had begun by a most solemn and terrible Imprecation beseeching that in testimony of the truth of all these particulars the great God of Heaven through his infinite mercy pardoning their failings and weaknesses would judge betwixt them when they should come to joyn in battle with their Enemies This Manifesto was sent from the Generals quarters as then at Barwick to the Metropolitan of Scotland by a Trumpet whose eyes the Scots did blinde both going and coming Meanwhile the Army advanced as farre as the Lord Mordingtons Castle on the 22 of July 1650. and refreshed there three days on the 25. they advanced towards Copperspeth and the 26. they arrived at Dunban where the Army received those Ammunitions wherewith such Ships were laden as were come thither on purpose to observe the motions of the Army by reason that the Peasants had abandoned their dwellings not leaving so much as any thing which might serve for refreshing The Army being somewhat refreshed at Dunbar marched toward Haddington and the next day understood that the Enemies were disposed to give them battle on a Heath called Gladsmore so that the English endeavoured to possesse themselves of the place But the Scots appeared not whereupon it was resolved that Major General Lambert and Collonel Whalley persons of an approved valour and who have since proved themselves as great Politicians as they were great Commanders should with 1400. Horse advance towards Muscleborough to endeavour if possible to draw forth the Enemy and to engage him to fight whilest the rest of the Army marched up unto them whereupon there happened some slight skirmishes but the Scots would not by any means be engaged in a general Combat so that the English that night encamped hard by Muscleborough from whence the Scots were but four miles distant defended by a brest-work which they had drawn from Edinborough to Leith and which was well nigh flanked all the way by the Canon of the last place so that they were possessed of a very advantagious Port. The English being approached unto Muscleborough with a resolution to have set upon the Enemy in their works found that it was a difficult matter to force their Line and so were constrained to set down their Camp hard by that place all the day to discover the countenance of the Enemy But the desire they had to fight was somewhat abated by a great showre of rain which continued all the day and which did much incommodate them by reason they had no shelter at all On the 30. finding that they were put to it for want of Victuals and the ground being so throughly soaked by the rain as that it was farre more difficult to attempt the Enemy then before the English retired to their former quarters which begat heart in the Scots who fallyed out of their Lines and fell so fiercely upon the Rearguard of the English as that they put them into a kinde of disorder but some Squadrons of Horse fronting in the Rear and making good the ground assured the March of the foot and so vigorously continued their charge as that they had like to have brought the businesse to a general Combate had not the Commander in chief of the Scots Army caused a retreat to be sounded that so they might bring their men into their Lines again whither the English pursued them fighting all the way with their Cavallry In this Encounter Major General Lambert ingaged so farre as that he was hurt in the Arm with a Launce and received another wound in the body and once he was taken prisoner but was rescued again by Lieutenant Empson of the Generals Regiment there were but few English killed but farre more of the Scotch and amongst them some persons of quality several prisoners of theirs were also taken as a Lievtenant Colonel a Major and some Captains By which means the English recovered Muscleborough that night without being molested by the Enemy but they were so disheartened for want of sleep and so tyred by the dirty slabbery wayes as that misdoubting least the enemy being aware thereof might give them an Alarum that night they stood upon their guard and accordingly they failed not betwixt three and four of the clock in the Morning with fifteen Companies of choice Horse commanded by Major General Montgomery and Collonel Straughton to fall into the English quarters with such a vehemency as that they bare down the Guards and put a whole Regiment of Horse in disorder whereby the whole Army taking the Alarum the English charged them so home as that they put them into a rout and pursued them within half a League of Edinbourgh killing them a sufficient number both of Officers and Souldiers and taking several prisoners After which the Scots being disgusted at these their ill successes retired themselves for a while within their intrenchments where we shall also leave them to their closer guards In the meanwhile the Parliament interdicted the Commerce between England and Scotland and caused their Ships to be adjudged good Prize which contributed very much to their undoing and ruine During which they wanted for no Partisanes in England who laboured to dispose things toward the effecting of their grand design and amongst their chief Agitators Collonel Eusebius Andrewes being discovered and convinced was also condemned and beheaded on Tower-hill The whole Moneth of August passed almost away without any action in Scotland towards the latter end whereof Collington and Readhall were taken by attempt where the Lord Hamilton and Major Hamilton were taken with 60. Souldiers 60. Barrels of Powder Armes for 60 men and a considerable quantity of Victuals and other good Booty all which hapned on the 24 of August After which the whole Body of the English Army quitted the Mountains of Pencland and encamped about Collington and Readhall and the parts adjacent within one Mile of the Scotch Army on the seven and twentieth both Armies marched Flank to Flank being only seperated by a little Quagmire or Marsh-ground which hindred their Conjuction however the Canon played upon each other and on the 28th the English Canon plyed the Scots hard and endamaged them very much notwithstanding they neither quitted their Ground nor would they come to a Resolution to joyn in a closer Fight And the English having consumed all their Provisions of Victualls retired unto their former Quarters first unto Pencland Hills and afterwards unto Mussleborough whither they had much ado to reach where being some what refreshed they dreyned their Garisons assembled also their Forces and took their March toward Hoddington at which the Scots coasting their March on their right Wing did charge them with a Squadron of stout Men and as they did most briskly set upon the English so they were in like manner vigorously repulst by a Regiment of Foot commanded by Colonel Fairfax On the first day of September both Armies found themselves only seperated by the Town and the Scots being encamped in an advantagious place on the West-side of
during these English Civill Wars I must of necessity compile a whole Volume thereof since nothing worth the taking notice of ever hapned in which he was not a Sharer and wherein he was not alwaies one of the foremost wherfore I shall only insist upon two chief Actions which were of so great Importance that the decision of the whole War depended thereon and wherin the Valour of his late Highness may justly claim the greatest if not the sole share Two of the Parliaments Armies the one commanded by the Lord Fairfax and the other by the Lord Manchester being united to the Scotch Army their Confederates Commanded by the Earl of Livin had joyntly besieged the City of York the Metropolis of that County and whereof the Earl of Newcastle was Governour for the King who over and above his Garison which was very strong had also a brave and gallant Army Prince Rupert was sent by the King to raise that Siege with such considerable Forces as being joyned to those of the Earl of Newcastle did well nigh equallize the Parliaments in number The three Parliament Generals did immediatly raise the Siege to encounter Prince Rupert and the Earl of Newcastle drew forth also his Forces out of the Town and both Armies being drawn up in Battell-Array upon Marston Moore they both fought with a great deal of Fury Animosity and hopes of Victory which at first seemed to incline to the Kings Part the right Wing of the Parliaments Forces Commanded by the Lord Fairfax having the disadvantage of the Ground was over-whelmed by the left Wing of the Kings Party who routed and defeated it But his late Highness who as then was stiled but a Colonel whose after Appellations I shall observe by degrees which Fortune advanced him to who commanded the left Wing and had not the least advantage of the Ground did so violently set upon the right Wing of the Kings Party as that he brake in peeces Prince Ruperts best Regiments and forced them not only to give way but to turn their Backs and suffering only some part of his Men to pursue the Enemy he with the rest made half a turn about and charged the Enemies main Battell in the Rear so vigorously as that putting Life again into the Lord Fairfax's Souldiers he constrained them to face about and thereby so well restored the Success of the Battell as that he obtained and Entire and compleat Victory Two Generals of the Enemies and some of the best mounted of their Officers only making their escapes by their Horses good heels and this Battell was accounted the greatest that ever was fought during these last Wars The same thing likewise hapned in the famous Battell of Naseby neer unto Northampton when as his late Highness ariving in the Camp but on the Evening before the Fight gave such encouragement and joy to the whole Army by reason of his so suddain and unexpected Arivall from so great a distance of place as that it presaged an undoubted Victory The left Wing of the Parliaments Army was quite over borne General Ireton his late Highness Son-in-Law and who afterward governed Ireland in the Quality of Lord Deputy with as much Prudence and Conduct as he shewd Valour and Deserts to merit so considerable an Imployment being the second Person of the Common-wealth was carried off from the Field by two Wounds he received and was taken Prisoner but was relieved again and Prince Rupert pursued his Victory with as much vigour and hopes to gain the Battell as if the day had been his own But his late Highness on his side defeating that Wing which was oposite to him charged them with such force and Courage as that he made the Victory dubious and so it continued for a good while neither inclining to the one side not the other till at last the Kings Horse falling a running left their Foot to shift for themselves which were all cut in pieces and taken Prisoners all the Canon Baggage was likewise taken of a considerable value there was also found a Cabinet of the Kings with his Papers of great Importance The royall Standard and one hundred Colours beside were brought off and his late Highness having pursed the Kings Horse as long as he listed at length returned to the Camp with a great number of Prisoners Should I go about to number up the severall places of consequence which this Conquerour hath taken either by force or by Capitulations I should fill up a whole Volume with the Names of Towns and Fortresses alone besides intending hereby only to give you a Perspective of his glorious Life I will only instance in those worthy Actions of his whereby the Fortunes of the Wars did decide the possession of three Kingdomes Nor may we omit to reckon amongst the rest of his Heroick Atchievements the Victory which he obtained by Preston in Lancashire over Duke Hamilton and Sir Marmaduke Langdale whose united Forces amounted unto 25000 his late Higness having not above 10000 at most notwithstanding which inequallity of Forces he gave them Battell and entirely routed that puissant Army killing 3000 Scotch upon the place and taking 9000 Prisoners chasing the remaining Forces to Warrington about 20 Miles from the place where the Battell was fought and taking Duke Hamilton Prisoner at a place called Vttoxeter whither he was retired with 3000 Horse as also Sir Marmaduke Langdale the one by my Lord Grey and Colonel White and the other by Captain Widmonpoole so that but few Scotch returned to their own Country to cary back the News of so prodigious a Defeat NO sooner were the Civill Wars of England terminated by the discomsiture of all the Kings Armies the taking of his own Person and by his death but the Parliament by a solemn Vote and Ordinance changed the Monarchiall Government into a Common-wealth The Kingdome of Ireland was the first that witnessed a discontent of this Change and all the severall Parties there uniting themselves on the News of this Change they owned the late Kings Son and joyned all their Forces against the Interest of the Common-wealth and on a suddain became so powerfull and formidable as that the chief Places in those Parts submitted to their obedience Dublin only and London Derry excepted the first whereof was immediatly besieged by an Army of 22000 Men Commanded by the Marquis of Ormond and the other by a considerable Party the Natives of the Country The Royallists were as yet in possession of the Isles of Jersey and Man which places although they were adjacent unto England yet they only stood them in stead for a retreat to some Ships which robbed up and down the Seas in those Parts Nor were the Irish Businesses there arrived at the height of perfection whereas they began to decline for 3000 Horse and Foot which the Parliament sent into Ireland as the forerunner only of a more considerable Body being safely landed at Dublin joyned themselves unto the
the Town the English were engaged to encamp themselves on the East-side of the Town in an open Field very fit to give Battel in without that either Party would give or take advantage of the Ground where the English having attended the Enemies a sufficient space of time and perceiving that they would not fight but upon an advantage they took their March towards Dunbar whither the Scots followed them immediatly and at a certain passage endeavoured to charge their Rearguard But the English immediatly facing about the Scots changed their resolution and gained the Hills where they thought they might with advantage cut off the English their passage to Coperspeth at which time the English Army was but in a very ill Condition the Winter wch begins betimes in those parts had so nipt them with Colds and great Rains and the ill Victuals which they had besides caused a great deal of sickness in the Army Fluxes Loosness and other Diseases whereby many died and were rendred uncapable of Service being sent and carried away to Barwick and the adjoyning parts The Scots who very well knew the sad estate of the English Army which they had really blocked up at the passage of Copperspeth which is betwixt Dunbar and Barwick thereby impeding the English's Communication with that place and by hindring them from those Conveniencies which they thence received intending either to overcome them there or to cause them to perish there for want of Necessaries so that they promised themselves an unquestionable Victory without much loss on their sides wherby they presumed to brag that they had gotten the English in the Earl of Essex's Pensold alluding to that extremity whereunto the Royallists had reduced that Earle in the County of Cornwall where his Army surrendred at discretion the Horse only excepted who made their way through the Enemy in the Night-time Nor were the Scots their hopes ill grounded considering the ill plight wherein the English Army was at that time and the inequality of their Forces the Scots being at the least 20000 Men and the English not above 12000 divers of which were likewise sick But the extremity whereunto the English were reduced made them pitch upon so firm a resolution either to overcome or to die in the Battel as that the Scots were totally routed and defeated by those very reasons and that very confidence which had made them as it were sure of the Victory Wherefore the General and the chief Officers of the English Army deeming that the longer they should delay to put it to a noble adventure whereby to get out of this great straight wherein they were the lesse they should be able to compass it resolved either to make their passage through their Enemies by the points of their Swords or to perish in the undertaking So that they imployed the whole Night in seeking of the Lord and imploring his Assistance from Heaven as also in giving out and distributing the Orders requisite for the Fight and just at break of the day the Army was ready drawn up into Battel-aray and to give the on-set the English word was The Lord of Hoastes and the Scots word was The Covenant which did very well represent the state of their Affairs and the subject of their Quarrell and in an instant both the English Horse and Foot with a gallant resolution fiercely charged the right Wing of the Scots where the Enemy had placed all their Cavalry on purpose to hinder the English in their passage that way The Scots received their Charge with a great deal of constancy and resolution and it may justly be said That Alexander did not meet with more resistance nor glory at the passage of Granicia then our late Protector met with at this Encounter especially if so be we consider how that the said Conquerour of Asia had to do with an effeminate kind of People bred in a delicious Country accustomed to their ease and pleasures but here on the contrary That the English brought up in a fertile abundant Soil and under a middle Climate should come to confront a War-like Nation in a harsh barren and cold Climat The General 's own Regiment of Foot had the Vanguard that day and performed the parts of men answering most gloriously to that honour which belonged to them Their Colonel and General together animating aâ—d encouraging them by his own example witnessed by his Actions that there was not a straws breadth that day betwixt them and death or the Victory Major General Whaley charged the Enemies whole Army through and through with his Regiment bearing down all those who durst withstand him and without the loss of many men having wheeled about again and cleared all before him regained his former station himself having only received a slight Wound in the Arm and had a Horse killed under him And not to detain the Reader in any further suspence all the Regiments of the Army performing their parts like resolute gallant men For should a man go about to praise one Squadron or Battallion of them in particular he must of necessity derogate from the rest you might have observed as many Soldiers as Officers as many Officers as Soldiers who being all of them animated or rather inspired by a supernaturall instinct of Valour a man would have thought they had been invulnerable or shot-free and that a Hand from on high did defend them from the showers of Lead and Launces which were ready to overwhelme them so that the violence and force wherewith they fought did only permit the Scots to put by their Blows as also it is worthy to be noted that in all this Fight the English lost but forty men whereas of the Scots there were foure thousand killed upon the place and that Army which was stronger then the English by two thirds thinking to have overwhelmed them did only by closing in upon them force them to fight with the greater vigour and you would have imagined that the little Army of the English consisted only of one Body which had but one only motion and charged the Enemy on all sides with so much Impetuosity and Animosity as that you would have said it had been and insensible Mass or Lump which only pressed forwards where the weight of Arms or the force of Powder did transport it Finally after one whole hours dispute very hot Fight and violent furious Contests the Scots gave way and their Horse being put to flight endeavoured to save themselves by the goodness of their heels the English Cavalry pursuing them to Haddington all the Scotch Foot remained on the place and that which rendred the slaughter of them the greater was that the English Soldiers remembred an Action which hapned the day before in which thirty Soldiers of Colonel Prides Regiment being commanded to possess a House scituate betwixt both Camps and not being seconded were over-powred by a greater number of the Scots and so forced to deliver up the place again notwithstanding which
strong but whilst he was weaker being alone fell upon Colonel Lilborne and each side for the space of four hours fight did behave themselves very well till at length the Earls Forces being worsted he was constrained to save himself and to gain Worcester almost all alone amongst Prisoners of note which were taken in this Encounter were Colonel Legg Robinson Baines Gerrard four Livetenant Colonels one Major four Captains two Livetenants twenty Gentlemen and five hundred Soldiers There were killed the Lord Withrinton Sir Thomas Fieldsley Colonel Boynton Sir William Throgmorton Sir Gamuell and sixty Soldiers On the Parliaments side there were but ten men slain but abundance were hurt which defeat although it was but a small one yet it was very ominous and served not a little to discourage those who were on the Brink of declining themselves and ready to rise in Armes so that it may be said without vanity that the defeating of those 1500 men hindred above 10000 to joyn with the Scots at Worcester and indeed Colonel Lilborne received those Honours and that recompense from the Parliament which was due to his Valour And the Lord General Cromwell whose prudence did at all times equallize his Valour nay far surpass it being conscious that diligence and expedition was more then requisite in this Conjuncture which was like unto a Gangren continually gaining ground and therefore immediatly to be cut off least it should endanger the whole arived with his Army at Worcester sooner then he was expected with a resolution to make his Enemies either perish within the place or constrain them to give Battel Here War-like stratagems or wiles were not necessary for there was no delaying of the business neither was there any retreat to be made or flight to be taken It matters not for one Town more or less This is the upshot Blow where the best Swords were to decide the Interest of three Crowns The Royallists were backed by dispaire and the others were animated with the continuall and accustomed defeating of their Enemies Now both must either fight or die and resolve to be a Cast or nothing and the Town of Worcester this very day must be the bloody Theater of the fairest chance of Fortune which ever happened in the Isles of great Britain The first thing therefore which the Parliaments Forces endeavoured was to gain a pass over the River of Severne which was immediatly performed by Major General Lambert at a place called Vpton and which passage was made good by Liveten at General Fleetwcods Brigade which advancing towards Tame River a Bridge of Boats was laid over the same and likewise another Birdge was made over Severn on the Generals side which being perceived by the Royallists they caused a Body both of Horse and Foot to advance to oppose the Livetenant Generals passage who was backed by two Regiments of Foot of Colonel Inglesbies and Colonel Fairfax's by the Generals Troops of Guard and Clonel Hackers Regiment of Horse all which were animated and encouraged by the Generals prerence who marched at the Head of them after which Colonel Goff's and Major General Deans Regiments were passed over the River who began to scoure the Hedges which were lined by the Enemy and whence they drave them away beating them from Hedge to Hedge being supplyed with fresh men but after this kind of Skirmish had lasted well nigh a good hour very smartly the Royallists were constrained to give ground and to retire to Powick Bridge which they made good for an hour longer but quitting it at length they retired toward the Town except those which were made Prisoners and within a little while afterwards having assembled all their Forces and all their Courage to boot they issued forth of the Town in a Body towards the Generals side believing that the best part of his Army had been on the other side as in effect it was seperated in two by the afore specified River and the Royallists at their first charge were so furious and resolute as that the Generals Troops were constrained to give way but that only served to augment their courage and make them more covetous of Glory Insomuch that renewing their Fight with a fresh vigour they charged the Enemy so impetuously as that the Scotch Army both Horse and Foot were on a suddain over borne and quite brought into disorder all their Works and Lynes together with their Royall Fort and their Cannon were immediatly taken and turned upon and against themselves the Town was given in Pillage and all their Foot were either slain or taken Prisoners a Body of 3000 Horse brake through and made their escape and one thousand of them were taken by Colonel Barton who lay about Bewdly only with a few Horse and Dragoons and Colonel Lilborne with the Generals Regiments of Foot accidentally met with the Earl of Darby who a little before had escaped him whom he seized together with the Earl of Landerdale and above a hundred persons of quality severall others were likewise taken by the other parties which were abroad as Duke Hamilton General of the Scotch Army who afterwards died of his Wounds the Earl of Rothe the Earl of Cornwarth the Earle of Shrewsbury Packington Cunningham and Clare Knights the Lords Spine and Sinclere the Earle of Cleaveland of Kelley and Colonel Greaves six Colonels of Horse thirteen of Foot nine Livetenant Colonels of Horse eight of Foot six Majors of Horse thirteen of Foot thrity seven Captains of Horse seventy three of Foot fifty five Quarter-masters eighty nine Livetenants of Foot Major Generall Biscotty Major General Montgomery the Livetenant General of the Ordnance the adjutant General of the Foot the Martiall General the Quarter-master General the Conductor General of the Baggage seventy six Standards ninety nine Ensigns nine Ministers nine Chirurgions one hundred fifty eight Colours and all the Cannon and Baggage generally the Royall Standard the Kings Coach and Horses the Royall Robe the Collar of the Order of the Garter thirty of his domestick Servants and his Secretary Faâ—shams as for the King his own person he made and escape strangely and in a disguise he saved himself at length into France not without many difficulties and dangers Notwithstanding the Parliament had promised five hundred pounds to any one that could discover his Person Several other persons were also afterwards taken in the remotest Countries as Major General Massey who afterwards made an escape Major General Middleton Livetenant General David Lesly and severall others insomuch as that it may be said the Gleanings of this Victory were as considerable as the whole Harvest it self But let us return to our CONQUEROR and observe with what a moderation he enjoyed this his victory he desires no triumphall preparations He would not that thanks should be returned to him for the same but only to God alone who helped him with his mighty Arme to advance his own Glory and to establish the peace and repose of England upon
Garison and unto the rest of the Forces which could be got together in a Body which in all amounted not unto above 9000 Men and who joyntly made so generall and vigorous a Sally upon the Marquis of Ormond which Sally was so well ordered by the Prudence of Colonel Michael Jones and so well encouraged and led on by his Prudence and Valour together as that they forced the Marquis to quit the Siege and so well prosecuted the point of their Victory as that they cut all the said Marquises Troops in pieces who with much ado saved himself there were slain in the Combat and pursuit about 2000 Men as many were taken Prisoners and all the Ammunition of War with the Baggage and Ordnance were likewise left behind as a Prey to the Besieged And the better to advance this generall Defeat and to cause these puissant Confederates the sooner to run into their Ruine who a little before promised themselves no less then the Conquest of the three Kingdomes Oliver Cromwell being by the Common-wealth nominated Governour of Ireland took footing at Dublin with an Army furnished with all Necessaries requisite toward the Crowning of an Undertaking which already had so happy and successfull a beginning But General Cromwell having in vain sought for the Enemies who by these addition all Forces were forced to take Sanctuary in the best places and Fortresses of the Country at length besieged Drogedah one of the best and considerablest places in all Ireland defended by so strong a Garison as it might well have framed a little Army and was commanded by such Officers as had been signallized beyond the Seas whose numbers were so exceeding great as that several of them bare Armes only as private Souldiers There was no time spent in the framing of a Siege or in the opening of Approaches but each one minded the beating of the Iron whilst it was hot and concluded that the Confederates ought not to be suffered to rally themselves nor to unite in a Body again wherefore a slight Breach being made the Orders were given out for a generall Assault but the Walls were lined with so many and so good Men chiefly in those places where the Assault was to be given as that the solidst and gravest Officers of the Army did represent unto his Excellency the General that there was no appearance at all to carry the place by force but that it would be better to tyre and weary out the besieged by the length of a siege during which the breach might be made the larger But Generall Cromwell whose prudence as we have already observed seconded his valour did briskly answer them that he would goe and open the breach for them and placing himselfe at the head of his Troops caused the assault to be given rendring this example of wisdome to all great Personages that in Actions of important consequence neither Age nor great Commands or high Preferments ought to hinder a General to be the first man to goe on upon an assault since it must render them the most considerable and raise them up to the highest pitch of honour and esteem Finally after a sharp and bloody contest hand to hand most obstinately maintained on all sides the English forced their entrance and the General went into the place pell mell with his Souldiers at which time the ardour and heat of the victory did appear to correspond with his prudence for though his generosity did oblige him to give quarter to those who had so well defended themselves notwithstanding deeming it fitting to make that place an example of terror unto the rest of the Towns which were garrisoned and which might cost him too dear should they stand out as sturdily and obstinately as these did he caused all those to be put to the sword who were found to be in Arms thus he sacrificed 3000 Irish unto the Ghosts of 10000 English whom they had massacred some years before The taking of this place was followed by the surrender of several others fear causing the weakest to yield but those which were able to defend themselves were sold at dear rates Trin Dundalke Nury Wexford Râ—ne Bandonbridge and Kingsale were subdued this last being a very considerable passage so likewise were several other places taken by the respective Commanders of the Common-wealth at the self same time in the other parts of Ireland and several parties of the Enemies field-Forces were likewise defeated by Sir Charles Coot Collonel Venables and Jones and the Lord Broghill each of them signalizing themselves according to their accustomed valours and the Lord Broghill having since made it appear in the managing of States affairs that he is as great a Politician as a Souldier One would have imagined that the impetrous course of these victories should absolutely have quelled and abated the courage of the Irish or that force and might would soon have reduced them to terms of reason but they held out for a long time together in unaccessable places in Woods and Bogges over which none but the Natives both Horse and Men can passe without perishing which doth manifest unto us that the Conquest of that Island is not so easie at present as it was formerly when Henry the second of England reduced it in one Winter which as certain Writers say is almost incredible That so populous a Nation so hardy so well disciplined so active and dexterous should not so much as lift up a hand to defend themselves But as the same writer saith it is apparent that they were not accustomed to our manner or wayes of warring nor to defend themselves against such kinde of weapons as were then used however if the Conquest was easie the preservation was not found to be so and cost farre dearer True it is that this last Conquest of that Nation was not so suddenly archieved but those means which have been used to assure and preserve it will give occasion unto our nephewes that this present age hath much profited by the faults and omissions of our Ancestors Moreover that fire which the Civil Warres had kindled in the Britannick Islands was so violent as that all the Sea which separates the Old World from the New was not capable to hinder the Communication thereof even to their Colonies in America for Virginia and the Carybde Islands refused to acknowledge the power of the Common-wealth all those who inclined thereunto were either banished or executed and despoyled of their goods and however those Collonies could not subsist but by the Commerce of England and that this Revolt did bring along with it their ruine yet their obstinacy was such as that they would neither yield to their own Interest nor Reason Till at length the Common-wealth sent a Fleet thither under the Command of Sir George Askue who delivered them out of their miseries by ranging them under the obedience of the Parliament Meanwhile the Royallists Forces were very considerable at Sea for Prince Rupert had a
Fleet of nine great Ships which served to shelter several other small ones whereby the trade of England was much impeded and incommodated which obliged the Parliament to put forth a most puissant Naval Army to Sea fitted with good Mariners and all kinde of necessary war-like Ammunitions The sole brute of this Fleet made all the Enemies Ships to run into their several skulking holes like unto so many Conies and Prince Rupert being not strong enough to encounter them was forced to retire into Kingsale Haven in Ireland where he was immediately blocked up by the Parliaments Fleet whilest General Cromwell besieged both the Port and Town by land and Prince Rupert being forced to make a vertue of necessity resolved to bear the brunt of all the English Fleet and so saved himself leaving behinde him three Ships which by that occasion were taken and finally after several turnings and turmoilings be cast anchor at Lisbone where he was protected by the King of Portugal which caused the rupture betwixt this Common-wealth and that Crown and all those mischiefs which ensued as we hereafter shall rehearse Meanwhile the Royallists in Scotland seeing the Parliament was busied in Ireland thought to lay hold on a fit opportunity to play their game and to that purpose the Earle of Montrosse having landed in the North of Scotland with some Forces he had raised in Holland and other parts assembled the old Souldiers who had formerly served under him and armed them with such Arms as he had brought from Holland but before he could make a considerable body he was defeated by the Presbyter Forces taken and hanged on a very high Gibbet which is the last mark of infamy in that Countrey Within a while after there was a Treaty commenced at Breda between the Scots and their King to install and re-establish him in that Kingdome and in the others according as Fortune should answer their designs and expectations and to this end they deputed Ambassadors into Spain Italy Denmarke Sweden Russia and into Turkey and finally throughout all Europe to demand relief aid and assistance But all their Embassies procured neither men nor money only their Ambassadors were laden with Complements and good wishes in return each others particular affairs not permitting them to do more All which gave unto the Common-wealth of England not any great fears but great jealousies wherefore the better to be informed of the passages abroad and the better to fortifie themselves by foraign Leagues and Alliances M. Dorislaus a person full of knowledge and conduct was sent in the quality of an Agent towards the States of the United Provinces the chief drift of this Negotiation being to criment a good and firm understanding between the two Common-wealths But scarce was he arrived at the Hague when five or six disguised persons entred forcibly into his Chamber and massacred him And whilest it seemed all things were a profound Calm in England or that at least the course of the Enemies designs both at home and abroad being sufficiently known to the State on a suddain there sprang up the most formidable faction that ever was hatch'd since these last Warres A certain number of persons who called themselves Levellers whose pretenses were to render all mens goods and possessions alike and truely this was a very plausible design and might doubtlesse have met with as many Abetters as there are men in the world who have no other possessions or Revenues but their good wills to obtaine them The chief of these Levellers was one John Lilborn a man of a dating and attempting spirit who could not remain quiet but was altogether invincible not to be moved by threats nor gained by the favour or presents of fortune which were beneath the extent of his ambition and a considerable part of the Army siding with their Leader they augmented in numbers as fast as the shortnesse of the time would permit the confluence of such men as flattered themselves with such fond hopes and who promised themselves a revenge and and establishment by a second Revolution and change But before all those who intended to have sided with them could come up to them and unite in one body they were vigorously set upon by the Lord Fairfax at that time the Common-wealths General who defeated them at a place called Burford in the County of Oxford where their Leader and the best part of his Souldiers were taken some of which were put to death for example sake and some others were banish'd but the greatest part were pardoned and admitted into favour again As for their Leader John Lilborne being brought up to London he appeared before the chief Officers and Judges of London and Westminster the Lord Maior Sheriffs and divers others where he was not only accused of divers Martial Crimes but also Politick ones as having been the Author of several scandalous and defamatory Libells against the State which tended to render the Government odious and to beget a Mutiny in the people however he so dexterously shifted himself of all these accusations as that the Judges declared him Not guilty Much about that very time Mr. Anthony Ascham a most judicious and accomplished Gentleman was Deputed and sent over in the quality of an Agent to the King of Spain and arrived at the Port of Sancta Maria on the 5. of June 1650. where being advertised but his person was in danger he was constrained to cause himself to be guarded to Madrid where the next day after his arrival as he was at Dinner six men knocked at his Chamber doore which was immediately opened unto them and he rising from the Table to receive them the first of the said parties stabbed him in the head with a Dagger so that he fell down dead to the ground and his Interpreter Signior Riba being not able to make his escape soon enough was likewise stabbed in the belly which being thus done the Murderers would have saved themselves in the Venetian Ambassadors house who refused them protection whence they retired themselves into a Church which in Spain is a Sanctuary which the Justice ought not to violate whence however the King of Spain had them taken and put into prison one only excepted who made an escape Hence there arose a great contest betwixt the King and the Clergy who complain'd that their priviledges had been infringed and demanded that the Prisoners might be returned unto them and on the other side the Parliament of England pressed hard to have justice done on them and though message upon message instance upon instance were used therein yet they took no effect And lest it may seem that all these foraign Negotiations which we have here inserted may be beyond my subject however if they be considered as so many obstacles which Fortune opposed unto the vertue and greatness of his late Highness you will find that the recitall of them will not be altogether uselesse the rather since I have related them as succinctly as possibly
Besides we may also look upon them as so many seeds sowen to beget those warres which thereon ensued and which were by the late Protector rather by most glorious Treaties whereunto he was sought or by most signal Victories which were obtain'd and brought to a happy period by which the blood of these two Agents so cruelly murdered were retaliated with use But to go on to our History the Treaty of Breda being absolutely concluded and notwithstanding the great Antipathy and animosity between the Royallists and the Presbyterians all their jealousies and grudges were seemingly reconcised so that the Scotch wanted nothing to compleat their design but to enjoy their Kings preserce who immediately coming to the Hague went thence for Schevelinge and embarqued himself for Scotland notwithstanding the dangers and perils of the Sea which were very great and the English Ships which had way-laid him to surprize him As soon as he was landed in Scotland the first thing they propounded unto their King was to take the solemn Oath called the Covenant that burning Torch which the Mother of Paris did see in her frenzies that fatal fire which the Scotch believe descended from Heaven and by which they at their pleasures kindle those warres wherewith they infest England which Covenant as we know was only a superstitious and warlike Prorestation made in the presence of God and Men To maintain the purity of the Religion to preserve the priviledges of Parliament and the people and to re-establish the King in his Ancestors Throne But that which seemed somewhat harsh and rude to this Prince was the terms wherein they caused him to take this Oath quite contrary to Physitians who dip their Pills in Syrrops or Sugar to make them down the glibber yet these Politicians when the whole lay at the stake it seems troubled themselves not much with the wording of the thing for amongst real friends indeed there needs not many complements nor much complacence to be used Therefore the Churches of Scotland made their King swallow this restorative in the following Beverage constraining him to protest That he renounced the sinnes of his Fathers and his own house the Idolatry of his Mothers and that he would adhere unto Gods cause in conformity to the Covenant in the firm establishment of the Church Government as it was expressed in the Directory for that publick worship which is to be rendred to God contained in the Belief and Catechism And this Cup he was forced to drink that he might obtain his Fathers Kingdome which formalities were more then requisite for to establish that Prince in the opinion of the prevailing party which was only then in a condition to help him Howbeit the English knew very well to distinguish between these Artificial fictions and the truth for the Parliament of England being duely informed of the Scots their designs and practises thought it was high time to think of the best means to oppose them and after several consultations upon this businesse it was resolved that the Lord Fairfax should command the Army in chief and with all speed march toward the North of England But he most humbly thanked the Parliament and like unto a second Cincinatus retired himself from the Dictatorship to a Countrey-life excusing himself for not serving them in that Expedition upon his Indisposition at that time The Renown of General Cromwells feats of Arms both as Governour and Conqueror of Ireland admitted of no lesse Proposals then to make him Generalissimo of the Common-wealths Armies in the Lord Fairfax his stead So that he came over again into England whilest his hands were as yet warm and was sent to give a check unto other Enemies in another Climate and under another disguise after he had settled and assured all the Conquests of Ireland and had left the necessary and requisite Orders conducing to a solid peace and establishment of those parts with his sonne-in-Law Henry Ireton so that he returned thence laden with Palms and Laurels as Trophies of his worthy Acts in those parts And scarce was he returned home but he was enforced to march towards those parts whither the glory of Conquering a second Kingdome called upon him Now the Scots who by no means would make any outward shew of the grand designs which they were hatching at the approach of the English Army on their Frontiers seemed to be very much astonished and the whole Countrey took the Allarum moreover the better to colour this their astonishment and seeming surprizal they deputed a Messenger to Sir Arthur Haslerigge as then Governour of Newcastle upon the Borders of England and Scotland to know the reason of that so suddain March of the English Army towards their Frontiers whereunto they joyned several Manifesto's setting forth the Contents of the Leagues and ample Treaties of union between the two Nations and several other particulars which served only to gain time and to make the better preparations to receive their Enemies At the same time of the English Armies advance towards the North the Parliament set forth a Manifest accompanyed by another from the General and chief Officers of the Army whereby both the one and the others declared viz. That the reasons which moved them to this great undertaking was neither the support which they expected from the Arm of flesh nor the consideration or vanity of former successes not the desire they had to compasse any of their own designs But the true assurance they had that their cause was just before God reflecting on the foregoing Revolutions and the successe which had followed them not as the handy-work of Politick men or of Humane force but as the most eminent works of Providence and the power of God thereby to make his good will appear and to shew his pleasure concerning those things which he had decreed in this world That they were obliged not to betray the cause wherein God had so evidently manifested himself after which there was nothing more dear unto them then the preservation of those who feared the Lord and who might greatly suffer either by being mistaken or by not being capable to discern the true tye of a Generall Calamity of which their Christian charity they hoped they had given sufficient proofs at the last time when they were in Scotland with this very Army of which God was pleased to make use for to break in pieces the power of those who oppressed the faithfull in those parts But that the acknowledgements of so signal a favour did but little appear in the Engagement which they had lately made with their new King and that they had not proceeded like unto good Christians in publishing that their Army was but an Army of Sectaries However that they doubted not but that God would give them the grace to forgive them that calumny and to that effect they beseeched him to be so good unto them as to separate the Chaffe from the good Corn concluding in like manner as they
Queens Ferry with 1600 Foot and four Troops of Horse having in his said passage lost but six men as soon as they were arrived they fell to intrenching themselves and at the same time the Generall with the body of the Army marched directly towards the Enemy to the end that in case the Scots should make a shew to march towards Fife he might charge their Rear before they should gain Sterling and the Scots being unwilling to let the day passe without driving the English out of Fife sent 4000 Horse and Foot under the command of Sir John Brown to set upon the English which obliged Generall Cromwell to send over a re-inforcement of two Regiments of Horse and two Regiments of Foot under the Command of Major Generall Lambert in lesse then 24 hours they were passed over and joyned to the others and immediately the Regiment of Colonel Okey advanced towards the Enemy which ingaged them to draw up into Battel-array and the English likewise did the same who though they were more in number then the Scots yet they had the advantage of the ground and the Scots being placed on a hill they remained face to face for the space of an hour and a half looking on each other the Scots not being willing to march down nor lose their advantage insomuch that the English at last resolved to march up towards them and set upon them so resolutely as that after a very slender contest they quite routed them and made such a butchery amongst them that they killed 2000 of their 4000 took 1400 Prisoners amongst whom Sir John Brown who commanded the Party Colonel Buchanam and severall other persons of quality on the English side there were but few slain but many hurt and in reference hereunto more Forces were sent over into Fyfe in case the whole Body of both Armies might chance to come to a generall Battell Immediatly after the English became Masters of Inchigarvy a strong Castle scituate upon a Rock in the midst of the Province of Fryth between Queens Ferry and North Ferry in which there were sixteen piece of Ordnance mounted On the twenty seventh of July all the English Army appearing before Brunt Island the Governour there of took such an Alarme thereat as that after a small Contest in a Parley he surrendred the same delivering unto the English together with the said Island all the Men of War which were found in the Haven all the Cannon of the place as also all the Armes Ammunition of War and the provision of Victuals which said Isle was very considerable for the English to make a Magazine and Storehouse for the Provisions and Ammunition for the Army Thence the Army marched to St. John's Town a very strong and considerable place into which the Enemy had but just before put a fresh Regiment who were resolved to have defended themselves very well but as soon as they saw that their Sluces were cut off by the English they lost their Courage and surrendred the place Meanwhile there happened a great change of Affairs for the Scots Army consisting in 16000 men abandoned their own Territories in hopes of establishing themselves in a better Country and by the way of Carlisle enter England General Cromwell being advertised hereof issued out immediatly such Orders as were requisite to pursue the Scots and with all possible speed the Army repassed the River of Fife upon a Bridge of Boats at Leith Major General Lambert the sooner to overtake the Enemies Rear with 3000 Horse and Dragoons followed after them and Major General Harrison with a Body of lighter Horse was commanded to get into the Van of the Enemy for to amuse and detain them whilst the General himself with the Body of the Army consisting in sixteen Regiments of Horse and Foot immediatly pursued the Enemy But not wholly to abandon the Affaires of Scotland Colonel Monk was left there with 7000 men with which alone he perfected the Conquest of that Kingdome taking immediatly after this Change of the Scene the strong Town and Castle of Sterling being a very considerable Place and also Aberdeen Dundee and the strong Castle of Dunnotters and Dunbarton with many others Insomuch as that after the passage into Fyfe was once gained the remaining parts of Scotland were so on entirely subdued and were made tributary unto the Common-wealth of England Mean while the divided Parties of the English Forces which pursued the Scots Army did quite and clean tire them out during their March setting upon them sometimes in the Van sometimes in the Rear sometimes in the Flank and finally on all sides as they saw their oportunity to disturb and annoy them Insomuch that their long and precipitated March did much weaken the Scots But that which troubled and vexed them most of all was the little hopes they saw of those promises of relief which were given them from England The Parliament having settled such good Orders in all parts as that no body durst stir or rise in Armes to their Aide In all places wheresoever the Scots came they proclaimed their King To be King of great Britain France and Ireland according to the accustomed Formes and in his Name they sent unto all those who had any Commands or were in any Authority in those parts through which they passed to rise in Armes joyntly with them but no body budged To the contrary by Order of Parliament the Trained Bands of severall Countries drew forth in Armes to hinder the Risings and to augment the Common-wealths Armies On the one side General Cromwells Army marched on the Heels of the Scots to their Terrour on the other side the Major General Lambert and Harrison waited upon their Designs and Colonel Robert Lilborn was left in Lancashire to hinder the Earl of Darby from levying men in those parts and to the same purpose severall other Bodies were placed in other places as the occasion required both to cut off the Enemies Provisions as well as his passage In case they should resolve to retreat back again or to fly away Finally the Scotch Army having reached the Town of Worcester pitched its Camp there having much debated where and in what manner they should fix upon a resting and breathing place after so long and tedious a march Whereof the Earl of Darby was no sooner assertained but he issued forth of his Island with 300 Gentlemen and Landed in Lancashire where he assembled at least 1200 men during which the Generals Regiment which was left at Manchester was Commanded to joyn with Colonel Lilborne to cut off the Earl of Darbies passage to Manchester whither he was marching to have faln upon the said Regiment but Colonel Lilborne observing his motion marched the very same way joyning Flank and Flank with the Earls Forces who deeming that he ought not to defer the Fight with Lilborne till he should have joyned with the Generals Regiment when as then he might have proved too
him that the Holland Fleet was not far off whereupon calling a Councel of Warre it was conceived they might be met with about the Coast of France a Resolution was taken to make Saile thitherwards and the same day which was the sixteenth of August betwixt one and two of the Clock in the Afternoon they discovered the Holland Fleet and immediatly made up towards them as fast as they could and found them to be sixty Men of Warre and thirty Merchant men the English were but eight and thirty Men of Warre foure Fire Ships and foure small Frigats who notwithstanding the inequalitie of of their Number about foure of the Clock of the said Afternoon encountred the Enemy with as much Gallantry and Resolution as possible could be expected And Sir George Askue seconded by six other Ships immediatly Charged into the very Body of the Enemy and however they were sufficiently damaged by this first Charge in their Sailes Masts and Yards yet they got to the Wind-ward of their Enemies and once againe Charged the whole Body of them continuing their said Combat very fiercely in this wise and alwayes being intermingled pell-mell with the Enemy untill the obscurnesse of the Night had seperated them and had the rest of the Fleet imployed their parts as well as Sir George Askue's Squadron did it is believed the whole Hollands Fleet had been destroyed amongst the English there were severall hurt and killed however but one Person of Note Captaine Pack a Person of Honour and a very Valiant stout and experienced Sea-man whose Legg being shot off by a Cannon Bullet he died immediatly there were also two other Captaines hurt Viz. Little and Whiteridge Two of the Holland Men of Warre and one of their Fire Ships were sunck as might be guest by the Wrecks afterwards for the Night which terminated this Fight did also debarre the sight of the Fleets what it had produced So that the Hollanders continued their Course towards the Coast of France and the English towards Plimouth to repaire their Vesseels but especially their Masts Yards and Tackling which were so much endamaged that they were forced to give over the pursuite of the Enemy And much about the same time that this Fight happened Generall Blake steeting North-wards took six Holland Ships of a great value about the Downes and sent one Frigat toward the East to re-inforce Sir George Askue presently afterwards Captaine Penne plying also upon the Coast of France took six Holland Ships which had formerly been in the Venetian Service and were all of them bound homewards richly Laden being all Men of Warre of considerable Burthen On the fifth of September General Blakes Fleet riding at Anchor in the Downes having notice that a French Fleet was to touch in Callis Road there to take both Men and Ammunition on Boord for the Reliefe of Dunkirk he weighed Anchor and made towards them and about five in the Evening they were tiding it out of Callis Road with a Designe in the Night to have set Saile towards Dunkirk But General Blake as soon as they were got to Sea gave them Chace and pursued them to the very Flats before Dunkirk as farre as he durst by reason of the Flats and the Burthen of his Ships he took seven of their Men of Warre the least carrying two and twenty Guns and one Frigat with eight Guns and also one of their Fire Ships whereupon the Garrison of Dunkirk having been disappointed of their expected Reliefe of Ammunitions and Provisions Not long after was forced together with the rest of the Garrisons which depended on the same to yield to the Spaniards On the twenty seventh of September General Blake discovered about sixty Saile of Holland Men of Warre Commanded by Admiral Dewit on the back-side of the Goodwin Sands so that next day he set Saile and made towards the Enemy but falling upon a Flat called the Kentish Knock under which the Hollander had purposely sheltred themselves to endanger the English should they attempt to gain the Windward of them they found they had but three Fathome Water so that severall of the Fleet struck upon the Sands but had no other harme which caused them to stand off againe and to make directly towards the Enemy endeavouring to engage them to a Fight But the Hollander being unwilling to engage all that day past in slight Skirmishes onely towards Evening the Hollanders changed their Station but kept themselves off from the English towards the Flats making a shew of being desisirous to fight But the next Morning by break of day the English Fleet perceiving that the Hollanders were gone about two Leagues Northward from them they resolved although they had but very little Wind and that various to make up towards them which they endeavoured all the Morning but could not reach them the Wind being come North inclined to the West However the best Sailing Frigats were commanded to make after them and to keep them in play till the rest of the Fleet could get up to them and about three in the Afternoon the said Frigats with much ado got within shot of them but the Hollander fearing least by degrees they might be drawn to a generall Combat as it indeed was the English's Designe hoyst up their maine Top-sailes and fairely run away Notwithstanding which ten good Frigats gave the Chace till ten at Night and the next Morning by the favour of a fresh Gale from the Southwest the whole Fleet pursued them till they came to West Cappell in Zeland when as they put into Gore the English would faine have falne on and fought them in their own Ports but a Councel of Warre being called it was judged unfitting to pursue them any further upon their owne Coasts by reason of the Flats and also by reason that the English Provisions began to fall short The Hollanāers loss in this Encounter is not well known that which was visible was that three of their Ships were disembled from fighting the one having her Main-mast shot downe and the Mizen-mast Bowsprits Staies and Tackling of the other two the Admiral of their Reare Squadron was reduced to so ill a plight as being not able to make any way of her self they were constrained to tow her a long by a Hoy of two and thirty great Guns which advanced but slowly forward so that the Nonesuch Frigat boarded her and having put thirty men over into each Vessell they mastered them but finding that they were extream leakie and began to sinck they took eighty men out of them and their Officers the Reare Admiral and the Captaine and left the Hulks to serve the dead men for a Coffin The English had but forty men killed and as many hurt Now the fame of this notable Warre between these two Queenly and Mistress Common-wealths of the Navigation having spread it self throughout the Universe in all places where Trade and Commerce is used The effects thereof appeared shortly
encounter their enemies on the eighteenth of February about eight in the morning descryed eighty Holland men of War conveying one hundred and fifty Merchant-men coming from Bordeaux Nants Roan and other parts of France and just between the Isle of Wight and Portland the foremost Frigots of the English Fleet to wit General Blake in the Triumph followed by General Dean and three or four others began the fight the rest of the English Fleet being towards the Coast was not able to get up insomuch that from eight in the morning till two in the afternoon this small squadron of General Blakes was enforced to stand out the brunt of above thirty of the enemies ships with which they incessantly fought and demeaned themselves gallantly till at length about two in the afternoon as aforesaid half of the Fleet got up to them and began the fight for good and all which ceased not but with the dark night The English lost the Sampson a Ship which they had formerly taken from the Hollanders and by reason she was quite shattered in pieces they sunk her themselves after they had taken the men out of her however she cost the Hollanders dear for she sunk the Sip which had so evilly entreated her On the ninteenth of February the English again made up towards the Enemy and gave them Chase for a long while together and forced some of their Ships upon the Sands where they destroyed them The day following the English again assaulted the Hollanders and the fight became more obstinate then on the two dayes before but at length the Enemies having their bellies full began to fire out of their Sterns and like unto the Parthians to make a running fight of it when as all their Merchant-men being not able to follow them they became unto the English like unto so many Golden apples which stopped their pursuit of the Enemy Towards the evening they came towards the height of Bullen but the winde coming North North-East and consequently not fit to regain their own Coast their sails and tackling being pretty well disordered they resolved to come to an Anchor The English in this fight took about fifty Merchant-men and nine men of War they sunk several besides those the Enemies themselves sunk to save their men their Ships having been sorely shattered upon the Coast of France there were above two thousand of their dead bodies found floating and there were above fifteen hundred Prisoners brought up to London General Blake was hurt in this encounter having done as much as could be expected from a gallant Sea-man and likewise several of his Officers and persons of Mark who behaved themselves couragiously were both hurt and killed on this occasion It is hard justly to describe the loss which the Hollanders sustained in this burnt by reason that parties frequently endeavour to silence their disgraces and that the Sea doth usually better swallow up and hide the events and effects of such bloody Sea-fights then the Land The Hollander by this prodigious and vast loss being touched to the quick did send a Letter to the Parliament to endeavour to mediate a means to terminate these Differences but the said letter being signed onely by States of Holland and West Freizland the Parliament made answer unto by a letter witnessing their earnest desires to accommodate things in an amicable way and so to stop the current of so bloody a War but the said Negociation produced not the expected effect Mean time Fortune which is as unconstant as the Sea it self found out a way to produce the effects of her unstabillity better on this Element then on the Land and this Goddess being thus exasperated at the constant prosperity of the English would let them see that she had as great an advantage over their valour at Sea as their Vallour had over her in their Land fights Wherefore to bereave them of her Land-aids she surprizeth them in forraign Seas and causes them to seel one of her back-blows when they least of all expected it Wherefore the English having by a stratagem recovered again the Phenix Frigot from the Hollanders as she lay at an Anchor in the Mole of Leagorne disposed themselves to a second encounter with the Hollanders in those Seas Captain Badiley with nine men of War set sail from Porto-Longone to deliver and free certain Frigots Commanded by Captain Appleton which were by twenty two Holland men of War cooped up in the Mole of Legorne and had been detained in the like manner for several Moneths the mischance was that both these Squadrons could not come to fight the Hollanders at one and the self same time for Captain Appleton and his Ships setting sail out of the said Mole sooner then they should have done were immediately surrounded by the whole Holland Fleet who being more in number had also the advantage of the winde The Dutch Admiral seconded by two other great Ships fell upon the Leopard a smug Frigat carrying fifty peece of Cannon who for the space of five hours together maintained a stout fight against all the said Ships whereas being over-powred by the number of their men she fell into the Enemies hands and a Cannon-bullet having unhappily fired the Bonaventure's powder occasioned the loss of her without Labour or Vallour to the Enemy for she was blown up a loss which otherwise would have cost them dear The Pilgrim having sustained the brunt of four or five Holland Ships for a long while together had her Main and Mizen-Masts both shot down and so was taken being over-powred with numbers which she was not able to resist The Levant-Merchant another English Frigot maintained a long fight against a great Holland Ship of thirty six Guns and being just on the brink of obtaining the Victory over her Enemy whom she sunk down-right a little after was set upon a new by a fresh Ship as big as the former with whom she fought two hours and having lost all her men was at length taken The Sampson on the one side being assaulted by young Van-Trump who commanded the Admiral of the Rere-Guard and on the other side by a Fire-ship was soon set on fire and midst of the flames met with a Tomb which had some conformity to the noble heat with the which its company was animated Thus you have a relation of the greatest misfortune which befell the English during the continuance of his whole War and which was the more to be lamented that it happened within sight of nine of their own Ships commanded by Captain Badiley who could not with all his endeavours come up to joyn with them but who was nevertheless so happy and so prudent as to save his squadron after he had done the best to relieve his companions and had seen that the disaster was not to be remedied But let us for a while quit the Sea and take a view of some Land passages and see in what a posture the Affairs of great Brittain are
of the Protestants and who were brought up through all the parts of the Countrey were tryed condemned and excuted in great numbers they drave the rest of the Irish into Cannaught within the heart or center of the Countrey where they are cooped in by the English who have possessed their Lands and have given them others in that Province to the value of them however the English were continually molested by the Out-laws of that Nation the Tories much like the Moss-Troopers or Italian Bandittoes but of late they are pretty well calmed and almost quite exterminated Mean while the continual Wars in Ireland as well as the said Banishment and Executions having left above one half of Ireland almost as it were desart and left all the rest of the Couutrey as a prey to the Conquerour hereupon his late Highness made use of this occasion to give an evidence both of his Justice and Prudence together For whether the Exchequer at that time was bare of Moneys or no or whether this great Politician had wilfully deferred the paying of the English Forces in Ireland till this very time the better to settle the English in those parts he gave unto them those Lands which themselves had conquered in part of their payment whereby he did according to the usual saying kill two birds with one stone if not three which is that at the same also he did recompense them with that which was far more worth then that which was owing unto them and a far more worth then that which was owing unto them and a far more solid thing which was not to be easily taken from them so that part of the Irish Lands were alotted to pay the Souldiery and at the same time to establish and settle the Conquests of Ireland by giving them a subsistence to maintain and preserve them in those parts As for the other part of the said Lands we must look back how in the beginning of these Wars the State being not in a capacity to furnish sufficient monies to defray the charges thereof was Constrained to borrow monyes of private persons on the promises of paying them both Principal and Interest as soon as the Conquests of Ireland should be perfected and however since that time the scene of Affairs was mightily changed that those who were engaged in this promise and who at that time governed the State had no more power or might and that his late Highness was not in reason bound to subscribe or make good those Conditions or Articles on which they received the said monies nor to heed the same at all yet however by a transcendent act of Justice he consented unto the disposal of the remaining Lands towards the reinbursing of the Irish Adventurers and by this means made his Laurels become as fruitful as if they had been watred by the sweat and labours of those people and brought up at their costs and charges so that he both satisfied the Souldiers Arrears and the Adventurers Advances to their own content and hearts desires and to his own praise and glory as long as the memory of man lasteth Mean while the Hollanders being quite tired by their continual losses and seeing that Fortune remained obstinate to their prejudice and seldome or never frowned on the English resolved at length once more to come to a Treaty and to this purpose sent four Commissioners into England viz. the Lords Beveringe Newport Yongstal and Vanderperre which last no sooner arived here but took leave of the world so that the other three pursued their Negotiation with hopes of a good success yet however these fair appearances did not produce either a cessation or a suspension of Armes but both parties treated and fought together insomuch that all kinde of hostilies were exercised on both sides against each other and as they seemed both desirous to shew the most of their powers and that there was no necessity at all of a peace so they came at length to a notable fight even during the Treaty and the which did not a little conduce to hasten the Conclusion of the peace The manner of which fight was as followeth On the twenty ninth of Iuly two English Scouts where abroad at Sea on intelligence discovered the Holland Fleet coming forth of the Wielings of about ninety five sail all men of War and as soon as the English Fleet received notice thereof they made all the fail they possibly could toward them but the Enemies discrying our Fleet witnessed a desire not as yet to fight and so stood away But by five of the clock that evening some of the English Frigots getting up to them engaged them into a Fight and soon after thirty of our Ships seconding of them began the Fight for good and all and were constrained to bear the brunt of the whole Holland Fleet by reason the rest of the English Fleet being asterne could not get up to engage However they were onely separated by the night which forced both Fleets to retreat and the Fight although it was but short yet it proved smart and the Hollanders had several of their Ships put out of a condition to serve being so soarly maimed that they were forced to send them away in the night by the favour whereof they got by the English and strove to joyn with a relief of five and twenty good Ships which which were coming to the mouth of the Texel On the morrow the Hollanders being encouraged by their new recruits which they had joyned with the night before by reason of the thick and fowl weather which hindred the English from debarring them thereof fell first of all upon the English Fleet with a great deal of gallantry and resolution and from five in the morning till one in the afternoon fought as couragiously as possibly men could either in respect of the Valour they shewed or in their conduct and dexterity in mannaging of the said Fight and the English on their sides being well pleased to have to do with so gallant and resolute an enemy and who promised them a great deal of glory in their manful and vigorous resistance received them as gallantly on their parts and the fight being by this time well exasperated on both sides they passed through and upon each other with so much violence impetuosity and dexterity as that it might be easily conjectured each particular person knew that the whole decision of the War depended on the event of this combat The Sea was never so much pressed by its contrary Elements and the combatants which covered the Decks and Galleries appeared like unto so many Salamanders that live in the fire and indeed the zeal and earnestness which transported them were of the very same nature each Vessel chose another to try the day withal and whensoever one was charged by two or three more or less that onely served to waken her dexterrity and to excite her resolution and those who could not burn destroy or
And now into her lap the richest Prize Fell with the Noblest of our Enemies The Marquis glad to see the fire destroy Wealth that prevailing Foes were to enjoy Out from his flaming Ship his Children sent To perish in a milder Element Then laid him by his burning Ladies side And since he could not save her with her dy'd Spices and Gums about them melting fry And Phenix-like in that rich nest they dye Death bitter is for what we leave behinde But taking with us all we love is kinde VVhat could he more then hold for term of life His Indian Treasure and his more priz'd VVife Alive in flames of equal Love they burn'd And now together are to ashes turn'd Ashes more worth then all their Funerals cost Then the huge Treasure which was with them lost These dying Lovers and their floating Sons Suspend the Fight and silence all our Guns Beauty and Youth about to perish findes Such noble pitty in brave English mindes That the rich Spoil neglecting and the Prize All labour now to save their Enemies How frail our Passion 's how soon changed are Our wrath and fury to a friendly care They that but now to gain the Spanish Plate Made the Sea blush with Blood forget their Hate And their young Foes while sinking they retrive VVith greater danger then they fought they dive VVith these returns Victorious Mountague VVith Laurel in his hands and half Perue Let the brave General divide that bough Our great Protector hath such Wreaths enough His conquering Head hath no more room for Bayes Then let it be as the whole Nation prayes Let the rich Oare forthwith be melted down And the State fixt by making him a Crown VVith Ermins clad and Purple let him hold A Royal Scepter made of Spanish Gold Take the particulars of the Fight briefly thus The Spaniards were seven in number richly laden about nine Leagues from Cadiz coming from the West Indies one whereof was burnt another sunk two run aground two were taken one got away with a Portugal Prize In the ship that was burnt was the Marquis of Badex his Wife and one Daughter In one of the ships taken was the young Marquis his Brother and another Sister who was set on shore in Spain The two Brothers were brought to England with a great deal of wealth And amongst these Victories which were gained at Sea against the Spaniards since the breach of the Peace that which was obtained by General Blake at Sancta Cruza in the Island of Teneriff on the twentieth day of April 1657. was none of the least in which Port there was sixteen great Vessels burnt and sunk by the English and the Spaniards Forts and Castles of the Isle amidst which there were five or six great Gallions the Admiral Vice-Admiral and Rere-Admiral the greatest part whereof were mounted with Brass Ordnance and laden some with rich merchandizes from the Indies and the others with provisions and other manufactures to be transported thither equipied in ample manner both with Soldiers and Mariners All which having their Flags Ensignes and Streamers flying were set upon by the English who in less then four hours time destroyed them all without the loss of above sixty men the greatest part of which were killed by the Musquet shot which played from the shoar But in lieu of them the English with their Cannon killed a great number of the Spaniards in their Breast-works and Forts Wherefore his late Highness who never recompensed vertuous and magnanimous actions which bare praise sent a civil Letter of thanks to General Blake with a Diamond Ring valued at five hundred pounds and gave the Captain that brought the news one hundred pound for a present Moreover according to his accustomed Piety be ordained a day of publick Prayer and Thanksgiving to be set apart to return all Thanks Acknowledgements Praise and Glory to the Almighty for this so happy and signal a success and to supplicate his Divine Bounty to bestow frequent and like Blessings upon the English Armadoes and Land Forces But the Sea being a Theater or Stage too unstable for so settled a valour and constant aFortune the traces and marks which she receives of Combates and Victories are too soon worn out and scare leave unto History and to the memory of men wherewith to raise Monuments erect Triumphs and to transmit unto posterity the truth of things and although that vertue be the more glorious by how much the greater dangers it assails and surmounts yet however as a flight is more easily made by Sea then by Land where seldome men fight at hand-blows we have reason to give the first praise and honour to that Element which first brought us forth and whence we reap the most beneficial necessaries towards our subsistence In like manner his late Highness's solid policy was imployed on such solid foundations where it might lay deep rooting and spread its large branches far and near without the apprehension of being sapped or dug up The French therefore being desirous to be revenged for their ill success at Valenchenes resolved the next summer to assault Montmedy a strong Frontier seated upon a Rock but being not strong enough to keep the Spaniards in play in Flanders they separated part of their Army to prosecute the said siege and the English began to make their first landing in Flanders Sir John Reynolds was chosen by his late Highness to command the Body of the English Forces consisting in six thousand Foot who happily landed in Picardy about the latter end of May. And that it may not seem to be a digression from my subject I shall omit the particularizing of the siege and the taking of Montmedy and shall onely tell you that the Marshal De la Ferte who carried on that siege was not at all incommodated by the Enemy from without during the whole siege nor durst the Spaniard ever set upon the French Army thereby to attempt the relief of that place And although it would be a piece of injustice to dispoil that war-like nation of their glory yet all men know that their Army wanted Foot extreamly that Summer but the English foot which we must confess is the best in all Europe being joyned to their Cavalrie which also excel all others there had not a more resolute and gallant Army been seen in France for many years together And here by the way take notice of the Installment of his late Highness in the Protectorship which was on this manner viz. On the twentieth day of the moneth of June in the year of our Lord God 1657. being appointed for the Installment of his late Highness the Lord Protector a large and spacious place was raised at the upper end of Westminster-Hall under the great window in the midst whereof a Rich Cloath of State was set up and under it a Chair of State was placed upon an ascent of two degrees covered with Carpets before which stood a Table with a