Englands Parliamentary Chronicle, Chronicle · Floating text 5 – Floating text 7
To the Right honourable the Knights, Citizens, and Burgeſſes of the Commons Houſe of Parliament, The humble Petition of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common Councell Aſſembled.
Sheweth,
THat the Inhabitants of this City, and parts adjacent, are generally moſt deeply ſenſible of theſe preſſing miſeries,A Copy of the Petition of the Citizens of London to the Parliament. under which they and the whole Kingdom now groan; And that imminent ruine which is comming upon both, through the releiving of Cheſter, the unexpreſſible loſſe of Leiceſter, the barbarous cruelty executed there, the danger of the reſt of our Garriſons, and well-affected thereabouts, and the increaſing and prevailing of the Enemy by Sea and Land, like a mighty Torrent; That (among other cauſes which have had a deep influence upon this moſt ſad poſture of our condition) the ſaid Inhabitants apprehend, that the not compleating of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army (according to an Ordinance of Parliament in that behalf,) the want of ſuch a Committee in that Army, as may give our Commanders in cheif, power and encouragement to improve all preſent advantages without attending Commands and Directions from remote Councels. The calling back of Leivtenant Generall Cromwell, and Major Generall Brown, when they were purſuing the Enemy; The not advancing of our Brethren of Scotland into theſe Southern parts; The great decay of Trade, and diſcouragements of Merchants for want of a conſtant convey, His Majeſties publiſhing his ſenſe of the proceedings at the late Treaty, and the Parliament not publiſhing their ſenſe thereof.
And their reſolutions againſt free trade by Sea to ſuch Ports as are or ſhall bee in the power of the Enemy, have been the cheif; That great numbers of thoſe Inhabitants have lately expreſſed their earneſt deſires (by Petition and otherwiſe, to the repreſentative body of the City, in Common Councell Aſſembled,) That this their deep ſenſe and apprehenſions might bee forthwith made known to both Houſes of Parliament, Their humble ſuit that the remedies may bee ſpeedily conſidered of, and effectually executed; and their reſolutions, according to all former expreſſions, that they will not think their lives, nor any thing they poſſeſſe, too dear to hazzard for your encouragement and preſervation.
Thereupon the Petitioners (for prevention of further miſeries, inconveniencies, and the utter ruine of the Parliament, of this City and Kingdome, make it their humble requeſt to this Honourable Houſe, That care may bee taken for the ſpeedy recruiting of Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army, and for his encouragement, That ſuch a Committee may bee ſent with that Army, as may give our Commanders in cheif (of whoſe faithfulneſſe the Kingdom hath had ſo large teſtimony) power and encouragement to improve all preſent advantages aforeſaid: That the ſaid Army (or ſuch part thereof as in your wiſdome ſhall ſeem meet) may bee ordered forthwith to march towards our enemies in the field, as well for the regaining of Leiceſter (if it bee poſſible before it bee made impregnable by fortifications; as alſo for prevention of the Enemies further ſurprizing of other places of ſtrength, and deſtroying the reſt who have appeared in defence of the Parliament, and for preſervation of the Kingdom. That our Brethren of Scotland may bee more earneſtly preſt to march Southward; That Leivtenant Generall Cromwell may preſently have power to raiſe and command the Aſſociation, untill ſuch other courſe bee taken, as may tend to the ſafety of thoſe Counties, and of this City and Kingdome. That the Navy may bee ſo ordered, as may encourage Merchants, and advance Trade, by having conſtant convoyes. That the proceedings of the late Treaty, may bee forthwith publiſhed by the Parliament, and their reſolution againſt free Trade, as aforeſaid.
And the Petitioners, as in duty, ſhall pray, &c.
Vera Copia. H. Elſynge Cler. Parl. D. Com.
Die Mercurii Junii 4. 1645.
Reſolved, &c.
THat the Anſwer to the Petitioners ſhall bee, That the Houſe will take the particulars of the Petition into ſerious conſideration. And doe return them Thanks for their good affections. And as to their deſire of leave to preſent the like to the Houſe of Peeres, this Houſe leaves it to themſelves, and to their own diſcretion.
H. Elſynge Cler. Parl. D. Com.
About the 8 of this inſtant June, wee had credible information, by Letters out of Cheſhire, that a party of the Enemies forces about Cheſter, were ſent out by Byron the Governour of Cheſter, ſome few miles,A brave defeat given to the Enemies neer Cheſter, by valiant Leiv…en. Col, Venables. a forraging into the Country thereabout, and eſpecially to Broxton hundred, with imperious Warrants to fetch in Contribution-money, where they plundered all they could finde, worth carrying with them, and took divers of our men priſoners: Wherof Leivtenant Colonell Venables hearing, hee made uſe of this opportunity, and marched forth with a party from Tarvin, and having got between the Enemies and the Town, hee charged them with ſuch courage and reſolution, that hee totally routed the whole party, and took from them 180 priſoners, whereof about 20 were Captains, Leivtenants, and other Officers in Armes, and ſome of a degree above Captains; hee alſo took in this ſervice 50 horſe, and about 200 Armes, beſides divers ſlain in the conflict, and having thus releived his captive and plundred friends, and ſuppreſſed the Enemies, hee returned with honour and triumph to his quarters.
And about the 10 inſtant wee received certain intelligence of a brave peice of ſervice performed by valiant, active, and loyall Colonell Roſſiter, and Colonell Gray, againſt a party of the Newark…rs, A moſt brave defeat given to the Newarkers, at Hough… houſe by valiant and active Colon. Roſſit…r.who marched under the Command of Colonell Will… his own Major, who marched all night, and at 6 of the clock in the morning appeared in a full body, and came before Hougha…-Houſe, which the Enemy having thus now beſet, wondered to ſee not any of our men awake in the whole Garriſon to make any reſiſtance; for a while they did forbeare to aſſault the place, fearing ours might have prepared ſome ſtratag…m within; but ſome new intelligence adminiſtring other counſels, and putting by that fear, they almoſt at once forced the bridge and entred the Houſe, where they found them all faſt aſleep, not dreading or dreaming of the approach of any Enemy.
Being now entred, they uſed them not (whom they found within) as our King Richard, of old, uſed a Souldier of his, (whom hee killed, becauſe hee found him ſleeping, and not watching and ſtanding on his guard, as hee ought, ſaying, I leave thee now, but as I found thee.)A iuſt reward of a ſleeping ſouldier, according to the rules of Martiall Diſcipline. but they made them all priſoners to themſelves, not to the grave, and ſo manacling their hands and fettering their feet with cords, they carryed them out of the Houſe, man by man, and laid them on the ground, leaving them there a while to take another nappe, if they could, on the other ſide of the Moate, in which mean time they ranged about the Houſe for plunder, and began to neſtle themſelves in their new-got Garriſon. But Colonell Roſſiter having received the alarm, by ſome farther private intelligence, did immediately draw forth with all his Horſe, and Colonell Gray advanced with him, with 3 Companies of Foot, and comming before the Houſe,…olon. Roſſiter bravely recovers Houg…m houſe. they found our men in a ſad obligation, faſt bound both hand and foot, and lying on the ground, without the Moate, under the command of the Enemies ſhot. Theſe men they firſt heartily laughed at, and then inſtantly unbound them, and about 12 of the clock at noon, Colonell Roſſiter drew out 10 men of every Troop, who were commanded by Captain Norwood his own Captain Leivtenant, and the foot being led on by Colonell Gray himſelf, above the middle in water, who all with admirable courage ſtormed the Houſe on all ſides, and after a ſharp aſſault they forcibly took it. Wee had many horſe ſhot in this ſervice, 6 men killed, and about 20 wounded. Wee killed divers of the Enemies, and took priſoners every man that ſurvived in the Houſe; Viz. Major Broughton (Major to Colonell Willis, Governour of Newark) Commander in chief of theſe our Enemies, and at this preſent,The priſoners & prizes taken at Nougham houſes recovery Governour of this Houſe; Captain William Thorold, a very active man for the King in thoſe parts, Captain John Johnſon; Captain Strickland, the cheif Standard bearer, 55 other Officers, Gentlemen of Armes, Reformadoes, and Troopers, 60 horſes, above an 100 Armes, good ſtore of Match, powder, ball, and other proviſion. And thus, by Gods good providence, wee ſuddenly recovered this ſtrong Garriſon again, which had been ſo ſuddenly and ſleepily loſt.
About the 14 of this inſtant June, wee received the moſt happy and moſt welcome news, by Letters out of the Weſt, of that moſt famous and glorious Victory, which it pleaſed the Lord of Hoſts, our ever good and gracious God, the mighty and mercifull keeper of his Engliſh Iſrael, to give unto us at the Town of Naſeby in Northamptonſhire, which was certified and aſcertained unto us from thence both by Letters from his Excellency the moſt renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax himſelf,The moſt famous fight and glorious victory obtained at Naſeby in Northampton-ſhire, over the Kings forces, exactly deſcribed. from renowned Leivtenant Generall Cromwell, and alſo from Colonell Leighton, and Colonell Herb…rt, 2 of the moſt worthy Committee for the ſaid Army, and 2 moſt valiant and victorious Commanders and actours in this moſt famous fight and moſt precious Victory; the ſubſtance of all which famous fight, I have heer endevoured with all fidelity and clearneſſe of truth and with what convenient brevity I poſſibly could, to ſet forth and deſcribe for the Readers full content and ſatisfaction, which was as followeth.
About the 12 of June our noble Generall being come with his forces, neer the Kings Army, which then were principally in and about Daventry, The Kings Army at Daventrywee had ſome feares grounded upon the advantage of ground, with ſtrong intrenchments on his Majeſties part; as alſo becauſe valiant Leivtenant Generall Cromwell, was not yet come unto us, wee not being willing to engage without him; and yet our neer approaching giving the Enemy opportunity of fighting us (had they pleaſed) to their great advantage,The Kings Army not willing to fight marcheth toward Southa…. but by Gods providence they did not, for what reaſon wee knew not, and ſo were delivered of thoſe feares, partly by the royall Armies leaving their advantages and marching toward Southam, and partly alſo by the arrivall of Cromwell, though but with 700 horſe, the ſame morning. Now wee being thus re-inforced by the comming of Cromwell, and the party hee brought, wee reſolved to follow the Enemy,The Royall army advanced to Harborough. who left the way to Warwick, which was woodland, for what reaſon, likewiſe, wee knew not, and wheeled to Harborough; whereof wee having full knowledge, advanced after them, and that night had our quarters in and about Gilsborough, and immediately after they and wee moved to Nazeby, And frō thence to N…ſ…by.in which field the fight was fought. Wee ſaw the Enemy, about 6 of the clock in the morning (for there was Champian land enough) advanced toward us in a full body, which I aſſure you was as much joy to ours (who ſought this above all) as it was to hear they had left Daventry, which was not little.
As touching the ordering of our Army for the battall; The Generall appointed Leivtenant Generall Cromwell to the right wing of Horſe,The manner of Marſhalling our Army for the battail. and Colonell Ireton, at that time, made Commiſſary Generall of the Horſe, to the leſt wing, Himſelf and valiant and virtuous Major Generall Skippon, to the Infantry and body of the Army, and in this poſture wee marched to meet our reſolute Enemy, who, I confeſſe, ſeemed unto us, to come on with undaunted courage,The Kings Army advanceth toward us. as who would not, having a King with them, that was able to honour them at preſent, and to promiſe large revenues afterward, to all thoſe that fought valiantly?
Being come within Cannon-ſhot, the Ordnance began to play; but that being found, at Marſtone Moore, and other places, but a loſſe of time, wee reſolved not to want and loſe day-light, as is too uſuall, but to charge with the firſt. Whereupon, about 10 or 11 of the clock,The fight begins. the Trumpets began to ſound, the Drums to beat, the Horſes to neigh and praunce about, as ſmelling the battail; and now, thought both ſides, now, an afternoon for a whole Kingdome, nay for 3 whole Kingdomes, now, Caeſar or Nothing, was, wee may ſuppoſe, the voyce of their Army. And, The Liberties of England, may well bee ſaid to bee the voyce of our Army; to whom, mee thinks their moſt noble Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax, ſaid to his Souldiers, as in ſuch a caſe religious King Hezekiah ſaid to his Army.2 Ch…o…. 32. 7, 8 Bee ſtrong and courageous (my brave Commanders and Souldiers) bee not afraid nor diſmayed for the Kings Army, nor for all the multitude of his Horſe and Riders that are come together; for (according to our Signall-word) there are moe with us (wee having God our Friend) than are with them. With them is but an arm of fleſh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battails. As ſo, indeed, hee did, as now you ſhall immediately hear. The Enemies word was, Queen Mary. Our word was, God is our ſtrength. And ſo hee was indeed, as you ſhall ſee in the ſequell. The Enemy had bean ſtalks in their hats, wee generally nothing.
And now each wing of both ſides charged one another with great eagerneſſe and violence, our Dragoones began the battaile, flanking the right wing of the Enemies Horſe, as they charged our left wing of Horſe the Foot charged not each other,Heer the fight was very hot & furious on both ſides. till they were within 12 paces one of another, and could not charge above twice, but were at puſh of pike. The Enemies foot gave a little back, and ſo did ſome few of ours, and in the beginning of the fight, the day was very doubtfull, but then the right wing of our Horſe (wherein the Generall was in perſon) charged in the flanck of the blew Regiment of the Enemies foot, who, indeed ſtood to it,The Kings blue Regiment of Foot …uinated and deſtroyed. to the laſt man, abundance of them being ſlain, and all the reſt ſurrounded, wounded and taken priſoners; Theſe (who were the very hope of their Infantry) being loſt, horſe and foot gave back.
But heer alſo the fight continuing with equall might and courage for the ſpace of leſſe than half an houre, they had ſomewhat ſhattered our left wing, and made them give back, and were almoſt maſters of our Artillery;Our left Wing is ſome what ſhatter'd. And, heer (as wee have it from credible relation) a party of the enemies brake through our left wing of Horſe, came quite behinde our Rear of our Train, the Leader of them being a perſon ſomewhat in habite like our Generall, in a red Montero, as our Generall had; Hee came as a friend, and our Commander of the guard of the Train went with his hat in his hand, and asked him how the day went, thinking verily hee had been our Generall; The Cavalier (who wee ſince heard for certain was Rupert) asked him and the reſt, if they would have quarter, whereupon, they cryed no, gave fire inſtantly, and moſt bravely beat him off, making him flie for his life, and his companions.
But, as I toucht before, our right wing had done more upon them,The Enemy is beaten by our right Wing. and beſides, our left wing bravely recovered their ſtrength and ground, and, within half an houre, or a very little more, wee had quite driven them out of the field, and ſo broken all their foot, that wee verily beleeve there went not off a hundred in any one party or body. After this firſt hot ſhock ſo received, they rallyed again,The King himſelf rallyed his Horſe again. and put their horſe into a poſture to charge us, which party wee were aſſured the King himſelf led up and charged with, but What will hee doe, when hee ſhall goe about to charge againſt God, and his Countries beſt friends? For this body was alſo (as the reſt of them) poſſeſt with ſuch a fear, that though the King in that foreſaid rallying of this body,The Kings words to his Souldiers. cryed out unto them, Face about once more, and give one charge more, and recover the day. But heer alſo it moſt mercifully pleaſed the Lord, that the freſh forces of valiant and active Colonell Roſſiter, moſt fortunately came in unto us before the battail was quite ended, who being all, I ſay, freſh men, and unexpectedly falling on, did admirably help to complete the Victory, and to purſue the Enemy with their freſh horſe, with great ſlaughter, even within the ſight of Leiceſter: So, they, by Gods great mercy, together with our horſe and foot, came on, I ſay, with ſuch impregnable and invincible courage, that wee made them all fly again, and wee, after the breech of them, killing, as faſt as wee could,The Enemy is beaten again. all wee found in armes, and heer, happy was hee that was beſt mounted to flye faſteſt, for, the renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax, and valiant Major Generall Skippon, fell ſorely upon them; and magnanimous Leivtenant General Cromwell, purſued their horſe, with a full carreir, about 12 or 13 miles, at leaſt, even within 2 or 3 miles of Leiceſter, The Enemy is purſued 12 or 13 miles, within 3 miles of Leiceſter. The high and prime praiſe of this victory given to God in the firſt place. The Renowned Generall next, as moſt worthy praiſe.the longeſt purſuite that ever was ſince this unhappy Warrebegan.
Thus by Gods infinite mercy wee had a great and wonderfull victory, yea, as great as ever ſince the warre began, if not greater. Which Victory, as it is in the firſt and prime place to bee moſt juſtly attributed to our good God alone, as the chief Cauſe, and giver of it unto us: So alſo in the next place to his valiant inſtruments, and whom God only made ſo valiant and victorious over their Cavalierian Enemies, and of theſe in the firſt place, renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax hath merited exceedingly, ſhewing ſuch courage and reſolution, as hath rarely been ſeen in any, which, truely, did ſo animate the Souldiers by his undaunted example, as is hardly to bee expreſt; for, certainly, had you ſeen him, and how his ſpirit was raiſed, it would have made an impreſſion in you, never to bee obliterated, God knows it is not heer hyperbolized, but a reall Truth.Courageous Major General Skippon. And as for Major Generall Skippon, hee alſo did as magnanimouſly and valiantly as man could doe, and was a great terrour to the Enemy, receiving a wound in his ſide, by a Musket bullet in this fight, but, bleſſed bee God, not mortall, onelyonly, an indelible badge of Honour unto him.Valiant Leivtenant General Cormwell. Valiant Leivtenant Generall Cromwell alſo did admirable bravely in this fight, hee and his right wing of horſe having expreſſed incomparable gallantry in this fight, even to the amazement of their adverſaries. Yea, and to ſpeak the truth, all our Officers and Souldiers did as bravely and courageouſly as could bee. Commiſſary Generall Ireton did valiantly alſo behave himſelf in this fight,Commiſſary Generall Ireton and Colonell Butler. and was ſorely wounded, but not mortally, and ſo was Colonell Butler, both of undaunted courage, and did ſingularly well in this great ſervice. But I would not willingly attribute more to one Commander than to another;The Enemies Foot fought alſo very ſtoutly. for, indeed (as I toucht before) they did all as gallantly as ever men on earth could doe, and ſo did the Enemies foot, which, before the battail wee leaſt valued, Rupert and Maurice having at leaſt 2000 horſe more than wee had, that charged fiercely on us at firſt, but were ſo well received by ours (though, at firſt, our left wing gave back a little) that their hearts were broken at the very firſt, eſpecially by the thickneſſe of our reſerves, and their orderly and timely comming on.
And thus wee having taken 8 peices of Ordnance in the field, whereof 2 were Demi-Cannons, one whole Culverin, wee alſo poſſeſt all the reſt of their Ordnance and their Carriages, bagge and baggage,Good ſtore of Bisket and Cheeſe takes, to refreſh our Souldiers at the end of the Fight. Our Souldiers marched to Harborough that night. abundance of Coaches, and rich plunder (whereof more anon, more particularly) Carts, and Boates, and great ſtore of Bisket and Cheeſe (a ſeaſonable refreſhment for our honeſt Souldiers that had marched ſo hard the day and night before, and had not had a bit of bread to a Regiment, for their refreſhment) thus the Foot and all the Train marched that night, to Harborough, (about 4 miles from Naſeby) where then the head-quarter lay.
It was credibly conceived, by the teſtimony of thoſe that ſaw it, and purpoſely viewed Immediately after the fight, that from the battle to Harborough, there were not ſlain above, about 700. together with thoſe ſlain in the field running away, but in the purſuite, between Harborough and Leiceſter, The ſlaine in the Field of the Enemies.at leaſt 3 or 400 more were ſlain, abundance of them ſorely wounded, and divers perſons of note or quality fell among them; one with a Starre and a red-Croſſe on his Coat, conceived to have been the Duke of Lenox, but it was not hee. 4 Lords came mortally wounded (as was credibly reported to us) to Harborough, The Enſignes of the Enemies taken in the field.but durſt not ſtay there; Wee took all the Foot Colours in the field, the Kings own Colours with the Lion and Crown, with this Motto, Dieu et Mon Droit. The Queens Colours, and the Princes Colours, and the Duke of Yorkes Standard. Wee got the plunder of the Kings Coach, and his precious Cabinet, that famous tell-tale of the Kings and Queens works of darkneſſe, &c. But of all theſe things more particularly by and by.
One great encouragement to our Common Souldiers to fall on the more courageouſly,One great encouragement to our Souldiers to fight bravely, was the rich plunder of the Enemies. was, the rich plunder the Enemy had (their purſes and pockets too, being full of money, and the plunder of poore Leiceſterſhire) which God now made a means of their ruine and deſtruction in this fight, for, indeed our Souldiers got very great plenty of gold and ſilver out of moſt of their pockets that were ſlain. Prince Rupert alſo, or rather Prince Robber, had brought into the field many Iriſh women, inhumane Whores, with Skeans or long Iriſh kniv… about them, to cut the throats of our wounded men, and of ſuch priſoners as they pleaſed, (the wives of the bloody Rebels in Ireland, Very many Iriſh Queanes in the field, how they were uſed.his Majeſties dearly beloved Subjects) to whom our Souldiers would grant no quarter, about a 100 of them were ſlain on the ground, and moſt of the reſt of the whores, and Camp-ſluts, that attended that wicked Army, were marked in their faces or noſes with ſlaſhes and cuts, and ſome cut off; juſt rewards for ſuch wicked ſtrumpets.
The ſlain on our part, in this moſt memorable fight, was not in all full 200.The ſlaine on out ſide in the Fight. and not one above a Captain. Sir Jacob Aſhleyes Coach was taken, with great ſtore of plunder in it; and himſelf was very neer taking, for wee got the cap off his head, and in Sir Jacobs Coach, Letters of Nicholas the Court-lyer, wherein was, among others,A moſt ſlanderous and abominable lie of Secretary Nicholas put upon the Parliament. this expreſſion, in one of them; That the Parliament had given particular direction to the Generall, to give the King no quarter, but to kill him, if taken; A moſt abominably falſe and impudent lye, like unto all the reſt of their irreligious practiſes.
The Army after this marched toward Leiceſter, following the purſuit, not willing to give the Enemy any reſt, or liberty to rally, our horſe eſpecially being cloſe in their Rear, and Colonell Roſſiter (who came ſeaſonably to the ingagement,The Victory purſued by our Horſe toward Leiceſter. and bravely charged where our Noble Generall was) following apace in the purſulte of the Enemy, as aforeſaid, where, now, for a while, wee will leave them.
And heer, now, I ſhall in its moſt proper place, for the high honour and glory of our wonder-working God, and the admiration and aſtoniſhment of my preſent Readers, A Liſt of what loſſe the King did ſuſtaine in this famous fight. The ſlain and wounded.and their ſucceeding Poſterity; give you the moſt exact Liſt of the ſlain, priſoners, and prizes taken in this moſt famous and glorious Victory, which was as followeth. Slain in the fight and ſlight, about 3000. and between 3 and 400 Whores and Iriſh Queans. One Lord or eminent perſonage ſlain and found dead, with a Star and a red-Croſſe upon his coat. 4 Lords mortally wounded, Prince Rupert bruiſed, and Sir Jacob Aſhley hurt on the head, his head-peice beaten off, and himſelf neer taken.
Priſoners, Priſoners.Colonell Sir William Vaughan; Colonell Sir William Bridges; Col. Sir. Bridge; Col. Sir Richard Page; Colonell Bandes; Col. Bunkley; Col. Theoph. Gilbie; Col. Nevill; Leivtenant Colonells 7. Sergeant Majors 12. Captains 55. Leivtenants 55. Enſignes 45. beſides of inferiour Officers, above 200. 2000 horſe with their riders, many Ladies and Gentlewomen; of the Kings Officers and Servants, 11 or 12. beſides 4 of his footmen, and one of Prince Maurices; In all above 4000 priſoners. Armes, at leaſt 9000.Prizes. 6 rich Coaches, and other Coaches beſides; The Kings own Coach, and therein that Cabinet of Secret Letters, of the Kings and Queenes, ſince this fight Printed and publiſhed to the amazement of the world. Ruperts Coach alſo, and both the Kings and Ruperts Sumpters with much wealth and riches, The Kings Standard, the Queens Standard, Prince Charles his Standard, the Duke of Yorkes Standard, and Ruperts Standard; 6 Colours of Horſe; and 40 Colours of Foot; one whereof repreſented a pair of hornes, with this Motto; Come Cuckold. Which being one of the firſt Colours that were taken, the word was, on the purſuite, returned to the Enemy with much mirth and ſcorn, among Souldiers; Taken alſo, 12 peices of Ordnance; 40 … Gunpowder; 200 Carriages; 12 Carriages of Boats, with their Anchors and Cables; In ſumme, all their bagge and baggage. … King himſelf fled toward, and ſo clean through Leiceſter. Thus now, in this moſt famous and renowned Victory did the Lord… indeed, ſhew himſelf, as Moſes ſweetly ſets him out, Glorious … holineſſe, ….fearfull in Praiſes, and doing wonders. Triumphing gloriouſly and overthrowing both the horſe and his rider. And, truely, ſo much the more glorious may this Victory appear unto us, and the hand of God moſt evidently bee ſeen in it,… on the Victory. as to Gideon, againſt thoſe Enemies of God (though, it is true, the number of men in the Army was not much different, yet, tis moſt true, that the King had full 2000 horſe more than wee) yet, I ſay, this Victory will moſt notably appear to bee Gods Victory, graciouſly given to us, if wee conſider both the time and condition of the kingdome as then it was; And alſo the very Army it ſelf.
Firſt,…1. This Victory was beſtowed upon us at ſuch a time, when as our ſpirits were (and that moſt juſtly) very low,The … and condition of the Kingdome. and exceedingly dejected, both by onr loſſe of Leiceſter, but a little before, and thereby alſo the Kings releiving of Weſt-Cheſter, wee having at that time a marveilous great poſſibility of taking it,1. but now were utterly fruſtrated of it.The Kingdome fourfold ſad condition at this time.
Alſo the great ſadneſſe wee then were in for the danger of Taunton, at this ſeaſon, a ſecond time beſieged ſtrictly by outrageous Goring and Hopton; 2.Beſides, the great murmurings at this time, of moſt men,3. about our brethren of Scotlands not advancing Southward, as was expected and,4. then, greatly deſired.
And Secondly,2. if wee conſider the Army it ſelfe, O, the wonderfull baſe and deſpicable eſteem that was thereof,Conſidering the Army it ſelf not onelyonly in the Kings Army, and Malignants, but even among very many ſeeming friends among us, and thoſe no mean ones too! O how did they diſparage, undervalue, and contemne, as it were, this New-Modelled Army, calling it, a New Nodelled Army, jeering them, as a company of young Tyroes, The new Model'd Army deſpiſed and ſcorned.or freſh-water-Souldiers; heerby, as much as in them was, to diſcountenance and diſ-hearten the moſt noble Generall himſelf, Sir Thomas Fairfax, and to weaken the hands, and deſpond the ſpirits of his Souldiers; if God himſelf had not mightily upheld them, and put as it were, an extraordinary ſpirit and courage into them; moſt remarkably making good that moſt excellent paſſage of the Apoſtle.1 Cor. 1. 27, 28. That God hath choſen the fooliſh things of the world to confound the wiſe, and the ſeeming weak thing of the world to confound the things which are mighty: And baſe things (in the worlds eſteem) and things which are deſpiſed, yea, and things which are not, God hath choſen (as heer wee ſee) to bring to nought, things which are.
And heer, me thinks, I cannot pretermit, but moſt juſtly make honourable mention of what I have been credibly informed of touching our moſt noble and renowned Generall himſelf;An Excellent note touching the Generall himſelf, about this fight and Victory. Viz. That hee was obſerved before this fight to have been exceeding merry and cheerfull in his carriage and countenance among his Commanders and Souldiers: But after this victory was obtained, hee continually day by day carryed himſelf with very much ſettleed gravity of countenance, lowlineſſe, and meekneſſe of face and heart, as giving God all the honour, and willing to take none to himſelf.Two rare poſtures in a victorious Generall or Commander. Two rare poſtures, indeed, of a pious and prudent Cornelius, or Commander, and fit for all Souldiers, eſpecially Saintlike Souldiers to practiſe and imitate. For, indeed, both Hee, I mean this our moſt renowned Generall, and all of us with him, might moſt juſtly (as reverend Mr. Marſhall, in his excellent Thanksgiving Sermon at Chriſt-Church, Reverend Mr. Marſhall in his Thankſgiving Sermon at Chriſt-Church in London.the Thurſday following this famous Victory) ſay concerning this glorious Victory, as the moſt noble and renowned late Lord Generall, nobly ſaid at Keinton-Victory; Never more of God, and leſſe of man. And therefore, as wee were moſt juſtly bound, our moſt pious and prudent Parliamentary Worthies, immediately upon their perfect knowledge and underſtanding of this ſo glorious a Victory, as you have, thus, fully heard, appointed a day of Solemn Thanksgiving to bee celebrated to the high honour and praiſe of our great and gracious Wonder-working God, a Copy of which their Order, I have heer inſerted, which was as followeth.
Die Lunae, Junii 16. 1645.
ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, that Thurſday next ſhall bee ſet apart for a day of Publique Thankſgiving to Almighty God, in all the Churches and Chappels within the Cities of London and Weſtminſter, and Lines of Communication, and weekly bils of Mortallity, For the great and glorious Victory obtained by the Parliaments Army, under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, againſt the Forces of the King. And Mr. Marſhall and Mr. Vines bee deſired to Preach at Chriſt-Church, before the Parliament. And that the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-Councell doe meet the Parliament there. And it is further Ordered, That Friday being the 27 of this inſtant June, bee ſet apart for a publick day of Thankſgiving for this Victory, in all the Churches and Chappells in the ſeverall Counties of the Kingdom, under the power of the Parliament.
H. Elſynge, Cler. Parl. D. Com.
About the 15 of this inſtant, there came Letters out of Shropſhire, which certified of ſeverall good ſervices performed by Colonell Mittons forces in thoſe parts; and for better ſatisfaction, I have heer thought fit to inſert the Copy of the Letter it ſelf, which was ſent to renowned Colonell Mitton himſelf, which was as followeth.
SIR,
I Being deſired by Leivtenant Colonell Goldgay, to certifie our late proceedings at Oſweſtree, and the good ſucceſſe wherewith it pleaſed God to bleſſe your Forces there;The good Service of valiant Colonell Mitt… Forces in Shropſhire. I am humbly bold thus to trouble you. On Tueſday, the third of this preſent June, your Troop with a conſiderable party of your Foot marched unto Clerk, being commanded by Leivtenant Colonell Goldgay, where wee took 27 horſe from under their walls, being the beſt horſe I have ſeen together in Wales: Wee drawing off in order, the Enemy ſallyed out, came through the wood with firelocks, thinking to redeem their loſſe; charged our Rear-guard of horſe, whom Captain Simpkins cauſed to face about, and fall on them (lying in the manner of an ambuſcado) which they did, and ſoon got duplicate page duplicate page through them, and got betwixt them and home, killed 2 of them, took 24. the Governours Leivtenant being one, and his Organiſt, whoſe loſſe hath cauſed a generall Melancholly in the Caſtle, and if hee bee not changed, their mirth and devotion (it is to bee feared) will periſh together.
On Thurſday the 6 inſtant, wee marched in the like poſture to Shraden, went cloſe under their works, took from them 24 good horſe, which was the greateſt part of Dr. Charles Vaughan (then Governour) his Troop; wee expected them alſo to ſally out, but the Dr. though hee hath forgotten his Preaching, ſince hee turned Cavalier, yet remembred his Grammar-rule, Optimum eſt alienâ frui inſaniâ. For, being warned by the folly and harm of Cherkmen, hee was content to ſleep within doores in a whole skin, and to ſuffer us to march away with our prize, without any of their lets or leaſt diſturbance. This wee did without the loſſe or hurt of any one man of ours. Wee aſcribe the praiſe and memory of the work to that God, who hath hitherto crowned your endevours with ſucceſſe; and I doubt not, in deſpight of malice will doe ſo ſtill, under whoſe banner of love I leave you, and humbly reſt yours to Command.
And now upon the 19 of this inſtant June, being the next enſuing Thurſday, after the happy tydings of the foreſaid moſt famous Victory at Naſeby, (according as our moſt pious and prudent Parliamentary Senators, had formerly Ordered, and as our moſt renowned Generall himſelf Sir Thomas Fairfax had earneſtly deſired by the Meſſenger, by whom the relation of the victory was firſt brought) a day of Solemn Thanksgiving was celebrated,A day of ſolemn Thankſgiving ſet apart to praiſe the Lord for the late great Victory at Naſeby, which was eſpecially celebrated at Chriſt-Church in London. and wholly ſet apart to give all the glory of that great Victory and mighty mercy to the Lord alone, as it was moſt due, in all Churches and Chappels within the Cities of London and Weſtminſter, and the Lines of Communication; which was, as on this day, moſt ſolemnly performed in a ſpeciall manner at Chriſt-Church in London, where reverend and religious Mr. Marſhall, and Mr. Vines preached that day before the whole Body of the Parliament, both Lords and Commons, whom the Lord Major, the Aldermen and Common Councell of London met there, and had invited the ſaid moſt honourable Lords and Commons to dine with them, that day in their City, at Grocers hall.
And, heer, I hope it will not bee offenſive, or tedious, to my Reader, to give him a ſhort ſight or intimation of the manner of the gallant entertainment the City gave the Parliament at Grocers Hall that day, not to mention the Meſſes of their dainty chear, which in great plenty was provided anſwerable to ſo honourable an Aſſembly, but onelyonly to ſhew you the ſpeciall gueſts, and the order of their placing according to their ſtate and Orders; which was thus.
At the upper end of the Hall ſate the Lord Major.
On the left hand.
The Prince Elector.
Earle of Northumberland
Earle of Kent
Earle of Eſſex
Earle of Mancheſter
Lord North
Earl of Elgar.
Lord Brighton
Two of the Scotch Commiſſioners.
On the right hand.
Earle of Pembroke
Earle of Nottingham
Earle of Salisbury
Earle of Denbigh
Earle of Bullingbrook
One Scotch Lord
The Lord Say.
There were three Tables more in the Hall.
On the right hand going up, ſate
Mr. Speaker at the upper end entring to the doore toward the Parlour.
Then all the other Members of the Houſe of Commons, in order.
So for the middle Table, and the like for the left hand Table going up towards the Lord Majors Table.
In the Parlour.
All the Aſſembly of Divines in order.
In the upper Roome over that, ſate
The Recorder of London, at the upper end.
The Aldermen on the left hand.
The Common-councell and divers Gentlemen of quality on the right.
After theſe the Lord Majors Officers that attended, and divers others ſate down in the ſame roome where the Aldermen and the reſt dined.
The Trumpets continued ſounding all the time of the Feaſt.
After Dinner and Thanks given by Mr. Marſhall, both Houſes of Parliament, the Aſſembly of Divines, the Aldermen of the City, and all the reſt being aſſembled in the Hall, they ſang the 46 Pſalm and after that departed.
And, Friday, June the 27 then next enſuing, was ordered by the Parliament to bee ſet apart for a publick day of Thanksgiving for this Victory in all the Churches and Chappels in the ſeverall Counties of the Kingdom under the power of the Parliament. The thanks of the Parliament ſent to the noble Generall & his field officers▪ A jewel of 500 li. to be ſent as a preſent to Sir Tho Fairfax from the Parliament.The Houſe alſo ordered that Letters of thanks ſhould bee writen and expedited to the renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax,& his Field-Officers, for their extraordinary valour, fidelity and judgement in this famous ſervice againſt the Enemy; And they likewiſe ordered, that 2 worthy Members of the Houſe of Commons ſhould beſtow, at leaſt 500 pound upon a jewell to bee preſented to Sir Thomas Fairfax, as an earneſt of their love and affection to him:The meſſengers of this victory rewarded. And as for the Gentleman that brought this happy news to the Parliament, from Sir Thomas, in farther teſtimony of their great affection to their foreſaid renowned Generall, the Parliament moſt prudently ordered that an 100 pound ſhould bee beſtowed upon the firſt meſſenger; 40 pound upon the ſecond; and for the other meſſengers that came from Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Secretary, they alſo were all well gratified for their paines. The Houſe alſo, about that time, fell into a particular debate of the gallant, great and faithfull ſervice of that heroick and moſt valiant Commander, Leivtenant Generall Cromwell, and of the former deſires of the Officers of the Horſe under the Command of the Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax, to have him Command them, as their Leivtenant Generall, and conſidering the great neceſſity of continuing him in that imployment, notwithſtanding the Self-denying Ordinance; after a long and ſerious debate of this buſineſſe, they ordered that Leivtenant Generall Cromwell, ſhould continue Leivtenant Generall of the Horſe, under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, during the pleaſure of Both Houſes, and that hee ſhould receive pay, as Leivtenant Generall from the time of the eſtabliſhment of Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army, and they ſent to the Lords for their concurrence, which was aſſented unto by them.
Leiceſter regained, & the news therof brought to London, on the Thankſgiving day in the morning, the more to ſweetē that dayes joy.And upon the foreſaid 19 of this inſtant June, Both the Houſes of Parliament, and the prime Body of the City of London, keeping the day of Solemn Thanksgiving, as hath been forementioned; It pleaſed the Lord (as a farther addition to our former great Cauſe of Thankefulneſſe, and as an exact completing of our preſent juſt joy that day) that that very day in the morning before the Sermons began, the moſt welcome newes of the happy regaining of the Town of Leiceſter, by ever to bee renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax was brought to London; the particulars whereof, I have heer thought fit to inſert for the Readers better content and clearer ſatisfaction, as they were related in a Letter from an eminent perſon there in the Army, which was as followeth.