and of this Nation to keepe inviolate And they declare that they are so far from desiring harme or losse to any of their Brethren of England that their sincere and reall intentions are not to adde fuell nor bring oyle but water to extinguish these lamentable combustions and fires which they have with so much duty and love laboured to quench That their taking of Armes is not to make Warrs if they be not necessitated but to obtaine a better grounded and more durable Peace for enjoying our Religion and Liberties in all the three Kingdoms and that the wicked who are the unworthy authors of all our troubles being removed from our King a right understanding may be ' established betwixt his Majestie and his people And as they have solemnly sworne to protect all who shall adhere to this Covenant So doe they certainly expect that all their Brethren in England who are zealous for the true Protestant Religion loyal to the King and faithfull for their Country will joyn with them in procuring these just desires which being obtained they shall be most willing and ready to returne to their Native Countrey esteeming it their greatest happinesse that truth with Peace may be established in all his Majesties Dominions ANd here give mee leave good Reader to add 2 or 3 things omitted in that former Relation but very observable in their said March which were these First that on Thursday Ianuary the twenty fifth their Army had a hard and difficult March in respect of a very great thaw after much frost and snow upon the ground at that time which so swelled the waters whereof there were not a few in their way that oftentimes it came up to the middle and sometime to the arme-pits of their Foot insomuch that the horse passed with little lesse difficulty which though it was not without much hazard and danger yet blessed be God without the least harme or dammage to the meanest Souldier Sir Thomas Glemham also did intend to hinder the Scots March and advance forward to cut Feltam-Bridge but the Masons and workemen which he brought thither for that purpose were so affrighted and amazed by reason of the exclamation and execrations of the Countrey women upon their knees that while Sir Thomas went into a House to refresh himselfe they all stole away and before he could get them to returne again he received an alarm from the Scottish Horse which made himselfe also to fly away with speed to Morpeth but there also he stayed not long but Marched to Newcastle Also the great storm of Snow which in reason the Scots could not but expect would encounter them in the way especially at that time of the yeare and might have killed many of their Foot did not by Gods providence hurt any of them but contrariwise did greatly hinder the enemy from putting in execution their wicked resolutions to plunder and drive away all the Cattle and goods and burning up of all the Corne of the whole Country where the Scots should passe that so they might starve their Army Lastly that there was so great a Frost the like whereof had not been seen in any mans memory in those parts that in two nights the River of Tweed freezed so strong and thick as that the whole Army of our brethren the Scots and all their Ammunition which was at a place called Kelso marched most safely upon the ice which otherwise could not possibly have come over the River in a long time after and that with difficulty and danger too But their forces have thus happily passed on to Alnwick the Lord Marquesse of Argyle marched to Cocquet-Island which was yeilded to him at the first shot which they discharged against the Towne though they had 70 Souldiers within it 7 pieces of brasse Ordnance and victuals almost for a yeare And were not here remarkable testimonies and cleare demonstrations of Gods speciall good hand of Providence guiding and guarding this blessed Army so safely and securely in so imminent and eminent dangers and difficulties as these were Yes most assuredly and none questionlesse but a meer Mole-ey'd Malignant or open Atheist can deny it But to goâ— on Shortly after our said Brethren of Scotlands arrivall thus into the Kingdome besides a most excellent satisfactory Declaration set forth and sent abroad in print by our said brethren as was touched in the former relation of their march There was also another Declaration which had past the Convention of Estates in Scotland about the 28. or 29. of Jan. 1643 that was unanimously confirmed by our pious and prudent House of Commons in Parliament and transmitted to the House of Lords and by them also assented to which in effect declared who in both the Kingdomes should be received into mercy and who not viz. First all Papists in armes to be proceeded against for their lives as Traitors and their estates confiscate The like for all Irish Rebels whom His Majesty doth entertain in these wars Secondly None of the grand Incendiaries and fomenters of this war to have any mercy shewed them either for life or estate Thirdly That all such as have or shall refuse the Covenant to have all their estates forthwith sequestred Fourthly That such Noblemen Knights Gentlemen and others that have been misled to take up arms against the Parliament and shall returne to the Parliament by the first of March or to any part of their Armies shall be protected as to his life and liberty but as to his estate a competencie shall be allowed to him and his family but a proportion must go out of it to help to satisfie the losses of others that have suffered and to defray the charges of the Kingdome And for the yet more happy compleating of the Parliamentary mercies of this Moneth both privative and positive both by freedom from secret mischievous and treacherous plots and conspiracies and thereby great dangers threatned as also by many admirable and comfortable Victories and thereby sweet and soveraigne blessings obtained See here how in the very close and shutting up of this Moneth it pleased the Lord on the very night of this Moneths Fast-day or Monethly Humiliation and seeking the Lord in the face of Christ as a most immediate and gracious returne of our prayers a thing which I have all along observed in most of the Moneths of these our Parliamentary passages in both the former parts of this our Parliamentary Chronicle how it pleased the Lord I say as a blessed return of prayer to crown us in the conclusion of this moneth with a most memorable and almost incredible famous Victory by Gods almighty power and mercy obtained by his ever to be honoured Instruments therein those two renowned valiant and victorious Commanders Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir William Brereton neer Namptwich against the Forces which came out of Ireland into those parts and were then under the Command of bloody Bragadochio Sir
had proved an apostate and endeavoured secreâ—ly to betray that Island and thereby the brave Town of Plimouth into the hands of the Cornish Cormâ—rants But by Gods great mercie and good providence was timely prevented therein by the fidelity of the Officers in armes and honest Souldiers who upon the first discovery of his perfidious purpose sodainly seized on his person and kept him in safe custodie till he might be sent away to the Parliament to receive just punishment for such a base and perfidious demerit Also about the beginning of September aforesaid came certain intelligence to London by letters from Hull that the said brave strong Maritime Town having been besieged by the Earl of Newcastles Popish and atheisticall armie consisting of about 15000 horse and foot who lying about Cottingham and Newland and those other neer adjacent parts about a mile or two distant from Hull had cast up severall workes against it and planted divers pieces of Ordnance and batteries on them And though they frequently shot against the Town very many 36 pound bullets and other Canon-shot yet by Gods great mercie and good providence did very little or no hurt at all by them yea that on the Lords-dayes when the Inhabitants were at Church serving the Lord their God the bullets came whisling over the Church and flew into their market-place but did no harm save onely to a Malignants-house and chimney in the Town and ever praised be our good God by the most noble and renowned Lord Fairfax his wisdome and valour and martiall circumspection they were still kept at such a distance from the Town that the enemie could not shoot their granadoes into the Town as they desired and vehemently endeavoured but they pitifully spoyled the Country about Hull and especially the Town of Beverly which as soon as they came into they miserably plundred yea and they thought to have done the Town of Hull a terrible mischief by cutting them short of fresh-water but blessed be the Lord the Town felt no great want thereby being very competently furnished with all sorts of provision and sustenance for men Now Newcastle grew exceeding mad and was extremely vexed that he was so hopeless of getting the Town having been formerly so hopefull at least in his high and proud conceits to get it for his Winter-quarters and to be a Sanctuarie for him from the Scots and it was generally reported and that probably enough that he car'd not for the loss of 10000 of his men so he might buâ— get possession of it But by Gods blessing on the most noble Lord Fairfax his valour and vigilancie there is no fear of that strong Town in all probabilitie Yet see how it pleased the Lord it should fall out within the said Town in the time of this Siege which is the thing I mainly intended to mention at this time and in this place namely That about Septemb. the 16th 1643 being Saturday an accident happened at the North-Block-house of the Town the danger whereof had not the Lord marvellously prevented and had it fallen out on the side of the Town where the enemies lay as it did on the most remote â—ide from them had undoubtedly ruined the whole Town For there were at least â—ortie Carthages of Gun-powder sodainly blown up and some granadoes which lay there in the same place and all fired which quickly brake down a great part of that strong Block-house both within and without which breach and loss 't was verily believed could not be repaired with at least 2000li. charge but I say the especiall providence of God heerin appeared in that it was blown up on that side of the Town which lay next to the Sea-side otherwise it would have been a very advantageous opportunitie to the enemies for their more secure assaulting and storming of the Town Besides this was also very remarkable above the rest and in it the hand of God most eminently was seen that it blew open a door in which very room there were fourteen barrells of Gun-powder some with the heads open yet took not fire which had it done it would most certainly have blown up at least the whole house have spoyled some considerable part of the Town But I say by Gods great mercie and admirable providence they were all untoucht and it did no other harm than as aforesaid It was conceived and feared at first that it came by some treacherie but upon diligent search and inquisition 't was clearly found to be done by the carelesness of a Gunner There were foure men killed by it and as many hurt and with this loss the danger ended blessed and praised be the Lord our God for it And now wee shall for a while leave Hull in this besieged posture and condition and speak of some other Parliamentarie-passages worthie our notice and observation About the midst of September 1643 our most prudent and provident Parliamentarie-Senators in their pious and prudent care for the encouragement of Apprentices and young men to be chearfull and forward to assist the Kingdomes great affaires against the common-Adversaries thereof set out an Ordinance of Parliament for the securing of their indempnitie in going forth in service and listing themselves under the command of Sir William Waller in his Expedition As also another Ordinance came forth at the same time for the searching of Trunkes and any other carriages that past out of London And a third also for a Collection to be made for sick and maimed Souldiers All which three said Ordinances of Parliament for the Readers better satisfaction content and delight I have thought fit heer to insert The Copie of an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for the securing those Apprentices from indempnitie that list themselves under the Command of Sir William Waller Die Veneris Septemb. 15. 1643. WHereas in times of common danger and necessitie the interest of private persons ought to give way to the publick It is ordained and declared by the Lords and Commons in Parliament That such Apprentices unto Watermen plying and rowing upon the river of Thames as have been or shall be listed to serve as Souldiers for the defence of the Protestant Religion and libertie of the Kingdome his Majesties royall person the Parliament and the Citie of London under the Command of Sir William Waller Their sureties and such as stand ingaged for them shall be secured against their Masters their Executors and Administrators from all loss and inconveniencies by forfeiture of bonds Covenants infranchisements or otherwise And that after this publick service ended the Masters of such Apprentices shall be commanded and required to receive them again into their service without imposing upon them any punishment loss or prejudice for their absence in the defence of the Common-wealth And the Lords and Commons doe further declare That if it shall appear that the Masters of such Apprentices have received any considerable
Liberties Their main if not onely ayme therein being the honour of God and settlement of Religion sound doctrine and discipline in the Church of God the redemption of our King from Cavalerian and Popish thraldome and therein his best good and investure into all his most just rights and Prerogatives and the vindication of our Lawes and Priviledges our just inheritance which with honest Naboth wee would not wee might not sell away especially for Popish and tyrannicall slavery on any conditions yet see notwithstanding the pious Parliaments Peeres and Peoples honest aymes loyaltie integritie heerin as aforesaid how those venomous Spiders of Oxford suckt poyson out of those fragrant flowers and Herb of grace most Satanically slandring abusing this holy Covenant the honest Covenanters Which was most evidently seen in a most impious and audacious paper under the title of a Proclamation against the Covenant which those vipers at Oxford most villanously and trayterously using and abusing the Kings name therein set forth and published to open view which said Proclamation coming to my hands I have thought fit heer to insert that the world may see how atheistically bold they are to abuse all sacred and most holy things at their own impious and Plutonicall pleasure which was as followeth By the King His Majesties Proclamation forbidding the tendering or taking of a late Covenant called a Solemn-League and Covenant for Reformation c. WHereas there is a printed paper entituled A Solemn-League and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion and happiness of the King and the peace and safety of the three Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland pretended to be ordered by the Commons in Parliament on the 21. day of Sept. last to be printed and published Which Covenant though it seemes to make specious expressions of piety and religion is in truth nothing â—lse but a traiterous and seditious combination against us and against the established Religion and Laweâ— of this Kingdome in pursuance of a traâ—â—erous designe and endeavour to being in forein force to invade this Kingdome Wee doe therefore straitly charge and command all our â—â—ing Subjects of what degree or qualitie soever upon their allegiance that they presume not to take the said seditious and traiterous Covenant And we do likewise heerby forbid and inhibite all our Subjects to impose administer or tender the said Covenant as they and every of them will answer the contrary at their utmost and extremest perills Given at our Court at Oxford this ninth day of October in the 19th year of our Reign God save the King Oxford printed by Leonard Litchfield Printer to the Vniversitie of Oxford 1643. Thus you see how these accursed and most corrupt Counsellers at Oxford do most basely abuse the Kings name to countenance their wicked wayes and most destructive designes against God and goodnesse most blasphemously calling counting that most holy and religious Covenant and League of loyaltie to God and the King a Combination of treacherie and perfidious rebellion But yet notwithstanding this and all the rest of their Muehivillian plots and practises thus to sink overtop and over-turn Gods sacred Ark his glorious Cause and work of Reformation Our most wise and good God most powerfully and prudently breathed on this his holy Ark most blessed prosperous gales carried on the work most successfully and notwithstanding I say all the adverse brushes and blustrings against it this blessed Covenant was since that freely and cheerfully taken both by the rest of the Lords and Commons in Parliament who had not formerly been present at the first taking of it and by the Judges Lawyers Clerkes and Gentlemen of all sorts and ranks whatsoever Ministers and people in Citie and Country yea and divers both Earles Lords Knights Gentlemen and Officers in armes Souldiers and others who have since deserted the Kings partie and left Oxford that sink of muddie slime and cage of unclean birds have heartily as wee hope and freely taken this Covenant and entred with the rest of Gods people into this holy League to live die in this our most blessed and glorious Cause But now to proceed About the 6th of this instant December came credible intelligence by Letters to London from out of Gloucestershire that whereas the enemies resolutions were grown very high and lofty to garrison and entrench themselves round about the Citie of Gloucester yet that they have been bravely lopt and cut down by the vigilancie valour and prudent circumspection of that most famous ever to be renowned Commander Colonell Massey As first Colonell Vavasor being appointed Governour of Tewksbery issued out his Warrants in that name to the adjacent parts commanding in provisions and pioners for the strengthning of his garrison and establishment of his government there But by two troops of horse sent out of Gloucester he was so disanimated frighted that his government soone dissolved and Tewksbery was quite quitted by them and he thus freed of so troublesome a neighbour as he intended to have been After this Colonell Sir John Winter the Court Papist and one of the Queens white-boyes entred upon the government of Newnham with such forces as the Lord Herbert could afford him horse and foot but by a partie sent out by this active and resolute Colonell Massie after some of Winters forces had got a good purchase of stoln Cattle into their filching fingers and were entred their garrison at Newnham ere Colonell Masseys troops could reach them after a complement of thanks given to one Major Adams a grand sheep-stealer in those parts for his extraordinary care in that piece of the every which he had new brought in unto them but I say ere the said complement was fully ended the Gloucester troops most resolutely arrived at this Towns end which being so sodain changed the close of the foresaid complement into a fearfull alarm cry Wee are all lost wee are all lost So that with the loss of two of their colours and 7 or 8 men slain they quitted that government also Besides after this the enemie took courage on the other side of Gloucester to erect new governments at Tedbury Wotton which caused that valiant and vigilant Governour Colonell Massey to march that way also with what forces he could possibly make against them but two troops of his horse which were seen before by the enemie were so formidable and terrible to them at Tedbury that with the loss of some 14. or 15. of their Souldiers slain and taken prisoners the whole regiment government and governours with Horatio Carey fled thence and were dissipated scard scattered with such a panick feare and trembling as hardly to return again in haste to that government Upon this good success this most worthy and unwearied Col. Massey took the opportunitie to march to another Garrison at Wotton where the enemy being and that with good reason jealous of him expected his
made some great shot against the House which caused a parley while the parley was some shot was made from the House which hurt or killed two of Coventrymen Whereupon they left parling and instantly fell to battering the House whereby they kill'd divers of them within and forcibly made their way into the House took about 80 prisoners some horse and all the plunder of the House so returned safely to Coventry Shortly after they issued out again under the command of Colonell Boswell and marched to Bewley-House which was one Mr Sheldens being a very strong hold on the edge of Warwickshire but in the County of Worcester which the enemy had strongly fortified But in brief Coventry forces forced their passage and surprized it and the whole garrison and much wealth and rich pillage therein and all the Irish-Rogues whom they found there they put to the sword and victoriously returned safely home again Much also about the same time namely the beginning of this instant Ianuarie 1643. it pleased the Lord the great and glorious searcher of hearts and discoverer of the most secret and deepest designes of the most politick and pernicious enemies of his Church and children to bless our Kingdome and Parliament in the timely revelation of a very dangerous plot and conspiracie under a pretence of Propositions for peace forâ—ooth to which end there was a new Cross-Petition contrived under a colour of accommodating the differences between the King and the Parliament but thereby in very deed to destroy the Parliament by dividing the City of London from it and by such a combustion to prevent the coming in of the Scots to the ayd and assistance of the Kingdome and Parliament Now the parties who were prime promoters and machinators of this plot were Colonell Read a Jesuiticall Papist and a great Commander in the Rebellion in Ireland and a prisoner to the Parliament but released and then residing at Oxford Sir Basill Brook a notorious Papist also and personally acting also in that Irish-rebellion and a prisoner to the Parliament and who to make his aboad at London the firmer and more immoveable contrived as I was credibly enformed to have an Execution for debt layd upon him that thus without suspect or molestation he might actuate at London in the plot One Mr Violet or rather stinking Varlet a most malignant Goldsmith or rather a Projector in that trade And one Mr Riley a Citizen of London Scout-Master Generall for the Citie of London who had the name and reputation of an honest religious man but in the issue of this discourse will be found to appear either a very simple fool or a notorious hypocrite and down-right deep dissembler The place of meeting was at the three-Cranes in the Vintrie and at The Man in the Moon The way and manner of contrivance thereof was first that Mr Riley being in much credit in the Citie must be a means to get this Irish-Rebell Read out of prison by whose meanes for the better effecting of their plot he being at liberty an address was easily made to my Lord Generall that one Captain Read a poor old man taken by the Earl of Manchesters forces tonight be exchanged for one that was a Quarter-Master for the Parliaments armie and then in prison at Oxford and was a Scout of Mr Rileys Now my Lord Generall relyed so much on the supposed integrity of Mr Riley that he forthwith granted his Exchange and the Rebell-Read was thereby presently released But before this Read departed out of the City He Mr Riley and Sir Basill Brook had conference together about this designe and it was agreed that Colonell Read should direct his letters to Mr Riley by the name of The Man in the Moon and that one Mr Wood should be the Messenger between London and Oxford This Wood being an apprentice of London living then in the Stocks Read being come to Oxford propounds the designe to his Majestie who instantly called to advise with him the Queen the Lord Digbie a proclaimed traytor and the Dutchess of Buckingham the Arch-Prelate of Canterburies convert forsooth wife to the great Irish-Rebell the Earl of Antrim then at Oxford His Majestie with these rebells and traytors contrived what they should propound to the City to beget Propositions for Peace just such an intended peace as Bynions should have been and thereupon they concluded to write to the City that his Majesty was resolved to maintain the Protestant Religion and that in as ample manner as the Irish-rebells and atheisticall traytors thus admitted to be of his Majesties Cabinet Councell would or could require his Majestie to settle it for the good and content of the whole Kingdome the clean contrary-way Now at the first time of their generall meeting they concluded of the draught of a Letter to the Lord Major and Court of Aldermen from his Majestie full of expressions of love to encompasse the designe to his loyall Subjects the Citizens of London though traytors rebells a little before and this was dispatched by Wood with a Letter from Colonell Read to Mr Riley by the name of the man in the Moon to passe over his Majesties Letter with Sir Basill Brook to put it into such words as they should think fit but Read writ in his Letter to Riley that what he did he should do it quickly for it must be done and concluded before the Scots come in or not at all and withall writ to have Violet set at liberty to come to Oxford to seek an exchange that he might passe to and fro on this occasion They met accordingly and concluded of the Letter for his Majesty to signe of some Propositions Violet was the Clerk that writ them Sir Basill Brook and Mr Riley as was enformed contrived them Mr Riley loses no time but applies himself to Sir Arthur Hasâ—erig and propounds Mr Violet in exchange for a brother of his Mr Hasterig prisoner to the pretended Lord Loughborough commonly called Master Hastings and to have leave to goe to Oxford Sir Arthur thinking Mr Riley to be the man he was reputed to be gave way and his libertie was obtained to goe to Oxford to solicite this exchange Violet goes accordingly carries with him the Letter for the King to subscribe and other Instructions and as by his Examination he confesseth he imparted the same onely to the King Queen Dutchess of Buckingham Colonell Read and the Lord Digby who all met together and that he stayed not seven houres in Oxford but returned with the Letter directed to the Lord Major and Aldermen signed by his Majestie under his signet Violet returned and the Letters being imparted to Mr Riley and Sir Basill Brook means was used how to engage others in the plot whereupon Violet attempted to sound Sir David Watkins and soon came to the bottom of honest Sir Davids judgement who told him he did like well of
forces against them who came forth and faced them also whiles other some of his forces had placed themselves in some advantagious ambuscadoes and upon the ingagement of the rest in fight came upon the reere of Hoptons forces beat them soundly tooke about at least 80. of them prisoners among whom were 2. Cornets and other officers whom they safely carryed into Southampton And that most loyall and magnanimous commander Sir William Belfore had performed much good service against the enemy neere Basing-house in Hampshire where he defeated a party of Basing forces which sallyed out of the said House and fell upon his infantrie in their marching that way But Sir Williams horse wheeling about and comming in the rear of them killed 20. on the place routed 200. horse and tooke many prisoners whereof some were men of quality After which he advanced to Newbery and tooke possession of the Towne which the enemies garrison understanding of his comming toward them had quite quitted upon his approach thither at which time he was about 5000. strong in horse and foot And about the same time came certaine intelligence from forraine parts which I here mention as having reference to our present affaires in England that on the last Monethly fast day of Febr. last 1643. which was also kept at Delph in Holland the same day that ours was in England by the English Inhabitants and Merchants there residing and that the Prince Elector Palatine CHARLES subscribed the Solemine-League or Covenant entred into by the Kingdomes of England and Scotland and which had beene sent over and ordered by the Parliament to be taken by all the English in all those Provinces and that many also of the Court in Holland have done the like Also that the Swedes had about that time taken the King of Denmarkes castle of Elsenburge which guards the Sound on Norway side and that they had then also taken two Danish ships with 1200. of the king of Denmarkes souldiers And which is of greatest concernment and most remarkable that the Swedes were then expediting an Embassie to the Parliament of England wherein they desired the first motion wherof we touched before that they might associate themselves with the kingdomes of England and Scotland for the mutuall defence of one another in point of the Protestant religion against the Popish party in any part of the world Thus good Reader we see still dayly how the kingdome of Antichrist like Sauls house decayes and decreases more and more and therefore how justly and joyfully we may and must expect the House of David to encrease flourish and prevaile in all parts of the earth and thereby our glorious hopes more sweetly and firmely to be lifted up in expectation of the most happy holy Halcyon dayes of the Church of Christ in this last age of the world Amen and Amen About the 12. of this instant came farther intelligence also out of Yorkeshire That the most noble Lord Fairfax did still enlarge his quarters in those parts and that his two most valiant Champions Colonell Sir William Constable and Colonell Lambert grew more and more prosperous and victorious And in particular that Colonell Constable marching to Yorke quartered at a place called Pocklington and from thence to the enemies quarters and faced their Garrison at Tadcaster-Bridge within ten miles of Yorke on the East side fell valiantly on the Enemies and in short time took it In which Gaâ—rison he took 10 Captaines Lieutenants and Commissioners of Array besides other Officers about 200 Souldiers 300 Armes 3 peices of Ordnance 14 Barrells of powder besides match and other good prizes Much about this time the Declaration of both Kingdomes for the comming in of the Oxford partee by the first of March 1643. had a great influence upon many of the more ingenuous moderate and discreet delinquents among them so as divers of note and quality came in before and some â—ince the time assigned and very willingly took the Solemn League and Covenant Some of the most considerable of whom I have here thought fit to expresse by name viz. The Earl of Westmerland the Earl of Monmouth the Earl of Thanet Sir Francis Lâ—e one of the Gentlemen of the Kings Bed-chamber the Lord Paget who went to Warwick-Castle the Earle of Carlile Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper Baronet high Sheriffe of Dorsetshire and Governour of Weymouth Sir Edward Deering Sir Iohn Evelin of Hampshire Sir Iohn Evelin of Surrey Sir William Acton an Alderman of London Mr. Roger Pits Mr. Mason Mr. Carpenter and many other most of them men of eminency and great Estates who came to London and took the Covenant besides many who had submitted themselves to the Parliaments Garrisons at Northampton Warwick and other places too numerous to be here particularized and many more would fain have come away thence had they not taken such a strict course in all the Kings Quarters to retain and restrain them by setting up Gibbets at Oxford and threatning them most terribly with no lesse than hanging if they were taken in any such defection Here also I conceive it not unfit but in much pertinent measure consonant to these our Parliamentary mercies to make mention of that most vile and base Athesticall defection of that most ignoble and perjured Knight Sir Richard Geenvile which I say may justly come in as no small mercy to us in regard of the great designe of the Parliament about that time against the enemies thereof a mercy I say that he went then away since he was so rotten at the core and had so false a heart to the State and Parliament so soon when as he did us so little hurt where as had he stayed till our Forces had gone into the Field and had been to joyn in Battail with the Enemy as not long after they did he might especially being then also in such an eminent place of power and trust in the Army like his brother in iniquity Sir Faithlesse Fortescue at Edgehill Battell he might I say have done us a far greater mischiefe in the fight than he did by this his base flight But for this his so wicked and unworthy tergiversation he was followed with a most just reward for upon the 15. of this instant March being Fryday according to an Order of the Councill of War there were two Gibbets erected the one over against the Royall Exchange in Cornhill in London and the other in the Pallace yard at Westminster whereat Proclamation was made by the Provost Marshall and trumpeters of his Excellencies Armie declaring Sir Richard Grinvile that grand Apostate and Renâ—gado of England a Traiter unto the Kingdome which Proclamation was fixed upon both the foresaid Gibbets in writing in the words following Whereas Richard Greenvile hath of late presented his Service unto the Parliament and hath been entertained by the Parliament as a Colonell of a Regiment of Horse And whereas the said
they say the comming in of the Scottish Nation will occasion though they know very well that their former comming in was by Gods mercy a great means to prevent it and so also may this but they are too willing to forget or at least to silence what horrid cruelties are dayly committed by their bringing over of such multitudes of Irish Rebels or that this damdable Plot of theirs can be any Invasion of our Kingdome since these are forsooth the Kings honest Catholik Subjects O grosse and egregious daubing and dissimulation Now the Lords of the Councill of Scotland having received this Letter spent no long time about it but the very next day O the mercy of our God thus to cleare up their pious and prudent judgement herein dispatched an answer to that Letter much to this effect That they conceived their Lordships at Oxford were not so great strangers to their proceedings as not to know that their expedition into England was not intended till all other meanes were first assayed and disappointed That they will not deny the invitation of the Parliament to ayde them and that not onely out of pittie to see England bleed but out of sense of the danger of their owne Religion and Lawes they had thus as a maine cause taken up Armes at this present that they hold not the invitation of the Parliament any wayes invalid or null'd because they at Oxford are wanting thence or others are gone beyond the Seas having either wilfully deserted the Parliament or been expelled thence for their Delinquency but how this Parliament hath sought earnestly for Reformation of Religion for redresse of grievances and the happy settlement of the great affaires of that Kingdome and which was indicted by his Majestie for these ends is ratified by a speciall Act of Parliament not to be raised without advise and consent of both Houses as null and void and that those who stay in Parliament are not a sufficient number without them at Oxford is more than they can apprehend And as they are more deepely affected with unfeined griefe for these unhappy differences betweene his Majestie and his Subjects and more sensibly touched with the sufferings of their Brethren than desirous to judge of the Lawes and practises of another Kingdome So they doe hold themselves in duty obliged to their Countrey to clear that Kingdome of that unjust aspersion of invasion These things with sundry other excellent expressions were contained in this Letter or answer to the former as by the Letters themselves Printed and published at large appeared And heere now good Reader I shall again desire to cast Anchor to put in and make a short stay in the happy Harbour of this Moneths Voyages conclusion also a little to refresh and recollect thine and mine own serious thoughts in the most gratefull Contemplation and Recapitulation of all the eminent and excellent Parliamentary Mercies as so many specious and precious Merchandizes safely brought home in the Successefull adventure of the Arke of God in this Moneths Voyage which may conspicuously appeare to the eyes and understanding of any of all intelligent and impartiall Readers First In that most fragrant Aprill Primrose or odoriferous virtuous Violet I meane that most excellent Ordinance of Parliament for the better sanctifying of the Lords day In those brave Defeates given to our Adversaries The one at Munck-bridge by Sir Iohn Gell the other given to Colonell Bellusyes by victorious Colonell Lambere in Yorkeshire In the remarkable meanes of Conveyance of the Ammunition from Warwick to Gloucester And how thereby they were enabled to fright and secret their neighbouring Enemies Together with the taking in of Waltham-house by Colonell Whitehead with the good assistance of the London Brigade which God made victorious both going and comming In the happy Conjunction of the Lord Fairfaxes Forces with his most valiant and virtuous Son Sir Thomas Fairfax whereby their eminent designes were by Gods mercie greatly advanced which was immediately begun in the taking of Cawood Castle and the Isle of Axholme In the farther good successe and singular good service of Captaine Swanley in South-Walles And the regaining of Crowland a place of great concernment by the noble Earle of Manchesters Forces In the Hollanders Honourable attestation of precious Master Prynnes learned Labours in his Invincible Vindication of the Parliaments Power and Priviledges Together with the most comfortable correspondency betweene our Kingdome and Parliament and the Kingdome of Swethland and also States of the Vnited Provinces In that most Famous and admirable Victory obtained by the right Honourable and most renowned Lord Fairfax at Selby in Yorkeshire In the prosperous pursuit of Newcastles Atheistiall Army from Durham to Yorke by our valiant and vigilant brethren of Scotland the most noble Earle of Manchester and most worthily thrice Honourable Lord Fairfax who all uniting and joyning themselves together into a body about Yorke necessitated Newcastle to be enclosed and coop'd up within the walles of the said City In the brave Defeat given by renowned Sir William Waller to the Kings Cormorants at Basing-house Together with that other given by Northampton Forces to their Adversaries at Banbury And lastly in the Lords most gracious frustrating and foolifying that most pâ—rnicious Oxonian Plot to have diverted or rather perverted the Christian Amity and Fidelity of our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland in their pious purposes aud resolutions to come into our Kingdome for our timely and needfull assistance All which precious premises rightly regarded and most seriously considered especially that most remarkable Conquest at Selby and this the Lords most gracious turning of Oxonian Achitophels crafty and cruell Counsell into folly O who can but most justly and ingenuously acknowledge that in all in any of these rare and rich Parliamentary-mercies the Lord hath most comfortably caused his blessed Arke triumphantly still to over-toppe the high swelling waves and rough rising billows of Papists Atheists and mischievous malignants So that we may in strong and long experienced confidence in God conclude with holy David Yet truly the Lord is good to his Israel and to all such as are of an upright heart Great câ—use have wee therefore with magnanimous Martyn Luther in our greatest straits and seeming distresses to say and sing God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of trouble Therefore we wil not fear though the earth be removed and though the mountaines be hurryed or caryed into the midst of the sea and though the waters thereof roar and be troubled But now to goe on and to lanch forth again into the next Mouths adventure And first to begin with the certain intelligence which about the beginning of this Moneth of May came to London by Letters from Plymouth that that traiterous Skellum and base Apostate Sir Richard Greenvile came within two miles of Plimouth to a place called S. Butolphs with some Forces of Horse and Foot whereof
December the 16. 1643. Thus wee see what wayes these irreligious and perfidious Court-Cormorants take to devour and destroy all in their Harpeian-reach and to compass this wicked designe by such base dishonourable aymes and meanes just as that ravenous Prince Ruperts or rather Prince Robbers underhand dealings to betray Bristoll The Earl of Crafords base agreement with loyall Capt. Sydenham to betray Pool C. R. to a writing to betray Aylesbery George Lord Digbie subscribed in a Letter to Sir John Hotham to betray Hull and this most unworthy endeavour to have basely obtained this Town and Castle of Nottingham In all which we may most apparently perceive and see our good and gracious great and glorious wonder-working God our most mercifull Shepherd of his Israel who never slumbers nor sleeps but is most wise and watchfull over us for good even then when wee least deserve or desire the same but now to goe on About the 24th of this instant came certain intelligence by Letters from Leicester to London that about an 140 of the Newark and Belvoir Cormorants went into Rutlandshire to plunder and pillage the Country where they took many kine sheep and horses from the Country people which being timely made known to Colonell Waight who most valiantly kept and commanded Burleigh-house upon the edge of that Countie with a competent garrison for the Parliament he issued out of the said House with but about 60 valiant choice men and marched toward them to Strozby-Heath where about he overtook them and sent a trumpet to sound them a challenge but they having more mind to be gone with their prey than to stay and fight went on theâ—â—with Whereupon this valiant Colonell with his resolute Comrades fell courageously on them and so necessitated them either to fight or die and at the very first encounter which was very hot for the time Allen his Capt. Lievtenant so bravely charged them that he mortally wounded Capt. Plunket the vilest villain among all the Cormorants of Bever or Belvoir-Castle or Newark either and one mentioned in the Kings Proclamation in the beginning of this Parliament for a notorious Irish Rebell but now it seem'd come over to fight for the Protestant religion and who was heer made their chief Commander in this robbing designe who immediately dyed of the said wound Colonell Lucas also was sorely cut over the face with a sword and had not his horse been better than himself he had been at that time taken prisoner And upon a second charge Colonell Waight so bravely bestirr'd himself with his valiant associates that though he had his horse shot under him and his Lievtenant shot in the thigh yet they carried it on so resolutely that his enemies betook themselves to their heeles and ran away in the pursuite of whom even to Belvoir or Bever-Castle they slew divers of them took about 60 of their horse 46 prisoners many armes recovered the greatest part of the prey from them wounded many of those that fled and all this without the loss of any one man of theirs and but three wounded About the 26th day following 36 of those prisoners were brought into the Town of Leicester that they might be safelier there kept than at Burleigh-House After this victory thus by Gods mercie obtained the noble Colonell so ordered the business with his Souldiers that all the stoln cattell recovered from the robbing enemies were restored to their proper owners again A most just and laudable act in him and most worthy to be imitated by all the Commanders that fight on the Parliaments side in defence of our Religion propertie and liberties About the 28th of this instant Decemb. came also certain newes from Plymouth that the Kings Cormorants who had long besieged that Town but by Gods admirable providence and protection had been prevented of their pernicious purposes against it had now at last a speciall designe upon it namely to storm it about the 23th of this instant at night whereof their prudent and valiant Governour Colonell Wardlaw having timely intelligence he caused all such persons as were able to bear armes in the Town to stand upon their guard and also drew forth the greatest part of his forces that night who most industriously and undauntedly cast up a sconce against the enemies trenches and in the morning sent out a partie upon the forlorn hope who skirmishing a while with the enemies began to retreat whereupon the enemy supposing they had none to second them followed them close till at last the rest of the Governours forces appeared for their relief and after a very fierce encounter between both parties Plymouth-men being then off from their workes and with remarkable courage enforced their enemies to a very hastie retreat from the Town slew at least an 100 of them in this assault with the loss of not above 16 of their own men and made them heerby quite relinquish the Siege leaving behinde them about 660 of their sick and maimed Souldiers to our mercy which was far greater than their malice and mischief deserved of us who were not able to be conveyed away nor so much as to crawle out of their trenches And upon the day of their deserting this siege departure out of their trenches one Thomas Basset the enemies Major Generall called to one of Plymouth Officers in their workes and bidding them farewell told them that he verily thought God fought against them and said moreover That if he could be convinced that he was not in the right he would hang himself at his door ere he would take up armes in this quarrell on the Kings part Heer yet yee may see was some ingenuity in a seduced Malignant And this was avouched for most true in the Narration of Plymouths siege published by authority of Parliament pag. 13. Thus I say they left the siege and departed some to Plympton others to Modbery and the rest to Tavestock But in their retreat they most wickedly maliciously swept that part of the Country about the Town of all sorts of provisions that possibly they could get within their reach and knowledge not leaving a sheep swine or cowe behind them and to express the depth of this their diabolicall rage and malice they burnt all the hay and corn thereabout thus utterly undoing many poor people who had nothing els to live upon And heer I may not omit one most memorable print of Gods admirable providence to Plymouth in the time of this their long and strait siege but must with all bounden praises to the Lord gladly make mention of it to stirre up others also to help to magnifie and admire the name of our good and gracious Lord God therein which was this That after the Town had been a long time strictly besieged and no fresh victuall either flesh or fish could be had it having pleased God also that the Ships which had long time been sent
most happie and admirable freeing the brave Town of Plymouth from a long and dangerous Siege And lastly The pretty prankes and successfull surprisall of those loose and lewd Cavalerian Commanders and royall-Cormorants in the midst of supine and secure carding and dicing by valiant and vigilant Cap. Clark and his Northampton forces Together with the WindsorGarrisons apprehending of the 4 high-Constables and 80â—â— in money and divers Malignants also at their Christmas Bacchanalian feastings As also that religious reformation of King Henry the sevenths Chappell at Westminster All which so rich and rare mercies powred upon us with so open and bountifull a hand out of the Lords rich and unexhaustible treasury of free grace and meer mercie so many defeats and victories against our adversaries their great loss and our great gain such plots discovered such Ordinances for the States Church and Cities good confirmed and that not onely this moneth but one moneth successively after another O who can choose but say and apparently see Gods Ark still triumphantly over-tapping the worlds waves thus incessantly raging and swelling against it And who seeing seriously considering and cordially tasting with the palate of true christian godly gratitude the soveraigne sweetness of all these exuberant blessings can choose but stand and admire and adore our great and good and wonder-working God and with that sweet Psalmograph of Israel holy King David can forbear to break forth into amazing exultation and sing and say O how great is thy goodness O God which thou hast layd up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for those that trust in thee before the sonnes of men But now to proceed And heer now again to launch out into the deep begin this next ensuing Moneths voyage for new discoveries descriptions of Gods admirable dealings in most undeserved mercy with this our sinful Nation and Kingdome in the remarkable preservation of his so menaced and molested Ark tost up and down on the wretched waves of these our most unnaturall intestine bloudy broyles I shall in the first place desire to take libertie a little to touch upon one forein passage of Gods most wise and wonderfull disposing of things as well abroad as at home for our welfare verifying that notable Scripture The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is upright and perfect towards him So far forth onely as it hath notable influence resultance on our Kingdomes present affaires which is this That about this time it pleased the Lord to give us intelligence from Denmark that whereas the Jesuiticall plot now in sad and sanguine agitation is to destroy the Protestant Religion throughout all Christendome And because Great-Britain and Ireland are the main fat morsells their treacherous teeth so water for as their principall impediment in the way of their wicked work for an epidemicall and universall tyranny over mens bodies and soules two of these at least being the speciall upholders of the true Christian Religion indeed I mean the refined and refining pure Protestant Religion which is the goad in their sides and the offensive pearl in their eye To destroy which they have now I say engaged or at least endeavoured to engage all these three Kingdomes in the first prime place in a most degenerous unnaturall warre one against another and each of the Kingdomes against it self as in part they have most devillishly done the most miserable effects whereof wee all to our present sorrow see and feel And for the better corroborating and strengthning of this their great and Catholicall designe they have in a deluding way procured the neutrality of Denmark Holland who have more than underhand contributed much against us therein much more was shortly expected from Denmark had it not pleased the Lord in his admirable wisdome and mercy towards us to stirre up the heart of the resolved Queen of Sweden in revenge of the bloud of that late precious never enough honoured King of Sweden her dear deceased husband slain in the Germane warres in defence of the Protestant Religion to be a great block in their way and a mightie obstacle to this their deep designe and strangely to cut short that armie which the King of Denmark had plotted with the Emperour as t was cunningly contriv'd by the Romish Jesuiticall Counsell to raise up first for the destruction of the Swedes his neerest neighbours and so to sweep them out of Germany and afterward for farther designes against England And to this end the King of Denmark had secretly desired assistance from his neighbour the King of Poland next neighbour on the other side to the Swedes but divine providence most blessedly discovered the plot and by Letters from Denmark which the Swedes happily intercepted the whole plot was made known The Swedes also by the same good hand of providence wisely concealed it yet diligently prepared to prevent the danger and by speedy adding some strength to that they had made ready for another design els-where they fell sodainly upon part of the King of Denmarks Country before they thought of any surprisall and therefore were unready to make any considerable resistance the Swedes heerby O the admirable unfathomed depth and profundity of the wisdome and justice of our God! have most valiantly and resolutely run through or over-run the whole Country of Holstein a brave and rich Province being most Southward of all Denmark to Germanie which is the Duke of Holts Country second Son to the King of Denmark And they most victoriously have proceeded farther into the other parts of Denmark by Gâ—stavus Horn a brave Swedish Commander and have taken some of their chief Magazines many thousands of armes some of which no doubt intended to be sent against us for heerby the King of Denmark was constrained to make stay of 2 ships laden with armes to have been sent to England and must then be employed and all little enough in his own defence Thus wee see Man purposeth but God disposeth Our God can take the wicked in his own craftines every way and every where and bring to nought the Counsels of Princes But his own work shall stand and prosper in the thing for which he sends it This I thought good heer to premise as a certain and seasonable addition to the honour of our great and glorious wonder-working God and the just ground of raising up our hearts spirits to a yet higher pitch of praising his name for our wonderfull preservation both at home and abroad And about the beginning of this instant January came credible intelligence from Warwickshire to London that Coventry forces marched out to Sir Thomas Holts-House about 14 miles from Coventry and a little mile from Brumingham and summoned them within the House but they refused to yeeld wherupon Coventry forces
Propositions of Peace Provided the Parliament was first made acquainted with it Some occasions interposed that deferred the delivery of this Letter whereupon his Majestie was sent unto to signe another Letter of the same which accordingly he did on New-yeares-day and on wednesday after Violet with the advise of Sir Basil Brook was to deliver it to the Lord Major But private Intelligence being given of the designe Mr Riley was apprehended and examined before the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall who denied that he knew of any such Letters or Propositions or that he held any Correspondence with Colonell Read and could contribute nothing to the discovery of the matter At last a Paper dropped out of his pocket with this Direction upon it To the Man in the Moon which Master Sollicitor after some time of respite took up retired and read to himself which Letter discovered the whole business Master Riley being examined the second time confessed the Letter and that by himselfe was meant The Man in the Moon and that the Letter was of Colonell Reads own hand writing Sir Basill Brook was sent for and examined and confessed the whole businesse Violet was not to be found that night but next day he was apprehended and the Kings Letter found about him and upon his examination confessed the whole businesse and what private discourse he had with his Majestie and what private Message was sent from the King by him to Alderman Gibs to promote this businesse His Majestie in his Letter to the Lord Major and Court of Aldermen Courts them by the name of Subjects and takes his rise upon an assurance he had of the inclination of the Committee of the Militia to Peace which he was induced to beleeve by a speech that was made from them and professes the maintaining the Protestant Religion and the confirming the Rights and Priviledges of the Citie though by a Proclamation of the same date his Majestie calls them his rebellious Citie of London and as a token of his favour to them adjourns the next Hillary Terme to Oxford Sir Basill Brook Mr Riley and Mr Violet are committed close prisoners to the Tower and Violet is voted by the Parliament to be first tryed by a Councell of Warre for coming and going as a Spie between Oxford and London The Parliament have voted this to be a Jesuiticall and seditious designe to divide the Parliament and City c. And on Monday Jan. 8. the whole state of the businesse the Letters and Proclamations and Examinations and the Lord Digbies Letter to Sir Basil Brook concerning this designe were all communicated to the Citie at a Common Hall there being eight Lords and sixteen Commons sent as a Committee to make knowne the whole proceedings that all the world may see that the Irish Rebels and Papists are the onely Counsellors his Majesty hearkens unto to drive on and uphold the designe to destroy the Parliament and by consequence the Protestants Religion And that all the world may know it is the Root and Branch of the Protestant Religion they strike at one of Sir John Gells Commanders fell upon two Troopes of the Cavaliers in Darbishire commanded by two Papists took them their men and horses and two Colours In the one of them was an Effigies of a Tree signifying the Protestant Religion and a Cavalier standing at the Root cutting it down with an Axe with this Motto Root and Branch This was shewn and held in the hands of severall of the Members of Parliament in the House of Commons and may therefore be assured for an indubitable truth Thus God our mighty preserver makes good unto us still his most precious and unperishing word of Truth to be with his Church to the end of the world and wherein he will never fail us nor forsake us if we by faith and obedience can wait upon him and walke with him But now to proceed About the 4th of this instant came credible information by Letters from Garnsâ—y to London That whereas formerly it had been certified from thence that Mounsieur lâ— Grange Mounsieur Carey and Mounsieur Haverly three faithfull fast friends to the Parliament in that Island had been treacherously betrayed aboard a ship which came into that harbour by pretence of great friendship to them and the rest of the Islanders but they having gotten these three worthy Gentlemen into the Ship they carried them prisoners into Castle-Cornet there in the custodie command of that perfidious viper of his Native-Country Sir Peter Osborn Since which time they having been kept prisoners there about a moneth space with a purpose as it was credibly reported to have conveyed them shortly after to Oxford they had at last a fair opportunity offered them for an escape which they accordingly took advantage of in this manner The tyde being low about the Castle they made them cords of Match whereof they found great store in a roome whither providence unwittingly to themselves brought them and then coâ—ing to the battlements of the Castle-wall where stood great pieces of Ordnance they fastned one end of their Match to a piece of Ordnance and so ventured down into the river But before they could wade quite-over they were missed and discovered afar off in the river by one Medcalf the Porter of the Castle gate who at the fight of them instantly acquainting Sir Peter Osborn that atheisticall Royalist therewith he presently commanded 3 or 4 pieces of Ordnance to be discharged and shot off at them but neither of them touched either of the Gentlemen but they all three came thus most safely into the Town to their friends on a Lords-day when the people were all at Church and like Peter released admirably out of prison by the Angel and let in to the other Disciples when they were at prayers together for him were most joyfully received and entertained by them They being three of the most prudent and pious protectors of the welfare of that Island which mercifull providence and preservation of almightie God in this their deliverance both from imprisonment and such farther intended imminent danger I conceived most worthy a most thankfull commemoration in this our Parliamentarie-Chronicle And much about the same time came certain intelligence out of Sussex from Arundell to London that the most valiant and renowned Commander Sir William Waller since his fiege of that Castle having received six great pieces of battery from Portsmouth began to play against the said Castle being resolved to make a short work of it and that they within the Castle perceiving he intended to make a battery consulted with their Lord Bishop and Dr Chillingworth that most egregious Popish and Socinian apostate and after the said consultation they desired a parley and that after some disputes between them touching the articles and they now seeing most plainly there was no possible expectation to be relieved by Sir Ralph Hopton the Castle was at
it may remaine on record as a Monument of their Gratitude to the God of heaven to all Posterity A true Copy of a Warrant sent from the Committee of Kent to all the Ministers in that County for the Celebration of the 21th day of May a day of Thankesgiving for their deliverance from the late Rebellion and for other mercies to that County WHereas the goodnes of God hath been wonderfully manifested toward this County in the speedy suppression of the late rebellion and the severall defeats and disappointments of the Enemy approaching this County with great Armies all threatning the ruine and destruction of the whole County The Committee therefore hold themselves obliged to invite the County while there is opportunity to a general acknowledgement of these unexpected and undeserved mercies and have therefore Ordered and appointed Tuesday the 21th of May 1644 to be observed by all the Inhabitants of this County as a day of thankesgiving to Almighty God for so great deliverance and lengthning our tranquillity in the middest of a deluge of warre And all the Ministers in this County are heereby required in their respective Churches to observe the said day of thankesgiving and to exhort and excite the people to acknowlege and improove the said multiplied deliverances in a spirituall way that God may have the sole honour and glory of them all in all our praises To the Minister of c. You are to publish this Order in the Church on the next Lords day And heere I cannot omit one thing but must crave leave of the Reader to mention it namely the renowned worth and high valuation we all ought to have of that ever to be honoured and most honest hearted Patriot of his Countrey the Earle of Pembrooke who not long since most nobly and heroically engaged his person purse and credit in the raising of monies for the service of that famous Garrison Towne of Lyme and other parts in the West and how he offered most freely to morgage his whole Estate to raise monies for the preservation of those Townes in the West that stand so firme and faithfull to the Parliament And that on the 17. of this instant he did publikely declare himselfe to be so farre and so fully satisfied in the most couragious and wise proceedings of the House of Commons that he for his particular was faithfully resolved to live and dye with them and hath all along most clearely evidenced his constant loyalty to the Parliament and cause of God without the least ignoble thought of base desertion or tergiversation from it from the first to this very present A rare example and true trophie of Nobility in him About the 22th of this instant May we had certaine intelligence by Letters out of Yorkeshire that Cawood Castle in that County was surrendred up to that most valiant and virtuous Commander Sir Iohn Meldrum for the use of the King and Parliament about 4 of the clocke in the afternoone wherein were 25 Armes 4 Pieces of Ordnance 4 barrels of Powder all the bagge and baggage therein also was delivered up Lunsdale the Governour thereof and all the Commanders surrendred themselves into our hands upon onely Quarter for their lives The Common Souldiers to goe home taking the Covenant which was performed accordingly Sir George Duncombe who contributed much to the surrender of this place tooke the Covenant and came in to the most noble Lord Fairfax This was the same Duncombe that was the most active man in raising the King Forces in Yorkeshire to set on foot this not Brittish but brutish warre for which good act his Majestie knighted him and the reason why he now became out of love with the Kings service as himselfe said was because his Majesty contrary to his promise and faith imployed Papists in Command whom at the beginning to the delusion of the people he seemingly banisht from the Court at Yorke And by Letters of the 24th of this instant wee were certified that the foresaid most couragious and valiant Commander Sir Iohn Meldrum had the Isle and Fort of Ayremouth delivered up unto him with all the Armes Ordnance and Ammunition therein So that by this meanes a cleare and free passage was opened even from Hull to Owz-Bridge which till now the Fort at Ayremouth and Cawood-castle did interrupt It was also further certified in the same Letters that Shovels Pickaxes Spades and other materials were brought in aboundance to the Leaguer at Yorke and above 10000 Countrey-men came in some voluntarily others by compulsion to helpe to make their approaches neere the City to batter it Much also about the same time we were certainly enformed by Letters from Abington that the King with his two great Armies Commanded by Forth and Hopton durst not bid battell to the Parliaments most noble Lord Generall the Earle of Essex on Wantage Downes where his Excellencie drew in Battalia to salute them but that they fled backe not daring neither to goe Westward to Abington whereupon my Lord Generall sent out a Partie of 3000 Horse and Foot Commanded by that thrice noble and worthyly honoured Commander the Lord Roberts Field-Marshall and the Horse by Sir Philip Stapleton Lieutenant Generall of the Horse who came in with such courage and brave resolution that 5000 of the Enemies fled in disorder and left the Towne to the Lord Roberts who on the Lords Day May 26 entred Abington in the morning the most noble Lord Gen being to quarter there that night The Enemy tooke such a flight on this pursuit that they hastily marched from Abington with most of their Artillery and Magazine to Oxford but yet 80 Wagons and 5000 Foot and Horse passed by Oxford toward Islip the way to Worcester Commanded by Sir Ralph Hopton This Partie also was soone dis-heartned by 18 Troopes under Command of that valiant active and undaunted Gentleman Captaine Temple who was sent from Newport Pannell with those Horse to discover the Enemy but not to engage himselfe But this brave not spirited Gallant would be in action and fell upon 3 Troopes of the Enemies quartered at Islip whereof Astons owne Troop was one and tooke there 50 Horse Sir Fortescue not that faithlesse wretch which you may imagine 17 more Prisoners 8 packs of Kersey from Exeter and 150. l. in ready money and gave such an alarme to the enemy that those Horse fled from Islip to Oxford gave Hopton the alarme in his March to Islip that all of them cryed out Essex is come Essex is come whereupon the gates of Oxford were shut up and they would not suffer even Astons owne Troop for a while to enter Such a terrour and amazement strooke the hearts of these gracelesse guilty and Conscience-wounded Enemies of God and goodnesse About the same time also his Excellencie being in those parts about Oxford and finding the Countrey extreamly pillaged and impoverished by the Kings Cormorants he most wisely and mercifully
caused Proclamation to be made in his Army and in the Countrie about as followeth ROBERT Earle of Essex c. Captaine-Generall of the Army imployed for the Defence of the Protestant Religion King Parliament and Kingdome WHereas these Countries have beene very much afflicted and oppressed by the Euemy and we are now come to relieve them of their hard bondage It is therefore my expresse will and pleasure and I doe hereby straitly charge and command all Officers and Souldiers of Horse Foot and Dragoones belonging to the Army under my Command that they and every of them doe forthwith after Proclamation hereof made forbeare notwithstanding any pretence whatsoever to plunder or spoile any of the goods of the inhabitants of these Countries or to offer any violence or other prejudice unto them upon paine of death without mercy Given under my hand and Seale May the 26. 1644. Essex Say now then malicious Malignants was not this a better and more just Proclamation than that which came to the poore Inhabitants of those parts round about from Oxford Commanding all their Corne and Victuall upon paine of Fire and Sword And was it not thinke you better accepted of the said people than that Oxonian Edict that in all those Countreys all his Majesties Souldiers should have free Quarter for Horse and Man So that the Inhabitants were eaten up by such oppression and perforce made Slaves and Bondmen to the base lusts and wills of all the Dam-me cursed crew whose insolencies were hereby incredible and the relation of them very fearefull and grievous to modest and tender-hearted Christians About the 27th of this instant there were Letters drawne up such was the prudence providence of our ever to be honoured and renowned Parliamentary Statists to conserve and corroborate the blessed union amity between the two Kingdomes of England and Scotland to be sent to the Parliament in Scotland from both the Houses of Parliament in England expressing the obligation they stood bound in to the Kingdome of Scotland the high esteeme they have of their brotherly love for their assistance to this Nation desiring also that they may be united as well in Councills as in Forces And returning them hearty thankes for their care of the Army in Ireland for which they sent them word they had provided 30000 l. and also had sent downe 20000 l. to their Army now with us in England requesting them to accept their endeavours though their abilities answered not their desires Much also about the same time came credible Information by Letters out of Gloucestershire that that most valiant vigilant and couragious Commander Colonell Massey had taken Beverton Castle in Gloucestershire about 12 miles from Gloucester and within a mile from Tedbury which was surrendred to him on no other Conditions but onely for quarter for their lives Wherein hee tooke 60 Prisoners with all their Ordnance Armes and Ammunition And with the same successe he tooke the old Towne of Malmesbury wherein were 300 men and two Sonnes of the Earle of Barkeshire and 28 Officers 400 Armes 7 or 8 Pieces of Ordnance besides Powder Match and other Ammunition and provision The Governour of the Towne Colonell Howard being at the first summoned to deliver up the Town for the use of the King and Parliament Assembled at Westminster returned an answer That he would keep it for the use of the King and Parliament Assembled at Oxford but upon this Answer Col. Massey fell close to the work and after 13 houres hot fight he as aforesaid forced the Governour to make a recantation of his errour and to cry for mercy for his folly And from thence he presently marched into Wiltshire and possessed himself of the Garrison of Chippenham the Souldiers therein having onely Quarter for their lives And thus we see how admirably successefull the Lord of Hosts hath made this Loyall and most active Commander in all his Valiant and Magnanimous undertakings Whereupon shortly after The two Honourable Houses of Parliament taking into consideration the good service of this famous and Renowned Colonell and that in pursuance of his foresaid good successe he was marched on with about 2000. men to the Devizes thereby to open a passage for the bringing in of cloth to London out of the West country An Order was forthwith agreed on for speedy supplying him with money and other necessaries And another Ordinance of Parliament was also resolved on for the rewarding of this Noble Colonell for his so great and good service done to the Kingdome and that his never-dying honour might not too long be unrecompensed therefore to confirme and settle a 1000. l. a year of Sir John Winters estate an arch Papist in armes against the Parliament and one of the Queenes great favourites on him and his heires for ever A singular and most highly commendable act greatly redounding to their own just praise and to the encouragement of the rest of the valiant and active Souldiers and commanders of the Parliaments Forces and Garrisons About the 30th of this instant May it pleased the Lord to let us the happy inhabitants O that our Malignants also could see their happinesse therein of the most famous and ever to be renowned City of London see and know that he had a purpose to doe us good and to raise us now out of our late low estate and thereby to give us still more and more just cause to magnifie and omnifie his great name in blessedly advancing all meanes and wayes for the good of his despised and distressed Church and Children and to spread the banner of the Lord Jesus Christ triumphantly in the field against his too too long over-prided and insulting â—oes For about this time notwithstanding that by Gods admirable mercy and good providence we had now already in the field 6 or 7 very considerable armies as first That of our most noble and renowned Lord Generall his Excellency the Earle of Essex in the Westerne parts of the Kingdome Secondly that of our most loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland Thirdly that of the ever most worthily honoured Lord Fairfax and his most renowned Son Sir Thomas Fairfax Fourthly that of the no lesse renowned truly noble and to be ever honoured Earl of Manchester all these three last mentioned armies in the Northern parts of the Kingdome about Yorke Fifthly that of the magnanimous and most courageous Sir William Waller in the West also Sixthly that of the most noble and active Earle of Denbigh about Staffordshire and those parts Besides that brave commanders forces in Lancastershire I mean valiant Sir Iohn Meldrum and other lesser forces in divers other parts and places of the Kingdome That notwithstanding all these and many if not most of all these in great measure raised out of the most famous City of London yet I say about this time to the glory of our wonder-working God be it spoken the honour of the said great City the