Grapes Among Thorns, Text – Imprimatur
… Col 50 of 100. for a Cap: the Life guard is kept whole. The new Swediſh Generaliſſimo Charles Guſtave Palſgrave, is arived in Germany with 8000 men, he is to meet Maior Gen. Erlach, they have a deſigne againſt Collin, becauſe Lamboy hath alwayes his recruit from thence who hath an Armie again together, and endeavoureth to be revenged upon the Heſhiſh. Out of Weſtphalia is come unto him Count Hennigo, with 8 peeces of Ordnance, and 1400 foot: The Heſhiſh are intrenched neer Neuſe, expecting Lamboys comming, who hath about 3000 horſe, and as many foot. The Heſhiſh expect Landgrave Fredrick with his horſe, which if he doth not come timely, the other may be the hard for them. The Prince of Orange was to goe to Cleve to the chriſtning of his brother Prince Elector of Brandenburgs childe, but the day being put off to the 2 of Auguſt, is returned to the Hague, where the Spaniſh Ambaſſadour Pegneranda is expected.
The Engliſhſhips are ſaid to be riggd, but by whoſe leave, or by whom, is not known: not by any authority. At Oſnabrugk, the Ambaſſadour of Bavaria, having propounded that in caſe a peace ſhould not be ſuddenly concluded on, that his Maſter would take a courſe to preſerve Him and his Dominions; which being exploded by the Catholike Imperiall States, Bavaria thereupon reſolved to ſtand to the Emperor to the laſt. The Portugal Embaſſador at the Hague hath deſired the States (that ſeeing they had made an end of their great affairs with Spain) to begin to treat with him about the affairs of Fernambuck, that that Treaty being brought to a period, each party might enioy their own to the great benefit of both. Prince Charles of Wales hath been as Calice, and is by this time in Holland, where he was expected.
In Poland they have in nomination for King, the late Kings ſon by his former wife, Prince Caſſimire, and the Prince of Conde: the revolted Parliament ſhips intend ſuddenly to be in the Downs, and to put in for a perſonall Treaty.
Iuly 6. The Commons permitted Major Gen: Brovvne to be Shrieve of London, approved of ſeverall Counties geting into armes for defence before authority came to them, Letters from their Commiſſioners out of Scotland, of there proceeding being approved were ordered to be printed, as for their comming back to England they did not think it fit as yet, they being publique Miniſters, and while peace is between the Nations, it was thought fit they continue to be ready to give and receive what was given or received.
The 7. Letter came from the Noble Army inviting the City to a concurrence with them. The Com. Vote the Lords that ſubſcribed it, and thoſe with them traitors. The Committee of Commons recommēded the deſire of their houſe to the Common Councel, as to ſatisfaction about his Majeſties comming to London to treat, another meeting was appointed to reſolve upon ſome what.
The 8. Came news that Col: Roſſiter had ſo diſperſt the Pomfret party, that 450 were become his priſoners, all their plunder, and what elſe there's. This day came alſo the news of routing the Noble Army by the forces of Sir Miles Liveſy and of the Army, and that they were diſappointed of their ſport in Windſor Foreſt, many of them wounded, others taken, ſome ſlain, among whom was the Lord Francis Villers Brother to the Duke of Buckingham refuſing quarter, they that eſcaped got over at Kingſton Bridge, ſome paſſing in boats, for the Commander in cheife cried Gent: ſhift for your ſelves, 10 lib for a boate: this routed party flies to Harrovv Hill, thence to Watford, but that proved to hot for them, & ſo to Redburn, & thence to Shefford, between Bedford & Hitchin where they were, Saturday night, after whom, with 5 Troops went Major Gibbons, lately come from Kent. And to meet them with 6 Troops under Command of Col: Scroop from the Leagure before Colcheſter, who Sunday night was not far from them: the joynt forces that defeated them of Pomfret ſtand ready to receive them come they North: and to this royall party goe from London and other parts, very many horſe and foot with colours that diſtinguſhes them from the Parliaments forces, and openly enquire the way to them.
The 10. The Lords at a Conference did give reaſon for a Treaty with his Majeſty, he being at libert berty before any acts be agreed upon. Firſt, its the deſire of the Kingdome or Parliament of Scotland. Secondly, the agreement will be the more Authentick. Thirdly, its probable having no Army in being, he wil condiſcend to that which at Vxbridge and Oxford he refuſed. Fourthly, its not the way of Treaties to confirme any before all is agreed, eſpecially thoſe of moſt concernment, and that which chiefly will be inſiſted upon, or to this effect, the Commons concurrence was deſired.
Dublin, June 28. We are here happy (if the leaſt of happineſſe be to be in this unhappy Kingdom) in that we are ſo many mindes as parties, and all by that means at preſent in an incapacity to hurt cach other. Preſton and Owen Roe neer Athlone, ſtriving who may get the Caſtle from Mr. Audley the newter Governour, but he hath not, nor it's conceived will deliver it to either: Ovven and the Nuntio are in the Town on this ſide the water; no fighting hath been between them onelyonly ſtraglers, yet they plunder each other daily, their miſeries great, roots are their chiefe food, bread being wanting: and yet it's to be feared they may at laſt agree, and out-live their wants, we being not i…capacity to increaſe them and fall upon us. The Scots have ſo much inveigled divers of our horſe, that many are gone to them (there's a fourth party) they give 20 ſh. advance, and 8d. per diem to a man, during their ſtay in the Kingdom, for it's pretended they muſt goe for Scotland: On the other ſide divers come to Col: Monk, from Munroe with their cows and cattell: Col: Monk is poſſeſt of Dandalke, Col: Moors Regiment, being not great, is brought to this City, and is to be reduced into 2 Companies, My Lord Inchequins Forces in wants enough as well as we, and thus ſtands the State of the five parties at preſent, when any action will be is uncertain.
Leagure before Colcheſter, July 8, 1648. Yeſterday the enemy had planted a ſmall Drake on the Bels frame in St. Maries ſteeple, and from it made ſome ſhot, Col. Rainsborow waiting upon my Lord, to the battery made a ſhot in at the window, which we are credibly informed ſhot the Gunner through the belly. This we are certain, that they never made ſhot from that place ſince, and it is ſaid, he was their beſt Cannoneer. Upon ſome volleys of ſhot yeſterday towards the evening at the buriall of Lie vtenaut Col. Shamb ook, the enemy made their Souldiers believe relief was come, and the wals and Steeples was full of people to ſee it come. Eighteen of our ſouldiers which were priſoners, and this day releaſed, complain, that from Wedneſday to Saturday, they had but three peny loaves of bread, and each man an ounce of fleſh, and a pale of water allowed. We heare the enemy hath drawn all their horſe and foot together, cauſeth all their fire locks to be brought into a Church, and all manner o… horſes, with ſuch furniture as the Town can make to be ready, whereby, we conceive, they will attempt to eſcape with as many of their foot as they can mount their horſe being ſo ſtraited that they have nothing left for them but green corn. Neer 20 deſerted them this day, and came into us, they tell that proviſion is very ſcarce, and what there is they cannot eat but for meere hunger. We ſent them in a Liſt of the priſoners taken in Northumberland, by Major Gen. Lambe…t.
Colcheſter Legu…e, July 11. Our Line goes ſo faſt on, that we are in far better caſe to offend the enemy, and correſpond with Suffolk men, many of their ſouldiers come to us, the people of the Town in great want; all their bread is made of R…e, and but half grownd; and that (not without a Ticket) their hay gone, the green Corn they get for their horſe, they fetch with hazard of the lives of their men: yeſterday having placed a guard to ſecure thoſe who came to get horſneat, the guard was bear by us, divers of them killed, ſome taken, great ſhooting with cannon from both ſides; they have ſpent very much powder: more yeſterday then in ten days before. Wee raiſed this night a new battery, to beat them our of St. Maries ſteeple, where they have planted a Demi culvering, which annoys us in our new Quarters. We have two whole Culverings play hard againſt the Lord Lucas houſe; the women would come by hundreds out of the Town, but that is not permitted. Captain Veſ…y, upon the petition of his wiſe is pardoned, and hath a protection from violence, ſome of both ſides being laſt night neer each other, fell to parley and proved old acquaintance, it ſeems they were ſome of ours disbanded, in which act we have ſeen our errour, but no more.
Nevvcaſtle, …uly 6. You have had the deſeat of Langdales horſe by an expreſſe from our Governour, to adde a little, the priſoners of quality were moſt taken in their beds, being aſſured by Col: Grey, their Cheifrain, that there was no danger, they were neer 1200, ours 900. Col: Rich. Tempeſt eſcap'd from Morpeth, by feeling the hand of the ſentinell, 60 common Souldiers alſo eſcap'd in the darke, diverſe of the com…n Souldiers ſerve willingly in this Town: The Scots Army he on the borders not yet come in Gen: Langdale undertooke to cleere the Counties of Cumberland, Weſtmerland, Northumberland, and Biſhoprick, to make way for the Scots Armie, and ſo bring them into contribution to the Scots. Cumberland is much exhauſted. Major Gen: Lambert …emains before Carlile, and keeps thoſe up within: The Forces here are reſolved to goe towards their Major Gen: being now 33 Troops of horſe, Col: Hariſon being joyned, and to attend the motion of the Scots, or further the gaining the City: It's reſolved by the Engliſh Forces to fight, if there come but 20000 horſe and ſcor. On the other ſide, the Scots now upon the bo…ders muſt come in, for otherwiſe their S…uldiers will ſpoyle their count…ey, and grow diſcont…n…, having their expectations upon England, many common Souldiers who made it appear, they were forc'd, are ſet at liberty, divers that come in as common Souldiers, are found ſince to be Gentlemen of quality, as it's probable were ſome of thoſe that eſcaped, they were ſo full of gold, which they parted with at under value, though bought over, that common Troopers got 15, 16, 18, and 20 lib. a man, good cloaths, horſes, piſtols, ſwords, &c. a ſubſidy will hardly recrute them as they were: 15 of the chiefe are ſent into Tinmouth, viz. Col: Grey Col: Ogle, Sir Iervis Lucas, 2 Collinvvoods, and others, the reſt ſerured in this Town, where they are as merry and frollick as if they had had the victory, and ſpend as if they had as good mines of money a we of coales. Some are of opinion the Scots will not come in, but be aſſured they will, and therefore haſten a reſerre for Major Gen: Lambert as faſt as you can, in regard the number of Officers are more then before mentioned, they are inſerted.
A Liſt of priſoners taken Iuly 1. 1648. Col: Edward Grey Commander in chief. Sir Francis Ratcliffe. Sir Iervis Lucas. Col: Iobn Tempeſt. Col: Iames Ogle. L. Col: Iohn Salkeild. L. Col: Ralph Millet: L. Col: Iohn Thornton. M. Roger Ratcliffe. M. Galeyn Ratcliffe. Col: Ratcliffe. L. Col. Anthony Trellop. Major Trollop. Cap George Rellaſis. Mr. George Collingvvood. Mr. Iohn Collingvvood. Cap. Hugh Iames. Cap. Francis Carlton. Cap. Francis Brandling. Cap. Fetherſtonhaugh. Cap: Aſcue. Cap. Cholmley wright. Mr. Tho. Salkeild Co…net. Mr. Will. Hodgſhon. Mr. Charles Selby. Mr. Iohn Thirlvvell. Mr. Will. Lampton. Mr. Lanclot Selby Mr. Rich. Woodhouſe. Mr. Ralph Claxton. Licurenant Lance Procter. Mr. Cuthbert Kennet. Mr. Peter Forcer. Mr. Ambroſe Carlton. Mr. Iohn Fitzvvilliams. Mr. Iohn Hardy. Mr. Thomas Cope. M. Iohn Wright. Mr. Iames Shaſtoe. Mr. Ingram Stellinge. Mr. Tho. Tempeſt. Cap. Smith. Mr. Iohn Farneley. Mr. Per. Warden, Corner. Mr. Iohn Goodman. Enſigne Tho. Burrell. Mr. Lodovvick Burnell. Mr. Iohn Siſon. Mr. In. Watſon. Mr. Rich. Holmes. Mr. Hen. Brahant. Mr Ralph Bovves. Mr. Cartvvridge. Bilton. Shavv. Thampſan. Rigmadan. Serjeants. Beſides 309 common-Souldiers, and between 5 or 600 horſe, with their piſtols and ſwords.
Pembrook Leagure, July 3. Friday morning laſt; about break of day, the enemy made a very ſtout ſally on the North ſide, upon Col: Reades Quarters with neer 300, there being of them onelyonly 80 horſe, they were upon our men, through a ſally port, ere they were aware, but after ours got handſomly together, they ſo bang'd them, that there went into the Town 40 and upward wounded, 11 killed under our works, 9 taken priſoners, their Commander in chiefe one Major Williams ſlain, we loſt one Lieutenant Potts, a Serjeant, 2 ſouldiers, and 2 or 3 more were wounded, they are well nigh ſtarv'd, run daily forth to us, we believe a few dayes will give us the Town, but our guns are not yet come up to us, which is a great inconvenience and much troubles us, had they come, we had done our work before this, and been ready for the North to receive the forward if they come out of Scotland, and encourage the ſuffering party.
Seneeds, July 11. five in the morning. The party of horſe commanded by Col. Scroop, ſent from the Leagure before Colcheſter, to meet with the Noble Army, came to Hartford, Saturday, where they got knowledge of their enemies poſture and place of quarter, they got from Hartford ſome skilfull guides who brought them the neereſt and beſt way to Seneeds, Monday morning, before the Nobles could ſhift away, yet not before they were got into three bodies in the Towne. The Parliaments Forlorn being entred, charged, routed them before the body came up, but when come up, there was ſpeedy work made with them, that in an inſtant they fled ſeverall ways; yet many fell, and of the chief, the Duke of Buckingham fled with about 60 horſes to Lincolnſhire, who muſt either diſperſe or fall into the hands of that party of Leiceſter, Lincolne, &c. which lately defeated the Pomfret party; for our march was ſo long, and our horſe ſo tyred, that we could not purſue: we have priſoners the Earl of Holland, Sir Gilbert Gerard, Col. Skeimiſher, Major Holland, Major Slepkin, Lievtenant Col. Goodwin, and Col. Dolbeere mortally wounded, one Col. Legg in the ſame condition, 100 common men, and yet no ordinary men, Sir Kenelme Digbyes ſon ſaid to be ſlain, a Col. and divers other Officers ſlain, whoſe names we cannot yet learn, we had more then 100 gallant horſe, for gold and ſilver, good clothes and weapons, good and good ſtore.
It's beleeved the Duke of Buckingham and thoſe with him will deſiſt and ſeeke merciemercy. Lord Andover going to the Prince, is taken, and put into Dover Caſtle.
We had two men ſlain, Col. Scroops, Captain Lievtenant wounded, and three more.
July 12. There came an expreſſe from the Major Gen. Lambert, which certifies the houſes that he had received a Letter and Declaration from Duke Hambleton, which tels him that the Parl. of England had not given ſatisfaction to the Parl. of Scotland in their deſires ſent unto them, for effecting whereof he was to come with an Army into the Kingdom of England, in which enterprize, he expected no oppoſition from him. The Major Gen: returned him anſwer, that as to non ſatisfaction from the Parl. of England, he had not to ſay; but as to his comming in an hoſtile way into England, he had authority from Parl. to reſift to his utmoſt any power not raiſed by them, and he [that] muſt expect if he came upon Engliſh ground. The Commons vote, they approve what Major Gen: Lambert had ſent, deſire the Lords concurrence, which the Lords doe, and both agree the Committee of Derby houſe draw up againſt morning an anſwer to the Declaration of the Duke, to be preſented to the Houſe. A Petition of many thouſand houſholders of quality, in London, and parts about, was this day preſented, praying the Lords and Commons, that in a Treaty for peace or agreement, they will keepe up cloſe to their many Declarations and proteſtation formerly made, for which, both Houſes give them thanks.
Walmer Caſtle in Kent yielded, they march out with ſwords.
Printed for R. Leybourn. in Monk-well-ſtreet.
Imprimatur
G. Mabbor.
This is the true Moderate Intelligencer.
End of the text · John Bond, Grapes Among Thorns (1648)