Horse 80 Prisoners Major Heron and other Commanders The Commons appointed an examination touching any neglects of their Armies and the spinning out of the War and of the late miscarriages after Newbury Fight when they had so much advantage against the Enemy By Letters from Colonel Norton he informs the House that he had received a warrant from a chief Commander in their Army to raise the siege from before Basing-house and to betake themselves to Winter quarters which was a thing unexpected to him but according to that Warrant they had withdrawn This raised new jealousies and discontents in the minds of many of the Parliament and of their Friends Mac Mahon was executed at Tyburn and Mr. Peters urg'd him to make confession but he would not unless he might have a Romish Priest The plea of Peerage of the Lord Macquire was allowed Upon Letters from Colonel Jones Governour of Farnham the King's Army being come near him the Parliament ordered some forces to be quartered there for his assistance Sir Alexander Carew being sentenced by the Court Marshal to have his Head cut off his Lady petitioned that her Husband was distracted and unfit to die and prayed a Reprieve for him which was granted An Ordinance passed for a voluntary contribution to raise the second payment to the Scots The late carriage of the Armies in suffering Donnington Castle to be relieved and quitting Newbury which was plundered and not fighting when the Parliaments forces were two for one was referred to a Committee to be examined The Parliaments forces quartered at Reading Abington and Henley where the rude Souldiers did great mischief to Friends as well as Enemies in their Houses and more in their Woods but such insolencies and mischiefs must be expected from this brood of Men or rather bruitish Souldiers who know no difference between Friends and Foes but all is Plunder that they can fasten their hands upon Kent raised 3000 men to oppose the King's march into Sussex and Surrey which was feared The power of the Court Marshal was continued for four months longer than their former time A Party of about 300 of the King's forces coming to Axminster near Lyme to fortifie it and to streighten Lyme the Governour fell upon them and at the second charge routed them killed Major Walker two Captains two Lieutenants and divers common Souldiers took four pieces of Ordnance many Arms and Prisoners and released fifty Gentlemen who had been by them taken Prisoners from their houses The Commons passed the Directory of Worship Letters from the Commissioners at Oxford informed That on the Lord's day they presented the Propositions for Peace to the King which were read by the Earl of Denbigh That the King ask'd the Committee if they had power to treat they answered no but their Commission was to receive His Majestie 's Answer in writing then the King said they should receive his Answer accordingly At the reading of the excepted persons names which the Earl of Denbigh read with great courage and temper P. Rupert and P. Maurice being present when their names were read as excepted persons they fell into a laughter at which the King seemed displeased and bid them be quiet When the Committee answered the King that they had no Commission to treat but to receive His Majestie 's Answer in writing the King replied then a Letter-carrier might have done as much as you to which the Earl of Denbigh said I suppose your Majesty looks upon us as persons of another condition than Letter-carriers The King said again I know your condition but I say that your Commission gives you power to doe no more than a Letter-carrier might have done and so they came away from the King with a little kind of dissatisfaction but some of his Lords afterwards excused to them those hasty words Surrey petitioned for relief against free quarter which was ordered and that all forces of the Parliament near London should be removed nearer to the Enemy and to inlarge their own quarters Order was given for the relief of Taunton Castle and for supplies of Abington Persons in Norwich who were imprisoned for not coming to hear Common Prayer were by Vote discharged An Ordinance passed for the inhabitants of New England to have free Trade hither without paying of Customs Two Papists being stayed at the Court of Guards affirmed that they were Parliament Souldiers under Captain Buller and the House being informed of it referred it to a Committee to be examined and order if it were so and the Captain knew it that he should be cashiered and the like for any Officer of the Parliament that should doe as he did A new Seal was made of the Dutchy of Lancaster and Whitelocke was made by the Parliament Attorney of the Dutchy The Commons referred it to the Committee of the Navy to take special notice of the gallant service done by Captain Ashley and to give him all due encouragement Sir John Boles with forces from Newark plundered divers houses in Lincolnshire of the Parliaments Friends and took away Mr. Anderson and Mr. Emmerson a Committee-man Prisoners The City by a Petition remember their forwardness in their persons and purses to serve the Parliament and desire a reimbursement of their monies lent towards reducing of Newcastle and that they might have Coals at a reasonable price which was held fit by the Commons and put in a way to be done A party of Monmouth Garrison being drawn out upon a design against the King's forces thereabouts the Lord Herbert of Ragland having notice thereof sent seven or eight of his Souldiers in the habit of Countreymen who discoursed with the Sentinels of Monmouth Castle feigning themselves Friends which made the Sentinels secure and careless upon which two Troups of Horse watching their opportunity broke through the Sentinels and possest themselves of the Castle A Ship of Exeter loaden with rich goods and cast by weather into Lyme was ordered to be sold and one moity of the goods for the Town the other for the service of the West Upon the Petition of divers Western Gentlemen driven from their habitations by the King's forces the Commons ordered a Committee to take care to provide houses and accommodations for them and this brought in divers others who were not in the like necessity but rather for their gain to obtain the like favour Sir Thomas Littleton was remanded to streighter custody in the Tower The Committee who carried the Propositions of Peace to Oxford had the King's Answer sealed up and sent to them They upon advice together thought it not fit for them to receive an Answer in that manner not being acquainted what it was nor a Copy of it as was usual in the like cases sent with it unto them and upon this they desired to be excused from receiving that Answer so sealed and made an Address to His Majesty that they might know what his Answer was and have a Copy
for the Recruits to be sent to Sir T. F. The Ordinance past for putting Surrey into a posture of Defence and for pay for Farnham Garrison and another for 20000 l. towards reducing Oxford The Antiparliament sate again at Oxford and were about a Declaration to encourage their party and taking care for Money and Recruits for the King Colonel Baxter Governour of Reading went out with a party and faced Wallingford near their Works 2 Debate about Church affairs One Lusher had been apprehended for a Romish Priest the Spanish Ambassadour owned Lusher as his Servant and in favour of the Ambassadour both Houses discharged Lusher and ordered him to depart the Kingdom in ten daies Both Houses ordered the continuance of the Commissioners of the Great Seal and of the Master of the Rolls for six Months longer notwithstanding the Self-denying Ordinance Mr. Gourden a Member of the House of Commons presented to them a Letter from the Lord Savile with a Paper inclosed in it and desired that they might be read and after some Debate they were read The Letter was expressing his affections to the Parliament to whom he had come from the King and submitted himself and taken the Oath enjoyned in observance whereof and of his duty to the Parliament under whose protection he was he held himself obliged to discover to them what he knew concerning two of their Members who had done contrary to their trust and to the prejudice of the Parliament in the matters contained in the inclosed Paper That Paper set forth That Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke being persons well affected to the King and to his Cause were nevertheless two of the Parliaments Commissioners lately sent to Oxford to His Majesty with Propositions from the Parliament for Peace That they being at Oxford did contrary to their trust and to the prejudice of the Parliament treat and advise with the King and some great Lords about him namely the Earl of Lindsey the Earl of Southampton and others about the King's Answer to those Propositions and did give a Paper in writing what they advised the King's answer should be That their advice in the said Paper was followed by the King and some of the very words thereof were made use of in the King's Answer and that both before and after that time they held intelligence and correspondence with the King and his party at Oxford Much other Matter was in the Paper to the like effect and upon the reading of it divers of the House were very high and moved that Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke might make a present Answer to this Paper or Charge as some called it Mr. Hollis presently in his place made his Answer to the matter of the Paper and therein unadvisedly and suddenly confessed more than he needed to have done but denied any intelligence or correspondence by him with any of the King's party Mr. Whitelocke was not in Town this Morning and knew nothing of this business but after Mr. Hollis had spoken Mr. John L'Isle stood up and acquainted the House that Mr. Whitelocke being then absent if they pleased he would undertake to give him notice to attend the House the next Day which was ordered But some were not satisfied therewith and they fiercely moved That this being a charge of High Treason against two of their Members in whom the offence was greater than in others that they would proceed with equal justice and that both Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke might be committed to the Tower Mr. Hollis who was present to be sent thither and a Warrant to apprehend Mr. Whitelocke and to carry him thither also Upon this Sir William Lewys stood up and with as much vigour on the other side said He could not but wonder at the justice of those who would commit a man to the Tower before he was heard and the other after he had fully answered that which they called a Charge That he could not admit it to be a Charge but a Scandalous and Libellous Paper against two worthy Members of the House who they all knew had served the Parliament faithfully and to the utmost hazard of their Lives and Fortunes And because they had done so and were so capable of doing further and more service to the Parliament therefore one of their enemies was come hither to cast a bone among them and to raise differences amongst the Members of Parliament a likely way when their other designs failed them to doe mischief to the Parliament He desired them to consider the person of him whom they called the Accuser who was indeed an Accuser of the Brethren that it was the Lord Savile now cloathed with a new Title from the King of Earl of Sussex and perhaps this present service was to be part of that by which he was yet to merit his new Title That still he was the same man who was first of the Parliament party then revolted from them to the King and now was revolted from the King to the Parliament again and that a Paper brought in from this person should be looked upon as a Charge against two worthy Members of their House or be in the least a ground to commit them to the Tower he could not sufficiently wonder at the reason or justice of such a motion as that was He rather thought it more reasonable and just and accordingly moved that this Libel this Paper might be thrown out of the House and the contriver of it the Lord Savile be under more streight custody and examined who set him on to promote this business and that Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke might not be put to the trouble of any further attendance about it This smart motion of Sir William Lewys so contrary to the former being spoken by him with great ingenuity and mettle and seconded by Sir Philip Stapleton and others of that party so wrought upon the House that the motion for commitment to the Tower was laid aside and Mr. L'Isle ordered to give notice to Mr. Whitelocke that the House required his attendance there the next day Carlisle was surrendred to the Parliament and Sir Thomas Glenham the Governour and the Garrison Souldiers had a Convoy by the Articles of surrender to Newark 3. At a Conference the Letters of the surrender of Carlisle were imparted to the Lords and agreed to send a Committee to the Common Council of London to acquaint them with some of the King's Letters taken at Naseby A Committee appointed to consider of the Northern Garrisons upon the borders of Scotland The King was at Ragland Castle to gather Recruits Sir T. F. was at Marlborough the Garrison of Taunton had often Skirmishes with Goring's Forces and at one time took 120 of their horse the besiegers drew off most of their horse to their Out-guards Between 4000 and 5000 Clubmen being up in Dorsetshire and Wilts carried themselves very tumultuously and forced the Parliaments quarters at Sturmister divers slain and wounded
unless the King would grant those Propositions it would be in vain to treat of any peace There was also much discourse about the acknowledging you to be a Parliament the Earl of Lindsey said That the King had acknowledged you a Parliament by the words Lords and Commons of Parliament We answered That this was the same style his Majesty gave to the Assembly at Oxford and we could not be satisfied with that acknowledgment Then the Earl of Lindsey demanded of us how we would be acknowledged We told him thus The Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster After this we returned to our Lodgings and acquainted our fellow Commissioners with the persons that were at the Earl of Lindsey ' s Chamber when we were there and with the matter of our discourse with them In all our discourses Mr. Hollis and my self did justifie your Propositions and vindicate your Proceedings Mr. Speaker It is no small trouble to my thoughts to have my Name questioned in this House but I am comforted in my own integrity and innocency and in my Accuser but chiefly in my Judges to whom I most humbly and most willingly submit my self After Whitelocke had spoken there was much debate in the House whether this Paper of the Lord Savile were an Accusation or Charge against them Many Gentlemen argued That it was against the Privilege of the House to take it for an Accusation being from the Lord Savile who was an Enemy come from the King's Quarters and one in contempt to both Houses of Parliament for refusing to name the person from whom he received the Letter concerning Mr. Hollis and therefore committed a close prisoner That he had not discovered this to the Parliament in five or six Months together that he had been in their quarters but after he had been complained of by Mr. Hollis about a Letter and Mr. Whitelocke was in the Chair of the Committee appointed to examine the business of that Letter Then the Lord Savile brought in a new Accusation both against Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke the Chairman to take off his testimony for Mr. Hollis Others went upon this ground That this business might be committed to see if the Lord Savile would avow his Letter and Paper and by what testimony he could make it good and that Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke might have reparation and be cleared from this aspersion But these were not their Friends and moved this out of a design to bring the business before a Committee to be examined more than out of respect to them After a long debate it was at last referred to a Committee to be examined in the general and power given to the Committee to examine any Member of the House and a Message sent to the Lords to desire that the L. Savile might be examined at this Committee Those who were of a contrary party to the Earl of Essex set their interest upon it to ruine Mr. Hollis whom they found to be a great Pillar of that Party and with him to ruine Mr. Whitelocke they being both involved in this business but they had not the same envy against Mr. Whitelocke as they had against Mr. Hollis nor could they well sever them But now having got it referred to a Committee they resolved there to put it home and were full of expectation to destroy them both which was their intention 5. A Letter from the Portugal Agent and his carriage to the Parliament referred to a Committee and how the Parliament might be vindicated therein Order that the Militia of London should put in execution the Ordinance for searching for Papists and Delinquents Proposals from the Governour of Windsor for supply of that Garrison presented to the House from the Common Council of London and referred to the Committee of the Army Sir Thomas Fairfax and Colonel Massey marched from Blandford towards Taunton their Scouts and Goring's had some Encounters but Goring understanding that Sir Tho. Fairfax was advancing towards him drew off all his horse and foot from before Taunton and went towards Exeter The Lords sent a Message to the House of Commons in answer of theirs yesterday That the Lord Savile if he pleased might be examined from time to time at the Committee to whom the business of his Letter was referred 7. Divers of Westminster in the name of the City petitioned the House for Maintenance for the Lecturers in Westminster Abbey out of the Revenues belonging to the Dean and Chapter there Thereupon an Ordinance was read and committed for regulating the College of Westminster and the Petitioners called in and acquainted with the care of the House in their business and had the thanks of the House Letters from Scout-master General Watson informed that the Enemy was wholly drawn off from before Taunton An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for making Mr. Jackson Lecturer at Gloucester and a 100 l. per annum to be settled on him and the House ordered Col. Morgan to be Governour there An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for One percent for the Captives in Argiers The King's Forces from Bolton Castle surprized Raby Castle belonging to Sir Henry Vane but were again close blocked up by Forces raised by Sir George Vane The Scots Army were on their march towards Worcester as far as Birmicham The Marquess of Argyle was in pursuit of Montross over the Hills and the Parliament of Scotland being now sate the Parliament of England appointed the Earl of Rutland the Lord Wharton Sir Henry Vane senior Sir William Ermine Mr. Hatcher and Mr. Goodwyn to be their Commissioners in Scotland The King with about 4000 horse and foot was at Hereford to raise 5000 l. Assessment and some Recruits The Committee of Salop took in Cause Castle Hawarden Castle and Lynsell House belonging to Sir Richard Lucy and sate down with their Forces before High Arcall the Lord Newport's House In the Afternoon Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke attended the Committee touching my Lord Savile's Accusation where Mr. Samuel Brown had the Chair and was no friend to them in this business but pressed matters against them more than a Chair-man was to do The Lord Savile was brought into the Committee and his Letter and Paper read to him which he owned as his and his hand to them and that he would justifie them to be true upon his Soul and his Life Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke averred the contrary but with less passion and with less indiscretion than the Lord Savile who being put to it by the Committee could not make any proof of one Particular mentioned in his Papers more than they themselves acknowledged which was the same in effect that they had said before in their Narratives in the House Every particular Clause in his Papers were severally read and he heard to them and they to make their Answers but they both did it with this reservation That what they did in this was out of their willingness
present buying of Horses and Furniture for him as an earnest of the affections of the House to him Order for Pay for the Army 24. Information from the Commissioners in the Scots Army of their Warrant to bring in Provisions for the Scots and of some complaints against that Army The House approved of those Warrants of the Commissioners and took care for payment of the Country for the Provisions brought in by them Mr. Hunt the Serjeant at Arms being dead the House gave that place to Serjeant Birkhead for Life Debate at a Conference touching Martial Law in London and about the Letters from Newarke A Petition of the Merchants of New-Castle and Sunderland referred to the Committee of the Navy 26. Upon Letters from M. G. Brown Order for one thousand eight hundred pound of Sir John Borlace his Composition to be paid for the Garrison of Abbingdon and for other Money for them They continued M. G. Brown Governor of Abbingdon for three Months longer and dispensed with his attendance in the House as a Member Order for Money for the Garrison of Henley Several Ordinances touching the arrears of the Officers late under the Lord Fairfax and for digging of Salt-Peter Another Letter came from his Majesty about a Personal Treaty wherein he smartly answers the Letters of the Parliament last sent to him in all the particulars and concludes with his earnest desires of Peace and saith it is clear to him that there is no way but a Treaty or Conquest for a final ending of such distractions as afflict this Kingdom The latter he hopes none will have the impudence or impiety to wish for and for the former if his Personal assistance be not necessary let any reasonable man judge and earnestly presseth for an Answer The King sent a Warrant under his hand to the Heads of Houses in Oxford for the reading of Divine Service established by Law daily Morning and Evening and to fast on Fridays 27. Letters from Stafford informed that Captain Stone 's Troop of an hundred beat up the Lord Molineux's Quarters near Stafford routed three hundred of the Enemy took three Captains and other Officers about an hundred Horse and many Prisoners some slain and divers wounded Order for five hundred pound for Captain Stone for his Troop and fifty pound given to his Lieutenant Proceedings upon the propositions for Peace and seven Bills to be prepared to be forthwith sent to the King to which if he shall assent then they are willing he should come to London and treat about the other matters The Bills were 1. For setling Presbyterian Government and extirpating Episcopacy 2. For prosecuting the War against the Irish Rebels 3. For the Militia to remain in the power of the Parliament 4. For payment of the Debts of the Kingdom 5. For bringing Delinquents to punishment 6. That no Honours be given but to such as have testified their affections to the Publick 7. Concerning the Priviledges of London Sir Tho. Fairfax returned from Dartmouth to the blocking up of Exeter 28. The day of the Monthly Fast in the Evening the House met and heard a Report from the Committee of Plundred Ministers of the Blasphemies of one Paul Best who denied the Trinity of the God-head and the Deity of Christ and the Holy Ghost the House ordered him to be kept close Prisoner and an Ordinance to be brought in to punish him with Death 29. Consent to amendment of some mistakes in an Ordinance The House voted that some of the Members of the Committee of both Kingdoms had done their Duties in making known some intelligence from Paris and ordered them thanks for it The Lord Montague Col. White and Mr. Robert Goodwin ordered to go Commissioners into Scotland Orders for supply of the Army A Petition for Mr. Saltmarsh to be a Lecturer in Kent opposed by divers of the County countenanced by Col. Blunt and divers others of the Parliaments Friends The Parliament of Scotland executed divers of Montrosses Party The Siege of Newarke continued streight A Treaty was had about the surrender of Chester but nothing concluded Sir William Brereton drew out a Party to incounter the Irish of whose landing in Anglesey he had Intelligence Mr. Ed. Vaughan with a small party in Merioneth-shire fell upon a hundred of the Kings Forces who were Fortifying at Dolgethly took their Captaine eighteen Prisoners and divers Horse and Arms. 30. Reference to the Committee of both Kingdoms to prevent the Incursions from Oxford into Wilts and Hant shire Orders for allowance to Preaching Ministers and for Mr. Edward Clerke High Sheriff of Oxford shire to make his Residence at Reading Proceedings upon the Propositions for Peace Mr. Tilshead met the Party from Oxford in Wilts whereof he was High-Sheriff and took thirty of their Horse and many Prisoners Letters informed the taking of Pouldram Castle by Col. Hammond That they surrendred upon conditions that Greenvile was apprehended and carried prisoner to Oxford and that Hopton was made General of the West that many intercepted Letters were sent up to the Parliament That many Devonshire Gentlemen declared for the Parliament and Sir Tho. Fairfax gave a Commission to Mr. Vowell to be a Col. 31. Debate of a Report from the Committee of Goldsmiths Hall touching Compositions of Delinquents Another Letter came from the King wherein he presseth his coming to London for a personal Treaty offers the Militia to be setled in the hands of the Parliament for seven years and that the Parliament shall nominate Officers of State Judges c. that Religion shall be setled as in the days of Queen Elizabeth having regard still to tender Consciences And for Ireland and the other Propositions to grant what was offered at the Treaty of Uxbridge and disclames the Earl of Glamorgan's Commission by which he treated with the Irish as false and no Act of his Majestys This Letter was referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms to be communicated to the Scots Commissioners and the Commons desired a conference with the Lords concerning the present sending of the seven Bills to his Majesty Vote that the Committee of both Kingdoms receive from the Lord L'isle his propositions touching Ireland Both Houses agreed upon the Ordinance touching Covent-Garden Order for the Countess of Winchester to go to her Husband where he is Prisoner Sir William Brereton intercepted a Letter from the Lord Byron to Oxford that if they had not relief by the last of January then of necessity they must surrender Chester February 1645. February 2. Debate about the Kings Letter A Conference at which the seven Bills were presented to the Lords for their Concurrence to be forthwith sent to the King Ordinance passed for Money for the Guards and other services in London Martial Law given to the Garrisons of Aylisbury and Newport Paganell Order that there should be no new motion in the House after twelve a Clock Letters informed that Sir Tho. Fairfax drawing towards Exeter the
as formerly That the propositions for Peace be hastned to him That he may come to London with safety freedom and honour where he resolves to comply with the Houses in what shall be most for the good of his Subjects That he will disband his Garrisons as by the inclosed Warrant appears only upon honourable conditions and will send for the Prince Papers came from the Scots Commissioners to the Parliament with these Letters and very fair expressions in them pursuant to the Covenant and that they had perswaded the King since his coming to their Army to give satisfaction to his Subjects and they hope such propositions will speedily be sent to his Majesty as may settle Religion and Peace in both Kingdoms and they shall willingly depart home Another paper was a Copy of that which the Committee of Estates presented to the King desiring that the Prince might not go beyond Seas 16. Progress about the propositions for Peace they agreed that the Militia should be in both houses of Parliament for twenty years Letters informed that the Scots perswaded the King to take the Covenant The Articles were almost agreed for the surrender of Oxford 17. A Letter from the King to the Prince intercepted and read in the Houses and was to this effect to tell him That he had written to his Mother about him and would have him to obey her in all things except Religion Debate about the Militia Ordinance for a Collection for the poor of Abbington 18. The Examinations and Confession of Mr. Hudson one of the Guides that led the King to the Scots Army were read and referred to the Committee who are to draw up the Declaration to be presented to the King and to the Estates of Scotland and the Committee was ordered to proceed further in these Examinations Hudson said that the King crossed the Countrey was at Henley Harrow on the Hill and at Brainford and almost perswaded to come to London and then he went to St. Albans and so to Harborough where the French Agent was to have met him with some Horse but came not from thence the King went to Stamford from thence to Downham in Norfolke where he lay at a petty Alc-house that he passed sometimes by the name of Hudson's Tutor sometimes Doctor and sometimes as Ashburnhams Servant Order for the Speaker to write to the Scots Commissioners for an answer of the last Letter of the Parliament A Petition of the Committee of Wilts of the Robberies and Cruelties of the Forces under Major General Massey quartered in those parts so that none could travail nor remain in their houses with safety A Letter ordered for Sir Tho. Fairfax to suppress them and soon after the House ordered them for Ireland A Petition of Newbury of the sufferings by the War referred to the Committee of the three Counties to cousider of a way for their relief Supplys for Garrisons and an order for Capt. Batten to be Governor of Holy Island 20. The Earl of Ormonds Quarter master with divers Letters and Papers about him was apprehended in London and a Committee named to examine him and to peruse the Papers A difference between the Committee of Kent and the Committee for the Prince Elector referred to the Committee of Lords and Commons for Sequestrations and debate about Committees in General and the oppressions and illegalities of some of them referred to a Committee to consider of restraining them Progress upon propositions for the Peace News came that the Prince was in France The Treaty for the Surrender of Oxford was agreed Farrington was willing to Surrender upon the same terms with Oxford but Wallengford still held out two of Sir Tho. Fairfax's Commissioners went into Oxford to see the Governor and Council there to sign the Articles and two from them came to Sir Tho. Fairfax to see him sign them which were as followeth Articles of Agreement concluded and agreed on by his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight General of the Forces raised by the Parliament on the one Party and the Right Honourable Sir Richard Lane Knight Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England Francis Lord Cottington Lord High Treasurer of England Will. Marquess of Hertford Edw. Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain of his Majesties Honourable Houshould Tho. Earl of Southampton Francis Earl of Chichest Francis Lord Seymour Sir Edw. Nicholas Knt. one of his Majesties Principal Secretaries of State all of them being of his Majesties most honourable Privy Council and Sir Tho. Glemham Knt. c. Governor of Oxford on the other Party for and concerning the Rendring of the Garrison of Oxford as followeth 1. 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 Magazins and Stores thereunto belonging excepting what is allowed in the ensuing Articles shall be delivered to the General Sir Thomas Fairfax or whom he shall appoint without wilful spoyl or embezlement upon Wednesday the 24th of this Instant June at ten of the Clock in the Morn or there about 2. That his Highness the Duke of York shall have an honourable Convoy to London where other of his Majesties Children are attended by his Officers and Servants and sitting accommodation for the removal of his Houshold and Goods thither and shall have an honourable Provision besitting his Dignity appointed for him by the Parliament and to remain there untill his Majestics Pleasure be known touching his setling there or elsewhere and then to be disposed accordingly to any place within fourscore miles of London and shall have such Officers and Servants to continue about him as the Parliament shall approve 3. That their Highnesses Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice shall have Liberty and Passes for themselves with their Servants Horses Arms and Goods the number of their Horses for them and their Train not exceeding seventy to repair 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 Months after the rendring free from any molestation by imposition of Oaths or otherwise and shall have Passes to go beyond the Sea at any time within the said six months with their said Servants Horses Arms and Goods they ingaging themselves upon their Honours not to use the Liberty hereby granted in the mean time to any Hostility against the Parliament of England sitting at Westminster or any way wilfully to the prejudice of their affairs and they are to have the benefit of such the ensuing Articles as may concern them 4. That the Seals called the Great Seal Privy Seal the Signet and the Seals 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 Tho. Fairfax shall appoint be lockt up in
called them Straffordians This being informed to the House by some who were named in that List as a high breach of the Priviledge of Parliament yet being the act of a Multitude no redress was endeavoured These Tumults were accompanied with an Information of some practice in the North to distract the English Army and to debauch them against the Parliament These Passages occasioned a Debate in the House of Commons about a National Protestation to maintain the Protestant Religion against Popery the King's Person the Power of Parliament and the Rights and Liberties of the Subject May 5. This Protestation was taken by the Commons House the next day by the Lords and ordered to be generally taken by all the People of England The House of Commons then took in debate the raising of Moneys to satisfie those great Accounts of the two Armies with which the Kingdom was so highly burthened wherein a Lancashire Knight offered to procure his Majesty 650000 l. till the Subsidies should be raised if he would pass a Bill Not to Prorogue Adjourn or Dissolve this Parliament without Consent of both Houses to indure till the Grievances were redressed and to give the Parliament Credit to take up Monies This was well liked by many Parliament-men who upon the passing of such a Bill would sit the surer and the longer in their Saddles and they were so hot upon it that the same Afternoon they made a Committee to bring in such a Bill the next Morning and Whitelocke was named to draw the Bill Of forty five Lords twenty six Voted the Earl guilty of high Treason upon the fifteenth Article For levying Money in Ireland by force in a warlike manner And upon the nineteenth Article For imposing an Oath upon the Subjects in Ireland The Bill for continuance of the Parliament was brought into the House the next Morning after it was propounded and the same day it was perfected and past the House of Commons This Bill and the Act of Attainder being both past by the Commons a Conference was had with the Lords after they had passed them and a Message sent by some Lords to the King to intreat his Answer who promised to satisfie them within two days The King being much perplexed upon the tendring of these two Bills to him between the Clamours of a discontented People and an unsatisfied Conscience he took advice as some reported of several of the Bishops and of others his intimate Counsellors what to doe in this intricate Affair and that the major part of them urged to him the Opinions of the Judges that this was Treason and the Bill legal They pressed likewise the Votes of the Parliament That he was but one man that no other Expedient could be found out to appease the inraged People and that the Consequences of a furious Multitude would be very terrible Upon all which they perswaded him to pass the Bills But the chief Motive was said to be a Letter of the Earl of Strafford then sent unto him wherein the gallant Earl takes notice of these things and what is best for his Majesty in these streights and to set his Conscience at liberty He doth most humbly beseech him for prevention of such mischief as may happen by his refusal to pass the Bill to remove him out of the way towards that blessed Agreement which God I trust shall for ever establish betwixt you and your Subjects Sir my Consent herein shall more acquit you to God than all the world can do besides To a willing man there is no Injury done By these Passages and by some private dealings the King was perswaded to sign a Commission to three Lords to pass these two Bills and that he should ever be brought to it was admired by most of his Subjects as well as by Foreigners After he had signed these Bills the King sent Secretary Carleton to the Earl to acquaint him with what was done and the Motives of it especially the Earl's Consent who seriously asked the Secretary whether his Majesty had passed the Bill or not as not believing without some astonishment that the King would have done it And being again assured that it was past he rose up from his Chair lift up his Eyes to Heaven laid his Hand on his Heart and said Put not your trust in Princes nor in the Sons of men for in them there is no Salvation Great Censures as in all great businesses were past upon the King 's passing of both these Bills That the one was against his most faithful Servant and the other against himself Certainly he had great remorse thereupon and the next day May 11. he sent a Letter by the Prince to the Lords written all with his own hand That they would confer with the House of Commons to spare the life of the Earl and that it would be a high Contentment to him Some did not stick to say that this was promised to him before he signed the Bill of Attainder and to bring him to it But now the Lords House did not think fit to consent to his Majestie 's desire therein May 12. The Earl was brought to the Scaffold on the Tower-hill as he passed by he looked up to the Window where the Archbishop lay who spake to him with comfort and courage He made on the Scaffold a most ingenious charitable and pious Speech and Prayers gave some Directions touching his Children and died with charity courage and general lamentation Thus fell this Noble Earl who for natural Parts and Abilities and for improvement of knowledge by experience in the greatest Affairs for wisdom faithfulness and gallantry of mind hath left few behind him that may be ranked equal with him The Design for the Earl's escape out of the Tower was related to be discovered by three women who peeping and hearkning to the discourse of the Earl with Captain Billingsley they at the Key-hole of the Earl's Gallery-door heard them confer about the falling down of the Ship to take in the Earl and Billingsley brought a Warrant from the King with two hundred men to be received into the Tower for the safety of it but Sir William Balfour the Lieutenant refused to admit them suspecting that they came to further the Earl's escape Balfour confessed that two thousand pounds were offered him to consent to the Earl's escape and the Earl himself did not deny a Design which he said was only for his remove to some other Castle But Balfour was true to the Interest of his Country-men the Covenanters and their friends in Parliament Divers great Officers of State resigned up their Places either accounting themselves insecure or to satisfie others May 17. The Lord Cottington gave up his Place of Master of the Wards which the Lord Say had conferred on him Bishop Juxon resigned his Office of Treasurer and five Commissioners were appointed to execute it for the time The Earl of Leicester was made Lieutenant of
divers of the Officers and Soldiers of the Parliaments Army particularly Sir James Ramsey a Scot who commanded a Regiment of Horse under Essex rode hastily this morning through Vxbridge and upon that rode towards London and reported That the Parliaments Army was broken and wholly discomfited and many of the Officers slain and taken Prisoners Other Scouts brought other Intelligence quite different from the former and much more welcom They had it from divers upon the Road who were galloping to London with the News That the Earl of Essex had totally routed the King's Army killed and taken many of them and gained a full Victory But the Parliament had a great Deliverance and a small Victory the particular passages were thus The King disdaining to be pursued by Essex turns back to meet him and Oct. 23. being Sunday both the Armies drew into the Field between Kineton and Edge-hill in Warwickshire The King had the top of the Hill from whence he viewed the Parliaments Army who saluted him with three pieces of Cannon which was answered with two shot of the Kings The Fight began about two a Clock in the Afternoon the Generals of both Armies performed their parts with great Courage and Gallantry leading on their Forces with Pikes in their hands but were advised to change that posture as fitter for a private Soldier than for a General The greatest Body of the King's Horse was in his Right Wing commanded by Prince Rupert who furiously charged the Left Wing of the Parliament commanded by Commissary General Ramsey whom he routed and pursued to Kineton down with great slaughter But the Left Wing of the King's Horse had not the same success but was broken and routed by the Right Wing of the Parliaments Horse commanded by Sir William Balfour Sir Philip Stapleton the Lord Fielding and Colonel Hurrey General Lindsey being far ingaged was taken Prisoner and died presently after of his Wounds with him was taken the Lord Willoughby of Ersby his Son Sir Edmund Verney the Standard-bearer was slain and the Standard taken and rescued again by Mr. John Smith who was Knighted for it and made Standard-bearer Both Armies Horse and Foot performed their parts with great Valour and Bravery night parted the Fight and both Armies retreat each counting themselves Victors On both sides were lost between 5000 and 6000 Men. On the King's side the General Lindsey and Sir Edmund Verney on the Parliaments part Colonel Thomas Essex and Lieutenant Colonel Ramsey and the Lord S. John taken Prisoner soon after died The King marched toward Aino Essex kept upon the place where the Battel was fought and the next day marched towards Coventry Some of his Friends were very much against his marching thither but rather advised him to pursue the King and to make a fresh attacque upon him there being come in to Essex after the Battel three fresh Regiments The Lord Willoughby of Parham his Regiment of Horse and the two Regiments of Foot of Hollis and Hampden gallant stout and fresh Regiments But Essex was disswaded from it by Colonel Dalbier and some others but the three fresh Colonels Stapleton and several others advised it and probably had he with these fresh Forces made a new assault upon the King 's disordered and tyred Army it might have gone far to have put an issue to the business Upon the News of this Battel all Countreys were alarmed and frighted being a strange thing in England From Aino Oct. 27. The King sends a Proclamation of Pardon to the Cities of London and Westminster excepting onely Fulke and Manwaring Banbury Town and Castle surrendred without Blows to the King two Foot Regiments and a Troup of Horse there of the Parliaments took up Arms for the King who now brought his whole Army to Oxford and thereby the Error of the Lord Say in not fortifying this place before when it was in his power for the Parliament was the more evident Prince Rupert takes in the Lord Say's House at Broughton and made excursions near London which caused the Parliament to order Essex to bring his Army near London for their safeguard which he did and was honourably received at Westminster Novemb. the 7 th and presented with a gratuity of 5000 l. and a Declaration of his valiant and acceptable Service in the bloody Battel of Edg-hill The Papists of Lancashire were allowed to bear Arms which in many Protestants wrought a Censure on the King for too much favouring and entertaining them in his Army The Parliament order That all Apprentices who will list themselves in their Army shall have their time of that Service for their Freedom which brought many of them into their Army they also invite the Scots to come in to their assistance which the King seeks to prevent but in vain Prince Rupert ranged abroad with great Parties who committed strange insolencies and violences upon the Countrey at Ailsbury he failed of his design by the care and stoutness of Colonel Bulstrode Governour there The King takes a resolution and not without grounds of reason to advance to London and all his Army marcheth to Reading Henley and those parts Prince Rupert's Brigade quartered at Henley and of them a Regiment of Horse at Fawley Court The King marched forward with his great Army towards London and the Parliament having voted an Address to him for Peace desired a safe conduct for the Earls of Northumberland and Pembroke and for Mr. Pierpoint the Lord Weenman Sir John Evelyn and Sir John Hippsley to present their Petition to his Majesty But he excepted against Sir John Evelyn because he had proclaimed him Traytor which so irritated the Houses that they voted it a refusal of a Treaty and acquainted the City therewith But afterwards the Petition was sent to the King at Colnebrook by the other Commissioners without Sir John Evelyn and was to desire him to appoint his residence in some place near London where the Commissioners of Parliament might attend him with propositions of a Peace and the King appointed his Castle of Windsor for that purpose and desired that the Treaty might be speeded The Commissioners of Parliament being newly departed from the King he was informed That Essex had drawn forth his Cannon and Forces out of London and was advised to take in Brainford whither he advanced the same Night There were quartered part of the Regiment of Colonel Hollis who were very stout men as appeared by the resistance which they made to the King's Forces and though many of them were slain and divers driven into the River and drowned being mightily overpowred with Numbers yet they defended themselves till the Lord Brook's and Hampden's Regiment came in to their relief and when Night came on they quitted the Town and the King possessed it This being known to the Parliament Nov. 13. they sent a Committee to the City to move them to send forth their Trained Bands the next day to joyn with Essex for
Holland to the King are intercepted whereby Notice is given him of store of Ammunition and Money sent to him from thence and of an Embassadour coming from Denmark to the King and Colonel Cockeram with him The Earl of New Castle in the North hath great Forces for the King and overpowred the Lord Fairfax Norfolk Suffolk Essex Hertford Cambridge and Ely associate under the Lord Grey of Warke for the Parliament Winchester and Chester are gained by the Parliaments Forces Goring lands with the Queen's Standard and store of Officers and Ammunition from Holland and joyns with New Castle The City of London petition the King professing their grief for his distrust of them and their loyalty to him he answers that he hath a good opinion of many of them and could willingly pardon all except Pennington Ven Fowke and Manwaring and he threatens such as shall continue to assist his Adversaries The City were put in heart again by the Speeches of Mr. Rym and the Committee of Parliament to their Common Council of the Houses love to the City and resolution to live and die in their defence In the North the Parliaments Forces prevail again Sir Hugh Cholmley defeats some of the Enemies at Malton and Jan. 16. he and Sir Matthew Bointon at Gisborough rout a party of 600 killed many took 15 Prisoners whereof their Commander Slingsby was one and 200 Arms. Sir Thomas Fairfax carries Leeds and took there four Colours 500 Prisoners with much Arms and Ammunition then Wakefield and Doncaster yield themselves to the Parliament The Earl of New Castle draws down his Forces towards York to prepare for the Queen's entertainment and proclaims the Lord Fairfax and Sir Thomas Fairfax his Son Traytors and the Parliament did the like for the Earl The Parliament resolved to send some Propositions to the King and named their Commissioners two of the House of Lords and four of the House of Commons to present their Propositions to His Majesty The Lords were the Earl of Northumberland and the Lord Say the King refused to grant a safe conduct for the Lord Say because he had been proclaimed by him to be a Traitor so another was put in and four Lords and eight Commoners named to carry the Propositions to the King and January 28. the King granted his safe Conduct for them to come to him which was in this form CHARLES REX Our will and pleasure is and we do hereby streightly charge and command all the Officers and Souldiers of our present Army and all our Ministers and Subjects whatsoever to permit and suffer our Right Trusty and Right well beloved Cosins and Counsellors Algernoon Earl of Northumberland Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery William Earl of Salisbury and Henry Earl of Holland Our right trusty and right well beloved Thomas Viscount Weenman and Richard Viscount Dungarnon and our trusty and well beloved Sir John Holland and Sir William Litton Knights William Pierpoint Bulstrode Whitelocke Edmund Waller and Richard Winwood Esquires together with their Servants to pass and repass to and from us they being sent to tender us Propositions from our two Houses of Parliament This our safe Conduct under our Sign Manual and Privy Signet we charge and command them and every of them punctually to observe and obey as they will answer the contrary at their utmost perils Given at our Court at Oxford the 28. day of January 1642. After this safe Conduct sent from the King the Parliament Commissioners took their Journey to Oxford the Commissioners were admitted by the Lords two with each Lord in their Coaches which were with six gallant Horses in every Coach and a great number of their Servants on Horse back to attend them In this Equipage they came to Oxford where the Governour assigned them their quarters They had their first access to the King in the Garden of Christ Church where he was walking with the Prince and divers of the Lords attending him All of them kissed his hand not as they were ranked in the safe Conduct but according to their several degrees Mr. Pierpoint before the Knights he being an Earls Son and Mr. Winwood before Mr. Whitelocke he being the eldest Knights Son and Mr. Waller was the last The King said to him though you are the last yet you are not the worst nor the least in my favour The discovery of a Plot then in hand in London to betray the Parliament wherein Mr. Waller was ingaged with Challoner Tomkins and others which was then in agitation did manifest the King's Courtship to Mr. Waller to be for that Service After they had all kissed the King's Hand the Prince gave them his Hand to kiss The Earl of Northumberland read the Propositions to the King with a sober and stout carriage and being interrupted by the King he said smartly Your Majesty will give me leave to proceed the King answered I I and so the Earl read them all through The Heads of the Parliaments Propositions to the King were To disband his Army and return to his Parliament leave Delinquents to Trial and Papists to be disarmed To pass a Bill for abolishing Bishops c. and such other Bills as should be presented for Reformation Recusants to abjure Papacy to remove malignant Counsellors to settle the Militia as the Parliament desired to prefer to Offices such as the Parliament should name to take in all that were put out of Commissions of the Peace A Bill to vindicate the Lord Kimbolton and five Members to enter into Alliance for the Palatinate to grant a general Pardon excepting New Castle Digby and others To restore Parliament Members to their Offices and to restore their losses On the other side the King proposed That his Revenue Magazins Towns Ships and Forts be restored That what hath been done contrary to Law and the King 's Right may be recalled That all illegal power claimed or acted by Orders of Parliament be disclaimed As the King will consent to the execution of all Laws concerning Popery or Reformation so he desires a Bill for preserving the Book of Common Prayer against Sectaries that all persons excepted against in the Treaty may be tried per pares with a cessation of Arms and for a free Trade Thus way was made for a Treaty but nothing further done in it till 4. Martii after The Queen landed with Officers Money and Ammunition in the North and is conveyed to York where she forms an Army Massey attempting to storm Sudely Castle was beaten off he possesseth the Garden fires much Hay and Straw and under the smoak thereof planted his Ordnance so advantageously against it that the besieged rendred it upon quarter leaving their Arms behind A few days after Prince Rupert with 4000 Horse and Foot marcheth by it to Cirencester where the Magazine of the County lay this he took putting the Earl of Stamford's Regiment and many others to the sword took
Seal was at the first committed to the Custody of the two Speakers to be made use of by the Warrant of the Houses afterwards it was committed to the Custody of two Lords and four Commoners as Commissioners who had the Authority of Keeper of the Great Seal The Lords were the Earls of Manchester and Bullingbrook the Commoners were Mr. Brown Mr. S. John Mr. Wilde and Mr. Prideaux The Courts of Justice were not-yet open no practice for Lawyers August 12. The Earl of Lindsey being released from his Imprisonment by the Parliament came to the King at Oxford and was highly welcomed there but the Earls of Holland and Bedford found it otherwise to them For they about August 25. upon some distaste at the Parliament left them and got to Wallingford where the Governour Blagge received them with great shews of Honour and brought them from thence to the King at Oxford To him these Lords professed their Duty and Allegiance acknowledging their former Errours and promising wholly to desert the Parliament and to adhere to his Majestie 's Interest But not long after finding less favour and respect to them from the King and his Party than they expected upon this new Discontent they found means again to quit Oxford and to return to the Parliament About the same time the Earl of Clare left the Parliament and went to the King to Oxford but finding such Entertainment as Holland and Bedford had done both from the King and those about him he stoutly told the King That he intended to return to his own house in Nottinghamshire and prayed his Majestie 's leave for it The King wished him not to go but finding him resolute upon his Journey sent to have him stopped but in the mean while the Earl found means to pass the Guards and got home to Houghton and from thence to the Parliament It was said in Drollery that these three Earls had much confirmed others to continue with the Parliament for they having tried both Parties found it by Experience that this was the best to be in and to adhere unto A Book set out by Saltmarsh a Minister gave distaste to sober men by these among other his Counsells 1. That all means should be used to keep the King and his People from a sudden union 2. To cherish the War under the notion of Popery as the surest means to engage the people 3. If the King would not grant their Demands then to root him out and the Royal Line and to Collate the Crown upon some body else Some excepting against this in the house of Commons Mr. Henry Martyn said He saw no reason to condemn Mr. Saltmarsh and that it were better one Family should be destroyed than many Sir Nevill Poole moved that Mr. Martyn might explain what one Family he meant Who boldly answered The King and his Children Upon this some of the Members urged against his lewdness of life and the height and danger of these words And divers speaking sharply against Mr. Martyn he was committed to the Tower but shortly after released and re-admitted to his place in Parliament Sir Edward Coniers is removed fom his place of Lieutenant of the Tower and the Charge thereof given to the Lord Mayor Pennington The Parliaments Commissioners in Scotland send word of a fair Correspondence with the State there and their readiness to comply with the Parliament in order to which they had sent from them the Form of a Covenant to be taken by both Nations This the Parliament refers to the Assembly of Divines then sitting for their Advice in it Sir John Evelyn of Wilts had writ a Letter from the Earl of Northumberland's house at Petworth to Sir John Evelyn of Surrey which being intercepted and suspicious both of them being Members of the house of Commons were Imprisoned Both Houses passed an Ordinance August 28 for demolishing and removing all Monuments of Idolatry and Superstition out of all Churches and Chapels in England and Wales Divers Members of both Houses were Members of the Assembly of Divines and had the same liberty with the Divines to sit and debate and give their Votes in any Matter which was in consideration amongst them In which Debates Mr. Selden spake admirably and confuted divers of them in their own learning And sometimes when they had cited a Text of Scripture to prove their Assertion he would tell them Perhaps in your little Pocket Bibles with gilt Leaves which they would often pull out and read the Translation may be thus but the Greek or the Hebrew signifies thus and thus and so would totally silence them The Lord Willoughby of Parham had done great Service for the Parliament in Lincolnshire He had taken in Gainsborough and divers Prisoners there among whom was the Earl of Kingston who with the rest being sent by Water in a close Boat towards Hull A party of Cavaliers as they passed by called to the Boat to stay and because they did not the Cavaliers shot at them and the Earl with his man and no other in the Boat were slain by their own Friends The Lord Willoughby kept the Town afterwards against the Earl of Newcastle's Forces till over-powred with Numbers he was forced to surrender it upon honourable conditions Colonel Cromwell gave assistance to the Lord Willoughby and performed very gallant Service against the Earl of Newcastle's Forces This was the beginning of his great Fortunes and now he began to appear to the world He had a brave Regiment of Horse of his Country-men most of them Freeholders and Freeholders Sons and who upon matter of Conscience engaged in this Quarrel and under Cromwell And thus being well armed within by the satisfaction of their own Consciences and without by good Iron Arms they would as one man stand firmly and charge desperately The Parliament ordered Recruits for the Lord Willoughby and for Cromwell and both of them became in the Parliaments favour Gloucester was the general subject of discourse the King was set down before it with his whole Army the Governour Massey not only refuseth upon his Majestie 's Summons to render the City to him but sallies forth upon some of their Quarters and did cut off 300 of their men A Conspiracy of the Mace-bearer and others to kill the Governour and chief Military Officers was discovered and the betraying of the Town prevented some of the Conspirators being executed Gen. Essex advanced with his whole Body from Ailesbury towards Gloucester Aug. 29. The Enemy made a breach in the Outworks and some Assaults but was gallantly repulsed The King drew his Forces from Exeter and the West to the siege of Gloucester yet the Besiegers were very doubtful whether to continue or raise the siege Warwick Castle held out against the King's Forces and Colonel Bridges the Governour acquitted himself with much honour The Earl of Denbigh was made Major General of Coventry and some part adjacent The Lord Gray and Colonel
Antichristian c. That he held the Pope to be the Metropolitan Bishop of the World and that there could be no true Church without Bishops The Speaker offered to the house a petition which he received from the hands of the French Ambassadour touching the French and English Merchants in matters of Trade which the House referred to the Committee of the Navy and directed that when addresses should be made to them as a Parliament they would doe right Colonel Popham was ordered to go down to Taunton to take into his charge a Regiment raised by the Country for him The Lord Inchequin's party taken at Dorchester that were Irish Rebels were there hang'd The Lord Admiral upon the General 's advance to Exeter sent the James a Ship of 1200 Tun to lye before it at Torbay that 100 are come out of the Town to him and that he hearing of eleven Ships waiting for the Queen to carry her beyond Sea sent three lusty Ships to wait on them The King marched with 7000 horse and foot to Bath and from thence towards Bristol where Hopton joyned with him Bostal-house in Bucks was re-fortified by the King's party York was rendered upon Articles to the three Parliament Generals who entred the Town and went to the Minster where they had a Sermon and thanks returned to God for the recovery of it An Order was made touching compounding for Wardships Colonel Massey wrote that the King with about 400 horse and 3000 foot was marched Westward whereof he had given notice to the General and to Sir Will. Waller and that he with three Troops of horse followed the King's Rear to keep them from plunder By Letters from the General he desires a pass for an Irish Gentlewoman Governess to the young Princess and sends a Letter which he received out of Exeter from Sir John Berkley the Governour The Irish as was informed by the King's allowance made a Declaration and Vow to assist the King against the Puritan Parliament and to defend Episcopacy and the Papists of England and protest against the Covenant and that they will proceed against all that take it The Lord Grey of Groby and Sir John Gell joyning together to reduce a Garrison of the King 's at Wilney-ferry who did many outrages to the Countrey and much infested them they used this Stratagem to get the Fort. They took about 60 Cart-loads of Hay and other combustible Matter and carried them with their Forces up to the very Fort under the shelter of which their men were secure from any hurt from the Enemy and putting fire to the combustible Matter with the advantage of the wind did so annoy the Enemy that they were driven out of the Works and their Trenches filled with the Hay and other stuff Captain Robinson the Governour offered to render upon terms to march away with Bag and Baggage but that being denied he prepared for a resolute defence but when the Parliament forces began the storm Robinson's men threw down their Arms and craved quarter which was given them and but one man killed there was taken three Captains divers inferiour Officers two Drakes and seventy common Souldiers after this they took in Wink field Manor and Shelford Manor The Parliament ordered a Letter of thanks to them The House being informed that Sir John Berkeley Governour of Exeter hanged up Captain Turpine in cold blood ordered that the Judges who condemn'd him Heath Banks Forster and Glanvile might be impeached of High Treason which was ordered against Glanvile onely being in their power Two Priests who were in the Earl of Newcastle's Army were sent up to the Parliament and ordered to be tried according to Law The Commons ordered a Letter of thanks to the Lord General for his good service in the West The Lord General sent word to the Parliament That he was advancing to relieve Plymouth and to fight with Prince Maurice Indeed there was a great Debate at the Council of War whether they should march on Westward or face about and meet the King who was marching towards them and rather fight with him than with Prince Maurice Most of the Council were of opinion to face about and to meet the King but the Lord Roberts was very earnest for them to advance into Cornwal and by the way to relieve Plymouth and from thence to march into Cornwal to fight Prince Maurice affirming that when they came into Cornwal which was his Lordship's Countrey they should find great assistance and many to come in to them by his interest among them The General followed his advice and wrote to the Parliament as before That the King was in Somersetshire and that the Queen with Bristol and Jermin were landed at Brest in France The House ordered that Mr. Hollis one of their Members shall have out of the King's Revenue the Fine which was imposed on him by the Star-chamber 3 Car. for his fidelity to the Common-wealth A Ship loaden with Arms and Ammunition for the King was taken and brought into Sunderland with 22 pieces of Ordnance in her A Committee of seven Lords and fourteen Commons was appointed to hear any complaints sent in by the Dutch Ambassadours concerning taking of Ships that right may be done A Committee most of Lawyers was appointed to consider what Ordinances were fit to be made into Laws when the King and Parliament should be agreed The Archbishop was again brought to his Trial and proofs produced against him that he should say the Pope was not Antichrist but the Head of the Church and that the Protestant and Romish Religion was all one and if the one was false so was the other and that he concealed a Plot revealed to him that 7000 men were in pay attending an opportunity to kill the King and to massacre the Protestants The Lord General sent up to the Parliament a Letter which he received from the Earl of Forth now made Earl of Brainford General of the King's Army acquainting that a Letter was sent by His Majesty from Eversham by the French Agent to be by him presented to the Parliament for Peace It was intituled A gracious Message directed to the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled at Westminster It propounded a Treaty of Peace and that Commissioners might be appointed on both sides to meet and treat thereof and it was signed by the Lord Digby Secretary A Letter came from the three Generals That now if it pleased the Parliament they believed the the King would be more inclineable to Peace than formerly This was excepted against by some who were no friends to Peace but those who longed for Peace carried it against them to have a day set to consider of this business Major General Brown was ordered to march to Abington to secure the Magazine and Artillery there The Earl of Manchester wrote to the Parliament for their advice which way the Scots Army and his should march and that the L. Fairfax
to perswade the General to embrace His Majestie 's offer and that if he would come and treat with them he should be as safe as in his own Tent and that a Committee of both parties might be nominated to treat of those matters The General 's answer was that he was trusted by the Parliament to fight and not to treat and that he would not break the trust reposed in him to treat without their consent The Parliament ordered thanks to be returned to the Lord General for his care and fidelity and supplies to be made for his Army The Assembly of Divines communicated to the Parliament a Letter sent to them from the Kirk of Scotland lamenting that Church government was not yet settled Colonel Middleton joyning with the forces under Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper Colonel Jepthson and others marched to Wareham in Dorsetshire and suriously assaulting one of the Out-works beat the Enemy into the Town and they rendered it upon terms and 300 of the Garrison undertook to serve the Parliament against the Rebels in Ireland A party of the Enemy being quartered about Bisseter in Oxfordshire Captain Ennis met with them and both parties fought desperately Captain Ennis killed one that charged him furiously and divers others of the King's party were killed and taken Prisoners after this they went to Bostal House where the Garrison sallying out upon them were beaten back with loss Letters from the General certified that he had sent a party under Colonel Beere and Colonel Sheffield against Greenvile who was 1600 strong in Foot and 300 Horse and 5 Drakes that they had routed a party of his forces and taken divers Officers and 80 Men and many Horse Welbeck House was surrendred to the Earl of Manchester Mr. Darley a Member of the House was released from his imprisonment in Scarborough Castle A Letter from the Lord Inchequin to the King was read in the House wherein he declares his resolution to oppose the Irish Rebels and to defend Munster from them and beseecheth His Majesty to call in his Proclamation wherein he terms them his Subjects and to proclaim them as indeed they are blood-thirsty and cruel Rebels The Assembly had leave to debate the whole matter of the Ordinance for Ordination of Ministers and for settling the government of the Church One who attended that Debate the Question being there propounded to be put that the government by Presbytery is Jure Divino spake to that Question in the Assembly to this effect Mr. Prolocutor I might blush to speak in this reverend Assembly upon the question now in debate before you had I not by the honour of being one of your Members seen your candour to others and observed you to be most able to give satisfaction to any scruples here and to enable such as I am to satisfy objections abroad whereof I have met with some your Question it seems not being under secrecy It is said Sir That this Question is very large and comprehensive and they instance upon the terms of it Government Church Presbyteries and Jure Divino all which they say are of various significations and your meaning by them not easie to be understood The word Government you well know Sir is proper for the guidance of a Ship so Cicero useth it Et si in ipsa gubernatione negligentia Navis est eversa And so in Plutarch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the act of steering a Ship And the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from whence some fetch our English word Government hath the same sense All take it for the prudent and well ordering and managing of persons and affairs that men may live well and happily and this I also take to be your sense in the word Government The word Church I confess admits more variety of interpretations and I must not wast so much of your time nor is it needfull to persons of your great learning to reckon them As sometimes it is taken in the large sense of all Believers and sometimes in the sense of every particular Congregation of God's people and of Believers in a Nation and you know the Greek Poet takes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Meetings of Mirth or Jollity But to take the word in the sense wherein it was first introduced by the Popish Clergy I am sure will not be admitted by you They used indeed many Canting Expressions as Ecclesiastical and Lay Spiritual and Temporal Church and State and the like and all were to make a distinction between themselves and other men that they might be accounted more holy and as a distinct Nation in the Midst of the Nation to bring more reverence and privilege and money to them than otherwise they could obtain Some would say of the Puritans that they used a kind of Canting language to bring them into the more scorn I am sure the imputation is more just upon the Popish Clergy who by this canting would exclude all others but themselves to be of the Church of Christ and exalt themselves above their Brethren Whereas doubtless every one though never so much as they term him a Lay-man is as much a Member of the Church if he be a Believer as they that wear Cooles or Hoods or Canonical Coats or Tippets But I suppose you mean by Government of the Church the ordering and ruling of Matters and Persons having relation to the worship of God in the meetings of his people in the Church or in things belonging thereunto which by some are called Spiritual Matters Thereupon it is objected by some that Government being a Civil thing cannot be exercised about things that are Spiritual Government is onely external and Spiritual things are onely internal not capable of being ordered by any but the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the great Knower of Hearts and are become the power of Government of Men. But this Notion may go too far perhaps I hope to be informed by your learned Debates to a clearer understanding of it and shall pass to the next Term of the Question Presbytery This word they say was unknown till of late in the sense many do now use it that among the Jews it was the highest honour and dignity given to the Members of their Great Sanhedrim and therefore is not now so properly to be attributed to the Rulers of every small Congregation I am none of those Mr. Prolocutor who except against the Presbyterian Government I think it hath a good Foundation and hath done much good in the Church of Christ But Sir whether this Form of Government be Jure Divino or not may possibly admit of some dispute and whether it be now requisite for you to declare that it is so If the meaning be that it is Jure Divino Ecclesiastico then the question will be raised of the Magistrate's imposing Forms and upon Mens Consciences for then this will be the Magistrate's Imposition Jure Divino Ecclesiastico But if the meaning be Jure Divino Absolute
And having the same interest with the Senate and present at their Debates they understood their business the better and were less apt to break that trust which so nearly concerned their private interests which was involved with the Publick and the better they understood their business the better service might be expected from them Sir I humbly submit the Application to your Judgment your Ancestors did the same they thought the Members of Parliament fittest to be imployed in the greatest Offices I hope you will be of the same judgment and not at this time to pass this Ordinance and thereby to discourage your faithful Servants The Debate held till it was late at Night and then upon the Question as some called it Envy and self-ends prevailing the Ordinance passed the House of Commons and was voted to be sent up to the Lords for their concurrence An Ordinance past for observation of the Fast-day especially on the next Wednesday being Christ-mas-day The Petition of the Lord Carbury was referred to a Committee for his Relief The Parliaments Answer to the King's Message being delivered to the Duke of Richmond and Earl of Southampton they said They had some further matters from the King to impart to the two Houses and desired to be heard of them but the Committee answered That they had not power to receive any new Message Then the Duke of Lenox demanded whether they might not deliver it to the Speakers of both Houses the Committee said That they could not give advice therein But this being reported to the Houses they ordered the Committee to receive from those Lords what they had to offer further from the King Mr. Pierpoint carried up to the Lords the Self-denying Ordinance The two Lords from the King delivered in a Paper to the Committee declaring The willingness of his Majesty that no time should be lost in bringing on the Treaty and to desire that Commissioners might be then nominated to which was returned That they had already the answer of both Houses and of the Scots Commissioners which the Parliament desired might be presented to his Majesty at Oxford The Lord Digby treated about ten weeks together by Messengers and Letters with Major General Brown to betray Abington making offers to him of great Preferment and Reward The Major General wrote to a Friend about it and desired his advice in it who counselled him to entertain the Treaty to shew a compliance with Digby and to give fair hopes of effecting what he desired and in the mean time to get the Works about the Town finished This was agreeable to the opinion of the Major Gener. and he had begun the Treaty with the Lord Digby and carried it along with great hopes to the Lord to have the Town surrendred and that his Wit and Eloquence had prevailed with the Woodmonger as he styled him Brown gave an account of all the Letters and Passages from time to time between them and he was encouraged to carry on the Design even to the appointment of a day for payment of money to him and for his rendition of the Town to Digby and even to the permission of part of the King's Forces to enter the Town and then to fall upon them But Brown thought it not good to proceed so far but after so much time spent in Treaty and expectation Digby required the Town to be rendred by a positive day but Brown having well finished his Works gave his Lordship a positive denial which much enraged him The Reasons of the dissenting Brethren to the Directory of the Church-government by Presbyters with the Answers to those Reasons were presented to the House and a day appointed for the debate of them An Ordinance past for Sir Thomas Allen's composition for Delinquency Knasborough was surrendred to the Parliament upon conditions and there was taken four pieces of Ordnance store of Arms Money and 1500 l. worth of Plate Letters from the Committee of Kent informed That the King had lately sent three Commissions into Kent one for the betraying of Dover-Castle another for Chattam and some Ships and the third to Array men in the West of Kent All which were discovered and the execution of them prevented one of the Commissions was dated when the Committee were at Oxford with Propositions for Peace Captain Redman with a Party from Northampton set upon a party of the King's Forces going to Banbury took Prisoners the L. St. Paul a French-man Sir John Fenwicke two of the Stricklands fifteen others thirty Horse and Arms and a Sumpter with rich Clothes Colonel Thorney with a party from Nottingham took in a Garrison of the King 's near Newarke and in it the Master of the house Sir Roger Cooper and his Brother and fifty others prisoners with their Arms. Decemb. 23. Sir Alexander Carew by Sentence of the Court-Marshal was beheaded The Commons voted to refer the consideration of the manner of the Treaty upon the Propositions for Peace to the Committee of both Kingdoms but the Lords were for a new Committee for it The Court-Marshal pronounced Sentence of death against Captain Hotham The Lords having voted the Archbishop Guilty of the Matters charged against him for matter of Fact desired satisfaction from the Commons in point of Law that those Matters were Treason The Commons ordered the removal of their Forces from the Counties near London near to the Enemy to streighten them and to be in readiness to attend their motions Letters from Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper informed of the Relief of Taunton Town and Castle held out to admiration by Colonel Blake notwithstanding his great want of Ammunition and Provisions and that the Works there were inconsiderable Colonel Edward Windham sent a threatning Summons to Blake to render the Town and Castle upon pain of fire and sword and perswaded the doing of it because of the indefencibleness of the place and to prevent the effusion of more Christian blood Blake returned this Answer These are to let you know that as we neither fear your menaces nor accept your proffers so we wish you for time to come to desist from all Overtures of the like nature unto us who are resolved to the last drop of our blood to maintain the quarrel we have undertaken and doubt not but the same God who hath hither to protected us will ere long bless us with an Issue answerable to the justness of our Cause howsoever to him alone shall we stand or fall Not long after this a strong party of the Parliaments Forces brake through the Besiegers and supplyed the Town with store of Provisions and what they wanted The Commons made an Order for the better payment of the 10000 l. per annum formerly granted to the Lord General out of Delinquents Estates in consideration of his great losses by the Enemy and his ever to be remembred good Services This was put on now by some to sweeten him upon the transmitting of the Self-denying
turned their Musquets against their fellows This so discouraged Argyle's men that they gave back and retreated which Montross perceiving fell on with great resolution upon them routed the whole body of Argyle's men killed divers and took many of them Prisioners A party of about 150 of the King 's from Skipton beat up Colonel Brandling's quarters at Heightley surprized the Guards came into the Town and took near a hundred prisoners 60 horse and other booty As they returned Colonel Lambert's men fell upon them rescued their friends and the booty took Captain Hugh's who commanded the King's party killed his Lieutenant and about 15 of his men and took about 20 of them prisoners pursuing the rest to Skipton Samon one of Lambert's Captains and about eight of his Souldiers were killed Sir John Meldrum got the Power of the Harbour at Scarborough and appointed to storm the Town 18. Orders about the Navy and new Commissioners of the Customs A Letter from Prince Rupert to the Lord General for release of some persons imprisoned contrary to Articles was referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms to have right done Sir Thomas Fairfax came privately to Town and a Committee was appointed to consider of raising Moneys and Recruits for his speedy taking of the Field About 700 of the mutinous Troops being come near London care was taken to prevent Surrey Kent and the adjacent Counties from any inconveniences by them Tobias Basely formerly a Porter condemned by the Council of War for a Spy and betraying Carriers was hanged in Smithfield Prince Griffith petitioned that since he was in custody he was poysoned and had but a few days to live Whereupon two Doctors were approved by the House to visit him 19. Four Members of the Commons House were sent by them for Sir Thomas Fairfax to bring him to the House where a Chair was set for him but he modestly refused to sit down The Speaker told him somewhat of Agamemnon and of the old Romans which I have forgotten then he informed him of the trust the Kingdom reposed in him in the Command of the Army and the good opinion they had of him for his valour and fidelity giving him thanks in the name of the House for the many and great services he had done for the publick and in the defence of Religion Laws and Liberty and incouraged him to go on as he had begun The Ordinance for Tunnage and Poundage sent up to the Lords and another touching the Excise Weymouth held out and received some relief by Sea from Poole Sir William Waller was upon his march to them The House received Letters from their Commissioners at Vxbridge with several Papers concerning the Militia and the Reply made by the King's Commissioners who took advantage the last point of time to deliver in their Reply when it might be conceived no Answer could be made to it by the Parliaments Commissioners But they being impowred by their additional Instructions to reassume the business of the Militia when they pleased the Parliament voted that their Commissioners shall have power to treat with the King's Commissioners about passing a Bill for settling the Militia in the power of the Parliament until such time as the three Kingdoms shall be reduced to peace and so declared by Parliament and three years after or else for seven years from the time of the granting the Militia and after that his Majesty to take the advice of both Houses of Parliament for the settling thereof And the Commissioners of both Kingdoms delivered in a Paper accordingly The Earl of Southampton and some others of the King's Commissioners went from Vxbridge to Oxford to the King about the business of the Treaty to receive some further directions from his Majesty therein The Doctors reported Griffith to be in no danger 20. The Ordinance for Tunnage and Poundage with the Clause for Currants passed both Houses Orders for setting forth the Fleet. Letters from Holland to the Parliament advise that Brown Bushel was at Sea with a small Fleet intended for Piracy Information of a Design to cause the Souldiers to mutiny was referred to be examined An Ordinance passed for raising of 21000 l. for the Scots Army to be repaid out of Sequestrations The Committee at Goldsmiths-hall had 30000 l. ready to be sent to the Scots Army upon their advance Southwards The King's Forces intending to keep a Guard near Harrington Brown sent out a party of Horse from Abington who suddenly fell upon them surprized the whole Guard being about nineteen and brought them prisoners to Abington After that he sent out another party who intercepted and brought away 27 horse-loads of Corn Cheese and other Provisions going towards Oxford Major Purefoy fell upon the Enemy near Oxford tooâ— a Lieutenant and other Officers 12 Troupers and Arms. The Lord Macquire was executed at Tyburn he refused to make any Confession but died desperately 21. The Parliament sent an Express to their Commissioners atVxbridge with their Vote to propound a Limitation of the Militia for three years after the three Kingdoms are declared by the King and Parliament to be settled in peace or to have it settled in the Parliament for seven years after the time the King is willing to settle it To this effect they delivered in a Paper to the King's Commissioners and endeavoured to perswade their Compliance and were full of hopes that they would have consented to it Several Ordinances passed for 20000 l. supplied by the Commissioners of Excise and an Ordinance for all Souldiers to repair to their Colours within 48 hours and an Ordinance was sent up to the Lords for the new Commissioners of the Customs Orders for the Commissioners of the Navy and for the Prince Elector 22. The Commissioners at Vxbridge sent a Letter to the Parliament with all the Papers containing the three Treaties of the three last days about Ireland wherein the Kings Commissioners did not think fit to yield to any of the Propositions but again justified the Cessation with his Majestie 's Catholick Subjects there The Parliaments Commissioners in their Reply laid home the innocent blood shed by the Irish Rebels Letters from Sir John Meldrum informed that Feb. 18. about ten a Clock the Town of Scarborough was stormed in four places by the English and Scotish Souldiers who gained the Town and Church with the loss of eleven men in the Church they took 80 Souldiers and the Governour of Hemsley Castle Cholmley perceiving the Town like to be lost fled into the Castle and was pursued and one of the Works taken but the White Tower in the Castle commanding it they beat out Meldrum's men with stones Cholmley laboured to escape by Sea in a little Pinnace he had there which he called his Running Horse but Meldrum got Boats between him and the Pinnace and forced him back again into the Caâ—tie Sir Hugh Cholmley had five Dunkirk Vessels lying in
of his Parliaments that all differences might be composed and all Armies disbanded To which the King answered That he came to the Scots Army with intent to settle Peace and to satisfie the just desires of his good Subjects and to comply with his Parliament in all things for the good of Religion and the Happiness of his Subjects and when Peace shall be setled he will find out some honourable means for imployment of so many gallant men as are in this Army 6. Malignant Ministers to be disabled from any Livings of the Church Instructions passed for the Commissioners to go to the King with the propositions for Peace they were to demand his Majesties positive Answer to them which if not given within ten days they were to return to the Parliament Commissioners for the House of Lords were the Earls of Pembroke and Suffolke for the House of Commons Sir Jo. Danvers Sir Jo. Hippesley Mr. Robinson and Sir Walter Earle Letters from the Deputy Major of New-Castle that he had hindred Delinquents from coming to his Majesty His action was approved and order for a Declaration to give power to the Northern Committees to hinder Delinquents from coming to his Majesty Debate touching slighting of Inland Garrisons and referred to the respective Committees to do it in the North and West Vote against the Scots renewed That this Kingdom had no more need of the Scots Army and that the Scots Commissioners should be desired to take order that their Army might be withdrawn out of this Kingdom which is no longer able to bear them The Lords desired a Committee of both Houses might be appointed to reform Cambridge University and to slight that Garrison 7. Sir John Danvers desired to be excused and Mr. Robert Goodwin was named in his stead one of the Commissioners to go with the Propositions to his Majesty Captain Johnson that brought up the last Message from the King had twenty pound Divers Ordinances past for Compositions Petitions about Tyn and about the Fens Divers Ministers from the Assembly in Scotland came to the King with a Petition to him to take the Covenant but would preach to him before it were delivered Sir Peter Killegrew went to the King with the Letter of both Houses touching Ireland 8. Order for stating the Accounts of Sir Will. Brereton as Major General The Committee of Examinations dissolved not having done well Order for five thousand pound for the Forces before Litchfield and that Sir Will. Brereton should go down to that Siege Orders for relief of Ireland Reports of Compositions and Orders Worcester demanded higher Articles than Oxford had Wallingford was upon Treaty but the Governor Col. Blagge sent an high and proud Letter to the General Blagge desired a Cessation and the General agreed to it to prevent the burning of the Town which Col. Blagge intended and the Commissioners met on both parts about it The Cessation from all acts of Hostility was agreed for four days 9. Order to discharge the attendants of the Duke of York when he should come to St. Jameses and six hundred pound to buy a Coach and Apparel for him Mr. Marshall ordered to go with the Commissioners that carried the Propositions Money for the Scots Officers Intelligence that the Prince was come into France to his Mother and that the Lord Digby was gone for Ireland and that the Earl of Glamorgan was in the head of an Army there Monsieur Bellieure the French Ambassador to the Parliament landed Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice took Shipping Major General Massey took his place in the House The Treaty for Worcester broke off 10. Ordinance committed for Sale of Delinquents Estates another past for Irish and Papists to go out of London Order for all that came in upon the Articles of Oxford and Exeter to ingage before the Committees to act nothing prejudicial to the Parliament Ordinance past for Mr. Woodcocke to be Parson of St. Olave Southwarke another for redemption of Captives Letters from the general Assembly of the Kirke of Scotland after complements earnestly desire the Parliament of England timeously to settle Church-Government according to the Covenant with expressions against those who hinder Uniformity they resolve to observe the Covenant Another Letter from them to the Assembly of Divines thanking them for their care and pains in the work of Religion that Sectaries ought to be suppressed c. Another to the Lord Mayor and Common Council of London commending them for their Petition to the Parliament about Religion and mentioning those of London in Queen Maries days and the zeal of the Citizens for God commending them for their actions in the present times and for their countenancing the Assembly and the Scots Commissioners and highly incouraged them to go on The French Ambassador was received into London in great State 11. Order for reducement of the Forces of Nottingham and for Money for that work and for the losses and damages of that County Order for a pass for the Earl of Bristol to go beyond Sea according to Exeter Articles Liberty to the Earl of Cleveland upon bail to go into the Countrey for three weeks for his health The propositions for Peace fully passed both houses Money for M. G. Massey's Forces Order for slighting divers Garrisons Lieutenant Col. Lilburn brought to the Barr of the Lords House had his charge read to him but he seemed to slight it and was re-committed 13. The Houses sate not having resolved to adjourn this hot season two days in the week till they had an answer to the propositions but a Committee sate to examine the ingrossment of the propositions and to see them signed by the Speakers and the Scots Commissioners and to declare them to the Commissioners The Propositions were to sign an Act. 1. To take away all Oaths and Proclamations against the Parliament and their Actions 2. To Sign the Covenant and an Act for the general taking of it 3. To pass an Act to abolish Bishops c. 4. To confirm the Assembly 5. That Religion be setled as both Houses should agree 6. Vnity and Vniformity of Religion to be confirmed by an Act. 7. An Act against Jesuits Papists c. 8. An Act for educating Papists Children in the Protestant Religion 9. For Penalties against Papists 10. Against saying of Mass in any place 11. The like for Scotland as they shall think fit 12. For the due observation of the Lords day and against Pluralities non Residents and regulating the Vniversities in the same Act. 13. The Militia to be in the Parliament for twenty Years so for Scotland with power to raise Moneys and use the Militia c. Londons Priviledges as to their Militia confirmed 14. All Honours and Titles since the great Seal was carried from the Parliament to be void and no Peers to be but by consent of both Houses 15. To confirm the Treaty between England and Scotland and conservators of the Peace to be appointed
sent up to the Lords for payment of five hundred pound to Mr. Phips out of the Marquess of Wintons Estate for which Sir John Danvers was ingaged A Scotch Minister Preached boldly before the King at New-castle and after his Sermon called for the fifty second Psalm which begins Why dost thou Tyrant boast thy self thy wicked works to praise His Majesty thereupon stood up and called for the fifty sixth Psalm which begins Have Mercy Lord on me I pray for men would me devour The People waved the Ministers Psalm and sung that which the King called for 16. An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for disposing four thousand five hundred and fifty pounds Arrears of the Joynture of the Countess of Essex by reason of her delinquency Sir David Watkins called into the House denyed the words which Mr. Pennoyer justified to be spoken by him of Sir John Evelin and said he heard them from one Mr. Drake who was ordered to be sent for The two Speakers continued Commissioners for the great Seal twenty days longer Order for the Committee of Elections to sit and for reports every Monday from the Committee of Priviledges The Lords concurrence desired to the Treaty for the two hundred thousand pound and a hundred thousand pound of it sent away 17. Order for three thousand pound for the poor Widows c. Hostages agreed to the Scots for the two hundred thousaud pound Sir William Selby Mr. Dela Vale Sir Edward Loftus Sir Tho. Trollop Sir H. Mildmay and Sir William Browton Mr. Drake called in about speaking the words touching Sir Jo. Evelyn named one Dr. Aldwyn who said he heard it from a Member of the House referred to a Committee 18. To the Scots Paper desiring aid of this Kingdom against the Rebels in Scotland the House answered that that was no obstruction of their March or delivery up of the Garrisons which being done then the House would consider of that particular To that of charging the Countrey upon their March out of England was answered That they should take no money nor goods of the English Subjects but pay and discharge all their quarters and the form of their Receipts for the two hundred thousand pound was agreed upon The Committee of both houses ordered to meet about disposing the great Seal Sir Thomas Fairfax went towards Northampton to give order for the Convoy of the Scots Money and fifty thousand pound was carried thither for his Army 19. Order for two thousand pound for Sir Peter Killegrew for his Interest in Pendennis Castle and for a thousand pound for the burying of the Earl of Worcester and the Lord Dockra to be according to the Directory The Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council and many Citizens of London presented the Petition formerly mentioned first to the Lords who gave them thanks then to the Commons who after much debate gave them thanks for all their good Services and appointed a day to consider of the Petition and also the Petition of the Gentry of Durbam Another considerable party of the City were about a different Petition 31. Orders touching the payment of the second two hundred thousand pound to the Scots and that they should not take free quarter These to be Communicated to the Scots Commissioners The Earl of Stamford for the Lords and Mr. Ashhurst and Mr. Goodwin for the Commons named Commissioners to go into Scotland to satisfie the Parliament there of all proceedings and to prevent misunderstandings between the two Kingdoms and a Committee appointed to draw instructions for them Upon a Petition of many of Durham that the Scots Army may be removed and twenty five thousand six hundred sixty six pound paid due to them since 1641 and that they may send Knights and Burgesses to the Parliament the House gave this answer that they were sensible of the Countreys sufferings and had taken course to remove the Armies and concerning their electing Knights and Burgesses for the Parliament it was referred to a Committee Col. Hoskins voted to be Governor of Lynne Both Houses agreed to an Ordinance for maintaining of the water-guards And the Lords sent an Ordinance to the Commons that none be permitted to Preach or use publick Exercise but such as had taken Degrees in the Universities and another Ordinance against such as shall disturb the Ministers in their publick Exercises 22. The House agreed that Sir Rich. Lloyd Governor of Holt should have liberty to go beyond Sea and carry three hundred pound with him and his Wise to enjoy his Land being three hundred pound per An. and they voted that Holt Flint Harding Rotheland and Ruthen Castles should be slighted Sir William Listers Lady ordered to have six hundred and ten pound of her Husbands Arrears and two thousand pound to Col Carter and five hundred pound to Major General Skippon for his extraordinary charges in convoying the two hundred thousand pound The Lords sent their Vote to the Commons That the King should come to New-Market upon the Scots Army marching away Upon debate of the City Petition the House Voted first to insist upon the breach of Priviledge in the way of this Petition and then to consider of the particulars of the Petition and for that purpose referred it to a Committee The Earl of Northumberland acquainted the Lords that some persons had a Plot to steal away the Duke of York and to carry him beyond Sea and that by advice from his Majesty two that were in the Plot were apprehended and the rest escaped Mr. Hudson the Kings Guide to the Scots was taken again by Major General Pointz and his Examination sent up to the Parliament Some Proposals from the Lord L'isle Lieutenant of Ireland for supplyes and Moneys to carry on the War there and that he would go over thither in person 23. Letters from Ireland informed That proposals were received by the Marquess of Ormond from the Rebels That the Roman Catholick Religion may be free and publick as in Paris That the Garrisons may be in their hands All Counsellors Officers and Soldiers to take an Oath to fight against the Parliamenteers and never to make Peace with them The Scots Hostages given in A Letter directed to General Leven that no free quarter be taken by his Soldiers in their march for Scotland Order for Mr. Allen to provide a Jewel as a gift of the House for General Leven Order for five hundred pound for Mrs. Chichester and four pound per mensem for the Lady Denny Widows The Duke of York confessed that the King his Father sent to him to get away Great use was made of a Press at London to Print the Lord Chancellor of Scotlands Speeches the London Petition and other things at New-castle 24. The Commons dissented from the Vote of the Lords for the Kings coming to New-Market and voted his coming to Holmesby-House in Northampton shire and to be those with such Attendants as both Houses shall think sit
of this business and had a hundred pound given him Sir Robert Pye and his Officers had thanks and pay for bringing off his Troop for Ireland the like for Col. Grave's Regiment and for other Officers and Soldiers and Quarters assigned them The Ordinance for further Indemnity and the Declaration to recall the former Declaration against the Army-pass'd the Commons Order for ten thousand pound for Soldiers late in Service The Lords agreed to the Votes concerning the Army Order for all the Members of the House forthwith to attend At a Conference between the Scots Commissioners and the Committee of both Houses the Lord Dumferling acquainted them that the King commanded him to tell them that his Majesty was unwillingly taken away by a Party of the Army and that he desired both Houses to maintain the Laws of the Land and that though his Majesty might sign many things in this condition yet he would not have them believed till further notice from him Upon occasion of this and other urgent business the House ordered to sit to morrow though the Lords day after four a clock and that Mr. Marshal be desired to pray with them Letters from the Army that the Rendezvous was held near Bury seven Regiments of Foot and six of Horse appeared Col. Whaley's Regiment was dispatched to Holmeby upon intelligence of the Party of the Army marched thither and the General sent to the Parliament the grounds of the Soldiers undertaking of themselves the business of Holmeby which they sent to the General which were That they had intimation of a design which they were able to make good of some to surprize him Col. Graves was discharged from that imployment at Holmeby and Col. Whaley in his place At the Rendezvous a Petition in the name of the Soldiery of the Army was presented to the General to this effect That they could not be satisfied with their Arrears or other returns unless they had assurance that their Enemies might not be their Judges for the future The General went to every Regiment and expressed to them that the Parliament took notice of their Civil and fair demeanour and had taken a course to satisfie their Arrears and doubted not but they would answer their other grievances advised them to moderation and discretion and not to fall into any mutinous expressions against the Parliament The Soldiers entertained him with shouts and acclamations 6. After Evening Sermon this Lords-day the House met and aftere Prayer by Mr. Marshall they fell upon the business of the Army And a Letter from the General was Read To know the pleasure of the Houses-concerning the disposal of the Kings person and the reasons given by the Souldiers for fetching him from Holmeby and the further Petition from the Souldiers of the Army Letters informed That the King asked the Troopers that brought him from Holmeby What Commission they had for so doing Cornet Joyce who Commanded them answered That His Majesty saw their Commission the King replyed That it had the fairest Frotispiece of any that he ever saw being five hundred proper men on Horseback Collonel Whaley was sent to stay the King where ever he finds him His Majesty was used with all Civility but kept with a Guard as formerly The Souldiers Petitioned the General to Cashiere such Officers as went about to divide the Army Collonel Lilburnes Regiment Cashiered some of their Officers because they Voted contrary to the rest 7. Letters from the General of the Souldiers bringing His Majesty from Holmeby and he would be at New-Market the next day and the ground of the Souldiers doing it as before That he sent Collonel Whaley and two other Regiments towards the King to secure him Whaley Certified that the King was come within four Miles of Cambridg and not willing to return to Holmeby the General sent to the Commissioners to desire them to return to Holmeby but they refused to act concerning disposing the King The General professeth that this remove was without the desire or privity of him or the body of the Army A Guard upon the King by Collonel Whaley and the General protests his resolution and the Armies to study to settle peace and the just liberties of the people and the Parliaments speedy application to these will further the Disbanding of the Army whose sence is clear from opposing Presbytery or have Independent Government set up or to hold a licentiousness in Religion but to leave all to the wisdom of the Parliament Vote to send down new Commissioners to the Army to acquaint them what the Parliament had done in satisfaction of their desires and to persuade them to a compliance with the Parliament the Lords concurred the Commissioners were the Earl of Nottingham Lord De la Ware Sir Henry Vane Jun. Skippon Scowen and Mr. Porey who went away this day Mr. Marshall and Mr. Carry discharged from attendance upon the Commissioners with the King Order for a Fast for the House only and in the House the Lords did the like Debate about the Vote of the Lords to remove His Majesty to Oatlands and resolved in the Negative The large Act of Indemnity past Leave to the Earl of Dumferling to go into France The Lords Ordered the Committee of Derby-House to take care for the security of the Parliament Letters informed a great defeat given by Sir Charles Coot to the Rebels in Ireland one thousand of them slain 8. Petition of London commanded by the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councel That all honourable means may be used to avoid shedding of more blood to give just satisfaction to the Army That the Covenant may be kept and His Majesties person preserved and both Parliaments have access to him and that Ireland may be relieved and to renew an Ordinance to suppress Tumults and prevent danger to the Parliament and City A Committee named to bring in an Ordinance according to the desire of the Petitioners and they had the heartiest thanks that the House could express for their constant affections to the Parliament and for providing Guards so seasonably for the safety of the Parliament and the continuance of their care desired Both Houses passed the Ordinance for making void the former Declaration against the Army and another for Recreation of Scholars Apprentices and Servants A very rude Address was made to the House by Reformadoes and Common Souldiers within the Line who blockt up the House door about two hours and would let no Member pass till the House granted them all their Arrears The House were in a sort forced to Order their Accompts to be stated and ten thousand pounds more than formerly added for their payment Orders for some Members to go to the States Ambassadours to excuse any mistakes and to desire the Unity and Affection of both Nations Another for three hundred pounds for the Commissioners going down to the Army and for Mr. Thomas Goodwyn to go with them That the Militia be desired to send down a
Militia of Wiltshire transmitted to the Lords Letters from the Isle of Wight that the Earl of Middlesex with the rest of the Parliaments Commissioners attended the King at Carisbrook Castle where the Earl read the Votes to his Majesty for the Treaty who received them with much cheerfulness and said that no man desired peace so much as he in his several relations as a King a Husband a Father a Master and that he would give ear to any motion or overture which might conduce to a good accommodation and that whosoever gained by these troubles he must needs be a loser and that he would dispatch them within the time limited 12. The Grand Committee sat about the Ordinance for the Militia At a Conference with the Lords about M r Rolph and M r Ailburton the Commons alledged that M r Rolph was committed by their Lordships without any cause in the warrant and they found reason to clear him and that Ailburton was imployed by the Scots enemies to this Kingdom and therefore not to be protected here The Lords desire the Commons concurrence to an Ordinance to disable Major General Skippon from listing any more forces in the City Order for the exchange of the rest of the Committee of Essex under restraint in Colchester Sir Peter Killegrew returned with Letters from the Isle of Wight that the King had agreed to a personal Treaty at Newport in that Island and desired that Scotland might treat also but left that to the two Houses Letters from the Bayliffes of Yarmouth to the General that they had received aLetter from Prince Charles in the Downs with a Declaration by a Fisher-man going to sell his Fish in France which was taken from him by the Admiral and this Declaration which is in print and the Letter which now they sent to the General was sent by the Fisher-man to Yarmouth That the Town made answer they would stand to their first ingagement to the Parliament and oppose all hostile attempts against them and the Kingdom His Excellency took this so well from them that he sent them word he would not put any Forces into the Town unless they and necessity should require it The Prince his Letter to the Town was that he had sent to them his Declaration as he had done to London and other places and expected their concurrence for his Majesty upon the grounds and for the ends expressed in the Declaration And that they would with courage joyn with him and the English and Scots Forces already appearing for the obtaining of a happy and well grounded peace in spight of all opposition and for the freeing of all his Majesties Subjects from Tyranny Oppression and all illegal Taxes c. 14. The Commissioners returned from the King reported their reception and passages in that business with his Majesty and his Letter to both Houses wherein he expresseth his sad condition for seven Months last past likes well of the Treaty and desires 1. That the Parliament would recall all such Votes and Orders by which people are frighted from coming writing or speaking freely to him 2. That such men of all professions whom he shall send for as of necessary use to him in this Treaty may be admitted to wait upon him that he may be in the same state of freedoom he was in when he was last at Hampton-Court 3. That the Scots may be invited to send their Commissioners to joyn in this Treaty 4. He names Newport in the Isle of Wight for the place of Treaty but thinks it would be much more conducing to a good and speedy issue to have the Treaty in some place in or near London The Lords desired the Commons concurrence that Dr. Shelden and Dr. Hammond might attend the King Letters from Sir Arthur Haselrigge That Lieutenant Colonel Henry Liburne Governour of Tinmouth Castle commanded most of his Officers and Soldiers out of the Castle upon service and reserved a few most of them he knew to be of his own mind with him in the Castle Then he discharged the Prisoners and calling all the Soldiers together he declared for himself and King Charles and that such as did not yield hereunto were dead men whereupon many of the honest Soldiers got over the Wall but a Corporal refusing to consent hereunto was presently run through by the Lieutenant Colonel who then sent to the Shields and Town desiring such as loved King Charles to joyn with him which many did accordingly That this news being presently brought to Newcastle Sir Arthur Haselrigge drew out a considerable body of Foot and one hundred Dragoons with orders to storm the Castle which they attempted but the Ladders were too short yet they forced in at the portholes and notwithstanding the Caunon playing upon them after a short dispute they became possessors of the Castle The Souldiers had quarter many within were Slain among whom the Governour of the Parliaments Soldiers three were wounded and not one Slain That the Scots play at sweep-stake take all Moveables Cows Sheep and all House-hold-stuff to the very Pot-hooks that they take children and make their parents pay ransoms for them and force women before their friends faces that Lieutenant General Cromwel was come up to them with Lambert and had taken about four of the Scots That Colonel Stephkin who had formerly betrayed Stafford to the Parliament had now a design to betray it back again to the King but was prevented by the care of Captain Stone the present Governour and was slain 15. A Verbal Message from the Common Council of London desiring the House of Commons to consider of their Votes in order to their security that the Militia of the outparts may be joyned that Major General Skippon may not list without them with a representation of the Officers of the City that they would be as faithful to the Parliament as ever The House ordered thanks to the Gentlemen and an Ordinance to be brought in for transmitting the power of raising and listing Forces to the Militia that the Committee for joyning the Militias should be revived and the other Committee added to them Sir John Hippesly and M r Bunkley who were Commissioners to the Isle of Wight had the thanks of the House Letters from Colonel Rich that the Prince landed five hundred Soldiers about three hundred Mariners and one hundred Officers and Reformandoes with orders to fall upon Colonel Rich and Colonel Hewson in their trenches they marched by Upper Deal in good order and being discovered three hundred Musquetiers were drawn off all they could get under Hewsons Lieutenant Colonel and Major Husbands with one hundred Horse The Prince his Forces marched up with great resolution and to prevent the Parliaments Horse from annoying them had marsh-ground for their action and retreat which put the Horse upon a loss not knowing how to ingage but Major Husbands wheeled about in a way of retreat This occasioned
to him A Committee appointed to consider how every County may maintain a proportionable number of the Scots Prisoners and to treat with Merchants about transporting them to forreign service Order for the Lord Grey to dispose of Duke Hamilton into safe custody till the House take further order and to keep in strong custody all the Officers then Prisoners in such places and Castles as he should think fit Letters from Colchester that the Town was surrendered according to Articles all Prisoners at Mercy the Town preserved from plunder paying fourteen thousand pounds That by the resolution of a Council of War Sir Charles Lucas Sir George L'Isle and Sir Marmaduke Gascoigne a Papist were to be shot to death That the two first were executed and the third respited That Sir Charles Lucas urged this was to be without precedent but a Parliament Souldier standing by told him that he had put to death with his own hand some of the Parliaments Souldiers in cold blood at which he was dismaid but took better courage afterwards before he died That Sir George L' Isle kissed his dead friend and then after much expostulation and discourse first with the General his Chaplain then by his own desire with one of the Lord Norwich his Chaplains and some private prayers with him Sir George died both he and Sir Charles Lucas with very much courage 30. The publick Fast-day The House passed an Ordinance for the Discipline of the English in new England 31. Votes for several persons named by the King to have leave to attend his Majesty during the Treaty only M r Dowcet and M r Legge disapproved of Order for Instructions to be prepared for the Commissioners who are to treat and for mony for their charges Order that Colonel Farre Lieutenant Colonel to the Earl of Warwick who ingaged ten thousand men of the Train'd Bands of Essex to joyn with the Enemy should be left to the Lord Fairfax to be executed as Sir Charles Lucas was A Committee appointed to confer with M r Moâ—bot about suppressing of scandalous Pamphlets and to bring in an Ordinance for that purpose Letter from the General of the particulars of the Surrender of Colchester and a Copy of the Articles with the explanations upon them That for some Satisfaction to Military Justice and in part of avenge for the innocent blood they had caused to be spilt and the trouble dammage and mischiefs they had brought upon that Town that County and Kingdom He had with the advice of a Council of War of the chief Officers both of the County Forces and the Army caused two of them who were rendred to mercy Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George L' Isle to be shot to death before any of them had quarter assured them and hopes the Parliament will not find cause in the Military execution of these two persons to think their own honour or justice prejudiced That as for the Lord Goring Lord Capel and the rest of the persons rendred to mercy and now assured of quarter whose names he sent in a List he did render to the Parliaments judgement for publick Justice and mercy to be used as they should see cause he desires that God may have the glory of his multiplied mercies In the List of the Prisoners were the Earl of Norwich Lord Capell Lord Loughborough eleven Knights nine Colonels eight Lieutenant Colonels nine Majors thirty Captains general Officers servants of the Lords and Gentlemen sixty five Lieutenants seventy two Ensigns and Cornets sixty nine Sergeants one hundred eighty three private Souldiers three thousand sixty seven Letters from Southampton that the Grand Jury found the Bill against Major Rolphe Ignoramus A Petition of the Common Council of London for Vnity and Amity between the Parliament the City and the Army approved of and thanks given to the Petitioners A Ship sent from the Prince to Garnsey taken by one of the Parliaments Ships September 1648. 1. An Ordinance for stating the accounts of Souldiers and Widows ordered to be Printed and published A place to be appointed for the Auditours Care for Augmentations for Ministers The five Commissioners for the Treaty named by the Lords were The Earl of Pembroke the Lord Say Earl of Salisbury Earl of Middlesex and the Earl of Northumberland The ten Commissioners of the House of Commons were M r Holles Lord Wenman M r Pierrepoint Sir Henry Vane junior Sir Harbottle Grimstone Mr. Samuel Brown Mr. Crew Mr. Recorder Glyn Sir John Potts and Mr. Bulkeley 2. A Letter agreed to his Majesty to acquaint him with the Commissioners named to attend him in the Treaty and that they should be dispatched to him with all convenient speed Sir Peter Killigrew sent away with this Message An Ordinance transmitted to the Lords for payment of fifty thousand pounds part of the last hundred thousand pounds formerly ordered for the Scots forty thousand pounds of it for the Navy seven thousand pound for Stores and three thousand pound for the pay of the Lancashire Forces A long debate about the Militia One thousand of the Prisoners taken at Colchester sent up to London Mr. Lilly's Astrological Predictions for the years 1648 49 and 50. published 4. Both Houses agreed for those servants of his Majesty who are to attend him during the Treaty And they passed an Ordinance to inable the Commissioners to treat with his Majesty upon the Propositions presented to him at Hampton-Court Those in the late insurrection in Essex c. admitted to a Composition at a fourth Value of their Estates Mr. Rolphe delivered his Remonstrance in the Lords House against the Judges and against his prosecutours and desired reparation the House ordered his discharge Lieutenant Colonel Lilburn desired reparation for the Sentences against him in the Star-chamber Order for the Committee to take care for transporting the Scots Prisoners in the first place to supply Plantations and the rest to send to Venice In a Vessel at Exeter one thousand five hundred pair of Carabins being found Order for Securing them till the matter be examined Both Houses agreed upon a day of publick Humiliation to desire a blessing upon the Treaty with his Majesty Colonel Hammonds Instructions for safe keeping his Majesty in Carisbrook Castle repealed The Colonel taking the Kings own ingagement for his going abroad in the Island Order for the Committee of the revenue to provide horses for the King to ride about the Island Upon Colonel Hammonds desire of an addition of Horse and Foot during the Treaty referred to the General and Committee of the Army and his desire for Shipping to ly about the Island referred to the Committee of the Army to prepare them The Forces of Suffolk and Essex had a rendezvous with the Army and after shaking hands and many Vollies of Shot they bid one another farewel Some Regiments marched towards Tarmouth The Lords that were Prisoners with two men a piece and twelve other
Parliament being in great danger by reason of the Malignant party flocking up to London upon some design at the breach of the Treaty and most of them armed with Daggers and Pistols in their Pockets A Committee appointed to confer with the Common Council of London concerning the Security of the Parliament and Kingdom and to report with speed 5. The Streets were full of Bonefires this being the Gunpowder Treason day 6. The Commons concurred with the Lords that the number of the persons to be excepted from pardon should be seven and Voted three of those seven to be the Lord Digby the Earl of Newcastle and Sir Marmaduke Langdale Letters from the Gentlemen of the four Northern Counties that upon Conference with Lieutenant General Cromwel it was held necessary to have twelve hundred Foot in Berwick and six hundred Foot in Carlisle and two Regiments of Horse six hundred in a Regiment to suppress any insurrection and the Moss-troupers They desire in regard of the great sufferings of those Counties that these Forces may be maintained at the general charge of the Kingdom these being frontier Garrisons and those Counties will be willing to pay their proportions With these Letters came a Petition Complaining of the want of bread in those Counties that many Gentlemen of quality and their Families had no other drink but Water of imprisoning their persons dispeopling their Towns destroying their Corn and Goods killing their Neighbors and Country-men driving away their Cattle compelling all betwixt the Age of sixty and sixteen to bear Arms against the Parliament Of bringing in to this Kingdom a foreign Nation and delivering into the Scots hands the two considerable places of Berwick and Carlisle that many of the actors in that horrid design are returned to their homes to plot new Treasons They press for justice against those Delinquents and a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to be sent down for trial of them The House past no Vote upon this letter and Petition Letters from St. Albans of a day appointed for the meeting of the Officers of the Army and that the cry of free-quarter was so great in the ears of the Souldiers that it was to be feared it would occasion some distemper among them By this Petition and by these Letters you may take notice of the miserable effects of Civil War and of the condition of even the victors to be continued full of fears and dangers to themselves A Complaint came against the ill management of the Siege before Pontefract by Sir Henry Cholmely and Lieutenant General Cromwel was come thither 7. Orders touching the winter guard of Ships Vote That Sir Richard Greenvile Judge Jenkins Sir Francis Doddington Sir John Winter should be the rest of the seven Persons excepted from Pardon Letters that Major General Lambert with three Regiments of Horse was still in Scotland and that the well affected there could not act securely without them that they quarter upon the contrary Party Letters from the Hague that the Prince was there sick of the small Pox and that his Seamen were much discontented that the Lord Willoughby and Sir William Batten had left him 8. Upon Letters from Colonel Welden Governor of Plymouth Orders for pay for that Garrison The consideration of the Garrisons of Berwick and Carlisle referred to the Committee of Derby-House and orders for Money for disbanding supernumerary Forces Vote that no more than seven Persons should be excepted from Pardon An Ordinance past both Houses for pay of their Guards Several Lords and Commons came from the Treaty the Earl of Northumberland M r Pierrepoint and M r Holles staid behind divers also of the Kings people came away His Majesty made a further condescention touching the Church but did stick at the word Bishop yet was content he should be in the condition only of a Primer Presbyter and was not willing Bishops lands should be sold Letters from Ireland of the desperate condition of that Kingdom and the distress of Dublin by the Lord Ormonds joyning with the Rebels Letters from St. Albans that the general Council of the Army met and the Officers expressed a great sence of the odium cast upon the Army as they suspect by design to hinder their pay that they might be forced to take free-quarter 9. Upon jealousie of a design to surprise the Tower order that the Committee of the Tower do advise with the Lord Mayor concerning the security thereof and have power to remove and appoint what Guards they please there Order for an Ordinance to authorize the several Committees in the Counties to receive security of all the Delinquents in the respective Counties who have not compounded not to go above five Miles from their dwellings not to act any thing prejudicial to the Parliament and such as shall refuse this to be secured by the Committees The Commissioners returned from the Isle of Wight made report to the House of all their transactions in the Treaty and of the Kings last Concessions touching the Church That he doth not intend to make any more new Bishops during three years nor that after the three years the power of Ordination should be practised in the old manner but with consent that Bishops shall not receive any into Holy Orders without the consent of a limited number of Presbyters to be chosen in such manner as shall be agreed by his Majesty and the two Houses That his Majesty purposed after the agreement and within the three years to have a consultation with the Assembly of Divines twenty being added of his Majesties nomination for the settlement of the Church Government That his Majesty will not insist upon any provision for continuance of the Book of Common Prayer in his Majesties Chappel for himself and his Houshold but declares that he intends to use some other set form of Divine Service That he consents to Acts to be passed for a further course and more strict to prevent the saying and hearing of Mass in the Court or elsewhere That in what he hath not consented he is not really satisfied in conscience and hopes his two Houses will not put further pressures of so tender a nature upon him The Commissioners had the thanks of the House for their good service in the Treaty and a day set to debate upon his Majesties final answer Orders for relief of the maimed Souldiers and for disbanding of Supernumerary Forces 10. Ordinance for repaying mony advanced for the Treaty Order for mony for payment of the Horse-guards of the Parliament Vote that the Lords Goring Capel Loughborough the Earl of Holland Major General Laugherne and Sir John Owen shall be banished out of the Kingdom 11. Vote that his Majesties answer to the discipline of the Church and as to the continuing of Bishops is unsatisfactory The like concerning his laying aside the Common Frayer for himself and his own family The like concerning his mentioning to
His Majestie 's care and zeal to preserve his and the Kingdome 's honour in the dominion of the Sea by a powerfull Fleet. And you are to let them know how just it is for His Majesty to require Shipmoney for the common defence and with what alacrity and chearfulness they are bound in duty to contribute Some of the Judges put on this business in their charges at the Assises with great zeal and gravity to advance the King's pleasure but they did not convince many of the Legality of that business The Hollanders made a League with the French they were to Invade Flanders by Land and to infest Dunkirke and the Hollanders to doe it by Sea They prevailed at Diest and Tellemont but the Insolencies of the French and Dutch Souldiers caused the natives to beat both of their Armies out of the Country and the English Fleet perswaded powerfully the Hollanders to remove from before Dunkirke The Affairs in Germany were somewhat mitigated by the conclusion of the peace at Prague and the Protestants were reduced to their profession as it was setled in the year 1627. Some fiery spirits on both sides fomented by Cardinal Richelieu sought to undermine the peace and to reduce all again to a new Quarrel but the Emperor pursued the agreement confirmed the peace and forced many to an observance of it The Swedes were generally discontented with the peace The Elector of Saxony offered them a 100000 rize Dollars for a Reward but they refused it and held what they had gotten in Pomerland and elsewhere and what they had about Phelesbergh the Chancellor Oxenstierne put into the hands of the French A Ship loaden with many rich spoils of Germany and Goods of a very great value belonging to the Chancellor was cast away and the goods sunk in the Sea within a league of the Coast of Sweden In November this year arrived the Prince Elector in England to sollicite our King his Uncle for his assistance to the restauration of his Nephew to his dignity and Patrimony he was received here with all ceremonies and courtesies answerable to his quality and near alliance and soon after him his third Brother Prince Rupert arrived here also In December the Queen was brought to bed of a second daughter named Elizabeth to congratulate her Majestie 's safe delivery the Hollanders sent hither a solemn Ambassy and a noble present A huge peice of Amber Greece two fair China Basons almost Transparent a curious Clock and four rare peices of Tintinell and Tytian's painting Some supposed that they did it to Ingratiate the more with our King in regard his Fleet was so powerful at Sea and they saw him resolved to maintain his Right and Dominion there In March the Treasurers staffe was given by the King to Dr. William Juxton Bishop of London who was commended to His Majesty by the Arch-bishop Laud his old freind and predecessor in the Presidentship of St. John's Colledge in Oxford He was a Commoner in that Colledge and studied the Civil Law and therein took the degree of Batchellor and afterwards of Doctor of the Laws Yet with his Law he studyed likewise divinity took orders and was presented to the Parsonage of Somerton in Oxfordshire where he had a convenient livelyhood and there he sometimes resided and sometimes at St. John's Colledge He was much delighted with Hunting and kept a pack of good Hounds and had them so well ordered and hunted and chiefly by his own skill and direction that they exceeded all other Hounds in England for the pleasure and orderly hunting of them He was a person of great parts and temper and had as much command of himself as of his hounds he was full of ingenuity and meekness not apt to give offence to any and willing to doe good to all The Privy Council wrote Letters to every High Sheriff of England directing them for the taxing and levying of the Shipmoney and yet with great care and equality much beyond what was observed in following taxes But the guilding of this illegal Pill would not cause it to be swallowed down but many people especially of the knowing Gentry expressed great discontent at this new assessment and burthen as an Imposition against Law and the rights of the Subject The Plague was this year in London but by the mercy of God did not increase so much as was feared Anno 1635 The Earl of Berks whose fortune was lower than his mind betook himself to some new Projects whereof he became a Countenancer and Partner hoping to gain much by them to repair his Estate and had gotten a Patent from the King for the sole making of a new kind of Kiln for making of Malt and laboured to bring the same in use he was to have money of all those who set up this new Kiln This year by a Flood neer Glucstade in Holstein were drowned six thousand Persons and about fifty thousand Cattle And by the Plague there died in Leyden in Holland twenty thousand persons besides those that died in the rest of the Towns of that Countrey The Archbishop Laud made his Visitation and strictly enjoyned and expected a conformity to his Orders one of them which gave most distaste to many was That the Communion-table should be removed in every Church from the body of the Church or Chancel to the upper East-end of the Chancel and the side of the Table to be set against the Wall Altar-wise with a Rail or Ballaster about it Which was opposed by divers and the Bishop of Lincoln wrote a Book called the Holy Table shewing the Practice of the Primitive times and Arguments against this Innovation Anno 1636. Car. 12 The King's Navy of sixty Men of War under the Command of the Earl of Northumberland Admiral seized and sunk divers of the Dutch Busses in the Northern Seas and they fled to our King craving his leave by his Grant to Fish and Trade with the English which the King was ready to Indulge them Ferdinand the second Emperour aged and infirm summoned a Dyet at Ratisbone to be held the sixteenth of September when his Son Ferdinand the 3d. was Elected King of the Romans and was shortly after upon the death of his Father made Emperour Mr. John Hampden a Gentleman of an ancient Family in Buckinghamshire and of a great Estate and Parts denied the payment of Shipmoney as an illegal Tax He often advised in this great Business with Holborn Saint John Whitelocke and others of his friends and counsel Several other Gentlemen refused the payment of this Tax of Ship-money Whereupon the King was advised by the Lord chief Justice Finch and others to require the Opinion of his Judges which he did stating the case in a Letter to them After much sollicitation by the chief Justice Finch promising Preferment to some and highly threatning others whom he found doubting he got from them in Answer to the King's Letter and Case their
summon all the Peers to his Presence the twenty fourth of September and with them to consult what in this Case is fittest to be done for his Honour and Safety of the Kingdom when the Petitioners with the rest might offer any thing conducing to these ends This was followed with a Petition of the Citizens of London Setting forth their Grievances and the Remedy by calling a Parliament Much to the same effect with the Petition of the Lords The Scots at Newcastle seize four great English Ships laden with Corn lay a Tax of Three hundred and fifty pounds a day on the Bishoprick of Durham and Three hundred pounds a day on Northumberland on pain of Plundering and committed many Injuries and Insolencies on the English where they quartered The great Council met at York 24. Septem according to summons and the King spake to them that he had called them for their advice and assistance in this time of exigency according to the custome of his predecessors That he of himself had resolved to call a Parliament to meet 3d. Novemb. next and in the mean time required their advice in those things which could not stay untill the meeting of the Parliament The War being begun with the Scots put many men to think of a posture of defence for themselves and to a provision of arms The discourses of the Scottish War were very various those who favour'd the Popish and Prelatical ways did sufficiently inveigh against the Covenanters but generally the rest of the people favoured and approved their proceedings and there was a strange spirit of division in the opinions and wishes of most men in these affairs too many not onely favouring but joyning with and assisting the proceedings of the Scots Covenanters After several meetings and debates in the great Council at York a Messenger was sent from the King and Lords to the Scots Army to give notice to them that on Tuesday next sixteen of the English Lords should meet with as many Scotch Lords at York to treat of the differences But the Scots refuse York to Treat in as not secure for their Commissioners so long as the Lieutenant of Ireland commanded there in chief who had proclaimed them Traitors in Ireland before the King had done it in England threatning to destroy their memory against whom they had high matters of complaint This was the first publick appearance of the Scots enmity against Strafford which some affirm was set on from hence and it was strange that it should not be more regarded Another place of Treaty was named at Rippon where the Commissioners on both sides met The English proposed a Cessation of Arms but the Scots as they would obey the King's commands not to advance so they could not return till they had effected their business They presented their Demands how their Army should be maintained till the Treaty ended and peace secured 2. For safe Convoys for their Commissioners 3. Safe Convoys for all Letters to and from the Parliament 4. For free trade of both Kingdomes and Newcastle trade not to be hindred At length the Commissioners on both parts agree To a Cessation of Arms. To a Contribution of 850. l. per diem for the Scots Army in Northumberland Westmorland Durham and Newcastle The River Tees to be the bound of both Armies Private Insolencies to be no breach of the Treaty with divers other conditions and their chief demands were referred to a general Treaty to be proceeded in at London Many wondred and some inveighed against this Treaty wishing the King would have put it rather to the Issue of a Battel than to have given such Terms to his Subjects in Rebellion and of this Judgment was Strafford and the Episcopal party But the other party cryed up this treaty as Just Honourable and Pious to prevent effusion of Bloud and to settle peace and the King saw plainly that both divers officers of his Army and even the private Soldiers generally which was a most remarkable Inclination had no mind to fight against the Scots which cheifly caused the King to conclude this Treaty The Resolution of calling a Parliament set many on work to canvase for places The Court laboured to bring in their friends but those who were most favour'd at Court had least respect in the Country and it was not a little strange to see what a spirit of opposition to the Court proceedings was in the hearts and actions of most of the people so that very few of that Party had the favour to be chosen members of this Parliament The Earl of Montross of great alliance in Scotland came into England to serve the King but by Hamilton's cunning as was supposed the King at his first coming to him neglected him which caused his resort to and joyning with the Covenanters being weary of them he now writes to the King to York professing his Loyalty and Service to His Majesty This Letter by Hamilton's means as was reported was stoln out of the King's pocket copyed and sent to the Convenanters they made use of it as shall be mentioned hereafter The third day of November the Parliament was to meet some perswaded the Archbishop to get it adjourned for two or three days because that the third of November was an ominous day the Parliament called on that day 20 H. 8. beginning with the fall of Cardinal Woolsey and ending in the dissolution of Abbeys but the Archbishop took little heed of such things The time of the Parliaments meeting drawing near it was considered at York whether the Earl of Strafford should repair to the house or continue in the north with the Army The King was earnest for his going up to the Parliament as one of whose service he should have great occasion and placed much confidence in his faithfulness and abilities The Earl humbly desired His Majesty to excuse his going to the Parliament alledging that he should not be able to do His Majesty any service there but should rather be a means to hinder his affairs in regard he foresaw that the great envy and ill will of the Parliament and of the Scots would be bent against him Whereas If he kept out of sight he would not be so much in their mind as he should be by shewing himself in Parliament and if they should fall upon him he being at a distance what soever they should conclude against him he might the better avoid and retire from any danger having the liberty of being out of their hands and to go over to Ireland or to some other place where he might be most serviceable to His Majesty but if he should put himself into their power by coming up to the Parliament it was evident that the house of Commons and the Scots with all their Party especially being provoked by his coming amongst them would presently fall upon him and prosecute his destruction The King notwithstanding these reasons continued
very earnest for Strafford's coming up to the Parliament for which he laid his commands upon him and told him that as he was King of England he was able to secure him from any danger and that the Parliament should not touch one hair of his head The Earl thank'd His Majesty but replyed that if there should fall out a difference between His Majesty and his Parliament concerning him that it would be a great disturbance to His Majestie 's affairs and that he had rather suffer himself than that the King's affairs should in any measure suffer by reason of his particular The King remained unalterable in his resolution concerning Strafford's coming up to the Parliament saying that he could not want his advice in the great transactions which were like to be in this Parliament and in obedience to his Commands the Earl came up to London The King in His speech to both Houses had told them that he was resolved to put himself freely upon the love and affections of His English Subjects He told them the wants of his own Army The Calamities of the Northern Countries where both Armies lay and freely leaves it to them where to begin promiseth Redress of Greivances and desires that all suspition of one another may be layd aside Some exception being taken that in his Speech he called the Scots Rebels He after explains and Justifies in his speech to the Lords The first week was spent in naming general Committees and establishing them and receiving a great many Petitions both from particular persons and some from multitudes and brought by troups of horsemen from several Counties craving redress of Grievances and of Exorbitances both in Church and State Many were inlarged out of Prison to make their complaints Prynne Burton Bastwick and others Many smart speeches were made in the House of Commons touching grievances which Mr. Pym divided into three heads 1. Against Privilege of Parliament 2. Prejudice of Religion 3. Liberty of the Subject Under the first head were reckoned 1. Restraining the Members of Parliament from speaking 2. Forbidding the Speaker to put a question 3. Imprisoning divers Members for matters done in Parliament 4. By Proceedings against them therefore in Inferiour Courts 5. Injoyning their good behaviour and continuance in prison even unto death 6. Abrupt dissolutions of Parliament Under the second head of Religion were mentioned 1. The suspension of Laws against them of the popish Religion Laws and Oaths will not restrain them the Pope dispenceth with all 2. Their places of trust and honour in the Common wealth 3. Their free Resort to London and to the Court to communicate their Councils and designs 4. As they have a College in Rome for the Pope's authority in England so they have a Nuntio here to execute it Under Innovations of Religion were brought in 1. Maintenance of Popish Tenets in Books Sermons and Disputes 2. Practice of Popish Ceremonies countenanced and enjoyed as Altars Images Crucifixes Bowings 3. Discouragement of Protestants by rigid Prosecution of the scrupulous for things indifferent no vice made so great as Inconformity 4. Incroachment of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction 1. In fining and imprisoning without Law 2. Challenging their Jurisdiction to be appropriate to their order Jure Divino 3. Contriving and publishing new Orders of Visitation in force as of Canons the boldness of Bishops and all their subordinate Officers and Officiales Under the third head the Grievances 1. By Tunnage and Poundage unduly taken 2. Composition for Knighthood 3. The unparalell'd greivance of Shipmoney 4. Enlargment of the Forests beyond the due bounds 5. Selling of Nusances by compounding for them 6. The Commission for building 7. The Commission for Depopulations 8. Vnlawful military charges by warrant of the King Letters of the Council and Orders of the Lieutenants of the Counties and their Deputies 9. Extrajudicial Declarations of Judges without hearing Council or Arguments 10. Monopolies countenanced by the Council Table and Justices of the Peace required to assist them 11. The Star Chamber Court 12. The King's Edicts and Proclamations lately used for maintaining Monopolies 13. The ambitions and corrupt Clergy preaching divine authority and absolute power in Kings to doe what they will 14. The Intermission of Parliaments The Lord Digby mentioned the late Benevolence and the New canon Oath which he called a Covenant against the King for Bishops and the Scots Covenant is against the King and Bishops Many other Speeches were made by several Members all of them to the same Effect touching grievances The King made the Lord Cottington Constable of the Tower of London and placed there a Garrison of 400 men to keep the City from Tumults But the House of Commons and others without much unsatisfied thereat the King took off the Garrison and Commission of Constable and left the command of it to a Lieutenant as before Upon the extraordinary confluence of Popish Recusants to London the King sent a Message to the Parliament that by Proclamation they should be removed to their places of abode and disarmed The House of Commons ordered that all Projectors and unlawful Monopolists be disabled to sit in the House and many members thereupon withdrew themselves and new Elections were made in their Rooms Complaint was made to the Lords House of breach of their Privilege by search of the Pockets Cabinets and Studies of the Earl of Warwick and the Lord Brooke upon the dissolving of the last Parliament Sir William Beecher one of the Clerks of the Council who did it upon command of the Secretaries of State was committed to the Fleet. The House of Commons sent up a Message to the Lords by Mr. Pym The impeachment of the Earl of Strafford of high treason upon which the Earl was committed to the black Rod and Sir George Ratcliffe his confederate was sent for out of Ireland by a Serjeant at Armes The two Armies lay a heavy burden on the Counties where they quartered to ease which the Parliament borrowed 100000 l. of the City of London Upon suit of the Lords to the King the Bishop of Lincoln was released out of the Tower The Earl of Strafford moved that he might be bayled by divers Lords who offered to be Sureties for him which was denied but a Council and a Sollicitor were assigned to him In the house there fell out a Debate touching the writs of Habeas corpus upon which Selden and the rest of his fellow prisoners demanded to be bayled and the Judges of the King's Bench did not bayle them as by Law they ought but required of them Sureties for their good behaviours This was so far aggravated by some that they moved the Prisoners might have Reparation out of the Estates of those Judges who then sate in the King's Bench when they were remanded to prison which Judges they named to be Hyde Jones and Whitelocke as for Judge Crooke who was one of that Court they excused him as differing
Treason against the four Judges and to consider of a way to vindicate the Lords and Members of the Commons so indicted Several more forces about 1500 landed from Ireland in Wales and Sir William Brereton wrote to the Parliament that some of them were of the Rebels and the Lord Byron is joined with them The like power was given to Sir William Brereton and Sir Thomas Middleton for sequestrations and levying of moneys in Wales as was given to the Earl of Manchester in the associate Counties Five hundred of the Prisoners taken by Sir William Waller at Alton took the Covenant and served under him The Parliament wrote to General Essex to advance with his Army to joyn with Waller Essex answered that he held it not convenient for their Service and a little discontent began to kindle betwixt him and the House of Commons and the Committee of Safety The Commons ordered that none should elect or be elected Common Council men or Officers in London but such as had taken the Covenant The Commissioners of the Great Seal sate in the Queens Court Decemb. 22. and sealed above 500 Writs so desirous were people to have the course of Justice to proceed Colonel Brown is made Major General of the City Forces appointed to go to Sir William Waller Essex sent 600 Horse to Waller and removed his Army from St. Albans to Windsor to be the more in readiness to assist Waller and divers Kentish Forces came in to him and he sate down before Arundel Castle Duke Hamilton proscribed in Scotland gets to Oxford and there is committed close Prisoner an unhappy or unsteady man and by this you see the uncertainty of Greatness and of Princes favours Sir John Meldrum and Sir William Savile took in the Fort at Barton and after that Gainsborough for the Parliament about 600 Prisoners some of them Officers of Quality store of Arms and Ammunition The Parliament sate on Christmas day 1643. The Earls of Bedford and of Clare came from Oxford back again to the Parliament A Letter was intercepted from Oxford to Sir Peter Killegrew which brought him into suspicion Colonel Hutchinson Governour of Nottingham Castle acquainted the Parliament with an offer of the Earl of New Castle to pay him 10000 l. and to make him a Lord and Governour of that Castle to him and his heirs if he would deliver it to him for the King which Hutchinson refused The Scots Army of about 12000 advanced near to Berwick and publish a Declaration as they march of the justness of their undertakings in assistance of the Parliament Major General Skippon took Grafton House and in it Sir John Digby with 20 Officers of note and Horse and 200 Foot Arms and Money Some differences fell out at Coventry between the Earl of Denbigh and Colonel Purefoy a Member of the House of Commons they were both sent for to London and reconciled Many of the Protestants in Ireland refuse to submit to the cessation and joyn with the Scots Forces The King of Denmark providing to send assistance to the King of England and sending for men to the King of Poland to infest the Swedes the Letters being intercepted the Swedes enter Denmark and take sundry places there Colonel Fiennes was sentenced by the Council of War to be beheaded for the surrender of Bristol The King issued a Proclamation for adjourning the Parliament to Oxford and all the Members who had deserted the Parliament or been disabled met at Oxford General Essex came to London from St. Albans and was not well pleased with some Members and proceedings of the House of Commons Jan. 1643. The Earl of Bedford lately come from Oxford to the General to St. Albans was sent to London and committed to the Black Rod. Prince Maurice his Forces before Plimouth received a blow from the Garrison and the Princes men falling sick of the Camp Disease whereof many died he raised the siege Colonel Boswell with 800 Horse from Coventry took by storm Sir Thomas Holt's House 80 Prisoners store of Goods Money and Plate General Essex sent a new Commission with further powers to Sir William Waller which pleased the House of Commons A Plot was confest of setting on work a Petition from the City to the King for peace and to invite his Majesty to London and the Plotters were committed to Prison Mr. Riley a Clerk belonging to the Records in the Tower was committed for intelligence with Oxford The King sent Proclamations to the several Sheriffs to adjourn the Parliament to Oxford and to summon the Members of that County to appear at Oxford 22. of this month whereupon the Commons order their House to be called the same day Another Proclamation from the King was to adjourn the next Term and all the Courts of Justice from London which the Proclamation calls the Rebellious City to Oxford but the Parliament forbad it Arundel Castle was surrendred to Sir William Waller to mercy there were taken in it Sir William Ford High Sheriff Sir Edward Bishop Colonel Banfield and divers Gentlemen of Sussex 50 Reformades 1200 Prisoners with their Arms Money and with Pillage The Parliament imparted to the City at a Common Hall the late discovered Plot to make a difference between the Parliament and City to divert the Scots advancing hither and to raise a general Combustion under the pretence of Peace Sir Bazil Brooke and Mr. Riley were chief agents in this Plot. The Lord Byron took in Beeston Castle in Cheshire for the King The Parliament ordered the Commissioners of the Great Seal to issue forth a Proclamation for holding the next Term at Westminster and all Judges and Officers to attend here under pein of sequestration and forfeiture of their Offices The Lords sent to the Commons to hasten the impeachment against the Queen A new Ordinance of Excise passed The Lord Goring's Letter to the Queen was intercepted by which he gives her an account of Supplies of Money and Arms coming from France to our King that Monsieur Harecourt was to treat with the Parliament as the King should direct him and that all but two or three Jewels of the Crown were now pawned for money Upon this Letter and other Informations the Commons impeached the Lord Goring of High Treason and ordered the Letters of the French Ministers of State to be brought to the Committee of Safety A Party of Horse under Colonel Ashton in Lancashire marching to joyn with Sir William Brereton were by the way surprized and routed by the Lord Byron Brereton upon this alarm fell upon the Rear of the Lord Byron's Forces and killed and took many of them Major Brookban was shot to death for deserting his Colours and revolting to the King The Parliament wrote to Monsieur de Harecourt at Oxford to acquaint him with their grounds of stopping the Pacquet from France and with the Lord Goring's Letter from thence One Lord and Sir H. Mildmay and Sir William
fifteen hundred common Souldiers six Pieces of Ordnance four Canoniers twenty seven Waggons loaded There were slain in the Fight two Lieutenant Colonels four Captains and five hundred men an hundred and twenty Irish women with long Knives and they report that on the Parliaments side were slain not above twenty men and of them not one Officer From Gloucester Colonel Massey set upon Sir Henry Talbot's Quarters and surprized him three Captains three Lieutenants three Irish Reformadoes a Serjeant-Major sixty common Souldiers and much Arms Ammunition and Provision going for Worcester The Commons ordered publick thanks to be given in all Churches for these Victories and for the Assistance of the Scots come into the Parliament Sir Edward Deering came from Oxford into the Parliament and upon his Examination said That since the Cessation in Ireland and seeing so many Papists and Irish Rebels in the King's Army and the Anti-Parliament set up at Oxford and the King's Counsels wholly governed by the Popish party his Conscience would not permit him to stay longer with them but he came to throw himself upon the mercy of the Parliament and according to their Declaration to compound for his Delinquency To which he was admitted and order given for all others that would come in after him who was the first Massey retook Malmesbury and the Lieutenant Governour and took three hundred Ossicers and Souldiers and their Arms in that Town The Commissioners of the Seal gave the Covenant to the Lawyers and Officers and so many came to take it that they were fain to appoint another day for it The Dutch Ambassadour went from London to Oxford first to Treat with his Majesty Mr. Rowse a Member of the House of Commons was by them made Provost of Eaton College The Commons expelled several other of their Members who had deserted the Parliament General Essex advised with his Friends about an Answer to the Letters which came from the Anti-Parliament at Oxford and his Answer was in a Letter to the Earl of Forth the King's General to this effect That he received the Letter and Parchment from his Lordship but it having no address to nor acknowledgment of the Parliament he could not communicate it to them That in maintenance of the Parliament and Privileges thereof they all resolve to spend their blood as the foundation of our Laws and Liberties and he sends to Forth the National Covenant The Parliament appointed seven Lords and fourteen Commons to be a joynt Council with the Scots Commissioners but the fewness of the number distasted many who were left out The Commons took order for ransoming of the English Captives at Algiers Some differences or rather unkindness was apprehended between the Lord Willoughby of Parham and the Earl of Manchester who carrying Matters as a General the Lord Willoughby could the less brook it knowing himself not to be puisne to him but all was well reconciled The Lord Fairfax took In Birlington Bay and about a hundred Horses and Arms. Sir Thomas Fairfax pulled up the Bridges leading to Chester and regained three or four Garrisons from the Enemy and took about five hundred men Arms and Provisions The Estates of the Earl of Clare and of divers others were ordered to be sequestred An Exhortation of the Assembly of Divines touching the taking of the Covenant was approved The Commons allowed five pounds a Week to Sir John Hotham and as much to Sir Alexander Carew and three pounds a Week to Mr. Hotham for their Maintenance in Prison Prince Rupert by strickt Warrants under pain of Fire and Sword forbids any Provisions to be carried to Gloucester by which means the City was streightned Massey's Brother with a Party of the Gloucester Horse going to beat up the Enemies quarters was engaged with the main body of their Horse and forced to hasten his Retreat with the loss of seventeen of his men The Scots took Coquet Island and about two hundred men with their Arms seven Pieces of Ordnance and Provisions and rescued and restored to the Owners a great Herd of Cattel taken away by the King's Forces Colonel Grey the Lord Grey's Brother came in to them with a Regiment of Horse and took the Covenant and the Inhabitants of Northumberland and Westmerland came in great numbers to them they sent a Summons to Newcastle Sir Thomas Fairfax took in Crew-house and Darison house and the Lord Brereton he took Prisoner with many others The Swedes had great successes in Germany Another Letter of the Lord Goring's was intercepted and He ordered to be Impeached of High Treason The Timber upon the Lands of the Lord Tennet and of other Delinquents was ordered to be cut down for the use of the Navy The Commons ordered to sit every day in the Forenoon in the House in the Afternoon in Committees and every Member that came not before Prayers ended in the Morning to pay one Shilling to the Poor and for every Motion made after Twelve a Clock to pay five Shillings The Earl of Westmerland and divers other Delinquents came in to the Parliament desiring the benefit of the Declaration of both Kingdoms for Composition The Council at Oxford prohibited any to have this Declaration in his Custody upon pain of Felony and that if any went from Oxford without leave of the Governour they should be proceeded against by Martial Law as Traytors Sir William Brereton reported to the House of Commons that the Irish and other Forces under the Lord Byron commit great Spoils and Cruelties where they come what they cannot devour they set on fire commit horrid Rapes and Insolencies that more of the Irish Rebels are expected to land in those parts and Prince Rupert to come and joyn with them That he sends forth his Warrants to bring in Provisions on pain of death and that fifteen hundred more of the Rebels are to be landed in Scotland to interrupt the Scots advance into England The Marquess of Ormond the new Lieutenant of Ireland forbids the taking of the Covenant upon this and his being the chief Promoter of the Cessation there and of sending Forces from thence to the King the Commons vote To impeach him as a Traytor against the three Kingdoms and disable him of his Lieutenancy and of all Command in Ireland Twenty thousand English and Scots in the North of Ireland have vowed to live and die together in opposition to the Cessation A Trumpet came from Oxford to the Lord General with Letters from the Earl of Forth by the King's Command for a new Overture of Peace desiring a safe Conduct for Mr. Fanshaw and Mr. Offeley to come to Westminster with Propositions from the King The General acquainted the Parliament with these Letters but because they did not acknowledge the Parliament they would not read them but referred them to the Committee of both Kingdoms Sir William Constable in Yorkshire routed three Regiments of Newcastle's Horse took three hundred of them
Parliaments Souldiers endeavouring to enter were beaten back by the Garrison Colonel Smith of Bucks escaped out of prison and was retaken Letters from the Lord General informed That the King was drawn from Exeter near Shaftsbury where Sir William Waller was That they would endeavour to prevent his coming to Bristoll or back again to Oxford and they desire that the Earl of Manchester may hasten to joyn with them The King took up a great number of horses in the Country as he passed to the high distaste and prejudice of the Inhabitants and his Majesty by this means mounted all his Foot and made them Dragoons Many Gentlemen of Wales came in to the Parliament and rendred themselves to Sir Thomas Middleton Sir William Brereton took more of the King's Forces near Chester Captain Swanley's Forces encreased in South-Wales many of the Country coming in to him Colonel Leigh presented a Petition to the Commons subscribed by four thousand Staffordshire men praying That the Differences between the Earl of Denbigh their General and some of the Country might be reconciled and the Earl sent down again amongst them Upon delivery whereof the Colonel made a long Harangue to the Commons and all was referred to a Committee Colonel Butler suspected of miscarriage in the West was sent up by the General to be examined The Order passed the Commons House thereupon for a select Committee to go along with the Army and to advise with the Council of War upon all Occurrences Colonel Kerle who revolted from the Parliament upon the loss of Bristoll went out with a party near to Monmouth to fetch provisions and being full of Jollity and security Colonel Massey fell upon them in the midst of their mirth and surprised them Kerle doubting that he should not have quarter because he had revolted from the Parliament to make some recompence he undertook to bring Massey into Monmouth and himself to march in the front which was concluded accordingly When they came to the Guards they thinking them to be their own men let down the Draw-bridge and received them into the Town who demanded it for the Parliament at which the Garrison was so amazed that many of them fled away and left their Arms the rest called for quarter and so the Town and Castle being of great consequence was reduced to the Parliament with the loss of not above six men on both parties The new Sheriffs of London were presented at the Exchequer by a Speech of Mr. Glyn the Recorder October 1644. The Commons entred upon consideration of electing new Members in the room of those who were dead or expelled by Vote The Library belonging to the See of Canterbury was given to Sion College The Ordinance for Ordination of Ministers passed both Houses The Popish party in Scotland submitted themselves and the Lord Argyle pursued the Irish Rebels into the Highlands whereupon the Earl of Calender returned again to the Leagure before Newcastle The Garrison there made many Sallies upon the Besiegers and were beaten back with loss The Conmissioners of Array in Cumberland and Westmorland met to feast and consult about raising more forces for the King and the Country-people rose up against them took forty of them prisoners and sent them to General Lesley One Greenvile a kinsman of Sir Richard Greenvile was perswaded into a Plot to betray Plymouth to Sir Richard but the Plot was discovered and Mr. Greenvile executed But the King honoured Sir Richard with Title of Baron of Lestithiel Waller sent out a party of two hundred horse to Evill under Major Clutterbocke who met a party of the King's forces and took divers of them prisoners and presently after meeting another party of about three hundred of the King's horse drawn up into a body whose Commander came out from the head of his Troops singly this caused Major Clutterbocke to do the like and they two skirmished before their parties The King's forces seeing their Commander likely to have the worst came in hastily to his rescue and slew Clutterbocke before his men came in and they upon the loss of their Major were so discouraged that they wheeled about and retreated from their Enemy The Commons set apart a day for redress of private Grievances and gave much satisfaction to divers thereof Colonel Rosseter gave a blow to the King's forces about Newark Mr. Prynne Mr. Bradshaw and Mr. Newdigate were appointed to be of Council for the State against Macquire and Macmahon the Irish Rebels at their Tryal appointed to be before Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer The Commons voted in the Case of the Arch-bishop that his Council should be heard in point of Law whether in the Charge against him there be contained any Treason But that they ought not to speak to any exceptions therein for matter or form Colonel Bliere laid down his Commission and had leave to go beyond Sea and part of his Arrears paid The Militia of London desired the passing of an Ordinance for the sending forth five Regiments of the City for a reserve of the Armies and for supplies for them which passed both Houses the same day A Declaration was agreed upon to be sent to the King of France to excuse the business of the search for Macquire and Macmahon in the house where the French Agent lay Essex Manchester and Waller all took the field to encounter the King's forces in their march to Oxford and all Officers and Souldiers in London were commanded forthwith to repair to their Colours Colonel Jepson's Garrison at Portsmouth was compleated to one thousand foot and an hundred horse Chester was blocked up by Brereton A party of Colonel Hastings his men came to Loughborough on the Lord's-day rode into the Church in Sermon-time and would have taken away the Preacher out of the Pulpit but the women rescued him and proved then more valiant than their husbands or Hastings his men An Ordinance was appointed to be brought in for augmentation of the Means of Ministers where their Maintenance was very small and that to be out of Deans and Chapters Lands A party of the King's forces surprized and took in Crowland Colonel Hurrey who revolted from the Parliament when Colonel Hampden was slain and served the King had now obtained his Majestie 's Pass to go beyond Sea and came to Sir William Waller to desire the like Pass from him who refused to do it but sent him up to the Committee of both Kingdoms The Counties of Norfolk and of Cambridge petitioned for their security in the Earl of Manchester's absence and some assistance for the pay of his Army The Commons ordred that no Carter coming to London should be pressed for a Souldier The Commons appointed to take in consideration the Propositions for Peace every day till they should perfect them Mr. Hoyle a Member of the House of Commons was by general approbation chosen Lord Mayor of York and took his place there A party of the King 's
for their passage and that they were not to part with it but they shewed it to his Messenger and gave him a Copy of it with which he returned to the Governour and after some two hours attendance he sent a Troop of Horse to convoy them into the Town They went directly to the Governour 's quarters who received them not rudely but with hight enough and called for wine for them he told them that he believed the King was returned to Oxford and that it was more probable they might find him there than in any other place Amongst other discourses he and the Earl of Denbigh fell into relations of some passages of War wherein both the Earl and Colonel Blake had been Actors and both of them being high Spirits could not brook any diminution to the honour of each other or of their parties They differed upon some matters of fact and grew unto very high words insomuch as the Lord Maitland looked very pale and he and others thought that they should have their throats cut by the garrison and Blake looked very big upon them and his words were answerable All the Company held it fit to remove from this Garrison seeing the Carriage of Blake so full of insolence and incivility and with much difficulty they at last got into their Coaches and and took leave of the proud Governour The next morning they took their journey towards Oxford and upon the Hill half a mile before they came to the Town they stayed in the field till they sent a Messenger to the Governour of Oxford Sir Jacob Ashley to acquaint him with their being there to wait upon the King according to their safe Conduct whereof they sent him a Copy and desired entrance and accommodation in the City The Messenger returned that Sir Jacob Ashley would acquaint his Majesty with their being there and know his pleasure about it and then he would send to them accordingly and after three or four hours stay in the wet and cold open field then came an Officer and a Troup of horse to Convoy them into the City As they past along the streets the rude multitude the people part of that body for whom they underwent so many hazards of their lives and fortunes to preserve them in their Rights and Liberties and from Slavery and Popery which some about the King as was believed endeavoured to bring upon them Part of this People of England as they past along the Streets reviled them with the names of Traitors Rogues and Rebels and the like and threw stones and dirt into their Coaches a great incouragement and reward for their service for them They went on their way taking no notice of these affronts and abuses and were brought to their quarters to a mean Inn the sign of the Katherine Wheele next St. John's College which house was little above the degree of an Alehouse The Officer made a slight excuse to them for making them stay so long before they were admitted into the Garrison the which he said could not be till the Governour had spoken with the King which took up some time and that the providing of quarters for them was very difficult in regard the Town was so full of the King's Forces After they were setled in their quarters divers of the King 's great Officers and Lords came to visit them and some had their particular friends who came thither to them among whom was Sir Edward Hyde who came to Visit some of them and in discourse in general about the Propositions for peace profess'd his earnest desire and endeavour that they might take effect The Earl of Lindsey who then lay sick of wounds he had received sent a Gentleman in his name to visit Mr. Hollis and Mr. Whitelocke and to tell them that if he had been able to come abroad he would himself have visited them The Commissioners Servants informed them of a great bussle in the Hall of the Inne That some Officers of the King's Army came in thither to them and fell to quarrel with them called them and their Masters and the Parliament Rogues and Rebels and Traytors and would not suffer them to come near the fire upon which they quarrell'd Mr. Hollis went presently to one of the King's Officers who was there a tall big black man and taking him by the Collar shook him and told him it was basely and unworthily done of them to abuse their Servants in their own quarters and contrary to the King 's safe conduct and presently took away his Sword from him Whitelocke did the like to another great mastiff Fellow an Officer also of the King's Army and took away his Sword from him Upon this fearing some Design upon them and that more of the King's Officers and Souldiers would come in to affront them they caused the door of the Inne to be shut up and sent to acquaint the Governour with this abuse and affront offered to them He presently sent a Captain who took away those two Officers who had been disarmed and carried them to prison he excused a little the matter to the Commissioners and brought a Guard of Foot-souldiers to attend at the door of their quarters This business was much talked on among the King's Officers and Souldiers and most of them said that Hollis and Whitelocke had done well and like Gentlemen in disarming those two that offered the affront whom they much condemned and they were after this quiet The next day they had access to his Majesty who used them civilly and gave to every one of them his hand to kiss but he seemed to shew more disdain to the Scots Commissioners than to any others of their Company The Earl of Denbigh read the Propositions to his Majesty who heard them with much patience and when they were all read told them that he would consider of an Answer to be given to them Hollis and Whitelocke thought themselves obliged in civility and courtship to return a Visit to the Earl of Lindsey But all the Commissioners having agreed that none of them should singly give any Visit to any of the King's Officers or great Lords nor in company without acquainting their Fellow-commissioners therewith They thought fit to tell them their Intentions with their leave to return a Visit to the Earl of Lindsey who had so courteously first sent to visit them and all their Fellow commissioners approved thereof and wished them to doe as they intended The same Evening about Eight or Nine of the Clock Hollis and Whitelocke went to the Court to the Earl of Lindsey's Lodgings whom they found ill and in his Bed and divers Lords with him among the rest the Lord Savile then newly made Earl of Sussex The Earl of Lindsey expressed much contentment and that he took it extream kindly that they would come to visit him and treated them with extraordinary respect and courtesie and no man with him was so forward to complement them as was the Lord Savile When they had
of it to which His Majesty replied What is that to you who are but to carry what I send and if I will send the Song of Robin Hood and Little John you must carry it to which the Commissioners onely said that the business about which they came and were to return with His Majestie 's Answer was of somewhat more consequence than that Song And other passages there were which shewed the King to be then in no good humour and were wondred at in a business especially of this Importance and where the disobliging the Commissioners could be of no advantage to the King but all was endeavoured to be made up again by some of the King's Lords before the Commissioners came away and a Copy of the Answer was sent them Another exception they took to the Paper of the Answer that it was not directed to any body nor the Parliament so much as acknowledged or named in it to which the King answered that it was delivered to the Parliaments Commissioner's which was sufficient and some of his Lords told them that they could not get it otherwise chiefly because they were there as Commissioners of both Kingdoms and earnestly intreated the Commissioners for peace sake to receive it as it them was sent to them Upon Debate thereof among the Commissioners and it being considered that they must take it upon themselves to break off the Treaty for Peace in case they refused this Paper and that it was more proper for them to leave it to the Judgment of their Masters they did receive the Answer as it was sent to them Nov. 29. They returned to the Parliament and the next day at a Conference of both Houses His Majestie 's Answer was read in the preamble whereof were high expressions of his desires of Peace and he demanded a Safe Conduct for the Duke of Lenox and the Earl of Southampton to come with his Answer to the Propositions The Exceptions to this Paper of the King 's were much debated but at length out of the earnest desire of Peace it was carried to lay aside those objections And the House ordered that upon consideration of the faithfull service done by the Committee that went to His Majesty and their discreet carriage of the business the thanks of the House should be returned to them for the same and every one of them severally in their order stood up in their places and the Speaker solemnly pronounced the Thanks of the House to them December 1644. The Commons agreed upon several Gentlemen to be High Sheriffs and those who refused or to act as Justices of Peace should be sent for as Delinquents The Earl of Manchester made a long Report touching the business of Donnington Castle and in excuse of the Parliaments forces in that Action Abuses were examined of the Gentleman whom some called Prince Grissith Sir J. Hotham was Tried by the Court Marshal 1. For betraying his Trust and adhering to the Enemy proved by his Words Letters and Actions his compliance with the Lord Digby the Marquess of Newcastle and others of that party 2. His refusal to supply the Lord Fairfax with Ammunition to the great prejudice of the Parliament 3. His Scandalous Words against the Parliament 4. His endeavour to betray Hull to the Enemy 5. His Correspondence with the Queen and his seeking to escape Thirty Witnesses were examined against him and divers for him in his Defence The Parliament directed a Letter to be sent from the Lord General to Prince Rupert to this effect That if His Majesty shall send to the Parliament of England assembled at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland they would with all readiness grant a Safe Conduct for the Duke of Richmond and the Earl of South-hampton to come from the King with an Answer to the Propositions for Peace and treat with them according to His Majestie 's desire Several Ordinances passed for raising of Moneys Abington being in some distress Major General Craford with a party of the Parliaments forces relieved the Garrison plentifully and brought thither 1000 Sheep which he drove away from under the Walls of Wallingford and none of the Enemy appeared against him Sir Lewis Dives being at Dorchester with about 300 Horse and Dragoons sent a party to face Lyme and at their return Major Sydenham of Pool with about 60 Horse fell upon them in Dorchester charged them through and through wounded Dives slew many and took divers Prisoners As Sydenham faced about he saw Major Williams who had formerly killed the Mother of Sydenham in the Head of the King's Troups coming to charge him whereupon Sydenham bid his men stand close to him for he would avenge his Mother's blood on Williams or die on the place and then so violently made his way that he came up to Williams and slew him put all his men to flight and drove them through the Town and so returned to Poole Carlisle Garrison was reported to be in such want that they eat their Horses they were so closely besieged by the Parliaments forces Captain Hains escaped from imprisonment by the Enemy Colonel Cromwell being made Lieutenant General of the Earl of Manchester's Army gave great satisfaction to the Commons touching the business of Donnington Castle and seemed but cautiously enough to lay more blame on the Officers of the Lord General 's Army than upon any other And the point of privilege was debated touching the Lords transmitting of a Charge from them before it was brought up to them This reflected upon Lieutenant General Cromwel of whom the Lord General now began to have some jealousies and was advised to put to his strength to rid Cromwel out of the way and the means to be used to effect this was supposed to be by the Scots Commissioners who were not well pleased with Cromwel upon some words which he had spoken as they apprehended derogatory to the honour of their Nation One Evening very late Maynard and Whitelocke were sent for by the Lord General to Essex House and there was no excuse to be admitted nor did they know beforehand the occasion of their being sent for when they came to Essex House they were brought to the Lord General and with him were the Scots Commissioners Mr. Hollis Sir Philip Stapleton Sir Jo. Meyrick and divers others of his special Friends After Complements and that all were set down in Council the Lord General spake to them to this effect L. Gen. Mr. Maynard and Mr. Whitelocke I sent for you upon a special occasion to have your Advice and Counsel and that in a matter of very great importance concerning both Kingdoms in which my Lords the Commissioners of Scotland are concerned for their State and we for ours and they as well as we knowing your abilities and integrity are very desirous of your counsel in this great business Maynard We are come to obey your Excellencie's Commands
upon view of those proofs we shall be the better able to advise and your Lordships to judge what will be fit to be done in this matter Maynard Your Excellence and my Lord Chancellour are pleased to require our advice in this great business and we shall deal cleerly and freely with your Lordships which I think will be most acceptable to you and will in conclusion be best for your service Mr. Whitelocke hath begun thus and in speaking his own sense hath spoken much of mine and left me the less to say and I shall follow him in the same plainness and method as he hath begun which I presume will be most pleasing to your Lordships The word Incendiary is not much conversant in our Law nor often met with in our Books but more a term of the Civil Law or of State and so to be considered in this case and to be taken according to the expression wherein it is used in the Accord of the two Kingdoms and in the sense of the Parliaments of both Nations That sense of it which my Lord Chancellour hath been pleased to mention it doth bear ex vi termini and surely he that kindles the coals of contention between our brethren of Scotland and us is an Incendiary and to be punished as it is agreed on by both Kingdoms But my Lords as you have been told there must be proof made of such particulars of words or actions upon which there may be sufficient ground for a Parliament to declare their judgment that he who used such words or actions indeavoured thereby to raise differences and to kindle the fire of contention among us and so that he is an Incendiary Lieutenant General Cromwel is a person of great favour and interest with the House of Commons and with some of the House of Peers likewise and therefore there must be proofs and the more clear and evident against him to prevail with the Parliament to adjudge him to be an Incendiary I confess my Lords I do not in my private knowledge assure my self of any such particulars nor have we heard of any here and I believe it will be more difficult than perhaps some of us may imagine to fasten this upon him And if it be difficult and doubtfull it is not fit for such persons as my Lord General and the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland as yet to appear in it but rather first to see what proofs may be had of particular passages which will amount to a clear proof upon which judgment may be grounded that he is an Incendiary And when such proofs shall be ready to be produced we may again wait upon your Excellence and the business will then be the more ripe for your Lordships resolution in the mean time my humble opinion is that it may be deferred Mr. Hollis and Sir Philip Stapleton and some others spake smartly to the business and mentioned some particular passages and words of Cromwel tending to prove him to be an Incendiary and they did not apprehend his interest in the House of Commons to be so much as was supposed and they would willingly have been upon the accusation of him But the Scots Commissioners were not so forward to adventure upon it for the reasons they said did satisfie them which were given by Maynard and Whitelocke until a further inquiry were made of particulars for proof to make him an Incendiary the which at length was generally consented to and about two a clock in the Morning with thanks and Complements Maynard and Whitelocke were dismissed they had some cause to believe that at this debate some who were present were false brethren and informed Cromwel of all that past among them and after that Cromwel though he took no notice of any particular passages at that time yet he seemed more kind to Whitelocke and Maynard than he had been formerly and carried on his design more actively of making way for his own advancement as will appear in progress of this insuing story The Lord sent to the Commons that a speedy answer might be given to the Papers of the States Ambassadors and for audience to be given to the French Agent and a Committee was named to consider of the manner of his reception A Report was made to the House by their Command of the particular passages betwixt His Majesty and the Committee that carried the Propositions to him which they had forborn before to mention but the House having an intimation thereof ordered the particular passages thereof to be Reported to-them which was done as I have mentioned them before The Commons ordered 6000 l. for providing store of Arms and Ammunition A party of the Newark horse being quartered near the Town Colonel Thorney fell upon them took 80 Horse one Major several inferiour Officers 2 Colonels 24 Troupers and Arms. The Commons took order for setling Magistrates in Newcastle though different from the Course of their Charter and disfranchised some of their Aldermen The Parliaments Committee at Newcastle sent up a great quantity of Coals for relief of the poor of London whereof the Commons gave notice to the Lord Mayor and orders for the distributing of them The Clause for Marriage in the Directory was agreed unto An Ordinance past for relief of Soldiers widdows Letters were ordered to several Counties for levying Arrears due to the Army and for the Deputy Lieutenants and Committees to assist the Commissioners of Excise The Commons agreed to the reception of the States Ambassadors as formerly Sir William Massey was made one of the Assembly of Divines The Court Marshal adjudged Sir John Hotham to have his head cut off Higgins the Lord General 's Trumpeter returned from Oxford where he said he was more courteously used than before and that the King commanded he should be kindly used and rewarded and that he was not as formerly hoodwink'd when they brought him in Prince Rupert by the King's direction sent a Letter to the General for a safe Conduct for the Duke of Richmond and the Earl of Southampton to bring unto the Parliament of England Assembled at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of the Kingdome of Scotland an answer of the Propositions lately presented to his Majesty for a safe and well grounded peace The Commons voted that no Member of either House of Parliament shall during this war injoy or execute any office or Command Military or Civil and that an Ordinance be brought in accordingly This was moved by Mr. Zouch Tate who brought it in with a similitude of a boyle upon his thumb and was set on by that party who contrived the outing of the Lord General and to bring on their own designes and they could find no other way than by passing a Self-denying Ordinance as they called it which would serve their turn both as a specious pretence of their own integrity and waving all self ends and so plausible to the people and would also
same and Reasons for any Alteration or Explanation of them may be debated and weighed He therefore proposeth that the Parliament would appoint such number of persons as they should think fit to treat with the like number of persons to be appointed by his Majesty upon the said Propositions and such other things as shall be proposed by his Majesty for preservation and defence of the Protestant Religion with due regard to tender Consciences the Rights of the Crown the Liberty and Propriety of the Subject and the Privilege of Parliament and upon the whole matter to conclude an happy and blessed Peace Taunton Castle was relieved by Colonel Hepburne and Major Van Russe and divers of the Besiegers taken prisoners The Protestant Forces and Subjects in Munster petitioned the King's Commissioners against a further Cessation of Arms there which was to be treated on by those Commissioners with the Rebels The two Houses and the Scots Commissioners agreed upon an Answer to the King's Message sent by the Duke of Lenox and the Earl of Southampton That they did consent to a Treaty as was proposed but in regard there were many things which will take up some time for preparation thereunto both for the time and manner how to treat they have sent back his Majestie 's Messengers and will return a speedy answer by Messengers of their own They held this way the fitter to be taken because those two Lords and their Company were labouring and plotting whilst they were here against the Interest of the Parliament which was intimated to them by a Petition from the Common Council of the City An Agent of the Queen of Swedland addressed himself to the Houses by Letters from the Queen acquainting them that he had Matters of great Importance to communicate to them from the Queen his Mistres and acknowledged the Parliament and desired Audience The Self-denying Ordinance was again brought to the House to be preferred and a Clause offered to be added That it should not extend to any L. Lieutenants Deputy Lieutenants Justices of Peace or Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer who were Members of either of the Houses of Parliaments Upon this Debate many spake against the Ordinance and among the rest one to this effect Mr. Speaker I am one of that number of your Servants who have no Office or Imployment but such as you are now about to except out of this Ordinance nor have ambition for any and therefore may the more freely and indifferently yet with all submission humbly offer my reasons against it as that which I apprehend may prove prejudicial to your Service It hath been objected that your House and the House of Lords is thin and empty and you the less esteemed having so few Members here many of them being imployed in Offices that they cannot attend the Houses but that by this Ordinance they will be at leisure and liberty to attend the Service of the Parliament here and the Houses be much fuller than now they are I confess Sir this is fit to be remedied but I apprehend you have a fitter way than by this Ordinance to doe it ' that is by issuing out new Writs for electing new Members in the places of those who are dead or expelled and this will satisfie the Objection and engage divers of interest and quality the more immediately in your Service Whereas this Ordinance will discontent many and the Houses will be but little the fuller by the passing of it Another Objection is that if this Ordinance do not pass the Treaty for Peace will not so well proceed but the particular Interests of Members of Parliament may retard the same but will be all taken away by this Ordinance I am to seek how this can be materially objected when I suppose whether this Ordinance pass or not yet you intend Members of Parliament only to be your Commissioners for that Treaty and in case some of then be Officers they will the better understand your businesses on which the Treaty will be grounded Another Objection is that unless this Ordinance pass the great work intended of new modelling your Armies will not so well be carried on for that by putting all out there will remain no exception I should rather have argued that by putting out all Members out of their Imployment the exception and discontent would be the more general and by leaving them still in their Imployments there would be the less competition and sollicitation for new Officers in their rooms Another Objection or Argument is that the Members of Parliament who are Officers being of equal power in Parliament will not be so obedient to your Commands as others who have smaller interests and would not so much dispute one with another Surely Sir those whose interest is the same with yours have the more reason to obey your Commands than others and have more to hazard by disobedience than others can have and in your Commands all your Members are involved and it were strange if they should be backward to obey their own Orders Nor will the Contests be so frequent and high between them and other Officers as it will be between those who will be of a more equal condition But Mr. Speaker as you consider the inconveniences if this Ordinance do not pass so you will be pleased to consider the Inconveniences if it do pass You will lay aside as brave men and who have served you with as much courage wisdom faithfulness and success as ever men served their Country Our noble General the Earls of Denbigh Warwick Manchester the Lords Roberts Willoughby and other Lords in your Armies besides those in civil Offices not excepted and of your own Members the Lord Grey Lord Fairfax Sir William Waller Lieutenant General Cromwel Mr. Hollis Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Brereton Sir John Meyrick and many others must be laid aside if you pass this Ordinance And I am to seek and I doubt so will they be to whom you shall refer the new modelling of your Armies where to find Officers that shall excel if equal these If your Judgments are that for the Publick Service it will be expedient to remove any of them from their Commands let the same if you please be plainly made known to them from you Let them have what they deserve your thanks for their former good Services and they will not be offended that you having no more work for them do lay them aside with honour But to do a business of this nature às hath been well said by a side Wind is in my humble opinion not so becoming your Honour and Wisdom as Plainness and Gravity which are Ornaments to your Actions I shall conclude with the Example of the Grecians and Romans amongst whom Sir you know that the greatest Offices both of War and Peace were conferred upon their Senatours and their Reasons were because they having greater Interests than others were the more capable to doe them the greatest service
the Road who interrupted Meldrum's men in the Storm but his Canoniers sunk two of them and the other three fled away Meldrum took in the Town and Church 32 pieces of Ordnance with store of Arms and other prize and in the Haven 120 Ships The Commons ordered 1000 l. to be bestowed on Sir John Meldrum and 20 l. to him that brought the news Weymouth still held out and a party from Melcombe Regis sallied out upon the King's Forces who besieged these Towns joyning together and took of them 60 horse and many prisoners The King's Commissioners the Lord Capel and Ashburnham returned from Oxford to Vxbridge after which the King's Commissioners delivered in no further Paper but only insisted upon longer time for the Treaty The Parliaments Commissioners answered that if the King had consented to any one of the Propositions it might have been some encouragement to move the Parliament for longer time but as things were it could not be expected Both Houses sate till nine a clock at night in expectation of some good news from Vxbridge this being the last day of the Treaty and about eight at night at a Conference the Lords communicated to the Commons a Paper from the King's Commissioners at Vxbridge For the King to come to Westminster upon a safe Conduct so that the Treaty might be continued for a longer time Which being debated and a Letter coming the same time from the Parliaments Commissioners from Vxbridge That all this day till seven at night there appeared no Compliance in the King's Commissioners to grant any of the Propositions and that they pressed only for a longer time Upon this the House of Commons did rise without doing any thing in the business and this night till twelve a clock the Commissioners may treat and not longer and the Parliaments Commissioners have declared That to morrow being the Lords-day is not intended for one of the two days within the safe Conduct for them to return This caused much trouble in the minds of many honest men Lovers of their Countries peace and divers of the Kings Commissioners as well as the other seemed sorry that all their endeavours to so good an end should prove so fruitless The King's Commissioners thought the advantage much on their part that longer time to treat was denied by the Parliament and gave it out That if that had been granted there would have been a happy issue of the Treaty Those of the other side affirmed That there could be no expectation of a good issue of the Treaty or Inducement for the Parliament to grant longer time for the Treaty when not one of the Parliaments Propositions was granted by the King during the whole time of the Treaty Various Judgments were passed by all persons according to their own fancies or interests most sober men lamented the sudden breach of the Treaty Colonel Fiennes sent out a party of his Regiment who fell upon a party of the King 's near Newbury took forty good Horse and all their Arms about 100 l. in Contribution-money which the Enemy had gathered in the Country took prisoners Major Maxwell Captain Paddon his Lieutenant and 16 Souldiers 23. The Lords-day the Commissioners had Sermons in their Lodgings 24. The States Ambassadors came to the Speaker in the morning before he went to the House and desired Audience in the House this morning To impart to them something of Consequence The Speaker excused it That the House could not give a Reception answerable to their quality on such short warning They desired not to insist on that and to come only with their own Attendants The Speaker acquainted the House herewith and they gave way to the Ambassadors coming who went first to the Lords and after to the Commons and delivered their Message to this effect Shewing the great desires and endeavours of their Masters continued for an accommodation between the King and Parliament which concerns all Protestants and particularly their Lords and Masters That his Majesty while they were at Oxford honoured them by communicating to them what passed at the Treaty at Uxbridge And declared to them that if the Parliament be not satisfied with what he offered concerning Church-government his Majesty is contented that a National Synod be called of Divines from all the Protestant Churches in Europe for their advice herein After this their Message delivered the Ambassadors returned and this morning the Commissioners of Parliament returned from Vxbridge to the two Houses but made no report till the next day Letters from Captain Batten informed that he had relieved Melcombe Regis by Sea with Provisions and 100 Seamen that 60 men in Weymouth were privy to a Plot for betraying Weymouth to the Enemy That the Parliaments Forces in Melcombe by the benefit of a fair wind fired divers of the Enemies Ships in the Haven and a part of Weymouth That Colonel Sydenham and his men maintain Melcombe with great gallantry Captain Swanley by Sea relieved Plymouth and landed some Foot-souldiers there who with a party of the Garrison sailled out upon the Besiegers that had gained a Hill and Mount Stamford work formerly slighted but now the King's Forces were busie in raising a very strong Work there The Garrison and Seamen fell upon them unexpectedly beat them from their new work and at length out of the field and pursued them two miles took 104 Officers and common Souldiers whereof a Lieutenant Colonel a Major 4 Captains and other inferiour Officers and 300 Arms and lost but one man slain and another wounded A party of Sir William Brereton's under Sir John Price a Member of Parliament took Apseley House in Shropshire and in it Sir William and Sir Thomas Whitmore Sir Francis Oatley Mr. Owen and other Commissioners of Array there sitting and about 60 common Souldiers Prince Maurice declined fighting with Brereton Colonel Craford at Rusham in Oxfordshire took 40 Horse with men and Arms of the King 's 25. The Parliaments Commissioners reported all the passages the last day of the Treaty The Commons approved of what was done by the Commissioners and that they had discharged their duties with singular judgment and fidelity and returned them thanks for their pains Letters from the Committee at Wem and from Sir William Brereton informed that the Committee having several times attempted the taking of Shrewsbury but failed therein On the last Lords-day about 1200 horse and foot under Colonel Mitton marched to Shrewsbury and unexpectedly entred and surprized the Town and Castle They took there 8 Knights and Baronets 40 Colonels Majors Captains and others of quality and 2000 thers prisoners one Captain and 5 Souldiers slain 15 pieces of Ordnance taken store of Arms and Ammunition Prince Maurice his Magazine divers Carriages Bag and Baggage of the Princes An Allowance was given to the Lord Herbert of Cherbury for his livelihood having been spoiled by the King's Forces Upon the Cities Petition an Ordinance for rating those who have
Governour and Garrison the which was voted by the Commons and Letters sent to the Officers of the English and Scottish Armies to assure the same to those of Carlisle who had held out very long and courageously for the King Another order for the E. of Northumberland to have the care of the King's Children and 3000 l. per annum allowed him for them The Letters taken in the King's Cabinet at Naseby read in the House and some of them referred to a Committee to be decyphered Mr. Brown a Gun-founder and his Son committed upon matters in some of the Letters 24. The Letters taken in the King's Cabinet were more of them read in the House and in some of them was mention of His Majestie 's intention to make a Peace with the Irish Rebels and to have 40000 of them over into England to prosecute the War here In other Letters to the Queen the King complains That he could not prevail with his Mungrel Parliament at Oxford to vote that the Parliament at Westminster were not a lawfull Parliament that he will not make a Peace with the Rebels the Parliament without her approbation nor goe one jot from the Paper she sent him That upon the Treaty at Uxbridge he did not positively own the Parliament it being otherwise to be construed though they were so simple as not to find it out and that it was recorded in the notes of the King's Council that he did not acknowledge them a Parliament Ordinance sent to the Lords for putting the County of Surrey into a posture of Defence and for pay for the forces there 100 l. given to the Messenger that brought up the Colours from Naseby fight Ordinance sent to the Lords for money for Portsmouth Garrison Order for the business of the Church to be taken into Debate every Wednesday and Friday An Ordinance past for re-imbursing money for Pembrokeshire Sir T. F. prosecuted the King's forces towards Hereford and left Colonel Needham Governour of Leicester Colonel Morgan blocked up Sandal Castle and M. G. Poynes went to Pomfret to order the battery there Colonel Rosseter came back from pursuing the King's forces charged and routed a party of the Newarkers rescued 20 Constables and Tithingmen taken by them and took 50 horse and many prisoners of them 25. The Monthly Fast kept divers Officers Prisoners committed to London-house 26. An Ordinance sent to the Lords about taking the Accounts of the Kingdom and orders for disposal of the Prisoners some to serve the Parliament in Ireland and others as the Parliament shall direct Letters written to Sir T. F. to prosecute his intentions against the Enemy and the Ordinance continued to impower him to press Souldiers for three months longer and another for Recruits for his Army Another Ordinance past impowering the Committees in the several Counties where any Souldiers were pressed and afterwards did desert the service to proceed against them according to Marshal Law Another for money for the late Officers of the Earl of Essex and of Sir William Waller Massey advanced to Lyme in order to relieve Taunton the King was at Hereford and Sir T. F. at Gloucester The Scots Army ordered to march from Nottingham to Worcester Colonel Hunt went from Shrewsbury before Cause Castle which surrendred to him The King's Garrison there marching away with their Colours and Swords and left in the Castle 500 Arms and store of Ammunition M. G. Brown took a Troup of Colonel Royden's horse and a foot Company of Oxford The Commons ordered all the Ensigns and Cornets taken at Naseby or formerly and which hereafter be taken from the Enemy should be brought into the Herald's Office and be there Registred and Mr. Riley to be intrusted therewith 27. The Grand Committee sate for the Church business and after that in the House an Ordinance read to consirm and establish the Directory for worship An Ordinance past for a Collection to provide money and necessaries for those Prisoners who were willing to serve against the Rebels in Ireland to transport them thither Letters from Plymouth informed that Greenvile was raising more forces in Cornwal and that divers Souldiers come away from the King's Garrisons to the Parliaments That three Dunkirk Ships came to Dartmouth with the King's Commission to inhabit there and were received but not well used and two of the Dunkirk Ships were taken by the Parliaments 28. Sir T. F. by order of Parliament advanced toward the relief of Taunton and sent to Massey that by a Day he would joyn with him Letters from General Leuen desired pay for the Scots Army the Houses thereupon sent a Committee to acquaint the Lord Mayor and Common Council of the City therewith and to desire the speedy raising of 30000 l. for this service and wrote answer to General Leuen that they would take care forthwith for their satisfaction The Commons ordered the Prisoners to be removed from the Military Ground where there wanted shelter for them and 300 l. for their supplies 30. Letters from M. G. Skippon informed of his being in a hopefull way of recovery and thereupon the Commons ordered 200 l. to be sent to him as a testimony of their favour and 200 l. more for payment of his Doctours Chirurgeons Apothecaries and other expences Order for 1000 l. for those Gentlemen some of whom were now Members of Parliament who suffered in 1 2 Car. for their affections to the publick and the Committee for them and for the necessities of the present Members was revived and satisfaction of damage voted to be out of the Estates of Delinquents The Letters taken at Naseby referred to a Committee to be perused and observations to be made upon them and to communicate some of them to the Common Council of London An Ordinance sent to the Lords touching Gunpowder and the Office of the Ordnance Letters to the association for Recruits and Arrears to be sent to Sir T. Fairfax's Army Ordinance past for 1500 l. for the Regiment of Colonel John Fiennes M. G. Poynes took the Church at Pomfret Sir T. F. took about 100 Arms from Lieutenant Colonel Not at Highworth who was there slain and divers Officers Colonel Hutchinson took 60 Horse and 48 Prisoners Officers and Arms. Major Saddler took from M. Duet near the Devizes 16 Prisoners Colonel Venables took Sir Th. Powel High Sheriff of Chester 40 Prisoners and 100 Horse July 1645. 1. An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for 400 l. to be paid to Sir William Waller's Life-guard Tuesdays and Thursdays set a part for considering how to raise Monies for Sir T. F. his Army and several Orders passed for that purpose Order of both Houses for the Departure of the Duke of Lorrain's Agent and of the King of Portugal's Agent and for a Letter to be sent to the King of Portugal of the miscarriage of his Agent here Order that the Committee of both Kingdoms should give directions from time to time
was brought from the King to the Parliaments last Letters to him about Peace wherein the King tells them of violating the known Laws to draw an exorbitant Power to themselves over their fellow Subjects and that they give a false character of his Majesties Actions This Message was quick and laid the matter home to the Parliament they referred it to the Committee of both Kingdoms to draw up an Answer to it to clear the Parliament from the aspersions cast upon them by this Message News came of great distractions among them at Oxford and unrulyness of the Soldiers and scarcity of Provisions Coll. Hastings with the Ashby Horse surprised a Convoy of the Parliaments going to Belvoir with a Mortar-piece and Granadoes and a Party from Oxford surprised two Troops of the Parliaments Horse and divers Gentlemen who were choosing a new Parliament man in Wiltshire and that Sir John Gâ—ll surprised an hundred and forty of the Kings Horse at Titbury and many Prisoners A Party of the Kings got over the Ice and designed to surprize Monmouth but were beaten back with loss M. G. Langherne besieged Ragland 20. Proceedings upon the propositions for Peace Letters to the Speaker informed that the Kings Forces quitted Sir Francis Drakes house that their thoughts and discourses are how to save themselves that some would carry the Prince beyond Sea others say they will cut the throats of those who shall attempt it That Sir T. F's Forces daily take Prisoners and most Horse that since the business at Bovey they have taken two hundred Horse that the last day they took eighty Horse two Colours and thirty Prisoners near Barn-Stable That Sir Hardress Waller with his Brigade took many near Oke-hampton that L. G. Porter came in to them and Baronet Seymour who said he would disinherit his Sons if they did not come in and serve the Parliament that many of them makemeans to be received unto mercy That the Lord Newport desired a Pass to come out of Dartmouth to go to the Prince but was denyed it A Scout certified that the Kings Forces quitted Tavestock and fled into Cornwall 21. The Lord Viscount L'isle voted to be Governor of Ireland Sir William Brereton continued in his Command before Chester for forty days longer Order for Supplys for Derby Garrison Proceedings in the Church-business Ordinance past for regulating the University of Cambridge Sir William Brereton sent another Summons to the Mayor of Chester and the Lord Byron Governor to which they returned no Answer in five days upon which Sir William Brereton sent another Letter to them requiring an Answer the same day which they did and offered to come to a Treaty if the King did not relieve them within twelve days and desired a Pass to send to him but it was denyed M. G. Brown took Col. Lour and some Officers and Prisoners of Wallingford Garrison fifty of their Horse Riders and Arms and rescued thirty Horse which they had taken of the Parliaments Captain Batten coming to block up Dartmouth by Sea lighted upon a Ship of the Kings bound for France with divers Gentlemen of quality in it money and rich Jewels 22. Proceedings upon the propositions for Peace Order for Money for Glocester Garrison and for continuing the Excise till March. Orders for High Sheriffs approved News came of the taking of Dartmouth by Sir Tho. Fairfax and the House ordered a day of thanksgiving for it and for the taking of Hereford and other good successes Order for a thousand pound to buy horses and furniture for Sir T. Fairfax as an earnest of the affection of the House towards him 23. Mr. Peters came from the Army to the House and made them a Narration of the storming and taking of Dartmouth and of the valour unity and affection of the Army and presented several Letters Papers and Crucifixes and other Popish things taken in the Town the Letters were referred to a Committee The Letters from Sir Tho. Fairfax informed that he with those about him agreed to Storm Dartmouth January 18. That Col. Hammond entred the West Gate where four Guns were planted and two upon the Mill-pool upon his Flanck the Enemy firing his great Guns but once Hammonds men that had the Forlorn hope did very gallantly as they all did and went freely on and beat off the Enemy and possessed one Fort after another and beat off the main-Guard where were taken four Lieutenant Colonels and so possessed the Town from the West Gate to little Dartmouth That in the interim Lieutenant Col. Pride attempted the North part of the Town called Hardness where beating off the Enemy he entred it and took about eighty Prisoners in it and by it possessed all the North part of the Town unto the Draw-Bridge where Col. Hammonds men and his did meet That Col. Fortescue with his men attempted Tunstall Church which was manned with above an hundred men and had in it ten Guns that his men after some dispute entred the place and possessed it so that now the Enemy was beaten out of all except the great Fort and the Castle unto which the Governor with the Earl of Newport and as many as escaped them did flye That the Governor coming back from the Castle to see in what posture the Town was a Musquet-shot was made at the Boat in which he was pierced the Boat and through both the Thighs of one that was next to him and about three inches into his own Thigh upon which he returned to the Castle That Sir Tho. Fairfaxes Dragoons with two Companys of Firelocks and some Seamen were ordered to allarm the great Fort wherein was Sir Henry Carey with his Regiment twelve Guns and store of Ammunition a strong Fort with four Bulwarks but the enemy came willingly to terms and Sir Tho. Fairfax agreed that Sir Henry Carey should march away with the rest leaving the Arms Ordnance and Ammunition and Provisions in the Fort and ingaging never to take up Arms against the Parliament which was done by them That the next Morning the Governor yielded the Castle himself and all Officers and Soldiers upon Quarter and sent Col. Seymour and Mr. Denham for Hostages with whom came out the Earl of Newport In the List of Prisoners was Sir Hugh Pollard the Governor about fifty Officers many Country Gentlemen Ministers and inferior Officers and all the Common Soldiers being between eight hundred and a thousand were set at liberty to repair to their dwellings about an hundred and twenty Ordnance mounted and two men of War in the Harbour taken The House referred it to a Committee to consider how five thousand pound formerly Voted might be setled upon Sir Tho. Fairfax and his Heirs and ordered a Letter of thanks to be written to him They also referred it to a Committee to consider how L. G. Cromwell might be put into Possession of two thousand five hundred pounds formerly voted for him and they ordered five hundred pound for the
marched through Abbington where Major General Brown gallantly entertained him and took up his Quarters at Garrington that Col. Trevor and Sir Jo. Vaughan came in to him from Oxford That the Army was on both sides the River intending closely to begirt the City that the King is gone for London as is supposed and that a hundred Officers are come out of Oxford 4. Letters from the General before Oxford informed that those who came out of Oxford informed confidently that the King was in London whereupon both houses declared by beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet That what Person soever shall harbour or conceal or know of the harbouring or concealing of the Kings Person and shall not reveal it immedately to the Speakers of both Houses shall be proceeded against as a Traitor to the Common-wealth forfeit his whole Estate and dye without Mercy An Ordinance committed for all Papists Officers and Soldiers of Fortune that have come out of the Kings Quarters to remove twenty miles from London and power given to the Militia of London to search within twenty miles of London for all Papists Malignants and suspected persons and to secure and disarm them and to search for Arms this to continue for twenty days The General Training was put off Orders for Provisions for the Army 5. Upon Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax of Suspition of the Kings being gone towards the Associated Counties care was taken for their security and Col. Russel sent down to the Isle of Ely and Col. Wharton to Lynne Sir Hardress Waller named to be Governor of Jersey A Petition of many of Hertford-shire against Tithes but nothing was done in it Letters from the Generals Quarters informed that the General Quartered at Heddington within a mile of Oxford the Horse were so disposed as to prevent the Enemies Sallies forth the Foot thus The Generals Regiment and Col. Pickerings at Heddington the Major General 's and Col. Harley's at Marston Col. Herberts and Col. Sir Hardress Waller's Regiments at Cowley the Train of Artillery at Ellesfield An hundred Officers and Soldiers came forth of Oxford in two days many of Quality have sent for Passes to go forth the Lady Hertford Lady Digby Lady Stourton and many of Quality but the General denyes all except it be for Treaty or Parley That the Grandees of Oxford give it out the King is in London and hath made his Peace with the Parliament that Wallingford was blocked up on the one side by the Forces of Reading and of Henley and on the other side by Col. Welden That the Governor of Wallingford sent a Letter to the General desiring him not to make his approach to the Castle for then he must be forced to fire the Town which he the rather urged because he heard the King was in London and upon agreement with the Parliament so that he hoped in seven or eight days to receive a command from his Majesty for the Surrender thereof Some Foot sallied out of Oxford but soon retreated a Party from Farrington did some hurt in the Generals Quarters 6. Letters from the Commissioners of the Parliament before Newarke and from Lieutenant General Pointz certified that the King came to the Quarters of the French Agent at Southam and thence sent to G. Lesley and was conducted by a Troop of Horse into the Scots Army where he now remains That the Commissioners soon after his coming sent a Letter to the Commissioners of the Parliament to acquaint them therewith which Letters were read in the House and an abstract of a Letter from Paris discovering what was written from the King to the Queen touching his going from Oxford Upon debate the Commons Voted That the Commissioners and the General of the Scots Army be desired that his Majesties Person be disposed of as both Houses shall desire and direct and that he be thence disposed of and sent to Warwick Castle That Mr. Ashburnham and the rest that came with the King to the Scots Army be sent for as Delinquents by the Serjeant at Arms. The Commissioners of Parliament before Newarke were to acquaint the Scots General with these Votes and to take care that Mr. Ashburnham and the rest be sent up to the Parliament and they were to make a Narrative of the Kings coming to the Scots Army and to present it to the House Thirty pounds given to Lieutenant Gen. Pointz his Secretary who brought these Letters and thirty pounds to the Messenger of the Commissioners Order for reducement of Major General Massey's Horse and those Forces to be disposed of by the General 7. An Ordinance sent to the Lords for Establishment of the Garrison of Hull and order for Ammunition for them Order for a new Election Order for a Letter from the Speaker to the Committee of Northumberland to send some Forces to preserve the holy Island a place of great concernment Provision of Money for Plymouth and other Garrisons 8. Letters intercepted and read in the House going from the Scots Commissioners here to the Scots Commissioners at Newarke of great concernment A Committee was appointed to examine the manner of the stay of the Gentleman that carried these Letters Order to desire the Commissioners in London that Mr. Wakerly who signed the Letter to the Lord Balcarris might be examined by a Committee and that the Speaker should deliver to the Scots Commissioners here such of the Letters as they desired and should claim as their hand-writing Other Letters were read from the Scots Commissioners in London concerning the Kings being in the Scots Army and their perswading him to deliver up Newarke to the Committee of both Kingdoms for the use of the Parliament of England which is to be surrendred to the Commissioners for the Parliament upon Articles the ninth of this instant May the House sate this day till nine at night A Letter from the Scots General and the Committee of Estates of Scotland now with the Scots Army to the Committee of both Kingdoms informed That they were astonished at the Providence of the Kings coming into their Army which was so private that it was long ere they could find him there and now desired that it might be improved to the best advantage for promoting the work of Vniformity for setling of Religion and Righteousness and attaining of Peace according to the Covenant and Treaty by advice of the Parliaments of both Kingdoms or their Commissioners That they declare there hath been no Treaty betwixt his Majesty and them and in so deep a business they desire the advice of the Committee of both Kingdoms c. 9. The Articles of the surrender of Newarke brought to the Parliament After the surrender the Scots Army drew off and retreated about four miles the King with them in the Army An hundred pound given to the Colonel that brought these Letters and thirty pounds to the other Messenger Banbury Castle was surrendred to Col. Whaley upon Articles Order for thanksgiving to God
upon which the House revoked their last Order about the Muster and set a day for it and informed the Militia that both Houses would be present at it Order for the safe keeping and disposing of the Princess Henrietta and for all things fitting for her Person Order for a Declaration to take off Scandals and Jealousies of the Parliaments Proceedings Conferrence about the Votes touching the demand of the Kings Person and the Lords desired reparation about some words spoken by a Member of the House of Commons at the last conference touching this business The King was at Lumley House three miles from Newcastle Letters from the Leaguer before Oxford certified that a Treaty was begun about the surrender of Oxford 18. Progress in the business of the Church Ordinance passed for eight hundred pound per An. to Bishop Morton of Duresme A Petition from M. G. Massey put off The Commissioners of the Excise continued Pass'd in the afternoon by the Commons for Compositions of Delinquents near twenty Ordinances Intelligence came of the Kings coming into Newcastle but without any Solemnity and lay at G. Levens Quarters Proclamation made by G. Leven that no Papists or Delinquents be permitted to come to the King Upon a Letter from the English Commissioners another Proclamation that all do conform to the Orders and Ordinances of Parliament Gen. Leven forbids all compliance of his Officers and Soldiers with any Malignants The Estates of Scotland forbid any to go out of that Kingdom without a Pass 19. Reasons given in the House why Mr. Ashburnham could not be delivered up according to the order of Parliament and complaints of the Scots Forces quartering in York-shire Voted That this Kingdom had no farther need of the Army of their Brethren the Scots in this Kingdom and that a hundred thousand pound should be raised and paid to the Scots Army fifty thousand pound thereof after they shall have surrendred New-Castle Carlisle and other English Garrisons possessed by them and the other fifty thousand pound to be paid to them after their advance into the Kingdom of Scotland Order to desire the Scots Commissioners in London to give in the Accounts of their Army that the Arrears may be audited and paid Both Houses went into Hide Park to see the general Muster Hartlebury Castle was surrendred to Col. Morgan upon Articles 20. The Speaker ordered to give a Pass for six Horses for the Prince of Orange Supply of Ammunition for Garrisons Progress upon the propositions for Peace and to sit daily till it were finished Letters of the Surrender of Ludlow to Col. Birch and Col. Mackworth 21 Wholly spent about the business of the Church Letters informed that the Treaty went on for the surrender of Oxford 22. Col. Rich brought Letters to the House from the General giving an account of the demands for the surrender of Oxford which were very high and so esteemed by the House who writ a Letter of thanks to the General for his care and desired him to proceed in the business for the reducing of Oxford The Copy of the Instructions to the Commissioners from Oxford to treat about the surrender of it sent up 23. Order for the Serjeant at Arms to fetch up from New-Castle Mr. Hudson one of the Persons that conveyed the King into the Scots Army who was said to confess that his Majesty was near London upon the day that the General Muster should have been Progress in the business of the Church The Houses differed upon some amendments of an Ordinance for Ely House for the Serjeant at Arms. The Oxford Commissioners for the Treaty of Surrender insisted upon liberty to send to the King wherein Sir Tho. Fairfax would not resolve and in the mean time the Treaty was adjourned for two or three days yet both sides prepared for War great Guns came from Reading and they shot from the Garrison at those in the Leaguer but little hurt was done Col. Whaley coming before Worcester Col. Morgan drew farther off and the Garrison sallyed out upon Col. Whaley who beat them back and took eight Prisoners Captain Batten summoned Pendennis Castle to surrender to the Parliament 25. Order for the Princess Henrietta to be brought to St. Jameses and Provision to be made there for her answerable to her Quality and Richmont was appointed for the Prince his Residence if he shall come in A Letter from the King to both Houses expressed That his Majesty was not come into the Scots Army out of any intent to divide the Kingdoms in assection or prolong the War but to secure his Person and labour to compose the differences between him and his Kingdoms and settle all well He desired that Religion might be first insisted on and setled according to the advice of the Assembly of Divines of both Kingdoms For the Militia he was willing to concur with that propounded at Uxbridge For Ireland he will do what he can to satisfie desires of that kind That for surrender of the Garrisons in his hands he hath given order for Oxford to be surrendred and will do the like for the rest and is willing that all Forces may be disbanded and that the Debts of the Nation should be paid He sent another Letter to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland Professing his Intention to settle Peace and give them satisfaction and that he hath written to all that have Commissions from him in Scotland to disband their Forces and to render their Garrisons and professeth his resolution to give all just satisfaction to the joynt desires of both Kingdoms and to comply with both Parliaments and for the expression of their loyal intentions towards him he returns them hearty thanks He acquaints them that he hath written to the Governor of Oxford to quit that Garrison upon honourable conditions and disband those Forces and that being granted he will give the like order to his other Garrisons and Forces he desires this Letter may be published with a proclamation in Scotland He also wrote another Letter to the City of London complementing them and acquainting them with his Letters to the Parliaments of both Kingdoms Ashburnham escaped from New-Castle before the Deputy of the Serjeant at Arms came thither for him and another Messenger was sent thither for Hudson 26. Debate about the Irish business and supplys thither and the Arrears of the Lord Inchequin and Lord Broghil A Remonstrance from the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council of London was presented to both Houses desiring a strict course for suppressing all private and seperate Congregations That all Anabaptists Hereticks and Sectaries c. as conformed not to the publick Discipline may be declared and proceeded against That all may be required to obey the Government setled or to be setled That none disaffected to the Presbyterian Government may be imployed in any place of publick Trust That the Propositions for Peace may be hastned That the Vnion may be preserved
carry away any thing that is properly belonging to any of them 18. That all Ladies Gentlewomen and other Women now in Oxford whose Husbands or Friends are absent from thence may have Passes and Protections for themselves Servants and Goods to go to and remain at the Houses of their Husbands or at their Friends as they shall desire and to go or send to London or elsewhere to obtain the Allowances out of their Husbands or Parents Estates allotted them by Ordinance of Parliament 19. That such of his Majesties Houshold Servants who shall desire to go to his Majesty may have free Liberty and Passes to go accordingly at any time within one Month next after the Rendring of the Garrison And that his Majesties Houshold stuff 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 Boats and Carriages for the removal of them thither and there to remain 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 go unto him shall have Liberty Passes and Protections to go to and remain at his Majesties said house at Hampton Court and have liberty to attend the Committee for his Majesties Revenues to procure a competent allowance out of his Majesties Revenue for their subsistence untill his Majesty shall otherwise provide for or dispose of them 20. That all Clergy-men now in Oxford who shall not upon Composition or otherwise be restored to their Church-Livings shall have Liberty to go to London to obtain some fitting allowance for the livelihood of themselves and their Families 21. That it is intended declared and agreed That all persons comprised within these Articles shall peaceably and quietly enjoy all their Goods Debts and Moveables allowed by these Articles during the space of six Months after Rendring the Garrison and that they shall be free from all Oaths Engagements and Molestations except an Engagement by promise not to bear Arms against the Parliament nor wilfully do any Act prejudicial to their Affairs so long as they remain in their Quarters and that they shall have liberty within the space of six Months in case they should be resolved to go beyond Seas to dispose of their Goods Debts and Moveables allowed by these Articles and depart the Kingdom if they shall think fit and to have Passes for their Transportation or otherwise to stay in the Kingdom 22. That if any of these Articles shall in any point be broken or violated by any Person or Persons in Oxford or comprised within this Capitulation the fault and punishment shall be upon him or them only 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 23. That the Duke of Richmond the Earl of Lindsey and their Servants that came forth with them shall enjoy the benefit of these Articles in whatsoever may concern them 24. That the Garrison of Farringdon shall be Rendred to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Governor Gentlemen Soldiers and all other of what quality soever within those Garrisons shall enjoy the benefit of these Articles in every particular which may concern them they rendring the Garrison accordingly as Oxford 25. That all persons comprised in these Articles shall upon request have a Certificate under the hand of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax or the future Governor of the City That such Persons were in the City at the time of the Surrender thereof and are to have the benefit of these Articles 26. That the General Sir Thomas Fairfax shall give a Pass to one or two Messengers with their Servants to go unto the King to give him an Account of the proceedings upon this Treaty and conclusion thereof and to return and receive the benefit of these Articles Dated at Water-Eaton June 20 1646. 22. The Propositions for Peace agreed upon and the City of London to have power of their own Militia they were ordered to be communicated to the Scots Commissioners here and upon their concurrence to be sent to his Majesty Mr. Dell the Generals Chaplain brought Letters and the Articles of Oxford to the Parliament Orders for Money for the Scots and about Mr. Charles Howards Composition Col. Birch Besieged Goodrich Castle 23. The Articles of Oxford approved and fifty pound gratuity to Mr. Dell and thirty pound to the Messenger Order for the Duke of York to be brought to St. Jame's and provided for in an honourable way Sir William Brereton being come into the House the Speaker by order gave him thanks for his good Services particularly for that of Chester 24. The Monthly Fast after the Sermons divers new Elected Members took the Covenant 25. Some Masters of Hospitals appointed Beumaris Town and Castle surrendred to Major General Mitton and he was voted to be Governor there Orders for Money and for a Ship at Anglesey The Marquess of Argyle and Scots Commissioners presented some papers to the Houses one was That the Quarters of their Army in the North might be inlarged and Money provided for them and other supplys as for the other Forces That Ships may be sent to prevent the landing of the Irish Rebels in Scotland That the Parliament here would send Commissioners to joyn with the Commissioners of Estates of Scotland at Newcastle to testifie the endeavours of the Scots and to assist them in perswading his Majesty to a good Peace and to have power to treat and settle the accounts between the two Kingdoms that all Forces may be disbanded and the fruits of Peace enjoyed by both Nations Another Letter was read being from the King to the Marquess of Ormond in Ireland to discharge all further Treaty with the Irish Rebels Letters informed that the Lord â—roghill had taken in the Garrison of Blaney in Ireland and given the Rebels some other small defeats Oxford was surrendred to Sir Tho. Fairfax no affront nor injury offered by any of his Soldiers to those of the Garrison when they marched forth but all the Articles punctually observed divers Irish men and Irish Women went out with them the Garrison were in all about seven Thousand men After the Governor was marched forth the Keys of the City were presented to the General who ordered three Foot Regiments to march into the Town and between them and the Citizens was courteous language and not a reproachful or uncivil word by any of the Army to them nor the least disorder They left in the City about thirty pieces of Ordnance but little provision for Man or Horse but after the Parliament Forces had entred the City the Countrey people thereabouts brought in store of Provisions The Duke of York
Army 23. Debate upon the Ordinance against Blasphemies and Heresies and the Punishment voted to be death The Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London gave a congratulatory visit to Sir Tho. Fairfax and the Recorder made a Speech to him The Committee of Westminster imprisoned Bayliffs who arrested their Officers Letters from New-castle informed that the Earl of Antrim and Kilketto in Scotland refuse to lay down Arms and the rest of the Gourdons part though the King sent to them to do it Some of the Mutineers at York executed Some of the supplys for Ireland were safely landed there 24. A Report from the Committee touching the conference with the Scots Commissioners about disposing of the Kings Person in which the Scots urged that it might be done by joynt consent of both Kingdoms and in their Speeches seemed to reflect and bring an Odium upon the proceedings of the Parliament in that business and to perswade the people into such an opinion and in favour of what the Scots Commissioners had said therein That the Papers of the Speeches of the Scots Commissioners in this business had been unduly Printed to this end that the Scots had promised to bring in their positive answer to this business but had not yet done it whereupon the Committee had framed a Declaration in vindication of the Parliaments proceedings which was read Referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms to treat with the Scots Commissioners about the time and place of Payment of the first hundred thousand pound to them which was now ready and about the march of their Army out of England A Committee made to consider of the losses of the Lord Say Sir Rowland Wandesford Col. Fleet-wood and other Officers of the Court of Wards by the taking away that Court and how they may have a satisfaction Order for payment of Arrears to Sir Edward Doddesworth Commissary of the Horse to the Earl of Essex and for auditing the Arrears of the Officers of Col. Massey's Brigade and about forty thousand pound for Officers of the fourth List Letters that Dublin was well fortified to resist the Rebels 25. The Fast day and some new Members took the Covenant 26. A Declaration pass'd for Security of those who double their Money owing upon the publick Faith towards the raising of the two hundred thousand pound for the Scots Order for a new Election Order touching the ten thousand pound for the necessitous persons Widows c. Leave for Col. Popham and Mr. Gaudy to go into the Country Letters informed the landing of the English Forces at Dublin and Sir Charles Coote breaking through the Rebels Army with a Party caused them to draw further off from Dublyn and that the Lord Inchequin hath had success against the Rebels in Munster 27. The House sate till six at night about the Declaration of the Arguments and answers in the Conferences with the Scots Commissioners touching the disposing of the Kings Person The Herse and Effigies of the late Earl of Essex was cut to pieces and defaced as it stood in the Abbey of Westminster and the like barbarous action was to the Tomb of old Cambden there 28. Vote of both Houses for the Earl of Rutland to be Justice in Eyre of all his Majesties Forrests and Chaces beyond Trent The House sate till five at night about the Declaration touching the Scots Papers and passed it Carried in the Negative not to be sent to the Lords for their concurrence but to be inclosed and sent in a Letter from the Speaker to the Scots Commissioners here and afterwards to be printed and published 30. Debate upon the Ordinance against Heresies and Blasphemies wherein those of the Presbyterian Judgment were very violent and severe Letters from Major General Pointz informed of a design to surprize Pomfret for the King but discovered and prevented others that his Majesty had given Commissions to divers Gentlemen in the North lately to raise Forces against the Parliament others that there was a late Conspiracy to betray Lynne The House ordered all the Conspirators to be sent for by a Serjeant at Arms and Letters to Major General Pointz and General Leven to assist the Serjeants Deputies for the apprehending of them Orders for Supplys for Money for the Garrisons of Lynne and of Portsmouth The Lords concurrence desired to the Vote for the Committee to treat with the Scots Commissioners about the time and place of payment of the two hundred thousand pound and the advance of the Scots Army Referred to the Committee of the Navy to consider of raising Money to repair the banks of Humber Letters from Ireland informed that after the Parliaments Commissioners and Forces were landed at Dublyn Road the Marquess of Ormond contrary to expectation and the former Treaty denyed to deliver possession of Dublyn to them because he had not yet received his Majesties consent thereunto and upon this the Parliaments Commissioners Shipped again the Forces to joyn with the Brittish Forces at Belfast That the Irish Rebels upon the coming of the English Forces were so terrified that they drew off and attempted nothing against Dublyn and that nothing was attempted against them by the Marquess of Ormond December 1646. December 1. Report from the Committee appointed to give in three names of Gentlemen in each County fit to be made Sheriffs and the House chose one of the three and went this day through most of the Counties Order to revive Committees that sate de die in diem that old businesses may be dispatched Order to state accompts of Massey's men The Declaration touching the Scots Papers being sent to their Commissioners they sent it back again because it came not from both Houses and the Commons ordered it to be printed It was wondred at by many that the Concurrence of the Lords was declined in this business but a great ground thereof was to have the more expedition and because the Lords were supposed would not consent to many parts of it The single and great question was Whether the Kingdom of Scotland had any right of joynt exercise of Interest in disposing of the Person of the King in the Kingdom of England The Papers Arguments Objections and Answers between the Committee of Parliament and the Scots Commissioners upon this point were very long and are in Print by themselves therefore here omitted And their proposal That the King might come to London with honour freedom and safety is there considered 2. The Ordinance sent up to the Lords for the Assesment for the Army and orders for speedy collecting it past and a complaint against Col. King for obstructing the levying of Moneys in Lincolne shire referred to a Committee A Fast appointed for averting Gods Judgments by the unseasonable Rain Debate about Provisions for the next Summers Fleet and about habeas Corpus 3. Orders touching Arrears of reduced Officers and about the ten thousand pound for Widows of Soldiers c. Order for the Speaker to write to
midnight about the City Petition and some perhaps were a little awed by the multitudes of Citizens attending at the door of the House They agreed upon a Declaration against all such Persons as take upon them to Preach or expound the Scriptures except they be Ordained And this gave much offence to those of the Independent Judgment January 1646. January 1. Orders for payment of Moneys formerly ordered to the Earl of Stamford and for eight hundred pound to the Commissioners that are to go into the North for their accommodations and their instructions Debate upon the Ordinance against Blasphemies and Heresies Vote for Sir Peter Killegrew to be sent with the Preamble and vote in answer to his Majesties last Letters 2. A Letter from General Leven complying with the Parliaments desires in their Letters to him and order given to have the Jewel ready for him Letters informed an endeavour of the King to escape from New-castle without the Scots privity and a more strict Guard upon him Orders for stay of Sir Peter Killegrew's Journey and for a thousand pound for Mr. Pury out of the Earl of Worcesters Estate and a thousand pound for Mr. Hodges in repair of their losses and for a thousand pound for Sir Robert Pye Jun. out of Sir Edmond Pye's Composition Order for allowances to the Officers of the Court of Wards 4. Upon a Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax Orders for two thousand pound for Sir Hardress Waller of his Arrears and for two thousand pound for Col. Sidney Order to continue the two Speakers Commissioners of the Great Seal for ten days longer An Ordinance sent up to the Lords for the Government of Chester Instructions and powers agreed for the Lieuetenant of Ireland and a Sword to be born before him and Counsellors of State named for Ireland and they to have five hundred pound per An. apiece till their Estates shall be recovered An Ordinance appointed to settle the same Church-Government in Ireland as in England Vote to name Commissioners of both Houses to receive the King from the Scots and to bring him to Holmeby and the Committee of both Kingdoms to draw instructions for the Commissioners and Letters to be written to General Leven and to the Scots Commissioners at New castle to acquaint them with these Votes and that the Commissioners should speedily come for the King Letters sent from Major General Laugherne and the Committee of Haverford West informed That Mr. Hudson the Kings Guide having escaped out of Prison was by the King imployed upon another design to carry Letters to be delivered to Major General Laugherne to invite him to betray his Trust and to revolt to the King That the Major General sent up the Letters and other Papers to the Parliament and Hudson and Price one of his Agents and the examining them was referred to a Committee The Commons agreed that Mr. Godolphin Governor of Sâ—ylly upon his surrender of that Island and all Forts c. and taking the Covenant and Negative Oath should enjoy his Estate and be free from Arrests for any acts of War 6. Both Houses agreed the Instructions for the Commissioners that go to the Scots Army and to the Declaration in answer to the Kings last Letter and about disposing of his Person and to the Letters to General Leven and to the Scots Commissioners at Newcastle touching this business and Sir Peter Killegrew was to post with them to Newcastle The Earl of Pembroke the Earl of Denbigh the Lord Mountague named by the Lords and by the Commons Sir William Armine Sir Jo. Hollond Sir Walter Earle Sir John Cooke Mr. John Crew and Major General Browne Commissioners to receive the Kings Person and with such Guards as they shall think fit to bring him to Holmeby House Ordinance for Sir Anthony-Ashley-Cooper Sheriff of Wilts to live out of the County Order for Winchester Castle to be dis-garrisoned and delivered to Sir William Waller the owner A Committee named to consider of several debts owing by the Earl of Corke who is gone beyond Sea without perfecting his Composition Letters informed that the Money for the Scots was safe come to Yorke The Parliament Forces after great Storms at Sea Landed in Ireland and had course entertainment there 7. Mr. Sandys reported what places and profits Members of the House had that an Account thereof may be given Order for two thousand five hundred pound for the Commissioners that are to receive the Kings Person and their instructions debated Sir William Ermyn upon his own desire excused and Sir James Harrington Commissioner in his stead and Mr. Marshall and Mr. Carill appointed to go along with them Articles presented to the House against one Harris referred to the Justices of Peace Endeavours were in Countries to get hands to Petitions to second that of London 8. Debate upon the Ordinance against such as Preach or expound the Scriptures not being ordained Upon Petition of the Countess of Peterburgh Order that she should have her Husbands Arrears out of such Delinquents Estates as she should discover 9. Orders for ten thousand pound for the Lord Say for the loss of his place in the Court of Wards Sir Rowland Wandesford to have five thousand pound Sir Ben. Rudyeard six thousand pound and Mr. Bacon to have three hundred pound Reference to the Committee of the Navy about adding four Frigots to the next Summers Fleet. The Commons agreed with the Lords to have Goring House for the Ambassador of France Orders for Petitions to be read in rank as they were presented and for ten thousand Pound for the reduced Officers and a thousand pound to Colonel Waite for Arrears and to Summon Col. King to attend the Committee The Commissioners to name Attendants for the King 11. Major General Skippon sent up intercepted Letters from Hudson the Kings Guide to his Majesty bewailing his unhappiness in failing of success with Major General Laugherne and being again apprehended Order for a Letter to the Governor of Hull to send up Dr. Hudson in safe Custody by Land to the Parliament and reserred the Letters to a Committee Upon a Letter from Sir Tho. Fairfax Order for four thousand pound for the standing Officers of the County of York Approbation of the Convoy sent by Sir T. Fairfax with the Money to the Scots Order for four thousand five hundred pound for Sir Samuel Luke for his Arrears out of Goldsmiths Hall The Town of Cirencester elected Sir Th. Fairfax and Col. Rich for their Burgesses Debate upon the instructions of the Lord L'Isle Lieutenant of Ireland The Scots refused to surrender Belfast to the Parliaments Forces Ireland in great want of Supplys Commissioners came from the Parliament of Scotland to Newcastle to perswade the King to Sign the Propositions 12. Order for Sir Oliver Fleming Master of the Ceremonies to go to the French Ambassador to know whether he hath any thing from his Master the King of France to the Parliament that he may be dispatched
and assistance of a Justice of Peace 26. Debate in a Grand Committee upon the Ordinance of Tunnage and Poundage The House finished the Propositions to be sent to the King and ordered them to be presented within ten days and had a conference with the Lords for their concurrence Order for the Lead of Worcester Church to be taken off and sold A Petition from the Northern parts to both Houses for the erecting of an University at York Letters from Dublin informed that Collonel Jones having joyned to his Forces those of Collonel Cootes and Collonel Monke in all two thousand two hundred Horse and five thousand five hundred Foot took in several Castles from the Rebels then they Battered Port-Lester most of the Garrison leaped into the water and swam away the rest were put to the Sword Then some of his men without Order fell upon Athboy unexpectedly surprised the Guards and entred and possess'd the Town which was strongly fortified and five hundred men in it they took also two thousand Cows and other Cattle from the Rebels Owen their General could not get his men to ingage for want of mony 27. The Monthly Fast-day the House did set days to consider of the Ordinance for setting of poor people to Work and of the Ordinance against heinous sins and Blasphemies 28. A Petition from the Trustees for Sale of Bishops Lands about removing some obstructions referred to special Committee Impeachments against the seven Lords agreed upon and sent up to the House of Peers and an Impeachment against Sir Jo. Maynard and Collonel Midhup was apprehended for being active in the late Force upon the Parliament and Impeached of Treason Order for several Members of the House to take some of the Deputies of the Sergeant at Arms and to break open doors and seize Trunks and Papers of one Captain Vernon which Order was much opposed by some Members of the House as altogether illegal The Earl of Northumberland desired leave at any time to carry the Kings Children to His Majesty which was granted The Agitators of the five Regiments that presented the former Papers to the General and General Councel now put forth another Paper to clear themselves and that they had no intention of making divisions in the Army c. 29. The grand Committee sat about Tunnage and Poundage Several meetings were of the General-Councel of the Army 30. Order about the eight thousand pounds per annum to be paid to the Prince Elector A free Conference of both Houses touching some difference about part of the propositions and the Commons appointed a Committee to prepare reasons to satisfie the Lords why the Commons adhered to their former resolutions in those particulars November 1647. November 1. Orders for Clothes and Provisions for the Forces in Ireland and a Committee for Ireland appointed to Treat with Merchants to advance the Clothes Provisions and Ammunition to be sent over thither and to give security by the Excise the assessment of sixty thousand pounds per mensem and Delinquent Estates Order for the Chargers of the Officers of the Committee of Accounts An Information of endeavours to Raise Forces against the Parliament and Army referred to be examined by a Committee An Ordinance past giving power to Collonel Monke to execute Martial-Law Both Houses agreed upon the Propositions to be sent to the King and referred them to a Committee to be drawn up in form Some of Major General Lambert's Forces apprehended divers Moss Troopers The Committee of Estates caused the Lord Harehill to be Beheaded at Edenburgh notwithstanding the Kings Pardon he dyed boldly and after his Speech to the people he threw down two Papers among them which mentioned strange new Troubles in England A further Paper of Proposals came to the House from the Agitators of the five Regiments and of four other Regiments of Horse and of seven Regiments of Foot joyning with them They declare 1. That the people being unequally distributed by Counties Cities and Boroughs for Election of their Deputies in Parliament ought to be more indifferently proportioned according to the number of Inhabitants the Circumstances to be set down before the end of this Parliament 2. That to prevent the inconveniences by the long continuance of the same persons in Authority this present Parliament be dissolved by the last day of September next 3. That the people do of course choose themselves a Parliament once in every two years 4. That the power of this and all other future Representatives is inferiour only to theirs that choose them and extends without the consent of any other person to the Enacting Altering and Repealing of Laws to the erecting and abolishing of Offices and Courts to the appointing removing and calling to account Magistrates and Officers of all degrees to the making War and Peace to the Treating with Forreign States and generally to whatsoever is not reserved by those represented to themselves Which are these 1. That matters of Religion and Gods Worship are not at all intrusted to any Human power because therein we cannot admit or exceed a tittle of what our Consciences dictate to be the mind of God without wilful sin Nevertheless the publick way of instructing the Nation so it be not compulsive is referred to their discretion 2. That impressing or constraining any of us to serve in the War is against freedom and not allowed to our Representatives the rather because it is at their disposal 3. That after this Parliament none be questioned for any thing said or done in reference to the late differences 4. That in all Laws every person be bound alike and that Tenure Estates Charter Degree Birth or Place do not confer any exception from the ordinary course of Legal proceedings whereunto others are subjected 5. That the Laws must be equal and good and not destructive to the safety and well-being of the people These They declare to be their Native rights and are resolved to maintain them and not to depend for the settlement of our Peace and Freedom upon him that intended our bondage and brought a cruel War upon us 21. A Grand Committee Sat all day about mony for the Army and to take away Free-Quarter Letters from the Lord Inchequin for Cloaths c. for the Munster Forces The House appointed a Committee to Collect all Papers Letters and Writings or Commissions of Publick concernment in the hands of any Secretaries or Officers and to take a Catalogue of them and to preserve them in some place for Publick use New Proposals of the Army 1. That this Parliament be Dissolved by the last day of September next 2. That secure Provisions may be made for the Succession Constitution and clearing the Power of Parliaments 3. That a Parliament shall biennially meet upon the first Thursday in April every year 4. And shall sit till the last day of September after the meeting and then Dissolve and not sooner except by their own
continued one of the Sheriffs of London Divers well affected persons having raised Forces in several Counties for the defence thereof without authority of Parliament the House declared the same an acceptable Service To the end the Kingdom may be satisfied of the endeavours of the Parliament to preserve the brotherly love and Vnion with Scotland Ordered that all the Transactions Papers and Letters between the English Commissioners and the Parliament of Scotland shall be printed Ordered that the Horse listed under Colonel Butler and Quarter Master General Fincher be quartered in the Mues Letters from Colchester Leaguer that July the fifth about eight in the morning the Enemy sallied out with a thousand Horse and three hundred Foot fell suddainly upon the Parliaments Guards and surprised some of them being Country men that the rest retreated from the main Guard That Colonel Whaley perceiving the Enemies advantage got with his Horse between them and home whilest the Tower Regiment advanced towards the front and routed both Horse and Foot together and took about a hundred prisoners most of them miserably wounded the Parliaments Souldiers being the more fierce because of the poysoned bullets That about twenty of the Enemy were slain on the place most of them Gentlemen as appeared by their clothes and their white skins That Lieutenant Colonel Weston Son to Sir Rich. Weston and two Captains were taken Prisoners and the Parliaments Forces regained two Drakes from the Enemy that Lieut. Colonel Shambrooke was shot in the Body and the bullet since taken out appeared to be poysoned boyled in Copperas which much inraged the Parliaments Souldiers That Captain Moody who commanded a Troop of the Suffolk Horse ingaging boldly was taken Prisoner One Souldier had his leg shot off with a great bullet and some were wounded 7. Debate upon the City's answer to the Parliaments Proposals what security theâ— City would give for the security of his Majesty's person and of the Parliament during their Treaty at London if it should be agreed upon The City acquainted the House with a Letter they received last night from the Earl of Holland Duke of Bucks and Earl of Peterborough declaring their intentions to joyn with the Forces of Sussex Sunny and Middlesex to release and preserve his Majesty's person to bring him to his Parliament to settle Peace in the Kingdom and to preserve the known laws inviting the City to joyn with them herein at least not to be active against them Upon debate of this Letter the House voted that the Earl of Holland Duke of Bucks and Earl of Peterburgh had leavied War against the Parliament and Kingdom and in so doing were Traytors and ought to be proceeded against as Traytors and that the Estates of those Lords and of all that joyn with them be sequestred An Ordinance past for fifteen hundred pounds a Month for Forces in Lincolnshire Letters from Colchester Leaguer of the late victory by the Parliaments Forces there that the Lord Goring and Lord Capell carry thing very high but Sir Charles Lucas more moderate that Butter and cheese was at five Shillings a pound and that the Souldiers seised upon the Meal and Bread and began to be much distasted by the Towns-men especially the Women who began to be in want of victuals for themselves and Children 8. A Conference of both Houses about not insisting upon the three Bills to be sent to his Majesty Order for mony for Major General Brown A Petition of old Officers and Souldiers of the North Committed Letters from Colonel Rossiter that he met with the Pontefract Forces upon their return after their plundering Voyage and ingaged them at a place called Willoughby Field routed their whole party consisting of about a thousand Horse took both Horse and their riders the Commander in Chief and all his Officers all their bag and baggage the rest routed but not many slain Colonel Rossiter wounded in the thigh The House gave a hundred pound to Captain Norwood who brought the Letters from Colonel Rossiter Letters that the Earl of Holland and his party marched from Darking with their whole force to possess Rigate but their Design was disappointed by Major Gibbons and two Troups of Colonel Riches Horse entring the Town before That upon this the Earl of Holland and his Party Marched the next way to Kingston and were pursued by the Parliaments Horse who took some men and Horse near Nonsuch That in the way betwixt Nonsuch and Kingston the Earl of Holland drew up and faced Sir Mich. Levesey and Gibbons and some Parties on both sides skirmished That the Earl of Holland sent his Foot before to Kingston to make good his retreat thither that the Forelorns on both sides fought gallantly that the Earl was followed violently by Gibbons and a Cornet of Colonel Riches Regiment with their divisions to Kingston and routed but the Foot sent before made good their turn-pike and the Parliaments Forces did not think sit to enter the Town with them That the Parliaments Forces intending a further attempt upon the Earls men but they not answering the Alarm the Horse Guard advanced into the Town and found it quit of the Enemy who left near a hundred Horse in the Town with their carriages and themselves fled over the Bridge to Harrow on the Hill whither the Parliaments Forces were in pursuit of them That in this service were about twenty slain the Lord Francis dangerously wounded if not dead the Earl of Holland said to be shot in the shoulder Colonel Howard and some others of note hurt about a hundred prisoners and two hundred Horse taken the Earl with about three hundred gone towards S r Albans pursued by the Parliaments Forces with whom Colonel Scroope is coming to joyn Letters from Colchester leaguer that the Enemy shot much from the top of a Church till the General with his Cannon beat down part of the Church and then they ceased that the Officers tell their men and scatter papers among the Parliaments Souldiers that London appeared for them that a thousand Horse were coming to raise the siege that the Parliament was broken and many of the Members cut in pieces That in some prisoners pockets they found ten slugs done with sand and a Trumpet was sent to the Lord Goring to let him know what his Souldiers must expect That according to a Letter from the House of Lords the General returned the Lord Capels Son that Colonel Scroope is gone with Sir Michael Levesey against the Earl of Holland and his party 9. Some Prisoners being brought to town from the Army divers apprentices got together and indeavoured by a tumult to rescue them but it was prevented 10. At a Conference the Lords delivered reasons to the Commons why the three propositions should not be insisted on before a Treaty with his Majesty 1. That there may be no delay a speedy personal Treaty being so much desired and Petitioned for 2.
on both sides and they took sixty Dragoon Horses and Arms from the Parliaments Forces for restitution whereof Colonel Massey sent a Trumpeter to them and they promised to make restitution the next day Letters sent from both Houses to Sir T. F. and Colonel Massey to inform the Clubmen of the Parliaments intentions to relieve Taunton and to require them to depart peaceably to their habitations and that they should not be questioned for their rising otherwise to be taken as contemners of the Parliaments authority and to be fallen upon as Enemies The King's Letters taken at Naseby were read at the Common Council and observations upon them and they were appointed to be kept in a place where any might peruse the Originals for their satisfaction The Kingdom of Scotland sensible of the Calamities of the three Kingdoms in this Civil War drew up a Remonstrance by way of Summons to His Majesty to come and joyn with them in the Solemn League and Covenant and this being by consent of the general Assembly of that Kingdom was sent to His Majesty Whitelocke attended the House all this Morning and nothing was said to him in publick by reason of the other business about 12 a Clock he acquainted the House that he received a Letter from a worthy Member of the House signifying their pleasure that he should attend them which he now did accordingly and humbly desired to know what the business was Then it was moved by some that the Letter and Paper of the Lord Savile might be read to him others were for a time to be appointed two or three days after for this business Whitelocke desired it might be the next day Upon his suit it was appointed for the next day and that the Paper and Letters of the Lord Savile should be then ready and he to be heard to say what he thought fit to this business 4. The Justices of Peace not being informed of the order for Lusher the Priest to be sent out of the Kingdom proceeded in his Trial and he was convicted but the Commons ordered his Reprieve so was one White another Romish Priest Intercepted Letters of the Portugal Ambassadour were ordered to be broken open by the Committee of Examinations and notice thereof to be given to the Agent that he if he pleased might be present The Lord Fairfax had the Thanks of the House for his good service and the same ordered to be entred into the Journal of the House Sir T. F. was on his march to Taunton as far as Blandford where he joyned with Massey Goring had drawn off his Horse but left his Foot in the passages to block up Taunton The Scots Army were at Birmicham marching towards Worcester and in their way took about 80 of the Dudley Horse About ten a Clock some Friends of Mr. Whitelock's called upon the business appointed for the Day and the Letter of the Lord Savile with the Paper inclosed were read in the House to Mr. Whitelocke after which he stood up in his place and made Answer to it by way of Narrative to this effect Mr. Speaker I am happy since I must be under an Accusation which is no mean thing in this honourable House that this Gentleman my Lord Savile is my Accuser and more happy that you to whom I have been so long a Servant and who know my ways so well are to be my Judges I shall say nothing concerning my Lord Savile because he is my Accuser but to the parts of his Accusation I shall give you a short and true Answer with all ingenuity and submission to your great judgment His first part of the Accusation is that I was a person well affected to the King but he gives no instances thereof nor is it a crime to be well affected to my Sovereign we have all expressed the same in our Covenant I could give some instances to the contrary effect as the plunder of my Goods seizing the profits of my Lands indicting my person of High Treason for serving you and giving away my inheritance to Sir Charles Blunt a Papist which are no great motives to an extraordinary affection more than a Subject is obliged to his Prince But if my Lord Savile means by well affected to the King my being well affected to Peace I confess I am a passionate Lover of a good Peace and Seeker of it and thereby have testified my affection both to King and Parliament and the longer our Troubles continue the more we shall all be of this opinion and affection Sir I hope I may be thought capable to know my duty to my King and to understand what Protection I was to have from him the mutual Relations of both and further I hold my self disobliged The second Accusation is That I met at the Earl of Lindsey's Lodgings in Oxford to advise about the King's Answer to your Propositions and that I there did give advice to the King contrary to the trust reposed in me by you To this I answer That when your Commissioners came to Oxford we consulted together what among other things was fit for us to doe in point of Civilities and Visits whilst we were there and it was agreed by us all that we should not visit any that were excepted in your Propositions but that we might visit others who did visit or send Visits to us The Earl of Lindsey sent to visit Mr. Hollis and me with a Complement That he was not well else he would have come to visit us at our Lodgings And I having a particular relation and alliance to him we went together to return a visit to his Lordship and told our fellow Commissioners of our intentions before we gave the visit and they approved of it When we came to the Earl's Lodging we found there the Earl of Southampton the Lord Savile and some others but it was so far from an appointed meeting that I knew not of their being there till I saw them in the Chamber There was much discourse among us about your Propositions and they urged the unreasonableness of them we affirmed the contrary and vindicated your honour in them There was also discourse concerning the Scots Commissioners whom they affirmed to be averse to peace we assured them that they were not but willing to have a good peace There was likewise upon this occasion discourse of the Presbytery and of the Point of Jure divino we told them that the Scots were off from the rigid Presbytery and did not insist upon the Point of Jure divino They were then likewise discoursing of Tumults and of Persons and Petitions brought to Westminster in a violent and disorderly manner we did not speak of any violent Independent Party nor any the words mentioned in the Lord Savile ' s Paper nor that the Propositions were unreasonable They indeed pressed much upon that Argument that they were unreasonable particularly the Propositions concerning Religion and the Militia we told them that