by seeking out a fresh and doubtfull Enemy with our few and weary Souldiers Onely three or foure slain five or six wounded amongst whom Collonel Harley received a shot in the arme The successe of this designe cut off the maine strength of the Kings forces in South-wales and secured the Countrey from our plundering neighbours on the Welch side The body of Collonel Min was brought to Gloucester and vouchsafed an honorable buriall His death was by his own party much lamented together with the losse of a brave Regiment that were commanded from Ireland to fight here a gainst the justice of that cause upon which the Irish war was held up and owned by the whole Kingdom And it hath been observed that as the Irish Pacification was unlucky and reproachfull to the outside of the Kings actions amongst his Protestant party so the Commanders that came thence were unfortunate in all their designes and in the end miserable When the Governor had setled his affaires at home in reasonable security his desires and aime was to put in for the advantage of a more generall service and pitched upon these two proposals the one to make a diversion from the Lord Generals Army then blocked up in the West the other to keep back Prince Ruperts stragling forces which then lay between Shrewsbury and Worcester a little after the great Northern defeat And these the Prince earnestly desired that upon this rubbish he might frame an Army for the close of the Summer action Wherefore if possible to endeavour a diversion from the West-parts the Governor drew towards Bath with one hundred horse and foot the Forces lent to Sir William Waller being in part returned with a purpose to disturbe the Kings quarters and withdraw a part of the maine Army to inable Bristoll and Bath On the hils likewise he might expect to encounter Prince Rupert from Bristoll who fled thither with about three hundred horse presently after the discomsit in the North. But within a few dayes upon advertisement of the miscarriage and disaster of the Lord Generals Army he drew back and the rather having intelligence that the Prince had commanded Collonel Charles Gerrard out of Wales and the reliques of his own Army to break their way through our countrey into the Western parts These were reported to lie neer Worcester waiting there for a clear passe and by all means to escape Collonel Massie They were to take their course over Coltswold Hils or by the borders of Herefordshire to make into the Forrest of Deaue and thence over the River at Aust. Wherfore the Governors maine businesse was to prevent this this Conjunction and block up either passage In his retreat towards Gloucester he fell down before Berkely and lodged his men two dayes in the Town summoned the Castle and made shew of an assault but this was taken up in the way besides the intention of the designe and though the losse of six or eight men by their own folly gave Collonel Veale occasion of boasting yet for all the pretended great service in maintaining the place that was never attempted he was immediately after cashered that Government by the Princes order But before Collonel Massie drew thence he caused the boats to be fired at Aust passage and intending to passe over Seaverne at Frampton to meet Prince Ruperts Forces received an alarme that they were already in Gosse Lawne whereupon our marching Brigade hasted to Gloucester where they found that many of those troops under the command of Sir Marmaduke Langdale were newly come into Herefordshire and that a party of them joyning with Collonel Lingens horse had advanced within six miles of the City of spoil and plunder those Parishes that were joyned in one Association to a mutuall defence and the aid of this Government The Governor persued his designe drew forth towards the Lawne and stopped their course on that side Seaverne Where upon they took their course through Worcester where they obtained an additionall strength from Collonel Sandys his horse and Sir William Russels horse and foot with all the foot that Dudly Castle and those parts could afford them And now conceiving themselves able both in power and advantage of the march having as they supposed left Collonel Massie beyond Seaverne and too farre in the Reare to reach them resolved to break forth hoping both to passe clear and relieve Banbury in the way But the Governor being certified of their march forthwith conveyed his men over Seaverne at Tewkesbury and recovered the hils as farre as Stanway and got before them in the meane while gave notice to the Major of the Earle of Denbighs horse that lay neer Tewkesbury in Worcestershire who the Jame day brought up two hundred horse to joyn with our party on the hils Neverthelesse the Governor understanding nothing but that the Enemy was marched to Stratford upon Avon and so beyond his reach sent back the Foot almost tyred with tedious and continuall marches and with his horse resolved to joyn with Collonel Fines at Banbury But he found at the return of the Scouts that about five hundred horse neer at that instant got over the River on this fide Evesham and made their approach neer his quarters and that a party of Foot were left at the Bridge to make good the repasse one half of the Forces in the mean while lying at Evesham and the other neer Parshowe Our men appearing on the hils the Enemy took the alarme retreated suddenly and for a while lodged themselves beyond Worcester Their number was computed by such as beheld them to be about five and twenty hundred horse ill armed and the surviving part of the ruines of the Northern Army Again to prevent their incursions into the remote parts of the County beyond Seaverne a competent strength of horse and foot were commanded over and withall to attend the Enemies motion In the midst of this and other designes of consequence at that time depending the Governor with all the Officers of horse and foot were much distressed for lack of that support which the necessity of the service did require and the extreme want of the common Troopers drove them daily away Every performance in the whole course of this Government was filled with much distempers and though the exigence of the Souldier hath been great in many places yet the gleanings of other Brigades have been better then our vintage No Officer had any portion in the Contribution money no pay for the troops for many moneths together no allowance for Scout Spie or Intelligencer who observe onely the liberall and open handed nor the hopes of reward to incourage the Souldiers gallantry That the indeavours of the Governor in keeping together and increasing the Forces were nigh lost Neither was any means allotted to the supply of the necessary attendants and Officers of a marching Brigade And in the heat of service the nature and terms of the Governors command were disputed and t was very questionable whether
their usuall fiercenesse did extract great Ransomes or unequall exchanges and disposed them to detaine their Captives in extreame misery and to neglect their owne friends in the like thralldome of which those that were taken at Cirencester gave a full testimony But the Parliament Garrisons knew not how to keepe a correspondence in this case but groaned under the burthen of miserable prisoners were prone to exchange or set free upon easie termes And by this meanes most of the common souldiers then taken within tenne daies were sent backe into their owne Country with an Oath never to serve against the Parliament others that tendred themselves were entertained in the service who for the most part proved Runnegadoes the Commanders and Gentlemen came off some with a Ransome and Oath which they quickly violated and the residue were wholly lost at the surrender of Bristoll The whole successe of the former action happily complyed with the maine Plot and extreamly dashed the Kings affaires in these parts The generall fame did increase and heighten the repute of Sir William Waller and the enemy possessed there with began to draw back on all sides Sir Matthew Carew forthwith quitted the Towne of Tewksbury which within twelve houres was repossest by our Forces Captaine John Fienes was commanded thither with a slender strength of Horse and Dragoones with whom the well-affected of the Town that abode in Gloucester began to returne The undertaking was hasty and confused without the observance of the Enemies motion or distance or any rationall assurance of defending the place Our Party had no sooner saluted the Towne but received an Alarme that the former Forces were returned with a greater power 'T was a gallant Brigade of Horse commanded by the Lord Grandeston which immediatly came from Cheltenham whereof our men had not the least intelligence it seemed by the event that the Enemy expected none from Gloucester however there was quicke dispatch on both sides yet Captaine Fienes with his whole Party had bin surprised had not those Horse been kept off at a miles distance by a ridiculous accident It so fell out that they met a man comming alone from the Towne whom they fell to question whether any Forces were there of what strength and by whom commanded the man intending nothing lesse then the escape of our Party but supposing them a part of the Parliament Forces and willing to curry favour begins to talke of a maine strength and vast numbers with so many Guns and all kind of preparations and withall defies the Cavalliers with much affected indignation which words so farre prevailed that they presently held a Counsell of War and once were about to fall back This delay gave an houres respit to those within to prepare for a flight who had no sooner recovered the end of the Towne but the Enemy had entred amazed to see themselves so miserably deluded When Sir William Waller had refreshed his men some few daies about the first of Aprill 1643. he advanced towards Monmouthshire at the solicitation of divers Gentlemen of that Country with a promise of concurrence in reducing those parts to the obedience of King and Parliament When he came neere the Towne of Monmouth where the Lord Herbert had began to place a Garrison the Souldiers did not abide his comming but all shifted for themselves by flight Sir William entred the naked and open Towne where he stayed a while and sent many Parties abroad the Country for supplies of money thence marched to Vske where he set free some prisoners kept there but the reducing of the Country came to nothing for the Gentlemen did not perform and he found there what usually comes to passe in such cases that men desirous of alterations invite upon ample promises but never make good and feldome appearein the businesse till the Souldier hath done the worke to their hands or they have gotten some stronge Hold to secure their ingagements So that the well-affected would not declare themselves because a running Army could be no lasting support and they had no strong Hold nor the stream of the people which were at the devotion of the Earle of Worcester almost an universall Land-lord in that County Whilst these things are acted Prince Maurice enters Tewksbury with a power of Horse and Foot added to those former under the command of the Lord Grandeston resolving to make after Sir William Waller and to intercept his return out of Wales for he was gotten into such a nooke of the Land in the Enemies Country that the Prince might easily drive him to a Nonultra Wherefore a bridge of Boates was made over Seaverne at Tewksbury that they might passe to and fro nearer the retreat of our Army Here the Prince marched over with a body of two thousand Horse and Foot confident of this designe and therefore too remisse slow in his advance Sir William was nimble in the retreat caused his Foot and Artillery to passe over Seaverne at Chepstow and himselfe with his Horse and Dragoones passed through the lower part of the Forrest of Deane neare the River side and before the Enemy had notice of his march sent forth two Parties to fall upon two of their maine quarters which was performed whilst the maine body slipt between both and a Party was left to face them and make good the retreat which came off something disorderly and with the losse of a few private Souldiers 'T was an exquisite conveyance and unexpected felicity that brought them out of the snare through those intricate waies This Alarme quickly reached Gloucester and Lieutenant Colonell Massie drew out three hundred foot and two troops of horse to fetch off our men but if he found them dis-ingaged for a further designe This Party met them within two miles of the Towne where the Governour made knowne to Sir William Waller his purpose to set upon Tewksbury and taking the opportunity of the Princes absence and the Enemies jollity at our supposed totall defeate instantly advanced upon them and by break of day brought up his men before the Towne one part whereof fell in to the Ham seased upon the Guard left with the bridge of Boats and cut off that bridge the Horse with the rest of the Foot came up Gloucester way the Forlorne Hope surprised and slew the Sentinell climbed over the workes and cut down the draw-bridge whereupon both Horse and Foot-rushed in and the party on the other side of Avon ready to enter there were left in the Towne neere three hundred men commanded by Sir Matthew Carew whom the triumph of yesterdaies conceived Victory laid asleepe and the sudden Alarme roused up first into a shuffling fighting posture and after halfe an houre to a nimble escape Sir Matthew Carew fled and many escaped the hands of our men who wanted numbers to surround the Towne but most of the common Souldiers and some valuable Officers were taken Oxford was as miserably gulled in these passages and in a few
the payment as well to have something in hand as to let them know the great wheele that turned him about that the palpable shew of corruption might make them more confident Neither could they well keepe backe the earnest of this guerdon lest they should render themselves capable of his dislike jealousie or seem to suspect his trust whose adventure if reall in every line was sufficient to ruine him and he left to bewaile his owne mis-fortune wherefore it was resolved that this Stanford and Captaine Backhouse should debate upon the businesse by word of mouth they met accordingly in Coslâ—wne at an houre appointed without armes or attendâ—nts where Backhouse received two hundred pounds in hand with a promise from Stanford to discharge a Bond of fifty pounds and was not once urged in the whole conference to an asseveration of fidelity by protestation or oath He received likewise the contrivance of the plot laid by Master Stanford Sir William Vavasour and others that were lately come to Tewkesbury which ranne thus That Colonell Massie should be drawne out of the Garrison with a strong party towards Berkley-castle having assurance that the Castle should be rendered which was really intended by them that the gaining of Gloucester might be the more facile In the absence of the Governour Captaine Backhouse was to open the gate and deliver the word Thus was the plot proposed and approved by Backhouse but with additionall advise that their forces might with all speed relinquish Tewkesbury because he should never perswade the Governour to draw forth such a party whilst they lay so strong upon us This also was assented unto by the complotters being secure of their agent and blinded with extreame desire and confidence And had not the proposall of the enemy been by themselves deserted we had possest Barkley-castle and placed a garrison in Tewkesbury Yet so farre did they prosecute the businesse that Sir William Vavasour sent to require the Governour of Berkley to draw out his whole garrison which was refused without the Kings or Prince Ruperts speciall command himselfe also commanded a great part of his foot to Parshow professed his endeavours to march with the residne and all the horse but that His Majesties Commissioners were so averse as by no meanes to consent or permit unlesse they might know and approve the designe whom he professed to leave unsatisfied lest he might doe Backhouse a disservice and prevent or disturbe the motion Notwithstanding Backhouse knew well enough that the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Tewkesbury and the whole Court at Oxford are full of this complement and so close was the businesse carried that the London Mercury had blazoned him for a Traytor Wherefore upon this pretence they runne backe to one of the former Propositions to wit that he would draw forth his owne Troope with one more which should be put in the reare of their horse and himselfe lead the forlorne hope into the Towne But he exquisitely declined this way pretending himselfe not a little dashed at the disturbance of the first intention which in his owne thoughts ranne so feazeble and alledged the Governours watchfulnesse in observing the garrison of Tewkesbury that he had given private commands to the Officers both of horse and foot to be instantly ready upon the first advance of their forces and kept abroad night and day good parties of horse to bring intelligence So that he could not joyne with them without suspition or discovery and as he should be glad to confirme their opinion of his reall performance for whom he did thus hazzard his life and fortune so should he be infinitely unwilling to put them upon any enterprize which to themselves might prove prejudiciall he minded them withall that the true frame of the plot was the life of the action That one misfeizance in a businesse of this nature was never to be repaired but crossed the perfection of such an enterprize wherein he protested himselfe happy if he might sacrifice himselfe to accomplish the same according to his desires In the close hee gave his opinion that the Governours absence was the chiefe requisite to prepare the businesse that his presence was not consistent with the safety of their side especially if the alarm be taken at the first entrance Wherefore he was once more confident to urge the relinquishing of Tewkesbury and upon the removall promised to possesse the Governour with a private intelligence of the surrender of Berkley and perswade him to imbrace the supposed opportunity whilst himselfe should remaine at home with the command of the horse left for scouts and act the businesse with more ease and safety This motion effected its intended purpose to bring them on at the West Port to our best advantage against them and Sir William Vavasour seemed to incline but craved a little patience till the contribution were brought in to satisfie the Souldiers Master Stanford required a particular information of the state of the garrison and received an account of the severall Ports Forts great Guns Draw-bridges Provisions and Ammunition This was taken for a pregnant testimony of Backhouse his fidelity and made them the more bold to come on who were gulled with such a slender notice of triviall things that the meanest boy which passed through the streetes might give as great satisfaction but whatsoever was of concernment he represented to the best advantage of the garrison After much variety of entercourse Sir William Vavasour urged the execution in regard the Parliaments Army grew so strong that what they attempted was to be done out of hand The plot was thus disposed by Captaine Backhouse as well to secure his owne person within the gates as to render the designe more probable That whereas being Commander of the horse he could require the Keyes of the City for the sending forth of scouts he proposed this way to their liking that the very night of their approach he might provide Scouts out of his owne Troope who should not be ready till the businesse were acted Meane while himselfe would take the Keyes repaire to the West gate and pretend to stay for their comming and set the guard which is usually slender to drinke in an Ale-house In which time they might advance finde no living soule but himselfe at the gate or a few drunken men and pretend withall to be our owne men from Churcham where we had a guard of horse and foot which if they did not disturbe would continue there awhile and further the performance Thus the safety of the Countrey and our small garrisons was still interwoven in each part of the plot and they deceived with so great a semblance of reason that they could not suspect though in every motion hee constantly waved selfe-ingagement and personall danger The maine care of the businesse is to draw them on to a selfe-destruction and the last modell complies with their fancy in each particle and to their second thoughts likewise appeares still more rationall On the
so neere Bristoll and farre from releife especially in the Winter Nor at that season could they draw off without a stronger Guard and Convoy To this end the Governour marched to Kingscoate with three hundred Horse and Dragoones intending to send a party to bring off that Garrison but receiving advertisement of a Regiment of Horse quartered that night in Sâ—dbury he fell downe thither where he found an enemy there arrived to the assistance of Colonell Gernard against Tate-House here he resolved to undertake them that night and had no sooner appeared at the Townes end but the first Guard fledde and our men marched into the Town one by one because of the enemyes baracadoes went up to the maine Guard consisting of forty Horse who being surprized daunted at the sudden entrance of our men and not confiding in their owne strength quitted the place and left the rest in their quarters most of which escaped on foote by the backe side of the Towne We tooke fourescore Horses many Armes twenty prisoners and of them two Captaines and the next morning brought off the forlorne Garrison In the depth of Winter when each parcell of the Parliaments Army had retired into London or the securer parts of that Association and the Kings forces were dispersed into the severall quarters Cirencester and the hill Country of Gloucestershire was assigned to Sir Jacob Ashley having the Command of three Brigades of foote and assisted with the Queenes Prince Ruperts Prince Maurices and the Lord Wilmots Regiments of Horse with others His designe was to destroy the Countrey and live upon the ruines thereof whose incursions on that side and the Bristoll forces about Berkely with the Worcester Hereford and Monmouth forces on the other side act something daily to the spoyle of a miserable Countrey which is left as the Kingdomes forlorne hope and croucheth daily betweene two burdens The distressed Neighbourhoode did seeme to challenge those severall Armyes then in being which lay rusting in their quarters to keepe the Associated Countyes where no feare was when they might prevent the ruine of their freinds and starve the enemy who live upon our fatnesse when they might hinder the Kings Recruits disturbe their Winter calmes and make them fight for the possession and enjoyment of their owne Territoryes But in the deepe silence of that part of the Kingdome these parts are borne downe by the maine Bulke of the Kings Army without the least inablement at present or the hopes of future releife The enemyes whole burden rests upon this Government Colonell Massie placed a Guard at Lypiat commanded a party of Horse and Dragoones to Strouds a place most exposed to spoyle and set Guardes of Horse at severall places of advantage These Guardes affronted Sir Jacob Ashley in the stoppe of Contribution and Plunder the indignation whereof drew him out of Cirencester with foure Regiments of Horse to Hampton Roade where he divided his men and sent them out three severall wayes to surprze our Horse in their quarters and plunder the Countrey Each party fayled of the designe through the favour of Providence to that well affected people At each Guardes some few that tooke the Alarme did encounter and stave off the enemyes first violence till the rest of a few slender troopes were drawne up and encouraged by the Governours fortunate arrivall from Gloucestershire at that instant charged and overcame a farre greater power which were also engaged to fight by their heavy plunder and difficult returne In the whole about eight or nine slaine and twenty of the best men of the Queenes and Princes Regiment taken prisoners and of these one Captaine and Cornet The successe did revive and engage the Countrey Yet after a few dayes Sir Jacob Ashley marched out of Cirencester with a greater power of Horse and Foote and assaulted the Guard at Lypiat in the absence of the Captaine that commanded there with instructions from the Governour to draw off if at any time an Army fell downe But the House being unfortifyed was soone taken and uncapable of defence where we lost a Lieutenant and fifty private Souldiers At which very time we had lodged three hundred foote within Muserden House sent thither the day before with orders to defend it as a Garrison who had no knowledge of the enemyes approach till they came within halfe a mile They remained in the House according to command but in no defensible posture neverthelesse expecting the Onset every moment The surprizall of these men was prevented by a meere accident of the Governours Arrivall who faced the great Body with no more then sixty Horse till the Foote were drawne off the Hills That the strength of the Kings Army should lie upon us was not strange but that no care was had of a competent provision for a deserving Country was beyond the conceit of them that beheld our misery The enemy were strong in horse and our few divided into so many parcells and swallowed up in the petty guards that no sooner could we drawe to the rescue of one side but the forces on the other hand fell on to the ruine of the poore people The Governor knowes no remedy but by daily shifting motions and becomes an Ubiquitary He can attempt no designe but first in his owne person faceth the Enemy on the contrary side and fills them with the alarme of his presence Sir Jacob Ashley sends Warrants for contributions to the gates of Gloucester The forces from Hereford were marched forth to Canon-Froome towards Lidbury whereupon the Governor advanced with a party of horse and foote as farre as Bosbury waiting for action but staied onely for a night having placed guards towards Worcester and Hereford in the most passible wayes for the Enemies approach and fell into one of their quarters tooke a Captaine and his Cornet with some common Troopers and fifteene horses the Enemy falling downe from Cirensester suddenly fetches home this party Whiles these things happened the Governour received a command from the Committee of both Kingdoms to attempt Campden House newly Garrisoned by the Kings forces under Sir Henry Bard and the horse of Warwicke and Coventry by command of the same Committee were to aide and receive Orders from him in the prosecution of this designe Colonell Massie tooke courage to resolve them of the incapacitie of that service for the present since it could not be done without greater losse to the State then the fortune of the action could countervaile for it was a worke of continuance that required our whole strength and that side of the Country from which we drew must be given up to destruction and the Enemy waited no greater advantage then to fasten the Governor upon a tedious enterprize besides the intendment was unvailed in all those parts that were required to send aide and before the Orders of the grand Committee came to his hand the London Mercuries had proclamed it to the world The Earl of Worcester the Lord Herbert and their
few straglers in the reare and tooke thirteene prisoners Meane while Sir John Winters releife lyes under the arrest yet so as we would gladly ridde our hands for the Guards set round his House to the safety of the Forrest did alwayes distract our designes These Horse are impatient of a longer imprisonment and after a sore distresse breake their way through our quarters into the utmost parts of the Forrest towards Chepstow and joyne with a partie of foote from Chepstow landed at Lancaught where they intended to fortify and to make good the Passe over Wye by which meanes they might issue out of Wales at their pleasure The place containes foure hundred acres having a very straight entrance Hereupon our severall Guards drew together and summoned the Country to aide and came up to the enemy who were divided in opinion one part held it meete to make good the passage the rest perswaded to draw out into the Field and fight These latter prevailed and for a while both parties faced each other Our men drew out a forlorne hope of Foote the place so requiring next unto these a forlorne hope of Horse and the rest were appointed for a reserve Their Horse violently charged our forlorne hope of Foote who were ready to give backe when our Horse came in opportunely and played their parts whereat the foote tooke courage and fell on all together and with one charge turned the enemy to flight that they killed few on the place but drove them up to the River side and fell upon the hacke in the pursuite and so cooped them up that few escaped their hands About fourescore were slaine of whom were Colonell Gamme and Colonell Vangerris of the residue some adventured the River to recover the Frigate many were drowned of whom Colonell Poore Governour of Berkely Castle but Sir John Winter and his brother with some few besides escaped onely of an hundred men from Chepstow and an hundred and fourescore Horse and Dragoones from Lidney House The remainder fell into our hands an hundred and twenty taken prisoners of whom two Leiutenant Colonells foure Captaines and divers inferiour Officers This was the last blow of three which Sir Iohn Winter received one in the necke of another These things happened about the time of the taking of Shrewesbury which called off the Kings forces from these parts Sir Jacob Ashly marched from Cirencester and Prince Rupert out of Herefordshire to releive his brother Maurice neere Chester The Governour was imployed in observing the enemyes motion but with a strength every day more slender having lost most part of his own troope with some peeces of others by an other miscarriage in fetching our Armes and Ammunition from Warwicke and in the Conveying of some Clothiers Packes of great value which were taken betweene Campden and Banbury through the misguidance of the Officer that commanded Neverthelesse he advanced into the neerer parts of Herefordshire with two hundred Horse and five hundred foote to startle the enemy or make some diversion supposing they bent their course to the releife of Westchester Here he found great multitudes of the Countrey people appearing in Armes but standing on their owne Guard and declaring themselves for neither side It was hoped neverthelesse they might be made of good use and the best affected of them gave Colonell Massie that satisfaction as was meete by whom he understood the condition of their engagements The Governour of Hereford sending for hay and contribution to his Garrison was so farre denyed by the Countrey that it came to blowes The people rising to resist some few men and as it was reported women and children were slaine and some carried prisoners to Hereford also some of the Hereford forces were taken by the Countrey men The next day the Alarum went throughout that side of the County and some parts of Worcestershire The people gather into a Body and march to Hereford Here they stayed some dayes with a resolution to have certaine Articles granted by the Governour of that Garrison The summe of their demaunds were to this effect that such of theirs as were held prisoners there should be delivered forthwith that satisfaction be given to the Country for the losse they sustained by plunder as also to the wives and children of those that were slaine that the Countrey might be freed from Contribution and all manner of Payment to the Souldier that since the present forces of Hereford were not able to defend the County they forthwith quit the Garrison and leave it to be kept by the Countrey who are able to defend the same and the whole County with lesse charge These and the like triviall passages did they discover to the world as it is wont to happen in such popular Commotions In the meane while severall Posts were dispatched to Colonell Massie at Ledbury and letters returned from him to them and in particular to some Gentlemen the cheifest and best affected These letters received by the Country people tooke well with some but the generall vote was that they needed not his helpe to gaine Hereford which they conceived would be delivered up by the Citizens whom they knew to be of one minde with them Other messengers came from them with intreaties to march up to Hereford promising concurrence in assaulting the Towne others would have him fall upon another Garrison at Canon-Froome The Governour made answer to the severall Messages that he desired to conferre with some of their best intrusted Gentlemen and Yeomen expecting meete security that either by Protestation or taking the Nationall Covenant they give him an assurance of their standing with the Parliament requiring them to cast off the enemy and receive orders from him to act nothing of themselves without the consent and approbation of Parliament without which engagement he could not joyne or act with them To this they replyed that they held it a thing of evill consequence and dangerous to declare themselves and they knew their ability of themselves to performe what they had resolved intreating him to march backe with his men giving assurance that they were our friends but could not declare for either side this act of theirs being a just defence against the unjust proceedings of the Committee and Souldiers of Hereford and to secure the Countrey from contribution and quarter The Governour makes answer to this resolve That the course they had taken was neither safe nor legall for it in this confused manner they should gaine Hereford it would doe them little service unlesse they were able to keepe it from the Kings Army and be able of themselves to beate them wholly from that side Seaverne that no incursion could be made on their Countrey from any part that they would distresse themselves without releife because their illegall way would not be owned by the Parliaments forces for though they have undertaken the preservation of the Kingdome yet they can give no protection to any that will not joyne with them in that way
the conditions were that all might have liberty of person and passe to their owne houses leaving their Armes behind and taking an Oath never to serve against the Parliament they compounded also for the goods in the house for which they were to pay five hundred pounds within sixe daies or to leave them a free prize to the Souldiers Within two daies after Prince Rupert faced Sudely with about foure thousand Horse and Foot pretending an attempt to regaine it but in the meane time marched his Artilery towards Cirencester Lieutenant Colonell Massie made provision to maintaine the Castle by taking in water and store of Hay and Corne and having left there Lieutenant Colonell Forbes with a sufficient Guard himselfe retreated to Gloucester the Prince with his Forces kept the Hills and after three daies fell before Cirencester a stragling and open Towne neither well fortified nor capable of defence The champaine Country round about was most advantagious to the Horse in which the Enemies strength did chiefly consist and which was then wholly wanting to that Garrison for their Horse and Dragoones were sent to the taking of Sudely most of their Officers were drawne out upon that service except the Captaines of the Volunteers and Lieutenant Colonell Karre was the onely experienced Souldier left there their Canoneers were wanting the common Souldiers quite off the hinges either cowardly or mutinous The storme rose when least feared by the miserable people who had not ended the joy of their late deliverance from as great a power but strangely diverted and though they were still in the same danger upon the reverse of the Army yet were they not capable of the least distrust till the storme hovered againe either supposing themselves invincible or by defiance to have bafled a wary Enemy that falls backe and waites his time to returne with greater fury On the second of February the Towne was assaulted and taken the first and maine assault was made on a house a flight shot from the Town which was defended by a hundred Musketeers for an houres space against two Regiments of Foot and a Regiment of Horse which were led on by the Prince till at length having drawne up their Musketeers and by Granadoes fired the Barnes and Ricks and smoothered the Guard the Enemies Horse drove their Foote before them entred the streetes by maine force and possest themselves of the Garrison within two houres yet it cost them the lives of many amongst whom the Welch-men were reported to suffer the greatest slaughter who in that Army were a continuall sacrifice to the Sword Each Guard made resistance according to the Officers valour and experience the Souldiers of the Earle of Stamfords Regiment had acted the best part but that they were most put to the sword when the Towne was entred except those that by flight had their lives given them for a prey Some few besides defended their Guards a while but the passages were many and open and the enemy soone came upon their backes as for the Country-men their houre was not yet come neither had they quitted such imployment as did infeeble their spirits nor entred the Schoole of War to study indignation revenge and bloud that alone can overcome the terrour of an Army It so fell out that in the midst of the service they were at their wits end and stood like men amazed feare bereft them of understanding and memory begat confusion in the minde within and the thronging throughts did oppresse and stop the course of action that they were busied in everything but could bring forth nothing few of ours were slaine in the fight but many murthered after the taking of the Towne eleaven hundred taken prisoners and at least two thousand Armes lost which the Country had there laid up as in a secure Magazine the miserable Captives were entertained with all despight and contumely according to the Enemies accustomed cruelty in the beginning of the warre Commanders and Gentlemen had no better quarter then the common Souldiers but were all thrust into the Church to be reserved for a triumph and trampled upon in a base and impotent revenge whether the first fury of a civill warre and the jarres of Brethren prove most outragious or the cause of Religion had blouded their minds Not a man could be released though the price of his redemption were paid till he had first attended the triumph at Oxford that an unfortunate King might view the aspect of such innocent Subjects that should presume to claime those rights wherein they were borne when reason might easily evince that no slight matter could engage such a people in a open warre as were ever willing to deceive themselves into a Supererrogation of Loyalty The whole Country was quickly full of this disaster and in vaine did thinke to recover what was lost by weakenesse of spirit or errour in the chiefe manage of the businesse thousands of men armed and unarmed flocked together and resolved to undertake the Enemy under the conduct of a grave and well-minded Patriot but the desired Leader was conscious of the peoples madnesse and knew well that they made a loude cry a farre off but if once brought up to the face of the Army they would never abide the fury of the first onset Wherefore he refused to engage himselfe and them upon a certaine destruction neverthelesse the people bitterly railed against him and curst him as a Traitor to his Country neither could the experience of these times dispossesse them of that absurd conceite The very next day after the losse of Cirencester the City of Gloucester was demanded by Prince Rupert the Summons found the people extreamely dashed at the strange turning of things and so much amazed that they could not credit the report of this blow though confirmed by sundry eye-witnesses the hearts of many sunke very low and began to lye flat Zeale and Religion upheld some all had a kinde of will but the strong sidelity and resolution of the Souldier at that time and in all extreame hazards upheld the Garrison The Prince therefore received a short answer from Lieuten ant Colonell Massie and the principall Officers that they were resolved with their lives and fortunes to defend the City for the use of the King and Parliament and in no wise would surrender at the demand of a forraigne Prince Another answer was returned from the Mayor of the City for the Martiall Command was not fully setled that he was resolved according to his Oath and Allegiance to keepe the City in his Majesties behoose and would not deliver the same according to this summons Whereupon a second summons was sent from the Prince which could not alter the case in their judgement who held the Towne and seeming withall to perswade and solicite them out of their Hold did easily beget an opinion of the Enemies weakenesse and their owne considerable strength since neither Religion nor modesty could with-hold from bloud that enraged Party but onely the
the greatest mischiefe of all Many were not wanting to debate upon the maine cause of the Kingdom malignant spirits took the advantage of our misery and unstable mindes who beholding only the surface of things and led by the common voice of their equals were flushed in prosperous times now became crest-fallen and questioned the passages of State conceiving each miscarriage a fundamentall errour and accounting their present sufferings not for Religion and Liberty but some scruples of State policy The state of things required strong resolution the usuall posture could not pretend to the safety of the place The souldiers therefore acted with mindes more sturdy and vigorous as desperate concerning the enemy but not in despaire of their owne party The Commanders reserved no place of retreat and if causlesse jealousies over-clouded any they put themselves upon a free Declaration The old and carefull souldiers who were unlucky in the censures of the people upon the first arrivall of the sad newes from Bristoll vented themselves in sharp and cutted speeches which bursting from the fulnesse of the thoughts did imprint and pierce were received for good prognosticks and repaired likewise that credit which the presumption of a conceived opinion bore down and an ordinary good behaviour could hardly raise up but happily regained by one violent and severer passage The Officers were to give in a full resolve that no place be left for an after dispute wherefore they vowed never to see within the gates the face of a conquering enemy But chiefly the hearts of the people were to be held up wherefore the Governour appeared in publike rode from place to place with a cheerfull aspect and bearing before him no change in the sudden alteration of fortune To them that enquired into his very thoughts hee gave assurance of safety concealing the danger or lessening its esteem Fear did not beget confusion but things were transacted in a calm and constant order The presages of misery were exquisitely shunned and the least shew of distraction and weaknesse forbidden Money Plate valuable goods or any kinde of riches were not suffered to passe the Gates but here to rest as in a safe Treasury that the people might resolve upon a happy Deliverance or an utter Destruction Neverthelesse whosoever was weak and faint-hearted had leave to depart the City Meane while the enemy dealt underhand and by the mediation of seeming friends affectionately sollicited a Surrender with terrible information of our manifold losses abroad of the rage of the Kings Army and inevirable desolation and withall tendred the opportunity of an Accommodation between his Majesty and the Citizens The mouthes of the viler people were filled with curses against the authours of our engagements We received strange intimations of dreadfull things concerning the State The whole Countrey forsook us and employed some to represent their desires and thoughts of the businesse who in the generall had so farre revolted from themselves as to perswade us to make our peace with the enemy and to befool and execrate our perseverance for they conceived the standing out of Gloucester however advantagious to the Common-wealth yet miserable for them because by the falling down of a great Army they expected a destruction of corn and cattle and if at last the King should not take in this place to stoop perpetually under two burthens and be cast into a remedilesse condition of misery and poverty Whereas if the enemy should prevaile they were sure to rest in the heart of the Kings Countrey farre from spoile and plunder and have as free and ample trade as in times of peace The Citizens examined their own strength and grounds of perseverance a Common Councell was held the Officers being present their late protestation brought to remembrance by which they were all obliged never to act or comply with the adverse faction and upon that pretext joyntly refused the tender of peace Neverthelesse a great number of the Inhabitants were only not malignants but born up by the zeale of the rest and the souldiers power and those stuck most to the businesse who were held up by the deep sense of Religion or acknowledged a necessity to withstand a malicious and enraged enemy whose implacable hatred urged them to offend against their own designs and by horrid threatnings to make the attempt more desperate A den of Rebels was the common language A few dayes respit recovered the City and reports of a sudden reliefe did reare up the spirits of the common people No crosse show or doubtfull resolutions did hinder the businesse all suspended their private cares and the women and children acted their parts in making up the defects of the fortifications The strength of Gloucester was no more then two Regiments of foot an hundred horse with the Trained Bands and a few reformadoes there were besides about an hundred horse and dragoons from Berkley Castle in the whole about fifteen hundred men forty single barrels of gunpowder with a slender artillery The works of a large compasse not halfe perfect From the South-gate eastward almost to the North Port the City was defended with an ancient Wall lined with earth to a reasonable heigth thence to the North-gate with a slender work upon a low ground having the advantage of a stone Barn that commanded severall wayes Vpon the lower part of the City from the North to the West-gate being a large tract of ground there was no ancient defence but a small work newly raysed with the advantage of marish grounds without and a line drawn within from the inner North gate under the Colledge wall to the Priory of St Oswálds From the West towards the South gate along the River side no more defence then the River it selfe and the meadowes beyond levell with the Town from the Castle to the Southport a firme and lofty work to command the high ground in the Suburbs The ditches narrow but watered round In this posture did the City stand when the Kings forces hovoured over the hills and now and then skirted upon the Town before a close siege was laid upon the tenth of August they came down like a torrent full of victory and revenge with indignation that a forlorne City should stand before them Neverthelesse they would faine overcome without bloud and the losse of time then pretious in their full career of victory For which end His Majesty came in person before it that the terror of his presence might prevaile with some and the person of the King amaze the simple and seem to alter the case Thus they began to work because the Mayor had answered a former summons from Prince Rupert that according to his Oath he kept the Town in His Majesties behoof and some whisperers gave a malignant intimation that the Kings presence would sway the people And it was so that the Town was held for the use of His Majesty but according to the sense of the houses of Parliament and the Citizens put no difference between
a command in person or deputation whereupon His Majesty gave this honorable summons by two Heraulds at Armes Charles Rex OVt of our tender compassion to our City of Gloucester and that it may not receive prejudice by our Army which we cannot prevent if we be compelled to assault it VVe are personally come before it to require the same and are graciously pleased to let all the inhabitants of and all other persons within that City as well Souldiers as others know that if they shall immediately submit themselves and deliver this City to Vs VVe are contented freely and absolutely to pardon every one of them without exception and doe assure them in the word of a King that they nor any of them shall receive the least dammage or prejudice by Our Army in their persons or estates But that VVe will appoint such a Governor and a moderate garrison to reside there as shall be both for the ease and security of that City and the whole County But if they shall neglect this offer of grace and favour and compell Vs by the power of Our Army to reduce that place which by the helpe of God We shall easily and shortly be able to doe they must thanke themselves for all the calamities and miseries that shall befall them To this Message We expect a cleare and positive answer within two houres after the publishing hereof And by these presents doe give leave to any persons safely to repaire to and returne from Vs whom that City shall desire to imploy unto Vs in that businesse And We do require all the Officers and Souldiers of Our Army quietly to suffer them to passe accordingly The King by this time drew into the field before the Towne attended by Prince Charles the Duke of Yorke Prince Rupert and Generall Ruthen faced us with about six thousand horse and foote on that side and two thousand horse on the other side After some debate upon the Message an answer was drawn consented unto both by Citizens and Souldiers and presented to His Majesty by Serjeant Major Pudsey and a Citizen VVE the Inhabâ—â—â—â—â— Magistrates Officers and Souldiers within this Garrison of Gloucester unto his Majesties gratious Message return this humble Answer That we do keep this City according to our Oath and Allegiance to and for the use of his Majesty and his royall Posterity and doe accordingly conceive our selves wholly bound to obey the Commands of his Majesty signified by both Houses of Parliament and are resolved by Gods help to keep this City accordingly His Majesty with all mildnesse seemed to receive this answer onely to wonder at our confidence and whence wee expected succour adding these words Waller is extinct and Essex cannot come The enemy advanced forwards into the Suburbs on the East side where they lost a Commander in the first skirmish and the rest were fired out for upon the returne of the messengers the Suburbs on each part of the City were all in a flame which did secure and more strongly engage us and which the enemy beheld as the act of desperate Rebells for those dreadfull sights doe seeme to higthen and bloud the minds of men The next day we discovered that they had begun their entrenchments on the South and East parts the night before in the shadow and shelter of the houses which the flames had not catched within Musket-shot of the walls They in the trenches plyed their worke whilest the Musketteers played hard on both sides Yet our men from the walls could doe little to retard their pioners but by severall sallies with small parties fell into their trenches beate them out gained some working-tooles armes and prisoners and retreated without losse Our ordnance likewise from the East gate killed some sew and among the rest a Lieutenant Colonell and Captaine of the Queens black Regiment Sir Iacob Ashley was then shot in the arme and upon severall approaches we beat of the enemy killed and wounded many By that time the Welch forces under the command of Sir Wil. Vavasour were advanced to the Bishops house halfe a mile from the West-gate one of our outguards by us intended to keep off the approach of the Welch but now deserted for want of men and that nothing might be lost which we purposed to defend Here they left a sufficient guard and passed over the River to joyne with the forces that newly arrived from Worcester who made their leager on the North-west side of the City Generall Ruthen placed his leager behind the Priory of Lanthony on the South-side very neere but sheltred from our shot by a rising ground Sir Iacob Ashley with a strong party quartered in some part of the Suburbs on the East-side The East and South ports were dammed up and rammed with a thicknesse of Earth Cannon proofe and the Walls on that side from port to port were lined to the Battlements since there wee thought to receive the maine shock Three dayes after the siege laid an hundred and fifty Musketteers commanded by Captaine Gray sallied over the workes upon the Worcester forces with whom the Welch had not yet joyned fell into their quarters marched up to their maine guard killed a Captaine with eight or nine common Souldiers tooke five prisoners divers armes burnt their guard and retreated without the losse of any within a day after upon some suspition and kinde of intelligence that the enemies Ordnance lay undiscovered in some grounds neere the Northgate Captaine Mallery was commanded forth with a hundred and fifty Musketiers to surprise it but finding none retreated without losse having killed some taken a few prisoners and fired some of their quarters Vpon the sixteenth of August an other party of an hundred and fifty Musketiers commanded by Captaine Crispe sallied forth at the North-port fell into their trenches under the Town wall on the East-side marched above halfe way through them performed gallantly killed above an hundred men as was confessed by some of the enemy wounded many beat them out of their workes and by the helpe of out Musketiers from the wall retreated without the losse of any only two wounded after a very hot skirmish for the space of halfe an houre the Cannon and Musquets on both sides playing most furiously These executions put those within on a desperate straine and heated their minds with bloud The Enemy was indefatigable and swift in the entrenchments The workes from the South and East gates hasted to meete each other their preparations seemed more tedious yet effectuall and certaine and tended withall to save the lives of their men Wherefore they chused not a sudden storme on the lower and weaker parts of the City but rather to prepare the assault on the strongest side yet most easy to their intention For there only could they rayse the workes without the annoyance of the water-springs that issued in the lower grounds there only could they make battery within Pistoll shot of the walls that wanted flankers and when they had
so confident were the enemy of their own strength that many thought his Majesty ill-advised in not fighting with the Earle of Essex neare Gloucester wherefore the Generall was to secure this retreat to take heed lest he be penned up in these parts and with that speed made after the Kings Army which by this time had gotten some miles in the Van of our Army that some horse and foot out of the remote quarters marched above thirty miles before they rested They came up before Cirencester where the King had left a strong party The forlorne hope entred the Town whilst the rest surrounded it killed the Sentinell sleeping marched up to the Market Place without opposition the enemy supposing them Prince Maurice his Forces that night expected till they entred the houses and surprized them in bed took foure hundred men and thirty Cart-loades of bread cheese and other provisions a great reliefe in a wasted Countrey and the only support of the Souldiers against the Battle at Newbery The successe of which Battell did close up with honour that happy and gallant undertaking of the Lord Generall and the Citizens of London As brave a service as these Warres can shew forth enobled by its wonderfull rise lively progresse nimble expedition admirable fortune and honourable conclusion Notwithstanding his Excellency had hereby disabled and broken the Kings Army and secured the Garrison of Gloucester from a sudden reverse yet his own Army was sorely bruised and retiring to London left but a little burthen upon the Enemy on that side By which meanes they were free to molest these parts and this Garrison left to beat the brunt provide for it selfe and run the danger though not of an other siege yet of blocking up and ruine by the spoyle of our Countrey which that party decreed to destruction and the Enemy at the doore and the distance of our friends did threaten no lesse Not a man could be left by the Generall to encrease our strength nor money to content the Souldier there was only an assurance of help from the Parliament when the arreares of Officers and Souldiers were large the Governour made certaine propositions to the Parliament concerning the support of this place That since at such a distance he could not expect a constant supply they would send down at once ten thousand pounds and a thousand men farre below the places due according to the termes of the Souldiers entertainment might set things in a thriving way and enable the Souldier to act of themselves without those continuall cravings and out-cryes against the State Vpon which termes the activenesse of this Government gave assurance of the framing of an Army to master the Countrey then enthralled to the enemy yea to lie upon the enemies quarters consume their store distresse their cheife Garrisons of Bristoll and Oxford and endanger the rest as Hereford and Worcester and stop their supply of men and money Such a strong beginning had been more then halfe way to the end of the work But the State seemed to walk in a frugall course and desire a daily dropping of reliefe rather then to entrust much which is not the way of great performance nor can bring to the end of the design when as this rationall adventure might give the encrease of an hundredfold and upon the failing hereof the greatest mischiefe could bee no more then the losse of that expence Wherefore they voted a supply and raised men and moneys in a languishing way that those five hundred listed for Gloucester were reduced to a fifty ere they could reach us and the greatest part of the money squandred away without a sensible advantage to this Garrison After Newbery fight Sir William Vavasour was sent to Hereford with a strong party to raise Forces in those parts with Commission to command in chiefe in the Countreys of Gloucester and Hereford and a command from his Majestie to distresse Gloucecester on the Welch side and to Garrison Tewkesbury Colonell Massie was not satisfied in keeping his own Garrison but eager of continuall service to destroy or disable the enemy for which no other place in the Kingdome was conceived capable of the like advantage Wherefore by himselfe urged he set upon the Parliament with importunate complaints that for lack of strength great opportunities of service to us and disservice to them were lost And a greater mischiefe did exercise this government the want of men and money and ammunition to defend it selfe upon which extreme scarsity of provision was like to follow and in these hopes did the enemy blesse themselves so that the advantage and honour of maintaining the City against the violence of an Army was like to vanish in the lingring death of the place And the Governour was about to embrace an other command in the Generalls Army yet reserving a submission to the Parliaments pleasure who required him to continue his service in this Government This charge was surrounded with difficulties and each day brought forth some new birth When the enemy begirt us in their Winter quarters the hopes of our promised succours were past without the Convoy of an Army Not one Gentleman of the Countrey durst be seen to assist us no Member of Parliament did reside here to encourage the businesse All things rested upon the Governours sole care both to store the Garrison with provisions and raise money out of that small pittance of the Countrey out of the enemies hands The discontent of the Souldier was now heigthned and ready to cause a disbanding To make good the place was the Parliaments command and inevitable necessity was the cheifest law to support it Wherefore apprehending more misery then in the late siege the Governor was constrained to lay some easie taxation on the Countrey to supply the present exigence whilst the enemies power extended on all sides almost to the Gates of Gloucester Hereupon daily complaints were brought before him that the taxes were unequally rated by the Officers of the severall Parishes that such as were broken by the enemy were rated as high as if their Estates were entire The Governour represented these things to the Parliament earnestly begged their direction in his intended course which by them was not in one syllable contradicted Wherefore at a Councell of Warre the condition of the Countrey was debated upon and an order made that some Officers Citizens should be intreated as a Committee to hear and rectifie the complaints concerning assessements and to use that moderation which reason did require Not long after a petition was presented to the Governour in the name of the Countrey That one Monthly rate without other charge might be imposed upon them likewise that the rate might be made according to equity and the poore spared that the money might bee paid in to the common Treasurer whence it should issue as necessity required and that a choyce Committee might be appointed to over-see all the money rated received and disbursed The Governour to
to provide for the attendants of a march that onely a proportion seemed to be cared for that might live within the walls of Gloucester and nothing to further such action that might restrain and lessen the strength of the Enemy preserve the Countrey and passe withall to the relief of remote garrisons Neverthelesse the establishment of such a power was required in these parts as might check the Enemy in all his marches and recruits and this strength far greater then the stint of that constant number which the garrisons took up In this extremity the Governor was constrained to act and marched on in the pursuit of the Enemy who kept randevous neer Hereford with fourty two troops of horse resolving to passe the Severne at Aust not daring to adventure over the hill Countrey And to guard the passage Prince Rupert sent into the Forrest a commanded party of five hundred horse and foot These began to fortifie Beachly for a lasting guard a place of extreme difficult approach being a gut of land running out between Seaverne and Wye and the onely commodious passage from Wales to Bristoll and the Western parts being the maine entercourse of the Kings Army and a strong reserve for the last exigence It was high time therefore to crush this designe and nip the bud of so great hopes The Governor advanced upon them some foure dayes after they began their fortifications and had drawn the trench half way from the banks of one River to the other when the other part was well guarded with an high quick-set hedge which they lined with Muskettiers and a ditch within with a fair meadow beyond wherein they had made a re-intrenchment The strength consisted neer of six hundred horse and foot which at the first coming on lighted upon a partie of horse from Chepstow took some and drove the rest into the River then faced the Enemy within Musket shot that Evening and so continued the next morning waiting the opportunitie of an assault for at high water the place was inaccessible by reason of their ships which guarded each River with Ordnance lying levell with the banks and clearing the face of the approach from Wye to Seaverne Wherfore the Governor taking the advantage of lowe water drew forth a party for the on-set These were brought neer the place of entrance where the Enemy intended a draw-bridge with order to storme the works which as yet were not finished Out of the forlorn hope the Governor had selected ten Musketiers to creep along the hedges and thenceto fall into the very breach These gave the first alarme and caused the Enemy according to the meaning of the plot to spend their first shot in vain And when the first volly was given ere they could recharge their Muskets the Governor gave the signall by the discharge of a Pistoll on went the Forlorn-hope and the Reserve following the Trumpets sounding and the Drums beating run up the Works rushed in among them and fell upon the hack when the whole and each part of the action was carried on without interruption and the Souldiers went up in such a regular march and so great solemnity that it seemed more like the pomp of a triumph then the confused face of a fight Of the Enemy some were killed and the rest taken prisoners besides some few that recovered the boats and many of them that took the water were drowned And to grace the service it was performed in the full view of a multitude on Chepstow side whilest the great guns plaid from each River which cast beneath the banks by the lowe ebbe did no execution but by their noise and semblance of terror both raised the Souldier and conduced to the majesty of the victory This good successe and the season held forth a fair opportunitie to compasse an other designe at that time in agitation Some overtures were made by Lieutenant Collonel Kyrle of the delivering of Monmouth into our hands Many did urge the present acceptance of the plot and an hasty performance and were discontented in that which they called slacknesse in the Governor when as neither the method of the plot was propounded in the generall the circumstances being left free nor the present state of things gave leave to manage the businesse when the following Army of P Rupert was to be intercepted a work of greater concernment and more beseeming a publick spirit then this latter But at that time t was the usuall mistake of particular Associations to confine every enterprise to their own Counties and divide the Common-wealth into so many petty kingdoms And in this did Collonel Massie deny himself in spending the latter part of the Summer in prosecuting a lesse plausible and appearing service though of larger concernment But having now pursued the Princes horse into Wales and destroyed the Enemies project in fortifying Beachly he quartered with his horse and foot neer Monmouth on the Forrest side and receiving an answer to a message lately sent to Lieutenant Collonel Kyrle propounded unto him and followed this way That he would feigne a Post from Gloucester side to desire a sudden return with his forces thitherward to secure that part of the Countrey from the Enemy which was already fallen out from Bristoll and Berkley and this message was to come to his hands at Mr. Halls house of High meadow a grand Papist where it would take wings for its dispatch to Monmouth by which means Kyrle commanding the horse might easily draw forth some troop to follow the Rear of our party Hereupon the Governor feigned a sudden retreat to Gloucester and having marched back three miles lodged his forces in a thicket of the Forrest sending his Scouts abroad prevented the Enemies discovery In the mean while the intelligence reaches Monmouth Leift Col Kyrle draws out whom the Governour surprised at midnight in High meadow house with his troop of thirty horse and with as little noise as possible advanced thence to Monmouth Neverthelesse t was not so deep a silence but the alarme was given by the Cornet of the troop who escaped the surprisall and the attempt made the more difficile if not desperate The Town took the alarme stood upon their guard expecting an Enemy Notwithstanding this Kyrle with an hundred select horse arrived at the Towns end confidently came up to the draw-bridge pretended a return with many prisoners taken perswaded the guards and prevailed with Coll Holthy the Governor of the Town by the Officers of the guard to let down the draw-bridge which was done but with much jealousie and a strong guard the bridge presently drawn up again insomuch that the first party were like to be held prisoners in the Town Our forlorn hope saw that it was time to lay about them they declare themselves over-power the guard and make good the bridge and in this there wanted not those that kept a strict watch over Kyrles deportment who acted his part with dexterity and valour Our body of
horse and foot were at hand had a large entrance subdued the Town in a moment and spared the blood of the surprised Souldiers But the dark and rainy night fitted the governour of Monmouth with the major part of the garrison for an escape over the dry graft We took one Major three Captains and divers inferior Officers threescore common Souldiers five barrels of powder and some arms but the Town it self was the best prize being the key of Southwales and the onely safe entercourse for the Kings Army between the West Wales and the Northern parts The taking of Monmouth gave a fearful alarme to the whole Countrey especially to the Earl of Worcester at Ragland Castle who raised the Countrey and called in Prince Ruperts horse to their assistance The Ragland Papists made the poore Welch believe that we came to put man woman child to the sword and filled their fancies with as many strange conceits of the Roundheads as the poore Spaniards had of the English after their revolt from Rome it being easie to perswade an irrational and stupid people Forthwith they appear in arms against us Wherfore two dayes after our entrance the Governor sent out a small party of Muskettiers commanded by Capt Rochford to quash the rising of the Countrey Our men find out the randevous with a kind of guard defended by Captain Gainsford with his ragged Regiment These upon the first onset were all put to flight ran an hundred wayes like a barbarous people were pursued by our horse about twenty knocked on the head and sixteen taken prisoners To revenge this losse Sir Will Blaxton with his brigade of horse joyns with the Countrey Trainhands and the forces from Ragland and Chepstow making according to the best relations five hundred horse and twelve hundred foot Of this preparation we were not advertised till they fell upon one of our horse quarters in a strong house neer Monmouth where we lodged two troops and by good hap ten Muskettiers to secure the quarters The house was made good by the resolution of Captain Bayly and Leift Page till the Major of the horse had drawn up the troops faced the Enemy whilest the Governor commanded out of Monmouth a hundred and fifty Muskettiers But before our foot could reach the house their horse drew thence encountred with a party of ours being recharged by Major Backhowse were beaten back to the foot By thistime our Musketiers were brought up and in the first charge put the Enemy to a confused running retreat slew seventy and wounded many took threescore prisoners Of the Officers a Major of horse and two Captains were slain one taken and Sir William Blaxton shot in the thigh But the pursuit had an early stop by a small river which the Enemy passed plucked up the bridge or their foot had been wholly routed and taken The prisoners that were of the Countrey people the Governor entreated kindly and after a few dayes sent them home by parcels and each man with a little note or letter directed to his master or the severall Parishes to signifie that the intention of the Parliament and the present government was not to destroy or enslave their persons or take away their livelihoods but to preserve their lives and fortunes to open the course of justice free them of their heavy burthens under the forces of Rupert a Germane Prince At the free discharge of the captives they began to resent the Governors humanity as before by the slaughter of their men they had felt the force of arms And the dispersed papers did in part undeceive the people and dislodge their fears our horse marching peaceably and doing no spoil or violence After the appeasing of the Countrey tumults the indeavours of the Governor were to reduce that people to a willing and cordiall obedience He dispatched many letters of invitation to the gentlemen of the Countrey and gave assurance to the best affected of his purpose to defend make good the Town But all were silent and not two valuable persons did own the businesse On the other fide they did not stir a foot at the summons of the Earl of Worcester and in confidence of the justice of this party they frequented our markets wheras at our first approach they drove away all their cattell into the remote parts of the county yet most of the gentlemen fled from their houses The greatest part of P Ruperts forces lie stil under our arrest in Wales where they decrease and drop away discontent and burden the Countrey between whom there arise perpetuall quarrels And the truth is even those people whose affections comply with the Kings designe could never correspond with the Souldier of that faction with whom there is no dealing for very friends Insomuch that the generall hatred of the souldier might drive in to the Parliament a moderate enemy and such as breathe a more cool spirit of malignity when the State shall reach out the hand to clear the way and make good the engagement Collonel Massie seems now to have spread the Branches of his government beyond the sap and strength of the root and the extreme parts grow burdensome to the main body He had neither horse nor foot to maintain what was gotten considering the strivings of the Enemy to repossesse themselves of Monmouth For which end the whole power of Southwales that is fit for the march under the command of Collonel Gerrard are come as far as Abergenny Vske and Ragland Sir John Winter must bring forth his master-peece to the world and once more assisted with four hundred from Bristoll purchased at a high rate and added to a hundred of his own men with all the aid Prince Rupert can send undertakes to fortifie Beachly The noised strength of the Enemy round about did contribute to the designe with all fiercenesse fince the want of a guard upon this passage did render all Southwales of little value And it highly concerned us to indeavour the preventing this project which threatned the ruine of the Forrest the intercepting of the passage between Gloucester and Monmouth and to render that garrison in great part uselesse The Governor had a hard game to play alwayes put upon desperate hazards without a sufficiencie to accomplish or make good For the case was questionable whether to desert Monmouth or seek to maintain it having no competent number for a Town yet unfortified generally malignant in an Enemies countrey at a great distance and with a difficult passe but that the wonderfull successe of Beachly twice fortunate determined the doubt The businesse was not capable of deliberation nothing but a quick dispatch had the shew of safety Gerrard was to be kept from joyning his fortes with these in the Forrest who when once fortified were not to be beaten out having all the advantages of Sea and land And although his Forces hovered about the Countrey pretending to fall upon Monmouth yet about midnight Octob. 13. one hundred
losse advance to the further parts where they kept their Randevouze and which they laide wast plundering the houses to the bare walls driving all the cattell siezing upon the persons of men and sending them Captives to Monmouth and Chepstow except such as escaped to us by flight as many did with their Armes and some few that saved themselves in Woods and Minepitts The enemy did not adventure into the lower and neerer places where our foot lay ready and resolved to undertake theirs if they came on Our Neighbouring parts of Hereford and Worcestershire runne the like fortune with these in the Forrest and looke blacke upon this Garrison which was not able to preserve them The Kings forces returned the second time into the Forrest and tooke the gleanings of the former Harvest yet the neerer parts are still prrserved The enemy raised themselves to a great power already reputed sixe thousand horse and foote and seeme to endeavour Northward wherefore the Governour intending to helpe the Countrey by driving up the Reare of their march or to put in for any service advanced to Lidbury with foure hundred horse and five hundred foot his whole marching strength notwithstanding the addition of two hundred and fifty Horse from Northampton and Warwicke and with this party attended the enemyes motion Hither Prince Rupert advanced with the best part of his Army of whose approach neither spye nor Scout from the Out-guards made the least discovery till they came within halfe a mile of the Towne horse and foote to surprize or at least to surround us The Governour instantly commanded the Horse to mount and drew up the foote though not in so good order as he might by reason of the sudden Alarme and suspecting what he afterwards founde that the Prince would endeavour to compasse him in he marched off the foot with all due speed that the enemyes right or left wing might not get before us which they endeavored by sending one party to the Towns end to keep us in action there whilst two other parties fetched a compasse upon either hand In the meane while he brought up those few horse that were not upon the Out-guards to charge the enemy at their first entrance and placed an Ambuscado of twenty Musqueteeres to make good the retreate But the businesse was acted so that the Governour in person with the Field Officers and Captaines were enforced to entertaine the enemy with severall charges and beare their brunt alone till the foote had ridde some ground before them In this part of the skirmish their losse was the greatest for number of ours only Major Backehouse mortally wounded the Governour whom the Prince aimed to charge had his horse wounded under him by two severoll shots Our men drew off as was meete made good the retreat three or foure miles to the enemyes losse till they came up to a place of shelter when hasting to get before the right wing of the enemyes horse they were put into some confusion And the Horse having no great desire to fight neglected the advantage of the place to stop the pursuit though the Governour endeavoured what he could to engage them That the enemy fell in among the Reare Guard of the foote where he lost neare two hundred men taken prisoners many Country men being taken in to make up the number This businesse cost them the lives of some gallrnt Officers and the Prince missed his aime of surprizing Colonell Massye but the Governour supposed the stay of the Princes march an advantage to the Service Neverthelesse the Army continued some dayes after betweene Hereford and Worcester recruiting dayly and seeme to put much confidence in the Country whom they cause not onely to abjure the Parliament but binde over to themselves by solemne oath swearing in the presence of God That they beleeve no power of Pope or Parliament can depose the King and obsolve them from their naturall obedience to his Royall Person and Successors that the two Houses of Parliament without the Kings consent have no power to make Lawes or to binde or oblige the subjects by their Ordinances that they beleeve the Earl of Essex and Manchester and Sir Thomas Fairsaxe Sir William Waller Colonell Massie together with all such as have already or shall hereafter take up Armes by Authority or commission from the members of Parliament at Westminster pretending to fight for King and Parliament doe thereby become actuall Rebells and as such ought with all their adherents and partakers to be presented and brought to condigne punishment that they will never beare Armes in their quarrell but will if they be thereto called assist their Soveraine and his Armies in the defence of his Royall Person Crowne and Dignity against all contrary forces to the utmost of their skill and power and with the hazard of their lives and fortunes that they will not discover the secresies of his Majesties Army unto the Rebells nor hold any correspondence with them and all designes of theirs against the Kings Army for the surprizing or delivering up of the Cities of Hereford or Worcester or any other of his Majesties Forts they shall truly discover to those whom it shall concern so soone as it comes to their knowledge That his Majesties taking up Armes for the causes by himselfe so often declared in Print is justly necessary That they shall endeavour all they can to hinder popular tumults risings randevouzes meetings confederacies and associations of the people townes hundreds and countries which are not warranted to assemble by his Majesties expresse commission or by power derived from him by vertue of his Commissions and in the sense he meanes it and that they detest from their heart that seditious and traiterous late invented nationall covenant and protest never to take it All these particulars they vow and protest sinceerely to obsolve without Equivocation or mentall Reservation This Pretestation was strictly injoyned by the Princes to be taken by all without exception in the Counties of Mounmouth Glamorgan Breeknoâ—ke Radnor Hereford and Worcester Neverthelesse this constained act could not knit the hearts of a male-contented Country to the love of that side nor could the State permit the enemies exaction and violence by this vow eternally to binde up the people from well-doing The Princes Army is the maine rest of the Kings Affaires which they strengthen daily by impressing the Countrey taking in lesser Brigades and draining the Garrisons and a part of Gorings Army passed over the Seaverne from Bristoll into Wales and so to Rupert at Hereford After a little stay to perfect the recruite the enemy drew thence the Infantery and Artillery lay betweene Worcester and Beaudly commanded by Sir Jacob Ashley whilest Rupert and Maurice with the horse and some select foote fetch off the King from Oxford assisted also with Gorings Horse and Dragoones who left his Majesty at Stew and marched backe over the hills into the West through our Borders The Governour received another dropping