a 1000 Armes left behinde them for haste and divers barrells of powder with other Ammunition and provision and the Enemy taking along with them 12 or 14 Cart loads of their dead men besides many wounded Wee found about 200 wounded men of ours in the Town and not above an 100 slain in all this siege praised bee the Lord for it Since I came heer in 6 weeks time I saw a wonderfull change scarce a man to bee seen in a whole Village so barbarously had the Enemy unpeopled the Country I shall in all humility acquaint you with what I hear My Regiment is designed for the West I humbly intreat if it bee possible I may wait on your honour in your Army which if your Excellency shall please to grant it will much oblige Your most humble Servant Ralph Welden Palmister May 11. 1645. After the reading of this Letter in the House of Commons they began to consider of this great mercy and therefore Ordered in the first place That there should bee a publique Thanksgiving in all the Churches and Chappels in London and Lines of Communication on the next Lords day for the relieving of this distressed Town that so God may have the honour due unto him for it In the next place the House Ordered that a Letter should bee writ to Sir Thomas Fairfax giving him the Thanks of the House for his great care and faithfull service in omitting of no time for the releif of Taunton and that Sir Thomas Fairfax should bee desired to take particular notice of this gallant service of Colonell Welden A Letter was likewise Ordered to bee sent from the House to the Town of Taunton and to the Governour and Souldiers therein to give them the hearty Thanks of the Parliament for this extraordinary gallant service in maintaining the Town against the Enemy so long But the speciall regard that the Parliament had of this Garrison rested not there for An Order was made likewise by the House for the bestowing of 2000 pound upon the Souldiers of that Garrison for their valour and courage in this service And as an earnest of a further reward to the undaunted and ever honoured Governour Colonell Blake It was likewise Ordered that 500 pound should bee paid to him forthwith for his own use The House likewise taking into consideration that by reason of the late tedious and unwearyed marches of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes foot they had worn out their shooes and were in great need of supply it was further Ordered That it should bee referred to the Committee for the Army to provide and forthwith send down shooes for Sir Thomas Fairfaxes foot The House of Commons further made an Order of reference to the Committee of Both Kingdomes to take care that no advantage bee lost by the releif of Taunton but to use their endevour to improve it to the best advantage of the West and the whole Kingdome and wee have great cause to hope that care will bee taken thereof accordingly About the 15 of this instant May our most provident Parliamentary Statists for the more prudent regulating of the Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes New-Modelled Army Ordered certain very excellent Orders to bee observed by all Officers and Souldiers from the Commissioners of the Army to the meanest Souldier both to take care of false Musters of plundering of buying Horses for the State taken by the Souldiers that they should bee marked by the Mark-Master of the Army c. To forbid any Officers to quarter in any house but by Ticket from the Quarter-Master and to pay ready money for mans meat and horse meat according to the rates set down and in case any money should bee wanting to any man hee must receive a Ticket for it c. That Teames or any horses in Plough or Cart are not to bee taken except in case of necessity and then also by Warrant from the Commander in Cheif Divers other good Orders were then also ordained and appointed which are like by Gods mercy to produce good effects and a happy conclusion of this present unhappy Warre especially since wee know it is Gods way when wee manage our affaires without violence and wrong and wee see the Country us the Army passes along is extraordinarily taken with love and affection toward them at the sight of their fair and honest demeanour And heer I cannot omit to make mention of another singular mercy of God unto us in our Armies Viz. The most excellent love and good agreement of Major Generall Cromwell and of Major Generall Brown though both oâ— brave and high Spirits all the time of their being together at and about Oxford and elsewhere in all Orders and Commands even beyond compare yea even striving who should prefer the Service and honour of other more than of himself as if Davids and Jonathans 2 soules were transmigrated and mutually united in one body O if such sweetnesse and onenesse of hearts and affections had been found among our Commanders formerly wee had certainly now been in a farre better condition than as yet wee are like to bee in About the 20 of this instant our most noble pious and gratefull Parliamentary Worthies took into their serious thoughts the payment of the arrears of the most noble late Lord Generall the Earl of Essex whose faithfull and noble services for the State will make his name most honourable to posterity and Ordered the payment thereof partly out of the Kings Revenues and partly out of Haberdashers Hall in London And as a farther pledge of the Kingdoms love and gratitude to the said most noble Earl and as a requitall of his great losses sustained by the Enemy for his constant and loyall adherence to the Parliament and the Kingdomes just Cause an Ordinance of Parliament was passed by the House of Commons for the settling of 10000 pound per annum upon the said noble Earl out of the sale of Papists and Delinquents Estates The House also took into consideration the good service of the party that lately releived Taunton under the Command of Colonell Welden and Colonell Graves and agreed upon a certain pay for them during their service in the West and Ordered that 3000 pound should bee charged Monethly upon the Excise for 4 Moneths for the payment of those Forces The House likewise considered the most gallant service and high deserts of that noble and brave Commander Sir John Meldrum slain not long afterward to our great losse and sorrow at the siege of Scarborough-Castle and in particular his last brave Service in winning the Town Haven and shipping of Scarborough as also the brave assault hee last made upon the said Castle of Scarborough when hee received his most unhappy deaths-wound They Ordered that a Letter of Thanks should bee wrote unto him and that 500 li. should bee added to the 1000 pound formerly given him by both Houses of Parliament to bee bestowed upon him as an earnest of their affections
us to Harborough but durst not stay there Wee took all the Foot Colours in the field the Kings own Colours with the Lion and Crown with this Motto Dieu et Mon Droit The Queens Colours and the Princes Colours and the Duke of Yorkes Standard Wee got the plunder of the Kings Coach and his precious Cabinet that famous tell-tale of the Kings and Queens works of darknesse c. But of all these things more particularly by and by One great encouragement to our Common Souldiers to fall on the more courageously was the rich plunder the Enemy had their purses and pockets too being full of money and the plunder of poore Leicestershire which God now made a means of their ruine and destruction in this fight for indeed our Souldiers got very great plenty of gold and silver out of most of their pockets that were slain Prince Rupert also or rather Prince Robber had brought into the field many Irish women inhumane Whores with Skeans or long Irish knivâ—â— about them to cut the throats of our wounded men and of such prisoners as they pleased the wives of the bloody Rebels in Ireland his Majesties dearly beloved Subjects to whom our Souldiers would grant no quarter about a 100 of them were slain on the ground and most of the rest of the whores and Camp-sluts that attended that wicked Army were marked in their faces or noses with slashes and cuts and some cut off just rewards for such wicked strumpets The slain on our part in this most memorable fight was not in all full 200. and not one above a Captain Sir Jacob Ashleyes Coach was taken with great store of plunder in it and himself was very neer taking for wee got the cap off his head and in Sir Jacobs Coach Letters of Nicholas the Court-lyer wherein was among others this expression in one of them That the Parliament had given particular direction to the Generall to give the King no quarter but to kill him if taken A most abominably false and impudent lye like unto all the rest of their irreligious practises The Army after this marched toward Leicester following the pursuit not willing to give the Enemy any rest or liberty to rally our horse especially being close in their Rear and Colonell Rossiter who came seasonably to the ingagement and bravely charged where our Noble Generall was following apace in the pursulte of the Enemy as aforesaid where now for a while wee will leave them And heer now I shall in its most proper place for the high honour and glory of our wonder-working God and the admiration and astonishment of my present Readers and their succeeding Posterity give you the most exact List of the slain prisoners and prizes taken in this most famous and glorious Victory which was as followeth Slain in the fight and slight about 3000. and between 3 and 400 Whores and Irish Queans One Lord or eminent personage slain and found dead with a Star and a red-Crosse upon his coat 4 Lords mortally wounded Prince Rupert bruised and Sir Jacob Ashley hurt on the head his head-peice beaten off and himself neer taken Prisoners Colonell Sir William Vaughan Colonell Sir William Bridges Col. Sir Bridge Col. Sir Richard Page Colonell Bandes Col. Bunkley Col. Theoph. Gilbie Col. Nevill Leivtenant Colonells 7. Sergeant Majors 12. Captains 55. Leivtenants 55. Ensignes 45. besides of inferiour Officers above 200. 2000 horse with their riders many Ladies and Gentlewomen of the Kings Officers and Servants 11 or 12. besides 4 of his footmen and one of Prince Maurices In all above 4000 prisoners Armes at least 9000. 6 rich Coaches and other Coaches besides The Kings own Coach and therein that Cabinet of Secret Letters of the Kings and Queenes since this fight Printed and published to the amazement of the world Ruperts Coach also and both the Kings and Ruperts Sumpters with much wealth and riches The Kings Standard the Queens Standard Prince Charles his Standard the Duke of Yorkes Standard and Ruperts Standard 6 Colours of Horse and 40 Colours of Foot one whereof represented a pair of hornes with this Motto Come Cuckold Which being one of the first Colours that were taken the word was on the pursuite returned to the Enemy with much mirth and scorn among Souldiers Taken also 12 peices of Ordnance 40 〈…〉 Gunpowder 200 Carriages 12 Carriages of Boats with their Anchors and Cables In summe all their bagge and baggage 〈◊〉 King himself fled toward and so clean through Leicester Thus now in this most famous and renowned Victory did the Lordâ— indeed shew himself as Moses sweetly sets him out Glorious 〈◊〉 holinesse fearfull in Praises and doing wonders Triumphing gloriously and overthrowing both the horse and his rider And truely so much the more glorious may this Victory appear unto us and the hand of God most evidently bee seen in it as to Gideon against those Enemies of God though it is true the number of men in the Army was not much different yet t is most true that the King had full 2000 horse more than wee yet I say this Victory will most notably appear to bee Gods Victory graciously given to us if wee consider both the time and condition of the kingdome as then it was And also the very Army it self First This Victory was bestowed upon us at such a time when as our spirits were and that most justly very low and exceedingly dejected both by onr losse of Leicester but a little before and thereby also the Kings releiving of West-Chester wee having at that time a marveilous great possibility of taking it but now were utterly frustrated of it Also the great sadnesse wee then were in for the danger of Taunton at this season a second time besieged strictly by outrageous Goring and Hopton Besides the great murmurings at this time of most men about our brethren of Scotlands not advancing Southward as was expected and then greatly desired And Secondly if wee consider the Army it selfe O the wonderfull base and despicable esteem that was thereof not onely in the Kings Army and Malignants but even among very many seeming friends among us and those no mean ones too O how did they disparage undervalue and contemne as it were this New-Modelled Army calling it a New Nodelled Army jeering them as a company of young Tyroes or fresh-water-Souldiers heerby as much as in them was to discountenance and dis-hearten the most noble Generall himself Sir Thomas Fairfax and to weaken the hands and despond the spirits of his Souldiers if God himself had not mightily upheld them and put as it were an extraordinary spirit and courage into them most remarkably making good that most excellent passage of the Apostle That God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the seeming weak thing of the world to confound the things which are mighty
The Plot against Lyn-Regis p. 79 A Plot in the North frustrated p. 259 Major Gen. Poyntz his activity and fidelity rewarded p. 281 The Parliaments piety p. 293 The Parliaments happy continuation a great mercy p. 315 Preservation of London from the plague of pestilence a great mercy p. 415 Parliaments formerly made staulking-horses to get Subsidies p. 322 A prize taken at Plimouth p. 323 The Parliaments integrity against Protections and Bribes p. 325 Serjeant Major Purefoyes brave valour at Compton-house p. 99 A brave Passage of providence at Sir Erasmus Fountaines house p. 103 Pretended peace at Uxbridge p. 104 The Parliaments care of the City of London p. 337 Plimouths singular good successe against the enemy p. 340 Partshall Garrison taken p. 108 Plimouth totally releeved and freed from Siege p. 348 Praises encouraged p. 365 Serjeant Major Purefoyes good Services about Warwick p. 146 A Petition to the Parliament about the Kingdomes sad condition p. 155 A Petition to the Parliament by the inhabitants of Westminster p. 188 A Plot of the Westerne Clubmen discovered p. 201 A Petition of the Ministerr of the two Counties about Church-Governement p. 434 Propositions for a well-grounded Peace resolved on p. 444 Q. NO Quarter to be granted to Irish Rebels p. 56 The Queene of Swedens desire to associate with England p. 84 Queene Elizabeths just Commemoration p. 320 R. PRince Robert defeated p. 11 12 13. Col. Rudgely bravely beates the enemy p. 22 Royalists plot to cousen the Kingdome p. 37 Rad Castle taken p. 40 Captaine Redmans good service in Northamptonshire p. 83 The enemy defeated about Redding p. 261 Master Rouses Psalmes p. 319 Rochels Bloud p. 323 The enemy defeated at Rumsey p. 136 An excellent Remonstrance of our Brethren of Scotland p. 183 The City of Londons most excellent and famous Remonstrance p. 426 Reformation of Religion taken into consideration p. 257 S. SHeffild Castle taken p. 7 Staley-house taken p. 9 Major Straughans brave performances in the West p. 15 Major Skippon bravely encourages his Souldiers p. 19 Schismes Petitioned against p. 28 Reasons of slandering of our Brethren of Scotland p. 39 Col. Sydenhams good service p. 62 Capt. Stone his brave service p. 66 Sir John Strange-waies house a strong Garrison stormed p. 67 Col. Sydenhams brave service p. 72 Selfe-denying Ordinance p. 76 The Swedes desire to associate with England p. 84 Sir George Strange-waies brought Prisoner to the Parliament p. 259 A foule and false slander laid on the Parliament by Royalists in Wales p. 263 Major Generall Skippon made Governour of Bristoll p. 268 Our Brethren of Scotlands Victory over Montrosse in Scotland p. 270 Scotlands bloud p. 323 Scarborough Town Church and Haven taken p. 110 Shrewsbury Towne and Castle taken p. 113 A brave victory obtained at Sligo in Ireland p. 342 Major Gen. Skippons brave service about the settlement of the new Modell'd Army p. 132 A Ship taken at Dartmouth with Letters of importance p. 359 A spur to quicken the spirit of praises p. 365 Captaine Stones good service against the enemy p. 152 The Scots advance to Nottingham p. 174 A Ship of Ireland taken at Padstow of much concernment p. 386 Our Brethren of Scotlands excellent Remonstrance to the King p. 183 Shrewsburies Committees just praise p. 443 The Scots retreat from Newark to Newcastle p. 419 The enemy beaten at Stoke-new-house p. 107 T. TInmouth Castle taken p. 63 Free Trading at Newcastle p. 69 Taunton-Dean in the West releeved p. 81 The enemy beaten at Tong Castle p. 84 Mr. Tomlins made a Baron of the Exchequer p. 282 Thanksgiving for Londons welfare p. 315 The Treaty at Uxbridge for peace p. 104 Major Temple bravely beates the enemy neare Dennington p. 111 Treaties with Malignants dangerous p. 344 Thanksgiving for Chester p. 364 Tauntons most happy releefe p. 174 Tauntons Souldiers good services rewarded p. 151 Thanksgiving for Langport the manner thereof p. 197 V. A Brave Victory obtained neare Chester by Sir William Brereton p. 97 A brave Victory obtained by Colonell Massies Forces in the Forrest of Deane p. 116 Major Gen. Vrreyes brave Victory against Montrosse in Scotland p. 134 Uxbridge Treaty p. 104 A brave Victory at the Devizes p. 123 W. THe enemy beaten at Welch-poole p. 5 Wareham yeelded to the Parliament p. 5 Welbeck-house taken p. 7 Winkfield Mannour besieged p. 9 Winkfield Mannour taken p. 14 Wales in good condition for the Parliament p. 302 The Governour of Warwicks brave service in Worcester-shire p. 107 Weymouth bravely regained p. 117 Sir William Wallers brave Victory at the Devizes p. 123 Court of Wards Voted downe p. 369 Warehams Garrisons good service p. 175 Inhabitants of Westminsters Petition p. 181 Y. THe Duke of YORK to come from Oxford to Saint Jameses p. 445 FINIS A Summary relation of the state of the Kingdom at the Conclusion of the third paâ—â— of this Parliamentary-Chronicle Varietas in omnibus delectaâ— The Title of this fourth Part of our Parliamentary Chronicle justified England the Burning-Bush not consumed August 1644. Colonell Massies Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament A branch of the Bush heer on fire but not burned Generall Mynne slain a brave Victory obtained A brave defeat given to the enemy at Welchpool in Mountgomery shire The prize and prisoners taken The shrewd strait that Sir Thomas Dallison was put unto The Town of Wareham yeelded to Colonell Sydenham A Letter from the Lord of Inchiquin out of Ireland occasioned the speedy yeelding of this Town Twelve brave Horses surprised by the Garrison of Stafford The Noble Earl of Manchesters advance from York Welbeck House taken by the Earl of Manchester Sheffeild-castle taken The manner of assaulting the Castle The prize taken in the Castle The Country gave my Lords Souldiers 500. pound to drink for their good Service Boulsover-castle also yeelded to the Earl of Manchester The prize taken in this Castle Staley-House also taken Wingfleld-Mannour besteged by Darby forces A brave defeat given to the Enemy by Colonell Middleten Another gallant Victory obtained by Colonell Middleton A third brave deâ—eat given to the Enemy by Col. Middleton Sir John Meldrum defeats the Enemy in Lancashire Colonell Doddington takes the Lord Ogleby prisoner A brave defeat given to the Enemy by Sir WilliaÌ„ Brereton Colonell Marrow slain Prince Robber with two Regiments of horse defeated The valiant performances of Sir William Breretons forces in the fight at Tarvin Another most brave defeat given to the Enemy by Sir John Meldâ—um at Ormskirk 800 Horse and 300 prisoners taken A breif note how the Lord prospeâ—ed our proceedings against bloody Prince Robber in and about Lancashire Almost 2000. of Ruperts Horse taken by ours besides prisoners A breif relation of some active and victorious performances of Colonell Fox A prize taken at Vpton-Warren Another brave prize taken by Colonell Fox A third prize also taken by Colonell Foxes Forces What a terrour Colonell Fox was to all
this A brave prize taken at Sea by Plymouth Garrison A brave defeat given to the enemie in Gloucestershire where Major Duet that French Renegado was slain Major Duet slaiâ—e The prisoners and prizes taken A Notable testimonie of the Parliaments integrity touching Protections and Bribes The Burning-Bush unconsumed 1. 2. Psal 60. 12. Isaiah 41. 10. 11. Psal 116 December 1645. Newark besieged and Muschamp Bridge and Fort taken by our Brethren of Scotland General Lesley made Commander in chiefe of all the Forces both English and Scottish before Newark The County of Brecknock in Wales comes in to the Parliament Latham House taken Fulford House taken Hereford surprized and taken by a brave stratagem Col. Morgan and Col. Birch provide to promote the designe The Souldiers sore march the first setting forth The whole armie come neer unto Hereford A Copie of the warrant which helped to win Hereford The manner of managing the busines with the Constable and his warrant The draw-bridge is let down The Constable knocks down the Centinell The Fire-locks rush out and haste to the City The Towne fully entred and obtained Lords and Knights 21. in number Leivtenant Colonells and Majors 10. in number besides Judge Jenkins Many Gentl. of Quality At least 2000. Papists The great consequence of the obtainning this City The Messengers of this good newes to the Parliament rewarded Orders of Parliament voted and confirmed upon this great providence of God 1 2 3 4 5 Great gratitude expressed by the Parliamenâ— both to God and man for this great mercy Lieutenant Barrow the pretended Constable rewarded by the Parliament Canon-Tean a strong Fort taken at Exeter Callyntine House taken Skipton Castle surrendred to the Parliament The Freedome of almost all the Northerne parts The singular providence of the City of London and of the Parliament for the defence and safety of the said City The Burning-Bush not consumed Psal 62. 7 8. January 1646. Plymouths singular good successe against their besieging Enemies Canterbury Fort taken Saint Beudeaux taken The prisoners and prizes taken The slain on both sides A brave victorie obtained by our Forces at Bovy-Tracy in the West The prisoners and prizes taken Iminster taken Ashburton taken Totnes taken Okehampton taken The most brave victorie over the Rebels in Ireland at Sligo The slaine Gods good providence in the apprehension of certain Papers and Letters from the Archbishop of Tuain The danger of Treaties with our Malignant adversaries Yea of a Personal Treatie with the King himselfe Remarkable mischiefe and impiety discovered in the Kings party A Copy of the Kings Letter to the Parliament The summe of the Parliaments Answer to the Kings Letter for a treaty for a pretended peace Plymouth totally relieved and relinquished by the Enemies Plymouth made good advantage of the flight of their Enemies Sir Francis Drakes House taken Dartmouth summoned Captain Batten Vice-Admiral helps to besiege Dartmouth Sy Sea The City of London petitions the Parliament about Church-Government A brave defeat given to Wallingford Forces by Major Generall Brownes Forces Dartmouth Towne and Castle taken by storme The relation of the manner of taking Dartmouth signified by Sir Thomus Fairfaxes Letter to the Parliament Prisoners taken Prizes taken Major Pollard slaine on the Enemies side Deserved thanks and reward given to our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax Certain observations on the Premisses A Solemne day of Thanksgiving ordered to be kept in London and over the Kingdome A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Cark neere Stafford Pouldram Castle taken The most noble and renowned Generals singular mercy and clemency toward his Enemies Sir Thomas Fairfax a second Caesar A Ship from France taken at Dartmouth with Letters of great consequence The Burning-Bush unconsumed 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jer. 10. 7. Zecha 25. February 1646. Belvoir-Castle surrendred to the Parliament The City of Westchester taken A most sweet and evident returne of Prayer Chester surrendred upon very conditions and the reason therof The prizes taken in the City of Chester A brave defeat given to the Enemie at Ashbie de-la Zouth The good and prosperous successe of our armie in the West The Assizes of Oyer and Terminer revived A Solemne Thanksgiving for Chester and a charitable Collection made A fresh spurre to quicken the spirit of praises Torrington Church fired by the Enemy Hoptons Army totally routed The valour of the Cornish men Prisoners prizes and spoil in and after this fight The slaine in this fight The Parliaments gratuity to the Messengers that brought this good newes A day of solemne thanksgiving set apart for this great Victory at Torrington The Court of Wards utterly put down A Copy of the Order or Vote in Parliament for puting downe the Court of Wards The brave victorie obtained over the Enemie at Cardiffe in Glamorganshire Colonell Kern the High-Sheriffe revolts and joynes with the Malig. Gentry against the Parâ—iament A second fight and brave victory The slain prisoners and prizes The great concernment of this victory The Parliaments gratitude to Maior Gen. Laughorn for this good service Corffe Castle delivered up to the Parliament The Burning Bush not Consumed 1. 2. 3. 4 5 6 Psal 116. 12 13 14. March 1646. Launceston in Cornwall taken by the Parliaments Forces Abington most â—ercely aâ—sauled and most bravely defended and preserved Our men most bravely charges the Enemy The Enemies beaten out of the Town The hurt on our side Some of ours most desperately fought in their shirts only The King vowed to have Abington and to fire it A passage of speciall providence in the preservation of Abington Abingtons bad and sad condition had it now been taken Ashbie de la-Zouch surrendred to the Parliament Our Armies singular good successe in Cornwall and the taking of Bodman Listithiel and VVare Bridge A brave defeat given to the Enemy by valiant Colonell Moore The Summons sent to Hopton A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Saint Culbumbe in Cornwall and that Garrison taken them Sir Ralph Hopton expects supplies out of Ireland Foy taken Pendennis besieged A List of the number of 〈◊〉 Gentry of Cornwall came in to the Parliament Maus Castle surrendred Sir William Vaughau well beaten by Captain Ashley The activity of the bravâ— Committee of Shrewsbury Shruardon Castle taken Goodrich Castle taken The famous fight and glorious victory obtained against Sir Jacob Ashley A description of the fight at Stow in the Ould Sir Jacob Ashleyes croâ—se and crafty marches put Sir William Brereton to tedious marches Both Armies are met The signall Word on both sides The fight begun The Enemy totally routed and pursued The Lord Ashley taken prisoner Sir Charles Lucas also taken prisoner Sir Jacob Ashleyes words to our Souldiers sitting on a Drum A List of the prisoners and prizes taken in the battle at Stow in the Ould All the enemie to depart from Truro The extraordinary faire carriage of the Souldiers The 9. Brigades that were disbanded Our Armie to march Eastward A Dunkerk
both the Houses of Parliament at Westminster that doe only wait the conjunction of these two Armies meaning the Kings Army and the Lord Generalls then in Cornwall and then they will put things to the question being backed with such a strength which now they dare not propound Also you shall inforce the conjunction of these two Armies the sooner with this argument that otherwise the Scots will prevail and conquer the Kingdom and so the English must become subject to that Nation There were 20 or 30 more particulars as was credibly enformed and those very remarkable ones These instructions were sent by Mr. Harding Son to the Marquesse of Hartford to bee communicated to his Excellency if upon the receipt of a Letter sent from the King to our Lord Generall hee would entertain a Treaty Which his Excellency most loyally and prudently had formerly refused highly scorning to bee fastned on though by a Royall temptation to betray his trust yet how ever those private Instructions were afterward dispersed amongst some of the Commanders as wee then found by unhappy experience And yet in all the plot and designe praised and for ever blessed bee the Lord our God the issue proved more to bee a crackling-Squib than a considerable losse as hath been before more particularly and clearly manifested especially considering the danger and yet the Bush un-burnt in the midst of that great flame round about it In which premised Regall instructions wee may primarily take notice how falsly and fallaciously the Royalists fancy to themselves and that with no small malice too both a party in the Parliament for them and would also fain blinde the kingdom with such a belief But that which sticks most to their sides as there you may see and observe is our honest and loyall Brethren of Scotland against whom they would fain possesse the people with an opinion that their intention is to conquer the kingdom whereas never did a Nation so faithfully and in a manner so unanimously appear with more loyalty and cordiall integrity in the Cause of Religion than they have done and the crafty Cavaliers knew they will not depart from their principles nor leave assisting the Parliamentary proceedings till Religion and Liberty bee secured in both kingdomes and therefore I cannot much blame them considering their case and condition that they so scandalize the Nation of Scotland that in the conclusion is like by Gods gracious assistance and appointment to bee a main means of their ruine and destruction from among us And to all these premises adde that most memorable mercy of the Lord in those our straits in Cornwall forementioned namely what admirable courage and undaunted resolution the Lord put at that time into the hearts of those most valiant Commanders and Souldiers that were of the Plymouth Horse who in Cornwall by their impregnable courage and valiant actions deserved as much honour as could bee possibly conferred upon men of merit and valour For all those of the Kings Army that were of the three Regiments of the Kings Horse were utterly routed by Major Straghen a Scottish Commander with only 100 Plimouth Horse whom hee Commanded who all manifested so much unparallelled valour and magnanimity of spirit as occasioned such extreme terrour to the Enemy that the King himself was put into as great a fright at that time as when hee rode hard from Northallâ—rton to York when hee heard the Scots had beaten his Army at Newborn at their first comming in among us So stoutly they resolved and so faithfully performed and acted their resolution to live and die with our Foot forces at that time left in such a strait and to stand or fall with them though most barbarously and basely they were pâ—â—â—ged and plundered contrary to Conditions yea the King himself being in the field and to his shame and eternall infamy it will certainly remain to posterity that hee most unjustly permitted such a most ignoble disloyall and unsouldierly shamefull action to bee committed notwithstanding that noble and ever to bee honoured Major Generall Skippon went to his Majesty and complained of that perâ—idious breach of Articles but could finde no redresse therein And now good Reader put all these together viz. the Enemies abominable trechery to have utterly ruinated our so brave an Army forementioned in some passages of the Moneth before together with the devillish design to have wrought our Army perfidiously to have conjoyned and combined into one body against the Parliament And the admirable courage and magnanimity of spirit which God put into the hearts of our Foot forces and some few Horse especially those of renowned Plimouth to stand to it so invincibly and to come off so totally with their lives out of so deep and dangerous a snare and pitfall into which they were very neer entrapped And then say whether the Lord Jehovah appeared not mightily and most manifestly for their preservation and whither the blessing of him that dwelt in the Bush was not on them to save them from the devouring flames of that prepared and intended combustion and confusion Much also about the 4 of this instant October came Letters out of Scotland which certified for an undoubted truth that the Popish party and faction of the Royalists in Scotland had laid down their armes and were come in and had submitted themselves That the most noble Marquesse of Argile most renowned in Scotland for his known constant piety loyalty to his King and Country and his magnanimity of spirit in the then present distracted condition of Scotland that hee I say was in present pursuit of the Irish Rebels that had got in among them there and kept them closely in among the mountaines where hee often lit upon many of them and straitned them extremely Insomuch that the troubles of that honest neighbour kingdom being thus farre so happily appeased the noble Earl of Callender returned again to the Leaguer at Newcastle It was also then for certain enformed by Letters out of the North that the Array-men and other disaffected persons of quality in the Counties of Cumberland and Westmerland were met together to feast together and therein also to consult about raising more Forces in those parts against the Parliaments proceedings there which the Country-people having knowledge of and being very sensible of the miseries which those men had already been meanes to bring upon those Counties and places adjacent they all rose as one man and apprehended many of them to the number of about 40. whom they brought to Generall Lesley to the Leaguer but Musgrave and Fletcher narrowly escaped to Carlile About the 6 of this instant Letters from Welchpool were brought to London which certified that renowned Sir Thomas Middleton had taken Redâ—astle a place of very great consequence and one of the strongest of the Enemies holds in Northwales The manner of the taking of it was said to bee thus The Enemy in this Castle whereof
as neer the Town as the Enemies Cannon would suffer This was upon Fryday the 25 of Octob. The King kept within the Town guarded by his Artillery but his body of Horse and Foot drew out into Speenfield the midway betwixt the Town and Castle both to make his Army more numerous and also to embattle them in a place of extraordinary advantage That day afforded nothing save an interview the interposing river hindring our desired fight on their side appeared rather a declining to bee ingaged either that their numbers were not equall or from an expectation of Ruperts advance with 3000 Horse or Dragoones and the return of the Earl of Northampton from Banbury with a 1000. The Enemies strength is reported to have been 8000 Foot and 5000 Horse which albeit a gallant Army yet upon our drawing into battalia they durst not take the field but to counterpoise our numbers with his Stratagems hee fell mainly to fortifie the Town especially the avenues and having raised his batteries and lined the hedges hee stood upon his guard and with some great pâ—ices where hee saw the biggest bodies and most advantage hee sent liberally some of his bullets among us which killed 2 or 3 Horse but hurt not their Riders For many houres some parties of Horse skirmisht betwixt both the Armies in which play wee had the best on our part but one of our men fell of their 's 4 or 5. of which one had been knighted It being impossible to ingage them without much hazzard that night the greater part of our Army marched unto Cheveley The horse commanded by Sir William Waller and Sir William Belfore the foot by Sergeant Major Generall Skippon whilst the other encamped before the East-end of the Town and was ordered by the Earl of Manchester at one same time they had all agreed to storm the Garrison on both sides That night and the next wee quartered in the open field but neither the coldnesse of the weather nor want of usuall provision any whit disanimated the Souldier the earnest expectation of fight swallowed up all other extremities Howbeit most of them had 3 dayes provision prepared by Command in his snapsack By day-break upon Sunday the horse and Foot commanded by Sir William Waller and Major Generall Skippon were upon their March and in 4 houres had surrounded Dennington-Castle and made their approach toward the West of Newberry By the way wee intercepted 2 or 3 Carts of the Enemies provision intended they said for his Majesty but in respect an unworthy race about him were to have shared therein and that our men more needed it wee disposed of it to our selves To recompence which they fell upon our Rear from the Castle and took 10 or 12 of ours prisoners Upon this March wee received the report that Newcastle was taken by storm and the Vlster Rebells in Ireland totally defeated happy news unto us and of a double use to our engagement It was one of the clock ere the Train and Rear came up and neer 3 ere wee could bee put into Battalia With extraordinary shouts and other testimonies of courage and joy the Western-body advanced and the forlorn Hopes of horse quickly began the fight which with as much eagernesse was seconded by the foot so as for 3 houres at least the fight was maintained with as much resolution and bravery on our side and desperatenesse on the other as hath been seen since the commencement of these Warres the Cannon and small shot on both sides firing with as quick a motion as was possible to bee done by Souldierâ— and amongst the foot to speak impartially his Excellencies Regiment did most eminently well of whom especially and of the rest wee can speak very justly we neither saw man nor party horse or foot either to desert his duty or dishearten his fellow About the midst of the fight the Earl of Cleveland and some other of the Enemies prime Commanders rode among our Souldiers asking them Wherefore they would fight against their own men but being demanded the word and not knowing it divers of them were knockt down from off their horses and the Earl of Cleveland himself and some other Officers were taken prisoners And after a long and hot dispute wee beat the Enemy first from their works and then from their Ordnance 9 in number Our forces were no sooner possest of the Ordnance which were a part of those which wee lost in Cornwall but our Western sparks with exceeding great joy hug'd and kist them and cryed out Now will wee shew them a Cornish hop and on the other side many of the Cavaliers most fearfully threw down their Armes and ran away crying out Devils Devils they fight like devils for ours gave no Quarter to any whom they knew to bee of the Cornish In which fierce fight and brave deportment of ours wee lost a few men and with or among them Captain Cawler a brave Gentleman of Glamâ—rganshire who by an honourable and triumphant hazzard bequeathed the thing adventured to us with his life also an expression sufficient fully to entitle himself True to his Charge notwithstanding his captivity in Cornwall The day was of so much discontent to the King that wrapping up his losses with the night an houre after mid-night hee marched or rather fled out of the Town with an attendant Troop only toward Winchester and sent up his Cannon Carriages and Baggage to the Castle where at day-break wee saw them placed Upon the first intelligence of their departure Colonell Cromwell followed the body of the Enemy a houres before day the issue of which as yet wee hear not of Our men are full of Spirit and extraordinarily heightned with this Victory The Enemy hath little to support them but their Rodomants In the mean time as an addition and signall of good successe wee have as I toucht before the Earl of Cleveland prisoner taken by a Leivtenant of Colonell Barkleys who wonders how Generall Goring escaped our hands but his Brother paid his account being shot dead as hee charged and most of his Troop were cut off and Major Trevillian and divers other whose bodies are seen but names as yet undiscovered Above 200 were slain on the ground and 300 taken prisoners wherof these in speciall by name The Earl of Cleveland Captain Philpot Leivtenant Harper Leivtenant Roan Cornet Whealand Quartermaster Ironmonger Quartermaster Campion Quarter master Nicholas Mr. John Percie all these of the Earl of Clevelands Brigade and 38 Troopers of the same Brigade Taken prisoners of Sir Ralph Hoptons Regiment Captaine Elmes a Captain of Horse Mr. Simon Court Quartermaster to Hoptons own Troop Edward Philips Henry Dimmoâ—k Hugh Pope Gent. of Armeâ— and divers other Troopers Colonell Philpot Captain Mildemâ—y Captain Nâ—vet Mr. Richard Niston Mr. John Curtis Mr. Edward Archer and divers other Gentl. of Armes and Reformadoes besides as I said before 300 Common Souldiers And
virtuously and piously that they may prove 2 glorious and illustrious Starres not only in the firmameut of these 3 Kingdomes but even of all Christendome And about the 26 instant wee received Letters out of Gloucestershire which certified that a party of Colonell Massies horse had routed a party of the Cavaliers which were sent from Bristol by Sir Ralph Hopton toward Prince Maurice and in the skirmish had taken Colonell Roberts a great Malignant of Herefordshire besides 7 Officers and 40 common Souldiers prisoners And much about the latter end of this Moneth of March the House of Commons in Parliament took into their consideration some of their well-deserving Souldiers and their great arrears and among these cheifly that brave unspotted and ever to bee honored Commander in Armes Major Generall Skippon and thereupon ordered that his Arreares should by audit bee given in and in the mean time because hee had been long without pay they ordered that 500 pound should bee presently paid unto him in part of his Arreares And about the same time an Order past the House worthy to bee recorded to their praise and honour it being full of piety and Christian charity Viz. That out of the Monies given for Composition by some able Delinquents there should bee a 1000 pound paid to poore men that had lost their horses Waggons and Carts the Summer before in the service of the Parliament and that 500 pound more should bee paid to poore Widdows whose husbands had been slain in the service of the State And now good Reader stay heer a little and take a short revise and serious advice on this Moneths mercies and marveilous passages of divine providence and preservation of this his Parliamentary Burning Bush not Consumed although environed with most violent and vehement furious flames of Malignant wrath and rage against it as hath been most evident in all the particulars forementioned both In that most famous defeat given to the proud insulting Enemies Goring and Dives at Weymouth and Melcomb-Regis Together with the seasonable seizing on the 2 ships which by providence were put into the possession of the Parliaments friends there In the seizing upon a whole Troope of Horse being the Kings Life-guard And the brave defeat given to Prince Maurices forces at Holt-Bridge Together with a fine defeat given to Colonell Ogles forces at Winchester In that brave Victory obtained by Sir William Waller and Generall Cromwell over Colonell Long and his forces at the Devizes Together with the brave activity of our Abbington Garrison about Oxford In the most happy harmony and sweet concurrence of the House of Peers in Parliament with the House of Commons about the List of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Colonels and Commanders and their pious care for the well-ordering of his New-Modelled Army as well with Spirituall as Martiall Discipline And finally In the Parliaments godly care for the royall and religious education of the Kings 2 young children at White-Hall Colonell Massies defeat given to the Enemy at or neer Bristol And the Parliaments most worthy respect and regard to the fidelity and good service of such as had been active and serviceable to the Common-wealth to comfort and incourage them therein Upon gracious and gratefull sight and serious consideration of all which precious premises who mee thinks can forbeare justly and ingenuously to confesse and acknowledge with holy David Thou O Lord hast made us rejoyce through thy works and wee will triumph in the operations of thy hands O Lord how great and gracious are all thy doings towards us and thy thoughts of Love and goodnesse exceeding deep But now to goe on ANd heer I shall begin this Moneth of Aprill with a most holy and happy Aprill-shewre likely by Gods blessing and gracious breathing on it to prove most frugiferous in the happy production of many fragrant flowers the ensuing Spring and succeeding Summer and to make way for a copious crop of blessings and happy Harvest to the glory of our ever-living and all-good-giving God and to the unspeakable comfort of his poore despised Church and Children and this it was About the 4 of this present Aprill a conference was held by the Lords with the House of Commons which was managed by the Lord Say at which was offered by the House of Peers to the House of Commons 1. That the Commissioners of the Great Seal might bee continued 2. They desired that a proportionable number of Lords being appointed to joyne with the Members of Both Houses of Parliament might bee equally employed in the great affairs of the Kingdome And as a farther demonstration of the earnest desire their Lordships had of the continuance of a happy union and correspondency of spirits and affections between Both Houses a Declaration of the Lords in Parliament was read wherein they declared That they would ever bee carefull to maintain the priviledges of the Commons as their own and should bee ready to concurre with them in all things for the good and safety of the Kingdom whatsoever some malicious and ill-affected persons endevouring thereby to divide between them might report to the contrary which 〈◊〉 they left with the House of Commons to remain upon Record 〈◊〉 testimony of their reall intentions to Posterity This passage together with a former of this kinde on the part of the House of Commons declaring their sincere resolutions to maintain the priviledges of the House of Peers and which their said Declaration being first read was also left with the Lords to bee Recorded by them also to all Posterity I thought fit to relate thus exactly because I considered and took notice of them both as soveraign healings of former jealousies betweene Both Houses and these their happy concurrencies as a speciall blessing from Heaven and as one of the greatest tokens of Gods love and favour to this Kingdome and most conducing to the peace thereof and to the salving and curing of the bloody oppressive distractions wherewith all things therein have been infested and almost broken in peices especially also considering that it has been all along the great and main plot of the Enemies of the Peace and Parliament of this Kingdome to breed and feed jealousies in the Houses Whereas now such happy correspondencies will bee their greatest discouragements and by this harmonious concord the expedition of our Southern Army now bravely set on foot and gone forth under renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax was most happily hastened on the sweet and blessed effects wherof you will now every day heare of more and more to the glory of God and comfort of the Kingdom as in their proper places I shall now by Gods assistance have occasion to make clear unto you About the 6 of this instant Aprill the House of Commons in Parliament received Letters from renowned active and loyall Generall Brown from Abbington concerning some late exploits performed by the forces under his Command the substance whereof was as followeth Viz. That
God for him and his Posterity they certified how unfaithfull they should bee to God and his Majesty if they should conceal the present danger wherein hee is a danger infinitely greater than the displeasure of his people They therefore in the humility and greif of their Soules did prostrate themselves before his Throne and in the name of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 bold to warne him that the guilt which cleaveth so fast to his Throne and his Soule is such as if not timely repented will involve him and his Posterity under the wrath of the ever-living God Next they freely proceeded to acquaint his Majesty what were the occasions of his great and growing danger in which if they should bee silent their conscience would condemn them and the stones themselves would finde expressions As first for his being guilty of the shedding of the blood of many thousands of his best Subjects Secondly for permitting the Masse and other Idolatry both in his Family and Dominions Thirdly for his authorizing the book of Sports and by consequence the profanation of the Lords Day Fourthly for his not punishing of publike scandalls in and about his â—ourt Fifthly for the shutting of his ears from the humble and just desires of his faithfull Subjects Sixtly for his complying too much with the Popish party many wayes and namely by concluding the Cessation of Armes in Ireland and imbracing the Counsells of those who have not set God nor his good before their eyes Seventhly for resisting and by Armes opposing this Cause which so much concernes the glory of God his own honour and happinesse and the peace and safety of his Kingdomes Eightly for some other private causes of which his Majesty is conscious to himself It being not the desire of these grave and reverend men to have mentioned any particulars if that they had not already been publike and known For all these and for every one of them they implore his Majesty to fall down at the footstoole of the King of Glory to acknowledge his offences to make haste to repentance and to labor for peace with God through Jesus Christ that the Son of God may reign over him and his Kingdomes in his pure Ordinances and the Government of the Church Moreover they desire his Majesty to take notice that they are not staggering or faint hearted through diffidence of the successe of their Cause and the Covenant of the three Kingdomes unto which as God hath already given many testimonies of his favour and blessing so it shall bee their unshaken confidence that this is the work and Cause of God which shall gloriously prevaile against all opposition and from which with the assistance of the Grace of God they shall never suffer themselves to bee divided or withdrawn but shall zealously and constantly in their severall Vocations endevour with their Estates and Lives to pursue and advance the same This Remonstrance being so full of piety to God and allegiance to the King is able some would think to beget a better opinion in the stubbornest Malignants concerning the proceedings of our Brethren the Scots and either to perswade or convince them to a better understanding of them The Lord Digby hath returned answer that his Majesty will take it into consideration who knows but that God may so move his Royall heart that the Letters of this paper may bee more effectuall than an Army of men in the field and bee a happy means to reduce the King to his Parliament But notwithstanding all this hee still goes on in a most hardned condition like a most miserable Prince For as wee well knew in the mean while hee was making what possible speed hee could to recover new strength His Warrants are issued forth for supplies of men whiles the miserable and desolate Countrey that a long time hath suffered under the calamity of warre can lend him but little assistance either for men or money Wee heard that a great part of his Horsemen were wounded in Naseby fight and that hee lately made a halt and stayed the longer in Wales to understand the inclinations of the people Indeed his Army might well halt when that so many of his men were wounded and our swords have not so deeply wounded his men as hee hath wounded his own honour by calling over the Irish to assist him They say that there are a Legion or Brigade of Irish consisting of about 4000. who are newly landed to assist him I suspect the truth thereof and have reason to bee doubtfull of it because I finde that our greatest Intelligencers cannot agree amongst themselves and doe much vary in what place they are landed It is very likely that many are come over but not so many as are commonly reported And are the barbarous and prodigious Acts of the Irish in their own Kingdom such pleasing cruelties that they must bee sent for into England to act them over again heer Must the West which suffered the last yeer under the horrid lust and fury of the French bee now the Stage where the Irish shall act their Tragedies Rouze up thy self thou desolate and much afflicted West thou hast now the meanes to shake off the yoak of thy Subjection if thou art so happy as to apprehend the meanes of thy deliverance But to goe on About the 6 of this instant July whiles the poore King was thus fruitlesly strugling Per fas nefas to recruite his foresaid broken Army our most noble and renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax was now in the West endevouring with all fidelity and magnanimity of spirit to purchase by Gods assistance Liberty to those long distressed parts of the Kingdom and just honour to himself and as credible information affirmed had sent a choyce body of horse to Gloucester to observe the motion of the Kings Army and to attend the landing of his forces on this side the River Severn which hee could not doe without apparent danger In which interim wee had certain intelligence that the Kings Garrison of Dudley Castle was shrewdly put to it For as they were abroad plundering the Country therabout Captain Hunt sell upon a party of them and having slain some hee took many horse from them and divers prisoners whom hee carried with him to Warwick Since which also as wee were credibly informed our Brethren of Scotland lighted on another party of them and after a brave conflict with them wherein divers of the Enemies were slain on the place they made them lesse in number by at least 80 horse than they were before And shortly after this wee were for certain certified that the Governour of Stafford came up with a party of horse and gave an alarm to the Castle it self Whereupon the Enemy not enduring the affront drew forth into the field thinking indeed our party not to bee so strong as afterward they found it and to increase this their apprehension and conceit therein Colonell Ashburst politickly retreated on purpose
into the House of Commons and had 30 pound given him as a reward The Enemy quitted 3 small Garrisons neer Bridgewater upon the taking thereof And that which yet more excellently and eminently sweetens this great mercy unto us was that it pleased the Lord who is the only true God that heares prayers that this great blessing was granted unto us upon Tuesday July the 22. which was a day set apart in London in a speciall manner to seek the Lord by prayer and humiliation for this very thing which I say the Lord gave in unto us on the same day wee sought it as a most certain and blessed return of Prayer O who then would not still and for ever trust such a gracious God and benigne and bountifull Lord and Master And heer also I have fit opportunity to give my Reader one note more touching this businesse of Bridgewater viz. That one Mr. Peters being sent from thence by Sir Tho. Fairfax our most renowned Generall with his own Letter to the Parliament for the confirmation of the truth of the premises touching the storming and winning of Bridgewater Hee also brought with him 3 Commissions out of the West which hee then also presented to the House of Commons The Contents of which were from the Prince to one Mr. Philips a Gentleman of that Country to raise a Regiment of horse a Regiment of foot and a Regiment of Dragoones The Commissions were dated in January last There were likewise other papers from the said Prince Charles by which the whole design of the Clubmen was made manifest and how they were drawn into a snare to fight against the Parliament and to gather themselves together in such a mutinous manner and into disorderly bodies without any heads till Commanders were sent and set over them But as in part yee have heard it pleased the Lord to frustrate their policies and to bring their mischeif upon their own heads apparently seen by the late comming in of the Sommersetshire Clubmen to the assistance of our noble Generall Sir Thomas and their late frequent galling of Gorings Army But now to proceed See still good Reader the admirable and unexhaustible bounty of our good God for the taking of Bridgewater was not all the good news which this 26 day of July produced unto us for on the very same day Sir Rowland Edgerton who came with a Letter out of the North intimating the surrender of the strong Castle of Pontefract was also called into the House of Commons to relate the manner of it which hee did and had thanks returned by the House for his speciall service and diligence in it When hee came away our Souldiers had entred the Castle wherein was exceeding great store of treasure and much Ammunition The particulars of the surrender of which said Castle was thus related in a Letter sent from the Committee at York to the Parliament To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons SIR VVEE thought fit the last week to summon Pontefract-Castle which caused the Enemy to desire a Treaty Whereupon Colonell Wastell Col. Copley Col. Overton Col. Bright or any three of them were authorized to treat and this day it was agreed that the Castle shall bee delivered up to the use of the Parliament to morrow at 8 of the clock in the morning with all the things therein save that the Officers were allowed to carry away what is properly their own so that it exceed not what a cloak-bagge will contain and the Souldiers to march to Newark with 200 Muskets and 200 Pikes Wee consented to so good conditions because the Plague was very hot in the Countrey and especially in that Town of which some of our Souldiers are dead Wee are also in Treaty with Scarborough which wee hope shortly will bee reduced Thus much wee thought fit to give you notice of desiring the House may bee acquainted therewith From Your very affectionate Friends and humble Servants Francis Pierrepont Wilfrid Lawson Henry Cholmley York the 20 of July 1645. And upon the 28 instant wee received most certain intelligence by Letters out of the North of the happy surrender also of the strong Castle of Scarborough to that most valiant and brave Commander and loyall Patriot Colonell Boynton who lay before it as Commander in cheif of those forces since the decease of that thrice noble and renowned Souldier and pious Cornelius Sir John Meldrum Which said strong Castle was surrendred on fair conditions Viz. That Sir Hugh Cholmley that wicked Apostate should march out with his forces to Newark if hee pleased or bee transported into Holland which indeed hee desired In the Castle hee left great store of Armes and Ammunition and 25 peices of Ordnance And about the 29 of this instant July came certain intelligence to the House of Commons in Parliament by Letters from the Scottish Army at Ludbury in Wales concerning the taking in of Cannon-Froom a strong and considerable Garrison of the Enemies which was taken by assault in which storm at least 70 of the Enemies were slain and but 8 of the Scots and some 20 hurt The Governour Colonell Barnold was therein taken prisoner and mortally wounded in the fight together with Captain Brisk Captain Houk and 30 other prisoners and all the Ordnance Armes and Ammunition therein seized on for the King and Parliament And the House of Commons had debate touching this and all the good service of our loyall Brethren of Scotland and Ordered that a Letter of Thanks should bee sent to the Earl of Leven signed by Mr. Speaker in acknowledgement of his faithfull Service for this Kingdom and farther therefore Ordered that a Jewell of 500 pound should bee with all covenient speed sent to the Earl of Leven and bee bestowed upon him as a badge of favour and respects from Both Houses of Parliament to his Excellency for the unwearyed and faithfull services since his comming over with the Scots Army into this Kingdom An excellent way by gratitude to spurre on the spirits and fasten the affections of our Souldiers to goe on in their fidelity and industry for the prosperous advance of the affaires of the Kingdom And about the same time wee received certain assurance by Letters out of the West that the forces of that gallant Garrison of Lyme had taken Chadwick-House belonging to Count Arundell a great Papist a place that did much mischeif and annoyance to those parts and lay within 6 miles of Lyme There were above an 100 prisoners and their Armes taken in it 30 horse 3 barrels of powder and good store of other provisions and Ammunition Much also about the same time wee were certainly informed of the rendition and delivering up of Rabby Castle in Durham upon faire and easie Articles or conditions viz. The Officers to march away with their Armes to Newark that cage of unclean birds and the common Souldiers with their lives only
who had suffered much and beene brought into great poverty and miserie by the enemies there And our most loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland kept the like solemn-day of Thanksgiving in their armie to blesse God with us for this great mercie unto us And see and admire as a farther ground of Thankefulnes and to raise up our Spirits to a higher pitch of bounden gratitude Even the very same morning that we were praising the Lord for that great mercy so graciously received there came yet more joyfull newes to the Parliament of a great overthrow given by his Excellency renowned Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Forces to the Enemy at Torrington in the West the particulars of which so memorable a victory cannot I conceive but be of most singular satisfaction to the Kingdome and people of God especially I shall therefore give the Reader a full and faithfull intimation thereof as it was sent in a Letter from a Gentleman of piety credit and eminency in his Excellencies Army and was read in the House of Commons Febr. the 20. which was as followeth SIR SAturday Febr. 14. our Army marched from Crediton and the quarters thereabout to Chimleigh Sunday they marched very early to a Rendezvouze some two miles in the way to Torrington with intention to have gone on but our Parties of horse bringing in some prisoners by whose examination we could not certainly learn which way the Enemy bent whereupon another party was sent out of Colonell Butlers Troope the forlorn of which party being twelve took twelve of the Lord Gorings Life-guard and 24 Horse and brought them to the Generall upon their examination it appeares the Enemy was ignorant of our motion The Lord Hopton was in Torrington And further that a party of the Enemies Horse was at Burrington the Generall sent a partie of Horse to meet with them under command of Captaine Barry who accordingly charged the Enemy put them to a rout shot Lieutenant Colonell Dundash a Renegado and of the Lord Cleevelands Brigade and tooke severall prisoners and brought Dundash three miles on the way but being mortally wounded was inforced to leave him at Ringdash a foot quarter of ours Also another party of Horse toward the East met with the Enemy taking some Prisoners and Horse and shot Major Bret by this time a Bridge was made up some two miles off Chimleigh so that our Army might with convenience march over but the day being so far spent it was not held fit to march with the whole Army so three Regiments of Horse and three of Foot marched some foure miles towards the Enemy that night the rest returned to Chimleigh with Orders to march Munday Feb. 16. the Generall with that part of the Army that was at Chimleigh marched up to the rest of the Army and within five miles of Torrington had a generall Rendezvouze both of Horse and Foot drew them up in Batalia and so marched up towards the Enemy When we came within two miles of Torringron our forlorne hope of Horse charged theirs put them to retreat whereupon they came on again with a very strong party and put ours to a stand the reserves of our forlorn being come up and some foot forced them to their Body againe our forlorn of horse pursued and alarmed them at Squire Rolls his house within a mile of Torrington where they began to fortifie but the Enemy perceiving our Foot came up quit the House and drew their Forces to Torrington and our forlorne of Horse advanced after them The Enemy drew their Foot out of the Town into the closes about a quarter of a mile our forlorn hope of Foot lined the hedges and so faced each other about two houres within halfe Musket shot eâ—changed many shot and there was then continuall skirmishing by the Forlornes and Reserves on both sides and some Prisoners taken by this time it began to be darke and a Councell of War was called whether to engage before day or not whereupon the Generall Lieutenant Generall with the rest of the Colonels deferred a Resolution a little time and rid to the forlorn hope to see in what posture they were while they were there the Tattoo was heard to beat in the Towne which assured us the Enemy continued in the Town not flying away as was reported but to be certaine six Dragoones were commanded to creep under a hedge neer the Barracadoes and to give fire to see whether they would answer by which we might know whether they stood to defend the Towne The Enemy received the charge and answered it with a very sharp volley of shot Our forlorn hope seeing the Dragoons engaged gave fire whereupon the Enemy gave fire all along the hedges and Works thereupon the Reserve to the forlorn came on to relieve them and so being engaged the whole Army advanced and about eight at night the battell began some six fields from the Town and we fought from hedge to hedge untill we beat them into their Barracadoes which they maintained for an houre after very resolutely our men being often repulsed yet at last got over the Barracadoes and forced the Enemy into the Town whereupon the Horse were let in who scouring the streets were received by the Enemy and a hot charge given by both parties yet it pleased God at the last we do 〈◊〉 them out of the Barracadoes at the furthest end of the Towne and by this time many prisoners were taken and put into the Church but farre more escaped being darke over the hedges and by-wayes which was not possible for us to prevent throwing downe their Arms and every man flying severall waies Our Forces were no sooner possest of the Towne but the Enemies Magazine which they left in the Church was fired whether on purpose by the Enemy or by accident we cannot yet learne but it proved a terrible blow not only blazing up the Church with all the wood and lead that was upon it deforming many houses in the Town but killed some of the Prisoners in the Church and some of our men that were in the Church-Yard two great Webs of Lead fell within twice a Horse length of the Generall but it pleased God he escaped though in eminent danger many others being hurt both with the Timber Stones and Lead most of the Towne was shaken by this blow being the terriblest that hath been seen in the memory of man there being about 80 Barrels of powder blown up together and one barell which was blowne out of the Church into the streete which took not fire The Enemy perceiving their Magazine to be 〈◊〉 fired gave one charge more with their horse up to our Barracadoes commanded by Sir Iohn Digby but our Musketeers gave fire whereupon they tooke their farewell our first instantly advanced through the Towne after them and began the pursue about 11 of the clock at night Thus it hath pleased God in an instant to scatter those Forces of the Lord Hoptons his infantry being
capitulation for joyning of Forces or for combining against the Houses of Parliament or any other private or publike agreement whatsoever between the King upon the one part and the Kingdom of Scotland their Army or any in their name and having power from them upon the other part is a most damnable untruth We shall not need to expresse how improbable it is if there had been any such agreement that the King about the same time should have sent a Message to both Houses offering to come to London and to follow their advice in all things without offering any satisfaction to the Kingdome of Scotland and that before he received the answer of the Houses he should write such a Letter to Ireland and give order to make it knowne not onely to his Privie Councell but to his other Subjects of that Kingdome Nor will we insist how improbable it is that the King should make this knowne to the Marquesse of Ormond and neglect to acquaint the late Earle of Montrosse who had been much more concerned and who would no doubt if he had knowne any such thing have communicated the same to Generall Major Middleton and prevented the defeating of himself his associates and forces about the middle of May after the King was with the Scottish Armie Nor how unlikely it is that he who is for the time Commander in chiefe for the Scottish forces in Ireland should be for the space of seven or eight weeks totally ignorant of any such agreement or if he had known any such thing that he would have communicated it to the Commissioners of the Parliament and immediately marched himself to the fields against the Enemy Nor shall we need to call to minde the expressions in the Lord Digbies intercepted Letters which gave our Nation the character of such as could not be gained to that side no not after all applications used There are other more sure and more publike Testimonies since the date of that lying Paper which make the falsehood of it more than palpable as if divine providence had purposely ordered all the late actions of the Kingdome of Scotland and of their Forces both before and since the third of April to be so many reall confutations of that groundlesse invention Wee meane severall late fights with the Rebels under the late Earle of Montrosse and Allaster Mac Donald the delivery of Newark the restraining and debarring of Delinquents and Malignants from the Kings Person and from our Army the late publike Declarations of the Church and State of Scotland in the beginning of April as likewise of the Generall and Committee with the Army agreed upon about the end of Aprill and published the 15 of May in Scotland against a Band of the Earle of Seaforth and his Associates As for other reasons so especially for this that the said Band did tend to the weakning of the confidence and Union between the two Kingdomes firmly joyned and mutually engaged for assistance to each other in this Cause as may appear more fully by the Declarations herewith presented Nor can we passe the Paper delivered to the King by the Committee of Estates upon the 15 of May last that if His Majestie should delay to go about the readiest waies and meanes to satisfie both his Kingdomes they would be necessitated for their own exoneration to acquaint the Committee of both Kingdoms at London that a course might be taken by joynt advice of both Kingdoms for attaining the just ends expressed in the Solemne League and Covenant We shall say no more of this particular God hath his owne time to make manifest who have dealt sincerely and who falsely and as our Nation did refuse to joyne with the Enemies Forces when they were strongest and did joyn with our Brethren of England in their weakest and most necessitous condition so we shall never look for a blessing from God upon either Nation longer than they continue faithfull to God and to each other according to the Covenant and Treaty And we do confidently expect from the wisdome and Justice of the Honourable Houses that this and such like Papers shall finde no more credit here than Papers and Declarations against themselves did formerly finde in Scotland and that Declarations and publique Papers from the Kingdome of Scotland or their Committees or Commissioners shall have such acceptation with both Houses as they desire Declarations from themselves or Papers from any in their Name may have with their Brethren of Scotland Nor do we doubt but God will dissipate all these clouds of calumnies and mis-understandings endeavoured thereby and will give such a frame of spirit to both Nations as may continue them in a brotherly accord and mutuall confidence for the good both of this and of the succeeding Generations which hath been is and shall be most earnestly wished and faithfully endeavoured by Your very affectionate friends and humble servants Lauderdaill Johnston Charles Erskine Henry Kennedie Robert Barnlay Worcester House the 8. of June 1646. Die Lunae 8 Junii 1646. Ordered by the Lords assembled in Parliament That the Letter of the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland Dated the 8 of this instant June 1646. shall be forthwith printed and published Jo. Browne Cleric Parliamentorum And because there were many suspicions and jealousies loved and fomented in the hearts and uttered too frequently by the tongues of many ill affected ones to our faire loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland That they would not easily be got out of the Kingddome of England no not when our warres were quite ended and we had no more need of them among us as some yea many of them maliciously took upon them to conceive and spatter abroad with their base and busie tongues I have therefore also here thought fit to insert another Letter or Declaration inclosed in the foresaid Letter or Declaration to the Lords in Parliament by the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland as was forementioned which I conceive may and will give faire and full satisfaction touching that suspition also to those that are not too much byassed with prejudice and partiallity which was as followeth IT is not light but grievous to us to heare of any disorders at all committed by any person in that Army how great soever the necessities be unto which they are redacted or that our Army should be any longer burthensome to this Kingdome And we do in the Name of that Kingdome and Army declare and assure That as they came into this Kingdome upon an earnest invitation from both Houses of Parliament and for the ends expressed in the Covenant and Treaty and Declaration of both Kingdoms the close whereof doth expresse the resolution of both to have Truth and Peace setled upon a firme Foundation before their laying down of Arms so their continuance neither is nor shall be made use of to the least encroachment upon the Government of this Kingdome nor to any other ends besides those expressed in the Covenant and