A Brief REVIEW Of the most material Parliamentary Proceedings OF THIS Present Parliament and their Armies in their Civil and Martial Affairs Which Parliament began the third of November 1640. And the remarkable Transactions are continued untill the ACT OF OBLIVION February 24. 1652. Published as a Breviary leading all along successively as they fell out in their severall years So that if any man will be informed of any remarkable passage he may turne to the year and so see in some measure in what Moneth thereof it was accomplished And for Information of such as are altogether ignorant of the rise and progresse of these times which things are brought to passe that former Ages have not heard of and after Ages will admire A Work worthy to be kept in Record and communicated to Posterity Hosea 14. 9. Who is wise and he shall understand these things prudent and he shall know them for the wayes of the Lord are right and the just shall walk in them but the transgressors shall fall therein LONDON Printed by M. S. for Tho Jenner at the South-entrance of the Royal Exchange 1652. 1 IN the first year of King Charles his Reign a Parliament being called at Oxford two subsidies were granted no grievances removed but the said Parliament soon dissolved 2 The sad effects which the dissolution of this Parliament produced were the losse of Rochell by the unhappy help of Englands Ships 3 The diversion of a most facile and hopefull war from the West-Indies to a most expensive and succelesse attempt on Cales 4 The attempt on the Isle of Ree and thereby a precipitate breach of peace with France to our great losse 5 A peace concluded with Spain without consent of Parliament contrary to a promise formerly made to the Kingdom by King James a little before his death whereby the cause of the Palatinate was altogether most shamefully deserted by us 6 The Kingdom suddenly billetted with Souldiers and a concomitant project set on foot for Germane Horses to force men by fear to fall before arbitrary and tyrannicall taxations continually to be laid upon them 2 Parliament 7 The dissolution of a second Parliament at Westminster in the second year after a declarative grant of no lesse then five Subsidies and the sad issues that flowed to the Kingdom thereupon 8 As first the violent exacting from the people that mighty sum of the 5 Subsidies or a sum equal to it by a Commission for a Royal Loan 9 Many worthy Gentlemen imprisoned and vexed that refused to pay it 10 Great sums extorted by Privy Seals and Excises and the most hopefull Petition of Right blasted 3 Parliament 11 A third Parliament called and quickly broken in the fourteenth year of the King the best Members clapt up close prisoners denied all ordinary and extraordinary comforts of life and so that Paliament was dissolved 12 Opprobrious Declarations published to asperse the proceedings of the last Parliament yea Proclamations set out to those effects thereby extreamly to dis-hearten the Subjects yea and plainly forbidding them once to name a Parliament or to desire them any more 13 Whence immediatly gushed out the violent inundations of mighty sums of money got by that strange project of Knight-hood yet under a colour of Law 14 The most burthensome Book of Rates the unheard of Taxation of Ship-money the enlargement of Forrests contrary to Magna Charta the injurious taxation of Coat and Conduct money the forcible taking away of the Trained-Bands Arms Ingrossing Gunpowder into their hands in the Tower of London 15 The destruction of the Forrest of Dean which was sold to Papists whence we had all our Timber for Shipping 16 Monopolies of Sope Salt Wine Leather and Sea-Coal yea almost of all things in the Kingdome of most necessary and common use 17 Restraint in Trades and Habitations for refusall of which foresaid heavy pressures many were vext with long and languishing suits some fined and confined to prisons to the loss of health in many of life in some some having their houses broken open their goods seized on their studies or closets searched for writings books and papers to undo them some interrupted also in their Sea-Voyages and their Ships taken from them 18 The crushing cruelties of the Star-Chamber Court and Councel Table where the Recorder of Salisbury was greatly fined for demolishing the Picture of the first person in the Trinity in their great Cathedrall 19 Thus far for the miseries of the Common-wealth Popish Ceremonies Romish Innovations and such like other outrages of the Arch Prelate of Canterbury and his Prelaticall Agents and Instruments over the whole Kingdom in matters of Religion divine worship and spirituall cases of conscience 20 Additions in the Oath administred to the King at his first Inauguration to the Crown by the Arch-Bishop 21 Fines imprisonments stigmatizings mutilations whippings pillories gagget confinements and banishments yea and that into perpetuall close imprisonments in the most desolate remote and as they hoped and intended remotest parts of the Kingdome Mr Burton Mr Bastwick Mr Prin. 22 The ruinating of the Feoffees for buying in of Impropriations and the advancing to Ecclesiasticall Livings Arminians silencing with deprivations degradations and excommunications almost all the most pious Pastors over the Land whom they could catch in their snares and all this under a pretence of peace unity and conformity 23 Printing Presses set open for the Printing and publishing of all Popish and Arminian Tenets but shut up and restrained from Printing sound Doctrines 24 Nay not only thus lamentably molested in England but attempted the like in Scotland indeavouring to impose upon them New Liturgie and a Book of Canons 25 They refusing of them were called and counted Rebels and Traytours yea so proclaimed in all Churches in England and an Army was also raised to oppresse and suppresse them The Arch-Prelate of St Andrewes in Scotland reading the new Service-booke in his pontificaliby assaulted by men Women with Cricketts stooles Stickes and Stones The rising of Prentises and Sea-men on Southwark-side to assault the Arch-bishops of Canterburys House at Lambeth 27 Scotland raising an Army in their own just defence and by force of Arms inforcing their own peace 28 A first pacification being then made by the King and some of his Nobility and ratified under hand and Seal 'twixt them and the Scots yet was it shortly after quite broken off by the Arch-Prelat of Canterbury and the E. of Strafford and burnt by the Hangman at the Exchange 4 Parliament 29 A fourth Parliament was thereupon shortly after called again by those complotters means but to a very ill intent and another Parliament summoned also at the same time by the Earl of Strafford in Ireland both of them only to levy and procure moneys to raise another Army and wage a new War against the Scots 30 The Ships and Goods of Scotland were in all parts and ports of this Land and of Ireland also surprized and seized on for the
The Scottish King came hither on Munday the last of October new style and being demanded by his Mother and the Duke of Orleans how he escaped the Fight of Worcester gave them this account That about six a clock in the evening his Army being in all likelihood beaten he quitted Worcester Towne with a party of Horse and marched toward Lancashire but being fearfull of being pursued and likewise of some of the Scotish Officers that might deliver him up he with my Lord Wilmot quitted their Horses sent the party of Horse upon their march and betook themselves the second dayes march from Worcester into a Tree where they remained untill night and then marched on foot that night the third day they took sanctuary in a wood and night approaching marched on towards Lancashire where they were received by a Lady who furnished them with Cloaths for a Disguise and cut off their haire very short Having reposed two or three dayes the Lady resolved to endeavour to ship them out of England to which purpose she riding behind the King and Wilmot as another servant by they went to Bristoll but finding a narrow and hot inquiry there resolved to go for London where they stayed three weeks The King one day went into Westminster-Hall where he saith he saw the States-Arms and Scots Colours my Lord Wilmot procured a Merchant to hire a ship of forty Tuns to transport them which cost them a hundred and twenty pounds but where they took shipping is not yet knowne but as soon as my Lord was entred the Barque and the King as his servant the Master of the Vessel came to my Lord and told him That he knew the King and told him that in case it should be knowne he could expect no mercy which saying troubled them but at length what with money and promises they prevailed and so set faile for Havre de Grace where they landed and from thence to Roven where they cloathed themselves and writ to Paris His arrivall there will put them to new Counsels since now they cannot send their Embassadors which was concluded on before his coming The Duke of Orleans fetched him into Towne and expressed much as to serve him Yesterday he with Thurenne Beaufort the Duke of Guise came to him to the Louvre where the King told them that they should endeavour to reconcile the breach between the Prince and the King of France for said he to my knowledge the English will visit you with an Army in the Spring The Executing of the Earl of Darby at Bolton in Lancashire Octob. 15. 1651. The Isle of Jersey taken Octob. 30. Nov. 16. The Isle of Man taken Resol. That the time for the continuance of this Parliament beyond which they resolve not to sit shall be Nov. 3. 1654. The Parliament of the Common-wealth of England Declare 1 THat no Power Jurisdictions or Authority derived from by or under Charles Stewart who pretended himselfe King of Scotland or any of his Predecessors or any otherwise then from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England be used exercised or enjoyned within Scotland or the Isles or any of their Territories thereof 2 That they doe forbid annull and make void the use and exercise of any Power Jurisdiction and Authority whatsoever within Scotland or the Isles or any of the Territories thereof other then such as shall be derived from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England February 24. 1651. An Act of generall Pardon and Oblivion THe Parliament of England having had good experience of the affections of the people to this present Government by their ready assistance in the defence thereof against Charls Stuart Son of the late Tyrant and the forces lately Invading this Nation under his command and being much afflicted with the miserable and sad effects which the late unnaturall War hath produced and resolved next to the glory of God and the advancement of the Kingdome of Jesus Christ to make no other use of the many victories the Lord hath in mercy vouchsafed unto them then a just settling of the peace and freedome of this Common-wealth and being most desirous that the minds persons and estates of all the people of this Nation might be composed setled and secured and that all rancor and evill will occasioned by the late differences may be buryed in perpetuall Oblivion Be it enacted by this present Parliament and by authority of the same That all and every person or persons of or within the Common-wealth of England the Isles of Jersey and Gernsey and the Towne of Barwick upon Tweed and the heires executors and administrators of them and every of them and all and singular bodies in any manner incorporated Cities Burroughs Shires Ridings Hundreds Lathes Rapes Wapentakes Townes Villages Hamblets and Tithings and every of them are and shall be and are by the Authority of this Parliament acquitted Pardoned released and discharged as against the Parliament the keepers of the liberties of England by Authority of Parliament or any or other of them of all manner of Treasons Fellonies Offences Contempts Trespasses Entries Misdemeanors Forfeitures Sequestrations Penalties and sums of moneys pains of Death pains corporall or pecuniary and generally of all other things causes quarrels fines judgements and executions had made committed suffered or done before the third day of September 1651. not in this present Act hereafter not excepted nor foreprized And the said Keepers of the Liberties of England by the Authority of this present Parliament granteth and freely giveth acquitteth pardoneth releaseth and dischargeth to every of the persons and to every of the said Bodies corporate and others before rehearsed and to every of them all goods debts chattels fines issues profits Amercements forfeitures which to the said keepers of the liberties of England do or shal belong or appertain by reason of any offence contempt trespasse entery misdeameanors matter cause sequestration or quarrell had suffered done or committed by them or any of them before the said third day of September and which be not hereafter in this Act foreprized and excepted And it is further Enacted that this pardon by these generall words clauses and sentences before rehearsed shall be reputed deemed adjudged expounded allowed and taken in manner of Courts of Justice or else-where most beneficiall and available to all and singular the persons bodies corporate and others before rehearsed and to every of them And if any person or persons c. shall be in any wise arrested attached distrained summoned or otherwise vexed c. for or because any thing acquitted pardoned released or discharged by vertue of this Act that every person so offending and being thereof lawfully convicted by sufficient Testimony shall yeeld and pay for recompence to the party so grieved or offended thereby his or their treble dammages and forfeit ten pounds to the keepers of the Liberties of England Excepted and always foreprized out of this general free pardon all and all manner of High-treasons other then for words only and all Levying of war rebellions insurrections and all Conspiracies and Confederacies Traiterously had committed and done against the Parliament or the keepers of the Liberties of England either within or without the limits of this Common-wealth since the thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord 1648. And all misprisions and concealements of the said offences or any of them or the abettimg ayding procuring of them or any of them And also excepted all manner of voluntary murthers petty treasons and wilfull poysoning all piracies and robberies upon the Seas and the Abettors thereof All buggeries rapes and ravishments and wilfull taking away and marrying of any maid widow or daughter against her will And also except all persons now attainted or outlawed of or for petty treason Murther or wilfull poysoning conjurations witchcrafts charmes wrongfull detainments of any the customes and all Sequestrations and sums of money due upon compositions excise or new-impost And also excepted all conditions and covenants and all penalties and forfeitures due to the Parliament or the late King since the 30. of January 1648. And also all first fruits and tythes and all offences and misdemeanours whereof any sentence or judgement hath been given in Parliament since the 30 of January 1648. And all offences of Bribery perjuries and subordination of witnesses counterfeiting deeds debenters bils of publick faith escripts or writings whatsoever and all offences touching the carrying sending or conveying over the Seas any gold silver Jewels or any coyne And all other offences in the unlawfull buying selling exchanging or melting downe of any Gold silver or Bullion or the transporting beyond the Seas of auy Guns shot or Gun-mettle And all offences in detaining or imbezling any the goods moneys or chattels of the late King and Queen And except all fines and amercements lost imposed or assessed And all offences committed by any Jesuite or Seminary priest contrary to the Statuts in that case Provided and except any outlawries upon any writ of Capias ad satisfaciendum and all except persons as were the 28â—h of January 1651 in prison or otherwise constrained of liberty by immediate commandement warrant or direction of Parliament or Councell of State And also excepted all informations and proceedings concerning common high wayes and all forfeitures of any goods or merchandize prohibited to be exported or imported All-Fee-farme Rents Rents service Rents charge and Rents seck and all arrerages due since the 24th of June 1647. And all moneys imprested since the third of November 1638. Provided that all acts of Hostility and injuries whether between the late King and the Lords and Commons in Parliament or between any of the people of this Nation which did arise upon any Action Attempt Assistance Councel or Advice having relation to or falling out by reason of the late troubles that the same and whatsoever hath ensued thereon whether trenching upon the Lawes and Liberty of this Nation or upon the Honour and Authority of Parliament or to any particular person shall in no time after the 18th of June 1651 be called in question FINIS
King their Commissioners denyed audience to make their just defence to the King and the whole Kingdom of Scotland and England too hereupon much distracted and distempered with leavying of moneys and imprisoning all amongst us that refused the same 31 This Parliament also refusing to comply with the King Canterbury and Strafford in this Episcopal War against the Scots was soon dissolved and broken up by them and thereupon they returned to their former wayes of wast and confusion and the very next day after the dissolution thereof some eminent members of both Houses had their Chambers and Studies yea their Cabinets and very pockets of their wearing cloaths betimes in the morning before they were out of their beds searched for Letters and Writings and some of them imprisoned and a false and most scandalous Declaration was published against the House of Commons in the Kings Name 32 A forced Loan of money was attempted in the City of London to be made a President if it prevailed there for the whole Kingdome but some Aldermen refusing were sorely threatned and imprisoned 33 In which interim the Clergies convocation continuing notwithstanding the dissolution of the Parliament new conscience-opprissing-Canons were forged and a strange Oath with a c. in it was framed for the establishing of the Bishops Hierarchy with severe punishments on the refusers to take it The Oath That I A. B. doe sweare that I doe approve the Doctrine and Discipline or Government established in the Church of England as containing all things necessary to Salvation And that I will not endeavour by my selfe or any other directly or indirectly to bring in any Popish Doctrine contrary to that which is so established Nor will I ever give my consent to alter the Government of this Church by Arch-Bishops Bishops Deanes and Arch-Deacons c. as it stands now established and as by right it ought to stand Nor yet ever to subject it to the usurpations and superstitions of the Sea of Rome And all these things I doe plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear according to the plaine and common sence and understanding of the same words without any equivocation or mentall evasion or secret reservation whatsoever And this I doe heartily willingly and truly upon the faith of a Christian So help me God in Jesus Christ 34 In this Convocation sore Taxations were also imposed upon the whole Clergie even no lesse than six Subsidies besides a bountifull contribution to forward that intended War against Scotland 35 For the advancing of which said sums for this War the Popish were most free and forward yea and a solemn prayer was composed and imposed by the Bishops on their Ministers every where to be used and read in all Churches against the Scots as rebels and traytors 36 The Papists also in a high measure enjoyed even almost a totall toleration and a Popes Nuncio suffered amongst us to act and govern all Romish affairs yea a kind of private Popish Parliament kept in the Kingdom and Popish Jurisdictions erected among them 37 Commissioners were also secretly issued out for some great and eminent Papists for martiall Commands for levying of Souldiers and strengthening their party with Arms and Ammunition of all sorts and in great plenty 38 His Majesties treasure was by these means so extreamly exhausted and his revenues so anticipated that he was forced to compell as it were his own servants Judges and Officers of all sorts to lend him great sums of money and prisons filled with refusers of these and the other illegal payments yea many High-Sheriffs summoned in the Star-Chamber and to the Councel-board and some of them imprisoned for not being quick enough in levying of Ship-money and such like intolerable taxations 39 In sum the whole Land was now brought into a lamentble and languishing condition of being most miserably bought and sold to any that could give and contribute most of might and malice against us and no hope of humane help but dolour desperation and destruction to be the portion of all 40 In which interim the Scots being entred our Kingdome for their own defence the King had advanced his Royal-Standard at Yorke where the cream of the Kingdom Nobles and Gentry being assembled and a Treaty betwixt the prime of both Armies had at Rippon for a fair and peaceable accommodation the King was at last inforced to take his Nobles councel and in the first place a cessation of Arms agreed on and then this 5th present Parliament the Parliament of Parliaments was necessitously resolved on to begin November 3. 1640. 5 Parliament Anno 1640. Novemb. 3. 41 But behold a desperate plot and design was herein also immediately set on foot to spoyle or poyson it in the very Embrio and constitution of it in the first choyce of the members thereof by Letters from the King Queen Malignant and Popish Earls Lords Knights and Gentry posts into all parts of the Kingdom to make a strong party for them but by admirable divine providence this their plot was counterplotted and frustrated and the Parliament most hopefully congregated and setled 42 Shortly after a very formidable Spanish-Fleet or Armado appeared on our English narrow Seas in sight of Dover and was coming in as was on very strong grounds more then probably conjectured as a third party to help to destroy us the Spaniards hoping that by this time we and the Scots were together by the ears but they were by Gods mercy beaten off from us by our Neighbours of Holland And we fighting against them fought against our friends 43 The Souldiers in their passage to York turn reformers pul down Popish Pictures break down rails turn altars into tables and those Popish Commanders that were to command them they forced to eat flesh on Fridays thrusting it down their throats and some they slew 44 In the time of ours and the Scots Armies residing in the North which was in June 1641. the Malignant Lords and Prelates fearing the effects of this present Parliament complotted together to dissaffect that our English Army against the Parliament and endeavoured to bring it out of the North Southward and so to London to compell the Parliament to such limits and rules as they thought fit Whereupon the Parliament entred upon this Protestation At the beginning of the Parliament July 1641 there was a diligent inquisition after oppressions and oppressors and first upon the Petition of Mistris Bastwick and Mâ—â—â—â—…s Burton two widowed wives and a Petition exhibited in the behalf of Mr Pryn Dr Laighton Mr Smart Mr Walker Mr Foxley Mr Lilburn and many others set at liberty some being banish'd and all close Prisoners others fast fettered in irons and their wives debarr'd from coming to them 45 The Earl of Strafford then Prisoner in the Tower attempted an escape promising to Sir William Belfore then Lieutenant of the Tower twenty thousand pounds and the marriage of his Daughter to Sir Williams Son if he would but consent but Sir William hated such
happiness that shall never have end I desire heartily the forgivenesse of every man both for any rash or unadvised word or deed and desire your prayes And so my Lord farewel farewel all the things of this world Lord strengthen my faith give me confidence and assurance in the merits of Jesus Christ I desire you that you would be silent and joyn in prayers with me and I trust in God that we shall all meet and live eternally in heaven there to receive the accomplishment of all happines where every tear shall be wiped from our eyes and every sad thought from our hearts And so God bless this Kingdome and Jesus have mercy upon my Soule Amen The Earle of Strafford for treasonable practises beheaded on the Tower-hill Anno 1641. Octob. 23. 47 About this time that inhumane bloudy Rebellion and monstrous massacring of almost 200000 innocent English Protestants men women and children brake out in Ireland namely about October 23. 1641. having had their principall encouragements from the Court of England and of purpose to have made England the chief seat of the war 48 The Design now went on chiefly against the City of London for which purpose the Lieutenant of the Tower Sir William Belford was displaced and Cottington made Constable of the Tower but he was soon displaced and C. Lunsford was made Lieutenant of the Tower but he also was displaced and Sir John Byron was made Lieutenant of the Tower in Lunsfords stead but he also with much ado removed and Sir John Conyers was put in his place To the Kings most Excellent Majesty and the Lords and Peers now Assembled in Parliament The Humble Petition and Protestation of all the Bishops and Prelats now called by his Mâ—jâ—stâ—â—â— Writs to attend the Parliament and present about London and Westminster for that Service THat whereas the Petitioners are called up by severall and respective Writs and under great penalties to attend the Parliament and have a clear and indubitable right to vote in Bils and other matters whatsoever debatable in Parliament by the ancient Customes Lawes and Statutes of this Realm and ought to be protected by your Majesty quietly to attemâ—… and prosecute that great Service They humbly Remonstrate and Protest before God your Majesty and the Noble Lords and Peers now assembled in Parliament that as they have an induâ—â—â—ate right â—o Sit and Vote in the House of Lords so are they if they may be protected from force and violence most ready and wilâ—iâ—g to performe their duties accordingly And that they doe abominate all actions or opinions tending to Popery and the maintenance thereof as also all propension and inclination to any Malignant party or any other side or party whatsoever to the which their owne reasons and conscience shall not move them to adhere But whereas they have been at severall times violently menaced affronted and assaulted by multitudes of people in their coming to perform their services in that Honourable House and lately chased away and put in danger of their lives and can find no redresse or protection upon sundry complaints made to both Houses in these particulars They likewise humbly Protest before your Majesty and the Noble House of Peers that saving unto themselves all their Rights and Interests of Sitting and Voting in that House at other times they dare not Sit or Vote in the House of Peers untill your Majesty shall further secure them from all affronts indignities and dangers in the premisses Lastly whereas their fears are not built upon fantasies and conceits but upon such grounds and objects as may well terrific men of good resolutions and much constancy They doe in all duty and humility protest before your Majesty and the Peers of that most honourable House of Parliament against all Lawes Orders Votes Resolutions and Determinations as in themselves null and of none effect which in their absence since the 27th of this instant moneth of December 1641. have already passed as likewise against all such as shall hereafter passe in that most Honourable House during the time of this their forced and violent absence from the said most Honourable House not denying but if their absenting of themselves were wilfull and voluntary that most Honourable House might proceed in all their premisses their absence or this Protestation notwithstanding And humbly beseeching your most Excellent Majesty to command the Clerk of the House of Peers to enter this their Petition and Protestation among their Records They will ever pray to God to bless c. Jo. Ebor. Th Dures Rob. Co. Lich Jo Norw Jo. Asa. Gul Ba. Wells Geo. Heref. Rob. Ox. Ma. Ely Godf. Glouc. Io. Peterb Morr Landaff The High Commission-Court and Starr-Chamber voted down and pluralities non residencies damned by Parliament The Bishops had a plot about this time to subvert the Parliament by indeavouring to get the King to protest against their proceedings in it but 12 of them were impeached of high treason and 10 imprison'd in the Tower and afterward all disabled from ever sitting in the Parliament Bishops Voted down root and branch Nullo contradicente The Citizens of London the same night made bonefires and had ringing of Bels The Parliament published an Ordinance injoyning all Popish Recusants inhabiting in and about the City all dis-affected persons and such as being able men would not lend any money for the defence of the Common-wealth should forthwith confine themselves to their own houses and not to go fâ—rth without speciall license An Ordinance to apprehend dis-affected persons in the City whereof were four Aldermen put in safe custody in Crosby house and some in Gressam Colledge A Letter sent to Mr Pym Mr Pym Do not think that a guard of men can protect you if you persist in your trayterous courses and wicked designs I have sent a paper-messenger to you and if this does not touch your heart a Dagger shall so soon as I am recovered of my Plague-sore In the mean time you may be forborn because no better man may be endangered for you Repent Traytor 50 After this the King himselfe violently rushed into the House of Commons accused five of their most eminent members of Treason demanded their persons to be delivered up unto him intending to destroy all that resisted him therein but crost by the happy absence of the Gentlemen This plot was attempted Jan. 4. 1641. Col. Lunsford assaulted the Londoners at Westminster-Hall with a great rout of ruffanly Cavaliers The Queen when she went over beyond Seas one of her Ships wherein she had great Treasure sprung a leak and much was lost and spoyled and when she returned for England she had a mighty storm at Sea which brake the Mast of Van Trom's ship and after eight dayes boisterous turmoyl she was driven back again There was broke and lost 3 Ships of Ammunition and they that were driven back were almost starved Anno 1642. 51 Binion a Silk-man of London and the Kentish Malignants
wherein Sir Edw. Deering had a principal hand framed Petitions against the proceedings of Parliament but both were rejected and they fined and imprisoned 52 The King forsakes the Parliament and getting the Prince to him leaves London and posts into the North and there attempts to get Hull into his hands 53 Sir Francis Windebancke Sir John Finch the Lord Digby Jermyn c. flye for their lives beyond Sea 54 The King interdicts the Militia but the Messenger was hanged at the Exchange 55 The Lords and Gentry of Ireland and Scotland petition the King to return to his Parliament yea and the Gentry and Commons of Yorkshire doe the like but are all rejected 56 The King set on foot a Commission of Array 57 Three letters were intercepted discovering a plot against the Parl. by Wilmot Digby Jermyn Croâ—ts and others which came to nothing but we by taking some of their Ships were advantaged 58 Sir Rich. Gurney Lord Mayor and an Array man was clapt up in the Tower 59 Proclamations and Declarations against the Parliament read in all Churches and Chappels within the Kings power 60 Sir John Pennington displaced and the Earl of Warwick put in his place 61 Hull besieged by the Marquess of Newcastle and in that interim Beckwith a Papist plotted to betray it by firing it in 4 several places The Citizens of London proffer their service to attend and guard the Parl. by land to Westminster to secure them from danger By Water also the stout Ship-masters and Marriners made ready a great number of long-boats furnished with Ordnance Muskets and other Sea-warlike instruments their Vessels gallantly adorned with Flags and Streamers together with martial musick Drums and Trumpets when they came to White-hall and understood that the Parliament were safely arriv'd the Train'd Bands by Land and the Sea-men by Water let flye their thundring shot both smal and great their Trumpets sounding and their drums beating in a tryumphing and congratulatory manner was a singular testimony of their cordial affections The same day Buckingham-shire men both Gentlemen Ministers and others of that Countrey on hors-back with their protestations in their hats for Reformation of evils in Church and State and to assure their best services and assistance to the Parliament on all just occasions and out of Essex Hartford Bark-shire Surrey and other Counties of the Kingdome came one after another 62 The Earl of Essex was ordained Lord General over all the Parl. Forces which he faithfully managed as Edge-hill Newbury and other places can abundantly witness 63 At Edge-hill 16 pieces of Canon shot against 80 of the Earl of Essex Life guard and not one man hurt and those 80 brake in upon 1600 of the Kings four of the Parl. Regiments ran away and sixteen Troops of Horse so we were 6000 and they 18000 yet we took their Standard and cleft Sir Edw. Varney Standard-bearer in the head and slew the Lord Lindsey General of the field 63 A plot to have blown up all the Lord Generals Magacine of powder and another at Beverley in Yorkeshire to have slain Sir John Hotham both intended by one David Alexander and hired thereunto but both timely prevented 64 Commissioners granted to Popish Recusants to leavy men and arms against the Parliament 65 The King received the most bloody Irish Rebels Petition and permitted their persons with great favour and allowance about him calling and counting them good Catholick Subjects but utterly rejecting the Petition exhibited by the Lord General desiring peace and reconciliation with him 66 A Treaty of peace was really intended by the Parliament but meerly pretended by the King for a while in which interim that most bloody bickering at Brainford was committed by the Kings party the City of London mightily preserved 67 New High-Sheriffs for the better collecting of the 400000 li Subsidies intended to have been confirmed to the King in a former Parliament crost and an Oâ—dinance set on foot for the successefull association of Counties for mutuall defence one of another 68 A design of the Royalists at Oxford and elsewhere to proceed against the prisoners as Traitors and so put them to death by which Dr Bastwicke Captain Lilburn were to have been tryed for their lives but preserved by an Ordinance for execution of a Lex talionis and so of executing the royal prisoners among us Anno 1643. 69 A notable plot against the City of London immediately upon the Cities preferring a Petition to the King by the hands of two Aldermen and four Commoners of the said City in reply to which Petition the King sending as his messenger one Captain Hern to the City and the whole body of the City assembling at a Common-Hal this Hern desires Faire play above board of them but the busines being found to be a notable design of the Malignant Citizens against the Parl. and the then Lord Maior of London and the Government of their City the major part cry out in the Hearing of Hern they would live and dye with the Parl. and so sent Hern away with a flea in his ear 70 A letter sent to all the Freemen Journeymen and Apprentices of City to assemble at their several Hals and there the Masters and Wardens of all Companies to read the Kings Letter to them and to perswade them to yeeld to all the Kings commands against the City This Letter was voted scandalous 71 A plot to betray Bristol but discovered two principal conspirators were by Martial Law condemned and hanged The 2 of May 1643 ye Crosse in Cheapeside was pulled downe a Troope of Horse 2 Companies of foote wayted to garde it at ye fall of ye tope Crosse dromes beat trupets blew multitudes of Capes wayre throwne in ye Ayre a greate Shoute of People with ioy ye 2 of May the Almanake sayeth was ye invention of the Crosse 6 day at night was the Leaden Popes burnt in the place where it stood with ringinge of Bells a greate Acclamation no hurt done in all these actions 72 Mr Pryn sent to search Canterburies Chamber and Study found the original Scotch Service-book with his own hand-writing the cause of all the Scots wars 73 London to have been betrayed under a pretence of peace by Mr Waller a Member of Parl. Mr Tomkins Mr Challenor and others but Waller fined 10000. l. and perpetuall banishment Tomkins and Challenor hanged the one at the Exchange and the other in Holborn 74 Sir John Hotham attempted the betraying of Hull unto the Queen An Order sent down to the Church-wardens to demolish Altars to remove the Communion Table from the East end and to take away all Tapers Candlesticks and Basons and to demolish all Crucifixes Crosses and all Pictures and Images of the Trinity and Virgin Mary both within and without all Churches and Chappels 75 A plot for betraying of Lincoln by the two Purfries but preserved 76 Gloucester admirably freed by the City Regiments 77 A rebellion by the
head from his Body his Body was put in a Coffin covered with black velvet and removed to his lodging Chamber at White hall An Act prohibiting the Proclaiming of any person to be King of England c. WHereas Charls Stuart King of England being for the notorious Treasons Tyrannies and Murthers committed by him in the late unnaturall and cruell Wars condemned to death Whereupon after Execution of the same severall pretences may be made and Title set on scot unto the Kingly Office to the apparent hazzard of the Publique Peace For the prevention thereof Be it Enacted and Ordained by this present Parliament and by the Authority of the same That no person or persons whatsoever doe presume to Proclaime Declare Publish or any way promote Charls Stuart Son of the said Charls commonly called Prince of Wales or any other Person to be King or chief Magistrate of England or of Ireland or of any the Dominions belonging to them or any of them by colour of Inheritance Succession Election or any other claim whatsoever without the free consent of the people in Parliament first had and signified by a particular Act or Ordinance for that purpose any Statute Law usage or custome to the contrary notwithstanding And be it further Enacted and Ordained and it is hereby Enacted and Ordained that whatsoever shall contrary to this Act Proclaim Declare Publish or any way promote the said Charls Stuart the Son or any other person to be King or chiefe Magistrate of England or of Ireland or of any the Dominions belonging to them or to either of them without the said consent in Parliament signified as aforesaid shall be deemed and adjudged a Traytor to the Common-wealth and shall suffer the pains of death and such other punishments as belong to the Crime of High Treason And all Officers as well Civil as Military and all other well affected persons are hereby authorized and required forthwith to apprehend all such offenders and to bring them in safe custody to the next Iustice of the Peace that they be proceeded against accordingly H. Scobel Cler. Parl. D Com. Imprimatur Theodore Iennings The severall speeches of Duke Hamilton Earl of Cambridge Henry Earl of Holland and Arthur Lord Capel Spoken upon the Scaffold immediately before their Execution on Friday the ninth of March 1649. I Think it is truly not very necessary for me to speak much there are many Gentlemen and Souldiers there that see me but my voice truely is so weake so low that they connot heare me neither truly was I ever at any time so much in love with speaking or with any thing I had to expresse that I tooke delight in it yet this being the last time that I am to doe so by a Divine Providence of Almighty God who hath brought me to this end justly for my sins I shall to you Sir Master Sheriffe declare thus much as to the matter that I am now to suffer for which is as being a Traytor to the Kingdome of England Truly Sir It was a Country that I equally loved with my owne I made no difference I never intended either the generality of its prejudice or any particular mans in it what I did was by the command of the Parliament of the Country where I was borne whose command I could not disobey without running into the same hazard there of that condition that I now am in It pleased God so to dispose that Army under my command as it was ruined and I as their Generall cloathed with a commission stand here now ready to dye I shall not trouble you with repeating of my plea what I said in my owne Defence at the Court of JVSTICE my selfe being satisfied with the commands that is laid upon me and they satisfied with the justness of their Procedure according to the Laws of this Land God is just and howsoever I shall not say any thing as to the matter of the sentence but that I doe willingly submit to his Divine Providence and acknowledge that very many wayes I deserve even a worldly punishment as well as hereafter for we are all sinfull Sir and I a great one yet for my comfort I know there is a God in Heaven that is exceeding mercifull I know my Redeemer fits at his right hand and am confident clapping his hand on his breast is mediating for me at this instant I am hopefull through his free grace and all-sufficient merits to be pardoned of my sins and to be received into his mercy upon that I rely trusting to nothing but the free grace of God through Jesus Christ I have not been tainted in my Religion I thank God for it since my Infancy it hath been such as hath been profest in the Land and established and now it is not this Religion or that Religion nor this or that fancie of men that is to be built upon it is but one that 's right one that 's sure and that comes from God Sir and in the free grace of our Saviour Sir there is truly somewhat that he then observing the Writers said had I thought my speech would have been thus taken I would have digested it into some better method then now I can and shall desire these Gentlemen that doe write it that they will not wrong me in it and that it may not in this manner be published to my disadvantage for truly I did not intend to have spoken thus when I came here There are Sirs terrible aspersions that has been laid upon my self truly such as I thank God I am very free from as if my actions and intentions had not been such as they were pretended for but that notwithstanding what I pretended it was for the King there was nothing lesse intended then to serve him in it I was bred with him for many years I was his domestique servant and there was nothing declar'd by the Parliament that was not really intended by me and truly in it I ventured my life one way and now I lose it another way and that was one of the ends as to the King I speake onely of that because the rest has many particulars and to clear my self from so horrid an aspersion as is laid upon me neither was there any other designe known to me by the in coming of that Army then what is really in the Declaration published His person I doe professe I had reason to love as he was my King and as he had been my Master It hath pleased God now to dispose of him so as it cannot be thought flattery to have said this or any end in me for the saying of it but to free my self from that Calumny which lay upon me I cannot gain by it yet Truth is that which we shall gaine by for ever There hath been much spoken Sir of an invitation into this Kingdome it 's mentioned in that Declaration and truly to that I did and doe remit my self and I have been very much laboured for discoveries
Bribes 46 Then they attempted by false scandals on the Parliament to intice the Army of the Scots then still in the North to a Neutrality whiles our English Army acted Die Veneris 30 July 1641. WE the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House in Parliament finding to the great griefe of our hearts that the designes of the Priests Jesuites and other adherents to the Sea of Rome have of late been more boldly and frequently put in practice than formerly to the undermining and danger of the ruine of the true Reformed Protestant Religion in his Majesties Dominions established And finding also that they have been and having just cause to suspect that there are still even during this sitting in Parliament endeavours to subvâ—rt the fundamentall Lawes of England and Ireland and to introduce the exercise of an Arbitrary and Tyrannicall Government by most pernicious and wicked counsels practises plots and conspiracies And that the long intermission and unhappy breach of Parliaments hath occasioned many illegall Taxations whereupon the subject hath been prosecuted and grieved And that divers Innovations and Superstitions have been brought into the Church multitudes driven out of his Majesties Dominions jealousies raised and fomented betwixt the King and his people a Popish Army lâ—vyed in Ireland and two Armies brought into the bowels of his Kingdome to the hazard of his Majesties Royal person the consumption of the Revenues of the Crown and Treasure of his Kingdome And lastly finding great cause of jealousie that endeavours have been and are used to bring the English Army into a mis understanding of this Parliament thereby to incline that Army with force to bring to pass those wicked Councels Have therefore thought good to joyne our selves in a Declaration of our united affections and resolutions and to make this ensuing Protestation The Protestation I A. B. Do in the presence of Almighty God Promise Vow and Protest to maintaine and defend is far as lawfully I may with my life power and state the true Reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England against Popery and Popish Innovations within this Realme contrary to the same Doctrine and according to the duty of my Allegiance his Majesties Royall Person Honour and Estate as also the power and priviledges of Parliament the lawfull rights and liberties of the Subject and every person that maketh this Protestation in whatsoever he shall do in the lawfull pursuance of the same And to my power and as far as lawfully I may I will oppose and by all good wayes and means endeavour to bring to condigne punishment all such as shall either by force practice councels plots conspiracies or otherwise do any thing to the contrary of any thing in this present Protestation contained And further that I shall in all just and honourable ways endeavour to preserve the union and peace between the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland and neither for hope fear nor other respect shall relinquish this Promise Vow and Protestation The Earl of Straffords Speech on the Scaffold May 12. 1641. MY Lord Primate of Ireland and my Lords and the rest of these Gentlemen it is a very great comfort to me to have your Lordship by me this day in regard I have been known to you a long time I should be glad to obtain so much silence as to be heard a few words but doubt I shall not my Lord I come hither by the good will and pleasure of Almighty God to pay the last debt I owe to sin which is death and by the blessing of that God to rise again through the mercies of Christ Jesus to eternal glory I wish I had beene private that I might have been heard My Lord if I might be so much beholding to you that I might use a few words I should take it for a very great courtesie My Lord I come hither to submit to that judgement which hath past against me I do it with a very quiet and contented mind I do freely forgive all the world a forgiveness that is not spoken from the teeth outward as they say but from my heart I speak it in the presence of Almighty God before whom I stand that these is not so much as a displeasing thought in me arising to any creature I thank God I may say truly and my conscience bears me witness that in all my services since I have had the honour to serve his Majesty in any imployment I never had any thing in my heart but the joynt and individuall prosperity of King and people if it hath been my hap to be misconstrued it is the common portion of us all while we are in this life the righteous judgement is hereafter here we are subject to error and apt to be mis-judged one of another there is one thing I desire to clear my self of and I am very confident I speak it with so much clearnesse that I hope I shall have your Christian charity in the belief of it I did alwayes think that the Parliaments of England were the happiest constitutions that any Kingdome or any Nation lived under and under God the means of making King and people happy so far have I been from being against Parliaments for my death I here acquit all the world and pray God heartily to forgive them and in particular my Lord Primate I am very glad that his Majesty is pleased to conceive me not mericing so severe and heavy a punishment as the utmost execution of this sentence I am very glad and infinitely rejoyce in this mercy of his and beseech God to turn it to him and that he may find mercy when he hath most need of it I wish the Kingdom all the prosperity and happines in the world I did it living and now dying it is my wish I do now profess it from my heart and do most humbly recommend it to every man here and wish every man to lay his hand upon his heart and consider seriously whether the beginning of the happines of a people should be writ in letters of blood I fear you are in a wrong way and I desire Almighty God that not one drop of my blood may rise up in judgement against you My Lord I profess my self a true and obedidient Son to the Church of England to the Church wherein I was born and wherein I was bred prosperity happines be ever to it and whereas it hath been said that I have inclined to Popery if it be an objection worth answering let me say truly that from the time since I was twenty one years of age till this hour now going upon forty nine I never had thought in my heart to doubt of the truth of my Religion in England and never any had the boldnesse to suggest to me contrary to the best of my remembrance and so being reconciled to the mercies of Christ Jesus my Saviour into whose bosom I hope shortly to be gathered to that eternall
Kentish malignants about Tunbridge 78 A Ship bound from Denmark to the King of about 300 Tun richly laden with Arms and Ammunition another Ship bound from Newcastle to Holland laden with Sea-coale but in the midst thereof was found between 3 or 4000l hid in the coals sent to buy arms for the King a third great Ship called the Fellowship of at least 400 Tun carrying 24 peeces of Ordnance taken by the Parliament 79 Scotland with an Army of at least 20000 Horse and Foot invited thereunto by the Parl. in the bitter depth of winter when they marched up to the middle in snow and were forced to bring their Artillery over the Ice of the frozen River of Tyne and the Citizens of London lent the Parl. a 100000. l. for the Scots first pay to encourage their advance to help us against the Kings Forces May 23. 1643. Voted the Queen Pawning the Jewels of the Crown in Holland and therewith buying Arms to assist the War against the Parl. and her own actuall performances with her Popish Army in the North was high Treason and transmitted to the Lords Images Crucifixes Papistical Books in Somerset and Jameses were burnt and five Capuchin Friers sent away May 1643. An Ordinance for the making of Forts Trenches and Bulwarks about the City July 1. 43. The Assembly of Divines met Dr Twiss Prolocutor 120 the total The Bishop of Canterburies first prayer on the Scaffold Jan. 10. 1644. O Eternal God and mercifull Father look down upon me in mercy in the riches and fulnesse of all thy mercies look upon me but not till thou hast nailed my sins to the Crosse of Christ look upon me but not till thou hast bathed me in the blood of Christ not till I have hid my selfe in the wounds of Christ that so the punishment that is due to my sins may passe away and go over me and since thou art pleased to try me to the uttermost I humbly beseech thee give me 〈◊〉 in this great instant full patience proportionable comfort a heart ready to dye for thine honour and the Kings happinesse and this Churches preservation and my zeale to these far from arrogancy be it spoken is all the sin humane frailty excepted and all incidents thereunto which is yet known of me in this particular for which I now come to suffer I say in this particular of Treason but otherwise my sins are many and great Lord pardon them all and those especially whatsoeever they be which have drawne this present judgement upon me and when thou hast given me strength to bear it then do with me as seems best in thine owne eyes and carry me through death that I may look upon it in what visage soever it shall appear to me and that there may be a stop of this issue of blood in this more then miserable Kingdome I shall desire that I may pray for the people too as well as for my self O Lord I beseech thee give grace of repentance to all people that Sr Alexander Carew Sr. Iohn Hotham Captin Hotham the Arch Bishop of Canterbury be headed on Iowerhill for Ireason against ye Parliament 1645. have a thirst for blood but if they will not repent then scatter their devices so and such as are or shall be contrary to the glory of thy great name the truth and sincerity of Religion the establishment of the King and his posterity after him in their just rights and priviledges the honour and conservation of Parl. in their ancient and just power the preservation of this poor Church in her turth peace and patrimony and the settlement of this distracted and distressed people under the ancient laws and in their native liberties and when thou hast done all this in mercy for them O Lord fill their hearts with thank fulness and with religious dutifull obedience to thee and thy Commandements all their dayes So Amen Lord Jesus and I beseech thee receive my soul to mercy Our Father c. The Bishop of Canterburies last Prayer on the Scaffold Lord I am comming as fast as I can I know I must passe through the shadow of death before I can come to see thee but it is but umbra mortis a meer shadow of death a little darknesse upon nature but thou by thy merits and passion hast broke through the jaws of death so Lord receive my soul and have mercy on me and blesse this Kingdome with peace and plenty and with brotherly love and charity that there may not be this effusion of Christian blood amongst them for Jesus Christ his sake if it be thy will And when he said Lord receive my soule which was his signe the Executioner did his Office 80 A design to starve the City by breaking into Surrey Sussex Kent but disappointed by S. W. Waller with the help of the City Regiments 81 The King granted a cessation of arms with the bloody Rebels of Ireland but it was observed he never prospered after that 82 A Solemn League and Covenant taken by the Lords and Commons in Parl. and by the City of London and all parts of the Kingdom in the Parl. power 83 Nottingham Town and Castle to have been betrayed but prevented by Col. Hutchinson A Ship from Denmark of 300 Tuns laden for the most part with Round-heads they were halfe Pike-staves with a great knob at the end of it full of iron spikes sent to the King and great treasure but that year the Swedes fell into Denmarke and took away halfe his Countrey from him 1643. 84 A plot against the City of London by Sir Basil Brooke Col. Read Mr Ripley and Vilot 2 Citizens of London and others but prevented 1644. 85 Two desperate plots for the betraying of Ailsbury and one against Southampton but all three prevented 86 Mr Edward Stanford plotted with Cap. Backhouse for the betraying of the City of Gloucester and proferred 5000l for a reward 300l whereof was paid to the said Captain but the plot was frustrated 87 Our Army in Cornwall preserved with the losse of our Artillery 88 A peace pretended at Vxbridge and a treacherous Petition framed by the Malignants of Buckingham-shire wherein one Sir John Lawrence of that Country was a great stickler but frustrated 89 Melcomb Regis to have been betrayed wherein divers of the Malignant Townsmen had a principal hand and Col. Goring and Sir Lewis Dives were agents therein the Town and Forts recovered and two Ships with rich prizes from Rhoan in France were seized on to make amends for their trouble The Service-Book Voted downe 90 Earls and Lords from Oxford submitted themselves to the Parl. The famous Victory of Naisby over the Kings Forces 5000 prisoners taken A Jewel of 500l sent to Gen. Leven by the Parl. All the Kings Commissioners taken at Shaftsbury Basing-house taken and burnt 91 A plot in the West against the Parl. by the Glubmen 92 A sudden pâ—ot upon Scotland which was almost over-run by Montross but as suddenly recovered again
himselfe an unlimited and Tyrannical power to rule according to his will and to overthrow the Rights and Liberties of the People yea to take away and make void the foundations thereof and of all redresse and remedy of mis-government which by the fundamentall Constitutions of this Kingdome were reserved on the Peoples behalfe in the Right and Power of frequent and successive Parl. or Nationall meetings in Councels He the sad Ch. Stuart for the accomplishment of such his Designes and for the protecting of himselfe and his adherents in His and Their wicked practises to the same Ends hath traiterously and maliciously levyed War against the present Parl. and the people therein Represented Particularly upon or about the 30 day of June in the year of our Lord 1642. At Beverley in the County of York and upon or about the 30 day of July in the yeare aforesaid in the County of the City of York and upon or about the 24 day of August in the same year at the County of the Town of Nottingham when and where he sat up His Standard of War and also on or about the 23 day of October in the same year at Edge Hill and Keintonfield in the County of Warwick and upon or about the 30 day of Nov. in the same year at Brainford in the County of Middlesex and upon or about the 30 day of August in the year of our Lord 1643. at Cavesham Bridge neer Redding in the County of Berks And upon or about the 30 day of Octob. in the yeare last mentioned at or near the City of Gloucester and upon or about the 30 day of Nov. in the year last mentioned at Newberry in the County of Berks and upon or about the 31 day of July in the year of our Lord 1644. at Cropredy Bridge in the County of Oxon and upon or about the 30 day of Sep. in the year last mentioned at Bodmin and other places neer adjacent in the County of Cornwall and upon about the 30 day of Nov. in the year last mentioned at Newbery aforesaid and upon or about the 8 day of June in the year of our Lord 1645. at the Town of Leicester aâ—d also upon the 14 day of the same Moneth in the same year at Naseby field in the County of Northampton At which severall times and places or most of them and at many other places in this Land at severall other times within the years afore mentioned And in the year of our Lord 1646. He the said Ch. Stuart hath caused and procured many thousands of the free people of the Nation to be slain and by divisions parties and insurrections within this Land by Invasion from forreign parts endeavoured and procured by him and by many other evill wayes andmeans He the said C. Stuart hath not only maintained and carried on the said War both by Land and Sea during the years before mentioned but also hath renewed or caused to be renewed the said War against the Parliament and good people of this Nation in this present year 1648 in the Counties of Kent Essex Surrey Sussex Middlesex and many other Countries and places in England and Wales and also by Sea and particularly He the said Ch. Stuart hath for that purpose given Commissions to his Son the Prince and others whereby Besides multitudes of other persons many such as were by the Parl. intrusted and imployed for the Nation being by him or his Agents corrupted to the betraying of their trust and revolting from the Parl. have had entertainment and Commission for the continuing and renewing of War and Hostility against the said Parl. and people as aforesaid By which cruel and unnatural Wars by him the said Charls Stuart continued and renewed as aforesaid much innocent blood of the Free-people of this Nation hath been spilt many Families have been undone the Publike Treasury wasted and exhausted trade obstructed and miserably decayed vast expence and damage to the Nation incurred and many parts of the Land spoiled some of them even to desolation And for farther prosecution of his said evill Designes He the said Ch Stuart doth still continue his Commission to the said Prince and other Rebels and Revolters both English and Forreigners and to the E. of Ormond and to the Irish Rebels and Revolters associated with him from whom further Invasions are threatned upon the procurement and on the behalfe of the said Charls Stuart All which wicked Designes Wars and evil practises of him the said Charls Stuart have been and are carried on for the advancing and upholding of the personall interest of will and Power and pretended Prerogative to himself and his Family against the Publique Interest Common Right Liberty Justice and Peace Of the people of this Nation by and for whom he was entrusted as aforesaid By all which it appeareth That He the said Ch Stuart hath been and is the Occasioner Author and Contriver of the said Unnaturall cruell and bloody Wars and therein guilty of all the Treasons Murthers Rapines Burnings Desolations Damage and mischief to this Nation acted or committed in the said Wars or occasioned thereby And the said Iohn Cook by Protestation save on the behalf of the people of England the liberty of exhibiting at any time hereafter any other charge against the said Ch Stuart and also of replying to the answers which the said Ch. Stuart shall make to the premises or any charge that shall be so exhibited doth for the said Treasons and Crimes on the behalf of the said People of England Impeach the said Ch Stuart as a Tyrant Traytor Murtherer and a publick and implacable enemy to the Common-wealth of England and pray That the said Ch Stuart King of England may be put to answer all and every the Premisses that such Proceedings Examinations Tryals Sentence and Judgement may be thereupon had as shall be agreeable to Justice The Kings last Speech made upon the Scaffold King I Shall be very little heard of any body here I shall therefore speak a word unto you here indeed I could hold my peace very well if I did not think that holding my peace would make some men think that I did submit to the guilt as well as to the punishment but I think it is my duty to God first and to my Country for to clear my self both as an honest man and a good Christian I shall begin first with my Innocency in troth I think it not very needfull for me to insist long upon this for all the woâ—ld knowes I never did begin a War with the two Houses of Parliament and I call God to witnesse to whom I must shortly make an Account that I never did interd for to incroach upon their Priviledges they began upon me it is the Militia they began upon they confest that the Militia was mine but they thought it fit for to have it from me and to be short if any body will look to the dates of Commissions of their Commissions and mine and likewise
of these inviters 'T is no time to dissemble How willing I was to have served this Nation in any thing that was in my power is known to very many honest pious and religious men and how ready I would have been to have done what I could to have served them if it had pleased them to have preserved my life in whose hands there was a power They have not thought it fit and so I am become unusefull in that which willingly I would have done As I said at first Sir so I say now concerning that point I wish the Kingdome happiness I wish it peace and truly Sir I wish that this bloud of mine may be the last that is drawn and howsoever I may perhaps have some reluctancie with my self as to the matter of my suffering for my fact yet I freely forgive all Sir I carry no rancâ—â—… along with me to my grave His will be done that has created both 〈◊〉 and earth and me a poor miserable sinfull creature now speaking before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For me to speak Sir to you of State-businesse and the Government of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kingdome or my opinion in that or for any thing in that nature Truly it is 〈◊〉 no end it contributes nothing My owne inclination hath been to peace from the beginning and it is known to many that I never was an ill instrument betwixt the King and his people I never acted to the prejudice of the Parliament I bore no Arms I medled not with it I was not wanting by my Prayers to God Almighty for the happinesse of the King and truly I shall pray still that God may so direct him as that may be done which shall tend to his glory and the peace and happinesse of the Kingdome For my Religion that which I said was the established Religion and that which I have practised in my owne Kingdome where I was borne and bred my Tenets they need not to be exprest they are known to all and I am not of a rigid opinion many godly men there are that may have scruples which do not concerne me at all at no time they may differ in opinion and more now then at any time differing in opinion does not move me nor any mans my owne is clear Sir the Lord forgive me my sinnes and I forgive freely all those that even I might as a worldly man have the greatest animosity against Wee are bidden to forgive Sir t is a command laid upon us and there mentioned Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespasse against us Then the Earl turning to the Executioner said shall I put on another cap must this hair be turn'd up from my neck there are three of my servants to give satisfaction he also asked him which way he would have him lye The Executioner pointing to the front of the Scaffold the Earl replyed What my head this way After a little discourse in private with some of his servants he kneeled downe by the side of the Scaffold and prayed a while to himself Then with a cheerfull and smiling countenance embracing Dr. Sibbalds he said Truly Sir I doe take you in mine arms and truly I blesse God for it I do not fear I have an assurance that is grounded here laying his hand upon his heart now that gives me more true joy then ever I had I passe out of a miserable world to go into an eternall and glorious Kingdom and Sir though I have bin a most sinfull creature yet Gods mercy I know is infinite and I blesse my God for it I go with so clear a conscience that I know not the man that I have personally injured Then imbracing those his servants which were there present said to each of them You have been very faithfull to me and the Lord blesse you And so turning himselfe to the Executioner he said I shall say a very short prayer unto my God while I lye downe there and when I stretch out my hand my right hand then sir do your duty and I doe freely forgive you and so I doe all the world Then the E. of Cambridge said to the Executioner Must I lye all along he answered Yes and 't please your Lordship Then he said When I stretch out my hands but I will fit my head first tell me if I be right and how you would have me lye And being told he must lye a little lower he said Well stay then till I give you the signe And so having laine a short space devoutly praying to himselfe he stretch'd out his right hand whereupon the Executioner at one blow severed his head from his body which was received by two of his servants then kneeling by him into a Crimson Taffery Scarfe and that with the body immediately put into a Coffin brought upon the Scaffold for that purpose and from thence conveyed to the house that was Sir John Hamiltons at the Mews where it now remains Dk. Hambleton E of Cambridg E of Holland and Lord Capell be headed mar 9. 1649 And their speeches on the scaffold The speech of the Earl of Holland upon the Scaffold IT is to no purpose I thinke to speake any thing here Which way must I speak And then being directed to the front of the Scaffold he leaning over the raile said I thinke it is fit to say something since God hath called me to this place The first thing which I must professe is what concerns my Religion and my breeding which hath been in a good Family that hath been ever faithfull to the true Protestant Religion in the which I have been bred in the which I have lived and in the which by Gods grace and mercy I shall dye I have not lived according to that education I had in that Family where I was borne and bred I hope God will forgive me my sins since I conceive that it is very much his pleasure to bring me to this place for the sins that I have committed The cause that hath brought me hither I beleive by many hath been much mistaken They have conceived that I have had ill designs to the State and to the Kingdom Truly I look upon it as a Judgement and a just judgement of God not but I have offended so much the State and the Kingdome and the Parliament as that I have had an extream vanity in serving them very extraordinarily For those actions that I have done I think it is knowne they have been ever very faithfull to the publique and very particularly to Parliaments My affections have been ever exprest truly and clearly to them The dispositions of affairs now have put things in another posture then they were when I was ingaged with the Parliament I have never gone off from those Principles that ever I have professed I have lived in them and by Gods grace wiâ—l dye in them There may be alterations and changes that may carry them further then I thought reasonable and there I left them But
there hath been nothing that I have said or done or professed either by Covenant or Declaration which hath not bin very constant and very clear upon the principles that I ever have gone upon which was to serve the King the Parliament Religion I should have said in the first place the Common-wealth and to seek the peace of the Kingdome That made me thinke it no improper time being prest out by accidents and circumstances to seek the Peace of the Kingdome which I thought was proper since there was something then in agitation but nothing agreed on for sending Propositions to the King that was the furthest aime that I had and truly beyond that I had no intention none at all And God be praised although my blood comes to be shed here there was I think scarcely a drop of blood shed in that action that I was ingaged in For the present affairs as they are I cannot tell how to judge of them and truly they are in such a condition as I conceive no body can make a judgement of them and therefore I must make use of my prayers rather then of my opinion which are that God would blesse this Kingdome this Nation this State that he would settle it in a way agreeable to what this Kingdome hath been happily governed under by a King by the Lords by the Commons a Government that I conceive it hath flourished much under and I pray God the change of it bring not rather a prejudice a disorder and a confusion then the contrary I look upon the Posterity of the King and truly my conscience directs me to it to desire that if God be pleased that these people may look upon them with that affection that they owe that they may be called in again and they may be not through blood nor through disorder admitted again into that power and to that glory that God hath in their birth intended to them I shall pray with all my Soul for the happinesse of this State of this Nation that the blood which is here spilt may be even the last which may fall among us and truly I should lay down my life with as much cheerfulnesse as ever person did if I conceived that there would no more blood follow us for a State or affairs that are built upon blood is a foundation for the most part that doth not prosper After the blessing that I give to the Nation to the Kingdom and truly to the Parliament I doe wish with all my heart happinesse and a blessing to all those that have been authors in this businesse and truly that have been authors in this very work that bringeth us hither I doe not only forgive them but I pray heartily and really for them as God will forgive my sins so I desire God may forgive them I have a particular relation as I am Chancellor of Cambridge and truly I must here since it is the last of my prayers pray to God that that University may goe on in that happy way which it is in that God may make it a Nursery to plant those persons that may be distributed to the Kingdome that the souls of the people may receive a great benefit and a great advantage by them and I hope God will reward them for their kindnesse and their affections that I have found from them Looking towards Mr. Bolton I have said what Religion I have been bred in what Religion I have been born in what Religion I have practised I began with it and I must end with it I told you that my actions and my life have not been agreeable to my breeding I have told you likewise that the Family where I was bred hath been an exemplary Family I may say so I hope without vanity of much affection to Religion and of much faithfulnesse to this Kingdom and to this State I have endeavoured to doe those actions that have become an honest man and which became a good Englishman and which became a good Christian I have been willing to oblige those that have been in trouble those that have been in persecution and truly I find a great reward of it for I have found their prayers and their kindnesse now in this distresse and in this condition I am in and I thinke it a great reward and I pray God reward them for it I am a great sinner and I hope God will be pleased to hear my prayers to give me faith to trust in him that as he hath called me to death at this place he will make it but a passage to an eternall life through Jesus Christ which I trust to which I rely upon and which I expect by the mercy of God And so I pray God blesse you all and send that you may see this to be the last execution and the last blood that is likely to be spilt among you And then turning to the side raile he prayed for a god space of time God hath given me speaking to M. Bolton long time in this world he hath carryed me through many great accidents of Fortune hee hath at last brought me down into a condition where I find my self brought to an end for a dis-affection to this State to this Parliament that as I said before I did believe no body in the world more unlikely to have expected to suffer for that Cause I look upon it as a great judgement of God for my sins And truly Sir since that the death is violent I am the lesse troubled with it because of those violent deaths that I have seen before Principally my Saviour that hath shewed us the way how and in what manner he hath done it and for what cause I am the more comforted I am the more rejoyced It is not long since the King my Master passed in the same manner and truely I hope that his purposes and intentions were such as a man may not be ashamed not onely to follow him in the way that was taken with him but likewise not ashamed of his purposes if God had given him life I have often disputed with him concerning many things of this kind and I conceive his sufferings and his better knowledge and better understanding if God had spared him life might have made him a Prince very happy towards himself and very happy towards this Kingdome I have seen and known that those blessed souls in heaven have passed thither by the gate of sorrow and many by the gate of violence And since it is Gods pleasure to dispose me this way I submit my soul to him with all comfort and with all hope that he hath made this my end and this my conclusion that though I be low in death yet neverthelesse this lownesse shall raise me to the highest glory for ever Truly I have not said much in publike to the people concerning the particular actions that I conceive I have done by my Counsels in this Kingdom I conceive they are well known it were something of vanity
seriously repent and receive a remission and pardon from God for it And now Gentlemen we have had an occasion by this intimation to remember his Majesty our King that last was and I cannot speak of him nor think of it but truly I must needs say that in my opinion that have had time to consider all the Images of all the greatest and vertuousest Princes in the world and truly in my opinion there was not a more vertuous and more sufficient Prince known in the world then our gracious King Charls that dyed last God Almighty preserve our King that now is his Son God send him more fortunate and longer days God Almighty so assist him that he may exceed both the vertues and sufficiencies of his Father For certainly I that have been a Councellour to him and have lived long with him and in a time when discovery is easily enough made for he was young he was about thirteen fourteen fifteen or sixteen years of age those years I was with him truly I never saw greater hopes of vertue in any young person then in him great Judgement great Understanding great Apprehension much Honour in his Nature and truly a very perfect Englishman in his inclination and I pray God restore him to this Kingdome and unite the Kingdoms one unto another and send a happinesse both to you and to him that he may long live and Reign among you and that that Family may Reign till thy Kingdome come that is while all Temporall Power is consummated I beseech God of his mercy give much happines to this your King and to you that in it shall be his Subjects by the grace of Jesus Christ Truly I like my beginning so well that I will make my conclusion with it that is That God Almighty would confer of his infinite and inestimable grace and mercy to those that are the causers of my comming hither I pray God give them as much mercy as their own hearts can wish and truly for my part I will not accuse any of them of malice truly I will not nay I will not think there was any malice in them what other ends there is I know not nor I will not examine but let it be what it will from my very soul I forgive them every one And so the Lord of Heaven blesse you all God Almighty be infinite in goodnesse and mercy to you and direct you in those wayes of obedience to his commands to his Majesty that this Kingdome may be a happy and glorious Nation again and that your King may be a happy King in so good and so obedient people God Almighty keep you all God Almighty preserve this Kingdome God Almighty preserve you all Then turning about and looking for the Executioner who was gone off the Scaffold said Which is the Gentleman which is the man Answer was made he is a coming he then said stay I must pull off my Doublet first and my Wastcoat And then the Executioner being come upon the Scaffold the Lord Capel said O friend prethee come hither Then the Executioner kneeling down the Lord Capel said I forgive thee from my soul and not only forgive thee but I shall pray to God to give thee all grace for a better life There is five pounds for thee and truly for my clothes and those things if there be any thing due to you for it you shall be very fully recompenced but I desire my body may not be stripped here and no body to take notice of my body but my own servants Look you friend this I shall desire of you that when I lye down that you would give me a time for a particular short prayer Then Lieut. Col. Beecher Said Make your own signe my Lord Capel Stay a little Which side doe you stand upon speaking to the Executioner Stay I think I should lay my hands forward that way pointing foreright and answer being made Yes he stood still a little while and then said God Almighty blesse all this people God Almighty stench this blood God Almighty stench stench stench this issue of blood this will not do the businesse God Almighty find out another way to do it And then turning to one of his servants said Baldwin I cannot see any thing that belongs to my wife but I must desire thee to beseech her to rest wholly upon Jesus Christ and be contented and fully satisfied and then speaking to his servants he said God keep you and Gentlemen let me now doe a businesse quickly privately and pray let me have your prayers at the moment of death that God would receive my soul Capel Pray at the moment of striking joyn your prayers but make no noise turning to his servants that is inconvenient at this time Servant My Lord put on your Cap. Capel Shoul I What will that doe me good Stay a little is it well as it is now And then turning to the Executioner he said Honest man I have forgiven thee therefore strike boldly from my soul I do it Then a Gentleman speaking to him he said Nay prethee be contented be quiet good M be quiet Then turning to the Executioner he said Well you are ready when I am ready are you not and stretching out his hands he said Then pray stand off Gentlemen then going to the front of the Scaffold he said to the People Gentlemen though I doubt not of it yet I thinke it convenient to ask it of you That you would all joyn in prayers with me That God would mercifully receive my soul and that for his alone mercies in Christ Jesus God Almighty keep you all Executioner My Lord Shall I put up your hair Capel I I prethee do and then as he stood lifting up his hands and eyes he said O God I doe with a perfect and a willing heart submit to thy will O God I doe most willingly humble my self then kneeling down said I will try first how I can lye and laying his head over the block said Am I well now Execu Yes And then as he lay with both his hands stretched out he said to the Executioner Here lye both my hands out when I lift up my hand thus then you may strike And then after he had said a short prayer he lifted up his right hand and the Executioner at one blow severed his head from his body which was taken up by his servants and put with his body into a Coffin as the former March 19. 1648. An Act for abolishing of the House of Peers THe Commons of England assembled in Parliament finding by too long experience that the House of Lords is uselesse and dangerous to the People of England to be continued have thought fit to Ordain and Enact and be it Ordained and Enacted by the present Parliament and by the Authority of the same That from henceforth the House of Lords in Parliament shall be and is hereby wholly abolished and taken away and that the Lords shall not from henceforth meet or
sit in the said House of Lords nor shall Sit Vote Advise Adjudge or Determine of any matter or thing whatsoever as a House of Lords in Parliament Neverthelesse it is hereby declared That neither such Lords as have demeaned themselves with Honour Courage and Fidelity to the Common-wealth their Posterities who shal continue so shall not be excluded from the Publike Councels of the Nation but shall be admitted thereunto and have their free Vote in Parliament if they shall be thereunto elected as other persons of Interest elected and qualified thereunto ought to have And be it further Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no Peer of this Land not being Elected Qualified and fitting in Parliament as aforesaid shall claim have or make use of any Priviledge of Parliament either in relation to his Person Quality or Estate any Law Usage or Custom to the contrary notwithstanding Hen. Scobel Cler. Parliamenti ON Thursday July 25. the Generall and Army marched from Mordington to Coppersmith Col. Hackers Regiment being drawn up in the way His Excellency made a speech to satisfie them concerning Cap. Ogles Troope being sent back into Northumberland in regard of his interest in that County and that Capt. Greenwoods Troop appointed for Berwick should march with the Regiment in the stead thereof which gave great satisfaction Col. Brights Regiment being drawn up Maj. Gen. Lambert appointed Colonel thereof coming to the head of the Regiment was received with great acclamations A List of the Regiments of Horse and Foot Randezvouzed and marched with the L. Gen. Cromwell into Scotland Eight Regiments of Horse THe L. Generals in number 663 Maj. Gen. in number 663 Col. Fleetwoods in number 663 Col. Whalies in number 663 Col. Twisden in number 663 Col Lilburne in number 663 Col. Hackers in number 663 Col. Okey in number 774 Consisting with Officers in all 5450 Ten Regiments of Foot THe L. Generals in number 1307 Col. Pride 1307 Col. Bright 1307 Col. Maliveryr 1307 Col. Ch. Fairfax 1307 Col. Cocks 1307 Col. Dunell 1307 Col. Sir Ar. Hasterigs 5. Comp. 550 Col. Fenwicks five Companies 550 Consisting with Officers in all 10249 The Train six hundred and ninety The whole thus The Train six hundred and ninety The Horse five thousand four hundred and fifteen The Foot ten thousand two hundred forty nine The Total Sixteen thousand three hundred fifty four A Letter from Lieut. Gen. David Lesly to the L. G. Cromwel My Lord I Am Commanded by the Committee of Estates of this Kingdom and desired by the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly to send unto your Excellency this inclosed Declaration as that which containeth the state of the Quarrel wherein we are resolved by the Lords assistance to fight your Army when the Lord shall please to call us thereunto And as you have professed you will not conceal any of our Papers I do desire that this Declaration may be made known to all the Officers of your Army and so I rest Bruchton 13. Aug. 1650. Your Excellency's most humble Servant DAVID LESLEY For his Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwel The Declaration of the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly of Scotland as followeth THe Commission of the Generall-Assembly considering That there may be just ground of stumbling from the Kings Majesties refusing to subscribe and emit the Declaration offered unto him by the Committee of Estates and Commissioners of the Generall Assembly concerning his former carriage and Resolutions for the future in reference to the Cause of God and the enemies and friends thereof Doth therefore Declare That this Kirk and Kingdome do not owne nor espouse any Malignant Party or Quarrell or Interest but that they fight meerly upon their former Grounds and Principles and in defence of the Cause of God and of the Kingdome as they have done these twelve years past And therefore as they doe disclaime all the sin and guilt of the King and of his House so they will not owne him nor his Interest otherwise then with a subordination to God and so far as he ownes and prosecutes the cause of God and disclaims his and his Fathers opposition to the work of God and to the Covenant and likewise all the enemies thereof And that they will with convenient speed take in consideration the Papers lately sent unto them from Oliver Cromwel and vindicate themselves from all the falshoods contained therein especially in these things wherein the quarrell betwixt us and that party is mis-stated as if we owned the late Kings proceedings and were resolved to prosecute and maintaine his present Majesties Interest before and without acknowledgement of the sins of his house and former wayes and satisfaction to Gods people in both Kingdomes West Kirk 13. August 1650. A. Ker. Tho Henderson 13. August 1650. THe Committee of Estates having seen and considered a Declaration of the Commission of the Generall Assembly anent the stating of the Quarrell whereon the Army is to fight Do approve the same and heartily concur therein The Lord Generals Answer to the former as followeth I Received yours of the thirteenth instant with the paper you mentioned therein inclosed which I caused to be read in the presence of so many Officers as could well be gotten together to which your Trumpet can witness we returne you this Answer by which I hope in the Lord it will appear That we continue the same we have profest our selves to the honest people of Scotland wishing to them as to our own souls it being no part of our busines to hinder any of them from worshipping God in that way they are satisfied in their Consciences by the Word of God they ought though different from us but shall therein be ready to perform what obligations lie upon us by the Covenant but that under the pretence of the Covenant mistaken and wrested from the most native intent and equity thereof a King should be taken in by you to be imposed upon us and this called The Cause of God and the Kingdome and this done upon the satisfaction of Gods people in both Nations as is alleged together with a disowning of Malignants although he who is the head of them in whom all their hope of comfort lies be received who at this very instant hath a Popish party fighting for and under him in Ireland hath P. Rupert a man who hath had his hand deep in the blood of many innocent men of England now in the head of our Ships stoln from us upon a Malignant accompt hath the French and Irish ships daily making Depredations upon our Coasts strong combinations by the Malignants in England to raise Arms in our Bowels by vertue of his Commissions who having of late issued out very many to that purpose and how the interest you pretend you have received him upon and the Malignant interest in the ends and consequences entring in this man can be secured we cannot discern and how we should believe that whilst known and notorious Malignants
fighting and plotting against us on the one hand and the declaring for him on the other should not be an espousing of a Malignant party quarrell or interest but be a meer fighting upon former Grounds and Principles and in defence of the Cause of God and of the Kingdome as hath been these 12. years last past as ye say for the security and satisfaction of Gods people in both Nations or the opposing of which should render us enemies to the godly with you we cannot well understand especially considering That all these Malignants take their confidence and encouragement from the late Transactions of your Kirk and State with your King for as we have already said so we tell you again it is but satisfying security to those that employ us and are concerned in that we seek which we conceive will not be by a few formall and feigned submissions from a person who could not tell otherwise how to accomplish his Malignant ends and therefore councel'd to this complyance by them who assisted his Father and have hitherto acted him in his most evill and desperate Designes and are now again by them set on foot against which how you will be able in the way you are in to secure us or your selves is forasmuch as concerns our selves our duty to look after If the state of your quarrell be thus upon which as you say you resolve to fight our Army you will have opportunity to do that else what means our abode here And if our hope be not in the Lord it will be ill with us We commit both you and our selves to him who knows the heart and tries the Reins with whom are all our ways who is able to doe for us and you above what we know which we desire may be in much mercy to his poor people and to the glory of his own great Name and having performed your desire in making your papers so publique as is before exprest I desire you to doe the like by letting the State Kirk and Army have the knowledge hereof To which end I have sent you inclosed two Copies and rest From the Camp at Pencland Hills 14. August 1654. Your humble servant O. CROMWEL THe Victory at Gladsmore in Scotland 30 and 31. of July 1650. M. G. Montgomery slaine 200 armes taken of the Scots 80. Troopers 400. or 500. wounded 4 Colours 15. Troops totally routed 500. Foot routed at Muscleburrough The Victory at Danbar 30 August 1650. 400. killed upon the place 10000 prisoners 2000 Horse 290 Commission Officers 15000 Arms 200 Colours 32. peices of Ordnance Of ours that ingaged in the Battail 5000 Horse and Foot Their Word The Covenant Our Word The Lord of Hosts who manifested him selfe to be with us Novemb. 1650. Insurrections in Norfolk for which 24 were condemned and 20 executed the other left to mercy Col. Ker routed and taken and the Towne of Ayre Decemb. 25. The strong Castle of Edenburgh delivered up with 53 pieces of Ordnance whereof 15 Iron the rest Brasse about 8000 Arms store of Ammunition and Provision It was the hand of the Lord alone that wrought out and extended such great salvations to us Novemb. 21. A squadron of Ships commanded by Gen. Blague surprised a considerable part of the Portugal Brasil fleet fraughted with Sugar and sent them to England and after pursued the revolted ships and followed them beyond Alligant where they have taken 7 of P. Ruperts fleet and pursued him to Thoulon one of the furthest Havens of France having but two ships left him which hath sounded forth in the ears of Forreigne Princes and States who began to acknowledge that God hath been with the Parliament and Common-wealth of England and both Spain and Portugall have sent their Embassadors to treat with us For all which signall salvations the 30. of Jan. 1650. was set apart and observed as a day of publike Thanks-giving and holy rejoycing in England Wales and Town of Berwick Jan. 1. 1650. The Scots King was crowned at Schone He is Generall of the Army Duke Hamilton Lieut. Gen. of the Scotch Army David Lesley M. Gen. Middleton L. G. of the Scotch Horse and Massey M. G. of the English A Speech made by K. Charles ye-2d-at his Coronation 1. January 1650 I will by gods assistance bestow my life for your defence wishing to live no longer then that I may see this Kingdome flourish in happiness The Oath I doe promise vow in ye presence of ye eternall god yt I will maintaine ye true Kirk of god religion right preaching administration of ye Sacraments now received preached within this Realme in purity And shall abolish gain-stand all falce Religions sects contrary to ye same And shall rule ye people comÌ„ited to my charge according to ye will of god and laudable laws constiâ—â—tions of ye Realme causing justice equity to be ministred without partiality January 4. 1650. The King of Spaine sent his Embassadour for the acknowledging of this State whose Authority and soveraignty resides in this Parliament of the Common-wealth of England and to stablish and close up a good friendship with this Common-wealth The Portugall sent his Agent also to the like effect March 6. 1650. Sir Henry Hide beheaded at the Exchange for receiving and acting by vertue of a Commission from Charls Stuart the Second and King of Great Britaine France and Ireland as his Agent to the Great Turk with an intent to destroy the Trade of the Turkie Company and the Parliaments interest not onely in Constantinople but in Mitylene Anatolia and Smyrna in which conspiracies he had a Commission to be a Commissioner and he was likewise to seize upon our Merchants goods for the use of the King of Scotland and procured Audience of the grand Visier and raised great fears and uproars among the Merchants Browne Bushell Beheaded under the Scaffold on Tower-Hill March 29. 1651. for delivering up Scarborough June 2. 1651. The surrender of Silly Islands Insurrection in Cardiganshire 24 June 1651. 40 slain 60 prisoners taken Burnt Island surrendred 29 July 1651. The Scotch King invaded England with 16000 Horse and Foot and a light train of Artillery and caused himselfe to be proclaimed King of England Scotland and Ireland in Lancashire August 22. Charles the First erected his Standard at Notingham and Charles the second erected his Standard the 22 of Aug. at Worcester 1651. September 3. 1651. Old Lesly Crawford Linsey Ogleby with divers of quality besides 300 taken that were making Levies to raise the Siege at Dundee August 2. 1651. St. Johnston surrendred August 19. 1651. The Castle of Sterling surrendred 40 pieces of Ordnance 27. faire brasse pieces 2 great iron guns 11 leather guns provision of meal to serve 500 men about twelve months 40 or 50 Barrels of Beef about five hundred Armes new Muskets and Pikes twenty six Barrels of Powder 20 or 30 vessels of Claret wine strong-waters great store of match and other ammunition
Lances Guns a thousand Flattes and other instruments of war of that nature all the Records of Scotland the Chaire and Cloth of State the Sword and other 〈◊〉 furniture of the Kings August 25. 1651. The totall rout and overthrow of the Earl of Darby in Lancashire by Colonel Robert Lilburne A Full Narrative of the late dangerous designe against the State written with Master Love's owne hand and by him sent to the Parliament whereby he setteth down the severall meetings and secret actings with Major Alford Major Adams Colonel Barton Master Blackmore M. Case M. Cauton Dr. Drake M. Drake Captain Far M. Gibbons M. Haviland Maj. Huntington M. Jenkins M. Jaquel M. Jackson Liev. Jackson Captain Massey M. Nalton Captain Potter M. Robinson M. Sterks Col. Sowton Col Vaughan and others COnsidering how a clear and full Narrative may satisfie the State although it may prejudice my selfe I am willing with an ingenuous freedome and opennesse of heart to make knowne the whole matter so far as I distinctly know and well remember humbly hoping that this large acknowledgement of mine which is more then any in the world can prove against me shall not be taken as an Aggravation of my fault but as a Demonstration of my ingenuity Before I mention the matters of Fact I humbly crave leave to signifie the time when and manner how I came to be intangled in this unhappy businesse As for the time it was after the breaking off the Treaty between the King and the Scots at Jersey for before that time to the best of my remembrance I was not privie too or acquainted with any meetings about the sending of Captain Titus whose face I never saw to Jersey or sending Letters to him or receiving Letters from him while he was there or about sending any Letters too or receiving any Letters from the King Queen Jermyn Piercy or any other person in forreign parts during the Treaty at Jersey but after that Treaty was ended M. W. Drake came to me told me he had Newes to impart and to that end he desired to know if he could get friends together whether I was willing that they should meet at my house it being conveniently scituate in the midst of the City that so he might communicate what he heard of Affairs abroad To satisfie my curiosity to hear Newâ—s I was content to let him with those he should bring to meet at my house Thus for the time when and manner how I came to be present at any meetings about Intelligence I now come humbly and truly to relate the matter of Fact which is as followeth It appeared to me by the testimony of the Witnesses that there were frequent meetings by Mr. Drake Alford Titus Adams and others soon after the death of the late King and applications made to the King of Scots the Queen his Mother to Jermyn and Piercy both before and during the Treaty at Iersey of which I know nothing nor was I present But the first meeting I was at was at my house and was as I remember at the reading of a Letter which came from Captain Titus after the Treaty was ended at Jersey the Contents of that Letter were if I mistake not to this effect That the Treaty at Jersey was broken off through the violent and evill Counsels of desperate Malignants and that he had something of concernment to communicate which he durst not doe in person being not safe for him to come over into England nor could he well do it by writing he judging it not fit nor safe to send by the Common Post fearing a miscarriage wherefore he desired some body to be sent over to him to Calice to whom he might give an account of all proceedings Vpon the reading of this Letter Mr. Drake moved that some person should be desired to goe to Calice for said he We shall hear the whole relation of the businesse at Jersey Whereupon Major Adams or Captain Farr were moved by Mr. Drake to goe There was mention of Major Alford to goe though he was not then present that I know of nor was he ever within my house as I remember untill after he returned from Calice so that there was none that I know of was gone Mr. Drake told me Major Alford was the fittest man to goe over to Calice having businesse of his owne to goe into France to look after his Prodigall Son so that it was said he a plausible pretence to conceale his going over to meet with Titus There were present at this first meeting M. Drake M. Ienkins Maj. Adams D. Drake Cap. Farr Cap. Potter and my selfe with some others but who more I cannot remember About two or three dayes after Major Alfords returne from Calice Mr. Drake told me he was come to London and told me he would goe to severall Ministers and Citizens to desire them to meet at my house that so we might hear what Newes Major Alford brought with him from Calice accordingly the next day in the evening they met at my house Mr. Drake brought Major Alford with him Major Alford at that meeting gave an account of his conference with Titus and of his receiving a copy of the Kings Letter from him as also a Narrative of the proceedings at the Treaty at Jersey But he said if I mistake not that he brought not over the Letters himself but delivered them to a Passenger that came over in the Ship to carry them lest that himselfe should be searched but after he came into England he received the Letter and Narrative from the Passenger but who he was I know not and so brought them to London whether the Copy of the Kings Letter was read at my house in my hearing I remember not yet I deny not but it was read there I am sure I heard that the Contents of it were to this effect That he tooke in good part the affections and loyalty of those who formerly had made applications by way of Petition to him of which Petition I know nothing and if ever God restored him or put him in a condition he should remember them The Narrative which Alford brought from Titus was read in my house in my hearing which was to this effect He made a large description of the Scots commending his prudent carriage and good inclinations to an Agreement with the Scots but that his bad Councell about him hindred it Also he made a rehearsall of his sufferings from the Cavaliers at Iersey how he was imprisoned in a close Room Many things else was in the Narrative which I have forgotten There were present at this meeting Major Alford M. Drake M. Case Major Adams M. Iaquel M. Iackson M. Ienkins D. Drake Cap. Potter M. Sterks Cap. Farr and my self with some others but who more I doe not remember A little before or about the Treaty between the King and the Scots at Breda there was a meeting at my house M. Drake proposed that we should think of some way