did not expect to finde us on that side Sherborne and when he met our Horse he took them to be the Kings not offering to sound his trumpet as he ought to have done that night there was a strong party of Horse and one Regiment of Foot disposed at Hanham within three miles of Bristol on Gloucestershire side by whom the Enemy was alarm'd Vpon this approach of ours the Enemy fired Benminster on Somersetshire side and burnt it down to the ground as also divers houses on Gloucestershire side It was but the day before when Prince Rupert was sending out a party to relieve Barkley-castle which was much straitned by the Gloucester forces but the approach of our Horse under Commissary Ireton diverted that designe Thursday 21. in the morning to encourage us in our engagements we received intelligence of the surrender of Nunny castle to Colonel Rainsborough upon condition to have liberty to go to their own houses By reason of the Train coming in so late the Army rested that day at Chue save that another party of Horse and Foot advanced towards Benminster upon intelligence that the Prince intended to break through with his Horse and joyn with Goring with which party the General and Lieutenant-general went viewed the Town and appointed guards and quarters on the West side the River and quartered himself at Kenisome that night where divers Lords sent for Passes to come out of the City and go beyond sea but upon good reason were denyed it being a received opinion that persons of quality and great estate in a besieged town rather encline to a timely yielding then hazardous defending thereof when no relief is at hand Friday the 22. there was a general rendezyouz of Horse and all that day was spent in setting of guards on Somersetshire side where the Countreymen maintained a passage at Clifton the Head-quarter that night being removed to Hanham Saturday 23. the General and Lieutenant-General imployed the whole day in the setling of quarters and guards on the other side of Bristol This day the Enemies Canon played from the great Fort and Pryors Fort but hurt none but one Dragoon who had his thigh shot off The Enemy sallied out also with a party of Horse but were beaten in again where Sir Richard Crane was mortally wounded who presently after dyed of his wounds The Head-quarter this night was removed to Stapleton Lords day Aug. 24. the Enemy about noon sallied out again at the Sally-port near Prior-hill Fort in a full career and were upon our Dragoons on the sudden yet by our Horse comming on were beaten back again as also their Foot were by the Foot of Colonel Rainsboroughs Brigade made to retreat in disorder and worse then they came forth by the losse of a Major and some others Monday 25. Warrants were issued out by the General to Sir Iohn Horner High Sheriffe of the County of Somerset to raise the power of the County which was much promoted by the interest and endeavours of Mr. Ash and Mr. Moore two worthy Members of the House of Commons This day the army had intelligence that Goring then about Collumpton in Devon did seem to draw to a Rendezvouz as if he intended a march to interrupt our siege But Major-Gen Massies Brigade of Horse were quartered not far from Taunton in such an advantagious posture that the Enemy could not move but he might flank them and interrupt their motion whilest our Horse might draw off to meet them in case they should attempt the forementioned designe Tuesday 26. four in the morning the Enemy made a third sally on Somersetshire side on a post of Colonel Weldens Brigade at Bedminster and through the negligence of the Officer that had then the command there they took 10. and killed as many towards a recompence of which affront the same day Captain Molleneux a very valiant man Captain Lieutenant to Colonel Butler and with him another stout souldier perceiving three gallant Cavaliers under their Works whom afterwards they found to be Sir Bernard Ashley Colonel Daniel and a third man rode up to them askt them who they were for they swore God dam them for the King and shot at ours whereupon our men discharged their Pistols at them wounded them and after some bickering took Sir Bernard Ashley who dyed within few dayes of his wounds But Colonel Daniel though dangerously wounded escaped from them Wednesday 27. the Enemy drew out the fourth time about the close of the evening with intention to fall on our guards which ours perceiving they understanding that they were privie to their intention they drew back to their Works All this night the General and Lieutenant-General were abroad upon the field to be in readinesse if any alarm should happen Thursday 28. Rupert sent out those foot of ours which were taken prisoners on Somersetshire side being in number ten with a Trumpet propounding also an exchange for Sir Bernard Ashley but the exchange was not hearkned to This day we had intelligence of the Kings plundring of Huntingdon and the cruel usage of the people by his forces in those parts having unhappily escaped the Scotch and Northern horse out of Nottinghamshire Mean while as an earnest of the whole the Fort at Portshead point that had bin four dayes besieged by Lieutenant Colonel Kempson of Colonel Weldens Regiment with a party of Foot was with six pieces of Ordnance this day surrendred unto him who managed that businesse with much judgement and resolution by the taking whereof the passage into King-road with our ships was made open Friday 29. A Fast was kept through the Army to seek God for a blessing upon the designes against Bristol Mr. Del and Mr. Peters kept the day at the Head quarter The Enemy endeavoured to interrupt us by a sally about noon time upon our quarters near Lawfords-gate where he took three or four souldiers After the publick exercises a Counsel of War was called and it being agreed in the first place to punish the vices of the Army it was propounded whether to storm Bristol or not the debate was long opinions various however it was agreed that all things should be prepared in order to a storm and afterwards to take into further consideration whether to storm or to intrench the Leaguer In the midst of these thoughts and resolutions tydings were brought the Army of the defeat given by Montrosse to our Brethren the Scots and that he was marched to Edenbrough in pursuit thereof and that the King was now advanced to Bedford unfollowed and was expected speedily to raise the siege at Bristol and this day towards evening the intelligence was confirmed by Letters from the Committee of both Kingdomes of the Kings speedy march towards Oxford and probably to these parts At the same time his Excellency had intelligence that Goring in the West advanced his quarters nearer Chard and as it was verily thought intended a conjunction with the King And now was the Army in a
that when the affairs of this Kingdom will possibly dispence with us the Parliament allowing and you accepting of our assistance We shall be most willing if need so require to help and serve you faithfully in your own Kingdom and to engage our selves to suppresse the Enemy there and to establish you again in peace In the mean time we shall endeavour to help you by our prayers and to wrestle with God for one blessing of God upō both Nations between whom besides many other strong relations and engagements We hope the Vnity of Spirit shall be the surest Bond of Peace And this whatever suggestions or jealousies may have been to the contrary we desire you would believe as you shall ever really find to proceed from integrity of heart a sense of your sufferings and a full purpose to answer any call of God to your assistance as become Your Christian friends and servants in the Lord Thomas Fairfax Oliver Cromwel Thomas Hamond Henry Ireton Edward Montague Richard Fortescue Richard Inglesby Iohn Pickering Hardresse Waller William Herbert Robert Hamond Iames Gray Thomas Pride Robert Pye Thomas Rainsborough Thomas Sheffield Charles Fleetwood Ralph Welden Iohn Raymond Leon Wattson Arthur Evelin Richard Dean Thomas Iackson Iohn Desborough Christopher Bethel The report concerning the storm being made unto the Counsell of War and fully agreed unto the Canon baskets were ordered to be filled Seamen and boats sent for Thursday September 4. The weather that had been so extream wet before that many Souldiers and Horses dyed thereby with extream hard duty in that wet season began to alter to the great reviving of the drooping souldier Our great guns played this day from off the new battery against Pryors for t Summons was also prepared to be sent to Prince Rupert and being agreed unto was sent in accordingly which runs in these words For his Highnesse Prince Rupert Sir for the service of the Parliament I have brought their Army before the City of Bristol and do summon you in their names to render it with all the Forts belonging to the same into my hands for their use Having used this plain language as the business requires I wish it may be as effectuall unto you as it is satisfactory to my self that I do a little expostulate with you about the surrender of the same which I confesse is a way not common and which I should not have used but in respect to such a person and to such a place I take into consideration your royal birth and relation to the Crown of England your honour courage the vertues of your person and the strength of that place which you may think your self bound and able to maintain Sir the Crown of England is and will be where it ought to be we fight to maintain it there But the King misled by evill Counsellours or through a seduced heart hath left his Parliament under God the best assurance of his Crown and Family the maintaining of this Schisme is the ground of this unhappy war on your part and what sad effects it hath produced in the three Kingdomes is visible to all men To maintain the rights of the Crown and Kingdom joyntly a principal part whereof is that the King in supream acts is not to be advised by men of whom the Law takes no notice but by his Parliament the great Counsel of the Kingdom in whom as much as man is capable of he hears all his people as it were at once advising him and in which multitude of Councellours lyes his safety and his peoples interest and to see him right in this hath been the constant and faithfull endeavour of the Parliament and to bring these wicked instruments to justice that have misled him is a principal ground of our fighting Sir if God makes this clear to you as he hath to us I doubt not but he will give you a heart to deliver this place notwithstanding all the other considerations of honour courage fidelity c. because of their constancy and use in the present business depends upon the right or wrongfulness of this that hath been said And if upon such condition you shall surrender it and save the losse of blood or hazard the spoiling of such a City it would be an occasion glorious in it self and joyful to us for restoring of you to the endeared affection to the Parliament and people of England the truest friend to your Family it hath in this World But if this be hid from your eyes and through your wilfulness this so great so famous and ancient a City and so full of people be by your putting us to force the same exposed to ruine and the extremities of war which we yet shall in that case as much as possible endeavour to prevent then I appeal to the righteous God to be judge between you and us and to require the wrong And let all England judge whether the burning of its Towns ruining its Cities and destroying its people be a good requital from a person of your Family which hath had the prayers tears purses and blood of its Parliament and people And if you look on either as now divided hath ever had that same party both in Parliaments and amongst the People most zealous for their assistance and restitution which you now oppose and seek to destroy and whose constant grief hath been their desires to serve your Family have been ever hindred or made fruitless by that same party about his Majesty whose counsel you act and whose interest you pursue in this unnaturall war I expect your speedy answer to this Summons with the return of the Bearer this evening and remain Your Highness humble Servant Thomas Fairfax This day about 2000 well affected countreymen who with many more upon treaty with the Lieutenant-General at the beginning of the siege had engaged their assistance to make good the same marched with some 36 Colours in the face of Bristol had quarters assigned them and kept guards Two pieces of Ordnance also were sent unto them for their encouragement it not a little grieving the Enemy within to see the forwardness of the countrey to come to our assistance for which reason and to lay an effectual caution against their revolt it was held fit to make use of those force◠from the countrey rather then for any considerable service could be expected from them The Trumpeter that went in with the Summons was detained all night during which space no sally was made by the Enemy nor no alarm given by us Only the Sea-men and their boats comming up the river to St. Vincents Rock was all the motion this day produced Neither upon Friday September 5. was there any sallying out but all was quiet on both sides and the Trumpeter returned from Prince Rupert with an answer to the Generals Summons in these words Sir I received yours by your Trumpeter I desire to know whether you will give me leave to send a Messenger to the
of the Governour and Garrison of Oxford made their demands which his Excellency sent up to the Parliament by Colonel Rich and Scoutmaster-General Watson two of the Commissioners for the Treaty on his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax part putting off the Treaty till the pleasure of the Parliament were knowne concerning them The heads of some of the principall of them were these Viz. 1. To have liberty to send to the King to know his Majesties pleasure Whether they shall surrender or not 2. That Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice have protection to remaine in any part of this Kingdome to have no Oath â—…posed on them to be at liberty to do as shall seem good unto them at any time hereafter 3. The Governour and all Officers and Souldiers to martch out in as full equipage as any since these Wars with six Guns ten barrels of Powder and to have thirty days time to know the King's pleasure how he will dispose of them 4. The Privy Seale and Great Seale to goe to the King And such as these The House of Commons upon reading of them conceived them so high that they thought not fit so much as to debate them but referd it to the General in what way he thonght fit to prosecute the reducing of that place May 24. or within a day sooner or later was Radcoat house surrendred after it had endured great extremity by our Granadoes one whereof falling on the top of a Tower made fearfull work tearing it into a thousand pieces and sending it severall wayes and at last falling into the Cellar let out all their Beere There were an hundred men in it who were to goe to their severall homes leaving their Armes behind them His Excellency upon the forementioned returne ftom the Parliament prepared Propositions to offer to the Garrison and sent them into Oxford on Saturday May 30. Whereupon at the desire of the Enemy the Treaty which upon their flying so high in their demands had been discontinued if not broken off was renewed againe they being willing to treat upon his Excellencies Propositions submitting therein as themselves said to the â—ate of the Kingdome rather then any way distrusting their owne strength or the Garrisons tenablenesse month June 1646 During this Treaty a Captaine of the Garrison of Oxford was taken in a Fishermans habit carrying Letters to the King from Sir Thomas Glemham and Secretary Nicholas relating the condition of the Garrison and how long probably they could hold out A few dayes before the Treaty ended when the Enemy peceived it was like to succeed they played with their Canon day and night into our Leaguers and Quarters discharging sometimes neer two hundred 〈◊〉 in a day at randome as was conceived rather to spend their Powder then to doe any great execution though they shewed good skill in that they levelled their pieces so as they shot into the Leaguer on Heddington-hill and on that side Lieutenant-Colonel Cotsworth was slaine with a great shot and likewise into the Leaguer on Colonel Rainsboroughe's side where they killed with their shot a Sutler and others in their Tents Our Canon in recompence playd fiercely upon the enemy and much annoyed them in their Works and Colledges till at last a cessation of great shot was agreed to on both sides Upon Saturday June 20. The Treaty for the surrender of Oxford was finished between the Commissioners and concluded upon the ensuing Articles The same morning that the Treaty for Oxford was concluded Farrington Garrison sent also to capitulate the Governour thereof Sir George Lisle being then in Oxford and to be briefe surrendred upon condition to have the benefit of Oxford Articles and so they were included in the same Agreement Articles of Agreement concluded and agreed June 20. by the right honourable Sir Richard Lane Knight Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England Francis Lord Cottington Lord high Treasurer of England William Marquesse of Hertford Edward Earl of Dorset Lord Chamberlain of his Majesties honorable Houshold Thomas Earl of Southampton Francis Earl of Chichester Francis Lord Seymor Sir Edward Nicholas Knight one of his Majesties principall Secretaries of State all of them being of his Majesties most honorable Privy Councel and Sir Thomas Glenham Knight and Governour of Oxford on the one party And his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight General of the Forces raised for the Parliament on the other party for and concerning the rendring of the Garrison of Oxford as followeth THat the Garrison of Oxford with the Castle Forts Mounts and places of Defence whatsoever With all the Ordnance Arms Ammunition and Provisions of War with all Magazines and Stores thereunto belonging exceping what is allowed in the ensuing Articles shall be delivered to the General Sir Thomas Fairfax or whom he shall appoint without wilfull spoyl or embezlement upon Wednesday the 24. of this instant June 1646. at Ten of the Clock in the Morning or thereabouts II. That his Highnesse the Duke of Yorke shall have an honorable Convoy to London where other of his Majesties Children are attended by his Officers and Servants and sitting accommodation for the removall of His Houshold and goods thither And shall have an Honorable provision besitting his Dignity appointed for Him by the Parliament and to remaine there untill His Majesties pleasure be knowne touching His setling there or elswhere and then to be disposed accordingly to any place within fourscore miles of London and shal have such Officers and Servants to continue about him as the Parliament shall approve III. That their Highnesses Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice shall have liberty and Passes for themselves with their Servants Horses Armes and Goods the number of their Horses for them and their Traine not exceeding seventy to repaire to any place within fifty miles of London so it be not within twenty miles of London without leave from the Parliament nor in any Garrison and there to abide for the space of six moneths after the Rendring free from any molestation by imposition of Oaths or otherwise and shall have Passes to goe beyond the Seas at any time within the said six moneths with their said Servants Horses Armes and Goods they engaging themselves upon their Honours not to use the liberty hereby granted in the meane time to any Hostility against the Parliament of England sitting at Westminster or any way wilfully to the prejudice of their Affaires And they are to have the benefit of such the ensuing Articles as may concerne them IV. That the Seales called the Great Seale Privy Seale Signet and the Seales of the Kings Bench Exchequer Court of Wards Dutchy Admiralty and Prerogative as also the Sword of State shall at such time and in the presence of two such persons as the General Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint be lockt up in a chest and left in the publick Library and if any of the aforenamed particulars shall not be then accordingly produced the default thereof shall not be charged upon any
is gone in hand withall and now where to find a General puts them all to a stand Providence strangly designing the General Till by a strange providence without any premeditation or designe Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX was nominated The motion took was Voted and carried presently And to be brief the old Commissions being laid down and those that were waved in this New-Model being dismist from the imployment the Command of the rest to be recruited to Twenty one thousand is devolved to Sir Thomas Fairfax Of whom and whose successe since he served the Parliament as General of their Forces is this story instituted which I cannot better begin then with a brief account or description of him CHAP. II. Wherein a brief Character of the General and Lieutenant-General The framing of the New-Model The beginning of their Action at Islip-bridge Blechington-house Bampton-bush c. And the effect these things had on His Majesty at Oxford SIr THOMAS FAIRFAX eldest Son of the Lord FAIRFAX of Denton in the County of York Martially disposed from his youth Not finding action suitable to him in his own Country for through the great goodnesse and long suffering of God England hath been a quiet habitation these 80 years And there being imployment in Holland he went over thither to enable himself in military experience And upon his return into England he matched into a most Noble and Martial family taking to Wife one of the Daughters of that ever Renowned General the Lord VERE And thus the Reader may take notice how not only his Extraction Disposition and Education bespake him for a Souldier but his Contract also portended nothing lesse Albeit so far was he from congratulating such a condition of his Country when he saw it like to need the exercise of his faculty that he most sincerely offered the first attempts of his resolved Minde at the Altar of Peace When at the King 's first endeavours to raise a Guard for his own person at York apprehended then by those parts and found quickly after to be the beginning of an Army He was entrusted by his Country to preferre a Petition to His Majesty the scope whereof was to beseech him to hearken to his Parliament and not to take that course of raising Forces he was then engaging in which Petition the King refusing he prest with that instance and intention following the King so close therewith in the field called Heyworth Moor in the presence of 80. if not 100000. people of the County the like appearance was hardly ever seen in Yorkshire so close I say til at last he tendred the same upon the pomel of his saddle But finding no Propitiatory here and seeing a War could not be avoided he early paid the vowes of his Martial dedication And so soon as these unhappy troubles brake forth took a Commission under his Father Ferdinando L. Fairfax whose timely appearance and gallant performances for his country in the North deserves a story by it self And served the Parliament in lower Commands then what Providence since hath adjudged his capacity and merit unto making him now General of the Parliaments forces to which trust and honour he was preferred upon no other grounds than the observation of his Valour and all answerable abilities for the same testified in many notable services done by him in the North whilest he was yet in a lower sphere And now how delightfully remarkable is it as a most apt cadency of providence if God shall make him who was by the King rejected in his milde endeavours to prevent the troubles of the Land by a Petition then which he sought nothing more a most powerfull Instrument of restoring Peace thereunto by the sword month April 1645 section 2 The General personally assisting the framing of the New-Model Sir Thomas Fairfax having with much modesty accepted this command immediately applyes himself to the discharge of it it was the first of April ere his Commission was granted and the third of April he went from London to Windsor to see and personally to assist in the frameing of a new Army He went in a private manner purposely avoiding that pomp which usually accompanies a General into the field His Excellency continued at Windsor from the third to the last of April in that work The difficulty of the worke The difficulty whereof to say nothing of the danger through the discontents of them that were reduced under new Commanders and of those that went off the imployment which rendred it a business requiring much wisdome and tenderness as well as resolution might well accompt for this time if it had bin a longer space considering that besides the fitting the Train for the field and the attendance of the Recruits from London which with the old that continued were to make up the designed number an entire new forme was to be introduced into the whole Army the Forces that remained of the old Army being not only to be recruited but to be reduced into new Companies and Regiments as if they had been new raised section 3 A digression in due commendation of Major Gen. Skippon for his free and faithfull assistance therein In the mention of this particular the great paines care and diligence of that valiant and discreet Commander Major-General Skippon whose prudent carriage added much life and expedition to the busines is not to be omitted of whose singular and extraordinary service therein the House of Commons taking notice by Letters that were sent to them Ordered and sent a Letter returning him the hearty thanks of the House for this and all his former faithfull services Whilest the Army lay about Windsor thus forming and fitting for the field Prince Rupert with the Kings main force for the midland lay about Worcester and the frontiers of Wales preparing from thence to take the field but the Kings person with most part of the Train and some of their Foot intended for the field being then in Oxford A Convoy of horse reputed about 2000. was ordered from Worcester to fetch them off from Oxford upon advertisement whereof the Committee of both Kingdomes wrote to the General to send some horse to march beyond Oxford and lie on the further side thereof towards Worcester to intercept that Convoy and keep the King and his train from passing out The charge of this service they recommended particularly to Lieutenant-General Cromwel who looking on himself now as discharged of military imployment by the new Ordinance which was to take effect within few dayes and to have no longer opportunity to serve his countrey in that way was the night before come to Windsor from his service in the West to kisse the Generals hand and to take his leave of him when in the morning ere he was come forth his chamber those Commands then which he thought of nothing lesse in all the world came to him from the Committee of both Kingdoms The General then immediately commanded a party of Horse and
Dragoons then upon the field to be mustered and recruited as of the New-Model to march under his Command into Oxfordshire forthwith not staying at all either for Pay or Recruits And here also being the first mention of this worthy Commander I must crave leave to digresse a little to present the world with some more particular notion of him whose name they will so often meet with throughout this story and whose actions wil best represent him as in other stories so in the sequel of this section 5 A digression upon occasion of the first mention of Lieut. Gen. Cromwell This Gentleman a Member of the House of Commons long famous for godlinesse and zeale to his countrey of great note for his service in the House accepted of a Commission at the very beginning of this War wherein he served his Country faithfully and it was observed GOD was with him and he began to be renowned insomuch that men found that the narrow room whereunto his first imployments had confin'd their thoughts must be enlarged to an expectation of greater things and higher imployments whereunto divine providence had designed him for the good of this Kingdom When the time therefore drew near that He as the rest had done should lay down his Commission upon a new Ordinance The House considering how God had blessed their affairs under his hand thought fit to dispence with his absence from the House And therefore as they were in the first place happy in a General they resolved in the next place to make themselves and their General further happy in a Lieutenant-Generall section 6 Lieut. Gen. Cromwel in action at Islip-bridge To return therefore from whence I digrest Lieutenant-General Cromwel having received the fore-specified commands from the General marched immediately found the Enemy and engaged them neer Islip-bridge the Enemies Brigade consisted of the Queen's Colonel Wilmot's the Earl of Northampton's and Colonel Palmer's Regiments of horse routed them slew many took about 500 horse 200 prisoners whereof many Officers and Gentlemen of quality and as an ill Omen of her Majesties designes against this Army the Queens Standard section 7 Improving his successe there to the reduceing of Blechingdon house The Lieutenant-General not resting satisfied with this victory pursued the enemy lodged most of the remains of the rout in Blechingdon-house where Colonel Windebank kept garison for the King he faced the house with Horse and Dragoons summoned the Governour with a sharp Message our Souldiers casting out words for the Foot to fall on as if there had been Foot in readines the answer was required to be instantly given or else he must expect the greatest severity that the souldiers could use towards him The Governour having no intelligence of or else doubting relief from Oxford rendred the house with all the arms and ammunition therein Thus God was with out New-Model or rather a branch of it and declared himself so to be betimes The King himself confesseth in his letter to H. Iermyn April 30. 1645. that this blow did much change the face of his affairs Which was by the Enemy esteemed of such evil consequence to their affairs and so great an affront in regard it was done by the New-Nodel as they scornfully termed this Army that they could not tell which way to redeem their honours but by calling the Governour to a Councel of war whom for delivering the house they condemned to be shot to death Much means was used for the sparing his life but notwithstanding the great interest Secretary Windebank his Father had at Court for the great service he had done the Church of Rome they could not prevaile for a pardon so high they accounted his offence only a reprieve for a few dayes and shortly after the Governour was shot to death and his brother a Lieutenant-Colonel laid down his Commission thereupon section 8 The former successes improved to a further advantage at Bampton Bush No sooner was the Lieutenant-Generall possessed of the house but he sent away the Arms and Ammunition to Alisbury and quit the house as not advantageious to our affairs nor indeed having Foot with him to put into the house only a few Dragoons which he could not spare from his other designes The Enemy a few dayes after this sent from Oxford about 350 Foot under the command of Sir William Vaughan towards Radcot-bridge The Lieutenant-Generall marching privately towards Witney and having intelligence thereof pursued them forced them into Bampton-bush where Sir William Vaughan Lieut. Colonel Littleton divers Officers and about 200 prisoners with their arms and ammunition were taken A piece of good service done by Col. Iohn Fiennes Moreover the Lieutenant-Generall having in his March notice of some of the Enemies horse which had a few houres before crossed his way he sent Colonel Iohn Fiennes with a party after them who fell upon them and took about 150 Horse 3 Colours 40 Prisoners and 50 Arms. The Lieutenant-Generall in the mean time marched over the river towards Faringdon having dispatcht his prisoners away with a Convoy to Abingdon consulting with the Officers of what advantage it would be to reduce that Garison of Faringdon wherein they did readily concurre but having no Foot to effect the same he sent to Abingdon to Major-General Brown for the assistance of some Foot who according to his wonted readines to promote the publike service very readily sent about 5 or 600. wherewith the place was attempted but without successe and after the expence of about 14 men upon it the designe was given over Rupert and Maurice sent for The losses the King sustained whilest these Forces hovered thus up and down affronted them under their walls so perplexed them at Oxford that His Majesty sent for Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice with all the Forces they had to come to Oxford the better to enable His Majesty to march out into the field and for more security Gen. Goring was also sent to for that purpose out of the West CHAP. III. The General with the Army marching into the West Vpon afteradvice recalled and a Party only sent to Taunton Their good successe in the relief of Taunton Lieutenant-Generall Cromwel defending his Quarters against Goring The Army now raised where to be disposed is controverted AND now by this time the Army was well nigh raised Whither they should first bend was taken into consideration Oxford and the West are put into the scales of competition Oxford besides that it was the head-quarter and garison and lodged all the Kings Ordnance and Artillery that he was to draw forth into the field which now to surprise or at least to prevent the drawing of them forth was held very councellable as that that was likeliest to hinder the Kings taking the field Represents it self also in other respects to be first considered as being a Midland garison in the heart of the Kingdome where to suffer an Enemy is most mischievous
besides that that County had longest suffered of any place in the Kingdom being the constant seat of the War from the beginning But the consequence of the West and the commiseration of Taunton in particular then greatly distressed by a close siege whereinto also most of the best affected in those parts had drawn themselves for safety Prevailes and swayes to decline the designe upon Oxford at that time though otherwise needfull enough And so the first fruits of this Army are devoted to the West section 2 His Excellency undertakes the Western expedition According to this result the Generall though under an indisposition of body by reason of an Ague that had exercised him for some time yet undertakes this Western expedition with a great deal of cheerfulnesse though the whole fruit of that Yeares service was in great hazard to have been thereby blasted in the bud the King being then in a condition ready to take the field having made severall Dispatches for that purpose to imbody all his Forces and we having no balancing Force to attend his motion Lieut. General Cromwel being farre too weak to engage him and the Scots at too remote a distance And though it was urged to be most necessary to relieve our friends yet the slight retrenching and garisoning of many Townes of no great strength by nature and situation though it may serve for the present securing of particular Counties and particular mens Estates from plundering Parties yet are they prejudicial to the Publike and to the main of the wars For such places are not able to hold out long and then either there must be a losse of charge arms or of our friends which would be a discouragement to our whole Party or else an Army must be diverted from their principal designes and besides the danger other places by its absence may be exposed to expose it selfe also to the certtain toyle inconveniences and hazardous chances of a long March which is likely also to end in a Fight And therefore it hath been held great wisdome by ancient and well experienced Souldiers to have but few Garisons and those very strong which may hold out long without relief which is the more necessary if they shall be in the corners of a country and remote from reliefe month May 1645 section 3 A party left with L. Gen. Cromwel to straiten Oxford But to returne The first of May his Excellencie began his march with the whole Army except the forementioned Party of horse and Dragoons which were with Lieut. Generall Cromwel and four Regiments of Foot besides who were ordered when their recruits were come up to joyn with him to busie the Enemy about Oxford And by the seventh of May they reached Blanford in Dorset-shire marching the whole seven dayes and some of them very long marches without any intermission so willing were the Souldiers to come timely to the relief of distressed Taunton To Salisbury were they come before the Enemy was aware as was discovered by letters of Sir Ralph Hopton to the Governours of Winchester and Basing wherein he desired them to send him word when they thought Fairfax would be able to take the field section 4 In this first March of this New-Model the Generall to lay an early foundation of good successe in the punishment of former disorders prevention of future misdemeanours caused a Councel of War to be called that morning that they marched from Andover a mile from the Town where the severall Regiments were drawn up and stayed two or three houres at which Councel severall Offenders were tryed for their lives A Renegado and four more Authors of the Mutinie in Kent were cast one of which whose lot it was with the Renegado were executed upon a Tree at Wallop in the way of the Armies march in terrorem And the next day was Proclamation made through the Army That it should be death for any man to plunder section 5 But little or no action or execution against the Enemy happened in this march save that the same night that they quartered at Newbury good Scouts and parties of horse were sent out towards Hungerford and Marlborough whereabouts General Goring was with a great body of Horse and Dragoons comming out of the West our Parties met with some of the Enemies horse and took Lieut. colonel Hacket and some other prisoners upon examination of whom and by other intelligence which came in the nick of time Goring intending to beat up the L. Gen. quarters neer Faringdon prevented we understood Gorings designe was that night or the next morning early to beat up Lieut. General Cromwels quarters near Faringdon and to relieve that place The Lieutenant-General being newly come to the General at Newbury and present at this Intelligence immediately repaired to his charge and was drawn into a Body betimes General Goring marched with what speed he could on the West of Faringdon and recovered Radcot-bridge The Lieutenant-General sent a party of horse over the river to discover his motion where Major Bethel engaging too far in the dark was taken prisoner and about four men more lost and two Colours severall wounded The Enemy kept his advantage of the River and quartered his horse as far back as Latchlade whilest the Lieutenant-Gen was making a passage over New-bridge and having gained the same Gen. Goring either declining an engagement or desiring to prevent the raising of the siege at Taunton marched back with all speed after the Army into the West This is the totall routing of Cromwels forces as the King in his Letter to the Queen of this engagement near Newbridge relates it to be A poor cause and a condition far from envie that is pensioner to such Royal mistakes to support its reputation section 6 His Majesty taking the field The King taking the opportunity of the army 's marching westward draws forth his artillery out of Oxford to embody himself in the field L. Gen. Cromwel and Major-Gen Brown were ordered to attend his motion and moreover it was held necessary to recall his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax from the service of the West and to allot only a portion of his Army for Taunton Two Expresses to this purpose were sent from the Committee of both Kingdoms to his Excellency who was marched as far as Blandford And now comes the triall of this new Army which God had designed for some more then ordinary service whohad scarce warmed their heads with glorious designments nay ere they could reflect upon the strength content of their united March were by this means to be divided three severall wayes ere ever the Army came to perfection or This like a black cloud for the time intercepted those prospects of glorious atchievements and success which themselves and others saw before to this Army and like a fierce storm threatned to dash all section 7 A Brigade appointed for Taunton the rest march back Accordingly a Brigade is appointed for Taunton of four
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
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
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
Works all which concurring so daunted the enemy that they fled out of one Work into another and so into the Castle which being discerned by the rest of our Army they all went over without any more ado which so ripened the amazement of the enemy that instantly they pulled down their bloody Colours hung out a white Flag had no power to make opposition sent a Drum for to crave Quarter but before he could get out and return a great part of our foot were entred they within had thrown down their Arms and cryed for Quarter to our souldiers which our souldiers inclining rather to booty then revenge gave them but stript they were to the purpose all except Sir Lewis Dives and his Lady and some few more and so we became Masters of the Castle and all within it the souldiers finding plunder of great value the taking of which in a disorderly manner could not then be prevented There was taken about 400 prisoners in the Castle besides Sir Lewis Dives the Governour Col. Giles Strangewayes formerly a member of Parliament Sir Iohn Walcot Col. Thornhill and others of quality and 18. pieces of Ordnance and a Mortar-piece The reducing of this place was of the greater cōcernment in regard of the influence it had upon the dis-affected Clubmen in those parts who having the countenance of this garrison were made so much the more bold in their attempts and meetings The souldiers spoil lasted all that day and most part of the night whose fair demeanour in the town of Sherborne during the siege deserves commendation when notwithstanding that about sixty townsmen who had families in the town were in the Castle and fought against them yet not one of their houses were plundered On Saturday August 16. Being market-day our souldiers with the booty they had got kept a great market to the Country who bought the goods of them and all this day and the next was necessarily spent in ordering the disposall of prisoners and in considering what to do with the garrison which not above two or three dayes after was ordered to be slighted And thus hath God led us into another strong hold of equall difficulty and consequence In the reduction of which place as elsewhere the dexterity industry and resolution of Captain Dean Comptroller of the Ordnance deserves to be had in memory CHAP. IV. The siege of Bristol the taking of it with the actions that intervened viz. The taking of Nunny-Castle c. SHerborne being now by Gods blessing reduced a councell of war was called where the subject of the debate was what should be the next designe of the Army the West or Bristoll the reasons upon which it was endeavoured to perswade the West were The pursuing of our Victory at Langport the hindring of Goring from re-inforcing his shattered Army in Devon and Cornwall whereunto he might probably finde the Cornish being generally disaffected to the Parliament easily drawn the Prince being in person with them and acting to that purpose the miseries of the people in the West and the necessities of Plimouth crying for present relief besides it was urged on the negative of Bristol that to go thither was to hazard the whole Army the Plague being sore in the City an hundred dying weekly and that it was in most of the Villages about the Town But on the other side it was considered That Prince Rupert being in Bristol and able to draw into the field 3000 Horse and Foot leaving also sufficient to defend that garison Might with the assistance of the ill-affected Club-men of whose disaffection to the Parliament there was sufficient proof and having the advantage of sending Forces and Recruits out of Wales which were easily to be transported over Severn raise a considerable Army in the Midland parts which might interrupt the proceedings of our Army by marching on their Rear when they were far advanced West vvhereby Goring being in the Front they might come to be inclosed between two Armies and so all intercourse vvith London and the Eastern parts would be thereby cut off besides the great importance of the place as to the enemy Bristol being the only considerable Port the King had in the whole kingdom for shipping and trade and riches being withall his magazine for all sort of Ammunition which should it please God to make us masters of must needs prove sadly fatal to his affairs and would so be judged in this and forraign Kingdoms What advantage it would be to the Parliament both in reputation and reall improvements it being justly reckoned in the first rank of populous and rich Cities in this Kingdom was very clearly evident These and other like considerations being offered for the present reducing of Bristol After long consultation and debate it was resolved to march thither in order to the reducing of that place After once this resolution was taken it was said by the General Seeing our Iudgements lead us to make Bristol our next designe as the greatest service we can do for the Publique As for the Sicknesse let us trust God with the Army who will be as ready to protect us in the Siege from Infection as in the Field from the Bullet Hereupon orders were given for the Army to march towards Bristol The Generall resting all the next day at Sherborne to settle the business of the County And on Monday after Sir Lewis Dives and the prisoners together with the Club-leaders before mentioned who were had in hold were sent away with a guard to London the Army marched to Castle-Carew save that Colonel Rainsborough with his own and Colonel Hamonds Regiments and two pieces of Ordnance was sent to Nunney castle for the reducing thereof the rest of the Army marched that night to Castle-Carew the next day the General himself went to view Nunney castle and found it to be a very strong piece The Head quarter was that night at Shepton-Mallet but 5 miles from Carew far enough for the Train which was 4 miles behind from the quarters the night before but to expedite what might be this designe against Bristol and the relief of the country thereabouts in the mean time two thousand Horse and Dragoons were sent under the command of Commissary General Ireton to preserve the towns adjacent to Bristol from plunder and firing for the better accommodation of our quarters the next day the Army marched to Chue 9 miles and ill way and in relation to the straiter siege Messengers were sent to the Vice-Admiral Captain Moulton riding about Milford Haven to send ships into King-roade to block up Bristol by sea as this Army intended to do by land Some prisoners were taken by our Horse near Bristol others came in voluntarily unto us all agreeing said the Enemy did not imagine our forces to be so near or that we had any designe upon Bristol And by a Trumpeter that came with a Message from thence they seemed to be so far from a belief thereof that he said he
the only plentifull and unharassed part of Devonshire As also that Greenvile was come with some fresh Foot out of Cornwal to Okehampton section 10 A letter to his Excellency from the Pr. of Wales his Highnesse At Autree a Trumpeter came to his Excellency from his Highnesse Prince Charles with a Letter desiring a Passe for the Lord Hopton and Lord Culpepper to go to the King upon a designe of a mediation of Peace between the King and both Houses of Parliament The scope of it which being a matter of great concernment the consideration thereof was put off to the next day when the Trumpeter was returned with a Letter from the General to the Prince intimating The summe of his Excellencies answer That it was no wayes proper for the General to intermeddle with any Propositions touching an accommodation between His Majesty and the Parliament And therefore had sent his Letter to the Parliament from whom his Highness must expect an answer section 11 The Parliament acknowledging their General In the interim a fair Jewel set with rich Diamonds of very great value was presented unto the General by Mr. Ash and some other Members of Parliament in the name of both Houses as a signal of that great honour which God had done him in the great service which by Gods assistance he performed for this Kingdome at Naseby-Battel and according to the commands of the Parliament they tyed it in a blue Ribband and put it about his neck section 12 The happy news of a second defeat of Digby briefly inserted About this time arrived at the Army certain intelligence of a second defeat given the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale who by killing of an hundred men and the taking of 200 horse and many prisoners among whom divers Commanders by Sir Iohn Brown were reduced to so much lesser number And were yet further extenuated as they fled towards Beeston-castle by Colonel Brigs who took 200 more of them About this time also were the severall garrisons of Worton Wiverton and Welbeck surrendred to valiant and active Major gen Poyntz And yet farther for the ease of the Ferry-boat that carried Digby to the Isle of Man reduced to the number of 20. besides some few Great ones that escaped with him by Major-general Vandrusk who took 180. of them flying through Westmerland And here is the end of 1600 of the Kings prime horse month November 1645 And with this came another peece of the Enemies being routed Nevemb 1. by Lieut. colonel Iones and Adjutant Louthian where were above 100. slain and about 400. taken prisoners among whom divers persons of quality few of ours wounded scarce any slain CHAP. VI. Severall passages between the Prince and his Excellency and between his Excellency and Goring Concerning Pouldrum The Enemies preparations to relieve Excester and Ours to meet them c. An overture of a meeting made to his Excellency from the Lord Goring Sir Iohn Berkley and others MOreover during the Armies stay at Autree the General was acquainted by a Person of credit with a desire of the Lord Goring Sir Iohn Berkley and others to give his Excellencie a meeting which was taken into consideration and after consultation with the Members of Parliament then present and divers Officers the General the next day thus expressed himself to the Gentlemen that had signified the former desire His Excellencies answer That if any thing came in writing from the Lord Goring or Sir Iohn Berkley to the aforesaid purpose he would afford a meeting Upon this intimation the next day came a Trumpeter from the Lord Goring with a Letter to the General in these words SIR A letter from Goring thereupon I have understood by a Person of honour and quality of your readines to have a meeting with some of the Generall Officers of both Armies and some others wherein there will be a necessity of setling some circumstances for the avoiding of all mistakes I have instructed Colonel Scroop and Colonel Philips in the particulars thereof and therefore shall desire that you will be pleased to grant them a Safe-conduct for themselves and two servants to go to your Quarters and return Your humble servant Geo. Goring Excester Novemb. 12. 1645. His Excellency advising thereupon This did put both the Officers and Members of Parliament there upon serious deliberation afresh and in issue this answer was returned by the General My Lord The answer his Excellency returned According to your Lordships desire I have sent you herewith a Safe-conduct for Colonel Scroop and Colonel Philips to come to my head-quarter where I shall be ready to receive them to morrow I am Your Lordships humble servant Tho Fairfax section 2 The reasons of his Excelcies entertaining the motion One main and principal reason inducing his Excellency and approved by those he consulted with to grant the Safe-conduct was For that it might likely increase the discontent or jealousie at least between Grenvile and the Lord Gorings faction if it were noysed that Goring came out to treat without the privity of Grenvile For any better effect of the Treaty was not expected His Excellencie understanding privately that which they intended to offer was in such a nature as was not proper for the Army to meddle with section 3 Col. Scroop and Col. Philips upon this Safe-conduct the next day came to the head-quarter at Autree but comming somewhat late had not accesse that night to the General but were entertained by some of the Colonels of the Army untill the next day when they were presented to the General who before such time as they began to say any thing of their errand to him declared himself to them to this effect The effect of the meeting That if they had any thing to say concerning the surrender of Excester or the disbanding of Armies or any thing else which was belonging to the General as a Souldier to take notice of he would hear them otherwise he could not And this was no more then was intimated unto them before they came by Com. gen Treton Col. Pickering and the Judge-Advocate whereupon they answered That the Instructions that they had were in order to a general Peace To which was replied That that was proper to the cognisance of the Parliament therefore the General as a Souldier and the Parliaments servant without their leave would not say any thing to it Whereupon the next day they returned back unto Excester much unsatisfied The General easily perceiving the drift of their intentions was To have had both Armies engage themselves to force both King and Parliament to Conditions section 4 His Excellencie acquainting the Parliament with the whole proceeding And no sooner did the General satisfie himself in the scope of these Overtures from the Prince and the Lord Goring but by an Expresse sent up to the Parliament and the Committee of both Kingdoms he was most carefull to
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
against his own opinion Lieut. General Cromwel and Major-general Brown called from attending the Kings motions to assist against Oxford Lieutenant-General Cromwel and Major-General Brown who followed the King and attended his motions with a party of Horse and Foot were recalled to joyn with the Forces his Excellency had brought back with him from the West wherein it was conceived that they might do better service for that they alone were too weak by far to engage with the Kings forces as by their Letter they signified to the Committee of both Kingdomes and as was obvious to every man the Kings army being grown to that strength as that they thought themselves enough as indeed they were especially for Horse wherein we fell short of them to fight his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax his whole Army Only a party of 2500 Horse and Dragoons being part of the force with Lieutenant-General Cromwel and belonging to this Army were sent under the command of Colonel Vermuden to joyn with the Scots Lieutenant gen Cromwel being for I know not what reason not so acceptable to their Army to enable them the better to attend the Kings motions and check his enterprises to which they were designed His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax according to his Orders marches towards Oxford and in order to a siege sends for so much of the Train and Ammunition as was left at Windsor at their first marching forth and called a Councel of War to consider what other provision was necessary which they sent to the Parliament to speed down Lieut. general Cromwel was come back to them their quarters setled a bridge made over the river they lay 15 dayes before the town but the requisites to a close siege were not come up to them nor neer them till Iune 3. the day before they received Orders to rise from before the Town which Orders were well received by the Army who did not conceive themselves secure nor sufficient for such an undertaking while that the King was unattended in the field as was at large represented by the Generall to the Committee of both Kingdoms And in that respect because they looked upon this designe against Oxford as unlikely to prove successefull they thought not good to summon the Town during their lying before it by which means they were secured that they might rise from before it with the indempnity of their reputation section 3 The action of our Army while they lay before Oxford Nor did any great action in relation to that place happen all the while they lay there save that at their first drawing neer it from Newnham a party of horse were sent forth towards Oxford under the command of Adjutant-General Fleming who met a party of the Enemies horse and foot routed their horse being commanded by Capt. Gardiner and took prisoners about 200 Foot which served as a good means and provision for the release of a Foot-guard consisting of 100 men who afterwards neer their rising from before Oxford much through their own negligence timely to retreat to a place of security as they might were by a sally of the Enemy early in the morning surprised twelve of them slain the rest taken but the next day released upon exchange of the like number of those whom we had taken as before and sent to Abingdon Moreover upon the General 's viewing the Works on the North-east side of Oxford the Enemy set a Mill on fire and also quit the garison of Godstow neer Wolvercot and set it on fire but some of Colonel Sheffields horse came in seasonably quenched the fire and preserved the Powder and Ammunition in the house and took the Governour and some others in their flight towards Oxford prisoners section 4 Bostol-house besieged May 24. The General rode to view Bostol garison and some few dayes after sent a Party to besiege it Adjutant Gen. Fleming was there engaged in a single encounter shot his enemy yet received a wound himself conceived then to be mortal but of which he afterwards recovered section 5 Gaunt-house besieged May 31. The General viewed the garison of Gaunt-house sent Col. Rainsborow with a party of Foot and some Horse to besiege it who battered it sore all that day but by reason of the Moat the accesse was ill to it The Governour was summoned to deliver it but he returned a positive denial adding further That he liked not Windebanks law til the next day Iune 1. when Col. Rainsborow being prepared and ready to fall on to storm having provided carts and all things necessary the Governour perceiving the same sounded a parley waving the consideration he insisted on the day before and surrendred the house with all the arms and ammunition therein upon quarter for himself his souldiers * Here we received the news of the taking of Evesham by Col. Massey A seasonable and good service About this time came news of a remarkable passage in Gen. Gorings army in the West which as will afterwards appear hath been their lot to happen among them more then once Namely a hot skirmish which one party of his horse had with another party of his own horse neer Crookhorn thinking they had been ours For indeed a party of horse of Col. Weldens Brigade were then within a mile of them at Hinton St. George in which skirmish many of the Enemy were slain both Officers and Souldiers by one another and that party of their horse that was routed fled as far as Bath giving a hot alarm as they went which for the present put them in some distraction Providence had ordained this accident as an advantage for that party of our Horse who otherwise might have been endangered by the sudden advance of the Enemies forces in their retreat from Pederton to Taunton The Inhabitants thereabouts confirmed the truth of this accident when the Army marched the second time to relieve Taunton and had a rendezvouz on the same place where this skirmish was besides many of the enemy have since confessed the same And upon the heels of this good Newes viz. May 29. came two parcels of lesse pleasing Intelligence The one of the Kings advance from the relieving of Chester towards Leicester and the Association and of the Scots army being gone towards Westmerland who we had thought had attended the motions of the King The other out of the West viz. That General Goring Sir Ralph Hopton and Sir Richard Grenvile had joyned all their Forces together and distressed Col. Weldens Brigade in a manner besieging them close in Taunton And on the first of Iune a third and more sad peece then either viz. Of the Kings taking of Leicester by storm of the cruel usage of many of the Inhabitants the particulars whereof are too tedious here to mention only thus in brief section 7 A briefe account of the losse of Leicester On Tuesday at noon a Summons was sent by Prince Rupert to the Souldiers Towns-men and
storm who beaing ready to fall on he took took down his bloody Colours and sounded a Parley and yielded upon quarter The souldiers had good booty in the Church took seventy prisoners and eighty arms This place standing convenient in a Line for the garrison of Malmsbury the Generall appointed the Governour of Malmsbury to continue the place a garrison for the better in larging the Parliaments quarters From Wanburrow the Army marched to Burchalk in Wiltshire by three stages without any considerable action save that on the Lords day June 29 while they rested at Marlburrow Spies were sent from thence to Taunton to give them notice of the Armies advance for their reliefe month July 1645 Munday Iune 30 the Army marched from Marlburrow to Almsbury 14 miles that day being a day for a Faire to be kept at Marlburrow some straglers stayed behind the Army whom Deut from the Devizes surprized Thence on Tuesday Iuly 1. they marched to Burchalke 12 miles and being drawne up that morning to a Randezvouz at a place called Stonage marched in Battalia upon Salisbury plaine some Officers and others of the Army who went-out of the way through Salisbury found the townsmen very peremptory being confident of their own strength by their association with other counties in their meetings of Club-men wearing white Ribbonds in their hatts as it were in affront of the Army not sparing to declare themselves absolute Neuters or rather friends to the enemy moreover news came this night that the Club-men had risen upon some of Major-Generall Massies forces that his men had done some execution upon them and that they with much confidence required reparation Wednesday Iuly 2. the Army marched to Blandford twelve miles and in their march took Mr. Penruddock and one Fussell two Captaines of the Club-men who being examined and convinced of their errour in causing such unlawfull assemblies without authority promised never to appear any more in that business thereupon were released In a narrow lane in this dayes march was a souldier executed one of the forementioned straglers being by the country apprehended and accused for plundering of a Gentleman passing on the way neer Marlburrow That night Intelligence met the Generall at Blanford that Goring had drawn off to Black-downe and burnt his hutts that some of our Spies sent to give them Intelligence were got into Taunton gave them notice of our coming Thursday Iuly 3. the Army marched from Blanford to Dorchester 12 miles a very hot day where Colonell Sidenham governour of Weymouth whose parts and resolution shew'd in the defence and recovery of that place deserves not to be forgotten met the General and gave him information of the condition of those parts and of the great danger of the Club-risers who would not suffer so high were they growne either Contribution or victuals to be carryed to the Parliaments Garrisons That night Mr. Hollis the cheif leader of the Clubmen with some others of their leaders desired a Let-passe from the Generall to present a Petition to the King and Parliament the Petition being read and found to be of a strange nature the matter was debated their designe appear'd to be desperately evill against the Parliament Hollis peremptory in his opinion not to be convinc'd affirming himselfe to be one of their leaders and that it was fit the people should shew their strength they were promised they should have an answer in writing the next morning They were so strong and withall so confident of their strength at that time that it was held a point of prudence to be faire in demeanour towards them for a while for if in case we should engage with Goring and some of our men be put to the Rout these Club-men would be more cruell then the Enemy and knock our men on the heads as they should flie for safety and some of them did not stick to say we know our own strength to be such that we are able both against King and Parliament to defend our selves and to doe more if need require and indeed if this had not been crushed in the Egge it had on an instant run all over the Kingdome and might have been destructive to the Parliament The King being assured if this third Partie had so prevailed as to be in a condition to give a Law to either side it would have been no disadvantage to his affairs being indeed raised many of them by Commission from him and countenanced by a neutrall party within our selves This night more certaine and particular Intelligence came that Goring had drawne off his men to Black-Downe to invite them in Taunton to sally out that he might take advantage to surprize them but fayling of his expectation returned back againe to his former quarters about Taunton and made some slight attempt upon our Party there but to little purpose Our Foot hearing that Goring was fallen on againe were eager to march all that night after 12 miles march that day which was also but the moity of 62. miles march in five dayes before so far did their compassion to Taunton and our party there cary them beyond consideration of themselves This day Intelligence was that the Club-men were risen against the Lyme forces and were engaged and many of them slaine and taken the Governours brother Major Ceeley a stout man hardly escaping Friday Iuly 4. Hollis the Club-man received his answer in writing which with the Petitions were transmitted to the Parliament which for the Readers satisfaction but especially that we may be affected with this great mercy of God in checking this great mischeife and Royall designe I shall insert the extract of their Petitions with the Generals answer to them that in the dangerousnesse of their positions as in a glasse and by the help of the Generals answer you may see the greatness of the deliverance In the Armies passage from Blanford to Dorchester came four Agents of the Club-men of Dorsetshire and Wiltshire the cheif Speaker was Mr. Hollis of Dorsetshire brother to him of Salisbury their business was to procure a pass from the Generall for these persons to go to the King and Parliament with petitions to the King were to goe Docter Henry Goche of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge and Mr. Thomas Bromwell Divines Iohn St. Loe Peter Hoskins Esquiers Mr. Thomas Young an Atturney and Mr. Robert Pawlet Gentleman To the Parliament Mr. Melchizadeck Waltham Mr. Richard Hook Club-divines Thomas Trenchard Robert Calliford Esquires George Hawles Richard Newman Gentlemen Mr. Hollis tendered to the Generall the Petitions so to be conveyed as also the Articles of Association the brief account of both is this the Articles were That the Associates provide Armes set watches be quiet with them that are so lay hold on disorderly souldiers bring them to the next garrisons not to refuse quarter and contribution to their ability till their Petitions be delivered not to favour either party nor to protect any not associated The heads of the
Tuesday Iuly 15. the General went to Glastenbury and returned that night to the head quarter Wednesday Iuly 16. a Counsel of war was again called and several propositions were made for the framing of our Army and reduction of the town both being of great consequence and vehemently desired by us To rise with our whole Army and leave the town unattempted was conceived to be very prejudiciall to our future progresse To sit down before it being a place of that strength and we not sure to carry it leaving the Enemy at liberty to rally his broken forces seemed very hazardous The blocking of it up by Forts on both sides with a part of our Army was propounded but the difficulty of laying a Bridge over the River through the violence of the current which yet was necessary for the maintaining a communication between our quarters on both sides hindred that designe It was propounded to attempt it by approaches But it was considered that if we should have gone that way it would have proved very tedious and if during our stay about it any great glut of rain should have fallen it would have laid us wet in our trenches and disabled us from effecting the business At last a resolution to storm it was agreed upon though it carried the greatest danger with it yet the desire which the Army had to be speedily free for the further service of the Kingdom surmounted all difficulties the storming being thus happily resolved on to the great and generall satisfaction of all that Army both Officers and Souldiers Lots were drawn for every one to take their posts some to storm some to be reserves others to alarm but the time of falling on not yet determined Friday Iuly 19. it was resolved at a Counsel of War that the time of the storm should be on Monday morning towards dawning of the day The Brigade appointed to storm on that side towards Devon was commanded by Major General Massey being the Regiments of Col. Welden Col. Inglesby Col. Fortescue Col. Herbert Col. Birch and Major General Massies own Regiment the Regiments designed on this side were the Generals Major-generals Col. Pickerings Col. Montagues Sir Hardresse Wallers the Regiment commanded by Lieut. Colonel Pride Colonel Rainsboroughs and Colonel Hamonds The General rode round about the town this day to see if all things were in readines for the storm that both sides might fall on together On the Lords day Iuly 20. Mr. Peters in the forenoon preached a Preparation Sermon to encourage the Souldiers to go on Mr. Bowles likewise did his part in the afternoon After both Sermons the Drums beat the Army was drawn out into the field The Commanders of the forlorn hope who were to begin the storm and the Souldiers being drawn together in the field were there also afresh exhorted to do their duties with undaunted courage and resolution by Mr. Peters who did it as one sayes of him tà m Marte quà m Mercurio As soon as it grew dark the Souldiers drew every one to their severall Posts allotted them to storm the signe when the storm was to begin was the shooting off three peeces of Ordnance on this side which the Forces on the other side were to take notice of and to fall on at the instant and on Monday Iuly 22. about two of the clock in the morning the storm began accordingly on this side of the town the Forces on the other side only alarming the Enemy which kept them upon the Line expecting a storm Our Forlorn hope was manfully led on by Lieut. colonel Hewson and as valiantly seconded by the Generals Regiment commanded by Lieut. colonel Iackson and the Major-generals commanded by Lieut. colonel Ashfield The Bridges prepared to passe over the Moat were quickly brought to the Ditch and thrown in on which the Souldiers with little losse got over the deep ditch and with undaunted courage mounted the Enemies works notwithstanding the great and small shot which showred about them beat them from their Ordnance turn'd them upon the enemy let down their drawbridg which made many of their Foot instantly cry Quarter Quarter The Bridge being let down Captain Rainolds who commanded the forlorn hope of horse immediatly entred and scoured the streets of that part of the Town so gained called Eastover with much gallantry and resolution even up to the Draw-bridge over the main Ditch leading to the second Town whereupon the rest of the Officers and Souldiers that were in a body and yet annoyed us in that part of the town which we had won threw down their arms and had fair quarter given them there were about 600. taken prisoners Officers and Souldiers The Enemy instantly made barracadoes at the gate upon the bridge and drew up the bridge that divided one part of the town from the other Our forces had not been two houres in the first town but the Enemy shot granadoes and slugs of hot iron and fired it on both sides which by the next morning burnt that part of the town of goodly buildings down to the ground except three or four houses Major Cowel who had a good share in that service standing all that while in the midst of the street which was both sides on fire keeping guards to prevent the Enemies sallying upon them Captain Sampson in that remarkable action received a shot The General hoping that the Storm might have wrought upon the Souldiers the Fire upon the Towns-men so far that they would have hearkened to a treaty renewed his Summons which the Governour peremptorily refused according to his allegiance as he said whereupon Tuesday Iuly 22. it was resolved to alarm the town by our forces on this side and to storm it by the other forces on the other side at two of the clock the next morning for which purpose the General was there in person to see it done though it was held fit on after considerations only to alarm on both sides which much amazed the Enemy and kept him waking that night Also about two of the clock in the afternoon the General sent to the Governour a Trumpet with a message to this purpose that his denial of fair tearms had wrought in him no other thoughts but of compassion towards those that were innocent who otherwise might suffer through the Governours obstinacy Wherefore he signified his noble pleasure that all women and children that would accept of this liberty should come forth of the town by four of the clock in the afternoon which being made known to them the Governours Lady and divers others came out They were no sooner come forth but our Cannon plaid fiercely into the town Granadoes were shot and slugs of hot iron in abundance whereby several houses in the town were fired and the wind being high increast the flame the townsmen within were in great distraction every man imployed how to save his house and goods the Enemy in a great amazement and the Governour so far melted as to send
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
under what pretence soever and that Iustice according to the known lawes of the land be administred to all persons within this City by the Civil Magistrate And for the performance of these articles I expect such hostages to be given as I shall accept of and hereunto I desire your speedy Answer Sir By this you may evidently perceive my inclination to peace and you may be assured that I shall never desire any thing more then the honour of the King and safety of the Kingdom and that I may become Sir Your Servant Rupert To which Propositions the General returned this Answer Sir I have perused your Propositions wherein some things are doubtfully exprest other things inconsistent with the duty I owe to them I serve Notwithstanding to the end I may give assurance that I earnestly desire to save effusion of blood and the ruine of a City and people that may in time be so serviceable to the Crown and Kingdom If it please your Highness that Commissioners may treat between us concerning the accommodating of things I hope to make it evident to the world that what shall respect the honour of a souldier due civility to all men the good and welfare of the people of that City both in passing by what is past and restoring them to the priviledges of all other subjects and to the immunities of their City will readily be condiscended unto by me and to the end no time may be lost I have here inclosed sent you the names of Commissioners who upon the return of Hostages of equal condition unto me shall attend your Highness sufficiently instructed to conclude on my part Provided the said treaty be ended by nine of the clock this night And to this I desire your answer within the space of an hour and remain Your Highnesse humble servant Tho. Fairfax This answer being returned presently after Dinner by the same Trumpeter he was detained till eight at night and then he brought this answer from the Prince or to this effect in writing That he hoped his Propositions had been such as needed no explanation yet because some doubts were made he was willing to have the exceptions set down in writing and his Highness would return answer Monday September 8. The General returned a particular Answer to every Article which as to the souldiery was very honourable and could not but be very acceptable to the Citizens for the offer was most fair to the Citizens to oblige them to us in case the conditions offered them were but known to them as we hoped they would However we had used means by our Spies to convey the same to them In the interim all things were prepared for the storm every Commander viewing his Posts the Trumpet was detained beyond the time appointed yet afterwards returned with a deniall but not positive That night was appointed for the Army to fall on but upon better consideration it was held fit to put it off to another day and only to alarm the Enemy Tuesday September 9. the Trumpet was sent in again to let the Prince know that if he did not immediately except what was offered all that had passed should be as no treaty requiring the Trumpet to return by 12 of the clock but notwithstanding he was detained till 10 at night and then returned with an unsatisfactory answer Whereupon all things on our part were put in readiness for a storm At 12 of the clock in the night the General went into the field to give order about the drawing out of our men and managing the storm for the next morning The Enemy being left inexcusable for refusing such honourable conditions as were offered the whole Army Horse and Foot being set in a posture round the City to fall on about two in the morning September 10. the signall was given to fall on at one instant round the City and Works which was by setting on fire a great heap of straw and Faggots on the top of an hill and the shooting off four great guns against Pryors-fort from the place where the General was to recide all the time of the storm which being accordingly given immediately the storm began round the City and was terrible to the beholders Colonel Montague and Colonel Pickering with their Regiments at Lawfords-gate entred speedily and recovered 22. great guns and took many prisoners in the Works Major Desborough advancing with the Horse after them having the command of the Generals Regiment and part of Colonel Graves's Sir Hardresse Wallers and the Generals Regiments commanded by Lieut. Colonel â—ackson entred between Lawfords-gate and the river Froom Colonel Rainsborough and Colonel Hamonds Regiments entred near Pryors-fort Major-General Skippons and Colonel Birches entred nearer to the river Froom and the Regiment commanded by Lieut. Colonel Pride was divided part assigned to the service of Pryors-fort and the rest to alarm the great Fort and afterwards they took a little Fort of Welchmen The Sea-men that were at first designed to storm by water the tide failing assisted in storming the Line and Works The Horse that entred here besides the Forlorn-hope so valiantly led on by Captain Ireton were in several parties commanded by Major Bethel Major Alford and Adjutant-general Flemming being of Colonel Whalyes Colonel Riches and part of Colonel Graves his Regiments And after the Line was broke down with the Pioneers and a gap made in the same our Horse with undaunted courage entred and within the Line met with a party of the Enemies Horse put them to a retreat mortally wounded Colonel Taylor formerly a Member of the House of Commons of which wounds he died and took divers prisoners This so disheartned their Horse perceiving withall our Foot to be master of the Line and their men beaten off that they never came on again to give one charge but retreated and stood in a body under the favour of the great-fort and Coulstons-fort In the mean while Pryors-hill-fort very obstinately held out playing fiercely with great and small shot upon our men for two hours after the Line was entred our men all that time in like manner plying them hard with musquet-shot in at the port-holes untill they brought up Ladders to the Fort but it being an high Work many of the Ladders proved too short through which fault some that got up were beaten down again Notwithstanding this disheartned them not but up they went again upon greatest danger and disadvantage some at last creeping in at the port-holes and others got on the top of the Works Captain Lagoe of Lieutenant Colonel Prides Regiment being the first man that laid hold on the Colours and in the end we forced the Enemy within to run below into the inner rooms of the Work hoping to receive quarter but our souldiers were so little prepared for to shew mercy by the opposition that they met withall in the storm and the refusal of quarter when it was offered that they put to the sword the Commander one Major
debate Saturday October 25. the business that was in debate the day before at a counsel of war was reassumed and after much dispute it was resolved to march back with all our forces on the East of Ex to possess Topsham and settle strong quarters on that side before they advanced any further West to relieve Plymouth Not but that the General and his Officers had that place much in their thoughts but conceived it not fit to attempt it at this season The Reasons of the resolution The reasons inducing to this resolution were chiefly these That nothing could be of that concernment nor so conducing to the advantage of the Kingdom as the preserving of this Army in an entire and healthful state for the future service thereof And such was the sickly state of the Army at this time as called rather for some relaxation then such extream hard duty as the relief of Plymouth would have put them upon especially if they should have staid by it to make it good when they had done Only to march thither and relieve the Town which the Enemy had blockt up by divers regular and strong forts well manned and furnished was such an enterprize as certainly required a more strong and healthy state of the Army And when the Army had done this should they have come back again for winter-quarters The Enemy so easily raised might as quickly have sat down again and so the relief of Plymouth would not have been one jot advanced Or should the Army have taken up their winter-quarters in an Enemies countrey surrounded with strong garrisons both before and behinde them besides a potent Enemy in the field judged upon the best intelligence to be equall if not superiour to them in number of horse it is equally evident to what an eminent hazard the Army must have been exposed thereby And what need was there to put that toile upon the Army when his Excellency and the counsel of war well understood though much was suggested to the contrary that such was the condition of Plymouth that they wanted not either men ammunition or victuals having received plentiful provisions sent them by sea only were impatient to be set at liberty for trade This day a party of horse was sent out towards Okehampton to discover where the Enemy was gone who returned with intelligence that Tavestock was their head-quarters section 6 Lords-day Octob. 26. the General in pursuance of the resolution for Topsham after the forenoon Sermon at Crediton marched with the Army back to Silverton Some Regiments advancing to Topsham two Regiments went to Stoake and those two Regiments that were at Stoake advanced that day to Topsham and three Regiments of horse with them This day intelligence came of the taking of Carmarthen by Major-General Laughorne the gaining of which town proved the reducing of that County and that Major-general Laughorne had treaty concerning the associating of three Counties more and had brought the same to good perfection section 7 Monday October 27. the General and Army reached Topsham and that night the Enemy fired the houses in the Suburbs of Excester to the number of about 80. which sent many out of the city complaining of the cruelty of the Enemy guards were kept that night within two miles of the city section 8 A counsel of war called The subject of the debate Tuesday October 28. a counsel of war was called to advise whether to put over forces on the other side the river Ex to Affington and to make a bridge over at Topsham the better to hold a mutual correspondency between both sides and what forces should be sent thither The resolution and reasons of it great dispute was about the same but at last it was resolved though much against the minde of those Gentlemen whose sufferings made them earnestly desire a siege on both sides to wave the putting over of forces to the other side and the making of a bridge which as appeared would be extreamly difficult and first to secure all on the East of Ex before such time as they possest any quarters on the other side for to divide the Army at that season of the year to lye near so great a garrison upon duty when already a sickness was amongst our souldiers was in the opinion of the General and the rest of the Commanders apprehended likely to ruine the Army Towards the latter end of this moneth of Octob. was Shelford-house not far from Newark stormed and taken by Major Gen. Pointz and therefore it was resolved to make several garrisons first on the East side of Ex along the Clysses river within three miles of Excester which being once finished a few men might keep them and hinder provisions from going into the city and the whole Army might thereby be at liberty to go on the other side to do the like afterwards neither could the Bridge have been defended had it been made with lesse then 2000 men that must have quartered at Topsham and gone near a mile to do duty at both ends of the Bridge besides those other little bridges that must have been made upon the watery places beyond the river which would have been such a duty in the winter time especially where the Enemy could not be hindred of his choice with a great force to fall upon the one side or the other which he pleased as might have hazarded our forces Accordingly Bishops-clysse Poultimore and Stoak were pitcht upon to be made garrisons Sir Iohn Bampfield a worthy Member of the House of Commons first giving his consent that his house in Poultimore might be made a garrison in regard it was so much for the service in hand in the reducing of Excester An Engineer was sent to Bishops-clisse to draw a Line for fortifications about Bedford-house The Lyme-Regiment had the charge of these two garrisons and Col. Hamonds Regiment was to secure and fortifie Stoake section 9 Wednesday 29. It was debated where the head-quarter should be this winter whilst the Army stayed on the East side whether at Topsham or not and upon debate it was held fit to wave making Topsham a quarter at all and that upon the same reason that moved the General to decline the making a Bridge and putting over Forces on the other side therefore upon this resolution waving Topsham the General having viewed the Fort at Exmouth which stands upon the sands and commands the passage at the mouth of the River sends away the Train of Artillery towards St. Mary Autree and followes after himself resolving to refresh his Army who never stood in more need of it by laying them in the best and most convenient quarters he could This day his Excellencie heard from Captain Moulton of the taking of Monmouth a considerable garrison and towards evening received intelligence by our Spies that Gorings horse being near 5000. were come into the South-Hams quartering at Totnesse Newton-bushel and as neer as Chidley the Hams being
give them an account thereof and how he had entertained the same which it seems was but needfull This Army not wanting enemies every where to give an ill representation of their actions month December 1645 section 5 But to return from whence I have digressed From Saturday Novemb. 15. to Tuesday Decemb. 2. the General continued at Autree riding about sometimes to see the finishing of the Works at Broad-clisse and Poultimore and disposing of the quarters for the Foot who were sick in most places there dying of Souldiers and Inhabitants in the Town of Autree 7 8 and 9 a day for severall weeks together insomuch that it was not held safe for the head-quarter to be continued there any longer Col. Pickering that pious active Gentleman that lived so much to God and his Country and divers other Officers dyed of the New disease in that place Six of the Generals own family were sick of it at one time and throughout the Foot regiments half the Souldiers The Army unworthily censured by some yet notwithstanding at this very time did the Army undergo very hard censures by some for not being in action But so long as Conscience and Judgement was satisfied that if the season of the year and the abilities of Mens bodies would have admitted a March it should have been most willingly imbraced and that it was only the Divine providence that had awarded otherwise The Army had the less cause to take notice of other mens opinions especially when the Parliament had by Vote left the General at liberty to dispose of his Army as he should see cause But whosoever would have me proceed in my story must give me leave first to weep a while this sorrowfull Verse over deer Colonel Pickerings Hearse Anagr. IOHANNES PICKERING IN God I RECKON HAPINES Vain all our profer'd Ransoms are There 's no discharge in the Graves war Well * * i Proffered ranfomes They may shew yet they cannot What a brave Captive Death hath got Only t' amuse our discontent For Passion kils that has no vent Might thy wisht presence find excuse Of whom we made too little use Wee 'ld ask swift Poster whose * * He had done the Kingdome great service by riding between England and ScotlanÌ„d before these troubles great haste Was ne'r before the Kingdoms waste Why posts thou from 's Because we * * The Army rested then some time at Auirce rest Which suited not thy active brest Did that Antiperistasis Fire thy fine Spirits to thy blisse Must thou be scaling Heaven alone For want of other action Would thou hadst took that leisure-time To visit some responsal-Clime Or must hard * * The Army was unworthily censured at that time as is observed before in the Story Censures voyd of love Be expiate by thy remove Or Covetous couldst thou not stay For wages till the end o' th day Or could no vantage mend thy * * He was a little man but of a great courage stature To see our triumphs under * * Nature i the Heavens Nature But 't is in vain to ravel more Wâ—have nothing but thy Name t' adore That Oracle gives the best guesse Wherein we heare thee thus professe IN God I RECKON HAPINES section 6 The Enemy was much encouraged by the sickness of our Army and was confident as by their Letters which afterwards were intercepted did appear it had in a great measure weakned and would consume the Army to nothing whereupon they were much animated to raise new Forces under the command of his Highness Prince Charles the Lord Goring having some few dayes before taken shipping at Dartmouth for France to fetch over some fresh forces against the Spring leaving the command of his Horse in his absence to the Lord Wentworth The Prince raising Cornwal Devon and to that purpose sent out Proclamations for the Counties of Cornwal and Devon to rise in arms and to go in person with the Prince for that his Highness was resolved to march in person upon the head of them making no question as by their Letters we did understand to make our Forces rise from the East side Excester and inforce our Retreat And indeed his Excellencie had certain intelligence that the Enemy had an Army very considerable having drawn severall Foot and Horse from their quarters before Plimouth whereunto they received some addition in Foot from Dartmouth Barnstable which with the considerable Recruits of Foot that Greenvile with most extrem and industrious cruelty had raised and brought out of Cornwall did make a body of nine or ten thousand horse and foot then quartering about Tavestock and upon the edge of Cornwall and also at Okehampton where were 2000. of their foot besides horse commanded by Sir Richard Greenvile section 7 Yet a few dayes the Generall continued at Autree but resolved forthwith to remove in regard the disease increased so fast to Tiverton which place was agreed on to be an head-quarter which resolution was actuated on Saturday the Generall having first received intelligence from Captain Farmer of a Bark loaden with commodities of good value going for France from Excester taken by him between Topsham and the Fort. section 8 A councell of War called Lords-day December 7. A councell of War was called where it was propounded that in regard the garrisons of Nutwell Broad-Clisse Poultimore and Stoak were now made tenable against any suddaine assault of the Enemy and possessed by the forces of Lyme some foot of Major-Gen Massies and some new raised Regiments of the County whereby Excester was perfectly straightened upon the East side being by those garrisons made incapable either to annoy the country or relieve themselves on this side and in regard that now it would be convenient to remove our foot beyond the river in order both to the straightening of Excester on that side and to the hindering the Enemies recruting of his forces which at this instant he was strongly indeavouring The Proposition and result that some Regiments should be sent to Crediton a place that stood in a good aire which likely would much conduce to the health of our souldiers and lay conveniently for a strong quarter upon the West side of the river Some forces sent under Sir Hardresse Waller to possesse Crediton and the blocking up of Excester on that side the River committed to him which force was sent under the command of Sir Hardresse Waller a Gentleman faithfull and well able and ready to undergo that charge but lest the Enemy upon the advance of our foot thither should fire the towne as they had often threatened a party of Horse and Dragoones were sent all night to get possession of the town till the foot could get up to them Some Dragoons sent to possesse Crediton before hand The next morning being Munday December 8. the Dragoones were there by day break but by reason of the extremity of the weather the foot
in the precedent or subsequent Articles to be carried away shall be delivered up to such persons and at such places neer Truro or Sir Thomas Fairfax his head Quarters as his Excellency shall appoint within six dayes after the date hereof without spoyle or imbezlement at the care as well of the General 's Officers of the said Army and all Commanders in their severall charges as by the persons themselves to whom such Armes or Furniture of Warre do belong or in whose custody they were XVI That whosoever shall after the conclusion of this Treaty purposely break spoyle or imbezle any of the Armes Horses or Furniture agreed and concluded to be delivered up in this Treaty shall forfeit the benefit due unto him by any Article in the Treaty And if any of the said Army after the conclusion of this Treaty shall plunder or wilfully do any violence unto any Inhabitants of the Country he shall give satisfaction unto the persons so wronged or lose the benefit of the Treaty and that the Commissioners of both parties or any three of them whereof one or more to be of Sir Thomas Fairfax his party and one or more to be of the Lord Hopton's shall have power to heare and determine all such cases accordingly XVII That the said Army and Forces under the command of the Lord Hopton from the time of the conclusion of this Treaty untill the time of their drawing out to be disbanded as in the ensuing Articles shall be quartered in such places Westward from Truro as Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint which shall be large enough for their accommodation and that the Cessation of Armes and of all Acts of Hostility betwixt the two Armies shall continue unto the time of the compleat disbanding of the Lord Hopton's Army XVIII That for the disbanding of the said Forces and delivering up of Horses Armes c. In performance of the precedent Articles Every Brigade and Regiment under the Lord Hopton's command shall by their respective Commanders be drawne out into such places of Randezvouz within two miles of Truro or Sir Thomas Fairfax his head Quarters and upon such dayes as Sir Thomas Fairfax shall for them joyntly or severally appoint notice of the same being given to his Excellency in writing sixteen hours beforehand under the Commissioners of the Lord Hopton's part or any of them two or more of whom shall for that and other purposes continue at Sir Thomas Fairfax his head Quarters untill the disbanding be finished and that the Quartermaster general or Adjutant of the Lord Hopton's with one Horsman from every Brigade shall also be there with them and that none of the said Brigades or Regiments shall be drawne out of their Quarters which shall be assigned to them as before otherwise then upon and according to such notice from Sir Thomas Fairfax as before except to and for their ordinary Guards XIX That to or before the drawing out of the severall Brigades or Regiments to such Randezvouz as before the chiefe Commanders of them respectively shall deliver unto whom Sir Thomas Fairfax shall appoint a true and perfect List of the Regiments and Troops in the severall Brigades and of all Officers and Souldiers in their severall Troops expressing by name which of them do chuse to goe beyond Sea and which do goe to live at home as also who are Reformadoes and in what degree of command they have served and that at the same times and places the Horses Armes and Furniture by vertue of the precedent Articles to be delivered up shall be delivered up accordingly and all the Officers and souldiers disbanded and discharged and there shall receive their passes with Warrants for quarters by the way for one night in a place and be conveyed towards their severall homes as farre as Chard if they goe so farre or unto Quarters assigned them for their transportation according to the precedent Articles That for the further performance of these Articles two Colonels of each Army shall be mutually delivered and kept as Hostages H. Ireton Jo. Lambert Jo. St Aubin William Stane Edward Herle Richard Deane Charles Coring Marcus Trevor Thomas Panton Jordan Bovill Richard Prideaux Jean Goteer There came in to the General during the Treaty many Lieutenant-Colonels Serjeant-Majors and Captaines Many Gentlemen of quality Ninety and six common Souldiers from Peryn with Armes Twelve more followed them One hundred more with their Arms and Colours of Colonel Trevanian's Regiment One hundred Officers and souldiers of Colonel Champernoon's Regiment Falmouth by this means and the surrender of St Mawes was ours on one side the Harbour Now having given you the Narrative give me leave to make some few observations on this succesfull progresse even to the Lands end which may well be the subject of greatest admiration and thankfulnesse The hard task the Army had in forcing up so great a Body as 5000 of the Enemies Horse into such a narrow neck of land through a Country so cragged in such a season of the yeer the ground all covered over with Snow the wayes so slippery and the Weather so bitter cold by a hard frost of that continuance as had not been knowne for many yeers before may well be compared with Hannibal's forcing his passage into Italy through the frozen Alps with Fire and Vinegar That five thousand Horse and more should be forced to capitulate and yeeld themselves to an Army comming short of that number in Horse is that which History can hardly paralell and Posterity will scarce beleeve And the benefit is as great as the wonder For had this Body of Horse escaped into the Mid-land parts they might in probability have much protracted the Warre and if they the Lord Ashlye's Foot and the Kings other Forces about Oxford had joyned together they would have been very considerable in the Field and so would necessarily have occasioned the diversion of the Army from the work they had in hand viz. the Reduction of the West which was of that vast importance to the Kingdom considering the Negotiations that were in France Ireland for the present bringing over Forces thither as by the intercepted Letters from those parts severally did appeare that nothing could be greater But by this good hand of God upon us this Body of the Enemy is secured their joyning prevented and all the mischiefe that would have ensued thereupon and Cornwal reduced Which last particular that you may see what a considerable summe alone and by it selfe it amounts unto cast it up and consider it as it was a Country having convenient Ports Harbours both for France and Ireland whose naturall scituation was very strong and apt for defence being all very mountainous and enwrapt with the Sea on all sides except toward Devonshire and there bounded by the River Tamar which in a right line runs almost from Sea to Sea From which advantages it hath been in ancient times one of the last places of retreat in the Kingdome and hath ever
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
to the many other Garrisons of the Enemy yet unreduced as Worcester Wallingford Ragland Farringdon Borstall with divers others which did all beare up in the existence and being of this and were linked to this as to the Head and Garrison-royall of all the Enemies that like members of one body they could not but live and dye together so as this Cities surrender would shake all the other into a Treaty and the taking in of this would take in the rest being all threded upon one string of dependency Secondly the Negotiations of the King in Forraigne parts for assistance particularly in France as is cleer by the French Agent who received his Majesty first in his Quarters and Negotiated with him at Newcastle and by Ashburnham's dispatch into France notwithstanding the Parliaments demand of him all which put together though we would rather quench then cherish any suspition of such a Neighbour State yet it cannot but be judged well beseeming his Excellency and his Counsell wisely to provide and put cases of things to come and occur and prevent if it may be dangers possible being well assured we deale with an Enemy who hath lost neither Wit Friends Activity nor Resolution to play his Game once more over if he knew at what Card to begin Thirdly the suspitions and jealousies that were kindling towards some in our Brethrens Army upon the sodaine Alarum of his Majesties reception there and some other passages from the North not that the Army did conclude a doubt or suspition of them but rather hasten to be upon such a free and strong interest and disengagement as might sooner put all things into better correspondency while both Armies are fairly at liberty in their owne interests and upon equall bottomes whereby a third designing party I meane the Kings might not work upon the inequality of the other two Temptation and Opportunity being the worst Enemies that honest men have Fourthly the Treaty in Ireland for a peace with those there and to make that peace a way of waâ—tage over for some new supplies into England which though then was but by divine intelligence discerned yet now things are cleerer and more certaine Fiftly the arming the Parliament with a free and unengaged Army as came to passe by the surrender of this City so as now they might treat or capitulate as a Kingdome upon its owne interest and bottome with the more honour and with no more condiscention then love and justice would perswade them surely they that know the difference betwixt a State attended on by a free and entire Army in times of designe and distraction and beginnings of settlement and betwixt a State served by broken Regiments and an engaged Force or Army cannot judge the freeing and disingaging this Army so soon from the attendance of Oxford to a meere attendance upon the State in a time of such high concernments to be lesse then a Counsel both of necessity and of advancement to the Kingdome And now I shall fairly remove some Objections which may be moats in the eyes of some and hinder their discerning the fairnesse of this proceeding First that of permitting excepted persons to goe unpunished but I cannot grant this Objection so farre that they did goe unpunished unlesse all justice and righteousnesse runne downe onely in the blood of the Offender Indeed the State of Israel fought by such Lawes against the Nations as in the case of Agag but how farre such Lawes are rules to the State of Christians who are not under that judiciall policy and speciall precepts I leave to be disputed but surely those six excepted persons went not unpunished they received losse of all one of them an Estate worth an hundred thousand pounds and if yet nothing but life be justice they lost that too I meane their life in this Kingdome being never more to live in this State so as in a manner they are dead to us though not unto themselves nor could their life be so easily come at without the losse of many it may be more deare and precious and had the approaches and storme gone on who can undertake those few those six excepted persons might not have escaped and then how had this assay of justice succeeded surely justice is not all of one colour all purple there is punishment by banishment and confiscation as well as death and suppose after the losse of many an honourable spirit to purchase six men they had been taken and delivered up there are wayes of escape from States as well as Armies For that other Objection of the exemption from the Oath or Covenant for six moneths why should it be a crime to his Excellency now which was none to the Lieutenant-General of the Scots Army who at Carlisle granted that Article To be excepted from any Oath whatsoever as by referring to the said Articles may appear and our General grants but an exemption for six moneths how is it that offences are more fairly interpreted in Scotch then English And it is not amisse to consider Redding once a Garrison of the Enemies yet surrendred upon honourable conditions to the Earle of Essex his Excellency then General Oxford and Redding differing but in three things First Oxford was more considerable and Redding lesse secondly the Delinquents of Redding martched out of the Towne and those of Oxford out of the Kingdome thirdly Redding had but four Barrels of Powder when they capitulated Oxford a plentifull Magazine After all these things I wonder how any can find fault with this Army or Souldiery for dispatch of their work so soon and never till now and now by what Law I know not was it an offence to have Warre soon ended Let me aske what hath this Army done ill in this businesse Hath it not done justice upon Offenders it may be not justice of our very fashion according to such a very patterne of some because they could not conquer just by a rule but as necessity of State and Warre would suffer them Hath this Army by this surrender failed of that plunder and rich spoile they might have had in the storme This was a fault wherein the Souldiery were more conscionable then covetous and me thinks we should easily pardon them in this That they had rather end the Warre to the Kingdomes then their owne advantage Hath this Army by this surrender been more free entire and at liberty to guard both State and Parliament me thinks this should be onely the griefe of our Enemies not of our Friends Hath this Army by this surrender brought in so many other Garrisons as follo in this Story c surely such wayes of fighting as leave the Enemy scarce an interest in the Kingdome is a new kind of failing and an offence not heard of till our times wherein ingratitude and reproaches are by too many thought good pay for greatest services Hath this Army by this surrender and disingagement awed and affrighted the gatherings of new Parties to increase the
or other Nations it was not without some Jealousie that in them there was some mixture and glosses of Oratory and Art the more to set off and give Lustre to the Acts as Arguments of Emulation for others to follow the Foot-steps of their Vertues but the Actions of your Excellency will adde Lnstre and Beliefe to them being all verified in you And indeed here considering the swift Martches and the Ex peditions in these grand and difficult Attempts which were prosecuted and effected by your Excellency I may say The Almighty came Riding on the Wings of the Wind for these were nothing else but the Magnalia Dei acted in and by you his Instrument It was the Custome of the ancient Romans after a glorious and succesfull Prince to derive his Name to Posterity in memorie of his Vertues as after that great Prince JULIUS CAESAR his Successors retained the Name of CAESARS as AUGUSTUS CAESAR TYBERIUS CAESAR c. Thus hereafter all Famous and Victorious succeeding Generals in this Kingdome if the time shall prove so unfortunate will desire the addition of the Name of FAIR FAX And surely the Honour of the late Lord General was not whiles he lived any way eclipsed by the succession of your Excellency in his Command but rather augmented whiles each retained the brightnesse of his owne Honour having both Rayes enough to enlighten a Kingdome then overset with Clouds and thick darknesse I shall need to say no more but this That the Woâ—ld will admire your Excellencies Worth Posterity will honour your Name and that the whole House of Commons in the Name of the Commons of England doth returne you Thanks for your faithfull and memorable Services the beginning continuance and effect whereof I must solely attribute to the Almighty the Lord of Hosts and Victories But never had JuliusCaesar the honor in those Civil wars when he came to Rome as a Conquerour one poor Metellus confronts him and gives check to his Victory sweld spirit breaking up the Doors of Saturnes Temple Indeed there is a manifest cause of difference Caesar did not plead the Senates cause did not fight for the Roman Liberties The Senate fled when Caesar drew neare but his Excellenciâ—s Warre was the Parliments Peace by his Motion they sat still Happy man may I say of him that is able to Engage Kingdomes and Parliaments in such Respects and Dutyes and happy Kingdome and Parliament also for whose Exstreame and low Condition God Reserves such a chosen Vessell To all which his Excellency made a very modest returne Expressing How much he Esteemad himselfe Honoured by the great Respects of the Houses towards him and that he accounted it his greatest Happinesse under God to be in the least kind Instrumentall for theirs and the Kingdomes good So great was the benefit and Obligation of his Excellencies Services that the Lord Major and Aldermen in their owne and Cities interest feeling the same particularly could not discharge themselves in their Consciences to acknowledge to their General in their representive the Commons of England but on the Tuesday following came with a Train of Coaches to his Excellencies house in the name and on the behalfe of the City to render Thanks unto him by whose watchfulnesse this famous City so much longed for by the Enemy was preserved from being sackt and plundered as well as the Kingdome recovered Master Glyn the Recorder was their Mouth to this effect SIR I Am to declare unto you in the behalf of ihe Lord Major and the whole City that they in the first place blesse Almighty God for the great Victories and Successes wherewith it hath pleased God to Crowne your faithfull Endeavours And next they give your Excellency hearty Thanks for your great and incomparable Services whereby you have setled the City and whole Kingdome in so peaceable a Condition as it is at this day To which his Excellency gave a very modest Reply in way of Thankfulnesse for that Visit and the Respects of the City towards him And in close the Recorder further gave his Excellency to understand That the City intended very shortly to make a further acknowledgment of their Thankfulnesse and to give a greater Testimony of the high Esteeem tâ—ey had of his Excellency month December 1646 And thus I have brought his Excellency to Towne and here I could be glad to leave him Pacem te possimus omnes but I must carry him Forth againe but 't is not to War nor Battell 't is to discharge Armies and Souldiers that England may if it be the Will of God be a quiet Habitation againe and the noyse of War not heard in it His Excencellency had not long staid at London but he was Ordered to provide a Convoy to goe with the two hundred thousand pounds for the Scottish Army upon their martching out of England His Excellency living more to the Publick Service and Commonalty then his owne Ease or Accommodation On Thursday Decemb. 18. went from London towards Northampton having before ordered most of his Forces to advance to those parts and appointed three Regiments of Horse viz. Colonel Sir Robert Pye's Colonel Grave's and Colonel Rossiter's and three Regiments of Foot viz. Major-General Skippon's Colonel Lilburnes and Colonel Sir Hardresse Waller's to martch under the command of Major-General Skippon as a Convoy to the said Money to Newcastle upon Tyne a tedious Winter martch being neer two hundred miles from the place where some of them received the Money yet the better to be undergone when it ends not in fighting as many tedious Martches of this Army have done And thus you have an account of six Regiments how they are disposed the rest of the Army I leave in their Quarters to practice Saint John Baptists Lesson Doe violence to no man and be content with your Wages And would to God I might here set Finis to our English Troubles as well as to this History Times and Issues are in the Hand of God we cannot know what is to come let us look over and recount with thankfulnesse what God hath done for us who for his Works sake among us is glorious in the Eyes of all Nations yea in the Consciences of our Enemies who cannot but confesse our Rock is not as their Rock if he be not glorious in our Eyes t is the least can be said his Mercies have been ill bestowed upon us It may be expected here I should conclude with a Panegyrick of the Army and a Paraenetick to the Kingdome to Love and Honour them but me thinks there should be no need of that the whole Story proclaimes their Worth and Merit their Name is Engraven by God himselfe as with the Poynt of a Dyamond on the Gates and Wals of many of our chiefe Places Yea they have Sown a Name to themselves in the Earth and Watered it with their Blood in many places of this Kingdome and if all those great Works God hath done for the Kingdome by them have not