Majesties person and Right against all Forces whatsoever and in like manner the Laws Liberties and Privileges of Parliament and of this Kingdom And I shall to my utmost power preserve and defend the peace of the two Counties of Devon and Cornvvall and all persons that shall unite themselves by this Protestation in the due performance thereof and to my power assist his Majesties Armies for reducing the Town of Plymouth and resistance of all Forces of Scots Invaders and others levied under pretence of any Authority of two Houses of Parliament or otherwise without his Majesties personal consent And hereupon they agreed upon several Articles in reference to the taking of this Protestation directed to all Sheriffs Constables Ministers of every Parish Church at the next general Meeting That the Army be governed according to his Majesties Articles That all such persons slain or as shall be slain in this VVar or die in the Service by whose life any other person held any other Lands or Rents the said other person shall grant an Estate or pay such Rents for life under such Covenants c. as to the person so slain and the Refusers to lose double value one half to the King the other to the party and to be imprisoned till payment That if any Minister shall refuse or neglect his particular duty in his Service or not reade the Kings Declarations or do any thing contrary to â—is Majesties Instructions to be secured and his Estate sequestred That there be provided a thousand Barrels of Powder and ten thousand Fire Arms at the charge of both Counties whereof Devon three parts and Cornvvall to be a fourth according to the proportion of the grand Subsidy The Earl of Manchester for the Parliament is as active in his Association having gone over all vvith a high hand came to the University of Cambridg being not yet resolved vvhether the Colleges and Halls be vvithin his Commission for Sequestration for clearing vvhereof the Parliament sent out their Ordinance That the Estates Rents and Revenues of the Colleges and Halls in the University of Cambridg are in no wise to be seized on but shall remain and be to the same University Colleges and Halls as if the Ordinance of Sequestration had never been made Which is most nobly done like true Patriots of Learning but then the next Proviso marrs all That if any part portion or dividend be due to any Head Fellow or Scholar in the said University being or which hereafter shall be a Malignant or Delinquent within any of the Ordinances of Sequestration then they shal be excepted from receiving any part or portion of his Allowance but shall be dealt with as it shall be ordered by the Earl of Manchester and none to be Receiver Treasurer or Bowser but such as shall be approved by him Sir Richard Byron Governour of Newark for the King understanding that the Adversaries vvere quartered at Harmiston and VVaddesdon three Miles from Lincoln sent out tvvo hundred and fifty Horse and some Dragoons under command of Sir Gervase Eyre vvho beat up their Quarters and took kill'd some but the reason having Quarter he carried avvay above three hundred Prisoners Horse and Arms. The King at Oxford vvith sufficient Friends to finish his civil affairs considered of the fitness and conveniency to assemble the Members of both Houses of Parliament at Oxford and having to that purpose the tvvo and tvventieth of December last by his Proclamation summoned them for this day the tvvo and tvventieth of Ianuary vvhere novv they met in the great Hall at Christ's Church vvhere his Majesty declared the occasion of his calling them together to be witnesses of his actions and privy to his intentions Telling them That if he had the least thoughtâ— disagreeing with the happiness of this Kingdom he would not advise with such Counsellors as they are And so they went to the publick Schools the Lords in the upper Schools and the Commons in the great Convocation-house Indeed he having renounced those Members that sate at Westminster he thought it fit to assemble such as he might confide in to vote and act as his proper Parliament countenanced with able Members the most ancient and most honourable Peers and very worthy Gentlemen not amiss to record them The Names of the Lords and Commons in the Assembly of the Parliament at Oxford Ianuary 22. 1643. Charls Prince Duke of York Cumberland Edw. Littleton C. S. Fr. Cottington Treasurer Duke of Richmond Marquess of Hertford Earls Lindsey Dorset Shrewsbury Bath Southampton Leicester Northampton Devonshire Carlile Bristol Barkshire Cleveland Rivers Dover Peterborough Kingston Newport Portland Visc. Conway Lords Digby Mowbray and Matravers Lords Wentworth Cromwell Rich. Paget Chandos Howard of Charlton Lovelace Savile Mohun Dunsmore Seymour Piercy VVilmot Leigh Hatton Iermin Carington Knights and Gentlemen Sir Iohn Fettiplace Sir Alexander Denton Sir Iohn Packington Thomas Smith Francis Gamul Iohn Harris Ioseph Iane. Richard Edgcomb I. Raleigh G. Fane P. Edgcomb VVilliam Glanvile Robert Hâ—burn Sir Ralph Sidenham Sir Fr. Godolphin Ger. Parry Ambrose Manaton Sir Richard Vivian Io. Palewheel Io. Arundel Thomas Lower Edward Hide VVilliam Allestry George Stonehouse Edward Seymor Peter St. Hill VVilliam Pool Roger Matthew Richard Arundel Ro. VValker Giles Strangways Io. Strangways Sir Thomas Helâ— Geraâ—d Nape Samuâ—l Turner VVilliam Constantine Henry Killegrew R. King Io. Dutton Henry Bret. VVilliam Chadwell Theo. Gorges Io. George Thomas Fanshaw Humph. Conningsby Richard Seaborn Arthur Ranelagh Thomas Tomkins Sampson Evers Io. Culpeper Ieffrey Palmer Io. Harison Thomas Fanshaw Roger Palmer Sir Orlando Bridgman VVilliam VVatkins Iohn Smith Sir Thomas Bludder Edward Littleton Harvie Bagot Richard Leveson Sir Richard Cave Sir Richard VVeston Richard Lee. Thomas VVhitmore Edward Acton C. Baldwin R. Goodwin Thomas Howard Thomas Littleton Robert Howard Io. Meux Matthew Davis Fr. Cornwallis Thomas Germin Io. Tailor VVilliam Basset VVilliam Pateman Edw. Ridney Thomas Hanham Edw. Philips Io. Digby Edw. Kirton Chr. Lewkin Edw. Alford Io. VVhite Io. Ashburnham VVilliam Smith Thomas Leeds I. Thin VVilliam Pledel Ro. Hide Edw. Griffin VValter Smith George Lowe Richard Harding Henry Herbert Endimion Porter Samuel Sandys Iohn Bâ—dvil William Morgan William Thomas Iohn Mistin Henry Bellasis Knights and Gentlemen George Wentworth William Malory Richard Aldbury Io. Salisbury William Herbert William Price Io. Price Knights and Gentlemen R. Herbert Charls Price Philip VVarwick Thomas Cook Herbert Price Io. Whisler These Peers then disabled by several Accidents appeared since Viscount Cambden Lord Abergaveny Lord Arundel Lord Capel Lord Newport Peers imployed in his Majesties Service Marquesses Winchester VVorcester Newcastle Earls Darby Huntington Clare Marlborough Viscount Falkonbridg Lords Morley Lords Darcy and Coniers Sturton Everâ— Daincourt Pawlet Brudenel Powesse Herbert of Cherbury Hopton Loughborough Byron Vaughan VVithrington Peers absent beyond Seas Earl of Arundel Earl of Saint Albans Lord Viscount Mountague Viiscount Strafford Lord Stanhop Lord Coventry Lord Goring Lord Craven of Hamsted Lord Craven of Ryton Peers
Bancroft then Bishop of London confirmed it in the Conference at Hampton Court in presence of the Adversary Dr. Raynolds their chief dependant who neither contradicted nor confuted him So did Bishop Laud in the High-Commission which might give occasion of matter to some sufficient opposers but found none unlesse we reckon loose Pamphlets Indeed the Smectymnuans revived the controversie and was soon maintained by Dr. Hall then Bishop of Exeter by Churchman in his History of Episcopacy by Dr. Taylor his Episcopacy of Divine Right by Dr. Hammond in English and Latine But lest these Divines should be thought partial see the whole subject discussed by the Laity Sir Thomas Aston Knight and Baronet the Area-Mastix of Iohn They re Gentleman the Lord Falkland in his Tract against Henderson sayes somewhat comparatively as for the Lords Day or for Inâ—ant Baptism Mr. Selden against the Argument of Mr. Grimstone in Parliament whose Argument was 1. That Bishops are Iure Divino is of question 2. That Arch Bishops are not Iure Divino is out of question 3. That Ministers are Iure Divino there is no question Now if Bishops which are questioned whether Iure Divino and Arch Bishops which out of question are not Iure Divino shall suspend Ministers that are Iure Divino I leave it to you Mr. Speaker Which Mr. Selden thus retorted on him That the Convocation is Iure Divino is a question 2. That Parliaments are not Iure Divino is out of question 3. That Religion is Iure Divino there is no question Now Mr. Speaker That the Convocation which is questioned whether Iure Divino and Parliaments which out of question are not Iure Divino shall meddle with Religion which questionlesse is Iure Divino I leave to you Mr. Speaker Indeed the General Assembly of Scotland had levelled the Principles into some request as to make the Minister Co-parcenary equal sharers in the Authority and very likely as good men as themselves of equivalent import and the Assembly having formed a Covenant for destruction of Episcopacy and urged subscription to it so did this Convocation or Synod if you please for their own support frame an Oath equivalent to their purpose I A. B. do swear That I do approve the Doctrine and Discipline of Government established in the Church of England as containing all things necessary to salvation And that I will not endeavour by my self or any other directly or indirectly to bring in any Popish Doctrine contrary to that so established Nor will I ever give my consent to alter the Governments of this Church by Arch Bishops Bishops Deans and Arch Deacons c. as it stands now established and as by right it ought to stand nor yet ever to subject it to the usurpations and superstitions of the Sea of Rome And all these things do I plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear according to the plain and common sence and understanding of the same words without any equivocation or mental evasion or secret reservation whatsoever And this I do heartily willingly and truly upon the faith of a Christian So help me God in Iesus Christ. Some exceptions in print were prosecuted against this Oath by several persons and by some petitions to the Privy Councel and suggestions of others the Bishops Enemies But one Author reduces the main quarel into three particulars against the c as leaving the Oath so loose that neither the makers nor the takers of the same understood the meaning To which he is answered that the c. is impertinent signifying nothing in regard of the restriction following and the sence compleat without it And that in many Canons there was a particular enumeration of all persons vested with any Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction viz. Arch Bishops Bishops Deans Arch Deacons Deans and Chapters and other persons having peculiar or exempt Jurisdiction which for avoiding of Tautologie was cut off with this c. neverthelesse with intention to expunge this c. before it should come to be ingrossed but in hast it was forgotten and so Printed Secondly For exacting an Oath of dissent from Civil Establishment in things of Indifferency was an affront to the very Fundamentals of government But he is told that the affront to Goverment is rather not to submit to Civil Establishments but it is no affront not to give consent while they are in Treaty The Oath not binding any man not to yeeld obedience but not to give consent to such alteration But he observes that in the Solemn Covenant in which it was not thought enough to binde men to submit to such alterations as were then contriving but actually to endeavour the extirpation of the whole Prelacy not onely was this Covenant required of the Clergy which had before taken Oath of Canonicall obedience to Bishops but even of the Bishops themselves Deans Arch Deans c. who having taken former Oath to preserve their laws and priveledges of their severall Churches must by that Covenant be bound to endeavour their utter extirpation and so must be a felo de se c. Lastly That the Iuror therein declares he swears willingly to which he was constrained under the highest penalties To this he is to be satisfied by Pâ—esident of the Parliament the 3. Iacob Who drew up the Oath of Allegiance In which the Iuror makes that recognition heartily and truly and willingly And again as the Scots condemned the Arminian Tenets without defining what they were so did these the Socinians not declaring where they were culpable Answer The Arminian Tenets being but five might easily have been desined by the Scots but Socinianism is a Complication of many heresies the bare recital of them might have taken up much time and so it was thought fit to condemn it under that general Notion to interdict their Books and in fine to lay a brand upon it by the Church of England And yet all they did could not preserve the Convocation from scandal and suspition of Mr Cheynels pamphlet three years after And ere these Rules were ratified by the King they granted him a most ample benevolence of the Clergy of four shillings in the pound for six years toward his intended Expedition against the Scots and so brake up the 29. of May Which guift is construed to be an Act of very high presumption and usurpation upon the preheminence of Parliament No Convocation having power to grant any subsidies or aid without confirmation of the Lay-Senate This certainly is much mistaken May not the English Clergy as well as all other Clergies give their own without leave of any and the Convocation as amply impowred therein as the Parliament in their Grants for the Lay-people and every Clerk elected bindes him by Instrument Se ratum gratum acceptum habere quicquid dicti procuratores sui dixerint fecerint vel constituerint And this Authority as amply as the Commons is precedented from the Convocation 1585. which having given one Subsidy
against their House and Privileges and the Vindication also of divers Members thereof in this Declaration Whereupon we declare that if any person shall arrest either of them or any Member of Parliament by any Warrant from the King onely is guilty of the Breach of the Privileges of Parliament And whereas by several Examinations taken the seventh of this instant January before the Committee in London it did appear that many Souldiers and Papists to the number of five hundred armed came with his Majesty on Tuesday last the fourth of this present to the House c. We do declare that it was a traiterous Design against the King and Parliament And whereas they the said Members did with approbation of the House absent themselves since which time a printed Paper in the form of a Proclamation dated the sixth of this instant issued out for their apprehending and Imprisonment We do declare that the said Paper is false scandalous and illegal and that notwithstanding they may and ought to attend the service of the House And we do declare that the publishing of several Articles of High Treason against them was a high Breach of the Privileges of Parliament a Scandal to his Majesty and Dishonour to the said Members which cannot be sufficiently vindicated unless his Majesty discover the Names of such persons who advised him thereto that they may receive condign punishment This House declaring that all such persons c. are declared publick Enemies to the State c. During these passages a tumultuous Number of common persons came to Westminster out of the City offering violence upon the persons of sundry Bishops going and coming out of the House of Peers which extremely deterred them from their future attendance there whereupon they petition the King and protest That whereas the Pâ—titioners were called up by Writ to attend in Parliament and have a clear and indubitable Right to vote in Bills and other matters debated and ought to be protected They protest before God that they are most willing to do their Duties there accordingly That they abominate all Actions or Opinions tending to Popery all Propensions or Inclinations to any Malignant party or any other partie to which their Consciences sâ—all not move them to adhere That they have been many times menaced affronted and assaulted by Multitudes of people in their coming to do their service to the Parliament and lastly chased away in danger of their Lives without any redress of their Complaints to both Houses c. They do therefore in all Duty and Humility protest before your Majesty and the Peers in Parliament against all Laws Orders Votes Resolutions and Determinations as in themselves null and of none effect which in their absence since the seven and twentieth of December have already passed as likewise against such as shall hereafter pass in that most honourable House during the time of this their forced and violent absence c. and humbly beseech his Majesty to command the Clerk of that House of Peers to enter this their Petition and Protestation Signed John Ebor. Thomas Duresm Robert Covent Lich. Jos Norwich John Asaphan Gul. Ba. Wells Geo Hereford Rob Oxon. Mat Ely Godfr Glouâ— Jo Peterburgh Mar Landaff This fell out as many would have it a leading case to their confusion wherefore the Lords on the thirtieth of December desire a Conference touching matters of high and dangerous consequence where the Lord Keeper told them That this Petition and Protestation of the twelve Bishops is extending to the deep entrenching upon the Fundamental Privileges and being of Parliaments And therefore it was resolved hereupon to accuse them of high Treason and Master Glyn sent of the Arrand to the Lords and to sequester them from Parliament and to be put in safe custody to make good their Answer to the Commons charge and so they were instantly by the Black Rod to be apprehended and were all by eight a clock at night brought on their Knees to the Lords Bar and ten of them committed to the Tower and two of them in regard of their age and the worthy parts of one of them the learned Bishop of Durham were committed to the Black Rod. Then the House of Commons pretending hazzard to their persons upon the late Assault of the King and his Retinue they sent a Message to the King for a Guard To present to his Majesty the just Fears of Designs and Practises to destroy them by a Malignant party in the Face and at the Doors of the Parliament and at your Majesties own Gates c. They humbly desire therefore to have a Guard out of the City of London commanded by the Earl of Essex Chamberlain of your Majesties Houshold And to this end they humbly desire a gracious and speedy Answer because theirs and the Kingdoms safety depends upon it and will not admit of any Delay The King gives Answer That with great grief of heart after their twelve Moneths sitting wherein they have obtained those things for their security and happiness as no Age can equal they should now be disturbed with Ielousies Distrusts and Fears protesting before God that had he any knowledg or belief of the least Design in any of violence against them he would pursue them to condign punishment with the same severity as the greatest Attempt upon his Crown Engaging solemnly the Word of a King that their security from violence shall ever be his care as the Preservation of Himself and Children And if this general Assurance shall not suffice He shall command such a Guard to wait upon them as he shall be responsible for to God who hath encharged him with the Protection of his Subjects There the City taking heart and hands with the House of Commons summon a Common Council where they debate the Jealousies and Fears possessing them and draw up a Petition To the Kings most Excellent Majesty Wherein they represent their Dangers and Distractions by the bloudy Rebellion in Ireland fomented and acted by Papists and of their Designs foreign and at home tending to the ruine of the Protestant Religion The putting out of persons of honour from being Constable of the Tower and the preparations there made the fortifying of White-hall the late Discovery of divers Fire works in the hands of a Papist His Majesties late manner in the House of Commons The effects of which just Fears overthrow the Trade of this City to the utter ruine of the Protestant Religion and the Lives and Liberties of the Subject And pray that by the Parliaments advice the Protestants in Ireland may be relieved the Tower be put in the hands of persons of trust a Guard appointed for the safety of the Parliament and that the late five Members may not be restrained nor proceeded against but by the Privileges of Parliament The King wondring at the wisdom of the City to be lead into the conceit of Fears and Jealousies upon such slender devised Grounds having
Covenant that the same be done by joint advice of the Committees of both Kingdoms and afterwards agreed upon by Votes of both Houses 3 That the Earl of Leven Lord General of the Scotish Forces in Ireland being now by the Votes of both Houses agreed to be Commander in chief over all the Forces as well British as Scots according to the fourth Article be desired with all convenient speed to nominate and appoint a Commander in chief under his Excellency over the said Forces to reside with them upon the place And a joynt Committee of both Kingdoms are appointed to reside with the said Forces and enabled with joint Instructions of both Kingdoms for Regulating the said Forces and carrying on of the war and accordingly the Committee were sent and so remained there Glocester now relieved the loss of their Enemy the Earl of Essex leaves with them three Culverins 46. barrels of powder and sets the Garison in order with the plunder provision of the Country filling their Granaries very plentifully and so departs The London Trained bands having done their work would needs go home but must pass the Kings pikes first and how their General also could escape the Kings Ingagement of a return was difficult not to be penned up in those parts and so made speed after the King who was Marched some miles before and passed by Cirencester leaving there a strong party where Essex his forlorn hope came and entred the Town whilst his Army surrounded it killed the Centry sleeping Marched up to the Market place without opposition being supposed Prince Maurice his forces that night expected entered their houses and surprized the people in their beds without any Allarm seized four hundred men and thirty Cart loads of Provision their onely support of the Souldier against the next battel at Newbery From thence Essex Marches to Chilleton the Cavaliers facing them on Mavarn hills but to amaze them Essex seems to retreat but sent out a party of horse who met and fired but were fain to wheel off with loss then the foot came on with a gallant charge accompanied with a volley of Dragoons and were answered as bravely by the King for an hour without ceasing and but time for Essex to bring on the Trained bands and Auxiliaries without any effect for night parted the fray and so from hence he Marches the next day to Newbery where the King being before hand had the advantage of the ground and planted his Ordinance with all the forces thereabouts On Wednesday the twentieth of September early as the sun the General takes a view of the Cavaliers set in Battalia at Newbery Common draws up and falls to firing for notice being brought to the King with his forces at Eversham that the Earl of Essex was returning from Glocester gave order to follow him and on the eighteenth of September his Majesties foot marching towards Wantage Prince Rupert with the whole body of horse advanced on the right hand to finde out Essex and got view of them that afternoon in a bottom near Aubern in Wiltshire and gave them two charges by the commanded party of Colonel urrey falling upon Essex Rear of his Horse where both encountred with equal loss Essex stands in Battalia for an hour and then marches the Prince overtakes him with a second charge adding the Queens Regiment as a reserve to the commanded party and his own Brigado to follow both Essex's horse appointed to bring up the Rear hastned forward within the Foot and brought Ruperts so near that it was necessary to decline them by falling off to the Right hand where two great Bodies of Essex's Horse came down a Hill and in excellent order received the others charge and after with eithers swords where the Lord Iermin received a slight wound on his Arm and the Lord Digby a shot on his head piece with loss of some men then those wheeling about ingaged the Lord Iermin with part of his Regiment almost to a loss but that they forced through some Bodies of Foot and got the better at that encounter onely with loss of Colonel Constable and that brave Gentleman the Marquess de la Vienville who was first taken prisoner and in cold blood unhandsomely slain and so night made either party retire The Kings Infantry was now at Wantage from whence Rupert desired them to march directly to Newbery with all speed the Horse refreshing at Lambern and Essex towards Hungerford arrived there the next morning six miles off so to Newbery but the King being come up before prevented them of accommodation there and lodged there himself that night all his Horse and some Musketiers were immediately drawn out beyond the water towards Essex his Army his whole body being within two miles and a half so as the parties fell to skirmish till dark night On goes Essex and surprizes the Kings new raised Troops at Cirencester scarce warm in their quarters And the twentieth of September the King saw his Enemy seated in a place the most advantageous the Horse Foot and Canon so planted for safety to themselves and annoyance of the King that it was conceived his Majesty was forced first to fight for a place â— to fight on which he did and gained the Hill the other pelting upon them from chosen groundâ— bushesâ— and hedges This Hill near Newbery and Enbarn-heath were the places where the most of this fight was performed The chief Commanders of Horse for the King besides Prince Rupert and the Lord Wilmot his Lieutenant General were the three Noble Lords the valiant Earls of Carnarvan and Northampton and the Lord Chandoys Sir Charls Lucas Colonel Charls Gerrard and Lieutenant Colonel Oneal In which fight were slain couragious Carnarvan whose memory since his undertaking to be a Commander is precious in Acts of honour and he that killed him lived not an instant after So was there slain the Noble Earl of Sunderland Colonel Morgan Lieutenant Colonel Fâ—ilding and many Gentlemen voluntiers by name Mr. Stroud and there were hurt of the prime Officers the Lord Andover Sir Charls Lucas Colonel Gerrard Colonel Ivers And of the Voluntiers the Earls of Carlisle and Peterborough Mr. Iohn Russell Mr. Edward Sacvile Mr. Henry Howard Mr. George Porter Mr. Progers The Kings foot were commanded by Sir Nicholas cholas Byron and the Horse by Sir Iohn Byron The chief Officers hurt were Colonel Dervy Lieutenant Colonel George Lisle who led on the forlorn hope and Lieutenant Col. Edward Villiers and here at the dispute of the Hill was slain that learned Lord Viscount Falkland Secretary of Estate The number slain on both sides are uncertain for what is confessed of the Cavalier supposes more of their Enemies I would there had been less then there were of either Only thus much is notorious not a Lord of the other side but in earnest we must give assurance many of their chief Officers were killed The slaughter fell foule on the London Trained bands
confined by the Parliament at VVestminster Earl of Chesterfield and the Lord Mountague of Boughton These Members then disabled by Accidents have appeared since Peter Venebles Sir Io. Pawler Edward Bagshaw Sir Io. Burlacie Fr. Newport Anthony Hungerford Io. Russel Thomas Chichely Earl of Cork Sir Iervase Cliâ—ton Sir Guy Palmes Ro. Sutton Iervase Hollis Sir Patrick Curwin Sir Henry Bellingham Sir George Dalston Sir Thomas Stanford Sir VVilliam Dalston Mich. VVharton Sir Ro. Hutton Iames Sindamore Sir Io. Brich Sir Io. Stepny Imployed in his Majesties Service Sir Io. Finch Hugh Porter VValter Kurle VVilliam Stanhop Sir VVilliam Carnaby Sir Thomas Danby Io. Fennich Ralph Sneade Sir VVilliam Ogle Sir Thomas Iermin Sir Iohn Stowell Sir Robert Strickland Sir Ph. Musgrave Io. Coucher Io. Coventry Sir Henry Slingsby Sir Io. Malory Io. Bellasis Sir Thomas Ingram Lord Mansfelt Thomas Hebelthaite Sir Hugh Cholmly Sir George VVentworth Sir VValter Lloyd Iohn Vaughan Richard Ferrers George Hartnoll Sir VVilliam Udall Robert Hunt Thomas May. Sir Thomas Bourcher Sir Thomas Roe These Members taking into consideration the distressed estate of this Kingdom did the seven and twentieth day of this instant Ianuary send a Letter to the Earl of Essex for a Treaty of peace signed by all the Members with order to be published to this effect My Lord His Majesty having by his Proclamation of the two and twentieth of December last upon occasion of this Invasion by some of his Subjects of Scotland summoned all of the Members of both Houses of Parliament to attend him here at Oxford inviting us in the said Proclamation by these gracious Expressions That his Subjects should see how willing he was to receive advice for preservation of the Religion Laws and Safety of the Kingdom and as far as in him lay to restore it its former peace and security his chief and onely end from these whom they had trusted though he could not receive it in the place where he appointed VVhich hath been made good to us and seconded by such unquestionable Demonstrations of his deep and princely sense of the miseries and calamities of his poor Subjects in this unnatural VVar and his passionate affection to redeem them from that deplorable condition by all ways consistent with his Honour or with the future safety of the Kingdom c. We being most intirely satisfied of this truth and sensible of the Desolations of our Countrey and further Dangers threatned from Scotland c. And we being desirous to believe your Lordship however ingaged a person likely to be sensibly touched with these considerations do invite you to that part in this blessed work wich is onely capable to repair all our miseries and buoy up the Kingdom from ruine VVe therefore conjure you by all obligations that have power upon honour conscience or publick piety you will co-operate with us to its preservation by truly representing to and promoving with those by whom you are trusted this our Desire That they joyning with us in a right season some persons be appointed on either part to treat of such a Peace as may redeem it from the brink of desolation This Address we make being assured by his Proclamation of Pardon that his mercy and clemency can transcend all former provocations God Almighty direct your Lordship and those whom you shall present with these our real Desires as may produce a happy peace c. Your affectionate Friends c. Oxford Jan. 27. 1645. To these he returns no Answer to them but sends this Letter to the Parliament at Westminster where it wrought upon the Members according to their several affections The haste which the Scots Covenanters made rushed in their Army into England the sixteenth of Ianuary consisting of eighteen thousand Foot and two thousand Horse marching forwards till they came to the warm Sea-coal fires at Newcastle they knew the way hither having fared so well the time before in their first Expedition their then General and they being well rewarded here and at home by the Kings indulgent graces he following them into Scotland confirming unto them in full Parliament all the Privileges of Kirk and Kingdom and conferred many Honours and Offices He having done all this as before in particulars and ere he took leave to return wishing them to continue in allegeance and live in peace and if any difference should happen in England which he hoped God would divert he desired them to continue Neuters though he might expect Aid yet he would not disturb the Peace of his native Countrey To which they all obliged themselves by revival of their own Act to that purpose and at the publishing one of their chief that had been their General in the said Expedition fell on his knees and lifting up his arms and hands to Heaven wished they might rot to his body before he died if ever he would heave them up hereafter or draw his Sword against his gude King yet this Wretch Sir Alexander Lesly whom the King had made Lord Leven comes General of this Army also But their Harbinger came before them a Declaration spread abroad for satisfaction to their Brethren of England intentionally to answer three Questions The justness of their Cause The lawfulness of their calling thereunto And the faithfulness of their carriage therein For the first they appeal to the great Searcher of all hearts who knows that had not the love of Christ requiring to bear one anothers burthen and the Law of Nature challenging our endeavour to prevent our own Danger inveloped with our Neighbours and our Duty and Desire of rescuing the King from his pernicious Council we could with far more content have enjoyed our dry Morsel than entered into your Houses full of Sacrifices with strife c. And we profess before God and the world our hearts are clean and free from any other intentions than those expressed in our Solemn League and Covenant confederate with England viz. Reformation of Religion Honour of the King Peace of the Kingdoms Secondly and because a good necessarily requires a good Calling c. Providence hath so provided that the Parliament of England have a particular obligation upon this our Nation for refusing to countenance a VVar against us in 1640. and now desire our assistance to them and so with the sense of Piety Religion Honour and Duty to their Sovereign we may not resist our Call to this Expedition Thirdly then for our carriage herein we shall order our Army from Insolencies Rapines Plunderings and other calamities incident to War And we do freely give the Publick Faith of the Kingdom of Scotland unto the Kingdom of England that neither our entrance into nor continuance in England shall be made use of to other ends than is expressed in that Covenant which we shall keep inviolable And call God to witness their onely intent of VVar is to confirm all in Peace and so to return home again How they have performed these let the world judge I
with a Design specially to kiss the King In earnest it was so strongly conceited that the Parliament were put to it thereupon to conâ—ider what to do and order That in case the King comes to any Guard of the City he shall be instantly conducted to James's House with a Guard to prevent Resort to him and there to tarry till fresh and greater Forces come thither and to remain till further order that all who shall come to him are instantly to be imprisoned unless by direction of Parliament that none shall resort to that House And to effect all this the Guards are to be trebled and strengthened accordingly And yet as busie as they are with these matters of State yet they had time and necessity it seems to vote the Sale of the Brass Monument in the Chappel of Windsor Cathedral to be sold and if the value exceed not six hundred pounds then that Money to be paid unto the Governour Colonel Ven who was so cunning and had so much kindness afforded him by the Committee as to have it sold for no more and so he had that Money besides other Sums shared by the by of which the Parliament were deceived This Monument which the Committee call Brass defaced was that curious costly elaborate Tomb erected at the immense charge of Cardinal Wolsey intended for the memory of King Henry the eighth And so served the Cardinal's Design also for his own memory as the re-edifying of Paul's Church in London continues the Monument of Laud the Arch-bishop of Canterbury The other was a piece of rarity and sold for a Song to a Dutch man that made of it much more for the weight of Brass There had been some necessary occasion at the Garison of Dennington Castle for the King as usual in most Garisons besieged to fire the Out-houses and after the Surrender thereof upon Articles and the Governour gone home he was there seized arrested till he gave satisfaction for the Damage to the Neighbour Inhabitants for that Fire And thereupon an Ordinance was framed That all Articles of Surrenders should insert the Dammages by wilfull firing Which was strange to the Governours of Garisons and afterwards upon the like account increased to Inconveniences intolerable to all such Commanders of the Kings party who were likely now to pay for all which yet made them endure hardship enough ere their Surrender for against this Ordinance there was no limitation or power in the Parliaments Commanders And therefore it was that the City and Garison of Exeter amongst others for the King had endured a hard Siege by the Forces of Fairfax left there some time since to block them up whilest himself marched into the West-countrey and Cornwall and having reduced those parts he now returns with his Army to the Siege before Exeter with his Lieutenant General Cromwel contemporary in all the great Actions of the West and now saluted with Vollies of Well-come instantly they call a Council and resolve upon Refusal of their Summons forthwith after to storm to which the Governour answers That yesterday he received the Summons and at his Council of War it was agreed on that Commissioners might meet on either side to treat on Friday next April 3. Which Treaty lasted a long time having to do the Souldier said with long-tongu'd Lawyers always in enmity with the Sword which lengthened the Treaty ten Days and the Surrender not yielded but upon honourable terms wherein the General Fairfax and Cromwell never offered less than noble Conditions To march out with Arms Colours flying Drums beating and with Bullet c. to Oxford the Cornish into their Countie And so the Governour Sir Iohn Berkley marched out with two thousand persons whereof seven hundred Cornish The Princess Henretta Maria the Kings youngest childe went out thence and is disposed of by the Parliament at St. Iames's with the rest of the Kings Children for the present till she was conveyed away afterwards by her Governess into France Barnstable Town in Devonshire was surrendered April 7. and the Fort a Sevennight after so that this Moneth have been delivered up to the Parliament Ruthen Castle Exeter Barnstable St. Michael's Mount Dunston Castle Woodstock Garison and others Mischiefs to the King which puts him upon desperate Resolutions for safety of his person closely besieged in Oxford And the General having done his Work Westward returns to Newburie the nineteenth of April But now comes strange News of an Ecclesiastick Apostate Doctor Williams Arch-bishop of York he being quite out of hope in this low condition of the King longer to uphold himself in his high place of Episcopal Prelacie and desirous at last to make his peace with the Parliament hath betaken himself to his house at Purin near Conway in VVales put a Garison therein and fortified the same protesting against the Kings party and disswading the County from Contribution to the King And hath written to Colonel Mitton of the Parliaments party to assist him against the the Lord Byron who understanding of his Revolt had sent a party from Conway to besiege him soon after this Metropolitan became an utter Enemy against the King and no doubt his own conscience changing his Canonical Habit for a Coat of Mail with that bold open malepert petulant impudence as for the less dishonour to the Function I forbear to mention leaving him whilest he lived neglected of the Orthodox Ministers and a scorn even to his own Abetters And now is Dudley Castle surrendered to Sir VVilliam Brereton May 13. by Colonel Levison the Governour for the King upon very reasonable Conditions The General Fairfax comes to the Leaguer before Oxford the King being removed from thence in disguise the seven and twentieth of Aprill now the second time besieged for indeed the General having done so much in the West returns hither and began the siege afresh that he might have the honour to carry this Royal Garison which after close begirting and noble Sallies received the King gon and most of his Garisons thereabout surrendred no relief to be hoped for This City comes to a Treaty at Heding the seventeenth of May The Commissioners for the Treaty were these whom we mention for their memory Sir Iohn Mounson Knight and Baronet Sir Iohn Heyden Sir Thomas Gardner Sir George Binion Sir Richard Willis Sir Stephen Hawkins Colonel Gosnol Colonel Tillier Doctor Zouch Thomas Christy Iohn Dutton Ieffrey Palmer Robert Mead Esq For the Parliament were Lieutenant General Hamond Colonel Ireton Lambert Rich General Scoutmaster Walson Majors Desborough and Harison Mr. Herbert and Mr. Waller But the Treaty went on slowly The Commissioners for the King were bounded by Instructions of the Lords and others of the Kings Privy Council and Sir Thomas Glenham Governour of the Garison of Oxon Authorising the said Commissioners for the Garison to Treat for us and in our names with Sir Thomas Fairfax Lieutenant General of the forces now before Oxford or
required to give his Answer but he refused so to doe and so exprest several passages at his Tryall in refusing to Answer For all which Treasons and Crimes this Court doth adjudge that the said Charls Stuart as a Tyrant Traytor Murtherer and publick Enemy shall be put to death by the severing his head from his body This Sentence saies the President now read and published is the Act Sentence Iudgement and Resolution of the whole Court To which the Members of the Court stood up and assented to what he said by holding up their hands The King offered to speak but he was instantly commanded to be taken away and the Court broke up The number of the Judges at the Kings Sentence of Death were 78. and their names Serjeant Io. Bradshaw President Lieutenant General O. Cromwel Com. Gen. Ireton Ma. Gen. Skippon Colonels Thomas Harrison Edward Whaley Thomas Pride Isaac Ewer Richard Ingolsby Rowland Wilson Henry Martin William Purfrey Godfrey Boswel Iohn Barkstead Harbotle Morley Mathew Tomlins Hewson Edward Ludlow Iohn Hutchinson Robert Titchburn Owen Row Robert Lilburn Adrian Scroope Richard Dean Iohn Okey Iohn Harison Iohn Desborough William Goffe Iohn More Francis Lasseley Edmund Harvey Iohn Venn Anthony Stapeley Iohn Downs Thomas Hamâ—nd George Fleetwood Iames Temple Thomas Wait. Esquires that did sit Will. Hemington Isaac Penington Alderman Tho. Atkins Alderman Iohn Blaxtone Gilbert Millington Cornelius Holland Iohn Carme Iohn Iones Miles Corbet Francis Allen Peregrine Popham Iohn Gowden Francis Thorpe Serjeant Thomas Chaloner William Say Iohn Aldred Henry Smith Iames Chaloner Dennis Bond Humphrey Edward Gregory Clement Iohn Fry Thomas Wogan Iohn Fowkes Alderman Thomas Scot Alderman Thomas Andrews Alderman William Cowley Abraham Burrel Iohn Lisle Nicholas Love Vincent Potter Iohn Corbet Thomas Blunt Tho. Boon Augustine Carlanel Iohn Dukswell Simon Maine Daniel Blagrave Iohn Downe Iohn Lownes Officers attending the Court Doctor Doarislaus Mr. Ashbie Councellors Mr. Cooke Sollicitor Colonel Humfrey Sword-bearer Mr. Dendy Jun. Serjeant at Arms Mr. Phâ—lps Mr. Broughton Clerks to the Court Messengers Wolfred Payne Radley Powell Isall King the Cryer The Lords that did sit Thomas Lord Gray of Grooby Philip Lord Lisle And here we may insert the Kings Reasons against the Jurisdiction of the Court which he intended to have declared in writing on Munday Ianu. 22. but was not permitted Having already made my protestations not only against the illegality of this pretended Court but also that no earthly power can justly call me who amyour KING in question as a Delinquent I would not any more open my mouth upon this occasion more than to refer my self to what I have spoken were I alone in this case alone concerned But the duty I owe to God in the preservation of the true liberty of my people will not â—ufâ—er me at this time to be silent For how can any free-born Subject of England call life or any thing he posseseth his own if power without right daily make new and abrogate the old fundamental Law of the Land which I now take to be the present case Wherefore when I came hither I expected that you would have endeavoured to have satisfied me concerning these grounds which hinder me to answer to your pretended impeachment but since I see that nothing I can say will move you to it â—though Negatives are not so naturally proved as Affirmatives yet I will shew you the Reason why I am confident you cannot judge me nor indeed the meanest man in England for I will not like you without shewing a reason seek to impose a belief upon my Subjects There is no proceeding just against any man but what is warranted either by Gods Laws or the municipall Laws of the Countrey where he lives Now I am most confident that this daies proceeding cannot be warranted by Gods Law for on the contrary the Authority of obedience unto Kings is clearly warranted and strictly commanded both in the old and new Testament which if denied I am ready instantly to prove and for the question now in hand there it is said That where the word of a King is there is power and who may say unto him what doest thou Eccles. 8. 4. Then for the Laws of this Land I am no less confident that no Learned Lawyer will affirm that an impeachment can lye against the King they all going in his name and one of their Maximes is That the King can do no wrong Besides the Law upon which you ground your proceedings must either be old or new if old shew it if new tell what Authority warranted by the Fundamental Laws of the Land had made it and when But how the House of Commons can erect a Court of Iudicature which was never one it self as is well known to all Lawyers I leave to God and the World to judge and it were full as strange that they should pretend to make Laws without King or Lords-House to any that have heard speak of the Laws of England And admitting but not granting that the people of Englands Commission could grant your pretended power I see nothing you can shew for that for certainly you never asked the Question of the tenth man of the Kingdom and in this way you manifestly wrong even the poorest Ploughman if you demand not his free consent nor can you pretend any colour for this your pretended Commission without the consent at least of the major part of every man in England of whatsoever quality or condition which I am sure you never went about to seek so far are you from having it Thus you see that I speak not for my own right alone as I am your King but also for the true Liberty of all my Subjects which consists not in sharing the power of Government but in living under such Laws such a Government as may give themselves the best assurance of their lives and propriety of their goods Nor in this must or doe I forget the priviledges of both Houses of Parliament which this daies proceeding doth not only violate but likewise occasion the greatest breach of their publick Faith that I believe ever was heard of with which I am far from charging the two Houses for all the pretened crimes laid against me bear date long before this late Treaty at NEWPORT in which I having concluded as much as in me lay and hopefully expecting the two Houses agreement thereto I was suddenly surprized and hurried from thence as a prisoner upon which account I am against my will brought hither where since I am come I cannot but to my power defend the ancient Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom together with my own just right Then for any thing I can see the higher House is totally excluded And for the House of Commons it is too well known that the major part of them are deteined or deterred from sitting â—o as if I had no other this were sufficient for me to protest against the lawfulness of your pretended
all retired to Bugden where he lived very Hospitably and in manner and order of the good Bishops not without an eye and ear over him of such as were Intelligencers of Court And at Westminster Hall the Ceremony begun towards the Abbey Church in order thus 1. The Aldermen of London by couples ushered by an Herauld 2. Eighty Knights of the Bath in their Robes each one having an Esquire to support and a Page to attend him 3. The Kings Serjeants at Law Solicitor Atturney Masters of Request and Iudges 4. Privy Councellors that were Knights and the chief Officers of the Kings Houshold 5. Barons of the Kingdome bare-headed in their Parliament Robes with Swords by their sides 6. The Bishops with Scarlet Gowns and Lawn sleeves bare-headed 7. The Vice-Counts and Earls not in their Parliament but in their Coronation Robes with coronetted Caps on their Heads 8. The Officers of State for the day whereof these are the Principal Sir Richard Winn Sir George Goring The Lord Privy Seal The Archbishop of Canterbury The Earl of Dorset carrying the first Sword The Earl of Essex carrying the second Sword The Earl of Kent carrying the third Sword The Earl of Mountgomery carrying the Spurs The Earl of Sussex carrying the Globe and Cross upon it The Bishop of London carrying the Golden Cup for the Communion The Bishop of Winchester carrying the Golden Plate for the Communion The Earl of Rutland carrying the Scepter The Marquess Hamilton carrying the Sword of State naked The Earl of Pembroke carrying the Crown The Lord Maior in a Crimson Velvet Gown carried a Short Scepter before the King amongst the Serjeants The Earl of Arundel as Earl Marshall of England and the Duke of Buckingham as Lord High Constable of England for that day went next before his Majesty The King entred at the West Gate of the Church under a rich Canopy carried by the Barons of the Cinque Ports His own Person supported by Doctor Neil Bishop of Durham on the one hand and Doctorâ— Lake Bishop of Bath and Wells on the other His train six yards long of Purpleâ—Velvet held up by the Lord Compton Master of the Robes and the Lord Viscount Doncaster Master of the Wardrobe Here he was met by the Prebends of Westminster Bishop Lawd supplying the Deans Place in their rich Copes who delivered into the Kings hands the Staff of King Edward the Confessor with which he walked up to the Throne Which was framed from the Quire to the Altar the King mounted upon it none under the degree of a Baron standing therein save only the Prebends of Westminster who attended on the Altar Three Chairs for the King in several places first of Repose the second the antient Chair of Coronation and the third placed on an high square of five steps ascent being the Chair of State All settled and reposed the Arch-bishop of Canterbury presented his Majesty to the Lords and Commons East West North and South asking them if they did consent to the Coronation of K. Charles their lawful Soveraign The King in the mean time presented himself bareheaded the consent being given four times with great acclamation the King took his Chair of Repose The Sermon being done the Arch-Bishop invested in a rich Cope goeth to the King kneeling upon Cushions at the Communion Table and askes his willingness to take the Oath usually taken by his Predecessors The King is willing ariseth and goeth to the Altar and is interrogated and thus answereth Coronation Oath Sir Sayes the Arch-bishop will you grant and keep and by your Oath confirm to the People of England the Laws and Customes to them granted by the Kings of England your lawful and Religious Predecessours and namely the Laws Customs and Franchises granted to the Clergy by the glorious King St. Edward your Predecessor according to the Lawes of God the true profession of the Gospel established in this Kingdome agreeable to the Prerogative of the Kings thereof and the antient Customes of the Realm The Kings answer I grant and promise to keep them Sir Will you keep Peace and Godly agreement according to your power both to God the holy Church the Clergy and the people I will keep it Sir Will you to your power cause Law Iustice and discretion to mercy and truth to be executed to your Iudgement I will Sir will you grant to hold and keep the Laws and Rightfull Customes which the Comminalty of this your Kingdome have and will you defend and uphold them to the honour of God so much as in you lieth I grant and promise so to do Then one of the Bishops read this Admonition to the King before the people with a lowd voice Our Lord and King wee beseech you to pardon and to grant and to preserve unto Vs and to the Churches committed to your charge all Canonical privileges and do Law and Iustice and that you would protect and defend Vs as every good King to his Kingdomes ought to be Protector and Defendor of the Bishops and the Churches under their Government The King answereth With a willing and devout heart I promise and grant my Pardon and that I will preserve and maintain to you and the Churches committed to your charge all Canonical privileges and due Law and Iustice and that I will be your Protector and Defender to my Power by the Assistance of God as every good King in his Kingdom in right ought to protect and defend the Bishops and Churches under their Government Then the King ariseth and is led to the Communion Table where he makes a solemn Oath in sight of all the people to observe the premisses and laying his hand upon the Bible saith The Oath The things which I have here promised I shall perform and keep So help me God and the Contents of this Book Then were his Robes taken off and were offered at the Altar He stood a while stripped to his Doublet and Hose of White Sattin Then led by the Arch Bishop and Doctor Lawd the Bishopâ—of St. Davids he was placed in the Chair of Coronation a Close Canopy spread over him the Arch-bishop anointing his Head Shoulders Arms and Hands with a costly ointment the Quire singing an Anthem of these words Zadook the Priest anointed King Solomon Hence he was led up in his Doublet and Hose with a White Coife on his head to the Communion Table where the Bishop of St. Davids Deputy for the Dean brought forth the antient Abiliments of King Edward the Confessor and put them upon him Then brought back to the Chair of Coronation he received the Crown of King Edward presented by the Bishop of Saint Davids and put on his Head by the Archâ— Bishop of Canterbury the Quire singing an Anthem Thou shalt put a Crown of pure Gold upon his head whereupon the Earls and Viscounts put on their Crimson Velvet Caps with Coronets about them the
my Religion The Earl replying desired the Prince to pardon him if he had offended him saying It was but out of his desire to serve him Whereas it had been the duty of a faithful servant to God and his Master to have disswaded the Prince from it had he found him staggering in his Religion Eighthly That he afterward having Conference with the Prince about the Romish Religion trayterously endeavoured to perswade him to turn Romish Catholique using an Argument to that end That the State of England never did nor could possibly do any great thing but when obedient to the Pope of Rome Ninthly That during the time aforesaid the Prince advising with the Earl about a new Offer by the King of Spain That the Prince Palatine should marry the Emperours Daughter â—e brought up in his Court and so should be restored to the Palatinate The Earl said It was a reasonable Proposition And when the danger of changing his Religion was objected the Earl replyed That without some such great Act the peace of Christendom could never be procured Tenthly That the Prince departing from Spain and leaving the Powers of Disposorios with the said Earl to be delivered upon the return of his Dispensation from Rome the Prince fearing lest after the Dispensation the Infanta might be put into a Monastery wrote a Letter back to the Earl commanding him not to make use of those Powers untill he could give him assurance that a Monastery should not rob him of his Wife which Letter the Earl receiving returned an answer disswading that Direction Shortly after which the Prince sent another Letter discharging him of his former Command But his late Majesty by the same Messenger sent him a more express Direction Not to deliver the Disposorios until a full conclusion had concerning the Palatinate adding this expression That he would never joy to marry his Son and to leave his onely Daughter weeping In which Dispatch though there was some mistake yet in the next following it was corrected and the Earl tied to his former Restrictions which he promised punctually to observe Neverthelesse contrary to his Duty and Allegiance he after set a day for the Disposorios without any assurance or so much as treating of those things to which he was restrained and that so short a day that if extraordinary diligence with good successe in the Journey had not concurred the Princes hands might have been bound up and yet he never sure of a Wife nor the Prince Palatine of Restitution Lastly That in an high an contemptuous manner he hath preferred a scandalous Petition to this Honourable House to the dishonour of the late King and his now Majesty especially one Article of that Petition wherein he gives his now Majesty the Lye by denying and offering to falsifie what his Majesty had affirmed There needs no strain of partiality to implead the difference of these charges assuredly if the Earls charge against the Duke could have served the turn It might have spared the Commons Impeachment the other comming far short of the designe which was to do it to the purpose And therefore This weighty Cause was managed by six Members Mr. Glanvil Mr. Herbert Ma. Selden Mr. Pim Mr. Wans ford Mr. Sherland to them was added Sr. Dudly Diggs as Prolocutor and Sr. Iohn Elliot brought up the Rear And so though the matter of the Prologue may be spared being made up with Elegancy yet rather then it shall be lost you may please to read it at this length My Lords THere are so many things of great importance to be said in very little time this day that I conceive it will not be unacceptable to your Lordships if setting by all Rhetorical affectations I onely in plain Country language humbly pray your Lordships favour to include many excuses necessary to my manifold infirmities in this one word I am commanded by the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons house to present unto your Lordships their most affectionate thanks for your ready condescending to this Conference which out of confidence in your great wisdoms and approved Justice for the service of his Majesty and the welfare of this Realm they desired upâ—â— this occasion The House of Commons by a fatal and universal concurrence of complaints from all the Sea-bordering parts of this Kingdom did find a great and griâ—vous interruption and stop of Trade and Traffique The base Pirats of Sally ignominiously infesting our Coasts taking our ships and goods and leading away the Subjects of this Kingdom into barbarous Captivity while to our shame and hinderance of Commerce our enemies did as it were besiege our Ports and block up our best Rivers mouths 〈◊〉 Friends on flight pretences made embargoes of our Merchants goods and every Nation upon the least occasion was ready to contemn and slight us So great was the apparent diminution of the ancient honour of this Crown and once strong reputation of our Nation Wherewith the Commons were more troubled calling to remembrance how formerly in France in Spain in Holland and every where by Sea and Land the Valours of this Kingdom had been better valued and even in latter times within remembrance when we had no Alliance with France none in Denmark none in Germany no Friend in Italy Scotland to say no more ununited Ireland not setled in peace and much less security at home when Spain was as ambitious as it is now under a King Philip the second they called their wisest the House of Austria as great and potent and both strengthened with a malitious League in France of persons ill-affected when the Low-countreys had no being yet by constant counsels and old English wayes even then that Spanish pride was cool'd that greatness of the house of Austria so formidable to us now was well resisted and to the United Provinces of the Low countreys such a beginning growth and strength was given as gave us honour over all the Christian World The Commons therefore wondring at the Evils which they suffered debating of the causes of them found they were many drawn like one Line to one Circumference of decay of Trade and strength of Honour and of Reputation in this kingdom which as in one Centre met in one great man the Cause of all whom I am here to name the Duke of Buckingham Here Sir Dudly Diggs made a stand as wondring to see the Duke present Yet he took the Roll and read the Preamble to the charge with the Dukes long Titles and then went on My Lords This lofty Title of this mighty Man me thinks doth raise my spirits to speak with a Paulo majora canamus and let it not displease your Lordships if for foundation I compare the beautiful Structure and fair composition of this Monarchy wherein we live to the great work of God the World it self in which the solid body of incorporated Earth and Sea as I conceive in regard of our Husbandry Manufactures and Commerce by Land and Sea may
into one Opinion that thereby no reason given to the House their Restraint was an Arrest of the whole Body and a breach of Priviledge must needs follow which was so remonstrated to the King and they therefore released But what ground â—r Presidents had the Judges a late law of their own making for it is well observed That in the Parliament 35. Eliz. Sr. Peter Wentworth and Sr. Henry Bromley by petition to the Upper House to be supplicants with them of the Lower House unto her Majesty for entailing the succession of the Crown the Bill being drawn by them These two were summoned before Sr. Thomas Henage one of the Privy Councel and commanded to forbear the Parliament and to stand secured to their Lodgings and after further examination before the Councel were committed Wentworth to the Tower Bromley and other Courtiers to the Fleet. Another instance Mr. Morice Attorny of the Dutchy of Lancaster for moving against the justice of the Courts of Ecclesiastical Iudges Subscriptions and Oaths was taken out of the House so saith another Authour and committed to Prison for whose release Mr. Wroth humbly moved the House to be petitioners to her Majesty But was answered That the Queen must not accompt for actions of Royal Authority which may be of high and dangerous consequence nor can it become them to search into the Prerogative of Soveraigns These Members were five in all and might have been Precedents for the King and his five Members in due place hereafter But this course now taught the Lords to resent the like indignity to them in the Earl of Arundels case who lay committed to the Tower as before said and so they would sit still without motion to any matter till that he might be reâ—admitted which was instantly done To ballance with the Dukes Enemies Three Persons his confederates were made Barons to compeer in the Lords House the Lord Mandevil the eldest son to the Earl of Manchester created by Patent Baron Kimbolton Grandison son to the created Baron Imbercourt and Sr. Dudly Carlton made Baron Tregate being newly returned from his Trade of seven years Leiger Ambassadour abroad in Venice and Holland But it is said That the Lords found out an Old Order to Counter checque that designe That no Creations sedente Parliamento should have power to vote but onely to sit Not to Iudge but to learn to understand during that Session so that their Suffrages were excluded But I am assured of the contrary for they sate and voted Hence it is truly observed That in the late Parliament 1640. Seymor Littleton and Capel were so created sedente Parliamento and Digby Rich and Howard of Charlton called by special Writ were also admitted their votes and afterwards the last of the nineteen Propositions to the King at York for the King to passe a Bill to restrain Peers made hereafter to sit and vote in Parliament unlesse with consent of both Houses To which the King absolutely refused But however they were admitted the Duke was put to his own Innocency partially stiled impudency and lodges injustice on the Peers whose ill opinion he sayes deprest him and partial affection elevated the other who received the Attornies charge with undaunted spirit and returned so home an Answer as the House was amply satisfied of which take his own so saying for we hear not a word more nor other of it than that he saies so But the Dukes defence came quick to the Lords the eighth of Iune Who he sayes sequestered him from the House until his cause was determined upon which he was much dejected when really of himself he had forbore the House And therefore this morning had resolved to send it but was advised to present it himself which we shall finde to this purpose The Commons Impeachment and Declaration against the Duke of Buckingham FOr the speâ—dy redresse of the great evils and mischiefs and of the chief causes of those evils and mischiefs which this Kingdom of England now grievously suffereth and of late years hath suffered and to the Honour and Safety of our Soveraign Lord the KING and of his Crown and dignities and to the good and welfare of his people the Commons in this present Parliament by the authority of our said Soveraign Lord the King assembled do by this their Bill shew and declare against GEORGE Duke Marquesse and Earl of Buckingham Earl of Coventry Viscount Villers Baron of Whaddon great Admirall of the Kingdoms of ENGLAND and Ireland and of the principalitie of Wales and of the Dominions and Islands of the same of the Town of Calais and of the Marches of the same and of Normandy Gascoigne and Guyen Generall Governour of the Seas and Ships of the said Kingdoms Lieutenant Generall Admirall Captain Generall and Governour of his Majesties Royall Fleet and Army lately set forth Master of the Horses of our Soveraign Lord the King Lord Waâ—den Chancellour and Admirall of the Cinque-ports and of the Members thereof Constable of Dover Castle Iustice in Eyre of all Forests and Chaces on this side of the River of Trent Constable of the Castle of Windsor Lieutenant of Middlesex and Buckingham-shire Steward and Bailiffe of Westminster Gentleman of his Bed-chamber and one of his Majesties honourable Frivie Councel in his Realms both of England Scotland and Ireland and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter The Misdemeanors Misprisions Offences Crimes and other matters comprised in the Articles following And him the said Duke do accuse and impeach of the the said Misdemeanors Misprisions Offences and Crimes ARTIC I. The Duke 's 1. Reply THat he the said Duke being young and unexperienced hath of late years with exorbitant ambition and for his own advantage procured and engrossed into his own hands severall great Offices both to the danger â—f the State and prejudice of that Service which should have been performed in them and to the discouragement of others who are thereby precluded from such hopes as their virtues abilities and publique employments might otherwise have obtained THat his late Majesty did of his own Royal Motion bestow them upon him and he hopeth and concieveth he may without blame recieve what his bountiful Master conferred upon him if the Common-wealth doth not suffer thereby Nor is it without precedents that men eminent in the esteem of their Soveraign have held as great and many Offices as himself But if it shall be proved that he falsely or corruptly hath executed those Offices he is and will be ready to resign them with his life and fortunes to his Majesties dispose II. Reply 2. That in the 16. year of the Reign of the late King he did give and pay to the then Earl of Nottingham for the Office of Great Admiral of England and Ireland and of the principality of Wales and Generall Governour of the Seas and Ships of the said Kingdomes and for the surrender of the said Offices to the intent the said Duke might
executâ—â—◠〈◊〉 he wretchedly died IRELAND The State of England must be cleared of an Imputation That the not reducing Ireland to Civility since the Martial design 17 H. 2. above four hundred years was so continued in policy But if otherwise intended why not the Conquest perfected till their subjection to K. Charls In truth their former defects have been the faint prosecution of the War and loosness of Civil Governments The Souldiers ill paid and worse commanded the more barbarous the greater difficulty witness Caesars to reduce Brittains and their petty Princes a longer War then with all Asia and under one Monarch The King of Spain hath felt that by the States of the Netherlands not as yet but the whole Kingdom of Portugal he got in a trice Tributaries they were the first degree of subjection but more properly Soveraigns than Subjects And H. 3. grants run thus Rex Regi Tosmond salutem c And the Record says Onale Rex 100 l. de auxilio domini Regis Henrici c. and in truth the English Kings might rather deserve their Title Rex Regum for each Rebel is a King and vi armis Regnum suum obtinuit and the Armies sent over at several times were ill paid more unruly worst commanded till 36. Edw. 3. Extorting Coin and Livery Free-quarter and Money the general fault of all Commanders there which the Irish call damnable Custom and so did nothing but undo one another the English Colonies as hardly used as the Irish Until 9 Eliz. who sent over more men and spent more money there than all her Progenitors since the first onset on that Nation for she had three Rebellions Oneal anno 1566. was soon defeated with a thousand men or rather he was slain by accident of the Scots not the English Army Desmond more deep six thousand English quite defeated him But Tyrones Rebellion universally spread enforced the Queen to send Essex with forces indeed twenty thousand by Poll yet did nothing till Mountjoy made an end of that war under King Iames and so submitted to English Government Laws Magistrates the Kings pardon and Peace in all parts an intire and perfect Conquest as Merline prophesied At Sextus maenia Hiberniae subverteâ— Regiones in Regnum redigentur But concerning the Civil Affairs they were never brought to any degree of Reformation till the Governour Earl of Sussex laid the platform and proceeded in the way which Sr. H. Sidney pursued reducing the Countries into â—hires placing 〈◊〉 and Ministers of Laws but yet rather in a course of 〈◊〉 than by Civil Courts for though the greatest part of 〈◊〉 were vested in the Crown by Act of Parliament yet no seizure nor brought in charge the Irish having all and though the Name O-Neal were damn'd as High Treason yet Tirlagh Leynnagh was suffered to leave that Title and to intrude upon the possessions of the Crown and that with favour of the State and the Abbaries and Religious Houses in Tyrone Tirconnel and Ferminagh dissolved in 33 Hen. 8. were never reduced into charge but were continually possest by the Religious Persons until King Iames came to the Crown Nay more strange the Donations of Bishopricks being a flower of the Crown which the Kings of England did ever retain when Papacy was at the highest There were three of them in Ulster namely Derry Rapho and Clogher which were never bestowed by any former Soveraigns though they were undoubted Patrons until King Iames the first King that ever supplied these Sees with Bishops Indeed after the Government of Henry Sidney followed Sir Iohn Perrolt who advanced the Reformation in three principal points In establishing the Composition of Conaught in reducing Ulster into seven Shires though in his time the Law never executed in those new Counties by Sheriffs or Justices of Assize but the people left to be ruled by their own barbarous Lords Laws Lastly by vesting in the Crown the Laws of Desmond in Munster and planting English there After Perrot comes Sir William Fitzers He raised a Composstion in Munster and setled the possessions of the Lords and Tenants in Monahan one of the last Acts of State tending to Reformation in Queen Elizabeths days Thus former Soveraigns endeavoured since Edward 3. to reduce this Nation and before the Civil Wars of York and Lancaster the chief aim was to order the degenerate English Colonies not respecting the meeâ— Irish. But after Hen. 7. who united the Roses they laboured to bring both English and Irish to Alleageance but never perfected till King Iames. The former 〈…〉 〈…〉 And for the Civil part to settle peace after Tyrone that Act of State or Act of oblivion by Proclamation pardoned all offences against the Crown and particular Trespasses don before King Iames his time and the inslaved Irish under their tyrant Lords were received into his Majesties immediate Protection As publick Peace so publick Iustice the first Sheriffs in Tyrone and Tyrâ—onnel in Ulster and Pelham and the first Justices in those Counties and afterwards in the first years Government of Sir Arthur Chichester he established two other new Circuits of Assize in Connaught and Munster where for two hundred years before had not been executed and publick Iustiâ—e grew so great as that there was Magna messis sed operarii pauci round about the whole Kingdom twice a year which heretofore was but about the Pale like the Circuit of Cynosur a about the Pole Quae cursu interiore brevi convertitur orbe By the Circuits of Assize the Commons were taught to be free Subjects to the King not Slaves to their Lords that their Cuttings Cosheries Sessings and such Extortions were unlawfull so that these tyrant Lords wanting means humbly petitioned for licence to take some competent contribution for their support which being denied them they were fain to fly into foreign parts and as Extortion banished them who could not live but under the Law so the Law banished the Irish Lord who could not live but by extortion that in five years not so many Malefactours of Death in the six Circuits or two and thirty Shires as in one Circuit of the West of England the Irish in peace fearfull to offend the Law and thereby â—ull knowledge of the Irish their Countries Persons and Actions and so their ancient Allowances in their Pipe Rolls pro Guidagio Spiagio was well spared Under Officers doing that Aâ—rand the neglect of the Law made the very English 〈◊〉 Irish which now counts them to be civil English The â—est was the setling of the Irish Estates as well as English for though a Law of Queen Elizabeth enabled the Governours to take Surrenders and regrant Estates unto the Irish yet but few Irish Lords in her time offered to make any if they did it was regranted to them again and to no other and the poor Septes paid their Duties as before so 〈◊〉 such a Surrender there was but one Freeholder made in a whole County which was
Designs he passed into Silesia after Galasso with the Body of his Army surprized him near Stenaw defeated his numerous Horse and surrounded the Foot which yielded with sixscore Colours Baggage and Artillery and so all Silesia submitted And now by his following progress gave more than suspition what he had hatched for his own ambition and revenge of former disgraces for having collected his Forces at Egnar in Bohemia paid them three Moneths Money and took their Oath to himself without 〈…〉 〈…〉 Two of his Colonels Gordon and Lesly Scots and Butler an Irish Officer invite his chief Generals his Creatures to a Supper at Egnor where they were soon dispatched for their Masters sake the Emperour Butler comes to Wallestein thrusts open his Chamber-door he dressed for his Bed so staggered and hared him with this Reproach O Traitor to the Emperour and Empire Art thou there and therewith â—an him through with his Partizan stark dead and threw him out at the Window Thus ended that ambitious ungratefull Servant raised to this height from an ordinary Gentleman to be Prince of the Empire and Gâ—neralissimo of all his Forces in Germany Ambitious persons falling into perfidy are justly thus served which we mention here to close up the story though it happened the next year And so this Year remarkable for the Death of three Kings Sigismund of Poland who pâ—ously departed the nine and twentieth of April Gustave of Swede who was slain on the Bed of Honour the sixteenth of November And Frederick of Boheme who died of the Infection the nineteenth of November The Fundamental Laws of the Dane give a double Portion to the eldest Children of either Sex and to the rest equal shares and so by the death of Sophia Queen Dowager of Denmark our Kings Grand-mother there was due to him and his Sister Elizabeth in right of Queen Ann their Mother one hundred and fifty thousand pounds which was promised to our Ambassador the Earl of Leicester sent to that King partly to condole the old Queens death and by the way to demand his Portion The Complement of asking of him received another of owning to him being he was remembred of that Contract made with him 1625. of thirty thousand pounds a Moâ—â—th unpaid and yet due for support of his Army yet it seems was thus boldly concluded to draw on other Subscribers Confederates in that War and as usual not fully paid by any and so we may well be then in Arrear as I am sure the Dutch and French are to this day with him and us also The King had been very humbly solicited by the Scots earnest and affectionate supplications to chear and comfort them with his Court and to honour them with his Personal Coronation which he now resolves Not that that Crown was of 〈…〉 But the King to make good his own Inclination and Reason of State the main Arguments He sets out the thirteenth of May with a Princely Train the best of Nobility of England and all those here of Scotland and with them remarkable the English Treasurer and Secretary of State His motions were most certain not foreslowed His Guests were setled to their time and places otherwise He had made a mad Moneths Progress and many Entertainments would have been too sudden without such lawfull warning specially that of the Earl of Newcastles at Welbeck which he says cost the Earl six thousand pounds No such time place or provision But what he means was in Iuly the next year at Balfour Castle in Derby shire for the King Queen and their several Courts most sumptuous indeed And the King comes to Edenburgh the tenth of Iune and the eighth after designed for the solemn Celebrating of His Coronation glorious and bravely attended A little Metropolitan City God knows a long street rather But for a show It sets it forth at length from the Castle still descending to the Kings Palace Holy-rood House at a view the whole Triumphant Train a Mile and more where He was Crowned with all possible outward affection to his Person dissimulative for so it soon discovered And from this time we shall sum up the Scots perfidies smothered heretofore For now they begun secretly to consult and so to vent their â—islike of the Kings former Innocent Râ—vocation of Things scrambled from the Crown in his Fathers minority and his beneficial Commission of surrenders of Superiorities and Titles as before remembred But these Two Exceptions not sufficient to ground a Mutiny they mustered many such and feigned more And fell foul on some fears suggestions Innovation of Religion to be attempted this Parliament now assigned And withal politickly assured that nothing but calumnies could soil with suspicious jealousie or interrupt or relaxe the present joy of the common people grounding it on nothing more or other than a New Ratisioation of old Acts concerning the present Religion the Churches Liberties and priveledges assented unto by most voyces yet a wonder to many that soon dissented such as from that time became the great promoters of the after-Covenant shewing then the distemper of the heart that boyled out with too much heat at their mouth which seriously resolved it self into sedition soon after for having little more to do the King gratifies the greatest suitors with new Titles of Honour and no doubt consented unto by such as seemed disloyal to his just proceedings in Parliament there And yet these began to mutter but not as yet to mutiny till his departure which was not long after his visitation of Falkland Sterling Dumferling and other places eminent for any pleasure though none of them deserving the hazard the King had from danger of drowning in his passage over the Frith from Brunt-Island to Edenburgh and so came home to the Queen at Greenwich the 20. of Iuly But we may not forget whilest he was in Scotland the condition and behaviour of Sr. Iohn Stuart of Trahair lately made Baron Trahair Privy Councellor and Deputy Treasurer upon the resignation of the Lord Nappier a worthy states man Grand-childe to the afterwards renowned Matcheston and brother in law to the right famous Earl of Montrosse being in dislike of the times and aged and yet not without a considerable reward But Trahair acted his game more cunningly than honestly and now came into much favour with the King at this time He was created Earl of Trahair and in some years after Lord Treasurer of Scotland for upon the Earl of Mairs death Lord Treasurer Trahair was substituted in his place Marr was a Man of little Action and loving the Court of England was the lesse skilful to manage the affair of the Treasury But Trahair managing all tripled his own Estate in few years so faithful he was to himself not without complaint of the people And now in this Parliament There was a Tax granted to the King to be paid as formerly in four years amounting to one hundred thousand pounds Scots per
consequently have power to give order for the external part of Gods Service as was by Parliament granted to Queen Elizabeth and her Successours And the first Congregators calling themselves Protestants by Contract with Queen Elizabeth Anno 1559. received by Contract the Common Service-book of the Church of England for the better obtaining assistance from her to beat out the French then nestled in Scotland as Buchanan confesses Scoti ex servitute Gallica Anglorum auxiliis liberati eisdem Ritibus cum Anglis communibus subscripserunt lib. 19. in fine which was done by way of Indenture and thereupon Queen Elizabeth assisted them at their own charges and the English Service-book was so received by the Protestant Kirk of Scotland and practised as appears in Iohn Knox his History p. 111. of Buchanan's Edition in these words It is thought covenient advised and ordained that in all Parishes of this Realm Scotland the Common Prayer-book be publickly read weekly on Sundays and other Festival Days with the Lessons of the Old and New Testament therein contained conform to the Order of the said Book of Common Prayer and if the Curates of the Parishes be qualified to cause them reade the same and if they be not or refuse that the most qualified in every Parish shall reade it And that Preaching and Interpretation of Scriptures be used privately in the most convenient Houses where the People may quietly convene untill it shall please God to move the Princes heart to grant liberty of publick Preaching by faithfull and true Ministers And this was done Anno 1560. being so agreed upon the Year before And according to Queen Elizabeths Contract on her part she sent the Lord Grey with an Army of ten thousand Land-forces and an Navy by Sea which expulsed the French from thence but their turn served they afterwards devised another way of Discipline of their own like as those Covenanters did now refuse this Service-book not for any fault therein but because they would not have their Kirk depend upon the Jurisdiction and Order of the Church of England And whereas these Covenanters accused the Arch-bishop of Canterbury as Authour of this Book with the success thereafter as that they presumed to put their Platform of Geneva Discipline even upon the very Church of England as by their Solemn League and Covenant hereafter appeareth which though it take for a time with the prevalent party of their Faction in England yet shortly after as extravagant and they have since received their reward of slavery so just it is with God Some upright and honest Scots were in policy taken off either by subtilty or force And because the Earl of Strathern a bold man and had the Kings ear and deservedly too being faithfull and true these men set on Sir Iohn Scot Directour of the Chancery a busie Person to inform against his Descent which they call Service as Heir to David Earl of Strathern pretending to the Crown The story was thus briefly Robert the second of that Name and first of Stuarts about the Year of God 1370. entred his Reign at fifty years old having been Regent for his Uncle King David Bruce and had Issue by his Concubine Elizabeth Sir Moor's Daughter three Sons viz. John called Robert the third Robert Duke of Albany and Earl of Fife and Alexander Earl of Buchan In the second year of his Reign he married Aufeme Daughter to the Earl of Rosse and begat of her two Sons Walter Earl of Athol and David Earl of Strathern infeoffing upon them great Estates of Crown-lands intailed onely to their Heirs male legitime or to return to the Crown The King aged and infirm intrusted the power of the Militia to his eldest Son John Earl of Carrick and Lord of Kyll a valiant Person The Queen dying and leaving two young Sons the King marries his former Concubine Besse Moor and preferred her three Sons begotten out of Marriage before his legitimate Sons this being done by the Popes Dispensation and by Act of Parliament or by a Prior clandestine Marriage as was pretended yet the History bears it not But John succeeded by the name of Robert the third because two Kings Johns of England and France had been unfortunate And from this Robert lineally the Race of the subsequent Kings are descended David Earl of Strathern left onely one Daughter married to the Lord Graham's second Son who left onely one young Son Melissus Graham Earl of Strathern and King James the first returning to Scotland after eighteen years but noble Captivity in England and finding the Crown-rents much decayed caused a general search of the Dilapidation and the return made among others that the Earldom of Strathern ought to devolve to the Crown by the Intail and so it was reassumed but the young Earl so near a Kinsman he created Earl of Menteth with some small Rents at which the young mans Uncles the Earl of Athol aspiring to the Crown and Sir Robert Graham quarrel and murdered the King but were exemplarily punished and Athol forfeited since which time the Earls of Menteth lived privately untill this man was set up by the late Duke of Buckingham obtaining of the King neither of them acquainted with the Genealogy to be lineal Heir to that David Earl of Strathern his Predecessour to have the Title of Earl of Strathern who some years after vainly let fall these words that the King held the Crown of him and being tried and found guilty the Title was recalled and he had given to him the Title of Earl of Airth but discourted and put out of place or further medling in State-affairs extremely and specially aimed at by the former Contrivers of his ruine lest he might hinder their wicked intended Designs against the King and the estate of the Church and Bishops for the Man was noted to be very honest and faithfull though fâ—lly invented those words without any intention of mischief But it is dangerous to dally with the Sovereignty of Kings much more with their Crowns lest the wound become incurable nothing more dear than their Titles and Posterity And the restoring of Menteth in bloud was very disadvantagious to the King and indeed dangerous to the Earl himself comparing his case with others the like heretofore Henry the sixth of England restoring in bloud the Descent and Titlâ— of the Duke of York who openly thereafter made claim in Parliament for the Crown as in his own right laying down his Title thus The Son of Ann Mortimer who came of the Daughter and sole Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence third Son of King Edward the third is to be preferred by very good right in succession of this Kingdom before the Children of John of Gaunt the fourth Son of Edward the third but Richard Duke of York is come of Philippe the Daughter and sole Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence third Son of King Edward the third and to be preferred before the Children of the fourth Son
Laws and Lives of others are assailed That none presume to call his Son and heir King nor to be mentioned in prayer Monarchy is attached the power of the Parliamentary Lords is abrogate the Major of London denuded the Council of the City changed and their own creatures introduced the Law against schismaticks repealed the Preachers are defrauded and threatned Countesses committed Noblemen executed the Nation stiled a Common-wealth but the power contracted in a few who erect an Oligarchy for themselves and are envied of the Democracies and take Arms encouraging the Oligarchies Enjoyn submission to the Government appoint Thanksgiving daies to God for their success and thereby are Invited to the City feast whom they requite with the Kings New Park and sell his householdstuff houses lands and all and yet not satisfied they burthen the people with Taxes and invade Ireland and conquer it and after Scotland This in brief the story follows And now the Parliament Assembled Mr. Iohn Glunvile speaker as was resolved this day the thirteenth day of April Entring their first business of the Earl of Strafford good services in Ireland who was led in to the house of Lords by two of their own as presenting him the more eminent for what he had done in Ireland speedily effectually Obtaining of the Irish the grant of four Subsidies for maintenance of Ten thousand foot and fifteen hundred Horse which might be a pattern in preparation for the English supplies And an accompt was given to the Lords of the Scots letter sent to the French King for it being Examined by the Lord Cotington Secretary Windebanck and the Atturney General Loudon conâ—essed the hand writing to be his prepared in a readiness before the late pacification at Barwick but no use was ever made thereof but supposed Nevertheless Loudon stood committed till further evidence might condemn or clear him The Parliament not very forward to fall upon the necessary business of supplies To quicken them the King by message represents to the house of Commons many particular Insolencies intolerable with which the Scots had heated him And that for their assistance answerable to the present occasion so much concerning him and the honour of this Nation he would acquit his claim of ship-moneys besides due satisfaction to all their demands This offer discovered to them the Kings extremities and how they pricked which would serve their turn in demanding the more of him And therefore they expect to be assured in these particulars which they well know would spend so much time in arguing that the Kings necessity might undo him and yet they would not be otherwise relenting For clearing the Properties of the Subject For establishing true Religion For priviledge of Parliament These were the grounds of former differences so often discussed whether the Kings supply or the Subjects sufferings should be first considered and now it took up sundry debates and several conferences of both Houses ere the Lords could Master it among themselves for the King the Commons were resolved the next to yield to him from their own intents first But coming to the Question how much might serve the present Expectation Secretary Vane told them by Command from the King Twelve subsidies would serve the turn and so it might for he had such authority to demand so much being double the Kings desire which Vane with indirect intention was known willingly to mistake and it took the effect firing them into so much fury and their compliance so desperate as that the Iunto advise the King to break up their sitting and so the fiâ—t of May after two and twenty daies they were dissolved Nor need we lodge the advice upon a Iunto to councell the King herein It was the common consent of the Privy Council openly concluded debate there needed none the frequent discourse of the publique observators fore saw so much and the Parliament found the Kings necessities so enforcing by which means they were resolved to draw advantage to themselves though prejudice to him For to think as is supposed that the Luxuriance of the Kings perogative being detrected or any other Spontaneous concessions could have calmed their animosities is much mistaken for it is truely observed that the house of Commons meant that morning to vote against the war with Scotland and to blast that design to which they were so much indisposed however hazardous to the Kings honour and the necessities of his affairs which was conceaved now at the point of time to resent and to prevent by renewing the present intention and so the Arch Bishop is to be cleared as the main adviser for both he and the Earl of Strafford in the next Parliament by their answers were forced to defend themselves from that occasion But though the Parliament break up yet the Convocation of Bishops sat still from their first meeting by writ the twentieth of February last and might no doubt do so with Commission April 15. after to act propose deliberate and conclude such Canons and Constitutions as they conceived conduceable to the peace of the Church During the session of that Parliament necessarily to be now revised by a new Commission to continue the Convocation for the conclusion of such matters then in treaty amongst them though it became a doubt whether they might not sit in Convocation still the Writ which called them having no limitation but during the Kings pleasure which was not as yet otherwise signified and the difference of the Writ and the Commission was by Commissioners considered and thus subcribed That the convocation called by the Kings Writ was not to dissolve but by the Kings Writ notwithstanding the dissolution of the Parliament The tenth of May Finch Manchester Littleton Banks Heath Sheffield and so was the old Convocation armed with a new Commission but not well armed against Lilburns Libels or the Riot of Rakehels upon Lambeth house which followed and the King was fain to set a guard about Westminster Abby during their whole time of sitting In much distresse besides well observed and in danger of the Kings displeasure if they rose of the peoples fury if they sat to be beaten up by Tumults while at work and beaten down by the next Parliament for doing the work and obnoxious to the last of evil tongues for all their good intents and to their pens too upon the main score not so much of the Bishops doing not well as of being Bishops to do any things such was the fate of the Prelates now to be under censure of the Presbyters with such prejudice to either as the contest of endeavouring to satisfie the world made the wound upon either side more wide especially if you take in for good Arguments the common fame of every Libeller As for the main It must not be supposed that the question began but now to be maintained for the Divine Right on which Bishops were founded Many writ for their defence in Queen Elizabeths time Dr.
Excommunicated but by the Bishop himself with the consent of the Pastor in whose Parish the Delinquent liveth and that for Heinous Scandalous Crimes joyned with obstinacie and wilful contempt of the Churches authority and that for non appearance upon ordinary citations some other punishment might be inflicted and that appointed by Law Fiftly That Bishops might not demand benevolence for the Clergie nor exact allowance for their diet in their visitations nor suffer their servants to exact undue fees in Ordinations and institutions Lastly That Bishops Chancellors and officials may be subject to the Censures of the principal Synods and Convocations But of the Original of Episcopacie take a cleer view of Doctor Reynalds his judgement and the Arch Bishop of Armagh confirmation thereof and here abreviated referring the Reader to the Book it self and his Annotations for his Authority printed this year 1641. When Elders were ordained so the doctor by the Apostles in every Church through every City to feed the flock of Christ whereof the Holy Ghost had then overseers they the better to perform that duty did Assemble and chose one amongst them President and Moderator As at Ephesus though sundry Elders and Pastors yet but one chief whom our Saviour calls the Angel of the Church and whom the primitâ—ve fathers of the Church call Bishops for as Minister the common name to all who serve in the steward-ship of the Ministers of God is now by custome restrained to the name Elders who are under a Bishop so the name Bishop common to all Elders and Pastors was by the language of the Fathers apppropriated to him who was President over Elders Thus are certain Elders reproved by Cyprian for receiving to the communion them who had fallen in time of persecution before the Bishop had advised of it with them and others And Cornelius writeth that the Catholique Church committed to his charge had fourty six Elders and ought to have but one Bishop And both of them being Bishops the one of Rome the other of Carthage do witness of themselves that they dealt in matters of the Churches Government by the consent and councel of the company of Elders or Eldership This was that Doctors opinion which the Arch Bishop of Armagh confirmes with these notes of Antiquity That the Angel of the Church of Ephesus was by the fathers called Bishop is cleerly confirmed both by the succession of the first Bishop of that Church and by the Testimony of Ignatius who within twelve years after distinguisheth the singular and constant President thereof from the rest of the number of the Presbyters by appropriating the name of Bishops unto him The former is declared in the general councel of Calcedon by Lecutius Bishop of Magnesia That from Timothy there had been a continued succession of twenty seven Bishops all ordained in Ephesus of which number the Angel of Ephesus must needs be one whether it were Timothy or one of his next successors That Timothy had been Antistes as Iustin Martyr calls him and the father term a Bishop or President is confessed by Beza And that he was the first Bishop of Ephesus as in the second Epistle to Timothy and in Eusebius but also in two ancient Treatises concerning Timothies Martyrdome the one of them nameless the other named Policrates who was himself Bishop of this Church of Ephesus and born within thirty seven years after St. Iohn had written the said Epistle to the Angel of that Church and in his Epistle to Victor Bishop of Rome he maketh mention of seven kinsmen of his who had been Bishops he himself being the Eight That Ignatius was ordained Bishop of Antioch by St. Peter and did sit in that sea at the same time when that Epistle unto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus was commanded to be written And in the last journey which Ignatius made for the consummation of his glorious Martyrdome at Rome he wrote another Epistle unto the self same Church of Ephesus in which he maketh mention of their then Bishop Onesimus in this Epistle to the Ephesians Ignatius having acknowledged that their numerous multitude was received by him in the presence of their Bishop Onesimus puts them in mind of their duty in concurring with him as their worthy Presbyters did and exhorteth them to obey both the Bishop and the the Presbytery with a undivided mind In that journey Ignatius wrote another Epistle unto the Church of Smyrna one other of the seven in St. Iohns Revelation saluting their Bishops and Presbyters exhorting them to follow their Bishop as Christ Jesus did his Father and the Presbyters by the Apostles and tells them that none ought to administer the Sacraments or meddle with the Church without consent of the Bishop That Polycarpus was then the Bishop when Saint Iohn wrote unto the Angel of the Church of Smyrna as Irenaeus informs who was present when Polycarpus himself did discourse of his conversation with Saint Iohn and of those things which he heard from those who had seen our Lord Iesus Polycarpus says Irenaeus was not onely taught by the Apostle conversed with many that had seen Christ but also was by the Apostles and constituted in Asia Bishop of the Church which is in Smyrna whom we our selves also did see in our younger age for he continued long and being very aged he most gloriously and nobly suffered Martyrdom And he of whom the Brethren gave this respect He was say they the most honourable man in our times an Apostolical and Prophetical Doctour and Bishop of the Catholick Church which is in Smyrna Polycrates Bishop of Ephesus and his Neighbour affirms that Polyâ—arpus was both Bishop and Martyr in Smyrna About the time of Polyâ—rates it was that Tertullian published his Book of Prescriptions against Hereticks where he avoucheth against them that as the church of Smyrna had Polycarpus placed there by Saint John and the Church of Rome had Clement ordained by Saint Peter so the rest of the Churches did shew what Bishops they had received by the appointment of the Apostles to traduce the Apostolical seed unto them And before him did Irenaeus urge against them the Succession of Bishops unto whom the Apostles committed the charge of the Church in every place and we are able to number those who were ordained Bishops for the Churches and their Successours unto our days â—For proof whereof Irenaeus brings in the Succession of the Bishops of Rome from Linus unto whom the Apostles committed that Episcopacy and Anacletus and Clement unto Eleutherius In the time of Eleutherius Bishop of Rome Lucius King of Brittains sent to him an Epistle desiring to be made a Christian who obtained it and that the Brittains kept the Faith then received sound and undefiled in quiet peace untill the times of Dioclesian the Emperour and that yet within ten years after and eleven before the Council of Nice three of our Brittish Bishops subâ—cribed unto the Council of Arles they were Eborius
others progress to an equal poise and in a word the same Ministers of State spurred on by ambitions and to raise their families from time to time have increased suspicions which have hatched these fatal wars through all Europe France styles her self most Christian but meddles least therein ordinarily attracting the Reformates to her interests and being enemies to the Pope and so to Spain which suffers not their doctrines in her dominions But Spain will be Catholique-zealous for her Religion and seldome declines her aid to any of her own unless by force proceeding from the necessity of State affaires through some new conjuncture Lewes the thirteenth attached the house of Austria with much authorâ—ty and power in so much that Richelieu the Angel Guardian of France by his puissant alliances begat an opinion that amongst polititians there he endeavoured the Universality for his Master and so to overthrow the Emperial house by the helpe of the Hollanders and his other underhand underminings which he could never so poise for any time but that the Scales were now up then down to his dying day The Earl of Strafford had passed upon him the Commons accusation and now it was time to form their compleat charge into twenty eight particulars and being ready Ianuary the thirtieth they were presented by Mr. Pym to the Peers in the presence of the Earl and although it was long two hundred sheets and so time would be taken up for engrossing and though the Treasons therein alleaged were of a standing time above fourteen years not suddainly to be answered unto yet the Commons were earnest for dispatch and he enjoyned such hast as by the four and twentieth of February it was read to the Lords in the Kings presence and the next day after to the Commons He craved aid of the Council which in cases of Treason is not allowed in plea de facto it may not but in matters de lege it may and so he had Councel And the place of his Trial could not be in the Lords House being of little Room to hold the House of Commons who desired to be present and to manage the accusation by their own members and in a full body of their house compleat which the Lords would not indure and they come as a Committe and so Westminster-hall was the place assigned and that not to big for this unparralel Trial the King Queen Prince and Courtiers being present and all the Parliament The scene was at the upper end reared of some heigth and above that a Chaire and cloth of State on either side a close private Gallery for the King Queen and Prince Before them seats for the Peers and on either sides Scaffolds mounted for all the house of Commons who sate bare headed and hundreds of others Auditors who could get leave to enter The command of the place and stage was ordered by the Earl of Lindsey not as he was made high constable for the day but as he was Lord great Chamberlain of England in right of his mother Mary the daughter of Iohn de vere the sixteenth Earl of Oxford who maried Peregrine Berty Lord Willoughby of Earesby by whom she had issue this Robert now Earl of Lindsey and thereby the disposing of all the Scaffolding as his fee when the Tryal was ended The Bishops being by ancient Canons disabled to be present at the sentence of blood and death but not from being assistants in examining and deposing of witnesses or giving Councel till now abridged by this Parliament to sit as Peers And it is observed that they were defended to have right of place presence by a Manuscript in many hands de jure Paritat is episcoporum and their Priviledges thereby asserted in this particular which yet they as the times were did not interpose but were contented to be absent giving advantage thereby to the Parliament to deprive them of their votes and after to destroy their calling On Munday the two and twentieth of March the day fixed for his appearing at Westminster-hall almost five moneths time since his first Commitment which it seems was taken up and spent for procuring proofs of witnesses purposely sent for from Ireland And in truth the rather for Intertaining some Overtures of the Court to take of the edge of his adversaries and the best and usual way was by their several preferments The Earl of Bedford to be Lord Treasurer Mr. Pym Chancelor of the Exchequer the Earl of Essex Governour of the Prince Mr. Hamden to be his Tutor the Lord Say Mr. of the wards and Mr. Hollis principal secretary in the place of Windebanck the Deputies place in Ireland also to another and the Earl of Warwick in some command in the Navy And it was in part prosecuted in relation hereto for the Bishop of London did deliver up the Treasury staff and the Earl of New-castle the governance of the Prince the Lord Cottington resigned up his offices in the Court of wards and Exchequer and it was not to be doubted that the Bishop of Salisbury Dr. Duppa would willingly quit his place of Tutor to the Prince But whether the Kings mind was herein mutable or what else intervened they thus concerned and baffled became irreconciliable to the Earls destruction and that this is true may be hinted from the Kings Declararion of the twelfth of August after what Overtures had been made by them saies the Declaration and with what Importunities for offices and preferments what great services should have been done for him and what other undertakings even to have saved the life of the Earl of Strafford So cheap a rate it seems might have saved that Incomparable Statesman The Earl of Arundel was made Lord High Steward and the Earl of Lindsey Lord High Constable and thus set as before said the Earl of Strafford was told by the High-steward that he was called thither to answer the Impeachment of High Treason preferred against him by the Commons of England and Ireland expressed in their accusation to which he had answered and both of them read took up this day and the Court adjourned to the next day when the house of Commons fell upon the first seven general Articles of subverting the fundamental Laws of both Nations and this was managed by Mr. Pym a paper sealed was opened and read which signified from the Parliament of Ireland that they had voted the Earl guilty of High Treason To which he in passion said There was a conspiracy against him to take away his life It would not admit of recollection and the Commons cried out for Justice against him who standing impeached of high Treason accuseth the Parliaments of two Kingdomes of a conspiracy against him for which inconsiderate words he humbly craved pardon not thereby intending either Parliament but meant it by some particular persons Mr. Pym craved that he should forthwith answer to three Articles more which were lately annexed to the charge But although the
allowing to the King onely Primus accubitus in coenis And why onely Stephen Was it not voted by Act of the Parliament at Oxford and concluded in several Articles That Edward 2. life was taken away by Bishop Thorlton The story is that this Man Adam de Orlton was Bishop of Hereford took a Text 2 Kings 4. Caput meum aegrotat My head my head aketh whereby he advised the cure of a sick head of the Kingdom to be cut off and therefore must be guilty of his Murder afterwards Indeed there was an enigmatical Verse fathered also upon him Edvardum occidere nolite timere bonum est which Verse the Bishop utterly denied Then comes he to Edward 3. that Iohn Arch-bishop of Canterbury incited the King and Parliament to a bloudy War with France And why John Was it not voted in Parliament where all the Peers were as hot upon it as he Indeed because the Clergie in those days spake better sense than an ignorant unlearned Lord many Historians father the ill success of former actions upon them Promotors of the Designs as if in re stulta sapientes and in malo publico facundi That in Parliament the Laity offered Richard 2. a Fifteenth if the Clergy would also give a Tenth and a half which William le â—ourtney Arch-bishop opposed as not to be taxed by the Laity and thereupon the Lords besought the King to deprive them of their Temporalities thereby says he to humble them to humble them and damn the Authours of Sacrilege and cruelty yet were they mercifull not to take away all Spiritualities also Then follows H. 4. an Usurper he says and that the Bish. of Carlile opposes him in a Speech and therein so reasonable was the cause just I cannot say that the Lords combined to depose him for there were living of the House of Clarence Title to precede his of Mortimer for whom five other Bishops went Ambassadours abroad to get assistance and those Bishops also scape not the censure of doing evil by justifying this others Right to the Crown and deposed him also but then it was so voted in Parliament and therefore not all the blame to be laid upon those Bishops that acted but their part and it is true that in a Parliament in that Kings Reign a Bill was exhibited against the Temporalities of the Clergie but not passed Parliamentum indoctorum says one and the Commons fitter to enter Common with their Cattle Henry 5. succeeds he says who was incited by Arch-bishop Chidley to revive his Title to France with the effusion of much bloud and ill success And was it not true that the King had good Title to France And the same cause had Edward 3. And as just was it against the domestick Title of Henry 4. and so in sum in either of the Bishops by their Council You say it was not the Office of Bishops to incense Wars either Domestick or Foreign But then Policy is pickt up for a Reason being you say to divert the King from reforming the Clergy That in the time of Henry 6. the Protectour Duke of Glocester accused Beaufort Cardinal of Winchester But then take all the story he was also Chancellour of England great Uncle to this King Son to John of Gaunt and his Brother Cardinal of York and the greatest Crime intended was because of his greatness which the Protectour durst not trust and therefore devised a Charge of which he was not guilty but acquitted by Parliament Edward 4. follows who was taken Prisoner he says by Arch-Bishop Nevil declaring him an Usurper and entailed the Crowns of England and France upon Henry and his Issue male and in default upon Clarence disabling King Edward's eldest Brother He was a party in the Plot if there were any but then take the Junto of the Authours it was the power of that great Warwick and others that did create and unmake Kings at pleasure the confusion of the right submitting to power whether right or wrong Edward 5. his Crown was by the Prelates placed on his murderous Uncle Richard 3. the Cardinal Archbishop taking the Brother Richard out of Sanctuary that so both of them might be taken away That Cardinal was a great Actour therein but the Duke of Bukingham did the business upon whose head the Cardinal would have set the Crown who had no right thereto Henry 7. he says was perswaded by the same Cardinal Morton and prevailed to the Crown He might assist therein what honest English man would not have done so But to say that the Cardinal was the main Instrument we shall want the force of all Arguments but Gods good Providence Henry 8. called the Bishops half Subjects to him Wolsey and Campeius refused to give Judgment for his Divorce Numbring up against them the Petitions Supplications and Complaints of godly Ministers Doctour Barns Latimer Tyndal Bean and others And were not some of these godly men Bishops also That the Statutes of 31 Henry 8. yet in force against them That in Anno 37. Letters Patents were granted to Lay-men to exercise all manner of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction as the Kings Officers not the Bishops Let us never deduce Reason or Iustice from that Kings Actions more like an Atheist than a Christian either Ecclesiastical or Temporal besides the Mutation and Change of Religion then not affording any good President in either kinde But thus much as in excuse was in time of Popery He proceeds to others no less detestable he says nay more heinous since the Reformation but with this Proviso that in the Reigns of all the succeeding Sovereigns to this present he charging those reverend Bishops good men chief Pillars of the Church great Lights of Learning they doing those things as Bishops which he believes they would not have done as private Ministers to hold their Bishopricks to please great Lords Princes Kings and Emperours have not onely yielded but perswaded to introduce Idolatry to dis-inherit right Heirs to Kingdoms and force good Princes to Acts unnatural and unjust But he is not against Episcopacy or a Church-government but so much degenerate it is from the first substance Vox praeterea nihil yet would not have it demolished till a better Model be found out God-a-mercy for that And presently he charges Arch-bishop Cranmer and Bishop Ridley for perswading Edward 6. that the Lady Mary might be permitted Mass in her own Chapel more like Politicians than Divines though not prevailing with that pious Prince She was the right Heir apparent to her Brother and the onely right Issue to the Crown begotten no doubt in lawfull Matrimony bred up in Romish and the might of Charls the Emperour would and did in Reason and Policy afford her liberty of her Profession without any scandal upon those Bishops for their opinion therein her Mother had suffered too much injustice and it was no justice to have denied to her Daughter this desire After Edward 6. those two Bishops Cranmer and Ridley says he
service nor any Man to March upon such pretence the three and twentieth of October and Copies sent abroad to all the Countiâ—s And the same night the Lord Blaney arrived with the newes of the surprisal of his House his wife and children by the Rebels of Monâ—ghan This Rebellion began first in the North in the Province of Ulster so that every day and hour ill newes came posting like Iobs Messengers of fearful Massacres upon the English which increased a fear of some Massacre in Dublin by the Papists there The Council began to consider of their own forces to defend and were assured that the Mony was in the Exchequer the Kings revenues and English Rents for that halfe year lodged in Tenents hands a fit prey for the Rebels which they seized some Artillery Arms for 10000. men 1500. barrels of powder with Match and lead laid in by the last Earl of Strafford By which Lâ—st of his it appeared that the old standing Army in Ireland consisted only of 41. Companies of foot and 14. Troopes of Horse The foot Officers 246. and of Souldiers 2051. Inall 2297. The Horse Officers 42. and Horsemen 901. In all 943. These so dispersed as not without difficulty to march yet the Councel sent their Patents to several Garisons to march to Dublin And Letters dispatched to the King in Scotland and to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland not got out of London of the Rebellion and ill State of the Kingdome depending on Gods assistance the fidelity of the old English Pale and aid out of England that they intended to prorogue the Parliament and adjourn the Term. And that their present Army now subsisting contain but 2000. foot and 1000. Horse the five and twentieth of October 1641. with a poscript for recompense to Conally for his discâ—very as may stand with the Mark of his Majesties bounty for that service who had a present peece of money and a certain annuity during his life very considerable who carried these Letters to the Lord Lieutenant Those to the King were sent to Secretary Vane in Scotland and convayed by sea by Sir Henry Spotswood Other Letters were sent to the Earl of Ormond at Carick to repair with his forces to Dublin and commissions were sent to the Lords Viscounts of Clandeboys and Ardes and to others for the raising of the Scots in the Northern parts into Arms with power to destroy the Enemy or to receive them to Mercy but all these dispatches were sent by sea the whole Land passages stopt by â—he Rebels The Lords of the English pale repair to the Council offering their faith and service It is a large Circuit of Land possessed by the English from the first Conquest being the Countiâ—s of Dublin Mâ—th Lâ—wth Kildare Yet some of these Lords Popish â—umbly offered their sense of the wars in the late Proclamation as to be misinterpreted viz. the Conspiracy of evil affected Iâ—â—sh Papists as to reflect upon their persons which were afterwards explained to please them and so Proclaimed And now the Rebels up in all places they in Ulster had by the latter end of October possessed themselves of all the great part of the Province of Ulster except the Cities of London derry Colraingue and the Town aâ—d Castle of Eâ—cikillen the chief Rebels were Sir Philip Oneale 〈◊〉 Oneale his brother Rowry Mac Guire brother to the Lord Mac Guire Philip O Rely Mulmere O Rely Sir Conno Mac Gennes Call Mac Ruian Mac Mahon these with others the chief of every Sept had as at one instant surprized the Castles and places of the most considerable strengths and the English being lovingly intermixed with the Irish for a long time made the Conspiracy more easily to be effected Besides such of the English as had gotten into some places of strength able to indure a siege yet upon good quarter rendered themselves were sure to be butchered and murthered in cold blood men women and children And to keep of the Assistance of the Scots they openly professed and really did spare them the more easily afterwards to be swallowed up at a bit These were the first fruits of the Rebellion in all the Northern parts acted by Phelim O Neale the chief of that Sept and the onely remain of cruel alliance to the late Earl of Tirone He was of very mean parts with courage or conduct His education in England a Student of Lincolns Inn and a Protestant till of late lived lasily of a mean estate untill now that the Natives set him up for their General and with such Numerous a rabble that he marched down towards Lisnagarvy neer the Scots and fell upon them now without mercy and with other forces came up into the Pale and took in Dondalk about the beginning of November then they marcht to the County of Lowth and incamped at Ardee a small Town within seven miles of Tredagh antiently called Drohedagh which they Besieged afterwards The Newes from Dublin being instantly posted to the Town of Tredagh was there encountred with the like mischievous tidings from the North the treacherous surprisal of the Castles Blainey Carrick Charlemont Monahan with others came thick and three fold one upon another and a rumour that Dublin was already taken confirmed by numbers stripped and wounded that fled hither The first succour was the Lord Viscount Moor being then at Mellifont ten miles off who by the sad newes of his Sister the Lady Blanâ—y and her children imprisoned made speed to save himself with some part of his Troop not more than sixty hither at Midnight joyned in Counsel with the Major suddainly to prevent the mischief by many vipers in their own Bowels but of all the Muster not above fourty to be found gave great suspition the rest were not found Instantly were drawn out many old peeces scowred and planted at several Gates fower more were heaved out of a Merchants Ship in the Harbour and some powder the Lord Moor posts to Dublin offers to make up his own Troop and to raise one hundred foot with amunition which was speedily brought thither with him with a Commission to Captain Sea foule Gibson to command these Men and instantly to take the watch who was the 〈◊〉 and last worthy of Record for his faithful service watching 〈◊〉 own perâ—erson for ten nights together and continuing the war became Colonel of a Regiment By this time the Rebels had taken Dundalk and Dromiskin and pillaged all the Protestants within five miles The Papist Townsmen were discovered by their smiling countenance All promised relief failing Sir Faithful Fortescue being Governour posted to Dublin where finding no hope of Assistance he quitted his charge not willing to loose himself and his honour to boote in an impossible undertaking After a solemn fast some forces sallied out upon the thickest of the Rebells who fled and left much plundred goods and Cowes to comfort the Towns-people two hundred Rebels and eighty brought in Prisoners
proclames that by the last Act of this Parliament concerning Tunnage and Poundage It is there provided that no penalty in that Act or in 1 Iac. shall ensue to any person unless they refuse to compound for any Goods imported or exported after notice given of the same by Proclamation where the said Goods are to be entered And now declares that they pay the said Tunnage and Poundage as by the said Acts are expressed c. at York March 24. with which we end our English affairs for this year The Earl of Northumberland being Admiral and indisposed the King had commanded Sir Iohn Pennington Vice-admiral to take the charge of this Summer Fleet for the Narrow Seas and the Parliament as earnestly recommend the Earl of Warwick for that service inclosing their Message in a piece of Paper within a Letter to the Lord Keeper Littleton of the 28. of March neither by way of Petition Declaration or Letter it being also the first time that ever they took upon them the nomination or recommendation of the chief Sea-commanders and it adds to the wonder being that Sir Iohn Pennington was already appointed by the King for that service and indeed by mediation of the Admirals infirmity without any fault of exception And although he were not appointed nor through some accident might not be able to perform that service yet others of the same profession are so well known to the King that the recommendations of that kinde would not be acceptable and so was the Earl of Warwick absolutely refused The Assizes holden at York and the Gentry Ministers and Free-holders being assembled they most humbly shew to the Kings most excellent Majesty their souls piercing anguish proceeding from the general Distractions of this Kingdom somewhat eased by the comfort of his presence and gracious confidence in the affections of this County Yet the fellow-feeling of the passionate sorrow of the other parts of this Kingdom do inforce them after the tender of their Lives and Fortunes for the safety of his Person Crown and Sovereignty to follow that sacrifice of duty with their Prayer and Petition which shall not cry for help of particular Distractions naming all they could reckon up since his own Declaration in those particulars renders it an unpardonable crime in them to supect his words sacred before God and man But emboldened by the Oracle of Truth that a divided Kingdom cannot stand and his Majesty best acquainted with the means of prevention of danger that he will please to declare the Expedients which may take away all misunderdings betwixt him and his great Council to whom they will also address their endeavours to beget in the King a confidence in their Councils and blessed union necessary to this perplexed Kingdom April 5. To this so humble and hearty Address the King could not hold off their Expectations but suddenly told Mr. Sheriff and the Gentlemen that he believed they expected not a present Answer onely in the general and upon the sudden he sees he is not mistaken in the confidence of their affections nor will he deceive their expectation from him He observes their Petition modest not for themselves in particular and therefore he puts them in minde of three things for their good 1. He will reduce their Trained Bands into a lesser number as they shall shew him the way 2. To advise him to complie with the engagements for to pay them their Arrears for Billet-money and had the Water gone to the right Mill they had not wanted it now 3. For the Court-judicature of York of which he assures them he knows no legal dissolution thereof nothing as yet appears to him directly or indirectly so that it is but shaken not dissolved and if they shall advise the way of setlement thereof for the Northern parts they shall not blame him if they fail and refers them to a day or two for a full answer to all And assured them That as to the Praier of their Petition which included the rest the onely way of good understandings is for the Parliament to consider of his Message the twentieth of January last that the Militia be setled by Act of Parliament explained in his Answer to their Petition of the six and twentieth of March last and wishes them in those to applie to the Parliament for the good of all c. April 7. The King most intent to reduce Ireland by his Message to the Houses offers his own person with these Propositions That he intends to raise his Guard by Commissions out of the Counties near Chester two thousand Foot and two hundred Horse to be there armed from his Magazine at Hull and those to take the Oath of Supremacie and Allegiance The charge of raising and paying them shall be added to the Parliaments undertakings for that War which if too great the King will sell or pawn his Land or Houses Towards which as he hath already writ to Scotland to quicken their Levies for Ulster so he wishes the Parliament to hasten theirs for Munster and Connaught And hath prepared a Bill by his Atturney concerning the Militia for the good of all if received if refused he calls God and the World to judg between them To this the Parliament never returned answer But before the ninth of April some Members of the Commons House had subscribed in pursuance of the Act of Parliament for the reducing the Rebells of Ireland and subsigned unto sixty thousand four hundred and fifty pounds but how or when paid I do not finde The County of Bucks lend freely six thousand pounds upon the said Act for Ireland with great thanks to that County and with promise of very high acceptation if other Counties will part with their moneys so freely which shall be repaid them out of the Bill of four hundred thousand pounds to be raised for that service but how or when repaid I finde not The Parliament apprehending the Kings desire to lay hold on the Magazine at Hull pretend great necessity of Arms and Ammunition at the Tower of London being much diminished from thence by Supplies to Ireland and desire to have it lodged here in more safety than Hull and with easier transport for Ireland And to sweeten it to the peoples apprehension this Petition is accompanied with a charitable Prayer that the Reprieve of six Priests in New-gate may be taken off and they executed This Design concerning Hull presaged the cause of much mischief the ground of war and the first eminent effects of their power in the Militia and therefore the King returns to them a sharp Answer Rather to have an Account from them why a â—arison was placed there without his consent and Souldiers billeted without Law and express words of the Petition of Right than to be moved to remove his Magazine without reason or judgment He would know why his own inclination on the general rumour of Papists was not as sufficient for him to put the
out of the Kings aim for the present but to be hazzarded in the future if the Parliament do not remove it to London which was their Design Therefore the County of York petition the King that the Magazine may still remain in respect of securing the Northern parts especially where his person does reside being like David's the Light of Israel more worth than ten thousand besides The best assurance to give them sufficient answer was to seize it himself into his own hands or rather to take view of what might be fitting to remain there or to remove it for Ireland and taking onely a Guard for his person of his Domesticks and neighbour Gentry went in person the three and twentieth of April but contrary to his expectation the Gates were shut upon him the Bridges drawn up anâ— from the Walls appears Sir Iohn flatly denies him entrance his Reason without Breach of Trust to his Parliament and â—o seditiously put his Treason upon them to which the King demanded iâ— they had so directed him to shew their Order And after a reasonable time of parley Hotham having a thousand in Garison excepted against the greatness of the Kings Train at length against him and twenty Horse and at last against any at all unless by condition which the King disdaining Hotham was there to his face proclaimed Traitour And there being in the Town the Duke of York and the Prince Electour having gone there the day before to visit the place with much ado and long consultation ere they could be let out to the King And for this Treason his Majesty demands justice of his Parliament against Sir Iohn April 24. This act apprehended to be high Treason against the Kings person 25 Ed. 3. 11 H. 7. It was so certified by Letter to the Mayor and Fraternity of Kingston upon Hull as a warning to them and the Gâ—rison not to adhere to Hotham and declare their allegeance but to lay down their Arms and admit of the King and requiring them all not to permit any part of the Magazine to be removed without the Kings assent being more willing to enlarge their immunities than by any occasion to question their Charter April 25. And not being able to endure this affront he again sends to the Parliament that the Town and Magazine be immediately delivered up to him and exemplary justice upon Hotham and tells them â—ll this be done he will intend no other business whatsoever for to be worse in condition than the meanest Subject not to enjoy his own 't is time to examine how he lost them and to trie all possible waies by help of God the Law and his good Subjects to recover them and vindicate himself And concludes if we shall miscarrie herein we shall be the first Prince of this Kingdom that hath done so and God so deal with us as we continue in these resolutions To which Messages having no return Scouts are laid to intercept Letters or Messengers between Hull and the Houses which they vote to be such a Breach of Parliament as to defend it with all their lives and fortunes and order That the Sheriffs and Iustices of the peace of the Counties of York and Lincoln suppress all Forces that shall be raised or gathered together against the Town of Hull or to disturb the peace The Bill of the Militia as the King designed it to be drawn by his Council was declined by the Parliament and a new one fitted by themselves and presented to the King which he refused being the fiâ—st which he â—annot ought not must not pass for these Reasons he resolved upon against which they never gave one Argument to satisfie his judgment they having put the power in the persons nominated by them for two years excluding the Kings in disposing or executing any thing together with them without limitation or circumstance which he offered not to do neither withou their advice and in his absence in Ireland or other place to be soly in them and that for a year It was strange for them to press the King herein for the power in particular persons what to expect from an exorbitant legal power when Hotham's late insolency by a power not warranted by Law dares venture upon a treasonable disobedience Besides they had put Names out and in altering the former Ordinance with especial provision against such as would obey no Guide but the Law of the Land as in particular the good Lord Mayor of London Gurney a person now in their disfavour in whose behalf the King told them His demeanour hath been such as might be example to the Citie and the whole Kingdom This being thus refused they take to heart Hull and Hotham 's cauâ—â— by Declaration votes and orders therein That the desperate Desigâ— of Papists occasioned the Parliament to intrust Hull to Sir John Hotham a Member of theirs of the same Countie of considerable fortune and unquestionable approved integritie who not long after turned Traitour to them and the rather there because of former intercepted Letters of the Lord Digby to the Queen and Sir Lewis Dives And that Captain Leg should have surprized the Town the Earl of New-castle coming thitâ—er suspitiously aâ—d then the Kings cominâ— with force to surprize the Garison and to deprive Sir John of his life which the Parliament reserv'd for the Gallows All which being by the King a high Breach of the Privilege and violation of Parliament they think fit to clear by votinâ— it and Hotham justified and send a Committee of Lords and Commons to reside there for the better securing Hull and him April 28. It was no boot for the King to dispute these proceedings how unreasonable how unjust yet he does in an Answer to theirs advise the Subject to peruse the Statute 11 H. 7. cap. 1. and concludes with Mr. Pym's words in one of his Speeches If the Prerogative of the King overwhelm the Libertie of the People it will be turned into Tyrannie If Libertie undermine the Prerogative it will grow into Anarchie And the King adds of his own We say into confusion Nay to add to the Kings anger Hotham is authorized to issue out his Warrants to raise divers of the Trained Bands in the County of York and to march with their Arms into Hull where being come he disarms them and turns them home again This the King signifies to the High Sheriff and that it cannot be done legally but by the Kings Warrant or Writ or the Lords Lieutenants or Deputies by Commission And there being now no Lord Lieutenant and the former Commission to Colonels Captains and other Officers of Trained Bands derived from him being void And therefore commands him to signifie to all the late Colonels and Officers and to all Controllers upon their Allegeance not to muster or train or march with any Trained Bands without the Kings immediate command or Writ and if they refuse obedience then to command Posse Comitatus to suppress them
to the King disarmed the wel-affected to the King in that Town And that the Earl of Warwick contrary to the Kings command under his hand being legally discharged of any conduct of his Majesties Ships hath taken upon him to dispossess the King of his Navy and imployed them against him and imprisoned divers of his Majesties loyal Officers and Subjects And therefore the King is resolved with Gods assistance to force Hotham and all other his Assistants in this his treasonable defence and invites all his good Subjects to assist him in this his resolution Dated at Beverley the eighth of Iuly Three daies after the Parliament Resolve That an Army shall be raised for defence of King and Parliament and of all such as obey the orders of both Houses That the Earl of Essex shall be the general and they to live and dy with him and that a petition should be sent to the King by the Earl of Holland Sir Iohn Holland and Sir William Stapleton to Beverley and that the Earl of Bedford be General of the Horse which so troubled the Earl of Holland who was refused upon voting that it was never digested Indeed the Parliament were wary not to intrust two Brothers with Land and Sea service together The effect of their petition was to pray the King to disband all his forces which are reckoned up to be about Hull and from Newcastle Tynmouth Lincoln and Lincoln-shire to recall his Commissioners of Array and to dismiss his guards and come to his People and Parliament and hearken to their advice and then what they will do for him The King might smile at this and therefore tells them They were never unhappy in their Petitions and supplications whilst they desired the preservation of Religion the Kings Honour and the peace of the Kingdome But after their martial designs and some proceedings and effects of their forces and after their votes and raising of an Army their Generals assigned and possessing his Navy to advise him to denude himself and wait upon them is pitiful councel to which he will not submit The Parliament provide for the sinews of war to that end they declare for Lone of Money upon publique faith of the Parliament upon which and the Ministers invitations the best part of their preachings turned into perswasions and prayers to the people for their contributions and assistance that it became incredible what a mass of money plate and Ammunition was presented even at the Parliaments feet from the golden cupbords of vessels to the Kitchen-maids silver bodkins and Thimble The King had some help from the diligent indeavours of the Queen beyond Seas and out of Holland upon the pawned Jewels and at home contributions of the Lords and Gentry Loyal to his service for what was publique he gives thanks To the Vice-chancellor and all other his Loyal Subjects of the university of Oxford for the free Loan of a very considerable sum of money in this his time of so great and eminent necessity shall never depart out of his royal memory Nor is it reasonable to deny them a memorable Record for ever which in duty to them I may not do Beverley 18. Iuly From thence the King removes to Leicester summons the appearance of the Gentlemen Free-holders and Inhabitants of that County telling them of the acceptable welcome he hath found in these Northern parts finding that the former errours of his good Subjects thereabout have proceeded by mistakes and misinformatioâ—s proceeding from the deceits used by Declarations and publications of the Parliament pretended for the peace of the Kingdom which rather would destroy it To prevent their mischief he needs not ask their assistance of Horse Men Money and Hearts worthy such a Cause in which he will live and die with them Iuly 20. The Earl of Stamford Lord Lieutenant of the County of Leiceister for the Parliament had removed the County Magazine from the Town to his own house at Bradgate over which he had set a Guard or Garison against the Kings command for which he and his Adherents are by name proclaimed Traitours which troubled the Parliament and discouraged their party untill they were vindicated by a publick Declaration that being for the service of the Parliament and the peace of the Kingdom it was an high Breach of Privilege in the King and that the said Earl and his Assistants are protected by them and all good Subjects The first of August brings the King back again to Yorkshire where he summons the Gentlemen of that County tells them the forward preparations of the Parliament to a War and desires their advice what Propositions they conceive for them to ask and he to grant in reference to their and his safety and for the present desires them to spare him some Arms out of their store which shall be redelivered when his provisions shall come thither and that his Son Prince Charls his Regiment for the Guard of his person under the command of the Earl of Cumberland may be compleated The Parliament declare for the raising of all power and force by Trained Bands and otherwise to lead against all Traitours and their Adherents that oppose the Parliament and them to slay and kill as Enemies to the State and peace of the Kingdom naming such of the Kings party that were his Lieutenants of Array of the Northern Counties viz. the Earl of Northampton the Lord Dunsmore Lord Willoughby of Eresby Son to the Earl of Lindsey Henry Hastings and others of the Counties of Lincoln Nottingham Leicester Warwick Oxfordshire And for the Western Counties the Marquess Hertford the Lord Paulet Lord Seymer Sir Iohn Stowel Sir Ralph Hopton and Iohn Digby and others in the County of Somerset And to oppose these and others the Parliament doth authorize the Earl of Essex the General as also these to be the Lieutenants of several Counties viz. the Lord Say of Oxon the Earl of Peterborough of Northampton Lord Wharton of Buckingham Earl of Stamford of Leicester Earl of Pembroke of Wiltshire and Hampshire Earl of Bedford of Somersetshire and Devon Lord Brook of Warwick Lord Cranborn of Dorsetshire Lord Willoughby of Parrham of Lincolnshire Denzil Hollis of the City and County of Bristol And thus ranked they are to kill and â—lay their Enemies August 8. And the King traceth them in these steps replies to theirs and will justifie the quarrel and for that purpose published his Proclamation against the Earl of Essex the General that he is Rebell and Traitour to the King and his Crown and all Colonels and Officers under him that shall not instantly lay down are guilty of high Treason And because of their two particular Designs to march Northward against the King and others Westward to seize and force the Garison and Fort of Portsmouth therefore he commands Colonel Goring his Captain Governour there to oppose the Rebells And commands his Cousin and Counsellour William Marquess Hertford his Lieutenant General of
Remonstrances he being deprived of his Printing Presses at London and the Universities And so reades to them his former Protestations and Orders Copies of them to the Sheriffs to publish being in Manuscript The next day being come to Shrewsbury he tells them as much and sends for a Mint to melt his Plate and offers his Land to sale or mortgage thereby to lessen the charge of the County to provide for his Army The Parliament having information that the King intends to march from Wales to London expecting a party here to joyn with him as he was invited what a noise and disquiet it wrought amongst the Citizens and all the Counties thereabout All the Trained Bands of the Associate Counties of Essex Hartford Middlesex and London are to rendezvouz and all to be ready at an hours warning And all passages into any parts of the Suburbs Islington Mile-end and Westminster be set up with Posts and Chains and Courts of Guard to stop the passage of Horse if any come in their way And with this Declaration the Parliament imprint a Discovery of a Plot by one David Alexander a pitifull poor Scot perswaded thereto by a Confident of the Kings one Sir Iohn Hinderson a Papist to kill Sir Iohn Hotham which he refused to do as being the work of a Butcher and not of a Souldier That the King should send for him twice at Beverley and appointed a sum of money to be given him That afterwards Henderson should propose to Alexander to fire the Magazine of the Parliaments Army and therefore to get imployment in the Train of Artillery but was discovered and examined The story is thus Alexander had a minde fit for desperate base Attempts but finding no preferment with the King he comes to London and joyns with one Sir Balthazar Gerbier of the same even condition and out of repute both with the King and Parliament for his doubling with either these Copesmates discoursing together Gerbier forthwith discovers to the Parliament this Tale of Alexander who being cheated into a hope of getting preferment by this story believed it himself and the truth by examinations appearing he was a while imprisoned and so let loose to practise with his Companion Gerbier Knave and Fool together Every day increasing the suspition and fear of the Kings marching from Wales to London the Parliament vote That such as will not contribute shall be secured and disarmed And so the Mayor of London is set on work to search and seize the Arms of several Citizens Iefferson Austin Bedle Batty Long and Lewis all Broadstreet Ward Bluâ—â— Wright Drake and Walter of other Wards and for their sufferings deserve to be remembered That the Fines Rents and Profits of Arch-bishops Bishops Deans and Chapters and other Delinquents shall be sequestred for the service of the Common-wealth That all the Kings Revenue arising out of Rents Fines in Courts or Composition for Wards be sequestred for the State And a Committee of Sequestration appointed Sir Iohn Byron with five hundred Horse having entered the Town of Worcester and at that time not the least part of the Kings Army marching in a Body but flasht through the County the Voluntiers of the County under the Lord Say raised themselves and by some of their own were lead towards Worcester expecting to meet Mr. Nathaniel Fines whom his Father had created a Colonel of Horse he had faced the Town and drawn off again ere the Foot came there and so they followed him who with Colonel Sandys returning fell upon the Town on the Welch side of Severn supposing their General the Earl of Essex at hand to assult the other side being deluded by a Spie who mistook him for Prince Rupert whose Horse rushed upon his Ambuscado when through the â—traitness of the passage over a Bridg and after in a Lane neither the Rear could come up nor the Van retreat where all were slain or routed Sandys and some others taken Prisoners the rest ran away far beyond the reach of a pursuit The consequences of this a good omen to the royal party being the first fruits of the War but the Parliaments Army with Essex marching thither the other Forces quit the Town not being considerable to erect any Garrison yet by their motion and quick dispatch gathered strength and at last repute of a party not easily to be vanquished whilest the Earl of Essex and his whole Army entered Worcester who continuing a Moneth sending forth parties the Lord Stamford to Hereford to prevent the Forces of South-Wales and the King at Shrewsbury with such an Army as was able to deal with and endanger his Enemy Both Armies begin to take up Winter-quarters Colonel Thomas Essex into Glocester with two Regiments of Foot as Governour but the Deputy Lieutenants had command of the Countrey and after four Weeks he was commanded to Bristol a Town of great concernment by Sea and Land and much distracted between both parties The best and basest in degree were for the King the middle men Citizens for the other and amongst them all those of the Religion intermixing distinguished call them what you please into two Factions Prelate for the King Presbyter for the Parliament but afterwards as either party could nick-name into Heresie and Schism but the general distinction of the Armies that of the Kings called Cavaliers and the Parliaments party Round-heads these flock together shut up the Gates but guarded that Fort and planted Ordnance where they expected the Forces from Glocester but Colonel Essex in his way had timely intelligence to march to another Gate which was set open to him in the night who entered with his two Regiments with others of the County and so surprized the Mutiniers and quashed their Disturbance without bloud Glocester was now protected by the Earl of Stamford with his Regiment of Foot and two Troops of Horse from Hereford but soon commanded into the West he left his Government to his Lieutenant Colonel Massey as his Deputy but afterwards had the sole power for two years and a half The Earl of Essex about Worcester sends from thence two Regiments and ten Troops and five small Pieces towards Kiddermaster and Bewdly and to joyn with the Lord Wharton and Sir Cholmley's Regiments to make a Brigade against the Cavaliers if they march that way who were designed for Wolverhampton and Coventry and so on towards London as was supposed and at Coventry and Warwick lay their Enemies Sir William Constable the Lord Peterborough and Colonel Brown with Forces and the third Brigade was in Worcester under Government now of Colonel Essex The Town of Yarmouth seised a Ship with an hundred and fourty Cavaliers and three hundred Barrels of Powder that came from Holland for to do service for the King The City of York is over-powred by the Cavaliers the Earl of Cumberland Sir Francis Wortley Sir Marmadâ—â— Langdale Sir Iohn Kay Mr. Francis Nevil Sir Thomas Glenham he is resolved to fight
with Mr. Hotham who was in ill case to continue but must be forced to retreat to Hull The Forces of the West in Cornwall for the King began to form into a Body near Pendennis Castle the Governour thereof Sir Nicholas Slaning a gallant Gentleman and assisted 〈…〉 others Sir Bevil Greenvile who possessed themselveâ—â—â—aunston the County Town of Cornwall but not long after Sir Ralph Hopton appears in chief command over the Cavaliers The Parliament had Plymouth the neighbour Port Town of Devonshire bordering Cornwall in the South and Sir George Chudly a Stickler for them for a time onely The Kings party increased in Mid-Wales and descending Southwards as he marches the Welch come to him from all parts of Hereford Monmouth mightily increasing by the power and industry of the Earl of Worcester their Brigades reaching to Oxford and round about where Prince Rupert commanded who took Powder and Match marching through Staffordshire to reprieve Manchester The Parliament party lay about Warwick Coventrie Worcester Buckingham and their Brigades round about even to Glocester Some Arms for the King are landed at Newcastle and ten thousand pounds in Money to raise Dragoons in Northumberland and to fall into Yorkshire which appeared for the King The King on his march from Wales descended Southward and now being near Stafford the Parliament order That the Citie of London be strongly guarded and Posts Bars and Chains be erected and set up in places and by-lanes of the Parishes of St. Margarets Westminster St. Martins in the Fields St. Clements Savoy Holborn St. Giles Covent-garden St. Johns Street â—lerkenwell Criplegate Shoreditch White-chapel Islington Mile-end Southwark Lambeth or any other places necessary at the charge of the Parish by equal Assesment Octob. 22. And the Parliament declare a solemn Protestation to all the world In the presence of Almightie God for the satisfaction of their Consciences and the Discharge of that great Trust which lies upon them That no private passion or respect no evil intention to his Majesties person no Design to the prejudice of his just Honour and Authoritie engaged them to raise Forces and take up Arms against the Authours of this War whereof the Kingdom is now inflamed And after they have by clearing themselves lodged the occasion upon the Contrivers Papists about the King for extirpation of the Protestant Religion wherein principally this Kingdom and Scotland are concerned as making the greatest Body of Reformation in Christendom they conclude For all which Reasons they are resolved to enter into a solemn Oath and Covenant with God to give up themselves lives and fortunes into his hands and defend this his cause with the hazzard of our lives against the Kings Armie according to a form agreed upon and to be subscribed and to associate and unite with all the well-affected of the Citie of London and other parts of his Majesties Dominions 〈…〉 expect their dear Brethren of Scotland that they will help and 〈◊〉 defence of this Cause which if the Popish partie prevail must needs involve Scotland in the like alteration of Religion and engage them also in a War against this Kingdom to defend their own Religion And this they do again they say protest before the everliving God to be the chief end of all their counsels and resolutions without any intention to injure his Majestie either in his person or just power Octob. 22. And the Battail of Edg-hill the next morning being Sunday After the Kings party had beat the Enemy at Worcester Fight the three and twentieth of September he joyns all his Brigades near hand and marches to meet General Essex hovering thereabout to watch the Kings Designs who lodged on Saturday night October 22. at Sir William Chancies six miles near Keinton and Essex at Keinton And early the next morning being Sunday the three and twentieth drew up into a Body near Keinton and ascending the top of Edg-hill with his Prospective Glass took view of Essex his Army in the Vale of the Red Horse about a Mile distant but before the King could draw into order he was saluted with three Pieces of Cannon from the other side with three Shouts of their Souldiers And being asked by his Officers what his Majesty meant to do To give him Battel said the King it is the first time I ever saw the Rebells in a Bodie God and good mens prayers to him assist the justice of my cause And instantly ordered the Fight by the return of two Shot of Cannon in answer to theirs about two of the clock after noon the Word was God and King Charls his greatest Body of Horse was on the right Wing and on the left some Horse and Dragoons The Parliaments Army was put into this order the Foot a good space behinde the Horse when the Charge began three Regiments of Horse on the right Wing the Generals Regiment commanded by Sir Philip Stapleton Sir Balfore's Regiment who was Lieutenant General of the Horse and the Lord Fielding's Regiment which stood behinde the other two as a Reserve Sir Iohn Meldrum had the Van with his Brigade Colonel Essex the middle the General 's Regiment the Lord Brook and Colonel Hollis had the Rear in the left Wing were twenty Troops commanded by Sir Iames Ramsey Commissary General And thus they stood The Earl of Lindsey Lord High Chamberlain of England was the Kings Captain General but the Fight was ordered by the Lord Ruthen since made Earl of Forth a Scotish man and the General lead on the main Body with a Pike in his hand it is said that General Essex lead on his Forces also but then it is confessed that he was advised to retire from Danger and so he escaped when the other was killed The Forlorn Hope was commanded by Major Baâ—stake and Captain Hamond both of them Officers in Sir Lewis Diveâ— Regiment of Foot and drawn down the Hill to the side of a Ditch lined with Musquetiers and both sides had no sooner fired but that the Kings Cannon followed and discharged six or seven Shot Prince Rupert General of the Horse commanding the right Wing routed their left Wing and followed them in chafe to Keinton Town and two Miles beyond killing all whom they overtook the Lord Ruthen ordered the left Wing of the Kings Horse with the Lord Wilmot both of them doing gallant service 't is true Prince Rupert presumed that he had left a sufficient Reserve of Horse behinde under command of the Earl of Carnarvan with some other Troops who seeing the Enemies Horse and Foot to run his spirit not accustomed to stand still followed too far and left their own Foot naked of Horse which Essex espying took the advantage and with his Horse fell upon the Foot including these Regiments the Lord Generals Colonel Fieldings and Colonel Bowels a Regiment raised by the Lord Paget and did much execution upon them this service being done by Colonel Hurry afterwards Major General for the Parliament The Lord General Lindsey
goodness of Almighty God Accusing that Malignant party to poison the hearts and corrupt the Allegeance of his Subjects by a false Imputation of his favouring Papists imploying them in his Army when he saith that numbers of Popish Commanders and others serve in the Army of the Earl of Essex being privately promised that if they would assist against the King all the Laws made in their prejudice should be repealed Another Scandal he mentioneth to be very senseless that the King should raise an Army against the Parliament to take away their priviledges when in truth it is raised to have some particular Members of this Parliament to be delivered up to Iustice. He being as tender of their priviledges and conform thereto which his Army never intends to violate That the Parliaments Army is raised to Murther and depose the King to alter the frame of Government and the established Laws of the Land That the greatest part of the Parliaments Members are driven away from their Houses by violence That the Book of Common Prayer is rejected and no countenance given but to Anabaptists Brownists and such Schismaticks That the contrivers hereof endeavour to raise an Implacable malice between the Gentry and the Commonalty of the Kingdome A common charge upon the King it had been and so continued to the end of his publique Actings That he favoured Papists and entertained them in his Army and so they were and might be in both subtilly and cunningly by practice on both sides conveyed thither under the masque and profession of Protestants which is a truth of no great wonder and yet in general those of Lancashire Recusants petition the King That being disarmed and so not able either to defend his Royal Person according to their duties nor to secure themselves and families they may be received into his gracious protection from violence being menaced by all kindes of people to whose malice they are subject and must submit And indeed great and heavy pressures were put upon them by both Armies notwithstanding Orders and Declarations to the contrary had been published by either Army And hereupon the King had given Warrant to Sir William Gerard Baronet Sir Cicil Trafford Knight Thomas Clifton Charls Townby Christopher Anderton and Io. Clumsfield c. Recusants in the County of Lancaster That although by Statutes all Recusants convict are to be disarmed to prevent danger in time of peace but now Armies being raised against the King and his Subjects are by them plundered and robbed and their Arms taken and used offensive against his Person His will and command therefore is and they are charged upon their Allegeance and as they tender the safetie of his Person and the peace of the Kingdom with all possible speed to provide Arms for themselves servants and Tenants during the time of open War raised against him and no longer to keep and use for his defence Yet the Parliament prepare Heads of an humble Address unto his Majesty for composing difference and â—â—â—ling a Peace but withall to prevent mis-constructions whereby their just defence may be hindered they do declare That their preparations of Forces for their defence shall be prosecuted with all violence And accordingly Letters are directed from the Lords To the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount Faulkland principal Secretarie to his Majestie or in his absence for Mr. Secretarie Nicholas or any of the Lords or Peers attending the King Grey of Wark My Lord I am commanded by the Lords the Peers and Commons assembled in Parliament to address by you their humble desires to his Majestie that he would â—e pleased to grant his safe Conduct to the Commiâ—tee of Lords and Commons to pass and repass to his Majestie that are directed to attend him with an humble Petition from his Parliament This being all I have in Commission I rest Your assured Friend and Servant Grey of Wark Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore Westminster Nov. 3. 1642. Which is granted so as the said Committee consist not of persons either by name declared Traitors or otherwise in some of his Declarations or Proclamations excepted against by name as Traitors and so as they come not with more than thirty persons and give notice before hand upon signification they shall have safe conduct Your Lordships most humble Servant Edward Nicholas Reading Nov. 4. Hereupon these Names are sent Algernon Earl of Northumberland Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomerie and four Members of the Commons Mr. Perpoint the Lord Wainman Sir Iohn Evelin of Wilts and Sir Io. Hippislie being the Committee of both Houses and desire his Majesties Pass and Repass under his Royal Hand and Signet Nov. 5. The safe Conduct is inclosed for all but Sir Io Evelin who is excepted being proclamed Traitor at Oxford and that if the Houses will send any other person not so excepted in his place His Majesty commands all his Officers to suffer him to pass as if his Name had been particularly comprised herein Reading Nov. 6. To recruit the Parliaments Army it is declared That all Apprentices that will list themselves in their service for the publick cause shall be secured from indemnitie of their Masters during their service and their time included to go on towards their Freedom and all their respective Masters are to receive them again when they shall return This Liberty made Holy-day with the Prentices and they were listed thick and threefold and now spoiled for being Trades-men ever after But it is time to consider what out dear Brethren of Scotland intended to do in this Distraction and therefore they are put in minde by a fresh Declaration of the Parliament How and with what wisdom and publick affection our Brethren of Scotland did concur with the desires of this Kingdom in establishing a peace between both Nations and how lovingly they have since invited the Parliament into a nearer degree of union concerning Religion and Church-government wherefore as the Parliament did for them a year since in their Troubles so now the same obligation lies upon our Brethren by force of their Kingdom to assist us Telling them that Commissions are given by the King to divers Papists to compose an Armie in the North which is to joyn with foreign Forces to be transported hither for the destruction of this Parliament and of Religion and Liberties of the people That the Prelatical partie have raised another Armie which his Majestie doth conduct against the Parliament and Citie of London And hereupon this Parliament desire their Brethren of Scotland to raise Forces for securing their own Borders and to assist here against the Popish and Foreign Forces according to that Act agreed upon in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms for the comfort and relief not onely of our selves but of all the Reformed Churches beyond Seas Nov. 7. 1642. The King as quick sends his Message to the Lords of his Privy Council in Scotland stating the condition between him and the
Yorkshire this Account came to the Houses that Sir Hugh Cholmley for the Parliament hath carried himself gallantly giving several Defeats to the Enemy at Malton and on the sixteenth of Ianuary joyning his Forces to Sir Matthewâ—Bointon they fell upon Colonel Slingsbie at Gisborough who was defeated and six hundred Horse and Foot that had done much spoil in the North. Slingsbie taken Prisoner and an hundred and fourty persons besides many killed and two hundred Arms recovered About Bradford and Hallifax God hath blessed my Son Sir Thomas says the Lord Fairfax having seized the Lord Savil's house at Howley and his Design against Leeds was thus he drew out from Bradford thither where Sir William Savil commands in chief after Summons the Assault began with great resolution on his Sons part the Town being fortified on all sides furnished with two Brass Sakers and manned with fifteen hundred Souldiers yet they forced an entrie in two Hours fight with loss on both sidesâ— not more than fourtie men but Sir Thomas took four Colours and five hundred Prisoners of which six are Commanders many Arms the Sakers and all their Munition On the Parliaments part were lost thirteen men Captain Brigs and Lee sore wounded The people observed he says that Sir William Savil and the chief Commanders on the other side soon after the Fight began fled by secret ways towards Pomfrait and their men after them by degrees but by the way Serjeant Major Beaumont was drowned crossing the River and Sir William narrowly escaped the like Sir Thomas intended to have marched to Wakefield where Sir George Wentworth commanded but the Enemie in fâ—â—â— was fled to Pomfrait and so Wakefield is invested for the Parliâ—â—â—nt The five and twentieth of Ianuary the Kings Forces marched out of Doncaster which was soon taken up by six Companies of Foot till more Forcesâ— shall come from the South to keep it The Earl of Newcastle hath drawn down all his Forces from the South of Yorkshire excepting those that keep Pomfrait Castle and yesterday marched from Sherborn to York with six and thirty Colours two Pieces of Cannon and three and fourty other Carriages and supposed to meet the Arms and Munition coming from Newcastle or to prepare for the Queens entertainment at York Selbie Ian. 26. 1642. Fer. Fairfax There had come forth two Proclamations the one from the Earl of Cumberland dated the first of December last the other from the Earl of Newcastle Ianuary 17. last publishing Ferdinando Lord Fairfax Sir Thomas Fairfax Sir Edward Loftus Sir Matthew Bointon Sir Henry Forbes Sir Thomas Malleverer Sir Richard Darby Sir Christopher Wray Sir Henry Anderson Sir Iohn Savil Sir Edward Rodes Sir Hugh Cholmley Sir Thomas Rennington Sir Thomas Norcliffe Knights Io. Hotham Tho. Hatcher Will. Lister Iohn Legard Io. Dudsworth Iohn Wastel Iohn Perce Willâ—White Iohn Robinson Arthur Beckwith Thomas Robinson and Thomas Stockdel and divers others and their Adherents to be Traitors which the Parliament resenting do as much against the Earls and so are alike quit upon that score The King had proposed a Treaty February 3. together with the cessation of Arms sixteen days since to which he received no Answer but puts them in minde thereof again whereupon the Parliament vote That there shall be a Treaty upon the Propositions before the disbanding and to begin March 4. next for twenty days and no more and a safe conduct desired by the Parliament for their Commissioners the Earl of Northumberland Lord Say Mr. Perpoint Sir William Ermine Sir John Holland and Mr. Whitlock But the King excepts against the Lord Say having been proclamed Traitor the third of November at Oxford and by Writ to the Sheriff to proceed agaisnt him for high Treason and so he was not admitted the rest were March 3. Oxford The Cessation of Arms was thus limited That all Arms Victuals Money Bullion and all commodities passing without safe conduct may be seized on either sides and the persons so passing That the Kings Forces in Oxfordshire shall advance no nearer Windsor than Wheatly and in Buckinghamshire no nearer to Alisbury than Brill and in Barkshire either Forces to contin â—e as they are The Parliaments Forces in Oxfordshire to advance no nearer to Oxford than Henley In Buckinghamshire no nearer than Alisbury The Kings Forces shall take no new Quarter nearer than twelve miles from Oxford any way nor the Parliament twelve miles from Windsor where the Parliaments Armie lay That no Siege shall be against Glocester but the Kings Forces to return And that the Parliament Forces remain as they are in Glocestershire c. February 28. And having treated without any success the Committee returns to the Parliament the seventeenth of April after During this Treaty comes out a weekly Assessment from the Parliament of England and Wales which amounted unto thirty three thousand nine hundred eighty one pounds thirteen shillings vast sums additional to the former and others subsequent In this time the Queen in Holland now imbarques for England the sixteenth of Feb. and with contrary windes and foul weather was forced back again and thereafter with much hazzard anchored at Burlington Bay the nineteenth and lands at the Key the two and twentieth wiâ—h Officers Munition and Money To her comes the Earl of Montrose and Lord Ogleby with two Troops of Horse being now received at York and the Queen forming a pretty Army whereof she hath the command and meets the King hereafter at Edg-hill three moneths hence Indeed she had been in very great danger in her passing out of Holland of which the King assures her he shall not be out of apprehension untill he may have the happiness of her company Thinking it not the least of his misfortunes that for his sake she hath run so much hazzard which it is impossible for him to repay but his heart being full of affection for her and admiration of her and impatient passion of gratitude to her he could not but say some thing leaving the rest to be read by her out of her own noble heart Oxford Febr. 13. 1642. The County of Glocester being mostly engaged in the Parliament service in the midst of their Enemy Oxford being the Kings head Garison Herefordshire his Forces Worcester entertain'd a strength Wales under power of the Lord Herbert The Earl of Essex and his Army drawn to London the Parliaments Forces in the West have their hands full two Regiments at Bristol and one at Glocester this County the most likely game for winter action but the strength of the County drawn to Cirencester a Frontier Town towards the Kings head Quarters and now made a Garison and Colonel Thetiplace that commanded a Regiment and two Companies of Foot added after some Horse and Dragoons raised by the Countrey and the rest of the Militia were to assist in danger more voluntary than regular but resting chiefly on Sir Robert Cook Sir Iohn Seymer Mr. Stephens and Mr. Hodges with
which met the three and twentieth of March and sate till the seventeenth of April without any good effect and it is no wonder for sithence the first occasion taken to quarrel with the King which I reckon to be Ianuary 1641. concerning the Lord Kimbolton and the five Members how many Messages Answers Remonstrances passed from him and in the most of them a continual complying for a peace both heretofore and at Nottingham which the Parliament Member is pleased onely to remember but several times since on the Kings part 'T is true they sent their humble Desires and Propositions to the King February 1. but the Kings Answer and Offer then begat this Treaty now and it was a Moneth after ere the King had Answer and consent but how to begin the fourth of March and to last but twenty days The Votes agreed on were these So much of the Kings Propositions as concerneth the Magazines Forts and Ships and the Propositions of the Parliament for the disbanding of the Armies should be first treated and concluded on before they did proceed to any other Propositions A short time for twenty general Propositions fourteen of theirs and but six for the King but the former day agreed to sit was spun out in Debates and Votes till March 21. when their Committee comes to the Court at Oxford but with Commission so limited and circumscribed by private Instructions that they had not power to explicate the Terms or agree to Expressions And though the King desired That a Cessation might be granted during the Treaty and free Trade during the Cessation and that all matters might be setled by their Committee But not granted for after in small time spent in Disputes and the Committee not able to make Reply immediately they had a Message Not to consume any more of the time in any further Debates upon the Cessation Now for the Propositions the Committee had no power to enter into any Treaty of them before the Articles of Cessation were assented to which seems a Riddle if you observe it But the King being willing to treat however had much to do to procure the Parliaments consent but to the two first Propositions though to his disadvantage And the King willing to expedite the business desired a Copy of their Instructions which they utterly refused But when they desired to repair to him for satisfaction of any Doubt concerning his Papers before such time as they transmitted them to the Parliament he presently condescended which shews clearness in him reservedness in them But to the business PROP. I. His Revenue of which though he was totally deprived into the condition of a private Gentleman yet had they confidence to tell him That they had received a very small proportion of it which for the most part was imployed in the maintenance of his Majesties Children But the King was content to rest upon the promise of the Parliament to satisfie him for the Arrears due and to leve the same for the future in the former way as before the War yet this came not from them without a clog upon condition That the King would restore what had been taken for his own use upon any of the Bills assigned to other purposes by Act of Parliament or out of the Provision made for the War in Ireland as if the King had converted some sums of money for Ireland to his own use when it was made evident that the King had none but that the Parliament Treasurers received all so that this point was soon agreed upon PROP. II. Magazines Forts and Ships The Magazines were agreed after the Treaty to be delivered to the King into the Tower of London but much controverted into whose custody whether into such hands as the Parliament would name or into the custody of the sworn Officers unto whose place it belonged but the Parliaments pleasure carried it As for the Forts the Parliament would have all Forts and Castles to be put into such hands as they should confide in and so for the Cinque Ports The King would put in such against whom no exception can be made and would remove them upon just cause and reason of misdemeanour And for the Cinque Ports a noble person was intrusted by him and in justice he could not put him out without just exceptions And for the Ships also the like but for all of those it is resolved by the Committee That the Parliament shall have the approbation of either of the persons into whose hands they should be put The King on the contrary thought to have all his own rendered to him without conditions so peremptory But whilest they were treating on these particulars and so much time spent to receive the Parliaments direction to their Commissioners at this distance the King sends a Message to the two Houses April 12. 1643. That as soon as he was satisfied in his first Proposition concerning his own Revenue Magazines Ships and Forts in which he desired nothing but his just legal and known Rights to be restored to him and to persons trusted by him And as soon as the Members of both Houses should be restored unto the same capacity of Sitting and voting in Parliament as they had upon the first of January 1641. exclusively of such whose Votes had been taken away by Bill or by new Elections or new Writes and that as soon as his Majesty and both Houses may be secured from such tumultuous Assemblies as to the high dishonour of the Parliament had awed the Members of the same which he conceived could not otherwise be done but by adjourning the Parliament to some place twenty miles from London such as the Houses should agree upon his Majesty most chearfully and readily would consent to the disbanding of the Armies and would return speedily to his two Houses of Parliament according to the time and place which they should agree upon To which the Parliament vouchsafed no other Answer than the calling back of their Commissioners the next day after and the dissolving that Treaty which ended April 15. being the day by them determined And immediately after General Essex marches on to besiege Reading Sir Iohn Hotham having heretofore quarrelled with the King and done so much for the Parliament was not willing to be subject to any Overseer and so had no heart to submit to the Lord Fairfax the Northern Commander for the Parliament and upon complaints on either side Hotham had the fewer Friends and therefore the Parliament writ a Letter discovering their intention to displace him which he intercepted and returns and angry Letter to the House of Commons full of Expostulations and after all That if they harboured any such Designs they would finde it sooner said than done And from henceforth he was unsetled towards them The Lord Brook for the Parliament having in the beginning of March the Convoy of some Ordnance from London to St. Albans marched forward to Northampton and plundered it of some Ammunition and went
raised by the Kings Commission here for that purpose were imployed in the Army of General Essex These things were known in Ireland and the effects foreseen which encouraged the Rebells there in some hopes of Peace by the Protestants necessities if not it might be possible for some Pacification or Cessation To that end the Irish frame a short Petition to the King presented to the Lords Justices and Council there in the Name of the Roman Catholicks for to be heard to speak for themselves In the beginning of December after the Irish Committee petition the King at Oxford of the miserie and necessitie of that gasping Kingdom unless timely Relief were not his loyal Subjects must yield their fortunes a prey their lives a sacrifice and their Religion a scorn to the merciless Rebells Upon which Commissioners meet on both sides but so unsatisfactory that the Kings Lieutenant General there being troubled with the cavils and proceedings of the Rebells marched out in Feb. with two thousand five hundred Foot and five hundred Horse to force Victual from them for his Army not having received any Relief from England in four Moneths before so that in March 16. following the Lords Justices and Council signifie That the State and Army there were in terrible want and that unless Money Munition Arms Cloaths were speedily sent thither utter destruction and loss of that Kingdom must follow Instead of Redress the very Ships as were to transport thither Cloaths and Victuals from charitable people were seized and taken by the Earl of Warwick and endeavours here to draw the Scots Forces from thence into this Kingdom to assist the Parliament Whereupon the Marquess Ormond the Kings Lieutenant General there had the 31. of Iuly last Commission to agree of a Cessation for a year which was concluded at Singinston the fifteenth of September at twelve a clock for a year and confirmed by Proclamation of the Lords Justices and Council at Dublin the nineteenth of September 1643. Donough Viscount Muskery Dillon Plunket Talbot Barnwell and others were for the Catholick Subjects as they styled themselves The Articles are ordinarily the same as usual free Trade and Prisoners of War released And as a Gift to the King they ingage for thirty thousand eight hundred pounds to be paid as a Present to the Kings use at several Payments before May-day Then to justifie the necessity of the Cessation for the good of the Kingdom we finde an Instrument setting down the misery of the Nation and want in the Army It had been proposed to very many persons of Honour and others in the Army who framed a Writing importing all the former particulars and there conclude They for these causes do conceive it necessary for his Majesties Honour and Service that the said Marquess Ormond assent to a Cessation of Arms for one whole Year on the Articles and Conditions drawn up and to be perfected by virtue of his Majesties Commission for the preservation of this Kingdom of Ireland witness our Hands this fifteenth of Sept. 1643. Clanricard and St. Albans Roscomon Dungarven Brahazon Inchequin Lucas Ware Erule Hunks Paulet Eustace Povey Gifford Percival Warren Cook c. Upon the Rebellion and Troubles in Ireland and upon the Cessation of Arms there the King hath expressed himself with that clearness as to the satisfying of all malicious Aspersions which some men have endeavoured to charge upon him where he saith That the Commotions in Ireland were so sudden and so violent that it was hard at first either to discern the Rise or applie a Remedie to that precipitant Rebellion Indeed that Sea of Bloud which hath there been cruelly and barbarously shed is enough to drown any man in eternal both infamie and miserie whom God shall finde the malicious Authour or Instigatour of its Effusion It fell out as a most unhappie Advantage to some mens malice against me that when they had impudence enough to lay any thing to my charge this bloudie opportunitie should be offered them with which I must be aspersed although there was nothing which could be more abhorred to me being so full of sin against God disloyaltie to my self and destructive to my Subjects Some men took it very ill not to be believed when they affirmed that what the Irish Rebells did was done with my privitie at least if 〈◊〉 by my Commission But these knew too well that it is no news for some of my Subjects to fight not onely without my Commission but against my Command and Person too yet all the while to pretend they fight by my Authoritie and for my safetie I would to God the Irish had nothing to allege for their imitation agâ—â—st those whose blame must needs be the greater by how much Protestant-principles are more against all Rebellion against Princes than those of Papists Nor will the goodness of mens intentions excuse the Scandal and Contagion of their Examples But who ever fail of their Dutie toward me I must bear the blame this Honour mine Enemies have always done me to think moderate Injuries not proportionate to me nor competent Trials either of my patience under them or my pardon of them Therefore with exquisite malice they have mixed the Gall and Vineger of falsitie and contempt with the Cup of my Affliction charging me not onely with untruths but such as wherein I have the greatest share of Loss and Dishonour by what is committed whereby in all Policie Reason and Religion having least cause to give the least consent and most grounds of utter detestation I might be represented by them to the world the more inhumane and barbarous Like some Cyclopick Monster whom nothing will serve to eat and drink but the flesh and bloud of mine own Subjects in whose common welfare mine interest lies as much as some mens doth in their perturbations who think they cannot do well but in evil times nor so cunningly as in laying the Odium of those sad Events on others wherewith themselves are most pleased and whereof they have been not the least occasion And certainly 't is thought by many wise men that the preposterous Rigour and unreasonable Severitie which some men carried before them in England was not the least Incentive that kindled and blew up into those horrid Flames the Sparks of Discontent which wanted not pre-disposed fewel for Rebellion in Ireland where Despair being added to their former Discontents and the Fears of utter Extirpation to their wonted Oppressions it was easie to provoke to an open Rebellion a People prone enough to break out to all exorbitant violence both by some Principles of their Religion and the natural Desires of Libertie both to exempt themselves from their present Restraints and to prevent those after-rigours wherewith they saw themselves apparently threatned by the covetous zeal and uncharitable furie of some men who think it a great Argument of the Truth of their Religion to endure to no other but their own God knows as I can with Truth
and Auxiliaries as being put upon the worst of service for their former ingratefull abuse and nicknaming their Noble General Now for the Honour of the field The General Essex Army marched away but left their heavy carriages behind some Barrels of shot Surgeons chests and their dead bodies to the view of the Cavaliers which the General Essex gave warrant to bury viz. To Mr. Fulk Minister and the Constables of the Parish of Enburn These are to will and require you forthwith upon sight to bury all the dead bodies lying in and about Enburn and Newbury-wash upon your peril if disobeying the one and twentieth of September 1643. Essex But the Kings care also appeared to the dead and wounded thus Our will and command is that you forthwith send into the Towns and Villages adjacent and bring thence all the sick and hurt Souldiers of the Earl of Essex's Army and though they be Rebells and deserve the punishment of Traytors yet out of our tender compassion upon them as being our Subjects Our will and pleasure is that ye carefully provide for their Recovery as well as for those of our own Army and then to send them to Oxford the one and twentieth of September 1643. To the Mayor of Newbery And so they were buried on both sides Many colours of the Kings Cornets were brought to London amongst them one was a draught of the Parliament House with the heads of the two Gun-powder Traytors set upon it with this Motto ut extra sic intus and being concluded to be of Colonel Spencers he and his Posterity were voted to be extirpated out of the Kingdome but yet it proved not his Colours The King and Queen stood the day upon the Hill and saw the fight a harder bout to both sides than that of Edge Hill Essex his aim was but to get through and pass to London so on they march homewards but Colonel Hurry makes after with a good party of Horse and fall upon theirs that brought up the Rear and daring to stand directly ran forwards quite through their own Foot and being in a narrow lane pressed them under the Horse heels routing themselves to the full so that the Cavaliers had less need to raise any courage for their Enemy suffered exceedingly whilst they clambred over or through the hedges took the shot or the sword at pleasure of the Assailants then indeed those that were gotten into the field did their part and forced the Horse to return backagain The success of which Battel gave much grace to the General Essex and repute to the London Trained bands a piece of service gallant on all sides enabled by its wonderfull rise lively progress nimble expedition Brave adventures but more advantage to the Parliaments party by which advance they might have framed an Army easily to have mastered the Country and distressed all the Kings Chief Garisons now reduced to those thereabout Bristol and Oxford and to engage the rest as Hereford and Worcester by stopping their supply of men and money And after Newbery fight the King sends Sir William Vavisor to Hereford with a strong party to raise Forces in those parts and to command in Chief in that County and Glocestershire to distress Glocester on the Welch side of the County and to Garison Teuxbury which he did coming from Hereford with seven hundred Horse and Foot carressed the Country with all candour but could not work upon them and therefore retyred back again yet the King had Garisons round about Snidley Castle maintained by the Lord Chandos stopt the entercourse with Warwick which was the only way of commerce with London Berkly Castle also for the King and kept by a Scotish Captain In the Forrest of Dean was Sir Iohn Winter strongly setled and to boot a Garison was put into Beverston Castle which enlarged their Quarters and stopt the Parliaments parties contribution and especially from Glocester who to subsist were forced to seek forrage placing a company at Frampton house to stop the incursions from Berkley Colonel Devereux his Regiment garisoned a strong house at Presbury within four miles of Snidley Another guard was set at Westbury on the edge of the forrest to affront Sir Iohn Winter who from the Pen secretary to the Queen was put to the pike and did his business very handsomely for which he found the enmity of the Parliament ever after Indeed he was assisted with the Lord Herberts Horse and threatned the Enemy out of the Forest and had made a passage over the Severn and New haven for that purpose Some weeks after the departure of the siege from Glocester Massie marched with hisâ— two Troops to Berkley Castle the Musketiers faced and kept in the Castellians whilst the Horse designed to fetch in Malignants but met with the Lord Herberts Troop and one hundred and fourty Horse besides which came to relieve the Castle which were fought with and retreated so did the Enemy return home again Sir Iohn Winter now entered upon the Government of Newnham and plundered all the Villages about and came within three miles of Glocester driving away store of Cattel Massy draws out seventy Horse pursues them to their Garison where they were entered with all their plunder five Troops of the Lord Herberts fell on Masseys Rears which stood them with advantage but Sir Iohn Winter chiefly respected his former secure Garison his own Horse in the Forrest and plagued the whole Country On the other side of Glocester the royall party erected new Governments Tedbury and Wootten-under-edge Massy marches that way with an eye upon Beverston Castle newly garisoned against him and commanding the rich Clothiers of Stroodwater hither he advanced with three hundred Foot and eighty Horse which did execution at Tedbury put to flight Sir Horatio Cary's Horse but with loss of twenty men slain and taken prisoners Massy brings up his men and two sakers against Beverston Castle surrounded it and planted his guns within pistol shot of the gate fifty Musketiers fixing their Pittar upon the Gate which failed and were forced back but the gate was not forceable and night coming on they drew off and advanced to Wotton-under-ege a temporary Garison of a Regiment of Horse which drew out upon a tilt retreated in at night but Issued out again fought Massy with indifferent success and so retreated to Bristol In this absence of Massy from Glocester Sir Iohn Winter taking that oportunity gathered forces from Monmouth and Hereford for surprizal of Glocester not without some Overtures from within Late at night Massy had Intelligence drew out fifty Musketiers from the Guard and sent them out with Captain Crisp three miles off to strengthen a good house in the passe but within a mile they were encountred by Horse and Foot drawn up in a broad lane near Higham house who retreated to Huntley The Welch forces though kept their Randevouz at Cofford in the Forrest and threatned Glocester divers of the Cavalier party in the
County importuned the King that Colonel Charls Gerrard might quarter upon the City with all the mischief that Hebert and Vavisor could do besides At this time comes over out of Ireland more forces for the King and land at Bristoll and thence fell down into Glocester commanded by Colonel Min and Sir William St. Leger with both their Regiments making up one thousand Foot and one hundred Horse with eight pieces of Ordinance and advance to Thornbury and the twentieth of December a party of two hundred Horse and Dragoons commanded by Captain Backhouse was set out to fall upon them who were now quartered at Wotton charged their main guard but were forced to retreat And now again the Clouds gather about Glocester the County Cavaliers shew themselves and those of Colsword take arms with them and garison several Houses Oxford Forces expected at Painswick and Stroud the Irish were to lyâ—on this side Barkleyâ— the Lord Herbert and Sir Iohn Winter in the Forest the Lord Chandois at Chettenham Sir VVilliam Vavisor and Sir VValter Pie at Teuxbury round about Glocester they were thus designed Every corner of the County had Garisons likewise at Newnham Lidney Monmouth Hereford VVorcester Dimock Newent Highleaden Taunton Teuxbury Snidly Sapton Beverston and Berkley and had in field at once twenty six hundred Horse and Foot After some stay a party of these Forces were drawn off towards VVarwick-shire to joyn with the Kings party waiting thereabout to intercept the supplies from London for Glocester was in want of Powder and Match Sir VValter Pies Foot and Colonel VVroughtons Horse remained at Teuxbury to block up Glocester on that side about which City fifteen hundred Horse were constantly quartered for Colonel VVashingtons Regiment was garisoned at Evesham and a Regiment of Horse also at Parshore besides what were at Snidley and all these to watch supplies of the City The Parliament party had these out guards Presbury Welbury Essington Framton and Froster which were set to keep Markets open which amongst all these was but little these Garisons eating up all the County impoverished the Commission of Excise not setled and the King was Petitioned by the County to free the County and distress Glocester at once Massy had built a Friggot for service upon Severn to hinder the Landing from Bristol and Wales this Frigot manned with Sea men and Souldiers for any attempt which ariving at Chepstow the Musketiers hastned a shore entered the Town surprized some officers of Colonel Oneals Regiment and returning with their Prisoners seized a vessel laden with Oil Wine Sugar but did so no more for the County set up many Vessels upon the River to prevent mischief The Counties thus pestered with Garisons to little purpose and straitned of quarter were fain to seek out for contribution two thousand Horse and Foot march out of Teuxbury to Panswick and Stroodwater and divided into three bodies whom to encounter Massy draws out two hundred Foot and one hundred Horse whilst two parts faced him the third got down a lane and drove him to a flight with loss of many two Lieutenants and sixteen Souldiers prisoners the rest ran back to a reserve for such an accident and gave liberty to the Cavaliers to return to Teuxbury laden with plunder suddenly after this the Parliament lost two Garisons Huntly which were taken by Sir Iohn Winter from Captain Davis who betraying them it was said went to Westbury and received there as a friend led in his train of Cavaliers and so both places surprized in two hours and one hundred men and arms taken The great design upon Glocester was thus what force could be spared from Oxford and Irish are drawn together Herbert Vavisor and VVinter lodged in their Garisons and Prince Rupert at Newent fifteen Cornets of Horse arrive at Cirencester and five hundred Horse and Foot advanced to Saperton and Misanden within ten miles of Glocester so that round about the Cavalier party were six thousand One Stanford a cunning gallant assaults Captain Backhouse his old friend by Letter presuming of former friendship to tender him the Kings pardon and preferment urging his Loyalty and Duty to render up the Town of Glocester being bound not to obey and unjust power and to deceive them was no deceit This hasty and abrupt temptation wrought the first onset which he communicated to the Governour Massy and both agreed to drill on the design and to accept the offer and so they take into the Junto Captain Singleton an Alderman and Captain Read and so Backhouse returns his professed duty and service to the King by any way to prove Loyal agreeing upon a trusty Messenger and to have money in hand as part of reward and draws the model of the plot in a Letter to Stanford Sir You desire my proposals and Plot Thus then whether to draw out my Troop in an evening meet with your Forces bring them in and Master the first guard My Troop alwaies in the Rear and at your Mercy whether if I perswade the Governour with a strong party of Horse and Foot upon some design to lie out all night eight or ten miles off and I stay at home and you to advance in the evening whom I can bring in as our own Forces or whether I shall draw off the Centinels and you to enter whether I send out for Hay and you have notice of their return in the night and you clap in like Carters with ammunition in the Carts master the first guards possess the Ordinanee so let in Horse Dragoons these or any other as you shall direct For my reward though against my Spirit to indent before hand but my straits and necessity such as I would expect two thousand pounds to be secured two or three hundred in hand for service likewise to the Souldier if need be and to ingage my own Troop with a silver Cord these I leave to you and hope to meet when all the world shall not know R. B. These being sent to Oxford the Lord Digby returns answer and ratifies the proposals Sir You having so far declared your desire to serve his Majesty unto Mr. Stanford I think fit to give you more assurance than his bare word therefore I do solemnly engage my word unto you as a Minister of State and a Gentleman that immediately after your faithfull performance of your promise you punctually receive such a Pardon as your self shall desire and two thousand pounds and as soon as I shall receive your Answer hereto under your Hand the three hundred pounds shall be paid to any person or any place which you shall appoint As for the Proposals for effecting the Design so rational in either of yours it is left to your choice who are to execute with whom if possible you should meet at some unsuspected place it is at your choice whether of these persons to be imparted and no other Sir William Vavisor Commander in
Lord and Commons do declare that all such persons as shall upon any pretence whatsoever assist his Majesty with Horse Arms Plate or Money are Traitours to the Parliament and shall be brought to condign punishment The French in publick appearing very sensible of the unchristian â—â—il War in this Nation had sent the Prince of Harcourt Extraordinary Ambassadour into England commissioned to mediate peace between the King and Parliament being received at London with all due respects but his Arrand was first to the King and therefore desires the Parliaments Pass and had it but notwithstanding at the out Fort at Hide Park corner was stopped the Guard having no such Warrant without searching his Coach and Train of Baggage which he highly resented as the greatest injury from any Nation but there he refused and staid untill some Members of the House were sent to relieve him with such publick scorns Libells and Pamphlets without President and knowing that he came to mediate the Parliament would not be backward upon that score and therefore voted Sir Henry Vane Mr. Saint Iohns with the Lord VVharton a Committee to relate to the City a great Plot discovered which was set forth to the Common Council on Munday the seventh of Ianuary still filling up the Periods of their Speeches with the Gun-powder Treason which they said was much like this Plot for a Peace It was frequent with the Armies whether necessity or special advantage to act extraordinary business on Sundays as Keinton Field Brainford Hopton-heath Leeds Chalgrove Field Basing The King had now large Territories for his Army to march in this Year set him up for on this Day Twelve-moneths past he had but one small County of all the West in Yorkshire but York City and Pomfret Castle and except Reading Wallingford Brill and Abington he had not a Souldier quartered out of Oxford when he had not one Ship nor any Port save Newcastle and Falmouth when the Parliament declared in print that he had not ten thousand Men. And yet the King hath now five small Armies better than Brigades and in all the Western Counties the Parliament hath not a Souldier but at Plymouth and Pool in Yorkshire none but Hull and in Cheshire onely Nantwich The last Battels if we may so call them were at Bodwin Tadcaster Hopton-heath Ancaster Middleton-cheany Stratton Bradford More Chalgrave Chuton Lands-down Round-way-down Auburn Newbury Leek Middlewich and if of some the King had the better of the rest not much to boast The remnant of South Wales is fully reduced and North Wales cleared the whole Principality Cavaliers The Parliament got from the King Strafford and Warrington but all these Towns were the Parliaments last Year which now the King hath viz. Saltash Cirencester Burningham Leege Lichfield Bradford Hallifax Wakefield Taunton Bristol Bath Dorchester Weymouth Biddeford Barnstable Appleford Tenby Haverford-west Pembroke Exeter The Marquess of Newcastle for the King in the Commission of Array was met at Chesterfield in Darbyshire with a vast concourse of people as a Novel to see and hear where he listed fifteen hundred Voluntiers assisted by Sir Iohn Gell his interest thereabout and Sir Iohn Harpers The Lord Byron had good success and took Crew House with all the Arms and Ammunition six Commanders an hundred threescore and five Souldiers as also he took Dodrington belonging to Sir Thomas Delves being a Garison and cleared many places Middlewich Beeston Castle Someback with sundry Prisoners his Brigade being now near seven thousand Horse and Foot Sir William Waller having besieged Arundel Castle in Sussex eight and twenty Days with the sacrifiâ—e of many men had it surrendered the Cavaliers at Oxford will not be perswaded but that it was not fairly delivered on their parts but rather by connivence if not for Reward and if we consult the strength of the place it self the Fortifications Men and Ammunition we may suspect no less not to credit the Purchasers for then it will seem true whose relations of the numbers of Men slain and strength of Ammunition surrendered as it is usual with all conquerours to account comes to a great Sum. This Service made Sir William Waller to fly high desiring the Parliaments Commission to him To place and displace all Governours of Towns and Castles within his Association But this took off the General Essex his Authority from whom all the military Commanders had Commissions And was occasioned through a late difference between Sir William and the Governour of Chichester who refused to admit Colonel Norton to enter his Garison being routed and pursued by the Lord Hopton which difference was by the Parliament referred to the General as it appears by his Letter to the House of Commons he tells them That in truth the Commission he sent to Sir William Waller was not so full as he usually grants and the Reasons why he was so limited are not to be discovered But tells them withall that he did no more than what he ought to do and that the charge he took upon him was not his own seeking though it was a great encouragement to him that the Houses thought him once worthy of the sole command which however lessened yet he will never desert the Cause as long as he hath any bloud in his veins till the Kingdom hath regained her Peace or an end made by the Sword But Sir VVilliam not well pleased with all this returned his Commission back to Mr. Nichâ—las with much regret as it appears by his Letters which accompanied this Surrender I have said he returned the Commission which is as good as nought The Counties of Devon and Cornwall Cavaliers for the King unanimously joyned in Association in these words VVhereas a few malevolent and ambitious persons in the name of two Houses of Parliament have by treasonable practices imbroiled this Kingdom in a Civil VVar pursued his Majesties person murdered his good Subjects some of them barbarously by the common Hangman against Law and Iustice others by hostile Assault brought a general devastation upon the whole Kingdom taking away all Liberty from the Members of both Houses by awing terrifying and assaulting them with Tumults and Arms usurping the Regal power counterfeiting a great Seal to shew their horrid intentions against the King Kingdom and Government and finding their Acts not likely to protect them from the punishment due to their merits have unnaturally invited the Scots to invade this Kingdom and in these Distractions to make a total Conquest of this Nation for Resistance whereof and preserving the common peace the Inhabitants of Devon and Cornvvall have united themselves and for continuance of which union this ensuing Protestation is to be taken I. A. B. do in the presence of Almighty God promise vow and protest with my utmost power to maintain and defend the true Reformed Protestant Religion established by Law in this Kingdom against all Popery popish and all other Innovations of Sectaries and Schismaticks as also his
which was assessed in Money proportionable to the condition of the Family The Scots are come and great care taken at Westminster for pay of that Army the twentieth part over all the North they have power to assess for themselves and all Malignants Estates that they can seize within their reach Nay several Counties and Associations are assessed for them Against whom the Marquess of Newcastle marched Northwards and to attack him in Yorkshire follows Sir Thomas Fairfax who was guided by his Father as the Father is by the grand Committee at Westminster as the Committee is by the Scots This dependency being very necessary to assure them good Welcome for so says their Letter to the Lord Fairfax My Lord VVe have taken into consideration the opportunity offered for reducing of Yorkshire whilest the Marquess of Newcastle hath drawn his Forces towards the North to oppose the Scots and how necessary it is to hinder his further Levies that Sir Thomas your Son march into the VVest Riding with all his Horse with two Regiments of Foot out of Lancashire and that your self take the Field with what Forâ—es you can and joyn with your Son for effecting these ends to hold a continual Intelligence with the Scots Army by drawing near Tees March 2. Northumberland Jo Maitland And here we see the great Earl of Northumberland invites the ancient Enemies of England into his own County and the Lord Fairfax into Yorkshire Cambridg University lay under the ordering of the Earl of Manchester Serjeant Major General of the Association where these Heads of Houses were turned out Dr. Beal Dr. Martin Dr. Stern in whose places were put in Masters of the Colleges Mr. Palmer Mr. Arrowsmith Mr. Vines as men more fit indeed such others as these were changed into the like I know not how more fit I am sure some of them are famous for false Latine Sir William Waller forward on his way to finde out the Lord Hopton who was drawn out of Winchester with sufficient Horse to oppose Sir William Balfore whom Waller had sent before to possess Alresford but came last for his Lordship was there first and forced Waller into small Villages in the morning Hopton drew down to Bramdean Heath and found Waller on a fair Hill and would not be forced thence till a long Dispute the Hill thus gained Colonel Lisle with his commanded Men kept it all night in this time of darkness Waller had mastered another Hill of greater advantage by the covert of Trees and Hedges which Colonel Appleford was to repossess and found it a hard Task to mount up against the powring shot of such as lined the Hedges not seen from whence it came Volleys well performed which yet were fain to give way to force which cost them dear enough for they paid a good price for it Here was a pretty breathing if Waller went off Hopton would follow to his undoing if they came on they would undo themselves but the Allarm was given by a mistaking Corporal of Hopton's who took his Enemies for Friends and so were engaged too far to seek throughout within their Ambuscadoes who now play their parts by this Advantage and put Hopton to a Retreat and neither parts had cause to cry Victoria for both sides were soundly beaten I intitle the Fight to the Lord Hopton but General Forth was there upon the other score he came in with the Lord Iohn Stuart sore wounded but I know not how concluded for dead yet Sir Arthâ—r Hasâ—erig called it A safe Deliverance though at London it was cried up for a Victory on this side Sir William Balfore in his Letter to his General â—ssex numbers then to be eight Commanders killed by him the Lord Stuart indeed and Sir Iohn Smith died afterwards of their wounds two gallant Gentlemen so did Colonel Sandys and Colonel Manning and Colonâ—l Scot Colonel Appleyard and Captain Pierson Sir Edward Stowel and Sir Henry Bard these were hurt and deserve honourable mention But at London they mention three Lords killed Stuart is confessed but not the General who they make a double one for his two Titles Forth and Ruthen And so they are described to be Gebal Moab and Ammon and to be utterly vanquished by the Servant of God Sir VVilliam VValler And the Parliament had some of theirs slain Dalbier wounded and Colonel Thomson had his Leg shot off by a Cannon Bullet And this happened upon a Friday March 29. The Cavaliers in disorder drew their Cannon off towards VVinchester but wheeled off unseen to Basing House VValler marches to VVinchester which was rendered to him upon Summons and Hopton is now at Oxford But a solemn Thanksgiving was ordered in London for this Victory and some Members sent to the City to encourage them for Supplies The Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery told them That the City Auxiliaries had done their part and if they went but once more they would rid the Kingdoms of these Rogues the occasion of all our miseries And upon these preparations and success of the Parliament the King draws all his Forces to a Rendezvouz to oppose his Adversaries And as VValler had done such Encouragements heightened others to undertake Mountains Colonel Griffith commonly called Prince Griffith had the confidence to propose to the House of Commons That if he might have a Commission to command in chief of all North Wales next under General Essex and to have Delinquents Estates there by him to be discovered and the Income of such as he should conquer in North Wales not exceeding the Sum of fifteen thousand pounds he would engage his Life and Estate to raise such Forces as should reduce Wales to obedience Which was referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms And he set out in all magnificence with his Silver Trumpets and guarded Coats But at his first Encounter with some of Prince Rupert's Forces whom he sought out for a single Duel Prince Griffith was totally routed which occasioned a merry Lady to tell him He looked sadly ever since he lost his Silver Trumpets And so cashiered he became debaucht and abused the Lady Herbert for which he was imprisoned but her honour much concerned he was released and so having spent a reasonable Fortune he was necessitated to travel beyond Seas where at Paris he was killed in a Tavern the end of his impudency We may enter this Spring with the setting out of General Essex and his Army to be recruited to seven complete Regiments of Foot and six Regiments of Horse and a constant Pay of thirty thousand five hundred and four pounds a Moneth for four Moneths And the Parliaments Navy to be complete for this Summer with addition of twelve Merchants Ships in the places of nine others unserviceable and fifteen small Catches to be added to the Fleet. And a new way of Contribution was devised for getting Moneys towards the charge of arming the Auxiliary Forces now raising within the City of London That all Inhabitants
himsefe shot in the arm for this good service his Majesty presently Knighted him and he well deserved it His Majesty wanted only Horse to have utterly destroyed them for they were now unable to help themselves In this condition his Majesty pursued them all day getting still ground in the evening one whole Regiment of their Foot being Colonel Weyres staggared ran from field to field with their Cannon and Colours only at the appearance of but eight of his Majesties Horse and had not night come on all their Army had undoubtedly been destroyed The Gentlemen of his Majesties own Troop did most gallantly in that service being twice bravely led on by the noble and valiant Lord Bernard Stuart to the great terrour of the Rebels This no question caused their General Essex early the nex day to quit his glorious Command and in a small Boat to shift away by water some say for Plymouth as yet there is no certainty where he is nor of Roberts Meirick and others who are gone Thereupon yesterday his own Lieutenant Colonel Butler who was formerly taken Prisoner at the Lord Mohun's House and now exchanged for Sir John Digby came to desire a Parley which was accepted and Hostages interchangeably delivered the Treaty followed in the evening in the Kings Quarter the Treators for his Majesty Prince Maurice the Lord General and the Lord Digby Theirs Colonel Barkeley an insolent Scot Colonel Whichcott a zealous City Colonel and Colonel Butler after high demands the conclusion brought forth these Articles 1. It is agreed That all the Officers and Souldiers as well of Horse and Foot under the command of the Earle of Essex being at the time of the Conclusion of this Treaty on the West side of the River of Foy shall to morrow being the Second of September by eleven of the clock in the morning deliver up near the old Castle in their own Quarters All their Cannon and Train of Artillery with All Carriages Necessaries and Materials thereunto belonging and likewise All the Arms offensive and defensive both of Horse and Foot and all Powder Bullet Match and Amunition whatsoever unto such Officers as the General of His Majesties Artillery shall appoint to receive the same except only the Swords and Pistols of all Officers above the degree of a Corporal who are by this Agreement to wear and carry the same away 2. Secondly It is agreed That immediately after the delivery up of the said Artillery Arms and Amunition c. that all Officers and Souldiers both of Horse and Foot of the said Army shall march out of their Quarters to Listithiel with their Colours both of Horse and Foot Trumpets and Drummes And that all Officers of Foot above the degree of Serjeants shall take with them such Horses and Servants as properly belong unto themselves as also all reformed Officers their Horses and Arms not exceeding the number of fifty and likewise to take with them all their Bagge and Baggage and Wagons with their Teemes of Horses properly belonging to the said Officers 3. Thirdly It is agreed That they shall have a safe Convoy of a hundred Horse from their Quarters to Lestithiel and thence in their March the nearest convenient way to Poole and Warham provided that they secure the said Convoys return to Bridgwater or His Majesties Army and that in their march they touch not at any Garrison 4. Fourthly It is agreed That in case they shall march from Poole to any other place by land that neither they nor any of them shall bear Arms more then is allowed in this agreement nor do any Hostile act untill they come to Southampton or Portsmouth 5. Fiftly It is agreed That all the Sick and wounded Officers and Souldiers of that Army who are not able to march shall be left at Foy and there secured from any violence to their persons or goods and care taken of them untill such time as they can be transported to Plymouth 6. Sixtly It is agreed That all Officers and Souldiers of that Army for the better conveniency of their march shall be permitted to receive all such Monies Provisions of Victuals and other accommodations as they shall be able to procure from Plymouth To which end they shall have a Passe granted for any Persons not exceeding the number of twelve whom they shall send for the same 7. Seventhly It is agreed That there be no inviting of Souldiers but that such as will voluntarily come to his Majesties Service shall not be hindred MAURICE BRAINFORD Phil. Skippon Christ. Whitchcott According to these Articles his Majesty possessed himself of all the enemies train of Artillery viz. 49. Pieces of fair Brass Ordnance taken then and the day before among which was the great Basilisco of Dover 200. and odd Barrels of Gunpowder Match Ball c. proportionable above 700. Carriages and bewixt 8. and 9. thousand Arms Horse and Foot Amongst the Baggage were found a world of empty Bottles belonging to his Excellencies own Quarter As for their persons his Majesty out of his wonted Clemency was unwilling to shed blood they were his own Subjects which caused so many thousands of them instantly to desire imployment in his Majesties Cause to fight especially against them who had led them into all this and at last run away from them To speak truth this is the most high inexpiable piece of cowardize that ever was committed by one who took on him the name of a General to lead an Army of above ten Thousand men into such miserable necessity all which they endured through his Lordships conduct and then to steal away in a poor little boat by night leaving all his flock to starve or submit to the mercy of another Army But the Earl to excuse himself accuseth the Lord Roberts for betraying him into this County of Cornwal where he promised the people would rise upon his coming which they did to some purpose The Lord Roberts saies 't was the Earls own headinesse to advance Westward expresly contrary to the Ordinance of both houses adding that the Earl might have preserved all if he would have but entertained a Treaty with his Majesty by which pretence he might have gained time till relief had come The inferiour Officers accuse them both and both Officers and Souldiers say 't was long of Sir William Waller for not advancing who twenty to one will fault them at Westminster for not recruiting him and the Members must needs lay it upon the Citizens who would not by any means come forth with Waller And yet Sir William would never have run away by Sea nor his Excellency at Roundway-down you see now what hath been the old difference betwixt the Earl and the other the one for a Race-horse the other for a Cock-boat Though truly 't is a wonder that the Earl would take water when he should take possession of Ten thousand pound per annum which the Members voted him out of the Lord Capel's Lands And in his way as the King
most considerable for his former wisdome discretion and valour and the first that reduced his Brigade into orderly obedience Him they now stile a worthy and valiant Member and one of the Saviours as God hath miraculously manifested him to be of this Israel from whom the House receives this account that since his coming to his Regiment the carriage of it hath been very obedient and respectfull to him and valiant a good testimony they lately gave against Longs Regiment And for any mutinous carriage to the Parliament they had expressed their hearty sorrow had desired him to send their humble petition to be received into former favour and for the quite removing the cloud of jealousie over them which they doubt not to clear by their valiant testimonies hereafter this was well taken and a President to others The Town of Newcastle Garisoned for the King had endured the utmost of Forces of the Scots Army and also of the Parliaments Northern Forces ever since the coming of the Scots And for many Moneths a most close and desperate siege to the great loss of the Besiegers by Sallies and other Executions Enduring such misery and yet with that resolution as can not be parallel'd by any other since these unhappy Wars Several Treaties and Cessations thereupon had been used by the Besiegers to win upon the Garison Then they fall to storming mining scaling and what not to enforce the Town Therefore on Saturday the 19 of October all the Scotish Forces with extraordinary violence assaulted the Town in several places at once and at the Evening became Masters thereof Sir Iohn Morley the Mayor with others got to the Castle and stood it out untill extraordinary necessity enforced them to a surrender upon good quarter The particulars you shall have from a Scot himself the Lord Humby directed to the Lord Chancelor and the rest of the Scotish Commissioners at London Right Honourable I should have gone into Newcastle on Thursday but was put off till Friday by these obstinate Miscreants especially the Maior of that Town Sir David Hume Iohn Rutherford and I went in on Friday at nine in the morning We had Commission from the General Lesley and Committee if we found real dealing to yield to honourable conditions The Maior Sir Nicholas Cole and Sir George Baker were treating with us they gave us big words do what we could they would not so much as come to speak of conditions of rendring up the Town And after three or four hours debate all that we could draw from them was that they would think upon our propositions and return them within three or four daies and that when all conditions were agreed upon they would give Hostages to surrender in case relief came not in twenty daies Nor would they so much as write to the General their own propositions so that after our return we sent to the Town these conditions forthwith to be accepted That all Officers should have liberty to stay or to march out in all honour with Arms bag and baggage to any Garison with a Convoy within sixty miles and all others not Souldiers should have the like liberty The Town to enjoy all their former Liberties and Charter with all manner of protection to the Inhabitants from plunder freedomes as any Town subject to the Parliament No free billeting imposed None to enter the Town but onely a competent Garison Signed by the General with this Caveat that they should send out Hostages by eight of the clock next morning for surrender of the Town before Munday 21. of October In stead of which they sent out to us a bitter invective Letter though they knew that all our Batteries and Mines were ready yet they boldly drew from us these enforcements Therefore this morning the Scots make three Breaches and to spring four Mines and so to fall on The Breaches were made reasonable low before three a clock after noon all the Mines played well and yet the Town stood out obstinate My Lord Chancellors Regiment and Backloughs entered a breach at Closegate The General of the Artillery his Regiment and that other of Edinburgh entered at a Mine under the White Tower Colonel Stuart and Gasks Regiments entered at a Mine but with hot dispute at Westgate this was our quarter Lieutenant General Baily had another quarter at Newgate with five Regiments his own Waughtons Cowpers Dunferlings and Dudhopes who entered by a breach many of our Officers killed Major Robert Hepburn much lamented Castles Kelhead Wedderburn Marshall and the Master of Yesters these had the third quarter Sinclare Aiton Niddery the Master of Cranston and the Lord Niddery had the fourth quarter who entered at two Mines They within made their utmost opposition with great Execution on us but we forced them and the Maior with others Gentlemen of quality got to the Castle more you shall hear within a day or two Octob. 19. 1644. Your Lordships humble Servant A. Humbie And presently upon this Letter Thanksgiving was made at London with hearty thanks to God for his great mercy in giving up the Town of Newcastle in England to our Brethren of Scotland And the 27 of October the Castle likewise surrendered with three hundred persons the Lords Craford Rea and Maxwell sent to Edinburgh to be executed and the Town taken by Onslought was plundered to the full and the Scots excused themselves that therein the Parliament of England would be the better pleased Basing House is the Seat and Mansion of the Marquess of Winchester and because it is no more now it is worthy the Record to Remember what it was It stands on a rising ground its form Circular encompassed with brick ramparts lined with earth and a very deep ditch but dry The lofty Gatâ—house with four Turrets looking Northwards on the right hand thereof without the Ditch a goodly Building containing two fair Courts before them is the Grange severed by a Wall and common Road again divided from the foot of Cowdreys down by Meads Rivelets and a River running from Basing-stoak a Mile distant from the West through Basing Town joyning upon the East the South side of the Castle hath a Park and toward Basing Town a little wood the place seated and built as if for Royalty having a proper Motto Aymez Loyalte Hither the Marquess first retired when the incivility of the War neither allowing neutrality or permitting peace to any enforced him to stand upon his guard not more then his Family yet twice the Parliaments attempts proved vain To him the King sends a hundred Musquetiers under command of Colonel Peak August 1643. against whom comes Colonel Harvey and Colonel Norton that very night but were beaten off to Farnham and after that it was re-enforced by Colonel Rowden with an hundred and fifty men more and the Marquess hath Commission to raise more November the sixth arrives Sir William VValler with his new levies seven thousand Horse and Foot and after nine daies
both Armies and with his Rhetoriâ—k stops the onset and so both Hosts retired and Torstenton takes leave and returns to his party in Germany Gallasso lets him passe but follows him to the like intention as when he let the other goe oftentimes able to attach the other and to worst him just like that of the Danish Admiral and as deserving to forfeit his head as corrupted by the Swede Truly Galasso was a gallant man and better judgements may excuse him not to advance unlesse the Leaguer men first concluded upon Terms as between the French and Swedes which the Dane as was conceived could not refuse in regard the Emperour came in to extinguish the fire amongst them but left it flaming at home and being Leaguer'd together things might become as in the former condition before the War since the interest of Denmark seemed to require it and all to abase and weaken the Swede The good King was thus deceived upon respective interests of each Party and so the overtures of the Dunkerk failing the Emperâ—alists returned home leaving the Dane to himself in distresse for the losse of six stately Ships four taken and two fired the King not Master of himself having to do with his own States of different sense with his and the successe of affairs thereafter The Swedes almost Conquerours but the Kings virtue over-mastering such misfortunes gathers his Fleet at Copen-haven to preserve Zeland when the Hollander religious in nothing more then their Interest of gain both to see the Swedes to swell too big and to get the Sound arrived with a Fleet at Copen-haven land an Ambassadour who resumed the heat which Tuillery had left so hot and never left powring on the water of good counsel until he had cooled the Swede with threats also that made the Swede agree to a peace with much advantage to the Dane and gave the good King Christian quiet to end his daies in peace after that he had reigned above fifty years lodging all his malice into a Record until time come to be quit with the Swede for those encounters And thus we take leave of the year 1644. The great Ordinance for calling the Members of both Houses from Military and Civil affairs and places was with exception of such and such persons and places mentioned therein And a particular Commission was ordered by Parliament for the General Fairfax to execute all Martial jurisdiction and fight with and slay such as shall oppose him and to suppress all such Forces as are not raised by authority of Parliament And because sundry ill-affected persons had fomented discontents between the two Houses in relation to this new model of the Army and so report that the Commons went to undermine their Lordships priviledges which intention they do disclaim and abhor and do acknowledge the many Noble and Renowned Actions performed by their Lordships Ancestors in defence of the liberty of the Commons This Speech was made to the Lords by Sir Iohn Evelin from the Commons and concluded to assure them that the House of Commons consisted of no other persons but such as were Gentlemen c. And a Declaration was left by him unto the Lords from the Commons to publish to the world what he hath spoken on their behalfs The Kingdome of Sweden now under the Regency of the young Queen onely Daughter and Heir to Gustavus took this time and opportunity of the jealousie of the Parliament against the Crown of Denmark for assisting the King of Englands party to send Ambassadours to the Parliament for a Treaty of League and Amity with them which was heartily accepted and fixed into Articles so that by this we are accounted both as one And now comes Colonel Mitton into the House of Commons to receive Publick thanks for his fidelity to the State especially for that gallant Service in surprizing Shrewsbury In had been the Kings chief Garison and faithfull to his Interest and of long time had endured the vexation of a powerfull Enemy which they quitted by often sallies and plundering their Adversaries thereabout but was lately Feb. 22 last surprized by the Committees of Wem and Oswestrie being assisted with four Companies and four hundred Horse from the Neighbour associations and three hundred Staffordshire Foot and one Company under command of Colonel Bowes and all these under the general command of Mitton about fifteen hundred men But without all this adoe in numbring up their Forces it was in a word betrayed to the Parliament with many persons of quality the manner I could never well understand nor would they print the shame of treachery The Prisoners were eight Knights and Bâ—ronets fourty Colonels Majors Captaines and others of quality two hundred common men one Captain and five Souldiers slain They took fifteen pieces of Ordnance many hundreds of Arms divers Barrels of Powder Prince Maurice his Magazin the Town the Castle and all the works and without the loss of three men For they say there were but two killed by chance So that a day of thanksgiving was set apart for the Parliaments successes in taking Scarborough Plymouth Weymouth and Shrewsbury within a moneth The old General Essex lately laid aside took his retirement out of Town from the noise and clamour of his Officers now discarded And although their merits were much to the service of the Parliament yet divers of them also upon what account we may imagine were questioned and committed without their Arrears And others of them the wiser way gave up their Commissions to save the labour and dishonour of being taken per force Prudently considering that a new Model of manners in the main of the Militia must necessarily require a mutation and change of men to manage that service answerable to the mindes of such as command in chief For indeed Essex was not at all Presbyterian nor could he preach And therefore it was resolved by himself and his Counsellours for him to surrender his Commission together with the Earl of Manchester's and the Earl of Denbigh's two General Commanders before they should be thereto required They did it on a day together in the Lords House And Essex therewith delivers a Paper which spoke his sence April 2. Having received this great Charge in obedience to the commands of both Houses and taken their Sword into my hand I can with confidence say that I have for this now almost three years faithfully served you and I hope without loss of Honour to my self or prejudice to the Publick supported therein by the goodness of God and the fidelity and courage of a great many gallant men both Officers and Souldiers But I will neither trouble you nor my self by repeating either the difficulties or danger we have overcomed or the service that I have done you I see by the now coming up of these Ordinances that it is the desire of the House of Commons that my Commission may be vacated and it hath been no particular
Garison of Hereford taken by Surprize which saved the labour of doing it by treachery as it had been agreed upon But this was done thus The Garison was strong and well appointed the Countrey about in affection and friendship together a piece much aimed at as thereby denuding the King of all his Welch Forces And truly the Knight was happy that the Treachery failed But Colonel Iohn Birch and Col. Morgan Governour of Glocester their design took the effect of a just and Souldier-like surprize Morgan had 1100. Horse and Foot and Birch with 900. Foot and a Troop of Horse march from Glocester to Hereford in one day and a night where he was provided of six lusty men in habit of Labourers and the seventh man must be for a Constable with a Warrant in his hand to bring these fellows to work in the Town as if for service of the Garison These men thus prepared with 150. Firelocks lodged in the dark as near the Gate as possible without discovery and a Body of men was ready to second the Design of the other and to enter with them In fine the Bridge is let down to the Constable and his Crew who with Pick-ax and Spade and no sooner entred but the Guard began to examine and to bustle and to kill three of the Guard whilst the Firelocks enter with Col. Birch and Skirmish till the Body came up commanded by Colonel Morgan and so entred the Town with small losse on either side some submitting wherein were eleven pieces of Ordnance much Arms and Amunition the Lord Brudenel 14. Knights 4. Lieutenant Colonels 3. Captains and other Officers and Gentlemen one hundred 18. December Amongst those of the most honoured was that worthy Lawyer Judge Ienkins sent up to the Parliament and committed to several â—ayles of whom we shall have occasion to mention in many sufferings of his This surprize was quick and gallant As for Treacheries and corruptions of Companies or Guards they have been used by some but hated afterwards in all We have met with such on both sides and but lately the offer of Sir Iohn Digby to Colonel Ker Governour of Plymouth It is true that the Parliament willing to intrust that Garison to another person I doe not finde it out of any doubt in that Gentleman but Digby took that occasion to tempt Ker with this treachery SIR I am troubled to understand that through the ingratitude of those you serve you are likely to be rewarded with the dishonour of having a person of much inferiour merit put over your head an injury insupportable to any man of spirit and which may offer you a justifiable occasion of doing a very eminent service to your Native King and Countrey and which if you will embrace to deliver up the Town with the Works of Plimouth I shall engage my self on my honour and the faith of a Gentleman you shall be rewarded with ten thousand pounds and have the command if you please of a Regiment of 500. Horse with what honour your self can desire Sir be not scrupulous in taking the advice of an Enemie that desires heartily on these terms to become your true friend and faithful servant Jo. Digby For Colonel Ker Governour of Plimouth 30. Decem. Colonel Ker returns him this Noble Answer SIR Your motion to Treason I have seen and detest it it is below my spirit for personal injury supposed only by an Enemie to take National revenge and for a Punctillio of honour to take advice from Hell and betray my trust I am sorry that one so ingenious as your self should abuse your natural parts only to doe mischief Yet I have no reason to wonder much at your perswasion to treacherie because I have had the experience of the indeavours of your Family to corrupt others also I remember the Gunpowder Plot the Letter which your Brother writ to the Lord Roberts in this place for the same purpose And his Negotiation with General Brown at Abington Surely these Principles came from Spain but you should have told me also that Spanish proverb To love the Treason and hate the Traytor c. 20. Decemb. Your assured servant Iames Ker. The great success of the Parliament and the distresses of the Kings party enforcing them by numbers to come in and submit upon qualifications of Composition somewhat reasonable heretofore but now the more strict That all such Delinquents that were contained in the first qualifications in the Propositions to be sent to his Majesty and humbled not themselves in obedience to the Parliament before the 25. of March next should forfeit their whole Estates And that those who are contained in the second qualification and came not in as aforesaid should forfeit the Moity of their Estates and that this Qualification should extend to none but those who cordially should submit and should take the National Covenant appointed by Ordinance of Parliament The King had caressed the Parliament for a Treaty of Peace and Cessation also but they finding the Kings Affairs to pinch without hope of his ever being able to make an Offensive War and as little power to defend Therefore to give some satisfaction to the world and to the Kings desires they intend somewhat The Parliament have been hammering Propositions and as the Kings condition changed to the worse they were the bolder to offer such terms as were never likely to be granted And first they please themselves with Votes improbable for additional Honours to be forced from the King and to be placed on their several Members to them and their Heirs for ever Sir Thomas Fairfax be made an English Baron with five thousand pounds Lands per annum and a Committee to consider how this Estate and others following may be setled upon him and others for ever His Father Fairfax to be an English Baron and an Earl The honour of an English Baron on Lieutenant General Cromwel with 2500. l. per an The Honour of Dukedoms on the Earl of Northumberland Essex Pembroke The Earl of Salisbury and Manchester to be Marquesses The Lords Roberts Say Willoughby of Parham Wharton and Howard to be Earls Mr. Denzil Hollis a Viscount Sir William Waller a Baron and 2500. l. per. an Sir Arthur Hazelrig such another which only he modestly refused but not theâ— money Sir William Brereton 1500. l. per an Skippon 1000. l. per an All which Honours and Grants are to be confirmed by his Majesty upon passing the Propositions and the Revenues and estates to be setled out of Delinquents Lands after the satisfying of publique debts of the Kingdom but not before 1. Sept. 1645. But how unlikely the Propositions should pass clogged with these designs against the very hair of the Kings Councellours And how unlikely any Propositions at all shall be consented unto if we consider the Kings inclination towards a Peace by the Contents of his late Letters to Prince Rupert upon occasion of Ruperts Letter and Advice to Treat and
privitie or directions of his Majestie or the Lord Lieutenant or any of his Majesties Council there But true it is that for the necessarie preservation of his Majesties Protestant Subjects in Ireland whose case was daily represented unto him to be so desperate his Majestie had given Commission to the Lord Lieutenant to treat and conclude such a Peace there as might be for the safetie of that Crown the preservation of the Protestant Religion and no way derogatorie to his own Honour and publick Professions But to the end that his Majesties real Intentions in this business of Ireland may be the more clearly understood and to give more ample satisfaction to both Houses of Parliament and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland especially concerning his Majesties not being engaged in any Peace or Agreement there he doth desire if the two Houses shall admit of his Majesties Repair to London for a personal Treatie as was formerly proposed that speedy notice be given thereof to his Majestie and a Pass or safe Conduct with a Blank sent for a Messenger to be immediately dispatcht into Ireland to prevent any accident that may happen to hinder his Majesties Resolution of leaving the managing of the business of Ireland wholly to the two Houses and to make no Peace there but with their consent which in case it shall please God to bless his Endeavours in the Treatie with success his Majestie doth hereby engage himself to do And for a further explanation of his Majesties Intentions in his former Messages he doth now declare that if his personal Repair to London as aforesaid shall be admitted and a Peace thereon shall ensue he will then leave the nomination of the persons to be intrusted with the Militia wholly to his two Houses with such power and limitations as are expressed in the Paper delivered by his Majesties Commissioners at Uxbridg the sixth of February 1644. for the term of seven years as hath been desired to be given immediately after the conclusion of the Peace the disbanding of all Forces on both sides and the dismantling of the Garisons erected since these present Troubles so as at the expiration of the time before mentioned the power of the Militia shall intirely revert and remain as before And for their further securitie his Majestie the Peace succeeding will be content that pro hac vice the two Houses shall nominate the Admiral Officers of State and Iudges to hold their Places during life or quam diu se bene gesserint which shall be best liked to be accountable to none but the King and the two Houses of Parliament As for matter of Religion his Majestie doth further declare That by the libertie offered in his Message of the fifteenth present for the â—ase of their consciences who will not communicate in the Service already established by Act of Parliament in this Kingdom he intends that all other Protestants behaving themselves peaceably in and towards the Civil Government shall have the free exercise of their Religion according to their own way And for the total removing of all Fears and Iealousies his Majestie is willing to agree that upon the conclusion of Peace there shall be a general Act of Oblivion and free Pardon past by Act of Parliament in both his Kingdoms respectively And lest it should be imagined that in the making these Propositions his Majesties Kingdom of Scotland and his Subjects there have been forgotten and neglected his Majestie declares That what is here mentioned touching the Militia and the naming of Officers of State and Iudges shall likewise extend to his Kingdom of Scotland And now his Majestie having so fully and clearly expressed his Intentions and Desires of making a happy and well-grounded Peace if any person shall decline that happiness by opposing of so apparent a way of attaining it he will sufficiently demonstrate to all the World his Intention and Design can be no other than the total Subversion and Change of the ancient and happy Government of this Kingdom under which the English Nation hath so long flourished Given at our Court at Oxon the twenty fourth of January 1645. To the Speaker of the House of Peers c. This did not satisfie for upon the reading of this Declaration or Message in the House of Commons they produce other Letters and Papers taken at the Defeat of the Lord Ashley amongst which they finde Letters of the Arch-bishop of Yorkâ—o â—o the Lord Ashley and the Lord Digby's Letter from Ireland to the Archbishop concerning this business out of which and Glamorgan's own to the King hereafter they concluded much matter To the Right Honourable the Lord Ashley Most Noble Lord Your Lordships Letter of the twelfth of January I received late at night the nine and twentieth I have communicated to the Lord Byron the Marquess of Ormond his Letter of the twelfth of December and by this time not sooner the Lord Byron's Answer is at Dublin which I sent by his Lordships Chaplain it implied some Fears of holding out Chester thus long c. Colonel Butler tells me even now that the men and the shipping are still ready in Ireland though retarded hitherto by reason of this Distraction which sithence Tuesday last is so composed that the Earl of Glamorgan is out upon Bail of six or eight Noblemen whereof the Marq. of Clenricard is one c. from the Lord Lieutenant I have received no Answer in writing as yet though mine to him were many since the first of January nor from the Lord Digby any more to the purpose than this inclosed There is no relying on these Irish Forces for this Service though if they come they shall be carefully transported to such Rendezvouz as I shall hear is most â—itting for the passage of your Lordships Armie and to that end your Lordship shall be punctually informed of their landing and condition Conway Jan. 25. 1645. Your Lordships c. John Eborac The Lord Digby's Letter inclosed May it please your Grace I give you many thanks for your obliging Letter by Mr. Moor I have likewise sent yours to the Marquess of Ormond and I am glad to finde there that you do nott ake the Allarm at my Lord Glamorgan's Commitment so hot as upon it to despair of the Relief of Chester which though it hath been somewhat retarded by it yet I make little question now but it will go on speedily and effectually and of this I desire you to certifie my Lord Byron Dublin Jan. 21. 1645. Your Graces c. G. Digby And then to discipher the Mystery this of the Earl of Glamorgan's to the King was read also in the House For his Sacred Majestie May it please your Majestie I am now at Waterford providing Shipping immediately to transport six thousand Foot and four thousand more are by May next to follow I hope these will yet come opportunely to the Relief of Chester What hath been the occasions of so long Delay and
1000. Foot odds of their Enemies and yet left their Siege works well manned at Chester and meet the Cavaliers in their March sending their Forlorn by Captain Otter the Body commanded by Mitton Iones and Louthian against men of resolution and gallantry but overmastered because overpowred and with other advantages to boot defeated the Cavaliers kild some and took Horse and Foot more then will be imagined and this was 1. of November A second design of Relief was nobly attempted by the Lord Aston who in his way was met with near Stur-bridge Horse to Horse each a Regiment Aston too forward was wounded and taken prisoner he scaped no better others payed dear on both sides loss whereof neither bragged and this was ten days after the other defeat Thus abroad and more at home for Byron was a brave man discreet and valiant but could not doe much more then he did within doores for wearied a long time with Sallies outward was now overpowred and overpressed that he was forced to keep in and feed upon nothing even to nothing in great distress when Horse-flesh failed Sir William Brereton and Col. Mitton now command the Leaguer heretofore knowing the resolution of gallant Governours supposed it to no purpose to summon Byron that never used to yield yet now each Opposite fall to treat but the Overtures high neither of them would condiscend November 28. for Byron had intelligence of the Kings earnest desire and unfortunate endeavours for his Relief and the Parliament debating and voting for a Committee on purpose to order force upon force to joyn with Brereton for the gaining of this Garison blocking up and guarding all ways and passages about the County to hinder Relief December 9. And therefore the Townsmen murmur first then mutiny which Byron appeases with promises after a weeks expectation of Relief if none comes to treat upon Surrender and as yet none comes nor can and therefore Brereton ingeniously writes to him For the Lord Byron and the Mayor of Chester SIR Experience tells you on what Foundations your hopes of Relief were grounded but that you may see â—y tender care of the preservation of the Lives and Estates of the Inhabitants once more I summon you to deliver this Garison into my hands for the use of the King and Parliament with expecting your speedy Answer Your Servant Will. Brereton Chester Suburbs Jan. 17. But Byron was busie and did not answer Brereton sends the second time again SIR I perceive my Desire to preserve the Citie encourageth a great obstinacie as though you expected as good Conditions when you can hold out no longer as if you had treated the last Summons which proceeded not from any fear of disturbance for I believe your self is hopeless of Relief but to prevent further miserie and the ruine of that Citie which will be remediless I expect your Answer by three a clock this Day Your Servant Will. Brereton Jan. 12. To which Byron answers We are not convinced by experience of the groundless Foundation of our hopes of Relief neither is our Condition such as to precipitate us to a prejudicial Treatie however if within twelve Days we be not assured of Relief by a Gentleman and Citizen whom we shall send for that purpose with a Trumpet of ours and a Pass from you we shall then be contented to enter into a Treatie for Surrender upon honourable and orderly condition Charls Walley Mayor Your Servant John Byron Chester Jan. 12. And instantly replied unto the same Day The Writing sent by the Drummer is not satisfactory to the Summons neither will I assent to your Desires in any part of it If you return not a positive Answer before ten a clock to morrow morning expect no further Treatie Will. Brereton This was sharp and sudden but Byron stirs not having sent out a Messenger whose return he expected That if Relief came not by the end of this Moneth Ianuary at the furthest he could hold out no longer This Messenger is intercepted on his way which Brereton sends to the Parliament having private order if possible to spare the storming and plunder of that City which Brereton hoped to govern hereafter and he being that Countreyman was not willing to ruine the chief Town The time is come and they treat ten Days spent with several Transactions in hope of Relief for which strong preparations were made whereof the Besiegers had frequent advertisement that Sir Iacob Ashley and Colonel Vaughan had united and lay hovering about Bridg-North their Intention to have joyned with the Welch Forces under the Lord St. Paul and some Irish that came over in December last and those other lately landed at Blewmorris who were part of the Lord Digby's Regiment as the intercepted Letters mentioned to prevent which Conjunction Brereton sends three Regiments of Horse the Warwickshire the Reformado's Regiment and part of the Staffordshire Horse and Foot and also of the Cheshire Dragoons together with some of Colonel Mitton's Horse and Foot which Party was commanded by Mitton who marched to Ruthen the four and twentieth of this Moneth Ianuary intending to fall upon the Cavaliers Quarters who made their way and marched to Denbigh and so to Conway but Mitton came in good time after for Ruthen Castle was so ill provided that he hath hope to master it however the Conjunction of the Cavaliers is frustrate which probably occasioned the Cavaliers Retreat quite away so as now the Besieged hopeless sent out their Commissioners Ian. 30. to treat with the Assailants The first Day nothing was concluded The next Day the Besiegers importuned to lengthen the Treaty for three Days longer which being denied they conclude the first of February Between Iohn Lord Byron Field-Marshal General of North-Wales and Governour of Chester and Sir William Brereton Knight and Baronet Commander in chief of all the Forces of Cheshire The Lord Byron and all Noblemen Commanders and Officers and Souldiers in all their Apparel whatsoever The Lord Byron with Horse and Arms and ten Men alike accomplished to attend him His Lady and Servants with Coaches and in each four Horses with such other Ladies and Gentlewomen as he thinks fit and with his Books Evidences and Writings in his possession and all of them with not above fourty pounds in Money and twenty pounds in Plate The rest of the Noblemen and their Ladies answerable with Honour and Arms and not above thirty pounds in Money Every Knight and Colonel alike with ten pounds in Money and so in a respective condition and quality of every Officer to the common Souldier who was to march away with twenty Shillings In a word throughout their degrees Men and Women answerable and as reasonable for the Citizens So that I shall conclude for the honour of Sir William Brereton although he knew the Distress of the Garison yet he was so noble and so much a Gentleman and a Souldier that in earnest I finde his Concessions worthy of honourable Record which I mention
they were of mixed natures in each Petition so were they diverse in the contents some of which partly for the Parliament and much for the Army those of the Parliament come oft time from the well affected of such a County or Corporation and booted and spurr'd they must have answer and the Gentlemen must be called in for to receive thanks which usually was thus expressed by Mr. Speaker That though there be some things in the Petition that the House cannot so well approve of to be presented by Petition yet because in other things they express their good affections they have the thanks of the House And evermore in the tail of all they are told that the House had thoughts to such and such of their particulars expressed and for others of them the House were now in debate thereof And so the Gentlemen Commoners that came of the Errand trot home again no wiser than they were before onely with thus much honour that they have seen the Parliament sitting And according to the change of the time one of their Articles is evermore to be tender in imposing the Covenant upon any of their own Members or upon others whose consciences dare not subscribe unto it that they would provide for succouring tender consciences and not suffer them to be grieved and to be brought into bondage by rigid Impositions who live without offence and never fail to give a wipe against the King and his Prelatical party And last of all they petition that many men of competent gifts of good life and conversation who are willing to imploy their talents in the Lords work and yet are by occasion of some scruples about Ordination discountenanced from engaging in the work of the Gospel and in the things of our peace and pray that such men may receive encouragement and protection from both Houses This wrought for them for as the Protestant reformed from Romes Papacy the Presbyters from the Prelacy the Independents from them and the Libertines from all in which we sum up numberless Sectaries under the notion of godly gifted men And indeed the Members were not well pleased at the strictness of the Presbytery and forbore the House so that at this time there were absent of the Commons near two hundred Members in neglect or contempt of their proceedings so that the House make Orders and Proclamations in every County with Amerciaments by Fine of such as come not by the third of November next Octob. 9. But the gifted men fall to preaching and every Libertine began to profess himself of a tender conscience so suddenly increasing that the Parliament order That they shall have Liberty to meet for religious Duties in any place at any time and may be excused from the Churches on the Lords Day if so be they meet elsewhere to hear preaching or expounding But with this Proviso That the Indulgence as to tender consciences shall not extend to tolerate the use of the Common Prayer in any place whatsoever that was the Bug-Bear in all places Octob. 16. Upon Examinations of divers Actors Fomenters of the late Uproar of Parliament and City sundry were imprisoned Mr. Glyn the Recorder of London was charged that he had been very active in the late Actions for a new War countenanced the Cities last Declaration encouraged the riotous Petitioners had been very active with the Committee of safety and new Committee of the Militia of London c. And although he was able and did make his Defence at the Bar yet the Commons were divided as to his guilt but concluded to discharge him from being a Member and was committed to the Tower during pleasure and Mr. Steel was elected Recorder in his place Sir Iohn Mainard a petit busie Member always and in all kindes was impeached of high Treason Captain Macquire was condemned at the Old Baily for the same matters and the Murder and Ryot at Guild Hall But because he had been faithful to his Principles and but a looker on in the Crowd with his Sword drawn great means was made for him by Colonel Sanderson his best friend it seems who Petitioned the Parliament and General for the present and his very day come of Execution he got to be put off and afterwards his Reprieve and lastly his Pardon Mr. Braynton also was deeply concerned but being a Member it was considered how far such Members should be questioned And because the eleven Members were accounted rotten Summons was sent to Hollis Waller Clotworthy Massey Long and Nichols to attend the House the 16. October And by President of the Commons the Members of the Lords were also Involved and Impeachments of High Treason against the Earls of Suffolk and Lincoln and Middlesex the Lords Willoughby of Parham Hunsdon Maynard and Berkly for Levying War against the King Parliament and Kingdom And the Charge against them seat up by the Commons Not long after they fall upon some Citizens and Impeach them of high Treason those were Sir Iohn Gayer Lord Mayor â—ulham Bruce Langham and Adams Aldermen and are all committed to the Tower The Citizens of other Rank were Colonel Lawrence Colonel Hooker and Captain Iones impeached of high crimes And Captain Musgrave and about fifteen Citizens and Mr. Melton a Minister were indicted of high Treason at the Kings Bench Bar. And because their Mayor stood committed the Aldermen and Commons were to consider of a Government of the City according to their Charter These confusions brought work to the Printers in spight of all their Orders against Pamphlets as No Merling no Mercury Bellum â—ibernicale and I need not tell you how many more The Lords impeached of High Treason were the Earls of Suffolk Lincoln and Middlesex the Lords Willoughby of Parham Hunsdon Maynard and Berkley enduring nasty imprisonment to humble them to submit and so they escaped And now the City were curb'd in their former power of the Militia extending heretofore to the Lines of Communication which indeed are digged down and these their particular Militia set up for Westminster and the out Parishes for the Burrough of Southwark and for the Tower Hamlets and the last to be under the immediate command of the Constable the other of several Committee-men or any seven And an Ordinance passed also for the Citizens and Prentices to demolish the Forts and Guards and to dig down the Lines of Communication to another more doleful tune then when they were digg'd up And yet nothwithstanding the burthened City must bear more and advance fifty thousand pounds to pay the Army by two dayes time no longer delay so that upon the same sudden they must advaâ—ce a Moneths pay of the Army as a gratuity aforesaid the moneths pay of the Army besides and fifty thousand pounds also for the necessity of the Army being inforced to burthen the Countrey with free Quarter And therefore the Army declare That for what time the Cities fault and delayes have occasioned and shall further occasion the stâ—â—y of
the power should be expelled the University and that all the Colledge Rents be paid to the Visitors appointed Although the King be at quiet the people murmur all South Wales against the powers that govern the Affairs of State and Army and supple the one part with Petitions to the Parlâ—ament but quarrel with the other One Colonel Poyer opposes and being already intrusted by the General with the command of Pembroke Castle in South Wales he refused to surrender to the Generals appointment nor will he submit to the Letters and Command of the House of Commons to that purpose and prepares for a Siege in defiance of the Parliaments Order Against him therefore the General is to send Forces to reduce the Castle and to bring him to justice and Vice-Admiral Rainsborough is commanded to block up the Harbour But not only Poyers case who will not surrender without his Arrears so also Major General Laughorn hath the same exceptions of not disbanding his who now joyn together against the Parliaments Forces under Colonel Fleming and in their Design seised Ordnance Arms and Ammunition possessing themselves not only of Pembroke Castle but Tenby also The manner thus Laughornes Foot being left without any Officers but an Ensign whom they forced the 26. of March consented to revolt and with Stevens their Serjeant and a dozen Souldiers came to Laughorne inâ—o the Castle of Tenby and seized the Commissioners of the Parliament Philips Burloe Sedgwich the Minister and Lort the rest got out of Town these men were guarded into the Castle and secured for the time till all things prepared they were shipped into a boat with some Souldiers and carried to Pembroke Castle forcing such out of the Town there with much slaughter on them that refused to joyn with them so that Fleming was utterly routed and he only escaped That night they seize a good ship of the Parliaments being aground and unlade all her Ammunition And instantly sent away a Bark of intelligence to France And in that time Poyer grows so formidable in the adjacent shires as the General disposes of Forces to reduce him Nor is this all several other places fall into petty insurrections and revolts which shew the disaffection of the People Nay at London begins the Mutiny and brake out on Sunday the ninth of April the Tumult took rise in Moore-fields who set upon a party of the Trained Bands in Finsbury drawn out to keep the peace and soon over powred them with number and hourly increasing they disperse into multitudes some to White-chappel seizing the Train-bands Colours others to Smithfield and many to White-hall but these were met with by the Mewes guard of Horse and forced to separate yet at night they gather head surprize Newgate and Ludgate with the Keys and shut up the Gates then to the Lord Mayors and force from thence a Drake piece of Ordnance and some slain This piece they plant within Ludgate the Mayor betakes himself to the Tower for that night The morning increases their number who labour to get Arms break open a sale mans house of Ammunition in Milk-street and other places and being furnished they march with their mounted Ordnance to Leaden-hall and master the Magazine The mean while drums beat on the River inviting the watermen and saylers for God and King Charls The General and his Council keep the head quarters at Whitehall spend the whole night in debate whether they shall hazzard their two Regiments at Whitehall and the Mewes or stay for more force but agree to engage with these And as early as day they enter Aldersgate and march to Leadden-hall and charge the rabble who with their Drake hurt Captain Merriman in the shoulder and his Lieutenant in the belly killd a woman and hurt some Souldiers The Waterman that discharged the piece was killd instantly Many hurt divers prisoners were seized but the rabble disperst the City wâ—s quiet by ten a clock at noon Had a man but observed the general murmur of the City at this time the private abetting of this multitude to mutiny the engaging of friends and forcing of servants to this outrage and yet in the very act at but the sight of some Horsemen with their swords drawn and pistols cockt riding up and down in disorder and commanding the shopmen to keep home How suddenly they shrunk in like snaâ—les into their shells and wondrous busie they were to direct the Souldier how to master their fellows bringing in their Horse at the new made Postern out of Moor-fields and so were brought upon the backs of the Prentices and subdued them on the sudden But however the City call a Common Council where this now monstrous mutiny is debated and resolved upon That the City was in eminent danger of destruction by this horrid detestable act that a Committee report to the Parliament their dislike thereof and request very humbly that the Actors may be severely punished by Triall of Oyer and Determiner that the Ministers give thanks in their Pulpit for this their deliverance under God by the forces raised and continued of his Excellency the Lord General Fairfax And the Common Council do promise for themselves and the City that they shall never do so any more And for assurance of their good behaviour hereafter the Committee are appointed to invite the General to a City feast which alwaies concludes their frays And hereupon as heretofore the City fortifications were demolished so now their very Posts and Chains must be pulled down and given to the Souldiers for their pains therein besides one thousand pound largess for the Horse Regiments that quelled the Prentices And to prevent the future insurrections in London the Tower is reinforced with two thousand Foot and a Troop of Horse to quarter there and all manner of provision fitted for their intertainment being as it was voted for the security and service of the City it may well be so for they paid for all And all the Prisoners there except the Lord Mayor and Aldermen should be removed to several â—astles Warwick Windsor Wallingford to make the more room for the Souldiers Indeed the late Mayor Sir Iohn Geer and three Aldermen Adams Langham and Bunch refused to kneel at the Lords Bar or to be tried by them denying their power to try Commoners but only by the common Law and were therefore fined five hundred pounds a piece and returned Prisoners to the Tower But Poyer appears formidable in Pembroke Castle in Wales having gained the contribution of the neighbour Counties The Parliaments forces are sent to oppose him under two Colonels Horton and Fleming who are sent with three Troops of Horse and Dragoons to gain a pass from Poyer who wittingly had quitted the same but lay in ambuscado and fall upon Flemings whole body and worsted him followed the flight so neer that they retreat into a Church the County coming in to Poyer the Church was taken and those within had
chief Actors therein Black-heath 30. May 1648. Tho. Fairfax This Answer sticks in their stomacks they therefore divide their Forces into Brigades some of the South besiege Dâ—ver Castle and are not yet fitted to fight with Fairfax who endeavours to engage which the others avoid and rather to dispute by Letters in their Reply to the General My Lord The Laws of Nature are universal and perpetual amongst which that of self preservation is one and you have declared as much Iudge if it be not we have taken up Arms to defend our selves and Proviâ—ence hath blest us with a power to doe it which we cannot relinquish 〈◊〉 with the forfeiture of our reason and honour we invade not your Right but stand firm to secure our own and so to doe is neither Tumult nor Rebellion you are pleased to hold forth conditions of uncertain mercy to the people and withall affix mâ—naces of an exemplary and positive prosecution upon the principals To this we must assure you Sir it is but one soul that informs this great body and we are determined to staâ—d or fall together being rendered uncapable of any fear save only of relapsing into our former slavery We need no other Arguments than what the fair mannage of this business affords â— to testifie our lâ—ve to peace if your self stand so inclined also Be pleased rather to make this County a Friend than an Enemy As to the Petition we hope it will be seasonably considered of we are Signed by the name and appointment of the Gentry of the Countrey by us Your servants Philip Masilds Major Edward Hales The first Fight was at a Bridge between Crayfâ—rd Heath and Gravesend which the Countreymen had â—â—racadoed yet the Generals Forces of Horse swam over and put the other to flight and Major Child their Commander hardly escaped his Horse being shot under him his Son wounded and taken twenty others slain and thirty prisoners those were only some of the County Saylers and City Prentices The General follows after and Major Husbands advanceth some miles beyond Gravesend and then to Mauâ—en the General now thereabouts at Mapham and there makes a halt to see what the Enemy meant to doe for they were numerous near ten thousand and their chiefs were Sir Gamaliel Dudley Sir Geo. Lisle Sir William Crompton Sir Robert Tracie Colonel Leigh Sir Io. Mavy Sir Tho. Payton Sir Tho. Palmer Esquire Hales 〈…〉 be General Sir Iames Hales Sir William Mavy Sir Iohn Dorrel Sir Thomas Godfrey Sir Rich. Hardress Colonel Washington Colonel Hamond Colonel Le â— strange Colonel Culpepper Colonel Hacker Iames Dorrel Colonel George Newman and Mr. Whelton sometime Treasurer for the Parliament I mention them for no dishonour their pretence was just I judge none But on goes the General and Marches towards Rochester and by the way Major Husbands disputes a Passage over a Bridge at Norfield maintained by Major Childe with six hundred Foot which was gained and killed twenty men and took thirty Prisoners with small loss to the Assailants This having rouzed the Kentish men it was expected they should imbody and meet their Adversary ere he were further entered upon them which the General expected and therefore Marched full bodyed six thousand Foot and two thousand Horse well Ammunitioned for the City sent after what ever possible could be called for The County were not so many ill trained dispersed meanly armed slender Ammunition and such Commanders as in like cases are more for reputation then direction or execution But no opposition appears the General Advances with his whole Army now collected near ten thousand men to Rochester where the Bridge is quitted to him and he goes on towards Maidstone was strengthened with reasonable Force to defend and valiantly indured the first Assault by Storm and the second but the third time got entrance upon disadvantage for the Streets were well manned the houses lined and their case-shot so galled the Assaylants with much loss and long dispute twelve a clock midnight and so valiantly defended that the old Souldiers confest what ere they got was by Inches and dearly bought and that the like desperate service they had never felt before So then the County men could fight but overpowred they lost two hundred slain one thousand four hundred Prisoners four hundred Horse two thousand Arms and many men of quality slain and taken The other lost not many and this was done the second of Iune Whilst this was acting the Rocestrians drew out into a Body within three miles of Maidstone which weakned the Generals Assault for he was fain to draw out considerable Forces to attack them at a distance but the other came not on And when all was lost they marched away and left Rochester to the Generals mercy The County now in desperation send to the City of London relating their condition and that in this just quarrel they hoped of Association and help in for the General good of the Nation and people oppressed but the City refuse and acquaint the Parliament who return them thanks And to reward their faithfulness it was now conceived very seasonable to Answer their late Petitions in behalf of the eleven Members and other Prisoners for the Tumult of Parliament and as a day of Jubile for the Kentish News The Parliament Order That the Votes whereby Denzil Hollis Sir Jo. Maynard Sir William Waller Sir William Lewis Sir John Clotworthy Colonel Edw. Massey Anthony Nichols and Walter Long Esquires stand accused by the House be fully discharged That the Votes whereby the Lord Willoughby of Parham the Earls of Lindsey Suffolk and Middlesex the Lord Barkley Hunsdon and Maynard stand accused by this House be fully discharged That the Votes whereby the Aldermen Gayer Langham and Bunce and Serjeant Glyn accused by this House be fully discharged 3. June But the Kentish men kept in a Body and marched towards London in hope of assistance from hence and being come to Black-heath and no help afforded the Generals Horse hastening at their heels The Kentish men sensible of their misfortune quit their Commanders and retire home And therefore Goring Earl of Norwich one amongst them tells them plainly that he is no Souldier but though old he had a heart to lead them on that would follow him the Generals Horse in sight and they no time to Councel suddenly they bethink Goring with about 5. hundred gets over the Ferry at Greenwich into Essex and gathers strength and Quarter about Stratford Laughton and Bow and joynes with Sir Charls Luâ—as and others of Essex to whom comes the Lord Capel with Forces of Hartfordsbire and Rendezvouz at Chelmsford Dover Castle was hardly besieged but the Parliaments Forces raise that Siege and the County men retire to Canterbury against whom Ireton and Barkstead March with their Regiments and at Eversham are met by two Commissioners for Composition to those of Canterbury which were granted and Ireton goes thither to perform them and
great Account 355 c. a Plot in Scotland 464. their Answer to the Kings Letter 516. Declaration of their Council 517. their Army kept up 554. their Declaration in Answer to the Parliament in England 563. their Army enter England 669. their Declaration 670. their Army Voted to be gon 904. their Letter to the Parliament 906. Declaration against their papers 914. their Army intend to return home 921 922. they urge the King with their Propositions 923. Letters of complaint against their Army 924. one years account of their Army 927. their Papers concerning the dispose of the King 930. Quaeries of their Parliament 936. and Result touching the King 937. their Declaration concerning the King 939. Horse from the Scots Army come into Engl. 968. their Commissioners Messenger staid at Newcastle 1005. their Letter to the Speaker 1014. their Estates disagree 1071. their Committee of danger vote a War ibid. their Army comes to Penreath and engages 1073 defeated at Preston 1074. and disbanded 1077. they dissent as touching the Kings Tryal 1120 they declare against it 1122. their private instructions touching it ibid. A new Seal voted and framed 622 1119 Fight near Shaw 737 Sherborn seized by the Marquess of Herford 576. taken by Storm by Sir Tho Fairfax 828 Fight at Sherburn in Yorkshire 835 Shipmoney debated 197. Lord Keepers Speech to the Iudges concerning it 204. again debated 213. Iudges questioned about it 429 Shrewsbury betrayed to the Parliament 798 Earl of Somerset confined 140 Overtures of Peace with Spain 139. which is concluded 144. the Spaniards design 281 〈…〉 Spine 737 Spoâ—swood executed 1045 Stafford taken by treachery 658. Earl of Stamford proclaimed Traitour 546 Sir Philip Stapleton dies of the plague 1003 〈◊〉 â—tar appears at noon day 142 Col. Stephens surprizing is surprized 788 Stode taken by Tilly 105 Sir John Stowel taken prisoner 930 Lord Strange impeached of high Treason 566 The Earl of Stratherns Descent and Title 230 raised to his Ruine ibid. County of Surrey Petition 1062 Fight at Sutton field 820 Swansey summoned 702 King of Sweden enters Germany 146. â—beats the Emperialists at Frankfuâ—t â— 147. is slain at Lutzen 189. his Character ibid. Ambassadour from Swedeland 199. Swedes displeased 208. Peace made with them 798 Synod began to sit 604 T. TAunton besieged by the Kings Forces 802. Relieved and again besieged 804 Tax of weekly meals 698 Tenby surprized 1056 besieged and surrendred 1060 Term adjourned to Reading 21. Mich. Term adjourned 567 Mr. Thomas his speech against Bishops 416 Tinmouth Caslte revolts and is taken 1073 Tomkins and Chal. hang'd at Lon. 621 â— of Traquair 191. is treacherous 225 Tilly defâ—â—ted 52 〈◊〉 with neighbouring Nations 18 Tredagh fortified 447. besieged 452. and in distress 455. is relieved ibid. invaded again 456. yet the besieged make several Sallies 457. have fresh supplies by Sea 459. the Siege raised 460 Tumults at Westminster for justice against the Earl of Strafford 402 Turin lost 371 V. LOrd Francis Villiers slain 1069 All Uâ—ster-pâ—ssessed by the Rebels 440 Treaty at Uxbridge 756. 758. Directions to the Kings Commissioners there 757. Observations concerning the Treaty 762 W. WAllestein murdered 190 Sir William Waller defeated at Lands down 625. and by Prince Maurice near Teuxbury 655. and at the Devices 657 He is set to take the King 706. and defeated at Copredy Bridge 708 Court of Wards and Liveries voted down 865 Lord VVentworth sent Deputy to Ireland 189. Impeached of High Treason 336. his condition examined ibid. charge against him 342 374. his Tryal at VVestminster 375. Conclusion of his defence 396. the Commons justifie their Charge against him by Law 397. he answ by Council but is nevertheless voted guilty of High Treason 398. Bill of Attainder against him 399. the Kings Speech in defence of him 400. voted guilty by the Lords 406. his Letter to the King upon the Tumult of the Apprentices and his Speech upon the Scaffold to p. 409 VVestchester besieged and surrendered 861 c. Mr. Whites Letter 421 Williams Arch Bishop of York against the King 889 VVinchester taken by Cromwel 833 The â—â—dy VVinter summoned to yield 705. her Answer ibid. Sir John VVinter recruited 805 Sir Fran. Windebank gets away 338 Col. Windebank shot to death 802 Withers complained of 892 Dr. Wren Bishop of Ely committed to the Tower 429 Y. YEomans hanged at Bristol Duke of York born â—â—4 brought 〈◊〉 London 891. escapes beyond Seas into Holland 10â— Arch-Bishop of Yorks Letter to the Lord Ashley 858 The County of York Petition the King and are Answered 506 The Articles of Neutrality for Yorkshire infringed 567. York relieved by Prince Rupert but the Siege is renewed and it surendered 719 c FINIS Anno. 1625. King James dies His Funeral Amiens described Boloign described Puts to Sea Lands at Dover Canterbury Hist. of King Charles pag. 7. A Parliament summoned H. 9. Ob. 28. Parliament siâ— The Kings Speech Hist. pag. 11 Observ. p. 28. Of Wars Petitions Answered Subsidies granted Dr Mountague questioned Caballa p. 115. Lord Mordant made Protestant Parliament at Oxford Observ. 34. Parliaments Petition Kings answer And urges for Supply Observ. p. 35. Cabal p. 107. Parliament dissolved Hist. p. 16. Treaty abroad Ill successe of Gades voyage H Pa. 18. Pa 19 Cabella pa. H. p. 17. Ob. p. 36. Term adjourned to Reading Of Coronation of Soveraigns Hist. 20. Kings 11. 12. Hist. 20. Ibid. Hist. 21. The Scaâ—â—old 2. February Epis. Hist. p. 16. Rex Epis. Rex Epis. Rex Epis. Rex Sworn Annointed Crowned A Parliament called Lords Petition The Kings Answer Earl of Arundel committed 1626. The King demands supply Anno 1626. Mr. Cook aâ—d Dr. Tâ—rners insolent speeches The Lord Keepers speech The Kings Speech The Commons Reply The E. of Bristows charge against the Duke Articles against the E. of Bristow Ob. p. 45 Hist. p. 45. Ob. p. 49. His ingrossing great Offices By buying the place of Admiralty And Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports Not guarding the Seas Stay of the St. Peter of New-haven And of the East India Fleet. Lending the Vant guard to the French To be imployed against Rochel Selling of honour And Offices Procuring honors for his Kindred His applying Physick to K. Iames. Hist p. 53. Parliament dissolved E. of Bristow Committed to the Tower Hist. p. 54. England and France at difference Hist. p 56. The French Insolent here at Court Sr. Dudly Carlton sent to complain Mcro Fr. Du Châ—snâ— Ill news abroad Our fleet comes home Hist. p. 63. Loan monies Hist. p. 69. Hist. p. 64. Ob. p. 41. Proposition for a more Toleration of Papists in Ireland Hist. pag. 65. The Clergies Protestation against Papistry Primate of all Ireland his Speech Abroad At home Pat. 13. H. 3. in Tur. Lond. Pat. 13. H. 3. membran 9. Pat. Gascony 1 Ed. 2. memb 25. in dorso Bishop Andrews dies 〈…〉 〈…〉 Anno 1627. The Dukes Manifesto The cause of this War Isâ—ardus pa. 1. Isnard p. 16. The
Scotland iâ—â—â—terposeth The Kings Letter to the Council of Scotland The Scots answer Scots Council declare Parliament of England's Protestation Earl of Bristol's Speech for Accommodation Parliament Declaration observed 19. Propositions to the King Eik Bas. c. 11. upon the 19. Propositions sent to the King The Answer to the 19. Propositions The King caresses the County of York Preparations for War The King Provides Arms. The Kings Letters with his Commission of Array Parliaments Votes thereupon The Kings Protestation And the Lords The Kings General Declaration Proclamation against Levies as by the statutes in force Parliaments answers The faction distinguiâ—hed by Cavalâ—ers and Round-heads The Authorâ— advice Introduction to this Civil War The King caresses his people in the County of Nottingham Proclamation Earl of Essex made General of the Foot and the Earl of Bedford of the Horse Parâ—â—aments Petition Earl of Stamford Proclaimed Traytor Parliaments Declaration of defence Earl of Essex General Eaâ—l of Essex proclamed Traitour and all other his complices Eikon Basil. upon the listing and raising Arms against the King Proclamation for aid of his Subjects The Kings gâ—and Declaration Scots Army kept up Bishops voted down Parliament give advises to their Deputy Lieutenants in the Northern Counties The King proposeth the 〈◊〉 Treaty for Peace and is reâ—used Sir Iohn Lucas Proclaimmed Traytor by the Parliament and committed Scots Declaration in answer to the Parliament of England The Parliament joyn with the Scots Kirk to reform all Christendom Parliament assure payment on Publick Faith out of Delinquents Estates Lord Strange impeached of high Treason Mich. Term adjourned The Articles of Nâ—utralâ—â—y for Yorkshire inâ—ringed Mr. Fountain committed Essex his Ensigns Colours Persons excepted out of pardon by the Parliament The Netherland States are caressed on both sides Eikon Basil. c. 10. Military effects Sir Iohn Hotham begins the quarrel in the North. Portsmouth beset Parliaments directions to their General Essex Sir Iohn Byron for the King Marches to Oxford Marquess Herford seizeth Sherborn Earl of Essex sets out oâ— London The Kings Speâ—ch to his Army Parliament petition the King by their General Essex The Kings Speech to the Gentry of Denbigh and Flintshire 〈◊〉 of the Kings Army to come to London A pitifull Plot by a poor Scot. Worcester Fight Sept. 23. Col. Th. Essex garisoneth Bristol L Col. Massey Governour of Glocester Edg-hill Battel The victory disputed Exchange of prisoners The King Marches to Aino Takes Banbury and Broughton House The King Marches to Brainford The Kings Declaration after his victory at Edgehill October 25. The King Charged with favouring Papists upon their Petition Address to the King voted Parliaments Declaration to the Scots The Kings Message to the Lords of his Privy Council in Scotland Parliaments commendance of their General Effects of the address to the King Lord Brook's Speech at Guild-hall His second Speech there Petition of the Parliament The Kings Answer Brainford Fight Nov. 15 The Kings Message to the Parliament Parliaments Answer The King replies Parliament petition the King A Letter from the Hague intercepted The military affairs in the North. City of London petition the King The Kings Answer Parliaments desires presented to the King at Oxford by the Earls of Northumberland Pembroke Salisbury and Holland with eight of the Commons Answered The actions of the North. The Lord Fairfax and others proclamed Traitors A Treaty proposed by the King The Treaty ends The Queen returns from Holland The state of the County of Glocâ—ster Cirencester taken by storm of Prince Rupert Synod began to sit Affairs of Germany In Catalonia Cardinal Riâ—â—â—lieu dies His Character Lewis the just and the 13. dies His Character Anno 1643. Sir Rudyerd's Speech Treaty at Oxford L. Brook killed at Lichâ—ield Close Lichfield Close besieged by the Kings party Lichfield won by P. Rupert Reading besieged by the Parliament Cheapside Cross pulled down Hotham to betray Hull and Lincoln The Queenâ— Army The King and Queen meet at Edghill Ambassadour from France Solemn League and Coâ—enant with the Scots Eikon Bas. c. 14. Yeomans and Bourchier hanged at Bristol and why Tomkins and Chaloner hanged at London and why A new Seal voted and framed Mr. H. Martin seizeth the Regalia at Westminister P. Rupert's â—ight near Tame Mr. Io. Hâ—mbden slain His Character The Hothams of Hull seized Prisoners to the Parliament Lands-down fight against Sir W. Waller by the Cornish Iuly 5. Gen. Essex advises of peace Fight at Round-wayâ—down The Queen entereth Oxford E. of Lindsey returns from his Imprisonment by the Parliament The Earls of Bedford and Holland revolt to the King and back again to the Parliament Prisoners animated to treachery Ministers make Propositions The City must set out Sir W. Waller again General Essex musters at Hounslo-heath Exeter delivered up to P. Maurice The King caresses the County of Cornwall by Declaration Judg Berkley fined Siege of Glocester by the King A general Storm A Mine wrought Two spies return unto the Town Essex's Army in distress The Leaguer take leave to depart the fifth of September Sir Nicholas Crisp kils Sir Iames Enyon Solemn League and Covenant Dr. Featly imprisoned and why Proclamation against the Solemn League and Covenant Minister of the Savoy his Blasphemy Sir G. Chidleigh leaves the Cause The Earl of Holland returns to the Parliament Irish Forces come over to the King in England Cessation of Arms in Ireland for a year Vide the Kings Narrative of Uxbridg Treaty Eikon Bas. c. 12. Articles for the Brittish Army in Irâ—land Cirencester surprized Newbery first fight Noble men slain aâ—d hurt Several successes on either side Sir William Vavisor for the Kings retire Sir Iohn Winter for the King More Irish Forces for the King The Kings Garisons Parliaments Garisons Cavaliers seek â—or Forage with success Captain Backhouse was to betray Glocester Backhouse his Letter of design Lord Digby's Answer Glocestershire Actions Waller retreats to Monmouth Prince Maurice enters Teuxbury Teuxbury surprized P. Maurice defeats Waller Parliament Forces defeated Sir Winter's house in Dean Forrest Sir W. Waller defeated at the Devices Bristol surrendered to Prince Rupert Eccleshal Castle and Town taken Stafford taken by treachery Ordinance to seize upon the Kings Revenues Virginia not assâ—ssed with Excise Sir William Wallers Commission Parliaments Manifesto concerning Professours Organs in Paul's Church pull'd down Treason to assist the King French Ambassadour affronted The Kings Successes Arundel Castle surrendred to Waller Protestation and Oath of the Associates of Devon and Cornwall for the King University of Cambridg ordâ—red Parliament assembled at Oxford The Parliament at Oxford write to General Essex for a Peace Scots Army enters England Their Declaration Eikon Bas. p. 100. c. 13. Montrose his undertaking for the King Sir Thomas Glenham's answer to Argiles Letters Newark siege raised by Prince Rupert Military affairs under conduct of the Marquesse of Montrose Battel of Rocroy for the French Battel of Burling for the Emperour Duke of Lorain
to five Bishops London Durham Rochester Oxford Bath and Wells or to any two of them to execute Episcopall Jurisdiction within his Province T is true he had lain six years under censure for his mishap heretofore Mistaking the Dear killed the Keeper and though King Iames his Christian consideration of his Age and Reverend esteem then in our Church remitted him to Sentence of some Bishops who for these reasons was favoured into connivance of not irregular yet the most of the elect Bishops that followed refused consecration from him and other Reasons there were for some time connived at now not so excusable this Commission was awarded for regulating the service of his Province See Hist K. Iames fol. In Michaelmas Term the Lady Purbeck daughter and heir to the Lady Hatton by her former Husband and wife to the Viscount Purbeck brother to the Duke passed her tryal for Adultery with Sir Robert Howard and found guilty to pay the Court 500. Marks and imprisonment during the pleasure of the Court and to do pennance at the Savoy Church to which being pursued by the Officers she was rescued by the Savoy Ambassadour her next neighbour and so escaped she had the favour for some hours privately to dress her self in her Chamber where beating down the wall into the Ambassadours lodging the next house disguised into the habit of one of his Pages she escaped into his Coach whilest the Officers watched at her Chamber door But in truth She was an heir and a rich Marriage which the Duke ingrossed for his brother whose light brain inclining to whimseys increased with over much jealousie of his very handsome wife whom her Stepmother getting into custody shamefully abused and forced her to get freedome and loving entertainment of Sir Robert Howard which continued in despight of the Dukes power to the day of her death some years after This Winter quarter made much for the Emperours forces now ravaging about Hamburgh having the Ice his friend without fording to fall upon the Garrison of Stode twenty miles from Hamborough on the other side of the Ebb now governed by our Countrey man of Wales Colonel Morgan a stout old Souldier of Holland and at this instant in great hazzard of their submitting and was forced to surrender in May 1628. And the King of Denmark on whose safety all depended now reduced in his own Territories even to despair These exigents lodged upon the others score of confederates against the House of Austria whose successful Armies led on by Tilly and others mastered where ere they came and King Charles the paymaster for the most part must in likelyhood find the evil effects of losing the power of so kind a Kinsman Nor could King Charles do more for since the Dukes return from the Isle of Rhe the French King resolves upon a formidable siege against Rochel and to force it by famine which he could never effect with the Sword and to begin his main and mighty work the Cardinal of Richlieu commands in chief with an entire Circumvallation landward of Nine Miles in circuit not distant from the Town more than a Musquet shot raising three strong Forts and many Redoubts with Intrenchments deep and wide and for the Sea Harbour to prevent relief to the Town he attempts a wondrous Design not as Alexander at Tyre with many hands to choak the Current but with Engins of Art a Barracado and Travers cross the Channel 1400. yards leaving a convenient space for the Flood and Ebb of Tides The Rochellers see this and in fear send over Count Subize and others Deputies to England for fresh Supplyes to them No doubt The King was affected with their miseries rather to protect them than enable them and so assured them his assistance though in truth in much necessity for himself And for all his former arrears of Loan was put to it to borrow more of the Common Council of London one hundred and twenty thousand pound upon Mortgage of his own lands of one and twenty thousand pound per annum and of the East India Company thirty thousand pound Then upon Privy Seals of some Hundreds of abler Men and a Commission dated the beginning of February for a Levy by Excise and last of all the hazzard of all inforced him to call a Parliament which he had little hope to find effectual for him though he resolved to affect them with all Princely and imaginary complacencie to meet the 17. March Here begins the bussâ—e the Worthy Patriots saies one of the Peoples affection were accounted the refractory Men that refused the Loan now under restraint and they the prime men which the Freeholders cryed up for Representatives of their sufferings which made them of eminent remark for noble Courage and such men most true to be members were likely to resent their own concernments first being now made free to quarrel their confinement This was indeed a Parliament where most men of abilities were curious to come in for now they were made up of curious brains full of faction with liberty and freedom to speak and do what they list The consideration transported an Author to intitle them Lords and Masters and Petty Kings but to miscount their abilities of estates beyond due proportion for he supposes that these Commons modestly estimated being 500 to buy the House of Peers the King excepted being 118 thrice over and so each Gentleman to be able to purchase his two Lords and a half Lord one with the other Which being but Hyperbole the Observator seems over curious to quarrel it for a truth which was not meant in earnest However then theâ—â— followed a change more strange not long after a sort of upstarts and yet appearing so mean and poor that the Ballad offered the sale a Parliament man for a penny and many of them worse than nothing But then to censure the accountant for excluding the Bishops out of the reckoning and to sentence the King as not well done to exclude them ever after and to insist thereupon by the unhappy exigents that followed which he might have spared to remark upon the Kings Act unless he had prosecuted the story and the affairs publick to those after times and then to have offered his counsel how the King could have avoided his after consent therein which we shall refer to the subsequent time and place fitting as also to answer his Observation of the Kings strange improvidence in a Message from York Iune 17. where he reckons himself as one of the three Estates a Member of the House of Peers But of those in their due â—â—â—ce hereafter We are told of a Discovery of a Colledge of Iesuits at Clerkenwell but where abouts is this Fabrick In a Lobby behind a New Brick wall which being demolished they were unkennel'd How many trow you truly Ten a Notable Story worthy Record The time appointed brings the Parliament together March 17. and Sir Iohn Finch
the Queens Attorney chosen Speaker of the Commons house And thus the King Salutes them My Lords and Gentlemen THese times are for Action for Action I say not for Words therefore I shall use but a few and as Kings are said to be exemplary to their Subjects so I wish you would imitate me in this and use as few falling upon speedie Consultation No man is I conceive such a stranger to the common Necessitie as to expostulate the cause of this Meeting and not to think supply to be the end of it and as this necessitie is the Product and Consequent of your Advice so the true Religion the Laws and Liberties of this State and just Defence of our Friends and Allies being so considerably concerned will be I hope arguments enough to perswade Supply for if it be as most true it is both my Duty and Yours to preserve this Church and Commonwealth this exigent time certainly requires it In this time of Common Danger I have taken the most antient speedy and best way for Supply by calling you together If which God forbid in not contributing what may answer the quality of my occasions you do not your duties it shall suffice I have done mine in the conscience whereof I shall rest content and take some other course for which God hath impowred me to save that which the folly of particular men might hazzard to lose Take not this as a menace for I scorn to threaten my inferiours but as an admonition from him who is tied both by nature and dutie to provide for your preservations and I hope though I thus speak your demeanours will be such as shall oblige me in thankfulnesse to meet you oftner then which nothing shall be more pleasing to me Remembering the distractions of our last meeting you may suppose I have no confidence of good successe at this time but be assured I shall freely forget and forgive what is past hoping you will follow that sacred advice lately inculcated to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace The present Cause for supply of the Kings Necessities was for the Religious defence of our Reformed friends now in present danger And though the Parliament were convinced for their speedy Asistance yet they looked a squint upon themselves and but for shame had a minde first to do their own work the Peoples Grievances which were suggested to be many or else were made so by themselves But to put the King upon an after-game was not reasonable and so they gave him five Subsidies with unanimous consent Nemine contra dicente as Secretary Coke told him Whereupon sayes One the King wept for joy and bad him assure them he would deny them nothing of their just Liberties This the Observator notes as the fourth Presage taking it for granted that the King cried and which tendernesse of his the Parliament ever after made use of to his great dammage Therein insisting it seems by their continuall exacting upon the Kings Grace the more he gave the more they crave demanding to his death For indeed He denied them nothing either what was their due or what his favour could in reason afford them And forthwith they fall upon the peoples Liberties No freeman to be imprisoned by King or Council without legall cause alleaged As being an unreasonable thing To send a Prisoner and not withal to signifie his Crimes laid against him Acts 25. 27. But this their Opinion indured large debate in the Upper House wisely considering where the Prerogative should be suppressed in the King their interests depending would soon bring them low and at last contemptible And withal having the Kings Counsel to defend his right where the chief of them his Attorney General it is said pleaded impertinent for his Majesty but in what he doth not notifie and so we suppose him here to be partial for he confesseth that the Ducal or Royal party were so prevalent as that the other popular party or as in truth they were stiled the Lower House Lords of the Upper House durst not venture upon the Orderly Vote but moulded themselves into a Committee until the Lord Say which is understood to be such a Lord made his motion That they who stood for the liberties not fifty might make their Protestation upon Record and that the other opposit party the greater number but the weaker Head-piece should with Subscription of their Names enter their reasons upon Record that Posterity might not be to seek who they were that so ignobly betrayed the freâ—dom of our Nation and this being done then to proceed to Vote Indeed the Court-party might be daunted at such a designe which would have involved them in the danger to be stoned to death by the ignâ—rant Multitude who were wilde to have liberty in all things and might be easily drawn to do to those Lords as they did after in my Lord Sraffords case post them up to be knockt on the head for dissenting Lords Thus was Personal liberty setled against all presidents of former Soveraignty or future use and Custom Themselves the first breakers of this their Ordinance as we shall hereafter have too too sad occasion to mention but certainly their meaning was evermore to excuse themselves from positive laws though of their own devising Then whilest it was warm They crouded in all complaints upon liberty of goods unbilleting of Souldiers and nulling of Martial law in time of Peace To which indeed Magna Charta and six other Statutes which explain it affords them law for which they now petitioned and were answered by the Lord Keeper That the King consented those Evidences to be all in force and he would govern them accordingly His Royal word and promise being as binding to his conscience as any laws they could make whatever which he hoped would encourage them to proceed to the effecting of their necessary businesse This not so sufficient begat a question very modest Whether or no His Majesty should be trusted upon his word for his Coronation Oath swears him to maintain the Laws of the Land more of force then any Royal word could be and should it be voted in the Negative all foraign people would lodge that on them as dishonourable not to trust their King When up starts Sr Edward Coke We â—it sayes he to take his Majesties word but in a Parliamentary way sitting on his Throne in his Robes with Crown and Scepter in full Parliament both Houses present thus to be done with Ceremony makes his Royal word in Parliament and not a word delivered in his Chamber or sent to us by his Secretary or Lord Keeper And so he moved that More Majorum the House should draw a Petition de Droict of Right to his Majesty which should be confirmed by both Houses and assented to by the King and that Word be as firm an Act as any And so they framed a Petition presenting it to the Lords and after the severall
make Peace with the Parliament from Cardiffe Aug. 1645. CHARLES REX Nephew this is occasioned by a Letter of yours which the Duke of Richmond shewed to me last night And first I assure you I have been and ever will be very careful to advertise you of my resolutions as soon as they were taken and if I enjoyned silence to that which was no secret it was not my fault for I thought it one and I am sure it ought to have been so Now as for your Opinion of my Business and your Counsel thereupon If I had any other quarrel but the defence of my Religion Crown and Friends you had full reason for your advice for I confess that speaking either as a meer Souldier or Statesman I must say there is no probability but of my ruine Yet as a Christian I must tell you that God will not suffer Rebels and Traitors to prosper or this Cause to be overthrown And whatsoever personal punishment it shall please him to inflict upon me must not make me repine much less give over this quarrel And there is as little Question that a composition with them at this time is nothing else but a submission which by the grace of God I am resolved against whatsoever it cost me for I know my Obligation to be both in Conscience and Honour neither to abandon Gods Cause nor to injure my Successors nor forsake my Friends Indeed I cannot flatter my self with expectation of good success more then this to end my daies with Honour and a good Conscience which obligeth me to continue my endeavours as not despairing that God may yet in due time avenge his own Cause though I must avow to all my Friends that he that will stay with me all this time must expect and resolve either to dye for a good Cause or which is worse to live as miserable in maintaining it as the violence of insulting Rebels can make him Having thus truly and impartially stated my Case unto you and plainly told you my positive resolutions which by the grace of God I will not alter they being neither lightlie nor suddenlie grounded I earnestly desire not in any wise to hearken after Treaties assuring you as low as I am I will doe no less then what was offered in my Name at Uxbridge confessing that it were as great a miracle that they should agree to so much reason as that I should be within a moneth in the same condition that I was immediatelie before the Battel at Naseby Therefore for Gods sake let us not flatter our selves with these conceits and believe me your very imagination that you are desirous of a Treatie will but loose me so much the sooner and therefore as you love me whatsoever you have alreadie done applie your discourse hereafter according to my resolution and judgement As for the Irish I le assure you they shall not cheat me but it is possible they may cozen themselves For be assured what I have refused to the English I will not grant to the Irish Rebels never trusting to that kinde of People of what Nation soever more then I see by their Actions And I am sending to Ormond such a dispatch as I am sure will please you and all honest men a Copie thereof by the next opportunitie you shall have Lastly be confident I would not have put you nor my self to the trouble of this long Letter had I not a great estimation of you and a full confidence of your friendship to CHARLES REX Cardiffe Aug. 1645. These are the Kings grounds and reasons rebus sic not to descend beneath the propositions offered at Uxbridge And herein he was resolved not trusting to publick counsels in the affairs of Peace And therefore in General most opinions of his Friends were for a Treatie grounding their reasons upon the Kings desperate condition little hope being left to him by force to end these differences To the desire of a Treaty some Councellors in the Princes Army now in the West had advised his Highness to send to his Majesty to that effect Whereupon the Prince writes to the General Fairfax who with his Forces were quartered about him to grant his pass for the Lord Hopton and the Lord Culpepper to go to the King and mediate with him for a Treaty with the Parliament To which after a fortnights consult with his Committee he returns answer or rather his advice for the Prince to disband his Army he now commands which he conceives would be the readiest way for the security of him and his posterity and of those who attend and adhere to him Which if he will do the General would in person conduct himself to the Parliament November 8. To which Answer the Lord Capel had Commission three weeks after to Reply In answer to yours of the eight of the last Moneth His Highness hath commanded me to let you know that he did not believe that his overture of engaging himself in the mediation of a blessed peace for his miserable Kingdome which he did and doth still very earnestly desire to labour in would have brought him an inhibition to quit his duty and loyalty to his royal Father by dividing his Interest from that of his Majesties whereby he should render himself unworthy and uncapable of the fruits of that peace he labours for If his former propositions may be consented unto he hopes God will so bless his sincere intentions and desires as to make him a blessed Instrument to preserve this Kingdome from desolation But if that be rejected he shall give the world no cause to believe that he will forfeit that honour and integrity which can onely preserve him in a capacity of doing that service and shall with patience attend Gods good pleasure untill his endeavours may be applied with preservation of his innocency This is all I have in command from His Highness Exon. Decemb. 1. Your servant Arthur Capel And no reply hereto the King then at Oxford taking knowledge of these passages is put to the extremity of seeking it himself whether of his own inclination or pressed thereto by his Council He sends a Trumpet to the Parliament with a Letter for safe conduct for certain persons of Honour to be sent with propositions of peace which came inclosed in a Letter of Sir Thomas Glenhams Governour of Oxford and directed to the Speaker of the House of Peers Decemb. 5. C. R. His Majesty being deeply sensible of the continuation of this bloody and unnatural war cannot think himself discharged of the duty he owes to God or the affection and regard he hath to the preservation of his people without the constant application of his earnest endeavours to finde some expedient for the speedy ending of these unhappy distractions if that may be he doth therefore desire that a safe conduct may be forthwith sent for the Duke of Richmond the Earl of Southampton John Ashburnham and Jeffrey Palmer Esqs and their attendance for
their journey to Westminster during their stay there and to return when they shall think fit whom his Majesty intends to send to the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland furnished with such propositions as his Majesty is confident will be the Foundation of a happy peace Oxford Decemb. 5. 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore To which the Parliament return Answer signed by the two Speakers and the Scotish Commissioners in effect thus That they were sensible of the sad condition of the three Kingdomes occasioned by his Majesties separation from them and that they will use all means possible for procuring of a safe and well grounded peace for the setling of his just and legal prerogative their undoubted priviledges and the Subjects liberties That had his Majesties intentions been the same with his pretences and expressions a happy peace had been setled long since That they cannot agree to his desires for coming of the Lords and Gentlemen with their attendants and followers into their Quarters in regard the design may be of dangerous consequence But that to shew their earnest endeavours and intentions for peace they were before his Majesties Letters sent in debate of propositions for peace which they are ready to draw up and finish with all expedition to be signed by way of Bill by his Majesty Decemb. 10. But although they had ordered Tuesdayes and Saturdayes express for debate of the Propositions yet they are not finished therefore the King remindes them with a Message in pursuance of the former thus C. R. His Majesty cannot but extreamly wonder that after so many expressions on your part of a deep and seeming sense of the miseries of this afflicted Kingdom and of the dangers incident to his Person during the continuance of this unnatural VVars your many great and so often repeated Protestations that the raising of these Arms hath been only for the necessary defence of Gods true Religion his Majesties honour safety and prosperity the peace comfort and security of his people you should delay a safe Conduct to the persons mentioned in his Majesties Message of the fifth of this instant December which are to be sent unto you with propositions for a well-grounded peace A thing so far from having been deâ—ied at any time by his Majesty whensoever you have desired the same that he believes it hath been seldom if ever practised among the most avowed and professed enemies much lesse from Subjects to their King But his Majesty is resolved that no discouragements whatsoever shall make him fail of his part in doing his utmost endeavours to put an end to these Calamities which if not in time prevented must prove the ruin of this unhappy Nation And therefore doth once again desire that a safe Conduct be forthwith sent for those persons expressed in his former Message and doth therefore conjure you as you will answer to Almighty God in that day when He shall make Inquisition for all the blood that hath and may be yet spilt in this unnatural War as you tender the preservation and establishment of the true Religion by all the bonds of Duty and Allegiance to your King or compassion to your bleeding and unhappy Country and of charity to your selves that you dispose your hearts to a true sense and imploy all your faculties in a more serious endeavour together with his Majesty to set a speedy end to these wasting Divisions and then he shall not doubt but that God will again give the blessing of peace to this distracted Kingdom Oxford the 15. of December 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore All this would not do the King in some trouble finding their neglect stirs them up another way offering a personal Treaty to prevent the Inconveniencies of Misunderstandings and the distance of place for amendments therefore he offers to come home to them and Treat December 26. C. R. Notwithstanding the strange and unexpected delayes which can be precedented by no former times to his Majesties two former Messages his Majesty will lay aside all expostulations as rather serving to lose time then to contribut any remedy to the evils which for the present doe afflict this distracted Kingdom therefore without further preamble his Majesty thinks it most necessary to send these Propositions this way which he intended to doe by the persons mentioned in his former Messages though he well knows the great disadvantage which overtures of this kind have by the want of being accompanied by well instructed Messengers His Majesty conceiving that the former Treaties have hitherto proved ineffectual chiefly for want of power in those persons that Treated as likewise because those from whom their power was derived not possibly having the particular informations of every several debate could not give so clear a judgement as was requisite in so important a businesse If therefore his Majesty may have the engagement of the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland the Major Aldermen Common-Councel and Militia of London of the chief Commanders in Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army as also those in the Scots Army for his Majesties free and safe coming to and abode in London or Westminster with such of his servants now attending him and their followers not exceeding in all the number of three hundred for the space of fourty dayes and after the said time for his free and safe repair to any of his Garisons of Oxford Worcester or Newark which his Majesty shall nominate at any time before his going from London or Westminster his Majesty propounds to have a personal Treaty with the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland upon all matters which may conduce to the restoring of peace and happiness to these miserable distracted Kingdoms And to begin with the three Heads which were Treated on at Uxbridg And for the better clearing of his Majesties earnest and sincere intentions of putting an end to these unnatural distractions knowing that point of security may prove the greatest obstacle to this most blessed work his Majesty therefore declares that he is willing to commit the great trust of the Militia of this Kingdom for such time and with such powers as are exprest in the Paper delivered by his Majesties Commissioners at Uxbridg the sixth of February last to these persons following viz. the Lord Privy Seal the Duke of Richmond the Marquesse of Hertford the Marquess of Dorchester the Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain the Earl of Northumberland the Earl of Essex Earl of Southampton Earl of Pembroke Earl of Salisbury Earl of Manchester Earl of Warwick Earl of Denbigh Earl of Chichester Lord Say Lord Seymour Lord Lucas Lord Lexington M. Denzil Hollis M. Perpoint M. Hen. Bellasis M. Rich. Spencer Sir Thomas Fairfax M. John Ashburnham Sir Gervas â—lifton Sir Hen.