the Horses From whence in expectation of greater Forces to join with them they marched towards Cornwall but they were overtaken by one Capt. Crook with a party of Sectarian Horse at Southmolton in Devonshire after four houres sharp conflict defeated Sir Ioseph VVagstaffe the chief of this loyall party escaped the three other most eminent Leaders Col. Iohn Penruddock Capt Hugh Groves and Capt. Iones were taken with 50. others Another rising was also in Yorkshire at Hexham Moore but of 4000. which should have met not above 200. appearing they were soon dispers'd by the Forces of Col. Lilburne Sir Henry Slingsby the chief taken and Sir Rich. Maleverer with much d fficulty escaping At the same time likewise another attempt was made to rise at Sherwood Forrest in Nottinghamshire but the Gentry that design'd it were supprest by Col. Hacker Nor were the Levellers lesse pleas'd with the Tyrannical Usurpation of Cromwel though their designes were not upon the account of loyalty For Maj. Gen Harrison Mr. Carew Rich. Courtney and Maj. Wildman were discover'd to have fram'd a Plot against him and secured These latter sort of Conspirators were in favour of the Sectaries and in consideration of former assistance in Rebellion and the murder of his late Majesty more gently proceeded with for Harrison was shortly after committed to Portland Castle Carew to St. Maur's in Cornwal and Courtney to Carisbrook Castle in VVight Island But on March 31. 1655. a Commission was issued forth for tryall of the Gentlemen in the West to Serjeant Thorp Glyn Steel And another for tryall of them in the North to Serjeant Newdigate Nicolas VVindham Hatton but of these persons Serjeant Newdigate and Thorp conscientiously refusing to try any man for treason upon Cromwel's Declaration as Law had writs of ease given them But the Protector wanted not instruments in the West to execute his bloody pleasure for at Salisbury Iohn Lisle one of his Princes Murderers sentenced Col. Penruddock and Capt. Grove to the block and at Exceter seven other persons to the Gallowes And now Cromwel resolv'd to rule onely by the sword seeing the people so hated his Tyranny to which purpose he constituted eleven of his Officers to preside over all the Counties of England with the Titles of Major Generals allotting four or five Counties as Provinces to each with sufficient authority not only in Military affairs but also in Civil and Ecclesiastical For the support of these Bashawes he made an Ordinance that all Cavaliers or Gentlemen of the late Kings party should notwithstanding the late Parliaments Act Oblivion their former compositions and their peaceable demeanor since pay the tenth part of their yearly revenue which was accordingly severely exacted by the Major Generals He also the better to provide against future Insurrections set up Auxiliaries in every County consisting of Horse and Foot which Were to be ready upon all occasions within an houres warning their pay was 8 l. per annum to a Horseman 3 l. to a Footman And finally that he might disenable all loyal persons from attempting any thing for their Countries Liberty he put forth an Ordinance to seâ—se all sorts of Armes found in the Houses of those he called Malignants Such were the courses he took to secure himself at home About the beginning of the year 1655. a great Fleet was sent against the King of Spain's Territories in America The designe was kept secret till it came to be executed upon the place nor did he declare war against that King till afterwards though the Marquesse of Leyda Governour of Dunkirk came over as Extraordinary Embassadour to know his intentions Many of such as had been imprisoned for the late insurrections had been barbarously sold to foreign plantation some that were left and several indigent people were by force sent in this service together with divers Regiments of old souldiers Venables commanding the Land-forces and Peâ— being General at Sea But it pleased God to check the Tyrants insolence by a considerable losse in the very first enterprize which was undertaken so unjustly and against the faith of Nations though the propagation of Religion was pretended and other slight reasons for it an Army consisting of 9700. Foot besides a party of Horse by the Generals indiscretion was landed in the Island Hispaniola at a place ten leagues from the chief Town Sto. Domingo whereby being ready to perish miserably with thirst and the excessive heat of the Sands through which they marcht they were shamefully routed by no greater a party then 70. Spaniards and Negroes 1200. were kill'd in the conflict and the pursuit the rest escaped by flight An incredible thing had not the faintnesse and weaknesse of the English render'd it rather an execution then a fight The remainder of this overthrow having afterwards endur'd extreme hardship for want of provision even to the eating of their horses seis'd upon another Island called Iamaica which though a barren place wanteth not some considerable advantages But for the dishonour occasion'd to our Nation by this unfortunate expedition amends was in part made by General Blake who entring Porto Ferino at Tunis with his Fleet fir'd nine Turkish Ships in it notwithstanding the strong fortifications upon the shore and came off with the losse of onely 25. men Whilst affairs were thus strangely managed in England by the violent Protectour his Majesty resided at Colen entertaining himself with such studies as best became a Christian in his own and his Countries calamities such exercises as were befitting a Prince and such company as his affection made most pleasing to him namely that of his brother the Duke of Glocester and the Princesse Royal of Orange The Duke of York continued still in France having onely made a journey of no long stay to the French Leaguer before Pavia His Majesty to divert himself from the resentment of his unsuccesseful affairs made a progresse of state and pleasure from Colen to Frankfort-Fair being accompanied with the Duke and the Pnncesse attended on by the Lord Marquess of Ormond the Earle of Norwith the Lord Newburgh the Lady Stanhop and several other persons of Honour They went by Coach a little beyond Bonne the Arch-bishop of Colen's Electoral Seat where they enter'd into a Gondelo or Pleasure boat through every Princes Territories that they past the chief Officers of State were sent to complement them and the great Guns saluted them from all their Towns and Castles More especially the Prince Elector of Mentz sent his grand Marshall to invite them to his Court but his Majesty sent the Lord Newburgh back with the grand Marshall to return his acknowledgements to the Elector and to promise him to accept of his civility as he came back from Francfort His Majesty being arrived there had intelligence that Christina Queen of Sweden who had voluntarily resigned her Crown on Ian. 17. 1654. to her Cousin Carolus Gustavus and had for the most part since continued at Bâ—uxels intended
Safety consisting chiefly of Army-Officers and some Members of the dissolved Iunto who cided with them as Vane Salwey c. The council of Officers also for satisfaction of the people put forth a Declaration concerning their late proceedings charging the Rump with high Crimes and making void their late pretended Acts. Moreover they appointed certain persons to frame a Model of Government which no question would have prov'd an excellent one when onely Sword-men and Tradesmen were to be the contrivers But that which check'd their contentment in these courses was the dissatisfaction of Gen. Monck in Scotland Letters of expostulation past to and fro between the General and Fleetwood but the English Army in the mean time prepar'd to march against him forthwith and was led towards the North by Lambert consisting of about 12000. men The General seeing them thus beforehand with him sent Commissioners to Westminster to treat yet with all march'd Southward with what Forces he could raise and fortifi'd Berwick upon Tweed The Commissioners going beyond their Instructions the General was not satisfi'd with the Treaty and therefore soon after desir'd another at New-Castle during which he call'd a Convention of Estates in Scotland who not only approved his undertaking but assisted him in it While things stood thus the City of London though they well enough lik'd the turning out of the Rump would by no means join with the Army But about the beginning of December the Apprentices and some others fram'd a Petition to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen for a Free Parliament the Souldiers understanding it interpos'd and a great hurly burly thereupon arose in the City some being slain and others wounded Fleetwood was therefore desir'd to draw his Forces out of the City but instead of doing that he placed Garrisons in several parts of it threatning to fire it if the Citizens stir'd At the same time Haselrig Morley and some other Rumpers seis'd on Portsmouth and declar'd against the Army and part of the Navy under Vice-Admiral Lawson did the like and blockt up the Thames The City in this condition would declare neither for Parliament nor Army but still desired a free Parliament which at last was consented to upon divers enslaving qualifications and proclaim'd by the Committee of Safety to begin on Ian. 24. Upon the borders all this while nothing was done the Treaty took no effect neverthelesse Gen. Monck kept from engaging nor was it possible for Lambert to draw him to it whose Forces quartered in a cold barren Country unable to march by reason of the hardnesse of the weather At length Fleetwood having treated with Lawson to no effect and his souldiers being ready to mutiny for want of pay was forced out of apprehension of worser consequence to give over ruling and the Rump slipt into the House again on Decemb. 26. late in the evening by Torch-light Upon the news hereof Lambert's Army deserted him and General Monck enter'd into England with his about the 6. of Ian. Whilst affairs were thus turbulent in England his Majesty being at Diepe in Normandy receiv'd an invitation from Don Lewis de Haro the great Spanish Minister at the Frontier of Spain Which his Majesty accepting rid post incognito through France being accompanied onely with the Lord Marquis of Ormond and the Earl of Bristol Upon information of his approach to Bayonne the Spanish Favourite went forth with a splendid Traine to meet him and upon the first sight of him alighted from his Horse and notwithstanding the inconvenience of the place in a very humble posture embraced his Majestie 's knees from whence also he conducted him riding all the way bareheaded to the best lodgings the place afforded On the next day his Majestie was visited by Mazarini whom he entertain'd with that discreet warinesse that he let him know he sufficiently understood his projects The result of his Majestie 's consultations with Don Lewis was that the Favorite in his Masters name promised him all assistance both of men and mony assoon as the conclusion of the French peace permitted Whereupon his Majesty after high caresses and treatments returned privately by Post to Paris where staying with the Queen his Mother some few dayes he departed to his former residence at Brussels This private journey occasion'd so certain a belief in the Sectarians here in power that his Majesty and the Duke of York who lay at Calis were come over into England that many persons were apprehended for them and particularly one Mr. Colt was taken and imprison'd for the Duke of York and others also for his Majesty We left Gen. Monck upon his march out of Scotland all parties had their hopes fixt upon him the Rump presuming by his assistance to quell the refractory City and the Citizens that he would enforce the Rump either to call in the Members secluded in Dec. 1648. or to fill up the House with new Elections yet none knew certainly his intentions During his March he was address'd to by several Counties for the same things that the City desir'd who also sent their Swordbearer as far as New-Castle to congratulate his coming and tender the respects and affections of the City to him Yet he gave such answers as were not satisfactory to any The Rump also sent two of their Members Robinson and Scot to wait upon him but indeed rather as spies to watch and observe him At St. Albans some Aldermen and Common-Council men of London were sent to him from the City to court him but were return'd as all others only with thanks for their respects On Friday Feb. 3. he marched into London and was lodg'd at White-hall being much caress'd by the Rump and receiv'd their thanks in the House The City continuing still their refractoriness to the Rump and perceiving they so delay'd the filling up of the House as if they never intended it on VVednesday Feb. 8. pass'd a Vote in Common Council not to pay or levy any Taxes until such time as they might have a full free Parliament This so enrag'd the Rump that they order'd the General to march with his Army into the City pull up the Chains and Posts break down the Gates and Portcullis and imprison divers Aldermen and Commissioners Which was accordingly executed the next day to the great terror and amazement not onely of the City but of the whole Nation when they heard the report of it But this consternation did not last long for the General reflecting on the odious service the Rump had put him upon and apprehending their intentions to retrench his power which indeed his Commission being that day expir'd they did accordingly joyning him with some of their Members and Officers in the supreme command of the Army on Saturday Feb. 11. drew his Army into Finsbury fields and presently after upon some conference with the Lord Mayor and some chief Citizens writ a Letter to the Iunto as from VVhite-Hall subscribed by Himself and 14. of his chief Officers wherein he
his distempers and afterwards attain'd a firmer health When he came to sit in the House of Peers 1640 his first action in publick affairs was the carrying the King's Letter to them in favour of that noble but unfortunate Lord the Earl of Strafford the King hoping that when all other respects could not prevail upon them at least the consideration of the dignity and goodnesse of this Royal Messenger might something move them to reflect upon the hard measure they had determin'd for him But through the cruel fate of this brave man or rather that of these three Kingdomes the heat of I know not what strange zeal had made them so thirsty for his bloud that a day or two's respite of execution of the severest sentence that ever was given was more then could be afforded to the desires of their King though presented by the hands of their Prince This repulse he suffer'd was certainly the beginning if not the cause of all his ensuing sufferings and those of the Nation 's too For soon after hapned that fatall misunderstanding between the King and the Parliament which occasioning the King's withdrawing from London he commanded the Prince to attend him first at Greenwich then at Hampton-Court then at Theobalds the incensed Parliament and City in the mean time regretting his escape out of their hands having design'd to make advantage of his person according as the contingency of their affairs should suggest to them From thence with the Duke of York he accompanies his Father to New-market and from thence into Yorkshire where they all stood before the gates of Hull and were deny'd admission by Sir Iohn Hotham 'till at length the two Princely brothers were by his special favour permitted as children to see the Town At York the Northern Nobility and Gentry offering their service to his Majesty received thanks for it but were not made use of for prevention of jealousie 'till a greater danger induc'd the King to neglect his fafety no longer and accordingly he selected a company of gallant and loyal persons for his Life guard which were commanded by the young Prince His Majesty assuring them they should hazard their lives no further in defence of their Countries Lawes and Liberties then himself and that they should endanger themselves no farther for his person then his own dear Child In this manner he accompanied the King from York to Newark in Nottinghamshire and from thence to Lincoln and Leicester and back again into Yorkshire in which progress the King endeavoured to satisfie the Counties he passed through of the uprightnesse of his intentions for the good of the Nations and evidenc'd to them the desperate courses the Parliament engaging in order to deprive him of the Royalty left him from his Predecessours and this under pretence of Liberty and Religion At his return into Yorkshire the King informes the Gentlemen there of the Parliaments forwardnesse to a War desires them to spare him some Armes and to compleat Prince Charles's Regiment for the guard of his person under the command of the Earle of Cumberland Not long after the King having gather'd a considerable Army was met between Kinton and Edge-hill in Warwickshire by that of the Parliament under the conduct of the Earl of Essex There was the first considerable battle fought of our civill Wars The Prince was then in the field and the Honourable Earle of Lindsey who was the King's Generall and lost his life in the fight looking upon him very attentively a little before the conjunction of the Armies I know not by what Propheticall instinct utter'd these words Ther 's a Child born to end that VVar we now begin Which how miraculously accomplish't we cannot but gratefully acknowledge the civill Wars having continued ever since the Army which had subdued the one Party afterwards turning their swords upon those that first employ'd them and the poor Nations being rul'd by the sword and always in a state of War and groaning under the miseries inflicted on it by armed Oppressours After this the King retir'd with the Prince to Oxford and committed him to the Right Honourable the Marquesse of Hertford then and still Chancellor of that University who provided for him severall worthy persons in the quality of Tutors for his instruction in all such languages and Sciences as were convenient for the accomplishment of a Prince During his residence there it pleased God to visit him with the Meazles and that not without some danger of death which by the Divine mercy and indulgence to these Nations he avoided is respited we hope for many years Here he was very diligent in commendable studies intermix'd with ingenious and innocent pleasures and upon the King 's summoning a Parliament thither which convened the 22 of Ianuary 1644. himself with his noble Brother the Duke of York sate with the rest of the Nobility in the Upper Schooles which were designed for the House of Lords as the Convocation House was to the Commons who were no inconsiderable number there being present at that Assembly besides these two young Princes the Lord Keeper Littleton the Lord Treasurer Cottington the Duke of Richmond the Marquesse of Hertford nineteen Earles three and twenty Barons and a hundred and fourty Knights and Gentlemen The next year the Prince betakes himself into the field being now about fifteen years old his first course was Westward where by his Majesties Order he had attendants appointed him suitable to the grandeur and state of an heir to three Crowns He set up a Royall Court and chose out a Retinue at his own pleasure the King though disapproving the action in a Letter to the Queen yet admiring his discretion in the Election of them scarce inferiour as a great observer affirm'd to that of his deceased Uncle Prince Henry During this time the King of Portugal sends over an Embassadour who amongst severall specious proposals relating to his Majesties present exigencies tenders one for a Marriage between the Daughter of that King and the Prince of Wales which for good reasons the King his father put off with a civill answer importing a deniall of the proposition though as the policy of State-affairs often makes it necessary to do in words expressing no dislike of it After that fatall battle of Naseby which turn'd the scale to the disadvantage of the Royall Interest severall Overtures interven'd between Prince Charles the Lord Goring and the Parliamentarian General Fairfax but the two former alwayes receiv'd the same answer from him which signified nothing viz. That he was but a servant to the Parliament and could not exceed his Commission which impower'd him onely to fight therefore in râ—ference to a Treaty application ought to be mâ—de to his Masters at VVestminster The Prince accordingly writes to him again to grant the Lords Hopton and Culpepper leave to attend the King and mediate with him for a Treaty with the Parliament to which the General upon grave consultation with his Committee of
own Person or promote it in another especially Charles the eldest Iames the second and Henry the third Sons of the late King After which they proceed as far as they could to abolish the very memory of his late Majesty his Arms are ordered to be defaced in all places throughout the Nations and his Statues broken all the regalia sold and imbezil'd the Crown Revenue to sale and all the goods of the Royal Family made prize on by those that had murdered and expell'd the Owners Neverthelesse there wanted not some in this sad consternation who shew'd themselves so resolute in asserting the Title of Prince Charles to the Crown of these Nations as to print and disperse this following Proclamation in several places of the City of London WE the Noblemen Iudges Knights Lawyers Gentlemen Freeholders Merchants Citizens Yeo-men Sea-men and other Free men of England do according to our Allegiance and Covenant by these present Heartily Ioyfully and Vnanimously acknowledge and Proclaim the illustrious CHARLES Prince of Wales next Heir to his Father King Charles whose late wicked murder and all Consenters thereunto We from our hearts abominate to be by Hereditary Birth-right and lawfull Succession rightfull and undoubted King of Great Britain France and Ireland And we will constantly and sincerely in our several places and callings defend and maintain his Royal Person Crown and Dignity with our estates and lives against all Opposers whom hereby we declare to be Enemies to his Majesty and Kingdomes In Testimony whereof we have caused these to be Publish't throughout all Counties and Corporations of this Realm The first day of February in the first year of his Majestie 's Reign But the Royal Party was so totally supprest throughout this Nation that they wanted power to make good what their consciences assur'd them was just and right This endeavour testifi'd their Loyalty and withall their weaknesse For though the hearts of most of the Nation were as willing to promote the Son's succession as to withstand the Father's destruction yet were they as unable to advance the one as they had been to prevent the other Indeed Ireland was in a manner wholly for his Majesty in many places whereof he was by joynt consent both of Protestants and Papists proclaimed King The Lord Marquesse of Ormond the Lord Inchequin and other great persons had considerable Forces in the field for his interest and all the Garrisons of that Island held out for him excepting the two most important the Cities of Dublin and London-Derry which were kept from returning to their Allegiance the former by Lieutenant General Iones then Governour and the latter by Sir Charles Coot who maintain'd their cause and authority who had barbarously murder'd his Royal Father in England Besides the Islands of Iersey Guernsey Scilly and Man remain'd faithfull to him though they were of no other advantage then to serve as places of retreat for the small Fleet that was left after the greatest part of it had again revolted to the Parliaments Navy The Parliament of Scotland as I said had protested against the proceedings of the English against their common King But at this time that Nation was divided into four grand Factions or Parties 1. The first consisted of such as had confederated with the English Parliament during the Warres till they saw their accursed design of destroying the King and subverting the Government these were the prevailing party who sent Duke Hamilton with that numerous but unfortunate Army into England 1648. They were willing though upon certain conditions to own and declare Prince Charles for their King only in this they sided with the English Independent Iuncto That they endeavoured to the utmost to depresse and discountenance the Malignants as they called those who had adher'd to his late Majesty who make up the second party The third consisted of such as were so strictly devoted to the Kirk and Convenant that they only projected the advancement of them and car'd not for any other interest either of King or Free-State but strenuously oppos'd both of which Faction Colonel Sâ—â—aâ—ghern and Colonel Kerre were two great Sticklers The fourth and last and worst were such as by unparallel'd treachery to their Prince their Native Countrey and as it appear'd afterwards to themselves too held secret correspondence with the Sectarian power and Army of England This Division I have made will give much light to the understanding of the reasons of the Scottish actions and their consequences when we come to relate them At present it may suffice to intimate that this Discord among themselves retarded them from publickly proclaiming and owning their lawfull King In the mean time the King having been a while a close Mourner in Holland and receiv'd the condolements of the Lords States who also deputed an Oratour Dr. Lotius to represent their sad sence of the inhumane murder of his Royall Father which he performed in an elegant Latine Oration extant in Print he committed the management of his affairs there to the care of his Brother and Sister of Orange and took a journey to France both to visit his disconsolate and forlorne Mother and to desire the assistance which he might reasonably conceive that King oblig'd both in honour consideration of consanguinity and the generall concernment of all Monarchs to afford him He was receiv'd in the French Court with much respect and after a short stay at Paris took up his abode at St. Germains having his Royall Brother the Duke of York with him He had not been long here but contrary to the expectationâ— as well as hopes of himself and all his Loyall Subjects news is brought him of the defeat of the Army in Ireland under the Marquis of Ormond then which a gallanter richer had scarce been seen during all the late Warrs The Marquis had laid siege to Dublin on the 21. of Iune 1649. but that City being reinforc'd with a supply of 3000. Horse and Foot from England and encouraged with the expectation of more the Besieged made severall Sallies out upon them from time to time and at length in one suppris'd the Marquis's maine Army and totally defeated it himself not without much difficulty escaping by flight 'T is very true the Marquis had an Army of about 20000. men but the greatest part of them were Irish and so such as he dar'd not trust besides I have heard it creadibly reported He might have taken Dublin if he had pleas'd but forbore to doe it meerly in tendernesse to the numerous Protestants were in it whom the Irish would have without question unmercifully destroy'd if they had taken the place by assualt and as yet there was no other way to take it by reason the besieged had high expectation of succour from England This was the first blow receiv'd by the young King and a great one it was indeed and so important that it made way for the losse of all that Kingdome About the same time also Sir Ch. Coot
it for a greater to have his head stand on the Prison gate for this quarrel then to have his P cture in the King's Bed-chamber And least his Loyalty should be forgotten they had highly honoured him in designing lasting monuments to bear up his memoriall to all posterity wishing he had flesh enough to have sent a piece to every City in Christendome to witnesse his Loyalty to his King and Countrey The next day having prepar'd his soul for Heaven he marcht magnanimously to the Scaffold and notwithstanding all the interruptions of the bitter spirited Priests having made a sober speech to the people underwent the cruell sentence with all the ignominious circumstances to his owne perpetuall glory and the everlasting reproach of his Enemies Thus dyed this incomparable Marquis of immortal fame a great example of unfortunate Virtue whose barbarous murder I have more particularly related because it discovers the temper of that Covenanted party who put him to death Posterity certainly will esteem his memory and account his Iudges deserving a more exquisite punishment for this and other their inhumane actions then that they inflicted on him if it be possible for the quintessence of malice to invent a greater Within a few dayes after four other Noble Gentlemen suffer'd for the same cause Sir Iohn Vrr y notwithstanding he pleaded the benefit of quarter Col. Spotswood Laird of Darcy Sir Francis Hay and Col. Sibbald though they had the favour to be beheaded Such was the fate of his Majestie 's affairs in Scotland and the brave persons that manag'd them and such was the unparallel'd insolence of the Scots who dar'd to murther his best friends while they were in Treaty with him upon a base and ungenerous presumption that the lownesse of his condition would enforce him to put up patiently so high and detestable an indignity Which indeed he was constrain'd to doe as his affairs then stood When the newes was brought to his Majesty at Breda he was much stâ—rtled at it and exprest his Resentment of their proceedings by a Message sent them by Mr. Murrey That he was griev'd to hear it credibly reported that notwithstanding those hopefull overtures of Peace lately made between him and them they had shed the blood of some of his best Subjects of the Kingdome of Scotland and that the manner thereof according to Reports did extremely trouble him But that he might understand the Particulars more certainly he desir'd an account of the business from themselves In answer to this they profess'd their affections were still reall to him and their Hearts much joy'ed to hear of his willingness to concur with them in a happy agreement And desir'd him not to stumble at some seeming Obstacles as the Death of Montrosse or their reducing of his Forces Assuring him there was nothing in what they did but to accomplish his Ends and promote his Interests to his best Advantage This zealous Nation do's God and the King good service when they illegally and inhumanely murder their fellow-Christians and Subjects These actions of the Scots and the business of the Covenant were the main impediments of the Treaty But the murder of Montrosse though it might justly have deterr'd his Majesty from trusting himself into those hands which reak'd with his best servants Blood could not be redress'd and his necessities enforc'd him to dissemble all further resentment of it As for the Covenant he argu'd that it was the Subjects Covenant to bind them to their King and not for him to swear to and therefore he thought it sufficient to passe an Act for his People to take it He likewise offered to confirme the Presbyterian Government in Scotland Provided that himself might have alwaies three Chaplaines of his own Election As also to confirm the Militia in the Hands of the Estates for five years Provided that afterwards it might return to himself These particulars were agreed to so a conclusion put to the Treaty The newes whereof being carry'd to Edenburgh the Parliament forthwith met and the fourth Faction which I mention'd viz. such as corresponded with the Sectarian Iunto of England were so strangely and ridiculously impudent as to put it to the Vote whether any more Adddresses should be made to the King it seemed they desir'd to ape the abominable Monsters at Westminster who pass'd a Vote of Non addresses after his late Majesty had consented to all their demands there were 32. of these malevolent Negatives but the major part carried it in the Affirmative Whereupon a Message was resolv'd upon to be sent to him wherein they invited him To make all possible speed to come to his Kingdome of Scotland and protested They would assist him with their lives and fortunes to establish him in all his Dominions Yet withall they forbore not to advertise him they had Testimonies to produce of his actings by Letters to Montross having belike intercepted 3. or 4. contrary to his promise to them at the Treaty at Breda as they pretended However they were willing out of speciall grace to dispense with him for what was past so that he would without delay according to the Articles of Agreement come over into Scotland and comply with the Parliament and the Kirk After this they betook themselves to make preparations for his Reception Two of the chiefest Houses in Edenburgh were richly furnisht and the Parliament took into consideration the nominating Officers for his Majesties Household which they did with much arrogance not permitting those to wait upon him whom he chiefly favoured whom he judg'd best affected towards him and by Proclamation prohibiting severall great Scotch Lords as Duke Hamilton the Earls of Louderdale and S aforth with many other persons of Quality who had constantly attended on him in Iersey and Holland from returning into Scotland Thus we have seen the deportment of the Covenanters towards his Majesty and Friends during his absence we now come to relate their actions after he took possession personally of the Kingdome of Scotland Which after the conclusion of the Treaty he did not delay to doe but about the beginning of Iune he left the Hague and took shipping at Scheveling in Holland By the way he was in some danger by reason of a tedious storm and certain English ships which ply'd about the Coast to way-lay him but with some difficulty he escaped both and arrived safe at a place called the Spey in the North of Scotland whither some Lords were sent to receive and accompany him to Edenburgh All the way he was entertain'd with the generall joy and acclamations of the people At Dundee new Propositions were by Commissioners from the Parliament and Kirk presented to him to sign which after some reluctancy he performed The town presented him of Aberdeen with 1500. l. But the Committee of Estates sent to severall places who had the same intentions enjoyning them whatever Plate or mony they had to bestow to bring the same into such a Treasury as they
his friends from about him usurping the whole Government of all affairs both Ecclesiastical and Civil into their own hands and placing guards about his Person c. secretly escapes from St. Iohnston's in much discontent in order as some think to going beyond Sea accompanied onely with four Horsemen toward the North of Scotland where the Marquis of Huntkey the Earls of Athol and Seaforth Lords Ogleby and Newburgh with the Gourdons and the men of Athol were ready to appear for him with a considerable force The Committee of Estates at St. Iohnston's were much surpris'd and troubled at this departure of his Majesty especially for that they fear'd he was gone to Mai. Gen. Middleton and the Athol men who were purely for his interest disclaiming the Kirk's authority with that of Parliament and Estates for the appeasing of whom an Act of Indempnity was offer'd them which they contemning and falling upon and worsting Sir Iohn Browes Regiment Lieut. Gen. Lesley is commanded forth against them In the mean time while the Parliament and Committee of Estates are consulting and debating what course to take with the King some propounding That since he had deserted them they should look no more after him but leave him to his own wayes the more moderate judging it fit rather to testifie to his Majesty their sorrow for his departure and desire him graciously to return a different Faction of the Covenanters under the command of Straughan and Kerr in the West set forth a Remonstrance to the Committee of Estates taxing them of imprudence and temerity in hastning to conclude a Treaty with receiving entertaining the King before he had given any convincing evidence of a reall change after his commissioning Montrosse to invade Scotland judging his profession of the Cause the Covenant meerly counterfeit as appear'd by his favouring Scotch and English Malignants as they termed them And for these reasons they absolutely refus'd to submit to his power and authority Of this Faction bisides Kerr and Straughan were the Lord VVarreston lately a Member of our pretended Committee of Safety and Sir Iohn Chiesy An accommodation was endeavoured to be made between them and the Estates at St. Iohnston's but they stood off and declar'd against King and Lords on the one side and the Sectarian English Army on the other Thus was this poor Nation divided among themselves whilst at the same time a mercilesse forraign enemy was ravaging in the bowels of it However the Committee of Estates and Kirk several of whose great sticklers were become very inclinable to his Majestie resolve at length to dispatch Maj. Gen. Montgomery with a party of Horse after him humbly to intreat his return Montgomery upon inquiry understanding that his Majesty was at the L. Dedup's House in the North confines of Fife hastens thither and first surrounding the House enters and upon his knees acquaints the King what desires he brought from the Committee of Estate But he absolutely refus'd at first as not enduring the Subjection they had made him live in The news whereof brought to the Estates set the Kirk Party such as favouâ—'d the English Sectaries a gog again who hereupon were very violent for no more Addresses to be made to him whose motion began to have some influence upon the rest In the mean time his Majestie was urgently solicited by the Marq. of Huntly the Athol men that rose for him in the North to adhere solely to them undertaking to secure him against the Kirk and all others To which invitation he seem'd very prone to hearken so that the Breach betwixt him and the Covenanted Party who brought him in was near become irreconcilable But the consideration of the danger which might redound from the forraign Enemy by occasion of this division the concession of some propositions together with the importunity of Montgomery the industry of some attendants about him induc'd him to returne back with the Maj. Gen. to St. Iohnston's And it was judg'd requisite to unite all parties if possible against the common Enemy to which purpose Huntly and Middleton were treated with who refus'd to submit and marcht up within a mile of St. Iohnston's where they had like to have been engag'd by David Lesley But upon some concessions as to be admitted into places of Trust c. a Treaty was concluded One would have thought now the service against the Common Destroyer of their Country would have been unanimously carried on yet this reconciliation begat another fewd as if the zealots of this Nation had been infatuated purposely for their own ruin The Ministers of Sterling were so farre trom consenting to this Treaty that they past the Sentence of Excommunication upon Middleton in defiance of the Estates at St. Iohnston's and being summon'd thither to a general meeting to be held here consisting of King Lords Barons Burgesses and Assembly of Ministers to consult for the good safety of the King Kingdome and Kirk they refused and advised the Estates to be at a greater distance from the King his Council and rather to come to Sterling But at length with much adoe they were brought to go to St. Iohnston's Much time had been lost in these fatall differences and the publick safety was neglected whilest men minded the satisfaction of their own perverse and malicious humours It was now highly requisite to look about them therefore Middleton was imploy'd with a Commission and Instructions from his Majestie who well enough understood that the safety of himself and that Nation depended wholly on the unanimity of his Subjects to treat with some forces in the Hâ—ghlands who still refused to submit The grand Assembly convene as the first evidences of concord divers Scotch Lords formerly in disfavour with the Kirk were received into the Army or the Parliament as Duke Hamilton the Lords Lauderdale Buchaim Leith Dedup Crawford and of the English Major General Massey was admitted to a command in the Army Col. Ker in the West of Scotland who had stood off from all parties hitherto at length so far comply'd with the Kirk-Grandees that he took Straughan prisoner who by Cromwel's inveglement inclin'd to side with the English a right Scot. But not long after Kerr was defeated and taken by Maj. Gen. Lambert a just reward consequence of his seditious discord About the beginning of October some Gentlemen and others in Norfolk took Armes against the Tyranny of the pretended Parliament declaring for the restitution of the Ancient Government of the Land by a King and the Lawes but the County Militia and some Forces from Lin suddenly dispersed them taking some whom afterwards by a solemn new way of murder first practis'd at VVestminster upon the late King and afterwards in most places of England upon his friends they put to death at Norwich A little before this they likewise executed at Tyburn one Mr. Benson for having been guilty of the same pretended Treason with Col. Eusebius Andrewes formerly
Chancellor the Lord Burleigh substituted This begat ill bloud The Earle of Sutherland assembled about 500. men and seem'd to intend them upon another account What course then should his Majesty take amidst this perverse Nation However he omitted no means that the most prudent and diligent Prince could use aswell to reconcile Differences as to compleat his levies to which purpose he obtain'd an Act of the Parliament for levying fifteen thousand foot and eight thousand horse Soon after which the Parliament adjourned till the seventeenth of April devolving the Civill Power in the mean time into the Hands of a Select Council and the Military upon a Committee of VVar consisting of twenty persons chosen out of each of the Three Estates Speciall care was taken about the fortifying of Sterling the King himself going often to hasten the compleating of them and shortly after removed his Court from St. Iohnston's thither The 29. of May being his Majestie 's Birth-day was solemniz'd with great rejoycing throughout Scotland the Parliament adjourning and his Majesty dining that day with most of the Nobility at a great Feast and the Town of Dundee to expresse their affections beyond all the rest presented his Majesty with a rich Tent 6. Field-pieces of Ordnance and advanced a brave Regiment of Horse for his service at their own charges Mean while the English pursue their advantages and Col. Monk takes Blacknesse a strong place between Edinburgh and Sterling by surrender Which losse was not so considerable as that of the Earle of Eglington a person of eminent worth and authority who having been sent into the West with some other Commanders to raise Forces and coming to Dunbarton to put his Commission in execution was there surpris'd by a party of Horse sent thither for that purpose by Col. Lilburne together with his Son Col. Ia. Montgomery Lieut. Col. Colburn c. and carried to Edinburgh About this time also the pretended Parliament of England judging it advantageous to get into their power those lesser Islands which held out for his Majesty sent their General Blake to that of Scilly who with three hundred Seamen in a short space reduc'd the most important places in it The Parliament of Scotland being reassembled at St. Iohnston's after their adjournment his Majesty sent a Message to them desiring 1. That the Act about the Classes of Malignants might be repeal'd 2. That no more mention might be made of the name of Malignants amongst them 3. That Duke Hamilton the Earles of Calendar and Seaforth and others might have full command m the Army These proposals which were of high importance to the common safety and consentaneous aswell to Religion as season of State were notwithstanding vehemently oppos'd by Argyle and the Covenanted gang yet the moderate party prevail'd and they were carried in the affirmative And having pass'd these and the Act of Indemnity and taken order for the pressing of men they dissolved about the beginning of Iune For the expediting the Levies Argyle Huntly and Seaforth were dispatcht away to their several Territories Cromwel in the mean time had been very sick so that there pass'd little of action during that time nor were the Scots willing to engage till their forces were compleated Maj. Gen. Massey had received instruction to fall into England with the English Horse and Foot under his command and together with the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Wilmot to join with a party in Lancashire that were to rise for the King The designe was chiefly promoted at London by some of the Presbyterian Clergy who held correspondence with Maj. Gen. Massey and contributed divers summes of money to his assistance But a ship bound for the Isle of Man being driven into Ayre in Scotland was taken and Letters found in her which discover'd the whole Confederacy whereupon the chief heads of it in London were apprehended Mr. Cook Gibbons Love Ienkins Drake and others Two of whom viz. Mr. Love and Mr. Gibbons had a formal tryall before a pretended High Court of Iustice were beheaded on Tower-hill Au. 22. 1651. The rest upon their repentance and supplications were afterwards released By this means the intended Irruption and Insurrection were frustrated Cromwel being now recovered from his sickness having contracted all his forces into a Body by drawing in his out-guards or petty Garrisons and having receiv'd great supplyes of Ammunition from Berwick and 80000. l. from the Iunto by Sea for his Souldiers resolves upon a speedy encounter His Forces consisted of 14. Regiments of Horse and 12. Regiments of Foot 6. Troops of Dragoons and 16. pieces of Ordnance With these about the latter end of Iune he advances into Lithgow and endevour'd to dare the Scots to an engagement who lay strongly encamped at Torwood within 3. miles of Sterling But they thought fit to decline battle till their Forces were compleated Wherefore to intercept their supplies of provision Col. Overton was commanded with 1600. foot and 4. Troops of Horse to fall into the North of Fife who accordingly embarking his men in small Boats landed them at the North-Ferry in spight of all opposition Cromwel himself in the mean time marching with his whole Army close up to the Scots intending to fall upon their Rear in case they mov'd to disturb the Enterprise However Maj. Gen. Sir Iohn Brown and Maj. Gen. Holburn were dispatcht to drive the English out of Fife again but before they could come up to them Lambert and Okey were joyn'd with Overton with 2. Regiments of Horse and two of Foot And with this unexpected reinforcement the English wholly defeated the Scots killing 2000. upon the place and taking above 1200 prisoners among whom was the Commander in chief Maj. Gen. Brown who did not long survive this losse but dyed as is conceiv'd of grief having alwaies approved himself to his Majesty a person of much fidelity and courage This defeat was the bane of the Scotch affairs For soon after the English took in Garrisons almost as fast as they approacht them Brunt Island and a strong Forth called Innesgarvy scituate in an Isle lying in the Frith were reduc'd by Maj. Gen. Lambert and within a few dayes after Cromwel took the Town of St. Iohnston's after one dayes siege by surrender This prodigious successe caused his Majesty to alter his Counsels and designe an irruption into England which was resolv'd upon out of probable hopes that many of his loyall Subjects there would betake themselves to his assistance when they understood he was in the head of an Army in it This indeed was a desperate course but according to that of the great Physitian what matter 's it whether the remedy be desperate when there is but one Scotland was in a manner already lost the Army he had levyed were raw unexperienc'd men and all the Garrisons round about were possest by the Enemy whose Forces were far more numerous and better provided of Ammunition and able Horses and besides had
Dunbar which defeat occasion'd the losse of that Kingdome In the morning his Majesty held a Council of War upon the Top of the Colledge-Church Steeple the better to view in what manner the Enemy lay From whence perceiving the Enemie's new bridges and a kind of a skirmish at Powick bridge he forthwith commanded all to their Armes and march'd thither himself where he gave order for the making good of that passe and opposing that of the Enemy over Severne Soon after his return to the City the Enemy assaulted Powick bridge furiously which was valiantly defended by a Brigade of Horse and Foot under Maj. Gen. Rob. Montgomery and Col. George Keyth till the former being dangerously wounded and his Ammunition spent was forc'd to retire disorderly into Worcester and the latter was taken prisoner by the Enemie This place being won there was no time to deliberate longer Wherefore it was resolv'd to engage Cromwel forthwith who lay at Perry-wood within a mile of Worcester The onset was given with a great deal of fury by the Royallists insomuch that Cromwel's invincible Life-guard was unable to bear the shock and compell'd to give ground in some disorder their great Guns also were for some time in the power of the Royalists The Rebell Commanders had put the new rais'd County forces to bear the first brunt of the incounter of whom the Royalists made a horrible slaughter His Majesty himself lead up the Scots Foot in this battle and that with so much courage and gallantry that his inveterate enemy Cromwel could not but applaud his valour The Fight continued for the space of three or four houres very sharp and fierce during which his Majesty had his Horse twice shot under him and rallyed the Infantry himself untill by the successive supplyes of fresh forces they were in a manner all lost The Rebels had great advantage not onely in being more numerous but fighting both with Horse and Foot against his Majestie 's Foot onely for the Scotch Horse did not engage at all in this encounter which some impute to the treachery of David Lesley who in the mean time commanded a brave body of Horse to stand still and look on the ruine of their King and Fellow-subjects threatning the first man that stirr'd with death For the truth of which relation I dare not undertake but it is certain the Scotch Horse under Lesley were scarce any more then spectators of the battle nor is it incredible but that treachery might be practis'd by a Scot and money imploy'd by Cromwel for conquest as well as force The remainder of the forlorne Royall Army being put to flight were pursued into the Town by the Victors his Majesty was as one of the last in the field and could hardly be perswaded to out-live that day At Sudbury-gate through which the routed Royalists fled an Ammunition Waggon was overthrown lay crosse the passage so that his Majesty was enforc'd to alight and enter into the City on foot In the Fryers street he to k â— fresh Horse and perceiving many of his Foot throw down their Armes and decline fighting he rode up and down among them sometimes with his hâ—t in his hand intreating them to stand to their Armes and sell their lives as dear as they could But seeing his encouragements ineffectuall he said I had rather you would shoot me then keep me alive to see the sad consequences of this fatall day Neverthelesse the Earle of Cleveland Sir Iames Hamilton Col. VVilliam Carlis then Major to the Lord Talbot and some Officers rallyed what force they could which was unproportionable to that of the Assailants and gave a check to to the Enemy as they were entring in at Sudbury Gate and valiantly disputed that street with them Which action was very important to secure his Majesties flight In the mean time Fleetwood's men were on the o her side of the City masters of St Iohns and having wholly disperst all opposers fell to plunder Assoon as Cromwel had made his way into Sudbury-street whilest some of his Forces were furiously kâ—lling and slaying all that were in the streets he hasten'd with some Regiments to the Fort Royal commanded by Col. Drummond where he found courageous opposition and lost 300. Cheshire men but at length reducing it with twice the number of the defenders he put every man of them to the sword to the number of 1500. Then was there seen the saddest spectacle that humane imagination is capable to conceive the streets being all strew'd with carcasses and cover'd with blood houses broken open and pillag'd and the whole Town fill'd with the noise of the insolent Victors and the cryes of the poor inhabitants till having satiated their cruelties rapacious desires or rather tired themselves with barbarous executions and inhumanities they began to think of securing prisoners The slain were reckon'd about 4000. amongst whom was Duke Hamilton who being taken dyed so on after of his wounds a very Noble courageous loyall person worthy of immortal fame The Prisoners taken in the battle and the City were about 7000. in which number were the Earls of Carnwarth Rothes Kelly the Lord Synclare Sir Iohn Packington Maj. Gen. Montgomerry Maj. Gen. Piscotty Mr. Rich. Fâ—nshaw his Majestie 's Secretary the General of the Ordnance the Adjutant General of thâ— Foot and the Marshal General besides several Colonels and others inferior Officers 158. Colours which together with those taken the year before at Duâ—bar were hung up in VVestminster Hall the King's Standard his Collar of Ss Coach and Horses with other things of great value How many of the Rebels fell in this fight we hâ—ve no â—râ—ditable relation their own Pamphlets mention onely the losse of Quartermaster Gen. Mosely Capt Iones and about 200. common Souldiers and 300. wounded among whom was Charles Howard afterwards Captain of Cromwel's Life-guard another Captain This is the truest and most impartiall account I can meet with of this remarkable overthrow which was then lookt upon as the decision of the Cause between King and Commonwealth But it pleased God that in this great losse the Forturne of England was preserved whose bloud was the onely thing wanting to cement the foundations of the new Republick The manner of his Majesties escape was in a sâ—rict sense not miraculous yet as near a miracle as almost any thing that is barely possible by natural means Certainly he that shall deliberately consider the paucity of such of the Nobility as escaped the fury of the fight and diligence of the pursuers of all the Lords there onely the Duke of Buckingham the renowned Lord Wilmot getting undiscover'd beyond Sea the instruments of his Majestie 's preservation such whom indigence or fear might have induc'd to prefer reward or security before faithfulness to a Prince who in all humane probability was unlikely ever to requite them for their dangerous loyalty and the places where his Majesty was concealed in the midst of his enemies
and in such Counties as had rais'd most men against him in this unfortunate expedition He I say that shall consider no more but this will no doubt think himself oblig'd to adore the Divine Providence which never own'd the Royall Cause more apparently then in this Deliverance and which at the same fastned the yoak of slavery upon the necks of these Nations and by an extraordinary goodness preserv'd the Person from destruction by whom alone their lost Estate was possible to be restor'd Many are the relations of the manner of his Majestie 's escape and at this day almost as various and different in publisht Histories as the conjectures and rumours of people were immediately after it I shall endeavour to offer what the most credible authors and reports have deliver'd concerning this particular for obtaining the exact knowledge of which I have omitted no industry that might gratify the curiosity which possesses all the World touching so extraordinary a Providence It seems not yet convenient to a Noble Person instrumental in it to discover all the circumstances of it though she is pleas'd to put us in hopes of obtaining that favour from her after some short time In the mean while it is desired the Readers would receive at least with alike candour what we have taken pains to find out for their satisfaction as the relation of theirs who make truth the least of their care and promiscuously take up any slight reports upon trust But to returne to our purpose His Majesty having kept the field till all was lost and being pursu'd to the Town-Gâ—tes while the victorious Enemies were disputing Sudbury-street in Worcester with the Earle of Cleveland Sir Iames Hamilton Col. William Carlis and some other resolute and couragious Royalists he marched out at St. Martin's Gate about six a clock in the evening with his main body of Horse which had not engag'd to any purpose but yet were in much confusion When he was come to Barbon's bridge about half a mile out of Worcester he made severall stands and mov'd the Lords and Officers with him that they might rally and try the fortune of another Fight But many of the Troupers being observ'd to throw off their Armes and shift for themselves there was no encouragement to proceed in that course Whereupon the chief and onely care was to preserve his Majestie 's Person from the hands of those blood-thirsty Sectaries who accounted it the interest of their Religion and new State to murder him To which purpose it was resolved to march for Scotland and one Walker formerly Scoutmaster to Col. Sands undertook to be the guide but being come as farre as Kniver-heath not far from Kederminster and day-light being gone the guide was at a losse which way to go Upon which his Majesty making a stand and being almost spent with his extraordinary action in the field and the wearisomness of his flight advis'd with some Lords whether he might march onely to take some few houres rest The Earle of Derby told his Majesty that in his flight from Wiggan to Worcester after he had been defeated by Lilburn he had met with a very faithfull person and great convenience of concealment at a place called Boscobel-house This House is seated in Shropshire but upon the consines of Staffordshire and lyes between Tong-Castle and Brewood it is a very obscure habitation though a fair building and standing in a very lovely grove was therefore so called from Bosco bello which in Italian signifies Fair-wood it belongs to one Mr. Fitz-Herbert though himself liv'd not in it at that time Thither his Majesty resolved to go being accompanied by the Duke of Buckingham the Earls of Derby and Lauderdail the Lords Talbot and VVilmot the Colonels Thomas Blague Edw. Roscarrock Mr. Marmaduke Darcy Rich. Lane VVill. Armorer since Knighted Hugh May Peter street and Charles Giffard who undertook to conduct them by the assistance of Francis Yates his servant and one very expert in the wayes of that Country Lieut. Gen. Lesley with his Scotch Horse in the close of the evening took the direct way Northward by Newport His Majesty and his Train upon deliberation marched through Sturbridge a considerable Town in Staffordshire but the better to prevent discovery order was given for all persons to speak onely the French Language Boscobel was the place intended but that the Company might not know so much his Majesty was conducted by Mr. Giffard to a House within half a mile of it called VVhiteladies which name it ha's retain'd ever since it was a Monastery of Cistertian Nuns who were habited in white Here they arriv'd about 3 a clock in the morning having rid 26. miles from VVorcester and being enter'd into the House which was kept onely by Servants a consultation was held how to escape the fury of the blood-thirsty Enemies the result of which was that all possible care should be taken for his Majesties concealment in that place till he could have a safe opportunity to waft over into France and that his Retinue of loyall Lords and Gentlemen should shift for themselves some other way In the mean time the Servant that kept Boscobel House called VVilliam Penderel was sent for and a brother of his nam'd Richard Penderel who liv'd near hand at Hobbal Grange Who being come and conjur'd to fidelity the next course taken was to disguise his Majestie 's Person This was done by blacking his face and hands cutting of his haire exchanging his Buffe Coat and gray breeches richly lac't for a Doc-skin doublet and green breeches of Richard Penderels His Majesty as he undress'd himself gave a Spanner string being a gold chain worth 300 l. to a servant of his then ready to depart His cloaths were buried under ground for a long time after And now it behov'd his loyall followers to forsake him which they did with sad hearts being more sensible of his Majestie 's hard fate then solicitous what destiny attended themselves only the L. Wilmot stay'd was convey'd by Io. Penderel to Mr. Whitgreaves Time it was for them to depart for within half an hour after some of Col. Ashenhurst's Troop who quarter'd at Cotsal 3. miles distant came to the House But before that Richard Penderel had conducted his Majesty out at a backdore into a wood belonging to Boscobel house called Spring Coppice in the borders of which William Humphrey and George 3. of Richard's brothers scouted about to bring intelligence The Lords and their company being about 40. Horse of which number his Majestie 's pad-nag was one and ridden by Mr. Lane one of the Bedchamber took the North road to Newport in hope to have overtaken or met General Leslâ—y who was gone that way with the main body of Scotch Horse But they had not travell'd far before a party of the Parliamentarians who were in pursuit of the Lord Leviston Captain of his Majestie 's Life-guard overtook them The Lords resolutely fac'd about and stopt their speed some
them There his Majesty hop'd to have gotten convenience of transportation into France but his expectations fail'd him for no Master of a Vessel durst undertake to waft over any single person unlesse he knew certainly beforehand what he were So that it being a Town of great resort his Majesty was enforc'd to depart from it Whither he went afterwards is not hitherto certainly known Nor ha's it pleas'd his Majesty or that Lady to discover to any Severall passages are written to have hapned indangering his discovery both at Bristol and elsewhere but the relators have not the least ground for any of them and have rather chosen to gratify vulgar readers with impertinent fictions then to confesse their ignorance of that which they did not and cannot yet know The loyall Lady in all her journeys with his Majesty comported her self with extraordinary prudence and fidelity expressing her observance as often as opportunity safely permitted it and at other times acting her part in the disguise with much caution and discretion A further relation of his Majestie 's progresse in England and the manner of his transportation into France assoon as it comes to our hands from the honorable person who besides his Majesty is now alone able to impart it shall be presented to the world In the mean time I am glad I can record that he took ship at Brighthempston in Sussex about the end of October 1651. and having by the Divine Providence escaped the greatest dangers imaginable in England and some too upon the Sea landed safely at Diep in Normandy where he stay'd not but went forthwith to Roan and from thence dispatch'd Letters to Paris to give notice of his arrival and in the interim was furnisht with accommodations befitting his quality by the Duke of Longueville Intelligence of his safe arrivall being brought to Paris the Duke of Orleance his Majestie 's noble and generous Uncle sent his own Coach for him which met him on the way as far as Magny and coming nearer the City he was met by a company of Nobles and Gentlemen and conducted to the Louvre Entertainment was there forthwith provided for him and the Queen his Mother and the Duke of Orleance visited him the same night The next day also the Duke of Orleance and Madamoiselle his daughter visited him together with the Dukes of Beaufort and Guise Marshal Turein and other of the great Peers and Nobles of France congratulating his happy deliverance Nor was it long before the King of France and the Queen Mother did the like expressing their regret for his Majestie 's disasters and the great interest they took in his safety Thus I have drawn into as narrow compasse as I could the particulars and circumstances of his Majestie 's preservation in each of which is remarkable his great patience and goodnesse and withall his exemplary fortitude in undergoing the greatest calamities that could befall a Prince on this side death I have perhaps made too long a story of it for this little Volume but it was for the Reader 's sake who I hope will be stirr'd up by it to praise the King of kings that deliver'd his Anointed from becoming a prey to those that thirsted after his bloud Certainly not only we but even the succeeding generations will have cause to blesse the Divine Providence for that in the midst of his judgements upon these Nations he was pleased to preserve so precious a mercy for them in store to the end that having been sufficiently chasten'd with the Scorpions of bloudy and tyrannical Governours for their sins against their natural pious and gracious Sovereign they might in due time be restor'd to the blessings which they had forfeited under the government of his excellent Son and his posterity to the end of the world In the pursuit after this fatal battle were taken besides the Earles of Dâ—rby Lauderdale Cleaveland and his son the Lord Wentworth the Earle of Kenmore David Lâ—â—lâ—y Lieutenant General Middleton Major General Vandruske the Lord Spyne Sir VVilliam Fleming with many others of quality Of 3000. horse which fled 1000. were taken about Beudley in Staffordshire more in other places partly by souldiers and partly by rising parties of Countrey people who barberously knock'd many stragglers on the head in Yorkshire Cheshire Lancashire Shropshire and VVarwickshire Major General Massey having with many wounds upon him escaped out of the field and finding himself unable for flight yielded himself to the civility and mercy of the Countesse of Stamford to which he was induc'd upon the Account of former friendship he having been Major General under the Earle her husband in the Wars between his late Majesty and the Parliament How far this Ladie 's generosity extended I know not but her son the Lord Grey of Groby understanding it forthwith secured him as a Prisoner till his wounds were cured and then he was sent up to the Parliament and committed to the Tower from whence he escaped not long after by an ingenious wile and went into France to his Majestie The news of this victory caused great rejoycing amongst the pretended Parliament who now look't upon their new Commonwealth as founded to Eternity And to tell the World that they were the Favourites of Heaven and that God had owned their cause a day of solemn Thanksgiving was appoint'd throughout the whole Nation And indeed though there was nothing miraculous in the victory the Parliamentarians being six times the number of the Royallists yet it may be said to have been the Work of God and they the instruments of his wrath upon the people of this Land and the scourges of God as Attila that terrible destroyer of Christendome was once called Flagellum Dei The only Miracle was his Majestie 's deliverance in which the King of kings was pleased to remember mercy in judgement and give us cause to adore his Providence both in afflicting this Nation in this excellent Prince and suffering wicked Tyrants Murderers and Oppressours to prosper in the mean time preserving him in whom our hopes lay from the hands of his bloud-thirsty enemies And as if successe attended impious Armes the Garrisons of Scotland fell every day into the power of the English Sterling Castle was deliver'd to Colonel Monck while Cromwell was at VVorcester and in it great store of warlike Ammunition with many of the Royal Ensignes Old General Lesley Earle of Leven with several other Scotch Lords intending to have levied a party of men for his Majesty to have rais'd the siege of that strong and loyal Town Dundee were surprized by a party of English horse shortly after which the Town was taken by storme and the City of St. Andrews and Aberdeen with other Towns Castles and Forts surrendred upon summons On the 12. of September Cromwel entred triumphantly into London having sent the poor captive Scots thither before him and on the 16. he went to the Parliament-House and had a congratulatory Oration made to him by Lenthal the
disability to goe through with the enterprise and defray the charges of it and partly because he was at the same time dealt with underhand by the King of France to relinquish the Prince's party and offer'd by him such termes as they were not able to give him And as ill fortune would have it the manner of discovery of their agreemenâ— made the King of England be lookt upon as the Agent and procurer of it For the French King's Army under Turenne marching into Brie in view of the Lorrain Army the Duke of Beaufort was extreme desirous to encounter with them To which purpose he went into the field where he found King Charles and the Duke of York with the Duke of Lorrain who upon the approach of Beaufort presently withdrew And then this Duke urging him of Lorrain to fight found an extreme coldnesse in him to the business and presently after understood his conjunction with the Court-interest Whereupon the incensed Princes exclaimed against the perfidiousnesse of the Duke of Lorrain and against the English Princes as the causes of it Who though they made it sufficiently apparent that their transactions with the Duke of Lorrain were wholly about another affair yet the indignation of the Princes and people for this collusion so blinded their reasons that they would not be convinc'd of the innocency of the King and his Brother but bitterly inveigh'd against them and the Queen Mother whom they also were resolv'd to believe had been instrumental in the business so that they were induc'd to withdraw from the Louvre to St. Germains and the Queen to Chaliot Shortly after the Victory at Worcester the pretended Parliament as I said executed abundance of the Royall party and such as were suffer'd to live had their Estates confiscated and were kept severall yeares after in prison Their principall Acts pass'd the remainder of this year were I. An Act for the increase of shipping and encouragement of Navigation in which it was enacted 1. That no goods or commodities of the growth or manufacture of any places whatsoever should be brought hither but onely in English Ships and that from the very places of their growth and manufacture onely Also that no Fish or Oyle made of Fish or Whale-bone should be imported but onely such as should be caught in English Vessels nor any salted Fish exported in any other save English Bottomes c. This Act was apprehended by the Dutch as highly prejudiciall to the Trade which they had driven with extreme advantage above us during our intestine Wars and proved a great cause of the War that shortly follow'd between this State and the Vnited Provinces II. An Act to determine the Session of this Parliament on Nov. 3. 1654. Their dissolution was a point they did not love to think of but being urg'd by the Army and several Petitions for a new Representative after many debates and delayes they resolv'd to continue their sitting 3. yeares longer but they reckon'd without their Host and receiv'd a quietus about a year and half after from Cromwel III. An Act of Oblivion which was loaden with many heavy provisoes and exceptions IV. An Act for incorporating Scotland into one Commonwealth with England the Government of which they invested in these Commissioners Ol. St. Iohn Sir Henry Vane Maj. Gen. Lambert Maj. Gen. Deane Col. Fenwick Alderman Tichburne Major Salwey and Lieut. Gen. Monck As for Ireland the Government of it having been wholly referred to Cromwel he constituted his Son in Law Ireton to command in chief there wâ—th the Title of Lord Deputy In December 1651. arrived at Paris the Gentlewoman Mrs. Iane Lane who had been instrumental in his Majestie 's deliverance after the overthrow at Worcester of which fearing danger by the discovery of some unfaithful confidents she went on foot in disguise to Yarmouth and there took ship for France She was conducted into Paris with great honour his Majestie himself with the Queen his mother and the Dukes of York and Glocester going out to meet her upon the first sight his Majesty took her by the hand and saluted her with this obliging term VVelcome my Life The French Court also regarded her with much respect and honour together with her Brother Col. Lane who accompanied her thither About the Spring of the year 1652. broke out a furious War between the English the Dutch Common-wealths after Embassadors had been sent to no effect from either The first Act of Hostility was on the 19. of May 1652. After which many bloody Sea-fights pass'd between them both in the British Sea and the Streights with great losse of Ships and men on both sides but the Dutch were most commonly worstest During this sharp War his Majesty was as mindfull of his Interests using all endeavours for an accommodation between the King of France and the Princes as also between the Kings of France and Spain in the mean time also sending Embassadours to severall Potentates to desire assistance as the Lord Wilmot whom he had created Earle of Rochester to the Imperial Diet at Ratisbone the Lord Culpeper to the Hague and the Lord VVentworth to the King of Denmark But the Catholick Princes were the colder in gratifying his Majesty for that he shew'd no pronesse to embrace their Religion as the Emperor once expresly signified to him And indeed such was his Majestie 's constancy that no temptations of worldly advantages no resentment of adversity nor the sollicitations and arguments of severall grand Catholicks who endeavour'd to pervert him as Mr. Montagu Militiere and Salmonet could prevaile any thing upon him He propounded to the Dutch that if they would furnish him with a squadron of Ships he would set up his own Flags and command them in person Some of the Provinces were very inclinable to the motion but that of Holland which stood out against the admitting of the young Prince of Orange for Capt. Gen. was also backward to comply with his Majestie 's desires or undertake his interest then which act nothing could have been more honourable to them nor perhaps more beneficiall All that he could bring them to was that they granted liberty for his Ships to ride in their Ports with their Flâ—gs up as King of Great Brittaine c. The King of Denmark professed willingnesse enough to gratify his Majesty but his affairs were then in a doubtfull Estate and depended much upon the successe of the Dutch with whom he had partly engaged On December 1652. the English Iunto resolved to be rid of his Majestie 's younger Brother the Duke of Glocester and referr'd it to the Council of State to consider with what accommodation and to what place to send him The Council that they might seem to do something handsomely ordered him to go into Holland gave him a Bill for 1000. l. to be paid to him upon his arrival but such was their honesty that they took care that he should never receive one penny of it However he was
told them with what regret he had executed their late Orders in relation to the Chaines Posts and Gates of the City which he fear'd would be so far from answering the expected end that it would rather encrease the discomposure of mens spirits in the Nations minding them also That the ground of his coming into England was not only to return them to their trust but also to vindicate the Liberties of the People c. He also complain'd That Lambert Vane and others impeached of Treason that had acted in the illegal and tyrannical Committee of Safety were yet suffer'd to continue in and about the City and some too in the House and in the Army c. That they were contriving to take away the maintenance of the Ministry That they were framing another Oath to impose upon the people and to that purpose had countenanced a bold and dangerous Petition from the Fanatick Party And lastly he desir'd That by the Fryday following they would issue out VVrits for filling up the House upon due and reasonable Qualifications and put a certain and speedy period to their sitting according to their frequent Declarations This Letter produc'd not greater regret in the Rump then it did joy to the City and whole Kingdome which was testifi'd at night by Bone-fires and ringing of Bells c. The time set for filling the House being expir'd and nothing done by the Rump in order thereunto the formerly secluded Members upon addresse to the General and engageing to him not to be against a single person were on Feb. 21. permitted to take their seats in the House after 11. years exclusion The House now augmented by above a 100. Members take care for settling the Nations and first they constituted General Monck Commander in chief of all the forces of England Scotland and Ireland Sir VVilliam VValler Lieutenant General Colonel Rossiter General of the Horse General Montague Admiral af Sea Then they appointed a New Council of State consisting of Gen. Monck the Lord Fairfax Mr. Annesley Sir VVilliam VValler Mr. Hollis Gen. Montagu and others to the number of 30. And with all speed they released severall Gentlemen imprison'd by the Rump and amongst others Sir Geo. Booth ordering also the City Gate to be repaired at the publick charge And lastly having made provision for settling the Militiaa of the Kingdome and calling a new Parliament to convene at Westminster April 25. they dissolved themselves by Act on Friday March 16. And thus ended that unhappy Long Parliment after almost 19. years from their first assembling having been interrupted for 5. years together by Cromwel and for ten weeks by Lambert His Majesty in the mean time remov'd from the Spanish Court at Brussels to Bruges in Flanders and resided there for a good space but being now in fair hopes of restitution to his Dominions departed from thence toward the latter end of March to Breda a handsome Town scituate in Brabant about 10. leagues from Antwerp and belonging to the Prince of Orange In this interval the Council of State prudently manag'd affairs proclaiming against all disturbers of the peace under whatsoever pretence and tendring an engagement for peaceable demeanour to be subscrib'd by such as they suspected of disturbance which Lambert refusing was committed to the Tower The General also purg'd his Army of Fanaticks both Officers Souldiers sent down two Colonels to displace Overton from the Garrison of Hull which he pretended to keep till the coming of Iesus Christ But about the midst of April a great disturbance had like to have hapned For Lambert having made an escape out of the Tower appear'd in armes about Northampton in the head of a party many cashier'd souldiers and fanaticks repairing to him But this danger was timely remov'd by Col. Rich. Ingoldsby who without fighting took Lambert with his own hand and sent him up to London prisoner together with a son of Hasilrig's Col. Cobbet and Major Creed They were brought by Coach through Hide Park on April 24. at which time 20000. Horse and Foot of City Regiments and Auxiliaries were training there The Parliament according to appointment assembled at VVestminster chose Sir Harbottle Grimstone Speaker the Nobility also taking their places in the upper-House by virtue of their Peerage choosing the Earle of Manchester Speaker Within a few dayes after their meeting the Lord Viscount Mordant and Sir Iohn Greenvile one of the Gentlemen of his Majestie 's Bed-chamber arrived at London with Letters from his Majesty dated at Breda April 4 14. One was to the House of Peers another to the House of Commons another to Gen. Monck and his Officers and another to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council of London These Letters were accompanied with a Declaration and delivered accordingly on May-day The two Houses received them with great joy and loyal affection so did his Excellency and the City from whom Sir Iohn Greenvile receiv'd 200 l. and 500 l. from the Parliament as a gratuity to buy him a Iewel The Letters were full of very gracious expressions and in the Declaration his Majesty offer'd I. A Free and General Pardon to be passed under the Great Seale to all persons whatsoever who within 40. dayes after the publication thereof shall sue it out Excepting such as should be excepted by the Parliament II. A liberty to tender consciences in matters of Râ—ligion so as the peace of the Kingdome be not disturb'd and to pass such an Act to that effect as the Parliament should think fit to offer III. The determination concerning Sales and Purchases to the Parliament IV. And lastly satisfaction of Arrears to the Officers and Souldiers of Gen. Monck 's Army and reception of them into his own service upon as good pay and conditions as they now enjoy Hereupon the House of Commons Vote his Majestie 's Letters and Declaration satisfactory and the Government to be in King Lords and Commons soon after which both Houses ordered a certain number of their Members to go to his Majesty with Letters and to invite him to his Kingdomes also 50000 l. was ordered to be immediately sent to him 10000 l. to the Duke of York and 5000 l. to the Duke of Glocester The City also deputed several worthy Members to wait upon his Majesty with a Letter and 10000 l. as a present Moreover Admiral Montague was commanded to attend him upon the coasts of Holland with a squadron of Ships But the General first of all dispatcht away his Brother Sir Thom. Clerges with a Letter to his Majesty wherein was enclos'd an Addresse of the Officers professing their Allegiance to his Majesty On Tuesday May 8. his Majesty was solemnly proclaimed in London and soon after in all Counties Cities and Borroughs of England and that with greater transports of joy then had ever been known upon the like or any other occasion In the mean time great numbers of persons of quality daily flocked over to Breda to his
which put the King upon thoughts of providing for his own safety and therefore on the 13. of April he went out of Oxford in a disguise with Parson Hudson waiting upon Mr. Iohn Ashburnham and upon the 6. os May got to the Scots Army before Newark Soon after which Sir Thomas Glenham surrendred the City of Oxford to General Fairfax upon the 24. of Iune 1646. The Duke of York was carried from thence to Saint Iames's where he met with his Sister the Princesse Henrietta Maria who was sent thither from the surrender of Exceter but was shortly after conveyed from Oatlands over to her Mother in France by her Governesse the Lady Dalkeith From the Island of Scilly the Prince removed to that of Guernsey where he had not long been but an Ordinance is put out against him in the nature of a Ban prohibiting all persons to repair to him or correspond with him by letter or otherwise upon pain of death without mercy Whereupon his abode here being so uncomfortable he betakes himself for France to visit his Mother and that Court there he was received with great demonstration of joy by all parties excepting the dissembling Cardinal Mazarine who though he pretended much respect yet was he inwardly glad to see him in distresse and exile From hence the Queen being willing to comply with the active desires of her Son which inclin'd him to break through these clouds of misery and retirement which seem'd wholly to obscure him writes to the King by Major Bosvil requesting him to permit the Prince to go into the field with his Uncle the Duke of Orleans that summer in the head of a French Army that was then design'd for an expedition into Flanders against the Spaniard To which his Majesty refus'd to condescend partly for that he judg'd it an imployment below a Prince of Great Britain to serve any other King but his own whose pay and orders were once receiv'd by a Roman Caesar and partly because he knew not how soon his service might be necessary for his own Couhtrey and therefore he commands him to wave that design and await his further instructions In the mean time it pleased the King of kings to lay his hand upon him and visit him with an intermitting Fever which continued upon him for the space of some weeks 'till by the divine blessing upon the Physitian 's care he was recover'd to perfect health Soon after which he receiv'd a Commission from his Royal Father to be Generalissimo of all the Loyal forces that survived of the late unsuccessefull battels and garrisons While he is advising about this affair the Kingdom of Scotland out of tendernesse of the Prince's safety honour and conscience move the King That his Son the present hope and future happinesse of these Nations might not be exposed in his youth to the dangers which encompassed him in the French Court particularly in reference to his Religion the perversion of which might have fatal consequences in these three Kingdomes Whereupon his Majesty from Newcastle whether the Scots fearing least General Fairfax should fall upon them and compel them to deliver him up retir'd with him writes to him That he should wait upon his Mother and obey her dutifully in all things Religion only excepted and that he should not stir any whether without his directions The Scots also by their Committee of Estates write themselves to the Prince to invite him thither Professing that none of the late calamities except those that had befallen his Royal Father afflicted them more then his Highnesse's absence And seeing their Forces had entred England to doe their duty to Religion his Majesty and his Highnesse they humbly desire he would please to honour and countenance their pious and loyal endeavours with his gracious presence for whose honour safety and freedome they engage the publick Faith of that Kingdome Signed Crawford Lindsey In Answer to this he desires the Earle of Louderdail to return his acknowledgements to the States of Scotland and assure them he would doe nothing misbecoming a good Prince or unsuitable to their civility But the Prince in pursuance of his instructions negotiating in behalf of his Father's affairs in the French Court by his Mother's assistance whom her nearnesse of bloud great deserts and low condition made powerfull there prevails with the French to advance ten thousand pounds for the Marquesse of Ormond towards the furtherance of his Majestie 's affairs in Ireland as an earnest of greater matters And some remainders of his Cornish Forces getting to a head others upon order marching to him out of Ireland he goes to meet them at the Island of Iersey with such Forces as he had gotten together beyond sea especially in France by his Mother's means and in Holland by the mediation of his young Brother in Law VVilliam of Nassaw Prince of Orange who about this time succeeded his Father Henry in the dignity of General and Admiral of the United Provinces He possessed himself likewise of some Vessels in the Island adding others to them which he hired in France While his Highnesse lay here a Letter is sent to him from the Parliament by the hands of Colonel Russel their Governour of Guernsey which lyes six or seven Leagues distant from Iersey The effect of it was to desire him for his Father's his own and the three Kingdomes sake to return to them where he should find all due respects Subjects could afford or his H ghnesse expect The Design was to get the person of the Prince into their hands as the Scots had that of the King but it took no effect the Prince proceeding to manage his affairs by sea and land to such advantage as might â—nable his Royal Father to stand in the approaching Treaty on such termes as might consist with his Conscience and his Honour On Iuly the 27. following sixteen General Propositions with sundry Qualifications were presented to the King at Newcastle by the Earles of Pembroke Suffolk c. who were limited to ten dayes which the King judging unreasonable refused to consent to and defir'd to come to London and treat personally After which the Scots general Assembly send a Remonstrance to his Majesty desiring him to settle matters in England according to the COVENANT and to signe the Parliaments Propositions And Chancellor Lowdon told him plainly there was no other means for him to close with his Two Houses And moreover if he lost England he should not be admitted to reign in Scotland But the King still persisting in his denyal the Scots who had hitherto some what sharply disputed about the disposall of his Person are content upon the receit of a good summe of Money to depart home and leave the King in the power of the Parliament who voted him to Holmby House and sent Commissioners to receive and convey him thither where he arriv'd on the 17. of February 1646 7. The War was now totally finished and dissentions brake out between the Parliament
he would confirme all Acts of Parliament enjoin the Solemn League and Covenant establish Presbytery the Directory the Confâ—ssion of Faith and Catechisme in the Kingdome of Scotland as they are already approved by the General Assembly of the Kirk and the Parliament and that he would observe the same in his own family and swâ—ar never to oppose or indevour the alteration of the same IV. That he would consent that all Civil matters might be determin'd by the present and subsequent Parliaments in Scotland and all matters Ecclesiasticall by the ensuing generall Kirk Assembly After the reading of these Propositions and the Letters his Majestie being told these were all their instructions answered That he would take these things into consideration and doubted not to give them such a full answer as should give them his Kingdome of Scotland ample satisfaction His Majestie and his Council deliberate very seriously upon these Heads of the Treaty Opinions were divided some persons vehemently disswading him from trusting himself into the hands of the Scots But the Covenant was the main thing the King stuck at and the Commissioners most urg'd In the mean time he withdraw to the Hague to consult with the Queen of Bohemia and the Prince of Orange who was visited by the Commissioners and intreated to be a Mediator between them and his Majestie and some other friends what course was best to resolve on And soon after the Earle of Carnwarth and Mr. Murrey arrive at Breda from the Committee of Estates with further Instructions and Propositions as 1. That his Majesty should raâ—ifie all that had been done in the Parliaments of Scotland in some late Sessions And consent That Montrosse and his Adherents be prohibited accesse into that Kingdome These conditions were sufficiently hard but the posture his Majestie 's affairs then stood in seem'd to most of his Counsellours to afford an invincible argument to perswade him to accept them The Marquis of Montrosse as I said was commission'd by the King to levy what force he could on that side the Sea and to fall into the North of Scotland upon hopes his appearance there might induce the States to more moderation In order to which he had sollicited the Princes of Germany for assistance but he received little more from any but promises and complements Onely from the Duke of Holstein he was supplyed with three or four very fair Vessels well arm'd and amn'd And to expedite his businesse he dispatcht Col. Iohn Ogilby to Amsterdam to intertain such strangers as might be for his purpose But the forgetting his Commission bestow'd both money paines in intertaining himself suffering those who upon any termes would have engag'd to shift for themselves there being a great number who had fled out of England and more who had lately deserted the French or been cashiered the Hollander's service By which neglect those goodly ships provided for service were lost and a limb of the design broken Nor was this the onely miscarriage that hapned in the beginning of the Marquis's enterprise For Col. Cochran likewise who had been sent into Poland to deal with the Scotch Merchants there for assistance having procured very considerable Summes of money upon that score and other provision dispos'd of the money to his own use made sale of the Corn and provision together transportation of it and himself turn'd tail to the quarrell And Generall King whom the Marquis expected out of Sweden with a considerable party of Horse either could not be ready so soon as was expected or else delay'd on purpose However the Marquesse fearing as is suppos'd he should have an expresse command to desist from his purpose because the Treaty betwixt his Majesty and the Scots Commissioners was likely to come to a speedy conclusion whereby himself should be banisht out of that Kingdome fatally resolves to proceed notwithstanding all difficulties So he set forth for the conquest of a Nation settled in a posture of war and forewarn'd of his intentions with about six or seven hundred men at most strangers and all about the tenth of April 1650. He had sent him by the Queen of Swâ—den for the arming such as upon his arrivall should betake themselves to his party fifteen hundred Armes compleat for Horse back brest c. Carbiâ—â—es Pistols and Swords all which after his defeat in Cathanes were taken untoucht Two of his ships with near upon a third part were sent before and directed to steeâ— for the Orcades but by storm of weather which is both frequent and dangerous amongst those Northern Islands they were lost with all the men and Arms nothing sav'd This was another check and a forerunner of the sad event which follow'd However nothing terrifi'd with these unhappy presages he arriv'd himself at the Isle of Orkney having with him severall Scotch Gentlemen resolv'd to partake of his fortune Here he continued a considerable time to raise such forces and recruits as the place would afford which were poor raw untrain'd fellowes making up the shew of an Army but wholly ignorant of war With these he embarques and lands at Cathanes the farthest point to the Northwest of Scotland expecting the coming of two thousand men rais'd in the Earle of Seaforth's Territories His arrival and that with Foreigners immediately struck a terrour into the whole Countrey as far as Edenburth where the Parliament then sitting forthwith order Lieutenant General David Lesley Colonel Straughan and Holborn to march against him with 7000. foot and 3. Troops of Horse In the mean time the Marquesse moves but slowly and to prevent misapprehension since all the world was much astonisht at his Invasion whilst the King was upon a Treaty puts forth a Declaration to make known That his intention was only against some particular persons who had against the Laws of the Kingdome rais'd and maintain'd a war against the King's Father and did now by their subtile practices endeavour to cirâ—umvent and destroy the Son That he intended nothing against the generality of the Kingdome And lastly exhorted all Subjects of that Nation to endeavour to free themselves from the Tyranny of those who for the present ruled the state and from the oppression of the Ministry But the Countrey partly through fear of the danger and partly being over-awed by the Earle of Sunderland did not come to second him as he expected Straughan who commanded a choice party of Horse advances before Lesley's body whilst the Marquesse had effected nothing material besides the taking of Dumbath Castle Upon Straughan's approach a party of 100. were drawn forth who encountred his Forlorn hope and put them to retreat but being immediately seconded by Straughan's whole body who charged upon that of the Marquesse the Islanders threw down their Armes and were dispers'd only the Dutch Forces made an orderly retreat into some shrubs hard by where having very valiantly defended themselves a while they were at last enforced to yield This was a totall Defeat of
should appoint As if it were unfit for his Majesty to be master of his own Purse while they were in expectation of his Arrival the Committee of Estates and Parliament consulted about forming of an Army for his service as they pretended and an Act was pass'd for training every fourth man capable to bear Armes throughout the Kingdom raising 16000. Foot and 6000. Horse in which the Earle of Leven was made General of the Foot Holborn Major General David Lesley Lieutenant General of the Horse and Montgomery Major General the supreme Command being reserv'd for his Majesty Who arriving at Edenburgh was entertain'd with many complements and congratulations and on the 15 of Iuly solemnly proclaimed King at the Crosse and should have been Crown'd in the ensuing moneth had not certain obstacles caus'd the deferring of that ceremony He had not been long there but the Estates and Parliament begin to busie themselves afresh about modelling his Retinue and clearing his Houshold of such Malignants as they term'd them as were in his Service excluding them also from all imployment both about his Person and in the Army As for himself he had a strong Guard continually about him to attend him and observe his motions The English pretended Parliament had all this while sufficient intelligence of the Scots proceedings with his Majesty in the Treaty of Breda together with their engagement to assist him in the recovery of his Rights in England and this by the perfidiousnesse treachery of some of the Fourth Faction I mention'd in the Parliament of Scotland And therefore by the sollicitation of these Traytors and partly out of policy to prevent an invasion by making one whereby the Enemies Country would become the Seat of the War they prepar'd an Army against Scotland and sent for Cromwel out of Ireland on whom they confer'd the Command of Capt. General of all their Forces in the room of the Lord Fairfax who gave up his Commission abhorring to be longer a servant to such horrid designes as they had formerly put him upon About this time one Ascham whom the Iunto had sent Agent into Spaine was assassinated at Madrid together with his Interpreter Senior Riba by a combination of six or seven men at Madrid who after the fact took Sanctuary Dorislaus another Agent of the Upstart Republick had the same fate also though more deservedly about a year before in Holland It hapned also during the Treaty was on foot between his Majesty and his Scottish Subjects that Prince Rupert's Fleet having for a long time been protected by the King of Portugal was utterly destroy'd upon that coast by Blake the English Admiral On the 28. of Iune Cromwel got all things in readiness for a War advanc'd towards Scotland in the head of 11000. Foot and 5000. Horse And approaching to the Borders sent the Scots a Declaration from the ptetended Parliament of England and another from himself to justifie these proceedings The Scots seem'd much surpris'd at this invasion without warning given and therefore send to expostulate the Cause of it in a paper to Haslerig then Governour of New-Castle in another to Cromwel and a third to the Iunto in which they urg'd the Solemn League and Covenant and the former Union between the two Nations But it was answer'd by a Declaration 1. That the Scots contrary to their agreement had once already invaded England under D. Hamilton and were now ready for a second invasion so that the English were advanc'd against them onely by way of prevention 2. That they had made a Peace with the Common Enemy promised him assistance to regain the other Kingdomes he pretended to 3. They had resolved to impose their form of Religion upon the English Nation These were the grounds the English alledg'd for their proceedings Accordingly Cromwel marches into Scotland taking all the Garrisons that lay in his way till he came to Muscleborough a place famous for a signall defeat given the Scots in the Reign of Edward the 6. there he is set upon by Maj. Gen. Montgomery and Col. Straughan but the assailants were put to the worst After which the two main Armies having for some time moved at a small distance one from another the Scots declined engaging till they got the English at a great disadvantage at Dunbar who by the difficulties of the place were so distress'd for provision that they began to think of an escape by Sea and would without doubt have taken that course had not the Scots confidence of Victory induc'd them to set upon them contrary to the great prudent maximes of War viz. To make a bridg for a flying Enemy not to drive an enemy Army to the utmost of despair The event of this engagement was that the Scots in stead of an assured Victory received a totall overthrow 3000. of them being slain in the field amongst whom was the Laird of Libberton Col. Lumsden about 8000. with Sir Iames Lumsden Lieut. Gen. of the Foot made prisoners 200. Colours part of those that were afterwards hung up in Westminster-Hall 15000. armes and 30. pieces of Ordnance taken The King in the mean time was withdrawn to St. Iohnston's being so sensible of the Scots unfaithfulnesse that he apprehended as much danger from them as from the Enemie Here he received the news of this losse which was followed with a greater that of the excellent Princesse his Sister Elizabeth who dyed on the eight of Sept. 1650. at Carisbook Castle in the Isle of VVight a Lady of incomparable goodness piety and who deserved to have been born in a better Age and in a lesse Barbarous Nation The execrable murther of her Royall Father hastned her death whither the same Villaines at the helme of the State contributed any thing towards it though reported I will not affirme Onely I know they were enemies enough to that family base enough to attempt as great a crime It is recorded by some that the decease of this Illustrious Princesse afflicted his Majesty more then the losse of the Army at Dunbar and perhaps he had reason since himself seem'd least concern'd in this the Forces having been raised and order'd wholly by the States and Kirk's command and for their interest About this time also dyed the renowned Prince of Orange to the great grief of the King leaving his Princesse great with her first child of which she was safely deliver'd four dayes after being a Son his Father's Successour About this time Col. Eusebius Andrewes having been found with a Commission from his Majesty was condemned by a High-Court of Justice and beheaded on Tower-Hill Immediately after this notable Victory Cromwel made himself master of Edinburgh and of Leith onely the Castle of Edinburgh held out for a good while after The King being unable to bear the imperiousness and hard impositions of the Estates and Kirk extorting a Declaration from him to condemn his own proceedings and those of his best affected party banishing
beheaded On Decemb. 24. Edenburgh Castle having endur'd a violent siege 3. Moneths surrender'd to Cromwel so did other strong Castles places as Nesbit Berthwick and Roswell c. so successfull were their Impious Armes by God's providence who was pleas'd to use them as a scourge for these sinfull Nations Preparations in the mean time were made for the Coronation of his Majesty for the celebrating of which the 1. of Ianuary had been long before design'd by the Estates The place was the Town of Scoon where 150. Kings of that Nation had formerly been Crown'd Thither therefore his Majesty with the Nobility Barons and Burgesses in their robes remove'd the whole Scotch Army standing all the way as a guard making a lane between those two places The solemnity was performed with as much Pompe and Ceremony as the present State of things would permit and with loud Acclamations Bonefires shooting of Guns c. His Majesty having first heard a Sermon preacht by Mr. Rob. Douglas sitting upon a Scaffold erected in the Church of Scoone took the ordinary Coronation Oath and subscribed the National Covenant with the solemn League and Covenant After which he ascended upon a Stage a little Higher then the former sate down in the Throne when the people being demanded four times by the King at Armes VVhether they were willing to accept of King CHARLES for their King becomâ— subject to his Commandments express'd their consent with loud Acclamations God save King CHARLES the Second This being done his Majesty was cloathed by the Lord Chamberlain with his Royall Robes the Crown was set upon his Head by the Marquiss of Argyle and the Scepter put into his hand the Sword was girt about him by the Earle Marshall and the Spurs put on by the Earle of Eglington Then the Nobility being called by the Herald one by one swore allegiance fealty to his Majesty touching the Crown upon his head with their right Hand in these Words By the Eternal Almighty God who liveth reigneth for ever I shall support thee to the uttermost The people also holding up their hands swore obedience to hiâ— Mâ—â—â—sty according to the usuall Oath And to conclude â—ll an exhortatory Oration was made by Mr. Rob. Duglasse and a Prayer Which being done his Majesty and the Nobility departed out of the Church in the former Order and Pompe the Earle of Glencarn carrying the Sword before him The Ceremonies being thus ended his Majesty and the Nobility were intertain'd at a Stately and Magnificent Dinner which done they all return'd to St. Iohnston's in the same manner they came in his Majesties Guard consisting of the Sons of divers great Scotch Lords and other Members of Parliament the Captain whereof was the Lord of Lorne Son to Argile I have omitted the full relation of all the passages at his Majesties Inauguration because they have been already frequently publish'd and lest they should adde too much to the bulk of this volume This business being over it behoved his Majesty to provide for the defence of his Crown and Kingdome in order whereunto he set up his Standerd at Aberdeen to which a considerable number of men in a short time repaired of whom himself was General Duke Hamilton Lieut. General of the Army David Lesley Major General Middleton Lieut. Gen. of the Horse and Massey Commander in chief of all the English Forces The Parliament of Scotland which had adjourn'd during his Majestie 's Coronation reassembled about the beginning of March and much contest there was for several Lords of the Royal Party to be admitted to their Seats in the House which by reason of the opposition of the Kirk-assemblies at Sterling and Aberdeen could not be obtain'd till they had pass'd the Stool of Repentance which Duke Hamilton did with some kind of splendour having a Table plac'd before him covered with black Velvet with a Cushion of the same and making a great Feast that day In this Session a Committee was appointed to consider of the State of Affairs and examine obstructions by whom severall persons that were found to hold correspondence with the English Army had their Estates sequestred and some were try'd for their lives Arguile at the same time and other Covenanteer Lords repining at the admission of the Royall Lords into the Parliament Army as if they should thereby become overpower'd or utterly discarded And indeed to these two pernicious qualities Treachery and particular Ambition peculiar almost to that Nation his Majestie 's and that Kingdome 's ensuing misfortunes ought to be ascrib'd In the mean time his Majesty was very active in modelling his new Army whose Rendezvouse was at the East of Fife encouraging them many times with his presence and speech the English gaine two very strong Castles Hume and Trimptallon lying between Berwick and Edenburgh the former by Colonel Fenwick and the other by Colonel Monck But to prevent their further progresse his Majesty personally visited all the Garrisons of Fife and put them in a posture to hinder the English from landing on that side the Frith after which he went to the Assembly at Aberdeen to endeavour by his presence and authority to compose Dissentions And having taken this order at home he imploy'd the Earle of Dumferling Ambassadour into Holland Mr. Crofts into Russia besides others into other Nations to solicite for assistance Thus he acquitted himself as far as humane prudence could reach but abroad his Ambassadours receiv'd nothing but fruitlesse promises and empty complements amongst whom Sir Henry Hide Lieger at Constantinople had the worst fortune for I know not upon what contest between him and Sir Thomas Bendish that lay there in behalf of the New State Bendish got him into his hands and sent him over into England where as other Loyall Subjects had formerly been he was formally tryed before a parcel of Murderers in apretended High Court of Iustice condemned and beheaded near the Old Exchange in London on March 4. 1650. A person he was of great parts honesty and loyalty Of the same cup also and from the same hands tasted Captain Brown Bushel an expert Seaman who had lately done notable service for his Majesty by sea He was beheaded on Tower-hill on the 25. of April 1651. But to proceed No considerations could unite the dissenting Covenanted Scots The Clergy like fire brands were as eager to ruine their Countrey with their tongues as the Sectarian Army could be with the sword Guthry Cant Duram Galespy men of hot spirits inflaming inconsiderable discontents to high outrages as if a spirit of division had wholly possess'd them and so perverted their judgements that petty animosities were prosecuted with greater zeal then the publick Cause Malignants it seems had commands given them and grew potent this was the ground of contest Some covenanted Lords too either for that they were Kirk-ridden or blinded with envy and ambition began to be dissatisfi'd whereupon Louden was discharged from being
Copy of his Declaration in which he offer'd pardon to all that would return to their Allegiance enclosed in a gracious Letter to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London which by order of the Usurping Iunto at Westminster was on the 26. of Aug publickly burnt at the old Exchange by the Hangman And a day or two after at a Muster of 14000. men in Moorfields the insolent Speaker Lenthall repaired thither and caused a fellow with a Link to burne a Copy of his Majestie 's Declaration in the head of every Regiment On Saturday the 23. of Aug. his Majesty was there proclaimed King of Great Brittain France and Ireland by Mr. Thomas Lisens Mayor and Mr. Iames Bridges Sheriff of the City with the great acclamations and joy of the loyall Citizens And on the same day also his Majesty sent abroad a Declaration given at his City of Worcester for summoning all the neighbouring Nobility Gentry and others from sixteen years of age to sixty upon their Allegiance to appear in their persons with Horse and Armes at Pitchcroft on Tuesday following the 26. of Aug. where his Majesty would be present On which accordingly appear'd at the said Rendezvous these loyall persons following Francis Lord Talbot now Earle of Shrewsbury with about 60. Horse Mervin TouchetEsq Sir Iohn Packington Sir VValter Blunt Sir Ralph Clare Ralph Sheldon of BeolyEsq Iohn VVashburn of WitchingfordEsq with 40. Horse Tho. ActonEsq Rob. Blount of KentswickEsq Rob. W gmore of LuctonEsq Thomas Hornyold of Blackmore ParkEsq with 40. Horse Francis KnotsfordEsq and divers others The works of this City had for the most part been slighted a while before and therefore all endeavours were us'd to fortify it again About two or three dayes before the King's arrivall at VVorcester the Earl of Derby landed at VVeywater in Lancashire with 250. Foot and 60. Horse from his Isle of Man which leaving with the King he return'd into that County his interest in it got together a Body of 1500. with which he was hasting to Manchester to join with 500. more and would probably have increas'd his forces in a short time to a greater number But Col. Lilburn being order'd to prevent him with 3. Regiments and some Horse out of Cheshire was forc't to an engagement by the Earl out of a purpose to hinder him from joining with other forces which were sent against him The contest was sharp and doubtfull for an hour till at length the Earl's Forces were put to flight himself being wounded narrowly escap'd to Worcester severall persons of quality were slaine of his Party as the Lord VViddrington Sir Tho. Tilsley Col. Trollop Col. Galliard with some others of good note Among the taken were Maj. Gen. Sir VVill. Throckmorton Sir Timothy Fetherstonhaugh Col. Matthew Bointon Major Chester Col. Rich. Legg Col. Iohn Robinson Col. Ratclif Gerard besides other Officers some of which soon after dyed of their wounds 400. private Souldiers were taken with all the Armes and Ammunition the Earles George Garter and 3. Cloaks with Stars and about 60. slain The Earle of Derby Col. Roscarrock after this overthrow which was on the 25. of Aug. by the assistance of one Mr. Snead and one Mr. Elliot got to his Majesty at Worcester where neverthelesse his Majesty the Forces with him were resolute against all disasters the Fortifications were carried on with all possible diligence and the Mount at the South-East end of the Town strongly secured On the other side the Parliament by their new levies had encreased their Forces to a prodigious number which as their own writers record amounted to above 80000. About three dayes after the former Victory Cromwel marcht up before Worcester with 17000. Horse and Foot besides the parties under the Lord Grey of Groby Lambert and Harrison which in all made up above 30000. men The first encounter was at Vpton-Bridge 7. miles from Worcester which the Royalists had broken upon newes of their coming onely one Plank either through negligence or treachery was left of it over which Lambert pass'd some Redcoats who perceiving the Scots took the alarum fled into a Church Whereupon Maj. Gen. Massey gave a camisado to the Church but in the mean time Lambert having pass'd over a supply of Horse fell upon the back of the Royallists and overpowering them put them to a retreat which was performed by Maj. Gen. Massey with much gallantry who was in the rear sometimes marching off and sometimes fighting till he escaped to Worcester in which service he received a shot in the Arme and his Horse was slain under him After this the Enemies disposed themselves in the manner they conceiv'd most convenient to streighten the Town To which purpose Fleetwood having left a sufficient force to secure the passe at Vpton approacht nearer the City Cromwel gave order for two Bridges to be made the one of boats over Severne under Bun-hill a mile below the City and the other over Teame a lesser River that falls into Severn and this for the better conjunction of the Army On the 29. of Aug. Cromwel fac'd the City with a great body of Horse and Foot but drew off again and attempted nothing But on Saturday Aug. 30. It was resolv'd by his Majesty at a Council of Warre to beat up the Enemies Quarters that night with 1500. choise Horse and Foot commanded by Maj. Gen. Middleton and Sir William Keyth all of them wearing their shirts over their Armour for distinction the result was accordingly put in execution and might in all probability have prov'd importantly successfull had not the designe been most traiterously discover'd to the Enemy by one Guyes a Tailor in the City who was rewarded with a Halter for his treachery but the Westminster Iunto to shew how affectionately they regarded base and treacherous actions gave Guyes wife 200 l. down and 200 l. per annum during her life This sally was made with much gallantry and resolution but the Enemy having receiv'd intelligence of the design were in readiness to receive the Royalists and nevertheless were unable to bear the shock till bringing on successively fresh forces their number constrain'd the Assailants to retire In this Action Major Knox was slain and some few made prisoners In this condition was his Majesty at Worcester having about 10000. Scots and 2000. English with him and surrounded with a numerous Army of three to one in an ill-fortified City Which odds being consider'd I presume no rational man will account it a Miracle for the better cause and lesser number to be worstest by the greater The Hearts of the besieged were as couragious as those of their enemies and no doubtlesse burnd'ned with lesse guilt They were also animated by the example of his Majestie 's heroâ—cal resolution who determin'd not be behind any of his party in danger And now the fatall day appear'd the third of September on which the year before the Scots were so considerably overthrown at