Englands Worthies, Earl of Leven
IN January 1643, this most noble and renowned Lord Generall, David Lesley Earle of Leven in Scotland▪ first marched out of Scotland from Barwick into England and led on an Army of about at least 20 thousand horse and foot, to help the Lord against the mighty and mischievous Enemies of our Religion and liberties; and that in the very midst of the bitterest and deepest frost and snow that men could march through, even to just admiration, with singular sincerity, faithfulnesse▪ fortititude and love unto us never to be forgotten, but ever to bee registered with Characters of God in gratitude to God and them.
2. In this his famous and faithfull march through many and mighty difficulties and disturbances, hee came to Alnwicke and Morpeth, 2 Garrison Townes in the way from Barwicke to Newcastle and soone surprised them, and took also the Iland of Cocquet▪ which was yeelded to him at the first charge▪ where he took in all the Armes and Ammunition, neere upon 200 prisoners in it, 7 peeces of Brasse Ordnance, and provision of Victuall for almost one whole yeere.
3. This most noble and renowned Generall having with great hazard and difficulty passed his Ordnance and Artillery over the River Tyne, which was then (by Gods providence) extreamely frozen even so as to beare the weight of them (and which had it not been so, hee could hardly any way have brought on to be serviceable to him) hee then (being new come to Newcastle and had besieged and summoned it to yeild) took Sunderland a usefull and strong Garrison'd place, with all the Armes and Ammunition therein.
4. Hee with almost incredible patience and sufferance of hardship lying in the field in bata…ia about 3 miles distant from Sunderland, with the hardinesse of his brave Scots, so vexed and mouldred the Earle of Newcastles Army then lying in the field facing one another▪ but not striking one stroke▪ that hee made the said Earle of Newcastle silently steale away, with the losse (at that time) of at least 800 horse and men; yet, I say not one stroke being strook between them.
5. Hee pursued the said Earle of Newcastle with his brave Scottish forces to Durham, which also hee took with all the Armes and Ammunition in it.
6. Hee also took Hartlepoole and Lumley Castle with all the Armes and Ammunition in them▪ in his Victorious pursuite of the (then) fugitive Earle of Newcastle who durst not stand to fight with him.
7 Hee also with his most valiant and Victorious Sonne Major Generall David Lesley, were speciall Actors and Instruments in the obtaining of that glorious Victory against Prince Rupert at Marston-Moore.
8. Hee also was a most famous and faithfull Agent and Instrument of our obtaining the great and strongly fenced City of Yorke, with all the riches. Armes, Ammunition, and Ordnance in it, both in the City and Castle thereof.
9. In the yeere 1644, hee also after a most tedious and strong Siedge before Newcastle▪ at last, most Victoriously took it by a terrible storme, with all the Armes, Ammunition, Ordnance, Prisoners (which were very many & great ones too) and the plenteous provision therein of all sorts; but this most noble and renowned Gen. suffered not his honest Scottish soulders to pillage, plunder or spoile any Townsmans goods, or to hurt their persons that stood not out in open opposition & Armes against them, but used them all with singular curtesie and cirility, to his high honour and ever most deserved praise.
10. This most noble and magnanimous brave Commander not long after took the strong Castle within Newcastle Towne, which for a while held out against him, all the prisoners (who also were persons, very many of them of speciall note and quality) yeilding themselves to his mercy; among whom, were Sir Iohn Morley, the most desperate Malignant Major of the Town, and three Scottish Lords.
11. Hee also took (shortly after) the strong Castle of Tinmouth, and therein 38 pieces of Ordnance, 50 barrels of powder, 500 Muskets a …ery great number of Pikes, and great store of shot, great and small, with very much other good provision.
12. In the yeare, 16…5, he also took by part of his Army Commanded by the noble Earle of Calender, the Town of Carlile, with great store of Armes and Ammunition, 20 pieces of Ordnance, and much other good provision.
13. This most coragious Commander in the yeere 1645, tooke also by storme the strong Garrison of Cannon-froom in Wales, in the assault whereof he slew at least 70 of the enemies, and all the Armes Ammunition and Ordnance therein. And the Parliament taking-most thankfull notice of all these▪ faithfull and famous services of this noble Commander, sent a letter of thanks unto him signed by the Speaker of the house of Commons; together with a Iewell of 500 l▪ as a badge of Honour and respects of both houses of Parliament to him.
14. Hee also took Raby Castle in Durham, wherein hee took 300 Armes and good store of other Ammunition, and all the Ordnance therein.
15. And in December 1645, this most magnanimous Generall with his brave Scottish Army sate down before Newarke, that most pestilent and pernicious Den of Royall theeves, where he was by the Parliament of England made Commanderin chief of all the Scottish and English forces before Newarke; and where and when he took Muschamp-bridge by a fierce assault upon the Newarkers, and the strong Fort also upon the bridge, whereby he closely begirt the whole Town round about, and at last took it upon composition, with all the great store of Ordnance, Armes and Ammunition therein. And there and then King Charles put himselfe into the custody and guard of these loyall Brethren. And after all these famous Victories and parformances, hee with his whole Army (having first delivered the King (at Newcastle) into the hands of the English and Scottish Commissioners appointed thereunto most faithfully, loyally, and lovingly marched back againe into his own Kingdome of Scotland.