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
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
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
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
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
Enemies since he is with us and that we should not be dismayed because he is our God and mightie defence who thus hath strengthned us holpen and upheld us with the right hand of his power and righteousnesse And now therefore behold and beholding O admire it all those that were incensed against us are ashamed and confounded they are even become as nothing and they that stubbornly strove with us are mightily destroyed and perish before us O then what shall we returne to the Lord for all these great and amazing mercies to us O what are we able to repay to our God for all these free and utterly undeserved favours thus copiously confered upon us O let us all faithfully and thank fully take the Cup of Salvation and praise the name of the Lord our God and readily and really pay our vowes to this wonder-working God of our Salvation But now to proceed to the yet farther progresse of the contemplation and admiration of the continued wonder of the Burning-Bush unconsumed nay rather more and more dressed and made to flourish in the midst of the flames of this Moneth also of December 1645. And here we shall first begin with some of our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotlands actions about Newarke whether they being now come in to our assistance with a very considerable Army of Horse and Foot to help to besiege this stubborne rebellious and very pernicious Towne to bring it under the Parliaments obedience About the beginning of this instant December the Scottish Commissioners received Letters from his Excellency Generall Lesley Earle of Leven fully informing the particulars of his taking of Muschamp Bridge by his Forces viz. That about the 6 of November last his Army being advanced within about a mile or two of Newark the Generall caused a Line to be drawne close to Muschamp-Bridge and there placed some Musketteers intending to crosse the River and storme the Fort upon the other side but the Enemy apprehending the designe resolved to cut off the Bridge and upon the 28 in the morning before breake of day they sallyed out upon the Scots and attempted the cutting off the Bridge but were most resolutely and bravely beaten from it by the Muketeers with little losse to our friends which the Enemy perceiving set fire to the Draw-Bridge but the Scots falling stoutly on them againe beat them back and very closely pursued them and made them forsake all their Works and so our valiant Brethren became masters both of the Bridge and strong Fort and now have very closely besieged that part of the Towne Upon the reading of which Letter in Parliament the thanks of the Houses were returned to the Scottish Commissioners and a vote passed That his Excellency Generall Lesley for the better and more orderly managing of the Siege against Newarke should command in chiefe all the Forces as well English as Scottish before Newarke Which Vote was fully and freely assented unto by both Houses of Lords and Commons where now we will leave them till another opportunity with our prayers for their prosperity in this great work and proceed About the fourth of this instant December a Letter Petition and Declaration of the County of Brecknock in Wales was presented to the House of Commons and there read declaring their firme resolutions to comply with and wholly to submit unto the commands of the Parliament which Declaration bearing date Novemb 23. 1645. for the fulnesse and excellency thereof and for the Readers better content and satisfaction I have here inserted verbatim as it was printed and published by authority which was as followeth WE the Gentry and Inhabitants of the County of Brecknock whose names are subscribed do declare and professe That we are fully satisfied in conscience that the two Houses of Parliament now sitting at Westminster are the true and undoubted lawfull Parliament of England and the supreme Court of Judicature of the Kingdome To whose judgement and determination we do and will in conscience of our Loyalty and not by terrour or constraint submit our selves our lives and fortunes We are also perswaded and confesse That the Armes taken up and continued by authority of Parliament in this defensive Warre are raised and continued in their owne just defence and for the just defence of the Protestant Religion the Person and Honour of the Kings Majesty the Priviledges of Parliament and the liberty of the Subject And that the Forces raised or to be raised within the Kingdome of England or Dominion of Wales without their consent are raised and imployed for destruction of Parliaments fomenting and establishing Popery Prelacy and an illegall Arbitrary Government In apprehension whereof we do unanimously resolve and firmly ingage and undertake that we with all persons under our power and command will from henceforward to the extreamest hazard of our lives and fortunes adhere to and assist the Forces raised or to be raised by authority of Parliament against all other Forces raised or to be raised against them or without their consent and we shall willingly and cheerfully joyn with Maior Generall Laughorne and those three associated Counties whereof he is Maior Generall and with the County of Glamorgan with whom we are already associated and contribute our utmost assistance and endeavours proportionably to the said respective Counties in such way as Maior Generall Laughorn shall thinke fit and meetest for the Service of the Parliament And from this resolution and engagement we shall not swerve or recead by adhering to the contrary party or imbraâ—ing a detestable neutrality either by perswasion dread or any other motive whatsoever After the reading and debate of this Declaration and the other Papeâ—s from the County of Brecknock it was referred to the Committee of Gloucester to draw a Letter in answer to the same and informe them how that the Houses of Parliament had granted their requests and do cheerfully accept of them and commend their submission and declarative resolutions as aforesaid c. And about the sixth of this instant there came Letters to the Speaker of the House of Commons certainly signifying the surrenner of Latham House in Lancashire a strong and pernicious Garrison which had much infested that County which having been the busie yet cowardly Earle of Darbies House had been held and maintained against the Parliaments Forces for the space of two yeares at least by the Countesse of Darby the said Earles Lady that stout Virago who proved the better Souldier of the two and had so long indeed bravely maintained the same against us and was now enforced to yeeld it up onely for want of bread and drinke for they had above sixe weekes drunke nothing but water but had store enough of other provisions and about 200. Common Souldiers The Governour alone was to depart with his Horse and Armes and ten pounds in money the Officers above the degree of a Lieutenant only with their Swords All the rest onely with staves
Colonell Birches Leiutenant Colonell Hammond who indeed carryed the businesse bravely and behaved himselfe most gallantly therein and the maine body of foot Colonell Birch himselfe led and Colonell Morgan the horse but the forlorn hope of horse which were first to enter was Commanded by brave Captaine Temple These things being thus designed in the morning after that the trevalley was beaten and upon the first letting-downe of the draw-bridge 3. men came out of the City not discerning any body the Firelocks lay so close and now the Constable with a hedgebill on his shoulder and the other 6. Souldiers like homely Countrie Labourers with spades and Mattocks came forth to their worke and the 3. foresaid men went along on their way seeing none else till they came beyond the hill and then perceiving our men they spake pretty loud to themselves What doe all these men here Whereupon they were instantly surprized and snapt-up and so could not stir back to give any notice of ought they saw And now the Constable and 〈◊〉 Labourers were come to the Draw-bridge where the guard began to examine them The Constable told the Centinell that he was come to doe his worke with those workmen according to his warrant from the Governour which they presently desired to see the Constable shewed it him and so he and the rest looking on it to read it the 6. men came close to them and were now on the top of the bridge and as they were reading the warrant the Constable with his hedge-â—ill knockt down the Centinell who instantly fell down dead at his feet the other Labourers killed 2. more of them and so all these 7. kept the others in play busâ—ing at the Bridge to over master them all which Leiutenant Colonell Hammond seeing who stood on the top of the hill to watch the Event and so gave the signe to all the Firelocks by houlding up and shaking his Hat unto them even all the 150. that lay coucht in the house whereupon out they all rushed and came speedily but yet orderly to the Bridge where they found the Constable and his Labourers close at their work indeed and so the Fire-locks making way for the horse and the horse close following them over the Bridge they got and into the Town they entred Captainâ— Temple and Sir John Bridges marched on in the forlorn hope of horse Leivtenant Colonell Hammond with the forlorn hope of Firelocks and Captaine Aldern with the reserve of foot and thus I say they entred bravely Captaine Temple with his horse-troope doing speciall good service making his way to the mainguard where his horse was shot under him and he fought so stoutly that his sword also was broken in his hand to the very hilt and three of his Troopers onely being slaine which was all the losse that we sustained of our men in this whole worke and some wounded The Commanders both of horse and foot I meane especially both Colonell Morgan and Colonell Birch did most excellent service from the first to the last of this brave service and so did the rest of the Commanders and Officers and went on so gallantly and undauntedly notwithstanding that they and their Souldiers had layen out all that cold night that they quickly seized on all the guards insomuch that at last many of the Enemie had got through the market place up to their chambers and thence discharged their Muskets and Pistolls upon our men and many of the Malignant Townesmen did the like out of their windowes which so enraged our men that they slew 8. in the streets but when the Enemie saw our men come in so fast and in great numbers they cryed out for quarter By this meanes the Souldiers fell toâ—â—â—â—ndering and rifling and tooke what they could catch from which the Governour of Gloucester Colonell Morgan could by no meanes restraine them for they accounted all their own in regard they entred the City by an ouslat and had so much opposition And thus by 12. of the clocke that night they had fully got the whole City and taken most of their prisoners This mercie was wonderfull unto us let the Lord have all the honour and praise thereof who made in so succesfull unto us in all the particulars of it from the first to the last A List of the prisoners and prizes thus taken in Hereford by Collell Morgan Governour of Gloucester and Colonell Birch now made Governour of Hereford THe Lord Brudenell the Bishop of Hereford by name Doctor Cooke Sir Fra. Howard Sir Marmaduke Floyd Sir Henry Beding-field Sir Walter Blunt and 2. more of the Blunts both Knights also and Papists Sir Rich. Kennish Sir Richard Weston Sir Thomas Lunsford Sir George Vaugham Sir Gyles Mumpessons Sir John Stepney Sir Fra. Lloyd Sir Philip Jones Sir Edw. Morgan Sir Nicholas Throgmorton Sir Richard Basset Sir Henry Spiller Sir Roger Bodingham Lievtenant Colonell Price Leivtenant Col. Jones Lieutenant Colonell Lewes Lieutenant Colonell Tooley and Lievtenant Colonell Jefferies Major Mathewes and Major Sayer Major Lewis Major Roberts Major Price and also Judge Jenkins Captaines 9. Secretarie Barnes 4. Leivtenants 3. Cornets one Ensigne one Quarter-master one Commissarie 2. Gentelmen of worth and quality besides Mounseiur Peter Morlet French Gent. 3. Chirurgeons together with many other Officers and Troopers of worth and quality and by the relation of the Townesmen there were at least 2000. Papists of all conditions then in the Town who had fled hither for their security since the taking of Chepstow and other places there abouts We tooke there also 12. peeces of Ordnance but as for the rest of the Magazine and Ammunition there was not then a full account given thereof it being then so scattered and disperst in the Towne Of what consequence this Towne is unto us may appeare in that the whole Countie of Hereford is by thus obtaining of this City brought into the obedience of the â—arliament and not onely so but all South-Wales and a good Omen for the reducing of Ragland Castle all provisions and intercourse being stopped out of Wales also to Worcester and Ludlow and the Enemies of other Garrisons thereabout being by this meanes in a faire way of reduction to the Parliament this next Spring by the gracious assistance of our good God Colonell Morgans Secretary who first brought the intelligence of this so gallant peece of service to the Parliament had 50 l. given him for his paines therein and Colonell Birches Messenger had 20 l. given to him also by Order from both Houses of Parliament And the Parliament taking into serious consideration the extraordinary providence and unexpected much more immerited mercy of God in thus gaining this strong City and that with so little losse of blood made thereupon these severall Orders following First That on the next Lords Day bounden thanks should be rendred to Almighty God for this great mercy by the Ministers in their severall
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
Magnalia Dei Anglicana OR Englands Parliamentary-Chronicle Containing a full and faithfull Series and Exact Narration of all the most memorable Parliamentary-Mercies and mighty if not miraculous Deliverances great and glorious Victories and admirable Successes of the Counsels and Armies of this present Parliament both by Sea and by Land over the whole Kingdom of England in the most just defence and Vindication of her Religion Laws and Liberties from the yeer 1640. to this present yeer 1646. Compiled in 4 Parts The two first intituled God in the Mount The third Gods Ark overtopping the Worlds Waves The fourth The Burning-Bush not Consumed This last Part comming up to These Present Times and to our most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes late famous Actions in the West and the happy because unbloody rendition of Oxford in this present yeer 1646. Collected cheifly for the high Honour of our Wonder-working God And for the unexpressible Comfort of all Cordiall English PARLIAMENTARIANS By the most unworthy Admirer of Them JOHN VICARS Gen. 49. 22 23 24. Joseph is a fruitfull Bough even a fruitfull Bough by a Well whose Branches run over the Wall The Archers shot at him and hated him But his Bow abode in strength and the Armes of his hands were made strong by the Hand of the mighty God of Jacob from thence is the Shepherd the stone of Israel Imprinted at London for J. Rothwell at the Sun Fountain in Pauls Church-yard and Tho. Vnderhill at the Bible in Woodstreet 1646. THE Burning-Bush not Consumed OR The FOVRTH and Last PART OF THE PARLIAMENTARIE-CHRONICLE Containing a full and Faithfull Continuation and Exact Narration of all the most materiall and most Memorable Proceedings of this renowned Parliament The Armies and Forces which are or have been in the severall parts of the Kingdome The Description of all the brave Battailes Victories and famous Defeates given to the Enemies both by Sea and by Land Especially the winning of Newcastle the glorious Victory at Nazeby and that famous Victory at Langport won through fire and water Together with all the other admirable Successes of our most Renowned and Victorious Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax with his despised New-Modelled Army in the West even to admiration and the happy Rendition of Oxford and the rest of the strong Garrisons about it Beginning from August 1644. and comming up to this present Moneth of July 1646. Collected for Gods high Honour and all pious Parliamentarians COMFORT By the most unworthie Admirer of Them JOHN VICARS Isaiah 63. 7. I will mention the Loving kindnesse of the Lord and the high praises of our God according to all the rich Mercies which the Lord hath bestowed upon us And his great goodnesse toward us his English-Israel which hee hath conferred on us according to his great Mercies and according to the Multitudes of his loving kindnesses The Third and this Fourth Part being Printed at the sole and entire cost and charge of the Authour Himself Imprinted at London by R. C. and M. B. for M. Spark at the Bible in Green Arbor J. Rothwel at the Sun in P. Church yard T. Vnderhill at the Bible in Woodstr 1646 TO The Right Honourable Peeres and Pious Patriots of this Kingdom Algernon Earl of Northumberland Philip Earl of Pembrook Robert Earl of Essex Robert Earl of Warwick Oliver Earl of Bullingbrook Edward Earl of Manchester Fardinando Lord Fairfax His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Captain Generall of all the Parliaments Forces over the Kingdome Sir William Waller Sir Harbotle Grimstone Harbotle Grimstone Esquire Walter Young Esquire Sir John Young Francis Rouse Esquire Edmund Prideaux Esquire and Major Generall Massie And to the Rest of the most Noble and Right Worthily Renowned and Honourable Lords and Commons and Famous Souldiers and Senators Assembled in Parliament that are loyally affected and Constantly Addicted to the Great-work of a Glorious and Thorow Reformation of the Kingdomes Evills in Church and State John Vicars most humbly Dedicateth and Consecrateth Himself and These most Gratefull Memorialls of Gods Eternall Glory and Their high Honour And ever prayes as he is most justly bound for a most plentifull Repay of enlarged Gracious Honour heer and Glorious Immortality heerafter For all their pious Paines and indefatigable Labours Loyalty and Love for the Best-Good of Church and State to bee showred downe into the Bosomes of Them and their Posterity after them for ever TO The Right Honourable Thomas Adams Esq Lord Major of the most famous and renowned City of London And to the Right Worshipfull Sir John Wollastone Knight and Alderman of the said most Renowned City TO The Right Worshipfull his most highly Honoured singular good Friend Sir Matthew Brand Knight High Sheriffe of the County of Surrey And the Right Worshipfull Sir Richard Sprignall Knight TO The Right Worshipfull and truely Pious and Virtuous the Lady Francesse Brand The Lady Anne Sprignall The Lady Rebeccah Wâ—llastone And Mistris Mary Grimstone All of them my Pious and most precious Friends And Honourable and Worshipfull Patrons and Patronesses and principall Encouragers and Countenancers of all my poore and unworthy Labours and Endeavours to advance Gods Glory and Unspotted precious TRUTHES John Vicars their meanest and most unworthy Votary most humbly Dedicates and Consecrates Himself and all his poore but most bounden Services And ever prayes for their perpetuall and pious increase of all Honour and Happinesse heer and an immarcescible Crown of Glory heerafter A Colossus of Eternall bounden Gratitude OR A Panegyricall Pyramides of perpetuall Praise First erected by our Britaines ingenious and ingenuous MERCURIE And now Re-erected by the unworthy Authour of this Parliamentary-Chronicle with some plain and homely Inlaid-Work of his own insome convenient places 1 To God TO the Eternall-Ternall-Trin-Vn Glorious and ineffably illustricus Great and Gracious most Holy and most Wise Wonder-working JEHOVAH Great Britains onely Rock of Defence and most prudent Pilot steering and upholding her Weather-beaten Bark through the midst of the Ocean of all her turbulent and overflowing Floods and swelling Waves of bloody Woes and Wretchednesse The most Potent and Provident Shepherd of his English-Israel discovering and defeating all the malignant Machinations and Hell-hatcht deep Designes of Wrath and Ruine most maliciously intended and most desperately attempted by Papisticall Prelaticall and Atheisticall Wolves a degenerous Generation of her Vnnaturall-Nativeâ— Paricides To this Great God this Righteous Lord and King of Heaven and Earth who is thus glorious in Holinesse fearfull in Praises and hath in meer Mercy and free Grace done all these most memorable Wonders for us in Crowning us with so many most glorious Victories and treading our Enemies under our feet Let England and Scotland and with them all the Powers and Potentates of the World with the 24 Elders Revel 4. 10 11. fall before this great God and the Lambe that sits upon the Thrâ—ne and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their Crowns down at his feet before the Throne
the World And the Generations that are yet to come shall pay tributary-Honours to their Ashes And O that this present Generation would plant a Field of ever-flourishing Laurell and fragrant Bayes unto them and tell their Children These are for Garlands to deck the browes of all these our renowned Worthies who have not been afraid to look Death in the face for the preservation and maintenance of their more than Life precious Gospell and Liberties 6 To God ANd now again in the last place as in the first since the Lord JEHOVAH our Great and Glorious Wonder-working God is and ought to bee the Alpha and Omega of all things in Heaven and in Earth And is indeed the Authour and Finisher both of our Faith and of all our Felicity And hath so freely and so fully wrought and done All our Works in us and for us And so admirably raised up all these Saviours the Means and Instruments to bee thus happily and successefully assistant to us For all these so rich and rare for all these so many and marveilous Blessings Benedictions and Preservations thus graâ—ciously and gushingly flowing out and powred down upon Vs Therefore I say to This only Wise God of Peace and Power this unexhaustible overflowing Fountan of Free Grace and Goodnesse whose Wayes are unsearchable whose Power is unreâ—istible and whose unlimited Love and boundlesse Bounty is unexpressible Who hath thus done abundantly above All that wee were able to ask think or desire much lesse in the least measure to deserve according to the Power of his Spirit wherby hee is able indeed to doe All Things To Him Alone and Altogether bee all Honour and Glory Dominion and Praise with all holy Reverence and Universall Obedience in the Church of God by Jesus Christ throughout all Generations even worldwithout end Amen and Amen THE SONG of MOSES PARAPHRASTICALLY And Metrically applyed to our Present-Purpose AS A Preparative whereunto let mee beseech every Religious Reader of this Parliamentary Chronicle to rouse up his Soule and raise up his Spirit with this fervent and affectionate ejaculation of holy David that Sacred and Sugred Singer of Israel Psal 57. 7 8 9 10. My heart is fixed O God my heart is fixed I will sing and give Praise Awake up my Glory awake Psaltery and Harp Yea I my self will awake right early I will praise thee O Lord among the People I will sing unto thee among the Nations For thy Mercy is great unto the Heavens And thy Truth reacheth unto the Clouds THE Song of Moses paraphrastically applyed in Meeter to our present purpose IF ever Moses had just cause to sing The high-tun'd praises of heavens glorious King When God his Israel out of Egypt brought And with strong Arme and mighty Wonders wrought Them from tyrannicall Tax-masters freed And their Deliverance long before decreed Had now completely brought to passe with Fame And all his People gladly saw the same Themselves secure on Land their Foes all drown'd And they had thus Gods Promise faithfull found Then sure as justly it to us belongs With as enlarged-hearts to sing such Songs Even us I say Gods English-Israel It ev'ry-way befits becomes as well To magnifie and Omnifie Heavens name And with incessant sounds of Trumps of Fame With Voice and Verse with tongues and hands and hearts Triumphantly to put forth our best-Parts And with God-pleasing Moses thus to sing The endlesse praise of heavens eternall King The Song SIng praise sing praise unto Jehovah high For hee hath triumphed most gloriously O're all our foes The horse and Rider Hee Hath tumbled down to deepest misery Yea all the rotten-Routâ— of Romanists Papists and Prelates Atheists Royalists And mad-Malignants voyd of Grace or Sense To whom God now hath made just recompense The Lord is our sure-strength and pleasant-Song And unto him yea him alone belong The precious praise of our Salvation sweet Hee is our God let us as is most meet Prepare for him a holy Habitation Who is our God yea God of all our Nation Let us make holy-haste to edifie His glorious Church in worships purity For sure the Lord 's a Man of War most stout The Lord God is his Name the world throughout The proudest Princes that against him rose The strongest stoutest hosts of furious foes With all their boldest bravest Captains Hee Hath drown'd and drencht in Seas of misery And like a Stone made them sink deep and fall Death and destruction hath them swallowed all The Right hand of the Lord is most Victorious The Right hand of the Lord is strong and glorious And full of Power and Might and Majesty To dash in peices each proud Enemy And in the Greatnesse of thy glorious Might Thou hast o're thrown all that against Thee fight And mad'st their swelling Pride but as a Bubble And by thy Wrath consumedst them like stubble And with thy Nostrills easie Breath and Blast The swelling Waves were like great Banks up cast And made on heaps to stand up like a Wall And so congealed that they could not fall And when thine Enemies which saw this sight Stuft and stirr'd up with rancour rage and spight Said in themselves So so I 'le now pursue I 'le overtake and make them All to rue I will divide the spoile and satisfie My utmost Lust upon them till they dye I 'le draw my Sword and quickly them destroy My hand shall bring them all to dire annoy And thus O thus did ouâ— proud Enemies Resolve o're us to treaâ— and tyrannize All England Scotland Ireland quite to foil And ' mongst themselves soon to divide the Spoil But in the midst of their insulting Pride The Lord Jehovah blew brought back the tyde Turn'd all those Watery Walls to liquid Waves And made the Ocean the eternall-graves Of all his Israels foes who sank like Lead Into the Seas vaste depth till they were dead O therefore who Great God in like to Thee Who ' mongst all gods to Thee compar'd may bee In Holinesse most glorious and in Praise Most fearfull Working Wonders in our dayes When Thou thy powerfull Right hand stretchest out Thou mak'st the Earth devour thy Foes most stout But Thou in thy rich Grace dost lead along Thy Chosen Flock and them redeem'st from wrong And in thy strength dost them most safely guide And in thy holy Habitation hide The Heathens shall this hear and bee afraid With woe shall Palestina bee dismaid The Dukes of Edom shall astonisht bee And when as Moabs mighty Men shall see Gods mighty Wonders they shall tremble All The Canaanites shall moulder melt and fall Even France and Spain and Rome and Denmark bold Shall bee amaz'd when they the things behold Which God hath dâ—ne for England Scotland and Malignants all shall thus astonisht stand And fear and dread shall them soon overtake And Gods strong Arm as still as Stones them make Till all thy People Lord passe over free Till they passe over purchased by Thee Till Thou hast
brought them in and planted sure Vpon thy holy Mountain to endure In thine Inheritance thy precious Place Which Thou O Lord hast made full fraught with Grace And heav'nly Glory where Thy Self doth dwel Thy Sanctuary where all joyes excell By thine own export Hand most rarely made To all Eternity establisht staide Where Thou O Lord most gloriously dost Reign And shalt for ever evermore remain For why proud Pharaoh's Horse and Chariots All His daring Horsemen Riders strong and tall Into the Sea audaciously did enter And durst into the Deep most proudly venter But sodainly the Lords great Blast did blow And all the Waves and Floods did backward flow And drench and drown them All in Israels eye Whilâ—â— This his People passed over dry Thus as said Jethro in the very Thing Wherein they proudly dealt heavens glorious King Was admirably farre above them All And into utter Ruine made them fall And thus may I say Englands glorious King To whom so justly wee these praises sing Hath wondrously declar'd unto us All That in the Things intended for our thrall By our Papistick Atheistick Foes The Lord Jehovah farre above them rose And tumbled them into the Pit which they Had digg'd as deep as Hell for our decay For this O Lord this great deliverance Our Soules our Songs Thy Praise doe thus advance For this so great so gracious Love O Lord Our Hearts and Tongues thy Praises doe record For this so mighty Mercy glorious King For evermore wee will thy Praises sing And tell our Childrens Children of the same That they when wee are dead may blaze thy Fame To their Posterity for evermore O sing aloud all Laud and Praise therefore Advance O England then thy cordiall-voyce To Heav'ns great King who makes us thus rejoyce Omnis Gloria solius est Domini FINIS Imprimatur Ja. Cranford Aprill 4. 1646. THE BVRNING-BVSH not Consumed OR The Fourth Part of the Parliamentarie-Chronicle ABOUT the later and of the Moneth of July 1644. the Reader may bee pleased to remember that wee lest the Affaires of the Kingdome in a prosperous posture and Victorious condition for the Parliament both in the Northern parts of the Land after the most memorable and renowned Victory at Mâ—â—stone-Moore neer York together with the surrendring up of that great City it self into the power and possession of the Parliament and the Earl of Manchesters most successefull advance Southward after his departure from York with his conquering Army As also in the Western-parts of the Kingdom where the Lord had marveilously blessed the proceedings four most noble Lord Generall his Excellency â—he Earle of Essex both in releeving and securing of Liâ—â— Plimouth and other straitned Towns in the West and in the reducing of Saltash Causam Sâ—ellum Greenvills house Mount-Stamford Plimpton Barnstable Dartmouth and Warâ—ham with many other strong Holds and Towns in those parts Now therefore having by the good providence of God opportuniâ—y 〈…〉 so happily 〈…〉 famous History of the Parliaments most 〈◊〉 and inevitably necessitated proceedings and managing of affaires over the whole Kingdome for the publick safety and subsistence thereof against the destructive designes of the pornicious and viperous Adversaries thereof Atheists Papists Prelates and besotted yea bewitched Malignants I shall now I say by Gods gracious assistance and the Readers constant candor and Christian patience proceed to a Fourth part of this our Parliamentarie-Chronicle which for Varieties sake which in all things and actions addes delight and content I have termed or Entituled The Burning Bush not Consumed To which admirable-wonder shewn by God himself to Moses Exod. 3. 2 3. c. I doubt not but wee shall make a most full and fit resemblance and allusion in the admirable providentiall passages of this ensuing History For as the Angel of the Lord or as some the Lord Christ himself appearing unto Moses in a flame of fire in the midst of a Bush which Burned and was not consumed called unto Moses who voluntarily turning toward it exprest his desire to see this strange sight how it came to passe that the Bush so burning was not consumed to draw neer unto it and to put off his shooes from his feet in regard of the place of Gods presence So I shall now earnestly desire the godly Reader in the sight and 〈◊〉 of this most admirable and renowned History of the Burning estate of our â—ottering State and Kingdome all on fire with intestine furious flames of threatned ruine and confusion yet to this day even miraculously preserved by the All-saving presence of the Lords mighty protection and preservation dwelling in the midst of it whereby it is not nor hath been long ere this as otherwise it had been utterly consumed and turned into ashes of desolation and dâ—struction I shall now therefore I say desire the godly Reader to put off the shooes of prejudicacy and sinister construction and so to draw neer and seriously to peruse and take speciall notice of these miracles of mercy and divine providence with the 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Christian candor and singlenesse of heart and affection and seeing them greatly and graciously to admire and adore the infinite riches of the free grace and goodnesse of Him that thus dwelt in the Bush for it s so rare and unspeakable preservation And thus now let us accordingly come neer to behold this Wonder And for the first part and apparition thereof which presents it self to our eyes and understanding and wherewith I shall begin this Moneth of mighty and even miraculous preservations in this Burning Bush of our present Parliaments great affaires and necessitated Armes and negotiations shall bee of that most famous faithfull active and successefull Commander Colonell Massie Who about the beginning of this Moneth of August 1644. by his own Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament certified us of a very brave defeat which he had given to the Kings fiery Furies and Cosmorant-like devourers the Cavaliers under the command of Colonell Mynne which for the Readers better satisfaction I shall heer insert verbatim as it was Printed and published by authority of Parliament August 6. 1644. To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker to the Honourable House of Commons SIR KNowing the affaires of the Parliament so many and so weighty that their time is precious and therefore a tedious relation not so sutable to them having by this Post more fully related in my Letter unto the Lords and Gentlemen of the Committee of both Kingdomes it being their command I at all times should so doe I shall intreat you to excuse mee unto them at this time who shall suddenly God willing enform and render unto them a more perfect account of both the late following passages both of Gods displeasure yet afterward Mercy unto us That upon Friday last Colonell Generall Mynne being entred into our parts with a considerable strength both of Horse and Foot
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
both the Houses of Parliament at Westminster that doe only wait the conjunction of these two Armies meaning the Kings Army and the Lord Generalls then in Cornwall and then they will put things to the question being backed with such a strength which now they dare not propound Also you shall inforce the conjunction of these two Armies the sooner with this argument that otherwise the Scots will prevail and conquer the Kingdom and so the English must become subject to that Nation There were 20 or 30 more particulars as was credibly enformed and those very remarkable ones These instructions were sent by Mr. Harding Son to the Marquesse of Hartford to bee communicated to his Excellency if upon the receipt of a Letter sent from the King to our Lord Generall hee would entertain a Treaty Which his Excellency most loyally and prudently had formerly refused highly scorning to bee fastned on though by a Royall temptation to betray his trust yet how ever those private Instructions were afterward dispersed amongst some of the Commanders as wee then found by unhappy experience And yet in all the plot and designe praised and for ever blessed bee the Lord our God the issue proved more to bee a crackling-Squib than a considerable losse as hath been before more particularly and clearly manifested especially considering the danger and yet the Bush un-burnt in the midst of that great flame round about it In which premised Regall instructions wee may primarily take notice how falsly and fallaciously the Royalists fancy to themselves and that with no small malice too both a party in the Parliament for them and would also fain blinde the kingdom with such a belief But that which sticks most to their sides as there you may see and observe is our honest and loyall Brethren of Scotland against whom they would fain possesse the people with an opinion that their intention is to conquer the kingdom whereas never did a Nation so faithfully and in a manner so unanimously appear with more loyalty and cordiall integrity in the Cause of Religion than they have done and the crafty Cavaliers knew they will not depart from their principles nor leave assisting the Parliamentary proceedings till Religion and Liberty bee secured in both kingdomes and therefore I cannot much blame them considering their case and condition that they so scandalize the Nation of Scotland that in the conclusion is like by Gods gracious assistance and appointment to bee a main means of their ruine and destruction from among us And to all these premises adde that most memorable mercy of the Lord in those our straits in Cornwall forementioned namely what admirable courage and undaunted resolution the Lord put at that time into the hearts of those most valiant Commanders and Souldiers that were of the Plymouth Horse who in Cornwall by their impregnable courage and valiant actions deserved as much honour as could bee possibly conferred upon men of merit and valour For all those of the Kings Army that were of the three Regiments of the Kings Horse were utterly routed by Major Straghen a Scottish Commander with only 100 Plimouth Horse whom hee Commanded who all manifested so much unparallelled valour and magnanimity of spirit as occasioned such extreme terrour to the Enemy that the King himself was put into as great a fright at that time as when hee rode hard from Northallâ—rton to York when hee heard the Scots had beaten his Army at Newborn at their first comming in among us So stoutly they resolved and so faithfully performed and acted their resolution to live and die with our Foot forces at that time left in such a strait and to stand or fall with them though most barbarously and basely they were pâ—â—â—ged and plundered contrary to Conditions yea the King himself being in the field and to his shame and eternall infamy it will certainly remain to posterity that hee most unjustly permitted such a most ignoble disloyall and unsouldierly shamefull action to bee committed notwithstanding that noble and ever to bee honoured Major Generall Skippon went to his Majesty and complained of that perâ—idious breach of Articles but could finde no redresse therein And now good Reader put all these together viz. the Enemies abominable trechery to have utterly ruinated our so brave an Army forementioned in some passages of the Moneth before together with the devillish design to have wrought our Army perfidiously to have conjoyned and combined into one body against the Parliament And the admirable courage and magnanimity of spirit which God put into the hearts of our Foot forces and some few Horse especially those of renowned Plimouth to stand to it so invincibly and to come off so totally with their lives out of so deep and dangerous a snare and pitfall into which they were very neer entrapped And then say whether the Lord Jehovah appeared not mightily and most manifestly for their preservation and whither the blessing of him that dwelt in the Bush was not on them to save them from the devouring flames of that prepared and intended combustion and confusion Much also about the 4 of this instant October came Letters out of Scotland which certified for an undoubted truth that the Popish party and faction of the Royalists in Scotland had laid down their armes and were come in and had submitted themselves That the most noble Marquesse of Argile most renowned in Scotland for his known constant piety loyalty to his King and Country and his magnanimity of spirit in the then present distracted condition of Scotland that hee I say was in present pursuit of the Irish Rebels that had got in among them there and kept them closely in among the mountaines where hee often lit upon many of them and straitned them extremely Insomuch that the troubles of that honest neighbour kingdom being thus farre so happily appeased the noble Earl of Callender returned again to the Leaguer at Newcastle It was also then for certain enformed by Letters out of the North that the Array-men and other disaffected persons of quality in the Counties of Cumberland and Westmerland were met together to feast together and therein also to consult about raising more Forces in those parts against the Parliaments proceedings there which the Country-people having knowledge of and being very sensible of the miseries which those men had already been meanes to bring upon those Counties and places adjacent they all rose as one man and apprehended many of them to the number of about 40. whom they brought to Generall Lesley to the Leaguer but Musgrave and Fletcher narrowly escaped to Carlile About the 6 of this instant Letters from Welchpool were brought to London which certified that renowned Sir Thomas Middleton had taken Redâ—astle a place of very great consequence and one of the strongest of the Enemies holds in Northwales The manner of the taking of it was said to bee thus The Enemy in this Castle whereof
it was credibly reported by good testimony that at the instant of his Majesties flight from Newberry hee complained of the Major Townesmen and Inhabitants of Newberry saying that they were most pestilent Roundheads and that they were not so loyall as his subjects of Cornwall who used to give him intelligence upon all occasions There were also taken at least 2000 Armes at this fight and the Kings and Generall Forths Coaches and divers sumpture-horses laden with rich prize and upon the consideration of this great and good successe of this our Army at Newberry and the other of our brethren of Scotland at Newcastle An Order was agreed on by both the Houses of Parliament that publick Thanks should bee given to God in all Churches in London and Westminster on Tuesday then ensuing which was the 5 of November being the day of solemn annuall thanksgiving for Englands deliverance from the most horrid and exorbitant Popish Gun-powder-Treason which sacrifice of Thanksgiving for these 2 foresaid Victories was on the said day accordingly performed But Oh our unhappinesse that ever it should bee justly said of us as it was of Hanniball that great Carthaginian Conquerour and scourge of the Romans Vincerescis Hannibal Vtivictoriâ nescis O that wee should not onely not prosper in this Victory according to the admirable advantage which God had put into our hands but that wee should suffer the Enemy to rally and recrute their Forceâ— and as it most unhappily fell out Quo fato aut qâ—â fraude nescio at Dunnington-castle shortly after where they greatly and most grossely recovered much of their losses and our then famous and formidable Army was to our shame and sorrow bee it spoken most strangely baffled and abused even to their faces wee standing still and looking on But enough and too much of this and now to proceed About the 28 of this instant also came certain intelligence by Letters from Newcastle to the Committee of both Kingdomes that the Castle within the Town of Newcastle was for certain taken by our noble brethren of Scotland and that all within the Castle who had flâ—d in thither at the taking of the Town surrendred both the Castle and themselves to the mercy of those our very mercifull brethren of Scotland wherein were taken severall prisoners of quality and who they intended should all have legall tryall both English and Scottish but their own Native Scots they speedily sent away into Scotland and the English to bee adjudged by the known Laws of England they sent to London The names of the most eminent men taken then in the Castle were these Sir John Marley the atheisticall Major and Governour of the Town a most pestilent and desperate malignant and enemy to all goodnesse the Lord â—raford the Lord Maxwell the Lord Ree 3 Lords of Scotland and all 3 most desperate incendiaries together with divers others prime Commanders and Officers in armes Much also about the same time wee were most certainly informed by severall Letters out of Lincolnshire that his Majesty had sent directions to all the Commanders of his Garrisons at Newark Belviâ—-castle and others thereabout with speciall command speedily to joyn into a considerable body and to march for the releif of Crowland and then to fall into the Associated Counties which accordingly and instantly they put in practise and for which purpose they met together in a great body and came into the Vale of Bever from whence they intended to march speedily toward Crowland But loyall active and valiant Sir John Gells and Sir Thomas Fairfaxes forces being timely informed thereof appointed also speedily to meet together and to fall upon the Enemy in the said Vâ—le of Bever which accordingly they performed with singular good speed and good successe and bravely surprized the greatest part of them took Major Pudsey and 2 Colonells about 800 horse and 400 prisoners and by this means most happily frustrated both the certain releiving of Crowland and especially prevented that most desperate and dangerous designe as it might unquestionably have proved of breaking in like a furious overflowing flood into the Associated Counties a mercy most worthy our extraordinary thankfulnesse to the Lord our God the most gracious and vigilant Watchman of the English Israel And about the 30 of this instant October wee were credibly assured by Letters from Wareham in the West that that most valiant and faithfull Commander Colonell Sydenham had fallen upon Sir Lewes Dives Forces at Crew in Dorsetshire and had a brave bickering with them where hee wounded his Leivtenant Colonell took an 100 horse 40 prisoners above a 100 Armes and routed and put to flight 400 horse and foot And the same Letters also farther certified that Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper with 1500 horse and foot from severall Garrisons thereabout in Dorsetshire had then taken the field to encounter with Sir Lewis Dives who was endevouring to fortifie some places in those parts whereof more in its due and proper place The good news from our Armies rested not heer for about the 30 also of this instant came certain intelligence to the Parliament signifying under the hand of that pious prudent and victorious Commander Sir William Brereton that Leverpool in Lancashire was delivered up to brave and ever to bee honoured Sir John Meldrum The English Souldiers therein some 2 or 3 dayes before having combined together came away out of the Town and drove away with them the Cattle that was thereabout and the Irish seeing themselves left only with some few English Commanders they also being in great straits and knowing no quarter would bee given them if they stood it out they therefore also voluntarily came forth of the Town and cast themselves at Sir John Mâ—â—drums feet and had their lives granted them thereupon before the Ordinance of Parliament against the Irish came to his hands or knowledge And heerupon the Commanders also were enforced instantly to surrender the Town wherein were taken prisoners Sir Robert Byron Governour Colonell Cuthert Clifton Robert Bambridge Major Hugh Anderson Leivtenant Colonell 14 Captains â—nd many other Officers in Armes Most of the choice Goods which were in the Town they had shipped in small Barks and Boats thinking to have stoln away in the night time by our Ships to Beu-Morrice but some of the well-affected in the Town having given timely notice thereof our ships manned out long boats and took all their said Goods from them to a very considerable valew Nay yet Gods goodnesse to the Parliament and his extraordinary blessing on their forces rested not heer for much about the foresaid time wee were certainly informed by Letters from Newcastle to the Committee of both Kingdomes that noble and renowned Generall Leven carryed on businesses so prudently in the capitulation between his Excellency and the Governour of Tinmouth-castle that the said Castle was Octob. 27. 1644. surrendred to his Excellency and that therein hee found
hee desired to see Whereupon Mr. Strange went immediately to a hole in the canapy of his bed and produced the Commission and read it to him and having read it hee put it into his pocket In the interim came Leivtenant John Stubbin Leivtenant to Major Moll with 5 Souldiers more all in the habit of poore Sea-men apparelled like ship-broken men with a Warrant to attatch suspicious persons who came begging to the doore and somewhat boldly getting within the Court-yard of the said house being so ordered by the Governour who as soon as they were up to the doore of the House the Gentlewoman of the house came running up to Mr. Strange and told him there were 6 or 7 poore Souldiers come from Lyn a begging Mr. Strange presently sent them down a shilling and wished them to bee gone and Mistris Paston went downe to barre the door which Captain Lemon seeing winckt upon the foresaid Corporall there present to lay hold on Mr. Strange which instantly done hee gave a stamp with his foot by which the Leivtenant knew what hee had to doe whereupon Mr. Strange seeing hee was betrayed conveyed his Commission to Captain Lemon out of the frying-pan into the fire then the Leivtenant not taking notice of the person of the Captain as known to him or as set purposely to ensnare Strange did first attach Mr. Strange as an Enemy to the Common-wealth and demanded his name which hee refused to tell then hee required his Commission but hee denyed to have any Heerupon the Leivtenant seeing Captain Lemon demanded what hee was and what hee did there consulting against the State telling him hee was a stinking knave and searched him for the commission and finding it in his pocket took it from him and set a guard over him and another over Mr. Strange and would not suffer them to speak each to other by the way from Appleton-Hall to Lyn whither they were brought prisoners to the Governour with the Commission all which was done by order and consent of the Governour and Captain Lemon before Mr. Strange his apprehension which said Mr. Strange was immediately brought up to London and committed to safe custody and the Commission sent up to the Parliament the Copy whereof I have heer also inserted which was as followeth His Majesties Commission granted to Mr. Roger le Strange for the betraying of the Town of Lyn-Regis into the hands of the Enemy Charles Rex VVEE having received from our trusty and well-beloved Roger le Strange declarations of the good affection of divers of our well-affected Subjects of our County of Norfolk and Suffolk and particularly of our Town of Lyn as also some overtures concerning the reducing of our said Town of Lyn Wee have thought fit forthwith to return our Royall thanks unto our said well-affected Subjects and particularly to give our said trusty and well-beloved Roger le Strange these encouragements to proceed in our service principally in the work of reducing the said Town of Lyn. 1. That in case that attempt shall bee gone through withall hee the said Roger le Strange shall have the Government of the place 2. That what engagement shall bee made unto the inhabitants of the said place in any other person capable of contributing effectually to that service by way of reward either in employment in his Majesties Navy or Forts or Money not exceeding the summe of 5000 pounds the service being performed shall bee punctually made good unto them 3. That they shall in this work receive what assistance may bee given them from any of our merest Garrisons And lastly that when ever our said Town shall bee reduced unto our obedience Wee shall forthwith send thither 〈◊〉 a considerable power as shall bee sufficient to releive and preserve them Wee being at present even without this fully resolved to send a considerable power to encourage our faithfull Subjects in those parts and to regain our rights and interests therein By his Majesties Command George Digby Given at our Court at Oxford this 28 of November 1644. And much about the foresaid time wee had certain intelligence of the releiving of that brave courageous and pious people in the good and strong Garrison of the Town of Iounton-Dean whereof that ever to bee honoured faithfull Gentleman and most courageous Commander Colonel Blake was Governour and where Prince Maurice and his thousands were after a long siege most shamefully beaten away and many precious soules in the said Town preserved from the bloody rage and intended cruelty of those blood-thirsty and lustfull Enemies those scelerous sons of violence a most renowned peice of Gods providence and mighty mercy to those Western parts never to bee obliterated out of theirs and our most gratefull remembrance Since which wee also were most certainly informed by Letters out of those parts that Major Generall Holborn marched with a party to the Lord Pawlets House where hee took 30 horses many prisoners and divers armes and made himself Master of that Garrison From whence hee marched to the House of one Mr. Arundell a notorious Papist at a place called Chadwick where hee beat the Enemy out of that pernicious nest and took some of them prisoners After this also hearing that divers of the Enemies forces were got into Sir John Pooles House hee marched toward them but the Enemy hearing of his approach that way fled to Exeter And the like did another party of the Enemies at Mr. Crewes House setting it on fire they fled away Thus this most active and valiant Commander ferretted the Enemies out of their sculking holes in those parts and procured much security to the inhabitants thereabout December the 20. the Parliament taking into their serious consideration that the time was neer approaching for the annuall chusing of Officers in the most famous City of London according to their anniversary custome and well knowing that the good government thereof doth cheifly depend upon the faithfulnesse and integrity of publick Officers especially in these times of so much trouble and danger It was therefore Ordered in Parliament that no person should bee elected to bee of the Common-Councell or into other Offices in the City of London who have not voluntarily contributed upon the Propositions according to an Ordinance in Parliament of the 29 of November 1642. or who have otherwise testified their dis-affection to the Parliament or who have not taken the solemn League and Covenant And that no such person shall have any voice in such elections or any else who have been imprisoned or whose estates have been sequestred for Malignancy against the Parliament And the right honorable Thomas Atkin Lord Major of the City of London and the Aldermen in their severall Wards were required to see the due execution thereof About the 23 instant wee had certain intelligence from Northhampton of singular good service done in those parts by Captain Redman who with a party of Northampton horse marched out and fell
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
specious pretences having pre-occupated the hearts and beleif of the people that they could not easily bee undeceived at the second hand But see now the admirable wisdome and justice of our God against them and his great mercy toward us who so ordered the issue and the upshot of that Treaty that by the refusall of 3 Articles mainly and primarily to bee insisted on and by the Kings Commissioners to bee condescended unto to the Parliaments Commissioners namely 1. The Settlement of the true Reformed Religion 2. The Establishment of the Militia for a season in the power of the Parliament 3. The prosecution of the Warre against the Rebels of Ireland and disclaiming that accursed Cessation of Armes with them that by their most unjust refusall I say of these 3 Articles whereof not one would bee fairly granted and especially by those Oxford Commissioners so irreligious and even Atheisticall justifying and that in the Kings name that most horrid and hideous Rebellion in Ireland sealed with the most inhumane massacre and bloody slaughter and murthering of almost 200000 innocent English Protestants the Kings said Commissioners most irreligiously and audaciously daring openly to professe that his Majesty their Master could not in point of Honour Justice and Conscience yeeld to the Parliaments desire therein whereby I say even this unreasonable and irreligious refusall of the Parliaments most just and righteous demands notwithstanding the foresaid Declaration framed and forged on the impious anvill of Don Digbies vicious invention at Oxford whereby they thought to have gained much credit reputation and advantage to their party yet I say by this refusall they became great losers in the affections of the people over the whole Kingdom who also saw that in the space of full 20 dayes sitting they would not as I toucht before agree to any one Proposition of the Parliaments which so grosse miscarriage of things especially in that abominable justification of the Irish Rebellion must needs lye upon them as a most odiously black indelible stain of intolerable ignominy and disgrace to all succeeding pâ—sterity And indeed to speak the truth plainly what good could bee expected from a Treaty which was to bee held with a seduced and misled King a degenerated and ignoble Nobility a proud and superstitious Clergie an ambitious and atheisticall Gentry and an irreligious and most malignant Common people But now to proceed About the 8 of this instant February there came Letters to the Committee of both Kingdomes of an excellent peice of service performed by Major Bridges Governour of Warwick Castle the particulars whereof for the Readers better satisfaction I will set downe in the words of the Majors own Letter which was as followeth Sir I doubt not but you will bee glad to hear of the good successe which God hath given unto mee in delivering into my hands a Garrison of the Enemies called Stoke House in Glocestershire but borders on Warwickeshire where together with the House I also took a Troop of Horse And it will bee the more remarkable in respect of the goodnesse of God when wee consider the small power I had to doe it and the place it stood in being between 2 of the Enemies Garrisons the one was Cambden but 2 miles distant the other Evisham 7 miles distant But I being affected with the sad complaints of the Country and considering the danger of delayes and having notice that the Enemy wrought hard to perfect the Fortifications resolved to take the present opportunity and that my design might bee carryed on with the more privacy wherein much of my safety consisted the Regiment of our County being absent or not in readinesse I sent 2 of the 3 Companies of mine own Garrison by small parties into the Country as to gather Contribution but commanded the Officers not to return till I gave them orders to these 2 Companies I got an addition of 60 Foot commanded by one of my Captains of the Town-Company with some part of mine own Troop and about 70 Horse belonging to the Committee of Worcestershire and thus I marched all that night and being come to the House I began to storm it and the next day fell upon the House and stables by break of day both at once The House was of stone very strong they within it had made up the windowes and doores with brick and stone and defended the House very stoutly for about an houre and a half but at length wee entred by force and took the House and all therein without the losse of one man blessed bee the Lord notwithstanding that in all that time wee were without shelter and the bullets and stones flew thick about our eares Since this I heard that the Enemy drew out of Evisham and Cambden to releive their Friends but could not come up time enough by which means God so appointing I returned with my prisoners and spoile unmolested a List wherof you have herewith immediately following And to conclude the said House being a Papists and the whole Garrison of that Religion to prevent the building of any more such Rookes nests I fired the House and desire you would with us praise God for this Victory Sir Your Servant John Bridges Warwick Castle Feb. 8. 1644. A List of the Prisoners taken by Major Bridges Governour of Warwick Castle at Stoke House in Gloucestershire Captain Edward Brent Captain George Brent Captain Richard Canning Captain Smith Captain Thomas Canning together with about 30 more Officers and Gentlemen of quality all Papists and many other common Souldiers About the 10 of this instant wee were also credibly informed by Letters out of Cheshire that Captain Stones a brave active and loyall Commander under Sir William Brereton and now Governour of Eccleshall Castle in the County of Stafford with a small party marched against Partshall House another Popish Garison of the Enemies which was strongly fortified and Moated about Hee taking the opportunity of the Draw-bridge being let down suddenly forced his passage surprized the Centinells and so fell in among the whole Garrison fought bravely with them for a good season killed many of them in the fight and took prisoners Colonell Ashbey the Governour with divers Gentlemen of quality a Jesuite which was their Priest and Son and Heire to a Popish Knight and about 60 Souldiers and thus wee were possessed of the whole House with all the Armes and Ammunition and other good prize which was within it Wee also were credibly assured by Letters from Abbington about the 14 of this instant February that Major Generall Brown that most renowned valiant and active Commander sent forth a party of Horse toward Harrington who having intelligence where the Enemy kept a Court of Guard about half a mile from Harrington our said Forces got between them and the Town by which means they surprized the whole Guard being 19 men and brought them all prisoners into Abbington And that the said Noble Major Generall
mercies of this Moneth let thy soule bee still and ever ravished and rapt up with wonder and admiration at the infinite and unfathomed depth of this Gods free love and blessed bounty to his poore despised Church and Children With which according to his faithfull promise hee still abides and so will continue even to the end of the world to sustain and support it maugre all the malicious machinations of Sathan and all his malignant Agents And therefore let us with Christian courage and boldnesse exult in the rock of our Salvation and with the undaunted Spirit and goldly resolution of renowned Luther sing and say as wee have most just cause The Lord of Hosts is with us the God of Jacob is our refuge But now to proceed AND heer wee shall again begin the comfortable contemplation of the next ensuing Moneth of Marches works of wonder to the high honour of our wonder-working God with that famous bâ—sinesse of the most admirable and rare recovery of the Town of Weymouth in the West which was thus related About the beginning of this Moneth of March 1644. wee first received intelligence by Letters from that faithfull and most valiant and vigilant Sea-Commander Captain Batten Vice-Admirall of the Parliaments Navy by Sea That hee had then lately releived Melcombe-Regis which after the trecherous losse of Weymouth the February before still held out against the Enemy by Gods speciall and mighty assistance and blessing on the famous faithfull and indefatigable endevours of renowned Colonell Sydenham notwithstanding I say that poore Weymouth had been trecherously betrayed by many of its own malignant Inhabitants into the Enemies hands That in this great straight I say and exigent of time and danger renowned Captain Batten being by divine providence come thither with his ships releived them with such provisions as at that time they most wanted and that therewith hee had landed there an 100 of his stout Sea-men and that the Enemy might make the lesse use of the Town of Weymouth Colonell Sydenham was necessitated to fire the ships which the Enemy had on Weymouth side which having the benefit of a faire winde fit for his designe hee afterward performed accordingly and not onely burnt divers ships but part of the Town of Weymouth also which in that exigent could not bee avoyded Now renowned Colonell Sydenham with his brave Souldiers and resolute Sea-men all this while maintained Melcombe with admirable gallantry and courage and at length they most undauntedly re-gained the Chappell-fort of Weymouth and therein 60 of the Enemies taken prisoners And in this furious skirmish of thus re-gaining Chappell-fort wee took besides those in the Fort one Leivtenant Colonell one Major 3 Captains 3 Leivtenants and a 100 common Souldiers with store of provisions which the Enemy had newly got together and all this with the losse of but one man of ours a remarkable mercy of the Lord unto us which did so inrage the Enemy that Goring would needs bee revenged and vowed to assault us all at once as after this hee fruitlesly endevoured wherof more anon in its due place This certain intelligence was at that time farther confirmed by 2 severall Letters of Sir Lewis Dives which had been intercepted by the Garrison of Lyme the one of them to Sir John Barkley Governour of Exeter the other to the Governor of Bristol In which Letters hee signified the taking of the said Chappell-fort by Colonell Sydenhams forces and therefore desired Sir Richard Greenvill that Skellum and base apostate to come away speedily with his promised 1500 horse and that the said Governours would hasten away the 500 foot they promised to Colonell Goring and himself for else sayes hee in his said Letters The Crown of England is in danger to bee lost if Weymouth should bee re-gained by the Parliaments Forces Now Goring in this interim being extremely vext at the losse of the Chappel-fort and considering that it was a very great prejudice to his other intended proceedings hee therefore resolved to fall again upon that Fort and that they might as they conceived the more effectually doe it it was concluded by a Councill of Warre to fall both upon that Fort and on the Town of Melcomb also at once and in severall places and this to bee done as most works of darknesse are in the midst of the night But it pleased the Lord so graciously to order it that the very same Evening that this storm was intended one of our Souldiers who had been taken prisoner by the Enemy made an escape and came into Melcombe and gave the Governour notice of the Enemies resolution and that they would fall upon them that night so that by this means our men prepared themselves to stand stoutly upon their guard and the Enemy came accordingly and assaulted the line about Melcomb in 5 or 6 severall places together and the Chappel for t also at the same time and did it with great violence and resolution but were most bravely resisted by our men till such time as the treacherous Townesmen within let in many of the Enemies forces through their back-doores and so the Enemy came on their backs and made them somewhat to retreat In which retreat the Enemy being much strengthened by the assistance of the Town-Malignants valiant Major Francis Sydenham was slain a great losse unto us But undaunted Colonell Sydenham observing this great strait and brave Captain Batten also who in this businesse deserved great honour and commendation together with his valiant Sea-men also who most willingly came on shore to hazzard their lives in this service and fought most undauntedly and for the samâ— merited much praise and reward too they both did mightily encourage their men both with their words and examples too not to shrink but to follow on close upon the Enemy and so led them up again into the very face of the Enemy and inforced the Enemy to a swift retreat back again into Weymouth with the losse of at least 250 of their men who were slain and drowned in the River Now the Enemy being thus retreated our brave-spirited Souldiers stood still upon their guard with expectation that the Enemy would have come on again but they did not for the next morning about 10 of the clock the Enemy as appeared stricken with some panick fear were all sneakt away out of Weymouth also and secretly and suddenly had marched away both horse and foot in great haste guarding their Rear with their Horse leaving their own Colours behinde them in their Fort with all the Ordnance they took from us and 2 peices more and some barrells of powder with a great overplus of Armes and Ammunition Victuall and other good booty which had been brought thither by the Enemy and indeed they took nothing away with them but only some plunder of the Town And thus after a very tedious siege and much hard service for 18 dayes and
nights together during all which time our valia Souldiers put off neither armes nor cloathes as I was credibly informed they by Gods infinite mercy obtained a most happy and comfortable enlargement and freedome from their cruell and murtherous-minded Enemies And thus Goring and Dives who were both present in this service marched away to Dorchester with their horse and foot which were above 4000. whereas ours that were invironed by them were not above 900. being also discouraged or at least wee justly might have been for want of releif and our little or no hope of relief besides the former successe of the Enemies and yet that ours should so gallantly quit themselves and so impregnably oppose and fall upon their Enemies when they were at their strongest and themselves in the lowest and most desperate condition and besides the Townesmen within being trecherous unto them of whom above 40 had conspired to seize on the Fort which Colonell Sydenham possessed and by procuring false keyes to the prison doores to let out all the prisoners and also as I toucht before to let in the enemies at their back-doores but the plot of the false keyes was timely discovered and prevented many of the Malignant Conspirators apprehended and imprisoned some in this fight were slain and some wounded and those imprisoned in a fit posture to bee hanged as afterward they were Wee lost but 10 men on our side in all this hot and furious service All which premises considered it must needs bee granted that the hand of God was indeed most visibly seen in the whole carriage of this admirable action and famous defeat wherein I say was an apparent vision of our present Parliamentary mighty wonder Viz. The Burning Bush in the midst of such furious flames not consumed To God alone therefore bee all the honour and glory of it And March the 8 wee had certain intelligence that a ship carrying 28 peices of Ordnance laden with store of armes and Ammunition was come into Weymouth from Rhoan in France supposing Weymouth had still been in the Enemies possession and so was seized on for the Parliaments use Yea and about the same time even 3 or 4 houres after the Enemy had quitted the Outworks of Weymouth whereof you have at large heard before a lusty serviceable ship of Weymouth called the Endevour carrying in her 12 peices of Ordnance and laden with Salt and other commodities belonging to some Malignants of those parts which ship then lay close under Portland Castle but having as it seemed many honest Sea-men in her suddenly they cut her Cables swiftly and of its own accord came off to Captain Batten then at Weymouth and Melcomb although the Castle of Portland had made at least 7 or 8 shots at her And thus wee see how God most graciously blessed the affaires of that Town at that time both by Sea and by Land to him alone bee all the praise and glory of it Shortly after to wit on Wednesday March the 12. Both Houses of Parliament most piously concurred for the keeping of a Solemn day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God at Christ-Church in London for all these so many and marveilous rich mercies of the Lord unto us Since the happy dissolution of that foresaid Treaty at Vxbridge as namely for the winning of Scarborough Town Haven Shrewsbury so unexpectedly and admirably put into the Parliaments hands The extraordinary recovering of Weymouth and even miraculous preservation of Melcomb Regis c. Where and at which foresaid time Reverend Learned and Religious Mr. â—rrowsmith and Mr. Vines Preached before the Lords and Commons of Parliament the Lord Major and Aldermen of the City of London accompanying them there at that holy service And both Houses of Parliament immediately after passed an Ordinance for the payment of 2000 pound to the brave Garrison of Weymouth for the encouragement and reward of the good service done there and for a supply of some necessaries in that Town And besides all these remarkable mâ—â—cies of our good God to the Parliament whereof you have most fully been informed since and even at the dissolution of that Mock-Treaty at Vxbridge We were yet farther credibly assured by Letters from Ailsbury about March the 16. That the King lost the Troop of Horse belonging to his own Life-guard the manner of the taking of which prize was thus related Ailsbury Garrison having intelligence of divers of the Kings horse quartered out of Oxford for want of necessaries about this time within the Town they that have spoiled a most fruitfull Kingdome will shortly I hope want bread and Pease for themselves Heerupon valiant Captain Abricomie a Scottish Commander in Ailsbury and Major Ennis of Newport-pagnell marched from their Garrisons toward Oxford with a party of horse to Killington where accordingly they met with the Kings own Troop as they had been informed Our party went over at Islip Mill and there they found the Enemy entrenched on the other side of the River but our party of horse had carryed Fagots and so filled-up the Trench with them and with earth and so handled it that they blew up the Bridge forced the Turn-pike and Chain surprized the Guard marched into the Town took 40 gallant horse worth some said 50 li. and Captain Cheyworth Commissary Generall to the King also the Kings Chirurgeons own mate with other prisoners and in their return home they took 4 more Cavalierian Troopers driving Cattle to the Kings quarters All which praised bee the Lord they brought home safely without any wound or losse of a man About March the 14. the House of Commons received Letters from Sir William Brereton that brave Commander and pious Patriot of his Country informing them of the singular good condition of Shrewshury and also of a notable defeat given to the Forces of Prince Maurice by a party of Sir William Breretons at Holt-Bridge in Cheshire under the Command of valiant Leivtenant Colonell Jones the manner whereof was thus Prince Maurice being still greatly vext in his minde at the sad losse of Shrewsbury and as vigilantly as possibly hee could watching to catch and lay hold on all opportunities to bee revenged on the Parliaments party at last resolved upon one and therefore sent a party of foot over the River of Dee which parts Cheshire and Wales and about 13 Companies got over the said River by laying over it a Bridge of Canvas dipt in Pitch over which 3 men might march abrest These all being thus past over intended in a dark night to have surprized Sir Williams said Garrison at Holt-bridge and to have forced their passage that way to some other farther design which Garrison the Prince understood was maintained by only 2 Companies of Firelocks under the Command of Leivtenant Colonell Jones who being thus now suddenly assaulted by the said numerous enemy yet had his men in order and readinesse to receive them and entertained them with such a
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
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
And base things in the worlds esteem and things which are despised yea and things which are not God hath chosen as heer wee see to bring to nought things which are And heer me thinks I cannot pretermit but most justly make honourable mention of what I have been credibly informed of touching our most noble and renowned Generall himself Viz. That hee was observed before this fight to have been exceeding merry and cheerfull in his carriage and countenance among his Commanders and Souldiers But after this victory was obtained hee continually day by day carryed himself with very much settleed gravity of countenance lowlinesse and meeknesse of face and heart as giving God all the honour and willing to take none to himself Two rare postures indeed of a pious and prudent Cornelius or Commander and fit for all Souldiers especially Saint-like Souldiers to practise and imitate For indeed both Hee I mean this our most renowned Generall and all of us with him might most justly as reverend Mr. Marshall in his excellent Thanksgiving Sermon at Christ-Church the Thursday following this famous Victory say concerning this glorious Victory as the most noble and renowned late Lord Generall nobly said at Keinton-Victory Never more of God and lesse of man And therefore as wee were most justly bound our most pious and prudent Parliamentary Worthies immediately upon their perfect knowledge and understanding of this so glorious a Victory as you have thus fully heard appointed a day of Solemn Thanksgiving to bee celebrated to the high honour and praise of our great and gracious Wonder-working God a Copy of which their Order I have heer inserted which was as followeth Die Lunae Junii 16. 1645. ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament that Thursday next shall bee set apart for a day of Publique Thanksgiving to Almighty God in all the Churches and Chappels within the Cities of London and Westminster and Lines of Communication and weekly bils of Mortallity For the great and glorious Victory obtained by the Parliaments Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax against the Forces of the King And Mr. Marshall and Mr. Vines bee desired to Preach at Christ-Church before the Parliament And that the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councell doe meet the Parliament there And it is further Ordered That Friday being the 27 of this instant June bee set apart for a publick day of Thanksgiving for this Victory in all the Churches and Chappell 's in the severall Counties of the Kingdom under the power of the Parliament H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. About the 15 of this instant there came Letters out of Shropshire which certified of severall good services performed by Colonell Mittons forces in those parts and for better satisfaction I have heer thought fit to insert the Copy of the Letter it self which was sent to renowned Colonell Mitton himself which was as followeth SIR I Being desired by Leivtenant Colonell Goldgay to certifie our late proceedings at Oswestree and the good successe wherewith it pleased God to blesse your Forces there I am humbly bold thus to trouble you On Tuesday the third of this present June your Troop with a considerable party of your Foot marched unto Clerk being commanded by Leivtenant Colonell Goldgay where wee took 27 horse from under their walls being the best horse I have seen together in Wales Wee drawing off in order the Enemy sallyed out came through the wood with firelocks thinking to redeem their losse charged our Rear-guard of horse whom Captain Simpkins caused to face about and fall on them lying in the manner of an ambuscado which they did and soon got through them and got betwixt them and home killed 2 of them took 24. the Governours Leivtenant being one and his Organist whose losse hath caused a generall Melancholly in the Castle and if hee bee not changed their mirth and devotion it is to bee feared will perish together On Thursday the 6 instant wee marched in the like posture to Shraden went close under their works took from them 24 good horse which was the greatest part of Dr. Charles Vaughan then Governour his Troop wee expected them also to sally out but the Dr. though hee hath forgotten his Preaching since hee turned Cavalier yet remembred his Grammar-rule Optimum est alienâ frui insaniâ For being warned by the folly and harm of Cherkmen hee was content to sleep within doores in a whole skin and to suffer us to march away with our prize without any of their lets or least disturbance This wee did without the losse or hurt of any one man of ours Wee ascribe the praise and memory of the work to that God who hath hitherto crowned your endevours with successe and I doubt not in despight of malice will doe so still under whose banner of love I leave you and humbly rest yours to Command And now upon the 19 of this instant June being the next ensuing Thursday after the happy tydings of the foresaid most famous Victory at Naseby according as our most pious and prudent Parliamentary Senators had formerly Ordered and as our most renowned Generall himself Sir Thomas Fairfax had earnestly desired by the Messenger by whom the relation of the victory was first brought a day of Solemn Thanksgiving was celebrated and wholly set apart to give all the glory of that great Victory and mighty mercy to the Lord alone as it was most due in all Churches and Chappels within the Cities of London and Westminster and the Lines of Communication which was as on this day most solemnly performed in a speciall manner at Christ-Church in London where reverend and religious Mr. Marshall and Mr. Vines preached that day before the whole Body of the Parliament both Lords and Commons whom the Lord Major the Aldermen and Common Councell of London met there and had invited the said most honourable Lords and Commons to dine with them that day in their City at Grocers hall And heer I hope it will not bee offensive or tedious to my Reader to give him a short sight or intimation of the manner of the gallant entertainment the City gave the Parliament at Grocers Hall that day not to mention the Messes of their dainty chear which in great plenty was provided answerable to so honourable an Assembly but onely to shew you the speciall guests and the order of their placing according to their state and Orders which was thus At the upper end of the Hall sate the Lord Major On the left hand The Prince Elector Earle of Northumberland Earle of Kent Earle of Essex Earle of Manchester Lord North Earl of Elgar Lord Brighton Two of the Scotch Commissioners On the right hand Earle of Pembroke Earle of Nottingham Earle of Salisbury Earle of Denbigh Earle of Bullingbrook One Scotch Lord The Lord Say There were three Tables more in the Hall On the right hand going up sate Mr. Speaker at the upper end entring to the doore toward
to Wareham in great triumph and joy without the losse of one man And about the 22 of June wee had credible information by Letters out of Cheshire that Colonell Jones a Gentleman of approved valour and fidelity to the Parliaments Cause having command of about 1300 horse and foot the horse were Sir William Breretons who himself was gone up to London by virtue of the Self-denying Ordinance and hee having assured intelligence of a party of the Kings consisting of about 1700. neer Kidderminster in Worcestershire about 12 miles from Worcester hee most courageously fell upon them killed above 40 on the place took 300 horse and a 100 prisoners among whom was a Leivtenant Colonell a Captain and some other Officers the remainder of them escaping fled to Beudly and Worcester which was indeed their head Quarter About the 26 of this instant June our most renowned and ever to bee most highly honoured Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax sent a Letter to the high and honourable Court and House of Commans in Parliament wherein hee certified his sending up to the said House that most precious present and memorable mercy of the Lord unto us I mean The Kings Cabinet full of His and the Queens Letters taken in the late famous fight and most glorious Victory at Naseby which Sir Thomas most prudently and humbly desired in his Letter might bee read in a full House and publick audience of all the Commons in Parliament which accordingly was performed and therein were most happily discovered admirable matters of as great importance as ever were discovered since the beginning of these most unhappy and unnaturall Warres which in breif were to this effect First there was found a Declaration of his Majesties intentions for the setling of Peace and Religion in this Kingdom certified by a Letter to the Queen wherein hee does assure her that no agreement shall bee made but what shall bee approved by her and that all Laws made against Popery shall bee repealed and yet when Letters came from Oxford to the Parliament touching a Treaty and in the Propositions for Peace there were verball expressions that Laws should bee made against Popery Secondly hee acquainted the Queen that hee intended to make a firm peace with his good Subjects the Irish Rebels and that severall Acts called Paynings-Law made in behalf of the Protestants of that Kingdom should bee repealed But in lieu thereof 40000 Irish were expected to help on the Warres in England for hee must wage Warre hee said till this Perpetuall Parliament as hee termed it were dissolved for otherwise he could never Order things to His or Her content Thirdly in another Letter the Queen chid the King in that hee did in the Treaty at Vxbridge acknowledge the Lords and Commons assembled at Westminster to bee a Parliament which is answered in other Letters then taken that hee did not positively acknowledge it a Parliament it being otherwise to bee construed though they were so simple not to finde it out And that it was entred upon Record among the Acts of the Kings Councell that it was not done out of any intent to have Posterity to think that hee did truely acknowledge it a Parliament In other Letters hee also writes That His long Parliament would in a short time hee dissolved In others That if forces could bee sent to the King out of forain Kingdomes hee would cause all the Acts of Parliament against Papists to bee repealed Fourthly the King found fault in other Letters that hee could not prevail with his Juncto at Oxford which hee called his Mongrell Parliament to passe a Vote against the Lords and Commons at Westminster which hee called his perpetuall Parliament that they are not a lawfull Parliament saying Some of them were so over-witty some stark fooles and others so phantasticall that hee cannot make them due any things to his content The Queen also in one Letter desired the King to give Jermin thanks for his care of her and for his good service there And the King promised not to goe a jot from the little paper shee sent him Many other such like notable passages were in those Letters but I leave the Reader for fuller satisfaction therein to the Parliaments Declaration and the Letters themselves which shortly after were printed and published by Order of Parliament with excellent annotations upon them after they had first been publickly read in a Common Hall in the Guild-Hall in London by a Committee of both Houses of Parliament met there for that very purpose the Lord Major Aldermen and Common Councell of the City of London together with a mighty confluence of Citizens of all sorts and ranks being assembled thither at the reading of the Letters and Annotations upon then who by their shouts and exhibilations declared their marveilous dislike and disapprobations of the Kings and Queens evill expressions in them and on the contrary their high approbation of the Parliaments proceedings by their unanimous acclamations upon the observations made on the said Letters by the Members of the House of Commons to the amazement of the then present hearers and the future wonder and astonishment of Posterity either Malignants or others But to goe on About the 28 of this instant June wee had certain intelligence by particular Letters out of Shropshire of divers brave services performed by the valiant and active forces of Shrewsbury Garrison commanded by the Committee there namely of the taking in of Stoksey and Caus-Castles places of great strength and importance in those parts The substance of which Letters and true relation of which said Victories I have heer for brevities sake faithfully set down for the Readers full content and satisfaction which were as followeth SIR THere was drawn out of this Garrison by order from the Committee 500 foot and 300 horse viz. part of Colonell Mackworths Regiment and part of Colonell Lloyds Regiment both of them marchâ—d along in the service our forces marched within five miles of Ludlow the design being to reduce that part of this County and to secure it by placing some Garrisons there to block up Ludlow with a party of horse they viewed Howgate and Braincroft Castles both of which the Enemy had much demolished notwithstanding they placed the Lord Calvine in Braincroft Castle and fell to repaire and fortifie it in the interim they sent Leivtenant Colonell Riveling to view Stokesey Castle a Garrison of the Enemies the place was conceived considerable therefore the next morning wee drew up to it and summoned it but the Governour Captain Dauret refused thereupon wee prepared for a storm being ready to fall on gave a second summons which was hearkned unto a parley admitted and the Castle delivered up and is now Garrisoned by us One of these Castles commands all Cordale a rich and fertill part of the County the other secures all Stretonsdale so that Ludlow is blockt up on this side and hath only Hereford to range
costliest Capitall-Letters of Gold I mean that most memorable Victory at Naseby in Northamptonshire given by our good God to his vaâ—iant and virtuous his gallant and godly servant Sir Thomas Fairfax the Parliaments most renowned Generall In the excellent successes of the Parliaments forces against their Enemies in Shropshire And the sacred and solemn celebration of a Day of Thanksgiving to our all-good-giving God for that foresaid great Victory in speciall And the Parliaments honourable gratitude to Gods Instruments therein A rare and right way to beget more blessings In the most happy regaining of Leicester out of the Harpeian-hands of Enemies And the triumphant conduction of the Naseby Prisoners to London there to bee kept in custody yet used there with Christian mercy and clemency In our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotlands neerer advance unto us to help the Lord against the Mighty Together with that brave defeat given to our Enemies by the Garrison of Wareham in the Wâ—st And valiant Colonell Joneses also against our adversaries in Cheshire In the Lords admirable good providence in bringing to light and publike knowledge the Kings and Queenes most ungodly designes for the ruinating of all their 3 late most flourishing Kingdomes by the happy apprehension of the Kings Cabinet of Letters Together with the continued good successe of our forces in Sâ—ropshire in the taking of Stokesey Castle Caus-Castle and Heighworth in Wiltshire In the most serious and sanctmonious rumination and recogitation of all which most rich and rare Parliamentary Mercies and Victories most sweet and singular passages and fair footsteps of divine providence and preservation O how should our hearts bâ—e râ—nzed and raised up to an exceeding high pitch of praise and incessant and redundant gratitude to our so good so great so gracious God who hath so gloriously and so graciously wrought all these great things for us especially that most famous and glorious and never sufficiently to bee admired mercy in Nasebies admirable and most advantageous Victory Concerning which O how can England greatly beloved England though most ungratefull and sinfull England but in infinitely bound and unbounded-exultation and admiration confesse and say with the Holy Prophet that The Lord went forth in this famous fight as a mighty man stirring up jealousie and wrath as a man of Warre and mightily prevailing against his enemies By whom the terrible one is brought to nought the scorners are consumed and all that maliciously watched for iniquity and blood are righteously cut off And therefore I say O how justly may wee heer take up that of the pious Prophet David and with him most cordially sing and say If it had not been the Lord who was on our side now may England say if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when men rose up against us They had swallowed us up quick when their rage and wrath was kindled against us Then the waters had overwhelmed us Yea the proud waves had gone over our Soules But blessed O for ever blessed bee the Lord who hath not given us as justly for our sins hee might a prey to their mouthes For our Soule is escaped as a bird out of the snare and all our help stands in the name of the Lord Hallelujah therefore Hallelujah praised and ever blessed and glorified bee the name of the Lord. ANd now to proceed in our farther progresse to the continued contemplation of this admirable still continued wonder of the Burning-Bush Vnconsumed and therein of the rich and rare mercies of our ever blessed and bountifull God the unexhaustible fountain of all goodnesse to us his English Israel And first I shall acquaint the Reader that whiles our most miserably seduced King was fleeting from place to place between Bristoll and the Forrest of Dean c. and taking fierce and furious illegall courses to recruite his mangled Army even almost quite broken in peices at Nasebies famous fight among the poore and perplexed inhabitants of Herefordshire Worcester and such parts of Gloucestershire as hee had any power in to strengthen and revive his now gasping and neer expiring desperate designes in the West with Goring and Greenvill devillish Dives and the rest In this interim I say our most pious and prudent Parliament had Ordered by a speciall Ordinance from the House of Commons that the Assembly of Divines at Westminster should upon Tuesday the first of this instant July seek the Lord our God for his continued ayd and assistance in blessing the proceedings of our forces then also gathering into the West in a set day of Humiliation in the City of London which was accordingly performed by divers of the most eminent Members of the said Assembly who all that day did Preach and Pray in these following places Viz. In the Abbey at Westminster in Christ-Church in London Black-Fryers Dunstans West Dunstans East Michael Cornhill Olaves Southwark Algate and Aldermanbury A Jove oâ—ne principium And are not those works like to prosper indeed which are begun in the Lord Yes certainly as now wee shall yet farther illustrate and set forth in their subsequent and most proper places And much about the very same time there being a strong suspition of dangerous persons to lurk and lye hid and harboured in a house in Long-Acres neer Covent Garden which had been the House of one Mr. Catesby where once the Popes Nuncio lay and was entertained this House I say being suspected was suddenly searched by authority thereunto given and there they found and apprehended at least 29 or 30 Carts load of Papists and pernicious Malignants goods to a great value being very much thereof rich goods indeed which was all taken away and carryed to Haberdashers-Hall or to Cambden-House There was among them also very much Popish apish trumpery as Crucifixes Images and many Popish Books which were laid up and kept till a due time to bee reduced into ashes by the fire the best use that could bee made of such Romane Babylonish babyish fooleries and the rest of the goods to bee sold to the best advantage and the money to bee disposed of by Order of Parliament for the use and supply of the Parliaments Garrisons and forces in the West About the 4 of this instant our most loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland published a most pious and modest Remonstrance which they had lately before sent and for certain had presented to the King himself wherein they shewed themselves full of godly zeale and fidelity to God the King and Parliament of England which being singularly worthy of speciall notice but too large to bee heer inserted at full as it was delivered I shall heer only for brevities sake give the godly Reader some of the most memorable passages or heads thereof which were to this effect First that his Majesty would bee pleased to call to minde their oft neglected addresses to him heretofore and after their prayers to
to draw them from their place of refuge and to gaine more miles to follow the pursuite which by Gods mercy they resolutely intended Now the Enemy thinking all their own came on as farre as Wolverhampton after him where the brave Colonell facing about and giving them a violent charge brake quite through them and charging them again hee absolutely routed them and took many prisoners among whom were 2 Captains 3 Leivtenants and other Officers about 60 horse and much Armes all which hee brought safely into Stafford And much about the foresaid time wee had certain intelligence by Letters from that much honoured Patriot Sir William Armyne and Mr. Henry Darley and the rest of the Commissioners of the North that the Town of Carlile which had divers weeks been besieged by a party of the Scottish Army under the Command of the noble Earl of Callender was now surrendred to our said Brethren of Scotland upon Articles of agreement viz. in breif that Sir Thomas Glemham then Governour thereof and his Souldiers should march with their Armes to Newark c. But that they left behinde them in the Town great store of Armes and Ammunition 20 peices of Ordnance and much other good provision About the 8 instant wee were certainly informed that shortly after the good successe of our Shrewsbury forces in the taking of Caus-Castle forementioned valiant Colonell Mackworth marched to Shrawarden-Castle where after summons and some shot sent forth a parley was offered and accepted and the said Castle on conditions surrendred to him wherein they found some competent store of Armes one Drake and much other good provision and the Enemy therein being about 300 in number were sent away to Ludlow as they desired and our forces presently after this with valiant Colonell Mackworth marched to Higharchall Castle And about the 10 of this instant July wee had certain information by Letters out of the West that the Right honourable and most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax and ever to bee honoured Major Generall Massey being happily conjoyned with their forces into one body at Branford they now marched forward to Taunton and understanding by their Scouts in what posture the Enemy was now a third time sate down about that notable eye-sore of theirs terribly maligned Taunton they advanced toward them But Goring hearing of Sir Thomas his approach drew off to Chard and not daring to fight drew off all his Army from before Taunton and marched quite away from them whereby that brave Town and the thousands of most precious Soules therein were now a third time blessed bee the Lord clearly set at Liberty from farther fear and danger of those their base and barbarous blood-thirsty Enemies who like devouring Locusts had lyen long lurking about their parts and quarters in greedy gaping hope every day to have eaten them up But who being thus happily driven away the Country round about came in unto them most joyfully with all kinde of provisions in abundance whereby they had presently a most plentifull Market kept among them The preservation of this Town was indeed of very great concernment and most worthily to bee accounted no lesse than a marveilous mercy from heaven and therefore to give the Lord our God all due honour and praise for the same And withall wee may not neglect his instruments therein but in the next place highly praise and prize their love and labours especially heer also to make particular mention of the ever to bee honoured Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax who after so much hardship in Marches Siege and Battail in so short a time trod so much ground as to come so seasonably to the releif of so many brave spirited and undaunted resolved Souldiers and honest-hearted inhabitants who with so much difficulty and in much want of necessaries had maintained themselves and defended the Town against a very potent and most pestilent and blood-thirsty Atheisticall adversary About the same time also came certain intelligence unto us by Letters out of Gloucestershire that a party of the Parliaments forces being before Barkley Castle at a distance to keep in the Enemy from ranging abroad there being about 15 or 16 horse that were as Sentinels attending the Castle the Enemy prepared a party from within of about 300 horse and foot and came forth thinking to surprize the said Sentinells but those few horse discovering the Enemies approach unto them took the best advantage they possibly could and bravely defended themselves till the alarm came to the rest of their horse who thereupon came in speedily to their rescue and fell upon the Enemy with much courage and routed them killed 16 in the place whereof 2 were forward Captains many were wounded and about 40 taken prisoners Sir Charles Lucas the Governour of the Castle was there in person in the fight and escaped with a wound as wee were informed wee took also at the same time 30 horse and upward and a 100 Armes and pursued the Enemy to the very Castle-gates and in this brave service wee lost not above 3 men And thus wee see the Lord does great things for us every day ever magnified bee his name therein And about the 12 instant divers Gentlemen and others of the City of Westminster came to the Parliament and presented a petition to the House of Commons in the name of the whole City of Westminster setting forth the great happinesse and priviledge they now enjoy by the care of the Parliament and unwearied paines of the Divines of the Assembly that preach the morning Lecture weekly at the Abbey in Westminster whereby many that lived in Darknesse and Ignorance for many yeares together doe now see the light of the Gospel more clearly and plainly than ever their humble suite to the House was that the said Ministers so preaching weekly viz. Dr. Stanton Mr. Marshall Mr. Nye Mr. Palmer Mr. Hill and Mr. Whittaker may have a competent maintenance allowed them out of the Revenues of the late Dean and Chapter of the said Abbey that so they may in some measure bee enabled to subsist and encouraged to goe on in this great work of converting and bringing Soules daily nearer to God After reading of this Petition and debate thereupon an Ordinance was read and Committed to a Committee for regulating the Colledge of Westminster after which the House gave Order the Petitioners should bee called in before the House where Mr. Speaker in the Name and by command of the whole House informed the Petitioners that the House had read and debated their Petition and had likewise read an Ordinance for regulating the Colledge of Westminster and had put them both in a way to their satisfaction and returned them the thanks of that House for their care and zeale for the publike Much also about the foresaid time wee received certain information by Letters from Abbington of the prosperous successe and brave exploits of our forces under the command of that
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
Army in order to settling the peace of this Kingdom the Generall in pursuance of his first opinion moved again to storm the Town for that hee was certainly informed they had Victualls and would bee a work of time to gain it It was unanimously at last agreed unto that is to storm it this morning about two of the clock Yesterday being the Lords day Mr. Peters in the forenoon and Mr. Bolls in the afternoon applyed themselves to the encouragement of the Souldiers on any design they went about to look upon Christ in all their actions and to bee valiant in his Cause and about 7 at night our Foot being drawn out and those that commanded the Storm and Forlorn Master Peters in the field gave them an exhortation to doe their duties and God enabled them accordingly For this morning July 21. about two a clock the Generals Regiment began the storm being seconded by others and gave not over till they were atop of the Works with their Colours and gained the peices that plaid upon them and let down the Bridge whereupon Captain Reynolds a valiant young Gentleman entred with a Forlorn-Hope of horse scoured the Streets and beat them out of the hither Town into the further our Pikes standing bravely to the horse This possessed the Enemy with that fear being much perplexed at our taking the hither Town and 500 prisoners that were part of those that maintained the hither Workes That the Enemy for the most part quitted the Line on the other side where wee were in hope the other part of our Force had stormed the Town and entred but they only gave an hot alarm while wee stormed it seems being not then ready for it though the time agreed on so wee lost the carrying the whole Town this time The prisoners being brought to the Church above 500 in all with Officers 2 Leivtenant Colonells they assured they wanted not Ammunition nor Victuals only meat for Horses and Cattle wee lost not 20 men in the storm though in mans judgement such was the fiercenesse of it for an houre one would not think lesse than a 1000 could bee slain It was dark and it so pleased God that they shot over for the most part There was not one Officer of note slain though many in person led on their men and did gallantly as Leivtenant Colonell Jackson Leivtenant Colonell to the Generall and Colonell Hewson of Colonell Pickerings Regiment The Enemy being still hardned in heart was so far from yeelding that with Granadoes and other things they fired that part of the Town wee were in and hardly left 3 houses standing this much inâ—aged our men to see their villany and the Generall not a little troubled to see a Town destroyed summoned it once more sending his Trumpet about 5 in the evening they within were so peremptory that they would not so much as offer to come to a treaty whereupon the Generall commanded the Town to bee stormed on the other side the morrow morning July 22. Tuesday at the dawning of the day the Generall as the night before in person gave order for the forces on this side to give a fierce alarm with great and small shot while they on the other side fell on which on our side was done with great resolution and but that the tide was up wee might alone have gained the Town They on the other side again failing to fall on only giving an alarm God by his providence so ordering it that something was wanting and I hope in the Lord it was for the best and for the preservation of many a mans life For this day the hot alarm working nothing upon them which indeed was almost a second storm the Generall was enraged against them and lest the innocent should suffer among the nocent sent a Trumpet to the Governour to let all women and children come out of the Town by 4 a clock this afternoon And accordingly the Lady Governesse one too guilty of the misery of that place the Lady Hawley Mistris Marre and divers others came out this being done our great Guns and Morter-peices with fire-bals hot Irons c. plaid against the Town and instantly fired it in 3 places the wind being great increased the fire and all on a flame on a sudden such a terrour it wrought upon them that Tom Elliot came running out to the Generall for a parley The Generall answered him the Governour refused it the last night and now that hee had brought this misery on himself the Generall would not admit of a Treaty yet if hee would submit to mercy hee should have it in the mean time till hee returned a speedy and positive answer if any Souldier in the Town offered to take off a slate on the house or quench the fire our Souldiers cryed the cessation should bee void and wee would take all advantages this so amazed them that instantly they came out and cryed mercy for the Lords sake so it was agreed on and quarter they have for their lives and have liberty to save the Town but as those lately come out say the Townesmen do not so fast quench the fire as the Souldiers within in despite of this Army set it on fire in fresh places I heard Sir John Hele Mr. Speke and other of the Commissioners say there are about 40 peices of Ordnance 40 hundred weight of Match powder proportionable victuals for 2000 souldiers for 4 Moneths 500 wee took the other day above 1000 yet within Commanders Reformadoes Gentlemen and fat Priests it s conceived above 200. Treasure in Plate rich Jewels c. conceived and estimated to bee worth at least an 100000 pound but all wee feared would bee consumed with the fire The works of the Town wee found to bee as strong as any in England the Moat was very deep yet our foot most fearlesly waded through all the bridges failing but one and so wee got over It was also about 30 foot wide This bearer saw the storm before hee came away bee pleased Sir to move for a reward for his paines July this 22. 1645. at 12 at night July 25. 1645. ORdered by the Commons Assembled in Parliament that this Letter concerning the taking of Bridgewater bee forthwith Printed and published H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. There was taken in Bridgewater as followeth viz. Col. Windham the Governour Sir Hugh Windham his son Sir John Digbey who as it was reported dyed in the Town Sir Francis Courtney Tho. Elliot and 2 or 3 other Knights 6 Colonells 14 Leivtenant Colonells and Sergeant Majors 100 Captains Leivtenants and other Officers 40 Gentlemen of note 42 Peices of Ordnance one of which was the Lord Generalls Warning-peice taken in Cornwall and another P. Ruperts pocket-pistoll 5000 Armes 800 Horse 2000 Prisoners 600 Oxen 10 Load of Ammunition 40 Tun of Match all Gorings Carriages bagge and baggage a 100000 pounds worth of treasure 4 Moneths provision in the Town The Messenger that brought the news was called
into the House of Commons and had 30 pound given him as a reward The Enemy quitted 3 small Garrisons neer Bridgewater upon the taking thereof And that which yet more excellently and eminently sweetens this great mercy unto us was that it pleased the Lord who is the only true God that heares prayers that this great blessing was granted unto us upon Tuesday July the 22. which was a day set apart in London in a speciall manner to seek the Lord by prayer and humiliation for this very thing which I say the Lord gave in unto us on the same day wee sought it as a most certain and blessed return of Prayer O who then would not still and for ever trust such a gracious God and benigne and bountifull Lord and Master And heer also I have fit opportunity to give my Reader one note more touching this businesse of Bridgewater viz. That one Mr. Peters being sent from thence by Sir Tho. Fairfax our most renowned Generall with his own Letter to the Parliament for the confirmation of the truth of the premises touching the storming and winning of Bridgewater Hee also brought with him 3 Commissions out of the West which hee then also presented to the House of Commons The Contents of which were from the Prince to one Mr. Philips a Gentleman of that Country to raise a Regiment of horse a Regiment of foot and a Regiment of Dragoones The Commissions were dated in January last There were likewise other papers from the said Prince Charles by which the whole design of the Clubmen was made manifest and how they were drawn into a snare to fight against the Parliament and to gather themselves together in such a mutinous manner and into disorderly bodies without any heads till Commanders were sent and set over them But as in part yee have heard it pleased the Lord to frustrate their policies and to bring their mischeif upon their own heads apparently seen by the late comming in of the Sommersetshire Clubmen to the assistance of our noble Generall Sir Thomas and their late frequent galling of Gorings Army But now to proceed See still good Reader the admirable and unexhaustible bounty of our good God for the taking of Bridgewater was not all the good news which this 26 day of July produced unto us for on the very same day Sir Rowland Edgerton who came with a Letter out of the North intimating the surrender of the strong Castle of Pontefract was also called into the House of Commons to relate the manner of it which hee did and had thanks returned by the House for his speciall service and diligence in it When hee came away our Souldiers had entred the Castle wherein was exceeding great store of treasure and much Ammunition The particulars of the surrender of which said Castle was thus related in a Letter sent from the Committee at York to the Parliament To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons SIR VVEE thought fit the last week to summon Pontefract-Castle which caused the Enemy to desire a Treaty Whereupon Colonell Wastell Col. Copley Col. Overton Col. Bright or any three of them were authorized to treat and this day it was agreed that the Castle shall bee delivered up to the use of the Parliament to morrow at 8 of the clock in the morning with all the things therein save that the Officers were allowed to carry away what is properly their own so that it exceed not what a cloak-bagge will contain and the Souldiers to march to Newark with 200 Muskets and 200 Pikes Wee consented to so good conditions because the Plague was very hot in the Countrey and especially in that Town of which some of our Souldiers are dead Wee are also in Treaty with Scarborough which wee hope shortly will bee reduced Thus much wee thought fit to give you notice of desiring the House may bee acquainted therewith From Your very affectionate Friends and humble Servants Francis Pierrepont Wilfrid Lawson Henry Cholmley York the 20 of July 1645. And upon the 28 instant wee received most certain intelligence by Letters out of the North of the happy surrender also of the strong Castle of Scarborough to that most valiant and brave Commander and loyall Patriot Colonell Boynton who lay before it as Commander in cheif of those forces since the decease of that thrice noble and renowned Souldier and pious Cornelius Sir John Meldrum Which said strong Castle was surrendred on fair conditions Viz. That Sir Hugh Cholmley that wicked Apostate should march out with his forces to Newark if hee pleased or bee transported into Holland which indeed hee desired In the Castle hee left great store of Armes and Ammunition and 25 peices of Ordnance And about the 29 of this instant July came certain intelligence to the House of Commons in Parliament by Letters from the Scottish Army at Ludbury in Wales concerning the taking in of Cannon-Froom a strong and considerable Garrison of the Enemies which was taken by assault in which storm at least 70 of the Enemies were slain and but 8 of the Scots and some 20 hurt The Governour Colonell Barnold was therein taken prisoner and mortally wounded in the fight together with Captain Brisk Captain Houk and 30 other prisoners and all the Ordnance Armes and Ammunition therein seized on for the King and Parliament And the House of Commons had debate touching this and all the good service of our loyall Brethren of Scotland and Ordered that a Letter of Thanks should bee sent to the Earl of Leven signed by Mr. Speaker in acknowledgement of his faithfull Service for this Kingdom and farther therefore Ordered that a Jewell of 500 pound should bee with all covenient speed sent to the Earl of Leven and bee bestowed upon him as a badge of favour and respects from Both Houses of Parliament to his Excellency for the unwearyed and faithfull services since his comming over with the Scots Army into this Kingdom An excellent way by gratitude to spurre on the spirits and fasten the affections of our Souldiers to goe on in their fidelity and industry for the prosperous advance of the affaires of the Kingdom And about the same time wee received certain assurance by Letters out of the West that the forces of that gallant Garrison of Lyme had taken Chadwick-House belonging to Count Arundell a great Papist a place that did much mischeif and annoyance to those parts and lay within 6 miles of Lyme There were above an 100 prisoners and their Armes taken in it 30 horse 3 barrels of powder and good store of other provisions and Ammunition Much also about the same time wee were certainly informed of the rendition and delivering up of Rabby Castle in Durham upon faire and easie Articles or conditions viz. The Officers to march away with their Armes to Newark that cage of unclean birds and the common Souldiers with their lives only
of the State in those parts the House ordered that 2000. l. should be charged in course upon the receipt of the Excize with consideration also for forbearance thereof for the speedy supply of the Forces under the command of the said Col. Generall And for the encouragement and at a gratuity to the said Noble 〈◊〉 and Faithfull Colonell Genrall Laughorne the House ordered That the Estate of John â—arlow of 〈◊〉 Gentleman who had been long in actuall Armes against the Parliament shall be setled by Ordinance of Parliament upon the said Col. Generall and his Heires The House also Ordered That the Ministers of the severall Churches and Chappels in London Westminster and 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 should the next Lords day give thanks to Almighty God for the happy successe of our Forces in clearing the whole County of Pembroke for the surrender of the 〈◊〉 and of Lacock-House also in Wiltshire and it was ordered That the Lord Major of the City of London should give timely notice thereof accordingly About the 28. instant came certain intelligence by Letters out of Cheshire to the Parliament of a very great and notable Victory which our good God was graciously pleased to give to their Forces under the Command of valiant active and loyall Major Generall Pointz against the Forces of the King within three or foure miles at the 〈…〉 of the City of Chester the manner whereof was in briefe thus The King resenting the great danger he was in of the utter losse of Westâ—hester which in all probability was like suddenly to come to passe if speedy reliefe came not unto them Our Forces which besieged them since the taking of the Suburbs thereof having by their batterâ—es made a breach in the Wall and purposing 〈…〉 The King I say having knowledge of this their danger resolved with what strength he possibly could make presently to advance thither and with between â— and 5000 Horse and Dragoones part whereof he had drayned out of many of his Garrisons made all the speed he could to come timely to their help In which interim Major Generall Poyntz who indeed hath deserved much honour for his constant activity in the whole Service and resolution as I told you before most diligently to attend the Kings Motions having intelligence hereof and renowned Colonell Rossiter with his Horse being come up to Generall Poyntz and the Scottish and Cheshire Horse being joyned with them they all thus conjoyned together marched away with extraordinary expedition for Westhester and went on without any possible intermission day and night to get before the King and withall in his way took in a strong House with a Draw-Bridge moated which stood in the way of his march in lesse than an houres space And after a very hard march as I said day and night on the 24 of Septemb. in the morning his van curriers discovered the Enemy upon a Moore or Heath within three or foure miles at most of Chester called Rowton-Moore Whereupon notwithstanding his former tedious and even overtyring marches of neere upon 300 miles not resting above a day in a place together with divers difficulties which he was forced to passe through and all this to prevent or at least overtake the King yet I say notwithstanding all these he immediately drew into order and advanced upon them though all his forces were not then come up together for he supposed and hoped to take the Enemy at unawares it being probable they could have no intelligence of his being so neare though it proved otherwise for his Letters written that night to the Commander within the out-Lines of Chester giving notice of his advance were intercepted and the Enemy being possessed of the advantage of ground and in order confronted our Van led by Colonell Hugh Bethell in the middest of a Lane betwixt two Moores covered with the armed men of both Baâ—taliaes where was given a very sharp and gallant charge by both parties for after Pistols were discharged at half Pikes distance they disputed the matter with their Swords a full quarter of an houre neither yeelding ground to other till at length the Enemy was forced to retreat whom our men pursuing were re-encountred by a fresh reserve at the Lanes mouth and they were likewise discomfited and a third but being over powred were in the end forced to retreat through the Laneâ— uncapable of receiving a Reserve to second them here we had some losse the Enemy pursuing to the Lanes end but were beaten back for there was space for our Reserves to advance Colonell Bethell and Colonell Graves were then sore wounded after this the Generall perceiving the Enemy lay upon his advantage onely skirâ—â—â—ed him with some flying parties while he held correspondency with his friends in Chester Suburbs whose signe was the discharge of two peeces of Ordnance when they would issue out with Horse and Foot to joinâ— with him upon whose appearing the Enemy quitted their station and the Generall with a party advanced to take the most convenient ground giving command in Colonell Parsons Quartermaster generall of the Army Colonell Sandies who performed the duty of Commissary Generall of the Horse during the aforesaid march being then imployed to the Committee of both Kingdoms to order up the rest which was opportunely done for they joyned with the Auxiliary forces of Horse and Foot in the enemies ground and were drawn into many small Divisions and Reserves being much overnumbred by the Enemy who accompted themselves 5000 Horse and Generall Poyntz not above 2500 Horse besides two small bodies of Foot who were disposed in the two outmost intervals of Horse upon the very instant of this juncture the Enemy advanced with their whole Body and the Generall leaving the charge of the reserves to Colonell Parsons tooke care of and led up the Van Divisions with which after a round volly of shot from the Foot he joyned battell charging the Enemy in Front and Flanck where his horse was deeply wounded on the head being continually seconded with reserves as often as there was occasion the rest being kept intire followed at a due distance The prevailing Generall put the Enemy to a totall rout and although the pursuit was as hot as could be expected from such wearied Horse thorow narrow durty lanes and over ditches the Enemy rallied in a great moore wide of Chester in two vast bodies a great distance assunder the first not without some dispute were again routed and the other likewise who retreated upon the Warwick Regiment with such violence as bore them away confusedly intermixed with the flying Enemy up to the out-Works of the Suburbs the Musketeers within were never the lesse liberall of their Gunshot but the Divine providence appeared much in the distribution of the impartiall Bullets few or none lighting upon our men though many of the Enemy were found there expiring A Body of horse all the while of these last
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
the next morning and thence to Sherburne where they met with a Countryman who told them that our men were prepared for their coming as so indeed a party of ours were of about 800 Foot and some Horse upon whom the Enemy fiercely falling being but a handfull to them they soone routed the Horse beat Colonell Wrens Regiment at the North side of Sherburne and tooke all the Foot Prisoners disarmed them all presently and laid their Armes in a great heap in Sherburme street till they could get Carriages to take or send them away for their further use But we having certain intelligence hereof marched thither with all speed and being now come to Sherburne we drew up our Horse and ordered them into bodies for Charges and Reserves But here first we fell into a great strait for we durst not march thorow Milford fearing the Enemies with their Dragoones for we heard they had such but they had none might have put us into disorder but above the Towne through the hedges which also was some inconvenience we were forced whom we came neare Sherburne and the Enemy drawing out against us to draw over a narrow way through an impossable Brooke which we knew not of having much adoe thereby to bring our bodies againe into order which truly might have occasioned the losse of the day unto us had not the Enemy been somwhat too late being busie with their Armes and Prisoners taken in the Towne as God had wisely disposed of it for us in drawing out of the Towne So thus then by Gods assistance I brought up against every of the Enemies bodies as neer as I could a body of ours and resolutely faced them in the Field both parties striving who should be soonest in Battalia But here let me give thee good Reader a sight of Sir Marmaduke Langdales Speech made to his Souldiers in the Field before the Fight began which came to my hand and was unquestionably a true Copy of the substance thereof and this it was Gentlemen YOu are all gallant men and have done bravely but there are some that seeke to scandalize your gallantry for the losse of Naseby Field but I hope you will redeem your reputation and still maintaine that gallant report which you ever had I am sure you have done such businesses as never have been done in any war with such a number your march from Oxford first beating of Rossiter and the reliefe of Pomfret the like I believe was never done And I hope you are Gentlemen and that you will still maintaine it and redeeme that which you have lost For mine owne part I will not have you upon any designe but where I will lead you my self And thus now I say he led them on into the Field Now the Enemy being also much flusht and incouraged with their late good successe against us charged valiantly upon us and ours answered them with as brave gallantry as could be at first the left wings on both sides were routed but in the conclusion our Reserves coming on so seasonably and couragiously the Enemy was forced to flie and we by Gods blessing got the day though I must confesse divers of our Horse as I toucht before were routed at first and the mischiefe fell most upon my Regiment who charged the onely gallant men the Reformadoes that the Enemy had One of their chiefe Commanders the Lord Digby by name was wounded as we were credibly informed and Sir Marmaduke Langdale himself also had foure Pistols fired upon him but whether he was wounded or not was then uncertaine unto us But the Victory was clearly ours ever magnified and praised be our great and gracious God and we solely kept the Field and pursued the Enemy at least three miles together Many prisoners were taken we believe 400 at least Sir Richard Hutton was slaine upon the place whose Corps his kinred having protection thereunto buried in the place he formerly had desired to be laid in I have here sent the List of their slaine and prime prisoners taken by us which you shall receive by Colonell Lilburne Many of our men were wounded but hardly ten slaine This was certainly a great businesse and a rare mercy unto us for the Enemy made themselves absolutely sure to have been in the City of Yorke that night or the next day at farthest but now they are scattered blessed be the Lord for it And that which was not the least part of our Victory we recovered againe all our men and Arms which they had before taken from us in Sherburne as also the prevention of the Enemies intended march to Montrose in Scotland which with the taking of Yorke in the way was the maine designe which the Enemy eagerly aimed at in this their thus undertaken march Not unto us Lord not unto us but to thy name alone we give as most due all the honour and glory hereof Honourable Gentlemen your desire of a full relation hath made me thus tedious for which I crave your pardon I shall present your Order to the Officers and Souldiers in the expression of your good acceptance of this our Service and your farther intended care for us And for the present I rest Your most humble Servant Chr. Copley Octob. 16. 1645. A List of the prime Prisoners and of the Prizes taken at this Battell at Sherburne on Wednesday Octob. 15. 1645. about foure of the Clock in the afternoone COl Sir Francis Anderson Col. Bulmer Col. Chayton Col. Carnaby Lieut. Col Matthew Wentworth Lieut. Col. Gordon Major Graythorn Captaine Leneon Master of the Ordnance Capt. James Cholmley wounded Capt. Marshall wounded Capt. Pudsey wounded And foure Captains more Capt. Lieut. Salter Lieut John Turner and divers other Reformadoes Master Duke Tunstall a great Papist Mr. Clavering Mr. Lowither Col. Sir Francis Carnaby slaine Col. Sir Richard Hutton slaine and 40 more Mr. Slingsby sore wounded Col. Clavering and Carnabyes Colours taken with divers other Colours Lord Digbyes Coach and the Kings Surgeon in it but eespecially his Cabinet wherin were divers Letters some wherof of great cōsequence written in a new Character the Character also found which could open all Much gallant Pillage We lost not ten men but many wounded The Enemie were about 1600 intended for Montrosse ours about 2250. About sixe hundred of the Enemy gone towards Skipton 300 or 400 Troopers taken about six hundred Horses 40 slaine and many wounded The Countesse of Nidsdale taken and some other Ladies About October 24 we received certaine intelligence by Letters from the most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax his Excellency to the Parliament as also by other unquestionable informations out of the West of the taking of the Towne Church and Castle of Tiverton by his Excellencies Forces in those parts the manner whereof in briefe was thus faithfully related Upon Thursday Octob. 16. Major Generall Massie was ordered by the Generall to advance to Tiverton
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
memorable Parliamentary Mercies of this next ensuing Moneth also of Novem. 1645. with a most notable evidence and testimony of the most prudent and provident care and vigilancy of our Parliamentary Senators for the good and welfare of the Kingdome every way in two memorable Ordinances of Parliament ratified by the Lords and 〈◊〉 The one giving power to the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall in London to tender the Solemne League or Covenant to all persons comming unto them out of the Kings Quarters to compound for their Delinquency And the other for the enabling of the Commissioners of the Great Seal and the other Committees in their severall Counties to tender an Oath to all such persons of what degree or quality soever that shall come into the Parliaments protection Both which Ordinances together with the foresaid Oath I have thought fit for the Readers better content and satisfaction here to insert as they were printed and published by authority of Parliament which were as followeth Die Sabbathi 1 Novemb. 1645. An Order of the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled giving Power to the Committee of Gold-Smiths-Hall to tender the solemne League and Covenant to all such Persons that come out of the Kings Quarters to compound for their Delinquency ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled That the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall shall have Power to tender the solemne League and Covenant to all persons that come out of the Kings Quarters to that Committee to compound either upon Master Speakers Passe or otherwise and to secure such as shall refuse to take the Covenant untill they shall conforme thereunto Joh. Brown Cler Parliamentorum Die Sabbathi 5. April 1645. BE it Ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That all and every person of what degree or quality soever that hath lived or shall live within the Kings quarters or beene syding assisting or adhering unto the Forces raised against the Parliment and hath or shall come to inhabit or reside under the power and protection of the Parliament shall sweare upon the holy Evangelist in manner following I A. B. doe sweare from my heart That I will not directly nor indirectly adhere unto or willingly assist the King in this War or in this Cause against the Parliament nor any Forces raised without the consent of the two Houses of Parliament in this Cause or Warre And I doe likewise sweare that my comming and submitting my selfe under the power and protection of the Parliament is without any manner of designe whatsoever to the prejudice of the proceedings of the two Houses of this present Parliament and without the direction privity or advice of the King or any of his Councell or Officers other than what I have now made known So help me God and the Contents of this Booke About the 2 of this instant November wee received certaine intelligence by Letters from the Northern parts about Newark that the King being then in Newark and extreame stricktly eyed and watched by faithfull active Major Generall Poyntz and that he could not stir any whither but still the Major Generall was on his back molesting his designes and especially he at this time lying about Shelford House his Majestie fearing the Major General intended at last to lock him up within Newark walls and so at length to block him up for a siege The King therefore would very faine have beene nibling with him watching opportunity to dislodge him if it might be from so neere an offensive neighbourhood had therefore a purpose at least made a shew thereof to set upon the Major Generall in his quarters But the sedulous and watchfull Major Generall being too circumspect to be so caught asleepe upon his Couch of Security and having timely notice of a party of the kings out of Newark approaching toward him had his forces in a fit and defensive posture which also the enemy by their Scouts understanding immediately they turned their course back againe to Newark and durst doe nothing upon them Whereupon the noble and most active Genâ—rall resolved that now he would doe something on the Enemie and that to purpose too and thereupon fell close upon Shelford-House a strong Garison of the Enemies sent a Summons to the Governour which was flatly denyed by reason that they expected and made no doubt of speedy reliefe by Newark horse which as was briefly toucht before failed them they onely making a shew as if they would have helped them but presently faced about and very peaceably departed to Newark And now also the Major Generall having received an additionall strength from valiant and active Colonell Rossiter he presently on the foresaid deniall stormed the House and very resolutly got over the works which was indeed gallantly defended by the enemy and disputed most hotly on both sides for about halfe an howres space at the swords point the Enemie standing upon their honour fortunes and strength of their works chose rather to die in their obstinacie than to aske for quarter upon which their desperat pertinacy there being about 180 of them in the house most of them suffered by the edge of the sword for we slew above 140. and gave quarter not to above 30. or 40. at most among whom was the Governour Sonne to the Earle of Chesterfield who had received many dangerous wounds and some t was believed mortall Now this strong Garrison being thus subdued we had thereby much fairer oportunity and accommodation for the besieging of Newark but yet for the present Major Generall Poyntz his designe was next for Worton whereof more in its more proper place Much about the same time we had credible information by Letters out of the North that since the routing of that brave upstart Commander the Lord Digbies forces upon Câ—rlile-Sands forementioned His scattered forces which remained after that rout being afterward rallyed together againe into a body they marched toward Dumfreez in Scotland but were happily met with all againe some of them by Sir Iohn Browne of Fordell who fought with them put them to flight and took 100. more of them Another party of them that fled toward Beeston-Castle were incounâ—â—ed by Colonell Brigges and the Lancashire forces and 200 more were taken by 〈◊〉 also Likewise above 〈…〉 of them flying through 〈…〉 withall by Major Generall Van 〈◊〉 So that the 〈◊〉 party of 1600. of the Kings prime horse under the Conduct of Digby that 〈…〉 now turned 〈◊〉 Generall 〈◊〉 man was thus 〈◊〉 spoiled taken only Digby himself and Laâ—gdale the Lord 〈◊〉 Sir William 〈◊〉 and not to more as was credibly informed had the unhappy happines to prolong their shame and-miserie by escaping in a small Frigot or Cock-boat or some such like small vessell to the Isle of Man there to condole their distresse with their as unworthy and ignoble unsuccessefull Copesmate the Earle of Darby Governour of the said Isle And about the 3. Instant we were credibly informed
Garye Lieutenant Colonell to Sir Tibbot Bourk eldest Sonne to the Lord of Maye Richard Bourk Major to Richard Bourk the Earle of Clanrickards Heire and Sonne to Sir William Bourk Brother to the late Earle of Clanrickard Captaine William O Shaghuise brother to Sir Roger O Shaghuise Captaine Garret Dillon Sonne to Sir Lucas Dillon who saith that his Father was shot in the thigh Captaine Ro. Castallogh Killed Edward Brown Captaine of 100 Musketeers out of Galloway brother to Jeffery Brown the Lawyer Three Lieutenants of Foot Two Cornets Three Engines Killed also the Titular Archbishop of Tuain the Rebels president of Cannaught a principall incendiary in that Kingdome in whose pockets were found Letters and other papers of great importance and for his own particular an Order from the Councell of Kilkenny for leavying the arreares of his Bishoprick together with severall other prisoners of inferiour quality both of Horse and Foot and 22 or 23 were drowned And here now I shall desire the Reader by way of introduction to what I have further to say touching this Irish Victory and especially some of the Papers taken from this foresaid Archbishop of Tuain to take speciall notice of the admirable wisdome and providentiall mercy of the Lord unto us therein viz. That in regard of the wonderfull great and good successe which the Lord hath lately given to our Forces in the West of our owne Kingdome and the King finding what bad successe he hath of late had as well as all along indeed for the most part in all the parts of the Kingdome both West and North now therefore sent Letter after Letter to the Parliament for the procuring of a pretended well grounded Peace and the way nay forsooth the only way in the opinion of the subtill Oxonians that must lead thereto he propounded to be by a Treaty nay when that could not serve by a Personall Treaty in himself proffering himself to come in person to our Parliament But our prudent Parliament who by much experience knew very well of what danger and disadvantage such Treaties have been and this also of the Kings personall coming in this juncture of time would be both to foment pernicious delayes and abusive designes for raising desperate parties to spoile us all resolved therefore most peremptorily to go a neerer way to worke to wit by drawing up Bils and to present them to the King to have them immediately signed and made Acts. But now that the Reader I say may see how fairely the King meant both in sending Letters thus for a Treaty of Peace yea and proffering himself in person to treat of Peace I have here thought fit to set downe the substance of one of his Letters sent to the Parliament for this purpose verbatim and most faithfully as it was printed and published and therewith also a Declaration of his compacting with the Rebels in Ireland against God our Religion and his English Protestant Subjects yea the whole Kingdome and Parliament And then I say the impartiall Reader may see how crossely and craftily yet most accursedly things were carried underhand even with extream Atheisme and impiety and now I say for the full clearing hereof take here first a true Copy of the Kings Letter to our Parliament expressing his even greedy seeming desire of Peace with his Parliament and his Protestant People and then you shall have the other Letter or Declaration sent into Ireland and then be amazed and confounded in thy thoughts at such hideous and horrid yea even hellish dissimulation Upon Friday Jan. 16. another Trumpet for you must know by the way as I touched before divers former Trumpets and Messages had been sent came from the King with a Letter directed to the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore the substance of which Letter was C. R. HIs Majesty doth expresse his great wonder that whereas he had sent a gracious Message on the 26 of December last the subject whereof was for a Treaty for peace that the Parliament should returne no Answer to that Message ever since He much admired what should become of his Trumpeter whom he sent unto them in December last having heard 〈◊〉 newes of him since his departure from Oxford unto London He seemes to be very carefull of the Government of the Church and desireth that it may continue as in the dayes of Queen Elizabeth and King James of blessed and perpetuall memory yet he expresseth that because the Act it abolished for the use of the Booke of Common Prayer he is not altogether averse that the Directory shall passe as it is now used in some Churches of London and this He is content to condescend unto for the ease of tender consciences He maketh no question but that He shall give both his Houses of Parliament a full content for the choyce of the Lord Admirall and other Officers of State if He finds his Houses of Parliament inclinable to a Treaty for peace in which he intendeth to assist in Person He expresseth a speciall care to satisfie the Scots in their arreares and to discharge the expences of the City and for the businesse of Ireland He doubteth not but He shall give His Subjects of England perfect satisfaction Subscribed Given at our Court at Oxford Jan. 15. 1645. This is the substance of his Majesties Letter which though communicated by former pens was read in the House this day and it is the rather here inserted because you may see how crosse it is to His Majesties Letter sent to Ireland and sealed with his highnesse Signature and Royall Signet which Letter together with other papers of great concernment were found in the pocket of the Archbishop of Tuain slaine at Sligo in Ireland the tenour of which Letter was as followeth C. R. CHARLES by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith To our trusty and right well beloved cousin Edward Earle of Glamorgan greeting VVE reposing great and speciall trust and confidence in your approved wisdome and fidelity do by these as firmly as under our great Seale to all intents and purposes authorize and give you power to treat and conclude with the Roman Catholicks in our Kingdome of Ireland if upon necessity any thing be condescended to wherein our Lieutenant cannot so well be seen as not fit for us at the present publikely to owne We therefore charge you to proceed according to this our Warrant with all possible secrecy and for whatsoever you shall engage your self upon such valuable considerations as you in your judgement shall thinke fit we promise in the word of a King and a Christian to ratifie and performe the same that shall be granted by you and under your Hand and Seale the said Confederate Catholicks having by their supplies testified their zeale to our service and this shall be in each particular a sufficient Warrant to you Given at our Court at Oxford under our
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
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
who had suffered much and beene brought into great poverty and miserie by the enemies there And our most loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland kept the like solemn-day of Thanksgiving in their armie to blesse God with us for this great mercie unto us And see and admire as a farther ground of Thankefulnes and to raise up our Spirits to a higher pitch of bounden gratitude Even the very same morning that we were praising the Lord for that great mercy so graciously received there came yet more joyfull newes to the Parliament of a great overthrow given by his Excellency renowned Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Forces to the Enemy at Torrington in the West the particulars of which so memorable a victory cannot I conceive but be of most singular satisfaction to the Kingdome and people of God especially I shall therefore give the Reader a full and faithfull intimation thereof as it was sent in a Letter from a Gentleman of piety credit and eminency in his Excellencies Army and was read in the House of Commons Febr. the 20. which was as followeth SIR SAturday Febr. 14. our Army marched from Crediton and the quarters thereabout to Chimleigh Sunday they marched very early to a Rendezvouze some two miles in the way to Torrington with intention to have gone on but our Parties of horse bringing in some prisoners by whose examination we could not certainly learn which way the Enemy bent whereupon another party was sent out of Colonell Butlers Troope the forlorn of which party being twelve took twelve of the Lord Gorings Life-guard and 24 Horse and brought them to the Generall upon their examination it appeares the Enemy was ignorant of our motion The Lord Hopton was in Torrington And further that a party of the Enemies Horse was at Burrington the Generall sent a partie of Horse to meet with them under command of Captaine Barry who accordingly charged the Enemy put them to a rout shot Lieutenant Colonell Dundash a Renegado and of the Lord Cleevelands Brigade and tooke severall prisoners and brought Dundash three miles on the way but being mortally wounded was inforced to leave him at Ringdash a foot quarter of ours Also another party of Horse toward the East met with the Enemy taking some Prisoners and Horse and shot Major Bret by this time a Bridge was made up some two miles off Chimleigh so that our Army might with convenience march over but the day being so far spent it was not held fit to march with the whole Army so three Regiments of Horse and three of Foot marched some foure miles towards the Enemy that night the rest returned to Chimleigh with Orders to march Munday Feb. 16. the Generall with that part of the Army that was at Chimleigh marched up to the rest of the Army and within five miles of Torrington had a generall Rendezvouze both of Horse and Foot drew them up in Batalia and so marched up towards the Enemy When we came within two miles of Torringron our forlorne hope of Horse charged theirs put them to retreat whereupon they came on again with a very strong party and put ours to a stand the reserves of our forlorn being come up and some foot forced them to their Body againe our forlorn of horse pursued and alarmed them at Squire Rolls his house within a mile of Torrington where they began to fortifie but the Enemy perceiving our Foot came up quit the House and drew their Forces to Torrington and our forlorne of Horse advanced after them The Enemy drew their Foot out of the Town into the closes about a quarter of a mile our forlorn hope of Foot lined the hedges and so faced each other about two houres within halfe Musket shot eâ—changed many shot and there was then continuall skirmishing by the Forlornes and Reserves on both sides and some Prisoners taken by this time it began to be darke and a Councell of War was called whether to engage before day or not whereupon the Generall Lieutenant Generall with the rest of the Colonels deferred a Resolution a little time and rid to the forlorn hope to see in what posture they were while they were there the Tattoo was heard to beat in the Towne which assured us the Enemy continued in the Town not flying away as was reported but to be certaine six Dragoones were commanded to creep under a hedge neer the Barracadoes and to give fire to see whether they would answer by which we might know whether they stood to defend the Towne The Enemy received the charge and answered it with a very sharp volley of shot Our forlorn hope seeing the Dragoons engaged gave fire whereupon the Enemy gave fire all along the hedges and Works thereupon the Reserve to the forlorn came on to relieve them and so being engaged the whole Army advanced and about eight at night the battell began some six fields from the Town and we fought from hedge to hedge untill we beat them into their Barracadoes which they maintained for an houre after very resolutely our men being often repulsed yet at last got over the Barracadoes and forced the Enemy into the Town whereupon the Horse were let in who scouring the streets were received by the Enemy and a hot charge given by both parties yet it pleased God at the last we do 〈◊〉 them out of the Barracadoes at the furthest end of the Towne and by this time many prisoners were taken and put into the Church but farre more escaped being darke over the hedges and by-wayes which was not possible for us to prevent throwing downe their Arms and every man flying severall waies Our Forces were no sooner possest of the Towne but the Enemies Magazine which they left in the Church was fired whether on purpose by the Enemy or by accident we cannot yet learne but it proved a terrible blow not only blazing up the Church with all the wood and lead that was upon it deforming many houses in the Town but killed some of the Prisoners in the Church and some of our men that were in the Church-Yard two great Webs of Lead fell within twice a Horse length of the Generall but it pleased God he escaped though in eminent danger many others being hurt both with the Timber Stones and Lead most of the Towne was shaken by this blow being the terriblest that hath been seen in the memory of man there being about 80 Barrels of powder blown up together and one barell which was blowne out of the Church into the streete which took not fire The Enemy perceiving their Magazine to be 〈◊〉 fired gave one charge more with their horse up to our Barracadoes commanded by Sir Iohn Digby but our Musketeers gave fire whereupon they tooke their farewell our first instantly advanced through the Towne after them and began the pursue about 11 of the clock at night Thus it hath pleased God in an instant to scatter those Forces of the Lord Hoptons his infantry being
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
Garrison of Abington into their consideration and it was ordered that monies should speedly be sent downe for the payment of it as indeed it most worthily deserved whom the Lord did most admirably assist and preserve from most dangerous and desperate ruine by a most furious assault so daily made upon them by the Enemy from Oxford whereof as this day we were given to understand and as by this ensuing Letter to renowned Major Generall Browne is most apparent even unto full satisfaction which was as followeth Honourable Sir I Had not an opportunity to send my Letters formerly written but now God hath afforded an accasion to speed away his Messenger on purpose to let you know that the last night the Enemy drew out of Oxford with a strong party of 1000 Horse and all the strength they could make of 〈◊〉 and notwithstanding all our parties abroad and our Horse Guard they came between Thrupp and Norcot to Barton House and kept covert till day light and lay still after the Ravalue was beaten and our out-Centinels called in and then suddenly arising out of their Ambushment taking the advantage our Works being caved out at the Spurr and other places forced our Guards beat them all from the Works entred above 300 men possest themselves of Abby-Guard Spur-Guard Wayne-Guard and Barne pressed hard towards the Prison where three of their men were slaine betweene Master Dues House and the Prison by which time we had taken the Alarm and our men were got together and made good the passage and then fearing least they should possesse themselves of Bore-Bridge and so let in their Horse which they had in great numbers about our Works I commanded a party toward the Bridge and lodged them in the old Redoubt at Bore-Lane end which was of much good use for us for by keeping that we kept the Town I also sent another party which did very good service at Wainyard In the 〈◊〉 time our Horse did most gallantly charge their Foot routed their Musketeers and we had doubtlesse taken most of them that were over the Work but that they were preserved by a strong body of their Pikes Major Blundell and Colonell Washburn came in unto us in good time charged gallantly through the thickest of them which so terrified them that being on all sides beset they quit their ground tumbled over the Works faster than they came in and besides them they carried away we took 13 prisoners of them There were slaine on our party but two Common Souldiers Captain Taylor Captain Maddocks Quartermaster Cox were dangerously wounded Major Blundell slightly hurt with a Halbert on the thigh Captain Keeling shot in the hand Colonell Washburn had his great bay horse slaine under him Quartermaster Arnot and Major Blundels Cornet Horses were slaine and many of our men sorely wounded The dispute was very harsh for the time but God gave our men such spirits that scorning death they resolved rather to lose their lives than the Towne and some of them fought most desperately in their shirts onely as they started out of their beds and could but snatch up their weapons and flie to their Horses Our Horse Guard that lay without Ockbridge ranne all away whether for feare of the Enemy or for feare of being called to an account for their neglect I know not they were part of Sussex Troop I desire you will please to order the Officers of Colonell Rainsboroughs Regiment to come down to look to their charge there being here but foure of tenne Commanders I am informed that the King hath sworne he will have Abbington and will fire it and that this night againe we shall be assaulted with 2500 men I doubt not if he come but he shall finde us better â—â—aided than before Sir I beseech you be pleased to hasten down some 〈◊〉 for the relief of our poore men whose necessities are great and their need of encouragement as great Sir I shall desire to approve my self to the utmost of my power Your Honours most humble Servant George Pain Abington March 2. 1645. And here good Reader I shall desire thee to take notice of Gods extraordinary providence in the preservation of this Town iâ— one especiall passage which was omitted in the Letter whereof I was credibly informed viz. That the Enemy having got the Magazine in their power or so neer it that they might have fired it yet were so confident that the Town was certainly theirs that though they might yet they therefore did not whereas I say had they doubted the taking of it they would no doubt have done it and then had irrecoverably mastered the Town our Souldiers not having above three charges of powder left them at that time and so might easily have been all destroyed and taken Besides had they taken this Town they would have first plundred it to purpose and carried away whatever was portable and worth having and then unquestionably have set the whole Town on fire as not being tenable by them as their case then stood the King at this time necessitated to draw all the Souldiers into the Field for the forming of a Field Army and not able to keep or increase Garrisons especially this Garrison at this time Therefore I say see what an admirable mercy and speciall providence and protection of the Lord was here seene to this Town and therefore what great praise and Thanksgiving is due to the Lord for the same But to goe on Upon the 4. of this instant we received the certaine intelligence and confirmation of the surrender of the strong Garrison of Ashbie de la Zouch to Leicester forces The conditions of the surrender were that Hastings alias the Lord of Loughborough together with his brother the Earle of Huntington and Colonell Perkins should have their estates unsequestred protections for their persons passes to go beyond Sea the rest of the Officers to have liberty to compound for their sequestration and passes if desired to go beyond Sea also and the Garrison to be slighted Too good Conditions indeed for such a desperate and wicked Rob-Caryer as Hastings was but that the Kingdome may be glad to be rid of such wretches The surrender was made accordingly on Munday the second instant We tooke therein 5. Peeces of Ordnance about 300. Armes little ammunition and no great store of other provisions A great mercy and mightie preservation of the peace and tranquility of all those ad-jacent Parts about it for which let God have all the due praise and glory About the 6. of this instant March we had farther certaine information of the singular good successe of our armie in the West passing on most prosperously by God Almightie guard and guidance The summe of which dayes intelligence was contained in these 2. ensuing Letters from Master Rushworth which was as followeth To the Honourable W. Lenthall Speaker to the Honourable House of Commons SIR IN my last I acquainted
Chaplaine 2000 armes at least and all their Ammunition Bag and Baggage A brave famous and most seasonable victorie it was indeed and a most hopefull way and meanes of a speedy end by Gods mercy of all the intestine warres and bloody broyles in the Kingdom to God alone be all the honour and glory thereof About the 26. of this instant March we received advertisement of the full disbanding of all Sir Ralph Hoptons forces in the West and divers other occurrents of our Armie there by Letters received from Truro to the honourable speaker of the House of Commons One of which Letters for the Readers better content and satisfaction I have here inserted Verbatim as it was printed and published which was as followeth SIR IN my last I gave you an account of the beginning to disband the Lord Hoptons Army I can now satisfie you of the conclusion of that great worke this day having put a period thereunto except two troops of the Princes Regiment under the Command of Sir Francis Mackworth which by reason of the darknesse of the night could not be conveniently dispatched and so put off till to morrow at seven of the clock by nine it will be done and presently after Proclamation is to be made for the Enemy or any belonging unto them immediatly to depart from Truro and all those Ports to be with the convoy to morrow night or else to be taken as Spies and proceeded against accordingly I have bin present at the disbanding of these Forces from the first to the last except as aforesaid and never did see a thing done with so much civility on both sides and not the least appearance of insulting of ours as if we had never bin at variance each with other not a reproachfull word used nor the value of two pence taken from any man by the Souldiers of this Armie though the country people are apt enough if they have opportunity and the enemies Souldiers straggle to revenge former injuries but the convoy so long as the Souldiers keepe with them suffer not the least prejudice to befall them the number of Brigades in all that have bin disbanded are nine viz. the French Brigade consisting of three Regiments the Lord Wentworths Brigade consisting of three Regiments Sir James Smiths Brigade consisting of three Regiments the Lord Clevelands Brigade consisting of foure Regiments Major Generall Webbs of three Regiments the Lord Hoptons Brigade commanded by Colonell Rovil the Lord Gorings Brigade of five Regiments the Princes Lifeguard consisting of nine troops and 700. men armed Sir Richard Greenvils Reformadoes the men that are dismounted are proper and lusty men Orders are given out for the Army to face about and march Eastward part of it moves to morrow the residue on Saturday except two or three Regiments that are to stay behinde for the blocking up of Pendennis and the mount the Castle of Pendennis was summoned yesterday but those within gave a peremptory answer of refusall and Master Arundel beares the name of Governour but Sir John Digby sir Henry Kilegrew Colonell Slaughter Colonell Sir Abraham Chipman and some others of desperate Fortunes over-rule the Gentleman and make him governe and command to serve their owne ends though it be to ruine himselfe On Wednesday the Generall sent this Bearer in haste with a Letter to Saint Maws who imbarqued himselfe there and went three or foure Leagues to Sea to the Parliament ships and acquainted them with a Frigot of Dunkirk that lay in the Harbour at Falmouth and much annoyed our men at Penny-com-quick a place of good shelter for our men that lye against the Castle So this morning betweene one and two of the clocke a Frigot of ours put into the Harbour being Moon-light had the honour to be saluted with twenty peeces of Cannon from the Castle but got in without any prejudice and hauled the Dunkirk who instead of yeelding gave two broad sides but our Vessel presently made up and after a little dispute Boarded Her put the Irish to the sword preserved the rest and have them Prisoners a broad It is a fine Vessell belonging to Browne Bushel commanded by Captaine Lewis and will be of singular use to cleare the Harbour if any Vessel of the Kings happen to come in having the benefit of Saint Mawes on the one side and at the mouth of the Harbour the assistance of Hilford Fort which was this day surrendred to us wherein were twenty and six peeces of Ordnance so their strong Castle of Pendennis is of little use at Sea and by Land of no great prejudice considering the narrow necke of Land it stands upon and the Line that may be drawne from Sea to Sea and may be defended with as many men as are in the Castle Leiutenant Colonell Jngoldsby going to view the Castle received a shot from some Muskettiers of the Enemies that were behind the Mud-wals of which he died within three houres being a valiant and stout man Major Cobbet also was shot in the Arme but not dangorously This is all the accompt time would give me leave to present you with concerning the Army of these parts which I thought fit to send this Bearer purposely withall that you may be certainly informed of our condition adding this that about an hundred with their Armes came this day from the Mount to Truro the head quarters many took up Armes with us the rest went to their homes I am Sir your Servant J. R. Truro March 19. 1645. The Messenger staying till this morning I can now satisfie you that the two Troops that remained of the last night are this morning disbanded I have no other newes to write but to morrow the Generals Army marches towards Exeter Truro March 20 1645. at 4 in the afternoon And March 27 the House of Parliament in way of bounden gratitude to almighty God for this great mercy of the thus reducing of well-nigh all Cornwall to their obedience and that also of subduing and overthrowing of Sir Jacob Ashleyes Army and thereby obtaining a most happy and hopefull end of our troubles they having first invited the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councell of the most famous City of London to heare two Sermons that were to be preached before them at Christs Church in London In answer thereof the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councell aforesaid invited both Houses of Parliament to a Dinner on the same day of Thanksgiving At which invitation Alderman Foukes delivered himself as from the whole City to the House making a Speech unto them and Master Speaker answered the same by command of the House in a congratulatory way much affection and amity being expressed mutually on both sides About the 28 instant we also received certaine information by Letters out of the West of our most noble Generals advance toward the City of Exeter and concerning the taking of Pouldram-Fort neer Exeter and of Inch-House also by Colonell Welden the Governour of
Peeces Divers Drakes and small Peeces 4000 Armes gathered divers Armes not taken in 40 Barrels of Gunpowder Many thousand weight of Bullets and Lead Match and other Ammunition proportionable and plentifull Little fresh meat onely Poultry and that very scarce Salt meat some plenty but much of it tainted and not fit to be eaten Butter and Cheese some store Beere and Wine many Barrels Corne good store Fewell for fire very little A List of the Lords Knights Colonels and chief of the Gentry that marched out of Newark to their own homes to submit to the Ordinances of Parliament Lords LOrd Bellasis Governour Lord Davencourt Lord Laxington Knights Sir John Burrell Sir Guy Palmes Sir Charles Dalison Sir Robert Dalison Sir Robert Tredway Sir George Hennings Sir Jarvis Skroop Sir Philip Constable Sir Thomas Ingram Sir Bryan Balmes Sir Jarvis Nevill Sir Simon Fanshaw And others Great Clergy-men DOctor Farmer Chancellor of Lincoln Doctor March Dean of Yroke Doctor Hurst and others Chiefe Officers MAjor Generall Eyre Colonell Gilby Colonell Trollop Colonell Herne Colonell Darsey Colonell Atkins And others The most malignant Aldermen of the Towne were The Major of Newark Alderman Atkinson Alderman Standish And others And upon the same ninth of May aforesaid being Saturday we received the certaine intelligence of the surrendering of the Castle of Banbury such another most pestilent pernicious and vexatious den of Theeves and Royall Robbers as was Bazing House in Hampshire and especially most vexatious and pernicious to the Inhabitants of Northamptonshire its next neighbour but now at last I say by Gods great mercy and the valour and vertue of our brave Commanders and Souldiers brought upon its knees of submission being given up to that brave and couragious Commander Colonell Whaley by Sir William Compton then Governovr thereof upon faire and honourable Articles of agreement which was done on Friday May the 8. the substance of those articles also being to this effect That all the Officers were to march away with Horses and Swords but the Common Souldiers without Armes their wearing apparell and half their moneys by just accompt and both Officers and Souldiers to have Passes to any place in England or Wales not beleaguered the City of London excepted and those that desire it Passes to go beyond Sea and that upon these Conditions the Castle of Banbury to be delivered up as aforesaid to Colonell Whaley with all the Ordnance Armes Ammunition and Colours without imbezlement for the use of the Parliament which was accordingly performed on the said Friday in the forenoone And now the Houses taking into their just and serious consideration the great and many mercies of God to us in our Forces and by them also to the whole Kingdome both in thus surrendring Newark and Banbury now in our power and possession and that Tuesday May the 12 having been formerly appointed a day of solemn thankesgiving to Almighty God throughout London and Westminster and 20. miles adjacent round about it for the happie surrender of Exeter and other great mercies not long before conferr'd upon us together with this none of the least of now at last the Lords giving our King into the hands and harbour and custodie of our most Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland It was therefore Ordered that on this said day of Solemn thanksgiving the severall Churches and Chappell 's in the City of London and Westminster and 20. miles about it should likewise give most heartie thankes to the Lord our God for all these subsequent and additionall rich and rare mercies and that Tewsday seven night following being May 19. should be kept as a Solemn day of Thankesgiving by all the Ministers in the Country over the whole Kingdome and Dominion of Wales within the power of Parliament About the 16. of this instant May came Letters from valiant and active Colonell Morgan giving us certaine intelligence of the taking of Hartlebury-castle lying between Dudley and Worcester and was the Bishop of Worcesters seat a hopefull omen for the taking of Worcester it selfe also indue time Which Castle being now surrendred to brave Colonell Morgan the Officers marched forth with Horse and Armes Troopers and Common Souldiers with out Armes and all the rest of the Articles being according to agreement fairely performed on both sides the brave Colonell tooke possession of the Castle wherein also were taken 6. peices of Ordnance 200. Armes 15. barrells of powder match and bullet proportionable and a full proportion of all manner of prosions for 200. men for 6. moneths at least And about the 20. instant we received certaine information by Letters from valiant and active Colonell Birch also of the agreement for the surrender of that strong Castle and Garrison of Ludlow which was delivered on the like conditions to those of Hartleburie And here I must acquaint the Reader that the Lord having by his most wise and admirable providence in some hopefull measure given a blessed returne to all the prayers of Gods faithfull ones over the whole kingdome in bringing in the Person of the King unto us and committing him unto the care and custodie of our Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland some sweets of this remarkable overture of these things began now to break forth to the comfort of our hearts for the present and hopefull perswasion if not assurance of more good to follow in the Lords good time as was now manifested both by a Letter sent by his Majestie to the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England at Westminster Assembled which his Majestie desired might be Communicated with Both Houses which accordingly was done at a conference where and when the said Letter was reade and another letter to the Commissionres of the Parliament of Scotland And those being passages of speciall Eminencie and wherein the whole Kingdome may no doubt desire to be in some measure at least satisfied I shall therefore for the Readers content herein be somewhat more larger than Ordinarie though there by I increase both mine owne paines and charges at the presse in giving the Reader the substance of some of them which was as followeth That his Majestie is not come into the Scots Army out of any intent to divide the Kingdomes in affection or prolong the War but that he might secure his person and labour the composing the difference between him and his Kingdoms and settle all well and in regard Religion is the chiefe point he desires that may be first insisted upon and settled according to the advise of the Assembly of Divines of both Kingdoms assembled at Westminster And for the Militia he is willing to concur with that propounded at Vxbridge that it be in such hands as shall be agreed for 7. yeeres And for Ireland he will doe what he can to satisfie desires of that kind And for the disbanding of his Armies and sleighting Garrisons and so avoyding the effusion of more bloud he is willing likewise to
call in all such Commissions as any have at Sea from him and accordingly hath done As for his Towns he is willing to surrender and that they be slieghted and accordingly hath sent to Sir Thomas Glemham onely in regard there are some such there as have faithfully served him in the preservation of his person he desires they may have honourable and good tearmes and that had the surrender of Oxford shall be a rule to the rest of the Towns Cities and Castles that all Forces may be disâ—anded to the quiet and ease of both the Nations likewise that the debts of the Kingdome be paid he shall be willing with some other particulars but these are the chiefe The Letter from His Majestie to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland is as followes Verbatim CHARLES R. Right trusty and welbeloved Couzens and Counsellors right trusty and right welbeloved Couzens trusty and welbeloved Councellers And trusty and welbeloved We greet you well AFter so long and sad an interruption of the happy understanding betwixt Us and Our good Subjects of our Kingdome of Scotland which hath exceedingly afflicted Us and lest the sad effects thereof may have alienated the affections of many of that Kingdome from Us and preferring nothing to the love of Our subjects on which Our safety and greatnesse most depends and without which We propose not to our selves any happines We have thought fit to labour to dispossesse them of all prejudices rather by shewing them Our present Resolutions than by remembring them of Our former differences having come hither with a full and absolute intention to give all just satisfaction to the joynt desires of both Our Kingdomes And with no thought either to continue this unnaturall War any longer or to make a division betwixt the Kingdoms but to comply with our Parliaments and those entrusted by them in every thing for setling of Truth and Peace Your Commissioners have offered to Us divers Papers in your name expressing Your Loyall intentions towards Us for which we cannot but returne you hearty thanks And shall study to apply Our selves totally to the Councells and advices of Our Parliaments We have already sent a Message to the two Houses of Our Parliament of England and your Commissioners at London which we hope will give satisfaction We have likewise written to all such within Our Kingdom of Scotland as have any Commission from Us to lay downe Armes disband their forces and render their Garrisons And have written to Our Agents and Ministers abroad for recalling all Commissions issued forth by Our Authority to any at Sea against any of Our Subjects of either Kingdom And have sent Letters to the Governour of Our City of Oxford to quit that Garrison upon honorable conditions and disband Our forces there which being granted to him we have resolved presently to give the like order to all Our other Garrisons and forces within this Kingdome And that the truth of these Our Royall intentions may be made known to all Our good Subjects of Scotland We desire a Proclamation may be printed and published together with this Letter at all convenient places hoping none will believe but that this is Our voluntary and cordiall resolution and proceeds from no other grounds than Our deepe sence of the bleeding condition of Our Kingdomes And that Our Reall intentions are with the blessing of God and his favourable assistance to joyne with Our Parliament in setling Religion here in purity after the aduice of the Divines of both Kingdoms assembled at Westminster And Our Subjects of both Kingdoms in freedom and safety So expecting your Councells and advices in every thing wherein we shall be concerned We bid you very heartily farwell From Newcastle May 10. 1646. Besides these likewise the King to shew his love to the City of London also sent a Letter to the said most famous City which being but short I shall for my Readers better content and satisfaction here insert which was as followeth CHARLES REX RIght Trusty and welbeloved we greet you well Having expressed Our resolutions to the two Houses of Our Parliament of England and the Committee of Estates of Our Parliament of Scotland to give all just satisfaction to the joynt desires of both Kingdomes we have now likewise thought fit to assure the two chiefe Cities of both Our Kingdomes That nothing is more grievous to Vs then the troubles and distractions of Our people And that nothing on earth is more desired by us then that in Religion and Peace with all the comfortable Fruits of both they may henceforth live under Vs in all godlinesse and honesty And this profession we make for no other end but that you may know immediately from Our selves Our integrity and full resolutions to comply with our Parliaments in every thing for setling truth and peace And our desire to have all things speedily concluded which shall be found requisite for that end That Our returne to that Our ancient City may be to the satisfaction of Our Parliament the good liking of you and all our good people and to our owne greater joy and comfort we bid you heartily farewell From Newcastle the 19. of May 1646. And upon the 26. of this instant May the most renowned famous and faithfull Citizens of London in their most Cordiall zeale for Gods glory the honour of Religion hatred of damnable doctrines errours and Schismes wherewith the City was then extremely infected and infested and for the honest honourable vindication of themselves as touching their Solemn League and Covenant in promoting the long desired establishment of a godly Church-Government in City and Country and over the whole Kingdome exhibited to Both Houses of Parliament which I must and that most worthily inroule in this our Parliamentarie-Chronicle among the rare and most remarkable mercies of our good God unto us in thus raising up the Spirits of these most renowned Citizens to such a high place and pitch of godly zeale and faithfull courage exhibited I say a most noble and renowned Remonstrance or Petition in the name of the Lord Major and Aldermen and Common-Councell of that most Honorable City of London wherein their piety and Cordiall integrity to God the Church and State was most Copiously and right Christianly Demonstrated to the perpetuated honour and indelible dignity of those renowned Citizens especially of their never sufficiently honoured and renowned religious and pious Lord Major Alderman Adams who told his Brethren who in their prudence and providence for waightie reasons best known among themselves not willing to let their noble Lord Major goe along with them to the exhibiting of the said Remonstrance told them I say with expression of much fervour and zeale therein That Though his Person was not permitted yet his heart he assured them most affectionately went along with them Which said rare and religious Remonstrance both for the Readers better content and satisfaction especially it having beene so basely and abusively
the other particulars of 〈◊〉 Petition into serious and speedy consideration And have commanded me to give you hearty thanks for the Reall Testimonies of duty and good affections which not onely by your words but by your Actions you have constantly manifested unto them Jo. Browne Cleric Parliamentorum And the very same day and time the said noble Citizens exhibited the like Remonstrance and Petition to the honourable House of Commons of which I say no more but leave it to the Lords most gracious and righteous wisdome and mercy for a happy returne in his own due time But that which is yet farther very memorable and remarkable in this businesse which I only toucht before and as you saw it most evidently true before was That the very day before the Remonstrance was exhibited in Parliament the Kings Majestie himselfe as it were to honour and encourage them in that their famous and faithfull resolution sent a particular Letter to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councell 〈…〉 which they being all at that time assembled in their Guild-Hall was publikely read in the audience of them all And which is yet more memorably remarkable and worthy serious and sacred observation That a day or two at the farthest after they had exhibited their Remonstrance as aforesaid the truly religious and sincerely affected Ministers of two Counties Suffolk and Essex as it were to back the Cities brave Remonstrance exhibited a most excellent Petition to the Lords and Commons in Parliament attested by at least 300 Ministers hands subscribed to it which also for the piety and excellency of it I have thought fit for the Readers better delight and satisfaction here to insert which was as followeth To the Right Honourable the House of Lords now Assembled in PARLIAMENT The Humble Petition of the Ministers of the Counties of Suffolk and Essex concerning the Church-Government presented to the Right Honourable Houses of Parliament Sheweth THat your solemne League and Covenant great and glorious Victories the expectation of the Reformed Churches beyond the Seas the longing desires of our Brethren of Scotland the humble Petitions of the Reverend Assembly and the great City of this Kingdome the pressing miseries of the Orthodox and well-affected Ministers and People in the Country cry aloud to your Honours for a settling of Church-Government according to the Word From the want of this it is Right Honourable that the name of the most High God is blasphemed his precious truths corrupted his Word despised his Ministers discouraged his Ordinances vilified Hence it is that Schisme Heresie Ignorance Prophanenesse and Atheisme flow in upon us Seducers multiply grow daring and insolent pernicious Bookes poyson many souls â—â—ety and learning decay apace very many Congregations ly waste without Pastours the Sacrament of Baptisme by many neglected and by many re-iterated the Lords Supper generally dis-used or exceedingly prophaned confusion and ruine threatning us in all our Quarters In all humility therefore acknowledging your unwearied labours for the publique good your successefull endeavours for saving this Kingdome your hopefull beginnings of a blessed Reformation we out of conscience and in tender regard to the glory of God and the salvation of our people beseech your Honours That a forme of Church-Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches may with all possible speede be perfected and confirmed by your civill sanction that Schismaticks Hereticks seducing Teachers and soul-subverting Books be effectually suppressed That further care may be had of Ordination for a supply of able and Orthodox Ministers and all good meanes used to make up the sad breaches in this our Sion So shall the Church of God be setled your hands strengthened the sacred Covenant performed our feares prevented the Judgements of God diverted And your Petitioners shall ever pray c. The Lords Answer to the said Petition THe Lords are glad to finde this zeale and care in the Ministery of the Counties of Suffolk and Essex for the preventing the further increase of Heresie and Profanenesse and for the promoting a growth in the power of godlinesse The Lords desire you to continue still in your endeavours therein and they will not be wanting to give you all encouragement They have commanded me to give you thanks for your expressions of your good affections to the Parliament and this Cause and do assure you that they will improve their power for the suppressing of Errour Heresie seducing Teachers and soul-subverting Booke and likewise for the setling of Church Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches to which they hold themselves obliged by their solemne League and Covenant and that their Lordships have appointed that their Petition with this answer shall be printed and published John Brown Cler. Parliamentorum The Answer of the House of Commons to the Minister Petition Die Mercurii 27. Maii. 1646. THe House being informed that divers Ministers of the Counties of folke and Essex were at the doore they were called in and presented to the House a Petition intituled The humble Petition of the Ministers of Suffolke and Essex the which was read The Ministers were againe called in and Master Speaker by command of the House acquainted them That most of the particular desires of their Petition are now under consideration and they hope will be brought to a settlement speedily That the House is very sensible that through some intervening obstructions the Church-Government hath not beene so fully settled as they desire and that they give them thankes for their good affections and desire them to put all Ordinances in execution concerning Church-Government as lye within their power H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. This speciall act also of Divine providence so oportunely bringing in these Ministers Petition much to the very same effect as the Cities Remonstrance was and full of much piety and zeale for God and his Great Cause the present miserably distracted and distorted Church by abhominable Errours and Scismes I could not but most gratefully and gladly record in these our Parliamentarie-Annals as no small mercie of the Lord unto us and worthy to be taken notice of to the glory of God and honour of those two most worthily to be honoured Counties And about the third of June,1646 We were certainely informed of the taking of Salcomb-Regis which was surrendred to Colonell Welden and also that Bostol-house a most pestilent and pernicious Garrison of the Enemies was also yeeled up unto the power and possession of the Parliament And upon the 4. of June it pleased the Lord to put into the hearts of our most worthy Parliamentarie worthies to set forth an Ordinance of Parliament for the settlement of that great scruple and Question among Gods people as touching the point of worthy or unworthy Communicants at the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and for the more full and certaine establishment of the Presbyterian Church Government a mercie long
they under tooke the work printed and published them I say to the view of the World An excellent passage of prudence and providence in my poore judgement and worthie such a reverend and religious Assembly And about the 22. instant the House of Commons in Parliament taking into consideration a Letter from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairefax and the Articles which are extant at large in print and too large to be here inserted for the Surrender of Oxford into the possession of the Parliament and having spent much time in debate thereof and being informed that one Dâ—ll the Chaplaine of their Armie before Oxford who brought the Letter and Articles was at the doore the House thereupon ordered that he should be called in and gave him the summe of 50. l. for his paines in the journey and that one Master Heath another messenger from his Excellency should have 30 l. for a gratuity for Letters which he brought about the said businesse and likewise 20 l. to one Master Thredder They likewise considered about the same time of the reception and maintenance of the Duke of Yorke in Saint James with the Kings other two children and there to be provided for in an honourable and Princely way as those two of his Majesties children were And about the 25. instant came Letters from renowned and victorious Colonell Mitton from Carnarvan with Articles inclosed for the surrender of Beaumorris Towne and Castle a very strong Garrison in Wales which much annoyed the Countrie in those parts and the Houses after the reading thereof ordered that the said Colonell Mitton should be Governour of the said strong Towne and Castle and ordered that a Commission should be granted to him accordingly And on Wednesday June 25. the City Garrison of Oxford was surrendred to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairefax according to the agreement Many we understood at that time made doubt whether it were surrendred or no but we can assure them it for truth being an eye witnesse therof the manner briefly was thus To passe by the severall quarters of our Army and the managing of the Line and works raised against Oxford a Guard was placed of severall Regiments of Foot and Horse from the entrance into Oxon at the East Port or Gate on both sides the way to Wheatly which way the Enemy were to march the surrender by the Articles should have been by ten of the clocke at which time some part of the Garrison marched forth and divers Coaches with Gentry and their Wives and many the day before with Carriages Bagge and Baggage but the maine body marched not forth untill about two in the afternoone on Wednesday at which time there fell a very bitter and violent storme of Raine which held for about an houre some lesser showers we had besides likewise that day but suddenly after the Enemy were marched forth and ours about to enter Oxford the stormes ceased and the rest of the day very cleare and faire and this by the way some doe observe as very remarkable And also that there was the like stormy weather at the surrender of Leicester Bristol and Exeter about two of the clocke as before they marched forth both Officers and Souldiers with their Armes in very good order with bag and baggage both Officers and Souldiers generally demeaned themselves very civilly except some few that were drunke and as themselves say on our parts never were Articles more punctually observed than by us neither officer nor souldier offering them the least prejudice or used any reproachfull language to them as they marched that which many grieved to see was that there should be so many Irishmen and women amongst them such a company of women English Drabbes and Irish trulls as would have made a rotten Regiment these are those that used constantly to follow that Army and whose naughtinesse is so well known we neede not mention it the number that marched out were adjudged to be betweene 3 and 4000. besides those that marched out before and many of the Gentry Clergy and some Commanders that stayed behind in Oxford by permission untill such time as they had Passes to go beyond Sea and some to their owne homes the Garrison in the whole as they report consisted of above 7000. Souldiers in pay townesmen and Schollers that bore armes After the Governour Officers and Souldiers were marched forth the Keyes of the City and Forts delivered to the General his Excellency gave order for 3 foot Regiments to march into Oxford which was done accordingly and the guards presently placed the Souldiers carried themselves with so much civility to the Citizens as was admired not any one of them I am confident being damnified by the entrance of our men to the worth of six pence and I may boldly speake it being then present in Oxford and observed the whole passage courteous language and entertainment there was on both sides and not the least disorder not much provisions were found in the City either for horse or man only salted Beefe and Corne a good quantity a few Peas and Beanes but very little Hay within two or three houres after we had entred the Country people that lived neere adjacent brought in what provisions they had or could so suddainly provide and some fresh meat for the which they received ready monyes and not a Souldier of ours had or desired one penny worth of any commodity but what they gave ready monyes for there was in the Garrison about 30. peece of Ordnance ready mounted and their Workes very strong and large which to have stormed would have cost the lives of very many men too precious to be so cast away when we might have it upon more reasonable termes and we conceived none will imagin the conditions granted over large if they but consider the strength of the place But this I leave to others to judge And on the 26. of this instant June the Houses tooke into Consideration severall Papers presented to the Grand-Committee of Both Houses from the Marquesse of Argyle and the Scottish Commissioners here recident of very singular and speciall Concernment and much conducing to the farther clearing of their most â—â—justly suspected integrity towards us of their loving consent to the Propositions now fitted to be sent to his Majesty for the more full compleating our hopes of a well-grounded Peace I have here thought fit to insert two or three of them especially the said pious Earle of Argyles excellent Speech made unto them and a Paper concerning their said full consent to the Propositions both which I have conceived most worthy to be recorded in these our Parliamentary Annals as no small mercy of the Lord unto us in thus so graciously clearing their unspotted fidelity and of the most blessedly defeating the impious designes of the secret and crafty but most malicious enemies of our Peace and Vnity which were as followeth The Marquesse of ARGYLES Speech to the Grand Committee
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
upon their legges with sticks in their hands They left 300 good Armes behinde them and good store of powder and Ammunition And upon the 30 of this instant July to make this Moneth a most compleatly victorious Moneth indeed it pleased the Lord to deliver up also into the Parliaments happy possession the strong Garrison of the Town of Bathe which was related in a Letter sent from thence by an eminent Commander and actour in the same which for the Readers better content and full satisfaction I have heer thought fit to insert and impart as it was Printed and published by authority which was as followeth SIR AS I gave you an account of the taking of Bridgewater so God multiplying his mercies upon us wee having taken in Bath also I shall breifly give you an account thereof only I cannot omit something yet behinde of Bridgewater for wee have found 6 peices of Ordnance which the Enemy had hid and there is left besides what was destroyed by the fire 44 barrels of Gunpowder and 4000 weight of Match On Saturday last Sir Thomas Fairfax marched out of Bridgewater Leivtenant Generall Cromwell hath been ill but God bee thanked hee mends that night wee marched to Marstock about nine miles on the way to Sherburn where wee quartered that night and Sunday night On the Lords day wee heard that Rupert had been himself in person the day before at Bath with Sir Thomas Bridges to encourage him to keep it against us promising him releif in case he should bee besieged On Munday the 28 of July 1645. the Generall marched to Sherborn about 14 miles from Marstock Major Generall Massie was left further West And the same day viz. Munday about 60 horse most Welsh came from Prince Rupert to strengthen Bath and other Officers with them to Govern the Town because that Prince Rupert had found when hee was there two dayes before that Sir Thomas Bridges was quite out of heart to keep it for the very name of Sir Thomas Fairfax strikes a terrour to the Enemy But when they were come into Bath the Town cryed out as one man all against the Welsh No Welsh no Welsh Neither did Sir Thomas Bridges take it well that hee should bee displaced and another put in which caused a great division in the Town that the Officers and Horse would not stay to dispute it yet neverthelesse some Welsh stayed in the Town which did much displease both the Governour Officers Townsmen yea and the Garrison Souldiers also On Tuesday the Generall sent two Regiments of horse and two Troops of Dragoons under the Command of Colonell Rich to view and give account of the condition of the Garrison of Bath then held by Sir Thomas Bridges for the King The Army removed to Wells Colonell Pickering is with a party before Sherborn a nest of most mischeivous vermine under whom the Countrey hath much suffered and by whom before wee came thither some of our own messengers have been taken and our Letters intercepted and the Countrey doe wholly complain against them for very great plunderers and barbarous neighbours Wee made on towards Bath having no foot at all with us onely the aforesaid 2 Regiments of horse and 2 Companies of Dragoones and about an houre before Sunset the South side was close beset the Dragoones lay about Holliwell and wee kept them on the South and on the West parts of the Town But the North part of the Town lay open for wee came not to block them up nor had wee Forces to doe it then present there The Enemy might have gone away on the North part of the Town in despight of all that wee could doe to hinder them but God did so infatuate them that they had not power as in our former victories so particularly in this taking of Bath the hand of God was much seen for us About Sunset wee gained Holliwell and placed our Dragoones within half Pistoll shot of the Gate on the Bridge at Bath where there was some skirmishing and the Dragoones behaved themselves very gallantly In the night the Enemy within took severall Allarms and were in great fear of us I conceive they knew not our strength only before had some intelligence of the advance of our Army On this present Wednesday morning the Enemy heard of a party from Malmsbury on the North side of them but they were not considerable but they were struck with such a fear that Sir Thomas Bridges sent a Messenger very early forth of Bath to us to desire a parley which wee wondred at so wee presently held a parley with them and by Sunrising had the Garrison of Bath delivered up to us upon very good Conditions 1. All both Officers and Souldiers to have quarter for their lives 2 That Sir Thomas Bridges and all the Officers bee permitted to march away to Bristoll without let or molestation 3 That Sir Thomas Bridges and all other Field Officers and Captaines have liberty to march away with Horse and Armes 4 That all Officers under the degree of Captains march away without Arms only staves in their hands to Bristoll 5 That Sir Thomas Bridges with all the Officers aforesaid doe immediately march out of the Garrison and surrender it to Colonell Rich for the service of the Parliament 6 That all the Ordnance Armes and Ammunition bee surrendred also 7 The common Souldiers to bee left all prisoners All which was done and wee were possest of the Garrison by break of the day And truely you may think it a strange thing for horse to take a Town and no foot within 15 miles of it but you may see how God infatuates men and possesseth them with a fear that deprives them of wisdome and courage Bath July 30. 1645. A List of what was taken in the Garrison of Bath by Colonell Rich on Wednesday July 30. 1645. Left in the Town according to the Articles aforesaid 200 prisoners which were 100 Garrison Souldiers 100 Welsh that came in but three houres before into Bath 200 Muskets an 100 Pikes 6 peices of Ordnance 10 barrels of Gunpounder 10 barrels of other Ammunition a great quantity of Match and Bullet Sir Thomas Bridges his Standard Colours in the Royall Fort 5 Colours besides good store of Victuall and other provisions some Pistols and Swords all Sir Thomas his bagge and baggage besides the Armes and provisions of the Townesmen Together with divers Halbert-Roundâ—eads and other weapons This Garrison was of great consequence for the straitning of the passage to Bristoll whereof more in its more proper place And that which makes this mercy much the sweeter and spiritually comfortable to us is that as that former famous mercy of Bridgewater was given in unto us even whiles wee were a praying for that mercy upon occasion of a speciall and extraordinary Fast Day So this likewise was unexpectedly cast into our laps even in the very time and on the day of our Solemn set Monethly Fast Day even as a
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
unto us And about the 31. instant came the most Excellent newes with which I shall conclude this most Memorable Moneth also of a most famous defeat and remarkable routing of the forces of the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale in their hoped and intended hot and furious march into Scotland to joyne with Montrosse his forces there for a farther great mischiefe to that poore kingdome and ours also had not the Lord graciously prevented it afterward upon their successe in this intended designe of theirs Which famous defeat was brought to the Parliament by Sir William Adison who came to London out of the North and brought the true intelligence thereof the particulars whereof were as followeth The Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale having sent to Boulton and others of their party in Lancashire Cumberland and other places to come in unto them and joyn with them in their March toward Scotland where they intended to joyne with Montrosse as aforesaid They marched from Skippon Northward and endevoured to have passed by Kirby-Linsdale but Colonell Briggs having intelligence of this their designe made good a passe against them whereby he forced them to turne by the way of the Sands about Partmake to get into Cumberland their Cheife guide being Sir William Hudlestone a new made Oxford-Knight and desperate Malignant who also ingaged what party he could to their assistance and brought them to Millum-Castle which was his own House on the Sea-Coasts About which time there was some foure or five ships seene upon those coasts and thereupon conceived that they were laden with Irish to joyne with Digby about White-Haven but they proved some of our own Navy It seemes that Digbies designe was to have gone into Scotland to have joyned with Montrosse which designe he it seemes was much encouraged in by Sir Marmaduke Langdale and Sir VVilliam Huddlestone who is growne so great a man with Digby of late that he is confident to be added to the new moddell of Lords Thus by their activity they had gotten together about one thousand horse under the command of the Lord Digbie and Sir Marmaduke Langdale and with them were upon their march towards Montrosse Lieutenant Generall David Lesley with about two thousand was upon his advance towards them and lay betweene them and Mâ—â—trosse to hinder their conjunction with Digby in the meane while the well-affected Gentry of Cumberland were forced to flye for their security the enemy plundering and using great cruelty all the way as they passed insomuch that the country people made a great acclamation against them Generall Lesley sent out a Brigade of about 1100. horse under the command of Major Generall Van-drusk to pursue the enemy and a Regiment of English horse also were designed after them to gaine a passe in case the enemy came back to hinder their retreats Major Generall Van-drusk with the Scots Brigade pursued the enemy so close that they discovered them in their march and endeavoured to force them to engage which the enemy endeavoured to avoyd Major Generall Van-drusk divided his then and made good severall passes but by reason of the lownesse of the tide Digby and Langdale got away over the Fords over which Van-drusk followed them the enemy fled over another water and so over three or foure severall places one after another so long till the flowing of the Sea came in after they had passed the last Ford and before Van-drusk could with his body get over the waters were swelled too high to pursue further whereby Digby got an opportunity with his forces to escape them In the mean while the Lord Balmersnoth with what forces he could raise out of the Frontiers of Scotland prepared to oppose Digby who with his party Digby it seemes having intelligence thereof occasioned his retreat and so wheeling about escaped his forces and avoided ingagement at that time but all this while Digby increased and gathered forces and was 1000 at the least and committed many 〈…〉 and villanous plunderings with his men in all places where he came sparing neither friend nor foe yet all this while Digby and Langdale avoided all our forces and it seemes had guides that were perfect in the waies where he was to march so that he escaped every partes all this while but yet we met with him afterwards with a small party and it pleased God to make them so farre powerfull against them as to rout and spoile them Sir John Browne a very gallant active man undertooke with a small party of between 4. and 500. to seeke out Digby and his nimble brigade that had so many quiâ—â—es and turnings and if it were possible to force them to engage which he performed with great wisdome and valour Sir John Browne divided his smal party about 150. were sent to make good a passe whilst the rest being not above 300. marched out towards the enemy Sir John Browne having then Intelligence that the Lord Digby Sir Marmaduke Langdale and the rest in number about 1000. were about Carlile sands thether he hasted after them and Digby it seemes having Intelligence of forces coming against him but it is probable knew not the number for he fled from them neerer to the Sea whether Sir John Browne followed them and it pleased God to give him an opportunity to fall on the enemy the thing that Sir John much desired and the tide being up Sir John Browne gained a passe which is a kind of passe over a place which he got and made good and though he was so few and the enemy so many yet Sir John Brown was resolved to ingage and to runne that hazard trusting in Gods al-sufficiency and accordingly drew up But Sir John Browne though willing to hazard his own person yet he sent away his Coullers to Generall Lesly with some other things that could not do much helpe but hinder the fight and sent word to Generall Lasly what a resolution he had to force Digby to engage and what an opportunity he had to doe it which though so few yet with those he had he would runne the hazard his number being then not full 500. but well mounted and Armed Upon their approach the Lord Digby tooke an alarme in his quarters and understanding that the party were but small drew into a posture to fight with them divided his forces into two bodies one of which stayed with him and the other Commanded by Sir 〈◊〉 Langdale Digby stayed with his party and Langdales came up towards Sir John Browne and they faced each other a while the enemy being then surrounded by the waters Sir John Browne sent Captaine Lesly on the forlone hope who drew up and being met by the enemie charged them very gallantly the reserve charged up to him seasonably with Sir Iohn Browne and all of them in their severall places according to their degrees did all very much and in short time brake thorow their body and routed them Their reserve some of them came
an account of our proceedings here as I desire We had to doe with Lawyers and Civilians who lengthened out our debate by their niceties so that the treatie ended not till the day of the writing hereof when they finished the Articles and agreed to march forth on Monday next The conditions were honourable viz. in briefe To march with Armes Colours flying Drums beating and Bullets to Oxford and the Cornish into Cornwall I will not trouble you with particulars but send you the Articles by the next Hostages were delivered for the performance of things promised and for farther assurance unto us 3. strong Forts were delivered up unto us in hand as hath been toucht before The Townesmen were very glad of the agreement The Generall is this night come to Tiverton and intends to morrow to be before Barnstable and to summon it The treaty was absolutely concluded yesterday in Exeter we sate up night and day about it I will not trouble you any more till afurther oportunity but remaine Sir Your most humble servant Aprill 9. late at night Columb-John House Post-script At Market-jew neere the Mount we tooke lately of the Mountmen 60 prisoners the most of that Garrison Also a Captaine in Pendennis came-off unto us with 80. men more We understand that in Pendennis they have nothing but Salt-beefe tainted and and that they cannot subsist long They have but little bread and their Wine almost spent we hope well shortly of both places The other Letter was this Sir Though I have but little Newes yet I could not omit this oportunity of sending to you we entred the City of Exeter on Munday last according to the Articles Sir Jacob Berckley the Governour with about 2000 being marched forth 700 whereof being Cornish as soone as they were out of the City gates faced Westward and resolving for their owne homes cryed out thus Every man to his owne home Every man to his owne home and so laying downe their armes departed accordingly the like resolution had most of the rest so that Sir Jacob was like to have but a small remnant to doe his Majestie any service at Oxford The Princes Highnes went forth with them leaving behind them in the City at least 3. Moneths provision 150. barrells of powder about 1500. Muskets and above 40. peeces of Ordnance About the 18. of this instant Aprill came certaine intelligence out of the West by letters to London of the surrendring of the Towne and Castle of Barnstable into the Parliaments hands with all the Armes and Ammunition therein much upon the same termes and Articles which were granted to Exeter by Sir Allen Apsley Governour thereof And shortly after also we understood of the surrendering of Saint Michaels-Mount in Cornwall that inpregnable and almost inaccessable strong fort whereof Sir Arthur Basset was Governour who with the rest that would and were therein had libertie to depart into the Island of Silly In this Mount were taken an 100. barrells of Powder 500. Muskets 100. Pikes 30. Peeces of Ordinances 3. Murthering Peeces 80. Tun of Wine with store of other provisions And about the 20. instant we had certaine Newes of the surrender of Titbury-castle a place of much Consequence and strength also and which will contribute much to the reducing of Litchfield-close which said Castle was surrendred also on faire conditions to the content of the Garrison-Souldiers thereof And much about the same time we were most certainly informed of the surrender of Aburisthwait to Colonell Powell Commander in Chiefe under renowned Major Generall Laughorne by Colonell Whitney Governour thereof upon very faire termes and conditions as was witnessed by valiant and victorious Major Generall Laughornes owne Letter to the Parliament And we had farther information of the surrender of Dunstar-castle in the West which was yeelded up to renowned Colonell Blake the brave Governour of Taunton upon very faire and honourable termes by noble Sir Thomas Fairfaxes example of Clemencie and Mercy Which Castle was surrendred up for the use of King and Parliament by Sir Francis Windham then Governor of Dunstar-Castle as was also certified to the Parliament by Colonell Blakes owne Letter About the 24. of this instant Aprill our Western armie was advanced backward and come toward Oxford for the beleaguring thereof and forming of a Seige round about it And about this time a part of our said Armie having alreadie besieged the Garrison of Woodstock and laine now before it some short time battering that brave and ancient Mannour house with our Ordnance and the besieged considering there was no hope of reliefe to be expected our other forces lying also so close about Oxford that they durst not stirre out It was now therefore at length surrendred to Colonell Rainsborough upon very faire termes and honourable Articles of agreement from the said Valiant Colonel and those other Couragious Commanders who joyntly adventured their lives for the Service of the State For the besieged were to depart thence to Oxford and to leave all their Ammunition and furniture of warre behind them and onely the Officers permitted to have their Swords along with them And about the 28. instant we received the certaine intelligence of the surrender of Bridge-North-castle into the hands of the brave and most active Shropshire forces upon faire conditions and articles of accord the Common Souldiers therein to march away with their hands in their Pockets and the Officers only with their Swords Sir Robert Howard the Governour and 3. other Knights with their Horse and 2. Servants a peece But one Latham an arch Villaine for Malignancie and who had beene the maine cause of burning the Towne not long before was justly delivered up to the justice of the Parliament to suffer most worthily for such a most base and abhominable scelerous fact They left behinde them in the Castle at least 6. weekes provision a Demi-cannon with other Ordnance at least 500. Armes and 50. Horse The place was a peece of great strength there were within the Castle about 400. fighting men the besiegers not above 700. in all Thus have we often heard of the brave services of those gallant Salopaons and even incomparable actions of that active and successefull Committee of Shrewsbury for the good of their Country and kingdome To God be all the glorie and praise who thus still Crownes us with victories and thereby thus encompasses us with songs of deliverance And much about the foresaid time we were certainly given to understand by Letters to the Parliament from Colonell Rainsborough that the Duke of Richmond the Earle of Lindsey the Kings Cup-bearer Sir William Fleetwood the Kings Standard-bearer and Knight Martiall Sir Edward Sydenham and Master Carew of the Bed-chamber were come in unto him casting themselves upon the mercie of the Parliament whereupon the House presently ordered that they all should be committed prisoners to Warwick-Castle And upon the 29. of this instant
April being the solemne Fast-day of this Moneth after both the Sermons before the Lords in the Abby at Westminster and the Commons Sermons in Margrets-Church were ended The House of Commons sitting a while in Parliament received certaine intelligence of the Kings escaping out of Oxford in a disguised manner betweene Sunday-night and Munday-morning with 2. others in his Companie whereof Master Aâ—bhurnhâ—un was one who was pretended to be the Kings Master and the King and the other partie must be Ashburnhams Servants and the King himselfe as it was credibly and Constantly related must goe along under the name of Harry Master Ashburnhams man and thus I say these 3. went forth of Oxford together the King also carrying a cloak-bag or portmantle behind him on his horse like a Servingman indeede but whether or which way he went was not then knowne for as it was reported the better to conceale the way of his departure there went out 3. at every part of the City at the same instant time that so none should be able to discover in which of the Companies the King was It seemed as since we heard his Lords in Oxford were desirous of his departure hoping thereby to have the beter conditions for themselves looking more it seem'd at their owne safetie than at the Kings preservation who hereby may plainly see whose interests they have all this while driven on Ah good Reader see here and seriously consider in thy soul with feare and trembling and amazement how truely how justly God most wise most righteous hath made good that word of his Those that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed O that we would faithfully and fruitfully lay these remarkable examples thereof to our hearts and walke answerably for the time to come Now upon the 4 of May 1646. so soone as ever our most noble Generall had received certaine intelligence of his Majesties departure ouâ— of Oxford as abovesaid he immediately by his Letters and Messengers informed the Parliament thereof giving them farther to understand the great confidence though mightily mistaken as aâ—on you shall plainly understand of those that came out of Oxford to his Excellency and their constant affirmations as those that saw but the shallow superficies of the businesse only that the King was certainly come into or neer unto London upon which information the Commons in Parliament had much debate and the House of Peers also the like and considering the danger that might ensue by concealing and hiding the Kings person they appointed a Committee forthwith to prepare and draw up something to be published touching all such as should harbour or conceale the harbouring of the King and accordingly an Order was drawn up by this Committee reported to the House and assented unto by the House of Peers and likewise passed by them and â—y Order of both Houses to be published throughout London and Westminster by beat of Drum or sound of Trumpet which was accordingly performed the said Order being to this effect ORdered that it be declared and it is hereby declared by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That what person soever shall harbour or conceale or know of the harbouring or concealing of the Kings person and shall not reveale it immediately to the Speakers of both Houses shall be proceeded against as a Traytor to the Common Wealth forfeit his whole Estate and die without mercy The Parliament also about this foresaid time seriously considering that a former Ordinance for putting out of the Lines of Communication all Papists Officers and Souldiers of fortune that have come out of the Kings Quarters was now expired and the danger that might happen by permitting such to abide within the City of London no whit slacking but rather increasing An Ordinance was therefore read the first and second time and committed to a Committee for the continuance of the said former Ordinance for a Moneth longer and that all such Papists and Souldiers should remove themselves â—wenty miles distant from the City An Ordinance was likewise read and assented to giving power to the Militia of London to search within twenty miles of London for all Papists Malignants and other suspected persons and to secure and disarm them and likewise to search for Arms and this power to continue for twenty daies longer And now upon the sixth of this instant May the much expected newes of the Kings discovery and place of aboad was by a most excellent Letter sent to the Commissioners of both Kingdomes and so to the Parliament brought to London which Letter for the eminency and excellency thereof and for the just honour of our ever most worthily deserving loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland I have here thought fit in the first place to set forth and shew to the honest and godly Reader for his just joy comfort and content which was as followeth The Letter from the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland to the Commissioners of both Houses concerning his Majesties coming to the Scottish Army Dated at Southwell May the 5. Right Honourable THe discharging of our selves of the duty we owe to the Kingdome of England to you as Commissioners from the same moves us to acquaint you with the Kings coming into our Army this morning which having overtaken us unexpectedly hath filled us with amazement and made us like men that dream We cannot thinke that He could have been so unadvised in his Resolutions is to have cast himself upon us without a reall intention to give full satisfaction to both Kingdomes in all their just and reasonable Demands in all those things that concern Religion and Righteousnesse whatsoever be His disposition or resolution you may be assured That we shall never entertaine any thought nor correspond with any purpose nor countenance mee any endeavours that may in any circumstance incroach upon our League and Covenant or weaken the union or confidence between the Nations That Vnion unto our Kingdom was the matter of many prayers and as nothing was more joyfull to us than to have it set on foot so hitherto have we thought nothing too dear to maintain it and we trust to walk with such faithfulnesse and truth in this particular that as we have the testimony of a good conscience within our selves so you and all the world shall see that we minde your interest with as much integrity and care as our owne being confident you will entertaine no other thoughts of us Signed by the Warrant and Command of the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland LOTHIAN Southwel May 5. 1646. For the Right Honourable the Commissioners of the Parliament of England In the next place I shall give the Reader a summary narrative of the manner of the discovery of His Majesty to most noble and renowned Generall Lesley Earl of Leven as it was related to the Commissioners of Scotland by the Secretary of the Scots Army and