inferiour Officers with about forty private Souldiers taken Prisoners All the strength of these parts are now driven into the Walls of Gloucester onely Barkly Castle is held still for an entercourse between us and Bristoll This City was accounted one of the chiefe Holds of the Kingdome and far from the well-spring of succour yet was there no care of a competent Brigade or Magazine a common defect by which the State hath received much detriment that through the penury of men Armes and Ammunition remote Garrisons are left in dispaire or the intention of the maine Army must be diverted for their relief Our succours were yet to be raised or selected out of severall commands and come on slowly the people were held up by false reports and to stave off the Enemy the Governour was to put the best face on a bad matter Meane while a great power of the Welch Army advance towards Gloucester and setled at Hignham house within two miles of the City and began to intrench The Governour placed a Guard at the Bishops house to keepe them at a distance Sir Jerome Brett their Major Generall had the confidence to demand the Towne but the summons was received with scorne from a Welch Brigade and became ridiculous when Prince Rupert had beene twice refused besides an inveterate hatred derived by fabulous tradition had passed betweene the Welch-men and the Citizens of Gloucester Such slight and irrationall passages prevaile much with the common people in whom opinion beares rule Those Forces were said to expect Prince Ruperts approach on the other side else it cannot be imagined to what end they lay five weekes in a stinking nest They were basely basled never attempted our out-Guard never undertooke the least Party that issued forth Meanewhile the Prince was conceived to waite upon other designes The Bristoll Plot offered it selfe upon which his person did attend before the Gates of that City Thence he was drawne off to stop Sir William Wallers advance for our reliefe who deceived the Prince by strong reports and night marches and happily drilled along his small Army to the place of action The Governour could attempt nothing but onely make good the Guard at the Bishops house and flourish with some slender Sallyes he had not an hundred Horse and the Enemies foot were double the number of those in the Garrison at length an addition of two hundred Horse and Dragoones from Bristoll under the command of Captain John Fiennes gave some life to the businesse hereupon severall Parties at sundry times were drawn out which never failed to beat the Enemy into their works kill and take prisoners although treble the number of our strongest Party So that the name of our Blew Regiment became a terrour to those miserable Welch-men who were partly constrained to take up Armes partly allured with the hope of plunder Certainely they were deceived out of their owne Country not to fight but to take Gloucester by which meanes they could act an impotent villany and cruelty but nothing of a Souldiers gallantry Immediately after the taking of Malmesbury Sir William Waller bent his course towards Gloucester and laid his designe for the surprize of the Welch Army he gave notice of his advance unto Lieutenant Colonell Massie with directions instantly to draw forth both Horse and Foot before Hignham and to keepe them in continuall action that they might not understand his approach He gave order likewise that those Flat-bottomes which were brought from London upon Carriages for service upon the River Seaverne should be sent downe to Frampton passage sixe miles below Gloucester where both Horse and Foot were arrived by noone passed over the River before night and unawares of the Enemy got between them and home tooke them in a snare and intercepted their flight The Governour performed according to the intention of the Plot drew forth all the Horse and a Party of five hundred Foot brought up the Ordnance neere the house and kept them in the heate of play till the Evening at night he set Guards round the house with that straitenesse and confidence that the Enemy durst not stirre nor a Spy steale out although they lay fifteene hundred strong At Sunne rising they had a fresh Alarme by our Ordnance and were held to it by our Musket shot This morning their Horse issued out attempting to force their way through the Horse Guard which they did and put some of our Horse rashly charging and upon disadvantage to a disorderly retreate but comming up to a Foot Guard received a repulse and to the reliefe of that Guard which was thought too weake a Party was drawne from the Artillery and that againe by this meanes much neglected in so much that the same instant the enemy fell out upon our Ordnance then like to be deserted but were beaten backe by the gallantry of some few that kept their ground In this point of action Sir William Waller came up and shot his warning-peece on the other side which dasht the Enemy and so revived our men that they ran up with fury stormed a redoubt and tooke in it two Captaines and above thirty private Souldiers which service had a maine influence upon the surrender of the house Sir William placed his Army to the best advantage for shew and displaid the Colours of two Foot Regiments reduced to a hundred and fifty men drew neere the house and made some few shot with his Canon After his approach not a man of the Enemy was slaine or hurt yet the common Souldier would doe any thing but fight when they were well fortified and had a sufficient Magazine they sounded a Parley and sent forth some Officers to treat which had this result that they should render the house and themselves as prisoners and the Officers should receive respect and quarter according to their quality Upon the returne of these termes some advised to break through which the common Souldiers utterly refused and neglected the advantage of a dark and rainy night The persons that treated dealt the second time in a kind of begging way but at last accepted the former conditions and gave up the Welch Army into the hands of men quite spent with continuall marches and watching Divers persons of quality were here taken the most powerfull Gentry of Herefordshire some of those that in scorne were stiled the Nine Worthies who in the first opening of the great breach affronted the Parliament with a scandalous remonstrance the next day being the twenty fift of March neere fifteene hundred were led Captive into Gloucester as great a number as Sir William Wallers Army with the Garrison Forces could rise unto Thus the first fruites of Wales were blasted the strength of the nearer parts almost vanquished and the effects of this Victory had been more lasting had it been used to the best advantage The Kings Party had a notable faculty in the improvement of Victories by strict imprisonment and inhauncing the rate of their Captives
prevent them of his readinesse to issue out for offence and defence upon each incursion of his indefatigable industry in taking the advantage of all oportunities to weaken rhe Enemy and happy successe in all enterprizes of his disposition and comportment by which he cherished the well-affected ratisfied and confirmed the indifferent reduced the very malignant and by himselfe engaged the Country to armes and governed the souldiers from mutiny rapine and plunder or other violence in the Garrison or Country To all which they added an unavoidable prejudice against any stranger though in himselfe able and faithfull considering the many by-past plots and the Enemies implacable malice who breath out threatnings daily Such was the sense of the people universally And the Major and Aldermen with the whole City Nemnie Contradicente did so farre honour themselves in vindicating Colonell Massie as to petition both Houses of Parliament for his continuance in the Government representing in expresse termes his noble disposition constant and unwearied paines blest by God with extraordinary successe and his maine influence on the hearts of the people in generall most of them being by him ingaged in armes for the Parlinment and upon the whole so idiery who were kept together to serve in this Countrie chiefely by the love and respect they beare to him And this they acknowledged not with an intention of prescribing rules to the State but out of their care and zeale to the common Cause They likewise importuned the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councell of London upon the mutuall bonds of former engagement in defending and raising the late Siege of Gloucester to represent unto the Parliament the sense of their feares and the Countries distraction at the removall of Colonell Massie complaining of the sinister ends of some few persons who brought in a crosse Petition with Articles in the name of the County of Gloucester which no part of the County did ever acknowledge and of which no corner thereof was conscious The House of Commons would not accept the charge against Colonell Massie and that they might deale in the businesse without partiality refused also the Countries Petition Neverthelesse the Speaker was directed in the name of the House by way of answer to their requests to let them know that they were very sensible of the dangers that might attend an alteration in that kinde but that the Governour provided to succeed might speedily give such assurance against such dangers that there will be no cause for them to continue much lesse to encrease their feares That the House was confident that their constant readinesse to comply with the publike would also in this particular of Colonell Massies removall make them rest content in the resolution of the Parliament in that matter Though Gloucester be a place they prize and care for as much as any in the Kingdome yet for the present it was thought of greater necessitie to imploy him in that command of the Westerne Forces and they cannor doubt of the concurrence and submission of those well-affected parts in whatsoever is judged to be of publike advantage Hereupon it was ordered the third of June 1645 by the Lords and Commons that Master Luke Nurse Major of Gloucester Alderman Singleton and Colonell Blunt or any two of them shall have the command of the Garrison of Gloucester and of the Forces and Garrison in Gloucestershire in as ample manner as Colonell Massie had till the appointed Governour come downe to his charge there or the Houses take other order Colonell Massie in the meane while labours to disingage the affections of the Countrey and to take off discontents and mutiny and beseeches the Parliament to send downe the succeeding Governour that he might seeke to interest him in the hearts of the people whom he never desired to indeare unto himselfe but to those Masters whom he served which was a full testimony of a true Servant to the State upon the sole termes of Conscience and Honour FINIS
intentions of tyrannie unto which they onely are moulded who detesting a close hardy and industrious way of living doe eate their bread in the sweat of other men and neglecting a secure estate rejoyce rather in the height of fortune though inconstant and dangerous Such is the predominant humour of Gentlemen in a corrupted age Besides the Country-man had of his owne and did not live by the breath of his great Land lord neither were the poore and needy at the will of the Gentry but observed those men by whom those Manufactures were maintained that kept them alive By which meanes it came to passe that neither they of the middle ranke nor the needy were de voted to the examples of the Gentlemen who turned back betrayed their trust and are alwaies more apt to be corrupted or mistaken in judging of the common interest but had learned to reverence their Liberties and to acknowledge their native happinesse But some higher cause had a greater influence on the endeavours of many for a well-bounded Freedome and regular Priviledges a knowledge of things pertaining to Divine Worship according to the maine Principles of the Christian profession Which Religion is not according to the will of man but grounded upon an unchangeable and eternall Truth and doth indispensably binde every soule to one Law perpetuall and constant This therefore doth strongly implead the necessity of externall priviledges in her Professors and though it doth not destroy the Kingdomes of the World nor usurpe a greater liberty then humane Lawes will easily grant yet it will not give away its native right and it hath moreover in its nature an irreconcileable emnity against Arbitrary Government and will worke its selfe out of bondage when the felicity of the times shall give power and a lawfull call And in this kinde of knowledge this City and County was more happy then many other parts of the Kingdome by meanes of a practicall Ministry which hath not onely its powerfull working in Divine things but doth also inable vulgar capacities more fitly to apply themselves to such things as cenverne the life of a morall man and although each Person thus informed reacheth not the depth of the reason yet he can comprehend the truth thereof and jealousie makes him the more quick-sighted Thus have we found that the common people addicted to the Kings service have come out of blinde Wales and other dark corners of the Land but the more knowing are apt to contradict and question and will not easily be brought to the bent For this cause the ambition of the times hath endeavoured the undermining of true Religion to promote a blind and irrationall worship that might bring forth an ignorant and slavish generation of men which kinde of bondage the meanest person that performes a reasonable service cannot but resent and feare Yet something there was that might debase and infeeble their spirits the plague and mischiefe of the whole Realme a grosse ignorance and supine neglect of Military Discipline there being no ground for the study and exercise of Armes that might keepe the body of the State in health and vigour Nor is it unlikely that extreame vassalage was the end of that long sluggish Peace when the Nation could not have been more happy then in some just and honourable warre with forraigne parts though now none more miserable by reason of these civill broyles that teare the bowels and eate up the strength of the Kingdome 'T is no shame in the progresse of time to looke backe upon the beginnings of action The Trained Bands accounted the maine support of the Realme and Bulworks against unexpected invasions were effeminate in courage and uncapable of Discipline because their whole course of life was alienated from warlike imployment in so much that young and active spirits were more perfect by the experience of two daies service Wherefore these men might easily repine at oppression and have a will to preserve themselves yet a small body of desperate Cavalliers might over runne and ruine them at their pleasure Some professed Souldiers were sent downe from the Parliament to settle these and the Militia bands who had this onely according to the Rules of warre to be gathered under severall Captaines and many of them into the forme of a Regiment which disposition might fit them for a suddaine service and the very posture conferre something of a warlike spirit Within the City of Gloucester one Company of Volunteers was added to the Trayned Band and some Peeces of Ordinance obtained from London and Bristoll which were then received with universall amazement by an Inland people though not long after they grew familiar with their terrible executions meane while the City was open on three parts at least and had no considerable defence onely capable thereof by advantage of scituation The Citizens did mainely shew their care and affection in fortifying the Towne a worke both expensive and tedious being of great compasse and raised from the ground During these things the Enemy came not neere our dwellings we heard of them a farre off but little thought that the cloud of blood should be blowne from the North and settle over us upon whom it afterwards brake into so many showres that this place should become the seate of Warre and the Stage of action that then lying open to a free commerce with the World it should be shut up sometimes in strict custody but still under a larger confinement and beleagured at a distance in the midst of the Kings head Garrisons At that time the rumours of Warre and first acts of Hostility quickly filled the eares and tongues of people Alarms were then taken at a greater distance and the first was given from the neighbour City of Worcester by five hundred of the Kings Horse which entred the Towne and at that season were not the least part of his Majesties forces His whole strength could not amount to the number of a just Army according to the slender proportion of those times neither could they march like a set and perfect body but flasht through the Land as the Lightning that strikes from one quarter of the Heaven to the other The noyse of a nearer Enemy raised the Volunteers of the Country who marched under the conduct of some Gentlemen towards Worcester expecting to meete Colonell Nathaniel Fiennes with a strength of Horse but Colonell Fiennes had faced the Towne and drawne off before the advance of our Foote and they also retreated having done nothing but so meanely prepared for the service that they were much bound to the Enemy that they fell not out of the City and cut them in peeces The same Volunteers came on the second time and were to joyne once more with Colonell Fiennes who returned with a greater strength of Horse and Dragoones under the Command of Colonell Sands and now also prevented our Foot they attempted the onset and approached the Towne with much speed and confidence on the Welch side of
Seaverne supposing the Earle of Essex at hand to assault the other side but were meerely deluded by a false Message from the Enemy with a signall accordingly given at which instant of time Prince Rupert arrived at Worcester By meanes of this deceit the Horse rush upon an Ambuscado when through the straightnesse of the passage first over a Bridge then through a narrow Lane neither the Reare could be brought up nor the Van make a Retreat 'T was an hot skirmish and performed with sufficient gallantry on our part by them that came up where persons of value were slaine and taken the rest wholly routed and fled in confusion farre beyond the reach of a persuite This Victory was of great consequence to the Enemy because the Omen and first fruits of the warre Upon this the Kings forces hearing of the approach of the Parliament Army immediately quitted the Towne so they shifted from place to place since their inconsiderable number would scarce allow them to erect any Garrison yet they encreased by their motion and quick dispatch gathered the strength of the Countries as they passed along and withall overcame the contempt of their small numbers and by frequent execution gained the repute of a Party not easily to be vanquished This they acted while the Parliament Army lay still or marched according to the slow paces of a greater Body The day after the Skirmish the Earle of Essex entred Worcester with his whole Power and there continued a moneths space sent forth severall Parties as the Lord Stanford to Hereford to prevent the Forces of South-wales whilst the King lay about Shrewsbury and raised himselfe to such an Army as was able to deale with and endanger that maine power raised by the Parliament After the famous Battaile at Edge-hill the first large field of bloud in these Civill Warres though the Kings Army was there much broken yet his strength increased and multitudes began to looke towards him as one at least-wise possible not to be overcome and in this strange confluence of men His Army seemed like that fabulous generation that sprung out of the teeth of the Cadmean Serpent buried in the earth The neglected Enemy becomes formidable and the Parliament Forces may desire their first advantage but have sufficiently learned that to give the first blow is not against the Law of a defensive warre the hopes of a subitaneous service are lost and the Kingdome is made sensible that their peace and liberty will cost much bloud Both the Armies begin to take up their winter quarters in the most defensible places and for the most part are setled according to the affections and ingagements of the people Colonell Thomas Essex marched into Gloucester with the Command of two Regiments of Foote as Governour of the Towne but as yet the Deputy Lieutenants had the sole Command of the County Foure weekes had not passed in this Government but Colonell Essex was commanded to Bristoll to secure and settle that City of so great concernment both by Sea and Land and at that time much distracted between the well-affected and malignant parties So it was that the Kings Cause and Party were favoured by two extreames in that City the one the wealthy and powerfull men the other of the basest and lowest sort but disgusted by the middle ranke the true and best Citizens Thus the present state of things had taught men to distinguish between the true Commons of the Realme and the dreggs of the people the one the most vehement assertors of Publicke Liberty but the other the first rise of Tyrannicall Government and the foot-stoole upon which Princes tread when they ascend the height of Monarchy In that City many of the rich men were dis-affected to reformed Religion and some more powerfull were conscious of delinquency others upbrayded themselves with their owne publicke disgrace and therefore did much distaste the waies of the Parliament and the needy multitude besides their naturall hatred of good Order were at the devotion of the rich men These therefore began to raise Commotions and hearing of the advance of the Forces from Gloucester flocked together after a tumultuary manner shut up the Gates but chiefly guarded that Port where they expected an entrance would be made and planted many Ordnance against the approach of our men with a full resolution to fire upon them They were expected in the Evening but Colonell Essex had intelligence of these preparations and from a Party within was directed that night to march to another Gate then neglected by the multitude that should be set open this was performed accordingly and betimes in the morning he entred the City with his two Regiments besides great numbers out of this County and in an instant surprized the mutineers and quashed the businesse without drawing of bloud The City of Gloucester was againe left naked till the Earle of Stamford marched hither with his Regiment of Foot and two Troopes of Horse from Hereford the Earle himselfe was commanded into the West upon his first arrivall but his Regiment designed for this City under the command of Lieutenant Colonell Massie first as Deputy Governour under the Lord Stamford afterwards with the power in himselfe which for the space of two yeares and sixe moneths continued an uninterupted and happy Government The providence of God and the felicity of the place so over-ruling that that Country which should endure the brunt fustaine so many violent shocks and beare up under the Kings whole Army should be defended by a Commander whose experience fidelity and valour with indefatigable care and industry might answer the expectation of so great a trust assisted with that Regiment whose very name proved a terrour to the Enemy and long enjoyed the honour of the most ancient Regiment in the Parliament Army though broken torne and worne out with extraordinary duty and service And because the meere pompe of Military preparations and the hopes of a sudden Victory being now past the warre hath put on a blacker visage and the sad effects thereof come home to these parts it is meete to expresse what was the state of the Country at that time The inhabitants of this County had openly engaged themselves in the State service nor as yet had they any thought of repenting though cast into the midst of an inraged Enemy Oxford is the Kings head Garrison Herefordshire possessed by his Forces upon the first removall of the Earle of Stamford into Gloucester Worcester hath already entertained a strength Wales rise on the Kings behalfe by the power of the Lord Herbert the Earle of Essex with his Army is drawne towards London the Parliament Forces in the West have their hands full and there remaine in these parts of the Kingdome onely two broken Regiments at Bristoll which was much distracted by intestine divisions and one Regiment at Gloucester so that the most slender Guard was left upon these parts where the Enemy resolved their chiefe game for the winter action And
conscience of a selfe insufficiency the Souldier therefore began to acknowledge the remainder of power which did not appeare contemptible with the Kings Army Hitherto the City hath been lodged in the midst of many out Garrisons as the heart in the body but now it hath enough to doe in its owne safety and the remote parts must be pared off that a liberall nourishment might preserve and foster that place which was the seate and fountain of life unto these parts of the Kingdome Sudeley Castle was deserted the Garrison of Tewksbury which was defended onely with such slender Forces as Gloucester could spare out of its penury before the Enemy fell on the County was already surprised with feare both places could not be maintained when so great a power did urge and heare downe on every side Those of Tewksbury sent an expresse to the City to informe them of the State of their Towne and to request more aide likewise they dispatched Messengers to the Villages round about to acquaint them with the state of things and to try whether the Inhabitants would come in person or send in their Armes but there came neither the one nor the other and itwas resolved by the Counsell of Warre at Gloucester that the Forces Ordnance and Ammunition with all well-affected persons should forth-with repaire thither In the heate of this debate there came an invitation from Worcester by a Letter from Sir William Russell with intimation of conditions of Peace all which disposed that Towne to complyance with the Enemy Hereupon a Common Counsell being held and the Officers present 't was determined that the Gloucester order was to be obeyed The Towne thus deserted was willing to provide for its owne safety and chused rather to obtaine some reasonable termes of Peace then suffer it selfe to be quite ruined wherefore they drew up some Propositions to be sent to Sir William Russell yet before the dispatch they sent to Gloucester a second Message by the Minister of the Towne and an Officer of the Garrison with Sir William Russells Letter and their Answer These promised an early return but failing some houres of the time appointed in the meane while the Propositions were sent to Worcester This Message brought a countermand when there sprung an Alarum that Cirencester was regained and the spoile and prisoners recovered backe for this cause the Souldiers were detained a while but when the report was found untrue of themselves they began to quit the Towne In the Evening the Messenger returned from Worcester with the Propositions granted the subjection seemed unfortunate and dishonourable in them whose affections were engaged to this Cause neither did there appeare a meanes to prevent it for the transmigration of the whole Towne was impossible nor as yet did the condition of the warre require any such thing from one particular place for the Parliaments adherents as also the Malignant Faction did never at once forsake their habitations to be gathered into one body for a suddain conclusion but were brought peece-meale unto action and many lye under covert in the Enemies Country reserving themselves for future service Thus the people entertained gladly those conditions which though performed in part yet were a sufficient bondage did impoverish their spirits coole their zeale of Religion and lessen the former inclination to liberty after which by frequent changes under many Lords they became so feeble that they never durst confide in themselves to vindicate the Towne into its former happinesse but a long time remained averse to the fairest opportunities yea necessities of ingagement and desired an everlasting neutrality The deserting of this Towne encreased the forces of Gloucester by two hundred Foot and Dragoones and tooke off the feare of a greater mischiefe for though the quitting of the place caused us to resent our great distresse yet the taking thereof would have confounded our thoughts and hazarded the maine chance where the whole strength did not lye at stake The enemy breathed out threatnings many false friends sought cunningly to make us affraid the Country-men in generall were taken off who in their jocund beginnings still concluded on the Victory but never prepared for a blow that the whole businesse was dashed at one clap and especially when Cirencester was taken in which they did repose so much trust The issue discovered the weaknesse of the former proceedings in committing the whole fortune of the Country and the lives of so many men to such a poore defence and hazarding the maine rest where the strength of the game could not be managed Besides the Enemy had this great advantage in over-powring the minds of men who since their cause could not lay claime to justice nor themselves procure love sought to prevaile by terrour and by their late cruelties became dreadfull so that such spirits as wanted greatnesse of minde or strong fidelity to persevere did greedily comply with that Party supposing themselves secure from this side at least in respect of a deep personall suffering which supposals were grounded upon the Parliaments lenity and unto which peradventure they were bound that they might gaine affections in a voluntary warre The more zealous and active had no head under whom they might unite and grow strong the power of the Deputy Lieutenants was quite fallen a kind of command suitable onely to the infancy of Military affaires and the whole businesse was devolved on the Souldier whom the people then beheld as the professed servants of fortune and trusted not till after manifold experience so they sunke under the burden and gave up themselves to spoile and rapine The clouds gathered round the City the Enemy lay strong at Cirencester and Tewksbury our men were confined to the Towne walls the workes not halfe finished the Souldier within mutinous and desperate no monies came from the State and but small supplies out of the Country that the vilest mutineers were to be dealt with by intreaty their insolencies to be suffered with patience who tooke so great advantage by our extremity that their humours had a full vent and ran forth into incorrigible wickednesse the City was constrained to free quarter and great disbursements by way of lone and the Governour to use his skill in keeping together the male-contented Souldiers The Army raised in Wales by the power of the Earle of Worcester and his Son the Lord Herbert begins to appeare is designed for Gloucester and comes on at Coford in the Forrest of Deane three miles from Monmouth where Colonell Berrowes Regiment had made a kind of loose Garrison for the defence of the Forrest in an open Towne and with slender preparations Here the Welch fell on but their Officers with strange fury drove our party before them which was borne downe by their multitudes yet with a greater losse on their part divers Officers were slaine and with the rest their Commander in chiefe Sir Richard Lawdy Major generall of South-Wales of ours few slaine but Lieutenant Colonell Winter and some
no power to make them good because his field was too large for that strength and the State made an inconsiderable number of men the only stay of the remote parts These could over-run the enemies Countrey but get no ground master no strong hold nor reduce a people naturally malignant that were dashed at present but did flourish again in the reverse of the Kings Army The next attempt was made upon Worcester whither all the horse and the greatest part of the blue Regiment were drawn They at Oxford were said to have yeelded that Town for lost and to give out that Sir William was gone to take possession of his purchase For at that time Treason was the pretended cause of every losse on both sides especially if weak and unworthy Both horse and foot came up before the City where they lay a day and a night effected nothing and were drawn off at the noise of the Lord Capels advance at which instant Sir William Waller was taken off these parts and ordered to march into the West with all speed to prevent the joyning of Sir Ralph Hoptons forces with the rest of the Kings Army Sir Robert Cooks Regiment was called off from Tewksbury for the Western expedition and that Town once more slighted Hitherto Lievtenant Colonell Massie governed the City of Glocester by deputation from the Earle of Stanford whose returne was not expected wherefore the thoughts of the Citizens began to enquire after a Governour They thought well of a man neare home and cast their eye upon a knowne Patriot Neverthelesse more intelligent men upon the serious review of the Cities continuall hazard found that the necessity of this place did require a tried Souldier and that such a one might possibly be found faithfull but a timorous or unskilfull man must needs ruine all Wherfore they reflected on Massie whose good services gave them also a competent assurance of his fidelity that by the happy choice of the Citizens and the Lord Generals Commission he was appointed Governour To enable the City to defend it selfe a foot Regiment was raised by Commission from Sir William Waller out of the Townsmen for the major part both Officers and Souldiers under the Command of Colonell Henry Stephens The first intention of this Regiment was to defend the City only within the walls according to the infancy of warre but the hard service of this place did suddenly require and exact the full duty of Souldiers At this instant the City was well becalmed only there hapned one passage of inferiour nature but full of the fortune of warre The Governour with a party of an hundred and twenty Horse and Dragoons advanced towards Stow in the wold to beat up the enemies quarters By break of day he fell into Slaughter took a Lievtenant twelve Troopers horse and armes and thence marched to Odington a mile beyond Stow where he surprised a Captaine of a Troop with forty men and horse and so made homewards neglecting the residue of the enemy who drew out of their quarters with all speed The remainder of their Regiment fell upon the reere of our men neare unto Slaughter with some slight execution but were beaten back The Governour being confident he was able to fight with them upon any ground made no haste to march off till the enemy had received a supply of Horse from Sudely Castle and again charged him at Andovers foord whom our men received gallantly and repulsed without any losse The Captaine that led the Van was slain by the Governours hand and the rest wheeled about whereupon the Governour dismounted the Dragoons and divided his men into three bodies the horse to the right and left wing in this posture resolving to march up to the enemy who would gladly rid their hands of the businesse but having advanced a little distance and looking back to bring on his men saw the greater part in a strange hurry occasioned by the faceing about of some cowardly spirits and himselfe with those dismounted men desperately engaged for a while he shuffled amongst the enemies Troopes till observing himself eyed by some he sprang forth fired in their faces and came last off the field upon the maine roade He offended here by affecting too much gallantry and was deceived in his new raised men who were not hardned by the sight of an enemy Besides no ordinary care was had of securing the prisoners who were all recovered back Four of ours were slaine many wounded Colonell Stephens a Lievtenant with five and twenty private souldiers taken prisoners The springing hopes of Colonell Stephens failed unfortunately when his eager minde engaged him in the action without order and against the will of the Commander in chiefe he had no command in the action but hasted after as greedy of the service he was led captive to Oxford and a while after breathed his last in that poysonous ayre where many Gentlemen were observed in those dayes to expire Amidst these things Sir Iohn Winter a zealous Papist began to declare himselfe A subtile wit that pretended innocency till his houre was come and had almost perswaded the world that he durst deny himselfe and commit an unpardonable sinne against the Catholike Cause His house in the Forrest of Deane was at first neglected when it was in the power of this Garrison to ruine his designe But under hand he prepared for defence suddenly clapt in his owne Confidents and with a little labour made it inaccessible but with apparent great losse and maintained his den as the plague of the Forrest and a goad in the sides of this Garrison These things were acted about the time of that blow almost fatall to the Parliaments cause in the vanquishing of Sir William Wallers Army at the Devices which defeat cast these parts of the Kingdome into a miserable plight when the State had placed the whole game in the successe of this Army never providing a reserve The King became master of the field the Parliament left without an Army that could check the enemy who came up to our gates and by threats would seeme to shake the walls of the City Many began to prepare for flight whose presence no reall necessity but the peoples opinion did require They at Bristoll disclosed their feares and gave no good presages And when that City was yeelded Gloucester did stand alone without help and hope The Lord Generals Army pined away Sir William Waller at London for a recruit The Earle of Stamford shut up within the walls of Exeter The Kings Countrey reached from the utmost Cornwall to the borders of Scotland and he was able to divide his Army one part for Exeter and the other for Gloucester That sudden surrender of Bristoll which was almost beyond our feares brought forth a dark gloomy day to the City of Gloucester The mindes of people were filled with amazement and the failing of such a promising Government made most men infidels or at least to question all things But here was
a command in person or deputation whereupon His Majesty gave this honorable summons by two Heraulds at Armes Charles Rex OVt of our tender compassion to our City of Gloucester and that it may not receive prejudice by our Army which we cannot prevent if we be compelled to assault it VVe are personally come before it to require the same and are graciously pleased to let all the inhabitants of and all other persons within that City as well Souldiers as others know that if they shall immediately submit themselves and deliver this City to Vs VVe are contented freely and absolutely to pardon every one of them without exception and doe assure them in the word of a King that they nor any of them shall receive the least dammage or prejudice by Our Army in their persons or estates But that VVe will appoint such a Governor and a moderate garrison to reside there as shall be both for the ease and security of that City and the whole County But if they shall neglect this offer of grace and favour and compell Vs by the power of Our Army to reduce that place which by the helpe of God We shall easily and shortly be able to doe they must thanke themselves for all the calamities and miseries that shall befall them To this Message We expect a cleare and positive answer within two houres after the publishing hereof And by these presents doe give leave to any persons safely to repaire to and returne from Vs whom that City shall desire to imploy unto Vs in that businesse And We do require all the Officers and Souldiers of Our Army quietly to suffer them to passe accordingly The King by this time drew into the field before the Towne attended by Prince Charles the Duke of Yorke Prince Rupert and Generall Ruthen faced us with about six thousand horse and foote on that side and two thousand horse on the other side After some debate upon the Message an answer was drawn consented unto both by Citizens and Souldiers and presented to His Majesty by Serjeant Major Pudsey and a Citizen VVE the Inhabâ—â—â—â—â— Magistrates Officers and Souldiers within this Garrison of Gloucester unto his Majesties gratious Message return this humble Answer That we do keep this City according to our Oath and Allegiance to and for the use of his Majesty and his royall Posterity and doe accordingly conceive our selves wholly bound to obey the Commands of his Majesty signified by both Houses of Parliament and are resolved by Gods help to keep this City accordingly His Majesty with all mildnesse seemed to receive this answer onely to wonder at our confidence and whence wee expected succour adding these words Waller is extinct and Essex cannot come The enemy advanced forwards into the Suburbs on the East side where they lost a Commander in the first skirmish and the rest were fired out for upon the returne of the messengers the Suburbs on each part of the City were all in a flame which did secure and more strongly engage us and which the enemy beheld as the act of desperate Rebells for those dreadfull sights doe seeme to higthen and bloud the minds of men The next day we discovered that they had begun their entrenchments on the South and East parts the night before in the shadow and shelter of the houses which the flames had not catched within Musket-shot of the walls They in the trenches plyed their worke whilest the Musketteers played hard on both sides Yet our men from the walls could doe little to retard their pioners but by severall sallies with small parties fell into their trenches beate them out gained some working-tooles armes and prisoners and retreated without losse Our ordnance likewise from the East gate killed some sew and among the rest a Lieutenant Colonell and Captaine of the Queens black Regiment Sir Iacob Ashley was then shot in the arme and upon severall approaches we beat of the enemy killed and wounded many By that time the Welch forces under the command of Sir Wil. Vavasour were advanced to the Bishops house halfe a mile from the West-gate one of our outguards by us intended to keep off the approach of the Welch but now deserted for want of men and that nothing might be lost which we purposed to defend Here they left a sufficient guard and passed over the River to joyne with the forces that newly arrived from Worcester who made their leager on the North-west side of the City Generall Ruthen placed his leager behind the Priory of Lanthony on the South-side very neere but sheltred from our shot by a rising ground Sir Iacob Ashley with a strong party quartered in some part of the Suburbs on the East-side The East and South ports were dammed up and rammed with a thicknesse of Earth Cannon proofe and the Walls on that side from port to port were lined to the Battlements since there wee thought to receive the maine shock Three dayes after the siege laid an hundred and fifty Musketteers commanded by Captaine Gray sallied over the workes upon the Worcester forces with whom the Welch had not yet joyned fell into their quarters marched up to their maine guard killed a Captaine with eight or nine common Souldiers tooke five prisoners divers armes burnt their guard and retreated without the losse of any within a day after upon some suspition and kinde of intelligence that the enemies Ordnance lay undiscovered in some grounds neere the Northgate Captaine Mallery was commanded forth with a hundred and fifty Musketiers to surprise it but finding none retreated without losse having killed some taken a few prisoners and fired some of their quarters Vpon the sixteenth of August an other party of an hundred and fifty Musketiers commanded by Captaine Crispe sallied forth at the North-port fell into their trenches under the Town wall on the East-side marched above halfe way through them performed gallantly killed above an hundred men as was confessed by some of the enemy wounded many beat them out of their workes and by the helpe of out Musketiers from the wall retreated without the losse of any only two wounded after a very hot skirmish for the space of halfe an houre the Cannon and Musquets on both sides playing most furiously These executions put those within on a desperate straine and heated their minds with bloud The Enemy was indefatigable and swift in the entrenchments The workes from the South and East gates hasted to meete each other their preparations seemed more tedious yet effectuall and certaine and tended withall to save the lives of their men Wherefore they chused not a sudden storme on the lower and weaker parts of the City but rather to prepare the assault on the strongest side yet most easy to their intention For there only could they rayse the workes without the annoyance of the water-springs that issued in the lower grounds there only could they make battery within Pistoll shot of the walls that wanted flankers and when they had
a leaguer proceeded from the desire of saving their foot with this presumption that there was no power to raise the siege which confidence deceived them till too late for their foot after those many knocks and the first fury spent were not so capable of the service without the help of many tedious preparations Wherefore besides their mine and battery they framed great store of those unperfect and troublesome engines to assault the lower parts of the City Those engines ran upon wheels with planks musket proof placed on the Axel-tree with holes for musketshot and a bridge before it the end whereof the wheels falling into the ditch was to rest upon our breast works Our reliefe seemed slow and the straitnesse of the siege debarred all intelligence Only two Spies which we sent out returned from Warwick and brought newes of the advance of the Lord Generall The report of his Excellency who then lay under a cloud did give no great assurance The truth is the sense of the depth of our distresse did not reach us Sir William Waller upon whom the Citizens of London cast their favour had not the reliques of an Army The Generals Army crumbled away the malignants of London fomented tumults in the City and insurrections in Kent distracted the businesse The house of Lords voted a treaty with the King the house of Commons debated the matter The resolution of Gloucester turned the stream whose succour was resolved upon as the Kingdoms safety The recruit of the Army was too slow for the service The London trained Bands or none must relieve us but could not agree who should undertake the businesse Essex was not favoured but the more prudent saw that he must be the man That none might decline the service upon whom the lot fell the shop windows were commanded to be shut up and trading for a time suspended The expedition was hasted in every pulpit carried on with continuall fasting and prayer an Army was framed in an instant and marched with incredible swiftnesse Prince Rupert with the greatest part of the Kings horse drew from Gloucester to retard their march but still appearing in the Van did no more then drill them along The enemy stayed before us till the last houre judging every particle of time a great advantage not knowing what a moment might bring forth They within not satisfied with the former intelligence sent out two other Spies with a double signall first one fire on the side of a hill to signifie their escapes and two fires on the same place if they heard good newes which latter was accordingly performed and beheld by us The fifth of September was appointed for a publike Fast to be kept by such as might be spared from labour This day we discovered their carriages marching from the leaguer and their horse and foot marching after yet we were not confident of the raising of the siege till the men were drawn out of the trenches and the reer-guard fired their huts We then perceived that God had sent a deliverance and that in the close of a solemn Fast as a gracious returne of prayer This evening the Lord Generall came to the brow of the hills seven miles from the Town and fired a warning piece but by reason of the contrary winds the report was not heard neither did the newes reach us that night Wherefore we did not venture upon the Reere of the enemy with our slender and wearied forces but kept as strong and watchfull guards as any time before presuming that reliefe at hand had raised the enemy yet suspecting that in point of honour they would attempt something worthy of a Royall Army But abiding before us to the last extremity they were driven away with great confusion after so many vowes of victory and revenge when their mines batteries and engines were in readinesse This hurry preserved the Countrey from injury which by them was devoted to ruine His Majesty was forced to leave the Town behinde him and constrained to a tedious march in that tempestuous rainy night their carriages were not got up the hills till the next morning which distraction was not known to us and the Generals Army was tired with long and continuall marches The admirable care of providence was beheld in the season of our reliefe when all things were prepared by the enemy for a generall storme our ammunition consumed but three single barrels of powder left in our magazine and not so much more elsewhere in the little harm done by their Cannon and Morter-pieces that sent amongst us so many terrible messengers Our lost men taken or slain did not amount to the number of fifty and of these but two Officers were slain Captain Harcus and the Governours Ensign yet we killed of the Enemy who never ventured an assault above a thousand men by the lowest confession The King expended much in Ammunition Engines and keeping together the discontented Souldiers besides the losse of his pretious time in that full tyde of Victory Here was a bound set to the swelling of those proud waves and the rock that split that Army when the Queen was sayd to be transported with passion because her counsell was not followed who advised the King to wave Gloucester and advance for London whilst the Parliament had no Army in the field the number of Malignants in the City did equall the rest began to rayse tumults and the actions of State were unresolved This City diverted the enemies thoughts from that rare opportunity which not so conscious of the Kingdoms weaknesse held up beyond reason and gave a breathing time to the State to effect its own reliefe Great was the failing of the Kings hopes in this defeat who by the gaining of this town would have held an undivided uninterrupted command and the granary of the Kingdome in the heart of his Country on the West bounded with the Sea cleare through the middle of the Land to the Northerne parts where also the Earl of Newcastles Army prevailed and in breadth reaching from the utmost Wales to the London Association and backed with Ireland with whom an Accommodation was then preparing Neverthelesse the raising of the siege was but an unperfect deliverance The successe of the Generals Army with the supply of our wants were to make it compleat For the enemy continually lay at our doores commerce was clean taken away and we farre distant from the fountaine of future supplies Wherefore during the stay of his Excellency parties of horse were continually sent abroad to fetch in provisions out of the Enemies quarters and Malignants estates The Granary was quickly filled The Generall left three Culverins forty single barrels of Gunpowder and set the Garrison in order The London Train-Bands and Auxiliaries supposing the work already done and the date of their Commission expired earnestly contended homewards yet must they break their way through the Kings Army and give him some further blow to secure and perfect the reliefe of this Garrison for
manifest his desire of the peoples satisfaction and that things might bee carryed in a just and equall way ordered by the consert of a Councell of Warre that a Committee of Officers Citizens and Countrey Gentlemen should regulate the assessements of the Countrey according to their desires Some of which Gentlemen not long after were of the Committee for these Counties by Order of Parliament Moreover this Committee moved at a Councell of Warre for a further power to heare and determine such businesses as by the Governours speciall order should be referred unto them to examine upon oath and commit all such persons Officers and Souldiers only excepted as should offer contempt and this they enforced with these reasons 1. Because there was no Committee of Parliament then in being nor would any adventure such an undertaking in an oppressed and distracted Countrey and the necessities of the Garrison did admit of no delay 2. That this Committee consisting of Souldiers Citizens and Countrey Gentlemen would give satisfaction both to the Countrey men who payd their money when themselves were acquainted with its necessity and disposall and to the Souldiers who being privy to the receit of the money and the Countreys indigence might be contented with a slender entertainment that at once it seemed to prevent discontent in the Countrey and mutiny in the Souldier 3. That the Petitions of the Countrey pressed upon the Governour in such multitudes that a great part of his time which might be spent against the enemy to better purpose was taken up herewith or many persons must needs be exposed to injury and oppression 4. Because all course of Law from Westminster was then stopped not a Lawyer left in the Countrey no Court of Equity to relieve the oppressed or curb the extremity of the Law whose present want was not so much in setling estates and determining right as in providing for the support of the Garrison then like to be ruined of which the Kings partee had as great a confidence as before the Siege No Landlord could receive his Rent no intercourse of Trade between man and man whereby to enable them to pay taxations And for these reasons such an Order by the Councell of Warre was then assented unto In this the people never groaned under the Governours power their voluntary submission was a witnesse of his moderation And this authority had more of entreaty then constraint only the Sword had some influence of feare upon the injurious the proceedings of the Town-Court not suspended but sometimes entreated to forbeare upon equitable considerations And when the Governour began to observe some derogation from his intentions by this Committee he instantly sent a Prohibition T was never his thought to rule by the Sword but in a desperate case by the same to cut out a way wherein the rules of Law and Iustice might freely passe He was ever unwilling to take the charge upon him and by severall Letters requested the Parliament that the burthen of Government might be layd upon some other or if that charge must rest upon him that they would send down a Committee that might take off the former cares and permit him to look to the well ordering of his Forces for the safety of this place and to enlarge his quarters that the service here might not bee only to keep Gloucester but weaken the Enemy and beget friends daily to the Parliament Such was the face of Government within the City whilst the Enemy acted his part without and bore down by force on all sides From Hexeford Sir William Vavasour with about seven hundred horse and foot marched into Tewksbury with a purpose to garrison that Town A wide and open place not easy to be held by us who had neither competent strength nor time to fortify the Kings forces continually lying upon us Sir William made shew of setling the Garrison styled himselfe Governour of Tewksbury invited the Countrey with promises of moderation and candor in all his proceedings yet these Welch Forces had scarce taken up their quarters but received an Alarum from Gloucester by a party that went up in a Friggot And the common souldiers partly discontented with their Officers who had often deceived that innocent people and betrayed them to the Sword and partly repining for want of pay fell into a desperate mutiny forced their Commanders chose rather to be kild then to fight and constrained their flight out of the Town hasted over Vpton Bridge and did scarce look back till safe in their own Countrey and t was to be suspected that many late knocks had beaten out their spirits but chiefly that they were afraid of this Countrey ayre in which they could never thrive By this meanes the excrescence of Sir William Uavousors government was pared off and himself driven to retire into Hereford Neverthelesse we are cooped up with the enemies garrisons round about and wholly divided from the rest of the Parliaments Army Sudely Castle was maintained by the Lord Chandos a great stop to our entercourse with Warwick which was the only way of commerce with London that a Scout could not passe without extream hazard Berkley Castle was held for the King by a Scottish Captain and subdued the richest part of the County In the heart of the Forrest Sir Iohn Winter strongly fortified and defended his own House And now the enemy had put a garrison into Beverstone Castle resolving withall not to leave one strong house unguarded both to enlarge their own quarters and to stop our markets and contribution Our Governour began to look forth and first for want of quarters was enforced to send abroad his own Company which were placed in a defenceable house at Frampton upon Severn These were a stop to the incursions from Berkley and furthered the safety of that side of the Countrey An hundred and fifty Foot of Colonell Devereux his Regiment garrisond a strong house at Presbury within foure miles of Sudely Castle These sorely vexed the enemy in those parts did a little open the passage towards Warwick and the house proved a good resting place in the repasse Another guard was set at Westbury on the edge of the Forrest to affront Sir Iohn Winter a most active enemy and one chiefe Agent of the Popish Faction Sir Iohn assisted with the Lord Herberts Horse threatned us out of the Forrest and had made a passage over Seavern at Newnham to afflict those parts beyond the River Notwithstanding all this our small party by continuall action upheld their repute Some weeks after the raising of the siege the Governour marched with his two Troops and two hundred musketiers before Berkley Castle The musketiers faced and kept in the enemy whilst the Horse fell into the Countrey beyond to fetch in the persons of some principall malignants but in stead of them met with the Lords Herberts Troops and an hundred and fourty Horse besides which came to relieve the Castle Our Horse with some few musketiers fell upon
them put them to a retreat and slew some few without any losse to our party who drew off expecting the opportunity of a greater strength About this time Sir John Winter entred upon the Government of Newnham whereupon he took the courage to plunder the Villages neare Gloucester his Horse came within three miles of the City and drove away store of the Countrey cattle The Governour receiving intelligence drew forth his small number of Horse not exceeding seventy made after and pursued them to the entrance of their new Garrison where they had already secured their plunder in the retreat five Troops of the Lord Herberts Regiment fell on the reare our men drew up in a narrow lane ready to receive the charge fired upon them and put them to a running retreat An Officer with twelve Troopers made the pursuit took one horse colours and some prisoners and killed a Cornet and Quartermaster which event made Sir Iohn Winter for present quit that government with much distraction At that time there was no lofty stage of action because the present enemy did yeeld no gallant opportunity Sir Iohn Winter was wise for himselfe nimble in inferiour businesses delighted rather in petty and cunning contrivance then open gallantry referred all his industry to his own house or the limits of the Forrest vexed his neighbours more then weakned his enemy and advanced the Catholike Cause no other way then by the plague and ruine of the Countrey On the other side of the City the enemy was imboldned to erect new Governments at Tedbury and Wotton Underedge These did invite the Governours march that way who withall had his eye upon Beversione Castle newly garrisond and commanding the rich Clothiers of Stroodwater hither he advanced with a party of three hundred foot and foure score horse These horse sent before were so formidable to the enemy at Tedbury that the Governour Horatio Cary with his whole Regiment were put to flight and dissipated with the losse of fourteene of their men slaine and taken prisoners Colonell Massey brought up his men and two Sakers against Beverston Castle where having surrounded it hee planted his Guns within Pistoll shot of the Gate and gave fire severall times Fifty Musketiers ran up to the Gate at noone-day and fixed a Petarre which neverthelesse failed in the execution Those from within threw Granodoes amongst our men but hurt none who although thereby forced from the Gate yet they ran up the second time being open to the full shot of a secure enemy and brought of the Petarre with much gallantry The design was not feazible for a quick dispatch for the Gate was barricado'd within the night came on and those remote parts did promise no security to so small a party likewise the state of the City required them nearer home wherefore after twelve houres the party was drawn off and in the retreat advanced towards Wotton Underedge where the enemy had placed a kind of temporary Garrison with a Regiment of horse they prepared for the coming of our Forces drew up on a Hill before the Town to face them and at night retreated to their Garrison Where our men arrived somewhat late and found the enemy all mounted sell upon them and put them to flight of whom about six were slaine and twelve taken prisoners the rest escaping to Bristoll The next day by an over-ruling hand of providence our party was led back to Gloucester contrary to the hope of Sir Iohn Winter and his Complices These having intelligence of the Governours absence with a stronge party and supposing the Garrison thereby weakned sent to all the quarters of the Forrest Monmouth and Herefordshire to draw together and advance for the surprisall of Gloucester It was afterwards suspected a complotment to be managed by the assistance of Malignants in the City Late at night the Governour had notice of the enemy in the Forrest Thereupon he commanded Captain Crispe to draw fifty Musketiers from the Guards and march three miles that way making good a house that stood on the passage As yet there was no suspition of a Plot but before our party had passed a mile and halfe they encountred the enemy who were drawn up Horse and Foot in a broad lane neare Highnam House instantly fired upon them slew a Captaine and some foure common souldiers The enemy were amazed at the sudden and unexpected encounter forced back with feare and retreated to Huntly where Sir Iohn Winter had secured his own person But distracted by the strange repulse marched off in great confusion at the approach of fifteene horse that fell in amongst the whole Brigade slew seven or eight and took ten prisoners This discomfited the enemy and dashed the designe yet the Hereford and Monmouthshiere Forces kept their randevouz at Coford in the Forrest and still threatned the City No meanes for the reducing of this place is left unattempted and at this present treachery was the grand design and over-ruled all their proceedings and prevented many mischievous acts of open hostility which might easily have destroid us for divers Malignant Gentlemen of this County went about to cast this City into extreme poverty and exigence by the Countreys ruine Wherefore conceiving the present enemies not sufficiently cruell they importuned his Majesty that Colonell Charles Gerrard might quarter upon us with his Brigade to devour spoyle and burn besides the expectation of all the mischiefe the Lord Herbort and Vavasour can doe But this malitious councell and instigation though most opportune for the Kings purpose was afterwards crossed by their own party waiting upon the successe of a close design About this time was the act of Pacification made by the King with the Irish Rebels which began to undeceive the world and wipe of the Varnish of the former Oathes and Protestations The world could not believe that any command or power could so soone allay and quell those Irish stormes but that word which raised them up Then did the effect declare the cause of those rare and slow Proclamations against that bloudy Rebellion and strange intercepting of reliefe sent from the State to the distressed Protestants The greatest admirer of the Kings Declarations could judge no lesse then that those Rebells did better comply with his intentions then the Parliament of England since his Majesty having two enemies is resolved to make peace with one to crush the other he will fall in with that party that carries least contradiction to his maine designe and this was the Rebell of Ireland whose chiefe aime likewise his Majesty must not abhorre for there can bee no lasting compliance without a mutuall engagement Besides the heads of that Rebellion were brought over not as accessaries but principals in the Kings warre and admitted to the secret Councell And to colour the Pacification the losse of that Kingdome and all the sufferings of the English Protestants were charged upon the Parliament The English Forces in Ireland were possest with the opinion of
by seeking out a fresh and doubtfull Enemy with our few and weary Souldiers Onely three or foure slain five or six wounded amongst whom Collonel Harley received a shot in the arme The successe of this designe cut off the maine strength of the Kings forces in South-wales and secured the Countrey from our plundering neighbours on the Welch side The body of Collonel Min was brought to Gloucester and vouchsafed an honorable buriall His death was by his own party much lamented together with the losse of a brave Regiment that were commanded from Ireland to fight here a gainst the justice of that cause upon which the Irish war was held up and owned by the whole Kingdom And it hath been observed that as the Irish Pacification was unlucky and reproachfull to the outside of the Kings actions amongst his Protestant party so the Commanders that came thence were unfortunate in all their designes and in the end miserable When the Governor had setled his affaires at home in reasonable security his desires and aime was to put in for the advantage of a more generall service and pitched upon these two proposals the one to make a diversion from the Lord Generals Army then blocked up in the West the other to keep back Prince Ruperts stragling forces which then lay between Shrewsbury and Worcester a little after the great Northern defeat And these the Prince earnestly desired that upon this rubbish he might frame an Army for the close of the Summer action Wherefore if possible to endeavour a diversion from the West-parts the Governor drew towards Bath with one hundred horse and foot the Forces lent to Sir William Waller being in part returned with a purpose to disturbe the Kings quarters and withdraw a part of the maine Army to inable Bristoll and Bath On the hils likewise he might expect to encounter Prince Rupert from Bristoll who fled thither with about three hundred horse presently after the discomsit in the North. But within a few dayes upon advertisement of the miscarriage and disaster of the Lord Generals Army he drew back and the rather having intelligence that the Prince had commanded Collonel Charles Gerrard out of Wales and the reliques of his own Army to break their way through our countrey into the Western parts These were reported to lie neer Worcester waiting there for a clear passe and by all means to escape Collonel Massie They were to take their course over Coltswold Hils or by the borders of Herefordshire to make into the Forrest of Deaue and thence over the River at Aust. Wherfore the Governors maine businesse was to prevent this this Conjunction and block up either passage In his retreat towards Gloucester he fell down before Berkely and lodged his men two dayes in the Town summoned the Castle and made shew of an assault but this was taken up in the way besides the intention of the designe and though the losse of six or eight men by their own folly gave Collonel Veale occasion of boasting yet for all the pretended great service in maintaining the place that was never attempted he was immediately after cashered that Government by the Princes order But before Collonel Massie drew thence he caused the boats to be fired at Aust passage and intending to passe over Seaverne at Frampton to meet Prince Ruperts Forces received an alarme that they were already in Gosse Lawne whereupon our marching Brigade hasted to Gloucester where they found that many of those troops under the command of Sir Marmaduke Langdale were newly come into Herefordshire and that a party of them joyning with Collonel Lingens horse had advanced within six miles of the City of spoil and plunder those Parishes that were joyned in one Association to a mutuall defence and the aid of this Government The Governor persued his designe drew forth towards the Lawne and stopped their course on that side Seaverne Where upon they took their course through Worcester where they obtained an additionall strength from Collonel Sandys his horse and Sir William Russels horse and foot with all the foot that Dudly Castle and those parts could afford them And now conceiving themselves able both in power and advantage of the march having as they supposed left Collonel Massie beyond Seaverne and too farre in the Reare to reach them resolved to break forth hoping both to passe clear and relieve Banbury in the way But the Governor being certified of their march forthwith conveyed his men over Seaverne at Tewkesbury and recovered the hils as farre as Stanway and got before them in the meane while gave notice to the Major of the Earle of Denbighs horse that lay neer Tewkesbury in Worcestershire who the Jame day brought up two hundred horse to joyn with our party on the hils Neverthelesse the Governor understanding nothing but that the Enemy was marched to Stratford upon Avon and so beyond his reach sent back the Foot almost tyred with tedious and continuall marches and with his horse resolved to joyn with Collonel Fines at Banbury But he found at the return of the Scouts that about five hundred horse neer at that instant got over the River on this fide Evesham and made their approach neer his quarters and that a party of Foot were left at the Bridge to make good the repasse one half of the Forces in the mean while lying at Evesham and the other neer Parshowe Our men appearing on the hils the Enemy took the alarme retreated suddenly and for a while lodged themselves beyond Worcester Their number was computed by such as beheld them to be about five and twenty hundred horse ill armed and the surviving part of the ruines of the Northern Army Again to prevent their incursions into the remote parts of the County beyond Seaverne a competent strength of horse and foot were commanded over and withall to attend the Enemies motion In the midst of this and other designes of consequence at that time depending the Governor with all the Officers of horse and foot were much distressed for lack of that support which the necessity of the service did require and the extreme want of the common Troopers drove them daily away Every performance in the whole course of this Government was filled with much distempers and though the exigence of the Souldier hath been great in many places yet the gleanings of other Brigades have been better then our vintage No Officer had any portion in the Contribution money no pay for the troops for many moneths together no allowance for Scout Spie or Intelligencer who observe onely the liberall and open handed nor the hopes of reward to incourage the Souldiers gallantry That the indeavours of the Governor in keeping together and increasing the Forces were nigh lost Neither was any means allotted to the supply of the necessary attendants and Officers of a marching Brigade And in the heat of service the nature and terms of the Governors command were disputed and t was very questionable whether
by the addition of two Troops from Newport-Pagnell the Auxiliaryes were in all three hundred and forty his owne so few weake and ill armed that he could scarce muster a hundred fighting Horse and those much discontented observing the rest in good equipage but themselves in the constant action of Souldiers naked and miserable These are imployed in attending the enemyes march to preserve the Countrey what they may yet they disturbe it with frequent Alarmes and sometims beate up the lesser partyes and upon sundry attempts tooke one Colonell divers Captaines with inferiour Officers and souldiers Sir John Winter despairing of longer subsistance and livelyhoode deserted and fired his house at Lidney having first spoyled the Forrest and so before hand with revenge By this time the Counties round about are cleared of the Kings Army and Colonell Massie received a larger supply of Horse from the remainder of Colonell Bher and D'albeirs Regiments commanded by Major Buller and thereby inabled to undertake some important Service Evesham was beheld as the most opportune and of greatest concernment in distressing Wor cester and establishing the Committee by Order of Parliament for that County Wherefore the Governour drew before it with five hundred foote from Gloucester and two hundred from Warwicke who belonged to the Worcester Committee with a strong able Brigade of Horse and in the name of the King and Parliament summoned Colonell Robert Legge Governour of the towne to make a speedy surrender of the Garrison with all Persons Armes Ammunition and Provision which he there held against the justice of them both or upon refusall to expect such justice as fire and sword would inflict And to this he expected a speedy answer Colenell Legge sent backe the Summons with this answer You are hereby answered in the name of his Majesty that this garrison which I am intrusted to keep I will defend so long as I can with the men armes and ammunition therein being nothing terrified by your summons I perceave you are a stranger to our strength and resolution further treaties will be troublesome Upon this returne the Governour prepared the designe and ordered to each Officer his charge in the storme The assault was to be made on each part of the towne The side that lookes towards Worcester was to be stormed in five places with one place at the bridge on the other side of the river The commanded parties of the foote were lead on by the severall Captaines and seconded by the Horse devided into three Bodies After the disposition of the designe and the night spent in Alarmes the Signall was given a little after breake of day when both horse and foote fell on together with life and heate in a furious assault broke up the Pallisadoes filled the grafts with faggots and other preparations made sundry passages recovered the workes and stood firme on the Parapet whilest the Musqueteers from within played furiously The foot having recovered the shelter of the ditch beate off the enemy got up by scaling ladders stood on the breast workes and some entred but were againe driven up by the Horse to the top of the workes where they stood firme and fired but after a while ready to be beaten off by the violent charge of the enemies horse till a party of our horse on that fide drawing up close and having a small breach made for their entrance fell in and beate off the enemy from that bul warke whilest another party made an entrance neare the Bridge And now they tumble over the works on all sides and charge up both horse and foote with equall gallantry bore downe the enemy and mastered the Garrison The conflict was hot and difficult for almost an houre and maintained by the enemy with much resolution The lives of the Officers and Souldiers were wonderfully preserved in that violent storme when each man was exposed to the hazard of the most daring enemy Of the Officers two onely wounded and ten private souldiers slaine and twelve of the enemy The prisoners taken in the garrison were five hundred and fifty on the list of whom two Colonells one Major thirteene Captaines with other Officers and Gentlemen reformadoes to the number of seventy Many Gentlemen and Officers that charged with the Governour acted their parts with courage and spurd on the valour of the souldiers The reserve of foot devided into three bodies to second the assaylants performed as became resolved men and the whole action was compleate according to the Idea Platforme of the designe The Evening before to keep off an approaching enemy from Worcester about a hundred horse were drawne out and kept guard five miles from Evesham faced a party of horse from Worcester whose hasty and distracted retreat gave such an alarme to the whole City that they fired foure peece of Ordnance before day and alarmed the Countrey round about when the Conquest was already secured and the Parliament Masters of Evesham This performance was the concluding honour of Colonell Massies government after his remove from the present command was resolved by both Houses of Parliament when the desires of promoving the publike service made him to hazard the fame of his former atchievements by the doubtfull issue of the last action Some dayes before hee had an honourable invitation from the Westerne Gentlemen and the same day that he entred Evesham received a Commission from the Lords and Commons to leade an Army in the West The Parliaments command found the Governour absolutely free in affection and choice willing to comply with their pleasures neither longing to stay nor eager of a change but in any place ready to spend his blood in the Kingdomes Cause if he might not spend it in vaine Neverthelesse the City and County of Gloucester did much resent it and something repine that their Governour should be snatched from such a people as had done much and suffered much in their fidelity and resolution without president considering the many assaults that had sacrificed their lives and fortunes in preserving this City and the Kingdome therein that had borne so much in the firing of the Suburbs in the burning of many houses neere the towne some by the Enemies malice and some by themselves for safety and the pressures of the Country under both Armies They cast up the consequence and concernment of the place being the Center Garden and Granary of the Kingdome the Blocke-house to the river of Severne and a barre to all passages betweene Worcester Bristoll and the Sea the stop of entercourse betweene Oxford and Wales the Key to open the passage upon the Welsh and their Frontiers and the locke and barre to keepe-out their incursions the onely refuge and safety for the Parliament party and friends in that part of the Kingdome and the Enemies sole hinderance from the command of the whole West Besides this they had strong desires of retaining their Governour having so long experience of his judgement to foresee dangers and care to