Englands Parliamentary Chronicle, Chronicle · Letter 21 – Floating text 8
SIR,
THere was drawn out of this Garriſon by order from the Committee, 500 foot, and 300 horſe, viz. part of Colonell Mackworths Regiment, and part of Colonell Lloyds Regiment, both of them march…d along in the ſervice, our forces marched within five miles of Ludlow; the deſign being to reduce that part of this County, and to ſecure it, by placing ſome Garriſons there, to block up Ludlow; with a party of horſe they viewed Howgate and Braincroft Caſtles, both of which the Enemy had much demoliſhed, notwithſtanding they placed the Lord Calvine in Braincroft Caſtle, and fell to repaire and fortifie it, in the interim, they ſent Leivtenant Colonell Riveling to view Stokeſey Caſtle, a Garriſon of the Enemies; the place was conceived conſiderable, therefore the next morning wee drew up to it, and ſummoned it, but the Governour Captain Dauret, refuſed; thereupon wee prepared for a ſtorm, being ready to fall on, gave a ſecond ſummons, which was hearkned unto, a parley admitted, and the Caſtle delivered up, and is now Garriſoned by us: One of theſe Caſtles commands all Cordale, a rich and fertill part of the County; the other ſecures all Stretonſdale, ſo that Ludlow is blockt up on this ſide, and hath only Hereford to range in, continuing in theſe parts, for the ſecuring theſe Garriſons, Sir Mich. Woodhouſe, Governour of Ludlow, one that came out of Ireland, procures all the Kings Garriſons for above 20 miles compaſſe, to draw out for his releif; Colon. Lunſford from Monmouth; Colonell Sands from Worceſter; Colonell Skudamore from Hereford; Sir Mich. Woodhouſe from Ludlow; forces from Hartlebury, and other Garriſons, all which made a body of about 2000 horſe and foot, which marched up neer Braincroft Caſtle, wee being too weak to encounter with them, marched to Wiſtenſtow, within a mile of Stook, the better to inforce our ſelves from Shrewsbury and Montgomery, whither wee ſent for forces, but came not in time enough; the Enemies, contrary to our expectation, judging Stook of more conſequence, made haſte thither, to beſiege it, of whoſe approach, the Colonells having intelligence, with advice of the field-Officers, drew our, reſolving to fight, our horſe made what haſte they could to come in, Captain Fouks troop, to which were joyned ſome Reformadoes, fell upon a body of the Enemies horſe, being 200. and routed them, the foot marched on with gallant reſolution, beat up all their ambuſcadoes in the hedges for a mile together, untill they came to the main body, which after an houres fight, wee routed and diſperſed. In this buſineſſe Leivtenant Colonell Rinking deſerves much honour, in which he ſhewed as much valour as a man could do, and alſo the other Colonels did very gallantly; we ſlew neer 100 on the place, took above 300 common Souldiers, about 60 Officers and Gentleman, all their Ordnance, bag and baggage, 4 barrels of powder, a good quantity of match and bullets, 100 horſe, ſome Gentlemen of quality were ſlain; there being moſt of the Gallantry of Herefordſhire. Sir William Crofts ſlain.In the action Sir William Crofts the beſt head-peice, and activeſt man in that County was ſlain on the place, the Governour of Ludlow and Monmouth hardly eſcaped, Sir Mich. Woodhouſe his horſe being taken. The glory of this great action belongs onelyonly to God, who was pleaſed to make weak means inſtrumentall all to doe ſo great a work: Major Fenwick who behaved himſelf gallantly is wounded, but wee hope not mortally.
There were taken in this fight:
Colonell James Boughton
Capt. Walter Neale
Capt. George Wright
Capt. Tho. Stait.
Capt. Leivten. Joſeph Singe
2 Cornets
3 Enſignes
2 Leivtenants
3 Sergeants
9 Quartermaſters
7 Corporalls
5 Waggoners
3 Montroſſes.
Gerrard Steel, Phyſician.
Richard Richardſon, Chirurgeon, And many Gentlemen.
After this fight wee returned to Salop, and marched out on the 14 of June early, with 13 Colours of foot, and 5 Troopes of Horſe, towards Bridgenorth: On the 16 day there was ſent hither 26 priſoners, moſt of them Officers, taken, as I underſtand, comming towards Bridgenorth, amongſt theſe priſoners there were foure Parſons, Viz. Parſon Avacham, and Parſon Ambler, theſe two have been wicked Incendiaries, the other two I knew not: this feat being done, our forces faced about, and before any of us knew of it, were ſet down before Ca…ſ-Caſtle, within 7 miles of this town, which is a ſtrong Garriſon of the Enemies; wee are cloſe up to the walls already, if wee bee not diſturbed by a greater ſtrength, I hope wee ſhall carry it; all the Gentlemen of the Committee but one, are in this ſervice, and very active.
By Letters from Shropſhire, of the 23 of June, wee were certified, that the ſtrong Caſtle of Cauſe, after 7 dayes ſiege, was taken by the forces of Shropſhire, the Officers and Souldiers marched out with their ſingle armes, without any baggage, all the Horſe are delivered up to the Committees, for the ſervice of the publick. It is a place of great concernment, and ſtands upon a Rock not Mineable, by this the Country is cleared on that ſide Severne, to Ludlow, and quite up to Montgomery, the County is in a good condition, and will bee very ſpeedily put into a brave poſture. The Forces, (as one of credit reports, that came thence ſince the taking of Cauſe) are now before Shrawdon Caſtle.
Much alſo about the foreſaid time, wee received certain information by Letters out of▪ Cheſhire, that valiant Colonell Venables, Governour of Tarvin, having intelligence that a party of Cheſter forces were going forth to the releif of Cauſ-Caſtle, in the ti…e when it was beſieged as aforeſaid;A brave defeat given to the Enemies by valiant Colonell Venables in Cheſhire. this vigilant Colonell, I ſay, in the night time, drew forth a party out of his Garriſon, went over the River of Dee, on the Welſh-ſide, where hee met with that party of the Kings, fell bravely upon them, who being thus ſuddenly and unexpectedly aſſaulted, were ſoon put to the Rout, wher hee took Sir John Powell, a Commiſſioner for the Kings Array, and who had formerly been High Sheriffe of the County of Cheſter, together with 40 more priſoners, whereof ſome were Officers, and about an 100 horſe, and good ſtore of Armes; and thus alſo prevented that deſigne of the Enemies.
And about the latter end of this inſtant Ju…e, wee had certain intelligence out of the Weſt,Heywo…th in Wilts taken by the forces of Sir Tho. Fairfax of the taking of Heyworth in Wiltſhire by the forces of our moſt renowned Generall▪ Sir Thomas Fairfax, in his way more Weſtward; which was thus performed. When the Enemy heard that our forces drew neer-unto them, a party of them fled into the Church; but afterward their Commander in cheif, drew them out of the Church to guard the Bridge, at one end of the Town, which, for a while, they pretty valiantly maintained, but were ſoon-forced to forſake it,Sir Thomas Nott ſlain. with the loſſe of Colonell Sir Thomas Nott, and divers others, who were ſlain in the place on the Enemies part; where, alſo, wee took an 100 Armes, and other Ammunition, together with 60 priſoners.
And heer, good Reader, let mee again deſire thee to ſtay a while (and that mo… juſtly) in great and gratefull admiration and contemplation of the moſt remarkable and precious providence of our good God,A ſweet and ſummary recital of all the excellent Parliamentary mercies of this MonethMonth. and his moſt mighty and mercifull protection and preſervation of his maiveilouſly maligned Church, the Parliaments Cauſe, The Burning-Buſh not conſumed.which, moſt like Moſes his Burning-Buſh, hath this MonethMonth alſo in a moſt high meaſure been preſerved with no leſſe than Coeleſtiall aſſiſtance in the midſt of ſo many fierce and furious …lames of regall Malignity▪ The Burning-Buſh flouriſhing in flames.not onelyonly from being even quite extinct and conſumed; but even mirac…louſly made to proſper and flouriſh in flames, maugre all the might and machinations of its proudeſt and moſt politick preſſing and oppreſſing Enemies, as is moſt eminently and evidently to bee ſeen and acknowledged.
Firſt,1. in that affectionate and feeling. Petition of the Citizens of London to the Parliament, touching the then preſent ſad and low condition of the whole Kingdom; Together with that brave defeat given to the Enemies neer Cheſter, by valiant Leivtenant Colonell Venables: And that of renowned Roſſiter at H…ugh…m-Houſe.
Eſpecially,2. in that moſt famous, glorious and ever to bee recorded Victory, moſt worthy to bee deeply ingraven in never to bee obliterated Characters, of moſt gratefull and gracious hearts, far more precious and pleaſing to God than richeſt and coſtlieſt Capitall-Letters of Gold, I mean, that moſt memorable Victory at Naſeby in Northamptonſhire, given by our good God to his va…iant and virtuous, his gallant and godly ſervant Sir Thomas Fairfax, the Parliaments moſt renowned Generall.3. In the excellent ſucceſſes of the Parliaments forces againſt their Enemies in Shropſhire; And the ſacred and ſolemn celebration of a Day of Thanksgiving to our allgood-giving God, for that foreſaid great Victory in ſpeciall; And the Parliaments honourable gratitude to Gods Inſtruments therein;4. A rare and right way to beget more bleſſings. In the moſt happy regaining of Leiceſter out of the Harpeian-hands of Enemies; And the triumphant conduction of the Naſeby Priſoners to London, there to bee kept in cuſtody; yet uſed there with Chriſtian mercy and clemency.5. In our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotlands neerer advance unto us, to help the Lord againſt the Mighty; Together with that brave defeat given to our Enemies by the Garriſon of Wareham in the W…ſt; And valiant▪ Colonell Joneſes alſo againſt our adverſaries in Cheſhire. 6.In the Lords admirable good providence in bringing to light and publike knowledge the Kings and Queenes moſt ungodly deſignes for the ruinating of all their 3 late moſt flouriſhing Kingdomes, by the happy apprehenſion of the Kings Cabinet of Letters; Together with the continued good ſucceſſe of our forces in S…ropſhire; in the taking of Stokeſey Caſtle, Cauſ-Caſtle, and Heighworth in Wiltſhire. In the moſt ſerious and ſanctmonious rumination,A ſuccinct return of gratitude to God for all the great Parliamentary mercies of this MonethMonth. and recogitation of all which moſt rich and rare Parliamentary Mercies and Victories, moſt ſweet and ſingular paſſages and fair footſteps of divine providence and preſervation, O how ſhould our hearts b…e r…nzed and raiſed up to an exceeding high pitch of praiſe and inceſſant and redundant gratitude to our ſo good, ſo great, ſo gracious God, who hath ſo gloriouſly, and ſo graciouſly wrought all theſe great things for us, eſpecially that moſt famous and glorious, and never ſufficiently to bee admired mercy in Naſebies admirable and moſt advantageous Victory; Concerning which, O how can England, greatly beloved England (though moſt ungratefull and ſinfull England) but in infinitely bound and unbounded-exultation and admiration, confeſſe and ſay with the Holy Prophet,Iſai. 42. 13. that, The Lord went forth (in this famous fight) as a mighty man, ſtirring up jealouſie and wrath, as a man of Warre, and mightily prevailing againſt his enemies. By whom, Chap. 29. 20.the terrible one is brought to nought, the ſcorners are conſumed, and all that maliciouſly watched for iniquity, and blood, are righteouſly cut off. And therefore, I ſay, O how juſtly may wee heer take up that of the pious Prophet David, and with him moſt cordially ſing and ſay, If it had not been the Lord who was on our ſide, now may England ſay; if it had not been the Lord who was on our ſide, Pſal. 124. 1, 2, 3 4, 5, &c.when men roſe up againſt us, They had ſwallowed us up quick, when their rage and wrath was kindled againſt us. Then the waters had overwhelmed us; Yea, the proud waves had gone over our Soules. But, bleſſed, O, for ever bleſſed bee the Lord, who hath not given us (as juſtly for our ſins hee might) a prey to their mouthes. For our Soule is eſcaped as a bird out of the ſnare; and all our help ſtands in the name of the Lord; Hallelujah, therefore, Hallelujah, praiſed and ever bleſſed and glorified bee the name of the Lord.
July. 1645.ANd now to proceed in our farther progreſſe to the continued contemplation of this admirable ſtill continued wonder of the Burning-Buſh Ʋnconſumed, and, therein, of the rich and rare mercies of our ever bleſſed and bountifull God, the unexhauſtible fountain of all goodneſſe to us his Engliſh Iſrael:
And firſt, I ſhall acquaint the Reader, that whiles our moſt miſerably ſeduced King, was fleeting from place to place between Briſtoll and the Forreſt of Dean, &c. and (taking fierce and furious illegall courſes to recruite his mangled Army, even almoſt quite broken in peices at Naſebies famous fight) among the poore and perplexed inhabitants of Herefordſhire, Worceſter, and ſuch parts of Glouceſterſhire, as hee had any power in to ſtrengthen and revive his now gaſping,A day of humiliation appointed by Order of Parliament, & kept by the Aſſembly of Divines in ſeveral Churches in London, to ſeek a bleſſing on our forces in the Weſt. and neer expiring deſperate deſignes in the Weſt, with Goring and Greenvill, devilliſh Dives, and the reſt. In this interim, I ſay, our moſt pious and prudent Parliament had Ordered, by a ſpeciall Ordinance from the Houſe of Commons, that the Aſſembly of Divines at Weſtminſter ſhould upon Tueſday the firſt of this inſtant July, ſeek the Lord our God for his continued ayd and aſſiſtance in bleſſing the proceedings of our forces (then alſo gathering into the Weſt) in a ſet day of Humiliation, in the City of London, which was accordingly performed by divers of the moſt eminent Members of the ſaid Aſſembly, who all that day did Preach and Pray, in theſe following places, Viz. In the Abbey at Weſtminſter, in Chriſt-Church in London; Black-Fryers, Dunſtans Weſt, Dunſtans Eaſt, Michael Cornhill, Olaves Southwark, Algate, and Aldermanbury. A Jove o…ne principium. And are not thoſe works like to proſper indeed, which are begun in the Lord? Yes certainly, as now wee ſhall yet farther illuſtrate, and ſet forth in their ſubſequent and moſt proper places.
And much about the very ſame time, there being a ſtrong ſuſpition of dangerous perſons, to lurk and lye hid and harboured in a houſe in Long-Acres, neer Covent Garden, which had been the Houſe of one Mr. Catesby, where once the Popes Nuncio lay, and was entertained; this Houſe, I ſay, being ſuſpected, was ſuddenly ſearched by authority thereunto given, and there they found and apprehended at leaſt 29 or 30 Carts load of Papiſts and pernicious Malignants goods to a great value,At leaſt 29 or 30 Carts load of Popiſh goods apprehended in a houſe in Long-Acre, neer Covent. Garden. being very much thereof rich goods indeed, which was all taken away and carryed to Haberdaſhers-Hall, or to Cambden-Houſe. There was among them alſo very much Popiſh apiſh trumpery, as Crucifixes, Images, and many Popiſh Books, which were laid up and kept till a due time to bee reduced into aſhes by the fire, the beſt uſe that could bee made of ſuch Romane Babyloniſh babyiſh fooleries; and the reſt of the goods to bee ſold to the beſt advantage, and the money to bee diſpoſed of by Order of Parliament, for the uſe and ſupply of the Parliaments Garriſons and forces in the Weſt.
About the 4 of this inſtant,Our Brethren of Scotlands excellent Remonſtrance preſented to the King. our moſt loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland publiſhed a moſt pious and modeſt Remonſtrance, which they had lately before ſent and (for certain) had preſented to the King himſelf; wherein they ſhewed themſelves full of godly zeale and fidelity to God, the King and Parliament of England, which being ſingularly worthy of ſpeciall notice, but too large to bee heer inſerted at full, as it was delivered, I ſhall heer, only, for brevities ſake, give the godly Reader ſome of the moſt memorable paſſages or heads thereof,The Heads of▪ it. which were to this effect.
Firſt,1. that his Majeſty would bee pleaſed to call to minde their oft neglected addreſſes to him heretofore, and after their prayers to God for him, and his Poſterity, they certified, how unfaithfull they ſhould bee to God and his Majeſty, if they ſhould conceal the preſent danger wherein hee is, a danger infinitely greater than the diſpleaſure of his people. They therefore in the humility and greif of their Soules did proſtrate themſelves before his Throne, and in the name of our Lord and Maſter, Jeſus Chriſt; … bold to warne him that the guilt which cleaveth ſo faſt to his Throne, and his Soule, is ſuch, as if not timely repented will involve him and his Poſterity under the wrath of the ever-living God.
Next,2. they freely proceeded to acquaint his Majeſty what were the occaſions of his great and growing danger, in which, if they ſhould bee ſilent, their conſcience would condemn them, and the ſtones themſelves would finde expreſſions. As firſt, for his being guilty of the ſhedding of the blood of many thouſands of his beſt Subjects. Secondly, for permitting the Maſſe, and other Idolatry, both in his Family and Dominions. Thirdly, for his authorizing the book of Sports, and by conſequence the profanation of the Lords Day. Fourthly, for his not puniſhing of publike ſcandalls in and about his …ourt. Fifthly, for the ſhutting of his ears from the humble and juſt deſires of his faithfull Subjects. Sixtly, for his complying too much with the Popiſh party many wayes, and namely by concluding the Ceſſation of Armes in Ireland, and imbracing the Counſells of thoſe who have not ſet God, nor his good before their eyes. Seventhly, for reſiſting, and by Armes oppoſing this Cauſe, which ſo much concernes the glory of God, his own honour and happineſſe, and the peace and ſafety of his Kingdomes. Eightly, for ſome other private cauſes of which his Majeſty is conſcious to himſelf. It being not the deſire of theſe grave and reverend men to have mentioned any particulars, if that they had not already been publike and known: For all theſe, and for every one of them they implore his Majeſty to fall down at the footſtoole of the King of Glory, to acknowledge his offences, to make haſte to repentance, and to labor for peace with God through Jeſus Chriſt, that the Son of God may reign over him and his Kingdomes in his pure Ordinances, and the Government of the Church.
Moreover, they deſire his Majeſty to take notice that they are not ſtaggering or faint hearted, through diffidence of the ſucceſſe of their Cauſe, and the Covenant of the three Kingdomes, unto which as God hath already given many teſtimonies of his favour and bleſſing, ſo it ſhall bee their unſhaken confidence that this is the work and Cauſe of God, which ſhall gloriouſly prevaile againſt all oppoſition, and from which with the aſſiſtance of the Grace of God they ſhall never ſuffer themſelves to bee divided or withdrawn, but ſhall zealouſly and conſtantly in their ſeverall Vocations endevour with their Eſtates and Lives to purſue and advance the ſame.
This Remonſtrance being ſo full of piety to God, and allegiance to the King, is able (ſome would think) to beget a better opinion in the ſtubborneſt Malignants, concerning the proceedings of our Brethren the Scots, and either to perſwade, or convince them to a better underſtanding of them. The Lord Digby hath returned anſwer that his Majeſty will take it into conſideration, who knows but that God may ſo move his Royall heart that the Letters of this paper may bee more effectuall than an Army of men in the field, and bee a happy means to reduce the King to his Parliament? But notwithſtanding all this, hee ſtill goes on in a moſt hardned condition, like a moſt miſerable Prince. For, as wee well knew, in the mean while, hee was making what poſſible ſpeed hee could to recover new ſtrength. His Warrants are iſſued forth for ſupplies of men, whiles the miſerable and deſolate Countrey, that a long time hath ſuffered under the calamity of warre, can lend him but little aſſiſtance either for men or money: Wee heard that a great part of his Horſemen were wounded in Naſeby fight, and that hee lately made a halt and ſtayed the longer in Wales to underſtand the inclinations of the people: Indeed his Army might well halt, when that ſo many of his men were wounded, and our ſwords have not ſo deeply wounded his men, as hee hath wounded his own honour by calling over the Iriſh to aſſiſt him. They ſay that there are a Legion or Brigade of Iriſh conſiſting of about 4000. who are newly landed to aſſiſt him. I ſuſpect the truth thereof, and have reaſon to bee doubtfull of it, becauſe I finde that our greateſt Intelligencers cannot agree amongſt themſelves, and doe much vary in what place they are landed. It is very likely that many are come over, but not ſo many as are commonly reported.
And are the barbarous and prodigious Acts of the Iriſh in their own Kingdom ſuch pleaſing cruelties, that they muſt bee ſent for into England, to act them over again heer? Muſt the Weſt, which ſuffered the laſt yeer under the horrid luſt and fury of the French, bee now the Stage where the Iriſh ſhall act their Tragedies. Rouze up thy ſelf thou deſolate and much afflicted Weſt, thou haſt now the meanes to ſhake off the yoak of thy Subjection, if thou art ſo happy as to apprehend the meanes of thy deliverance. But to goe on.
About the 6 of this inſtant July, whiles the poore King was thus fruitleſly ſtrugling (Per fas & nefas) to recruite his foreſaid broken Army;The Garriſon of Dudley caſtle ſhrewdly put to it, and …orely defeated by our forces, and our brethren of Scotland. our moſt noble and renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax was now in the Weſt, endevouring with all fidelity and magnanimity of ſpirit, to purchaſe (by Gods aſſiſtance) Liberty to thoſe long diſtreſſed parts of the Kingdom, and juſt honour to himſelf; and, as credible information affirmed, had ſent a choyce body of horſe to Glouceſter, to obſerve the motion of the Kings Army, and to attend the landing of his forces on this ſide the River Severn, which hee could not doe without apparent danger. In which interim, wee had certain intelligence that the Kings Garriſon of Dudley Caſtle was ſhrewdly put to it: For, as they were abroad plundering the Country therabout, Captain Hunt ſell upon a party of them, and having ſlain ſome, hee took many horſe from them, and divers priſoners whom hee carried with him to Warwick.
Since which alſo (as wee were credibly informed) our Brethren of Scotland lighted on another party of them, and after a brave conflict with them, wherein divers of the Enemies were ſlain on the place, they made them leſſe in number by at leaſt 80 horſe than they were before. And ſhortly after this wee were, for certain, certified, that the Governour of Stafford, came up with a party of horſe, and gave an alarm to the Caſtle it ſelf;Dudley caſtle faced & outfaced by the Governor of Stafford. Whereupon the Enemy not enduring the affront, drew forth into the field, thinking, indeed, our party not to bee ſo ſtrong as afterward they found it; and to increaſe this their apprehenſion and conceit therein, Colonell Aſhburſt politickly retreated, on purpoſe to draw them from their place of refuge, and to gaine more miles to follow the purſuite; which by Gods mercy they reſolutely intended. Now the Enemy (thinking all their own) came on as farre as Wolverhampton after him, where the brave Colonell facing about and giving them a violent charge, brake quite through them, and charging them again, hee abſolutely routed them, and took many priſoners, among whom were 2 Captains, 3 Leivtenants and other Officers, about 60 horſe, and much Armes, all which hee brought ſafely into Stafford.
And much about the foreſaid time, wee had certain intelligence by Letters from that much honoured Patriot Sir William Armyne, and Mr.Carlile ſurrendred to our brethren the Scots. Henry Darley, and the reſt of the Commiſſioners of the North, that the Town of Carlile, which had divers weeks been beſieged by a party of the Scottiſh Army, under the Command of the noble Earl of Callender, was now ſurrendred to our ſaid Brethren of Scotland, upon Articles of agreement; viz. in breif, that Sir Thomas Glemham, then Governour thereof, and his Souldiers ſhould march with their Armes to Newark, &c. But that they left behinde them in the Town, great ſtore of Armes and Ammunition, 20 peices of Ordnance, and much other good proviſion.
About the 8 inſtant wee were certainly informed, that ſhortly after the good ſucceſſe of our Shrewsbury forces, in the taking of Cauſ-Caſtle,Shrawarden-Caſtle in Shrop… ſhire ſurrendred to Colon. Macworth. forementioned, valiant Colonell Mackworth marched to Shrawarden-Caſtle, where, after ſummons and ſome ſhot ſent forth, a parley was offered and accepted, and the ſaid Caſtle on conditions ſurrendred to him, wherein they found ſome competent ſtore of Armes, one Drake, and much other good proviſion, and the Enemy therein being about 300 in number were ſent away to Ludlow, as they deſired, and our forces preſently after this, with valiant Colonell Mackworth marched to Higharchall Caſtle.
And about the 10 of this inſtant July, Our moſt renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax and noble Major Generall Maſſie met neer Taunton.wee had certain information by Letters out of the Weſt, that the Right honourable and moſt renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax, and ever to bee honoured Major Generall Maſſey, being happily conjoyned with their forces into one body at Branford, they now marched forward to Taunton, and underſtanding by their Scouts in what poſture the Enemy was; now a third time ſate down about that notable eye-ſore of theirs, terribly maligned Taunton, they advanced toward them; But Goring hearing of Sir Thomas his approach, drew off to Chard, and not daring to fight drew off all his Army from before Taunton, Taunton moſt happily releived a third time.and marched quite away from them, whereby that brave Town and the thouſands of moſt precious Soules therein, were now a third time (bleſſed bee the Lord) clearly ſet at Liberty from farther fear and danger of thoſe their baſe and barbarous blood-thirſty Enemies, who like devouring Locuſts had lyen long lurking about their parts and quarters, in greedy gaping hope every day to have eaten them up: But, who being thus happily driven away, the Country round about came in unto them moſt joyfully, with all kinde of proviſions in abundance,Great plenty of proviſion and a full Market already at Taunton. whereby they had preſently a moſt plentifull Market kept among them.
The preſervation of this Town, was, indeed, of very great concernment and moſt worthily to bee accounted no leſſe than a marveilous mercy from heaven, and therefore to give the Lord our God all due honour and praiſe for the ſame; And withall wee may not neglect his inſtruments therein, but in the next place highly praiſe and prize their love and labours, eſpecially heer alſo to make particular mention of the ever to bee honoured Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax, who after ſo much hardſhip in Marches, Siege, and Battail,The breif, but deſerved honour of our renowned Generall. in ſo ſhort a time, trod ſo much ground, as to come ſo ſeaſonably to the releif of ſo many brave ſpirited and undaunted reſolved Souldiers and honeſt-hearted inhabitants, who with ſo much difficulty (and in much want of neceſſaries) had maintained themſelves and defended the Town againſt a very potent, and moſt peſtilent and blood-thirſty Atheiſticall adverſary.
About the ſame time alſo came certain intelligence unto us by Letters out of Glouceſterſhire, that a party of the Parliaments forces being before Barkley Caſtle,A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Barkley caſtle. at a diſtance, to keep in the Enemy from ranging abroad, there being about 15 or 16 horſe, that were as Sentinels, attending the Caſtle; the Enemy prepared a party from within, of about 300 horſe and foot, and came forth thinking to ſurprize the ſaid Sentinells; but thoſe few horſe diſcovering the Enemies approach unto them, took the beſt advantage they poſſibly could, and bravely defended themſelves till the alarm came to the reſt of their horſe, who thereupon came in ſpeedily to their reſcue, and fell upon the Enemy with much courage, and routed them, killed 16 in the place, whereof 2 were forward Captains, many were wounded, and about 40 taken priſoners, Sir Charles Lucas, the Governour of the Caſtle was there in perſon in the fight, and eſcaped with a wound, as wee were informed; wee took alſo at the ſame time 30 horſe and upward, and a 100 Armes, and purſued the Enemy to the very Caſtle-gates, and, in this brave ſervice, wee loſt not above 3 men. And thus wee ſee, the Lord does great things for us every day, ever magnified bee his name therein.
And about the 12 inſtant,A pious Petition exhibited to the Parliament by the Inhabitants of Weſtminſter. divers Gentlemen and others of the City of Weſtminſter, came to the Parliament, and preſented a petition to the Houſe of Commons, in the name of the whole City of Weſtminſter, ſetting forth the great happineſſe and priviledge they now enjoy by the care of the Parliament, and unwearied paines of the Divines of the Aſſembly, that preach the morning Lecture weekly at the Abbey in Weſtminſter, whereby many that lived in Darkneſſe and Ignorance for many yeares together doe now ſee the light of the Goſpel more clearly and plainly than ever, their humble ſuite to the Houſe was, that the ſaid Miniſters ſo preaching weekly, viz. Dr. Stanton, Mr. Marſhall, Mr. Nye, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Hill, and Mr. Whittaker, may have a competent maintenance allowed them out of the Revenues of the late Dean and Chapter of the ſaid Abbey, that ſo they may in ſome meaſure bee enabled to ſubſiſt and encouraged to goe on in this great work of converting and bringing Soules daily nearer to God. After reading of this Petition and debate thereupon, an Ordinance was read and Committed to a Committee, for regulating the Colledge of Weſtminſter, after which the Houſe gave Order, the Petitioners ſhould bee called in before the Houſe, where Mr. Speaker in the Name and by command of the whole Houſe, informed the Petitioners that the Houſe had read and debated their Petition, and had likewiſe read an Ordinance for regulating the Colledge of Weſtminſter, and had put them both in a way to their ſatisfaction, and returned them the thanks of that Houſe for their care and zeale for the publike.
Much alſo about the foreſaid time, wee received certain information by Letters from Abbington, of the proſperous ſucceſſe and brave exploits of our forces under the command of that moſt valiant and vigilant Commander Major Generall Brown; the ſubſtance of one of which Letters was to this effect. viz.
SIR,
I Preſume you have already heard of the taking of 65 Wallingford Horſes, by our noble Major Generalls forces. Likewiſe, how at Farrington wee took 40 more,The proſperous ſucceſſe of our forces at Abbington, under the Command of valiant Major Generall Brown. many priſoners, and ſome of note. Since which, the Enemy fell upon our New Garriſon at Gaunt Houſe, with 500 horſe and 300 foot, and one peice of Ordnance; they being forces drawn from Oxford, Woodſtock, and Farrington, Commanded by Legge, then, Governour of Oxford; they fell upon our horſe quarters, and began to drive away our Horſe, but a ſmall party of our foot forces out of Gaunt Garriſon, beat them out of the grounds, whiles our men had time to recover ſome of our horſes again, with which they purſued the Enemy above 3 miles, recovered all their horſe which the Enemy had gotten, ſave a matter of 3 or 4. killed 10 of them, took 14 priſoners, and 30 horſe of theirs, and this ſervice they performed with leſſe than 20 horſe. Since which, our horſe joyned with them of Gaunt Houſe, fell into the quarters of a Regiment of the Kings, which came to recruite the Kings Garriſon at Radcot-Bridge, where ours took 70 of the Enemies Horſe, the Colonells own Colours (himſelf eſcaping by wading over the water) together with ſome priſoners. And immediately upon this good ſucceſſe they marched to Woodſtock, into the Enemies quarters, there, and took a Captain priſoner, with 5 or 6 others, and about 30 horſe: And thus it pleaſed the Lord to proſper our forces in all their attempts, and to enable them to come off, ſtill, with little or no loſſe.
And about the ſame time our moſt prudent and provident Parliamentary Statiſts, having lately before deligated and choſen ſome of the Members of Both Houſes, to goe as their Commiſſioners to the Parliament then begun in Scotland, Commiſſioners ſent to the Parliament in Scotland, & a Committee ſent to the Scotſh armywith inſtructions given them by our Parliament, for managing of affaires there, in a reciprocall form (for the firmer combining of mutuall love, and the fairlyer carrying on of the affaires of Both Kingdomes, with full content on both ſides) as our loving brethren the Scots, have their Commiſſioners reſiding heer conſtantly with our Parliament in England; the names of which Commiſſioners nominated and appointed to go thither, were, the Lord Wharton, for the Houſe of Peers, Sir Henry Vane, Senior; Sir William Armyne; Mr. Darley, and Mr. Goodwin for the Houſe of Commons. And reverend Mr. Marſhall, and Mr. Strong, Members of the Aſſembly of Divines, were ordered to goe along with them. So alſo there was a Committee of Lords and Commons ordered to bee reſident with the Army of our Brethren the Scots, then, in Worceſterſhire, to farther their advances for the benefit and ſafety of the Kingdome, and (if the Lords will bee ſo) to ſhorten the lingering plague of the Sword among us; The names of this Committee, thus nominated to bee with the Scots Army were; the Earle of and the Lord Mountague, for the Houſe of Peers; and Sir John Cabell, Mr. Purefoy, Mr. Salway, and Mr. Baynton, for the Houſe of Commons.
And, now, about the 14 of this inſtant, wee had certain and comfortable intelligence, that about the 9 of this inſtant July, being Wedneſday, active, honeſt, and moſt valiant Major Generall Maſſie, being ſent forth, by our moſt noble Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax, with a party of Horſe and Dragoones, about 5000. beſides foot;The famous defeat given to Gorings army at Lang-port in the Weſt. had the honour of giving the firſt blow of a moſt famous and victorious skirmiſh, and brave defeat given to the Enemy, at or about Lang-port; which very blow made the Soule and Spirit of the advers Army to tremble, and faint, and flye away. For,The firſt victorious blow given by renowned Major Generall Maſſie. hee inſtantly fell upon about 2000 of Gorings horſe in Ilmore, who, as ſoon as our men came in ſight of them, ran away, in great fear and confuſion, and Major Generall Maſſies forces followed and purſued them almoſt to their very Garriſon of Lang-port, wher their foot were all quartered, and their horſe at Aberſoil, and the parts adjacent;The priſoners & prizes taken at the firſt onſet. In which firſt blow of this famous defeat, this noble Major Generall took at leaſt 5 or 600 horſe, about 300 priſoners, whereof were 2 Majors, 6 Captains, 9 Colours, and ſlew above 20 in the place; The Enemy in this their haſty retreat, or rather plain flight from our men, ſtill cut up the Bridges as they paſt, which our men, notwithſtanding, made up as faſt as they brake them down;Major Generall Maſſies policy in purſuite of his Enemies. for, politick Major Generall Maſſie had 2 Regiments of Dragoones, which rode with Spades and Pickaxes, and a third alſo with palliſadoes for theſe very purpoſes.
On Thurſday, July the 10. our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax, by 3 of the clock in the morning, drew out that part of the Army, which hee had with him into Sutton fields, the reſt continuing with Major Generall Maſſie, on the other ſide of the River; the Generall had with him 7 Regiments of Horſe;Our renowned Gen. Sir Thomas Fairfax prepares for a fight Viz. his own, Leivtenant Generall Cromwells, Colonell Whaleyes, Colonell Vermudens, Colon. Graves, Colon. Riches, Colon. Fleetwoods, and Colonell Butlers, which ſcarſe made 2800 horſe; hee had all his foot with him, ſave the Musketteers of 3 Regiments. Our Signall word was, God with us. The Enemies word was, Briſtoll. Early alſo the ſame morning the Enemy drew into the field and about 7 of the clock had made themſelves Maſters of a paſſe,The Enemy alſo drew forth into the field. which lay in the midſt between our body and theirs, being the onelyonly way for our men to make way to fall upon them, where there could not march above 4 a breſt, and up to the belly in water, and their horſes ready to ſwim, in no little danger as they paſt on, and in which place the Enemy did both front and flank them on both ſides (and therfore you may eaſily judge what a hard task they were put unto) and in this poſture they ſtood till about 11 of the clock,The ſtraits of our forces in the Rivers. they having in the mean time ſent away moſt of their Ammunition bagge and baggage,The effects of the foreſaid defeat. led horſes and other Lumber to Bridgewater, fearing (it ſeemed) to ſtand to the Battle, having been ſo much diſcouraged by the defeat given them by valiant Maſſie as aforeſaid, on the day before. Now, when as Generall Fairfaxes forlornes marched nigh the Enemy (they having divided themſelves on the hill,The Enemy put into an amazed rout & flight. on which they ſtood, into ſeverall diviſions and ſquadrons of horſe and foot) our foot fired upon them in Vollies, and our Ordnance played ſo quick and ſure, that the Enemy were ſoon routed, and ſeemed as in a maze, not knowing which way to fly, to avoid the execution of our Cannon, yet all this while they maintained the paſſage, which was in hot diſpute between them and us, yet at laſt within an houre or thereabout, wee, though with difficulty gained it, and ſent horſe to ſecond our foot. Major Bethel, Major Bethels brave courage and reſolution.with his troop only, went on in the firſt place, being to go up a ſteep hill to charge; by that time that hee came neer, the Enemy drew on in a vaſt body of Horſe againſt him, and had alſo Musketteirs in a hedge, which did flank him, and ſomewhat front him alſo, yet this brave Major managed the charge with ſuch gallantry, that hee routed 2 of their diviſions of about 400. received the charge of the third diviſion, both in front and flank, but at laſt being over-powered by reaſon of their numbers increaſing upon him, hee bravely retyred to the Generalls Regiment, which was not farre behinde him;Col. Desborough bravely charges the Enemy, & helps Major Bethel. and Colonell Desborough, with the Generalls Troops, ſheltered him by his flank, and charged up himſelf with about 200 horſe, and diſperſed and ſcattered the Enemy, and gave freedome thereby for all our horſe and foot to draw into bodies, whereupon the enemy fell to plain running, not being able to endure the charge. The Generall, Leivtenant Generall, and ſome other Officers, being on the hill at this charge, commended it for as brave and reſolute a peice of ſervice as any they had ſeen performed ſince the beginning of theſe warres;The Enemy put to …light. Our men having thus put the Enemy to flight, purſued them within 4 miles of Bridgewater; And in the flight, the Enemy paſſing through their own Garriſon of Langport, moſt miſcheivouſly and deſperately fired the Town at the Bridge end,The Enemies in their flight moſt deſperately did ſet the Town of Lang-port on fire. to hinder our men in the purſuite; but renowned Leivt. Gen. Cromwell himſelf, and his reſolute Souldiers undauntedly reſolved to paſſe through fire (as renowned Maſſie had before, through water, as was fore-mentioned) after them; and ſo through the midſt of Lang-port they paſſed, although the fire was flaming very hot on both ſides of them, there being about 20 houſes in all burnt down. And heer mee thinks, I cannot but take ſpeciall notice of the faithfullneſſe of our good God, in all his holy and righteous promiſes, which to his children as they are alwayes in Chriſt, yea and Amen: ſo at this time, in a ſpeciall and moſt peculiar manner, that faithfull promiſe of his by the Prophet Iſaiah, was moſt exactly heer fulfilled to theſe his Saints and Chriſtian Souldiers. When thou poſſeſt through the waters I will bee with thee, Iſa. 43. 2, 3.and through the rivers, they ſhall not overflow thee. When thou alſo paſſeſt through the fire, thou ſhalt not bee burnt, neither ſhall the flame kindle upon thee; for I am the Lord thy God, the holy one of Iſrael, and thy Saviour. O the moſt particular and exact performance of this good word of God heer, now, I ſay, to theſe his faithfull ones. Even to wonder and admiration.
And thus it pleaſed the Lord to give us a glorious day of it, by this ſo famous a defeat,God the great and only giver of this famous Victory. and apparent Victory; Let the glory thereof bee aſcribed primarily to our good God, as to the Authour and giver of all Victories; And in the next place, to his pious, prudent, and valiant inſtruments, our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax, His Inſtruments therein.Leivtenant Generall Maſſie, and Leivtenant Generall Cromwell, and the reſt of thoſe valiant Commanders and Souldiers, who were deeply ingaged therein.
A true and perfect Liſt of the ſlain, priſoners, and prizes taken from the Enemy in this famous defeat.
Slain.
Gorings Quartermaſter Generall of Horſe.
Gorings Quartermaſter Generall of Foot.
60 Officers, that were buried about Weſton, whereof ſome very eminent men.
200 that were left dead upon the place, whereof many Officers, 100. or very nigh, drowned.
Wounded.
Goring himſelf had a cut with a Sword over the eare.
Sir Thomas Aſton, and 3 or 4 Knights more wounded.
Taken Priſoners.
Leivtenant General Blothridge, alias Bertridge, Leivtenant Generall of the Ordnance.
Colon. Slingsby of Horſe.
Colon. Hunningham of Horſe.
Leivten. Col. Standiſh of Horſe.
Leivten. Col. Gamble of Horſe.
3 Majors of Horſe.
4 Captains of Horſe.
11 Leivtenants of Horſe.
20 Cornets of Horſe.
Colonels, Leivtenant Colonels, Majors, Captains, and Officers of Foot, have not yet ſent in their Liſts, ſave onelyonly 3 of the Captaines of Horſe.
60 Inferiour Officers at leaſt.
1900 Priſoners.
Taken beſides.
35 Colours of Horſe.
21 Colours of Foot.
2 Field peices.
4000 and odde Armes.
3 Cart-load of Ammunition.
3 Cart-load of other purchaſe.
2000 Horſe taken and above.
Diverſe Armes both of Horſe and Foot, daily found in the ditches, which the enemy threw away when they fled.
The Camp Wh…res fled away th… row the hedges.
700 of thoſe that are taken, petition to ſerve the Parliament.
The loſſe on our part.
2 Reformado Captains ſlain.
Major Bethells thumbe and forefingers ſhattered.
Colon. Butlers Captain Leivtenant ſlain.
Colonell Cook ſhot on the mouth ſlightly on his upper lip.
4 or 5 of Bethels Troop ſlain, and about 16 of his Troop wounded, and very few more killed on our ſide.
The Houſe of Commons Ordered, upon the happy intelligence of this famous Victory, that 200 pound ſhould bee given to valiant Major Bethell for his ſpeciall ſervice in this brave fight;Major Bethel & Major Harriſon, that brought the news of this victory rewarded And two good horſes to bee given to valiant and virtuous Major Harriſon, who brought the news thereof.
And eſpecially (as was moſt boundenly fit) our moſt renowned Worthies in Parliament, Ordered and appointed that a ſolemn day of Thanksgiving ſhould bee celebrated for the Lords exceeding great mercy and goodneſſe unto us; the Copy of which their Order, I have heer thought fit to inſert, as it was printed and publiſhed by their authority, which was as followeth.
Die Lunae 14 Julii. 1645.
ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament Aſſembled, that Tueſday being the 22 of this inſtant July, ſhall bee ſet apart for a publike day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God, in all Churches and Chappels through the whole Kingdom under the power of the Parliament, for the great and glorious Victory obtained by the Parliaments forces, under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, on the Enemies forces in the Weſt: And that on the ſame day, the Miniſters doe likewiſe take notice of the great mercy of God in preſerving the City of London, during the ſitting of this Parliament, from the infection of the Plague, and that this order bee printed and publiſhed.
Ordered by the Lords and Commons aſſembled in Parliament, That the Committee of the ſeverall Counties doe take care that the Order for a publick day of Thanksgiving on Tueſday ſevennight bee diſperſed to the ſeverall Pariſhes in the reſpective Counties; And that the Counties doe keep the ſame day; And that the Members of this Houſe that ſerve for the ſeverall Counties doe ſend theſe Orders to the reſpective Committees accordingly.
And now all that I ſhall adde for the farther illuſtration of the juſt praiſe and glory of God,Obſervations & ſpeciall ſerious notes upon this …amous victory. touching this famous fight and glorious Victory, ſhall bee onelyonly theſe few ſerious and materiall Obſervations upon the ſame.
Firſt,1. that had not God made our Souldiers forget all their wearineſſe, and many other former and preſent difficulties, and ſo haſted this famous work, the Enemy had certainly been re-inforced with at leaſt 5000 Welſh foot, whereof 1500 were already come over Severn at that time.
Secondly,2. Greenvile, that vile Apoſtate, and perfidious fugitive, had undoubtedly brought down as many out of Cornwall, with all whom wee muſt of neceſſity have buckled joyntly together, and ſo have undergone farre greater difficulty.
Thirdly, that now wee having thus happily diſſipated and ſcattered this great Army of his Majeſties then in beeing,3. not an Army is left unto him, in any parts of the Kingdom, but ſuch as may bee, with an ordinary active power, ſtill ſcattered and diſcomfitted, and ſoon (by Gods bleſſing) bee brought to nothing.
Fourthly,4. that if the Clubmen (then riſen up in Armes in thoſe Counties, and whereof I ſhall ſpeak more particularly anon) joyn with us, now after this admirable ſucceſſe, they alſo may all ſuddenly bee at quiet, and quickly ſee good dayes, and the Weſt all ours.
Fifthly,5. I heer alſo deſire Gods people, with mee, to take ſpeciall notice of our moſt renowned Generalls wiſdome, valour, and unparallelled expedition in this whole ſervice, ever ſince hee firſt began it; and that (according to the rules of Warre) the honour of all (next under our moſt great and glorious Lord God) is cheifly due to him; and that it is moſt clear, that his rare Diſcipline and ſweet Harmony with his forces, with Gods bleſſing thereon hath been his Crown.
Sixthly,6. conſider the place where this defeat was given, viz. a poore oppreſt Country, and that in the remote parts of the Kingdome, that ſo from the one end of the Land to the other, wee and all they may ſee and know that God is for us and with us; and it was alſo neer the place where the remaining part of the Enemy lay, and it is a mercy to bee neer the Enemy, and that in a conquering way, too; and not to bee forced to goe and ſeek him up and down.
Seventhly,7. conſider the perſons by whom God gave this victory, namely (as I touched before in our famous Naſeby fight) that deſpiſed Army, which was the ſcorn and by-word of many, both ſeeming friends and open foes, of whom, O, ſaid ſome, They'le never fight, being fearfull young Souldiers. O, ſayes another, You will quickly ſee an end of this poore New-Modelled Army, I warrant you. Alas, alas, ſayes a third, There is no worth in any of them all, onelyonly they pretend Religion, forſooth, but there is not a good Souldier among them, and therfore they ſhall never bee able to ſtand againſt the Kings brave Army, of old, able, experienced Souldiers. Thus, they proudly, preſumptuouſly, yea, moſt fooliſhly, deſpiſed the day of ſmall things. And forgate, that, of wiſe Solomon, That the race was not to the ſwift, nor the battle to the rider.
Eightly,8. and laſtly, take notice to what perſons God had given the benefit of this bleſſed Victory, namely (that though indeed, it muſt needs bee granted and with comfort recorded, it was and is the moſt religious and praying Army that ever this Kingdome beheld, yet mixed with very many wicked concomitants, and rude and irreligious coadjutors, as inſtruments therein) yet, I ſay, in generall) for us, in this Kingdome, who are a people moſt unfit for, moſt unworthy of ſuch and ſo rare mercies, who have not yet repented us of our former abominations; Yea, who as much as in us is, refuſe our own mercies, had not God thus freely loved us. And therefore, O what infinite and ineffable praiſe and thankſgivings are due to our God, who thus continually heales our backſlidings, and loves us thus freely! But now to proceed.
And now to perform my promiſe concerning the Weſtern Clubmen, a diſorderly rable,The Weſtern Clubmen. and rude company of Mongrell Malignants, and rotten-hearted nauſeous Newtrals, now about this time, and lately before riſen up in the Weſt; Of whom, I confeſſe, I have hitherto made no mention, nor of their baſeneſſe, obſtinacy, and inſolency; both thoſe of Wilts, Dorſetſhire, and Sommerſetſhire, becauſe I looked on them, as on a rude and undigeſted body of tergiverſatious Batts, and impious Atheiſticall heathens, worſhipping the Sunriſing, The Clubmen come in to the Parliaments party.and frighted at the Setting of it: Who now ſeeing the riſing of this Sun of Victory in the Parliaments Horizon, eſpecially the Sommerſetſhire Clubmen, who indeed, at the very firſt ſeemed to bee ſomewhat active Clubbers againſt Hopton, Stowell, and the reſt of thoſe Royaliſts, and Royſterly incendiaries, of the Weſtern parts: They now all began to appear for victorious Fairfax; and beſides about 80 of Gorings forces, whom they had ſeized upon, and diſarmed before this fight, they brought along with them; who willingly alſo offered their ſervice to the Parliament; And after this they brought in many others of Gorings men priſoners to our forces, and did other good ſervice and ſtiffe execution againſt the Enemy, where-ever they faſtned on them.
Upon the 22 of this inſtant, the publike day of Thanksgiving for the good ſucceſſe of the Parliaments Army at Lang-port, was according to Order of Parliament, The manner of the celebration of the Solemn Thanksgiving-day in London, for the famous Victory over our Enemies at Langport.fore-mentioned, ſolemnly celebrated in all the Churches and Chappels in London, and Weſtminſter, and within the Lines of Communication; And the Collections and contributions, gathered that day, in all Churches and Chappels aforeſaid, were for the releif of our diſtreſſed brethren in the Weſt, to refreſh in ſome preſent meaſure, their afflicted loynes.
And in the evening of that day, after the performance of the publike and private holy duties thereof to the Lord our God, other externall expreſſions of joy and thankfulneſſe, were performed alſo all over the City, ringing of Bells, and making of Bonfires, eſpecially in Cheapſide, whither a great many of Popiſh pictures, Crucifixes, Images, Popiſh Books, and ſuch like paultry Romiſh trumpery, which, not long before, I told you, were taken in Long-Acre, were now brought, and juſt in the place where the guilded gaudy Croſſe formerly ſtood, were in a mighty Bonfire built up with firpoles, and faggots, burnt to aſhes, in the preſence of multitudes of people, triumphing at the ſight of it.
Upon the 26 of this inſtant July, came another moſt happy and plentifull increaſe of our comfort, by Letters out of the Weſt to London, of the certain taking of one part of the ſtrong Town of Bridgewater, by our moſt renowned and heroick-hearted Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes forces;Bridgewater taken by ſtorm. and immediately after of the totall taking thereof by ſtorm; The exact manner whereof I have heer thought fit, for the Readers fuller content and ſatisfaction, to inſert and ſet down, in a Letter ſent by a worthy Gentleman of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army, who was a ſpeciall actor in the Service, to the Speaker of the Houſe of Commons, which was as followeth.