his distempers and afterwards attain'd a firmer health When he came to sit in the House of Peers 1640 his first action in publick affairs was the carrying the King's Letter to them in favour of that noble but unfortunate Lord the Earl of Strafford the King hoping that when all other respects could not prevail upon them at least the consideration of the dignity and goodnesse of this Royal Messenger might something move them to reflect upon the hard measure they had determin'd for him But through the cruel fate of this brave man or rather that of these three Kingdomes the heat of I know not what strange zeal had made them so thirsty for his bloud that a day or two's respite of execution of the severest sentence that ever was given was more then could be afforded to the desires of their King though presented by the hands of their Prince This repulse he suffer'd was certainly the beginning if not the cause of all his ensuing sufferings and those of the Nation 's too For soon after hapned that fatall misunderstanding between the King and the Parliament which occasioning the King's withdrawing from London he commanded the Prince to attend him first at Greenwich then at Hampton-Court then at Theobalds the incensed Parliament and City in the mean time regretting his escape out of their hands having design'd to make advantage of his person according as the contingency of their affairs should suggest to them From thence with the Duke of York he accompanies his Father to New-market and from thence into Yorkshire where they all stood before the gates of Hull and were deny'd admission by Sir Iohn Hotham 'till at length the two Princely brothers were by his special favour permitted as children to see the Town At York the Northern Nobility and Gentry offering their service to his Majesty received thanks for it but were not made use of for prevention of jealousie 'till a greater danger induc'd the King to neglect his fafety no longer and accordingly he selected a company of gallant and loyal persons for his Life guard which were commanded by the young Prince His Majesty assuring them they should hazard their lives no further in defence of their Countries Lawes and Liberties then himself and that they should endanger themselves no farther for his person then his own dear Child In this manner he accompanied the King from York to Newark in Nottinghamshire and from thence to Lincoln and Leicester and back again into Yorkshire in which progress the King endeavoured to satisfie the Counties he passed through of the uprightnesse of his intentions for the good of the Nations and evidenc'd to them the desperate courses the Parliament engaging in order to deprive him of the Royalty left him from his Predecessours and this under pretence of Liberty and Religion At his return into Yorkshire the King informes the Gentlemen there of the Parliaments forwardnesse to a War desires them to spare him some Armes and to compleat Prince Charles's Regiment for the guard of his person under the command of the Earle of Cumberland Not long after the King having gather'd a considerable Army was met between Kinton and Edge-hill in Warwickshire by that of the Parliament under the conduct of the Earl of Essex There was the first considerable battle fought of our civill Wars The Prince was then in the field and the Honourable Earle of Lindsey who was the King's Generall and lost his life in the fight looking upon him very attentively a little before the conjunction of the Armies I know not by what Propheticall instinct utter'd these words Ther 's a Child born to end that VVar we now begin Which how miraculously accomplish't we cannot but gratefully acknowledge the civill Wars having continued ever since the Army which had subdued the one Party afterwards turning their swords upon those that first employ'd them and the poor Nations being rul'd by the sword and always in a state of War and groaning under the miseries inflicted on it by armed Oppressours After this the King retir'd with the Prince to Oxford and committed him to the Right Honourable the Marquesse of Hertford then and still Chancellor of that University who provided for him severall worthy persons in the quality of Tutors for his instruction in all such languages and Sciences as were convenient for the accomplishment of a Prince During his residence there it pleased God to visit him with the Meazles and that not without some danger of death which by the Divine mercy and indulgence to these Nations he avoided is respited we hope for many years Here he was very diligent in commendable studies intermix'd with ingenious and innocent pleasures and upon the King 's summoning a Parliament thither which convened the 22 of Ianuary 1644. himself with his noble Brother the Duke of York sate with the rest of the Nobility in the Upper Schooles which were designed for the House of Lords as the Convocation House was to the Commons who were no inconsiderable number there being present at that Assembly besides these two young Princes the Lord Keeper Littleton the Lord Treasurer Cottington the Duke of Richmond the Marquesse of Hertford nineteen Earles three and twenty Barons and a hundred and fourty Knights and Gentlemen The next year the Prince betakes himself into the field being now about fifteen years old his first course was Westward where by his Majesties Order he had attendants appointed him suitable to the grandeur and state of an heir to three Crowns He set up a Royall Court and chose out a Retinue at his own pleasure the King though disapproving the action in a Letter to the Queen yet admiring his discretion in the Election of them scarce inferiour as a great observer affirm'd to that of his deceased Uncle Prince Henry During this time the King of Portugal sends over an Embassadour who amongst severall specious proposals relating to his Majesties present exigencies tenders one for a Marriage between the Daughter of that King and the Prince of Wales which for good reasons the King his father put off with a civill answer importing a deniall of the proposition though as the policy of State-affairs often makes it necessary to do in words expressing no dislike of it After that fatall battle of Naseby which turn'd the scale to the disadvantage of the Royall Interest severall Overtures interven'd between Prince Charles the Lord Goring and the Parliamentarian General Fairfax but the two former alwayes receiv'd the same answer from him which signified nothing viz. That he was but a servant to the Parliament and could not exceed his Commission which impower'd him onely to fight therefore in râ—ference to a Treaty application ought to be mâ—de to his Masters at VVestminster The Prince accordingly writes to him again to grant the Lords Hopton and Culpepper leave to attend the King and mediate with him for a Treaty with the Parliament to which the General upon grave consultation with his Committee of
and their Army an accommodement of which is undertaken by Commissioners chosen on both sides But the Army judging it would be advantageous for their concernments to get the King into their hands sent Cornet Ioyce to Holmby with 500. Horse upon the fourth of Iune who took the King from thence by night without the privity and consent of the Parliament or the General himself as he profess'd in a Letter to them And now the damnable Mysterie of Iniquity begins to work they march up to S. Albans against the Parliaments order refuse to deliver the King's person to their Commissioners and mongst other insolencies impeach eleven members of the House of Commons The Speaker though he had the day before protested against such a dishonourable Act in the Abbey Church at Westminster flyes to the Army with several Members The City stick to the remaining part of the Parliament for the restoring of the King and declare against the Army Fairfax marches up to London which prepar'd to oppose him enters the City with 20000. Horse and Foot upon the 6. of August re-establishes the Members receives their thanks puts Tichbourn into the Tower of London as Lieutenant takes up his Head-Quarters at Kingston and places the King Hampton Court Within a few dayes after several members of the House are accused of Treason as Sir Iohn Maynard Denzil Hollis Sir William Waller Major General Massey c. Sir Iohn Gayer and four Aldermen Culham Bunce Langham and Adams are committed to the Tower and the Earles of Suffolk Lincoln Middlesex with the Lords Berkley Maynard Hunsdon and VVilloughby of Parham to the Black Rod. All the Works of the City are voted to be cast down upon pretence of bringing in the King but indeed according to the design of the Army sutably to whose pleasure they acted to disable it from resistance Propositions are sent to the King the same in effect with the former of Newcastle Agitators are set up by the Souldiers amongst themselves to carry on their Interests The Scots Commissioners send a Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons for a personal Treaty between his Majesty and the Commissioners of both Nations But whil'st new Propositions are preparing the King being inform'd of designes against his Life escapes from Hampton-Court with intent to go to the Isle of Iersey where the Prince still lay At his coming to the sea-shoar he found himself disappointed of a ship and therefore goes with Col. Legg to Tedsworth to the Countess Dowager of Southampton's house and sends Sir Iohn Berkley and Mr. Ashburnham which three accompanied him in his escape to the Isle of Wight to L.G. Hammond of whom he had with no great reason entertain'd some hopes Hammond goes with them and fetches the King to Carisbrook Castle Hence he sends a Letter to the Parliament the Scots Commissioners granting all they could desire Whereupon new propositions are sent to him which the Scots protest against as too derogatory to his Honour and therefore they are refused Hereupon the incensed Commons vote no further Addresses to him which presently endears them to the Army again Affairs standing in this ill posture the Prince with the Duke of York who had escaped in woman's apparel from S. Iames's and landed at Dort in Holland by the help of Col. Bampfield sent over purposely on that design by the Queen Prince Rupert the Lords Hopton Wilmot VVilloughby Brainford Culpepper Ruthen Sir Henry Palmer c. in his own ships and those that had revolted in all twenty sail with 2000. men mov'd to and fro in the Downes and upon the southern Coast to lay hold of any opportunity that might present it self for the service of his Father sending forth several Commissions to that purpose to persons of honour and trust who might promote his affairs by land and to the Marq of Ormond the Lord Inchequin and Montgomery in Ireland to the Committee of States in Scotland and their Officers to the Lord Goring in Kent and the Lord Capel in Essex to Sir Thomas Glenham and Sir Marmaduke Langdale in the North to Col. Poyer Laughorn and Powel in Wales as also to Sir Edw. Hales Sir Charles Lucas the Duke of Buckingham the Earles of Holland and Peterborough Letters of correspondency passe mutually between him and the Scots his Father and the City whereof some are intercepted in which the City the Lord and some Commons are intimated ready to contribute all assistance possible For the better satisfaction of the World his Highnesse was pleased to publish a most gracious Declaration which consisted of the ensuing Particulars 1. For the establishment of Religion according to his Majesties agreement of the 26. of December last viz. That Presbytery should be continued for Three yeares and a free debate to be had between the Divines assembled at Westminster and twenty whom his Majesty should appoint about the settlement of Church Government for the future 3. For the performance of the said Agreement and pursuance of the concessions on the King's part which were That the Parliament should dispose of the Militia and have the choice of his privy Counsellors during his Reign c. That the Arrears of the Army be pay'd c. 3. For restoring the King to a personal Treaty 4. For the just Priviledges of Parliament 5. for an Act of Oblivion 6. For the Liberty of the Subject and the abolishing Excise Taxes and Free Quarter c. 7. For disbanding of all Armies and setling of Peace 8. For the defence of the Narrow Seas securing of Trade support of the Navy and Seamen c. This excellent Declaration was seconded with a Letter from his Highnesse to the House of Peers desiring 1. That a Personal Treaty be had in such place and manner as may consist with the King's Honour Safety and Freedome that the Treaty be not blemish'd with any appearance of a restraint 2. That Scotland be included 3. That in the mean time there be a cessation of Armes and an orderly moderate subsistence agreed on for Forces on Foot on both sides by land and sea to the Souldiers content and the Subjcts ease Hereupon within a short time severall attempts were made for the King's service April the 9. 1643. the London Apprentices made an insurrection but were supprest by Fairfax the next day Soon after Colonel Poyer and Major General Laughorn and Powel revolted and reduc'd South-wales to his Majesties service Sir Iohn Owen also got together a party but they were all routed and enforced to surrender the places they had seis'd and themselves prisoners In behalf of the two former the Prince under whose Commission they acted desired Generall Fairfax that they might have the terms and usage of souldiers of war as those had whom the fortune of war had made prisoners to his Highnesse But the General answer'd It was not in his power to act further the Parliament ordering their tryal he dar'd not interpose against their justice So that they were
afterwards tryed as Traytor 's but this favour was extended towards them that they should cast lots for their lives it hapned to be Poyer's fate to suffer and he was shot to death which he took with much resolution The next party we meet with in Armes for the King's deliverance out of a barbarous captivity and admission to a personal Treaty and the settlement of the Nation in peace were the inhabitants of Kent who having seen the Petitions presented to that purpose to the Parliament by the Counties of Essex Surrey and the City of London slighted and some of the Petitioners murder'd resolved not to petition but with their swords in their hands So they assemble together in a considerable body upon Black-heath near Greenwich about the latter end of May 1648. under Sir Edward Hales commissioned from his Highnesse Sir George Lisle Sir Gamaliel Dudley Sir William Compton c. I shall crave leave to be a little more particular in relating the whole management of this and some of the following enterprises then I have adventured to be hitherto because it was carried on by authority deriv'd immediately from the Prince and was of it self one of the most considerable General Fairfax himself with six thousand Foot and two thousand Horse marches forth against the Kentish men who were near ten thousand but unadvisedly parted their Forces and sent away a Brigade to besiege Dover Castle The first intercourse between them was the offer of a Parley to which the General sent this answer Sirs I Received a Message from you for a Passe for some G ntlemen to come and treat according to an Order of Parliament but know no such Order of theirs no Authority of yours to appoint Commissioners for such a purpose And finding you and them in Armes against the Parliament I cannot admit of a Treaty But if ye shall forthwiih lay down your Armes and return home I doubt not of the Parliaments mercy to such as have been deluded into this Rebellion and their exemplary justice upon the chief Actors therein Black heath May 30. 1648 T. FAIRFAX To this harsh answer by directions from the Prince they handsomely reply'd That they had taken Armes in obedience 1. To an universal and perpetual dictate of nature even self-preservation not to invade others right but to secure their own 2. To an undoubted power over us ordained of God we do now obey say they and neither tumult nor rebell 3. To Providence which hath given us that opportunity we dare not neglect and we cannot lay them down without forfeiture of our Reason and our Honour As to the uncertain mercy you hold forth for the deluded many who you think know not why they are come together and the certain justice you threaten their Leaders with Assure your self there is but one soul in this great body which is unanimously resolv'd to stand or fall as one man being not tempted with any hope save that of returning to our ancient Rights Priviledges Governments and Settlements and uncapable of any Fear save only of relapsing again to our former slavery The fair mannage of this businesse sufficiently manifests our inclination to peace Be pleased rather to make this County your Friend then your End And we are Your Servants PHIL. MASILDS EDW. HALES The General being inflexible and they as resolute they meet at a barricado'd bridge between Craiford Heath and Gravesend and dispute the passage very stoutly which at length is gained by the Parliamentarians and another at Northfield whereupon the Kentish retire to Maidstone Fairfax reenforcing his Army to the number of 10000. storms the Town on the 2. of Iune but was twice repulsed with losse The third assault got him entrance when the fight grew more hot upon the Assailants then before as well by the forces in the street as by continuall shot from the houses Nor was the victory accomplish't till after six hours fight and much losse on both sides Presently after this the City of Rochester was also yielded to the General 's mercy The Lord Goring with the remainder of this Defeat marches up in a body towards London and rendezvoused upon Black-heath expecting some assistance from the City which hope failing he cross'd over Greenwich Ferry with five hundred men into Essex where he was met by Sir Charles Lucat and the Lord Capel with two thousand horse and foot and they march together to the Town of Colchester But soon after General Fairfax leaving Colonel Rich and Hewson who had already rais'd the siege of Dover to take in the other places of Kent which stood out crosses over into Essex after the Eenemy and beleagures Colchester with a potent Army The Prince with his Fleet consisting as I said of twenty good men of War and two thousand souldiers some of which were lately revolted with the Parliaments Vice-Admiral Batten who was thereupon Knighted put in at Yarmouth Road and would have landed there buâ— finding no great alacrity in most part of the people to receive him and hearing of Colonel Scroop's coming against him with a strong party of Horse and Foot he sailed from thence to the Downes in Kent seising what Merchants ships and goods he could meet withall Whilst he was here he sent two Letters to the City of London one to the Common-council expressing his Highnesse good affection to peace and to the whole City and his endeavours to vindicate his Father's Liberty and just Prerogative and Rights To restore the people their Laws Liberties and Properties To free them from that bondage under which they were now held like a conquer'd Nation To ease them of Excise and Taxes To settle Religion according to his Father's Agreement made with the Scots and to reduce all things into their ancient and proper Chanell This Letter was accompanied with his Declaration to the same purpose the contents of which we mentioned above The other was to the Merchant Adventurers informing them that he had made stay of three of their ships but without intent to make prize of any of them desiring to borrow 20000. l. of them to be repay'd out of the Customes and requires their speedy Answer The Copies of these two Letters were brought to the House of Parliament by the Sheriffs of London some of the Common Council Upon consideration of them Colonel Harvey first prolixly aggravating many faul s in the King's Government according to the scandalous Remonstrance not long before published against him said The Prince was his Fath rs own son as like him as could be That he had invited the Scots to come in and had declared for them and had been formerly against the Parliament That he was but a Subject And moved the House to declare him a Rebel and a Traytour Sir Peter VVentworth Mr. Knightly and Mr. Blakestone seconded him with much earnestnesse and so did Edward Ash who farther moved That the Common Council and Merchants should give no Answer to his Letters alledging There was no
danger the Prince should make prize of their ships for that he had engaged to the States of the Low Countries to do no act prejudicial to Trade At last the debate was put off till the next day when the Speaker putting the House in mind of it again it was earnestly called upon by the younger Sir Iohn Evelin Scot VVeaver Hollond Boys and almost all the godly gang So the debate was resumed and VVeaver went very high to try the Temper of the House But the debate interminis That the Prince should be declared a Râ—bel a Traitor was soon laid by though violently press'd chiefly for these reasons 1. They had not the Originals of the Princes Letters and Declaration which the Common Council still kept but only Copies not so much as attested upon Oath by any authentick Clerk therefore no legall Proceedings could be upon them 2. It world argue no peaceable inclination in them the same day when they sent Messengers to invite the King his Father to a Treaty of Peace 3. It could not consist with the National Covenant 4. It is High Treason by the Stat. 25. Edw. 3. to endeavour the destruction of the Prince the King 's eldest Son but to declare him a Rebel and a Traytor was to endeavour to destroy him and therefore High Treason c. But what they could not do expresly they did implicitely by Voting all that should adhere to aid or assist the Prince Rebels and Traytors Hereby they put a tye upon the City not to redeem their ships by lending 20000. l. to the Prince and yet had a Pyrate taken them it had been lawfull to redeem them About this time also an Order passed the House of Commons for the Earl of VVarwick to fight the Prince at sea It was sent up to the Lords and passed that House too whereby it became an Ordinance yet some of the Lords entred a Protestation against it as the Earles of Lincoln Suffolk Lord North. The Prince continued still in the Downes with his Fleet in a good condition waiting for that supply of Land forces his Brother the Prince of Orange was very industriously raising for his service in Holland and in the interim was willing to do something for the relief of Deal Castle which was besieged by a party of Fairfax's Army left in Kent for that purpose In order to which he landed 500. men who at first charged handsomely but being overpowr'd by number were beaten several slain and taken and the rest got aboard again Failing of this attempt he was inclinable to hazard himself for the relief of Colchester which bravely held out against Fairfax's whole power but from this he was disswadeded as a businesse of too apparent danger Wherefore he continued expecting the event of Hamilton's expedition in the North who was sent into England by the Parliament of Scotland with an Army of 21000. upon the account of the Covenant viz. for a restitution of his Majesty with safety and honour and settlement of Presbyterie On the 15. day of Iuly the House of Commons without the Lords Vote the Scots that were come into England enemies and that they might covertly include the Prince the Question was put That all such English as had invited the Scots under Duke Hamilton to come in hostile manner into England should be declared Traitors and carried in the affirmative He that shall consider the House of Commons was still in a manner entire and consisted of the very same men that so often and by so many Votes Remonstrances Declarations Protestations Vowes and Oaths pretended the defence of the King's person and just authority settlement of these Nations in purity of Religion and preservation of the just Rights and Liberties of the Subject the very same things now petition'd for by several Counties declared for by the parties up in Kent Essex and Duke Hamilton in the North cannot but wonder they should vote them Traitors and endeavour their destruction with that of the Nations consequently who took up armes in the greatest sincerity possible for those honourable purposes themselves alledged to countenance their own against the King But the truth is the two Houses sate under a force ever since August 6. 1647. when Fairfax march't up with his Army in hostile manner against the City For from that time the lesser party of the House who together with some Officers of the Army had layd the blackest design that ever was hatcht by the instinct of the Devil siding with the Army over-aw'd all the Proceedings of Parliament and at the same time held the King and the major part of the House in suspence with unfaithfull Treaties and sent their forces against such as desir'd the same things they would be believ'd themselves intended The House of Lords too being strangely supine in not resenting the frequent sleighting and contempt of their Authority and not attempting any thing at all for the deliverance of their Soveraign the Vindication of their own Honour that of the Nation with it's rights priviledges and freedomes against the Usurpation of an Army and corrupt faction in that of the Commons An insolence which I am perswaded none of their great Ancestors we find in Histories under the same Titles but would have ventur'd both lives and fortunes to the utmost rather then have endured and certainly their posterity will wonder what they were doing all this while The Earle of Holland indeed though no Souldier yet dar'd well and out of a sense of Honour thought himself oblig'd to try his fortune in the Field if possible he might be an Instrument to avert the Destruction he saw threatned his Soveraign and the miseries of tyrannie impendent over this poor Nation by an armed power By commission from the Prince he assembles together about 500. Horse and Foot about Kingston heath Iuly 2. having with him the Duke of Buckingham and his Brother the L. Francis Villers and the Earle of Peterborough But he was soon routed by a stronger Party himself taken and afterwards put to death for his noble but unfortunate Attempt Such were the sinnes of this Nation and thus the good Providence of God was pleased to bring about the punishment of them by frustrating all meanes and courses taken to deliver it from the miseries of that threatned it For soon after viz. August 17. the great Army under Hamilton is defeated by Cromwell and Lambert at Preston in Lancashire and the Duke himself taken and afterwards beheaded by the English Parliament for this action This Defeat was followed by the surrender of Colchester which had indur'd a sharp starving Siege of three moneths upon hopes of relief from this Scottish Army Thus all the Princes Enterprises failing and his Fleet being in great need of provision he is forced to give over further Action and retires to the Hague in Holland to his Sister the Princesse of Orange in expectation and attendance upon Providence Shortly after many Counties of England soliciting the Parliament
for a Treaty with the King the honester and greater part take heart again recall the Votes of Non-Addresses Vote a Treaty send Commissioners with Propositions to the King All which his Majesty fully consented to and there was no difference between him and the Houses but concerniâ—g Presbytery which he granted should be established for three years All men now hoped for a happy settlement But alas now begin the greatest of our woes The Army who could not think their greatness and power would be durable if the King liv'd draw nearer to London petition for their Arrears and for Justice upon the King as the Capitall cause of the Evils of the Civil War to which effect also they publish a Remonstrance requiring withall that a peremptory Day be set for summoning the Prince of VVales and Duke of York and if they refuse to declare them incapable of Government or succession and to stand exiled as Traytors and if they render themselves yet they to be proceeded against for satisfaction with other damands of the like strain To bring their accursed design to passe Fairfax commands Colonel Hammond to deliver up his charge to Colonel Ewer by whom the King is conveyed out of the Isle of VVight to Hurst Castle Novemb. 30. contrary to the intentions and consent of the Parliament as they declar'd And thus the Treaty was violenty broken off Yet the Lords Vote the King's concessions a sufficient ground for Peace and so do the major part of the Commons But the Army march up to London discharge the Trained Bands from guarding the Parliament and order Pride's and Rich's Regiments to supply their places by whom above fourty Members are seiz'd on and confin'd Major General Brown ninety odde Members excluded the House Then the Army form a new Model of Government which they stile The Agreement of the people destructive to all the Fundamental Laws of the Land which was presented to the new molded House by Sir Hardres VValler and 16. Officers The House hereupon annull the Votes against Non-addresses and exclude all Members that will not joyn with them in this proceeding They then proceed to order the Tryall of the King and remove him though the Lords refus'd to concurre and declare no act of the Commons binding without their consent However force overcomes all Right Reason A pretended High Court of Iustice is erected of which Iohn Bradshaw newly created Serjeant at Law is made President The King is brought before them upon Saturday the 20 of Ianuary 1648. on Monday the 22. on Tuesday the 23. and on Saturday the 27. of the same moneth where persisting with magnanimity and reason to deny the power of the Court and being most impudently and insolently treated by Bradshaw he is condemned to be beheaded for Tyranny Treason and Murder According to which sentence having taken leave of his Children here is England and sent his blessing to his son in Holland he was put to death before White-hal Gate upon Tuesday the 30. of Ianuary the Dutch and French Embassadours in behalf of his Majesty made intercession for his life The Scottish Parliament publish'd a Remonstrance against the Parliaments Proceedings The Ministry of London declar'd their disallowance before God and Men The House of Peers offer'd themselves as pledges for his Sacred Majesty but all prevailed nothing The barbarous Iuncto are inexorable being made so desperate by their own guilt that they thought nothing could secure their former crimes but this impious detestable and unparallel'd murther of their Sovereign During his Majesties tryall which was carried on with all expedition and speed the Prince who could not be satisfi'd of that strange turn from a Treaty to a Tryall writ the following Letter to his Father by the Lord Seymour SIR HAving no means to come to the knowledge of your Majestie 's affairs but such as I receive from the Prints or whiâ—h is as uncertain reports I have sent this bearer Seymour to wait upon your Majâ—sty and to bring me an account of it and that I may withall assure your Majesty I do not only pray for your Majesty according to my duty but shall alwaies be ready to do all which shall be in my power to deserve the blessing which I now humbly beg of your Majesty upon Sir Your Majestie 's most humble and most obedient Son and Servant CHARLES Hague Ian. 23. 1648. But alas Sad were the tydings the Lord Seymour return'd with into Holland the most inhumane illegall and barbarous murther of the King of Great Britain by the hands of his English Subjects An Act which struck all Europe with horror and amazement and which certainly our Posterity will eternally detest To represent the sorrow and affliction of our Illustrious Prince with his Royal Brother the Duke of York and his Sister of Orange without doubt surpasses all the power of words No Prince ever lost a Father whom he was to succeed in Royalty with greater regret and indeed all circumstances consider'd I conceive no mortal man had ever greater occasion of grief Certainly had not the extraordinary grace of God supported him he could never have borne up against it I know not how better to resent his passionate resentment then by imitating the old Grecian Painter who being to pourtray Agamemnon present at the sacrifice of his Daughter represented all his followers weeping and lamenting but drew a veil over the Father's face as hiding the transcendent passion his Pencil was unable to expresse A few dayes before the King's death the Commons voted the style in Writs and all Judicial proceedings to be altered from Carolus Dei gratia c. the Great Seal with the Royal Scutcheon of England to be broken and a new one made with the Armes of England the Harp of Ireland with these words The Great Seal of England engraven on one side and on the Reverse the picture of the House of Commons sitting with these words In the first year of Freedome by God's blessing restored 1648. On the evening of that black day on which his Majesty suffered a Proclamation was set forth by the Iuncto prohibiting all persons upon pain of High Treason to presume to declare or publickly to promote Charles Stuart styled Prince of Wales eldest son of the late King or any of the rest of his Children to be King of England In pursuance of which determination having taken their King out of the way they proceed against Kingship and constitute a select Number of themselves joyn'd with the General and chief Officers of the Army in the Supreme authority The House of Peers is voted dangerous and unnecessary and an Act pass'd and proclaim'd in the City of London for the abolishing of Kingly Government and settling these Nations in way of a Free State It was also published 1. That it should be Treason to speak against this Form of Goverment 2. That it should be Treason for any to endeavour the exercise of Kingships in these Nations in his
them comparing the old Tyrant to Moses and his Impe to Ioshua the Guides and conductors of Gods people out of Aegyptian thraldome The chosen Members assembled at VVestminster on Ian. 27. and so did the Other House Great debates were amongst them touching the recognition of the Government transacting with the Other House as Lords during which two Speakers successively dy'd till the young Protector being undermined by a Caball of Officers Fleetwood Desborough c. weakly yielded to the Dissolving of the Parliament on Friday April 22. shortly after which a Fast being solemniz'd the remainder of the Long Parliament who had been dissolved by Cromwel in April 20. 1653. were invited by Lambert to sit again which they did on the 7. of May excluding by violence such of their Fellow-members as they had before secluded in Decemb. 1648. though they were the greater number Richard was thereupon depriv'd of his Government so was his brother Harry in Ireland And now this old Iunto being advanc'd again and congratulated as other Governments had formerly been from Scotland Ireland and the Fleet begin to act like subtile Politicians And to the end the Army might be kept in obedience to them they made the Speaker of the House General cashir'd many Officers and caus'd new Commissions to be deliver'd by the Speaker in the House of Parliament to all the Commanders both of Land and Sea-Forces The affections of the people they did not much value so long as the Army would stand to them To gratifie whom they impos'd a whole years Tax at 35000. l. per mensem to be paid immediately After which about Iuly they pass'd an Act for settling the Militia of Counties in such hands as they pleased But Lambert and the other Officers who intended to have the whole guard of the Rump and aim'd at other designs not relishing this proceeding it was laid aside Nothing could have been more odious to the Nation then this re-establishment of the Rump-Parliament who taking these courses to secure the perpetuall continuance of their sitting and resolving never to encrease their number by admitting their fellow-members or new ones legally elected in their places awakened the spirits of most of the Gentry of the Nation to attempt something for their Countries liberty by restitution of the ancient Government A great inclination there was in most Counties to take up Armes and several Offers were made in divers places but none was so considerable as that in Cheshire Lancashire and the parts adjoyning under Sir George Booth Sir Thomas Middleton and other Gentlemen in those parts They declar'd for a full and free Parliament to be elected by the People Sir George Booth had taken Westchester and was reported to be very numerous Whereupon Lambert was sent out against him with an Army of six or seven thousand men and a train of Artillery moreover forces from all quarters were appointed to draw to him so that all meeting he had a very puissant Army The party under Sir George Booth had been in Armes a a good time before Lambert came against them in expectation that other Counties would have done the like but this hope failing upon Lambert's approach many of them withdrew from him The rest came to an encounter with Lambert at Northwich and were without much difficulty defeated The number of the slain was not many but the Prisoners were in great multitudes Sir George Booth himself was also within a few dayes after taken in a disguise in an Inne at Newport-Pagnel in Bedfordshire as he was coming up to London Persons of quality taken besides him were the Earle of Derby the Lord Kilmurrey Major General Ranulph Egerton Sir William Neile Sir Thomas Powel of Flintshire Col. Massey of Cheshire Major Peter Brook The Earle of Stamford and Sir Thomas Leventhorp were also imprison'd in other places with some hundreds of Gentlemen for designing to levy war against the Commonwealth The Rump overjoy'd with this successe presented Lambert with 1000. l. to buy him a jewel but he thought it more suitable to his designes to distribute it amongst his Army During these actions in England his Majesty privately withdrew from Bruxells together with the Duke of York it was imagin'd by many that they were come concealed into England in expectation of the event or at least lay upon the Sea-coasts ready to have transported some forces in a Fleet which rode upon the Coast of Flanders in case matters had succeeded prosperously But not long after the suppression of the Cheshire Insurrection they appeared again at Bruxells from whence his Majesty dispatcht an Embassadour to attend with certain Proposals at the Interview of Cardinal Mazarini for the French King and Don Lewis de Haro for the Spanish who met upon the confines to treat a Peace between the two Crowns and a Marriage between the King of France and the Infanta of Spain The Embassadour was entertain'd by the two grand Ministers with very high testimonies of honour and respect and promised to have his Master's Interest taken into consideration assoon as the concernments of their own would permit But in England the pretended Parliament fell eagerly to their old beloved Trade of Sequestration and determin'd to exercise the utmost of severity upon the actors in the late Insurrection And no doubt they they would have prosecuted their intentions had not Providence diverted their malice by a breach which fell out between them and the principal Officers of the Army Lambert whose ambition instigated to him to be so active in the late change of Government and so popular in the management of his late expedition together with other grand Officers thought the Parliament so oblig'd to them for restoring them to Power and preserving them in it that they conceiv'd none of their demands ought to be denyed Whereupon at their return to London a Petition was presented to the House by Desborough for a General The Iunto remembring how their former General had serv'd them not only denied this request but vacated the Commissions of Lambert Desborough and 7. others and voted the supreme command of the Army into the hands of seven Commissioners whereof two or three were Army-men the others Members of Parliament Lambert and his Companions were so incensed herewith that upon the 11. of Octob. Forces were drawn out on either side at VVestminster those for the Iunto commanded by Haselrig Morley and others those for the Army by Lambert himself Desborough Berry and other Colonels and had not the Council of State interpos'd they had charg'd one another Neverthelesse the Army-party prevail'd and turn'd the Rump out of doors Oct. 13. Which being done the great Officers being assembled in Council at Wallingford-house dispos'd of commands among themselves Fleetwood was made General Lambert Lieutenant General Desborough General of the Horse and that they might satisfy Gen. Monck too who govern'd Scotland they made him Major General of the Foot As for civil Affairs they erected a Committee of
Safety consisting chiefly of Army-Officers and some Members of the dissolved Iunto who cided with them as Vane Salwey c. The council of Officers also for satisfaction of the people put forth a Declaration concerning their late proceedings charging the Rump with high Crimes and making void their late pretended Acts. Moreover they appointed certain persons to frame a Model of Government which no question would have prov'd an excellent one when onely Sword-men and Tradesmen were to be the contrivers But that which check'd their contentment in these courses was the dissatisfaction of Gen. Monck in Scotland Letters of expostulation past to and fro between the General and Fleetwood but the English Army in the mean time prepar'd to march against him forthwith and was led towards the North by Lambert consisting of about 12000. men The General seeing them thus beforehand with him sent Commissioners to Westminster to treat yet with all march'd Southward with what Forces he could raise and fortifi'd Berwick upon Tweed The Commissioners going beyond their Instructions the General was not satisfi'd with the Treaty and therefore soon after desir'd another at New-Castle during which he call'd a Convention of Estates in Scotland who not only approved his undertaking but assisted him in it While things stood thus the City of London though they well enough lik'd the turning out of the Rump would by no means join with the Army But about the beginning of December the Apprentices and some others fram'd a Petition to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen for a Free Parliament the Souldiers understanding it interpos'd and a great hurly burly thereupon arose in the City some being slain and others wounded Fleetwood was therefore desir'd to draw his Forces out of the City but instead of doing that he placed Garrisons in several parts of it threatning to fire it if the Citizens stir'd At the same time Haselrig Morley and some other Rumpers seis'd on Portsmouth and declar'd against the Army and part of the Navy under Vice-Admiral Lawson did the like and blockt up the Thames The City in this condition would declare neither for Parliament nor Army but still desired a free Parliament which at last was consented to upon divers enslaving qualifications and proclaim'd by the Committee of Safety to begin on Ian. 24. Upon the borders all this while nothing was done the Treaty took no effect neverthelesse Gen. Monck kept from engaging nor was it possible for Lambert to draw him to it whose Forces quartered in a cold barren Country unable to march by reason of the hardnesse of the weather At length Fleetwood having treated with Lawson to no effect and his souldiers being ready to mutiny for want of pay was forced out of apprehension of worser consequence to give over ruling and the Rump slipt into the House again on Decemb. 26. late in the evening by Torch-light Upon the news hereof Lambert's Army deserted him and General Monck enter'd into England with his about the 6. of Ian. Whilst affairs were thus turbulent in England his Majesty being at Diepe in Normandy receiv'd an invitation from Don Lewis de Haro the great Spanish Minister at the Frontier of Spain Which his Majesty accepting rid post incognito through France being accompanied onely with the Lord Marquis of Ormond and the Earl of Bristol Upon information of his approach to Bayonne the Spanish Favourite went forth with a splendid Traine to meet him and upon the first sight of him alighted from his Horse and notwithstanding the inconvenience of the place in a very humble posture embraced his Majestie 's knees from whence also he conducted him riding all the way bareheaded to the best lodgings the place afforded On the next day his Majestie was visited by Mazarini whom he entertain'd with that discreet warinesse that he let him know he sufficiently understood his projects The result of his Majestie 's consultations with Don Lewis was that the Favorite in his Masters name promised him all assistance both of men and mony assoon as the conclusion of the French peace permitted Whereupon his Majesty after high caresses and treatments returned privately by Post to Paris where staying with the Queen his Mother some few dayes he departed to his former residence at Brussels This private journey occasion'd so certain a belief in the Sectarians here in power that his Majesty and the Duke of York who lay at Calis were come over into England that many persons were apprehended for them and particularly one Mr. Colt was taken and imprison'd for the Duke of York and others also for his Majesty We left Gen. Monck upon his march out of Scotland all parties had their hopes fixt upon him the Rump presuming by his assistance to quell the refractory City and the Citizens that he would enforce the Rump either to call in the Members secluded in Dec. 1648. or to fill up the House with new Elections yet none knew certainly his intentions During his March he was address'd to by several Counties for the same things that the City desir'd who also sent their Swordbearer as far as New-Castle to congratulate his coming and tender the respects and affections of the City to him Yet he gave such answers as were not satisfactory to any The Rump also sent two of their Members Robinson and Scot to wait upon him but indeed rather as spies to watch and observe him At St. Albans some Aldermen and Common-Council men of London were sent to him from the City to court him but were return'd as all others only with thanks for their respects On Friday Feb. 3. he marched into London and was lodg'd at White-hall being much caress'd by the Rump and receiv'd their thanks in the House The City continuing still their refractoriness to the Rump and perceiving they so delay'd the filling up of the House as if they never intended it on VVednesday Feb. 8. pass'd a Vote in Common Council not to pay or levy any Taxes until such time as they might have a full free Parliament This so enrag'd the Rump that they order'd the General to march with his Army into the City pull up the Chains and Posts break down the Gates and Portcullis and imprison divers Aldermen and Commissioners Which was accordingly executed the next day to the great terror and amazement not onely of the City but of the whole Nation when they heard the report of it But this consternation did not last long for the General reflecting on the odious service the Rump had put him upon and apprehending their intentions to retrench his power which indeed his Commission being that day expir'd they did accordingly joyning him with some of their Members and Officers in the supreme command of the Army on Saturday Feb. 11. drew his Army into Finsbury fields and presently after upon some conference with the Lord Mayor and some chief Citizens writ a Letter to the Iunto as from VVhite-Hall subscribed by Himself and 14. of his chief Officers wherein he
War returns his desire That his Highnesse would be pleased to disband his Army and he would conduct him with honour to the Parliament This seeming too hard a condition the Lord Capel by the princes command reply'd by Letter That his Highnesse did not believe that his overture of engaging himself in the mediation of a blessed Peace for this miserable Kingdome would have brought him an inhibition to quit his duty to his Royal Father by dividing his Interest from that of his Majesty whereby he should render himself unworthy and uncapable of the fruit of that peace he laboured for If his proposition might be consented to he hop'd God would so bless his sincere intentions and desires as to make him a blessed Instrument to preserve this Kingdome from dissolution But if that be rejected he should give the world no cause to believe that he would forfeit that honour which only can preserve him in a capacity of doing that service should with patience attend God's good pleasure untill his endeavours may be applyed with preservation of his Innocence This is all I have in command from his Highnesse Your Servant A. CAPEL Such were the honourable loyal and good intentions of this noble Prince and such was the insolence of the Victors and the fate of this Nation that no mediation could be acceptable that might prevent its approaching totall ruine so that this generous Letter receiv'd no other answer but silence Shortly after the Prince repairs to Oxford and there reconciles his Cousins the Princes Rupert and Maurice to his Father their Uncle From thence also he writes severall Letters to the Speaker of the House of Peers containing Propositions for reconciliation and peace which notwithstanding took no effect Therefore he departs into the West with intent to raise the forces of his Dukedome of Cornwall and the County of Devon for the relief of Exceter which was at that time besieged by Sir Thomas Fairfax In order to which he commits his own Army to the conduct of the Lord Hopton who soon after resolv'd to come upon the back of Fairfax and accordingly advanced to Torrington with 5000. Horse and 4000 Foot Fairfax hearing this leave his siege and marches towards Torrington The Battel began near the Town which was after a sharp encounter taken and the Lord Hopton himself shot in the thigh but escaped away to Stratton His Highnesse in the mean time was at Lanceston but understanding the Approach of Fairfax's Army he quitteth it leaving Colonel Basset behind him with 500. Foot and Horse who skirmished with the Parliamentarians and being soon worsted got off by the favour of the darknesse of the Night The Prince in the mean time goes to Pendennis where finding the pursuit so hot he imbarqued himself for the Isle of Scilly on the first of March 1646. accompanied by the Lords Goring and Culpeper and Sir Edward Hide Soon after his departure the Lord Hopton finding Fairfax's successes daily to increase and himself unable to do any service to check them with those broken Forces he had left desires a cessation but the General summons him to lay down Armes upon which ensued a Treaty at Tresilian Bridge Sir Thomas Fairfax quartering at Truro and the Lord Hopton further west ward between whom it was agreed upon the thirteenth of March That the Lord Hopton should disband his Army in the west and have fifty Horse of his own and fifty of General Fairfax's for his Convoy to Oxford That all strangers should have passes to go beyond Seas to carry with them what was their own without Horses Armes That all English Officers should go home to their respective habitations or if they plea's beyond Sea each Colonel to have his horse and two men to wait on him each Captain one man and horse the Troopers 20 s. a piece and to go whither they pleased Such was the Fate of the Royall Cause under the conduct of this Heroical Prince who wanted fortune rather then virtue to be happy Hitherto we have with all succinctnesse and verity represented the adventures and actions of his Highnesse from his infancy here in England He was now about sixteen years old the last six of which he had been a spectatour of his Father's calamities and the ruine of his native Countrey having been a sufferer in both assoon as he was become capable to distinguish between good and evil Most part of his tender age was spent in Armies amongst the tumults and noise of an unfortunate War and now he finds himself enforc'd to quit the Territory of England leaving the King his Father with the Duke of York and the two Palatine Princes Rupert and Maurice closely besieged in Oxford by the Parliaments Forces and most of the other Garrisons of the King 's ready to surrender to the power of their victorious Armies The sense of all which certainly had been insupportable by a spirit lesse couragious and firm against such heavy adversities then that of this young Heroe We must now follow him into the Island of Scilly where he had not been long but a solemn message is sent from the Parliament to invite him to come to them and to reside in such places as they thought convenient with such Attendants and Counsellors as should be by them appointed It being no part of my design to comment upon any passages of this History but only to represent things nakedly as they were done I shall forbear to make any conjectures what the intentions of the Parliament were in this invitation leaving the Readers to their own judgement Indeed the Prince had inducements enough to move him to accept of their offer his Father's condition in a manner desperate his own little better having no hopes left but those slender ones of foreign succour it might have seem'd the best and safest course to a young Prince to secure his succession at least to the Government to have gone to them upon honourable terms according to the example of Edward the 3. in the life-time of his father Edward the 2. But loyalty prevailed above all other considerations and therefore upon 24. of April he returâ—s this prudent Answer That it became him not to doe any thing in a matter of that concernment without his Royall Father's privity advice and free consent and therefore before he could satisfie the Honourable House he desired that a passe might be granted for the Lord Capel to go to the King at Oxford to take his advice and hearken to his Royall pleasure and make some overtures to him in order to a peace Moreover he desired that the Reverend Arch-bishop of Armagh a person of transcendent learning great moderation and of an unspotted and inoffensive life might have liberty to come to him These proposals though extreme fair and reasonable were offer'd to deaf eares and took no effect In the mean time Fairfax having taken in the City of Exceter and the town of Barnstable upon Articles marches against Oxford
issued out of London-Derry and beat off Sir Rob. Stuart and Col. Mervin that besieg'd it And immediately upon this successe Ol. Cromwell landed in Ireland with the Title of Lord Lieutenant and was follow'd by his Son-in-Law Ireton with about 40. ships The Royall Field Army being lost Cromwell falls upon the Garrisons the first place he attaqued was Droghedah or Tredagh which he soon took by storme and with a cruelty unknown since the first rise of Christianity put the Governour Sir Arthur Aston a noble Gentleman that had serv'd the late King in England and all Inhabitants of the Town of all ages and sexes to the Sword Thus was Providence pleas'd to suffer wickednesse to prosper This successe was follow'd with the losse of many considerable Townes and Castles in all parts of Ireland besides serverall Field-battels obtain'd over the Lords Inchequin Ardes and Clanduboys and Lieut. Gen. Farrell by the L. Broghill Sir Ch. Coot Col. Venables Zanchy Renolds and Hewson So that in lesse then the space of this year that Kingdome was wholly lost which in the beginning of it his Majestie lookt upon as so considerably his own that he was almost perswaded to have gone thither in person but waved upon mature advice and went to the Isle of Iersey where he was proclaimed by the Islanders immediately and the L. Iermin Earle of Yarmouth was made Governour and Sir Geo. Carteret his Deputy His retinue at his arrivall in this place amounted to about 300. persons A little before his departue from St. Germains the Duke of York came to him out of Holland was visited by the French King and the Cardinal of whom he humbly implored ayd in behalf of his Brother Mazarini answer'd civilly that he might assure himself of all favour and assistance from the King of France as soon as he had the power and opportunity to serve him In the mean time the Duke is persented with 100000. Crownes From Iersey his Majesty sends his Summons to Guernsey which was wholly the Parliament's saving Cornet Castle to submit to his obedience But it was to no effect It is reported by some his Majesty had some expectation from the Levellers who at that time had revolted from the rest of the Parliament's Army but whatever their designe was they were supprest both in the West and at Burford in Oxfordshire The English Plantations in the West-Indies at this time under the Lord Willoughby of Parham refus'd Obedience and Subjection to the Parliament who thereupon first interdicted them all Traffick Commerce and shortly after reduc'd them with a Fleet sent from England under the Command of Sir Geo. Ayscough The King at Iersey receiving intelligence of these unfortunate successes following one upon the neck of another his chief hopes and expectations lay now in Scotland He understood the severall Factions there and that the Covenanters who were most considerable both for Power and Number sought their own advantage by him and would cause much difficulty in his affairs there wherefore to balance them a little by the honest Royalists who were his and had been his Father's friends and whom the former endevour'd to keep under as also to bring them to more equitable Termes he gives Commission to the noble and valiant Lord Marquis of Montrosse to raise forces for him in Holland and other parts The Marquis in a short time sends some few forces into the Isle of Orkney and some few others landed in the North of Scotland under Sir Ia. Montgomery These the Committee of Estates resolve to oppose though rais'd for the King's service and notwithstanding after long debate and contest between the opposite factions the best of which were infinitely scrupulous at length resolve upon a Letter of Propositions to his Majesty and send it by Mr. Geo. Windram Laird of Libberton upon the 25. of Sept. 1649. Upon the 30. of that moneth he arriv'd at Iersey and presented his Majesty with these Propositions from the States of Scotland 1. That his Majesty would sign the solemn League and Covenant and pass an Act for all persons to take it throughout that Kingdome and ratifie all that had been done concerning the same 2. That he would ratifie divers Acts of Parliament of Scotland made by the two last Sessions viz. 1. For disclaiming D. Hamilton's last expedition 2. For receiving of the severall Acts made by the English for the Militia 3. For the Kings of Scotland to have no Negative voice in their Parliament 3. That his Majâ—stie would recall the late Commissions given to Montrosse c. 4. That he would dismisse all Papists from about him and let none be of his Council but Protestants 5. That he would appoint some place about Holland for a Treaty with their Commissioners whither they intended to send severall Persons of Honour for that purpose and take care for his Entertainment during that time sutable to his Dignity 6. That he would give a speedy answer to their Desires After some time of debate upon these proposalls which were variously entertain'd some upon diffidence of the Scots fidelity disswading his Majesty from complying with them as the Lords Byron Cleveland Gerard c. others on the contrary as the Lords Piercy Wentworth Wilmot and Sir Geo. Carteret counselling him not to put that to the hazard of war which might be obtain'd by Treaty especially his strength being at that time so low if he should resolve onely upon force Letters came to his Majesty from the Queen urging that if the Scots Propositions seem'd at present too severe and unsupportable he might have opportunity hereafter when possess'd of that Kingdome to free himself in some measure from the Inconvenience of them Therefore she judg'd it best to close with them Montrosse also then in Holland writ to the King to the same purpose desiring his Majesty to hearken to the Scots Commissioners so as to admit of an Agreement with them which might settle his Majesty in that Kingdome with safety and Honour adding That as for himself he should be contented to be banished perpetually from his Native Country rather then be the least cause of prejudice to his Majestie 's affaires Thus this incomparable pattern of Loyaltie preferred the Interest of his Prince above all respects of his own But his Majestie was too generous to admit of his offer and therefore answered him That he had such assurance of his fidelity so high a sense of his services perform'd to his late Father and himself that he could not in Iustice or in Honour desert him and therefore desired him to urge him no further to it At length the advice to close with the Scots seem'd most safe and reasonable and proceeding from the greater number of suffrages it was resolv'd to follow it The next thing therefore to be deliberated of was what answer should be return'd to the Propositions which requiring some time Sir VVill. Flemming was dispatcht before hand to Edenb as Agent till it could be compleated
should appoint As if it were unfit for his Majesty to be master of his own Purse while they were in expectation of his Arrival the Committee of Estates and Parliament consulted about forming of an Army for his service as they pretended and an Act was pass'd for training every fourth man capable to bear Armes throughout the Kingdom raising 16000. Foot and 6000. Horse in which the Earle of Leven was made General of the Foot Holborn Major General David Lesley Lieutenant General of the Horse and Montgomery Major General the supreme Command being reserv'd for his Majesty Who arriving at Edenburgh was entertain'd with many complements and congratulations and on the 15 of Iuly solemnly proclaimed King at the Crosse and should have been Crown'd in the ensuing moneth had not certain obstacles caus'd the deferring of that ceremony He had not been long there but the Estates and Parliament begin to busie themselves afresh about modelling his Retinue and clearing his Houshold of such Malignants as they term'd them as were in his Service excluding them also from all imployment both about his Person and in the Army As for himself he had a strong Guard continually about him to attend him and observe his motions The English pretended Parliament had all this while sufficient intelligence of the Scots proceedings with his Majesty in the Treaty of Breda together with their engagement to assist him in the recovery of his Rights in England and this by the perfidiousnesse treachery of some of the Fourth Faction I mention'd in the Parliament of Scotland And therefore by the sollicitation of these Traytors and partly out of policy to prevent an invasion by making one whereby the Enemies Country would become the Seat of the War they prepar'd an Army against Scotland and sent for Cromwel out of Ireland on whom they confer'd the Command of Capt. General of all their Forces in the room of the Lord Fairfax who gave up his Commission abhorring to be longer a servant to such horrid designes as they had formerly put him upon About this time one Ascham whom the Iunto had sent Agent into Spaine was assassinated at Madrid together with his Interpreter Senior Riba by a combination of six or seven men at Madrid who after the fact took Sanctuary Dorislaus another Agent of the Upstart Republick had the same fate also though more deservedly about a year before in Holland It hapned also during the Treaty was on foot between his Majesty and his Scottish Subjects that Prince Rupert's Fleet having for a long time been protected by the King of Portugal was utterly destroy'd upon that coast by Blake the English Admiral On the 28. of Iune Cromwel got all things in readiness for a War advanc'd towards Scotland in the head of 11000. Foot and 5000. Horse And approaching to the Borders sent the Scots a Declaration from the ptetended Parliament of England and another from himself to justifie these proceedings The Scots seem'd much surpris'd at this invasion without warning given and therefore send to expostulate the Cause of it in a paper to Haslerig then Governour of New-Castle in another to Cromwel and a third to the Iunto in which they urg'd the Solemn League and Covenant and the former Union between the two Nations But it was answer'd by a Declaration 1. That the Scots contrary to their agreement had once already invaded England under D. Hamilton and were now ready for a second invasion so that the English were advanc'd against them onely by way of prevention 2. That they had made a Peace with the Common Enemy promised him assistance to regain the other Kingdomes he pretended to 3. They had resolved to impose their form of Religion upon the English Nation These were the grounds the English alledg'd for their proceedings Accordingly Cromwel marches into Scotland taking all the Garrisons that lay in his way till he came to Muscleborough a place famous for a signall defeat given the Scots in the Reign of Edward the 6. there he is set upon by Maj. Gen. Montgomery and Col. Straughan but the assailants were put to the worst After which the two main Armies having for some time moved at a small distance one from another the Scots declined engaging till they got the English at a great disadvantage at Dunbar who by the difficulties of the place were so distress'd for provision that they began to think of an escape by Sea and would without doubt have taken that course had not the Scots confidence of Victory induc'd them to set upon them contrary to the great prudent maximes of War viz. To make a bridg for a flying Enemy not to drive an enemy Army to the utmost of despair The event of this engagement was that the Scots in stead of an assured Victory received a totall overthrow 3000. of them being slain in the field amongst whom was the Laird of Libberton Col. Lumsden about 8000. with Sir Iames Lumsden Lieut. Gen. of the Foot made prisoners 200. Colours part of those that were afterwards hung up in Westminster-Hall 15000. armes and 30. pieces of Ordnance taken The King in the mean time was withdrawn to St. Iohnston's being so sensible of the Scots unfaithfulnesse that he apprehended as much danger from them as from the Enemie Here he received the news of this losse which was followed with a greater that of the excellent Princesse his Sister Elizabeth who dyed on the eight of Sept. 1650. at Carisbook Castle in the Isle of VVight a Lady of incomparable goodness piety and who deserved to have been born in a better Age and in a lesse Barbarous Nation The execrable murther of her Royall Father hastned her death whither the same Villaines at the helme of the State contributed any thing towards it though reported I will not affirme Onely I know they were enemies enough to that family base enough to attempt as great a crime It is recorded by some that the decease of this Illustrious Princesse afflicted his Majesty more then the losse of the Army at Dunbar and perhaps he had reason since himself seem'd least concern'd in this the Forces having been raised and order'd wholly by the States and Kirk's command and for their interest About this time also dyed the renowned Prince of Orange to the great grief of the King leaving his Princesse great with her first child of which she was safely deliver'd four dayes after being a Son his Father's Successour About this time Col. Eusebius Andrewes having been found with a Commission from his Majesty was condemned by a High-Court of Justice and beheaded on Tower-Hill Immediately after this notable Victory Cromwel made himself master of Edinburgh and of Leith onely the Castle of Edinburgh held out for a good while after The King being unable to bear the imperiousness and hard impositions of the Estates and Kirk extorting a Declaration from him to condemn his own proceedings and those of his best affected party banishing
his friends from about him usurping the whole Government of all affairs both Ecclesiastical and Civil into their own hands and placing guards about his Person c. secretly escapes from St. Iohnston's in much discontent in order as some think to going beyond Sea accompanied onely with four Horsemen toward the North of Scotland where the Marquis of Huntkey the Earls of Athol and Seaforth Lords Ogleby and Newburgh with the Gourdons and the men of Athol were ready to appear for him with a considerable force The Committee of Estates at St. Iohnston's were much surpris'd and troubled at this departure of his Majesty especially for that they fear'd he was gone to Mai. Gen. Middleton and the Athol men who were purely for his interest disclaiming the Kirk's authority with that of Parliament and Estates for the appeasing of whom an Act of Indempnity was offer'd them which they contemning and falling upon and worsting Sir Iohn Browes Regiment Lieut. Gen. Lesley is commanded forth against them In the mean time while the Parliament and Committee of Estates are consulting and debating what course to take with the King some propounding That since he had deserted them they should look no more after him but leave him to his own wayes the more moderate judging it fit rather to testifie to his Majesty their sorrow for his departure and desire him graciously to return a different Faction of the Covenanters under the command of Straughan and Kerr in the West set forth a Remonstrance to the Committee of Estates taxing them of imprudence and temerity in hastning to conclude a Treaty with receiving entertaining the King before he had given any convincing evidence of a reall change after his commissioning Montrosse to invade Scotland judging his profession of the Cause the Covenant meerly counterfeit as appear'd by his favouring Scotch and English Malignants as they termed them And for these reasons they absolutely refus'd to submit to his power and authority Of this Faction bisides Kerr and Straughan were the Lord VVarreston lately a Member of our pretended Committee of Safety and Sir Iohn Chiesy An accommodation was endeavoured to be made between them and the Estates at St. Iohnston's but they stood off and declar'd against King and Lords on the one side and the Sectarian English Army on the other Thus was this poor Nation divided among themselves whilst at the same time a mercilesse forraign enemy was ravaging in the bowels of it However the Committee of Estates and Kirk several of whose great sticklers were become very inclinable to his Majestie resolve at length to dispatch Maj. Gen. Montgomery with a party of Horse after him humbly to intreat his return Montgomery upon inquiry understanding that his Majesty was at the L. Dedup's House in the North confines of Fife hastens thither and first surrounding the House enters and upon his knees acquaints the King what desires he brought from the Committee of Estate But he absolutely refus'd at first as not enduring the Subjection they had made him live in The news whereof brought to the Estates set the Kirk Party such as favouâ—'d the English Sectaries a gog again who hereupon were very violent for no more Addresses to be made to him whose motion began to have some influence upon the rest In the mean time his Majestie was urgently solicited by the Marq. of Huntly the Athol men that rose for him in the North to adhere solely to them undertaking to secure him against the Kirk and all others To which invitation he seem'd very prone to hearken so that the Breach betwixt him and the Covenanted Party who brought him in was near become irreconcilable But the consideration of the danger which might redound from the forraign Enemy by occasion of this division the concession of some propositions together with the importunity of Montgomery the industry of some attendants about him induc'd him to returne back with the Maj. Gen. to St. Iohnston's And it was judg'd requisite to unite all parties if possible against the common Enemy to which purpose Huntly and Middleton were treated with who refus'd to submit and marcht up within a mile of St. Iohnston's where they had like to have been engag'd by David Lesley But upon some concessions as to be admitted into places of Trust c. a Treaty was concluded One would have thought now the service against the Common Destroyer of their Country would have been unanimously carried on yet this reconciliation begat another fewd as if the zealots of this Nation had been infatuated purposely for their own ruin The Ministers of Sterling were so farre trom consenting to this Treaty that they past the Sentence of Excommunication upon Middleton in defiance of the Estates at St. Iohnston's and being summon'd thither to a general meeting to be held here consisting of King Lords Barons Burgesses and Assembly of Ministers to consult for the good safety of the King Kingdome and Kirk they refused and advised the Estates to be at a greater distance from the King his Council and rather to come to Sterling But at length with much adoe they were brought to go to St. Iohnston's Much time had been lost in these fatall differences and the publick safety was neglected whilest men minded the satisfaction of their own perverse and malicious humours It was now highly requisite to look about them therefore Middleton was imploy'd with a Commission and Instructions from his Majestie who well enough understood that the safety of himself and that Nation depended wholly on the unanimity of his Subjects to treat with some forces in the Hâ—ghlands who still refused to submit The grand Assembly convene as the first evidences of concord divers Scotch Lords formerly in disfavour with the Kirk were received into the Army or the Parliament as Duke Hamilton the Lords Lauderdale Buchaim Leith Dedup Crawford and of the English Major General Massey was admitted to a command in the Army Col. Ker in the West of Scotland who had stood off from all parties hitherto at length so far comply'd with the Kirk-Grandees that he took Straughan prisoner who by Cromwel's inveglement inclin'd to side with the English a right Scot. But not long after Kerr was defeated and taken by Maj. Gen. Lambert a just reward consequence of his seditious discord About the beginning of October some Gentlemen and others in Norfolk took Armes against the Tyranny of the pretended Parliament declaring for the restitution of the Ancient Government of the Land by a King and the Lawes but the County Militia and some Forces from Lin suddenly dispersed them taking some whom afterwards by a solemn new way of murder first practis'd at VVestminster upon the late King and afterwards in most places of England upon his friends they put to death at Norwich A little before this they likewise executed at Tyburn one Mr. Benson for having been guilty of the same pretended Treason with Col. Eusebius Andrewes formerly
beheaded On Decemb. 24. Edenburgh Castle having endur'd a violent siege 3. Moneths surrender'd to Cromwel so did other strong Castles places as Nesbit Berthwick and Roswell c. so successfull were their Impious Armes by God's providence who was pleas'd to use them as a scourge for these sinfull Nations Preparations in the mean time were made for the Coronation of his Majesty for the celebrating of which the 1. of Ianuary had been long before design'd by the Estates The place was the Town of Scoon where 150. Kings of that Nation had formerly been Crown'd Thither therefore his Majesty with the Nobility Barons and Burgesses in their robes remove'd the whole Scotch Army standing all the way as a guard making a lane between those two places The solemnity was performed with as much Pompe and Ceremony as the present State of things would permit and with loud Acclamations Bonefires shooting of Guns c. His Majesty having first heard a Sermon preacht by Mr. Rob. Douglas sitting upon a Scaffold erected in the Church of Scoone took the ordinary Coronation Oath and subscribed the National Covenant with the solemn League and Covenant After which he ascended upon a Stage a little Higher then the former sate down in the Throne when the people being demanded four times by the King at Armes VVhether they were willing to accept of King CHARLES for their King becomâ— subject to his Commandments express'd their consent with loud Acclamations God save King CHARLES the Second This being done his Majesty was cloathed by the Lord Chamberlain with his Royall Robes the Crown was set upon his Head by the Marquiss of Argyle and the Scepter put into his hand the Sword was girt about him by the Earle Marshall and the Spurs put on by the Earle of Eglington Then the Nobility being called by the Herald one by one swore allegiance fealty to his Majesty touching the Crown upon his head with their right Hand in these Words By the Eternal Almighty God who liveth reigneth for ever I shall support thee to the uttermost The people also holding up their hands swore obedience to hiâ— Mâ—â—â—sty according to the usuall Oath And to conclude â—ll an exhortatory Oration was made by Mr. Rob. Duglasse and a Prayer Which being done his Majesty and the Nobility departed out of the Church in the former Order and Pompe the Earle of Glencarn carrying the Sword before him The Ceremonies being thus ended his Majesty and the Nobility were intertain'd at a Stately and Magnificent Dinner which done they all return'd to St. Iohnston's in the same manner they came in his Majesties Guard consisting of the Sons of divers great Scotch Lords and other Members of Parliament the Captain whereof was the Lord of Lorne Son to Argile I have omitted the full relation of all the passages at his Majesties Inauguration because they have been already frequently publish'd and lest they should adde too much to the bulk of this volume This business being over it behoved his Majesty to provide for the defence of his Crown and Kingdome in order whereunto he set up his Standerd at Aberdeen to which a considerable number of men in a short time repaired of whom himself was General Duke Hamilton Lieut. General of the Army David Lesley Major General Middleton Lieut. Gen. of the Horse and Massey Commander in chief of all the English Forces The Parliament of Scotland which had adjourn'd during his Majestie 's Coronation reassembled about the beginning of March and much contest there was for several Lords of the Royal Party to be admitted to their Seats in the House which by reason of the opposition of the Kirk-assemblies at Sterling and Aberdeen could not be obtain'd till they had pass'd the Stool of Repentance which Duke Hamilton did with some kind of splendour having a Table plac'd before him covered with black Velvet with a Cushion of the same and making a great Feast that day In this Session a Committee was appointed to consider of the State of Affairs and examine obstructions by whom severall persons that were found to hold correspondence with the English Army had their Estates sequestred and some were try'd for their lives Arguile at the same time and other Covenanteer Lords repining at the admission of the Royall Lords into the Parliament Army as if they should thereby become overpower'd or utterly discarded And indeed to these two pernicious qualities Treachery and particular Ambition peculiar almost to that Nation his Majestie 's and that Kingdome 's ensuing misfortunes ought to be ascrib'd In the mean time his Majesty was very active in modelling his new Army whose Rendezvouse was at the East of Fife encouraging them many times with his presence and speech the English gaine two very strong Castles Hume and Trimptallon lying between Berwick and Edenburgh the former by Colonel Fenwick and the other by Colonel Monck But to prevent their further progresse his Majesty personally visited all the Garrisons of Fife and put them in a posture to hinder the English from landing on that side the Frith after which he went to the Assembly at Aberdeen to endeavour by his presence and authority to compose Dissentions And having taken this order at home he imploy'd the Earle of Dumferling Ambassadour into Holland Mr. Crofts into Russia besides others into other Nations to solicite for assistance Thus he acquitted himself as far as humane prudence could reach but abroad his Ambassadours receiv'd nothing but fruitlesse promises and empty complements amongst whom Sir Henry Hide Lieger at Constantinople had the worst fortune for I know not upon what contest between him and Sir Thomas Bendish that lay there in behalf of the New State Bendish got him into his hands and sent him over into England where as other Loyall Subjects had formerly been he was formally tryed before a parcel of Murderers in apretended High Court of Iustice condemned and beheaded near the Old Exchange in London on March 4. 1650. A person he was of great parts honesty and loyalty Of the same cup also and from the same hands tasted Captain Brown Bushel an expert Seaman who had lately done notable service for his Majesty by sea He was beheaded on Tower-hill on the 25. of April 1651. But to proceed No considerations could unite the dissenting Covenanted Scots The Clergy like fire brands were as eager to ruine their Countrey with their tongues as the Sectarian Army could be with the sword Guthry Cant Duram Galespy men of hot spirits inflaming inconsiderable discontents to high outrages as if a spirit of division had wholly possess'd them and so perverted their judgements that petty animosities were prosecuted with greater zeal then the publick Cause Malignants it seems had commands given them and grew potent this was the ground of contest Some covenanted Lords too either for that they were Kirk-ridden or blinded with envy and ambition began to be dissatisfi'd whereupon Louden was discharged from being
been animated by frequent Victories and the spoil of such places as they had taken Possibly in England his Majesty might soon have forces competent to match them at least he should not be beset with so many difficulties and one fortunate Field might wholly turn the Scale Accordingly upon Thursday Iuly 31. 1651. all things being in readiness the Scotch Army left their Camp at Sterling which was soon after deliver'd to Lieut. Gen. Monk and the sixt day after being about 16000. entered England by the way of Carlisle Upon intelligence of this sudden March Cromwel's Army of which the greatest part was in Fife forthwith cros'd the Frith and first Lambert is sent with 5. Regiments of Horse and Dragoons to fall upon the Scots rear Cromwel himself soon after Aug. 6. following with 8. Regiments of Foot 2. of Horse and 8. great Guns having left 6000. horse and foot with Lieutenant General Monck to reduce the remaining garrisons of Scotland Major General Harrison being advanc'd the nearest England with 3000. horse and Dragoons attended the motion of the Scotch Army and the VVestminster Iuncto suddenly bestir themselves to raise the Militia of the whole Nation and make an Act to forbid all relief and succour to be given to his Majesty or his Forces under penalty of High Treason Immediately the Militia's of most Counties were drawn into the Field against him and for the hindring of his progresse 2000. of the County Militia of Staffordshire and 4000. out of Lancashire and Cheshire under Colonel Birch joyned with Lambert and Harrison whose first attempt upon the Royal Army was at VVarrington bridge the passage of which was very sharply disputed but at length gain'd by the Scots with the losse of some men In the mean time a party in VVales began to rise for the King intending to have joyned with the Earle of Derby from the Isle of Man but the design was crusht before it came to any thing The march of the Scotch Army was manag'd with extreme civility to the people as they past no souldier daring to plunder or steal the least thing whatever having been terrified by the punishment of one of their number who was shot to death for entering an Orchard But as this carriage of theirs together with his Majesties invitations did not so prevail upon the people to come in to him as he expected so by the way fear depriv'd him of about the fourth part of the Army he brought out of Scotland It was deliberated by bis Majesties council whether or no to march forthwith to London but the way was too tedious and the souldiers were much wearied with their journey already and it was hoped the interest Major General Massey had in Glocestershire would procure a confluence of men from those parts Asson as the Army entred England and afterwards at every Market-town his Majesty was proclaimed King of England by an English man whom he had created King at Armes with much satisfaction of the Country However such was the fate of these Nations for the punishment of whose sins a severe yoke was reserved by Providence for I know not what apparent reason to ascribe their actions to in this occasion that in stead of assisting their just and lawfull Prince they arose generally in Armes against him The Lord Fairfax who till then had been believ'd sensible of some remorse for his former proceedings appear'd in the Fâ—eld with a formidable body to flank the Royal Army as they marcht London pour'd out her numerous Militia and the adjacent Counties were by strict order of Parliament enjoin'd to set out Horse and Men at their own charges The King in the mean time receiv'd no considerable supply saving one Troop of Horse commanded by a noble young Gentleman Sir Cecill Howard son to the Lord Howard of Estrich Neverthelesse there wanted not courage in the breasts of the Nobility and Gentry with his Majesty whose great resolutions made them hope even in the midst of despair From Tong-Norton his Majesty sent a Trumpetter with a Letter and Summons to Col. Mackworth Governour of Shrewsbury which I shall venture to insert with the Answer His Majesties Letter was in these words Col. Mackworth Having sent you herewith a Summons to render into my hands my Town with the Castle of Shrewsbury I cannot but perswade my self you will doe it when I consider you a Gentleman of an ancient House and of very d fferent principles as I am informed from those with whom your imployment ranks you at present If you shall peaceably deliver them unto me I will not onely pardon what is past and protect you and yours in your persons and all that belongs to you but reward fo eminent and seasonable a Testimony of your Loyalty with future Trust and Favour and doe leave it to your selfe to propose the particular being upon that condition ready to grant you presently any thing you shall reasonably desire and to approve my self your Friend C. R. The Summons also which accompanied this Letter was to the same effect But whether the Governour lookt upon his Majestie 's condition too forlorn to engage on his side or acted really out of an hostile principle I will not determine but the answer he returned to his Soveraign Lord the King was in the following termes directed To the Commander in chief of the Scottish Army SIR By your Trumpetter I received two Papers the one containing a Proposition the other a direct Summons for the rendition of the Town Castle of Shrewsbury the custody whereof I have received by authority of Parliament And if you believe me a Gentleman as you say you do you may believe I will be faithfull to my trust to the violation whereof neither allurements can perswade me nor threatnings of force especially when but paper ones compell me What Principles I am judged to be of I know not but I hope they are suâ—h as shall declare me honest and no way differing herein as I know from those engaged in the same employment with me who should they desâ—rt the Cause they are embarqued in I resolve to be found as I am unremoveable the faithfull servant of the Commonwealth of England H. Mackworth About the same time also his Majesty sent the like summons to Sr Thomas Middleton Governour of Chirk Castle in Shropshire but this Gentleman was not altogether so civil as the former for in stead of returning any answer at all he caus'd the Messenger to be seized and sent away prisoner to VVrexham who was afterwards hanged at Chester for this service It having been resolv'd upon debate by his Majestie 's Council rather to march Westward then towards London his Army accordingly enter'd the City of VVorcester upon Friday the 22. of August 1651. after one or two repulses by the Forces that kept the City the Inhabitants not onely not opposing the Scots entrance but helping to beat the English Souldiers out In his Majestie 's March hither he had sent a
extremely respected at all the places he came at in the Low-Countreys as at Dunkirk Antwerp the Hague Leyden c. And having been for some time entertain'd by his Royal Sister where he had the honour of the Garter sent him from the King he departed to the Court of France being attended by Sir Marmaduke Langdale and Sir Richard Greenvile his Majesty himself the Duke of York Prince Rupert and others going two leagues out of Paris to meet him Towards the latter end of the year 1652. his Majestie 's hopes began to be something desperate concerning any considerable succour from France for that King in stead of uniting with the Prince's his subjects sent an Embassadour Mr. de Bordeanx Neufville to treat a Peace with England to which he was the rather induc'd for that Admiral Blake had not long before beaten and destroy'd the French ships under the Duke of Vendosme that were going to the relief of Dunkirk which defeat occasion'd the loss of that Town to the Spaniard Nor were his hopes likely to prove more successfull in the united Provinces for they were so weary of the War that they sent a Letter to England to cast about for an accommodation But before they effected any thing Cromwell finding his ambitious projects ripe being emboldned with former successes and backt with a strong Army on the 20. of April 1653. entred the Parliament House attended with some officers where he represented to them that their Dissolution was important to the publick good and welfare of the Nation with many reasons for it which none daring to oppose the Members departed the House To justify which Action He and his Council of Officers put forth a Declaration wherein it was pretended The Parliament was over-ruled by a corrupt Party who intended to perpetuate themselves deluding the Nation from time to time with hopes of a New Representative notwithstanding the Petitions of the Army and severall Counties That the Cause which God had so greatly blessed languisht in their hands and was in danger to be lost by their negligence of the publick and self-seeking with many more like crimes And thus fell this great Idol of the Nation this Parliamentum Infame which in a dozen yeares time had wrought more mischief to these Kingdomes then all the preceeding Parliaments had ever done good After this Cromwel with his Officers took the administration of Affairs into their own hands the Armies in Scotland and Ireland and the Fleet assenting to their proceedings But to gull the people a little longer and render Parliaments more contemptible to them Cromwel upon the 8. of Iune following sent out a summons in his own name to such persons as he pleas'd to meet at VVestminster on the 4. of Iuly Who accordingly appearing to the number of six score he impowred them by a writing under his Hand and Seal to be the Supreme Authority and Governours of the three Nations and that 40. of them should be a Quorum to dispatch business This Iunto of Sectaries and Officers of the Army going into the Parliament House in three dayes time gravely resolved that they would be called the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England and that their Chairman Mr. Rous should be called Speaker and that they would have a Sergeant at Armes and a Mace Thus they began ridiculously and continued in all their Actions for four moneths in which they voted down the High-Court of Chancery made a silly Act for Marriages Births and Burials confirmed the unjust Bill for Sale of the Estate of Sir Iohn Stowell Knight of the Bath ordered Sale of the remainder of the Royall Revenue made a tax for 6. moneths at 120000 l. per mensem struck fiercely at Tythes and Universities and then being partly weary and partly asham'd of themselves some of Oliver's faction by underhand appointment repaired to Cromwel and resigned their power into his Hands who at first seeming unwilling and excusing his inability was prevail'd with by importunity to accept it which he did with the Title of Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland The rest of the Sectarian Convention who refus'd to break up the Parliament and doe as their fellowes had done Cromwel sent Souldiers to turn them out of the House which was accordingly done and the doors lockt against them Decemb. 2. 1653. And upon the 16. of the same moneth having by the advice of his Officers framed and published an Instrument of Government consisting of 42. Articles he sent for the Commissioners of the Great Seale the Major and Aldermen of London with the Iudges and the Officers of the Army and was by them solemnly installed in Westminster-Hall taking an Oath to rule according to his Instrument and the Lawes of the Land though nothing could be more repugnant to the Lawes then that Instrument In this last year notwithstanding the former offer of Accommodation severall encounters had been between the Ships of this Nation those of the United Provinces in which the Dutch suffer'd much so that the common people there were in a great consternation Two of the principal Battels were on the 3. of Iune and the 29. of Iuly In the former the English got a remarkable Victory though with the losse of one of their Generals Dean by a great shot taking above 1300. prisoners and 11. Ships of War besides 6. sunk In the latter being the greatest blow the Dutch ever received from us their Admiral Martin Harper van Trump one of the most expert and renowned Seamen in the world was slain with a Musket shot and 2000. men more 1000. Prisoners taken and 27. Ships of War sunk and fired Which losses quite broke the spirits of the Dutch who thereupon began seriously to think of peace This Summer also it pleased God to visit his Majesty with a Fever which held him for some time with violence so that the London Pamphlets publish'd it to be mortal But the Divine Providence intended better things to this Nation and about the latter end of August recovered him to perfect health After which he departed from the Court for some time to Chantilly not far distant from Paris for better aire being accompanied with Prince Rupert who after various fortunes at Sea and separation from his brother Prince Maurice by a Hericano who was never after heard off put in with his Ships at Nantes at Britany and resided with his Majesty for a long time at Paris in the Palace Royall This year the Lord Hopton who had commanded an Army for his late Majesty in the Rebellion of England dyed of a Fever after five dayes sicknesse at Bruges in Flanders a person of great learning piety temperance and valour In the beginning of the next year his Majestie 's hopes of doing any good upon the United States were absolutely extinguish'd He had us'd all possible means by the intercessions of his friends to avert them from reconcilement with England and to that purpose was very active upon
Governor thereof being slain in a Sally it was surrendred upon Articles and by the King of France and the Cardinal in person put into the hands of the English Iune 25. 1658. While these things were in agitation beyond Sea the pretended Parliament reassembled on Ian. 20. and those Members who had been excluded the last Session were now admitted There was also an assembly of Officers and some few others in the House of Peers summon'd thither by Cromwel as Lords But the Commons being now a full House began to review the late Humble Petition and Advice made by a packt Iunto and refus'd to treat with the Other House as Lords Wherefore Cromw in a great fury hasted to them in a Hackney Coach and having rated them sufficiently dissolved them Feb. 4. yet with this word of consolation to his Other House My Lords ye are Lords and shall be Lords This was the fourth Parliament he dissolved having before violently turn'd out the Long-Parliament the little Parliament the Recognition Parliament this garbled Iunto There goe's a saying concerning the three latter which were summoned by Cromwel himself that the First was called but not chosen the Second did just nothing and the Third did nothing just However Cromwel resolv'd to maintain what he had gotten per fas nefas He had called his eldest Son Richard out of the Country to inure him to a Court life and Publick Affairs and placed his second Henry in Ireland the room of Fleetwood whom he recalled from thence wanting as he said his Presence and Counsel Moreover he had married his two youngest Daughters in the foregoing November one to Mr. Rob. Rich. heir apparent to the Earldome of VVarwick and the other to Thomas Viscount Faulconbridge And having thus settled himself he resolv'd to rule at his pleasure dispairing of ever having the complyance of a full and free chosen Parliament On the twelfth of March he sent for Tichburn then Lord Mayor of London the Aldermen and Common Council and acquainting them with the imminent danger of the Commonwealth by reason of secret Machinations from some Ill-willers to his Government gave them order for settling the Militia Whereupon the guards were doubled and a strict watch was set in all parts of the City Shortly after divers persons were apprehended and imprisoned and among others Doctor Iohn He wet Minister of St. Gregories near Paul's Mr. Iohn Russell brother of the Earle of Bedford Sir VVilliam Compton brother of the Earl of Northampton Mr. Iohn Mordant brother of the Earle of Peterburgh Sir Richard VVillis Sir VVilliam Leighton many more of lesse quality Hereupon follow'd a day of solemn Humiliation and a High-Court of Iustice before which was brought first S. Henry Slingsby of Yorkshire he was accused of Treason by one VVaterhouse and one Overton Officers in the Garrison of Hull for conspiring to seize upon that place for the King Next him was brought to Tryall Dr. Hewet he was impeached of Treason for holding correspondence with the King and delivering his Commissions to several persons for levying Forces against the Government But the Doctor refused to own the authority of the Court The same day Mr. Mordant was also arraigned before the said High-Court for a treasonable design but he made his innocence so apparent against all the evidence that he was acquitted Sir Henry Slingsby and Doctor Hewet received sentence of death pronounced upon them by President Lisle on the 2. of Iune and notwithstanding the intercessions of great friends were beheaded on Tower-Hill on the 5. of the same moneth A few dayes after one Mallery the betrayer of all the rest was try'd pro forma and condemn'd but repriev'd Other persons were also try'd whereof some were acquitt'd some condemned and reprieved but three persons were dealt with in the greatest rigour being hang'd and quarter'd namely Col. Edw. Ashton in Tower-street over against Mark-lane end Iohn Bettely in Cheapside and Edmund Stacy before the old Exchange Iuly 17. These murders were usher'd in with a Fast and concluded with a day of Thanksgiving Sad newes was this to his Sacred Majesty who could not but be infinitely sensible of the sufferings of these loyall persons as well as of the calamitous state his interest was thereby brought into However he gave not himself up to pensivenesse and unprofitable sorrow but repaired for a while to Antwerp with the two Dukes his Brothers and the Princesse his Sister from whence also he went to Bruxels and resided there for a good space being entertain'd there splendidly by Don Iohn of Austria and desired to be present at most consultations for carrying on the War against the French In August Elizabeth Cleypole daughter to Cromwel and wife to one Iohn Cleypole dyed at Hampton-Court much troubled in mind by reason of the bloody actions of her Father as was reported But whether it were so or no this is certain that Cromwel never injoy'd himself after her death and did not survive her a full moneth He lay some while in a very sad condition with extreme torment and pain in his bowels neverthelesse he could not endure to think of dying but said the night before his death That God had revealed to him that he should not dye and that he had a great deal of glorious work for him still to do in these Nations But on Friday Sept. 3. he departed this life or as some say on Aug. 30. at what time was the most furious violent wind that ever hapned in the memory of man Immediately upon his death his Council met and upon the affirmation of Dr. Goodwin that he nominated his son Richard to succeed him or for that they judged it the most expedient course they order'd him to be proclaim'd Protector accordingly Which was done the next day in the City of London and his new Highnesse took an Oath prescrib'd in the Humble Petition and Advice Richard's first care was the Interment of his Father and search was made into the Records to see what had been expended upon the buriall of former Kings to the end greater cost might be bestow'd upon his All the gaudry was not provided till the 23. of Novemb. and then his Image was drawn in great pomp to Westminster Abbey and lay'd in a stately Herse What became of his carcase is not certainly known Thus ended this great Tyrant after almost 5. years usurpation during which he spent vast sums of Treasure to maintain his ill-gotten power and yet his Funeral charges amounting to above 30000 l. are unpaid for at this day Assoon as the ceremonies were over young Cromwel was urg'd by his wants of money and other prâ—ssing occasions to call a Parliament to which end he sent forth writs not according to the Instrument of Government but after the old way two in a County c. In the mean time many congratulatory addresses were made to him from Counties Cityes Burroughs and Regiments of Souldiers full of flattery and profanesse some of