and their Army an accommodement of which is undertaken by Commissioners chosen on both sides But the Army judging it would be advantageous for their concernments to get the King into their hands sent Cornet Ioyce to Holmby with 500. Horse upon the fourth of Iune who took the King from thence by night without the privity and consent of the Parliament or the General himself as he profess'd in a Letter to them And now the damnable Mysterie of Iniquity begins to work they march up to S. Albans against the Parliaments order refuse to deliver the King's person to their Commissioners and mongst other insolencies impeach eleven members of the House of Commons The Speaker though he had the day before protested against such a dishonourable Act in the Abbey Church at Westminster flyes to the Army with several Members The City stick to the remaining part of the Parliament for the restoring of the King and declare against the Army Fairfax marches up to London which prepar'd to oppose him enters the City with 20000. Horse and Foot upon the 6. of August re-establishes the Members receives their thanks puts Tichbourn into the Tower of London as Lieutenant takes up his Head-Quarters at Kingston and places the King Hampton Court Within a few dayes after several members of the House are accused of Treason as Sir Iohn Maynard Denzil Hollis Sir William Waller Major General Massey c. Sir Iohn Gayer and four Aldermen Culham Bunce Langham and Adams are committed to the Tower and the Earles of Suffolk Lincoln Middlesex with the Lords Berkley Maynard Hunsdon and VVilloughby of Parham to the Black Rod. All the Works of the City are voted to be cast down upon pretence of bringing in the King but indeed according to the design of the Army sutably to whose pleasure they acted to disable it from resistance Propositions are sent to the King the same in effect with the former of Newcastle Agitators are set up by the Souldiers amongst themselves to carry on their Interests The Scots Commissioners send a Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons for a personal Treaty between his Majesty and the Commissioners of both Nations But whil'st new Propositions are preparing the King being inform'd of designes against his Life escapes from Hampton-Court with intent to go to the Isle of Iersey where the Prince still lay At his coming to the sea-shoar he found himself disappointed of a ship and therefore goes with Col. Legg to Tedsworth to the Countess Dowager of Southampton's house and sends Sir Iohn Berkley and Mr. Ashburnham which three accompanied him in his escape to the Isle of Wight to L.G. Hammond of whom he had with no great reason entertain'd some hopes Hammond goes with them and fetches the King to Carisbrook Castle Hence he sends a Letter to the Parliament the Scots Commissioners granting all they could desire Whereupon new propositions are sent to him which the Scots protest against as too derogatory to his Honour and therefore they are refused Hereupon the incensed Commons vote no further Addresses to him which presently endears them to the Army again Affairs standing in this ill posture the Prince with the Duke of York who had escaped in woman's apparel from S. Iames's and landed at Dort in Holland by the help of Col. Bampfield sent over purposely on that design by the Queen Prince Rupert the Lords Hopton Wilmot VVilloughby Brainford Culpepper Ruthen Sir Henry Palmer c. in his own ships and those that had revolted in all twenty sail with 2000. men mov'd to and fro in the Downes and upon the southern Coast to lay hold of any opportunity that might present it self for the service of his Father sending forth several Commissions to that purpose to persons of honour and trust who might promote his affairs by land and to the Marq of Ormond the Lord Inchequin and Montgomery in Ireland to the Committee of States in Scotland and their Officers to the Lord Goring in Kent and the Lord Capel in Essex to Sir Thomas Glenham and Sir Marmaduke Langdale in the North to Col. Poyer Laughorn and Powel in Wales as also to Sir Edw. Hales Sir Charles Lucas the Duke of Buckingham the Earles of Holland and Peterborough Letters of correspondency passe mutually between him and the Scots his Father and the City whereof some are intercepted in which the City the Lord and some Commons are intimated ready to contribute all assistance possible For the better satisfaction of the World his Highnesse was pleased to publish a most gracious Declaration which consisted of the ensuing Particulars 1. For the establishment of Religion according to his Majesties agreement of the 26. of December last viz. That Presbytery should be continued for Three yeares and a free debate to be had between the Divines assembled at Westminster and twenty whom his Majesty should appoint about the settlement of Church Government for the future 3. For the performance of the said Agreement and pursuance of the concessions on the King's part which were That the Parliament should dispose of the Militia and have the choice of his privy Counsellors during his Reign c. That the Arrears of the Army be pay'd c. 3. For restoring the King to a personal Treaty 4. For the just Priviledges of Parliament 5. for an Act of Oblivion 6. For the Liberty of the Subject and the abolishing Excise Taxes and Free Quarter c. 7. For disbanding of all Armies and setling of Peace 8. For the defence of the Narrow Seas securing of Trade support of the Navy and Seamen c. This excellent Declaration was seconded with a Letter from his Highnesse to the House of Peers desiring 1. That a Personal Treaty be had in such place and manner as may consist with the King's Honour Safety and Freedome that the Treaty be not blemish'd with any appearance of a restraint 2. That Scotland be included 3. That in the mean time there be a cessation of Armes and an orderly moderate subsistence agreed on for Forces on Foot on both sides by land and sea to the Souldiers content and the Subjcts ease Hereupon within a short time severall attempts were made for the King's service April the 9. 1643. the London Apprentices made an insurrection but were supprest by Fairfax the next day Soon after Colonel Poyer and Major General Laughorn and Powel revolted and reduc'd South-wales to his Majesties service Sir Iohn Owen also got together a party but they were all routed and enforced to surrender the places they had seis'd and themselves prisoners In behalf of the two former the Prince under whose Commission they acted desired Generall Fairfax that they might have the terms and usage of souldiers of war as those had whom the fortune of war had made prisoners to his Highnesse But the General answer'd It was not in his power to act further the Parliament ordering their tryal he dar'd not interpose against their justice So that they were
which put the King upon thoughts of providing for his own safety and therefore on the 13. of April he went out of Oxford in a disguise with Parson Hudson waiting upon Mr. Iohn Ashburnham and upon the 6. os May got to the Scots Army before Newark Soon after which Sir Thomas Glenham surrendred the City of Oxford to General Fairfax upon the 24. of Iune 1646. The Duke of York was carried from thence to Saint Iames's where he met with his Sister the Princesse Henrietta Maria who was sent thither from the surrender of Exceter but was shortly after conveyed from Oatlands over to her Mother in France by her Governesse the Lady Dalkeith From the Island of Scilly the Prince removed to that of Guernsey where he had not long been but an Ordinance is put out against him in the nature of a Ban prohibiting all persons to repair to him or correspond with him by letter or otherwise upon pain of death without mercy Whereupon his abode here being so uncomfortable he betakes himself for France to visit his Mother and that Court there he was received with great demonstration of joy by all parties excepting the dissembling Cardinal Mazarine who though he pretended much respect yet was he inwardly glad to see him in distresse and exile From hence the Queen being willing to comply with the active desires of her Son which inclin'd him to break through these clouds of misery and retirement which seem'd wholly to obscure him writes to the King by Major Bosvil requesting him to permit the Prince to go into the field with his Uncle the Duke of Orleans that summer in the head of a French Army that was then design'd for an expedition into Flanders against the Spaniard To which his Majesty refus'd to condescend partly for that he judg'd it an imployment below a Prince of Great Britain to serve any other King but his own whose pay and orders were once receiv'd by a Roman Caesar and partly because he knew not how soon his service might be necessary for his own Couhtrey and therefore he commands him to wave that design and await his further instructions In the mean time it pleased the King of kings to lay his hand upon him and visit him with an intermitting Fever which continued upon him for the space of some weeks 'till by the divine blessing upon the Physitian 's care he was recover'd to perfect health Soon after which he receiv'd a Commission from his Royal Father to be Generalissimo of all the Loyal forces that survived of the late unsuccessefull battels and garrisons While he is advising about this affair the Kingdom of Scotland out of tendernesse of the Prince's safety honour and conscience move the King That his Son the present hope and future happinesse of these Nations might not be exposed in his youth to the dangers which encompassed him in the French Court particularly in reference to his Religion the perversion of which might have fatal consequences in these three Kingdomes Whereupon his Majesty from Newcastle whether the Scots fearing least General Fairfax should fall upon them and compel them to deliver him up retir'd with him writes to him That he should wait upon his Mother and obey her dutifully in all things Religion only excepted and that he should not stir any whether without his directions The Scots also by their Committee of Estates write themselves to the Prince to invite him thither Professing that none of the late calamities except those that had befallen his Royal Father afflicted them more then his Highnesse's absence And seeing their Forces had entred England to doe their duty to Religion his Majesty and his Highnesse they humbly desire he would please to honour and countenance their pious and loyal endeavours with his gracious presence for whose honour safety and freedome they engage the publick Faith of that Kingdome Signed Crawford Lindsey In Answer to this he desires the Earle of Louderdail to return his acknowledgements to the States of Scotland and assure them he would doe nothing misbecoming a good Prince or unsuitable to their civility But the Prince in pursuance of his instructions negotiating in behalf of his Father's affairs in the French Court by his Mother's assistance whom her nearnesse of bloud great deserts and low condition made powerfull there prevails with the French to advance ten thousand pounds for the Marquesse of Ormond towards the furtherance of his Majestie 's affairs in Ireland as an earnest of greater matters And some remainders of his Cornish Forces getting to a head others upon order marching to him out of Ireland he goes to meet them at the Island of Iersey with such Forces as he had gotten together beyond sea especially in France by his Mother's means and in Holland by the mediation of his young Brother in Law VVilliam of Nassaw Prince of Orange who about this time succeeded his Father Henry in the dignity of General and Admiral of the United Provinces He possessed himself likewise of some Vessels in the Island adding others to them which he hired in France While his Highnesse lay here a Letter is sent to him from the Parliament by the hands of Colonel Russel their Governour of Guernsey which lyes six or seven Leagues distant from Iersey The effect of it was to desire him for his Father's his own and the three Kingdomes sake to return to them where he should find all due respects Subjects could afford or his H ghnesse expect The Design was to get the person of the Prince into their hands as the Scots had that of the King but it took no effect the Prince proceeding to manage his affairs by sea and land to such advantage as might â—nable his Royal Father to stand in the approaching Treaty on such termes as might consist with his Conscience and his Honour On Iuly the 27. following sixteen General Propositions with sundry Qualifications were presented to the King at Newcastle by the Earles of Pembroke Suffolk c. who were limited to ten dayes which the King judging unreasonable refused to consent to and defir'd to come to London and treat personally After which the Scots general Assembly send a Remonstrance to his Majesty desiring him to settle matters in England according to the COVENANT and to signe the Parliaments Propositions And Chancellor Lowdon told him plainly there was no other means for him to close with his Two Houses And moreover if he lost England he should not be admitted to reign in Scotland But the King still persisting in his denyal the Scots who had hitherto some what sharply disputed about the disposall of his Person are content upon the receit of a good summe of Money to depart home and leave the King in the power of the Parliament who voted him to Holmby House and sent Commissioners to receive and convey him thither where he arriv'd on the 17. of February 1646 7. The War was now totally finished and dissentions brake out between the Parliament
the Horses From whence in expectation of greater Forces to join with them they marched towards Cornwall but they were overtaken by one Capt. Crook with a party of Sectarian Horse at Southmolton in Devonshire after four houres sharp conflict defeated Sir Ioseph VVagstaffe the chief of this loyall party escaped the three other most eminent Leaders Col. Iohn Penruddock Capt Hugh Groves and Capt. Iones were taken with 50. others Another rising was also in Yorkshire at Hexham Moore but of 4000. which should have met not above 200. appearing they were soon dispers'd by the Forces of Col. Lilburne Sir Henry Slingsby the chief taken and Sir Rich. Maleverer with much d fficulty escaping At the same time likewise another attempt was made to rise at Sherwood Forrest in Nottinghamshire but the Gentry that design'd it were supprest by Col. Hacker Nor were the Levellers lesse pleas'd with the Tyrannical Usurpation of Cromwel though their designes were not upon the account of loyalty For Maj. Gen Harrison Mr. Carew Rich. Courtney and Maj. Wildman were discover'd to have fram'd a Plot against him and secured These latter sort of Conspirators were in favour of the Sectaries and in consideration of former assistance in Rebellion and the murder of his late Majesty more gently proceeded with for Harrison was shortly after committed to Portland Castle Carew to St. Maur's in Cornwal and Courtney to Carisbrook Castle in VVight Island But on March 31. 1655. a Commission was issued forth for tryall of the Gentlemen in the West to Serjeant Thorp Glyn Steel And another for tryall of them in the North to Serjeant Newdigate Nicolas VVindham Hatton but of these persons Serjeant Newdigate and Thorp conscientiously refusing to try any man for treason upon Cromwel's Declaration as Law had writs of ease given them But the Protector wanted not instruments in the West to execute his bloody pleasure for at Salisbury Iohn Lisle one of his Princes Murderers sentenced Col. Penruddock and Capt. Grove to the block and at Exceter seven other persons to the Gallowes And now Cromwel resolv'd to rule onely by the sword seeing the people so hated his Tyranny to which purpose he constituted eleven of his Officers to preside over all the Counties of England with the Titles of Major Generals allotting four or five Counties as Provinces to each with sufficient authority not only in Military affairs but also in Civil and Ecclesiastical For the support of these Bashawes he made an Ordinance that all Cavaliers or Gentlemen of the late Kings party should notwithstanding the late Parliaments Act Oblivion their former compositions and their peaceable demeanor since pay the tenth part of their yearly revenue which was accordingly severely exacted by the Major Generals He also the better to provide against future Insurrections set up Auxiliaries in every County consisting of Horse and Foot which Were to be ready upon all occasions within an houres warning their pay was 8 l. per annum to a Horseman 3 l. to a Footman And finally that he might disenable all loyal persons from attempting any thing for their Countries Liberty he put forth an Ordinance to seâ—se all sorts of Armes found in the Houses of those he called Malignants Such were the courses he took to secure himself at home About the beginning of the year 1655. a great Fleet was sent against the King of Spain's Territories in America The designe was kept secret till it came to be executed upon the place nor did he declare war against that King till afterwards though the Marquesse of Leyda Governour of Dunkirk came over as Extraordinary Embassadour to know his intentions Many of such as had been imprisoned for the late insurrections had been barbarously sold to foreign plantation some that were left and several indigent people were by force sent in this service together with divers Regiments of old souldiers Venables commanding the Land-forces and Peâ— being General at Sea But it pleased God to check the Tyrants insolence by a considerable losse in the very first enterprize which was undertaken so unjustly and against the faith of Nations though the propagation of Religion was pretended and other slight reasons for it an Army consisting of 9700. Foot besides a party of Horse by the Generals indiscretion was landed in the Island Hispaniola at a place ten leagues from the chief Town Sto. Domingo whereby being ready to perish miserably with thirst and the excessive heat of the Sands through which they marcht they were shamefully routed by no greater a party then 70. Spaniards and Negroes 1200. were kill'd in the conflict and the pursuit the rest escaped by flight An incredible thing had not the faintnesse and weaknesse of the English render'd it rather an execution then a fight The remainder of this overthrow having afterwards endur'd extreme hardship for want of provision even to the eating of their horses seis'd upon another Island called Iamaica which though a barren place wanteth not some considerable advantages But for the dishonour occasion'd to our Nation by this unfortunate expedition amends was in part made by General Blake who entring Porto Ferino at Tunis with his Fleet fir'd nine Turkish Ships in it notwithstanding the strong fortifications upon the shore and came off with the losse of onely 25. men Whilst affairs were thus strangely managed in England by the violent Protectour his Majesty resided at Colen entertaining himself with such studies as best became a Christian in his own and his Countries calamities such exercises as were befitting a Prince and such company as his affection made most pleasing to him namely that of his brother the Duke of Glocester and the Princesse Royal of Orange The Duke of York continued still in France having onely made a journey of no long stay to the French Leaguer before Pavia His Majesty to divert himself from the resentment of his unsuccesseful affairs made a progresse of state and pleasure from Colen to Frankfort-Fair being accompanied with the Duke and the Pnncesse attended on by the Lord Marquess of Ormond the Earle of Norwith the Lord Newburgh the Lady Stanhop and several other persons of Honour They went by Coach a little beyond Bonne the Arch-bishop of Colen's Electoral Seat where they enter'd into a Gondelo or Pleasure boat through every Princes Territories that they past the chief Officers of State were sent to complement them and the great Guns saluted them from all their Towns and Castles More especially the Prince Elector of Mentz sent his grand Marshall to invite them to his Court but his Majesty sent the Lord Newburgh back with the grand Marshall to return his acknowledgements to the Elector and to promise him to accept of his civility as he came back from Francfort His Majesty being arrived there had intelligence that Christina Queen of Sweden who had voluntarily resigned her Crown on Ian. 17. 1654. to her Cousin Carolus Gustavus and had for the most part since continued at Bâ—uxels intended
his distempers and afterwards attain'd a firmer health When he came to sit in the House of Peers 1640 his first action in publick affairs was the carrying the King's Letter to them in favour of that noble but unfortunate Lord the Earl of Strafford the King hoping that when all other respects could not prevail upon them at least the consideration of the dignity and goodnesse of this Royal Messenger might something move them to reflect upon the hard measure they had determin'd for him But through the cruel fate of this brave man or rather that of these three Kingdomes the heat of I know not what strange zeal had made them so thirsty for his bloud that a day or two's respite of execution of the severest sentence that ever was given was more then could be afforded to the desires of their King though presented by the hands of their Prince This repulse he suffer'd was certainly the beginning if not the cause of all his ensuing sufferings and those of the Nation 's too For soon after hapned that fatall misunderstanding between the King and the Parliament which occasioning the King's withdrawing from London he commanded the Prince to attend him first at Greenwich then at Hampton-Court then at Theobalds the incensed Parliament and City in the mean time regretting his escape out of their hands having design'd to make advantage of his person according as the contingency of their affairs should suggest to them From thence with the Duke of York he accompanies his Father to New-market and from thence into Yorkshire where they all stood before the gates of Hull and were deny'd admission by Sir Iohn Hotham 'till at length the two Princely brothers were by his special favour permitted as children to see the Town At York the Northern Nobility and Gentry offering their service to his Majesty received thanks for it but were not made use of for prevention of jealousie 'till a greater danger induc'd the King to neglect his fafety no longer and accordingly he selected a company of gallant and loyal persons for his Life guard which were commanded by the young Prince His Majesty assuring them they should hazard their lives no further in defence of their Countries Lawes and Liberties then himself and that they should endanger themselves no farther for his person then his own dear Child In this manner he accompanied the King from York to Newark in Nottinghamshire and from thence to Lincoln and Leicester and back again into Yorkshire in which progress the King endeavoured to satisfie the Counties he passed through of the uprightnesse of his intentions for the good of the Nations and evidenc'd to them the desperate courses the Parliament engaging in order to deprive him of the Royalty left him from his Predecessours and this under pretence of Liberty and Religion At his return into Yorkshire the King informes the Gentlemen there of the Parliaments forwardnesse to a War desires them to spare him some Armes and to compleat Prince Charles's Regiment for the guard of his person under the command of the Earle of Cumberland Not long after the King having gather'd a considerable Army was met between Kinton and Edge-hill in Warwickshire by that of the Parliament under the conduct of the Earl of Essex There was the first considerable battle fought of our civill Wars The Prince was then in the field and the Honourable Earle of Lindsey who was the King's Generall and lost his life in the fight looking upon him very attentively a little before the conjunction of the Armies I know not by what Propheticall instinct utter'd these words Ther 's a Child born to end that VVar we now begin Which how miraculously accomplish't we cannot but gratefully acknowledge the civill Wars having continued ever since the Army which had subdued the one Party afterwards turning their swords upon those that first employ'd them and the poor Nations being rul'd by the sword and always in a state of War and groaning under the miseries inflicted on it by armed Oppressours After this the King retir'd with the Prince to Oxford and committed him to the Right Honourable the Marquesse of Hertford then and still Chancellor of that University who provided for him severall worthy persons in the quality of Tutors for his instruction in all such languages and Sciences as were convenient for the accomplishment of a Prince During his residence there it pleased God to visit him with the Meazles and that not without some danger of death which by the Divine mercy and indulgence to these Nations he avoided is respited we hope for many years Here he was very diligent in commendable studies intermix'd with ingenious and innocent pleasures and upon the King 's summoning a Parliament thither which convened the 22 of Ianuary 1644. himself with his noble Brother the Duke of York sate with the rest of the Nobility in the Upper Schooles which were designed for the House of Lords as the Convocation House was to the Commons who were no inconsiderable number there being present at that Assembly besides these two young Princes the Lord Keeper Littleton the Lord Treasurer Cottington the Duke of Richmond the Marquesse of Hertford nineteen Earles three and twenty Barons and a hundred and fourty Knights and Gentlemen The next year the Prince betakes himself into the field being now about fifteen years old his first course was Westward where by his Majesties Order he had attendants appointed him suitable to the grandeur and state of an heir to three Crowns He set up a Royall Court and chose out a Retinue at his own pleasure the King though disapproving the action in a Letter to the Queen yet admiring his discretion in the Election of them scarce inferiour as a great observer affirm'd to that of his deceased Uncle Prince Henry During this time the King of Portugal sends over an Embassadour who amongst severall specious proposals relating to his Majesties present exigencies tenders one for a Marriage between the Daughter of that King and the Prince of Wales which for good reasons the King his father put off with a civill answer importing a deniall of the proposition though as the policy of State-affairs often makes it necessary to do in words expressing no dislike of it After that fatall battle of Naseby which turn'd the scale to the disadvantage of the Royall Interest severall Overtures interven'd between Prince Charles the Lord Goring and the Parliamentarian General Fairfax but the two former alwayes receiv'd the same answer from him which signified nothing viz. That he was but a servant to the Parliament and could not exceed his Commission which impower'd him onely to fight therefore in râ—ference to a Treaty application ought to be mâ—de to his Masters at VVestminster The Prince accordingly writes to him again to grant the Lords Hopton and Culpepper leave to attend the King and mediate with him for a Treaty with the Parliament to which the General upon grave consultation with his Committee of
issued out of London-Derry and beat off Sir Rob. Stuart and Col. Mervin that besieg'd it And immediately upon this successe Ol. Cromwell landed in Ireland with the Title of Lord Lieutenant and was follow'd by his Son-in-Law Ireton with about 40. ships The Royall Field Army being lost Cromwell falls upon the Garrisons the first place he attaqued was Droghedah or Tredagh which he soon took by storme and with a cruelty unknown since the first rise of Christianity put the Governour Sir Arthur Aston a noble Gentleman that had serv'd the late King in England and all Inhabitants of the Town of all ages and sexes to the Sword Thus was Providence pleas'd to suffer wickednesse to prosper This successe was follow'd with the losse of many considerable Townes and Castles in all parts of Ireland besides serverall Field-battels obtain'd over the Lords Inchequin Ardes and Clanduboys and Lieut. Gen. Farrell by the L. Broghill Sir Ch. Coot Col. Venables Zanchy Renolds and Hewson So that in lesse then the space of this year that Kingdome was wholly lost which in the beginning of it his Majestie lookt upon as so considerably his own that he was almost perswaded to have gone thither in person but waved upon mature advice and went to the Isle of Iersey where he was proclaimed by the Islanders immediately and the L. Iermin Earle of Yarmouth was made Governour and Sir Geo. Carteret his Deputy His retinue at his arrivall in this place amounted to about 300. persons A little before his departue from St. Germains the Duke of York came to him out of Holland was visited by the French King and the Cardinal of whom he humbly implored ayd in behalf of his Brother Mazarini answer'd civilly that he might assure himself of all favour and assistance from the King of France as soon as he had the power and opportunity to serve him In the mean time the Duke is persented with 100000. Crownes From Iersey his Majesty sends his Summons to Guernsey which was wholly the Parliament's saving Cornet Castle to submit to his obedience But it was to no effect It is reported by some his Majesty had some expectation from the Levellers who at that time had revolted from the rest of the Parliament's Army but whatever their designe was they were supprest both in the West and at Burford in Oxfordshire The English Plantations in the West-Indies at this time under the Lord Willoughby of Parham refus'd Obedience and Subjection to the Parliament who thereupon first interdicted them all Traffick Commerce and shortly after reduc'd them with a Fleet sent from England under the Command of Sir Geo. Ayscough The King at Iersey receiving intelligence of these unfortunate successes following one upon the neck of another his chief hopes and expectations lay now in Scotland He understood the severall Factions there and that the Covenanters who were most considerable both for Power and Number sought their own advantage by him and would cause much difficulty in his affairs there wherefore to balance them a little by the honest Royalists who were his and had been his Father's friends and whom the former endevour'd to keep under as also to bring them to more equitable Termes he gives Commission to the noble and valiant Lord Marquis of Montrosse to raise forces for him in Holland and other parts The Marquis in a short time sends some few forces into the Isle of Orkney and some few others landed in the North of Scotland under Sir Ia. Montgomery These the Committee of Estates resolve to oppose though rais'd for the King's service and notwithstanding after long debate and contest between the opposite factions the best of which were infinitely scrupulous at length resolve upon a Letter of Propositions to his Majesty and send it by Mr. Geo. Windram Laird of Libberton upon the 25. of Sept. 1649. Upon the 30. of that moneth he arriv'd at Iersey and presented his Majesty with these Propositions from the States of Scotland 1. That his Majesty would sign the solemn League and Covenant and pass an Act for all persons to take it throughout that Kingdome and ratifie all that had been done concerning the same 2. That he would ratifie divers Acts of Parliament of Scotland made by the two last Sessions viz. 1. For disclaiming D. Hamilton's last expedition 2. For receiving of the severall Acts made by the English for the Militia 3. For the Kings of Scotland to have no Negative voice in their Parliament 3. That his Majâ—stie would recall the late Commissions given to Montrosse c. 4. That he would dismisse all Papists from about him and let none be of his Council but Protestants 5. That he would appoint some place about Holland for a Treaty with their Commissioners whither they intended to send severall Persons of Honour for that purpose and take care for his Entertainment during that time sutable to his Dignity 6. That he would give a speedy answer to their Desires After some time of debate upon these proposalls which were variously entertain'd some upon diffidence of the Scots fidelity disswading his Majesty from complying with them as the Lords Byron Cleveland Gerard c. others on the contrary as the Lords Piercy Wentworth Wilmot and Sir Geo. Carteret counselling him not to put that to the hazard of war which might be obtain'd by Treaty especially his strength being at that time so low if he should resolve onely upon force Letters came to his Majesty from the Queen urging that if the Scots Propositions seem'd at present too severe and unsupportable he might have opportunity hereafter when possess'd of that Kingdome to free himself in some measure from the Inconvenience of them Therefore she judg'd it best to close with them Montrosse also then in Holland writ to the King to the same purpose desiring his Majesty to hearken to the Scots Commissioners so as to admit of an Agreement with them which might settle his Majesty in that Kingdome with safety and Honour adding That as for himself he should be contented to be banished perpetually from his Native Country rather then be the least cause of prejudice to his Majestie 's affaires Thus this incomparable pattern of Loyaltie preferred the Interest of his Prince above all respects of his own But his Majestie was too generous to admit of his offer and therefore answered him That he had such assurance of his fidelity so high a sense of his services perform'd to his late Father and himself that he could not in Iustice or in Honour desert him and therefore desired him to urge him no further to it At length the advice to close with the Scots seem'd most safe and reasonable and proceeding from the greater number of suffrages it was resolv'd to follow it The next thing therefore to be deliberated of was what answer should be return'd to the Propositions which requiring some time Sir VVill. Flemming was dispatcht before hand to Edenb as Agent till it could be compleated
1200. which were in the field on the Marquesse's side 200. were slain and all the rest taken saving about a hundred who escaped by flight Among the Prisoners of note were Major General Sir Iohn Vrrey the Lord Frendraught Sir Francis Hay of Dalketie Colonel Hay of Naughton Colonel Grey Lieutenant Colonel Stuart with a great number of other considerable officers and two Ministers The Royal Standard was also taken in which was pourtrayed the Head of the late King lying a bleeding and severed from the body with this Motto IUDGE AND REVENGE MY CAUSE O LORD The Marquesse himself when he saw the day loft threw away his Cloak which had the Star on it having receiv'd the order of the Garter a little while before deserted his horse changed his habit with a Hâ—ghlander and fled The news of this Victory was so welcome to the State and Kirk of Scotland that they rewarded Straughan with 1000. l. sterling and gratifi'd other officers And to assure it they order narrow search to be made for Montrosse propounding a great summe to any that should apprehend him He had continued three or four dayes in the open fields without meat or drink with onely one man in his company till at lenght in this starving condition he discoverd himself to the Lord Aston who had formerly been a friend of his But his adversity and the promised reward made him now be lookt upon under another notion so that either out of fear or covetousnesse or both this Lord sends this Illustrious but unfortunate Heroe with a strong guard to David Lesley by whom he was forthwith sent to Edenburgh into which he was carried with all the ignominy malice assisted with zeal could invent all which he underwent with extraordinary constancy and magnanimity He was brought to the Towns end upon a Cart-horse and at the Gates he was met by some officers and the Executioner in his Livery Coat They put him into a high seat in fashion of a Chariot and bound him about the breast and armes with a cord into a Chair The Executioner being so commanded took off the Marquesse his hat and the chariot being drawn with four horses put on his own bonnet mounted one of the first horses and so very solemnly drive along to the Tol booth He had at that time many wounds about him but none uncurable The Parliament had resolv'd before-hand what sentence to pronounce upon him but the more to disgrace him and to act with formality and insolence He was brought before them where he appeared in a rich attire with an undaunted countenance His chief adversaries were Argile an inveterate enemy to loyalty and consequently to this Noble Marquis Lowdon the Chancellor Ker and Cassells who was gone in Commission to the King but especially the fleabitten Ministers of Edinburgh a generation of people whose courses and practises are detested by all that understand any thing of the sobriety of Christian Religion Being brought to the Bar of the House the Chancellour told him first That he must kneel at the Bar. Whereunto he answer'd My Lord I shall with all my heart observe any posture you shall appoint mâ— to appear before you in whereby I may minifest to you that I freely submit to the authority of Parliament and to this present Parliament in a more especiall manner because you have concluded so near a Conjunction with his Majesty my Master in the late Treaty After which the Chancellor made a Speech to him the substance whereof was this SIR I am commanded to mind you of the last judgement of God befallen you for your perfidious breaking of the Covenant which might justly provoke God thus to divert your counsels and affairs for having been so eminent an Author and Actor of mischief against this Nation You abandoned the Covenant and despised the Oath of God invaded your Native Country and with most inhumane and barbarous cruelty burnt and wastest divers parts thereof and have spilt much blood of his Majestie 's good Subjects taking advantage of that time when the prime Commanders forces thereof were imploy'd elsewhere For these Crimes you were excommunicated by the Church and sore-faulted by the Parliament of this Kingdome and yet still continued in the highest contempt against God under that fearfull sentence of excommunication And to this day have you remained without the least shew of Repentance And God by his Providence hath now justly brought you hither to receive the Sentence of your Condemnation Hereunto the Illustrious Prisoner having defir'd and obtain'd liberty answer'd My Lord I am glad that I may to answer for my self Though I am here your prisoner yet my cause is good Nor is there any breach of the Covenant on my part in which I swore to be true to his Majestie his Heirs and Successors Concerning what I have done in relation to the VVars affairs of this Kingdome I had not onely a General Commission but particular Orders for what I have done from his Majesty which I was engag'd to obey by the said Covenant And concerning my coming over now I was assertain'd that you had profest to comply with his Majesty in the present Affairs in which he hath employ'd me and upon that Account it was that I have acted I desire to refer my self and to submit unto this present Parliament and the authority thereof to be my Iudges in this Case whom I own as a true Parliament by authority from his Majesty and I shall be content however it shall please God to deal with me As for my Life if you take it away by this Authority it is well known to the VVorld I regard it not Death is a debt which all owe and must once be pay'd by every one And I shall be willing and much rejoice to goe the same way which my Master pass'd before me and it is the joy of my heart not onely to do but also to suffer for him After he had pronounced this with a very composed gravity even to the admiration of all that heard him he was commanded to withdraw The Parliament were not long in debate but unanimously resolv'd upon this Sentence of Condemnation which he being recall'd was pronounc'd against him You are to be carried back to the place from whence you came and from thence to morrow being the 21. of May 1650. to Edenburgh Crosse there to be hanged on a Gallowes 30. foot high for the space of 3. hours with your History Declaration about your neck and then to be taken down and your head cut off upon the Scaffold and set upon Edenburgh Talbooth and your legs and armes over the gates of the Cities of Sterling Dundee Glasgow and Aberdeen your Trunk to be buried in the common place for Thieves and Robbers except the Kâ—rk take off your excommunication This sentence aggravated by the Chancellor in the utmost terms of horrour his spleen could invent was undismaiedly receive d by the noble Marquesse who answered That he took
Chancellor the Lord Burleigh substituted This begat ill bloud The Earle of Sutherland assembled about 500. men and seem'd to intend them upon another account What course then should his Majesty take amidst this perverse Nation However he omitted no means that the most prudent and diligent Prince could use aswell to reconcile Differences as to compleat his levies to which purpose he obtain'd an Act of the Parliament for levying fifteen thousand foot and eight thousand horse Soon after which the Parliament adjourned till the seventeenth of April devolving the Civill Power in the mean time into the Hands of a Select Council and the Military upon a Committee of VVar consisting of twenty persons chosen out of each of the Three Estates Speciall care was taken about the fortifying of Sterling the King himself going often to hasten the compleating of them and shortly after removed his Court from St. Iohnston's thither The 29. of May being his Majestie 's Birth-day was solemniz'd with great rejoycing throughout Scotland the Parliament adjourning and his Majesty dining that day with most of the Nobility at a great Feast and the Town of Dundee to expresse their affections beyond all the rest presented his Majesty with a rich Tent 6. Field-pieces of Ordnance and advanced a brave Regiment of Horse for his service at their own charges Mean while the English pursue their advantages and Col. Monk takes Blacknesse a strong place between Edinburgh and Sterling by surrender Which losse was not so considerable as that of the Earle of Eglington a person of eminent worth and authority who having been sent into the West with some other Commanders to raise Forces and coming to Dunbarton to put his Commission in execution was there surpris'd by a party of Horse sent thither for that purpose by Col. Lilburne together with his Son Col. Ia. Montgomery Lieut. Col. Colburn c. and carried to Edinburgh About this time also the pretended Parliament of England judging it advantageous to get into their power those lesser Islands which held out for his Majesty sent their General Blake to that of Scilly who with three hundred Seamen in a short space reduc'd the most important places in it The Parliament of Scotland being reassembled at St. Iohnston's after their adjournment his Majesty sent a Message to them desiring 1. That the Act about the Classes of Malignants might be repeal'd 2. That no more mention might be made of the name of Malignants amongst them 3. That Duke Hamilton the Earles of Calendar and Seaforth and others might have full command m the Army These proposals which were of high importance to the common safety and consentaneous aswell to Religion as season of State were notwithstanding vehemently oppos'd by Argyle and the Covenanted gang yet the moderate party prevail'd and they were carried in the affirmative And having pass'd these and the Act of Indemnity and taken order for the pressing of men they dissolved about the beginning of Iune For the expediting the Levies Argyle Huntly and Seaforth were dispatcht away to their several Territories Cromwel in the mean time had been very sick so that there pass'd little of action during that time nor were the Scots willing to engage till their forces were compleated Maj. Gen. Massey had received instruction to fall into England with the English Horse and Foot under his command and together with the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Wilmot to join with a party in Lancashire that were to rise for the King The designe was chiefly promoted at London by some of the Presbyterian Clergy who held correspondence with Maj. Gen. Massey and contributed divers summes of money to his assistance But a ship bound for the Isle of Man being driven into Ayre in Scotland was taken and Letters found in her which discover'd the whole Confederacy whereupon the chief heads of it in London were apprehended Mr. Cook Gibbons Love Ienkins Drake and others Two of whom viz. Mr. Love and Mr. Gibbons had a formal tryall before a pretended High Court of Iustice were beheaded on Tower-hill Au. 22. 1651. The rest upon their repentance and supplications were afterwards released By this means the intended Irruption and Insurrection were frustrated Cromwel being now recovered from his sickness having contracted all his forces into a Body by drawing in his out-guards or petty Garrisons and having receiv'd great supplyes of Ammunition from Berwick and 80000. l. from the Iunto by Sea for his Souldiers resolves upon a speedy encounter His Forces consisted of 14. Regiments of Horse and 12. Regiments of Foot 6. Troops of Dragoons and 16. pieces of Ordnance With these about the latter end of Iune he advances into Lithgow and endevour'd to dare the Scots to an engagement who lay strongly encamped at Torwood within 3. miles of Sterling But they thought fit to decline battle till their Forces were compleated Wherefore to intercept their supplies of provision Col. Overton was commanded with 1600. foot and 4. Troops of Horse to fall into the North of Fife who accordingly embarking his men in small Boats landed them at the North-Ferry in spight of all opposition Cromwel himself in the mean time marching with his whole Army close up to the Scots intending to fall upon their Rear in case they mov'd to disturb the Enterprise However Maj. Gen. Sir Iohn Brown and Maj. Gen. Holburn were dispatcht to drive the English out of Fife again but before they could come up to them Lambert and Okey were joyn'd with Overton with 2. Regiments of Horse and two of Foot And with this unexpected reinforcement the English wholly defeated the Scots killing 2000. upon the place and taking above 1200 prisoners among whom was the Commander in chief Maj. Gen. Brown who did not long survive this losse but dyed as is conceiv'd of grief having alwaies approved himself to his Majesty a person of much fidelity and courage This defeat was the bane of the Scotch affairs For soon after the English took in Garrisons almost as fast as they approacht them Brunt Island and a strong Forth called Innesgarvy scituate in an Isle lying in the Frith were reduc'd by Maj. Gen. Lambert and within a few dayes after Cromwel took the Town of St. Iohnston's after one dayes siege by surrender This prodigious successe caused his Majesty to alter his Counsels and designe an irruption into England which was resolv'd upon out of probable hopes that many of his loyall Subjects there would betake themselves to his assistance when they understood he was in the head of an Army in it This indeed was a desperate course but according to that of the great Physitian what matter 's it whether the remedy be desperate when there is but one Scotland was in a manner already lost the Army he had levyed were raw unexperienc'd men and all the Garrisons round about were possest by the Enemy whose Forces were far more numerous and better provided of Ammunition and able Horses and besides had
and in such Counties as had rais'd most men against him in this unfortunate expedition He I say that shall consider no more but this will no doubt think himself oblig'd to adore the Divine Providence which never own'd the Royall Cause more apparently then in this Deliverance and which at the same fastned the yoak of slavery upon the necks of these Nations and by an extraordinary goodness preserv'd the Person from destruction by whom alone their lost Estate was possible to be restor'd Many are the relations of the manner of his Majestie 's escape and at this day almost as various and different in publisht Histories as the conjectures and rumours of people were immediately after it I shall endeavour to offer what the most credible authors and reports have deliver'd concerning this particular for obtaining the exact knowledge of which I have omitted no industry that might gratify the curiosity which possesses all the World touching so extraordinary a Providence It seems not yet convenient to a Noble Person instrumental in it to discover all the circumstances of it though she is pleas'd to put us in hopes of obtaining that favour from her after some short time In the mean while it is desired the Readers would receive at least with alike candour what we have taken pains to find out for their satisfaction as the relation of theirs who make truth the least of their care and promiscuously take up any slight reports upon trust But to returne to our purpose His Majesty having kept the field till all was lost and being pursu'd to the Town-Gâ—tes while the victorious Enemies were disputing Sudbury-street in Worcester with the Earle of Cleveland Sir Iames Hamilton Col. William Carlis and some other resolute and couragious Royalists he marched out at St. Martin's Gate about six a clock in the evening with his main body of Horse which had not engag'd to any purpose but yet were in much confusion When he was come to Barbon's bridge about half a mile out of Worcester he made severall stands and mov'd the Lords and Officers with him that they might rally and try the fortune of another Fight But many of the Troupers being observ'd to throw off their Armes and shift for themselves there was no encouragement to proceed in that course Whereupon the chief and onely care was to preserve his Majestie 's Person from the hands of those blood-thirsty Sectaries who accounted it the interest of their Religion and new State to murder him To which purpose it was resolved to march for Scotland and one Walker formerly Scoutmaster to Col. Sands undertook to be the guide but being come as farre as Kniver-heath not far from Kederminster and day-light being gone the guide was at a losse which way to go Upon which his Majesty making a stand and being almost spent with his extraordinary action in the field and the wearisomness of his flight advis'd with some Lords whether he might march onely to take some few houres rest The Earle of Derby told his Majesty that in his flight from Wiggan to Worcester after he had been defeated by Lilburn he had met with a very faithfull person and great convenience of concealment at a place called Boscobel-house This House is seated in Shropshire but upon the consines of Staffordshire and lyes between Tong-Castle and Brewood it is a very obscure habitation though a fair building and standing in a very lovely grove was therefore so called from Bosco bello which in Italian signifies Fair-wood it belongs to one Mr. Fitz-Herbert though himself liv'd not in it at that time Thither his Majesty resolved to go being accompanied by the Duke of Buckingham the Earls of Derby and Lauderdail the Lords Talbot and VVilmot the Colonels Thomas Blague Edw. Roscarrock Mr. Marmaduke Darcy Rich. Lane VVill. Armorer since Knighted Hugh May Peter street and Charles Giffard who undertook to conduct them by the assistance of Francis Yates his servant and one very expert in the wayes of that Country Lieut. Gen. Lesley with his Scotch Horse in the close of the evening took the direct way Northward by Newport His Majesty and his Train upon deliberation marched through Sturbridge a considerable Town in Staffordshire but the better to prevent discovery order was given for all persons to speak onely the French Language Boscobel was the place intended but that the Company might not know so much his Majesty was conducted by Mr. Giffard to a House within half a mile of it called VVhiteladies which name it ha's retain'd ever since it was a Monastery of Cistertian Nuns who were habited in white Here they arriv'd about 3 a clock in the morning having rid 26. miles from VVorcester and being enter'd into the House which was kept onely by Servants a consultation was held how to escape the fury of the blood-thirsty Enemies the result of which was that all possible care should be taken for his Majesties concealment in that place till he could have a safe opportunity to waft over into France and that his Retinue of loyall Lords and Gentlemen should shift for themselves some other way In the mean time the Servant that kept Boscobel House called VVilliam Penderel was sent for and a brother of his nam'd Richard Penderel who liv'd near hand at Hobbal Grange Who being come and conjur'd to fidelity the next course taken was to disguise his Majestie 's Person This was done by blacking his face and hands cutting of his haire exchanging his Buffe Coat and gray breeches richly lac't for a Doc-skin doublet and green breeches of Richard Penderels His Majesty as he undress'd himself gave a Spanner string being a gold chain worth 300 l. to a servant of his then ready to depart His cloaths were buried under ground for a long time after And now it behov'd his loyall followers to forsake him which they did with sad hearts being more sensible of his Majestie 's hard fate then solicitous what destiny attended themselves only the L. Wilmot stay'd was convey'd by Io. Penderel to Mr. Whitgreaves Time it was for them to depart for within half an hour after some of Col. Ashenhurst's Troop who quarter'd at Cotsal 3. miles distant came to the House But before that Richard Penderel had conducted his Majesty out at a backdore into a wood belonging to Boscobel house called Spring Coppice in the borders of which William Humphrey and George 3. of Richard's brothers scouted about to bring intelligence The Lords and their company being about 40. Horse of which number his Majestie 's pad-nag was one and ridden by Mr. Lane one of the Bedchamber took the North road to Newport in hope to have overtaken or met General Leslâ—y who was gone that way with the main body of Scotch Horse But they had not travell'd far before a party of the Parliamentarians who were in pursuit of the Lord Leviston Captain of his Majestie 's Life-guard overtook them The Lords resolutely fac'd about and stopt their speed some