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A95892 Magnalia Dei Anglicana. Or, Englands Parliamentary chronicle. Containing a full and exact narration of all the most memorable Parliamentary mercies, and mighty (if not miraculous) deliverances, great and glorious victories, and admirable successes, ... from the yeer, 1640. to this present year, 1646. Compiled in four parts; the two first, intituled, God in the mount. The third, Gods ark overtopping the worlds waves; the fourth, The burning-bush not consumed: this last part, comming up to these present times, and to our most renowned generall, Sir Thomas Fairfaxes late famous actions, in the west, and the happy (because unbloody) rendition of Oxford, in this present yeer, 1646. Collected cheifly for the high honour of our wonder working God; and for the unexpressible comfort of all cordiall English Parliamentarians. / By the most unworthy admirer of them, John Vicars.; God in the mount. Part 4 Vicars, John, 1579 or 80-1652. 1646 (1646) Wing V319; Thomason E348_1; ESTC R201016 408,597 484

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provisions and following the Enemy beat them all out of the Town and so wee are now Masters both of the Town and Castle Of the enemy were slain in the place 85 besides those that were slain before the Castle 100 prisoners were taken and their whole Forces routed and I beleive in their flight they never looked behinde them untill they came to Castle Emlyne which is six miles from Cardigan In the Town wee also took 250 Armes I have not heard since these unhappy differences began in this Kingdom that the hand of the Almighty hath more visibly appeared in giving so great victories to so small a handfull than hath been manifested in these parts and therfore to his own power wee attribute all the praise and glory But to proceed About the 10 of this instant January the proud and most pestilently pernicious Arch-Prelate of Canterbury William Laud that Arch Traytor to the Church and State to God and all good men yea that Arch Incendiary together with his brother Strafford of 3 Kingdomes after a long and most full and fair tryall as ever to bee honoured Mr. William Prynn hath in his famous History of this Arch Prelates Life and ●●eath and Tryall most abundantly cleared to all the world being most justly and worthily condemned by the most honourable House of Peeres to bee hanged drawn and quartered as a Traytor indeed yet upon his Petition that kinde of death was altered and hee beheaded as the rest of his Trayterous companions upon the Towre-Hill Of whom all I will say at this time having said so much already of him and the rest of his wretched rabble of Traytors in my Second Part of The Looking-Glasse for Malignants shall bee onely this That his constant pride and impudence considered wherwith hee swelled in his whole life and wherewith hee jetted even to the Scaffold to his deaths Block manifested in his pert yea and malepert gesture spruce and neat apparell unparallelled bold countenance and confidence in his whole carriage even to his very minute of Death his most audacious and hypocriticall Preaching or most properly prating for almost an houre together before his death in most egregiously jugling and justifying his whole life and all his most accursed and abominable works of darknesse and that to the very death O nefanda inaudita audacia execrabilis durities all which I say most seriously and sadly considered O how justly and most properly applyable to this wretohed Arch Prelate is that most terrible and frightfull judgement of the Lord mentioned by the Prophet Make the heart of this man fat and make his eares heavy and shut his eyes lest hee see with his eyes and bear with his eares and understand with his heart and should convert and bee healed This unquestionably was this most miserable mans condition for a most proud and hypocriticall crafty Tyrant and persecutor of Gods Saints hee lived and a most obdurate and marble-hearted Atheist hee also impudently impenitently dyed Giving us all over the whole Kingdom yea all over the 3 whole Kingdoms great just cause heartily to blesse the Lord for his righteousnesse and justice heerin happily fulfilling that of wise King Solomon or rather of the Lord by him When the wicked perish there is shouting and joy among the people And truely so it justly was with us at this wicked mans death For truely as Queen Elizabeth once said when shee was freed from distresse by Queen Maries death and the persecuting Popish Bishops clapt up in prison O said shee it is merry with Lambs when Wolves are shut up so say I it was happy for us poore Lambs when this Wolf was thus taken from us For truely ever since this his just execution what ever the Court-Cabinet Prognosticators falsly affirmed God hath admirably blessed our Armies and the whole work of intended Reformation But now to goe on About the 14 of this instant wee were credibly assured by Letters to the Committee of both Kingdoms as also Major Generall Browns own Letter to his Excellency Robert Earl of Essex then Lord Generall of a most brave victory and famous defeat obtained over and given to our Enemies the Kings forces at Abbington by the said renowned and most active and loyall Major Generall the particulars whereof I have thought fit to give the Reader for his fuller satisfaction and content in a Letter writen by religious Colonell Harsnet to his worthy Friend Captain Jones in London which was as followeth Sir I have had a longing desire to requite your love in giving mee a relation of that famous fight at Alford but never till now could meet with an opportunity But something the Lord hath now I say vouchsafed worthy the relation to our worthy Friends at London I came on Friday night from Henly with our Company that came with us from London Some others of our Garrison whom wee found at Reading after midnight past with us very quietly by Walling ford and so about 3 of the clock came safe to Abbington seeing none in our way to trouble us but having been not above 3 houres there wee had an allarm from the same way wee came which was about half a mile from us in Oxfordshire called Cullumbridge which the Enemy possest themselves of before wee had time to draw forth any party to charge them There were parties from Oxon and from Wallingford Prince Rupert Commanding in cheif with whom was his brother Prince Maurice Sir Henry Gage Governour of Oxford and many other great Commanders Their forces were supposed to bee in all about 3000 Horse and foot with 2 peices of Ordnance Behinde the foresaid Bridge was a great hill with many hedges which they had lined with Musketteers to the great annoyance of our men But our noble Major Generall upon hearing of the allarm Commanded our men to Armes which was cheerfully obeyed and by parties were drawn along the Cawsie that led from the Town to the Bridge Medows overflowed with water being on both sides and comming to charge them at the Bridge the Enemy stoutly opposed us but to their losse whereupon wee had 2 Drakes commanded thither and our men cheerfully wading into the water on both sides did so pelt them while the Drakes plaid upon the Bridge that after 4 houres fight wee drove them from the Bridge and the Hedges and forced them to a retreat and wee having got the Bridge which being of Stone the Enemy had partly broken down yet our men got over Commanded by Major Bradberry Major to Colonell Sparrows Regiment of Essex at the entring over which Bridge hee was slain but in this hot bickering wee lost not above 8 or 10 men at the most and so the Enemy was forced to a shamefull retreat The fight began betimes in the morning at which instant there was a party of 70 or 80 horse from Farrington to set upon our horse quartered at a Village called
I had appointed a Party both of Horse and Foot to March with mee to have met with the enemy who was within three or foure miles of our Garrison plundring and spoyling the Country Having therefore given order to Major Hammond my Major of Horse to draw out the Horse and Major Gray my Lord Stamfords Major to draw out the Foot both having been with me for orders therein they meeting in my lodging neer the door it so fell out that through some exceptions of Major Gray taken at Major Hammond at a Councell of Warre they entring into the street upon departure from mee upon a blow given by Major Gray to Major Hamm●id they drew their swords upon each other where and at which time Major Gray received his deaths wound whereupon our Foot Souldiers fell into a high discontent and quarrell which notwithstanding it pleased the Lord so to appease that I presumed to goe forward with my Designe and to march on And the next day in the morning wee met with the enemy at Kidmarl●y entred fight with them when by Gods great hand of mercy to us wee slew their Generall Mynne with some other Officers and about an hundred Souldiers and took prisoners of them one Lieutenant Colonell Passey Major John Buller seven Captaines three Lieutenants five Ensignes and twelve Sergeants with other Officers and men of note and of common Souldiers about three hundred the rest of the enemy fled and escaped some to Lidbury whither our Horse pursued them But by reason of another body of strength come from Worcester of about two hundred Horse and five hundred Foot comming and advancing in our sight purposing to have joyned with Colonell Mynne wee thought it more safe to gather up our stragling pursuers and make our march back to Ridmarly with safety and to make good our obtained Victory and there to expect the advancing enemy rather than presumptuously to hazzard our selves and the rest in seeking the enemy with our tyred Horse and wearyed Foot and so they retreated to Lidbury and we to Glocester where we have much cause to magnifie the Almighties goodnesse to us and to sing incessant praises to him for the same Our losse was only that Colonell Harley was shot in his left arme but no danger to his life or health praised bee God and who like a most gallant and valiant Gentleman indeed behaved himself in this fight and the rest also did like very brave men Two or three of our Souldiers were slain but praised bee the Lord not one Officer and not passing foure or fire more wounded Thus much at present I thought it my duty to signifie from my self whose faithfulnesse shall ever bee manifest in the Parliaments Service and Cause being unto Your self Sir a most thankfull acknowledger of your many favours and Your most humble Servant Edward Massie ABout the eighth of this instant August also came credible information by Letters to London from We● that that most valiant loyall and active Commander Colonell Mition Governour of Oswestre and valiant and faithfull Sir Thomas Middleton to lessen our danger of Prince Roberts going Westward against the Lord Generall joyning together with about three hundred Horse and foure hundred Foot marched from thence to Welch pool in Montgomery in Wales two long miles distant at which place that bold and bloody Prince of Plunderers his own Regiment of Horse were quartered and where they suddenly falling on his sleepy and secure Cavaliers early in the morning they killed Ruperts own Cornet who refused quarter which was proffered him took so many Horse that they mounted most of their Foot home again even above three hundred they also took about an hundred Prisoners besides three Captaines three Cornets three Quartermasters and divers other Officers with much Armes and Baggage But Sir Thomas Dallison brother to Popish Dallison the Lawyer who commanded those Horse had the unfortunate happinesse to scape away and for haste was faine to run away only in his shirt and left his breeches behinde him such a strait hee was put unto wherein was found a Letter to Prince Robber which hee intended that morning to have sent to his impious Highnesse Much also about the same time came certain information by Letters out of the West to London that Colonell Sydenham that valiant and loyall Commander in Armes assisted with that much honoured and worthy Gentleman Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper Knight and Baronet having some time lyen before Wareham a strong Garrison Town of the Enemies about foure miles from Pool Now at length gave a fierce assault upon the Town had gained the outworks and that the Enemy sent a Drum for a Parly which being granted a respit for an answer was desired by the Town till next morning but this would not bee yeelded to nor for any longer time than one houre whereupon the Town of Wareham upon Articles of faire agreement was surrendred unto them and the one thousand two hundred Horse and Foot which lay before it was immediately designed to march further Westward to Colonell Middleton Now heer also I must farther inform the Reader that this strong Town was especially so soon surrendred by reason of a Letter sent from the Lord of Inchiquin out of Ireland to his brother Lievtenant Colonell O Brian then Governour of Wareham in his said brothers absence in which Letter the said Lord of Inchiquin had declared That his resolution wa● to stand firm to the Parliament and to live and die in the defence of their Cause which ●ee now most clearly saw was in the right and that the Kings party bad meerly abused them all and sought the certain subversion of the true Br●testant Religion both in England and in Ireland and therefore desired him that hee would seriously consider of the same and speedily surrender the Town of Wareham to the use of the Parliament Which Letter being read to the Souldiers in the Town they were all for the most part willing to have the Town surrendred onely some few Irish Rebells were averse upon whose obstinate deniall they were presently dispatcht out of the way and cut off by the other Souldiers in part of requitall of the Protestant blood which they and their barbarous and bloody brethren had shed in Ireland And the said Lievtenant Colonell and the rest of his Souldiers presently declared themselves for the Parliament and hee also prevailed so far with his Souldiers that five hundred of them took the Covenant and were willing to bee shipt away for Munster in Ireland to assist his brother the foresaid Lord of Inchiquin and the other Parliament Forces in the said Province against the Irish Rebells And about the tenth of this instant Letters out of Staffordshire advertised that Bagot the Governour of Litchfield had caused twelve of his bravest Horses to bee breathed and rid abroad some few miles to take the fresh air forsooth which being so abroad they were all suddenly surprised
taken nor likely to bee without more assistance which also upon the advance of our Forces God delivered into our hands as in its due and proper place wee shall make more particular mention thereof and thereby most of the Northern parts were cleared as far as Newark save only Pomfret-castle and some few other strong Houses or Holds beyond York In all which the Lord our God made this most Noble and renowned Earl of Manchester a most victorious and glorious instrument About the eighteenth of this instant came certain intelligence out of the West that in the time of the Lord Generals unhappy enclosure in heathenish I had almost said hellish Cornwall by the Kings Forces who also at that time were in no little straits for want of provision for his Army also and was therefore forced to send into Sommersetshire for supplies therein wherof Leivtenant Generall Middleton watchfully having gotten intelligence and that there were divers Carriages and Waggons laden with necessaries for the King gotten together Hee very seasonably marched thither and met with them valiantly encountred their convoy slew and took about an hundred and forty Horse and many or most of the Carriages After which he marched farther toward Sherbor● and sending our parties for intelligence was certainly informed that Sir Francis Dorrington Sir William Courtney and others in all about a thousand Horse and Dragoones were at Lamport Whereupon hee advanced with a party of five hundred Horse and Dragoones to Pederton where the enemy was in readinesse to receive him at his comming And being now in sight of each other Major Ennis and Major Car charged them most gallantly being seconded by Colonell Middleton who at the very first encounter Routed the Enemies Horse and Dragoones though their Dragoones had lined the Hedges and pursued them within half a mile of Bridgewater In which conflict hee took prisoners one Major three Captaines one Leivtenant two Cornets two Quarter-masters forty common Souldiers and fourescore Horses and killed fifty upon the place on our side Major Car was taken prisoner and only scure common Souldiers more and heer also ours took the Enemies Carriages And about the twentieth of this instant August wee received farther intelligence out of the West of some more good service done by this foresaid Leivtenant Generall Middleton since his so routing of Sir Francis Dorrington as aforesaid namely that hee fell upon the Enemies with a party of three hundred Horse and a hundred Dragoones at Farringdon neer Bristol where hee also most bravely dispersed the Enemy and took these prisoners following viz. Colonell Edward Bisse foure Captaines five Leivtenants one Cornet one Quarter-master a Chaplain of their Army and a Chirurgeon eight and thirty Troopers two Gentlemen Troopers twelve Foot Souldiers three barrels of powder with a good quantity of Match and Ball together with an hundred Horse Much also about the same time wee were for certain advertised out of Lancashire that a party of Prince Robbers forces being about three hundred of them whom hee left in that County and were going to fortifie Wiggen whereof Sir John Meldrum Commander in cheif in that County having certain intelligence hee sent a considerable party to them who surprised them all with all their Armes and Ammunition and so also utterly frustrated their intended designe August the two and twentieth 〈◊〉 credible information by Letters out of Lancas to London that the Lord Ogleby a Scotch incendiary fell upon Colonell Doddington neer Preston in Loncashire as hee was marching out of Yorkeshire to Sir John Meldrum then in Lancashire Colonell Doddington at the first had the worst but young Colonell Shuttleworth who indeed deserved to bee an elder brother for his activity and very gallant performances in this Service came in timely to the releif of that valiant Gentleman Colonell Doddington and put the Enemy consisting of foure hundred Horse to a totall Route slew many on the place and took many prisoners among whom were the Lord Ogleby himself Colonell Mynne and Leivtenant Colonell Huddlestone a man of power and much repute in Cumberland and divers other persons of quality Scottish Commanders and Gentlemen were taken prisoners they also took threescore Horse with their Riders and a party of these also endevouring to get to Latham-House as a place of retreat was surprised by our Forces which lay before Latham-House and every man of them taken prisoners Much also about the same time came certain and unquestionable intelligence that the Cavaliers were soundly cudgelled in Cheshire for Colonell Marrow a second Nimrod of those parts and indeed a stout Souldier and brave Commander issuing out of the City of Chester with about fourescors or an hundred Horse was received by a party of that most renowned and Religious Commander and loyall Patriot Sir William Breretons neer Crowton-House where wee kept a Garrison who most bravely routed the Colonell and in the conflict wounded him mortally of which wounds hee dyed the very next day in Chester at which time Sir William took many prisoners And Prince Robber to revenge the death of Colonell Marrow advanced next day with two of his best Regiments of Horse to beat back Sir William Breretons Forces but the Robber was routed and about foure hundred of his men slain on the place and taken prisoners In which conflict valiant and undaunted Captain Zanchie who commanded Sir Williams own Troop most gallantly pursued the enemy within pistoll-shot of the walls of Chester and valiant Lievtenant Colonell Jones performed his part in this conflict with no lesse valour and gallantry and a Corporall of Sir William Breretons Troop by name John Cooper seeing a most brave Horse which the Enemy could not get into the Church in Tarvin Town where the fight was very hot and furious but was fain to bee held by the bridle by one of the Enemies under the Church wall this brave spirited Corporall adventured to fetch the Horse away but they fired so fast out of the Church upon him that hee was forced twice to retreat but hee adventured the third time pistolled the enemy and so brought away the Horse which was valued to bee worth at least fourescore pound And about the same time the renowned Major Generall of Lancas Sir John Meldrum having notice of the Enemies marching toward Ormskirk made haste after them overtook them on Tuesday the twentieth of August in the Evening upon a Moore neer unto Ormskirk where they stood in Battalia and upon the first charge of our Musketteers which were under the command of Colonell Booth they all fled whereupon our Horse bravely fell upon them and totally routed them in the pursuite of whom they took about eight hundred Horse some Letters report a thousand and three hundred prisoners but by reason of the night comming so fast upon them they could not improve the Victory as otherwise they might have done but the Lord Byron and the Lord Mollenaux were
brought in for the setling 1000 pound per annu●● on Colonell Massie during his life And likewise Ordered that hee should have 200 pound bestowed upon him for his extraordinary valour and gallantry in this fight and because these monies might bee speedily issued to him it was Ordered that the Committee for the Kings Revenue should make payment forthwith of this summe And a Letter of thanks was ordered likewise to bee sent to Colonell Massie desiring him to goe on in such honourable designes and that hee should never want the encouragement of the Houses of Parliament About the 8 of this instant May wee also received certain intelligence by Letters out of Warwickeshire of the good successe of the Parliaments forces in those parts under the Command of valiant Major Purefoy testified also by his own Letter to the Committee of Parliament at Coventry and by them to London the substance of which Letter was as followeth Noble Gentlemen I Cannot but give you notice of some skirmishes lately performed by my Troop As first that my said Troop scouting abroad to discover the Enemies actions wee encountred a party of them skirmished with them and in the fight took Colonell Francis Wortley Son and h●ire to Sir Francis Wortley that prime and pernicious Royalist Since that I marched out again with my Troop and faced Banbury within twice Musket shot for above an houres space and drew out a forlorn hope and sent then into Nelthrop where they met with a party of the Enemies foot pursued them to the very Turn-pike killed one of them and brought off 6 prisoners without any losse to our selves Immediately after I sent out a party of 30 good Horse who bravely fell into the Reare of the Kings Army within a mile of Stow and after a stout assault upon them ours took prisoners Prince Ruperts Gun-Smith 4 Reformadoes of his Life-guard Prince Mourice his Chirurgeon his cheif Cook his Farrier with some other common Troopers 12 good horses 7 case of pistol● 12 swords and all this taken without any losse at all on our part praised bee the Lord for it and and 100 peices of gold was taken ●one of their pockets Since this also I sent out another party to ●udgell them up in their Rear and my said party marched straight to Cambden and found the Garrison set on fire but the party entred the Town and found 200 foot in the streets and about an 100 horse in the stables there which unexpected sight increased my mens courage and resolution and they seeing themselves ingaged charged quite through them all and through the whole Town where they discovering the Kings forces within half a ●●ile of the Town at their rendevour charged therefore through ●hem again killed 14 upon the ground besides many more wounded put them all to run and quit the Town and my men came off without any losse and brought 3 good horses with them And about the 12 of this instant wee received certain ●ntelligence by Letters out of the West of the long expected and much longed for assurance of the releif of the distressed and much straitned Town of Taunton by Colonell Welden and Colonell Graves and their valiant forces designed by renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax for that purpose In which Town there were very many precious soules and most faithfull Servants of the Lord who were all with admirable Christian courage resolved ●●gether with their brave and most undaunted Governour Colonell Blake to hold out to the uttermost of their dearest hearts blood rather than to trust to the present perfidious Articles and thereby the future intollerable tyranny and basenesse of a most disloyall bloody and barbarous Enemy The manner of the releif whereof being succinctly certified by valiant Colonell Weldens own Letter to Sir Thomas Fairfax I have heer thought fit for my Readers better content and satisfaction to insert onely heer and there I have made bold to interlace a word or two very materiall and pertinent to the present businesse which was as followeth To the Right honourable Sir Thomas Fairfax Commander in cheif of the Army raised for the defence of the King and Parliament Right Honourable ACcording to your Command I shall now give an account of the good successe wherewith God hath graciously blessed this party hitherto After a long and weary march wherein wee lost no time and wherein was such wise and Christian-like Discipline exercised all along as was admired by the Country people Proclamation having been made That it should bee death for any man to plunder any thing from any person wee thus at length came upon the Lords day May 11 before Taunton and at our neer approach to it wee shot off 3 or 4 peices of Ordnance to give notice to the Town that wee were come to their releif at the hearing and hope whereof valiant and vigilant Colonell Blake from a high place by a prospective-glasse discovered our Brigade and thereby greatly encouraged his Souldiers and the honest Townesmen who had had fierce assaults the Friday and Saturday before And Hopton had sent a sharp Summons to the Town Threatning them if they would not surrender it hee would take it by force and put them all to the sword except 7 persons onely that were in the Town To which the Governour stoutly returned a negative answer as brave as Hoptons was cruell saying Hee would not deliver the Town but would keep it to the last man As for those 7 m●n whom hee promised to spare hee desired that Hopton would send their names and hee would send him their bodies presently But to come more fully to the work it self Being now before the Town I sent out 10 of my men who fell upon an 100 of theirs and killed and took some of them who could not beleive or bee perswaded but that wee were the Lord Gorings forces and wee were within 4 miles of the Town before they would beleive wee were come against them and then about 4 of the clock in the afternoon they being fully convinced who wee were they raised the siege and confusedly ran away by night in great disorder some toward Bridgewater and some toward Exeter blocking up the way with trees and other combersome matter whereby our forces could not pursue them And truely Gods goodnesse and speciall providence appeared migh●●ly to this poore Town at this time in that wee should come to their releif in the very nick of time only and pinch of their utmost straights comming on them all their Ammunition being now quite spent very much of the Town being burnt even at least 200 houses by the rage of the Enemy and yet the Town extraordinarily defended all this while witly impregnable courage yea notwithstanding that the Enemy many times entred by storme at breaches they had made but were still most magnanimously beaten out again with the losse of at least a 1000 slain before the Town in this siege and about
into the House of Commons and had 30 pound given him as a reward The Enemy quitted 3 small Garrisons neer Bridgewater upon the taking thereof And that which yet more excellently and eminently sweetens this great mercy unto us was that it pleased the Lord who is the only true God that heares prayers that this great blessing was granted unto us upon Tuesday July the 22. which was a day set apart in London in a speciall manner to seek the Lord by prayer and humiliation for this very thing which I say the Lord gave in unto us on the same day wee sought it as a most certain and blessed return of Prayer O who then would not still and for ever trust such a gracious God and benigne and bountifull Lord and Master And heer also I have fit opportunity to give my Reader one note more touching this businesse of Bridgewater viz. That one Mr. Peters being sent from thence by Sir Tho. Fairfax our most renowned Generall with his own Letter to the Parliament for the confirmation of the truth of the premises touching the storming and winning of Bridgewater Hee also brought with him 3 Commissions out of the West which hee then also presented to the House of Commons The Contents of which were from the Prince to one Mr. Philips a Gentleman of that Country to raise a Regiment of horse a Regiment of foot and a Regiment of Dragoones The Commissions were dated in January last There were likewise other papers from the said Prince Charles by which the whole design of the Clubmen was made manifest and how they were drawn into a snare to fight against the Parliament and to gather themselves together in such a mutinous manner and into disorderly bodies without any heads till Commanders were sent and set over them But as in part yee have heard it pleased the Lord to frustrate their policies and to bring their mischeif upon their own heads apparently seen by the late comming in of the Sommersetshire Clubmen to the assistance of our noble Generall Sir Thomas and their late frequent galling of Gorings Army But now to proceed See still good Reader the admirable and unexhaustible bounty of our good God for the taking of Bridgewater was not all the good news which this 26 day of July produced unto us for on the very same day Sir Rowland Edgerton who came with a Letter out of the North intimating the surrender of the strong Castle of Pontefract was also called into the House of Commons to relate the manner of it which hee did and had thanks returned by the House for his speciall service and diligence in it When hee came away our Souldiers had entred the Castle wherein was exceeding great store of treasure and much Ammunition The particulars of the surrender of which said Castle was thus related in a Letter sent from the Committee at York to the Parliament To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons SIR VVEE thought fit the last week to summon Pontefract-Castle which caused the Enemy to desire a Treaty Whereupon Colonell Wastell Col. Copley Col. Overton Col. Bright or any three of them were authorized to treat and this day it was agreed that the Castle shall bee delivered up to the use of the Parliament to morrow at 8 of the clock in the morning with all the things therein save that the Officers were allowed to carry away what is properly their own so that it exceed not what a cloak-bagge will contain and the Souldiers to march to Newark with 200 Muskets and 200 Pikes Wee consented to so good conditions because the Plague was very hot in the Countrey and especially in that Town of which some of our Souldiers are dead Wee are also in Treaty with Scarborough which wee hope shortly will bee reduced Thus much wee thought fit to give you notice of desiring the House may bee acquainted therewith From Your very affectionate Friends and humble Servants Francis Pierrepont Wilfrid Lawson Henry Cholmley York the 20 of July 1645. And upon the 28 instant wee received most certain intelligence by Letters out of the North of the happy surrender also of the strong Castle of Scarborough to that most valiant and brave Commander and loyall Patriot Colonell Boynton who lay before it as Commander in cheif of those forces since the decease of that thrice noble and renowned Souldier and pious Cornelius Sir John Meldrum Which said strong Castle was surrendred on fair conditions Viz. That Sir Hugh Cholmley that wicked Apostate should march out with his forces to Newark if hee pleased or bee transported into Holland which indeed hee desired In the Castle hee left great store of Armes and Ammunition and 25 peices of Ordnance And about the 29 of this instant July came certain intelligence to the House of Commons in Parliament by Letters from the Scottish Army at Ludbury in Wales concerning the taking in of Cannon-Froom a strong and considerable Garrison of the Enemies which was taken by assault in which storm at least 70 of the Enemies were slain and but 8 of the Scots and some 20 hurt The Governour Colonell Barnold was therein taken prisoner and mortally wounded in the fight together with Captain Brisk Captain Houk and 30 other prisoners and all the Ordnance Armes and Ammunition therein seized on for the King and Parliament And the House of Commons had debate touching this and all the good service of our loyall Brethren of Scotland and Ordered that a Letter of Thanks should bee sent to the Earl of Leven signed by Mr. Speaker in acknowledgement of his faithfull Service for this Kingdom and farther therefore Ordered that a Jewell of 500 pound should bee with all covenient speed sent to the Earl of Leven and bee bestowed upon him as a badge of favour and respects from Both Houses of Parliament to his Excellency for the unwearyed and faithfull services since his comming over with the Scots Army into this Kingdom An excellent way by gratitude to spurre on the spirits and fasten the affections of our Souldiers to goe on in their fidelity and industry for the prosperous advance of the affaires of the Kingdom And about the same time wee received certain assurance by Letters out of the West that the forces of that gallant Garrison of Lyme had taken Chadwick-House belonging to Count Arundell a great Papist a place that did much mischeif and annoyance to those parts and lay within 6 miles of Lyme There were above an 100 prisoners and their Armes taken in it 30 horse 3 barrels of powder and good store of other provisions and Ammunition Much also about the same time wee were certainly informed of the rendition and delivering up of Rabby Castle in Durham upon faire and easie Articles or conditions viz. The Officers to march away with their Armes to Newark that cage of unclean birds and the common Souldiers with their lives only
fortified and the Church also and in it 140. Prisoners among whom was Major Stukeley a Major of horse Major Salt Capt. ●rice Captaine Edmonds Capt. Lap Capt. Baker 3. Leivtenants 3. Ensignes 8. Serjeants 55. Horse 2. Barrels of Powder and 100. mens Armes besides the Armes taken in Canterbury-Foot with Match and Bullet proportionable there were 10. of the Enemies slaine and 7. of ours whereof Major Heynes was one and about 20. more of our men wounded And thus the Lord was graciously pleased to shew favour unto us that we might justly raise up our hearts with thankfulnesse unto him About the 6. of this instant Januarie we had again Letters from our noble Generalls Armie in the West certifying that his Excellencie Sir Thomas Fairfax and Leivtenant Generall Cromwell made a generall Rendevouz and afterward advanced into the Enemies quarters resolving either to enforce them to fight or at least to remove more remotely toward Corn-wall into the quarters from whence they came And thereupon a party was drawn up farther West which fell upon them in their quarters at Tracie and beat them out of them and out of the field also and in the pursuit of them we took 4. Colonels 3. Leiutenant Colonels 5. Majors 11. Capt. and other Officers 7. Colours whereof one having the Crown and C. R. upon it 400. horse at least 300 Arms 140 Prisoners 150. head of Cattell and store of other provisions designed for the releife of Exeter which thus now blessed be the Lord came short of it After this our renowned Generall pursuing his victory came to Ilminster which he also took with all the ammunition in it where some Commanders of the Enemie had much a doe to save themselves but by throwing good store of money out of windowes into the streets among our Souldiers which whiles they gathered up the said Commanders and Officers in a darke night as it was then escaped by a back way saved their lives whiles our men were tardy to pursue them After this also our forces advanced to Ashburton but the enemy having received a hot alarm by those that escaped as before mentioned they speedily quitted that place also being then their head quarter in great Confusion and amazement sending their foot one way and their horse another but our forlorne hope pursued them so fast through the Towne of Ashburton that we took above 20 horse and 9 or 10 prisoners there and tooke the Towne with all the Armes and Ammunition in it Then the Generall advanced to Totnes where the Enemy had a Foot Quarter as having been the Princes Head Quarter where his Life Guard lay and where indeed we thought the Enemy would have disputed our passe but our Forces following on close upon them soon frighted them thence also tooke that strong Garrison with all the Armes and Ammunition in it yea and immediately after this also our Army marching and advancing on still reduced Okehampton a strong Garrison of the Enemi●s to the obedience of the Parliament where we also tooke as was credibly related to me two Colonels five Captaines 20 Horse and many prisoners And it was credibly informed and assured that since that overthrow given to the Enemy at Bovie-Tracy aforementioned we have taken from them at least 1000 of the Enemies Prisoners many of whom were Commanders and Gentlemen of no small repute in the Princes Army And hath not the Lord here admirably appeared for the comfort and hopefull flourishing condition of this his Burning-Bush his just and upright Cause yes certainly even to the amazement of our Enemies and to the stopping of the black and foule mouths of Malignant envy it selfe for ever glorified and omnified be our wonder-working God for it But to proceed About the tenth of this instant two Letters were read in the House of Commons from the Commissioners for the Parliament residing in Ireland the one dated the 19 of Novemb. 1645. from Belfast the other the 22 of Decemb. last from the same place relating the great and singular good successe which it pleased God to give to our handfull of Forces under the conduct and command of Sir William Cole Sir Charles Coot and Sir Francis●Hamilton against the Rebels in Ireland in the Province of Cannaught and Vlster and particularly and especially of that most memorable and remarkable deliverance and great victory over them at Sligo And upon reading of the said Letters the House ordered that the next Lords Day the Ministers in their severall Churches within London and Westminster should returne humble and hearty thankes to Almighty God for this great Victory And that the Reader may the better see what cause we have in an extraordinary manner to congratulate and give thanks with our Brethren for the same and for the Readers better content and satisfaction as also because this Victory hath no small influence upon and reference unto the great and present affaires of our own Kingdome as in the sequell you will clearly see I have therefore here thought it very fit and pertinent to our present history to insert the particulars of that brave and famous Victory which was as followeth On Sunday the 17 of October last the Irish Rebels having surrounded Sligo with 1000 Foot and 300 Horse the Garrison seeing little hope of the advance of the Vlster Forces who were then neer them at Bandron though unknowne to them conceived it absolutely necessary to hazard the fighting with the Rebels with their owne strength and Sir William Coles Troops rather than to starve themselves and lose their out Garrisons which were blocked up the Enemy lying between them Captaine Richard Coot and Captaine Richard Cole commanded our Horse being two hundred who charged the Rebels Horse very resolutely and fell in to the sword pell mell and beat them among the divisions of their owne Foot and routed them which Lieutenant Colonell Saunderson seconded with the Foot and Sir Francis Hamilton came also with his Troops in the nick of time and had the execution of the Rebels for five miles their Foot taking flight upon giving ground of their Horse In the pursuit their Commander and President of that Province was slaine the titular Archbishop of Tuain Our men tooke one hundred and fifty of their Horse with Pistols all their Baggage Tents and Ammunition there were two Wagons with rich Spoile and many in them they tooke severall of their Standards and Colours 24 Drums and Officers of note in number 48 who are now prisoners in Sligo about two hundred of their men lay killed in the place and many more had been if plunder had not been preferred before execution by our Foot we had but one killed of Sir William Coles Troop and some Horsemen hurt and some Horse There were of the Irish Rebels taken Prisoners at Sligo as followeth Great Morogh ve Divo O Flabeety Lieutenant Colonell to Richard Bourk Cousen German to the Earle of Clanrickard and his next Haire John
thinking at the first to have broke through our Forces and to have made themselves Masters of the Bridge which ours had gained the night before which indeed would have cut off the passage of our retreat But valiant Sir John Meldrum who had the command and ordering of our Forces performed the charge with admirable judgement dexterity and resolution and therefore as noble Sir William Brereton testified of him deserved a large share in the honour of that dayes successe but indeed the whole honour and glory of it all was to be given and ascribed to God only the giver of all Victories Ours by the foresaid fierce assault of Byrons Forces so desperately on us were so hardly tasked by their multitude that the Commanders and Souldiers were constrained deeply and most undauntedly to engage their utmost valour and courage and behaved themselves as indeed by Gods providence it was manifested most extraordinary gallantly for it was a while very dubious and uncertain which way the Lord would incline the Victory yea and at last it came to push of Pike wherein they were much too hard for ours they having many more Pikes than wee insomuch that our Horse was worsted at the beginning of the battail and forced a while to retreat but it so pleased the Lord at last to put such an unanimous Spirit and undaunted courage and resolution both in our Horse and Foot animated on by the admirable examples of their so renowned Leaders and Commanders Sir John Meldrum Sir William Brereton Sir Thomas Middleton Sir William Fairfax who had the Command of the Horse who did most valiantly set upon the Enemies Horse and engaged himself so farre that hee was taken prisoner but was presently fetched off by the valour of his own men but yet mortally wounded but as I said before God had put such a spirit of undaunted resolution and courage into the hearts both of Sir William Fairfax his men and indeed of all the rest that they resolved to fight it out to the last man insomuch that when the battail was now in a most anxious and uncertain condition our extremity was Gods opportunity to magnifie his power and on a suddain with one fresh and valiant charge our Souldiers routed the Enemy and put their whole Army to a most shamefull retreat or rather indeed a plain flight pursuing them divers miles together even in the Mountaines and performed great execution on them And as I should have told you our men when the battail was in the hottest issued out of the Castle and fell upon the enemies that were in their trenches and took divers of their Officers and Souldiers whom they had left to keep their workes In which foresaid fight and flight of the Enemies wee slew at least 500 of their common Souldiers besides many Officers and men of quality wounded many more and took neer upon 1500 prisoners among whom were these Officers and Commanders viz. Colonell Sir Thomas Tilsley their Major Generall Colonell Broughton Leivtenant Colonell Bladwell Major Williams 9 Captains 17 Leivtenants 1 Quartermaster 3 Cornets 22 Ensignes 52 Sergeants 57 Corporalls and 11 Drums Our Souldiers also took at this time neer 2000 armes most for foot all their Carriages and neer 20 barrels of powder wherewith they had been furnished the night before Sir William Brereton with his brave Cheshire foot and among them Major Lowtham especially who Commanded as Major Generall did most admirably in this fight and fought more like Lions than men as noble Sir John Meldrum himself testified of them and did beat the best Foot in England as the very Enemies themselves confest being all Prince Robbers foot and indeed the choycest foot out of all their Garrisons But noble and renowned Sir William Fairfax as I toucht before was mortally wounded by at least 15 wounds upon his body as also Major Fitz-Simons a brave Souldier who both behaved themselves most admirably and with invincible courage in this terrible battail and with great and most just lamentation for their losse dyed of their wounds immediately after the fight together with some few others of our Captaines and Officers of horse but it was verily beleeved wee lost not 40 men slain in this fight nor had above 60 of our Souldiers wounded Thus by Gods blessing the Castle was every way most valiantly releived brave Sir Thomas Middletons Souldiers who before were as prisoners were now set free from danger together with the Lord Herbert of Cherbury and all of them put into a comfortable posture and by this so terrible a blow the best of the Enemies foot ruinated and taken from them as also Shrewsbury Chester and Leverpool unfurnished of their hoped Ammunition and our selves plentifully furnished and heerby Northwales which formerly had been the nursery for the Kings Armies most probable in good time to shake off that yoke of Servitude which formerly lay so heavily upon their necks by the example of Mountgomery-castles safety which is indeed one of the goodliest and strongest places that is in the Kingdom And now say good Reader did not heer the Lord our God let us conspicuously see that great wonder of the Bush his Church or Children in the midst of a furious flame indeed and yet not consumed therewith but rather contrariwise flourishing in the flames and destroying the destroyers and quenching the crackling thorns of the ungodly under the boyling pot of their implacable wrath and fiercest fury Not unto us therefore Lord not unto us but unto thy name alone Wee give all the honour and glory But heer give me leave good Reader to acquaint thee I holding it very pertinent to this present businesse with one more most noble and renowned action which much honoured that brave Commander Sir John Meldrum who immediately after this famous Victory was yet so sensible of the losse of that noble Gentleman and most brave Commander Sir William Fairfax that apprehending and that most rightly and religiously the affliction would bee great to his deer surviving virtuous Lady as indeed it was sad to her and to the whole kingdom hee procured from among the Souldiers or Chirurgeons not without some difficulty the Diamond-Ring that was on Sir Williams finger and the bracelet of gold that was about his arm when hee was slain in the fight and sent them up to his Lady together with a Letter so full of noble and most pious expressions as it hath justly added much to his other actions of honour And when these things were denyed him by some Chirurgeons and by some others also claiming them to bee their due hee drew up some of his horse and said hee would deal with them as with enemies if they did not deliver the same to bee sent to his Lady Sir Thomas Middleton likewise wrote a Letter of much respect and consolation to the Lady Fairfax Who like a most heroick and pious Lady told her friends about her That shee greived not that
us to Harborough but durst not stay there Wee took all the Foot Colours in the field the Kings own Colours with the Lion and Crown with this Motto Dieu et Mon Droit The Queens Colours and the Princes Colours and the Duke of Yorkes Standard Wee got the plunder of the Kings Coach and his precious Cabinet that famous tell-tale of the Kings and Queens works of darknesse c. But of all these things more particularly by and by One great encouragement to our Common Souldiers to fall on the more courageously was the rich plunder the Enemy had their purses and pockets too being full of money and the plunder of poore Leicestershire which God now made a means of their ruine and destruction in this fight for indeed our Souldiers got very great plenty of gold and silver out of most of their pockets that were slain Prince Rupert also or rather Prince Robber had brought into the field many Irish women inhumane Whores with Skeans or long Irish kniv●● about them to cut the throats of our wounded men and of such prisoners as they pleased the wives of the bloody Rebels in Ireland his Majesties dearly beloved Subjects to whom our Souldiers would grant no quarter about a 100 of them were slain on the ground and most of the rest of the whores and Camp-sluts that attended that wicked Army were marked in their faces or noses with slashes and cuts and some cut off just rewards for such wicked strumpets The slain on our part in this most memorable fight was not in all full 200. and not one above a Captain Sir Jacob Ashleyes Coach was taken with great store of plunder in it and himself was very neer taking for wee got the cap off his head and in Sir Jacobs Coach Letters of Nicholas the Court-lyer wherein was among others this expression in one of them That the Parliament had given particular direction to the Generall to give the King no quarter but to kill him if taken A most abominably false and impudent lye like unto all the rest of their irreligious practises The Army after this marched toward Leicester following the pursuit not willing to give the Enemy any rest or liberty to rally our horse especially being close in their Rear and Colonell Rossiter who came seasonably to the ingagement and bravely charged where our Noble Generall was following apace in the pursulte of the Enemy as aforesaid where now for a while wee will leave them And heer now I shall in its most proper place for the high honour and glory of our wonder-working God and the admiration and astonishment of my present Readers and their succeeding Posterity give you the most exact List of the slain prisoners and prizes taken in this most famous and glorious Victory which was as followeth Slain in the fight and slight about 3000. and between 3 and 400 Whores and Irish Queans One Lord or eminent personage slain and found dead with a Star and a red-Crosse upon his coat 4 Lords mortally wounded Prince Rupert bruised and Sir Jacob Ashley hurt on the head his head-peice beaten off and himself neer taken Prisoners Colonell Sir William Vaughan Colonell Sir William Bridges Col. Sir Bridge Col. Sir Richard Page Colonell Bandes Col. Bunkley Col. Theoph. Gilbie Col. Nevill Leivtenant Colonells 7. Sergeant Majors 12. Captains 55. Leivtenants 55. Ensignes 45. besides of inferiour Officers above 200. 2000 horse with their riders many Ladies and Gentlewomen of the Kings Officers and Servants 11 or 12. besides 4 of his footmen and one of Prince Maurices In all above 4000 prisoners Armes at least 9000. 6 rich Coaches and other Coaches besides The Kings own Coach and therein that Cabinet of Secret Letters of the Kings and Queenes since this fight Printed and published to the amazement of the world Ruperts Coach also and both the Kings and Ruperts Sumpters with much wealth and riches The Kings Standard the Queens Standard Prince Charles his Standard the Duke of Yorkes Standard and Ruperts Standard 6 Colours of Horse and 40 Colours of Foot one whereof represented a pair of hornes with this Motto Come Cuckold Which being one of the first Colours that were taken the word was on the pursuite returned to the Enemy with much mirth and scorn among Souldiers Taken also 12 peices of Ordnance 40 〈…〉 Gunpowder 200 Carriages 12 Carriages of Boats with their Anchors and Cables In summe all their bagge and baggage 〈◊〉 King himself fled toward and so clean through Leicester Thus now in this most famous and renowned Victory did the Lord● indeed shew himself as Moses sweetly sets him out Glorious 〈◊〉 holinesse fearfull in Praises and doing wonders Triumphing gloriously and overthrowing both the horse and his rider And truely so much the more glorious may this Victory appear unto us and the hand of God most evidently bee seen in it as to Gideon against those Enemies of God though it is true the number of men in the Army was not much different yet t is most true that the King had full 2000 horse more than wee yet I say this Victory will most notably appear to bee Gods Victory graciously given to us if wee consider both the time and condition of the kingdome as then it was And also the very Army it self First This Victory was bestowed upon us at such a time when as our spirits were and that most justly very low and exceedingly dejected both by onr losse of Leicester but a little before and thereby also the Kings releiving of West-Chester wee having at that time a marveilous great possibility of taking it but now were utterly frustrated of it Also the great sadnesse wee then were in for the danger of Taunton at this season a second time besieged strictly by outrageous Goring and Hopton Besides the great murmurings at this time of most men about our brethren of Scotlands not advancing Southward as was expected and then greatly desired And Secondly if wee consider the Army it selfe O the wonderfull base and despicable esteem that was thereof not onely in the Kings Army and Malignants but even among very many seeming friends among us and those no mean ones too O how did they disparage undervalue and contemne as it were this New-Modelled Army calling it a New Nodelled Army jeering them as a company of young Tyroes or fresh-water-Souldiers heerby as much as in them was to discountenance and dis-hearten the most noble Generall himself Sir Thomas Fairfax and to weaken the hands and despond the spirits of his Souldiers if God himself had not mightily upheld them and put as it were an extraordinary spirit and courage into them most remarkably making good that most excellent passage of the Apostle That God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the seeming weak thing of the world to confound the things which are mighty