Sir Thomas Foot Alderman Sir Thomas Atkin Alderman Sir John Huson Colonel Decemb. 5. Sir Jaâ—… Drax at White-Hall Jan. 6. Sir Henry Pickering Sir Philip Twisleton White-Hall Feb. 1. Sir John Lenthal at White-Hall March 9. Sir John Ireton Alderman of London Sir Henry Jones at Hampton-Court July 17. 1658. Sic transit Gloria mundi FINIS
at this Bait but rather chose to return home again seeing they could not sit with a safe conscience Those that entered the House having made choyce of Sir Thomas Widdrington to be their Speaker began to act answerable to the Protectors own desire which we shall see in its due place mean time take this ensuing Relation of General Blakes worthy exploit against the Spaniard Of all the desperate Attemps that ever were made in the World against an Enemy by Sea this of noble Blakes is not inferiour to any He lying upon the Spanish Coast had intelligence given him that the West-India Fleet were arrived at the Canary Islands and put into the Bay of Sancta Cruz on the Island of Tenariff Upon this the Fleet weighs Anchor on the 13 of April 1657. and by the 20th of the same Month were fair in the Offing of Sancta Cruz where they discovered how bravely the Spanish Ships sixteen in number were barricado'd in this Bay where they lay in a manner Semi-circular Near to the mouth of this Haven stands a Castle sufficiently furnished with great Ordinance which threatned destruction to any that durst enter without its leave into the Harbour besides this there stood seven Forts more round about the Bay with six four and three great Guns apiece and united together by a Line of Communication from one Fort to another which was man'd with Musqueteers To make all safe Don Diego Diagues General of the Spanish Fleet was not idle in making provision for the best defence of his Armado he caused all the smaller ships to be mored close along the shoar and the six great Galleons stood farther out at anchor with their broad sides towards the Sea It hapned at this time there was a Dutch Merchants ship in the Bay the Master whereof seeing the English ready to enter and that a combate would presently be commenced it made him fear that among all the blows that would be given he could not avoyd some knocks therefore to save himself he went to Don Diego and desired his leave to depart the Harbour For said he I am very sure Blake will presently be amongst you To this the resolute Don made no other Reply but Get you gone if you will and let Blake come if he dares They that knew Blakes courage could not but know it needless to dare him to an engagement for himself was ever forward enough to fight especially when the honour of his Nation lay at stake like himself were his Sea-men who never questioned Commands but readily ran upon the most desperate attemps which sheweth that courage in a Commander infuseth activity in the Souldiers as here it did in an eminent manner for Gen. Blake having seen his Enemy presently called a Council of Officers to contrive the best way for carrying on the present exploit In this Council of War Glory quite eclipsed hazard so that little else was discoursed upon but a quick Execution which quite buryed difficulty in Oblivion All things being ordered for fight a Squadron of Ships was drawn out of the whole Fleet to make the first Onset these were commanded by Captain Stainer in the Speaker Frigat who no sooner had received Orders but immediately he flew into the Bay with his canvas wings and by eight in the morning fell pell-mell upon the Spainsh Fleet without the least regard to the Forts that spent their shot prodigally upon him No sooner were these entered into the Bay but Blake following after placed certain Ships to pour broad sides into the Castle and Forts these played their parts so well that after some time the Spaniards found their Forts too hot to be held In the mean time Blake strikes in with Stainer and bravely fought the Spanish Ships which were not much inferiour in number to the English but in men they were far the superior Here we see a resolute bravery many times may carry the day and make number lie by the Lee this was manifest for by two of the Clock in the after-noon the English had beaten their Enemies out of their Ships Now Blake seeing an impossibility of carrying them away he ordered his men to fire their prizes which was done so effectually that all the Spanish Fleet were reduced to ashes except two Ships that sunk downright nothing remaining of them above water but some part of their masts The English having now got a compleat victory were put to another difficulty by the wind which blew so strong into the Bay that many despaired of getting out again But Gods providence was miraculously seen in causing the wind upon the sudden to vere about to the Southwest a thing not known in many years before which brought Blake and his Fleet safe to Sea again notwithstanding the Spaniards from the Castle played their great Guns perpetually upon them as they passed by The wind as it proved a friend to bring the English forth so it continued to carry them back again to their former station near to Cadiz Should we compare the vastness of this attempt with the diminutive loss the English received it may go near to raise incredulity in the Reader However it must not be past over in silence All the men that Blake had slain in this fight which lasted from eight in the morning to seven at night were but 48â— and one hundred and twenty wounded On the Spanish side all was lost that could be lost their whole Fleet being quite destroyed so that the English gain was nothing but Honour which ever attended Blakes attempts For this good service the Protector at the Parliaments desire sent this worthy Commander a Ring worth five hundred pounds and presently after Capt. Stainer came to England that his Ship might be new fitted for the Sea which gave the Protector a fair opportunity to clap on his shoulders a whole Knighthood which served to satisfie for all his brave services The Protector according to a private agreement with France prapared a Brigade of Foot to joyn with the French Army under Command of Marshal Turin that so both together might fall into Flanders against the Spaniards The English Forces designed for this service were 6000. many of them old Souldiers but most new raised men over whom Sir John Reynolds was made Commander in Chief and Col. Morgan Major-General who afterwards was Knighted by the Lord Richard Cromwel for his eminent service these being provided with all necessaries for a march were rendezvoused on Black-Heath from whence they marched away to the Sea-side and were immediately transported over to Bulloin in Picardy At their landing the Souldiers had all new Red-Coats distributed amongst them which made such a glistering show that the French King said he never before saw the like sight About the later end of October 1657. the English were advanced into the Spanish Territories and being joyned with Turin the whole Army sate down before Mardike-Fort lying about two miles from Dunkirk This place was looked upon to be of great
ships more These on the 3 of June 1653. lying at Anchor three leagues off the southhead of the Gober early in the morning described two Dutch Galliots which presently were chased by some of the English Frigats so far that they came within ken of the whole Dutch Fleet. Upon this discovery the Frigots made the usual signes which were presently apprehended by the whole Fleet who immediately weighing their Anchors the English made up with all the sail they could but the winde being weak 't was 12 at noon before these mighty Armadoes could ingage The first dayes work proved hot on both sides for three hours in which Dispute the English lost General Dean who unfortunately fell by a great shot To balance this the Dutch had three ships sunk and one blown up The next day both Fleets indeavoured to try another bout but there being little winde nor wine stirring but Brandy which was very brisk in the Dutch Fleet it was late that day before the English could get up to give them Gun-powder to it This second dayes fight was managed with abundance of valour both Fleets charging lustily upon one another Van Trump to shew his skill in Sea-fights at first brought up his Navy in very good Order having the advantage of that little winde then stirring for the Sea looked with a smooth face upon these mighty Enemies But the English Generals Blake and Monk who were not behinde-hand in making use of any opportunity finding the winde upon the sudden to veer about westerly drove in amongst the thickest of their Enemies with so much fury that the Dutch fearing to feed those that had so many times been food to them tacked about and with all the sail that possibly could be made steered their course for their own Coasts The English seeing their Enemies thus fly before them thought it not safe to pursue being neer the Flats and having great ships that drew much water Wherefore some small Frigats being sent to discover the Enemies course the rest cast Anchor in good Order to cast up accompts and see what was got or lost by this Adventure which proved in full to be thus Of the Dutch slain no certain ccount Dutch Prisoners in possession 1350 Captains captiv'd 6 Men of War taken 11 Sunk 6 Of the English Slain 120 Captains 1 Wounded 236 Ships lost or dis-abled 0 This inconsiderable loss on the English side being well recompensed with so considerable a Damage to the Dutch caused the two English Generals being no wayes dis-inabled by the fight to keep the Sea and resolve to follow the present advantage to the full therefore having new trimmed their torn sails and shatter'd Rigging they immediately made all the haste that could be to block up the Dutch Harbours letting Trump see that now his Bravadoes were transferred from the Downs to his own Doors and that the Fleet which a little before he thought good to send Hue and Cry after were now come to dare him upon his own Dunghil the English at Sea lying thus before the Texel Wielings and other Ports of Holland taking Prizes at pleasure General Cromwel at Land mean while prepares for a new Parliament in whose hands the Legislative Power of the Nation was to be put to that purpose persons being chosen by himself to the number of one hundred forty four out of the three Nations of England Scotland and Ireland they made their appearance at Westminster on July 4. 1653. the day prefixt in their Summons in the Council-Chamber at White-hall where General Cromwel being present attended by many Officers of the Army he made a short Speech which being ended by a Writing under his own hand and seal he impowered them to be the Supreme Authority and Governours of England Scotland and Ireland with all the Territories thereunto belonging and that any forty of them should be a Quorum sufficient to dispatch business make Laws and order all things as they should see good onely for their limitation the Instrument ordered their sitting not to exceed the third of November 1654. and that three months before their Dissolution they were to make choice of other persons to whom they were to deliver up their Powers Having delivered his Instrument to the Members the Lord General dismist them with a Benediction being very good at it wishing the Blessing of GOD might go along with them and their Counsels Immediately hereupon the Members adjourned to the old Parliament House where having first appointed Mr. Rouse to be Speaker a great debate arose among them what to call themselves whether a Parliament or something else at last it was carried in the affirmative That they were a Parliament in which name all Addresses to them were to be made Being thus settled they began though scarce pen feathered to soar high and at first dash to strike both at Law and Gospel But whilst these things were under debate John Liburn whose turbulent Spirit in the time of the Long Parliament had procured his Banishment presuming at this time to be again admitted into the Nation very confidently addrest himself to the Lord General craving his Protection But he knowing full well of what spirit John was would take no notice of him but left him to the Law by which he underwent a strict Trial and by the favour of his Jury was acquitted This man was ever observed to be of an ambitious minde alwayes affecting Popularity and therefore ever barking against the Higher Powers first against the Bishops then against the King next against the Parliament and indeed against every one that stood in his way Likewise so fickle in his own Principles that trundling from one Opinion to another he at last fell down into the sink of Quakerisme in which he died and was buried like himself being hurried along the streets from the Mouth neer Aldersgate by a confused medley of Levellers and Quakers But to Sea again The English Fleet having out-Trumped the Dutch and made their Neptune fly to Land for shelter they improved their advantage to the utmost by blocking up the Ports of Holland and Zealand so that not a ship durst pass in or out but was immediately made Prize Among those that were taken were two laden with great Guns one carrying one hundred sixty two the other one hundred ninety one These dayly losses filled the people with rage and madness seeing they were deprived of Traffick by which they chiefly subsisted and if that was obstructed nothing but a deep consumption would quickly follow The States General sitting at the Helm and foreseeing the sad consequence of the present War seriously debated which way to free themselves from that imminent danger that now hung over their heads To accomplish this there was but two wayes either by Force to repel Force or by Treaty to procure Peace To put both these in execution four Commissioners were dispatched away imediately for London to treat of a Reconciliation and in the mean time all imaginable preparations