send them into Ireland to dye of Sickness or Famine which caused the Souldiers to use contumelious speeches against the two Houses and thereupon a Council of Officers was set up consisting of two Commission-Officers and two private Souldiers out of every Regiment to meet and consult for the good of the Army and to draw up and present all their Grievances to the General and these were called Adjutators Who having met by the Instigation of Cromwel and some others that made them sensible of their own strength they resolved upon seizing the King at holmby-Holmby-House under pretence of freeing him from that narrow restraint under which he was kept by the parliaments Order To effect which Cornet Joyce is sent thither with five hundred Horse who took the King out of the parliaments Commissioners hands and carried him along with them in the Army This the General certifies in a Letter to the parliament affirming it to be done without his consent and that the reason alledged by the Actors was Because certain persons had designed to take away his Majesty thereby to gather strength to make a new War which they were able and ready to prove When this was known an Order passed both Houses of Parliament and was sent to the General 1. That the King should reside at Richmond 2. That he should be attended by the same persons he was at Holmby 3. That Roffiters Regiment should Guard him And the Presbyterians who were the greater number in Parliament being further alarm'd by these proceedings resolved to divide the Army and send part of it to Ireland and presently to cashiere Cromwel and his Assistants And they publish a Declaration forbidding the Souldiers to Petition the Parliament as being under their command Likewise they had privately resolved to seize upon Cromwel then in London who having notice of it got secretly and hastily out of Town and with full speed rid to Tripoly-Heath so that his Horse was all in a foam and was received with the acclamations of the whole Army to whom he discovered the intentions and actions of the Parliament whereupon they entred into an Ingagement Not to Disband till the proposals they had drawn up for regulating all matters were answered and then marching to New-Marker they subscribed thereto Cromwel putting his Name first and the rest of the Officers generally followed so that several parchment Rolls were filled with their Names The next day was brought from the General and his Council of Officers an Impeachment of eleven Members of the House of Commons who were counted the chief of the Presbyterian party namely Sir W. Waller Coll. Massey Sir John Clothworthy Sir Denzil Hollis Coll. Long Mr. Anthony Nicholas Sir Ph. Stapleton Mr. Glyn Sir John Maynard Sir William Lewis and Coll. Edward Harley charging them with hindring the relief of Ireland obstructing of Justice and acting somewhat against the Army and the Laws of England The Members declared themselves ready to answer but the Army would have them secluded from their seats in Parliament till they had brought in their answer whereupon they withdrew themselves by consent for six months After which the Army marched nearer to London and came to Bedford the King going to the Earl of bedfords-Bedfords-House near Wouborn And now the Citizens being for the Presbyterian party in the House and the Independents for the Army great divisions happened in London for the changing that Parliament having ordered the Militia of the City which had been established the 4th of May and put others better affected to the Army in their rooms the Presbyterian party were extreamly incensed thereat and came two days after to the House with a petition accompanied by a multitude of Citizens and Apprentices who coming to the door of the Commons cried out That they must grant their petition before they rose Whereupon the House beginning to rise they took the Speaker and held him in the Chair detaining him and the rest of the Members till they forced another Order from them ' That the King should come to London After which they adjourned to July 30. but then both Speakers were absent having withdrawn themselves to the Army whereupon two new Speakers were chosen the Lord Hunsdon and Mr. Henry Pelham Barrister by whom the following Orders were made that day 1. That the King should come to London 2. That the Militia of London should have power to raise Forces for defence of the City 3. They should also have power to choose a General for those Forces and that the eleven impeached Members should return to their feats The Citizens armed with these Orders presently proceed to raise Forces choosing Massey their General In the mean time the Lords and Commons which had left London consulting with the General and chief Commanders of the Army made an Order That all Acts and Decrees that had passed on July 26. and since should be accounted null and void and that they did adhere to the Declaration of the General and Council of the Army It was likewise decreed That the General with his Army should march to London Upon whose approach the Citizens who made some semblance of opposition meeting in Common-council and finding it impossible suddenly to raise Forces to oppose them they sent to the General for a pacification which by the consent of the Members of Parliament was granted them on these conditions 1. That they should desert the Parliament now sitting and the eleven Impeached Members 2. To recal their late Declaration 3. To relinquish their present Militia 4. To deliver up to the General all their Forts and the Tower of London 5. To Disband all the Forces they had raised All which not daring to deny were instantly ratified and so August 6. 1647. the Army marched triumphantly through London to Westminster with the two Speakers and the Members of Parliament whom they restored to their former Sears and the eleven secluded Members left London some going beyond Sea and others with passes to their Houses in the Country Both Speakers in the Name of the whole Parliament gave thanks to the General and made him Commander of all the Forces in England and Wales and Constable of the Tower of London a months pay was likewise given to the Army for a gratuity The next day Fairfax Cromwel Skippon and the other Commanders marched from Westminster through London to the Tower where some commands and the Militia were altered and to curb the City her Militia was divided Westminster and Southwark having power to command their own Trained Bands And thus was the Presbyterian party depressed and all things managed according to the Inclination of the Independents and the Army After this Fairfax marched out of London quartering his Souldiers in the Towns and Villages adjacent only leaving some Regiments about White hall and the Mewse to guard the Parliament his head Quarters being at Putney and the King about the middle of August after divers removes was at length brought to Hampton-court where he seemed
Valour for he who was the life of the business received a wound in one of them of which he shortly dyed and with him the Spaniards lost possession of the Town of Dunkirk for after the French and English had played 14 days successively with their Mortar-pieces upon the place the Besieged grew weary of the sport and beat a Parley and the Town was delivered up to them Dunkirk being established in the hands of the English the French Army after about a months Siege possess themselves of Graveling a strong Fortress not far from Dunkirk so that the English and French had now in their hands all the Frontier Towns on this side Flanders Amidst these Triumphs and Successes the Lady Claypool the Protectors only Daughter and whose image she was said to be Dyed Aug. 6. at Hampton-Court from whence she was conveyed by Water four days after with a great many Mourning Barges to Westminster and there laid in the Painted-Chamber where a stately Hearse was prepared for her and about Twelve at Night was carried into K. Henry VII Chappel and there Interred in a place purposely provided for her Her death was said to beso grievous to her Father that it was thought the cause of his own soon after for having been very melancholly from that time till about the end of August his distemper at length appeared to be a Tertian Ague which together with other malignant humours so depressed his Vitals that it brought him to his end though with many strivings and strugglings he often falling into Swouns and Trances He could not be perswaded at first that his Distemper was mortal saying That as God had carried him to that height he did firmly believe he had some further Work for him to do and some of his Chaplains were of the same opinion But his Fits increasing and causing him to talk delitious and to faint often the Privy-Council concluding he could scarce endure another Fit repaired to him and earnestly pressed him according to the first Article of the Petition and Advice to Nominate his Successor and though he was hardly sensible yet they demanding if he did not appoint his Eldest Son Richard to succeed him he answered YES The Night before his departure he was observed to pray as followeth LORD I am a miserable Creature yet I am in Covenant with Thee through Grace and I may I will come unto Thee for thy people Lord thou hast made me though very unworthy a mean Instrument to do them some good and thee service and many of them had too high a value for me though others would be glad of my fall But Lord howsoever thou dost dispose of me do good to them Give consistency of Judgment one heart and mutual love unto them Let the Name of Christ be Glorious throughout the World Pardon such as delight to trample upon the Ashes of a Worm and pardon the folly of this short Prayer even for Jesus Christ his sake This was on Thursday Night and on Friday Morning Sept. 3. 1658. his twice Victorious day at Dunbar and Worcester there appeared all the signs of a dying person and about Three a Clock in the Afternoon he expired A day or two before his Death a very great Tempest happened which was thought to forbode it Thus you have a full account of the end of Oliver Cromwel Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland whose Valour mounted him to that height by which he raised his Family almost equal to the best of the Kingdom and the Nation to that Glory that Forreign Princes feared and envied him He had two Sons Richard who succeeded him and Henry who from fixteen years of Age was by his Father bred a Souldier and was at his Death Lord Deputy of Ireland And four Daughters Bridget first Married to the Lord Deputy Ireton and afterward to the Lord Fleetwood Elizabeth his second Daughter Married to the Lord Cleypool Master of his Horse Mary his third Married to the Lord Falconbridge Frances his youngest Married to the Lord Rich Grandson to the Earl of Warwick After his expiration the Corps was Imbalmed and wrapped in a sheet of Lead and Sept. 26. about Ten at Night removed from White-Hall in a Mourning Hearse where his Effigies was with great Magnificence exposed publickly to the view of multitudes who came daily to see it till November 3. following and then in great State it was conducted from Somerset-House to Westminster and placed in the Abbey-Church under a stately Monument Erected for it with the Banners and six Ensigns of Honour placed about it the Corps having been some days before Buried in a Vault purposely provided for it in King Henry the Sevenths Chappel Sic Transit Gloria Mundi A Catalogue of Books Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultrey near Cheapside History 1. ENglands Monarchs Or A Compendious Relation of the most remarkable Transactions from Julius Caesar to this present adorned with poems and the picture of every Monarch from K. William the Conqueror to the third year of K. William Q. Mary With a List of the Nobility the Knights of the Garter the number of the Lords and Commons who have Votes in both Houses of Parliament and many other useful particulars Price one Shilling 2. THE Wars in England Scotland and Ireland containing a particular and Impartial Account of all the Battels Sieges and other remarkable Transactions Revolutions and Accidents which happened from the beginning of the Reign of King Charles I. 1625. to His Majesties happy Restauration The illegal Tryal of K. Charles I. at large with his last speech at his suffering and the most considerable matters till 1660. with pictures of several accidents Price One Shilling 3. THE History of Oliver Cromwel being an Impartial Account of all the Battels Sieges and other Military Atchievements wherein he was ingaged in England Scotland and Ireland and particularly all the Sea Fights with the Dutch and French and likewise of his Civil Administrations while he had the Supream Government of these three Kingdoms till his Death Relating only matters of Fact without Reflection or Observation By R. B. Price One Shilling 4. HIstorical Remarks and Observations of the Ancrent and Present State of London and Westminster shewing the Foundations Walls Gates Towers Bridges Churches Rivers Wards Halls Companies Government Courts Hospitals Schools Inns of Courts Charters Franchises and Priviledges thereof with an account of the most remarkable accidents as to Wars Fires Plagues and other occurrences for above 903 years past in and about these Cities to the year 1681. Illustrated with pictures and the Arms of 65 Companies of London and the time of their Incorporating Price One Shilling 5. ADmirable Curiosities Rarities and Wonders in England Scotland and Ireland or an account of many remarkable persons and places and likewise of the Battles Sieges prodigious Earthquakes Tempests Inundations Thunders Lightnings Fires Murders and other considerable occurrences and accidents for many hundred years past Together
complain of want of pay of the neglect of Church-Government and the Covenant The Parliament answered That in two years space they had received above two hundred thousand pounds for pay besides a vast sum of money which had been extorted from the weeping Inhabitants of the Northern Counties and that their Army had not answered expectation lying idle the best time of the year and if they were so precise in observation of the Covenant why contrary thereto had they put Garrisons into Newcastle Tinmouth and Carlisle Neither ought they to mention Religion being unsettled since the Parliament were consulting about it being a matter which requires time and mature deliberation From these dissentions the King expected some advantage but yet Oxford was already block'd up by Fleetwood and Ireton and Fairfax was daily expected to come and turn it into a close siege therefore before this should happen the King resolved to go out of the City and consulting with some of his inward Councellors it was concluded he should go to the Scots Camp then lying before Newark the King sent Montruel the French Ambassador before and himself soon after as Coll. Ashburnhams man who had a pass from Fairfax to go out of Oxford about some private business with a Cloak-bag behind him escaped unknown and came to Newark which when the besieged Newarkers had notice of being in great streights they upon conditions surrendred the Town The Scots seemed amazed at the Kings unexpected coming to them and so signified the matter to the English Commissioners then on the place Letters were instantly written to London and Edinburgh and the Parliament at Westminster required the Scots to detain the King at Southwell near Newark but contrary to this Order they carried him to Kelham where a greater part of their Army lay and soon after without further Order removed their Camp Northward and carried him away to Newcastle with them excusing their departure by alledging Newark being yielded no work was left for them but that as the King came to them of his own accord unexpected so he followed their Army neither being intreated nor forbidden by them but they seemed to hasten their departure by reason of a rumour that Cromwel with all his Horse was marching toward them This action much offended the English Parliament and they complain'd both of the Scots and the King In the beginning of May General Fairfax with his whole Army came before Oxford the City was very strong having been fortified according to the most exact rules of Art to make it Impregnable invironed with regular Forts and provided with a potent Garrison of five thousand valiant Souldiers having great stores of all manner of provisions and the Governour Sir Tho. Glemham a person who had sufficiently demonstrated his courage and conduct in holding out York and Carlisle to the last extremity The General disposing his Quarters round about the City summoned the Governour to surrender who returned That he would send to know the Kings mind and then act accordingly This answer was not satisfactory yet Fairfax and his Commanders doubting it would be a tedious Siege were put in hopes by some spies that it could not hold out long by reason of the divisions between the Nobility and Souldiers the first being for treating now and so obtain honourable conditions which they did accordingly and the Parliament decreed That the besieged should have the best conditions rather than waste their Army which might be more useful elsewhere for they designed to send them into Ireland against the Rebels there Thus was Oxford surrendred and the Garrison marched out in sight of Fairfax's Army with great quiet and modesty on both sides The D. of York was honourably conducted to London where two of the Kings Children remained thither also went all the Noble-men neither were any of the besieged denied to go to London but the Princes Rupert and Maurice who being commanded to go out of England prepared for their departure Prince Charles about this time sailed from Scilly with a few of his inward Counsellors to Jersey in order to go to his Mother in France which the King having advice of sent him this short Letter from Newcastle Charles I write to you only that you should know what I am and that I am in health not to direct you at this time in any thing for what I would have you do I have already written to your Mother to whom I would have you obedient in all things except Religion about which I know she will not trouble you and go no whether without her or my command Write often to me God bless you Your loving Father C. R. Soon after the surrender of Oxford followed the end of this fierce War for Worcester Wallingford Pendennis and Ragland yielded to the Victors Peace now seemed to be restored to England but they had no security the Parliament being grievously troubled with factions among themselves and divided under the Names of Presbyterians and Independants not only in matters of Church-Government but often in their Votes and in transacting almost all other business and this humour spread it self into the City Country and Camp and the Parliament doubting Coll. Masseys Forces might muriny upon that account sent Fairfax to Disband them being two thousand five hundred Horse which was quietly done in eight days time though they did not then receive their pay The Scots as you have heard carrying the King into the North the parliament Voted That the person of the King should be disposed of by the Authority of both Houses of the parliament of England But the Scots denied to deliver him up alledging That he was no less King of England than Scotland which caused great dissention between the two Nations But at length upon paying the Scots two hundred thousand pounds they agreed to deliver up Berwick Carlisle and Newcastle to the parliament of England and the Kings person also to the English Commissioners to be carried into the South who was received with great respect and honour by the Earls of Pembroke and Denbigh and the other Commissioners and by them waited on with much observance and an honourable Guard to his palace at Holmby in Northampton-shire But the Civil Wars being ended a dissention more than Civil arose among the Conquerors which still increased under the Names of Presbyterians and Independants and extreamly imbittered the minds of men against each other one party complaining That the Covenant was broken The other That it was not rightly Interpreted by them And on both sides were men of Reputation and several petitions were drawn up against the Army lately so much admired as maintainers of the Independent party who then lay about Saffron-Walden in Essex Yea it was debated in parliament whether they should be Disbanded or not which Cromwel who sided with the Independents having notice of he thereupon with Ireton insinuated into the common Souldiers That the parliament intended to Disband them without their Arrears or else to
not at all restrained but lived like a Prince in all the splendor of a Court all sorts of people being freely admitted to kiss his hands and wait upon him yea his servants from beyond Sea even those who had been Voted Delinquents as Ashburnham Barkley and the rest were permitted by the Army to have safe recourse to him which was generally wondred at About this time a disturbance arose in the Army by a party called Levellers some of whom were seized at Ware and the principal sticklers shot to death others Imprisoned and all their favourers cashier'd twenty being discarded out of one Troop And now propositions were sent to the King at Hampton-court agreed upon by both Houses and with the concurrence of the Scotch Commissioners but the King refused to comply with them for Loâ—don and Lancrick newly come out of Scotland having privately discours'd with the King sent Letters to the Parliament requiring That the King may come to London and there personally treat with the Parliament about the matters in controversie Though not long before they denied it to be just that before the King had given satisfaction and security to the people he should be admitted to London or to any personal Treaty with the Parliament and refused to receive him into Scotland lest he might raise commotions there but they alledged in their defence That the King had been taken from Holmby against his will and without the consent of Parliament and still remained under the power of an Army not in that freedom proper for treating of matters of so great concernment But while the Parliament were framing propositions they were suddenly surprized with the news that the King was secretly withdrawn from Hampton-court Letters coming from Cromwel about midnight to the Speaker For Nov. 12. whilst the Commissioners of Parliament and Collonel Whaley who commanded the Guard expected when the King would come out of his Chamber to supper and wondred at his long stay at last about Nine a clock some going in missed the King finding his Cloak and a Letter written with his own hand to the Commissioners to be communicated to the Parliament wherein having discoursed about captivity and the sweetness of liberty he protested before God He did not withdraw to disturb the publick peace but for his safety against which he understood there was a Treasonable Conspiracy c. and that if he might be heard with freedom honour and safety he should instantly break through this cloud of retirement and shew himself the Father of his Country The Parliament startled at his departure sent some persons to the Sea-coasts to prevent his going beyond Sea and when it was reported he was concealed in London Ordered That if any man should closely detain the Kings person he should be punish'd with loss of Estate and Life But this cloud soon dissolved Letters coming from Coll. Hammond Governour of the Isle of Wight that the King was come thither and had delivered himself into his proâ—ection and that he would dispose of him as the Parliament should appoint who commending Hammond ordered That he should Guard the King with diligence and wait on with respect and honour and that all necessaries should be sent him The King sent a long Letter from thence to the Parliament wherein he desired to come to a personal Treaty at London which was also vehemently pressed by the Scots Commissioners Whereupon after a long debate Nov. 26. they drew up four propositions in the form of Acts to be signed by the King in the Isle of Wight and then he should be admitted to a personal Treaty which were 1. To pass an Act for settling the Militia of the Kingdom 2. An Act for calling in all Declarations Oaths and Proclamations against the Parliament and their adherents 3. For Incapacitating those Lords who were made after the Great-Seal was carried to Oxford from sitting in the House of Peers thereby A power to be given to the two Houses to adjourn as they shall think fit The Commissioners of Scotland declared against these Bills however Dec. 24. they were presented to the King who understanding the minds of the Scots and the Factions in London absolutely refused to sign them Which deniâ—l was sharply debated in the House and it was affirmed That the King by this denial had denied his protection to the people of England for which only subjection is due to him And therefore Jan. 17. a Declaration and Votes passed both Houses of Parliament That they will make no further Addresses to the King nor any other to make application to him without their Order under penalty of High-Treason That they will receive no more Messages from him to both or either Houses of Parliament or any other person This was seconded by a Declaration of the General and Officers of the Army which was presented to the House and thanks returned them for their Resolutions to adhere to the Parliament in their proceedings concerning the King and against him or any other that shall partake with him The Parliament likewise by their Declaration did endeavour to appease the minds of the people many of whom were extreamly discontented with these proceedings Tumults and Insurrections being daily feared so that the Parliament though victorious and guarded with a conquering Army no Forces visibly appearing against them yet were never in more danger and every man began to foresee Slaughter and War as Mariners observe a rising Tempest ' The threatning Waves in Tracts voluminous ' Boil up The Seas by blasts uncertain blown ' Betoken many Winds conception The Kings party though conquered had great hopes of retrieving their Cause and the same thing seemed to be the wish of many of those called Presbyterians out of their strong aversion to the Independents so that the King though set aside and confined within the Isle of Wight was more formidable this Summer than in any other when he was followed by his strongest Armies The Name of King had now a farther operation and the pity of the vulgar gave a greater Majesty to his person Prince Charles also by his absence and the Name of banishment was more desired of them and by his Commissions privately sent from his Father and Commands under his Name he was able to raise not only Tumults but Wars The Parliament for their security Quartered part of the Army about Westminster the Mewse and other places of the City and some Lords and Commons were chosen out of the House and called A Committee of Safety and sate at Derby-House with power to suppress Tumults and Insurrections and to raise Forces upon occasion which were the Earls of Northumberland Kent Warwick and Manchester the Lords Say Wharton and Roberts and thirteen of the H. of Commons among whom was Lieutenant-General Cromwel And it was not long e're they had occasion to make use of their Authority for upon Sunday April 9 1648. some Apprentices and other loose people playing in Moor-fields set upon a Company of the
submission than ever was before resolved on the eleven Impeached Members were restored to their seats and the Houses debated of treating with the King upon his own security personally at London with honour freedom and safety But this was not carried only a Treaty was Vored to be in the Isle of Wight and that the King should chuse the place in that Island In persnance whereof the E. of Middâ—esex and two of the H. of Commons were sent to the King who answered That he was very ready to treat of peace Upon which five Peers and ten Commoners were immediately chosen and sent to Newport During this Treaty the King found all kind of respect and observance from the Commissioners being attended with a Royal Retinue the D. of Richmond Marquess of Hartford the Earls of Southampton and Lindsey with a number of other Gentlemen of Quality who waited in his Train his own two Chaplains and divers of his Lawyers to advise him in the Treaty being likewise allowed him While these things were Transacting at Westminster Cromwel having finished matters in Scotland prepares for his return and Octob. 16. 1648. leaves Endenburgh being conducted some miles on his way by Argyle and other Scotch Noblemen who took their leaves with mutual demonstrations of kindness and marching toward Carlisle when he came into Yorkshire he was defired by the Committee to reduce the Castles of Scarborough and Pomfret in his way the last of which was defended by Coll. John Maurice with great courage not by the strength of the place but the valour of the Defendants The Garrison consisted of four hundred Foot and one hundred and thirty Horse but all daring fellows who daily performed some notable Exploit by their sallies as one time by seizing Sir Arthur Ingram with a Troop of Horse and obliging him to pay fifteen hundred pounds to obtain his liberty Soon after they took Captain Clayton and most of his Troop and brought into the Castle two hundred head of cattel and many Horses though Sir Hen. Cholmly at that time beleaguered it to keep them in One morning before day forty Horse sallied out and speeding to Doncaster where Coll. Rainsborough who had a commission to command the siege in chief then Quartered three of them went into the Town and inquired for Coll Rainsboroughs Quarters to which being directed they went thither pretending to deliver him letters from Lieutenant-General Cromwel the Collonel little suspecting their business considently opens the door to receive the letters but one of them instantly stabb'd him to the heart and though his Forces guarded the Town yet they got back into the Castle at mid-day To reduce this place Cromwel having settled the Northern counties now comes and orders the siege to be streightned leaving a strong party under Lambert who was come from Scotland to prevent their ranging abroad and in a while it was surrendred Cromwel marches up to London and takes his place in parliament who in his absence had recalled their Vote of Non-addresses and were treating with the King at Newport but while this Treaty proceeded and some months were spent in debates concessions and denials another sudden alteration happened which threw the King from the height of honour to the lowest condition for some fearing they might be in danger if the King were restored to his Throne contrived to take him away quite while others were as earnest for re-advancing him so that things were brought to no issue before Cromwels return who had now the thanks of the House given him by the Speaker for his prudent conduct of affairs in Scotland At the same time several petitions were presented to the Parliament and some to General Fairfax That whoever had offended against the Common wealth no persons excepted might be brought to speedy Jnstice that the same fault may have the same punishment in the person of K. or Lord as in the person of the poorest Commoner That such as speak or act on the Kings behalf till he be acquitted of shedding innocent blood be proceeded against as Traytors c. The first petition of this kind was presented to the parliament Sept 11. the Title was To the most Honourable the Commons of England assembled in Parliament The humble petition of many thousands of well-affected men in the Cities of London and Westminster in the Burrough of Southwark and the neighbouring Villages Inhabitants This petition which broke the Ice was in a month followed by several others from divers Counties in England and from several Regiments of the Army as from Oxford Leicester from many commanders in the Army from Iretons and Ingolsbys Regiment the design of all being the same That Justice might be done on the chief Authors of so much Bloodshed in England and that those who had been raisers of this second War and were now in the Parliaments custody Hamilton Holland Capel Goring and the rest might be punish'd and especially the King himself c. These petitions were daily presented to the Parliament during the Treaty and by them laid aside but at last these desires prevailed especially after the Remonstrance of Fairfax Cromwel and the General Council of Officers at St. Albans of Nov. 11. 1648. At the same time Cromwel sent Coll. Ewer to the Isle of Wight to take the King out of the custody of Coll. Hammond at Newport and to confine him to Hurst Castle till further Order and this without consent of the Parliament and thus the Treaty was violently broken off though the House of Lords Voted That the Kings Concessions were a sufficient ground of peace and the major part of the Commons did the same But Cromwel and the Army being now come to London resolve to hinder the same and discharge the Trained Bands from guarding the parliament Collonel Prides and Riches Regiments supplying their rooms by whom above forty Members of the House of Commons as they were coming to the House were seized and made prisoners Nay further they accuse M. G. Brown and above Ninety Members for inviting the Scots into England the last Summer and therefore desired they might be excluded the House which being done and the House new modelled they Voted That no message be received from the King upon pain of High Treason That Fairfax and the Army take care of the King and that the Council of War draw up a charge against him Dec. 13. 1648. The King is brought from Hurst Castle to Windsor and the Commons declare the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance to be void and that it is Treason for the King to levy War against the Common-wealth but the Lords deny that the King can commit any Treason against the Common-wealth and reject the Ordinance for his Tryal by a new Tribunal which they had erected to consist of one hundred and fifty Commissioners six whereof were of the Lords House the rest Officers of the Army and some few Citizens And the Commons further declare That the people under God are the original
of those who have bene chief Governors to acknowledge with thanks to the Commons their care and regard of the publick I do very heartily and thankfully acknowledge their kindness herein But leaving the parliament awhile let us relate a most daring attempt performed under the conduct of Gen. Blake about this time This valiant commander lying with his Fleet near Cadiz had advice that the Spanish VVest-India Fleet was put into the port of Sancta Cruze in Teneriff the chief Isle of the Canaries whereupon the Fleet weighed and April 20. 1657. came to the mouth of Sancta Cruze Bay where they saw sixteen Spanish ships lying in order almost like an half moon At the North of the Haven is a castle well fortified with cannon besides seven Forts more with three four and six Guns apiece so that the enâ—erprize seemed dangerous if not desperate And Don Diego D' aquies had caused all the smaller ships to be moared along the shoar to secure them and the six great Gallions lay further off at anchor with their broad-sides toward the Sea Blake perceiving all this calls a Council of VVar where it was resolved to attack them instantly without any thought of danger Capt. Stainer in the Speaker presently falls upon the ships disregarding the number of shot which came thundring from the Forts on every side as thick as hail and maintains near an hours fight till the Generals blake and Montague having ordered some Frigates to ply the Forts and Breast-words with continual broad-siees came up and with all their force attack'd the Spaniards who after four hours gallant resistance were driven out of their ships which the English could not easily bring away and were therefore forced to burn to the number of sixteen small and great This gallant attempt cost the English but 48 men and 120 wounded The Spaniards besides the loss of their whole Fleet had several hundreds of men slain on the shoar and in the Forts and VVorks besides those kill'd in the ships For this notable exploit the Protector by order of parliament sent a Diamond Ring worth 500 l. as a present to G. Blake and capt Rich. Stainer who led on the first squadron was at his first coming into England for this and his former services Knighted by the protector At this time one Miles Syndercomb an Officer formerly in Scotland under M. Gen. Overton was seized and accused to design to take away the life of the protector in combination with a disguised person said to be a Priestâ—sent from Don Alonso in Flanders who was ingaged as principal It was alledged that several proper houses were taken to shoot the protector with Engines Blunderbusses and other fire Arms at his going to the parliament or in the way to Hampton-court and that the chappel at VVhite-Hall was to be fired with a strong combustible matter This account Secretary Thurloe delivered to the parliament in moving terms that the House ordered a day of Thanksgiving and a Narrative of the plot to be published and went in a body to congratulate His Highness happy Deliverance where Sir Tho. VViddrington their speaker made a speech wherein he declared 1. The danger and ruine of the Reformed Churches abroad and three Nations at home who were struck at by this blow 2. The cunning secrecy of it that no more than two should be privy to this wicked design 3. The extensiveness of it resolving if they failed in one place to do it in another so that if Cicero were living he would want expression to set out the danger and the mercy and it being so unparallell'd and unpresedented a deliverance the parliaments Hymn ought to be O Cantemus Cantemus Canticum Novum Other us sing a new song to the Lord bless his Name hew forth his salvation this day for he hath done marvelous things his right hand and his holy arm hath gotten him the Victory As the members were ascending the stairs of the banqueting-banquetting-house a press of people crowding with them the stairs broke under them and Richard the protectors Son was much bruised and Mr. Ellis solicitor General broke his leg Syndercomb the next Term was by the direction of the parliament tryed for this Treason at the Kings Bench Bat He denied the plot but the evidence swearing positively against him he was convicted upon the statute of 25 Edw. 3. Justice Glyn upon his condemnation declaring that by the King was understood any chief magistrate of the Nation He was carried tkence to the Tower where the Night before his execution it was supposed he poysoned himself as the Coroners Jury gave their Verdict He went well to bed desiring before half an hours privacy for his prayers which being clapsed he opened the door and rubbing his hands together and his Nose with them he briskly bid them good Night and being found dead next morning his body awhile after was tyed with his head to the Horses Tail and drawn to the sâ—â—ffold at Tower-hill where he was buried and a stake covered with Iron a top driven into his body The sect of the Quakers were now grown numerous among whom one called James Naylor resembling in his proportions and complexion the picture of Christ and setting his beard and locks in the same fashion pretended to counterfeit our blessed Saviour and had Dilciples and VVomen ministring to him who blasphemously applied several expressions of scripture relating to our Lord Jesus to this man He first appeared at Bristol where a man leading an Horse before him and Dorcas Erbury and Martha Symonds going up to the knees in dirt by his Horse side sung aloud Holy Holy Holy Hosanna to the highest c. For this they were seized and brought up to the parliament They entred the House singing their blasphemies and a Committee being appointed to consider of their punishment he was sentenced to be set in the Pillory twice and whipt twice and his forehead to be stigmatized with a letter B. for a Blasphemer and bored through the Tongue with an hot Iron with which he used to answer to every question Thou hast said it and the like He was likewise whipt at Bristol and thence returned to Bridewell to be kept close prisoner and to eat no more than he earned In Newgate after his punishment one Mr. Rich a merchant of credit that held him by the hand while he was in the Pillory with divers others lick'd his wounds the VVomen were observed some to lay their heads in his lap lying against his Feet others to lean upon his shoulder and as soon as any Quaker came into his company they would first take him by the hand and in a strange note say Holy Holy c. but being removed to Bridewell after three days wilful fasting having weakened himself even to death he begged some Victuals and then was set to work which he performed and came by degrees to himself and his understanding after Cromwels death he had his liberty and soon after died fore the
upon the old foundation of the Law and that a Title upon a single present constitution as any new Title must be cannot be so firm as a Title built upon the present constitution and upon the old foundation of the Law likewise which the Title of King will be If any inconvenience should ensue upon your acceptance of this Title which the parliament adviseth your Highness's satisfaction will be that they did advise it On the contrary part if any inconvenience should arise upon your Highness refusal of this Title which the parliament hath advised your burthen will be the greater and therefore whatsoever may fall out will be better answered by your Highness complying with your parliament then otherwise the Question is not altogether new some instances have been given of the like to which I shall add two or three The Title of the Kings of England in the Realm of Ireland was Lord of Ireland and the parliament in the 33 year of Hen. 8. relating That inconveniences did arise there by reason of that Title did enact That Hen. 8. should assume the Stile and Title of King of Ireland which in the judgment of the parliament was preferred before the other In the State of Rome new Titles proved fatal to their Liberties their case was not much unlike ours they were wearied with a Civil War and coming to a settlement some would not admit the Title of Rex to be used but were contented to give the Titles of Caesar Perpetual Dictator Prince Senate Emperor So that at length the will of Caesar was their Law who said I am not a King but Caesar The Northern people were more happy among themselves a private Gentleman of a Noble Family took up Arms with his country-men against a Tyrant and by the blessing of God rescued the Native Liberties and Rights of their country from the oppression of that Tyrant This Gentleman had the Title of Marshal given unto him which continued for some years afterward their Parliament judging it best to resume the old Title Elected this Gentleman King and with him was brought in the liberty of Protestant Religion and the establishment of the Civil Rights of that people which have continued in a prosperous condition ever since in Sweden unto this day Sir I shall make no other application but in my prayers to God to direct your Highness and the Parliament as I hope he will to do that which will be most for his honour and the good of his people This speech was made April 26. 1657. but the Protector finding the inclinations of some of the people and especially of many Officers and Souldiers of the Army to be very averse to the Title of King which they had lately renounced and likewise doubting as it was then discours'd that they would fortifie his Title but weaken his Revenue who required Nineteen hundred thousand pound a year for the support of his Government besides the charge of the Spanish War he thereupon sent for the Parliament to the Banquetting-house at White-Hall May 8. following where he gave them his last and positive answer to this purpose Mr. Speaker I am come hither to answer that which was in your last paper to your Committee you sent me which was in relation to the desires which were offered me by the House in that they called their petition I confess that business hath put the Parliament to a great deal of trouble and spent much time I am very sorry that it hath cost me some and some thoughts and because I have been the unhappy occasion of the expence of so much time I shall spend little of st now I have the best I can resolved the whole business in my thoughts and I have said so much already in testimony of the whole that I think I shall not need to repeat any thing that I have said I think it is a Government that the aims of it seek much a settling of the Nation on a good foot in relation to Civil Rights and Liberties which are the Rights of the Nation and I hope I shall never be found to be of them that shall go about to rob the Nation of these Rights but to serve them what I can to the attaining them It hath also exceeding well provided for the safety and security of honest men in that great natural and religious liberty which is Liberty of Conscience These are great fundamentals and I must bear my Testimony to them as I have and shall do still so long as God lets me live in this World that the intentions of the things are very honourable and honest and the product worthy of a Parliament I have only had the unhappiness both in my conferences with your Committees and in the best thoughts I could take to my self not to be convicted of the necessity of that thing that hath been so often insisted upon by you to wit The Title of King as in it self necessary as it seems to be apprehended by your selves and I do with all honour and respect to the judgment of the Parliament testifie that ceteris paribus no private judgment is to lye in the ballance with the judgment of a Parliament but in things that respect particular persons every man that is to give an account to God of his actions he must in some measure be able to prove his own work that is To have an approbation in his own conscience of that he is to do or forbear And whilst you are granting others liberties surely you will not deny me this it being not only a liberty but a duty and such a duty as I cannot without sinning forbear to examine my own heart and thoughts and judgment in every work which I am to set my hand to or to appear in for I must confess therefore that though I do acknowledge all the other yet I must be a little confident in this that what with the circumstances that accompany humane actions whether they be circumstances of time or persons whether circumstances that relate to the whole or private or particular circumstances that compass any person that is to render an account of his own actions I have truly thought and do still think that if I should at the best do any thing on this account to answer your expectation it would be at the best doubtingly and certainly what is so is not of faith whatsoever is not of faith is sin to him that doth it whether it be with relation to the substance of the action about which the consideration is conversant or whether to circumstances about it which make all indifferent actions good or evil to him that doth it I lying under this consideration think it my duty only I could have wished I had done it sooner for your sake for saving time and trouble and indeed for the Committees sake to whom I must acknowledge publickly I have been unseasonably troublesome I say I could have wished I had given it sooner but truly this
called whereby they declare That no member of Parliament should bear Office in the Army or Garrisons but altogether attend the service of the House unless they had leave for so doing and that within forty days from the publishing thereof By which proceeding the Earls of Essex Manchester and Denhigh Sir William Waller Sir Philip Stapleton and divers others were dismiss'd after which they took care to recruit their Forces which were much diminished by sickness and the late defeat in the West and in a short time they mustered a compleat Army of twenty one thousand that is fourteen thousand Foot six thousand Horse and one thousand Dragoons over whom they constituted Sir Tho. Fairfax General who gave out divers Commissions to them who were then newly called Independants and among others Ireton was raised to be Commissary-General of the Horse who had newly married one of Cromwels Daughters and was as great a Politician as himself Upon publishing the fore-mentioned Ordinance which was in the year 1645 Cromwel who was then in the West-country in obedience thereto immediately returns toward London and having notice that General Fairfax was at Windsor he went to wait upon him by the way and take his leave of him but the Parliament were too sensible of his usefulness and conduct to discharge him and therefore the next morning as soon as he was risen a Commission was sent him to be Lieutenant-General of the Horse to the whole Army This alteration gave great hopes to the Royal party of future success against this new Army so many principal Commanders being laid aside and discontented and such a number of unexperienced Youths Listed but these expectations soon vanished for Cromwel by virtue of the dispensing power of the Parliament being still continued and advanced to so great a command to make it appear that they were not mistaken in their choice he instantly proceeds to action being sent by Fairfax with a flying party of Horse and Dragoons to intercept a convoy of two thousand Horse consisting of the Queens the Earl of Northamptons and Collonel Palmers Regiments who with some other Troops were marching to Oxford with a design to bring off the King and the Train of Artillery and to procure Recruits for the Army and so join with the Kings main mid-land Forces under Prince Rupert then about Worcester and the borders of Wales and then take the field In this exploit Cromwel was so extream diligent that with extraordinary celerity he met with surprized and routed them at Islip-bridge taking five hundred Horse and two hundred prisoners with the Queens Standard and many persons of Quality and pushing on his success having notice that Sir William Vaughan with three hundred and fifty Foot were marching toward Radcot-bridge he followed them taking their commander Lieutenant Coll. Littleton and two hundred other prisoners persuing the rest to Blechingdon-house where Collonel Windebank was Governour and in the height of his Victories summoned him to an immediate surrender or else to expect the utmost vengeance of an inraged Souldiery The Governour terrified with these threats and being over perswaded by some Ladies who were there come to visit his Bride he being newly married and having little hopes of relief from Oxford delivered up the House with all the Arms and Ammunition therein for which when he came to Oxford he was shot to death by sentence of a Council of War This Enterprize was reckoned as a happy Omen of his future success in his new honour and the prudence of the Parliament magnified in continuing so deserving a commander in the Army who to secure his reputation resolved upon a more dangerous attempt to reduce Faringdon-House of which Sir George Lisle a person of Invincible courage was Governour and a Garrison which had been of great advantage to the King To effect this considerable service he took six hundred of M. Gen. Browns Foot at Abington with which he instantly storm'd the place but was as stoutly repulsed and forced to retire with the loss of fifty of his Soulders and in his retreat was attackt by a party of L. Gorings Horse lately come from the siege of Taunton who gave Cromwel the first check he had yet met with taking three colours and Major Bethel prisoner and then returned to the siege at Taunton At this time Fairfax had order to march to the relief of Taunton and Cromwel was left behind with Brown to watch the motions of the Kings Army at Oxford who were then ready to take the field and to prevent them from joining a brave body of Horse that were coming out of Worcester-shire under the command of the Princes Rupert and Maurice But the Royal Army was grown so potent that Cromwel durst not attempt either to fight or hinder their march so that Fairfax was presently remanded and ordered to lye before Oxford to oblige the King to secure that place and upon advantage to fight him when Intelligence came that the King having joined the two Princes and raised the siege of Chester beleaguered by Sir William Brereton was now marching toward the Associated Counties wherein lay the strength of the Parliament whereupon Cromwel was ordered with all speed to secure the Isle of Ely as being a Frontier to the rest of the country But the King went and sate down before Leicester and soon took it which so alarm'd the parliament that they instantly dispatch'd Orders to Fairfax to rise from Oxford and seek out and fight the Kings Army who as he writ to his Queen was then in a more hopeful condition than during the War Fairfax obeyed this Order and Cromwel being recruited with six hundred Horse of the Association came to join the Army then marching toward Northampton The General had information that the King had Quartered his Foot and Carriages upon Burrough-Hill near Daventry as if he intended there to expect him but it was only to tarry till the twelve hundred Horse sent as a Convoy to the Cattel taken within Leicester and Northampton-shire for relief of Oxford were returned designing afterward the reduction of Pomfret-castle in the North and all the other places lost since Marston-Moor and if Fairfax followed him to have fought him with the first advantage which he could not do so conveniently where the Parliament had their Garrisons But Cromwel soon disappointed this project by whose counsel Ireton was dispatch'd with a Detachment of Horse to take an account of the posture of the Kings Army with Order that if they marched Northward he should skirmish and employ them in the Rear till the whole Army could arrive and ingage The day before the Battel the General marched to Gilsborough five miles from Burrough-hills from whence the Royalists their Hâ—â—â—e being come back from Oxford were bending their course Northward and the next Night the King was extreamly surprized to find Ireton give an alarm to his Quarters at Naseby from whence about eleven a clock the King departed speeding to Harborough where
Trained Bands and with sâ—ones beat the Captain out of the Fields taking away his Colours with which they marched in the head of a disorderly Rout increasing continually by the way to Westminster crying out They were for King Charles but by a Troop of Horse out of the Mewse were soon dispersed yet running back into the City and others joining them they remained all Night in a body to the great terror of the Citizens so that the Lord Mayor who was for the Parliament escaped privately out of his House and went to the Tower In the morning Fairfax sent part of his Army into the City who drove them into Leaden-Hall taking some prisoners and scattered the rest so that this Tumult was instantly suppress'd for which service he had the thanks of the Parliament and some of the principal Citizens and a thousand pound gratuity to his Souldiers May 26. about three hundred came out of Surry to Westminster with a Petition to the Parliament wherein they demand That the King should be presently restored to his former Dignity and come to Westminster with honour freedom and safety to treat personally there about all Controversies That the Army should presently be Disbanded and the free people of England be governed by their known Lâ—ws and Statutes These Petitioners were so earnest for an answer that they would not stay â—â—ll the Parliament could debate it but set upon the Souldiers that guarded the House of whom some they hurt and killed one Whereupon some Horse and Foot were sent from the Mewse who gave them a feeling answer killing some and scattering the rest so that they were utterly vanquished At the same time the Kentish-men were coming with a Petition and a formidable Army to back it being inraged at the death of their Companions who raised a Tumult at Canterbury to prevent their arrival Gen. Fairsax was sent with seven Regiments to Black-Heath In the mean time some small Insurrections happened in Suffolk at Stamford and in Cornwall but were soon suppress'd by Coll. Wait Sir Hardrefs Waller and others Sir Thomas Glemham had seized upon Carlisle and Sir Marmaduke Langdale upon Berwick and fortified it and the Royalists had taken the strong Castle of Pomfret To manage these Wars in the North Coll. Lambert was left with some Regiments of Fairfaxes Army but the most formidable danger seemed to be in Wales where Poyer Powel and Langhorn three Parliament Collonels had raised an Army of eight thousand men by a Commission from Prince Charles but Collonel Horton with three thousand ingaged them near Peterstone and totally routed and put to flight their whole Army A great slaughter was made and about three thousand prisoners taken equal to the number of the Victors among whom were one hundred and fifty Officers many Colours a great quantity of Arms with all their Cannon Langhorn and Powel escaped with Poyer into Pembrook-castle Cromwel himself about the beginning of May was sent into Wales with some Regiments who coming to Chepstow-castle resolved to besiege it but hastening to Pembroke he left Coll. Ewer at Chepstow who within fifteen days took that Castle and klled Kemish to whom the Governour had treacherously surrendred it May 20. Cromwel came to Pembrook of which Collonel Poyer was Commander who relying on the great strength of the place refused all conditions being sensible that time was very precious with the Parliament who were surrounded with so many difficulties at once but Cromwel to whom despair was altogether a stranger prepared for the Siege being much furthered in his work from the Sea by the great Industry of Sir George Ayscough who continually furnish'd him by the assistance of a Squadron of Ships with great Guns and Provisions of all sorts from Bristol Having taken a full survey of the strength of the Castle he resolves to batter it with his Cannon because he had notice their Powder and other provisions would soon be spent and that the divisions he heard were among them might occasion them to yield and so save the loss of his men of whom he was very careful since so much Work lay upon their hands In the mean time he strictly guarded the Trenches to prevent them from coming out which had the effect he expected Hunger if not breaking through stone Walls yet occasioning them to deliver up the Town and Castle the Souldiers upon Quarter but Langhorn Poyer Powel and some others upon mercy which the rest found but Poyer was shot to death While Cromwel was acting these things in Wales Fairfax with his seven Regiments marched from Black-Heath toward Rochester and about Gravesend a great number were got together and among them above twenty Knights Esquires and Gentlemen of the County with several of the Kings old Commanders but they durst not ingage Fairfax though more numerous some marching to Maidstone a few to Rochester others to Dover to besiege that Castle but were soon removed by Coll. Rich and Sir Mich. Livesey About two thousand were got to Maidstone and resolved to defend it which they did with such obstinacy that the valour of Fairfax and his Souldiers were never tryed so much before nor a Victory got with greater danger for after they had broke into the Town with much difficulty they found a War in every Street and Cannon planted against them so that they were forced to fight for every corner of it but at length with the loss of forty men it was taken two hundred of the Royalists being slain and fourteen hundred made prisoners four hundred Horse and two thousand Arms taken and it was remarkable that at the same time another Army of many thousand Kentish-men coming from Rochester to aid their Friends yet when they came near durst not assist them but stood in sight while Fairfax took the Town Kent seemed now to be quiet when the Lord Goring with the remains of the Kentish-men being about two thousand marched as far as Greenwich sending to see how the Citizens stood affected to the business but while he staid expecting an answer some Troops of the Army came in sight upon which Goring and all his company fled the Horsemen persuing took some Booty and the Kentish-men generally went home to their own Houses but the Lord Goring with about five hundred Horse coming to Greenwich they got Boats and passed over into Essex and the Lord Capel with Forces out of Hartford-shire and Sir Charles Lucas with a body of Horse joined him at Chelmsford with several of the Kings Souldiers and many Londoners who flock'd to them The General followed them crossing the Thames at Gravesend and at length drove them into Colchester where after near three months Siege being reduced to that extremity as to live several VVeeks upon Horse-flesh despairing of relief they at length yielded themselves prisoners Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle being shot to death At this time Cromwel marches Northward to endeavour to prevent the danger from Scotland from whence D. Hamilton was marching
vanquished It is remarkable that not above twenty of the English were slain in this great action The Marquess perceiving all was lost fled with a considerable party to Kilkenny and from thence to Drogheda whither Collonel Jones with some Horse was marched with all speed in hopes that the news of this defeat might cause them to surrender but when he heard that Ormond with three hundred Horse was come to re-inforce it he went back while the Marquess fortifies Dundalk Trim and some other places adjacent to Tredagh hoping to preserve what he had by the strength of his Troops and to have an Army of Foot ready before Cromwels arrival But he having Intelligence of this great Victory being then at Milford-Haven in Wales he instantly sailed thence with the Van of his Army in thirty two Transport-ships and Ireton with the main body in forty two more Hugh Peters with about twenty sail following them and having a fair wind they all soon arrived at Dublin and were received with all signs of joy and satisfaction and especially the new Lord Governour Cromwel whom the people crowded to behold and who observing their zeal and kindness putting off his Hat he spake to them to this effect That as God had brought him thither in safety so he doubted not but by the divine assistance to restore them to all their just Rights Liberties and Properties and that all those whose hearts and affections were real for carrying on the great work against the barbarous and blood-thirsty Irish and their adherents and confederates and that were for prepagating the Gospel of Christ the establishing of truth and peace and restoring this bleeding Narion to its former happiness and tranquility should find favour and protection from the Parliament of England and himself and should likewise receive such endowments and gratuities as were seitable to their meries This speech was received with the approbation and acclamations of the people many of whom declared That they would live and dye with him The Army being all landed and refreshed Cromwel publishes a proclamation against swearing cursing and drunkenness under the most severe penalties and having settled matters in Dublin he musters his Army which then consisted of fifteen thousand Horse and Foot well accoutred out of whom he made a detachment of about ten thousand with whom and a sine Train of Artillery Ammunition and provisions he marches to Drogheda commanded by Sir Arthur Ashton formerly Governour of Reading and Oxford and an expert and valiant souldier the Garrison consisting in about three thousand Horse and Foot most English After summoning the Town which was slighted Cromwel prepares all necessaries to besiege it Sir G. Ayscough and his squadron in the mean time blocking it up by Sea and the white flag was taken down the red denouncing blood and destruction being displayed in its stead which yet did not much discourage the besieged who expected relief from Ormond and had likewise absolutely determined among themselves to conquer or dye which they did quickly after for Cromwel without making Trenches or Ditches raised a strong battery of Cannon against it which soon beat down a Church-steepie and a Tower on the South of the Town and upon throwing two or three hundred Balls more the corner Tower between the South-east Wall was levelled and such a breach made that three Regiments of Foot entred it not being large enough for the Horse but met with such surious opposition from the besieged that they forced them back faster than they came on which Cromwel observing from the battery he with a fresh supply of Collonel Ewers Foot enters in person into the Town whose presence so incouraged the souldiers that nothing was able to stand before them so that having secured the Town to revenge their late repulse they cut off all they met with yet Ashtons souldiers desperately opposed them at every corner and when not able to defend the streets retreated to the Churches-steeples and other securities but the assailants persued them with utmost rage and with Gun-powder blew up an hundred of them who were got into St. Peters steeple only one escaping who by the fall broke his leg and had Quarter given him Others refused to yield upon summons and were thereupon kept so long from Victuals that they were forced to surrender after which most of the Officers with every tenth souldier was put to the Sword and the rest sent to Barbadoes Sir Arthur Ashton being slain among the rest Cromwel by these severe executions designing to terrify other places from making any opposition which had such effect that in a short time he wholly conquered the Kingdom And thus was this strong Garrison reduced and plundered in seven days which the Irish were three years e're they could take Dundalk and Trim expecting no better Quarter the Souldiers deserted them with such precipitation that they left all their cannon behind In the last fixed upon their carriages and the English revolted so fast to the conqueror that Ormonds Forces increased very little so that he durst not ingage Cromwel but endeavoured to hinder them from having provisions Upon which the General resolved to march Westward and assault Wexford putting a Garrison into Killingkerrick near Dublin which had been deserted by the Enemy together with Arkloe-castle one of the seats of the Family of Ormond and several other small places which surrendred to him at length he came before Wexford and summoned it but the Governour Collonel Synnoâ— politickly treated about terms till he was re-inforced with five hundred Foot under the Earl of Castlehaven and then seem'd to defie any attack Whereupon Cromwel presently plants a battery against the castle at the South-east end of the Town as being of great consequence to the gaining it and had not plaid long upon it before the Governour surrenders it of which the souldiers having possession and shewing themselves to the Town affrighted them from the Walls which they soon perceiving in an instant scaled the Walls without much resistance and entring into the Town cut off all that were in Arms till they came to the Market-place where the enemy made a stand and fought it out to the last but at length were subdued and all in Arms put to the Sword This Sea-port being taken which was convenient for supplies the Victors march to Ross another Sea Town considerable for strength and trade and scituate on the River Barrow where a Ship of seven or eight hundred Tun might ride by the Wall the Lords of Ormond Castlehaven and Ards were there in person having brought fifteen hundred men in Boats to re-inforce it in sight of the English who could not prevent it Cromwel summons the Governour M. General Twaff to a rendition by assuring him That since his coming into Ireland he ever avoided the effusion of Blood having been before no place where he did not first send them such Terms as might have preserved them and that upon the same account he required him to
the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London and other persons of Quality all expressing the sence of their obligations Soon after he took his place in parliament and received the thanks of the House from the Speaker and then gave them a full account of the present condition of Ireland At this time Virginia and the Caribbee Islands revolt from the parliament and cry up the Monarchy and Liturgy who thereupon prohibit all Nations to Trade with them and in a few months they are wholly subdued by a Fleet sent thither under Sir G. Ayscough Prince Rupert infests the English Coasts from Scilly Jersey Ireland and France with the States revolted Ships to the great loss of the Merchants whereupon a Fleet well equipt is set forth against him who block him up in Kinsale which Town being taken by Cromwel they were forced to hasten away leaving three Ships behind and sailed to Lisbon where they were protected by the King of Portugal which caused a difference between that King and the English Republick About the same time that is May 3. 1649. Dr. Dorislaus who drew up the charge against King Charleâ— being sent as an Envoy to the States of Holland was treacherously murdered at the Hague by persons in disguise that broke into his Lodgings and afterward made their escape And not long after Mr. Anthony Ascham the English Agent in Spain was stabâ—d in his Inn in his way to Madrid and the murderers taking sanctuary in a church the King of Spain by all his authority could not bring them to Justice But the greatest danger to this new Common-wealth though victorious in Ireland seemed to be from Scotland for King Charles II. being in the Isle of Jersey and having notice of the great factions and differences in that Kingdom between the Covenanters and the Royalists he gives a commission to the Marquess of Montross who in the year 1645. was so successful for a time that the whole Kingdom of Scotland may be said to have been won and lost in one month by which commission he was to raise Forces in Holland and other parts wherewith if possible to abate the power of the Covenanters so that the King might be able to treat with them upon better terms He accordingly in a short time sends some Forces into the Isles of Orkney and a few more under Sir James Mongomery to the North of Scotland These the Committee of Estates resolve to oppose though raised for the Kings service and send propositions to him to Jersey which being granted they would enter into a Treaty to restore him to that Kingdom the substance whereof were That he would sign the solemn league and covenant and oblige all persons to take it To confirm all Acts of parliament in the two last Sessions and to have no Negative voice in their parliament and would appoint some place about Holland to treat in The King consented and promised in the word of a Prince to perform them and Breda a Town in Holland belonging to the Prince of Orange was the place appointed where the Scots Commissioners meet him and the Treaty in a short time was fully concluded wherein one Article was That the Marquess of Montross and his adherents be prohibited access into that Kingdom During this Treaty Montross being commissioned by the King fearing he should have an express command to desist and himself be banish'd his country landed as you heard at Orkney and in the North with some inconsiderable supplies of men and money against whom the parliament then sitting send an Army of seven thousand Foot and three Troops of Horse who utterly defeat his Forces which were only twelve hundred of whom two hundred were slain and all the rest taken except one hundred who made their escape and Montross himself who being three or four days in the open Fields without meat or drink with only one man discovered himself to the L. Aston but the pronused reward or fear of concealing him caused this Lord to send him to Edenburgh and he was soon after condemned and hanged upon a Gallows thirty foot from the ground and a few days after Sir John Urrey Sir Francis Hay Collonel Sâ—bald and Collonel Spotswood were beheaded for the same cause the last at his death confessing he was an actor in the death of Dr. Doritâ—aâ—s The King was somewhat startled at these proceedings but the Scots Commissioners desired him nor to stumble at these matters since they were all designed to promote his Interests so that finding it could not be redressed he was forced to conceal his resentments and the Treaty being finished the King prepared for his Voyage to Scotland The parliament of England having exact Intelligence of all these proceedings it was debated whether the War which was inevitable between them and the Scots should be Offensive or Defensive at length being sensible what desolations they brought along with them when they came in as Friends and afterwards as Enemies in Duke Hamiltons Invasion it was concluded to make Scotland the seat of the War and accordingly they Order the Army to march Northward but General Fairfax as well as some others being dissatisfied about the obligation of the National Covenant entred into between both Kingdoms which he conceived would not permit us to make War on Scotland desired to be excused and delivered up his commission which at first was a little startling but the parliament soon found another General of whose valour and conduct they had large experience which was Cromwel who accepted of the charge and had a commission to be General of all the Forces that now were or hereafter should be raised by the Common-wealth of England and all commissions formerly granted to Sir Tho. Fairfax were made void June 28. 1650. Cromwel with his Army marched toward Scotland and was received at York by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen with great respect The report of his coming surprized the Committee of Estates who sent a Letter to the Parliament That they admired the English should advance toward them and that many of their Ships were seized contrary to the Act of pacification which allowed three months warning and that the Forces they had raised were only in their own defence defiring to know whether those of the English were designed to guard their own borders or to invade Scotland The parliament by their Declaration declare the reasons of their proceeding and among others That the Scots endeavour to seduce the people of the Common-wealth of England from their affection and duty to the parliament and to promote the laterest of the late King under pretence of the Covenant and though they could claim no authority or dominion over us yet in Scotland they proclaimed Charles Stewart to be King of England and Ireland and since that promised to assist him against the Common-wealth and had declared against the English parliament and Army ranking them with malignants and papists These with many others were such intolerable provocations and no satisfaction being
to be had but by the sword the parliament resolve to vindicate the Nations honour and to secure it from the like Insolencies for the future The Army likewise publish a Declaration wherein taking notice of the practices of some in that Kingdom who endeavour by unjust reproaches and false slanders to make the Army odious and render them rather monsters than men they to clear themselves desire them to remember what their behaviour was when they were there before or what wrong or injury was then done either to the persons Goods or Houses of any and therefore they had no reason by false reports to affright the people from their Habitations Further assuring all persons who were not active against the parliament that they should not have the least injary done them either in Body or Goods but upon complaint should have present redress and that they might securely continue in their Habitations Copies of these Declarations were given to the country people at Berwick-market and others sent into Scotland which afterward had good effect After which Cromwel marches from York to North-Allerton and thence to New-castle where he was nobly treated by Sir Arthur Haslerig the Governor and after imploring the blessing of Heaven and having provided for future supplies he posts to Barwick and July 20. 1650. Rendevouzed his Army upon Hagerstone-moor four miles from thence where appeared a gallant body of Horse of five thousand four hundred and fifteen with valiant Riders to manage them ten thousand two hundred forty nine Foot with a Train of Artillery consisting of six hundred and ninety In all sixteen thousand three hundred forty five After which they were Quartered on the banks of River Tweed In England John Lilburn about this time was tryed at Guild-hall a man of a restless and invincible spirit who is charged with publishing Books wherein the parliament are termed Tyrants Traytors Conquering Usurpers c. and though it was generally thought they were of his writing and publishing yet he made such a subtile defence that the Jury brought him in Not Guilty and so he was released Not long after Collonel Eusebius Andrews being found with a commission from King Charles H. was condemned by an High Court of Justice and beheaded at Tower-hill And one Benson who was condemned with him was executed at Tyburn At the same time an Insurrection happened in Norfolk an Undisciplin'd company assembling and roaring about pretending they designed the abolishing of popery the restoring the young King to his Crown and to revenge his Fathers death and to suppress Heresie and Schism But two hundred Horse being sent against them from Lyn and three Troops from the Army soen dispersed them twenty of whom of no eminency were hanged Sir Henry Hyde being sent Ambassador from King Charles the Second to the Grand Seignior at Constantinople had some concest with Sir Tho. Bendish the parliaments Ambassador there whereupon they had a hearing before the Vizier Bassa and the result was That Sir Tho. Bendish should dispose of Sir Henry Hyde as he thought fit who presently sent him to Smyrna and thence to England where he was condemned and beheaded before the Royal Exchange in London Prince Rupert and his Fleer lying in the Haven of Lisbon as you have heard General Blake came before the City with the parliaments Fleet and after having destroyed several French Privateers and some rich Sugar-ships of the King of Portugals he was forced by storm and to re victual to go to some other Port upon which P. Rupert took the opportunity to sail thence with his Fleet to Malaga where they burnt and spoiled several Merchants Ships Whereupon Blake reduced his Fleet to seven stout nimble Sailors sending the rest home with the Prizes and with these sailed with all speed after Prince Rupert to Malaga but they being gone to Alicant he still followed them taking in his way a French ship of twenty Guns with the Roe-buck a revolted ship and the Black Prince another of Prince Ruperts Fleet to avoid being taken ran ashoar and blew her self up Next day four more of the Princes Fleet ran ashoar at Cartagena and were cast away the rest making their escape and so Blake returned again to England The Scots had now finish'd their Treaty with King Charles the Second he having promised to confirm the Presbyterian Government in Scotland for three years provided that himself might have always three Chaplains of his own Election As also to confirm the Militia in the hands of the Estates for five years provided it afterward should return to himself It was now resolved a Message should be sent to invite him to make all possible speed to his Kingdom of Scotland though it was opposed in the parliament at Edenburgh and put to the Vote whether any more addresses should be made to the King and thirty two were for the Negative but the Affirmatives being the major part the message was sent accordingly with a protestation That they would assist him with their Lives and Fortunes to establish him in all his Dominions yet withal forbore not to advertise him they had Testimonies to produce of his tramactings by Letters with Montross of which they had intercepted three or four contrary to his promise at Breda however they were willing to dispence with him for what was passed so that he would without delay according to the Articles of agreement come over into Scotland and comply with the Parliament and the Kirk After which they prepared for his reception but prohibited Duke Hamilton the Earls of Lauderdail and Seaforth with many other persons of Quality who had constantly attended him in Jersey and Holland from returning into Scotland About the beginning of June 1650. he left the Hague and after a tedious storm and narrowly escaping some English Ships landed in the North of Scotland whither some Lords were sent to receive and accompany him to Edenburgh being entertained by the way with the acclamations of the people At Dundee new propositions from the Parliament and Kirk were sent him which with some seeming reluctancy he signed The Town of Aberdeen presented him with fifteen hundred pounds but the Committee of Estates sent to other places that designed the like enjoining them to bring whatever money and plate they had to bestow into the Treasury which they would appoint While they were in expectation of the Kings arrival the Committee of Estates and Parliament consulted about forming an Army for his service as they pretended and an Act was passed for Training every fourth man capable to bear Arms throughout the Kingdom and for raising sixteen thousand Foot and six thousand Horse the Earl of Leven to be General of the Foot Holborn Major-General David Lesley Lieutenant-General of the Horse and Montgomery Major-General the supream command being reserved for the King who arriving at Edenburgh was complemented with many congratulations and July 15. proclaimed King at the Cross and had a strong Guard to attend him and observe his
which news coming to London very much startled the Parliament and Cromwel was a little surprized thereat who by staying to reduce St. Johnstons had suffered the Kings Armâ— to get three days march before him which he excuses in a Letter to the Parliament and shews That the Army acted to the best of their Judgments Cromwel presently orders Lambert to march in the Reer of the Scots with a party of three thousand Horse and Dragoans Harrison was likewise commanded to attack them if possible in the Van and the General himself followed with about sixteen Regiments of Horse and Foot leaving the prosecution of the War in Scotland to Lieutenant General Monk with seven thousand Horse and Foot who presently took in the Town and Castle of Sterling with Aberdeen Abernethy Dundee Dimottercastle Dunbarton-castle and several others so that all Scotland was subdued to the Republick of England The King marched forward with his Army being proclaimed in all Towns as he went along and published a Declaration with a promise of pardon to all persons for all crimes except Cromwel Bradshaw and Cook A copy of the same Declaration was sent by the King in a Letter to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London but was by Order of parliament burnt by the Hangman at the Royal Exchange And a day or two after at a muster of the City Trained Bands at Bunhil-fields consisting of fourteen thousand men Lenthal the Speaker of the House came thither and caused a fellow with a Link to burn a copy of the Declaration at the head of every Regiment On the other side the Parliament pass an Act to make it High-Treason to correspond with or assist Charles Stewart with any relief whatsoever At length after many halts and skirmishes long and tedious marches of three hundred miles in three Weeks the Scots entred into Worcester Aug. 23. 1651. from whence the King sent his Letters Mandatory to Sir Tho. Midleton and Coll. Mackworth Governours of Shrewsbury to raise Forces for him but without success In the mean time the Parliament raised the Militia of the Counties and Cromwel and the rest of their Army coming up together they surrounded them on every side with their numerous Host it being never known before in England that so great Forces should be assembled in so short a time which in the whole were judged to be above fifty thousand and the Scots in Worcester no more than thirteen thousand The Earl of Derby about this time being landed as was expected at Wyewater in Lancashire with about three hundred Gentlemen and others endeavoured to raise the Country while the English were busied at Worcester and in a little time they increased to fifteen hundred Collonel Lilburn was sent thither to observe his motions and Cromwels Regiment of foot being at Manchester was appointed to join him at Preston To prevent which the Earl marched toward Manchester whereupon Lilburn endeavoured to flank them in their march so to join the foot which the Earl perceiving prest to ingage and Lilburn being over-match'd in foot the dispute proved tedious and difficult yet in an hour the Earl was totally routed and many persons of Quality taken and five hundred common souldiers with all their baggage arms and ammunition the Earl of Derbys George Garter and other Robes with the badges of the Order but he himself escaped and recovered Worcester There were slain the Lord Widdrington Sir Tho. Tildesley Collonel Matthew Boynton and other inferior Officers with about sixty private souldiers Of the parliaments party ten were slain but many wounded Cromwel having disposed the whole Army round about Worcester in order to a Siege the first remarkable attempt was possessing a pass upon the Severne at a place called Upton which was done by a party led by Lambert and Fleetwood who marched toward the River Teame over which was made a bridge of boats and another over Severn on the Generals side upon which the Kings party took the alarm and drew our Horse and Foot to oppose the Lieutenant Generals passage to whose relief Collonel Ingolsbys and Fairfaxes Regiment of foot the Generals Life-Guard and Hackers Regiment of Horse were all led on by Cromwel himself Then Collonel Goffe and Deans Regiments fell to scowring the Hedges which the Kings party had lined and beat them from Hedge to Hedge so that being seconded by a fresh supply they were forced to retreat to Powick-bridge where three Regiments of Scots more maintained another hot dispute but at length all retired into Worcester except some that were taken After which the Royalists renewing their courage drew out what Horse and Foot they could on Cromwels side the King leading them on they imagining most of his Army had been on the other side so that by this bold and resolute salley Cromwels men were forced a little to retire but after a fight of four hours wherein the King had his Horse twice shot under him the Works and Fort-Royal were taken and their cannon turned upon themselves and the English entred the Town upon which many of the foot threw down their arms which the King perceiving rode up and down among them sometimes with his Hat in his hand intreating them to stand to their Arms adding I had rather you would shoot me than keep me alive to see the sad consequences of this fatal day But all proving ineffectual the Earl of Cleveland and some others rallying some Forces put a small check to the Victors whereby the King had the opportunity to make his escape out of the Town which he did about seven a clock at Night in the dark with sixty Horse out of St. Martins-gate The whole Army now entring the City the souldiers furiously fly through all the streets doing such execution that nothing could be seen for some time but blood and slaughter till at last the plunder of the Town and the prisoners having a little satisfied their appetites they think of securing the rest Most of the Scots Foot were slain or taken but three thousand Horse made their escape The number of the slain and prisoners was about ten thousand Those of Quality taken were Duke Hamilton the Earles of Lauderdale Rothes Carnworth Shrewsbury Cleveland Derby and Kelby and several other Lords and Gentlemen six Collonels of Horse thirteen of Foot nine Lieutenant Collonels of horse eight of foot six Majors of horse thirteen of foot thirty seven Captains of Horse seventy two of foot fifty five Quarter-masters of Horse eighty nine Lieutenants of foot seventy six Cornets of horse ninety nine Ensigns of foot thirty of the Kings servants nine Ministers nine Surgeons one hundred fifty eight Colours the Kings Standard Coach and Horses with other rich plunder and his Collar of SS Many parties were taken in Warwickshire Shropshire c. so that few of that great body but were killed or taken M. General Massey being wounded surrendred himself and after made his escape M. General Midleton Lieutenant General Lesley were taken in
two hours fight by another as big the first of which she sunk presently after and yet was also possest by the Dutch The Sampson was boarded by young Rere Admiral Trump on one side and a Fireship on the other and so was soon burnt The loss of these five Ships was the greatest damage the English sustained since the War began and was done in the sight of Captain Boddily and nine English frigates who did not in the least assist them for which they were branded with Cowardice and Treachery At this time the King of Portugal unable to resist the power of the English at Sea sent over an Extraordinary Ambassador to conclude a peace and to give satisfaction for the Merchants losses An Agent was likewise sent from the French King desiring the release of his Ships taken going for the relief of Dunkirk and to have a right understanding between the two Republicks And on the other side four Deputies were sent from the Prince of Conde to crave aid against Cardinal Mazarine and his party who had strictly besieged the City of Bordeaux but all mediation proved ineffectual the breach being too great between the two States to be easily cemented Other Nations likewise endeavoured to be Mediators between England and Holland as the Queen of Sweden the Cantons of Switzerland the Imperial Cities of Lubeck and Hamburgh but all was fruitless This was the posture of the Civil and Military affairs of this Nation when General Cromwel with Major General Lambert Harrison and seven or eight Officers more came to the House of Commons April 23. 1653. with about twelve fouldiers whom he ordered to wait at the door and being entred spake to this purpose You have sufficiently deluded the people and provided for your own and your Relations benefits possessing these seats under a pretence of forming a Common-wealth of reforming the Laws and promâ—â—ing the publick Good whereby you have imposed upon the Kingdom whilst in the mean time you have only Invaded the goods of the Common-wealth have thrust your selves and Relations into the gainfullest and most honourable Offices only to nourish Luxury and Impiety Then stamping on the ground which was a sign to the souldiers at the door For shame says he rise quickly hence and give place to those that are honester and will better perform their Trusts Upon which they all began to move some by force or fear others murmuring but the Speaker not rising readily out of the Chair Major General Harrison lent him his hand and gently listed him out General Cromwel also commanded that bauble as he called the Mace to be taken away When the Members were all departed the doors were lock'd up and Guards set upon them and all the Avenues of the House And thus was this mighty parliament dissolved or dismissed after near twelve years sitting and after having transacted so many great affairs and this without opposition or disturbance their powers transferred into the hands of the Souldiery and their Names reprogched and vilified by the common people But to satisfie the Nation General Cromwel and his Officers published a Declaration which they had prepared the day before of the Reasons of their proceedings as followeth Our intention is not at this time to give an account of the grounds which first moved us to take up Arms and ingage our lives and all that was dear unto us in this Cause nor to mind in this Declaration the various dispensations through which Divine Providence hath led us or the Witness the Lord hath born and the many signal Testimonies he hath given to the sincere endeavours of his unworthy Servants whilst they were contesting with many and great difficulties as well in the Wars as other Transactions in the three Nations being necessitated in the defence of the same Cause they first asserted to have recourse unto extraordinary actions the same being evident by former Declarations published on that behalf And after God was pleased not only to reduce Ireland and give in Scotland but so marvelously to appear for his people at Worcester that these Nations were reduced to a degree of peace and England to perfect quiet whereby the parliament had opportunity to give the people the Harvest of all their labour blood and treasure and to settle a due liberty in reference to Civil and Spiritual things whereunto they were obliged by their duty and ingagements and those great and wonderful things God hath wrought for them yet they made so little progress therein that it was a matter of much grief to the good people of the Land who thereupon applied themselves to the Army who though unwilling to meddle with the Civil Authority agreed that such Officers as were Members of Parliament should move them to proceed vigorously in reforming what was amiss in the Common-wealth and in settling it upon a foundation of Justice and Righteousness Which being done it was hoped the Parliament would have answered their expectations But finding the contrary they renewed their desires in an humble Petition in August 1652. which produced no considerable effect nor was any such progress made therein as might imply their real intentions to accomplish what was Petitioned for but rather an averseness to the things themselves with much bitterness and opposition to the people of God and his spirit acting in them insomuch that the Godly party in Parliament were rendred of no further use than to countenance the ends of a corrupt party for effecting the desire they had of perpetuating themselves in the Supream Government For which purpose the said party long opposed and frequently declared themselves against having a new Representative and when they saw themselves necessitated to take this Bill into consideration they resolved to make use of it to recruit the House with persons of the same spirit and temper thereby to perpetuate their owe sitting which intention divers of the activest among them did manifest labouring to perswade others to a consent therein and the better to effect this divers petitions preparing from several Counties for the continuance of this Parliament were incouraged if not set on foot by many of them For obviating these evils the Officers of the Army obtained several meetings with some of the Parliament to consider what remedy might be applied to prevent the same but such endeavours proving ineffectual it became evident that this Parliament through the corruption of some the jealousie of others and the non-attendance of many would never answer those ends which God his people and the whole Nation expected from them but that this Cause which God had so greatly blessed must needs languish under their hands and by degrees be lost and the lives liberties and comforts of his people be delivered into their enemies hands All which being sadly and seriously considered by the honest people of the Nation as well as by the Army it seemed a duty incumbent upon us who had seen so much of the power and presence of God to consider of
Council of State be constituted to take care of and intend the peace safety and present management of the affairs of the Common-wealth which being settled accordingly the same is hereby declared and published to the end all persons may take notice thereof and in their several places and stations demean themselves peaceably giving obedience to the Laws of the Nation as heretofore in the exercise and administration whereof as endeavours shall be used that no oppression or wrong be done to the people so a strict account will be required of all such as shall do any thing to endanger the publick peace and quiet upon any pretence whatsoever O. Cromwel April 30. 1653. The Hollanders hoped to reap advantage from these Revolutions but found themselves mistaken the Naval affairs being still managed with as much application as before as they soon felt to their cost for the Dutch having a great Fleet of Merchants ships Outward bound durst not venture through the channel but with a Fleet of about Ninety Men of War convoyed them by the North of Scotland toward the sound and there met with another Fleet of Merchant men Homeward bound from Russia East-India and France whom they brought home safe and hearing the English Fleet was Northwards came into the Downs taking two or three small Vessels and made some shot into Dover Town boasting the English Fleet was lost and that they would send a Hue and Cry after them when on a sudden the English Navy arrived from the North and came into Yarmouth-Road June 1. Being at Anchor in Sole-Bay they discovered two Dutch Galliot Hoyses to whom chase was given till the whole Dutch Fleet was discovered but the weather proving dark they lost sight of them June 3. Our Fleet being at Anchor off the Gober discovered the Enemy about two Leagues to Leeward being about 100 sail and weighed toward them about Noon both Fleets were Ingaged which for some hours were very sharp so that in the Evening the Dutch bore right away before the wind Next day at Noon they ingaged again and after four hours dispute the Hollanders would have got away but the wind freshing Westerly the English bore in so hard among them that they took eleven Men of War two water Hoys six Captains fifteen hundred prisoners and sunk six men of War more the rest escaped by the darkness of the Night and the Flatts The English lost General Dean one of their Admirals who was killed with a great shot the first day with one Captain and bout one hundred and fifty men more and two hundred and forty wounded but not one ship was lost The English were much incouraged by General Blakes coming in during the fight with sixteen sail of stout men of War The Dutch having in the Night got into the Wielings the Flye and Texel it was resolved to sail as near the Coast as was safe where the English lay for some time taking many prizes to the great damage of the Hollanders whose ships could neither go in or out from any one Port to join together to oppose them General Cromwel and his Council of Officers having considered of the qualifications of the next Parliament and made a List of those persons in England Scotland and Ireland to whom they designed to commit the Legislative power Warrants were issued out for them to appear at the Council Chamber at White-Hall July 4. 1653. to this effect Forasmuch as upon the dissolution of the late Parliament it became necessary that the peace safety and good Government of this Common-wealth should be provided for and in order thereunto divers persons fearing God and of approved fidelity and honesty are by my self with the advice of my Council of Officers Nominated to whom the great charge and trust of so weighty affairs is to be committed and having good assurance of your love to and courage for God and the Interest of his Cause and the good people of this Common-wealth I Oliver Cromwel Captain General and Commander in chief of all the Armies and Forces raised or to be raised within this Common-wealth do hereby summon and require you being the persons Nominated personally to be and appear at the Council-Chamber commonly called or Known by the Name of the Council-Chamber at White Hall within the City of Westminster upon the fourth day of July next ensuing the date hereof then and there to take upon you the said Trust unto which you are hereby called and appointed to serve as a Member for the County of _____ And hereby you are not to fail Given under my Hand and Seal the eighth day of June 1653. O. Cromwel July 4. The persons summoned to the number of an hundred forty four out of the three Kingdoms met accordingly at the Council-Chamber at White-Hall where was General Cromwel and several of his Officers who made a Speech to them recounting The many wonderful mercies of God to this Nation and the continued series of Providences by which he had appeared in carrying on this Cause and bringing affairs into the present condition with their progress since the famous victory at Worcester and the actings of the Army thereupon after divers applications to the Parliament and waiting upon them with the grounds and necessity of their dissolving which he declared to be for the preservation of this Cause and the interest of all honest men who have been ingaged therein He then told them of the clearness of the Call given to the Members then present to take upon them the supream Authority and from the Scriptures exhorted them to their duty desiring that a tenderness might be used toward all conscientious persons of what Judgment soever After which General Cromwel produced an Instrument under his own Hand and Seal whereby he did with the advice of his Officers devolve and intrust the supream Authority and Government of the Common-wealth into the hands of the pâ—â—â—ons there met who or any forty of them were to be held and acknowledged the supream Authority of the Nation unto whom all persons within the same and the Territories thereto belonging were to yield obedience and subjection and that they should sit no longer than Nov. 3.1654 and three months before their dissolution they were to make choice of other persons to succeed them who were not to sit above twelve months anâ—â—chen to provide for a succession of Government Which Instruction being delivered them the General commended them to God himself with his Officers withdrew From thence the Members forthwith adjourned to the parliament-Parliament-House at Westminster and first considered what Title to take to themselves and after three days debate they resolved they would be called The Parliament of the Common-wealth of England and chose Mr. Rous for their Speaker About this time John Lilburn being a few months before banished by an Act of the last Parliament for certain crimes he was charged with took occasion upon this change of Government to return into England and cast himself upon
Dutch had about 30 ships sunk and burnt and their renowned Lord Admiral Van Trump was slain in the midst of the fight and out of the Dutch maimed ships that lay floating on the Sea the English took six Captains and about 1000 other prisoners This was the bloudiest Ingagement that had yet happened between the two Nations and for their valour and conduct the Parliament ordered Gold chains to be given to Blake Monk Pen and Lawson as a mark of their favour and other chains were bestowed on the Flag Captains and Medals of silver to the Officers of the Fleet. It was after known by Letters from Holland that they lost near six thousand men in this battel The Parliament having sate about five months in which they made several Acts one for Marriages before a Justice of Peace another for relief of Prisoners another against the High Court of Chancerv another for a Tax for six months at 120000 l. per month at length they were consulting of an Act for taking away Tythes a Committee was appointed to consider of the matter who brought in their report Dec. 10. 1653. That they thought it convenient that Commissioners be sent into all the Counties and inabled to eject scandalous and unable Ministers and also be impowered to settle able Ministers in all void places That such as are or shall be approved for publick preachers of the Gospel shall have and enjoy such maintenance as is already settled by Law That upon hearing and considering what hath been offered to the Committee touching propriety in Tythes it is their opinion that they have a legal propriety in them The Parliament having spent several days in this report put the Question Whether the House doth agree with the Committee which was carried in the Negative whereupon several heats and divisions arose insomuch that Dec. 12. a Gentleman stood up and moved That the sitting of the Parliament as then constituted would not be for the good of the Common-wealth and that therefore it was requisite to deliver up to the L. Gen. Cromwel the powers which they received from him This motion being seconded by several others the House rise and the Speaker Mr. Rouse with the Majority of the Members did by a writing under their hands resign their powers to Gen. Cromwel at White-Hall by their Speaker who thanked them for the pains they had taken for the service of the Common-wealth though by a strange spirit and perverse principle in some of the Members they had missed of their good intentions Some of the Members continued still sitting in the House to whom Coll. White was sent with a Guard of souldiers and required them in the Name of the General to depart for the Parliament was dissolved who replying the contrary and that they were upon business and ought not to be interrupted he at length compelled them though unwillingly to leave the House The Parliament having thus resigned the power given them the whole Authority both Civil and Military of the three Nations was concluded to be devolved into the hands of O. Cromwel who calling a Council of Officers with some others to consult of the settlement of the Government they at length resolved to have a Common-wealth in a single person That the person should be O. Cromwel Captain General of all the Forces in England Scotland and Ireland alledging That it was not Monarchy which was quarrell'd at but the Male administration and abuses therein by its prerogative being unlimited and arbitrary all which would be avoided by circumseribing it in a Protector and his Council a new Instrument of Government and the supream power of a Triennial Parliament in whom during their sitting the Soveraign Authority should reside In pursuance whereof a Council was appointed him to consist of twenty but fourteen only were named at present Lord Lambert L. Viscount Lisle General Desborough Sir Gilbert Pickering Major Gen. Skippon Sir Anth. Ash Cooper Walt. Strickland Esq Sir Ch. Woolsey Coll. Phil. Jones Francis Rouse Esq Rich. Major Esq John Lamence Esq Coll. Ed. Montague Coll. Will. Sydenham And the Instrument of Government designed to be the foundation of this new settlement was to this effect That the Title of O. Cromwel should beford Protector of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging That all proceedings shall run in the name and style of the Protector and all Honours Offices and Titles to be derived from him That he may pardon all offences but Treason and Murder That the Militia during the Parliament shall be in his and their hands but in the intervals only in his and his Councils that he and his Council may make War and Peace with Foreign Princes No new Laws to be made nor old ones abrogated without confent of Parliament A Parsiament to be called within six months and afterwards every third year and if need be oftner which the Protector shall not dissolve without consent of Parliament till after five months The Parliament of English to consist of 400 to be chosen by more equal distributions in Counties and Burroughs Of Scotch thirty to be elected and of Ireland as many The Writs for Election to pass under the Seal of the Common-wealth to the Sheriffs and if the Protectoromit or deny it then the Commissioners of the Seal shall be obliged under pain of High Treason to issue out such Writs and in case of failure in them the High Sheriffs then to do it That such as are elected be returned into the Chancery by the chief Magistrates Mayor Sheriff or Bayliff twenty days before the Session If the Sheriff Mayor or Bayliff make a false return or any way procure an undue Election he shall be fined 2000 l. That none who have born arms against the Parliament Irish Rebels or Papists shall be capable of being elected and in case they be elected to forfeit two years Revenue and three parts of their Goods None are to be elected under the Age of 21 years nor unless he be a man of good conversation None to have Votes in Elections not worth 200 l. That sixty shall make a Qaorum The Protector if need be may call Perhements in the intervals of the Triennial ones Those Bills they make to be offered to the Protector who refusing to sign them in 20 days they are to pass into Acts without his consent The Protector with advice of his Council in case of death or breach of trust is to substitute new Privy Councellors A competent Revenue shall be settled for maintaining 10000 Horse and 15000 Foot and the Navy not to be altered or lessened without the advice of the Council and upon the disbanding of them the money to be brought into the Exchequer for sudden occasions No new Taxes nor â—aws to be made without consent in parliament All forfeited Lands unsold to belong to the Protector The Protectorate to be Elective but the Royal Family to be excluded Oliver Cromwel to be present
of Justice being erected they were brought before them and charged to design the Assassination of the Lord protector and thereupon Coll. Gerrard and Mr. Vowell were sentenced to be hanged which was accordingly executed upon Mr. Vowell at Charing-cross and Coll. Gerrard was beheaded at Tower-Hill who expressly denied the intention of the fact With him upon the same Scaffold but not upon the like account suffered at that time Don Pantalion Sa brother to the Portugal Ambassador then Resident in England who upon conceit that he had received some affront upon the New-Exchange in the Strand came thither one evening with a crew of idle fellows Lacquies and Servants to himself and his brother armed with pistols swords and Hand-Granadoes and firing a pistol killed one â—â—r Greenway standing quietly at a Stall and had done further mischief if this Coll. Gerrard had not stop'd their fury and with his sword drawn driven them all down stairs upon hearing the matter the Protector resolved the murderers should suffer without respect of persons and it appearing that though the person who committed the murder was a Knight of Malta and had made his escape yet that this Noble-man and the rest were accessaries he and four more of the Ambassadors were tryed and found guilty with an Irish youth Don Pantalion was beheaded with Coll. Gerrard the Irish boy was hanged at Tyburn and the other four pardoned and peace being soon after concluded with the K. of Portugal the Ambassador sorrowfully departed In the same month a ship fell accidentally on fire on Southwark side as she lay at Anchor which being cut away the ship was driven by the flowing tyde upon a shelf near the bridge where she stuck and blew up her powder there were eight persons killed one a Draper upon his Leads by the plank of the Ship and had the blow been any nigher it might have indangered the bridge it self The Lord Protector in pursuance of the late Instrument resolved now to call a parliament and Writs were sent out for their meeting Sept. 3. 1654. at Westminster Being assembled accordingly the Protector went by Water from White-Hall to the Parliament-House and sending for the Members into the Painted-Chamber he desired their company to hear a Sermon at the Abby-Church the next day and afterwards he would impart his mind to them About Nine next morning His Highness rode in his Coach to Church with whom sate his Son Henry and the Lord Lambert The Pages went before and his Gentlemen in rich Liveries marched bare-headed On one side of the Coach walked Mr. Strickland one of the Council and Captain of the Guards together with the master of the Ceremonies On the other side was Capt. Howard Capt. of the Life-Guard These were followed by the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal the Commissioners of the Treasury and the Privy-Council in their Coaches and in the rere came the protectors Ordinary Guard As he entred the Church four maces the purse and a sword born by the Lord Lambert were carried before him Dr. Tho. Goodwin preached the Sermon which being ended the Protector and the Parliament went to the painted-chamber where there was an appearance of a number of grave judicious persons to whom the Protector spake to this effect Gentlemen The parliament that are here met this day are such a congregation of wise prudent and discreet persons that England hath never scarce seen the like and few could have thought of such a door of hope not many years ago and therefore it would have been very necessary and worthy such an Assembly to give a relation of the series of Gods providences all along to these very times but that being very well known to most of you I shall at present omit it and proceed to declare to you in what condition these Nations were when the present Government was erected It was apparent that every mans heart was against another and every mans interest divided against each other and we had then such different humours that every thing almost was grown arbitrary There was also grown up a general contempt of God and Christ and the grace of God was turned into wantonness and his spirit made a cloak for all manner of wickedness and profaneness Nay the Ax was laid to the root of the ministry and the fifth monarchy was highly cry'd up by persons who would assume the Government but that desired thing wants greater manifestation than has yet appeared before men ought to change the Authority to make way for it While these things were in the midst of us and nothing but confusion in the hearts and minds of some men swarms of popish Priests and Jesuites daily arrived here to raise and foment divisions against the peace and quiet of the Nation And at the same time the Nation was likewise ingaged in a deep War with Portugal Holland and France so that we were in a heap of confusion and it was absolutely necessary that a speedy remedy should be applied thereto and this has been in a great measure done since the settling of this Government which is clearly calculated for the peoples Interest let malignant spirits say what they will and therefore with humbleness toward God and modesty towards you I will recount something in the behalf of this Government For first It hath endeavoured to reform the Law It hath put into the seats of Justice men of known Integrity and Justice It hath settled a way for trial and probation of ministers to preach the Gospel And besides all this It hath called a Free parliament blessed be God that this day you see a Free parliament As for the Wars a peace is made with Sweden Denmark the Datch and Portugal and one likewise very near concluding with France yet these things are only entrances and open door of hope But now Gentlemen I make no question to inable you to lay the top stone of this work and I shall recommend this maxim to your consideration That peace though it be made is not to be trusted farther than it consists with Interest and one great work that at present lies before this Honourable Assembly is That the Government of Ireland may be settled in terms of Honour and that you would avoid confusions lest Foreign States should take advantage by them And as for my self I assure you I do not speak as one that would Lord it over you but as one that would be a fellow servant to you in this great affair and so to conclude I desire you to repair to your House and use your liberty in choosing a Speaker The Protector having concluded his Speech the members immediately repair to their House and there choose William Lenthal Esq master of the holls to be their Speaker after which they begin upon the Instrument of Government and the question is in the first place proposed Whether the Legislative power should be in a single person or a parliament Those of the protectors party endeavour by all means
possible to perswade them That it should be no Question but be absolutely carried in the affirmative This was as rigorously opposed by the majority of the House and among the rest a Gentleman who had all along stron ly opposed Monarchy as disagreeable to his Interest stood up and said The parliament cannot but discern the snares that are laid to intrap the priviledges of the people and for my own part as God has maâ—e me Instrumental in cutting down Tyranny in one person so now I cannot endure to see the Nations liberties shackled by another whose Right to the Government can be measured out no otherwise than by the length of his Sword which was the only thing that emboldened him to command his Commanders Many others seconded this motion confirming what he had said and directly against a single person These debates and divisions upon the protectors Instrument which continued eight days successively did much disturb him fearing they would produce irreconcileable differences and therefore to remedy it in time and put the parliament into a milder temper he goes from White-Hall to Westminster and sending for the members then sitting into the painted chamber he thus addresses them Gentlemen The God of Heaven knows what grief and sorrow of heart it is to me to find you falling into heats and divisions but I would have you take notice of this That the same Government made me protector which made you a parliament and that as you are intrusted with some things so am I with others and that in the Government there are certain Fundamentals which cannot be altered As 1. That the Government should be in a single person and a parliament 2. That parliament should not be perpetual 3. That the militia should not be trusted into one hand or power but so that the parliament should have a check upon the protector and the protector on the parliament 4. That in matters of Religion there ought to be Liberty of Conscience and that persecution in the Church was not to be Tolerated The rest of the things in the Government are examinable and alterable as the state of affairs do require and for my own part my heart is even over-whelmed with grief to fee that any of you should endeavour to overthrow what is settled contrary to the Trust received from the people and which cannot but bring very great inconveniency upon your selves and the Nation This was the substance of his perswasions but doubting that this would not sufficiently bring them over to his Interests he contrived a Recognition and acknowledgment which was to be signed by every member before he should be admitted to sit in the House as followeth I do hereby promise and ingage to be true and faithful to the Lord Protector of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland and shall nor according to the tenor of the Indenture whereby I am returned to serve in parliament propose or give any consent to alter the Government as it is settled in one person and a parliament This was subscribed by several of the members tho' the greater number at first refused especially those of the late long parliament so that of 400 there appeared only 200 but afterward were made up 300 who fell afresh upon the same disputes and run over all the Articles of the Instrument of Government resolving to have the Judgment of the whole House upon them in one entire Bill and so present it thereby to waste time and hinder the Protector from having money which he much wanted so that after five months dilatory proceedings and that they had not yet settled him in the Government the time being expired wherein the Instrument gave him leave without losing one day nay scarce an hour he dissolved the parliament This dissolution incouraged the most opposite parties to conspire against the Protector that is the fifth Monarchy men and Royalists the first expected King Jesus or the erecting of a fifth Kingdom the second longed for the Restoration of King Charles and the Protectors Favourites desired King Oliver and every party manifested their impatience but none of them could attain their wishes and when Oliver might afterwards yet he thought it not safe The protector was not ignorant of their designs and resolved first to deal with the weakest for finding this Millionary principle spread in the Army he discarded Major General Harrison and coll Rich and after sent them with coll Carew and Courtney prisoners to remote Castles and General Monk had order to seize Major General Overton and Major Bramston Holmes and other Officers and cashier them Overton was sent up prisoner to the Tower and his Regiment given to coll Morgan coll Okeys Regiment was given to the Lord Howâ—â—d Cornet now collonel Joyce was likewise dismâ—st having reproach'd Cromwel to his face with his services And thus the danger from the Army was quickly suppress'd But the design of the Royalists or Cavaliers would have been more formidable had not the whole contrivance thereof been discovered to the Protector by one Manning who was with King Charles in Germany and a Spy upon all his actions so that Cromwel knew the rise and progress and first appearance of those Arms against him without being surprized though all the Gentlemen of that party in England were one way or other ingaged or at least privy to iâ—â— but the seizing the principal of them throughout the Kingdom a little before the execution much frusâ—â—â—ted the probable effects of that Insurrection The L. Mayor was sent for and acquainted with it and 〈◊〉 militia settled Skippon being made Major-Generâ—â— All Horse Races forbidden and several dissolâ—â—â—â—â—â—sons were seized upon suspicion Counter ploes 〈◊〉 used all sorts of Ammunition being sent down â—â—â—veral Gentlemens Houses with Letters without Nâ—â—â—â— and the Gentlemen for not discovering them sâ—â—â—â—â— Yet notwithstanding all these discouragements 〈◊〉 Western Association thought themselves ingaged in honour to rise upon the day appointed and which they had signified to K. Charles who was come from Colen to the Sea coasts in order to have passed over to his friends with the first opportunity accordingly March 11. 1654. a party of 200 under Sir Joseph Wagstaff coll Penruddock and Grove march'd into Salisbury where the Judges Rolls and Nichols were sitting at the Assize and seized all their Horses declaring the cause of their appearance without further injury or taking any money which lay in Serjeant Maynard and other Lawyers chambers promising to return and break their fasts with the Judges provisions which they did and increased their number to four hundred the whole City being well affected to them Thence they marched to Blanford where coll Penruddock himself proclaimed the King in the Market-place and so marched Westward Captain Butler with two Troops of Cromwels Horse following at a distance in their Rere to give them opportunity of increasing but by the Protectors taking up so many before very few came in and many deserted when they saw no hopes
VVorlds great waste the Ocean we VVhole Forrests send to reign upon the Sea And every Coast may trouble or relieve But none can visit us without our leave Angels and we have this Prerogative That none can at our happy seat arrive VVhile we descend at pleasure to invade The Bad with Vengeance and the Good to Aid Mean while the Spaniards in America Near to the Line the Sun approaching faw And hoped their European coasts to find Cleer'd from our ships by the Autumnal wind Their huge capacious Gallions stuff'd with Plate The labouring winds drive slowly to their fate Before St. Lucar they their Guns discharge To shew their Joy or to invite a Barge This heard some ships of ours though out of view As swift as Eagles to the Quarry flew So harmless Lambs that for their Mother bleat VVake hungry Lyons and become their meat Arriv'd they roon begin their Tragick play And with their smoaky Cannon banish day Night horror slaughter with confusion meets And in their sable arms imbrace the Fleets Through yielding planks the angry Bullets fly And of one wound hundreds together dye Born under different Stars one fate they have The Ship their Coffia and the Sea their Grave Bold were the men that on the Ocean first Spread their new Sails when shipwrack was the worst More danger now from men alone we find Than from the Rocks the Billows and the VVind They that had fail'd from near th' Antartick Pole Their Treasure safe and all their Vessels whole In sight of their dear country ruin'd he VVithout the guilt of either Rock or Sea VVhat they would â—ave our fiercer art destroys Surpassing storms in terror and in noise Once Jove from Ida did both Hosts survey And when he pleas'd to Thunder part the fray Here Heav'n in vain that kind retreat would sound The louder cannon had the thunder drown'd Some were made prize while others burnt and rent VVith their rich lading to the bottom went Down sinks at once So Fortune with us sports The pay of Armies and the pride of Courts Vain man whose rage buries as low that store As Avarice had digg'd for it before VVhat Earth in her dark bowels could not keep From greedy hands lies safer in the Deep VVhere Thetis kindly doth from mortals hide Those seeds of Luxury debate and pride And now into our hands the richest prize Falls with the noblest of our eremies The Marquess glad to see the fire destroy VVealth the prevailing Foe were to enjoy Out from his flaming ship his children sent To perish in a milder Element Then laid him by his burning Ladies side And since he could not save her with her dy'd Spices and Gums about them melting fry And â—hoenix like in that rich Nest they dye Alive in flames of equal love they burn'd And now together into Ashes turn'd Ashes more worth than all their Funeral cost Than the huge Treasure which with them was lost These dying Lovers and their floating Sons Suspend the Fight and filence all our Guns Beuaty and youth about to perish finds Such noble pity in brave English minds That they the spoil neglecting and the prize All labour now to save their Enemies How frail 's our passion How soon changed are Our wrath and fury to a friendly care They that but now for honour and for plate Made the Sea blush with blood forget their hate And while their Foes from perishing they retrieve VVith greater danger than they fought they dive VVith these returns Victorious Montague VVith Lawrel in his hands and half Peru Let our brave Generals divide that bough Our great Protector hath such wereaths enow His conquering Head hath no more room for Bays Then let it be as the whole Nation prays VVith purple cloth'd and Ermine let him hold A Royal Scepter made of Spanish Gold The Protector was highly pleased at this succesns and great booty and a particular day of Thanksgiving was appointed by him for it and soon after Gen. Montague with the young Marquets and part of the Fleet to convoy the silver which amounted to two millions of pieces of Eight returned into England and delivered the Bullion into the Mint and the young Marquess and his Brother were set at liberty But the Spanish War being like to prove chargeable notwithstanding this present supply the protector being still necessitated for money and desiring to have his power confirmed to him by the people in hope the new Representative might grant him what the former denied he issues out Writs for the Election of a new parliament wherein much circumspection was used if possible to prevent some of the former House from being chosen Sept. 17. 1656. This parliament met at Westminster and had a Sermon preached before them at the Abbey Church by Dr. John Owen Dean of Christs-Châ—rch upon those words in Isaiah What shall one then answer to the messengers of the Land That the Lord hath founded Sion and the poor of his people shall rejoice After Sermon the members went to the House but found at the door a Guard and an Officer standing with a List in his hand demanding the Names of every one of them and such as were marked for non-admittance were turned back and a promise imposed upon every individual member before he should be permitted to fit in the House That he would not act any thing prejudicial to the present Government which many refused and returned home but the major part assenting to it entred the House and chose Sir Tho. Widdrington Speaker and not minding those that were excluded referred the approbation of them to the Protectors Council They then proceed according to the protectors desire making an Act for disanulling the Title of Charles Stewart to the Government of these three Nations nemine contradicente another for making it Treason for any to attempt compass or imagine the Protectors death and appointing such Offendors to be tryed not by a Jury of twelve sufficient men but by a High Court of Justice a third for an assessment upon England Scotland and Ireland of seventy thousand pound a month for three years an Act for preventing multiplicity of buildings in and ten miles about London a whole years Revenue to be paid for all dwelling or Out-houses raised upon any new foundation since 1620. An Act for Excise of merchandize imported An Act for punishing such as live at high rates and have no visible Estates and lastly for the observation of the Lords-day VVhen these Arts were ready for signing the Protector came to the painted chamber and sent for the parliament where the speaker tendring them to him at the signing them he speake thus Mr. Speaker I perceive that among these many Acts of parliament there hath been very great care had by the parliament to provide for the just and necessary support of the Common-wealth by these Bills for levying of money now brought to me which I have given my consent unto and understanding it hath been the practice
is my answer That although I think the Government doth consist in very excellent parts in all but in that one thing the Title as to me I should not be an honest man if I should not tell you that I cannot accept of the Government nor undertake the trouble and charge of it which I have a little more experimented than every man as to what troubles and difficulties do befal men in such Trusts and in such Undertakings I say I am perswaded to return this answer to you That I cannot undertake this Government with the Title of a King and this is mine answer to this great and weighty business The Protector having refused the Title of King the Committee of Settlement was ordered to prepare an Explanatory Act to the humble petition and advice in respect of the Protectors Oath his Councils the Members of Parliament the other House which was to consist of about sixty Lords of the Protectors Electing and having Voted That Protector should be the Title of the chief Magistrate and the Petition and Advice being allowed accordingly the House desired a conference with His Highness who accordingly meets them May 25. 1657. in the painted Chamber where Sir Tho. Widdrington presents him with the humble Petition and Advice the substance whereof was 1. That His Highness Oliver Cromwel under the Title of Lord Protector would be pleased to execute the Office of chief Magistrate over England Scotland and Ireland and the Territories thereunto belonging and to govern according to all things in this Petition and Advice and also that he would in his life time appoint the person that should succeed in the Government after his death 2. That he would call a Parliament consisting of two Houses once in three years at farthest 3. That those persons who are legally chosen by a free Election of the people to serve in parliament may not be excluded from doing their duties but by consent of that House whereof they are Members 4. That none but those under the Qualifications therein mentioned shall be capable to serve as Members in Parliament 5. That the power of the other House be limited as herein prescribed 6. That the Laws and Statutes of the Land be observed and kept no Laws altered suspended abrogated or repealed or new Laws made but by Act of Parliament 7. That the yearly sum of a Million of pounds sterling be settled for the maintenance of the Navy and Army and three hundred thousand pounds for support of the Government besides other temporary supplies as the Commons in Parliament shall see the necessities of the Nation to require 8. That the number of the Protectors Council shall not be above twenty one whereof the Quorum to be seven 9. The chief Officers of State as Chancellors Keepers of the Great Seal c. to be appointed by Parliament 10. That his Highness would incourage a godly Ministry in these Nations and that such as do revile and disturb them in the worship of God may be punished according to Law and where Laws are defective new ones to be made 11. That the Protestant Christian Religion as it is contained in the Old and New Testament be asserted and held forth for the publick profession of these Nations and no other and that a Confession of Faith be agreed upon and recommended to the people of these Nations and none be permitted by words or writing to revile or reproach the said Confession of Faith c. The Petition and Advice being read was by the Protector passed into a Law though with much seeming reluctancy as the following Speech declared Mr. Speaker I am not come hither this day as to a Triumph but with the most serious thoughts that ever I had in my life being to undertake one of the greatest burthens that ever was laid upon the back of any humane creature so that without the support of the Almighty I must necessarily sink under the weight of it to the damage and prejudice of these Nations And this being so I must ask the help of the Parliament and the help of all those that fear God that by their prayers I may receive assistance from the hand of God seeing nothing but his presence can enable me to the discharge of so great a Trust And seeing this is but an Introduction to the carrying on the Government of these Nations and forasmuch as there are many things which cannot be supplied without the help of a Parliament I think it my duty to desire your help not that I doubt of it for I believe that the same spirit that led the Parliament to this will easily suggest the rest to them And truly nothing could have induced me to undertake this intolerable burden to flesh and blood had I not seen that it was the Parliaments care to answer those ends for which they have ingaged and I call God to witness that I would not have undergone it had I not seen it to be determined by the Parliament to make clearly for the Liberty and Interest of the Nation and preservation of such as fear God and if these Nations be not thankful to you for your care therein it will fall as a sin on their heads To conclude I would recommend to you the Reformation of the Nation by discountenancing Vice and giving encouragement to Good men and Virtue desiring that you would not be wanting in any thing that may make for the good of the Nations wishing the Lord to prosper all your aims and endeavours This Speech ended the Members return to their House and soon after the Protector sends them a Letter desiring their Adjournment till the Inauguration of the Lord Protector could be performed and accordingly they passed a Bill for adjourning from June 26. to Jan. 20. following June 26. being appointed for his Highness solemn Investiture and the same day a place being prepared in Westminster-Hall there were two Chairs set one for the Protector with a Canopy of State over it and another for the Speaker with seats built Scaffold-wise for the Parliament on both sides and places below for the Aldermen of London and others all which being ready the Protector came out of a Room adjoining to the Lords House and in this order proceeded into the Hall First went his Gentlemen then an Herald the Attorney-General then the Judges after them Norroy King at Arms the Lord Commissioners of the Treasury the Seal carried by Commissioner Fines then Garter and after him the Earl of Warwick with the Sword born before the Protector bare-headed the L. Mayor Tichburn carrying the City Sword by his left hand Being seated in the Chair on the left hand stood the L. Mayor and the Dutch Ambassador and on the right the E. of Warwick and the French Ambassador next behind him stood his Son Richard L. Fleetwood and L. Cleypool and the Privy-council upon a lower descent stood the Lords Montague and Whitlock with drawn Swords Then the Speaker Sir Tho. Widdrington in the Name
there at that time the Assailants were with great slaughter repulsed and beaten down the Cannon in the mean time from the English Fleet in the Splinter firing their broadsides upon them being directed by four great Torches set up at the four corners of the Fort how to avoid damaging it Yet about four a Clock in the morning the D. of York commanded the assault to be renewed which was done with greater fury but to as little purpose or advantage as before so that day light approaching they were forced to retreat carrying away the dead in Waggons which were judged to be some hundreds though the number was not certainly known Since force would not prevail the Duke designed to attempt the regaining this important place by stratagem to which purpose he imployed a Scotch Knight who was well acquainted with General Reynolds to represent to him the advantages he might obtain by serving the King and promoting his Interest and Restoration which it seems so far prevailed that Reynolds agreed to give the Duke a meeting betwixt Dunkirk and Mardike with a party of Horse on either side At their approach Reynolds shewed much respect to the Duke and some private discourses passed between them which were never made publick and then the General returned to the Fort and 〈◊〉 Duke to Dunkirk The Protector having Intelligence of this Enterview dispatcht away a messenger to command General Reynolds instantly to London which he with Coll. White and the Generals Secretary readily obeying and taking the first ship that was ready and would venture to go off which was a Dutch Pink of 100 Guns in a stormy Night Dec. 12 a Frigate offering to wait upon him the next morning he was cast away the same Night on the back of the Goodwin-sands his Chest Sword and Belt being found thereabout and Coll. Morgan commanded in his place About this time there happened Wars between the two Northern Crowns and the Danes having attacked Bremer-warden a very strong place and soon after master'd it the Protector sent Sir Philip Medows Envoy to the K. of Denmark and Coll. Jephson to the K. of Sweden then journying out of Poland where he was ingaged in War likewise to meet this new Enemy They were both well received and during this Mediation the Protector sent supplies of 2000 men and arms to his Ally the K. of Sweden Mean while the protector at home was swearing his Privy Council persuant to one of the Arricles of the humble petition and advice and his Son Richard was made one and also Chancellor of the University of Oxford His Son Henry was constituted Lord Deputy of Ireland and his Son-in-law the Lord Fleetwood was designed to be Lord Commissioner of Scotland where General Monk at present commanded He likewise in this interval of Parliament made choice of several persons to fill up the other House or House of Lords according to the fourth Article of the Petition and Advice being sixty two in number many of whom refused to appear or act with them their Names were these Lord Rich. Cromwel L. Henry Cromwel L. Commissioner Lisle L. President Lawrence Lt. Gen. Fleetwood Robert E. of Warwick Edw. E of Manchester L. Say and Seal L. Viscount Lisle L. Viscount Howard Philip L. Wharton L. Falconbridge L. Ewers John Cleypool John Desborough General Montague Bulstrode Whitlock William Sydenham Sir Charles Woolsey Sir Gilb. Pickering Maj. Gen. Skippon Walter Strickland Francis Rous John Jones Sir Will. Strickland Sir Francis Russel Sir Tho. Honeywood Sir Arth. Haslerig Sir John Hobard Sir Rich. Onslow Sir Gilb. Gerrard Sir William Roberts John Glyn Oliver Sr. Johns Will. Pierepoint John Crew Alex. Popham Philip Jones Sir Christopher Pack Sir Robert Tichbourn Edward Whaley John Berkstead Sir John Hewson Sir Thomas Pride Sir George Fleetwood Richard Ingoldsby James Berry William Goff Thomas Cooper Edmund Thomas General Monk David Earl of Cassills Sir VVilliam Lockhart Lord VVarreston VVilliam Steel Roger Lord Broghill Sir Matt. Tomlinson VVilliam Lenthall Richard Hamden He likewise made three Commissioners of the Great Seal Nath. Fiennes John Lisle VVilliam Lenthall Master of the Rolls Judges of both Benches Of the Hoper Bench John Glyn L. C. Justice Philip-VVarlinton Richard Nudigate Oliver St. John Of the Common Bench Edward Atkyns Matchew Hale Hugh VVindham Barons of the Exchequer Attorney General Robert Nicholas John Parker Roger Hill Erasmus Earl Edmund Prideaux Sollicitor General VVilliam Ellis The time of the prorogation of the parliament being expired they make their appearance again and the persons above-named met in the House of Lords where the protector coming he sends to the Commons to tell them that he desired their attendance in the House of Peers wither the Speaker and the Members go to whom he makes a very pleasing speech concluding That if they would go on to prosecute what they had begun they should be called the blessed of the Lord and the Generations to come would bless them After which the Lord Commissioner Fiennes spake to them declaring what occasions the Government had for money and that the money already granted though it was thought sufficient yet fell much beneath the expence and necessity of the state especially that Tax upon the new buildings falled altogether of what was expected and intended by it and so recommended the whole affair to their consideration Being sate in their Houses the other House sent to the Commons by two of their Members a message for a day of Humiliation and were returned with this answer The House will consider of it and then they Voted that for two months time liberty should be given to exhibit any petitions against undue Elections and consented to a Fast which was kept within the walls of both Houses by Dr. Reynolds Mr. Caryl Mr. Calamy and Mr. Griffith The parliament according to the fourth Article of the Petition and Advice which says That no Members legally chosen should be excluded from performance of their duty but by consent of parliament immediately proceed to the calling over and re-admitting those members which had formerly been secluded by the Protector to His Highness great discontent The House being now full began to flight the other House which they said being a power created by a part of a parliament ought not to have a Negative Voice over a full House and at length they proceeded to question the protectors power in calling and authorizing them to sit as an House of Peers The protector doubting to what height these debates might arise Feb. 4. 1657. he goes to the House of Lords and by the Usher of the black Rod sends to acquaint the Commons of his being there so the speaker and members coming to the Bar His Highness sitting under a Chair of State made a long speech and in conclusion told them That it did concern his Interest as much as the publick peace and tranquillity of the Nation to dissolve this parliament and therefore he did now put an end to their sitting So
the House in obedience to his commands dissolved This was the fourth parliament he had dissolved having turned out the Long parliament the Little parliament the Recognition parliament and the present Juncto It was said of the three latter which was summoned by Cromwel himself That the first was called but not chosen The second did just nothing And the third did nothing Just The Royalists now make another attempt for restoring King Charles of which the protector had Intelligence by his Emissaries so that when the design was just ripe for execution he published a Proclamation for all Cavaliers to depart twenty miles from London and VVestminster and the Marquess of Ormond who was personally concerned in the Intrigue with much difficulty escaped in a small Boat from Sussex to Flanders but several others were seized as coll Russel Sir Will. Compton Sir Will. Clayton Mr. Mordam brother to the Earl of Peterborough Dr. John Hewit preacher at St. Gregories by St. Pauls Mr. Woodcock Mr. Mansel Mr. Mallory Sir Henry Slingsby and many more most of them were kept close prisoners till some were prevailed upon to be Witnesses against others The design was laid in Kent Essex Surrey and Sussex the King being ready to have passed over from Flanders with an Army under the conduct of Count Marcin the P. of Condâ—'s General and Portsmouth Hull and other Maritime Fortresses were treated for The Protector sent for the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London acquainting them with what discoveries he had made and the danger they were in who thereupon chose a new Lieutenancy and changed the Officers of the Trained Bands and the Protector doubled his Guards and an alarm was given that on May 16. the Cavaliers had appointed for their rising and firing the Town and all the Souldiers about the City were to be murdered whereupon all the six Regiments were raised at once and divers Citizens seized Soon after another High Court of Justice was erected before whom Dr. Hewit and Sir Henny Slingsby were brought and charged with High Treason upon these Articles 1. That they had traiterously and maliciously endeavoured to raise force and Ievy War against his Highness and the Government and to subvert and alter thesame 2. That they had traiterously declared published and promoted Charles Stuart eldest Son of the late K. Charles to be King of England Scotland and Ireland 3. That they had held Intelligence with the said Charles Stuart Dr. Hewit would not own the Court but pleaded several cases against it and was therefore condemned as mute Mr. Mordant was next set to the Bar who argued so very plainly and fully against the Evidence that he was acquitted by one voice only Sir Henry Slingsby defended himself by alledging That what was said by him about seducing the Governor of Hull and perswading him to surrender that Garrison to the King was but only in Jest and discourse He was found guilty and condemned Mr. Mallory pleaded guilty and was saved Mr. Woodcock cleared-himself so well that they could fasten nothing upon him June 8. 1657. Dr. Hewit and Sir Henry Slingsby were Beheaded on Tower-hill though many endeavours were used and much sollicitation made to save their Lives Some other persons of inferior quality were likewise Tryed and Executed upon this account as Coll. Edw. Ashton who was Hang'd and Quartered at Mark-lane-end in Tower-street Edmund Stacy against the Royal-Exchange and John Bettely in Cheapside About this time a great Whale of sixty foot long came up as far as Greenwich to the admiration of all that saw his vast bulk being persued with Guns and other weapons with great danger and at length was brought dead to the shore The French and English Armies being joined now sate down before Dunkirk resolving to take it before they stirred which hotly alarmest the Spaniards in all their Quarters whereupon Don John of Austria considering the importance of this place as being the Key of Flanders and a Frontier of France so that if the English possessed it they might have an opportunity to conquer all Flanders by the Forces that might be continually landed from England with the supplies of money which this Town by their Booties brought into the Treasury Upon these and the like motives he resolved to attempt its relief though with the hazard of his whole Army but whilst he is getting them together the English and French Forces had in a short time run their Trenthes to the Spanish Counterscarp and still approached nigher the wall which the Spaniards having notice of and fearing their relief might come too late he made all possible halfe to its assistance the better to effect which Don John their General dreins most of the Garrisors and compleats a body of sixteen thousand men with which he marches with all speed through Fuernes and Incamps within a wile and half of Marshal Tureins Quarters of which the Confederates having advice immediately dislodge with a body of about fifteen thousand leaving still enough to Guard the Trenches and make good the approaches if the Townsmen should attempt a Sally With this Detachment of men and ten pieces of Cannon Tâ—rem faces the Spaniard The English Foot were drawn up in four great Battalions and were ordered to give the first assault upon four other Battalions of Spanish Foot who had the advantage of the ground being placed upon three rising Hillocks and were seconded by Don John himself The English were commanded by the Lâ— Lockhart who having first ordered a Forlorn Hope of 300 Musketeers to mount the Sand Hills together with his own Regiment of Foot under Coll Fenwick they stoutly maintained their ground though the Spaniards played down continual Volleys of shot among them and the French refused to second them He then sent another considerable Brigade to their relief who instantly fell in with the But end of their Muskets among the Spanish Foot and they not being used to such Club Law left the Field and fled whereupon the French Horse seeing the good fortune of the English Foot fell in upon the Spanish Horse few of whom stood the charge except those under the command of the Dukes of York and Glocester who after some resistance were forced by the number of the assailants to follow the rest In this Battel a great part of the L. Lockharts Regiments were either slain or wounded and Lt. Coll. Fenwick was killed by a Mnsket Bullet The slaughter was great the French Horse being very severe in the pursuit so that near 3000 were slain and many Spanish Noblemen killed wounded and taken Prisoners This total rout of the Relievers Army put dispair into the Dunkirkers who could now expect no relief either by Sea or Land the English Fleet blocking them up by Sea and Don John of Austria not being able to recruit his Army by Land Yet the Marquess of Leda their Governour to demonstrate some courage made frequent strong Sallies upon the French Quarters which seemed to proceed rather from Despair than