but lent him ten pounds and conducted him and his company safe to Worcester The next day after His Majesty arrival at Worcester being Saturday the 23. of August He was Proclaimed King of Great Britain France and Ireland by Mr. Thomas Lisens Mayor and Mr. James Bridges Sheriff of that Loyal City with great acclamations On the same day His Majesties sent abroad a Declaration Given at His City of Worcester summoning upon their Alleageance All the neighboring Nobility Gentry and others from sixteen to sixty to appear in their persons and with Horse and Armes at Pitchcroft on the Tuesday following where His Majesty would be present Upon Sunday 24. August Mr. Crosby an eminent Divine of that City preach'd before His Majesty in the Cathedral Church And in his Prayer styled His Majesty Supreme head over all persons in his Dominions At which some of the Scots took exception and Mr. Crosby was afterwards admonish'd to forbear such expressions Tuesday the 26. of August was a Rendevouz in Pitchcroft neer the City of such Loyal Subjects of that and the adjacent Counties as would come in to His Majesties aid Here appeared Francis Lord Talbot now Earl of Shrewsbury with about sixty horse Mr. Mervin Touchet Sir John Packington Sir Walter Blount Sir Ralph Clare Mr. Ralph Sheldon of Beoly Mr. John Washburn of Witchingford with forty horse Mr. Thomas Hornyold of Blackmore park with forty horse Mr. Tho. Acton Mr. Rob. Blount of Kenswick Mr. Rob Wigmore of Lucton Mr. Francis Knotsford Mr. Peter Blount and divers others Notwithstanding which access the number of His Majesties Army both English and Scots was conceiv'd not to exceed 12000. men viz. ten thousand Scots and about 2000. English and those too not excellently Arm'd nor plentifully stored with Ammunition Mean time Cromwell that grand Patron of Sectaries had amass'd together a numerous Body of Rebels commanded by himself in cheif and by the Lord Grey of Groby Fleetwood Lambert under him consisting of above thirty thousand Men being generally the Scum and Froth of the whole Kingdome One part of which were Sectaries who through a Fanatique zeal were become Devotes to this great Idol The other part seduc'd persons who either by force or fear were unfortunately made Actors or participants in this so horrible and fatal a Tragedy Thus then began the Pickeerings to the grand Engagement Major General Massey with a commanded party being sent by His Majestie to secure the Bridge and Pass at Upton upon Severn 7. miles below Worcester On Thursday the 28. of August Lambert with a far greater number of Rebels attaq'd him and atter some dispute gain'd the Pass the river being then fordable Here the Major General behav'd himself very gallantly receiv'd a Shot in the hand from some Musketiers the Enemy had placed in the Church and retreated in good order to Worcester During this Encounter Cromwell himself whose Head-quarter was the night before at Pershore advanc'd to Stoughton within 4. miles of the City on the Southside and that Evening a Party of his horse faced it The next day August the 29. the Sultan appear'd with a great body of horse and foot on Redhil within a mile of Worcester where he made a Bonne mine but attempted nothing And that night his Head-quarters were at Judge Berkleys house at Speachley Saturday August 30. It was resolv'd by His Majesty a Council of War to give the Enemy a Camisado by beating up his Quarters that night with 1500. select horse and foot commanded by Major General Middleton and Sir William Keyth All of them wearing their Shirts over their Armor for distinction which accordingly was attempted and might in all probability have been successful had not the design been most traiterously discover'd to the Rebels by one Guyes a Tailor in the Town who was hang'd afterwards as the just reward of his treachery In this Action Major Knox was slain and some few taken Prisoners A considerable party of the Rebels commanded by Col. Lambert Col. Ingoldsby not yet a convert and Col. Gibbons being got over the Severn at Upton march'd the next day to Powick Town where they made an Halt for Powick-bridge lying upon the river Team between Powick Town Worcester was guarded by a Brigade of His Majesties horse and foot commanded by Major General Robert Montgomery and Col. George Keyth The fatal 3. of September being come His Majesty this morning holds a Council of War upon the top of the Colledge-churchsteeple the better to discover the Enemies posture Here His Majesty observ'd some firing at Powick and Cromwell making a bridge of boats over Severn under Bunshill a mile below the City towards Team mouth His Majesty presently goes down commands all to their Arms and marches in person to Powick bridge to give orders as well for maintaining that bridge as for opposing the making the other of boats and hasted back to his Army in the City Soon after His Majesty was gone from Powick bridge the Enemy assaulted it furiously which was well defended by Montgomery till himself was dangerously wounded and his Ammunition spent so that he was forced to make a disorderly retreat into Worcester And Col. Keyth was taken Prisoner at the Bridge At the same time Cromwell had with much celerity finisht his bridge of boats and plancks over the main river without any considerable opposition whereby he might communicate with those of his party at Powick bridge and was the first Man that led the rest over and then went back himself and rais'd a Battery of great guns against the Fort-royal on the South-side the City His Majesty being return'd from Poick bridge march'd with the Duke of Buckingham and some of His Cavalry through the City and out at Sudbury gate by the Fort-royal where the Rebels great shot came frequently neer His Sacred Person By this time Cromwell was got to an advantageous Post at Perry wood within a mile of the City swelling with pride and confident in the numbers of his men but Duke Hamilton formerly Lord Lanerick with his own Troop and some High-landers Sir Alexander Forbus with his Regiment of Foot and divers English Lords and Gentlemen voluntiers by His Majesties command and encouragement engaged him and did great execution upon his best men forced the great Sultan as the Rhodians in like case did the Turk to retreat with his Janizaries and were once Masters of his great Guns Here His Majesty gave an incomparable Example of valor to the rest by charging in Person which the High-landers especially imitated in a great measure fighting with the but-ends of their muskets when their Ammunition was spent but new Supplies of Rebels being continually poured upon them and the Scotch Horse not coming up in due time from the Town to His Majesties relief His Army was forced to retreat in at Sudbury gate in much disorder In this Action Duke Hamilton who fought valiantly was mortally wounded of which he dyed within few days Sir John
my Lord to be not far off so that they search'd Longford house narrowly and some of them continu'd in it four or five dayes during all which time my Lord was in a close place in one of the outhouses almost stifl'd for want of air and had infallibly perish'd for want of food had he not been once relieved in the dead of night and with much difficulty by a servant yet his Lordship thought it a great providence even by these hardships to escape the fury of such enemies who sought the destruction of the Nobility as well as of their King In this interim the valiant Earl of Cleveland who being above 60. years of age had marched 21. dayes together upon a trotting horse had also made his escape from Worcester when all the fighting work was over and was got to Woodcot in Shropshire whither he was pursued and taken at one Mris. Broughtons house The Scotch Cavalry having no place to retreat unto neerer then Scotland were soon after totally dispersed and most of them taken by the Rebels and Country people in Cheshire Lancashire and parts adjacent Thus was this Royal Army totally subdued thus dispersed and if in this so important affair any of the Scottish Commanders were treacherous at Worcester as some suspected they have a great Account to make for the many years miseries that ensued thereby to both Nations under the tyrannical government of Cromwell But to return to the duty of my attendance on His Sacred Majesty in Spring Coppice By that time Richard Penderel had conveyed Him into the obscurest part of it it was about sun-rising on thursday morning and the heavens wept bitterly at these calamities insomuch as the thickest tree in the wood was not able to keep His Majesty dry nor was there any thing for Him to sit on Wherefore Richard went to Francis Yates house a trusty neighbour who married his wifes sister where he borrowed a blanket which he folded and laid on the ground for his Majesty to sit on At the same time Richard spoke to the goodwife Yates to provide some victuals and bring it into the wood at a place he appointed her she presently made ready a mess of milk and some butter and eggs and brought them to His Majesty in the wood Who being a little surpriz'd to see the woman no good concealer of a secret said cheerfully to her good woman Can you be faithfull to a distressed Cavalier She answered Yes Sir I will dye rather then discover you with which Answer His Majesty was well satisfied The Lord Wilmot in the interim took John Penderel for his guide but knew not determinately whither to goe purposing at first to have march'd Northwards but as they passed by Brewood Forge the forgemen made after them till being told by one Richard Dutton that it was Col. Crompton whom they pursued the Vulcans happily upon that mistake quitted the chase Soon after they narrowly escaped a party of Rebels as they passed by Coven-brook so that seeing danger on every side and John meeting with William Walker a trusty neighbour committed my Lord to his care and council who for present conveyed them into a dry marl-pit where they staid a while and afterward to one Mr. Huntbaches house at Brinsford put their horses into John Evans barn whilst John Penderel goes to Wolverhampton to see what convenience he could find for my Lords coming thither but met with none the Town being full of Souldiers Yet John leaves no means unessayed hastens to Northcot an adjacent village and there whilst he was talking with Goodwife Underhill a neighbour in the instant Mr. John Huddleston a sojourner at Mr. Thomas Whitgreaves of Moseley and of Johns acquaintance was accidentally passing by to whom John well assured of his integrity presently addresses himself his business relates to him the sad news of the defeat of His Majesties Army at Worcester and discovers in what straits and confusion he had left His Majesty and His followers at Whiteladies and in particular that he had brought thence a person of Quality for John then knew not who my Lord was to Huntbaches house who without present relief would be in great danger of being taken Mr. Huddleston goes home forthwith takes John with him and acquaints Mr. Whitgreave with the businesse who freely resolved to venture all rather then such a person should miscarry Hereupon Mr. Whitgreave repaires to Huntbaches house speaks with my Lord and gives direction how he should be privately convey'd into His house at Moseley about ten of the clock at night and though it so fell out that the directions were not punctually observ'd yet my Lord and his Man were at last brought into the house where Mr. Whitgreave after some refreshment given them conveys them into a secret place which my Lord admiring for its excellent contrivance and solicitous for His Majesties safety said I would give a world my friend meaning the King were here and then deposited in Mr. Whitgreaves custody a little bag of Jewels which my Lord received again at his departure As soon as it was day Mr. Whitgreave sent William Walker with my Lords horses to his neighbour Col. John Lane of Bentley near Walsal South-east from Moseley about four miles whom Mr. Whitgreave knew to be a right honest Gentleman and ready to contribute any assistance to so charitable a work and wished Walker to acquaint the Colonel that they were the Horses of some eminent person about the King whom he could better secure than his horses The Col. willingly receives the horses and sends word to Mr. Whitgreave to meet him that night in a Close not far from Moseley in order to the tender of farther service to the owner of the horses whose name neither the Colonel nor Mr. Whitgreave then knew On Thursday night when it grew dark His Majesty resolv'd to go from those parts into Wales and to take Richard Penderel with him for his guide but before they began their journey His Majesty went into Richards house at Hobbal Grange where the old Goodwife Penderel had not onely the honour to see His Majesty but to see Him attended by her son Richard Here His Majesty had time and means better to complete His disguise His name was agreed to be Wil. Jones and His arms a wood Bill In this posture about nine a Clock at night after some refreshment taken in the house His Majesty with His trusty servant Richard began their journey on foot resolving to go that night to Madeley in Shropshire about five miles from Whiteladies and within a mile of the River Severn over which their way lay for VVales in this Village lived one Mr. VVoolf an honest Gentleman of Richards aquaintance His Majesty had not been long gon but the Lord VVilmot sent John Penderel from Mr. Whitegreaves to Whiteladies to know in what security the King was John returned and acquainted my Lord that His Majesty was marched from thence Hereupon my Lord began to
Wood and Spring-Coppice His Majesty now esteeming himself in some better security permitted William Penderel to shave Him and cut the hair of his head as short at top as the Scissers would do it but leaving some about the ears according to the Country mode Col. Carlis attending told His Majesty Will was but a mean Barber To which His Majesty answered He had never been shav'd by any Barber before The King bade William burn the Hair which he cut off but Will was only disobedient in that for he kept a good part of it wherewith he has since pleasur'd some persons of Honor and is kept as a civil Relique Humphry Penderel was this Saturday design'd to goe to shefnal to pay some taxes to one Captain Broadway At whose house he met with a Colonel of the Rebels who was newly come from Worcester in pursuit of the King and who being informâ—d the King had been at Whiteladies and that Humphry was a near Neighbor to the place examin'd him strictly and laid before him as wel the penalty for concealing the King which was death without mercy as the reward for discovering him which should be one thousand pounds certain pay but neither fear of punishment nor hope of reward was able to tempt Humphry into any disloyalty He pleaded ignorance and was dismiss'd And on Saturday night related to His Majesty and the loial Colonel at Boscobel what had pass'd betwixt him and the Rebel Colonel at Shefual This night the Good wife whom His Majesty was pleased to call My dame Joan provided some chickens for His Majesties supper a dainty He had not lately been acquainted with and a little Pallet was put into the secret place for His Majesty to rest in some of the brothers being continually upon duty watching the Avenues of the House and the road way to prevent the danger of a surprize After supper Col. Carlis askâ—d His Majesty what meat he would please to have provided for the Morrow being Sunday His Majesty desired some mutton if it might be had But it was thought dangerous for William to goe to any market to buy it since his Neighbors all knew he did not use to buy such for his own dyet and so it might beget a suspition of his having strangers at his house But the Col. found another expedient to satisfy His Majesties desires Early on Sunday morning he repairs to Mr. William Stauntons sheep-coat who rented some of Boscobel grounds here he chose one of the best sheep sticks him with his dagger then sends Wil. for the Mutton who brings him home on his back On Sunday morning Sept. the seventh His Majesty got up early his dormitory being none of the best nor his bed the easiest and near the secret place where the lay had the convenience of a Gallery to walk in where he was observ'd to spend some time in his Devotions and where He had the advantage of a window which surveid the Road from Tong to Brewood Soon after His Majesty coming down into the Parlor his nose fell a bleeding which put his poor faithful servants into a great fright but His Majesty was pleased soon to remove it by telling them It often did so As soon as the Mutton was cold William cut it up and brought a leg of it into the Parlor His Majesty cal'd for a knife and a trencher and cut some of it into Collops and prick'd them with the knif's point then cal'd for a frying-pan and butter and fry'd the Collops himself of which he ate heartily Col. Carlis the while being but Under-Cook and that honor enough too made the fire and turn'd the Collops in the Pan. When the Colonel afterwards attended His Majesty in France His Majesty calling to remembrance this passage among others was pleased merrily to propose it as a problematical Question whether Himself or the Col. were the Master-Cook at Boscobel and the supremacy was of right adjudg'd to His Majesty All this while the other brothers of the Penderels were in their several stations either scouting abroad to learn Intelligence or upon some other service but it so pleas'd God that though the Soldiers had some Intelligence that His Majesty had been at Whiteladies and none that he was gone thence yet this House which prov'd a happy sanctuary for His Majesty in this sad Exigent has not at all been search'd during His Majesties aboad there though that had several times this perhaps the rather escaping because the Neighbors could truly inform none but poor Servants to be here His Majesty finding himself in a hopefull security spent some part of this Lords-day in a pretty Arbor in Boscobel garden which grew upon a Mount and wherein there was a Stone Table and Seats about it In this place He pass'd away some time in reading and commended the place for its retiredness His Majesty understanding by John Penderel that the Lord Wilmot was at Mr. Whitgreaves for John knew not of his remove to Bentley was desirous to let my Lord know whâ—re he was and in what security To this end John Penderel was sent on Sunday morning to Moseley But John finding my Lord remov'd thence was much troubled and then acquainted Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston that His Majesty was reâ—urn'd to Boscobel and the disaccommodation He had there whereupon they both resolve to goe with John to Bentley where having gain'd him an access to my Lord His Lordship design'd to attend the King that night at Moseley and desired Mr. Whitgreave to meet his Lordship at a place appointed about 12. of the clock And Mr. Huddleston to nominate a place where he would attend His Majesty about one of the clock the same night Upon this Intelligence my Lord made stay of Mrs. Jane Lanes Journey to Bristoll till His Majesties pleasure were known John return'd to Boscobel in the Afternoon with intimation of this design'd meeting with my Lord at Moseley that night and the place which was appointed by Mr. Huddleston where His Majesty should be expected But His Majesty having not recovered his late foot-journey to Madeley was not able without a horse to perform this to Moseley which was about five miles distant from Boscobel and near the mid from thence to Bentley It was therefore concluded that His Majesty should ride upon Humphry Penderels Mill-horse for Humphry was the Miller of whiteladies Mill The horse was taken up from Grass and accoutr'd not with rich trappings or furniture befitting so great a King but with a pittiful old Saddle and a worse bridle When His Majesty was ready to take horse Col. Carlis humbly took leave of Him being so well known in the Country that his attendance upon His Majesty would in all probability have prov'd rather a disservice then otherwise however his hearty praiers were not wanting for His Majesties preservation Thus then His Majesty was mounted and thus he rode towards Moseley attended by all the honest brothers William John Richard Humphry and George Penderel
and Francis Yates each of these took a Bill or pike-staff on his back and some of them had pistols in their pockets two march'd before one on each side His Majesties horse and two came behind a loof off their design being this that in case they should have been question'd or encountr'd but by five or six troopers or such like small party they would have shew'd their valor in defending as well as they had done their fidelity in otherwise serving His Majesty And though it was near Midnight yet they conducted His Majesty through by-ways for better Security After some experience had of the horse His Majesty complain'd It was the Heaviest Dull Jade he ever rode on to which Humphry the Owner of him Answer'd beyond the usual notion of a Miller My Leige Can you blame the horse to goe heavily when he has the weight of three Kingdoms on his back When His Majesty came to Penford Mill within two Miles of Mr. Whitgreaves house His Guides desired Him to alight and goe on foot the rest of the way for more security the Foot way being the more privat and the nearer and at last they arriv'd at the place appointed by Mr. Huddleston which was a little grove of trees in a Close of Mr. Whitgreaves cal'd the Pit-leasow in order to His Majesties being privately convey'd into Mr. Whitgreaves house William Humphry and George returned with the horse the other three attended His Majesty to the House but His Majesty being gon a little way had forgot it seems to bid Farewel to William and the rest who were going back so He cal'd to them and said My troubles make me forget my self I thank you all and gave them His hand to kiss The Lord Wilmot in pursuance of his own appointment came to the meeting place at his hour where Mr. Whitgreave receiv'd him and conveyd him to his old chamber but hearing nothing of the King at his prefixed time gave occasion to suspect some misfortune might have befaln him though the night was very dark and rainy which might possibly be the occasion of so long stay Mr. Whitgreave therefore leaves my Lord in his chamber and goes to Pit-leasow where Mr. Huddleston attended His Majesties coming and about two hours after the time appointed His Majesty came whom Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston convey'd with much satisfaction into the house to my Lord who expected him with great solicitude and presently kneeld down and embraced His Majesties knees who kiss'd my Lord on the cheek and ask'd him earnestly what is become of Buckingham Cleveland and others To which my Lord could give little satisfaction but hop'd they were safe My Lord addressing himself to Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston said though I have conceal'd my friends name all this while now I must tell you this is my Master your Master and the Master of us all not knowing that they understood it was the King Whereupon His Majesty was pleased to give his hand to Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston to kiss and told them he had receiv'd such an Account from my Lord Wilmot of their fidelity that he should never forget it and presently ask'd Mr. Whitgreave where is your secret place which being shewed His Majesty He was pleas'd therewith and returning into my Lords chamber sate down on the bed-side where his Nose fell a bleeding and then puld out of his pocket a handkercher suitable to the rest of his apparel both course and dirty His Majesties Attire as was before observ'd in part was then a leather-doublet a pair of green breeches and a Jump-coat as the Country call's it of the same green a pair of his own stockens with the tops cut off because embroider'd and a pair of stirrop stockens which were lent him at Madeley a pair of old shoos cut and slash'd to give ease to his feet an old grey greazy hat without a lyning a noggen shirt of the coursest linnen His face and hands made of a reechy complexion by the help of the Walnut-tree leaves Mr. Huddleston observing the coursness of His Majesties shirt to disease him much and hinder His rest ask'd my Lord if the King would be pleased to change His shirt which His Majesty condescended unto and presently put off his course shirt and put on a flexen one of Mr. Huddleston's who pul'd off His Majesties shoos and stockens and put him on fresh stockens and dry'd His Feet where he found some body had innocently but indiscreetly put white paper which with going on foot from the place where His Majesty alighted to the house was roll'd between his stockens and his skin and serv'd to encrease rather then asswage the soarness of his feet Mr. Whitgreave had by this time brought up some bisket and a bottle of sack His Majesty ate of the one and drank a good glass of the other and being thus refresh'd was pleas'd to say cheerfully I am now ready for another March And if it shall please God once more to place me in the head of but eight or ten thousand good Men of one mind and resolv'd to fight I shall not doubt to drive these Rogues out of my Kingdoms It was now break of the day on Munday morning the eighth of September and His Majesty was desirous to take some rest In order whereto a Palet was carried into one of the secret places where His Majesty lay down but rested not so well as His Host desired for the place was close and inconvenient and they durst not adventure to put Him into any bed in an open Chamber After some rest taken in the hole His Majesty got up and was pleased to take notice of and salute Mr. Whitgreaves Mother and having His place of retreat still ready sate between whiles in a Closet over the Porch where He might see those that pass'd the road by the house Before the Lord Wilmot betook himself to his Dormitory he conferr'd with Mr. VVhitgreave and advised that himself or Mr. Huddleston would be alwayes vigilant about the house and give notice if any Souldiers came and sayes this noble Lord If it should so fall out that the Rebels have intelligence of your harbouring any of the Kings Party and should therefore put you to any torture for confession be sure you discover me first which may haply in such case satisfie them and preserve the King This was the expression and care of a loyal Subject worthy eternal memory On Munday His Majesty and my Lord resolv'd to dispatch John Penderel to Col. Lane at Bentley with direction for the Colonel to send my Lords horses for him that night about midnight and to expect him at the usual place My Lord accordingly goes to Bentley again that night to make way for His Majesties reception there in order to a resolution taken up by His Majesty to go Westward under the protection of Mrs. Jane Lanes Pass it being most probable that the Rebels wholly pursu'd His Majesty Northwards and would not at
all suspect Him gone into the West This Munday afternoon Mr. Whitgreave had notice that some Souldiers were in the neighborhood intending to apprehend him upon information that he had been at Worcester Fight The King was then lain down upon Mr. Huddlestons bed but Mr. Whitgreave presently secures his Royal Guest in the secret place and my Lord also leaves open all the Chamber dores and goes boldly down to the Souldiers assuring them as his Neighbours also testified that he had not been from home in a fortnight then last past with which asseveration the Souldiers were satisfied and came not up stairs at all In this interval the Rebels had taken a Cornet in Cheshire who came in His Majesties Troop to Whiteladies and either by menaces or some other way had extorted this confession from him concerning the King Whom these Bloud-hounds sought with all possible diligence that he came in company with His Majesty to Whiteladies where the Rebels conceived He might still be whereupon they posted thither without ever drawing bit almost kill'd their horses and brought the faint-hearted Prisoner with them Being come to Whiteladies on Tuesday they call for Mr. George Giffard who lived in an appartiment of the House present a Pistol to his breast and bad him confesse where the King was or he should presently dye Mr. Giffard was too loyal and too much a Gentleman to be frighted into any infidelity resolutely denies the knowing any more but that divers Cavaliers came thither on Wednesday night are up their provision and departed and that he was as ignorant who they were as whence they came or whither they went and beg'd if he must dye that they would first give him leave to say a few prayers One of these Villains answered If you can tell us no news of the King you shall say no prayers But his discreet answer did somewhat asswage the fury of their Leader yet they searched every corner of the house broak down much of the Wainscoat and at last beat their Intelligencer severely for making them lose their labours During this Tuesday in my Lord Wilmots absence His Majesty was for the most part attended by Mr. Huddleston Mr. VVhitgreave being much abroad in the neighborhood and Mrs. VVhitgreave below stairs both inquisitive after news and the motions of the Souldiery in order to the preservation of their Royal Guest the old Gentlewoman was this day told by a Countrey man who came to her house that he heard the King upon his retreat had beaten His Enemies at VVarrington bridge and that there were three Kings come in to his assistance which story she related to His Majesty for divertisement Who smiling answered Surely they are the three Kings of Colein come down from heaven for I can imagine none else His Majesty out of the Closet window espy'd two Souldiers who pass'd by the gate in the Road and told Mr. Huddleston he knew one of them to be a Highlander and of his own Regiment who little thought his King and Colonel was so near And His Majesty for entertainment of the time was pleas'd to discourse with Mr. Huddleston the particulers of the Battle of Worcester the same in substance with what is before related And by some words which His Majesty let fall it might easily be collected that His Councils had been too often sooner discovered to the Rebels than executed by His loyal Subjects Mr. Huddleston had under his charge young Sir John Preston Mr. Thomas Palyn and Mr. Francis Reynolds and on this Tuesday in the morning the better to conceal His Majesties being in the house and excuse his own more than usual long stay above stairs pretended himself to be indisposed and afraid of the souldiers and therefore set his schollers at several Garret windows that survey'd the roades to watch and give notice when they saw any Troopers coming This service the youths perform'd very diligently all day and at night when they were at Supper Sir John cal'd upon his Companions and said more truly then he imagin'd Come Lads Let us eat lustly for we have been upon the life-guard to day On Tuesday night between twelve and one of the clock The Lord Wilmot sent Col. Lane to attend His Majesty to Bentley Mr. Whitgreave meets the Colonel at the place appointed and brings him to the Corner of his Orchard Where the Colonel thought fit to stay whil'st Mr. Whitgreave goes in and acquaints the King that he was come Whereupon His Majesty presently took his leave of Mris. Whitgreave saluted her and gave her many thanks for his entertainment but was pleas'd to be more particular with Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston not onely by giving them thanks but by telling them he was very sensible of the dangers they might incur by entertaining Him if it should chance to be discover'd Therefore His Majesty advis'd them to be very careful of themselves and gave them direction to repair to a Merchant in London who should have order to furnish them with moneys and means of conveiance beyond sea if they thought fit However His Majesty concluded that if it should please God ever to restore him to the Government of His Dominions He should not be unmindful of their civilities and fidelity to Him Thus grateful was this Excellent King for even that which was every good subjects duty and thus sollicitous in the midst of His own dangers for their Security After His Majesty had vouchsaf'd these gracious expressions to Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston they told His Majesty All the service they could now doe Him was to pray heartily to Almighty God for His safety and preservation and then kneeling down His Majesty gave them His hand to kiss and so went down stairs with them into the Orchard where Mr. Whitgreave both humbly and faithfully deliver'd his great Charge into Col. Lanes hands telling the Colonel who the person was he there presented to him The night was both dark and cold and His Majesties cloathing thin therefore Mr. Huddleston humbly offer'd His Majesty a Cloak which He was pleased to accept and wore to Bentley from whence Mr. Huddleston afterward received it As soon as Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddleston heard His Majesty was not onely got safe to Bentley but march'd securely from thence they began to reflect upon His advice and lest any discovery should be made of what had been acted at Moseley they both absented themselvs from home The one went to London the other to a friends house in Warwickshire where they liv'd privately til such time as they heard His Majesty was safely arriv'd in France and that no part of the aforesaid transactions at Moseley had been discover'd to the Rebels and then return'd home This Mr. Whitgreave is descended of the ancient family of the Whitgreaves of Burton in the County of Stafford and was first a Cornet afterwards Lieutenant to Capt Tho. Giffard in the first War for His late Majesty Mr. John Huddleston is a younger brother
of the renowned Family of the house of Hutton-John in the County of Cumberland and was a Gentleman volunteir in His late Majesties service first under Sir John Preston the Elder till Sir John was render'd unserviceable by the desperate wounds he received and after under Colonel Ralph Pudsey at Newark His Majesty being safely conveyd to Bentley by Col. Lane staid there but a short time took the opportunity of Mris. Janes Pass and rode before her to Bristow the Lord Wilmot attending for the most part at a distance In all which Journey Mris. Lane perform'd the part of a most faithful and prudent Servant to His Majesty shewing her observance when any opportunity would allow it and at other times acting her part in the disguise with much discretion But His Majesties particular Gists to Bristow and to the houses of several loyal subjects both in Somersetshire Wiltshire Hampshire and so to Brighempston in Sussex where He about the end of October 1651. took shipping and landed securely at Deip in France and the several accidents hardships and encounters in all that Journey can now be exactly related by none but His Majesty himself since the much lamented death of that faithful Subject and excellent Souldier the Lord Wilmot who was created Earl of Rochester as a part of that recompence His Majesty thought due to so great a fidelity The very next day after His Majesty was gone from Boscobel being Monday the 8. of September two parties of Rebels came thither the one being part of the County Troop who search'd the house with some civility The other Capt. Broadwayes men these search'd severely eat up their little Store of provision plunder'd the house of what was portable and one of them presented a pistol to William Penderel and much frighted My dame Joan yet both Parties return'd as empty as they came of that intelligence they so greedily sought after This danger being over honest William began to think of making satisfaction for the fat Mutton and accordingly tender'd Mr. Staunton its worth in money but Staunton understanding the Sheep was kil'd for the relief of some honest Cavaliers who had been shelter'd at Boscobel refus'd to take the money but wish'd much good it might doe them These Penderels were of honest Parentage but mean degree six brothers born at Hobbal Grange in the Parish of Tong and County of Salop William John Richard Humphry Thomas and George John Thomas and George were Soldiers in the first War for His late Majesty Thomas was slain at Stow fight William as you have heard was a servant at Boscobel Humphry a Miller and Richard rented part of Hobbal Grange His Majesty had not been long gone from Boscobel but Col. Carlis sent William Penderel to Mr. Humphry Ironmonger his old friend at Wolverhampton who not only procur'd him a Pass from some of the Rebel Commanders in a disguised name to goe to London but furnish'd him with money for his journey by meanes whereof he got safe thither and from thence into Holland where he brought the first happy news of His Majesties safety to His Royal sister the Princess of Orange This Col. William Carlis was born at Bromhall in Staffordshire within two miles of Boscobel of good Parentage is a Person of approved valor and was engag'd all along in the first war for His late Majesty of happy memory and since His Death has been no less active for His Majesty that now is for which and his particular service and fidelity before mentioned His Majesty has been pleased by Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England to give him by the name of William CARLOS which in Spanish signifies Charls this very honorable Coat of Armes in perpepetuam rei memoriam as 't is expressed in the Letters Patents SUBDITUS FIDELIS REGIS REGNI SALUS He bears upon an Oake proper in a Feild Or a Fesse Gules charged with 3 Regal Crowns of ye second by the name of Carlos And for his Creast a Civic Crown or Oaken Garland with a Sword and Scepter crossed through it Saltierwise Henry Seile excudit Rob Vaughan sculp The Oake is now properly call'd The Royal Oake of Boscobel nor will it lose that name whilst it continues a Tree And since His Majesties happy Restauration that these mysteries have been revealed hundreds of people for many miles round have flock'd to see the famous BOSCOBEL which as you have heard had once the honour to be the Palace of His Sacred Majesty but chiefly to behold the Royal Oake which has been depriv'd of all its young Boughs by the visiters of it who keep them in memory of His Majesties happy preservation This Boscobel-house has yet been a third time fortunate for after Sir George Booths Forces were routed in Cheshire in August 1659. the Lord Bruerton who was engaged with him took sanctuary there for some time and was preserved When His Majesty was thus happily convey'd away by Col. Lane and his Sister the Rebels had an intimation that some of the brothers were instrumental in His Majesties preservation so that besides the temptations Humphry overcame at Shefnal William Penderel was twice questioned at Shrewsbury on the same account by Capt. Fox and one LLuellin a Sequestrator and Richard was much threatned by a peevish Neighbour at Whiteladies but neither threats nor temptations were able to batter the Fort of their Loyalties After the King had entred into the Kingdom and returned to his own land the 5. Brothers attended Him at White-hall on Wednesday the 13. of June 1660. when His Majesty was pleased to own their faithful service and graciously dismiss'd them with a Princely Reward And soon after Mr. Huddleston and Mr. Whitgreave made their humble Addresses to His Majesty from whom they likewise receiv'd a gracious acknowledgment of their service and fidelity to Him at Moseley and this in so high a degree of gratitude and with such a condescending frame of spirit not at all puff'd up with prosperity as cannot be parallel'd in the best of Kings Here let us all with glad and thankful hearts humbly contemplate the admirable Providence of Almighty God who contriv'd such wonderful wayes and made use of such mean Instruments for preservation of so great a Person Let us delight to reflect minutely on every particular and especially on such as most approach to Miracle let us sum up the number of those who were privy to this first part of His Majesties disguise and concealment Mr. Giffard the five Penderels their Mother and three of their Wives Col. Carlos Francis Yates and his Wife some of the Inhabitants of Whiteladies Mr. Woolf his Wife Daughter and Maid Mr. Whitgreave and his Mother Mr. Huddleston Col. Lane and his Sister and then consider whether it were not indeed a Miracle that so many men and which is far more so many women should faithfully conceal so important and unusual a Secret and this notwithstanding the temptations and promises of reward on the one hand the danger and menaces of punishment on the other To which I shall adde but this one circumstance that it was concealed by persons for the most part of that Religion which has long suffer'd under an imputation laid on them by some mistaken Zelots of disloyalty to their Soveraign And now on my bended knees let me joyfully congratulate His restored Majesty and humbly offer Him this short and hearty wish O KING LIVE FOR EVER And not content with my own inconsiderable Prayers with all my Soul I beg the universal assistance of others earnestly inviting all the Nation even all the three Nations to sing Te Deum Laudamus 2 Sam. 19. 14. And he bow'd the hearts of all the people as the heart of one man So that they sent this word unto the King Return thou and all thy Servants FINIS Dan. 11. 9. Dan. 3. 10.