Strickland were sent to Gravesend to entertain and conduct the Dutch Embassadour to the Parliament The City invited both Houses of Parliament to Dinner in Merchant Taylor 's Hall on such a day as the Parliament would appoint and the rather at this time the General Essex and the Earl of Manchester being in Town that the City might express their thankfulness to the Parliament for their unwearied labours and care for the defence and peace of the City and whole Kingdom The Houses returned thanks to the City and ingaged to live and die with them in this Cause and this was the rather contrived now that the Plot to raise differences between the Parliament and City and to bring in the King might appear to be the more frivolous The Parliament ordered publick thanks to be given at this Meeting at a Sermon and the Sunday after in all Parishes for the discovery and prevention of the Plot of Sir Bazil Brook A Ship laden with Arms and Ammunition sent from Bristol to relieve the King's Forces at Chester was by the Mariners compelling their Master brought in to Leverpool to the Parliament The Archbishop Laud was brought to the House of Peers and the impeachment against him read and he required to answer who said he was an old man and weak and could not answer without Counsel and desired a further time to answer which was granted Both Houses dined with the City at Merchant-Taylor's Hall in the morning they met at Sermon in Christ Church from thence they went on foot to the Hall the Trained Bands making a Lane in the Streets as they passed by First went the Lord Mayor and Aldermen in their Scarlet Gowns and the Common Council then the Lord General Lord Admiral Earl of Manchester and other Lords attended with divers Colonels and military Officers After the Lords came the Members of the House of Commons and the Commissioners of Scotland then the Assembly of Divines and as they went through Cheapside on a Scaffold many Popish Pictures Crucifixes and Superstitious Relicks were burnt before them The Lord Howard of Escrick petitioned for reparation of his losses by the Cavaliers out of Delinquents Estates The 22. of January being the day appointed for the Anti-Parliament to meet at Oxford the Parliament at Westminster called the House and there appeared 280 of their Members besides 100 more in the service of the Parliament in the several Counties and now they expelled by vote 40 Members who had deserted the Parliament The Anti-Parliament met at Oxford but have not taken upon them the name and power of Parliament The first day of Hillary Term the Commissioners of the Seal and the Judges sate in the several Courts at Westminster Hall The Ordinance passed That if any should deliver Proclamation or other thing to any persons from Oxford or sealed with any other Great Seal than that attending the Parliament that they should be proceeded against as Spies according to Marshal Law Monsieur de Harecourt sent a Letter to both the Speakers but not intituling them Speakers of the Parliament but only Messieurs Grey de Werke and Lenthall upon which the Parliament refused to accept the Letters Colonel Mitton routed a Party of the King's Horse convoying Arms and Ammunition to the Besiegers of Nantwich Mitton fell upon them unexpectedly killed many took Sir Nicholas Byron Governour of Chester Sir Richard Willis one hundred inferiour Officers and Troopers one hundred and fifty Horse and Arms and all the Ammunition and Powder which they brought from Shrewsbury The Lord Lovelace wrote to Sir Henry Vane Junior to perswade a Treaty of Peace and to raise divisions among the Parliaments party The House authorised Sir Henry Mr. St. John and Mr. Brown to keep a Correspondence with the Lord Lovelace to sift what they could out of him and his Lordship was too weak for these Gentlemen Three hundred Native Irish Rebels landed at Weymouth under the Lord Inchiquin to serve his Majesty Divers Papists Servants about the King's Children were removed Ogle for the King wrote to Mr. Thomas Goodwyn and Mr. Nye of the Independent Judgment to make great promises to them if they would oppose the Presbyterian Government intended by the Scots to be imposed on England and much to that purpose These two being persons of great Judgment and Parts acquainted their Friends herewith and were authorised to continue a Correspondence with Ogle who gained no ground upon them No more could Ogle upon the Governour of Ailesbury nor upon Mr. Davenish the one was sollicited to betray Ailesbury and the other Windsor with mountainous promises from Ogle on the King's part but all were refused The Scots Army now entred England were eighteen hundred foot and thirty five hundred of horse and Dragoons The Recorder and Citizens of London presented a Petition to the Commons for dispatch of the business of the Accounts of the Kingdom and for recruiting and reforming the Armies This gave a stroke of jealousie and discontent to Essex and his friends and the more because the House so well entertained it The Commons ordered Worcester-house to be furnished for the Scots Commissioners who desired some Members of both Houses might be appointed as a joynt Councel with them A Trumpet came from Oxford with Letters to the General and a Parchment-Roll signed by the Prince the Duke of York Duke of Cumberland Prince Rupert about fourty Lords and one hundred Knights and Gentlemen sometime Members of the House of Commons and now met by the King's Proclamation at the Assembly at Oxford to debate of the State and Peace of the Kingdom and to prevent effusion of more blood And therefore they desire the General to treat with his Friends and those by whom he is imployed not naming the Parliament to appoint a time and place to treat of Propositions of Peace The General acquainted the Parliament herewith who would not own nor receive the Letters having no Directions to them but left it to the General to return an Answer An Ordinance past to recruit the Lord General 's Army to 7500 Foot and 3000 Horse and Dragoons and they to have constant pay only eleven Officers to have but half pay The Forces of Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir William Brereton joyning together marched to relieve Nantwich The King's Forces before the Town drew out to fight them and gallant Actions were performed on both sides the event of the Battel was long doubtful till unexpectedly the King's Forces gave ground and were pursued by the Parliaments till they were totally routed and dispersed There were taken Prisoners Major General Gibson Earnley Sir Richard Fleetwood Sir Francis Boteler an Irish Rebel Colonel Monk who afterwards served the Parliament and this was his first turn Colonel Gibs Harmon Sir Ralph Downes fourteen Captains twenty Lieutenants twenty six Ensigns two Cornets two Quarter-masters forty Drums forty one Serjeants sixty three Corporals and
of some of the King 's and Queen's Letters taken at Naseby Fight 16. The House passed many Compositions for delinquency for Sir Richard Halford Sir John Cotton and others and appointed a Committee to examine the abuses of Sequestrators and Sollicitors of Committees Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army informed that they made a breach of about 30 foot wide in the Wall of Sherburne Castle and then sent a Summons And Sir Lewis Dives returned a peremptory denyal whereupon Sir Thomas Fairfax his men went on to storm 20 of the Garrison leaped over the Wall and came in to him demanding Quarter those within cryed out for a Parley but it was denied only Quarter offered for their Lives upon which terms the Parliament Souldiers soon made themselves masters of the Castle There they took Sir Lewis Dives the Governour and Sir John Stangeways formerly members of Parliament One of the Lord Paulet's Sons â—ussell an Attorney 10 Ministers divers of the Gentry and Commissioners of Array and 600 prisoners 1400 arms great store of Ammunition and Provisions 18. Order for the House to sit some daies in the week as a Grand Committee to consider of Propositions of Peace to be sent to his Majesty and the Scots Commissioners to be acquainted therewith Col. Rowe and Mr. Booker chosen by the City to go as Commissioners into Ireland were approved A Petition from Kent referred to a Committee Order for a Letter of thanks to Sir Thomas Fairfax and for a Day of thanksgiving for the taking of Bath Bridgwater and other Garrisons Goring failed of recruits in the West At Exeter an Oath was tendred to all the Inhabitants and Souldiers to oppose all forces not raised by the King's consent and particularly Sir T. F ' s. Army Letters informed that Prince Rupert had in Bristol a 1000 horse and 2000 Foot and took in a Garrison of the Parliaments called Stenchcombe where he put 40 men to the Sword in cold bloud In the King's march the Scotch horse fell upon his quarters at Bewley and took 70 horse and divers Officers At Litchfield the King confined Col. Hastings for delivering up of Leicester about Tilbury Sir John Gell fell upon his Rear took Captain Blake and others and 40 prisoners but the King's Forces returned upon him and rescued 20 of their own men and took 10 of Sir John Gell's prisoners Lieutenant G. David Lesly with the Scotch horse was near him and Mr. G. Pointz with 2500 horse Colonel Rositer with 1500 horse and the Country horse about 2000 intended to joyn together in all about 10000 horse to follow his Majesty 19. The House resolved That the Committees in the North had no power to appoint Governours of Forts there and the House nominated M. G. Pointz to be Governour of York and Colonel Sir Matthew Boynton of Scarborough A Declaration against Tumultuous Assemblies by any persons in Arms without Authority from the Parliament sent to Governours of Forts to be published and they impowered to seize on the Leaders of them to be proceeded against as Traytors Orders for Captain Doyley Governour of New-port Paganel to command the Regiment that was Sir Samuel Luke's Orders for levying the Arrears in London of the Assesment for Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army and for the Arrears to the Scots Army Order for money for several Forces 20. The House were in debate of the point for suspending from the Sacrament but nothing was determined in it Order for superstitious Pictures in York-House to be sold Orders for money and supplies for Garrisons Order That no foreign Impressions of English Bibles be vended here without perusal of the Assembly The King with 5000 Horse and Dragoons was at the Lord Fretswell's House and the Parliament forces not far from him G. Leven having planted his Batteries sent his summons to Hereford to come to a Parley and to expect no further offer A Book was brought into the House taken at Naseby fight wherein were the names of divers members of the House with summs of money supposed to have been contributed by them to the King and his Majestie 's hand in many places of it The Speaker said he had perused the Book and did not find there his own name nor Mr. Dunch or Mr. Whitelocke's name and he believed the reason was because the King had taken all from them 21. The House were in a Grand Committee in debate of new Elections for members and upon the Question it was carried by three voices to have new Elections and the Speaker ordered to issue out his Warrants for Writs for new Elections at Southwark Bury and Hithe and none to be chosen and sit unless they took the Covenant Both Houses granted a pass for the Lord Houghton the Earl of Clare's Son and another for Mr. Hollis's Son for going beyond Sea But Captain Bettisworth praying the like was desired to stay in England to doe further Service Sir Thomas Fairfax with advice of his Council of Warr proposed to go before Bristol The Plague was much in Scotland and Montross lately routed aBrigade of horse of the Covenanters 23. Order for supplies for M. G. Langherne and for 10 l. a Week to be allowed to his Wife in part of his Arrears A Bookseller questioned for Printing sheets unlicensed and order that none shall doe the like An Ordinance sent to the Lords for Mr. Case one of the Assembly to be Parson of Sapport in Cheshire Order for Colonel Jephson to beat up Drums for Voluntiers for Ireland Five hundred pounds Allowed to Scots Reformadoes Order for payment of Waggoners according to Contract and of Trades-men for their Commodities M. G. Brown continued very scrupulous and a discontent seemed to remain with him 25. Orders for recruits which came in but slowly for the Army and for money for the Forces of M. G. Massey A Petition of Ministers of London and Westminster concerning non-admittance of gross sinners to the Sacrament referred to the Grand Committee Order That the sad Condition of Scotland in respect of the sickness there and the late defeat given them by Montross shall be remembred in the publick prayers on the next fast day Upon Information of the King 's returning Southward and to prevent the plundering of his Souldiers and the breaking into the Associated Counties care was taken to put them into a posture of defence and for supplies of Garrisons in his way and Colonel Graves and Colonel Whaley were to go with more Forces into those parts Order for 300 l. for Colonel Graves The Scots Horse and Dragoons to whom M. G. Pointz Colonel Rositer and the Countrey Forces joyned makeing in all 10000 Horse and Dragoons got betwixt the King and the North so that he retreated back to Newarke a party of the Parliaments fell upon his Rear took the L. Harris a Papist 100 horse and divers prisoners From Newarke the King marched into Lincoln-shire where his Army
greatly mistaken especially in their Censures not so proper for Historians nor becoming the Authors towards so knowing and active Princes Councils and Commanders as they are pleased frequently to judge and to condemn that they are not to be relyed on for they are much different from the truth of the proceedings of those honourable Actors in that War The Marquess of Hambleton sent Rea to the King of Sweden to offer his Assistance and that he would bring over Forces to him but some suspected the Marquess to have a deeper design under this pretence to begin to raise Forces to back his intended purpose of making himself King of Scotland But the Marquess being full of subtilty and in great favour with the King he wiped off all suspicion of himself goes on with raising of his Army and conducted it into Germany But so little care was taken of provisions and accommodations for his Men that they were brought into a sick and shatter'd condition so that they mouldred away in a short time and the Marquess was forced to return to England without gaining any great Renown by this action wherein he neither did Service to the King of Sweden nor to himself or to the Protestant Cause in Germany The Papists in Ireland grew into a great height Monasteries were there erected Papists frequented their publick Meetings and Masses with as much confidence and as often as the Protestants did their Churches and some of their Priests being apprehended by authority of the Governours were tumultuously rescued by the people of Dublin The Earl of Essex made a second adventure of Marriage with a Daughter of Sir William Pawlet who was of great Beauty but little Fortune some suspicion was raised touching her and a Divorce perswaded but she had at length a Child and the Earl her Husband owned it The Feoffees in trust for the buying in of Impropriations to be bestowed upon preaching Ministers were brought into the Exchequer for the breach of their trust and for bestowing Maintenance upon Nonconformists their Corporation was dissolved and their Money adjudged to the King Huntley before-mentioned being grievously censured in the High Commission Court and by them imprisoned brought his Action of false Imprisonment against the Keeper Mr. Barker and some of the Commissioners by name The Attorney General by the command of the King moved the King's Bench that the Commissioners might be spared and the proceedings to be only against the Gaoler upon much debate it was at last ordered that two of the Commissioners only should answer The Archbishop of Canterbury who did blow the Coal in this business and had ingaged the Commissioners in the Cause being first set on foot by himself in wrong courses did press the King by the Bishop of London to stay the Proceedings against the Commissioners The King sent his Advocate Dr. Rives to the Chief Justice requiring him that there should be no further proceeding in the Cause till he had spoken with him The Chief Justice answered We receive the Message but upon Consultation together the Judges conceived the Message not to stand with their Oaths commanding an indefinite stay of a Cause between Party and Party and might stop the course of Justice so long as the King would And they conceived the Doctor no fit Messenger all Messages from the King to them being usually by the Lord Keeper or the King's Attorney in Causes touching the course of Justice By the Courts desire the Chief Justice acquainted the Lord Keeper herewith and Bishop Laud and they both said the Message was mistaken and that the King intended to be in Town again within seven or eight days and then to speak with the Judges about it This Interpretation qualified the Message and the Lord Keeper feemed to agree that the Commissioners ought not to be exempted from answering but that there should be as much slowness in it as might stand with Justice otherwise the Commissioners would be weary of their places to be put to such trouble and charges Judge Whitelocke insisted on three Points 1. That it was against Law to Exempt or Privilege any man from answering the Action of another that would sue him 2. If the Court should Exempt any where should they begin and where should they end 3. That it stood with the King 's Monarchical Power that it might be lawful for any Subject to Complain before him of any other Subject and to be answered in that Complaint The High Commissinoners not contented with the Judges Answer herein caused the King to assume the Matter to himself who sent for the Judges and in the presence of the Lord Keeper and others Commanded the Judges not to put the Defendants to Answer This was at the Importunity of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London pressed the business violently on the behalf of the Commissioners At last they parted charged with the King 's Express Command that they should not put the Commissioners to answer and the Judges stoutly answered that they could not without breach of their Oaths perform that Command and so they parted in displeasure Afterwards by the King 's special Command this Matter was handled at the Council-table in presence of the Judges and after long debate and hearing of the Bishops of London and Winchester two of the Privy-council and of the Judges and King's Attorney it was agreed that the Commissioners should answer And by the stout carriage and honesty of the Judges this was a good and quiet end of an angry Cause Anno 1631. Anno 1631 Some of the Imprisoned Parliament-men upon their Petition were remov'd from the Prisons wherein they then were to other Prisons to prevent the danger of the Sickness then increasing Sir Miles Hobert put in Sureties for his good behaviour and so was discharged from his Imprisonment Sir John Walter died a grave and learned Judge he fell into the King's displeasure charged by his Majesty for dealing cautelously and not plainly with him in the business concerning the Parliament-men as if he had given his Opinion to the King privately one way and thereby brought him on the Stage and there left him and then was of another Judgment His Opinion was contrary to all the rest of the Judges That a Parliament-man for misdemeanour in the House criminally out of his Office and duty might be only imprisoned and not further proceeded against which seemed very strange to the other Judges because it could not appear whether the Party had committed an Offence unless he might be admitted to his Answer The King discharged him of his Service by Message yet he kept his place of chief Baron and would not leave it but by legal proceeding because his Patent of it was Quam diu se bene gesserit and it must be tryed whether he did bene se gerere or not He never sate in Court after the King forbad him yet held his place till he died The
Habits Chariots Musick and all other parts of the former Solemnity and in the same state and equipage as it was before presented This also gave great contentment to their Majesties and no less to the Citizens especially to those of the younger sort and of the female sex and it was to the great honour and no less charge of the Lord May or Freeman The persons imployed in this Masque were paid justly and liberally some of the Musick had one hundred pounds apiece so that the whole charge of the Musick came to about a thousand pounds The Clothes of the Horsemen and the Liveries of their Pages and Lacquies which were at their own particular charge were reckon'd one with another at a hundred pound a Suit at the least and one hundred of those Suits to amount to ten thousand pounds The charges of all the rest of the Masque and matters belonging to it were reckon'd at as much more and so the charge of the whole Masque which was born by the Societies and by the particular Members of it was accounted to be above one and twenty thousand pounds A little while after the Masque was performed the Committee order'd Sir John Finch Mr. Gerling Mr. Hyde and Whitelocke to attend the King and Queen in the name of the four Inns of Court to return their humble thanks for their Majesties gracious acceptance of the tender of their service in the late Masque They were first brought to the King who gave to all of them his hand to kiss then Sir John Finch in the name of the rest spake to the King to this effect Sir by the Command of your Majestie 's most affectionate and loyall Subjects the Readers and Gentlemen of the Four Inns of Court we are here to attend you with their most humble thanks for your great Favour to them in your gracious acceptance of the tender of their Service and Affections to your Majesty in the late Masque presented to you and for vouchsafing your Royal Presence at it The King with great affability and pleasingness answered him presently to this purpose Gentlemen pray assure those from whom you come that we are exceeding well pleased with that Testimony which they lately gave us of their great respect and affection to us which was very acceptable and performed with that Gallantry and in so excellent a manner that I cannot but give them thanks for it and shall be ready upon all occasions to manifest the good opinion I have of them and to do them and you in particular any favour From the King they were brought to the Queen and kissed her hand and Sir John Finch her Attorney having made the like Complement to her Majesty she answered quick and well pleased That she never saw any Masque more noble nor beter performed than this was which she took as a particular respect to her self as well as to the King her Husband and desired that her thanks might be returned to the Gentlemen for it This being reported to the Benchers of each Society they gave thanks to their respective Members that were of the Committee for the Honour they had done to the Society by the well ordering of that business of the Masque Thus these Dreams past and these Pompes vanished It will be now time to return to the publick story of the latter part of this year The Arch-bishop Laud procured a sharp sentence to be passed in the Star Chamber against Prynne that he should be imprisoned during his life fined 5000 l. expelled Lincolns-Inne Disbarred and Disabled to Practice Degraded of his Degree in the University be set on the Pillory and his Ears to be cut off and his Book to be burnt by the common Hangman which sentence was as severely Executed But before the fine was estreated the Archbishop and other high Commissioners by their Warrant caused Prynne's Books and Papers to be seised upon and brought away from his Lodging and had them perused and sifted to find matter against him of which Prynne complaining in the Star Chamber the Arch-bishop denyed any such Warrant During Prynnes Imprisonment Dr. Bastwick a Physician was brought into the High Commission Court for his Book called Elenchus Papismi Flagellum Episcoporum Latialium in Answer to one Short a Papist who maintained the Pope's Supremacy the Mass and Popery And Bastwick's Epistle to his Book declared that he intended nothing against our Bishops but against those of Rome Yet this Dr. was sentenced by the high Commissioners in a thousand pound Fine to be Excommunicated debarred his practice of Physick his Books to be burnt and he to be Imprisoned till he made a Recantation and this was for maintaining the King's Prerogative against Papacy as the Doctor pleaded But on the other part one who was a fierce Papist named Chowney wrote a Book in defence of the Popish Religion and of the Church of Rome averring it to be a true Church and the Book was dedicated to and Patronized by the Archbishop so far was Chowney from being punished and questioned for that Doctrine In the censure of Bastwick all the Bishops then present denied openly that they held their Jurisdiction as Bishops from the King for which perhaps they might have been censured themselves in H. 2. or E. 3. times But they affirmed That they had their Jurisdiction from God only which denial of the Supremacy of the King under God H. 8. would have taken ill and it may be would have confuted them by his Kingly Arguments and Regiâ manu but these Bishops publickly disavowed their dependance on the King And the Archbishop maintained the Book of Chowney and that the Romish Church was a true Church and erred not in Fundamentals and somewhat was noted to pass from him and other Bishops in defaming the holy Scriptures and Calvin was very much slighted and abused by them I cannot precisely aver all this though I heard most of it as it is here set down and heard the rest of it to this purpose from those who were present at the debating of these matters in the high Commission Court Anno 1634. Car. 9 Our Coasts were much infested by Pyrats even by Turks and Algiers men to the great prejudice of trade The Dutch men became almost Masters of the Sea in the Northern fishing Overtures were made concerning Herring fishing and Busses for our own Coasts and to prevent Strangers Some petty quarrels fell out between us and the Hollanders about those matters of fishing upon which Grotius did write his Book of Mare liberum but is clearly answered by that learned treatise of Selden's called Mare clausum The King finding the Controversie begun and that it must be maintained by force which his want of money could not doe He by the advice of his Attorney Noy and of the Lord Keeper Coventry who as far as his learning in those matters did extend and that was not far did approve and assist the project And by
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
Colonel Washingham a Serjeant Major three Captains and divers Officers divers other small skirmishes were in several Countries between both Parties The Scots besieged Newcastle and took a main Outwork and beat back the Enemy sallying out upon them The Marquess of Newcastle being in the Town burnt a hundred houses in the Suburbs the Inhabitants clamour against him Seven of the Parliaments Frigots lay in the Mouth of the Haven to stop their passage by Sea The Marquess ordered the firing of the Cole-mines but that was prevented by General Lesley's surprizing of all the Boats and Vessels Some Irish Rebels landing at Beaumarice for the King Prince Rupert sent a Regiment to convoy them to Worcester but Colonel Mitton fell upon them by the way routed them and took many Prisoners and Arms from them The King's Forces took in some small Garrisons near Gloucester A Party of Horse from Northampton routed Sir William Dormer's Troop near Banbury and took about fourty of them The Commons in favour to the Scots Commissioners agreed to an exchange of Colonel Goring for the Lord Lowthian They appointed a Committee to take the Accounts of Billets and free quarter taken by the Lord General 's Forces in Herefordshire and to make allowance for it The two Sir John Evelyns were readmitted to the House upon their Petition for the benefit of the Declaration of both Kingdoms and took the Covenant There was some disagreement between the two Houses about settling the Committee of Safety or Council of State and the Oath of Secrecy to be taken by them The Anti-Parliament at Oxford were busie in drawing up some Propositions of Peace to be tendred to both Houses here About twenty men in disguised habits like women with long Knives were to have entred Nottingham and surprised the Guards and let in the King's Forces but they were discovered and some of them taken A Party of the Garrison of Poole hearing of three thousand pounds sent by Prince Rupert to Weymouth fell upon the Convoy took the Money a hundred Horses many Prisoners and their Arms. More Irish Rebels landed near Chester under the Command of the Earl of Corke and the Lord Inchiquin some of them plundred the Lady Drake's house in Dorsetshire stripped the Lady and then burned her house to the ground Sir John Gell routed a party of the King's horse under Colonel Hastings took a hundred and twenty horse many Prisoners and their Arms. March 1643. The Commons sent to the Lords to hasten the Tryal of the Archbishop of Canterbury A Trumpet brought a Letter from the Earl of Forth to the Lord General Essex and in that was a Letter from the King directed in these words To the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westminster Upon this was a great Debate whether this Letter should be received because it did not acknowledge the Parliament here otherwise than those at Oxford and was not according to the usual Directions To the Speaker of one or both of his houses of Parliament or to the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament In conclusion this Letter was referred to a Committee to open it and to make report thereof to the House Colonel Cromwell was sent by Manchester to guard Ammunition from Warwick to Gloucester he by the way took in Hilsden-house and in it Sir Alexander Denton the owner Colonel Smith many inferiour Officers about a hundred horse thirteen Barrels of Powder store of Pillage and a hundred seventy three common Souldiers besides fourty slain being Walloons and other Foreigners then he gave an Alarm to Oxford and so went on to Gloucester Another Party from Warwick fell upon the Prince's Troop near Banbury in their quarters and took sixty of them The Lord Willoughby of Parham and Sir John Meldrum with about five thousand Horse and Foot sate down before Newark the Garrison sallying forth forced Sir John Meldrum's Regiment to retreat but the Lord Willoughby came up gallantly with his Regiment beat them back into the Town and took a piece of Ordnance and divers Prisoners and rescued those whom they had taken of Sir John Meldrum's men Divers of the Irish about fifteen hundred were cast away at Sea coming to serve his Majesty Poole Garrison beat up the Lord Inchiquin's Regiment of Irish Rebels took divers Prisoners two pieces of Ordnance killed many and fired their Magazine It was observed the Irish coming over hither never did any Service considerable but were cut off some in one place some in another in all places the Vengeance of God follows blood-thirsty men Directions were sent to Mr. Strickland the Parliaments Agent at the Hague to tender the Covenant to all the English in those Countries and to certifie the Names of such as refused it The Prince Elector in a Letter to both Houses declares the content and satisfaction he takes in the Covenant and wishes success to their proceedings in pursuance of that loyal and pious Covenant The Parliament gave Authority to Sir William Brereton as to other Commanders to levy Moneys by Sequestrations c. in the Counties where they command and the like power was given to Commissioners to reside in the Scots Army and to make supplies and provision for them The King's Letter referred to a Committee was reported to a Committee of both Houses the effect whereof was That in regard of the sad Condition of the Kingdom that some of the Members of Parliament at Westminster may meet with some of the Members of Parliament at Oxford to agree upon a place where both those at Westminster and those at Oxford may meet in a full Convention of Parliament to settle Religion with liberty to tender Consciences the true Rights of the King Parliament and Kingdom The Lords upon this Letter sent their Observations to the Commons That the King expresseth his opinion that those at Oxford who have deserted and fought against the Parliament are yet equal Members with those at Westminster whom the King hath often acknowledged the true Parliament and confirmed their Acts. They propound that a Letter may be sent from both Houses to his Majesty to represent this to be a free Parliament and to intreat his Majesty to return to it according to his Oath to maintain the Laws Liberties and Privileges of Parliament and that if he return not by a day then they will take care to manage Affairs as shall seem most meet They also propounded That a Declaration be published upon these Points and to undeceive the Kingdom To all which the Commons unanimously consented The General sent in a List of the Officers of his Army and a Committee was named to consider with his Excellency which should continue in Command and the rest to be provided for if they will serve as Reformadoes They took care for the continuance of the Excise and Customs to provide Moneys for their Armies Five worthy Ministers were appointed to attend upon and to preach to the
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
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
Cooke and Sir Robert Cooke discharged 26. Petition of Captain Sheffield referred Money given to some who had lost their eyes in Ireland 27. The French Ambassador had his audience in usual State and Ceremony in both Houses The substance of his Speech was to desire a happy accommodation between the King and Parliament and presented himself as a Mediator for composure of them if in any thing the Houses thought fit to make use of him But nothing was then done upon it An explanatory Ordinance touching the Sale of Bishops Lands A Letter and Declaration of the Parliament of Ireland by way of address to the Parliament of England for relief and supplyes referred to the Committee of Irish affairs and orders for Supplyes and the Messenger ordered to return to the Parliament of Ireland to acquaint them therewith March 1646. March 1. A Petition of many thousand young men and Apprentices of London ingeniously Penned and desiring That all occasions of breaches between the well affected Party may be taken away That those who have adventured their lives for the Parliament may be countenanced and the contrary Party not favoured and that a sufficient Guard and Strength may be kept up for the safety of the Kingdom That they may enjoy the Grants and Priviledges of the City and that some times for Recreation may be set apart for Servants The House sent thanks to the Petitioners for their good Affections Upon a Letter from Major General Skippon of his settlement of the Garrison of Newcastle a Letter of thanks Ordered to him Both Houses continued the Commissioners of the Seal for twenty days longer A Commission past for Mr. Strickland to go over Agent to the Low-Countries Both Houses gave an Allowance to the Earl of Chesterfield with an intimation That he do not entertain Malignant Preachers in his House nor use the Book of Common-Prayer Divers Votes for Dismantling Garrisons 2. Further progress about Dismantling Garrisons Letters from the Commissioners at Holmeby with a List of those appointed to attend the King and an estimate of Charges Vote that the List be not allowed as to an Establishment and the Charges referred to the Committee of the Revenue and the Commissioners desired not to exceed in them Order to know of the Commissioners of Scotland whether they have power to joyn with the Parliament in procuring His Majesties consent to the Propositions and Sale of Bishops Lands The Commissioners could not persuade the King to hear their Chaplains 3. Votes for slighting Garrisons Instructions past by the Lords for the Judges for hearing of Criminal Causes 4. Order for One thousand three hundred pounds for the Lord Willoughby of Parham for his Arrears and that what his Lordship shall propound further for the remainder the House will be ready to grant Addition of fifty pounds per Mens for the maimed Souldiers The Scots Commissioners here answered to the Parliaments question That they had not now power to joyn for procuring His Majesties consent to the Propositions but expected it speedily from their Parliament 5. After long debate carryed upon the question That Sir Thomas Fairfax shall be General of the Forces to be continued and some wondered it should admit a debate and question 6. Votes for Forces and Supplies for Ireland Of Foot seven Regiments three thousand Horse one thousand two hundred Dragoons out of the Army and the House will consider the Charge of maintaining all the Forces in Ireland and how they may be under one Pay and Establishment The General Collonel Hammond and others expressed their willingness to further the business of Ireland and Collonel Hammond to go himself 8. Votes concerning the Forces to be kept in Ireland That no Member of the House of Commons shall have the Command of any Garrison under Sir Thomas Fairfax in England That there be no Officer above a Collonel That they shall all take the Covenant That none who hath born Arms against the Parliament shall be in Command That they shall all Conform to the Established Government of the Church Nor any Prophane or Scandalous person The Officers to be chosen by the Parliament The Lords Ordered the Sale of the Miters Copes c. brought from Oxford and that Magistrates do put in Execution the Laws against Rogues c. for relief of the poor A Proclamation of Major General Skippon for all Papists to bring in their Arms to Newcastle and he desired the Sheriffs of Northumberland and Durham with the Gentlemen of each County to give a List of the places fittest for Quartering of his Soldiers which they took very well from him 9. Order for One thousand nine hundred pounds to Sir William Constable in full of all his Arrears Discharge of some Prisoners Order for a Committee to imprison Preachers not Ordained Approbation of Collonel Hammonds going for Ireland and the conditions The King sent another Letter to the Parliament to have two of His Chaplains come to him and told the Commissioners That he had not power to Command them or any man but would importune them to be instrumental in satisfying his reasonable desire The Lord Lisle landed at Corke and presently sent forth a Party into the Rebels Country where Lieutenant Collonel Croccar and the rest did good service 10. The day of Humiliation against Blasphemies and Heresies 11. Lieutenant Freeman being indicted at the Assizes for doing service for the Parliament the House Ordered his relief Some Members sent to the Judges required them to discharge such Persons and Causes as concern matters done in relation to the War Upon a Petition from Essex that the Souldiers quartered there might be removed the House left it to the General to Quarter his Army as he should think fit and satisfied the Petitioners 12. An Ordinance Read for respiting Tryals and Judgments in Criminal Causes relating to the War till the pleasure of the Houses be known Votes for Collonel Fortescue Lieutenant Collonel Butler Collonel Rous Captain St. Aubin Captain Keckwith and Captain Rous to be Governours of Forts Sir Thomas Fairfax came to Cambridge and was highly caressed and a Latin Oration made to him by a Fellow of Trinity Colledg who had been a Souldier in his Regiment In the Chappel they presented him with a rich Bible in the Hall with a sumptuous Banquet Then the Town entertained him with a stately Banquet and at the Schools he was made a Master of Arts. 13. Many Governours of Garrisons Voted and an Ordinance sent up to the Lords for continuing Tunnage and Poundage 15. Debate about the business of Ireland A Counter-Petition to the London Petition discovered by one Boys at a Conventicle where it was produced and signed was referred to the Committee where Collonel Lee hath the Chair to find out the Authors Ordered that none who have been put out of their Livings for scandalous Malignancy shall be admitted into any without consent of both Houses Orders for new Elections and for
a competent Force to secure Cattaway Bridge and other Bridges behind them 26. Both Houses agreed upon a Committee to consider of the manner and place of Treaty with his Majesty for settling the Peace of the Kingdom Vote that the Election of M r Mildmay was void and Sir John Clotworthy to be readmitted a Member of the House A note was sent to D r Burges in his Pulpit desiring him to give thanks to God for preserving his Majesty from Poysoning and to pray for the Forces under the Earl of Norwich the Lord Capel and Sir Marmaduke Langdale Order that the Militia of London do send for the Parties whose names were subscribed to this note and that Bishop Wren and M r Capel the Lord Capel's Son be added to those who are to be sent Prisoners to his Excellency and to be exchanged for or used as the Committee of Essex in restraint with the Lord Goring are Northern Letters that Major General Lambert hath retaken Appleby Castle and Greystock Castle and some Arms and Ammunition that the Lancashire Forces one Regiment of good Horse and two Regiments of Foot are joyned with him that they advanced eight thousand Horse and Foot against Langdale who retreated to Carlisle and avoided fighting but sent eight Troops of Horse whereof two were Gentlemen excellently Mounted towards Berwick and their Motions were attended by Colonel George Fenwick and M r Sanderson That the Scots are daily expected by Langdale but many of the contrary Party both Scots and English fly into England and affirm that the Prince is expected in Scotland that great violence is used towards all that will not adhere to the new War Some Ministers executed more imprisoned all to be secured and their goods confiscated who oppose this War that there are great distractions and feuds among them A Petition from the Inhabitants of Colchester and a Letter from the Lord Goring in their behalf was brought to the General that Liberty might be granted to the Bay and Say makers in that Town to have a free trade with London during the Siege The General answered that they should have considered this and divers other inconveniences of War before they had admitted the Forces now in their Town He recites the former subduing of the Parliaments Enemies and the quiet and free trade thereby enjoyed by that Town and all the Kingdom till this new War That the present interruption of their trade is brought upon them not by his default but by those whom the Town hath harboured and the Townsmen and that to grant liberty of trade to persons besieged so much advantage to them and prejudice to the besiegers is such a motion as was never yet granted That their hopefullest way to a free trade will be to attend to a restitution of the Town and County to the condition they were in before these Forces were among them and as in order thereto he offer'd fair conditions in a Letter to the Lord Goring Lord Capell and Sir Charles Lucas though perhaps concealed from the Town though they be rejected by them yet that he shall be ready to make good the same to all that shall timely imbrace them except those three persons themselves That in the mean time there are with him sundry Gentlemen of Quality and Towns-men of good estates and eminent in trade who offer to buy all the Bayes and Sayes in the Town at the usual prices and to pay for them within a fortnight after the Town shall be rendred or quitted to him And that though it be without example to a besieged Town yet he will give leave for their commodities to be brought to a heath near the Town to be bargained or returned back as there shall be occasion A Trumpet came from the Lord Capell to desire the General that an agent of the Bay and Say-makers of the Town might come and treat with his Excellency about their free trade The Lord Capell's Trumpeter and Colonel Paptons Trumpeter and divers Souldiers came from the Enemy to the General according to his Proclamation The Lord Goring to keep up the spirits of his Party when they asked what the Generals Trumpet came so often about to them he answered that it was for a treaty and that the General offered fifty thousand Pounds to the Lord Goring to permit him quietly to draw off with his Army 27. A Petition from the Lord Major Aldermen and Common Council of London to both Houses of Parliament That a personal Treaty may be had between his Majesty and both Houses of Parliament in London or some other convenient place to which Treaty our Brethren of Scotland may be invited that so according to our Allegiance and the Covenant his Majestys Royal person honour and Estate may be preserved the power and priviledge of Parliament maintained the just rights and Liberties of the subject restored Religion and Church Government in purity established all differences composed and a firm and lasting Peace concluded The Lords gave the Petitioners thanks for the continuance of their good affections and inclinations to Peace The House of Commons related to them what they had done and the Committee they had appointed in order to settlement of the Peace of the Kingdom and gave them thanks for their good affections Additional ordinances passed for the Militia's of Westminster and for York Some of the Forces in Colchester were drawn out into the Orchards and Closes under their Works the Parliaments Foot went presently into the Field beat the Enemy into their guards and made those run that kept the Guard took their hour-Glass set their guard House on Fire killed two and brought one Cook of Greenwich away Prisoner The Enemy quitted Sir Harbottle Grimston's House and retreated to the Lord Bannings House The Tower Regiment marched over the new Bridge and intrenched themselves about the Northgate Colonel Whaley with some Horse fired the Enemies wind-mills 28. The monthly fast day Letters from Colchester Leaguer that the Suffolk Forces fell upon the Enemy killed two and took twenty Prisoners whereof eight Kentish men and two London Apprentices who had chewed bullets rowled in sand in their pockets contrary to the Law of Armes that Colonel Needham was â—lain with such a shot That the same day thirty of the Parliaments Horse fell upon two Troops of the Enemy killed two and Wounded many that the Enemy suspecting a battery sallyed out in the night with a hundred Horse in a full cariere thinking to surprise some of the besiegers but failing they advanced in a swift march to the Horse guards came within the Centries and charged pistols That the main guard beat them back to the hedges which they had lined with Musquetiers but little hurt was done on either side Intelligence came that the Enemy from Pontfract had possessed themselves of Axcombe Island near Trent 29. A Petition from the younger Brothers of Trinity House another from the Commanders Masters and
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
28. Divers Souldiers and Agitators apprehended in several places May 1660. 1. Sir John Greenvile of the Bed-Chamber to the King brought from Breda his Majesties Letter and Declaration to the House of Lords His message and declaration to the House of Commons His Letter and Declaration to Monk to be communicated to his Officers And His Majesties Letter and Declaration to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council of London By the Declaration The King grants a free generall pardon to all that shall lay hold of it within forty daies except such as the Parliament shall except and a liberty to tender Consciences and that none be questioned for difference of Opinion in matters of Religion which do not disturb the Peace of the Kingdom That differences and all things relating to grants sales and purchases shall be determined in Parliament and he will consent to Acts for that purpose and for satisfaction of the Arrears to Monk ' s Officers and Souldiers and they to be received into His Majesties Service and Pay These things being read in the House of Commons Mr. Luke Robinson formerly a most fierce man did now first magnifie his grace and goodness The Lords House gave thanks to Sir John Greenvile and declared That according to the ancient and fundamentall Laws of this Kingdom the Government is and ought to be by King Lords and Commons And the Lords desired that some way may be considered how to make up the Breaches and to obtain the King's return again to his people They voted a Committee to joyn with a Committee of the House of Commons to consider of an answer to His Majesties Gracious Letter and Declaration and to prepare something in order to this business The King's Letter and Declaration to the House of Commons was read and his Letter to Monk and they named a Committee to prepare an answer to the King's Letter expressing the joyfull sense of the House of His Gracious offers and their humble thanks for them with profession of their Loyalty and Duty to his Majesty and that they will give a speedy answer to His Gracious Proposals The House resolved to present 50000 l. to the King and the Committee ordered to go to the City to advance it upon security and interest and to treat about raising a further summ for the Army Order for Monk to communicate his Letter from the King to the Officers and Souldiers and to return an answer to the King which Monk did accordingly and it was received with great joy Order to enter the King's Letter in the Journall Book The Commons agreed with the Lords Vote of Government by King Lords and Commons and appointed a Committee to search the Journals what Acts or Orders there had been made inconsistent herewith An Assessment agreed of 70000 l. per mensem for three months Bonfires and ringing of Bells and great Guns fired in joy of these resolves 2. An Address to Monk from the Officers of the Army rejoycing in his Majesties offers of Indemnity of Liberty of Conscience satisfaction of Arrears and confirmation of purchases read in Parliament Dr. Clerges a Member of the House had leave to go to the King from Monk Sir John Greenvile that brought the King's Letter had the thanks of the House and 500 l. ordered for him to buy him a jewell The City had leave to send an answer to the King's Letter to them Letters that Lambert's party were all discharged and dispersed The City agreed to lend 50000 l. to the House of Commons 3. Orders touching returns of Elections The Lords agreed upon some of their Members six to be sent to the King and the Common Council of London did the like and gave 300 l. to the L. Mordant and Sir John Greenvile who brought the Letters from the King to buy each of them a Ring 4. The Commons agreed to an Order of the Lords for favour to the D. of Bucks for restoring his Estate The House gave leave to the Members of the Common Council named by them to go to the King and resolved to send twelve of their own Members to His Majesty Dr. Clerges with others went to the King with Monk's answer to the King's Letters to him and the Address of the Army 5. Orders touching returning of Elections An Opinion being discoursed abroad That the Long Parliament could not be dissolved but by themselves and the King 's and Lords consent which was not had for their dissolving and another Opinion being given out That if the Long Parliament were dissolved then the Trienniall Parliament was to take place and no other by that Act of Parliament The Commons thereupon passed a Bill for removing of disputes touching the sitting of this Parliament And they passed a Declaration for adjourning part of next Easter Term to which the Lords concurred and the Commons agreed that the E. of Manchester be one of the L. L. Commissioners for the Great Seal G. Mountague at Sea to whom the Letter to Monk was also directed from the King upon the receipt of it and of the Declaration he called together the Officers of the several Ships and communicated the Letter and Declaration to them who expressed great joy and satisfaction therein and desired Mountague to represent the same with their humble thanks to his Majesty Then Mountague fired the first Gun himself and all his Ships answered it round with loud Acclamations as their General had done crying God bless the King and the General gave two Pipes of Canary to his men 7. Order of the Common Council that at his Majesties return the new Park which Oliver had given them should be presented to the King and he assured that the City had only kept it as Stewards for his Majesty The Commons gave leave to General Mountague to return an answer to the King's Letter to him Resolved by both Houses that the King be proclaimed to morrow King of England Scotland France and Ireland and a Committee of both Houses to consider of the manner of it A Declaration against tumults and to continue Justices of Peace and other Officers in their places The King's Statue again set up in Guild-Hall and the States Armes taken down and the Kings Arms set up in their place Monk removed his Guards out of the City Collonel Salmon discharged upon security New Flags and Standards and Paintings ordered for the Ships 8. Resolved by the Commons That the King be desired to make a speedy return to his Parliament and to the exercise of his Kingly Office A Committee appointed to consider of the manner of his Majesties return and to prepare things necessary for his Reception The King was solemnly proclaimed at Westminster Hall-Gate the Lords and Commons standing bare by the Heralds whilst the Proclamation was made Then he was proclaimed in the several usual places in the City the Lord Mayor Recorder and Officers being present
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