that distinction that hath either heard of or know him will confesse him to be but if they will not let them be convinced by that saying of a worthy Gentleman long time an attendant upon his Majesty who having given me a large account of his virtues at length concluded That Tully himselfe if now alive could not sufficiently expresse his praise Gentlemen it is to you in Generall that I present this History that you may see and be sensible to whom you have been loyal and then I believe that you will judge that your loyalty hath found it's just reward in being loyal to so just a Prince and if any of you have suffered for him read but his sufferings and you cannot value your own Yet I intend not this at all to his pretended Tavern friends which I believe whilst they are so are so onely there and indeed I cannot looke upon these as faithful Subjects for how can that man be loyal to his Prince who hath not the power to be true unto himselfe Drunken Subjects though never so loyal will prove the ruine both of themselves and their Soveraign Gentlemen let those that are truly loyal joyn their Prayers with mine for the happiness of his most SACRED MAIESTY since in his we must necessarily conclud our own and more then ours our COVNTRIES To the Readers in general Courteous Readers IF in this History I have displeased any person they cannot be so much displeased as I am sory I have endeavoured to please all nor have I more then Justice enforced me to favoured any I have laboured as J professed to write impartially where J have not done so J am confident there will not want Carpers Jf in some particulers affection hath swayed me though J confesse it a fault yet it brings it's excuse What loyal subject can relate his Soveraigns sufferings without a passion what Free born English man's heart begins not to rise within him when he does but think of those Tyrannies Oppressions his Native Countrey hath of late groaned under where J have been bitter it has been with reason where sweet with a great deal of Justice Yet one thing J shall desire the Reader to take notice of that when J speak of the presbyterians J mean not those moderate people who are as truly loyal as they are godly but some amongst them like wolves in sheeps cloathing such as Straughan and Kerry in Scotland who onely pretend themselves to be Presbyterians but are in their proof found Sectaries these are the Flea-bitten Cleargy the Sowers of strife and sedition and a scandal to those to whom they pretend to be Brethren To conclude that all the Subjects of this Land may with one heart and voice agree together for the Restauration of our afflicted Soveraign but of our more afflicted selves to just Rights and Priviledges is the earnest prayer of A Hearty well-wisher to his Countrey THE HISTORY OF CHARLES the II. Third MONARCK of Great Britain c. THe Histories of Englands late opressours have already cloyd and overladed the exuberant Press whole Volums daily coming forth either of the Actions of the late long Parliament or the life of their aspiring Generall Cromwell which though adorn'd with all those flatteries that could possibly proceed from the most beneficed pens yet cannot in the least justifie their actions to the more sober sort of people for though their memories may here smell sweet to some who have rather tasted of their favour then suffered under their opression yet do they but render them to the sufferers more infamous and to the Neuter ridiculous like the extolling of Don Quixot's Chivalry And though there have been some who have adventured to set them out to the life and paint them in their own colours yet have many of these as farr exceeded the bounds of Truth as the others came short of it rather exasperated by their own or to please their fellow sufferrers into so great extreams have either side been lead out of fear or flattery anger or passion Moderation and Impartiality are the chiefest virtues of an Historian and therefore he who writs an History should chuse such a subject to write on where neither fear nor gain can induce him to flatter anger or passion or to too much bitternesse Most of our modern Historians have proposed to themselves either profit advantage or employment by their Works which hath made them run into their so many grosse errours and flatteries whilst had they only endeavoured to represent things persons and actions impartially they had gained to themselves farr greater honour of true Writing I have chosen a subject to write of which I conceive may lead me to a mediocrity the Persons afflictions may induce me to pity him but they will in most mens judgments restrain me from flattery Nor need I out of fear I being now though unwillingly out of his reach mince the truth of his if any bad actions I confesse the Task I undertake is highly adventurous my pen may slip times may change however my heart shall guide me to an impartiality CHARLES the II. Heir apparent to the Crown of Great Britain and Jreland and crowned King of Scots whose History I intend to treat of was born on the 29. of May 1630 to the great joy of the King Queen and indeed the whole Nation for never yet had England a Prince born of so noble an extract and grand Alliance his father by lineal right desent King of Great Britain and Jreland his mother daughter to that thrice illustrious Prince Henry the Fourth King of France and worthily sirnamed the Great and Maria de Medicis By his Grandmothers side was he near allied to the Kings of Denmark by the marriage of his Aunt the noble Princesse Elizabeth to the Elector Palatine of Rhene King of Bohemia and afterwards by the marriage of his Royal Sister the Princesse Mary to the Prince of Orange Thus was he allied to most of the most potent Princes in Christendome And happy might this Nation have been under his Government if we may believe the vogue of that wisest of men Solomon who pronounces that Kingdome blessed whose Prince is the son of Nobles He was some years after his birth according to the ancient Customes of England for the Kings Eldest Son invested Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester and was in his minority brought up under the care of the Earle of Newcastle till in the year 1646. the Lord Hopton's Army in which he was being near inclosed by Sir Thomas Fairfax Generall of all the Parliaments Forces in the Devizes of Cornwall and the King his Fathers affairs being in a desperat condition all over England he was by the serious advice of his best friends perswaded to take shipping and depart for the Scillies from whence he was by the Parliament invited to return to London but he thought it safer for his Person to depart from thence to his Sister at
Souldiers I am loath to judge this mighty Army then beleaguring Dublin was beat from before it by the besieged and utterly routed by the third part of its Number This overthrow the repulse of Sir Robert Stuart and Col. Mervin from London-Derry by Sir Charles Coot and Cromwell's suddain landing in Ireland whose motion now there was no field Army either to attend or oppose made his Majesties affairs grow almost as desperate in Ireland as they were before in England But the Scots Kirk who had sold their King into the hands of the Independant English Army after they heard that they had condemned him to death repent them of their Wickedness wash their hands from any guilt in his bloud Expostulate with the English siting in Parliament about their so severe proceedings and protest against having any hand in his Murther and to make the world believe they had yet some touch of loyalty within them they had just after his death proclaimed Charles Prince of Wales eldest Son to the late murthered King Charles the first and his lawfull and undoubted Heir King of Great Britain France and Ireland and had immediately resolved in the Committee of Estates then sitting to send some fitting persons to treat with his Majesty about sundry Articles before his reception to the Crown but long debates and demurs there were in the businesse before they could resolve what whom to send For some there were in this Grand Committee of Estates who fee'd or seduced by the Sectaries in England impeaded to the utmost of their power and endeavours all proceedings in the businesse so that once in stead of debating what or whom they should send to his Majesty it came to be a debate whether they should send or no but at length a Letter and Propositions was by the prevailing part concluded on and Mr. Windram Laird of Libberton appointed to be the Messenger who on the 25. of September 1649. received his dispatches and some time after arrived before his Majesty at Iersey The chief of their desires was to this effect That his Majesty would gratiously be pleased himselfe to sign the Solemn League Covenant and that he would passe an Act in Parliament that every person in that Kingdome might takeit That he would passe divers Acts of the Parliament of Scotland which was concluded on the two last Sessions 1. For approving of their disclaiming Duke Hamilton 's last return 2. For receiving severall Acts made by English for the Militia 3. That the Kings of Scotland may have no negative voice 3. That his Majesty would recall the late Commissions given to Montrosse 4. That he would put away all Papists from about him 5. That he would appoint some place about Holland to treat with their Commissioners An honourable Company of the most noble Lords in Scotland being to be appointed to attend his Majesty to whom likewise they would send a sufficient provision to maintain him a train sutable to his birth and deserved greatnesse 6. That he would be gratiously pleased to give a speedy answer to their desires These Propositions were very stifly debated Pro and Con some were so firce that they would have his Majesty utterly reject the Scots Propositions as dishonourable disadvantagious to his affaires Others were of opinion that it would more conduce to the Kings interest to accept of such Conditions as he could agree with the Scotch Commissioners which would be a readier way to attain the Crown then by Montrosse his designs who had lately received Commissions from the King to assault the North of Scotland with what force he could raise however the business was still demurred and delayed and no answer for a good while given to the Lord Libberton who earnestly prest it till such time as answer could come from Montross then in Holland and out of France touching their opinions concerning these Propositions concerning which Montross returned answer to his Majesty desiring him to harken to the Scotch Commissioners whilst they would propose agree to any thing which might stand with his Majesties honour for the restoring him to his Rights and Dignities That for himselfe he should rather be content to endure banishment from his highnesse sight and person then in the least prejudice his affaires Thus this faithfull and loyall servant courted banishment as the late famous Earle of Strafford had done death for his Masters good service but too generous was he and had too great a sence of goodnesse gratitude to grant his request but returned him this answer That he had so high a sence of his fidelity and loyalty all along and that he had performed so many signal services both for his Father and himselfe that he could not in honour leave him and therefore desired him to press him no farther The Queen Mother likewise earnestly presses her son to the acceptance of the Scotch Propositions for a Treaty as the onely and readiest way for the establishing him in his Kingdoms These resolves of his Mother and the Marquess of Montross wrought strongly with his Majesty yet notwithstanding they are as stoutly opposed by the Lord. Cleveland Byron Gerard others whose chief opposition proceeded from the alledged Treachery of the Scots to his Father That they were Scots still and might practice the same upon him But the majority of voices carrying it fora Treaty it was resolved on yet in regard it would require some time to frame an answer Sir William Fleming was sent Agent to the Committee of Estates in Scotland 'till such time as the Laird Libberton could be dispatc't Short time after Mr. Windram returned into Scotland with a Letter and instructions by word of mouth whereby he gave the Committee of Estates who having long expected were therefore more desirous to hear what he now brought an account how much he found his Majesty compliant to their Propositions viz That as to what acted to the two last Sessions of Parliament he was content a Generall Act of Oblivion should be passed but could not approve it That neither those of Montrosses nor Duke Hamilton 's party in his last engagement should bear Office in State without consent of Parliament That he had appointed Breda in Holland for the place of a solemn Treaty for the making a full accomodation and agreement between him and his loving Subjects of Scotland The Contents of his Letter were as followeth For the Committee of Estates of Scotland CHARLES R. VVE have received your Letters lately presented to us by Mr. Windram of Libberton and we accept gratiously all the expressions of affection and fidelity therein contained towards us with your tender resentment of our present Condition and the just indignation which you profess to have against the execrable Murther of our Father and we believe that your intentions are full of Candor towards us as we are and always really have been desirous to settle a clear and right intelligence between us and our Subjects of our ancient
of the Spaniard with an Army of ten thousand men so that they intend with his assistance if they could not obtain their desires by fair means to have forc't it Thus these differences were arrived to such a height that nothing but a Civil war was like to ensue which made his Sacred Majesty of England use his utmost endeavours to compose stay this breach before it came to an utter overflow to which effect he dayly went to fro be twixt the King the Princes endeavouring to bring them to a reconciliatiō urging by his own example the miseries and calamities that must necessarily fall upon every mans head by a Civil War telling the King that the late example of his Royall Father of happy memory might be an inducement to him to be at peace with his Subjects rather then embroil his Kingdomes in a bloudywar by which though he might for the present gaine the better yet in the end he would stil be sure to have the worse Yet these Arguments and his Majesties earnest endeavours for peace and reconciliatiō produced nothing but only contracted an unjust odium upon him from both parties for his good will the Princes believing that he counselled the King against them and the Cardinal against him So that he lost the love of both by endeavouring to mak them love one another yet notwithstanding the ill successe he had this Noble Prince still pursues his pacifick intentions til such time as he gains a conference between the King Cardinall Princes but this proves ineffectuall For the Princes heightned with the aid they expected from the Duke of Lorain instead of coming to an accord only exasperate differences Yet his Sacred Majesty ceases not but endeavours to bring them yet to a peaceable compliance in order threunto procures another Conference where he himself would be Moderatour but this proves as ineffectuall as the former For the Prince of Conde was above all others outragious and would come to no agreement except Mazarine were first banished France and the French King as violently persisted in his resolution against it alledging That he had approved himself both a faithfull servant and an able Minister of State So in stead of agreement both sides prepare for War yet are both sides equally angry exasperated against his sacred Majesty for his good will toward them and the Nation the one and other party imagining that both he and his Mother had given counsels opposite to their designes But that which above all exasperated the Princes against his Majesty of England was the sudden luke-warmness of the Duke of Lorain in the business For though he had drawn off his Army as though he had complied with their resolutions to come to a battel yet being sent for by the Princes to advance towards Paris he refused to come which made the Princes believe there had been some underhand dealing with him and that which most of all encreased their jealousies that King Charles had a hand in it was this The Duke of Beaufort coming to the Camp of Lorain to desire him in the name of the Princes to come up and fight found there his Majesty his brother the Duke of York in private conference with Lorain who withdrawing when Beaufort appeared Beaufort finding the Duke's aversness to the enterprize confirmed him and he confirmed the Princes of the King of England's endeavours whereby he had withdrawn Lorain from their party This coming to the peoples ears who were absolute favourers of the Princes and inveterate enemies to Mazarine so extreamly incensed them against the English Princes that they threaten violence and indignities to their persons are not afraid to affront the Queen their Mother in her Coach which made his Majesty to avoid the popular fury retire himself from the Lovure to St. Germane Nor is the Cardinal less incensed though under a more politick vail For though both Princes and People might imagine believe that his Majesty had counsel'd things opposite to their intentions yet the Cardinal very well knew that he had advised the King as the best course to consent to his departure out of the Kingdome and that if he had endeavoured to draw Lorain from their party 't was only out of a desire he had to expedite their agreement he therefore resolves to thwart him in all his designs And so he did to the utmost of his endeavours For his Majesty though suspected by the Prince in his several conferences with Lorain to have endeavoured to divert him from them was only transacting with him for the recovery of his Kingdome of Ireland out of the hands of the English Republick to which effect several Articles were drawn up between the Duke of Lorain and the Lord Taaff two of which were 1. That the Duke of Lorain should transport an Army of 10000. men at his own charge into Ireland there to joyn with such as should be found Loyal for the Recovery of his Majesties Rights in that Kingdom 2. That the Duke of Lorain should by his Majesty be invested with the power and Title of Protector Royall of Ireland These Articles though drawn up never came to be signed the cause of which some have imagined to be the disability of the Duke to performe the Enterprise without the Aid of some other Prince but we may in more reason guess it proceeded from the strenuous endeavours of Mazarine his Majesties so lately made-enemy to divert the Duke's Army then from any other cause Many in England upon hearing of these Propositions made to the Duke of Lorain which I must confess some believe to have never proceeded any farther then discourse of the Duks feared his Majesties too great inclination to the Romish Religion which fear his after retirement at St. Germain's convinced there was no need of For here he spent his time wholly in Piety and Devotions according to the best worship of the Church of England never forgeting to pray for those his Enemies who were not only content to have deprived him of his Kingdoms but continually belched forth both slanders and maledictions against him His Majesty having staid at S. Germains till such time as the heate of the popular fury was over which decreased still towards them as they found Mazarine more averse to him returned again to the Lovure where during his abode his brother the Duke of Gloucester who had a long time been detained by the Juncto of England in the Isle of Wight and was lately permitted by them to go to his Sister the Princess Royal in Holland came to him accompanied from the Hague by Sir Marmaduke Langdale and Sir Richard Greenvile he was at his arrivall at Paris honourably received by the King of France and Queen Mother and courted according to his birth by the rest of the Grandees and Peers of the Kingdome Likewise during his Majesties abode here arrived his Quondam Preserver Mrs. Jane Lane who after she had taken leave of
Duke of York and Glocester staid still in France The first having under the Command of the Marshall of Turine against the Spaniards performed such eminent services as had made him deservedly esteemed a most valerous and prudent Prince in so much that notwithstanding his Youth he was made Lieu. Generall of the French Army and thought so well worthy that Command that when Turine the most esteemed Generall the French have for a long time had lay desperatly sick and it was expected that he should breath his last he was by the King of France sent to to desire him that seeing there were so little hopes of his life he would nominate such a Generall of his Army as he might judge fit to succeed him To which Turine answered that if his Majesty would have his affairs prosper he should make choice of a Noble Valorous and fortunate Generall which if he did he could make choice of no fitter person then the thrice Heroick Duke of York As for his Brother the Duke of Glocester he remained at the Palace Royall in Paris with the Queen his Mother who shortly after the departure of his Royall Majesty endeavoured by all the bonds of filiall obedience and the most prevailing Arguments could be used to perswade him to become Roman Catholick nor did she alone but the Queen Mother of France and the prime Nobility of that Kingdome attempt the same when the Retorique of the Court could not prevail the most eminent for learning set upon him with that depth of reason as long acquired study and their own interest could oblige them to use or furnish them withall nor were Arguments and Reasons only used but the highest temptations this world could present to a Prince in adversity such were a Cardinals Hatt and a Revenue suitable to his Dignity when these could not prevail the indignation of a Royal Mother was poured forth upon him which wrought him the deprivation of his Tutor his Servants and all Comforters in these temptations But that Noble Prince was so far indowed dureing this affliction with the Principles of the Religion of the Church of England besides that naturall piety and constancy flowing from his most religious Father of blessed Memory that by the depth of truth and Reason he defended himselfe against these attempts After this he is committed to the care of one Mr Walter Montague Abbot of Nantueil living at Pontoise who keeps him in very closely and works and persists still in endeavouring to pervert him using the Argument of Duty and Obedience to his Mothers Commands which she did enjoyn him to doe or never more to see her face which from that day to this he hath not seen This noble soul replyed with a sorrowfull heart That as the Queens Majesty was his Mother he ought her duty but as his Brother was his King and Soveraign he ought him duty and Allegiance which he could not dispute Whilst he is at Pontoise the most noble and religious Lord Hatton takes occasion to go wait upon the Duke according to private iustructions received from his Majesty who to his great sorrow had advise of these particulers he is admitted with much trouble to the presence of the Duke who embraces him as his Deliverer and with some difficulty urging the Commands of his Majesty his own arguments he is delivered to his care who conducts him with a spetiall respect and diligence to his house in Paris where he is entertained divers dayes with all honour and confirmed wih all diligence by that Learned Lord in his so well imbued Principles untill the arrivall of the Marquess of Ormond who by the Kings Command receivs and conducts him to his Majesties Court. His Majesty in his journy towards Germany came first to Catillon a Castle belonging to the Prince of Conde whither he was accompanied by his Brother the Duke of York and his Cousins prince Rupert and Edward Palatines here Prince Edward the Duke of York left them the one going to Bourbon the other returning to the Army where he continued a good while after his Majesty Prince Rupert continued for some few daies their journy together 'till the Prince parted from him to go visit his Brother Frederick at Hidelberg his Majesty passing through Cambray and Leige to the Spaw where he tooke up the first place of his Residence in Germany whither his Sister the Royall Princess of Orange came to visit him and they no doubt during the time of their being there were as merry as two such afflicted Princes could But let us a little leave his Majesty at the Spaw and look into his Kingdomes where Cromwell that he might secure himself in his ill-gotten Estate endeavours by all means possible either to take away the lives or wholly impoverish disable his Majesties loyall Subjects who are continually charged with somthing which he by his usurped power takes hold of to destroy them severall persons are apprehended and charged with a design to have seized on the Tower and Proclaimed his Majesty King of those Kingdoms which by right were his for tryall of which persons a High Court of Justice a thing we now in England know very well was erected for the tryal of those persons Col. John Gerard Mr. Peter Vowell and Sommerset Fox were condemned to be hanged drawn quartered for no less then high Treason for-sooth though there were then no Act in being making it Treason to conspire against the power then in being in England but somwhat of the sentence was remitted Col. Gerard was beheaded Mr Vowell only Hanged Mr. Fox reprived I have alwayes observed that in all the tryals made by those high Courts of Justice for plots as they call them there hath still been some one person who though brought to tryal have either not been condemned though look't upon by the people as eminent in the business as any and though condemned yet have been reprived what others guess of it I will not determine I know what I do The truth is that his Majesty had alwaies the ill fortune to have such false servants about him as have for the Lucre of money either betrayed any enterprize of his for the gaining of his right the Protector especially being very prodigal in such expences his intelligence as most affirm standing him in no less then two hun dred thousād pound per annum or else those persons engag'd for him being many of them deboist fellows and who often ran upon designes uncommissioned have in a Tavern both lay'd and betray'd their own undertakings or else some here in England who have undertaken in such businesses have either for fear or gain betrayed both their Prince friends and Countrey Thus much for England let us now take a viwe of his Majesties affaires in Scotland which Kingdome was not yet wholly conquered for the Lords Seaforth Atholl Glencarne Kenmore and Glengary and severall others who had some of them been formerly followers of the noble Marquess of Montrosse
mony set upon his head for which many hundreds out of covetousnes made it their business to search for him they will confess ingeniously that God was never so merciful to any people as to us in delivering his sacred Majesty so wonderfully out of the hands of his Enemies who breathed out nothing but his death and destruction that we may yet have hopes to be a happy Nation But let us now returne to give a full account of this dismal loss at Worcester in which most of his Majesties foot were either made a prize or a sacrifice to their enemies swords of the horse there escaped 300. out of the field but were most afterwards either taken or kil'd by the country people in their flight three thousand were judged slain in the Field and about seaven thousand taken prisoners whereof the chief were the Earles Derby Lauderdale Cleveland Shrewsburge the Lord Wentworth and many other noble persons taken in the pursuit And the chief of those taken in the battel were the Earles of Carnworth and Kelly the Lord Synclare Sir John Packington the Major Generals montgomery and Piscotty and the Virgil of this Age that thrice worthy Mr. Richard Fanshaw Translator of the renowned Paster Fido and Secretary to his Majesty As for the thrice noble Duke Hamilton he was taken but not overcome overpowred but not vanquisht For after having made a most Heroick resistance he was reduced under his enemies power more for want of strength then valour but death entring in at those wounds which he so gallantly received in defence of his Soveraign soon after released him Major General Massey though he escaped the field yet his wounds being desperate he was forced to surrender himself to the Countess of Stamford was by her Son the Lord Grey of Grooby after the recovery of his wounds sent up prisoner to the Parliament and by them committed to the Tower from whence he not long after escaped and went to his Majesty beyond sea This strange and wonderfull Victory as the Juncto at Westminster gave it out to be though they had six to one in the field made that Sectarian party cock-a-hoop to make it the greater publick days of Thanksgiving are appointed to make God the patronizer of their villanies murders tyrannyes and treasons and now they boast in all their discourses how clearly it might appear that God owned their cause and disowned their adversaries I think a modern writer hath sufficiently confuted that commonly received tenent of Politicians * See Modern Policy That successe denotes actions to be either just or unjust I shall therefore leave the sober Reader here to satisfie himself refer it to him whether such do not justly deserve Ovid's wish Careat successibus opto Quisquis ab eventu facta notanda putat Let him for ever in successe be poor That thinks it justifies his cause the more But this Nation is so highly sensible of the injustice put upon them by those who pretend so much right in their Cause that there 's no loyal Subject but will thinke according to reason that it was not the justice of their cause but our own and the Nations sinnes which caused God to raise up these men as scourges both to Prince People to the prince only for the peoples sake Some I have heard which out of a spirit which I cannot well define have endeavoured to brand his Royal Majesty with Cowardize in this battel which from whence it could proceed unless from their own coward nature which would insimulate another in that of which themselves are guilty I cannot imagine since Cromwell the greatest of his Enemies because the most desirous of his Kingdomes yet had so much of truth in him as to give a high and noble Character of his valour But to proceed we have now said enough of this fatall battel the seeming ruine of the Royal Interest in England unless God of his mercy be pleased to restore it for the good peace and quiet of these Nations since without it we cannot hope to enjoy any His sacred Majesty being landed in France near Havre de Grace from thence with a Noble Lord in his Company posted directly for Roan where they stayed to alter their disguises and furnish them with habits answerable to their qualities his Majesty from thence having dispach't Letters to the French Court to acquaint his friends there of his safe Arrival which doubtless caused no little joy in those who were real to him and almost despaired ever again to have seen him The Duke of Orleans sends his own Coach to fetch him and several persons of quality go to meet him by whom he was attended to Paris and there received with all possible expressions of joy lodgings and attendants being forthwith provided for him in the Louure where at his first arrival he was visited by the Queen his Mother the Duke of Orleans who of all persons in the Kingdome exprest himselfe the most ready to do him service and the next day visits him again accompanied with his Daughter Madamoiselle he is likewise courted by the Dukes of Beaufort Langueville Guize the Marshall Thurine and many other Peers Nobles of France who all congratulate his safe deliverance And now his Majesty having lost all hopes of any furthermeans of attaining his Dominions by force leads here a retired life yet living in regard of his high alliance and extraction in great esteem with all the French Nobility Insomuch that notwithstanding his present low condition there was very great talk of a match to be made up between him the Madamoiselle de Orlians the richest princess in Christendome yet by some means or other it came to no effect though the Queen of England his Mother was an earnest promoter of it and also the Duke of York to Longuevelle's Daughter Whilst these things were transacting hapned that lately reconciled Fracture between the Prince of Conde and Cardinal Mazarine most of the Prince of the Bloud siding with the first the King of France who was newly declared of age to sway the Scpter himselfe with the last The cause of the quarrel was that extravagant power which Mazarine a stranger had usurped in the government of the Kingdome both depriving the Princes of the bloud of their Right and oppressing the people whose daily murmurings more encouraged the Princes against him this power he had got into his hands in the Regency of the Queen Mother whose grand Favourite he only was The Princes therefore though they could not dureing her Regency who so much loved him yet hoped they might effect somthing now the King himselfe is come to govern to which intent they charge him with several miscarriages of State which the Cardinal defends the King also enclines to his side by the instigation of the Queen his Mother yet nothing but the Cardinals banishment will satisfie the Princes who join the Duke of Lorain to them then in the service
by Commissions to the Earle of Glencarne had levied sundry small parties in their severall Territories which all joyned would have made up a considerable Army besides the help which they expected Middleton should bring them out of the Low-Countries they therefore made all possible speed to joyn but in their march the Earl of Glencarne is set upon by Col. Morgan his party routed himselfe hardly escaping This defeat of Glancarn's who was the chief though it discouraged the rest yet made them not wholly desist for they had yet hopes of those supplies which they expected Middleton to bring out of the Low-Countries who at length arrives brings with him Monroe to be his Lieu. General he being Commissionated General which highly displeased Glancarne who had been the greatest instrument of his Armies raising which was now joyn'd and made up a considerable body who protested that he would not raise an Army for others to Command so high a dispute there was between Glancarne and Monroe in somuch that many affirm though som say the contrary that it came to a Duell in which Monroe was worsted disarmed by Glancarne however the dissention still continues for Middleton pretended that he had not power to tak away Monro's Commission which was given him by his Majesty and Glancarne scorning to be under him being of Noble bloud accounting himself as good a Souldier deserts the Army with five hundred Horse in his company and goes in to General Monck with whom he makes his Composition Yet notwithstanding his desertion caused by those differences amongst them selves for Superiority the only way to ruine any designe Middleton pursues his businesse and Commission and had made up a pritty Considerable Number when General Monck engaging him at Laugherry after a not dispute totally routed him scattered his party and had almost taken himself Prisoner but he escaping returned again into Holland Thus his Majesties ill fortune still attends his affaires God still permiting his Enemies to taper up in the World advance themselves not that he in the want of us but that we in the want of so Noble a Prince might be yet farther Miserable But let us return again to his Majesty at the Spaw where he having staid a while courted by all the adjacent Grandees at length takes his journey in company of the Princess Royall his Sister towards Colen where being arrived they were recieved with all possible honour and demonstrations of joy affection the great Guns difcharging at their entrance and the Deputies of the City coming out to meet them in solemn maner and conducting them in great pomp to the pallas provided for them by the chief Magistrate of the City Shortly after their Arrivall the Grandees of the Place entertain'd his Majesty and his Royall Sister at a sumptuous Banquet or Collation where they express in many ceremonious complements the high resentment they had of his Majesties condition and the great honour which he did them in being pleased to come and visit their City After a short time of abode here his Majesty was invited by the Duke of Newburgh to his pallace at Donzell-dorf where he his Sister were most sumptuously Royally entertained for some dayes and here the Royall Princes took her leave of her Brother his sacred Majesty and returned for Holland the King accompanying her on her way as far as Redinguen and from thence returned back again to Colen where he was joyfully receiv'd And now more of his Majesties loyal Subjects are put to wrack in England by tyrannizing Cromwell a generall design must needs be laid over all England and perhaps might be so though Cromwell Knew it well enough before it was like to take any effect which apeared by his setling the London Militia in the hands of his own Criado's his apprehending of Sir Henry Littleton Sir John Packington and many other of the Royall party yet he lets it still go on that he might have the better colour for keeping his Scaffold in use whilst he having certain Intelligence of all proceedings from his hired Agents had care to prevent them when they just came to the height that he might then lay the surer hold on the undertakers so now though he was sure to prevent all risings which might be near London yet he lets others in the Countries more remote to go on so farre as they might only raise to a head but not have any secure place of strength to retreat to in case of a defeat where they might again have made a head The surprizal of Shrewsberry and Chirk Castles are to that effect now prevented But a party in Dorset and Wiltshier made a body consisting most of Gentlemen who surprized Salizbury took away all the Horses and Marched towards Cornwall where they expected a greater force to rise with them but being eagerly pursued by Captain Crook with a party of Horse were overtaken at Southmolton in Devon shire and after a hot dispute most of them either slain or taken but Sir Joseph Wagstaffe the chief Commander of this small loyal party escaped The Captains Penruddock Grove and Jones were taken and afterwards being tri'd by a Commission of Oyer Terminer were condemned to death Captaine Jones was reprived but Grove Penruddock were beheaded at Exeter The last of which parted nobly with his life and died with a resolution worthy of the cause for which he suffered Many others likewise were hanged for his enterprize Yet these and their fellows might have come off better had the Countries as they promised risen to their assistance for all the Countries in England had designed as they say to rise but whether besotted dull'd and fearful or else prevented by a force upon them I cannot tell but sure I am they fail'd Yet in Yorkshire there were two parties up in severall places but dissipated by their own feares at Hexam Moor the Gentry in that shire had a Rendezvouz of whom Sir Henry Slingsby was taken and remained prisoner in Hull till such time as he was brought up to London where he suffered death under pretence of another design as shall in due time be declared But now the Protector findes another course to rid himselfe of all such English men as were loyall to their King Countrey Several of those who were active in the late design and had been taken are out of the Prisons hurried aboard ships and though they were free-born English men and many of them Gentlemen sent to be Slaves in the Forraign Plantations nor were they alone served so but many who though they had not actually stir'd yet being by the Protector known as persons not very well affected to his Tyrannicall Government were privately taken out of their houses and shipt away in like manner it not being enough for him when he had impoverished them by taking away their Estates to look upon and insult on their misery at home but to make them as much as in him lay the
scorne and derision of the world by selling them to those Plantations a punishment inflicted usually on none but thieves and vagabonds Yet I hope those Noble soules who were thus dealt withall account those miseries and hardships they have endured but little in respect of the cause for which they suffered them But to return to our Princes abroad The Duke of Glocester in his journy from Paris with the Marquess of Ormond touched at the Hague where he found his Sister newly returned from her journey with his Majesty and having staid with her some time there she accompanied him to visit their Brother the King again at Colen with whom she staid till after the fair at Frankford whither his Majesty accompanied with his Royal Sister the Duke of Glocester the Marquess of Ormond the Earle of Norwich the Lord Newburg and several Ladies and persons of Quality went in progress part of the way they went by Land and the other part by water being complemented in all Princes countries through which they passed by their chief Ministers of State and saluted with the great Guns from their Towns Castles but particularly being come into the Territories of the Elector of Mentz they were saluted by his grand Marshall who in the name of his Master the Elector invited his Majesty the Princess Royall the Duke of Glocester to his Court but in regard that the intent of their progress was to see that renowned Fair at Franckford which now drew nigh his Majesty sent the Lord Newburgh back with the grand Marshal returning thanks to the Elector for his civilities but desiring to be excused till their return when his Majesty with his Royal Sister Brother would not Faile to come and give him thanks in person and so his Majesty with his Noble company continued their journy Being arrived at Frankford advice was brought to his Majesty that the Queen of Swethland who had some time before Voluntarily surrendered her Kingdom into the hands of Carolus Gustavus her Kinsman was passing that way in her intended Journey for Italy whereupon his Majesty sent a Noble Lord to acquaint her Royall Highness the Queen Christina that he was ready to wait upon her at what place soever she should be pleased to appoint for an interview her Majesty received the message with a great deal of affection telling the Messenger That she was highly obliged to his Majesty of England for so great an honour and that if he pleased she would not fail to meet him at Conningstein a village not far from Frankford where his Majesty for the time resided And accordingly there these two Potentates both equally deprived of their Kingdomes only with this distinction the one Voluntary the other by force and Tyranny met the Queen of Sweden being there first attended his Majesty he being come was immediately admitted in a room there purposely provided and having had neer halfe an hours private discourse with her the Duke of Glocester was admitted and presently after the Lords that attended his Majesty there passing between their two Majesties many ceremonious complements so after a little longer discourse they took their leaves The Princesse Royal being a little indisposed went not to this interview His Majesty having tarried at Franckford as long as seem'd convenient to that Royall Company in his departure thence according to the promise he had before made by the Lord Newburgh passed through the Elector of Mentz his Country resolving to give him a visit but that Noble Prince had so much of honour in him that he met his Majesty a great part of the way and conducted him with his Royall Company to a Pallace of his where he sumptuously entertained them for three or four dayes and then himself in person accompanied them a good part of their way to Colen from whence shortly after his Majesties arrival there the Princess Royal departed for Holland In the mean time the Protector of England having made a peace with the Hollander fearing that the Nation should grow rebellious to him if they lay free from wars which would fill their purses resolves to keep them low at a diet to which effect he begins a war with Spain at first in his Western Territories but soon after that business not succeeding in his Europaean Quarters which made Mazarine with all hast possible endeavour the concluding the Leageu Offensive and Defensive with the Protector which being by him considered to be as beneficiall for his own interest as for the French was easily and willingly assented to but the chief Articles of this Peace was that his Majesty the Duke of York and Glocester with all their relations and friends should be expelled out of and no more admitted into the Kingdom of France Certainly had the French King had but the least touch or sense of honour he would have counted this the hardest condition in the world or indeed he would never at all have treated with the protector but that he should yeild to such a condition as to banish out of his Kingdome those who came to him for succour and relief in the utmost extreamity that ever Princes were put too and these too his nearest relations being Brothers Sisters children And this to make a league offensive with him who had murdered their Father expelled them out of their Dominions What was this but the owning of that murder and aggravating their oppressions instead of relieving them But neither honour nor relation can stand in competition with self-Interest His Maiesty had before fore-saw what the event of this treaty would be and had therefore wisely wihdrawn himselfe from France to prevent a complemental expulsion But the Duke of York who in regard of the great command which he had in the Army had staid there til the conclusion of the League was now warned to depart with al his retinnue consisting of a gallant number of young English gentlemen bred up under his valour conduct notwithstanding those many great services which he had performed for that Kingdom in requitall of which he had only a complemental Apology made him for the necessity of his departure and a small time respited for his stay during which he was visited by the Duke of Modena then in France and other French Grandees but more espetially by the Marshal of Turine who extreamly loved him and above all others expressed a sorrow for his dismisment but at length the day perfixed being come his grace having solemnly taken his leave of the King of France the Queen his Mother the rest of his Friends at the French Court he takes his journey towards Flanders accompanied by the Earl of Yarmouth severall other English Lords For upon the rupture of the Peace between Oliver Cromwell and the King of Spain Don John de Austria Governour Royall of the Low Countries for his Catholick Majesty commiserating our Kings unfortunate Condition now that his Interest might stand them in some stead had sent the
Vice The strictest rewarder of Virtue The constantest preserver of Religion And the truest lover of his Subjects This is a short Character of his illustrious Majesty which I feare those that know him will rather think to come short of then reach his due praise so sweetly vertuous is he in all his Carriages so affable in his discourse so void of passion anger that he was never yet heard or seen in Choller the utmost extent of any passion that ever was discerned in him being towards one of his Meniall Servants who justifying himselfe in what he had done amisse his Majesty with some motion told him that he was an insolent fellow Yet this is that Prince whose vertues we have given leave to Forraign Nations to admire whilst we our selves have rested as well ignorant of his deserts as destitute of our own Liberty whilst either infatuated or blinded by those who have Tyrannically usurp'd Governments over us we have been contented to sit still see him Expulsed and exil'd from his due Rights Royalties and our selves from our Freedom Priviledges Nor hath God alone been merciful to us in endowing his sacred Majesty with such Heroick Vertues but he hath given us a stock of Noble Princes who seem to Emulate Virtues in one another and growe up like Royal Oaks to maintain the Honour and Glory of this Nation but are yet and have a long time been the disgrace of it all the Nations in Europe laughing at the English folly who slight that happinesse which they might enjoy As for the illustrious Duke of York his Fame is spread so far over the World that my selfe have heard the very Turks commend and applaud his Vallour which was so esteemed among the French that before he arrived at twenty one years of Age he was by that King thought worthy the Command of Liu. General of his Armies which he managed with such care prudence that seldom any affairs he took in hand produced not its desired successe since his being in requital of his services complemented out of that Kingdome of France though he hath not had such eminent commands confer'd on him by the Spaniard yet have they alwaies thought him worthy the highest imployment and respect As for the Duke of Glocester he is esteemed by most to be fitter for a Councellour then a Souldier His Carriage is grave somwhat severe of a Sagace Genious and understanding and very much prying into State Affairs which have made most judge him the fitter for a Councill board These three Princes are like three Diamonds or Pearls which we have ignorantly cast away not come to know the worth of them till we come to want them Their vertues having made them resplendent throughout all the World and rendred them if we justly consider it the only means whereby we can attain to happiness for what Nation can be more blessed then that which hath for her Prince a just King to Govern a Valiant Duke to Defend and a Wise Counsellour to Advise May the God of Heaven then open our Eyes and let us at length see our Errour and heartily repent of it by calling our Native Soveraign to the possession of his due Rights which the Divine Majesty I hope will be Gratiously pleased to Grant Thus far the History March 1660. POST-SCRIPT WHen this admirable miraculous foregoing History came first out which contayns so great wonders that noe former age can parralel or future believe it may well without derogation from the author be owned by a person of Quality for so questionlesse he was and a person of Honour and loyall confidence that at that time before the dawning of our day of Liberty or the arising of our long set Sun which by its appearing inlightens comforts and refreshes these our Kingdoms of England Scotland Ireland CHARLES the second defender of the faith c. I say much may well be attributed to his confident bouldnes at that time to publish it when to speak truth reason or loyaltie was accounted Error Treason dangerous And although it be not so full as it might be either for manner or Matter in setting forth the worthy deserved Praise of our most gratious Soveraign whose perfections whosoever shall undertake to describe must needs fall short and of his Miraculous escape but that it may well be said of it as the Queen of Sheba said of the Wisdom of Solomon c. behold the halfe was not tould of what she found though reported by fame which seldome looses in the Progresse nor of the wonderfull signall mercy to his Kingdoms and Subjects thereby as is well exprest in the 107. psalme and the 43. Who so is wise may may understand these things and such shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord. And truly I think never people had more cause chearfully thankfully to acknowledge the goodnes of God herein and expresse it by their duty and obedience The wisemans advice its wisdome to take Pro. 24. 21.22 My Sonfear God and the King medle not with them that be seditious and desirous of change c. Have we not been ever since the sad Sacrifice of his sacred Majesty who God has made a Saint and they a Martyr of most pretious and blessed memory who was Murthered by the pretended sword of Justce to say noe more of it was as horrid a crime as ever the Sun beheld oppresed by high Courts of Injustice and other arbitrary impositions more then ever was done by coular of authority in the raigns of all the KINGS since the CONQVEST Did not the want of our King bring on us Vsurpation Tirrany Enmity Animositie Poverty and all Misery All which will be remov'd and to our comfort if our sinnes and disobedience hinders not we shall assuredly enjoy a Settlement of Religion Law Liberty Property Peace Penty Honour and Safety Has not his singular wisdom discovered and directed a way not only for discharging those large arrears which before daily increased on us to the Army and otherwise which is in a short time done but also for their disbanding in England to free us thereby for the future from those insupportable burthens Read but his gratious General pardon before which who could justly say he was free and see his unparaleld clemency who to us Ariseth like the Sun of Righteousnes with healing under his wings Mal. 4.2 And if ingratitude be the worst of crimes as I think was never yet questioned how inexcusable then in the Eyes of all the world shall such be that after so great favour shall either in thought word or deed think speak or act any thing against him Read but his Declaration concerning Ecclesiasticall affaires with what Religious care caution has he fram'd it to the Satisfaction of all interests that pretend to Religion Reason or Civility Provided they quietly conforme to the Establisht Laws and make not Religion as some formerly did a Match to give fire