gracious prevention of our Prayers the Lord heerin most exactly verifying his own faithfull promise by the Prophet I am found of them that sought mee not And according to that also in the same Chapter Before they call I will answer and whiles they are yet speaking I will hear And is not heer a gracious God indeed and is not our God a bountifull-handed and free-hearted Master indeed who payes us our wages before our work is done and that farre more than wee asked or ever did or could deserve yes most certainly And for the farther and clearer confirmation ratification and admirable yea almost incredible illustration of this truth give mee leave good Reader to put thee in minde how that much about the beginning of June last it pleased the Lord to hint in the heart of a godly Minister by name Mr. White Preaching occasionally at reverend and religious Mr. Cases Church in Milkestreet in London the impregnable and even invincible power of Prayer and of what precious consequence and concernment it might bee for the advancement of Gods glorious Cause if Gods people would bee pleased every morning constantly to set apart half an houre or an houre at most to seek the Lord by servent Prayer for a speciall blessing upon the present great affaires and negotiations of the Kingdom both by Counsell and Warre for the good of Church and State which hint or holy alarm as I may call it reverend and religious pious and painfull Mr. Case cheerfully laying hold on presently began this godly work and for the space of one whole Moneth upheld it in his own Church most sacredly and sweetly Whom reverend and religious Mr. Calamy as I take it immediately succeeded all the next ensuing Moneth and so this most blessed work hath continued and constantly been carryed on to the high honour and glory of our Prayer-hearing God the wonderfull good of the Kingdome and the unexpressible joy and comfort of Gods people especially who have been partakers and actours in it For as it hath been most justly observed O what sweet and singular successes have been given to all our Armies ever since this pious and precious work began not a Moneth nay a week nay scarsely 2 dayes have past without a blessing on our Armies if not a Victory in one part of the Kingdome or other Take good Reader but a succinct Summary of what God hath done heerin only since June and July now last past the rest I shall give thee afterward in their more proper places As namely First That most famous and glorious victory at Naseby The singular good successe of our forces in Shropshire The last releif of Taunton The admirable re-taking of Leicester Highwarth and Ilchester The late forementioned famous Victory obtained by Gods mighty assistance through fire and water at Lang-port and Burroughs which famous victory wee obtained that day moneth whereon wee obtained Naseby Victory rare mercies indeed two famous Field-victories obtained in the space of one Moneth The surrender of Carlile The reconcilement and comming in of the Western Clubmen to the Parliaments party The winning of strong Bridgewater and strange and speedy obtaining of Bath The gaining of the strong Castles of Pontefract Scarborough Cannon-Frâ—â— Chadwick-house and Rabby Castle In these Field-victories and 10 or 11 strong Garrisons and Castles above 10000 prisoners taken above 50 or 60 peices of Ordnance Much above 10000 Armes and great plenty of Ammunition bagge and baggage and all this done within the space of lesse than two Moneths Tell me now then good Reader and speak thy conscience freely doe not all these rare and almost incredible mercies clearely confirme the truth of what I have affirmed that ever since the Throne of grace hath been so constantly and daily prest with Prayer our faithfull Prayer-hearing God hath admirably crowned his own works in us and for us And say I pray thee may I not most justly stile these two Moneths of June and July Menses Mirabiles two most deservedly admired Moneths And hast thou not now again good Reader seen and that in a most abundant measure this our great Miracle and amazing-wonder even The Burning-Bush not only not Consumed but gloriously made to spread and flourish in the midst of all the most fierce and furious flames of Antichristian Atheisticall and Maligaant wrath and outrageous fury Yes certainly I know thou wilt easily and truely acknowledge it and that if ever heer was that faithfull word of the Lord confirmed and made good to his maligned Church and children Now weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn This is the heritage of the Servants of the Lord and their righteousnesse and salvation is only of the Lord. Not unto us therefore Lord not unto us but unto thy name alone wee give all the honour and glory of all these great and gracious deliverances and many and mighty mercies Thou only hast thus encompast us with Songs of deliverance Thy mighty hand and thy strong and out-stretched arme alone hath gotten to thy self and given to us these great and glorious Victories to thee alone therefore â—ee all the honour and glory throughout all generations And now to go on in the continuation and happy contemplation of this next Moneths most memorable Wonder of our Burning-Bush the Parliaments Cause still un-consumed still eminently prospered And here I shall begin this Moneths observation herein with that brave defeat given to the Enemy by that valiant active and faithfull Commander Captain Allen neare Stamford in Lincolneshire which was as followeth About the beginning of this Moneth of August 1645. we received Letters of certain intelligence from Burleigh House in those parts that a party of Newarkers being joyned with Belvoyre Forces to the number of about 300 in all were gathering Taxes or Contribution Money about Stamford and the parts thereabout whereof valiant Captain Allen having notice he with Captain Collins drew forth all the Horse belonging to the Garrison being in number not above 130. or 140. at most whereof some were Dragoones which came after who found the Enemy neer Carlebie retreating homeward with their Prisoners and Plunder among whom they had taken an Alderman of Stamford Sir Robert Dallison being their Commander in Chiefe and they above two for one of ours where a hot encounter was begun between them for our men notwithstanding set upon them with admirable resolution and were as it must be confessed at first gallantly received but I say after a sharp and short dispute it pleased God to do much for ours and to make couragious Captain Allen a speciall instrument of a brave victory his brave Souldiers taking more than ordinary courage at his valiant and undaunted behaviour among them insomuch that they utterly routed the Enemy leaving dead and desperately wounded twelve or fourteen on the place and took Prisoners
upon a party of the Enemies horse but then newly come from Oxford to doe some mischeif in those parts of whom divers were taken prisoners by the said valiant Captain Redman and the rest soundly beaten among those that were taken prisoners were Sir John Feunick Sir Thomas Strickland the Lord St. Paul a Frenchman and 15 more some were slain and many wounded the rest ran like brave Oxonians to save themselves but they left behinde them at least 30 horse and a rich Sumpter together with good quantity of Armes and Ammunition And at the same time wee were certainly informed that Knaresborough castle in Yorkeshire was surrendred to the thrice noble and renowned Lord Fairfax and in it good store of Armes powder and Ammunition with some Ordnance and other good booty viz. especially some hundred pounds in ready money and about 1500 pounds worth of Plate silver and guilt And about the 26 of this instant December wee were certainly informed by Letters from Radcastle that those 2 most loyall and renowned Commanders Sir Thomas Middleton and Colonell Mitton had taken a strong Garrison of the Enemies neer Mountgomery called Abby-cumhire This House had formerly been a Romish-Abby and was strongly built of stone upon their first comming before it they summoned it but upon the Enemies denyall to surrender Sir Thomas Middletons and Colonell Mittons old Souldiers assisted by Colonell Beal and Leivtenant Colonell Carters souldiers who were then lately come to them out of South-Wales and with brave resolution fell upon the Enemy and stormed and took the House in a short time where they took prisoners Colonell Barnard Governour of the Castle Hugh Floyd Esquire a Commissioner of Array in those parts and High-Sheriffe of that County and one of those that were excepted by the Proposition for Peace at Vxbridge to have no pardon 2 Captaines of Foot one Captain of Horse a Captain Leivtenant 3 Leivtenants a Foot Colours one Cornet of Horse 4 Sergeants 8 Corporalls 2 Trumpetters 4 Drums 60 common Souldiers 3 barrels of powder 60 firelocks 40 Horse 40 horse armes besides 200 Muskets and some other armes and ammunition By the taking of which said strong Garrison the Counties thereabouts are freed from much danger of their cruell Enemies who had before used many of the inhabitants with much severity About the 28 of this instant wee received credible information by Letters out of Staffordshire that Captain Stone the valiant Governour of Eccleshall castle having intelligence that some parties of the Enemies were abroad out of Tongue castle hee thereupon marched out of Eccleshall with a party of horse found them and fell upon them and in the fight slew divers of them took prisoners the Governour of Tongue castle divers Officers 200 common Souldiers and 50 horse with some other good booty And by Letters out of the West wee were farther informed about the same time that Major Dewet performed a brave exploit upon the Enemy at West Dean which was thus related Sir our brave-spirited Major but shortly after this a base apostate from us marched with his men from about Malmsbury toward our Garrison by West-Dean and by the way hee fell upon a quarter of the Enemies at Rushall neer Vphaven where there were quartered about 36 of Captain Paddons Troop who entituled themselves The Wiltshire Troope where after some hot and testy dispute he took prisoners Leivtenant Borrow Leivtenant of Horse commanding the Troop George Warner a Reformado Captain a Leivtenant of Foot 2 more Reformado Officers 6 Troopers 20 good horse and armes and other good prize for his Souldiers without the losse of any one man or horse on his side And about the same time wee had farther certain intelligence of another brave exploit performed against the Newarkers by valiant Colonell Thorney and the Nottingham Forces who took a considerable Garrison from the Enemies neer Newark viz. Sir Roger Coopers House and in it Sir Roger himself and his brother and 50 prisoners with their armes and ammunition And about the 30 of this instant December an Agent of the most illustrious Queen of Sweden was admitted with honourable reception into the Parliament the representative Body of the Kingdome of England with his Letters to the Parliament from the said most Royall Princesse which were then opened and after the translating of them out of the Latine-tongue in which they were writen they were read in Parliament The effect and substance of which was That the said thrice noble Queen of Swethland with her Nobles and whole State desired to associate themselves and to keep faire and loving correspondence with the Parliament and State of England and to enter into the Solemn League and Covenant with them for the mutuall defence of the true Reformed Protestant Religion A rare mercy indeed thus to see another Protestant Kingdome desire to joyn with us in this blessed work of setting the Lord Christ upon his Throne as our most loyall and loving brethren of Scotland have done to the high honour and glory of God and good of his Church And with this so sweet a mercy I shall heer most fitly close up this moneths most famous blessings on this Burning-Bush the Parliaments honest and upright Cause And heer now therefore good Reader let mee intreat thee to make a little stay and therein to stand amazed at this even senseastonishing Parliamentary-wonder to see and consider in this one Moneths contemplation thereof this Burning-Bush thus still Vnconsumed I mean the Parliaments just Cause and quarrell in the middest of so many devouring flames of bloody bickerings and perfidious plots and trecheries as have been fore-mentioned to stand upright still undestroyed yea contrariwise more and more flourishingly and fairly corroborated and fixed at the root the blessing of him that dwells in the Bush thus admirably still preserving and protecting it from constantly contrived and intended ruine and destruction Upon the serious sight and pious pondering whereof O what great cause have wee with holy David to break forth into a holy and hearty extasie of joy and admiration as wanting words to expresse sufficiently the many and mighty mercies of our God and to sing and say How excellent O Lord is thy loving kindenesse how powerfull is thy protection therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings They are abundantly satisfied with the fatnesse of thy house and thou dost make them drink of the rivers of thy pleasure And thou O Lord art hee alone that dost encompasse us still with songs of deliverance But now to proceed and set forward to the farther sight and contemplation of the succeeding wonders in and upon this our thus Burning Bush in this ensuing Moneth of January 1644. ANd first I shall begin heer to remember my Reader that as God had lately before begun to cut off in a Judiciary way one most pestilent plotter and dangerous Malignant Incendâ—ary who had not Gods
incroached upon our Enemies and in many places got within Pistoll shot and have had hot incounters with them On Munday morning last about foure a Clock they sallyed out againe and we watched how to catch them and that evening we took Sir Bernard Ashley the best Souldier in Bristoll and kild Col. Daniel for he had seaven bullets in his body but being so neere the works we durst not alight to bring off his body Sir Bernard Ashley we have Prisoner though sore wounded The other day at our first comming we shot Sir Richard Crane another great favourer of Ruports through the thighe of which he lyes dangerously ill the party of Foot under Lieutenant Col. Kempson hath taken the strong Fort of Ports-head point and therein â—ix pieces of Ordnance and one Demy-culvering so our Ships may come in freely into Severne we have also seized on one Ship in Avon with twelve peice of Ordnance The last night we were all up in Armes expecting a Sally out of one thousand Horse upon our Guards being extream wet weather all night long the Enemy drew out under their Workes but their Scouts discerning our readinesse came not on besides they had a most fierce Alarm Ports-head point was taken and the Parliament Ships coming up the River the Towns men were dismayed and threw down Arms Rupert imprisoned some of them and thus is the condition of affaires for the present We had by this raised as good Works against theirs as may be and if Goring come on of the other hand But singly either of them we feare not I am in great hast and can write no more but that I am Sir Your most humble servant From before Bristoll Aug. 28. 1645. at 4. in the afternoone Colonell Morgan is before Barklay Castle and the Generall hath sent a Regiment of Horse to his assistance Our Horse before Bristoll have done five daies and nights duty never coming off the Field And about the 30 of this instant August came certaine information by Letters to London from Redding that a Party of about 120 Horse from Wallingford and Dennington came into those parts to gather Contribution Money even within a mile of Redding Colonell Baxter the Governour of Reading with Captaine Pile and as many Horse and Dragoones of their Troops as could be presently made ready which was not above 30 or 40 in all at most understanding thereof sent to Colonell Moore ond Captain Burroughs who then had about 100 of Abington Horse quartered also at Redding to prepare for his Reserve The Enemy upon their March homeward ware closely followed by the Governours party whose forlorn hope forced the Enemies Rear guard to their body at which their body faced about and caused our forlorn to retreat and they perceiving our number to be but small pursued the Governour through and through yet he had but one man slain and eight of his men were taken Prisoners and the Governours sword was cut off to the hilt for upon the Enemies facing about upon ours the Governour seeing the Enemies advantage to be at least foure to one did forbeare an engagement till he had sent one of his Captaines to know how far behind the Abington horse were and to give them the Word who returned to the Governour and told him they were at hand which proved otherwise to the hazard of the Governour and his whole party then engaging as you have heard See here therefore how much conducing to the welfare of martiall affaires true intelligence is and how the want of it proves destructive In this interim at length and seasonably enough came in Colonell Moore and Captain Burroughs with their horse and they now with the Governours Horse and Dragoones being rallied againe very fiercely charged the Enemy again bravely routed them regained their prisoners tooke about 50 Horse of the Enemies 60 Arms 23 Prisoners one Major one Captaine and sorely wounded another and slew 13 of them on the ground and in their pursuit which ours had upon them for at least five miles The rest escaped by flight to tell their fellowes at Wallingford what a brave prize and purchase they had got We had but that one man slaine upon the place forementioned and two dyed since of their wounds The Governour Colonell Moore Captaine Pile Captaine Burroughs and Quarter-Master Barker behaved themselves with much gallantry in this businesse and generally the Souldiers fought all of them very bravely but most justly to God be all the praise of the victory And about the same time we also understood for certaine by Letters out of Shropshire That the brave and active Garrison of Shrewsbury fell also upon a party of the Enemies at Bishops-Castle in that County as they were hot in plundring the Fayre which was then kept there whom they bravely and suddenly routed rescued all the plunder tooke 200 of the Enemies Horse and many Prisoners This Service was performed by valiant Major Fenick and the Enemies party was from Ludlow and Bridge-North And here now good Reader let me desire thee to make a little pause and parley with thy heart and soul in the serious contemplation and consideration of the rich and rare mercies of this moneth also wherein thou hast most remarkably seen the faithful performance of this our still-continued mighty marvelous wonder of The Burning-Bush unconsumed or rather indeed more and more prospered and preserved in the midst of such and so many fierce furious flashes and flames of mischief and malignity in outragious opposition against it which hath bin most abundantly demonstrated both in Captain Allens brave defeat given to the Enemy neer Stamford in Lincolnshire In the surprisall of the Kings Commissioners at Shaftsbury by Colonell Fleetwood In the routing of the Clubmen by Lieutenant Generall Cromwell In the famous defeat given to the Enemy in Wales by Major Generall Laughorne In the storming and taking of Sherburne Castle by renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax In the Parliaments pious and prudent care for the reformation of matters in Religion In the good condition of our Forces in the North whereby a dangerous designe of the Kings was frustrated and his forces defeated In our most noble and renowned Generals winning of that strong Fort at Bristoll called Ports-head Point In that brave but dangerous defeat given to the Enemy neer Reading And Major Fenicks defeat given to the Enemy at Bishops-Castle in Shropshire All which rare Parliamentary Mercies bestowed on us and sore pinches and pulls thus from time to time put upon and wrested from our vile and vexatious Enemies O how ought the gracious and gratefull recordation and consideration thereof work upon our spirits and affect our souls with unexpressible gratitude to our God the most mercifull wise and wonderfull worker of them and cause us to break forth with holy David that sweet singer of Israel into this holy extasie of exultation and rejoycing sing and say Our souls waite yea wait only
them well-nigh three houres together and at last by Gods assistance put them to the rout and pursued them even to the Gates of Oxford In which brave bickering and pursuit they tooke prisoners Master Sackvile the Earle of Dorsets second sonne Leivetenant Colonell Simth one of the Kings Pages and Prince Ruperts Chaplain 2 Gunners one Trumpeter and about â—0 Common Souldiers And that upon the same day our quicksighted souldiers tooke 2 Barges laden with Coales Cheese slate and other commodities as they were going up the River to Oxford And about the same time also we received certaine intelligence out of the West that Farleigh-Castle in Somersetshire whereof Colonell Hungerford brother to Sir Edward Hungerford was Governour was then for certaine surrendered up to the Parliaments forces the Commanders wherein being allowed to have onely horse and armes to march forth withall and the Common-souldeirs to depart without either About the second of this instant we received Letters out of the Northern parts of the kingdome from Colonell Overton which were read in the House of Commons dated from Sandall-Castle in Yorkshire by which it was for certaine signified that the said Sandall-Castle after the space of 3. weekes Seige was surrendred to Colonell Overton upon Articles agreed on between him and Colonell Bonâ—vant then Governour of this Castle viz. That 12. of the prime Officers in the Castle should have liberty to march forth with their Horses and Swords and to carry with them a spare suite of Cloaths and the rest of the Souldiers to depart only with the cloaths on their backes and Staves in their hands The Governour and Gentlemen being allowed each of them a Horse to carry them away to Welbeck-house as they desired but their Horses to be returned by their Convoy and all the Ammunition and provisions of warre in the Castle to be left to Colonell Overton which was accordingly performed About the 4. instant we were also certainly informed that valiant and victorions Leivten Generall Cromwell being without much difficultie or disturbance entred into and fully possessed of the Towne of Winchester and having new round begiâ—â— the Castle and planted his Ordinance against it was resolved to storme it which the Governour thereof Colonell Ogle perceiving he was at first content to have a parley about the surrender of it But in the meane time some troopes ariving thither with noble and ever to be renowned Sir William Waller whose this Castle was and who was now come to the Leivtenant Generall to asist him as occasion might require the Enemie within falsly supposing that this was releife sent to them they presently tooke downe their White Flaggs and refused to proceed in the proffered parley hoping now their said supposed reliefe would breake in unto them but indeed none appeared as they hoped in which interim which was all that instant Lords-day the noble Leivtenant Generall having forborn them but now finding them thus to baffle with him on the Munday morning following he played violently upon the Castle with his great Ordinance and made a breach so wide in the Castle-wall that many men might enter in a brest heereupon the Leivtenant Generall resolved to proceed to storm the Castle and to make the Enemie repent his foresaid dallying with him and yet loath to pursue a course of vengeance and unwilling to make an effusion of blood if it might be avoyded he therfore thought fit once more to send them in Articles fit for him to require and for them fairely to yeild unto before he proceeded to the extremest rigour which in breife were gladly condescended unto by the Governour the Castle with all the Armes Ordnance and Ammunition and other provisions therin surredred into the possession of the noble Leivtenant Generall The were taken in the Castle 7. Peeces of Ordnance 17. Barrells of powder 2000. waight of Musket bullets 800. waight of Match 700. Muskets besides Pikes Halberts and other such like weapons and at least 100. Horse 38. Hogsheads of Beefe and Pork powdred 1500. waight of Cheese 800. pots of Butter 140 quarters of Wheat and Meale 7000 waight of Bisket 112. Hogsheads of strong Beare 3. Hogsheads of French-Wines 10. quarters of salt 20. bushells of Oatemeal 70. dozen of Candles 30. loade of Wood 40. quarters of Charcoale 30. bushels of Sea-coales and 4. quarters of Fresh-beefe ready killed and 14. sheep All this fore said mighty store of provisions of all sorts thus left in the Castle unabused and unembezelled by the Enemy Visrount Ogle the laâ—e Governour a resolute and desperate Souldiers with 200 gentlemen Officers and their Servants 680. horse and foot marched away to Wood-stock and so for Oxford The unexpected so soon surrender of this place was so much the more remarkable to the great praise and glory of our wonderworking God not only in regard of all that store of provisions but also in that the Castle it selfe was exceeding strongly fortified completely manned and plentifully furnished as you have heard with all kindes of provisions for the fortifications were of the strongest militarie Architects in the Kingdome for when our men had made thaâ— foresaid breach in the wall which produced the parley they had 3. workes more to have stormed each-higher than the other before they could have entred the Castle beside such a desperate resolute Souldier as the Governour was held and knowne to be All these serious circumstances considered it makes I say this Gods mercie to us the more glorious and gives no little perswasion that certainly now the hearts of the stoutest Royalists begin by the power of our God to faint and faile them blessed for ever blessed be the Lord for it And thus now renowned Sir William Waller is fully repossessed of his new House But to proceede About the 8. of this instant October our most prudent Parliamentary Senators tooke into their circumspect consideration the coming in of Malignants or Delinquents to their party and that though of necessity the Sword must be still and stiffly held-up yet out of a pious and zealous desire to hasten a period to these unhappie Civill broyles and to mixe clemencie with all their actions they thought good to propound an other day of grace or favour unto them to wit till the 1. of December then next ensuing by which time all that were or should be capable of this mercy might come in and compound for their Delinquencie for which purpose a Committee at Gold-Smiths-Hall in London was appointed and a Vote in Parliament passed to that effect And withall that all such persons of what ranke or quality soever that did thus come in and compound for their Delinquencie should also after this their composition sue-out and passe their Pardon under the Great-Seale of England or else their former Composition to be voyd and of none effect unto them but they to be apprehended and proceeded against as Spies This indeed being a most wise and excellent way both a
little to pull-downe their proud Spirits in the necessitated acknowledgement of their most foule offences and toâ—ly upon rols and record as a blacke spot and indelible sline upon them to posterity of their being such perfidious and pernicious betrayers and destroyers as much in them was of their own deare native Country to the utter rvine of themselves their wives and children by slavery and tyrannie over their bodies and Soules About the 10 instant we were certainly given to understand of the powerfull and propitious hand of Gods good providence and mercie unto us in giving in that strong and most pestilent and pernicious den of theeves and robbers I meane Bazing-house in Hampshire into the Parliaments possession by the martiall valour and industrie of renouned and victorious Lieutenant Generall Cromwall together with the brave Commander Colonell Dâ—Albeire the substance of the manner of the taking of it being fully related by victorious Lieutenant Generall Cromwells letter brought by Colonell Hamond to the honourable Speaker of the House of Commons and there read I have here thought fit for the Readers better content and satisfaction to Insert the same which was as followeth SIR I thanke God I can give you a good account of Bazing After our batteries placed we setled the severall posts for the storme Colonell Dalberte was to be on the North-side of the house next the Grange Colonell Pickering on his left hand and Sir Hardresse Wallers and Colonell Mountagues Regiments next him We stormed this morning after six of the clocke the signall for falling on was the firing foure of our Canon which being done our men fell on with great resolution and cheerfulnesse we tooke the two Houses without any considerable losse to ourselves Colonell Pickering stormed the new House passed through and got the Gate of the Old House whereupon they summoned a Parley with our men would not heare in the meane time Colonell Mountagues and Sir Hardresse Wallers Regiments assaulted the strongest Worke where the Enemy kept his Court of guard which with great resolution they recovered beating the Enemy from a whole Culverin and from this Worke which having done they drew their Ladders after them and got over another Worke and the House-Wall before they could 〈…〉 Sir Hardresse Waller performing his duty with 〈◊〉 and diligence was shot on the Armw but not dangerous we have had little losse many of the Enemies our men put to the Sword and some Officers of quality most of the rest we have prisoners amongst which the Marquesse and Sir Robert Peake with divers other Officers whom I have Ordered to be sent up to you We have taken about ten peeces of Ordnance with much Ammunition and our Souldiers a good encouragement I humbly offer to you to have this place utterly slighted for these following reasons It will aske about eight hundred men to manage it it is no Frontier the Country is poore about it the place exceedingly ruined by our Batteries and Morter peeces and a fire which fell upon the place since our taking it If you please to take some out of the Garison at Farnham some out of Chichester and a good part of the Foot which were here under Dalbier and make a strong Quarter at Newbery with three or foure Troopes of Horses I dare be confident it would not only be a curb to Dennington but a security and a Frontier to all these parts in as much as Newbery lyes upon the River and will prevent any incurtion from Dennington Wallingford or Farringdon into these parts and by lying there will make the Trade most secure between Bristoll and London for all Carriages And I beleeve the Gentlemen of Sussex and Hampshire will with more cheerefulnesse contribute to maintaine a Garrison on the Frontier 〈◊〉 in their 〈◊〉 which will have lesse safety in it Sir I hope not to delay but more towards the West to morrow and to be as diligent as I may in my expedition thither I must speake my judgement to you that if you intend to have your worke carried on Recruits of Foot must be had and a course taken to pay your Army also believe me Sir it may not be able to answer the wâ—rkâ— you have for it to doe I entreated Colonell Hammond to wait upon you who was taken by a mistake whilest we lay before this garrison whom God safely delivered to us to our great joy but to his losse of almost all he had which the Enemy tooke from him The Lord grant that these mercies may be acknowledged withall thankfulnesse God exceedingly abounds in his goodnesse to us and will not be weary untill Righteousnesse and Peace meet and that he hath brought forth a glorious worke for the happinesse of this poore Kingdome wherein desires to serve God and you with a faithfull hand Your most humble servant Oliver Cromwell Basingstoke 14. October 1645. I shall first present you with the particulars of the successe at Basing-house in the prizes and prisoners taken There were taken as followeth viz. The Marquesse of VVinchester Sir Robert Peâ—ke Governour Sir Inigo Jones the grand Surveyor foure Romane Catholique Priests reserved for the Gallowes twenty Gentlewomen 180. common prisoners ten pieces of Ordnance twenty barrels of Gunpowder nine Colours 3000. Armes 200. Horse 8000. l. worth of Clothes Beds and other goods many Firkins of Butter a great quantity of Cloth much bullet and match many Crucifixes Popish Pictures and Bookes neere a thousand Chests Trunkes and Boxes 400. quarters of Corne 200. barrels of Beere 300. flitches of Bacon an hundred bags of Malt 40000. weight of Cheese the Marquesse of Winchesters Plate Cabinet and Jewels worth above 5000. l. Sir Robert Peakes 500. l. besides a Box of brasse Plates the Marquesses rich Bed and furniture which cost 1300. l. one common souldier found 300. l. in gold hid in a hole about 4000. l. ready money a great quantity of Wine and many Hogsheads of Beere besides the Ladies wardrope which furnished many of our Souldiers wives with Gownes and Petticoats Slain Major Câ—st six Priests Robinson the Players sonne onely one woman who fell a railing upon our souldiers at their entrance calling them Roundheads and Rebels to the King whereupon one of our souldiers cut her on the head and neere 300. common souldiers Doctor Griffin sometimes of Dunstanes in the West late of old Fish-street taken and sore wounded and three of his daughters much Ammunition taken The losse on the Parliaments side in this desperate service was blessed be God not much Sir Hardres Waller who behaved himselfe gallantly wounded and not above ten others in all slaine outright though about eighty or an hundred wounded The word which the religious Major Gen. chose when he came to sit downe before that popish Garrison was out of the 115. Psalme concerning the worshippers of Images Their gods are the workes of mens hands wood and stone eyes they have and see not eares and heare not and
at Sea driven into a creek neer Plymouth from whence a Boat was sent to demand and know whom they were for the Marriners thinking themselves to be in his Majesties Quarters answered They were for the King Hereupon our boat left them and acquainting the Governour of Plymouth therewith he sent forth severall Boats with Musketeers to take the Barke which they did after some resistance and some few slain on both side and so brought it safely into Plymouth to be made use of for the King and Parliament And about November the 24. we also received certaine information by Letters out of Gloucestershire of a brave defeat given to the Enemie in those parts which also was confirmed by another Letter especially from Malmsbury the substance whereof was as followeth That upon occasion of planting and fortifying a Garrison for the Parliaments partie by renowned and active Colonell Morgan the valiant and faithfull Governour of Gloucester at Sir Henry Fred. Thynnes House at Kempsford in that Countie the Enemy belonging to Rad-Court and Farringdon being enraged at it and much offended that they should have a troublesome neighbour so neere them to straighten and curb their former accustomed excursions into the Countrie for contribution-money and plunder They therefore came forth with a party of about 30. horse to impede and disturbe their workes begun Whereupon Captaine Moore who had the Command of Malmsbury foot left at Letch-lad by Colonell Morgan drew out 60. Musketeers with which he bravely flankt the Enemie slew 2. of them shot their Captaine in the thigh and so made retreat but this their Commander swore in a rage that they would ere long be avenged upon our forces and thereupon they presently fetched in unto them Major Duet that French-Renegado and base apostate from the Parliaments service who since his defection had beene a Scourge and vexation to those parts though most Commonly with losse to himselfe who came that very evening with 100. foot and 120. horse purposing to have surprised ours in their workes and now to be revenged on them for his friends former repulse but valiant and vigilant Captaine Moore timely discovered them sent out another partie of Musketters and the Gloucester-horse thereabout having taken the Alarm drew forth also to the Encounter set fiercely upon the Enemy put them to the rout pursued the chace mortally wounded Major Duet himselfe unhorst him threw him into the dire where within 4 or 5 houres after he was found dead a just hand of God now at last upon such a disloyall and faithlesse apostate from the honest Cause which he first undertooke they also slew another Captain and 20. more Common Souldiers upon the place tooke 30. prisoners whereof one was a Corner and 5. of the Kings Life-guard 40. horse and 60 fire-armes And thuâ— having by Gods great mercy to whom alone be all the praise and glory thereof chaced them close to Rad-cot-Bridge even almost to their very workes they returned victoriously safe to their Garrison without the lose of any one man of theirs slaine only 2. or 3. wounded but not mortally Finally about the latter end of this November it pleased the Lord to put into the hearts of our most prudent and provident Parliamentarie-Statists for the more luculent and cleare manifestation of their hearts integrity to manage all matters for the greater honour of that great and supreame Court of Parliament and the fairer evidence of their own personall sincerity in and about the same to take into their serious debate the great prejudice which many have received by protection of Members of Parliament and their servants or attendants and therefore how the same might be remedied for the future The result whereof came at last to this issue that they appointed a Committee of New elected Members who were to meet certaine dayes weekly with power to heare and examine complaints of such as have suffered in that nature And also to receive such complaints as shall upon just ground be brought against any Member of Parliament for taking of Bribes or for any other act of injustice whatsoever Certainely such acts of justice as these especially being faithfully and effectually carryed on will make this already most famous Parliament much more famous and illustrious to all posterity and cannot but most justly stop the mouths of all malicious-hearted Malignants and others who have or shall endevour injuriously to scandalize their honourable proceedings And here now againe good Reader let me desire thee to stay a while to make a most gratefull review there in to admire the rare and remarkable parliamentarie-Parliamentarie-mercies of this moneth also in the cleare and most demonstrative ratification of this admirable wonder of the Burning-Bush still unconsumed and rarely kept and recovered from the many menaced distractions of it by the incessant assailant furious flames and conflagrations flashing continually round about it as hath beene most apparently seen and set forth both in the Parliaments provident care and Circumspection for the safety and welfare of the Kingdome and City of London in those two excellent Orders against Delinquents In the taking in of Shelford-House And miserably taring in peeces of the Lord Digbies late scattered forces againe rallyed into a body In the surrender of Abarashwait a strong Garrison of the Enemie in Cardiganshire into the Parliaments power And the gratefull recordation of the Parliaments happie preservation from the malicious machinations of the plotting Enemies therof since the beginning of it to this present In the taking in of Worton-Garrison Wiverton and Welbeck-house And the spontaneous falling off of all Glamorganshire from the Kings pernicious party In the surrender of Bolton-Castle in the North to the Parliaments forces And the brave defeat given to the Enemy at Cannon-Froom and surprisall then of a notable Engine for batterie called a Sowe In the notable defeate given to the Lord Ashton and his forces where himselfe was slaine And the brave prize taken at Sea from the Enemie by Plymouth Garrison In the brave defeat given to Major Duet that French renegado and base Apostate where he himselfe was slaine And lastly In the remarkable testimonie of the Parliaments integrity shining forth in that excellent order of theirs against Parliaments protections and taking of bribes All which graciously and gratefully considered can amount to no lesse than a most cordiall and comfortable acknowledgement and confession of the Lords unchangeable free grace and unexhaustible bounty to us his most unworthy people of England even to admiration and astonishment to all our neighbour Nations round about us And that therefore they may and must most justly cause yea compellus with thankfull thoughts hearts and tongues to confesse and say with holy David Through the Lord alone we have done thus valiantly and he it is that â—ath thus graciously and gloriously trod downe our Enemies Yea He it is that hath bidden us not to be afraid of our most potent or politick
Parliament and their friends This indulgent and most noble favour thus shewed by his Excellency was not altogether fruitlesse unto us immediately after for some of those Officers proved very serviceable to our Army in some of their succeeding designes nor could lesse good effects be expected from many others where his Excellency occasionally made his Martiall progresse and advances whereby he hath most certainly and more and more most worthily been crowned with ancient Caesars more than Golden Diadems of perpetuall same and honour viz. Caesar noster Anglicus dando sublevando ignoscendo Gloriam adeptus est But now to proceed About the latter end of this Moneth of January we had further certaine intelligence by Letters from Dartmouth in the West that a Barke which came from France putting in at Dartmouth not knowing it was in the Parliaments hands and being come within command before they discovered it was there instantly seized on But speciall order and directions having been given to the Master of the Ship that in case he saw himself in danger to be taken by any of the Parliaments Forces he should throw his packets of Letters overboard into the Sea which now he had accordingly done but it being upon examination confessed Colonell Lambert presently commanded out boats to search for them and to see if they could espie any such Packets floating on the waters toward the shore which by Gods good providence at last they found so indeed and tooke them up and brought them to the noble Colonell even Letters of great concernment from the Queen Jermine and Goring which were all speedily posted up to the Parliament And thus besides the prize of the Ship and the fraught therein the Lord was most graciously pleased even by our Enemies themselves and especially by admirable interception of their Letters from time to time even all along to lay open and discover unto us the most hidden I had almost said the most hideous secrets of their hellish hearts against us and thereby giving us fair and seasonable opportunities by his blessed assistance to prevent and avoid their intended malice and mischiefe toward us blessed O ever blessed be the pure and precious grace and meere mercy of our good God unto us And here now againe good Reader I shall desire thee in thy wonted patience and piety together with me to make another short stay and take a summarie and briefe survey and gratefull revise of all the sweet and salubrious mercies of this moneth also so much conducing to the health and happinesse of this long languishing Church and State to the dressing pruning and prospering of this our Burning-Bush still as you see unconsumed the Parliaments just Cause thus still sustained in the midst of all the fiery machinations and flaming molestations burning and blazing round about it as hath been most comfortably and conspicuously seen to us all both in the great mercy of our God in so upholding the heart of the renowned Governour of Plymouth with such impregnable loyalty and fidelity to the Parliament and its most just Cause as not to betray that great trust committed to him by the Parliament in safe-guarding the said famous Town from the pawes and possession of the Enemie and also in the singular good successe which immediately after the Lord gave to those his loyall befieged servants against their besieging Enemies as a just reward of their late base batterie of treachery shot against it In that famous defeat given also to the Enemy at Bâ—vie-Tracy and our winning of Ilminster Ashburton Totnes and Okebampton together with the famous victory obtained against the Rebels of Ireland at Sligo and the excellent effects ensuing thereon In the most happy totall relief of Plymouth from a long and dangerous siege by base and blood-thirsty Enemies and recovery of Sir Francis Drakes House a strong Garrison also out of their hands In Gods great goodnesse unto us in still stirring up the hearts and raising up the spirits of the most renowned Citizens of London to stand close to his truth and to be very zealous for the building up of Gods House as was most eminently evident in their most excellent Petitions to the Lords and Commons in Parliament for the speeding thereof In the most happy surprizall of the Town and Castle of Dartmouth a mighty mercy unto us indeed it being a place of great consequence to the whole Kingdome and a faire and famous Haven and inlet from other forraigne parts And sixthly and lastly In that brave defeat given to the Enemy at Câ—rk neer Stafford the taking in of Pâ—â—ldram Castle by Sir Thomas Fairfâ—â—s forces in the West and his most Excellent and amiable demeanour among the people of those parts even like a second Julius Caesar Together with the most seasonable surprisall of that Ship from France in Dartmouth harbour by which that 〈◊〉 of Letters of so great Concernment was also by Gods gâ—â—d providence apprehended and found floating on the waves of the Sea All which most gratefully put together and seriously and sanctimoniously considered can amount to no lesse than a most large acknowledgement of our most deere and Deepe enâ—â—gement to the Lord our God in all the bonds of most bonden gratitude and therefore to breake out into holy and hearty zeale 〈◊〉 Cordiall thankfulnes and with the good Prophet to conâ—â—â—â— and say Who would not feare and love thee O King of Nations 〈◊〉 to thee alone indeed it doth appertaine for as much as among all 〈◊〉 and strong man of the Nations and all their kingdomes their 〈…〉 like unto the Lord our God Who hath most mercifully and 〈◊〉 been a wall of fire to us this unworthy Jerusalem round 〈◊〉 as and the onely glorie in the midst among us But now to proceed And here now I shall begin the farther prosperous per 〈…〉 in the comfortable contemplation of the continued wonder of the Burning-Bush unconsumed in this Moneth also of Februarie 1646. with the certaine intelligence by letters out of the North 〈◊〉 parts of the Kingdome about the beginning of the 〈◊〉 of February 1646. That the strong and almost impregnaâ—â— Garrison called 〈◊〉 Castle being one of the strongest and 〈◊〉 buildings in the Kingdome and therefore called Belvoir 〈◊〉 word signifying a Fair-Prospect which had 66 steps or 〈◊〉 unto it and therefore might well over-look the Country which for the most part being vallies round about it seemed 〈◊〉 yeild obeyâ—â—â—ce to this Castle which now I say is reduced 〈…〉 obedience of the Parliament Sir lartis Lucas the Governour thereof withall the Commanders Officers and Souldiers therin 〈◊〉 permission to march away to Litch-field upon more honourable termes indeed than they deserved And 〈◊〉 Thursday Februarie they came letters out of Cheshire from that 〈◊〉 faithfull and religious Commander Sir Williâ—◠〈◊〉 of the most happie surrender of the strong and long 〈◊〉 Castle of West-Chester into the noble
and treacherously too as many feared entrapped and cooped up but thus as you have heard most admirably delivered and preserved from utter ruine and destruction as was threatned and resolved which therefore is with extraordinary thankfulnesse to God to bee beheld and lookt upon and most justly to bee enrolled in the number of our singular great mercies and deliverances of the Lord wrought for us as whereby notwithstanding the unhappy losse of so brave an Artillery and Armes of our Souldiers yet a wide doore was thus left open unto us in good measure to râ—crute our Army again considering that there is no competition or comparison to bee made between the raising of men and getting of Armes the former being known by experience to bee very difficult the other very easie to performe And which is also herein very considerable the mercy was so much the greater and the losse the lesse in regard that his Excellency had taken farre more Ordnances and Armes from the Enemy but a little before in this his Western Expedition than were now lost in this last disaster Now as touching the matter and cause of this great miscarriage though I doe not I dare not take upon mee to discusse it it having been I hope throughly examined by others to whom it more properly appertained yet give mee leave good Reader to suspect still that it was a plain peice of treachery to the State Parliament honest honorable Major Gen Skippon perceived it at last as it was reported though too late most evidently and therefore as it was credibly enformed smiting himself upon his brest hee said Wee are betraied wee are betraied But who the persons were was not then so clear yet some were known and one of them ran to the King to secure himself and Colonell Butler was sent up to London by his Excellency and committed to the Tower of London till hee was examined about it And it is the more easily to bee beleeved to have been a meer peice of trechery against the noble Lord Generall as being a thing plotted and contrived before hee went into the West and that upon this ground namely That divers of the most knowing and active Royalists then among us at London were heard with much confidence to say before his Excellency went forth in this Expedition that the Lord Generall would receive a blow in the West In particular a Gentleman then a prisoner in Warwick-castle by name Mr. E. Andrewes the Son of Sir Eusebie Andrewes who being among divers Gentlemen at a Tavern in Warwick said before them all with imperious speeches that hee would bee hanged if the Earl of Essex came safe back again out of the West And told them withall that they should see the Kings Army flourish with other words to this effect as I had it by credible information And this was presently after the Lord Generall was gone into the West when hee had a most gallant and stout Army indeed and such an one as the Kings Army durst not look in the face nor was it probable durst come so neer it as to behold their back-parts For his Excellencies Army was then known to be a terrour to the Enemy for some of the cheif of the Kings Army at the end of Newberry-battail when they were carrying the body of the Earl of Caâ—narvan into the Town said Damn mee Essex will never bee beaten and with fearfull oaths were heard to swear All the devils in hell could not beat him But now to proceed About the 4 of this instant September came certain information by Letters from Osâ—estry to London that Sir Thomas Middletons Ammunition was safely arrived from Wem to Oswestry to the great sorrow of the Enemy who some few dayes before as was certified by Letters from Wem issued out of Salop to Whittington with at least 1200 foot and 400 horse to have intercepted it But renowned Sir Thomas Middleton having intelligence thereof sent out a party from Oswestâ—â—y to guard the Ammunition which party discovering the Enemy wheeled into the Rear all the Horse being with the Ammunition in the Van and so fell upon them killed five upon the place took five prisoners wounded many and made the Enemy fly but being to guard the Ammunition they durst not leave their charge to follow them so the Enemy wheeled back again from Franck ford-Hope neer Elsmore and so to Salop and out Ammunition of exceeding great concernment for the succeeding Welch affaires was as I said safely thus conveyed into Oswestry ready there for the following work in Wales where of more in its due place About the 8 of this instant also came certain intelligence by Letters out of Staffordshire of a brave exploit performed by that most valiant and brave Commander Colonell Rudgely in a most notable defeat which hee gave unto the Enemy the substance wherof wee received from Letters thence to this effâ—ct Wee marched out of Stafford to Lynsell and thence took from under the Walls at least an 104 Oxen and Cowes and about 300 Horse Then wee marched to Litchfield whence wee brought away above an 160 Oxen and Cowes and 60 Horse and presently after newes being brought us that the Enemy was plundering at Chartley his Excellencies the Lord Generals own Lands with an intent to drive away his Cattell whereupon our valiant Colonell Colâ— Rudgelâ—y drew forth all those horses hee had and about an 180 foot and marched thither but they having broke open the stable door and taken a choice Colt of my Lord Generals which Colt was shot and killed by one of his Servants out of the house as they led him away they were gone thence before wee could get thither and got into Penâ—h-Park to drive that whereupon wee marched to Vssiter and at Lacksley wee heard that the Enemy was marched toward Bromble so with those few horse which wee had wee marched in haste after them if possible to ingage them till our foot came up unto us and neer unto Bagots-Bromâ—ey after 10 miles hard march wee fell upon their Reare and upon the first charge took about 40 horse and as many men and Armes and pursued them to their main-body which consisted of at least 500 good horse but our horse not being above an 100. wee were forced to retreat a little way but presently rallyed again which whilst wee were doing the Enemy planted an ambuscado which upon our second charge fired upon us but wee bravely beat the ambuscado up and killed and took every man of those so planted and all their armes and Horses and kept the rest in play till our foot came up and then they fell off from us and wee kept the field On our part wee had only one man slain and they took six prisoners but from them wee took a Serjeant Major one Captain one Leivtenant two Quarter masterâ— three Corporals and the rest Common Souldiers in all 18. and killed about 30. took many Armes and
hee dâ—ed in this Cause but that hee dyed so soon to doe no more for it A most noble speech indeed and most worthy a virtuous and Christian Lady But now to proceed About the 26 of this instant September came certain intelligence by Letters to London out of Gloucestershire of a very rare exploit performed by that most renowned and ever to bee honoured successefull Commander Colonell Massie at Monmouth in South-Wales which was this Colonell Kerl who had the Command of the said Town and Castle for the King went out in the night with a party of Horse and was met with by Colonell Massie who having laid an ambuscado surprised the Colonell and took all his men prisoners After which to requite some ill service which hee had formerly done to the Parliament in deserting it or whither that were done by compulsion or otherwise I will not determine but the said Colonell Kerl upon an agreement and resolution betwixt brave Colonell Massie and him marched in the head of Colonell Massies men to the Town of Monmouth and demanded entrance whereupon the draw-bridge being let down Colonell Massie soon became Master thereof and quickly got possession both of the Town and Castle together with the losse not of above 6 men on both sides This Colonell Kerles Father was then at Gloucester and for the Parliament and having an estate in the County of Monmouth the King gave it to his Son on his revolt to his side but by this means the Father happily regained both his Son and his inheritance together This Town being a place of great concernment was on this obtaining of it made a Garrison for the Parliament it being not only the inlet into South-Wales from Bristol but was also a Magazine to furnish that City and those parts with Butter Cheese and all sorts of Victualls And about the latter end of this instant September wee had farther certain information by Letters from Gloucâ—ster that Prince Robber having had a design to secure a passage between Bristol and Wales for which purpose â—ee had sent 200 of his Forces to Betsley in the Forrest of Dean joyning upon the Severn neer unto that grand Papists Sir John Winters in the Parish of Tidenton where they were a fortifying and making a mote and had raised a Sconce to secure that Garrison But valiant Colonell Massie having timely intelligence thereof drew out a considerable Party of his own and some of the Earl of Denbighs Horse and bravely fell upon them slew divers of them took their Governour and 10 Commanders more about an 162 prisoners 200 Armes 2 peices of Ordnance and all their Artillery bagge and baggage and thereby utterly frustrated that design and thus the noble and renowned Colonell victoriously returned to Gloucester with all his prisoners and prize aforesaid And now good Reader let mee heer desire thee to make a little pause and ponder a while with holy admiration and Christian contemplation on this moneths great wonder also even to see this blessed Burning-Bush the Cause of God his innocent Church or Children in the midst of so many combersome and combustuous and furiously flaming Conflagrations and yet this Bush so farre from being consumed as that contrariwise it growes more and more strong vigorous and victorious sprouting and spreading forth with more and more extraordinary boughes and branches and as it were in a fair and most flourishing condition Witnesse all this foresaid moneths particular passages of Gods providence and protection over his forely smitten assaulted and menaced Members of his Church both in their deep danger in Cornwall by an undoubted plot of trechery contrived by false friends as well as open enemies together I say with all the rest of the most memorable providentiall passages of this moneth in all which it was most evidently seen that the blessing and good will of him that dwelt in the Bush was plentifully poured out on his Churches Cause and may therefore most justly cause and encourage us still more and more to magnifie the mercy of our good God and with immoveable constancy and confidence relying on his experienced love and faithfulnesse to confesse with holy David to the incomparable praise of our wonder-working God O Lord God of Hosts who is a strong Lord like unto thee or to thy faithfulnesse round about thee for who in the heavens can bee compared to the Lord and who among the sons of the mighty can bee like unto our God But now to goe on AND now I say to goe on in a farther and more serious search for contemplation and admiration of these continued wonders of our great and glorious wonder-working God which were most obviously and conspicuously presented to our eyes and eares in the whole progresse of this next ensuing Moneth of October 1644. And heer wee will begin with the then present state and condition of the Parliaments main and standing-Army under the speciall Command of his Excellency the Lord Generall Robert Earl of Essex which Army what a most dangerous combustion and deep gulf of destruction it had lately escaped in the West by the unfaithfulnesse as was strongly conceived and groundedly beleeved also as I have already expressed in the last fore-going moneths passages of some of the prime Officers and Commanders of that Army In serious consideration whereof our most renowned and vigilant Parliamentary Statists did the very beginning of this Moneth Vote a Committee to goe down to the Army viz. the Lord Wareston and Mr. Crew whose advice was to bee taken by the Commander and Commanders in Cheif for the prevention of future disloyall attempts and treacherous designes and for the more serious and solid acts and motions of the Army for the good of the Kingdome by Gods blessing thereon the like course being said to bee taken in Holland namely that there are some of the States of those Vnited-Provinces that accompany the Prince of Orange whose concurrent advice hee takes upon the enterprising of any designe and yet the said Prince takes not this as any diminution of his Command And how needfull this course hath been in our main Army the Kingdom hath been or might have been most feelingly sensible especially considering the ill-instruments which about this time and formerly were and have been in the Army in the West which although I have already in some measure touched before yet because more clear demonstrations thereof are since come to light and to my hands I shall desire with the Readers patience and to his farther and fuller satisfaction therin a little heer to insist on Witnesse therefore those instructions dispersed by Colonell Butler as was most credibly informed which the King sent to tempt our said Army then in Cornwall which were the most desperate and dangerous things that ever were yet penned and may in time come to publick view One of which was this You shall also inform that wee have assurance of a Party in
38 peices of Ordnance 50 barrels of powder 500 Muskets a great number of Pikes and great store of shot and other sorts of provision And heerin now in breif wee may see the great goodnesse of God thus admirably completing our comforts to us by severall most wise providentiall degrees for though the Town of Newcastle was taken and in our full possession yet it was of little use unto us till the Castle therein was surrendred and though both this Town and Castle were taken yet they were not of any considerable and desired use for publick Trade by shipping till Tinmouth castle was surrendred which commands the entâ—ance into that River so as no Ships can passe it but with great hazzard but now Gods name bee ever glorified all letâ— and obstructions to a free Trade into that Town are quite taken away and any ships may passe and repasse most freely and fearlesly and the Ordinance of Parliament formerly inhibiting all commerce and Trading with Newcastle whiles it was in the power of the Royalists was shortly after by Both Houses of Parliament repealed and full power and licence now granted of free Trading thither againe by authority of Parliament And now upon the 31 of this instant October being the last wednesday of this Moneth wee had the Parliamentary monethly Fast solemnized before and close upon which the Lord did most graciously give us both admirable preventions of our prayers and singular returns of them after prayers even all along save only in that unhappy self-failing of our forces at Dunnington-castles and Bazing-houses releif by our own undoubted remissenesse if not worse whereby I say our said day of Monethly humiliation was and that most deservedly turned as much into a day of gratulation rejoycing and praising the Lord our God as of Fasting and Praying to God both for that famous Victory and â—urrender of the Town of Newcastle to our loyall and lowing brethren of Scotland which as learned reverend and truely religious Mr. Case justly said wee may most worthily baptize and Christen with the name of Gâ—d a Multitude for after it wee received a multitude of Mercies from the bountifull hands of our good God for presently upon that surrender fell out all the succeeding memorable mercies which have been in this moneths passages forementioned as namely the last famous Victory or defeat given to our Enemies the Kings Forces at Newberry the taking of the Castle in Newcastle-Town and of Tinmouth-castle shortly after the happy and remarkable unbloody surrender of the Town of Leverpool in Lancashire and the famous defeat given to the Newark forces by our most valiant and vigilant Forces of Leicester and Lincolnshire all fore-specified Heer therefore good Reader I shall desire thee together with mee to make a short stand and stay to see and admire this Moneths most admirable wonder also of the Burning-Bush not only not Consumed but even in the midst of most furious flames and conflagrations as it were growing green still and waxing more and more fair and flourishing Witnesse I say most conspicuously and undeniably that further discovery of that desperate and dangerous plot and designe closly and craftily carryed on for our inevitable ruine and destruction had it taken on our Army in Cornwall in the West but marveilously prevented by Gods good providence infusing such courage and faithfulnesse into the hearts of our Commanders and Souldiers Witnesse also the most successefull proceedings of the affaires of our best beloved brethren in the kingdome of Scotland together with the many mischeivous Array-men surprised in the Northern parts of our kingdom by the well-affected-people of those parts and putting them into the power and custody of renowned Generall Lesley Also the taking of Radcastle in Northwales by Sir Thomas Middleton together with the Parliaments most pious and prudent completing and publishing of that blessed Ordinance for Ordination of Ministers in and about London in a most pious and Apostolicall way and order Witnesse also that brave and most famous defeat given to the Enemies by that most renowned and ever to bee honoured and loved Commander Colonell Massie at Beechley where the said brave Colonell was admirably preserved both from death and danger Together with the surprisall of the Irish ship at White-haven in Cumberland the brave prize taken by renowned Colonell Sydenâ—am Governour of Pool in the West and another also by most valiant and loyall Colonell Lambert in the North. And witnesse Gods speciall providence and particular love and regard of the good not only of this Church and State in generall but also of his peculiar treasure and holy hidden ones in speciall viz. in the redemption and deliverance from a long and tedious captivity in the North of one of his most faithfull servants and sufferers for his Truth and Gospel namely Dr. John Bastwick lately then a prisoner in Knaresborough castle in Yorkshire Together with the farther brave performances of noble and renowned Sir Thomas Middleton in North-wales And all the rest of the most remarkable and memorable Victories I say of our most worthily ever to bee honored and beloved brethren the Scots at Newcastle and the other most memorable successes of our Armies as is fore-mentioned all which being put together and seriously considered doe abundantly make good the truth of this our Nations wonder in reference unto Moses his great wonder of his Burning-Bush not consumed and therefore gives us just occasion in admiration and contemplation thereof to break forth into a just ingenuous confession of the faithfulnesse of Gods promise to his Church and children by the Prophet Isaiah by whom the Lord tells his people Behold I have created the Smith that bloweth the coaleâ— in the fire and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work and I have created the waster to destroy But no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn And as the Lord sayes in the 15 verse of this foresaid Chapter Behold they shall surely gather together but not by mee Whosoever therefore shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake And thus hath the Lord most faithfully done for us in these our dayes even for us as sinfull and undeserving a people as were his Israelites of old And therefore let us in holy exultation with the pious Prophet David sing and say to the Lords everlasting praise and glory O who is God save only the Lord or who is a rock save our God The Lord liveth and blessed bee our rock and let the God of our Salvation bee exalted and praised for ever But now to proceed and goe forward to the farther progresse and prosecution of our just admiration of this our Nationall wonder in the next succeeding Moneth of November 1644. ANd first I shall begin with a brave exploit performed by the forces of that valiant Patriot
adjacent Garrisons opportunely rose and advanced from his quarters to the Town of Cardigan whither the Country formerly invited him and made a party to assist the Generall to complete the designe inagitation and the Town being faced at a distance willingly surrendred and complyed The Castle being a considerable place ably manned having the Ordnance of the convert Frigot there shipwrackt most obstinately stood out till a Demiculverin of brasse belonging to the Leopard was rounted and played 3 dayes upon them forcing a breach which was gallantly entred and made good by our party and the Castle stormed wherein were an 100 Commanders and Souldiers with their armes and good plunder not forgetting the Converts Ordnance thus returned by divine providence and works of mercy in a Commander adding honour to â—cts of Chivalry invited the Generall to give the Steward life who contemned quarter The Town and Castle reduced and the Country in the major part as conceived well affected our Army advanced toward Newcastle the Enemies next Garrison which as conceived will bee slighted or quitted by the Enemy and that County brought to a right understanding of their duty and Parliamentary just honour and proceedings To God bee rendred the due praises of his mercies Vessels of late have been designed to the well-affected Garrisons in Ireland but none in regard of contrary windes returned and shipping to ply up the Channell as high as Miniard have also been Commissionated to give intelligence and assistance to our Forces in those parts Sir Thomas Middletons Maâ—azine of Ammâ—nition since disposed of to Leverpool Nothing that by integrity and action may adde life to the publick good shall by Gods assistance bee wanting and my faithfull indevours shall comply with your Honours great trust whose happinesse shall ever consist my very good Lord to bee Your most humble and faithfull Servant Rich. Swanley Jan. 1. 1644. Postscript My Lord In the night of this date arrived Captain Coachman in the True-Love from Leverpool I have herewith presented Colonell Moores Letter from thence who brought in the Content-prize with the passengers as per list I have included a paper that from Dublin came to band to whom I can yeeld no complyance for want of Ammunition Pray take present order to supply mee with Ammunition and all stores otherwise I shall burthen the State and bee disabled to doe Service A List of Passengers Names taken in the Content-prize bound for Dublin by Captain Coachman in the True-Love The Lord Brabison Sir Henry Titchburn Sir James Ware Mr. Robert Price Mr. Tho. Williams Mr. John Smith Mr. Alex. Nugent Mr. Rich. Holland Mr. Patr. Pue With their Servants All which are to bee sent to the State being of considerable force with the first conveniency in the Honour by Captain Seaman An Extract out of a Letter writen by Captain William Smith to the Lord high Admirall from aboard the Ship called the Swallow in Milford Haven touching the taking of Cardigan Town and Castle AFter many great raines which have fallen in these parts which was no invitation for a Souldier to lye in the fields yet such was the gallantry of Major Generall Laughorne to promote the Cause in hand that the Almighty no sooner crowned his desires with a happy season but in a gratefull acknowledgement hee placed a Garrison in Laughorn castle and from thence marched towards Cardigan with about 500 Horse and 300 Foot and on the 21 of December 1644. hee sate down before Cardigan castle demanding a surrender thereof for the service of the King and Parliament But Major Slaughter who commanded in cheâ—f replyed hee held that Castle for the service of the King and so long as hee had life hee would keep it for his Majesty though therein hee was not a man of his word After three dayes siege the Major Generall perceiving all further attempts-would bee in vain unlesse a breach could bee forced and having no Artillery with him hee forthwith gave order the Demy-Culverin should bee brought from Laughorn which with much difficulty and industry came safe to Cardigan and being placed to the best advantage he fell to battery The Enemy within the Castle-yard cast up a half moon some distance from the place on which the Demi-Culverin played in which they placed their great Gunnes laden with Caâ—e-shot that in case a breach should â—ee made those Gunnes might disanimate our men in entring or perform suddain execution on them Our men plying the Demi-Culverin forced a breach and being full of resolution entred running in the mouth of their Guns recovered the half moon where the Enemy as men bereft of all sense having not the power to give fire to their Guns although the Linstocks were in their hands ready lighted cast down all their armes and cryed for quarter the which was granted â— from thence wee entred the Castle and took Prisoner Major Slaughter and his wife one Captain Vaughan with their Leivtenant and Ensigne one Doctor Taylor a Divine with about an 100 common Souldiers six great Guns a 150 Armes a quantity of powder ball and other provisions and this was done the 29 of December last On the 4 of January Generall Gerrard sat down before the Castle with about 1200 horse and 1300 foot Major Generall Laughorn recruted his forces to about 600 horse and 300 foot and advanced towards Cardigan to redeem his friends who were in the Castle out of the power of the Enemy Leivtenant Colonell Powell in the night sent a Souldier who swum through the river and informed Major Generall â—â—ughorn that unlesse hee could releive the Castle within eight dayes hee should bee enforced to surrender it for want of Victuals and Ammunition which hee beleeved might bee supplyed if some Seamen versed in managing a water sight and climing up rocks were employed So 120 Seamen were sent who after a veiw had of the place undertook it which was performed on this wise A boat laden with provisions was placed in the middle between foure boats on each side two of which were manned with Seamen who in flanks faced both ways plying their Muâ—kets on the Enemy who from the shore played on them with about 300 Musketters yet our Seamen gallantly proceeded put all the provisions into the Castle and returned without the losse of one man onely two slightly wounded After this Colonell Laughorn having drawn his foot into a body being with our Seamen in all about 350. hee encouraged them to give an assault on the Town which after some debate was attempted and on the 22 of January last our foot forced their passage over the Bridge in which wee lost but one man and having beaten the Euemy from their first guard they pressed on to the second which they also took and pursuing the victory beat them out of their main guard which was at the Market place and then out of the Church where our forces took two brasse Demi-Culverins which Gerrard brought from Bristoll with some Powder ball and all their
Major Generall Skippon to bee Major Generall of the whole Army and then they proceeded to nominate the Colonells of each Regiment for the said Modell which were 21 in all whereof Colonell Holborn and Colonell Rossiter were 2 in the first place And the House then took into consideration the completing of an Ordinance for the raising of Monies to maintain the said Army which shortly after was perfectly completed in all particulars whereof more in their more proper places About January the 24 wee had most certain intelligence by Letters out of Cheshire which were read in Parliament in the House of Commons of a very great overthrow given to the Enemies forces neer Chester by ever to bee renowned Sir William Breretons forces the manner whereof was in breif thus related That the Enemy drew forth all the strength of Horse and Foot that they could get together in and about Chester and marched thence with an intention to releive Beeston castle then strongly besieged by Sir William Brereton whereof Leivtenant Colonell Jones and Sergeant Major Brookes having intelligence they fell upon them in their passage and so undauntedly dealt with them that in a short time they had totally routed the whole body of the Enemies Army both Horse and Foot slew 50 of them in the place and neer 200 wounded They took prisoners 2 Colonells one Leivtenant Colonell 2 Sergeant Majors 6 Captains 10 Leivtenants 4 Ensignes 3 Sergeants and one Corporall They took also 200 horse and 200 men prisoners with 400 Armes and much Ammunition whereby as it may bee easiled judged Chester Garrison was much weakned and disabled to hold out long the then present siege And about the 26 instant wee received also certain knowledge of a notable and brave peice of Service performed by Major Generall Craford then Governour of Ailsbury who going with but about 90 horse to seek quarter for his Souldiers and finding none one way hee wheeled about toward Thame and unexpectedly fell upon a 120 horse of the Enemies among whom was Colonell Bleyer Governour of Walling ford Castle who when they saw each other both these Champions did not take the advantage of each other but in a fair and open field drew into battalia and sent out their forlorn hopes of each side who presently charged one another and so both bodies met and both these Commanders bravely disputed the businesse a while in a fiery and steely language and with much interchangeable courage on both sides But at last our party most undauntedly routed the Enemy Colonell Craford having himself very sorely wounded Colonell Bleyer in this fight but his horse not being maimed his heeles did his Master more service than his own hands could and carryed him fiercely away half dead out of the field all the rest both horse and men being either taken or kild save only about 13 or 14 who escaped with the wounded Governour 20 were so sorely wounded that they could not bee brought prisoners into Ailsbury and not being capable of doing any further hurt they left them behinde to creep if they could to their own Chirurgeons and seek their own cure The 2 Governours as wee were credibly informed meeting together in person in this brave encounter assaulted each other in a single combate and for a while bravely on both sides maintained the duell till Bleyer received a most dangerous wound and as I said before by his horses swiftnesse escaped away Wee lost but 3 men of ours in this furious fight and so ours most victoriously returned to Ailsbury with their prisoners About the 28 of this instant the Committee of the County of Kent that brave unanimous County most happy by the noblenesse of an enobled Gentry presented a petition to the House of Commons wherein they expressed great thankfulnesse unto them for their indefatigable and constant care and paines for the good of the publike Affaires of the Kingdom unto which also they declared their singular good affection and faithfulnesse And humbly also prayed that the House would proceed in fully passing the Self-denying Ordinance for the disabling of the Members of either House to bear any Office in the Common-wealth during the time of these Warres which Ordinance though it had about this time clearly passed in the House of Commons yet received some long stop and contradiction in the House of Peeres which Petition of those Kentish Gentlemen was received with great acceptance and thanks returned to the Petitioners with promise of their best endevours to hasten it Some other particulars were also inserted in their Petition concerning some particular distempers and greivances in that County which were referred to a Committee and in speciall concerning the unnaturall Conspirators for the betraying of Dover Castle and Chattam in Kent who were then kept in durance to bee in due time called to a severe account for that most vile and trecherous design which was afterward effected with the death of divers of the cheif ring-leaders therein Finally about the 30 of this instant January wee received certain intelligence out of Warwickeshire of the singular good successe of Major Purefoy at Compton House against the Enemy as by his own Letter will more fully appear which for the Readers better content and satisfaction I have thought fit heer to insert The Copy of Serjeant Major Purefoyes Letter the brave Governour of Compton House in Warwickshire to his Colonell Colonell Purefoy SIR I Shall heer breifly relate for all passages would bee too tedious to trouble you withall how that first I desire with all my Soul that God may have all the praise and glory which is due to a God that hath now and ever shewed himself unto mee almost by miracles in delivering mee and all under my Command from very many and most eminent dangers This night about 2 of the clock a 1000 or 1200 horse and foot of the Enemies fell upon mee at Compton stormed my Outworks gained the Stables and cut down my great Drawbridge possest themselves of all my Troop of Horses and took about 30 of my foot Souldiers in their beds who lay over the Stables and all this was done almost before a man could think what to doe Wee received this fierce alarm as wee had good cause and presently made good the new Skonce before the Stonebridge and beat them out of the great Court there being about 200 entred and ready to storm the Skonce but by Gods mercy wee gave them so hot a sally that wee forced them to retreat back to the Stables Barnes and Brew-house where from the windowes they played very hot upon us I then commanded Leivtenant Purefoy and my Quarter-master having no other Officers of quality at home the rest being abroad with about 30 of my best Troopers to sally out upon the Enemy with a party of some 40. and to attempt the regaining of the Brew-house and the roomes above which instantly they did with most gallant resolution and courage Sergeant
Bird was one that came not short in bravery of any This party I say fought thus with the Enemy and came to push of Pike nay to the swords point and laid about them so bravely that they forced the Enemy to flie from chamber to chamber Whereupon I presently sent out my youngest brother the Ensign with my 3 Corporalls of horse and about 40 more men to releive the first party And I assure you Sir the young Boy fought well and led on his men most bravely and releived his brother by which means all the upper roomes were regained and now the Enemies kept onely the Stables and the Barnes which they held stoutly but my resolute Souldiers did then so thunder their horse and Reserves of foot that stood within Pistoll shot that Sir William and Sir Charles Compton who were there present began to give ground which my Souldiers easily perceiving some leapt out at the windowes and so into the Out-works by which meanes I recovered my Out-works again and made a sally-port by which the Enemy endevoured to retreat at but finding they were frustrated of their hopes and that my Musketteers did play so hot upon the great Draw-bridge that they could not bee releived and withall wee having beaten the Enemy out of that work which wee stormed when you took the House I had time therby to recover fully the great Draw-bridge and instantly got new Ropes and new Locks and drew it up again in-spight of them all Now by this means all those whose names are heer with inclosed to you were all in Cobs pound having no means in the world to retreat whereupon they fought desperately for the space of 3 houres and the valiant Comptons perceiving their extreme losse attempted 3 severall times to storme and regain my Out-works but all the 3 times were beaten off with as much resolution I praise the Lord and gallantry of my Souldiers as could bee expressed by men The Enemy within set firâ— on the hay straw and all combustible stuffe to smother my men out of the upper roomes which did indeed much annoy them and the Enemy without threw at least an 100 hand-granadoes upon the houses so as they set them on fire in 3 severall places Whereupon Sir Charles and Sir William thinking all their own sent a Trumpeter to parley but I commanded that none should parley nor would I permit the Trumpeter to speak at all unto mee and â—ain hee would have said something to the Souldiers but I commanded him upon his life to bee gone and not to return any more upon his perill and wee continued in fight still and the foresaid fire did so increase that I thought it fit to offer quarter to all those that were in the Stable for their lives only but they would not hear mee Upon which I drew all my men together and fell violently in upon them in which assault were slain and taken prisoners all whose names are in the ensuing List This did so dis-hearten the Comptons and all their forces that they presently drew off all their foot and onely faced mee with their horse and sent another Trumpeter to parley but I commanded to give fire upon him that hee returned with no other an answer but what a Musket could speak And thus by Gods providence and mercy wee were clearly rid of them Sir this is as true and short a narration as I could conveniently give you I am as wee are all Your obliged Servants and Kinsmen George William Purefoy Compton Jan. 30. 1644. Wee recovered all our own men again that the Enemy had taken A List of the Officers and Souldiers slain and taken Prisoners Captains 3. Leivtenants 2. one Ensigne one Quartermaster one Cornet â— Corporalls 3 Sergeants Troopers and foot Souldiers about 50. besides 6 Cartloades of wounded men carryed off and neer upon 40 Common Souldiers left dead behinde them in and about the House or Garrison Of mine own men both horse and foot onely one was desperately wounded and another slightly hurt but not one I say was slain a rare and even wonderfull providence indeed Wee took of the Enemies horse and foot arms an 100 Muskets 40 Pistolls and about 20 hand-granadoes This fight began about 2 of the clock in the morning and continued till about 9. in which time the Enemy stormed us 4 severall times and were still beaten off the number of them were both horse and foot between a 1000 and 1200 as their prisoners confessed With their hand-granadoes they desperately fired our stables barnes and brew-house in 3 severall places but did us no more considerable hurt and wee lost about 20 horse and some of our Muskets And was not heer good Reader a most remarkable evidence and undeniable testimony of Gods strong arm with us in putting such a resolute and courageous spirit into the heart of our Souldiers and so admirably delivering them from the rage of such a resolute and furious enemy And at the same time wee had also farther certain information that the very next night that this foresaid defeat was performed 6 Troopes of horse belonging to the Garrison of Northampton went forth thence to discover what parties of the Kings were haply to bee found about the Country not knowing at all of the foresaid brave defeat at Compton House and fell upon 3 Troopes of the same Enemies whch had been so beaten before at Compton House and were now quartered in their return that night in Kings-Sutton neer Banbury where Northampton forces took 57 horse and 6 prisoners the rest of their men getting into the Church there and into another great house close by it Northampton forces lost in this adventure but one man who was shot as hee went to fasten a Petarre unto the Church door and one more was wounded All the horse taken as aforesaid they sold at Northampton the next day of their return home And heer now again good Reader bee pleased to make a little stay and with a gracious and gratefull heart a little to muse and meditate on and that with wonder and amazement too the many and marvellous acts of Gods most precious providence in all the remarkable passages of this moneth also in preserving his blessed Bush still Burning but unconsumed still in the midst of so many fierce and furious devouring emflagrationâ— as namely In the death and downfall of those impious and Arch Traitors of their Country Carew and the Hothams The brave exploits of our forces about Winchester and Ailsbury Colonell Laughorns brave services in Wales related by renowned Captain Swanleyes Letter to the Parliament The brave defeat given to Prince Robber that Prince of Pilferers by renowned Major Generall Brown at Abbington together with the brave beating of the Enemies at Plymouth And Colonell Holborns good services in the West The New-Modell-Army constituted and the brave Victory of Sir William Brerâ—tons forces in Cheshire Together with Colonell Crafords
Gentlemen of this Committee with the horse entred and immediately became Masters of the Town and within 4 houres after the Castle was surrendred upon quarter for all but the Irish to march to Ludlow and then the Enemy delivered up a strong Out-work in Frankwell upon bare quarter for their lives By 12 of the clock at noon wee became absolute Masters of the Castle and Town wherein were taken many considerable prisoners good store of Ammunition and great store of Ordnance The Committee of Wem took as great care as possibly could bee that the well-affected in the Town might not in any measure suffer or bee plundered and therefore the Officers kept off the Souldiers from plundering the Town that so the Committee might see right down and none but Malignants only to suffer The Committee gave present notice hereof to Sir William Brereton certifying him what they had done who thereupon took care for forces to lye neer them to releive Colonell Mitton if occasion should bee The whole Country I mean especially the well-affected party were exceeding glad of this and desired that Colonell Mitton might bee Governour thereof being well known unto them all to bee a most honest cordiall and well-affected Gentleman and of singular and true integrity to the Parliaments Cause whereof by many reall experiments they had strong and indubitable ground and knowledge Our horse the day before had a long and weary march they having been sent to surprize Sir William and Sir Thomas Whitmore a Parliament man whereof more immediately Sir we shall not trouble you any further but to subscribe our selves Your most humble Servants A. Lloyd Sam. Moore Tho. Hunt Ro. Clives Rob. Cariton Leigh Owen Salop Feb. 24. 1644. A List of the prisoners taken in Salop as aforesaid Sir Michael Ernley Knight and his Brother Sir Rich. Lee Baronet Sir Thomas Harris Baronet Sir Henry Frederick-Thyn Baronet Sir William Owen Knight Sir John Wilde senior Knight Sir John Wilde junior Knight Sir Thomas Lister Knight Together with 11 Esquires 2 Leivtenant Colonels one Major 2 Doctors 8 Captains 15 Gentlemen 3 Ancients 4 Sargeants 9 or 10 other Officers and about 50 other prisoners wherof some were Irish One Captain and 5 others were slain Wee also took 15 peices of Ordnance many hundreds of Armes divers barrels of powder All Prince Maurice his Magazine The Town the Castle and all the Works divers Carriages bagge and baggage of the Princes Besides many other prisoners and purchases not discovered when this List was gathered Wee lost only 2 men And was not this a most rare and remarkable mercy and famous Victory indeed and never to bee obliterated out of the Tables of eternall memory and gratitude As accordingly and most worthily it was shortly after Ordered by the Parliament that a Solemn day of publike Thanksgiving to God should bee kept And 20 li. was given to the first messenger that brought this most welcome newes and 10 li. to the second And heer I must desire the Reader to take notice of the most wise and righteous disposall of this great mercy unto us by the great and glorious Moderatour of all things in Heaven and Earth Viz. That this so rare and famous defeat given to the impious Enemies of Gods Cause and Truth was upon the very same day that the Mock-Treaty or rather Plot-Treaty at Vxbridge was happily dissolved namely Saturday Feb. 22. 1645. A passage of singular divine providence and not slightly to be pretermitted of us But now to goe on Much also about the foresaid time it was most certainly informed that a party of Sir William Breretons forces as was forementioned under the command of Sir John Price a worthy Member of the House of Commons had taken Apsley House in Shropshire and therein Sir William Whitmore and Sir Thomas his Son Sir Fra. Oately Mr. Owen Mr. Fowler Mr. Griffith and divers other Gentlemen of quality and about 60 Common Souldiers as they were sitting upon a Commission of Array to raise forces for Prince Maurice and they pursued the said Prince also who still avoided Sir William and at last got over Severn toward Chester on the Welsh side And from Ailsbury wee had also about the same time certain intelligence that that brave Commander Colonell Craford had performed a brave peice of service about Roesham 3 or 4 miles from Oxford where hee fell upon a party of the Enemy and took 40 Horse with their Riders and Armes among whom was a Serjeant Major a Cornet and some other Officers And upon the 28 of this instant February Letters came to the Parliament from ever renowned Colonell Massey of a great Victory obtained by some of his forces under his brothers Command Who in the Forrest of Dean fell upon Sir John Winter routed him and made himself swim the River of Wye in which passage 60 of his men were drowned 70 slain on the place besides Colonell Gam and Leivtenant Colonell Winter and 120 taken prisoners and a 140 horse taken 2 Leivtenant Colonells one Major 4 Captains and other Commanders and Officers together with 300 Armes And upon this Relation a Letter of Thanks from the House of Commons was Ordered to bee sent to Colonell Massey for his good service and an Order also passed presently for providing money for so deserving a Commander And now good Reader let mee desire thee heer to stay a little and to take a summary and short survey of the rare and rich mercies of this Moneth also even of the Burning Bush still Vnconsumed nay rather in the midst of furious flames gallantly grown and much improved as hath been this moneth most evidently expressed both In that notable passage of Providence at Sir Erasmus de la Fountains House In the sound beating of Ashby Cavaliers at Cole-Orton and the brave defeat given to Welsh Gerrard at Cardigan Castle In that Mock-Treaty at Vxbridge and that brave peice of service performed by Major Bridges at Stoke-New-House in Gloucestershire Together with Major Jones his valiant taking of Partshall Garrison and Major Generall Brownes activity about Oxford In the brave defeat at Heightley in Yorkeshire And the happy arrivall at London of Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Parliament to receive his Commission to bee Generalissimo of all the Armies of the Kingdome In the most valiant taking of Scarborough Town Church and Haven The brave defeat given to the Enemies neer Dennington by valiant Major Temple Together with that renowned repulse given to Greenvill at Plymouth In the most happy and famous surprizall of the strong Town and Castle of Shrewsbury and all the rich prizes therein And finally In the taking of Apsley House in Shropshire The brave service of Colonell Craford at Roesham neer Oxford and the famous defeat given to the Enemies by renowned Colonell Massie in the Forrest of Dean In due and deep consideration and most gratefull contemplation of all which so rare and rich
virtuously and piously that they may prove 2 glorious and illustrious Starres not only in the firmameut of these 3 Kingdomes but even of all Christendome And about the 26 instant wee received Letters out of Gloucestershire which certified that a party of Colonell Massies horse had routed a party of the Cavaliers which were sent from Bristol by Sir Ralph Hopton toward Prince Maurice and in the skirmish had taken Colonell Roberts a great Malignant of Herefordshire besides 7 Officers and 40 common Souldiers prisoners And much about the latter end of this Moneth of March the House of Commons in Parliament took into their consideration some of their well-deserving Souldiers and their great arrears and among these cheifly that brave unspotted and ever to bee honored Commander in Armes Major Generall Skippon and thereupon ordered that his Arreares should by audit bee given in and in the mean time because hee had been long without pay they ordered that 500 pound should bee presently paid unto him in part of his Arreares And about the same time an Order past the House worthy to bee recorded to their praise and honour it being full of piety and Christian charity Viz. That out of the Monies given for Composition by some able Delinquents there should bee a 1000 pound paid to poore men that had lost their horses Waggons and Carts the Summer before in the service of the Parliament and that 500 pound more should bee paid to poore Widdows whose husbands had been slain in the service of the State And now good Reader stay heer a little and take a short revise and serious advice on this Moneths mercies and marveilous passages of divine providence and preservation of this his Parliamentary Burning Bush not Consumed although environed with most violent and vehement furious flames of Malignant wrath and rage against it as hath been most evident in all the particulars forementioned both In that most famous defeat given to the proud insulting Enemies Goring and Dives at Weymouth and Melcomb-Regis Together with the seasonable seizing on the 2 ships which by providence were put into the possession of the Parliaments friends there In the seizing upon a whole Troope of Horse being the Kings Life-guard And the brave defeat given to Prince Maurices forces at Holt-Bridge Together with a fine defeat given to Colonell Ogles forces at Winchester In that brave Victory obtained by Sir William Waller and Generall Cromwell over Colonell Long and his forces at the Devizes Together with the brave activity of our Abbington Garrison about Oxford In the most happy harmony and sweet concurrence of the House of Peers in Parliament with the House of Commons about the List of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Colonels and Commanders and their pious care for the well-ordering of his New-Modelled Army as well with Spirituall as Martiall Discipline And finally In the Parliaments godly care for the royall and religious education of the Kings 2 young children at White-Hall Colonell Massies defeat given to the Enemy at or neer Bristol And the Parliaments most worthy respect and regard to the fidelity and good service of such as had been active and serviceable to the Common-wealth to comfort and incourage them therein Upon gracious and gratefull sight and serious consideration of all which precious premises who mee thinks can forbeare justly and ingenuously to confesse and acknowledge with holy David Thou O Lord hast made us rejoyce through thy works and wee will triumph in the operations of thy hands O Lord how great and gracious are all thy doings towards us and thy thoughts of Love and goodnesse exceeding deep But now to goe on ANd heer I shall begin this Moneth of Aprill with a most holy and happy Aprill-shewre likely by Gods blessing and gracious breathing on it to prove most frugiferous in the happy production of many fragrant flowers the ensuing Spring and succeeding Summer and to make way for a copious crop of blessings and happy Harvest to the glory of our ever-living and all-good-giving God and to the unspeakable comfort of his poore despised Church and Children and this it was About the 4 of this present Aprill a conference was held by the Lords with the House of Commons which was managed by the Lord Say at which was offered by the House of Peers to the House of Commons 1. That the Commissioners of the Great Seal might bee continued 2. They desired that a proportionable number of Lords being appointed to joyne with the Members of Both Houses of Parliament might bee equally employed in the great affairs of the Kingdome And as a farther demonstration of the earnest desire their Lordships had of the continuance of a happy union and correspondency of spirits and affections between Both Houses a Declaration of the Lords in Parliament was read wherein they declared That they would ever bee carefull to maintain the priviledges of the Commons as their own and should bee ready to concurre with them in all things for the good and safety of the Kingdom whatsoever some malicious and ill-affected persons endevouring thereby to divide between them might report to the contrary which 〈◊〉 they left with the House of Commons to remain upon Record 〈◊〉 testimony of their reall intentions to Posterity This passage together with a former of this kinde on the part of the House of Commons declaring their sincere resolutions to maintain the priviledges of the House of Peers and which their said Declaration being first read was also left with the Lords to bee Recorded by them also to all Posterity I thought fit to relate thus exactly because I considered and took notice of them both as soveraign healings of former jealousies betweene Both Houses and these their happy concurrencies as a speciall blessing from Heaven and as one of the greatest tokens of Gods love and favour to this Kingdome and most conducing to the peace thereof and to the salving and curing of the bloody oppressive distractions wherewith all things therein have been infested and almost broken in peices especially also considering that it has been all along the great and main plot of the Enemies of the Peace and Parliament of this Kingdome to breed and feed jealousies in the Houses Whereas now such happy correspondencies will bee their greatest discouragements and by this harmonious concord the expedition of our Southern Army now bravely set on foot and gone forth under renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax was most happily hastened on the sweet and blessed effects wherof you will now every day heare of more and more to the glory of God and comfort of the Kingdom as in their proper places I shall now by Gods assistance have occasion to make clear unto you About the 6 of this instant Aprill the House of Commons in Parliament received Letters from renowned active and loyall Generall Brown from Abbington concerning some late exploits performed by the forces under his Command the substance whereof was as followeth Viz. That
Cromwell fell upon them neer Islip where proved to bee a Brigade of above a 1000. under the command of the Earl of Northampton and were part of the Queens Regiment part of the Lord Wilmots and part of the Earles own Regiments and bravely beat them at their own game fighting with them most valiantly though the best horse the King had and at the second charge entred their whole body or squadron of the Enemy and greatly disordered them following this advantage with so much courage and gallantry that in a short time they totally routed them following them in hot pursuit above 3 miles killed and took above 200. enforcing at the least 60 of them to drown themselves by making too much speed to get over a water In which fight wee also took 400 horse 3 Colours whereof one was the Queens richly embroydered with a Crown in the midst and 18 Flower de Luces wrought in gold with a golden crosse on the top wee took also about 20 Officers and divers arms wounded many who fled into Oxford and some into Blechington-House Whereupon renowned Leivtenant Generall Cromwell sent away his prisoners and marched against the said Blechington beset it and summoned Colonell Windebank to surrender that Garrison unto him which after some dispute about it it being a strong Garrison and now as strongly surrounded was surrendred to Leivtenant Generall Cromwell upon condition for the Souldiers to march away with their lives The Leivtenant Generall took there 250 Muskets 70 Horse a 100 Pikes and other Armes 3 barrels of powder with Match and other Ammunition And upon the 26 of this instant Aprill Major Generall Brown having notice that Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Horse were so neer him hee drew a party out of Abbington to march that way to bee in a readinesse if occasion were who marching toward Longworth had notice of a party of the Enemy to bee about Buckland so they marched that way but the Enemy was gone toward Farringdon But Major Generall Brownes forces followed them so close that they overtook them and fell upon them took a Captain 3 other Officers and 10 prisoners with which they intended presently to have returned toward Abbington but having intelligence of another party of the Enemies that were comming from the Devizes intended as was supposed for Oxford Scouts were sent to finde them out and having discovered them Major Generall Brownes forces fell upon them and presently put them to the rout took a Colonell a Sergeant Major 3 Captains 3 Leivtenants and divers other prisoners besides horse and armes and carryed them all safe to Abbington And the very same day toward Evening Colonell Feines with his Regiment having intelligence of a party of the Enemies that were come neer Witney hee drew toward them and with much gallantry fell upon them and in the fight and flight of the Enemy took from them a 120 horse 3 Colours 40 prisoners and 50 Armes About the 28 instant Leivtenant Generall Cromwell had intelligence that a party of the Enemies Foot under the Command of Sir Henry Vaughan formerly a Member of the House of Commons but since one of the Oxford Juncto were also about Witney toward Farringdon wherefore hee drew that way intending to fall upon them the next morning if hee could reach them and sending forth Scouts to discover the motions of Colonell Vaughan and receiving advertisement that hee quartered neer Bampton-Bush hee marched on that way parting his Body into severall Squadrons and with valiant courage marched up close unto them the Enemy having little courage to fight so terrible was the very name of Cromwell to them instantly begged quarter for their lives which was granted them and so Leivtenant Generall Cromwell took their Colonell Sir Henry Vaughan who was their Commander in Cheif 2 Leivtenant Colonells 1 Sergeant Major 5 Captains 8 Leivtenants 8 Ensignes 1 Doctor who was Chaplain to them whose name was Dunse 20 Sergeants and other inferiour Officers 230 prisoners and about 200 Armes some powder match and Ammunition with such provisions as they had with them And the rest of the day was spent in publike worship of God and giving thanks to the Lord through-out those our Armies which were within the hearing and knowledge of these great Victories for the same Finally about the latter end of this Moneth of Aprill wee had certain intelligence of the singular good agreement and sweet harmony of affections in renowned Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army and that the Souldiers expressed very much love affection and cheerfull obedience to their said noble Generall Sir Thomas and to one another in all their severall relations in the Army and that many of those that were thought to bee discontented men and had been Officers under the most noble Earl of Essex had now cheerfully listed themselves under Sir Thomas Fairfax as common Souldiers both Horse and foot And that the last muster of the Horse and Foot of his whole Army at that time was 4000 Horse and 13000 Foot and that some Regiments of horse and foot were then advanced toward distressed yet courageous Tauntons releif wherof more in its proper place And about this time our most prudent and provident State-Promethei of Both Houses of Parliament having so well Ordered their Land-affaires now also took into their serious consideration the businesse of the Admiralty and Sea-affaires how they might bee best ordered and managed for the best good and most considerable advantage and improvement every way of the welfare of our republick The most noble and renowned Earl of Warwick then before Lord Admirall being called from that publick imployment by the late Selfe-denying-Ordinance and they looking upon this businesse as a matter of no lesse weighty concernment than the safety under God of 3 Kingdomes Wherefore at last they came to this resolution that the businesse of the Admiralty should bee managed by Commissioners of Both Houses to continue for 6 moneths and so proceeded to nominate them who were to bee imployed in this great trust Viz. The Earl of Warwick for the House of Peeres and Mr. Bence and Mr. Peregrinâ— Pelham of the House of Commons the prosperous managing of which so weighty trust and employment by which foresaid Parliamentary Worthies wee shall have occasion to make farther mention in its proper place And now good Reader let mee heer again desire thee with godly and gratefull patience to make a little stay and to take a short survey and sweete review of all the rich and rare mercies of this Moneth also And therein to see and admire how graciously and gloriously the Lord hath dwelt in his Parliamentary Burning-Bush and hitherto kept it Vnconsumed both In the most sweet and singular harmony and good agreement between Both Houses of Parliament revived by the House of Peeres for the faster binding of the mutuall affections of Both Houses together And the good services of Major Generall Browns forces about Abbington
In the singular good service also of prudent and pious Major Generall Skippon in so fully and fairly reducing the Officers and Souldiers of the former old Army to serve under Sir Thomas Fairfax in his New-Modelled-Armie a businesse of high concernment as things then stood In the brave victory which the Lord gave to our loving and loyall Brethren of Scotland by Major Generall Vâ—rey against Montrosse And the honourable encouragement of Literature in the University of Cambridge by our pious and prudent Parliament In the seasonable and successefull appeasing of that Second Rebellion in Kent And the brave defeat given to the Enemy by valiant Colonell Norton at Rumsey In the happy reduction of divers both Earles and Lords from Oxford to the Parliaments party Together with that brave defeat given to Prince Mauâ—ices forces in Worcestershire And lastly In those famous defeates and brave Victories obtained by renowned Major Generall Brown and Leivtenant Generall Cromwell against the Enemies forces about Oxford The singular good estate and happy harmony of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army now in the field and advanced to Oxford And the provident and prudent setling of the Sea-affaires as well as Land-affaires in managing the Admiralty of the Seas by most wise and loyall Commissioners All which rare mercies and prudent passages of State seriously considered and as they ought most gratefully recogitated has not England sinfull England most just cause still to expostulate with it self and cordially to confesse with holy David Thou O Lord hast turned for us our mourning into dauncing Thou hast put off our sack-cloth and girded us with gladnesse for this very end that our glory even our hearts tongues and lives may still sing praises to thee our God Therefore O Lord our God to thee alone wee will give thanks and praises for ever and ever And now to proceed ANd heer now I shall begin this Moneth of Mayes memorable mercies with that most remarkable deliverance from imminent danger which the Lord most graciously wrought for that famous faithfull and ever to bee honoured gallant Commander Colonell Massie which was certified by his own Letter to London May the 4. whereof because our foule-mouthed Malignants had with full-mouthed false boasts and bragges vapoured so much and vaunted of a mighty defeat given by the Enemy to that famous and fortunate Commander I therefore have heer thought fit to give the Reader for his farther satisfaction and fuller content a sight of the true Copy of the said Letter which was as followeth Sir ON the 21 of this instant Aprill Prince Rupert marching all that night came the next morning Aprill 22 from Ledbury where I then was but the Enemy intercepting 8 of my Scouts wee had no intelligence till they were neer at hand upon us The Enemies advanced and charged into the Town upon us and my self with divers Gentlemen Viz. Major Harlow Leivtenant Colonell Kerle Major Bacchus Captain Gifford Captain More and Captain Baily with some others and some common Souldiers with the assistance of 200 Musketteers out of the County Forces received them and so soon as wee received the Alarm wee drew out upon them and marching close up to them fell on them beat them to a retreat and made it good against them so long till my foot might retreat a secure way to Gloucester After the foot wee marched off and out of the Town wee had two or three hot charges upon them where wee slew neer forty of the Enemies men and many of them that were killed at this charge being Officers of quality and esteem On our part wee had very few killed not above 6 or 7. but I was inforced my self still to charge in the head of all my Troops to incourage the Warwick and Northampton horse I and my Officers bearing the heat of the day At length intending to retreat to our place of advantage some horse of those sent to mee not standing to it as they should have done the Enemy got in amongst our foot but wee redeemed that again and marched off into the field The Enemy have sent us a List of the Prisoners which they took from us the number by their own List is 110 prisoners but above 80 of them were none of my men only such Country people as they swept away with them in their retreat that did never bear Armes onely they carryed them away to cause them by money or making friends for exchange to redeem themselves my Major Sergeant-Major Bacchus is desperately wounded in the head and was carryed away prisoner by the Enemy to Hereford Major Harlow had a sleight wound in the head and another in the arme but came bravely off Captain Baily and Captain Foster with some other common men of ours are taken prisoners by them I have sent for their freedom by exchange of some of those prisoners I took from them many of them being men of quality and â—now to redeem them all if they were thrice as many Prince Rupert sent mee word by my Trumpeter that I sent that in the fight hee sought mee out but knew me not till after no more than I knew him But it seems wee charged each other and hee shot my horse under mee and I did as much for him At that charge many Commanders of theirs fell Prince Rupert is I hear very much enraged to undertake so great and toilsome a march and so much to misse his end I had by Gods blessing my intendment and stopt his present march Northward to God bee the glory Prince Ruperts Army by the report of the Countrey is noised about to bee 6 or 7000 horse and foot who are now upon their march again towards Ludlow and so as I hear intend for Saloâ— if they bee not prevented again which must bee by a more considerable strength than I have The forces that were with mee were in all about 500 foot and 350 horse nor were these all with mee at Lydbury for my Guards were not come The Enemy braglittle of their getting but lament much the names of the Commanders and Officers that were slain by us I shall send you by the next Your humble Servant Edward Massie Aprill 25. 1645. Post script My last Letter told you that Lydney House was fired and Sir John Winter ran away by the light of the flames and for haste over-ran two of his great Gunnes one Demi-Culverin one Saker and 3 brases of Iron murtherers which hee left behind at Lydney to doe mee a courtesie Sir John fired all the way hee went till our forces drove them to a full flight over the Bridge The consideration of this gallant service of Colonel Massies and all his former successes rendered him most honourable in the thoughts of his endeared friends the Honourable House of Commons who presently after the reading thereof fell into consultation how to reward him in some measure to his great deservings and thereupon it was Ordered that an Ordinance of Parliament should bee
a 1000 Armes left behinde them for haste and divers barrells of powder with other Ammunition and provision and the Enemy taking along with them 12 or 14 Cart loads of their dead men besides many wounded Wee found about 200 wounded men of ours in the Town and not above an 100 slain in all this siege praised bee the Lord for it Since I came heer in 6 weeks time I saw a wonderfull change scarce a man to bee seen in a whole Village so barbarously had the Enemy unpeopled the Country I shall in all humility acquaint you with what I hear My Regiment is designed for the West I humbly intreat if it bee possible I may wait on your honour in your Army which if your Excellency shall please to grant it will much oblige Your most humble Servant Ralph Welden Palmister May 11. 1645. After the reading of this Letter in the House of Commons they began to consider of this great mercy and therefore Ordered in the first place That there should bee a publique Thanksgiving in all the Churches and Chappels in London and Lines of Communication on the next Lords day for the relieving of this distressed Town that so God may have the honour due unto him for it In the next place the House Ordered that a Letter should bee writ to Sir Thomas Fairfax giving him the Thanks of the House for his great care and faithfull service in omitting of no time for the releif of Taunton and that Sir Thomas Fairfax should bee desired to take particular notice of this gallant service of Colonell Welden A Letter was likewise Ordered to bee sent from the House to the Town of Taunton and to the Governour and Souldiers therein to give them the hearty Thanks of the Parliament for this extraordinary gallant service in maintaining the Town against the Enemy so long But the speciall regard that the Parliament had of this Garrison rested not there for An Order was made likewise by the House for the bestowing of 2000 pound upon the Souldiers of that Garrison for their valour and courage in this service And as an earnest of a further reward to the undaunted and ever honoured Governour Colonell Blake It was likewise Ordered that 500 pound should bee paid to him forthwith for his own use The House likewise taking into consideration that by reason of the late tedious and unwearyed marches of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes foot they had worn out their shooes and were in great need of supply it was further Ordered That it should bee referred to the Committee for the Army to provide and forthwith send down shooes for Sir Thomas Fairfaxes foot The House of Commons further made an Order of reference to the Committee of Both Kingdomes to take care that no advantage bee lost by the releif of Taunton but to use their endevour to improve it to the best advantage of the West and the whole Kingdome and wee have great cause to hope that care will bee taken thereof accordingly About the 15 of this instant May our most provident Parliamentary Statists for the more prudent regulating of the Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes New-Modelled Army Ordered certain very excellent Orders to bee observed by all Officers and Souldiers from the Commissioners of the Army to the meanest Souldier both to take care of false Musters of plundering of buying Horses for the State taken by the Souldiers that they should bee marked by the Mark-Master of the Army c. To forbid any Officers to quarter in any house but by Ticket from the Quarter-Master and to pay ready money for mans meat and horse meat according to the rates set down and in case any money should bee wanting to any man hee must receive a Ticket for it c. That Teames or any horses in Plough or Cart are not to bee taken except in case of necessity and then also by Warrant from the Commander in Cheif Divers other good Orders were then also ordained and appointed which are like by Gods mercy to produce good effects and a happy conclusion of this present unhappy Warre especially since wee know it is Gods way when wee manage our affaires without violence and wrong and wee see the Country us the Army passes along is extraordinarily taken with love and affection toward them at the sight of their fair and honest demeanour And heer I cannot omit to make mention of another singular mercy of God unto us in our Armies Viz. The most excellent love and good agreement of Major Generall Cromwell and of Major Generall Brown though both oâ— brave and high Spirits all the time of their being together at and about Oxford and elsewhere in all Orders and Commands even beyond compare yea even striving who should prefer the Service and honour of other more than of himself as if Davids and Jonathans 2 soules were transmigrated and mutually united in one body O if such sweetnesse and onenesse of hearts and affections had been found among our Commanders formerly wee had certainly now been in a farre better condition than as yet wee are like to bee in About the 20 of this instant our most noble pious and gratefull Parliamentary Worthies took into their serious thoughts the payment of the arrears of the most noble late Lord Generall the Earl of Essex whose faithfull and noble services for the State will make his name most honourable to posterity and Ordered the payment thereof partly out of the Kings Revenues and partly out of Haberdashers Hall in London And as a farther pledge of the Kingdoms love and gratitude to the said most noble Earl and as a requitall of his great losses sustained by the Enemy for his constant and loyall adherence to the Parliament and the Kingdomes just Cause an Ordinance of Parliament was passed by the House of Commons for the settling of 10000 pound per annum upon the said noble Earl out of the sale of Papists and Delinquents Estates The House also took into consideration the good service of the party that lately releived Taunton under the Command of Colonell Welden and Colonell Graves and agreed upon a certain pay for them during their service in the West and Ordered that 3000 pound should bee charged Monethly upon the Excise for 4 Moneths for the payment of those Forces The House likewise considered the most gallant service and high deserts of that noble and brave Commander Sir John Meldrum slain not long afterward to our great losse and sorrow at the siege of Scarborough-Castle and in particular his last brave Service in winning the Town Haven and shipping of Scarborough as also the brave assault hee last made upon the said Castle of Scarborough when hee received his most unhappy deaths-wound They Ordered that a Letter of Thanks should bee wrote unto him and that 500 li. should bee added to the 1000 pound formerly given him by both Houses of Parliament to bee bestowed upon him as an earnest of their affections
to him and they then also took order for monies to pay his well-deserving Souldiers as had been desired And they having formerly bestowed 200 pound per annum upon Owen Occonelly for his good Service in discovering the plot in Ireland who not receiving the same according to the said Order the House of Commons therefore Ordered the due and constant payment of the said 200 pound per annum out of the old customs of the Kingdom Thus Honos alit artes virtus compensata crescit And about the 23 instant wee had Letters out of Staffordshire which certified that when the Kings forces advanced for the releif of Chester then most hopefully besieged by ever to bee honoured Sir William Brereton by Stafford and Shropshire Captain Stone the valiant and active Governour of Stafford for the Parliament gave the Enemy severall successefull visits in their Rear at they past along and did good execution upon them therein And first how hee sent out a party of his Horse who fell upon a party of the Enemies quartered at Wâ—lverhampton killed 16 on the place took 26 Horse and most of their Riders and returned without any losse the Kings own quarters being then not above 2 miles off it That presently after this hee sent out another party even the next day who fell upon the Enemy quartered in the field neer Newport in Shrâ—pshire brought away 60 horse killed a Captain and about 20 others in the place And the next day following this that hee sent out another paity that fell upon their quarters at Pancridge killed 3. took 4 prisoners and 7 horses About the 28 of this instant May being that Moneths day of a publike Fast or humiliation and Reverend Mr. Henderson one of the Scottish Commissioners and reverend Mr. Whitaker Preaching before the House of Peers that day in the Abbey at Westminster and before the House of Commons Reverend Mr. Caryll and Mr. Ford as wee were that day labouring in prayers and other acts of humiliation to draw neer to our God wee found the Lord in mercy drawing neer to us for the Fast day being ended there came Letters from renowned Colonell Massie which gave us the happy intelligence of the taking of the strong Garrison of Evesham the manner wherof was breifly thus Colonell Massie with about 800 horse and 600 foot having lyen before Evesham a day or 2 stormed the Town and took it in an houres storming In which service wee received lesse losse than could have been expected in such a hot peice of service as for the time it proved not above 4 or 5 of our Souldiers slain and 2 Officers besides and about 30 common Souldiers wounded Wee slue of the Enemies 10 or 11. took divers Officers and common Souldiers to the number of about 548. and neer upon an 120 good horses a List of the prime prisoners was as followeth Colonell Robert Legge Governour of the Town Colonell Foster Leivtenant Colonell Bellingham Major Travillian 13 Captaines 16 Leivtenants 3 Reformadoes 20 inferiour Officers together with 20 barrels of Gun-powder 700 fire-armes and 2 Tuns of Match The taking of this brave Garrison was a very considerable peice of service in many respects and this not the least namely that by this means almost all Worcestershire will bee freed and mightily secured from Cavalierian Contributions which before were frequently gathered for the King And about the 30 of this instant wee were credibly informed by Letters out of Hampshire that a party of horse and foot belonging to Colonell Norton marched forth upon a design on Lanâ—ford-House The horse were commanded by Captain Betsworth Captain Smibark and Captain Gerson The foot were under the command of young Murford with part of these forces they placed an ambuscado neer the foresaid House undiscovered to the Enemy and Colonell Griffith seeing some of our forces facing the House sallyed forth to encounter them whereupon ours retreated to their ambuscado the Enemy hotly pursued them but were now as fiercely as unexpectedly assaulted and charged by ours on every side who took them all prisoners finding no way to escape There were surprized Colonell Griffith the Governour of Langford House his Captain Leivtenant a Cornet 8 other Officers 64 prisoners besides of common Souldiers and all their Armes and 10 of them slain upon the place And heer good Reader let mee again desire thee to make another very short stay for a most just and deserved gratefull Comtemplation on all the fair and famous mercies of this Moneth also and therein to see and admire the continued Miraculous wonder of our Parliamentary Burning-Bush still Vnconsumed notwithstanding the many singeing yea scorching assaults and hot attempts constantly and continually flashing against it both In the great danger and admirable deliverance of that ever to bee honoured Commander Colonell Massie from Prince Ruperts plot or design to have suddenly surprized him In the famous defeat given to the Enemy by Major Purefâ—yes forces in Warwickâ—shire In the as singularly seasonable as comfortable releif of the good Town of Taunton and the setting at liberty of so many precious Soules as that long siege had curbed and coopt in from necessary comforts And the excellent Orders set out by the Parliament for the well-regulating of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes New-Modelled Army In the happy harmony of our prime Commanders in the Army And the Parliaments most noble and renowned gratitude to those that have well deserved of the Kingdom by their industrious and loyall services In the brave services of Captain Stone Governour of Stafford against the enemy And the happy taking of Eveshams strong Garrison by renowned Colonell Massie and therein a most notable and evident return of Prayer And lastly In that brave defeat given to our Cavalierian adversaries by valiant and loyall Colonell Norton All which premises of this Moneth of May prudently piously and gratefully considered O say good Reader whether wee have not most just cause continually to praise our ever-living and all-good-giving God and with the holy Prophet to break forth into Soul-exulting and God-exalting raptures of joy and gratitude and to confesse and say O Lord thou art our God and wee will exalt thee and will everlastingly praise thy name for thou haste done wonderfull things for us and thy counsels of old and of later times too are nothing but faithfulnesse and truth unto us But now to proceed ANd heer now wee will begin the farther contemplation and just admiration of the rich and rare mercies I had almost said miracles of this Moneth of June also with the cordiall and comfortable mention of a most excellent Petition exhibited about the beginning of this Moneth on the 4 or 6 day thereof to the House of Commons in Parliament by the right Honourable Lord Major of London together with the Aldermen and Common-Councill of the said most famous and ever to bee renowned City touching their deep apprehension of divers disastrous sad
costliest Capitall-Letters of Gold I mean that most memorable Victory at Naseby in Northamptonshire given by our good God to his vaâ—iant and virtuous his gallant and godly servant Sir Thomas Fairfax the Parliaments most renowned Generall In the excellent successes of the Parliaments forces against their Enemies in Shropshire And the sacred and solemn celebration of a Day of Thanksgiving to our all-good-giving God for that foresaid great Victory in speciall And the Parliaments honourable gratitude to Gods Instruments therein A rare and right way to beget more blessings In the most happy regaining of Leicester out of the Harpeian-hands of Enemies And the triumphant conduction of the Naseby Prisoners to London there to bee kept in custody yet used there with Christian mercy and clemency In our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotlands neerer advance unto us to help the Lord against the Mighty Together with that brave defeat given to our Enemies by the Garrison of Wareham in the Wâ—st And valiant Colonell Joneses also against our adversaries in Cheshire In the Lords admirable good providence in bringing to light and publike knowledge the Kings and Queenes most ungodly designes for the ruinating of all their 3 late most flourishing Kingdomes by the happy apprehension of the Kings Cabinet of Letters Together with the continued good successe of our forces in Sâ—ropshire in the taking of Stokesey Castle Caus-Castle and Heighworth in Wiltshire In the most serious and sanctmonious rumination and recogitation of all which most rich and rare Parliamentary Mercies and Victories most sweet and singular passages and fair footsteps of divine providence and preservation O how should our hearts bâ—e râ—nzed and raised up to an exceeding high pitch of praise and incessant and redundant gratitude to our so good so great so gracious God who hath so gloriously and so graciously wrought all these great things for us especially that most famous and glorious and never sufficiently to bee admired mercy in Nasebies admirable and most advantageous Victory Concerning which O how can England greatly beloved England though most ungratefull and sinfull England but in infinitely bound and unbounded-exultation and admiration confesse and say with the Holy Prophet that The Lord went forth in this famous fight as a mighty man stirring up jealousie and wrath as a man of Warre and mightily prevailing against his enemies By whom the terrible one is brought to nought the scorners are consumed and all that maliciously watched for iniquity and blood are righteously cut off And therefore I say O how justly may wee heer take up that of the pious Prophet David and with him most cordially sing and say If it had not been the Lord who was on our side now may England say if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when men rose up against us They had swallowed us up quick when their rage and wrath was kindled against us Then the waters had overwhelmed us Yea the proud waves had gone over our Soules But blessed O for ever blessed bee the Lord who hath not given us as justly for our sins hee might a prey to their mouthes For our Soule is escaped as a bird out of the snare and all our help stands in the name of the Lord Hallelujah therefore Hallelujah praised and ever blessed and glorified bee the name of the Lord. ANd now to proceed in our farther progresse to the continued contemplation of this admirable still continued wonder of the Burning-Bush Vnconsumed and therein of the rich and rare mercies of our ever blessed and bountifull God the unexhaustible fountain of all goodnesse to us his English Israel And first I shall acquaint the Reader that whiles our most miserably seduced King was fleeting from place to place between Bristoll and the Forrest of Dean c. and taking fierce and furious illegall courses to recruite his mangled Army even almost quite broken in peices at Nasebies famous fight among the poore and perplexed inhabitants of Herefordshire Worcester and such parts of Gloucestershire as hee had any power in to strengthen and revive his now gasping and neer expiring desperate designes in the West with Goring and Greenvill devillish Dives and the rest In this interim I say our most pious and prudent Parliament had Ordered by a speciall Ordinance from the House of Commons that the Assembly of Divines at Westminster should upon Tuesday the first of this instant July seek the Lord our God for his continued ayd and assistance in blessing the proceedings of our forces then also gathering into the West in a set day of Humiliation in the City of London which was accordingly performed by divers of the most eminent Members of the said Assembly who all that day did Preach and Pray in these following places Viz. In the Abbey at Westminster in Christ-Church in London Black-Fryers Dunstans West Dunstans East Michael Cornhill Olaves Southwark Algate and Aldermanbury A Jove oâ—ne principium And are not those works like to prosper indeed which are begun in the Lord Yes certainly as now wee shall yet farther illustrate and set forth in their subsequent and most proper places And much about the very same time there being a strong suspition of dangerous persons to lurk and lye hid and harboured in a house in Long-Acres neer Covent Garden which had been the House of one Mr. Catesby where once the Popes Nuncio lay and was entertained this House I say being suspected was suddenly searched by authority thereunto given and there they found and apprehended at least 29 or 30 Carts load of Papists and pernicious Malignants goods to a great value being very much thereof rich goods indeed which was all taken away and carryed to Haberdashers-Hall or to Cambden-House There was among them also very much Popish apish trumpery as Crucifixes Images and many Popish Books which were laid up and kept till a due time to bee reduced into ashes by the fire the best use that could bee made of such Romane Babylonish babyish fooleries and the rest of the goods to bee sold to the best advantage and the money to bee disposed of by Order of Parliament for the use and supply of the Parliaments Garrisons and forces in the West About the 4 of this instant our most loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland published a most pious and modest Remonstrance which they had lately before sent and for certain had presented to the King himself wherein they shewed themselves full of godly zeale and fidelity to God the King and Parliament of England which being singularly worthy of speciall notice but too large to bee heer inserted at full as it was delivered I shall heer only for brevities sake give the godly Reader some of the most memorable passages or heads thereof which were to this effect First that his Majesty would bee pleased to call to minde their oft neglected addresses to him heretofore and after their prayers to
vast body of Horse against him and had also Musketteirs in a hedge which did flank him and somewhat front him also yet this brave Major managed the charge with such gallantry that hee routed 2 of their divisions of about 400. received the charge of the third division both in front and flank but at last being over-powered by reason of their numbers increasing upon him hee bravely retyred to the Generalls Regiment which was not farre behinde him and Colonell Desborough with the Generalls Troops sheltered him by his flank and charged up himself with about 200 horse and dispersed and scattered the Enemy and gave freedome thereby for all our horse and foot to draw into bodies whereupon the enemy fell to plain running not being able to endure the charge The Generall Leivtenant Generall and some other Officers being on the hill at this charge commended it for as brave and resolute a peice of service as any they had seen performed since the beginning of these warres Our men having thus put the Enemy to flight pursued them within 4 miles of Bridgewater And in the flight the Enemy passing through their own Garrison of Langport most mischeivously and desperately fired the Town at the Bridge end to hinder our men in the pursuite but renowned Leivt Gen. Cromwell himself and his resolute Souldiers undauntedly resolved to passe through fire as renowned Massie had before through water as was fore-mentioned after them and so through the midst of Lang-port they passed although the fire was flaming very hot on both sides of them there being about 20 houses in all burnt down And heer mee thinks I cannot but take speciall notice of the faithfullnesse of our good God in all his holy and righteous promises which to his children as they are alwayes in Christ yea and Amen so at this time in a speciall and most peculiar manner that faithfull promise of his by the Prophet Isaiah was most exactly heer fulfilled to these his Saints and Christian Souldiers When thou possest through the waters I will bee with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee When thou also passest through the fire thou shalt not bee burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee for I am the Lord thy God the holy one of Israel and thy Saviour O the most particular and exact performance of this good word of God heer now I say to these his faithfull ones Even to wonder and admiration And thus it pleased the Lord to give us a glorious day of it by this so famous a defeat and apparent Victory Let the glory thereof bee ascribed primarily to our good God as to the Authour and giver of all Victories And in the next place to his pious prudent and valiant instruments our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax Leivtenant Generall Massie and Leivtenant Generall Cromwell and the rest of those valiant Commanders and Souldiers who were deeply ingaged therein A true and perfect List of the slain prisoners and prizes taken from the Enemy in this famous defeat Slain Gorings Quartermaster Generall of Horse Gorings Quartermaster Generall of Foot 60 Officers that were buried about Weston whereof some very eminent men 200 that were left dead upon the place whereof many Officers 100. or very nigh drowned Wounded Goring himself had a cut with a Sword over the eare Sir Thomas Aston and 3 or 4 Knights more wounded Taken Prisoners Leivtenant General Blothridge alias Bertridge Leivtenant Generall of the Ordnance Colon. Slingsby of Horse Colon. Hunningham of Horse Leivten Col. Standish of Horse Leivten Col. Gamble of Horse 3 Majors of Horse 4 Captains of Horse 11 Leivtenants of Horse 20 Cornets of Horse Colonels Leivtenant Colonels Majors Captains and Officers of Foot have not yet sent in their Lists save onely 3 of the Captaines of Horse 60 Inferiour Officers at least 1900 Prisoners Taken besides 35 Colours of Horse 21 Colours of Foot 2 Field peices 4000 and odde Armes 3 Cart-load of Ammunition 3 Cart-load of other purchase 2000 Horse taken and above Diverse Armes both of Horse and Foot daily found in the ditches which the enemy threw away when they fled The Camp Whâ—res fled away thâ—row the hedges 700 of those that are taken petition to serve the Parliament The losse on our part 2 Reformado Captains slain Major Bethells thumbe and fore-fingers shattered Colon. Butlers Captain Leivtenant slain Colonell Cook shot on the mouth slightly on his upper lip 4 or 5 of Bethels Troop slain and about 16 of his Troop wounded and very few more killed on our side The House of Commons Ordered upon the happy intelligence of this famous Victory that 200 pound should bee given to valiant Major Bethell for his speciall service in this brave fight And two good horses to bee given to valiant and virtuous Major Harrison who brought the news thereof And especially as was most boundenly fit our most renowned Worthies in Parliament Ordered and appointed that a solemn day of Thanksgiving should bee celebrated for the Lords exceeding great mercy and goodnesse unto us the Copy of which their Order I have heer thought fit to insert as it was printed and published by their authority which was as followeth Die Lunae 14 Julii 1645. ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled that Tuesday being the 22 of this instant July shall bee set apart for a publike day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God in all Churches and Chappels through the whole Kingdom under the power of the Parliament for the great and glorious Victory obtained by the Parliaments forces under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax on the Enemies forces in the West And that on the same day the Ministers doe likewise take notice of the great mercy of God in preserving the City of London during the sitting of this Parliament from the infection of the Plague and that this order bee printed and published Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament That the Committee of the severall Counties doe take care that the Order for a publick day of Thanksgiving on Tuesday sevennight bee dispersed to the severall Parishes in the respective Counties And that the Counties doe keep the same day And that the Members of this House that serve for the severall Counties doe send these Orders to the respective Committees accordingly And now all that I shall adde for the farther illustration of the just praise and glory of God touching this famous fight and glorious Victory shall bee onely these few serious and materiall Observations upon the same First that had not God made our Souldiers forget all their wearinesse and many other former and present difficulties and so hasted this famous work the Enemy had certainly been re-inforced with at least 5000 Welsh foot whereof 1500 were already come over Severn at that time Secondly Greenvile that vile Apostate and perfidious fugitive had undoubtedly brought down as many out of Cornwall with all
difficult the Castle strong and the Enemy within especially 〈◊〉 Goveenour Sir Charles Lucas 〈◊〉 obstinate at an Enemy could be yet 〈…〉 our Forces were joyned with those of Sir Tho. Fairfaxes whereof valiant Colonell Rainsborough had the Command we made 〈◊〉 long stay but â—ell presently upon their out Workes then our men most gallantly marched up unto their Guard in the Town which was a strong Work indeed out of which we beat them and presently tooke it In which 〈◊〉 many of our men were drowned and some few slaine but having thus gotten into that Work we planted our great Guns against the Tower and battered it much and they returned the like roaring resolutions to us with cuse shot of bullets 〈◊〉 and such like matter and kild some of 〈◊〉 men amongst whom John Freeman Lieutenant to Major Dobson 〈◊〉 me he had three 〈◊〉 given him at one time in the brest flanke and 〈◊〉 Our men notwithstanding this went on 〈◊〉 sealing 〈◊〉 with much resolution which occasioned Sir Charles to desire a 〈◊〉 and offer 〈◊〉 to depart There were three of our great Guns 〈…〉 which were planted against the Tower of the Church The 〈◊〉 had planted a 〈◊〉 upon the top of the Tower but our men made such batteries that they were glad to take it downe Vpon the top of the Tower the Enemy placed a Flag ofâ— defiance as they 〈◊〉 it which 〈◊〉 of our Regiments boldly and bravely got up the walls and tooke 〈◊〉 but whilst he was vapouring 〈…〉 the top of the Tower a part of the Tower he stood on being much broken and battered by our Gun 〈…〉 him so that he fell downe and was killed with the stones that fell upon him and two more that came after him to help him were killed likewise The businesse was the more difficult and dangerous by reason that what our men did was open and at mid-day Vpon the Enemies 〈◊〉 order was taken to divide the plunder of the Castle and it was concluded that if our Captaines would deposite 500 l. in money which should be divided among the Souldiers to each five shillings they should 〈◊〉 the plunder of the Castle the which five of our Captaines did namely Major White Captaine Stevenson Captaine Piagot Captaine 〈◊〉 and one more and so paid the Souldiers and tooke the 〈…〉 was very much Beefe Bacon Butter Cheese Meale Wheate 〈…〉 and a great quantity of other things 300 flitches of 〈…〉 roome many Cattell insomuch that it is thought that there was victuals for 300 men for five months This illustrates the 〈◊〉 of God in 〈◊〉 it was so soone taken the stormes were so hard and sharp and the â—â—dders weighty to reare for scaling During the siege many of the Enemy thought to have got out of the Church into the Castle at the 〈…〉 our men although there were many crosse Brest-Workes in the Church-yard made such hast and came in with such courage and resolution that 〈◊〉 got between the Enemy and the Castle and did much execution upon them The Enemy in the Castle all the time much annoyed our men but the Lord in the end blessed be his holy name for it gave us the victory and the Country is much sâ—eed from that most intestiâ—â— oppressor Sir Charles Lucas Thus you have the manner of subduing the great Enemy according to my best knowledge and intelligence And so let all thine Enemies O God perish and be put to shame and dishonour And now good Reader I shall here desire thee with my self to make a little stand and stay againe deservedly to looke upon and contemplate with thy most serious thoughts and gratefull heart the most rich and rare Parliamentary mercies and the various Victories and triumphaut trophies of honour even the most reall demonstrations of the truth of this moneths remarkable Wonder of The Burning-Bush still unconsumed yea mightily and even miraculously prospered and preserved maugre the mischiefe of all the fierce and most furious flames of Antichristian and Atheisticall wrath and rage round about it as is most evidently and eminently apparent both in our renowned Parliamentary Worthies prudent and provident care to undeceive the mis-led people in Wales by an excellent Declaration against the Royalists foule and false slanders In the happy recovery of the City of Bristoll from Rupert and his ravenous Royalists In renowned and religious Major Generall Skippons being made Governour of Bristoll Shrewsburies defeat given to the Enemy at Bridge-North and the remarkable preservation of Lieutenant Colonell Phips out of the Enemies hands In Gods admirable mercy to our distressed Brethren of Scotland almost overrunne and ruined by Montrosse but returning his intended mischiefe upon his own head In giving such a memorable accesse unto and hopefull entrance into the City of Chester by our possessing of the Suburbs thereof In that brave defeat given to the Enemy at Kiddarminster by valiant Generall Poyntz In delivering up unto us the Towne and Castle of Cardiffe in Wales and hopefull reduction of the hearts and affection of the Welch to the Parliament In the rendition of the Devizes and Lacock-House Garrison in Wiltshire and the reduction of all Pembrokeshire to the obedience of the Parliament In the famous defeat given by our forces to the Enemy at Rowton-Moore And in the establishing of pious and prudent Magistrates and Judges Together with the surrender of Barkley-Castle into the power of the Parliament At the serious sight and deep and due consideration and contemplation of all these rich and rare Parliamentary Mercies O who can choose but stand amazed and wondring at the unfathomed free favour and unbottomed bounty of our good God unto us O wonderfull what never a moneth never a week nay I may almost say never a day for so many months together but a Victory or a rich and rare Mercy granted unto us and conferred upon us O then let there never be a moneth never be a lip a heart or a tongue empty of but contrariwise may they ever be most full of the high and most honourable praises of our great and good God even the God of our salvation who thus dayly loads us with his loving kindnesse and thus constantly encompasses us with songs of deliverances But now to go on And here now I shall begin the serious and sacred observation and contemplation of the marvellous mercies of our wonder-working God in the progresse of this moneth also with that brave defeat given to our Enemies Forces by that valiant and vigilant Commander Colonell Moore Governour of Gaunt-House a Parliamentary Garrison which lies within about eight miles from Oxford from whom we had credible information that about the beginning of this instant October this valiant Colonell being gone forth with a party of about 200 Horse met with a party of about 500 Horse of the Enemies at Kidlington and that he notwithstanding the great dis-proportion and unequality of their number to his skirmished most couragiously with
hands and handle not And that word of God was made good in the enemy who upon the Storme had not strength to handle their weapons to defend themselves but were delivered to the mercy of our souldiers A great part of the Pillage was sold to the Country people who likewise had a good part of the prey and carried many Cartloades away The House burnt downe and demolished After the reading the Letters of Bazing the House began to debate of some further timely service of the gallant valiant and religious Souldiers which might be done in those parts for the better cleering the passage into the West and the result of all was that Letters should be written to severall Committees to joyne forces with those that stormed Bazing for the taking of the Castle of Dennington c. The House likewise ordered that the Ministers in the severall Churches and Chappell 's in London and Lines of Communication should on the next Lords day in their severall Churches and Chappels give thankes to God for his great mercy in delivering up Winchester and Bazing House into our hands And about the 12. of this instant October we had certaine intelligence by letters from Gloucester that the valiant Active and faithfull Governour therof Colonell Morgan the most worthy Successour therein of even to be honoured Major Generall Mâ—ssiâ— with about 300. horse and 400. foot part whereof was sent unto him by the then deputie Governour of Bristol Colonell Fleet-wood assisted also by the Monmouthshire men having taken the towne of Chepstow besieged and summoned the Castle but the Governour thereof Colonell Fitz-Morris returned a peremptorie negative answer whereupon valiant Colonell Morgan planted 2 great peeces of Ordnance and a morter-peece for batterie and made a breach into the Castle whereupon the Governour sent presently to desire a parley but Colonell Morgan as presently returned answer That now it was too late whereupon all the Souldiers issuing forth fell downe upon their knees crying Quarter quarter for Gods sake and wholly referred themselves to the Generalls mercy and the Castle was instantly surrendred to him There were in the Castle Colonell Fitz-Morris the Governour Major Bridgeman and an 106. Common Souldiers who were all carryed prisoners to Gloucester They took besides in the castle 30 horse and their furniture 18. peeces of Ordnance great and small 16. barrells of Gunpouder 2 Harque bushes 6. tun of lead great store of fire-workes 30. beefs in powder 30. barrells of salt 4000. waight of bisket a butt of Sack 3. Hogsheads of Methegline 4. Hogsheads of beere and Ale 70. bushels of Oat-meale 10. bushells of Pease and Beanes and 30. bushels of Wheat many firkins of butter 400. waight of cheese with store of other provisions and ammunition And we were about the same time for certaine informed that Sir Trevor Williams and very many Gentlemen of Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire had freely and faithfully declared themselves for the Parliament and as a testimonie thereof had raised 1500. Souldiers out of both those Counties for the Parliaments service and resolved suddenly to besiege Monâ—â—th the effects whereof you shall see fully related in its proper place And thus we see how triumphantly the Lord now rides on in glorie for the blessed advancement of his Great Cause ever magnified and praised be his great and most glorious name therein The Messenger that brought this welcome Newes to the Parliament was rewarded by them with the gift of 10 l. for his paines in the journey And the House also most piously and gratefully ordered that thankes should be given to Almightie God on the Lords-day then next ensuing for the happy surrender of Chepstow Towne and Castle as also of Winchester and 〈◊〉 And they farther ordered that thankes and a reward should be sent to that faithfull and valiant Commander Colonell Morgan A right way indeed to thrive and proceed victoriously and successfully where God is in his mercies exalted and vertue and valour is not left without honour and reward About the 14. of this instant October the Vote in Parliament for sending forth writâ— for the election of new Members of the House of Commons for filling up the vacancie of those that were Deceased or had perfidiously deserted the House was put in execution and a Letter being read in the House of Commons sent from the Major of Sandwitch by a Member of the House of Peeres to procure the election of a Member to sit and serve in Parliament of his nominating according to the writ sent downe thither for that purpose Whereupon the Commons on serious debate on this businesse referred the same to the Committee of Priviledges the result wherof was That it was ordered that for the future a Copie of the Order of the House of Commons made in Anno 1641. should be sent downe with all writs for new elections A Copie of which Order for the Readers better satisfaction and for the clearing of our most renowned Parliaments integrity in this as in all other their faithfull managing of the States-affaires I have here inserted which was as followeth WHereas the House of Commons hath received Information that Letters from Peers are directed to Boroughs that now are to 〈◊〉 Elections of Members to serve in this Parliament They conceived that all Letters of that nature from any Peeres of this 〈◊〉 doe necessarily tend to the violation of the Priviledges of Parliament and the freedome of Elections of the Members that ought to serve in the House of Commons and doe declare That notwithstanding such Letters all Persons to whom Elections of Knights and Burgesses do belong ought to proceed to their Elections with that freedome which by the Lawes of the Realme and of Right they ought to doe and do expect that if any such Letters from any Peeres of the Realme shall hereafter be sent unto them That the parties receiving the same shall certifie the contents thereof or bring the Letters themselves to the Speaker of the House of Commons Octob. 10. There came a Letter from Abington to renowned Major Generall Brown the most worthy Governour thereof being then in London of a gallant peece of Service performed by that brave Garrison against the Enemy at Farringdon the particular whereof take in the said Letter sent from valiant and active Colonell Paine the said Major Generals Deputy Governour which was as followeth SIR The last night viz. Tuesday 14 instant I marched forth with a party of Foot and all our Horse to Farringdon where we came so neere the taking of that Garrison that I my self heard the Enemy earnestly call to draw up the Bridge our Foot being then within a stones cast of them before they could draw it up yet we lost not our labour for we bickering and skirmishing with them there tooke about 100 Horse of theirs foure Captaines one Lieutenant foure Quartermasters one Serjeant 17 Troopers eight Foot Souldiers and one Drum in all about 37 Prisoners and slew two upon
above 130 within the Castle We tooke in it seven Peeces of Ordnance 400 Muskets and Pikes ten or twelve barrels of Powder 25 Barrels of Brimstone and Salt-Peter together with good store of other Ammunition and Provision The truth of all this was consumed by Colonell Morgans owne Letter to the Parliament after the reading whereof the Commons ordered that thankes should be returned to Almighty God for all these great mercies in those parts the next Lords Day in all Churches and Chappels in and about London and Westminster And further Ordered That a Letter of thankes should be returned to the said valiant Colonell Morgan for this and all his other gallant and faithfull services for the State since his having command of Gloucester and that the said Colonell Morgan should have the command of all the Forces of the County of Gloucester And as for the Government of Monmouth it was conferred upon Sir Trevor Williams a worthy religious and gallant Gentleman A fit and faire-way indeed by gratifying the well-deserving to ingage their hearts and affections more and more to the State and Kingdome And much about the foresaid time the Letters taken in the Lord Digbies Coach at Sherburne conflict as hath been toucht before were read at a Conference of both Houses of Parliament In divers whereof to the Marquesse of Ormond in Ireland his Majesty much bewailes his low and decaying condition since Naseby Battell and advises him if he can to make a Peace with his Irish Catholique Subjects or at least a Cessation But however though he hazard the losse of that Kingdome that he should come away in person unto him withall the forces Armes and Ammunition that he could get and command from thence leaving the rest namely the Protestants on the Parliament-side and the Rebells to dispute the businesse together And to incourage the Marquesse therein he promised him that if he did prosper he should be preferred to all the dignity that possibly could be conferred upon a subject but if his Majesties undertakings succeeded ill as t was most like they would being altogether against God and his Truth hee and the rest of his followers would have the honour to die nobly in a good cause In another Letter upon occasion of Prince Ruperts advising him to a treaty with the Parliament his Majestie checks the said Prince for it wonders he was so much misled tels him that to condescend lower than his termes at Vxbridge would be as bad as a submission which he would never doe so long as he lived And in another Letter dated at Newarke October to the King declares the grounds of his comming to Newarke rather than any other Garrison it being most unlikely to be besieged Colonell Generall Poyntz being as the Letter said much broken with pursuing him That he had the greatest strength thence to break out upon occasion and to get to Montrosse who by an expresse gave him to understand that his Condition and late â—ent was not so bad and so great as was reported but that he was in a good condition and by an addition of forces from Kalcan who were coming to him he should be able to assist the King c. In all which premises we may all see with what poore and vaine hopes meere Egyptian-Reeds the King rests on and feeds himselfe and thereby thus more and more hardens his heart from hearing or yeilding any fit and faire accommodations with his people and Parliament About the 30. of this instant October we had certaine intelligence by a Letter under the hands of famous and faithfull Colonell Mitton Colonell Iones and Adjutant Louthian that the enemie being industrious to releive that Garrison of West-Chester and knowing that the losse of that would be the surrender of all the other They had therefore drawn a party out of their Garrisons of Worcester Ludlow Bridgenorth and other Garrisons thereabout 2400 viz. 1700. Horse and 700. foot and Commanded by Sir William Vaughan being all in one body neer Denbigh-Castle which was about 22. miles from Chester Whereupon our forces calling a Councell of War what was best to be done whether to suffer the Enemie to come neerer or to go out and right with them they concluded to goe out and so drew forth about 1400. horse and 100 foot leaving the Workes sufficiently man'd before Chester and on Saturday they came to the enemie neere Denbigh Castle sent a forelorne hope under the command of Captaine Otter the Body being commanded by gallant Colonell Generall Mitton the Horse led up by Colonell Jones the Foot by Adjeant Louthian who fell on the enemy with as much gallantrie as could be expected there being under their command some Lancashire horse some of Warwickeshire and Shropshire c. each Officer and Souldier deserving honour for their resolution and action among which Major Hanksworth of Warwick 〈◊〉 Major Sanders of Derby did very gallant service in short we wholly routed the enemie tooke betweene five and six hundred horse and above foure hundred foot slew above an hundred on the place and pursued them six miles doing great execution all the way so as in the evening there was not above one hundred left together of the enemie The particulars could not then be related this Messenger came on Tuesday night and had fiftie pounds given him for the intelligence And the Parliament also ordered that letters of thankes should be sent from that House to Colonell Mitton and the rest for this and all their other faithfull Service to the state And not long after the foresaid time we had yet farther information by Letters from those parts that renowned religious and victorious Sir William Brereton was now safely arived as had beene long and earnestly desired by the Countrie there at the Leaguer before West Chester and that valiant and vigilant Colonell Iones having certaine notice that Sir William 〈◊〉 the bloody Lord Byrons brother knowing well the wants and shalts of his said brother Governour of Chester had therefore got together what provisions hee possibly could make and scrape up together and all the forces he could raise to the number of about 400. neer Holt with an intent thus to releive the City of Chester on the Welch-side thereof But I say brave and active Colonell Jones knowing hereof chose rather to march out unto him by the way than to be more dangeously molested neere the City walls where he lay and so leaving a sufficient guard about the Towne in the Leaguer went forth and met him on the way bravely encountred him wherein the fight having soon routed him he tooke Sir William 〈◊〉 himselfe their Commander in Cheife Prisoner with about 50. other prisoners and horse slew divers on the place took divers hors-loades of their provision wherewith they intended to have relieved the City and thus by Gods goodnes hindred this designe also thus by Gods mercie hastning our hopes of the sooner surrender of the said Towne
up but most fled And in this action Sir John Browne himselfe deported himselfe with as much gallantry as any man in the world could do the whole body being not discouraged though in number so much overmatched For the particulars of those that were killed and taken I refer you to the list where all the particulars are certified according to Sir John Brownes own letter The Lord Digby had a cleare rout as ever was given to any The Lord Digby himselfe with Sir Marmaduke Langdale and others of his chiefe Officers that escaped fled over to the Isle of man in a Cock-Boat The Isle of man is a malignant Island between Cumberland and Ireland the Earle of Derby is the Governour thereof for the King and of others that escaped there are divers taken straglers and their Horse and Armes but in a body there are none heard of save onely about 200. that are fled towards Bâ—â—m and a party are sent to stop them from getting in thereto if they can but of them that are fled that way of the Enemies many of them are fore wounded A List of what was slain and what was taken by Sir John Brown at the routing of the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale at Carlile Sands On the Enemies part ONe hundred slaine upon the place Many wounded Taken Prisoners DIgby his Quartermaster Generall 1 Colonell of Langdales Brigade 2 Lieutenant Colonels 3 Captains of Horse Divers other Officers Many Prisoners Taken besides TWo Hundred Horse and Armes The Lord Digbyes owne Standard Sir Marmaduke Langdales Standard 3 Colours of Horse On our part SIr John Browne shot thorow his side but not mortally for he is able to fit upon his Horse back Captaine Lesley wounded 30 and odde slaine amongst whom some Officers but none of note that I hear of 50 or there abouts wounded on our side in all Digby and Langdale with 1000 Horse were totally routed by Sir John Browne with a party of about 500. and Digby and Langdale fled to the Isle of Man in a Cock-boat And upon the intelligence hereof an Order passed both Houses of Parliament to this effect It is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That the Ministers in the severall Congregations in the Cities of London and Westminster and Lines of Communication do upon Wednesday next being the 5 of November take notice of the great mercy of Almighty God in preserving and continuing this present Parliament now full five yeares compleat notwithstanding all the designes and machinations of the Enemy against them And likewise to make most thankfull mention of Gods great mercy in the defeating of the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdales Forces in Scotland by Sir John Browne of Fardell Knight And that the Lord Mayor be desired to give the severall Ministers timely notice of this Order And now good Reader let me intreat thee as there is very great reason here to make a little stay and even to stand amazed in the serious and most gratefull re-view and re-cogitation of the still continued and multiplied mercies of our most good and gracious wonder-working God in this Moneth also to his blessed Burning-Bush still I say both unconsumed and also made most prosperously to stand and flourish in the midst of all the rough and outragious conflagrations and combustions of Malignants power and policie might and mischievous machinations to have utterly 〈◊〉 destroyed it root branch had not God I say the great and gracious the most wise and vigilant Watchman over his poore maligned English-Israel stood for them as hath been mightily manifested in its glorious preservation and propagation both in the brave defeat given to the Enemy by Col. Moore Governour of Gâ—â—nt-House the taking of Farâ—igh Castle in Somersetshire and of Sandall Castle in Yorkeshire In the happy surrender of the Town and Castle of Winchester into the Parliaments power and the pious resolutions of our Parliament to deale mercifully with Malignants and Delinquents notwithstanding their intended mercilesse cruelty towards us and yet herein also the Parliaments prudence and providence for the safety and welfare of the Kingdome In the most happy taking of Bazing-House that pernicious denne of theeves and thus cleansing that foule and filthie Augean-stall together with the taking of Chepstow Towne and Castle by Colonell Margan In the cleared integrity of the Parliament touching 〈◊〉 of new Members unto them the brave defeat given to the Enemy by our Abington Forces together with that other brave defeat given by valiant Colonell Rossiter to Banbury Forces neare Newarke In the taking of Langford-House neer Salisbury and the soundly beating of Sir William Vaughans Forces by Tamworth Garrison In the famous defeat given to the Enemy at Sherburne his York-shire by valiant Colonell Copley and the admirable and almost miraculous taking of Tiverton Town and Castle In the happy overture of things in Wales for the reducing of that Principality to the Parliaments obedience and the taking in of 〈◊〉 and Monmouth Towns and Castles to the Parliaments party And lastly In the discovery of Digbies Letters the brave defeat given to the Enemy neer Denbigh Castle coming to relieve Chester And that other brave defeat given to Sir William Byron on the like intention to relieve Westchester where he was taken Prisoner Together with that last not least famous defeat given againe to the Lord Digby and Langdale in their mischievously intended march into Scotland to Montrose Upon the most weighty and worthy gratefull consideration of all which most memorable and admirable Parliamentary mercies and mighty blessings O what infinite cause have we O in what innumerable and indissoluble bonds of obliged gratitude are we everlastingly bound to blesse the Lord our thus great and gracious wonder-working God And with the pious Prophet to be inlarged in our hearts and tongues with abundant expressions of joyfull confessions and exultations in our God and to sing and say in this our day Lo this is our God we have waited for him and he hath saved us This is the Lord we have trusted in him and now he hath made us to be glad and rejoyce in his mighty salvations for he hath trodden downe Moab our most proud and politick adversaries under his feet even as straw is trodden downe for the dunghill This also cometh all forth from the Lord of Hosts who is wonderfull in counsell and most excellent in working Go on O Lord we pray thee still to make thy great name more and more glorious and let not men prevaile Let still these irreligiâ—us Royalists be judged in thy sight Put them still in feare O Lord that they may know they 〈…〉 men So shall we thy people and the sheep of thy pasture give thanks 〈◊〉 to thee and blesse thy name as we do this day for ever and ever 〈◊〉 now to go on And here now we will begin the yet further most gratefull contemplation and admiration of the most
Congregations throughout London and Westminster and the Lines of Communication Secondly That Colonell Birch should be Governour of Hereford and the Committee of both Kingdomes to send him his Commission and that his Regiment should be recruited to 1200 men according to his own desire Thirdly That 6000 l. should be charged on the Excize and forthwith paid in to be at the disposall of the Committee of both Kingdomes for the payment of his Forces and to discharge his engagements to his Souldiers for their activity and fidelity in this designe Fourthly That 1600 suits of cloathes knap-sacks shooes and stockings should be speedily sent to the Common Souldiers of the Garrison of Gloucester that had so great a hand in the performance of this great and good service in thus taking of Hereford And fifthly and lastly The House of Commons religiously and piously considering this businesse to be the worke of God alone and that his hand was chiefly visible in it They therefore to improve this mercy to Gods farther and future honour and glory tooke into their most serious consideration the setling of able and faithfull Preachers both in Gloucester and Hereford and for that purpose there was an Ordinance tâ—ice read and committed for the uniting of severall Churches in the City of Gloucester into one only Congregation and allowed among them 300 l. per annum to be paid to the respective Ministers of them out of the Revenues of the Dean and Chapter of that City aâ—d the disposall of them to be in the power of the Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councell of that City and the vacant meeting-places in the City to be set apart for a Library an English-Schoole a Magazine for Armes and other publique uses for the honour of that famous and faithfull City Also that a confirmation should also be made of all the Lands Liberties and Franchises heretofore granted under the Great Seal of England unto this said City and Corporation And likewise for the better encouragement of the Souldiers of that City the House Ordered that 30 l. a week should be paid to the Officers of the Trained Bands that do service at the Main-Guard thereof there being neer 200 that do constant duty there And shortly after also Lieutenant Barrow for so was his name that so neatly and notably acted the Constables part whereby we thus became possessours of Hereford being come to London was admitted into the House of Commons where he made a narrative of the whole businesse to the House and afterward being ordered to withdraw the House ordered that 100 l. should be forthwith issued out of Haberdashers-Hall to the said Lieutenant Barrow for his present support and further ordered That the summe of 50 l. per annum should be conferred on him and his heyres for ever for this his gallant undertakings in that service to be truly paid him out of the Estate of Sir Henry Lingen a notorious Delinquent neer Hereford A rare and singular act of encouragement to stir up the hearts of honest and active Souldiers to cheerfull industrie and fidelity in this the Parliaments most just and righteous Cause And now put all these together and then say was not here an ample and pious retribution of bounden gratitude both to God and men his Instruments for this great goodnesse and mercy to us yes certainly and therefore most worthy to be recorded to Posterity for the Parliaments indelible honour But now to proceed About the 23 of this instant December we had certaine intelligence by Letters out of the West that our most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Forces had taken Canon-Tean a strong Fort or Block-House of the Enemies by which meanes they had the command well-nigh of all the River of Ex it was gained by storme and they found among those of the Enemies slaine in the enterprize a Lieutenant Colonell and two Captaines and divers Common Souldiers and that after the taking thereof there came voluntarily in unto Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Forces thereabout a Cornet of the Enemies with 30 good Horse who had revolted from them Also by other Letters out of the West we were certainly informed that a party of his Excellencies Forces there had taken in another strong Garrison of the Enemies lying upon the said River West of Excetor called Callyntine House and therin between thirty and forty Horse as many prisoners and their Armes by the gaining of which place the Enemy is much more straitned than before and the passage upon the River is quite blocked up And about Decemb. 26. the House of Commons received Letters from the Northerne parts of the Kingdome of the rendition of the strong Garrison of Skipton Castle which had been long besieged by our Forces the Enemy having had faire Conditions and clear performances of the same viz. To march away with their Arms either to Newarke Oxford or Hereford of the taking whereof it seems they then had not had information or knowledge Now upon the reading of this Letter the House referred the further consideration thereof to the Committee of the North. This surrender of Skipton Castle in Craven was no doubt of very great consequence for by this meanes not onely all York shire is cleared and happily reduced to the obedience of the Parliament but also all Northumberland Cumberland Westmerland and Lancashire the Enemy not having any one Garrison in their hands in all those parts of the Kingdome neerer then is Newark A wonderfull mercy indeed and most worthy our deerest and deepest engagements of 〈◊〉 gratitude to the Lord our most blessed and bountifull Fountaine of all our good And O that the sweet and serious consideration hereof might raise and rouse up our souls to an earnest and ardent deâ—ire and endeavour for the building of Gods House who thus even in the first place hastens the building of ours And about the latter end of this Moneth of December the prudent and provident Senators and Common-Councell of the most renowned City of London with a joynt and most unanimous consent among themselves at a Common-Councell hâ—ld in their Guild-Hall resolved that in regard of the many designes of the Enemy against the said City 500 Horse should be forthwith raised for the 〈◊〉 thereof and to prevent any audacious â—â—tinies or insurrections that might probably happen by reason of the multitude 〈◊〉 Delinquenâ—s and Royalists which were then laâ—â—ly come out of the Kings Quarters And that the Guards of the City should be doubled and that every one should contribute according to their ability toward the maintenance thereof And the Commons in Parliament likewise referred it to a Committee to consider how the prisoners in the Tower of London might be secured removed or confined to their Chambers and that they might be prevented from giving or holding any correspondence unto and with the Enemy And the said Committee was likewise to consider in like manner of all the other Prisons in London and
to prevent intelligence between them also and the Enemy And immediately after it for the more fully enabling of the said renowned City to terrifie and over-awe their open and secret Enemies the House of Commons passed an Ordinance for the establishing of a Court-Martiall in the said City of London for the triall of Spies and other noxious Delinquents who shall come out of the Kings Quarters to lurke and watch for opportunities of doing mischiefe and named severall Commanders and Gentlemen who were to be Members of that Councell And here now good Reader be pleased againe to make a little pause seriously to ponder and consider in thy most thankfull heart the unexhaustible over-flowings in bounty and blessings and the unwearied out-goings of thy wonder-working God in this Moneths mighty mercies also and most memorable benedictions on this his blessed Burning-Bush still unconsumed still marvellously preserved and maintained in a most fair and flourishing state and condition maugre the many and mighty flames of the firy and restlesse rage of the Royalists continually menacing and molesting the same as hath been most copiously discovered both in our most loyall and loving Brethren of Scotlands faithfull and valiant assistance in the besieging of Newarle and their brave winning of Muschamp Bridge and Fort there And the voluntary submission of the County of Brecknock in Wales to the obedience of the Parliament In the obtaining of that pernicious den of robbers I mean that strong Garrison of Latham House in Lancashire and Fulford House in the West In the most remarkable and happy surprisall of the Towne and Castle of Hereford by a notable stratagem wherein the hand of God was most admirably evident In delivering that strong Fort of Canon-Tean and that strong Garrison of Callyntine-House at Exeter into the Parliaments possession and thereby strengthning ours and weakening the Enemies hands In the happy rendition of Skipton Castle also a strong hold of the Enemies into our hands whereby almost all the Northerne parts of the Kingdome were set at liberty And sixthly and lastly In putting into the hearts of our Worthies in Parliament and the loyall Citizens of London prudently and providently to foresee future probable contingent dangers and carefully to forecast to prevent and avoid them All which rare and remarkable Parliamentary Mercies gratefully and graciously put together give us great cause with holy David to sing and say In God the Lord alone is our salvation and our glory the rock of our strength and our sure refuge is in God O therefore let us trust in him at all times and poure out our hearts before him in all holy and humble acknowledgements that God alone is a refuge unto us But to go on And now I shall againe begin the serious survey of the rich and rare mercies of God to this his Burning-Bush the Parliaments Cause in this ensuing Moneth of January with a memorable passage of fidelity in the Governour of Plymouth Colonell Kerre who having been most vehemently tempted by Sir John Digby Brother to the traiterous George Lord Digby who then commanded in chief those Forces of the Kings which so long had besieged this brave and loyall Towne of Plymouth this young treacherous Royalist I say having by Letters Messages and mighty promises of a reward of 10000 l. in money and high preferment in the Kings Army endeavoured to intice the noble and loyall Governour to betray and give up this brave Towne into the Enemies hands He contrariwise most loyally disdaining such base and treacherous underhand-dealings returned that traiterous Knight this noble Answer which for the honour of this brave Gentlemans so faithfull resolution I have thought exceeding fit here to insert which was as followeth SIR YOur motion to treason I have seen and detest it it is below my spirit for a personall injury supposed onely by an Enemy to take a Nationall Revenge and for a punctilio of honour to take advice from Hell and to betray my trust I am sorry that one so ingenious as your self should 〈◊〉 your naturall parts onely to do mischiefe yet I have no reason to â—â—der much at your perswasion to treachery because I have had experience of the indeavour of your Family to corrupt others also I remember the Gunpowder-plot and withall the Letter which not long since your Brother wrote to my Lord Roberts tending to the same subject and his negotiation with Major Generall Browne at Abington Surely these principles came from Spaine but you should have told me also that Spanish Proverbe To love the Y reason and hate the Traytor Sir if my counsell may take with you then I beseech you to consider of the evill counsell which you and your party have given to his Majesty whereby the Kingdome especially those parts under your power are become almost a desolation And when you have thought upon the sad effects of these wars then let your heart tell you this truth that much of the blood and rapine in this Country must lye upon your account and guilt may inforce you to seeke for termes of Reconciliation first with God then with the Representative Body of the Kingdome whom you have se highly offended Let not this advice from him whom you call Enemy be despised as you hope for mercy and the respects of him who according to the Nationall Covenant resolves to be Assuredly your Servant JAMES KERRE How the young Gallant did blush if at least he had any shame in him at the perusall of this Letter I leave to all the ingenuous Readers to judge It was a brave letter indeed and most worthy to live in Cedar or to be engraven in indelible Marble and out live them both to this brave Gentlemans eternall honour which being speedily after made known to the Parliament was and that most justly most gratefully resented by both Houses and he rewarded with the present gift of 500. l. and most loving assurance of farther preferment on the first and sittest oportunity And presently after this the Lord to shew his detestation of all such disloyall traiterous enterprises as a punishment of this particular impious instigation to this treason crowned the loyall Governour of this Town of Plymouth with a fair occasion of just revenge and put a fit oportunity into his hands of singular good successe against this Treacherous Enemie which had there long besieged them which was intimated by Letters to a worthy Member of the House of Commons in Parliament in their taking of 2. Forts from the Enemie which had been a great annoyance to those our loyall friends and by which victorie they then got more elbow-roome and liberty to enlarge their quarters than before the particulars whereof were as followeth Our men after a small dispute tooke from the Enemie Canterburie-Fort and in it 17. Prisoners And afterward marched to Saint Bendeaux where after a hot skirmish of an houre and a halfe long our men tooke the Church-yeard which was strongly
Signet and Royall Segnature in the twenty yeere of our reigne c. It was therefore ordered by the said Earle in the Kings behalf 1 That all the professors of the Roman Religion in Ireland of whatsoever degree or quality shall enjoy the free and publique use of the Roman Catholike Religion 2 That the professors of the said Roman Religion shall enjoy all the Churches within the Kingdome of Ireland other than such as are now actually enjoyed by his Majesties Protestant Subiects 3 That all the Roman Catholick Subiects of Ireland should be exempted from the iurisdiction of the Protestant Clergy 4 〈◊〉 whereas there was an Act made 〈◊〉 Parliament holden in Dublin in the second yeare of Queen Elizabeth entituled An act restoring to the Crowne the ancient Right and Jurisdiction over the State Ecclesiasticall and for the abolishing of all forraigne and Popish power repugnant to the same And whereas there was another Act for the Vniformity of Common Prayer and Service in the Church and Administration of the Sacraments and sundry mâ—cts laid upon the professions of the Roman Religion it is accorded and granted that a Parliament shall be called in Ireland and that an Act shall passe for the reliefe of his Maiesties subiects and that neither of the said Statutes nor only branch Article clause or sentence in them neither in any other Statute made either by his Majiesty or any of his Predecessors touching the free and publique use of the Catholique Religion shall extend or be of my force to prejudice the professors of the Roman Church for any matter or cause whatsoever And these things and some other of the like nature being granted by the King according to his promise made in the word of a Christian and a King the Confederate Catholicks did oblige themselves to bring in the number of 10000 men who are to be armed there one half with Muskeâ—s the other with Pikes to be shipped to serve his Majesty in England Wales Scotland at his Majesty shall appoint Thus have I set forth the Kings Letter to the Parliament on the one side and his Letter or Declaration to the most bloody and barbarous Rebels of Ireland on the other side And now how the King is able to reconcile these two vast contrarities and to give the Kingdome and Parliament full satisfaction as in that Letter to them he saies he will concerning the affaires in Ireland let the world judge and God and his owne soul be witnesse Therefore the Parliament as by Gods mercy to us they have done all things hitherto for the most part with much moderation and 〈◊〉 did very 〈◊〉 I think present to his Majesty in theâ—â— Letter or Declaration sent unto him on their knowledge of these things that the war in Ireland being fomented and prolonged by his Majesty to the utter ruine almost of the Kingdome of England and Scotland that untill satisfaction and security be 〈◊〉 given to 〈◊〉 Kingdomes for the same his Majesties coming to London could not be convenient nor assented unto Thus I say the Parliaments providence next under the infinite wisdom and mercy of our good God hath still wonderfully discovered and disappointed all the pestilent plots and dangerous designes of our adversaries and maugre all their malicious machinations and craftiest combinations made all our Parliamentary great grave and godly affaires go on with wonderfull safety and security ever magnified and praised be the Lords most glorious mercies for it But now to proceed About the 14 of this instant January we received certain intelligence by Letters out of the West that the Enemy in those parts continued in a most distracted condition flying still before us and our men loosing no advantage and opportunity to pursue them And that they no sooner had heard of our Forces approach toward Plymouth but as they were in their Garrisons and Holds before Plymouth about Plympton they immediately forsook them to provide for themselves by a shamefull flight and were no sooner fled but our men became masters of their Works There were found in Plympton upon this the Enemies hasty flight seven peeces of Ordnance which in that confused haste they were not able to draw off there were also taken divers barrels of powder and great store of Armes and Ammunition and it much joyed the Garrison of Plymouth to see a full deliverance come so soone and so unexpectedly and that in the depth of snow and dead of Winter whereas according to ordinary reason there could in such a time no reliefe be expected But the Garrison of Plymouth to be sure made good use of the flying condition of their Enemies for immediately they sallyed forth after them and tooke about 60 of them one whereof was said to be a Commander of note and one of the most active against the Parliament in those parts And as the Garrison of Plymouth was active so our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax with his most loyall and active Forces would loose no time or opportunity but tooke all occasions of the Enemies feares and flights and following them close made them quit Sir Francis Drakes House which they had made a strong Garrison and our men took possession of it And then Sir Thomas commanded a considerable party to march to Dartmouth who with much willingnesse undertooke the march and the Town being summoned the Enemy not onely refused to submit but sent out a party to fire some out houses supposing that they might be beneficiall to us during the siege but our Forces routed the party took 40 Horse and divers prisoners and slew the Lieutenant Colonell that commanded the said party And in the meane time Sir Thomas Fairfax sent to Captaine Batten Vice Admirall of the Parliaments Ships in the Westerne stode to come up to Dartmouth 〈◊〉 because he would storme it both by Sea and by Land whereof more in its more proper place January the 16 a Petition was 〈◊〉 to the House of Peers in the name of the Lord Mayor Alde â—men and Common-Councell of the City of London for the speedy setling of Church Government in the City and over the whole Kingdome as the day before they had presented one of the same to the House of Commons and upon the presenting of the Petition Alderman Gibbs made a Speech to their Lordships and after some consideration of the Petition the Lords returned them a most acceptable answer which Petition together with the Answer thereunto from the Lords for the Readers better content and satisfaction and the honour of that most famous and renowned City in such a pious Act and Petition I have thought fit here to insert them which were as followeth To the Right Honourable the LORDS now Assembled in the High Court of PARLIAMENT The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common-Councell Assembled Sheweth THat in Novemb. last the Petitioners made it their humble request to this honourable
be done in three places The first Post was on the West Gate by Colonell Hamond the second on the North end of the Towne by Lieutenant Colonell Pride and the third on Tonstall Church and Works by Colonell Fortescue the time resolved on was in the evening Our men fell on accordingly with great resolution to whom Colonell Lamberts Regiment was a Reserve and to alarm the Enemies elswhere Colonell Hamond entred the West Gate where foure Guns were planted and two upon the Mill-Pool upon his Flank the Enemy â—â—ring his great guns but once his men that had the forlorne hope did very gallantly as indeed they did all and went freely on and beat off the Enemy and possessed one Fort after another viz. Mount-Flaggon the West Gate and Paradise Fort and beat off the Main-Guards where were taken foure Lieutenant Colonels and so we possessed the Town from the West Gate to little Dartmouth 〈◊〉 the interim Lieutenant Colonell Pride attempted the North part of the Towne called Harnesse where beating off the Enemy be entred it and took about eighty prisoners in it and by it possessed all the North part of the Town unto the Drawbridge which divided the North part from the rest of the Town where Colonell Hamonds men and his met Colonell Fortescue with his men attempted Tunstall Church which was very well man'd with above 100 men and having in it ten Guns His men after some dispute with good resolution entred the place and possessed it so that by this time the Enemy was beaten out of all except the great Fort on the East side of the River called Kingsworth Fort and the Castle with the Fort which lay over the Castle at the mouth of the Harbouâ— called Gallant Bover to which last the Governour with the Earl of Newport and as many as escaped out fled After they were forced from their strength out of the Town the Governour coming back from the Castle to see what posture the Town was in had a remarkable shot as he was in the Boat one sitting by him a Musket shot was made at the Boat which pierced the Boat and through both the thighs of one that was next unto him and about three inches into his own thigh upon which he retreated to the Castle Our Dragoons with two Companies of our Firelocks and some Seamen were ordered onely to alarm Kingsworth Fort wherein was Sir Henry Cary with his Regiment having in it 11 Guns and 12 Barrels of powder and convenient proportion of Ammunition This was a very strong Fort with about foure good Bulworkes strong enough to have made a troublesome resistance but the Enemy came willingly to terms and to save time I willingly condescended to let Sir Henry Cary march away with the rest leaving the Armes Ordnance Ammunition with all Provisions in the Fort to me and all engaging themselves never to take up Arms more against the Parliament which was accordingly performed Next morning being thus master of all but the Castle and Gallants Bower I summoned that the Governour was willing to listen unto me but I held him to those terms upon which after some dispute he yeelded which was to deliver himself and all Officers and Souldiers upon quarter he sent me out Colonell Seamor and Master Denham for Hostages with whom came out the Earl of Newport and all was this day performed accordingly In this Fort and Castle were 11 Guns with proportion of Ammunition and Provisions We have taken in the Harbour two men of War one belonging to the Governour of Barnstable with 12 Guns Burden 200 Tuns the other belonging to Newcastle formerly Captaine Johnsons of ten Tuns In the Town one hundred and three peeces of Ordnance and about 600 prisoners and 100 Horse with good proportion of Arms and Ammunition exact particulars whereof I am not able to give your Lordship at present an account There being many of the Inhabitants of this Towne Souldiers in Plymouth and some Officers And understanding that that Towne had 2500 in Garrison besides Townesmen I have sent thither for 500 Foot for this place who quickly will increase to more and to this I desire your approbation for having found more worke to do I held it not fit to weaken my Army especially considering the Recruits designed by you I doubt will be too long before they come I have given your Lordship a brief account of this service which I desire may be accounted a sweet mercy of God in a very fitting season and only ascribed to him who truly did direct and act it and made all the preparation to it both in the ordering our hearts and giving health to the Army which laboured two moneths ago extremely of sicknesse but is now in good disposition generally to health I can say I finde it to be in the hearts of all here in all integrity to serve you And that it is so is still the mercy of God for surely the successe of your affaires only depends upon the ordering of a gracious providence which is no lesse visible in your councels which we congratulate than amongst us that being the common root and spring of all and which can and will carry you through the greatest difficulties and us in serving you untill God hath finished his own work wherein to professe the obligation and readinesse of my selfe and the Army by the same good hand of God is all the undertaking of Your Lordship most humble servant THO. FAIRFAX Dartmouth Jan 20. 1645. A List of the Prisoners and Prizes taken at Dartmouth Jan 19. 1645. SIr Hugh Pollard Baron Governour of the Towne The Earl of Newport Colonell Saymor Master Denman Baron Denmans Sonne Lieutenant Colonell Nicholas Codrington Lieut. Col. Bluet Lieut. Col. Thomas Warkland Lieut. Col. Searl Major Francis Fielfâ—rd Major Hooper Captaines 16. Lieutenants 14. Ensignes 10 Cornet 〈◊〉 and others not then brought in Master Reynolds Gentleman of Armes besides 6 Gentlemen of note of the Country and divers others Divers Ministers or Priests and many inferiour Officers Common Souldiers betwixt 800 and 1000 who were all set at liberty and to repaire in peace to their dwelling houses who tooke it as a great favour as also did the whole Country to whom they were related Many Barrels of Powder 1000 Armes besides many broken ones Two men of War in the Harbour the one belonging to Barnstable the other to New-Castle And 60 Sayle of Ships both great and small 120 Peeces of Ordnance ready planted with those 13 in Gallows-Brow In all by Sea and Land neer upon 200. 100 Horse 8 Horse Colours 5 Foot Colours 7 Standards of Foot Colours and one with the Kings own picture on it Major Pollard of the Enemies part slain in the storme After the reading of this Letter the Commons in Parliament tooke into their serious consideration the great and worthy valour and singular good successe of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and reserted it to a Committee to consider how the 5000.
l. per annum formerly voted to be conferred on his Excellency and his Heynes for ever might be presently setled possessed and enjoyed by him They likewise ordered That a Letter should be written to his Excellency to returne the thanks of both Houses of Parliament for his noble valour and unwearied paines in the service of the State and particularly in the storming of Dartmouth and to informe him what a great mercy the Parliament esteems this businesse of Dartmouth and how highly they respect and esteem of his Excellency and his designes and undertakings And here now I shall desire the Reader for Gods greater glory and high honour to consider seriously and most graciously and gratefully how admirable wisely powerfully and advantagiously for us the Lord carried on all these late great works in these few ensuing observations worthy our cordiall consideration As first That God all along cast such a pannick feare upon our Enemies such a Magor-Misabib into their hearts and spirits that they were a continuall terrour to themselves and that since our taking of Boviâ—-Tracy God hath given into our hands neer 1000 of the Enemies Horse and that upon the advance of a party of ours from Crediâ—â—on the Enemies fled and onely â—ix of Colonell Okeyes Dragoones put 500 of their Horse from their post at which time they fled from Plymouth leaving their Guns Arms and Ammunition behind them Secondly That Captaine Batten Vice-Admirall of the Parliaments Ships coming to block up Dartmouth by Sea as our noble Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax had ordered him liâ— upon a Ship of the Enemies bound for France wherein were many Gentlemen of quality and money and jewels to a good quantity together with many other rich 〈…〉 Thirdly which is indeed very remarkable That till our Forces came before Dartmouth in at least seven weeks space there had been little or no 〈◊〉 upon that 〈◊〉 but now our Army being there ther was such a mighty shole of Muâ—â—its taken as comfortably fed our Army and which so continued among them to the great admiration of all the Inhabitants Fourthly That in the storming of the Towne though all things answered not the appointments of the Councell of War yet there was no confusion or miscarriage in the whole worke and withall that we had very faire weather all the time of the siege and storme even to a minute till the Town was taken and then only it rained much Fifthly That notwithstanding the great strength of the Fortifications of the Town and in men and Ordnance also yet it was taken without much bloodshed we having lost but two men in all the whole worke that we could possibly heare of which was even a miraculous mercy to us considering I say that there were 〈◊〉 strong Works and Forts in it and about 100 Peeces ready mounted and manned which might have been thought sufficient to have maintained the Town and Harbour against a very potent Army Sixthly and lastly That Master Peters one of the Ministers of the Army at this time presented to the Parliament divers Colours taken in the Towne and Country and among the rest the Kings owne first Colours which he first advanced at Yorke against the Parliament with the Kings owne picture on it and a Sword in 〈◊〉 hand and a booke in the other together with a bundle of brave Letters found in the Governours House in Dartmouth some of the Princes some of Ruperts some of Gorings some of Culpeppers and their Commissions by Sea and Land besides a Popish Masse-Book and an Altar taken from the Engineer of Dartmouth who was a Dutch Masse Priest For all which so rare and remarkable free favours and mighty meer mercies so graciously conferred upon us our most renowned Parliamentary Worthies most rightly and religiously ordered a solemn day of Thanksgiving to be kept a Copy of which their Order I have here thought fit to insert which was as followeth Die Jovis Jan. 26. 1645. THe Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled do order and appoint this day fortnight being Thursday for a day of Thanksgiving for the taking in of Dartmouth and Hereford to be kept within the Cities of London and Westminster the Lines of Communication and ten miles about And this day three weeks for all other places over the Kingdome in the Parliaments power About the 26 of this instant January we received also certaine intelligence by Letters out of Stafford-shire that Captaine Stone that valiant and active Commander had sent out a party of about 100 and odde Horse to beate up the Lord Molinaux his Quarters who fell upon the Enemy at a place called Cark within seven miles of Stafford and managed their charge with such martiall resolution and dexterity that they routed 300 of the Enemies and tooke prisoners three Captaines two Cornets eight Reformadoes ten inferiour Officers about 100 Horse and divers prisoners above 100 Pistols In which conflict many of the Enemies were wounded and some slaine And thus they returned victoriously to Stafford againe with their Prisoners and Prizes And about the 28 of this instant we were certainly informed from our Army in the West that Pouldram Castle which was Sir William Courteens House a strong Garrison of the Enemies neer Exeter was surrendred to brave Colonell Hamond who commanded in chiefe upon these Conditions The Officers and Souldiers to depart to their own dwellings leaving all their Arms behind them There were about 120 in the Castle 4 Peeces of Ordnance unmounted 5 Barrels of powder with Bullet and Match proportionable but little other Provisions His Excellencies most courteous carriage and mercifull useage of those at Dartmouth notwithstanding that he wonne it by storme had a great influence and operation upon the spirits of the Enemies elsewhere and was not only a prevalent motive to these of Pouldram Castle to yeeld so soone unto his famoused mercy but made many others also shortly after to desert the Enemy for there being at least 120 Cornish men prisoners in Dartmouth notwithstanding their former even most barbarous cruelty to ours yet I say renowned and mercifull Sir Thomas Fairfax as I was credibly informed set them all at liberty and gave them two shillings a man to beare their charges And was not here a heaping of Coales of fire on their heads as our Saviour commands and commends in his Disciples and a rare way of winning of hearts even of those formerly heathenish cruell Cornish Enemies Those of them that would stay and take up Armes for the Parliament as divers did he gave them â—â—ree shillings a peece to all the Seamen in prison he freely gave their liberty and to all their Common Souldiers unwilling to take up Armes he gave Passes to go to their owne habitations nay to severall Officers of whom any of the faire conditioned Townesmen could give any good Character he also gave Passes to go to their owne homes also on promise of future faire and peaceable demeanour toward the
to shew themselves and the enemy bestowed some shot on them but without doing any harme At last the Garrison seeing themselves betrayed and that it was bootlesse for them to stand it out any longer demanded a parley which was granted and agreement made that all their lives should be spared and those that were of the Town should returne quietly to their houses whereupon two by a ladder came over the walls The rest seeing it began againe to shoot and so brake quarter so as in conclusion they all became prisoners at discretion their lives excepted being sevenscore in number or thereabout The Souldiers got store of plunder besides which there were found 17. barrels of powder with match c. good store of victuall besides 30. prisoners or thereabout set at liberty In this Action there was but one man lost on the Parliaments side though the Enemy shot often and threw downe great stones from the wall And thus the Lord every way mightily shewed himselfe for us to the glory of his own great name the good of us his unworthy servants and the great dread and amazement of all our implacable and incorrigible enemies to him therefore alone be all the honour and glorie of all these our most memorable mercies and mighty deliverances And here I shall againe desire the godly Reader to make a short stay and to take a briefe and gratefull review of all the rare and rich mercies of this Moneth also in the Lords admirable preservation and advancement of the prosperity of this his Burning-Bush thus still not Consumed nay contrariwise still freshly flourishing and preserved both in the reducing of Belvoir castle the faire City of Chester Town and Castle to the obedience of the Parliament In the brave defeat given to the Enemie at Ashbie de la Zouch and the prosperous proceedings of our forces in the West In the establishment of the judges to ride their Circuites againe and keeping quarterly Assizes in all Countries 〈◊〉 the power of the Parliament In the famous defeat given to the Enemy at Torrington in the West and totally routing Hoptons Army there In putting down the Court of Wards the famous preservation of Cardiffe Towne and Castle and mighty victory obtained therein And the stratagemicall possession of the strong Garrison of Corff-Castle All which remarkable mercies seriously considered and gratefully preponderated O how great cause have we all with holy David frequently and frevently to enter into that his sweet Soul-Soliloquie and pious expostulation with our owne hearts What shall we re-pay and render to the Lord for all his benefits thus heaped and multiplyed upon us But take the Cup of salvation and pay our Vowes unto the Lord which we have made in the depth of our dâ—lorous daies unto him But now proceed And now we shall againe begin the most amiable and delectable progresse in the comfortable contemplation of the Parliamentary Mercies of this Moneth of March 1646. with the farther most famous successefull proceedings of our victorious Army in the West since the coming thereof into Cornwall and therein particularly their taking of Launceston a strong Garrison of the Enemies in that Countrie which being fully and truly related in a Letter by that worthy Gentlemen Master Rushworth our most noble Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Secretary sent to the Speaker to the honourable House of Commons I have here given the Reader an exact and true Copy thereof which was as followeth SIR UPon Tuesday the 24 of Febr. the Generall began his march with the Army from Bedford and part from Torrington and quartered that night at Holsworth being 12 miles from one place and 15 miles from the other an extraordinary rainy day and wayes extraordinary deep Wednesday the 25 we advanced from Holsworth to Launceston being ten long miles that the Enemy might be the more amazed at the Armies entring of Cornwall Colonell Butler was sent from Holsworth with a party of 1000 Horse and 400 Dragoons on Tuesday night as farre as Stratton in Cornwall to beat up the Enemies Quarters and accordingly that night he passed the River where the Enemy had raised up a Brest-Worke at Tamarton Bridge and broke down the Bridge to hinder our passage over but presently quit the passage whereupon he forced the Horse as well as Foot that kept Guard to retreat to their other Guards and 〈…〉 to the place appointed for their drawing together upon an 〈◊〉 when he charged their Horse severall times at last it pleased God to put the Enemy to the flight He tooke about 300 Horse and 80 prisoners he had more prisoners and some of quality but the Souldiers minding their â—â—ry and booty in Horses many of the prisoners escaped this party of Horse of the Enemies being about 800 that lay to keepe Guard upon the River Tamar was commanded by Major Generall Webbe who with the rest of the Commanders were put to a disorderly Retreat with the rest of their Horses which gave them such an alarm towards the North parts of Cornwall that it forced them to draw their Horse back the rest of the Army marching to Launceston which amazed them likewise on the left hand that if their intentions were for breaking through we could not tell what resolution to take When we came within two miles of Launceston we met with their Scouts having taken severall of them we understood that Colonell Basset with Horse and Foot was resolved to keep Launceston and not to permit our entrance into the same whereupon the forlorn hope of Horse and Foot were sent to force entrance into the Towne the Enemy shut the Gates made some opposition but at last quit the Town and that disorderly we took some prisoners and killed some 〈◊〉 of them night being come on the rest escaped in the darke the Arms and Magazine in the Towne we seized upon we find the Country and particularly the place to expresse much joy at our coming though they were made believe by the Enemy that the Army would give no quarter to any Cornish man or woman which they did for the most part believe and was the cause of a great terrour upon them but our Souldiers notwithstanding the opposition they had at their entring of Launceston did not so much as plunder any one house nor did any other prejudice to the Town that we can heare of but I hope will so demean themselves in pursuance of the Generals Proclamation as we shall conquer the Cornish sooner by our civility than by the Sword Thus far into Cornwall it pleased God to prosper things with us and I hope when we come more into the heart of the County we shall not finde so many Enemies as friends Very speedily you shall receive a fuller account from Your humble Servant J. R. Launceston 26. of Febr. 1645. about nine a clock in the morning And upon the 2 of this instant March the honourable Houses of Parliament took the
the bringing of the Churches of God in the three Kingdomes to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion Confession of Faith forme of Church-Government Directory for Worship and Catechising which thing both Kingdomes are by Covenant obliged sincerely and really to endeavour and that not for a time but constantly so that neither of the Kingdomes can be loosed or acquitted from the most strait and solemne obligation of their continued and constant endeavouring these good ends so farre as any of them is not yet attained it being also understood that our concurrence to the sending of the Propositions shall be without prejudice to any Agreement or Treaty between the Kingdomes and shall not infringe any engagement made to the Kingdom of Scotland nor be any hinderance to our insisting upon the other Propositions already made knowne to the Houses and it being understood that it is not our Judgement that every particular and circumstance of thâ—se Propositions is of so great importance to these Kingdomes as Peace and Warre should depend thereupon Vpon these grounds which we make knowne only for clearing our consciences and for discharging Our selves in the trust put upon us without the least thought of retarding the so much longed for Peace We condiscend and agree that the Propositions as they are now resolved upon be in the name of both Kingdomes presented to the King whose heart we beseech the Lord wholly to incline to the Councels of Truth and Peace June 25. 1646. Die Veneris 26. Iunii 1646. ORdered by the Lords in Parliament Assembled that the Marquesse of Argyles Speech with the Paper concerning the Propositions be forthwith printed and published John Brown Cler. Parliamentorum And at the same time with the foresaid Paper there was another Paper delivered in unto the Parliament being a Letter from his Majesty to the Marquesse of Ormond in Ireland discharging all further Treaty with the Irish Rebels for thus now blessed be God His Majesty was pleased to terme them not Catholike Subjects as formerly and this being a businesse of so high and eminent concernment I have here also thought fit to give the Reader a Copy thereof which was as followes CHARLES REX RIght trusty c. Having long with much griefe looked upon the sad condition which our Kingdom of Ireland hath bin in these divers years through the wicked and desperate Rebellion there and the bloody effects which have ensued thereupon for the settling whereof we would have wholly applyed our selves if the difference betwixt us and our subjects here had not diverted and withdrawne us and not having bin able by force for that respect to reduce them we were necessitated for the present safety of our Protestant subjects there to give you power and authority to treat with them upon such pious honourable and safe grounds as the good of that our Kingdome did then require But for many reasons too long for a Letter We thinke fit to require you to proceede no farther in Treaty with the Rebells nor to engage us upon any conditions with them after sight hereof And having formerly â—ound such Reall proofes of your ready obedience to our commands We doubt not of your care in this wherein our service and the good of the Protestant subjects in Ireland is so much conâ—erned From New-Castle the 11. of June 1646. And upon the 29. of this instant June the Lords and Commons in Parliament held a serious debate and Consultation about the the time and persons by whom to send away the Propositions for a happy Peace among us which now they had quite finished and as was forementioned our Deare Brethren of Scotland had fully and fairely assented unto for his Majesty to sign and confirm unto us And now all these late and last admirable passâ—ges of Divine provicence thus sweetly and amiably concurring to make us a most happy o-that they may make us a most holy people by our gracious and gratefull improvement of them to the best advantage of Gods glory and our best good both for Soule and body I will now most joyfully and thankfully close up all with that of the blessed Prophet David that sacred and sugred Singer of Israel Thou O Lord hast for us turned our mourning into Dancing thou hast put off our Sackcloth and girded as with gladnesse To the end that our Glory may Sing praise to thee and not be silent O Lord our God we will therefore give thankes to thee for ever and ever And thus I a poore weake and most unworthie instrument the meanest I say and most unable of many thousands having now by the good hand and helpe of Divine providence even by the only ayde and assistance of the Lord my good God led you on my Deare Christian brethren thus farre in the full and faire view and perusall of this so famous and renowned historie though I confesse in a very plaine and unpolisht style and in the most blessed and beautifull sight of this admirable and amiable wonder of the Burning-Bush hitherto Vnconsâ—med yea hitherto I say even most miraculously prospered preserved even to a strongly hoped period of our bloody wars and happy enjoyment of sweet and precious Peace I say if now at last Pride wanton ingratitude to God and men I mean mainly our Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland cut us not short therof in the haven of our hoped happinesse not withstanding all the most violent flames of malice and virulent furie of unreasonable and outragious men yea of such Ephesian Beasts as the holy Apostle Paul was forced to fight with for the vindication of his great Masters immaculate Cause unsported Truth what shall I say more unto you all my deare Brethren the honest and happy Readers of this honourable History the blessed eye-witnesses and possessors of all these rich and rare forementioned mercies I will now most thankfully shut up all with a word or two and but a briefe word or two as having in all my former parts of this Parliamentary Chroniâ—le said so much already in this kinde of Christian Caution and Exhortation to you all in generall as to mine owne soule in particular First then hath our good God out of his meere mercie and free favour and grace in Christ Jesus onely been so bountifull unto us a sinfull Nation as thus to load us with his love even then when we have been loading him with our sins and provocations Hath he thus remembred us in our low estate as not onely to let us be as at this day a Nation a People but a beloved Nation yea even as it were a people desired Hath the Lord not onely given us our lives as a prey unto us but also given our cruell-hearted and bloudy-minded enemies as bread for us to eate and devour And herein fulfilled and made good his Word and Promise to his people That they shall be as mighty men which tread downe their Enemies in the
Countries Liberties in collecting as truly and faithfully as I was able a Catalogue of the most eminent Persons and Commonders on the Parliaments Party also as I have done on the Kings who in this the Kingdomes Common calamity have been taken away out of this world of wretchednesse and valley of teares by the Sword of the enemy and so have as it were passed over by that sharp bridge to their long looked for and heartily hoped for heavenly Canaâ—n The most eminent Persons slaine on the Parliaments Party since the beginning of these unhappy Civill Warres 1 THe Lord St. Iohn Part 2 Page 198 2 The Lord Brooke p. 2 p. 272 3 Sir William Fairfax brother to the most noble and renowned Lord Fairfax p. 4. p. 33 4 Sir Iohn Meldrum p. 4. p 5 Major Generall Charles Fairfax Sonne to the aforesaid noble Lord Fairfax and brother to our present most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax slaine at Marston-moore fight 6 Colonell Essex p. 2. p. 198 7 Col. Hampden p. 2. p 8 Col. Tucker p. 2. p. 418 9 Lieut. Col. Ramsey p. 2 10 Serjeant Major Quarles p. 2. p. 216 11 Major Stawham a brave Scottish Gent. p. 2. p. 380 12 Major Fitz-Simons p. 4. p 13 Major Bradbury p. 4 p 14 Major Iackson p. 4. p. 123 15 Captain Lacis p. 2. p. 216 16 Cap. Lister p. 2. p. 230 17 Cap. Nuttie p. 2. p. 309 18 Cap. Massie p. 2. p. 410 19 Cap. Hunt p. 2. p. ibid 20 Cap. Oglesby p. 2. p. 221 21 Cap. Williams p. 2. p. 267 22 Cap. Pue p. 3. p. 278 23 Master Hugh Popham p. 3 p. 303 24 Major Haynes p. 4. p. 341 25 Cap. Dove p. 4. p. 257 26 Lieut Col. Ingoldsby p. 4 p. 401 27 Cap. Allen. p. 295 28 Major Francis Sydenham p. 119 29 Col. Iohn Gunter Some few more 't is probable there might be but I professe ingeniously and most sincerely not one more as yet come to my knowledge or spontaneously pretermitted by me in my most sedulous search over the whole Foure Parts of this our Parliamentary Chronologie which I have diligently done as well for satisfaction to the honest-hearted Readers touching the slaine I say on our side as those on the enemies side in which two so vastly discrepant and largely unequall Catalogues both for number and quality though ours I confesse especially considering some of them as most pious Saints and precious Patriots farre transcended the very best of the enemies for spirituall waight and worth the udicious and impartiall religious Reader may see by comparing them both together how the Lord our most righteous and gracious God hath put a difference between the precious and the vile and yet manifesting in some measure for just Causes best knowne to his owne unsearchable wisedome and I am sure for the best good of his beloved-ones every way that as touching the outward stroke of death I say in a Common calamity it hapneth to the good as to the bad and how dyeth the wise man but even as the foole as wise King Solomon witnesseth Ecclesiastes 2. 15 16. Note also yet once againe good Reader for the yet more remarkable manifestation of Gods righteousnesse and mercy in putting another most notable difference between the Army of his enemies and the Army of his Saints and Servants fighting his battailes that as was toucht before and shewne in the Catalogue of the slaine on the Kings fide in the very first set battaile and field fight that was fought by the enemy against the Parliament which was at Keinton or Edge-hill the Kings first great Lord Generall of all his Forces the Earle of Lindsey who should have been the great Atlas and Hercule in-upholder of the Kings so oft pretended and protested just Cause was one of the first that was slaine in that first famous Fight whereas both in that renowned Victory and in all the progresse of these bloody Broyles and most uncivill Civill Warres over the whole Kingdome even I say from that first Fight to this day both our most renowned Generalls I meane his Excellency the Right Honourable Lord Generall Robert Earle of Essex and the renowned Generall his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax that now is have both of them come off hitherto with abundance of honour and renowne not onely free from death but also ever blessed be the Lords wonderfull mercy in it not so much as toucht with the least wound or hurt on their bodies for ought that ever I yet heard to this present day The like also we may most happily and faithfully say of his Excellency renowned Generall Lesley Earle of Leven Lord Generall of the Forces of our loving and loyall Brethren of Scâ—tland the vertuous and Victorious Generall of the forces of the Associated Counties North-easterly I meane the most noble Earle of Manchester and the thrice noble and renowned Generall of our Northerne forces in Yorkeshire the valiant and victorious Lord Fairfax in which remarkable mercy and me thinks most excellent and eminent observation and for all which so rich so rare and singularly sweet free mercies and most admirable dispensations of Gods wonder-working wisedome mercy and justice power and protection over us and thus manifested to and for us a wicked and worthlesse Nation a sinfull and provoking people Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto Him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lambe for ever and ever Revel 5. 13. Amen and Amen A Table of all the most materiall Passages mentioned in this Fourth Part of The Parliamentary Chronicle And here I desire the Reader to take notice that all the Forts Townes Castles and Garrisons taken since Nasebie Fight are to be found in the particular Catalogue of them before A. ADvance of the Earle of Manâ—hester from York p. 6 Our formidable Army coopâ— up in the West p. 18 â—ur Army plotted against in Cornwall p. 21 Ammunition safely conveyed to Oâ—westree p. 22 A Commitiee for the Army appointed p. 36 An ignoble Act of the Kings in Cornwall p. 38 Array-men in the North surprized p. 39 Augmentation of Ministers meanes p. 41 Sir ' Antheny Ashley-Cooper stormes Sir John Strange-waies house p. 67 Captaine Allen beates the enemy p. 251 Suddaine alteration of things in Scotland p. 270 Alderman Adams chosen Lord Mayor of London p. 282 Abbington Forces beat the enemy p. 93 Assembly of Divines at Westminster p. 319 The Lord Ashton beaten and slaine p. 320 The Army new Modell'd p. 97 Ashbie Cavaliers soundly beaten at Cole-orton p. 104 Apsley-house taken p. 115 Activity of Abbington p. 126 352 132. Our Armies prosperous proceedings in the West p. Assizes of Oyer and Terminer revived p. 364 Admiralty of the Sea taken into consideration p. 143 A brave defeat given to the enemy at Axminster p. 70 Our Armies good successe in Cornwall p. 378 The answer of Sir Thomas Fairfax to Hoptons demands p. 393 Our Armies march Eastâ—â—rd out of Cornwall p. 400 Prosperous Affaires in Scotland
mercy to the enemy p. 358 Sir Thomas Fairfax advanced to Oxford p. 140 Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Forces or strength before Oxford p. 142 The King flyes from Leicester p. 172 G. SIr John Gell takes Winkfield Mannour p. 14 The Lord Generalls fidelity p. 37 Generall 〈◊〉 brother shot dead p. 59 God a multitude of Parliamentary mercies p. 63 Gratitude of the Parliament to well deservers p. 2â—â— Glamorgan-shire turned to the Parliament p. 317 Germanies Bloud p. 322 Gentry of Cornwall submit to the Parliament p. 383 The Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax honoured by the Parliament with a Jewell p. 170 Goods of Papists apprehended in Long Acre p. 183 H. TWelve brave Horses surprised from the enemy p. 6 Helmesley Castle taken p. 70 Col. Holbornâ—s good-service in the West p. 77. 82. 8. 96 Col. Harsnets Letter touching Abbington p. 93 The happy Harmony of both Houses of Parliament p. 127. 131 Hoptons Army totally routed in the West p. 367 A Day of Humiliation kept for our Forces in the West p. 182 Hopton summoned to come in p. 387 Hopton expects supplyes out of Ireland p. 391 Col. Hooke taken prisoner p. 74 I. LOrd Inchiquins Letter p. 5 An Irish Ship taken p. 44 Irish Rebells to have no quarter p. 36 Integrity of the Parliament p. 293 325 King James his sad and bad mention p. 321 Isle of Rees Bloud p. 323 Irelands Bloud p. 223 Irish Rebels bravely beaten at Sligo p. 342 An Irish Ship taken p. 386 Thirty Irish Rebels put to the sword p. 386 A Jewell of Five hundred pound sent to the noble Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax p. 170 A Jewell of Five hundred pound presented to Gen. Leven p. 203 K. THe King come to Newbery p. 56 Knares borough Castle taken p. 83 The Kings Plot in the North frustrated p. 259 The Kings Horse beaten at Kiddarminster p. 276 Kent Petitions the Parliament about the selfe-denying Ordinance p. 98 The Kings owne Life-guard troope of Horse taken p. 121 Kent rises againe in Rebellion p. 136 The King flyes from Leicester p. 172 The Kings Cabinet of Letters taken at Nasebie p. 175 The King escapes disguisedly out of Oxford p. 414 The Kings comming into the Scots Army p. 417 L. A Letter from the Lord of Inchiquin p. 5 Our Army in danger by a Plot at Leistithiel in the West p. 17 London Ministers Petition against Schismes p. 28 Col. Lambert takes a brave prize p. 44 Levon poole in Lancashire surrendred p. 62 Line apprehends a rich Ship driven into it p. 71 Laughorne Castle in Wales taken p. 71 Lin-Kegis in danger p. 79 The Parliaments gratitude to Major Generall Laughorne p. 278 Loyalty of Gen. Poyntz rewarded p. 281 A Letter touching Abbington p. 93 Letters of the Lord Digbies p. 303 About forty of the King Life-Guard surprised p. 320 Generall Lesley made Commander in chiefe at Newark p. 327 Londons providence and the Parliaments care for the Cities safety p. 337 The Kings Letter to the Parliament p. 345 The Kings Letter for a Treaty of Peace answered p. 347 London Petitions for Church-Government p. 349 Cabinet of Letters taken at Nasebie p. 175 Learning encouraged at Cambridge by the Parliament p. 135 Divers Lords come from Oxford to the Parliament p. 137 Londons Petition touching the Kingdomes sad condition p. 155 A List of Cornish Gentry come in to the Parliament p. 395 The Duke of Lenox and others come in to the Parliament p. 414 A Letter of the Commissioners of Scotland to the Parliament p. 416 Londons preservation from the plague of pestilence a great mercy p. 315 A Letter from the King to the Marquesse of Ormond in Ireland p. 437 Letters from Sir Thomas Fairfax touching Oxford p. 445 The Kings Letters for yeelding up all his Garrisons p. 444 M. COlonell Massies Letter to the Parliament p. 3 Earle of Manchesters advance from Yorke p. 6 Col. Middleton beates the enemy p. 9 Sir Iohn Meldrum beates the enemy in Lancashire p. 10. p. 12. Our Magazine in the West in danger p. 17 Sir Thomas Middleton beates the enemy p. 23 Mountgomery Castle taken p. 23 Mourton-Corbet Castle taken p. 25 Macquire and Macmahone two Irish Rebels apprehended p. 27 Ministers Ordained at London p. 41 Sir Iohn Meldrums noble act touching Sir William Fairfax p. 34 The enemy bravely beaten at Mountgomery Castle p. 30 Col. Massies brave exploit against the enemy p. 34 Monmouth Towne and Castle taken p. 35 Col. Massies just praise p. 44 Sir Thomas Middletons performances in Wales p. 46 Malignants mouthes stopt p. 55. 135. Sir Thomas Middletons brave exploit in Mountgomeryshire p. 77 Montrosse prevailes in Scotland p. 269 Montrosse soundly beaten in Scotland p. 270 Not a moneth weeke or day hardly without a mercy p. 285 Mercy to Malignants intended by the Parliament p. 288 Election of Members of Parliament looked unto p. 293 Maintenance for the New-Modell'd Army p. 97 A passage of providence at Melton-moubury p. 103 Col. Massies brave Victory at the Forrest of Deane p. 116 Col. Massie beates the enemy neare Bristoll p. 129 Col. Massies danger and deliverance p. 144 Sir Iohn Meldrums good service requited p. 152 Col. Mittons Forces good service p. 167 Monethly continued Morning Prayers at London p. 207 The Ministers of two Counties Petition the Parliament for a Church Government to be establisht p. 434 Our mercies Baptized Gad a Multitude p. 63 Ministers of Londons and Westminsters most pious meeting at Sion-Colledge p. 445 N. NEw-Castle taken by the Scots p. 46 Newbery Fight p. 57 Newcastle Castle taken p. 61 Newcastle in free Trading againe p. 69 Our Northerne Forces in good condition p. 259 The fifth of Novembers Commemoration a Thankes-giving Day for the Parliaments continuation p. 315 Novembers seventeenth Queene Elizabeths just Commemoration noted on a speciall occasion p. 323 Newarke besieged by the Scots and their brave beginnings there to tame that enemy p. 327 The prisoners taken at Nasebie-fight brought to London p. 173 Newarke left by our Brethren of Scotland p. 419 O. LOrd Ogleby taken prisoner p. 11 The enemy beaten at Orinskirk p. 11 Ordination of Ministers at London p. 46 Ordinance against Irish Rebels p. 57 Ordinance of self-deniall p. 5 Care for chosing good Officers in London p. 82 Two excellent Ordinances of Parliament p. 312 An Ordinance for the maintenance of the New-modell'd Army p. 97 Oxford Lords come in to the Parliament p. 137 Oxford besieged by the Gen. Sir Thomas Fairfax p. 140 Master Occonnelly rewarded for his discovery of the desperate plot in Ireland p. 152 Oxford surrendred the manner how p. 446 P. A Plot upon our Magazine in the West p. 17 The Parliaments promptitude to the worke of Reformation p. 29 A Plot against the Parliaments Army in the West p. 37 Plottings of the Royalists to cousen the Kingdome p. 37 Plimouth mens admirable courage p. 38 A brave prize taken at Poole p. 44 More Plots of the enemy discovered p. 78
Parliamentary Chronicle The SuburB of the City of Chester woâ— by valiant active Coloâ—â—â— Iones The manner entring in the Subuâ—â—â— of Chester 〈◊〉 our forces A brave defeat given to a party of the Kings horse about Kidderminster by renowned Major Generall Poyntz Cardiff Town and Castle surrendred to the Parliaments forces The Devires Towne and Castle taken by valiant Leivtenant Generall Cromwell 〈◊〉 House in Wiltshire surrendred to the Parliament All Pembrokeshire reduced to the Parliaments obedience The Parliaments gratitude to Colonell Generall Laughorne Thanksgiving to God for these so great mercies The famous Victory obtained by Major Gen. Poyntz at Routon Heath neer Chester The King prepares to relieve Westchester Major Generall Poyntz his admirable activity to follow prevent the King Major Generall Poyntz his remarkable march to prevent or overtake the King The fight begun fiercely The Enemy put to a retreat Oâ—rs sorely put to it Col. Bethell and Col. Graves sorely wounded Ours much 〈◊〉 by the Enemy Major Generall Poyntz his Horse wounded on the head The admirable courage of Major Generall Poyntz The Enemy routed mixed with troubled ours The Enemy appeared again in a body on a hill The Enemy sallyed out of the City are repulsed Prisoners and prizes taken The slaine The Lord Bernhard Earl of Litchfield A day of deserved thanksgiving appointed by order of Parliament 500. â— Sent as a token to renowned Major General Poynz Alderman Adams chosen Lord Major of the City of London Religious Mr. Tomlins made a Baron of the Exchequer Other well deserving Gentlemen of the Law made Judges by the Parliament Barkley Castle surrendree to valiant Colonell Morgan and Colonell Rainsborough The Burning-Bush unconsumed Not a month a week nay hardly a day void of one mercy or other unto us Psal 68. 19. Psalm 32. 7. October 1645. A brave defeat given to the Enemie by Colonel Moore Governour of Gaunt-house Farleigh-Castle in Somersetsh taken Sandal-Castle in Yorkeshire taken Winchester Towne and Castle taken by victorious Leivten Generall Cromwell The list of what was taken from the edemie in Winchester Castle The strength of Winchester-Castle The Parliaments intended mercy even to Malignants and Delinquents The Excellent wisedome and justice of the Parliament mixed with their foresaid mercie Bazing-House taken A list of the prizes and prisoners taken at Bazing-House The slain and wounded Chepstow Town and Castle in Monmouthshire besieged and taken by valiant Colonell Morgan The Parliaments piety and gratitude The Parliaments integrity about the election of new Members for the House of Commons The writ for the right chusing of Members of the House of Commons A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Farringdon by Abington Forces A brave defeat given by Col Rossiter to the Banbury Forces which conducted the two Princes to Newarke Valiant Captain Allen Governour of Burleigh Garrison unhappily slaine Langford House neare Salisbury taken A note most worthy to be taken notice of Sir William Vaughanâ— Regiment bravely beaten The famous defeat given to the Enemy at Sherburne in Yorkshire Col. Copleyes Letter touching the most famous defeat given to the Enemy at Sherburne The Enemy surprizeth our Forces in Sherburne both Horse and Foote The difficulties our Forces met about Sherburne Both parties meet together in the Field The substance of Sir Marmaduke Langdalet Speech to his Souldiers before this fight The fight begun The Enemy routed and put to flight The Lord Digby wounded in the Fight and foure Pistols fired on Sir Marmaduke Langdale The Enemy pursued three miles Scarcely ten of our men slaine The importance of this businesse All our men and Arms recovered that were taken before The admirable and almost miraculous taking in of Tiverton Towne and Castle Major Generall Massie enters Tiverton The Generall fits downe before the Castle Church The admirable providence of God here that one of our Canoneers shootes a shot at adventure and breakes down the Draw-bridge of the Castle The Castle Church entred by 〈◊〉 Souldiers The Generals clemency The Prisoners and prizes taken in the Church and Castle The good condition of Wales for the Parliament Carmarthen Towne and Castle taken The Declaration of the County of Carmarthen Monmouth Towne and Castle taken by Colonell Morgan The manner of taking the Castle The prizes taken in the Castle The Parliaments gratitude to God for these great mercies and thanks to Col. Morgan The Letters taken in the Lord Digbyes Coach at Sherburne in Yorkshire read in the Parliament The substance of 3. or 4. of those Letters A brave defeat given to the enemy neer Denbigh Castle who intended to relieve Chester Another brave defeat given to the Enemy at Holt-bridge where Sir William Byren was taken prisoner Another most famous defeat and brave victorie over the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale in their march into Scotland to joyne with Montrosse The Lord Digby crost in his way and forced to goe another way The Burning-Bush unconsumed Isa 25. 9 10 11. Isa 28. 29. Psal 9. 19 20. November 1645. Two excellent Ordinances of Parliament Shelford-house stormed and taken by valiant Major Gen. Poyntz Shelford-house summoned The House taken A sore slaughter made in the House by the Enemies obstinancie Digbyes late scattered forces being rallyed again are againe met with and miserably mangled and brought to nothing Abarashwait a strong Garrison of the enemies in Cardiganshire taken Thanks returned to the Lord on this 5. of November for the happy preservation and Continuation of this present Parliament Thankes and praises also returned to the Lord by order of Parliament for the City of Londons preservation from the plague of Pestilence Worton Garrison surrendred Wiverton Garrison taken Welbeck-house surrendred Bolton Castle in the North surrendred A brave defeat given to the Enemy neer Canon-Froom and a notable Engine taken from them Col. Morgan frights away the Enemy The Engine is left behinde The Engine was called a Sow The description of it Master Rouses Psalmes approved of by the Assembâ—y of Divines A brave defeat given to the Lord Ashton and himself slain therin About forty of the Kings Life Guard surprized by Major Blundell of Reading The just and glorious commemoration of rare and renowned Queen Elizabeth on the 17 of November 1 Sam. 2. 30. Psal 112. 6. A briefe but bad and sad mention of King James his life and death 1 Sam. 2. 30. Prov. 10. 7. King James quite forgotten in the hearts of his people King James and King Charles not true to their Principles King James King Charles and Queene Elizabeth paraleld together in point of Reformation Queen Elizabeths rule King James and King Charles rule Parliaments made the Kings Stauking Horses to get Subsidies Arbitrary Tyranny The Power of godlinesse to be beaten downe Popery or prophanesse to be set up in Germanies blood Rocâ—els and the Isle of Rees blood Irelands blood England and Scotlands blood Other blood not yet revealed The Authors of all this The crafty colour of all
this A brave prize taken at Sea by Plymouth Garrison A brave defeat given to the enemie in Gloucestershire where Major Duet that French Renegado was slain Major Duet slaiâ—e The prisoners and prizes taken A Notable testimonie of the Parliaments integrity touching Protections and Bribes The Burning-Bush unconsumed 1. 2. Psal 60. 12. Isaiah 41. 10. 11. Psal 116 December 1645. Newark besieged and Muschamp Bridge and Fort taken by our Brethren of Scotland General Lesley made Commander in chiefe of all the Forces both English and Scottish before Newark The County of Brecknock in Wales comes in to the Parliament Latham House taken Fulford House taken Hereford surprized and taken by a brave stratagem Col. Morgan and Col. Birch provide to promote the designe The Souldiers sore march the first setting forth The whole armie come neer unto Hereford A Copie of the warrant which helped to win Hereford The manner of managing the busines with the Constable and his warrant The draw-bridge is let down The Constable knocks down the Centinell The Fire-locks rush out and haste to the City The Towne fully entred and obtained Lords and Knights 21. in number Leivtenant Colonells and Majors 10. in number besides Judge Jenkins Many Gentl. of Quality At least 2000. Papists The great consequence of the obtainning this City The Messengers of this good newes to the Parliament rewarded Orders of Parliament voted and confirmed upon this great providence of God 1 2 3 4 5 Great gratitude expressed by the Parliamenâ— both to God and man for this great mercy Lieutenant Barrow the pretended Constable rewarded by the Parliament Canon-Tean a strong Fort taken at Exeter Callyntine House taken Skipton Castle surrendred to the Parliament The Freedome of almost all the Northerne parts The singular providence of the City of London and of the Parliament for the defence and safety of the said City The Burning-Bush not consumed Psal 62. 7 8. January 1646. Plymouths singular good successe against their besieging Enemies Canterbury Fort taken Saint Beudeaux taken The prisoners and prizes taken The slain on both sides A brave victorie obtained by our Forces at Bovy-Tracy in the West The prisoners and prizes taken Iminster taken Ashburton taken Totnes taken Okehampton taken The most brave victorie over the Rebels in Ireland at Sligo The slaine Gods good providence in the apprehension of certain Papers and Letters from the Archbishop of Tuain The danger of Treaties with our Malignant adversaries Yea of a Personal Treatie with the King himselfe Remarkable mischiefe and impiety discovered in the Kings party A Copy of the Kings Letter to the Parliament The summe of the Parliaments Answer to the Kings Letter for a treaty for a pretended peace Plymouth totally relieved and relinquished by the Enemies Plymouth made good advantage of the flight of their Enemies Sir Francis Drakes House taken Dartmouth summoned Captain Batten Vice-Admiral helps to besiege Dartmouth Sy Sea The City of London petitions the Parliament about Church-Government A brave defeat given to Wallingford Forces by Major Generall Brownes Forces Dartmouth Towne and Castle taken by storme The relation of the manner of taking Dartmouth signified by Sir Thomus Fairfaxes Letter to the Parliament Prisoners taken Prizes taken Major Pollard slaine on the Enemies side Deserved thanks and reward given to our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax Certain observations on the Premisses A Solemne day of Thanksgiving ordered to be kept in London and over the Kingdome A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Cark neere Stafford Pouldram Castle taken The most noble and renowned Generals singular mercy and clemency toward his Enemies Sir Thomas Fairfax a second Caesar A Ship from France taken at Dartmouth with Letters of great consequence The Burning-Bush unconsumed 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jer. 10. 7. Zecha 25. February 1646. Belvoir-Castle surrendred to the Parliament The City of Westchester taken A most sweet and evident returne of Prayer Chester surrendred upon very conditions and the reason therof The prizes taken in the City of Chester A brave defeat given to the Enemie at Ashbie de-la Zouth The good and prosperous successe of our armie in the West The Assizes of Oyer and Terminer revived A Solemne Thanksgiving for Chester and a charitable Collection made A fresh spurre to quicken the spirit of praises Torrington Church fired by the Enemy Hoptons Army totally routed The valour of the Cornish men Prisoners prizes and spoil in and after this fight The slaine in this fight The Parliaments gratuity to the Messengers that brought this good newes A day of solemne thanksgiving set apart for this great Victory at Torrington The Court of Wards utterly put down A Copy of the Order or Vote in Parliament for puting downe the Court of Wards The brave victorie obtained over the Enemie at Cardiffe in Glamorganshire Colonell Kern the High-Sheriffe revolts and joynes with the Malig. Gentry against the Parâ—iament A second fight and brave victory The slain prisoners and prizes The great concernment of this victory The Parliaments gratitude to Maior Gen. Laughorn for this good service Corffe Castle delivered up to the Parliament The Burning Bush not Consumed 1. 2. 3. 4 5 6 Psal 116. 12 13 14. March 1646. Launceston in Cornwall taken by the Parliaments Forces Abington most â—ercely aâ—sauled and most bravely defended and preserved Our men most bravely charges the Enemy The Enemies beaten out of the Town The hurt on our side Some of ours most desperately fought in their shirts only The King vowed to have Abington and to fire it A passage of speciall providence in the preservation of Abington Abingtons bad and sad condition had it now been taken Ashbie de la-Zouch surrendred to the Parliament Our Armies singular good successe in Cornwall and the taking of Bodman Listithiel and VVare Bridge A brave defeat given to the Enemy by valiant Colonell Moore The Summons sent to Hopton A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Saint Culbumbe in Cornwall and that Garrison taken them Sir Ralph Hopton expects supplies out of Ireland Foy taken Pendennis besieged A List of the number of 〈◊〉 Gentry of Cornwall came in to the Parliament Maus Castle surrendred Sir William Vaughau well beaten by Captain Ashley The activity of the bravâ— Committee of Shrewsbury Shruardon Castle taken Goodrich Castle taken The famous fight and glorious victory obtained against Sir Jacob Ashley A description of the fight at Stow in the Ould Sir Jacob Ashleyes croâ—se and crafty marches put Sir William Brereton to tedious marches Both Armies are met The signall Word on both sides The fight begun The Enemy totally routed and pursued The Lord Ashley taken prisoner Sir Charles Lucas also taken prisoner Sir Jacob Ashleyes words to our Souldiers sitting on a Drum A List of the prisoners and prizes taken in the battle at Stow in the Ould All the enemie to depart from Truro The extraordinary faire carriage of the Souldiers The 9. Brigades that were disbanded Our Armie to march Eastward A Dunkerk