Earle of Warwick Earle of Manchester Vicount Say and Seale Lord Wharton and Lord Roberts For the Commons Mr Perepoint Mr Nathaniell Fines Sir Henry Vane senior Sir Arthur Haslerig Sir Gilbert Gerard Sir William Ermine Sir John Evelin Sir Henry Vane junior Sir William Waller Mr Crew Mr Soliciter St John Mr Wallop Mr Samuel Browne Lieutenant Generall Cromwell A Generall Councell of the Army being met at Windsor they were very Joyfull and unanimously approv'd of the Votes of the House touching his Majesty and ordred two Declarations to be drawne up one to shew their good liking of the Houses proceedings with promise to ayd and assist them in setling the Kingdome yea without the King or against the King the second for the maintenance of the Peerage of England with Resolution to stand by Lords and Commons to the last man On the 17 of January the Votes for non-addresses past the Lords House They Ordred Colonel Barksteds Regiment to quarter in White Hall Colonel Rich his Regiment of Horse to quarter in the Mews His Majesty having heard of the Resolves of both Houses continues very chearfull and is much retired The Scots Commissioners desire leave to Returne The House of Lords added four of their order to the Committee of Darby-House Viz. the Earle of Salsbury the Lord Mograve Earle of Denbigh and Lord Howard The Earle of Pembrooke was Voted Chancellor of Oxford Both Houses Vote that the Committee of Darby-House have plenipotence to order the dispose of the Army Commanded by Sir Thomas Fairfax as they shall thinke fit The Commons consider'd of Commissioners to goe to Scotland to acquaint the Parliament of Scotland with the miscarriages of their Commissioners here And Order Mr Goodwin Mr Ashurst Mr Brian Stapleton and Colonel Birch to receive their Instructions from the Committee of Darby-House The Lords joyne the Earle of Nottingham and the Earle of Stamford to goe with them The second of February the Commons past an Order that all the servants lately made by the Commissioners attending his Majesty be removed and that the Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax place such about his Majesty as he should thinke fit provided they exceed not thirty They likewise order'd a Declaration to be drawne up to satisfie the Kingdome of the Grounds and Reasons of their passing the Votes for non-addresses The 21 of February Judge Jenkins was brought to the Bar of the House where he refused to kneele a Charge was read against him That he had condemn'd or pasT sentence upon men to be hang'd drawne and quarter'd for not assisting against the Parliament That he tooke up Armes himselfe that he stir'd up others to levy war and assist against the Parliament that he accused the Parliament and charg'd them with counterfeiting the Great Seale and bein requir'd to speak what he had to say for himselfe he answer'd that they had no power to try him he assur'd with confidence the Militia was in the King alone he said Kings did not formerly covenant to maintaine the Law but onely to be mercifull to the people He endeavoured to terrifie the Parliament with his Majesties numerous Issue in Geniollogy he pray'd the Laws might be protected he saith there can be no Laws without a King and that there is none in Venice nor the Vnited Provinces for his ill deportment and words which were indeed a breach of the priviledge of the House he was fined 1000 l. and the House Voted a Charge to be brought in against him His Majesty at Caresbrooke Castle is very much dejected and discontented at his confinement and the removall of his old servants he will not permit his haire nor beard to be medled withall but by a Barbar of his own choosing by which meanes he is growne very hairy The Scots Commissioners Report to their Parliament much to the prejudice of the Parliament of England touching their proceedings with the King The Lords and Commons Concur that no forces be raised in London nor ten miles round but by speciall warrant from the Committee of Darby-House The House being Inform'd that one Colonell Poyer Governour of Pembroke Castle had refused to deliver it up being required thereunto by Letters from the Generall Order that if the said Colonell Poyer shall not within twelve houres after notice hereof surrender the Castle with all the Armes and Ammunition therein that then the said Colonell Poyer and all that shall adhere to him are hereby declared Traytors and Rebells and the Generall is hereby required to reduce the said Castle and to bring the said Colonell Poyer and his adherents to Justice and the Generall was requir'd to send this Order that the Colonell might not plead excuse Colonell Langhurne likewise raised a body of men and came to the assistance of Colonell Poyer and had gathered together a considerable body of men neere 2000 Horse and foote They publish a Declaration of their Resolutions to establish his Majesty in his full power and dignity The Generall Order'd thirty Companyes of Horse and foote to suppresse them under the Command of Colonel Horton The King though set aside and confin'd to the Isle of Wight was more formidable this Summer then ever he was since the beginning of the late troubles for the very name of a King was now grown into great credit with the people throughout the Kingdome and by it not onely tumults but Armyes were raised A mutiny hapned at Bury about a Maypole some discontented persons declare for the King the House order the Generall to send some forces who besieged it and after some time was delivered up to mercy Chepstow was likewise surprized for the King On the 22 of Aprill the Earle of Northumberland Inform'd the House of the escape of the Duke of Yorke from St James's The manner thus The Earle went as his custome was to attend the Duke at eight a clock at night after some stay the Duke came from his brothers Chamber when the Earle was gone the Duke went out againe as his manner was in way of play to obscure himselfe that his Gentlemen might seeke him which accordingly they did but could not find him upon search they Informe the Earle who upon enquiry dilcovers that he had borrowed the Key of the Garden doore the day before of the Gardner as also there was discovery made of his footsteps The Parliament in Scotland order a Committee for safety who advise that an Army of 40000 men be forthwith Levied for the preservation of his Majesty and Kingdome of Scotland notwithstanding diverse Lords Knights and Gentlemen Members of the Parliament Remonstrate of their utter dislike of it Immediately the Parliament of England Order the fortifying of Newcastle and Hull to prevent the Scots Invasion The Parliament men being summon'd to attend the House were cald over and found to be neere 320 men A Petition was presented to the Parliament from the City Requiring the Armyes removall from the City and that the Posts and Chaines may be put up for the
advance from Colebrooke to Branford eight miles from London fell upon Collonell Hollis his men which quarter'd there but the Lord Brooks and Collonell Hamdens Regiments came speedily to their reliefe and for a time maintained a bloody fight The Earle of Essex was sitting in the House when the news was brought who immediately horst and with what strength he could hastens to meete the King but night approaching the King retired All that night vast numbers of Souldiers flockt from the City above three times the number of the Kings Army and they had hem'd hm in on every side had not Kingston bridge been left destitute over which the Kings traine of Artillery was drawne whilst a body of Horse faced the Enemy and then retired toward Oxford The Parliament orders the Generall to follow him and fight him The Kings Forces in the North under the Command of the Earle of Newcastle and the Earle of Cumberland being 8000 Horse and foote were too potent for the Lord Fairfax Lieutenant for the Parliament The Earle marches to tadcaster where the Lord Fairfax and Captaine Hotham were fell on the Towne and forc't the Lord Fairfax with some loss to quit the Towne and march to Cauwod and Selby for supplyes for his Army Sir Thomas Fairfax is sent to Leeds with diverse Troopes of Horse but was forc't to retire In December Goring with Armes money and eighty old Commanders with the Queens Standard arrives from Holland and joynes with the Earle of Newcastle The Counties of Norfolk Suffolk Cambridge Hartford Essex associate and the Lord Gray of Wark is appointed Major Generall over them The Parliaments Forces possesse themselves of Winchester and Chichester The Parliament send Propositions to Oxford by four Lords and eight Commoners To which the King returnes a speedy answer The Queen arrives the 16 of Feb. 1642. and brings over Arms money and Ammunition with her from Holland The Earle of Montross and the Lord Ogle present their service to her at York with two Troops of Horse which she afterward made up a considerable body The Earle of Essex in the Spring marcht forth of his winter quarters resolving to besiege Reading which was possest by the Kings Forces in it was 3000 Souldiers and twenty pieces of Ordinance the Generall sits downe before it in Aprill 1643. with an Army of 16000 foote and 3000 Horse which after sixteen dayes was delivered up on easie conditions by the Deputy Governour Collonell Fielding Sir Arthur Aston the Governour being indisposed by reason of his wounds At Cirencister was the most considerable party for the Parliament in all those parts Prince Rupert with a considerable Army marches against it the Towne not being fortified he falls on with a furious assault which at first was Gallantly received but after two houres dispute possest himselfe of the Towne the most part of the Earle of Stamfords Regiment being cut off seized a considerable Magazine with above 3000 Armes and eleven hundred persons which were conveyed to Oxford Immediately he faces Glocester summons the City To which Massey Replyed That he kept the City for King and Parliament and would not deliver it to any forraine Prince The Army in Wales raised for the King advance toward Glocester and in their march fall on a Regiment of Collonell burroughs which they rout diverse Officers being slaine took fifty prisoners and so march on to Glocester News was brought to the Parliament of a considerable defeat given to their forces in Devonshire and that Prince Maurice and the Marquesse of Hartford had Intentions to secure all the West for the King And not long after there was a discovery made for the betraying of Bristoll but by timely notice it was prevented and the Conspirators executed Likewise a discovery was made in London of a plot to settle the Kings Commission of Array for which Mr. Tomkins and Mr. Chaloner were both Executed The Lord Brookes a very active man for the Parliament being in Staffordshire with his Forces with Intentions to dissipate those Gentlemen that were got together for the King advances to Litchfield The Earle of Chesterfeild had some Forces in the Towne for the King who upon the Lord Brookes his advance to the Towne quits it and retires with his Forces to the Close which was far more tenable then the Towne Brookes takes possession of the Towne and being in a Window peeping to watch an advantage against the Enemy was shot into the Eye and died immediately His Souldiers notwithstanding the losse of their chiefe Commander fall on with much resolution and after a short dispute possest themselves of the Church and Close took the Earle of Chesterfeild with divers Commanders and many common Souldiers Prince Rupert immediatly lays siege to Litchfield and having notice of the advance of some of the Parliaments forces under the Command of Brereton and Gell to raise the siege drew out neer a thousand Horse and Dragoones fell on the enemy which they put to flight and by their flight left Bag and baggage to the Kings forces with divers pieces of Ordinance and many prisoners But the Earle of Northampton Charging in the head of the body was slaine they returne to the siege spring a mine and scale the walls whereupon the besieged desire a Parly and on reasonable conditions quit the Towne In May 1643. the Lords and Commons Vote that an Act be past for an Assembly of Divines immediately to be call'd to settle Religion They likewise Vote the making of a new Great Seale a thing never heard or read of in the Natition which Mr. Prin defens in his book entituled The opening of the Great Seale of England Sir John Hotham sends word to the Earle of Newcastle that Hull and Lincolne shall be deliver'd up to him for the service of his Majesty and both father and son resolve to stand on their own Guard at Hull Mr Jermin Generalissimo for the Queen was at New-wark who levying a considerable party for the securing of the County she with thirty Companies of Horse and Dragoones and three thousand foote meets the King at Edghill it being the first time she saw him since her departure into Holland The King and Queen retire to Oxford The Parliament draw up Articles of High Treason against the Queen That she had pawned the Jewells of the Crowne raised the Rebellion in Ireland endeavoured to raise a party in Scotland against the Parliament that she had appeared in the head of a Popish party which was at last past by both Houses They likewise Vote that the King and Queens revenue should be detained and imployed in the publick service They likewise Voted a new and unheard of tax to be laid upon Beer Wine Tobacco and whatsoever is necessary for support of life which they call'd Excize Sir John Hotham and his son are both taken prisoners by Sir Matthew Beynton their estates seazed and confiscate Sir John endeavouring to escape was knockt downe by a Souldier at the same Gate
that he denied the King Entrance They are both sent by Sea prisoners to the Parliament and Sir Matthew took possession of the Towne June 17. 1643. The Earle of Essex at Tane orders the Buckingham Forces to beat up the Kings quarters which accordingly they did Prince Rupert having notice of it falls in with a body of Horse Routed and disperst most of the party There was slaine the Earle of Musgraves Son and Mr. Hamden one of the five Impeached Members a man violently active against the King At that time the Parliaments Army was much visited with the Contagion many dying daily On the fift of July was a great defeat given to Sir William Waller in the West after he had continued there victoriously for some time by a party from Oxford conducted by the Lord Wilmot which defeate gave a great Check to the Parliament The Generall by reason of the sicknesse and other great wants of his Army marches towards London quartering them at Kingston on Thames and other adjacent places Great were the successes of the King almost in every part of the Kingdome for Sir William Waller was quite routed in the West Sir Ralph Hopton in the head of a Gallant Army upon whom the King was pleased for his fidelity and Valour to confer the Honour and Title of a Baron Prince Rupert was order'd to besiege Bristoll which in short time was deliver'd to him Prince Maurice besieged Exceter whither the Earle of Stamford was fled which on the fourth of September 1643 was diliver'd up to him upon Articles Sir John Barkly was made Governour The Lord Fairfax Sir Thomas Fairfax and most of the Parliaments forces in the North were defeated driven into Hull by the Lord of Newcastle who at that time commanded the Greatest Army in England and not onely able to terrifie the Parliaments Forces in England but likewise formidable to any Scotch forces that should come to their assistance Collonell Goring landed at Newcastle with 200 old Souldiers The Earle of Newcastle in his march from Tadcaster surprized Leeds and in it diverse persons of quality friends to the Parliament he likewise proclaimes the Lord Fairfax traytor The King in the Head of a Gallant Army summons Glocester offering free pardon and protection to the Inhabitants if they would lay downe their Armes requiring a positive answer in two houres In the Interim he surrounds the Towne with six thousand Horse and foote by the time appointed the Magistrates Officers and Souldiers returne this answer That they kept the Towne for his Majesty and his Royall posterity and doe accordingly conceive our selves wholly bound to obey the Commands of his Majesty signified by both Houses of Parliament and are resolved by Gods Help to keep the City accordingly The King stood amazed at their confidence for at that time they could not hope for reliefe In the Towne was onely one Regiment of foote an hundred Horse beside the trained bands in all not exceeding fifteen hundred men The King resolves to lay a close siege and a considerable party Intrencht on the South and East side though they within sallied out with some damage to the Kings forces the Welsh and Worcestershire forces on the North west side Generall Ruthen on the South-side the East and South parts were dam'd up with Earth They within make no lesse then eight sallies in ten dayes with no small prejudice to the besiegers The King prepares for a storme which with much valour was performed on both sides a mine was sprung under the East gate which they countermand by the industry of Collonell Massey the Governour The Parliament being inform'd of the Kings Intentions toward Glocester order the Generall to march out who mustred about 10000 Horse and foote at Hounslow and so marches forward for the reliefe of the Towne They likewise took care for recruiting an Army for Sir William Waller The Generall being come within seven miles of Glocester fired some pieces of Ordinance to give notice of his approach On the first of September a party of Horse is sent to face him whilst the King drew off from the siege Many of the Kings friends much blamed him for sitting downe before the Towne when he might without difficulty have come to London and fully ended the work for the Parliament were never in so low a condition since the beginning of the warre as they were when the King first sat downe before the Towne The Lords House being sensible of the danger Uote a Treaty and the Commons were consulting of it The Parliament sent to require the assistance of their brethren of Scotland and Vote 30000 l. be instantly borrowed for their advance The Solemne League and Covenant was drawn up and taken by all the Members of both Houses and orderd to be Imposed on all the associated Counties Doctor Featly a reverend and learned Divine was Imprisoned for refusing to take it The King immediately sends out his Proclamation against it in these words Whereas there is printed a paper pretended to be order'd by the Commons in Parliament on the 21 of September last to be printed and published which Covenant though it seemes to make specious expressions of piety and religion it is indeed nothing else but a traiterous and seditious combination against him and against the established religion and Lawes of this Kingdome in pursuance of a traiterous designe and endeavour to bring in forraine forces to invade this Kingdome his Majesty doth therefore straitly charge and command all his loving subjects of what degree and quality soever upon their allegiance that they presume not to take the said seditious and traiterous Covenant most straitly forbidding all his subjects to tender the said Covenant as they will answer the contrary at their extreamest perill The Earle of Bedford and Holland came to Oxford to tender their allegiance to the King but after a short stay return'd to the Parliament The Marquesse of Ormond the Kings Lieutetenant Generall in Ireland upon the Kings Letter sends over five Regiments of Souldiers for the Kings service every Officer and Souldier first took an Oath to defend the Protestant cause and the Kings person against all enemies Essex suddenly surprizes Cirencester by killing the Centery marcht into the Towne without any opposition and in it took Great store of Armes and Ammunition with thirty Cart Load of provisions which was there reserv'd for the Kings Army From thence he marches to Chilleton The Kings Forces drew up on Maverne hills The Earle of Essex drew off toward Hungerford and from thence toward Newbery which the Kings Forces had possest before-hand On Wednesday the 20 of September 1643. was fought the famous battell of Newbery on which depended the condition of the whole Kingdome The Kings Forces early in the morning had possest themselves of Biggs hill Essex his own Regiment assisted with Collonell Barkleys and Collonell Holburnes Regiment marcht and Charging furiously beate them from the Hill and possest it By this time a great
which the King plainly perceived could produce no good effect in March following he dissolves them Not long after the Estates of the Low Countries send over Ambassadours to mediate in behalfe of a peace betwixt the King and Parliament Prince Rupert goes on Victoriously with a flying Army relieves Bolton Stopford and Leverpoole advances to York in his way Raises the siege of Latham House which was at that time besieged by the Parliaments Forces Upon his approach the Enemy drew off their siege They within sally out and doe some mischiefe to the reare of the Enemy The Prince pursues them with a Resolution to give them Battaile At last he comes to York upon whose approach the besiegers drew off the Prince follows intending to fight them and accordingly the third of July 1644 at seven a clock in the morning the fight began the Parliaments Forces having the advantage of the ground being on the South side of Marston Moore within four miles of York the Prince with the Right wing fell on the Parliaments Forces routs them the Generall Goring and Sir Charles Lucas fell on the maine body of the Enemy and routed them but pursuing them too far the Enemy Rallied and fell on the divided bodyes totally disperst them took 3000 prisoners 20 pieces of Ordinance beside a considerable quantity of Officers Immediately the Lord Fairfax and his Son the Earle of Manchester surround York Sir Thomas Glenham being then Governour for the King but by reason of Marston-Moore-fight all their powder and Ammunition was spent Sir Thomas was compeld to deliver it on honourable tearmes In December 1644 William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury after above an hundred times Attendance on the House was by the Commons Voted Guilty of High Treason and therefore condemn'd to be hang'd drawne and quarter'd which sentence he patiently received but upon his Petition they Vote him to be beheaded he likewise Petitions for his Chaplain Dr Sterne to whom they joyne Mr Marshall whom he refused for the Comfort of his soule and accordingly on the tenth of January he was conducted by Penington to the scaffold on Tower-hill where he made his last Sermon to the people enlarging himselfe on this Text Heb. 12. and 2d Let us run with patience the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith who for the Joy that was set before him endured the Crosse and despised the shame and is now set downe at the Right hand of the throne of God which Sermon or Speech continued almost an houre and after prayer and some short Ejaculations laid down his head upon the block which the Executioner struck off at one blow and thus with much patience and Christian magnanimity he deliver'd up his soule to God Sir John Hotham in December 1644. was sentenc't to loose his head Captain Hotham was likewise Condemn'd and Executed the first of January Sir John the second of January on Tower-bill Not long after there was a treaty of peace appointed at Vxbridge The Commissioners on both sides being met the Proposals on both sides were made but all hopes of peace were frustrate Mr Love was much complained of who preaching there told them That the Kings Commissioners came with hearts full of blood and that there is as great distance between this treaty and peace as between heaven and hell for which in stead of being checkt he is taken into favour by the Parliament In March 1645. Sir Lewis Dives took Waymouth for the King In which was good store of Ordinance and all other provisions answerable with forty small Vessells in the Harbour The Kings Forces lay siege to Melcomb Regis Crumwell intends to joyne with Waller for its reliefe They of the Garrison of Plimouth issue out and beate the Kings Forces from Mount Stamford and took 150 prisoners Sir Marmaduke Langdale went out of Oxford with 2000 Horse and Dragoones fell upon the Lincolnshire Horse and forc't them to retire confusedly having taken two compleate troops marcht forward with Intentions to cause the Parliaments Forces to draw off thereby to relieve New-wark Belvoire Ashby de la zouch with provision to enable them to hold out the longer when they shall be attempted They likewise endeavour the reliefe of Pomfret Castle but my Lord Fairfax is ready with a body to receive him However Sir Marmaduke advances falls on the Enemy and after he had kild and taken diverse hundreds relieves the Castle and returnes to New-wark from thence to Litchfeild that thereby he may make choice either of going to Oxford or joyning with Prince Maurice The King at Oxford takes care to furnish it as also Wallingford and Banbury with all necessary provisions for six moneths and to get a formidable Army into the field this Summer The House of Lords made the Earle of Northumberland and his Lady Governour and Governesse of the Kings Children at Whitehall The Earle of Northampton lying at Banbury with foure hundred Horse fell on the Northampton Horse routed and kild many Major Generall Browne at Abbington sent out severall parties at times who returned very successfull with good store of provisions having kild diverse of the Enemy The Commons conceive the Earle of Essex too mild in the prosecution of the warre he having had such ill successe in the West and began to thinke of New Moddelling the Army to which purpose a Bill is brought into the House for Sir Thomas Fairfax to be Generall They likewise Vote the Earle of Essex to pacifie him 10000 l. per Annum out of Delinquents estates Both Houses Vote Sir Thomas Fairfax a Gentleman descended from a Noble and ancient family to be Generall for the Parliament who with much modesty accepted of it On the first of Aprill he issued out Commissions and on the third of Aprill went privately to Windsor to assist in the New Moddelling of the Army They likewise continued Lieutenant Generall Cromwell a stout Champion for his Country who having received his Commission immediately marcht and found the Enemy and ingag'd them at Ipsley Bridge the Enemies Brigade consisted of the Queens Colonell Wilmots the Earle of Northampton and Colonel Palmers Regiments Routed them kild many took 500 Horse and 200 prisoners together with the Queens Standard and pursues them to Blechingdon-house which Colonel Windebank kept for the King He sends a sharp Summons to the Governour to be speedily answered The Governour doubting of reliefe from Oxford immediately surrenders the House with all the Armes and Ammunition Cromwell immediately slighted the house and sent the Armes to Alsbury For which Windebank was sentenc't by a Councell of War at Oxford to be shot to death The Generall having compleated the Army was at a losse which way he should steere his course either to Oxford or the West Oxford was the Kings chiefe Garrison and there lay the most part of his traine of Artillery which if he could take would be of very great consequence but the distressed estate of Taunton
enemies to the State Petitions were likewise on the other side out of Essex and other Counties presented to the Parliament of their utter dislike of the Armyes proceedings But to close the breach Commissioners are chosen by the Parliament and Army and meete in order to a Right understanding The Parliament order 60000 l. a moneth for payment of the Forces appointed to prevent free quarter Upon his Majesties desire to come neere London the Lords Vote him to come to Otelands so soone as the House can be provided to which the Commissioners consent After his Majesty had been neere five moneths at Holmbey on the fourth of June 1646. neare a thousand Souldiers Commanded by Cornet Joyce came somewhat late to Holmbey and desired to speake with his Majesty it was answered that then it was unseasonable However with much Importunity Cornet Joyce was admitted into his Majesties presence where he tould him he was come by command of the Army to remove him from that place his Majesty replyed it was then too late but in the morning he would speak further with him His Majesty according to his promise came downe in the morning to the Cornet where he was attended by the Souldiers he askt them by what Authority they came there they replyed from the Army He further askt if they came from Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army the Cornet replyed from the Army His Majesty said what if I should refuse to goe with you would you compell me they replyed we hope your Majesty will not refuse but we have command to bring you His Majesty replyed I have these Questions to put to you which if you consent to I will goe with you The first was That he might have no violence offer'd to his person they all unanimously shouted and cryed out none none Secondly He desired that his trunks and papers might not be rifled and tumbled they promised to set a Guard on them and that they should not be toucht Thirdly He requir'd such servants to attend him against whom there was no just acceptions they answered he should Lastly He desired that nothing be Imposed upon him contrary to his Conscience they answered it was not their Judgement to force-any thing against conscience on any one much lesse on his Majesty At one of the Clock his Majesty went along with them The next day the Generall sent a Letter to the Parliament to certifie that he knew nothing of the party that attended his Majesty neither what number nor by what Authority the reason that the party had sent to him he sends up which was that there were certaine persons that intended to take away his Majesty thereby to make a new warre the plot and plotters they were able to prove when call'd thereunto which necessitated them to secure his Majesties person His Majesty was according to his own desire convey'd to Newmarket by this we see clearely that the Greatest in the world are but pilgrims on Earth The Generall and Army Randevouz at St Albones and sent a Letter of his Intentions to come to London with the Army Eleven Members of the Commons House are Impeached by the Army On the 28 of June 1647. His Majesty was brought to Hatfield the Duke of Richmond attending him with many of the old Courtiers Dr Hamond and diverse others of his Chaplains were admitted to read divine service to him according to the Ancient custome of the Church of England The House being Informed of the Duke of Richmond and the Chaplains attendants on his Majesty Order a Letter to be forthwith sent to the Governour for their removall The Generall by Letters certifie the Parliament of his Majesties desire to see his Children and his request for continuance of those persons about him and further to satisfie them that the Army have no treaty with his Majesty nor ayme at nothing more then the setling of the peace of the Kingdome From Hatfield his Majesty was removed to Causum attended by all that waited on him at Hatfield excepting the Duke of Richmond who voluntarily absented himselfe The House according to the Kings request order his Children to goe to him and the Earle of Northumberland to attend them his Majesty was Joyfull at the sight of his Children The Generall being in the presence Chamber was much respected which moved the Princess to aske who it was who being Inform'd it was the Generall she immediately addrest her selfe to him with great civilitie and thankt him for this great happinesse that she then enjoyed the sight of her deare Father effected by him alone which she should ever thankfully acknowledge and endeavour to requite The Generall return'd humble thankes and that what he had done was but the least of those duties he was oblig'd to serve his Majesty and Children in and kissing her Hand withdrew The Eleven Members discharge themselves of their charge and require leave of the House to goe beyond Sea which was consented too Upon the Armyes removing to Bedford his Majesty was brought to Wooborne a House of the Lord of Bedfords with his old attendance The Parliament Order the Militia of London to raise Forces and immediately the Train'd Bands and Auxiliaries are commanded to man the Forts upon Information of the Armyes coming to London Colonell Massey was appointed Major Generall Colonell Poins and others are put into Command The Generall Orders a Randevouz at Hounslow in order to his coming to London thither diverse of the Members of both Houses with the Speaker repaire and consult of Getting the Citie without blood and accordingly a party is sent to face Southwark Fort upon whose approach it was deliver'd up to them The City petitions the Generall The Generall requires all the Forts from Tyburne to the Thames to be delivered up to him that he might Guard the Parliament and secure the eleven Members On the seventh of August the Generall and Army march in triumph through the City most of the Souldiers having Bays in their hatts in token of Victory Immediately Sir Thomas Fairfax is made Constable of the Tower by which he hath power to constitute a Lieutenant and accordingly the Honour was conferd on Colonell Titchburne Massey and Poyns fly over into Holland The Generall presents a Declaration to the House of the Grounds and reasons of the Armyes March The Lords and Commons Null all those Votes that past during the time that the Major part of the House went to the Generall On the twelfth of August was appointed a thanksgiving for the preservation of the City His Majesty was remov'd to Oatlands on the 23 of August he went to Sion to visit his Children and rested that night Upon his Majesties desire he was remov'd to Hampton Court and his Children orderd to be with him Both Houses order the Casting downe of the Workes about the City the maintaining whereof was very chargeable and burthensome The Houses Vote of sending Propositions to his Majesty to which the Scotch Commissioners consent and on the seventh of
which if he refuse the Charge to be taken pro Confesso and the Court proceed to Justice President Requires the King to give a positive answer and either confesse or deny it is offerd in behalfe of the Kingdome to be made good against you for the Authority of the Court they avow it and the whole Kingdome are to rest satisfied with it I therefore require your positive answer The King persisted in his former protest against the Jurisdiction of the Court and that a King could not be tryed by any superior Jurisdiction on Earth and tould them that pretend what they would be stood for their Liberties for if Power without Law may alter the fundamentall Laws of the Kingdome what subject is he that can be secure of his Life or Estate and going to shew reasons why he could not allow them a Court he was Interrupted by the President who tould him they would not allow him to dispute the Authority of the Court desiring a punctuall and direct answer The King I understand Law and reason and therefore under favour I doe plead for the Liberty of the people more then you doe and therefore if I should Impose a beliefe upon any man without reasons given for it it were unreasonable The President againe Interrupted him telling him he might not be permitted to speake of Law and reason there The Vote of the Commons of England assembled in Parliament are the reason of the Kingdome Sir you are not to dispute our Authority and it will be taken notice of that you stand in contempt of the Court and your contempt will be recorded King I doe not know how a King can be a Delinquent by any Law I ever heard of I demand to be heard my reasons if you deny that you deny reason President Sir Neither you nor any man shall be permitted to dispute the Authority of the Court further telling him that if he demurr'd to the Jurisdiction of the Court they sitting there by the Authority of the Commons of England he and all his Predecessors are responsible to them The King I deny it President You ought to disturbe or Interrupt the Court in speaking They have considerd of their own Jurisdiction King I say Sir The Commons of England were never allow'd a Court of Judicature President Sir you are not to be permitted to goe on in these discourses Then the Clarke Read as was Ordered in the painted Chamber requiring the King to answer Upon which the King promised to answer so soone as he knew the Authority of the Court. President If that be all you have to say then take away the Prisoner To which the King reply'd I require to give in my Reasons which the President would not permit The King urges againe to give in his Reasons but the President tould him his Reasons were not to be heard against the highest Jurisdiction To which the King answered shew me the Court where Reason is not to be heard The President againe commands the Prisoner to be taken away who was accordingly convey'd back to S James's The President ordered to record the default On the 23 of January 1648. The Court met againe according to the usuall manner and the Prisoner was brought with his Guard and seated in his Chaire Soliciter Cooke made a formall Speech addressing himselfe to the President and in the Close craved Judgement to be pronounced against the Prisoner The President addresses himselfe to the King and tells him That it was not for him to dispute the Jurisdiction of the supreame and highest Authority of England from whom there is no appeale and further to let him know that the Court was sensible of his delays and that they ought not to be thus trifled with and that they might in Justice take advantage of those delays and proceed to Judgement against him yet neverthelesse by direction of the Court I require a positive answer whether you are Guilty or not Guilty of the Treasons laid to your Charge To which the King reply'd when I was here last I did desire to speake for the Liberties of the people of England but was Interrupted I desire to know whether I may speake freely or not President Sir I must let you know from the Court that you are not to be permitted to run out into any discourses untill such time as you have given a positive answer to the matter that hath been Charg'd upon you The King For the Charge I value it not a rush it s the Liberty of the people I stand for I that am your King and sworne to maintaine the Laws for me to acknowledge a new Court that I never heard of here he was Interrupted Sir you ought not to Interrupt me How I came here I know not there is no Law for it to make your King your Prisoner President Sir you must know the pleasure of the Court. The King By your favour Sir President Nay Sir by your favour you may not be permitted to fall into these discourses The Court once more demands your positive answer Here the Clarke Read the same as before To which the King replyed To give satisfaction to the people of the Clearenesse of my proceedings not by way of answer but to satisfie them that I have done nothing against the trust that hath been committed to me but to acknowledge a new Court against their priviledge or to alter the fundamentall Laws of the Kingdome you must excuse me President Sir This is the third time you have disownd the Court and put an affront upon it how far you have preserv'd the priviledge of the people your actions have spoke it mens Intentions are knowne by their actions you have written your meaning in bloody Characters but Sir The pleasure of the Court is that the Clarke Record your default and you Gentlemen that take Charge of the Prisoner take him away Who was Immediately convey'd back to St James's as accustomd On the 27 of January 1648. The Court met againe in Westminster Hall being in all seventy eight Whose Names were John Bradshaw Sarjeant at Law President Oliver Cromwell Lieutenant Generall Commissary Generall Ireton Major Gen Skippon Lords Thomas Lord Gray of Groby Philip Lord Lisle Colonells Edward Whaly Thomas Harrison Isaac Ewer Thomas Pride Rowland Wilson Richard Ingolshy William Purofoy Henry Martin Hewson Edward Ludlow Robert Titchburne John Huchinson Owen Row Adrian Scroope Robert Lilburne John Harrison Richard Deane John Okey John More William Goffe John Desborough Edmond Harvey Francis Lasseley John Venne John Downes Anthony Stapeley George Fleetwood James Temple Thomas Hamond Thomas Wait. John Barkstead Godfry Boswell Mathew Tomlins Herbottle Morley Knights Sir Henry Mildmay Sir John Danvers Sir William Brereton Sir Miles Livesey Francis Thorpe Sargeant Aldermen of London Isack Pennington Thomas Atkins John Fowkes Thomas Scott Thomas Andrews Esquires Gilbert Millington John Blackstone William Heinington Cornelius Holland Miles Corbet Francis Allin John Carme John Jones Peregrine Pelham John Gowden Thomas
attempt it by Land Captain Burroughs an experienced Commander with a Regiment of foote was ordered for that service who managed it with so much care that a parley was immediately granted the Sea-forces being permitted to goe on shore took such liking to the Spanish wines that they grew disorderd which occasioned the Admirall to prevent further mischiefe to hasten home The Contagion raging in London Michaelmas Terme was ordered at Redding and speciall Instructions were given to the Judges to put in execution the Statutes against Recusants February the 2d 1625. was the day appointed for the Kings Coronation which was performed with all usuall and accustomed solemnity except his passage through London which saved some money the Exchequer being low A Parliament was called and met the 6 of Feb. the Commons began where they left concerning Religion the Lords present the King with a Petion concerning Grievances of their order The King promised speedy redresse Mr Pim of the Commons discovers to the House a Letter and signed to the Lord Mayor of York for reprieving some Priests and Jesuits a Committee is ordered to examine it The King being sensible of the necessities of the Kingdome demands supply and by Sir Richard Weston tells them That the Fleete was returned victualls spent and the men in great necessity for want of pay for which they were ready to mutiny which would be of dangerous consequence and that there were 40 sale ready to goe out which want a present supply that the Army on the Sea-coast wants victualls and clothes with other pressing wants and necessities In stead of a supply Mr Clement Coke a Member of the House of Commons Insolently delivers this It is better to die by a forraine Enemy then to be destroy'd at home The King being advised of it was sensibly troubled at it sends Sir Richard Weston to require satisfaction but they made very slow hast in it which occasion'd him to summon both Houses together and by the Lord Keeper delivers his mind in part to them in a large Speech much in vindication of the Duke which being ended the King spake as followeth I must withall put you in mind of times past you may remember my Father mov'd by your councel and woune by your perswasion brake the Treaties In these perswasions I was your Instrument towards him and I was glad to be Instrumentall in any thing which might please the whole body of the Realme nor was there any one then in greater favour then this man whom you now traduce and now when you find me so far intangled in war that I have no honourable nor safe retreate you make my necessity your priviledge and set what rate you please upon your supplyes a practice not very obliging toward Kings Mr Coke told you it was better to die by a forraine Enemy then to be destroy'd at home Indeed I thinke it is more honourable for a King to be invaded and almost destroy'd by a fortaine Enemy then to be dispised at home The Commons nothing startled at this made a quick reply concerning the Remonstrance the King would have them to dispatch businesse of greater concernment and there would be time enough for that But the Houses thought nothing of more concernment then proceeding against the Duke which gave occasion to the Lord Digby who long'd for nothing more then to exhibit 12 Articles against the Duke The Duke being wary and vigilant had long before provided Articles against Digby though wanting one of the others number which the next day were exhibited in Parliament Many rejoyced at it that by their quarrelling truth was discovered and they were so equally matcht that it was hard to discover which had the better of it But it rested not here for within few dayes the Commons drew up 13 Articles against the Duke presented them to the Lords and sent a message desiring he might be committed Sir Dudly Digs and Sir John Eliot two principall Actors in the Charge were serit to the Tower The House Remonstrate to the King upon which they were discharg'd the Duke having made his defence deliver'd it to the Lords who sequestred him from sitting till the tryall was over The defence was exprest with a great deale of humility and modesty But the Commons having gon so far were resolved to bring it to an upshot drew up a Declaration to back it before the subsidyes at which the King being much Incenst the next day June 15. 1626. he dissolved the House some interceding for some time he replyed No not a minute That very day was the Earle of Bristoll committed to the Tower and Proclamation for burning all Copyes of the Commons Declaration before their dissolution The breaking up of the Parliament was by some charg'd upon the Kings Indulgence toward the Duke The King of France pretending a martiall designe against Italy and the Vatoline craved of King James his ayd at whose request the King promised to lend the Vantgard a gallant Ship of the Navy Royall the Merchants on satisfaction to lend 6 more The Rotchellers being most Hugonets on pretence that the King had not slighted For Lewis according to agreement and taking the advantage of the Advance of the French Army for Italy surprized the Isle of Rhe together with many Ships that were in the Harbour King Lewis understanding of it makes what warlike preparation possibly he could requires ayd of the Dutch King Charles to performe his Fathers promise lends the Ships to King Lewis who together with the French and Dutch Ships fall on Subize the Stasiarch the chiefe Rebell retaketh his strong Holds and chaseth him to the Isle of Oleron King Charles being sensible of his Brothers mis-implying his Ships sent to demand the restitution of them who answered that his subjects detained them contrary to his mind and that he might get them as he could The King not being satisfied with this demand and wifely foreseeing it might occasion a further breach looks home and finds the French who attended the Queene very insolent who Imposed on the Queene a strange kinde of penance viz. That she should goe barefoot from Somerset-House to Tyburn Gallowes to offer up her prayers for Priests and Jesuits there executed for treason For which the King was very much discontented and on the first of January 1626. he came to Somerset-House attended by the Duke and diverse Officers of State all the Queens servants and attendants being the day before summoned to attend he spake as followeth Gentlemen and Ladyes I am driven to that Extremity as that I am personally come to acqucint you that I desire your returne for France true it is the deportment of some amongst you hath been very inoffensive to me but others againe have so dallied with my patience and so highly affronted me that I cannot I will no longer endure it Divers endeavoured to excuse themselves but the King replyed I name none the Queen endeavoured to pacifie the King but it would not
serve for a speciall Order was signed for their departure and sent the Lord Charlton to give his Brother a true account of that action The French King being informed of his Message would not permit him audience but sent Monsieur the Marshall de Bassom Pierre as extraordinary Ambassadour to demand their Restitution who might as well have saved the labour for it was in vaine the King would by no means permit it all the Merchants Ships were stopt by an Imbargo at Burdeux which incenst the King so high that he resolv'd on open wars with France And accordingly in October a Fleete of thirty sail under the Command of the Earle of Denbigh and the Lord Willowby set out which by a violent storme were very much damaged and forc't to return Anno 1626. dyed the Reverend Prelate Bishop Andrews a man very well skil'd in the Orientall Languages truly pious and devout Three hundred thousand pound was borrowed by Loane toward the Reliefe of Rotchell which was then intended to be besieged by the Duke of Guiz. On the 27 of June the Duke with six thousand horse and foote and ten of the Navy Royall assisted with ninety Merchant men set sale for Portsmouth and published a Manifesto of the Kings undertaking for the reliefe of the Protestants Sir John Burroughs with divers Gentlemen of quality and 1200 Souldiers landed in the Isle of Rhe who were received by the French valiantly which by their valour made it hard to distinguish who had the better The Duke perceiving the backwardnesse of the French to engage lands his horse and sends Sir William Beecher with 500 foote and some horse to the reliefe of Rotchell Upon their approach to Sr Martins Towne the Inhabitants immediately fled into the Castle The Duke being possest of the Towne raised batteries against the Castle where after he had laine before it two moneths without doing any considerable hurt and by poysoning their springs had almost inforc't them to yield had not Monsieur Balon at high water by twelve Pinaces in the dead of the night supplyed their necessities and on the 29 of October Marshall Schomberg at Port dela Pree landed 4000 foote and 200 horse who facing the besiegers put them to a great fright whereupon they resolve to rise be gon and in their retreat had diverse skirmishes The French with fury fell in on the reare of my Lord Mountjoys Troops who endeavouring to fly routed our own party which the Enemy perceiving pursue with violence We lost in that Encounter neere 2000 common Souldiers and 50 Officers prisoners of note 35. besides 100 common Souldiers which the King dismist out of respect to his Sister But the Duke being returned with those few scattered Troops the King resolves speedily to besiege Rotchell endeavouring to gain the Towne by famine built three Forts and drew a line toward the Land with many Redoubts within Musket-shot of the Town and by the Advice of Cardinall Ritchlew made a Huge Boone or Barachado a-crosse the Chanell almost 1500 yards in length leaving a small space for the ebbing and flowing of the Sea The Rotchellers perceiving their utter ruine approaching send over Deputies into England to solicite the King in their behalfe who promised what assistance he could The Kings necessities were at that time very great wanting almost what ever was necessary for a warre He resolves to summon a Parliament to meete on the 17th of March 1627. March 17. 1627. the Parliament met Sir Jo. Finsh was chosen Speaker And thus the King speaks to them My Lords and Gentlemen The 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 speedy consultation No man is I conceive such a stranger to the common necessities as to expostulate the cause of this meeting and not to thinke supply to be the end of it and as this necessity is the product consequent of your advise so the true Religion the Laws and Liberties of this state and Just defence of our freinds and allies being so considerably concern'd wil be I hope argument enough to perswade supply for if it be as most true it is my duty and yours to preserve this Church and Common-wealth 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 accasions you doe 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 some particular men might hazzard to lose Take not this as a menace for I scorne to threat my inferiours but as an admonition from him who is tied both by nature and duty to provide for your preservation and I hope though I thus speake your demeanour will be such as shall ablige me in thankfulnesse to meet you oftner then which nothing shall be more pleasing to me Remembring 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 advise lately inculcated to maintaine the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace The Parliament being deeply affected with the necessities of our neighbour Protestants and freinds in eminent danger forthwith granted five subsidies with unanimous consent Secretary Cooke brings the news to the King who wept for joy and bid him tell them he would deny them nothing of their just liberties Immediatly the House fall upon the peoples libertyes and vote that no freeman be imprisoned by King or Councell without legall cause alledged They draw up a petition to this effect 1. That no person be compeld to make give or yeild any gift loan benevolence tax but by common consent of Parliament 2. That no freeman be imprisoned or detained of his liberty but by the Laws of the Land 3. That the souldiers and mariners be removed from billiting and the people eased for the time to come 4. That martial Law be revoked Which petition was presented to which his Majesty gave a speedy answer with plenary satisfaction and withal told them he having done his part if the Parliament have not a happy conclusion the sin was theirs he was free Which answer was received with great acclamation and Joy The House having fared so well fall a ripping up of old fores and drew up a Remonstrance which reflected upon the Duke at which the King stood amazed They likewise were drawing a Bill against Tunnage and Poundage which the King would by no means permit On the 26 of June the King prorogued the Parliament to the 20 of
October and in his speech made an ample illustration of his concessions to the petition of right which by some was accounted a great failing And now a 3d Fleet is reasdy at Portsmouth for the releif of Rotchel The Duke was very diligent in preparation when on the 23 of August 1628. the Duke having prepared himselfe to wait on the King who made that in his progresse cal'd for his breakfast the Duke comes downe from his chamber to a lower parlour where taking leave of Sir Tho. Frier one of his Colonels Just as he was going in one Felton stabd him to the heart with a knife which the Duke took out but the effusion of the blood was so great that he died instantly the Earl of Cleveland and others that were within hearing reported that the murtherer seconded his blow with these words The Lord have mercy upon thy soul The murtherer imediatly went into the Kitchin the report throughout the house was wher 's the murtherer which he misconstrued her 's the murtherer suddenly starting cried I am he who was imediatly secured and hardly escaped the fury of the servants The King was at his devotion when the news was brought who was not in the least startled at it The commons rejoice at it and by this means hoped of a freer and more permanent correspondency betwixt the King and people which the event suddenly shewed The Dukes body was inter'd the 25 of September at Westminster at the charge of his Executors Felton was arraigned at the Kings bench-bar who upon examination confest That the only motive that induced him to the fact was the late Remonstrance of the Commons and that he could not sacrifice his life to a nobler cause then by delivering his Country from so great an enemy He being found guilty was hanged at Tiburne and his body afterwards sent to Portsmouth to be hanged in Chaines This tragicke act nothing hindred the Fleets motion which by the personal industry care of the King set fail from Portsmouth the 8 of September 1628. the Earl of Linsey being Admiral and being arived at the mouth of the haven found that monstrous Boone and Baracado finished which was designed by Cardinal Ritchlew a cross wind suddenly arose beat them back with great confusion which the Rotchellers beholding from the bulwarks imediately set open the gates and submitted themselves wholly to the King who entred the 8 of October and found onely four thousand remaining of twenty two thousand the Fleet upon the news returned home safe A Proclamation was proclaimed against Papists The 20 of October the Parliament met divers complaints and petitions were exhibited touching the seising of marchants goods for Tunnage and Poundage The King had notice of it summons them to the banquetting house and thus speaks The occasion of that meeting was a complaint made in the lower House for staying some merchants goods for denying Tunnage and Poundage which difference might be soon decided were his words and actions rightly understood for if he did not take these duties as appendixes to his hereditary prerogative and had declared he chalenged them not of right and onely desired to enjoy them by the gift of his people why did they not passe the Bill as they promised to him to clear his by-past actions and future proceedings especially in this his time of so great necessity Therefore he did now expect they should make good what they promised and put an end to all questions emergent to their delay Two Committees were appointed one for Religion the other for civil affairs that for Religion report that upon due inspection they find it in a very tottering and declining condition The other report that many marchants had had their goods seised for not paying the customes of Tunnage and Poundage being then against the Petition of Right and priviledge of Parliament for which Sr Jo. Worsham M. Daws M. Carmarthen Farmers of the Customes were required to give an account The King intervenes and tels the Parliament that what they did was as men addicted to his command neither were they commissionated to take it as a due debt but he presumed the Parliament would performe their large professions and grant it by bill They replyed the Farmers did it without warrant the warrant being only to levy and collect not to seize for the Bill they desired his pardon being to insist on matters of Religion first The King requests them to forbeare prosecuting these men and intimated that what they did was by his warrant The House in great discontent adjourned for some few dayes and being met again they resolved upon a Remonstrance which the Speaker refusing to read and offering to rise Mr. Hollis held him and swore he should fit there so long as they pleased which not prevailing Mr. Hollis read these ensuing Articles as the Protestation of the House 1. Whosoever should bring in Innovation of Religion or by favour seek to introduce Popery or Arminianism or other opinions disagreeing from the true and orthodox Church shall be reputed a Capitall enemy to the Kingdome and Common wealth 2. Whosoever shall councell or advise the taking and levying the subsidies of Tunnage and Poundage not being granted by Parliament or shall be an actor or instrument therein shall be reputed a Caitall enemy to this Common-wealth 3. If any man shall voluntarily yeild or pay the said Subsidies of Tunnage and Poundage not being granted by Parliament he shall be reputed a beirayer of the Liberties-of England and an enemy to the Common-wealth At which the House gave a great shout The King advised of it sent the Usher of the blacke rod to dissolve the Parliament who would not be admitted Sir Miles Hobert lockt the door The King incensed at their contempt sent for the Captain of the Pensioners and the Guard to force a passage the members fearing the issue slunk away The King went presently into the House of Lords and delivered his mind as followeth My Lords I never came here upon so unpleasing an occasion it-being the dissolution of a Parliament therefore you may have some cause to wonder why I should not rather choose to doe this by Commission it being a generall Maxim of Kings to leave harsh commands to their Ministers themselves onely Executing pleasing things yet considering that Justice consists as well in reward and praise of vertue as punishment of vice I thought it necessary to come here to day to declare to you and all the world that it was meerely the undutifull and seditious carriage of the Lower House that hath made the dissolution of this Parliament and you my Lords are so far from being causes of it that I take as much comfort in your dutifull demeanour as I am justly distasted with their proceedings yet to avoyd mistakings Let me tell you that it is so far from me to adjudge all that House guilty that I know there are many there as dutifull subjects as any in the World it being but
some few Vipers among them that cast this mist of undutifulnesse over most of their eyes yet to say truth there was a good number there that could not be infected with this contagion in so much that some did expresse their duties in speaking which was the Generall fault of the House the last day To conclude as these Vipers must look for their reward of punishment so you my Lords must justly expect from me that favour and protection that a good King oweth to his loving and dutifull subjects And now my Lord Keeper doe what I command you who in the Kings name dissolv'd the Parliament The Parliament being dissolv'd the King sets forth a Declaration of the Causes Grounds and Motives that caused him to dissolve them together with an account of all the Transactions of this and the last Parliament Not long after the King sent for ten of the last Parliament to appeare at the Councell Table viz. Mr. Hollis Sir Miles Hobert Sir John Eliot Sir Peter Hayman Mr. Selden Mr. Stroud Mr. Correton Mr. Valentine Mr. Long Mr. Kirton who having been examin'd by the Lord Treasurer some were sent to the Tower some to the Gate-House others to the Fleete which afterward begot a very high controversie in Law The Queen being affrighted was before her time delivered of a Son who was baptized Charles which lived not above two houres The States of Venice sent over an Ambassadour to mediate for a peace betwixt us the French which was concluded in eight Articles and confirmed with solemn Oaths on both sides Two great Reasons were given for the Kings suddaine consent to a peace the one was the ill successe and bad fortune that alwayes attended his warlike designes the other and maine the sinews of war being dried and shrunk up the Exchequer was very barren Peter Reuben the famous Painter of Antwerp came over into England and made overtures of a peace with Spaine by offering the restitution of the Palatinate then which nothing was more desirable of the King but he had not full power to performe On the 29 of May 1630. the Queen was deliver'd of her second Son who was baptized the 27 of June at St James's with all Princely ceremony and named Charles which caused great rejoycings and acclamations among the people excepting the Puritan party At his birth a Star appeared visibly at noone day just as the King went to St Pauls Church to give thankes where he was presented with these Verses When to Pauls-Cross the Gratefull King draw nere A shining Star did in the Heavens appeare Thou that consults with divine Mysteries Tell me what this bright Comet signifies Now is there borne a valiant Prince i' th West That shall Eclipse the Kingdoms of the East The King being deeply sensible of his brothers miseries and being informed of a Diet at Ratsbone sent Sir Robert Anstruther Ambassadour to the Emperour and Estates in Germany to mediate in his brothers behalfe to which the Emperour return'd Answer that no forraine businesse was to be medled withall at the Diet but as soone as possibly he could he would doe that which might be for his Honour and he hoped to his Majesties content upon which the Ambassadour returnes One Layton a Rigid Presbyter who published a book call'd Zions Plea in which he excited the Parliament and People to kill all the Bishops Very abusive also to the Queene calling her the Daughter of Heth a Canaanite an Idolatresse was sentenced in the Star-Chamber to have his nose slit his eares cropt and stigmatized in the forehead which he for some time prevented by an Escape out of the Fleete but being taken underwent it The Peace betwixt England and Spaine was at last concluded the Articles being the same in effect with those that were betwixt King James and Philip the Third excepting that the King of Spaine should dispose of all his Interest in the Emperour toward the restitution of the Palatinate which was proclaimed Sunday the 27 of November 1630. with Great solemnity Aprill the 25. 1631. Mervin Lord Audley Earle of Castle-Haven was arraigned at the Kings-Bench Bar before Thomas Lord Coventry who for that day was appointed Lord High Treasurer of England he being found Guilty of Rape and Sodomy was by his Peeres condemned and Executed the 14 of May at Tower hill And on the 27 of June following Mr. Broadway and Fitz Patrick servants to and concriminaries with the Lord Audley were tryed at the Kings-Bench-Bar and being found Guilty the one of Rape the other of Sodomy were condemned and on the sixt of July were executed at Tyburne The Queene was the 4th of November 1631. deliver'd of her eldest Daughter who was baptized Mary December 2d 1632. The King was visited with the small Pox but by Gods blessing soone recovered Anno 1632. The Church of St Paul which by the pious zeale of our Auncestors was raysed to that huge bulke that all Christendome was not able to paralell being through age decayed was by the piety of his Majesty the Bishops the Nobility Gentry and Commonalty of the Nation begun to be repaired and a very great progresse was made therein but the unhappy differences of the Nation ensuing caus'd its obstruction Anno 1633. The King having been often solicited to goe into Scotland in order to his personall Coronation on the 13th of May he sets forward with a Princely Traine most of the English Nobility all the Scots that attended here and on the way was very Nobly treated by diverse of the Nobility and Gentry ospecially by the Earle of Newcastle at Welbeck On the 10 of June he came safe to Edenborough where he was Crowned with all outward seeming affection and on the 20 of July return'd safe to the Queen at Greenwich In the beginning of August dyed the Reverend Prelate George Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury William Laud then of London immediately succeeded him October the 13th 1633. the Queen was delivered of her second Son who was baptized James and on the 24 of the same moneth was by Letters pattent created Duke of York The King taking into his Princely care the Irreverend and remisse service of God in the Kingdome of Scotland sent Orders to be observed by the Deane of his Chappell as in England 1 That prayer be said twice a day according to the English forme 2 The Sacrament to be administred once a moneth and to be received Kneeling 3 That he which Officlates on Holy dayes doe it in his Surplice Which though backt with a Letter requiring exact obedience the Deane durst not performe for feare of discontenting the people The King by the Advice of the Bishops and Councell Reviv'd his Fathers Declaration for tolerating Lawfull Sports on the Sunday which gave great distast to the people especially to the puritanicall party On the second of February being Candlemas day at night the King and Queene were entertained at White Hall with a Mask of the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court The
like was never in England seene before for State and Magnificence and afterward were Royally entertained by the Lord Mayor of London with a stately Feast and Banquet 1634. The English Coast was much perplext with Pirates of severall Nations and the Kings Dominion in the narrow Seas evidently usurped by the Dutch and defended by Grotius in his book Entituled Mare Liberum which was exactly Answered by the Learned Selden in his Book Entituled Mare Clausum The Exchequer at that time was very much drained The King having tyed himselfe up by granting the Petition of Right could not tax or levy money without consent of Parliament and how to expect it from them with whom he had parted so fouly he could not imagine He declares his Intentions to his Attorney Noy together with the Necessity of raysing money but desires it to be done Legally who after much study and paines finds out an ancient president of raising a Tax for setting forth a Navy in case of danger without a Parliament The King was very glad of it Writs were Instantly Issued out to the Sea-port Townes to raise money for a certaine number of Ships well provided for the safety of the Nation they complained that it equally concern'd the whole Nation upon which a Tax was laid throughout the whole Kingdome every one endeavoured to excuse it and some alledged it was against the Petition of Right it being done out of Parliament which begat a great quarrell Great Contest happened in Ireland this yeare between the Protestants and Papists which occasioned the Lord Strafford then Lord Deputy to summon a Parliament for the raysing of moneys for the payment of the Army and the Kings Revenue which was managed with so much wisdome and prudence by the Lord Deputy that he obtained his desire There was likewise a Synod called wherein the Articles of 1615 were repealed and the 39 Articles of the Church of England established in their room they did likewise unanimously declare their consent and agreement with the Church of England in the profession of the same Christian faith The Scots were now Hatching mischievous designes against the King which they colour'd with specious pretences as The Kings endeavouring to Intrench on their Liberties and after some time were so Insolent as to charge the King with favouring of Papists in a desperate Libell which by the care and diligence of the Lords of the Councell was supprest the Author was discovered to be one Hagge and the principall abettor the Lord Bellamore who being found Guilty received the sentence of death but upon his application to the Kings mercy was pardoned The 29 of September by the procurement of the Earle of Arundell one Robert Parr aged 160 was brought to London one of the wonders of this last age In November following the Prince Elector came to London to tender his respect to his Uncle and to solicite touching his restitution and not long after came his second Brother Prince Robert On the 28 of December 1635. was borne the Kings second Daughter and was the second of January baptized Elizabeth March the sixth William Juxson Lord Bishop of London was made Lord Treasurer a man of great Piety and Integrity At this time if ever might England be said to be in a happy condition the Church the most Glorious and splendid that ever was since the Apostles times the Civill Government managed by a King who for piety and morality was not Inferiour to any in the Christian world Incompassed about with peace on all sides what mortall would ever have imagined that this bright Sun-shine of Felicity should be so soone Eclipsed William Land Lord Archbishop of Canterbury taking notice of the carelesse observance of the Ecclesiasticall Canons which he strictly put in practice in his solemne Visitation and in his zeale gave order for the Removing of the Communion Table to the East end of the Church upon an ascent and to be rayled In to prevent profanation which gave great distast to the puritan party who charg'd him with Innovation 1636. In July set forth the Kings Royall Fleete to scowre the Seas of Pirates and to prevent the Intrenching of the Hollander in Fishing upon our Coasts which was effected but by their humble Request the King Indulgently Granted them Liberty In September the Earle of Arundell was sent Extraordinary Ambassadour attended by a Noble Traine to the Emperour to solicite in behalfe of the Prince Elector who being wearied with delayes return'd in a discontent The unhappy Controversie of Ship-money began now to be disputed The Writs for raysing Ship-money having been formerly Issued out divers refused to pay among the rest Mr. Hamden of Buckingham-shire by wilfull default refused and desired it might be argued in Law which occasioned the King to write a Letter to Sir John Brampston Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench Sir John Finsh Lord Chiefe Justice of the Court of Common Pleas Sir Humphry Davenport Baron of the Exchequer and to the rest of The Judges of the severall Courts to know their opinion who joyntly and severally gave their opinion that it was Lawfull upon which Processe is immediately Issued out against Mr. Hamden who demurr'd and desired the Judges opinion which was argued in the Exchequer the Major part was for the King onely Judge Crooke and Judge Hutton seemed to favour the other party but Judgement was past by the Barons against Hamden On the 17 of March 1636. was borne Anne the Kings third Daughter In June following Mr. Prin Dr Bastwick and Mr. Burton three violent and restlesse spirited men were sentenc'd in the High Commission Court for seditious and scandalous Libells by them made and disperst against the Bishops and their Ecclesiastical Government which sentence was by some accounted harsh and severe The King knowing the necessity of a mutuall Compliance in matters of Religion and understanding his Fathers Intention in composing a Liturgy for the Church of Scotland Orders the Bishop of Canterbury the Bishop of Ely together with diverse other Bishops of both Nations to revise and correct as they should think meete the Service Compiled in his Fathers life time which very little differ'd from that of England orders it to be sent to the Councell in Scotland to be made use of When on the 23 of July 1637 the Dean of Edenborough began to read the Book in St Giles Church a suddain uproar began by the women and baser sort of people The Bishop appointed to preach goes into the Pulpit hoping to convince them of their Irreverend Carriage which nothing prevailed for they were the more Insolent flinging stones stooles and what ever else came next to hand so that he hardly escaped with life Diverse other Churches were likewise Infested with the like fury and madnesse but by the Industry of the Archbishop of St Andrews Lord Chancelour and other Magistrates the tumult was appeased some were afterward apprehended and endeavours made to finde out the first beginner But it rested
not here for not long after it was observed that a great concourse of people from all parts of that Kingdome came to Edenborough which occasioned the Lords of the Councell to put forth severall Proclamations to prevent the like disorders but they nothing prevailed for the next day the Bishop of Galloway going to the Councell was followed by a great multitude railing and reviling him untill he came to the Councell-doore where he was no sooner enter'd but they beset the House with very great multitudes threatning destruction to all that were within The Councell immediately require ayde of the Provost and other Magistrates of the City who returne answer that they were in the like danger The tumult still increasing they of the City were forc't for the safegard of their own lives to subscribe as followeth 1. To joyne in opposition to the Service-Book and to Petition against it 2. To restore Ramsey and Rollock two silenced Ministers 3. To receive in Mr Henderson formerly silenced Which being signed the Councell thought was a good step to suppresse the tumult but entring into the High street The Lord Treasurer and other Lords were afresh assaulted trodden under-foote and brought back by violence to the Councell-House where being in great danger they require ayde of diverse Noblemen disaffected to the Common-prayer-book who promised what assistance they possibly could and in the end return'd home safe In the afternoon proclamation was made at the crosse of Edenborough for prevention of the like disorders but to smal effect some Citizens demanding the restitution of the Ministers and the performance of what was subscribed Suddenly two petitions were presented against the Common-prayer book and the Composers and Abettors of it which petitions were sent to the King with the narrative of the whole who immediatly sent instructions for adjourning the Tearm to Sterling a strong place and to make proclamation of severe penalties to be inflicted on the breakers and contemners of the peace which was no sooner proclaimed but the Lord Hume Lindsey and divers others protest against it and in contempt of Authority compeld the Heralds to hear the Protest or Covenant read all which being imparted to the King he sends Marquesse Hamilton as high Commissioner to settle peace and a right understanding who dealt treacherously and deceitfully trifling away eleven moneths time having three times returned to and again for England and at last published the Kings gracious Proclamation nulling the Service book and high Commission promising an Assembly to be held at Glascow Novem. 21. 1638. and a Parliament at Edenborough the 15. of May 1639 but this nothing satisfied for the more the King granted the more averse they were During the treaty the Covenanters had provided Officers Armes and what was necessary for a war The General Assembly being met they proceed to declare against the Book of Common prayer which occasioned the Bishops to draw up a protest against their proceedings and in conclusion by the Unanimous consent of all the Councel excepting Argile the Assembly was dissolved Proclamation was made and published throughout the Nation shewing the grounds and reasons of their dissolution which proclamation was opposed by the Covenanters with a protestation to adhere to all their former Covenants to put by all the Bishops Some they excommunicate and not long after totally abolished Episcopacy as being as they pretended inconsistant with the word of God and Lawes of that Nation Which occasioned the Marquesse and Commissioners to returne for England seemingly much discontented In the interim the Covenanters began to raise Armes Levy souldiers Impose taxers upon the people seize some of the Kings Castles raise fortifications and prepare for a war and chose David Lesley an old souldier to be General Toward the latter end of October 1638. came the queen mother into England many of the Common people were troubled at it as being generally by them lookt upon as a forerunner of a greater mischiefe The Scots are very high and insolent assuming all authority and invent new and unheard of Judicatures in defiance to the King and Councel and having cast of Episcopal Jurisdiction declare for the Calvinistical presbyterian Government which for a long time had bin hatching in that Kingdome but could never take head till then The King to suppresse their insolency by the advise of the Bishops prepares an Army which they contributed very largely to and being backed with the assistance of the Nobility and Gentry a considerable force is raised the Earle of Arundell being made Generall The King on the 17 of March the day of his Inauguration advances against the Scots The Scots hearing of the Kings advance march forward under the Conduct of their Generall David Lesley to meet him with Petition in one hand and their Armes in the other and on the 28 of May both Armies came within view The Scots after some time sent to treat about a pacification the King willingly consented to it and for the English were chosen the Earls of Holland Pembroke Salishury and Barkshire and Sir Henry Vane for the Presbyterian Covenanters the Earle of Rothes and Dunferling Lord Louden Douglas Archibald Johnson and Alexander Henderson Who after much Consultation conclude Articles of pacification on both sides which were signed the 18 of June Which Articles were as follow On the Kings part 1. His Majesty to confirme what his Commissioners promised in his name 2. That a Generall Assembly be called to sit at Edenborough August 6. 3. That a Parliament be called and sit at Edenborough the 20 of August 4. That he recall all forces by sea and land and restore all ships arristed and detained since the pretended Assembly at Glascow upon the Covenanters disarming and dishanding of their forces dissolving their tables and restoring to the King all his castles forts and ammunition and releasing all the persons lands and goods then under restraint since the pretended Assembly at Glascow This to be done by declaration On the Covenantes part 1. All the forces of Scotland to be disbanded within forty eight houres after publication of the Kings declaration 2. They to render up after the said publication all Castles Forts Ammunition of all sorts so soone as the King should send to receive them 3. They to hold no meetings treatings or consultations but such as are warranted by act of Parliament 4. They to desist from all fortifications and these to be remitted to the Kings pleasure 5. They to restore to all the Kings subjects their lands liberties houses goods and meanes taken or detained from them since the first of Feb. last Notwithstanding the declaration the Scots are stil averse and draw up a Protestation of sticking close to the late Generall Assembly at Glascow and to their solemne Covenant and perfidiously broke all their Articles of agreement continue their meetings neglect slighting the fortification and continue their officers in pay which with many other insolencies compeld the King to consider of reducing them to
obedience The King fummons his Privy Councel who conclude a Parliament to be called the 13 of April 1640 and for the present each of the Councel except Hamleton who pretended poverty subscribed large Contributions for the carrying on of the war untill such time as the Parliament should convene which was a leading card for the rest of the Nobility the Judges and others The Scots being informed of the Kings Preparation for a war sent the Lord Dunferling Lord Louden Sir Will. Douglas and M. Markham as Commissioners to represent the affaires of their transactions which were friendly received by the King and he well hoped that all differences might be composed with lenity and gentlenesse but it could not possibly be for during the treaty most of the Nobility that wisht well to the Kings interest in Scotland are imprisoned procured old souldiers out of Holland made divers fortifications required ayd of the King of France and by colouring their designes with the pretence for Religion and the cause of God they had gained a very strong party here in England By this time Episcopacy was totally extirpated in Scotland and the Presbyterian Contagion began to reigne here in England The Bishop of Canterbury a man learned pious and devout though unseasonably zealous was by the vulgar lookt upon as a great freind and favourer of Popery by reviving ancient Ceremonies in the Church and service of God which gave great occasion of discontent to the more precise and godly party On the 13 of Aprill 1640. the Parliament began and were composed for the most part of persons of Honour affectionate to Religion and their Country onely some sew violent restlesse spirited men that endeavoured to represent all the transactions of the King in the most ugly colours The King laid before them the treacherons designs of the Scots and demands 12 subsidies Mr. Pim and divers other members made long speeches reciting the greivances both of Church and State which were very many for it is with Government both Ecclesiasticall Civil as it is with watches that how good and excellent soever they be length of time disorders them they urge that there was never more need of redressing grievances and that would be the onely way to procure the Subsidies required The King promised to redresse the grievances afterward The King seeing them very backward concerning the Subsidies which his pressing necessities call'd for on the sift of May came into the House and dissolv'd the Parliament using Civill Language protesting that he would governe as much according to Law as if a Parliament were constantly sitting yet Mr Bellosis and Sir John Hotham were committed for speeches a small time and Mr Crew Chaireman to the Committee for Ministers was committed to the Tower for refusing to discover some Petitions presented to the Parliament The Convocation now sitting had formed an Oath for maintaining their Hierarchy as the Scots on the other side had Covenanted for the destruction of Episcopacy for which they were much blamed by many good men They likewise granted a large Contribution of 45. in the pound for six years to be assest on all the Clergy of England toward the carrying on of the Scotch war which was lookt upon as Illegall being without consent of Parliament And now the English in Imitation of the Scots began in a rude manner to assault the Archbishop of Canterbury as they did the Archbishop of St Andrews conceiving him to be the onely man that advised the King to break up the Parliament and on Munday the 16 of May 1640. a great number of rude disorderd persons meet together and goe to his house at Lambeth beset it but he being forewarned had sufficiently provided for his own safety Some of the principall were apprehended and committed to the White Lyon in Southwarke which not long after was violently by the multitude broke open and the prisoners discharge One of the Principall Riag-leaders was afterwards apprehended and condemned to be hang'd drawn and quartered to terrifie the rest The King being in want applyes himselfe to the City for supply but they being discontented at the last dissolution pretend poverty a likely thing after so many yeares of peace plenty and prosperity as they had enjoyed under his Government besides they are a little troubled at the questioning of their London-Dery Lands in Ireland by the Star-Chamber They Gentry were generally more free and afforded large Contributions by which meanes the Army began to Muster the Earle of Northumberland was appointed Generall and the Earle of Strafford Lievtenant Generall but both being indispos'd in health the King resolved to goe himselfe in person In July 1640. The Queene was delivered of a Son who was baptized Henry August 20. 1640. The King advances toward the North the Army having rendevouzed some dayes before whether being come he was informed of the sad disaster of a defeate given by Lessly to 1200 Horse and 3000 foote under the Command of the Lord Conway who were lest to secure the passe over the River Tine nere Nuburne as likewise Sir Jacob Astley Governour of Newcastle quit the Towne after he had sunck all the Ordinance as being no way tenable By this time the Earle of Strafford was recover'd and came to his command much troubled at my Lord Conways loss which Conway stoutly alledg'd was neither through neglect nor oversight Yet notwithstanding the Covenanters had a Check in their own Country Lesley having left some superfluous Ordnance at Dounse which the Garrison of Warwick being advertised of adventure forth and did seaze them which allarum'd the Earle of Haddington who with 2000 horse and foote pursue and with a very sharp Encounter rescue them which were carried back to Duglasse The Earle being at dinner the next day with diverse Knights and Gentlemen in a roome over the Magazine of Powder in the midst of their mirth they were suddenly blowne up whether by easualty or on purpose it was not known In September following the King was at Yorke presented with a Petition subscribed by eleven of the English Nobility To which he made Answer as followeth Before the receipt of your Petition his Majesty well foresaw the danger that threatens himselfe and Crowne and therefore resolveth the twenty-fourth of this moneth to summon all the Peeres and with them to consult what in this case is fittest to be done for his own honour and safety of the Kingdome where they with the rest may offer any thing that may conduce to these ends And accordingly they were by Writs from the Lord Keeper summoned to attend the 24 of September Great were the sufferings at that time of the Northerne Counties for Lesley the Scots Generall had imposed a tax of 350 l. per diem on the Bishoprick of Durham and 300 l. per diem on Northumberland on penalty of plundering and likewise seaz diverse English Ships laden with Corne in Newcastle Road as lawfull prize On the 24 of September the Lords assembled at Yorke
where it was resolv'd that a Parliament should assemble the third of November following and to desire a speedy Treaty with the Scots at Yorke the Scots replied it was no way safe for them by reason that my Lord of Strafford Generall of the Kings Army had proclaimed them traytors in Ireland before the King had done it in England he being an utter Enemy to them and one whom they did Intend to Impeach At last Rippon is the place agreed on The Commissioners on both sides are Chosen The Scots present their demands to this purpose 1. To confider how their Army should be maintain'd till the Treaty be ended and their peace secured 2. If more Commissioners be required they may be convai'd with safety 3. All Intercourse of Letters betwixt them and the Parliament to be convai'd with safety 4. That there may be a free correspondency of Commerce with Newcastle especially for Victualls Which Proposalls at first seem'd very hard to the English who thought it more reason first to provide for their own Army but the Conquering sword decides the Controversie The English must yeeld to the Scots unreasonable demands After many meetings of the Commissioners at last in thirteen Articles they agreed upon a cessation which was signed by the King the 16 of October but the Grand Treaty was by their supplication to the King appointed at London and in the meane time all acts of Hostility to cease At that time the Earle of Montrosse who had acted all along with the Covenanters began to discover the treacherous Designes of the Scots and now plainely saw that they meant nothing lesse then what they pretended viz. The Honour of his Majesty and the preservation of Religion as alwayes the vilest actions are covered with the most specious pretences yet was so wise as not presently to discover himselfe but from time to time advertiz'd his Majesty of the proceedings which Letters by Hambiltons advice were taken out of the Kings pockets transcribed and sent to the Covenanters who dissembled it to the Earle but cast durt in his face raising frivolous aspersions endeavouring to make him odious to the people Great was the Expectation of the whole Kingdome for the happy meeting of the Parliament and every small obstruction was lookt on as a great Impediment many Good men hoped for the redresse of Grievances others waited to spit that venom which they had a long time contracted In November 1640. the Parliament began where the King in a Gracious Speech declared his earnest desire for the happinesse and prosperity of the Kingdome giving an account of the Scotch war and desired them as he promis'd he would to lay aside all prejudice and he would now clearely and freely put himselfe upon the love and affection of his English subjects desiring them to consider the best way for the safety and security of the Kingdome of England and in order to it for satisfaction of their just Grievances wherein he would heartily concur that the world might see his Intentions were to make this a Glorious and flourishing Kingdome freely leaving it to them where to begin and concluding That it should not be his fault if this were not a good and happy Parliament Many Members made long Speeches about Grievances as Sir Ben Ruddier Mr. Grimston Mr. Pim Sir John Clotworthy and others which were backt by diverse other Members Their first businesse was to Vindicate distressed Ministers diverse were inlarged and restored to their former Livings Many Petitions were presented from most parts of the Kingdome for Redresse of Grievances The Lords complaine that the priviledges of their House were broken because the Earle of Warwick and the Lord Brooks had their Studies and Cabinets searched The House discharged Mr. Prin Mr. Burton and Dr Bastwick out of prison and Voted Mr. Burton 6000 l. damage Mr. Prin and Dr Bastwick 5000 l. a piece Mr. Denzill Hollis not many dayes after was sent from the Commons to the Lords to Impeach the Earle of Strafford of High Treason Mr. Pim made a report to the House what Capitall Crimes were objected against him upon which in fourteen Articles he is Charg'd by Mr. Pim. The Earle is forthwith sequestred the House and committed to the Black Rod. On the 18 of December Bishop Wren and Bishop Laud are Voted by the Commons Guilty of High Treason and a Charge was immediately brought in against Bishop Laud upon the Reading of which he is order'd to the Tower but upon his request was respited for two dayes Sir Francis Windibanke principall Secretary of State fled and not long after him my Lord Finsh one that had been very Active for Ship-money which was then Voted Illegal and most of the Judges were Voted Delinquents The Parliament began to strike a terror into all that had any way offended or had been violent in action both in Church and State In December Alderman Penington with a great multitude out of London for now it was customary for Petitioners to come in great numbers Petitioned the House against Episcopall Government and other Ceremonies of the Church of which a Committee was appointed to consider The Armies in the North lay heavy upon the Kingdome which moved the House to allow 100000 l. toward their present pay and the money to be borrowed of the City of London untill the same be raysed by subsidy The King summons both Houses together to the Banqueting House and declares himselfe not satisfied with their slow proceedings and the Great Charge of maintaining two Armyes next of the low condition of his Navies and Forts whereby his enemies are encouraged and his friends disheartned and likewise tooke notice of diverse strange Petitions presented to the House against the Government of the Church he told them he was content with a Reformation not an alteration of Church-Government He tooke notice of a Bill preparing in the House for frequent Parliaments to be elected by the Sheriffes without his consent which he could by no means admit of it being an Inseparable right of his Crowne and did freely confesse that frequent Parliaments were the best means for preserving a right understanding betwixt him and his subjects These were the two principall rocks he would have them avoyd Not long after arrived the Dutch Ambassadour to negotiate in behalfe of a Match betwixt the Prince of Orange and the Lady Mary the Kings eldest daughter which the King thought fit to Impart to the Parliament they for the present doe nothing in it but proceed to the drawing up the Bill for a Trienniall Parliament which being past by both Houses was the 16 of Feb. presented to his Majesty for his consent To whom he declares himself reminding them that this was one of the two rocks which he formerly tould them of and that the Consequence of it was such that never Bill past the House of more favour to the subject then this minding them that by reason of their proceedings he might justly question the doing it
and took notice how they had taken the Government all in pieces how that a skilfull Watch-maker to clense his Watch will take it asunder and when it is put together it will goe better provided no pin be omitted Now I have done this on my part you know what to doe on yours reposing Great Trust and confidence in your affection The passing of this Bill was by wise men thought to be none of the least of his failings Judge Barkly was by the Usher of the black Rod arrested as he sat on the Kings Bench for high treason Thomas Earle of Strafford was next brought upon the stage the Articles exhibited against him were from 14 made 28. and on the 22 of March 1640. his Triall began The place appointed was Westminster-Hall where scaffolds were raised on both sides nine degrees in height The two uppermost for the Scotch Commissioners and the Irish Lords In the midst in a lower ascent sat the Peeres of the Realme a Throne also was erected for the King but he never appear'd publiquely but was every day of the Triall in a Close Gallery to heare and observe the whole proceedings and took notes The Earle of Arundell was Lord High Steward and the Earle of Linsey Lord High Constable The Charge was principally managed by Mr. Glin and Mr. Maynard both Members of the Commons House fifteene dayes together was the Earle arraigned and gave in his answer to every particular Charge The Commons Charge him afresh by Mr. Pim concerning some Notes taken by Secretary Vane which were discover'd by his son of his telling the King be had an Army in Ireland which his Majesty might Imploy to reduce this Kingdome to obedience He is againe call'd to the Barre and Mr. Glin and Mr. Pim endeavour to prove him Guilty by Law They extend his Crimes and make him as Odious as possible they can The Earle moves for Councell which the Peeres could not in reason deny The Commons oppose but after three dayes contest the Peeres prevaile Councell is assign'd him viz. M. Lane The Princes Atturney Mr. Gardner Recorder of London Mr. Loe and Mr. Lightfoote and Saturday the 17 of Aprill was appointed for him and his Councell to appeare where his Councell argued his case in Law that day they adjourn not appointing any time for their next meeting The Commons House Vote him Guilty of high Treason upon the evidence of Sir Henry Vanes notes which Bill of Attainder was sent up to the Lords which in their House was much opposed Some few dayes after Mr. St John The Kings Soliciter was sent by the Commons to the Lords to Justifie the Bill by Law which accordingly was by him performed in Westminster-Hall The Earle being present and The King in his accustomed place The Peeres in their House proceed to Condemnation The King having notice of it on the first of May Calls both Houses together where he declares that he had been present at the whole Triall and that in Conscience he could not condemne him of high Treason He likewise in Vindication of the Earle declares 1. That he never had any Intention to bring over the Irish Army nor ever was advised by any body so to doe 2. That there never was any debate before him either in publick Councell or private Committee of the disloyalty of his English subjects And that though he could not in Conscience condemne him of high Treason yet he could not cleare him of misdemeanours He desired them to consider what a tender Conscience was and that to satisfie his people he would doe much but in this of Conscience neither fear nor any other respect should make him goe against it He desired them to find out some middle way and was of opinion that for misdemeanours he thought him not fit to serve him or the Common-wealth in any place of trust no not a Constable This speech gave much discontent to both Houses Sunday May the second The Prince of Orange was married to the Lady Mary at White Hall with Great solemnity and triumph The next day diverse seditious persons had stirred up the multitude to the number of 5000 or 6000. who in a Tumultuous manner came arm'd to Westminster crying out for Justice to be executed on the Earle committed outrages on divers Lords but by faire promises of my Lord Chamberlain they were appeased They likewise posted at Westminster Hall Gate and the Exchange a Catalogue of those that opposed the Bill of Attainder under the title of Strafordians The fift of May a Motion was made in the House for a loan of 650000 l. to be Lent till it was Levied by Subsidy provided the King would pass a Bill not to adjourne prorogue or dissolve this Parliament without the consent of both Houses upon which Motion a Bill was order'd to be drawne up The Lords by advice of the Judges Vote the Earle Guilty of the 15 and 19 Articles And at a Conference of both Houses it was ordred That some Lords be sent to the King with the two Bills one for executing the Earle The other for continuance of this Parliament which accordingly was done on Saturday and The King promised his answer on Monday All the Sabbath day he was much perplext within himselfe The Clamours of the multitude were great he sends for the Judges to advise summons the Privy Councell and with them spends much time in arguing the Case sends for five Bishops viz. London Lincolne Carlile Durham and Bishop Vsher who for Law wholly remit him to the Judges and for Conscience he having heard the whole proceedings if he conceiv'd him Guiltlesse he ought not to condemne him The Judges in part satisfie the King by declaring that he was Guilty of high Treason The Earle himselfe that day writ a Letter with his own hand To set his Majesties Conscience at Liberty humbly requesting him to prevent such mischiefes as might ensue upon his refusall to pass the Bill and That his consent herein should acquit him to God more then all the world beside Munday the 10th of May his Majesty being wearied with complaints granted a Commission to the Earle of Arundell Lord Privy Seale Lord Chamberlain and others to pass the two Bills The next day being much afflicted in his spirit he wrote to the Lords and sent it by the Prince wherein he requests That although he had past the Bill of Attainder against The Earle yet desir'd to shew mercy by letting that unfortunate man to end his life in Close Imprisonment but if no lesse then life can satisfie my people I must say Fiat Justicia The Postscript was If he must die it were Charity to reprieve him till Saturday The House returnd answer that his request could not possibly be admitted without apparent danger to Him his Wife and Children On Wednesday the 12 of May he was brought from the Tower to the scaffold on Tower-hill attended by Bishop Vsher where he made his last Speech to the people Protesting his Innocency in
pleasure which by the Chancelour of the Dutchy he declares his utter dislike of the numerous multitude coming in that rude manner and desires care may be taken to prevent the like for the future assuring them of his care and protection And the same day the King sent to the City the Commons Petition for a Guard to defend them from a malignant party now prevalent which Petition the King denied promising them in the word of a King That his care for their security should be as great as for his wife and children and if that wauld not serve their turne he would appoint a Guard of such as he would be answerable to God for Proclamation was made against the Irish Rebells and the King desires the two Houses to enter into Debate concerning reliefe and proposes that 10000 Volunteers be raised and sent over if the Commons will pay them The King being inform'd of a designe carried on by diverse Members of the House of Commons which held Intelligence with the Scots endeavouring to subvert his Authority and the better to carry on their designes countenanced the Tumults in the City causes Sir William Killigrew and Sir William Fleming to goe to the Chambers and Studies of diverse Members of the House of Commons to seale up their Trunkes and to seize on their papers as the Lord Kimbolton Mr Pim Mr Hamden Mr Deuzill Hollis Sir Arthur Haselrig and Mr Stroud but none of their persons could be met with they presently make report to the House who immediatly Vote it a breach of the priviledge of Parliament and that it shall be lawfull to make resistance and to require the ayde of a Constable to keepe such persons endeavouring to seize on any member till the further pleasure of the House On the third of June the King sent his Atturney Sir Edward Herbert to demand the five Members and sent a Sergeant at Armes to charge them with Articles of high treason and with them the Lord Mandevill the Earle of Manchesters second son which Articles were these 1. They endeavoured to subvort the Government to deprive the King of his Legall power to place on the subjects an Arbitrary and tyrannicall Power 2. They had endeavoured by foule aspersions upon his Majesties Government to alienate the affections of his people from him 3. That they endeavoured to draw his Army from his obedience to side with them in traiterous designes 4. That they traiterously invited and encouraged a forraine Power to invade his Majesties Kingdome of England 5. That they had traiterously endeavoured to subvert the very rights and beings of Parliaments 6. That they had endeavoured by force and terrour to compell the Parliament to joyne with them in their traiterous designes and to that end have actually raysed and countenanced tumults against the King and Parliament 7. That they traiterously conspir'd to Levy and actually have Levied war against the King The 4th of January 1641. The King attended with diverse Gentlemen came to the House-door he onely enter'd the House of Commons seating himselfe in the Speakers Chaire demands five Members of that House to be delivered to him Their names were Sir Arthur Haselrig Mr. Denzill Hollis Mr. Pim Mr. Hamden Mr. Stroud The King finding they were not there for they were absent by appointment of the House rises from the Speakers Chaire and tells them he was very sorry for that occasion and that no King ever was nor should be more carefull to preserve the priviledges of Parliament then he should be that those five Members were dangerous men he protested in the word of a King that he never intended any force but to proceed against them in a Legall way he expected they would send them so soone as they came into the House The King is no sooner gone out of the House but they are in a great confusion crying out Priviledge priviledge and the next day Voted the Kings coming to the House a breach of the priviledge of Parliament The King made Proclamation the next day for their apprehension which the day following the Commons Voted illegall and scandalous The day after he had been at the House be went in his Coach to London being inform'd they were fled thiher where all the way as he went the Citizens and others flock'd about his Coach desiring him not to Infringe the priviledge of Parliament Upon his returne one Walker flung into the Kings Coach a seditious pamphlet entituled To your Tents O Israel for which he was apprehended The Gentlemen of the Inns of Court offered their service to the King as a Guard a smal Court of Guard is built at White-Hall-Gate and some Gentlemen entertained Within two dayes after a great multitude came out of London in their accustomed manner to Petition against Bishops and in their passage by White-Hall using menacing tearmes which the Gentlemen not brooking some small mischiefe was done At Westminster they offered violence to diverse Bishops which caus'd 14 of them to draw up a Protest against the proceedings of the House The Commons resent it ill and Vote them Guilty of High Treason The City Petition the King concerning the putting of persons of Honour out of the Tower and placing others in their roomes and of the Great preparations in the Tower of the fortifying White-Hall and withall desire that the five Members may not be restrain'd nor proceeded against but by consent of the House to all which his Majesty gave an answer Two thousand Petitioners came out of Buckingham-shire to Petition the King in the behalfe of Mr. Hamden their Country-man desiring that he and the rest of the five Members may injoy the Priviledges of Parliament which moved the King to send to the Parliament that for the present he would wave his proceedings against the five Members The multitude not being content with the destruction of Bishops they openly demand the Liturgy of the Church to be abolished condemning the use of all set-formes of prayer The Pulpits every where sounded aloud that now was the time that the Israelites should plunder the Egyptians and that the Just should wash their footsteps in the blood of the ungodly and publickly exhorted the people to take up armes against the Kings Evill Councell as they calld it and to destroy all such as joyned with them and to this effect these following Texts of Scripture were pressed by the zealous Ministers Luke 19.27 Those mine enemies that would not that I should Raigne over them bring hither and slay before me Judges 5.23 Curse ye Meroz Curse ye bitterly the Inhabitants thereof because they came not to help the Lord against the Mighty Jer. 48.10 Cursed be he that doth the work of the Lord deceitfully and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood Thus there was no way for Reformation in these mens accounts but to pluck up and to destroy and all for the Love of God and for the advancement of the Kingdome of Jesus Christ The great multitudes still
which they answer'd with a Petition moving him to accord with his two Houses they likewise set out a Declaration for the safety of Hull promising satisfaction for all damages sustained On the 11 of June 1642. The Parliament Vote that an Army shall be raised for the defence of King and Parliament and the Earle of Essex to be Generall The King according to his former Intentions with an Army of 3000 foote and 1000 horse Intends to besiege Hull by Land and made Proclamation that none on paine of death carry any provisions into Hull Hotham being Inform'd of the Kings advance summons a Councell of War which resolve to hold the King play with their Ordinance till the tide came in and then to draw up their sluces which accordingly was performed with much damage to the Kings Souldiers Hotham likewise sends to the Parliament requiring 500 men for the safety of the Towne and provisions Upon which by command of the Parliament Drums are beaten p in London and other adjacent Counties for Volunteers to goe immediatly to Hull and within a week 500 men and more were sent by Sea under the command of Sir John Meldram to assist Sir John Hotham The King calls a Councell and resolves to break up the siege By this time the Earle of Warwick was possest of most of the Fleete for the service of the Parliament and they were in a considerable way to raise an Army by the assistance of that mass of money and plate that was brought in for it is almost Incredible with what zeale and affection by the Ministers perswasions the people were willing to be rid of their Treasure every one vying who should contribute most nay the women and maidens spared not their Rings Thimbles and Bodkins for the advancement of the cause The Earle of Essex with much prudence raiseth a considerable body of horse and foote The Earle of Bedford was Voted to be Generall of the Horse Collonell Goring eldest Son to the Lord Goring was sent down to Portsmouth by the Parliament but suddenly he declares for the King The King being return'd to York summons the Gentry and requires their assistance for the raising of a Regiment for the Princes Guard to be commanded by the Earle of Cumberland The Parliament declare against the Commission of Array Vote it Illegall on the other side the King being Inform'd of the Earle of Essex his raising an Army proclaimes hm a Rebell and a Traytor to the King and his Crowne and that all Collonells and other Officers under his Command that shall not Instantly lay downe their Armes are Guilty of High Treason And likewise Commands the Marquesse of Hartford to raise what Forces he could to suppresse him Great was the Contest almost in every County betwixt the Parliament Commissioners and the Commissioners of Array In some Counties the Kings party prevailed in others the Parliaments London the Great Metropolis was not exempted for Sir Richard Gurney then Lord Major was committed to the Tower for causing the Kings Commission of Array to be read and was by the Lords deprived of his Majoralty never to beare Office in City or Common-wealth and to continue prisoner during the pleasure of the House The King being at York publisheth a Grand Declaration of all the proceedings from the beginning of this Parliament to this present time concluding with a solemn Protestation of his affections to Parliaments and the peace and happiness of the Kingdome and within few dayes sends a Message to the Parliament taxing them with borrowing 100000 l. out of the Adventures money for the reliefe of Ireland to which they returne a speedy answer The King in person moveth from place to place On the 22 of July he made a Speech to the Gentry in Leicestershire on the 4th of August to the Gentry in Yorkshire and that war might not want its solemnity on the 20 of August he sets up his Standard Royall at Nottingham and by Proclamation requires the ayd and assistance of all his Subjects on the North side Trent and within twenty miles Southward thereof for his just defence and that whosoever shall supply him with money and plate he as God shall enable him will repay and reward accordin gto the measure of their love and affection to him and their Country On the 25 of August 1642. from Nottingham the King sends a Message to both Houses by the Earles of Southampton and Dorset and Sir John Culpepper for a treaty of peace and that an equall number may be chosen to meet where they should appoint that there may if possible be an accommodation out of a deep sense of the Calamities that attend the Kingdome To which they answer That untill he recalls that Proclamation which proclaimes them Rebells and takes down his Standard they will by no meanes heare of it To which he replyes That to remove all scruples that may hinder the Treaty by him so much desired so that a day be appointed by the Parliament for revoking their Declarations against all persons as traytors assisting him he will with all chearfulness on the same day recall his Proclamations and take down his Standard and likewise promised to grant any thing that should be for the good of his subjects assuring them that his greatest desire was to get a right understanding To which they humbly answer and petition that his Majesty would take down his Standard withdraw his Declarations and leave his Forces and returne to the Parliament and receive their faithfull advice of whose reall affection he need not to doubt Within few dayes the King sends a second reply That he could neither doe nor offer any more then he had already and that he should think himselfe cleare fromany blood that might be spilt in this quarrell The Parliament give encouragement to the well affected that what moneys they should lend should be satisfied out of Delinquents estates and declare that whosoever shall returne from the King to the Parliament within ten dayes shall be pardoned excepting the Duke of Richmond the Earles of Newcastle Cumberland Bristoll Rivers and Carnarvan Mr. Edward Hide Endimion Porter Secretary Nicholas Vicount New-wark Vicount Haltland The Parliament being Inform'd that the Queen was soliciting the States of Holland to contribute Armes and Ammunition for the King send Mr. Walter Strickland a Member of the House over into Holland with Credentiall Letters They likewise drew up a Declaration to the States of Holland to satisfie them of their whole proceedings Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice in September arrive in England and offer their service to their Uncle who were immediatly put into Command Prince Rupert with a small body of Horse flew up and downe through diverse Counties and gained a considerable body together The King himself moves though with a slower pace and had gotten a great number together marches to Shrewsbury a place of great concernment as being the Inlet to Wales where he orders a Mint to melt down the plate which
was largely contributed by the Gentry and offers the Crowne Lands in Morgage to ease the Country of the burthen of taxes and free Quarter The Earle of Lindsey is chosen Generall for the King and the Generall Rendevouz of his Forces was appointed at York The Earle of Essex Generall for the Parliament appointed a Rendevouz of all the Parliament Forces at Northampton being about 20000 Horse and foote who gave stirct Charge to restraine all prophaness and disorders in their Army He divided his Army into severall bodyes to prevent the Roving of Prince Rupert and to find out the King from Northampton he marches to Coventry thence to Warwick Worcester was possest by Sir John Byron a skirmish happened betwixt Prince Rupert and Mr. Fines Collonell Sands Captain Hales and others Thus the Prince came out of Worcester into a greene Meadow resolv'd to fight those he could first meete withall The passage to the Meadow was narrow Collonell Sands being over-valiant Charg'd with his Regiment before the rest could come up both sides being equall in number fought with Great resolution but the prince fearing the Generalls approach retired into Worcester though with some loss in the Reare being pursued through the Towne by the Parliaments Forces Collonell Sands and Sergeant Major Duglaas were slaine at the first Charge There was found dead in all thirteen person The Prince marcht immediately to Ludlow and the King with some horse marcheth into Wales and made a Speech full of protestations to the Gentry of Denbighshire and Flintshire and returnes to Shrewsbury where his strength much increased being 16000 foote and 5000 Horse and Dragoones Both Armies think of providing winter Quarters Collonell Essex with two Regiments of foote is appointed Governour of Glocester but not long after was order'd to Bristoll The towne being divided and hearing of his coming began to mutiny but he had a party which opened the gates to him in the night and surpriz'd the Mutiners Upon Essex Removall from Glocester Collonell Massey was appointed Governour The Earle of Essex sends horse and soote to the Lord Wharton to make a body to prevent the Cavaliers going to Wollverhampton The King being at Shrewsbury summons the County to bring horse and carts for his removall who marches neer Coventry and that night lay at Southam The King so exceedingly increased in strength that he caused feare in those at London who order all the trained bands of London and the adjacent Counties to be in readiness and to set up Posts and Chaines in all the passages into the City and order twelve Companies out of London for the security of Windsor Castle The Parliament Vote that it was and should be lawfull for all Counties in England to enter into a mutuall association for the defence each of other The danger that the Parliament apprehended was reall for the King had gotten between the Earle of Essex and London and they conjectur'd it more fesable forhim to attempt London then fight the Army Yorkshire at that time abounded with Cavaliers commanded by the Earle of Cumberland Sir Francis Wortley Sir Marmaduke Langdale and Sir Thomas Glenham In Cornwall there was a considerable strength for the King who were commanded by Sir Ralph Hopton In Wales they began to body besides the Army the King Commanded and a great body of horse commanded by Prince Rupert The King with an Army of 14000 foote and 4000 Horse and Dragoones came on Saturday the 22 of October within six miles of Keynton and quarter'd his Army at Crepeda and Edghill The Earle of Essex quarter'd at Keinton with his Army On Sunday the 28. both Armies draw up in a body The King having the advantage of a high hill called Edg Hill at the foote of which was a vale call'd the Vale of the red horse where Essex his Army was drawne up upon a Rising Ground in Battalia three Regiments of horse on the right wing commanded by Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Belford and the Lord Fielding Sir John Meldram commanded the Van the Generall Collonell Hollis and the Lord Brooks in the Reare on the left wing twenty Troops of Horse commanded by Sir James Ramsey The Earle of Lindsey was Generall for the King but the Battaile was order'd by the Lord Ruthen Earle of Forth The Generall on foote led on the maine body of the Army with a pike in his hand The Earle of Essex shewed personall Valour till he was disswaded not to expose himselfe to danger and so retir'd to the body The Forlorn on the Kings side was commanded by Major Backstake and Captain Hamond who being come downe to the bottom of the hill charg'd the Parliaments Forlorn which was no sooner done but the Kings Canons began to play Prince Rupert Generall of the Horse Commanded the Right wing Charg'd furiously the Left wing of Essex his Army and Routed them pursuing them to Keinton Towne tooke the Carriages the Earles Waggons and Cloak-bag being too Eager of the plunder The Earle of Lindsey being too adventurous was kil'd and by reason of the absence of Prince Rupert the maine body of the Kings was assaulted with great fury and his Standard taken Sir Edmund Varney the Standard-bearer being kil'd which was afterwards retaken by an unknown person and convey'd away The foote on both sides Charge with equall Valour untill the night came on which parted the fight Both Armies continue in the field all night and the next day the King made Proclamation of pardon to such as would lay down their armes and submit The Victory was much disputed both sides returning thanks to God for Victory Indeed there was reall signes of Victory on both sides by the taking of Colours and Canons of equall number And although the Parliament lost more men yet the King lost more men of quality The number of the slaine was computed to be between five and six thousand The Kings Army drew off toward Keinton and the Earle of Essex withdrew toward Warwick In Examining the Earle of Essex his Cabinet they discover'd one Blake that attended the King to be Treacherous by holding a Correspondency who was immediatly condemn'd by a Councell of War and hang'd in the high way On the Parliaments side were slain of note the Lord St John Collonell Ch. Essex Lieutenant Collonell Ramsey The Parliament take care to recruite their Army by giving Liberty to apprentices to serve their time in the war which occasion'd very many to leave their trades and repaire thither They likewise solicite the Scots to raise and Army for their own defence The King on the other side sends a Declaration to his Councell in Scotland Stating the quarrell betwixt him and his Parliament requiring their assistance The King and Prince Rupert repaire neer London with a flying Army which occasioned the Parliament to provide for their own safety The Earle of Essex likewise drew neer to the City quartering his men at Acton and the places adjoyning The Kings Artiffery with some Troopes of Horse
body of the Kings Horse fell on a party of Horse commanded by Sir Philip Stapleton who received the Charge with much resolution and beate the Enemy up to their maine body The fight continued till neer night The London Trained bands and Auxiliaries behaved themselves with much Valour and resolution The number of the dead was not certainly known There were diverse persons of quality slaine and wounded on the Kings side as likewise diverse Colours were taken and sent up to London Collonell Massey from Glocester moves up and downe with a party of Horse and doth much mischiefe to the Kings Forces The Kings forces Garrison all round about Glocester a party of the Kings Horse and foote rove up and down and seaze upon diverse good booties But the Kings maine body was orderd toward Reading which was then besieged by Essex Arundell Castle having been 28 dayes besieged by Sir William Waller was deliver'd on Conditions The King in December 1643. summons the Members of both Houses to appeare in January following at Oxford to advise in setling the peace of the Kingdome where on the 22th of January they meet at the Great Hall in Christ-Church where his Majesty declar'd That if he had the least thoughts of disagreeing with the happinesse of this Kingdome he would not advise with such Councellers as they were The Lords sat in the Upper Schooles the Commons in the Great Convocation House There were assembled the Prince the Duke of York Cumberland Fr. Cottington Treasurer Ed. Littleton Keeper of the Seale the Duke of Richmond and Marquesse of Hartford 19 Earles 18 Lords 126 Knights and Gentlemen beside a Great quantity of Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen imployed in his Majesties service in the severall parts of the Kingdome Their first work was to endeavour a peace to which purpose a Letter is sent to the Earle of Essex which he communicates to the House at Westminster On the 16 of January 1644. The Scots Army consisting of 18000 foote and 2000 Horse enter England by the way of Newcastle and set forth a Declaration of the justness of their Cause the Lawfulness of their Call New-wark having been three weeks besieged by Sir John Meldram with an Army of 7000. Prince Rupert with a body of 4000 Horse and Dragoones and 1000 foote raises the siege The Lord Fairfax and his Son Sir Thomas goe on victoriously in the North and in severall Encounters gave diverse defeats to the Earle of Newcastles forces The Parliament at Oxford having sat from January to Aprill and done no great matter the King after a Speech prorogues them to the 8 of October and afterwards by Proclamation till the 9 of November The Queen went from Oxford toward the West of England in order to her going over into France was attended the first dayes journey by her two eldest Sons and many of the Nobility The King in presence of the Peeres at Oxford received the Sacrament from the hands of Bishop Vsher using these solemne Protestations My Lords I espie here many resolv'd Protestants who may declare to the world the Resolution I doe now make I have to the utmost of my power prepar'd my soule to become a worthy receiver and may I so receive comfort by the blessed Sacrament as I doe intend the Establishment of the true reformed Protestant Religion as it stood in its beauty in the happy dayes of Queen Elizabeth without any connivance at Popery I blesse God that in the midst of these publick distractions I have still liberty to communicate and may this Sacrament be my damnation if my heart doe not joyne with my lips in this Protestation The Countesse of Darby held out Latham House against a considerable force of the Parliaments for neer 18 weeks The besiegers hearing of Prince Ruperts advance for the Countesses reliefe drew off from the siege upon which they sally out and did great Execution upon the Enemy The Parliament at Westminster Vote it treason for any Member of either House to desert them and goe to the King and the Member or Members so doing never to be receiv'd more into the House In June 1644. Collonell Massey summons Malborrough which was commanded by Collonell Hen. Howard who refusing to deliver it up to him causes a Great battery and with some Great Ordinance forc't his passage who with much Courage enters the Towne put the Enemy to flight and took above a hundred prisoners Sir William Waller with a body of Horse and foote attends the Kings motion from place to place and neere Crepida bridge the Kings Horse faced Sir William and Charg'd them through and through kill'd 150 men and took all his Traine of Artillery together with diverse considerable Officers prisoners The King presently marches to Bath with intent to follow the Earle of Essex who was gone that way On the 23 of July 1644. he came to Kingsmore and by the first of August came to Liskard some few miles distant where he encompast the Earle of Essex his Army his Majesty and Prince Maurice at Boneke on the one side Sir Richard Greenvill in Bodnim and Sir Jacob Astley at Hall The Kings Souldiers were very desirous to fight but it was thought more convenient to keep them up from provisions In eight dayes attendance very little was performed but some small skirmishes of Horse a party of 1500 foote was sent West to prevent all provisions coming that way Essex his Army marcht toward Foy leaving most of their great Pieces behind them the King followed and fell in upon the reare forc't them to retire in disorder and had not night prevented in all probability the whole Army had been destroyed The next morning Early the Earle of Essex quit his command and went by boate to Plimouth They require a Parly and chose Collonell Barkley Collonell Whichcot and Collonell Butler on the Parliaments party On the Kings side Prince Maurice the Lord Generall and the Lord Digby in eight Articles the agreement was made to deliver up all their Artillery with all their bag and baggage no person under the degree of a Corporall to weare any kind of weapon all Officers above onely sword and pistoll There were accordingly deliver'd up 49 Pieces of Brasse Ordinance 200 barrells of powder with bullet and match proportionable 9000 Armes for Horse and foote some thousands of the common Souldiers were immediately upon their desire entertain'd in his Majesties service Essex endeavoureth to excuse it to the Parliament as if by reason of Wallers not pursuing the Kings Army Yet notwithstanding this Great Victory the King sends a Message to both Houses of Parliament for a peace and likewise a Letter to the Earle of Essex to the same purpose The Nobility likewise subscribe a Letter to the Earle of Essex The King from Tavestoke sends another Letter to both Houses for an accommodation but the Parliament were so averse that nothing could prevaile The Parliament at Oxford met againe but unfortunately they fell into divisions and factions
then close besieged by the Kings Forces ballanc't the scale and at a Councell of War it was resolved to relieve Taunton The King at that time was in a condition to take the field and had sent severall Dispatches to that purpose Sir Thomas Fairfax on the first of May advances with the whole Army first to Blauford then to Salisbury excepting that party of Horse and Dragoones Commanded by Lieutenant Generall Cromwell and foure Regiments of foote which were ordered to joyn with him The King taking the advantage of the Armies march into the West draws forth his Artillery from Oxford and began to gather into a considerable Body Lieutenant Generall Cromwell and Browne were orderd to attend him but being too few in number to engage The Generall by the Committee of both Kingdomes was commanded back all but a Brigade for the Reliefe of Taunton which were neer 5000 foote and 2000 horse who march without any impediment till they came within ten miles of Taunton where they discharged ten pieces of Ordinance to give the Enemy notice of their arrivall The Enemy being inform'd that the Generall and the whole Army were within ten miles prepare to draw off upon which Blake made a sally out and fell upon the reare kild and took diverse Colonel Wildon sends a party of Horse who approach to the walls for the Enemy had quit it The viewing the Towne was one of the saddest spectacles that ever eyes beheld it being almost consum'd by fire and the people almost starv'd The Generall and most of the Army being come back to Newbery were met with an order of the Committee of both Kingdomes immediately to lay close siege to Oxford Cromwell and Browne that attended the King were commanded back to assist in the work and after fifteen dayes surrounding the Towne it was by a Councell of War thought altogether Inconvenient to continue the siege the Kings Army unattempted in the field which the Generall presents to the Committee The King Horses most of his foote and moves up and downe and taking the Advantage of the Scots advance toward Westmorland and after he had relieved Chester comes on and faces Leicester Prince Rupert sent a Summons to the Towne offering quarter to the Souldiers Townsmen and Countrymen The Committee and Officers within desire till next morning to returne their answer The Trumpeter no sooner comes to the Kings Army but immediately a Drum is sent to require an answer in a quarter of an houre which while they were debating in the Towne the Kings Canons from the battery began to play and all were commanded to their Charge in order to a storme the Contest continued a day and a night with a great deale of Resolution on both sides In some breaches they came to push of Pike On Saturday at three of the Clock they enterd the Towne and in hot blood many were put to the sword some plunderd On the other side Colonel Massey with 2000 Horse and foote having laine two dayes before Evisham storm'd the Towne and took it with the Governour and twenty Officers 500 foote 120 Horse with all the Armes and Ammunition The Commons order six hundred men to be sent for the security of Portsmouth There came news from the West that Generall Goring Sir Ralph Hopton and Sir Richard Greenvill had joyned together and falne upon that party that had relieved Taunton and forc't them to retire to Taunton in great disorder Upon the news of the taking of Leicester the Commons order that the straightning of Oxford be turned to a close siege Lieutenant Generall Cromwell was orderd toward Ely to prevent the Kings breaking into the associated Counties they like vise order the Earle of Leven to advance with the Scots Army and to joyne with Colonel Vermuden to prevent the Kings going Northward But upon second thoughts the Commons order the Generall to raise the siege at Oxford and to take care to preserve the associated Counties and fight the King The Generall on his removall viewed Bostoll House and ordred a party to besiege it He likewise sent a party of Horse and foote Commanded by Colonel Rainsborough to summon Gaunt House The Governour upon the first summons return'd answer that he liked not Windebanks Law but the next day Rainsborough having provided all things ready for a storme the Governour caused a parly to be beaten and surrenderd upon Quarter Lieutenant Generall Cromwell moving up and downe in Cambridge-shire Huntington and Ely managed his businesse with so much discretion as that he was able to have raised an Army of 12000 men to assist him in following the King But leaving those Counties in a posture of defence he marches toward the Generall with 600 Horse and Dragoones The King sends a party of Horse and faces Northampton he himselfe being at Harborough with the maine Body The King sends 1200 Horse with good store of Cattell and sheepe to Oxford which immediately returne Sir Thomas Fairfax came with the Army to Wotton thence to Glastenborough within five miles of Burrough hill where the Kings Forces were all drawne up in a readinesse The Generall for the Parliament advances from Gilling to Naseby endeavouring to ingage the Enemy the scouts discover that they were at Harborough and great bodyes of Horse appeared on the hills nigh Harborough he orders a Randevouz of the Army neere Naseby and to put them in such a posture that should the King advance toward them they might having the advantage of ground receive him By this time the Kings Army advances endeavouring to get the winde which occasioned Sir Thomas Fairfax to draw off the Army into a large fallow field toward the Northwest of Naseby which was defended on the right hand with a Hedge a place very convenient for a battell January 13. 1645. the King draws off from Burrough hill the scouts bringing Intelligence of the Parliaments Army approaching took up their quarters in Naseby Ireton with a flying party of Horse fell upon the flanke of the Enemy kild some and took diverse prisoners which so allarum'd the King that he posts to Harborough for better security summons a Councell of War and considerd that should they draw off and march to Leicester if the reare were ingaged the whole Army might be in danger and they could with no safety march with the Van till the Reare was secured whereupon it was resolv'd to give battell which was the most fatall and destructive to the King that ever hapned since the first beginning of the quarrell yet many of the principall Officers endeavoured to perswade to avoyd fighting The King Commanded the maine body The Right wing was Commanded by Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice The Left by Sir Marmaduke Langdale The Right Hand Reserve by the Earle of Lindsey and Sir Jacob Astley The Left by the Lord Bards and Sir George Lisle Sir Thomas Fairfax Commanded the maine Body Lieutenant Generall Cromwell the Right Wing Ireton the Left Prince Rupert falls in on the
Left wing Routs them pursues them to Naseby Towne and being too eager of the plunder lost the King the day for in his absence Lieutenant Generall Cromwell Charges furiously on the Kings Left Wing and forc't them to retire from the body Sir Thomas Fairfax with the maine body advances falls on the Kings body who received them with much Valour and courage Great Rallyings there was on both sides and for a long time the battell was fought with Equall Courage but it pleased God to give the Victory to the Parliaments Forces for upon their Rallying they recovered Courage and Charged with greater fury forcing the Kings Forces to fly and had the pursuite of them within two miles of Leicester which is neere fourteen miles They left behind them all their traine of Artillery bag and baggage many were slaine 4000 taken prisoners 200 Wagons 3000 Horse many Officers of note On the Parliaments side about 1000 Officers and Common Souldiers diverse Officers wounded Great were the successes of the Parliament in diverse places In the field was taken the Kings Cabinet of Letters which were sent up to the Parliament and by them published The Marquesse of Winchester held out Basing House for the King a long time after it was besieged The Parliaments Forces despairing of gaining it drew off This was the last pitcht Battell that ever the King fought The King with some forces fled to Leicester and not conceiving himselfe safe by reason of the Parliaments forces advance goes to Ashbe de la Zouch where after he had rested himselfe a small time in the dead of the night went to Litchfield and so into Wales Sir Marmaduke Langdale fled the same night to New-wark Munday the 16 of June the Parliaments Generall and Army comes before Leicester The Generall summons the Governour immediately to deliver the Towne with all the Armes and Ammunition the Lord Hastings being Governour returnes answer that he would not deliver it but hold it out to the last man which occasioned the Generall to Issue out Warrants to summon the Country to bring in Ladders and things necessary for a storme And on the 17 of June they began to storme the Governour perceiving the danger sends a Trumpet to desire a parly for the delivery of the Towne which was concluded in then Articles and the next day the Towne was delivered up In it was 14 piece of Ordinance 30 Colours 2000 Armes 500 Horse with diverse other necessaries for warre The King returnes for Hereford with 2000 foote that Major Generall Gerhard had raised in Wales for him and posts over Severne toward Bristoll Prince Rupert following him with 3000 Horse Sir William Brereton in Shropshire sell on a party of the Kings routed them and took 300 prisoners Not long after Sir Thomas Glenham Governour of Carlile for the King having been a considerable time besieg'd and having no hopes of Reliefe delivers up the Towne on honourable Conditions Sir Thomas Fairfax marches with the best part of the Army to the Reliefe of Taunton then besieged by Goring At that time there was in the West a multitude of Rude people called Clubmen who declaring for the King did great mischiefe to diverse of the Parliaments Garrisons they boldly Capitulate with Sir Thomas Fairfax at Dorchester and desire safe passage for such as they should appoint to goe both to the King and Parliament in order to an Accommodation Sir Thomas civilly sends them an answer which not answering their expectation and fearing to oppose so potent an Army they draw off in discontent not without doing some mischiefe to the Governour of Linne then for the Parliament Upon the news of Sir Thomas Fairfax his arrivall within a dayes march of Taunton Goring draws off his forces the besieged sally out and forced the reare to retreate in disorder upon the Enemies flight the Army advances falls upon the Reare and took diverse prisoners They still pursuing at last engaged Goring at Langport whom they worsted and put to flight having taken diverse Colours some Armes and Ammunition The Generall returnes with the Army and resolves to besiege Bridgewater and having staid some time till supplyes came he closely begirts the Towne summons the Governour who returnes a resolute answer being every way well fortified and provided The Generall resolves to storme it on Munday the 22 of July 1645. Which accordingly was performed with much Resolution but the enemy within being nothing daunted fling Granadoes and other combustible stuffe to the prejudice of the besiegers The Generall the next day sends a Message telling them that their deniall had wrought in him no thoughts of Compassion but onely to women and children who might otherwise suffer by the Governours obstinacy and accordingly diverse Ladyes and Gentlewomen and Children came out of the Towne The Generall assaults them againe and at last compells them to a surrender they all to submit themselves prisoners and the Towne to be preserved from plunder which accordingly was performed Immediately after Pomfret and Scarborough Castles were surrendred no Reliefe being expected Toward the latter end of July the Generall summon'd Bath which was accordingly surrendred In August 1645. Lieutenant Generall Cromwell falls on the Club-men who at that time were very high and insolent kills diverse and took above 300 prisoners The Generall summons Sherburne Castle of which Sir Lewis Dives was Governour who return'd a resolute answer but the next day was taken by storme The Generall immediately resolves to besiege Bristoll which was govern'd by Prince Rupert Orders were sent for Ships to begirt it by Sea he summons the Governour who refusing to surrender immediately he surrounds it they within sally out six or seven times not without losse on both sides at last it was agreed to send a positive summons and upon refusall to storme it The Prince requires leave to know the Kings minde but the Generall would by no meanes permit it Upon the Princes refusall at a Councell of War it was resolv'd to storme it which accordingly was with much Courage performed the Towne was fired in many places which moved the Prince to request a parly which the Generall consented too on condition that care should be taken to quench the fire and accordingly by Articles of agreement the 11 of September 1645. The City with all the Armes Ammunition was deliver'd up The Prince with the rest immediately march to Oxford During the time of Bristolls siege news was brought of the severall successes of Montrosse in Scotland against the Covenanters which moved the Generall Lieutenant Generall and all the Colonels of the Regiments to subscribe a Letter to General Leaven of the Condition of the Kingdome and their willingnesse to spare forces for their assistance All this while the King moves up and downe sometimes in Wales sometimes in one County sometimes in another still hearing the mishaps and disasters hapning on the neck one of another so that all his hopes were almost frustrate Lieutenant General Cromwell
with part of the Army marches Westward who after he had soundly batterd the Castle at the Devizes forc't it to be surrendred and not many dayes after he comes before Winchester and summons it which was on honourable Conditions surrenderd He immediately marches to Basing-House which for a time had been besieged but to no purpose and having summon'd it he on refusall resolv'd to storme it by which meanes he got it The General was now before Tiverton and had raised severall Batteries by which meanes he gained the Towne In October 1645. Langford-House was delivered up to Lieutenant General Cromwell The General approaches neere Exceter October 20. 1645. summons it and received a flat deniall it was for sometime besieged but by reason the King had a body moving up down it was twice deserted onely a party left to surround it upon the Armies returne from the West after it was storm'd was delivered up on Articles He likewise summons Dartmouth on refusall took it by storme A great defeate was given to Hopton at Torrington who not long after was forced to disband his Army in the West Sir Marmaduke Langdale received a great defeate neare Sherburne In March Ashbe de la zouch was surrendred to the Parliaments forces In the same Moneth Prince Charles set saile for Scilly with diverse Lords and Gentlemen Other Garrisons as Westchester Barnstable St Michaels Mount Ruthen Castle Woodstock together with diverse other Garrisons were delivered up to the Parliament The Scots Army was at that time besieging New-wark with the assistance of some York-shire Horse There was not at that time a Towne or Castle in England but what was either besieged or blockt up by the Parliaments forces The Commons Vote the Committee of Darby-House to take care to besiege Oxford and accordingly the Generall having secured the West returnes with intent to besiege it which at that time was the Kings Royall seate The King Causes a Muster of Horse which in all amounted to 1100 Horse and Dragoones great care is taken to make good the Workes and to repaire what ever is amisse The Towne being besieged the King offers to come to the two Houses upon assurance of the safety of his person and to advise with them for the good and safety of the Kingdome Provided all that have adhered to his Majesty may have Liberty to goe to their own homes in safety their sequestrations to be taken off upon these conditions his Majesty is willing to disband all his Souldiers and dismantle his Garrisons passe an act of oblivion and free pardon to all These Propositions the Parliament would by no meanes consent unto they having him at that advantage The King seeing no hopes on the 27 of Aprill 1646. in disguise came out of Oxford attended by Mr John Ashburnham and one more severall conjectures past which way he should goe The Parliament being mis-inform'd that he was come to London Order that Proclamation be made that whosoever shall conceale his Majesty shall dye as a traytor and forfeit his estate On the sixt of May 1646. His Majesty came to the Scots Army and had cast himselfe upon them which occasioned the Scotch Commissioners to write to the Parliament that contrary to their expectation the King was come to their Army ingaging to stand for the Interest of the Kingdome The Commons Vote that his Majesties person be disposed of as both Houses shall desire and direct and that he be sent to Warwick Castle Upon the Kings desire to the Governour Newark was deliver'd up to the English The Scots marcht away to Rippon with the King The Parliament seeing the King was got into the Scots possession sent a Letter to the Prince of Wales then in Gersie to invite him to come to London with promise of Honour and safety but he durst not venter The siege before Oxford being more close then formerly the Generall sent a summons to Sir Thomas Glenham the Governour who sent a civill answer with a request that Sir John Minson and Mr Philip Warwick may informe his Excellency in order to a Treaty and accordingly on Articles it was surrendred on Honourable tearmes The 19 of May the Scots Army came with the King to Newcastle the reason of their retreating Northward was for feare that Sir Thomas Fairfax should have falne on them and compeld them to deliver up the King A great dispute was at Newcastle betwixt the King and Mr Alexander Henderson which was since published Divers Propositions were presented to the King by the Commissioners from the Parliament who were the Earle of Pembrooke Earle of Suffolke Sir Walter Earle Sir John Ipsley Mr Goodwin and Mr Robinson who came to Newcastle the 27 of July and ordered to return in ten dayes the next day the Propositions were presented and his Majesty promised an answer within the time but withall told them that if they had not power to treate they might as well have sent a Trumpet at the reading of the Propositions his Majesty protested he would never give away his Crowne and Militia and further told Mr Marshall he could not in Conscience signe some things therein required His Majesty gave the Commissioners in a Paper which not being satisfactory they returne to London The Scots likewise petition him to take the Covenant and likewise they set out a Declaration of their Intentions for the good of both Kingdomes Litchsield Worcester and Wallingford were all deliver'd on Articles In July 1646. Prince Rupert went for France and Prince Maurice for the Hague where they both safely arrived The Duke of York came for London and was Honourably received by the Nobility His Majesty wrote four times to Montrosse at the Scots Commissioners request to lay downe his Armes In August 1646. the Commons order the Presbytenan Government to be settled in London In the same Moneth the Commons caused the Great Seale to be broken in the Lords House The 14 of September 1646. dyed the Noble Earle of Essex of an Appoplexie a man truly faithfull to the Interest of his Country The House having respect to his former service Voted 3000 l. to be given toward his funerall Mr. Vines preached his funerall Sermon he was Honourably attended to his Grave not without much Lamentation Upon the Kings refusall of the Propositions the Scots sent Commissioners to the Parliament to desire an agreement betwixt them Pendennis and Ragland Castle are in August surrendred The Scots Commissioners demand 500000 l. upon the payment of which they offer to deliver up the King And accordingly it was Voted by the House to deliver 200000 l. then borrowed of the Citizens of London and raised out of the saile of the Bishops Lands together with the assistance of the Excize and 200000 l. more secured to them to be payd at severall times October the 8th 1646. the House Votes to every Member 1000 l. a piece in recompence of their Good service and that so many as are Lawyers may have Liberty to plead within the
Bar and likewise the Lord Fairfax 1000 l. per Annum The Scots being encouraged by the Votes of the House pretend that Scotland was much exhausted by the late war and that his Majesties presence in Scotland might endanger the peace of that Nation so that it may truly be said of him as the Scripture expresseth of our Lord and Saviour He came to his own and his own received him not At last it was concluded 100000 l. to be told at York sealed and put in boxes The Scots to give Hostages to deliver up Newcastle Tinmouth and all other Garrisons thereabout the other 100000 l when they shall goe on the other side of Tine The other 200000 l. to be secured to be paid out of Delinquents estates They to deliver up the King and depart home and quit all their Garrisons The Assemblyes Confession of Faith was Voted by the House to be printed And likewise an Ordinance past for continuing the Army under Sir Thomas Fairfax for six moneths and the disbanding Major Generall Masseys Brigade The Common Enemy being quite beaten out of the field there hapned sad divisions in the Parliament and Army at home They were distinguished into two severall parties under the title of Presbyterian and Independent the Independent being the most subtill and close Insinuated into the most part of the Army and carried on their designes with greater Vigor and Resolution then the other as the sequell will manifest The King from Newcastle on the 20 of December 1646. sends a Message to both Houses of Parliament at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland for a personall Treaty Charles R. His Majesties thoughts have been alwayes sincerely bent to the peace of his Kingdomes was and will be ever desirous to take all wayes that might most clearely make appeare the candor of his Intentions to his people and to this end could find no better way then to propose a personall and free debate with his two Houses of Parliament upon all the present differences yet finding very much contrary to his expectation that this offer was laid aside His Majesty beat all his thoughts to make his Intentions fully knowne by a particular answer to the Propositions deliver'd to him in the name of both Kingdomes the 24 of July last and that his Majesty plainly saw that whatsoever answer he could give was subject to mis-informations and mis-constructions which upon his own explanation he is confident will give good satisfaction for the setling of a lasting peace to which purpose his Majesty desireth to come to London or any of his Houses thereabouts upon the publick faith and security of his two Houses where by his personall presence he may not onely raise a mutuall confidence betwixt him and his people but also have those doubts cleared and those difficulties explained to him assuring them that he will make no other demands but such as he believes confidently to be just and such as will tend much to the tranquility of the people for except King and people have reciprocall care each of other neither can be happy To conclude it is your King that desires to be heard the which if refused to a subject by a King he would be thought a tyrant for it wherefore his Majesty requests you to accept this offer and that it will be the readiest way to make these Kingdomes a Comfort to their Friends and a Terror to their Enemies The Lords and Commons after some time sent a Letter by Sir Peter Killigrew in answer to the Kings Message Both Houses Voted his Majesty to come to his House at Holmbey in Northampton-shire a House not Inferior to any in the Kingdome They likewise Vote that the Earle of Pembrooke the Earle of Denbigh and the Lord Mountague Sir Walter Earle Sir John Holland Sir James Harrington Sir John Cooks Mr. Crue and Major Generall Browne with Mr Marshall and Mr Caryl to attend them be sent as Commissioners to receive the King at Newcastle and to conduct him to Holmbey They likewise orderd diverse servants to attend him The sixt of February 1646. The Scots according to agreement quit Newcastle and the English possest it they likewise deliver'd up his Majesty to the Commissioners sent by the Parliament his Majesty seemed somewhat unwilling at first to goe to Holmbey rather choosing to goe to Newmarket but after a short time he was satisfied but by no meanes he could be drawne to heare Mr. Marshall or Mr. Caryl preach hoping they will allow him his Conscience Munday the 8 of February his Majesty with a sad and sorrowfull Countenance set forward with the Commissioners attended with 900 Horse and that night came to Durham on thursday to Aukland fryday to Richmond saturday to Rippon and there rested the Sabbath day Munday to Leeds tuesday to Wakefeild wednesday to Rotheram so to Mansfeild thence to Leicester where he stays the next Lords day on Munday He sets forward for Holmbey whither being no sooner come but Proclamation is made that none that had deserted the Parliament and assisted the King should presume to come neare his Majesty Sir Thomas Fairfax came to Leicester with a considerable part of the Army where he was met with the Mayor and Aldermen in state His Majesty sent a Letter to the House to request his Chaplains to be sent to him he named twelve viz. Bishop of London Bishop of Salisbury Bishop of Peterborough Dr Shelden Dr March Dr Sanderson Dr Bayly Dr Hamond Dr Beà le Dr Haywood Dr Fuller Dr Taylor but desired any two hearing no answer he sent a second Letter but still they delayed sending an answer The 25 of February his Majesty at the Commissioners request kept the fast ordred by the Commons it hapning on the same day that he had appointed for the Calamities of Ireland February the 28 his Majesty was pleased to bestow a visit on the Earle of Pembrooke who was at that time dangerously sick His Majesty made a Resolution to keep every fryday a day of solemne fasting and humiliation The Commons Vote and Order what Garrisons shall be slighted and which continued The Parliament Vote likewise the remainder of the Army to disband all but those that were appointed for Ireland and the severall Garrisons Upon which diverse Petitions came in from severall Counties to the Generall not to disband till such time as he had fully settled the Kingdome whereupon immediately the Army had a Randevouz and draw up a Petition to be presented to the Parliament That their arreares might be payd An act of Indempnity passe to secure them that the foote might not be compeld to serve out of the Kingdome that the widdowes and children of such as had lost their lives in the service might be provided for which Petition was presented by Colonell Hamond Colonell Rich and Colonell Ireton The Parliament shewed their dislike of the Petition and Vote that those that shall continue in this disturbing condition shall be proceeded against as
prevent his ruine they therefore desire his Majesty may come to London to treate with Honour freedome and safety and that neither he nor his Parliament be Inviron'd with Souldiers that so their consultations being free all differences may be ended by a personall Treaty the best way to settle a sure and lasting peace See the uncertainty of men in the world that those very Scots that had not long before declared that it was altogether Inconvenient for the Parliament to admit his Majesty to come to London untill he had given satisfaction to their just and reasonable desires should now desire the King to come to London which at that time swarm'd with Malignants apt for any tumult nay the Parliament it selfe at that time could not sit with safety without an Army to guard them On the 23 of November 1647. both Houses Voted not to have any personall Treaty with his Majesty Yet after three dayes debate in the House they conclude that foure Propositions be drawne up in forme of Acts to be sent to his Majesty to signe which when he had signed they would admit a personall Treaty at London The Propositions were as followeth 1. That a Bill may be past into an Act by his Majesty for setling the Militia of the Kingdome 2. A Bill be past by his Majesty calling in all his Declarations Oathes Proclamations against the Parliament and those that have adhered to them 3. To passe an Act that those Lords who were made after the Great Seale was carried to Oxford may be made uncapable of sitting in the House of Peeres thereby 4. That power may be given to the two Houses to adjurne as the two Houses of Parliament shall thinke fit On the 30 of November the King sent a Letter to the Generall and Army by Sir John Barkley desiring their furtherance of a personall treaty with a promise of Recompence when all should be setled To which answer was return'd that they had wholly left it to the Parliament and that they would be passive The Army sent a large Declaration to both Houses taxing them with neglect contrary to promise and laying forth the wants of the Army by reason they had not expedited their pay which must necessitate them to take free quarter and be burthensome to the subjects if not by them timely prevented His Majesty sent another Letter to the Lords wherein he expresseth himselfe that if any thing had been of more concernment then the peace of this Kingdome he would with patience have expected an answer to his former Letter but his tender affection to his subjects welfare hath prevalency with him to presse a personall Treaty and Intimates that if the Houses please that he come among them it will no doubt speed a good end The Lords and Commons according to their former order Vote the Lord Qenbigh and the Lord Mountague for the Upper House Mr Lisle Mr Goodwin Mr Kemp and Mr Bulncley for the Commons to carry the four Propositions to his Majesty which if he signe they will admit of a personall Treaty The Scots Commissioners likewise went to his Majesty and after some conference with him declare against the four Bills to this effect That they had endeavour'd by all wayes and meanes with the Parliament of England for the furthering of a happy peace but having seene the Propositions now brought to his Majesty they apprehend them to be prejudiciall to Religion the Crowne and the Vnion betwixt both Kingdomes and therefore in the name of the Kingdome of Scotland declare their dissent Colonell Hamond wrote a Letter to the Parliament that he could not secure his Majesty unlesse they would allow him more strength there being so great a concourse into the Isleland upon which the Commons order that his Majesties person be secured and more Forces be sent for the security of the Island The Commissioners return'd with a large Message from his Majesty shewing the Grounds and reasons why he cannot passe any thing till the whole Treaty be concluded on professing he is willing to give any reasonable satisfaction to whatsoever shall be requir'd He now againe earnestly presses for a personall Treaty of which he will not despaire there being no visible way left for the Kingdomes peace but by it However his Majesty is at peace and quietnesse within himselfe in having fulfild the offices both of a Christian and a King and will patiently waite the good pleasure of Almightie God to incline the hearts of his two Houses to consider their King and compassionate their fellow subjects miseries It s very observable that his Majesty received the Parliaments Commissioners very gratefully desiring them all to be assistants to him in promoting a wel = grounded peace the expression he said was theirs but it was a very good one he tould them there were many Interests to be considered of Viz. the Parliament Army and Scots he desir'd all might be considered but when he was inform'd of a dissenting Declaration of the Scots he tould them he was very sorry for it and he hoped they might agree in the maine though they might differ in circumstances His Majesty deliver'd his Message to the Commissioners open with Injunction to keep it secret till they had deliver'd it to the Parliament There hapned a tumult at Newport in the Isle of Wight diverse declaring for the King and one Captain Burleigh caused a drum to be beaten up for the service of his Majesty the Mayor and others that came to his assistance fell upon them disperst them took the Captain who was afterwards executed This tumult caused the Governour of the Island immediately to discharge all such as had ayded and assisted his Majesty in the late War against the Parliament Munday the third of January 1657. The Commons tok into consideration his Majesties Message and finding the same as it appeares to them not satisfactory nor that he hath any Inclination to a composure it was put to the Question Whether any addresses should be made hereafter after many houres debate it was Resolv'd That 1. No addresses shall hereafter be made to him by the Parliament of England 2. That none shall on paine of Treason make any addresse without leave from the Parliament 3. That no written Paper Message or Declaration be received from his Majesty on penalty of Treason They likewise Vote that Colonel Hamond and Sir William Constable shall have power to displace any man from his Majesty whom they shall thinke fit Immediately they take care for the managing of the affaires of the Kingdome by compleating the Committee of Darby-House who were to transact the whole businesse of the Kingdome they Vote the Earle of Kent in the roome of the Earle of Essex who was dead Mr Nathaniell Fines and Mr John Evelin in the roomes of Sir Philip Stapleton dead and Mr Glin who was sequestred the House Sir William Waller was continued The Committee being compleated were 21 in number Viz. the Lord of Northumberland Earle of Kent
the stoutest men of the Enemies Army Apprentices and Seamen and such as had been in Armes for the King The fight continued for six houres they valiantly disputed in every streete at last the Towne is taken with the loss of sixty men in it were taken 1300 prisoners diverse of quality 400 Horse eight pieces of Ordinance with good store of booty The Generall shewed personall Valour by Charging in his slippers Many of the Kentish forces march over Rotchester bridge toward London where on Black heath they muster a considerable Army whither many apprentices and resolute persons repaire under the Command of old Goring The Essex men had by this time secured the Committee men and sent to require an answer to their Petition to which the Parliament speedily send an answer The Sea-men likewise Revolt and refuse to receive the Earle of Warwick but upon their own tearmes they likewise sent Vice-Admirall Rainsborough on shoare and unanimously declare for the King Whilst the Earle of Warwick shews his affection for the Parliament his brother the Earle of Holland unfortunately riseth in armes with the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Francis who with 500 Horse at Kingston take the advantage of the Armyes dividing But by the care and industry of Sir Miles Livesey who fell on them they were put to flight The Lord Francis refusing quarter was kild Major Dalbere and diverse others were kild the Earle of Holland fled to St Needs where he was totally subdued and taken by Colonell Scroope and immediately sent prisoner to Warwick Castle While the Essex men were requiring an act of Indempnity Sir Charles Lucas was come to Chensford with a party of 2000 Horse and foote Colonell Whaly was orderd to goe against them Those with Goring being denied a passage over London bridge come over on Essex side secure Bow bridge with a small party whilst the rest march further into the County Sir John Owen in North-Wales endeavours to raise forces for the King which the Sheriffe of a County Indeavoured to impede but being too weake was taken prisoner and his party supprest a second time severall partyes well affected to the Parliament joyne together and with contrary successe to the former fell upon Sir John Owen tooke him prisoner and totally disperst his forces Pomfret castle is likewise surprized by one Morrice The Generall spared what forces he could over into Essex with the assistance of the well affected of the County who pursued the Enemy till they came to Colehester which Towne they closely begirt but diverse times sallyes were made out to fetch in provisions The Lieutenant Generall having laine long before Pembrooke Castle and hearing of the Scots on their March for England and the Report of the Prince Duke of York being at Sea thought fit to give Conditions to Poyer and Langhorne for the delivering up of the Towne and Castle that thereby he might have Liberty to advance Northwards which Conditions were accepted And to say truth as things then stood it was of a considerable value as to the service of the Parliament On the 13 of July Marquesse Hamilton enterd England with an Army of 9000 Horse and foote the Generality of the people of Scotland were wholly averse to it the Ministers every where exclaiming against the Duke The Duke immediately sent a Letter to Lieutenant Generall Lambert of the Grounds and Motives of their coming into England which the Lieutenant Generall as speedily answer'd The Parliament immediately Vote that those Scots that enter England in a Hostill way with authority of Parliament are enemies to the Kingdome of England and shall be proceeded against as such July the 17. the Commons debate to what place his Majesty shall come and concluded the King name three places two whereof within twenty miles of London and one within ten and the Parliament to make choice of one of the three Mr Ashurst comes from Scotland with a Declaration of the Councell of Estate in which they declare that they were Invited in upon which the Parliament Vote all those hat Invited them in to be traytors On the 18 of July the Commons consider'd of a personall treaty with his Majesty and having duly weighed all the Inconveniences that might arise by his Majesties coming to London and duly considerd all the objections against his Majesties granting the three Propositions before the Treaty they resolv'd that the Treaty should be in the Isle of Wight and that it be with Honour freedome and safety they appointed a Committee to consider of time manner and place July 30 they Vote to send to his Majesty to nominate a place in the Island to trat in two of the Commons were orderd to goe to his Majesty to that purpose They likewise order the Earle of Warwick to fight with the Revolted ships notwithstanding their specious Declaration Information was brought to the Parliament that Colonel Bourton Governour of Scarborough Castle had declar'd for the King Major Huntington left the Army having taken distast at the proceedings of some Grandees The Prince from aboard in the Downs sent a Letter to the Speaker of the House of Peeres relating to a Treaty with his Majesty and diverse other particulars which was laid aside On the same day a Petition was presented from the Court of Aldermen and Common Councell of the City of London for a personall Treaty his Majesty to be freed of his restraint Church Government to be setled according to the Covenant all Acts of Hostility to sease to which the Commons promised a speedy and satisfactory answer Lieutenant Generall Cromwell being joyn'd with Lambert their force is 5000 Horse and Dragoones and 7000 foote he sent a Letter to the House giving them an account of his proceedings with a returne of thanks for their care in providing for his Army Tinmouth Castle Revolted but was suddenly retaken The Lieutenant Generall immediately marches to Pomsret assaulted the Towne with much Resolution kild thirty and took an hundred prisoners The Lorch of Middlesex return'd from his Malesty with his answer which was to this effect That if the peace of his Dominions were not dearer to him then any Inlerest he had too much reason to take notice of severall Votes that past against him with his sad condition seven moneths together and sets down what soever he conceives is necessary to so blessed a worke professing he can no more treat in this condition then a blind man judge of colours or that he can run a race whose foote is tyed and therefore desires the recalling of those Votes that bar mean from coming to him and that all that he shall send for for necessary use may have leave to come unto him and waite on him in this treaty the place Newport and that he may be in the same condition that he was in at Hampton Court conceiving he cannot treat in honour so long as men are afraid to come to him for safety he mentions not as not fearing his person
the Country people in Armes on their own defence seaze on diverse straglers many expecting no good leave him at last he moves toward Staffordshire Severall parties of Horse were sent after them one meets with Middleton who commanded 400 Horse falls on him disperst his company and took him prisoner Sir Marmaduke Langdale is appareheded in an Inne The Duke sent to the Lord Gray for a Cessation and to render himselfe prisoner to him which accordingly he did Immediately Commissioners are appointed by the Parliament to examine him Colonell George Monroe being newly come into England with a considerable body for a reserve understanding the totall defeat of Hamilton returnes back into Scotland and not long after came the Marquesse of Argile Lord Louden Leaven and other of the Nobility to Lieutenant Generall Cromwell to manifest their utter dislike of Hamiltons coming with an Army and Monroes endeavours to Levy Forces for the prosecution of the War and to desire his assistance against him To which the Lieutenant Generall return'd answer of his wiilingnesse to assist them and to joyne with them to subdue Monro and that he did really believe that God gave the Dukes Army into the hands of those under his Command to make way for the reliefe of the faithfull in Scotland he forthwith communicates it to the House who accordingly Vote that they approve of his Entring Scotland for the assistance of those that endeavour'd to oppose Hamiltons Levies The Parliament Orders so many of the Scots prisoners being in all 15000 that were forc't away be sent home in regard of the dearnesse of provissions The rest to be sent to severall parts abroad The King from Caresbrooke August 28. 1648. sent a Letter to the Speakers of both Houses thus My Lord and Mr Speaker I have receiv'd your Letter of the 25 of this moneth with the Votes that you sent me and though they are not so full as I could have wisht to the perfecting of a Treaty yet because I conceive by what you hav done that I am in some measure fit to begin on such is my uncessant and earnest desire to give a peace to these my now distressed Kingdomes as I now accept the Treaty therefore desire that such five Lords and ten Commons as my two Houses shall appoint be speedily sent fully Anthorized and Instructed to treat with me not doubting but what is now wanting will at our meeting upon debate be fully supplied not onely to the furtherance of this Treaty but also to the Consummating of a safe and well-grounded peace So I rest your good Friend Charles R. Indorsed For the Earle of Manchester Speaker of the House of Peeres pro tempore and William Lenthall He likewise Inclosed the Names of those persons which he desir'd might attend him most whereof were Granted him The Towne of Colchester having held out the longest siege of any Towne in England since the first beginning of the troubles in Expectation of Relief from the North but the Scots Colours being brought before the Towne totally disappointed them of their Expectation and being by famine the sorest of Calamities compeld to deliver the Towne up to mercy they having sed neere ten dayes together on Hors-flesh The Great ones endeavouring to escape were turn'd back by their own men The Towne was deliver'd up on these Conditions The Generall permitting the Common Souldiers to depart with life and the Officers to remaine at his disposall he to exempt from mercy whom he pleased the remainder to be remitted to the mercy of the Parliament The Towne to Rayse 14000 l. to preserve it from plunder And accordingly August 27. they marcht out on the Conditions above exprest The miseries of the Towne were great there being hardly so much as Hors-bread lest to have preserv'd them alive one day On the 28 of August at a Councell of War it was resolv'd that Sir Charles Lucas Sir George Lisle and Sir Barnard Jaskin a Papist be shot to death And accordingly Sir Charles Lucas was brought out into the Castle yard where he insisted upon an appeale but being deni'd he took Courage and looking death in the face with an undaunted resolution submitted himselfe Sir George Lisle was next brought forth who Kist Sir Charles being dead and after private prayer desir d a speedy death more desperate then many of the ancient Romanes on Record It s Credibly reported by Eye-witnesses that upon the very place where they were executed there groweth no grasse notwithstanding all the ground thereabout is very fertill Sir Barnard Jaskin was reprieved The Generall sent immediately a Letter to the Commons giving them an account of the whole proceedings as to Colchester as likewise certified the names of those Officers prisoners which were neere two hundred and to know their pleasure withall Telling them that to satisfie the Souldiery and to take vengeance he had caused to be shot to death Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle the first having contrary to promise falsified his word with him the second directed the shooting of poysoned bullets both being against the Law of Armes August the 31. the Commons took into Consideration the Kings Letter and those persons that he had nominated And by reason that some of them were exempted persons others prisoners or under bail they were not all allowed The rest that his Majesty had nam'd had freedom to goe The next day the Lords and Commons nominated their Commissioners to treat with his Majesty viz. The Earle of Northumberland the Earle of Pembrooke Lord of Salsbury Lord of Middlesex Lord Say and Seale for the Commons Mr Hollis the Lord Wainman Mr Perepoint Sir Harbottle Grinastone Sir Henry Vane Junior Sir John Corbet Mr Crew Mr Samuel Browne Mr Glin and Mr Bulkley The Commons order a Letter to be sent to his Majesty with the names of the Commissioners withall letting him know how far they had proceeded in the Treaty They further considered of Instructions for the Treaty and require money of the City to defray the Charge The Prince Riding in the Downs with the Revolted ships sent a summons to the Earle of Warwick to tender and submit himselfe to the Kings Majesty for the better security and settlement of the Kingdome The Lord Admirall returnes answer that God-willing he will performe the trust reposed in him and for setling the Kingdome he leaves that to the Parliament September 11. a Petition was presented to the Commons entituled The humble Petition of thousands well affected in the City of London giving diverse Reasons why they assisted them in the war with their lives and fortunes giving them to understand that they expected other meanes for a settlement then a personall Treaty as likewise taking particular notice of the severall wants and necessities of the Nation concluding that they had laid to heart the blood and losse of the people and wisht them seriously to consider whether an act of oblivion will satisfie Gods Justice and appease his wrath Which Petition
He the said Charles Stuart hath given Commissions to his Son the Prince for that purpose By which cruel and unnaturall war by him the said Charles Stuart Levied continued and renued as aforesaid much Innocent blood hath been spilt many families have been undone The publique Treasury wasted and exhausted Trade obstructed and decayed Vast expence and damage to the Nation incur'd and many parts of the Land spoyled some even to desolation And for further prosecution of the said evill designes He the said Charles Stuart doth still continue his Commissions to the said Prince and other Rebells and Revolters All which wicked designes Wars and evill practices of him the said Charles Stuart have been and are carried on for the Advancing and Vpholding of the Personall Interest of Will and Power and pretended Prerogatives to himselfe against the Publique Interest Right Justice and peace of the Nation by and for whom he was Intrusted as aforesaid By all which it appeareth that He the said Charles Stuart hath been and is the occasioner Author and contriver of the said Vnnatural War and thereby Guilty of all the Treasons Murthers Rapines burnings spoyles desolations damage and mischiefe to this Nation acted and committed in the said Wars or occasion'd thereby And the said John Cook doth for the said Treasons and Crimes on the behalfe of the people of England Impeace the said Charles Stuart as a Tyrant Traytor Murtherer and a Publique and Implacable Enemy to the Common wealth of England And therefore prayeth that the said Charles Stuart King of England may be put to answer all and every the premises that such Proceedings Examinations Tryalls Sentences and Judgements may be hereupon had as may be agreeable to Justice The Lord President Replyed Sir you have now heard your Charge Read and in the Close it is prayed in behalfe of the Commons of England that you answer to your Charge The Court Expects your Answer The King I would know by what Power I was cald hither I was not long agoe in the Isle of Wright how I came thither is too long to relate or then I thinke now to speak of there I was in treaty with both Houses of Parliament was as much publique faith as its possible we were almost come to the Conclusion of a Treaty I would now know by what Authority I meane lawfull for there are many unlawfull Authorities in the world theeves and robbers by the high way but I would know by what Lawfull authority I was brought from thence and carried from place to place and when I know by what Lawfull Authority I shall answer Remember I am your King and what sins you bring upon your heads and what Judgements upon this Land thinke well upon it I say thinke well upon it before you goe from one sin to a greater Therefore let me know by what Lawfull Authority I am seated here In the meane time I shall not betray my trust I have a trust committed to me by God by old and Lawfull descent I will not betray it by answering to a new and Unlawfull Authority Lord President If you had been pleased to have observ'd what had been hinted to you by the Court at your first coming hither you would have knowne by what Authority Which Authority requires you in the name of the people of England by which you are Elected King to answer them The King No Sir I deny that Lord President If you acknowledge not the Authority of the Court they must proceed The King I doe tell them so England is an hereditary and not an Elective Kingdome and hath been so neare 1000 yeares therefore let me know by what Authority I am cald hither I stand more for the priviledge of my people than any that are seated here still urging to know by what Authority he was seated there and he would answer otherwise not President Charges the King with Interrogating the Court which did not beseeme him in that condition The King tould him he was brought from the Isle of Wight by force and he did not come there as submitting to the Court professing to stand for the priviledge of the House of Commons still urging a Legall Authority warranted by the Word of God or the Constitution of the Kingdome and he would Answer President Seeing you will not answer the Court will consider how to proceed in the meane time you are to be carried away by them that brought you hither The Court desires to know whether this is all you will answer The King Sir I desire you would Give me and all the world satisfaction in this it s no sleight thing you are about I am sworne to God for the peace of my Country and therefore you would doe well to satisfie God and then the world by what Authority you doe this there is a God in Heaven that will call you and all that Gives you power to account President The Court expects your finall answer you desire satisfaction of their Authority it is upon Gods Authority and that 's our present Work The King That which you have said satisfies no reasonable man President That 's in your apprehension we thinke it reasonable that are your Judges The King Neither your apprehension nor mine ought to decide it President Commands the King to be taken away And accordingly he was convey'd back to St James's Two dayes after on the 22 of January the Court meet in the painted Chamber where they order that the King shall not be sufferd to argue the Jurisdiction of the Court and that in case the King should againe dispute their Authority the President is to let him know that the Court hath consider'd his demands the last day and that he ought to rest satisfied with this answer That the Commons of England assembled in Parliament have constituted this Court whose power may not nor shall not be disputed against by him Further That in case the King shall not answer the President is to let him know that the Court doth take it as a contumacy and record it and in case he answer with a saving notwithstanding of his pretended Prerogative above the Jurisdiction of the Court the President to refuse his protest and require his positive answer whether he will own the Court or not And in case the King shall continue in his contempt The President shall command the Clarke to demand of the King them Charles Stuart King of England you are accus'd in behalfe of the people of England of divers high Crimes and Treasons which Charge hath been Read to you The Court requires you to give your positive answer either to confesse or deny And forthwith the Court assembles in Westminster Hall where after their Names are cald over the Captaine of the Guard is commanded to fetch the King who being brought and seated as before a Great shout was made by the people Soliciter Cooke againe accuseth the King as before the Charge being Read he required he might give a positive answer
God that you doe take those courses that are best for the good of the Kingdom and your own Salvations Bishop of London Will your Majesty though it be very well known what your Majesties affections are to Religion yet because it may be expected that You should say somewhat declare your self for the Worlds satisfaction in that point KING I thank you very heartily my Lord for that I had almost forgotten it In troth Sirs My Conscience in Religion I think is very well known to all the World and therefore I declare before you all That I die a Christian according to the profession of the Church of England as I found it left to Me by My Father and this honest * Pointing to the Bishop man I think will witnesse it Then turning to the Officers He said Sirs excuse Me for this same I have a good cause and I have a gracious God I will say no more Bishop of London There is but one Stage more This Stage is turbulent and troublesome it is a short one But You may consider it will soon carry You from Earth to Heaven and there You shall finde a great deal of cordial joy and comfort KING I goe from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown where no disturbance can be no disturbance in the World The Bishop You are exchanged from a temporal to an eternal Crown a good exchange Then the King after some short and servent ejaculations in private with hands and eyes lift up to Heaven immediately stooping down laid His neck upon the Block And then the Executioner appointed to give the fatal blow putting His hair under His Cap the King said Stay for the signe And after a very little pause stretching forth His hands the Executioner at one blow severed His Head from His Body and he changed a troublesome life for a quiet death His body was put in a Coffin covered with black Velvet and from thence carried to his House at St. James's where it was put in a Coffin of Lead laid there to be seen by the people On Wednesday the 7th of Feb. his Corpses was delivered to two of his servants to be buried at Windsor whether the next day The Duke of Richmond the Marquess of Hartford the Earls of Lindsey and Southampton together with Dr. Juxon and divers others repaired where with much difficulty they finde a Vault in St. Georges Chappell where King Henry the Eighth was formerly buried which being prepared a small piece of Lead some two foote long and two inches broad was provided on which was inscribed King CHARLES 1648. which was sawdred to the brest of the Corpse all things being in readinesse the Corpse was brought to the Vault by the Souldiers of the Garrison over which was a black Velvet Hearse-Cloth which was supported by foure Lords the Bishop of London stood weeping by then was it deposited in silence and sorrow the Hearse-Cloth being cast in after it FINIS A Table of the principall things contained in this BOOK A. BIsnop Andrews death 15 Sir Robert Anstruther sent Ambassadour into Germany 25 Lord Audly Arraigned and condemn'd 26 Bishop Abbots death 27 Articles of the Church consented to in ireland 30 Articles betwixt the Scots and English 38 Armes atrive from Holland for the King 69 Armyes Declaration 133 Their second Declaration 167. Their reasons for secluding the Members 169 Petition for Justice on the Capitall offenders ibid B. Buckingham accus'd of Treasen by Gondamore 4. Sent into Holland 10. accuses Digly 12. His Voyage for Reliefe of Rochell 16. 1s stabd by Felton 19. Interd at Westminster 20 Judge Barkleys aresting in the Kings Bench. 47 Bucking ham shire Petition for Mr. Hamden 60 Blake executed for treachery 79 Bransord fight 80 Browns successes at Abbington 97 Brereton Victorious 105 Barwick surprized 142. C. King Charles borne 1. Created Duke of York ib. Goes into Spaine 2. Arrives safe home 3. Proclaimed King of Great Brittaine 6. Espousd to Henneretta Maria. 7. Summons a Parliament ibid. His Speech 8. Adjournes the Parliament to Oxford 9. In want ibid. And dessolves them 10. His Coronation 11. Calls a second Parliament ibid. His Speech in the House 12. Dissolves the Parliament 13. Assists the French 14. His speech to the Queens attendants ibid. Summons a third Parliament 17. Grants the Petition of Right 19. Speech in the Lords House 23. Dissolves the Parliament 24. Visited with the small Pox 27. Goes into Scotland ibid. His care for the service of God in Scotland 28. Sends an Army to suppresse the Scots 36. Summons a fourth Parliament 39. He addresses himself to the City for money 41. Rayses a second Army against the Scots ibid Speech to the long Parliament 44. Speech in the Banqueting House 46. He breaks the Dutch match to them 47. Passeth the Bill for Trieniall Parliaments ibid. Vindicates the Earl of Strafford 49. Goes into Scotland 54. Appoints Essex Generall ib. Returnes from Scotland 55. Charges the five Members with high treason 57. Goes to the House to demand them 59. Goes to Hampton Court 61. Thence to Dover 62. Comes back to Greenwich thence to Theobalds 62. Sends to the House of his Intentions for Ireland 64. Demands Hull 65. Speech to the Gentry of Yorkshire ibid. Sends out Commissions of Array 69. His speech to the Nobility and Gentry at York 70. Besieges Hull ib. Hepublishes his Grand Declaration at York 72. Sets up his Standard 73. Sends a Message from Nottingham ibid. Sets up a Mint at Shrewsbury 75. Summons Glocester 86. Summons a Parliament at Oxford 90. Receives the Sacrament at Oxford 91. Sends a Message for peace 93. Dissolves the Parliament at Oxford 94. Flies to Leicester 104. Sends Propositions for peace 109. Flies disguisd to the Scots Army 110. Sends a Message from Newcastle 114. Comes to Holmbey 116. Desires to come to London 118. comes to Newmarket 119. Removd to Causum 120. Thence to Woborne 121. Removd to Hampton Court 122. Flies to the Isle of Wight 126. his Letter to the House 150. Sent a Letter to the Generall 133. Letter to the Lords 134. He earnestly presses a personall Treaty 135. is discontented 139. sends an answer to the Parliaments Message 150. sends a Message to the House 157 conveyd to Hurst Castle 168 brought to Windsor 170. brought to St. James's 171 His first dayes Triall 172 second dayes Triall 179 third dayes Triall 181. last dayes Triall 183. sentence 188. his reasons against the Court 189. Committee appointed to consider of Execution 191. Jan. 30. 1648. appointed for his execution 193. His speech on the scaffold 194. He 's executed 198. Inter'd at Windsor 199 Cades Voyage 10 Mr. Cooks Insolent speech in the House 11 Mr. Crew sent to the Tower 40 County of York petition the King 64 City of London set up Chaines and Posts 76. Petition the Parliament 141 Cirencester for the Parliam 81 Covenant Taken throughout the Kingdome 87 Countesse of Darby holds out Latham House 91 Coruish Hugg 92 Lieutenant