Englands Worthies, Middleton
Sir Thomas Middleton Major Generall of North-Wales.
THis most valiant and renowned Patriot and brave Commander Sir Thomas Middleton, first, being in Cheshire with his most famous and faithfull Achates or deere companion in Armes, noble Sir William Brereton, and having taken Holt Castle, Harden Castle, and the Town of Rexham, with all the Ordnance Armes and Ammunition in them.
2. Noble Sir Thomas went out with a considerable party into Flintshire, where he surprized and took the Town and Castle of Flint, with all the Ordnance, Armes, and Ammunition therein.
3. He also took the Town and strong Fort of Mostin, with 4 peeces of Ordnance, and much other Armes and Ammunition, wherby, hee and Sir William were enabled, the more strongly and securely to Garriso…, their souldiers in all the Towns about Ch… ster, for the infesting thereof; the Country comming in unto them, as also much of the Gentry of note and quality, and that with much willingnesse and freenesse.
4. And in September 1644, this brave Commander being in the Country of Mo… gomery in Wales, a party of his Army fell upon New-Town in Monntgomerishire not farre from Mountgomery Town, where he took Sir Thomas Gardner and his whole Troope of horse, 28 prisoners, besides 36 barrels of powder, some sto…e of Match, 2 horse Colours, and one Quartermaster.
5. Immediately after this, he with his whole Army sat down before Mountgomery Castle, and summoned it to be surrendred unto him for the use of the King and Parl. which the black L. Herbert (for so he was termed) presently upon the said first Summons surrendred upon faire & hon. termes without any further troublesome contestation, and so he became Mr. of this Castle with all the Ordnance, Armes, and Ammunition therein, although it was as strong a Castle as any in the Kingdom… whatsoever, or in all the Principality of Wales.
6. He also took Radcastle a very strong and considerable Garrison, with all the Ordnance, Armes, and Ammunition therein; And the enemy out of Leigh Garrison, not farre from Bishops-castle in Wales, and took the Lord Leigh, Baron of Du…smore▪ whom he sent prisoner into Radcastle; and beat the enemies out of another strong Garrison called Leighall, the house of Sir Pelham Corbet, the whole Country comming in unto this brave Commander most fully and cheerefully, not willing to beare Armes against him.
7. He also upon the borders of Mountgomeryshire, bravely beat the enemy neer unto a place called Mathaven, where he by his forces under the command of valiant Captain Farrer discomfited 1000 of the enemy, and put them to flight pursuing them three miles together, and slew at least 20 of them in the chase, took 60 of them prisoners, 12 Officers, and above 100 Armes; and after this took the Garrison at Mathaven-house, which he burnt down to the ground, that so it might no longer insest the Country thereabout as it had done.
8. He also had a Principall hand and was a prime …ctor in that most famous Victory obtained over the enemies at their besieging of Montgomery Castle, where hee, Sir William Brereton and Sir Iohn Meldrum, a most famous Commander since deceased, and renowned Sir William Fairfax (who was slaine in this fight) utterly routed the whole Army of the enemy consisting of at least 5000 horse and foot commanded by the bloody L. Byron, where this most noble Commander with his brave compeeres in Armes aforesaid slew at least 500 of the enemies common souldiers on the ground, took neere 1500 prisoners, among whom were Colonell Sir Thomas Tilsley their Major Generall Colonell Broughton, Lievtenant Colonell Bladwell, and Major Williams, 9 Captaines, 17 Lievtenants, 1 Quartermaster, 3 Cornets, 22 Ensignes, 52 Sergeants, 57 Corporals, 11 Dr…ms; they took also at least 2000 Armes, all their Carriages, neere 20 ba…rels of Powder, and thus obtained a most glorious Victory.
9. He also had a prime hand in that brave Victory obtained over the enemy at Oswestry, where he utterly routed the enemy, put them all to a shamefull flight, slew very many of the Enemies in the pursuit of whom they had full execution and overstrewed the wayes with slain bodies, took prisoner, Francis Lord Newport, Son and heyre to the Earle of Newport, Major Manly, and Major Whitney, Captain Swin…erto…, 20 Welsh Gentlemen of quality with divers other Officers in Armes, 32 Troopers, 2 peeces of Artillery, 7 Carriages, whereof one laden with powder, 200 common souldiers, wherof most were Welsh men; and very many armes of those that were slain and taken prisoners, and which were gathered up on the high-wayes, and in ditches, after the fight.
10. He also hath since most Victoriously gon on conquering and to conquer in N. Wales, and taken divers other Townes and Castles in Wales, and brought them into subjection to the Parliament, and been a speciall meanes under God, to reduce all those parts to a peaceable condition.