engage p. 195. l. 25. f. Holsworth r. Holsworthy so p. 197. l. 27. l 30. who all dele who p. 196 l. 7. this last defeat dele last l. 14. f. Sir George Digby r. Sir Iohn l. â—…d f. Governour r. Commander p. 197. l last but one f. Tomerton r. Tamerton l 25. f. Taverstock r. Tawstock p. 198. l. 14. f. by the r. but by the p. 199. l. 9. f. Lime Regiment r. Plimouth Regiment p. 252. l. 7. f. the end r. therein p. 253. l. 16. f. old through time r. old decayed through c. p. 281 l. 8. f. divine r. dimm p. 284. l. 11. f presumptory r. peremptory p. 313. l. 4. f. last r. cast p. 315. l. last but four f. the r. that l. last but two f. Victory sweld r. Victory-sweld p. 317. l. 14. f. possimus r. poscimus l. 23. f. commonalty r. commodity p. 320. l. penult after acceptance of r. God ANGLIA REDIVIVA OR ENGLAND'S RECOVERY PART I. CHAP. I. Containing by way of Proeme and Introduction a generall account of the miserable condition of this Kingdome before this present Parliament The occasion and Instruments of calling it The snare laid for us in a former Parliament The quarrel between the Royall party and the Parliament stated And shewing how the Command of the Parliaments Forces came to be devolved to Sir Thomas Fairfax their present Generall Englands misery to be reckoned from a longer date then this late discovery PRRINCIPLES of Misery and seeds of Diseases in the Body politique strengthening themselves through a long tract of time and at length discovering themselves more and more in outward symptomes afforded an happy rise and advantage of seeking out the means of cure Of which God had not left this Kingdome destitute in so sufficient a proportion as that few States or Common-wealths in the world enjoy the like The constitution of Englands Government highly to be approved Being of it self of a sound and healthy constitution and temper able if not obstructed to conflict with and expell all burthensom humours and correct all vitious dispositions to Tyranny There being no Government better tempered in the world if true to themselves in a timely application of Remedies at hand The Peeres at York petition the King for this Parliment Accordingly therefore so soon as the Body by the Nobler senses began to take notice of and be seriously affected with her sicknesses and to be sensible of the meanes at hand Recollecting their resolution they urge the calling of this second PARLIAMENT section 2 The snare that was laid for us in the former Parliament There was a former Parliament called by the KING And never was the Kingdome in greater danger For never more danger then when good meanes are tampered with to bad ends when Ahab cals a Fast to accuse Naboth and Satan transformeth himself into an Angel of light The snare broken And this first act and putting forth of the Politique nature though not perfective of the Cure nor having any thing in it again so eminently remarkable as the National justice and affection expressed to the Scots declining upon ever so fair proffers and conditions to assist the King in his engagements against them an act that should ever make the English of precious remembrance with that Nation Yea though this first Essay of Nature was seemingly overcome by the prevalency of the malignant matter to the breaking up of that Parliament yet was it not in vain For notwithstanding that for the present the Disease took its turn and did appear in a higher way of opposition and contest to strengthen it self and to overcome its antidote yet this did but put Nature upon more vigorous and industrious actings to defend it self as was need and so was subservient unto the calling of this second Parliament section 3 The utmost endeavours of the Malignant party Wherein both Interests conflicting and the Malignant party seeing it self so eminently threatned and endangered and redacted to that extreme necessity as to use the utmost means for its preservation and being no longer able to endure at so neer a distance those strong motions and workings of the Heart betakes it self from the vital parts to some remoter members of the Body gathers and settles there causing an inflammation of those parts hopes to derive the same from part to part through the whole body at last choosing to sacrifice all rather then to be corrected at all Hereupon the Heart of this Kingdome I mean the Parliament which had performed its own defence so well endeavours its office for the Body The Parliaments Arms defensive and being necessitated to meet with the distemper in the way it had put it self opposeth fire to fire force to force sword to sword hoping by this means as by the opening of a Vein to breath out the Distemper though with the losse of some Blood section 4 The quarrel between the King and Parliament stated The King with his unhappy Counsellours and Courtiers who had promised themselves to be petty Tyrants under him had driven on far and well neer accomplished the great designe of an Absolute Arbitrary and Tyrannicall Government The Popish and Prelatical party fall in for their Interest hopeing by this means to usher in the long-wished for Alteration of Religion within this and the neighbour-Kingdomes The troubles of Scotland and the Parliaments of both Kingdomes ensuing thereupon The Execution of Strafford and Prosecution of his Companions Partisans unexpectedly crosse and interrupt this grand designe The King offered the Scots foure Counties to be annexed to the Crown of Scotland viz. Northumberland Cumberland Westmerland and the Bp. of Durham to come up to London and serve him against the Parliament and moreover the ransacking of the City of London which was reckoned to them at a greater value then the 300000. l. the Parliament granted them Many wayes are attempted many practices are set on foot Every stone is turned the Armies of both Nations English and Scotish are tampered with to overthrow the proceedings and power of the Parliament And when all these wayes proved successelesse secret practices and bands are set on foot in Scotland a Rebellion is raised in Ireland and in the end the King attempts to seize the persons of some eminent Members of both Houses and by an example not to be paralleled in the story of any Age comes himself in person accompanied with a band of Ruffians to take five of the Members of Commons by force out of that House As divers Souldiers and other loose people flocked to Court so many well-affected Citizens and others testified their affection in a voluntary way to the Parliament the preservation of their persons and priviledges These called the other Cavaliers and they termed these Round-heads whence arose those two Names whereby in common talk the two parties in this War were by way of nick-name distinguished The Parliament upon the attempt of
was the rise and occasion of a most triumphant faith and joy in him expecting that GOD would do great things by small means and by the things that are not bring to nought things that are A happy time when the Lord of hosts shall make his Tabernacle in the hearts and countenances of our chief Commanders from thence to laugh his enemies to destruction and have them in derision to confusion Had not Major gen Skippon done gallantly he had not received such an early wound in his side and had he not had a Spring of Resolution he had not stayed in the field as he did till the battel was ended for being desired by his Excellencie to go off the field he answered He would not stirre so long as a man would stand That I mention not all those Officers and Souldiers particularly who behaved themselves so gallantly in this Action is to avoyd emulation and partiality I shall satisfie my self to adde concerning them and the whole businesse the words of the General and Lieutenant-General in their several Letters to the Speaker of the house of Commons with which I shall conclude * Lieut. Gen. Cromwels close of his Letter to the Speaker of the house of Commons Honest men served you faithfully in this action Sir they are trusty I beseech you in the name of God not to discourage them which they have not done blessed be God and I hope never will He proceeds and wisheth This action may beget thankfulnesse and humility in all that are concerned in it And concludes thus modestly himself He that ventures his life for the liberty of his Country I wish he trust GOD for the liberty of his Conscience and You for the Liberty he fights for c. The close of the Generals Letter to the Speaker All that I desire sayes the General is That the honour of this great never to be forgotten mercy may be given to GOD in an extraordinary day of Thanksgiving and that it may be improved to the good of his Church which shall be faithfully endeavoured by Sir Your most humble Servant Thomas Fairfax After the Battel was ended and the Horse gone in pursuit the Army marched 5 miles that night to Harborough the head-querter Most of the Prisoners that were taken in the fight were that night brought into Harborough church except those that were wounded and sent to Northampton Among other Writings taken in the Battel there was a Manuscript presented to the General written by one Sir Edward Walker Herald of Arms of the Kings great Victories in this War wherein there was one passage very observable That whereas he taking occasion to speak of the Irish cals them Rebels the King having perused the Book among the alterations he had made therein in divers places with his own hand in that place puts out Rebels and writes over the head Irish with his own hand so much care was there to correct and qualifie any Expression that might reflect on those blood-thirsty Rebels There was also brought to the head-quarter at wooden Image in the shape of a man and in such a form as they blasphemously called it the God of the Roundheads and this they carried in scorn and contempt of our Army in a publike manner a little before the Battel begun The next day Colonel Iohn Fiennes with his Regiment was sent up to London by the General with the Prisoners and Colours taken in the Fight His Regiment took 11. Colours in the Battel Who had a great share in the performance of that Day being placed with his Regiment in the Right wing of Horse carried himself gallantly and was very happy in his successe CHAP. VI. The Victory at Naseby improved by pursuing the Enemy who fled into Wales Leicester not long before taken by the Enemy summoned and after preparations for Storm surrendred upon Articles Some clamours of the Enemy for breach of Articles found to be unjust and the charge retorted on them Aâ— instance of the Enemies desperate Prophanenesse joyned with barbarous and inhumane Cruelty THe Enemy thus driven out of the field his Excellencie gave Orders for the Army Horse Foot and Train to march after them the next day which was Lords day without any more intermission the pursuing of the Victory being of parallel consequence with the getting it In obeying of which Orders the readinesse and chearfulnesse of the Souldiers was admirable and worthy our observation and remembrance That when in respect of their long and hard March for many dayes together before the Battel and the vehement and sharp battel they had fought they might well have pleaded for some time of refreshment yet no sooner was the Generals order given for marching but they repaired all to their Colours and that very next day after the battel marched to great Glyn the head-quarter four miles short of Leicester The Horse marched within a mile of Leicester that night and kept Guards which so alarm'd the Nobles and Gentry that had fled thither for security that they departed thence in much haste leaving the Lord Hastings to defend that place This day his Excellencie received intelligence that Sir Iohn Gell with about 2000 Horse was on his march towards the Army according to Orders formerly sent him as also that the King with one part of the Routed horse not judging himself safe in Leicester went thence that evening to Ashby-de-la-Zouch where he reposed himself some few houres but understanding that our Army advanced and that our Horse pursued the chase Mounted on horse-back in the night and fled to Liechfield and from thence into Wales without any considerable stay so great was the affright the other part of the Rout being the Northern horse under Sir Marmaduke Langdale fled the same night near Newark both passing so that it was the wonder of all men how they being in such a tired and distracted condition could escape Sir Iohn Gels horse who the same day were on their march from Nottingham towards Leicester This day furnished his Excellency with a full intelligence of the state both of our friends and our enemies affaires in the West by meanes of the contrivement of Scout-Master-generall the manner thus A Spie of his formerly imployed by him to Secretary Nicholas in Oxford was the day that the Army rose from before it sent to him again yet as one comming of his own accord to give him intelligence that the Army would that morning march away a thing they in Oxford knew well enough it being conceived that either the Secretary would send him or he might finde some opportunity to go into the West where Generall Goring then lay with his Army about Taunton and bring us the intelligence we desired accordingly it fell out Into the West he was sent first to Bath where the Prince of Wales then was to whom he brought the first news of the Parliaments Army rising from before Oxford from thence bearing the reward of ten pieces from the Prince
the losse of Leicester and the danger thereupon of the Kings breaking into the Associated Counties Lieutenant-General Cromwel was ordered by the Committee of both Kingdomes to march only with three Troops of horse to secure the Isle of Ely which commands he in greater tendernesse of the publique service then his own honour in such a time of extremity as that was disputed not but fulfilled And his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax was commanded to rise from before Oxford and to march to defend the Association accordingly Orders were immediately given for the Forces on the other side the river to march to Islip and Major-General Brown was desired to put a garison into Gaunt-house being a place that was conceived would much conduce to the straitning of Oxford which accordingly was done and the bridge lately made pulled up and the next day being Iune 5. the Army rose from before Oxford and marched that day to Marsh-Gibeon ten miles The General in his march turned out of the way to see the siege before Bostol-house where Major-General Skippon according to order had that morning made some attempt but the successe was not according to our desires the Moat being much deeper then we expected This night at the Head quarter intelligence came that the King was marching from Leicester towards Daventry with intention to raise the siege at Oxford as was conceived which was by order before done to his hand Friday Iune 6. the Army marched to great Brickhill twelve miles where the head-quarter was that night which was once intended to be at Stony-Stratford but that the intelligence which came that night to us of the Kings horse facing Northhampton that day rendred it not safe so to adventure whilest the greatest body of our Horse sent into Derbyshire were not as yet returned This night a great fire happened at the Generals quarters at Brickhil which was so sudden and violent for the time that a man and a boy and three or four horses were burnt in the Barn where the fire began before the Guard could get to preserve them It happened most remarkably in the house of one who expressed no good affection to this Army and denyed to furnish those conveniences for quarter affirming that he had them not which afterwards by occasion of the fire he was enforced to bring out The next day Iune 7. the Army marched to Sherrington a mile East of Newport-Pagnel to the end the Forces with Colonel Vermuden who upon the Scots retreat to Westmerland were recalled and upon their march back might more conveniently joyn but especially to be on that side the River the better to secure the Association in case the King who the day before had faced Northhampton and seemed to intend that way should attempt to break into it wherein it appeared they did not consult their safety and quarter on the back of a garison as without incurring any great censure they might have done but rather consulted their honour and the publick service Expresses were sent to Lieutenant-General Cromwel into the Association to inform him whereabout our Army was that in case the Association were in danger he might know how to joyn with us Lords day Iune 8. the Army resting in their quarters severall parties of horse were sent out as far as Tocester to gain intelligence of the motions of the Kings Army who brought in some prisoners of Sir Marmaduke Langdales Brigade from whom information was gathered that the Kings Army continued still about Daventry Whereupon the General called a Councel of War to consider of the best way to engage the Enemy Where taking into consideration of what use Lieutenant-General Cromwel would be to them in a time of so great action The General propounded to the Councel of War and it was by them unanimously consented unto that a Letter should be writ to the Parliament to desire that they would please for a time to dispence with L. Gen. Cromwels absence from the House and to give way he might command their Horse there being like to be very speedily an engagement Which Letter was sent by Colonel Hamond who went Post the same day to the Parliament and was instantly returned with an answer according as was desired to the great content of the General and the whole Army This day Colonel Vermuden who the day before was with his party of Horse returned and come near to the quarters of the army himself came to the General desiring in regard of some speciall occasions which he said he had to draw him beyond seas that he might have leave to lay down his Commission which was yielded unto and accordingly he received his discharge At this dayes debate Major-General Skippon was desired to draw the form of a battell and at the same time the Army was divided into severall Brigades of Horse and Foot in order to their being better disposed for an engagement The General though not depending upon multitudes yet serving Providence in the use of all good means sent one Post after another to Sir Iohn Gel Colonel Rossiter to the Governours of Coventry Warwick Northhampton and Nottingham To march with all speed with their Forces to the Army for that there was likely to be speedily an engagement with the Enemy In the mean the Army neglected no time but on Wednesday Iune 11 though a rainy day marched from Stony-Stratford to Wootton within three miles of Northampton where intelligence still confirmed the Kings continuance at Daventry quartering all his Foot and Carriages upon Burrough-hill a place of great advantage having formerly been an ancient fortification and making show as if he had chosen that place to fight upon in case we durst advance to him But afterwards it appeared that his stay there was only till a part of 1200 horse were returned which he had sent from his Army to Oxford as a convoy with the plundered cattel sheep of Leicestershire Northamptonshire c. the better to enable Oxford to endure a siege in case it should be attempted again in his absence himself being intent upon a march for the relief of Pomfract and Scarborough which he then apprehended to have smal difficulty in it understanding the removall of the Scotish army The Army being come to Wotton they found there none of the best accommodation for quarter only what was wanting that way was kindly and respectively endeavoured to be supplied by the Major and Magistrates of Northhampton who the same night came to the General at the head quarter upon the errand of a congratulatory visit and present The next day the Army marched to Gilsborough four miles on the west of Northampton and within five miles of Burrough-hill where the Enemy still continued Marching in very good order for that they did advance directly upon the place where the enemy had pitcht himself A commanded party of horse gave the Enemy an alarm and took some prisoners by whom they understood the King was a hunting the Souldiers in no order and
violence on their Members sitting in Parliament having for the present in an orderly way by the assistance of the Trained Bands of the City of London procured for the security of their Members that they might sit and consult safely in Parliament considering the many practices of force that had been attempted against Them and their Authority in order to the subversion of their Religion Lawes and Liberties Desire the King that the Militia might be in such hands as both Houses of Parliament should name and appoint Hereupon the King withdrawes himself refuses to settle the Militia according to the desire of his Parliament endeavours to seize upon Hull and the Magazine there but is prevented sends into the Low-Countries for Cannon Arms and Ammunition which after arrived and was landed not far from Hull Began the body of an Army under the name of a Guard for his person at York Protected by force Offenders from the Justice of Parliament sends forth Commissions of Aray in opposition to the Ordinance of the Militia established by the Parliament upon the Kings refusal to joyn therein sets up his Standard at Nottingham and declared open war against his Parliament Blood had already dy'de The King 's stain'd sword and God did well provide That there the mischief should begin and we First suffer wrong Let no man call our Arms Offensive wars but for received harms Our Countries just revenging ire Jam tetigit sanguis pollutos Caesaris enses Dii melius belli tulimus quod damna priores Caeperit inde nefas Nec dicier arma Senatus Bella superba decet Patriae sed vindicis iram Lucan Pharsal lib. 2. section 5 The Parliaments cause The Parliament on the other side Arm in their own defence and in defence of their Priviledges and Authority and therein of their Religion Lawes and Liberties and particularly to cause obedience to the Summons of Parliament and to bring Delinquents to Iustice and to maintain their Ordinance of the Militia and the Fundamentall right seated in them in the ordering the same for the preservation of Religion Iustice and the Lawes and Liberties of the Kingdome either with the Kings concurrence or without the same in case he either cannot or being seduced by evill Counsellours will not joyn with his Parliament therein No spoile seek these Arms nor self-soveraignty But t' help the Land ' gainst imminent slavery Nec praeda hisce Armis nec Regnum quaeritur ipsis Tantum afferre vires populo servire parato ferè Lucan section 6 A brief account of the former Armies Forces being raised on both sides Those of the Parliament were at first put entirely under the Command of the Earl of ESSEX but after they took severall forms and were divided into several bodies by Commissions granted unto divers persons as Major-Generals Each diversity and alteration taking its rise from an inacquiescency and dissatisfaction with the successe of the present which moved to turne every stone and try if by this or that means the desired End might be obtained Yet severall good services were performed by those Forces and very notable ones under the first and originall conduct of the Earl of Essex as besides Edge-hill and divers others that famous and never to be forgotten relief of Gloucester skirmishing the Enemy a good part of the way both going and comming and at last upon their return giving the Enemy battel in a pitcht field at Newbury whereof the story of these times where-ever they shal come will ring deservedly In the mention of this particular might I be secure from moving envy or detracting from others who might also deserve extremely well in the action I should at least glance at the singular and extraordinary service of Colonel Harvey with his Horse the gallant Foot of the City of London who stood so stoutly to it that day These being not within the line of my story and being recorded by other pens I must thus passe over As also all the considerable actions of the Earle of Manchester and Sir William Waller performed for this Kingdome by them and their deserving Officers and Souldiers The extent of their service amounting at least to so much as that thereby many a Gap was stopt the Kingdome saved from being totally over-run the successe of the Enemies affaires still brought to a reasonable composition the balance kept pretty even and sometimes we were sent before God with songs in our mouthes and occasion was afforded for greater hopes and more blessed expectations Their unhappinesse But whatever was the matter two Summers past over and we were not saved The Parliaments tendernesse of them our Victories so gallantly gotten and which was more pitty so graciously bestowed were put into a bag with holes what we wonne one time we lost another the Treasure was exhausted the Countries wasted A Summers victory proved but a Winters story the Game however set up at Winter was to be new played again the next Spring and mens hearts failed them with the observation of these things The cause hereof the Parliament was tender of ravelling into only men could not be hindred from venting their opinions privately and their feares which were various and variously expressed whereof I determine nothing but this I would only say Gods time to deliver England was not yet come And this was apparent That the Forces being under severall great Commanders want of good correspondency among the Chieftains oftentimes hindred the Publick service section 7 The Parliament conscientiously advising the Remedy The Parliament in prudence waving a strict enquiry into the Cause of these things applyed themselves to seek out the Remedy which was most necessary This Army was conceived and brought forth by a New-Model And there being not only no other comparable but scare any other meanes at all that presented it self to them This New-Model was propunded The danger of this device a designe that carried danger enough in the front of it both in respect of disobliging those at home and giving advantage to the Enemy abroad while we were without an Army or at least whilest our Army was all to peeces But if it were here seasonable to open the grounds thereof it would appear to have been no lesse necessary then hazardous And as desperate cures require desperate remedies so do they often prove very successful as this hath done beyond all expectation God having in most fair and great characters written upon it That it was His Designe and thereby owned both the Counsel and the Counsellours This experience applied to the Parliament And now let all men especially the Parliament of England trust GOD hereafter and venture upon whatsoever is just and necessary by this experience It being as much beyond the belief of man as any thing can be that such an Enterprise as this should be effected so quietly amongst our selves and without any affront from our enemies The New-Model thus resolved on
Countrey-men wherein Quarter was offered to the whole Town Whereupon the Committee called together all the Commanders and read the Summons unto them and upon debate it was resolved to take the next morning to give an Answer But the Trumpeter was no sooner arrived at the Kings army with this desire but the a Drum was presently dispatched to demand a resolution of the Summons within a quarter of an houre which while they were debating at a Common-hall before any could expresse themselves the Kings cannon from the Battery played and all were commanded to repair to their charge which was done with much courage and resolution And now both sides plyed each other with Cannon and Musquet shot as fast as they could charge and discharge and so continued all day and all night at which time the Enemy prepared to storm at six or seven places At the Newark breach was the fiercest assault the Enemy there comming to push of pike amongst the rest Colonel St. George in a bravery came up to the cannon and was by it shattered into small pieces and with him many more for after the manner of the Turks the Horse forced on the Foot to fight who being played upon by the Musquetires were many of them slaughtered About three of the clock on Saturday was the Town entred the Enemy put many to the sword at their first entrance and dealt also extreme cruelly with the Town plundering all they had and putting many to great ransomes when they had taken away all their monies and gâ—ods There was buried of the Enemy in Leicester 709. as hath been collected by the burials there besides those that have died of hurts since there was above 100. of the Town souldiers slain section 8 The sad posture of our affairs at that time when Leicester was lâ—st discourst upon Vpon the losse of Leicester many discourses were raised each one venting his discontent according as passion byassed his affections Great was the discouragement of the Parliaments friends and as great was the confidence of the Enemy in so much that soon after viz June 8. the King himself in his Letter to the Queen used this expression I may without being too much sanguine affirme That since this Rebellion my affairs were never in so hopefull away But what 's the matrer Was there no Balme in Gilead Was there no Physitian there Had England no Army then Nay had they not two armies to the Enemies one had they not an army of our Brethren the Scots that had Wintred then in the Kingdom consisting of 21000. Had they not a New Model newly raised How fell we then into this low condition I shall endeavour to give a brief account of that business in its relation to this army As it often fals out that the Sun at its first rising is clouded with some smal Mist which after it hath once broken through ensueth a most fair and glorious day So this new army at its first going out seemed to be a little darkned by the sitting down and after rising from before Oxford the Kings increasing his forces and strength in the field and the losse of Leicester And these Vapours gathered into such a Cloud as that they did not a little obscure the first motions of that Army at least the Counsels and Counsellours whereby it was conducted and not so only but portended to its enemies a joyfull to its friends and favourers a sad prognostick of a sore storm ready to poure down upon them which they could not have avoyded but that through the mercifull disposition of the all-seeing GOD privy to the integrity of good mens hearts and actions the victorious Beams of this Rising Sun brake forth so gloriously at Naseby field ithath run its course ever since with such a constant lustre and brightnesse not so much as one Cloud passing over it that it hath dazeled the eyes of all the beholders and turned the scorn of its enemies into bitter envie and their choler into deep and inveterate hatred But how and from whence this Mist arose in the morning of this new Army I now come to shew month June 1645 His Excellencie with the greater part of his Army being recalled and returned out of the West the question then was Whether he should pursue the first designe of besieging Oxford or whether he should follow the King who seemed to bend Northwards On the one side it was considered that the Parliament had in their pay a great Army in the North of 21000 horse and foot of our brethren of Scotland That there were considerable Forces in Lancashire and Cheshire under Sir Will. Brereton which held Chester straitly besieged That in Staffordshire Derbyshire Yorkshire Nottinghamshire Lincolnshire there were also very considerable Forces which might joyn with the Scotish army if there were need and were commanded so to do in case the King marched Northwards besides the party of 2500 Horse and Dragoons under Col. Vermuden which were appointed to joyn with the Scotish army because they seemed only to want a due proportion of horse to engage with the Kings army and upon the appointment of them to that service the Commissioners of Scotland wrote to his Excellency the Earl of Leven to advance and the Committee of both Kingdomes ordered Col. Vermuden with his party to march into Derbyshire to joyn with them which accordingly he did and came to the rendezvouz at the time appointed This provision was held sufficient and more then sufficient in case the King should move Northward not only to check him in any enterprise upon the Towns of the Parliament or relief of Chester Pomfract or Scarborough which were then besieged but also to fight with him to the best advantage if need so required On the other side in case the King should have moved Southward or Westward his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax lying before Oxford was in the most convenient Post to fight with him and to hinder his designes whereby it may appear to him that considers it that our Forces were so disposed by providence at this time that the King had a sufficient Army both before and behinde him to fight with him and as great if not greater then those that after beat and wholly overthrew his Army at Naseby So that a designe could hardly have been laid to greater advantage yet it took not effect for that the Army designed to attend the Kings motions did not advance according to order but instead of marching Southward returned back into Westmerland Sir William Brereton fearing the approach of the Kings Army and seeing no Army ready at hand to balance it raised the siege of Westchester whereupon the King seeing the work done to his hand marched to Leicester and took it also there being no Army to check or controll him CHAP. V. The Army commanded to rise from before Oxford Their severall Marches till the Battel at Naseby with all the particulars thereof fully related VPon the sad news of
horse fifty barrels of Powder and other Ammunition in a good proportion The poor Inhabitants were overjoyed at their deliverance though in a sad Condition being so plundered by the Enemy at first taking the towne that many had nothing left but the bare walls who before had their shops and houses well furnished the Mayors house only escaped at that time which now suffered for it There is one peice of eminent wickednesse fit to be transmitted to the notice of the world not only for its relation to this story but to rectifie their consciences who have been led with too good an opinion of the Enemy and it is attested by persons of good credit and quality It is concerning Colonell Thomas a Welch-man a Papist who was slaine at the battail of Naseby There were two brothers of them the other was a Lieutenant Colonell taken prisoner in the battail the former was conceived to be the man by the discription of some of the inhabitants of Leicester who have under their hands given this information That the next day after the King had taken Leicester by storme this Colonell Thomas came to the Gaole where the prisoners they had taken at the entring the Town were put and called for the prisoners and commanded such as were willing to serve the King to come to one side of the room divers of them comming accordingly he commands them one by one to kneel down and swear by Iesus I le serve the King which some of them accordingly did He not satisfied therewith required them to swear God-dammee I le serve the King affirming publiquely he was not fit to serve the King that refused that Oath which they refusing he drew his Sword cut them in the Head in the Head in the Arms and other parts of the Body wounding them in a most cruell manner some of the Town of Leicester amongst others were the persons on whom this cruelty was exercised and remain still to this day maimed by these wounds Wednesday Iune 18. The Treasure being come down the Army was mustered and the Town was setled in some order and an Expresse sent up unto the Parliament with the Conditions upon which Leicester was surrendred Intelligence came this day that the King was gone towards Hereford it was taken into consideration to send horse after him but the thoughts of the West occasioned the deferring the debate thereof for the present Thursday Iune 19. Complaint being made to his Excellency by some of the Kings party that they had been pillaged by our souldiers his Excellency declared whosoever should be found guilty thereof they should suffer the extremity of that punishment that belonged to the violators and betrayers of the justice and honour of the Army and therefore willed they might be informed against to the Judge Advocate of the Army But upon examination of divers witnesses his Excellency saw cause to charge the breach of Articles on the Lord Loughborough and the injuries he complained of to his own failour and therefore to demand reparation of Him and the carriage on the enemies part appearing so foule in many particulars which were here too tedious to mention the General thought fit to detain the Hostages offering notwithstanding an examination of the businesse by Commissioners and engaging himself to make good whatsoever could be demanded of him in Justice and Honour as he should expect the like from them But they loath to trust to the issue answered not the meeting of our Commissioners his Excellency therefore for a time detained the Hostages till afterwards upon noble considerations the indempnity of his own and the Armies honour being sufficiently cautioned he was pleased to release them ANGLIA REDIVIVA OR ENGLAND'S RECOVERY PART II. CHAP. I. His Excellency with the Army marching Westward to relieve Taunton the second time taking in Hiworth Garrison by the way Curbing the Clubmen the retaking of Ilchester and the brave Fight at Langport NO sooner had the Army done the work that God had for them thereabouts but they marched towards Warwick solicitous in nothing so much as which way they might best advance the publique service and although being very doubtfull whether it were better to follow the King and hinder his recruiting and raising a new Army in Wales or go down to the West to relieve the other part of our Army who had deserved no other at our hands and stood in great need of it who should they by any unhappy blow be ruined as they were certainly in great straits the enemy being in common report twelve thousand and Major Generall Massey who was sent to their relief hardly three thousand whereby it was thought that Goring might both keep off him and keep up our men about Taunton it would have been of sad consequence to the whole Kingdom for then would the enemy have possessed the whole West except the Garrisons of Lime Poole and Weymouth intire to themselves The consequence of which in respect of the Trade and Riches of those counties the considerable Towns and Ports of both sides both towards France and Ireland seemed with a great deal of reason to perswade our present march thither and being desirous in a businesse of that importance not to determine themselves they had sent to the Parliament and Cōmittee of both Kingdoms to have their resolution upon it declaring their willingness to be swayed by their advice and counsell Yet that they might not lose any time they marched on to Marlborough with a disposition either to go over Severn at Gloucester towards the King in Herefordshire or to move Westward as they should be ordered where they receiving notice from the Committee of both Kingdoms that Letters were sent to the Scotch Army to march towards Worcester and that they had their consent and the Houses also to march Westward the Army bent their course that way having yet so tender a consideration of Gloucestershire that they sent Colonel Butlers Regiment of horse to lie before Barkley-Castle to keep in Sir Charles Lucas an active enemy and good souldier whilest the Gloucestershire Troops might look to the security of that part of their Country beyond Severn This Regiment was sent under quarter Master Generall Fincher a stout man and a good souldier and one that knew the Country well Colonel Butler and his Major Major Horton being then under cure of their wounds received at Naseby In five dayes march viz. by Thursday Iune 26. the Army reached as far as Lechlade where some of the enemies Garrisons were gathering Contribution Our forlorn hope fell upon them shot Lieutenant Colonel Nott took four prisoners of Radcot Garrison and rescued some Country people whom they were carrying away prisoners Hiworth taken Friday Iune 27. The Army marched to Wanburrow and in the way made an halt and drew up before Hiworth garrison being a Church fortified by a Line and Bulwarks summoned the place Major Hen the Governour refused to yield they planted their Ordnance men were designed to
Petitions were to desire a renewed treaty with a Cessation as also that the Garrisons of Dorset and Wiltshire be put into their hands till the King and Parliament agree about their disposall that they be free from all charge but the maintenance of those garrisons that all laws not repealed be in force and executed by the ordinary Officers that all men who desire it may lay downe Armes that others that have absented themselves from their dwellings may have free liberty to returne and live at home After speech had with them and some consultation what to do in the business It pleased the Generall to returne his answer in writing to this purpose Although the Paper brought to me being not subscribed cannot challenge any answer yet to clear my self from any aversnesse to the satisfaction of the Country who are pretended to be interested in these Petitions I return this That my affections and the affections of this Army are as much inclined to peace as any mens whatsoever and we undertake the War for no other end but the establishing of a firm and happy peace by opposing the enemies thereof and that I shall be ready so far as concerns me to further all lawfull and fit means to procure it But having seen the Petitions upon which a Let-passe is desired I must professe my self not so well satisfied with some things contained in them as to concur to their delivering by any act of mine In particular in that a Cessation is desired whilest by Letters written by the King and Queen taken at the late battail of Naseby it evidently appears that contracts are already made for the bringing in ten thousand French and six thousand Irish It is further desired that the Garrisons in these parts whereof three are Sea-Ports should be delivered up to the Petitioners which to grant were for the Parliament to acquit part of the trust reposed in them by the Kingdom and considering these forraign preparations to run very great hazzard to those Ports themselves and to the whole Kingdom Thirdly it is propounded that liberty be given to all souldiers to disband and to return to their home if they desire it which may with equal Justice be desired by all parts of the Kingdome and so the Parliament made unable to mannage the War before peace setled These considerations with some other yet to be debated will not allow me to grant the desire of the Letter But as for that part of the Petition which declares the grievances of the Country by plunder and violence committed either by Garrisons or Armies I do hereby promise and undertake for the Garrisons and Armies under the command of the Parliament that whatsoever disorders are committed by them upon complaint making known the offences and persons justice shall be done and satisfaction given As also I shall endeavour that the Parliaments Garrisons may be regulated according to any reasonable agreement with the Country and without doubt the Parliament will cause them to be slighted so soon as the condition of those parts and the publike good shall permit And that the Army under my command shall be ordered as may be most for the good and advantage of these Counties and of the whole Kingdom of which some reasonable testimony is already given in their quiet and orderly passage through these and other Counties without many of those complaints which usually follow Armies I further desire that in the publishing this my answer to your request all assembling the people to publike Rendezvoâ—z may be forborn and that Copies hereof may be dispersed to the severall Parishes that the Country may be acquainted therewith THO FAIRFAX If this would not satisfie these men their own Clubs would in time have beaten reason into them But to leave them and proceed with my Story The Army marched that day from Dorchester to Beauminster the Train and most of the Foot quartered on the top of an hill some few in Beauminster town a place of the pittifullest spectacle that man can behold hardly an house left not consumed with fire the town being fired by some of the enemy in five places at once when Prince Maurice was there by reason of a falling out between the French and Cornish Intelligence was positive that night that Goring had quite drawn off the siege from Taunton and was come to Ilmister and as that night his quarter would be Summerton Whereupon his Excellency sent a party of horse to Crookhorn who took some of his souldiers prisoners and brought them away to the Generall at Beauminster who confessed no lesse then what we had heard that the siege was raised and that Goring was marched towards Langport Thus is Taunton the second time relieved and our party there delivered from an eminent danger which they feared if we had not come thus seasonably to them being greatly distressed both for Ammunition and Victuals In maintaining the place this siege we lost Colonel Floyd and Colonel Richbell both of them faithfull experienced souldiers and some officers more In exchange of whom the Enemy lost many Officers and persons of quality one of them of more note viz. Sir Iohn Digby brother to Sir Kenelm Digby received there his Mortall wound of which he afterwards dyed But the Enemy flying what was the Army to do but follow And so they did on the morrow a very hot reason the foot weary with their long and tedious march the carriage-horses tyred out the way ill and narrow being all inclosure they marched that day but to Crookhorn some six miles but here Intelligence came that made them pull up their stumps as weary as they were after that the Army was come into Crookhorn they heard that our horse sent under the command of Colonel Fleetwood had fallen on their Reare taken some Prisoners and the great bodies were like to engage whereupon three Regiments more were commanded to march up and assist them if there should be cause two Regiments of foot also being ordered for that service notwithstanding their weary march leapt for joy that they were like to be engaged and according to orders marched from Crookhorne after they had rested an houre to Pederton that night the Enemy having pulled down Pederton Bridge and made breast-works on the other side upon our first approach with the partie under Colonell Fleetwood deserted the pass We instantly made up the Bridge and marched over it till we came nere Ilchester and another party to Load-bridge where the Enemy kept the pass with a strong guard the Generall and Leiutenant-Generall mounted instantly and rode from Crookhorne after the forces to order them if an engagement but the enemy standing upon the advantage of the pass avoided it the Generall having appointed strong guards at Pederton and Martock returned back to Crookhorn where some of the Commanders of Taunton met the Generall and mutuall congratulations passed betwixt them and the Army by occasion of this timely relief of Taunton the second time The valour
what we had to do with that Being required to lay down his Arms he said he would first lose his life but was not so good as his word for though he cockt and presented his Musquet he was prevented disarmed and wounded but not killed Then we marched up the hill which had been an old Romane-work deeply trenched The Lieutenant-generall sent before a Lieutenant with a party of horse to require an account of their meeting he was answered with half a dozen shot and could get no other answer thereupon one Mr. Lee who upon our approach came from them was sent in requiring them to submit to the power and protection of the Parliament and lay down their Arms they refused to leave their Arms and gave us a shot as we were drawing up the Lieutenant Generall unwilling to bloodshed sent Mr. Lee again to tell them that if they would not lay down their Arms he would fall upon them they refused this third message also through the instigation of Mr. Branell Minister of Compton who told them they must stand to it now rather then lose their Arms and that he would Pistoll them that gave back Thereupon Order was given to the Generals Troop to fall on who did so and received a repulse and some losse through the disadvantage of the place for the Club-men shot from the bank of the old Work and kept the passage with Musquets and other weapons which was no broader then for three horse to march a brest upon this attempt we lost a man or two had eight or nine wounded six or seven horses killed upon this Major Desborough with the Generals Regiment went round about a ledge of the hill and made a hard shift to climbe up and enter on their rear which they no sooner discerned but after a short dispute they ran and the passage formerly assaulted was opened and all the Club-men dispersed and disarmed some slaine many wounded the rest slid and tumbled downe that great steep hill to the hazard of their necks there were brought away 400. of them to Shrawton of which neere 200. were wounded in this skirmish Capt. Paltison was sore hurt on our side of which afterwards he dyed and about twelve more we found among them about 16. of our men whom they had disarmed and taken prisoners and threatened to hang some of them but the Tables were then turned we quartered that night at Shrawton and kept the Club-men in the church and with them four Vicars and Curats which were taken with them upon the Hill whereof Mr. Talbot of Milton was one and Lawford of Auckford the worst another There was taken about 12 Colours the Motto of one of them was thus If you offer to plunder or take our cattel Be assured we will bid you battel In others of them they had sentences of Scripture profanely applied by their Malignant Priests who were the principal stirrers up of the people to these tumultuous assemblies The next day Aug. 5. we took their names and examinations who were their Leaders and what the grounds of their meeting were which they freely discovered and confessed that Mr. Bravel the Minister of Compton sent out the Warrants and the intent was as appeares by a Warrant from Mr. Rogers of Langton gallantly to demand their Countrymen or to take so many prisoners as should release them as the Warrant ran And that they had laid down their arms and submitted had it not been for Bravel and White and Lawford and that they sent to Wiltshire to come and joyne with them whose journey is now stopt After the examination the Lieutenant-Gen spake to them giving them liberty to defend themselves against plunderings only forbidding any such meetings which they protested against and freely consented that if any of them whose names were in the paper were taken again opposing the Parliament or in any such assembly they deserved to be hanged whereupon they were dismissed to their very good satisfaction and confessed they saw themselves misled by their leaders who by a pretence to save their goods indangered both their goods and lives and so ours parted with them hoping never to meet them again upon such terms but their leaders were extreamly partiall on the Kings side notwithstanding their pretended indifferencies as appeared in Bravels activity since he was at Court with their Petition their calling men Roundheads that refused to joyn with them thratening no less then loss of goods and danger of life to them that would not come in to them This work though unhappy was very necessarie for that the Army could send neither messengers nor parties before whereas this done a man might ride very quietly between Sherborne and Salisbury The influence the King had upon them was very palpable and notorious and that they acted his very designe Commissions were found under the Princes owne hand for raising Regiments of Club-men which commissions were sent up to the Parliament and that this designe was to have been set on foot in other parts yea in the Associated counties and all the parts of the Kingdom to raise a third party as that that the King did much rely upon if other aid did faile there is but too much reason to beleive and that Letters of the Club-men were found among Sir Lewis Dives his papers declaring their intention to serve the King is no temerity to affirme and such was the sense of the danger the kingdome and the Parliaments cause was in by this third party had it gone on as it was beginning that to repeat it is sufficient I need not inlarge upon it to provoke thankfulnesse to God for the seasonable laying of this spirit which never afterwards appear'd On Tuesday at night August 5. The Lieutenant-Generall with the party returned to Sherborne where they found the Generall and the rest of the Army very busie at the siege a storme was intended but upon second thoughts diverted the Army seeing recruits come so far below expectation both in time and number it behoved them to take more then ordinary care of their men though after all their tedious marches and desperate services to that time the Army was not much abated that day a commanded party crept underneath the stone wall close by Sherborne Castle and gained the hay-stack within a stones cast of their Works Wednesday August 6. The Enemy making a new work to plant Ordnance to beat our men from the hay-stack we beat them off that work and dismounted their Canon but had four Captaines wounded and one slaine all things were in a preparation to storme this day the souldiers had every one his faggot prepared another Summons was sent unto the Castle to surrender the same but a deniall was returned whereupon a councell of War was called and it was resolved that since an whole Canon was upon the way from Portsmouth and that from Mendeep hils we might have excellent Miners that therefore we should proceed in approaches Batteries for the reducing
these gallant Men of whose valour so much mention is made Their humble suit to you and all that have an interest in this blessing is That in the remembrance of Gods praises they may be forgotten It is their joy that they are Instruments of Gods glory and their Countries good It is their honour that God vouchsafes to use them Sir they that have been imployed in this service know that Faith and Prayer obtained this City for you I do not say ours only but of the people of God with you and all England over who have wrastled with God for a blessing in this very thing Our desires are that God may be glorified by the same spirit of faith by which we ask all our sufficiencie and have received it It is meet that He have all the praise Presbyterians Independents all have here the same spirit of faith and prayer the same presence and answer they agree here have no names of difference pitty it is it should be otherwise any where All that believe have the reall Vnity which is most glorious because inward and spirituall in the body and to the head For being united in Forms commonly called Vniformity every Christian will for peace sake study and do as far as Conscience will permit And for Brethren in things of the mind we look for no compulsion but that of Light and Reason in other things God hath put the sword in the Parliaments hands for the terror of evil doâ—rs and the praise of them that do well If any plead exemption from it he knowes not the Gospel If any would wring it out of your hands or steal it from you under what pretence soever I hope they shall do it without effect That God will maintain it in your hands and direct you in the use thereof is the prayer of Your humble Servant Oliver Cromwel Bristol Sept. 14. 1645. This night the General removed from his quarter at the Farm-house where he had been all the time of the siege extreamly ill accommodated by reason of the littlenes of the house which yet he contented himself withall in regard it lay so conveniently upon any Alarm But this night He and the Lieutenant-General removed and went to Bristol which they found so unlike what it had been formerly in its flourishing condition that it looked now more like a Prison then a City and the people more like Prisoners then Citizens being brought so low with Taxations so poor in Habit and so dejected in countenance the Streets so noysome and the Houses so nasty as that they were unfit to receive Friends or Free-men till they were cleansed Besides the publique mercy to the Kingdome in the Recovery of Bristol The Vindication of Colonel NATHANIEL FIENNES once Governour thereof seems to have been also particularly designed by Providence The General with the Lieutenant-General sitting upon Priors-hill-Fort after the Storm and most of the chief Officers of the Army upon a view of the place comparing the present strength of it with what it was when he delivered it and other circumstances freely expressed themselves as men abundantly satisfied concerning the hard misfortune that befell that Noble Gentleman And indeed whosoever shall compare both the Defences together according to this ensuing Paralel must needs confesse That if Prince Rupert deserved to be acquitted as he was by the King and a Councel of war at Newark the former Defence deserves to be commended For Prince Rupert in this latter had the advantage of the former 1. In the Line which was so much stronger then the former by the addition of a Fort-Royall many other Works 2. In the numbers of Men for defence which were a Prince Rupert had between 4 and 5000 horse and foot Col. Fiennes but 1700. of all sorts more then double 1200 of them Horse which nuÌ„ber of horse was a thing of great consideration in so large a line 3. In a place of great strength for b Viz. the Fort-Royal which though it be twice reckoned in this Paralel yet it is in a different respect viz. here as a place of retreat but above as it did flanker the Line and so strengthen it much Retreat And lastly which is as considerable as any thing in a probability of Relief the c This appeareth in Pr. Ruperts Apologie and that the designe of his Relief was laid very probably to have succeeded King having promised it and being resolved to have performed it in his own person with all the force he could have drawn together Yet he in the defence slew not 200. in all of our Men Embraced a Parley so soone as ever the Town was entred and concluded the Surrender upon no better Articles than the former Governour had On the other hand Col. Fiennes in the former tho he had a d Prince Rupert in his printed Declaration and Apologie alleadgeth That the Line he had to defend being about 4 miles in compaise was generally but 3 foot thick and 5 foot high the Graft commonly but 6 foot broad where it was widest but 7. But 4 footdeep wher it was deâ—pest but 5. And that in the opinion of all his Colonels Officers it was not tenable upon a brisk and vigorous assault Line full as large lesse strong tenable and in that part where the enemy entred his Works not finished nor half so many to defend theÌ„ tho the Royal fort was not then built nor any thing but a weak rotten Castle to retreat unto which by the judgment of the e The Officers exprest themselves so Officers of this army could not hold out 48 houres against a strong Battery much less till Relief could reach it whereof there was no likelihood nay the f Col. Fieâ—nes sending to the Earl of Essex for relief his Excellency wrote to the Lord â—ay That the Army was not in case to relieve him nor He thought ever would Governor having sent severall times received no answer but by intelligence which he had he understood He could expect no relief Yet to the utmost improving the means he had 1. He slew 1200. of the Enemy among whom divers prime Officers Commanders 2. Disputed the Suburbs a long while after the Line was entred 3. Entertained no Parley till all endeavours that could be used by promise of money or otherwise were not able to get 120 men together And at length purchased as good Conditions as the latter and in some g As may appear by comparing the Articles together substantiall points better However all wise men would have saved me this pains The sense of the Honourable House of Commons immediately upon the reduction of Bristol calling Col. Fiennes to his former state of Honour and imployment being beyond all that can be said Yet these Considerations are not in vain for that they serve as well to the commendation of the goodnesse of God in the assisting and bearing forth this Army through this undertaking Which by
could not get to Crediton till-Tuesday December 9. on which day the Horse and Dragoons gave them possession of the town which within two or three dayes after became the more usefull to us by the Generals going thither to order a designe in hand against Pouldrum House by water and land which being on Friday December 12. was immediately put in execucion only one day intervening which brought intelligence of the taking of Latham-house in Lancashire with eight pieces of Ordnance six murthering pieces five hundred Arms and proportionable Ammunition As also of the Kings Propositions to the Parliament for peace and of his Letter at the same time to Prince Rupert against peace section 9 A design upon Pouldrum-house The design against Pouldrum-house was this and thus carryed Lords-day December 14. nine of the clock at night Captain Deane the Comptroller of the Ordnance was commanded over Ex with 200 foot and dragoons to possesse Pouldrum-Castle but the enemy had some few houres before got 150 men into it unto those that were there before which our men not discovering before they had landed would not return without attempting something the Church at Pouldrum being not far distant from the Castle they resolved to possesse and make the best of it and accordingly did so and the next morning they got provisions from Nutwell-house unto them into the Church and began to fortifie the same the enemy at Excester much startled hereat fearing the Castle would be lost as well as the River blockt up by the fortifying of this Church Our party in Pouldrum-Church acquitting themselves gallantly sent therefore on Monday the fifteenth a party of five hundred foot who joyning with two hundred from the Castle assaulted our men about seven at night threw in many hand granadoes amongst them and so continued storming till ten but were beaten off with much losse leaving their dead on the place and carrying with them many wounded as appeared by the Snow that was much stained with their blood as they retreated section 10 In this service Captain Farmer Captain of Dragoones commanded our men who as they were beyond expectation happy in their successe not one man being lost in the storme so they were resolved to continue in their duty About this time was Hereford surprized and taken by a most gallant stratagem and notwithstanding the extremity of the cold by reason of the great frost and snow and want of all meanes to resist or qualifie the same in the church having no firing there they would not quit the same till they received orders so to doe which hard service hard in every respect although they were not immediately discharged of yet the next day Sir Hardresse Waller marched from Crediton with a strong party to Exminster to alarm the Enemy that he might not make a second attempt upon them till they had fortified the place or were recalled which action of Sir Hardresse Waller took that effect as was desired the Enemy being so amazed that they durst not march out that day as they had purposed to attempt the church again lest our men should get between them and home and God having blessed the meanes to their preservation hitherto The Generals noble care to bring them off The Generall considering further the bitter coldness of the weather and the hardness of the duty they would necessarily be put unto if they should make good the church sent orders to them to draw off which that they might do with the more safety two Regiments were appointed to draw downe and alarm the Enemy on that side Excester while they made good their retreat over the River by meanes whereof on Wednesday December 17. The Comptroller and Captain Farmer brought off the men very safe with their armes and ammunition the Enemy making no sally out of the Castle upon them though otherwise they had a faire opportunity to have fallen on them And these souldiers thus happily delivered and thus honorably come off were rewarded with proportions out of the prize taken by Captain Farmer below Apsham at the Generals command section 11 More force sent to Sir Hardresse Waller to Crediton But the Enemy drawing more force to Okehampton two Regiments more were sent to Crediton December 18. to assist those that were placed there before Col. Okey annoying the enemy at the Lord Chichesters house the same day Col. Okey with a party of Dragoones fell upon the Enemy at the Lord Chichesters house took a Captaine 12. prisoners 19. horses and returned back to his new formed garrison at Fulford House without the losse of a man section 12 Mr. Davis his house at Canon-teene garrisoned for the Parliam .. Also information being given that the house of one Mr. Davis at Cannon-Teen being within four miles of Excester stood convenient for a garrison and might beare an usefull proportion towards the blocking up of Excester and hindering of provision from the Southams some more of Col. Okeys Dragoones were ordered thither to possesse the same who accordingly went and fulfilled their orders December 21. and were no longer in the house Assaulted by the enemy but Munday December 22. in the morning the Enemy sent a force against it who stormed the house burnt the out-houses The Enemy repelled yet Captaine Woggan who commanded the Dragoones behaved himselfe so gallantly that he beat the Enemy off killed four desperately wounded a Lieutenant-Colonel and took divers prisoners section 13 Severall Intelligence of the Enemies preparations to releive Excester Tuesday Dec. 32. His Excellency had intelligence of the Enemies intention to march with their Army to relieve Excester and of their preparation of provisions to that end Decemb. 25. or thereabouts his Excellency had animadversion from the Committee of both Kingdoms of incursions made by the Kings horse from Oxford into the adjacent parts doing much mischiefe thereby whereupon the Regiment of Colonel Rainsborough then before Corfe-Castle was commanded to march from thence to Abingdon and Col. Fleetwood with the Generals his owne and Col. Whaleys Regiments and six troopes of Dragoones was sent also to lye about Islip to attend the motion of the Kings horse and guard the Associated counties as also in relation to the straightening of Oxford Fryday December 26. The Generall had advertisement from Plymouth of the Enemies actuating their intentions advancing in a great body towards the releife of Excester as they conceived which Intelligence was also confirmed by several of our Spies The Army resolved to be in readinesse to receive the Enemy whereupon a Councel of war was called wherein it was adjudged expedient to be in a fighting posture to receive them if they advanced and accordingly such resolution was taken up to which they saw the more cause to adhere by another Spie which came to them the next day with tidings to the same effect particularizing moreover that the Prince was to be in person in the head of the
prisoners were set at liberty and had two shillings a man to carry them home That the Cornish might see we had forgot former injuries and respected them as much as any other County Commissioners were appointed to dispose of the Prize-goods taken in the Town towards the reparation of the Well-affected of the Town that suffered at the Storm who had the greatest part of the Goods distributed amongst them And now the General having reaped so great and happy an advantage by his digression from the siege of Excester though he left sufficient Force also to block it up The next day without any more delay returned to Totnes Issued out Warrants to four Hundreds to appeare there on Saturday at nine of the clock in order to the service of the Kingdome and particularly for the good of those Parts ANGLIA REDIVIVA OR ENGLAND'S RECOVERY PART IV. CHAP. I. The Army returning to the Siege at Excester Pouldram Castle surrendred A French Vessell struck into Dartmouth wherein Letters of consequence from the Queen How far the reducing of Excester was endeavoured before a second diversion HIS Excellency and the conduct of this Army in all their motion attending Providence having answered the call of God in rising from Excester and meeting the Enemy wherein they found that great assistance and successe that hath been related now discerning no further advantage offering it selfe against the Field-Enemy at present his Excellency with the advice of his Officers resolves with all speed possible to return with the Army to the Siege of Excester and to improve the advantage of that further reputation their late successes had given them in vigorous endeavours against that place and in the meane time till the other Forces could follow some Regiments martched toward Excester a Summons was sent to S. Edmund Fortescue Governor of Charls-fort at Salcomb from whence a refusal of surrender was returned consultation was had about Barnstable section 1 Saturday Jan. 24. The Country according to appointment of his Excellency appeared at Totnes in number about 3000. out of whom upon consultation with the Committees a Regiment was to be raised of such as were willing under Colonel Fowell which done the General martched to the Lady Reynolds her house whence on the Lords day after forenoons Sermon his Excellency martched to Chidley endeavouring first to take a view of Pouldram before which place Col. Hammond was set downe with some force Pouldram Castle surrendred But night comming on whilest he had yet two miles thither he was forced to returne to Chidley whithout viewing the Castle which ere the next day was happily put out of a capacity of being viewed by him but in a new Relation for about twelve at night the newes came to him of the surrender thereof and therein five Barrels of Powder Match and Bullet proportionable and four pieces of Ordnance section 2 A French Vessell by a good Providence strucke into Dartmouth upon a mistake Monday 26. Tidings were brought the General of a French Vessel that came from France with a Packet from the Queen which was struck into Dartmouth presuming it to have still been in the hands of the Kings Forces and indeed little likelihood was there that it should be in any other especially so sodainly and at a time of yeer so unseasonable for action or storm but that God encouraged the Army to undertake it and his strong Arm prospered them in their attempt The Packet of Letters which were of no small consequence strongly recovered The Vessel being thus delivered by immediate Providence into our hands the Packet of Letters was yet more strangely preserved and recovered out of the Sea wherinto it was thrown when they knew their mistake according to the Queens directions but God provided a Wave to bring it to the Boat that was sent out to seek it and so it was brought unto his Excellency wherein was found Letters from the Queen Lord Goring Lord Jermin Davenant and others intercepted Some of the Contents were these The speciall and most observable Contents of the Letters The Queen by her Letters in answer to some former Letters she had received touching the King's intentions of transporting the Prince to Denmark utterly dislikes it and neither approves of Holland or Flanders adviseth the bringing of him into France And as touching his Marriage with the Duke of Orleance his Daughter which seemed to be an objection against it Shee replyed That they knew she was engaged elswhere and what if he should marry her the Dutchesse of Orleance so far exceeding them in Riches and potent Alliances might be of great assistance to the King But desires That he may be disposed of any whither rather then to come into the hands of the Rebels touching the Scots affairse she had this expression That she had sent William Murray fully instructed with her mind about it The Lord Goring in his Letter to the Lord Wentworth and Sir John Berkley gave them assurance That now the Negotiation with France was happily concluded by the industry of the Lord Jermin In his Letter to Sir Hugh Pollard the Governour of Dartmouth he doth assure him That by the first of March he should have five well appointed Men of Warre of the second rank the least bearing above thirty pieces of Ordnance to be solely under his command so that he might grow rich upon the spoile of the Rebels or else put them to the charge of keeping an whole Navy before him The Lord Widdrington not so well satisfied with the preparations of France used this expression in one of his Letters That he gave all hopes for lost for ever returning to his owne Country again except the businesse of the Scots took effect section 3 A Summons sent into Excester But as to the Siege of Excester our Forces being drawn neer unto this side of the City a Sūmons was prepared wherein honorable conditions were offered them which Summons was sent in the next day being January 17. The Enemies Answer Whereunto on the morrow an Answer was returned very faire to this purpose That in honour they could not surrender upon the termes offered while they were in no worse condition and had such probable hopes of reliefe from the Prince His Excellencies Reply Thursday 29. A Reply was returned the conditions re-inforced and further urged by undertaking in the behalfe of the Parliament and General that what they promised in the Summons should be made good and this is as farre as they proceeded at this time being a second time diverted by other action section 4 The grounds of this second diversion from the Siege of Excester for newes came this day to the Army that the Enemies Horse from Oxford were come neer Corfe Castle and the Lord Gorings Forces were advanced up neer Barnstable portending a designe to joyne together to prevent which the General went from Chidley to Tiverton to give order about that point sent Colonel
Generals desire to give the Parliament an account of the state of the West of England which God had now so happily reduced to their obedience Sunday the 26. The General rested at Andover where he received the newes that Woodstock was surrendred upon Treaty unto Colonel Rainsborow who had gallantly attempted it by storme some few dayes before wherein he received some losse Monday the 27. The General martched to Newbery where the next day he received Intelligence of the Kings being escaped out of Oxford in a disguised manner with his Lock cut off or tyed up at lest his Beard shaved and in the habit of a Serving-man In a distressed time 'T is safe for Kings like poorest men to seem Therfore how much livs he that 's truly poor Safer then Kings Positisque insignibus Aulae Egreditur famuli raptos indutus amictus In dubiis tutum est inopem simulare Tyrāno Quāto igitur mūdi dominis securius aevum Verus pauper agit Luc. Pharsal lib. 8. with a Cloke-bag behind him waiting upon Master John Ashburnham great doubting and questioning there was Whither his Majesty was gone but within few dayes after it was resolved by certaine intelligence that he was received into the Scots Army being first entertained at the Quarters of the French Agent who not long before had been in Oxford It is much to the honour of his Excellencies Army to be mentioned and to the honour of those Officers in particular to whom being then about Woodstock private Overtures were made by some from Court pretending the Kings privity and consent thereto for receiving his Majesty who was minded to cast himselfe upon them but to their great honour be it knowne and published such was their tendernesse and faithfulnesse in that point that conceiving it derogatory to the honour and power of the Parliament for his Majesty to wave that highest Court and addresse himselfe to any others in such a nature therfore inconsistent with their trust and duty being the Servants of the State to owne or entertain any such thing they certified the Parliament thereof and understanding this to be their sense also they absolutely refused to be tampered with concerning that matter The King on the other hand was as little to be wrought upon to addresse himself to his Parliament the issue wherof was that precipitate resolution and disposall of himself as is related before And now O England take up a Lamentation over your King that to all his Errors he should contract such obstinacy and irreconcilable prejudice against his Parliament and that he should be so farre mistaken as while he seeks to avoyd the surmized prejudice and dishonour of referring himselfe to his Parliament to run himselfe on a reall dishonour in seeking a shadow under their Servants Unhappy greatnesse that Priviledges Kings from hearing of their faults plainly as meaner men and splits them on the shelfe of self-willed obstinacy rather then it wil suffer thē to amēd or acknowledge them But t is not my work to Cōment but to relate onely to set a character on the integrity of this Army I have said thus much it may be thought too much nicenesse and scrupulosity in them to refuse such a proffer but whosoever shall consider what is hinted before must approve of their doing if others had done the like they had done but their duty Thursday the 30. His Excellency martched to East-Hondred this day the Duke of Lenox Earle of Lindsay and others came from Oxford to Woodstock and rendred themselves to our Forces there also Sir William Vaughan Sir George Strowd Sir Phillip Mountaine Sir John Cansfield and divers others came in to Commissary-general Ireton with about three hundred Horse after the King had given them the slip much about the same time CHAP. VII The Siege of Oxford the Particulars of the Treaty and surrender thereof with the influence of the fate of Oxford upon the remaining Garrisons OXFORD the King 's royall Garrison the place of the King 's ordinary residence and retreat hath like a Parenthesis included all the Action of this Army between the two Sieges of it being first in intentition and attempt though last in execution and reduction month May 1646 May the 1. Being that day twelve-moneth that this Army first martched into the Field the General with his Army came before Oxford wherein was Prince Rupert Prince Maurice and a great part of the Nobility and Gentry of England with intention to sit downe before it and lay Siege to it The Army was drawne to a Randezvouz between Abington and Garsington the head Quarter was that night at Garsington At the Randezvouz Major-general Skippon who ever since the Battle at Naseby had laine under the cure of his wounds and had suffered divers incisions by reason of a piece of Armour which was lodged in the wound being now by the blessing of God well recovered came to the Army and was received with much joy and many acclamations of the Souldiers May the 2. There was a generall Randezvouz of the Army Horse and Foot upon Burlington-Green and thence the Forces were distributed to severall Quarters to at Heddington Marston and the Townes thereabouts The third of May The General with the Officers of the Army took a survey of Oxford which they found to have received many materiall alterations and additions of advantage since their last being before it though it was alwayes justly accounted a place of great strength yet now it was made incomparably more strong then ever which is very easie to be beleeved if you doe but consider It had been from the beginning of the Warres the King's head Quarter and Garrison his chiefe place of residence and retreat where his Counsel and most of the Nobility that had left the Parliament attended him its place being almost in the Center of the Kingdome gave it no small advantage for the sending out of Parties upon any designe Besides that it was surrounded about with many small Garrisons of the Kings as Radcoat Farrington Wallingford Sherborn-house Borstal which were as so many out-works unto it the scituation of it in reference to the ground it stood upon rendred it very apt for defence being placed betwixt the two Rivers Isis and Charwel upon the west side of it ran severall Branches of the River Isis some of which running close by the Towne wals was a great defence to it upon the East side ran the River Charwel which by making Locks at Clements Bridge they had caused to overflow the Medowes so that round the City to the extent of three parts of it all except the north side that was somewhat higher ground was surrounded with water and absolutely unapproachable To this the Line about the City newly finished they found to be very high having many strong Bulworks so regularly flanking one another that nothing could be more exactly done round about the Line both upon the Bulworks and the Curtin was strongly set with storm-poles
the 26 of July to the Prince his Highnesse to certifie him of their condition unable to hold out many dayes without Reliefe Captaine Batten kept ten large Boats and Barges well manned before the mouth of the Harbour every night within command of the castle drawing them off in the morning One morning when he was newly drawne off a Shallop got in by stealth which caused great triumph in the Castle but 't was conceived and Colonel Fortescue was so informed by good hands that little Reliefe was in it save a Hogs-head or two of Wine Some Overtures were made to the Enemy within to goe for Flanders an Agent from the King of Spaine came for that purpose desiting to speak with some of the Souldiers in the Castle while some of ours should be by which being granted he made an Overture to some Papist Officers of entertainment in the King of Spaine's service in Flanders they desired to be satisfied of the Agents authority and to see the conditions which being readily condiscended unto and performed on the Agents part they answered him That at present they were engaged but should they be once free next to their present Master they would serve his Majesty of Spaine This curtesie was taken well from Colonel Fortescue by the Enemy and the Agent and certainly any thing belonging meerly to civility without involving danger in its consequence was never denied by him The Enemy in the Castle kept fires all night for direction to any Reliefe that should make towards them They were very prodigall of their powder making two hundred great shot in the space of three dayes at our men but without any great execution only three of our men being slaine thereby The Work of keeping them in so straitly from Reliefe was very great and was not performed without very hard duty to our Souldiers the Enemy within being so numerous which therefore redounds as much to the honour of the Besiegers and Captaine Batten with his Ships by Sea was no lesse carefull and vigilant though indeed he wanted Shallops and Pinaces for the service Some dayes after the forementioned Shallop there came in another to the Castle but it was conceived not much more Reliefe in that then in the former and that because the Governour sent about the same time a Letter to Colonel Fortescue to know if he had power to treat with him and whether he could make good the conditions he should grant alleaging that otherwise it would be a dishonour to him to treat and the agreement to be contradicted by any other Colonel Fortescue returned answer He had power to treat and to make good the agreement Whereupon the Governour took two dayes time to conâ—ider and in issue embraced a Treaty Commissioners were named on both parts The time appointed for the Treaty to begin was Monday August 10. when accordingly the Commissioners on both sides met the Enemy making his demands ours offering their propositions which held them till Wednesday noon when their Commissioners brake off and went away in great discontent at the tearmes that were offered them but on Friday 14. the winds were laid and the the Treaty by Colonel Fortescue's art came on againe and by Saturday night the 15. all was concluded save the time of surrender which was agreed the next day and the Articles signed which were as followeth Articles agreed on the 16. of August Anno Dom. 1646. between Sir Ahraham Shipman Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Arundel Colonel William Slaughter Colonel Charles Jennings Colonel Lewis Tremaine Nevil Bligh and Joseph June Esquire Lieutenant-colonel Anthony Brocket on the behalse of the Honourable John Arundel of Treacise Esquire Governour of the Castle of Pendennis of the one Party And Colonel John Sâ— Aâ—bin Esquire high Sheriffe of the county of Cornwal Sir John Ayscue Knight Colonel Robert Bennet Lieutenant colonel Edward Herle Lieutenant-colonel Thomas Fitch Leiutenant colonel Richard Townsend Major Thomas Jennings and Capt. Walter Mainard on the behalfe of the honourable Colonel Richard Fortescue Commander in cheif under his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax of all the Forces of Horse and Foot within the County of Cornwall and the honourable Captaine William Batton Vice Admirall and Commander in cheife of the whole Fleet imployed for the Service of King and Parliment on the other party THat the Castle of Pendennis with al Fortresses Forts Fortifications therunto belonging the Ship and all other Vessels lying under the Castle with the Furniture and Provisions unto them appertaining All Ordnance of all sorts with their equipage and all Arms Ammunition Provisions and all other Implements of War Necessaries and Commodities of and belonging to the said Castle and Garison except what otherwise shall be disposed by these Articles shall without any manner of diminution spoile or imbezlement be delivered upon Munday the seventeenth day of this instant August at two of the clock in the afternoon into the hands and custody of the two Commanders in chiefe by Sea and Land respectively or such person or persons as shall be by them appointed for the receiving of the same And that immediately upon signing the said Articles the said persons shall be admitted into the Castle to see the just performance of the Premises and Hostages given for the due observance of them II. That John Arundel of Trecise Esquire Governour of the said Castle of Pendennis with his Family and Retinue and all Officers and Souldiers of Horse and Foot and all the Traine of Artillery and of the Ships as well Reformado'd Officers as others And all Gentlemen Clergy-men and their Familyes and Servants shall martch out of the Castle of Pendennis with their Horses compleat Armes and other Equipages according to their present or past commands and qualities with flying Colours Trumpets sounding Drums beating Matches lighted at both ends Bullets in their mouthes and every Soudier twelve charges of Powder with Bullets and Match proportionable with all their owne proper Goods Bag and Baggage with a safe convoy unto Arwinch Downes And because His Majesty hath neither Army nor Garison in England to our knowledge they shall there lay downe Armes saving their Swords unlesse such who are Officers inCommission who with their servants are to retain their arms according to their qualities CountryGentlemen and their Servants their Swords only Ensignes their Colours where such Persons as Colonel Fortescue shall appoint are to receive them And as many as desire it are to have Let-Passes from the Commanders in chiefe to passe to their severall Dwellings or to such other places under the power of the Parliament or beyond the Seas as they shal desire and not be plundered searched or injured in their March or after they not doing any thing to the prejudice of the Parliments Affaires and no man to be prejudiced for giving any of the persons comprized in the said Articles entertainment in their houses And that the old garison Souldiers who have houses in the Castle shall have 28. dayes after the surrender