at last arrived safely in his desired Haven hee found most happy and heart-cheering welcome in his own conscience having like an impregnable Rock held fast his pious principles and withstood and out-stood all the assaults and snares of Papists disloyall Royalists Separatists Anabaptists Antinomians and novell Independents who all strugled and strove to have seduced and ensnared him into their unhappy and unholy Lâ—byrinths of heresie errour and schisme to his Soules ruine but whom I say God did most graciously support and preserve from the danger of them all and returned unto us a most loyall and faithfull friend to Gods glorious Cause and a most constant and courageous professour and propugnatour of untainted Truth which two indeed deck and adorn the flourishing garland of his afflictions and make the Crown of his sufferings most illustrious and glorious But to proceed About the 18 of this instant came certain intelligence by â—eters out of North-wales that since the taking of Radcastle by â—nowned Sir Thomas Middleton whereof wee made mention a little before hee hath also performed much gallant service in those parts and in particular that â—ee sent forth a party of horse and foot into Leigh about a mile from Bishops-castle where the Enemy had left a Garrison which fled away thence before his forces came neer them after this a party of about 20 horse was sent from Mountagâ—mâ—ry into Râ—dnorshire where they took prisoner the Lord Leigh Baron of Duâ—smore who was then carryed prisoner to Radcastle Sinâ—e that also the Enemy forsook another Garrison called Leighâ—â—ll the house of Sir Pelham Corbet in Shropshire And Sir John Price a Gentleman alwayes well-affected to the Parliament though over-powred by his Enemies round about him was forced to conceal it was made Governour of Mountgomery-castle The Country came in very cheerfully to Sir Thomas Middleton upon his summons but were very unwilling to fight so little valouâ— is there in thoâ—e who pretend to descend from the ancient Brittaines Upon the 23 of this instant October came the full and certain relation and most joyfull newes to London especially of the taking of Newcastle by ouâ— honest active loving and loyall brethren of Scotland who as they have all along ever â—ince their first appearing in this great Cause in a war-like manâ—er and posture shewed themselves most zealous to God and true Religion and therein also most brotherly to us and free from base self-seekings and ignoble by-ends though our most degenerous and rotten-hearted Malignants in City Court and Country have most ignominiously slandered them and most basely and abusively strugled but in vain blessed bee the Lord for it to blemish their untainted honour and honesty heerin so now also in a most eminent manner they have again made it appear to the whole world if men would not bee wilfully or maliciously blinde that they sought not their own ends or to enrich themselves but mainly and only Gods glory and therein ours with their own best good as iâ— this relation of this glorious and victorious conquest of the Town of Newcastle now by Gods mighty and mercifull assistance and their impregnable valour and fidelity happily subdued to the just obedience of the King and Parliament as now I shall make manifest in this breif and faithfull Narration of the taking of this strong Town by storm which is with all convenient bâ—evity extracted out of our brethren the Scots own Relation thereof sent to the Parliament and the Scotch Commissioners then resident at or about Westminster which was as followeth Our valiant and most unwearied brethren the Scots having in the time of their lying before this Town of Newcastle out of their Christian and tender pious pity toward the inhabitants therof in generall and great and gracious unwillingnesse to shed blood if possibly it might by any fit and fair means bee avoyded sent divers Letters and mercifull messages to the Town in generall and to and from some speciall cordiall persons in particular before their summons which afterwards was also sent unto them but found all their Christian love and pitty partly with stubbornnesse rejected and partly with scoffes and jeeres derided but especially by the Atheisticall and most desperately Malignant Major of Newcastle Sir John Marley all which their interchangeable Letters and Messages containing Marleys and the Newcastelians answers and our Scotch brethrens patient and pious replies having been fully set forth in that particular and exact relation of all those proceedings by our loyall brethren of Scotland I heer therefore purposely for brevities sake pretermit and shall only acquaint the Reader heer with thus much in particular That after many interchangeable messages and motions on both sides and some seeming agrâ—ements seeming only I say on Marleys side and hostages mutually given Articles of accord were demanded to bee sent to the Town by noble Generall Lesley which was accordingly done and which said Articles together with the rest of the succeeding passages or Letters sent to each other for the further clearing of our Brethrens integrity and fairnesse therein after the tendring of the Articles of agreement I have thought fit heer to insert which were as followeth Conditions wherupon the Surrender of the Town of Newcastle and Foâ—â—es thereof with all the Ordnance Ammunition and other Warlike furniture thereto belonging were demanded by his Excellency the Earl of Leven Lord Generall of the Scottish Army to bee kept by him for the use of his Majesty and the Parliament of England 1. THat the Officers and Souldiers who desire to goe out of Town shall have liberty to passe with their Arms Horses bagge and baggage to what place they please the same not being already beleaguered and shall have a safe convoy thither it being within forty miles distance and shall bee accommodate with draughts in their march 2. That all Strangers Residents Sojourners or Inhabitants who desire to goe out of the Town with the aforesaid Officers or Souldiers shall have the like liberty convoy and accommodation 3. That sick and hurt Souldiers shall have all necessary accommodation untill their recovery and shall have a safe conduct as aforesaid 4. That the Citizens Burgesses and Inhabitants shall have their persons houses families and goods kept from violence and shall have the same free liberty of trade and commerce as any other Town reduced to the obedience of King and Parliament 5. That their priviledges liberties and jurisdiction shall bee preserved inviolate conform to their ancient charters in manner above writen 6. If any of the said Citizens Inhabitants or others presently within the Town shall desire to goe and live in their Countrey Houses they shall have protection and safeguard for their persons and estates 7. That no Billet shall bee granted upon any of the Inhabitants without their consent 8. The whole Army shall not enter the Town but onely a competent Garrison Signed LEVEN Provided alwayes that in case these Conditions above writen bee
how far they have advanced towards a generall accord I cannot at present certifie I do not hear they have proceeded so far as to a Treaty and I believe That as the Parliament may be discouraged from that way of Treaty by former experiences of the fruitlesnesse thereof and the ill use the same hath been designed or driven to viz. only to gaine advantages for Wars without reall intention of Peace so the late overtures that way are the lesse like to be successefull by reason of the clear and certaine discoveries the Parliament have had That his Majesty at the same time was and is labouring by Agents in all parts to draw in Forraign Forces and especially That the Earle of Glamorgan by Commission from his Majesty had concluded a Peace with the Irish Rebels on Termes extreamly dishonourable and prejudiciall upon the only condition of sending over forces under the command of that Lord to invade England whereof I presume you cannot but have heard And though his Majesty did in a Letter to the Parliament disavow any such agreement and pretended he had given order to the Lord Digby for the attainting and impeaching the Earle of Glamorgan of high Treason for what he had done therein Yet by late discoveries to the Parliament and especially by Letters intercepted the other day at Padstow from the Lord Digby the Earle of Glamorgan and others to Secretary Nicholas your selfe Sir Edward Hide the Lord Culpepper and others it is most cleare and evident that the arresting of the Earle of Glamorgan was onely for a present colour to salve reputation with the people and continue their delusion till designes were ripe for execution for the same peace is fully concluded with the Rebels the King to have the aid conditioned upon the same agreement and the Earle of Glamorgan at liberty againe and to command that force in chiefe Now for the overture of a meeting to treat further about the Propositions I sent Though I know nothing materiall that I can adde or alter except in circumstances yet I shall not refuse or decline such a meeting or ought else that may probably tend to the saving of blood or preventing further misery to any Provided that the meeting be speedily and number of persons not to exceed 4 or 5. But my Lord when you consider what I have before related concerning forraign Supplies which I have reason to think you know and believe you see what cause I have to be jealous of advantages sought by delayes not intermit any time or omit any opportunity to prosecute the service I have in hand and that there may be no colour of your expecting that forbearance on my part which you offer on yours I do the more hasten back this my resolution unto you In pursuance whereof I do not despise nor shall insult upon your present condition I question not nor yet shall I hope be much moved with that resolution of your men I presume not on former successes nor present advantage in fleshly power but desire to trust in God alone whose favour and blessing to this Army above others I do not account in what is past or expect in future to be for any precedence in merit or goodnesse of ours whereby we should be more pleasing to him than others but from his owne free grace and goodnesse towards his people whose welfare with the common good of the Kingdome we seeke and desire with all faithfulnesse and integrity to pursue And so committing the issue of all to his good pleasure I remaine Your humble Servant T. FAIRFAX March 9. 1645. A List of such as are come in to Sir Thomas Fairfax during the Treaty THirty five Lieutenant Colonels Serjeant Majors and Captains came in March 11. Forty Gentlemen of quality that came in the same day some of great note One hundred Gentlemen and others that have stoâ—ne away by parties out of the Enemies Quarters Ninty six common Souldiers from Penryn with Arms. Twelve more followed them Forty from Penryn are gone home and have laid down their Armes Colonell Treoanian the Governour of Penryn by Treaty since All the Officers and Souldiers in the Fort and Harbour The Governour of Maus Castle All the Souldiers and Officers there One hundred Officers and Souldiers of Colonell Champernoones Regiment Falmouth by this meanes is ours on that side the Harbour Two thousand Horse at least that are ours by the Treaty Three or foure thousand Arms. About the same time also we received certaine information that Sir William Vaughan having united himself with Colonell De Villier had a resolution to make some new attempt againe in Wales but he and his Company were so well entertained by Captaine Ashley who was not above halfe so many in number that the whole body of the Enemy consisting of about 300 Horse were encountred routed and pursued by ours many of the Enemy slaine and taken prisoners the List whereof was thus in brief five killed upon the place 12 mortally wounded Captain Johnson taken Prisoner two Captains more two Lieutenants one Cornet eighteen other Prisoners and good store of Arms. And by the same Letters we received further intelligence that by the vigilant care of the brave and active Committee of Shrewsbury there was raised a very strong Worke within lesse than Musket shot of High-Archall by meanes whereof the Enemy could not stir either in or out but with their apparent danger And at the erecting of this Fort they tooke their opportunity of the Governour of High-Archals absence and before his returne they had made themselves so strong that although Sir Jacob Ashley came along with him with about 1000 Horse and Foot they were inforced to retreat and go back againe not daring to adventure on a place so gallantly manned and made so inaccessible both by art and nature as that was which indeed was the winning of that strong Garrison as you shall shortly heare in its proper place About the 20 of this instant March we received certaine knowledge of the taking of Shruardon Castle a place of great importance which brave service was performed by that active Patriot and couragious Commander Major Generall Mitâ—on And much about the same time also we received a full and exact relation of the remarkable successe of valiant and active Colonell Birch before Goderich Castle expressed by himself in his Letter to the Honourable Speaker of the House of Commons which was as followeth Honourable Sir SInce my last the 7 instant finding the forces of Goodrich under command of Sir Henry Lingen so active that a passenger could not be safe between Gloucester and Hereford nor could I quarter Horse abroad but they were in much danger nor could draw forâ—â—â— towards Ludlow or Worcester but they would come neer unto the City to plunder therefore I chose rather to run the hazard of storming the House wherein they kept their out-Guard upon their Boats and Stable being within 20 foot of
Peeces Divers Drakes and small Peeces 4000 Armes gathered divers Armes not taken in 40 Barrels of Gunpowder Many thousand weight of Bullets and Lead Match and other Ammunition proportionable and plentifull Little fresh meat onely Poultry and that very scarce Salt meat some plenty but much of it tainted and not fit to be eaten Butter and Cheese some store Beere and Wine many Barrels Corne good store Fewell for fire very little A List of the Lords Knights Colonels and chief of the Gentry that marched out of Newark to their own homes to submit to the Ordinances of Parliament Lords LOrd Bellasis Governour Lord Davencourt Lord Laxington Knights Sir John Burrell Sir Guy Palmes Sir Charles Dalison Sir Robert Dalison Sir Robert Tredway Sir George Hennings Sir Jarvis Skroop Sir Philip Constable Sir Thomas Ingram Sir Bryan Balmes Sir Jarvis Nevill Sir Simon Fanshaw And others Great Clergy-men DOctor Farmer Chancellor of Lincoln Doctor March Dean of Yroke Doctor Hurst and others Chiefe Officers MAjor Generall Eyre Colonell Gilby Colonell Trollop Colonell Herne Colonell Darsey Colonell Atkins And others The most malignant Aldermen of the Towne were The Major of Newark Alderman Atkinson Alderman Standish And others And upon the same ninth of May aforesaid being Saturday we received the certaine intelligence of the surrendering of the Castle of Banbury such another most pestilent pernicious and vexatious den of Theeves and Royall Robbers as was Bazing House in Hampshire and especially most vexatious and pernicious to the Inhabitants of Northamptonshire its next neighbour but now at last I say by Gods great mercy and the valour and vertue of our brave Commanders and Souldiers brought upon its knees of submission being given up to that brave and couragious Commander Colonell Whaley by Sir William Compton then Governovr thereof upon faire and honourable Articles of agreement which was done on Friday May the 8. the substance of those articles also being to this effect That all the Officers were to march away with Horses and Swords but the Common Souldiers without Armes their wearing apparell and half their moneys by just accompt and both Officers and Souldiers to have Passes to any place in England or Wales not beleaguered the City of London excepted and those that desire it Passes to go beyond Sea and that upon these Conditions the Castle of Banbury to be delivered up as aforesaid to Colonell Whaley with all the Ordnance Armes Ammunition and Colours without imbezlement for the use of the Parliament which was accordingly performed on the said Friday in the forenoone And now the Houses taking into their just and serious consideration the great and many mercies of God to us in our Forces and by them also to the whole Kingdome both in thus surrendring Newark and Banbury now in our power and possession and that Tuesday May the 12 having been formerly appointed a day of solemn thankesgiving to Almighty God throughout London and Westminster and 20. miles adjacent round about it for the happie surrender of Exeter and other great mercies not long before conferr'd upon us together with this none of the least of now at last the Lords giving our King into the hands and harbour and custodie of our most Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland It was therefore Ordered that on this said day of Solemn thanksgiving the severall Churches and Chappell 's in the City of London and Westminster and 20. miles about it should likewise give most heartie thankes to the Lord our God for all these subsequent and additionall rich and rare mercies and that Tewsday seven night following being May 19. should be kept as a Solemn day of Thankesgiving by all the Ministers in the Country over the whole Kingdome and Dominion of Wales within the power of Parliament About the 16. of this instant May came Letters from valiant and active Colonell Morgan giving us certaine intelligence of the taking of Hartlebury-castle lying between Dudley and Worcester and was the Bishop of Worcesters seat a hopefull omen for the taking of Worcester it selfe also indue time Which Castle being now surrendred to brave Colonell Morgan the Officers marched forth with Horse and Armes Troopers and Common Souldiers with out Armes and all the rest of the Articles being according to agreement fairely performed on both sides the brave Colonell tooke possession of the Castle wherein also were taken 6. peices of Ordnance 200. Armes 15. barrells of powder match and bullet proportionable and a full proportion of all manner of prosions for 200. men for 6. moneths at least And about the 20. instant we received certaine information by Letters from valiant and active Colonell Birch also of the agreement for the surrender of that strong Castle and Garrison of Ludlow which was delivered on the like conditions to those of Hartleburie And here I must acquaint the Reader that the Lord having by his most wise and admirable providence in some hopefull measure given a blessed returne to all the prayers of Gods faithfull ones over the whole kingdome in bringing in the Person of the King unto us and committing him unto the care and custodie of our Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland some sweets of this remarkable overture of these things began now to break forth to the comfort of our hearts for the present and hopefull perswasion if not assurance of more good to follow in the Lords good time as was now manifested both by a Letter sent by his Majestie to the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England at Westminster Assembled which his Majestie desired might be Communicated with Both Houses which accordingly was done at a conference where and when the said Letter was reade and another letter to the Commissionres of the Parliament of Scotland And those being passages of speciall Eminencie and wherein the whole Kingdome may no doubt desire to be in some measure at least satisfied I shall therefore for the Readers content herein be somewhat more larger than Ordinarie though there by I increase both mine owne paines and charges at the presse in giving the Reader the substance of some of them which was as followeth That his Majestie is not come into the Scots Army out of any intent to divide the Kingdomes in affection or prolong the War but that he might secure his person and labour the composing the difference between him and his Kingdoms and settle all well and in regard Religion is the chiefe point he desires that may be first insisted upon and settled according to the advise of the Assembly of Divines of both Kingdoms assembled at Westminster And for the Militia he is willing to concur with that propounded at Vxbridge that it be in such hands as shall be agreed for 7. yeeres And for Ireland he will doe what he can to satisfie desires of that kind And for the disbanding of his Armies and sleighting Garrisons and so avoyding the effusion of more bloud he is willing likewise to
Magnalia Dei Anglicana OR Englands Parliamentary-Chronicle Containing a full and faithfull Series and Exact Narration of all the most memorable Parliamentary-Mercies and mighty if not miraculous Deliverances great and glorious Victories and admirable Successes of the Counsels and Armies of this present Parliament both by Sea and by Land over the whole Kingdom of England in the most just defence and Vindication of her Religion Laws and Liberties from the yeer 1640. to this present yeer 1646. Compiled in 4 Parts The two first intituled God in the Mount The third Gods Ark overtopping the Worlds Waves The fourth The Burning-Bush not Consumed This last Part comming up to These Present Times and to our most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes late famous Actions in the West and the happy because unbloody rendition of Oxford in this present yeer 1646. Collected cheifly for the high Honour of our Wonder-working God And for the unexpressible Comfort of all Cordiall English PARLIAMENTARIANS By the most unworthy Admirer of Them JOHN VICARS Gen. 49. 22 23 24. Joseph is a fruitfull Bough even a fruitfull Bough by a Well whose Branches run over the Wall The Archers shot at him and hated him But his Bow abode in strength and the Armes of his hands were made strong by the Hand of the mighty God of Jacob from thence is the Shepherd the stone of Israel Imprinted at London for J. Rothwell at the Sun Fountain in Pauls Church-yard and Tho. Vnderhill at the Bible in Woodstreet 1646. THE Burning-Bush not Consumed OR The FOVRTH and Last PART OF THE PARLIAMENTARIE-CHRONICLE Containing a full and Faithfull Continuation and Exact Narration of all the most materiall and most Memorable Proceedings of this renowned Parliament The Armies and Forces which are or have been in the severall parts of the Kingdome The Description of all the brave Battailes Victories and famous Defeates given to the Enemies both by Sea and by Land Especially the winning of Newcastle the glorious Victory at Nazeby and that famous Victory at Langport won through fire and water Together with all the other admirable Successes of our most Renowned and Victorious Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax with his despised New-Modelled Army in the West even to admiration and the happy Rendition of Oxford and the rest of the strong Garrisons about it Beginning from August 1644. and comming up to this present Moneth of July 1646. Collected for Gods high Honour and all pious Parliamentarians COMFORT By the most unworthie Admirer of Them JOHN VICARS Isaiah 63. 7. I will mention the Loving kindnesse of the Lord and the high praises of our God according to all the rich Mercies which the Lord hath bestowed upon us And his great goodnesse toward us his English-Israel which hee hath conferred on us according to his great Mercies and according to the Multitudes of his loving kindnesses The Third and this Fourth Part being Printed at the sole and entire cost and charge of the Authour Himself Imprinted at London by R. C. and M. B. for M. Spark at the Bible in Green Arbor J. Rothwel at the Sun in P. Church yard T. Vnderhill at the Bible in Woodstr 1646 TO The Right Honourable Peeres and Pious Patriots of this Kingdom Algernon Earl of Northumberland Philip Earl of Pembrook Robert Earl of Essex Robert Earl of Warwick Oliver Earl of Bullingbrook Edward Earl of Manchester Fardinando Lord Fairfax His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Captain Generall of all the Parliaments Forces over the Kingdome Sir William Waller Sir Harbotle Grimstone Harbotle Grimstone Esquire Walter Young Esquire Sir John Young Francis Rouse Esquire Edmund Prideaux Esquire and Major Generall Massie And to the Rest of the most Noble and Right Worthily Renowned and Honourable Lords and Commons and Famous Souldiers and Senators Assembled in Parliament that are loyally affected and Constantly Addicted to the Great-work of a Glorious and Thorow Reformation of the Kingdomes Evills in Church and State John Vicars most humbly Dedicateth and Consecrateth Himself and These most Gratefull Memorialls of Gods Eternall Glory and Their high Honour And ever prayes as he is most justly bound for a most plentifull Repay of enlarged Gracious Honour heer and Glorious Immortality heerafter For all their pious Paines and indefatigable Labours Loyalty and Love for the Best-Good of Church and State to bee showred downe into the Bosomes of Them and their Posterity after them for ever TO The Right Honourable Thomas Adams Esq Lord Major of the most famous and renowned City of London And to the Right Worshipfull Sir John Wollastone Knight and Alderman of the said most Renowned City TO The Right Worshipfull his most highly Honoured singular good Friend Sir Matthew Brand Knight High Sheriffe of the County of Surrey And the Right Worshipfull Sir Richard Sprignall Knight TO The Right Worshipfull and truely Pious and Virtuous the Lady Francesse Brand The Lady Anne Sprignall The Lady Rebeccah Wâ—llastone And Mistris Mary Grimstone All of them my Pious and most precious Friends And Honourable and Worshipfull Patrons and Patronesses and principall Encouragers and Countenancers of all my poore and unworthy Labours and Endeavours to advance Gods Glory and Unspotted precious TRUTHES John Vicars their meanest and most unworthy Votary most humbly Dedicates and Consecrates Himself and all his poore but most bounden Services And ever prayes for their perpetuall and pious increase of all Honour and Happinesse heer and an immarcescible Crown of Glory heerafter A Colossus of Eternall bounden Gratitude OR A Panegyricall Pyramides of perpetuall Praise First erected by our Britaines ingenious and ingenuous MERCURIE And now Re-erected by the unworthy Authour of this Parliamentary-Chronicle with some plain and homely Inlaid-Work of his own insome convenient places 1 To God TO the Eternall-Ternall-Trin-Vn Glorious and ineffably illustricus Great and Gracious most Holy and most Wise Wonder-working JEHOVAH Great Britains onely Rock of Defence and most prudent Pilot steering and upholding her Weather-beaten Bark through the midst of the Ocean of all her turbulent and overflowing Floods and swelling Waves of bloody Woes and Wretchednesse The most Potent and Provident Shepherd of his English-Israel discovering and defeating all the malignant Machinations and Hell-hatcht deep Designes of Wrath and Ruine most maliciously intended and most desperately attempted by Papisticall Prelaticall and Atheisticall Wolves a degenerous Generation of her Vnnaturall-Nativeâ— Paricides To this Great God this Righteous Lord and King of Heaven and Earth who is thus glorious in Holinesse fearfull in Praises and hath in meer Mercy and free Grace done all these most memorable Wonders for us in Crowning us with so many most glorious Victories and treading our Enemies under our feet Let England and Scotland and with them all the Powers and Potentates of the World with the 24 Elders Revel 4. 10 11. fall before this great God and the Lambe that sits upon the Thrâ—ne and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their Crowns down at his feet before the Throne
costliest Capitall-Letters of Gold I mean that most memorable Victory at Naseby in Northamptonshire given by our good God to his vaâ—iant and virtuous his gallant and godly servant Sir Thomas Fairfax the Parliaments most renowned Generall In the excellent successes of the Parliaments forces against their Enemies in Shropshire And the sacred and solemn celebration of a Day of Thanksgiving to our all-good-giving God for that foresaid great Victory in speciall And the Parliaments honourable gratitude to Gods Instruments therein A rare and right way to beget more blessings In the most happy regaining of Leicester out of the Harpeian-hands of Enemies And the triumphant conduction of the Naseby Prisoners to London there to bee kept in custody yet used there with Christian mercy and clemency In our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotlands neerer advance unto us to help the Lord against the Mighty Together with that brave defeat given to our Enemies by the Garrison of Wareham in the Wâ—st And valiant Colonell Joneses also against our adversaries in Cheshire In the Lords admirable good providence in bringing to light and publike knowledge the Kings and Queenes most ungodly designes for the ruinating of all their 3 late most flourishing Kingdomes by the happy apprehension of the Kings Cabinet of Letters Together with the continued good successe of our forces in Sâ—ropshire in the taking of Stokesey Castle Caus-Castle and Heighworth in Wiltshire In the most serious and sanctmonious rumination and recogitation of all which most rich and rare Parliamentary Mercies and Victories most sweet and singular passages and fair footsteps of divine providence and preservation O how should our hearts bâ—e râ—nzed and raised up to an exceeding high pitch of praise and incessant and redundant gratitude to our so good so great so gracious God who hath so gloriously and so graciously wrought all these great things for us especially that most famous and glorious and never sufficiently to bee admired mercy in Nasebies admirable and most advantageous Victory Concerning which O how can England greatly beloved England though most ungratefull and sinfull England but in infinitely bound and unbounded-exultation and admiration confesse and say with the Holy Prophet that The Lord went forth in this famous fight as a mighty man stirring up jealousie and wrath as a man of Warre and mightily prevailing against his enemies By whom the terrible one is brought to nought the scorners are consumed and all that maliciously watched for iniquity and blood are righteously cut off And therefore I say O how justly may wee heer take up that of the pious Prophet David and with him most cordially sing and say If it had not been the Lord who was on our side now may England say if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when men rose up against us They had swallowed us up quick when their rage and wrath was kindled against us Then the waters had overwhelmed us Yea the proud waves had gone over our Soules But blessed O for ever blessed bee the Lord who hath not given us as justly for our sins hee might a prey to their mouthes For our Soule is escaped as a bird out of the snare and all our help stands in the name of the Lord Hallelujah therefore Hallelujah praised and ever blessed and glorified bee the name of the Lord. ANd now to proceed in our farther progresse to the continued contemplation of this admirable still continued wonder of the Burning-Bush Vnconsumed and therein of the rich and rare mercies of our ever blessed and bountifull God the unexhaustible fountain of all goodnesse to us his English Israel And first I shall acquaint the Reader that whiles our most miserably seduced King was fleeting from place to place between Bristoll and the Forrest of Dean c. and taking fierce and furious illegall courses to recruite his mangled Army even almost quite broken in peices at Nasebies famous fight among the poore and perplexed inhabitants of Herefordshire Worcester and such parts of Gloucestershire as hee had any power in to strengthen and revive his now gasping and neer expiring desperate designes in the West with Goring and Greenvill devillish Dives and the rest In this interim I say our most pious and prudent Parliament had Ordered by a speciall Ordinance from the House of Commons that the Assembly of Divines at Westminster should upon Tuesday the first of this instant July seek the Lord our God for his continued ayd and assistance in blessing the proceedings of our forces then also gathering into the West in a set day of Humiliation in the City of London which was accordingly performed by divers of the most eminent Members of the said Assembly who all that day did Preach and Pray in these following places Viz. In the Abbey at Westminster in Christ-Church in London Black-Fryers Dunstans West Dunstans East Michael Cornhill Olaves Southwark Algate and Aldermanbury A Jove oâ—ne principium And are not those works like to prosper indeed which are begun in the Lord Yes certainly as now wee shall yet farther illustrate and set forth in their subsequent and most proper places And much about the very same time there being a strong suspition of dangerous persons to lurk and lye hid and harboured in a house in Long-Acres neer Covent Garden which had been the House of one Mr. Catesby where once the Popes Nuncio lay and was entertained this House I say being suspected was suddenly searched by authority thereunto given and there they found and apprehended at least 29 or 30 Carts load of Papists and pernicious Malignants goods to a great value being very much thereof rich goods indeed which was all taken away and carryed to Haberdashers-Hall or to Cambden-House There was among them also very much Popish apish trumpery as Crucifixes Images and many Popish Books which were laid up and kept till a due time to bee reduced into ashes by the fire the best use that could bee made of such Romane Babylonish babyish fooleries and the rest of the goods to bee sold to the best advantage and the money to bee disposed of by Order of Parliament for the use and supply of the Parliaments Garrisons and forces in the West About the 4 of this instant our most loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland published a most pious and modest Remonstrance which they had lately before sent and for certain had presented to the King himself wherein they shewed themselves full of godly zeale and fidelity to God the King and Parliament of England which being singularly worthy of speciall notice but too large to bee heer inserted at full as it was delivered I shall heer only for brevities sake give the godly Reader some of the most memorable passages or heads thereof which were to this effect First that his Majesty would bee pleased to call to minde their oft neglected addresses to him heretofore and after their prayers to
to say one Booke to the respective Constables and other Officers of every one of the said Parishes Chappelries and Donatives to be paid for by the Inhabitants within the said severall Parishes and Chappelries And it is further hereby Ordained by the said Lords and Commons That if any person or persons whatsoever shall at any time or times hereafter abuse or cause the aforesaid Book of Common Prayer to be abused in any Church Chappell or publique place of Worship or in any private place or Family within the Kingdome of England or Dominion of Wales or Port and Towne of Barwick that then every such person so offending therein shall for the first offence forfeit and pay the summe of five pounds of lawfull English money for the second offence the summe of tenne pounds and for the third offence shall suffer one whole yeares imprisonment without Bayle or Main prize And it is further Ordained that every Minister which shall not henceforth pursue and observe the Directory for Publike Worship according to the true intent and meaning thereof in all exercises of the publike Worship of God within this Realme of England and dominion of Wales and within the Towne and Port of Barwick shall for every time that he shall so offend lose and forseit the summe of forty shillings of lawfull English mony And that what person soever shall with intent to bring the said Directory into contempt and neglect or to raise opposition against it Preach Write Print or cause to be written or printed any thing in the derogation or depraving of the said Booke or any thing therein contained or any part thereof shall lose and forfeit for every such offence such a summe of money as shall at the time of his conviction be thought fit to be imposed upon him by those before whom he shall have his triall provided that it be not lesse than five pounds and not exceeding the summe of fifty pounds And be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid That no person or persons shall be at any time hereafter impeached or molested of or for any of the offences last above mentioned hereafter to be committed or done contrary to this Ordinance unlesse he or they so offending be thereof indicted at the next or second generall Sessions to be holden before any Justices of Oyre and determiner or Justices of Assize or before the Justices of Peace at their generall quarter Sessions next after any offence committed or done contrary to the tenor of this Ordinance and that he be thereby lawfully convicted according to the Lawes of this Realm by verdict of twelve men or by his own confession It is further Ordered and Ordained That all Common Prayer Bookes remaining in Parish Churches and Chappels shall within a moneth after the publishing of this Ordinance be by the Church-wardens or Constables of the respective Parishes under the penalty of forty shillings to be employed as aforesaid carried unto the Committees of the respective Counties where they shall be found to be disposed of as the Parliament shall direct And about the 20. of this instant we were for certaine informed by Letters out of the Northern parts of the Kingdome that about this time the English and Scottish forces were very considerable in Horse and Dragoones for the preservation of those parts from the rage of the Royalists viz. That Lieutenant Generall Lesley with 5000. Horse and Dragoons valiant Col. Rosâ—â—er with 1000. and the Nottingham Darby and Staffordshire Horse joyned with Major Generall Poyntz had their Rendezvouz neare Doncaster and were compleat 10000. Horse and Dragoones their foot being left at Yorke for their better safety and security the Kings great desire and designe being at this time as they were certainly informed to get further into the North but valiant and vigilant Major Generall Poyntz tooke speciall care to prevent him and to secure the passages at Ferribridge so to impede his progresse that way yet at last the King was come on as neare as Doncaster and had made Proclamation that all should come in to him to goe along with him to Yorke where he hoped to make a second Nest to nestle his devouring Cormorants again but findeing no appearance answerable to his expectation but contrariwise all our Forces ready to receive him he therefore made a speedy retreat backe againe in which his retreat a party of our Horse fell fiercely upon his reare and ferretted them soundly where they tooke the Lord Harris a Papist Prisoner together with 100. Horse and divers Prisoners and forced the King to fly away thence to Newarke About the 24. of this instant the prime Prisoners taken by our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax at Sherburn-Castle were brought to London by Sea and two of the cheife of them were as this day brought to the House of Commons viz. Sir Lewis Dives late Governour of Sherburn Castle for the King and Col. Sir George Strangewaies formerly a Member of that House who were by a strong Guard attended and at last caused to come into the House to the Bar where Dives demeaned himselfe very supercilliously and proudly seeming to refuse to kneel on both his knees til he was compelled unto it and then the Speaker of the House of Commons told him that he was much to be lamented who notwithstanding that he had been a meanes to shed so much innocent bloud and had committed so much Treason against his native Kingdome endeavouring to destroy the same and helping as much as in him was to draw the King from his Parliament and yet that his heart should no more nay not at all relent but that he looked before that Honourable presence as one whom God had given over to hardnesse of heart and impudency of carriage he therefore for his Treasons pronounced the Commitment of him and of Sir George Strangewaies to the Tower of London there to remaine Prisoners till Justice should farther proceed against them And about the 28. instant his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax our most renowned Generall having his Leaguer now before Bristoll we had certaine intelligence from them that the Club-men of Gloucester and Somersetshire expressed much affection to Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army and afforded them a gallant Party for the taking of this brave and strong City of Bristoll and that Somersetshire had raised at least 2000. men and were joyned with Sir Thomas in the taking of the strong Fort called Portshead-point the true and exact manner whereof being related by a Letter sent from an eminent Commander in the said Leaguer to the Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament I have here thought fit for the Readers better content and satisfaction to insert the said Letter verbatim as it was printed and published by authority which was as followeth To the Right Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons SIR I wrot unto you the other day in what posture we were before the Towne we have since
Horse to attempt the Line and Works by Clifton and Washingtons breach The manner of the storm being thus agreed on Tuesday at night all the Army Horse and Foot round the City were set in a posture to fall on the signes to give notice when the storm should begin were by kindling a fire of straw and shooting of foure great Gunnes Our Word during the Storm was David and after the Line was entred the Word was The Lord of Hosts About two of the Clock in the morning the storm began the Souldiers shouted for joy the service was very hot for a time especially with Colonell Rainsboroughs Brigade who with a party of his Forces spent 3 houres in the storming of Pryers-Fort a place of great advantage which piece of Service was as bravely performed as ever thing was done by man in regard they were put to the utmost by scaling-Ladders to win the Fort. They cut in pieces most of the Forces within this Fort and made the rest unserviceable and gave no Quarter to Major Price in the Fort. This Brigade took foure great Pieces in this Fort and two more in a Redoubt and Colonell Mountagues Brigade took sixteen Pieces in the severall Works and Half-Moons which they gained by storming The other Brigade under Colonell Welden fell on Somersetshire side with a great deal of resolution but when the Ladders were set to the Works they were too short the moat being very deep so that they only alarm'd the Enemy The Clubmen who fell on at Bedminster much terrified the Enemy Our losse of men was inconsiderable yea almost not credible considering their fierce brunts And truly in Colonell Rainsborough and Colonell Mountagues Brigade not forty men were lost and our Horse entred with our Foot the Pioneers having thrown down the Line and beaten off the Enemies Horse and took Colonell Taylor formerly a Member of Parliament being mortally wounded We had on our part Captaine Ireton sore wounded who was a Captain of Horse an honest and stout man Major Bethel was slightly wounded Major Saintleger and two Majors more of the Enemies part and divers others were taken Prisoners Now ours by this time being thus made masters of the most part of the Town and all their Works but onely the Main Fort Rupert fled into the Castle and ours being about to plant Ordnance against it on Wednesday morning about eight of the clock Rupert sent to desire a Parley but the Souldiers were generally unwilling to hearken to any tearms of Treaty since now they were in so faire a way of taking all by force but the thrice noble Generall out of his generous and noble disposition and resolution to mercy rather than to see so brave a Towne burnt to ashes and destroyed Rupert having already fired it in three places and vowed to burne all ere he would yeeld without Articles of agreement satisfied his Souldiers and condiscended to a Treaty which by six of the clock on that Wednesday night produced too honourable termes for such a mischievous and bloody Prince Colonell Murrey and another Knight being sent to the Generall as Hostages for the performance of those Articles which were about ten in number which here for brevities sake I omit particularly to mention and Sir Robert Pye and Sir Hardresse Waller were sent as Hostages to the Prince And things on both sides yeelded to and promised being exactly performed accordingly the Prince and his traine issued out of Bristoll accompanied some part of his way by our renowned Generall and ours immediately possessed of the City and Castle with all therein save what Rupert was permitted on the Agreement to have with him all which premises were confirmed by the testimony and intelligence of three severall Messengers sent to London immediately to the Parliament with Letters from Bristoll to the House of Commons which Messengers had by Order of the House 60 l. to be divided among them for their reward in bringing this most welcome newes to the Parliament And it was ordered That on the next ensuing Lords Day deserved and bounden thanks should be given to Almighty God in all Parish Churches and Chappels within the Line of Communication and Bills of Mortality in London and Westminster for the great and good successe which God had given to our Forces under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax in taking the City of Bristoll with the Castle and Forts thereof And on the Lords Day fortnight following Octob. 5. like bounden thanks to be given also in all the Parish Churches within the power of the Parliament thorow all England and Wales Our most renowned Generall upon his return from Rupert viewed the Royall Fort in Bristol which he esteemed one of the bravest citadels in all England in it were 24 Peeces mounted upon five bastions powder in quantity answerable victuall in abundance of all sorts 80 or 100 tunne of Beer Bread sufficient to serve almost 100000 men a day Upon the Line Castle and Forts might be in all about 200 Peeces of Ordnance then mounted and 300 Barrels of Powder Match and Powder proportionable a great Magazine of Arms some reported and that by the last and best intelligence 7000. ten small Ships in the Harbour ten Commanders slaine one Colonell mortally wounded sixty Officers and Souldiers slaine in the storme 37 desperately wounded In the said storm we also tooke prisoners 20 Officers in Arms 200 Common Souldiers and about 1000 after the taking of the City of Bristoll forsook the Enemy and chose rather to fight with Sir Thomas Fairfax than to side any longer with the Kings Cormorants we also took in speciall Basalisk the Warning-Peece which was lost in Cornwall the yeare before with some other Peeces of ours then also lost so that at Naseby Bridgewater and here in Bristoll we have re-taken all the brave Peeces of Ordnance we had lost before in the West All this rare and admirable successe was the Lords doing and is and ought to be most marvellous in our eyes to him alone therefore be all the praise and glory most worthily ascribed for ever and ever Divers Gentlemen of the West did petition to the House of Commons that renowned and religious Major Generall Skippon that famous Commander in Arms should be made Governour of the City of Bristoll which was accordingly and that most worthily condescended unto by the Parliament And now to proceed About the 12 instant we received certaine intelligence by Letters from Shrewsbury that the valiant and victorious forces of that brave and most active Garrison having intelligence in what posture the Enemy lay at Bridge-North they suddenly and silently marched thither and undiscovered fell upon the Centinels soone surprized them entred the Town it self and there fell upon the Enemy drove them into the Castle slew some of them and tooke some prisoners that the Enemy had of theirs tooke about 180. Horse and some good pillage all which they safely
at Sea driven into a creek neer Plymouth from whence a Boat was sent to demand and know whom they were for the Marriners thinking themselves to be in his Majesties Quarters answered They were for the King Hereupon our boat left them and acquainting the Governour of Plymouth therewith he sent forth severall Boats with Musketeers to take the Barke which they did after some resistance and some few slain on both side and so brought it safely into Plymouth to be made use of for the King and Parliament And about November the 24. we also received certaine information by Letters out of Gloucestershire of a brave defeat given to the Enemie in those parts which also was confirmed by another Letter especially from Malmsbury the substance whereof was as followeth That upon occasion of planting and fortifying a Garrison for the Parliaments partie by renowned and active Colonell Morgan the valiant and faithfull Governour of Gloucester at Sir Henry Fred. Thynnes House at Kempsford in that Countie the Enemy belonging to Rad-Court and Farringdon being enraged at it and much offended that they should have a troublesome neighbour so neere them to straighten and curb their former accustomed excursions into the Countrie for contribution-money and plunder They therefore came forth with a party of about 30. horse to impede and disturbe their workes begun Whereupon Captaine Moore who had the Command of Malmsbury foot left at Letch-lad by Colonell Morgan drew out 60. Musketeers with which he bravely flankt the Enemie slew 2. of them shot their Captaine in the thigh and so made retreat but this their Commander swore in a rage that they would ere long be avenged upon our forces and thereupon they presently fetched in unto them Major Duet that French-Renegado and base apostate from the Parliaments service who since his defection had beene a Scourge and vexation to those parts though most Commonly with losse to himselfe who came that very evening with 100. foot and 120. horse purposing to have surprised ours in their workes and now to be revenged on them for his friends former repulse but valiant and vigilant Captaine Moore timely discovered them sent out another partie of Musketters and the Gloucester-horse thereabout having taken the Alarm drew forth also to the Encounter set fiercely upon the Enemy put them to the rout pursued the chace mortally wounded Major Duet himselfe unhorst him threw him into the dire where within 4 or 5 houres after he was found dead a just hand of God now at last upon such a disloyall and faithlesse apostate from the honest Cause which he first undertooke they also slew another Captain and 20. more Common Souldiers upon the place tooke 30. prisoners whereof one was a Corner and 5. of the Kings Life-guard 40. horse and 60 fire-armes And thuâ— having by Gods great mercy to whom alone be all the praise and glory thereof chaced them close to Rad-cot-Bridge even almost to their very workes they returned victoriously safe to their Garrison without the lose of any one man of theirs slaine only 2. or 3. wounded but not mortally Finally about the latter end of this November it pleased the Lord to put into the hearts of our most prudent and provident Parliamentarie-Statists for the more luculent and cleare manifestation of their hearts integrity to manage all matters for the greater honour of that great and supreame Court of Parliament and the fairer evidence of their own personall sincerity in and about the same to take into their serious debate the great prejudice which many have received by protection of Members of Parliament and their servants or attendants and therefore how the same might be remedied for the future The result whereof came at last to this issue that they appointed a Committee of New elected Members who were to meet certaine dayes weekly with power to heare and examine complaints of such as have suffered in that nature And also to receive such complaints as shall upon just ground be brought against any Member of Parliament for taking of Bribes or for any other act of injustice whatsoever Certainely such acts of justice as these especially being faithfully and effectually carryed on will make this already most famous Parliament much more famous and illustrious to all posterity and cannot but most justly stop the mouths of all malicious-hearted Malignants and others who have or shall endevour injuriously to scandalize their honourable proceedings And here now againe good Reader let me desire thee to stay a while to make a most gratefull review there in to admire the rare and remarkable Parliamentarie-mercies of this moneth also in the cleare and most demonstrative ratification of this admirable wonder of the Burning-Bush still unconsumed and rarely kept and recovered from the many menaced distractions of it by the incessant assailant furious flames and conflagrations flashing continually round about it as hath beene most apparently seen and set forth both in the Parliaments provident care and Circumspection for the safety and welfare of the Kingdome and City of London in those two excellent Orders against Delinquents In the taking in of Shelford-House And miserably taring in peeces of the Lord Digbies late scattered forces againe rallyed into a body In the surrender of Abarashwait a strong Garrison of the Enemie in Cardiganshire into the Parliaments power And the gratefull recordation of the Parliaments happie preservation from the malicious machinations of the plotting Enemies therof since the beginning of it to this present In the taking in of Worton-Garrison Wiverton and Welbeck-house And the spontaneous falling off of all Glamorganshire from the Kings pernicious party In the surrender of Bolton-Castle in the North to the Parliaments forces And the brave defeat given to the Enemy at Cannon-Froom and surprisall then of a notable Engine for batterie called a Sowe In the notable defeate given to the Lord Ashton and his forces where himselfe was slaine And the brave prize taken at Sea from the Enemie by Plymouth Garrison In the brave defeat given to Major Duet that French renegado and base Apostate where he himselfe was slaine And lastly In the remarkable testimonie of the Parliaments integrity shining forth in that excellent order of theirs against Parliaments protections and taking of bribes All which graciously and gratefully considered can amount to no lesse than a most cordiall and comfortable acknowledgement and confession of the Lords unchangeable free grace and unexhaustible bounty to us his most unworthy people of England even to admiration and astonishment to all our neighbour Nations round about us And that therefore they may and must most justly cause yea compellus with thankfull thoughts hearts and tongues to confesse and say with holy David Through the Lord alone we have done thus valiantly and he it is that â—ath thus graciously and gloriously trod downe our Enemies Yea He it is that hath bidden us not to be afraid of our most potent or politick
Garye Lieutenant Colonell to Sir Tibbot Bourk eldest Sonne to the Lord of Maye Richard Bourk Major to Richard Bourk the Earle of Clanrickards Heire and Sonne to Sir William Bourk Brother to the late Earle of Clanrickard Captaine William O Shaghuise brother to Sir Roger O Shaghuise Captaine Garret Dillon Sonne to Sir Lucas Dillon who saith that his Father was shot in the thigh Captaine Ro. Castallogh Killed Edward Brown Captaine of 100 Musketeers out of Galloway brother to Jeffery Brown the Lawyer Three Lieutenants of Foot Two Cornets Three Engines Killed also the Titular Archbishop of Tuain the Rebels president of Cannaught a principall incendiary in that Kingdome in whose pockets were found Letters and other papers of great importance and for his own particular an Order from the Councell of Kilkenny for leavying the arreares of his Bishoprick together with severall other prisoners of inferiour quality both of Horse and Foot and 22 or 23 were drowned And here now I shall desire the Reader by way of introduction to what I have further to say touching this Irish Victory and especially some of the Papers taken from this foresaid Archbishop of Tuain to take speciall notice of the admirable wisdome and providentiall mercy of the Lord unto us therein viz. That in regard of the wonderfull great and good successe which the Lord hath lately given to our Forces in the West of our owne Kingdome and the King finding what bad successe he hath of late had as well as all along indeed for the most part in all the parts of the Kingdome both West and North now therefore sent Letter after Letter to the Parliament for the procuring of a pretended well grounded Peace and the way nay forsooth the only way in the opinion of the subtill Oxonians that must lead thereto he propounded to be by a Treaty nay when that could not serve by a Personall Treaty in himself proffering himself to come in person to our Parliament But our prudent Parliament who by much experience knew very well of what danger and disadvantage such Treaties have been and this also of the Kings personall coming in this juncture of time would be both to foment pernicious delayes and abusive designes for raising desperate parties to spoile us all resolved therefore most peremptorily to go a neerer way to worke to wit by drawing up Bils and to present them to the King to have them immediately signed and made Acts. But now that the Reader I say may see how fairely the King meant both in sending Letters thus for a Treaty of Peace yea and proffering himself in person to treat of Peace I have here thought fit to set downe the substance of one of his Letters sent to the Parliament for this purpose verbatim and most faithfully as it was printed and published and therewith also a Declaration of his compacting with the Rebels in Ireland against God our Religion and his English Protestant Subjects yea the whole Kingdome and Parliament And then I say the impartiall Reader may see how crossely and craftily yet most accursedly things were carried underhand even with extream Atheisme and impiety and now I say for the full clearing hereof take here first a true Copy of the Kings Letter to our Parliament expressing his even greedy seeming desire of Peace with his Parliament and his Protestant People and then you shall have the other Letter or Declaration sent into Ireland and then be amazed and confounded in thy thoughts at such hideous and horrid yea even hellish dissimulation Upon Friday Jan. 16. another Trumpet for you must know by the way as I touched before divers former Trumpets and Messages had been sent came from the King with a Letter directed to the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore the substance of which Letter was C. R. HIs Majesty doth expresse his great wonder that whereas he had sent a gracious Message on the 26 of December last the subject whereof was for a Treaty for peace that the Parliament should returne no Answer to that Message ever since He much admired what should become of his Trumpeter whom he sent unto them in December last having heard 〈◊〉 newes of him since his departure from Oxford unto London He seemes to be very carefull of the Government of the Church and desireth that it may continue as in the dayes of Queen Elizabeth and King James of blessed and perpetuall memory yet he expresseth that because the Act it abolished for the use of the Booke of Common Prayer he is not altogether averse that the Directory shall passe as it is now used in some Churches of London and this He is content to condescend unto for the ease of tender consciences He maketh no question but that He shall give both his Houses of Parliament a full content for the choyce of the Lord Admirall and other Officers of State if He finds his Houses of Parliament inclinable to a Treaty for peace in which he intendeth to assist in Person He expresseth a speciall care to satisfie the Scots in their arreares and to discharge the expences of the City and for the businesse of Ireland He doubteth not but He shall give His Subjects of England perfect satisfaction Subscribed Given at our Court at Oxford Jan. 15. 1645. This is the substance of his Majesties Letter which though communicated by former pens was read in the House this day and it is the rather here inserted because you may see how crosse it is to His Majesties Letter sent to Ireland and sealed with his highnesse Signature and Royall Signet which Letter together with other papers of great concernment were found in the pocket of the Archbishop of Tuain slaine at Sligo in Ireland the tenour of which Letter was as followeth C. R. CHARLES by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith To our trusty and right well beloved cousin Edward Earle of Glamorgan greeting VVE reposing great and speciall trust and confidence in your approved wisdome and fidelity do by these as firmly as under our great Seale to all intents and purposes authorize and give you power to treat and conclude with the Roman Catholicks in our Kingdome of Ireland if upon necessity any thing be condescended to wherein our Lieutenant cannot so well be seen as not fit for us at the present publikely to owne We therefore charge you to proceed according to this our Warrant with all possible secrecy and for whatsoever you shall engage your self upon such valuable considerations as you in your judgement shall thinke fit we promise in the word of a King and a Christian to ratifie and performe the same that shall be granted by you and under your Hand and Seale the said Confederate Catholicks having by their supplies testified their zeale to our service and this shall be in each particular a sufficient Warrant to you Given at our Court at Oxford under our
Plymouth the particulars whereof were in substance as followeth That about March 21. 1645. the said Colonell Welden having summoned Inch-House where the Enemy kept a strong Garrison they returned a scornfull Answer Whereupon the Colonell sent 60 Muketeers to keep them from coming out and appointed 60 more to follow with a Demy-Culverin But upon the landing of the first they within begged Quarter for their lives and so surrendred all unto the Colonell There was taken in that Garrison 90 Muskets 4 Minions and 6 Barrels of Powder And by the same Letter we were likewise certified of the surrender of Pouldram strong Fort with 18 Peeces of Ordnance in it and much Ammunition with other Provisions good store which was thus yeelded up to valiant Sir Hardâ—esse Waller those in the Garrison having had in both of them fair Conditions to depart to their owne homes upon engagement not to take up Armes any more against the Parliament And about the 30 of this instant March we received intelligence by Letters from that brave and active Committee of Shrewsbury of their great and good successe in the taking of that very strong and considerable Garrison of High-Archall after a short siege and having by Granadoes and other great shot battered them for the space of nine houres together without intermission it being I say a place of great strength and well fortified and having a large deep moat about it and in regard of the scituation of it not thought feazable to be carried by storm but by the blessing of God and our continuall plying of our great shot and Granadoes which had done great execution among them in short space we caused them to come to a Parley whereat it was concluded that the Horse all but 40 should march away without Arms that the Foot should all leave their Arms behind them and that they should leave all their Ammunition and Provision of which there was great plenty behind them and they were to have a Convoy to Worcester the place they had made choice of to go unto There marched out 212 Souldiers and Officers out of this Garrison And thus Shropshire by Gods great mercy and the indefatigable industrie care and valour of their Committee is now well cleared from all their open Enemies And much about the foresaid time we were certainly informed that this most gallant and active Committee of Shrewsbury not yet resting immediately after they had thus taken in High Archall as aforesaid sent out a party of Horse and Foot upon a designe against Bridge-North but the length of the march and the wearinesse of the Souldier hindred them so as the Town took the alarm before they could refresh themselves a little and go on in the designe as was intended yet notwithstanding the next day they summoned it Colonell Billingsley who commanded in chief in the Town would give no Answer to the Summons and Colonell Howard who commanded the Castle gave a flat denyall whereupon in the afternoon having set out three Posts the brave Salopians resolved to storm One Post was assigned to Colonell Goulden another to Major Braine and the third to Captain Hickson who at the warning given fell all three on with such a courage and undaunted resolution that they stormed the Towne killed Colonell Billingsley in the heat of the storm together with some others and took divers prisoners the rest of the Gentry fled into the Castle the North Gate Fort also stood some hot dispute but was likewise gained and so the Town taken wholly into their possession and in its proper place we shall certifie the taking in of the Castle also which yet a while stood out very obstinately against them And much about the foresaid time we heard for certaine out of the West that Portland Castle was surrendred the Enemy within it having had liberty granted them to go to their own homes leaving all their Armes and the Castles Ammunition behinde them And upon the 31 of this instant March we were certainly informed by a Letter out of the West of the taking of Exmouth Fort the particulars whereof were as followeth in this ensuing Letter to Colonell Ceeley Noble Colonell I Beseech you to excuse my not giving you an account of the businesse of Exmouth Fort till now which hath been occasioned by reason of the sudden commands of Sir Hardresse Waller laid upon me to advance neer the City of Exeter And although I know you are well acquainted with our proceedings yet I conceive it my duty to advertise you of our condition The 14 instant I summoned the Fort and took possession of it the next day I have sent you inclosed what provision was left in it The Governour thereof Lieutenant Colonell Arundell desires to serve you for Ireland Sir we are now within Musket shot of Mount-Hadford and exchanging shot every minute and God hath pleased to honour yours with the Frontier Quarters As yet nothing hath happened that will not speak us Colonell Ceeleys The forementioned note of what was left in Exmouth Fort was 13 great iron Peeces 2 small Drakes 1 of brasse 3 Murtherers unmounted 72 Muskets 29 Collers of Bandaleers 10 Pikes 10 Halberts and Partizans 12 Barrels of Powder 2 bundles of Match 1 barrell of Pease 5 Hogsheads of Bread 1 Hogshead of Beef 5 Hogsheads of Salt 1 Butt of Beer c. About the beginning of the Moneth of Aprill 1646. we received certaine and most welcome intelligence of the surrender of Dennington Castle about which valiant Colonell Dalbeir having continued playing with his Granadoes into the Castle with much furie it at last procured this good successe That Sir John Boys the Governour thereof finding no hope of help or reliefe and perceiving what great danger the Castle was in at last he agreed to surrender it up to the said noble Colonell for the use of the King and Parliament And so the Enemy immediately came forth of the Castle having liberty according to their Articles to depart to Oxford and our Forces took present possession of it And thus this pernicious nest and den of Royall Robbers and abusers of those parts of the Country was now at last happily emptied and cleared and the Castle restored to its right owner againe that most worthy and truly religious Gentleman Master John Packer whose formerly it had been And Aprill 2. the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled prudently taking notice of the great confluence and resort of Papists Malignant Officers and Souldiers of fortune and such as have borne Arms against the Parliament of England from the Enemies Garrisons and Quarters unto the Cities of London and Westminster and other parts within the Lines of Communication Do for the prevention of such inconveniences as may therby arise think fit to order and it is hereby ordered by the said Lords and Commons That all Papists whatsoever and all Officers and Souldiers of fortune and other persons that have borne Arms
mire of the streets in the battaile and that they shall fight because the Lord is with them and that the Riders on Horses shall be confounded Hath the Lord I say done all this for us to the full and yet shall we still goe on to breake his Commandements and say in our hearts we are delivered to doe all kinde of wickednesse and abhomination Would not the Lord then be very angry with us till he had consumed us so that there should be no remnant no aescaping for us Should we not thus too justly cause that complaint of Moses against the Children of Israel to come fully against us Doe you thus requite the Lord O foolish and unwise O what will all our Victories and successes availe us and what a most miserable Conquest will it be uâ—to us that all our Kingdomes enemies are conquered unto us if our own Souls if our own Consciences be conquered and led captive at the Devills will by our inbred base lusts and unconquered corruptions O will not these thinke you gangrene our soules and bodies too and bring upon us a farre worse and Epidemicall destruction both to our bodies and soules yea I say to our whole Kingdome and Estates and make our late vâ—nquished enemies though thus smitten weake and wounded to he raised up againe against us as the Lord threatned by the Prophet if we securely and rebelliously retaine our old sins and transgressions against him O let us then most seriously yea I say frequently and servently thinke upon that known Caution of our most blessed Saviour himselfe to the Lame man whom he had healed of an old infirmity Sinne no more least a worse thing come unto thee least having been clensed from our former old Jesuiticall and Prelaticall tyrannies over our soules and consciences and Monarchicall Arbitrary oppressions and vexationâ— over our Estates and Liberties lest I say being healed and dispossessed of these Devils incarnate we grow supine and carelesse yea ungratefull and gracelesse and so God suffer those Satans to returne who finding all both in Chuâ—ch and State swept and garnisht with security and impiety they enter againe into our hearts and houses with seven other Devils worse if possible than themselves and then our last condition prove farre worse than the former Let us therefore for this purpose remember our late solemne Covenant to our God whatsoever any prophane Esaus and Sons of Belial or deceiâ—full hearted Sons of Schiâ—â—â— and Sâ—â—â—tion impiously beâ—ch or broaâ—h against it of a Nationâ—ll and Personall Reformation and let us now deale seriously as then we seemed to promise and be in good earnest with our God in a speedy and effectuall building of his House after the clearest Scripture manner aâ—d with the purest Reformed Churches of the world O therefore that our renowned Parliament would seriously and sincerely doe something herein especially for the purging of Gods House at this time from dangerous and damnable Errours Schismes and blasphemous Opinions of too audacious and most impudent Sectaries who if not timely and truly removed will like mortiferous gangreenes indeed prodigiously ulcerate and most pestilentially vulnerate even to the very heart the whole Body of Church and State for indeed no disease is so dangerous both to soule and body as that in Religion which infects the soule and offends God most of all Errour I say obstinate Errour being that stiffe-necked Strumpet which most odiously adulterates the Marriage-bed of Faith and causes the most dangerous divorce twixt Christ and his Spouse the Soule O therefore I say that our most worthy Parliamentary Patriots the Kingdomes able Phisitians would seasonably and seriously set upon this great cure by setling a Church-Government among us according to the tenour of our holy League and sacred Covenant O that these our most renowned Parliamentary Scaligers having made that honest righteous and just objection or scrutinie among themselves which Heathen Ahasuerus made to himselfe and his Nobles touching noble and well-deserving Mordecay But what honour and dignitie hath been done for him So they but what extraordinary thing what due dignity and honour have we done for our best-deserving good God that hath so admirably hastned to build the House of our State and Kingdome And would now thereupon seriously hasten effectually to build his House and casting away with true Christian courage and confidence all cursed carnall pleas and gracelesse and groundlesse false feares trust God with the issues and effects as all-sufficient to patronage and protect his owne acceptable worke as this unquestionably is maugre the malâ—ce of malignant or fraudulent opposers whomsoever Now what reasons they have hereunto yea what grounds and encouragements beyond expression they have extraordinarily to stimulate and stir up their hearts to this so noble and renowned a worke who certainly sees not Who wilfully and wickedly blindes not his eyes Yet notwithstanding a little more now at last to rub up their memories and cleare up the eyes of my Christian Brethren with a little Scripture-collyrium or Eye-salve of evidences I shall desire the godly Reader with pious patience seriously to consider and peruse these few following Textuall testimonies First have not the eyes of the Lord ever since this Parliament began in a most eminent and evident manner run too and fro throughout England Scotland and Ireland yea and into France and Denmarke too to preserve us and to prevent our enemies intended mischiefes against us and thus shewne himselfe most strong and most wise in the behalfe of them though a small remnant in England Scotland and Ireland whose hearts were perfect toward him Hath not the Lord as he promised by the Prophet turned our daies of fasting and of humiliation into daies of feasting and congratulation even the fast of our first Month and Yeare and the fast of our fourth and fifth month and yeare as I may say to be to us his English Judah joy and gladnesse and cheerfull feasts and times of great and glorious Thanksgivings O therefore O therefore I say That we would cordially and constantly love the Truth and Peace Againe hath not the Lord made good that good word of his unto us and have we not all seene and found and felt to our unexpressible joy and comfort that certainly there could be no enchantment against Gods Jacob nor any Divination against his Israelites and who are they but princely prevailers in Prayer and sacred supplanters of sinfull enormities some gleanings of both which sorts by Christ who hath strengthened them I doubt not but God hath found amongst us for even according to these times it may justly be said of Jacob and Israel of England and Scotland what and how many admirable things hath God wrought for us not suffering any weapon that was formed against us to prosper and graciously condemning every tongue that rose up in rash and wrathfull judgement against
Frigot taken by our ships Hilford Castle taken Livetenant Colonell Ingoldsby slain by Musket shot A day of solemn Thanksgiving for the forementioned great mercies to the King Our noble Generals advance to Exeter Inch-House surrendred Pouldram Fort taken High-Archall surrendred to the Parliament Bridge-North Towne taken by Shrewsbury forces Colonell Billingsley slaine in the Storme Portland castle surrendred Exmouth-Fort neere Exeter taken Aprill 1646. Dennington Castle taken An Order of both Houses of Parliament for restraint of Papists and other Delinquents from coming to the Cities of London and Westminster An Order also concerning the Kings private coming to London A brave defeat given to the Kings Horse neare Farringdon Treaty about the surrender of the City of Exeter to the Parliament Three strong Forts already delivered up to the Generall Justification of the large Articles of conditions agreed unto upon the surrender of Exeter Ruthin-Castle surrendred to the Parliament A brave defeat given to Denbigh forces by Colonell Mitton Captaine Cottingham slaine Prisoners and prizes taken at Denbigh and Ruthin The Raglanders soundly beaten by Sir Trevor Williams Many Gentlemen of Wales came out of Ragland castle to Sir Trevor and submitted to the Parliament Master Fog a Minister rewarded for his Loyalty to the Parliament The strong Garrison of the City of Exeter surrendred to the Parliament The first letter The second Letter The manner of their marching out of the City of Exeter Branstable Towne and Câ—stle surrendred Sir Michaels-Mount surrendred Titbury-Castle surrendred Aburisthwait Castle in Wales surrendred Dunstar-Castle surrendred Our WesternArmie advanced toward Oxford Woodstock-Garrison surrendred Bridge North Castle surrendred The just praise of the most faithfull and active Committee of Shrewsbury The Duke of Lenox and others come in unto the Parliament The King escaped out of Oxford in a disguised manner 1 Sam. 2. 30. May. 1646. The Parliament informed of the Kings departure out of Oxford toward London Both Houses of Parliaments Order published throughout London and Westminster touching concealing the King The Parliaments providence for the welfare of the City of London A Copy of the â—etter from the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland to the Commissioners of both Houses concerning His Majesties coming to the Scotch Army The manner of the Kings coming into the Scots Army and discovering himself unto them Newark surrendred to the King and Parliament The summe of the Articles of Agreement Our Brethren of Scotland drew off from Newarke Banbury Castle surreâ—dred to the Parliament A day of Solemn thanksgiving to the Lord for late great mercies to us Hartlebury Castle taken The prizes taken therein Ludlow surrendred to the Parliament Some hopefull sweet effects of the kings being in the custodie of our loyall Brethren of Scotland The summe of the kings Letto the Parliament of England The famous Citie Remonstrance exhibited to Both Houses of Parliament Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdome pag. 19. The Parliaments Declaration upon his Majesties Declaration after the Battell at Edge-hill pag. 659. * This desire of the City of London is no more nor other in effect than the House of Commons in Parliament it self voted as most justly at the taking of the Protestation May 5. 1641. Salcoomb Regis Surrendred Bostol-House also yeilded up to the Parliament Ordinance of Parliament for the better settlement of Presbyterian Church Government Bostoll Garrison surrendred Carnarvan Towne and Castle surrendred The Propositions for a wel grounded Peace resolved and in speciall 〈…〉 of the Kingdom The Ministers of London and Westminsters pious meeting and religion resolution in Zion Colledge Letters from Sir Thomas Fairefax Articles for the Surrender of Oxford and the Messengers rewarded by the Parliament The Duke of Yorke to come from Oxford to S. James-House Beaumorris Town and Castle surrendred The manner of the surrender of Oxford His Majesties Letter to the Marquesse of Ormond The Propositions for Peace sent to the King Psal 30 11 12 Ehen-Ezer The summary use of all Caution and Exhortation 1 Caution Zechar. 10. 5. Ezra 9. 6. Deut 32. 6. Ier. 37. 10. Iohn 5. 14. Mat. 12. 45. 2 Exhortation Reformation both Nationall and personall Building of Gods house Schisme and Errour petitioned against The danger of it briefly described The building of Gods house petitioned Hest 6. 3. The great fault and â—ayling of these times Scripture Eye-salve 2 Chron. 16. 9 Gods eye of providence over us Zeche 8. 1â— Our Fasts turned into Feasts Num. 23. 13. No enchanment or Divination against Gods Israell Isa 54. 17. No weapon formed against us hath proâ—pered Jer. 30. 16 17. Our devourers are devoured and our spoylerâ— are spoyled Ezekiel 20. 38 The regaâ—â— Rebels purged out of the Kingdome Isay 66. 5. The Royalists impious hypocrisie unmasked Great encouragements for Gods Children Iob 5. 27. Marke this O England Isa 19. 11 12 13 14. A true description of the Kings Counsellours Exod. 18. 11. Isa 51. 12 13. A just objurgation and too tâ—ue taxation on all Psal â—6 7 10 An exhortation to Christian courage and godly resolution Exod. 19. 4 5. Breake off from sinne Remember our Covenant Bâ—â—ld Gods House Love our Brethren of Scotland Our Brethren of Scotland were the main meane of procuring this present Parliament Exod. 19. 5. One hundred and forty Cart-loads of dead and wounded at Newbery fight some at Brainford at Dorchester and Causham at Marston-moore A Looking-glasse for Malignants
who had suffered much and beene brought into great poverty and miserie by the enemies there And our most loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland kept the like solemn-day of Thanksgiving in their armie to blesse God with us for this great mercie unto us And see and admire as a farther ground of Thankefulnes and to raise up our Spirits to a higher pitch of bounden gratitude Even the very same morning that we were praising the Lord for that great mercy so graciously received there came yet more joyfull newes to the Parliament of a great overthrow given by his Excellency renowned Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Forces to the Enemy at Torrington in the West the particulars of which so memorable a victory cannot I conceive but be of most singular satisfaction to the Kingdome and people of God especially I shall therefore give the Reader a full and faithfull intimation thereof as it was sent in a Letter from a Gentleman of piety credit and eminency in his Excellencies Army and was read in the House of Commons Febr. the 20. which was as followeth SIR SAturday Febr. 14. our Army marched from Crediton and the quarters thereabout to Chimleigh Sunday they marched very early to a Rendezvouze some two miles in the way to Torrington with intention to have gone on but our Parties of horse bringing in some prisoners by whose examination we could not certainly learn which way the Enemy bent whereupon another party was sent out of Colonell Butlers Troope the forlorn of which party being twelve took twelve of the Lord Gorings Life-guard and 24 Horse and brought them to the Generall upon their examination it appeares the Enemy was ignorant of our motion The Lord Hopton was in Torrington And further that a party of the Enemies Horse was at Burrington the Generall sent a partie of Horse to meet with them under command of Captaine Barry who accordingly charged the Enemy put them to a rout shot Lieutenant Colonell Dundash a Renegado and of the Lord Cleevelands Brigade and tooke severall prisoners and brought Dundash three miles on the way but being mortally wounded was inforced to leave him at Ringdash a foot quarter of ours Also another party of Horse toward the East met with the Enemy taking some Prisoners and Horse and shot Major Bret by this time a Bridge was made up some two miles off Chimleigh so that our Army might with convenience march over but the day being so far spent it was not held fit to march with the whole Army so three Regiments of Horse and three of Foot marched some foure miles towards the Enemy that night the rest returned to Chimleigh with Orders to march Munday Feb. 16. the Generall with that part of the Army that was at Chimleigh marched up to the rest of the Army and within five miles of Torrington had a generall Rendezvouze both of Horse and Foot drew them up in Batalia and so marched up towards the Enemy When we came within two miles of Torringron our forlorne hope of Horse charged theirs put them to retreat whereupon they came on again with a very strong party and put ours to a stand the reserves of our forlorn being come up and some foot forced them to their Body againe our forlorn of horse pursued and alarmed them at Squire Rolls his house within a mile of Torrington where they began to fortifie but the Enemy perceiving our Foot came up quit the House and drew their Forces to Torrington and our forlorne of Horse advanced after them The Enemy drew their Foot out of the Town into the closes about a quarter of a mile our forlorn hope of Foot lined the hedges and so faced each other about two houres within halfe Musket shot eâ—changed many shot and there was then continuall skirmishing by the Forlornes and Reserves on both sides and some Prisoners taken by this time it began to be darke and a Councell of War was called whether to engage before day or not whereupon the Generall Lieutenant Generall with the rest of the Colonels deferred a Resolution a little time and rid to the forlorn hope to see in what posture they were while they were there the Tattoo was heard to beat in the Towne which assured us the Enemy continued in the Town not flying away as was reported but to be certaine six Dragoones were commanded to creep under a hedge neer the Barracadoes and to give fire to see whether they would answer by which we might know whether they stood to defend the Towne The Enemy received the charge and answered it with a very sharp volley of shot Our forlorn hope seeing the Dragoons engaged gave fire whereupon the Enemy gave fire all along the hedges and Works thereupon the Reserve to the forlorn came on to relieve them and so being engaged the whole Army advanced and about eight at night the battell began some six fields from the Town and we fought from hedge to hedge untill we beat them into their Barracadoes which they maintained for an houre after very resolutely our men being often repulsed yet at last got over the Barracadoes and forced the Enemy into the Town whereupon the Horse were let in who scouring the streets were received by the Enemy and a hot charge given by both parties yet it pleased God at the last we do 〈◊〉 them out of the Barracadoes at the furthest end of the Towne and by this time many prisoners were taken and put into the Church but farre more escaped being darke over the hedges and by-wayes which was not possible for us to prevent throwing downe their Arms and every man flying severall waies Our Forces were no sooner possest of the Towne but the Enemies Magazine which they left in the Church was fired whether on purpose by the Enemy or by accident we cannot yet learne but it proved a terrible blow not only blazing up the Church with all the wood and lead that was upon it deforming many houses in the Town but killed some of the Prisoners in the Church and some of our men that were in the Church-Yard two great Webs of Lead fell within twice a Horse length of the Generall but it pleased God he escaped though in eminent danger many others being hurt both with the Timber Stones and Lead most of the Towne was shaken by this blow being the terriblest that hath been seen in the memory of man there being about 80 Barrels of powder blown up together and one barell which was blowne out of the Church into the streete which took not fire The Enemy perceiving their Magazine to be 〈◊〉 fired gave one charge more with their horse up to our Barracadoes commanded by Sir Iohn Digby but our Musketeers gave fire whereupon they tooke their farewell our first instantly advanced through the Towne after them and began the pursue about 11 of the clock at night Thus it hath pleased God in an instant to scatter those Forces of the Lord Hoptons his infantry being
taken slaine and totally routed his horse many taken and dispersed and the rest gone in great disorder toward Cornwall where shortly I hope we shall meet with the remnant left of that crew and put an end to the Field Enemy in the West of England They confest they had 8 Regiments of Horse consisting of 2500 men some other of their Officers that are prisoners say 3000. Indeed they are very resolute men sought valiantly and after they were chased from hedge to hedge defended their Barracadoes and Works at push of Pike and with the butt end of their Muskets till our Foot got over a hedge and flankd them so that they were forced to quit it They were old Cornish Foot and all Greenâ—iles and Gorings old Souldiers both English and Irish who were ingaged in this service but now are scattered We have abundance of men wounded both Officers and Souldiers more than have been at any storme since the Army came forth for indeed every hedge was as it were a Bulwark to the Enemy so strong are their hedges in those parts but few of ours killed many of the Enemies both Horse and Foot Let the glory of the victory be all given to God Our first Word in this fight was Emanuell God with us and a Farre Push in our hats Their Word was We are with you and a handkercheif tyed about their right Armes but by taking some of ours prisoners the Enemy had gained the Word and Signâ—â— and therefore we changed our Word which was Truth and a handkercheif or white marke in our hats A true List of the Prisoners and of the number slaine and wounded on both sides in this fierce fight and brave victory at Torrington PRisoners taken of the Enemies 600. among whom were many of quality even 80 of the Princes Life-Guard 30 of Hoptons Life-Guard one Lieutenant Colonell 9 or 10 Captaines 6 Lieutenants one Cornet 3 Ensignes together with other Officers 200 Horse 3000 Armes Hopton himself shot in the thigh neer the belly one Letter said shot dangerously in the belly Sir John Digby wounded in the head and some others of note sorely wounded and Major Threave and Captaine Frie and other Officers slaine Of the Enemies slaine in the City by firing the Magazine 200. full 80 barrels of powder blown up in the Church which as was most credibly and for certaine informed was done on purpose by Hoptons instigation who gave 20 l. to one of their owne party to fire the same a most cruell act 20 of ours slaine in the fight and by blowing up the Magazine and no more and about 100 wounded The Lord Hoptons Commission to be Generall under the Prince Sir John Digbies Commission to be Governour of the Forces before Plymouth and other Papers of consequence taken Of the Lord Hoptons about 400 or 500 li. in money left behind at his Quarters with much plunder left in Portmantles and in other places behind them All the Enemies bagge and baggage taken and great store of provisions taken in the Town the Enemy totally routed and fled in great disorder into Cornwall and ours still in the pursuit of them The two Messengers that brought the Letters intimating this great victory were called into the House of Commons and had 40 l. given them as a gratuity for their pains in the journey And the Messenger that brought this foresaid List and other Letters in confirmation of this great victory had 20 l. given to him also And upon the 23 of this instant Febr. the House of Commons ordered that Thursday come fortnight being the 11 of March a day of solemne Thanksgiving should be kept in London and Westminster and within ten miles about for this great mercy and brave victorie at Torrington And for the Countrie it was ordered that in respect Thursday 7. night was by a former order appointed a day of Thankesgiving for the surrender of Chester in the severall Counties under the Parliaments power that on the same day hearty thankes should likewise be rendred by the Ministers of the severall Counties for this other great mercy at Torrington Upon the 24. instant the House of Parliament taking occasion by an ordinance for the discharging of the Ward-ship of the Heyres-male of Sir Christopher Wray late a most worthie Member of the House of Commons They fell upon a serious debate touching the Legality or Illegality of Wardships in generall and after some time spent therein they ordered that the Court of Wardships it selfe and all Wardships Austres les Mains Primer Seisins and all other charges incident to the said Office should be from that present day taken away And all Tenures of homage and all fines licences pardons of Alienation c. should be likewise taken away This Vote being presently sent up to the Lords House for their Concurrence their Lordships concurred accordingly therein And for the better satisfaction of the Reader I have thought fit to set downe the Copy of the order or Vote it selfe verbatim which was as followeth IT is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament that the Court of Wards and Liveries and all Wardship Lilerie Primer Seisins and Austres les Maines and all other charges insident or rising for or by reason of Wardship Livery Primer Seisin or Austres les Maines be from this day taken away and that all Tenures by Homage and all Fynes Lycences Seisures and Pardons for alienation and all other charges insident thereunto he likewise taken away and that all Tenures by Knights service either of his Majesty or others or by Knights service or Soccage in Capite of his Majesty be turned into free and Common Soccage This act of grace and happines to the Kingdome I conceive not to be inferiour to any of the former Acts or Votes passed by the Parliament and must needs be extraordinary acceptable especially to the Gentrie of England who by meanes of that Court were kept under in a mighty deale of homage and vassalrie in their Children and estates and they therefore now so much the more bound to doe God the more good spirituall service by how much he hath thus set them and theirs at such an enlarged libertie and freedome from this temporall service About the 26. of this instant Februarie we had certaine and full confirmation by Letters both from active and courageous Colonell Birch of the famous victorie obtained over the Enemie at Cardiffe by the Parliaments forces under the Command of valiant and faithfull Major Generall Laughorn Sir Trevor Williams and Colonell Morgan the substance whereof was as followeth Ragland-Castle in Wales having long time beene fortified by the Earle of Worcester a Papist did of late much increase in strength and committed many cruelties upon the Countie of Monmouth plundring firing and destroying Townes and Houses having the whole Countrie under their power except some few Garrisons of the Parliaments no way able to resist them Now at
against the Parliament of England not being under restraint do before the sixth day of April 1646. depart out of the Cities of London and Westminster and Lines of Communication And if any such person shall continue within the said Lines after that time such person is hereby declared a Spy and shall be apprehended imprisoned and proceeded against as a Spy according to the Rules of War And the said Lords and Commons do further orden That all such persons do forbeare upon the penalty aforesaid to come within the said Lines without Licence under the hands of the Committee appointed for Compositions at Goldsmiths-Hall And the Committee of the Militia of London and the Sub-Committees in their severall limits respectively are hereby required to keep strict Guards and Watches and cause frequently searches to be made and to take care for the due execution of this Order Provided that this Order nor any thing therein contained shall extend to any person or persons who shall obtain license under the hands of the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall to continue within the limits aforesaid Provided that this Ordinance or any thing therein contained shall not extend to any person or persons who came in to the Parliament before the first of June last 1645. and are cleared by both Houses of Parliament from their Delinquency Provided also that no Peere of this Realm shall resort unto the Committee for license to continue within the limits aforesaid but shall repaire only to the House of Peers for their said License This Order to continue for one Moneth after the sixth of April and no longer And it was also further ordered and resolved on by the Lords and Commons in Parliament That in case the King should contrary to the advice of the Parliament then already given unto him come or attempt to come within the Lines of Communication That then the Committee of the Militia of London shall have power and are hereby enjoyned upon advice had with the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Army to raise such forces as they shall think necessary to prevent any tumults that may arise by his coming and to suppresse any that shall happen and to apprehend and secure all such as shall come with him and to prevent resort unto him and to secure his own Person from danger About the sixth of April we received certaine good newes by a Letter written to renowned Major Generall Brown of a brave defeat given to the Kings Horse about Farringdon not far from Oxford which Letter was read in the Honourable House of Commons and a Copy whereof for the Readers better content and satisfaction therein I have here inserted as it was printed and published which was as followeth Honourable Sir THe last night I had intelligence the Enemy was drawn out of Oxford and gave out that they did intend to plunder Newnham wherefore I sent to Colonell Betsworth to desire him to draw his Horse towards Abingdon which he did but early this morning we had intelligence that six hundred Horse marched out of Oxon through Conmer and Fisield whereupon I commanded forth our Horse and Dragoons and marched with Colonell Betsworth after the Enemy and it pleased God to direct us that we found them at Farringdon and quartered at the Towns thereabouts We had gallant hunting them from place to place over the hils and pursued them into Farringdon Town and afterwards we discovered a good party of about two hundred between the two Coxwels who ran down into a Meadow and would have parlyed to â—urrender their Horse and Arms but our â—â—n fell on them and took them all save very few that escaped Afterwards we gleaned up divers more in severall places so that I am confident that party is so broken that the King will scarce be able to get such a body of Horse againe in the Kingdome We took above 300 Horse and almost as many Prisoners there was brought in this evening about 250 unto Abingdon the Major and most of the Officers of Sir William Comptons Regiment belonging to Banbury are prisoners it was esteemed the best Regiment the King had and the newes of their ingagement being reported at Oxford this day that they would come off with honour or be lost they sadly replyed if that Regiment were lost they were all undone There was but one man slain on our part and not many of the Enemies Sir your most humble and faithfull servant Geo. Payne Abington April 3. 1646. About the 10 of this instant Aprill Letters came from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Quarters from severall Gentlemen of credit to the Committee of both Kingdomes and by other informations from thence that the Articles for the surrender of the City and Garrison of Exeter were now fully agreed on and foure Hostages given for performance of the same to be surrendred into the hands of the Parliament on Munday Aprill 13. 1646. and as a farther firm pledge and assurance hereof they immediately upon the mutuall giving of Hostages surrendred three of their strong Forts into the renowned Generals hands viz. Saint Downes Fort on the North side Mount-Rat-Ford on the South side and a very strong House in Saint Tho. Pâ—rish on the West side all these were surrendred on Thursday April the 9. the maine substance of the Articles was That all within the Garrison that would were to march away on April 13. being Munday both Horse and Foot with Arms and to have a Convoy either to Pendennis or Saint Michaels-Mount or to Oxford and to nominate which of these three places they would go unto when they marched out And those that would to have Passes to go beyond Sea or laying down their Arms to go to their own homes upon an ingagement not to take up Arms againe against the Parliament All the nobility as some of these were there Gentry and Clergy in the City to have liberty to march out with the Garrison Souldiers with their Horses Arms and their own proper goods One Article was mainly insisted on concerning the Cathedrall in Exeter that forfooth it might not be defaced which was also so farre agreede on Now if any should imagine these and the other conditions to be too large for such enemies Let them but waigh the considerablenesse of the place and how long it might have held out withall its advantages and it may easily balance all the rest Besides that now it is gained with the losse of so little bloodshed and in so short a time since the Armie returned out of Cornwall That now also upon the matter all the West is cleared and setled in a peaceable posture and how considerable this is that now the army may immediately advance and take the oportunity to cleare up these Eastern-parts which in all probability will by Gods blessing be effected suddainly and we hope an end put to these miserable and most unhappie warres The noble Generall presently upon this with part of his Armie advanced