or trust to the swiftnesse of their horses heels but very few of them escaped among which were the Dukes of York and Glocester though the first was not heard of till three daies after which made some suspect that he was taken by the French Forces but by Turine after at a fit opportunity nobly releast I may particularly take occasion here to commend the valour of the Duke of York's own Troop who indeed bore the brunt of the whole Battel though I cannot deny but they were seconded by some very Noble spirits of the Spaniards but the personal valour of Mr. Henry Bendish son to Sir Thomas Bendish Ambassadour for the English Nation in Turky who had the ill fortune to be taken prisoner must not be forgotten Let us now change the Scene a little to England where the Protector begins to die the Scaffold in as deep a purple as the Vest given him at his late Instalement bore and that not onely with the bloud of those seculars that were loyal to their Soveraign but having as he thought now secured to himself the Government his hand reaches to the sacred Clergy nor will he strike at a reed or a shrub amongst them but imitating the Ancient fable of the Iupitrian Thunder strikes at the Olympus the Atlas the mainest pillar and support of the Protestant Religion for no lesse then the Reverend Doctor Hewet's blood will now satisfie his insatiate Cruelty a man whose vertues and piety as they were beyond expression so I think was the manner of his death beyond example This Doctor Sir Henry Slingsby who had ever since the forementioned rising in Yorkshire layn prisoner in Hull Castle with many others are accused of a design to have seized on the Tower of London and the Magazine at Hull both in one day the one by a divine the other by a Prisoner but these persons must have several others to be their assistants and that especially in London who while the Doctor was securing the Tower must fire the City of London in several places Those that make plots may as easily discover them and with as much ease prevent them the Protector could do both but to make some shew of a great deel of fear in the businesse Worthy Alderman Tichburn then Lord Mayor of London is immediately commanded to settle the Militia the Protector telling him as he easily might that there was a grand design in hand probably of his own contriving against his Government that the Marquess of Ormond had lately been in England transacting about it that the Common Enemy for so was his sacred Majesty then styled lay ready with a potent Army ships hired to transport them on the Sea coasts of England and that therefore the Militia should be settled in confiding hands meaning such either whose interest or fear must render them faithful to the Protector shortly after according to the common course the persons to be accused are apprehended the chief of which were Dr. Hewet Mr. Iohu Mordant brother to the Earl of Peterborough Col. Ashton Capt. Henry Mallory Mr. Woodcock Iohn Betteley Edmund Stacy Henry Fryer Iohn Sumner and Oliver Allen who were all accused to be complices of this grand design And because no English Law could take away these mens Lives The ordinary Tyrannical way of a High Court of Justice must do it Sir Henry Slignsby who was brought prisoner from Hull Castle was the first who came before them and is accused for having endeavoured to draw the Governor of that Castle from his Allegience excellently good to the Protector and pleading not guilty yet was by two Witnesses found ready convicted and condemned Dr. Hewet being come before them according to the example of his Royal Master King Charles the first refused to plead or own the Iurisdiction of the Court for which contempt as they were pleased to interpret it he had the same sentence pronounced against him and was afterwards together with Sir Henry Slingsby executed on Tower-hill Mr. Mordant brother to the Earl of Peterborough disavowed likewise the Authority of the Court but at last being induced to plead was acquitted so was Mr. Woodcock Mallory Fryer sumner and Allen were sentenced but reprieved Ashton Stacy and Bettely were hanged drawn and quartered in several places of London And here we must not forget the magnanimous death of Iohn Betteley who having made a Speech clearing his Innocency and the justness of his Cause undauntedly leapt off the Ladder and died a worthy sufferer for the Royal Interest His sacred Majesty during these strange Murders and oppressions of his Subjects in England by a power which had usurpt the Regality is forced to sit still his urgent necessities not giving him leave either to revenge their deaths or redeem the surviving who heavily groaned under the yoke his onely remedy now was his prayers to God which he pursues with an earnest devotion that he would be pleas'd in his good time to deliver his faithful Subjects from those miseries and burdens they then struggled under and without doubt God hath heard and will perform his pious desires As an introduction to which it pleased the DIVINE MAJESTY to take out of this world the grandest opposer of his Majesty's Right OLIVER CROMWELL who from a mean beginning had raised himself by force to be the arbitrary Governour of these Nations is by the Almighty called to give an account of his actions before the High Tribunal of Heaven where are neither false witnesses nor interessed Judges and that on the same day on which he had gained two such signall victories over his Majestie's forces at Dunbar and Worcester viz. on the third day of September Yet he thought he had so certainly secured the Government of these three Nations for himself and that he nominates his son Richard for his Successour a person to speak the truth as not at all endowed with his fathers courage so not at all inclined to his ambition one whom if fame lies not of him could have willingly been content to have surrendred his Protectorship to the Kingship of the lawfull heir and by law undoubted Successour But those Officers of the Army whose ambition though not in so high a degree had so engaged them as Complices to Oliver Cromwell in his high late designes against his King and Countrey had so great a load of guilt upon their consciences that they could not hear of much less agree to the admission of his sacred Majesty Nor was it indeed only thus but some ambitious spirits there were and particularly Maj. â—eneral Lambert whose high-flown thoughts made him fancy Idea's in his brain and forc't him to attempt the enterprising to make him Commander of these three Nations as Oliver by his means had done before which designes of his in the sequell ruin'd him and discovered those grand cheates and abuses which that party had put upon the Nation endeavouring to enslave them to their own arbitrary power whilst they pretended those
by the carelessness of the Commanders or security of the Souldiers I am loath to judge this mighty Army then beleaguring Dublin was beat from before it by the besieged and utterly routed by the third part of it's Number This overthrow the repulse of Sir Robert Stuart and Col. Mervin from London-Derry by Sir Charles Coot and Cromwell's suddain landing in Ireland whose motion now there was no field Army either to attend or oppose made his Majesties affairs grow almost as desperate in Ireland as they were before in England But the Scots Kirk who had sold their King into the hands of the Independent English Army after they heard that they had condemned him to death repent them of their Wicednesse wash their hands from any guilt in his bloud Expostulate with the English sitting in Parliament about their so severe proceedings and protest against having any hand in his Murder and to make the world believe they had yet some touch of loyalty within them they had just after his death proclaimed Charles Prince of VVales eldest Son to the late murthered King Charles the first and his lawfull and undoubted Heir King of Great Britain France and Ireland and had immediately resolved in the Committee of Estates then sitting to send some sitting persons to treat with his Majestie about sundry Articles before his reception to the Crown but long Debates and demurrs there were in the businesse before they could resolve what and whom to send For some there were in this Grand Committee of Estates who fee'd or seduced by the Sectaries in England impeaded to the utmost of their power and endeavours all proceedings in the businesse so that once instead of debating what or whom they should send to his Majestie it came to be a debate whether they should send or no but at length a letter and propositions was by the prevailing part concluded on and Mr. Windram Laird of Libberton appointed to be the Messenger who on the 25. of September 1649. received his dispatches and some time after arrived before his Majestie at Iersey The chief of their desires was to this effect 1. That his Majesty would graciously be pleased himself to sign the solemn League and Covenant and that he would passe an Act in Parliament that every person in that Kingdome might take it 2. That he would passe divers Acts of the Parliament of Scotland which was concluded on the two last Sessions 1. For approving of their disclaiming Duke Hamilton's last return 2. For receiving severall Acts made by English for the Militia 3. That the Kings of Scotland may have no negative voice 3. That his Majestie would recall the late Commissions given to Montrosse 4. That he would put away all Papists from about him 5. That he would appoint some place about Holland to treat with their Commissioners An honour able Company of the most noble Lords in Scotland being to be appointed to attend his Majesty to whom likewise they would send a sufficient provision to maintain him a train suitable to his birth and deserved Greatnesse 6. That he would be graciously pleased to give a speedy answer to their desires These Propositions were very stifly debated Pro and Con some were so fierce that they would have his Majesty utterly reject the Scâ—â—s Propositions as dishonourable and disadvantageous to his affairs Others were of opinion that it would more conduce to the Kings Interest to accept of such Conditions as he could agree with the Scotch Commissioners which would be a readier way to attain the Crown then by Montrosses his designs who had lately received Commissions from the King to assault the North of Scotland with what force he could raise however the businesse was still demurred and delayed and no answer for a good while given to the Lord Libberton who earnestly prest it till such time as answer could come from Montrosse then in Holland and out of France touching their opinions concerning these Propositions concerning which Montrosse teturned answer to his Majesty desiring him to hear ken to the Scots Commissioners whilst they would propose and agree to any thing which might stand with his Majesties honour for the restoring him to his Rights and Dignities That for himself he should rather be content to endure banishment from his Highnesse sight and person then in the least prejudice his affairs Thus this faithfull and loyall servant courted Banishment as the late famous Earle of Strafford had done death for his Master 's good and service but too generous was he and had too great a sense of goodness and gratitude to grant his request but returned him this answer That he had so high a sense of his fidelity and loyalty all along and that he had performed so many signall services both for his father and himself that he could not in honour leave him and therefore desired him to presse him no farther The Queen Mother likewise earnestly presses her son to the acceptance of the Scotch Propositions for a Treaty as the onely and readiest way for the establishing of him in his Kingdomes These resolves of his Mother and the Marquess of Montrosse wrought strongly with his Majesty yet not withstanding they are as stoutly opposed by the Lord Cleveland Byron Gerard and others whose chief opposition proceeded from the alledged Treachery of the Scots to his father That they were Scots still and might practice the same upon him But the majority of voices carrying it for a Treaty it was resolved on yet in regard it would require some time to frame an answer Sir William Flemming was sent Agent to the Committee of Estates in Scotland till such time as the Laird Libberton could be dispatch't Short time after Mr. Windram returned into Scotland with a Letter instructions by word of mouth whereby he gave the Committee of Estates who having long expected were therefore more desirous to hear what he now brought an account how much he found his Majesty compliant to their Propositions viz. That as to what acted in the two last Sessions of Parliament he was content a General Act of Oblivion should be passed but could not approve it That neither those of Montrosses nor Duke Hamilton's party in his last engagement should bear Office in State without consent of Parliament That he had appointed Breda in Holland for the place of a solemn Treaty for the making of a full accommodation and agreement between him and his loving Subjects of Scotland The Contents of his Letter were as followeth For the Committee of Estates of Scotland CHARLES R. WE have received your Letters lately presented to us by Mr. Windram of Libberton and we accept graciously all the expressions of affection and fidelity therein contained towards us with your tender resentment of our present Condition and the just indignation which you professe to have against the execrable Murther of our Father And we believe that your intentions are full of Candor towards us as we are and alwayes really have been
are approved by the general Assemblies of this Kirk Parliament of this Kingdome and that I shall give my Royal assent to Acts and Ordinances of this Parliament passed or to be passed injoining the same in my other Dominions And that I shall observe these in mine own practice and Family and shall never make opposition to any of those or endeavour any change thereof The King having thus solemnly sworn the National covenant the solemn League and Covenant with the Oath subjoined was by him underwritten in the presence of them all which done the King ascended the other Stage and sate down in the Throne Then the Lords great Constable and marshal went to the four corners of the Stage Lyon king at Arms going before them who spoke these words to the people Sirs I do present unto you the King CHARLES the Rightful and undoubted heir of the Crown and Dignity of this Realm this day is by the Parliament of this Kingdom appointed for his Coronation And are you not willing to have him for your King and become subject to his commandments At this action the king stood up and shewed himself to the people round about who expressed their consent by their joiful acclamations crying God save King CHARLES the Second Then his majesty descended from his Throne into the chaire where he sate to hear the Sermon of whom the minister accompanied with som others of his Tribe demanded if he were willing to take the Cornonation Oath according as it was contained in the eighth Act of the first Parliament of King James the VI his Royal grandfather The King answered he was most willing Then was the oath read aloud by the Lyon King at Arms in these words Because that the encrease of Virtue and suppressing Idolatry craveth that the Prince and People be of one perfect Religion which of God's mercy is now presently professed within this Realm Therefore it is statuted and ordained by our Soveraigne Lord my Lord Regent and three Estates of this present Parliament That all Kings Princes and Magistrates whatsoever holding their place which hereafter at any time shall happen to reigne and beare rule over this Realm at the time of their Coronation and receit of their Princely Authority make their faithful promise in the presence of the Eternal God That enduring the whole course of their lives they shall serve the same Eternal God to the uttermost of their power according as he hath required in his most holy Word revealed and contained in the New and Old Testaments and according to the same words shall maintaine the true Religion of Christ Jesus the preaching of his holy Word and the due and right ministration of the sacraments now received preached within this Realm and shall abolish and gain-stand all false Religions contrary to the same shall rule the people committed to their charge according to the will and command of God revealed in his foresaid Word and according to the laudable Laws and Constitutions received in this Realm no waies repugnant to the said Word of the Eternal God and shall procure to the utmost of their power to the Kirk of God and whole christian people true and perfect peace in time coming The rights and rents with all just priviledges of the crown of Scotland to pre serve and keep inviolated neither shall they transfer or alienate the same They shall forbid and repress all in all Estates and Degrees Leases Oppression and all kinde of Wrong in all Judgement They shall command and procure that Justice and Equity be kept to all creatures without exception as the Lord and Father of mercies be merciful unto them And out of their Lands and Empire they shall be careful to root out all Hereticks and enemies to the true Worship of God that shall be convict by the true Kirk of God of the aforesaid crimes and that he shall faithfully affirm the things above written by the solemn Oath The Oath thus read the Minister tendered it to the King who kneeling and holding up his right hand sware thus By the Eternal Almighty GOD who liveth reigneth for ever I shall observe and keep all that is contained in this Oath Then was the King disrobed by the Lord Chamberlain of the Princely Robe with which he entred the church and vested with his Royal Robes so supported as before he removed to the chair placed on the North side of the Kirk whither the sword was first brought from the table by Sir William Cockburn of Langtown Gentleman usher who delivers it to the great Chamberlain and he making a short speech delivers it to his Majesty by whom it was given into the great Constable's hands and by him girt to the King's side Then his Majesty sitting down in the Chair the spurs are put on him by the Earlâ—marshal After which Archibald Marquesse of Argyle takes the Crown into his hands and after a short Prayer made by the minister puts it upon his Majesties head Which done the Lion King of Arms the great Constable standing by him called the Nobility one by one who came all and kneeling and touching the Crown upon the King's head with their right hand swore thus By the Eternal and Almighty God who liveth and reigneth for ever I shall support thee to the uttermost The obligatory Oath was likewise read to the people they holding up their hands Lastly after the Earls of Craford and Lindesay had delivered his majesty the Scepter he returned again to the Stage where he was installed in the Throne by the Marquess of Argyle and after a short exhortation of Master Robert Douglasses returned to his Pallace with the Crown upon his head in the same manner as he came This is a full relation of the ceremonies performed at his Majesties Coâ—â—â—â—â—ion at Scoone on the first of January 1650. which I the rather fully insert because the World may take notice of those hard Covenant Pills which the Kirkmen made him swallow Presently after the coronation the King and Nobles returned in a most solemn manner to S. Johns town the Kings Majesty having a guard to attend him consisting of most Lords and Gentlemen's sons and the Lord Lorne son to the Marquess of Argyle was made Captain of it And now his majesty intends with all possible speed the raising of an Army for the Scots having had all this while no Army on the other side the Fife to oppose the English proceedings they had reduc'd all places there under their force even Edenburgh Castle it self to which effect he orders his Standard to be set up at Aberdeen himself nobly resolving to be Generalissimâ—â—â—â— his Army the other general commands were now given as well to the Royalists as Presbyterians for Duke Hamilton was made Liev. General of the Army and Middleton Lieu. General of the Horse The levies came in apace to the general Rendezvouse which was appointed on the East part of Fife whither his Majesty in person went