and gave the Fairfaxians entrance where the Foot first entred and then the Horse who there joyntly charged the enemy drawn up in the Town the Lord Hopton commanding the Rear to make their retreat good in which action he had his Horse shot dead under him Here the Parliament-foot were forced back again to the Barricadoes where Colonel Hammond opposed himself and by the assistance and timely supply of Major Stephens beat Horse and Foot into the Town again from whence the Foot marched away but the Horse made several stands and charged in at several Avenues of the Town and at the Barricadoes which themselves had deserted In fine all their Horse marched over a Bridge and at several other passes of the River and so Westward the Parliamentarians not adventuring to pursue them but contented themselves with those Prisoners whom they took in the Town being disordered and divided from their Body by the darkness of the night who being put into the Church where the Lord Hoptons Magazine of 80 Barrels of Powder was kept and there guarded by some of the Parliaments Forces the said Powder either casually or by design was fired the Church blown into the Air those Prisoners and the Guard killed and the whole Army all over the Town endangered by the stones timber and lead which with the blast were-carried up very high and scattered throughout and beyond the Town so that neer as much mischeif was done by this Powder as by the Powder and Bullet together in the Fight scarce a stone being left standing of the Church which since is raised from its ruines The Royalists fought resolutely here the Cornish not forgetting the reputation they had formerly got during the War For here were not taken in all above 400 Prisoners the chief whereof were Lieutenant-Colonel Wood eight Captains Commissary Boney six Lieutenants one Cornet three Ensignes one Chyrurgion four Serjeants fifty two Troopers one hundred twenty seven Gentlemen and about 150 common Souldiers and six Colours The slain were Major Threave and Captain Fry the Lords Hopton and Capel wounded and the Lord Hopton's Commission to be General under the Prince and 500 pounds in money left in Portmantles came also to the hands of the Victors The Lord Hopton after this Encounter made back into Cornwal where he rendezvouzed his Army again whither the Princes Regiment of eight hundred Horse and some other additional Cavalry of the County not before joyned with them came in and so made up a new entire Body of five thousand Horse able to give Battel again to their enemy on convenient Champion ground or at least in such a condition as to make their own terms And the policy of the Lord Hopton was as eminent as his valour in the late service having thereby given a fair earnest for a Victory and made them consider of his Forces if reduced to a necessity of fighting as of couragious brave spirits to whom Fortune could not but be obliged to a favourable aspect and her least inconstancy would undo the Fairfaxians We will now draw off from those main Bodies this whole Winter in the field and return to the Garrisons who thick and threefold rendred themselves to the Parliament We will begin with Shelford-house where Colonel Stanhop akin to the Earl of Chesterfield was Governour which after Summons refused was stormed by Major-General Poyntz who put all to the Sword they met with some Gentlemen getting within a Seiling till the fury was over found quarter the Governour himself was killed in the defence after the House was entred and the House demolished On the 4 of December the magnanimous Countess of Derby who had endured a Siege off and on for two years last past rendred Latham-house to the Parliament upon very fair terms the Governour Officers and Souldiers to march out either to the Garrison of Tidbury or Ashby de la zouch In this Siege I may not omit one Military neat Stratagem The besiegers at dinner-time were jearing the Garrison with Shoulders of mutton and fresh-meat they shewed them whereupon a Captain sallied out took both the guests and the provision and two Colours and brought them into the House Whereupon the Assaylants took the Alarm both great and small Guns playing on both sides This continuing for a while the Captain caused the Colours he had taken to be set on the Works backward from the Post where he had surprized them which they of that quarter seeing and imagining their men on the other side had entred the House and erected their Ensigns they fell on without fear or wit and were presently cut down in heaps and beaten to their Trenches Bolton-Castle and Beeston-Castle in Lancashire were likewise delivered to the Parliament and Hereford-City surprized by another Stratagem the manner thus The Garrison was strong and well appointed the inlet also for the Kings Welch Forces and therefore much aimed at and to that purpose intelligence had been held by some within from Colonel Birch and Colonel Morgan Governour of Gloucester but their greedy and impatient desire of the present possession abrupted all those practices and put them upon an honester and safer way With 2000 Horse and Foot they came from Gloucester in one day and night where they had provided six men in Country-habits with a seventh like a Constable in pursuance of Warrants directed the day before to the adjacent Villages for some Labourers to be sent in to break the Ice in the Trenches and such other work by morning to present themselves at the Gates and as seconds to them were placed 150 Firelocks which in the covert of the night were lodged as neer as possible out of discovery and next them a Body of men ready at hand to succeed in the attempt and enter with them Accordingly the stratagem took effect the Draw-bridge was let down to the Constable and his crew with their Pickaxes and Spades which they no sooner possessed but the Guard began to suspect and make some resistance but the Reserves powring in upon them after three of them were killed the Town was entred first by Colonel Birch and his Firelocks and then by Morgan The Garrison amazed presently submitted and yeilded themselves Prisoners the chief whereof were the Lord Brudenel fourteen Knights Judge Ienkins of whom more hereafter four Lieutenant-Colonels five Captains Officers and Gentlemen neer a hundred more besides eleven Pieces of Ordnance mounted with Provision sutable to the strength and quality of the place This loss was very much regretted by the Royalists who now perceived that Fortunes right and left hand Valour and Policy were lifted up against them The next place of importance which followed the fate of the Kings declination was the City of Chester which had been long besieged and thrice attempted to be relieved and still rendred worse by the loss and slaughter of their friends that came to its rescue as we have said before
how diffusive the Kings Royal care was for the good of his Subjects as well far distant as neer home Mr. Warren employ'd for that purpose had now for the benefit of the English Trade in Africa made a Peace with Sancta Cruze Sophia and Morocco In the last of which Places when the Emperour heard that the English Agent was come to make a Peace with him he ordered a Guard of 500 Horse to Conduct him to his Court which attended the Agent above Fourscore Miles And all this while the Mediterranean Sea were secured by a strong Squadron of Ships under the Command of Sir Ieremy Smith Sir Christopher Mimms missing of the Dutch at home sail'd away for the Coast of Sweden where coming to an Anchor at the Mouth of the Elve with a Charge of Merchants under his Convoy General Wrangle made it his business to travel 30 miles to give him a visit Aboard his Ship whom the English Admiral entertain'd according to his Dignity The Parliament in Scotland Issued out a Proclamation Commanding all Ministers who had entred before the Year 49 and since the Restitution of the Church-Government by Archbishops and Bishops had Relinquish'd their Ministery or had been Deposed by their Ordinary to remove themselves within Forty days after their Relinquishment or Deposal out of the Parishes where they were Incumbents and not to Reside within Twenty miles of the same nor within six Miles of Edenburgh or any Cathedral nor within Three Miles of any Burgh Royal nor to Inhabit Two in one Parish upon Penalty of Incurring the Laws made against movers of Sedition This Proclamation was occasion'd by the Insolent Carriage of one Alexander Smith a Depos'd Minister who being taken at a Conventicle was conven'd before the High Commission-Court but gave such reviling Language against the Archbishop of St. Andrews who sate there as President that the Lord Commissioner ordered him to be put in Irons Twenty four hours in the Theives Hole In Ireland the Parliament being likewise Sate fell upon the Examination of certain of their Members who were said to have been in the Plot in the Year 1663. Robert Shapcott Alexander Staples and five others were call'd to the Bar and for that Reason were Expell'd the House and made incapable of ever sitting in any Parliament of that Kingdom Forein Affairs 1665. The King of Poland having made a fruitless and very unsuccessful expedition against the Muscovites the event thereof was That being deserted by his Tartars and Cossacks for fear of being surrounded by the Muscovites who having intelligence of his condition had gathered their Forces together with the same intention he was forc'd to make his retreat through a vast Desert of twenty Leagues over wherein meeting with neither Forrage nor other conveniencies his whole Cavalry was utterly ruin'd and all his Nobility and Gentry highly discontented to see themselves in that manner lost without a stroke dispersed themselves and left him This Calamity which they say broke his Heart was follow'd by the revolt of Lubomirsky a great Souldier and of high repute in that Country whose dignities and Estate the King had Confiscated as not conformable to his Government Lubomirsky takes Arms gathers together a very formidable Body and though now grown considerable both in his own Forces and the affections of the Polish Nobility tenders his service to the King offers to make use of his power against the Common Enemy the Muscovite on condition he might be restored to his Territories and Charges But the King giving no heed to his Proposals raises and Army marches against him and being come now within four miles of Lubomirskie with an intention to give him Battle he assembled his Nobility and Gentry and in a long Oration endeavour'd to encourage them to behave themselves resolutely against the Enemie of their Country and Rebel to himself But they gave him for answer That they acknowledged it was their duty to hazard their Lives against any publick Enemy whatsoever but to fight against their fellow-Subject and Citizen whom they could not finde to have committed any crime worthy so high a punishment as was inflicted on him they could not adventure at all This Answer so disturb'd the King that he withdrew himself and posted directly for Warsaw destitute of Counsel or Assistants and was at length forc'd to the Restauration of Lubomirskie to avoid the hazard of greater Inconveniencies This year a great Quarrel broke forth among the Princes of the Empire as the Electors of Mentz Triers Collen and others But as those difference were long a brewing so it was not an easie work to compose them though the Emperour was very diligent in his Mediation He had no reason to desire War who was in daily expectance of the arrival of his Contracted Empress the Infanta of Spain of whose hastening into Germany he had received certain intelligence from her Father In February he sent his power into Spain to the Duke de Medina de las Torres for the Marrying of her but she arrived not at Vienna this year But returning to feats of War we finde the Duke of Beaufort encountring in the Mediterranean-Sea with a Squadron of Argier Men of War five in number but two of them ran themselves aground the other three he caus'd three of his Captains to set upon who did so well acquit themselves that the Admiral of the Pyrates carrying 600 Men and 50 pieces of Cannon lost in the dispute above half her men the rest threw themselves into the Sea and set fire on the ship Nor did the other two carrying 400 Men and 30 Guns apiece run a better fortune being both sunk and burnt Nor did it serve their turns that they had withdrawn themselves within Carabine-shot of the very Forts belonging to Tunis This was an honourable undertaking and as successfully performed However the Victory which the Portugueses obtain'd against the Spaniard made a greater noise in the World which most not be forgotten as obtain'd by the Valour of the English At first the Spaniards Charg'd the Portuguez and French Horse so home that they beat them into the Rear but the English coming to charge recovered all the ground which the other had lost and kept it which so encourage'd the rest that they came on again afresh and then the English charging again with the same success as before caus'd the Enemy to quit the Field Major Trelawney charged the Prince of Parma at the head of his own Battalia kill'd most of his men and brought off his Standard He had his Horse â—lain under him but was remounted by his Lieutenant The General of the Horse was taken five thousand Prisoners all their Baggage and seven pieces of Cannon together with 3000 Mules But in the Imperial Court there was no small distraction by reason of the death of Duke Sigismunâ—â— the Emperour's Brother whom some supposed to have been taken away by Poison though others
with the Parliament but Hamilton was over-trusted Much ado he had to pass the ways being so strictly guarded while the Scotch Army was in England At his arrival in the Highlands being supplyed with 1100 men from the Marquess of Antrim out of Ireland and another addition under the Lord Kilpont and the Earl of Perths Son he marched to find out the Army of Covenanters then gathered under the command of Tullybarn the Lord Elch and Drummond consisting of a great Force into Perth-shire where at Tepper-Moor he obtained a great Victory his Souldiers for want of Arms and Ammunition making use of the Stones lying advantagiously on the Fighting-ground Here he killed no less then 2000 men whereupon Perth-City opened its Gates to the Conquerour To withstand and repress so dangerous an Enemy within the Bowels of the Kingdom another Army was raised and put under more Experienced Captains In the mean while Montross had fallen into Argyles Country where he made miserable havock intending utterly to break the Spirits of that people who were so surely Engaged to Arguiles side Here the Earl of Seaforth followed him with an Army and the Marquess of Argyle had another of the other side Montross therefore resolved to fight with one first and so fell upon that party under Argyle which he totally routed killed 1500 on the place the rest escaped and so the Marquess of Montross bent his way after the other Army which he defeated at Brechin being newly put under the command of Colonel Hurry afterwards offers Battel to Bayly who had another Army ready to fight him but he waited for advantages whereupon he marches after Hurry who had recruited and was pressing upon the Lord Gourdon having taken Dundee in his way and at Alderne discomfits him killing 1800 and dispersing the rest He seeks out Bayly to whom was joyned the Earl of Lindsey and at Alesford-hills forced them to fight utterly routed them and obtained a remarkable Victory But that which lessened the Triumph was the death of the Lord Gourdon one that was as the right hand of Montross A very Loyal Right Noble Gentleman being Eldest Son to the Marquess of Huntley After this he comes to St. Iohnstons where he alarm'd the Parliament there sitting and so into the Lowlands where the Kirk had another Army in readiness under the command of the aforesaid Bayly At a place called Kilsith both Armies met and a cruel Battel it was but in conclusion Success and Victory Crowned Montross's Head and almost 6000 of his Enemies were slain in this fight the pursuit being eagerly followed for a great way the Covenanters at first fighting very resolutely but the fortune of Montross still Prevailed The Nobility now every where readily assisted him and the Towns and Cities declared for him so that the Kingdom which afforded men and assistance for the Invasion of another Kingdom was not now able to defend it self the Governour so was Montross dignified being seized of all places almost of strength even as far as Edinburgh where some Royal prisoners were delivered to him The Estates of Scotland therefore sent for David Lesley while Montross expected Forces from the King under the Lord Digby which staid too long and were afterwards defeated at Sherburn in York-shire Upon the arrival of Lesley most of the Forces under Montross not dreading any Enemie so soon out of England were departed home so that Lesley finding Montross in a very weak condition at Philips-Haugh fell upon him before he could retreat almost before his Scouts could give him intelligence and there routs him He at first resolved to lose his life with the field but being perswaded of better hopes he resolutely charged thorow and brought the flying remains of his Army safe into the High-lands where he began new Levies But the fortune of the King failing every where he was the next year ordered by the King then in the Scots custody to disband and depart the Kingdom And so we leave him till a more unhappy revolution of time In the beginning of this year Colonel Massey received a defeat at Lidbury the manner thus Prince Rupert who had for some time quartered thereabouts to make new Levies had intercepted some Scouts and by them understood the Col. had taken up his quarters there intending to fall upon Sir Iohn Winter who had been his restless adversary throughout the War in Gloucester-shire and who being called into the Army had tired his house which he had maintained as a Garison against all opposition When the Prince was within half a mile of the Town Massey took the Alarm commanded his Horse to mount and gave order for his Foot to march that the Royalists might not get before them which the Prince aimed at A furious Charge the said Horse maintained consisting principally of Officers among whom was Kirl that betrayed Monmouth at last Massey was forced to flye narrowly escaping taking Major Backhouse his great second being mortally wounded with divers others and some common Souldiers taken Prisoners the rest fled to Gloucester in haste with the Governour But that which deservedly ought to begin the year was the investiture of Sir Thomas Fairfax in the supreme Command of the Army It was the first of April when he received his Commission and on the twenty third of April he went from London to Windsor to perfect the new Model where he continued in that troublesome affair to the end of the month In the mean time Colonel Cromwel who had been commanded out of the West by the Ordinance of the Parliament against Members continuance in any Military command whose limitations of forty days was then expired came thither to salute the General and next morning was stopped there with a dispensation from his attendance on the House for forty days longer which was extended to the length For Prince Rupert and his brother Maurice had gathered a competent Army of Horse in Worcester-shire and the confines of Wales and were ordered by the King to come and fetch him off with his Infantry and Train of Artillery from Oxford To which purpose a Convoy of Horse was presently dispatched consisting of near 2000 being the Regiments of the Queen the Earl of Northampton the Lord Wilmot and Colonel Palmer while the Princes advanced in a body after them Upon advertisement thereof the Committee of both Kingdoms recommended it to the General to send Lieutenant-General Cromwel with some Horse to march beyond Oxford and lye on the way to Worcester to intercept the same Convoy With a party of Horse and Dragoons therefore then on the field neither mustered nor recruited as of the new Model Cromwel immediately marched found the enemy and engaged them neer Islip-bridge routed them took 400 Horse and 200 Prisoners and the Qeens Standard And to make up this a kind of a victory presently summoned Blechington-house within four miles of Oxford where Colonel Windebank
their Bag and Baggage the Kings Standard and neer 100 Colours of Horse and Foot and the dishonour of the Parliamentarians Triumph the Kings Cabinet of Letters published afterwards in a most impudent manner of which the King most elegantly complained by the irreconciliable Enemies of his and his Kingdoms peace The number of the Common Souldiers taken amounted to 4500 who were afterwards brought to London and enclosed in the new Church-yard in Westminster by Tuttle-fields from whence they were freed by another Captivity the service of forreign Princes This Battel was fought much upon equal advantage for number both of Horse and Foot the ground also as equal For the fury of the fight dispensed with the first commodiousness of the Campania which was uncertainly maintained by the diversity of Success being thereunto very fit by reason of its playnness which was a mile broad from the utmost Flank of the Right to the left Wing of the Parliaments Army who first disposed of it and the neutrality of the Wind favoured both alike The Commanders on both sides behaved themselves worthy of their places nothing can be faulted in matter of courage but the Northern Horse for the King who were disgusâ—ed in the beginning for that they fought unwillingly as resolute upon the enterprize of Pomfret To give them their particular dues will be too filling for this Volume we will onely mention my Lord Bard because this Chronicle hath given no former account of his Honour to which he rose from a Commoner by excellent services done the King and Colonel Iohn Russel of whom before in Marston-Moor the whitest name in the Roll of Fame And since it is by the Victor-party even by the General himself thought a crime this Relation shall not spread it He himself became the Command had it been lawful the other his Officers were men and pity onely they were English Skippon here received a mark of his Disloyalty The next day Colonel Iohn Fiennes with his Regiment was sent up to London by the General with the Prisoners and Colours taken in the fight who had been all along eminent in the services of that side The Kings Forces being thus vanquished Fairfax gave orders for the Army and Train to march after them the next day being Sunday without any more intermission the pursuit of the Victory being of parallel consequence with the obtaining of it These Orders were chearfully obeyed though the long march of the Foot for many days together and the vehemency of the Battel might have made them rest That night they quartered at Great Glyn four miles short of Leicester but the Horse came nearer which so much Alarm'd the Nobility and Gentry that had fled thither for security that they fled thence in great haste leaving the Lord Hastings to defend the place The King in the mean time not judging it safe to lodge at Leicester departed to Ashby de la zouch where he reposed himself some few hours but stayed not there making all speed he could from Litchfield in the night and from thence into Wales The other part of the rout being the Northern Horse under Sir Marmaduke Langdale fled incontinently from the Battel to Newark and narrowly escaped Sir Iohn Gell who was advancing with 2000 Horse from Nottingham to joyn with the General The General Fairfax was once unresolved whether he should presently march to relieve Taunton sorely distressed by the Lord Goring or undertake Leicester He had received full information of the strength of that Army and what a desperate forlorn condition Blake the Governour was in yet knowing that now there was no possibility of juncture with the King of which before the fight Goring had assured his Majesty within few days he resolved to reduce Leicester first On Munday the 16 of Iune the whole Army came before the Town when the General sent a Summons to the Lord Hastings to deliver it to the use of the Parliament who very resolutely refused them and thereupon command was given for a present Storm On the 17 being Tuesday great store of Ladders were brought in a Battery raised upon which two Demy-Cannons and a whole Culverin taken at Naseby were planted upon an old Work against the Newark being the very same Guns which the King not many days before had used against the same place Whereupon the Lord of Loughborough seeing this resolution of the enemy sent a Trumpeter out that day with Letters desiring a Parley concerning the surrender of the Town which began that evening and concluded in an agreement and on Wednesday morning Iune the 18 the Garrison marched out the Governour to Ashby-de-la-zouch the Souldiers and other Officers to Litchfield with staves onely in their hands There were taken in the Town 14 pieces of Ordnance 30 Colours 2000 Arms 500 Horse 50 barrels of Powder and other Ammunition proportionable thereunto Then consultation was held whether any Horse should be sent after the King who hastned to Hereford but the distress of Taunton in the West swayed the Parliaments Army thither-ward being newly mustered and gratified with their pay sent down from London With this intention the Army marched towards Marlborough where they should be nevertheless in the mid-way to Hereford and Taunton if the King should appear formidable but no such account being likely to be given of him they advanced further West-ward and by the way took in Highworth-Garrison and came to Salisbury where their General had notiâ—e that the Country-men under the Stile of Club-men were generally risen in those Counties being distinguished by a white Ribon in their hats and had been bickering with part of Major-General Massey's forces which were the onely considerable for the Parliament thereabouts and that there might be some suspition of danger either in their Quarters or in the field from them For it was supposed they were risen in favour of the King however they pretended a neutrality and preservation of themselves To this purpose they presented the General with two Petitions the one to the King the other to the Parliament desiring a Safe-conduct to go and deliver them They were reputed neer the number of ten thousand then ready at an hours warning to be embodyed together Armed with Country-weapons Bills and Pitchtorks and Clubs and some Fire-Armes under the command of one Mr. Hollis who transacted with Sir Thomas Fairfax in the matter aforesaid Their Demands were high though reasonable but of these men more anon Goring hearing of this advance of the Army made a semblance and show of drawing off from Taunton where Colonel Welden and the relief lately sent were besieged after he had marched some two miles the Garrison sally'd out to fall upon his Rear when on a sudden he faces about falls with fury and execution upon the party kills many and pursues the rest into the Town up to the very Gates and then sets down closer than before But his
Governour therefore gave the Prince notice who not being in a condition to relieve the place there being a numerous Garrison within he accepted of Terms which to give Colonel Fortescue his due were the best given by any but the General himself and came the neerest his generous way of Treating and caressing an yielding Enemy Not long after followed the rendition of Scilly-Island and the Prince departed for France the like of Denbigh and Holt-Castle which concluded the Military Actions and left the Conquerours whose wreathed Bays would not well twine together the Presbyterian Thistle and the Independant Bramble not apt to such coalition but scratching and tearing one another worse embroyled than they had been throughout or before the War in the greatest difficulties of their designs or defeats The Pricks of these Triumphant Coronets sharply troubled the heads of the wearers and how to set them easily they knew not Ambition was the most poignant and grievous to Cromwel Disdain and Envy to the old Presbyterian Commanders from whence resulted a just indignation in some of their Grandees of having taken Arms to such ill purposes against the King But in most others of them the Itch of Sacriledge and Covetousness the longing after the spoils of the Kingdom rebated the acuteness of those animosites jealousies and distrust intending their private advantages and chiefly aiming at the kirnel Wealth and Riches and leaving the shell of Government to be crackt and broken by other mens teeth to give them the fruition of their projected profits and Estates For Cromwel as it might well be presumed now took up these resolutions which he had staggered at some while before to invade the Soveraignty unto which end incredible will it be how he had wrought upon the Grandees of his Faction and they upon the Rascality and rabble of the same leaven into so great a popularity that he became the very Idol of those so then called Saints The News-books every day were filled with the wonders of his Atchievements where he was present at any success all was attributed either to his fortune or Valour where they had Victory in his absence it was acknowledged to his Counsel and Prudence insomuch that by sober men it was well hoped such affronts to his General might have awakened him to some distruct of his aspiring method but by the secret wisdome of God he was blinded not onely in a destructive and supine compliance with this Rebel by a guilty omission of his care and inspection over him but infatuated into his most scelerate and abominable practises to the subversion of the Parliament and the execrable murther of the King They who Raised this Army against their Soveraign being Raised afterwards by that one of their own listing Usurper His main and first engine to the overthrow of the Government and Laws which took its mischievous effect was the disbanding part of the Army under Major-General Massey a Noble person and though formerly an enemy to the King in that unlucky Siege of Gloucester now suspected as inclinable to a moderate use of that Victory the Parliament had obtained He was known to have much affected General Essex of whose principles and intentions of duty to his Prince one may without danger say they were tainted by the contagion of the times but never corrupted or alienated from the Kings person Authority or Family or Peace of the Kingdom By disbanding the Forces under him the design of Cromwel was first to make a division and stir some ill humour in the Army as if that were the leading case next to make the standing Officers when they should know they were at his disposal more sure and obliged to him and then to instil into them his own Trayterous devices in sum to perpetuate the War till he had attained his ends and then continue them as the Turk doth his Ianizaries Accordingly at the Devises General Fairfax for upon him it was put disbanded Major-General Massey's and Colonel Cook 's Troops being in all 2500 Horse prepared but falsely to obey the Ordinance of Parliament receiving onely six weeks pay for many moneths Arrears and because the Parliament so vehemently tax the King for entertaining of Forreigners and also because it is very strange observe what he saith further Sir Thomas Fairfax his Pen travelling as far as great Alexanders Sword Divers of the disbanded came from very remote Countries and bad Passes some for Egypt others for Mesopotamia and Ethiopia Upon consideration of this passage besides that it wipes away the cavil of the Kings entertainment of Forraigners a more general and no less envious observation ariseth viz. that in some sort it may be said what was spoke of the Roman Civil Wars That all Nations and people were engaged in the fortune and Fate of Caesar or the Senate that the whole World was concerned in our English Confusions for by this black list of Auxiliaries from the other side of the Line and such remote Regions it being also unquestionable how dexterously and designedly all our potent Neighbours thrust themselves in at our Breaches our troubles and intestine feuds may be allowed to pretend to a like obnoxious greatness and reputation since the fame of our conflagration and incendiaries flew to such distant and scorched Climates Those Salamanders embroyled themselves in the fire of our contentions and by their Hue it had been no great prejudice to the Cause they maintained if a man had guessed them to be the Tutelary Angels thereof the inside of all the pretences of the War against the King appearing as black and foul as the outside of these their fellow-Souldiers So that while we shall now in its order and time repeat the subsequent perpetrations of the Party and Faction the War being wholly finished and they by the wise providence and permission of God possessed of all they quarrelled for though it is not fair to prepossess posterity the Reader and after-times will suspect or think there is some Hiatus or deficiency in the Register of these troubles if after such a promising conclusion wherein the necessity and blessing of Peace seemed to be well accommodated in that juncture besides the opportunity and obligation of the Parliament to make appear their many Declarations and Protestations both in behalf of his Majesty and the Kingdom he shall be on a sudden without any pause or expostulation or account of the designes and practises of the Parliament and Army plunged immediately and involved again in new and worser and more perplexed actions and politicks than in the middle of the War for now having laid aside the mask the smooth and soft cover of their beautiful pretences they put on the gastly and terrible Vizor that personated the Tyranny and Usurpation which soon after followed To proceed then The state of the matter was briefly this It was thought now high time by the principals of the conquering side to share the
examined in the business brought against him by the Marquess of Antrim for holding correspondence and having made Conditions underhand with the Enemy Upon these Foundations and such as these did many of the Irish represent unto the Lord-Lieutenant the necessity of discharging the Lord Inchiqueen of his Command and securing his person which his Excellency being more tender of the Kings Honour and his own than upon bare surmises and suspitions to deal in that manner with a person that had but lately deserved so well both of the King and him would not be brought unto chusing rather to run any adventure than to be guilty of breach of Conditions with him which he must needs have been if before a Conviction of apparent Treachery he should upon the score of the Lord Inchiqueen's over-sights or the uncertain jealousies of the Irish have condescended unto either of the things proposed This Temper and Justice in the Lord-Lieutenant in not suffering himself to be led by the clamors and importunity of the people and Souldiers involves him also at last under their displeasure and mistrust so that out of want of confidence in their Chief Commanders and out of diffidence in one another the Army was now fallen into a very unfit condition of hazarding a battel with the Enemy if an occasion should offer it self and to make it worse the Scots that were there being tired out with the necessities the whole Army suffered and receiving news of the Enemies prevalence in their Country desired leave to return into the North which after great importunity at last being granted them they immediately withdrew their Forces and hasted homewards where they were no sooner come and Sir George Monro joyned with them but they received so sore a blow from Coote with so much loss and dispersion of their men that they were never able to make Head in Vlster aâ—ter Cromwel now finding the Army so much weakened by the desertion of so many of the Lord Inchiqueens men and the departure of the Scots and likewise knowing that it was in such disorder through the distrust and animosities that were amongst them so that in reason he was like to have much the advantage if they should fight him adventures over his Bridge at Rosse into the County of Kilkenny where by facing the Lord Lieutenants Army and moving after it up and down he amazed the Irish whilst Iones his Lieutenant-General with parties took in the Castles of the Country and had Carrick given into his hands wretchedly by Martyn that Commanded there Upon notice whereof Cromwel hastens thither to pass his Army over into Munster which was now his business for notwithstanding his purse to buy provisions of the Country and his Ships that wherever he went waited continually upon him his Army through the unseasonableness of the weather and want of Quarters was so much harassed and wasted many of his men falling sick and dying daily that it he did not hasten to his Winter-quarters he would in probability have perished without a blow which nevertheless to make sure work the Lord-Lieutenant whose Army also was quiâ—â—tired out with wants sufferings and continual marches nearing that he was gone towards Carrick intended to bestow upon him before necessity forced him to disperse his men and to that end his Excellency marcht speedily after the Enemy with designe to sâ—t on him whist he was either Engaged before Carâ—ick or else incumbâ—â—â—d at some other Pass upon the River but after all this diligence when his Excellency came neer the Town he then learnt that the place was lost before and that Cromwel leaving a competent Garrison therein had onely past his Army over and was gone towards Waterford which Town during Cromwels Residence aâ— Rosse through the perswasion as it is said of Geoffry Baron and Hugh Rochford had underhand begun a treaty with him for the delivery of the Town unto him which Treaty onely stuck upon the free exercise of their Religion and the Churches denied unto them by Cromwel The knowledge of this caused the Lord-Lieutenant now to hasten thither with no small danger to his person to press them to admit of a Garrison which being a long time denied and the Lord Castlehaven with divers others that his Excellency propounded being utterly rejected by them yet at last they were content to admit of Farrell and the Vlster-men who accordingly were sent immediately unto them After Farrells admittance he upon notice of the Enemies motion that way fearing some commotion in the Town and thinking himself not strong enough to resist the Enemy without and master them within writes unto his Excellency for a supply of men and these his Excellency seeing Cromwel so unexpectedly got over into Munster through the Treachery of the Garrison of Carrick intends now to conduct himself out of hand into Waterford before which the Enemy was supposed to be thereupon some Principal Officers of the Army desired leave that they might in the interim attempt the re-gaining of Carrick against whom his Excellency objecting the want of materials necessary for such an enterprize was assured they had enough to serve their turn for that work yea and some of them positively undertook the taking of the place that night Wherefore leaving them to their business his Lordship bends his course for Waterford where he arrived when it was late upon notice whereof Cromwel despairing of doing any good upon that Town and finding many of his men fall sick and dye of the Flux which then raged amongst them draws off in the night and hastens towards his Winter-quarters at Corke and Youghall in which march as he gained Dungarvan so he loâ—â— Iones his Lieutenant-General During the Lord-Lieutenants absence the Army at Carrick assaults the place the Foot falling on with extraordinary gallantry and resolution where after the loss of many of them they failed of carrying the place onely for want of a few Pickaxes and Spades which being call'd for were no where to be found which necessitated the poor Foot after having done so handsomely and stood under the Walls some hours to quit the business and draw off when extreme want of Food they having eaten nothing almost for two days enforced them to march away towards Clonmell all the Country betwixt Carrick and Kilkenny being totally spoiled already This Carrick was gained and now defended by Colonel Reynolds The removal of the Army hence without sending notice of it to the Lord-Lieutenant had like to have put his Excellency into the Enemies hands for he making full account of the regaining of Carrick upon the former assurance that was given him was upon his way directly thither where the Enemy had 300 Horse and he not 40 in his Company when Colonel Milo Power by good fortune found him out and told him of the ill success of the Enterprize and the motion of the Army thence whereupon he altered his course another way And then considering that the
consultation being short for it was on the over-night they agreed unamimously to give the Spaniards the next morning a warm Breakfast All this night the Officers of both Nations were very busie to provide for the ensuing action the Army being found sufficient to fight a field-Field-battle and at the same time to keep the Besieged from ranging abroad For this service most of the English were drawn from their Entrenchment and being joyned to the French Horse they marched against the Enemy In the morning both Armies being come near together it was perceived the Spaniards posture was rather Defensive than Offensive but the English Commanders knowing it was no time to dally and being desirous withal to shew the Discipline of their own Country which is to make seeing and fighting all one did presently mount the Sand-hills with a Forlorn of 300 Musqueriers Commanded by Captain Devaux after these followed the newly-made General Lockhart's Regiment and others successively The Spaniards perceiving that the resolution of these men was furiously to fall on at But-end as highly resolved to keep them off at the Arms-end by pouring down perpetually Volleys of Great and Small shot General Lockhart newly preferred to that Command and Embassador nevertheless to the French King seeing the French unwilling to enter now the English had opened the gap and on the other side seeing the gallantry of his own Regiment who although they could no longer gain ground yet still kept their station notwithstanding they were exposed to the Enemies Assaults caused a considerable Brigade of fresh men to reinforce those that had first born the brunt of the Battle This Reserve through General Lockhart's care coming in time to the relief of their tired fellows made no long delay but fell into the Spanish Foot with the But-ends of their Musquets who not being able to withstand their courage left the Field and fled towards Fuernes The French Horse seeing the good success of the English Foot did likewise make a Charge upon the Spanish Cavalry who being disheartned with the routing of their Infantry thought it their safest course to run after them But the French shewed excellent valour in Pursuit for the day being won none durst stand in their way the poor Spaniards were sadly handled by them and hew'd down on all sides and being extreamly scattered in their flight both the English and French were put to the trouble of gleaning for Prisoners the custody and benefit of whom redounded only to the French the English being meerly Auxiliary in this Field and were to be recompenced by the Siege of Dunkirk whither in Triumph they returned and possessed themselves of their former Posts This Fight was managed chiefly on the Spanish side by the noble Duke of York accompanied with his Brother the Duke of Gloucester the Military Renown of whose actions very early raised it self in the French service as before and was brighter far and more eminent in the glories of this day which suffering an envious Eclipse drew greater admiration upon him he did not only maintain the Fight till the irresistible daring gallantry of the Honour-seeking Red-coats made the Spaniard abandon his Punctilio's and mend his retreating pace but sustained the impression upon the flight and at least saved the day Colonel Blague who Commanded the Kings Regiment there of Foot did very nobly likewise Of that side were slain 1000 and odd and 1500 taken Prisoners with all the Artillery Bag and Baggage besides 800 Officers upon which account the French refused Ransome or Exchange because Don Iohn should be straightned for Commanders to his new Levies Of the slain were the Counts of Motene and Mille the Sieurs of Coligni and Boâ—teville On the French side were slain the Marquess of Biragne Captain of the Cardinal's Guard the Sieur Berbezet Lieutenant-Colonel to Turenne with some Captains the Marquess of Castelnau was mortally wounded through the Body of which he died during the siege of Graveling which was next besieged by the French alone under Le Ferte where the Marquess of Vxelles the Counts of Varennes and Moret were killed by one shot the Marshals Staff of France being given him for a Cordial upon his Death-bed On the English side were slain Lieutenant-Colonel Fenwick in ascending the Hill who died of his Wounds and one Colonel Drummond a Scotch Voluntier Capt. Iones who Commanded the Horse in Hispaniola did venturously and gallantly here but was taken Prisoner and recovered again and Knighted after by Cromwel Some 200 Red-coats were slain in the Battle after which the resolute Governour of Dunkirk the Marquess De Lede in a Salley he made was shot with a Bullet by the English which Fate he owed more to his Honour than his Reason He being dead a cold damp seized upon the Dunkirkers who seeing what prodigous Balls of fire were flung out of the English Morter-pieces into the Town were sorely terrified thereby and so much the more in regard of their not being accustomed to such Engines his Holiness the Pope having prohibited the use of Granadoes amongst his Catholicks to prevent burning of Churches Considering therefore that the longer they stood out the harder would be their Terms and seeing all hope of Relief by Land was lost the Sea secured against them and daily discouragements arising every way therefore to prevent further inconveniences the Spaniards offered Capitulation which being easily granted it was agreed that the Town should be surrendered upon these following Articles 1. That the Town should be yielded up with all the great Guns their stores of Victuals Magazine of Arms and Ammunition without any Imbezlement 2. The Officers and Souldiers to march out with Drums beating Colours flying two pieces of Ordnance and their Baggage 3. That they should have the liberty to march with a Convoy to conduct them to St. Omers 4. The Inhabitants to remain indemnified in their persons and to enjoy their former Customes and Priviledges for two years and not to be molested touching the Exercise of their Religion These Articles being ratified by the King of France this strong Town of Dunkirk was delivered up into the hands of the English by the King of France and Cardinal in person upon Tuesday Iune the 25 1658. The Spaniards at the same time quitting it Here marched out 1000 Horse and Foot and 700 more that had been Wounded in the Siege followed after as their strength gave them leave The English having possession of the Town found in it 140 Guns all Brass except eight with Ammunition and Provision sufficient to maintain it for a great while longer than it was kept Dunkirk thus possess'd by the English the Inhabitants were sworn to Fealty and Allegiance to the Protector and a Regiment of Foot and 〈◊〉 Troop of Horse were commodated to the French under Marshal Turenne yet keeping the Field while La Ferte carried on the Siege at Graveling and the Cardinal at Dunkirk diverted himself with the delightful Wonder
Kings Forces under the Marquess of Newcastle at Wakefield and buoyed up the sinking interest of that Cause Monmouth likewise was taken by the Parliaments Forces under the command of Sir William Waller who also took Hereford and other places This in sum more particularly now Of the West where the Kings interest bore the greatest sway we have hitherto said little It will be now time to turn that way and see from what beginnings the War arose in that quarter where for the most part its principal events and concerns were placed Two Proclamations were about this time published one from the Earl of Cumberland the other from the Earl of Newcastle whereby Ferdinando Lord Fairfax Sir Thomas Fairfax Sir Matthew Bointon Sir Edward Loftus Sir Henry Forbes Sir Thomas Malleverer Sir Richard Darby Sir Christopher Wray Sir Henry Anderson Sir Iohn Savil Sir Edward Rodes Sir Hugh Cholmley Sir Thomas Rennington Sir Thomas Norcliffe and others were declared Traytors which the Parliament retaliate upon the Earls in like manner The menage of the Military matters there were on the Kings part as to the remote Counties of Cornwal and Devon shire after the Retreat of the Marquess of Hertford Lieutenant-General of the Western Association with Sir Lewis Dives out of Sherburn where they were besieged by the Earl of Bedford but in vain in Dorcester-shire was committed to four eminent persons viz. the Lord Mohun Sir Ralph Hopton Colonel Ashburnham and Sir Iohn Barkley by whose joynt Counsels and Forces levyed by their respective Friends and Interests an Army was framed to oppose the Earl of Stamford then coming down from Glocester where he first was made Governour as Lord-Lieutenant joyntly with the Lord Roberts of the same County to settle the Militia for the Parliament having a Commission therefore according to that Ordinance which service was well advanced At the approach of this enemy near Liskard it was taken into consideration to whom the alone charge and ordering of the Battel should be intrusted for four would breed distraction whereupon the business of the day was deservedly devolved upon Sir Ralph Hopton who had been an old Souldier in the Low-Countries and yet before the War had been taken for a Puritan and a Commonwealths-man against the Prerogative he was desired by them all as hitherto they had prevented any such division by an equal moderation to take it upon him After therefore he had commanded publique prayers in the head of every Squadron which was performed he drew up the Foot in the best Order he could placing a Forlorn of Musqueteers in the little enclosures and then winged them with the Horse and Dragoons he had This done two Minion small Drakes being fetched from the Lord Mohuns house were planted within random-shot of the enemy concealed by the Horse from them which were discharged with such success that the enemy quickly quitted their ground and in a rout fled on which the Royalists did sparing execution There were taken 1250 prisoners most of their Colours all their Canon Arms and Ammunition and so the Victor-Army came that night to Liskard Salt-Ash was assaulted and forced by Sir Ralph Hopton where he took ten pieces of Ordnance 700 more Prisoners 400 Arms and a Ship with 16 pieces of Ordnance Litchfield was no sooner delivered to the Parliamentarians but Spencer the valiant Earl of Northampton comes and besieges it again for the King and summons the Governour Lieutenant-Colonel Russel to deliver it to him he refuseth and in the interim Sir Wiliam Brereton and Sir Iohn Gell advance to his relief with 3000 men and upwards against these the Earl draws off a Party from the Leaguer and at Hopton-Heath on a ground full of Cony-boroughs which afforded ill footing for Horse of which the Earls Forces chiefly consisted Charges the Parliamentarians where at last he obtained a Victory with the price of his life a dear bargain for the King and his Cause of which he was a most magnanimous Assertor he was first unhors'd whether by the disadvantage of the Ground or born down by the Enemies is uncertain he refused quarter and was killed by a private unlucky hand His Forces returned afresh to the Siege where soon after they were seconded by Prince Rupert who having coasted the Country from his summons of Glocester into Wales returned back by Litchfield where he so powerfully carried on the Siege that the stout Governour was compelled to hearken to his Terms and surrender that place which continued for the King throughout the War the price it cost being well worth and requiring the safe keeping of the Jewel The rendition was the 16 day of April I would not disjoyn the story for the years sake Colonel Charles Cavendish reduced Grantham to the Kings obedience taking 350 Prisoners with Officers and Colours and then demolished the Fortifications the like fortune had the Parliamentarians in recovering Marlborough from the King which was regained by them but soon after as not tenable was slighted by all parties Anno Dom. 1643. THis year began with the smart actions as before of Prince Rupert who on the third of April entred and Mastered Brimingham Town the residence of a famed Lecturer Some Welchmen were here got together for the Parliament where they made some little defence but were soon beaten up to their Barricadoes which they forsook likewise and fled betwixt 150 killed and taken some good Ammunition but all not worth the life of that stout old Earl of Denbigh who was here killed in the Service of his Soveraign Next ensued a revolt of a notable place in the North to the King as the year before began with a notable revolt of Hull to the Parliament such another parallax was throughout the War in the Western and Northern Battels if one had the better in the West at the same time the other had it in the North. Now Scarborough was delivered to the King by the means of one Captain Brown Bushel who long afterwards paid for it with his head at Tower-hill The Lord Fairfax who commanded in chief for the Parliament in the North after several Velitations and Skirmishes betwixt him and the Earls of Newcastle and Cumberland Generals for the King who had declared this Lord and his Adherents Traytors was overthrown at Bramham-Moor and the Parliaments Cause through this and other losses in those parts greatly endangered whereupon the Scots were hastily sollicited to come into the aid of their English brethren as we shall see at large hereafter Now the Parliament flew high in their consultations at home the Grandees working upon the sober part of the Parliament that the action of the Queen in bringing over Arms Money and other provisions for the assistance of the King was a dangerous destructive business wound up the anger of the two Houses to such a pitch that she was proclaimed Traytor and at the same time down went all the Crosses
of Victuals which mightily heartned his Army who had almost been famished From Cyrencester in leisurable short Marches of five Miles a day he came to Cricklade and so to Swinden intending to pass to Hungerford But when the Van and Body of his Army had marched almost over Auborn-Chase a Gallant Body of the Kings Horse consisting of about five thousand tell upon the Rear of his Army which being soon disordered indeavoured to make a Retreat to their Body but they were pursued too hastily both on Rear and Flank so that it was done with great loss and confusion Being come to their Body they faced the same Horse who again put them into the like disorder until some of the Van coming to their assistance the Kings Horse were repelled but fresh reserves coming on stopt the fury of the Parliaments Foot Two gallant and brave Charges were made presently one after another and the Parliamentarians driven again to their main Body at which time Sir Philip Stapleton who had the Van for that day as they changed it for reservation every day came purposely back and drew up his Regiment to succour them which caused the Royallists to retire and so the night parted them On the Kings party in those smart charges and encounters were slain a French Marquess De Vieu ville with other Officers of good quality whose worth appeared highly on the Parliament side were slain two Captains Middleton and Hacket The worst fell upon Colonel Sheffields Regiment of Horse which was utterly broke and two Standards taken and very many men killed On Thursday the 19 of September from his quarters at Hungerford the Earl of Essex marched to Newbery and upon approach to the Twon saw the Kings Forces upon an hill just in opposition to their March which the General perceiving himself first advanced to a place neer the Enemy and thence commanded Colonel Barcleys and Colonel Holborns Brigades to charge them That was done very fiercely but was as resolutely recharged by Prince Rupert who never wanted the first and most furious brunts This place of advantage was contested for hotly by both parties till both Armies being ready to grapple the difference of ground was not reckoned on and the Kings Forces departed to their several Posts The Battle being then begun Sir Philip Stapleton advanced with his Regiment of Horse and the Generals Life-guard who being received by the Earl of Carnarvan he briskly Charged them and pursuing them to their Foot was unhappily shot in the head of his Troops A Noble-man certainly of as great spirit and affection for the Kings service as any and as much deservedly lamented by them and to whose memory more publike Honours are due than a private Interment in Iesus Colledge Oxford The Royallists thus desperately Charging were soon fallen upon the Parliaments Body of Horse who giving close Fire upon them put them to the â—out and made Prince Rupert hastily return to his whole Body of Horse This gave opportunity for all the Parliaments Horse of the right Wing in which were the Regiments of the aforesaid Sir Phil. Stapleton Dolbeir Ramsey Harvey and Goodwin with the General 's to draw up together whom the Prince most resolutely again Charged and that so thoroughly that some Regiments were so mixed together that they knew not how to disengage themselves In this confusion many were slain on both sides and the Parliamentarians at last forced to the Lanes end where in the morning they entred and where their Foot stood in very great disorder Some of the Royalists Troops pursued them into the Lane but being roundly saluted by the Foot came back with some loss and danger In those Charges were wounded Colonel Dalbeir Commissiary Copley Captain Hammond Captain Pym and Captain Fleetwood The left Wing of the Parliament and the right of the King could not be Engaged but in small parties by reason of Hedges As to the Fight made by the Infantry 't was so divided dispersed and discontinued that a stable fixt account cannot be given of it further than in parcels The Lord Ruthen a Scotchman lately made Earl of Brentford an expert Souldier was here the Kings General who warily managed the Battel on the other side under the Earl of Essex Major-General Skippon commanded principally in the Foot-service which he prudently and couragiously performed preventing the King which was Ruthens design either to seize his Artillery or to fall on the Rear of his men that fought on the Hill or gayning that Hill behind him or their last nights quarter Very many men were lost in this dispute the Royalists having seized on some of the Artillery but were forced to desert it leaving some of the most daring of their Souldiers behind them About four a clock in the Afternoon all the whole Army of Foot was engaged in the Fight which had proved a great deal more bloody if night had not drawn on when the Kings Army both Horse and Foot stood in good order on the further side of the Green intending in the morning to fall on the Parliaments Army afresh But other Counsels prevailing as supposing better advantages ought to be made in their March home they suffered them the next morning to March on which was very acceptable to men who had endured much hardship both for want of rest and dyet In pursuance therefore of a resolution to fall upon them in the Lanes next day Colonel Hurry one of both sides newly revolted to the King with a commanded Party of 800 Musqueteers and a body of Horse was sent after them who charging furiously in those narrow passages put the Rear into an absolute Rout who were compelled to stop the pursuit to overthrow their Carriages across the way Being thus fled to their main body who were drawn up in Battalia in a Heath whither they were still hotly followed they faced about and gave the Royalists such a welcome that they stood not to abide it but made all the haste possibly back again In this after-Skirmish were slain on both sides near 500 men and in the main Battel the day before and in Auburn-chase betwixt five and six thousand the greatest loss whereof if any material difference fell on the Parliaments side of which the most considerable were Colonel Tucker and two Captains Massey and Hunt on the King 's the aforesaid Earl of Carnarvan the Earl of Sunderland and Lord Viscount Falkland both which were killed near the Kings person which was here very much endangered by shot and other Colonels and Officers both Armies with great valour and obstinacy maintaining their ground especially the London Trained Bands and Auxiliaries against whom the Royalists had the greatest spleen and therefore tasted of their resolution This Battel was fought Wednesday the 20 of September and on Thursday in the evening The General Essex after that encounter in the Lanes drew up the Army of Theal and taking some
in that Town which was totally infected with Puritanism and Zelotry and this was his first projection and design of ambition besides that it priviledged him from Arrests his Estate being sunk again and not to be repaired but by the General Ruine I have the rather insisted upon him here because this is the place from whence he began to appear in that eminence which shewed him to the people as a most able Champion of the Parliaments cause and from whence it is thought he first derived those ambitious thoughts which after Ruined three Kingdoms To give him his due the Honour of this Field was mainly if not solely ascribable to his courage for with his Regiment of Curassiers he broke through all that withstood him Defeating all the Northern Horse under the Marquess of Newcastle at which time the main bodies joyned animated and incouraged by his success Being thus over-powred both in Front and Flank the Royallists began to flie and Cromwel being impatient of any longer demur to his victory which he had so fairly bid for omitted not to prosecute the same In this unhappy juncture the Princes right Wing returned to the field but all was grown so desperate and in such confusion and disorder that it was impossible to Ralley them and the fearful execution that was made among them had quite taken away the hearing of any Command or obedience to Discipline There was yet standing two Regiments of the Lord New-castle's one called by the name of his Lambs these being veterane Souldiers and accustomed to fight stood their Ground and the fury of that impression of Cromwel which Routed the whole Army besides nor did the danger nor the slaughter round them make them cast away their Arms or their courage but seeing themselves destitute of their friends and surrounded by their enemies they cast themselves into a Ring where though quarter was offered them they gallantly refused it and so manfully behaved themselves that they flew more of the enemie in this particular fight than they had killed of them before At last they were cut down not by the Sword but showers of bullets after a long and stout resistance leaving their enemies a sorrowful victory both in respect of themselves whom they would have spared as in regard of the loss of the bravest men on their own side who fell in assaulting them A very inconsiderable number of them were preserved to be the living monuments of that Brigades Loyalty and valour The Prince after this defeat fled to Thursk and so through Lancashire and Shropshire the way he came Night ended the pursuit for it was eleven a clock before the fight ceased else more blood had been shed and the Parliaments Generals to the siege at York from whence they rose to give the Prince battel Here were slain to the number of 8000 and upwards in the field and flight which at certain was divided equally between both Armies For what slaughter was made by the Prince upon the Scots and Fairfax was requited by Cromwel on the left Wing as aforesaid and the fight was furious and bloody there It must needs be a great carnivage for a month after the Battel though the slain bodies were put into pits and covered there was such a stench thereabouts that it almost poisoned them that passed over the Moor and at Kendal a place near adjacent the Bell for six weeks together never ceased tolling for the inhabitants who were poysoned and infected with the smell The Marquess of Newcastle and the Lords and Colonels of his party who complyed not with the Prince in the resolution of fighting his men having been so long cooped up in York and in no present condition for battel took shipping at Newcastle and passed over to Hamburgh among whom was the Lord Widdrington General King Sir William Vavasor killed afterwards in the Swedes service at Copenhagen and many others which proved the utter loss of the North to the King Here were slain of persons of quality a good number such as Knights and Squires and the like particularly on the Kings side the Lord Cary Eldest son to the Earl of Monmouth and Sir Thomas Metham on the Parliament-side the Lord Diddup a Scotch Lord remarkable by this that when it was told the King at Oxford that such a Lord was slain on the Parliaments side he answered that he had forgot there was such a Lord in Scotland To which one replyed That his Majesty might well do so for the Lord had forgot he had such a King in England The Victor Army being come again before York summoned the City again they had used before their utmost indeavours by Mines and Assaults in one whereof they lost near one thousand men and were beaten off to have entred to which the Governour returned answer that he was no whit dismayed with their present success yet nevertheless on equal Conditions he would come to a Treaty and Surrender which in nineteen days after the battel was concluded on The main Articles were That the Garrison should march out according to the honourable custome of War That the Garison the Parliament put in should consist two parts of three of the County of York That the Citizens should be indempnified as well those absent as present and have the benefit of those Articles That the Cathedral and Churches should receive no prejudice c. According to which agreement the Governour and Garison departed the 23 day of Iuly but the Articles were most of them basely infringed and violated by plundering the people that departed out of York to Skipton whither by Articles they were to be convoyed New Levies were at this time ordered to be made by the Parliament amounting to twelve thousand Horse and Foot in the Southern parts of England and as many more were by their directions to their Commissioners in Scotland intended to be raised there for a supply and reinforcement of that Army then in England and like sums of money proportioned thereunto the Scots crying Give give while the Citizens of London paid for all upon whom this year an odd kind of Tax was laid for the setting out of Sir William Wallers Army as was unpractised ever in any War that every Citizen should pay as much every Tuesday as his expences for a meal for his family usually amounted to During the Kings absence in the West and the Princes in the North Sir William Waller had recruited himself and joyned with the forces of Colonel Norton and Colonel Morley who had drawn down before Basing a house of the Marquess of Winchesters garrisoned by him and kept for the King which being distressed for want of Ammunition and provision was close laid to by the enemy Many brave Salleys were made and a multitude of men they slew so that it was afterwards called Basting-house Waller was resolved not to rise cost what it would at length relief was put into
joyned who came just in the close of the fight and killed some of Masseys men who followed the pursuit but he himself with his â—ooty and Prisoners got safe to Glocester where he very honourably interred the body of the aforesaid Colonel Myn. Some attempts designs and skirmishes about passes upon the Severn whereabout Prince Rupert was quartered after his deâ—eat at Marston moor hapned every day such being the fortune of war that the Prince who had bid battel but the other day to thirty thousand men now pidled and trifled with a Brigade or two to seek the advantage of a private and commodious march being dogged but with a Squadron or two of Horse at Aâ—t Ferry where betwixt some of his forces and Colonel Massey a bâ—â—kâ—ring fell out wherein Massey prevailed but to no great loss or concernment While Colonel Massey was thus every day upon parties marching up and down one Kirle who for a while before had intelligence with him about the delivery of Monmouth being Lieutenant-Colonel to Holtby the Governour took the advantage of his approach to effect it for Massey having shewed himself thereabouts gave out that the enemy being plundering about Bristol he was constrained to depart whereupon Kirle is sent out with a Troop of Horse to pursue his rear him and his party Massey takes secures his men all but a Coronet who gave the Allarm to Monmouth where Kirle suddenly coming with a hundred Horse of Masseys commands the Gates to be opened to let him in speedily as he said with his Prisoners which after some dispute being done and the Draw-bridge let down he entred and presently declared hinâ—â—â—â— Mastering the Guards and making good the bridge till a body of Horse and Foot close behind came on and entred the Town The Governour escaped over the dry Graft leaving this place the key of South Wales thus in the enemies hands but it was regained from them soon after by as good Conduct as it was lost by base Treachery Several other encounters and velitations there were in those parts wherein Massey's activity and vigilance manifested it self but because they were of no great moment it will be to as little purpose to relate them Come we now to that which is most material and remarkable Hitherto the King seemed to have fortune equal if not favourable and inclinable to him saving in that unfortunate business of Marston-Moor Now the Cause came to be disputed The King in his march out of the West sent part of his Army on several services his reduced enemy still marching before him towards London as far as Basing where they had Arms put again into their hands and râ—câ—â—iâ—s from all parts thereabouts sent them Neer that House they gathered into one body but attempted not the place Here joyned the Earls of Essex Manchester and Sir William Waller with some trayned Regiments of London The King came to Kingsclear Essex to Aldermarston and thence privately over the water to Padworth and so to Bucklebury-Heath and thence to Newberry where the King was On Sunday-morning about a thousand of the Earl of Manchesters forces and London Trained bands came down the hill very early and undiscerned passed over the Kennet and advanced upon some few of the Kings Foot and over-powred them till they were seconded by Sir Bernard Astley who drove the enemy back again over the River and the Reserves that were passed to assist them altogether in the same rout Essex his design was to surround the King toward Sprâ— to which purpose about three a clock in the afternoon four thousand of their Horse and Dragoons and a stand of five hundred Pikes and some Cannon appeared on the West-side of Newberry beyond the King where the Cornish Foot and the Duke of Yorks Regiment commanded by Sir William St. Leger with five field-Pieces and a Brigade of Prince Maurice's Horse charged home but were repulsed and so over-powered with number that they were forced to forsake their ground and their five Field-pieces which the enemy seized and maintained Essex's Horse also were too hard for the Kings whom they discomfited and then with a part of them and some Musqueteers fell upon the Kings Life-guards and Sir Humphry Bennets Brigade they also over-powered Major Leg who was sent with a party of Horse to their reserve and made Colonel Bennet to bear off in some disorder but being seconded by the Lord Bernard Stuart who fell upon the enemies Flanks they routed them killing in the conflict a Captain and several private Souldiers On the Kings side Captain Cathlin was slain and Captain Walgrave wounded On the East-side of Newberry the Parliaments forces were not less successful against whom General Goring and the old Earl of Cleaveland opposed themselves with the said Earls brigade which consisted of the Regiments of Colonel Thornhill Colonel Hamilton Colonel Culpepper and Colonel Stuart In this dispute the Kings forces had the better killing Major Hurry Colonel Hurry's Kinsman but fresh supplies coming in the Earl was forced to recede and was at last taken Prisoner and the Kings person very neer the same condition Let us cast a view now into the bloodiest parts of the field on the North-East of Newbery where Manchester and the London Trained bands â—ought against the Lord Ashley and Sir George Lisle who had secured one Mr. Dolmans house as a place of some advantage having Colonel Thelwel for his Reserve Manchesters Horse and Foot descending the Hill with the aforesaid Trained bands advanced hastily upon those Foot of Sir Georges and worsted them but Sir Iohn Brown with Prince Charles his Regiment coming in time gave a stop to their fury diverting some part of their Horse to the relief of their Foot which he fell upon and so retreated when the Reserve under Thelwel made good his beginnings and Colonel Lisle animating his own Regiment by his example by pulling off his doublet brought them three several times to the Charge and maugre all the force and fury of the enemy could not be beaten from his ground which he quitted not before command Several times here it came to the butt-end with very great resolution on both sides which ceased not while they had any light to see what they did In the Covert of night the King drew all his Artillery Ammunition and Waggons under the walls of Dennington-Castle and marched away to Wallingford though his Rear staid that night in the place till almost morning and so to Oxford This was a most fierce and bloody Battel though of short continuance but of four hours from four a clock in the afternoon till eight at night wherein the Parliamentarians strove to revenge their disgraceful defeat at Lestithiel and the Royalists to redeem their loss at Marston-Moor but it was observed that none fought so eagerly as those Souldiers who took the engagement never to bear Arms against the King at their rendition in Cornwal so
that the King was well rewarded for his lenity and sparing of blood which was at this place plenteously drawn from his own Army Of which of men of note were slain fewer than in any Battel whatsoever there being reckoned but three Colonel Sir William St. Leger Lieutenant-Colonel Topping and Lieutenant-Colonel Leak There were wounded Sir Iohn Greenvile the General the Earl of Brainford in the head and Sir Richard Campfield Colonel of the Queens Regiment of Horse of Common Souldiers a greater quantity than of the Parliaments neer three thousand But of their side not any person of note above a Captain and some five and twenty hundred killed The Earl of Essex had indubitably the honour as he had the pillage of the Field on which he lay all that night and having buried the Dead marched to Besiege Demington-castle where the Kings Artillery was secured by the care of the aforesaid Colonel Boys who intended not to part with them at any Rates though encompassed with so great and powerful an Army which after three several Summons three several days together assaulted it The King having marched his Army through Oxford on the thirtieth of the same month on the sixth of October Rendezvouzed them on Burlington-Green within a Mile Eastward of Oxford and so marched by Dorchester to Wallingford and forward for the relief of Dennington-castle which yet stifly defended it self Upon his approach and some resolute attempts upon their out-Guards over-night which passed with sundry Skirmishes the Enemy drew off next day and departed although they were two for one Hereabout and in this matter appears the first dissatisfaction of the Parliament as to the good management of their Arms the Earl of Essex being now suspected as careless or discontent And therefore they fell to debate concerning the Army in the House For Colonel Norton had writ a Letter to them that he had received a Warrant from a chief Commander in the Army to withdraw from Basing which was a thing to him unexpected but yet he obeyed and besides the commands of the Committee of both Kingdoms to the Army were lately much neglected and complained of This debate flew so high as it came to this question How chance the Parliament-forces permitted the Enemy to relieve Dennington-castle when they were two for one and why the Town of Newbery was quitted before the Enemy was marched away as the pretence of not fighting was because they would not quit Newbery It seems it was first resolved by the Council of State that Essex his Forces should not quit Newbery or draw out into the Field lest the King should take it for Winter-quarters but when the King should retreat from the relief of Dennington to fall upon his Rear But no such matter was prosecuted for the King possest himself of that Town as a good covert and quarter for his Army while the Parliaments Forces lay in the open Fields who being by the Kings approach to them at Hungerford and one thousand Horse sent under the same Colonel Gage from thence hastily dislodged also from the Siege of Basing where Manchester and his whole Army had shewed themselves onely departed to their Winter-quarters in Reading Henly Abington and Farnham and the King 's to Basing Odiam Newbery Blewbury and Marlborough Whilst they thus are lodged in their quarters there will be respite to look upon the Counsels and debates of the Parliament and the consultations of the King and the debates likewise in his Court and Parliament at Oxford And first the Earl of Manchester made his relation concerning the management of the business at Dennington-castle of great length in Writing which was in the nature of a Charge against his Lieutenant-General Cromwel who had fought so Fortunately for the Parliament He thereupon made answer to several particulars therein mentioned and pleaded first point of Priviledge because of the transmitting of that business from the Lords before any Charge was brought into the House of Commons This private Quarrel was presently quashed but the Publike disgusts were not so soon laid For the Independent Faction began now to appear and to be powerful in the House of Commons so that a suspicion was raised and somented by them that the Earl of Essex was more Royal than the Parliament ever intended when they gave him his Commission Upon this pretence and after several discourses it came at last to a debate wherein it was resolved to new model their Army and so by degrees to quit themselves of their General and to bethink of a new one that should not be of that dangerous greatness and honour who might not well be disputed with but to chuse one of a middle Estate betwixt the Peers and the People and so to be at last rid of all the Lords which afterwards they brought to pass To this end they began with a subtle Order That no Member of either House shall during this War enjoy and execute any Office or Command military or civil which hath been granted or conferred on any Member of either House or by any Authority derived from either House The Reasons published for this Order were these fine ones That all Commissions to Parliament-men being void the new modeling the Army may be carried on with the less exception when all are concerned alike That Military differences among the great Commanders being Parliament-men which might retard the work will hereby cease Those that shall be new elected Officers being of lesser quality and sooner subject to question and punishment and the Army also maintained at a lesser charge Forty days were limited from this Order by which all such Commissions and Commands were in the Army declared void with a resolution nevertheless expressed to pay off their Arrears which was meanly performed and at the same rate that the Earl of Essex had the Ten thousand pounds a year assigned him for the good service he had done the State out of the Lands of the Lord Capel whose Heirs now have his Honour and other Delinquents punctually paid him This Ordinance for new modelling the Army met notwithstanding with great opposition and as much after it was received into the House of alteration The Lords being instructed to soresee the evil consequences nor would they plenarily consent before the old trick of Petitions from City and Country compelled them to pass it The Title whereof was An Ordinance for the raising and maintaining of Forces for the defence of the Kingdom under the comand of Sir Thomas Fairfax He thereupon is sent for and privately comes out of the North and on the nineteenth of February was brought by four Members into the House of Commons where a Chair was set and he desired to sit therein the Speaker telling him of the great confidence and trust the Kingdom had put upon him in the Command of this Army from a sence of his Valour and Fidelity for the defence of the Laws and
Great Fears and Distrusts were arisen in the Parliament it self not much different from despair several Members being over-heard to say in their passage to the House out of Westminster-hall that there was no hopes but in the Kings mercy and that the speediest recourse thereto would be the safest Expedient for them And the Royal party were as good as Cocksure as we say that the day was their own which they made appear even in London by all publike signes and discourses The King himself deceived also with this Lightning before his Ruine which he construed for the greatest Sunshine of his Felicity was of the same Opinion the result whereof appeared in a Letter written to the Queen Iune the 8th where he used this Expression I may without being too sanguine affirm that since this Rebellion my affairs were never in so hopeful away But behold the inconstancy and fate of War This his greatest Exaltation proved his utter Crushing and Final overthrow in the approaching Encounter at Naseby For the Parliament being alarm'd with this imminent danger gave speedy command to Sir Thomas Fairfax to rise from Oxford and march after the King and put their disperate condition to the decision of a Battel For they were now upon a ticklish Point and Treachery and Division at Home with the Kings growing Success would no doubt improve to a publike desertion of the Grandees of the Faction than which to them a Conquest could not be worse if not advantagious by linking and involving so many in the danger that in the multitude of the offenders they might find shelter The King was now in dispute whether he should turn his Arms to raise Oxford or Pomfret-siege march Southward or Northward The York-shire-men insisted on going homeward to their own Country that had so long been harrased by and under the Dominion of the Scots of which opinion was Sir Marmaduke Langdale and that in going thitherward probably Fairfax would rise and follow where some notable advantages might be taken of him so far distanced from any place or succour of relief Others were of opinion that the King should march into the Association and bending a little Westward joyn with General Goring who now again besieged Taunton with a gallant Army and had worsted Colonel Welden sent thither with succours as aforesaid and then with his United Forces which Fairfax would be in no case to resist to march directly to London and put an end to the War While this Consultation was held Fairfax was ordered to rise from before Oxford by the Committee of both Kingdoms who startled with the loss of Leicester resolved as before to put the business to an Issue by the fortune of a Battel if the King would be brought to it From Oxford the Army arose intending to put themselves between the King and the Associated Counties and fight him if he advanced if not to follow him with the same resolution The 5th of Iune the Parliaments Army marched to Marsh-Gibeon ten miles from Oxford and Major-General Brown put a substantial Garrison into Gaunt-house as a Curb and Bridle to the Oxonians when news was brought them that the King was come to Daventry with an intent to raise the Siege Iune the 6th the Army marched to Brickhil designing Stony-Stratford for the Head-quarter but that intelligence came that the King had faced Northampton with some of his Horse and it was thought dangerous to come so near him before the Horse under Vermuden were returned out of Derbyâ—shire and joyned with them Lieutenant-General Cromwel who had been sent with three Troops of Horse a little before to secure the Isle of Ely in case the King should make an irruption as was supposed was now by a Letter from the General to the Parliament desired to return to the Army to command the Horse and accordingly by their order he came back with 600 Horse of the Association the General writ likewise to Sir Iohn Gell Colonel Rossiter and the respective Governours of Warwick Coventry Northampton and Nottingham to send what Forces they could spare and then came Colonel Vermuden with 2500 Horse and Dragoons After this Conjunction the Army marched within three miles of Northampton where they were informed that the King was still about Daventry Quartering all his Foot and Carriages upon Burrough-hill as if he intended to fight upon that ground if they should advance but he stayed onely till 1200 Horse which he had sent to Oxford as a Convoy of the Cattel out of Leicester and Northampton-shire were returned The Parliaments Army then came to Gilsborough within five miles of Burrough hill where as their General was riding in the morning having been stopt in the night which was rainy and tempestuous by a private Souldier for the Word till the Captain of the Guard being sent for gave it him about three a clock he discerned the Royalists to ride fast over the said hill making fires in abundance as if they were firing their Huts which gave some cause to believe that they were about to march as it presently appeared About five in the morning Iune 13 certain notice was given that the Royalists were drawn off from Burrough-hill having stood in Arms all night being amazed that the Parliaments Army were so neer it having been spread abroad among them that they were gone for security into the Association So that the Convoy of Horse being come from Oxford they speedily resolved to march to Pomfret thinking that Sir Tho. Fairfax would not follow them or if he did they should fight him with more advantage Hereupon the Parliaments Drums and Trumpets began to sound and a strong party of Horse was sent under Colonel Ireton to fall upon the flank of the Kings Army if he should see cause and the main Body came that night to Gilling the Kings Head-Quarters being at Naseby which Ireton Alarm'd so that the King not having notice of it till eleven a Clock at night as he had little imagined the nearness of an Army or that they durst bear up to him much amazed left his own quarters at that unseasonable time and for security went to Harborough where Prince Rupert and the Van of the Army quartered and as soon as he came thither sent to call up his Nephew resting himself in a Chair in a low room In the mean time a Council of War was also presently summoned where it was resolved that seeing there was no bringing off the Rear if they should march further for Leicester but that the whole Army would be put in hazard they should give the enemy battel relying upon the valour of the Infantry and in a bravery to march back and find him out But this was more the Kings unhappy resolution than his Commanders who would have avoyded fighting till General Goring were joyned with them On Saturday Iune the 14 a day fatal to the King the Parliamentarians advanced by three a
clock in the morning to retard the Royalists March with their Horse By five a clock they Rendezvouzed neer Naseby and immediately great bodies of the Kings Horse were discerned on the top of the hill short of Harborough which shewed that he intended not to draw away but that he would come forward and engage them on the ground where they stood which they presently took the best advantage of possessing the edge of a hill from which they afterwards retreated 100 paces that the Kings Army marching upon plain ground might not well discern in what form their Battel was drawn nor see any confusion therein The King being falsly informed that the Parliaments Army was drawing off in haste and flying to Northampton marched on with the greater precipitancy leaving many of his Ordnance behind him The place of the fight was a large fallow-field on the Northwest-side of Naseby flanked on the left with a hedge which was lined with Dragoons to prevent the annoying of the left flank of the Parliaments Army that was drawn up in this posture Leiutenant-General Cromwel commanded the right Wing of Horse wherein were five Regiments and the addition of Colonel Rossiters Troops who was newly come when the fight began and took his post there Commissary-General Ireton commanded the left Wing of Horse and Dragoons and the General and Major-General Skippon the main Battel of Foot Both the Wings of Horse charged together upon the King 's who were drawn in the same Order and marched swiftly but very regularly upon the Enemy Colonel Whaley being in the right Wing charged first two Divisions of Horse of the Kings left Wing commanded by the Lord Langdale who made a gallant resistance firing at a very close charge and came to the Sword but were by force Routed and driven back to Prince Ruperts Regiment being the Reserve of the Kings Foot But the whole Right Wing of the Parliaments advancing which was with some difficulty by reason of a Coney-warren they passed they were totally routed after a Rally made and put to flight from which they never returned to their ground again so that in this part there was an absolute Conquest The success of the left Wing which charged the right Wing of the Kings was quite contrary Prince Rupert commanding it according to his wonted custome charged furiously and broke in upon and routed the three rightmost Divisions of that left Wing which was also distressed by a Brigade of the Kings Foot in which Ireton himself charged and therein being run through the Thigh with a Pike and into the face with a Halbert was taken Prisoner and kept so till the battel and fortune of the day changing he changed his condition giving his Keeper that liberty which he timely offered and came over to Sir Thomas Fairfax The left Wing being thus routed Prince Rupert pursued his advantage and success almost to Naseby-Town in his return summoning the Train and offering them Quarter who instead of accepting it fired lustily upon him who despairing of forcing it being well guarded by Fire-locks and perceiving the Success of the right Wing of Horse retreated in great hast to the rescue of his friends whom he found in such general distress that instead of attempting any thing in their Relief being close followed in the Rear by the Parliaments Horse of both Wings who were joyned he stopped not until he came to the ground where the King was rallying his broken Forces himself in person In the main Battel the Kings Regiment Sir Bernard Ashley's and Sir George Lisle's Tertia's stood manfully to it their Horse being in the Rear of them but could no way assist them being kept from it by part of the Enemies Horse who kept them in action the other part fell in with their own Foot and joyntly poured their whole strength upon the Kings Infantry which now except one Tertia were all at mercy the Reserves being likewise routed This standing parcel of Foot Cromwel endeavoured to break with his Horse attempting them in Flank Front and Rear but in vain till the Generals own Regiment of Foot came up and fell in with the butt-end of their Musquets the Horse Charging them at the same time and so trampled them down The King had now nothing in the Field but his Horse where he himself was which he had put in as good order as the time and the near pressing of the Enemy would permit which Fairfax perceiving he resolved to stay for his Foot who were a quarter of a mile behind him that he might not put the day in hazard again As soon as they came up the Horse opened at great distance to receive their Foot in the midst of them and stood again in the same form of Battalia as before the commencement of the Fight having not onely the advantage of ground but the Kings Artillery who besides had no Foot to entertain the levelled Volleys against his Cavalry During this respite the Dragoons of Fairfax under Colonel Okey advanced a person miserable by nothing more than his valour which betrayed him to the Artifices of Cromwel in the matter of the King and with notable courage and smartness fired upon the Kings Troops his Majesty now discharging the part of a Souldier animating his men to a second round Charge upon the Horse opposite to him not yet secured by their Infantry but they soon appearing the gallantry of that resolution was lost and the danger and despair of doing any good by any further resistance prevailed against the Kings entreaties and indeed against the reasonableness of the attempt For who can but expostulate the misery of this day the Troops of those calamities that broke in upon the Kingdom sadly upbraiding the relasch and weakness of that Cavalry which might by a generous Bravery have saved themselves their honour the King and the Kingdom and which is more the innocence of the Nation But the Justice and over-ruling Wisdom of Almighty God vouchsafed not his assistance and favour to those Arms reserving the Honour and Reputation of the Cause they defended to his unquestionable all-puissant Arm that it might hereafter be transcribed to posterity from the visible and glorious manifestations of Digitus Dei Read then and peruse with thine eyes O guiltless Posterity the Fates of the flying Royalists on whom for fourteen miles the despicable condition of the Enemy but that morning proving the most potent and formidable strength the Parliamentarians did Execution no parties of them making any notable resistance but were freed from the extremity of the pursuit more by the tire of their enemies Horse than by the celerity of their own The Prisoners taken at this fight were 6 Colonels Commissioned and Reformadoes 8 Lieutenant-Colonels 18 Majors 70 Captains 8 Lieutenants 80 Ensignes 200 other inferiour Officers besides 4 of the Kings Footmen 13 of his houshold 12 pieces of Ordnance 8000 Arms 40 barrels of Powder 200 Carriages all
Scouts giving him continual notice of Fairfax's approach he finally departed to prevent the enemies hastie advance and to get an opportunity of joyning with the Forces which he expected to his assistance from the King To this purpose he commodiously quartered his Army at Long Sutton keeping the River betwixt him and his enemies having the Garrisons of Bridgewater Langport Burrough and Ilchester and several Passes upon the River to friend the Bridges every where broken down and it would have been hazardous to force a passage in view of his Army who were in good order ready to receive any attempt It was therefore concluded by the Parliamentarians to force a passage at a Town called Evil and there to put up the bridge again and so fall upon him The Royalists understanding that Evil was gained marched to Langport and quitted Ilchester and a Pass at Load-bridge and made show as if leading the most part of the Army that way they would surprize Taunton To prevent that Major-General Massey was ordered to fall on their Rear being of that side the water which he resolutely attempted but with loss for nevertheless the Royalists kept themselves in their station and way The next day Iuly the 10 General Goring advanced from Langport with his Foot to the Pass having lined the hedges thick with Musqueteers and drawn up his Ordnance the main Body being placed in good order upon a hill about a Musquet-shot from the Pass The fight began with the roaring of the Cannon from Fairfax's Camp with some execution then the Foot advanced and beat the Royalists from their hedges and made way for their Horse who charged resolutely under Major Bethel and were couragiously received by the Royalists Horse drawn up in a lane who with pure valour beat them back in disorder and made notable execution especially the Regiment of Colonel Nevil formerly that of the Earl of Carnarvan did with their wonted yet extraordinary magnanimity renew the encounter till Desbrough coming in with fresh supplies of which Goring knew they had store he in some handsome order drew off having given their Cavalry such a smart entertainment that they were willing to stay till their Foot came up By this time the Royalists had marched two miles in the Lanes when the whole Army appearing again giving another Charge they drew off in haste and confusion towards Bridgewater having fired and deserted Langport In this fight and pursuit of both sides were slain about 1000 about 1200 Prisoners taken some 1000 Horse two Pieces 30 Colours of Horse and Foot the flight and pursuit continuing till within two miles of Bridgewater where that night Fairfax took up his Quarters in deliberation whether he should follow the Lord Goring or besiege that Town through which the Royalists in their flight pâ—â—â—ed to the North of Devonshire where Sir Richard Greenvile and Sir Iohn Berkley joyned with him making 6000 strong and Prince Charles and the Lord Hopton were raising Forces in Cornwal for the same purpose Fairfax determined therefore not to weary his Foot with a sudden march but to attaque Bridgewater and resolution was made after a little respite to storm it It was a natural-well-fortified place lying level with the adjacent valley the Works about it very regular and strong the Foss or Ditch deep and about 30 foot wide which was filled up every Tide to the brim the Line of no great compass and well manned with 1800 Souldiers having a Castle also of a considerable strength within and the support and maintenance of all provision victual and Ammunition every way sufficient Such was the difficulty of undertaking it and the disreputation of leaving it after a siege was cast likewise into the danger But trusting to their uncontroulable Fortune the Parliamentarians resolved to storm it as a way conducing to free the Army to follow their success abroad and make a final end Accordingly on Munday-morning Iuly 22. Hugh Peters having encouraged them the day before just at break of day the Forlorn was led on by Lieutenant-Colonel Hewson and seconded by Lieutenant-Colonel Ashfield men known and infamous afterwards who daâ—ingly having thrown their Bridges over the Graft mounted the Walls and for all the showers of Bullets beat the defendants from their Cannon and turned them upon the Town and let down their Draw-bridge where Captain afterwards Colonel and Comissary Reynolds entred with the Forlorn of Horse immediately and secured that part of the Town called Eastover charging as far as the Draw-bridge of the other Hereupon 600 of the defendants who were assigned to the defence of that place and had made manful resistance craved Quarter and had it granted the whole Storm falling upon them while the other on the West-side were but alarmed but they perceiving this unhappy stratagem soon after with Granadoes fired that part of the Town possessed by the enemy and gave signs of an obstinate resistance Both sides continued in quiet till Tuesday-night at which time another round alarm onely was given to keep the besieged waking the General then sent in another Summons which was refused but the Cannon playing and several Granadoes lighting in the Town after some Messages past the General proving very difficult to any Conditions and prepared for an Assault the Town was rendred by the Governour upon Quarter onely for life on the 23 of Iuly 1000 more Gentlemen Clergy and common Souldiers being made Prisoners Both Towns were lamentably fired The adjacent Garrison of Burrough was a little while before rendred to Colonel Okey After this surrender the General before he would march further Westward resolved to reduce the Clubmen who were so peremptory in their demands Colonel Fleetwood on the second of August encompassed them in Shaftsbury with 1000 Horse and took fifty of the principal who were Mr. Hollis Dr. Goche Mr. Cary c. and disarmed and sent them to Prison but on the fourth of August Lieutenant-General Cromwel was sent against several parties of 10000 of them who threatned much danger some he perswaded to return to their dwellings but on Hambleton-hill neer Strawton 4000 of them stood on their guard in a place which had been an old Roman-Work deeply trenched Thereupon Cromwels Troop charged up the hill and were repulsed at the passage into the Fort but Desborough coming behind on their Rear they were presently dispersed some 40 killed and 200 wounded and 400 taken Prisoners with about 12 Colours taken in one whereof was Written If you offer to plunder or take our Cattel Be assured we will bid you Battel No doubt as was said before they had some design for the King as was guessed from the general affection of these parts formerly and constantly to his Cause but what ever it was it was now defeated and the Club-folks had Club-law Sherburn-Castle was now besieged while Colonel Rich took in the City of Bath having none but Horse and
Sir William Brereton now commanded in chief as Major-General of those Counties who civilly courted the Lord Byron the Governour to a Surrender laying before him the impossibility of any Army of Forces that could be advanced that way for that the King was beset in all his Garrisons either by close or open Sieges which at last the Noble Lord hearkned unto and upon very honourable Conditions Surrendred it by Articles the 3 of February And thence Sir William went to besiege Litchfield-close which not long after he gayned by the same way of Treaty as will appear in its due place Several other places of lesser concernment without much parley surrendred likewise suspected of bribery or such-like practises which were finely palliated by the necessity that compelled the greater to their rendition The House now upon discharging the Wardship of the heirs male of Sir Christopher Wray a Member of the said House take an occasion to Vote down the Court of Wards and Liveries All the Kings strength in the field except that Army that was pen'd up in Cornwal was now collected under the Command of the Lord Ashley who was marching to joyn his Infantry with the Kings remains of his Cavalry about Farringdon whereabouts Colonel Rainsborough and Fleetwood kept their Post having an eye upon that design of conjunction and Colonel Morgan and Sir William Brereton pursued him in the Rear from Hereford and Worcestershire At Stow in the Would they overtook and set upon him wearied in his Quarters but his men were yet not willing to resigne their swords till after a fair dispute they were over-powred 1500 taken Prisoners with himself and all his Baggage and Ammunition This was the last battel that was fought hac vice for the King in England and which put a period to any further attempts in the field the Royalists being forced to take up in their strong Holds or submit to the Parliament and endeavour a Composition which was the main work but too hastily entred upon as their own sad experience soon informed them And just before this the 14 of March the Lord Hopton accepted of Terms for the disbanding of his Army which was in this manner After this worsting at Torrington and marching back into Cornwal General Fairfax followed him within two days to Launceston where Colonel Basset with 500 men at first made opposition but was compelled to abandon it as likewise Saltash was quitted and Mount Edgecomb offered a Treaty and not far from thence Sir Iames Smith with a strong party fell upon some of the Van of their Army with good success but having notice of Cromwels approach timely withdrew and gave them liberty to possess Bodmin while the Lord Hopton made his head-Quarters at Truro from whence the Prince embarqued and set Sail for the Island of Scilly with the Lord Culpeper and others which occasioned General Fairfax to complement the Lord Hopton to a disbanding as reckoning them by the Princes forsaking them as good as lost Among other terms offered him this to his particular self as being honour from the mouth of an enemy is requisite to be inserted Lastly for your self besides what is imployed to you in common with others you may be assured of such Meditation to the Parliament on your behalf both from my self and others as for one whom for personal worth and many vertues but especially for your care of and moderation towards the Country we honour and esteem above any other of your party whose error supposing you more swayed with principles of Honour and Conscience we most pity and whose happiness so far as is consistant with the publique welfare we should delight in more than in your least suffering In the mean while the Army advanced and neer St. Columbe beat up the Quarters of the Princes Regiment who made a gallant Charge through the enemy and broke their first divisions but fresh supplies coming they drew off in order leaving behind them Major-General Pert a gallant person mortally wounded a Prisoner but so rebated the edge of the enemies courage that they halted a while and part of the Army drew back to Bodmin more resolved for Treaty than Conquest To which place came the Lord Hopton's answer wherein he pretended his understanding of a likelyhood of agreement between the King his Master and the Parliament which he said without any other Treaty would conclude him and desired to be referred thereto but Fairfax urging this Overture to his advantage would allow of no such delays but his Terms he offered being honourable was all he could grant acquainting his Lordship that there was no such probability of Accommodation and indeed his Lordship was greatly mistaken for there was never any such intention before nor after and delays were dangerous in respect of assistance both from the French and Irish which had been promised to be landed for the Kings service in that County Hereupon the Army also advancing a Treaty was concluded on at Tresilian-bridge and a Cessation agreed to and the General thereupon though with much reluctancy of the Lord Hopton made Truro his Head-quarters so that now the Kings Forces had but six miles in bredth being as it were pounded up as Essex before The conclusion of the Treaty was followed by the rendition of St. Mawes Castle The number of the disbanded was nine Brigades the French consisting of three Regiments the Lord Wentworth's of four Sir Iames Smith's of three the Lord Cleveland's of four Major-General Web's of three the Lord Hopton's commanded by Colonel Bevil the Lord Goring's of five and the Princes Regiment consisting of seven hundred and Sir Richard Greenvil's Reformadoes The Conditions were That they should march away with Horse and Arms in number according to their respective qualities more or less as they should chuse to go abroad to Foreign Service or with Passes to go home each Colonel with eight or six horses six or two pair of Pistols and so other inferior Officers respectively the common Troopers to have twenty shillings a man for their Horses which upon ratifying the Agreement being noised many of the Royalists sold their horses before-hand and got spittle-Jades in their stead which upon their disbanding were turned upon their hand The Lord Hopton was allowed fourty Horse and Arms for himself and twelve men the Lord Wentworth twenty five Horse and Arms for himself and eight men These were the most material and in six days performed All the French were presently shipped for their Country by provision made by the General at Plymouth whither he went accompanied by Lieutenant-General Cromwel being welcomed by the discharge of 300 Pieces of Ordnance while the Army retreated back into Devon-shire to make an end of the Siege of Exceter where Sir Hardress Waller had continued during this Cornish Expedition and the Lords Hopton and Wentworth not deigning the Jurisdiction or indeed any favour from their fellow-subjects at Westminster
Aug. 7. Your Lordships humble servant THO. FAIRFAX To which the Marquess Answered thus SIR ALthough my infirmities might justly claim priviledge in so sudden an Answer yet because you desire it and I not willing to delay your time to your Letter of Summons to deliver up my house and the onely house now in my possession to cover my head in These are to let you know that if you did understand the condition I am in I dare say out of your Judgment you would not think it a reasonable demand I am loth to be the Author of mine own Ruine on both sides and therefore desire to have leave to send to his Majesty to know his pleasure what he will have done with his Garrison As for my house I presume he will command nothing neither know I how either by Law or Conscience I should be forced out of it To this I desire your return and rest Your Excellencies humble Servant H. WORCESTER To which the General replyed that for sending to his Majestie it had been denyed to the most considerable Garrison in England further than an account of the thing done upon the Surrender which he offered that for the destruction of his Lordships house and Garrison he should not have troubled his Lordship were it disgarrisoned And repeats inconveniences upon a refusal To this the Marquess answers that he hath twenty thousand pounds due from the King lent out of his Purse it is believed the Loyal Noble Marquess might have said four times as much being the richest and freest Subject the King had which would be lost if he in this matter should displease him alledges his familiarity with Sir Thomas his Grandfather in Henry Earl of Huntingtons time President of the North for whose sake he supposeth were it known to him the General would do what safe courtesie he could Desires if he might have his Means and be at quiet by the Parliaments approbation and not vexed with the malice of the Committees of that County to be quit of the Garrison and to that purpose expects what Conditions he will give The General returns that he will give such as shall be fit and satisfactory for the Souldiers to his Lordship and Family all security and quiet from any that belongs to him note that the Marquess was then excepted out of Pardon he will interpose betwixt his Lordship and the Committees that they shall do nothing without order from the Parliament to whom he hath liberty to send and from whom upon a present Surrender and submission to their Mercy and Favour he may presume on better Terms than if he stand to extremity Proposeth the sad example of the Marquess of Winchester who lost all by the same resolution For the twenty thousand pounds he may send to the King at the same time with an account of the Surrender The Marquess rejoyns and desires to be satisfied whether if any conclusion shall be made he shall afterwards be left to the mercy of the Parliament for alteration at their Wills and pleasures and cites to that purpose the Earl of Shrewsburies case and divers others whose Conditions were broken He knows that by the Generals Will and Consent it should never be but Souldiers are unruly and the Parliament Vnquestionable and therefore desires Pardon for his just cause of Fear This was Answered by Sir Thomas that what he granted he would undertake to make good And as to the instance of the Lord of Shrewsbury the Actors in that breach who were none of his Army have received their Censure and by this time he believes Execution The first result between them was at the desire of the Marquess a Cessation for six hours but nothing being concluded on the Army proceeded in their Approaches which were cast up within sixty yards of their Works when the Marquess was induced and perswaded by them within to come to a Capitulation which was in effect the same with others And on the 19 of August the Castle was Surrendred according to Agreement into which the General entred and had some speech with the Marquess and so back again to Bath There marched out besides the Marquess who cast himself wholly upon the mercy of the Parliament the Lord Charley his Son the Countess of Glamorgan Sir Philip Iones Doctor Bayly a Commissary 4 Colonels 82 Captains 16 Lieutenants 6 Cornets 4 Ensigns 4 Quarter-masters 52 Esquires and Gentlemen as by the Catalogue of them taken by the Advocate of the Army appeared I do not wonder the gallant Marquess was so loth to part with his house for not long after and 't is presumed from some thought sadness and trouble of minde of being forced from this his Castle and exposed to the fury of his Enemies he departed this life A man of very great Parts and becoming his Honours of great Fortitude of mind either Actively or Passively and to whom the King was much beholden He was nevertheless better at his Pen than the Sword and a great deal happier for he hath used that with rare success as some of his Works in print viz his Apophthegms and Discourses and Disputes with his Majesty concerning Religion do abundantly demonstrate He lived â—o see himself undone and a most plentiful estate spoyled and Ruined but anticipated and fore-ran that of the Kingdom which soon after followed Conway-Castle was taken by storm by Forces under Major-General Mitton to whom Sir Thomas Fairfax would have spared some Forces but he would have no partakers of his Trophies but those men he had raised himself and hitherto kept as a distinct Body pretending he had more men than money to pay them He also took in Carnarvan-Castle seconded by Major-General Laugborn his Country-man being delivered upon good Articles by the Lord Byron who had before so stoutly maintained Chester Ludlow was likewise delivered and Litchfield-Close to Sir William Brereton Borstal-house by Sir Charles Campian slain after at Colchester together with Gothâ—ridge So that the Pen is quite worn out with scribling of Articles and desires to be excused from further particulars Onely we may not omit Pendennis-Castle and Mount Michael in Cornwal taken during the siege of Exeter by Colonel Hammond which stood out still by the resolution and Loyalty of a right Noble Gentleman of that County Iohn Arundel of Treacise Esquire the Governour it had been blockt up by Land by Colonel Richard Fortescue and by Vice-Admiral Batten by Sea ever since the General departed no Summons could prevail without his Majesties special Order to Surrender whom the Governour was very instant to have leave to send to All the deficiency was in Provision and no Relief could enter save two Shallops who got in at the break of day at which time the Parliaments Shallops that in the night-time lay close to the Castle to intercept them drew off for fear of being discovered as they were so neer within the reach of the Cannon The
the Kings sight now refused the delivery of the City without his Majesties Command so that after a Noble Treatment given the Commissioners they for the present ceased any further Transaction and shipped away the said Forces under Colonel Monck for Belfast in the North of Ireland where they did very good service against Oneal and his fellow-Rebels The conclusion of this Peace was as ill resented by the Nuncio and all the said Popish party as it was by the Parliament For the Catholick Armies having lately had several great successes and neither of the two other Kingdoms then in a condition to relieve that of Ireland thought upon nothing less than a shaking off the English yoak which so often in former ages they had attempted but never had the like probabilities as now the Clergy therefore who were generally addicted to the Spaniard under whose protection they would render themselves and the Nation thundered out Excommunication against any that should acquiesce in the said Peace and Agreement and with an Army of 17000 Horse and Foot resolve notwithstanding thereof to march and besiege Dublin This result begot a division among them as by the Marquess was afore consulted but yet so great a strength remained to that party against the Peace that the said Marquess was forced to resume his former Treaty with the Parliament concerning the delivery of those places he held to their Commissioners who being sensible how difficult a work it would prove to begin a new Conquest of that people if either by force or a Treacherous Peace they should possess themselves of that little that was left to the English Protestant interest did labour with the King the Marquess and the Scots that there might be no entertainment of any Accommodation with them being ready they said to Transport over a numerous Army to râ—duce and subdue that Rebellion which they pretended had ere long been done if the King would have permitted them by a complyance with their Propositions The King indeed was loth to abandon himself and his hopes in that Kingdom with his Forces in England and Scotland at the same time sadly foreseeing how the two Houses would use their Victory and plainly seeing how his Scotch Subjects had already abused him therefore he with no little reluctancy was brought to give way to the demand concerning Ireland but there being no remedy all the assurances he had from the Marquess and the Lord Digby as well as from the transaction of the Marquess of Worcester then Earl of Glamorgan being disappointed by the Rebels falseness and Treachery who indeed thought of nothing less than Peace whereby the English Forces there could not be spared to his assistance he consented to supersede and cease all manner of Treaty with the Enemy as aforesaid which it is probable they coming to understand did therefore the rather Violate their Accord which so unwillingly they entred into as doubting of the performance of it it being wholly out of his Majesties Power and Authority Whatsoever the matter was the Lord of Ormond was at last constrained as the lesser Evil to close with the Parliament and surrender of which and the War prosecuted there by them in the next year The 13 of September the Earl of Essex the former General dyed of an Apoplexy suddenly having for a little while before retired himself to his house at Eltham not without great suspicion of poyson or some such practice For he was known to have had his judgment rectified concerning the Quarrel and to have stickled for a composure of the War in the House of Peers and his influence on the Army not yet so weakned but that he could make a party there to any design he should stand for and the Reformadoes his fast friends He was an able Souldier confest whether so much a man disputed the reproaches of his debility that way as loud and unmannerly as the praises of his Valour and conduct were justly due and renowned The Royalists derided him with the stile of his OXCELLENCY jeering him with his two unfortunate Marriages first with the Lady Francis Howard from whom he was divorced for his impotency and frigidity quoad hanc and the Daughter of Sir Amias Pawlet in Wiltshire suspected of incontinency with Mr. Vâ—edal Her he had declined himself who during the War continued at Oxford while her Husband was in the field Nor did he suffer less reproach from the Pâ—anatick Rabble who prostituted his honour at the same rate They that were once most highly in love with his person scorning and contemning him like adulterous fondness which converts into extreme hate and contempt By them whom his popularity had estranged from their first love to their Prince was he alike repudiated with publike dicteries and representations in Pictures So Transitory is Vulgar esteem grounded no other where than upon levity and desire of change the deserved fate of such Grandees who with the specious debauchery of good Commonwealths-men and Patriots corrupt the minds and alienate the affections of the Subject to dote upon the bewitches and flatteries of Liberty of which such persons are held forth by their courtesie and affability to be the main assâ—rtors so that it may be said of this Earl that he was alike served with his wives and the Commonalty saving that by the last he lost his innocency and the real honour of his house and Family But the Parliament to which the Faction very readily concurred to make reparation for those indignities done him of which they could not otherwise acquit themselves ordered his Exequies to be performed in a very solemn and magnificent manner The Independent party to colour and allay with the pomp and honour of his Funerals the envy and suspicion of his death not grudging belike to make a golden bridge for a departing Enemy as they might well reckon him to prove to their succeeding designs when his duty to his injured Prince and love to his abused deluded Country and indignation of those affronts and contumelies put upon him should raise in him a spirit as able to lay that white Devil of Reformation as he was to conjure it up in the dreadful shape of an unnatural and disloyal War Cineri Gloria sera venit Mart. He was drawn in Effigie upon a Chariot from Essex-house in the Strand to the Abby-Church at Westminster where Mr. Vines an eminent Presbyterian Preached his Funeral-Sermon upon this Text Knowest thou not that a Prince is this day fallen in Israel very learnedly and elegantly most of the Parliament-Nobility in close mourning following him on foot The Effigie was afterwards placed in the uppermost Chancel in very great state till a rude vindictive fellow laid his prophane hands upon it and so defaced it privately in the night that it was by order removed Very few condolements were made after he being like to be soon forgotten who had neither interest nor relation to his Honour remaining dying childless
Army to defend themselves against them But who can unfold the Riddle of some mens justice the Members of both Houses who at first withdrew as my self was forced to do from the rudeness of the Tumults were counted desertours and outed of their places in Parliament Such as stayed then and enjoyed the benefit of the Tumults were all asserted for the onely Parliament-men now the flyers from and forsakers of their places carry the Parliamentary Power along with them complain highly against the Tumults and vindicate themselves by an Army such as remained and kept their stations are looked upon as Abettours of Tumultuary insolencies and Betrayers of the freedom and Honour of Parliament They will find that Brethren in iniquity are not far from becoming insolent Enemies there being nothing harder than to keep ill men long in one minde c. The King as before desired the free enjoyment of what company exceptionless he should need wherein in part he had been gratified though to avoid offence the Duke of Richmond had withdrawn himself he thought fit therefore by a more equitable request to desire the company of his Children which the Parliament had denied which the General civilly undertook in this Letter MASTER SPEAKER I Was sent unto by the King on Fryday last to desire the Parliament to give him way to see his Children and that they might for that purpose be sent unto him If I may be bold humbly to offer my opinion I think the allowance of such a thing may be without the least prejudice to the Kingdom and yâ—t gain more upon his Majesty than by denying it And if it be in the Prayers of every good man that his heart may be gained the performance of such Civilities to him is very suitable to those desires and will bear well with all men who if they can imaginâ— it their own case cannot but bâ— sorry if his Majesties natural affection in so small a thing shall not be complied with I engaging for their return within what time the Parliament shall limit Denies occasion being taken hereby by some any underhand contract or bargain with the King and assures them of their Fidelity to them and the Kingdom nothing being so likely to settle an agreement and peace as an accord betwixt them and the Army which they shall study to preserve What is done in reference to a just consideration and settlement of the Kings Rights he first giving his Concurrence to secure the Rights of the Kingdom is declared in our Remonstrance since which several Addresses have been made to him by several Officers to clear the intentions of such Papers as the Representation and Remonstrance whereunto his Majesty might make any question but no bargain of advantage for our selves having thereby utterly disclaimed any such thing But the onely intent and effect of those Addresses hath been to desire his Majesties free Concurrence with the Parliament for establishing and securing the Common Rights and Liberties c. and to assure him that being done that it is fully agreeable to their principles and that they should be desirous that in such setling of the publike the Rights of his Majesties Royal Family should be also provided for And that as we had declared so in general if things came to a settlement we should not be wanting in our Sphere to own that general desire in any particulars of Natural or Civil Rights to his Majesties Person or Family which might not endanger the publike And in the mean time that his Majesty shall finde all personal respects and civilities and all reasonable freedom from us that might stand with safety c. And fâ—r that particular of the Duke of Richmond and his two Chaplains Doctor Hammond and Doctor Shelden lately admitted to attend his Majesty it was not done without much reluctancie because we doubted we might therein be misunderstood by the Kingdoms best friends But upon his Majesties continual importunity we did allow him such Company of persons least dangerous such as we hoped would not do ill offices and in whom his former acquaintance might cause him to take pleasure being both reasonable and just and the debarring of that liberty especially of his Chaplains would but make him the more prejudiced against their Ministers In general we humbly conceive that to avoid all harshness and afford all kinde usage to his Majesties Person in things consisting with the peace and safety c. is the most Christian honourable and most prudent way and we think that tender moderate and equitable dealing both towards his Majesty his Royal Family and late Party so far again as may stand with the safety c. is the most hopeful course to take away the seeds of War future feuds amongst us for Posterity and to procure a lasting Peace and settle Religion c. And if God shall make us instrumental thereto we shall thenceforth account it our greatest happiness and honour if God see it good to be disengaged from any publike employment whatsoever This in the name of the Army or at least most considerable part thereof In this Letter he likewise enclosed another from the King to the Duke of York wherein he ordered him to ask leave of the two Houses for Him his Brother and Sister to come and see Him if but for a Dinner-time acquainting him that if the Parliament should make any scruple for fear lest the Army should dâ—â—ain them also that he had assurance from the General and other principal Officers such cautâ—â—â— was then necessarily used for they did what they pleased without the General that they should freely return according to the time limited to â—â—eir Govâ—rnour the Earl of Northumberland who then kept them by a small allâ—â—vanc out of his Majesties Revenue at his Mannor of St. Iames. Dâ— the mediaâ—â—â—ns oâ— the General who could do more with a 〈◊〉 than the King by a Proclamation he had the pleasure or rather favour done him to see them at Maidenhâ—ad where they dined with their Father and thence went with him to Causam â— house of my Lord Cravens where for two days they were dispensed with in his company and â—hen remitted to their former tuition and cusâ—â—dy He was visitâ—â— also 〈…〉 while before by his Nephew the Prince Elector Palatine eldest Brother to the Princes Rupert and Maurice who had all along continued from his coming â—ver lâ—st in the Parliaments Quarters allowed by them a stipend of 8000 â— per annum till in 1649. after the murther of his Uncle they dismist him into Holland To digrâ—ss a little to the review of the Generals Letter but the pâ—oduct of Iretons brain who was Secretary all along to these whidling and â—â—â—lacious Paper-Kites no less than ten Salvo's or Restrictious to the â—â—â—ttlement of the King yea to curry with him setting forth a necessity of 〈…〉 his just rights and the equity of their declaring for them still not 〈◊〉 the performance of the
the King excellently observes as a just judgement of God upon the Authors and Actors of the like violences and insolences against himself in the beginning of our Troubles But the City of London were not so scared with this Ordinance as they thought they would be the cause of their discontent not onely not ceasing but being more exasperated by a justification of the injuries they were resolved to redress they continued their Subscriptions and while the Army was yet at some distance and abundance of cashiered Officers the Presbyterian party in Parliament being some time before surprized in a Vote whereby all Officers and Souldiers not of General Fairfax's Army were disbanded from their Commands and old Reformadoâ—s of the Earl of Essex's now in the Town to attempt the execution of what they had so publikely declared A great and fatal over-sight in lying so open to so subtle and cunnig an Enemy whom they needed not to have valued if by equal and considerate progressions they had silently advanced their enterprize not precipitated it with noise and presumptuous ostentation For the City was furnished with men both Souldiers and Officers as expert daring and ready for such a piece of Service as they could have desired In some their recent animosities for those cheats put upon them by taking away their Commissions in recompence of their good service In others a true and rectified sense of what they had done amiss against the King In others and the most indifferent the very Employment it self which was sure to be gainful by the certainty of Pay But before they could be formed or the designe digested into that formidable appearance which the other Faction jealously dreaded the Plot was spoiled by a Tumulâ—uous Rabble who on the 26 of Iuly a Petition being delivered that morning to the Parliament for the settlement of the Militia as of the 4 of May by that Committee of Citizens ran down to Westminster and forced the House of Commons to comply with their Commands the Lords having granted that Petition before For on the 26 of Iuly the Parliament had made an Ordinance whereby the Militia of London was changed and put into the hands of a mixt number of Presbyterians and Independents but where the latter were most prevalent reversing thereby their Ordinance of the fourth of May which had vested it in the Lord Mayor c. for that year From disgust of this change the occasion of this Riot was taken first therefore the Speaker thinking to leave the Chair and depart at the noise of their coming â—a man of a covetous mind who being in fear of being questioned for several sums of money purloined from the Publike and wisely foreseeing the Army would have the better of it stuck to that Party though he had also held intelligence with the King formerly firmly for the future was seized on by them forced to return to his Chair and there with the like compâ—lsion of thâ— rest of the Members to Unvote that Ordinance for the change of the Militia which now stood entrusted in the said hands before as if that Ordinance had never been Next they obtained another Vote whereby that Declaration against abetting carrying on or subscribing to the said Engagement under penalty of high Treason was annihilated Yet not content with this which had not done any great mischief and seemed another matter no way relating to the King whose interest was to be carryed on by the said spâ—cious shâ—â—â—s though honested otherwise than those of the Army with whom the counterparts of the said deceits were to be practised and their juggles colluded a madder crew of the said multitude just as the House was risen and after the Speaker had adjourned it did constrain them back again and both Lords and Commons to Vote this Resolve That his Majesty shall come to London forthwith to Treat To the sollicitation and forcing whereof it was more than suspected that the multitude was instigated by the Fanaticks who had mixt and dispersed themselves among them for that purpose it being clearly besides the first intention of that Tumult which nevertheless yet ceased not till the Sheriffs with what force they could get together the Militia then unsetled through the contradicting Order of Parliament pacified them and brought the Speaker home in safety The Lords who had been more ready to this complyance with the City especially as to the Militia it being its custom all along before the said alteration to name their Commissioners for the Parliaments approbation and because they smelt the Armies designe in it whose partakers in the House of Commons said that otherwise there was no stopping them from coming to London which they had hitherto in duty forborn and greatly magnified as their respectful observance of the Parliaments Commands adjourned from the 26 to the 30 of Iuly the Commons to the next day the 27. where they sate quietly and adjourned to the said time with the Lords And the next day being Wednesday the Monthly Fast they observed it at their usual Churches of St. Peters Abbâ—y and St. Margarets Westminster On Friday many of both Houses met accordingly where of the Commons appeared 140. but the Speaker was missing and the House after some inquiry was informed that he was gone to the Army fetcht thither it seems by this menace from Cromwel That if he did not comply with their designes he would cause the Army to impeach him for cozening the State of many vast sums of money The Earl of Manchester Speaker likewise to the House of Lords was gone the same way Both Houses thereupon without more hesitation chuse two new Speakers which were the Lord Grey of Wark for the Lords and Mr. Henry Pelham for the Commons who wanted 40 of their number that were Army-driven and then proceeded to Vote and Act as a Parliament The first thing they did as such and as became English-men was to Vote the re-admission of the 11 Members who had subducted themselves and then they revived and set up again the Committee of Safety by Ordinance of both Houses enabling them to joyn with the Committee of the restored Militia of London giving them power to List and raise Forces to appoint Commanders and Officers and to Issue forth Arms and Ammunition for defence of both Houses and the City against all that should invade them This would clearly have done the business had not their openness before layd the rubs and obstacles in the way which so much time of preparation against it had contrived For while the City was in a great division by the sticklers of Independency yet carrying on their levies having appointed Major-General Massey and Poyntz to Command in chief the Forces so to be raised who were listed at Guild-hall several multitudes of Fanaticks broke in and disturbed the Court of War to so great an affront that the two Major-Generals were forced to draw their Swords and wound some
Successors except by repeal of these Bills but also the making his Concessions guilty of the greatest pressures that can be made upon the Subject as in other particulars so by giving an Arbitrary and unlimited power to the two Houses for ever to raise and levy for Land and Sea-service of what persons without distinction and quality and to what numbers they please and likewise for the payment of the Arrears to levy what monies in such sort and by such ways and means and consequently upon the Estates of whatsoever persons as they shall think fit and appoint which is utterly inconsistent with the Liberty and Property of the Subject and his Majesties Trust in Protecting them so that if the major part of both Houses shall think it necessary to put the rest of the Propositions into Bills his Majesty leaves the world to judge how unsafe it would be for him to Consent thereunto and if not what a strange condition after passing those four Bills his Majesty and all his Subjects would be cast into And here his Majesty thinks it not unfit to wish his two Houses to consider well of the manner of their proceeding That when his Majesty desires a personal Treaty with them for the setling of a Peace they in answer propose the very subject matter of the most essential part thereof to be first granted a thing which will be hardly credible to posterity Wherefore his Majesty Declares That neither the desire of being freed from this tedious and irksome condition of life his Majesty hath so long suffered nor the apprehension of what shall befal him in case his two Houses shall not afford him a personal Treaty shall make him change his Resolution of not-consenting to any Act till the whole be concluded Yet then he intends not onely to give just and reasonable satisfaction in the particulars presented to him but also to make good all other Concessions mentioned in his Message of the 16 of Novemb. last which he thought would have produced better effects than what he finds in the Bills and Propositions now presented unto him And yet his Majesty cannot give over but now again earnestly presseth for a personal Treaty so passionately is he affected with the advantages which Peace will bring to his Majesty and all his Subjects of which he will not at all despair there being no other visible way to obtain a well-grounded Peace However his Majesty is very much at ease within himself for having fulfilled the Offices both of a Christian and a King and will patiently wait the good pleasure of Almighty God to incline the hearts of his two Houses to consider their King and Compassionate their fellow-Subjects Miseries Given at Carisbroke-Castle Dec. 28. On the third of Ianuary following this Answer was debated in the House of Commons And first Sir Thomas Wroth had his Cue set by the Faction to run high and to feel the pulse of the House which was uttered in this or the like Expression That Bedlam was appointed for Mad-men and Tophet for Kings That our Kings had carried themselves of late as if they were fit for no place but Bedlam That his Humble Motion should consist of three parts 1. To secure the King and keep him in some close Inland-Castle with Guards 2. To draw up Articles of Impeachment against him 3. To lay him by and settle the Kingdom without him He cared not what Form of Government they set up so it were not by Kings and Devils Then Commissary Ireton seeming to speak the sense of the Army under the notion of many Godly men who had ventured their Lives to subdue their Enemies said after this manner The King had denied Safety and Protection to his People by denying the four Bills That Subjection to him was but in lieu of his Protection to his People this being denied they might well deny any more Subjection to him and settle the Kingdom without him That it was now expected after so long patience they should shew their resolution and not desert those Valiant men who had engaged for them beyond all possibility of Retreat and would never forsake the Parliament unless the Parliament forsook them first After some more debate when the House was ready for the Question Cromwel brought up the Rear and giving an ample Character of the Valour good affections and Godliness of the Army argued That it was now expected the Parliament should Govern and Defend the Kingdom by their own power and resolutions and not teach the people any longer to expect Safety and Government from an Obstinate Man whose heart God had hardned That those men who had defended the Parliament from so many dangers with the expence of their blood would defend them herein with Fidelity and courage against all opposition Teach them not by neglecting your own and the Kingdoms safety in which their own is involved to think themselves betrayed and left hereafter to the Rage and Malice of an irreconcileable Enemy whom they have subdued for your sake and therefore are likely to finde his future Government of them insupportable and fuller of Revenge than Iustice Lest despair teach them to seek their safety by some other means then adhering to you who will not stick to your selves and how destructive such a resolution in them will be to you all I tremble to think and leave you to judge At the latter end of this contrived Speech he laid his Hand upon his Sword that Sword which by his side could not keep him from Trembling when Sir Philip Stapleton some while before baffled him in the House of Commons Now we discover these two Matchiavels avowing in a manner their ends and designes which they had hitherto cloaked by fair pretences to the King and charged upon the Adjutators And henceforward we shall see them using all manner of scelerate practises to promote their Conspiracie This bold Harangue and Menace so far availed them that the Parliament over-awed therewith after a long debate from 9 in the morning till night upon the first of the ensuing Votes the House being divided 141 Yeas to 91 Noes came to these following Resolutions the other three except the last being carried more easily They were prefaced with a short Declaration yet of twelve days deliberation dated the 15 of Ianuary in these words Die Sabbathi 15 Ianuarii 1647. The Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament after many Addresses to his Majestie for the preventing and ending this unnatural War raised by him against his Parliament and Kingdom having lately sent four Bills to his Majestie which did contain only matter of safety and security to the Parliament and Kingdom referring the composure of all other differences to a personal Treaty with his Majestie and having received an absolute Negative Do hold themselves obliged to use their utmost endeavours speedily to settle the present Government in such a way as may bring the greatest security to this Kingdom in
most upon it who were then in a readiness with a Petition to the same tenor believing the Parliament would never so far vary from that principle they had so mainly held forth and asserted viz. the Peoples right of declaring their grievances to that High Court But now sadly convinced of that opinion they resolved to save their honour and their Journey to London not to be baffled by Red-coats or to travel up on a fools errand but with their swords in their Hands which was the onely reason then prevailing to reduce those by force to their duty they could not induce by the most urgent and winning intreaties and accordingly appointed a Rendezvous neer Rochester to resolve upon the affair and chuse their Officers On the 24 of May they assembled together and named the Lord Goring Earl of Norwich then upon the place for their General being their next Countryman of Sussex though they had pitcht upon the Duke of Richmond then at Cobham who declined it out of his incapacity for action or that Command Hither also resorted many hundreds of London-Prentices the chief and flower of the Youth with many of the Old Cavalry and many thousands more had gone but that all the ways from London thither were so laid that there was no passage the River of Thames being guarded with the like diligence and several adventurers and well-willers to the King and the quarrel intercepted 'T was therefore thought hazardous to dally with such an Enemy who increased every hour being already formidable not for the number onely but the considerableness experience and gallantry of them so that the General himself with all the Forces he could make being 8000 six of Foot and two of Horse drew out against them which advantage as it was designed and hoped the Citizens might have taken but it seems the Army was sensible of that and since they could not keep it were contented to part with the Militia and leave it according to that establishment which they so abominably quarrelled before which artificial kindness so obliged the City that though several promises had been made of their concurrence with the grand designe Colonel Culpeper negotiating and pressing their speedy resolution and Declaration for the King and Kingdom at the very same time at Guild-hall to his no little danger and honour yet would they not by any means or arguments of their Honour and Safety be drawn into any publike undertaking not minding that story of Polyphemus to Vlysses whose onely favour to him was that he should be eaten up last And it was a strange confidence in them to think that their Militia could secure them which before had seen so scurrilously and contumeliously wrested from them when they were upbraided in 47 that they were not able therewith to preserve the City much less the Parliament or the King However they now undertook both the former Skippon instead of noble Brown being accepted a meer bosom-Traytor to them as their Major-General at the salary of 600 l. per annum Fairfax therefore securely and resolutely advanceth against these Kentish Forces and understanding that the Body of the Army quartered about Rochester whose Bridge was broke he resolved to pass the River of Medway something lower neer Maidstone and so march toward them But the Royalists sensible and fore-judging he would attempt that way had manned it with 1500 men of the resolutesâ— and willingest of their Army consisting chiefly of London-Auxiliaries who though surprized by Fairfax's sudden approach who had received intelligence from some Traitors within the Town at what distance and in what security the Army lay dispersed did yet make a most manful resistance The first Dispute after a slight skirmish at Crayfield-heath by Gravesend happened at Northfield-bridge the pass to Maidstone whither Fairfax sent Major Husbands with a strong party before him himself marching with a full Body not trusting altogether to his Kentish intelligence Major Husbands after a sharp and hot contest prevailed more for fear of the approach of the whole Army than his own strength when yet that handful of men daringly engaged this whole Body and fought very much of their ground with such pertinacious valour that Fairfax then troubled with the Gout was forced to light out of his Coach and to lead his men on in person for their animation the service proved so tedious and desperate At last the Royalists fresh supplies overpowring them were beat up to the Barricadoes of the Town where they made a more bloudy defence than in the Fields and Hedges repelling the Enemy twice And being thence beaten into the Town did worser annoy them than ever before firing out of the Windows and Leads and using all those ready Engines of death which the Houses afforded to the very great slaughter of the Red-coats so that it was 6 hours compleat before the Town was fully gained and had the Royalists from Rochester moved to their relief it was more than probable the Army had been utterly baffled and the Quarrel at an End Of the Kentish were killed 300 and almost 1000 taken Prisoners with 400 Horse 8 pieces of Ordnance and some Ammunition Fairfax confessed they were the toughest Enemy he had met with in England The Fight began at 7 a clock at night and lasted till midnight But the main Body under the Earl of Norwich instead of coming to their rescue marched in hast away for Black-heath where most of the Kentish-men leaving him not above 500 deserted him The reason of their not seconding their Fellows was reported to be this The one half of them was marched to Dover and those places to seize on those Castles and secure that Country and so weakened the remaining Party For seeing few come in to his assistance which was to be ascribed to the strict care and industry of Major-General Skippon they thought then of the safest course From Black-heath the Earl sent a Message to the City of London desiring free passage through it and declaring the intentions of his undertaking But they flatly refused any such thing though some former assurances had been given of their joyning in the designe whereupon the Royalists were forced to Ferry and Swim their Horses and Boat themselves into the Isle of Dogs and so to Mile-End-Green whence afresh they Sollicited the City to partake in this Honourable Confederacy but they were deaf to all such perswasions their Major-General and his Tarriers inveagling them with the honesty and good resolutions of the Army both to them and the Kingdom Thence the Earl marched to Stratford-Bow where joyned with him the Essex-Forces under the Command of Sir Charles Lucas whom they had unanimously chosen for their General being under colour of a Muster Rendezvouzed by Colonel Far a Gentleman of that County whence they were drawn to this place to countenance and favour any Loyal attempt in the City and to encourage them to shew themselves Men and Subjects But that
hope proving more and more vain so wretchedly stupid were the Londoners they marched into Essex and by the way seized upon the Arms and Ammunition that then lay in the Earl of Warwick's House at Leez as then in open hostility against the Prince and so further into the County until at last they setled in the Town of Colchester Fairfax understanding of this Go-by and their conjunction having dispatcht away Colonel Rich and Colonel Barkstead with their Regiments to reduce and free those Castles which the Kentish-men as aforesaid had taken with all hast passed his Army over at Gravesend to make the quicker pursuit after them having underhand received recruits and supplies both of men and money from Skippon to re-inforce him who every day privately listed men for the Service At Colchester the Lord Capel with some Horse of his own raising met him and a Troop of Veterane Royalists from London who fought their way at Epping with some Army-Horse laid to obstruct all additions from the City by that Road came also entire at the same time just as the Van of Fairfax his Army was Skirmishing at the Towns-end where they so peppered the Enemy that in great confusion he ran to the Body having had an Essay what Sparks he had to deal with Sir George Lisle was made Major-General of the Essex-Forces and the rest of the Army distributed into Regiments and distinct Commands and had their posts and places assigned them The Town was inconsiderable either in it self as being intenible and undefensive nothing but a Brest-work cast up about it and as to the adjacent parts of the County to receive any provisional relief or great Force into it so that there was no hopes of setling or planting in it for in all probability it was not thought possible to hold out a Month to an end nevertheless by their industry courage vigilance and patience it held out three compleatly against a victorious Enemy recruited as aforesaid and assisted with the Forces of the Neighbouring County of Suffolk on whom deservedly the slaughter principally fell for so basely engaging against whom they had promised to joyn with these Essex-Royalists Several attempts were made by Fairfax to take the place by Force and many Sallies were in requital made by the Besieged who both in assayling and defending did great Execution From the beginning to the ending of the Siege scarce a day passed without actions from within at first to fetch in Cattel then to cut Grass which was stained all over with Blood for the Besieged would have it who had now planted some Cannons upon St. Mary's-Steeple whence they cruelly annoyed the Leaguer Insomuch that Fairfax seeing the loss of his men and the courage of the Defendants gave over his resolution of Storming proceeding with his Approaches to begirt them close and fortifying his Camp to starve them and also to fire them out which forced the Besieged to burn the Suburbs that he intended for shelter but he possest the Lord Lucas his House Sir Charles his Brother and ruined it The provision they had in the Town besides what they fought for and brought in afterwards would not suffice for above a Month and all hopes were abandoned of getting in more yet the courageous and generous sufferance of these Loyal Souldiers resolved to undergo all misery rather than yield and so free the Army to march against the Scots who were now entred England upon the same account Their main support was the sauce and relish to their meat good store of Prunes and Plums with which the Town was stored that did a little palate their Hors-flesh to them which they were forced to kill and dress for their victuals a good while before their Surrender there was also some Corn which Sir Charles charitably distributed among the Towns-folk but the Souldiers borrowed it again in their extremity in which we must leave these Noble Gentlemen and take a view of other concurrent endeavours for the King and Kingdom The Fleet which the Parliament had stollen and debauched from their Duty by their first pretences perceiving that indeed they were but such and no more repenting of their past service did to satisfie for their former offences now turn sides and rendred themselves to the Prince now made Captain-General of His Fathers Forces The Parliament had some inkling thereof and therefore had Commissioned Colonel Rainsborough a Sea-man formerly to the Command thereof whom the Loyal Mariners fairly put on Shore having posed him with this Question of engaging for their Soverain and at the same time their former Vice-Admiral Sir William Batten now Knighted by the Prince being disbanded by the Independent Rulers as more honest than they would have him brought some other Ships to His Majesties Obedience With this Naval Force the Prince departed from Holland and came into Yarmouth-Road where it was deliberated whether he should land and attempt the Relief of Colchester There were then in company with Him His Illustrious Brother the Duke of York who in April before had happily escaped from St. Iames's where heâ— was kept by the Earl of Northumberland his Guardian by the conduct of Colonel Bamfield who was employed therein by the Queen the Duke pretending to play in the dusk of the Evening was disguised in Maiden-habit and landed safely at Dort in Holland Prince Rupert the Earl of Brainford the Lords Hopton Wilmot Willougbby who had deserted the Parliament having been charged imprisoned and affronted by the Army and Culpeper and other Gentlemen but understanding that Colonel Scroop was attending thereabout they concluded it hazardous to venture the reputation of the Princes first Arms upon so well-appointed an Enemy and thereupon weighed Anchor and stood into the Downs The Navy consisted of 20 Ships of War most of the first and second Rate the other Frigats well manned and furnished which anchoring neer the Mouth of the Thames put the City into great fear no Ships possibly going in or out without the Princes permission a Hamborough-bound Ship richly laden being seized on by him In all haste thereâ—ore the Parliament order their old Admiral Robert Rich Earl of Warwick to Equip another Fleet then in the River and to set to Sea hoping by his Authority and influence to reclaim their Revolters or if not upon the coming of more Ships from Portsmouth which accordingly joyned with him to fight the Prince In pursuance of this Command Warwick appears with his Fleet about Quinborough but for all his former indearedness to the Sea-men and their affection his Masters confided in he durst not engage lest a total defection might have ensued for the Mariners were grown sensible how Trade and consequently Navigation was decayed by the long continuance of the War and had more kindness besides for Batten than they had for the Earl which the Prince was sensible of and therefore in civil terms by a Message required him to submit
Thoâ—nhills Regiments of Horse and the other over Ribley-River whom the Body of the Army â—ollowed most of their Foot under Major-General Baily came that night to Wigan fighting and crying Quarter in the Rear and the next day to Warrington-Bridge where in their way at a place called Red-bank in a narrow lane they made a stand with a Body of Pikes and lined the Hedges with Muskets who so rudely entertained the pursuing Enemy that they were compelled to stop having lost abundance of men and Col. Thornhill himself until the coming up of Col. Pride's Regiment of Foot who after a sharp dispute put those brave Fellows to the run they were Commanded by a little Spark in a blew Bonnet that performed the part of an excellent Commander and was killed on the place After this they never turned Head but ran crying Mercy Mercy so that the noise thereof was heard at 5 Miles distance until they came to Warrington-Bridge where Baily made Conditions for Quarter and rendred himself and 4000 of them Prisoners Middleton was likewise taken with 400 Horse in his flight homeward Hamilton fled first to Namptwich with 3000 Horse where the Country-people surprized 500 of them and thence in haste to Vttoxeter in Staffordshire where he yielded himself to the Lord Gray of Grooby and Col. Wayt who were ready to encounter him and was thence brought prisoner to Ashby de la Zouch where he was kept in great state and courted by those the Grandees appointed to attend him on purpose to cajole and fish out what Great Oues Members of both Houses the City and Clergy had a hand in his undertaking it being more than suspected that he had such Invitation But the unhappy man was yet so fortunate to others as to reveal little or nothing to their prejudice reserving his thoughts till the last extremity for his ransom but he overstood the Market To save the Reader the trouble of particulars he may know that all that ever belonged to that Army was taken the Scots that escaped which were but few hardly carrying a Sword home with them such as got home happened to light upon Monro who was marching after Hamilton with a Reserve and upon news of this defeat hasted back again into Scotland having intelligence that Cromwel was marching towards him Who to compleat his Successes and Designes together thought it expedient to make sure of a party in Scotland that should keep all things quiet there while he should accomplish his intended mischief here and under the notion of Godliness and the Godly Party should amuse and cheat one another to the helping and bringing about his most ungodly Conspiracie To this purpose he marched into Scotland complementing the Kirk-men with the civility of his Journey to secure and settle them in return of their kindness to the Parliament in 1643. who cawed him again and congratulated his Victory in Scripture-Language who was no way behind them in those hypocritical Cantings He was likewise sumptuously feasted by Argyle and others of that Party and lastly by the Committee of Estates of whom he required and obtained that all the Armies both of Monro and Lanerick who yet stood out and Argyle's in opposition to them should be disbanded Berwick and Carlisle being already delivered to him that so there might be none in readiness to hinder his resolutions Secondly that a new Parliament be called And thirdly that none should be elected to sit and Vote there or in the General Assembly that had any hand in the late Invasion under Hamilton And so after many high expressions of their thankful resentments and obligations for his meritorious service took his leave of them and return'd into England being as he passed through York-shire with his Forces desired by that Committee to assist them in the reducing of Scarborough some while before declared for the King Sir Matthew Boynton the former Governour returning to his Allegeance and securing the Town on that score Tinmouth-Castle was likewise seized on for the King by Major Lilburn one of that famous Iohn Lilburn's Brothers who only seriously repented of his disloyalty and would have made satisfaction to the redemption of his Families and his own Honour but was presently and before he had time to fortifie and prepare for defence set upon by Forces sent by Sir Arthur Haslerig from Newcastle who stormed the Castle and carried it putting the Souldiers and Lilburn himself to the Sword Return we now to the distressed and starved Colchester where the Defendants had eaten up most of their Horses in expectation of relief from the Scotch Army being encouraged to hold out by Letters from the Lord Langdale of their Armies speedy advance to their succour But understanding by information from the Enemy without that that Army was totally defeated these unfortunate Heroical Royalists were forced to bethink themselves of a Surrender which Fairfax would now accept upon no other terms after much debate by Treaty than the Common Souldiers to quarter for life and the Officers to mercy These hard Terms were disputed within and were at the first generously scorned and thereupon a resolution was taken seconded with a Protestation whereby they engaged one to another by the assistance of God to break through the Enemy on Friday night the 23 of August but through the dissatisfaction or personal consideration of some of the Grandees this noble Designe was hindered and the Souldiers by the delay and after-consultation of it it being respited a day longer being enjealoused as if the Officers would leave the Foot in the action and shift for themselves and it was impossible to attempt their Line without Foot and Pioneers they were forced to accept of the former Conditions and accordingly August the 28th they rendred themselves a sad spectacle to all but that barbarous and insulting Enemy who presently stript them of all they had left comfortable their Money and Apparel Within two hours after the surrender Col. Ireton was sent to the Inne where all the Officers were put to acquaint Sir Charles Lucas Sir George Lisle and Sir Bernard Gascoyn that by a doom of the Council of War they were sentenced to be shot to death within three hours and that they should prepare themselves accordingly They all of them undauntedly received this sad Message Sir Charles only desiring some little time longer to prepare himself both in reference to his peace with God and concerns of his Relations which he said he asked not for fear of death or in hope of life which he would not value from their hands But this was refused by Ireton who on purpose to make the General odious then the only impediment to his Father-in-Law's Greatness which was afterwards removed by a more innocent wile had urged him to this murder Seven a Clock at night was the appointed time to prepare them against which Ireton proffered the Generals Chaplain but him they refused the Lord Capel's being
Propositions would they have been satisfactory did not at present sute the high and imperious humour of the Parliament yet by the good temperament and respectful behaviour of the major part of the Commissioners such a mutual confidence was wrought that the King won with their dutiful perswasion did in most of those things besides Religion and Church-lands comply with their demands and then the Parliament upon debate of the whole Treaty Voted his Concessions a ground to settle the Kingdom of which presently But a little before the conclusion of the Treaty which hapned on the 27th of Nov. the Army Cromwel being now come out of Scotland had after a long Consultation how to break it off hammered out a villanous Remonstrance on the 16th of that Month at St. Albans and on the 28th presented it to the House of Commons by Col. Ewers related to the Lord Ewers and seven Officers more the Treasonable and Execrable Heads thereof setting aside that Principle That the Magistery of the People is Supreme were as followeth First That the Capital and Grand Author of our Troubles viz. the Person of the King by whose procurement and for whose Interest of Will and Power all our Wars have been may be brought to Iustice for the Treason Blood and Mischief he is therein guilty of Secondly That a Timely Day may be set for the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York to come in by which time if they do not that then they may immediately be declared incapable of any Trust or Government in this Kingdom or its Dominions and thence to stand exiled for ever as Enemies or Traytors to die without mercy if ever after found or taken therein c. If by the time limited they do render themselves that then the Prince be proceeded with as on appearance he shall give satisfaction or not and then the Duke as he shall give satisfaction may be considered as to future Trust or not But however that the Revenue of the Crown saving necessary allowances for the Children and for Servants and Creditors to the Crown be Sequestred and the costly pomp suspended for a good number of years and that this Revenue be for that time disposed toward Publike Charges Debts and Damages for the easing of the people so as the Estates neither of Friends to publique Interest nor alone of inferior Enemies thereunto may bear the whole burthen of that loss and charge which by and for that Family the Kingdom hath been put unto Thirdly That Capital punishment be speedily Executed upon a competent number of his Chief Instruments also both in former and later Wars and that some of both sorts be pitcht upon as are really in your hands or reach Fourthly That the rest of the Delinquents English may upon rendring themselves to Iustice have mercy for their lives and that only Fines be set upon them and their persons declared incapable of any Publique Trust or having any voice in Elections thereto at least for a good number of years And that a short day may be set by which all such Delinquents may come in and for those who come not in by that day that their Estates be absolutely Confiscated and sold to the Publike use and their Persons stand Exiled as Traytors and to die without mercy if ever after found in the Kingdom or its Dominions Fifthly That the satisfaction of Arrears to the Souldiery with other publike Debts and competent reparations of publique Damages may be put into some orderly way And that therefore the Fines and Compositions of Delinquents be disposed to those uses only as also the Confiscations of such who shall be excluded from Pardon or not come in by the day assigned Now after Publique Iustice thus provided for we proceed in order to the general satisfaction and Settlement of the Kingdom First That you would set some reasonable and certain period to your own Power Secondly That with a period to this Parliament that there may be a Settlement of the Peace and future Government of the Kingdom And in order thereto First That there may be a certain Succession of future Parliaments Annual or Biennial with secure provision 1. For the certainty of their Sitting Meeting and Ending 2. For equal Elections 3. For the Peoples meeting to Elect Provided that none engaged in War against the Kingdom may Elect or be Elected nor any other who oppose this Settlement 4. For clearing the power of Parliaments as Supreme only they may not give away any Foundation of Common Right 5. For liberty of Entring Dissents in the said Representatives that the people may know who are fit for future Trusts but without any penalty for their free Iudgments Thirdly That no King be hereafter admitted but upon Election of and as upon Trust from the people by such their Representatives nor without first disclaiming all pretence to a Negative Voice against the Determinations of the Commons in Parliament and this to be done in some Form more clear than heretofore in the Coronation-Oath These Matters of General Settlement we propound to be provided by the Authority of the Commons in this Parliament and to be further Established by a general Contract or Agreement of the people with their Subscriptions thereunto And that no King be admitted to the Crown nor other person to any Office of publique Trust without express Accord and Subscription to the same This was the Basis Method and Model of Cromwels Tyranny and though he had changed his pretences according to the exigences of time and occasions yet he was fixed here as having learnt from Matchiavel that there is no readier way to an Usurpation than by destroying the Fundamental Laws and Essentials of Government and proposing pleasing Innovations to the Vulgar This he drove at in his possessed Servants the Levellers whom he put on to divulge this new secret of Empire but they thundering of it out and to try its acceptance as the rain in unseasonable weather he was content to abandon them to a shower of Bullets influenced on one of his prime Boâ—tefeus by the Command of the Parliament to the General as beforesaid in 1647 at Ware For observe the trace of his Policie after this Critical Juncture when he had superated all difficulties and removed all obstacles and you shall see how sequaciously he copied these Articles of Agreement as they were called of the people First Destroy the King as a Tyrant then exclude the Royal Progeny then disable its potent Friends and ingratiate with the mean Next Gratifie and engage the Souldiers with promise of Arrears and Establishment Then the next subsequent great work is the dissolution of the Parliament then a Chimaera of Government such as Barebones Convention And lastly A pretended Elective Tyranny under the Style of Protector which his impiety afforded him not only to subscribe but to swear to The ill news of this pestilent Paper flew amain
to the Isle of Wight where the King surprised with this monstrous disloyalty at the reading of it to him at Newport propounded these Queries 1. Whether this Remonstrance be agreeable to the formâ—r Declarations of the Army and if not Whether the Parliament would maze good their Votes that after he had consented to what they desired he should be in a capacity of Honour Freedom and Safety 2. Whether his acknowledgment of the Blood that hath been spilt in the late Wars nothing being as yet absolutely concluding or binding could be urged so far as to be made use of by way of evidence against him or any of his party 3. Whether the Arguments that he hath used in a free and personal Treaty to lessen or extenuate and avoid the exactness of the Conditions though in manner and form only might be charged against him as an act of obstinacie or wilful persistence in what is alledged against him in that he goes on in a destructive course and enmity against the People and Laws of the Land when he hath declared that his Conscience was satisfied concerning divers partiâ—ulars in the Propositions 4. Whereas by the Letter of the Law all persons charged to offend against the Law ought to be tried by their Peers or Equals what the Law is if the person questioned is without a Peer And if the Law which of it self is but a dead Letter seems to condemn him by what Power shall Iudgment be given and who shall judge it or from whence shall the Administrators of such Iudgment derive their power which may by the same Law be deemed the Supreme Power or Authority of Magistracie in the Kingdom These his Queries were resolved no otherwise than by a strict Guard put upon him so that the Commissioners coming to receive his Answer of him he told them be thought to have sent his Answer sealed because he had been prejudiced by sending others open but since his condition could not be worse no body suffered to speak with him without suspition he had sent it open and reading it desired their opinion who told him they thought it would procure a well-grounded Peace He then desired them to put a good Interpretation upon his manage of this Treaty and those vehement expressions in some of his Debates there being nothing in his Intentions but kindness acknowledged their abilities which had taken him off from some of his own opinions as he doubted not if they had had power to recede he could have prevailed upon theirs as also if he had been present upon the two Houses And he desires them to use the same freedom and instance to his two Houses to indulge his Conscience wherein he cannot be satisfied and to represent him candidly to his two Houses since he hath parted with all how near or dear soever but wherein his Conscience is unsatisfied And at their taking leave he added these Pathetick Sentences MY LORDS You are come to take your leave of me and I believe we shall scarce see each other again but God's Will be done I thank God I have made my Peace with him and shall without fear undergo what he shall be pleased to suffer men to do unto me My Lords You cannot but know that in my Fall and Ruine you see your own and that also near to you I pray God send you better Friends than I have found I am fully informed of the whole Plot and Carriage against me and mine and nothing so much afflicts me as the sense and feeling I have of the sufferings of my Subjects and the miseries that hang over my three Kingdoms drawn upon them by those who upon the pretences of good violently pursue their own Interests and Ends. After which he presently withdrew himself to his Guards Let the Reader give me leave to compleat his sorrow with this last Captive Breath of the King 's in the Isle of Wight and I am confident he will not blame me for vouchsafing him a Sympathy or Part in this Threnody and Lamentation sincâ— it was delivered to one of his Servants just at his departure thence and Commanded by him to be published for the satisfaction of all his Subjects WHen large Pretences prove but the shadows of weak Performances then the greatest Labours produce the smallest Effects and when a period is put to a Work of great Concernment all mens ears do as it were hunger till they are satisfied in their Expectations Hath not this distracted Nation groaned a long time under the burden of Tyranny and Oppression And hath not all the Blood that hath been spilt these seven years been cast upon my Head who am the greatest Sufferer though the least guilty And was it not requisite to endeavour the stopping of that Flux which if not stopt will bring an absolute destruction to this Nation And what more speedy way was there to consummate those distractions than by a Personal Treaty being agreed on by my two Houses of Parliament and condescended to by me And I might Declare that I conceive it had been Physick had not the Operation been hindred by the interposition of this Imperious Army who were so audacious as to stile me in their unparallel'd Remonstrance their Capital Enemy But let the world judge whether my endeavours have not been attended with reality in this late Treaty and whether I was not as ready to grant as they to ask and yet all this is not satisfaction to them that pursue their own ambitious Ends more than the welfare of a miserable Land Were not the dying hearts of my poor distressed People much revived with the hopes of a happiness from this Treaty and how suddenly are they frustrated in theire xpectations Have I not formerly been condemned for yielding too little to my Houses of Parliament and must I now be condemned for yielding too much Have I not formerly been imprisoned for making War and shall I now be condemned for making Peace Have I not formerly enjoyed the society of my dear Wife and Children in peace and quietness and shall I now neither enjoy them nor Peace Have not my Subjects formerly obeyed me and shall I now be obedient to my Subjects Have not I been condemned for Evil Counsellours and shall I now be condemned for having no Counsel but God These are unutterable miseries that the more I endeavour for Peace the less my endeavours are respected and how shall I hereafter know what to grant when your selves know not what to ask I refer it to your Consciences whether I have not satisfied your desires in every particular since in this Treaty if you find I have not then let me bear the burthen of the fault but if I have given you ample satisfaction as I am sure I have then you are bound to vindicate me from the â—ury of those whose thoughts are filled with blood though they pretend zeal yet they are but Wolves in Sheeps cloathing I must further Declare that
of Beaten Gold and Cromwel with 300 pounds worth of Plate and 200 pieces of Gold and great rejoycing there was and smiling too at this the Cities kindness whose Proclaiming of the Act for abolishing the Kingly power having touched before I think I am not obliged to the worth or worshipfulness of the matter to say any thing more of it here in its place but in lieu thereof will pleasure the Reader with a contra-aspect in this Archive and Premier Record of Englands being a Free-State Created by these Hogen Mogen words Be it Enacted and Declared by this present Parliament and by the Authority thereof that the People of England and all the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging are and shall be and are hereby Constituted Made and Declared a Commonwealth and Free-State and shall so be Governed by the Supreme Authority the Representatives of the people in Parliament and by such as they shall constitute as Officers for the good of the people and that without any King Single Person or House of Lords And for the Honour and Grace of this Free-State a new Mace was now made and brought to be Consecrated in the House wrought with Flowers instead of the Cross and on the bottome and the top the Arms of England and Ireland which was so well liked that they ordered all the Maces in England should be made after that pattern But that which they did most like a Free-State was giving and bounteously bestowing Estates upon one another for besides smaller Rents and lesser Sums kindly squandered and reciprocated among the Journey-men by themselves no less than 4000 a year was given to Fairfax out of the Duke of Bukingham's Revenues the Lord Cottington's Estate to Bradshaw and so to other their deserving Favorites And to requite the City for their civility of the late Treatment and to engage them at a pinch New-park with all the Deer therein was liberally conferred upon them to hold it in Common Soccage from any body a very excellent Tenure and Title Great givers must be great receivers and therefore besides their former Act of selling the Kings Houshold-goods which was pretended to satisfie his Debts but such Creditors as ventured upon them found them dear pennyworths not onely in conclusion but for the present being rated and prized so unreasonably that 100 l. in goods would not yield above ten in money There came out an Act for the sale of Deans and Chapters Lands the product whereof though encumbred with Debentures amounted to a clear account of incredible sums and another for the sale of the Mannors Houses Lands and Forrests of the King Queen or Prince but White-hall for that it was the residence of my Lords the Committee of Estates Saint Iames's and Windsor-Castle were by them excepted and Cromwel for a pleasant retreat for his future greatness saved Hampton-Court and Greenwich and the French-Church having obtained the use of the Chappel of Somerset-house rescued that likewise from sale because the Purchasers could not build upon the ground with any conveniencie if that were not demolished But the grand money-making Act the very Mint of their Commonwealth was an Act of the 7th of April for 90000 l. a Month which rose higher afterwards though in the middle of the War it was never more than 56000 and there were three Armies in pay but it seems the good Husbands had accounted and then published it that the Monthly charge was 160000 pound and that the standing force amounted to 40000 men in England and Ireland About this time several Inland Castles were demolished as Winchester Lancaster Belvoir Nottingham c. and some reparations made to the several Proprietors It will be requisite now to enquire what and how the King doth since we left him at the Hague while his Rebels rant it away in such ample manner and carry all before them 'T is true he wanted not a Kingdom being lookt upon by the people of those Vnited Provinces with the same respect as if he were their Soveraign nor did they â—ail of giving manifest demonstration thereof His Fathers Death was with all State Condoled and his ascent to the Throne Gratulated and that moreover both by the Swedish and Danish Embassadors then resident at that Court especially the Prince of Aurange by his respects and observance obliged all persons to the reverence of his Person as if no such misfortunes had befallen him nor could any thing but a vertuous tempered minde amidst such caresses and Honours been sensible of so sudden so dis-regarded and discountenanced adversity To better also his condition as to his Kingdoms came forth several defences of his Authority in several Treatises especially that of Salmasius called The Royal Defence which one Milton since stricken with blindness cavilled at who wrote also against that imcomparable Book and Remains of King Charles the Martyr about this time produced to light though endeavoured by all means to be supprest called Eikon Basilike in an impudent and Blasphemous Libel called Iconoclastes since deservedly burnt by the Common Executionâ—r doth justly challenge to be here Registred Thus He triumpht by the Pen and great were the expectations of his like success by the Sword Scotland being wholely his and Ireland vâ—ry neer reduced to the same obedience the affairs of both which Kingdoms calling him away He resolved to depart from this His long-continued abode and after mature consultations with the Princes His Allyes and His neerer Relations His disconsolate Mother then in France to determine to which Realm He should first betake Him but before His departure fell out this remarkable passage at His Court at the Hague One Doctor Dorislaus a Dutch-man and School-Master that fled his Country and here became a Civilian then pertainer to the University of Oxford and a Professor there but disappointed of his ambitious expectations in the beginning of the War became the Parliaments Judge-Advocate in their Army and at the expiration thereof by his acquaintance with Sir Henry Mildmay a great Enemy to though raised by the King at whose House in Essex he ordinarily played at Cards on Sundays was promoted to the Employment of drawing up that Charge against the King and the rather for that no Englishman durst finde or make a way to that illegal and unprecedented business After that perpetration he was thought the onely fit man to be sent over as an Envoy to his Country-men to prosecute the designs of that Fact which would look the handsomer to them by this their Subjects hand in it though he durst not have appâ—ard there but in the quality of a Forrain Minister He arrived there in May and the first night as he was at Supper there one Colonel Whitford a Scotch-man then attending the Kings Court with some twelve other Royalists regretting and disdaining the affront done to the King by the impudent boldness of this Fâ—llows address in the Face of His Majesty entred his Lodging
ways remedy being constrained to humor and comply with that party as being a people so ticklish and unsteady that if disgusted might probably either side with Iones or retiring to their own Garrisons compel the Army to withdraw from Dublin by declaring themselves for the Parliament of which Grudge slightly hinted before Sir Thomas Armstronge and the Lord Moor being come in to the Lord Inchiqueen Colonel Mark Trevors that was but newly declared for the King having got notice of a choice party of O Neals sent to Dundalke to convey thence such Arms and Ammunition as Monke had undertaken to supply him withal invited the Lord Inchiqueen to intercept them who came so opportunely thither that he gained O Neals supply of Ammunition with the utter deâ—eat of his Party whereupon soon after the gaining of Drogheda which ensued immediately upon O Neales defeat Dundalke it self being summoned the Souldiers compelled Monke to a Surrender and themselves took Arms for the King Immediately after this defeat of his Party O Neale hastneth towards the Relief of Derry which was the onely Town in that Province untaken all the rest being already reduced by the Lord of Ards Sir George Monrâ— and Colonel Trevors who were now hindered onely by O Neales Army and the Siege of Derry from bringing up a considerable Body of Horse and Foot to the Leaguer of Dublin Where may be observed how great a prejudice the Faction of those men who desiring out of animosities and ends of their own to stave off O Neal and his party from the benefit of the Peace stood chaffering with him about his Command of 4000 or 6000 men and other trifles have done to the Kings service and to the whole Kingdom in depriving themselves thereby not onely of the forementioned assistance of the Scots but also of the possession of London-Derry together with so considerable an addition of Forces as O Neal could then have brought whereby not onely the whole Province of Vlster would have been secured to the King but Dublin it self either reduced or so strongly surrounded that it would have been impossible either for Iones to relieve himself or Cromwel to invade the Kingdom Which notwithstanding all these forementioned disadvantages was upon the matter even gained already and would have been entirely without any manner of question if it had fortuned that His Majesty had seasonably come thither himself in Person which by all parties was desired with infinite passion but especially by those whose prudence made them best able to Judge how effectual his presence would be not onely for the animating of his own Loyal Party but also suppressing of all Factious humours and uniting all Interests chearfully and unanimously to go on against the common Enemy which must soon have put a period to that War and made his Authority absolute in that Kingdom without dispute for as upon his arrival His Majesty should have found Munster entirely in the Irish and the Lord Inâ—hiqueens possession Vlster all reduced but the Fort of Culmore and Derry into the Hands of the Scots Connaght by the Marquess of Clanricards fortunate gaining the strong Fort of Slego with what else the Enemy had then remaining in that Province wholly cleared In Leinster nothing left for Rebellion to nestle in but Dublin and Ballisannon both which were so well attended upon that the Defendants had but little pleasure to air themselves without the circuit of their Works so by his coming he would undoubtedly have diverted Owen O Neal who would immediately have submitted unto the person of the King from relieving London-Derry and thereby have secured both that Town and Province with Dublin also as it is thought for they that had reason to know Iones's minde apprehended that his leaving the Kings party did proceed from a Pique â—â—â—her against the Lord-Lieutenant or Sir Robert Byron about a Lieutenant-Colonels place which was conferr'd over his head upon another and that then the Scene being altered in England and his old Friends out of Authority there his new terms with the Independents also yet unmade he himself would come over if the King had been there in person or if not yet his Party would have all deserted him and the work have been done one way or other that Kingdom wholly reduced without a blow all Factions as I said before extinguisht and his Majesty had had an Army of above 20000 men to have employed where he pleased After the taking in of Trim which followed soon upon the surrender of Dundalke the Lord Inchiqueen brings up his Forces now much improved in number to the Army before Dublin whereupon his Exellency leaving a part of his Army at Castleknock under the command of the Lord Dillon of Costelo a person of much Gallantry to keep them in on that side the Water removes his Camp to the other side the Town to distress the Enemy that way also Which whilst they are endeavouring to do upon intelligence that Cromwel was ready with an Army to Embark himself for Ireland and that he intended to land in Munster the Lord Inchiqueen thought if fit that he should with a good party of Horse go down into those parts to secure his Garrisons and provide for the worst His Lordship was no sooner gone but the Lord-Lieutenant designing to shut up the Enemy within his Works and quite impede as well their getting in Hay as the Grasing of their Cattel without their Line gave order to Patrick Purcell Major-General of the Irish Foot to march with a sufficient Party of men and an Engineer to Baggot-Rath there to possess himself of that place immediately and cast up such a Work as had been already designed Sir Wiliam Vaughan Commissary-General of the Horse had order likewise to draw together most part of the Troops that were on that side the Water and to keep them in a Body upon a large plowed Field looking towards the Castle of Dublin there to countenance the Foot while the Works were finishing and to secure them in case the Enemy out of the Town should attempt to interrupt them These were the Orders given but not executed for notwithstanding it did not much exceed a mile whither the Foot were to go yet through the ignorance or negligence of the Officers that were to conduct them many hours were spent ere they came at the place whither when they were come they found the Work so wretchlesly advanced by Master Welsh the Engineer and to help all themselves kept such negligent Guards that many judged it was done on purpose and that these neglects proceeded from those lurking seeds of discord between the Kings and the Nuntio's Parties For it is certain that about that time upon an apprehension that things went on too prosperously with the Lord Lieutenant there were Letters written to Owen O Neal about broaching a New War in case Dublin had been taken Whatever the grounds of these failings were the Enemy never stood to examine but
being troubled to see a Fort designing there where with so much ease they might not onely be kept from all Forrage and succour by Land but intercourse with the Sea also and perceiving the posture they were in destitute of Horse to Guard them resolved upon a desperate Sally to disturb this Work which they happened to make about eight of the clock in the morning when his Excellency who had been on horse-back most part of the night as his constant custom was since his coming neer Dublin was newly laid him down in his Tent to take his rest however the Westminster-Scandals of those days did asperse him The Enemy found the new Fortification so slight and the resistance there so weak that they soon became Masters of the place from whence seeing the Irish fly in such fright and disorder contrary to their first intentions they pursued them up to the Avenues of their Camp where finding the Souldiers also that were in Guard with great security and unconcernment looking on they laid hold on the advantage Charging briskly in and in a trice beat them off their Posts which if they had defended as a far less number might very easily have done the Camp being no way accessible towards the Town excepting by those few Avenews which there purposely had been left open nay some of them thrown open contrary to orders for the conveniency of the Souldiers they could possibly have run no hazard But these Passes being thus lost and abandoned and more men coming out of the Town to re-inforce those that were alrâ—ady so successful the whole Army in the greatest tâ—rrour and confusion that might be falls a running every one a several way and in this condition were all things brought before the Lord Taafe then General of the Ordnance had awaked the Lord-Lieutâ—nant who presently taking Horse together with the Lord Castlehaven who was now returned back to his Command and Colonel Milo Power made towards the Enemy taking all such along with them as they could either by force or fair means perswade to face about with intention to beat them back or at least by making head a while to stop their progress till some considerable part of the Army could be Railâ—â—d and brought up again to oppose them But by that time they came neer the Enemy their followers were gâ—own so thin that his Excellency after the having exposed himself to much danger and recâ—ived a shot upon his Arms in a brisk Charge that he made upon â—â—e foremost of the Enemies Tâ—oops was fain to retire at last and sâ—ek to recover his Army that was gone before Sir William Vaughan being already kiâ—led his Brother Colonel Richard Butler taken and the wholâ— Camp in effect abandoned except by those that could not get them ready oâ— wanted means oâ— flyiâ—g This was â—oâ—ght on the second of August Thus besides the slaughter that was made and the Prisoners that were taken one of which was the lot of moâ—â— oâ— the English that were under the Command of Colonel Wogan whose bâ—â—â—viouâ— that day deserves much commondation who having gotten togâ—â—â—â—r 〈…〉 Body defended themselves so gallantly and with so much râ—sâ—â—â—â—ion against the whole power of the Enemy as at last after a great slaughter th◠〈◊〉 made Conditions â—or themselves before they could be inâ—orced to yield or lay down thâ—ir Arms. The total plunder of the Camp with all the Arâ—ilâ—ery Tâ—nâ—s and Baggage fell into the Enemies hands Most of the Lord Inchiqueens Foot that at first made some resistance seeing the day lost upon this disaster changed sides and revolted to the Enemy All this was done in so short a space and with so little noise that the Lord Diâ—â—on and the resâ— of the Forces that were on the other side the River of the Iâ—iffy knew nothing of what was done till the business was over and some runaways brought him word of it the Irish making such hast every one towards his home and with such distraction that it was impossible for the Lord-Lieutenant to draw any Body of them together and therefore having met with the news of the Surrender of Ballisannon that very day into the hands of his Forces that lay before it he rested at Caterlo that night and went the next day to confer with the Commissioners of Trust and the Lord Inchiqueen at Kilkenny When this great disaster is well considered scarce any other â—ound reason can be given for so sad a misfortune but the good pleasure of Almighty God who if it be lawful to look so far into the Judgements of Heaven knowing the ill intâ—ntions and designes that were in the Hearts of many both of the Irish and English there in case Dublin had been taken saw them unworthy of that Blessing and took that time for their punishment and humiliation not onely this but a torrent of other crosses following in the neck one upon another for besides this mischance before Dublin to the ruine of so great an Army about which same time O Neal Relieves Coot in London-Derry to the immediate loss of that Province and the future scourge of his own followers Not long before likewise the Plague was brought by a Ship out of Spain into Galloway and besides the havock it made in that Town so disperst it self over all the Province of Connaught that the Lord Marquess of Clanrickard being deprived through the Calamities that were upon that Town and Country both of Money and Means to march withal could not for many Months draw his Army together either to act any thing alone or joyn with any other for fear lest by that means the Plague that had made such spoil while they were asunder should Mow them down now when they were all together This rout at Dublin the Relief of Derry and the Plague might be thought competent afflictions to be cast upon a people so impoverished and a Kingdom so wasted bâ—fore yet this sufficeth not there are heavier losses yet to follow and a worse Pestilence to land shortly at Dublin that will sweep away their Men and Towns together But here you may justly interrupt me and say that though it must be confessed that whatsoever befals us in this Vale of misery is to be attributed to the Hand of Heaven or the permission at least of the Divine Providence into the Reasons of whose secret and hidden Counsels our weak capacities are unable to search yet nevertheless those visible causes whereby we draw misfortunes upon our selves by such who through neglect of their Duty and disobedience to their Superiours are apparently the Authors thereof ought not to pass unpunished and therefore you see no reason why those were not called to an account that deserved it both by their cowardise and so shameful omission of their Duty as could admit of no excuse But when you shall be pleased to reflect upon what I said before that the Lord-Lieutenant Commanded this Army and indeed the Kingdom
but as it were upon courtesie all his Authority in effect consisting in the awing one Faction with another the best of which he found to be on so uncertain and unsetled terms that you will I doubt not when you reflect upon it easily grant that the Lord-Lieutenant could not in prudence do an act that was likely to give so great and general a distast as indeed to have proceeded against Major-General Purcell would have been to the Confederates amongst whom he had so many alliances and friends and the running away of the rest was so universal a fault that it was hard to discover who deserved punishment most and harder to find a Court of War to censure them During this short residence at Kilkenny his Excellency having taken Order with the Lord Inchiqueen to bring up what Forces he could possibly make and with the Commissioners for the recruiting drawing together and arming their dispersed Forces as soon as could be to the end they might be sent after him he speeds away himself in the Company onely of 20 or 30 Horse towards Trim and Drogheda as the places both neerest the Enemies attempts and likeliest to totter back if not secured in time At Tecroghan a House of Sir Luke Fitzgarretts he makes a stay till those several Bodies that he then expected were come up and upon notice of their coming removes to Trim where he meets with news of Iones his being before Drogheda who soon after upon intelligence that the Lord-Lieutenant was at Trim and supposing his Forces to be greater than indeed they were drew off in the night and returned immediately to Dublin The next day his Excellency went through to Drogheda where a party of the Scotch Horse and Foot under the Command of the Lord of Ards and the Lord Clanbrazill came up unto him but whilst they were consulting what to do they received assurance of Cromwels landing with very considerable Forces Whereupon concluding that Town necessary to be kept to entertain the Enemy before whilst they made up their Army as they hoped to do very considerable and soon enough to come to the Relief of the place of which if they should fail no question was made but after the gaining of time which was then precious they in the Town should be able to make Honourable Conditions for themselves whilst Cromwel is refreshing his own men in Dublin and reducing Iones's There is put into Drogheda a Garrison of 2500 Foot and 300 Horse which was thought sufficient and so having furnisht it with Provisions as well as that short time would give them leave his Excellency commits the charge of that place to Sir Arthur Aston as a person whose Experience Courage and approved Fidelity did worthily deserve the highest Trust. These things thus ordered his Excellency returns to Trim and from thence he dispatched away Colonel Daniel O Neal then Governour of that place with a Commission to set on foot the Treaty again with Owen O Neal if it were possible and to endeavour the reducing of the Vlster-Army even upon any conditions a person esteemed by all best qualified for that employment as well in regard of his singular ability and approved Fidelity to the King as for the great Interest he was supposed to have in his Unkle who managed the business with that dexterity as he won his Unkle to hearken again unto an Agreement whereupon Sir Richard Barnewell and Sir Nicholas Plunkett are sent after to make an absolute conclusion with him though by the way this may not be unworthy of observation that those persons who were formerly most opposite to this Agreement were now become the greatest sticklers to promote it with his Excellency being grown sensible of the imminent and approaching danger that now threatned them Tecroghan is the next Stage his Excellency removes unto here he makes a stand as being the most â—â—portune place to draw his Army together in and lying most convenient after that was done to Relieve Drogheda or make any other attempt upon the Enemy Where besides the remains of the Irish Army already somewhat recruited there joyned unto him a good Regiment of the Lord Marquess Clanrickards of above 1000 Foot together with 300 Horse likewise that party of the Scots before mentioned Sir Thomas Armstrong and Colonel Trevors together with what Forces the Lord Inchiqueen could bring out of his Precincts these being got together and daily additions being still expected to the making them up a more considerable Body than they were at Dubllin the Lord-Lieutenant received several advices from Sir Arthur Aston to precipitate nothing for he doubted not of finding Cromwel play a while as certainly he had done had not Colonel Wall 's Regiment after the Enemy had been twice bravely Repulsed upon the unfortunate loss of their Colonel in the third Assault being so happily dismaid as to listen before they had need unto the Enemy offering them Quarter and admitted them in upon these Terms thereby betraying both themselves and all their Fellow-Souldiers to the slaughter For Cromwel being Master of the Town and told by Iones that he had now in his hands the Flower of the Irish Army gave order to have all that were in Arms put to the Sword Where besides the gallant Governour Sir Arthur Aston Sir Edmund Varney whose Name-sake was Standard-bearer to King Charles the first Colonel Warren Colonel Fleming and Colonel Brin Lieutenant-Colonel Finglasse and Major Tempest together with many other excellent Officers and Gentlemen there were Butchered neer 3000 Souldiers and those truly reputed the best that Kingdom affordâ—d This Massacre at Drogheda having lopt off a principal Limb of the Lord-Lieutenants Army and the loss of that Town letting the Enemy loose caused his Excellency to remove his Army from Castle-Iordan down towards the Counties of Wexford and Kilkenny there not onely to lye secure till General O Neal's Army came up unto them with whom now at last he having been rejected by the Parliament and the Commissioners and whipt to Reason with adversity there was an Agreement made and he submitted to the Kings Authority but also ready to be drawn into either Wexford or Kilkenny as there should be occasion for upon one of those places after the Enemies retreat from Drogheda to Dublin it was concluded they would tall on next For which reason his Excellency for many days Courts the Town of Wexford to take in a Garrison Kilkenny having received one already but they affirming they were able to defend their Town themselves would never be brought to admit of one till the Enemy was at the Walls and then tumultuarily Sir Edmund Butler with neer 1500 men was received in as Governour whom to re-inforce after the Enemy was now set down before it the Lord-Lieutenant comes with new supplies within sight of the Town and had put them in to the infallible preservation of the place if before his Excellencies eyes the Town had not
been given up into the hands of the most Cruel and Faithless Enemy who Butchered there also after they were Admitted in above 2000 more There was nothing more remaining to be done the Vlster Army being not yet come up and several Troops of the Lord Inchiqueens being since the Siege of Drogheda run away to the Enemy but to put a Garrison into Rossâ— which was sent in under the Command of Luke Tâ—â—se with orders for the place was judged scarce Tenable against powerful â—n Enemy to make Conditions when they saw themselves able to resist no longer as at last they did when the breach was made and the Enemy ready to give an Assault having Terms to march away with their Arms. About Graigge and Thomas Town his Excellency hovered with his Horse and the small remainder of his Foot until the coming up of the Vlter Army under the Command of Lieutenant-General Farrell the General himself lying then a dying This new Conjunction with Owen O Neal and so great an accession of Forces brings the Lord-Lieutenant into a condition not onely of putting a stop upon Cromwels hasty progress but even of gaining ground upon him as questionless he would have done had not another misfortune greater than any of the former intervened to frustrate all which was this the Lord Inchiqueen having as I said before conditioned to have the ordering of those Garrisons and Forces that he brought in with him to the Kings Obedience 〈◊〉 wholly to himself out of desire as is believed to keep himself still considerable upon a bottome of his own would never hearken unto any Proposition of admitting a proportion of Irish into any of his Towns Kingsale onely excepted into which place at the importunity of Prince Rupert he at last admitted some Being confident that the English Forces under his Command having served under him so long upon several scores all or the most of the Officers whereof being either creatures of his own or men obliged and indeared unto him upon a long account would never separate themselves from his Fortune or abandon his Service But his Lordship it seems took wrong measures for the most part of them being steered wholly be self-Interest and knowing the way already how for advantage to serve against the King whose business they saw so much declining that no more was likely to be got that way whilst Cromwel was full of money and success Conspired together how to possess themselves of the Lord Inchiqueens Person together with the Towns under his Command that they might make a surrender of all at once unto the Enemy Youghall begins the dance and taking occasion to mutiny against the English Royalists under Wogan's Command that were quartered there imprisoned and disarmed them all and afterwards stood upon their Guard Whilst the Lord Inchiqueen is by all gentle means endeavouring to reclaim back this Town several of his Officers combine to seize upon him then lying secure at Lieutenant-General Barries house of Castle Lions but they and their designe being discovered to his Lordship by one of their complices were so far prevented as to be seized upon all themselves Whereupon the Town of Youghall seeing Cromwel yet at too great a distance and the time of his coming into Munster uncertain offered to submit upon assurance of Indemnity the relief of the Imprisoned Officers and removal of the Royalists which his Lordship either wanting the means to compel them or being willing with kindness and fait means to win upon them and keep them in Order Assented unto After which having visited his Garrisons and believing all things so secure as not to require either his stay further there or the bringing any proportion of the Irish into those other Towns he returns unto his charge in the Army And now Cromwel having newly received an affront before Duncannon through the Courage and Gallantry of Wogan with those English Gentlemen that were put in with him upon that occasion was retired back to Rosse there under the Protection of the Town to make a Floting-Bridge over the River to the end that by having a passage to the other side he might at his pleasure either compel his Excellency to divide his Army to attend upon his motions and so give him an opportunity of setting upon one part or other of it or at least if it kept together of getting a passage into Munster where he expected to finde a general Revolt of those Garrisons under the Lord Inchiqueens Command as it afterwards happened The Lord Taafe was sent with a part of the Army to hinder the work but what through want of Powder and indeed all sorts of Ammunition which was now grown exceeding scarce extremity of soul weather distempers amongst his men and other ill concurring accidents he was not able to effect it The Lord-Lieutenant through Cromwels sudden retreating in the night from before Duncannon having lost the opportunity of fighting him as he was then resolved finding his Army chearfully desiring the occasion had nothing left him now to do but wait upon the Enemies motion and endeavour to cut off his Provisions which the Country-people allured by the orderliness of his Souldiers who had money to pay for what they took and Command it seems to do so brought them in as fast as could be whilst his Excellency having no money to pay his Army nor indeed a competence of Bread to give them was constrained to let them take their sustenance where they could finde it During this intermission of Action Corke Youghall and all the English Towns of Munster even through the incitation of those Officers that were but lately released being openly Revolted and the Lord Broghall with some men landed in those parts very many of the Lord Inchiqueens party both of Horse and Foot deserted the Lord-Lieutenant and ran daily over to the Enemy insomuch that both the Commanders and Souldiers of the Irish not without reason grew very jealous of the rest that remained behind fearing that if ever they came to Engage against the Enemy they would turn upon them and betray them there wanted not divers also though doubtless very unjustly that extended their jealousies unto the Lord Inchiqueen himself grounding their accusations upon his Lordships not punishing the Conspirators when he had them in his Power upon so fair a warning and just an occasion as was then given him his not putting Irish into his Garrisons upon his Wife his Family Plate and Goods being sent him safely out of Corke into the Irish Quarters upon his not consenting to the dismounting and disarming the rest of his men when some of the Commissioners prest the doing of it upon his delivering his advice in Council as they heard for his Excellencies coming to Conditions with Cromwel and making this an Argument for it That his men would fight no longer and lastly upon an impertinent accusation without Head or Tail as appeared when he came to be
and receive satisfaction therein otherwise to decide the Iustice of that Cause by Battle To which when no Answer would be returned he advanced on the 10 of August having recruited his Army by those Provisions that were plentifully brought by sea the Fleet sailing an even pace with him and observing the same Signals on the West-side of Edenburgh up to the Line of the Scotch Army playing his Cannon which were likewise Answered and Encamped on Pencland-hills a little above Edenburgh-Castle intending to march for Queens-ferry but the Passes were so difficult and other considerations intervened that he proceeded no further Next morning came a Letter to the General with a Declaration from the Estates and Kirk by sound of Trumpet Declaring that the Quarrel being now stated and the King ready to consent to their demands they were resolved to put it to the Issue and that the world may see what that was like to prove it will be worthy the memory of those transactions to particularize them in this short abstract In the Declaration of the Kirk or Commissioners of the General Assembly to Cromwel as the state of the Quarrel they most undutifully set forth to the giving up the merit of the Cause That the King stumbling at and refusing to Subscribe unto the Declaration offered him by the Committee of Estates and Commissioners of the Kirk concerning His former carriage and resolution for the future is cause of just grief and offence in reference to the Cause of God and the Enemies and Friends thereof And therefore they do Declare that they do not nor will not Espouse any Malignant Party or Quarrel but that they Fight meerly upon their former grounds and Principles in the Cause of God and the Kingdom nor will they own the King nor his Interest further than be owns and prosecutes the Cause of God c. Concluding that they will Answer Oliver Cromwel 's Letters and clear themselves from the Falshoods contained therein as if they owned the late Kings proceedings and were resolved to prosecute His present Majesties Interest upon any other terms than as above mentioned And this peremptory Kirk-resolution was Signed by A. Ker then one of the chief Colonels of the Scotch Army To this Cromwel takes very good occasion to reply and help out their Sophistry with some more of his own and to let the Scots see of how neer affinity the Kirk and the Congregational way were in this respect to the King he permitted nay caused their Declaration to be publikely read to his Army putting the Scotch-remonstrants upon these Dilemma's namely That their professed disowning of Malignants and receiving and assisting their Head and Chief in whom all their hope lies cannot consist in common sence or prudence reciting as evidence thereof the late Popish affairs in Ireland and Prince Rupert 's raving at Sea That suppose He the King should give security of his turning it must be some other way than by a few and faigned formal submissions for it is his necessity and his old Complices that Counsel him to that Compliance Nor is it possible for the Scots in the way that they are now in to be able to secure themselves or England and concludes that upon this Quarrel if they be ready to fight his Army attends there for that purpose and therefore the Scots cannot complain for want of an opportunity These pestilent and alike dangerous Papers which in effect seemed rather an Agreement than cause of quarrel between the Antagonists were warily considered by some even of themselves who loved the King as of sudden and desperate consequence to His Majesties Person and Government so highly vilified and disregarded so that a Declaration to the liking of the Kirk was extorted from him that there might no cause of pretence remain either for their obstinate carriage towards Him or ready Compliance with the Enemy Hereupon the English Army advanced again and though several Bodies of Scotch Horse appeared yet they presently withdrew upon their approach which that it might not be altogether frustrate Cromwel in sight of them caused a Garrison called Red-house within a mile and a half of Edenburgh to be storm'd wherein were taken 60 Foot and the House made Tenable and manned by the English while the Scots being necessitated for Provisions and to joyn with some other Forces from Fife and the West had marched two miles beyond Edenburgh having a great Hill on the one side and the City and a River on the other so that it was very hazardous to Engage them being drawn up in Battalia the great Guns playing on both sides In which posture and attendance the Scots and English stood and neither changed ground till Provisions growing exceeding scarce Cromwel retreated to Pencland-hills Lambert having had some discourse and conference with Straughan c. about the former equity of their Cause de lana Caprina and thence with some difficulty by reason of bad weather to Mussleborough for provant and thence a few days after to Dunbar with intention by shipping or any other way to get into England being now closely followed by the Scoth Army in their Rear who rightly guessing the English to be weakned with long marches and want of Victual made cock-sure of a total Victory which snatching at before it was ripe for them fearing nothing more than that they would escape them they saw themselves miserably frustrated and their despairing Enemy a most insulting Conquerour On Sunday at night the first of September the English making at most not above 12000 men came to Dunbar whither the Scots keeping close at their Heels came also and drew up their whole Army consisting of between 20 and 24 thousand men upon a high Hill within a mile of the Town to the great amazement at first of the English but despair adding resolution to their Courage they presently drew out in Battalia in the Corn-field neer adjoyning and so stood all night being Encamped upon a neck of Land whose breadth was not a mile and a half from Sea to Sea so that they were by Land quite cooped up In confidence therefore of an assured Victory David Lesley who Commanded this Kirk-Army in chief began to advance as early as the Sun next morning and drew down the Hill fixing at the foot thereof and about four a clock in the afternoon brought down his Train there being a great Ditch betwixt both the Armies That night the English by Command placed themselves close to the Ditch and placed their Field-pieces likewise in every Regiment that they might be in a readiness in case the Enemy should attempt any thing upon them who were vainly expecting terms of a Rendition boasting that they had them in a worle Pound than the King had the Earl of Essex at Lestithiel in Cornwall The Ministers having their Voice in the Council of War held by this kirk-Kirk-Army most earnestly urged the Engagement and Fight against those that were of opinion to
let the English escape and not venture the fortune of War upon an Enemy made desperate of which there were so many sad examples saying that God had delivered Agag meaning Cromwel into their power and if they let him go would require him at their hands On Tuesday-morning at four of the Clock a Brigade of the English Army drew down to possess themselves of a Pass upon the Road between Edenburgh and Berwick which being had they might with the more ease and advantage make their way home and in order thereto pass over to the Enemy to fall upon them This Brigade consisted of three Regiments of Horse of Major-General Lambert's Commissary-General Whaley's and Colonel Lilburn's and two of Foot This gave the Scots a great Alarm and a sore dispute happened about the Pass which lasted above an hour the great Guns playing in the mean time against both the Bodies At length that stout Brigade gained and possessed the Pass much gallantry and bravery being shewed on both sides This Pass lay at Copperspeth in the English way homewards to impede which they had drawn off their best Horse upon the right Wing to receive the English whose Word was The Lord of Hosts theirs The Covenant The Enemy charged hereupon with their Lanciers so that the Horse gave way a little but immediately Rallied and the Foot advancing to second them the Scots were charged so home that they put them presently to the rout it being about six a clock in the morning the left Wing of Horse without striking one stroke following the same way the Foot seeing this rout and flight of the Horse and not able in any order by reason thereof to Engage were all of a sudden so confused and confounded that without any resistance or offer of Engagement they threw down their Arms and fled giving the English the full pursuit of them above eight miles beyond Haddington The number of the slain were 4000 9000 Prisoners many whereof were desperately wounded and 10000 Arms all their Ammunition Bag and Bagage Prisoners of Note were Sir Iames Lumsdale Lieutenant-General of the Army the Lord Libberton imployed by the Estates to the King lately and died of his wounds presently after the Fight at Dunbar Adjutant-General Bickerton Scout-master Campbel Sir William Douglas Lord Cranston and Colonel Gurden 12 Lieutenant-Colonels 6 Majors 42 Captains 75 Lieutenants 17 Cornets 2 Quarter-masters 110 Ensignes Foot and Horse Colours 200 27 Guns some Brass Iron and Leather with the loss of not above 300 English and one Major Rookisly who died after of his Wounds There was likewise taken the Purse to the great Seal of Scotland which was presently sent up to London and the Colours with those taken before at Preston ordered forthwith to be hung up in Westminster-hall The full Contents of all which was signified in a Letter from the General in his usual strain of devout zeal tending very much to strengthen the Independent against the Presbyterian at home and the advancement of a Commonwealth to the imitation of the rest of the World the latter part thereof for the severe aspect it had towards the Ministry in favour of Anabaptists with which the Army swarmed I have here inserted The Ministers of Scotland have hindered the passage of those things meaning his Affection to the good people of Scotland to those to whom we intended them and now we see that not onely the deceived people but some of the Ministers three or four are fallen in the fight This is the great hand of the Lord and worthy of the consideration of those who taking into their hands the Instrument of a foolish Shepherd to wit medling with worldly policies and mixtures of Earthly powers to set up that which they call the Kingdom of Christ which is neither it nor if it were it would such be found effectual to that end and neglect or trust not to the Word of God the Sword of the Spirit which is alone able and powerful to that end and when trusted to will be found effectually able c. This is HUMBLY offered for their sakes who have lately turned too much aside that they might return again to Preach Iesus Christ c. and then no doubt they will discern and finde your protection and encouragement Which Humble offer was to command a strict Inquisition upon them as those most probable to obstruct the new Model and his future greatness The glory of this field though it were by his own party ascribed to his Valour yet it laid a great blemish on his Conduct and indeed the rescue of his honour is principally to be referred to Colonel Monke whose company he had obliged in this Expedition being very understanding in the choice and as subtile in the shaking off his Friends and Familiars He had newly had a Regiment conferred on him made up of recruits and other impâ—rfect Compâ—â—â—es and did now at the Generals request draw and designe the fight and embattle the Army and seconded that deliberate speculation with forwardest of action for which indeed most of the Officers were very praise-worthy After the fight Cromwel used some catching courtesies to the wounded Souldiers and the feebler sort of Prisoners but the poor Highlanders and such-like paid dear for that partial kindness shewed their Country-men as many as with difficulty lived being sold for slaves Nor were their Lords and Superiours at home in much better condition of minde being confounded and distracted at this strange and most unexpected disaster The Kirk immediately ran to her old trick of humiliation assigning their vain confidence in the arm of flesh to be the sole and most just cause of this their defeat not considering their disloyal arrogance to and most unnatural diffidence in their Leige-Lord and Soveraign was that accursed thing which God made inquisition after in this blood though they had hidden it and most hypocritically vail'd it under the covering of the Covenant These were the rigid Kirk-men whose peevish obstinacy this remarkable success of the English was so far from reclaiming that in the conclusion they totally prevaricated from the interest of their Nation Others the more sober being taught by this Lesson what it was to set up and maintain parties and factions when the Enemy was at the door and so Victoriously potent were for the perfect reconciling and uniting them which necessary most incumbent and pressing affair was yet unhappily hindred by even those men themselves who when they began to consider how they must part with that Supream and extraordinary power they had so long Usurped made so many nice difficulties by their Cavils and Disputes about the admission of the Royal party that Cromwel had fixed such â—ooting in their Country that made it a difficult task to them to keep any part for themselves The Royalists onely and the King himself by all manner of tenderness and condescentions studying the common preservation and suffering any thing from
for the Receiving and Issuing of the several sums of Money appointed to be received and paid by vertue of their Act for the raising of 120000 pounds per mensem for 4 Months to Commence the 28 of Decemb. 1650. for the Maintenance of the Army c. Another Act passed for Importation of Bullion with the usual priviledges and to have free passage and protection without any seizure upon any pretence whatsoever which was very well cautioned and another against Forced and Stolen Marriages Enabling Commissioners of the Great Seal to Issue Commissions of Delegates in case of pretended Marriage and lastly one for taking away the Fee of Damage-clear or Damna Clericorum from the first of Ianuary 1650. Not to omit in this place that Sir Iohn Stawell was now the third time before the High Court of Iustice. From the Gown pass we to the Sword The English Army in Scotland not being able to effect any thing against the main Army of the Kings that lay on Sterling-side resolved to be doing with a party that then lay in the West of Scotland under the Command of Colonel Ker and Straâ—ghan with whom Cromwel had maintained an open intercourse and had profered them a Cessation driving at this to take them off and subdivide the Nation in several parties and the effect of his Papers taxing the Scots with the admission of the King upon the old Malignant score did operate as he projected for thereupon out comes a Declaration or Remonstrance from these Western Fellows full of saucy and Treasonable Language which accordingly was Voted both by the Commissioners of the Kirk and the Committee of Estates to be scandalous and seditious Sir Iames Stuart and Sir Iohn Cheisly and one Mr. Leviston who seemed to countenance it were strictly watched and Straughan taken and made Prisoner in Dunbarton and after in Cathnes-Castle whence he escaped and came over to the English at Edenburgh but 't was more the sacred hunger of Gold than Zeal for Religion made him first betray his King and his Country after and we shall see all Cromwel's Proselytes of that Nation both Dundass Warreston and Giffin to love nothing so much as the Mammon of Presbytery Straughan thus removed Major-General Lambert was sent to prevail with Ker either by blows or words the latter being thought as feasible as the former and accordingly on the last of November having difficulty found and passed a Ford over Hamilton-River Ker got notice of it and resolutely fell into the Major-Generals Quarters at a Town of that name but the Horse being in a readiness to receive him he lost a hundred men had his Hand almost cut off and was taken Prisoner and the rest of his party being 5 Regiments of Horse two whereof were the Earl of Cassels and Kirconbrights pursued as far as Ayre where Commissary-General Whaley was now left to Command in chief in those Western-parts Cromwel had marched with his Army this way as far as Glasgow in October but understanding or dreading the Enemy would come and relieve Edenburgh-Castle with Provisions and another Governour being in Treaty with the present for a sum of Money he forthwith retired having there took and Garrisoned two Houses while Colonel Whaley took in Dalkeith and another nest of Moss-Troopers yet his coming thither hindred Major-General Mountgomery from marching into those parts to reduce Ker likewise to his obedience to the King Edenburgh-Castle had been Besieged some Months and upwards with little loss on either side save that the Great Guns from the Castle did some mischief in Edenburgh-streets and one Captain Hamilton was shot in the Head with a Musquet as he was viewing the Castle and the Morter-pieces made semblance of great terrour and annoyance to the Besieged a Mine was likewise carried on some 60 foot the Stone being cut all the way but then they could proceed no further being come to the Rock whereon the Castle stands nevertheless the Derby-shire-Miners being 12 in number did what they could to proceed the Enemy throwing Pitch and Flax and other combustible stuff into the Works At last the personated Hostility came to a period and Dundass old Levens Son-in-law pretending want of Water came to a Parley and having premised a colourable request of 10 days time to send to the Committee of Estates by whom he said he was intrusted which he knew was to be denied and after several Missives betwixt Cromwel and Him concluded the rendition of that most important place to the Kings Service in these Articles agreed on betwixt Major Abernethy Dundasses man and Captain Henderson on one side and Colonel Monke and Lieutenant-Colonel White on the other It was always before called the Maiden it may henceforth be called the Prostitute Castle The Articles were as follow That the Castle should be Surrendred to his Excellency Oliver Cromwel with all the Ordinance Arms Magazine and Furniture of War thereunto belonging on Tuesday the 24 of December 2. That the Governour Officers and Souldiers should march with Drums beating c. in Military posture to such place as they shall appoint 3. The Publike moveables private Writs and Evidences to be removed to Sterling 4. That Proclamation should be made for all that had Goods in the Castle to come or send to own and receive them 5. All sick Officers and Souldiers as well such as hurt in reputation to have liberty to stay in Edenburgh and the English to provide Horses and Waggons for the Governour and other Officers and Hostages to be given on the Scots part for performance There were found in it five French Cannon nine Dutch half-Cannon two Culverings two demi-Culverings two Minions two Falcons 28 Brass Drakes called Monkeys two Petards betwixt seven and eight thousand Arms neer eighty Barrels of Powder and a like store of Cannon-shot Colonel Fenwick was presently upon the Surrender made Governour of this and Leith Sir Arthur Haslerig and Mr. Scot were present at the Rendition thereof and then departed their work being done which that it may the better appear for a piece of the vilest Treachery any Scot ever committed though Cromwel ascribes it in his Letter to the Speaker to the alone wisdom of God beyond all humane power and accomplishment take this account from the lovers themselves of this Treason at Edenburgh The greatest want they had was of Beer but as for Oatmeal Butter Fresh Water and Salt Meat they had enough The Master Gunner told me that when our Guns were a drawing to the Batteries he had so placed his Peices that ours could not possibly have been planted without great loss but when he prepared to give fire he was forbidden by the Governour upon pain of death His man Abernethy went often out of the Castle upon pretence of getting Intelligence but it was to hold it with Cromwel sure it is that Dundass and he and some others were a little wiser and went not over the Water as they had made
board the said Admiral and making them serve the Rebels against their wills c. The like he declared against the Genoese from whom he had taken another Vessel the objections against them being their Entertainment of Captain Hall sent into those Seas before Pen. As for the recognition of this State the Genoese did not that till afterwards when they saw what Influence the potent Fleets of this Commonwealth had upon all the Trade of Italy With these two Vessels and his own Men of War the Prince sailed to the Isles of Madera upon a designe against the Spanish Plate-fleet and Domingo but his ship the Reformation was so crazy and leaking that they could hardly bring her thither where it had been happier she had been broken up than so bunglingly mended those Carpenters and Ship-wrights not well understanding the Repair of such our Ships but indeed she was too Old for any slight Remedy While Cromwel attended the Scots at Tor-wood within a mile and a half of them at Falkirk at length the long-expected success of a Transportation into Fife manifested it self for Colonel Overton with 1400 Foot of his own and Colonel Daniels Regiment with four Troops of Horse of Colonel Lydcots having with the loss of a few men gained a place called North-ferry on the other side the Frith on the 17 of Iuly had as the time served intrenched themselves and before the Scotch Army then beyond Sterling could reach them with a sufficient Force to drive them out Major-General Lambert was passed over to them it being an Arm of the Sea on the 19 being Saturday in the afternoon whereupon Sir Iohn Brown Major-General of the Scotch Forces drew down upon them but Lambert with his Foot defended himself till his Horse came over the next day and then he drew out which Brown perceiving and that the Enemy was stronger than himself he wheeled about intending a retreat but being closely followed he Embatteled himself on the side of a Hill intending to protract time unless Lambert would venture up to him till more Forces then neer him were come up Lambert perceived as much and therefore committing the right Wing of the Horse to Okey himself in the Battel and Overton in the Reserve and Colonel Lydcot in the left Wing of Horse a furious fight began Okey couragiously charging up the Hill and was as gallantly charged by the Scots Lanciers the Highland-Foot did likewise good service for the whole Army was in a trice Engaged and in a trice ceased the brunt of it not continuing above a quarter of an hour the slaughter was very great occasioned said the English by reason of the Highlanders not understanding English and so uncapable of crying Quarter but by others it 's more justly imputed to Command for that the Highlanders were most hateful of all Scots to the Army as being more Loyal than the other the onely cause of the Quarrel However it were here were no less than 2000 slain and some 1600 taken Prisoners few of 4500 as they were computed the English far Exceeding them in number escaped with the lamentable tidings Sir Iohn Brown their Major-General and Colonel Buchanan and Scot were taken Prisoners in which condition Brown died not long after at Leith Before this defeat the Scots marched over Sterling-bridge to step this Invasion but understanding the remedilessness of it and Cromwel marching towards Sterling made him to retreat thither again in the mean while most of the Army was boated over Major-General Harrison who had attended about Carlisle and Cumberland to stop the Kings advance if He should have come that way when Cromwel lay about Edenburgh which was the shorter cut to London was now marched by Edenburgh way and the charge of the Army on this side the Frith with Colonel Riches and Colonel Bartons Forces then upon the same march committed to his Command while the English Army in Fife advanced to Saint Iohnstons from whence the Parliament and General Assembly had fled to Dundee affrighted with this news Inchigarvey-Castle standing in the midst of the Frith having been delivered on the 24 of Iuly with the Guns therein and Brunt-Island followed the said fortune on the 27 on which day Cromwel having sate down before Saint Iohnstons with his whole Army though a relief of two Regiments of Foot had been newly put in from over the Water yet despairing of holding out against so prevalent and numerous an Enemy upon the Englishes opening their Sluces Rendred upon Brunt-Island Articles which were the usual Military ones of Drums-beating c. on the third of August On the first whereof Cromwel had notice of the Kings removal from Sterling but nevertheless resolved to proceed with his business at Saint Iohnstons which being thus over he marched his men with all hast to Brunt-Island where he Ferried to Leith leaving General Monke to Command in Scotland with 7000 and on his march to reduce Sterling and hastned after the King It had all along been the Kings desire to have marched into England before this fatal opportunity and His coming was expected by His Friends every day though in no condition able to help Him being so spent wasted and terrified with the late and yet grievous Sequestrations and Sales but the King was imagined here by His Party to be able to do His business without them and the late immature discovery of Loves designe and his Sentence had quite bogled his Presbyterian well-wishers whatever they muttered to themselves of their adventurous Loyalty Indeed nothing so much heightned the hopes of all good men as those fears and distrusts and ill looks which the Phanatick-party discovered upon this occassion the rather because Harrison had lain so long in those parts by which the King entred on purpose and by express order to keep him out if possible or at least retard Him so in the Borders that Cromwel might overtake him there who was now three days march behind and Harrison also not very forward in his march And surely Cromwel was very sensible of his loytering at Saint Iohnstons through a proud humour of not rising without it since England was of the far greater concernment and it set him a little awry in the opinion of his Partisans The Parliament no sooner had notice of this Emergency by several Expresses who Rid as if their Necks had been at stake but out come three Acts or Proclamations together the one for the Militia setling it as it stood established and further forbidding all Royalists to depart from their Houses and Commanding all other people to give an account of their Servants to the next Officer if they shall absent themselves An Act forbidding Correspondence with the King or His Party And therewith another product of Treason in grain against the King His Person and Authority which said Decrees they did with confidence command to be published setting a good gloss and resolute Face upon their despairing and misgiving thoughts lest
after the Battle the names of which were the Lord Widdrington Major-General Sir Thomas Tildesly Colonel Mat. Boyton Sir Francis Gamul Lieutenant-Colonel Gallyard and Major Trollop and Chester the Prisoners were Sir William Throckmorton Colonel Richard Leg Colonel Robinson Bayns Gerard Lieutenant-Colonel Rigby Constable and Major Gower and some 300 Prisoners among whom were some Reformadoes and some 80 slain for the chief slaughter fell on the other side during the fight The Earl of Derby having lost his George and Garter fled with some 30 towards Worcester having by the good providence of God who alone is able to bring Evil out of Good sheltered himself one night in a house called Boscobel which Heaven by this means had prepared for the Kings retreat and preservation By this time Cromwel had surrounded that City with his spreading Host in as neer a compass as the Rivers and Passes would suffer him the Kings Army as yet lying out of the Town a mile in the fields The first Pass endeavoured to be taken was Vpton-Bridge on Fleetwoods side which Major-General Lambert attempted with 500 Horse and Dragoons and after a brisk dispute wrested from Col. Massey who in defence thereof received a wound in his Hand the first mark of his redeemed honour in that member which had been so unhappily active and successful against the King The Scots having thus abandoned the place it was presently possest by a strong party of Horse and Foot in order to the present advance of the rest of the Army The Scots now drawn closer to Worcester made many Salleys breaking down two or three Bridges over the River Team and shewing a well-ordered and governed courage but September the 3 that ominous day being arrived Cromwel resolved to venture the event upon its former auspicia and to that purpose having his Boats in readiness pass'd over his men in the afternoon of that day he drew out from his own Post and having given the signal to the whole Army to fall on began the Fight in this manner Cromwel himself in person about three a clock with his Life-Guard and Colonel Hacker's Regiment of Horse with part of his own Regiment and Colonel Ingoldsby's and Fairfax's entire passed over his Bridge of Boats upon the Severn and marched towards the City after him Lieutenant-General Fleetwood who had been most part of that day marching of five miles from Vpton to Powick-bridge which the Kings Army had broken down passed with Colonel Goff's and Major-General Dean's Regiments and joyntly advanced the Kings Forces encountering them at the Hedges and disputing every field with them in such order and with such gallantry that these already over lest they should not be wholly discouraged with the hotness of the Service were relieved by Reserves and they by others no considerable progress yet made the Highlanders proving excellent fire-men and coming to the But-end at every foot till weary and their Ammunition spent the King being then upon the place Commanded them in some haste into the City and hastened himself to the other side where Colonel Hayn's Regiment with Cobbet's stood about Powick-Bridge and were entertained with no less manhood and slaughter and though Colonel Matthews was the Reserve to the other two Regiments yet did the Scotch Foot fairly drive them from their ground till their little Army being every way engaged and no seconds or supplies to be expected after some wheelings in a careless regard of the Enemy as if they feared not to make which way they pleased they drew likewise into the Town as did that Brigade which opposed the Regiments of the Lord Gray Colonel Blague Gibbons and Marsh. But they stayed not long there but as if their pent spirits had broke out with greater fury they sallied out in great Bodies upon the Generals side who had now brought the Militia-Forces into play the Veterans wisely detrecting to engage first upon the Storm which was then intended but there was yet field-matter enough to do In the head of one of those Squadrons the King himself Charged with that gallantry which would have become our admiration in other men and shewed he had not forgot the Discipline of War in which he had been brought up from his youth In one of those Charges he made Duke Hamilton a better Souldier and noble gallanter person than his Brother received a shot in his Thigh whereof presently after he died The loss that was sustained by the Enemy fell principally upon the Essex-Foot and those of Cheshire and Surrey who returned in thin Troops and Companies to their Counties but fresh and entire Brigades and Regiments in Reserves namely Desborough's Regiment of Horse Cromwel's of Horse Major-General Lambert's of Horse Whaley's Harrison's and Tomlinson's Brigades with other Foot re-inforcing them the Scots by the over-powering multitude were driven into the Town Lesley with 2000 Horse upon what account not known not stirring out of the Town to relieve them when the Enemy entred pell-mell with them and gained the Fort-Royal about seven a clock at night at which time the King left the Town it being dusk and accompanied with some 60 Horse of the chiefest and most confident of his Retinue though many more pressed to bear him Company departed out of St. Martins gate and it was reported that Cobbet very narrowly mist of him as the King left his Lodging whither he first hastned The Enemies Foot was now got into the Town and according to their order fell a Plundering the Town in a most barbarous manner as if Turks were again Sacking of Constantinople and giving no Quarter to any they found in the Streets Through this their greediness of spoil they kept the Horse out lest they should have shared the better part and to that purpose kept the Gates fast as they were and so favoured as God would have it the Kings escape Some Scots who had got into one of the Churches held out till next morning when they obtained Quarter for Life by which time there was not an Inhabitant in Worcester Friend or Foe left Unplundered but the Loyal Inhabitants soon recovered themselves being supplied with fresh Wares to their desires from London without any scruple of credit or payment and their Debts forborn till such time as God should enable them which the Gentry and Inhabitants round about them endeavoured to bring to pass by thâ—iâ— more than ordinary resort to that Market for all necessaries and upon all occasions The Mayor being Knighted by the King and Aldermen were Committed to Prison and the Wife of one Guyes who for betraying the designes of the King in that Garrison was Hanged was rewarded with 200 l. per annum and 200 l. down There were slain in Field and in Town in the last the most and in pursuit some 2000 and some 8000 taken Prisoners in several places most of the English escaping by their Shibboleth the principal were Duke Hamilton who presently died of his wounds
of Voluntiers there In the mean time General Venables formed a new Regiment of Seamen to serve upon occasion at Land these were put under the conduct of Vice-Admiral Goodson the rest of the Regiments brought out of England were easily compleated to a full number likewise a Troop of gallant Horse were raised by the Islanders at their own cost and charges the Carcases of which were afterwards buried in the Souldiers Bellies for want of better food But these were not all the strength for the Planters Servants understanding that if they would serve the State their time should still go on and that at last in spight of their Masters they should enjoy their Freedoms in as ample a manner as if they had served them this spurred them on to become Souldiers of Fortune and many were presently listed into several Regiments accordingly The Fleet was also augmented by twenty sail of Dutch Vessels which were made prize for presuming to traffique with Prohibited Goods contrary to the Articles of Peace betwixt the two Nations The Land-Army being now in readiness their number was found to be so great that every ships share was as many as it could carry March 31 they set Sail from Barbadoes and in six days after came by the Lee under St. Christophers Here joyned with them about 1300 more which came off from several Islands in hopes to be made for ever from hence they shaped their course directly for Hispaniola On the 13 of April the whole Navy came fair by the Island and plainly discovered the sown of Sancta Domingo Immediately hereupon a Council was called and the Guides consulted withal here it was concluded that General Venables should to Land According to which resolution the next day he landed about ten Leagues to the West-ward of the Town with 7000 Foot a Troop of Horse and three days Provision of Victuals No sooner were they landed but every mans Tongue was tipt with Gold nothing could be thought on but the plunder of Plate and Jewels small things could not enter their minds as for Hangings Housholdstuff c. they would be cumbersome to carry and therefore they resolved to leave such things behinde them In this extasie of joy was the Souldiery when behold upon a sudden there appeared a Procâ—amation from the General commanding that when they entred the Town of Sancta Domingo no man should plunder either Money Plate or Jewels neither kill any tame Cattle on pain of Death This made the Army look Sower on their imaginary Sweetness their Golden Hearts were now turned to Leaden Heels so that it was indifferent to them whether they went farther or tarried there yet for all this on they marched through Woods of incredible thickness meeting no Enemy except the excessive heat of the Sun which caused an intolerable drought that oppressed them sorely having not had one drop of Water in many miles march but what they carried in their own Bladders so that Urine was as White-wine to them that could swallow it General Pen after the landing of these men set ashore three Regiments more under the Command of Colonel Buller in a Bay where a fair Fresh-water-River disburdened it self this was within two Leagues of the Town and appointed to be the place for conjunction of the whole Army It was not long before the General according to the appointment having peaceably past the Woods came to the River and joyned himself with Buller's Brigade Here upon view the Army was sound to be 9700 but few fighting men From this River the Army hasted away to take possession of the Town which in imagination was already won there marched on before the rest a Forlorn Hope consisting of 500 men afterward followed the main Body of the Army In this order they marched within four miles of the Town when on the sudden a small party of Spaniards encountered the Forlorn Hope and in an instant forced them in confusion through the next Regiment which was also routed the Body of the Army coming up to their rescue made the Enemy to retire to a Fort hard by in the Woods without any considerable loss at all to the Spaniards On the English side was slain Captain Cox the chief Guide for the place and many others The General having now seen the imbecility of his men through want of Water and many other necessaries he caused them to march back again to the River from whence they came to refresh themselves in order to a full prosecution of the designe in hand To which end Scaling-Ladders were made and two small Drakes mounted with a Morter-piece and Granado-shells which were landed from the Fleet these were conveyed by Water to be set on shore at a convenient place neer the Fort. All things being now in readiness to try conclusions the Army once again dislodged and were by the Guides promised to be brought upon the Town of St Domingo by a private way where they might pass thorough the Woods free from any Fort. Such a way there certainly was but these blinde Guides taking another to be it the whole Army were brought neer to the place where before they had been shamefully repulsed The Spaniards in the mean time having certain intelligence by Negroes and Molattoes of the English march prepared to entertain them in their passage April 25 1655. the whole Army approached near to a Fort which the Spaniards had in the Wood built of Brick in a triangular form without Flankers in it were nine pieces of good Ordnance and 300 resolute fellows to manage them The English Army a little before noon approaching neer this Fort were upon the sudden charged by a party of the Enemy that lay undiscovered among the Trees These resolute Spaniards being about seventy in number at first fired a round Volley of small shot upon the Forlorn Hope and then flew in like mad-men with their sharp Steel-Lances upon the English who were already even suffocated with Thirst and hardly able to stand much less to fight so that in a moment the General 's running-Regiment with half the Army flew back to the Rear and possest their fellows there with such a Pannick fear that every one began to shift for himself Mean while the Spaniards pursued the Victory with the greatest slaughter they were able to make for meeting with no resistance but what that ever-Renowned Gentleman Major-General Hayns was able to make with twelve men whom he engaged by the honour of their Country one whereof was Ensigne Boys who died not unrevenged in the midst of their Enemies they wreaked their fury at pleasure on these frighted men till at last being overcome with killing they retreated back in Triumph with seven English Colours the evident Trophies of their Victory The retreat of the Enemy gave opportunity for the Living to number the Dead Upon view it was found that 600 were slain outright 300 Wounded most in their backs and besides 200 more crept into Bushes and ran away
Hunt whom his Sisters coming to visit and take their farewel of him over-night of his Execution he changed Cloaths with one of them pretending before to be indisposed and to keep his Bed and with a Handkerchief as weeping and sobbing before his eyes was let out while a Guard at door watched his Sisters sleep that night who next Morning waking the supposed Major to make ready for Death perceived the Stratagem this incensed Cromwel farther so that he commanded all that were in Prison for that Rising should be forthwith Transported to the Caribbe-Islands and some Argier-Merchants or worse undertook it and sold them to the Barbarous and inhumane Flanters worse than ever were the Natives for Bond-men and Slaves About the same time all Jesuits and Seminaries were anew Exiled and all suspected Catholicks to abjure the Pope Purgatory Transubstantiation and all the Doctrines of that Church or else all their Estates to be seized The Judges Thorp and Nudigate laid down their Commissions in May. During the War in America and for all our Fleet lay in those parts the Spanish Plate-Fleet which was thought the main aim of our preparation and was therefore much feared for desperate was now at Sea and presently the Marquess De Lede who defended Maestricht so bravely some time before against the Prince of Aurange was sent Embassador to the Protector that the honourableness of his Person might gratifie Cromwel's ambition of Courtship and sweeten him to the Friendship and Alliance he had in his Instructions to offer and more easily to insinuate into the mystery of this conjunct designe He was nobly attended besides a numerous train of Lacqueys in silver and Green Livery and had Audience May 5 and continued his Complement and Cabal together the space of five Weeks in which time most of the action had passed in America and returned unsatisfied and re infecta though dismist with more than ordinary respects about the middle of Iune Now happened an occasion or rather Cromwel made it one for him to shew his zeal to the Protestant Cause and to shew himself to the World the Champion or Hector thereof this was also one secret step and reach to the Crown by invading the sacred Title of the Defender of the Faith due onely to the Hereditary Soveraigns of England Herein also he aimed as in the Proverb to hit two Birds with one Stone not doubting but to finde another Mine in the Charitable mindes and compassion of this Nation towards the parallel suffering of the old Waldenses in Piedmont to the Irish Massacres which were set out and drest here with greater skill of Butchery than the actors could handsomely do it there and it was said the Copy was drawn from that Original Most certain it is that they were in Rebellion and that the Duke of Savoy their Soveraign did chastise them to their Obedience though the Marquess Pianella a very zealous Catholick and the Earl of Quince the French Kings Lieutenant-General of his Italian Armies then joyned with that Dukes and stranger-Souldiers have little regard to any Religion where they may ravage without controle might exceed their Commissâ—on in inflicting the extremity of War which they had brought upon themselves and were before also odious more than enough to their Catholick Neighbours Whatever the matter was Cromwel takes the Massacre for granted enjoyns a Fast and at the close of that a Collection not limited and terminated in the liberal contributions in the Church at the Bason but the Collectors and other Officers of the Parish with the Minister were to go from door to door and stir up the Richer sort to a chearful Contribution which indeed was very forwardly and charitably given and intended and forthwith Mr. now Sir Samuel Moreland one of Mr. Thurloe's Secretaries was sent away as Envoy to the Court of Savoy Mr. Pell was dispatcht to the Protestant Cantons of Switzerland upon the same account and Mr. now Sir George Downing was sent after Mr. Moreland by the way of France where he began the complaint and proceeded All those three met together at Geneva to advise with that State how to manage this importance of Religion but Mr. Downing never pursued this Project farther being remanded hence to go Secretary of the Council newly made for Scotland Pell was sâ—nt of his formâ—r errand to the Cantons and Mr. Moreland returned to Turin to the Duke's Court where perceiving this fraud of Cromwel it was no great matter to bring him over soon after to the Kings service in which he continued Alderman Viner and Pack were made Treasurers for this Money which amounted to a very large sum and reaching the designe of the Protector a small parcel whereof was now remitted to Geneva the French King having newly before accommodated the business the Duke refusing to admit Cromwel's Mediation By this conclusion the truth appeared for in the very liminary words they acknowledged the Rebellion in express terms and begged pardon of their gracious Lord his Royal Highness which was here imputed and charged to the prevaâ—ication and collusion of the Cantons Mediation and the three Pastors their Commissioners in that affair There was one Artifice of the Protectors to set this business forward and to countenance it omitted which was Addresses from the Army here and abroad offering their service in this common Cause of the Protestant Religion no way doubting but that God in his due time would confound those Enemies of his People as he had shewn his Salvation by themselves in the same Controversie to that day Several Fires yet burst out in many parts of the Kingdome one in Barnaby-street in Southwark and new diseases were most rife and mortal This Easter-Term one Mr. George Coney a Merchant having been committed by the Commissioners of the Customes to the Serjeant at Arms for refusing to obey their Orders and Fine set for not paying the dues of some Merchandizes brought his Habeas Corpus in the Kings-Bench where he intended to disprove the Authority and Legality of his Commitment and baffle-their Warrant To this purpose Serjeant Maynard Twisden and Mr. Wadham Windham were retained of Counsel by him who pleading such matters for their Client as entrenched upon the Protector 's pretensions and his Publicans Power in that place into which profitable Employment they had scrued themselves by a pretence of serving the publick gratis and without any Salary were instantly committed to the Tower to consider better of Cromwel's Prerogative and to help his Jaylor Berkstead the Lieutenant thereof with the Fees of that chargeable Imprisonment where no Habeas Corpus would be allowed except upon the Knee their enlargement being granted upon their Petition and Submission to the Usurper Those and the like Forces and violences in the Law and the fear of infaming the Bench and his own Credit made Chief-Justice Rolles relinquish his place and sue for a Quietus est just as old Sir Henry Vane deceased
the Lord Sherard Warwick's Nephew and the Lord Roberts his Eldest son returned in the same posture the Earl of Warwick sitting at one end of the Coach against him Richard his son and Whitlock in one and Lord Lisle and Montague in the other Boot with swords drawn and the Lord Claypool Master of the Horse led the Horse of Honour in rich Caparisons to White-hall The Members to the Parliament-house where they Prorogued their sitting to the twentieth of Ianuary Great Rhodomontadoes of Proclaimings and little less than Blasphemy in the several Addresses in and from all parts of the three Kingdoms were the vapouring and ranting conclusions of this story which reduceth to memory another terrible occurrence to the Protector amidst those ambages and suspence of a Crown namely a Book published under the Title of Killing no Murther by which it was proved and that most evidently that it was not onely Lawful but Honourable to slay this Tyrant It was a very ingenious and Learned Piece and frighted Oliver exceedingly who searched for it as Herod did in another case but it could not be discovered whoever the Author was his Book and he deserves everlasting memory It was also attended like the preceding part of his Usurpation with a most terrible blow of Gunpowder out of a Mill neer Wapping which ruined and destroyed several Houses and killed several persons and answered with its crack and vicine Eccho the but just-ceased Guns from the Tower of London upon that occasion or as others said it was an Introduction or Warning-blow of the intended mischief by the Committee for New Buildings who now began their work in all earnestness sitting in Salisbury-Court at Mr. Sadler's the Town-Clerk of Lonâ—â—n This was seconded with as remarkable an Earth-quake at Bickly in Cheshire on the eighth of Iuly where some twenty yards of Ground with three great Oaks and other Trees fell as with the noise of a Cannon the same tenour of alluding Fate in its portents against this Governour-General thirty yards deep in the ground where nothing but Water could be discovered Other accidents of Murther and Slaughter there were one Butler a Comrade and Companion of one Knight's Servant to one Worth a Silk-man then upon his affairs at Bristol being tempted with the sight of the Money which lying with this Knight in his Masters absence he had opportunity to observe cut his Friends Throat after some strugling and escaped with the Money but was most providentially discovered One Parsons Lieutenant-Colonel to Pride being set upon in the Highway for his Purse and making resistance was shot for all the care of his Comrades the Major-Generals whose Authority now began to wain But that which is most remarkable of these occurrences and casualties was the Execution of Captain Bernard for Robbing the House of his Colonel Winthrop Colonel in Harrison's place and Regiment wherein this Bernard for betraying his former Colonel the Noble Eusebius Andrews as before had a Troop given him by the Long Parliament so commensurate was the Divine Justice to his sin punishing his Treachery against the one by his crime of Burglary against his other Colonel He made applications to Cromwel and alledged his past and proffered great future service for a Reprieve but even Cromwel himself thought not such a fellow fit to live besides he was infamous and too well known and he had new ones of greater abilities retained to that purpose no way in the world suspicable of such practises namely one Corker a Minister formerly in York-shire but a violent and Active Royalist in the War and one that had a hand in that Exploit of killing of Rainsborough and a Knight formerly Governour of Newark far more eminent in the Royal service of which presently The Forrain adjunct transactions were first the Danish War with the Swede then engaged in a far distant War with the almost-subdued Pole The reason of this suddain Rupture was the like Invasion made by the Swede some thirteen years before and wresting by his Arms some Provinces from that Kingdom of which now this occasion offered them the recovery however it answered not its promising beginnings The Duke of York who Commanded a part of the Spanish Army was marching to joyn with other Forces to the Relief of Montmedy-Castle in Lorrain besieged by the French Marshal de Ferte While the English Forces joyned with four Regiments of Horse were advancing from Vervins part of them to the number of 300 quartered in a Castle something distant from the Body the Duke with a Brigade attaqued and thereupon they presently yielded and took up Arms with him notwithstanding this inauspicious entrance they marched and joyned with Turenne then at the siege of St. Venant where Colonel Morgan in an attempt made by his men who seeing some of their fellows in danger bravely forsook their Trenches took a Halâ—-Moon and lodged themselves under the Counterscarp the custom of taking Towns there being by slower progressions which mainly conduced to the speedy surrender of that place Colonel Morgan received a Wound in his Arm at this siege From thence the United Forces marched towards Dunkirk having gained and secured the Passes upon the Colne that they might march either to Gravelin or Dunkirk but the latter being aimed at they took up their first quarters at Bourbrock designing upon Mardike-Fort some of the English quartered at Watton where there is a Colledge of English Jesuits and where there was between them a reciprocation of civil usage Mr. Talon Was dispatcht by Turenne for more supplies and Colonel Reynolds followed him to London and in the mean while about the middle of September the Armies sat down before Mardike and put themselves between it and Dunkirk General Montague riding before the Splinter with a Fleet of War it wâ—â— not long before a continual Battery had made the Besieged quit the Woodâ— Fort which so incommodated them being seized by the Enemy that they were forced to yield to Mercy Sept. 23. Turenne not allowing better because they had refused his first offers the Fort was immediately put into the possession of the English a party of French being added to them under Colonel Morgan and the rest of the Army it being thought unadviseable to attempt a Siege against Dunkirk the Winter growing so hard upon them returned to Bourbrock where the English took up their Winter-quarters to be neer Mardike and the French at Ardres Afterwards it was resolved that two Regiments to wit Colonel Reynold's and Alsop's should march into French quarters and relieve and be relieved every two Months their fellows hereabouts to the strengthning of which place and while the Fortifications were finished Marshal Turenne staid some time with his Army The taking of Mardike was very grievous to the Dunkirkers and Spanish-side and therefore it was resolved by Don Iohn to hazard a Scalado and Assault by night The illustrious Duke of York and the Marquess of Caracene ordered and
the Rolls Officers Attending Henry Middleton Serjeant at Arms. Mr. Brown Mr. Dove Judges of both Benches Iohn Glyn Lord Chief-Justice Pet. Warburton Justices of the Upper-Bench Rich. Nudigate Justices of the Upper-Bench Oliver St. Iohn L. Chief-Justice Edward Atkins Justices of the Com. Bench. Matthew Hale Justices of the Com. Bench. Hugh Windham Justices of the Com. Bench. His Barons of the Exchequer Robert Nicholas Iohn Parker and Roger Hill Serjeant at Law Erasmus Earl Atturney-General Edmund Prideaux Sollicitor William Ellis Serjeants at Law called by Him to the Bar. Richard Pepys 25 Jan. 1653. Thomas Fletcher 25 Jan. 1653. Matthew Hale 25 Jan. 1653. William Steel 9 Febr. 1653. Iohn Maynard 9 Febr. 1653. Rich. Nudigate 9 Febr. 1653. Tho. Twisden 9 Febr. 1653. Hugh Windham 9 Febr. 1653. Vnton Crook 21 June 1654. Iohn Parker 21 June 1654. Roger Hill 28 June 1655. William Shepard 25 Oct. 1656. Iohn Fountain 27 Nov. 1656. Evan Sithe But to proceed after Cromwel had made that fair Speech Fiennes the Lord-Commissioner of the Seal resumed by his order the discourse which was to beg more Money for Cromwel's Heart could not stoop to such Humble Oratory declaring That the Money granted though thought sufficient fell much beneath the expence and necessity of the State especially that Tax of the new Buildings failed altogether of what was expected and intended by it and so recommended the whole affair to their consideration Being sate in the Houses as aforesaid the other House sent to the Commons by two of their number a Message for a day of Humiliation but were returned with this Answer The House would consider of it and then they fell upon a Vote for two Months time to exhibite any Petitions against undue Elections and assented to a Humiliation which was kept within the Walls of both Houses by Dr. Reynolds and Mr. Caryl Mr. Calamy and Mr. Griffith half Presbyterian half Independent as was the temper and constitution of this Assembly This past they fell a questioning the Frame of the Government which their fellow-Members had erected during their Seclusion which yet notwithstanding was carried but by two Voices in the Affirmative and in a resolution of unravelling it all again they proceeded very fiercely which being told at White-hall allarmed on the other ear with danger from abroad and that the designe had already footing in some of the adjacent Counties Cromwel dallied not with this two-handed necessity but to rid himself of the nearest first accompanied with his Guards he by Water came to the other House and sent for the tother and having ranted away a quarter of an hour out of the old Bias for now he plainly perceived the old stales would not serve and that his Life and Greatness lay at the same stake to break them up he broke forth into very rash and cholerick Language to which as a pertinent resolution corollaâ—y and period he added an adjuration to the stain of his larved sanctity in these or such Words By the Living God I must and do dissolve you As to the Royal Enterprize it was begun ever since the Investiture of Oliver who suspecting such practises had with Money debauch'd the Fidelity oâ— Sir Richard Willis and one Corker a Parson as aforesaid that now professed Physick and made always one at any Match or Horse-race whatsoever and being a noted Royalist scrued himself into all Royalists Company and Discourse The Treachery of these men was employed and now manifested in this affair and thereby Cromwel was certified that the Marquess of Ormond personally laboured in tâ—â— Intrigue and for that purpose was arrived in England to lead the Forces of the Loyal Combination which were instantly to be seconded with an Army out of Flanders Just therefore as the designe was ripe he emitted out a Proclamation of twenty miles and seized divers eminent Royalists and among them Sir Richard Willâ—s and Feak the frantick roarer of Sermons was sent to bear them company but soon after when this danger from the Kings party was more compert released The Marquess of Ormond latitating somewhere in Sussex very difficultly by the assistance of one Mr. Graves a Gentleman of that County got away in a small Boat and escaped seizure so neer was he set and the designe so particularly discovered While those were the private close Intrigues at White-hall more publique ones were agitating in the Army in the three Kingdoms from every Regiment whereof Addresses were signed and sent to the Protector wherein they glanced upon the late Parliament and offered themselves and more than they were worth to the defence of his Highness's Person and Government against the Common and Secret Enemy the like came from Mardike who joyned with some French had made an excursion towards Graveling and surprized and taken two out-Forts and so returned the same Complement came also from the County-Troops and their Officers who attended the Sheriffs and succeeded in the room of the Major-Generals now for their Exorbitances and dangerous power even to their Author and because the work for which they were called was over laid aside in place of Liveries to lessen as was pretended the charge of that place but in truth the Protector knowing he could not be served â—aithfully by the Gentry would name such no matter whom as he could confide in and the expence of retinue and treating the Judges being taken off a Yeoman or Tradesman of the well-affected might serve turn and make profit of his place as in all other Offices of the Commonwealth and in this very prick for the year coming of 58 Cromwel observed the Rule he had given which was in its place omitted The Victorious Blake returning into England from the Coast of Spain having awed all the Ports and Harbours thereof fell sick by the way of a Disease his Seafaring had brought upon him the Scurvy and Dropsie and died just as the Fleet was entring into Plymouth-Sound where he passionately enquired for the Land A man of eminent Fortitude both active and passive A master of as many Successes and Atchievements as any person except Cromwel being never Worsted but once in his whole Warfare and that was in the Downs by Van Trump and had merited exceedingly of his Country had he been as tender of its Home-bred as Forrain Honour of which he was jealously observant it serving for his argument to keep the Fleet free from any Divisions of Factions upon the news of the several changes in England He was buried with a handsome Funeral just in the same manner as General Dean was from Greenwich but especial notice was taken of Colonel Lambert's then in disgrace attendance on his Horse between whom there was it seems a more intimate correspondence He was Interred in Hen. 7th's Chappel as other of the Grandees that died in the Usurpation usually were without any other Monument than that of his Indelible Renown for pure Valour Anno Dom. 1658.
prove it He defended himself by allegation that that which was said by him was but in jest and discourse and that the Action was altogether impossible he being but a single person Dr. Hewit would not acknowledge the Court but pleaded several Cases against it and was taken or surprized for a Mute Had he pleaded it is thought he might have escaped for Mallory the main Witness against him was fled for the present Next Mr. Iohn Mordant was set to the Bar who argued his Case so warily and pliantly after a Demurrer to the Court taking Notes of the Witnesses Evidence that he alone of the three was quitted but by one Voice Colonel Pride his undoubted Fate troubled with the Stone and being long at Urine withdrawing himself on that occasion while in the mean time the Court by one suffrage agreed upon his acquittal so that he may well be said Evasisse Calculis it being the custom of the Court to give Sentence by plurality of Voices Mr. Mallory being retaken together with Sir Humphry Bennet and Mr. Woodcock were charged next with the said Designes Mallory pleaded Guilty and was respited and saved Sir Humphry Bennet's Cause was not then determined Mr. Woodcock so handsomely and bravely defended himself that they could not fasten the Charge In the mean while on the 8 of Iune Sir Henry Slingsbury and Dr. Hewit were beheaded on Tower-hill Sir Henry suffering very readily and with submission the Doctor most devoutly and courageously with prayers for the King The Tyrant not satisfied with this brought in more viz. Mr. Carent in whose Ware-house Arms were found and Iohn Summers Edward Stacy Iohn Bettely Edward Ashton Oliver Allen and Fryar to the same Bar where they were all but Mr. Carent Condemned who escaped by the noble refusal of one Mr. Pits of the same party whose Examination they relyed upon to give Evidence against his Friends and chose rather to suffer Imprisonment and a Fine of 500 l. to be laid on him than to be branded with the note of Treachery how fairly soever to be excused Three of the other viz. Ashton as before and at the time of his seizure a Prisoner to Newgate and Iohn Bettely were Executed at Tower-street and Cheap-side by Hanging and Quartering both protesting their Innocency Bettely after he had hung almost a quarter of an hour pulled off his Cap with his Hands Stacy two days after was Hanged against the Exchange in Cornhil None of them but were worthy of far better ends which made the Tyrant most Execrably Odious The old Earl of Warwick presently after the Espousals of his Grand-son young Mr. Rich with Frances the youngest Daughter of the Protector died April 18. to whom his late honorary services and dishonourable Relations to this Protector were none of the least unhappinesses At the end of May the Lord Faulconbridge the other son for Fleetwood nor Claypole had either Manners or Worth to be employed in the Complement was sent away with a great Train to Salute and Gratulate the French King now at Calis upon the opening of the Campania and was received very splendidly in the mean while that his Uncle Sir Henry Slingsby was adjudged to Death and though he returned on the fifth of Iune three days before Execution and did what he could to save him yet all proved in vain for since Mr. Mordant and Mr. Woodcock had escaped there was no room for his life Soon after Monsieur Mancini Mazarine's Nephew and the Duke of Crequi came hither with the return of the Complement and were entertained highly at Brook-house and at Hampton-court with Feasting and Hunting and presently returned and that I may have done with this wretched Family of Cromwel the Lady Claypole died at Hampton-court August 6 of a disease in her Inwards and being taken Frantick with the stopping of her Terms raved much against the bloody cruelties of her Father and about the death of Dr. Hewit for whom to give her her due 't is said she interceded She was brought by Water to the Painted-chamber and in State buried in Hen. 7th's Chappel her Aunt Wilkins being Mourner c. The Earl of Mulgrave died coming up to London August 21. and though misplaced I must remember the great Whale 60 foot long that 〈◊〉 up as far as Greenwich Iune the 2 to the wonder of all people and the dangeâ—ous pastime and sport of such who hunted him with Guns and other Weapons thousands of people went down to see it upon the Sand. Sir Thomas Widdrington was made Lord Chief-Baron and the High Court of Iustice Adjourned till November And so we pass to the Flandrian-Coast to take an entire view of the joynt Forces and actions in those parts against the Spaniard and our Soveraign then concerned in that War A formidable Siâ—ge was framed before Dunkirk by the joynt Forces of English and French wâ—â—ch hotly Alarm'd the Spaniards in all their quarters hereupon Don Iohn of Austria takes these two things into serious consideration first the Importance of the place â—or its Situation it was a Key to Flanders a Frontier to France next after Graveling and a certain supply of Moneys by continual Booties brought in thither by his Men of War On the other side should he lâ—se Dunkirk the English in whose possession it would be put had a Door opened and fit opportunity to bid fair for all Flanders Here might an Army be landed from England and from hence incursions made into the heart of the Country In the mean time the Spanish Ports Newport and Ostend could expect no less than to be perpetually infested by Men of War which would utterly spoil their Trade and ruine the Inhabitants These and such-like considerations mounted Don Iohn upon fixt resolutions to undertake the Relief of Dunkirk though it were to the hazard of his whole Army In the mean while the Confederate Forces Beleaguering this strong place did in a small time working like Moles run their Trenches to the Spanish Counterscarp and still encroaching upon the Wall they promised fair to a speedy accomplishment of their Designe These things were well known to the Spanish Army who now saw the Relief of Dunkirk would admit of no delay for were it not speedily accomplished the Town of necessity must lie prostrate to the Enemies mercy The better to effect which therefore Don Iohn the Spanish General having drained his Garrisons to fill up his Army suddenly advanced with 15000 men to the relief of his distressed Friends these by a swift march through Fuernes quickly seated themselves upon some sandy Hills within an English mile and a half of Turenne the French General 's Camp The report of the Enemies neer advance made both the French and English Officers consult upon the best course that could be taken to repel the Force that now sate upon their Skirts and endeavoured to frustrate their labours in the present Siege if no worse success Time for
pleaded the same and desired the Courts mediation Iohn Downes Vincent Potter Augustine Garland Simon Meyne Iames Temple Peter Temple Thomas Wayt and William Heveningham set again at the Bar. Something extraordinary must be said of Downes because he obliged the Court to hear him in these words and they are worthy of mans memory which he expressed in that abominable Judicature upon the Kings request of hearing in Parliament as he sate between Colonel Wauton and Mr. Cawley and Oliver Cromwel said I Have we hearts of stone or are we men They laboured to appease me they told me I would ruine both my self and them Said I If I dye for it I must do it Cromwel sate just the seat below me He hearing of me make some stir by whispering he looked at me and asked if I was my self what I meant to do that I could not be quiet So I started upon the nick when the Clerk was Commanded by Bradshaw to Read the Sentence I stepped up and said My Lords I have Reasons to offer against it and I desire the Court may adjourn to hear me Presently Bradshaw viewed me and said If any Member dissented they must adjourn So they did into the Court of Wards where I alledged the Kings general satisfaction to the Parliament that a Common Prisoner was not used so but that he might be heard I urged the Order of Parliament that upon any emergency or renata in the Court we should apply our selves to them To which Cromwel answered Sure you do not know that you have to deal with the hardest hearted man in England And much other incitation was used by some of those that are doomed whom he desired favour not to nominate telling me I was either a Sceptick or an Infidel Vincent Porter was troubled with a fit of the Stone and could hardly endure standing and had a Chair to ease himself and confessed the whole guilt Augustine Garland was further accused of spitting in the Kings face besides his sitting He answered he was a Parliament man but in 1648 and drawn into this business and desired no favour from God if he was guilty of that inhumanity to avoid which imputation he made this troublesome defence Simon Meyn Iames and Peter Temple Pleaded ignorance and no malice Colonel Thomas Wayt Pleaded the same with Downs for withdrawing the Court and his Courtesies to the Cavaliers Party and preventing a Petition for the Kings Murther in Rutland-shire and that the first day he came to Town Cromwel made him sit the last day of the Court of Justice Sir Hardress Waller brought again to the Bar gave evidence of his penitence which my Lord Finch his kinsman allowed here and deplored him Heveningham did shew his sorrow but both were Condemned On Saturday the Fourteenth of October One thousand six hundred and sixty between nine and ten of the Clock in the morning Mr. Thomas Harrison or Major-General Harrison according to his Sentence was upon a Hurdle drawn from Newgate to the place called Charing-cross where within certain Rails lately there made a Gibbet was Erected and he hanged with his face looking towards the Banqueting-house at Whitehall the place where our late Soveraign of Eternal memory was Sacrificed being half dead he was cut down by the common Executioner his Privy Members cut off before his Eyes his Bowels burned his Head severed from his Body and his Body divided into Quarters which were returned back to Newgate upon the same Hurdle that carried it the People loudly shooting at his Fall His Head was since set upon a Pole on the top of the South-east-end of Westminster-Hall looking towards London The Quarters of his Body are in like manner exposed upon some of the City-Gates Monday following being the Fifteenth of October about the same hour Mr. Iohn Carew was carried in like manner to the same place of Execution where having suffered like pains his Quarters were also returned to Newgate on the same Hurdle which carried him His Majesty was pleased to give upon intercession made by his Friends his Body to be buried Tuesday following being the Sixteenth of October Mr. Iohn Cook and Mr. Hugh Peters were about the same hour carried on two Hurdles to the same place and Executed in the same manner and their Quarters returned in like manner to the place whence they came The head of Iohn Cook was set on a Pole on the North-East-end of Westminster-Hall on the left side of Mr. Harrison's looking towards London and the Head of Mr. Peters on London-Bridge Their Quarters were exposed in like manner upon the tops of some of the City-Gates Wednesday October Seventeen about the hour of Nine in the Morning Mr. Thomas Scot and Mr. Gregory Clement were brought on several Hurdles and about one hour after Mr. Adrian Scroop and Mr. Iohn Iones together in one Hurdle were carried to the same place and suffered the same death and were returned and disposed of in like manner Mr. Francis Hacker and Mr. Daniel Axtel were on Friday the Nineteenth of October about the same time of the Morning drawn on one Hurdle from Newgate to Tyburn and there both Hanged Mr. Axtel was Quartered and turned back and disposed as the former but the Body of Mr. Hacker was by his Majesties great favour given entire to his Friends and buried Axtel's head was set up at the furthest end of Westminster-Hall Not any one of these at his Death expressed any sorrow or Repentance for the Fact but justified the Authority by which they did it and themselves therein but whether they agreed now by a Combination at their death as in the Conspiracy of the King 's or whether it were not Diabolical infatuation or the Sin and impiety of their Crime that they were given over to a Reprobate sense it is not in man to determine their Party and Abettors in the Rebellion highly magnified this their obstinacy for Christian Courage and printed their Prayers and Speeches with all the advantages Revenge and Rebellion could invent and if they could have brought the Law the sense of the Kingdome nay the whole Word into their mould they might have passed for Martyrs for as to the repugnant sâ—ffrage of Divine Authority they could and did wrest that with an easie finger Thus much therefore may suffice to Posterity concerning the ends of these men That they were Convicted according to Law whose utmost benefit they had by a Jury of their Peers against whom they had full liberty of exception That the Person of the Prince they Murthered was beyond any parallel by the confession of his Enemies of some of these a most virtuous most Innocent most Religious and Fit for the Government That these his Judges and Murtherers were for the most part nay generally mean and desperate persons and their hands lifted up by Ambition Sacriledge Covetousness and success against the Life of this incomparable Prince whose
renowned Admiral the Duke of York who some days before went early in the morning to his Charge attended with divers Eminent and Honourable Voluntiers It was a Navy for number of Ships and choice of men such an one as the Nation never set to Sea one more formidable nor more glorious This did not a little terrifie the Dutch besides that some Weeks before they had been put to a great disorder upon the appearance of some part of the English Fleet under the Earl of Sandwich which though at a distance and without any rational appearance of danger set them into such a confusion that it fell little short of a general Consâ—erâ—ation Nor were they yet able to come forth though making all the haste they could Nor had they done any thing considerable all the Winter before only sent Bankert to Sea which to what intent soever it was contriv'd the Designe prov'd ineffectual For attempting to go about by the North he met with nothing but the boistrousness of a tempestuous Sea making a quick return home and leaving behind him four of his best Ships unmercifully shatter'd in the storms And thus while the English are their Enemies at Sea they will make use of none of the English friendship by Land And to that purpose they order a Cassation of the English and Scotch Regiments only that the Officers might be admitted again taking an Oath to be faithful to the Lords States General and to the States of the respective Provinces whom they serv'd But the English were so Loyal as to throw up their Commissions disdaining to serve upon such monstrous Terms the profest Enemies of their Prince and Country Forein Affairs 1664. That which was most remarkable this Year in Forein parts besides what we have already related as they fell in time that is to say the two great Victories obtain'd against the Turk by the Emperor was the Cessation of War that ensued thereupon of great Concernment not only to those Empires but to all Christendom a solemn Peace not long after ensuing The City of Constantinople was so fatal to the Grand Seignior then reigning that he resolv'd to make this Year to be not a little fatal to it by withdrawing his Court and presence from thence and that with so much indignation against the Place that he vow'd he would rather set fire to it with his own hands than return to it again whereupon he retired to Adrianople a place seated fit for his Sports of Hawking and Hunting Divertisements that made him seek Peace rather than War But the joy of this Cessation was not a little disturb'd by the death of Count Serini who being upon the chase of a Boar and seeing the Beast likely to escape quitted his Company and follow'd him single till coming near him he fired his Pistol at him The Boar finding himself wounded furiously rush'd upon the Count and then with four deadly wounds the first in the neck the next in the head the third in his belly and the fourth in his foot tore him up and dispatch'd him The French this Year had a mind to get some footing in Barbary and to that end got possession of a small Sea-port Town or Fort call'd by the name of Gigery The Moors to expel them thence came down with great Forces and in assailing and defending great Numbers were slain on both sides The Moors in one Assault they made upon it this year lost six hundred men the Duke of Beaufort being wounded on the French side In which posture we shall leave them for this Year Only it is not to be forgotten that the Great Turk in revenge of the Battle of Leweniz and the surprize of Gigery caus'd all the French which he found in his Dominions to be put to death But the Portugals with better success under the Conduct of their General Pedro Iaques de Megalharma gave battle to the Spaniards under the Duke of Ossuna whom they utterly overthrew with the loss of 500 men slain upon the place 300 Prisoners and all their Baggage and Provision which became a Booty to the Conquerour In Avignon happen'd a very great disturbance insomuch that above twenty thousand Burgers gather'd themselves together against the Vice-Legat having first fallen upon the Garrison some of whom they threw over the Walls and put the rest to flight This Commotion was rais'd upon a pretence that the Vice-Legat went about to impose something upon them against the Liberty of the Inhabitants But ot length by mediation of their Archbishop they were brought to terms of accommodation upon condition that the Italian Garrison should depart the Town and Country and the Italian Provost with his Officers be banisht for ever out of their Territories The Pope took very ill the proceedings of the Vice-Legat But for better security Monsieur de Merceur was appointed to do his best in conjunction with the Forces of the Neighbourhood either by fair means or by foul to bring them to reason At length a composure was made between the Pope and the King of France and Avignon was restor'd into the possession of the Romish See upon Conditions which will be hereafter mentioned In August came news from Losanna that certain Irish-men having Intelligence that a knot of the Murtherers of the late King were gotten together in that place and there entertain'd and protected by the Magistracie of the Town enter'd into a Consultation how they might seize and carry some of those Regicides off and deliver them up to the Justice of that Government which they had so hainously betrai'd The Persons nam'd to be of the Gang were Goff Ludlow Lisle Whally and Fare whereupon in the disguize of Lacqueys they attempted them as they were going to Church under the very Guards of the Town and accompani'd with the Magistrates Bayliffs and Burgomasters of the place But finding it impossible to bring any of them off alive they fell in particular upon Lisle as one whom they knew to have been the Condemner of several of the Kings best and most Loyal Subjects whom they shot dead upon the spot After the act was done they were forc'd to encounter the Guards and several other people who engag'd themselves on the behalf of the Rebels wherein they acquitted themselves to a Miracle wounding divers and having broke through them they cri'd with a loud voice Vive le Roy d'Angleterre and so â—ode quite away Anno Dom. 1665. THe Duke of York was now aboard the English Fleet well man'd and in brave order and furnish'd with all things necessary and answerable to the indefatigable care and diligence of so great a Monarch and the free expences of his large Dominions The Dutch neither ready nor likely to come forth as in the event it prov'd so that among them there was nothing memorable but the bustle of Council and hurry of unfinish'd preparations The first Alarm they had was from the French
hovering in sight of the Town for three days together return'd into Harbour and bringing out the Ships under his Convoy steer'd his own Course But to return to the Fleet. It was at this time divided and the White Squadron under Prince Rupert was gone toward the Coast of France upon an apprehension of Beauforts coming to joyn with the Dutch at which time the other two Squadrons under the Duke of Albemarle being Four Leagues off the North-Foreland the Bristol plying about a League from the Fleet discover'd several Sails and thereupon fir'd Three Guns for better Information Soon after from the top of the Admiral they discover'd the Dutch Fleet. The Fight began Friday the First of Iune and was maintain'd for two days together with only 50 ships of the English against double the number of the Dutch The Duke had all his Tackle taken off with Chain-shot and his Breeches to his skin were shot off Captain Harman in the Henry had the luck to have all the Dutch Fleet upon him single which he bravely supported and forced his way quite through them he had three Fireships upon him of which one took fire but it was soon quench'd and at length he was forc'd to leave the Fleet. The Rainbow being the second as the Henry was the first that Engag'd This was the first days Dispute from one of the Clock till nine at Night wherein the Dutch had two great ships Fir'd On Saturday the Fight was renew'd with greater Violence than before wherein the Dutch lost Three Sail more which were forc'd to retire out of the Dispute and it is thought that this part of the Fleet would have given a very good accompt of the Enemy had not the Dutch receiv'd a Reinforcement of 16 fresh ships The General was Attacqu'd by a Vice-Admiral of the Enemy who came up so neer as that the Yards arms touch'd but the General receiv'd him with so full a Bread side besides a Volley of small shot that he fell a Stern and appeared no more However on Sunday the General finding the Fleet overpower'd in number and tiâ—â—d with continual service began to stand over to the English Coast. In this Retreat which was manag'd with all care and prudence the Saint Paul and two other ships were by the General 's order set on fire to prevent their falling into the Enemies hands all the men disposed into other ships Toward the Evening of that day appeared the Prince upon whose approach the Enemy leaving 50 Sail to make good against the General sent out 30 more to intercept the Prince but he avoiding them made up to the General when he drew neer the Fleet he sent word to the General that if he approv'd of it he would keep the Wind engage those thirty ships which bore up to him but the General supposing that Squadron to be only a Decoy to draw the Prince upon the Galloper sent a Caution to the Prince not to meddle with that Squadron And now both Generals being joyn'd on Munday by Morning-light the Dutch Fleet were got out of sight but the English soon made them again Sir Christopher Mimms leading the Van the Prince in the Middle and Sir Edward Sprague in the Rear of the fresh Squadron Here the Encounter was very sharp the English fighting some to the Windward some to the Leeward of the Dutch In this Engagement the English pass'd the whole Body of the Enemies Fleet five times with good advantage on their side which the Dutch not enduring began to run and were pursu'd so long as the Powder lasted there being not above 35 of the Enemy left in a Body and doubtless they had received more mischief the Generals resolving to have born in among 'um a sixth time but that the Prince having receiv'd in the last pass two shots in his Powder-room and finding his Masts disabled was forc'd to let the Enemy make the best of their way whereby they escaped much fairer than otherways they could have done Of the English Fleet was only burnt the Prince having by misfortune first run aground upon the Galloper by which means Sir George Ayscue the Commander became a Prisoner The Essex was also taken having entangled her self by grapling with one of the Enemies ships which she had almost taken The Swiftsure was also missing taken by Rear-Admiral Swaert her Commander Sir William Berkley being slain Beside these not a ship except the Slugs expresly burnt by Order all the rest arriving safe in the Gunfleet Certainly many of the Enemy were Burnt and Sunk The Enemy endeavouring to conceal their Losses as much as they could but it was generally concluded that they lost above 15 Ships and 21 Captains among the rest Evertson one of their Admirals and of common Seamen above 5000. Sir George Ayscue was sent to the Castle of Lovestein and Captain Reeves imprison'd in Amsterdam having Wounded as he was receiv'd most barbarous usage from the hands of those that took him This bloudy Encounter being over the King makes all the hast imaginable to take the Sea again to which purpose the King proposes to the City the furnishing him with a sum of Money to answer the great occasion of the War whereupon the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council agreed to furnish him with 100000 l. the most of which was subscrib'd upon the place However the Dutch by reason they had several ships already fitted which were intended for the Sound to assist the Dane got out some time before the English could possibly be ready and were several times discover'd towards the Coast of France to meet with Beaufort who was to have joyn'd with them but never did But it was not long before the English Fleet were at their heels in very good order The Flags being carried by the Generals Sir Ioseph Iordan Sir Robert Holmes Sir Thomas Allen Sir Thomas Tyddiman Captain Vtburt Sir Ieremy Smith Sir Edward Sprague and Captain Kempthorn On Munday the English Fleet set sail from the Gunfleet the Enemy plying Eastward before them That Night proving stormy the Iersey disabled by Thunder her Main-topmast being broken to pieces and the Main-mast split from the Top to the Bottom and another Fire-ship receiving some harm were sent away to be refitted At two of the clock next day they weigh'd and discover'd the Dutch Fleet standing with them having the Wind but not the Courage to engage them Next Morning by nine of the clock both Fleets engaged the English not firing till they came up close with the Enemy and then the Anne headmost of the White began the Fight the Red and Blue Squadrons coming up within an hour after Between ten and eleven one of the English Fire-ships endeavouring to board their headmost Admiral was put off and burnt down without effect At eleven the Van of their Fleet began to give way and about one the whole Van bore away from the English before the Wind
While the King of England is preparing his Fleet by Sea the King of France leaving the Management of Affairs at home in the Hands of the Queen begins his March at the Head of his Main Army himself and first he Arrives at Charleroy the chief place of Rendezvous whence he sends to Montery to assure him that though he were constrain'd to March through those Countries yet he would take care that not the least Act of Hostility should be committed Toward the beginning of May Turenne appear'd within a League of Maestricht which was soon after wholly Blockt up in which condition the King leaving it March'd directly with the gross of his Army toward Rhinebergh In the mean while at Sea the English Fleet being in all English and French 160 Sayl had often sight of the Dutch But upon the 28th of this Month about five of the Clock in the Morning a most brisk Fight began near the Bay of Southwold The Blew Squadron first Engag'd and the Royal Iames was the first Ship that fir'd next to which his Royal Highness who was becalm'd but the Blew Squadron and the French having a Gale came up with the Duke and Fought briskly In the Afternoon of the day the Soveraign St. Andrew and about 20 more getting the Weather-gage of the Dutch were hotly Engag'd about which time the Iames being over-presâ— with Number of Men of War and Fireships a Flag-ship of the Dutch lay'd himself athwart his Hawser but finding his Entertainment too hot cry'd out for quarter whereupon the English entring and leaving the Iames naked the Fireships took their advantage two of which were sunk the third took place and fir'd a stout ship where the Earl of Sandwich perish'd for want of Relief but his Captain Captain Haddock escap'd with a shot in his Thigh The Henry and Two other ships more were likewise disabled At Night the Dutch stood away which the Duke perceiving stood after them keeping in sight of their Lights all Night In the afternoon of the next day the Duke hors'd up his Bloody Flag and bore lasking upon the Dutch intending a second Engagement but on a suddain there fell such a thick Mist with much Wind that they could not see a ships length about an hour and a half after it cleer'd up again and the Bloody Flag was put out a second time but the Fog coming thick again nothing could be done Whereupon the Duke finding himself near the Oyster-Bank Tack'd about stood away some Leagues and came to an Anchor there he staid all Night and the next Morning till Ten a Clock but could hear nothing of the Enemy who were retir'd to the shallows of their own Coast. In this Engagement were lost out-right the Earl of Sandwich Captain Digby in the Henry Sir Iohn Cox in the Prince Sir Freschevile Hollis Monsieur de la Rabinier the French Rear-Admiral with several others several others Wounded about seven hundred Common Sea-men slain and as many Wounded and the Royal Iames only Burn'd In the Henry not an Officer was left alive and above half the Men slain The Katharine was taken and the Captain put on Board a Dutch ship and the Men clapt under Hatches the Dutch going about to Fire the ship at what time a French Sloop came in and cut away the Fireships Boat and then the English finding a way to break out upon the Dutch redeem'd both themselves and the ship and brought away Sixteen of the Dutch Prisoners that were a little before their Masters On the Dutch side were lost Admiral Van Ghent and Captain Brakhel most of their great ships miserably torn among the rest two sunk one by the Earl of Sandwich another by Sir Edward Sprage one taken and one Burn'd besides a very great loss of Common Sea-men another great Vessel suppos'd to be a Flag-ship was seen to sink neer Alborough and several others that were missing suppos'd to be sunk or burn'd As this was no small loss at Sea considering some advantage they had to be beaten into their own Ports so was their loss as great by Land the French having at the same time taken Rhineberg Wesel Oysup and Burick Groll Borkelo taken by the Bishop of Munster and after them Rees Sckenk-Sconce and several others underwent the same Fate possessed by the French Nor was this all for the French without much resistance had now forc'd their Passage over the Rhine neer Tolbuys This neer Approach of the French bred such a Confusion in the Netherlands that many of the most wealthy Inhabitants forsook the Country not willing to hazard their Persons and Estates in a Country falling into the hands of a Victorious Forreigner The States also themselves remov'd from the Hague to Amsterdam for their better security opening the Sluces and putting the Country round under Water to the dammage of above 18 Millions of Gilders The King of England being throughly informed of these Proceedings puts forth a seasonable Declaration signifying That if any of the Low Country Subjects either out of Affection to His Majesty or his Government or because of the oppression they meet with at home from their Governours should come into his Kingdoms they should be Protected in their Persons and Estates that they should have an Act for their Naturalization and that all such Ships and Vessels as they should bring along with them should be accompted as English built and enjoy the same Priviledges and Immunities as to Trade Navigation and Customs as if they had been built in England or belong'd to his own Subjects And to restrain the Licentious Tongues of those that were apt to talk too busily and sawcily of State-Affairs the King did farther by his Proclamation forbid all his loving Subjects either by Writing or Speaking to divulge or utter false News or Reports or to intermeddle in matters of Government or with any of his Majesties Councellors or Ministers in their common Discourses All this while the Dutch at Land began to be more and more streightned for on the one side the King of France was Advanc'd within Three Leagues of Amsterdam Arnhem Vtrecht and Zutphen and Emmerick surrendred up to him on the other side the Bishop of Munster press'd hard upon Frizeland having taken Deventer Groll Borkelo Doetechem and several other Places of lesser Consequence insomuch that the People began to Tumult in all places but more especially at Dort whither they sent for the Prince of Orange where as he was at Dinner with the Lords at the Paw being the Principal House in the Town the Burgers who were in Arms surrounded the House and sent up their Captains to tell the Lords That except they presently drew up a Paper and put their Hands to it for declaring the Prince Stadt-holder they would Cut all their Throats whereupon the Paper was immediately drawn up and sign'd by which the said Prince was declar'd Stadt-holder with all the Powers and Authorities in as ample
manner as any of his Ancestors had enjoy'd they also renounc'd that perpetual Edict by which they had oblig'd themselves never to admit of a Stadtholder and discharg'd the Prince of the Oath he had taken never to accept of that Dignity which thing thus begun by a Tumult was afterwards Confirm'd in a full Assembly of the States General There were at this time taken from them by the French several Towns and Forts some of them of great Importance and by the Bishop of Munster six and besides this by the former Maestricht by the latter Groninghen Besiedg'd their Fleet in Port patching up their bruises Yet now the King of England compassionating their Condition and believing those misfortunes might have rendred 'um more humble sent over the Duke of Buckingham and the Earl of Arlington to try if now at length they would hearken to any Reasonable Terms of Accommodation It was remarkable with what joy and satisfaction they were receiv'd by the People the Men Women and Children joyning in their Acclamations as they pass'd along the Streets God bless the King of England God bless the Prince of Orange and the Devil take the States They passed from Holland through the Prince of Orange's Camp to Vtrecht where they found the King of France who had now reduc'd the whole Province of whom they had their Publick Audience in the Camp thither likewise came the Lord Hallifax sent by the King of England as his Envoy Extraordinary and was after his Audience joyn'd with them in Commission being thus all together they attended the Motion of the Camp in expectation of Plenipotentraries from Holland upon their last Proposition While they are upon Extraordinary Affairs abroad Henry Coventry Esq now return'd from Sweden is made Secretary of State at home in the room of Sir Iohn Trevor deceas'd and the Duke of Richmond Arrives in Sweden Embassador Extraordinary from the Court of England where he afterwards Dy'd Toward the Latter end of this Month the Duke of Buckingham Earl of Arlington and Lord Hallifax Arriv'd at White-Hall having expected fourteen days in the French Camp the return of the Dutch Deputies so that all which they effected at that time was a Promissory Act between the two Kings not to treat or conclude without a Participation and Inclusion of each others Interests which was afterwards form'd into Articles and Ratifi'd and Exchang'd with the French Embassadour at London The King of France had now drawn the Gross of his Army from the Neighbourhood of Amsterdam Marching for Boys-le-dâ—c and Maestricht both which he left block'd up the first by Turenne the second by Chamille and being satisfi'd at present with the Victorious Progress he had made return'd for Paris Yet the taking of Nimmenghen by Storm wherein were made Prisoners of War 4000 of the best Soldiers which the Dutch had and the appearance of the English Fleet upon the Coast of Holland was occasion enough to continue the Tumults and Insurrections which were now so general that there was scarce a Town in Holland where the people were not Masterless 'T is true the heat of Action began to cool for some time nor did the English Fleet do any thing more considerable but onely keep the Seas besides that they mist the taking of the Dutch East-Indie-Fleet of which there was only this account that the Cambridge and Bristol being upon the Scout had met with the East Indie-Fleet with whom there happen'd a smart Encounter insomuch that the Cambridge was forc'd to ly by to splice her Rigging and that though they both followed 'um again and gave 'um many Broad-sides yet because they could no way separate 'um nor the Bristol could carry out her lower tire they were forc'd to quit the Fight Only one ship too severely chac'd was forc'd to destroy her self This Moneth the Earl of Essex arriv'd in Ireland and having taken the usual Oath had the Sword delivered to him as Lord-Deputy of Ireland in the room of the Lord Berkley In Holland the Prince of Orange being now setled in the Supream Authority did not a little win the favour of the people by endeavouring to call to an account the chief of those who had been their former Leaders Among the rest he Imprisons Ruart Van Putten and his Brother De Wit Van Putten was accus'd of an Intention to have destroyed the Prince of Orange by the assistance of a Barber who was to have receiv'd from him a considerable sum of Money for doing it The Court of Holland upon examination of their Crimes having Condemned both the Brothers to lose all their dignities and employments and ordered 'um to quit the Country as Banish'd men Thereupon De Wit goes to the Prison to fetch away his Brother but the people being incensed that they deserved a greater punishment as they were coming out again forc'd 'um back again broke open the Prison-door hal'd 'um out and thus the Rabble having got 'um into their possession never left till they had beat and trampled 'um to death This not sufficing they dragg'd their dead Bodies about the Streets cut off their Fingers and Ears and then hung 'um up naked by the Heels upon the Gallows such was the miserable end of those two Brothers The first good fortune that befel the Dutch next to that of the escape of their East-Indie Fleet was the defence of Groninghen to which the Bishop of Munster had laid a most furious and close Siege but notwithstanding all his fury after several attacques and the loss of many men was at length forced to break up his Siege and depart having battered and burnt down above two hundred Houses with his Guns and Granadoes The Dutch had no question promised themselves great matters from the Emperour but there was nothing appear'd to give them any hopes till at length a general Treaty was concluded for the publick Security and general Defence of the Empire at Ratisbone which though it prov'd slow as passing three Colledges That of the Electors That of the Princes and That of the Free-Towns yet after this Conclusion the Imperial Forces being upon their march from one side and the Brandenburgher on the other to make a conjunction upon the Frontiers of the Enemy made a very seasonable diversion to give the Netherlander some breathing time so that Turenne was forc'd to draw off to attend their motion toward Leipstadt and the Bishop of Munster thought it convenient to look toward his own Territories for fear of the Brandenburgher So that now the Prince of Orange had some time to look after the Civil affairs and to settle disorders at home which he did by a change of the Magistrates in most of the Towns of the Low Countries wherein he was not a little encouraged by the satisfaction which it gave the generality of the people who now began to bâ— by little and little better composed in their mindes In England the Parliament
next day being resolv'd into a Grand Committee upon their taking into consideration the King 's and the Lord Chancellor's Speeches they made an unanimous Vote that a supply should be given the King of 18 Moneths Assessment not exceeding 70000 l. a Moneth While they were thus acting Sir Iob Charleton falls sick and his Indisposition continuing the House by the King's permission chose a new Speaker Edward Seymor Esq by Name a person of great Loyalty and known ability Soon after they presented the King an humble Address for satisfying and composing the mindes of his Majesties Subjects To which the King return'd for Answer That he did readily and freely agree thereto That on the other side it was five Moneths since he had demanded a Supply and that their Vnanimous Vote did both give life to his Affairs and disheartned the Enemy but their delay would make them take new courage That the Enemy was preparing a greater Fleet than ever they had and therefore desir'd them that the fears and jealousies of some might not bring a Ruine upon all That if there were any Scruples remaining with them concerning the suspention of Penal Laws He promis'd that what had been already done should not be drawn into future Example Lastly That as he expected the Bill for his supply so He should as willingly receive and pass any other to give them satisfaction The Effect of all which appear'd at the beginning of the following Year Forrein Affairs 1672. The most important difference between the Lesser Princes and States of Christendom was between the Duke of Savoy and the State of Genoa who taking advantage of a difference between the Officers and Souldiers of the Garrison had surpris'd Oneglia and the Territories thereto belonging Thereupon the Duke with a strong Army invades the Jurisdiction of the Genoeses takes Guado the Key of the Genoese State towards Monâ—ferrat after that Sissello a most delicious place and full of rich Booty together with Iustinesi Not thus content he over-ran all the Riviera toward Nizza and retakes the Principality of Oneglia But then by the Interposition of the King of France first a Cessation then a Peace was Concluded Nor was Poland without a great share of Civil Dissention by reason of great differences between one part of the Nobility who were term'd Male-contents and the other part of the Nobility who sided with the King The Army under Sobieskie undertook the Defence of the Male-contents and Marches for Warsaw under pretence of protecting their Nobility which were so severely prosecuted The Archbishop of Gnesne a potent Prelate kept himself from Court in Opposition to the Kings Interests though all endeavours were used to reconcile him In this posture the Popes Nuntio arrives to Mediate but it was too hard a task to be accomplisht this Year From these troubles Casimire having withdrawn himself by a timely Resignation liv'd for some time privately in France where he this Year dy'd of an Apoplexy at Nevers But his Death was not so much taken notice of as the Death of the Empress to whom this Year was equally Fatal Anno Dom. 1673. THE first remarkable passages of this year were the Transactions in Parliament who being press'd by the King for a Supply fell with that seriousness and quickness to their Work that by the latter end of March they had compleated several Bills among the rest an Act for raising the Sum of One hundred thirty eight thousand seven hundred and fifty thousand pound for supply of his Majesties Extraordinary occasions And another Act of General and Free Pardon To which when the King had given his Assent the Parliament was Adjourn'd till the 20th of October next ensuing About this time the Earl of Northumberland being Dead and the Family of the Peircies being Extinct one Iames Percy an ordinary Mechanick coming out of Ireland laid claim both to the Title and Estate and went so far as to present a Petition to the House of Lords to hear him in Relation to his Claim but when his Petition came to be read notwithstanding that he had two Months time given him before and that he had caus'd above forty Witnesses to be sworn at the Bar he made so little of any probability appear toward his said Claim that the Lords resolv'd that the Petition of the said Iames Percy should be dismiss'd and that they would consider how to proceed against him as an Impostor Much about this time was the Island of Tabago taken from the Dutch by the English under the Command of Sir Tobias Bridges with a Booâ—y of 400 prisoners and as many Negroes though a greater loss hapn'd to the English by the taking of Sr. Hellenâ—s by the Dutch and might have prov'd great Obstruction to the Trade of the East-Indies had it not been soon after regain'd by the English with a more fatal Loss to the Dutch of Three very considerable East-India ships which with the regaining of the Island was such a seasonable piece of Service perform'd by Captain Monday that the King himself thought it worthy the honour of a Knighthood which was conferr'd upon him at his return in August when he brought along with him both the good News and Prizes But now the English and Dutch Fleets being abroad Actions of higher Importance call to be related wherein it will not be amiss to follow the whole Series of this Years Maritime Transactions without any digression The Belgians first got to Sea and shew'd themselves at the Rivers Mouth with an intention to have stopt up the Mouth of the Thames by sinking several great Ships in the Narrow Passages of the Channel call'd the Middle-ground but the broadness of the Channel and the commodiousness of other Channels rendred their Attempts altogether in vain Prince Rupert who Commandâ—d the English Fleet that he might not seem to be shut in sails toward the Enemy wâ—o unwilling to abide his coming recover their own Shoar The Prince therefore sails away for the Streights of Calis with an intention to joyn with the Fleet from Portsmouth and the French and coming to Dunganess there casts Anchor in expectation of their coming who were not long absent in this interim no small danger threatned the Admiral by which the Edgar and Lyon were forc'd from their Anchors by the accidental firing of a Fireship But now the French consisting of 27 great Ships and the Portsmouth Fleet being joyn'd with the rest of the Navy the Prince resolves to visit the Dutch Coast and comes before Schonevelt where the Fleet of the Enemy lay the Prince's intention was to have Engag'd but the Sea growing rough they came to an Anchor till the 28th The morning proving fair and a fresh Gale the English prepare to Engage to which end the Prince Commands some 35 of the more nimble Frigats to provoke 'um out of the Sands with which they lay surrounded but they contrary to expectation boldly come â—orth and in excellent
Spain and the Emperor should be Warranters for the Observance And now for the better support of the Prince of Oranges Dignity the Dutch East-India Company unanimously resolv'd to give Him and his Heirs Male after him Three in the Hundred of all that their gains upon the division And then having secur'd themselves from Munster they made an agreement with Lunenburgh to keep 14000 Men in the Service of the States they paying him such a certain Sum. About this time also the difference between the King of France and the State of Genoa were wholly Reconcil'd by the Mediation of the King of England But on the other side the King of France continues his German War so that Besancon the chief City of Franche Compte falls into his hands being rendred upon ordinary Articles after a short Siege Nor did the Ciradel hold out much longer The next Town Besiegd was Dole which not being able to withstand the Fortune of the French Arms yielded it self After which Solines and Castle St. Anne being taken made the Conquest of Franche Compte compleat About the middle of Iune was fought the Battle of Sanzeime between the Marshal Turenne and the Imperialists wherein the Imperialists being far less in Number had the worst It was fought from Nine in the Morning till Night when the Imperialists finding themselves over-powr'd retir'd in very good order leaving behind about 2000 Men. Nor was the loss of the French less considerable for they lost a great many common Soldiers but more Commanders A little before this the Dutch had taken the Island of Normantier from the French where they destroy'd a great deal of Corn but not long after quitted it upon Agreement made with the Inhabitants and the Religioâ—s Order of Cistertians in that Island to pay them 14000 Crowns in four Months and for their security taking with them the Abbot and some of the Principal Islanders After that they approach'd Bell Isle intending to have made a descent there but the Castle upon the Island was too well provided for their Entertainment In August was tought the Battle or rather Notable Skirmish call'd the Battle of Seneff between the Prince of Conde and the Confederates Imperialists Dutch and Spaniards in shoâ—t thus That the Confederates Army being upon their March toward a place call'd Binch the French tell upon the Rear and forcing them to Retreat through a narrow way which they could only pass in Files put them into great Confusion upon this the French soon became Masters of the Baggagâ— and Cannon when the Prince of Orange and after that the Germans came and engaged the Enemy so that the Fight continued till Night and then the French were forc'd to retreat to their Camp and the Prince of Orange and the Imperialists remain'd Masters of the Field The Prince of Orange was in great danger having been long Engag'd with the Enemy Several Officers of Quality were slain on both sides among the rest on the Prince of Orange's part Sir Walter Vane Major-General to the Prince having bravely behav'd himself was shot in the back and knee of which he dyed soon after and of 32 Colonels of the Dutch Army 26 were either Kill'd or Wounded the stress of the Fight lying upon them Many Common Souldiers were slain on both sides though the greatest Number was reported to be lost by the French being said to be above 3000 and many more confiderable Officers than upon the Dutch side The next Attempt of the Prince of Orange and the Confederates was upon Oudenard to which they had laid a â—ormal Siege but they were soon disturb'd by the Prince of Conde upon whose Approach and Resolution to fall upon them the Confederates drew off and marched toward Ghent In November Graves a strong Town Besieg'd by the Dutch was after a rough Siege and many Assaults retaken from the French The Garrison consisting of 1600 Foot aâ—d 400 Horse marching out upon Composition And now the Army of the Confederates and the French under Turenne lying near one another produc'd some considerable Action though their wary Commanders would not put all to the push nor was the Victory fully determin'd by the grandest of their peformances In the first place 4000 French Horse most of them the Troops of the King's Houshold Commanded by Monsieur Montauban fell upon some Munster Troops and a Regiment of Imperial Cuirassiers who guarded a certain Passage and with the suddainness of the Attack put the Imperialists into disorder but Caprara's Regiment that of the Prince of Lorain and some others coming to their Assistance they gave a stop to the Enemy till such time as other Lorain-Regiments came in the Fight was sharply maintain'd on both sides but at last the French were forc'd to retire the slaughter being great on both sides but greatest on the French and among the rest Mountauban himself was taken Prisoner The next was an Engagement between the Gross Bodies of both Armies for Turenne Advancing toward Colmar found the Confederates drawn up in Battalia readily attending his coming The Fight was bloody and tedious and many of the French Commanders were slain but more common Souldiers of the Imperialists side but Night coming on all Action ceased However the French continued in Arms all Night expecting to have renew'd the Fight next Morning but when the Imperialists perceiv'd that they retreated in great Disorder to Schlestadt and repassed the Rhine at Strasburgh Turrenne made himself Master of Colmar and sent Provisions to Brisaâ— which together with his keeping the Field were the Reasons that the French concluded themselves the Victors and sung Te Deum for their success at Paris On the other side the Imperialists took themselves to be Conquerours because their loss was no greater In Flanders there was nothing remarkable only the change of the Governour For Monterey being call'd home the Duke de Villa Hermosa was sent to succeed him Anno Dom. 1675. UPon the 13 th of April both Houses of Parliament met in pursuance of their last Prorogation They sate till above a Week in Iune following But the difference between the two Houses increasing about the business of Fag and Shirley upon which four Lawyers were Committed by the Commons to the Tower His Majesty was pleased upon the 9 th of Iune to Prorogue them again till the 13 th of October following having only signed some private Bills In May arriv'd in England the Prince of Newburgh having made some stay in London he went to Oxford where he was nobly treated by the University In the Barbadoes a Conspiracy was discover'd among the Blacks to have destroy'd the English which had been carried on with great secrecy till the very time of the Execution and was begun by the Blacks belonging to Captain Swanley who was kill'd by them But the Plot being found out several were made Exemplary In New-England the Natives under King Philip Hegamore of those parts fell upon the English and kill'd several and
attempting Waterford in vain departs Col. Jones dyes of the Flux The Kings Forces Assault Carrick but depart with loss Both Armies retire to their Winter-quarters Gen. Owen O Neal dyes the Ulster Forces sent into their own Province Luke Taafe sent into Connaght Lord Inchiqueen goes to Clare Lord Dillon into Meath Maj General Hugh O Neal made Governâ—ur of Clonmel for the King Kilkenny garrisoned for the King Crosby betrayeth Kingsale he is Reprieved and pardoned The Marq. of Ormond offers to morgage his Estate for the sâ—pport of the Aâ—my He is at Kilkenny The Irish Souldiers some frighted with the Plague others in necessity revolt to Cromwel The Marq. of Clanrickard Character He supplies Sir George Monro with money Marq. of Ormond at Kilkenny endeavouring with the Lord Clanrickard to proviâ—â— an Army against next spring Sir Charles Coote defeats the Iriâ—â— and takes the Earl of Claneboys Sir Geo Monro delivers Eniskillin to the Enemy Capt. Tickle Executed for designing to betray Kilkenny Marq. of Ormond at Limerick departs in diâ—â—ast to Clare Cromwels Army takes the Field The Kings Army dispersed Ballisanon sold to Cromwel Cahir Castle given him The affairs in Ireland 〈…〉 Marq. of Ormonds 〈◊〉 He withdraws leaving the Marq. Clanrickard to Govern that Kingdom Kilkenny taken Cromwel at Cashel The Lord Clanrickard refuseth to take upon him the Government The Marq. of Ormond courted to continue it to which on certain coâ—ditions he agrees The English under Ormond disbanded and take Conditions Emer Mac Mahon Bp. of Cloghor made General of the Ulster Army Cromwel repulsed and worsted at Clonmel by Maj. General Hugh O Neal Governour thereof Clonmel surrendred to Cromwel David Roch defeated by the L. Broghall The Bp of Rosse and two other Priests hanged Cromwel goes for England Ireton chief Commander in his place An account of the Irish affairs Col. Wogan defeated and taken prisoner Prince Rupert departs Kingsale with his Fleet leaving three empty ships behind him Oct. 24. Col. Morris and Cornet Blackborne Executed at York Aug. Lord Chief-Iustice Heath dyes Sir Kenelm Digby and Mr. Walter Mountague ordered to depart the Kingdom Forrain Princes how affected The Marq. of Montross his Declaration The French 〈◊〉 the importation of cloth The States of Holland dâ—â—y Audiâ—â—â—â— to Strickland the Statâ—â— of Englands 〈◊〉 Thâ— Spaniard prâ—â—ibits his Subâ—â—â—s to seâ—ve our King at â—ea The Gallantry of tâ—â— Emperour Russia He lends the King of England 20000 l. Presbyterian Ministers decline tâ—â— Parliament The Levelâ—rs discontented New commotions by the Levelers John Lilburn chosen a Common-Council-man for London but disabled by the Parliament The Engagement Voted Octob. The terrible Powder-blow in Tower-street Jan. 4. Alderman Hoyle hanged himâ—elf Jan. 30. Gen. Blake commands a Fleet. Prince Rupert blockt up Lisbone Mar. Granger 's notorious Cheats Lord Liberton brings Letters from Scotland to the King at Jersey The Scots appoint Commissioners to treat at Breda The King in danger of drowning The Scots purge their Army 〈◊〉 sendâ— Coâ—â—issioners to the King They except against Malignants Marston the Leveller kills two Messengers and wounding a third escapes is afterwards taken and executed Sir John Berckley and Col. Walter Slingsby secured The Engagement pressed by the Parliament Great Robberies A new Council of State Mr. Ascham and Mr. Vane sent Agents into Spain and Portugal The Names of Ships changed A Fleet sent to Barbadoes against the Lord Willoughby of Parham Cavaliers to depart London Orders concerning Delinquents Estates A new High Court of Iustice constituted Keeble made President thereof An Act against Fornication An Account of the last actions of the Marquess of Montross He was offered to be Capt. of the Scots Guards to the King of France The Emperor at Vienna offers to make him one of his Generals Marquess of Montross Arms for the King in Scotland His ill success The Parliament at Edenburgh Alarmed Col. Straughan sent with a choice party of Horse to oppose him After him follows Lesly and Holborn The Marq Publisheth a Declaration The danger of this attempt Earl of Sunderland opposeth him Dumbath Castle surrendred to the Marquess his Forces Col. Straughan sets upon him The Marq. of Montross defeated Ap. 29. His Standard taken and the bearâ—r thereof slain taken besides on the Marquess his side Col. Hurrey Lord Frendraught Sir Francis Hay c. The Marq. of Montross taken May 3. by the Laird of Aston and conveyed to David Lesley Dumbath Castle yielded to the Covenanters The Covenanters give solemn thanks for their Victory Montross visits his Children at his Father-in-laws the Earl of Southesk His journey to Edenburgh He is mounted on a Cart-horse and delivered to the Executioner bound with Ropes in a Chair and dâ—spitefully used The people pity him but the Ministers revile him He is Imprisoned in the Tol-booth His friends not suffered to visit him The Marquess of Montross sentenced to die by a Committee of Parliament in Scotland Some Members and Ministers sent to examine him He refuseth to answer them The Chancellours Speech in Parliament against the Marquess The Marquess of Montrosses Answer in Parliament The Chancellor comands the Sentence to be read And the Marquess to be conveyed back to prison His noble behaviour there He comes to the Scaffold in rich attire The Marquess of Montross his Speech on the Scaffold Mark the horribâ—â— unchristianity of the Scotch Kirk The Marquess gives moâ—y to the Executioner who according to the Sentence hanged his Declaration and History about his Neck He is hanged on a Gibbet Cromwel for England May. Cromwels cruelty to the English Royallists Col. Wogan escapes An Embassador from Holland Bishop of Cloghor defeated June 18. by Sir Charles Coot Mortally wounded and taken with his Lieut. Gen. Hen. Oneale Marchamount Needham the Parliament-Droll Author of a scurrilous Pamphlet Cromwel returns from his Conquest in Ireland June 6. Prince Rupert blockt up in Lisbon The King ships himself for Scotland from Schevelt June His Majesty complemented by the Nobility of Scotland Fairfax layes down his Commission June 26. The Army marches into Scotland July 22. A light Skirmish and Encounter at Mussleborough July 29. Dr. Levens hanged in â— Cornhill The Kings Statues pulled down Aug. Myn Heer Joachim Resident from the States of Holland sent home Lord-Keeper Lane dieth at Jersey Col. Andrews Executed Aug. 2 on Tower-hill Sir John Gell Sentenced and Cap. Benson Executed October 7. Several surrenders in Ireland Animosities among the Scots Cromwel makes use of them The peremptory resolution of the Kirk of Scotland Cromwel causeth the Kirk-Declaration to be read to his Army Red-house stormed The Armies face one another The English retreat to Dunbar Dunbar fight Sep. 3. The Scots routed Prisoners of Note Sir James Lumsdale Lieu. Gen. of the Army Lord Libberton who died of his wounds Adjutant-General Bickerton Scout-master Campbel Sir Will. Douglas Lâ— Cranston Colonel Gurden c. Their Colours taken ordered to be hung up in Westminster-hall Cromwel 's Letter
Enemy was now retired into his Garrisons that the weather was bitter and unfit for action the Winter being now come on or if it were not so that he had neither Meat nor Money wherewith to keep his men any longer together having since the Revolt of Munster which deprived him of the greatest share of his Contributions and Provisions been a long time already forced to live upon the spoil of the rest of the Country he concluded upon dispersing his Army into Quarters also which because the Principal Towns refused to admit them in he was fain to scatter over all the Kingdom The greatest part of the Vlster-Forces were sent into their own Province there to chuse a new General according as their conditions allowed them for Owen O Neal was dead and Luke Taafe with his men were sent back into Connaght to the Lord of Clanrickard The Lord Inchiqueen with the remainder of such as belonged unto him went over into the County of Clare the Lord Dillon with his into Meath and towards Athlone all the rest were scattered several ways onely Major-General Hugh O Neal was admitted with about 1600 Vlster-men into Clonmell as Governour and Kilkenny received also a competent Garrison to secure them against so ill Neighbours as both Rosse and Carrick were Here you may behold a summary of what past in the field since the Army first set forth until their going to their Winter-quarters in all which time how ill soever the success hath been nothing can with any colour of reason be laid to the Lord-Lieutenants charge except the not punishing those many Failings Treacheries and Disorders that were committed during this Summers Expedition Yet as to the disobedience and neglects in the Siege of Dublin I gave you Reasons why that was past over before and those that were committed since were for the most part by men of that condition and interest that it was neither safe nor fit all things considered to call them to an account As for Treacheries most of the Authors of them took care to secure themselves and in time get out of reach onely Crosby that betrayed Kingsale after he was designed to dye by the Lord-Lieutenant upon the Lord Inchiqueens coming to Town was I know not for what considerations reprieved and saved The want of money to pay the Souldiers and the exigences they were for the most part in after the mischance at Dublin did so much Authorize their disorders in the Country that if they had not been past by and connived at there had been no means of keeping them together So that I have many reasons to believe that notwithstanding the defeat at Dublin and success upon Drogheda Cromwel with all his great Army his Fleet and store of Money had been lost and sunk to nothing if the Castles of Wexford and Carrick had not been so foully given up nay and after that too if those Towns and Forces in Munster had not so treacherously Revolted Thus did the knavery and malice of a few steal away the Hearts of the generality of that undiscerning simple people from the Lord-Lieutenant few of them being able to judge at all of the Prudence and Integrity of his Conduct or to consider that the Army that was in the Field the foregoing Summer would have required four times the Contribution that was raised without leaving any surplus either to be hoarded up or sent beyond Seas From which his Excellency was so far that on the other side he frequently offered to engage at a very low rate all that remained Unmorgaged of his Princely Estate for the support of the Army The Surrender of Dublin truly had been made unto the people of Ireland by the arts of those that were at that time in Government amongst them a most odious thing though those very persons knew well enough it was themselves and not the Lord-Lieutenant that was in the fault by twice foully violating their Publike Faith with him First in breaking a Peace made and solemnly published both at Dublin and Kilkenny the Respective seats of the Kings Lieutenant and the Council of the Confederates and in seconding that Act after having imprisoned the Lord Muskery Sir Robert Talbott Sir Lucas Dillon Master Brown Master Belings and the rest of their Supreme Council that had made the Peace and still stood honestly to what they had done with bringing their Armies before Dublin where having caused the burning and destruction of those quarters the Town it self must have been lost unto them it upon overture of a Treaty with the Parliament they had not sent Men and Supplies to rescue it And next in the breach of that solemn Engagement made between them and the Marquess of Clanrickard as soon as upon belief of their resolution to return unto their Duty the Treaty was broke off and the Forces of the Parliament sent home again Could it be expected that after two such acts as these any wise man would trust or treat with the Irish any more whilst the Government was still in the same mens hands who after all this wrought the whole Assembly to declare they would never have any Protestant Governour more and namely not the Lord-Lieutenant and who were not ashamed at the same time both to annul the Peace and yet acknowledge that the forementioned Gentlemen that had been makers of it and suffered in justification of it had neither exceeded their instructions nor done any thing misbecoming honest men His Excellency was now at Kilkenny where having in vain endeavoured to qualifie the universal discontents and observing how fast notwithstanding the admonitory Declaration of all the Bishops from Clonmacnosse to the contrary the people being alienated with the ravaging and disorder of their own Armies and allured with the successes and smooth invitations of Cromwel run headlong in to him for Protection and under Contribution as also how great numbers of the Irish Souldiers some frighted with the Plague which now began to spread into the other Provinces of the Kingdom and others for want of livelihood as having neither meat nor pay flockt in unto the Enemy He went into Connaght to confer about carrying on of the publike business and the remedy of those disorders with the Marquess of Clanrickard at his Castle of Portumna about the end of Christmas who being a person of that eminent Merit towards our King and Nation and deserving so much Honour from all honest men I must I believe do a thing very displeasing to you not to give you a due Character of him here Upon his coming to Portumna the Lord-Lieutenant meets with Sir George Monro who was posted thither out of the North to make some Proposals in order to the reduction of Vlster to his Excellency and the Lord Clanrickard who had the Summer before assisted him towards his Vlster Expedition with a Regiment of Foot 100 Horse and 1000 pounds in money out of the Province of Counaght and in case
Lyonel Ienkins For the King of Spain Count Areschot and Don Emanuel de Lyra. For the Emperour Count Conningsech and the Baron D'Issola Count Tott for the Crown of Sweden For the Dutch Van Beverning Van Haren and Odyke For the French the Duke de Chausnes But the Dutch having other Designes in their heads than what were driven on in that place would yield to nothing there nor were they so fully instructed but that upon the Propositions delivered by the English Plenipotentiaries they pleaded they could give no positive Answer without consulting their Masters and returning to Holland had leisure enough to take their pleasure while the States were contriving an Answer which when they had delivered at Cologne was nothing but a device finely spun for delay which made Cologne a place of great Concourse but little business In the mean time the Dutch send a Letter to the King of England to which the King of England return'd so full an Answer that though they said The King was very sharp and obstinate in his Letter That nothing was to be done but to continue the War That no farther Instructions should be sent to their Deputies at Cologne till they saw how the Parliament would order matters to whom they were resolv'd to send a Copy of their Reasonable Proposals hoping otherwise to bring the King to better Termes Yet upon cooler thoughts they not only listned to the Motions of Peace but also came to terms of Accommodation and thereupon in February following they dispatch'd a Trumpeter into England by whom they receiv'd that satisfaction in Answer to their Letters from the King of England that soon after the Peace was concluded between His Majesty and the Spanish Embassador residing in London on the behalf of the Dutch The News was receiv'd with incredible joy in the Low Countries Sir Gabriel Sylvius was sent by His Majesty to the Prince of Orange to Complement him upon the Conclusion of the Peace with whom also the States did interchange the Ratification of the Articles In the interim His Majesty having caus'd a new sort of Brass Half-pence and Farthings to be made current throughout all England and Coyn'd in the Tower issued forth a Proclamation for the suppression of the particular farthings and halfe-pence of private Shopkeepers and being inform'd that Shop-keepers did notwithstanding continue to utter Halfe-pence and Farthings of their own stamping he caus'd them to be proceeded against according to Law which was so effectually done that many were Convicted and fin'd but upon submission by the King's mercy Pardon'd Before we fully conclude the Dutch War it will be necessary to relate a piece of Gallantry performed by Captain Harman in the Mediterranean Sea where the Vice-Admiral of Evertson's Squadron in a Man of War call'd the Sehaerlaes carrying 36 pieces of Cannon and 140 Men Commanded by Captain Pasqual De Witt met with Captain Harman in the Tygre returning from Tangier and coming both into Cadiz-Bay where Evertson lay to Careen the people of the Town began to laugh at the Dutch telling them That they durst not Fight the English that they had left their station for fear Which Evertson hearing told the Captain of the Dutch that to save his Honor he was oblig'd to Chalenge the English Captain Which being resolv'd upon De Witt fiâ—ted himself the best he could for the Rencounter next Morning Evertson thereupon furnish'd him with Two new Lieutenants 70 Souldiers and 60 Mariners more than he had making in all 270 Men. The Tygre which had not above 184 Men in all saw all these Preparations and prepared himself the best he could but without any more addition of Men. The next Morning getting out a League to Sea within view of the Town and in sight of the greatest part of the Inhabitants so soon as both Frigats came within Pistol-shot of each oâ—her the Fight began with that success to the English that with one Broad-side the Tygre shot down the Main-yard of the Dutch Vessel and kill'd and wounded above 80 Men without receiving much Damage so that after half an hours Dispute the Dutch ship was Boarded and taken by the English the Enemy having lost 140 Men and 86 Wounded The Dutch Man of War was so disabled and shot through and through that She was hardly fit for service to the great wonder of the beholders After which Captain Harman return'd into Port with great Honour having lost only 9 Men Kill'd out-right and 15 Wounded one of which was himself being shot in at the left Eye with a Musquet-Bullet that went out between the Ear and the Jaw-bone of which he was happily afterwards recover'd At home the Dutch made great rejoycing for the Conclusion of the Peace and being now quit from the fear of the English minded onely the setting out of a small Fleet consisting of 32 Men of War under Tromp Haen and young De Ruyter Nor was His Majesty less mindful to proceed against the Papists giving Order to the Judges to put the Laws against them in Execution Forein Affairs 1673. Toward the beginning of the Year the Elector of Brandenburgh concludes a Peace with the King of France and in order thereto draws his Troops out of the Territories of Cologne and Munster Allies of France and Monsieur Turenue drew out his out of the County of Mark. In Poland things were now in an indifferent quiet posture the Arch-bishop of Gnesna a great Opposer of the Kings Designes was Dead and the Dyet concluding in a very great Calme The Turk indeed threatned them but they doubted not of their Ability to oppose him But the King liv'd not long to see the fruits of his Accommodation dying toward the beginning of Autumn ensuing Great were the Fears of that Nation what would fall out during this interregnum and probably they might have suffered much had they not been free'd from those fears at present by a great overthrow given the Turks by the Polish-General Sobieski who Attacquing the Enemy in their Retrenchments by the Assistance of the Hussar Horsemen totally Defeated him so that of 45000 men not above 3000 remain'd alive after the Fight Two Bassa's were slain and a vast Plunder became a prey to the Victor besides the Castle of Cochim which the Turks had some while before taken from the Christians That which chiefly contributed to the obtaining this Victory was the valour of the Hussars and the Revolt of the Hospodars of Moldavia and Wallachia who fell from the Turk at the beginning of the Fight bringing with them again those Two Provinces under the Subjection of the Polish Crown from whence they had fallen off above 50 Years since But the chiefest Scene of War now lay in the Low Countries into which the King of France being fallen with a considerable Army toward the beginning of Summer had beleaguer'd Maestricht a Frontier Garrison and one of the strongest belonging to the States of Holland Among all other Actions perform'd at this
Siege there was none more Signal than the Atchievment of the Duke of Monmouth who Commanding one of the Posts where the Enemy made a Vigorous Sally and springing a Mine which slew a Captain an Ensign and fifty Souldiers and seeing the out-Guards give ground sent a Party of the King of France's Musquettiers design'd for the Guard of his own Person to make good the Post but seeing them retire with only 12 Voluntiers all English through a storm of Shot hasted to their Relief The Enemy had now possess'd a Half-moon which had been but lately taken from them before but the presence and Encouragement of the Duke and the small succour he brought with him so animated the retiring Musqueteers that they fell on anew and the Duke with some little help more rallied out of the Trenches recover'd the Halfe-Moon and deliver'd it to Monsieur Fuillade who came to relieve him at the ordinary hour The regaining of which Post so soon was no small reason of the Rendition of the Town which soon after in the beginning of Iuly followed upon honourable Conditions to the Souldiers and Townsmen both as to the Privileges of Religion and Trade Of English Commanders slain at this Siege were none of Note but Sir Henry Iones who Commanded the English Regiment of Light-Horse and only accompanied the Duke of of Monmouth as a Voluntier to the regaining the Half-moon before-mentioned But the Dutch were not a little comforted for the loss of this Town by the recovery of Vtrecht and Woâ—â—den which were quitted by the French without any Damage done to the Fortifications or Inhabitants upon a consideration of a certain sum of Money given to the Souldiers by the Townsmen and the retaking of Ban which was at length surrendred into their hands after it had been Besieged by the whole power of the Confederates their own and the Forces of the Imperialists and Spaniards who had in the middle of October declar'd open War against the French so that there was nothing more frequent than the Meetings and Conferences of Monterey and the Prince of Orange together as to the ordering and governing their common Interests But Naerden fell into the Hands of the French for the loss of which they were so much incens'd that they Beheaded the Governour Monsieur Paâ— for surrendring it in so short a time though it were afterwards retaken by the Prince of Orange to their great joy In the mean while the Pope being at more leisure at Rome thought it convenient to fill up the vacancies of the Conclave to which end he disposed of four Hats this Year One to Francisco Nerli a Florentine of 38 years of Age A second to Seignior Ieronimo Gustoldi a Genâ—ese 60 years old A third to Ieronimo Casanalti a Neapolitan 58 years old And the fourth to Pietro Bassaduana a Venetian Aged about 60 years A fifth was intended but not then disposed of The King of France was fretted at the March of the Emperour's Forces and therefore to try if he could stop their further March he writes to the King of Sweden to do his utmost endeavour who was at present a Mediator between them and at the same time gives a Memorial to the Swedish Embassador in his Camp wherein he pretended how tender he had been all along of the Peace of the Empire but withal declares that if the Emperour did persist to give assistance to the Dutch and should march his Forces out of Bohemia he was resolv'd to oppose him to the utmost of his power with all his Forces Besides this Threatning Letter and his passing into Alsatia and hovering from thence about Charleroy the King of France did little else returning soon after to Paris The Dutch secur'd from the English strive to strengthen themselves by other Alliances And therefore having by a publick Placaert conferr'd the Commands of Stadtholder Captain and Admiral-General of the Provinces of Holland and West-Friezland to the Prince and his Heir-Males by Lawful Marriage with all Rights and Priviledges thereto belonging who thereupon took his Seat in the Assembly of the States of Holland and West-Friezland as Primier Noble The next thing they did was to conclude such a League as they thought most advantageous and thereupon a League was entred into and ratified by them and the Emperour the King of Spain on the one part and the Duke of Lorain on the other The Conditions whereof were That the Duke of Lorain should raise an Army of 18000 Horse and Foot by the times in the Treaty limited to be paid by the Emperour the King of Spain and the States after the rate of 9000 Crowns per Moneth and to act by their orders and directions The League to last 10 years On the other side the Swede joyns himself strictly to the French upon condition to receive 50000 Crowns a Moneth from the King of France for six years to begin presently after the conclusion of the Peace Being obliged to declare himself for the French in case the States the Emperour and the King of Spain did not make a League with the French before the fifteenth of May next ensuing But there was no likelyhood of that for the King of France having demanded satisfaction at the Emperour's Court for the injury done to Count Furstenburgh Plenipotentiary for the Bishop of Cologne but obtaining none the Emperour rather seeking to justifie the action than to punish the actors recalled his Embassadors from Cologne and brake off the Treaty Nor would the Interposition of the King of England prevail though he offered his Mediation to reconcile the differences between the two Crowns of France and Spain The Swedes also proposed That the Spaniards should give Aire St. Omer and Ipres into the Hands of the French on Condition that the French should quit all they had got in those parts and restore Maestricht to the Spaniards But all in vain the Spaniards affirming that the French were to restore not only the places they had got in this War but also all the places they had possessed themselves of since the Treaty with the Pyreneans The business of Count Furstenburgh was this He being at Cologne and going in his Coach accompanied only with his Secretary and two Gentlemen more attended by three Lacqueys to visit the Elector of Cologne whose Plenipotentiary and chief Minister he was was set upon in the Street by nine persons armed with Sword and Pistol who being too strong for the Count's party after some kill'd and hurt on both sides the Count was forc'd out of the City where stood another strong party to receive him who carried him to Bonne whence he was sent Prisoner to Vienna The Emperour pretended him a Subject of the Empire and that he had contrary to his trust taken part with his Enemies Nor were the Swedes as well as the King of France less active in interposing for his Liberty affirming that he was the Elector's Plenipotentiary that though he had a French Regiment it was only Nominal