Englands Worthies, Earl of Warwick
right Hon.ble. Robert Earle of Warwicke.
ROBERT Earle of Warwick Lord Admirall.
THis most Noble and renowned, and a Valiant as virtuous and pious Patrio… of his Countrey, being in the yeare 1642 made Lord Admirall of the Parliaments famous Fleet of Ships by sea. First, his ship… met with five of the Kings great Ship… obstinately adhering still to Sir John Pen…ngton and refusing to submit to the Parliaments Ordinance therein; at last one o… …he 5. voluntarily came in, and the othe… foure were all inforced to the submission o… the Parliament, and came in under thi… noble Admirals command.
2. Not long after, this most noble and renowned Sea-Commander, by some of his Ships intercepted Letters (in a Vessell taken by sea) and sent them to the Parliament, wherein was discovered the devillish Designe of Digby, D'eves, Jermin, Hyde Percy, Prince Rupert, Prince Maurice, and 50 Commanders more.
3. In the same yeare bearing 42 Peece of Ordnance, and had been distrest by foul weather and driven into the Downes wher… it was taken.
4. This most valiant Admirals ships took … Tobacco-ship, wherein was divers letters …aken and one especially of great concernment to the State, sent to Captain Slingsby … Royall Sea-Captain, which were all presently sent to the Parliament; and his ships …id the Parliament great service about Hull, and took divers Vessels of the Kings for the use of the Parliament.
5. At Hull a packet-Boat was taken also and divers Letters to the Queen of great concernment therein, intercepted; and in …nother Ship, taken at sea, divers other letters from Secretary Nicholas sent by the King into Holland, were by his ships inter…epted and sent to the Parliament.
6. In August 1643, his ships also seized upon two brave Ships laden with Bullion, and 50 barrils of Gunpowder for the Kings service; Together with a Newcastle Ship, with great quantity of Plate and money for the King.
7. The Commander of the Sea Neptune and other Parliament ships, took also divers ships bound from Holland to the King with much Armes, ammunition and Letters of very dangerous consequence; Together with two brave Ships, the one Captain Kettlebies and the other Capt. Stradlings, two Royalists, revolters from the Parliament, and were now set upon in Tinmouth-haven, and they and their Ships there seazed and taken.
8. This most valiant and vigilant Sea-Commanders brave ships took also a brave Vessell bound for Holland from Newcastle with at least 4000. l. hid in the Coales to buy Ammunition for the King; Together with a Bristoll ship, called the Fellowship a Ship of 400 tun, and bearing 24 Peeces of Ordnance in her, was taken by Captaine Smith, laden with Armes, and ammunition for the King.
9. And in February 1642, this noble Earles ships had chased a brave Dunkirk-ship into Arundell-haven, richly laden with Linnen cloth, 20 Peeces of Ordnance, 100 barrels of Powder, 2000 Armes, and divers Commanders of quality.
10. And Captain Swanley, one of this our most noble Admirals Sea-Commanders, being sent by him with a squadron of ships towards South-Wales got possession of Milford-haven, beat 12 Ships away frō thence laden with base and bloudy Irish Rebels to have bin landed there and for Westchester, and both by Sea & by land obtained divers brave and famous victories in South Wales, and was honoured by the Parliament with the guift of a Chain of Gold of 200. l. value in way of the Parliaments thankfulnesse for his many brave Services.
11. This noble Admirals ships took also three ships pretended to be laden with Pippins, comming out of France, but underneath the Pippins laden with store of Armes and ammunition for the Kings use; Together with a brave Ship, which Capt. Owen his Reer-Admirall took, bound for Dartmouths strength with the States of Hollands Convoy of ships, but surprized by that brave Sea-Captain, wherein was at least 8000. l. for the Queenes use.
12. And Capt. Iordan, another of this our most famous and faithfull L. Admirals Sea-Commanders with his brave men of War, beat the Earle of Marlborough, then Admirall of the Kings Fleet at Sea▪ tooke 4 of his Ships laden with Linnen-cloth, armes, ammunition and other rich Prizes.
13. After this also this Noble and renowned Earl of Warwicks ships took Holy land Isle and divers ships, and all the works Armes and ammunition therein; And valiant Captain Batten Vice-Admirall of this noble Earl and a brave Commander, took… a great ship of Dartmouth laden with Oyle and Salt for Holland; and a Dutch Galley valued at 8000. l. with 50 barrels of Money in her, Convoyed also by two States men of Warre, but made good Prizes.
14. And in the yeare 1643 an Irish ship was taken at White-haven in the North, intending to have relieved Carlile, then the Kings, with Armes and ammunition, but thus prevented; Together with a great ship of Apsham, driven into Lime, and there seazed on, worth divers thousands.
15. And in the yeare 1644, this most loyall and religious noble Admirall, by Gods speciall providence bringing him to Lime, in the time of its exceeding strai… Siege and great danger of loosing to Prince Maurice, wonderfully relieved it both by Sea and Land with his brave Sea-men or Mariners, and thereby got himself everlasting fame and honour.
16. And in 1645, His most valiant and vigilant Vice-Admirall Captaine Batten▪ took two Ships at Waymouth in the West▪ with 28 Peeces of Ordnance with much Armes and Ammunition from France. And with his brave ships relieved Melcomb-Regis, and most bravely helped to regaine it to renowned Collonel Sydenham from the rage and fury of Generall Goring.
17. And in the yeare 1645. this most Noble Admirall was marveilous usefull and assistant to the thrice Noble Lord Generall the Earle of Essex, in the Westerne Seas, by continuall supplyes of his Land forces by Sea.
18. And in 1646, this foresaid most famous and valiant Vice-Admirall, mightily relieved Plymouth, by Sea; and beat and tooke divers Ships comming to relieve Poldram; together with divers Vessels taken at Purbeck.
19. Hee also took a Malignant London Ship, laden with Kersies, and other rich commodities, worth at least 1500. l. and a ship from France with packets of Letters, which were thrown into the Sea, but recovered again and sent to the Parliament.
20. This our most Noble Earles foresaid Vice-Admirall took also many Ships, Shallops, Hoyes, and other Vessels in Cornwall, and about Pen-Dennis Castle, and divers rich booties, and Prisoners of quality taken in them, and thus was continually and most victoriously serviceable to the Kingdome all the time of the Warres, … Gods glory and his indelible honour an… renown.
The Right Honourable Edward Lord Montague … of …imbol…on, Vis-coun… …andouile, … of Manchester, And Maior Generall of the … Forces, in the associated Countye…. Norfolke, Suffolke, & Essex etc.
… 1644▪
IN the yeare 1643, when the Kingdome was in a low ebbe and great straight: by reason of the increasing powers of the Royalists, the Lord raised up the heart of this most Noble and renowned Lord the brave and as Vertuous as Valiant and Victorious Earle of Manchester to put himself into a Martiall posture and condition▪ for the defence and safety of the Kingdome, being by the Parliament, made Major Generall of the Associated Counties, viz. Norfolke, Suffolke, and Essex; and first, in September 1643, intelligence comming to London, to the Parliament, that Linne-Regis, a very strong and considerable Maritime Town in Norfolke, was broken out into Rebellion against the Parliament; This most Noble Earle Mustering up his forces, most couragiously came against it. Besieged it strongly both by Sea and Land, and after about a Moneths Siege thereof, it was surrendered into his hands▪ with therein, 50 peeces of Ordnance. 20 barrels of Powder, great store of Armes and Ammunition.
2. In October 1643, hee fought a most brave and great battle with the Popish Lord Widrington, and Generall Hinderson on Bullingbrook-hill, neere Horne-Castle, where hee obtained a most glorious Victory, took at least 1000 prisoners, among whom were Colonell Sheller and Colonell Ayres; and as many were slain, among whom was Sir George Bowles, and many other brave Commanders and Gent. of quality, about 200 horse were taken and 135 Standards; and 1500 Armes.
3. Upon the obtaining of this most famous Victory, hee possest himselfe of the strong Town of Hornecastle, and took all the Armes and Ammunition therein; together with the City of Lincolne, and Town of Gainsborough also, with abundance of Armes and Ammunition in them also.
4. Memorable also (to the honour of this Noble Lord) is that valiant and vigilant circumspection and providence of his in preventing that dangerous rising cloud of Insurrection beginning to grow great in and about Laystalke by some most eminent Malignants there, which had not this Noble and renowned Generall sent some of his forces thither timely to suppresse, might have hazarded all those Easterne parts of the Kingdome.
5. Hee also reduced Croyland (a place very strong both by scituation, and fortification) and having in it a professed Papist for its Governour) to obedience to the Parliament.
6. Hee bravely beat and defeated the Enemies at Grantham chasing them almost two miles, and having utterly routed them took from them 5 or 6 of their Colours; And took Burleigh-house, and surprised the Lord Cambdens Regiment of horse, with their Colours, 3. or 4 Companies of foot and Dragoones with all their ammunition and about 400 prisoners.
7. This Noble and renowned Commander with 50 Colours of his horse and Dragoones encountred and utterly routed 90 Colours of his Enemies at Winsey, and kil'd and tooke about 1100 of them and neere 30 of their Colours.
8. Hee re-took the City of Lincolne with about 3000 Armes, all the Enemies Colours, good store of Ammunition and 5. or 6 peeces of Ordnance; and re-took also Gainsborough Town by storme without any losse of his men, whereby all Lincolneshire became wholly cleered of the Enemy.
9. Hee also took Hilsden-house (which brave Alesbury Garrison had atteempted but could not effect) where hee took above 200 prisoners, 12 barrels of powder, and proportionable Match, all their Armes, and about 50 horse: this being a most singular good service for the ease and comfort of the whole Country of Buckinghamshire, which was almost quite wasted, and exhausted by the plunderings, and continually inforced contributions which were raised by this Garrison and Oxford forces.
10. This most Noble and renowned Earle, was one of those 3 magnanimous Generals who in July 1644, beat Prince Rupert, and the Earle of Newcastle, at Marstone-moore, obtaining there a most glorious Victory over them and presently upon it tooke the City of Yorke by assault.
11. Hee also tooke (in his Victorious advance from Yorke to the Associated Counties) the Town and Castle of Tickhill, with all the Armes and Ammunition therein; and proceeding on further, in his foresaid famous advance he took the strong Garrison of Welbe…k-house by Composition, together with Sheffield Castle, a very strong hold in Yorkeshire, which hee tooke by storme and a fierce assault, and therein 400 Armes, 12 barrels of powder, much Match▪ 20 Tuns of yron-shot, about 400. l. worth of Corne, Beefe, Bacon, Cheese, &c. the Country people thereabout, voluntarily gathering and giving to his souldiers at lea…t five hundred pounds, as a gratuity for this good service done their Country, in gaining this place from the Enemy.
12. This renowned brave Generall took also Boulsover Castle; and Staley-House also with all the Armes and Ammunition in them; Together with Wingfield-Man…our, which had long beene Besieged by Darby forces, but not obtained but by this Noble Generals assistance.
Basil Fielding, Earle of Denbigh, Lord of Now…ham Paddock…,
IN the yere 1644, about the MonethMonth of May, the Loyall heart and valiant Spirit of this Noble Lord Fielding Earle of Denbigh, being stirred up and stimulated to shew himselfe in Armes in the high places of the Kingdome for the preservation of the true Reformed Protestant Religion and just Liberties of his Country, and being by the Parliament made Commander in chief over divers Associated Counties, as Staffordshire &c. 1. This said Noble Lord by his singular Martiall prudence and Prowesse, took Russell-hall in Staffordshire & therein Colonel Lane, and divers other Commanders, and at least 200 other prisoners; all the Armes in the said Garrison; and above 10000. l. worth… of goods and wares that had been plundered from the Countries and Carriers travelling that way.
2. In June also following, this Noble Earle lying in Siege before Dudley Castle, and the King having sent a party of about …000 horse to relieve the said Castle and raise the Siege, this brave Commander sent out a party of a forlorne hope commanded by renowned Colonel Mitton, then Governour of Wem, who most bravely charged them, but being over charged with the Enemies number to his paucity, hee was brought into a forlorne condition, whereof this Noble Earle understanding (and being disswaded by his councell of Warre, to venture to relieve him, in regard of the great hazard hee would run of his whole Army, but) hee, to his perpetuall honour, hating so to see and suffer his friends and so faithfull and famous a Commander to Sacrifice their li…es in his cause and hee stand still with admirable courage fell on the Enemy and so fiercely and furiously and to so good purpose (by Gods mighty and mercifull assistance) that hee bravely relieved his foresaid forlorne hope, put the Enemy to a disorderly flight, slew an hundred of his Enemies in the place, took 17 persons of quality prisoners, and many common souldiers or troopers, with many horse and much Armes.
3. Afterward this Noble and brave Commander, accompanied with valiant and Victorious Colonel Mitton, assaulted and took the strong Town and Castle of Oswestree, wherein hee took Lievtenant Colonel Bladwin, 4 Captaines, 3 Lievtenants, 2 Cornets, 2 Ensignes and many other Officers above 300 common souldiers, and very many armes and much ammunition.
4. About the midst of July following 1644, this Noble Earle marching on with his Victorious forces and making shew, as if he intended to have besieged Shrewsbury, contrariwise wheeled about, and marching into Cheshire, fell upon the house of the Lord Cholmley, a very strong Garrison of the enemies in those parts, which hee took by assault with all the armes and ammunition therein; this also being a singular good piece of service to the State, in regard that this Garrison had been a very great and long mischiefe to the Countrey in all those parts.
Henry Gray Earle of Standford, Lord Gray▪ of Groby Bonvile, and Harington▪ etc.
IN the yeere 1642, 1. This noble and faithfully affected Earle of Stamford having, given many reall testimonies of his love to Religion and Loyalty to his Country, was by this present Parliament (for the timely suppressing and restraining of the ravenous cruelties of the Royalists in Herefordshire, Cheshire and other Countries, and for the better setling of the peace and security of them) made Gen. of all South Wales, and the 4 next adjacent Counties: viz. Gloucester Worcester, Hereford, and Cheshire, in …esting him with power to raise forces in all those Countries, and to appoint Officers and Commanders over them for the mutuall defence and preservation of them.
2. Upon the confidence and trust which the Parliament reposed in the fidelity and activity of the noble Lord Gray. Son and heyre to this noble and renowned Earle of Stamford, both Houses appointed him also Lord Gen. of five northern Counties, viz. Leicester, Nottingham, Darby, Rutland and Lincoln, to the high honour both of the most noble Father and his valiant and vermous noble Son.
3. Being upon speciall occasion of the Kingdomes (then) great straites and exigences call'd into the West to oppose the oppressive cruelties and outrages of Sir Ralph Hopton, he most undantedly forced his passage into Cornwall over a River, though the Bridge was broken downe, at a strong Garrison'd Towne called New-Bridge, where hee bravely beat the Enemy, slew divers in the skirmish, took prisoners 7 or 8 Gentlemen of quality, about 40 common souldiers, and got very much Armes and Ammunition.
4. After this, this noble Earle of Stamford chasing and hunting that insolent rebel…ious and subtile Fox, Sir Ralph Hopton from Bristoll and Exeter, hee drove that theevish Sculker back again into Conwall with great losse of his Armes, Ammunition, and Ordnance.
5. And in February 1643, this Noble Earle with his forces fell upon about 2000, at the least, of his Cornish Enemies at Modbury, where Sir Ralph Hopten had strongly intrenched them, but out of which their trenches they were (with the helpe of the Devonshire Clubmen) most bravely beaton, and forced to fly, leaving behind them at least an 100 dead on the ground▪ and twice as many wounded, where they took 5 peeces of Ordnance, about an 100 Muskets, neer 80 prisoners, and at least 40 horse.
6. After this also, this noble Earle fell fiercely upon Hopton in his quarters before Plimouth, and forced him to forsake them, leaving behind him for hast, one of his greatest peeces of Ordnance that hee had in his Army; And thus this noble Earle proceeded most successefully against the Parliaments Enemies, till hee returned to the Parliament upon other State employments.