represented his Majesty no otherwise then any loyal person for this age requires that distinction that hath either heard of or known him will confesse him to be but if they will not let them be convinced by that saying of a worthy Gentleman long time an attendant upon his Majesty who having given me a large account of his virtues at length concluded That Tully himself if now alive could not sufficiently expresse his praise Gentlemen it is to you in General that I present this History that you may see and be sensible to whom you have been loyal and then I believe that you will judge that your loyalty hath found it's just reward in being loyal to so just a Prince and if any of you have suffered for him read but his sufferings you cannot value your own Yet I intend not this at all to his pretended Tavern friends which I believe whilest they are so are so onely there and indeed I cannot look upon these as faithfull Subjects for how can that man be loyal to his Prince who hath not the power to be true unto himself Drunken subjects though never so loyal will prove the ruine both of themselves and their Soveraign Gentlemen let those that are truly loyal joyn their prayers with mine for the happinesse of his most SACRED MAIESTY since in his we must necessarily include our own and more then ours our COVNTRIES To the Readers in general Courteous Readers IF in this History I have displeased any person they cannot be so much displeased as I am sorry I have endeavoured to please all nor have I more then Iustice enforced me to favoured any I have laboured as I professed to write impartially where I have not done so I am confident there will not want Carpers If in some particulars affection hath swayed me though I confesse it a fault yet it brings it's excuse What loyal Subject can relate his Soveraigns sufferings without a passion what Free born English man's heart begins not to rise within him when he does but think of those Tyrannies and Oppressions his Native Countrey hath of late groaned under where I have been bitter it has been with reason where sweet with a great deal of Iustice Yet one thing I shall desire the Reader to take notice of that when I speak of the Presbyterians I mean not those moderate people who are as truly loyal as they are godly but some amongst them like wolves in sheeps clothing such as Straughan and Kerry in Scotland who only pretend themselves to be Presbyterians but are in their proof found Sectaries these are the Flea-bitten Clergy the Sowers of strife and sedition and a scandal to those to whom they pretend to be Brethren To conclude that all the Subjects of this Land may with one heart and voice agree together for the Restauration of our afflicted Sovereign but of our more afflicted selves to just Rights and Priviledges is the earnest prayer of A Hearty well-wisher to his Countrey THE HISTORY OF CHARLES the II. Third MONARCH of Great Britain c. THe Histories of Englands late oppreessours have already cloy'd and overladed the exuberant Presse whole Volumes daily coming forth either of the Actions of the late long Parliament or the Life of their aspiring Generall Cromwell which though adorn'd with all those flatteries that could possibly proceed from the most beneficed pens yet cannot in the least justifie their actions to the more sober sort of people for though their memories may here smell sweet to some who have rather tasted of their favour then suffered under their oppression yet do they but render them to the sufferers more infamous and to the Neuter ridiculous like the extolling of Don Quixot's Chivalry And though there have been some who have adventured to set them out to the life and paint them in their own colours yet have many of these as far exceeded the bounds of Truth as the others came short of it rather exasperated by their own or to please their fellow-sufferers into so great extremes have either side been lead out of fear or flattery anger or passion Moderation and Impartiality are the chiefest virtues of an Historian and therefore he who writes an History should chuse such a subject to write on where neither fear nor gain can induce him to flatter anger or passion to too much bitternesse Most of our modern Historians have proposed to themselves either profit advantage or employment by their Works which hath made them run into their so many grosse errours and flatteries whilst had they only endeavoured to represent things persons and actions impartially they had gained to themselves farre greater honour of true Writing I have chosen a subject to write of which I conceive may lead me to a mediocrity the Persons afflictions may induce me to pity him but they will in most mens judgements restrain me from flattery Nor need I out of fear I being now though unwillingly out of his reach mince the truth of his if any bad actions I confesse the Task I undertake is highly adventurous my pen may slip times may change however my heart shall guide me to an impartiality Charles the II. Heir apparent to the Crown of Great Britain and Ireland and crowned King of Scots whose History I intend to treat of was born on the 29. of May 1630. to the great joy of the King Queen and indeed the whole Nation for never yet had England a Prince born of so noble an extract and grand Alliance his father by lineal right and descent King of Great Britain and Ireland his mother daughter to that thrice Illustrious Prince Henry the Fourth King of France and worthily sirnamed the Great and Maria de Medicis By his Grand-mothers side was he near allied to the Kings of Denmark by the marriage of his Aunt the noble Princesse Elizabeth to the Elector Palatine of Rhene and King of Bohemia and afterwards by the marriage of his Royall Sister the Princesse Mary to the Prince of Orange Thus was he allied to most of the most Potent Princes in Christendome And happy might this Nation have been under his Government if we may believe the vogue of that wisest of men Solomon who pronounces that Kingdome blessed whose Prince is the son of Nobles He was some years after his birth according to the ancient Customes of England for the Kings Eldest son invested Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester and was in his minority brought up under the care of the Earle of Neweastle till in the year 1646. the Lord Hopton's Army in which he was being near inclosed by Sir Thomas Fairfax Generall of all the Parliaments Forces in the Devizes of Cornwall and the King his Fathers affairs being in a desperate condition all over England he was by the serious advice of his best friends perswaded to taâ—e shipping and depart for the Scillies from whence he was by the Parliament invited to return to London but he thought
it safer for his Person to depart from thence to his Sister at the Hague till the Royall affairs in England might gain a better posture which he did and there found a reception answerable to his birth Not long after the King his Royall Father being in danger to be inclosed in Oxford by Generall Fairfax who returning out of the West had designed to block it up took care for his safety and attended only by Mr. Ashburnham or as some say attending on him went privily out thence and threw himself upon the Scotch Army then at Newark who shortly after notwithstanding his confidence of them for a summe of money delivered him up most perfidiously and traiterously to his implacable Enemies the English Army These after many pretences of Treaties and seeming willingnesse to come to an accord with him on that black day the 30. of Ianuary 1648. most villanously and trayterously beyond the imagination of the World murder'd him Thus far is a short view of those hardships and afflictions undergone by this noble Prince during his fathers life and raign we will now proceed to those he hath since ran through which we may more properly particularly call his Own Among which the Chief and greatest and from whence all his other miseries flowed as from their spring head was the deprivation of his Kingdome and Royalties For that part of the Parliament of England which had usurped the whole power or more were not onely content to take away his Fathers life but by their Proclamation deprive him of all right in the Government of those three Kingdomes which they take upon themselves contrary both to the Word of God the Fundamental Lawes of the Nation and his own undoubted right by birth he being lineally descended from that Family which had successively governed England for above three hundred yeares He was at the time of his Fathers death at the Court of his Sister the Royall Princesse of Orange in the Hague in expectation to hear rather of the Conclusion of a Treaty then of his Murder to which effect he writ by the Lord Seymour the following Letter to him some short time before his Death For the King SIR HAving no means to come to the knowledge of your Majesties present Condition but such as I receive from the prints or which is as uncertain reports I have sent thts bearer Seymour to wait upon your Majesty and to bring mean account of it that I may withall assure your Majesty I doe not onely pray for your Majesty according to my duty but shall alwaies be ready to do all which shall be in my power to deserve that blessing which I now humbly beg of your Majesty upon Sir Your Majesties Most humble and most obedient Son and Servant CHARLES Hague Jan. 23. 1648. And here he staid till he heard the heart-breaking newes of his Fathers Murther when shortly after he took his Iourney to the Queen his mother in France hoping there to get aid but found none which might render him in a Capacitie to revenge his Father's Death or demand his own Right by force and in vain it was to think of any fair means to attain it Yet there wanted not some friends of his in England who willing to demonstrate how ready they were to adventure themselves for him and his right as far as their weak abilities would stretch caused under hand a Proclamation to be printed proclaiming him King of England Scotland France and Ireland and advising all his good Subjects to give all due Allegiance to him but the low condition of the Royallists then in England and the great strength and potency of the Parliaments Army made this Proclamation unvalid and those who at a fit opportunity would willingly have complied with it were forced to direct their Obedience to the contrary Goal But though England prov'd thus defective to his Interest not so much I dare say in Allegiance as power Yet Ireland is at his Devotion for the Marquess of Ormond and the Lord Inchequin having made a peace with the Quondam Rebels he is by joynt consent both of Papists and Protestants proclaimed King in most towns of that Nation Dublin and London Derry only excepted which were kept from their Allegiance the one by the Lieu. General Iones the other by Sir Charles Coot who jointly strove to justifie the Parliament of England's late ctions He being thus proclaimed there is solemnly invited to come over to them to which invitation his Mother earnestly adds her desires but the best of his friends and Counsellours as earnestly disswaded him upon reasons drawn both from prudence and Policy since in probability the design not succeeding it would utterly ruine his hopes with all the Protestant party then stedfast to him both in Scotland England or that if he would needs venture himself with this party they desired him at least to attend whether by any good event of theirs there might be any probability of successe 'T is supposed that this Council swaied with him more out of his real affection to the Protestant Religion then any other Politick reason Yet he immediately after took a journey to the Isle of Iersey which startled some as though he had intended to have proceeded thence for Ireland but that suspition proved unnecessary he was accompanied hither by his Brother the Duke of York who was lately come to him out of Holland and many other Nobles and Gentlemen the Islanders immediately upon his arrival most joyfully proclaimed him King and the Lord Iermyn Earl of Yarmouth was made Governour of that Island who constituted Sir George Carteret his Deputy Governour The King sends from hence his Royal Command to the Governour of Gernsey Island which was then wholly subjected Cornet Castle only excepted to the Parliaments force requiring him to surrender the said Island to him and that his good Subjects there might have liberty to return to their due obedience but his Command proved ineffectual Many affirm but how true I know not that the Reason of the Kings removal to this Island was out of design to surprize Dartmouth and some other places in the West by the Levellers help who having then made a defection from the Parliaments Army in England were say they to have joyned with the Royallists for the intents and purposes aforesaid but whether so or no I cannot affirm though I can certainly tell this that were it so it proved uneffectual for the Levellers were soon overpowered and quell'd Whilest King Charles was here expecting a Messenger from the States of Scotland came new's of the unfortunate overthrow of the Marquess of Ormond his Army by Lieu. General Iones before Dublin which caused a general sorrow among all his followers for there had been great hopes and expectations of that Army it amounting to no lesse then twenty two thousand men and was esteemed able not onely to have taken Dublin but likewise to have resisted Cromwell's then new comming Army in the field yet whether
of State which the Cardinal defends and the King also enclines to his side by the instigation of the Queen his Mother yet nothing but the Cardinal's banishment will satisfie the Princes who join the Duke of Lorain to them then in the service of the Spaniard with an Army of ten thousand men so that they intend with his assistance if they could not obtain their desires by fair means to have forc't it Thus these differences were arrived at such a height that nothing but a Civil War was like to ensue which made his Sacred Majesty of England use his utmost endeavours to compose and stay this breach before it came to an utter overflow to which effect he daylie went to and fro betwixt the King the Princes endeavouring to bring them to a reconciliation urging by his own example the miseries and calamities that must necessarily fall upon every man's head by a Civil War telling the King that the late Example of his Royal Father of happy memory might be an inducement to him to be at peace with his Subjects rather then embroil his Kingdoms in a bloody War by which though he might for the present gain the better yet in the end he would still be sure to have the worse Yet these Arguments and his Majesty's earnest endeavours for peace and reconciliation produced nothing but only contract an unjust odium upon him from both parties for his good will the Princes believing that he counselled the King against them and the Cardinal again him So that he lost the love of both by endeavouring to make them love one another yet notwithstanding the ill successe he had this Noble Prince stil pursues his pacifick intentions til such time as he gains a conference between the King Cardinal and Princes but this proves ineffectual for the Princes heightened with the aid they expected from the Duke of Lorain instead of coming to an accord onely exasperate differences Yet his sacred Majesty ceases not but indeavours to bring them yet to a peaceable compliance and in order thereunto procures another conference where he himself would be Moderatour but this proves as ineffectual as the former For the Prince of Conde was above all others outragious and would come to no agreement except Mazarine were first banished France and the French King as violently persisted in his resolution against it alledging That he had approved himself both a faithfull servant and an able Minister of State So instead of agreement both sides prepare for Warre yet are both sides equally angry and exasperated against his sacred Majesty for his good will towards them and the nation the one and other party imagining that both he and his Mother had given counsels opposite to their designs But that which above all exasperated the Princes against his Majesty of England was the sudden luke-warmness of the Duke of Lorain in the businesse For though he had drawn off his Army as though he had complied with their resolutions to come to a battel yet being sent for by the Princes to advance towards Paris he refused to come which made the Princes believe there had been some underhand-dealing with him and that which most of all increased their jealousies that King Charles had a hand in it was this The Duke of Beaufort coming to the Camp of Lorain to desire him in the name of the Princes to come up and fight found there his Mâ—jesty his Brother the Duke of York in private conference with Lorain who withdrawing when Beaufort appeared Beaufort finding the Duke's aversness to the enterprize confirmed him and he confirmed the Princes of the King of England's endeavours whereby he had withdrawn Lorain from their party This coming to the peoples ears who were absolute favourers of the Princes and invetrate enemies to Mazarine so extremely incensed them against the English Princes that they threaten violence and indignities to their persons and are not afraid to affront the Queen their Mother in her Coach which made his Majesty to avoid the popular fury retire himself from the Lovure to St. Germane Nor is the Cardinal less incensed though under a more politick vail For though both Princes People might imagine and believe that his Majesty had counsel'd things opposite to their intentions yet the Cardinal very wel knew that he had advised the King as the best course to consent to his departure out of the Kingdom and that if he had endeavoured to draw Lorain from their party 't was only out of a desire he had to expedite their agreement he therefore resolves to thwart him in all his designs And so he did to the utmost of his endeavours For his Majesty though suspected by the Princes in his several conferences with Lorain to have endeavoured to divert him from them was onely transfacting with him for the recovery of his Kingdome of Ireland out of the hands of the English Republick to which effect several Articles were drawn up between the Duke of Lorain and the Lord Taaf two of which were 1. That the Duke of Loraine should transport an Army of 10000. men at his own charges into Ireland there to join with such as should be found Loyal for the Recovery of his Majesties Rights in that Kingdom 2. That the Duke of Lorain should by his Majesty be invested with the Power and Title of Protector Royal of Ireland These Articles though drawn up never came to be signed the cause of which some have imagined to be the disability of the Duke to perform the Enterprize without the Aid of some other Prince but we may in more reason guesse it proceeded from the strenuous endeavours of Mazarine his Majesty 's so lately made-enemy to divert the Duke's Army then from any other cause Many in England upon hearing of these Propositions made to the Duke of Lorain which I must confess some believe to have never proceeded any farther then Discourse of the Dukes feared his Majesties too great inclination to the Romish Religion which fear his after-retirement at St. Germain's convinced there was no need of For here he spent his time wholly in Piety and Devotions according to the best Worship of the Church of England never forgetting to pray for those his Enemies who were not only content to have deprived him of his Kingdomes but continually belched forth both slanders and maledictions against him His Majesty having staid at S. Germaines till such time as the heat of the popular fury was over which decreased still towards him as they found Mazarine more averse to him returned again to the Lovure where during his abode his brother the Duke of Glocester who had a long time been detained by the Iuncte of England in the Isle of Wight and was lately permitted by them to go to his Sister the Princess Royall in Holland came to him accompanied from the Hague by Sir Marmaduke Langdale and Sir Richard Greenvile he was at his arrivall at Paris honourably received by the
King of France and Queen Mother and courted according to his birth by the rest of the Grandees and Peers of the Kingdome Likewise during his Majesties abode here arrived his Quondam Preserver Mrs. Iane Lane who after she had taken leave of his Majesty at Bristow returned home and lived for some space in a great deal of security not doubting she could be betrayed Yet at length by what means I know not though indeed I have heard of many relations that I dare not relate any it came to light yet she had some timely notice of it whereupon she who had formerly disguised his Majesty in a Serving-mans habit now disguises her self in that of a Country wench and that trots on foot to save her life which she was like to loose for having formerly saved his sacred Majesties quite crosse the Countrey to Zarmouth where she found shipping which convey'd her safe into France great search after her departure there was made for her but in vain which so incensed the Souldiers that they burnt down to the ground that poor Cottage where his Majesty first took shelter after his Escape from Worcester She being arrived in France sends a Letter to the Court whereupon his Majesty almost overjoyed at her Escape who had been the cause of his immediately sends some persons of quality in Coaches to conduct her to Paris whither being near come himself with the Queen his Mother the Duke of York Glocester went out to meet this Preserver of the life of their Son Sovereign and Brother the Coaches meeting and she being descended from her Coach his Majesty likewise descends and taking her by the hand salutes her with this gratefull expression Welcome my life and so putting her into his own Coach conducts her to Paris where she was entertained with the applause wonder of the whole Court she could indeed deserve no less for I believe neither past or future ages can or will ever parallell so great a pattern of female Loyalty and Generosity Whilst his Majesty was thus passing away his time in France more in contemplation then action Oliver Cromwel made General of all the Iuncto's forces in England Scotland and Ireland finding now a fit opportunity to put his long-laid ambitious designs in execution had dissolved that Iuncto which had usurped the Kingly power or more over England and taken upon himself though not the title yet the Royall power authority over these Nations which the people though unwilling yet were forced to submit to and though he had not at first any basis whereon to ground his new usurped Regality yet in stead of one Iuncto he pluckt down he easily sets up another which I may the more justly call so in regard there was not one of them chosen by the free Votes of the people but by his own Arbitray Election those such persons who knew well enough what they had to doe before they met these after a short time of sitting without doing any thing besides the making of some impertinent laws which were forceably imposed on the people surrender their power as dying men do their souls to God into his hands that gave it who by the help of the Officers of the army Lamberts instrument makes himself immediatly King of England Scotland Irelaand which government he had often swore against though under the title of Protector This I must needs say Noble Tyrant having got the Dominion of three such Kingdomes into his possession made it now as much his study to preserve himself safe in his Estate and Grandezza as he did before to acquire it to which purpose he thought it most suitable to that design to make some remarkable disturbance amongst the neighbouring Princes then to contine that War begun by the Iuncto of Parliament with the Dutch to which purpose several motions of a Treaty passed His sacred Majesty though he had sundry times before solicited the assistance of those United Provinces for the regaining of his Right in his Kingdomes now more earnestly upon secret intelligence of the first motions of this Treaty sends the Lord Gerard his Embassadour to the United States more earnestly intreating them to own his Interest then before proffering that if they would vest out a squadron of good Ships under his Flag he would command them himself in person His Sister the Princess of Orange and other of his friends in the Low Countries addicted to his Interest earnestly prosecutes his desires and use their utmost influence on the States of the United Provinces for the performance of his propositions Nor are there five of these Provinces nor Van Trump himself their Admiral unwiling to comply with him Only the Province of Holland the most potent at sea stands out chiefly out of the disgust they had lately taken to the family of Orange whose Interest and command they were fearfull might be restored should his Majesty who was Uncle to the young Prince be invested in his Territories His Majesty likewise to advance his hopes of their assistance when Monsieur Bortell came from those United States to negotiate a League with the King of France used his utmost Interest to promote the Treaty and in fine brought it to a desired period notwithstanding the United States sent no other answer to his Embassy then a cold Letter of Complements His designs thus failing him here he directed himself to a more hopefull course by interposing himself a Mediator with the Pope other Catholick Princes for an accord and peace between the two mighty Crowns of France and Spain And indeed two such potent Monarchs had been in better capacity with their joynt forces to have assisted him had the peace went forward as there was great hopes then the United States of the Netherlands but Cardinall Mazarine by a piece of secret State-policy endeavoured to obstruct all proceedings which might tend to a Treaty or accord Nor was this Cardinal's Spleen to his Royall Majesty yet allayed for his supposed Council against him in the forementioned difference between the King and Princes but farther to prejudice him his affairs he endeavours the promotion of a peace betwixt the Protector of England the French King his Master which though opposed by all the force Interest that either himself or the Queen his Mother had in the French Court yet was by the Cardinal whose will was a law all other government in that Kingdome being but a meer shadow vigorously carried on and an Ambassadour sent over to treat of an accord where having been sometime in England his Majesty was by secret intelligence informed that the chief Article insisted upon in the Treaty by the Protector of England was the excluding himself relations and followers out of the Kingdome of France and it 's Territories wherefore least the treaty should be suddenly concluded upon those terms and he ceremoniously excluded he thought it more honourable himself to leave that Kingdome of his on accord and having
to encourage his souldiers whom he found both encreasing in their numbers and much reioiced at his presence The Parliament of Scotland which had adiourned to give time for his Majesties Coronation being met again there were strong endeavors of the Kings that several Lords of the Royal party should be admitted to their seats in Parliament but the Assemblies of the Kirk at Sterling and Aberdeen as strongly oppose it and shew themselves discontented both at this proposal likewise at the new Levies in regard they were there admitted to commands in the Army as they now desired to have place in Parliament yet notwithstanding these murmurings they were upon their reconciliation to the church and passing the Stool of Repentance re-admitted to their places in Parliament such were Duke Hamilton the Marquesse of Huntley the Earls of Calender Crawford and others But stil not only many of the Ministers notwithstanding there was a select Committee appointed to examine and punish such persons who any way confronted and murmured against any designs or acts of State raile against these proceedings but some of the Nobles too are discontented insomuch that the Earle of Sutherland utterly refused to concur with them and if he could possibly would have opposed them by force And indeed very many or most of the Presbyterians were discontented For the Royal party by the admission of those Lords and others was grown stronger then the Kirk's and now bore all the sway which made the proud Marquess of Argyle and other Covenantier Lords murmur at being afraid lest in time they should wholly be laid aside they having already seen one of their party begun with for the Earl of Louden who customarily had the Lord Chancellorship of the Kingdome was removed from his place the Lord Burleigh constituted Chancellor in his stead Yet on the Covenanters side there wanted not some Ministers such were Mr. Robert Douglass and Mr. David Dicks who endeavoured to beget a right understanding in both parties that these sparks of discontent might not at last burst out into a flame as 't was very much feared they would but rather that in this time of danger they might lay aside all animosities and unite together against the common Eenemy who else would be the ruine of them both And now his Majesty to keepe a correspondency abroad sends the Earl of Dumferling Ambassador to the States of Holland he had likewise at the same time several other Ambassadors or Agents abroad in the Courts of several Princes to require aid but never found more then what fair and sugared promises produced And about this time Sir Henry Hide being sent over to England from Constantinople whither he had bin sent as Ambassador from his Majesty to the Grand Signior by Sir Thomas Bendysh his means who was then Ambassador for the Republick of England but yet deem'd a person of more loyalty to his Prince then to have sent his Ambassador to be murder'd if he could have avoided it after somewhat a formal trial suffered death on a Scaffold before the Royal Exchange in London for having taken Commissions from his Soveraign And not long after him Captain Brown Bushel who though he had formerly been an enemy to his Maiesties father yet now suffer'd death upon the Tower-hill London for having done some signal services by sea for his present Majesty But to return to the Kings affairs in Scotland where the special businesses in hand were the compleating the levies to 15000. foot and 6000. horse which went on apace and the fortifying the towne of Sterling which his Majesty intended for the place of his chief residence to the hastening of the which his Majesty went often in Progress to view the Works and encourage the pioniers And time it was to hasten those Works for the English drew every day nigher nigher towards them having already taken the Fort of Blackness which lay between Sterling and Edenburgh which was nevertheless not accounted so great a loss as the surprizal of the Earle of Eglington and one of his sons by a party of English horse at Dumbarton for this Earl was a person of a great deal of power in that Nation and his taking very much obstructed the going forward of the Levies But Sterling being almost fortified sufficiently his Majesty removed his Court hither where whilest he was his Birth-day being the 29. of May was kept through Scotland with all such tokens of joy as are usual upon such occasions but the town of Dundee exceded all the rest for besides their equal expressions of Joy they presented his Maiesty with a rich Tent six pieces of Field Ordinance and set out a Regiment of horse towards his assistance at their own charge At Sterling likewise were the head-Quarters kept most of the Scotch Army Quartering about it whither Middleton's leavies from the North being come and amounting to about 8000. men it came to be a dispute whether these should be a distinct Army by themselves or be joined with Lesley's Southern Levies but at length it was thought most convenient to joyne them and his Majesty to prevent those animosities which might arise between Middleton and Lesley for the Generalship took upon himself the Command of the whole From hence his Majesty sent a messenger to the Parliament still sitting at S. Johnston's with these demands 1. That the Act about the Classis of malignants should be revoked and disannulled and that an Act pass for its repeal 2. That there might be no more any mention of the name of malignants amongst them 3. That Duke Hamilton the Earls of Seaforth and Callender c. might have as full command in the Army as any others The demands were strongly debated vro con in the Parliament the Marquess of Argile and others of the covenanted strain endeavouring by all means possible to oppose them yet at length though with much difficulty they were carried in the affirmative it being urged by the more moderate sort too that the granting of these would be the only way to take away all animosities between those parties which they intended to unite The Parliament having granted these things to his Maiesty and given large Commissions and Instructions for the compleating of the levies about the beginning of June dissolved leaving all things in relation to civil and intestine distempers in a calm and quiet all parties seeming to be pleased and their actions united towards the opposing of their common Enemy Cromwell Whilest these things were thus transacted in Scotland a great and terrible plot was discovered against the Juncto then ruling in England their government in assistance of his Majesty to his just Rights This design was chiefly laid by those Presbyterians who had been such dire Opponents of his Majesty's blessed father of happy yet unhappy memory viz. the greatest part Presbyterian Ministers who had most of them formerly belcht out such firebrands from their Pulpits as had set both Church and State in a combustion
but now whether out of a real sence of their errour which I have the charity to believe it was they had a desire to return to their Allegiance to his son their lawful and native Soveraign or out of an ambition by joining with their Scottish brethren which I am loath to judge to get the power again into their hands which was snatched from them by the Independent English Army and the Iuncto of Sectaries in England they had laid a design to raise both a contribution of money and levy men for his Majestie's assistance here but their plot was betrayed by the intercepting of letters in a ship forced by foul weather into Ayre in Scotland but bound with provisions for the Isle of Man whereupon the chief undertakers in London were apprehended viz. Mr. Cook Mr. Gibbons Mr. Christopher Love Mr. Jenkins Dr. Drake and others of which two viz. Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Love were condemned by a High Court of Justice and suffered Death on the Tower Hill for that cause against which they had once so strongly declared But to return again to the chiefe Scene in Scotland The English Army had long had a desire to bring the Scots to a field-battel which his Majesty upon sundry good reasons and serious advice declined So Cromwel endeavoured to the utmost of his power to force them to it therefore several times fac'd his Majesty's Army which lay encamped at Torwood within three miles of Sterling but could not yet draw them out of their trenches the chief reason being imagin'd to proceed from their stay for Argile Huntly and Seaforth who were gone into their several Territories to compleat the King's Levies Cromwel perceiving that he could not draw the Scots to a Field-battle upon a sudden draws off his Army and transports sixteen hundred Foot and four Troopes of Horse over unto Fife on such a suddain that it startled his majesties whole Army and Cromwell with an unparallel'd expedition faced again the royal Army with a resolution to fall upon their Rear if they should attempt a motion thitherwards but they offered not to stir for already order had been given to Sir John Brown Governour of Sterling to march with four thousand Horse foot to drive out that party of Cromwell's which were already landed in Fife of which intelligence being brought Lambert and Okey with two Regiments of Horse and two of foot are with all possible hast wafted over to reinforce the party already there with which additional supply of men they routed Sir John Brown who expected none but the first landed party taking himself several other Officers of quality prisoners killing two thousand upon the place and taking near 1200. prisoners and shortly after Cromwell transports most of his Army over the Fife and resolving to stop the passage which the Scots had over by Sterling marches to S. Iohnstone's and takes it almost upon summons His Majesty seeing the English Army was advanced so far Northward thought it in vain to attempt the forcing them back and knowing that the Scots naturally fight better in anothers then in their own Countrey resolves to advance with all possible speed into England where he yet hoped notwithstanding the discovery of the late design to find some loyal souls to joyn with him for the Recovery of his Right and Kingdomes Many were there who opposed this intention of his Majesty and among those Dvke Hamilton was one of the chiefest whose dislike may sufficiently appear by his Letter to Mr. Crofts after their Advance to this effect We are now laughing sayes he at the ridiculousnesse of our present state we have quit Scotland being scarce able to maintain it and yet we graspe at all and nothing but all will satisfie us or to loose all I confess I cannot tell whether our hopes or fears are greatest but we have one stout Argument Despair for we must now either stoutly fight or die all the Rogues have left us I shall not say whether out of fear or disloyalty but all now with his Majesty are such as will not dispute his Commands But notwithstanding his dislike and his and others oppositions yet the Kings resolve takes place and on Iuly the 31. 1651. his Majesties Army began to advance from Torwood near Sterling steering their course directly for England which they entred six dayes after by way of Carlisle This march of the Royal Army made Cromvvell with the greatest part of his forces immediately recrosse the Frith and forthwith send Major General Lambert with a select party of Horse and Dragoons to fall upon the Rear of his Majesties Army whilest they hoped that Major General Harrison who then lay near the borders with about three thousand Horse and Dragoons would attach them in the Front shortly after Himself followed with the rest of the Army which could be spared amounting to about eight compleat Regiaments of Foot and two of Horse But then this greater preparation is made against him in England for the Iuncto then sitting at Westminster not only interdicted all aid or assistance either of men or monyes to be given to his Majesty under the penalty of High Treason but also in all or most of the Countries had caused a numerous force to be raised the Church-Militia of the City of London being likewise sent out against him and for the present impeading of his march two thousand of the Countrey-Militia of Staffordshire and four thousand out of Lancashire and Cheshire under the command of Collonel Birch had joyned with Harrison But besides all this many of the Royal Army had in their march deserted their Colours and near a fourth part of the Army was wanting but these were most of them such as were not very well affected to the businesse nor cause they went about and therefore there was but little misse of them for the rest of the Army marched on chearefully and continued to the utmost push stedfast and loyal and were so contentedly obedient to all Military Discipline that 't is believed that in all their march through all that in part of England they hardly took the value of sixpence forcibly But notwithstanding this unwonted civility of the Scotish Army and his Majestie's earnest invitations the Countrey came very slowly in whether besotted dulled and contented with that slavery they then lay under or over-awed by an armed power I cannot well tell but such was their backwardness that few or none besides the Lord Howard of Estrich his son with a Troop of Horse came in to him during his long tedious march through England Nor did his Majesty with his Army take that course which was expected by most he should for the great fear of his Enemies and greatest hopes of his friends were that he would march directly for London but he contrary to their expectations being coming into Lancashire struck off at Warrington either doubting the enterprize for London too hazardous or out of the hopes had of the forces
it was expected Major General Massey might raise in Glocestershire which was the then generally vogued reason But before his Majesty could passe over Warrington Bridge he had occasion to try the stoutnesse of his souldiers for here Harrison was resolved if possible to stop him and was endeavouring to that purpose to have broken down the Bridge but his Majestie's forces by a swift march from Charley prevented his design and forced him to an engagement The dispute was somewhat hot and long but at length his Majesty got the better for he gained a free passage over the Bridge though with the losse of some men This bridge gained his Majesty marched on towards the West without any opposition and indeed with as little assistance or increase of numbers yet being all along as he came proclaimed King of Great Britain France and Ireland by an English man whom he had created King at Armes Being come to Tong Norton his Majesty sent a Trumpet with his Royal summons to Colonell Mackworth Governour of Shrewsbury which ran thus C. R. Col. MACKWORTH BEing desirous to attempt all fair waies for the recovery of our own before we proceed to force and extremity and where the controversie is with subjects accounting that a double victory which is obtained without effusion of bloud and where the hearts that of right belong to us are gained as well as their strengths We do hereby summon you to surrender unto us our Town with the Castle of Shrewsbury as in duty and allegiance by the Laws of God and the Land you are bound to do thereby not onely preventing the mischief which you may otherwise draw upon your self and that place but also opening the foredoor to peace and quietness and the enjoyment of every one both King and people that which pertains to them under certain and known Laws the end for which we are come Given at our Camp of Tong-Norton this 20. August 1651. This Summons was accompanyed with a Letter from his Majesty exhorting him as he was a Gentleman to return to his duty and Allegiance upon promises of Pardon and reward To both which Col. Mackworth returned answer thus For the Commander in Chief of the Scottish Army SIR BY your Trumpeter I received two Papers the one containing a proposition and the other a direct summons for the rendition of the town and Castle of Shrewsbury the Custody whereof I have received by Authority of Parliament and if you believe me a Gentleman as you say you do you may believe I will be faithful to my trust to the violation whereof neither Allurements can perswade me nor threatnings of force especially when but paper ones compell me what principles I am judged to be of I know not but I hope they are such as shall ever declare me honest and no way differing herein as I know from those engaged in the same employment with me who should they desert that cause they are imbarqued in I resolve to be found as I am unremoveable The faithful Servant of the Commonwealth of England H. Mackworth Thus flat a denyal did his Majesties Royal summons receive here nor did his Commands to Sir Thomas Middleton Governour of Chirk Castle in Flintshire for the levying of men for his service find better successe But from hence his Majesty directs his course for Worcester where he arrives on the twenty second of Angust and notwithstanding some resistance made by the Parliaments souldiers quickly enters by the help of the towns men who joyfully returned to their Allegiance and Duty here 't was again solemnly debated whether they should remain here or march for London and was at length concluded that in regard of the Long and tedious marches that the Souldiery had had it would be much better to tarrie here that after some refreshment they might be able with more vigor and courage to endure the brunt The Earl of Derby who had some few daies before his Majesties arrival at Worcester brought him a supply of two hundred and fifty foot and sixty horse which he had brought with him out of the Isle of Man and was returned back into Lancashire out of hopes that by his influence upon that Countie he might get a more numerous force there having got together a considerable partie was routed by Col. Lilburn who was there with a partie to watch his motions and was first engaged by the Earl out of a design he had to hinder Lilburn's joyning with a Regiment of Cremwell's which was sent for the same purpose towards Manchester but the Engagers themselves were defeated and most of the Earles chief Commanders and the Gentlemen of note with him taken prisoners such were the Lord Witherington Sir Thomas Tilsley Sir William Throgmorton Col. Boynton and sundry others His Majesty being now at Worâ—ester and resolving there to stay and endure the utmost brunt all preparations possible are made for the fortifying of the place and gaining all advantages possible to which purpose a Line and several Mounts were quickly raised by the Pioniers and all passes about the Town and towards it secured But Major General Lambert on the Republick's side sending suddenly a party of Horse to discover the difficulty of the pass at Vpton where Major General Massey for his Majesty lay with a party of about 300. Horse and Dragoons those desperate fellows being not above fifty in number adventured over upon one piece of Timber which had been carelesly left from arch to arch And though Massey's men took the allarm yet was Lambert so quick in sending over relief to his Souldiers whom the Royal party had beleaguered in a Church that the pass was clearly gained and Major General Massey forced to retreat though as honourably as ever man did for himself still brought up the Rear in which service though his Horse was slain under him and himself shot in the arm yet he got off with a very inconsiderable loss And now Caomvvell's Army began to joyn with all those parties which had conspired there to ruine his Majesty whom they accounted already like a Bird in a Cage for his Royal Army consisted at the most of not above 10000. fighting men whereas the Army that then beleaguer'd and encompassed them was one of the greatest that had during the whole time of the late warre been raised in England amounting according to common computation to some 50. or 60. thousand Horse and Foot so that as I have been well informed this Army though in a more sanctified strain bragg'd and insulted more over his Majesty then the French Army at Agincourt did over the thrice Illustrious King Henry 5. Yet notwithstanding their assurances of making him their prize it pleased God though not to give him the successe that Henry the 5. had yet to deliver him out of their bloud-thirsty hands When I speak of the Armies insulting over his Majestie's misery I hope the Reader will understand me in the generality for though many and perhaps the major part were
under But let him that shall look upon the several passages of his read them over and over consider the several difficulties he passed the many dangers he was in to be betrayed the countrey being up round about the summe of money set upon his head for which many hundreds out of covetousness made it their business to search for him and they wil confess ingenuously that God was never so merciful to any people as to us in delivering his sacred Majesty so wonderfully out of the hands of his Enemies who breathed out no thing but his death and destruction that we may yet have hopes to be a happy Nation But let us now return to give a ful account of this dismal loss at Worcester in which most of his Maiesty's foot were either made a prise or a sacrifice to their enemies swords of the horse there escaped 3000. out of the field but were most afterwards either taken or knockt on the head by the Countrey in their flight three thousand were judged flain in the Field and about seven thousand taken prisoners whereof the chiefe were the Earls Derby Lauderdale Cleaveland Shrewsburgh and the Lord Wentworth and many other noble persons taken in the pursuit And the chief of those taken in the battel were the Earls of Carnwarth and Kelly the Lord Synclare Sir Iohn Packington the Maior Generals Montgomery and Piscotty and the Virgil of this Age that thrice worthy Mr. Richard Fanshaw Translatour of the renowned Pastor Fido and Secretary to his Majesty As for the thrice noble Duke Hamilton he was taken but not overcome over-powred but not vanquish't For after having made a most Heroick resistance he was reduced under his enemies power more for want of strength then valour but death entring in at those wounds which he so gallantly received in defence of his Soveraign soon after released him Major General Massey though he escaped the field yet his wounds being desperate he was forced to surrender himself to the Countesse of Stamford and was by her son the Lord Grey of Groby after the recovery of his wounds sent up prisoner to the Parliament and by them committed to the Tower from whence he not long after escaped and went to his Majesty beyond sea This strange and wonderful Victory as the Juncto at Westminster gave it out to be though they had six to one in the field made that sectarian party cock-a-hoop and to make it the greater publick days of Thanks-giving are appointed to make God the patronizer of their villanies murders tyrannies and treasons and now they boast in all their discourses how clearly it might appear that God owned their cause and disowned their adversaries I think a modern Writer hath sufficiently confuted that commonly received tenent of Polititians * That success denotes actions to be either just or unjust I shall therefore leave the sober Reader here to satisfie himself and refer it to him whether such do not justly deserve Ovid's wish Careat succèssibus opto Quisquis ab eventu facta notanda putat Let him for ever in success be poor That thinks it justifies his cause the more But this Nation is so highly sensible of the injustice put upon them by those who pretend so much right in their Cause that there 's no Loyal Subject but will think according to reason that it was not the justice of their cause but our own and the Nation's sinnes which caused God to raise up these men as scourges both to Prince and people and to the Prince onely for the Peoples sake Some I have heard which out of a spirit which I cannot well define have endeavoured to brand his Royal Majesty with Cowardize in this battel which from whence it could proceed unlesse from their own coward nature which would insimulate another in that of which themselves are guilty I cannot imagine since Cromwell the greatest of his Enemies because the most desirous of his Kingdoms yet had so much of truth in him as to give a high and noble Character of his Valour But to proceed We have now said enough of this fatal battel the seeming ruine of the Royal Interest in England unless God of his mercy be pleased to restore it for the good peace and quiet of these Nations since without it we cannot hope to enjoy any His sacred Majesty being landed in France near Havre de Grace from thence with a Noble Lord in his Company posted directly for Roan where they stayed to alter their disguises and furnish them with habits answerable to their Qualities his Majesty from thence having dispatch't Letters to the French Court to acquaint his friends there of his safe arrival which doubtlesse caused no little joy in those who were real to him and almost despaired ever again to have seen him The Duke of Orleans sends his own Coach to fetch him several persons of quality go to meet him by whom he was attended to Paris and there received with all possible expressions of joy lodgings and attendants being forthwith provided for him in the Lâ—uure where at his first arrival he was visited by the Queen his Mother the Duke of Orleans who of all persons in the Kingdome exprest himself the most ready to do him service and the next day visits him again accompanied with his Daughter Madamoiselle He is likewise courted by the Dukes of Beaufort Longueville Guize the Marshal Thurine and many other Peers and Nobles of France who all congratulate his safe deliverance And now his Majesty having lost all hopes of any further means of attaining his Dominions by force leads here a retired life yet living in regard of his high alliance extraction in great esteem with all the French Nobility Insomuch that notwithstanding his present low condition there was very great talk of a match to be made up between him and the Madamoiselle de Orleans the richest Princes in Christendom yet by some means or other it came to no effect though the Queen of England his Mother was an earnest promoter of it and also of the Duke of York to Longneville's daughter Whilest these things were transacting hapned that lately reconciled Fracture between the Prince of Conde Cardinal Mazarine most of the Princes of the Blood siding with the first the King of France who was newly declared of age to sway the Scepter himself with the last The cause of the quarrel was that extravagant power which Mazarine a stranger had usurped in the government of the Kingdome both depriving the Princes of the Blood of their Right and oppressing the people whose daily murmurings more encouraged the Princes against him This power he had got into his hands in the Regency of the Queen Mother whose grand favourite he only was The Princes therefore though they could not during her Regency who so much loved him yet hoped they might effect something now the King himself is come to govern to which intent they charge him with several miscarriages
privately taken out of their houses and shipt away in like manner it not being enough for him when he had impoverished them by taking away their Estates to look upon and insult on their misery at home but to make them as much as in him lay the scorn and derision of the World by selling them to those Plantations a punishment usually inflicted on none but thives and vagabonds Yet I hope those Noble soules who were thus dealt withall account those miseries and hardships they have endured but little in respect of the cause for which they suffered them But to return to our Princes abroad The Duke of Glocester in his journy from Paris with the Marquess of Ormand touched at the Hague where he found his Sister newly returned from her journey with his Majesty and having staid with her some time there she accompanied him to visit their Brother the King again at Colen with whom she staid till after the Fair at Franckford whither his Majesty accompanied with his Royal Sister the Duke of Glocester the Marquesse of Ormond the Earl of Norwich the Lord Newburg and seueral Ladies and persons of Quality went in progresse part of the way they went by Land and the other part by water being complemented in all Princes Countries through which they passed by their chief Ministers of State and saluted with the great Guns from their Towns and Castles but particularly being come into the Terrritories of the Elector of Mentz they were saluted by his grand Marshal who in the name of his Master the Elector invited his Majesty the Princesse Royal and the Duke of Glocester to his Court but in regard that the intent of their progress was to see that renowned Faire at Franckfort which now drew nigh his Majesty sent the Lord Newburgh back with the grand Marshal returning thankes to the Elector for his civilities but desiring to be excused rill their return when his Majesty with his Royal Sister and Brother would not faile to come and give him thanks in person and so his Majesty with his Noble company continued their journey Being arrived at Franckford advice was brought to his Majesty that the Queen of Swethland who had some time before voluntarily surrendred her Kingdom into the hands of Carolus Gustavus her Kinsman was passing that way in her intended Journey for Italy whereupon his Majesty sent a Noble Lord to acquaint her Royal Highnesse the Queen Christina that he was ready to wait upon her at what place soever she should be pleased to appoint for an interview her Majesty received the message with a great deal of affection telling the Messenger That she was highly obliged to his Majesty of England for so great an honour and that if he pleased she would not fail to meet him at Conningstein a villiage not farre from Franckford where his Majesty for the time resided And accordingly there these two Potentates both equally deprived of their Kingdomes onely with this distinction the one voluntary the other by force and Tyranny met The Queen of Sweden being there first attended his Majesty he being come was immediately admitted in a room there purposely provided and having had neer half an hours private discourse with her the Duke of Glocester was admitted and presently after the Lords that attended his Majesty there passing between their two Majesties many ceremonious complements and so after a little longer discourse they took their leaves The Princess Royal being a little indisposed went not to this interview His Majesty having tarried at Franckford as long as seem'd convenient to that Royal Company in his departure thence according to the promise he had before made by the Lord Newburgh passed through the Elector of Mentz his Countrey resolving to give him a visit but that Noble Prince had so much of honour in him that he met his Majesty a great part of the way and conducted him with his Royal Company to a Pallace of his where he sumptuously entertained them for three or four dayes and then himself in person accompanied them a good part of their way to Colen from whence shortly after his Majesties arrival there the Princess Royal departed for Holland In the mean the Protector of England having a good while before made a peace with the Hollander fearing that the Nation should grow rebellious to him if they lay free from Warres which would fill their purses resolues to keep them low and at diet to which effect he begins a war with Spain at first in his Western Territories but soon after that businesse not succeeding in his Europaean quartars which made Mazarine with all hast possible endeavour the concluding the League Offensive and Defensive with the Protector which being by him considered to be as benificial for his own interest as for the French was easily and willingly assented to but the chief Article of this Peace was that his Majesty the Dukes of York and Glocester with all their relations and friends should be expelied out of and no more admitted into the Kingdome of France Certainly had the French King had but the least touch or sense of honour he would have counted this the hardest condition in the World or indeed he would never at all have treated with the Protector but that he should yield to such a condition as to banish out of his Kingdome those who came to him for succour and relief in the utmost extremity that ever Princes were put to and these too his nearest relations being Brothers and Sisters children And this to make a league offensive with him who had murdered their Father and expelled them out of their Dominions What was this but the owning of that murder and aggravating their oppressions instead of relieving them But neither honour nor relation can stand in competition with self Interest His Majesty had before fore-saw what the event of this treaty would be and had therefore wisely withdrawn himself from France to prevent a complemental Explusion But the Duke of York who in regard of the great command which he had in the Army had stai'd there till the conclusion of the League was now warned to depart with all his retinue consisting of a gallant number of young English gentlemen bred up under his valour and conduct notwithstanding those many great services which he had performed for that Kingdom in requital of which he had only a complemental Apology made him for the necessity of his departure a small time respited for his stay during which he was visited by the Duke of Modena then in France and other French Grandees but more especially by the Marshal of Turine who extreamly loved im and above all others expressed a sorrow for his dismissement but at length the day perfixed being come his Grace having solemnly taken his leave of the King of France the Queen his Mother and the rest of his friends at the French Court he takes his journey towards Flanders accompanied by the Earle of Yarmouth and
the peoples hatred to an Usurper doth alwayes produce their love to a lawfull Prince nor had they before 'till deluded by those Tyrannizers any time to consider the miseries of their lawful Soveraign which now they begin to compassionate and seeing him the only person whom these men endevour by all means possible to keep down hatred to their tyrannies makes the people naturally desire his restauration and him whom before they thought justly expulsed they think it both Justice and Charity to reinstate as much considering it to be their own as his interest experience having taught them the difference between the Government by one gentle Prince and many Rusticks Thus far did these mens divisions invest his sacred Majesty with the love of his people who in the mean time lives retiredly at Bruges expecting either what the good will of his subjects might do for the restoring him to his Right or what the successe might be of that Treaty which was then the grand action of Europe in agitation between those two potent Monarchs France and Spain from whose joynt-forces he might expect so great a supply as might have reinstated him in his Dominions by force a course most of all opposite to his Majestie's nature who even in private things never attempts any thing by violence which he can obtain by intreaty Yet great hopes had the Royallists both in England abroad that this Treaty would produce some good effects yet it went on very slowly and after a great deal of tediousness came to a cessation and from that to an interview between the two grand Officers of State Don Lewis de Haro Count De Olivares chief favourite to his Catholick Majesty Cardinall Mazarine chief Minister of State to the most Christian King these being met upon the Frontier his sacred Majesty of great Brittain was invited thither by Don Lewis de Haro His Majesty received this invitation at Diepe in Normandy whither he had privately withdrawn himself as likewise had his Brother the Duke of York to Calice that they might be in a readinesse to have come over into England upon any fit opportunity they having received many invitations from their friends here about that time when Sir George Booth was up in Cheshire all England in a manner gaping for him But Sir George being as I said before overcome his Majesti's and the whole Nations hopes fail'd and the fanatick power still continued Paramount His Majesty therefore from Deipe begins his journey towards the frontiers of Spain which journey he intended to make privately and being first come to Roan he was there nobly entertained and feasted by Mr. Scot an English Merchant who accompanied his Majesty to the Protestant Church about three miles from the City where with a great deal of Devotion and attention he heard a Sermon From Roan his Majesty accompanied with the Marquess of Ormond the Lord Digby Mr. Oneen took Post steering their course directly for Bayonne near which the two great Officers of state were to meet not staying in any place but endeavouring by all means possible to travel undiscovered as was before resolved Being come near to the end of his Journey advice was sent to Don Lewis de Haro of his Majesties approach who immediately accompanied with a very gallant Train came forth to meet him and being come near unto him Don Lewis alighted from his horse and notwithstanding the place where they met was very dirty kneeling down he clapt his hands about his Majesties Knees and with a great deal of Humility kissed them His Majesty was from hence conducted with becoming Ceremonies to the place appointed for his accomodation Don Lewis riding all the way bareheaded by him where he was entertained with all possible splendor and gallantry Many overtures and propositions there passed between his Majesty and Don Lewis de Haro touching what aid and assistance might be granted him by his Catholick Majesty for the regaining of his rights and Kingdoms his Majesty endeavouring by all means possible to promote and further the present Treaty between France and Spain and to bring it to a happy conclusion by the Marriage of the King of France to the Spanish Infanta it tending so much to his Interest that till the conclusion of it nothing could be effected by those Princes which might any way promote his Right or possession To all his desires or propositions the noble count De Olivares returned pleasing answers and carried himself with so much respect towards him that he could not have been more submissive to the Catholick Majesty of Spain his Master His Majesty having some time been treated here returned back again through France being accompanied some part of his way by Don Lewis and repassing the rest privately by Post as he had formerly passed it till he came to Charinton Paris where his Mother was with whom he staid some few dayes though he was not now Courted and caressed by the French Nobility as formerly and then returned to his residence at Brussels His Majesties private departure from Brussels and his privacy during his whole journey made it certainly believed that both he and his Brother the Duke of York who lay at Calais were come over into England and that they lay here concealed expecting according to the event of things either to discover or secure themselves nay so certain was the belief even those in power had of it who had not so good intelligence as Oliver Cromwell that many persons were apprehended for them and particularly one Mr. Colt was taken for the Duke of York and kept in prison for him till such time as certain news arrived in England of the Dukes return to Brussels Several other persons likewise suffered imprisonment for being pressed to be like either his Majesty or his Brother His Majesty living retired at Brussels the continuance of the differences in England among those who had usurped his power doth still highly promote his interest For though Lambert had routed Sir George Booth and by it declared absolutely against a Free Parliament for which as the undoubted right of the Nation Sir George Booth and his Party took up Arms yet the people could not be content but now once put in the way they began violently to hanker after their long lost Liberty Nor could the turning out of the Rump for so had the people out of Disgrace termed the Iuncto which then sate whom then inveterately hated any whit now sweeten them in their slavery but they continually murmured out agravated their oppressions one to another and though they came to no violence yet 't is suspected it was more out of the hope they had that Generall George Monck who was then marching with his Army out of Scotland should assert their Liberties which somewhat allayed the popular fury then out of any fear or Cowardise But in the mean time their expections seem'd utterly to fail them for the Rump had by their industry so inveigled most
of the Army from Lambert that by their help they return take their seats in the House and dissolve his Committee of Safety command the Soldiers of his Army to repair to their appointed Quarters and Order Generall Monck to bring up his Army to London in all which they are punctually obeyed Lambert's Souldiers deserting him and Generall Monck according to their orders marching up his Army quite through England Yet the Nation had so great hopes of the Noble General that in all his passage through England â—he is courted with addresses from the Gentry of every County remonstrating the distractions they long had and were still like to lye under and inteating that they would be as they hoped hee 'd prove the Deliverer and saver of his Countrey that to settle them in some way of Government a Parliament might be called by the free Votes of the people that they might no longer be Governed by such Wolves as onely made a Prey of them nor their Governours be subjected to the awe and force of an exorbitant Army To all these desires he returned answers promising such things as might be for the good of the Nation But being come to London where he was received with a great deal of joy he put the people almost quite out of hopes of him nay rather into a fear that instead of proving their deliverer he would be the means to enslave them for by the commandment of the Rump he enters the City with his whole Army imprisons many of their Common Council digs up their Posts and breakes down their Gates whilst the stupifi'd Citizens having now fear added to their slavery durst hardly murmur at but with sighs and nods bid adieu to their Liberty Yet notwithstanding this violence the Noble Generall revives their hopes and retiring himself into the City refusing to be subject to the Iuncto's command Shortly after he admits those Members of the House of Commons which were in 1648. forceably excluded by the Army for having given their Votes that the Rings Concessions at the Isle of Wight Treaty were sufficient grounds for a peace and settlement who having taken their places in the House we had now got a step towards our ancient happinesse one of the three Estates of the Kingdom viz. the House of Commons being permitted to sit freely a thing not known so us in twelve precedent years God of Heaven of his mercy to these Nations grant that the other two may in his due time admitted to the discharge of their power and trust that these Nations once so famous under that Government may no longer continue to be the scorn and derision of foreign Countries And great hopes there is now that these Kingdomes may again return to be happy since disloyalty the first cause of their miseries and distractions begins blessed be God every day to be depressed and loyalty to flourish many of those who formely with a zealous fury broak their oath of Allegiance to their King wishing now that they had a King to shew allegiance to perceiving that all innovations of Government are not whatsome would have themseem to be viz. ways to liberty freedom but meer baits of ambitions self-minded men to hook in the people to slavery But to return to his Majesty in Flanders of whose itenary life we have already given you a particular account it will not be impertiment to say somewhat of his sedentary and retired living that by his oeconomy we may judge of his Monarchy and of the government of those few subjects in his Family of that of his three Kingdoms His Majesty hath spent most of his time wherein he hath been out of his Dominions in Flanders under the protection of the Catholique King of Spaine nor had he ever anywhere else so setled a Court and habitation as here where his chiefe attendants are the Lord Chancellor Hide the Marquis of Ormond the Earle of Norwich the Lord Wentworth the Lord Digby and many others Nobles and Gentlemen whose loyalty to his sacred Majesty and his Royall Father hath made exiles to their Country a particular number of which he makes use of for his Councell doing nothing without serious and mature advice and yet being of so stagacious a judgement that whatever he sayes is seldome contradicted by the most judicious of his Councellors not out of feare or flattery but out of a reall assent to and concurrence with his judgement And indeed those great opportunities which he hath had by his so long being abroad of diving into the great Councels of Forrein Princes and States must necessarily make him a person of a very perspicuous understanding endow him with all those qualities which may deservedly attain the name of Great and render him as well an able Statist as a King he having during his expulsion travelled through and lived in the Countries of three the most potent Princes in Christendome viz. the Emperour 's of Germany and the Kings of Spaine and France and so to the Germain resolution added the Spaniards prudence and the Frenchmans expedition To these extraordinary helps which never a Prince in Christendome can boast of we may yet adde those more then ordinary gifts wherewith nature hath been pleased to endow him which being so extreamly improved we can hardly now discern but that it may be known what they were take the character of an Honourable Lord upon his death bed who speaking of him when about fifteen or sixteen yeers of age hath these words Truly I never saw greater hopes of vertue in any young person then in him Great judgement great understanding strong apprehension much of honour in his nature and a very perfect Englishman in his inclinations So that both nature and industry have seemed to use their utmost endeavours to make him a perfect Prince his very affliction turning in this to his benefit and making him in knowledge and sufferings the Refiner of knowledge unparraleld Some forreign Princes as well envying as pittying hiâ— expulsion This perfect knowledge of his he hath indeed had but small occasion to practice except a little in Scotland where I think hee demonstrated himselfe a person so prudent and carefull in his affairs that it is beyond my pens expression His Subjects good was his only care nor did he ever act any thing but what might tend more to theirs then his own interest still consulting whether it might benefit them not himself His Letter to Col. Mackworth Governour of Shrewsbury sufficiently demonstrates his affection to his very enemies he would win not conquer the hearts of those who though they have broke their Allegiance to him yet hee would esteem still his Subjects He would not conquer with blood lest he should be thought a Tyrant He endeavours by faire means to attain the love of his Subjects that what ever his very enemies think of him he may approve himself to be a just Prince And did fortune give him power yet would he rather attempt