altogether like the Pharisee that prayed in the Temple but really often would he mourn in secret and many times did his eyes in publike distil tears at the Nations stubbornness To take him in the whole he was a Man better fitted to make a Prince of then the People was to receive him this we see sufficiently in the management of the Government to his Death But afterwards the sudden disaster which befel his Posterity was so admirable that it cannot be imputed to any thing else but Digitus Dei A Catalogue of Honours conferr'd on several Persons by Oliver Cromwel Lord Protector in the time of his Government His Privie Council HEnry Lawrence Lord President Lieut. Gen. Fleetwood Major Gen. Lambert Philip Lord Lisle Nathaniel Fiennes Commissioner of the Great Seal John Desbrow Edward Mountague Generals at Sea Sir Gilbert Pickering Sir Charls Woolsley Col. William Sydenham Edmund Earl of Mulgrave Walter Strickland Esquire Philip Skippon Major Gen. Col. Philip Jones Richard Major Esquire Francis Rouse Esquire John Thurloe Secretary of State The Members of the other House alias House of Lords 1. LOrd Richard Cromwel 2. Lord Henry Cromwel Deputy of Ireland 3. Nathaniel Fiennes 4. John Lisle Commissioners of the Great Seal 5. Henry Lawrence President of the Privie Council 6. Charls Fleetwood Lieut. Gen. of the Armie 7. Robert Earl of Warwick 8. Edmund Earl of Mulgrave 9. Edward Earl of Manchester 10. William Lord Viscount Say and Seal 11. Philip Lord Viscount Lisle 12. Charls Lord Viscount Howard 13. Philip Lord Wharton 14. Thomas Lord Faulconbridge 15. George Lord Euers 16. John Cleypole Esquire 17. John Desbrow 18. Edward Montague Generals at Sea 19. Bulstrode Whitlock 20. William Sydenham Commissioners of the Treasury 21. Sir Charls Wolsley 22. Sir Gilbert Pickering 23. Walter Strickland Esq 24. Philip Skippon Esq 25. Francis Rous Esq 26. John Jones Esquire 27. Sir William Strickland 28. John Fiennes Esquire 29. Sir Francis Russel 30. Sir Thomas Honywood 31. Sir Arthur Haslerigge 32. Sir John Hobart 33. Sir Richard Onslow 34. Sir Gilbert Gerrard 35. Sir William Roberts 36. John Glyn. 37. Oliver St-John Chief Justices of both Benches 38. William Pierrepoint Esquire 39. John Crew Esquire 40. Alexander Popham Esq 41. Philip Jones Esq 42. Sir Christopher Pack 43. Sir Robert Tichborn 44. Edward Whalley Com. Gen. 45. Sir John Barkstead Lieut. of the Tower 46. Sir Tho. Pride 47. Sir George Fleetwood 48. Sir John Huson 49. Richard Ingoldsby Esq 50. James Berry Esquire 51. William Goff Esq 52. Thomas Cooper Esq 53. Edmund Thomas Esq 54. George Monke Gen. in Scotland 55. David Earl of Cassils 56. Sir William Lockhart 57. Archibald Johnson of Wareston 58. William Steel Chancellor of Ireland 59. Roger. Lord Broghil 60. Sir Matthew Tomlinson 61. William Lenthal Master of the Rolls 62. Richard Hampden Esq Commissioners of the Great Seal and their Officers NAthaniel Fiennes John Lisle William Lenthal Master of the Rolls Officers attending HEnry Middleton Serjeant at Arms. Mr. Brown Mr. Dove Judges of both Benches John Glyn Lord Chief Justice Peter Warburton Richard Nudigate Justices of the upper Bench. Oliver St-John Lord Chief Justice and Edward Atkins Matthew Hale Hugh Windham Justices of the Common Bench. His Barons of the Exchequer RObert Nicholas John Parker and Roger Hill Serjeant at Law Erasmus Earl Atturney General Edmund Prideaux Sollicitor William Ellis Serjeants at Law called by him to the Barre RIchard Pepes 25 January 1653. Thomas Fletcher 25 January 1653. Matthew Hale 25 January 1653. William Steel 9 February 1653. John Maynard 9 February 1653. Richard Nudigate 9 February 1653. Thomas Twisdon 9 February 1653. Hugh Windham 9 February 1653. Unton Crook 21 of June 1654. John Parker 21 of June 1654. Roger Hill 28 of June 1655. William Shepard 25 October 1656. John Fountain 27 November 1656. Evan Scithe Viscounts CHarls Howard of Glisland in Cumberland created Baron Glisland and Lord Viscount Howard of Morpeth the 20th of July 1657. Baronets JOhn Read Esquire of Bocket Hall in Hertfordshire created Baronet the 25 of June 1656. John Cleypole Esquire created Baronet the 16th of July 1657. Thomas Chamberlayn of Wickham Esquire made a Baronet the 6th of October 1657. Thomas Beaumont of Staughton-Grange in Leicestershire Esq created March 5. 1657. John Twisleton Esq of Horsemans-Place in Datford in the County of Kent created Baronet of the same March 24. 1657. Henry Ingolds by Esq created 31 of March 1658. Henry Wright of Dagenhams in Essex Esq created Baronet March 31. 1658. Edmund Dunch Esquire of East-Wittenham in Berkshire created Baron of the same place April 26. 1658. Griffith Williams Esq of Carnarvon made a Baronet the 28 of May 1658. Knights when and where made SIr Thomas Viner Lord Mayor of London at Grocers-Hall Feb. 8. 1653. Sir John Copleston at White-Hall June 1. 1655. Sir John Reynolds at White-Hall June 11. 1655. Sir Christopher Pack Lord Mayor of London at White-Hall Septemb. 20. 1655. Sir Thomas Pride at White-Hall Jan. 17. 1655. Sir John Barkstead at White-Hall Jan. 19. 1655. Sir Richard Combe at White-Hall Aug. 1656. Sir John Dethick Lord Mayor of London at White-Hall Sept. 15. 1656. Sir George Fleetwood of Bucks Sir William Lockhart at White-Hall December 10. Sir James Calthrop of Suffolk Sir Robert Tichborn Lord Mayor of London and Sir Lislebone Long Recorder December 15. Sir James Whitlock at White-Hall January 6. Sir Thomas Dickeson of York March 3. 1656. Sir Richard Stainer at White-Hall June 11. 1657. Sir John Cleypole Baronet at White-Hall July 16. 1657. Sir William Wheeler at Hampton-Court Aug. 26. 1657. Sir Edward Ward of Norfolk at White-Hall Novemb. 2. Sir Thomas Andrews Alderman of London at White-Hall Novemb. 14. Sir Thomas Foot Alderman Sir Thomas Atkin Alderman Sir John Huson Colonel Decemb. 5. Sir Jaâ—… Drax at White-Hall Jan. 6. Sir Henry Pickering Sir Philip Twisleton White-Hall Feb. 1. Sir John Lenthal at White-Hall March 9. Sir John Ireton Alderman of London Sir Henry Jones at Hampton-Court July 17. 1658. Sic transit Gloria mundi FINIS
importance and might much conduce to the taking in of Dunkirk it self as afterwards it proved The French and English having beleaguered this strong place did not lie long before they reduced it to a surrender upon Composition so that it was delivered up wholly into the possession of the English But presently after the French being withdrawn into winter-Quarters came a strong body of Spaniards and made a fierce Camisado upon the Fort hoping to give the English little joy in their new Conquest but it fell out quite otherwise for the assailants were stoutly repulsed and inforc't to flee having lost in the attempt several brave Commanders The Protectors forraign affairs standing in a posture answerable to his desires his domestick designes at the same time did likewise very well correspond thereunto for the Parliament having sate near nine Months had in this time past many Acts which crowned the Protectors hopes so fully that more could not have been desired by him nor well granted by them For first out of a deep sence of his loss should such a design as bold Syndercomb's take effect they made provisions for the security of his Highness Person wherein it was Enacted High Treason for any to attempt compass or imagine the Protectors death This Act having pared the claws of cholerick humours at home in three whoops more the Title of Charls Stuart c. was utterly defunct And besides this to answer the end for which they were called round sums of money were granted to carry on the Spanish War notwithstanding his Highness late Conquests in the Indies that so the Protector might with more facility bang the legs of that long-limb'd Enemy The Acts made for this purpose were these that follow  Per Mens An Act for an Assesment upon England for three Months at the rate of 60000 l. On Scotland for three Months at 05000 l. On Ireland for three Months at 05000 l. On England Scotland and Ireland for three years   England to pay 35000 l. Scotland 06000 l. Ireland 09000 l. An Act for continuing of Tunnage and Poundage   An Act for preventing the multiplicity of buildings in and about the Suburbs of London and within ten miles thereof a whole years Revenue to be presently payd for dwelling or out-Houses that had been reared upon new Foundations since the year 1620.   An Act for Excise of merchandize imported Hobby-Horses Childrens Rattles and old shirts not exempted   These with many more being at once presented to the Protector for his consent were by him passed at which time he made this short Speech to the Parliaments Speaker I perceive that among these many Acts of Parliament there hath been a very great care had by the Parliament to provide for the just and necessary support of the Commonwealth by these Bills for levying of money now brought to me which I have given my consent unto and understanding it hath been the practice of those who have been chief Governours to acknowledge with thanks to the Commons their care and regard of the Publike I do very heartily and thankefully acknowledge their kindness herein The Protectors thanks for this could do no less then animate the Parliament to compleat the great work they were about for settlement of the Nation This business had been dayly debated and was almost brought to perfection when on a sudden a Petition was ushered into the House by a worthy Citizen of London to have his Highness one Tittle higher in his Title Hereupon the great Machine of Englands Government called the Petition and Advice was hastened away to the Protectors view with a desire that his Highness would be pleased to magnifie himself with the Title of KING Alas what thing more averse to his nature could be presented to him then this It was not to sit in high places that made him undertake the Government but rather to be a Servant to his Countrey Monarchie he knew was as odious to the Army as according to the proverb comparisons among the people and therefore he could not look upon this otherways then as a Temptation to try the strength of his resolution against that which before had like to have wrackt the peoples Liberties which said he undoubtedly had fallen out had not he stept into the sea of bloud and with invincible Arms preserved the Ship of State from those Piratical inchroachers that were ready to board her Yet to do nothing unadvisedly nor without mature deliberation his Highness took time to return the Parliament this positive answer to their liquorish desire which he with much meekness gave them in the Painted Chamber in these words That he could not undertake the Government with the Title of King Upon this the Parliament voted that Protector should be the stile of the chief Magistrate All things being now brought to maturity in the Petition and Advice and nothing wanting to make it a Law but onely the Protectors condescention a Committee was sent to desire a Conference with his Highness which he granted and appointed the place of meeting to be in the Painted Chamber May 25. 1657. his Highness attended by his chief Officers came accordingly and there the Speaker Sir Thomas Widdrington presented him with the Parliaments Petition and Advice the substance whereof was as followeth 1. That his Highness under the Title of Lord Protector would be pleased to exercise the office of chief Magistrate over England c. and to govern according to all things in this Petition and Advice also that in his life-time he would appoint the Person that should succeed in the Government after his death 2. That he would call Parliaments consisting of two Houses once in three years at farthest 3. That those Persons who are legally chosen by a free election of the people to serve in Parliament may not be excluded from doing their duties but by consent of that House whereof they are Members 4. In the fourth was shewn the qualifications of Parliament-Members 5. In the fifth the Power of the other House 6. That the Lawes and Statutes of the Land be observed and kept and no Laws altered suspended abrogated repealed or new Law made but by Act of Parliament 7. For a constant yearly revenue ten hundred thousand pounds to be settled for maintenance of the Navy and Army and three hundred thousand pounds for support of the Government besides other temporary supplies as the Commons in Parliament shall see the necessities of the Nations to require 8. That the number of the Protectors Council shall not be above one and twenty whereof the Quorum to be seven and not under 9. The chief Officers of State as Chancellors Keepers of the great Seal c. to be approved of by Parliament 10. That his Highness would encourage a Godly Minstery in these Nations and that such as do revile or disturb them in the Worship of God may be punished according to Law and where the Lawes are defective new
with him a strong Garison and to make all sure Ormond Castlehaven and the Lord of Ards in their own Persons caused 1500 men more to be boated over to reinforce it Of this the Army were Spectators but could do nothing to impede their Entrance The Lord Governour no sooner approached it but he sent the Governour a Summons to this effect That since his coming into Ireland he ever avoided the effusion of blood having been before no place where he did not first send them such terms as might be for their preservation and to continue the like course he summons them to deliver up the town to the Parliament of England To this no answer at present was returned until three great Guns planted before it began to play then the Governour fearing to fall into the same Praemuniri that other Garisons had done before was content to treat which they did and came to this issue That the Town be delivered up and they within march away with bag and baggage Whilst these things were in doing Kingsale Cork Youghal Bandon-bridge and other Garisons voluntarily declared came under obedience In the North Sir Charles Coot and Col. Venables were very successful the Lord Braughal and Col. Huson in other places did very good service I should here particularize some of them but that my whole designe is to march along with the main Body of the Army Ross being now in Cromwels Possession he caused a Bridge of Boats to be laid over the River Barrow and the Army to sit down before Duncannon a strong Fort commanded by Col. Woggen who had formerly served the King in England This place was so well provided with all things that upon consideration at a Councel of War it was looked upon to be time lost in tarrying long before it therefore the Army speedily rise and march away into the County of Kilkenny where Ormond having joyned his Forces with Inchequeen gave out that he would fight whatever came of it His Army was strong both in Horse and Foot far out-passing Cromwel's who was weakned by continual duty hard marches the Flux and other sicknesses raging amongst them occasioned by wants and unseasonable weather commonly quartering in the field yet for all this Ormond that Ignis fatuus upon the approach of the Army whose weaknesses at that time required rather an Hospital to cure their distempers then an Enemy to make fresh wounds vanished away without giving one stroke Whereupon Col. Abbot reduced Enisteoge a little walled Town about five miles from Ross and Col. Reynolds with twelve Troops of Horse and three Troops of Dragoons marching up to Carrick having divided his men into two parts whilst they were amused with the one party he entered a gate with the other taking about one hundred Officers and Souldiers without the loss of one man The news of this place no sooner arrives at Ross but the Lord-Governour Cromwel who for some time had lain there sick marched away immediately to reduce the City of Waterford hoping to gain that important place before the Army should draw into Winter-Quarters No sooner was he come before it but a Regiment of Horse and three Troops of Dragoons were dispatched away to reduce Passage-Fort this party soon made them desire quarter and deliver up the Fort and Castle in it were five great Guns and much Arms and Ammunition These Garisons now in the hands of those that could make good use of them were of great importance to the reducement of Munster and consequently of all Ireland The Lord-Governour being now before Waterford and seeing the City resolved to stand upon their own defence it being now December the weather also very wet and his Forces weak he draws them off into VVinter-quarters that they might be refreshed against the Spring to finish the work so prosperously begun Their quarters were at Bandon-Bridge Col. Ewer and his Regiment at Kingsale Col. Stubber at Cork Col. Phaier and Col. Cook at Wexford and Youghal the Head-quarters in other places convenient for a quick conjunction if occasion should serve the Army was placed Now the Souldiery are taking their rest we may look back a little upon some Actions which fell out since their leaving Waterford No sooner was the Army marched away but Passage-Fort was besieged by a party from Waterford and another from Duncannon joyned together but Col. Zanckey setting upon them routed the whole party killing a great many and carrying away 350 prisoners Many other Skirmishes were maintained with the like success yet little comfort could be had in them when the loss of Lieutenant-General Jones vvas reflected upon he died of a violent Fever at Dungarven December 20 1649. He was a man real to that trust which was reposed in him a daring man yet governing his Valour with discretion which makes a good Souldier not rash but advised in all his attempts a great loss he was to the Army yet not all for quickly after followed Col. Wolf and Scout-Master-General Roe the Army had their share of this mortality if the Commanders fall how can it be expected the common Souldiers should escape free But to salve up the business continual supplies were sent by the Parliament from England which made them as it were immortal so that though many men were lost their number was not diminished Whilst the Army lay in their quarters Cromwel was not idle he visited all the Garisons that were in his possession in Munster and ordered all Affairs both Military and Civil Coming to Kingsale the Maior as in other places presented him with the Mace and Keys which he kept not returning them again and conferred the Office upon another This was looked upon the more because it had not been used by the Lord Governour but the Maior being an Irish-man and withal a Papist it was not thought fit to trust such a one with the Government of so considerable a place Now Cromwel knowing that he which intends to do much business must rise betimes and lose no opportunity his Souldiers had not breathed in their Winter-quarters fully two months before he marched out of Youghal with about 3000 to enlarge his quarters when they were in the field he divided them into two parties himself took one the other was led by Ireton who marched away to Carrick there to reinforce himself by the conjunction of Col. Reynolds These were to march into the Enemies quarters two several ways and to meet together at a Rondezvous near Kilkenny in order to this designe Cromwel takes vvith him one party and marches away over the Blackwater towards the Counties of Limerick and Tipperary The first place he took in was a Castle called Kilkenny upon the edge of the County of Limerick afterwards in his march fell in Clogheen-House and Roghil-Castle here he passed the River Sewer with much difficulty and immediately marched away to Featherd a Garison-Town governed by one Butler about ten at night they got into the Suburbs and sent a Trumpet with a
the Commonwealth of England and hath exercised actual Hostility by commissionating Pyrates to spoil the ships and goods belonging thereto to these not the least violence or injury should be offered either in body or goods or if any should happen that upon complaint made redress and satisfaction should immediately be had Wherefore they desire all persons to abide in their habitations assuring them to enjoy what they had without disturbance No sooner was this penned but copies thereof were sent into Scotland and the Country-people that kept Market at Berwick had their pockets stuffed with them to carry home and disperse among their neighbours What good effects this course produced we shall see hereafter when the Army enters their borders The Lord General having used this expedient to undeceive the Scots and to procure their good opinion of him and his Army considered that all would not be convinced thereby the Sword not the Pen must perswade many of them wherefore he leaves York and hastes to Northallerton and thence the next day to Darnton As he pass'd by this place the Train of Artillery which was quartered here saluted him with seven Pieces of Ordnance Coming next to Newcastle the Governour Sir Arthur Haslerig received him with noble entertainment Here the Lord General and the Officers of his Army in a solemn manner implored a blessing from heaven upon their present Expedition After which upon due consideration of the affairs of the Army he setled a way for their supply from time to time with provisions This business being dispatched and the general Rendezvous appointed the Lord General leaves Newcastle and posts for Berwick His Forces being all come up he caused a general Rendezvous of them to be on Haggerston-Moor four miles from Berwiek July 20. 1650 the whole Army was drawn into the Field which was no sooner done but the General himself came among them being received with shouting and other signes of joy Having well view'd them he caused both Horse and Foot to be drawn up in Battalia Which being done there appeared a gallant Body of Horse consisting of 5415 bestrid by as many stout and couragious Riders eight complete Regiments of Foot consisting with their Officers of 10249 with the Train of Artillery which consisted of 690 so that the Army in the whole consisted of 16354. A sight most lovely and very desirable to see such an Army of men gallantly accoutred and provided with all necessaries who for approved valour are not to be equal'd commanded by a General whom no example ancient or modern can parallel for Courage and Conduct in a word he was honored in his Army and they happie in their General Being thus in Battalia the General marcheth them about an hundred paces towards Berwick and so dismisseth them to their quarters on the brink of Tweed where we shall leave them for the present expecting their further advance HIS WARS IN SCOTLAND OCcasion might here be taken to admire at the long continued separation that hath been betwixt England and Scotland that notwithstanding they are cohabitants of the same Island yet they should continue distinct Kingdoms for so many Ages together For whereas divers Kingdoms having inferious Dominions in them soon subjected them to their own Rule as in Spain where many Kingdoms are concorporated into one and in our own Nation where the Saxon Heptarchy was long since reduced into a Monarchy yet England and Scotland could never be united under one Head till the Crown of England devolved upon King James Many attempts have been made by several English Kings to reduce Scotland to their obedience Edward the second a King whose greatest honour was to be the son of an Heroick father and father to an incomparable son unfortunately fought the Battel at Bannocks in Scotland where as Holinshed relates was lost Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester 40 Barons 700 Knights and Gentlemen and about 40000 others This defeat was great even the greatest that ever the English received at one time from that Nation But in hopes to wipe away this blur and to salve up this wound the King raised two great Armies for that purpose but with no better success for the first of his Armies was lost for want of courage to fight the last for want of food was forced to retire and in their retreat lost all their Ammunition But what else could be expected from a pusillanimous King who was observed in the former Battel to be the first that fled for it could not be expected that the Souldiers should stand they being bound to follow their leader To reckon up all the Rencoùnters that have happened betwixt the two Nations would be too tedious and stretch this discourse beyond its intended length Yet I shall wade a little in these plashes before I plunge into the Ocean of Cromwels Conquests Henry the seventh a wise and valiant Prince was much disturbed by those two Impostors Perkin Warbeck and Lambert Simnel Warbeck's quarrel was espoused by the Scots but to little purpose for a Peace was soon concluded betwixt the two Kings on condition that Warbeck should be sent packing and that James the fourth the Scots King should marry the Lady Margret King Henry's daughter Great debate was in the Council about this Match some were against it alleadging that in case the Kings issue should fail England would become subject to Scotland But to this the King wisely returned That the weaker must ever bow to the stronger and England being the stronger Scotland must submit This was but discourse for it could not be then imagined the King having two hopeful sons Arthur and Henry that the Lady Margret should be the Royal Stem from whence should spring those Noble branches which were to over-spread both Nations as it afterwards came to pass in King James But notwithstanding the Alliance made by the said Marriage in the days of King Henry the eighth while he was busied with his Wars in France the Scots invade England and were encountred by the Earl of Surrey at Flodden Field where the success remained doubtful a great while but at last the Victory fell to the English who that day slew the Scots King the Bishop of St. Andrews 12 Earls 14 Barons and 12000 Gentlemen and common Souldiers onely with the loss of 1500. at so easie a rate was this great Victory purchased By this and several other Blows King Henry got many of the Scotish Nobility into his custody And considering how their frequent incursions did impede and frustrate his designes abroad he thought it expedient to use a means to beget amity betwixt the Nations to which end he propounded a Match betwixt his son Edward and Mary the young Princess of Scotland This motion found so good acceptance at first that it was concluded upon and ratified by Act of Parliament with a special Instrument under the hands of the Scotish Nobility who by this means having gotten their liberty from restraint soon after quit themselves of their
at this Bait but rather chose to return home again seeing they could not sit with a safe conscience Those that entered the House having made choyce of Sir Thomas Widdrington to be their Speaker began to act answerable to the Protectors own desire which we shall see in its due place mean time take this ensuing Relation of General Blakes worthy exploit against the Spaniard Of all the desperate Attemps that ever were made in the World against an Enemy by Sea this of noble Blakes is not inferiour to any He lying upon the Spanish Coast had intelligence given him that the West-India Fleet were arrived at the Canary Islands and put into the Bay of Sancta Cruz on the Island of Tenariff Upon this the Fleet weighs Anchor on the 13 of April 1657. and by the 20th of the same Month were fair in the Offing of Sancta Cruz where they discovered how bravely the Spanish Ships sixteen in number were barricado'd in this Bay where they lay in a manner Semi-circular Near to the mouth of this Haven stands a Castle sufficiently furnished with great Ordinance which threatned destruction to any that durst enter without its leave into the Harbour besides this there stood seven Forts more round about the Bay with six four and three great Guns apiece and united together by a Line of Communication from one Fort to another which was man'd with Musqueteers To make all safe Don Diego Diagues General of the Spanish Fleet was not idle in making provision for the best defence of his Armado he caused all the smaller ships to be mored close along the shoar and the six great Galleons stood farther out at anchor with their broad sides towards the Sea It hapned at this time there was a Dutch Merchants ship in the Bay the Master whereof seeing the English ready to enter and that a combate would presently be commenced it made him fear that among all the blows that would be given he could not avoyd some knocks therefore to save himself he went to Don Diego and desired his leave to depart the Harbour For said he I am very sure Blake will presently be amongst you To this the resolute Don made no other Reply but Get you gone if you will and let Blake come if he dares They that knew Blakes courage could not but know it needless to dare him to an engagement for himself was ever forward enough to fight especially when the honour of his Nation lay at stake like himself were his Sea-men who never questioned Commands but readily ran upon the most desperate attemps which sheweth that courage in a Commander infuseth activity in the Souldiers as here it did in an eminent manner for Gen. Blake having seen his Enemy presently called a Council of Officers to contrive the best way for carrying on the present exploit In this Council of War Glory quite eclipsed hazard so that little else was discoursed upon but a quick Execution which quite buryed difficulty in Oblivion All things being ordered for fight a Squadron of Ships was drawn out of the whole Fleet to make the first Onset these were commanded by Captain Stainer in the Speaker Frigat who no sooner had received Orders but immediately he flew into the Bay with his canvas wings and by eight in the morning fell pell-mell upon the Spainsh Fleet without the least regard to the Forts that spent their shot prodigally upon him No sooner were these entered into the Bay but Blake following after placed certain Ships to pour broad sides into the Castle and Forts these played their parts so well that after some time the Spaniards found their Forts too hot to be held In the mean time Blake strikes in with Stainer and bravely fought the Spanish Ships which were not much inferiour in number to the English but in men they were far the superior Here we see a resolute bravery many times may carry the day and make number lie by the Lee this was manifest for by two of the Clock in the after-noon the English had beaten their Enemies out of their Ships Now Blake seeing an impossibility of carrying them away he ordered his men to fire their prizes which was done so effectually that all the Spanish Fleet were reduced to ashes except two Ships that sunk downright nothing remaining of them above water but some part of their masts The English having now got a compleat victory were put to another difficulty by the wind which blew so strong into the Bay that many despaired of getting out again But Gods providence was miraculously seen in causing the wind upon the sudden to vere about to the Southwest a thing not known in many years before which brought Blake and his Fleet safe to Sea again notwithstanding the Spaniards from the Castle played their great Guns perpetually upon them as they passed by The wind as it proved a friend to bring the English forth so it continued to carry them back again to their former station near to Cadiz Should we compare the vastness of this attempt with the diminutive loss the English received it may go near to raise incredulity in the Reader However it must not be past over in silence All the men that Blake had slain in this fight which lasted from eight in the morning to seven at night were but 48â— and one hundred and twenty wounded On the Spanish side all was lost that could be lost their whole Fleet being quite destroyed so that the English gain was nothing but Honour which ever attended Blakes attempts For this good service the Protector at the Parliaments desire sent this worthy Commander a Ring worth five hundred pounds and presently after Capt. Stainer came to England that his Ship might be new fitted for the Sea which gave the Protector a fair opportunity to clap on his shoulders a whole Knighthood which served to satisfie for all his brave services The Protector according to a private agreement with France prapared a Brigade of Foot to joyn with the French Army under Command of Marshal Turin that so both together might fall into Flanders against the Spaniards The English Forces designed for this service were 6000. many of them old Souldiers but most new raised men over whom Sir John Reynolds was made Commander in Chief and Col. Morgan Major-General who afterwards was Knighted by the Lord Richard Cromwel for his eminent service these being provided with all necessaries for a march were rendezvoused on Black-Heath from whence they marched away to the Sea-side and were immediately transported over to Bulloin in Picardy At their landing the Souldiers had all new Red-Coats distributed amongst them which made such a glistering show that the French King said he never before saw the like sight About the later end of October 1657. the English were advanced into the Spanish Territories and being joyned with Turin the whole Army sate down before Mardike-Fort lying about two miles from Dunkirk This place was looked upon to be of great