Englands Parliamentary Chronicle, Chronicle · Letter 49 – Letter 52
To the Honorable William Lenthal Eſq Speaker of the Honorable Houſe of COMMONS.
SIR,
THe Reducing of this Caſtle of Ruthin hath coſt me more time and Ammunition, than I expected when I firſt laid Siege to it: At laſt having a Mine almoſt in a readineſſe to ſpring, and Batteries prepared for a Demi-Can…n and a Culverin to play upon it; It was this day agreed to be Surrendred upon the Conditions in the incloſed Articles, which I was willing to accept, having perfect Information by ſome that eſcaped out of the Caſtle, that there was in it Proviſion upon ſufficient for two moneths longer; which now I finde to be true: And if I ſhould have forced it, I muſt have hazarded many men, and made the place unſerviceable, which is of very great uſe to the Re…ement of this Country, it being the moſt convenient place for a Garriſon in all North-Wales, as things now ſtand with us. Yeſterday bef…e the breake of day, a party of the Enemy out of Denbigh Caſtle, being about ſixſcore, and thirty mounted Fire-locks, fell upon Captaine Richard Price his Quarters, within two miles of this Towne; but be was vigilant, and his …couts performed their duty ſo well, that they were drawne into the field before they came upon them, which gave him opportunity to avoid them,A brave defeat given to Denbigh forces by Colonell Mitton. and convey the Alarum to this Towne; And thereupon Colonell Carter with a ſtanding Horſe-guard, which we are ſaine to keepe in the field conſtantly to ſecure our Out quarters; and C…ptaine Simkies with my owne Troope, which was then upon the Guard in this Towne, drew out and fell betweene them and Denbigh, and within halfe a mile of their Garriſon met with them, and charged them …o gallantly, that they broke in upon them, killed ſeven of them (as is ſaid) upon the place; and in the purſuit, tooke foure Captaines, one Lieutenant, two Cornets, divers Troopers, and about fourty Horſe, with the loſſe of one man of our ſide. The Siege at Hoult hath of late beene if great difficulty and hazard to thoſe fe… men I have there: For the drawing off of the Cheſhire Fire-locks from that Service, without any privity, gave the Enemy an advantage to burne the Guard the Firelocks kept (which coſt the Countrey much to fortifie) and above forty dwelling Houſes more in the Towne, and expoſed my men (who lay in open Qnarters, and were fewer in number than the Enemy within were) to their power, which neceſſitated my men to be upon continuall duty. Ʋpon the firſt of April the Enemy ſallied out and fell upon Major Sadlers Quarters, reſolving to put all my men in that Houſe to the Sword, which they had beene like to effect, had not a Guard which was placed in the Mo…it,Captaine Cottingham ſlaine. erected by us three dayes before relieved them: In this ſtorme I loſt ſixe men, and fourteene wounded; if the Enemie there were killed their Commander Captaine Cottingham a Papiſt, a Lie…tenant, and two more, and many wounded: There hath beene never a day▪ ſince, but they ſallied out conſtantly twice or thrice a day, and as conſtantly beaten i…. This ſervice, and the furniſhing of ſuch Garriſons which are reduced, occaſions the expence of very much Powder and Match; and therefore, I humbly deſire, that the Honourable Houſe will be pleaſe to grant, that I may have a hundred Barrels of Powder, and foure or five hundred Firelocks ſent me, and that ſome courſe may be perſcribed to convey it downe ſpeedily; the carriage and Convoy of the laſt Powder I had, coſt above halfe as much as the Powder was worth. And further, that they, will be pleaſed to appoint a Governor for this Caſtle, Lievtenant Colonel Thomas Maſon, is a very faithfull active and godly Gentleman, and the moſt knowing man in his profeſſion that we have in theſe parts, having beene a Souldier, above twenty yeeres, and loſt his command in Ireland, becauſe he refuſed to bear Arms againſt the Parliament and if this place were worthy of him, I ſhould make bold to recommend him to their conſideration. This nevertheleſſe, I leave to their Wiſdoms to determine, and reſt.
Your very humble Servant, THO. MITTON Ruthin the 8. of April. 1646.
In that brave defeat given by Colonell Mittons forces,Priſoners and prizes taken at Denbigh and Ruthin. to their Denbigh Enemies, were taken theſe priſoners and prizes following. Taken priſoners, Captaine Winne, Captaine Hugh Morris, Captaine Morgan, Captaine Pickering, 1 Lievtenant, 2 Cornets, divers Gentlemen and Common-Souldiers, 40. Horſe, divers Armes, 7. ſlaine upon the place. In Ruthin we tooke all their Armes and Ammunition, Bag and Baggage, and all the Iriſh therein were left to be diſpoſed of by us according to the Ordinance of Parliament. Alſo valiant and faithfull Sir Trenor Williams (as we were credibly informed by letters out of Wales) did bravely ſet upon 100. of the Enemies neere Ragland, The Raglanders ſoundly beaten by Sir Trevor Williams.which belonged to the crooked now made Lord Charles Sommerſet, Governour of Ragland-caſtle, where, I ſay, valiant Sir Trevor routed all the ſaid party, tooke 45. priſoners, whereof one Captaine and 10. other Officers and Gentlemen, 30. Horſe, 20. Muskets, 12. Firelocks, 14. ſlaine on the place, divers ſorely wounded the reſt f…ed and diſperſed. And 2. dayes after this fight there came in unto Sir Trevor Williams (as we were certainly informed by letters from thence) from Ragland-caſtle, Many Gentlemen of Wales came out of Ragland caſtle to Sir Trevor and ſubmitted to the Parliament.2. Colonels, 2. Lievtenant Colonells, 3. Lievtenants, 3. Cornets, and 11. other Horſemen with them, all Gentlemen of the upper-Countries, deſiring to ſubmit themſelves to the Parliament, upon the Reading of which Letters aforeſaid from Colonell Mitton, the Houſe ordered (according to his deſire) that Lievtenant Colonell Maſon ſhould be Governour of Ruthin-caſtle; And Maſter Fog the Miniſter (a very faithfull and active Gentleman for the Parliament ever ſince theſe warres began) who brought the Letter,Maſter Fog a Miniſter rewarded for his Loyalty to the Parliament. was called into the Houſe of Commons, and had 50. l. given him for his paines in bringing the ſame, and for his other brave ſervices in the field.
The ſtrong Garriſon of the City of Exeter ſurrendred to the Parliament. The firſt letter.About the 16. of this inſtant April we received full aſſurance of the cleere and totall ſurrender of the ſtrong Garriſon of the City of Exeter by Letters out of the Weſt a Copy of two wherof I have here thought fit for the Readers better content and ſatisfaction to inſert, which were as followeth:
Sir, Having beene imployed in the agitating of the treatie for the ſurrendring of Exeter, I might crave pardon if I give you not ſo full an account of our proceedings here as I deſire. We had to doe with Lawyers and Civilians who lengthened out our debate by their niceties, ſo that the treatie ended not till the day of the writing hereof, when they finiſhed the Articles, and agreed to march forth on Monday, next. The conditions were honourable, viz. in briefe; To march with Armes, Colours flying, Drums beating and Bullets, to Oxford, and the Corniſh into Cornwall. I will not trouble you with particulars, but ſend you the Articles by the next; Hoſtages were delivered for the performance of things promiſed, and for farther aſſurance unto us, 3. ſtrong Forts were delivered up unto us in hand, as hath been toucht before. The Towneſmen were very glad of the agreement. The Generall is this night come to Tiverton and intends, to morrow to be before Barnſtable and to ſummon it. The treaty was abſolutely concluded yeſterday in Exeter; we ſate up night and day about it. I will not trouble you any more till afurther oportunity, but remaine
Sir, Your moſt humble ſervant, Aprill 9. late at night. Columb-John Houſe.
Poſt-ſcript. At Market-jew, neere the Mount we tooke lately of the Mountmen, 60 priſoners, the moſt of that Garriſon. Alſo a Captaine in Pendennis came-off unto us with 80. men more. We underſtand that in Pendennis they have nothing but Salt-beefe tainted, and and that they cannot ſubſiſt long; They have but little bread, and their Wine almoſt ſpent,The ſecond Letter. we hope well ſhortly of both places.
The other Letter was this.
Sir;
Though I have but little Newes, yet I could not omit this oportunity of ſending to you;The manner of their marching out of the City of Exeter. we entred the City of Exeter on Munday laſt, according to the Articles. Sir Jacob Berckley the Governour, with about 2000, being marched forth, 700, whereof being Corniſh, as ſoone as they were out of the City gates faced Weſtward and reſolving for their owne homes, cryed out thus, Every man to his owne home, Every man to his owne home, and ſo laying downe their armes departed accordingly, the like reſolution had moſt of the reſt, ſo that Sir Jacob was like to have but a ſmall remnant to doe his Majeſtie any ſervice at Oxford; The Princes Highnes went forth with them, leaving behind them in the City, at leaſt 3. Moneths proviſion, 150. barrells of powder, about 1500. Muskets, and above 40. peeces of Ordnance.
About the 18. of this inſtant Aprill came certaine intelligence out of the Weſt by letters to London of the ſurrendring of the Towne and Caſtle of Barnſtable into the Parliaments hands,Branſtable Towne and C…ſtle ſurrendred. with all the Armes and Ammunition therein (much upon the ſame termes and Articles which were granted to Exeter) by Sir Allen Apſley, Governour thereof. And ſhortly after alſo we underſtood of the ſurrendering of Saint Michaels-Mount in Cornwall, Sir Michaels-Mount ſurrendred.that inpregnable and almoſt inacceſſable ſtrong fort, whereof Sir Arthur Baſſet was Governour; who, with the reſt, that would, and were therein, had libertie to depart into the Iſland of Silly. In this Mount were taken an 100. barrells of Powder, 500. Muskets, 100. Pikes, 30. Peeces of Ordinances, 3. Murthering Peeces, 80. Tun of Wine, with ſtore of other proviſions.
And about the 20.Titbury-Caſtle ſurrendred. inſtant we had certaine Newes of the ſurrender of Titbury-caſtle, a place of much Conſequence and ſtrength alſo, and which will contribute much to the reducing of Litchfield-cloſe; which ſaid Caſtle was ſurrendred alſo on faire conditions to the content of the Garriſon-Souldiers thereof. And much about the ſame time we were moſt certainly informed of the ſurrender of Aburiſthwait to Colonell Powell (CommanderAburiſthwait Caſtle in Wales ſurrendred. in Chiefe under renowned Major Generall Laughorne) by Colonell Whitney, Governour thereof; upon very faire termes and conditions, as was witneſſed by valiant and victorious Major Generall Laughornes owne Letter to the Parliament. And we had farther information of the ſurrender of Dunſtar-caſtle in the Weſt, Dunſtar-Caſtle ſurrendred.which was yeelded up to renowned Colonell Blake, the brave Governour of Taunton, upon very faire and honourable termes; by noble Sir Thomas Fairfaxes example of Clemencie and Mercy;Our WeſternArmie advanced toward Oxford. Which Caſtle, was ſurrendred up for the uſe of King and Parliament, by Sir Francis Windham, then Governor of Dunſtar-Caſtle; as was alſo certified to the Parliament by Colonell Blakes owne Letter.
About the 24. of this inſtant Aprill our Weſtern armie was advanced backward and come toward Oxford for the beleaguring thereof and forming of a Seige round about it; And about this time a part of our ſaid Armie having alreadie beſieged the Garriſon of Woodſtock, Woodſtock-Garriſon ſurrendred.and laine now before it ſome ſhort time battering that brave and ancient Mannour houſe with our Ordnance, and the beſieged conſidering there was no hope of reliefe to be expected, our other forces lying alſo ſo cloſe about Oxford that they durſt not ſtirre out; It was now therefore, at length ſurrendred to Colonell Rainſborough upon very faire termes and honourable Articles of agreement from the ſaid Valiant Colonel and thoſe other Couragious Commanders who joyntly adventured their lives for the Service of the State: For, the beſieged were to depart thence to Oxford, and to leave all their Ammunition and furniture of warre behind them, and onelyonly the Officers permitted to have their Swords along with them.
And about the 28. inſtant we received the certaine intelligence of the ſurrender of Bridge-North-caſtle into the hands of theBridge North Caſtle ſurrendred. brave and moſt active Shropſhire forces upon faire conditions and articles of accord, the Common Souldiers therein to march away with their hands in their Pockets, and the Officers only with their Swords, Sir Robert Howard the Governour and 3. other Knights with their Horſe and 2. Servants a peece; But, one Latham an arch Villaine for Malignancie, and who had beene the maine cauſe of burning the Towne, not long before, was juſtly delivered up to the juſtice of the Parliament to ſuffer moſt worthily for ſuch a moſt baſe and abhominable ſcelerous fact. They left behinde them in the Caſtle, at leaſt 6. weekes proviſion a Demi-cannon, with other Ordnance, at leaſt 500. Armes and 50. Horſe, The place was a peece of great ſtrength; there were within the Caſtle about 400.The juſt praiſe of the moſt faithfull and active Committee of Shrewsbury. fighting men, the beſiegers not above 700. in all. Thus have we often heard of the brave ſervices of thoſe gallant Salopaons and even incomparable actions of that active and ſucceſſefull Committee of Shrewsbury for the good of their Country and kingdome; To God be all the glorie and praiſe who thus, ſtill, Crownes us with victories, and thereby thus encompaſſes us with ſongs of deliverance.
And much about the foreſaid time we were certainly given to underſtand by Letters to the Parliament from Colonell Rainſborough that the Duke of Richmond; The Duke of Lenox and others come in unto the Parliament.the Earle of Lindſey, the Kings Cup-bearer; Sir William Fleetwood, the Kings Standard-bearer, and Knight Martiall, Sir Edward Sydenham, and Maſter Carew of the Bed-chamber were come in unto him, caſting themſelves upon the merciemercy of the Parliament; whereupon the Houſe preſently ordered that they all ſhould be committed priſoners to Warwick-Caſtle.
And upon the 29. of this inſtant April, being the ſolemne Faſt-day of this MonethMonth, after both the Sermons before the Lords in the Abby at Weſtminſter, and the Commons Sermons in MargretsChurch, were ended; The Houſe of Commons ſitting a while in Parliament, received certaine intelligence of the Kings eſcaping out of Oxford, The King eſcaped out of Oxford, in a diſguiſed manner.in a diſguiſed manner betweene Sunday-night and Munday-morning, with 2. others in his Companie, whereof Maſter A…bhurnh…un was one, who was pretended to be the Kings Maſter, and the King and the other partie, muſt be Aſhburnhams Servants; and the King himſelfe (as it was credibly and Conſtantly related) muſt goe along under the name of Harry, Maſter Aſhburnhams man; and thus I ſay, theſe 3. went forth of Oxford together, the King alſo carrying a cloak-bag or portmantle behind him on his horſe, like a Servingman indeede, but whether or which way he went was not then knowne; for (as it was reported) the better to conceale the way of his departure▪ there went out 3. at every part of the City, at the ſame inſtant time, that ſo, none ſhould be able to diſcover in which of the Companies the King was. It ſeemed (as, ſince, we heard) his Lords in Oxford were deſirous of his departure, hoping thereby, to have the beter conditions for themſelves, looking more, it ſeem'd, at their owne ſafetie than at the Kings preſervation, who hereby may plainly ſee, whoſe intereſts they have all this while driven on. Ah, good Reader, ſee here, and ſeriouſly conſider in thy ſoul, with feare and trembling and amazement, how truely, how juſtly, God moſt wiſe, moſt righteous, hath made good that word of his.1▪ Sam. 2. 30. Thoſe that honour me I will honour, and they that deſpiſe me ſhall be lightly eſteemed. O, that we would faithfully and fruitfully lay theſe remarkable examples thereof to our hearts, and walke anſwerably for the time to come.
Now upon the 4 of May 1646.May. 1646. ſo ſoone as ever our moſt noble Generall had received certaine intelligence of his Majeſties departure ou… of Oxford, as aboveſaid, he immediately, by his Letters and Meſſengers, informed the Parliament thereof, giving them farther to underſtand the great confidence (though mightily miſtaken, as a…on you ſhall plainly underſtand) of thoſe that came out of Oxford to his Excellency,The Parliament informed of the Kings departure out of Oxford toward London. and their conſtant affirmations (as thoſe that ſaw but the ſhallow ſuperficies of the buſineſſe only) that the King was certainly come into or neer unto London, upon which information the Commons in Parliament had much debate and the Houſe of Peers alſo the like, and conſidering the danger that might enſue by concealing and hiding the Kings perſon, they appointed a Committee forthwith to prepare and draw up ſomething to be publiſhed touching all ſuch as ſhould harbour or conceale the harbouring of the King; and accordingly an Order was drawn up by this Committee, reported to the Houſe, and aſſented unto by the Houſe of Peers, and likewiſe paſſed by them, and …y Order of both Houſes to be publiſhed throughout London and Weſtminſter, by beat of Drum or ſound of Trumpet, which was accordingly performed, the ſaid Order being to this effect:
ORdered,Both Houſes of Parliaments Order publiſhed throughout London and Weſtminſter, touching concealing the King. that it be declared, and it is hereby declared by the Lords and Commons in Parliament aſſembled, That what perſon ſoever ſhall harbour or conceale, or know of the harbouring or concealing of the Kings perſon, and ſhall not reveale it immediately to the Speakers of both Houſes, ſhall be proceeded againſt as a Traytor to the Common Wealth, forfeit his whole Eſtate, and die without mercy.
The Parliament alſo about this foreſaid time ſeriouſly conſidering that a former Ordinance for putting out of the Lines of Communication,The Parliaments providence for the welfare of the City of London. all Papiſts, Officers and Souldiers of fortune, that have come out of the Kings Quarters, was now expired, and the danger that might happen by permitting ſuch to abide within the City of London, no whit ſlacking, but rather increaſing: An Ordinance was therefore read the firſt and ſecond time, and committed to a Committee for the continuance of the ſaid former Ordinance for a MonethMonth longer, and that all ſuch Papiſts and Souldiers ſhould remove themſelves …wenty miles diſtant from the City. An Ordinance was likewiſe read and aſſented to, giving power to the Militia of London, to ſearch within twenty miles of London, for all Papiſts, Malignants, and other ſuſpected perſons, and to ſecure and diſarm them, and likewiſe to ſearch for Arms, and this power to continue for twenty daies longer.
And now upon the ſixth of this inſtant May, the much expected newes of the Kings diſcovery and place of aboad, was by a moſt excellent Letter (ſent to the Commiſſioners of both Kingdomes, and ſo to the Parliament) brought to London, which Letter, for the eminency and excellency thereof, and for the juſt honour of our ever moſt worthily deſerving loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland, I have here thought fit in the firſt place to ſet forth and ſhew to the honeſt and godly Reader, for his juſt joy, comfort and content, which was as followeth:
The Letter from the Commiſſioners of the Parliament of Scotland, to the Commiſſioners of both Houſes, concerning his Majeſties coming to the Scottiſh Army. Dated at Southwell, May the 5.
Right Honourable,
THe diſcharging of our ſelves of the duty we owe to the Kingdome of England, A Copy of the …etter from the Commiſſioners of the Parliament of Scotland, to the Commiſſioners of both Houſes, concerning His Majeſties coming to the Scotch Army.to you as Commiſſioners from the ſame, moves us to acquaint you with the Kings coming into our Army this morning; which having overtaken us unexpectedly, hath filled us with amazement, and made us like men that dream. We cannot thinke that He could have been ſo unadviſed in his Reſolutions, is to have caſt himſelf upon us, without a reall intention to give full ſatisfaction to both Kingdomes, in all their juſt and reaſonable Demands, in all thoſe things that concern Religion and Righteouſneſſe; whatſoever be His diſpoſition or reſolution, you may be aſſured, That we ſhall never entertaine any thought, nor correſpond with any purpoſe, nor countenance mee any endeavours that may in any circumſtance incroach upon our League and Covenant, or weaken the union or confidence between the Nations: That Ʋnion, unto our Kingdom was the matter of many prayers; and as nothing was more joyfull to us than to have it ſet on foot, ſo hitherto have we thought nothing too dear to maintain it; and we truſt to walk with ſuch faithfulneſſe and truth in this particular, that as we have the teſtimony of a good conſcience within our ſelves, ſo you and all the world ſhall ſee, that we minde your intereſt with as much integrity and care as our owne, being confident you will entertaine no other thoughts of us.
Signed by the Warrant and Command of the Commiſſioners of the Parliament of Scotland. LOTHIAN. Southwel, May 5. 1646.
For the Right Honourable the Commiſſioners of the Parliament of England.
In the next place I ſhall give the Reader a ſummary narrativeThe manner of the Kings coming into the Scots Army, and diſcovering himſelf unto them. of the manner of the diſcovery of His Majeſty to moſt noble and renowned Generall Leſley Earl of Leven, as it was related to the Commiſſioners of Scotland by the Secretary of the Scots Army, and printed and publiſhed by authority, which was as followeth:
A Meſſenger being come from the foreſaid noble Generall of the Scots Army, being one of the Secretaries there, came to the Scots Commiſſioners at Weſtminſter, and thus related the …ings coming in unto them: The firſt time that we could heare where his Majeſty was after he came out of Oxford, was on Saturday the ſecond of May inſtant, and then he was within ſome two miles of London, as is told the Army, and on Munday night, May the fourth, His Majeſty lay in Stamford upon a bed with his Cloathes on all night, and that morning paſſed two of the Parliaments Guards, but could not be known, becauſe His Beard was ſhaved, and His Lock cut, or neatly put up.
On Tueſday morning His Majeſty came to Southwell to the Scots. Army, and Generall Leven having intelligence that His Majeſty was come into their Garriſon, for, ſome Officers that were upon the Guard that ſaw Him, had ſome ſuſpition of Him that it was the King, who making it knowne, a ſearch was made three houres before they could heare where he was, and about noone His Majeſty ſent to Generall Leven, letting him know he was there, (and that he was then with the French Agent) and that he would caſt Himſelfe upon them, whereupon there was advertiſement given to the Scots Commiſſioners of His Majeſties being there, who with Generall Leven went to His Majeſty, and cauſed him to remove his Q…arters to Kellam, Lieutenant Generall David Leſleys Quarters, where there was much amazement to ſee into how low a condition His Majeſty was brought.
Generall Leven had ſome Treaty with His Majeſty about the ſurrender of Newarke, deſiring Him to give Order to Bellaſſis the Governour for the delivery thereof, and His Majeſty offered to ſurrender it to them, but Generall Leven anſwered, that to remove all jealouſies they muſt yeeld to have it to be ſurrendred to the Parliament of England: and his Majeſty was prevailed with to ſend to the Governour to give Order for the ſurrender thereof to the Parliament of England accordingly, which was agreed wedneſday the 6 inſtant by the Commiſſioners, as may appeare by the following Articles; After which agreement the Scots Forces (being willing to eaſe the Country thereabouts, who have been ſo long charged with ſo great an Army) with all cheerfulneſſe and willingneſſe, removed their Quarters more North ward, the King ſtill remaining with Lieut. Generall David Leſley, and care being taken for freſh Clothes, and other refreſhments for His Majeſty: and the Generall taking care to remove to ſome more convenient and freſh Quarters, and being reſolved to take care and charge of His Majeſty, untill both Kingdomes be agreed, to which to ſubmit for the diſpoſing of His Majeſties Perſon.
There are few Armies without ſome diſorder, by ſome that cannot be prevented, yet the chiefe of thoſe that manage the buſineſſe amongſt our Brethren of Scotland, and our Commiſſioners, carry on all things with great wiſdome, and it is hoped will prevent all differences, as may appeare by this inſuing Letter from the Commiſſioners Quarters.