Englands Parliamentary Chronicle, Chronicle · Letter 25 – Floating text 9

Englands Parliamentary Chronicle · Chronicle · Letter 25 – Floating text 9

p. 204SIR,

AS I gave you an account of the taking of Bridgewater, ſo God multiplying his mercies upon us, wee having taken in Bath alſo, I ſhall breifly give you an account thereof: only I cannot omit ſomething yet behinde of Bridgewater, for wee have found 6 peices of Ordnance which the Enemy had hid, and there is left beſides what was deſtroyed by the fire, 44 barrels of Gunpowder, and 4000 weight of Match.

On Saturday laſt, Sir Thomas Fairfax marched out of Bridgewater, Leivtenant Generall Cromwell hath been ill, but God bee thanked hee mends, that night wee marched to Marſtock, about nine miles on the way to Sherburn, where wee quartered that night and Sunday night.

On the Lords day, wee heard that Rupert had been himſelf in perſon (the day before) at Bath with Sir Thomas Bridges, to encourage him to keep it againſt us, promiſing him releif in caſe he ſhould bee beſieged.

On Munday the 28 of July, 1645. the Generall marched to Sherborn, about 14 miles from Marſtock: Major Generall Maſſie was left further Weſt: And the ſame day, viz. Munday, about 60 horſe, (moſt Welſh) came from Prince Rupert to ſtrengthen Bath; and other Officers with them to Govern the Town, becauſe that Prince Rupert had found, when hee was there two dayes before, that Sir Thomas Bridges was quite out of heart to keep it: for the very name of Sir Thomas Fairfax, ſtrikes a terrour to the Enemy. But when they were come into Bath, the Town cryed out as one man, all againſt the Welſh: No Welſh, no Welſh: Neither did Sir Thomas Bridges take it well, that hee ſhould bee diſplaced, and another put in; which cauſed a great diviſion in the Town, that the Officers and Horſe would not ſtay to diſpute it: yet nevertheleſſe ſome Welſh ſtayed in the Town, which did much diſpleaſe both the Governour, Officers, Townſmen; yea, and the Garriſon Souldiers alſo.

On Tueſday, the Generall ſent two Regiments of horſe and two Troops of Dragoons, under the Command of Colonell Rich, to view and give account of the condition of the Garriſon of Bath, then held by Sir Thomas Bridges for the King.

p. 205The Army removed to Wells, Colonell Pickering is with a party before Sherborn, a neſt of moſt miſcheivous vermine, under whom the Countrey hath much ſuffered, and by whom before wee came thither ſome of our own meſſengers have been taken, and our Letters intercepted, and the Countrey doe wholly complain againſt them for very great plunderers, and barbarous neighbours.

Wee made on towards Bath, having no foot at all with us, onelyonly the aforeſaid 2 Regiments of horſe, and 2 Companies of Dragoones, and about an houre before Sunſet, the South ſide was cloſe beſet, the Dragoones lay about Holliwell, and wee kept them on the South, and on the Weſt parts of the Town; But the North part of the Town lay open, for wee came not to block them up, nor had wee Forces to doe it, then, preſent there: The Enemy might have gone away on the North part of the Town, in deſpight of all that wee could doe to hinder them, but God did ſo infatuate them, that they had not power, as in our former victories, ſo particularly in this taking of Bath, the hand of God was much ſeen for us.

About Sunſet wee gained Holliwell; and placed our Dragoones within half Piſtoll ſhot of the Gate on the Bridge at Bath, where there was ſome skirmiſhing, and the Dragoones behaved themſelves very gallantly. In the night the Enemy within took ſeverall Allarms; and were in great fear of us; I conceive they knew not our ſtrength, only before had ſome intelligence of the advance of our Army.

On this preſent Wedneſday morning the Enemy heard of a party from Malmsbury, on the North ſide of them, but they were not conſiderable, but they were ſtruck with ſuch a fear that Sir Thomas Bridges ſent a Meſſenger very early forth of Bath to us, to deſire a parley, which wee wondred at, ſo wee preſently held a parley with them, and by Sunriſing had the Garriſon of Bath delivered up to us, upon very good Conditions.

1. All, both Officers and Souldiers to have quarter for their lives.

2 That Sir Thomas Bridges, and all the Officers bee permitted to march away to Briſtoll, without let or moleſtation.

3 That Sir Thomas Bridges, and all other Field Officers, and Captaines have liberty to march away with Horſe, and Armes.

4 That all Officers under the degree of Captains, march away without Arms (only ſtaves in their hands) to Briſtoll.

p. 2065 That Sir Thomas Bridges, with all the Officers aforeſaid, doe immediately march out of the Garriſon, and ſurrender it to Colonell Rich, for the ſervice of the Parliament.

6 That all the Ordnance, Armes, and Ammunition, bee ſurrendred alſo.

7 The common Souldiers to bee left all priſoners.

All which was done, and wee were poſſeſt of the Garriſon by break of the day; And truely you may think it a ſtrange thing for horſe to take a Town, and no foot within 15 miles of it, but you may ſee how God infatuates men, and poſſeſſeth them with a fear, that deprives them of wiſdome and courage.

Bath July 30. 1645.

A Liſt of what was taken in the Garriſon of Bath, by Colonell Rich, on Wedneſday, July 30. 1645. Left in the Town, according to the Articles aforeſaid, 200 priſoners, which were 100 Garriſon Souldiers, & 100 Welſh that came in but three houres before, into Bath. 200 Muskets, an 100 Pikes, 6 peices of Ordnance, 10 barrels of Gunpounder; 10 barrels of other Ammunition; a great quantity of Match and Bullet; Sir Thomas Bridges his Standard Colours in the Royall Fort, 5 Colours beſides; good ſtore of Victuall and other proviſions; ſome Piſtols and Swords; all Sir Thomas his bagge and baggage, beſides the Armes and proviſions of the Towneſmen; Together with divers Halbert-Round…eads and other weapons.

This Garriſon was of great conſequence for the ſtraitning of the paſſage to Briſtoll, whereof more in its more proper place.

And that which makes this mercy much the ſweeter and ſpiritually comfortable to us, is; that, as that former famous mercy of Bridgewater, was given in unto us, even whiles wee were a praying for that mercy upon occaſion of a ſpeciall and extraordinary Faſt Day:A moſt remarkable return, or rather, gracious prevention of Prayer. So this likewiſe was unexpectedly caſt into our laps, even in the very time and on the day of our Solemn ſet Monethly Faſt Day; even as a gracious prevention of our Prayers, the Lord, heerin, moſt exactly verifying his own faithfull promiſe by the Prophet; p. 207I am found of them that ſought mee not. Iſa. 65. Ibid. ….Isa 65And according to that alſo in the ſame Chapter. Before they call, I will anſwer; and whiles they are yet ſpeaking, I will hear. And is not heer a gracious God indeed? and is not our God, a bountifull-handed, and free-hearted Maſter, indeed, who payes us our wages, before our work is done; and that, farre more than wee asked, or ever did or could deſerve? yes, moſt certainly.

And for the farther and clearer confirmation, ratification and admirable, yea, almoſt incredible, illuſtration of this truth, give mee leave,A moſt ſingularly pious motion, as zealouſly as piouſly put into execution. good Reader, to put thee in minde, how that much about the beginning of June laſt, it pleaſed the Lord to hint in the heart of a godly Miniſter (by name Mr. White, Preaching occaſionally at reverend and religious Mr. Caſes Church in Milkeſtreet in London) the impregnable, and even invincible power of Prayer, and of what precious conſequence and concernment it might bee for the advancement of Gods glorious Cauſe, if Gods people would bee pleaſed every morning conſtantly to ſet apart, half an houre, or an houre at moſt, to ſeek the Lord by ſervent Prayer, for a ſpeciall bleſſing upon the preſent great affaires, and negotiations of the Kingdom, both by Counſell and Warre, for the good of Church and State,The Monethly morning prayers in London religiouſly begun by reverend Mr. Caſe. which hint, or holy alarm (as I may call it) reverend and religious, pious and painfull Mr. Caſe, cheerfully laying hold on, preſently began this godly work, and for the ſpace of one whole MonethMonth, upheld it in his own Church moſt ſacredly and ſweetly; Whom, reverend and religious Mr. Calamy (as I take it) immediately ſucceeded all the next enſuing MonethMonth, and ſo this moſt bleſſed work hath continued and conſtantly been carryed on, to the high honour and glory of our Prayer-hearing God, the wonderfull good of the Kingdome; and the unexpreſſible joy and comfort of Gods people eſpecially, who have been partakers and actours in it;The bleſſed effects and precious returnes of prayer, ever ſince the foreſaid free will-offering of daily …orning prayers began. For, as it hath been moſt juſtly obſerved; O, what ſweet and ſingular ſucceſſes have been given to all our Armies ever ſince this pious and precious work began! not a MonethMonth, nay, a week, nay, ſcarſely 2 dayes have paſt without a bleſſing on our Armies, if not a Victory, in one part of the Kingdome or other; Take, good Reader, but a ſuccinct Summary of what God hath done, heerin, only ſince June and July now laſt paſt; the reſt I ſhall give thee afterward in their more proper places. As namely, Firſt, That moſt famous and glorious victory at Naſeby; The ſingular good ſucceſſe of our forces in Shropſhire; The laſt releif of p. 208Taunton; The admirable re-taking of Leiceſter; Highwarth, and Ilcheſter; The late forementioned famous Victory obtained (by Gods mighty aſſiſtance) through fire and water, at Lang-port and Burroughs, which famous victory wee obtained that day monethmonth, whereon wee obtained Naſeby Victory; rare mercies, indeed, two famous Field-victories obtained in the ſpace of one MonethMonth. The ſurrender of Carlile; The reconcilement, and comming in of the Weſtern Clubmen to the Parliaments party; The winning of ſtrong Bridgewater; and ſtrange and ſpeedy obtaining of Bath; The gaining of the ſtrong Caſtles of Pontefract, Scarborough, Cannon-Fr…, Chadwick-houſe, and Rabby Caſtle; In theſe Field-victories, and 10 or 11 ſtrong Garriſons and Caſtles above 10000 priſoners taken, above 50 or 60 peices of Ordnance; Much above 10000 Armes, and great plenty of Ammunition, bagge and baggage; and all this done within the ſpace of leſſe than two Moneths. Tell me now then, good Reader, and ſpeak thy conſcience freely, doe not all theſe rare and almoſt incredible mercies, clearely confirme the truth of what I have affirmed, that ever ſince the Throne of grace hath been ſo conſtantly and daily preſt with Prayer, our faithfull Prayer-hearing God, hath admirably crowned his own works in us and for us!June and July laſt, juſtly intituled, Menſes Mirabiles. And ſay, I pray thee, may I not moſt juſtly ſtile theſe two Moneths of June and July, Menſes Mirabiles, two moſt deſervedly admired Moneths? And haſt thou not now again (good Reader) ſeen, and that in a moſt abundant meaſure, this our great Miracle, The Burning-Buſh not conſumed.and amazing-wonder, even, The Burning-Buſh, not only, not Conſumed, but gloriouſly made to ſpread and flouriſh, in the midſt of all the moſt fierce, and furious flames of Antichriſtian, Atheiſticall, and Maligaant wrath and outrageous fury? Yes certainly, I know thou wilt eaſily and truely acknowledge it; and that, if ever, heer, was that faithfull word of the Lord confirmed and made good, to his maligned Church and children.Iſa. 54▪ 17.Isa 54:17 Now weapon that is formed againſt thee ſhall proſper; and every tongue that ſhall riſe againſt thee in judgement, thou ſhalt condemn; This is the heritage of the Servants of the Lord, and their righteouſneſſe and ſalvation is only of the Lord. Not unto us, therefore, Lord, Pſal. 115.Ps 115not unto us; but unto thy name alone, wee give all the honour and glory of all theſe great and gracious deliverances, and many and mighty mercies. Pſal. 32. 7.Ps 32:7Thou only haſt thus encompaſt us with Songs of deliverance. Thy mighty hand, and thy ſtrong and out-ſtretched arme, alone, hath gotten to thy ſelf, and given to us, theſe great and glorious Victories; to thee alone therefore …ee all the honour and glory, throughout all generations.

p. 251And now to go on in the continuation and happy contemplation of this next Moneths moſt memorable Wonder of our Burning-Buſh, the Parliaments Cauſe, Auguſt. 1645.ſtill un-conſumed, ſtill eminently proſpered. And here I ſhall begin this Moneths obſervation; herein, with that brave defeat given to the Enemy, by that valiant, active and faithfull Commander, Captain Allen, neare Stamford in Lincolneſhire, which was as followeth:

About the beginning of this MonethMonth of Auguſt, 1645. we received Letters of certain intelligence from Burleigh Houſe,A brave defeat given to the Enemy by Captaine Allen, neer Stamford, in Lincolnſhire. in thoſe parts, that a party of Newarkers being joyned with Belvoyre Forces, to the number of about 300 in all, were gathering Taxes or Contribution Money about Stamford and the parts thereabout; whereof valiant Captain Allen having notice, he, with Captain Collins, drew forth all the Horſe belonging to the Garriſon, being in number not above 130. or 140. at moſt, whereof ſome were Dragoones which came after, who found the Enemy neer Carlebie, retreating homeward with their Priſoners and Plunder, among whom they had taken an Alderman of Stamford, Sir Robert Dalliſon being their Commander in Chiefe, and they above two for one of ours, where a hot encounter was begun between them; for, our men notwithſtanding, ſet upon them with admirable reſolution, and were (as it muſt be confeſſed) at firſt gallantly received, but, I ſay, after a ſharp and ſhort diſpute, it pleaſed God to do much for ours, and to make couragious Captain Allen a ſpeciall inſtrument of a brave victory, his brave Souldiers taking more than ordinary courage, at his valiant and undaunted behaviour among them, inſomuch that they utterly routed the Enemy, leaving dead and deſperately wounded twelve or fourteen on the place, and took Priſoners Captain King and Captain Smith, took 51. Priſoners beſides, and 80. Horſe, whereof Sir Robert Dalliſons was one, but himſelf had eſcaped; beſides they took Major Coney, Captain Styles, Lieutenant Nicholſen, Lieutenant Thorp, Lieutenant Nicholas Mahum, Cornet Metcalf, Thomas Martin, Adrian Scroop, and ſome other Reformadoes, and reſcued and brought ſafely home again above twenty honeſt Countrymen, whom they were carrying away priſoners; and thus, I ſay, they all returned triumphantly home againe, with not a man of their own killed or mortally wounded, a rare mercy and preſervation indeed; to God be all the glory thereof.

About the fourth of this inſtant Auguſt, Letters were ſent from p. 208duplicate page p. 251duplicate page p. 252the Army in the Weſt, to the Parliament, and read in the Houſe of Commons, concerning his Excellencies Sir Thomas Fairfaxes entring of the Town of Sherburne, and beſieging of the Caſtle; and of a fight in that interim with the unruly Clubmen of Derſet and Wiltſhire, eſpecially, who ſtill remained very refractory and inſolent, but were at laſt ſoundly beaten into better behaviour, by renowned Lieut. The taking of all the Kings Commiſſioners, as they ſate in Counſell at Shaftsbury, and were brought Priſoners to Sherburne by Colonel Fleetwood.Gen. Cromwell, as by his own Letter to the Parliament, was certified of and which notable bickering and brave defeat, I ſhall here give the Reader a ſummary and ſatisfactory account, in theſe two particular Relations following; and firſt concerning the ſurpriſing of the Kings Commiſſioners at Shaftsbury, it was briefly thus: The Generall being marched from the Leaguer weſtward upon ſome intended deſignes that way, left Sherburne Caſtle ſtill ſufficiently beſieged; and the Enemy ſeeing their friends ſtraightned in the Caſtle, uſed means for ſome addreſſes to be made to the King for ſome courſe to be taken for their reliefe, and procured a Letter from the King to that purpoſe, which was ſent to his Agents of the Clubmen, to gather ſtrength for the raiſing of the Siege upon Sir Thomas Fairfaxes advance. The Leaders of the Clubmen receiving theſe Letters from the King, met at Shaftsbury on Saturday the 2 of Auguſt, 1645. to conſult what courſe to take for the effecting thereof, having their Inſtructions ready; ſome obſervations were made, that they were not full enough for the carrying on of this deſigne, and that therefore three more might be added to them. But in the meane while our wiſe and vigilant Generall, Sir Thomas, hearing of the proceedings of theſe Clubmen, and doubting that if they ſhould go on, they might much impede the proceedings of thoſe whom he had left at Sherburne Caſtle, for the taking thereof, where were in that Leagner Colonell Pickering with a Brigade of 2000. Foot, and Colonell Whaleys Regiment of Horſe, to whom the Generall returned the ſame day, (being Saturday) to Sherburne, whether being come, and having taken up his head Quarter there, he preſently from thence ſent away Colonell Fleetwood, with his own and Colonell Whaleys Regiment of Horſe, to ſpeed to Shaftsbury, ſo to oppoſe and deſtroy the Kings Commiſſioners Jeſuiticall deſigne there againſt us: With which two Regiments Colonell Fleetwood forthwith marched to Shaftsbury, dividing his Forces, that ſo, when he came neer the ſaid Town, he might, and did, ſurround it, as a Guard with his Forces, whilſt the reſt marched into Shaftsbury, where the Commiſſioners were then p. 253ſitting, and thus they ſurprized them all, no… one of them eſcaping, whom thus taken, they brought Priſoners to Sherburne, where they were all examined one by one, and our as vertuous as valiant Generall, His Excellencies moſt excellent demeanour with the Kings Commiſſioners in their Examinations.learnedly and religiouſly confuted them all one by one, the Clergy by Scripture, and his Advocate Young by Law; ſhewing them plainly how they themſelves had dangerouſly acted contrary to their own principles and pretences. The Liſt of all their names was alſo ſent together with this relation, the particular mention whereof, for brevities ſake, I forbeare; the totall number of them was full 50. ſome of the chiefeſt of them were theſe, Maſter John Saintlo, Maſter Richard Buckridge, Maſter William Smith, Maſter Jarvis, Maſter Hollis, Maſter Lovell, Maſter Eſtmond, Maſter Goodwin, Maſter Davis, &c. and divers of them moſt peſtilently Malignant Prieſts or Miniſters.

And at the foreſaid time, wee received the certain intelligence of the routing and diſperſing of 2500. of the forementioned Clubmen, by valiant Lieutenant Generall Cromwell, which were gathered in a body in battalia upon Hambleton-Hill, neer Blanford, which in briefe was performed as followeth;

The Kings Commiſſioners, The routing and diſperſing of 2500 Clubmen, by Lieutenant Generall Cromwell, upon Hambleton Hill, neere Blanford in the Weſt.who were the heads and Ringleaders, of the refractory Clubmen of Dorceſter and Wilts, being all ſurprized and impriſoned, as was before related: The ſaid Clubmen moſt peremptorily and inſolently ſent (upon the Lords Day at night) to have their Leaders re-delivered unto them, and cauſed their Bells to be rung in all places, and Alarms to be given in their …all way of riſing, and about 2500. of them inſtantly met in a body at Hambleton-hill, with their Colours diſplayed, which were all white (for they had gotten white ſilken Colours) and their Drums and ſeverall Weapons, Muskets, Pikes, Piſtols, Birding-Peeces, Bils, Halberts, and many other ſeverall Weapons, and had thus drawne themſelves into a Body. Whereupon Lieutenant Generall Cromwell, with 500. Dragoones, and 500. more in a reſerve to march after them, marched out from the Leaguer toward theſe …toward Clubmen, and facing them, they drew into Battalia, and ſtood in a great and ancient Roman-work, which is upon thoſe hils, and admitted a Parley. Lieutenant Generall Cromwell demanded of them the reaſon of their riſing. They anſwered, To redeeme their Heads, or Leaders, requiring their Commiſſioners to be delivered to them, and then they ſaid they would returne home, but without their Leaders they would not disband.

p. 254Lieutenant Generall Cromwell returned anſwer, That they had them Priſoners; And that they were to anſwer for what they had done; and that they were at Sherburne with the Generall, and made a very full and worthy ſpeech to them, to perſwade them to be wiſe, and returne home in peace; ſhewing them how they have been miſled by a company of Malignants: and declaring what care the Generall had taken to ſecure their Eſtates, and ſettle peace amongſt them, and what comfort they found that ſubmitted thereunto.

But the Clubmen were very unruly; vapouring, and proteſting punctually to reſcue and redeeme their Leaders, (and indeed they are the very notorious Ringleaders of the Malignants of theſe parts) but the moderate party (eſpecially about Sommerſetſhire) do much deride their folly.

Lieutenant Generall Cromwell took great pains to appeaſe them without ſhedding of blood, but nothing would ſatisfie them, but to have (their Leaders) their Heads, delivered to them.

Whereupon, the Clubmen being in Battalia, Lieutenant Generall Cromwell drew up his Forces, and charged them with the 500. Dragoons, and ſlew ſome 12 of them, wounded many, took ſome 200 or 300 Priſoners, of the moſt notorious of them, and routed and diſperſed the reſt, who fled all home, leaving their Colours and their Arms behind them. And we hope that now they will no more trouble us againe.

A Liſt of what was taken from the Clubmen in the fight between them and Lieutenant Generall Cromwell at Hambleton-hill on Munday the 4. of Auguſt, 1645. TWo thouſand five hundred routed. Three hundred taken Priſoners. Twelve ſlaine upon the place. Many wounded. Two thouſand Armes of all ſorts, viz. Muſquets, Pikes, Piſtols, Halberts, Birding-peeces, &c. All their Colours, and Drums, and other Baggage. On our ſide we loſt only three men and ſome wounded.

About the eigth of this inſtant we had certaine intelligence out of Wales, that that moſt valiant, active, and faithfull Commander in thoſe parts Major Generall Laughorne, was alſo very ſuceſſefull p. 255in thoſe parts of Wales; A famous defeat given to the Enemy in Wales, by valiant and faithfull Major Generall Laughhorne.and underſtanding that the Kings deſignes and hopes were now quite fruſtrated of receiving any more ſtrength out of Wales, and that therefore the ravenous Royaliſts, yet reſiding there in Garriſons, being out of hope of further help and ſubſiſtance, then what they had or could get by plunder, they began therefore to conſume and deſtroy the Inhabitants hopes of their then preſent Harveſt, that thus nothing might be left undone (as much as in them lay) to make Wales as miſerable as the Weſt, and truly unhappy indeed: Their Commanders in Chiefe were Major Generall Stradling, and Major Edg…ton: But this, I ſay, the noble Major Generall underſtanding, he came with his Forces, and fell upon them (at Colby-Moore, within three miles of Haverford-Weſt, or thereabout) as they were firing the Country and Corne,The Priſoners and Prizes taken at Colby-Moore. and that with ſuch ſucceſſe and courage, that after a ſharp encounter he enforced the Enemy to fly with the loſſe of at leaſt 150 of their men, who were ſlaine upon the place, and in rout and purſuit of whom, tooke three Colonels, twelve Majors, forty other Officers, 700 Priſoners, foure Peeces of Ordnance, five Barrels of Powder, 1000 Armes, and all the Carriages that the Enemy had. There were hearty thanks given to Almighty God, for the great Victory, by Order from the Parliament, upon the next enſuing Lords Day, in all the Churches in London. And indeed this brave Victory was the more remarkable, becauſe our Forces in thoſe parts had been a long time before kept very low, and the Country had ſuffered much by the violence and fury of Gerrard. But now this moſt active, loyall, and valiant Major Generall, proſecuting this his Victory and good Succeſſe, tooke alſo the Town and Caſtle of Haverford-Weſt, Haverford-Weſt ſtormed & taken, both Towne and Caſtle.by a ſpeedy ſtorming of it, and in it 120 Common Souldiers, 20 Commanders and Officers in Armes, whereof one Colonell, one Lieutenant Colonell, and one Major, alſo one Peece of Ordnance, and about 150 Arms.

About the 12 of this inſtant Auguſt, we alſo received certaine information by Letters from our moſt renowned Generall, Sir Thomas Fairfax, That about the tenth inſtant, that ſtrong Caſtle of Sherburne, Sherburne Caſtle ſtormed and taken by renowned Sir Tho. Fairfax.which the Enemy had vaunted would continue and hold out a half yeares Siege at leaſt, was moſt valiantly ſtormed, and the next day taken, the manner whereof, was in briefe as followeth; Upon the tenth, as aforeſaid, our great Guns began to batter the ſtrong wall of the Caſtle, between the two leſſer Towers p. 256thereof, and had ſoone beaten down one of them, and before ſix of the Clock that night, had made a breach in the Wall, ſo as twelve a breaſt might enter, whereupon the moſt noble Generall ſent a Drum with a third Summons, to ſurrender the Caſtle, ſignifying with all, That if he were put to a Storme, they within would be left inexcuſable: But Sir Lewis Dives (then Governour) detained the Drum, and when the Drum ſpake ſome words (as Sir Lewis thought) ſawcily, he told him he was in the preſence of a better man than his Generall, and ſent no Anſwer till two of the clock on Friday morning, and then he ſent a Drum with this Meſſuage in writing to the Generall.

Sir Lewis Dives his Anſwer to the Generals Summons.

SIR, I muſt acknowledge the advantage you have of me, by being Maſter of my Wals, and that you may thinke me obſtinate without reaſon, I have ſent this Drum unto you, to let you know, that if I may have ſuch Conditions from you, as are fit for a ſouldier and a Gentleman, with honour to accept, I ſhall ſurrender this Caſtle into your hands, otherwiſe I ſhall eſteeme it a farre greater happineſſe to bury my bones in it, and the ſame reſolution have all thoſe that are with me. And give me leave to adde this, That your Victory will be crowned with more honour by granting it, than you will gaine glory by the winning it, with the loſſe of ſo much blood as it will coſt.

I am your Servant Lewis Dives Sherburne Caſtle, Auguſt 15. 1645.

Upon the receipt of this Anſwer, our men preſently prepared to ſtorme the Caſtle, which they performed with ſo much courage and reſolution, that inſtantly twenty of the Cabs leaped over the Wall, and came to our men, crying for Quarter, the reſt of them within, being as much amazed as the former, cryed out for a Parley, but then it was too late, onelyonly Quarter was given them for their lives, and ſo our men entred the Caſtle, where they tooke Priſoners,The Priſoners and prizes taken. Sir Lewis Dives, Colonell and Governour of the Caſtle, together with his Lady, Colonell Sir John Strangewaies, one of the Lord Pawlets Sons; one Sir Cotton Knight, and Lieutenant Colonell Ruſſell an Atturney, and ſometime Sub-Governour of Weymouth for the King, two Apoſtate Members of the Houſe of Commons, divers of the Commiſſioners of Array, 9 Captaines, p. 25711 Lieutenants, 3 Cornets, 5 Colours, 55 Malignant Gentlemen of Wiltſhire, and Dorſetſhire, 10 Malignant Prieſts, 400 Common Souldiers, above 800 Armes, 16 Peeces of Ordnance, a Morter Peece, and a Murtherer, 60 Barrels of powder, great ſtore of Proviſions and rich houſholdſtuffe, together with other good plunder, which the Enemy had before taken from the Country, all which plunder our brave Souldiers merrily divided among them, and that moſt deſervedly. There were few of the Enemies ſlaine in the ſtorme, and as few left unſtript of what was worth anything,The ſlaine on our ſide. after the Storme. We loſt not above 94 men in all this ſiege and taking of the Caſtle, whereof Captain Dove, and two other Captains ſlaine with him.

About Aug. 16. our moſt pious Parliamentary Worthies religiouſly Ordered, That (for the further advancement of the worke of Reformation in matters of Religion) Firſt, That no Bibles ſhould be vented in this Kingdome,The Parliaments moſt pious and prudent care for the Reformation of matters in Religion. without the peruſall of the Aſſembly of Divines, or ſuch other perſons as ſhould be thereunto appointed▪ Alſo, That all the Knights and Burgeſſes of the ſeverall Counties of the Kingdome, within the power of the Parliament, ſhould ſend printed Bookes of the Directory for Gods Worſhip, fairly bound up in Leather, unto the Committees of Parliament, reſiding in the reſpective Counties of England and Wales, who ſhould with all convenient ſpeed ſend the ſame, and cauſe them to be delivered unto the ſeverall reſpective Conſtables, or other Officers, of all the ſeverall Pariſhes, and reſpective Chappalries and Donatives within the Kingdome of England and Dominion of Wales, and the Port and Town of Barwick, that is to ſay, one Booke to the reſpective Conſtables, and other Officers of every one of the ſaid Pariſhes, Chappelries and Donatives, to be paid for by the Inhabitants within the ſaid ſeverall Pariſhes and Chappelries.

And it is further hereby Ordained by the ſaid Lords and Commons, That if any perſon or perſons whatſoever ſhall at any time or times hereafter abuſe or cauſe the aforeſaid Book of Common Prayer to be abuſed in any Church, Chappell, or publique place of Worſhip, or in any private place or Family, within the Kingdome of England or Dominion of Wales, or Port and Towne of Barwick, that then every ſuch perſon ſo offending therein, ſhall for the firſt offence forfeit and pay the ſumme of five pounds of lawfull Engliſh money, for the ſecond offence the ſumme of tenne pounds, and for the third offence ſhall ſuffer one whole yeares impriſonment, without Bayle or Main prize.

p. 258And it is further Ordained, that every Miniſter which ſhall not henceforth purſue and obſerve the Directory for Publike Worſhip, according to the true intent and meaning thereof, in all exerciſes of the publike Worſhip of God within this Realme of England, and dominion of Wales, and within the Towne and Port of Barwick, ſhall for every time that he ſhall ſo offend, loſe and forſeit the ſumme of forty ſhillings of lawfull Engliſh mony. And that what perſon ſoever ſhall with intent to bring the ſaid Directory into contempt and neglect, or to raiſe oppoſition againſt it, Preach, Write, Print, or cauſe to be written or printed, any thing in the derogation or depraving of the ſaid Booke, or any thing therein contained, or any part thereof, ſhall loſe and forfeit for every ſuch offence, ſuch a ſumme of money, as ſhall at the time of his conviction be thought fit to be impoſed upon him, by thoſe before whom he ſhall have his triall, provided, that it be not leſſe than five pounds, and not exceeding the ſumme of fifty pounds.

And be it further ordained by the authority aforeſaid, That no perſon or perſons ſhall be at any time hereafter impeached or moleſted, of, or for any of the offences laſt above mentioned, hereafter to be committed or done contrary to this Ordinance, unleſſe he or they ſo offending be thereof indicted at the next or ſecond generall Seſſions, to be holden before any Juſtices of Oyre, and determiner, or Juſtices of Aſſize, or before the Juſtices of Peace at their generall quarter Seſſions next after any offence committed or done contrary to the tenor of this Ordinance, and that he be thereby lawfully convicted according to the Lawes of this Realm, by verdict of twelve men, or by his own confeſſion.

It is further Ordered and Ordained, That all Common Prayer Bookes remaining in Pariſh Churches and Chappels, ſhall within a monethmonth after the publiſhing of this Ordinance, be by the Church-wardens, or Conſtables of the reſpective Pariſhes, under the penalty of forty ſhillings, to be employed as aforeſaid, carried unto the Committees of the reſpective Counties, where they ſhall be found, to be diſpoſed of as the Parliament ſhall direct.

And about the 20. of this inſtant, we were for certaine informed by Letters out of the Northern parts of the Kingdome, that about this time the Engliſh and Scottiſh forces were very conſiderable in Horſe and Dragoones, for the preſervation of thoſe parts from the rage of the Royaliſts, viz. That Lieutenant Generall p. 259Leſley with 5000.The good condition of our Forces in the North, and the Kings Plot there fruſtrated, and his Forces defeated. Horſe and Dragoons, valiant Col. Roſ…er with 1000. and the Nottingham, Darby, and Staffordſhire Horſe joyned with Major Generall Poyntz, had their Rendezvouz neare Doncaſter, and were compleat 10000. Horſe and Dragoones, their foot being left at Yorke, for their better ſafety and ſecurity; the Kings great deſire and deſigne being at this time (as they were certainly informed) to get further into the North, but valiant and vigilant Major Generall Poyntz tooke ſpeciall care to prevent him, and to ſecure the paſſages at Ferribridge, ſo to impede his progreſſe that way; yet at laſt the King was come on as neare as Doncaſter, and had made Proclamation that all ſhould come in to him to goe along with him to Yorke, where he hoped to make a ſecond Neſt to neſtle his devouring Cormorants again, but findeing no appearance anſwerable to his expectation, but contrariwiſe all our Forces ready to receive him, he therefore made a ſpeedy retreat backe againe, in which his retreat a party of our Horſe fell fiercely upon his reare, and ferretted them ſoundly, where they tooke the Lord Harris, a Papiſt, Priſoner, together with 100. Horſe, and divers Priſoners, and forced the King to fly away thence to Newarke.

About the 24. of this inſtant, the prime Priſoners taken by our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax at Sherburn-Caſtle were brought to London by Sea,Sir Lewis Dives, and Sir George Strangwaies brought priſoners to the Parliament and two of the cheife of them, were (as this day) brought to the Houſe of Commons, viz. Sir Lewis Dives, late Governour of Sherburn Caſtle for the King, and Col. Sir George Strangewaies formerly a Member of that Houſe, who were by a ſtrong Guard attended, and at laſt cauſed to come into the Houſe to the Bar, where Dives demeaned himſelfe very ſupercilliouſly and proudly, ſeeming to refuſe to kneel on both his knees til he was compelled unto it; and then the Speaker of the Houſe of Commons, told him, that he was much to be lamented, who notwithſtanding that he had been a meanes to ſhed ſo much innocent bloud, and had committed ſo much Treaſon againſt his native Kingdome, endeavouring to deſtroy the ſame, and helping (as much as in him was) to draw the King from his Parliament; and yet that his heart ſhould no more (nay not at all) relent, but that he looked before that Honourable preſence, as one whom God had given over to hardneſſe of heart, and impudency of carriage; he therefore for his Treaſons pronounced the Commitment of him, and of Sir George Strangewaies, to the Tower of p. 260London, there to remaine Priſoners till Juſtice ſhould farther proceed againſt them.

And about the 28. inſtant, his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, our moſt renowned Generall, having his Leaguer, now before Briſtoll, we had certaine intelligence from them, that the Clubmen of Glouceſter, and Somerſetſhire expreſſed much affection to Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army,Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Leaguer before Briſtoll, and the taking of the ſtrong Fort called Portſhead point. and afforded them a gallant Party, for the taking of this brave and ſtrong City of Briſtoll; and that Somerſetſhire had raiſed at leaſt 2000. men, and were joyned with Sir Thomas in the taking of the ſtrong Fort called Portſhead-point, the true and exact manner whereof being related by a Letter ſent from an eminent Commander in the ſaid Leaguer, to the Speaker of the Houſe of Commons in Parliament; I have here thought fit for the Readers better content and ſatisfaction to inſert the ſaid Letter verbatim, as it was printed and publiſhed by authority, which was as followeth.

To the Right Honourable William Lenthall Eſquire, Speaker of the Honourable Houſe of Commons.

SIR, I wrot unto you the other day in what poſture we were before the Towne, we have ſince incroached upon our Enemies, and in many places got within Piſtoll ſhot, and have had hot incounters with them: On Munday morning laſt about foure a Clock they ſallyed out againe, and we watched how to catch them, and that evening we took Sir Bernard Aſhley the beſt Souldier in Briſtoll, and kild Col. Daniel, for he had ſeaven bullets in his body, but being ſo neere the works, we durſt not alight to bring off his body, Sir Bernard Aſhley we have Priſoner, though ſore wounded: The other day, at our firſt comming, we ſhot Sir Richard Crane (another great favourer of Ruports) through the thighe, of which he lyes dangerouſly ill, the party of Foot under Lieutenant Col. Kempſon, hath taken the ſtrong Fort of Portſ-head point, and therein …ix pieces of Ordnance, and one Demy-culvering, ſo our Ships may come in freely into Severne; we have alſo ſeized on one Ship in Avon, with twelve peice of Ordnance. The laſt night we were all up in Armes, expecting a Sally out, of one thouſand Horſe upon our Guards, being extream wet weather all night long; the Enemy drew out under their Workes, but their Scouts diſcerning our readineſſe came not on, beſides they had a p. 261moſt fierce Alarm, Ports-head point was taken, and the Parliament Ships coming up the River, the Towns men were diſmayed, and threw down Arms, Rupert impriſoned ſome of them, and thus is the condition of affaires for the preſent. We had by this raiſed as good Works againſt theirs as may be, and if Goring come on of the other hand: But ſingly, either of them we feare not. I am in great haſt, and can write no more but that I am, Sir,

Your moſt humble ſervant. From before Briſtoll, Aug. 28. 1645. at 4. in the afternoone.

Colonell Morgan is before Barklay Caſtle, and the Generall hath ſent a Regiment of Horſe to his aſſiſtance. Our Horſe before Briſtoll have done five daies and nights duty, never coming off the Field.

And about the 30 of this inſtant Auguſt, came certaine information by Letters to London from Redding, that a Party of about 120 Horſe from Wallingford and Dennington, came into thoſe parts to gather Contribution Money, even within a mile of Redding; Colonell Baxter the Governour of Reading, with Captaine Pile, and as many Horſe and Dragoones of their Troops as could be preſently made ready, which was not above 30 or 40 in all at moſt, underſtanding thereof, ſent to Colonell Moore ond Captain Burroughs, A brave defeat given to the Enemy neer Redding.who then had about 100 of Abington Horſe quartered alſo at Redding to prepare for his Reſerve. The Enemy upon their March homeward ware cloſely followed by the Governours party whoſe forlorn hope forced the Enemies Rear guard to their body at which their body faced about, and cauſed our forlorn to retreat, and they perceiving our number to be but ſmall, purſued the Governour through and through, yet he had but one man ſlain, and eight of his men were taken Priſoners, and the Governours ſword was cut off to the hilt, for upon the Enemies facing about upon ours, the Governour ſeeing the Enemies advantage to be at leaſt foure to one, did forbeare an engagement, till he had ſent one of his Captaines to know how far behind the Abington horſe were,Ours worſted at the firſt by falſe intelligence. and to give them the Word, who returned to the Governour, and told him they were at hand, which proved otherwiſe, to the hazard of the Governour, and his whole party, then engaging, as you have heard. See here therefore how much conducing to the welfare of martiall affaires, true intelligence is, and how the p. 262want of it proves deſtructive. In this interim, at length, and ſeaſonably enough, came in Colonell Moore, and Captain Burroughs with their horſe, and they, now, with the Governours Horſe and Dragoones, being rallied againe, very fiercely charged the Enemy again,The Enemy quite routed and a brave victory obtained. bravely routed them, regained their priſoners, tooke about 50 Horſe of the Enemies, 60 Arms, 23 Priſoners, one Major, one Captaine, and ſorely wounded another, and ſlew 13 of them on the ground, and in their purſuit, which ours had upon them for at leaſt five miles: The reſt eſcaped by flight to tell their fellowes at Wallingford what a brave prize and purchaſe they had got. We had but that one man ſlaine upon the place, forementioned, and two dyed ſince of their wounds. The Governour, Colonell Moore, Captaine Pile, Captaine Burroughs, and Quarter-Maſter Barker, behaved themſelves with much gallantry in this buſineſſe, and generally the Souldiers fought all of them very bravely; but moſt juſtly to God be all the praiſe of the victory.

And about the ſame time we alſo underſtood for certaine, by Letters out of Shropſhire, That the brave and active Garriſon of Shrewsbury fell alſo upon a party of the Enemies at Biſhops-Caſtle, Valiant Major Fenicks good Service at Biſhops Caſtle in Shropſhire.in that County, as they were hot in plundring the Fayre, which was then kept there, whom they bravely and ſuddenly routed, reſcued all the plunder, tooke 200 of the Enemies Horſe, and many Priſoners: This Service was performed by valiant Major Fenick, and the Enemies party was from Ludlow and Bridge-North.

And here, now, good Reader, let me deſire thee to make a little pauſe and parley with thy heart and ſoul, in the ſerious contemplation and conſideration of the rich and rare mercies of this monethmonth alſo,The Burning-Buſh unconſumed. wherein thou haſt moſt remarkably ſeen the faithful performance of this our ſtill-continued mighty & marvelous wonder of The Burning-Buſh unconſumed, or rather indeed, more and more proſpered and preſerved, in the midſt of ſuch, and ſo many fierce & furious flaſhes and flames of miſchief and malignity, in outragious oppoſition 1againſt it, which hath bin moſt abundantly demonſtrated, 2both in Captain Allens brave defeat given to the Enemy neer Stamford 3in Lincolnſhire: In the ſurpriſall of the Kings Commiſſioners at 4Shaftsbury by Colonell Fleetwood: In the routing of the Clubmen by Lieutenant Generall Cromwell: In the famous defeat given to the 5Enemy in Wales, by Major Generall Laughorne: In the ſtorming 6and taking of Sherburne Caſtle, by renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax: In the Parliaments pious and prudent care for the reformation of p. 263matters in Religion: In the good condition of our Forces in 7the North, whereby a dangerous deſigne of the Kings was fruſtrated and his forces defeated: In our moſt noble and renowned 8Generals winning of that ſtrong Fort at Briſtoll, called Ports-head Point: In that brave, but dangerous defeat given to the Enemy 9neer Reading: And Major Fenicks defeat given to the Enemy at Biſhops-Caſtle in Shropſhire: All which rare Parliamentary Mercies, beſtowed on us, and ſore pinches and pulls thus from time to time, put upon and wreſted from our vile and vexatious Enemies: O how ought the gracious and gratefull recordation and conſideration thereof, work upon our ſpirits, and affect our ſouls with unexpreſſible gratitude to our God, the moſt mercifull, wiſe, and wonderfull worker of them, and cauſe us to break forth with holy David, that ſweet ſinger of Iſrael, into this holy extaſie of exultation and rejoycing, ſing and ſay,Pſal. 6…. 6, 7. 8,Ps 6:6Ps 6:7Ps 6:8 Our ſouls waite, yea wait only upon God, for our expectation is only from him. He only is our rock and our ſalvation, he is our defence, whereby we are not moved. In the Lord our God is our ſalvation, and our onelyonly glory, yea he is the rock of our ſtrength, and our righteouſneſſe, therefore will we truſt in him ſtill, and at all times. And thus now to proceed,September. 1645.

And here I ſhall begin the yet further ſight and ſurvey of this next enſuing Moneths marvell, and moſt worthily to be admired wonder of this our ſtill unconſumed Burning-Buſh, in repreſenting to the Reader in the firſt place, an excellent Declaration, ſet forth and ſent into Wales, by the wiſdome and providence of the moſt renowned Lords and Commons in Parliament, about the beginning of this MonethMonth of September, 1645. providently (I ſay) and prudently to undeceive that pittifully miſled and abuſed people,A moſt foul and falſe projected ſlander of the Royaiiſts to abuſe the Parliament and people of Wales. who had been over-perſwaded, and made to believe, all along, and all over that whole Dominion and Principality, even as much as poſſibly might be, by the lying and irreligious Royaliſts, That the Parliament mainly endeavoured to make a Conqueſt of their Country, and to gratifie our Brethren of Scotland with the totall donation of it unto them, as a reward and requitall of their aſſiſtance in this preſent War; thus, moſt maliciouſly and falſly to ſlander the Parliaments proceedings, and thus the more to exaſperate the thoughts, and ſtir and ſtimulate the ſpirits and ſplene of the naturally reſtie Welchmen, againſt the Parliament; which ſaid Declaration, for the Readers better content and ſatisfaction, and for the excellency of the thing it ſelf, I have here thought fit to inſert p. 264it, as it was printed and publiſhed by Authority, which was as followeth.

A Declaration of the Lords and Commons Aſſembled in Parliament.

Die Lunae 8. Septemb. 1645.

WHereas the Lords and Commons in Parliament aſſembled, are informed that by the ſubtle and malicious practiſes of a Popiſh and Malignant party, oppoſite to Gods Cauſe and the proſperity of this Kingdom, it hath been inſinuated and infuſed into ſundry of the Inhabitants of his Majeſties Do…inions of Wales, to diſ-affect and poyſon them againſt the proceedings of the Parliament, That it was their intention to gratifie our Brethren of Scotland for their aſſiſtance in theſe our extremities drawn upon us by the ſaid Popiſh and Malignant party, with the Eſtates and Lands of the ſaid Inhabitants, which is ſo abſolutely falſe, that it never entred into their thoughts, and conſequently needed no refutation: Yet that the Subjects of this Kingdome, inhabiting within the ſaid Dominion of Wales, may receive full and befiting ſatisfaction, and We and our Brethren of Scotland Vindication againſt ſo foule and ſo barbarous an aſperſion, the ſaid Lords and Commons do teſtifie and declare to all perſons whatſoever, to whom theſe ſhall come, That they do much abhor and deteſt an Act of ſuch Injuſtice and Inhumanity, and that they are ſo farre from doing any ſuch thing, that if any of the ſaid Inhabitants upon due ſenſe and ſorrow for any of their Crimes and Miſdemeanours committed againſt the preſent Parliament, ſhall ſubmit and apply themſelves by humble Petition to the Parliament, and deſire the favour of, and reconciliation to the ſame, the ſaid Lords and Commons will be thereupon ready to receive any and all ſuch, upon ſuch reaſonable terms as the wiſdome of the Parliament ſhall thinke in ſome meaſure proportionable to the qualities and degrees of their ſeverall offences, and thereupon yeeld them all ſuch aid and aſſiſtance, as they ſhall reaſonably deſire, and the Parliament be able to … Provided alwaies that this ſhall not extend to any that are excepted from pardon within the Propoſitions lately preſented to his Majeſty for a ſafe and well grounded Peace.

Jo. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum.

And here now the Reader may be pleaſed to remember, That about the latter end of the laſt Moneths Relations I intimated our renowned Gener…s b…leaguering and beſieging of the ſtrong Town p. 265or City of Briſtoll, and what a good beginning he had made there, in taking from the Enemy that ſtrong Fort of theirs, called Portſhead-Point, And now about the ninth of this inſtant September, as we were credibly informed, our noble and pious Generall, Sir Thomas Fairfax, reſolving to ſet effectually upon the work of winning and ſubduing the City to the Parliaments juſt obedience, for the better and more happy and hopefull effecting whereof, he moſt rightly and religiouſly reſolved firſt to ſeek the Lords aſſiſtance therein,A day of Humiliation in the Generals Army before the ſtorming of Briſtoll. and therefore appointed a day of holy humiliation to be ſolemnly kept throughout the whole Army, which was accordingly performed▪ and then they all prepared to ſtorme the City ſuddenly, the Somerſet Clubmen having at a meeting, at a place called Dunderry, declared themſelves with great alacrity and readineſſe to give Sir Thomas their beſt aſſiſtance, for the regaining of this ſaid City of Briſtoll. But before the ſtorming thereof you muſt take notice, that our moſt noble and renowned Generall had ſent his Summons to Prince Rupert, Briſtoll ſummoned.the then Governour thereof, to have it ſurrendred unto him on fair and …itting Articles or Propoſitions, which Rupert put off with tricks and delayes, and deſires to ſend, firſt to his Unkle the King, ere he would or could reſolve ought therein: Thus ſhewing himſelfe in his old proper Colours, pre…ending one thing and intending another, onelyonly to gaine time till his Counter-Scarffs, and inner-Lines were fully finiſhed, about which (at that time) they were very active and nimble (as indeed it beloved them) day and night. But to be brief, all relations to a true Treaty being broken off, and in this the Prince and his Confederates within, being left inexcuſable, for refuſing the fair and honourable Conditions which noble Sir Thomas, like himſelf, had tendred unto him, very faire, I ſay, and honourable; and therefore the blood that was to be ſhed and inevitably ſpilt to be challenged at their hands, and laid on their heads; It was now therefore (I ſay) peremptorily reſolved on Tueſday night, being the 9 of Septemb▪ Briſtoll ſtormed, and the manner thereof.to ſtorm the City, the manner of the ſtorm was before thus agreed on, …lon Welden was to have one Brigade, conſiſting of foure T…unton Regiments, viz. Colonell Welden, Col. Twooldſ…y, Colonell Fort…ſoues, and Colonell Herberts Regiments, who were to make good Somerſetſhire ſide, and to ſtorme in three places. Col. Mountague to command the Generals Brigade, conſiſting of the Generals, Col. Mountagues, Col. Pickerings, and Sir Hardreſſe W…llers. Regiments, to ſtorm on both ſides of Lawford Gate, Col. p. 266Rainſborough had another Brigade, conſiſting of his own, Major Generall Skippons, Colonell Hammonds, Col. Birches, and Col. Barkleys Regiments, to ſtorm on this ſide the River Froom, beginning on the right hand of the Sally-Port, The diſpoſall of all the Brigades and Regiments about Briſtoll.up to Priors-Fort, and 200. of this Brigade to go in Boats with the Seamen, to ſtorm Water-Port. One regiment of Foot and another of Horſe to be moving up and down in the Cloſes before the Royall-Fort, to alarm them; and one Regiment of Dragoones, with two of Horſe, to attempt the Line and Works by Clifton and Waſhingtons breach. The manner of the ſtorm being thus agreed on Tueſday at night, all the Army, Horſe and Foot, round the City, were ſet in a poſture to fall on; the ſignes to give notice when the ſtorm ſhould begin, were by kindling a fire of ſtraw, and ſhooting of foure great Gunnes. Our Word, The Word. Col. Rainſboroughs brave ſervice on his part.during the Storm, was David, and after the Line was entred, the Word was, The Lord of Hoſts. About two of the Clock in the morning the ſtorm began, the Souldiers ſhouted for joy, the ſervice was very hot for a time, eſpecially with Colonell Rainſboroughs Brigade, who with a party of his Forces ſpent 3 houres in the ſtorming of Pryers-Fort, a place of great advantage, which piece of Service was as bravely performed, as ever thing was done by man, in regard they were put to the utmoſt, by ſcaling-Ladders to win the Fort. They cut in pieces moſt of the Forces within this Fort, and made the reſt unſerviceable, and gave no Quarter to Major Price in the Fort. This Brigade took foure great Pieces in this Fort,And Colonell Mountagues on his part. and two more in a Redoubt, and Colonell Mountagues Brigade took ſixteen Pieces in the ſeverall Works and Half-Moons which they gained by ſtorming. The other Brigade under Colonell Welden, fell on Somerſetſhire ſide, with a great deal of reſolution, but when the Ladders were ſet to the Works, they were too ſhort, the moat being very deep, ſo that they only alarm'd the Enemy. The Clubmen who fell on at Bedminſter, much terrified the Enemy. Our loſſe of men was inconſiderable, yea, almoſt not credible, conſidering their fierce brunts. And truly in Colonell Rainſborough and Colonell Mountagues Brigade, not forty men were loſt, and our Horſe entred with our Foot, the Pioneers having thrown down the Line, and beaten off the Enemies Horſe, and took Colonell Taylor, formerly a Member of Parliament, being mortally wounded. We had on our part Captaine Ireton ſore wounded, who was a Captain of Horſe, an honeſt and ſtout man, Major Bethel was ſlightly wounded; Major Saintleger, and two Majors p. 267more of the Enemies part, and divers others were taken Priſoners. Now ours, by this time, being thus made maſters of the moſt part of the Town,Almoſt all the Town taken. and all their Works, but onelyonly the Main Fort; Rupert fled into the Caſtle, and ours being about to plant Ordnance againſt it,Rupert being fled into the Caſtle, deſires a Parley. on Wedneſday morning about eight of the clock, Rupert ſent to deſire a Parley, but the Souldiers were generally unwilling to hearken to any tearms of Treaty, ſince, now, they were in ſo faire a way of taking all by force; but the thrice noble Generall, out of his generous and noble diſpoſition, and reſolution to mercy, rather than to ſee ſo brave a Towne burnt to aſhes and deſtroyed (Rupert having already fired it in three places, and vowed to burne all ere he would yeeld without Articles of agreement) ſatisfied his Souldiers, and condiſcended to a Treaty, which by ſix of the clock on that Wedneſday night produced too honourable termes for ſuch a miſchievous and bloody Prince:The Towne and Caſtle of Briſtoll ſurrendred on Articles of Agreement. Colonell Murrey and another Knight being ſent to the Generall, as Hoſtages for the performance of thoſe Articles, which were about ten in number, which here, for brevities ſake, I omit particularly to mention; and Sir Robert Pye, and Sir Hardreſſe Waller were ſent as Hoſtages to the Prince. And things on both ſides yeelded to and promiſed being exactly performed accordingly, the Prince and his traine iſſued out of Briſtoll, accompanied ſome part of his way by our renowned Generall, and ours immediately poſſeſſed of the City and Caſtle, with all therein, ſave what Rupert was permitted on the Agreement to have with him;Intelligence of the taking of Briſtoll brought to the Parliament, & the Meſſengers rewarded. all which premiſes were confirmed by the teſtimony and intelligence of three ſeverall Meſſengers, ſent to London immediately to the Parliament, with Letters from Briſtoll, to the Houſe of Commons, which Meſſengers had, by Order of the Houſe, 60 l. to be divided among them, for their reward, in bringing this moſt welcome newes to the Parliament. And it was ordered, That on the next enſuing Lords Day, deſerved and bounden thanks ſhould be given to Almighty God, in all Pariſh Churches and Chappels within the Line of Communication and Bills of Mortality in London and Weſtminſter, Thanks returned to God for the thus regaining of the City of Briſtoll.for the great and good ſucceſſe which God had given to our Forces under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, in taking the City of Briſtoll, with the Caſtle and Forts thereof. And on the Lords Day fortnight following, Octob. 5. like bounden thanks to be given alſo in all the Pariſh Churches within the power of the Parliament, thorow all England and Wales.

p. 268Our moſt renowned Generall, upon his return from Rupert, viewed the Royall Fort in Briſtol, which he eſteemed one of the braveſt citadels in all England, in it were 24 Peeces mounted upon five baſtions, powder in quantity anſwerable,The ſtrength and Wealth of the City of Briſtoll when it was taken. victuall in abundance of all ſorts, 80 or 100 tunne of Beer, Bread ſufficient to ſerve almoſt 100000 men a day: Upon the Line, Caſtle and Forts, might be in all about 200 Peeces of Ordnance then mounted, and 300 Barrels of Powder, Match and Powder proportionable, a great Magazine of Arms; ſome reported (and that by the laſt and beſt intelligence) 7000. ten ſmall Ships in the Harbour, ten Commanders ſlaine,The Enemies loſſe and our gaine at Briſtoll. one Colonell mortally wounded, ſixty Officers and Souldiers ſlaine in the ſtorme, 37 deſperately wounded: In the ſaid ſtorm we alſo tooke priſoners, 20 Officers in Arms, 200 Common Souldiers, and about 1000 after the taking of the City of Briſtoll, forſook the Enemy, and choſe rather to fight with Sir Thomas Fairfax, than to ſide any longer with the Kings Cormorants; we alſo took (in ſpeciall) Baſalisk, the Warning-Peece which was loſt in Cornwall, the yeare before, with ſome other Peeces of ours, then alſo loſt, ſo that, at Naſeby, Bridgewater, and here in Briſtoll, we have re-taken all the brave Peeces of Ordnance, we had loſt before in the Weſt. All this rare and admirable ſucceſſe was the Lords doing, and is and ought to be moſt marvellous in our eyes, to him alone therefore be all the praiſe and glory moſt worthily aſcribed for ever and ever.Renowned & religious Major Generall Skippon made Governour of Briſtoll. Divers Gentlemen of the Weſt did petition to the Houſe of Commons, that renowned and religious Major Generall Skippon, that famous Commander in Arms, ſhould be made Governour of the City of Briſtoll, which was accordingly (and that moſt worthily) condeſcended unto by the Parliament. And now to proceed.

About the 12 inſtant, we received certaine intelligence by Letters from Shrewsbury, that the valiant and victorious forces of that brave and moſt active Garriſon,Shrewsburies defeat given to the Enemy at Bridge-North. having intelligence in what poſture the Enemy lay at Bridge-North, they ſuddenly and ſilently marched thither, and undiſcovered fell upon the Centinels, ſoone ſurprized them, entred the Town it ſelf, and there fell upon the Enemy, drove them into the Caſtle, ſlew ſome of them, and tooke ſome priſoners that the Enemy had of theirs, tooke about 180. Horſe, and ſome good pillage, all which they ſafely brought away, and returned triumphantly to Shrewsbury againe.

And about the 14 inſtant, we were for certaine informed by p. 269…tters from Coventry, that Lieutenant Colonell Phips, a brave and …ut Gentleman of that famous City, being requeſted (as a Phiſi…an) to viſit the Lady Lucie at Churlcot, about three miles from …arwick, Gods ſpeciall preſervation of Lieutenant Col. Phips of Coventry, from the danger of the Enemy.it being within the Parliaments Garriſons, and therefore he might have thought himſelf ſecure enough, but it ſeemed the Enemy had ſome private intelligence hereof, and from Banbury a party of their Horſe ſecretly attended his coming back, and about two miles from Warwick, or little more, at their beſt advantage, they diſcovered themſelves upon him, and ere diſcovered, had ſurrounded him, and riding up cloſe unto him, to have laid hold on him, he ſtoutly with his Sword kept them off, his man aſſiſting him, whereupon they ſhot ſeverall Piſtols at him, killed his man in the place, but the brave Lieutenant Colonell himſelfe with his Sword only, valiantly defended himſelfe, and violently brake through ſix or ſeven of the Enemy, who ſtood to ſtop him in a ſtrait paſſage, and thus outriding them, got to Warwick without any hurt at all. This was that valiant and faithfull Phips, who was the chiefe inſtrument (under God) of preſerving Coventry, when the King was (at the firſt beginning of this War) before it. And this, though a particular paſſage, yet having ſo much of Gods providence and preſervation in it, and that to one of the Parliaments firſt and ſo faſt friends, I thought it worthy to be here inſerted, for Gods glory, and the honour of his cauſe, and the faithfull upholders of it.

And whereas it had pleaſed the Lord, in his moſt wiſe diſpoſall and righteous ordering of all things, as about this time, and ſomtime not long before, to permit Montroſſe, that moſt deſperate and Atheiſticall Rebell in Scotland, ſorely and very ſuddenly to overrunne and ſpoile that Kingdome of Scotland, The ſudden moſt ſtrange condition of Scotland by Montroſſe.by the curſed help of ſome additionall Iriſh Rebels, then come unto him, and thereby to worke ſuch a mighty and ſudden overture of things there, as made us all (and that moſt juſtly) ſtand amazed to ſee that Kingdome ſo ſoone and ſo univerſally reduced into ſuch a deep deluge of danger and diſtraction; and whereby Montroſſe was lifted up to ſuch a height of pride, and inſolent arrogancy, as to go about to ſummon a Parliament, as Lord Paramount, and already King of Scotland, and to force divers rebellious and trayterous Lords of that Kingdome (then in durance in Edenborough) out of priſon, and to be ſet at liberty, and ſent to him, as his beloved brethren in iniquity with him, as upon his command they were: And yet, p. 270notwithſtanding all this, how admirably and graciouſly againe, it pleaſed the Lord, on a ſudden, to revive this ſeeming dying Kingdome,The as ſudden and moſt admirable alteration of things againe in Scotland, to Gods glory, and that Kingdomes comfort. and (in the midſt of all Montroſſes ruffe and puffe of pride) to diſappoint and diſſipate his high-built hopes and vapourous villanies of inſufferable pride and oppreſſion, exerciſed by him on the poore helpleſſe Inhabitants where he came. The manner whereof I ſhall deſire the Reader to receive in this enſuing relation extracted (for brevities ſake) out of an authentick narration thereof, ſent from Barwick, immediately after the great and glorious victory which God gave thoſe our loving Brethren in Scotland, which was as followeth:

About the 12 of this inſtant September, 1645. being Friday, a day of faſting and humiliation in Scotland, and valiant and victorious Lieutenant Generall David Leſley, being then come into Scotland, advanced with his Forces within three miles of the place where Montroſſes Army lay quartered,A briefe Relation of the brave and famous Victory obtained by our Brethren of Scotland, againſt Montroſſe in Scotland. in Philip-Haugh, not far from Selkirk, and the morrow being Saturday, Sept. 13. he marched cloſe up within view of the Enemy, who about 10 of the clock that morning, according to his uſuall manner, had made choiſe of a moſt advantagious ground, wherein they had intrenched themſelves, having upon the one hand an unpaſſable ditch, and on the other dikes and hedges, and where theſe were not ſtrong enough, they had fortified them by caſting up ditches, and lyning their hedges ſtrongly with Musketeers: After viewing one another, and ſome ſlight skirmiſhes, parties, in this kinde, growing greater on both ſides, at laſt our Van advanced cloſe upon the Enemy, and for almoſt an houre (being between 11 and 12 of the clock) it was hotly diſputed,The fight begun. our Horſe endeavouring to break thorow and the Enemy with great reſolution maintaining their ground, but at length Lieutenant Generall Leſley charging very deſperately upon the head of his own Regiment, broke the body of the Enemies Foot,Montroſſe diſcomfited. after which they went all in a confuſion and diſorder, and the Horſe wanting their Foot, were not able to make great oppoſition; the Foot were hereupon cut off and taken, whereof 100 were Iriſh, 100 Iriſh ſhot to death.who were all ſince ſhot to death at a poſt, many of the Horſe were killed on the place, and many taken, but more in the purſuit, for they rallied againe, which, by Gods providence, occaſioned their greater overthrow,The Earle of Crawford ſlain. and gave opportunity to our Horſe to encounter them. Here the Earle of Crawford the Generall of their Horſe, was ſlaine, the Lord Ogleby, and Nathaniel Gordon, p. 271one of their moſt active Commanders were taken; of the Foot and Horſe,The ſlaine in this Fight on the Enemies ſide. it was then conceived there were between 2000 and 3000 killed. And this is remarkable in this great buſineſſe, that God ſhould be pleaſed to caſt into our hands againe, thoſe priſoners that had been delivered up baſely by the Malignants in Edenborough, to Montroſſe. The ſlaine on our ſide.We loſt on our ſide Captaine Barclay, and Captaine Dundaſſe, and a very few of our other Souldiers, but had div…rs wounded, yet killed and wounded there were not in all above 100. The Lord of Hoſts put a ſpirit of courage into our Officers and Souldiers, for all of them behaved themſelves moſt reſolutely and bravely, and after the battell, we underſtood for certaine, that divers of the Enemies were killed and taken by the Country people.All Montroſſes Bagge & Baggage taken. Montroſſe himſelf eſcaped with a few Horſe, leaving behind him all his baggage, among which we found his own Commiſſion from the King, and divers other Commiſſions for Lieutenants in the ſeverall Counties, together with a Roll of all ſuch as had received protections from him, which did ſerve us as a good Vidimus for the payment of our Souldiers. And that the greatneſſe of Gods goodneſſe may ſhine forth in this Victory the more illuſtriouſly, I ſhall here give the Reader a Liſt of the Priſoners and ſlaine in this remarkable Fight and famous Victory.

Priſoners of note taken, beſides thoſe were killed at the Battell fought at Philip-Haugh, within three miles of Selkirk in Tividale, upon the 13. Septemb. 1645. and ſince in the purſuit.

Priſoners of note taken.

THe Earl of Traquaire.

Lord Seaton.

Lord Drummond.

Lord Ogleby.

Lord Gray.

Lord Linton.

The Lord Napers eldeſt Son.

The Baron of Drum, younger.

The Baron of Reaſyth.

The Lord of Derceys eldeſt Sonne.

Granchild to the late pretended Archbiſhop of S. Andrews.

The Laird of Pury Ogleby the younger.

Sir Robert Spotſwood, pretended Secretary of State, and Son to the late pretended Archbiſhop S. Andrews.

Sir John Hay, ſometimes Clarke Regiſter.

p. 272Sir James Dowglas, Sonne to the Earl of Morton.

Sir David Murray.

Sir John Byres.

Sir Nathaniel Gordon.

Sir Alexander Leſly, Serjeant Major Generall.

Sir William Rollock.

William Murray, Brother to the Earle of Tullibrand.

Col. William Stewart, adjutant-Generall.

Col. James Hay.

O Cain, Lieutenant-Colonell to the Iriſh.

The Serjeant Major to the Earl of Antrim, and di…rs Gentlemen.

Priſoners of note killed.

LOdwick Lindſay. Earl of Crawford, Generall of the Horſe.

The Baron of Innerleigh.

The Baron of Tough.

The Baron of Cambuſnethen, younger.

And Common Souldiers (as was toucht before) between 2 and 3000.

In all which Fight, our friends of the Scots loſt not one Noble man, or any Officer of note, ſave onelyonly Lieutenant Generall Middletons Father, whom Montroſſe (before the Fight too) murthered in his bed, a grave old Gentleman that never tooke up Armes at all againſt him. All Montroſſes Carriages and Ammunition were taken, all his Bagge and Baggage, and above 4000 Armes.

And that Gods due glory may yet more illuſtriouſly appeare in this famous Fight, and rare Victory, I ſhall deſire the Reader to take notice of theſe remarkable Obſervations on this Fight and Victory;Obſervations on this Fight. As

1Firſt, Montroſſe having had ſo long a time after this laſt great Victory, before Leſly came, yet he had not gotten many thouſands together.

2Secondly, That all this time not one Miniſter of Scotland complyed with the Enemy, either to preach to them, or to pray for them.

3Thirdly, That the Lord gave us this Victory in the ſpace of an houre.

4Fourthly, That it was by an inconſiderable party, not above five Regiments of Horſe.

5Fifthly, That it was onelyonly with the loſſe of fifteen Common Souldiers, and two Captains on our ſide.

6Sixthly, That it was the very next day after our Faſt, or day p. 273of humiliation, as a precious returne of our poore Prayers.

Seventhly and laſtly, that in the concluſion of the fight, a paperbook 7was taken among our prizes, in which were the names of all that either were come in, or intended to come in unto Montroſſe; So as, all the rotten members in the Kingdome of Scotland were thereby diſcovered in an houre, and many of them cut off in a ſhort time, in this their overthrow. Our Souldiers all cried out (after the victorie) Give all the glory to God, and none to us.

This relation of this famous victorie (though acted in and chiefly intereſted on the kingdome of Scotland, The relation of inſerting this relation of Scotland into this our Engliſh Parliamentary Chronicle.yet) having ſo much of God in it, and no ſmall influence on us of England alſo, our Scottiſh-Brethrens wel-fare and ours being ſo mutually imbarked, as it were in one and the ſame veſſell, I could not therefore pretermit it inſilence, but moſt juſtly make this honourable mention of it, in this our Parliamentarie-Chronicle. But now to proceed.

About the 18. of this inſtant September, it pleaſeth the Lord to ſhew himſelfe wonderfully for us at the City or Towne of Cheſter in giving (there) unto renowned Sir William Breretons forces left under the Command of that valiant,The SuburB, of the City of Cheſter wo… by valiant active Colo… Iones. active, and faithfull Colonell Iones and Adjutant Generall Louthane, a moſt admirable victorie and ſuch ſingular proſperous ſucceſſe upon that City, as gave us extraordinary hopes and probability of the timely totall reduction thereof to the obedience of the Praliament; which having beene moſt exactly and faithfully certified and ſet forth by letters from thence, I have here thought fit to give the Reader (for his full content and ſatisfaction therein) the Copie of one, moſt authentick, from a ſpeciall Commander and actor therein; which was as foloweth.