of the Governour and Garrison of Oxford made their demands which his Excellency sent up to the Parliament by Colonel Rich and Scoutmaster-General Watson two of the Commissioners for the Treaty on his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax part putting off the Treaty till the pleasure of the Parliament were knowne concerning them The heads of some of the principall of them were these Viz. 1. To have liberty to send to the King to know his Majesties pleasure Whether they shall surrender or not 2. That Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice have protection to remaine in any part of this Kingdome to have no Oath â—…posed on them to be at liberty to do as shall seem good unto them at any time hereafter 3. The Governour and all Officers and Souldiers to martch out in as full equipage as any since these Wars with six Guns ten barrels of Powder and to have thirty days time to know the King's pleasure how he will dispose of them 4. The Privy Seale and Great Seale to goe to the King And such as these The House of Commons upon reading of them conceived them so high that they thought not fit so much as to debate them but referd it to the General in what way he thonght fit to prosecute the reducing of that place May 24. or within a day sooner or later was Radcoat house surrendred after it had endured great extremity by our Granadoes one whereof falling on the top of a Tower made fearfull work tearing it into a thousand pieces and sending it severall wayes and at last falling into the Cellar let out all their Beere There were an hundred men in it who were to goe to their severall homes leaving their Armes behind them His Excellency upon the forementioned returne ftom the Parliament prepared Propositions to offer to the Garrison and sent them into Oxford on Saturday May 30. Whereupon at the desire of the Enemy the Treaty which upon their flying so high in their demands had been discontinued if not broken off was renewed againe they being willing to treat upon his Excellencies Propositions submitting therein as themselves said to the â—ate of the Kingdome rather then any way distrusting their owne strength or the Garrisons tenablenesse month June 1646 During this Treaty a Captaine of the Garrison of Oxford was taken in a Fishermans habit carrying Letters to the King from Sir Thomas Glemham and Secretary Nicholas relating the condition of the Garrison and how long probably they could hold out A few dayes before the Treaty ended when the Enemy peceived it was like to succeed they played with their Canon day and night into our Leaguers and Quarters discharging sometimes neer two hundred 〈◊〉 in a day at randome as was conceived rather to spend their Powder then to doe any great execution though they shewed good skill in that they levelled their pieces so as they shot into the Leaguer on Heddington-hill and on that side Lieutenant-Colonel Cotsworth was slaine with a great shot and likewise into the Leaguer on Colonel Rainsboroughe's side where they killed with their shot a Sutler and others in their Tents Our Canon in recompence playd fiercely upon the enemy and much annoyed them in their Works and Colledges till at last a cessation of great shot was agreed to on both sides Upon Saturday June 20. The Treaty for the surrender of Oxford was finished between the Commissioners and concluded upon the ensuing Articles The same morning that the Treaty for Oxford was concluded Farrington Garrison sent also to capitulate the Governour thereof Sir George Lisle being then in Oxford and to be briefe surrendred upon condition to have the benefit of Oxford Articles and so they were included in the same Agreement Articles of Agreement concluded and agreed June 20. by the right honourable Sir Richard Lane Knight Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England Francis Lord Cottington Lord high Treasurer of England William Marquesse of Hertford Edward Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain of his Majesties honorable Houshold Thomas Earl of Southampton Francis Earl of Chichester Francis Lord Seymor Sir Edward Nicholas Knight one of his Majesties principall Secretaries of State all of them being of his Majesties most honorable Privy Councel and Sir Thomas Glenham Knight and Governour of Oxford on the one party And his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight General of the Forces raised for the Parliament on the other party for and concerning the rendring of the Garrison of Oxford as followeth THat the Garrison of Oxford with the Castle Forts Mounts and places of Defence whatsoever With all the Ordnance Arms Ammunition and Provisions of War with all Magazines and Stores thereunto belonging exceping what is allowed in the ensuing Articles shall be delivered to the General Sir Thomas Fairfax or whom he shall appoint without wilfull spoyl or embezlement upon Wednesday the 24. of this instant June 1646. at Ten of the Clock in the Morning or thereabouts II. That his Highnesse the Duke of Yorke shall have an honorable Convoy to London where other of his Majesties Children are attended by his Officers and Servants and sitting accommodation for the removall of His Houshold and goods thither And shall have an Honorable provision besitting his Dignity appointed for Him by the Parliament and to remaine there untill His Majesties pleasure be knowne touching His setling there or elswhere and then to be disposed accordingly to any place within fourscore miles of London and shal have such Officers and Servants to continue about him as the Parliament shall approve III. That their Highnesses Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice shall have liberty and Passes for themselves with their Servants Horses Armes and Goods the number of their Horses for them and their Traine not exceeding seventy to repaire to any place within fifty miles of London so it be not within twenty miles of London without leave from the Parliament nor in any Garrison and there to abide for the space of six moneths after the Rendring free from any molestation by imposition of Oaths or otherwise and shall have Passes to goe beyond the Seas at any time within the said six moneths with their said Servants Horses Armes and Goods they engaging themselves upon their Honours not to use the liberty hereby granted in the meane time to any Hostility against the Parliament of England sitting at Westminster or any way wilfully to the prejudice of their Affaires And they are to have the benefit of such the ensuing Articles as may concerne them IV. That the Seales called the Great Seale Privy Seale Signet and the Seales of the Kings Bench Exchequer Court of Wards Dutchy Admiralty and Prerogative as also the Sword of State shall at such time and in the presence of two such persons as the General Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint be lockt up in a chest and left in the publick Library and if any of the aforenamed particulars shall not be then accordingly produced the default thereof shall not be charged upon any
is gone in hand withall and now where to find a General puts them all to a stand Providence strangly designing the General Till by a strange providence without any premeditation or designe Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX was nominated The motion took was Voted and carried presently And to be brief the old Commissions being laid down and those that were waved in this New-Model being dismist from the imployment the Command of the rest to be recruited to Twenty one thousand is devolved to Sir Thomas Fairfax Of whom and whose successe since he served the Parliament as General of their Forces is this story instituted which I cannot better begin then with a brief account or description of him CHAP. II. Wherein a brief Character of the General and Lieutenant-General The framing of the New-Model The beginning of their Action at Islip-bridge Blechington-house Bampton-bush c. And the effect these things had on His Majesty at Oxford SIr THOMAS FAIRFAX eldest Son of the Lord FAIRFAX of Denton in the County of York Martially disposed from his youth Not finding action suitable to him in his own Country for through the great goodnesse and long suffering of God England hath been a quiet habitation these 80 years And there being imployment in Holland he went over thither to enable himself in military experience And upon his return into England he matched into a most Noble and Martial family taking to Wife one of the Daughters of that ever Renowned General the Lord VERE And thus the Reader may take notice how not only his Extraction Disposition and Education bespake him for a Souldier but his Contract also portended nothing lesse Albeit so far was he from congratulating such a condition of his Country when he saw it like to need the exercise of his faculty that he most sincerely offered the first attempts of his resolved Minde at the Altar of Peace When at the King 's first endeavours to raise a Guard for his own person at York apprehended then by those parts and found quickly after to be the beginning of an Army He was entrusted by his Country to preferre a Petition to His Majesty the scope whereof was to beseech him to hearken to his Parliament and not to take that course of raising Forces he was then engaging in which Petition the King refusing he prest with that instance and intention following the King so close therewith in the field called Heyworth Moor in the presence of 80. if not 100000. people of the County the like appearance was hardly ever seen in Yorkshire so close I say til at last he tendred the same upon the pomel of his saddle But finding no Propitiatory here and seeing a War could not be avoided he early paid the vowes of his Martial dedication And so soon as these unhappy troubles brake forth took a Commission under his Father Ferdinando L. Fairfax whose timely appearance and gallant performances for his country in the North deserves a story by it self And served the Parliament in lower Commands then what Providence since hath adjudged his capacity and merit unto making him now General of the Parliaments forces to which trust and honour he was preferred upon no other grounds than the observation of his Valour and all answerable abilities for the same testified in many notable services done by him in the North whilest he was yet in a lower sphere And now how delightfully remarkable is it as a most apt cadency of providence if God shall make him who was by the King rejected in his milde endeavours to prevent the troubles of the Land by a Petition then which he sought nothing more a most powerfull Instrument of restoring Peace thereunto by the sword month April 1645 section 2 The General personally assisting the framing of the New-Model Sir Thomas Fairfax having with much modesty accepted this command immediately applyes himself to the discharge of it it was the first of April ere his Commission was granted and the third of April he went from London to Windsor to see and personally to assist in the frameing of a new Army He went in a private manner purposely avoiding that pomp which usually accompanies a General into the field His Excellency continued at Windsor from the third to the last of April in that work The difficulty of the worke The difficulty whereof to say nothing of the danger through the discontents of them that were reduced under new Commanders and of those that went off the imployment which rendred it a business requiring much wisdome and tenderness as well as resolution might well accompt for this time if it had bin a longer space considering that besides the fitting the Train for the field and the attendance of the Recruits from London which with the old that continued were to make up the designed number an entire new forme was to be introduced into the whole Army the Forces that remained of the old Army being not only to be recruited but to be reduced into new Companies and Regiments as if they had been new raised section 3 A digression in due commendation of Major Gen. Skippon for his free and faithfull assistance therein In the mention of this particular the great paines care and diligence of that valiant and discreet Commander Major-General Skippon whose prudent carriage added much life and expedition to the busines is not to be omitted of whose singular and extraordinary service therein the House of Commons taking notice by Letters that were sent to them Ordered and sent a Letter returning him the hearty thanks of the House for this and all his former faithfull services Whilest the Army lay about Windsor thus forming and fitting for the field Prince Rupert with the Kings main force for the midland lay about Worcester and the frontiers of Wales preparing from thence to take the field but the Kings person with most part of the Train and some of their Foot intended for the field being then in Oxford A Convoy of horse reputed about 2000. was ordered from Worcester to fetch them off from Oxford upon advertisement whereof the Committee of both Kingdomes wrote to the General to send some horse to march beyond Oxford and lie on the further side thereof towards Worcester to intercept that Convoy and keep the King and his train from passing out The charge of this service they recommended particularly to Lieutenant-General Cromwel who looking on himself now as discharged of military imployment by the new Ordinance which was to take effect within few dayes and to have no longer opportunity to serve his countrey in that way was the night before come to Windsor from his service in the West to kisse the Generals hand and to take his leave of him when in the morning ere he was come forth his chamber those Commands then which he thought of nothing lesse in all the world came to him from the Committee of both Kingdoms The General then immediately commanded a party of Horse and
Dragoons then upon the field to be mustered and recruited as of the New-Model to march under his Command into Oxfordshire forthwith not staying at all either for Pay or Recruits And here also being the first mention of this worthy Commander I must crave leave to digresse a little to present the world with some more particular notion of him whose name they will so often meet with throughout this story and whose actions wil best represent him as in other stories so in the sequel of this section 5 A digression upon occasion of the first mention of Lieut. Gen. Cromwell This Gentleman a Member of the House of Commons long famous for godlinesse and zeale to his countrey of great note for his service in the House accepted of a Commission at the very beginning of this War wherein he served his Country faithfully and it was observed GOD was with him and he began to be renowned insomuch that men found that the narrow room whereunto his first imployments had confin'd their thoughts must be enlarged to an expectation of greater things and higher imployments whereunto divine providence had designed him for the good of this Kingdom When the time therefore drew near that He as the rest had done should lay down his Commission upon a new Ordinance The House considering how God had blessed their affairs under his hand thought fit to dispence with his absence from the House And therefore as they were in the first place happy in a General they resolved in the next place to make themselves and their General further happy in a Lieutenant-Generall section 6 Lieut. Gen. Cromwel in action at Islip-bridge To return therefore from whence I digrest Lieutenant-General Cromwel having received the fore-specified commands from the General marched immediately found the Enemy and engaged them neer Islip-bridge the Enemies Brigade consisted of the Queen's Colonel Wilmot's the Earl of Northampton's and Colonel Palmer's Regiments of horse routed them slew many took about 500 horse 200 prisoners whereof many Officers and Gentlemen of quality and as an ill Omen of her Majesties designes against this Army the Queens Standard section 7 Improving his successe there to the reduceing of Blechingdon house The Lieutenant-General not resting satisfied with this victory pursued the enemy lodged most of the remains of the rout in Blechingdon-house where Colonel Windebank kept garison for the King he faced the house with Horse and Dragoons summoned the Governour with a sharp Message our Souldiers casting out words for the Foot to fall on as if there had been Foot in readines the answer was required to be instantly given or else he must expect the greatest severity that the souldiers could use towards him The Governour having no intelligence of or else doubting relief from Oxford rendred the house with all the arms and ammunition therein Thus God was with out New-Model or rather a branch of it and declared himself so to be betimes The King himself confesseth in his letter to H. Iermyn April 30. 1645. that this blow did much change the face of his affairs Which was by the Enemy esteemed of such evil consequence to their affairs and so great an affront in regard it was done by the New-Nodel as they scornfully termed this Army that they could not tell which way to redeem their honours but by calling the Governour to a Councel of war whom for delivering the house they condemned to be shot to death Much means was used for the sparing his life but notwithstanding the great interest Secretary Windebank his Father had at Court for the great service he had done the Church of Rome they could not prevaile for a pardon so high they accounted his offence only a reprieve for a few dayes and shortly after the Governour was shot to death and his brother a Lieutenant-Colonel laid down his Commission thereupon section 8 The former successes improved to a further advantage at Bampton Bush No sooner was the Lieutenant-Generall possessed of the house but he sent away the Arms and Ammunition to Alisbury and quit the house as not advantageious to our affairs nor indeed having Foot with him to put into the house only a few Dragoons which he could not spare from his other designes The Enemy a few dayes after this sent from Oxford about 350 Foot under the command of Sir William Vaughan towards Radcot-bridge The Lieutenant-Generall marching privately towards Witney and having intelligence thereof pursued them forced them into Bampton-bush where Sir William Vaughan Lieut. Colonel Littleton divers Officers and about 200 prisoners with their arms and ammunition were taken A piece of good service done by Col. Iohn Fiennes Moreover the Lieutenant-Generall having in his March notice of some of the Enemies horse which had a few houres before crossed his way he sent Colonel Iohn Fiennes with a party after them who fell upon them and took about 150 Horse 3 Colours 40 Prisoners and 50 Arms. The Lieutenant-Generall in the mean time marched over the river towards Faringdon having dispatcht his prisoners away with a Convoy to Abingdon consulting with the Officers of what advantage it would be to reduce that Garison of Faringdon wherein they did readily concurre but having no Foot to effect the same he sent to Abingdon to Major-General Brown for the assistance of some Foot who according to his wonted readines to promote the publike service very readily sent about 5 or 600. wherewith the place was attempted but without successe and after the expence of about 14 men upon it the designe was given over Rupert and Maurice sent for The losses the King sustained whilest these Forces hovered thus up and down affronted them under their walls so perplexed them at Oxford that His Majesty sent for Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice with all the Forces they had to come to Oxford the better to enable His Majesty to march out into the field and for more security Gen. Goring was also sent to for that purpose out of the West CHAP. III. The General with the Army marching into the West Vpon afteradvice recalled and a Party only sent to Taunton Their good successe in the relief of Taunton Lieutenant-Generall Cromwel defending his Quarters against Goring The Army now raised where to be disposed is controverted AND now by this time the Army was well nigh raised Whither they should first bend was taken into consideration Oxford and the West are put into the scales of competition Oxford besides that it was the head-quarter and garison and lodged all the Kings Ordnance and Artillery that he was to draw forth into the field which now to surprise or at least to prevent the drawing of them forth was held very councellable as that that was likeliest to hinder the Kings taking the field Represents it self also in other respects to be first considered as being a Midland garison in the heart of the Kingdome where to suffer an Enemy is most mischievous
no other satisfaction or assurance therein then this That the King hath made some offers to the Parliament and amongst them one concerning the Militia Something to the purpose as you say you have heard but the just certainty what his last overtures are or how far they are advanced to a generall accord I cannot at present certifie I do not heare they have proceeded so farre as to a Treaty And I beleeve that as the Parliament may be discouraged from the way of Treaty by former experiences of the fruitlesnesse thereof and the ill use the same hath been designed or driven unto viz. onely to gaine advantages for Warre without reall intentions for Peace so the late overtures that way are the lesse like to be succesfull by reason of the cleer and certaine discoveries the Parliament have had That his Majesty at the same time was and is labouring by Agents in all parts to draw in Forraigne Forces and especially that the Earle of Glamorgan by Commission from his Majesty had concluded a Peace with the Irish Rebels on tearmes extreamly dishonourable and prejudiciall upon the onely condition of sending over Force under the command of that Lord to invade England whereof I presume you cannot but have heard And though his Majesty did in a Letter to the Parliament disavow any such agreement and pretended he had given order to the Lord Digby for the attainting and impeaching the Earle of Glamorgan of high Treason for what he had done therein yet by late discoveries to the Parliament and especially by Letters intercepted the other day at Padstow from the Lord Digby the Earle of Glamorgan and others to Secretary Nicholas your selfe Sir Edward Hide the Lord Culpepper and others it is most cleer and evident that the arresting of the Earle of Glamorgan was onely for a present colour to salve reputation with the people and continue their delusion till designes were ripe for execution for the same peace is fully concluded with the Rebels the King to have the ayde conditioned upon the same agreement and the Earle of Glamorgan at liberty againe and to command that Force in chiefe Now for the overture of a meeting to treat further about the Propositions I sent though I know nothing materiall that I can adde or alter except in circumstances yet I shall not refuse or decline such a meeting or ought else that probably tends to the saving of blood or further misery to any Provided the meeting be speedily and number of persons not to exceed four or five But my Lord when you consider what I have before related concerning Forraigne supplies which I have reason to think you know beleeve you see what cause I have to be jealous of advantages sought by delayes and not to intermit any time or omit any opportunity to prosecute the service I have in hand And that there may be no colour of your expecting that forbearance on my part which you offer on yours I doe the more hasten back my resolution to you In pursuance whereof I doe not despise nor shall insult upon your present condition I question not nor yet shall I hope be much moved with the resolution of your men I presume not on former successes nor present advantage in fleshly power but desire to trust in God alone whose favour and blessing to this Army above others I doe not account in what is past or expect in future to be for any precedence in merit or goodnesse of ours whereby we should be more pleasing to him then others but from his owne Free grace and goodnesse towards his people whose welfare with the common good of the Kingdome we seek and desire with all faithfulnesse and integrity to pursue And so committing the issue of all to his good pleasure J remaine Your humble Servant THO. FAIRFAX March 9. 1645. Moreover besides the proportion this Answer might beare to the better information of the Lord Hopton his Excellency to satisfie him more fully commanded some of the Regiments to advance this day to Tregny an ill signe of a Cessation and the next day the Army advanced two severall wayes part of it following to Tregny the head Quarter that night another part of it to Probus and those parts But such was the force of the Lord Hopton's imagination upon his owne Souldiers that they instead of asking acted a Cessation when our Forlorne of Horse comming neer theirs not far from Probus they did not endeavour to put themselves in order to receive us nor did they make any tesistance but stood still our men much wondring thereat And what was the cause but a Cessation between the Armies as they beleeved or would seem to beleeve for so soon as our men came neer they cryed A Cessation a Cessation ours cryed No no there was none and much adoe had Commissary-generall Ireton and other Officers to perswade them there was none notwithstanding since they were so possessed and deluded we wisht them to be gone and we would take no advantage of them The Enemy expressing much sorrow that there was not a Cessation as they were informed retired seeming also to be somewhat affected that they had so noble and ingenuous an Enemy that took not this advantage to do them any hurt as we might have done there being no Cessation The Lord Hopton seeing his stratagem would not take but he must beg a Cessation if he would have it and that his men were so startled at the advance of our Army The Lord Hopton sends for a Treaty sent this night about twelve of the clock for a Treaty naming the place Tresillian-Bridge if his Excellency approved of it The Trumpet was returned about three in the morning That the General did hearken to a Treaty and would appoint Commissioners to meet at the place proposed by the Lord Hopton Hereupon Commissioners on both sides were nominated to meet at nine the next day being Tuesday morning March 10. But the General being unwilling to lose time gave Orders for a martch accordingly the Army that Tuesday advanced by breake of day and martched to a Randezvouz within two miles of Truro by ten of the clock where the Lord Hopton's Trumpeter brought a safe Conduct for our Commissioners and they having received the like from us a Cessation was agreed to but withall a Message was sent to the Lord Hopton from the General That he intended to quarter his Army at Truro and Saint Allen that night which he thought fit to give him notice of that none of his Forces might be left in the Towne when our Souldiers entred This much disrelished with the Lord Hopton and his Commissioners that he sent had much reluctancy against it The General upon conference with the Commissioners was content to let them have Saint Allen for their Quarter his Excellency reserving still Truro the prime Quarter to himselfe And here we had the Enemy in a pound so that he had but six miles bredth to break through if
besides that that County had longest suffered of any place in the Kingdom being the constant seat of the War from the beginning But the consequence of the West and the commiseration of Taunton in particular then greatly distressed by a close siege whereinto also most of the best affected in those parts had drawn themselves for safety Prevailes and swayes to decline the designe upon Oxford at that time though otherwise needfull enough And so the first fruits of this Army are devoted to the West section 2 His Excellency undertakes the Western expedition According to this result the Generall though under an indisposition of body by reason of an Ague that had exercised him for some time yet undertakes this Western expedition with a great deal of cheerfulnesse though the whole fruit of that Yeares service was in great hazard to have been thereby blasted in the bud the King being then in a condition ready to take the field having made severall Dispatches for that purpose to imbody all his Forces and we having no balancing Force to attend his motion Lieut. General Cromwel being farre too weak to engage him and the Scots at too remote a distance And though it was urged to be most necessary to relieve our friends yet the slight retrenching and garisoning of many Townes of no great strength by nature and situation though it may serve for the present securing of particular Counties and particular mens Estates from plundering Parties yet are they prejudicial to the Publike and to the main of the wars For such places are not able to hold out long and then either there must be a losse of charge arms or of our friends which would be a discouragement to our whole Party or else an Army must be diverted from their principal designes and besides the danger other places by its absence may be exposed to expose it selfe also to the certtain toyle inconveniences and hazardous chances of a long March which is likely also to end in a Fight And therefore it hath been held great wisdome by ancient and well experienced Souldiers to have but few Garisons and those very strong which may hold out long without relief which is the more necessary if they shall be in the corners of a country and remote from reliefe month May 1645 section 3 A party left with L. Gen. Cromwel to straiten Oxford But to returne The first of May his Excellencie began his march with the whole Army except the forementioned Party of horse and Dragoons which were with Lieut. Generall Cromwel and four Regiments of Foot besides who were ordered when their recruits were come up to joyn with him to busie the Enemy about Oxford And by the seventh of May they reached Blanford in Dorset-shire marching the whole seven dayes and some of them very long marches without any intermission so willing were the Souldiers to come timely to the relief of distressed Taunton To Salisbury were they come before the Enemy was aware as was discovered by letters of Sir Ralph Hopton to the Governours of Winchester and Basing wherein he desired them to send him word when they thought Fairfax would be able to take the field section 4 In this first March of this New-Model the Generall to lay an early foundation of good successe in the punishment of former disorders prevention of future misdemeanours caused a Councel of War to be called that morning that they marched from Andover a mile from the Town where the severall Regiments were drawn up and stayed two or three houres at which Councel severall Offenders were tryed for their lives A Renegado and four more Authors of the Mutinie in Kent were cast one of which whose lot it was with the Renegado were executed upon a Tree at Wallop in the way of the Armies march in terrorem And the next day was Proclamation made through the Army That it should be death for any man to plunder section 5 But little or no action or execution against the Enemy happened in this march save that the same night that they quartered at Newbury good Scouts and parties of horse were sent out towards Hungerford and Marlborough whereabouts General Goring was with a great body of Horse and Dragoons comming out of the West our Parties met with some of the Enemies horse and took Lieut. colonel Hacket and some other prisoners upon examination of whom and by other intelligence which came in the nick of time Goring intending to beat up the L. Gen. quarters neer Faringdon prevented we understood Gorings designe was that night or the next morning early to beat up Lieut. General Cromwels quarters near Faringdon and to relieve that place The Lieutenant-General being newly come to the General at Newbury and present at this Intelligence immediately repaired to his charge and was drawn into a Body betimes General Goring marched with what speed he could on the West of Faringdon and recovered Radcot-bridge The Lieutenant-General sent a party of horse over the river to discover his motion where Major Bethel engaging too far in the dark was taken prisoner and about four men more lost and two Colours severall wounded The Enemy kept his advantage of the River and quartered his horse as far back as Latchlade whilest the Lieutenant-Gen was making a passage over New-bridge and having gained the same Gen. Goring either declining an engagement or desiring to prevent the raising of the siege at Taunton marched back with all speed after the Army into the West This is the totall routing of Cromwels forces as the King in his Letter to the Queen of this engagement near Newbridge relates it to be A poor cause and a condition far from envie that is pensioner to such Royal mistakes to support its reputation section 6 His Majesty taking the field The King taking the opportunity of the army 's marching westward draws forth his artillery out of Oxford to embody himself in the field L. Gen. Cromwel and Major-Gen Brown were ordered to attend his motion and moreover it was held necessary to recall his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax from the service of the West and to allot only a portion of his Army for Taunton Two Expresses to this purpose were sent from the Committee of both Kingdoms to his Excellency who was marched as far as Blandford And now comes the triall of this new Army which God had designed for some more then ordinary service whohad scarce warmed their heads with glorious designments nay ere they could reflect upon the strength content of their united March were by this means to be divided three severall wayes ere ever the Army came to perfection or This like a black cloud for the time intercepted those prospects of glorious atchievements and success which themselves and others saw before to this Army and like a fierce storm threatned to dash all section 7 A Brigade appointed for Taunton the rest march back Accordingly a Brigade is appointed for Taunton of four
Generals desire to give the Parliament an account of the state of the West of England which God had now so happily reduced to their obedience Sunday the 26. The General rested at Andover where he received the newes that Woodstock was surrendred upon Treaty unto Colonel Rainsborow who had gallantly attempted it by storme some few dayes before wherein he received some losse Monday the 27. The General martched to Newbery where the next day he received Intelligence of the Kings being escaped out of Oxford in a disguised manner with his Lock cut off or tyed up at lest his Beard shaved and in the habit of a Serving-man In a distressed time 'T is safe for Kings like poorest men to seem Therfore how much livs he that 's truly poor Safer then Kings Positisque insignibus Aulae Egreditur famuli raptos indutus amictus In dubiis tutum est inopem simulare Tyrāno Quāto igitur mūdi dominis securius aevum Verus pauper agit Luc. Pharsal lib. 8. with a Cloke-bag behind him waiting upon Master John Ashburnham great doubting and questioning there was Whither his Majesty was gone but within few dayes after it was resolved by certaine intelligence that he was received into the Scots Army being first entertained at the Quarters of the French Agent who not long before had been in Oxford It is much to the honour of his Excellencies Army to be mentioned and to the honour of those Officers in particular to whom being then about Woodstock private Overtures were made by some from Court pretending the Kings privity and consent thereto for receiving his Majesty who was minded to cast himselfe upon them but to their great honour be it knowne and published such was their tendernesse and faithfulnesse in that point that conceiving it derogatory to the honour and power of the Parliament for his Majesty to wave that highest Court and addresse himselfe to any others in such a nature therfore inconsistent with their trust and duty being the Servants of the State to owne or entertain any such thing they certified the Parliament thereof and understanding this to be their sense also they absolutely refused to be tampered with concerning that matter The King on the other hand was as little to be wrought upon to addresse himself to his Parliament the issue wherof was that precipitate resolution and disposall of himself as is related before And now O England take up a Lamentation over your King that to all his Errors he should contract such obstinacy and irreconcilable prejudice against his Parliament and that he should be so farre mistaken as while he seeks to avoyd the surmized prejudice and dishonour of referring himselfe to his Parliament to run himselfe on a reall dishonour in seeking a shadow under their Servants Unhappy greatnesse that Priviledges Kings from hearing of their faults plainly as meaner men and splits them on the shelfe of self-willed obstinacy rather then it wil suffer thē to amēd or acknowledge them But t is not my work to Cōment but to relate onely to set a character on the integrity of this Army I have said thus much it may be thought too much nicenesse and scrupulosity in them to refuse such a proffer but whosoever shall consider what is hinted before must approve of their doing if others had done the like they had done but their duty Thursday the 30. His Excellency martched to East-Hondred this day the Duke of Lenox Earle of Lindsay and others came from Oxford to Woodstock and rendred themselves to our Forces there also Sir William Vaughan Sir George Strowd Sir Phillip Mountaine Sir John Cansfield and divers others came in to Commissary-general Ireton with about three hundred Horse after the King had given them the slip much about the same time CHAP. VII The Siege of Oxford the Particulars of the Treaty and surrender thereof with the influence of the fate of Oxford upon the remaining Garrisons OXFORD the King 's royall Garrison the place of the King 's ordinary residence and retreat hath like a Parenthesis included all the Action of this Army between the two Sieges of it being first in intentition and attempt though last in execution and reduction month May 1646 May the 1. Being that day twelve-moneth that this Army first martched into the Field the General with his Army came before Oxford wherein was Prince Rupert Prince Maurice and a great part of the Nobility and Gentry of England with intention to sit downe before it and lay Siege to it The Army was drawne to a Randezvouz between Abington and Garsington the head Quarter was that night at Garsington At the Randezvouz Major-general Skippon who ever since the Battle at Naseby had laine under the cure of his wounds and had suffered divers incisions by reason of a piece of Armour which was lodged in the wound being now by the blessing of God well recovered came to the Army and was received with much joy and many acclamations of the Souldiers May the 2. There was a generall Randezvouz of the Army Horse and Foot upon Burlington-Green and thence the Forces were distributed to severall Quarters to at Heddington Marston and the Townes thereabouts The third of May The General with the Officers of the Army took a survey of Oxford which they found to have received many materiall alterations and additions of advantage since their last being before it though it was alwayes justly accounted a place of great strength yet now it was made incomparably more strong then ever which is very easie to be beleeved if you doe but consider It had been from the beginning of the Warres the King's head Quarter and Garrison his chiefe place of residence and retreat where his Counsel and most of the Nobility that had left the Parliament attended him its place being almost in the Center of the Kingdome gave it no small advantage for the sending out of Parties upon any designe Besides that it was surrounded about with many small Garrisons of the Kings as Radcoat Farrington Wallingford Sherborn-house Borstal which were as so many out-works unto it the scituation of it in reference to the ground it stood upon rendred it very apt for defence being placed betwixt the two Rivers Isis and Charwel upon the west side of it ran severall Branches of the River Isis some of which running close by the Towne wals was a great defence to it upon the East side ran the River Charwel which by making Locks at Clements Bridge they had caused to overflow the Medowes so that round the City to the extent of three parts of it all except the north side that was somewhat higher ground was surrounded with water and absolutely unapproachable To this the Line about the City newly finished they found to be very high having many strong Bulworks so regularly flanking one another that nothing could be more exactly done round about the Line both upon the Bulworks and the Curtin was strongly set with storm-poles
houses of their Husbands or at their Friends as they shall desire and to goe or send to London or elswhere to obtaine the Allowances out of their Husbands or Parents Estates allotted them by Ordinance of Parliament XIX That such of his Majesties Houshold-Servants who shall desire to goe to his Majesty may have free liberty and passes to goe accordingly at any time within one moneth next after the rendring of the garrison And that His Majesties Houshold-stuffe and other his peculiar goods which are now in Oxford may be carried to His Majesties House at Hampton-Court and his Servants under whose charge or custody any of them are shall be allowed and assisted in the procuring of Carts Boates and Carriages for the removal of them thither and there to remaine till His Majesty shall otherwise dispose of them and then to be sent or disposed accordingly And that such of His Majesties Servants who are not able for the present to goe to Him shall have liberty passes and protections to goe to and remaine at his Majesties said House at Hampton-Court and have liberty to attend the Committee for his Majesties Revenue to procure a competent Allowance out of his Majesties Revenues for their subsistence until his Majesty shall otherwise provide for or dispose of them XX. That all Clergy-men now in Oxford who shall not upon composition or otherwise be restored to their Church-livings shall have liberty to goe to London to obtaine some fitting allowance for the livelihood of themselves and their Families XXI That it is Intended Declared and Agreed That all persons comprized within these Articles shall peaceably and quietly enjoy all their Goods Debts and Moveables allowed by these Articles during the space of six moneths after Rendring the Garrison And that they shall be free from all Oaths Engagements and Molestations except an Engagement by promise not to beare Armes against the Parliament nor wilfully do any act prejudicial to their Affaires so long as they remaine in their Quarters And that they shall have liberty within the space of six moneths in case they shall be resolved to goe beyond Seas to dispose of their Goods Debts and Movables allowed by these Articles and depart the Kingdome if they think fit And to have passes for their transportation or otherwise to stay in the Kingdome XXII That if any of these Articles shall in any point be broken or violated by any person or persons in Oxford or cōprized within this capitulation the fault and punishment shall be upon him or them onely who made the breach or violation and shall not be imputed to or charged upon any other not assenting thereunto or not an actor in it XXIII That the Duke of Richmond the Earle of Lindsey and their Servants that came forth with them shall enjoy the benefit of these Articles in whatsoever may concerne them XXIV That the Garrisons of Farringdon shall be rendred to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Governour Gentlemen Souldiers and all other of what quality soever within those Garrisons shall enjoy the benefit of these Articles in every particular which may concerne them they rendring the Garrison accordingly as Oxford XXV That all persons comprizedin these Articles shall upon request have a certificate under the hand of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax or the future Governour of the city That such persons were in the City at the time of the surrender therof and are to have the benefit of these Articles XXVI That the General Sir Thomas Fairfax shall give a Passe to one or two Messengers with their Servants to goe unto the King to give Him an account of the proceedings upon this Treaty and conclusion thereof and to returne and receive the benefit of these Articles On Wednesday the 24. of June the day appointed the Towne was accordingly surrendred The Enemy martched out about twelve of the clock a Guard of our Foot was appointed for them to martch through which extended in length from Saint Clements neer Maudlin-Bridge to Shotover-Hill Our Horse were drawne up into severall Bodies in severall places in the Reare of the Foot There martched out in a Body well Armed with Colours flying and Drums beating about three thousand who had not the least injury or affront offered them in their martch through our men which the Governour Sir Thomas Glenham hath since acknowledged much to the honour of the Army Besides that Body there went forth that day before and after them about five hundred most of them Horse men and private persons engaged in the Siege There likewise martched forth this day at the North gate all those that went to Yorkeshire and Gloucestershire and those parts who had a Convoy for that purpose being a considerable number those that martched forth when Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice went forth on Monday and those that followed them on Tuesday when other Gentlemen of quality left the City were in all about three hundred persons most of them men of quality and their Attendants After his Excellency had possession of the Towne it was the continuall imployment of some to make Passes for those that were yet left behind and not martched out of the Towne with the Body there were above two thousand Passes made after the forementioned Forces were gone as by a particular List of every mans name was reckoned whereof many were Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen of quality the rest Officers and Reformadoes and some Schollers Likewise after his Excellency had the Garrison the three Regiments of Auxiliaries consisting of two thousand men were disbanded and their Armes brought in Those that martched out upon Wednesday about nine hundred of them laid down their Armes when they came to Tame and received Passes to goe to their severall Houses and their Armes were brought into Oxford One thousand one hundred of them listed themselves for Forraigne service There were found in the Magazine seventy Barrels of Powder besides they had two Mils which supplied them daily with Powder There were in the Towne thirty eight pieces of Ordnance whereof twenty six were Brasse For provisions of Victuals by what was found in the Stores and by what was informed they had in the Stores before they sold it to the Townesmen during the Treaty to raise Moneys to pay their Souldiers there was not lesse then six moneths provisions The Souldiers were much discontented and much ado there was to keep them from doing violence to the Lords for no other cause but for being the occasion as they said of delivering up the Towne a fault which alas they could not help the strength of the Works about the Towne was found to be such as resolved it in the minds of all understanding men to be much for the Parliaments service that the town was taken by conditions especially considering what unseasonable weather followed that if the Siege had continued but to the day of surrender we must have been forced to have quit some of our leaguers the fields being
Febr. 10 To Crediton  12 4 14 To Chimleigh  9 2 16 To Stephenston master Roules his house that night faced Torrington and entred  8 8 24 To Houlsworthy  10 1 25 To Launceston Cornw. 10 4 March 1 To Blisland  16 1 2 To Bodman  4 5 7 To a Randezvouz at Lanevet and back to Bodman  6 2 9 To Tregny  15 1 10 To Truro  6 11  Goring's Army of Horse surrendred and disbanded    21 To Bodman  20 5 1646     26 To Launceston the General to Plymouth  20 2 28 To Okehampton Devonsh 15 1 29 To Crediton  14 2 31 To view the Siege at Excester and to Collumb-John  13 13 Apr. 13 To Excester surrendred  4 5 18 To Chard Somersetsh 24 1 19 To Dorchester Dorsetsh 22 1 20 To Salisbury Wiltsh 32 4 25 To Andivor  15 2 27 To Newbury Berksh 13 3 30 To East Hendred  12 1 May 1 To Garsington Oxon 9 1 2 To Heddendon  3 53 June 24 To Oxford surrendred  1 0 The Contents of the severall Chapters PART I. CHAP. I. COntaining by way of Poeme and Introduction a generall account of the miserable condition of this Kingdome before this present Parliament The occasion and Instruments of calling it The snare laid for us in a former Parliament The Quarrell between the Royall party and the Parliament stated And shewing how the Command of the Parliaments Forces came to be devolved to Sir Thomas Fairfax their present Generall CHAP. II. Wherein a briefe Character of the General and Lievtenant-General The framing of the New-Model The beginning of their Action at Issip-Bridge Blechington-house Bampton-Bush c. And the effect these things had on His Majesty at Oxford CHAP. III. The General with the Army matching into the West Vpon after advice recalled and a party only sent to Taunton Their good successe in the relief of Taunton Lievtenant General Cromwell defending his Quarters against Goring CHAP. IV. The Army imployed to besiege Oxford How far they proceeded therein Severall Garisons thereabouts besieged and some taken The losse of Leicester and the Discontents and discouragements that ensued thereon With a modest enquiry into the cause of our low condition at that time CHAP. V. The Army commanded to rise from before Oxford Their severall Martches till the Battaile at Naseby with all the particulars thereof fully related CHAP. VI. The Victory at Naseby improved by pursuing the Enemy who fled into Wales Leicester not long before taken by the Enemy summoned and after preparations for Storm â—urrendred upon Articles found to be unjust and the charge retorted on them An Instance of the Enemies desperate prophanenesse joyned with Barbarous and Inhumane Cruelty PART II. Chap. I. His Excellency with the Army martching Westward to relieve Tauton the second time taking in Hiworth Garrison by the way Curbing the Clisbmen the retaking of Ilchester and the brave Fight at Langport CHAP. II. The Particulars of that gallant Service the storming of Bridgwater CHAP. III. The taking of Bath The Club-mens Reply and his Excellencies Rejoynder in two considerable Actions defeating them The impregnable Castle of Sherborne taken by Storme CHAP. IV. The Siege of Bristol the taking of it with the Actions that intervened viz. the taking of Nunny Castle c. PART III. Chap. I The Devizes and Laicock-House surrendred Berkly Castle after in part stormed surrendred With an account of the Counsels that did lead these Actions CHAP. II. The Counsels whereby the Army steered their course imported The Reduction of Winchester CHAP. III. The Motions and Actions of the Army unto Tiverton The storming and taking of Basing-House fully related CHAP. IV. The cheap Reduction of Tiverton Castle by a strange Providence The surrender of Langford-House CHAP. V. Excester straitned in order to a Siege with severall Debates and Resolutions thereabout CHAP. VI. Severall Passages between the Prince and his Excellency and between his Excellency and Goring Concerning Pouldrum the Enemies preparations to relieve Excester and Ours to meet them c. CHAP. VII The slackening of the Siege of Excester by the Armies advance to meet the Enemy leaving onely a Force to block up the City With their great successe in those two Actions The Defeat of the Enemy at Bovey-Tracy and the taking of Dartmouth with a particular account of their Martches and lesser Passages PART IV. Chap. I. The Army returning to the Siege at Excester Pouldram Castle surrendred A French Vessell struck into Dartmouth wherein Letters of consequence from the Queen How farre the reducing of Excester was endeavoured before a second Diversion CHAP. II. Our Army a second time diverted from the Siege of Excester with a particular account of the Reasons thereof and the Motions and Actions of the Army occasioned thereby CHAP. III. His Excellency with the Army advancing into Cornwal driving the Enemy before them and possessing their Quarters A gallant piece of Service performed by Colonel Butler and his Party neer Stratton Prince Charles giving all for lost by his Excellencies pressing too hard upon them betakes himself to Scilly An advantage to the Parliaments Cause by a Packet of Letters from Ireland taken at Padstow CHAP. IV. His Excellency wit the Army driving up the Enemy into Cornwal A Summons sent to Sir Ralph Hopton and his Forces to come in with the severall transactions of that Bunesse untill the disbanding of all his Forces fully related c. CHAP. V. The Army returning to the Siege of Excester with all the Particulars of the Treaty and surrender of the same CHAP. VI. The Particulars of the Treaty and surrender of Barnstable and the Resolutions and Motions of the Army after the Reduction thereof till they came to Oxford CHAP. VII The Siege of Oxford the Particulars of the Treaty and surrender thereof with the inâ—luence of the Fate of Oxford upon the remaining Garrisons CHAP. VIII The Siege and surrender of Worcester and Wallingford CHAP. IX Of the Reduction of Ragland Castle and Pendennis FINIS A Table of the Motion and Action of the Army under the Command of His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax From April 15. 1645. To August 19. 1646. VVherein is exprest what Battels were fought what Places of strength were taken whether by Storm or Surrender the number of Slain of Prisoners what Ordnance Arms and Colours were taken The name of the Commander in Chief the day of the Moneth when the COUNTY where the ACTION was done The Moneth and Day The Yeare Battels fought Places Relieved Taken and particul ingagements The manner How Daies of the siege time of fight Number of slain in fight or siege Number of prisoners taken Number of Ordnance taken Number of Arms. Number of Colours The chief Commander of ours in each designe Commanders of the Enemies The County Horse April 15 1645 Rout at Islip By a party of horse 2 houres 60 200  400 The qu.