Englands Parliamentary Chronicle, Chronicle · Letter 53 – Letter 55
Gentlemen,
YOu are all now ſatisfied where the King is, though perhaps you will not know whilſt this come to your hands, that he is this afternoon marched away Northwards with all the Scots Army, both Horſe and Foot, we believe it is onelyonly into freſh Quarters, till the deſires of the Parliament may be ſignified unto them, how they would have the Army diſpoſed of, we have found a very exceeding faire correſpondency with the old Scots Generall, and all the Commiſſioners, who have been ready to comply with us in all reaſonable demands, as we on the other …ide have not been wanting to expreſſe to them the like reſpects in my thing within our power, and for the Kings being in their Quarters, they do aſſure us that as His Majeſty was unexpected, ſo they will uſe all care that His abode with them ſhall not be in the leaſt manner prejudiciall to the i…tereſt of the two Kingdomes; The Governour of Newark hath come out to us, and is wondrous faire conditioned, and promiſeth to ſubmit to whatſoever we ſhall adviſe, and will be carefull to preſerve all things in the Garriſon for the publique uſe, till the time of Surrender.
BALDERTON. May the 7.
Newark ſurrendred to the King and Parliament.Upon the ninth of this inſtant May a Colonell from Newarke brought Letters to the Houſe of Commons, from the Commiſſioners of the Parliament of England before Newark, of the certaine ſurrender thereof to the Commiſſioners for the Parliament, for the uſe of King and Parliament, together with the Articles of agreement for the ſurrender thereof, which in ſumme and ſubſtance were thus much, That the Garriſon, with all the Ordnance, Arms, and Ammunition, be ſurrendred to the ſaid Commiſſioners; The ſumme of the Articles of Agreement.The Governour, Officers, Gentlemen, Clergy-men, and Souldiers of the Garriſon to march away; All Officers and Gentlemen with their Horſes and Swords, and their own proper goods, the Common Souldiers with ſtaves in their hands, and their own goods;Our Brethren of Scotland drew off from Newarke. and thus, I ſay, to march to any Garriſon of the Kings, not beſieged (if they found any) or to their own homes, and to have three months time to endeavour to make their peace with the Parliament, or that failing, to be allowed Paſſes to go beyond Sea. Upon which agreement our Brethren of Scotlands Army drew off from Newark, and retreated about foure miles, and the King with them in the Army, as you have heard in briefe before. After the reading of the ſaid Letters the Houſe ordered that 100. l. ſhould be beſtowed upon the ſaid Colonell that brought theſe Letters, for this and many other his for…er good ſervices performed by him, during the ſiege of Newarke. The Houſe likewiſe ordered that 30 l. ſhould be beſtowed upon the firſt Meſſenger that brought the newes of the agreement on the ſaid Articles for the ſurrender of Newarke. The Houſe was alſo informed that Maſter Row Secretary to the Commiſſioners before Newarke, was at the Doore, who was preſently called in, and he alſo informed the Houſe of the manner of His Majeſties comming in to the Scotch Army, and the Houſe ordered that 50 l. ſhould be beſtowed on him as a gratuity for this and other former ſervices to the State.
Thus Newarke is now open and free againe, and the Tradeſmen are preparing to furniſh their Shops, our Souldiers have already bought divers things of them, and the Country have a free market, but it cannot be expected to be much, whilſt the ſickneſſe is in the Towne; but to God be the praiſe, who hath done this great work for us, to deliver this ſtrong hold of the Enemies into our hands; I pray God, that others (ſo oppreſſed) may have the like mercy, and peace and truth be ſeded amongſt us, which is the prayers of
Your humble Servant, S. R. Balderton, May 9. 1646.
A Liſt of what was taken in Newarke on Friday the eight of May, 1646.
ONe great Peece of Ordnance called Sweet-lips.
11 Great Peeces of Ordnance more.
2 Morter Peeces.
Divers Drakes and ſmall Peeces.
4000 Armes gathered, divers Armes not taken in.
40 Barrels of Gunpowder.
Many thouſand weight of Bullets and Lead, Match and other Ammunition, proportionable and plentifull.
Little freſh meat, onelyonly Poultry, and that very ſcarce.
Salt meat ſome plenty, but much of it tainted, and not fit to be eaten.
Butter and Cheeſe ſome ſtore.
Beere and Wine many Barrels.
Corne good ſtore.
Fewell for fire very little.
A Liſt of the Lords, Knights, Colonels, and chief of the Gentry that marched out of Newark to their own homes, to ſubmit to the Ordinances of Parliament.
Lords.
LOrd Bellaſis, Governour.
Lord Davencourt.
Lord Laxington.
Knights.
Sir John Burrell.
Sir Guy Palmes.
Sir Charles Daliſon.
Sir Robert Daliſon.
Sir Robert Tredway.
Sir George Hennings.
Sir Jarvis Skroop.
Sir Philip Conſtable.
Sir Thomas Ingram.
Sir Bryan Balmes.
Sir Jarvis Nevill.
Sir Simon Fanſhaw.
And others.
Great Clergy-men.
DOctor Farmer, Chancellor of Lincoln.
Doctor March Dean of Yroke.
Doctor Hurſt, and others.
Chiefe Officers.
MAjor Generall Eyre.
Colonell Gilby.
Colonell Trollop.
Colonell Herne.
Colonell Darſey.
Colonell Atkins.
And others.
The moſt malignant Aldermen of the Towne were.
The Major of Newark.
Alderman Atkinſon.
Alderman Standiſh.
And others.
And upon the ſame ninth of May, aforeſaid, being Saturday, we received the certaine intelligence of the ſurrendering of the Caſtle of Banbury, Banbury Caſtle ſurre…dred to the Parliament.ſuch another moſt peſtilent, pernicious, and vexatious den of Theeves and Royall Robbers, as was Bazing Houſe in Hampſhire, and eſpecially moſt vexatious and pernicious to the Inhabitants of Northamptonſhire, its next neighbour; but now at laſt, I ſay, by Gods great mercy, and the valour and vertue of our brave Commanders and Souldiers, brought upon its knees of ſubmiſſion, being given up to that brave and couragious Commander Colonell Whaley, by Sir William Compton, then Governovr thereof, upon faire and honourable Articles of agreement, which was done on Friday, May the 8. the ſubſtance of thoſe articles alſo being to this effect: That all the Officers were to march away with Horſes and Swords, but the Common Souldiers without Armes, their wearing apparell, and half their moneys by juſt accompt; and both Officers and Souldiers to have Paſſes to any place in England or Wales, not beleaguered, the City of London excepted; and thoſe that deſire it, Paſſes to go beyond Sea: and that upon theſe Conditions the Caſtle of Banbury to be delivered up as aforeſaid, to Colonell Whaley, with all the Ordnance, Armes, Ammunition and Colours, without imbezlement, for the uſe of the Parliament, which was accordingly performed on the ſaid Friday in the forenoone.
And now the Houſes taking into their juſt and ſerious conſideration, the great and many mercies of God to us in our Forces, and by them alſo to the whole Kingdome, both in thus ſurrendring Newark and Banbury, now in our power and poſſeſſion, and that Tueſday, May the 12 having been formerly appointed a day of ſolemn thankeſgiving to Almighty God,A day of Solemn thankſgiving to the Lord for late great mercies to us. throughout London and Weſtminſter and 20. miles adjacent round about it, for the happie ſurrender of Exeter and other great mercies, not long before conferr'd upon us, together with this none of the leaſt, of now at laſt the Lords giving our King into the hands and harbour and cuſtodie of our moſt Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland. It was therefore Ordered that on this ſaid day of Solemn thankſgiving the ſeverall Churches and Chappells in the City of London and Weſtminſter, and 20. miles about it ſhould likewiſe give moſt heartie thankes to the Lord our God for all theſe ſubſequent and additionall rich and rare mercies; and that Tewſday ſeven night following, being May 19. ſhould be kept as a Solemn day of Thankeſgiving by all the Miniſters in the Country over the whole Kingdome and Dominion of Wales within the power of Parliament.
About the 16. of this inſtant May came Letters from valiant and active Colonell Morgan, giving us certaine intelligence of the taking of Hartlebury-caſtle, lying between Dudley and Worceſter and was the Biſhop of Worceſters ſeat,Hartlebury Caſtle taken. a hopefull omen for the taking of Worceſter it ſelfe alſo, indue time. Which Caſtle being now ſurrendred to brave Colonell Morgan, the Officers marched forth with Horſe and Armes, Troopers and Common Souldiers with out Armes, and all the reſt of the Articles being according to agreement fairely performed on both ſides, the brave Colonell tooke poſſeſſion of the Caſtle;The prizes taken therein. wherein alſo were taken, 6. peices of Ordnance, 200. Armes, 15. barrells of powder, match and bullet proportionable and a full proportion of all manner of proſions for 200. men for 6. moneths at leaſt.
And about the 20. inſtant we received certaine information by Letters from valiant and active Colonell Birch alſo of the agreement for the ſurrender of that ſtrong Caſtle and Garriſon of Ludlow which was delivered on the like conditions to thoſe of Hartleburie.Ludlow ſurrendred to the Parliament.
And here, I muſt acquaint the Reader that the Lord having by his moſt wiſe and admirable providence in ſome hopefullSome hopefull ſweet effects of the kings being in the cuſtodie of our loyall Brethren of Scotland. meaſure given a bleſſed returne to all the prayers of Gods faithfull ones over the whole kingdome in bringing in the Perſon of the King unto us and committing him unto the care and cuſtodie of our Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland; ſome ſweets, of this remarkable overture of theſe things began now to break forth to the comfort of our hearts for the preſent, and hopefull perſwaſion, if not aſſurance, of more good to follow in the Lords good time, as was now manifeſted both by a Letter ſent by his Majeſtie to the Lords and Commons, in the Parliament of England at Weſtminſter Aſſembled, which his Majeſtie deſired might be Communicated with Both Houſes, which accordingly was done at a conference, where and when the ſaid Letter was reade; and another letter to the Commiſſionres of the Parliament of Scotland. And thoſe being paſſages of ſpeciall Eminencie and wherein the whole Kingdome may no doubt deſire to be in ſome meaſure (at leaſt) ſatisfied, I ſhall therefore for the Readers content herein be ſomewhat more larger than Ordinarie though, there by, I increaſe both mine owne paines and charges at the preſſe in giving the Reader the ſubſtance of ſome of them, which was as followeth:
That his Majeſtie is not come into the Scots Army out of any intent to divide the Kingdomes in affection,The ſumme of the kings Letto the Parliament of England. or prolong the War, but that he might ſecure his perſon, and labour the compoſing the difference between him and his Kingdoms, and ſettle all well: and in regard Religion is the chiefe point, he deſires that may be firſt inſiſted upon and ſettled according to the adviſe of the Aſſembly of Divines of both Kingdoms aſſembled at Weſtminſter: And for the Militia, he is willing to concur with that propounded at Ʋxbridge, that it be in ſuch hands as ſhall be agreed for 7. yeeres: And for Ireland, he will doe what he can to ſatisfie deſires of that kind: And for the disbanding of his Armies, and ſleighting Garriſons, and ſo avoyding the effuſion of more bloud; he is willing, likewiſe to call in all ſuch Commiſſions as any have at Sea from him, and accordingly hath done: As for his Towns he is willing to ſurrender, and that they be ſlieghted, and accordingly hath ſent to Sir Thomas Glemham: onelyonly in regard there are ſome ſuch there, as have faithfully ſerved him in the preſervation of his perſon, he deſires they may have honourable and good tearmes, and that had, the ſurrender of Oxford ſhall be a rule to the reſt of the Towns, Cities, and Caſtles; that all Forces may be diſ…anded to the quiet and eaſe of both the Nations: likewiſe that the debts of the Kingdome be paid he ſhall be willing, with ſome other particulars, but theſe are the chiefe.
The Letter from His Majeſtie to the Commiſſioners of the Parliament of Scotland is as followes Verbatim.
CHARLES R. Right truſty and welbeloved Couzens and Counſellors, right truſty and right welbeloved Couzens, truſty and welbeloved, Councellers, And truſty and welbeloved, We greet you well.
AFter ſo long and ſad an interruption of the happy underſtanding betwixt Us and Our good Subjects of our Kingdome of Scotland (which hath exceedingly afflicted Us) and leſt the ſad effects thereof may have alienated the affections of many of that Kingdome from Us, and preferring nothing to the love of Our ſubjects on which Our ſafety and greatneſſe moſt depends, and without which We propoſe not to our ſelves any happines, We have thought fit to labour to diſpoſſeſſe them of all prejudices, rather by ſhewing them Our preſent Reſolutions, than by remembring them of Our former differences, having come hither with a full and abſolute intention to give all juſt ſatisfaction to the joynt deſires of both Our Kingdomes, And with no thought either to continue this unnaturall War any longer, or to make a diviſion betwixt the Kingdoms, but to comply with our Parliaments and thoſe entruſted by them in every thing, for ſetling of Truth and Peace. Your Commiſſioners have offered to Us divers Papers in your name, expreſſing Your Loyall intentions towards Us, for which we cannot but returne you hearty thanks, And ſhall ſtudy to apply Our ſelves totally to the Councells and advices of Our Parliaments. We have already ſent a Meſſage to the two Houſes of Our Parliament of England and your Commiſſioners at London, which we hope will give ſatisfaction. We have likewiſe written to all ſuch within Our Kingdom of Scotland, as have any Commiſſion from Us, to lay downe Armes, disband their forces, and render their Garriſons, And have written to Our Agents and Miniſters abroad for recalling all Commiſſions iſſued forth by Our Authority to any at Sea againſt any of Our Subjects of either Kingdom; And have ſent Letters to the Governour of Our City of Oxford, to quit that Garriſon upon honorable conditions, and disband Our forces there which being granted to him, we have reſolved preſently to give the like order to all Our other Garriſons and forces within this Kingdome. And that the truth of theſe Our Royall intentions may be made known to all Our good Subjects of Scotland, We deſire a Proclamation may be printed and publiſhed together with this Letter, at all convenient places, hoping none will believe but that this is Our voluntary and cordiall reſolution and proceeds from no other grounds than Our deepe ſence of the bleeding condition of Our Kingdomes. And that Our Reall intentions are with the bleſſing of God and his favourable aſſiſtance) to joyne with Our Parliament in ſetling Religion here in purity (after the aduice of the Divines of both Kingdoms aſſembled at Weſtminſter) And Our Subjects of both Kingdoms in freedom and ſafety. So expecting your Councells and advices in every thing wherein we ſhall be concerned. We bid you very heartily farwell.
From Newcaſtle, May 10. 1646.
Beſides theſe likewiſe, the King, to ſhew his love to the City of London, alſo ſent a Letter to the ſaid moſt famous City which being but ſhort, I ſhall for my Readers better content and ſatiſfaction, here inſert, which was as followeth.
CHARLES REX.
RIght Truſty and welbeloved, we greet you well. Having expreſſed Our reſolutions to the two Houſes of Our Parliament of England, and the Committee of Eſtates of Our Parliament of Scotland, to give all juſt ſatisfaction to the joynt deſires of both Kingdomes, we have now likewiſe thought fit to aſſure the two chiefe Cities of both Our Kingdomes, That nothing is more grievous to VsUs, then the troubles and diſtractions of Our people, And that nothing on earth is more deſired by us, then, that in Religion and Peace with all the comfortable Fruits of both, they may henceforth live under VsUs in all godlineſſe and honeſty; And this profeſſion we make for no other end, but that you may know immediately from Our ſelves, Our integrity and full reſolutions to comply with our Parliaments in every thing for ſetling truth and peace. And our deſire to have all things ſpeedily concluded, which ſhall be found requiſite for that end, That Our returne to that Our ancient City, may be to the ſatisfaction of Our Parliament, the good liking of you, and all our good people, and to our owne greater joy and comfort, we bid you heartily farewell.
From Newcaſtle the 19. of May, 1646.
And upon the 26. of this inſtant May the moſt renowned famous and faithfull Citizens of London, in their moſt Cordiall zeale for Gods glory, the honour of Religion, hatred of damnable doctrines, errours and Schiſmes (wherewith the City was then extremely infected and infeſted) and for the honeſt honourable vindication of themſelves as touching their Solemn League and Covenant in promoting the long deſired eſtabliſhment of a godly Church-Government in City and Country and over the whole Kingdome, exhibited to Both Houſes of Parliament (which I muſt, and that moſt worthily inroule in this our Parliamentarie-Chronicle, among the rare and moſt remarkable mercies of our good God unto us in thus raiſing up the Spirits of theſe moſt renowned Citizens to ſuch a high place and pitch of godly zeale and faithfull courage) exhibited, I ſay,The famous Citie Remonſtrance exhibited to Both Houſes of Parliament. a moſt noble and renowned Remonſtrance or Petition, in the name of the Lord Major and Aldermen and Common-Councell of that moſt Honorable City of London, wherein their piety and Cordiall integrity to God, the Church and State was moſt Copiouſly and right Chriſtianly Demonſtrated, to the perpetuated honour and indelible dignity of thoſe renowned Citizens, eſpecially of their never ſufficiently honoured and renowned religious and pious Lord Major, Alderman Adams who told his Brethren (who in their prudence and providence for waightie reaſons beſt known among themſelves, not willing to let their noble Lord Major goe along with them to the exhibiting of the ſaid Remonſtrance) told them, I ſay, with expreſſion of much fervour and zeale therein, That, Though his Perſon was not permitted, yet his heart he aſſured them, moſt affectionately went along with them. Which ſaid rare and religious Remonſtrance, both for the Readers better content and ſatisfaction (eſpecially it having beene ſo baſely and abuſively ſcandalized by a rable of rotten hearted impious and impudent Sectaries of the City) and for the ſuper-eminent Excellencie of the Thing it ſelfe, ſpeaking, indeede, much merited honour for it ſelfe, I have here thought fit to inſert it, which was as followeth.
And, here, firſt (good Reader) thou ſhalt ſee the honour which the moſt Honorable Houſe of Lords in Parliament put upon it, in giving ſpeciall Order for the ſpeedie printing and publiſhing of it to all the world; and then after it, thou ſhalt have their moſt noble and ever to be renowned reſent, and ſingular approbation and Commendation of it, immediately after it.