Relation Made in the House of Commons, Ordinance – Document
A Draught of the Ordinance presented to the House of Commons by the Le: Say, for the setling of a sufficient Garrison AT BRISTOLL, According to the Propositions made by Colonell Fiennes, and recommended unto his care by my Lord Generall, and the Gentlemen of Somerset and Gloucestershire.
THe Lords and Commons taking into their serious consideration, the great importance of the city of Bristoll, to the safety of this Kingdom, and the dangerous attempts that have been made against it by the late detestable Conspiracie, and the great Forces that were brought before it by Prince Rupert, into whose hands the Conspirators were prepared to have delivered the same; And that there is great danger that the like attempts may be made hereafter for the surprisall of it, if care be not taken for the preventing thereof,
Do Order and Ordain, That there shall be a Garrison forthwith raised by Colonell Fiennes, the Governour of the said City, consisting of Three Regiments of Foot, one of Twelve hundred men, and another of One thousand, another of Eight hundred men, and Two Troops of Horse, and One company of Dragoons, to be completely armed and furnished, and there kept and maintained in constant pay, for the defence of the said city and the circuit thereof; And to be imployed for the defence of the city of Bathe, and the adjacent counties of Somerset and Glocester, as occasion shall require.
And that one of the said Regiments for the said Garrison, consisting of Twelve hundred men, shall be maintained by Barkley division, in the county of Gloucest, another of One thousand, being Colonels Pophams Regiment, with the Troops of Horse, and company of Dragoons, by that part of the Eastern division in the county of Somerset, which is next adjoyning to Bristoll and Bathe. And the third Regiment of Eight hundred men, together with other incident charges necessary for their safety, by the said cities of Bristoll and Bathe.
And it is likewise Ordained, That there be Three Regiments more of Trained Bands, or Voluntiers, which upon Summons shall be drawn together from time to time; as often as need shall require, for the defence of the said cities and counties adjacent; One of which Regiments of the Trained Bands, or Voluntiers, shall be raised out of Barkley division, in the county of Gloucest'; One other out of that part of the Eastern division of Somersetshire, which is nearest Bristoll and Bathe; And the third, out of both the said cities.
That for the better settlement of the Garrison in manner aforesaid, the Deputy-Lieutenants in the counties of Glouc' and Som…rset, shall cause the Regiments of the Trained-Bands of their severall counties to be furnished again with Arms, those of Glocestershire being for the most part lost at Ciceter; And those of Somersetshire in the parts next Bristoll, being imployed in Colonell Pophams Regiment, being one of the Three to be kept in constant pay as aforesaid.
And that all the Moneys which shall be levyed out of B…rkley division in Glouc', and out of that par… of the Eastern division in Somersetshire which is ne…t adjoyning to Bristoll and Bathe, and out of the cities of Bristoll and Bathe, by vertue of the severall Ordinances of both Houses for the weekly Assessments, the Twentieth part, and the Sequestrations of Delinquents Estates; shall be assigned for the use of the aforesaid Garrisons and Fortifications. And that the severall Committees who are appointed to receive or issue out Monies raised by these Ordinances in the said city of Bristoll, or the said counties adjacent shall pay and defray all the charges of the said Garrison and Fortifications, being valued and made known to them by the said Governour of Bristoll, out of the moneys so to be raised by the said Ordinances, before they do imploy any part thereof to any other use. And the Warrant and Receit of the said Colonell Fiennes Governour of the said city, shall be a sufficient discharge to the said Committees in that behalf. Provided alwayes, that if there shall not be a sufficient proportion for the uses aforesaid, raised out of the severall divisions and places before mentioned, that then it be made up out of the rest of the said counties respectively.
And also that the surplusage (if any be) shall be imployed for the use of other parts of the adjacent counties, and for such other uses as shall be directed by both Houses of Parliament.
And it is further Ordained by the Authority abovesaid, that aswell for the maintenance of the said Garrison, and the charges incident thereunto. As also, for the making and finishing of the Fortifications and Works in and about the said city of Bristoll, the said city of Bristoll shall pay, and is hereby rated and assessed to the Weekly sum of Four hundred pounds, to begin the First day of Iuly, 1643. And for the better performance thereof; and ease of the said city, It is Ordained by the Lords and Commons, That the Weekly sum of Fifty five pounds, formerly assessed upon the said city by the late Ordinance of both Houses of Parl. for the Weekly Assessments towards the supply of the Army raised by Authority of Parliament, shall go and be accounted as part of the said Four-hundred pounds weekly for the maintenance of the said Garrison and Fortifications, and not otherwise to be required for the use of the said Army.
It is further Ordained by the said Lords and Commons, That the said Weekly Assessment of Four hundred pounds shall be Assessed, rated, taxed, and levyed by Colonell Fiennes Governour of the said Town, Colonell Popham, Richard Aldsworth Major of the said city of Bristoll, Sergeant Major Iohn Clifton, Captain Richard Hippesley, Captain Thomas Hippesley, Mr. Luke Hodges, Mr. Henry Gribs, and Mr Iames Howell, who shall have like power and Authority, as other Committees have by the said severall Ordinances; And also have power and Authority to call unto them such of the most indifferent understanding, and sufficient persons of every Parish within the said city of Bristoll as they shall think fit to their assistance; And shall rate and tax the said Weekly Assessment, charged by this Ordinance upon the Inhabitants, and the owners of goods or other Estate there, in such moderate and proportionable manner as they shall think fit, to and for the maintenance of the said Garrison and Fortifications; As also to have like power to levie the same, and to do all things necessary for the execution of this present Ordinance, as by the said former Ordinance for the Weekly Assessment is appointed; And that what shall be established in London by way of Excise or new Impost, upon Wines, Tobacco, or other Commodities, shall be likewise setled in Bristoll, towards the maintenance of the said Garrison and Fortifications (there.)
And to the end the Trained Bands or Voluntiers above specified, and the severall division and limits, out of which they shall be raised, may be the better able to perform the services, and discharge the payments before mentioned, It is further Ordained, That no Taxes or payments shalbe levyed or Assessed upon them, other then such as are or shall be Ordered by both Houses of Parliament.
And it is also Ordained, That by the assent and Warrant of Colonell Fiennes the Governour of Bristoll, and Two or more of the Deputy-Lieutenants, or Committees of Parliament, residing in or n…er the said divisions and no other, the Treasurers of the said Divisions and cities shall issue out monies for the use of the said Garrison and Fortifications; And that the said Trained-Bands or Voluntiers shall not be drawn away to other services, then what they are by this Ordinance assigned unto, without the like Warrant as aforesaid; And that by such Warrant they may be at any time drawn out into the said cities of Bristoll or Bath for the defence thereof.
It is further Ordained, That the said Colonell Fiennes Governour of Bristoll shall have power to grant Commissions for Trained-Bands; As also for Bands of Voluntiers to be raised within the said cities; And that the same power which was granted by Ordinance of Parliament to the Apprentices and others of London, that should be willing to undergo the like service, shall be extended to the said city of Bristoll.
And for the securing of the River of Severn, and the Seas thereto adjoyning. It is Ordained, That the said Colonell Fienn…s Governour of Bristoll, shall have power likewise to grant Commissions to any Merchants or others that will set out ships, to take any Welsh, Cornish, or Irish Rebells, or any Vessell that shall be imployed, to afford them or any of them any ayd or assistance, and to make prizes thereof, paying a third of all, that shall be taken, or such proportion as shall be thought fit to the use of the Parliament.
Lastly it is ordeyned, That Col. Nath: Fiennes, Governour of Bristoll, Alexander Popham, Capt. Iohn Fiennes, be added to the severall Committees of the weekly Assessement, the Twentieth Part, and the Committee for Sequestrations in the severall Counties of Glocestershire and Sommersetshire, and in the Cities of Bristoll and Bath.
An Approbation of the Ordinance presented to the House by the Lord Say, for the setling of the Garrison of Bristoll, by the principall Gentlemen of Berkly Devision in Glocestershire.
VVEe whose names are under written, have seene the draught of an Ordinance of Parliament, for the setling of a Garrison in the City of Bristoll, and for the contribution and assistance of the adjacent Counties for the maintenance thereof, which we approve of, and hold very conduceable to the security both of the City and county, only we desire that a provision may be inserted, for the defraying of the charges of the Officers and Souldiers of the Trained-bands and Voluntiers, when they shall be called to do any service out of the severall Devisions out of the which they are raised, and that Berkly Castle may be furnished with a Garrison sufficient for the defence thereof out of the Garrison of Bristoll; or upon the monies to bee raised out of Berkley Devision.
John Seymour.
Edward Stephens.
Joh: Codrington.
An Extract out of a Letter from Col: Fiennes to my Lond Generall, dated March 20. upon occasion of Sir Will. Wallers drawing forth Col: Essex's Regiment out of Bristoll.
THe drawing forth of Col: Essex his whole Regiment may expose this City to a great deal of danger, there being not so much as one experienced Officer left among the Comparies that remain here, and the number and quality of the Common souldiers being much disproportionable to the necessity and importance of this place, as in a particular Letter which (with the rest of the Gentlemen of Sommersetshire, and Glouc. I writ to your Excellency doth more fully appear:) And as I doubt not, but according to the constant care your Excellency hath had of this place, answerable to the importance thereof, your Lordship will provide a person for the government thereof that may be fit to be intrusted with so great a charge; so that your Excellency will also hold it fit that he may have such a command over the forces that shalbe thought fit for the defence of the place, as that he may be able to give a good accompt thereof. I earnestly expect a discharge from your Excellency of that trust, which at present is in my hands, that it may not be left at Random in no bodies hand at all: And that it may be reposed in a hand more fit and able for it; which is the humble desire of
Your Excellencies most humble Servant. Nath: Fiennes. Bristoll. March 20. 1643.
An Extract of another Letter from Col: Fiennes to Col: Hambden, dated March. the 19th.
I Shall say onelyonly this in generall, that if there be not some speedy course taken that more men may be brought to strengthen the Garrison, and some expert souldiers to command them, this Town in all probability will be lost, and all we that are in it. All that Sir Wil: VValler aleadgeth is this; that he being in the Field with a considerable body, doth stand between us and danger: but such a city as this should not be a noun adjective, nor depend upon the fortune or failing of a party in the field, the losse thereof being of greater consequence then of the whole party in the field; I desire that either I may have leave to quitt the charge, (which was my earnest suit to Sir Wil: Waller that I might do) or that meanes might be afforded unto me to make it good; I shall appeal to any man that is a souldier, whether there be not need of 3000. men at least to be an ordinary Garrison for this Town with some Troops of horse and Dragoons. Bristoll is worth the keeping, and yet in the judgement of any souldier not easie to be kept, though with a good strength of souldiers, but impossible to bee kept with a few; If that it be expected from me to give an accompt of this place, I desire my straw may not be taken from me, and yet so great a tale of Brick be required at my hands.
MY LORD,
I Am utterly discouraged in the employment I have here, because I do not see a way of subsistance for the forces that are here, for I doubt I can expect little money from London, and all the wayes whereby I got some heretofore out of Gloucestershire and Sommersetshire, will be stopped up and diverted towards the maintenance of Sir Wil: Wallers Army, and I shall be left to feed upon the bare stones, and yet Sir Wil: Waller at his first coming to this City, drew 2000 l. out of it, which if it might be allowed me till a course might be setled for the maintenance of this Garrison, I should have some probability of keeping up the horse and foot that I have, with a great deal of paines raised, without one penny allowance from London, but if all draw from me and none helpe me; I should desire that my Lo: Generall would command me to come to his Army with my Regiment of foot and horse, and that some body else may be put to keepe this Town, that can make it keep it selfe, for I confesse I cannot do it without assistance from the adjacent Counties, or from the Parliament; That which will arise out of the Delinquents estates, will not be considerable; there are not many of any estate, that were in the Conspiracy, and they have found meanes to conceale the greatest part of their estates; and what is visible will bee little more then what is sufficient to pay their debters; And I perceive the Parliament intendeth to allow the payment of debts out of their estates, (which is just that it should be done, so there be care that the State be not deceived by pretended debts, or such as are contracted since the Conspiracy.) My Lord, I cannot long subsist in this employment unlesse that there be a course t… help me with monies, or that power be given me to help my self in this City and the adjacent parts.
Your Lordships most obedient Son, Nath: Fiennes. Bristol. Apr. 22.
An Extract of a Letter written from Col: Fiennes to the Lord Say his Father, May, 12. 1643.
I Have layed out here, neer 9000. l. since I came to this Town, and I never yet had above 4000 l. from the Parliament; as your Lordship best knows, all the rest I have got up my selfe with great deal of trouble for the preservation of this City, which without it had undoubtedly fallen into the hands of the enemy.
An Extract of a Letter from Col: Fiennes to the Lord Say his Father, dated May 13, 1643.
I Am in that extremity for want of money, that I know not what to do, and all the springs which formerly afforded me supply, are dryed up, for Sir Wil: Waller expecteth all out of the counties, and the City will not continue their weekly contribution any longer: If the Propositions of joyning a certain Circuit in Sommersetshire and Glocestershire to this Towne, as to the maintenance of this Garrison with money, and men upon occasion, might be granted; I should hope by the grace of God to give a good accompt of this City and the adjacent parts; And I am confident there is no objection against them, but what ariseth out of particular respects to the prejudice of the publick interest, unlesse those Propositions may be admitted, or a continuall supply granted from London, (which I cannot expect:) all that I build here is without a foundation, and must needs fall to the ground, and this Town into the hands of the enemy.
An Extract out of a Letter from Col: Fiennes to my Lord Say his Father, June 9: 1643.
THe Lord deliver me from the condition wherein I am, that I should have the charge of a Town of such importance as this is upon me, & neither have men halfe enough to maintain it, nor mony to maintain those men I have, nor means afforded me to raise any mony, I beseech your Lordship dispatch unto me by order of the House, a power to rate Malignants and Neutralls at the 20th. part of their estate; If I had but this I might be able to raise some monies (although not sufficient) for the Garrison, unlesse the adjacent counties come in to our assistance; and it is all the reason in the world that Glocestershire should maintaine one Regiment in this City, Sommerset, another, and the City, with the help of Wiltshire another; if some such course were settled, I should have lesse recourse to supplies from London; till then I must, or this Town must be lost, and all that is in it, and all that depend upon it, which will not so soone be …ed againe.
An Extract of another Letter written to the Lord Say, June 17. 1643.
MY Lord I much wonder that any should conceive the estates of the Conspirators any thing consideable, in respect of the great charge I am constantly at, being to pay 1500 foot, a Regiment of Horse, and a company of Dragoones, and a hundred Gunners, besides workmen upon the Fortifications; so that I have beene sometimes at 1300. l. sometimes at 1200. l. seldome under 1000. l. a weeke; and I shall never make 3000. l. from the beginning to the end out of the Conspirators estates, there being never a rich man amongst them; and their Creditors claiming and carrying away the greatest part of what is not abroad conveyed away, or so concealed that I cannot find it out; and I can assure your Lordship I have already received and spent the most of what I am to expect that way, otherwise I had not beene able to have subsisted halfe this time: It were folly in me to conceale that which will prove the truth, if out of the conceipt of the riches of Bristoll (which since the stop of trade, and many Malignants withdrawing their estates, is much otherwise then is conceived by some) I am left to maintaine this Garrison, without assistance from the Countries or from some other way, I shall not be able to keepe my men together for a fortnight: for my part I shall desire to be discharged of the trust, unlesse I may have means to discharge it with honour to my selfe, and safety to the City and countries adjacent; I am confident they are their owne greatest enemies that oppose my propositions for the setling this Garrison, and that if they have their wils, they will quickly see this City fall into the enemies hands, and so have a perpetuall yoke, to the Counties of Gloucester and Sommerset; I shall muster up all the patience that is in me, but I cannot hold out long in that manner that I have done; Sir William Waller hath now a good strength about him, especially of Horse, and for ought that I see the enemy will fight with him, I must confesse I doubt the successe, unlesse it come extraordinarily from God, as formerly it hath done.
Another Extract of a Letter of Iune 24.
MY Lord I have ever since I came to this City, beene in a troublesome and very oft in a dangerous condition, but I am like to be put to it now more then ever, and had I not had experience of Gods mercy to me in times of streights, my faith would welnigh faile me. I will not write the particulars whereon I ground this apprehension of my condition, not knowing into what hands this Letter may come, but only in generall I will say thus much, That happily the support that this City and all the rest seemes to relye on (which is Sir William Wallers army) may faile us, but God will never faile us. At the last Rendesvouz that Sir William Waller had of his horse, there appeared betweene two and three thousand horse, a brave body of horse, &c.
Another Extract of a Letter of July 8. 1643. Sent by the same Col. Fines to my Lord Say his Father.
I Beseech your Lordship to cause my Ordinance for the setling of a garrison at Bristoll to bee dispatched; me thinks there should be no stop of it now that I have sent an approbation thereof, under the hands of all those considerable Gentlemen that live in those parts whereon the burthen is principally to lye; your Lordship cannot imagine what difficulties I am put upon for want of that Ordinance, and if God had not given my Souldiers and Officers a great deale of patience, we must needs have fallen all to pieces by this time; and this day I am in as great necessity as ever, and do live every day but from hand to mouth. I am sure all my Propositions have no other aime but the publick good. I beseech your Lordship againe to hasten the dispatch of that Ordinance which is in hand, & in the mean time being a very beggar, I must still beg for supplyes of money.
A Letter written by Sir W. Waller and Sir Arthur Haslerigge to Mr: John Ashe, to hasten forces out of Bristol unto them, Whereupon 1200 was sent.
Good Sir,
SUre you think we have both a lame and a patient enemy, that will be knockt and stay till we be ready to answer his returne. We expected Col. Fines Regiment this day, and now I heare that he appointed that Sir John Seymors men should not come to Bristoll before Monday, and then we are to expect ours. Upon Tuseday we think the Enemy will fall on this night, if not, to morrow morning; and if so, what good will this Regiment do Bristoll, if we perish. It is a wonder to me to see our friends delay helpe when there in safety; and I am confident, Honour is wrapt up in our successe. It is said your Captains have not yet cast lots who shall come forth; I thought they would have petitioned for the imployment. We shall be happy in Col. Pophams Regiment, and Col. Fines also; surely a small guard will keep under the Malignants, we being so neare. Let not the west of England be lost for a little monies, neither send your supplies too late. There is a time which wise-men do not let slippe. It is strange to me, that these Forces have not long since been drawne out. What forces you send us, let us have them with all speed. It grieves our hearts you are no more sensible of our present condition, and the nearnesse and strength of the Enemy. We have done our duties, the Lord direct you. We are
Your Servants,
William Waller.
Art. Hasilrige.
July 1. 1643.
A Copie of the Result of the Councell of Warre held by the Enemies, concerning the Assaulting of the City of Bristoll, found in Collonel Bucks pocket that was there staine, with divers other Officers and Gentlemen of qualitie.
At the Councell of Warre held at Knowle, neare Bristoll, Somerset. the five and twentieth day of July, 1643
Their Highnesse Prince Rupert, and Prince Maurice. Present.
Earle of Carnarvon.
Sir John Biron.
Serjeant Major Generall Wagstaffe.
Sir Richard Cave.
Sir William Ogle.
Sir Richard Slanning.
Collonell Buck.
Collonell Basset.
Lieutenant Col. Ashtley.
Lieutenant Col. Oneale.
Question.
VVHether it be best to assault, or approach the City of Bristoll?
Resolution.
It is resolved by the whole Councell of Warre for divers reasons, that it shall be assaulted by both the Armies on all sides, according to the best skill and discretion of the Commanders in chiefe that are to fall on.
Orders.
It is ordered that the houre appointed for them to fall on, shall be to morrow morning, just at the breake of day: The word for the Souldiers to be Oxford; and the signe betweene the two Armies, whereby to know each other, to be greene colours, either bowes, or such like, and that every Officer and Souldier be without any band or hand-cherchiefe about his neck.
That the Collonels of the severall Brigads as soone as they shall have entred the Enemies Workes, shall presently appoint some to throw downe the Brest-workes, and fill up the ditches in severall places where they enter, or other places more convenient for the entrance of our Horse (if occasion require.)
That the Commanders in Chiefe of the severall Brigads doe agree between themselves in what manner Ratcliffe Church shal be possessed, and if possessed, how maintained; and that they appoint certaine Officers for that purpose.
That the Generall of the Ordnance give speciall order, that all the Souldiers be furnished with all kind of Amunition, and that severall Officers be by him appointed to attend the severall Brigads with Amunition during the Assault, as also that the Artillary, and the Officers thereto belonging, be ordered to be readie upon all Commands.
FINIS.
Ex. per Geo. Trym. Secr.
End of the text · Nathaniel Fiennes, Relation Made in the House of Commons (1643)