be evil because mine were good And having signed both these Bills the King sent Sir Dudley Carleton Secretary of State to the Earl to acquaint him what he had finished the necessity urging him so to do together with the Earls free consent and the return of his Paper-promise which ballanced all The Earl amazed seriously asked him whether his Majesty had passed the Bill as not believing without some astonishment that the King would have done it And being again assured that it was passed He arose from his Chair and standing up lift his eyes to Heaven clapt his hand upon his heart and said Put not your trust in Princes nor in the sons of men for in them there is no salvation I have been assured from him that heard the King speak it and others confirming that the Bishop of London did not disswade nor perswade the King in the passing of the Bill but wisely or cunningly said nothing at all Nor does it appear that any of the other Bishops Lincoln onely excepted did any way press the King to his death And for satisfaction of all the world that the Arch-bishop of Armagh did not urge his death but rather the contrary I was present when it was diâ—â—â—ursed by a person of honour and honesty one that in these times and in these particulars thus controverted would not be positive but in the truth And as willingly as necessarily he hath set it under his hand and ready to justifie it with his Oath and Honour in these words and so witnessed by those that were present That the late King being in the Garison of Oxford a publick rumour passed that the Arch-bishop of Armagh was then dead and so intimated to the King in his Bed-chamber who was pleased to resent the news with much sorrow and with very high expression of the Prelates remarkable piety and learning and so said all that were present in confidence of his great endowments of exemplary virtues Except Sir said one in his advice to your Majestie to the hasty resolution of the Lord Strafford's death To which the King in some passion replied It was false protesting with an Oath his innocencie therein and that after the Bill was passed said the King the Arch-bishop came to me with much regret and sorrow and that the Arch-bishop wept bitterly This as a great truth I am ready to aver says the Relator by my Oath and Honour as I do now under my hand this eighth day of May 1656. W. L. Hereupon having this under his hand and witness I urged the question with another person of like Honour who said that himself was present at that time relating the very same words in effect as the former and both of them I spake with apart many miles asunder and neither of them witting of the use which I now make thereof they mentioned each other to be present And this also is certified upon his Oath and Honour and under his hand also and witnesses G. K. And now we shall see what the Arch-bishop of Armagh hath been pleased to signifie as to the Observatours pag. 240. concerning the result of the Bishops That Sunday morning the five Bishops writes he for so many they were London being one of them were sent for by the King himself and not sent to him by the Houses of Parliament amongst whom the Bishop of Durham and Carlile were so far from depending wholly upon the judgment of the other two whom the Observatour accounts Politicians that they argued the case themselves as fully as did any other To the Argument of one of them the King also returned this Answer that his Syllogism was faulty because it had in it four terms And for that most uncharitable surmise writes he concerning the Arch-bishop of Armagh as if the displeasure he had conceived against the Lord Lieutenant were so great that it could not be satisfied but by the seeking of his very bloud It is hard to say whethâ—â—hat calumny be more malicious or ridiculous for both the ground of that conceited grudg is utterly false the Articles of Religion established in the Church of Ireland having been never abrogated by him or any other And in the ordering of this his the Earls last business there was no man with whom he held greater correspondency than with the Primate himself whereof this may be sufficient proof that as before his condemnation he did from time to time consult with him touching his answer to their present charge so also afterwards having obtained from the Parliament that the Primate might be sent unto him to prepare him for his death He chearfully imbraced his spiritual instructions prayed with him sent messages to the King by him and by no means would dispense with him for being absent from his Execution But taking him by the hand led him along to the Scaffold where with incomparable courage and as himself professed even then ready to lay hown his head without the least touch of any passion or fear he rendered up the spirit to him that gave it And as to the Historian's Paragraph pag. 263. l. 33. The Earl proceeding c. This Paragraph says the Arch-bishop is wholly to be left out for at his passing to the Scaffold there was a great silence amongst the people all of them universally commiserating his case in an extraordinary manner and with great passion lifting up their hands to heaven for him And to the Historian pag. 263. l. 38. The Earl being brought c. The Earl says the Arch-bishop being brought to the Scaffold his Chaplains prayed with him and himself remaining still upon his knee rehearsing with great reverence the five and twenty Psalm Afterwards arising he addrest his Speech unto the people to this effect after following But the occasion of the mistakes of the addressing of his Speech unto the Lords as the Historian hath My Lords It should be My Lord which the Earl used in the Singular Number turning himself to the Arch-bishop who stood by him as appears by the Pamphlet presently published concerning his suffering where the tenour of his Speech which he then used is to be taken as agreeing almost with the very syllable by him used and not as the Historian hath it for thus in truth it was My Lord Primate c. as hereafter in due place But to return to the tenth of May the King having the day before signed both Bills that of the continuation of the Parliament and this for the execution of the Earl and with one Pen of Ink and at one instant he sets his hand to the loss of himself and to the destruction of his faithfull and most able Counsellour and Servant The next day eleventh of May he being extremely troubled at what he had done concerning the Earl he vouchsafes to write to the Lords and sends this Letter by his Son the Prince of Wales My Lords I did yesterday satisfie the justice of the Kingdom by passing the Bill of Attainder
the middle Rank of people the Gentry in general for the King which made the Contribution heavy upon the other grumbling at Taxes always covetous where they are not affected In Ianuary it was that the Kings Forces marched resolving to storm Cirencester but they onely faced the Town and retired And the Parliaments Forces had their Design upon Sudeley Castle kept by Captain Bridges for the Lord Chandos Lieutenant Colonel Massey draws from Glocester with three hundred Musquetiers two Sakers and four Companies of Dragoons from Cirencester In the Castle were sixty Souldiers and all things sufficient and endured several shot and Cannon The next day they drew up to the Assault and kept by the help of Beds and Woolpacks tumbled before them to save them from shot the Horse and Dragoons possessing a Garden under the Castle fired the Hay and Straw smothering the House in the Blinde whereof the Ordinance were brought up and planted against the West part of the Wall and so became surrendred upon quarter to pass to their homes and to leave their Arms and were to pay for the Goods in the Castle five hundred pounds in six days or to lose them But some days after comes Prince Rupert with four thousand Horse and Foot pretending to regain it but marched by to Cirencester a stragling open Town neither fortified nor indeed capable of defence the champion Countrey helpfull to the Horse his greatest strength and on the first oâ— Febr. the Assault was first made upon a House a flight-shot from â—he Town defended an hour by an hundred shot then the Prince draws up their Musquetiers and by Granadoes fired the Barns smothered the Guard and marched into the Town by main force and in two hours mastered all and the Earl of Stamford's Regiment put to the sword and many more slain eleven hundred Prisoners and three thousand Arms laid up for the Countrey Magazine are taken and so carried in triumph to Oxford to shame them for disobedience The next day the Prince marches to Glocester his hasty Summons startled them at these strange turnings but Massey makes Answer That they were resolved to defend the Citie for the use of the King and Parliament and would not surrender at the Command of a foreign Prince And to maintain its strength the outward Garisons as Sudeley was deserted Teuxbury Garison wanting to secure themselves the Countrey backward to come in to them the Governour draws up Propositions for Peace and sent them to Sir William Russel which were granted The Army in Wales raised for the King by the Earl of Worcester and his Son the Lord Herbert begins to appear and designed for Glocester and was marched forwards and come to Coford in the Forest of Dean three Miles from Monmouth where Colonel Burrows Regiment for the Parliament had made a loose Garison for defence of the Forest where the Welch fell on and drave their Enemy before them divers Officers slain Sir Richard Lundy Major General of South-Wales and for the Parliament Lieutenant Colonel Winter and many other and fifty taken Prisoners And thus this Welch Army prevailing march on towards Glocester and setle at Hingham house two miles off and there intrench and Sir Ierome Bret Major General demanded the Town but was refused with scorn as not to yield to a Welch Army that denied twice Prince Rupert's Summons before but indeed they expected the Prince to assist them on the other side of the Town the cause that they lodged nastily so long as five weeks never attempting their Enemies out-guards nor the least party that issued out Mean while the Prince was to wait upon other Designs the Bristol Plot offered it self upon whâ—ch he attended before their Gates thence he was drawn off to stop Sir Waller's advance for the Relief of Glocester who deceived the Prince by false Reports and Night-marches drilling along his small Army The Governour Massey could attempt nothing till Captain Iohn Fines came from Bristol with two hundred Horse and Dragoons which issued out and skirmished with the Welch and so imployed till that after the taking of Malmsbury Waller came to Glocester laying his Design to surprize the Welch and Massey to draw out at the time appointed Horse and Foot before Hingham and to keep them in action not to understand his apâ—â—â—ach and for the flat-bottom'd Boats brought from London to be â—worsdâ— to Frampton passage six miles below Glocester where the Horse and Foot arrived by noon passed over by night and intrapped the Welch Massey likewise drew up all his Horse and five hundred Foot with his Ordnance near to the House keeping them near fifteen hundred in play till evening at Sun rising they were fresh allarm'd by the great Guns and held to it by the Musket-shot when in the forenoon the Welch Horse forced their way through the Horse-guard and put them to a disorderly Retreat but coming up to the Foot-guard received a Repulse whichâ— Foot-guard was thought too weak and had Relief of a party drawn from the Artillery the Welch at that instant fell upon the Ordnance likely to be deserted in this point of action Waller comes up with his Warning Piece on the other side much amazing the Welch and revived the other who thus encouraged they ran upon a Redoubt and took it with two Captains and thirty Souldiers Waller made a better shew than in substance two Foot Regiments made some few shot of Cannon upon the House and the Welch sounded a Parley with this Result To render the House and themselves Prisoners but the Officers should receive quarter as to their qualities Upon these hard terms they resolved to break through in a dark and rainy night but the common men would not and so they yielded upon these terms Divers persons of quality were here taken the Gentry of Herefordshire The next day the Prisoners were lead to Glocester The Scots Army marched Southward and crossed Tine March 13. and met no Enemy till they were forced from Bowdsn Hill by the Earl of Newcastle twenty days after And to end this Year the Synod began to sit at Westminster and what to do to reform or rather to set up a new model of Church-government Presbyterian and what they shall do God knows what they have done we can tell received their Wages for many years since of four Shillings a Day and rose again without finishing so much as their intended Directory We conclude with these two Letters of the Pope sent to his people of Ireland which were returned from them to the Parliament of England to put them in minde of that miserable Kingdom The Pope was not wanting to encourage the Rebellion with his Apostolical Letters to Oneal and other Letters to the Ecclesiasticks thus Dilecto filio Eugenio O Nello c. To our beloved Son Eugenius O Neal Health and Happiness Beloved Son It hath ever been our constant custom to lay hold on every opportunity whereby you following the steps of your progenitors
many Arms and Ladders Hovvever they doe their best vvith Granadoes and great Shoâ— 154. of the first and of Canon above 800. Wherefore Lieutenant Colonel Green sallied out slevv and vvounded more and no doubt the Castle lost many But the Earl of Northampton for the King vvith good strength of Horse came from the Rendezvouz near Newbury quartering at Farnborough and then to Beechen-tree to meet Colonel Gage from Oxford vvhose Horse vvere commanded by Colonel Webb the Foot by Lieutenant Colonel Gerard and Major Kirke and all joyning they march to Aderbury and came to Banbury October 25. finding Colonel Fines his Horse in several bodies dravvn up on the South side of the Tovvn Here they stand a vvhile and face the Earl but soon retreated to the West side tovvards Hanwel their Foot novv come out of the Tovvn in some disorder follovved their Horse having sent their Baggage and Artillery that vvay the night before The Earl pursued them vvith three Regiments of Horse the Earl of Brainfords the Lord Wilmots and his ovvn and some Dragoons Colonel VVebb being sent on the left hand round about Crowth-hill with the most part of Oxford Horse to face or charge them in the Flank In the mean time Colonel Gage vvith the Foot enters Banbury Tovvn and relieves the Castle Northampton overtakes his Enemies neer Hanwel a Forlorn-hope being dravvn out by Captain Brown and joyning vvith Gages Oxford Horse but vvere valiantly opposed so that they vvithdrevv to the Ear◠〈◊〉 main Body vvith him and after a long and round dispute to 〈…〉 the enemy retreated somevvhat hastily and neer Hanwel they dispersed some to Copredy Hanwel Tovvn Broughton and Compton leaving their Carriages one Field piece and three Wagons of Arms and Amunition vvhich vvere sent to Banbury Castle and thus much it cost them for these vvere slain Captain Brown Captain Tylly the Earl of Brainford shot in the mouth and Colonel Webb vvas hurt in the hand so was Lieutenanant Colonel Smith and one Boteler commended for his gallantry was slain nine Troopers and many Common Souldiers killed and hurt But they that fled must needs be more the high waies could testifie many prisoners Cap. Vint and Lieutenant Vernon four Cornets of Horse many Horses and six Barrels of Powder Match and Shot c. Glocester being recruited by â—olonel Stephens with three Troops of Horse and tvvo Troops of Colonel Harlyes Regiment they drew out against Colonel Myn an active Cavalier and perpetual vexation to Massie who had discovered that some Forces out of Wales vvere to passe at Ast and advanced thither and missed narrowly of the Lord Herbert these being abroad Colonel Myns design was that their Forces in both Counties of Hereford and Worcestershire should joyn at Casselane and so march to the Gates of Glocester Massie therefore returns homewards from whence he sends for 220 Musquetiers and 100. more from Tewxbury to meet him on the march to cope with Myn. But being arrived and all things prepared to set out a dispute increased betvveen two of their own Majors Grey and Hamond and after a box on the ear they drew and for the blow Hamond kills him whose Souldiers now in Arms ready to advance turned back to the revenge which the Governour had much adoe to pacifie which gave the Enemy time to come on within three miles of the Town and to prevent their further advance Massies men at Highleaden passed the Brook and finde the Cavaliers quartered in Hartpury Fields quiet and still but was upon them by dark night took ten prisoners and some Forragers their main Body being gon that night to Redmarly and were followed to Eldersfield two miles from them At break of day Massie marches and by six a clock advanced to their Rendezvouz being 160. Horse and 850. Foot drawn up into Batalia and the Hedges lined with Musquetâ—ers The other divided his Foot into two Bodies and drew out his Horse into single Troops the Inclosures not giving room for a larger form and having disposed one Troop with the Tewxbury shot he drew out the remain to another place of advantage Massie leads the Van of three Troops being seconded by three other Troops commanded by Backhouse and thus drawn out they march to their Adversaries charging suddainly put them from their Ambuscado's beat their Horse to a flight and so got into the Van of their Foot and worsted them bâ—oke their whole Body many wounded and slain and some prisoners Myn slain in the place and 170. Major Buller seven Captains four Lieutenants five Ensignes twelve Serjeants and near 250. common Souldiers taken Prisoners But in this encounter Myn was alone for the Hereford and Worcester Forces were not joyned which was hourly expected and had done the deed as they designed it and so Myn was lost and those with him for Lieutenant Colonel Passy who commanded a fresh party of 150. Horse and 500. Foot just at the close of the fight was comâ—ng post to Myns Brigade to bring news of the others arrival but he was met by the Scouts and wounded and taken so neither of their parties had knowledge to prevent this mischief But up they did come being first discovered by Colonel Broughton met with some straglers in the pursuit such they cut off but the Body got home with all their prisoners Myns body was carried to Glocester and for his worth and honour they vouchsafed him burial his death much lamented with the losse of the English Regiment from Ireland Englishmen not Irish as many would now make the world believe them to be of the Irish Rebels but most untrue this defeat ruined the Kings power in South Wales Prince Rupert's Forces lay stragling between Shrewsbury and Worcester a while after the great Northern defeat at Marston Moor which were now rallied into an Army for the close of this Summers action To make a diversion from the West part and so to befriend Essex all the Glocester Forces that could be spared were drawn out towards Bathe with a thousand Horse and Foot Waller having returned to him the former Forces which he borrowed on purpose to disturbe the Kings Quarters and so to enforce him to withdraw a part of his main Body to enable Bristol and Bathe and hoped likewise to encounter Prince Rupert from Bristol who was there in person but in few dayes upon knowledge of the utter losse of Essex his Army in the West all these designes flatted But indeed it was time for Massie to return and look to himself for Prince Rupert had commanded Colonel Charles Gerrard out of Wales with other Forces to break their way through Glocestershire into the Western parts these were suppose◠〈◊〉 lye neer Worcester and to march to Cotswold Hills or by the borders of Herefordshire to make into Dean Forrest and thence over at Ast passage and to hinder these designes Massie retreats and in his return falls down before Berkley lodged in the Town two dayes and
And thus by degrees they are preferred and the Courts filled And whilst the Treaty is in some likelyhood to conclude fair the Armies Petitions speak home for a scrutiny to be taken for discovery of contrivers and actors in the late bloody Wars that speedy Justice be done upon them That the same fault may have the same justice and punishment in the person of the King or Lord as in the person of the poorest Commoner That such as speak or act in the Kings-behalf till he be acquitted of shedding innocent bloud be proceeded against as Traytors These and other such like Petitions set the wheele on going towards the Kings after destruction The Head Quarters were now at Windsor where the Army concluded the large Remonstrance commended by the Generals Letter and brought up to the Parliament by half a dozen Officers It was of the greatest length which we must abreviate The Preamble shews the miscarriages of the King and Parliament in former Treaties And therefore urge Reasons to lay aside any further proceedings therein and to return to their former Votes of Non-â—ddress and to settle the Government that he may not be 〈◊〉 and that they proceed against the King by way of justice for evils done by him and in order thereunto that he be kept in safe custody 2. To lay aside that bargaining Proposition with Delinquents which will present the thing done by contract with the King and not in a way judicially 3. And in order to all they offer First That the King be brought to justice as the capital cause of all Secondly That a peremptory day be set for summoning the Prince of Wales and Duke of York and if they refuse to declare them incapable of Government or Succession and stand exiled as Traytors and if they render themselves yet they to be proceeded against for satisfaction that the Revenues of the Crown be sequestred Thirdly That publick justice be done against the Actors in the late Wars Fourthly And others upon submission may have mercy and conclude as usual That the Armies Arrears may be paid the County eased of free-quarter publick debts paid a period to be put to this Parliament A new Representative of the people for governing and preservation of the whole body of people in this Nation That no King be admitted hereafter but upon election of and as upon trust for the people who is to be limited by the Representative c. 16. Novem. The Parliament read this Remonstrance which endured a high debate and was referred to be further discussed some dayes after In the mean time the General sends his Letters to Colonel Hamond to render up his Command to Colonel Ewers who is to take charge of the King but the Parliament Vote him hereupon to stay there of which the General hath notice 27. Novem. The Army fast and pray and receive Petitions from several Counties in order to what they intend to resolve And therefore Hamond submits and delivers up the King to Ewers and comes towards the Army The Parliament are angry and Vote a Letter to the General That his Orders and Instruction to Colonel Ewers for securing the Kings person are contrary to their resolutions and instructions to Colonel Hamond And that it is the pleasure of the House that his Excellency recall his Orders and that Colonel Hamond be free to take his charge in the Isle of Wight the Treaty being ended But in stead of an obedience hereto he salutes them with a sharp Letter for money to pay Arrears of the Army to spare free Quarter upon the County or he must be forced to change his quarters and come nearer London And withall is published a Declaration of the Army in confirmation of their late Remonstrance Windsor 30. Novem. Which Declaration the Parliament are resolved not to tak◠〈◊〉 â—onsideration Herâ—â—pon the Army Marches to London and Quarter at Whitehall St. Iames's the Mewes and in several Towns and Hamlets about the City The King is removed by Ewers out of the Isle of Wight to Hurst Castle and the City in fear are raising 40000. l. forthwith for the Army At the reading of the Remonstrance to the King at Newport and concerning the intended Tryal of him he propounded four Queries First Whether this Remonstrance be agreeable to the former Declarations of the Army and if not whether the Parliament would make good their Votes that after he had consented to what they desired he should be in a capacity of Honour Freedom and Safety Secondly Whether his acknowledgment of the guilt of the blood that hath been spilt in the late Wars nothing being as yet absolutely concluded or binding could be urged so far as to be made use of by way of evidence against him or any of his party Thirdly Whether the Arguments that he hath used in a free and personal Treaty to lessen or extenuate and avoid the exactness of any of the conditions though in manner and form only might be charged against him as an Act of Obstinacy or wilfull persistance in what is alleged against him in that he goes on in a destructive course of enmity against the people and the Laws of the Land when he hath declared that his Conscience was not satisfied concerning divers particulars in the Propositions Fourthly Whereas by the Letter of the Law all persons charged to offend against the Law ought to be tryed by their Peers or equals what the Law is if the person questioned is without a Peer and if the Law which of it self is but a dead Letter seems to condemn him by what power shall judgement be given and who shall give it or from whence shall the administrators of such judgement derive their power which may by the same Law be deemed the Supream power or Authority of Magistracy in the Kingdom At at his removal from the Isle of Wights he framed a Declaration concerning the Treaty and his dislike of the Armies proceeding commanding one of his servants to see it published for satisfaction to all his Subjects Decemb. 1648. When large pretences prove but the shadows of weak performances then the greatest labours produce the smallest effects and when a period is put to a work of great concernment all mens ears doe as it were hunger till they are satisfied in their expectations Hath not this distracted Nation groaned a long time under the burden of Tyranny and oppression and hath not all the blood that hath been spilt these seven years been cast upon my head who am the greatest sufferer though the least guilty And was it not requisâ—â—e to endeavour the stopping of that flux which if not stopt will bring an absolute destruction to this Nation And what more speedy way was there to consummate these distractions than by a personal Treaty being agreed upon by my two Houses of Parliament and condescended to by me And I might declare that I conceive it had been the best physick had not the
Court Besides all this the peace of the Kingdom is not the least in my thoughts and what hopes of settlement is there so long as power reigns without rule of Law changing the whole frame of that Government under which this Kingdom hath flourished for many hundred years nor will I say what will fall out in case this lawless unjust proceeding against me go on and believe it the Commons of England will not thank you for this change for they will remember how happy they have been of late years under the Reign of Queen Elizabeth the King my Father and my self untill the beginning of these unhappy troubles and will have cause to doubt that they shall never be so happy under any new And by this time it will be too sensibly evident that the Arms I took up were only to defend the fundamental Laws of this Kingdom against those who have supposed my power hath totally changed the ancient Government Thus having shewed you briefly the Reasons why I cannot submit to your pretended Authority without violating the trust which I have from God for the welfare and liberty of my people I expect from you either clear reasons to convince my judgement shewing me that I am in an errour and then truly I will readily answer or that you will withdraw your proceedings After Sentence the King being hurried away was mocked of the Souldiers suffering many things like to Christ they laying aside all reverence to Soveraignty acted Triumph on the Prisoner crying out justice justice That one defiled his venerable face with spittle I abhor to say it was wittingly done but we are assured he wiped it off with his Handkerchief they puft Tobacco fume no smell to him more offensive and cast their Tobacco pipes at his feet And such as salute him they Bastinado One that did but sigh out God have mercy had his Pasport They intrude almost into his Closet hardly permitting him private devotion with his own Chaplain the Bishop of London In their devotions interrupted and himself disturbed whilst he prayed and prepared for this bitter cup. But he with Majesty of minde when they cryed out for justice Poor souls saies he for a piece of money they would do so for their Commanders and at these Rebels he said Christ suffered more for my sake such as dissembled irreverence he with easie contempt eâ—â—ded by neglecting it Yet that little time was lent him he betakes himself to confessions of his sins pardon of his Enemies receiving the Eucharist reading the Scriptures godly conferences doing all the duties of piety And thus holily he seeks to overcome the terrors of death ere they assail him Whilst he prayes they prepare for his execution Sir Hardress Waller Colonel Harrison Colonel Doan Com. Gen. Ireton and Col. Okes are to consider of the time and place for execution And in the Painted Chamber Munday the 29. of Ianu. the President and Judges meet and with the â—â—mmittee resolve That the open street before White-Hall is the fittest place that the King be there executed tomorrow Tuesday between ten and two a clock upon a Scaffold covered with black near the Banquetting House where he was wont to ascend his Throne and shew the pomp of Majesty due to Princes there must he pass to his Funeral Pulpit and lay aside the spoiles of Majesty where he had put on the Insigns thereof It was supposed that the King would not submit his neck to his enemies Axe and therefore it was so provided with Staples and Cords that he could not resist And the Commons house considered that in case of execution they ordered a Proclamation to be made throughout the Kingdom To declare it high Treason to Proclaim any King of England without consent of the present Parliament for so the House is stiled And that none upon paines of imprisonment preach or speak any thing contrary to the present proceeding of the Supream Authority of the Nation the Commons of England assembled in Parliament A Member of the Army gave in the desires of the King That in respect Sentence of death was past upon him and the time of execution might be nigh That he might see his Children and to receive the Sacrament and to prepare himself for death and that the Bishop of London might pray with him in private in his Chamber This night Saturday 27. Ian. the King lodged at White-hall and the next day Sunday the Bishop preached there before the King in his Chamber and this Sunday the President and all the Members of the High Court of Justice fasted in the Chappel of Whitehall and Mr. prayed for them On Sunday means was made to deliver a Letter to him from his son the Prince of Wales which the King read and burnt it and then he was conveyed to St. Iames's the next morning being Munday While the Dutch Ambassadour had audience of the House read their â—â—structions and Letters of Credence in French their desires was to intercede for the Kings life and to keep and preserve a fair correspondence betwixt this Nation and the Estates of the Netherlands This day his Children had leave to visit him but stayed not long His Children being come to meet him he first gave his blessing to the Lady Elizabeth and bad her remember to tell her brother Iames when ever she should see him that it was his Fathers last command that he should no more look upon Charls as his eldest brother only but be obedient unto him as his Soveraign and that they should love one another and forgive their Fathers Enemies Then said the King to her Sweet-heart you 'l forget this no said she I shall never forget it while I live and pouring forth abundance of tears promised him to write down the Particulars Then the King taking the Duke of Gloucester upon his knee said sweet-heart now they will cut off thy Fathers head upon which words the child looked very stedfastly on him mark child what I say they will cut off my head and perhaps mak thee a King but mark what I say you must not be a King so long as your brothers Charles and Iames do live For they will cut off your Brothers heads when they can catch them and cut off thy head too at last and therefore I charge you do not be made a King by them At which the child sighing said I will be torn in pieces first which falling so unexpectedly from one so young it made the King rejoyce exceedingly Another Relation from the Lady Elizabeths own hand What the King said to me the 29. of Ian. 1648. being the last time I had the happiness to see him he told me he was glad I was come and although he had not time to say much yet somewhat he had to say to me which he had not to another or leave in writing because he feared their cruelty was such as that they would not have permitted him to write to me He
to inform at Court the valuation thereof and so to insinuate into the Kings favour A person he was not improper for the Court of comely behaviour quick wit and nimble in tongue and being Son in Law to the Earl of Sowthesk was by him brought in and so crept up into esteem with the Duke of Lenox and by degrees mounted to great preferment the most unworthy ingrate treacherous firebrand to all future mischiefs Taking rise from private wrongs disputable with the Bishop of Rosse For Traham being made Deputy Commissioner and afterwards sole Treasurer this Bishop Io. Maxwell Minister of Edinburgh was set up by Laud then Bishop of London who finding him eloquent and factious enough placed him a Bulwark against adverse Forces and to that end he was Authorised to be Lord of the Session and Exchequer who prying too narrowly into Trahams Accompts and falling foul on personal accusations the Earl of Traquair made it his work to rid him out of all but before that fall he failed not to ruine that Bishop and Episcopacy also not without malice and revenge upon the interest of the King and his affairs Of Ireland But somewhat may be said concerning Ireland that Kingdom bearing a fatal part in this confused malady The Kings of England have born the Title of Sovereigns over Ireland for above four hundred years yet not till of late throughly subdued and reduced to obedience the causes have been first from the faint prosecution of the War in former Kings Reigns and secondly in the business of the Civil Government untill the time of King Iames who supplyed the defects of former Government in his first nine years and perfected it in the remain of his Reign more than was formerly done in four hundred fourty years since the first Conquest for though the Conquest was finished at his Commencement to these Crowns yet he maintained an Army â—ustly and royally paid to give strength and countenance to Civil Government only one rebellion of O'dogherlye which was instantly suppressed And for the Civil Government he granted his Act of Oblivion for Offences done before his Reign the Subjects received into the Kings protection and the most universal peace over all Ireland so that in six years there was not found so many Malefactors worthy of death in all the six Circuits now divided into thirty three Shires as in one Circuit of six Shires in the West of England And now was the peoples Estates setled all the Irish Lords aswell as English surrendring their Lands for new Grants of the Crown and for strengthening defective Titles And lastly the late Plantations setled there not granting any intire County to a particular person or Iura regalia or extraordinary Liberties as heretofore The revenue of the Crown double to what it ever had been all their Charters renewed and their Liberties enlarged so that this Land of Ire because the Irascible power was predominant for four hundred years is now become the Land of peace and Concord and King Iames left it so to his Son King Charls But how they fell into Rebellion and so into destruction All three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland the most glorious Monarchy of Christendom concentring in the ruine of themselves the sub sequent Historie will open not to be told but in Tears wherewith my eyes are already Dim One word by the way Intent upon this History we overtook two Writers One with a piece of the Reign and yet Intitles it The History of King Charls Him we know not but by his Nominal Letters H. L. Esquire The other an Observator upon him Anonymus whose Fame needs no Name nor to be shrouded from reverence due to his Function and great Abilities we oppose not but crave leave to mediate the difference as we meet it in either ERRATA In the absence of the Author beyond Seas the Printer hath failed to number the pages from 406. unto which being so corrected by your pen you will finde eight lines in page 410 inserted into the Primates Letter which were to be a Marginal Note only The words begin in the tenth line these two here instanced c. and end in the seventeenth line may easily appear Gulielmus Sandersonus Aetat suae 68 Etsi Se nescit quod senescit tamen up it dissoâ—â—â— The REIGN OF King CHARLES WE come now to the Descendent Son and Heir Charles the first of the Name King of Great Brittain France and Ireland Born the second Son to King Iames at Dunferling in Scotland the 19. day of November 1600. And whilst the Elder Brother Henry was hopeful to succeed this Prince may be said to be the less looked upon and so no Overtures of merit brought to Observation in competition with the Other Besides this Prince was directed by such as knew the forwardness of the former to make himself rather less than he was then to appear more then he should be a Rule not improper for most men specially Princes untill Soveraignty hath set them up Examples to all beyond the Mark and power of envy And it may be referred to his wisdome not to his meekness so far to comply with that Policy And therefore we find him the less apparent to open examination till time and opportunity might present him to the publique Not without some regret to his Domestick and other ordinary Observations that he lost time with overmuch neglect giving advantage and grace to the great Favourite Buckingham by assisting to set him up and to eclipse himself whereby some men took that occasion in his 〈◊〉 time to form tales of distempers between them which because in tâ—uth they could not find they were pleased to frame But for his Acts in the age of his youth and tutelage of subjection we shall not have use here to remind what hath been so particularly mentioned heretofore in the History of his Fathers life but what hath been since so improved to admiration of our Christian World Nor need we now to quarrel the mistakes concerning the Spanish Match or the French Negotiation or other Characters of King Iames with which an Author and his Observator enters his History but refer the truth and story to what we have said of those times and actions mentioned in his Fathers life In a due and compleat season therefore of age and time King Iames that famous Monarch dies at Theobalds the 27. day of March 1625. leaving the Diadem of three Kingdomes in succession to his Son immediately proclaimed being on a Sunday morning when Doctor Lawd then Bishop of St. Davids was in the Pulpit at Whitehall and broke off his Sermon upon this first notion of the Fathers death Whose Funerals the 14. of May following were sumptuously performed at Westminster King Charles attending these Obsequies contrary to the Old custome when chief Mourners use to be retyred into Chamber-recluse this complyment he conceived more fit for him in duty and piety to observe in Person And now the
solely intrusted with the person of the prince should leave behind him in a foreign Court so much scandal by his ill behaviour 10. That he hath been a great part the cause of the ruine of the Prince Palatine and his estate in so much as those affairs concern this kingdom 11. That he hath in his relation to both Houses of Parliament wronged the Earl of Bristow in his honour by many sinister aspersions 12. Lastly that the Earl of Bristow did reveal to his late Majesty both by word and letter in what sort the Duke had misdemeaned himself and abused his trust and the King by several wayes sent him word he should rest assured that he would hear the said Earl in due time and that four dayes before his sicknesse he signified to the Earl that he would hear him against the Duke as well as he had heard the Duke against him And not long after the King died having been much vexed and pressed with the said Duke Here is no High Treason herein mentioned if the charge were proved then no Traytor at all neither most nor least for indeed had this done it the Commons needed not their new Impeachment which followes and never amounted to more than Misdemeanors Misprisions Offences and Crimes Nothing rare with favourites and therefore never such pursued upon any before this person and these times Which might occasion an antient Baron the Lord Spencer To start up that was no upstart Lord and to demand Is this all you have to say against the Duke The Earl replyed Yes my Lord and I am sorry it is so much then quoth the Lord Spencer If this be all Ridiculus Mus and so sat down again Upon this a Crotchet took the Lord Cromwel in the Crown and out he goes to Mr. Richard Spencer a younger Son of that Lord and a great Zelot in the Lower house against the Duke Dick said he What is done in your House to day against the Duke My Lord said he he is charged with high Treason Tush Dick quoth the Lord High Treason If this be all Ridiculus Mus. The Charge I say might occasion this story of the Lords complements which out of doubt was told to the Historian for truth though couched in this wanton stile not usuâ—l with his gravity I confess And indeed if Mr. Richard Spencer have not forsaken his Memory he professes there was never any such confabulation with any Crotchet of Cromwells Crown and desires the Author to expunge it out of his next impression and me to excuse him in this But such a Charge as it was It served the turn for that time but not to prevent the Attornies Charge against the Eaâ—l which to my knowledge was framed long before and therefore needed no speeding as to prevention Yet being ready It was put in the next day abating one of the Earls number against the Duke for these were but Eleven Articles First That the said Earl being imployed by the late King Iames as his Ambassadour unto Ferdinando Emperour of Germany and unto Philip the fourth King of Spain in the years 1621 1622 and 1623. with Commission to treat with them for the plenary restitution of the Palatinate to the Count Palatine who maried the Lady Elizabeth the onely Daughter of his late Majesty and also to treat with the King of Spain for a Mariage to be had between his now Majesty then Prince of Wales and the Lady Donna Maria the Infanta of Spain did falsly trayterously and confidently inform the late King by sundry Letters That the said Emperour and King of Spain would really make restitution of the Dominions and Electoral dignity of the said Count Palatine and that the said King of Spain did really intend the Mariage aforesaid Whereas in truth the said Emperour and King or either of them never really intended such restitution and the King of Spain never intended the said Mariage whereof the Earl could not be ignorant whereby the the Dominions and Electorall Dignity aforesaid were utterly lost Secondly That the said Earl having received from his late Majesty particular directions to put the King of Spain to a speedy and punctual answer touching the Treaties aforesaid did nevertheless continue those Treaties upon Generalities without effectuall pressing the King of Spain to particular Conclusions sutable to his Instructions Thirdly that the said Earl to the intent to discourage the late King from taking up of Arms or entring into Hostility with the said King of Spain did many times both by word and letters to him and his Ministers extoll the greatnesse and power of the King of Spain and did cunningly strive to retard the late Kings Resolutions of declaring himself an Enemy to the King of Spain Fourthly That the said Earl being told upon his dispatch out of this Realm that there was little probability that these Treaties would have any good successe he then replyed He cared not what the successe thereof would be for he would take care to have his instructions perfect and to pursue them punctually and howsoever the businesse went he would make his fortunes thereby Fifthly that the said Earl on purpose to advance the Romish Religion did during the time aforesaid often by Letters and otherwise counsell and perswade his late Majesty to set at liberty Iesuits and Priests of the Romish Religion which were imprisoned according to the laws of the Land and to grant the Papists a Toleration of their Religion Sixthly That by the said Earls false Informations and Intelligences given to the late King and now his Majesty then Prince they were put into hopes and by long delayes they were put into jealousies concerning the said Treaties that there was not that sincerity in them which they expected Whereupon the said Prince his now Majesty was enforced to undertake in his own person a long and dangerous Journey into Spain intending either speedily to conclude the said Treaties or to discover the feigned Intentions of the Emperoâ—r and King of Spain and thereupon to dissolve them By which Journey the Person of the said Prince and in Him the peace and safety of this Kingdom was brought into apparent danger Seventhly That at the Prince his first coming to the said Earl in Spain he asked the Prince For what he came thither The Prince at first not conceiving the Earls meaning answered You know as well as I. The Earl replyed Sir Give me leave to tell you they say here in Madrid that you mean to change your Religion and added further Sir I do not speak this that I will perswade you to it or that I will promise to follow your example though you do it but as your faithful servant if you will trust me with so great a secret I will endeavour to carry it in the secretest way I can At which the Prince being moved said unto him I wonder what yoâ— have ever found in me that you should conceive I would be so base as for a wife to change
continuance and Repeal of divers Statutes 5. For the establishing of the Estates of the Tenants of Brumfield and Yale in the County of Denbigh and of the Tenures Rents and services thereupon reserved according to a late composition made for the same with the King then Prince of Wales 6 For the confirmation of the Subsidies granted by the Clergy 7. For the grant of five intire Subsidies granted by the Temporality There was a Design in the King to lay it up under deck amongst other Crimes fit for Star-chamber Censure that when the State should have been at leasure their Charter might have paid for all and I know the Attorney Generall had Order in these In Iuly dies Doctor Preston an excellent Preacher of whom something hath been said in the Historie of the Church which concludes his Character A subtile Disputant and great Polititian having large parts of sufficient Receipt to mannage the broad Seal which if the Condition had pleased was proffered unto him and might have been the Dukes right hand Or rather lesse then his little finger who despairing of being Patriarch of the Presbyterian party used the Duke no longer Excellent parts no doubt he had His pieces are in Print His Posthumus And his Pupil left nothing unsaid of his life to give him merit and eternall memory Somewhat must be said as to his Politiques He was esteemed indeed a proper Patron for the Puritan Presbyter which now got head to prick up And all the Plot was to bring him in forsooth to make the Duke in that Ministery which they durst intrust to his Management And first to appear aloof the manner of Court observers his addresse must be to the Dukes Confident rhe Earl of Holland made easie to him by favour of that family But yet a Remembrancer was thought upon to move by the by a dependant of that Lords who in truth dealt Ingeniously Intimating to the Duke Doctor Prestons power and interest with the Presbyters in that time more necessary to be sought unto then to be put by To which the Duke answered with an Oath The King knows him too well and hath no good opinion of him If so replied the Other and already known the advantage the better to make alike use of him so they did In which truly the Dukes head was not too easie for the Doctors for in shew he was carressed to undo him which wrought the effects suspected of his own followers lest he should be not onely besprinkled but drencht in Court Holy-water And in very earnest somewhat tainted he was and tempted with ambitious hopes and if I may speak it himself was brought to accept it But it was very necessary for him to undeceive his Disciples and there to intrust One in whom Obedience and Blindnesse met together A being made to do as he was bidden To him the Doctor writes a Letter under hand to be communicated onely unto special friends wherein to blazon himself he relates what he thought fitting to be believed more to his own glory and disparagement of the weaknesse of Court wits as he stiled them then many vain men might be thought to imagine That not enough he vents therein his own policy working upon the witlesse Statists at Court bestowing on each of them by Name such characters as he conceived would caresse his Pupils with a Stanza or two short and Satyrical This Letter sealed was found in Smithfield broken open and carried to the Duke But by a noble friend of his handsomly descried to him How witty he was in Rhimes and bidden to look about him Of which when he had but a hint He clapt his hand on his heart and confessed he was undone But his party to procure their Patrons peace of minde and to silence such a Witnesse they dealt subtilly indeed down-right Bribes to the Dukes Barber to finger the Letter out of the Dukes pocket and so being brought to the Doctor to bury the obloquie before his death not much time after This I say to shew how partially Mens pens put down private Actions which they guesse at Other such I could unravel And for this with the Testimony to boot of a Person then his disciple and since of that eminency in honour and justice as we shall fail to finde out his example Sithence the return home of the second unfortunate Fleet designed to relieve Rochel this whole vacation took up the time with those ships and others appointed for a fresh Expedition thither The most accomplished Armado that was set out by England And the Duke designed himself to be the General Commander once more to give adventure for the fatal effects or final end to their languishing misery And because the Earl of Marlborough had been a dull and unactive Treasurer for raising money to the Exchequer he was removed to be President of the Privy Counsel And Sr Richard Weston lately created Baron supposed more solid for the weight of that Staffe And in truth the King was put upon it to seek for such men whose abilities might recover him from the hazzard and defection he was fallen into both in his Purse and power He for the one and Sr. Thomas Wentworth of the North was made a Lord ready for the next Session to sit with the Peers He had been too heavy against Prerogative and this was a way to bring them in for the King The Fleet now in readinesse the King draws down his Guests of Progresse towards Portsmouth where the Ships were and from thence to dis-embogue The Town so full of Gallants and so pestered with lodgings that the King kept aloof and made his Court four miles distant The Duke very diligent to hasten his designe treating daily with the Commissioners of Rochel and Soubize in Portsmouth with his Duchesse and Family when He took his last leave of this life And because the Historian is much mistaken in relation of the Dukes Murder I shall ingeniously and truly not upon surmize or Hear-say resolve all the particular That fatall morning the three and twentieth of August the Duke having fitted himself to wait upon the King he hastily called for Breakfast His servants attending the sewer to bring in the meat the Duke came down stairs from his upper Chamber to eat in a lower Parlour turning in at the foot of the Stairs in a narrow Entry And Sir Thomas Friar one of his Colonels following him to the Parlour door stooping to take his leave the Duke declining imbraced Friar with these words Honest Tom. and so turning into the Room one Iohn Felton at that instant shadowed behinde them stabbed him to the heart with a back-blow of a Coutel-knife which stuck in his body till the Duke dragg'd it out and so enlarged the orifice that streamed with the effusion of so much bloud and spirit that instantly he died not able it seems to utter a syllable and certainly no soul there present for he fell backward into the Parlour and the Assassinate
the Room foreâ—shortened and looking downwards as from the clouds the rarest postures that late ages can paralel being the portraictures of King Iames in several relations with all Imaginary similitude of Him tending towards Eternity for which he was well rewarded with the honour of Knighthood to boot Indeed the Artist had an indifferent esteem for his skill and by his wealth was wise enough to receive Informations on both parts in reference to Peace but never to be Plenepotentiary of either side for truly I cannot call him so much as Agent for any unlesse we admit him Ambo-dexter-Ambassadour for he was the means that a greater man Don Carlos Colonas came after to do the work And I have some knowledge in the particulars that the other was rather set on by us when with that conveniency we had him here It was in Iuly That an Arrest was made upon one Billingham sometimes a Captain at the Isle of Rhe and an attempt made to his Rescue by some Templers being acted in their Quarters of Priviledge to their Houses and to their cost they were wounded by the opposition of the Lord Major and his City Bands that were wilde to flourish out their Ensigns against any Gentlemen their Patrons This undertaking increased to a hot skirmish of above five hundred Of the Majors Militia four were killed and sundry others hurt above an hundred on both sides and so the Evening parted the This uprore so neer the Court caused the King to speed Justice with an extraordinary Session to be held in Guild-Hall London for Arraignment of several of the Malefactors seized vpon in the quarrel And by ill hap laid hold on Two who were accounted Principalls because more publique Captain Ashurst and Iohn Stamford the late Dukes servant for it was no medling with the Students And though Stanford came by but by chance in a Coach and onely drew his sword without any part in the fray These Two onely were found guilty by the City Jury and executed at Tyburn Stanford had his pardon before being in company when a Watchman was killed at a Tavern called Duke-Humphreys and his relations to his late Master made his crime the more remarkable now exceeding the bounds of Reason so without the bounds of Mercy There had been a Manuscript Book contrived long since by Sr. Robert Dudly at Florence 1613. that discontented Catholique who descended from the Dudlies Earls of Warwick and so he stiled himself It was a Rapsodie of severall Projects for increase of the Kings revenue and somewhat in prejudice of proceedings in Parliaments Sundry Copies thereof were disperst by such as meant not much honour to the King and therefore suspected to contrive the Book though pretended for his Majesties Instruction as the manner had been to force such feigned discoveries and fix them for the Kings designes and therefore the Earls of Bedford Somerset and Clare Sr. Robert Cotten Mr. Selden and Mr. Saint Iohn were committed and an Information entered in Star-chamber against them But Sr. David Fowles upon oath cleered the suspition and discovered the Authour and so it ended William Herbert Son of Henry Earl of Pembrook dies in April He was the third Earl from his Creation 3 Elizabeth Baron Herbert of Cardiff Lord Parr Ros of Kendal Marmion and Saint Quintin Lord Warden of the Stanneries Governour of Portsmouth Knight of the Garter Chancellour of the University of Oxford and lately Lord high Steward of the Kings Houshold but not of England He married Mary the Eldest daughter and co-heir of Gilbert Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury and dies without issue so that his honours descended to Philip Herbert his brother He supped the night before his death with the Countesse of Bedford at Bishops-gate upon the day of his birth fifty yeers since from thence he went home to Baynards Castle sitting up as usual very late for he was a hearty feeder and went to bed very well But not long after he fetcht a deep and deadly groan which startled his Lady that lay by and she not able to awake him called for company who found him speechlesse and so continued till eight in the morning and then died as a figure flinger had told him many years before We are told his Character in a high strain of Magnificence but we may give way to his good commendations in a reasonable measure A proper Person well set of graceful deportment his minde truly generous of the ancient stock and manner of Nobility His defects were in letters and Travel He had onely the breeding of England which gave him a conceited dislike of foraign men their manners and mode or of such English that professed much advantage thereby so that the Scots at Court and he were ever separate and therefore he was onely the old Courtier that kept close to the Commonalty and they to him and was therein trusted by his two Soveraigns as not over furnisht with abilities to be lesse then loyal which jealous Princes usually suffered In May 29 day the Queen was brought to Bed of a Son Surpassing joy there was of all true hearts and good subjects and in Iune the 27. baptized at Saint Iameses with princely Ceremonies and named Charles His Godfathers were the King of France and the Prince Elector represented by the Duke of Lenox and the Marquesse Hamilton the Godmother was the Queen Mother of France and her Person represented by the Duchesse of Richmond A man would stand amazed to believe that a sort of pretended sanctified subjects should not desire the King to have any issue I have my Author The Puritan-party that could not descern the cause of joy when the Queen was with childe God having better provided for us then we were aware in the hopeful Progeny of the Queen of Bohemia These men brought in the Reformed Religion Presbytery when it would be unâ—ertain what Religion the Kings children would follow And he observes to his own knowledge that when the most of the Parish gave publique signes of rejoycing with Bonefires Bell-ringing and mutual feasting onely the Presbyterian or Puritan party as he stiles them were shut up as on the day of general mourning And it may be remembred that afterwards as the Kings Issue increased the Common Prayer for the Kings onely Sister and her children was left out and in place thereof a Prayer compiled for preservation of the Kings Issue for though the Presbyterians hated the whole Book they would not stick to mention the one in their Prayer of the Pulpit and leave those other out of Gods blessing till by express command they were made to conform At his Birth there appeared a Star visible that very time of the Day when the King rode to Saint Paul's Church to give thanks to God for the Queens safe delivery of a Son upon which occasion these Verses were then presented Rex ubi Paulinas accessit gratus ad aras Immicuit medioâ— lucida stella
against the Earl of Strafford but mercie being as inherent and inseparable to a King as justice I desire in some measure to shew that likewise by suffering that unfortunate man to fulfill the natural course of his life in close imprisonment yet so that if he ever make the least offer to escape or offer directly or indirectly to meddle in any sort of publick business especially with me either by Message or Letter it shall cost him his life without further process This if it may be done without the discontentment of my people will be an unspeakable contentment unto me To which end as in the first place I by this Letter do earnestly desire your approbation and to endear it the more have chosen him to carry it who is of all your House most dear unto me So I desire that by conference you will endeavour to give the House of Commons contentment likewise Assuring you that the exercise of mercie is no more pleasing to me than to see both Houses of Parliament consent for my sake that I should moderate the severitie of the Law in so important a case I will not say that your complying with me in this my intended mercie shall make me more willing but certainly it will make me more chearfull in granting your just grievances But if no less than his life will satisfie my people I must say Fiat justitia Thus again recommending the consideration of my intentions to you I rest Your unalterable and affectionate Friend CHARLS R. If he must die it were charitie to reprieve him till Saturday To this Letter the Lords conceived this Order the same day May 11. 1641. This Letter all written with the Kings own hand we the Peers this day received in Parliament delivered by the hands of the Prince It was twice read in the House and after serious but sad consideration the House resolved presently to send twelve of the Peers Messengers to the King humbly to signifie that neither of the two intentions exprest in the Letter could with dutie in us or without danger to his Consort the Queen and all the young Princes their Children be possibly admitted Which being accomplished and more expressions offered his Majestie suffered no more words to come from us but out of the fulness of his heart to the observance of justice and for the contentment of his people told us that what he intended by his Letter was with an If If it may be done without discontentment to his people If it cannot be I say again the same that I wrote Fiat justitia My other intention proceeding out of charitie for a few days respite was upon certain information that his estate was distracted that it necessarily required some few daies respite for setlement thereof Whereunto the Lords answered Their purpose was to be suiters to his Majestie for favour to his innocent Children and that their Fathers provision for them might be confirmed Which pleased the King who thereupon departed from the Lords At his Majesties departure the Lords offered up to the King the original Letter which he had sent but he was pleased to say What I have written to you I shall be content it be registred by you in your House in which you see my minde I hope you will use it to mine honour Upon the return of the Lords thus much was reported to the House by the Lord Privie Seal Upon the fatal day Wednesday the twelfth of May the Earl was summoned to his period being conveyed from his Chamber in the Tower with these Ceremonies before him went the Marshal's men next them the Sheriff's Officers with Halberts then the Warders of the Tower being of the King's Guard and after the Earl's Gentleman Usher bare and then himself accompanied with the Primate of Ireland and others in his way passing by the Lodging of the Arch-bishop of Canterburie a Prisoner and casting up his eye to his Window where he looked out desired his Prayers and his Blessing who after some collection of his sadness resolved into comfort and doubted not when his own turn came that he should taste that bitter Cup with a most Christian courage The Earl being come to the Scaffold upon the Hill he addrest his Speech to the Lord Primate My Lord Primate of Ireland It is my very great comfort that I have your Lordship by me this day and I do thank God and your Lordship for it in regard that I have been known to you these many years I should be very glad to obtain so much silence as to be heard a few words but I doubt I shall not the noise is so great I come hither by the good will and pleasure of Almightie God to pay the last debt which I ow to sin which is death and by the blessing of that God to rise again through the merits of Jesus Christ to righteousness and life eternal I am come hither to submit to that Iudgment which hath passed against me I do it with a very quiet and contented minde I do freely forgive all the world a forgiveness that is not spoken from the teeth outwards as they say but from the very heart I can very well say in the presence of Almightie God before whom I stand that there is not a displeased thought arising in me towards any creature I thank God I can say and that truly too and my conscience bears me witness that in all the imploiments since I had the honour to serve his Majestie I never had any thing in the purpose of my heart but what tended to the joint and individual prosperitie of the King and people If it hath been my fortune to be mis-understood surely I am not the first that hath been so it is the common portion of us all whilest we are in this life to err but righteous judgment we must wait for in another place for here we are very subject to be mis-judged one of another There is one thing I desire to free my self of and I am confident speaking it now with so much chearfulness that it cannot be but that I shall obtain your Christian charitie in the belief of it I did alwaies think the Parliaments of England the happiest Constitutions that any Kingdom or Nation lived under and next under God the best means to make the King and his people happie so far have I been from being against Parliaments For my death I here acquit all the world and beseech the God of Heaven heartily to forgive them though in the intentions and purposes of my heart I am innocent of what I die for And my Lord Primate it is a very great comfort unto me that his Majestie conceives me not meriting so severe and heavie a punishment as is the uttermost execution of this Sentence I do insinitely rejoice in this mercie of his and I beseech God to return it upon him that he may findâ— mercie when he stands most in need of it I wish this
Eccleshal Castle surrounded with the Enemies Garisons the Governour the more wary adds to his former number of Men and gets in good Provisions and prepares for a Siege And long it was not ere Sir William Brereton Colonel Gell Colonel Greeves Colonel Ridgby and Colonel Iackson joyning Forces with the Counties of Stafford and Derby fell suddenly into Eccleshal Town and with easie bickering got possession of it standing in guard within the Church which faces the Castle The Governour burns all about not an Out-house Barn or Stable affords them other shelter The next day Brereton summons the Castle for the King and Parliament Bird makes present Answer That his Commission was to keep it for the King and unless the other could produce his Majesties Warrant to the contrary it would be labour lost to expect any other Reply but what power and strength should enforce Immediately the Besiegers with two Pieces of Cannon of four and twenty pound Bullet played all day against the Wall without any effect the next day they battered a Turret which at the last fell down and hurt three men and so their Ordnance continued their utmost force for a Week vvhen by so long trial they could not make any Breach they drevv off their Guns and made a Line to surround the Castle not so soon done but that they vvere fain to endure the good effects of several Sallies out of the Castle whereby he lost a Lieutenant and others and some hurt with greater execution on the Enemy And thus it continued for some Moneths with extremity to whose Relief the King sends in September the Lord Capel and the Lord Loughborough with considerable Forces against whom the Besiegers not able to withstand quit their Trenches and retire to the Church and there fortified themselves Then forthwith the Governour sends out what Forces he could spare joyning with the Lords sufficient now to attempt upon the Church by straitning or storming But it seems they had order onely to relieve the Castle not to fight afterwards and force the Enemy away but to be gon themselves and so to leave the business to desperation which the Governour knew would be destruction which he could not prevent and therefore with long dispute and many reasons offered and nothing prevailing he delivered it up to the Lords who put in one Captain Abel a Dane to command there But the old Souldiers not pleased with their New Governour and a stranger to them and a Foreign most of them immediately quit their service and marched away with Captain Bird. The Castle thus relieved the Parliament Commanders call a Council and now resolve to draw off and quit the Siege but a false brother discovering the weakness of the Castle and the discontent with their New Governour the Enemy attempts the battery again and after two daies the Dane surrenders it upon reasonable quarter Thus while the fight they Parliaments Ordinance commands all men to pay nothing to his Majesty the Queen or Prince which is due or ought to be paid unto them whereas the Lords and Commons in September last passed an Ordinance for seizing upon all his Majesties the Queens and Princes Revenues and for receiving all and all manner of Rents certain or casual in England and Wales with all the Arrears and Debts any way due to his Majesty Queen or Prince shall be paid to the Receivers of the Committee for the Revenue c. whose Acquittances shall be sufficient discharge There was late news from Virginia that the Plantation there denied contribution to the Emissaries of the Parliament complaining of the obstruction of their trade at London whereupon an Ordinance of Moderation came forth For abating the Excise upon Virginia Tobacco that the Protestants their brethren in other Countries may not suffer among Malignants and Delinquents in England endeavouring to gain upon Foreign Plantations which in truth were first setled mostly by such as could not indure Discipline at home Sir William Waller having deserved well of the Houses had a new Commission to be Sergeant Major General of Hampshire Surrey Sussex and Kent having layen long before Arundel Castle and this Commission being promised heretofore the General Essex obstructed it being suspected to play his own game with much vanity It was wonderfull how much the Lectures were frequented in London the Town so full of Schollars calling themselves plundred Ministers and so began the coloured Leaguer long Cloak Boots and Spurs as constantly in the Pulpit as heretofore the Gown Canonical Cloak or Cassock but then the Independant a new name for such as liked neither were working to set up themselves or rather thaâ— spirit that set the other at work plaies tricks with them and scatters them into thoughts and factions grinning on each other but yet not setled into tenents neither so that moderate men could not as yet tell what to make of either The Parliament therefore publish their Manifest in effect That it belongs to Christian Magistrates to be Leaders in Reformation of the Church That it is the dutyâ— of all people to pray for them and wait upon them That the Parliament have required the Assembly of Divines to make the VVord of God their own Rule That nothing can be more destructive against the cause of Religion than to be divided amongst themselves That the Assembly and Parliament for so it runs will not onely reform Religion throughout the Nation but will concur to whatsoever shall appear to be the Rights of particular Congregations That all people forbear till they see whether the right Rule will not be commended to them in this orderly way we enjoying more Liberty to serve God than ever was seen in England Here 's fast and loose the People in doubt what Profession to undertake or by this Declaration of what Religion was the Parliament then began Iack Presbyter so styled to be baffled in every Pamphlet and they again to return encounters the people had sport enough to be for neither and in truth of no profession at all but went a wool-gathering to pick up the flieces pilled from the Orthodox Ministry now in much misery mourning for the fall of Sion The Committee for Innovations appointed Workmen to pull down that famous Organ in St. Paul's Church at London and it was imprinted the like they did in King Henry the Seventh's Chapell at VVestminster and all other parochial Churches in and about London and so by degrees the whole Church of Paul's not repairing but uncovering the Roof whereby in time the whole Church and Steeple will fall down after so great a Sum of Money that had been heretofore contributed to the Repair or rather re-edifying thereof more gracefull than the first erecting And now the Parliament do publish That whereas his Majesty doth make a VVar against his Parliament for the promoting thereof divers Forces both of Horse and Foot have been and are levied therefore that no man be mislead through ignorance the
great Guns Morter-pieces Fire-balls hot Irons with the help of the Winde fired the upper Town in four places of a flame and unquenchable Tom Eliot was sent down to the General who now would not be intreated nothing but Fire and Sword having twice refused his Offer of Treaty yet they agree and Surrender is made and a Cessation on the sudden the fire quenching and conclude with fair Quarter and to march out leaving such Ammunition and Plunder as escaped burning vvhich vvas very little not vvorth the bloudy purchase And to conclude this Moneth the lasting Siege of Scarborough Castle in the North vvas novv surrendered upon honourable terms many Commanders having laid their Bones there Meldrum the Scot did his best for a long time but enduring monstrous misery by a Shot in his back died under the Walls Then comes Sir Matthew Bointon in his place and after his tedious time and the Garison vvorn out by sickness and many slain and no hope of Relief all the North cleared to the Parliament the noble Governour Sir Hugh Cholmlâ—y renders it upon very good Conditions Rabby Castle suffered under the like fate and like Conditions Some two or three such Garisons continue yet for the King as Skipton and Sandal Castle but are upon surrendring The Scots are marching towards Worcester and by the way took Canon Froom a strong Garison by Storm Hopton is near Exeter Greenvile about Southam Goring at Okington Rupert at Bristol ready to endure a Stege Prince Maurice at Worcester and the King in Wales On goes the General and the last of Iuly Bath was surrendered to him His Head Quarters being at Wells he sent a Party against Sherburn and another Party of two Regiments of Horse and two Companies of Dragoons under Command of Colonel Rich towards Bath to view the Town at the approach of his Horse and coming down the Hill to the Bridg the Town took an Allarm and discharged their Ordnance and Rich assailed an Out-work and beat them in possessing the place all night indeed it was not fortied and no boot to stand it out against so great a power as Fairfax had hard by and the sooner to condition the better terms and so Sir Thomas Bridges the Governour renders it upon good Conditions to march out in Souldier-like posture to Bristol And Fairfax marches to Wells where he stays being by this time in want of Recruits and then he is for Sherburn The City of Hereford for the King was committed to the Goverment of Sir Barnabas Scudamore a gallant expert Commander a Garison of good consequence faithfull and loyal receiving Contribution from the Counties thereabout and thither were the Scots ordered to march for reducing it to the Parliaments Service They came the thirtieth of Iuly their Forlorn of Horse were suddenly charged with a party of twenty Horse and beaten into the Main Body retreating in disorder then the whole Body of Horse faced the Besieged about ten a clock in the morning within the reach of Cannon and were welcomed with some execution the Foot as yet undiscovered a strong party of Foot came out privately and lined the Hedges galling the Scots in their passage to the Fords and so retreated and presently insafed all their Ports the next Morning came up the sole Body of Foot and surrounded the City No sooner set but they invite the Besieged to a Surrender by a double Summons one from the General Leven directed to the Governour the other from the Committee of both Kingdoms attending the Army sent to the Mayor and Corporation who complied so well in their Resolution that one Answer served for both parties a scornfull Denial The Scots challenge was thus For the Governour of the Citie of Hereford SIR Our appearance in this posture is for no other end but the setling of Truth with Peace in England without the least desire of shedding the bloud of any Subject therefore this is to summon you to deliver up that City unto me for the King and Parliament of England if herein you be wise and happy you may have Conditions honourable and safe otherwise all the world will acquit me of the manifold Inconveniencies Consider your own condition and those under your charge whose bloud will be required upon your account And return me Answer within three hours July 31. ten a clock Leven My Lord I am not to give up the Kings Garisons upon any Summons or Letter neither shall it be in the power of the Mayor or other to condescend to any such Propositions made unto him I was set in here by the Kings command and shall not quit it but by special Order from his Majesty or the Prince And with this Resolution I shall persist in Hereford this July 31. 1645. B. Scudamore This not satisfactory the Scots began their Approach the first of August but very slowly rather intending their own security than the hurt of others but their art could not protect them from small and great Shot which fell upon them and by several Sallies were much galled first over Wye Bridg beating them to their Main Guard at another time demolisht one side of Martin's Steeple which would have annoyed the Besieged at the Bridg and Pallace and in these two Sallies they lost but two Men but the Scots lost many Then the Scots make use of a better Engin the Mayor and Aldermen are now courted to yield the Town by an Epistle subscribed by six of the County Gentlemen very compassionate and swasive which was answered with neglect And so they continue their Line of Communication raise their Batteries commencing at Wye Bridg from whence they received their own greatest Dammage and here amongst many others was slain their much lamented Major General Crafford which provoked them to play upon the Gate for two Days battering it useless but was stopt up with Wool-packs and Timber and to elude the Assailants the Besieged broke an Arch but raised a very strong Work behinde it The Scots frustrate here raise two several Batteries at the Friers and over the River and from thence ply their Ordnance against Wye side but are as quick repaired and the Walls lined faster than they can batter and therefore desist Then the eleventh of August the Scots undermine at Frene-gate but are discovered and counter-mined and thereupon it is carried on at the other side of the Gate which was defeated by making a Sally Port and issued thereout broke it open and fired it The thirteenth they raise Batteries round about the Town and make a Bridg over Wye The fourteenth they send a Messenger to Dr. Scudamore with a simple Letter from three Gentlemen of the County to the Governour May it please your Honour We having a great desire for the good of the City and County and seeing the great distress like to ensue to both Citie and Countie think fit to present these to your Honour and to give you to understand that if it
them and had Success thereto with wonder After the Swedes had patcht up a Peace with the Dane wherein other States had interest they return to their Game against the Imperialist with various Success In brief a Battel was given of long time ambiguous General Goetz slain in the beginning and Iohn de Werdt for the Emperour made so close an Impression that he forced the Swedes to retire in confusion the Imperialists thinks the Day their own cast themselves as their Custome is upon the Baggage where General Torstenson's Lady was he for some time suffered the Plunder but to save his Wife fell upon them with his Reserve and put them to flight surprizing them loaden with Booty charged them off their Horses routed them and followed fighting for above four Dutch Leagues This was such a Defeat to the Imperial party that it left Bohemia a Prey opened a passage into Moravia and the Emperours hereditary Lands as far as the River Danube We may reckon the Number by the Prisoners of Note four Generals Hatzfield Mercy Bray Zaradeskie and seven brave Colonels three thousand slain and four thousand Prisoners This was the beginning of this year 1645. The Emperour retires to Prague and exposes his Empire to the conquering Swede made the Siege be raised before Olmitz and brought the Enemy to the Gates of Vienna prodigious felicity to a Nation scarce known in the fourteenth Age now so puissant as by the help of her Allies to stumble that formidable House of Austria made up of so many other And I am amazed to hear of the Swede at one and the same time at Vienna Copenhaven and Bremen every where successfull But since we mention the pride of Mars let us not forget the furious Fight of the French and Bavarians near Friburgh The magnanimous Duke of Anguien being joyn'd with the brave Marshal Turenne attempted the Storm of a Fort but were beaten to retire by the Bavarians The next day the Defendants sallied out with some help and assaulted the other with so much fury as we tremble to report for the Sky wept and the Clouds darkening the Air in the afternoon ashamed to see such cruelty and made them retire The last Battle was so horrible bloudy that as one says They had a Design to die all no defence on either side a detestable slaughter a Massacre for a Fort and a morsel of ground and neither gained thus we do to each other O great God thou marchest softly but how hard and heavie are thy Blows of Revenge The French that were left alive and reinforced towards the Rheyn seized with incredible Success Philipsburgh and afterwards Spiers and Mentz carrying the terrour into the very heart of the Empire The Eagles Wings thus imped could not fly far the defection of Portugal and so many lost Battels in Catalonia the Spaniard had neither power nor will to succour his obedient Provinces and Flanders as having Work enough at home so it was supposed that the next Field-fight the French and Hollander would master all there the People to prevent a total Ruine were ready to revolt to the conquering party The Ecclesiasticks and Nobility for the French as Catholicks but the Communalty were for the Dutch as loving Trade next to Salvation Peace was necessary for which they held up their hand the Treaties too slow the Preaching of the Priests made them submit to all Extremities of War rather than to the Reâ—ormates and so they treat at Munster a Work begun but never perfected and therefore the War goes on the Duke of Orleans is now declared Lieutenant General of his Brothers Armies sends three brave Marshals Meilleray Gassion and Rantzow towards Flanders sat down before Graveling and seize all the Forts about it and their colleague the Hollander sends their Admiral Trump who shuts up the Haven and in two Moneths take this Town Nothing is impregnable where Mens Lives are not spared for the French lost seven thousand And whilest Don de Melo opposed the Prince from passing the River into Flanders gave the Hollander advantage to come over and take the Sass of Gaunt and these two being thus lost the Countrey lay open to an entire Conquest And Orleans follows the carreer takes Bomburgh Linch Lens Bethune St. Venant Lillers Armentiers Mening Mardike and many more puts the rest into Contribution and all this but a Summers Work Their Victories in Italie were as much or more take Piombino and Portolongo and defeat the Spaniard at the Passage Mora. Count Harcourt not behinde hand with any gets glory and Victories also in Catalonia This year was theirs Fortune smiles upon the French Flanders almost conquered yet the Subject remains firm in their fidelity the glory of the true Spaniard amongst so many Troubles to be constant to their Trust and Allegeance which kept them from sinking and the next year to rise again beginning with the Surprize of Mardike with the Lives but of ten Men to retake it which cost the French above five thousand when they tore it from the Spaniard The Prince of Wales as we lately mentioned with some Commanders of his Army and other Attendants quitted the West parts of England and were by Shipping arrived at the Islands of Scillie under the Kings power And the Parliament whether in policy or reluctancy of his sad condition invites him in a loving and tender way as they say to come in to the Parliament and to reside in such places where they conceive most convenient with such Attenddants and Counsellours onely as shall be by them appointed And the House of Commons being very thin they vote all the absent Members that are with the King to be disabled for ever sitting in Parliament And in their rooms and others vacant by death the Speaker to be impowred to give Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown for new Elections in their places which course served the turn for that time till it turned into other Orders as the setlement of State increased But the Parliament had no Answer from the Prince till the eight and twentieth of April by Letter sent with a Trumpet intimating that he was by this time in the Isle of Garnsey near the Coast of France desiring them that a Pass might be granted for the Lord Capel to go to the King to Oxford to make some Overtures to him in orâ—er to Peace and that the Arch-bishop of Armagh may have leave to come to the Prince But nothing was done herein The King Duke of York Prince Rupert and Maurice are still at Oxford closely surrounded by the Parliaments Forces and the other not well resolving what course to take all their Horse being about Faringdon in expectation of the Lord Ashley with his Foot to joyn in a Body if they be not prevented by Colonel Fleetwood and Rainsborough straiting and allarming Oxford very often Dennington Castle Oxford and Newark besieged and not likely to hold out all the West reduced to the
afore mentioned as also that which Ormond intimates to Monroe of the one and twentieth of May. Which Letters were the very same in print and published by Ormond at Dublin and brought over by Sir Robert King one of the Parliaments Commissioners in Ireland and were as yet laid under Deck for advantage against the King hereafter In this time the King caresses the Parliament with Messages as before for his personal Treaty at London And because he would give earnest of his serious Intentions he gives Warrant for surrendering all his Garisons C. R. Having resolved to comply with the designs of our Parliament in every thing that may be for the good of our Subjects and leave no means unattempted for removing of differences between us therefore we have thought the more to evidence the reality of our intention of setling a happy peace to require you upon honourable conditions to quit the Towns Castles and forts intrusted to you by us and to disband all the forces under your several Commands Given at Newcastle the tenth of June 1646. To our trusty and well beloved Sir Thomas Glenham Sir Thomas Tisley Colonel Washington Colonel Blague Governours of our Cities and Towns of Oxford Worcester Litchfield and Wallingford and to all other Commanders of any other Towns Castles or Forts within the Kingdom of England or Dominion of Wales The Scots now in some Jealousie how mightily the King complies with his Parliament and that they should not be able perhaps to effect their designs by force they now endeavour therefore by fraud and cunningly insinuate to the Parliament That their Conscience bears them witnesse of their constant endeavours to preserve the Union of both Kingdoms yet never more than since the Kings coming to their Army by effecting such Messages from his Majesty as might be a sure ground of peace to his people and happinesse to himself And although we have not as yet prevailed over his Principles deeply rooted into him as to obtain the utmost of our desires which we hope in short time to effect And we hope that accordingly the Parliament will be pleased to send their Propositions of peace to him upon whose Answer we shall clearly know how to proceed in the intended Pacification and to satisfie the Parliament in disbanding our Armies delivering up the Garisons possessed by us and retiring home for the good of both Kingdoms Newcastle June 10. Signed by Leven and all the Scots Commissioners and directed to the Parliament And herewith is presented to the Parliament the Copy of a paper delivered to the King from the Committee of Estates of Scotland concerning the Prince of Wales That the Prince goe not beyond Sea but to reside within the Kingdom of England with Honour and safety for preventing the danger to his Person Religion and Inconveniencies besides in this time of affairs Then was a Letter intercepted from the King to the Prince read in the Parliament thus Charles This is rather to tell you where I am and that I am well than at this time to direct you in any thing having writ fully to your Mother what I would have you to do whom I Command you to Obey in every thing except Religion concerning which I am confident she will not trouble you and see you goe no whither without her or my particular direction Let me hear often from you so God blesse you Your Loving Father C. REX Postscript If Jack Ashburnham come where you are command him to wait on you as he was wont untill I shall send for him If your Mother and you be together if she will he must wait on her Then was Hudson Examined who saith That the King was there in company coasted the Country from Oxford and came to Henley Brainford and Harrow on the Hill where he was almost perswaded to come to London from thence he went to St. Albans and then to Harborough in Leicestershire where he expected the French Agent with some Horse to meet him toconduct him to the Scots but the Agent failing of his promise to Hudson the King went to Stanford thence to Norfolk and at Downham he rested from Thursday till Munday till Hudson returned from the Agent upon whose return the King passed into the Army But how ever they handled Hudson he escaped out of prison at London 28. November after and is retaken again the midst of December in the North and his Examination sent up viz. That escaping out of Newgate he went to Ratcliffe disguised and there took Boat and landing without the Works went to Bow where his Man met him with Horses thence to Lyn so to Newcastle to Montril the French Agent who carried him to the King and had conference with him two hours who bad him return to his friends for a moneth by that time he should have occasion to dispose of him bad him beware of the Scots who would commit him and returning to Lincolnshire was taken prisoner again The King now in durance and out of all hope to be able to Manage his affairs in Ireland and for Ormond to proceed there according to former directions and being labored by the English and Scots at Newcastle not to Treat with the Rebells of Ireland any more The King writes to the Marquesse C. R. Right trusty c. Having a long time with much grief looked upon the sad Condition our Kingdom of Ireland hath been in these divers years through the â—iked and desperate Rebellion there and the bloody effects that have ensued thereupon for the setling whereof we would have wholly applied our selves if the difference betwixt us and our Subjects here had not diverted and withdrawn us And not having been able by force for that respect to reduce them we were necessitated for the present safety of our Protestant Subjects there to give you power and Authority to Treat with them upon such Pious Honourable and Safe grounds as the good of that our Kingdom did require But for many Reasons too long for a Letter We think fit to require you to proceed no further with the Rebells nor to engage us upon any conditions with them after sight hereof And having formerly found such real proofs of your ready Obedience to our commands we doubt not of your care in this wherein our service and the good of our Protestant Subjects in Ireland is so much concerned Newcastle June the eleventh 1646. But the affairs of Ireland not intermxing with others are purposely put together at the end of this year to which we refer the Reader The Commissioners of Scotland had oftentimes since the twentieth of Iune 1645. pressed the sending of the former Propositions presented at Oxford and debated at Uxbridg And the Parliament upon the sixth of August 1645. declared that Propositions shall speedily be sent with some alteration And upon the last of February following the Scots Commissioners received some new Propositions from the Houses And upon the sixteenth March they
Forces as formerly 14. That all Honours and Titles conferred on any since the Great Seal was conveyed from the Parliament May 21. 1642. be made null and that those that shall be hereafter made Peers by the King shall not sit in Parliament without consent of both Houses 15. That an Act be passed to confirm all the Treaties between England and Scotland and a Committee of both Houses to be nominated Conservators of the Peace between both Kingdoms 16. An Act for establishing the Declaration of both Kingdoms of the thirtieth of January 1643. with the qualifications as follow The first Qualification That these persons shall expect no pardon In a word all the persons of Honour and Quality that have taken up Arms for the King in England or Scotland which because the Treaty took no effect is but frivolous to insert And all such others as being processed by the Estates for Treason shall be condemned before the Act of Oblivion be passed Then follows the second Qualification All Papists and Popish Recusants who have been now are or shall be actually in Arms or assisting against the Parliaments of either Kingdoms and by name the Marquess of Winton Earl of Worcester Lord Herbert Lord Brudnel Lord Arundel of Warder Earl Castlehaven and seven Knights and Gentlemen The third Qualification All persons that have assisted in the Rebellion of Ireland except such as are come in to the Parliament of England The fourth Qualification Herein are named above fifty Knights and Gentlemen that were at Oxford and it follows All such of the Scotish Nation as have concurred in the Votes at Oxford against the Kingdom of Scotland and all that have assisted in Arms against Scotland Then follows three Branches of this Qualification The fifth Qualification That all Iudges Officers and Practicers of the Law that have deserted the Parliament be incapable of Office or Practice in the Law the like of the Clergie With other Qualifications and Branches depending too tedious to insert and esteemed of all indifferent persons most improper for the King to consent unto And now comes the juggling French Agent Montril from the Queen in France with Letters to the King to make peace with his Parliament by any conditions reasonable And that the Prince of Wales is arrived at Paris without the Kings knowledg whom he designed to have come to him to Newcastle The Parliament had written to the King to give Warrant to his Lieutenant General Ormond in Ireland for disbanding his Forces andre ceive this Answer CHARLS R. That as none can be more deeply affected than his Majestie with the calamities of his Kingdom of Ireland so he will apply all future Remedies And as to the delivering of the City and Castle of Dublin Drogheda and all other Garisons in Ireland held for his Majesty into the hands of the Parliament of England He is most willing that all these places may be so disposed as they may best be secured from the Rebells and most for the safety of his good Subjects doth again earnestly press the Propositions so long expected expecting that they will contain the readiest means not onely of preserving those places which are already in his power but likewise of reducing the rest of that Kingdom possessed by the Rebells to his obedience all which will be setled upon the conclusion of a happy Peace which he will heartily endeavour Newcastle July 11. Which Message met the Commissioners on the way with the Propositions to the King The French Ambassadour Extraordinary had his first Audience of the 17. of Iuly in effect That he had a command from the Queen Regent and King of France to endeavour a composure of the Differences between the King and Parliament but understanding that Propositions are gone to his Majesty he hath no more to say to the Parliament but to take his leave and to desire their Pass for him to the King and to the States of Scotland and had this Answer That the Parliament receive with thankfulness the good Intentions of the King of France to these Kingdoms for ending of the Differences they had done their Endeavours and will so continue to do But they could not agree that any Foreign State interpose in the present remaining Differences nor that his Majesty of France in particular by his present Extraordinary Ambassadour And are very willing the Ambassadour have a Pass and be used with all respect and civility But the Ambassadour staid so long for this ceremony that he was gone towards the King without it The three and twentieth of Iuly the Propositions were presented to the King and the Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery being the best Man though the least able told the King That he knew well how unfit a Spokesman he was and desired that Mr. Goodwin might speak for them The King instantly asked If they had any power to treat They answered No. Then said he Saving the honour of the business an honest Trumpeter might have done as much I hope you expect not a present Answer to this high concernment They told him Their time was limited to ten Days And the French Ambassadour Balieme and Montril the Agent had Audience the next day and very private with the King We may easily believe how the King was beset with Petitions and Prayers hand over head to consent to all these Propositions by the English and Scots about him And how the Commissioners resented it appears in a Letter to the Speaker of the Commons We are sorry we cannot acquaint you with so good success as we desired having this Morning his Majesties Answer Negative with a Paper containing Offers to come to London and treat which we thought not fit to send because we know not the Parliaments pleasure whether or no they will take notice thereof as being no Answer to the Propositions We have taken leave and hasten home Earl Hepsley Goodwin Robinson August 2. 1646. It is likely they were sorry and said so but see what the King says for himself and concerning them dated a day before theirs and sent to the Houses a quick and sudden Answer to their tedious Propositions C. R. The Propositions tendered to his Majestie by the Commissioners c. to which the Houses of Parliament have taken twice so manie moneths for deliberation as they have assigned daiâ—s for his Majesties Answer do import so great alterations in Government both in Church and Kingdom as it is very difficult to return a particular and positive Answer before a ful debate wherein these Propositions and the necessarie explanations true Sense and Reasons thereof be rightly weighed and understood and that his Majestie upon a ful view of the whole Propositions may know what is left as well as what is taken away and changed In all which he findes upon discourse with the said Commissioners that they are so bound up from anie capacitie either to give Reasons for the Demands they bring or to give ear to
down thither for Subscribers Then comes out an Apology of the common Souldiers to their General presented under the Hands of the Agents or Commissioners as they call themselves for the several Regiments wherein they complain of the Design of Modelling and Disbanding some of their Forces styling the publick proceedings To be a Plot a meer Cloak for some who have lately tasted of Sovereigntie and being lifted beyond their ordinary Sphere of Servants seek to become Masters and degenerate into Tyrants and therefore utterly refuse the Service of Ireland untill their Desires be granted the just Right and Liberties of the Subject vindicated and maintained To which they all subsign April 28. for which some of them were questioned and imprisoned but then they are angry indeed and complain to their General That they speaking but for the Rights and Liberties of this Nation are some of them slighted abused beaten and dragged to Goals to the Ruine of their Estates and loss of their Lives The Parliament bussle and vote the Apologizers Enemies to the State and such as they could catch were laid by the heels at London The King was close beset with watchfull eys over him and yet one Major Bosvil once of his Army and of the Lord Cleveland's Regiment disguised in a Countrey-mans Habit the King walking out passed over a narrow Bridg he put a Pacquet into the Kings hand but was discovered by the Miller directing the Pursuit after the Major who was overtaken and brought to confession That the Letters came from the Queen at Paris and that they contain a Desire of the Prince of Wales to go with the Duke of Orleans into the Field this Summer who commands the French Armie against the Spaniards in Flanders But the King being desired to acquaint his Guardians with the Contents he answered That he was not to give account to any man living And because the Countrey flocked to the Court for cure of the Disease called The Kings Evil the Parliament declare That the People shall be satisfied of the fond Superstition of that custome to be touched by the King and that they are not suffered to be healed by him And being the Feast of the Church called Easter the Parliament discharged that Solemn Custom But were told by the King that the Feast was Instituted by the same Authority which changed the Iewish Sabbath into the Lords day or Sunday for the Scripture doth not mention this So then we may as well return to the Sabbath Saturday if we refuse the Church Authority which Instituted both 23. April This day was read the Kings Letter to the Parliament in effect to Answer the Propositions formerly sent to him which he had lying by him and that himself without a Secretary had formed this Answer CHARLES REX As the daily expectation of the coming of the Propositions hath made his Majesty this long time to forbear giving his Answer unto them so the appearance of their sending being no more for any thing he can hear than it was at his first coming hither notwithstanding that the Earl of Louderdale hath been at London above these ten daies whose not coming was said to be the only stop hath caused his Majestie thus to anticipate their coming to him and yet considering his condition that his Servants are denied accesse to him all but very few and those by appointment not his own election and that it is declared a crime for any but the Commissioners or such who are particularly permitted by them to converse with his Majesty or that any Letters should be given to or received from him may he not truly say that he is not in case fit to make concessions or give Answers since he is not master of those ordinary actions which are the undoubted rights of any free-born man how mean soever his birth be And certainly he would still be silent as to this Subject untill his condition were much mended did he not prefer such a right understanding betwixt him and his Parliaments of both Kingdoms which may make a firm and lasting peace in all his Dominions before any particular of his own or any earthly blessing and therefore his Majesty hath diligently emploied his utmost endeavours for divers moneths past so to inform his understanding and satisfie his Conscience that he might be able to give such Answers to the Propositions as would be most conformable to his Parliament but he ingeniously professes that notwithstanding all the pains that he hath taken therein the nature of some of them appears such unto him that without disclaiming that Reason which God hath given him to judge by for the good of him and his people and without putting the greatest violence upon his own Conscience he cannot give his consent to all of them Yet his Majesty that it may appear to all the World how desirous he is to give full satisfaction hath thought fit hereby to expresse his readinesse to grant what he may and his willingnesse to receive from them and that personally if his two Houses at Westminster shall approve thereof such further information in the rest as may best convince his iudgment and satisfie those doubts which are not yet clear unto him desiring them also to consider that if his Majesty intended to winde himself out of these troubles by indirect means were it not easie for him now readily to consent to what hath or shall be proposed unto him and afterwards choose his time to break all alleging that forced Concessions are not to be kept surely he might and not incur a hard censure from indifferent men But maxims in this kinde are not the guides of his Majesties actions for he freely and clearly avowes that he holds it unlawfull for any man and most base in a King to recede from his promises for having been obtained by force or under restraint wherefore his Majestie not only rejecting those acts which he esteems unworthy of him but even passing by that which he might well insist upon a point of honour in respect of his present condition thus answers the first Proposition That upon his Majesties coming to London he will heartily joyn in all that shall concern the honour of his two Kingdoms or the Assembly of the States of Scotland or of the Commissioners or Deputies of either Kingdom particularly in those things which are desired in that Proposition upon confidence that all of them respectively with the same tendernesse will look upon those things which concern his Majesties honour In Answer to all the Propositions concerning Religion his Majesty proposeth that he will confirm the Presbyterial government the Assembly of Divines at Westminster and the Directory for three years being the time set down by the two Houses so that his Majesty and his houshold be not hindered from that Form of Gods Service which they formerly have And also that a free consultation and debate be had with the Divines at Westminster twenty of his Majesties nomination being added
upon their purses at all times of need The general opinion of the people was never to have other but Uprores and Disorders untill the King were treated with To that end after sundry Petitions from several Counties had led the way The City also exhibit theirs for a personal treaty with the King to be at London Upon which Petition now so seasonable Committees are appointed to Treat That of the Parliament interrogate the Cities What was meant by these words of their Petition Viz. That the King and Parliament may meet and treat with freedom honour and safety according to the Ancient Fundamental constitutions of the Kingdom They Answer Free from force and violence to the King What was meant That the City will defend his Royal person and the Parliament during the Treaty according to the Covenant Answer As much as in us lyeth free from all fear and violence Whether will the City maintain their Guards during the Treaty there Answer They will and after the Treaty refer themselves to the King and Parliament for satisfaction thereof In case the King doe not consent in the Treaty whether the City will engage that the person of the King shall be disposed of by Parliament Answer They in such a case which God forbid will submit to the wisdom of Parliament By what means and in what manner will they make good their Engagement by defending the King and Parliament against all violence Answer As much as in us lyeth by the Trained Bands of the City and Lines of Communication To that end they desire that the Militia of the out places of the City may by the Ordinance of our intire Militia be speedily passed and no other Forces to be made use of within the City That no Forces in Arms may come within thirty miles thereof during the Treaty and that it shall be death for any within the City to make Tumult And desire the Treaty may speedily commence To which consent and engagement the Common Councel men get subscription of the chief of each Parish which was done to purpose But then how long did it last true some two dayes in which time a Rabble of Subscribers to another Petition sang to a contrary tune for which they had thanks but however the Parliament go on and made hast whilst the Officers of the Army were busied abroad The Propositions are ready the fourth of August a seasonable time to hasten them to the King for whilst the General Lieutenant General Major General Commissary General and the most of the chiefest Commanders are abroad in active service others are encouraged thereby and Major Huntington gave in his Narrative to the Lords House why he left the Army complaining against the most eminent Officers and their carriage since the Parliaments Orders to Disband the Army and in relation to Overtures made with the King and concerning the proceedings against the Lords and Commons and Aldermen These were large and being but Complaints not proved we shall forbear Yet Huntington delivered them in upon Oath and had the protection of that House for so doing The Prince of Wales also with his Fleet then in the Downs and in good condition and some bustling by the Prince of Orange for his assistance with Land Souldiers out of Holland gave hopes of success for the King And the Prince writes to the Speaker of the House of Peers not naming the Commons taking notice 〈◊〉 the progress of the Parliament with the King and desires That the Treaty may be in place and manner as may consist with the Kings Honour and safety of his person so that the agreement be not blemished with any face of restraint That the Treaty include the Kingdom of Scotland That during the Treaty there may be a Cessation of Arms and that an orderly moderate subsistance may be agreed upon for all Forces on foot and the Scots Army now in England as may be with the least pressure on the Northern parts And that some course may be taken to give content to his Ships in the Dowâ—s that common Trade be not hindered by them and to discharge the Ships which he hath lately taken into hold And joyntly with these Letters are presented Petitions to the Commons House of the very same nature with the others and have a fair Answer and great thanks The like from the reduced Officers of the Army according to the late desires of the City of London And in Order to the publick effects the Parliament Vote That the Houses desire a Treaty with his Majesties person in what place of the Isle of Wight that he shall appoint upon the Propositions tendered to him at Hampton Court and concerning Wards and Liveries and to treat with Honour Freedom and safety to his person and to the Coâ—missioners of Parliament 2. To receive such other Propositions to be treated on as shall be presented to his Majestie 3. The Commissioners sent with this Message to return in ten dayes The Messengers were the Earl of Middlesex Sir Io. Hepsly and Mr. Bulkley who arrived there Sunday the 6 of Aug. delivering their Votes first to be agreed unto and them for a Treaty The King told them no man desired Peace so much as he in his several Relations as a King a Husband a Father and a Master for who ever gained by these troubles He was like to lose And so without a Secretary he said he would frame an Answer to the Parliament with which the Messengers returned the tenth of August It was thus C. R. If the peace of my Dominions were not much dearer to me then any particular interest whatsoever I had too much reason to take notice of the several Vâ—tes which passed against me and the sad condition I have been in now above these seven moneths But since you my two Houses of Parliament have opened as it seems to me a fair beginning to a happy peace I shall heartily apply my self thereunto and to that end I will as clearly and shortly as I may set you down those things which I conceive necessary to this blessed work so that we together may remove all impediments that may hinder a happy conclusion of this Treaty which with all chearfulâ—ess I doe embrace And to this wished end your selves have laid most excellent grounds for what can I reasonably expect more than to treat with honour Freedom and Safety upon such Propositions as you have or shall present unto me and such as I shall make to you But withall remember that it is the definition not names of things which make them rightly known and that without means to perform no Proposition can take effect And truly my present condition is such that I can no more treat than a blinde man judg of colours or one run a race who hath both his feet fast tied together wherefore my first necessary demand is That you will recall all such Votes and Orders by which people are frighted from coming writing or
as to the last event I may seem to owe more to my Enemies then my friends ' while those will put a period to the sins and sorrows attending this miserable life wherewith these desire I might still contend I shall be more then Conquerour through Christ enabling me for whom I have hitherto suffered as he is the Author of Truth Order and Peace for all which I have been forced to contend against Error Faction and Confusion If I must suffer a violent death with my Saviour it is but mortality crowned with Martyrdom where the debt of death which I owe for sin to nature shall be raised as a gift of faith and patience offered to God Which I humbly beseech him mercifully to accept and although death be the wages of my own sin as from God and the effect of others sins as men both against God and me yet as I hope my own sins are so remitted that they may be no ingredients to imbitter the cup of my death so I desire God to pardon their sins who are most guilty of my destruction The Trophies of my charity will be more glorious and durable over them then their ill-mannaged victories over me Though their sin be prosperous yet they had need to be penitent that they may be pardoned both which I pray God they may obtain that my temporal death unjustly inflicted by them may not be revenged by Gods just inflicting eternal death upon them for I look upon the temporal destruction of the greatest King as far less deprecable then the eternal damnation of the meanest Subject Nor do I wish other then the safe bringing of the ship to shore when they have cast me over-board though it be very strange that Mariners can finde no other means to appease the storm themselves have raised but by drowning their Pilot. I thank God my enemies cruelty cannot prevent my Preparation whose malice in this I shall defeat that they shall not have the satisfaction to have destroyed my soul with my body of whose salvation while some of them have themselves seemed and taught others to despair they have only discovered this that they do not much desire it Whose uncharitable and cruel restraints denying me even the assistance of any of my Chaplains hath rather enlarged then any way obstructed my access to the throne of Heaven And for his better preparation he is a suitor to the Governour that he might have two of his own Chaplains to preach and pray with him And that he might have liberty to write to his Queen in France and to the Prince of Wales to acquaint them with his sad condition but not granted For the General hath ordered that the King be brought up with a Guard Prisoner to Windsor Castle and came to Winchester Tuesday 21. December where the honourable Mayor and Aldermen met him at the Towns end and as in duty heretofore presented him with a Speech and then with their mace The Governour of the Guard told them that by the Act of No address to the King they were all Traytors which not a little troubled the well meaning Mayor The next night Friday to Farnham and after dinner at Bagshot calling for his Coach he was told it was gone before and indeed so designed then ready to mount an excellent horse he had been newly prickt with a nail stark lame the King was troubled which being perceived a Gentleman lent him a swift Gelding but being observed the Guards were commanded for Flankers till the King came off the Downs and so he came to Windsor Saturday night 23. Decemb. Colonel Thomlingson commanding the Guards when Colonel Harrison left him And here they refuse to afford his Majesty any Ceremony of State upon the knee and hardly the Cap his attendance taken away and he clapt up close And because William Prinne of Lincolns Inn Barrester puts himself in Print the first man that brings in his Charge whether to his eternal shame or otherwise we shall give you his title wherein we finde in this case as very often in other his Pamphlets more matter in the Title Page then all that follows in the Book besides He calls it Mr. Prinns Charge against the King shewing That the Kings Design Purpose Resolution his Endeavours Practice Conversation have alwayes been engaged byassed tended to settle establish confirm Popery Tyranny Slavery in among over his Dominions Subjects People and in order to that Design End Purpose he writ to the Pope of Rome stiling him His most Holy Father Catholique Majesty thrice honoured Lord and Father engaging himself to the said Pope to endeavour to settle the Popish Religion only in his Dominions And since his coming to the Crown hath extended extraordinary favours upon protection of notorious Papists Priests Iesuites against all prosecution of Laws enacted against them notwithstanding all his Protestations to the contrary hath raised up a most horrid unnatural and bloudy War arming his Roman Catholique Subjects to Massacre Plunder Torture Imprison Ruine his Loyal Faithful pious Protestant Subjects to burn sack spoil their Cities Towns Villages collected from the Books written By VVilliam Prinne of Lincols Inne Esq. Being but a very small taste from that main Ocean of that which he hath written concerning the King and his ill behaviour since his coming to the Crown As also with references unto clear satisfactory convincing Answers unto several Objections concerning resisting censuring suspending depriving Kings for their Tyranny yea capitally proceeding against them By the said Author Thus he belches up the Charge and his proofs are plain from himself the only Author and witness directing us by his Margin to the third part of the Sovereign power of Parliaments wherein he pretends to overthrow all Scripture proofs against killing Kings and Princes His proofs against the Kings person is cited out of Prynns Popish Royal Favourite Romes Master-piece To which we refer the Reader without censuring them as some have done to be a Rhapsodie of Nonsense But then also we not to be partial refer the Reader to the History of Him Bastwick and Burton their Crimes Charge Indictments Censure Sentence and Execution And to second Prinne there follows Petitions pretended from the well-affected of the County of Norfolk from several Garrisons and other such in complyance with the Armies Remonstrance and Declarations and therein praying for justice against the King And yet not long after the 10. of Ianuary Mr. Prinne Imprints a Memento for which he reâ—uses to answer the Commons Summons untill he be sent to in a Legal way and by a lawful and sufficient Authority for he was not long before turned out of being a Member and continued now a prisoner to the Army and ever since out of date or use This man an indefatigable Author of most vast pieces in the Parliaments defence should now with others be ill intreated by their own stipendaries in the inscrutable judgement of God The appearance in Parliament is yet thin for Oligarchy gets
afterwards recovering that inconvenience he was so constant to himself and over-weaning that his opinions became resolves In all his defects we may more reasonably fix the occasions rather upon others who had their influence from him then upon his own defect for the mis-choice of fit and able persons to be his best and dearest friends proved fatal to him to them and to us all The King left his Queen a miserable disconsolate Lady the Daughter of France and therefore while he suffered she was there supported with their three Sons Charls Prince of Wales Iames Duke of York and Henry Duke of Glocester Princes of high eminent and Heroick vertue 〈◊〉 Two daughters also the one Elizabeth the Relict Princess of Orange the other Mary an Infant all of them are banished Orphanes This Letter came to hand since the Kings death intrusted to the Bishop of London with his blessing to the Prince of Wales To the Prince of Wales Son if these Papers with some others wherein I have set down the private reflections of my conscience and my most impartial thoughts touching the chief passages which have been most remarkable or disputed in my late Troubles come to your hands to whom they are chiesly design'd they may be so far usefull to you as to state your judgment aright in what hath passed 〈◊〉 whereof a pious is the best use can be made and they may also give you some directions how to remedy the present distempers and prevent if God will the like for time to come It is some kind of deceiving and lessening the injury of my long restraint when I finde my leisure and solitude have produced something worthy of my self and usefull to you that neither you nor any other may hereafter measure my Cause by the success nor my judgment of things by my misfortunes which I count the greater by far because they have so far lighted upon you and some others whom I have most cause to love as well as my self and of whose unmerited sufferings I have a greater sense then of my own But this advantage of Wisdom you have above most Princes that you have begun and now spent some years of discretion in the experience of troubles and exercise of patience wherein Piety and all Vertues both Moral and Political are commonly better planted to a thriving as Trees set in Winter then in warmth and serenity of times or amidst those delights which usually attend Princes Courts in times of peace and plenty which are prone either to root up all Plants of true vertue and Honour or to be contented only with some leaves and withering formalities of them without any real fruits such as tend to the publick good for which Princes should alwaies remember they are born and by providence designed The evidence of which different education the holy Writ affords us in the contemplation of David and Rehoboam the one prepared by many afflictions for a flourishing Kingdom the other softned by the unparalleld prosperity of Solomons Court and so corrupted to the great diminution both for Peace Honour and Kingdom by those flatteries which are as unseparable from prosperous Princes as Flies are from fruit in Summer whom adversitie like cold weather drives away I had rather you should be Charls le Bon then le Grand good then great I hope God hath designed you to be both having so early put you into that exercise of his Graces and Giâ—â—â—estowed upon you which may best weed out all vitious inclinations and dispose you to those Princely indowments and employments which will most gain the love and intend the welfare of those over whom God shall place you With God I would have you begin and end who is King of Kings the Sovereign disposer of the Kingdoms of the World who pulleth down one and setteth up another The best Government and highest Soveraignty you can attain to is to be subject to him that the Scepter of his word and Spirit may rule in your heart The true glory of Princes consists in advancing Gods glory in the maintenance of true Religion and the Churches good also in the dispensation of civil power with Iustice and honour to the publick peace Piety will make you prosperous at least it will keep you from being miserable nor is he much a loser that loseth all yet saveth his own soul at last To which center of true happiness God I trust hath and will graciously direct all these black lines of affliction which he hath been pleased to draw on me and by which he hath I hope drawn me nearer to himself You have already tasted of that cup whereof I have liberally drunk which I look upon as Gods Physick having that in healthfulness which it wants in pleasure Above all I would have you as I hope you are already well-grounded and settled in your Religion the best profession of which I have ever esteemed that of the Church of England in which you have been educated yet I would have your own Iudgment and Reason now seal to that sacred bond which education hath written that it may be judiciously your own Religion and not other mens custom or tradition which you profess In this I charge you to persevere as coming nearest to Gods word for Doctrine and to the Primitive examples for government with some little amendment which I have otherwhere expressed and often offered though in vain Your fixation in matters of Religion will not be more necessary for your souls then your Kingdoms peace when God shall bring you to them For I have observed that the Devil of Rebellion doth commonly turn himself into an Angel of Reformation and the old Serpent can pretend new Lights when some mens Consciences accuse them for Sedition and Faction they stop its mouth with the name and noise of Religion when Piety pleads for peace and patience they cry out Zeal So that unless in this point you be well settled you shall never want temptations to destroy you and yours under pretension of Reforming matters of Religion for that seems even to the worst of men as the best and most auspicious beginning of their worst designs Where besides the novelty which is taken enough with the Vulgar every one hath an affectation by seeming forward to an outward Reformation of Religion to be thought zealous hoping to cover those irreligious deformities whereto they are conscious by a severity of censuring other mens opinions or actions Take heed of abetting any Factions or applying to any publick Discriminations in matters of Religion contrary to what is in your judgment and the Churches well settled your partial adhering as head to any one side gains you not so great advantages in some mens hearts who are prone to be of their Kings 's Religion as it loseth you in others who think themselves and their profession first despised then persecuted by you take such a course as may either with calmness and charity quite remove the seeming
for the Spaniard Cockram's Instructions to the King of Denmark Annâ— 1644. 〈…〉 Sir W. Waller 's Commission The Scots are caressed Fight at Braâ—dean Heath Essex's Army recruited Tax of weekly Meals Bewdley taken Fairfax in the North. Parliaments Army hastened The Parliament assembled at Oxford proroguâ—d Parliament at Westminster write to the Parliament in Scotland Anno 1643. The Queen journeys to the West and so to France The Kings Protestation aâ— the Sacrament of the Eucharist Swansey summoned Anno 1644. Siege at Latham House from Aâ—ril 17 raised May 27. The Lady Winter summoned to yield Her Answer Malmsbury taken The Kings design to march from Oxford Essex and Waller divide Forces Waller to catch the King Waller defeated at Copredy Bridge General Essex defeated in Cornwal Anno 1643. Anno 1644. The King returns to Oxford The Kings Letter to the Earl of Essex The Lords Letters to Essex Another from Tavestock Holland Ambassadours have audience for Peace York relieved by P. Rupert York surrendered to the Parliament Dennington Castle assaulted by the Parliaments Forces A second Attempt upon the Castle Church Reformation Princess Henretta Maria born at Exceter Iune 16. Ambassadours mediatours for Peace A Letter from beyond Seas to a member at Westminster The Kings Letter to the Parliament for a Peacâ— Upon the Victory against Essex's Army in Cornwal Banbury stormed by the Parliament and repulsed Earl of Northampton defeats the Besiegers Massey meets Myns design Grâ—y and Hammond fall out Myn de feated and slain Prince Rupert near Bristol Ast Ferry Fight Lieutenant Col. Kirle betrays Monmouth to Massey Military affairs in Monmouthshire Fight on the East side of Spine Earl of Cleveland commended Fight near Shaw Monmouth surprized and how Sir Iac. Astley at Cirencester Sentenced to death Captain Hotham arraigned Hothams Letter to the Earl of Newcastle Eikon Bas. cap. 8. p. 46. A new Government of the Church voted Eikon Bas. Cap. 16. Parliaments Propositions for Peace Directions to Ormond to make peace with the Rebels in Ireland Memorials for Secretary Nicholas at the Treaty Directions to the Kings Commissioners to treat Treaty at Uxbridge The Kings Commissioners offers concerning Religion Ireland Observations concerning the Treaty Anno 1644. Upon Uxbridg Treaty and other the Kings offers Eikon Bas. Chap. 18. Irish Rebels Macquire and Mac-Mahone Executed The design of new modelling the Army Newcastle siege Newcastle surrendred The siege of Basing House Basing relieved the 12 of Sept. The Besiegers rise from Basing Arch-Bishop of Canterbury arraigned Acts 6. 12. Acts 12. 3. Isa. 1. 15. Psal. 9. 12. Heb. 12. His Prayer at the Block Colonel Stephens surprizing was surprized The Cavaliers prevail Price Rupert in Wales with additional Forces Military affairs in Scotland Montrose spoils the Mâ—neses Dâ—feat at Aberdinc Fight at Favy Montrose in Arguile divastates all Arguile defeated A Design for the Duke of Lorain's assistance to the King The reason of the Danish War Anno 1645. General Fairfax his Commission Peace with the Swedes Shrewsbury betrayed to the Parliaments Forces Anno 1645. The Earls of Essex Manchester and Denbigh surrender their Commissions A Paper delivered to the Lord by the Earl of Essex together with his Commission Declaration in behalf of these Generals Grand Ordinance to disable Members from Offices and Commands Both Armies how disposed Blackington delivered to the Parliament Colonel Windebank shot to death Taunton besieged by the Kings Forces Taunton relieved for the present and again besieged State Ambassadours take leave Sir Iohn Winter recruited Lidbury fight A Protestation of Loyalty to the King Leicester taken by the King Naseby Fight Their Order The Kings Letters taken and divulged Upon his Majesties Letters taken and divulged Eikon Bas. ch 21. And his Declaration Leicester Surrendered upon Articles to the Parliament Prince Elector arrested for debt at the City feast Oxford straitned Carlisle surrendered Club-men are up Club-men treat with Fairfax His Answer Club-men's mis-rule Goring and Fairfax fight at Sutton Field Goring goes Westward Fairfax to Bridgwater Bridgwater bravely defended Bridgwater bravely defended at last surrendered Scarborough Castle delivered to the Parliament Bath rendered to Fairfax Siege of Hereford by the Scots raised by the King Summons Answers The King raises the Siege The Scots in discontent Sherburn taken by storm Club-men surprized by Cromwel Huntington taken by the King The King comes to Wales Fight at Bauton Heath Bristol besieged by Fairfax and Cromwel Cromwels Letter from Bristol to the Speaker He takes the Devizes And Winchester His Letter A Ranting Commander Basing taken by storm The wealth of Basing The Kings condition His Forces defeated at Sherburn in Yorkshire Digbie's Letters taken concerning Ireland The Kings Officers quarrâ—l Commanders quit their Commissions Belvoir surrendred to the Parliament Latham House rendred to the Parliament Hereford surprized for the Parliament Of treachery or Corruptions Qualifications concerning Delinquents Prince Charles desires conduct for two Lords to treat about a peace Fairfax's Answer The Princes Reply The Kings Letter to the Parliamentâ— for a conduct for persons to treat The Parliaments answer The Parliaments Answer to the Kings former Letters Anno. 1645. Fasting and Prayer at Oxford Irish Letters Intercepted The Kings Commission to the Barl of Glamorgan Message about Ireland and personal Treaty Arch-Bishop of York his letter to the Lord Ashley Digby's letter Glamorgans letter to the King out of Ireland Westchester besieged and surrendered Court of Wards and Liveries voted down Lilburn petitions for justice Dartmouth besieged and surrendred to the Parliament Exeter summoned Hopton defeated at Torrington Lamiston quitted Hopton agrees to disband Eikon Bas. pa. 17. 2. His expedition to Dundâ—e Aldern Battel Kilsithe famous Battel Foreign Affairs Prisoners of note Anno. 1646. The Prince of Wales invited to the Parliament The King at Oxâ—ord in distress Lord Ashley defeated totally The King desires to come to his Parliament He is answered negatively Cavaliers to depart the City Court Martial and their Articles Misery of the Cavalier The Brass Tomb of Windsor sold. Garisons surrendred Exeter surrendred Garisons rendred up to the Parliament Williams Arch-bishop of York turnned Souldier against the King Dudley Castle surrendred Oxford City besieged the second time Instructions to treat Oxford surrendred upon Articles Prince Elector visits his Brothers The Kings Seal of State broken The Duke of York brought to London Princess Henretta conveyed into France Sir Richard Onslow complains of Withers Newark siege and surrender of it First summons Second summons Banbury Castle surrendered and Carnarvan Ragland Castle besieged The King escapes out of Oxford And arrives at the Scots Army before Newark The Kings Letter to Ormond of his intention to go to the Scots Army Order to dispose of the King Levens Letter concerning the King The Kings Message to the Parliament from Southwel Votes to dispose of the King Eikon Bas. chap. 21. The Prince invited again to the Parliament The King enters into Newcastle The Scots Army voted to be gone
King affianced by former contract to the Princess Henrieta-Maria Sister to the French King Lewis the 13. And therefore to him first is principally dispatched Emissaries of his Fathers decease and so to other Princes and States in Amity with all but the House of Austria upon the score of restauration of the Palatine and his Inheritance And with this advice he orders Letters of Procuration or Proxie to the Duke of Chevereux of the House of Guise and so neer of Extraction to King Charles that Chawd of Lorain the first Duke of Guise maried his Daughter Mary to Iames the fifth of Scotland Grandfather to Iames the sixth and She Great Grand-mother to King Charles To this Duke Chevereux he sends for espousing his Mistress to make her his Consort which was celebrated on Sunday the first of May our stile and of theirs the eleventh day in their Church of Nostre-Dame at Paris She being given up his Queen by her two Brothers the King and Monsieur But to fetch her over there arrived a Fortnight after the Duke of Buckingham in Commission with our Ambassadors there the Earls of Carlisle and Holland with a train of the best of Quality to attend him the Earl of Mountgomery was pickt out to be one who had a larger Purse than Head-piece and being much troubled to come behind those in ranck before whom those Earls he was in Peerage professed that his intent of Journey was to see the Monarch of France where now he finds three English Kings besides for in pomp of State and Vestments they were said to equal any The second of Iune the English Queen sets forward from Paris and so to Amiens where she staied 14. dayes A City of some circuit without the walls because a Town of War and a Frontier memorable for entertainment of many persons as now for great Princes and heretofore an Army of English Guests feasted by King Lewis the eleventh not onely King Edward of England and his Military Grandees but even to the common Souldiers to please them for a patcht peace made up with their Prince whose Camp lay very neer It lasted four dayes the common chambers were the canopied streets and in all houses of Retail for Victuall or Wine scot-free The number of the English and all armed were accompted by some Authors nine thousand and might have this way stoln a Victory over a Town though with loss of their honour The Citadel is of great strength built by Henry the fourth of France so soon as he won it from the Spaniard seated neer upon his Territories and therefore now a jealous Town 500 in pay to guard the Citadel and 200 of the City that watch themselves every house finding one 12 mights a year The Duke of Chawny hath the title Vice-dame of Amiens and Governor of the Citadel made so by his Brother Favourite Luines from being before but Mr. Cadineâ— But the Cathedral Nostre-Dame the most glorious magnificent Fabrick in the World and but questionable if of the Quire more Majesty in that of Amiens or more beauty in Ours of Henry the seventh Chapel at Westminster this the more exquisite that the more glorious both Miracula Mundi Tam bene conveniunt et in una sede morantur Majestas Amor. But for the Front the Divinity of Art far beyond our famed Wells or Peterborough Invisuram facilius aliquem quam Imataturam so infinite beyond imitation And all these together is the Seat of a Bishop But here the Queen takes leave of her mother whose indisposition of health had arrested her there in punishment of that malice wherewith she dissembleâ— it too long at the first through the extreme desire she had of coming to the Sea-side But Monsieur accompanied his Sister to Boloign not so neer for passage over as Calais but the infection there turned them thither where she received the Countess of Buckingham the Mother and a train of Ladies from England To her Mounsieur descended to give a visit at her lodging and the Duchess of Chevereux that great Princess of Match and blood did perforce give her precedence with all imaginable honor for her sons sake A pittiful reason for Toby Matthew thereby not to be discouraged from bearing devotion to the blessed Virgin when he saw as he taies that women sick of love towards the son are put by a law of Nasure into pain till they revenge themselves on the Mother This Town is divided into La haute ville and La bass ville high and low Town distant one hundred paces from each other The Upper Town upon the Hill the other declining to the Sea-side this though bigger and better built Trade hath increased it so by the Haven yet but a Town the other the City made so by Henry the second and a Bishops Seat anno 1553. And here was the plague now also but the infection abated for the Queens presence by a Grand Proâ—â—ssion ad placandam Dâ—i tram Processions first instituted by Pope Stephanus anno 752. but the Letany of it was comprized by Pope Leo the first anno 1060. Not in respect of sickness but of Earthquakes which in all France are frequent But their charity to the infected dead corps continues to this day the Covent de la charite being bound to bury them and so they say themselves are free from infection for in truth they are so aged no disease can catch them but death yet by after mingling with the people they infest others which they teach the ignorant not to believe Wondrous jealous they are of the English to walk their Wall since Henry the eighth of England possessed it Their Garrison now 300. their Governor Monsieur d' Amont son to the Marshall It hath a Tower de Ordre built by Iulius Caesar at his second expedition into Britain then the Watch Tower but now worn out and only used for a Pharos by night and a Sea-mark by day called the Old man of Boloign It seems so an aged piece and ere long by the waves of the Sea upon the ruin of the Basis may be supposed not of long lasting The Town was taken by Henry 8. anno 1545. with more expence than profit of 44000. foot and 3000. horse 100. field pieces and for them and provision 25000. draught horse and so kept it against many French Attempts all his life time but was lost by Contract of a Treaty to the French Forces for 800000. Crowns tempore Edw. 6. being ingaged then against the Scots and Kit the Norfolk Rebel besides Here the Queen finds a Convoy of the English Royal Navy 21 Ships the most admired then for State and Service and had need to be so to wast over hither the most eminent persons of both nations Her passage might preâ—age the Intemperate success to Her and Us thereafter so were the Seas then the most tempestuous like the last time that wafted Queen Mary of Scotland who came from Calais Triste et lugubre
my Religion The Earl replying desired the Prince to pardon him if he had offended him saying It was but out of his desire to serve him Whereas it had been the duty of a faithful servant to God and his Master to have disswaded the Prince from it had he found him staggering in his Religion Eighthly That he afterward having Conference with the Prince about the Romish Religion trayterously endeavoured to perswade him to turn Romish Catholique using an Argument to that end That the State of England never did nor could possibly do any great thing but when obedient to the Pope of Rome Ninthly That during the time aforesaid the Prince advising with the Earl about a new Offer by the King of Spain That the Prince Palatine should marry the Emperours Daughter â—e brought up in his Court and so should be restored to the Palatinate The Earl said It was a reasonable Proposition And when the danger of changing his Religion was objected the Earl replyed That without some such great Act the peace of Christendom could never be procured Tenthly That the Prince departing from Spain and leaving the Powers of Disposorios with the said Earl to be delivered upon the return of his Dispensation from Rome the Prince fearing lest after the Dispensation the Infanta might be put into a Monastery wrote a Letter back to the Earl commanding him not to make use of those Powers untill he could give him assurance that a Monastery should not rob him of his Wife which Letter the Earl receiving returned an answer disswading that Direction Shortly after which the Prince sent another Letter discharging him of his former Command But his late Majesty by the same Messenger sent him a more express Direction Not to deliver the Disposorios until a full conclusion had concerning the Palatinate adding this expression That he would never joy to marry his Son and to leave his onely Daughter weeping In which Dispatch though there was some mistake yet in the next following it was corrected and the Earl tied to his former Restrictions which he promised punctually to observe Neverthelesse contrary to his Duty and Allegiance he after set a day for the Disposorios without any assurance or so much as treating of those things to which he was restrained and that so short a day that if extraordinary diligence with good successe in the Journey had not concurred the Princes hands might have been bound up and yet he never sure of a Wife nor the Prince Palatine of Restitution Lastly That in an high an contemptuous manner he hath preferred a scandalous Petition to this Honourable House to the dishonour of the late King and his now Majesty especially one Article of that Petition wherein he gives his now Majesty the Lye by denying and offering to falsifie what his Majesty had affirmed There needs no strain of partiality to implead the difference of these charges assuredly if the Earls charge against the Duke could have served the turn It might have spared the Commons Impeachment the other comming far short of the designe which was to do it to the purpose And therefore This weighty Cause was managed by six Members Mr. Glanvil Mr. Herbert Ma. Selden Mr. Pim Mr. Wans ford Mr. Sherland to them was added Sr. Dudly Diggs as Prolocutor and Sr. Iohn Elliot brought up the Rear And so though the matter of the Prologue may be spared being made up with Elegancy yet rather then it shall be lost you may please to read it at this length My Lords THere are so many things of great importance to be said in very little time this day that I conceive it will not be unacceptable to your Lordships if setting by all Rhetorical affectations I onely in plain Country language humbly pray your Lordships favour to include many excuses necessary to my manifold infirmities in this one word I am commanded by the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons house to present unto your Lordships their most affectionate thanks for your ready condescending to this Conference which out of confidence in your great wisdoms and approved Justice for the service of his Majesty and the welfare of this Realm they desired upâ—â— this occasion The House of Commons by a fatal and universal concurrence of complaints from all the Sea-bordering parts of this Kingdom did find a great and griâ—vous interruption and stop of Trade and Traffique The base Pirats of Sally ignominiously infesting our Coasts taking our ships and goods and leading away the Subjects of this Kingdom into barbarous Captivity while to our shame and hinderance of Commerce our enemies did as it were besiege our Ports and block up our best Rivers mouths 〈◊〉 Friends on flight pretences made embargoes of our Merchants goods and every Nation upon the least occasion was ready to contemn and slight us So great was the apparent diminution of the ancient honour of this Crown and once strong reputation of our Nation Wherewith the Commons were more troubled calling to remembrance how formerly in France in Spain in Holland and every where by Sea and Land the Valours of this Kingdom had been better valued and even in latter times within remembrance when we had no Alliance with France none in Denmark none in Germany no Friend in Italy Scotland to say no more ununited Ireland not setled in peace and much less security at home when Spain was as ambitious as it is now under a King Philip the second they called their wisest the House of Austria as great and potent and both strengthened with a malitious League in France of persons ill-affected when the Low-countreys had no being yet by constant counsels and old English wayes even then that Spanish pride was cool'd that greatness of the house of Austria so formidable to us now was well resisted and to the United Provinces of the Low countreys such a beginning growth and strength was given as gave us honour over all the Christian World The Commons therefore wondring at the Evils which they suffered debating of the causes of them found they were many drawn like one Line to one Circumference of decay of Trade and strength of Honour and of Reputation in this kingdom which as in one Centre met in one great man the Cause of all whom I am here to name the Duke of Buckingham Here Sir Dudly Diggs made a stand as wondring to see the Duke present Yet he took the Roll and read the Preamble to the charge with the Dukes long Titles and then went on My Lords This lofty Title of this mighty Man me thinks doth raise my spirits to speak with a Paulo majora canamus and let it not displease your Lordships if for foundation I compare the beautiful Structure and fair composition of this Monarchy wherein we live to the great work of God the World it self in which the solid body of incorporated Earth and Sea as I conceive in regard of our Husbandry Manufactures and Commerce by Land and Sea may
note yet indeed he became a diligent and powerfull Actor therein and the first Benefactour who gave a hundred pounds per annum whilest he should be Bishop of London by whose pious endeavours and forward Example and sundry Contributions of good and godly men and by Commissions of Protection for Breves and Collections in all Churches of England and Wales there was gathered in time the sum of fourscore thousand pounds in all A large consideration was had to begin with the Steeple and Body and so to descend to the Isles presuming that when the Steeple should be finished the Contributions would necessarily invite the compleating of the whole But it was otherwise resolved and they began at the West end and first the out-walls which being cluttered with petty Tenements even to the stopping of the Church-lights that clouded the beauty of the first Foundation those Houses by Lease or Rents were purchased and pulled down and the little Church called Saint Gregories builded up at the West end South of the Foundation was willingly taken down to the ground and a very necessary place ordered for the erection of another Church for that Parish And to this excellent good Work the fore remembred Sir Paul Pindar besides his former Expences took upon him also at his own proper cost and charge and did effect it before he died to repair or rather new build the great South Isle far more beautifull than it had been at the first eâ—ection which 〈◊〉 him above seventeen thousand pounds The Contribution-money was intrusted to the Chamber of London then supposed the safest Chest from thence to be issued out for Materials and Workmanship The West end or Enterance was finished more sumptuous and stately than at first A gracefull stately Porch was raised the whole breadth of the West end upon Pillars of Stone of the Ionick work supporting the Roof on the top whereof in seemly distance was erected the Figures and excellent Postures of King Iames and King Charls mounted on Pedestals leaving room aud spaces for other succeeding Sovereigns Then they had new cased the whole intire out-walls more nobly to the Roof with large Figures of Pomegranates set upon Pedestals at equal distances to grace the Roof which was all overlaid with Lead The Windows with admirable painted Glass of Figures of the Fathers Prophets and Apostles with several historical pieces of Scripture Then they had vaulted the Roofs with massie Supporters of Timber and Scaffolds raised for re-edifying and beautifying the Roof Lastly they had raised outward Scaffolding from the body of the Church to the very top of the Steeple and were going on with the Spire and some Moneys in stock towards the finishing of all which most Artisans supposed might be finished for forty thousand pounds When on the sudden William Laud late Arch-bishop of Canterbury was impeached by the late House of Commons in their long Parliament and our Civil uncivil Dissentions seized the whole stock of Money and so the Work ceased The Church forthwith turned into a Prison or Goal of Malignants then into a Garrison of Foot-soldiers then into a Stable of unclean Beasts and then to the sale of all Materials Stone Lead Glass Iron and last of all the very Scaffolding of Timber which cost forty thousand pounds sold for six thousand the Money never paid the end and ruine of that most glorious and Christian Design After-ages may conceive this final and horrid ruine to be the effects of a cruel War which devastates all But at the beginning of this Design of Repair it is most true that many had no fancy thereto the whole gang of Presbyterians utterly disliked of it And when the Earl of Holland Chancellour of the University of Cambridg was commanded by the King to write his Letters to that University for Contributions of the Heads Fellows and Students a wonder it was what plots and devices of some afterwards busie-bodies in Parliament for a time obstructed those Letters and other pious intentions of sundry Contributions and were the onely causers of that desolation and earnestly urged the ruine to all Cathedrals as it is well observed that Doctor Bastwick whom he examples for one and a known Schismatick grudging at the great expence in the Repair observes his base and irreverend expression alluding to the name Cathedral That all the mighty mass of money must be spent in making a Seat for a Priest's Arse to sit in See Bastwick's second Part of his Letany But as that repaired London Bridg burned the North-part to the first open distance which secured the rest an ugly patcht unformed Building it was part of the ruine is since repaired a handsome well-piled Patern for rebuilding all the rest The King took the infection of the Small Pox to the great grief of the Subjects in general and because many had suffered extremely in that Sickness the Pulpits Prayers and private Devotions of all good and well-affected People were frequently offered to the Divine Majesty who in mercy soon restored him to health again without any marks or blemish of usual Spots to others in the like Sickness The military affairs of Europe were now come to the miserable effects of a cruel War on all sides we shall enter the story of the the Eastern part Sigismund King of Poland and Swethland the Bulwark of Christendom against the Turks tyranny had been heretofore enforced to sue for succour of neighbour Princes by several Embassies of King Iames by Ossolinsky Count Palatine of Sendomeria who so well performed his eloquent Oration and excellent behaviour that he procured from hence two thousand men and money Voluntiers for the Guards of that Kings Person This Count was initiated a Civilian bred up in Court to become Chancellour and now a Commander in this War certainly a man of singular merit and to boot very handsome and of most obliging demeanor which took with the King and all our Court of high concernment to chuse a Person proper for his Arrand And because the Quarrel came to mighty execution of both parties I may not omit the occasion so much concerning those miserable neighbour Nations bordering the Turks Dominions specially the Pole who it seemed in those days deserved better of all Princes than to be worried out of his own Inheritance by a Christian now of late 1655 more cruel now than the Turk was then And so by this entrance we shall bring the brief History to our time Mahâ—met the Authour of their Alcoran enjoyned the Race of Othomans two special things To propagate the Empire by some mighty Attempts of War The other to glorifie their Religion by some wondrous Action in Peace or stupendous Structure of Amazement to the World For the first Their Terâ—itories extend to the Asian and African shores from Trebizond the bottome of the Black-sea to Argier neighbouring the Straits of Gibralter 6000. English miles besides the possession of Greece and her Islands with his intrusion into Hungary
do not through me wound the interest of the Common-wealth And howsoever these Gentlemen say they speak for the Common-wealth yet in this particular I indeed speak for it and shew the inconveniencies and mischiefs which will fall upon it For as it is said in the Statute 1. of Henry 4. No man will know what to doe or say for fear of such penalties Doe not put my Lords such difficulties upon Ministers of State that men of wisedome of Honour of Fortune may not with cheerfulness and safety be imployed for the publique if you weigh and measure them by graines and scruples the publique affaires of the Kingdome will lie waste no man will meddle with them who has any thing to lose My Lords I have troubled you longer than I should have done were it not for the interest of these dear pledges a Saint in heaven hath left me At this he stopt a while offering up some tears to her ashes what I forfeit my self is nothing but that my indiscretion should extend to my posterity it woundeth me to the very soul. You will pardon my infirmity something I should have added but am not able therefore let it pass And now my Lords for my self I have been by the blessing of almighty God taught that the afflictions of this present life are not to be compared to the eternal weight of Glory which shall be revealed hereafter And so my Lords even so with all tranquillity of mind I freely submit my self to your judgment and whether that judgment be of life or death Te Deum laudamus When he had done two of the Members Mr. Glyn and Mr. Pym endeavouring to render him as odious as it is usually observed from Declamatours satisfying the Ear of the Auditours but not their judicial Censure for the point came to be this the Commons are to justifie their Charge by Law upon the matters of Fact as yet not appearing under the Letter of any Statute of Treason As for that of the 25 of Edward 3. it came short but yet it is supplied with this Proviso annexed that because all particular Treasons could not be then defined therefore what the Parliament should declare to be Treason â—n time to come should be punished as Treason within which compass they intend to bring him and that by Bill of Attainder The Earl put upon a point of Law desires Council which by no means the Commons would assent unto and notwithstanding all the reason in the world it was canvased three Days and at last concluded that his Council should plead such matters as they should be restrained unto Saturday the seventeenth of April the Earl appears with his Council Master Lane the Prince's Attourney Master Gardner Recorder of London Master Loe and Master Lightfoot Lane argued that the said Statute of 25 Edward 3. was a Declarative Law and so not to be interpreted as of consequence equity or construction but by the express Letter onely that it was a penal Law and so not to admit of any Constructions or Inferences for the true nature of penalties enforce the keeping of known Laws not of conjectural and dubious And for the Salvo he affirmed that in the sixth of Henry 4. the Nobility petitioned the Parliament to limit all Treasons by Statute in which Parliament Chapter 10. an Act passed thereupon that the Salvo should be holden repealed in all times to come nothing to be esteemed Treason but what was literally contained in the Statute of 25. Edward the third nor could the rest of the Council speak more then what had been said by Mr. Lane being so sufficient for matters of Law unless their Lordships would state any other questions to which they were ready to answer upon which the Court adjourned without prefixing any time of meeting The Commons meant it not to meet any more the Earl had satisfied all curious observations of his defence and the Commons knew it well enough but they resolved to attaint him by Bill which was debated by the Commons the nineteenth day and the Earl voted by them guilty of high Treason meerly upon the evidence of Secretary Vane and his notes but upon reading the Bill engrossed in their house the one and twentieth day It was hardly canvassed by the Poll the dissenters being fifty nine and my Lord Digby the most eminent that urged for him and yet it passed That afternoone with all expedition it was brought to the Lords and the four and twentieth day they were put in minde to fix a day for reading of it to which they returned answer that on Munday and Tuesday after they would not fail being not over harty to do it then for it was debated by the Lords to be a business of very high concernments and so perplext as necessarily required a conference with the Common who put it upon Mr. St. Iohn the Kings Solicitor to satisfie them and to justifie the Bill by Law upon Thursday the nine and twentieth and to offer reasons enforcing them to this way of proceeding against the Earl who was ordered to be there present And the Commons to shadow the violence of this proceeding with the Earl they bethought themselves of some publique affair and so petition the King 1. For removing of all Papists from Court. 2. For disarming of them generally throughout the Kingdome 3. For disbanding the Irish Army To which they had Answer the eight and twentieth 1. They all knew what legal trust the Crown hath in that particular therefore he shall not need to say any thing to assure them that he shall use it so as there shall be no just cause of scandal 2. He is content it shall be done by Law 3. And for the last he had entered into consultation about it finding many difficulties therein and he doth so wish the disbanding of all Armies as he did conjure them speedily and heartily to joyn with him in disbanding those two here Scots and English I am now come to the point to consider of the Differences between two Writers our Historian and his Observatour concerning the Death of the Earl of Strafford and reflecting upon the late Arch-bishop of Armagh Primate of all Ireland whilest he was living and so pursued since his Death I being intrusted by him when time and occasion should happen to offer in publick what I had in charge under his own hand-writing and others also not to quarrel it any further but to rectifie mis-understandings if it may be done without malice on any side and so I shall handle it as a Moderatour We begin from the Bill of Attainder which was read in presence of the Earl at the Bar. Whereas the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons in this present Parliament assembled have in the name of themselves and of all the Commons of England impeached Thomas Earl of Strafford of High-treason for endeavouring to subvert the ancient and fundamental Laws and Government of his Majesties Realms
speech thwarting the general resentment of the Parliament they were dismissed with very great discontent The next day bâ—ing Sunday the second of May the Marriage was solemnized at Court between the young Prince of Orange and the princess Mary at Whitehal he had been here ever since the twentieth of April One daies time falling in of leasure to the Parliament to consider of all the former passages concerning the Earl and that by a convenience of the service of that holy day Sunday where the Pulpits of some Incendiaries preached to the people the necessity of Justice upon high Delinquents now to be acted which so prevailed that on Munday the next morning being the third of May a rabble of the light headed City neer 6000. came thronging down that morning to Westminster the most of them armed with swords others with Cutchels and staffes crying out for Justice against the Earl of Strafford pretending that their trading decayed and they in great want thereby of bread they were loth to say so against their own knowledge being rather extreamly wanton with too much pride They applied themselves to the Earl of Mountgomery who very wisely indeavoured to appease them They notwithstanding poasted up at Westminster a Catalogue of names and stiled them Straffordians such whose suffrages had been to acquit him And this way of tumult had been lately taken up to enforce a consent or execution of any the Parliament designs upon which the King observes the subsequent mischiefs that followed I never thought saies the King anie thing except our sins more ominously presageing all these mischiefs which have followed then those Tumults in London and Westminster soon after the Convening of this Parliament which were not like a storm at Sea which yet want's not it's terror but like an Earth quake shakeing the very foundations of all then which nothing in the world hath more of horror As it is one of the most convincing Arguments that there is a God while his power sets bounds to the rageing of the Sea so t is no less that he restrain's the madness of the people Nor doth any thing portend more Gods displeasure against a Nation then when he suffers the confluence and clamors of the Vulgar to pass all boundaries of Laws and reverence to Authority Which those Tumults did to so high degrees of Insolence that they spared not to invade the Honor and Freedom of the two Houses menaceing reproaching shakeing yea and assaulting som Members of both Houses as they fancied or disliked them Nor did they forbear most rude and unseemly deportments both in contemptuous words and actions to My self and My Court Nor was this a short fit or two of shakeing as an Ague but a quotidian Fever alwaies encreasing to higher inflammations impatient of any mitigation restraint or remission First they must be a Guard against those fears which som men scared themselves and others withall when indeed nothing was more to be feared and less to be used by wise men then those tumultuarie confluxes of mean and rude people who are taught first to Petition then to Protest then to dictate at last to Command and Over-aw the Parliament All obstructions in Parliament that is a freedom of differing in Votes and debateing matters with reason and candor must be taken away with these Tumults By these must the Houses be purged and all rotten Members as they please to count them cast out By these the obstinacie of men resolved to discharge their Consciences must be subdued by these all factious seditious and schismatical Proposals against Government Ecclesiastical or Civil must be backed and abetted till they prevailed Generally who ever had most minde to bring forth confusion and ruine upon Church and State used the midwiferie of those Tumults whose riot and impatience was such that they would not stay the ripening and season of Counsels or fair production of Acts in the order gravitie and deliberateness befitting a Parliament but ripped up with barbarous crueltie and forcibly cut out abortive Votes such as their Inviters and Encouragers most fancied Yea so enormous and detestable were their out-rages that no sober man could be without an infinite shame and sorrow to see them so tolerated and connived at by some countenanced encouraged and applauded by others What good man had not rather want any thing he most desired for the publique good then obtain it by such unlawful and irreligious means But mens passions and Gods directions seldom agree violent designs and motions must have suteable engines such as too much attend their own ends seldom confine themselves to Gods means Force must crowd in what Reasons will not lead Who were the chief Demagogues and Patrones of Tumults to send for them to flatter and embolden them to direct and turn their clamorous importunities some men yet living are too conscious to pretend ignorance God in his due time will let these see that those were no fit means to be used for attaining his ends But as it is no strange thing for the sea to rage when strong windes blow upon it so neither for multitudes to become insolent when they have Men of some reputation for parts and piety to set them on That which made their rudeness most formidable was That many Complaints being made and Messages sent by My self and some of both Houses yet no order for redress could be obtained with any vigor and efficacie proportionable to the malignity of that now far-spread disease and predominant mischief Such was some mens stupidity that they feared no inconvenience Others petulancie that they joyed to see their betters shamefully out-raged and abused while they knew their onely security consisted in vulgar flattery So insensible were they of Mine or the two Houses common safety and Honors Nor could ever any order be obtained impartially to examine censure and punish the known Boutefeus and impudent Incendiaries who boasted of the influence they had and used to convoke those Tumults as their advantages served Yea some who should have been wiser States-men owned them as friends commending their Courage Zeal and industry which to sober men could seem no better then that of the Devil who goes about seeking whom he may deceive and devour I confess when I found such a deafness that no Declaration from the Bishops who were first fouly insolenced and assaulted nor yet from other Lords and Gentlemen of Honor nor yet from my self could take place for the due suppression of these Tumults and securing not onely Our Freedom in Parliament but our very Persons in the streets I thought My self not bound by My presence to provoke them to higher boldness and contempts I hoped by My with-drawing to give time both for the ebbing of their Tumultuous fury and others regaining some degrees of modesty and sober sense Som may interpret it as an effect of Pusillanimity for any man for popular terrors to desert his Publique Station But I think it a hardiness beyond true
the Kings Answers unsatisfactory And that the Kingdom be put into a posture of Defence in such a way as is agreed upon by Parliament and a Committee to prepare a publick Declaration from these two Heads 1. The just causes of the Fears and Iealousies given to the Parliament and to clear them from any Iealousies conceived against them 2. To consider of all matters arising from his Majesties Message and what is fit to be done A man would wonder upon what grounds they should arm by Sea and Land specially so hastily resolved as the next day March 2. Advertisements they say of extraordinary preparations by the neighbouring Princes both by Land and Sea the intentions whereof are so represented as to raise a just apprehension of sudden Danger to the King and his Kingdoms unless the wisdom of Parliament prevent it And therefore the Earl of Northumberland Admiral of England is commanded with all speed to order the Rigging of the Kings Ships and fit them immediately for the Sea And to frighten us into fear all Masters and Owners of Ships are perswaded to do the like for the emergent occasions of publick Defence In order to these the Beacons were new made up Sea-marks set up such riding posting with Pacquets whispering and Tales telling as put the people in fear of they knew not what wise men onely told the Truth discovering the Enemy wholly at home I have been as brief as may be in the business of this year and yet to satisfie the curious I cannot omit all the occasions of this miserable Eruption which follows presuming yet that this Declaration designed may be spared the recording for certainly no new matter can be invented and what hither to hath been the cause the Reader has leave to judg But not to amuse your imaginations it self must satisfie the Declaration was born to Roiston by the Earls of Pembroke and Holland He who read it to the King this Lord being raised and created to become his most secret Counsellour the most intimate in affection the first of his Bed-chamber his constant companion in all his sports and recreations even in that place and to this hour At the sight of him the Kings countenance me thought mixed into compassion and disdain as who should as Caesar did Et tu mi fili But on he went to this effect March 9. The manifold Attempts to provoke your Majesties late Armie and the Scots Armie and to raise a Faction in London and other parts the Actours having their dependence countenance and encouragement from the Court witness Jermin's Treason who was transported beyond Sea by your Majesties Warrant and that dangerous Petition delivered to Captain Leg by your Majesties own Hand with a Direction signed C. R. The false and scandalous Accusation against the Lord Kimbolton and the five Members Plotting and designing a Guard about your person labouring to infuse into the people an ill opinion of the Parliament as if to raise Arms for a Civil War in which Combustion Ireland would be lost That the Lord Digby was sent to Sir John Pennington to be landed beyond Sea to vent his traiterous conceptions for the King to retire to some place of strength offering to correspond by cyphers with the Queen as if to procure some forreign Forces to assist your Majestie answerable to your remove with the Prince as in a readiness for the acting of it Manifold Advertisements which they have from Rome Venice Paris and other parts expecting the effects of the Kings Design to alter Religion and ruine the Parliament That the Popes Nuntio hath solicited the Kings of France and Spain to lend his Majesty four thousand Men a plece to help to maintain his Royalty against the Parliament And this foreign Force the most pernicious and malignant Design of all the rest so they hope it is from his thoughts Because no man will easily believe you will give up your People and Kingdom to be spoiled by strangers if you did not likewise intend to change both your own profession in Religion and the publick profession of the Kingdom that so you might be more assured of these foreign States of the Popish Religion for the future support and defence They â—eseech his Majesty to consider how fair a way he hath to happiness honour greatness plenty security if he would but joyn with his Parliament and people in defence of the Religion and Kingdom This is all they expect from him and for which they shall return their Lives Fortunes and utmost Endeavours to support him and Sovereignty And for the present have but onely this to desire To turn away his wicked Counsellours and put his trust in Parliament At the reading of that part which mentioned Master Iermin's transportation by his Majesties Warrant the King interrupted him and said That 's false And at the business of Captain Leg he told him 'T is a Lie And at the end of all he said He was confident the Parliament had worse information than he had Councils What have I denied you The Militia said Holland That 's no Bill The other replied It was necessary Which I have not denied but in the manner His Lordship would perswade the King to come near the Parliament Have you given me cause said the King This Declaration is not the way to it and in all Aristotle's Rhetoricks there is no such Argument of perswasion Pembroke that he might say something said it over again The Parliament prays him to come to them The King told him Words were not sufficient What would you have Sir said he The King replied To whip a Boy in Westminster School that could not tell that by my Answer Then the Lord asked him to grant the Militia for a time Not an hour this was never asked of any King with which I will not trust my Wife and Children But his Majesties Answer to all was this That to their Fears and Iealousies he would take time to satisfie all the World hoping that God would in his good time discover the secrets and bottoms of all Plots and Treasons to set him upright with his people For his Fears and Doubts are not trivial while so many scandalous Pamphlets seditious Sermons sundry Tumults publick are uninquired into and unpunished He must confess his Fears calling God to witness they are the greater for the Religion for his people and for their Laws than for his own Rights or safetie of himself and yet he tells them none of these are free from Danger What would you have said he Have I violated your Laws Have I denied any one Bill What have ye done for me Have my people been transported with Fears and Apprehensions I have I offer a free pardon as your selves can devise There is a Iudgment from Heaven upon this Nation if these Distractions continue God so deal with me and mine as all my thoughts and intentions are right for the maintenance of the true Protestant profession the observation and preservation of
a fourth part of the Members of either House whose judgments free single and apart did approve or desire such destructive changes in the Government of the Church I am perswaded there remains in far the major part of both Houses if free and full so much Learning Reason Religion and just Moderation as to know how to sever between the use and the abuse of things the institution and the corruption the Government and the mis-government the primitive paterns and the aberrations or blottings of after copies Sure they could not all upon so little or no Reason as yet produced to the contrarie so soon renounce all regard to the Laws in force to Antiquitie to the pietie of their reforming progenitours to the prosperitie of former times in this Church and State under the present Government of the Church Yet by a strange fatalitie these men suffer either by their absence or silence or negligence or supine credulitie believing that all is Gold which is gilded with the shews of Zeal and Reformation their private dissenting in Iudgment to be drawn into the common Sewer or stream of the present Vogue and humour which hath its chief rise and abetment from those popular clamours and Tumults which served to give life and strength to the infinite activitie of those men who studied with all diligence and policie to improve to their innovating Designs the present Distractions Such Armies of Propositions having so little in my judgment of Reason Iustice and Religion on their side as they had Tumult and Faction for their rise must not go alone but ever be back and seconded with Armies of Souldiers though the second should prevail against my person yet the first shall never over-come me further than I see cause for I look not at the number and power so much as I weigh their Reason and Iustice. Had the two Houses first sued out their Liverie and once effectually redeemed themselves from the Wardship of the Tumults which can be no other than the Hounds that attend the Crie and Hollow of those men who hunt after Factions and private Designs to the râ—ine of Church and State Did my judgment tell me that the Propositions sent to me were Results of the major part of their Votes who exercise their freedom as well as they have a Right to sit in Parliament I should then suspect mine own judgment for not speedily and fully concurring with every one of them For I have charitie enough to think there are wise men among them and humilitie to think that as in some things I may want so 't is fit I should use their advice which is the end for which I called them to a Parliament But yet I cannot allow their wisdom such a compleatness and inerrabilitie as to exclude my self since none of them hath that part to act that Trust to discharge nor that Estate and Honour to preserve as my self without whose Reason concurrent with theirs as the Sun's influence is necessarie in all Natures productions they cannot beget or bring forth any one compleat and authoritative Act of publick wisdom which makes the Laws But the unreasonableness of some Propositions not more evident to me than this is that they are not the joint and free desires of those in their major number who are of right to sit and vote in Parliament For many of them savour very strong of that old Leaven of Innovations masked under the name of Reformation which in my two last famous Predecessour's daies heaved at and sometimes threatned both Prince and Parliament But I am sure was never wont so far to infect the whole mass of the Nobilitie aâ—d Gentrie of this Kingdom however it dispersed among the Vulgar nor was it likely so suddenly to taint the major part of both Houses as that they should unanimously desire and affect so enormous and dangerous Innovations in Church and State contrarie to their former education practice and judgment Not that I am ignorant how the choice of many Members was carried by much faction in the Countreys some thirsting after nothing more than a passionate revenge of what ever displeasure they had conceived against me my Court or the Clergie But all Reason bids me impute these sudden and vast desires of change to those few who armed themselves with the many-headed and many-handed Tumults No less doth Reason Honour and Safetie both of Church and State command me to chew such morsels before I let them down If the straitness of my Conscience will give me leave to swallow down such Camels of Sacrilege and Injustice both to God and man as others do they have no more cause to quarrel with me than for this that my throat is not so wide as theirs yet by Gods help I am resolved that nothing of passâ—on or peevishness or list to contradict or vanitie to shew my Negative power shall have any byass upon my judgment to make me gratifie my will by denying any thing which my Reason and Conscience commands me not Nor on the other side will I consent to more than Reason Iustice Honour and Religion perswade me to be for God's glorie the Churches good my peoples welfare and mine own peace I will studie to satisfie my Parliament and my people but I will never for fear or flatterie gratifie any Faction how potent soever for this were to nourish the Disease and oppress the bodie Although many mens loyaltie and prudence are terrified from giving me that free and faithfull counsel which they are able and willing to impart and I may want yet none can hinder me from craving of the couâ—sel of that mightie Counsellour who can both suggest what is best and incline my heart stedfastly to follow it It is now by these Propositions laid open to all men that the Cabalists of their business have with great cunning reserved themselves untill due preparations should be fitted for their grand Design to quarrel with the King for they having removed a troublesom Rub in their way the Law that they might undermine the very foundation of it a new power had been assumed to interpret and declare Laws by extemporary Votes without any case judicially before them and without the King Orders and Ordinances pressing upon the peoples as Laws The next step an upstart Authority without the King to command the Militia the Magazine and Town of Hull and bestrid Hotham in his bold-faced Treason with unpresident Invectives against the Government with false Aspersions of His favouring a Rebellion in Ireland that the King ought to pasâ— all Laws offered by them to him however his Conscience shall be unsatisfied notwithstanding the clause in Law 2 H. 5. They do acknowledg there That it is of the Kings Regalitie to grant or denie such of their Petitions as pleaseth himself That the King's Guard is with intent to levie War against the Parliament to render him odious to the people They have so awed his good Subjects with censures and imprisonments that none
But all would not do to the purpose which the Parliament expected for the City were not able to effect more and so the time calling for the General Essex to march out he mustered on Hounslo-Heath but ten thousand and so Sir William Waller would be the longer attendant for his yet on goes Essex fresh Supplies being promised and soon sent after him for two Designs to take Oxford or to raise the Kings Siege against Glocester which he did marching for this purpose to Maidenhead and so forward and by the tenth of September raised the Siege as hereafter in due place But the King failing at Glocester his Service was performed by Prince Maurice at Exeter which City he summoned often and at last had this Answer That no evil counsels or hard opinions should abate the loyalty of their affections and they neither did nor would enjoy any thing whereof his Majesty should not have the just and true command And accordingly on the fourth of September he took possession of Exeter for having given a fierce Assault the day before flung in their Granadoes fired part of the Suburbs and came to parley but not liking their Conditions for that day and having slept upon it also on went the Prince made himself Master of the great Sconce or Bulwark turn'd the great Ordnance thereof upon the Town it self which the Souldiers considered as having no safety but in their seasonable submission with all their Ordnance Arms and Ammunition the Officers to depart with their Swords by their sides and the common Souldiers with cudgels in their hands And Sir Iohn Berkley made Governour thereof for the King The King having prospered so well in the West by the merit of his County of Cornwall as also other wonderfull Successes which it hath pleased God to bless that loyalty in despite of all humane probability He declares and signifieth that as he cannot be forgetfull of so great Deserts so could he not but desire to perpetuate the memory of these their merits and of his gracious acceptance of them and to that end did thereby render his Royal thanks to them in the most publick and lasting manner that he could devise Commanding Copies thereof to be printed and published and to be read in every Church and Chapel of the County and there to be preserved upon good Record that so as long as the Historie of this State continueth the memorie of their merits in the present action may be derived to perpetual posterity A gracious Act not more conducing to the praise and honour of them who receive than of him that gave it Judg Berkley one of the Judges for the promoting of Ship-mo-money hath been long a Prisoner for that cause and now was censured in a Fine of twenty thousand pounds to be incapable of Dignity and Office in the Common-wealth and to be continued a Prisoner during pleasure so being formerly accused of high Treason this Sentence seemed very partial to condemn him for Misdemeanours The strength of Glocester for the Parliament was no more than two Regiments of Foot one hundred Horse and the Trained Bands with some Reformadoes one hundred Horse more from Berkley Castle in the whole about fifteen hundred men fourty Barrels of Powder and a slender Artillery the Works large and not perfected from the South Gate Eastward to the North Port defended with an old Wall lined with Earth with a slender Work at the end thereof with a Stone Barn that commanded several ways upon the lower part of the City from the North to the West Gate there was a Work newly raised and the advantage of Marsh-grounds without and a Line drawn within from the inner North Gate under the College Wall to the Priorie of St. Oswalds the West side defended by the River the Meadows beyond level with the Town from the Castle to the South Port with a firm and lofty Work which commanded the ground in the Suburbs the Ditches narrow but full of Water round about Thus they within when the King hovers over the Hills and now and then skirted upon the Town before he laid his close Siege Upon the tenth of August they descended the Hills the Mayor of the Town having heretofore answered Prince Rupert's Summons That he kept it according to his Oath for the King It was considered with themselves what Answer novv to make to the Kings person this then True it is say they It was held so but as to the sense of the Parliament and the Citizens put no difference between a Command in Person and a Deputation Whereupon tvvo Heralds gave them this Summons CHARLS REX Out of our tender compassion to our City of Glocester and that it may not receive prejudice by our Armie which we cannot prevent if we be compelled to assault it we are personally come before it to require the same and are graciously pleased to let all the Inhabitants Souldiers and others to know that if they yield all shall have pardon without Exception and that in the word of their King and without prejudice to any person or their Estates and a Governour shall be appointed and such a moderate Garison for ease and security of the City and County but if they shall neglect this offer of grace they must expect the issue To this Message we expect a clear and positive Answer within two hours and for any persons safely to repair to and return from us And novv vvas the King dravvn before the Tovvn attended by Prince Charls and the Duke of York Prince Rupert and General Ruthen vvith about six thousand Horse and Foot on that side and tvvo thousand Horse on the other side And by this time an Ansvver is come presented by Major Pudsey and one Citizen We the Inhabitants Magistrates Officers and Souldiers within this Garison of Glocester unto his Majesties gracious Message return this humble Answer That we do keep this Citie according to our Oath and Allegeance to and for the use of his Majestie and his Royal Posteritie and do accordingly conceive our selves wholly bound to obey the Commands of his Majestie signified by both Houses of Parliament and are resolved by Gods help to keep the Citie accordingly The King vvondered at their confidence vvithout any hope of Succour Waller not in being and Essex cannot come and therefore they vvent to vvork advancing forvvards into the East Suburbs vvhich the City instantly fired for their better security vvithin The next day they intrenched on the South and East parts under the shadovv of the night but induring some Sallies from the Town vvith loss on both sides the Ordnance also killed some few and a Lieutenant Colonel and Captain of the Queens Black Regiment Sir Iacob Ashley also shot in the arm By this time the Welch Forces under command of Sir William Vavisor vvere advanced to the Bishops house leaving a Guard half a mile from the West Gate the place deserted by the Enemy and so passed over
chief of the Forces in Glocestershire or Colonel Min Commander of the English Brigade that came out of Ireland or Colonel Washington at Evisham or the Governour of Berkley Castle As soon as you send an Answer you shall receive satisfaction from Your assured Friend G. D. Backhouse replies and conceives Sir William Vavisor the fittest to comply and gives his Reasons but the present payment of the three hundred pounds was waved by Stanford and as deeply pressed by Backhouse till they in private met at Coflawn without Arms or Attendants where he receives two hundred pounds and a promise to disingage a Bond of his of fifty pounds And the Plot was thus that Colonel Massie should be drawn out of Glocester with a strong party towards Berkley Castle with assurance that the Castle should be rendered in whose absence Backhouse was to open the Gates and deliver the Word but with some counter considerances The fifteenth of February was now come the time assigned and nine a clock at night the hour and a Messenger is sent to the Cavaliers Quarters with the Word but the Design of Backhouse was discovered and so nothing was effected But how Backhouse could receive the Money and dispence with his deep Oaths to be sincere and just to his promise I know not certainly so much Money could not satisfie for an evil conscience nor can his part be excused from corruption in the highest nature if duly examined The Actions of Glocester against the Welch set up Sir William Waller and the Kings party thereabout to withdraw for Sir Matthew Carew forthwith quitted Teuxbury which within twelve hours was possessed by Captain Iohn Fines with sufficient strength of Horse and Dragoons to whom also their affected Friends at Glocester came home again hastily and with much confusion but no sooner warm in their new possession but the former Forces with a greater power returned upon design The Assistance was of Horse a gallant Brigade commanded by the Lord Grandeson which came from Chiltenham without the least intelligence to the other and as little to his Lordship to be met with by Glocester Forces which came suddenly to the succour yet Fines had been surprized with all his Horse had not a ridiculous Accident prevented it Captain Fines at a Miles distance off the Town meets a Man whom they question he supposing them a party of the Parliament to curry favour tells them of vast numbers and great strength of Cavaliers but seems to defie them with indignation this frightens Fines to a Council of War and were about to fall back which delay gave an hours respite and so the Enemy entred After Sir William Waller had refreshed his Men about the first of April he advanced towards Monmouthshire invited by some Gentlemen to reduce their parts at his coming to the Town of Monmouth the Garison of the Lord Herbert retired leaving a naked place to Sir William where finding small success of his parties sent abroad for Supplies of Moneys he marched to Usk and spending some time to no purpose in that County he returns the stream of the people affording him no welcome being all universal Tenants of that County to the Earl of Worcester In this time Prince Maurice enters Teuxbury with a Brigade of Horse and Foot added to the Lord Grandeson resolving to make after Waller or to meet his return out of Wales A Bridg of Boats wafts him over Severn with a Body of two thousand Horse and Foot Waller was nimble in his Retreat not to be catcht in a noose or neck of Wales but by a Bridg of Boats came back at Chepstow with his Foot and Artillery and himself with his Horse and Dragoons passed through the lowest part of the Forest of Dean near the River side of Severn and ere the Prince had notice sends forth two Parties to fall upon two of the Princes Quarters which was performed whilest Waller's main Body slipt between both and a Party was left also to face them and make good the Retreat which came off but disorderly with loss of some Souldiers It was held a handsome conveyance and unexpected to bring himself out of the Snare by uncouth ways This Allarm soon reached Glocester and caused Massie there to send assistance of two Troops of Horse and three hundred Foot to fetch him off This Party met him two Miles off the Town where being combined they design to set upon Teuxbury and taking conveniency by the Princes absence and Waller's supposed Defeat instantly they march and come up to the Town by break of day one part whereof fell into the Ham seized the Guard left with the Bridg-of Boats and cut off that Bridg but his Horse with the rest of the Foot came up Glocester way surprized and slew the Centinel climbed over the Works cut down the Draw-Bridges the Horse and Foot rushing in and the party on the other side Avon ready to enter also There they found in the Town three hundred men commanded by Sir Matthew Carew whom the Triumph of yesterday's supposed Victory had lull'd asleep and now awakened by this sudden Allarm rowsed up to a shufflâ—ng fighting posture and then to a Retreat and after to an Escape and but some Souldiers taken These sudden Surprisals gave various intelligence to Oxford not able to credit any Relations being so strangely inconstant but onely to chances Yet a party of the Princes Horse appear from the top of the Hill near Teuxbury as if his Body were hard by whereupon Waller marches thither that Evening resolving to break down or make good the Bridg at Upton upon Severn besides which there was no Pass nearer than VVorcester but the Scouts told him the Prince was there before and guarded it The next day VValler advances and found him in Ripple-field his Army drawn up and divided into three Bodies faces him but would not fight being fewer in number no Shot prepared no Cannoneers few Foot the Winde nor Sun to friend and their Retreat if need were through a long Lane In this posture though some perswade to fight others would not and so VValler retreats into the Lane commanding a Party of Dragoons to face the Prince and the Musketiers to stand at the corner to make good his Retreat But the Prince falls on the Dragoons fly over Hedg and Ditch broke over the Bridg disordering their own and were killed or taken Massie sends to Teuxbury for Supply but Haselrig with his Troop and some Foot made a Charge which in part took off the foulness of the Flight for at the end of the Lane a Ditch stopt their haste and a Gate flung off the Hinges barred the Pursute with time to make a Stand no longer than that the Prince came up but then faced about and fled in a great hurry and loss till a Supply of Foot from the Town met them near Mith-hill and there made a false Stand rather to take breath than to fight for their
Ordnance before to choose out so many commanded Musquetiers of the English of late come out of Ireland as might well be spared out of that Garison These were a thousand Musquetiers of Colonel Broughtons and Colonel Tilliers Regiments with a hundred and twenty of Colonel Sir Fulke Huncks All these sent down by the Severne met the Prince at Bridgenorth on Fryday Of Horse he took along his own Troop and Regiment with twenty of Major General Sir Hurrey's with these Forces he drew along three Field-pieces At Wolverhamton next day was his Army recruited by a hundred Horse and two hundred Foot of Colonel Levesons On Munday night he had notice at Ashby de la Zouch of two thousand two hundred Enemies under Sir Edward Hartop sent out by Meldruâ—â— to the pass and bridge over the Sore a mile from Loughborow in Leicester-shire Their purpose was either to intercept General Major George Porter or to prevent his joyning with my Lord Loughborow For thither with four Regiments of Horse and aâ— thousand commanded Musquetiers of my Lord of Newcastles men was Master Porter now come from about Newark to hinder the farther inroads into Leicestershire Dayly slight Skirmishes here passed For Meldrum not able to force the passaâ—â— and hearing of my Lord of Loughborow's drawing out they stole away Porter thus dis-ingaged was the next day together with my Lord Loughborow's forces conjoyned to the Prince's That night they all quartered in a Close by Bingham eight miles short of Newark About two of the clock the Moon then well up the drums beat and all marched Hitherto had the marches been so speedy as fame it self was prevented for by Meldrum's own Letter sent to the Lord Fairfax which was intercepted the night before they had no more but an uncredited rumor of Prince Rupert's coming On this dayes march Rupert had notice by his espyalls how the Enemies were busied all that morning in sending away their Cannons which proved no other then their drawing them off their Batteries into their chiefe work at the Spittle or Excester House a little more then musket shot from the Town for into that one Quarter had they that morning drawn all their Regiments and Amunition The Prince having intelligence of their amassing themselves into one Body which he supposed a preparation to march off suddenly advanc'd his Van of Horse upon the spur to overtake them the rest of his Horse had order to keep along with the Foot Cannon and Amunition Coming near the Beacon-hill a mile short of Newark he perceived some Horses of the enemies who upon his approach drew down the other side to their own Grosse The Prince thus easily gaining the hill increased his natural courage upon his apprehension besides of having many advantages upon a retreating enemy Whereupon Courage sayes he let 's charge them with the Horse we have and ingage them till our Reer and Foot be march'd up to us Trooping thus to the edge of the hill he perceived the most of the enemy in Battalia Horse and Foot near the Spittle all except four great Bodies of Horse who expected him at the very descent of the hill The Prince thus ordered his own few Forces first himself with his own Troop of Life-guards undertook to attack that Body on the left hand appointing my Lord Loughborow's Troop to second him and Colonel Gerard's Troop to be as a Reserve a little on my Lords right hand The Princes Regiment was cast out into five divisions two Troops to each division in the first and very right hand of all were Captain Gardiner and Captain Richardson then Captain Cobb and Captain Martin then the Lord Grandison and Sir Thomas Dallison next them the Troops of Sir Lewis Dives and the Lord Dillon Major Leggs and Lieutenant-Colonel O-Neales Troops being next unto the Life-guards this Regiment was seconded by Major General Porters Regiment the Field-word was King and Queen theirs Religion The fight began about nine a clock and after a while grew sturdy especially on Rupert's right wing the other doubling their files from three to six deep and charged two outmost Troops upon the Flanks so hard that Captain Martin came timely in to help to beat them off the Prince himself having pierced deep into the enemies and being observed for his valour was dangerously at once assaulted by three sturdy persons whereof one fell by Rupert's own sword a second being pistoll'd by Master Mortaigne one of his own Gentlemen the third now ready to lay hand on the Princes collar had it almost chopt off by Sir William Neale He thus dis-engaged with a shot only in his gauntlet with Sir Richard Crane and his own Troop charged quite thorow that Body pursuing them in rout home to their very Works at the Spittle presently after this his Regiment with their seconds likewise routed the three other Bodies four of the Troops charging even into the Work and bringing away a Captain Prisoner Loughborow also deported himself honourably some of his shrunk at the second charge himself rode back to rally and bring them up again Major-general Porter charged with much bravery though some of his also retired up the hill in disorder Colonel Charles Gerard did here like himself but by the fall of his horse was bruised shot in the arm and taken prisoner After a while both sides began to rallie and make ready for a second charge the Prince to make impression and they to receive it and though for a good while they disputed it toughly yet by fine force were they and all the rest driven quite out of the Field beyond their own Work Foot and Cannon at the Spittle divers of them hasting by a bridge of boats over that branch of the Trent into the Island four other Troops with as many Foot-companies hasted up to Muskham bridge upon the other side of the Island and main stream of the River about three quarters of a mile both from Newark and the Spittle here they stayed till towards evening when breaking the bridge behinde them and throwing one piece of Cannon into the Trent they then hastned to Nottingham In both these stiffe bouts the Prince took Five Cornets and Ninetie Prisoners whereof three Captaines some Gentlemen three Cornets besides other Officers and two Cannoniers And now as if an universal truce had been agreed upon there was some half an hours silence excepting that the enemies Cannonado's disturbed it For the Foot had not yet advanced and their Horse by this time had enough of it As for the Prince he now stayed for his Foot and Reer of Horse both left full two miles behinde when his Van began to double their march to overtake the enemy anon came up his Foot all that day commanded by Colonel Tilliar these resting themselves a while upon the hill the first division being part of those that came from Shrewsbury were led on by the Colonel these marcht down in the face of the enemy hooting at their Cannon these
which was assessed in Money proportionable to the condition of the Family The Scots are come and great care taken at Westminster for pay of that Army the twentieth part over all the North they have power to assess for themselves and all Malignants Estates that they can seize within their reach Nay several Counties and Associations are assessed for them Against whom the Marquess of Newcastle marched Northwards and to attack him in Yorkshire follows Sir Thomas Fairfax who was guided by his Father as the Father is by the grand Committee at Westminster as the Committee is by the Scots This dependency being very necessary to assure them good Welcome for so says their Letter to the Lord Fairfax My Lord VVe have taken into consideration the opportunity offered for reducing of Yorkshire whilest the Marquess of Newcastle hath drawn his Forces towards the North to oppose the Scots and how necessary it is to hinder his further Levies that Sir Thomas your Son march into the VVest Riding with all his Horse with two Regiments of Foot out of Lancashire and that your self take the Field with what Forâ—es you can and joyn with your Son for effecting these ends to hold a continual Intelligence with the Scots Army by drawing near Tees March 2. Northumberland Jo Maitland And here we see the great Earl of Northumberland invites the ancient Enemies of England into his own County and the Lord Fairfax into Yorkshire Cambridg University lay under the ordering of the Earl of Manchester Serjeant Major General of the Association where these Heads of Houses were turned out Dr. Beal Dr. Martin Dr. Stern in whose places were put in Masters of the Colleges Mr. Palmer Mr. Arrowsmith Mr. Vines as men more fit indeed such others as these were changed into the like I know not how more fit I am sure some of them are famous for false Latine Sir William Waller forward on his way to finde out the Lord Hopton who was drawn out of Winchester with sufficient Horse to oppose Sir William Balfore whom Waller had sent before to possess Alresford but came last for his Lordship was there first and forced Waller into small Villages in the morning Hopton drew down to Bramdean Heath and found Waller on a fair Hill and would not be forced thence till a long Dispute the Hill thus gained Colonel Lisle with his commanded Men kept it all night in this time of darkness Waller had mastered another Hill of greater advantage by the covert of Trees and Hedges which Colonel Appleford was to repossess and found it a hard Task to mount up against the powring shot of such as lined the Hedges not seen from whence it came Volleys well performed which yet were fain to give way to force which cost them dear enough for they paid a good price for it Here was a pretty breathing if Waller went off Hopton would follow to his undoing if they came on they would undo themselves but the Allarm was given by a mistaking Corporal of Hopton's who took his Enemies for Friends and so were engaged too far to seek throughout within their Ambuscadoes who now play their parts by this Advantage and put Hopton to a Retreat and neither parts had cause to cry Victoria for both sides were soundly beaten I intitle the Fight to the Lord Hopton but General Forth was there upon the other score he came in with the Lord Iohn Stuart sore wounded but I know not how concluded for dead yet Sir Arthâ—r Hasâ—erig called it A safe Deliverance though at London it was cried up for a Victory on this side Sir William Balfore in his Letter to his General â—ssex numbers then to be eight Commanders killed by him the Lord Stuart indeed and Sir Iohn Smith died afterwards of their wounds two gallant Gentlemen so did Colonel Sandys and Colonel Manning and Colonâ—l Scot Colonel Appleyard and Captain Pierson Sir Edward Stowel and Sir Henry Bard these were hurt and deserve honourable mention But at London they mention three Lords killed Stuart is confessed but not the General who they make a double one for his two Titles Forth and Ruthen And so they are described to be Gebal Moab and Ammon and to be utterly vanquished by the Servant of God Sir VVilliam VValler And the Parliament had some of theirs slain Dalbier wounded and Colonel Thomson had his Leg shot off by a Cannon Bullet And this happened upon a Friday March 29. The Cavaliers in disorder drew their Cannon off towards VVinchester but wheeled off unseen to Basing House VValler marches to VVinchester which was rendered to him upon Summons and Hopton is now at Oxford But a solemn Thanksgiving was ordered in London for this Victory and some Members sent to the City to encourage them for Supplies The Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery told them That the City Auxiliaries had done their part and if they went but once more they would rid the Kingdoms of these Rogues the occasion of all our miseries And upon these preparations and success of the Parliament the King draws all his Forces to a Rendezvouz to oppose his Adversaries And as VValler had done such Encouragements heightened others to undertake Mountains Colonel Griffith commonly called Prince Griffith had the confidence to propose to the House of Commons That if he might have a Commission to command in chief of all North Wales next under General Essex and to have Delinquents Estates there by him to be discovered and the Income of such as he should conquer in North Wales not exceeding the Sum of fifteen thousand pounds he would engage his Life and Estate to raise such Forces as should reduce Wales to obedience Which was referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms And he set out in all magnificence with his Silver Trumpets and guarded Coats But at his first Encounter with some of Prince Rupert's Forces whom he sought out for a single Duel Prince Griffith was totally routed which occasioned a merry Lady to tell him He looked sadly ever since he lost his Silver Trumpets And so cashiered he became debaucht and abused the Lady Herbert for which he was imprisoned but her honour much concerned he was released and so having spent a reasonable Fortune he was necessitated to travel beyond Seas where at Paris he was killed in a Tavern the end of his impudency We may enter this Spring with the setting out of General Essex and his Army to be recruited to seven complete Regiments of Foot and six Regiments of Horse and a constant Pay of thirty thousand five hundred and four pounds a Moneth for four Moneths And the Parliaments Navy to be complete for this Summer with addition of twelve Merchants Ships in the places of nine others unserviceable and fifteen small Catches to be added to the Fleet. And a new way of Contribution was devised for getting Moneys towards the charge of arming the Auxiliary Forces now raising within the City of London That all Inhabitants
County of Bucks and evermore Messages are sent to the Lord Mayor of London of all their Victories and now and then a Thanksgiving for the late Successes of Sir Waller's Victories which evermore had a long tail after that is to encourage the City to advance some speedy Payments And also vote that no Members of the Commons House that adhere to the King shall ever be received agaâ—n and if a Member of the Lords depart to the King it shall be Treason and never to be received again Colonel Purifoy with his Regiment of Horse is commanded to Glocestershire either to remove or take in the Cavalier Garisons assisted with four hundred foot with two great Guns drawn out of Glocester marched after Colonel Myn who was lodged at Rosse fortifying the Church with his own and Sir Iohn Winters Regiments but left them and marched to Ledbury in Herefordshire and there kept quarter drawing out 150. Musquetiers with all the Horse marched towards Hereford In whose absence Prince Rupert comes to Evesham with a Brigade of Horse and Dragoons intending to fall upon Upton-bridge and to get in between Glocester and Colonel Myn and Sir Iohn Winter who held Massey play the whiles in Wales where he fired Sir Iohn Winters Iron Mills and so returned where he found a prisoner Captain Oglethrop Governour of Beverston Castle by whom he understood the weaknesse thereof which stopt the passages of the County Thither he comes and demands the Castle for the King and Parliament and was rendred after some dispute and not tenable aginst such a force Some Forces in the absence of Sir Iohn Winter were sent to summon his Lady that kept Garison at home ingaging by the honour of Governour Massey that her Ladyship should receive protection for her and hers with good usage If she refuse this offer of mercy fire and sword must follow The Lady with great courage and more Loyalty sends him word Sir Mr. Winters unalterable Allegeance to his King and Sovereign and his particular interest to this place hath by his Majesties Commission put it into this condition which cannot be pernicious to any but to such as oppose the one and invade the other wherefore rest assured that in these relations we are by Gods assistance resolved to maintain it all extremities notwithstanding Thus much in Mr. Winters absence you shall receive from Mary Winter Massey marches to Malmsbury commanded by Colonel Henry Howard and being denied upon summons some Foot and Artillery were sent for from Tedbury drawn into the Suburbs causing a Blinde crosse the street to bring up his Ordinance neerer the Town within Carbine shot but in a panick fear that a Sally was coming out upon them they all fled and left their Ordinance behind Yet recovering and Rallying they gave the charge all together with a great shout came up to the Turn-pike and routed Colonel Howard and 100. men taken and so returned Then with fresh Forces he marches to Tewxbury which he took by surprise in the dead and dark night with the Governour Colonel Myn but were again beaten out by the Garrison Rallying then comes up the whole Body of Massies Foot and took the Town with much loss though the pâ—ice of his Prisoners General Essex and Sir William Waller being joyned Forces they hovered about Oxfordshire to divert them the King had a design And so the first of Iune went to Woodstock to his Horse Quarters where he supped and returned to his Foot Forces quartered at and about Wolvercâ—â— Amongst whom he was Billeted no better then in his Coach all that night and the next morning gave command for his Forces on the Charwel to come to his Army and altogether to march close to the walls of Oxford and about six a clock the same morning himself came back into Oxford The passages on the Charwel were no sooner cleared but the Parliament Forces began to account upon the effects as if the Kings Army were forced from thence with losse which was true in the main for the King lost some men But the King having setled his Orders at Oxford resolved to depart for he knew his Person was his Adversaries aime Then he commands a great Body of Foot to march towards Abington the better to amaze his Adversaries to hunt after the wrong sent And the same night the King with divers Lords and Gentlemen his own Troop and Menial servants went out of Oxford and came the next morning to Northlye where he drew up his Army of 3000. Foot and 4000. Horse 12. Drakes and 60. Carriages and left a Tertia of his Foot and a new raised Regiment of Horse under command of the Earl of Peterborough and all his great Ordinance at Oxford besides these of the Garrison and Ordnances of the place for defence thereof leaving behind also the Duke of York and the most of his Privy Council and gave Order for all Duties and Ceremonies of Court as if himself were still there present But Iune 4. news was carried to General Essex that the King was gone beyond them after whom all his Forces followed presently to Woodstock but such as scattered back again towards London no small numbers And in their march they faced Oxford again but far enough off and so drew up into Battalia upon Campsfield neer Woodstock where there fell such a prodigious storm that frighted their present enterprise of hunting the Lords Annointed like a Partridge For Captain Willoâ—ghby writes to his Couzin of Parham that his Lordship may do well to make good use of it for they suffered the anger of heaven for two houres space the Hailstones fell as big as Nutmegs thus he saies that felt them there yet no such storm was seen at Oxford The King refreshed at Mr. Parrets house in Northlye went forwards to Bourton on the water a Village between Burford and Stow on the World and there lodged at Doctor Temples the Parson there In this while Essex and Waller divided their Forces Essex attempts the River Charwell at Pitsworth Bridge but repulsed and Waller to passe Isis but was obstructed and the second time Essex is beaten back at the same Bridge but the King being gone Essex got over and Marched after him to Chipping-Norton but returned to Burford and there deputes Waller to follow the chace For the King a Party of Horse was gone towards Worcester leaving his maine Body to march softly after who were the fifth of Iune to quarter at Winchcombe a â—arge Town in the â—olswold Hills neer to Snidley Castle Essex was at a stand full well observing that he prosecuted an haâ—d taske for fighting would not so much waste his men as tedious and hungry marches after the Kings light Army when his own was loaden with heavy Ordnance and therefore resolved to give over this uncomely pursuit after his flying Soveraign And so thought it the wiser way to put this service upon his Rival General Waller and to stay for him
then summons the Castle commanded by Colonel Vele made some assault but was worsted with losse Yet somewhat he did by the way he burnt the Boats at Ast Ferry and intending to passe over Severn to meet Prince Rupert who was nearer hand by an Allarm already in Casselane and by other Scouts it was assured that many Troops under command of Sir Marmaduke Langdale were come into Herefordshire and a party of them joyned with Colonel Lingens Horse had advanced within six miles of Hereford spoyling and plundering those Parishes that were in Association and defence with Glocester Prince Rupert being stopt at Casselane took his course towards Worcester joyning with Colonel Sandis Horse and Sir William Russels Horse and Foot and such other Foot as Dudly Castle could afford him and now abled in power with advantage of the march having left Massey in the Rear beyond Severn as was supposed He resolved to break through and to relieve Banbury in his way Massey hath intelligence and therefore forthwith conveyes his men over Severn at Tewxbury and was got as far as Stanway and gave notice to a Major of Horse neer about that brought 200. Horse and sent away his Foot already tyred and with his Horse resolved to joyn with Colonel Fines at Banbury but on the suddain he heard that 500. Horse were got over the River on this side Evesham approaching to his Quarters and that a Party of Foot were set at the Bridge to make good their repasse one half of their Forces being at Pershore the otehr at Eveshaâ— but four miles asunder but Massey got clear of them Prince Rupert keeps Rendezvouz neer Hereford with fourty two Troops of Horse resolving to passe at Ast Ferry and to guard it sends five hundred Horse and Foot fortifying Beachly for a standing Guard a place of strength a gut of Land tending between Severn and Wye the only commodious passage from Wales to Bristol and to the West of England the main entercourse of the Kings Army Massey hears of this and four dayes after the Cavaliers first fortifying ere the Line was half intrenched from one River to the other amd the other part well guarded with a high Quickset Hedge lined with Musquetiers and Ditched within with a fair Medow re-intrenched and here they had 600. Horse and Foot in all But being faced by an Enemy in the Evening within Musket shot they knew no more hurt could be done till the next morning for at high water it was inaâ—â—â—ssible being guarded by some Ships with Ordnance level with the banks and clearing the face of the approach from Wye to Severn Massey draws up for the onset neer the place of entrance where the otehr party had intended a Draw-bridge and there to storm Out of the Forlorn hope he selects ten Musquetiers to creep along the Hedges and thence to fall upon the very breach these gave the first Allarm to the intrenched who spent their first shot in vain and ere they recharge on went Massey's Forlorne hope the reserve follow ran up the Works rushed in among them they within did their parts gallant and well resolved but were surprised and overpowred with losse and some prisoners but many recovered their Boats and were saved nor could the Assailants boast much more for the bravery then success being in view of a multitude on Chepstow side that saw all their great Guns doing no Execution from each River casting beneath the Bank at low Ebb. Kirle was Lieutenant Colonel to Col. Holtby Governour for the King of Monmouth intending treachery of long time but his cowardize durst not indanger his own person in the design but now he takes occasion of Massey's quartering neer Monmouth and thus it was effected Massey feigns a Post from Glocester side requiring his suddain return with his Forces thitherward to secure that part of the Countrey from the Enemy who was now in plunder out of Bristol and Berkley this Message was come to his hands at Master Hollis house of High-medow a true Cavalier on purpose that he might post the news to the Governour of Monmouth which he did which gave reason for Lieutenant Colonel Kirle to be commanded out with his Troop to follow the Rear of Massey's retreat which he suddainly feigned towards Glocester and three miles on his way lodges his Forces in a Thicket of the Forrest sending his Scouts abroad prevented the discovery of any if in case Kirle should be honest The intelligence reaches Monmouth of Massey's marching away Kirle accordingly is sent out with his Troops to follow his Rear whom Massey surprises at midnight in High-medow House with all his Horse with whom in all possible silence he advances to Monmouth where the Alarm was gâ—ven by a Cornet of Kirles who escaped the surprisal and which Massey now knowing was in some doubt of honesty in Kirle to betray them all and therefore though denied with infinite Oaths he was mistrusted and an eye upon him whom yet Massey intrusts with a hundred Horse to march to Monmouth now in Alarm and upon Guard expecting and Enemy but Kirle comes up to the Draw Bridge pretends a return with many Prisoners perswaded the Guards and so prevailed by Oaths to the Officers of the Guards that the Governour commanded to let down the Draw-bridge with a little jealousie and a weak Guard and the Bridge drawn up again But Kirle with his Company now declares themsâ—lves overpower the Guard and made good the Bridge for a Body of Horse and Foot at hand and had a large Entrance subdued the Town in a moment the Governour and greater part of the Garrison escaping by the dark rainy night over the dry graft the rest put to the Sword divers Prisoners a Major three Captains and other Officers sixty Common Souldiers five Barrels of Powder and some Armes but the Town the best prize being the Key of South Wales and the only safe entercourse for the Kings Army between the West and Wales and the Northern parts Kirl's name hateful to the Countey for this base treacherie but Moumouth was regained in the week following This losse gave Alarm to the Earl of Worcester at Ragland Castle and to the whole Countey who called in Prince Ruperts Horse to assistance and appear in Arms. Massey sends out a small party of Musquetiers commanded by Captain Rochford who finde out the Countreymans Rendezvouz defended by Captain Gainsford and with him joyns Sir William Blaxton with a Brigade of Horse fall upon Massey's Horse Quarters two Troops and a hundred Musquetiers commanded by Captain Baily and Lieutenant Page beat them and put them to rout when their Major drew up the rest of their Troops and Massey came out also from Monmouth rescued their distressed Forces and overpowering the Cavaliers â—lew some and took others prisoners Colonel Gerard for the King draws up his Forces to Ragland Sir Iohn Winter with four hundred from Bristol to fortifie Beachly which Massey must hinder ere they adjoyn
himself from the Ladder without any remorse for his monstrous Crime And now being executed for his Villany it may merit the moving why he was refused his Trial by Peerage The King had a great desire to remove the Siege against Dennington Castle but were beaten off and therefore it was concluded by the Council of State that Essex's Forces should not draw out of Newbury into the Field lest the King should possess it for a Winter Quarter but that they should fight him at his Retreat but he retreated to Marlborough without opposition and the Parliaments Forces quit Newbury which the King possesses and reserves as a covert Quarter for his Army when the other lay in the open Fields and forced from Basing Siege withdrew to Reading Hereabout we finde the first appearance of Exception which the Parliament had against the good management of their Armies Essex being now suspected as careless or discontent and therefore they fall to debate hereabout in the House for Colonel Norton had writ a Letter to them that he had received a Warrant from a chief Commander in the Army to withdraw from Basing which was a thing unexpected he says but accordingly he hath obeyed nay the commands of the Committee of both Kingdoms to the Army were lately much neglected and complained of It grew into a high Debate How chance the Parliaments Forces permitted the Enemie to relieve Dennington Castle when they were two for one and why the Town of Newbury was quitted before the Enemie was marched away as the pretence of not fighting before was because we would not quit Newbury And now the Kings Forces were quartered at Basing Odjam Newburie Blewburie and Marlborough and Essex at Reading Henley Abington and Farnham And whilest they thus lodg in Quarters the Actions of the Parliaments Army are arreigned and committed And the Earl of Manchester makes the Relation concerning the carriage at Dennington Castle of great length in writing wherein his Lordship makes his own Defence and gives a Charge against Lieutenant General Cromwel a Member of the Commons who had deserved much honour for his good Service to the State and who made answer to several particulars therein mentioned and the point of privilege of Parliament upon the transmitting of that business from the Lords before any Charge was brought to the House of Commons but it was committed and they to receive the proofs for making good of the Earls Information concerning Lieutenant General Cromwel and to make protestation of secrecy therein and so silent they were that we never heard more of it General Essex having sped so ill in the West was now returned to Westminster where the Faction was powerfull in the Commons House against him being suspected somewhat more royal than the House would have him to be And after long Debate it was resolved to new model the Army and by degrees and in time to be rid of their old General and to bethink of a new one in quality not more than a Knight with intention not over-long to trust to the Lords at all And begin with an Order That no Member of either House shall during this War enjoy and execute any Office or Command Military or Civil which hath been granted or conferred on any Member of either House or by any Authoritie derived from either House This was subtilly done and but very poor Reasons publick to satisfie the world in this policy That in relation to the Armie all Commissions to Parliament men being void the new molding the Armie may be carried on with less exception when all are concerned alike That all Differences militarie among the great Commanders Parliament men which may retard the work is hereby quieted And those that shall be new made Officers may be elected of the lesser quality and the sooner subject to question and punishment and the Armie maintained at a less charge And after fourty days expiring this Order all their Commands and Offices in the Army shall be null but in order to justice they publish their Resolution to pay off their Arrears which was slenderly performed when their Offices were out of date And to crown this Design they fast and pray and to boot the well-affected City give them thanks and promise to live and die with them for this their new voting And somewhat to sweeten the Earl of Essex's sowreness the Parliament ordered him ten thousand pounds per annum out of Delinquents Estates for his good Service and his great Losses and amongst their Commanders they elect Sir Thomas Fairfax in his room But this great Ordinance of Molding goes on slow and suffered much Debate and Alteration for the Lords House began to foresee the effects and would not assent untill Petitions from the City and several Counties drew them to conclude it with this Title An Ordinance for the raising and maintaining of Forces for the defence of the Kingdom under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax Who is sent for to London out of the North and comes in private and the next day Feb. 19. is conducted to the Commons House by four of their Members a Chair was set and he to sit therein M. Speaker telling him the great trust the Kingdom had put upon him in the command of this Army and the good opinion they had of his valour and fidelity for the defence of Religion Laws and Liberty encouraging him to go on as he hath begun Great Disorders in the modelling this new Army and long time setling hastened an Order to the Scots Army to march Southward with all speed This new Army consisted of twenty one thousand viz. fourteen thousand Foot and six thousand Horse and a thousand Dragoons The House of Commons finding the Peers so pregnant as notwithstanding the great Exceptions and publick discourse of an intention to lessen their Lordships it was thought fitting to caress them by an appointed Committee March 18. to congratulate their happy concurrence and to assure them of the Commons real affections and endeavours to support their Lordships in their Honours and Privileges A language which heretofore the Lords would have disdained to have received from them The List of the Officers thus passed were these besides those of the old which are kept in Sir Thomas Fairfax Commander in chief Major General Skippon who was indeed the City Champion New Officers of Foot Colonels Crayford Berkley Montague Aldridg Holborn Fortescue Ingolsby Pickering Rainsborough New Officers of Horse Colonels Middleton Sidney Graves Sheffield Vermindon Whaley Levisay Fleetwood Rossiter Sir Robert Pie The Kings Army was now under the chief command of the Prince of Wales Prince Maurice and Prince Rupert in the Northern parts and association of the Counties adjoyning the Earl of Derby and Sir Marmaduke Langdon in Byrone and Gerard in VVales Southward and these Counties thereabout Hopton Goring and Greenvile in the West with several small Armies Amongst those of the old Commanders for the Parliament I finde Lieutenant General Cromwel the
testimony thereof if it shall please you to expresse it to us wherein we may be useful to the States our honoured neighbours and Predecessors in the like sufferings Sir Iohn Winter was up again and obtains from Prince Rupert two thousand Horse and fifteen hundred Foot and so manages his business as drawes all Glocester Forces upon him marching to Westbury quartering within a mile of Winter but then Massie not able to do much against six thousand Horse and Foot drove after the rear of their march and attending their motion with petty Forces of fifteen hundred Horse and Foot and some Forces from Northampton and Warwick was got to Lidbury whither came a part of the Army within half a mile of the Town to surprize or summon it Massie commands his Horse to mount and marches off the Foot that the Cavaliers right or left wing might not get before him which they endeavoured by sending one party to the Towns end to keep him play whilest two other parties fetched a compass on either hand but Massie was enforced to entertain the other with several changes Here was Backhouse mortally wounded Massie's Horse shot under him but Prince Rupert plyed him so close that Massie drawes off retreats and then flies a sore day to Massie being in the instant of surprize but escaped Here the Prince being to form sufficient powers summons the County to this Protestation as the Parliament had done in the like President That they believe no power of Pope or Parliament can depose the King and absolve them from their natural obedience to his royal person and Successors that the two Houses of Parliament without the Kings consent have no power to make lawes or to binde or oblige the Subjects by their Ordinances that they believe the Earls of Essex and Manchester Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir William Waller together with all such as have already or shall hereafter take up Arms by Authoritie or Commission from the Members of Parliament at Westminster pretending to fight for King and Parliament doe thereby become actual Rebels and as such ought with all their adherents and partakers to be presented and brought to condigne punishment That they will never bear Arms in their quarrel but will if they be thereto called assist their Sovereign and his Armies in the defence of his Royal person Crown and Dignity against all contrary Forces to the utmost of their skil and power and with the hazard of their Lives and Fortunes That they will not discover the secrets of his Majesties Armie unto the Rebels nor hold any correspondence with them and all designs of theirs against the Kings Armie for the surprizing or delivering up of the Cities of Hereford or Worcester or any other of his Majesties Forts they shall truly discover unto those whom it shall concern so soon as it comes to their knowledge That his Majesties taking up of Arms for the causes by himself so often declared in Print is justly necessary That they shall endeavour all they can to hinder popular Tumults Risings Rendezvouz Meetings Confederacies and Associations of the people Townes Hundreds and Counties which are not warranted to Assemble by his Majesties express Commissions and in the sence he means it and that they detest from their hearts the seditious and traiterous late invented National Covenant and protest never to take it All these particulars to vow and protest sincerely to observe without Equivocation or mental Reservation This was conceived by the people very just and reasonable for it was a Riddle to the meanest understanding for the King to fight against those that pretended to fight for him This Protestation therefore taught them how to distinguish that the Parliament borrowed the Kings name to amaze the people Prince Ruperts Army the main rest of the Kings affairs draining Garisons and taking in to him the lesser Brigades Colonel Goring's Brigade passed from Bristol over Severn to the Prince at Hereford And now Rupert drawes thence the Infantry and Artillery lay between Worcester and Bewdly commanded by Sir Iacob Ashly whilest Rupert and Maurice with the Horse and some select Foot fetcht off the King from Oxford assisted also with Goring's Horse and Dragoons who left his Majesty at Stow and marched back over the Hills into the West through the Glocester-shire Borders Glocester association in much want received three hundred and fourty Auxiliaries in two Troops from the Grand Garison Newport Paynel out of Buckingham-shire and with all thâ—se and their own were hardly able to keep their Counties from daily distresses surprizal and imprisonments Sir Iohn Winter having with much resolution and providence maintained his House Lidney a Garison against several assaults of his Adversaries and now called away to publick service into the body of the Army and not willing to leave his House a prey to his Enemies advantage deserted and fired it having weakened his adverse party round about and left them nothing to live upon naked and ruined And now comes a larger supply of Horse to Glocester from the remainder of Colonel Beke and Dalby's Regiments commanded by Major Baller and so was enabled for some enterprize Evesham had much distressed VVorcester hindering the Parliaments Committee for establishing that County Massie therefore drew forth before it with five hundred Foot from Glocester and two hundred from VVarwick who belonged to the VVorcester Committee with a strong able Brigade of Horse and summoned Colonel William Leg Governour of Evesham to make a speedy surrender of the Garison with all Persons Arms Ammunition and Provision which he there held against the King and Parliament and the Iustice of them both Or upon the refusal to expect such Iustice as Fire and Sword would inflict To which he received this Answer You are hereby answered in the name of His Majesty that this Garison intrusted to me I will defend so long as I can with the Men Arms and Ammunition therein being nothing terrified with your pittifull summons perceiving that you are a stranger and slenderly acquainted with our strength and resolution not admitting any further Treaty but you to do your worst The Assault was to be made upon each part of the Town VVorcester side was to be stormed in five places and one place of the Bridge on the other side of the River The commanded parties of the Foot were lead on by the several Captaines and seconded by the Horse divided into three Bodies After the disposition of the Design and the night spent in Alarms the signal was given a little after break of day when Horse and Foot fell on both together in a furious assault broke up the Pallasadoes filled the Grafts with Fagots made sundry passages recovered the works and stood firm on the Parapet whilest the Musquetiers from within played furiously on the Assaylants The Foot having recovered the shelter of the Ditch beat off them within got up by Scaling Ladders stood upon the breast Works and some entered but were bravely
urged But they have found a Letter of his Majesties to the Queen which shewes that the Eminent places of the Kingdom are disposed of by her advice and then conclude from her Religion that they are by consequence disposed of by Papists and Jesuits and that the persons there Named even during the sitting of Parliament are either all impeached by them or bear Armes against them To this his Majesty replies First that he cannot but deplore the condition of the Kingdom when Letters of all sorts to Husbands and Wives even of his Majesty to his Royal Consort are intercepted and brought in evidence and published to the world Secondly that the places there named are not places as they call it of the Kingdom but private menial places a Treasurer of the Houshold a Captain of the Pensioners and a Gentleman of the Bed-chamber c. Nor of the persons there named is there any one a Papist or like one That in these his most private Letters to the persons nearest him wherein he cannot be justly suspected to say any thing out of Design or Policy His own clear perswasion that the Parliament and not he have been the cause and are the fosterers of this War and Universal distraction and his sence of it and his desire of the end of it are so plainly expressed that they will by this accident be much satisfied with his Innocency and reality and believe that the reading this in such a Letter is the very next degree to reading it in his Heart But their successes increase Leicester is rendered upon Articles and thus the Manner Sir Iohn Gell for the Parliament whilst the Armies were fighting had summoned all the forces of those Counties of Darby and Notingham and two dayes after the Battel they met with some of the Kings scattered Horse and took fifty Another of his party fell upon threescore of the Newarkers Horse did so by them and carried away fourty Prisoners and fifty Arms. And forthwith they joyn with Fairfax and sit down before Leicester Instantly Summons it with the true Relation of what had befallen the King and advises the Governour the Lord Loughborow to surrender speedily to avoid the Mischief of storming But he stoutly refused professing that it were a shame for them to submit since if the state of War was so to his Majesty it might prove the rather now propitious to them however their opposers should finde their Loyalty never a whit abated by the unhappinesse of his Majesties success but to do their duty to the utmost of their power which was equal to their Spirits Fairfax finding their Confidence calls a Council of War and concludes of storming the next day and instantly to surround the Town which was done with great expedition Raising their Batteries providing Ladders and Engins for their best advantage On Tuesday 17. Iune they began their Batteries with their great shot without ceasing and together fell upon storming in several places especially the Newark side supposed their greatest strength And not over-long it was that the breach widened which strook so much terrour to the besieged that Overtures were offered of surrender The Commissioners sent in were two Colonels Pickering and Rainsborough But whilst they capitulate Fairfax provides himself of Necessaries which he wanted Pittars Carts Hay Granadoes Ladders resolving to fall on upon their return But it was concluded to surrender and thereby much blood saved upon Noble Articles And at the thanksgiving-Thanksgiving-day in London the City feast the Parliament at Grocers Hall where was for Principal guest the Prince Elector drinking health from the fatall events of his dearest Uncle the King and when a bold and worthy Merchant true to his principles Arrested him in the Room delivering a writ of Execution to the Sheriffes of London there present to do their Office which debt of 1000. Marks was instanly secured by the Lords that were present the Citizen committed for some dayes but his mony paied him to a farthing And after their full bellie-cheer they sung the 46. Psalm being a song of Thanksgiving for deliverance of Ierusalem after Senacherib with his Army was driven away or some other such deliverance But the prisoners were now disposed the most of them more then a thousand to be listed for the Parliaments service in Ireland Oxford siege is now resolved upon by the Parliament and twenty thousand pounds advanced for the Army for that and the Relief of Taunton now again hard beset by the Kings Forces Sir Thomas Glenham a gallant person had been for some time Governour of Carlisle Garison for the King and had endured a strickt and forceable Seige but not able to do more then could be expected by starved Souldiers lessened by small numbers little Ammunition and without expectation of Succour he surrenders the eight and twentieth of Iune upon honourable Conditions and the Garison to march away to Newark so then the Parliament had the North parts clear and therefore have a Conference how mainly to keep their Northern Garisons with Berwick Carlisle and Newcastle clear from the King or any other Enemy not trusting therein to our dear Brethren the Scots who were loth to remove Southward from the Northern neighbouring Counties We are told that the King is now in person about Ragland Castle in Wales to gather Recruits from his faithfull Brittains Fairfax at Marlborough Massie at Shaftsbury and Goring keeps aloof of Taunton so that the Besieged can sally out in more safety and this Goring might do and forrage the Countrey for the Club-men were up I cannot say in Arms onely with Cudgels nor can we as yet finde for whom they intend assistance an unruly Rabble five thousand and upwards daily increasing without Order or Discipline and so insolent that they forced the Parliaments Quarters in Wilts and Dorsetshire specially at Sturmister-Neuton and killed many and seize all the Horse in the grounds near a hundred Dragoons at a clap to whom therefore Major General Massie sends a Trumpeter for Restitution of Horse and Arms in other places also or suddenly reports to reduce them to obedience These Club-men were called Levellers in respect of some Principles which we shall discuss hereafter but for the present take this Description of their pretences at first The Countreys especially Wilts and Dorsetshire and some others had been extremely harrased plundered of their Lives and Fortunes by a two-edged Sword now in power for the King then for the Parliament and between both the poor people are crushed and ground to powder and in no one place more than at this time concerning Taunton to defend themselves the Clowns and Countrey-men stood upon their guard not submitting Contribution to either and in truth so formidable they were and for the present so independing as Fairfax is in doubt to march forward to relieve Taunton untill these mens interests were calmed or their intentions fixed And to make the business more formidable the Parliament come to a
that No eclipse of outward fortune shall rob me of that light what God hath denied of outward strength his grace I hope will supplie with inward resolutions not morosely to denie what is fit to be granted but not to grant anie thing which Reason and Religion bid me denie I shall never think my self less then my self while I am able thus to preserve the integritie of my conscience the only jewel now left me which is worth keeping But the Parliament in doubt how to be used by this advantage which the Scots had of the Kings person they send again Letters to the Prince of Wales to invite him to come into the Parliaments Quarters with offer of all due respect befitting his Highness which Letter was sent to Colonel Russel their Governour of Garnsey to convey to the Prince who was now at Iersey increasing in power by addition of some of Hoptons scattered Forces out of Cornwal and some landed out of Ireland having also possessed himself of all the Vessels in Iersey and others hired of the French for securing that Island and as occasion may happen to be able to attempt upon Garnsey to which place the Parliament had sent six Ships and Ammunition The King is caressed at Newcastle with Bone-fires and Bel-ringing Drums and Trumpets with peals of 〈◊〉 and Vollies of Shot but guarded with three hundred of the 〈◊〉 Horse those near him bare-headed and lodged at General Levens Quarters who proclaims That no Papists or Delinquents shall come near his presence And another Proclamation That although his Majesties person was present yet all men whatsoever should yield obedience to the Ordinance of Parliament Leven 18. May. And the Committee of Estate in Scotland proclaim there That no person whatsoever depart that Kingdon by Sea or by Land without warrant to continue till the first of June next The Scotish Army are now they imagine Masters of all by their power of the Kings person and leavie intolerable Taxes and Assessements upon all the Northern Counties which very coursly resent them and complain to the Parliament at Westminster not without some rising of the people standing upon their Guard and all the Scotish Horse formerly sent into Scotland are returned into Yorkshire which makes the House of Commons to debate and Vote That this Kingdom had no further need of the Armie of our brethren the Scots in this Kingdom and that the summe of one hundred thousand pounds should be advanced and paid to that Armie as followeth viz. 50000. l. thereof after their surrendring of Newcastle Carlisle and other the English Garisons possessed by them in England and the other 50000. l. after they are advanced into Scotland and order shall be taken for payment of their Arrears And forthwith Mr. Alexander Henderson the Scots Apostolick Minister and one of their Cmmissioners is sent from Westminster to Newcastle to dispute with the King and to convince him to the Covenant where after several discourses and meetings the King is pleased to descend so low as to argue reasons by writings which continued several encounters by Papers till the 16. of Iuly concerning Church matters by Authoritie of the Fathers and practice of the Church which Henderson would avoid by the Text of Scriptures and from thence his own Opinion should guide him beyond all Universal consent or practice of the Primitive Church which were erroneous But the King concludes that to him it is incredible that any Custom of the Catholick Church to be erroneous which was not contradicted by Orthodox Learned men in the times of their first pratice as is easily perceived that these Defections were some of them may be justly called Rebellions which Henderson mentions And lastly that albeit he nere esteem'd any Authoritie equall to the Scriptures yet he thinks the unanimous consent of the Fathers and the universal practice of the Primitive Church to be the best and Authentical Interpreters of Gods word and consequently the fittest Judges between Him and Henderson until better may be found as for example he sayes I think Mr. Henderson the best Preacher in Newcastle yet I believe you may erre and possibly a better Preacher may come but till then I must retain my opinion C. R. Iuly 16. These Disputes are in Print which shewes his Majesties temper and knowledge to treat so long with a peevish Presbyter Amongst many that hazarded themselves to approach the Kings presence was that aforesaid Master Hudson a Minister and a faithful constant assistant to the Kings desires the only person that ordered his disguise and iourney to the Scots Army this man is taken and in custody of the Deputy Mayor of Newcastle and by Order of Parliament to be brought up to their Bar and Ashburnham also But Ashburnham was gone ere the Messenger got thither some say to Montrose and General Leven makes answer for him that the Scots conceive not that Ashburnhams bringing the King into their Army makes him an Incendiary and that Hudson is forth coming who soon after got away but was taken at Sandwich going over beyond Seas This gives the Parliament a taste of the Scots intentions which could not be well relished therefore Engins are set on work Petitions and Complaints are received examined and proved against the Plundering Cruelties and Misdemeanours of the Scots Army in the Northern parts and that instead of 8000. l. a moneth Assessement they have charged 9000. l. a moneth The Citie of London also pour forth Petition upon Petition as they are directed with Congratulatory Exordiums and Prefaces for their invincible resolutions care and pains for the fafety liberty and property of the People bound up in and under the blessed Parliament That Iustice and Iudgement run down in a stream and Mercy and Truth take place And implore their further Protection not to be enslaved under the power of any upon what colourable pretence soever nor to share with the Parliament nor to prescribe unto them in the Government or power of this Nation to whose great trust it hath ever been to order their own matters by their own great Councel without the confluence of any other And to be encouraged hereto they offer the Hand Hearts Lives Estates of the whole City and Millions more shall still be with them to stand by and support them against whomsoever shall with open face or secret Conspiracies oppose them Here are the Scots laid aside we can now do our own Work without the further help of our dear Brethren But the Scots Army set out their Declaration in excuse and desire to stand upon the truth of their Justification which wrought much upon their Faction And the Parliament as forward to oppose them by a Declaration in Answer to the other and to vindicate the people And now comes an Expressesone of the Parliaments Commissioners in Ireland with Copies of several Letters the one from the King to Ormond dated from Oxon the third of April 1646.
Barkstead gets over into Essex Sandwich Deale and Weymor Castles held out against Colonel Rich and Hewson And Kent thus reduced the General Ferries his Forces over at Gravesend and Greenwich into Essex where that County was gotten into a Body of six thousand and but ill Armed the Earl of Norwich makes bold to borrow the Earl of Warwicks Armory served the turn for the present and the General Marching on the Essexians who get into Colchester the seat of War for their friends in other Counties to come to their aid For The General is come and set down to the Siege and after Skirmishes and as yet the â—ounty men in good heart They within are Summoned to yield My Lord I am come hither with the Parliaments Forces to reduce those under your Command to the Parliament if your Lordship and those under you will lay down Arms and so prevent much blood and the Town from Plunder otherwise the evil will lye upon you and excuse me 13. June You servant Tho. Fairfax This Summons was slighted for the merry Earl of Norwich told the Trumpeter he heard of the Generals Gout but he would cure him of all diseases but the General writes again concerning the harsh usage of some Prisoners of quality Commissioners of the Parliament SIR I understand you have in custody Sir William Massam and others prisoners I desire this bearer may see in what condition they are that their wants may be supplyed and to exchange yours for prisoners of mine Tho. Fairfax Which was Answered and consented unto and the like from them And rest your Lordships servants Norwich Capel Lucas 15. June Indeed the Prisoners of each were of different quality and so not to be equally exchanged for many Gentry of the best quality were ingaged in the Town the remain of many gallant Commanders of the Kings and of the former Cavaliers so that during this Siege and often Sallies there suffered many of Noble descent and Families But it was an hard case that the House of Commons voted to seise into custody twenty persons Cavaliers in lieu of these Committee-men of Essex taken priosoners And although the City of London appear not in publick against the Essex Revolters yet we may guess at the affections of many of them by a Bill presented to Doctor Burges Lecturer at St. Pauls Cathedral to be read and subscribed by numbers of Citizens desiring to give thanks to God for his Protection to the King in preventing his Majesty from being impoisoned and to pray for the good success of the Forces under the Command of the Earl of Norwich the Lord Capel Sir Charles Lucas and for Sir Marmaduke Landale who was Marching from the North to their relief The King straitned in his imprisonment at Carisbook Castle his own servants removed and others of very mean rank put upon him some of these mutined against each other and in the dissention a rumour was raised there of a design to impoison the King Osborne an ordinary man Dowset a Groom of a Lords Chamber and Babington his Barber and one Major Rolph The murmur there made the noise thereof so increase at London that the Parliament ordered their Commitment The business was Legally prosecuted to a Tryal at Southampton Assize where the Evidences were so disagreeing and the charge so irregular in Law that the Grand Iury found it Ignoramus and in truth the King himself gave no credit to the report Whilst these businesses were in Action a fresh Insurrection was devised so near ken of the Parliament as Kingston upon Thaâ—es The chief Actor was the Earl of Holland Commissioned from the Prince of Wales beyond Seas To this Iuncto was drawn in the Duke of Buckingham and his valiant brother the Lord Francis the Earl of Peterborough and others 'T is true it broke out into Arms Iuly 2. but being some time a brewing and weakly mannaged they were soon dissipated their former meetings unadvised and too publick The Parli had eyes upon their Actions which were discovered from time to time by false fellows amongst them and so put to it to appear before they were ready they Summon'd a Rendezvouz on Kingston Heath not more coming then five hundred horse and truly being met their General was not fitted with Orders of Command every one asking who should lead them on Yet it amazed the Parliament who in fear of the effects listed present Forces of Horse at the charge of each Member for security of Whitehall and themselves subscribing to their abilities And it was time for the City had received Letters of Invitation from those of the Insurrection To the Lord Mayor Aldermen c. Having of long time beheld the sad Calamities of these Kingdoms and finding no other means of redress we are forced into this undertakeing which we desire may be rightly understood of all well affected especially of this City whose actions and good endeavours doe suâ—ficiently evidence their good affections To this end we have inclosed a brief account of our intentions of peace to the Kingdom which we hope will give satisfaction to all whose assistance with Gods blessing we desire no further then our desires are real for the happiness of King Parliament and Kingdom according to Covenant July 6. Your humble servants Buckingham Holland Peterborough Hereupon the Parliament Vote them Traytors and all others their Adherents and their Estates instantly to be sequestred But to the Business Friday the 7. of Iuly the parties March from Darking with their whole Force to possesse Rigat which they had quitted the other day and hither they came too late for Major Gibbons and Colonel Riches Horse entred the Town before upon which the other March towards Kingston and are pursued so close that divers of them are taken prisoners betwixt Ewell and Non-such Park in the very High way to Kingston Then each drew up and faced one the other and was disputed by Parties whilst the Risers sent their Foot before into Kingston to secure their Retreat The Forlornes fought well on both sides but at last they fly and were pursued to Kingston where their Foot had made good the Turn-pike and stopt the Career of the Pursuers That night the Parliament Forces kept Guard without the Town till morning that their Foot was come and then give Allarm and enter but found no Adversary but one hundred Horse with their Carriages for the men were fled over the Bridge towards Harrow on the Hill whither they are pursued But in the former Disputes that gallant Lord Francis Villâ—â—rs was slain with many wounds and twenty more one hundred Prisoners and two hundred Horses And truely from henceforth they were hunted never daring to make a stand or to dispute with any parties though of far less number And are now so separated that sport was made to finde out the Parties posting any wither for safety of their lives East West North and South And the greatest party following their flying General
they maintained with hot dispute but were beaten from their stand with the loss of a thousand men and two thousand prisoners and were prosecuted to the very Bridge where a Message came by a Trumpeter from Lieutenant General Baily for a Capitulation which Lieutenant General Cromwel yielded unto and gave the other these terms To Render himself his Officers and Souldiers Prisoners of War and all his Ammunition and Horses upon quarter for life and so they yielded four thousand Prisoners and as many Arms these were of the infantry totally defeated Hamilton got away with three thousand Horse towards Nantwich where the Country folks took five hundred of them And post news was carried to all the Parliaments Commanders in those Counties adjacent to follow the Hue and Cry after the Scots who haste homewards intending to meet Monroe now in Cumberland upon his march Southwards It was concluded that the Scots had ten thousand Foot and four thousand Horse Sir Marmaduke Langdales Forces assisting them were not less then two thousand five hundred Horse and Foot the English not 10000. in all What uncertain number soever of the Scots were slain It was apparent that above eight thousand were taken Prisoners And this Victory was disputed and ended in three dayes time in Lancashire the 17 18 and 19. of August It was said for truth that so soon as the King was assured that Duke Hamilton commanded in chief he foretold their doom that they would be undone But the Lieutenant General Cromwel thought not fit to rest with this success whilst he was assured that Monroe was in March and how the scattered Forces might Rally and joyn together therefore he takes no rest but marches to meet him Having Ordered the Commanders of the Parliaments Forces in all Counties adjacent to follow Hamilton who with many of his men were met with at Uxeter surrounded with power and made to submit to mercy by the Lord Grey Hamilton is sent to Ashby de la Zouch the Lord of Loughboroughs strong hold And this Difeat of the Scots altered the Prince of Wales his resolution which was to sail Northwards from the Downs and to fight with the Parliaments Admiral and possibly to assist the Scots by landing in some Northern Coast. The County were troâ—bled with the numbers of prisoners and therefore a Committee is appointed to Treat with Merchants to convey them over to Foreign service and not to return back in Arms. The Scotish Ensigns Cornets and Colours are brought to Westminster Hall where they hang up the Trophies of the English Victories against the Scots Nation Cromwel is come to Durham Lambert in his Rear and in design to meet Monroe supposed to be six thousand strong and now at Morpeth where he receives Command from the Estates of Scotland to return home for indeed the Presbyterian party of Ministers had got the power of the Sword and set up Arguile their General with four thousand men already raised and refuse to administer the Eucharist to any for a whole year till the peoples sinnes for neglect to their Covenant be repented of by the Sacrifice of the Kirks Prayers and Preachings Monroe more in fear of Cromwel then obedience to his Masters hastens back again leaving his English Confederates to shift for themselves who make speed to Barwick but are refused to enter by the Governour Lodowick Lesly and tells them plainly the Marquess Arguile commands him to keep correspondence with the Parliament of England with whom their is a confederacie Indeed they were in mighty disorder in Scotland Monroe was got home and joyned with Lanerick there and both together may make eight thousand strong Arguile with his Forces near as many lye at Hadington twelve miles behind Edenburgh and all these lye upon Guard and suppose that they mean not to engage though they are within four miles of each other Old Leven is possessed of Edenburgh Castle David Lesly is Lieutenant General to Arguile and this is the news from Anwich 14. Septem But Cromwel being come to Tweed sends over Lambert to summon Barwick who refuse rather to surrender to Arguiles own party which the English may not suffer and yet to keep correspondence Agents are sent to Arguile to consult about assisting him and his and to compleat a lasting contract with that party and the Parliament of England And to that end Lieutenant General Cromwel publishes his Declaration at his entrance into Scotland Whereas We are Marching with the Forces of the Parliament of England into the Kingdom of Scotland in pursuance of the remaining part of the Enemy who lately invaded the Kingdom of England and for the recovery of the Garrisons of Barwick and Carslile These are to declare that if any Officer or Souldier under my Command shall take or demand any money or shall take any Horses goods or Victuals without order or shall abuse the people in any sort it shall be tryed and punished by a Council of 〈◊〉 death Septemb. 20. Cromwel And accordingly came to Cromwel Arguile Lowdon Leven the Layrd of Gramond and Major Straughan disliking of the Armie of Hamiltons coming into England as also of Monroes raising Forces to continue the said troubles and therefore desire the assistance of England to suppresse them to which Cromwel consents and that the publick enemy subdued and the English Towns to be delivered he will return And in all these particulars he is justified by the Votes of the Parliament of England And 27. Septemb. relates that his Van Quarters are within ten miles of Edenburgh and part of his Army is left behind to block up Barwick To which Town Arguile and others of Note had conduct and entrance to treat about the surrender thereof to the English but the Governour refused without Order from Lanerick and Monroe and therefore the English fell to storming and possessed Tweed Mouth and the Bridge-foot on the English side and blew up the Scots House-Guard upon the Bridge Then came an express from Leven and Lieutenant General David Lesly certifying Arguile that they were like to agree upon the old Treaty which was to hold no longer 1. That the Armies under Arguile and the other under Lanerick with all the Forces under any of the Garrisons in Scotland together with Barwick and Carslile be disbanded 2. That the setling of Religion at home and promoting Reformation abroad be ordered to the determination of the General Assembly and all Civil Differences be referred to a Parliament speedily to be called 3. That no party that were in the late Engagements against England be of the new Parliament or of the General Assembly And so the godly people of Scotland are good friends with the godly people of the Army of England acting together in the same Principles and are perswaded that so much of their power as the Princes of the Earth have lent to the support of that man of Sin God hath and will suddenly break and destroy And
so much of the success of our English Army in Scotland 27. Sept. The Scots Armies are accordingly Disbanded Barwick and Carslile delivered up to the English and the Writs gone out for a new Parliament 20. of Ianuary And a fresh General Assembly of their Kirkmen Somewhat strange in the capitulation that the English Assistants to the Scots in both these Garrisons are submitted to the mercy of the Parliament of England And a Letter of thanks is sent from the Committee of Estates of Scotland to the Lieutenant General Cromwel for his orderly government of his Forces and his many civilities and respects to that Nation and they excuse themselves from any guilt or connivance in the late engagement against England acknowledging that his Army so near is the means and occasion of advantage to that Nation to make peace and to prevent distraction and confusion which otherwise had continued amongst them And for confirmation of all he is invited to Edenburgh to Feasts and Banquets with all expressions of Honour of Arms and so returns homewards Octo. 20. by the way is received with Hosannah's of joy by all the Northern Counties and invited to take in the strong Garrisons of Pomfreit and Scarborough which infested the County all about them But let us return to Sea affairs This while the Prince was put aboard the Revolted Ships which with some others of his own were formed into a Fleet and with him his brother the Duke of York Prince Rupert Lords Hopton Wilmot and Willoughby Earls of Branford and Ruthen formerly General for the King the Lord Culpepper and Sir Henry Palmer and increasing number came into Yarmouth Rode with twenty Sail and two thousand men the Town being much divided in affection some would have him land and march to Colchester then besieged with such as will come to his assistance To prevent him Colonel Scroop is coming not fourty miles off with Horse and Foot to attend his motion if he land some hopes he had of landing and therefore provided a Declaration his forerunner 27. Iuly The establishing of Religion according to his Majesties agreement 26. December last The performance of the said Agreement and pursuance of all Concessions on the Kings part The restoring the King to a personal Treaty The maintenance of the just priviledges of Parliament The liberty of the Subject abolishing of Excise contribution for quarter c. with an Act of Obliâ—ion The Disbanding of all Armies setling Peace The defence of the Narrow Seas securing Trade support of the Navy and Sea-men His Commissions to his Commanders were thus stiled Charls Prince of great Britain Duke of Cornwal and Albany Highest Captain General under his Majesty of all Forces both by Sea and Land within the Kingdom of England Dominion of Wales and Town of Barwick c. Whereas we hold it convenient to Arm and set forth to Sea for the weakning and suppressing the usurped power c. Bearing date heretofore from St. Germin in Laye 6. June 1648. A correspondence likewise we finde fixed with the State of Scotland by Letters intercepted and directed to Sir Alexander Gibson Clerk of the Signet at Edenburgh from London 26. Iuly telling him that we are here in the City very right only Skippon makes disturbance by listing Horse and Foot whom we hope to out of his Office The Lords wait for some further incouragement from the City to which purpose the Common Council are framing petitions Our Design to free Colchester is not yet ready c. But the Prince finding no footing in Norfolk sailed back Southwards to the Downs in Kent seizing what Merchants Ships and goods that he could light upon sending Letters to the City of London together with his Declaration and that if the City will redeem their goods they must send him two hundred thousand pound But Anchoring in the Downs he hath a Design upon the Parl. Besiegers of Deal Castle in which were Royalists and Lands five hundred men who March forwards and at first beat off the Horse which Colonel Rich and Hewson had drawn out to Encounter them untill some more Forces of Foot followed routed the Princes Forces killed many and took others Prisoners and the rest hardly got aboard again Whilst the Prince Anchors with his Fleet in the Downs the States of Scotland invite him May it please your Highness Amongst all the Calamities which this Nation these late years hath wrastled under none doth more wound and afflict us next to his Majesty your royal Fathers sad condition and restraint then your Highness long absence from this Kingdom whereunto your right Title is so just and unquestionable and seeing our Forces are now again in England in pursuance of their duty to Religion and his Majesties rescue we humbly beg That your Highness would be pleased to honour and countenance with your presence and assistance our pious and Loyal endeavours which we look upon as the only means of uniting us in this great work being confident that your Highness will effectually apply your self to procure from his Majesty just satisfaction to the desires of Parliaments And if your Highness will grant these our humble requests and trust your peâ—son amongst us we doe ing age the publick Faith of this Kingdom for your well being in honour freedom and safety either here in Scotland or with our Army in England and to remove from us or the Army when or whither you please And these they send by the Earl of Louderdale with Letters of Credence in what he shall further communicate to the Prince From the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland in whose Name and Warrant are signed Aug. 10. Crawford Lindsey The Parliaments Vice-Admiral Batten having heretofore served them with faithfulness and good success was by the Army Voted out of his place and Rainsborough a Land Captain put into his Command Not long after being Governour of Deal Castle which cost him six hundred pound repair He was turned out and made a Delinquent upon the old quarrel for suffering some of the eleven Members to pass beyond Seas Rainsborough was refused by the Sea men not suffering him to come aboard then they â—aress Bâ—â—ten to take up his Commission again which he disdained the Parliament being in distress for a Commander they Vote in the Earl of Warwick who was served so before And now Batten comes to the Prince in Holland who receives him with favour and honours him with Knight-hood where he publishes the reasons of his declining the Parliaments Service and was faithfull to the Prince for ever after It was the middle of Iune as aforesaid that the Kâ—mish Insurrectors got over to Essex and from thence into the Town of â—â—lchester and with such Forces as they could gather they strengthen the place and prepare for a Siege The Commanders in chief were the Eâ— of Norwich old Goriâ—g the Lord Capel Sir Charles Lucas and others in opposition to 〈…〉 and all
c. he is conveyed to the scaffold 1135. his speech there 1136 his preparation for death 1137. he is executed 1138. imbowelled ibid. interred in VVindsor Chappel 1139. his Character ibid. his Letter to the Prince of VVales 1140. his issue ibid. Prince Charls born 141. he desires conduct of Fairfax for 2. Lords to treat about a peace 843. is answ and replies ibid. he is invited to the Parl. 884 903. his Fleet 1078. he is invited to Scotland 1079. his Letterto the Lords in Parliament 1084 University of Cambridge ordered 664 Canophies Message to the Duk of Buckingham 97 Arch B. of Canterbury impeached 340 accused of high Treason 361. His arraignment 780. and Sentence 781. His Speech upon the Scaffold 782 Lord Capel impeached 1079 Carlisle surrendered 816 Sir Dud. Carlton sent Ambassadour to France 162 Carnarvan surrendered 893 Cassal lost 371 Cheapside Cross pulled down 614 Chepstow Castle taken 1059 Sir Geo. Chidleigh leaves the cause 638 Mutinies about keeping Christmas 1041 Church Government reformed in Scotland 194. Commotion about Church Ceremonies 290. new modes of Ecclesiastical Government 422 Cirencester taken by storm 602. surprized by Essex 646 Abuses in Civil affairs 129 Earl of Cleveland commended 737 Clubmen rise 817. treat with the Gen. Fairfax 818. are surprized by Cromwel 828 Cockram sent to the King of Denmark with Instructions 692 Colchester Summoned 1067. resolutely defended 1080. yet surrendered 1081 List of prisoners taken there 1082 House of Commons petition for a Guard 477. their misrule 820 Committee for the Kings Execution 〈◊〉 1132 Owen O Conally discovers the Irish conspiracy 438. is examined ibid. Covocation sits after the Parliament 305. Impose an Oaâ—â—â—â—â—07 their Canons denounced 339 Mr. Cook and Dr. Turner's insolent speeches 31 County of Corn. protests for the K. 663 County of Corn. caressed by the K. 628 A Juncto of Council called 309 Covenanters their pretended cause of Rebellion 228. Their Demands 238. They assume all Authority 243. A covenanting Female Imposturess 244. They protest against the discharging their Assembly 245. Their protestation 276. Their charge against the Arch-bishop of Canterbury 340 Sir Thomas Coventry dies 281 High Court of Iustice erected 1121. The place for it 1123. The number of the Iudges at the Kings Sentence 1129 Sir Nicholas Crisp kills Sir James Enyon 633 Lieutenant Gen. Cromwel defeats the Scots Army 1074. improves his successes 1075 enters Scotland and declares 1076. Their Nobility contract with him ibid. He is caressed there 1077 D. REason of the Danish War 796 Dartmouth Besieged and Surrendred 868 Earl of Denbigh delivers up his Commission 799 Dennington Castle assaulted the first time 722. A second attempt upon it 723 A grand Design 287 Devizes taken by Cromwel 833 Queen Dowager of Denmark dies 191 County of Devon protests for the K. 663 Lord Digbies first Speech in Parliament 334. His second for Episcopacy 362. 〈◊〉 Letter intercepted 496 836 Distempers in the Kingdom 1082 Sir Dudley Digs his Prologue against the Duke of Buckingham 42 Dublin victualled 445 besieged by the Rebells 965 Dudley Castle surrendred 889 Dunkirk surrendred to the French 972 E. ECcleshal Castle and Town taken 657 Edge-hill Battel 583 Prince Elector dies 190. Young Prince Elector arrives 207. departs with his brother 220. comes over again 279 is arrested for debt 816. visits his brothers Rupert and Maurice 891 is made a Member of the Assembly of Divines 974 Sir John Eliots speech and Remonstrance 130 Princess Elizabeth born 207 England and France at difference 59. English Army Marches to the North 249. Come within view of the Scots 250 they treat 251. Second expedition against the Scots 312 Sir James Enyon slain 633 County of Essex Petition 1062 E. of Essex his second Marriage 152. He is made General of the Parliaments Foot 545. Proclaimed Traitour 547. His Ensigns Colours 567. He sets out of London 577. Advises of peace 625. Musters at Hunsloe-heath 628. His Army is in distress 633. but recruits 698. He divides Forces with Waller 706. is defeated in Cornwal 709. A Letter to him from the Lords and Commanders in the Kings Army 716. He is degraded from his Generalship 770 delivers up his Commission with a paper 799 his death 928. Col. Tho. Essex Garrisoneth Bristol 581 Excize continued by Ordinance of Parliament 1004 Exeter delivered up to Prince Maurice 628. Summoned by the Parliaments Forces 869. Surrendred 888 F. LOrd Fairfax and others proclaimed Traitours 600. He takes Selby 700 Sir Tho. Fairfax made General 770. his Commission 798. he Marches to Bridge-water 821. comes to London 925. his Letter in behalf of the King 992 Dr. Featly imprisoned and why 635 John Felton murders the Duke of Buckingham 120. his confession 122 he is hanged in chains 124 Sir John Finch made Keeper of the great Seal 282. His Speech to the Commons House 344. Voted Traitour and flyeth 347 Eruption of fire out of the Sea 246 Fleet comes home 64. service of the Fleets at Sea 206. another Fleet for the narrow Seas 211 Tumult in Fleetstreet 140 French insolent at Court 61. peace concluded with France 138. Princes of France discontent and why 372 Ambassadour from France 615 Ambassadour extraordinary from thence hath audience 918 Mr. Fountain committed 567 G. GAdes voyage suceeds ill 19 Overtures from the Emperour of Germany 137 small effects of the peace there 207. the Emperour dies 212 English defeated at Gilingstone Bridge 449 Glamorgans Letter to the King 859 Serjeant Glanvile released upon bail 942 Sir Thomas Glenhams Answer to Arguiles Letter 675 Glocester besieged by the King 629. the siege left 632. Actions in the County of Glocester 633 c. Goodman reprieved 349. Remonstrance against him ibid. Gordon executed 1045 Skirmish at Greenhils 452 Major Grey slain 731 Gutlery executed 1046 H. A Letter from the Hague intercepted 595 Mr. John Hambden slain 623 Marquess Hamilton his design 147. he is made high Commissioner to Scotland 237. his Commission read in publick ibid. Poasts back to the King 239. returns again 240. Poasts the second time to the King 241. and returns to Scotland 242. comes again to England 246. he invades England with an Army 1071. Summons Lambert and is answered 1072. Is taken prisoner 1075 Col. Hamonds Letter to the Parliament 1020 he refuseth to deliver up the Kings attendants 1025 King at Hampton Court 1004 Major Hamond kills Grey 731 Henderson argues with the King 904 Sir Edward Herbert questioned about the five Members 482. The Kings Letter concerning him 484 Hereford siege raised 824 826. The Town surprized for the Parliament 839 Earl of Holland revolts to the King and back to the Parliament 626 and 639. his insurrection 1068. he is taken prisoner 1069 Present to the King and Queen from the States of Holland 207. Holland Fleet and Spanish engage 279. Holland Ambassadours have audience 718 Lord Hopton defeated at Torrington 869. he agrees to disband 870 Sir John Hothams act of excluding the King from Hull avowed 512. he
vote a war Oâ—hers dissent The State of the Scots Army come to Carlisle Summons Lambert by Letter Lamberts Answer Scots come to Penreath and engage Tinmouth Castle revolts and is retaken Lord General Cromwel comâ— against the Scots Scots Army defeated and how Capiâ—â—lâ—te and yield upon Articles Cromwel improves his success Hamilton taken and others Several Armies in Scotland Lieu. General Cromwel's Declaration in Scotland Scots Nobility contract with Cromwel And conclude in amity upon conditions Scots Armies disbanded Cromwel is caressed in Scotland The Prince of Wales his flight The States of Scotland invite the Prince thither Parliaments Vice-Admiral Batten goes to the Prince Colchester siege resolutely defended They capitulate by Letters Answer Lucas and Lisle shot to death The list of their prisoners Distempers in the Kingdom Petitions from all parts for a Treaty of Peace Voted to send to the King for a Treaty The Princes Letter to the Lords The Kings Message in Answer to the Votes and a Treaty Other Votes of the Parliament sent to the King His answer Commissioners to treat for the Parliament The King and his fast and pray Four Bills or demands Parliaments Propositions The Commissioners tyed up to conditions The Kings concâ—ssions in most things Propositions answered Concerning Ormond Earl of Norwich and Lord Capel impeâ—â—â—ed Arrears of the Army demanded Parliament Voâ—e payment New Judges and Serjeants at Law Petitions against the King and Treaty A large Remonstrance of the Army Hamond delivers the King to Col. Ewers Armies Declaration They come to White-hall Four Queries of the King concerning his Tryal The Kings Declaration concerning the Treaty The King is seized by the Army Divers Members seizâ—d by the Souldiers Agreement of the people Exceptions Vote against Vote Eikon Bas. cap. 28. The King brought to Windsor The Charge against the King The Queen writes to the King and General Votes of the Commons The Lords dissent Votes of the power of the Commmons house Proclamtaion for any to accuse the King New great Seal The Scots dissent The King brought to St. Iames's Form of the High Court of Justice The Lords and others against the Vote for Tryal The Scotish Declaration against the Kings Tryal Scots private instructions concerning the King The Actors proceeding The place of the Court of High Justice The Kings first Tryal The King accused Demurs to Authority of the Court and proves his Title successive not Elective Second Tâ—yal A Pre-Order in case the King will not answer The King interrogates their power and offers his reasons in writing The President prevent him with insolent rebukes Third dayes Tryal Saturday Tryal and Sentence The King râ—fuseth to Answer but before the two Houses of Parliament Presidents Speech The King not suffered to reply His Sentence Which the Tryers approvâ— The Kings Reasons against the jurisdiction of the Court a Hereabout I was stopt not suffered to speak any more concerning reasonâ— The King is abused by the Souldiery Hindered in his devorion and prayers The Committee order his Execution Ambassadors sue in the Kings behalf He is conveyed from St. Iames's to the Scaffold Passes to the Scaffold The King upon the Scaffold defends his innocency Howbeit he acknowledgeth Gods justice Pardons his enemies Takes pitty on the Kingdom Errours of the Faction How they may return to peace He praies Professes to dye a Christian according to the reformation of England He prepares to his death He is killed Reliques of the Kings death His body imbowelled His admired Book and Papers His Character only to be glanced at The Kings children The Kings Letter to the Prince of Wales
Parliament at Edenburgh but Montrose and his friends do not appear The Covenanters out vote the Royal party by seventy voyces assuming all Soveraign power with the King and ordain to Levy a powerful Army against the King in ayd of the English Parliament And now again they deal with Montrose who to work the Kings interests the better he accepts and is caressed by Alexander Henderson the Covenanters Apostle to satisfie his conscience who to sift the secrets with Napier Ogleby and Keer meet neer Sterling To those Henderson discovers that it was resolved to send an Army in ayd of their brethren in England against the King that for his own part he was happy to be a Minister and Mediatour in so blessed a businesse entreating Montrose to speak his minde freely and to commit the affairs to him effectually to manage it with the Parliament for profit and honour to them all To which Montrose returns a hopeful answer In company of Henderson comes one Sir Iames Rolloch chief of an ancient Family and Kinsman to Montrose who assures him that Henderson had instructions from the Parliament to treat Montrose acquaints all his friends who though passionate for the King yet his loss being without recovery and themselves unable to act they would be lookers on But he and Ogleby post's to England and arrive at Oxford whilst the King was at the siege of Glocester to the Queen they communicate all but she over-affected to the interest and power of the Hamiltons neglects them who go to the King at Glocester and inform him that of necessity the strength of treasons ought to be broken ere it grew to big The King in distresse what to doe to struggle with the deep-rooted confidence he had of the Hamiltons the subtil devices of desperate Courtiers who daily buzzed in his ears too Montrose's prejudice in ballance with Hamiltons and so returns to his winter quarters at Oxford where the publique reports of Scotland fixed Montrose's discoveries to be true the Scots Army being raised 18000. foot and 2000. horse and upon the borders then Hamilton in Scotland posts his Letters of discovery to the King with this excuse that he and his friends had prevailed to prevent an invasion the last Summer but now winter is come and the Army marching The King shews these Letters to Montrose and commands his advice and counsel to recover him from the treachery of such â—o whom he had intrusted his greatest concernments It was with several daies counsel thus concluded That the King should send some Souldiers out of Ireland inâ—o the west of Scotland to order the Marquesse of Newcastâ—â— the Kings General of his Northern Forces in England to assist Montrose with a party of Horse to enter the south of Scotland and so into the heart of that kingdom That the King of Denmark might be dealt with for some Troops of Germane Horse And Montrose to have some Army from beyond seas into Scotland All these the King would undertake to effect and gave assured trust in Montrose his valour faith and good fortune And instantly sends for the Earl of Antrim of Scotish extraction descended of the Noble and ancient Family of the Mac-donalds and lately matched in mariage to the Duke of Buckinghams Widow and being driven out of Ireland resided at the Court at England Antrim confirms this Counsel with assurance to Montrose that he would be in Arguile a part of Scotland bordering upon Ireland by the first of April 1644. and this was in December And Sir Io. Cockram is sent forthwith to the King of Denmark for Horse and Arms and post is sent to the Marquesse of Newcastle to prepare for Montrose's coming who is instantly Commissioned to be Governour of Scotland and General of the Kings Army there But presently comes Hamilton and his Brother the Earl of Lanerick post from Scotland and gives out by the way that they were banished their Countrey for Loyalty to the King and were forced to fly to him for succour With much adoe the King was advised to forbid them the Court Lanerick stayes in Oxford and suddainly gets to the Parliament at London and afterwards to the Scotish Army so soon as they entred England and ever since to do them service And thereupon Hamilton is sent prisoner to Pendennis Castle in Cornwal Montrose having intelligence of several Scots Counties suspected of disloyalty advised the King to invite the Scots in Court to a Protestation heartily to detest the courses of the Covenanters and condemned the coming in of the Army into England against the King and the Laws of the Land as an act of treason promising and vowing to acquit themselves of that scandal and to the utmost of their power and hazard of their lives and fortunes to oppose those that were guilty But as the most Scots took this Protestation so the Earl of Traquair and Mr. William Murray of the Bedchamber a while refusing for fear of the Covenanters yet afterwards engaged themselves by solemn oath to aid Montrose in Scotland by a day prefixt which Oath they basely broke Montrose hastens to the Marquesse Newcastle who discourses of nothing more then the necessity of his Army the Scots having spoiled his Recruits and were quartered within five miles of him that he could not spare a Horse but if hereafter he should winde himself from this present danger he would not be wanting in the best of his service to Montrose and so in much necessity he affords him 200. Horse with 2. brasse field pieces with Orders to all the Kings Forces to aid him in his journey to Scotland and was met by the Counties of Cumberland and Westmerland with 800. Foot and three Troops of Horse and he had got together some noble friends with 200. Horse more and enters Scotland the 13. of April 1644. where we leave him to that yeare It was this year that the French were famous for the Battle of Rocroy being besieged by Don Francisco de Melo with an Army so compleat as nothing additional could be devised But ere he sets down he creates the Duke of Alburquerque General of the Horse a young Portugâ—ese and God knowes a pittiful Souldier whom the Officers did not obey But when the French fell on they need not fight for the enemy began to rout and then to run and the other to follow their execution And this service was done by the fate without fighting of the Duke of Anguien now Prince of Conde He had the glory but General Gassion did the work and was the cause of the taking of Theouville But Melo was therefore turned out of command though of himself a gallant person but ill successe must be punished to please the Fates for the King of Spain was constrained thereby to call him home and to give the Government to Castel-rodrigo till the Arch Duke Leopold came himself thither But as the French won the day here so oftentimes they lose others these Two Monarches shuffling for the Goal
had their several successes and losses on each other recovered from suddain ruine by the assistance of either Allies their Colleagues for the French Swede and all the Protestant Princes against the Emperour and House of Austria who had the help of Spain with the most of Catholiques The Weymarians were well reinforced by the conduct of four Marshals of France with their French Troops and undertook to quarter in Bavaria and were thwarted by the Duke of Loraine whose sufferings from the French forced him to accept the Spanish Command he was accompanied with Iohn de Werde and the Baron of Mercy directors of the Cavalrie to spie out the enemy and in the end met with the Messieurs routed each quarter after other took the Marshals prisoners with four hundred Officers and one thousand common Souldiers without counting the pillage This defeat was as famous for the Spaniard and saved Bavaria from that storm intended and put the French to raise another Army under the same name Weymarian but with a new General for Guebriana was killed the day before the fight And this glorious battel takes name of Durling where it was disputed we shall not read of any such battels so memorable in this last age the first was in May and began the happy reign of Lewis 14 th The other in the end of November and these may stand parallel with those of Leipsick and Northingen the last year This Victory set up Lorain who was caressed into a treaty by the French without any fruit having been once at Paris to that purpose and abused back again to take revenge and marches away to the Low-countries takes Falconstia and leaves the Army to the brave Baron of Mercy who takes Rotweil and Uburling comes to Fiburgh and Brisquer where he meets with his match the Prince of Conde The Parliament having sent their Emissaries to the neigbour Princes and States to caress them for their friendships the King was careful likewise to satisfie them of the true cause of these differences And as they had sent to the King of Denmark so does he also by an expresse one Colonel Cockram with these instructions You are to inform the King â—f Denmark that by his Majesties command as to the nearest ally of his Crown his Unkle and who he believes will not be unconcerned in his affairs as well in interests as affections you are sent to give a particular account of the state of his Majesties affairs to renew the antient League and Amity between the two Kingdoms and Families Royal and to reduce it to more exact particulars such as might be useful to the present affairs of England and all occurrence of those of Denmark That the present affair of your negotiation is to demand an assistance from his Majesty such as the present state of the affairs of England requires against a dangerous combination of his Majesties Subjects who have not only invaded his Majesty in his particular rights but have laid a design to dissolve the Monarchy and frame of Government under pretence of Liberty and Religion becoming a dangerous precedent to all the Monarches of Christendom to be looked upon with successe to their design That the nature of their proceedings hath been such as hath not admitted any foreign treaty to be interessed in suppressing their design without giving them advantage of Scandaling his Majesties intentions and drawing away universally the hearts of his people whom they had insinuated under pretence of Reformation of particular abuses of Government and Ministers of Estate to concur generally with approbation of their proceedings and in which though the dangerous consequence aâ—d design were visible to his Majesty a present compliance was necessary lest any publick opposition on his Majesties part that might seem to defeat the great expeâ—tations which they had raised in the Commons in those plausible particulars might have occasioned a general revolt throughout the Kingdoms great jealousies being dispersed and fomented amongst them of his Majesties Foreign Treaties and Force to be used to oppose and suppresse those their desires and the movers therein Upon the credit they had herewith on the peoples opinions they proceeded under pretence of Reformation of Religion to disolve the Government of the Church according to its constitution in England a chief column and support to that Monarchy and Crown They lastly invaded his Majesty in all the prerogatives of his Crown and under pretence of ill Ministers and Councellours of Estate whom they pretended to remove endeavoured to invest in themselves in all times for the future the nomination of all Ministers of Estate and of his Majesties Family withdrew all his Revenue into their own hands and to confirm themselves in an absolute power of disposing His estate entred upon possessing themselves of the Militia of the Kingdom His Navy and Magazines in which his Majesty being forced to appear in opposition dangerous Tumults were raised against Him so that He was forced to forsake London for preservation of His Person His Queen and Children That since for the safety of the Queen He hath been forced to send her into Holland to retire Himself to the best affected party of His Subjects from whence by Declarations setting forth the sinister proceedings of that Faction discovering their designs of innovating the Government and falsifying the scandals they had imputed to Him He hath had the advantage generally to undeceive His people to draw to Him universally the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdom But the other Faction still keeping up some interest and credit with the Commons in the desperate estate they finde themselves begin to make head against Him have appointed a General and are levying Forces to maintain their party committing divers acts of hostility violence and Rebellion That his Majesty having great encouragements given Him by the exceeding numbers of Gentry and Noblemen that resort to Him is already advanced near them with six thousand Horse and ten thousand Foot That the States of Holland have condescended to give Her Majesty the Queen a convoy of the greatest part of their Fleet now at Sea for her â—eturn into England That divers Forts and Counties upon his Majesties personal appearance have declared for Him so that His affairs at home grow daily into abetter estate as he likewise expects and hopes that all His Neighbour Princes and Allies will not look upon so dangerous a president to their own Crowns and Monarchies without contributing to suppressâ— this so pernicious a design begun within His Kingdom That to give His Majesty the juster ground to reflect upon the dangerous consequences in relation to His own interest of their successe it hath been by them publickly moved in the Commons House long since to interpose in the accommodation of the Dutch and to set out a Fleet to take away His Customs of the Sound That they have since imputed to his Majesty as a ground to scandal Him with His people that he did