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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
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

Peeces Divers Drakes and small Peeces 4000 Armes gathered divers Armes not taken in 40 Barrels of Gunpowder Many thousand weight of Bullets and Lead Match and other Ammunition proportionable and plentifull Little fresh meat onely Poultry and that very scarce Salt meat some plenty but much of it tainted and not fit to be eaten Butter and Cheese some store Beere and Wine many Barrels Corne good store Fewell for fire very little A List of the Lords Knights Colonels and chief of the Gentry that marched out of Newark to their own homes to submit to the Ordinances of Parliament Lords LOrd Bellasis Governour Lord Davencourt Lord Laxington Knights Sir John Burrell Sir Guy Palmes Sir Charles Dalison Sir Robert Dalison Sir Robert Tredway Sir George Hennings Sir Jarvis Skroop Sir Philip Constable Sir Thomas Ingram Sir Bryan Balmes Sir Jarvis Nevill Sir Simon Fanshaw And others Great Clergy-men DOctor Farmer Chancellor of Lincoln Doctor March Dean of Yroke Doctor Hurst and others Chiefe Officers MAjor Generall Eyre Colonell Gilby Colonell Trollop Colonell Herne Colonell Darsey Colonell Atkins And others The most malignant Aldermen of the Towne were The Major of Newark Alderman Atkinson Alderman Standish And others And upon the same ninth of May aforesaid being Saturday we received the certaine intelligence of the surrendering of the Castle of Banbury such another most pestilent pernicious and vexatious den of Theeves and Royall Robbers as was Bazing House in Hampshire and especially most vexatious and pernicious to the Inhabitants of Northamptonshire its next neighbour but now at last I say by Gods great mercy and the valour and vertue of our brave Commanders and Souldiers brought upon its knees of submission being given up to that brave and couragious Commander Colonell Whaley by Sir William Compton then Governovr thereof upon faire and honourable Articles of agreement which was done on Friday May the 8. the substance of those articles also being to this effect That all the Officers were to march away with Horses and Swords but the Common Souldiers without Armes their wearing apparell and half their moneys by just accompt and both Officers and Souldiers to have Passes to any place in England or Wales not beleaguered the City of London excepted and those that desire it Passes to go beyond Sea and that upon these Conditions the Castle of Banbury to be delivered up as aforesaid to Colonell Whaley with all the Ordnance Armes Ammunition and Colours without imbezlement for the use of the Parliament which was accordingly performed on the said Friday in the forenoone And now the Houses taking into their just and serious consideration the great and many mercies of God to us in our Forces and by them also to the whole Kingdome both in thus surrendring Newark and Banbury now in our power and possession and that Tuesday May the 12 having been formerly appointed a day of solemn thankesgiving to Almighty God throughout London and Westminster and 20. miles adjacent round about it for the happie surrender of Exeter and other great mercies not long before conferr'd upon us together with this none of the least of now at last the Lords giving our King into the hands and harbour and custodie of our most Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland It was therefore Ordered that on this said day of Solemn thanksgiving the severall Churches and Chappell 's in the City of London and Westminster and 20. miles about it should likewise give most heartie thankes to the Lord our God for all these subsequent and additionall rich and rare mercies and that Tewsday seven night following being May 19. should be kept as a Solemn day of Thankesgiving by all the Ministers in the Country over the whole Kingdome and Dominion of Wales within the power of Parliament About the 16. of this instant May came Letters from valiant and active Colonell Morgan giving us certaine intelligence of the taking of Hartlebury-castle lying between Dudley and Worcester and was the Bishop of Worcesters seat a hopefull omen for the taking of Worcester it selfe also indue time Which Castle being now surrendred to brave Colonell Morgan the Officers marched forth with Horse and Armes Troopers and Common Souldiers with out Armes and all the rest of the Articles being according to agreement fairely performed on both sides the brave Colonell tooke possession of the Castle wherein also were taken 6. peices of Ordnance 200. Armes 15. barrells of powder match and bullet proportionable and a full proportion of all manner of prosions for 200. men for 6. moneths at least And about the 20. instant we received certaine information by Letters from valiant and active Colonell Birch also of the agreement for the surrender of that strong Castle and Garrison of Ludlow which was delivered on the like conditions to those of Hartleburie And here I must acquaint the Reader that the Lord having by his most wise and admirable providence in some hopefull measure given a blessed returne to all the prayers of Gods faithfull ones over the whole kingdome in bringing in the Person of the King unto us and committing him unto the care and custodie of our Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland some sweets of this remarkable overture of these things began now to break forth to the comfort of our hearts for the present and hopefull perswasion if not assurance of more good to follow in the Lords good time as was now manifested both by a Letter sent by his Majestie to the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England at Westminster Assembled which his Majestie desired might be Communicated with Both Houses which accordingly was done at a conference where and when the said Letter was reade and another letter to the Commissionres of the Parliament of Scotland And those being passages of speciall Eminencie and wherein the whole Kingdome may no doubt desire to be in some measure at least satisfied I shall therefore for the Readers content herein be somewhat more larger than Ordinarie though there by I increase both mine owne paines and charges at the presse in giving the Reader the substance of some of them which was as followeth That his Majestie is not come into the Scots Army out of any intent to divide the Kingdomes in affection or prolong the War but that he might secure his person and labour the composing the difference between him and his Kingdoms and settle all well and in regard Religion is the chiefe point he desires that may be first insisted upon and settled according to the advise of the Assembly of Divines of both Kingdoms assembled at Westminster And for the Militia he is willing to concur with that propounded at Vxbridge that it be in such hands as shall be agreed for 7. yeeres And for Ireland he will doe what he can to satisfie desires of that kind And for the disbanding of his Armies and sleighting Garrisons and so avoyding the effusion of more bloud he is willing likewise to

Horse to attempt the Line and Works by Clifton and Washingtons breach The manner of the storm being thus agreed on Tuesday at night all the Army Horse and Foot round the City were set in a posture to fall on the signes to give notice when the storm should begin were by kindling a fire of straw and shooting of foure great Gunnes Our Word during the Storm was David and after the Line was entred the Word was The Lord of Hosts About two of the Clock in the morning the storm began the Souldiers shouted for joy the service was very hot for a time especially with Colonell Rainsboroughs Brigade who with a party of his Forces spent 3 houres in the storming of Pryers-Fort a place of great advantage which piece of Service was as bravely performed as ever thing was done by man in regard they were put to the utmost by scaling-Ladders to win the Fort. They cut in pieces most of the Forces within this Fort and made the rest unserviceable and gave no Quarter to Major Price in the Fort. This Brigade took foure great Pieces in this Fort and two more in a Redoubt and Colonell Mountagues Brigade took sixteen Pieces in the severall Works and Half-Moons which they gained by storming The other Brigade under Colonell Welden fell on Somersetshire side with a great deal of resolution but when the Ladders were set to the Works they were too short the moat being very deep so that they only alarm'd the Enemy The Clubmen who fell on at Bedminster much terrified the Enemy Our losse of men was inconsiderable yea almost not credible considering their fierce brunts And truly in Colonell Rainsborough and Colonell Mountagues Brigade not forty men were lost and our Horse entred with our Foot the Pioneers having thrown down the Line and beaten off the Enemies Horse and took Colonell Taylor formerly a Member of Parliament being mortally wounded We had on our part Captaine Ireton sore wounded who was a Captain of Horse an honest and stout man Major Bethel was slightly wounded Major Saintleger and two Majors more of the Enemies part and divers others were taken Prisoners Now ours by this time being thus made masters of the most part of the Town and all their Works but onely the Main Fort Rupert fled into the Castle and ours being about to plant Ordnance against it on Wednesday morning about eight of the clock Rupert sent to desire a Parley but the Souldiers were generally unwilling to hearken to any tearms of Treaty since now they were in so faire a way of taking all by force but the thrice noble Generall out of his generous and noble disposition and resolution to mercy rather than to see so brave a Towne burnt to ashes and destroyed Rupert having already fired it in three places and vowed to burne all ere he would yeeld without Articles of agreement satisfied his Souldiers and condiscended to a Treaty which by six of the clock on that Wednesday night produced too honourable termes for such a mischievous and bloody Prince Colonell Murrey and another Knight being sent to the Generall as Hostages for the performance of those Articles which were about ten in number which here for brevities sake I omit particularly to mention and Sir Robert Pye and Sir Hardresse Waller were sent as Hostages to the Prince And things on both sides yeelded to and promised being exactly performed accordingly the Prince and his traine issued out of Bristoll accompanied some part of his way by our renowned Generall and ours immediately possessed of the City and Castle with all therein save what Rupert was permitted on the Agreement to have with him all which premises were confirmed by the testimony and intelligence of three severall Messengers sent to London immediately to the Parliament with Letters from Bristoll to the House of Commons which Messengers had by Order of the House 60 l. to be divided among them for their reward in bringing this most welcome newes to the Parliament And it was ordered That on the next ensuing Lords Day deserved and bounden thanks should be given to Almighty God in all Parish Churches and Chappels within the Line of Communication and Bills of Mortality in London and Westminster for the great and good successe which God had given to our Forces under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax in taking the City of Bristoll with the Castle and Forts thereof And on the Lords Day fortnight following Octob. 5. like bounden thanks to be given also in all the Parish Churches within the power of the Parliament thorow all England and Wales Our most renowned Generall upon his return from Rupert viewed the Royall Fort in Bristol which he esteemed one of the bravest citadels in all England in it were 24 Peeces mounted upon five bastions powder in quantity answerable victuall in abundance of all sorts 80 or 100 tunne of Beer Bread sufficient to serve almost 100000 men a day Upon the Line Castle and Forts might be in all about 200 Peeces of Ordnance then mounted and 300 Barrels of Powder Match and Powder proportionable a great Magazine of Arms some reported and that by the last and best intelligence 7000. ten small Ships in the Harbour ten Commanders slaine one Colonell mortally wounded sixty Officers and Souldiers slaine in the storme 37 desperately wounded In the said storm we also tooke prisoners 20 Officers in Arms 200 Common Souldiers and about 1000 after the taking of the City of Bristoll forsook the Enemy and chose rather to fight with Sir Thomas Fairfax than to side any longer with the Kings Cormorants we also took in speciall Basalisk the Warning-Peece which was lost in Cornwall the yeare before with some other Peeces of ours then also lost so that at Naseby Bridgewater and here in Bristoll we have re-taken all the brave Peeces of Ordnance we had lost before in the West All this rare and admirable successe was the Lords doing and is and ought to be most marvellous in our eyes to him alone therefore be all the praise and glory most worthily ascribed for ever and ever Divers Gentlemen of the West did petition to the House of Commons that renowned and religious Major Generall Skippon that famous Commander in Arms should be made Governour of the City of Bristoll which was accordingly and that most worthily condescended unto by the Parliament And now to proceed About the 12 instant we received certaine intelligence by Letters from Shrewsbury that the valiant and victorious forces of that brave and most active Garrison having intelligence in what posture the Enemy lay at Bridge-North they suddenly and silently marched thither and undiscovered fell upon the Centinels soone surprized them entred the Town it self and there fell upon the Enemy drove them into the Castle slew some of them and tooke some prisoners that the Enemy had of theirs tooke about 180. Horse and some good pillage all which they safely

little to pull-downe their proud Spirits in the necessitated acknowledgement of their most foule offences and to●ly upon rols and record as a blacke spot and indelible sline upon them to posterity of their being such perfidious and pernicious betrayers and destroyers as much in them was of their own deare native Country to the utter rvine of themselves their wives and children by slavery and tyrannie over their bodies and Soules About the 10 instant we were certainly given to understand of the powerfull and propitious hand of Gods good providence and mercie unto us in giving in that strong and most pestilent and pernicious den of theeves and robbers I meane Bazing-house in Hampshire into the Parliaments possession by the martiall valour and industrie of renouned and victorious Lieutenant Generall Cromwall together with the brave Commander Colonell D●Albeire the substance of the manner of the taking of it being fully related by victorious Lieutenant Generall Cromwells letter brought by Colonell Hamond to the honourable Speaker of the House of Commons and there read I have here thought fit for the Readers better content and satisfaction to Insert the same which was as followeth SIR I thanke God I can give you a good account of Bazing After our batteries placed we setled the severall posts for the storme Colonell Dalberte was to be on the North-side of the house next the Grange Colonell Pickering on his left hand and Sir Hardresse Wallers and Colonell Mountagues Regiments next him We stormed this morning after six of the clocke the signall for falling on was the firing foure of our Canon which being done our men fell on with great resolution and cheerfulnesse we tooke the two Houses without any considerable losse to ourselves Colonell Pickering stormed the new House passed through and got the Gate of the Old House whereupon they summoned a Parley with our men would not heare in the meane time Colonell Mountagues and Sir Hardresse Wallers Regiments assaulted the strongest Worke where the Enemy kept his Court of guard which with great resolution they recovered beating the Enemy from a whole Culverin and from this Worke which having done they drew their Ladders after them and got over another Worke and the House-Wall before they could 〈…〉 Sir Hardresse Waller performing his duty with 〈◊〉 and diligence was shot on the Armw but not dangerous we have had little losse many of the Enemies our men put to the Sword and some Officers of quality most of the rest we have prisoners amongst which the Marquesse and Sir Robert Peake with divers other Officers whom I have Ordered to be sent up to you We have taken about ten peeces of Ordnance with much Ammunition and our Souldiers a good encouragement I humbly offer to you to have this place utterly slighted for these following reasons It will aske about eight hundred men to manage it it is no Frontier the Country is poore about it the place exceedingly ruined by our Batteries and Morter peeces and a fire which fell upon the place since our taking it If you please to take some out of the Garison at Farnham some out of Chichester and a good part of the Foot which were here under Dalbier and make a strong Quarter at Newbery with three or foure Troopes of Horses I dare be confident it would not only be a curb to Dennington but a security and a Frontier to all these parts in as much as Newbery lyes upon the River and will prevent any incurtion from Dennington Wallingford or Farringdon into these parts and by lying there will make the Trade most secure between Bristoll and London for all Carriages And I beleeve the Gentlemen of Sussex and Hampshire will with more cheerefulnesse contribute to maintaine a Garrison on the Frontier 〈◊〉 in their 〈◊〉 which will have lesse safety in it Sir I hope not to delay but more towards the West to morrow and to be as diligent as I may in my expedition thither I must speake my judgement to you that if you intend to have your worke carried on Recruits of Foot must be had and a course taken to pay your Army also believe me Sir it may not be able to answer the w●rk● you have for it to doe I entreated Colonell Hammond to wait upon you who was taken by a mistake whilest we lay before this garrison whom God safely delivered to us to our great joy but to his losse of almost all he had which the Enemy tooke from him The Lord grant that these mercies may be acknowledged withall thankfulnesse God exceedingly abounds in his goodnesse to us and will not be weary untill Righteousnesse and Peace meet and that he hath brought forth a glorious worke for the happinesse of this poore Kingdome wherein desires to serve God and you with a faithfull hand Your most humble servant Oliver Cromwell Basingstoke 14. October 1645. I shall first present you with the particulars of the successe at Basing-house in the prizes and prisoners taken There were taken as followeth viz. The Marquesse of VVinchester Sir Robert Pe●ke Governour Sir Inigo Jones the grand Surveyor foure Romane Catholique Priests reserved for the Gallowes twenty Gentlewomen 180. common prisoners ten pieces of Ordnance twenty barrels of Gunpowder nine Colours 3000. Armes 200. Horse 8000. l. worth of Clothes Beds and other goods many Firkins of Butter a great quantity of Cloth much bullet and match many Crucifixes Popish Pictures and Bookes neere a thousand Chests Trunkes and Boxes 400. quarters of Corne 200. barrels of Beere 300. flitches of Bacon an hundred bags of Malt 40000. weight of Cheese the Marquesse of Winchesters Plate Cabinet and Jewels worth above 5000. l. Sir Robert Peakes 500. l. besides a Box of brasse Plates the Marquesses rich Bed and furniture which cost 1300. l. one common souldier found 300. l. in gold hid in a hole about 4000. l. ready money a great quantity of Wine and many Hogsheads of Beere besides the Ladies wardrope which furnished many of our Souldiers wives with Gownes and Petticoats Slain Major C●st six Priests Robinson the Players sonne onely one woman who fell a railing upon our souldiers at their entrance calling them Roundheads and Rebels to the King whereupon one of our souldiers cut her on the head and neere 300. common souldiers Doctor Griffin sometimes of Dunstanes in the West late of old Fish-street taken and sore wounded and three of his daughters much Ammunition taken The losse on the Parliaments side in this desperate service was blessed be God not much Sir Hardres Waller who behaved himselfe gallantly wounded and not above ten others in all slaine outright though about eighty or an hundred wounded The word which the religious Major Gen. chose when he came to sit downe before that popish Garrison was out of the 115. Psalme concerning the worshippers of Images Their gods are the workes of mens hands wood and stone eyes they have and see not eares and heare not and

an account of our proceedings here as I desire We had to doe with Lawyers and Civilians who lengthened out our debate by their niceties so that the treatie ended not till the day of the writing hereof when they finished the Articles and agreed to march forth on Monday next The conditions were honourable viz. in briefe To march with Armes Colours flying Drums beating and Bullets to Oxford and the Cornish into Cornwall I will not trouble you with particulars but send you the Articles by the next Hostages were delivered for the performance of things promised and for farther assurance unto us 3. strong Forts were delivered up unto us in hand as hath been toucht before The Townesmen were very glad of the agreement The Generall is this night come to Tiverton and intends to morrow to be before Barnstable and to summon it The treaty was absolutely concluded yesterday in Exeter we sate up night and day about it I will not trouble you any more till afurther oportunity but remaine Sir Your most humble servant Aprill 9. late at night Columb-John House Post-script At Market-jew neere the Mount we tooke lately of the Mountmen 60 prisoners the most of that Garrison Also a Captaine in Pendennis came-off unto us with 80. men more We understand that in Pendennis they have nothing but Salt-beefe tainted and and that they cannot subsist long They have but little bread and their Wine almost spent we hope well shortly of both places The other Letter was this Sir Though I have but little Newes yet I could not omit this oportunity of sending to you we entred the City of Exeter on Munday last according to the Articles Sir Jacob Berckley the Governour with about 2000 being marched forth 700 whereof being Cornish as soone as they were out of the City gates faced Westward and resolving for their owne homes cryed out thus Every man to his owne home Every man to his owne home and so laying downe their armes departed accordingly the like resolution had most of the rest so that Sir Jacob was like to have but a small remnant to doe his Majestie any service at Oxford The Princes Highnes went forth with them leaving behind them in the City at least 3. Moneths provision 150. barrells of powder about 1500. Muskets and above 40. peeces of Ordnance About the 18. of this instant Aprill came certaine intelligence out of the West by letters to London of the surrendring of the Towne and Castle of Barnstable into the Parliaments hands with all the Armes and Ammunition therein much upon the same termes and Articles which were granted to Exeter by Sir Allen Apsley Governour thereof And shortly after also we understood of the surrendering of Saint Michaels-Mount in Cornwall that inpregnable and almost inaccessable strong fort whereof Sir Arthur Basset was Governour who with the rest that would and were therein had libertie to depart into the Island of Silly In this Mount were taken an 100. barrells of Powder 500. Muskets 100. Pikes 30. Peeces of Ordinances 3. Murthering Peeces 80. Tun of Wine with store of other provisions And about the 20. instant we had certaine Newes of the surrender of Titbury-castle a place of much Consequence and strength also and which will contribute much to the reducing of Litchfield-close which said Castle was surrendred also on faire conditions to the content of the Garrison-Souldiers thereof And much about the same time we were most certainly informed of the surrender of Aburisthwait to Colonell Powell Commander in Chiefe under renowned Major Generall Laughorne by Colonell Whitney Governour thereof upon very faire termes and conditions as was witnessed by valiant and victorious Major Generall Laughornes owne Letter to the Parliament And we had farther information of the surrender of Dunstar-castle in the West which was yeelded up to renowned Colonell Blake the brave Governour of Taunton upon very faire and honourable termes by noble Sir Thomas Fairfaxes example of Clemencie and Mercy Which Castle was surrendred up for the use of King and Parliament by Sir Francis Windham then Governor of Dunstar-Castle as was also certified to the Parliament by Colonell Blakes owne Letter About the 24. of this instant Aprill our Western armie was advanced backward and come toward Oxford for the beleaguring thereof and forming of a Seige round about it And about this time a part of our said Armie having alreadie besieged the Garrison of Woodstock and laine now before it some short time battering that brave and ancient Mannour house with our Ordnance and the besieged considering there was no hope of reliefe to be expected our other forces lying also so close about Oxford that they durst not stirre out It was now therefore at length surrendred to Colonell Rainsborough upon very faire termes and honourable Articles of agreement from the said Valiant Colonel and those other Couragious Commanders who joyntly adventured their lives for the Service of the State For the besieged were to depart thence to Oxford and to leave all their Ammunition and furniture of warre behind them and onely the Officers permitted to have their Swords along with them And about the 28. instant we received the certaine intelligence of the surrender of Bridge-North-castle into the hands of the brave and most active Shropshire forces upon faire conditions and articles of accord the Common Souldiers therein to march away with their hands in their Pockets and the Officers only with their Swords Sir Robert Howard the Governour and 3. other Knights with their Horse and 2. Servants a peece But one Latham an arch Villaine for Malignancie and who had beene the maine cause of burning the Towne not long before was justly delivered up to the justice of the Parliament to suffer most worthily for such a most base and abhominable scelerous fact They left behinde them in the Castle at least 6. weekes provision a Demi-cannon with other Ordnance at least 500. Armes and 50. Horse The place was a peece of great strength there were within the Castle about 400. fighting men the besiegers not above 700. in all Thus have we often heard of the brave services of those gallant Salopaons and even incomparable actions of that active and successefull Committee of Shrewsbury for the good of their Country and kingdome To God be all the glorie and praise who thus still Crownes us with victories and thereby thus encompasses us with songs of deliverance And much about the foresaid time we were certainly given to understand by Letters to the Parliament from Colonell Rainsborough that the Duke of Richmond the Earle of Lindsey the Kings Cup-bearer Sir William Fleetwood the Kings Standard-bearer and Knight Martiall Sir Edward Sydenham and Master Carew of the Bed-chamber were come in unto him casting themselves upon the mercie of the Parliament whereupon the House presently ordered that they all should be committed prisoners to Warwick-Castle And upon the 29. of this instant

Enemies since he is with us and that we should not be dismayed because he is our God and mightie defence who thus hath strengthned us holpen and upheld us with the right hand of his power and righteousnesse And now therefore behold and beholding O admire it all those that were incensed against us are ashamed and confounded they are even become as nothing and they that stubbornly strove with us are mightily destroyed and perish before us O then what shall we returne to the Lord for all these great and amazing mercies to us O what are we able to repay to our God for all these free and utterly undeserved favours thus copiously confered upon us O let us all faithfully and thank fully take the Cup of Salvation and praise the name of the Lord our God and readily and really pay our vowes to this wonder-working God of our Salvation But now to proceed to the yet farther progresse of the contemplation and admiration of the continued wonder of the Burning-Bush unconsumed nay rather more and more dressed and made to flourish in the midst of the flames of this Moneth also of December 1645. And here we shall first begin with some of our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotlands actions about Newarke whether they being now come in to our assistance with a very considerable Army of Horse and Foot to help to besiege this stubborne rebellious and very pernicious Towne to bring it under the Parliaments obedience About the beginning of this instant December the Scottish Commissioners received Letters from his Excellency Generall Lesley Earle of Leven fully informing the particulars of his taking of Muschamp Bridge by his Forces viz. That about the 6 of November last his Army being advanced within about a mile or two of Newark the Generall caused a Line to be drawne close to Muschamp-Bridge and there placed some Musketteers intending to crosse the River and storme the Fort upon the other side but the Enemy apprehending the designe resolved to cut off the Bridge and upon the 28 in the morning before breake of day they sallyed out upon the Scots and attempted the cutting off the Bridge but were most resolutely and bravely beaten from it by the Muketeers with little losse to our friends which the Enemy perceiving set fire to the Draw-Bridge but the Scots falling stoutly on them againe beat them back and very closely pursued them and made them forsake all their Works and so our valiant Brethren became masters both of the Bridge and strong Fort and now have very closely besieged that part of the Towne Upon the reading of which Letter in Parliament the thanks of the Houses were returned to the Scottish Commissioners and a vote passed That his Excellency Generall Lesley for the better and more orderly managing of the Siege against Newarke should command in chiefe all the Forces as well English as Scottish before Newarke Which Vote was fully and freely assented unto by both Houses of Lords and Commons where now we will leave them till another opportunity with our prayers for their prosperity in this great work and proceed About the fourth of this instant December a Letter Petition and Declaration of the County of Brecknock in Wales was presented to the House of Commons and there read declaring their firme resolutions to comply with and wholly to submit unto the commands of the Parliament which Declaration bearing date Novemb 23. 1645. for the fulnesse and excellency thereof and for the Readers better content and satisfaction I have here inserted verbatim as it was printed and published by authority which was as followeth WE the Gentry and Inhabitants of the County of Brecknock whose names are subscribed do declare and professe That we are fully satisfied in conscience that the two Houses of Parliament now sitting at Westminster are the true and undoubted lawfull Parliament of England and the supreme Court of Judicature of the Kingdome To whose judgement and determination we do and will in conscience of our Loyalty and not by terrour or constraint submit our selves our lives and fortunes We are also perswaded and confesse That the Armes taken up and continued by authority of Parliament in this defensive Warre are raised and continued in their owne just defence and for the just defence of the Protestant Religion the Person and Honour of the Kings Majesty the Priviledges of Parliament and the liberty of the Subject And that the Forces raised or to be raised within the Kingdome of England or Dominion of Wales without their consent are raised and imployed for destruction of Parliaments fomenting and establishing Popery Prelacy and an illegall Arbitrary Government In apprehension whereof we do unanimously resolve and firmly ingage and undertake that we with all persons under our power and command will from henceforward to the extreamest hazard of our lives and fortunes adhere to and assist the Forces raised or to be raised by authority of Parliament against all other Forces raised or to be raised against them or without their consent and we shall willingly and cheerfully joyn with Maior Generall Laughorne and those three associated Counties whereof he is Maior Generall and with the County of Glamorgan with whom we are already associated and contribute our utmost assistance and endeavours proportionably to the said respective Counties in such way as Maior Generall Laughorn shall thinke fit and meetest for the Service of the Parliament And from this resolution and engagement we shall not swerve or recead by adhering to the contrary party or imbra●ing a detestable neutrality either by perswasion dread or any other motive whatsoever After the reading and debate of this Declaration and the other Pape●s from the County of Brecknock it was referred to the Committee of Gloucester to draw a Letter in answer to the same and informe them how that the Houses of Parliament had granted their requests and do cheerfully accept of them and commend their submission and declarative resolutions as aforesaid c. And about the sixth of this instant there came Letters to the Speaker of the House of Commons certainly signifying the surrenner of Latham House in Lancashire a strong and pernicious Garrison which had much infested that County which having been the busie yet cowardly Earle of Darbies House had been held and maintained against the Parliaments Forces for the space of two yeares at least by the Countesse of Darby the said Earles Lady that stout Virago who proved the better Souldier of the two and had so long indeed bravely maintained the same against us and was now enforced to yeeld it up onely for want of bread and drinke for they had above sixe weekes drunke nothing but water but had store enough of other provisions and about 200. Common Souldiers The Governour alone was to depart with his Horse and Armes and ten pounds in money the Officers above the degree of a Lieutenant only with their Swords All the rest onely with staves

in their hands and to depart to the Kings next Garrison or home to their houses if they pleased and the House with all therein Ordnance Armes and Ammunition to be delivered up for the use of the Parliament In which there was taken eight Peeces of Ordnance six Murtherers 500 Arms with store of other Provisions and Ammunition with great plenty of rich prizes and pillage By the reducing of this House the whole County of Lancashire is now totally set at liberty and cleared of all its Enemies and Colonell B●oth and the other Forces which lay before it advanced thence toward Chester to joyne with Sir William Breretons Forces before Westchester About the eighth of this instant we also received certaine intelligence by Letters out of the West that his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Forces had taken in Fulford House a strong Garrison also of the Enemies on the other side of Exeter with all the Armes and Ammunition therein By the taking of which Garrison the way was made fully open to Plymouth so that our Army there had a free passage to advance for their relief which not long after was also happily effected whereof more in its more proper place And now about the 20 of this instant December Letters were read in the House of Commons both from Colonell Morgan and Colonell Birch fully relating the particulars of the taking of the Towne and Castle of Hereford the substance of both which Letters together with other unquestionable information whereof I have here for the Readers better content and full satisfaction therein set downe a true and exact Narration which was as followeth Colonell Birch having been not long before in London was by Order from the Committee of both Kingdomes sent post to his Forces at Bristoll for the effecting of some designe against the City of Hereford which ever since our Brethren the Scots raised their siege thence was growne very jocond proud and secure of all danger from thence he marched to Gloucester to advise with Colonell Morgan about the designe but finding the way which was at first intended altogether frustrate and the Governour of Gloucester at that time not very well Colonell Birch went with Sir John Bridges neer to Hereford and sent for thither two Gentlemen with whom Sir John had treated before about matters tending to this businesse who were then out of Hereford fearing to come into the Town and there Colonell Birch was fully satisfied concerning the Enemies supine security and the apparent negligence of the Guards of the Towne being I say most fearlesse of any approaching danger to them And now Colonell Birch consulting againe with Colonell Morgan whom now he found in perfect health and most active to promote the worke presently Colonell Morgan provided about 1100 Horse and Foot to joyne with Colonell Birches 900 Foot and his own Troop being about 50 more Horse which were quartered about Gloucester to be ready at an houres warning whensoever they should be called and ordered to furnish themselves with knap-sacks and provisions for a long march and so about Munday Decemb. 15. they began to march from Gloucester at which time the snow being almost knee deep they were constrained to march in file one by one both Horse and Foot and so to keep one track intending to reach to Hereford that night but I say the snow was so deep and the weather so extream cold that the Foot Souldiers had a very hard march insomuch that three of them died by the way the Foot being to beat their way thorow the snow Here Colonell Morgan and Colonell Birch were constrained to make an hault before they had marched within six miles of Hereford but their forlorne hope had marched within two miles thereof and were so neer ingagement that they came not off without some difficulty But the two gallant Commanders finding that they were discovered the better to colour their businesse marched back halfe way to Gloucester with part of their foot and lodged them at Ledburie 10. or 12. miles from Hereford and others of their horse marched almost to Gloucester After which having rested their foot and the Enemie now conceiving that they were marcht back and quite gone suddainly on Wednesday December the 17. about 9. of the clock they marcht againe toward Hereford the same way and in files as before and came by midnight within twice Musket-shot of Hereford and there rested the whole body of the Armie being 2000. Horse and foot effective Now here I must remember you that Colonell Birch as you heard before had been in these parts 4. or 5. dayes before to lay the designe and to view the ground with those worthie Gentlemen fore mentioned Sir John Bridges and the others At which time it pleased the Lord to put an excellent prize and oportunity into their hands which they accordingly by Gods assistance wisely made an excellent improve ment of and which tooke also most answerably For about that time Scudamore the Governour of Hereford had sent out a warrant under his owne hand to the High Constable of an adjacent Towne for Labourers to be sent into Hereford to breake the ice about the City now this warrant they had happily laid hould on and taken from the high-Constable the substance of which warrant was thus THese are straightly to Charge and Command you to send to my Garrison at Hereford out of your hundred a hundreth able men with spades Shovells Pickaxes and other necessaries fit for Pi●ners for his Majesties Service whereof you are not to saile as you will answer the contrary at your utmost perill Barnabas Scudamore Given under my hand this 14. of Decemb. 1645. Now the Governour of Gloucesters Secretarie had made a returne to this warrant as from the high Constable of the hundred expressing That he had now sent the Constable of such a Towne with 6. men to worke the rest were to follow And upon this ground Colonel Birch had plotted and contrived the worke as followeth He had provided 6. faithfull and resolute men in the forme of Labourers and one more with them a stout and resolute Livetenant to be as a Constable with this warrant to bring thos● his Townesmen to worke in the City To whom for their present encouragement he had given a good summe of money in hand and had promised them a larger reward on their faithfull performance which accordingly they all did as now you shall heare These 6 men and their Constable together with 150. firelocks in the darke of the night lodged neere the Gate of the City in one of the burnt houses within Pistoll shot of the bridge even as neere as the ground would possibly admit In all which time ours with carefull Spies and Scouts kept back all intelligence from the Enemie So that they never discovered or suspected us after our first retreat toward Gloucester Now I say these Firelockes were for the better managing of the businesse left to