A most true and exact relation of that as honourable as unfortunate expedition of Kent, Essex, and Colchester by M.C., a loyall actor in that engagement, Anno Dom. 1648. Carter, Matthew, fl. 1660. 1650 Approx. 271 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 134 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A34782 Wing C662 ESTC R18227 12601498 ocm 12601498 64182 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A34782) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 64182) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 347:3) A most true and exact relation of that as honourable as unfortunate expedition of Kent, Essex, and Colchester by M.C., a loyall actor in that engagement, Anno Dom. 1648. Carter, Matthew, fl. 1660. [10], 214 p. s.n.], [London : 1650. Attributed to Matthew Carter. Cf. NUC pre-1956. Place of publication from NUC pre-1956 imprints. Print stained on p. 143-144 and 147 in filmed copy. Pages 140-167 photographed from the Bodleian Library copy and inserted at the end. Reproduction of original in Harvard University Libraries. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. 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Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Kent (England) -- History -- 17th century. Colchester (England) -- History -- Siege, 1648. Great Britain -- History -- Civil War, 1642-1649 -- Campaigns -- Sources. 2000-00 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-01 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-04 TCP Staff (Michigan) Sampled and proofread 2002-04 John Latta Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-05 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A MOST TRVE And exact RELATION OF That as Honourable as unfortunate Expedition of Kent , Essex , and Colchester . By M. C. A Loyall Actor in that Engagement , Anno Dom. 1648. Printed in the Yeere , 1650. The Authors Letter to the Publisher . To the truly Noble , and my Worthily honoured friend Sir C. K. Honoured Sir , SInce through the Calamitous , and dark distractions of these unfortunate times , I am thus ecclips'd , and linkt to an ill and duskie fate ; as by being Cloyster'd in a Dungeon , am debarr'd of that happy liberty that might allow me the wish'd-for opportunity of kissing your hands ; Yet am I thus only Cloyster'd , since though my Body suffer a most severe and strict confinement , it rather addes to the liberty of my Soul , and makes it expatiate it selfe with a greater Freedome ; And so I am alwayes waiting on you , though not to your apprehension , yet with my better Genius ; and though not as an Angell guarding you , yet still attending the illustrious throne of the All-powerfull Majesty in my wishes , and Prayers for you . And that you may not onely know the reality of my Soul , but the command also you have over it ; I have adventured to answer ( in my obedience ) your Will , though perhaps not Expectation , in sending to you , with this my account of Colchester ; by which you shall only understand I stood not there as a dumb Cypher , though not as a very eminently active Figure : Other Honour to my self I dare not appropriate by it , but am content ( chusing ex malis minimum ) to lay open to your serious scanning my greatest imperfections , rather than adventure the hazard of falling under the censure of ingratefull disobedience ; hoping your Charity will extend to a Courteous reception of my Imbecillities , because cloathed with as cheerfull endeavours ; in which garb they humbly thus come to waite on you , having for attendance onely this serious request : That your own eyes alone may be made witnesses of their nakednesse . For though I know that truth ( which I assure you here really is , and nothing else ) need not be abash't who ever she meet with , she is naturally of her self so Beautifull , and never was more than in this service : Yet I am sensible enough how grosse an absurdity it is for any man to send her abroad in vile , and ragged unshapen Garments ; of which I must acknowledge my self too much too guilty to expect a Justification when I shall appear at the bar of a judicious Examination ; but therefore suffer under the condemnation of a just and weighty Censure . Which I might the more seriously expect , were it more exactly done , should it come to the publick stage , since I have been inform'd , and made it my observation too , how the Honour of that unparallel'd action is dayly crucified , with a confusion of monstrous , and prejudiciall opinions , almost metamorphosing it into a prodigious disguise past knowledge . Yet I have a little digressed as possible , knowing that many passionate Historians transported with splean against Tyrants , or too great a luxury in the glorification of those theyhonored , have imperfectly delineated the image of Truth ; like Aurelius a Roman Painter , who , when he was to draw the face of any Image , alwayes made it to the resemblance of a Woman that he most dearly affected . But I have confined my self to a strict-Commentary of the reall passages ; and to adde more to your satisfaction , I have drawn my rise not onely from the first step of it's motion , but the cause that gave a product to that motion . By which means it must prove something more tedious to you ; Yet if your patience shall so far sympathize with my desires , as my obedience hath done to your will ; and at some intermisse times permit you to run it over : You shall not only receive the benefit of satisfaction to your own phancy in requitall , but a knowledge to give the like to others that you shall finde unresolv'd , and deserving , in it , and heap much of Obligation and Honour on Your most entirely devoted , and humblest Servant , M. C. To the Reader . INgenious Reader , ( for to none other doe I wish this may come ) not that I value any mans censure of the Author , but because it is an Age wherein Truth is accounted Diabolicall , and Loyalty a Treason unpardonable : And I may justly suppose some thick-skull'd Separatist , or frothybrain'd Ignoramus , whose customes are to criticize , because they would undervalue what they fancie not , as much as what they understand not , will be swarming about it with their Hypocriticall Censures to stifle it with an undeserving odium : But let not the so sloslovenly , and obscure birth of this off-spring of Loyall Zeale , any whit derogate from its worth in your opinion ; for you cannot but know , that many gallant Pieces , and Personages , have received life from as great an obscurity ; and truly I shall thus far Apologize for it , ( though its deserts require not any ) read but the fore-going Letter , ( not at all intended for what is now placed ) and you shall easily understand , that the Authors will , and desire of not publishing it , as not intending it for the publike stage of the world , hath been the chiefest reason of it : having made it his request , as being diffident of its worth , that it might not suffer the danger of the Presse . But I having raised a contrary reason , and far exceeding his for silencing , from the same grounds , thought it a greater evill to let so worthy a structure lye buryed in the wombe of perpetuall oblivion , when it had received so happy a conception , then to give it a lasting life , though by so obscure a birth . I cannot but expect that the so many Legions of Lyes , that doe every day oppresse the very Presse it selfe , and tyre out mens fancies with their mutinous tumults upon the stage of the world , will be ever justling at so handsome and candid a piece of Loyall truth , whilst the Devill the Father of Lyes is so much adored , and Christ that fountaine of honour and truth crucified and slandered every houre amongst us . But I am confident their power will never prevaile to beat it off , while there is yet a sparke of Loyaltie left to light us through this dark Chaos of Atheisticall Rebellion . That I am cautious of too plainly divulging its Author , is , because otherwise there might much of inconveniency accrue to him for so bold a discovery of his conscience , ( being already in prison ) by the splenitick malice of some base-born phlegmatick dispositions ; whose stomacks are so full gorg'd with Rebellion against God and his Vicegerent , they can brooke or digest nothing that savours not of Treason or Disloyalty . These reasons being well weighed by any ingenious and Loyall Reader , will be sufficient . Wherefore I shall urge no more , but desire all such , as they peruse , to draw examples of Loyaltie from it , and pick not out more cautiously what they may more artificially convert to poyson , if not liked ; as it is too often seen : and let your constant endeavour ( who ere you be ) in the behalfe and Service of your King , and Country , exceed his if you can ; then censure and spare not ; So wishing all mens Consciences as good and faithfull Subjects to a sweet and glorious Prince ought to be , Reader I commit you to the protection of Heaven so long as you are so , and bid you farewell . Your Friend as you censure mine , C. K. A most true and exact Relation of that as Honourable as unfortunate expedition of Kent , Essex , and Colchester . UPon Christmas day , 1647. many Gentlemen and others of the meaner ranke in the City of Canterbury in Kent , being Religiously disposed to the Service of Almighty God , according to the Liturgy and Orders of the Church , ( a hainous offence , I must confesse , in these times of Reformation ) met at Saint Andrews Church in the High Street , Where M. Allday the Resident Minister of the Parish preached to them a Sermon answerable to the day ; A thing so much out of Custome now , that we begin to forget even that Christ was ever borne , as well as the Celebration of his Birth . And now this piece of orderly and Christian Devotion startled the consciences of the new Saints , who enflamed with fiery zeale , began to make tumults in the streets , and under the Church windowes , thinking thereby to drown the voice of the Preacher : but it could not any whit discourage him from persisting in his holy and devout Exercise . The Sermon being done , the people began to flock more tumultuously together , so that the disturbance encreased very much ; By the meanes especially of the Major , ( a man indeed Knave enough , and I thinke as much Foole , as appeares by this ) who walking through the Streets purposely , would have forc'd some people to open their Shops , and set out their Wares to keep the Market ( the day being Saturday , and Market day ) but he denying , and urging of it more seriously ; one man answering his Commands with some words which he could not well relish , he strook him a blow in the face with his Fist : Making himself , by that means , the first ingager and instrument to the breach of that Peace , which upon all occasions whatever , he was Sworn to see kept and preserved . This made a greater Distraction and Hubbub in the City ; and many men throng'd together , and so mad they grew , that the Mayors heeles were soon flung up , and all his Worship thrown in the Channell , he was afterwards glad to shift for his life , as he supposed . But one of the Constables , by name and quality Huse , a Shoo-maker , a Senior of the Faction , ran hastily out with a Pistoll in his hand ; and running up and down the Streetes with aggravating Clamours summons out his Crue , who immediately tumbled out of their houses with their Armes in their hands , and such mischievous Weapons as first they could lay hold of , in such hast , they over powred all they met : among the rest , one White a Barber , ( a man swell'd as full of ungodly Schismaticall Principles of Rebellion as a Toad with poyson ) standing in the Street with a Musket loaded , and his match ready cockt , meeting another man by chance stepping forth of his doore , as being Inquisitive to understand the occasion of the tumult ; whom he knew to be one that fancyed not his humour , made not much dispute with him , but upon his questioning his standing in that posture , le ts fly at him , and Shot him through the Body , so that there was little hope of life in him . Thus the businesse grew still to a greater height , and more people still flocked together , as it is alwayes seene in such Mutinous Broyles ; and many bickerings fell out in the Streetes : But ere long those Gentlemen , who ranged about as furiously at first , as Herods Souldiers in the Infant Martyrdome , began to slink , and were at last glad to betake themselves to their heeles , and every one to shift for himselfe . White being taken , was committed to Custody into the Towne Goal , there to lie till he should receive the Justice of the Law for so horrid a Villany . The other party being thus enraged , and incensed by so foul an Affront , began to think of their owne security ; and knowing the malice of those they should most certainly have to do with , seized on the Magazine of the Town , and placed Guards about at every Gate of the City ; fearing that mischief which indeed afterwards came to passe , and might have been prevented , had they not thought themselves too secure . At last they grew something violent , and encreased to a very great number , till Sir William Man , Master Lovelace the Councellour , and some other Gentlemen , by an extraordinary Industry had perswaded them to a quiet desisting from prosecuting those rash Attempts which they boldly resolved on ; engaging themselves with the Mayor , and Master Savin an Alderman , and Justice of Peace , by Articles drawn up , and Signed between them , that no man should be molested or questioned for an thing that was done . Upon this , they all quietly lay down their Armes , and every man betook himselfe to his Vocation , and particular Habitation , which else might have produced greater matters both in that City and the whole County . About a moneth after , upon the instigation of the Mayor , whose malice could not be appeased without revenge , by Order of Parliament came down Col. Husons Regiment of Foot from about London to quarter in Canterbury ; who no sooner were settled in their quarters , but by Order from the House they seized on Sir Will : Man , Master Lovelace , M. Savine , M. Dudley Wiles , and some other Gentlemen ; and many poor men of the City also , and hurried them away to Leeds Castle neer Maidstone , where they continued Prisoners about two moneths , and more , till some of the poorer sort that had not where withall to subsist ( none daring to relieve them ) were wel nigh starved there , as their Wives and Families at home . At last , with some solicitation of the Gentlemen to the House , by the mediation of the Burgesses of the City , and some other of the Deputy Lieutenants of the County , who began to be a little touch'd with a sence of their abominable Injury , procured so much favour as to have Baile taken for their Liberty , till they should be called upon to answer at the Barre of their Mock-Justice for this high and unpardonable Ryot of Peace-making . This high favour being obtained , they all returned home ; but they were no sooner there , and scarce setled , but the Mayor , out of his own power , having Myrmidons enough then to maintain him in any thing , though never so ignoble , wicked , or unjust , ( although hee had before Signed to the Articles of Indempnity , and that those poor men had suffered so much misery , notwithstanding ) would have had all those of the most Inferiour rank to be Whipt , or ride the Wooden Horse ; for now he knew how to domineer , having the Souldiers to clap him at the back , and encourage what ever he would doe : But by the more grave advice of some of his more moderate Brethren he was taken off from that project , & the busines lay quiet till about a forthnight before Whitsontide ; at which time the Parl. gave Commission of speciall Oyer and Terminer for a Court of Sessions in the Castle at Canterbury , and sent done Sergeant Wild , and Sergeant Steel to try them upon Life and Death , who in the whole businesse were the onely Sufferers , and the Raisers of that , got either to be their Judges , or Witnesses against them to condemne them . Condemned indeed beforehand , as by the sequell appeares . A Grand Jury also was Summoned in of Gentlemen from every Lathe of the County , and none to be prickt but such as they thought so well affected to the Parliament as to cast any whom they should desire to convict . All the Deputy Lieutenants were also appointed to meet at this great Sessions ; Sir Michaell Lusey being then one of the House , and not in Command ( a Colonell in the Service once , and before that , in debt farre beyond what he was worth , but now clear from all , and his Estate very much augmented ) made it his suite to the House that he might have leave to be there at the Bench , which he soon obtained ; and comming down , made it his Brags that he thanked God he had obtained leave of the House to be there , and that he would endeavour to set some of those Gentlemen packing to another World , which he would willingly have done had God given so large a power into his hands ; but his protection guarded them from the intended ruine these Unjust Judges had pre-ordained them to . For the day being come , and the Judges and Bench in much State and Pomp set , the Prisoners were summoned to the Bar , and the Jury Impannell'd : Then the Indictment was read , and the Jury sent out to bring in their Verdict , who retiring , and scanning the businesse after they had heard the Indictment pleaded against , found an Ignoramus upon it ; and being again brought in , gave in their Verdict accordingly , at which the Bench wondred , and the Judges were much displeased , having resolved their doome beforehand ; wherefore the Jury was a second time commanded forth , and againe returned the same Verdict ; whereupon the Judges , as it were forc'd to it , cleared the businesse for that time , and broke up the Court , but would not absolutely quit them , till the House should resolve farther upon it , intending to have brought them to a second Triall : But ere the Bench could rise , came in a Packet from the House of Parliament , with a Relation of that great defeat given the Welch at S. Fagons neer Cardiff in Clamorganshire ; which being read , one of the Bench rising up , said to one of the Grand Jury , Had we known but this newes before , we would have made you found something else than an Ignoramus : But the Gentleman being a resolute man , and as Consciencious , soone made him this answer , Neither your newes Sir , nor your threatning words should have made us give in a Verdict upon another mans Life , contrary to the result of our Consciences . Let the world now judge by this , what the Justice of these men is , whom nothing but fear shall keep from committing Homicide and murder on their fellow-Christians , Subjects and Country , upon the very seats of Justice and Judgement . After this passage , the Grand Jury all meeting together , began to revolve in their discourses , ( being aggravated by so inconscionable a speech ) of the intollerable misery and slavery this wretched Kingdome was involved and plunged into ; and under what a Tyranny they did now suffer , by the Unlimited , Usurped , and Arbitrary Jurisdiction their fellow-Subjects now used over them , as so many illegall Lords & Kings ; supported in it , by the unmercifull power of the blood thirsty Sword ; still disputing with much resolution and boldnesse among themselves , which way they might best set themselves Free-men from such an inhumane slavery , and unsufferable bondage : They refolved unanimously at the last to Petition their Servants ( that should be ) the Commons , and their Servants Servants , the Lords once more , to see if they could be perswaded yet into any remorse , or consideration of the misery with which they had overwhelm'd this gasping Common-wealth . Where a Petition was drawn up , and after some Correction , shewed to some of the Deputy Leiutenants , who seeing the Gentlemen so confident in it , though visibly against their Interest they were sensible enough it was , yet durst not dis-approve of it . The Petition was as followeth : To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons Assembled in PARLIAMENT at Westminster . The Humble Petition of the Knights , Gentry , Clergy , and Comminalty of the County of Kent , Subscribed by the Grand Jury the 11 of May , 1648. at the Sessions of the Judges upon an especiall Commission of Oyer and Terminer , then Executed at the Castle of Canterbury for the said County . Sheweth , THat the deep sence of our own Miseries , with a fellow-feeling of the Discontents of other Counties expos'd to the like Sufferings ; prevaileth , with us , thus humbly to present to your Honours these our ardent desires . 1. That our most Gracious Soveraigne Lord King Charles , may with all speed be admitted in Safety and Honour to Treat in Person with his two Houses of Parliament , for the perfect setling of the Peace both of Church and Common-wealth , as also of his own Just Rights , together with those of the Parliament . 2. That for prevention , and removall of the manifold inconveniences occasioned by the continuance of the present Army under the Command of the Lord Fairfax , their Arrears may be forthwith audited , and they Disbanded . 3. That according to the Fundamentall Constitution of this Common-wealth , we may for the future be governed and judged by ( the English Subjects undoubted Birth-right ) the known and established Lawes of the Kingdome , and not otherwise . 4. That according to the Petition of Right , our Property may not be invaded by any Taxes or Impositions whatsoever ; and particularly that the heavy burthen of Excise may no longer be continued , or hereafter imposed upon us . All which our earnest desires we humbly recommend to your grave and serious considerations , not doubting of that speedy satisfaction therein , which the case requires , and we humbly expect : Whereby we may well hope to see ( what otherwise we cannot but despair of ) a speedy and happy end of those sad and heavy pressures and distempers , whose continuance will inevitably ruin both our selves and our Posterities : Your timely prevention whereof , by a cheerfull condescent to what we here propound , in order thereunto , shall oblige us ever to pray , &c. Which Petition soon obtain'd the approbation of all the Gentry and Clergy , excepting some who were troubled with the heart-burning Faction , and could not digest so great a State-pill . Some Deputy Lieftenants also did approve of it , and willingly Signed ; others seemed to approve of it likewise , but when they were desired to Signe , slipt their necks out of the Coller , and left the City : but that day it was Signed by above two hundred Gentlemen then in the City , and Copies transcribed , and dispersed amongst them all , by which means , by a very quick flight they were dispersed over all the County also ; there being so many Centlemen then met together from every Lath and Hundred , a more fitting opportunity could never have been fancied . Then on the backside of every Petition was Endorsed this Post-script : It is desired , that all Copies and Subscriptions be brought into Rochester on Munday , the 29. of this Instant May 1648. And that all who intend to accompany this Petition doe meet at Black-heath the day following by nine of the Clock in the morning . By this meanes the whole County might unanimously go , not only in their Subscriptions , but in the presentation of it to the Parliament . But there were at the same time some of the Grandees , in the City , who by no means could swallow it , lest it should have choaked their Reputation , with the House ; and indeed , being stung with too guilty a Conscience , found this pill too harsh a Corrasive to them . Amongst the rest , Sir Henry Heyman , and Sir Michaell Lnsey , who posted immediately away to the Parliament to give them a timely notice , for prevention of a design so Honourable , Conscientious , and Religious , but absolutely destructive to their Interest and Proceedings ; or at least , that they might , by being praemoniti , be also praemuniti , which two are seldome other then Correlatives ; the one drawing a usuall consequence from the other , as indeed it proved by them , as will afterwards appear by their Votes , and Stratagems against it . But ere they went , out of the tender affection his rebellious Bowels yearn'd with , towards his true Bretheren in Iniquity , went to the Prison where White the Barber lay for his horrid Villany ; ( the man not being yet recovered ) and brought him out , with hat in hand , giving him thanks for his so good service , and extraordinary zeal to the Cause ; and thus set him at liberty without ever being questioned for his Fact. Upon Sunday following , Letters were sent from the Speaker of the Lower House , to all the Deputy Lieftenants in the County , and what Justices of Peace the House thought good , that they understood of an intended Petition to be preferred to the House from that County , willing them to use their utmost indeavours for the speedy preventing it , and suppressing the people in it . Never disputing the Justice of it , nor injustice of themselves in denying the proceeding of it , which was as horrid as might be for any man that knowes how to judge between right and wrong almost in any thing , knowes that the intentions of a Kings calling a Parliament are for the speedy redressing the agrievances of his Kingdome , and the admitting by him , and the choosing by the People , the Commons into Parliament never for any other reason then to present the Agrievances of the Commons in generall for what part of the Kingdome they served as Representatives , by way of Petition , from them to the King and Lords for redresse . But they have now so altered the Constitution of Parliament by their new-found Kirk-lawes of Reformation , that no man , no not the best of Polititians is Physitian good enough to feel its pulse , though in a most horrid distraction too of ill humours ; and our blessed Reformers have so long faught for the Priviledge of Parliament , as that they have both lost that , and the Liberty , and true Rights of the Subject , with the Prerogative of the King to Boot ; and Metamorposed the Lawes of the Kingdome into the shapelesse monster of an Arbitrary Government , and Tyrannous power of the Sword. But these Letters also they were ordered and authoriz'd to Seize , and Surprize all persons they should find , or suspect to to be active in the prosecution of it ; & to secure all Castles , Towns , and strong holds in the County ; and by their greatest care to prevent all publick Meetings at any places whatsoever within the County , except their own . Then began the Committee to thunder abroad their loud menaces with high threats , to all such as should dare to prosecute so bold a Villany , and tumultuous Seditions , as they tearmed it ; and issued forth a Libellous Order against it , and all such as should signe it , or any way prosecute the progresse of it amongst the people , by any publique or sinister means . The Order was as followes . By the Deputy Lieutenants of the County of KENT , the City , and County of Canterbuy , at their Generall Meeting at Maidstone the 16. of May , 1648. WHereas we understand , that diverse persons have given out , that they intend to assemble themselves towards the latter end of this Moneth , or the beginning of the next , at severall dayes and places , upon pretence of carrying a Petition to the Parliament , which doth concern matter against the Authority of both Houses , and tendeth to the raising of Seditions and Tumults , within this County : We having lately received a speciall Command from the House , to use our best endeavours for the preserving the peace of that County , doe hereby , in order thereunto , advise all whom it may concerne , to forbear all occasions of publick disturbance , by any such pretence whatsoever : And if any well-affected persons have beene abused , and misled , so as to Signe , or procure hands to any such seditious Paper under the name of a Petition , and upon false-giving out , that the Deputy Lieutenants of this County doe approve thereof , to the end that such well-meaning persons may be undeceived , we having seen a Copie of the said pretended Petition , doe hereby signifie our utter detestation of such Seditious practices : and doe advise all well-wishers to their Countries peace to take heed thereof , and to Counsell , and perswade their Neighbours accordingly : And if any pretended Copies of such pretended Petition come unto or be in their hands , to deliver up the same unto the next Deputy Lieutenant . And we doe hereby , require the Ministers of severall Parishes publickly to read this signification in their Parish Churches upon the next Lords Day after the receit hereof , immediately before they begin their Morning Sermon ; And the Church Wardens of the severall Parishes , are hereby required the next day after the time appointed for the said Publication , to certifie what hath beene done therein under their hands unto the next Deputy Lieutenants , who is hereby directed forthwith to transmit the said Certificate to the standing Committee at Maidstone , that so notice may be taken what Ministers , and Church Wardens or other Persons doe their Duty therein : And such as shall be found wilfully faulty , may be proceeded against accordingly . Ant : Wilding . John Rivers . Richard Lee. Thomas Lewis . James Oxenden . Richard Beale . Thomas Syliard . Lam : Godfrey . Will : James . John Bix . Will : Keniorash . To the Mayor of Gravesend , who is hereby required to cause Proclamation hereof to be read in open Market , next day after the receit hereof , in the height of the Market by the common Cryer , and afterwards to deliver it to the Minister of the said Parish to read it in the Church . But this violent course of theirs in indeavouring to obstruct , added rather a more vigorous life to it , and made it fly through the County with a far greater velocity , and the more exasperated the whole Country to a prosecution of it , according to the saying of Seneca : Patientia laesa fit furor . The whole County being , by this means , enraged , they resolv'd upon the prosecution of their Petition , being so farre engaged , maugre all obstructions what ever , which caused many meetings of the Gentry , in Canterbury & Rochester , and diverse other places of the County , at which meetings the businesse was more deliberately weighed ; and upon a serious deliberate scanning they found themselves likely to be lost in a maze of Inconveniencies if they went not resolutely forward in what they had begun , whereupon this Order of the Committee was re-viewed , and a Vindication of their proceedings in Answer to it , drawn up , and published as followeth : The Petitioners Vindication and Answer to the Deputy Lieutenants Declaration against the said Petition . WE the Knights , Gentry , Clergy , and Comminalty of the County of Kent , who have Subscribed , and do intend to present the reall Petition ( which is absolutely called a pretended one , and a Seditious Paper ) to the Honourable the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament at Westminster , according to the Just Rights and Priviledges of the Subjects of England , in pursuance of the Suscriptions of the Grand Jury of our County the 11. of May , 1648. ( who are , and ought to be representers of the sence of our County ) have taken notice of a late Order , or Declaration , of the Deputy Lieutenants of our County , of the 16. of May , 1648. tending to the discountenancing , and suppressing of our said Petition ; and untruly charging the same to containe matter against the Authority of both Houses ( to whom it is addressed ) and the Petitioners to be raisers of Sedition and 〈◊〉 . In a deep sence whereof , and indignation of such false Scandalls imposed upon us , we doe declare to the world , That the matter of the Petition , containes in it , nothing but what is Just , and fit for free-borne Subjects to demand , and tends to the preserving of the Peace , not onely of our County , but of the Whole Kingdome . And the manner of our Intentions to prosecute the same shall be so peaceable ( on our parts ) as shall not give occasion of Tumults , or publick Disturbance . We doe protest against raising of any Factious against the Parliament , to whom we addresse our selves for a Just reliefe of our Grievances : In pursuance of the Right of Subjects , and their own Ordinances , and our intentions so peaceable , we must declare , That ( not withstanding all 〈◊〉 threats , published to our discouragement ) we shall go on to prosecute our Just rights and desires , in such a way as shall neither render us guilty of Sedition , or publick Disturbance ; nor of betraying our selves to the violence of such who shall unjustly endeavour to oppose us . And we doe desire all persons of our Comity , well affected to the said Petition , not to be discouraged from the just prosecution thereof , upon any Threats or Orders : Whatsoever . Our intention being ( if it shall please God 〈◊〉 dispose us ) to Sacrifice our 〈◊〉 and Fortunes in the prosecution of these our Just Rights and Desires . We have not a desire to deceive any 〈◊〉 , nor have we 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 , with pretending the Deputy of our Paetition . Nor doe We desire any to joyne with us , but those whose Reason and Conscience dictate to themselves the sence of our Petition . Now the Committees began to bestirre themselves on the other party with more resolution , because they saw Threats would no whit prevail to their Advantage ; and sent out their Warrants for all the Trained Troops and Companies to meet at Rendezvouze at severall places of the County . But this neither would availe , or any whit answer their Expectations ; for , not any shewed in answer to their Warrant , but rather absented themselves from their Homes , except Captain Foach , and some of his Troop ; who , with about twenty of his Men , met together , and Marched away to Maidstone there to attend the Committee , who thought it by this , time to consider of their own security . Sir T. T. sent out his Warrants likewise for his Troop to meet him at Barham Down , where appeared some ten , but not one Officer , nor any Colours , for his Officers were all engaged for prosecution of the Petition . There he waited almost all the day in constant hopes and expectation of their comming up ; but towards night , no more appearing , he dispatcht his Man away to Canterbury , to see if any were met together there , and to Invite them ( for now he durst not Command ) but his Worships man no sooner entered the Gates of the City , but he was surprized by a Guard there , and Dismounted , and so forc'd to return back to his Master on foot . In the interim Sir T. staying on the Downes with his few men he had , by chance was resolved to drink ; and calling for some Beer , one of his men began the Kings Health to him , which rellished not well with his Pallate , having long time been a trusty Wight for the Parliament ; and as he said , not being accustomed to drink Healths , it would impaire his own Health very much ; but indeed was something jealous they did that but as an occasion to advance some other Inconveniency to him : Whereupon he stole away from them , and clapping his heeles to his Mule ( for Spurs he seldome wore any ) away he drove as furiously as Jehu , never making the least stop till he thought he was clear of the danger of the Cannon Jug ; and like a Hare , regarding nothing before him ; overtaking by chance another of the Deputy Lieutenants more suttlely plodding along , and ruminating upon the businesse ; he had certainly over-run him had his Beast been big enough to have performed it without taking any notice of him ; so extraordinary was his hast , as I was informed by the same Deputy Lieutenant himself . Now , as it was high time , the Gentlemen engaged in the Petition began to consider farther of their Interest ; and being so farre engaged , how to make what they had done good , and which way with most security to goe forwards ; for retreat they could not now , and not to perfect what they had initiated , was not only to undoe it , but themselves also without dispute ; wherefore they neglected not to meet every day . And considering withall , the imminent danger of that perpetuall slavery , not only they , but the whole Kingdome were fallen into ; and the extremitie of violence the Grand Taxments of the Kingdome did threaten to crush them with , for but Petitioning ( with the Children of Israell under the slavish Tyranny of Pharaoh ) for ease of their burdens ; resolved like Men of Kent to maintain , if it were possible , their Ancient Honour and Liberties , or to perish in the Attempt , which indeed they knew must prove a hard difficulty , having such an infection within themselves all over the whole body of the County ; insomuch that they knew not any sound part in it , but that every one might be likely enough to cherrish and breed up Vermin to destroy it . But yet , notwithstanding their losty menacings , and Bug-bear threats , to proceed in their Engagement . Whereupon a Manifesto was drawne up by them , and Signed as an absolute and unanimous Engagement amongst themselves , and afterwards disperst to the view of the whole world , that all might know the candid reality of their Resolutions , in these words : THat the Innocency of our intentions , and Justice of all our undertakings may clearly appear to all men of uncorrupt understandings , and hearts not made too servile by the long , and odious custome of Oppression . We the Knights , Gentlemen , Clergy , and Franchlins of the County of Kent , the most free people of this late flourishing Nation , by the wisdome and valour of our Ancestours delivered from the Lawes of the Conquerour , and to the late dayes of unhappy confusion and distraction enjoying the same , through all the raignes of the most glorious , and victorious Kings and Princes of this Nation : Doe hereby declare , and manifest to all the world , that our Meetings , and Assembling together , is no other then a Vindication of our selves , and purposes from the scandall and aspersions of the Committee of this County ; who , upon occasion of a Petition , in behalf of the County of Kent , assented , and subscribed to , by the Grand Jury at the Sessions of the Judges , upon speciall Commission of Oyer and Terminer , executed at the Castle of Canterbury the 11. of May instant for the said County ; have not only made Orders against the same , and Commanded them publickly to be read in all Churches , sentencing and condemning the said Petition , and all the Abettors thereof ; but have summoned the Troopes of Horse , and forces of Foot of this County for suppression of the said Petition . Which tends not only to the suppression of the Liberty even of the most enslaved persons in the world , but also , as much as in them lies , shew an indeavour upon any causes whatsoever , which suit not with their humours , to over-owe the sentences of other men ; and , upon opposition therein , think they have ground enough to take away the lives or fortunes , or both , of their said opposers . In consideration whereof , and that now the said Committee finding themselves unable to involve this County in bloud , have made their addresses to the Parliament and Army ; and make strange , and malicious representations of our purposes , thereby discovering nothing so much as their owne pride and malice . We the said Knights , Gentlemen , Clergy , and Free Yeomen of the said County of Kent , doe hereby appeal to all the world to judge , if it were not high time for us to put our selves into a posture of defence : And doe further declare , that we will prosecute our said Petition , with our lives and fortunes , not doubting of a faire reception from the two Houses of Parliament , whom we know to have been instigated against us by the said Committee . And therefore , saving to our selves , the enlarging of the said Petition : we have resolved to charge the said Committee with increasing the Taxes of this County above due proportion , and onely for maintaining their owne private luxury and pride ; with usurping a power over the Estates and Fortunes of the free men of this County , not granted to them by any power of Parliament ; and with a Tyrannicall , unlimitted , and imbittered spirit naturally engrafted in them , and expressed by words and actions all along the exercise of this power ( which makes them unfit to rule ) to the exasperating of the peoples hearts into all animosity , and overthrowing of all love and peace in this County : which also hath been followed to that height of persecution , that had not the two Houses given a stop to their 〈◊〉 proceedings , we had suffered much more under the torment of these mens projected designes . Wherein we doe acknowledge our selves also to have been secured in the temper and moderation of the Houses . We have no more to say or doe , but to defend our selves till we can have a right understanding of our purposes and actions before the Houses . In the mean time we shall look upon all opposition as the provocation of a conscious and endangered Committee ; and in respect of the Invasion lately made upon the persons of our neighbours , we think fit not to lie at the mercy of the Souldiers , but to have refuge to our Armes , from which no threats , or face of Souldiery shall drive us , knowing well the justice of our Cause , and the temper of our own Hearts . Thus resolv'd they proceeded in their desigue , seizing all the Armes and Ammunition at Scots Hall , Ashford , Feversham , and diverse other places , whilst Sir Michael Lusey , and some others of the Deputy Lieutenants ceased not to act , to the utmost of their power , for the suppressing of them ; But Esquire Hales ( being a man well beloved , and that indeed for his true desert , and worth ) in short time had raised a great party in that part of the County ; and falling to work with those bold opposers , soon laid their Power flat , and their Honour in the dust , till at last they were forc'd to shift for a better security than their Armes , and took sanctuary in Sir Peter Ricots house at Ailsford ; but the Foxes lay not long there ere his Terriers were so neer forcing them forth , that they were glad to make Conditions for Law to run away from them ; which being granted , they delivered up the House , a great Magazine of Armes and Ammunition , which proved very serviceable to the Victors . In the interim other parties being encreased , and modell'd into order , still moved up and down , and received all that wished well , and had signed and engaged in the Petition , who were so unanimous , that within two dayes space there were strong parties gotten together about Wy , Ashford , Sittingborne , Rochester , Gravesend , and diverse other places ; insomuch , that the whole Committee were glad to make triall of the old Proverb , One paire of legs is worth two pair of hands , so they posted away to London to tell a lamentable story to the Parliament . Captaine Lee , and another of the House being sent downe by order of the House , came to Rochester to Parley with those that were met there ; where , upon debate of the businesse , they used the greatest policy they could to perswade them to accept of an Act of Indempnity from the House , and to lay down their designe ; but these Gentlemen were immediately confin'd , and were forc't to treat for their owne Indempnity and Liberty at last ; for well the Engagers knew what the Indempnity of the House would be , if once they laid their Swords out of their hands , and were submitted to the malice of theirs . Tuesday , May 23. a great number of Knights and Gentlemen were again met at Canterbury , intending one and the same Interest , and as Active as Cordiall in the reall advancing the generall businesse , not minding any other interest then the publique welfare ; concluding with a magnanimous courage , to March with the Petition in one hand , and a Sword in the other : Not , though ( as some have Malicioufly ( not Conscientiously ) given a false interpretation to ) to force the Higher Powers to what they should fancy , or desire , ( which indeed they might have done , ( according to so grand examples in that kinde , as have been shewed by those too they were to deal with ) the Law now being swallowed up into the unlimited arbitration of the power of a , though bloud-drunk , yet bloud-thirsty Sword ) but that they might make their way through all obstructions , and have liberty ; maugre all apposition to present their Agrievances ( according to the Ancient Custome of this Kingdome ) to the Houses of Parliament , a thing never opposed , nor accounted Riotous till this Parliament by their All-powerfull Arbitration voted it so . Which being a generall resolve through the County , all men betook themselves cheerfully to their Armes ; the Inferiour sort , and Comminalty , submitting themselves to the Commands of the Superiours ; who , as Commissioners , acted what by a Generall Councell was thought most convenient for the security of so great an Engagement as that was now brought to . And that there might be a clear , and candid satisfaction given as well to their friends as enemies throughout the Kingdome for their thus Arming themselves , caused this ensuing Remonstrance to be Published . ( Having also understood before of the Bloudy answer their neighbours of Surrey had to their peaceable and legall Petition ; for which unhumane massacre the Butchering Mirmidons ( being fetcht for the same purpose by some of both Houses ) had the thanks of the House . ) BEing reduced to this choice , whether to deliver up our Lives and Liberties together , or die Free : We are resolved to act the last scene of this Tragedy with our Swords in our hands , which we shall sooner turn upon our own hearts , than upon the publique Peace . By what necessities exasperated to this resolve let the world determine , and understand , that a Petition to Religion and Honour ( if the Parliament may be Judge ) is by some persons neither Warranted by any Authority from the two Houses , nor pretending to it , upon their owne Score have audaciously affronted : The Petitioners menaced , and persecuted into this extremity , by spirits so implacably distempered , that Sir Anthony Welding vowed he would not crosse the street of Rochester to save one Soul that subscribed to the Petition . And it was a proposition of Beales , to hang two of the Petitioners of every Parish . If this be not enough to admonish others , let it suffice that it awakens us into a just sense and scorne of these Indignities . We have lost all with patience ; and if at last it be accounted a crime to Beg , we shall prefer to Perish . Therefore we doe Solemnly , and Religiously , oblige our selves , with our lives and fortunes , to oppose effectually , what person or persons soever shall presume to interrupt us in the just and legall presentation of our humble desires to the two Houses of Parliament ; and to the utmost of our endeavours to save harmlesse , and protect each the other in a Priviledge so undoubtedly our own ; and so not only adjudged , but practiced and encouraged by this present Parliament . And further , in case any single person shall be for this Engagement prosecuted , all of us to rise as one man to the rescue ; this so help us God , as we shall respectively perform , and resolutely . Thus gallantly resolved was the greatest part of the Gentry in the County , which animosity encouraged also the Comminalty into as great Bravery , and resolute Boldnesse . And indeed it was high time , as the state of all the Kingdome then stood , in so dismall a cloud of dull and sordid Slavery : The Tyrants swords having so long time drunk the Bloud of the Loyal-hearted Gentry of the Kingdome , that now they were insensible how they went on , or upon whom they exercised their Cruelty . This Tuesday , about noone , the Knights and Gentlemen that were intrusted as Commissioners ( for that part of the County ) at Canterbury , gave Commission to Colonell Robert Hammon for the beating up his Drums to raise a Regiment of Foot , and Colonell Hatton for Listing , and raising a Regiment of Horse . Their Commissions ran thus : For the more safe and speedy expedition in preferring the generall Petition of this County , we the gentry now Interested and trusted therein , do nominate and appoint you R.H. Colonell of one Regiment of Foot , &c. Having the day before seiz'd on the Magazine of that part of the County then in that City , being very great both of Armes and Ammunition of all sorts ; Colonell Hammon immediately beating up his Drums , he had in a short time Listed a considerable number of men , more , I think , than ever were listed by one man in so short a time . Then both Colonell Hatton and he had Orders given to Rendezvouz the next day at Barham-Downe , where all the Trayned Souldiers of that part of the County were appointed ( by warrant from the Commissioners ) to meet : But this day proved extraordinary wet , which hindred the appearance very much . However Colonell Hammon came with about 300. Foot well Accoutred and Armed ; and Colonell Hatton with about threescore Horse : a good Collection for so short a time as one half day to 〈◊〉 them in : But there came not in above 〈◊〉 Trayned men by reason of the illnesse of the weather . Here met also most of the Knights , and Deputy Lieutenants then in that part of the County , for now many of the Deputy Lieutenants had joyn'd with the Petitioners , although , I suppose , out of a Politick consideration , not a Cordiall 〈◊〉 , as indeed did afterwards appear . There ( after some consultations ) they 〈◊〉 many businesses for the advancement of the Engagement , using their utmost endeavours for the raising not onely of Men , but Money also , for the supporting , and encouraging those who were not able to goe through it themselves , being off from all their Callings and Imployment . Engaging for the constant paying both of Souldiers and Officers whilst they should continue in the Countries Services : For the better advancement whereof , every Gentleman , according to his Ability , subscribed to the loan of Moneys , some a Hundred pounds , some Eighty , some Fifty , some Forty , some more , some lesse ; and sent abroad their Warrants into all parts of the Country for the summoning all such men as had , and would engage in that service for the advancing the generall safety of the County , and Liberty of the Kingdome . Towards night the Rendezvouze breaking up , Colonell Hammon , and Colonell Hatton Marched off to quarter towards Dover . Then Sir Richard Hardres , Sir Anthony Aucher , and Master Ant. Hammond , Justices of the Peace , and men as hearty , as reall , and as indulgently Industrious in the propagation of the Engagement as men could be . And Mr. Thomas 〈◊〉 with about seven score Trained men , being then by reason of the wetnesse of the weather on horseback as Dragoones , marched towards Sandwich , having dispatcht a Messenger with a Letter to the Mayor of the Town before to advertise him of their comming , and intentions . Where , when they came , they found the Ports all shut , and guarded round about the Town ; then Master Mat. Carter , by appointment of the rest of the Gentlemen marching in the head of the men , gave a summons to them ; but they at first refused to open the Gates , till after some parley with them an Officer asked him if Sir Rich. Hardres were there or not , who was one of the Deputy Lieutenants for the Parliament : who comming to them , and demanding entrance , the Recorder of the Towne came out , and told him that the Mayors orders were , that if he came the Gates should be opened , but not else . So immediately they were , and marching quietly in , they drew up in the Market place , and first changed all the Guards about the Town before they engaged in any other businesse , it being then almost night . Then the Commissioners being together , they sent for the Mayor of the Town , and demanding his subscription to the Petition , gave him orders immediately for the raising of Moneys for the forwarding the businesse ; but he proved very slow in that service , pretending that the Town was very poor , and could by no means raise any : The Excise officers were also called in , but their stores proved very poor also ; insomuch much that there remained little hopes of any good to proceed from that place . In the evening came in a Gentleman that had been formerly a Divine , and a Chaplaine at Sea , and a Major in the service of the Parliament , ( as it seemed by his deportment ) very penitent for that he had engaged himself in so unjust a Cause , and Horrid Employment ; and proffered the best , and utmost of his service to the furthering the Petition , and the Engagement of the Country if he might be employed in any thing that might give him opportunity . Whereupon , they knowing him to have been at Sea , and well acquainted with the Navie , being both Chaplain there to the Earl of Warwick , and Minister of Deal , thought it could not prove amisse to employ him , having signed to the Petition before ; and so had Letters drawn up for him that night , to every Ship one , and in every Letter a Copy of the Petition , making this absolute result , that some happy successe might follow ; however , if it did no good , yet it could no way endamage them ; which indeed proved a most happy , and fortunate designe as all the Kingdome are witnesses of . The next morning being Thursday , the Mayor and Aldermen were againe called upon to know what moneys they had raised , or would advance to that Service , being solely for the Re-enthronement of the King ( as they told them ) and the speedy redemption of the most Turkishly enslaved Subjects of England to their true , ancient , and native Liberty : But they were then found as tardy as before , dull , and unwilling to endeavour , pleading the great necessity , and inability of the Towne , as nothing touch'd with any consideration of Loyalty or Conscience to their imprisoned King , or the bleeding 〈◊〉 of their enslaved Country . Whereupon the Commissioners thought it neither 〈◊〉 , nor fitting , to intrust them with a Military Power ; but took away the Comissions from the Mayor ( who was Captaine of a Trayned Company in the Town ) and the other Trained Captains , and disposed of the Companies to other Gentlemen in the Town , such as for their Honesty and loyalty were thought worthy the trust ; cutting to pieces that Commission of the Captaine of the Auxiliary Company , then seized on the Magazine of the Towne ; and having loaded a Waggon with powder , Match and Ball , for the present occasion made ready for a March towards Dover . But ere they March'd , the Souldiers being againe drawn up to their Colours in the Market place , the Commissioners went together to give a Visite to a stripling Imposture that lodged ( by order of the Mayor , and his wise Brethren ) at Captain Forstalls house , one of the Jurates , who pretended himself to be the Prince of Wales , and that he was forc'd to fly out of France , because the Queen , his Mother , had endeavoured to poyson him : Which notable phancy he had seriously insinuated into the generall opinions both of Towne and Country , by his often asseverating it with impudent Oathes , and damnable imprecations : Insomuch that many Gentlemen and Women came dayly to kisse his Hand ; and many Presents he had made him , Rich Cloathes , and Accommodation in every kind provided him by the Mayor and Jurats of the Town , who were so serious in it , that Sir Thomas Dishingto a Scotish man , being upon a Message from the Queen , and Prince , into England ; and at Dover , in his journey back againe , hearing the report so generally in the Country of the Princes being at Sandwich was much startled at it ; and to satisfie himself went to Sandwich to be informed , where he found him indeed a Welch Prince , but not the Prince of Wales : and comming to him , after some discourse , as asking him who was his Gentlemen Usher , who his Pages , and other Servants ? where the Queen was when he left her , and the like questions ? he not being well provided with answers to either ; and those questions so unexpectedly proposed to him , could give him no account at all ( which was enough to satisfie any reasonable opinions that he was an Impostor ) whereat Sir Tho. being much incenst , call'd him Villaine , and Counterfeit Rogue ; the new-coyn'd Prince immediately shewes his power , and Commands the Mayor to clap Sir Tho. up in prison for his Treason ; The Mayor presently obeyes his Command , and Sir Tho. instead of going back to Dover , is carryed to prison , where he lay about two dayes ere he could be set at liberty . Master Carter was also the Sunday after Sir Tho. was confined to see him too , to satisfie not only himselfe , but some Deputy Lieutenants in the County whether it were he or not , ( comming in so strange a manner as on foot , and in an old black ragged sute , without any Companions but Lice ) being acquainted with some of the Jurates , who knew that he could satisfie them well too , but would not be convinc'd of their foolish confidence , although he not only assured them ( amongst the rest , Captaine Forstall , at whose house he lay ) that he was an Impostor , but affronted him upon the beach , before the Mayor and Jurates , who , with a Guard of Musquetteers were walking there with him . So highly did this young Prince of Sandwich bear up his businesse in as high a raunt as can possibly be imagined above a week ; Trumpets sounding his Meat to the Table most commonly , and , as some say , most nights drunk ere he was acquainted with his Bed. But the Commissioners having had this account , and understanding of him , intended to carry him away with them ; believing he was sent ( by some who have too long enjoyed a power of marring Princes , though not of making any ) upon some designe on the County ; and finding the hearts of the people much inclined to him ( as believing what he had said to be true ) spake nothing at all of him over night , nor of their resolutions , but just as they were ready to March , as to give him a civill visit , went to see him , having an empty Coach of Sir Richard Hardreses , in which they intended to Invite him to March with them , as to free him from that restraint he had , by a Declaration which he had published , pretended to be in , lest by violently taking him away they might cause a Mutinous Hubbub in the Town and Country : But this would not take , for when they came to the House , this precious Prince , and his confederates , surmising their intentions , as guilty of their reall Knaveries , refused to let them in ; Captaine Forstall shutting his doores , told them , the Prince had commanded him to keep them out , and he durst not disobey him . This they took as a high indignity and affront ; and upon their desires Master Carter immediately drew up sixty Musquetteers before the house to force an entrance , the rest of the party loading their Musquets , and lighting their Matches , stood all to their Armes , expecting some suddaine service ; for now the whole Town grew into a Mutiny , and Distraction , so that the Commissioners were forc'd to prepare themselves for to fight too , for they did expect it every minute , and commanded all Houses , and Shops , to be shut up . Mean time this young Impostor raunting in his new invested Authority , waves his Hat , and Plume , out at the window , calling out , Raise the Towne , Raise the Towne : Seamen , stand to me Seamen : throwing out handfulls of Money into the Streets among the people , which began to swarme up and down in throngs and tumults ; women weeping for the violence they feared would be done to their Prince , and men swearing they would all die rather than suffer the Prince to be injured any way , or violently taken away : Almost every one either certainly believing him to be really the Prince of Wales , or else undoubtedly confederates in the same designe , raised so high a Tumult as would have ended in much mischief , had not the Gentlemen bestirr'd themselves resolutely , and undauntedly , in the quelling them . But whilst they were thus forcing an entrance into the House , those Confederates who were within , privately conveyed him through the Back-side ; and some Seamen waiting purposely at the Water-side , transported him immediately over into the Isle of Thanet , where a party being sent after him , found him that night at Master Crispes house at Supper , where he was entertained like him that he pretended himself to be : from whence he was conveyed to Canterbury , Master Crispe being so courteous as to lend him his Coach thither also , and from thence to Newgate . This passage being over , he escaped for the time ; they took Captaine Forstall , and would have carryed him away prisoner for refusing to let them enter his House ; and by that meanes expressing his confederacy in the designe of that Mock-Prince , and so being the cause of the Hubbub in the Towne , which was so dangerous as might have caused much Bloud . But pretended he did really believe him to be the Prince , and he had commanded him to it , and he durst not disobey him : Then the Town Clark engaging himselfe for his appearance when he should be called to answer for his default , he was left behind . Then the Gentlemen leaving some of those men they brought with them , and an Officer with them in the Town for the securing of it , and Orders to the new Captaines to call their Companyes to their Armes ; they Marched away with the rest towards Dover , where they found Colonell Hammons Regiment encreased by that time to five hundred , and upwards ; and Colonell Hattons of Horse to be about 200. according to their former Orders drawing up to face the Castle , with some Trained Companies of that part of the County ; and many people with Cartes of Scaling-ladders , Spades , Shovels , and Pickaxes , according to the former dayes Warrants . Here they found the Town in a joyfull posture to receive them with much alacrity , where Captaine Bethels Fort resigned to them , and all the Towne unanimously betook themselves to their Armes ; Trained men ( which were two Companies ) and others to joyn with them in so hopefully-happy a designe , as by all appearance that must of necessity be . In the afternoon diverse summons were sent to the Castle for Surrender of it to the service of the King and Country , but all denyed . Sir H. a grand Independent , and Parliament man being then in it ( pretending no power at all there ( as by his Letters indeed appeared ) yet bearing the only sway , & commanding all privately ) by whose command those in the Castle had made incursions up . on the Country a night or two before , and drove in many Sheep for to Victuall it ; resolving to make out his own Interest , as it seemes , under the notion of the Parliaments ; for it was without any Commission from them , as if it were an axiome amongst them , every one to act his phansie for the propagating the generall Calamity of the Kingdome , no matter at what rate , so their interest were secured : So large an extent hath their arbitrary Prerogative , and unlimitted illegall Jurisdiction , as to abhor , as destructive , all conscience , or thought of affection to their Countryes peace , which easily discovered it self by the answers he made to the Letters and Propositions which were sent into the Castle to him from the Commissioners : As if that burden of intollerable guilt of innocent bloud , and unparallel'd misery of this gasping Nation had over-whelm'd his Conscience with a cloud of dispaire of any other safety than the old Roman Rule , Per 〈◊〉 semper , sceleribus tutum est Iter ; knowing indeed himselfe to have been as zealous a promoter , and accessory to the generall Calamity as any confederate in the grand Juncto what ever ; to whom indeed the name of Peace is as odious as the Punishment they know themselves guilty of , and if given over to the hand of Justice , and the Law of the Kingdome , they must unavoidably perish under . Of which I doubt not , but though their resolutions be with Cataline , yet their end will be as the thirty Tyrants of Athens , whose proceedings have not much deviated from theirs . Now they sent not only summons to the Castle , but also civill Letters to Sir Hen : H. to invite him to a compliance , or at least to a cessation from his Engagement , with all promises of their Engageing for his security , and fafety , either for his staying in the County , or passing to London , or where he pleased ; But he was farre enough from hearkning any whit to their civill Treaty , and by his meanes and one Lieutenant Swans , ( who had before betrayed the Princes Commission ( after he had engaged his faith for the acting according to it , ) and indeavoured the taking away the lives of some Gentlemen that himselfe treated with about it ) those in the Castle withheld from any rendition though often summoned , and the greatest part as often willing to deliver . This night Major Keme that went to the Fleet returned , assuring that those Letters he carryed to the Commissioners , were not onely received with extraordinary cheerfulnesse , but answered with as industriously reall action , relating , that the Mariners had no sooner read them , but immediately declared , one , and all , for the King , the liberty of the Kingdome , and the Engagement of the Gentlemen of Kent . Boldly disputing the businesse upon the deck ( though they knew not generally one anothers mindes ) with their Armes in their hands ; as if being surprised with so happy an opportunity were resolved to try what party they could make against opposition ; which they found indeed so weake as not to engage , much more dispute , then to give them occasion to seise on some Officers and a few marriners in their particular Vessels , who did but timorously seem to contradict their actions ; for oppose they durst not , so small was their Party , they were able to make amongst them , as any else whose former knowledge made them undesirous , or unwilling to trust , who they secured immediately upon their businesse in the holds , and round-houses of the respective vessels . Upon this , the shouts they made Aboord were so loud , that they ecchoed a shrill alarum to the eares of Colonell Rainsborow , then Vice Admirall , who being a Shore at Deal Castle , and hearing such acclamations made him haste from the Leads of the Castle ( where he stood all the while the Commissioners and Gentlemen were marching by , waving his Sword over his head in a threatning defyance to them ) to goe Aboord , that he might be the more certainly informed of the cause of this so generall Shout , not being from one , but every Ship then riding at Anchor in the Downs . But when he came neer , and would have Boorded , the Admirall , he was put off by the Marriners , who told him he had nothing to doe with them , nor should he . He demanded their reason , and what the matter was , being so much amazed at so suddaine an alteration ? they answered him immediately , That they were now upon other designes then they knew he would lead them on , or joyne with them in , and had declared themselves for the King , and the Gentlemen of Kent . But did confesse he had been a loving , and Courteous Colonell to them ; and in that respect should have no injury offered unto him , nor should he suffer any the least damage in Person or Goods ; but what things he had aboord he should have safe away when he pleased . Whereat , seeing them so serious , and resolute , demanded a Pinnace to carry him up to London , for he was something timerous , and jealous how to trust himself a Shore , although he had the Command of Deal Castle within his Commission . But a Coxon stepping forth upon the Deck , answered him : Sir , we cannot spare you any the least Vessell in the Downes , they are engaged for better Service ; but there is a Dutch Flyboate at shore , and for six pence you may have a passage in her to London . This much distracted him , and augmented an apprehension of danger in him ; for understanding that Sandown Castle had at the same time declared with the Navy for the King and Country : He did not know how to trust himself either at Sea , or ashore . For he might justly fear the same in every Castle for ought he understood of their resolutions , yet was forc'd to betake himself to that ultimum refugium ; in which manner , with his Wife , Children , Sisters , and the rest of his Family , which remained before in Deale Castle , he wafted it away to give an account of his Honourable escape to his great Masters at London : which alteration , with him , was as much beyond all mens expectation as his own . This welcome Messenger having given this fortunate account of his , and the generall good successe : he was immediately dispatched away with Letters of Summons to the other two Castles of Deale and Wamer ; having instructions also , and power to treat with them for Rendition . Which actions , at that time , although they carryed a martiall face with them , to the opinion of our Enemies , yet took forme and life only from prudentiall , and cautious premonition , not military Designes , for who could not but think it most unsafe to the Country , especially that part of it ? and dangerous both to private and publick Interest , to leave the strongest holds of those parts ? in the Rear of them possessed by a violent and bloudy Enemy to make Encursions , and Inrodes upon them , when they should please , the greatest strength of the County being to March away with the Petition ; of which , those in Dover Castle , by Command of Sir H. H. had given us a taste , as a faire warning , some two or three nights before ; having sent out a party , and plundred the Country , taking ( or rather robbing ) from one man at least a hundred Sheep , and many more from others , that they had intelligence to have been interested in the Petition . Yet in all these actions of possessing the Fleet and Townes , was there so orderly a comportment , that not the least prejudice accrued thereby , either to the Life , Person , Estates , or Goods of any man. Then were Letters sent into France , and Holland , with Engagement of the Gentry and Merchants , for the bringing over ten thousand Armes , and a great proportion of Amunition of all sorts ; as Letters also to the Prince to give him an account of all proceedings and intents of the engagers ; altogether as honest , as resolute , and as yet ( by Gods providence ) so prosperous , that fortunes gates seeme to be wide set open to their so Honourable resolutions : being nothing intended , or inclinable to the raising of any offensive Warre , but the purchasing ( though at the hazard of all our Lives and Fortunes ) of a happy and lasting peace ; and that not particular to our selves , but generall , to the Sion of our Church and Common-wealth for which all men , I think , ought both to pray , and fight , if rightly , and Loyally called to it . And now having thus far proceeded , and with so auspicious successe , they went on , and prosecuted their businesse with much expedition , alacrity , and courage : know that time admits not any delayes where danger always is knocking at the door ; and sloth and neglect in desperate and difficult enterprizes , are advancements onely to ruine and destruction ; but in extremities the winning of time is the purchase both of life , and Honourable successe . Wherefore the next morning they marched back from thence towards Deal Castle , leaving in Dover , and before the Castle , the Trayned Bands of the Towne , and three other Companies of that part of the Country that were not yet compleatly come up . And M. Arnold Brumes , and one or two more Justices of Peace more , being Commissioners for the Country , to steer at the Helme , lest for want of good Pilots the businesse should suffer wrack ; who the next morning drew up the great pieces that were planted on the Bench , and mounted them on the most advantagious ground on the hill neer the Castle , which they did without any more losse than of one man , although the Castle played both small and great Shot very thick upon them ; and having boldly planted them ( where , I believe , never any Cannon were ever known to be placed , it being a most extraordinary 〈◊〉 ) very neer the Castle ; they played very hot upon it , and battered the walls very much , being old ; supposing , that seeing this violent prosecution , they would have yeelded it up , but all to no purpose , and Storme it they could not . The Commissioners , with the rest of the Gentlemen , ( which were a handsome Company ) marched on towards Deal , carrying with them Colonell Hammons Regiment , being by this time compleated to a thousand , well Armed , and as perfectly resolv'd , with Colours Flying , of white answerable to the candid innocence of a peace-making Egagement ; and Col. Hattons Horse , with some Dragooners : The Gentlemen being about forty , were orderly drawn up into a Troop , and marching thus all the way upon the Downes , gave a very handsome appearance both to the Country on the one side , and the Ships then riding at Anchor in the Downes on the other , which gave encouragement to both , and a disheartning also to the Castles , then upon treaty for Rendition . Then the Castles discovering so orderly a Body of men advancing towards them , sent to the Commissioners to desire that they would not advance any neerer to them till they had concluded their Conditions , being on Treaty about them , the Articles being drawing up . Whereupon a halt was made , and a Rendezvouz , the party being drawn up , and planted an orderly Front towards the Castles . The Knights and Gentlemen then leaving them at the Rendezvouz , rid away to Deal Towne ; where the first ( as indeed most requisite ) thing they did , was the taking care for sending provision to that small Army they left in the Field ; and afterwards went aboord the Ships to take possession of them , and to place such Officers as they thought fit to entrust with their Command . Where they were received with great acclamations and expressions of Joy. There one might have read in every mans face a perfection of cheerfulnesse , as having been a long time like slaves Gally-chain'd to a more than Turkishly condemnation , and now happily set free into the glorious liberty of Loyall obedience ; wherein they expressed themselves so highly devoted to the service of the King and Country , as that they would not only be Commanded by Sea , but desired they might have first admittance to be listed Ashore ; but that would not be granted them by the Commissioners , for they should thereby have disfurnish'd the Ships , and did not perceive they should have any need of them for Land service ; for now they thought , that although they expected nothing lesse then an affront , and opposition ere they should have performed what they had undertaken concerning their Petition ; yet they supposed the County would so unanimously joyne , as there should be little want of number , able to force through all obstruction whatsoever : Foot comming in at that time also very fast from all parts , and this happy successe , and gallant deportment of the Gentry being so high an incouragement to call them to their aid , gave new life and courage to the Commonalty , and made them content to leave all rurall occasions to joyne in that so Christian-like , and Loyall designe . Although there were yet too many that lay lurking in their dunghill dens suttlely , to joyne with any Enemy that should endeavour to make a prey of them , and help forward ( upon any opportunity ) so desperate a ruine , as they cared not though it turned to a generall dissolution to the whole Kingdome , and a most wretched and untimely fall to their too indulgent , gloriously virtuous , and unparallel'd patient Soveraigne ; so their owne Factious Interest might recover to their wished ( but ignorantly proposed ) end . A nest of other Cockatrices lay brooding also as idlely in the very heart of the County , nay , too many all over , whose dirty Souls were so settled on the lees and puddle of worldly interest , as depressed them down to so ignoble and cold a disposition , that would not suffer them to look up to Loyall obedience , nor permit their capacities to climb so high as a knowledge of that duty they owed to their King and Country , though their owne Interest was as much included as anies that was the most active , every man being alike concerned in a generall peace ; and , I think , according to his quality and condition ought to endeavour as industriously for its advancement , many of them , knowing as much too , yet so wretchedly worldly as to prefer the enjoyment of their Estates , though like Jewes , under the worst of bondage , than like Christians to hazard ( the impairing them onely ) for the setled and assured enjoyment of them in the happiest liberty the Golden Age of a Just and Religious peace would give them in the future . There were some Deputy Lieutenants also came in , ( for their security more than their Conscience sakes , which they slubber'd o're with a counterfeit disguise of dissimulation to purchase a better welcome ) whom I could name too , but shall forbear ; the comming in , and entring the Lists , with these Loyall Engagers , after they had signed not onely to the Petition , but Warrants , and Commissions too , made a faire retreat , and bidding adieu to the danger of proving Loyall Subjects , slipt their engaged Coller , and stole away to London , and may chance deserve a Halter for it hereafter , as well as the rest of the greatest Opposers : But , I suppose , ere this , though not in respect of their fortunes , ( for which they may rejoyce ) yet in respect of the better wealth of their Soules they may have undergone so much of repentance , as may purchase a pardon from Heaven , which my charity makes me hope rather , than wish the contrary : and they are sensible enough they have a Soveraigne to deal with , so farre inheritor of his Fathers Virtues as well as Honours and Prerogative , as by his excesse of mercy to mittigate the rigour of Treason and Law against them . But to return to our new Sea-Royalists , who now not onely thought , but express'd also the great happinesse of their chang'd condition ; saying cheerfully , many of them , They onely now lived , and had a long time , as it were , laine amazed 'twixt life and death , and desired rather to die in the service of their King , then to live againe in that of the Parliament . All which the Commissioners were much joyed to see , and encouraged them on in their gallant Loyalty , giving amongst them in every Ship , a summe of mony to drink , which they as gratefully received ; and at their putting off to shore , gave them from every Vessell many great Shot , answered with as many Shouts , and Acclamations . But many of the Marriners were so eager in prosecuting this new engaged Loyalty , that the greatest difficulty in the ordering them , proved in the keeping them Aboord , being almost Mutinous to come ashore to list themselves for Land service , as believing they should not finde any opposition at Sea ; or if , yet not time enough for them to expresse in their actions what they had already done in their words , and as absolutely resolved in their hearts , as it was the expression of many of them . Which , to make up the more compleat , they afterwards , of themselves , sent away a Messenger to the Commissioners of the Navy with this Declaration following . The Declaration of the NAVY , in a Letter to the Commissioners at LONDON . Worshipfull , THese are to certifie you that we the Commanders , and Officers of the Ship called the Constant Reformation , with the rest of the Fleet , have secured the Ships for the service of the King and Parliament ; and we have refused to be under the Command of Colonell Rainsborow , by reason we conceive him to be a man not well-affected to the King , Parliament , and Kingdome : And we doe hereby declare unto you , That we have unanimously joyned with the Kentish Gentlemen in their just Petition to the Parliament , to this purpose following , viz. First , that the Kings Majesty may be with all expedition admitted in safety , honour , and freedome to Treat with his two Houses of Parliament Secondly , That the Army now under the Command of the Lord Fairfax , their Arreares being paid them , be forthwith Disbanded . Thirdly , That the knowne Lawes of the Kingdome may be re-established and continued , whereby we ought to be Governed and Judged . Fourthly , That the Priviledges of Parliament , and the Liberty of the Subjects may be preserved . And to this end and purpose we have sent our loving friend Captain Penrose with a Letter to the Earl of Warwick ; and we are resolved to take in no Commander whatsoever , but such as shall resolve to live and die with us , in the behalf of the Kingdome , and Paliament , which is the positive result of us : And We humbly desire your speedy Answer . Officers of the Constant Reformation . Thomas Lisle Licutenant . And : Michell Boatswain . James Allen Gunner . Tho : Best Carpenter . Officers of the Swallow . Leonard Harris Captaine . Joh : London Master . Nic : Lawrance Licutenant . Andrew Jackson Gunner . John Short Carpenter . Signed also by the Captain of the Roe-Buck , Hynde , and severall other Officers of these , and other Ships . This day about night the Articles for the Castles of Deale , and Wamer were signed , and the one delivered before , the other after the Commissioners marched away . Their conditions upon surrender were to march away with their baggage , leaving their Arms and Ammunition behind them entirely , without any imbezelment or diminution . The Rendevouze being broke up , they marched away and quartered in Sandwich againe that night , leaving in Deale Anthony Hamond , Esq. and Cap. Bargrave , who had been formerly an Officer of the Navie ; ( both Justices of Peace , and gallant discreet men , ( not according to those of this wise reformation ) as Commissioners for the managing of the businesse there , and in the Fleet ; having sent away for Sir John Mince , Capt. Fogg and some others , Officers that had formerly been employed at Sea by the King , and for their Loyalties displaced by the Parliament , who were also earnestly desired by the Officers and marriners aboarde . When they came to Sandwich having beene so prosperous in all these undertakings , and done so much in so little time as indeed amazed the whole Country . The Mayor and his brethren began to comply , and received them with farre more cheerfulnesse then before they had done ; and that night made them a present of two hundred pounds to the advancement of the Designe , who before were so needy they knew not how to subsist amongst themselves , much lesse to raise any summe of money for extraordinary service . The next morning they hasted their march from thence to Canterbury , leaving also behind them two or three Commissioners , and five trained companies , for the better securing that Town , being a place very factious and apt to take the opportunity of the weaknesse of the Country , to make a mutinous opposition in case of a retreate . That night being Sunday night , they quartered in Canterbury , not slipping any opportunity or minute of time , without an improvement of it to the best advantage , and acting something to the furtherance of that Engagement ; the next day being the appointed limitation for their meeting at Rochester . Here there came in many Gentlemen and others to Joyn with them that were not at all Engaged before , unlesse against us ; amongst the rest , Sir John Roberts , and one or two Deputy Lieutehants more who Signed to the Petition , and Subscribed to the Loane of Money , although they had before engaged themselves with the rest of the Committee against the Petition ; But rather like Physitians , that out of a private interest , are nimble to assist and pleasure others to profit themselves , than out of any cordiall affection to so just , and honest an enterprize . The Dutchmen of the City ( which indeed are very numerous ) engaged themselves for the raising and paying of two Companies ; here also Colonell Hammon compleated his Regiment , many more men comming in to him , and others that he had raised in the City , and neere about fitted themselves for a farther March. In this City and Suburbs were three Trained Compaines which were all drawn up to Armes ; which , that they might secure the place ( with the two Dutch Companies then a raising ) they left behind some Knights and Gentlemen to manage the Affaires in that part of the County were left there , lest some insurrection might happen by the obstructers of the designe , who swarmed about that place ; and by surprizing it , not onely doe much mischief in the Rear of the Body , but in case so much misfortune should befall them , as to force them to a Retreat , ( which caution is no whit too soon remembred in the strongest , or more prosperous Armies at any time ) and which indeed most unfortunately fell out to them at the last . In this time the noble Peer , the Earl of Tha. acted his most Heroick gallantry about Ashford , Hotfield , and Charing , being indeed the first that rose , and drew that part of the Country to a resolution of betaking themselves to their Armes , by sending his Letters to all Gentlemen he knew had any power , and secured above a thousand men in that part to rise in a short time ; and at the first of any rising at all in the County , giving an account of it also to Squire Hales , encouraging him thereto , who farre more gallantly proceeded than ever he began . So now , when he had made a fair and hopefull beginning , and had assured very large assistance from his purse , makes a slovenly exit from this scene of Honour , and obscures himselfe behinde the hanging of Apostatisme . In so much that when he was sought for by his neighbouring Gentlemen , whom he had incited by his forwardnesse , and invited by perswasions , the Noble Earle was fled , ( not for Religion , nor I thinke to any ) to take councell of his peere the Earle of Pembroke ; whom ( after some grave and wise consultation had ) he Engaged so farre as to goe with him to Derby-house , there to plead with the quintessence of his oratory for forgivenesse , promising if he might but scape a whipping , then never to doe so againe , Which he did . Where the gallant and doubty Earle ( after a pause for recovery of breath ) made what discovery the whole action was lyable to , and his capacity could reach ; Making also severall propositions to the Committee , which he assured them was the only way to remove those distempers ; declaring , that he had heard such things from divers Gentlemen in the Engagement that gave assurance to his hopes . The Committee thereupon began to be a little enclinable unto his discourse , and gave as much credit to it , having his Friend , and Couzen P : to sweare for him ; and thereupon resolved upon some Instuctions to be given him as concerning indemnity upon a disbanding , and submission again to the Yoak , and the like : Which being rereported to the House , were resolved on ; and he on the thursday morning dispatcht away with them . Who immediately posts home , and with his greatest power endeavours the disbanding of the Commonalty ; beginning first with the discouraging the Gentry , who being once down , the other must necessarily fall ; and indeed proceeded so farre in it , that caused diverse Gentlemen , as well as Commoners , to desert the businesse ; but the generality being constant , and their Consciences linck'd to the service , by the golden chain of Religion , and Loyalty , were not to be disheartned ; insomuch , that I think , those stratagems , as the other endeavoured for suppression , gave a more couragious life to their actions , and converted that pestiferous obstruction to a cordiall advancement . The Gentlemen and Commoners being not onely sensible of this his basenesse , but also insens'd at it , gave the noble Earl this satisfaction to that designe of his ( or rather treachery ) as it were a pill for to purge his Apostatisme ( better physick I confesse might have been administred , and more proper ) remitted him up to the Committee with this Letter . To the Right Honourable the Committee of Lords and Commons at Darby House . My Lo : WE have seene the Instructions from your Lordships , to the Right Hourable the Earl of Thanet , upon consideration whereof we have thought fit to return this answer to Your Lordships . That we have cause to believe there are many persons about your Lordships , who endeavour to infuse into you very sinister opinions of our proceedings , in relation to the safety of this County at this time : who when we shall be admitted to a fair and equall hearing , will appear to be the greatest disturbers thereof themselves : And that our intentions are free from all other ends than naturall defence , We humbly beseech your Lordships to understand , that we are in firme resolution to observe the Declaration of the Houses ; and for the manner of presenting our Petitions and Complaints will follow the directions in the said Declaration . But saving to our selves alwayes the liberty of preserving the most Ancient and inviolate Freedomes of this County ; we must desire your Lordships to put a faire interpretation upon our purposes of continuing within the safeguard of our Armes , till we have assurance from your Lordships that the Clamours of those above against us , have had no successe in their enraged designes of engaging against this County in bloud and ruine when they finde never so small a diminution of their Arbitrary Power , so long exercised over us , endeavoured to be taken from them ; not doubting but upon the presentation and faire reception of our Petition , and just Complaints , the Houses will give such seasonable relief therein , as will abundantly discover the inclination of this County to Peace and Amity . My Lords , this is the account we can give you of this County by the hands of the noble Lord , the Earl of Thanet , whom also we have desired to informe your Lordships further : That our present posture tends not to offer violence to the Parliament ; nor suffer acts willingly unbeseeming our faire intentions ; but doe , and shall take strict care to represse wheresoever ever we finde it , the incensed spirit we see in the people : Which , how it hath been raised , we shall in due time be able to make appear . And so we rest My Lords , Your Lordships most humble Servants . Tho : Peyton . John Darell . Tho : Palmer . James Hales . Tho : Hardres . Tho : Godfrey . Geo : Newman . Ja : Newman . Tho : Courtop . Edw : Whitton . Will : Hugesson . Rich : Lee Jun. James Darell . R : Wilkinson . Edw : Roberts . Phillip Ward Mayor of Rochester Thus did this Jewish Apostat Lord fall short of his intended Treachery to his Lord and Master the KING , and disloyally to his Country : And his supposed Glorious designe extinguish'd in a stink , so great , I fear , as will remain fresh in the nostrils of Fame , and render him odious to his Country to all Posterity ; how he savoured in the apprehensions of the Committee I know not . Yet he hath obtained thus much reward , he hath gotten a fame by it , which he may if he please boast of ; that in it he shall live after death ; But it is no better then that of Erostratus , who wilfully set fire to the Temple , that he might get to himselfe a fame when he was dead . Which will be as due a recompence as so unhandsome and unnaturall Apostatisme can deserve . But now on the contrary our Resolute Engagers resolving to regard no obstructions what ever , any further then to kick it out of the way ; and the time drawing neer to the limitation of the Postscript , those from Canterbury hasted their march on the munday morning towards Rochester both Horse and Foot : But the march was too tedious , and the men not able to perform it , that day being the time of meeting , and to march away again the next morning towards Black-heath ; Wherefore the Foot marched no farther then Sittingborne , where they quartered that night , intending to march on the next morning . But the Commissioners and the rest of the Gentlemen , with Col. Hattons Horse marched on that night to Rochester , ordering their march to a very military conformity . At Rochester they met with the Gentry of the County from all Quarters , in a very great number , as at a generall Rendevouze : But the maine body of those men they had drawn together , ( or rather who had drawn themselves together ) for they came in with a voluntary cheerfulnesse , and as cheerfull a resolution ) lay in , and about Daertford , as being an advance twenty miles forwards of their next dayes march to the appointed Rendevouze . That night came one or two Gentlemen out of Essex , To treat with the Commissioners at Rochester ( being then generally met from all parts of the County ) about the association of both Counties in that generall Engagement , assuring that the whole County of Essex would unanimously rise to joyne with them , and desired a meeting of a resected party of the Kentish Gentlemen , to joyne in a parley some where over the Water , with some that should be selected in Essex for that purpose , but we being then so neer the period of that time , wherein by our generall Engagement we had bound the whole Country to meet , and to march towards London , could not Joyne in any such thing ; but took the promise of those Gentlemen as an assurance , that the County of Essex would unanimonsly Concurre to rise at the same time to joyne with us in the maine Interest ; Others came also from Surrey to treat on the same termes , promising as great a readinesse of that County to joyne in that association which was received with a great deale of alacrity . But about midnight the same night ( they being to march onwards the next morning ) came down a post with an order from the House of Commons to Rochester , to the Commissioners joyned in that Engagement to this purpose ; that , whereas they did understand that the people of Kent were comming up to Westminster in a tumultuous , and pretended petitionary way , they knew not the Intentions of it , and had therefore referred them to treat with the Generall the Lord Fairfax , and the Committee of Derby-house . This rigorous order of prevention being received and read , In the morning the Generall councell being met , the businesse was scand and discust ; for now this graine of paper had quite turned the Ballance , and absolutely altered the constitution of the Generall Interest ; for they could not but believe that the Army would advance entirely against them , knowing well enough ( considering the posture the Country was in ) what it would be to treat with a conquering and potent adversary , in that inexperienced condition , I meane of a new rais'd and unmodelled body of raw men . Whereupon by a generall result , orders were immediately dispatched away to Dartford ; and the other places adjacent , where the maine Body then quartered and lay upon Guard , to march then back to Rochester ; having also intelligence within a very short time that the Lord Fairfax with his maine Body was advanceing towards us already : But however upon their retreate left a Guard at a place called Stone bridge neer Gravesend to secure that passe , but they could not long hold it , the enemy ( for so we might easily guesse them to be by this time , by the ceizing all Gentlemen and others they met ) comming up so close , although , to say truth , a better order might have been observed in it ; and indeed would , had the Party been a formidable Body . When they came back to Rochester , Master Mat : Carter having received Commission of Quarter-master Generall of all the forces then raised , or to be raised in that County , from the Commissioners and Gentlemen engaged , received Orders from the Councell for the Quartering them there , Whereupon he first caused them to be drawn up by distinct Regiments in severall Fields ; whereby he was able to take an exact account of the strength of every . Regiment , so to know how to dispose of them , and ascertaine the Councell of the full number in grosse ; which then he Mustred in rank and file compleatly arm'd , seven thousand of the Infantry , and as well accoutred , being most of them very sufficient men of ability , and not wanting of as Honourable resolutions . The Horse not being drawn together , but abroad , the most of them upon severall parties , could not be so well taken notice of . At which time also there were at severall places of the Country about three thousand more which never came up to this party , as at Canterbury , Maidstone , Sittingborne , Sandwich and Dover . This gallant Body by his care were equally divided into Quarters in Rochester , Strood , and Chatham the Horse in Villages neer adjacent . And the Engagers now began to cling more closely , and taking time by the fore-locke , thought it not good to let slip any minute , lest their hopes and security might be lost with it ; and began more seriously to consider what might most probably advance their safety and honour , knowing that what they were now to trust too was difficult severity of Fortune , the Army being like enough to fall in suddainly upon them . Amongst many considerations , at last they easily concluded , that the next businesse that must be endeavoured , must be to mould that party into a formidable Army , and to appoint one particular man to Command in Chief . For now they were forc'd to stand upon their own guard , to maintain that with the Sword which was intended onely in a just and peaceable way , according to the Ancient Customes of this Kingdome . But this is a new liberty of the Subject , none of the old I am sure : A sad world when men shall fall deeper into the pit of Destruction , by the endeavours of those they supplicate for aid to bring them out ; and who , by naturall , as well as legall alliance , and interest , are bound to assist , and by themselves placed for it . If this be to Reforme , Heavens blesse all good Christians , and Loyall Subjects from Reformation . Having now thus resolved , they appointed a Rendezvouz the next day at Barham Downe , some three miles distant from thence towards Maidstone : Where the Lord Norwich was proclaimed Generall in the head of the Army , ( for now being drawn together , they deserved that Title ) so gallant a Body they were of Infantry , who received him with as much cheerfulnesse ; expressing an unparallel'd willingnesse to serve their King , and as much joy that they were so engaged to it , knowing that their service was not onely for Him , but the whole Kingdomes peace , the recovering of their Countries Liberty , and the Churches tranquility . As it hath been a generall , and as true an Observation in all Ages and Common-wealths , that those that engage in other mens quarrels are more remisse , and unspirited , as knowing that they shall partake in the danger , but not in the victory , since another would receive the greatest and fairest fruit thereof , and arrogate the Honour likewise to themselves : whereas they also that take Armes for their Country , may conceive better hopes that God will prosper them , for that they seek not to take from others , but to keep their own ; and that they fight not for other mens phancies , but their owne defence , whereby the whole benefit of victory will redound to themselves . This Rendezvouz being broke up , the Army Marched again into Quarters , though not the same as before , neither by the Quarter-master Generals laying out ; much , I confesse , contrary to the Lord Generalls sense or intentions , whose advice it was that it would have been most convenient to lodg them close together , or in the Field , it being very faire weather at that time . Although I have been informed there are some , who have broach'd a most damnable Aspersion on the Earl of Norwich ; throwing this dirty and odious Calumny in the face of his innocent and unspotted Fame : That he was the man who betrayed that service to its succeeding destruction ; and that he made it his designe to take that Command upon him , that he might the more easily effect that designe , being himself no Souldier . And so impudently , or else ignorantly , they proceeded in this Ignoble derogation , as to raise a confirmation of it from this conclusion : That had it not been so , he had as well paid the losse of life for his Loyall service , as the Lord Capell , and the Earl of Holland , &c. First , that his owne designe steered him to that Interest , is so palpably false , that it was as absolute an accident as could be , that brought him to Rochester , ( as at the first of his comming , and at his being in Colchester I have heard him relate my selfe ) being in his Journey to Sussex , and taking that road to scape the Army , who then lay very thick in the other , and who knows not how dangerous it is to travaile amongst them . Where when he came , and the Commissioners ( Just then upon the dispute , whom to invest with that command ) hearing of his arivall , Immediatly selected peculiar Gentlemen to make a civill addresse unto him , with the tender of that Command , and their serious obedience and service with it , as being a Peer of the Realm , and a man of so known a worth , and a mind so deep and able , as to capacitate him for any great command . Whereby he might easily end that strife which so sodainly might have been blown up to a destructive flame , being already kindled by those more then sparks of Emulation , in the breast of some Gentlemen then Interested ; Having before with much earnestnesse solicited the Duke of Richmond , to that no whit dishonourable ( though it might be feared unbeneficiall ) Engagement . But his feares turning Prophets , dictated to his Soul more powerfull arguments for easie denyalls . To which the Earle of Norwich returned this most courteous answer , ( with as modest an excuse from undertaking so high a concernment in a Country where he had so little engagement ) That he was confident the Duke would yet Engage with his Country , being so generally , unanimously , and courageously met , and upon so just , unquestionable , and candid a designe , and that he believed he would undertake the command . For the further advancing whereof , proffered himselfe a solicitor for them to the Duke ; which favour they accepted gratefully , and he as willingly performed . And going to Cobham to him with his best rethorick , and powerfull perswasions , Invited , and courted him to it ; But all to no effect . Whereupon the Commissioners at his returne still intreating him , and as it were pleading a necessity of it to him , he at the last accepted of it , to the great content , and satisfaction of all the Gentry , and Commonality too , then met together . But ( as I have heard him declare since ) onely that the Army might be modelled , whereby it might be a greater invitation to the Duke ; Not that he intended afterwards to dissert the service , but continue it , only with an acknowledgment of superiority in the Duke , for the better encouragement of the Army ; who must of necessity receive so much the more of a vigorous courage , by how much the more nobility , and Generous honour , is Engaged in their Conduct . Yet all perswasions proved alike in effect ; By which meanes he became totally Engaged . Which I thinke ( though he were no Soldier ) was then as advantageous ( if heaven had designed it fortunate ) as could be then expected . For through the whole course of the succeeding service , upon any nicety , he did most prudently declare himself , and after his owne opinion layd downe , gave it a reference to a Councell of Warre , for a more mature and generall result : Appearing in his constant actions more a Soldier then some of no small name and undertaking , who have so boldly adventured to traduce his Loyalty and Honour . More confutations , I neither need , nor shall desire to give . Now this night the Army , ( by perswasion of some at the Councell held in the field ( as being indeed more generous spirited Gentlemen then experienced Polititians , or Soldiers ) was quartered at large in the Country , the Generall and Commissioners returned back to Rochester , where Sir Anthony Aucher , and Master Hales left them ; not as some falsely surmise , and give out , because they heard of the Enemies advancing ; nor through any discontent as others as Idly report ; But upon this account , Master Hales being of a more noble and virtuous gallantry , then his yeares might speak him to be , living within fifteen miles of Rochester , had upon his first Engagement , ( as his expression to my hearing ) made a resolution not to see home till he had seene the Army in a formidable posture ; according to which resolution he had not , but constantly continued with them till this night , and now having seen the Army in such a modell as that daies Redevouze and the appointment of a Generall rendered it : took it for an absolute solution of his Engagement , and resolved that night to goe home onely to accomodate himself the better with Mony , and other necessaries for a longer March , and to return the next morning ; so took his leave of the Generall , the Commissioners , and the rest of the Gentlemen , and rid to his House ; and Sir Anthony Aucher , by his earnest entreaty , went along with him , but the misfortunes of the succeeding night obstructed their return . For in the night the Lord Fairfax , with his whole Body , marching downe towards Maidstone , and finding the River slightly Guarded , about Farley Bridge beyond the Town some two miles , easily got over ; and with a strong party fell upon the Towne , ere those within it were almost Alarumed ; in which Town lay part of Sir John Maynies , and Sir Will : Brockmans Regiments enquartered , that never came to the Rendezvouz , consisting of about eight hundred men . The Enemy being possessed of that passe , Marched over with their whole Body , they in the Towne not having any true Intelligence all the day before of them , or their motion , and fell in upon their Out-guards so violently , that within a very short space those in the Town were forced to fight upon extraordinary disadvantages ; the Enemy so farre exceeding them in number , and the Army quartered at such a distance , they could never make a Retreat , nor have any Relief time enough to assist them . However , their Courage was such , as made their Enemies know they fought with men so well satisfied in the justice of their Cause , as not to be daunted , or startled at the appearance , or apprehension of Death , though in never so grim a shape ; but rather like true-borne Heroes contemning all danger , and death it self , so they might but bury their misfortunes in the wounds of their surious opposing , and oppressing Enemies ; who thinking them no other then a number of men hudled together in a tumultuous manner , because of their being so suddainly gotten together , the whole Body being raised within ten dayes ; fell on them with so much violence , as if they had been Lyons , and would have devoured them at an instant ; or like a boysterous whirlwind scattered them before them like dust : But much contrary to their expectations , instead of finding a prey , they met with those that were more likely to make a prey of them , whose bold resolutions soone daunted their fury . And these tumultuous disorderly fellowes , as they termed them , they found orderly enough to oppose them ; and although newly raised , yet of courages of the oldest Souldiers , selling their Lives and Liberties at as dear a rate as ever men did ; few of them falling without first dispatching twice as many I am confident , ( and their survivers must confesse it ) to receive their reward of their Grand Lord and Muster , who , I believe , hath ere this paid them their Arreares in the other world for their good service in this . This service , ( though unexpected ) grew very smart , and hot , both parties contending which should expresse more Valour ; the one defending their Lives , disputing their fortification , which were but bare , and thin Hedges , with as little thought of danger , or security , as if this had been in an impregnable Fort. The Foe behaving themselves as gallantly as if they did not think of such a thing as a possibility of being beaten . Yet this over-powred party so bravely defended their ground , that ere long them had beaten they off , in such manner that the Lord Fairfax finding his party in such disorder , even upon a Retreat , alighted from his Horse , and came on himselfe with them to encourage them on , who were so daunted by the unexpected courage of these defendants , that their disorder was like enough to have much endangered their whole Body . But at the last , fresh men still powring their shot in upon them , they were beaten off from their Hedges , and forc'd to dispute the losse of their ground from place to place , against an extraordinary disadvantage , the Enemies Horse now breaking in upon them on all parts , and shewing but little remissenesse in their execution , when they had an opportunity to make any home Charge upon them ; yet they left not their Courage with their ground , but still disputed the losse of every foot with as clear a Courage as if but still beginning to engage ; from Street to Street , and from Porch to Porch , often falling upon the Enemies Horse with onely their Swords , in such a generous manner , as they seemed as prodigall of their Bloods , as they were of their Blowes , which they distributed in a plentifull manner on every one durst stand to receive them ; insomuch , that they put them to as often Retreats , by their so handsome and bold Encounters ; but being still over-powred by the numerous reserves that continually advanced on them , were enforced still to Retreat , till at the last they came to the Church-yard , and from thence to the Church , quitting not any place dishonourably , or unhandsomely : So that they made the businesse so really hot , and difficult , that I am confident the Victors themselves would have wish'd to have rather been without that Victory , than to have purchased it at so dear a rate . But this party , after a long Fight , were drawne to so hard a push , they were forc'd to capitulate , none comming up to their assistance or reliefe unlesse it were a few scattering men , who hearing them so engaged , though without any order , left their Quarters and hudled into this Croud of confused Destruction , which they were over-whelmed in . And here againe in a cause received , that too many Gentlemen conceive sufficient for them to approbriate the Generall , as either treacherous , or infinitely negligent in not relieving that Party , which as they say might easily have been done . And then in all their discourses they frequently urge , endeavouring thereby to obscure the face of his Honour with black shades of Infamy . But all cannot do ; his Honour is too high flowne , for those short wing'd Bastards to reach at , having a Soule I am confident as white , with Innocent and Loyall thoughts , as his head with hairs , and a Spirit as active as the boldest he that dares question it : And to cleare him in this , first , although proclaimed Generall of that Army , yet of so little a date was that Title to him , as that he was not so immediately and clearly impowered with the charge of them , and conduct of their Interest , as ( like a Generall ) to act his owne will immediately in it ; There being as yet too many Generalls , or at least ambitious Spirits Interested , who having formerly a power in the 〈◊〉 of them , had not yet so clearly layd downe their power , they supposed , that nothing must be done ( or at least ought ) without the result of their opinions in it . By whose advice and perswasion the whole body was quartered in the Countrey at large ; too wide indeed to be rallyed in any time considerable , or drawn to any Rendevouze , what ever occasion might , or should fall out ; as it fell too appearantly true in this . Although of my own knowledge it was the advice of the Generall , to Lodge them all that night in the field by the river side ; which counsell , had the Gentlemen of that County observed , the body had remained entire , ready to wait , and receive the Enemy upon any motion they should , or could make ; and the river so garded that the Enemy could never possibly have forc't any place , passe , or Forde of it . But the men are thought weary , and harased off their leggs , ( having indeed marched very tedious marches ) and therefore must have fresh quarters , and large , to revive and refresh their tired Spirits ; By which meanes the enemy made an easie passage over the river , without any opposition at all , and the Party in the Towne quite lost , e're the Army or a Party considerable for their reliefe could be drawne together to any Rendevouze . And yet not only strangers to the businesse ( who indeed ought also to be carefull how they censure , and asperse men of so much Honour ) but some whose young Soldierships councells were partly the cause , cast the losse of the businesse upon the Generall , who I am assured all that night , while constant Alarums were sounded in his eares , of their being in fight , did his endeavours to draw Parties to a Rendevouze from their quarters , to their assistance ; but none could be forced out , at least considerable ; Whereupon the next morning early , he caused the Army as soone as it was possible to get them together , ( having sent out orders at the first newes of their being in fight at Maidstone ) to be drawn up to a Rendevouze at Finsbury fields , on the other side the river Medway , by Stroode ; Where a Councell was called in the field , and upon a report that it was yet possible to relieve them at Maidstone , it was a generall result , and desire of the Generall , yet to march entire thither . Whereupon the whole Army marched through Rochester , it being the resolution of the Generall if it were yet possible to relieve them or to fight the whole Army of the Enemy . But he had not marched two miles , when certaine Intelligence came , that they were all cut off , and taken Prisoners the night before early ; though many of them came up to the Army afterwards having made their escape . Upon this Intelligence the Army was marched back againe to Rochester ; Where the Generall with the Commissioners betooke themselves to their Councells againe , to consult what was best to be done in that condition ; the Parliament having before hand refused to receive their Petition , and the Enemy already entred the very bowells of their Country , and a party roaving about , and making a prey of their Estates , and Friends . For one Major Osborne an Officer of the Parliaments with a Troope of Horse , was before wheeled downe about Ashford , and so towards Sittingborne , whereupon Col. Hammon was ordered to stay with his Regiment at Sittingborne , and Col. Hatton marched back with his Horse , and liting on this troope of the Enemies , Chared them , where Major Sumner was kil'd , and one or two Gentlemen more wounded . Upon which Sir Rich : Hardres was againe entreated back , by the Commissioners , into East-Kent to raise the rest of the Country , and to take care for the securing of Canterbury and the other townes . Sir Michaell Lusey was also raising all he could make , this Major Osborne with his troop securing him in it ; by which meanes the whole Country began to seeme with a face of an absolute seat of Warre . But now the courage of the Soldiery at Rochester was such , as would not admit the Generall time enough to resolve on any thing , being then at consultation what course to steere ; For though the weather were such as would have envited them rather , to desire the shelter of the towne , then to expose themselves to such an extremity of Raine , as then showered downe ; yet they were so desirous and greedy of action , as almost tended to mutiny ; For drawing out their collours themselves caused their Drums to beat , saying ; If their Officers would not march , they would both march and fight without them . Whereupon the Earle of Norwich commanded them to be drawn into the field to a Rendevouze in the same place as before ; not being yet resolved which way to contrive the laying of his designe to the best advantage ; for he would act nothing without the absolute conclusion of the Councell , in which was now included many able Soldiers , which came in from severall parts to Joyne and engage with us , more indeed there came then the present condition of the County would permit accommodation to : Which gave an occasion to divers Gentlemen to thinke themselves disrespected , wanting Horse , and other conveniences for Warre , by reason of their comming down from London by water , and unprovided : But indeed the County at that time could not yeeld so many Horse as was supposed it would , therefore they could not be furnished for the present , but order was given by the Commissioners for their Civill treatment , and an Ordinary provided at the County charge for them , that they might continue on free quarter with promise of the furniture of all accoutriment answerable to their Quality , as opportunity would give leave : Master Hales also out of his owne purse presented a Party of them that most wanted for the present , with thirty pound to be distributed amongst them . Now it had beene the advice of some to plant the Army in that place , and by fortifying that City to maintaine it as long as they could ; But this young millitary policy was not liked by some , who better understood that the Generall Engagement concerned action , and not to lie still under a passive designe , besides that towne was not to be maintained , though some thinke it was , by reason of that River which of it selfe was a fortification to one part of the towne . Wherefore now comming into the field , the Generall called again the chief Officers of the Army and Gentlemen to Counsell ; Where it was a great dispute , and the onely now , whether they should march on towards London in the prosecution of the intended designe , according to the Engagement , or march back to fight the Enemy who was wildly roaving , and raving in the very heart of their Country ; and by Joyning with those in East-Kent strengthen their force , and either fight the Enemy or secure that County : But it was not long , e're they concluded to march on ; knowing that though their body of Infantry was strong enough for to give the Enemy a field , if occasion should require it ; yet the Horse was so weak as not to enable them to any Fight at all , having not two hundred Horse they durst put any confidence in ; and for joyning with those in East-Kent , they were strong enough , or would be , of themselves ; besides , they knew , that if they Marched backwards , the Enemy would certainly draw down more powerfully upon them ; and forcing them to retreat into a corner of the Country , take off all hopes of any assistance from any other County , which they expected , according to the association agreed on betwixt Surrey , Essex , and themselves . And if they Marched on , they should draw the Army after them : And by drawing nearer those two Counties be both an encouragement , and assistance to draw them together ; who once joyning with them , would make so great a Body , as in all probability would be formidable to the Enemies ; for now they were forc'd by that violence , into an absolute defensive War. This being the result of the Councell , we immediately Marched from the Rendezvouz towards Dartford ; onely Colonell D. Wyles with his Regiment ( some of them being gone before ) Marched away towards East-Kent ; which Regiment was full upon Muster twelve hundred men . Colonell Hammons of Foot lying about Sittingborne , Feversham , were ordered by the Generall to March back to Canterbury , to strengthen that place , and never came up to the Rendezvouze at all . About midnight we came to Dartford , where the Generall caused a Letter to be drawne up , and sent to the Mayor , Aldermen , and Common Councell of the City of London , to give them notice of our March that way , as also of our intentions . Desiring withall , that if it might be , we might have their assistance , which we hoped for , having Treated before with them : Or at least wise that if we might not have their assistance , yet that they would permit us to March through the City of Westminster without interruption , or resistance . Engaging the whole Counties security for theirs that they should not thereby be endamaged the least mite . But they ( like a Dogge to his Vomit ) turned to their old course of Parliament Service ; and no sooner received the Letter , but immediately instead of returning a civill Answer to the Generall , dispatch'd it away to the Speaker of the House unbroke up . However , we knew nothing thereof till the next evening ; so we marched on all that night , and the next day without any refreshment , or repose at all . The next day about noone we came to Greenwich , where the Generall drew the whole Army into the Park , expecting to receive some good satisfaction from the City , as also from Surrey , Southwark , and Essex . But we found but small encouragement , or reason for the continuance of those hopes , receiving no intelligence from Surrey , nor any newes of appearance of men for our assistance , either from thence , or any other place . London we heard had shut , and guarded their Ports against us ; Onely there came a Gentleman out of Southwark , as he sayed , who comming to the Quarter-master Generall , assured him , that if the Generall would send any considerable party into the Burrough of Southwark for their assistance , that they would unanimously rise and joyne with us ; which he acquainted the Lord Generall with , and returned him this Answer : That in regard he was a stranger , and not known , he must not expect a party should be adventured upon his bare assertion ; but if he would returne to those Gentlemen of the Burrough that he said employed him , and that any of the Principle men would engage to what he promised , that then they should have what party they should desire . With which answer he returned , but never came againe . There came a Gentleman also out of Essex , who assured the Generall that the County was up for to joyne with us , ( which was more then we expected , having heard contrary newes before at our first comming to the Park , or afterwards found trne ) and that about Bow there were two thousand men in Armes , and more at Chelmesford : Upon which intelligence the Generall ( earnestly intending the prosecution of what he had undertaken ) cross'd the Water in the Ferry-boat with his Horse , and went over privately into Essex himself , not carrying one Servant with him , intending onely to goe to Stratford , or Bow , where his intelligence assured him a Body was gotten together , to assure himself of the truth of it , and to returne ; and in case it proved not true , to steer some other designe with the Army : But if he should finde the Country in so good posture as his Intelligencer related , upon his returne to provide Boates , and to conduct the Army safe over to joyne with them . Leaving Sir William Compton with the charge of the Army then Major Generall , by whose appointment provision of Bread , Beere , and Cheese , was brought into the Parke : Though it proved a great difficulty to procure it in that Towne , not being very well furnished for its owne store . But now our party began to be much weakned from what it was two dayes before , and no assurance of any aide appearing , and we absolutely frustrated of our designe , of marching through the City to Westminster : Our Condition began to seeme something desperate , not knowing what to trust to , besides Gods providence : For we were not able to fight with any hopes of victory , or successe , if they had followed us , although so great a resolution was still amongst us , that had an Army double the Enemies Engaged us , it would have proved something of a difficulty to have vanquisht us . Now the night being come , and the Generall not returned , according to expectation ; Which he could not doe , for finding no party stirring at Bow , or Stratford , he made no stay till he came to Chelmsford , because he would assure to himselfe a certainty of the condition of that County ere he returned , which would be the next morning . There being no possibility of procuring Boats for the transporting such a number of men over the River in the night , which was the next hopes we had left , some timerous Spirits began to steale away , which put such a distraction amongst the whole Party , as every man was almost in an amazed confusion . To advance which disorder , one Riding into the Park in the darke of the night , told the Soldiers , that they were in very great danger , and that their Officers wisht them to shift for themselves ; no man regarding what he was , nor demanding his reason ; which so amused the Soldiers that heard it , and so aggravated the distraction ( although no Enemy were neere ) then many began to shift for themselves , and procuring the Ferry boat wafted over to the Isle of Dogge as they thought for their absolute security . Some also endeavouring it , and being got into , were againe forced back by other Soldiers , who exclaiming upon them for running away , threatned to fire at them if they should offer to stirre off the shore with their boat . Thus did this hopefully well-ordered businesse suddainly suffer under the unconstant humour of fortune , to the greatest change that ever was . But all men are naturally subject to change , and therefore ought to be the more cautious in prosperity and resolute in change ; for too much security in the one precipitates to the other , and too much dejection and remissenesse in the other hurles into despaite ; to destruction . At last this causlesse , and unlook'd for distraction begat in some a pannick fear , in others a mad fury ; so that every man began to shift for himselfe , and hunt out for his owne security , being doubtfull of it almost in every place ; but as a thing designed by an extraordinary providentiall power of that All-powerfull Divinity that always prevents misfortunes , and so gives life to future ; actions , especially such as are ground in religious Honour , though in a disorderly rout , throwing themselves into the very mouth of Destruction ( who else might have been secure enough , had they remained till the Generalls returne where he left them ) the greatest part of the Foot , and some few of the Horse at severall places transported themselves over the River of Thames , no man knowing what would be the event of their rashnesse , nor able almost to give a reason for what they did in it , or if any , but a supposititious one , though it proved lucky enough : For had we remain'd there till the Generalls return , according to the condition he found the Essexians in , he would hardly , in reason , have laid the scean of his designe that way ; by which means we had likely , not only have lost that service which afterwards hapned , but have fallen in an instant , and in much lesse Honour . But this rashnesse had been ill enough too , had not the great and All-seeing Soul of Nature inlivened our then almost dead fortunes by a miraculous guidance through that gulf of mischief we were then plunged into , and as before strangely , and unexpectedly brought us together , so now as providentiall conducted us through a misery as great , and else , unevitably ruinous . For having thus confusedly , as it were , throwne our selves over to the other side of the Thames for our further safety , ( in that fear where indeed no danger was ) we had no sooner landed , but supposing our selves to have been in Essex , where then our only hopes had fixt their Anchors ; but we unexpectedly understood that we were in Midlesex , under the Hamlets of the Tower , and posting to absolute ruine ; like that unfortunate vessell , that seeking to avoid the fatall Rock of Scylla , plung'd her self into the more desperate gulph of Charibdis . Here ( by the appointment of the House ) lay a Regiment of Hamletteers of the Tower drawne up to their Armes in severall Guards , ready to receive , and cut us off at our Landing , which might easily enough have been performed , considering the disorder we were then in ; every man Marching according to his owne phancy , and comming up from the River sides at severall places and wayes : Yet all , at it were by a strange sympathy , steering one and the same course . But Sir Will : Compton ( a man truly Noble , and more compleat in Gallantry , Virtue and Honour , than yeers ) having first discovered this plotted mischief , and perceiving the ruine we were running blind-fold into : As supposing it the best course in that condition , treated with them for the whole party before he would permit any man almost to March in amongst them . By which means conditions were drawn , and Signed between him , and the Officers in Chief of the Regiment : Which were , that all our Foot should , upon laying downe their Armes , depart to their own homes , or where they pleased quietly , without any violence , or molestation offered to them . And all Gentlemen , and Officers , with their Horses , and Armes , to March where they pleased also without any disturbance . But those conditions were soon as almost broke , as made ; for , before the foot came up , some Gentlemen marching through their Guards , had their Horses and Armes both taken from them by the Major of the Regiment , by whom the Articles on their party were Signed . Then the Foot , and a greater number of Gentlemen , by their easie March comming up together ; and understanding what was done , and how unlikely they were to keep Articles when they should lie unarmed at their mercy , that had so unworthily begun , and so soone broke them , Marching through two or three Guards , no man being permitted to passe any by-way , by reason of the easie March the Gentlemen made , the Foot came closer up ; so that they hop'd the better to avoid abuses of those who began already to scoffe and fleere at us . And considering what a condition an inauspicious fate had reduced us to , and how these Gallants had broken conditions ; we began to think of some other way then so lamely disband , and submit our selves by such worthlesse Boores , ( who understood not so much Honour ( I except the chiefest of them ) as to know what was meant by drawing , and signing Articles of Conditions ) and so began to sift out the disposition of the private Souldiers , who we soone found so resolute as to expresse themselves rather desirous to die there , in the bed of Honour , than to survive such an infamous misfortune , and live slaves all the dayes of their lives after . This bold resolution proved now the happy guide to a better Fate ; and all concluded to make a second dispute for Conditions , and Charge through them . And being now in the midst of them , every man provided himselfe accordingly , the Foot all lighting their Matches , and the Gentlemen drawing their Pistols , began to alter the constitution of our fleering Hamletteers , who left their vanity of jeering , and so we marched on from gaurd , to gaurd , through the midst of them , as moving to the place of disbanding , where we expected an opposition , and as much resolv'd to force through it ; but that proved the last and utmost guard just at Bow towne . But now they beholding us marching in this resolute manner , and still moulding our selves into better order , were absolutely dasht from a thought of opposition ; so we marched on without the least affront till we came to Bow-bridge , where we supposed was the place for our disbanding : At the other end of which bridge was a turne-pike strongly guarded with Musketteers , and having entred upon the bridge , we made a stand to parly with them ; but after a very short discourse being asked whether they were Friends , or Foes , we were answered from them , Friends ; whereupon we replyed , if you are Friends let your turne-pike be opened ; so they opened their turne-pike , and with a very great shout let us in . And now we were in Essex . So we marched cleere through these Hamletteeres , and carryed away the Major Prisoner , and another Officer ; but afterwards , upon their Parolls , they were suffered to goe to London , but never returned againe according to their Engagements , by which also you may guesse how much Honour they had in them ; so we marched on still till we came to Stratford . Here we met with the Generall againe , returning backe to us , expecting to have found us in the same posture he left us in the Parke at Greenwich : But understanding the carriage of the businesse , and what had fallen out , was much troubled at it , and knowing the long and tedious marches they had made , and the precedent nights actions , could not permit them any repose ; nor that they had received any refreshment for two nights , and that the third day . Immediately gave command for the drawing them up into order , and by planting on the green , to procure such refreshment as the place would afford for the present , ere we marched any further . And here was a providence in all this unhappinesse , had we received the least affront or opposition by these Hamletteers , or by any obstruction been hindred never so little time , we had beene absolutely cut off ; or had we been disbanded , we had beene as sodainly ruined ; for we had no sooner marched over the bridge , and scarce drawne up , but we received a very strong Alarum by a Party of Col. Whalies horse ; Who , as it was conceived , came thither purposely upon the Intelligence that we were to disband , to make a prey of us when we were naked ; and by surprising us , make what spoile they pleased with the private Soldiers , and take all the Gentlemen Prisoners ; but by Gods assisting providence that was prevented ; and now they fell on thinking to have beat us off from our guards by their sight onely , so they marched on a full carreer ( having laid an ambuscade of Dragoones to secure their retreate ) as if they would have destroyed us in a minute , which indeed had been facile enough had we been as tame as they supposed we had beene , and had not the Gentlemen bestirred themselves couragiously ; But now we were awakned againe by this Alarum , and roused from the drowsie spirit that possest every man almost , if he but sat downe , or still on Horseback ; and drawing out a Party of Foot to strengthen the Guard , rallyed a Party of Horse to a number of thirty , and marching forth the turne-pike , gave them such a home charge , that so started them , as it put them to such a perfect rout in an instant , and kill'd and wounded many of them ; which succesful action gave life to our defatigated spirits , and encouraged our Party so , that they followed the pursuit as far as Milend-greene ; but by that meanes fell into their ambuscade , who fired upon them from the hedges , so they were forced to make as much speed in retreating , though none pursued . In which service only one Gentleman , a Grecian , being shot by the Dragooners was left behind about the Green , and in the Charge Cap. John Lynne cut over the Chin , and over the Brest , which was all the hurt we sustained in it . But although our pursuit continued no further , yet the Enemy kept on their flight in that disorder , no body following them , till they came to White . Chappell ; which , as I was Informed , gave an Alarum to the whole City , as farre as Temple-barre . But now the Hamletteeres began againe to oppose us , but were as soone forc't to take Sanctuary in Bow Church , where we surrounded them with a Party of Horse and Foote , and put them to treate with us for a quiet returning home to their owne houses , engaging themselves never to oppose us againe . Thus was there a convertible change of various fortune in two opposite Parties , in lesse then two houres space . After this our Party again retired within the Turn-pike ; and strong Guards commanded on all Passes and Fords about the River , and on all High-waies and Avenewes , for hindring the Enemy from making Incursions upon us , who were againe calling and drawing up a strong Guard at Milend-greene , both of Horse and Dragoones . But after all this , our Party resting a little began to take heart againe , as thinking themselves secure from any opposition or Inconveniencie , being amongst our professed Friends ; When our condition gave another reverse , and was like to change for the worse , then ever before : For after he had run through so many difficulties , and wearied out with so tedious marches , our Soldiers ready almost to fall downe in the Street for want of foode to sustaine them : we were like to fall into another encounter with adverse fortune . The Generall , notwithstanding his great age , which might easily have dis-inabled him from such toyle , yet as if he had beene absolutely Indefatigable , or else miraculously nourisht , ( not receiving almost any rest or sleepe , for the space of foure daies , and three nights , and yet not seeming to want any ) posted immediately away againe to Chelmsford , where the Gentry of the Country were met ; giving order for the Quartering that shattered Army in Stratford till further orders from him . But when Quarter-master Generall Carter had sent for the Constable , and given him Orders accordingly : The Constable seeming to goe about in obedience to his Warrant ( whilst by some other Gentlemen he was civilly , and honourably treated as a stranger ) makes no long stay ere he returned againe , accompanied with three or four burly Gentlemen , ( as I conceive Justices of Peace of that part of the Country ) who making it their businesse , began to question the Quarter-master Generall of his Authority of Quartering an Army in that Country , intimating that they were all quiet before , and at peace amongst themselves , and with the Parliament ; and that the Parliament had granted them what they desired , and had sent them an Act of Indempnity : But we bringing an Army into their County , should draw down the Parliaments Army upon them , and make it a Seat of Warre ; and they could not any way condescend that we should fix a Quarter there , it being no way for their safety , but like to prove the readiest way to their destruction . Cheerfull expressions to men that had run through so many hazards , and confused difficulties . Having let our own Country to the Cruelty of a most barbarous and mercilesse Enemy , to come as by an abolute associated engagement to their assistance ; whereby we hoped to be strong enough to break the bonds , and tear off the shackles from our most inhumanly imprisoned Soveraign , and unnaturally enslaved Country-men ; and now no sooner entred the Confines of their County ( from whence so many publick Declarations of their Loyall and sincere Intentions had flowne abroad throughout the Kingdom ) and so late checked the Insolence of the proud Enemy , and beaten them off from forcing a violent incursion upon it , and to have such an unexpected welcome , was too harsh , and severe , and might have proved very mischievous , if resented by the inferiour sort of the Army , whose fury knowes little , or no more , when enflamed with so just a discontent . But the Quarter-master Generall returned them this Answer in short : That for the power by which he Quartered that Army , it was by Commission from the Generall , and that he quartered them in that place by immediate Command also from him : But for our comming into that Country , it concerned him not to dispute it ; neither could he give any other account then the Engagement between both Counties , and the Generall , the Earl of Norwich : But if they should desire any further satisfaction , to their desires , they must receive it from the Lord Generall himselfe . But the Generall being gone to Chelmsford , Sir Will : Compton being Major Generall , hearing of this dispute , came also to them , and gave the like satisfaction , but would not long dispute the businesse with them , knowing nothing at all of them , nor by what Authority they were empowred to make those interrogatories . And now our Blouds being hardly coole , since the last Affront , when heated again by this new , and the consideration of the sad successe of our so just , and honourable Designes , almost boyling to fury , resolved to Quarter there till we should againe receive Orders from the Generall ; and then ( in case the businesse of the Country should prove so , contrary to our hopes , and the expectations of the whole Kingdome , as to answer the expressions of those men of Beliall ) to March on , forcing our way through all obstructions , till we should find a party to joyne with , or be destroyed in the Field ; that we might thereby win an Honourable Liberty , or Tombe . Here we Quartered till Wednesday in the afternoon , it being Sunday morning when we came thither , still keeping the Enemy in some play , who lay with their Guards within half a mile of us , and their Scouts still pekiering with us at Bow Townes end . All which time the Earl of Norwich continued at Chelmsford , agitating the businesse with the Gentlemen of the County ; and minding to what it would turne there , who had not long before put forth this declaratory Engagement . The Engagement , or Declaration of the Grand Jury , Free holders , and other Inhabitants of the County of Essex , in prosecution of their late Petition presented to both Houses . WE the Grand Jury , Free-holders , and other the Inhabitants of the said County in the prosecution of the said Petition , doe Engage our selves one to another , and Declare , 1. That we will not pay any more Exoise , or other Taxes , till all the desires expressed in our said Petition be obtained by us . 2. That we will admit of no Souldiers to come into our County but such as agree with us in our said Petition , and in this Engagement . 3. That we will imploy our utmost endeavours to preserve and defend our Royall King Charles , His Kingly Government ; the Subjects Liberty , and the known Lawes of this Kingdome : That is to say , the Common , and Statute Lawes , and will never submit our selves to any other kind of Lawes , much lesse to any Arbitrary power whatsoever . 4. That we will protect , and defend one another , and all that shall adhere to us in the pursuance , performance , and keeping of this Engagement : And that if any Inhabitant of our County shall refuse to joyne with us herein , we shall esteeme him a person dis-affected to the Peace and welfare of the same . But notwithstanding this Engagement , they were yet backward enough in prosecuting any thing to the purpose , in answer to their Petition , or Association here . When his Excellency came , he found the greatest part of the Gentry of the County met ; but all business so dis-joyn'd , and so strangely confused , as there seemed almost an impossibility of any good to proceed from that so high Engagement , and mountainous Conception : And our party consequently left ( as inconsiderable ) to be cut in pieces by a most cruell Enemy , who had already possessed themselves of our whole Country ; ruin'd our Friends , made lavish havock of our Estates : and having proclaimed us Traytors for comming thither for their assistance , would prove as undoubtedly prodigall of our lives , if ever we should fall under their power . The distraction indeed was so great , that the Gentlemen , and Commoners , who came there with reall intention to prosecute their Petition , and Engagement , were likely to have been dispersed in lesse time then they were in coming together ; Capt. Lin of that Country had once before raised a thousand men , which were immediately dispers'd . An order of Indempnity being read in the head of them by Colonel Farre , which the Committee of the County so pressed to them , that they went all quietly home . And now were as active in their Indeavours for the ruine of the maine interest of that Designe ; as indeed it concern'd them enough , for they knew the prosperity of Loyalty is destruction of Rebellion : I leave them to make the Application . They were so active in their Machivilian Stratagems for countermining all policy against them , as that Charles Lucas being there urgently tending upon the designe , and many other Gentlemen with carefull diligence for the advancement of the King , and Countries Liberty , ( it being the sole and generall end , both they and we really intended , and the sole reward of our actions we all aimed at ; and consequently prosecuted secuted all circumstantiall opportunities which we conceived conducing to it , that at last , though by the hazard of a Warre , we might generally attaine to the happy blessing of an honourable and lasting Peace ) thought it their best course in that distraction to depart privately forth the Town , lest some unexpected inconveniency might take hold on their persons , if once it had over-whelmed the generall interest , as now they began to fear would be , absolutely dispairing of any good at all . But some of the Country Gentlemen then got together in the Town , and by chance meeting them , desired Sir Charles Lucas that he would not goe away so , but let the Committee doe what they would , they were sensible enough how they had ruined and undone them , and they would be abused no longer by them ; but if he would be pleased to draw them out into the Field , and stay with them , they would one and all engage with him , and live and die in that Engagement , according to the intention of their meeting together , having resolved not to returne till they had performed something . This suddaine change in a little time proved very violent , as it is commonly scene in all things ; so they immediately drew into the Field , and seiz'd on the Committee , and were so furiously incenst against them , that some of them would have kill'd them immediately , had not some Gentlemen rescued them , & pacified the others fury , and afterwards placed a Guard over them ; for now they were resolved , that since they had actively engaged themselves , they would be no more obstructed in their prosecution by those grand Opposers ; who they well understood would be active enough in their endeavours , for the destruction of that designe , ( if at liberty ) and the ruin of the Actors in it , being right-becked Committee-men of the Parliaments own bringing up , as appeared afterwards by Sir Tho : Honywood , who being at liberty , and at his own house at Coxwell , alwayes an Enemy to the King and Kingdome , made himselfe appear so really now , by raising both Horse and Foot , as many , as by his power he could draw together , either for love , or fear , and made his house a Garrison to oppose the County ( as much in him lay ) in their proceedings in that designe ; But his party proved so inconsiderable then , as it could doe but little injury . The businesse comming to this height , his Excellence the Lord Norwich sent his orders to Sir William Compton , to march away towards Chelmsford ; so we marched away from Stratford with our whole Party , which by this time was well recruited by many of our men that came up , and divers Prentices from London , who came daily in and listed themselves ; And about Wensday night we met the Generall at Rumford , but the Enemy marching after us , so obstructed our march by Alaruming us in the Reare , that the whole Body could not get up till the next morning ; though the Enemy durst not adventure in all the march to fall on upon the Reare guard . The next day being the eight of June , we marched on towards Burntwood , whither Sir Charles Lucas was advanced with a Party both of Horse , and Foot , to joyne with us : And having Intelligence , how the Enemy followed us with Alarums in our Reare , commanded forth all the Horse that were then in the Towne to assist us ; so we marched up , and quartered that night at Brentwood ; and the next day being the ninth , we marched on to Chelmsford , where the Lord Capell , the Lord Loughborow and divers Gentlemen of quality 〈◊〉 Hartfordshire , and other Counties , came in to joyn also with us ; which gave a great encouragement to our Army . There came in a Party also of Gentlemen consisting of about fifty , who entering their combination in London made their Rendevouze at Hideparke corner , and marching all night , the night before intended to beate up a quarter of the Enemies at Epping ( being in their way ) But the Party was drawne out by chance hard by the Towne , upon some other designe , so they were disappointed of their Strategem ; but though they found them ready drawne up in order , yet unexpecting any affront ( not thinking of any Enemy ) they marched up , and being well Horst charged through them , and the next day came up to us , having lost only one Man , and one Horse ; but the Horse being a gallant one and taken by a Country-man , was recovered againe , the Gentleman that lost him comming off afterwards , went out with a Party and fetcht that man in , and so regained him . That afternoone both Parties of Kentish , and Essex , were drawne out to a Rendevouze in Newhall Parke neere the Towne , belonging to the Duke of Buckingham , which Generall meeting gave much encouragement to both Parties . Where the Generall and Sir Charles Lucas joyning in consultation the Gentlemen of both Counties also , that by a unity in the engagement , as well as the Interest , there might be greater hopes of prosperous successe . At which councell it was once a generall result to have marched away Immediately , and fallen upon the Party of Sir Tho : Honywoods at Coxwell ; but upon a more serious deliberation otherwise resolved on , and orders given out for the quartering in the Towne that night ; But this Party of Coxwell disincouraged the Country that they began now to be very slack in their apearance to joyne , in relation to what they were before ; not only by reason of Sir Thomas Honywoods activenesse , but because of the Enemies entring also into the Country with their whole Body . Saturday the tenth we marched on towards Brantree , but tooke Leeds house in our march , belonging to the Earle of Warwick , where we were like to have beene opposed by some people who were purposely placed there , and upon the Quartermastergeneralls comming thither to secure it from the violence of the Soldiers , refused to open their gates , being about twelve or more men with Fire-armes and two Drakes , saying that they were placed there for the securing that house , and they would rather die , then deliver it up to be plundered tamely . But being afterwards by some parley Informed that the Generall himself was coming , and that the Quartermaster Generall was commanded before to secure them from Injury ; they gave him entrance with some other Gentlemen , believing it was but little boote for them to dispute with an Army : about noone the Generall and Sir Charles Lucas came , and haviug first dined there , ceised on the Armory , where they found a good Magazineboth of Armes and Ammunition of all sorts ; so we carried from thence the two brasse field peeces , and about two or three hundred Muskets , and as many pikes , with about 60. great Sadles , and body Armes proportionable to them , and some Pistols and Carbines ; and a good proportion of Match and Ball , with divers other Instruments and furniture of Warre ; But many of the Sadles we left behinde for want of carriages for them . Here we Rendevouzed all the afternoone , till towards night in the Parke beyond the house ; the Enemy of Rendevouzing also with a Party of theirs very neer the other side , and that night in the Parke ; but adventured not to appeare all that day in sight of our Army . There was a Party of Horse also came in to us upon the march , ( which along time we supposed an Enemy ) from Hartfordshire and Bedfordshire consisting of about sixe score . From thence we marched forwards , and quartered that night at Braintree . Where the next day being Sunday , both Parties were drawne into the field in the forenoone to Rendevouze : And after prayers all the Gentlemen that were in the Army , were drawne into troopes , under the command of the Lord Norwich , Lord Capell , and the Lord Loughborow , and Sir Charles Lucas ; that they might not only know to dispose of themselves upon any occasion of Alarum ; but being in order it would be a great conveniencie , for disposing them into quarters upon every remove . About nine of the clock at night we marched from thence ; and continued our march all that night , making onely one halt about daybreake , till the next day about fower of the clock in the afternoone ; about which time we drew neere Colchester , whither at a Councell the night before , upon Sir Charles Lucas his desire , and beliefe of recruiting very much there , they concluded to march , but not to stay above one night or two at the most , and therefore moved in the night to amuse the Enemy that they might not to sodainly follow us ; And being within five or six miles of the Towne , a Party was sent before towards it , for Sir Charles Lucas had received intellithat they would not receive him in Armes ; then himself , with some other Gentlemen , marched onwards before the Army , after that party was marched away : But ere the Quarter-master Generall left them to goe to the Town , came intelligence from the Party , that the Towne stood upon their Guard , and were so far from giving entrance to our party , as that they opposed them , and were too strong for them : At which newes Sir Charles , and the Gentlemen with him , set Spur to their Horses , and hasted on with a full speed till they came within sight of the Towne , and comming neere , they found that they had shut their Gates , and drawn out about sixty Horse in a very formall Troop , well Arm'd and Accoutred ; some of their Scouts being without the Turn-pike by the Almes Houses , then Sir Charles made a stop to send back a Messenger to the Army to hasten their March ; but some four or five Gentlemen keeping on their speed , drew their Swords onely , and Charged up to them , and forc'd them within their Turn-pike ; so they retreated on the Head gate , where their whole Troop was drawne up in order ; and the Gentlemen retreated againe towards the Turn-pike , but some of them , as they retreated , fell in amongst the Gentlemen , yet never fired a Pistoll till they came out of the Turn-pike againe , then one of the Gentlemen turning quick about shot one of them , and he fell from his Horse . But when they perceived the Body of the Army comming , and that Sir Charles Lucas had drawn up two or three Troopes of Horse very neer them , they sent out to treat with him ; and upon his Engagement that the Town should not be plundred , nor any injury offered them for what they had done , they submitted themselves , and engaged to deliver up their Horse , and Armes , with the Towne ; so the Gates were opened , and the Army quartered that night in the Town . The next day being Tuesday , June 13. about noone we received a very strong Alarum , and that the Enemy was advanced within a mile of the Town ; and indeed by that time we could provide parties to send forth , their Forlornes were engaged with our Out-guards in the Suburbs ; which Guardes were immediately doubled , and it was not long ere we were as ready to receive them , as they to assault us : Our men being drawne up to their Colours , fresh parties were sent out to assist the Guards , both of Horse and Foot ; and the Enemy came on as strongly on all parts of that side the Town next Lexden , and fir'd up to the very Hedges and Guards of our Foot , but were as furiously opposed , till at the last some of the Guardes wanting Ammunition to maintain the heat of the Service , about the Almes houses , and the house called Grimstones house , were over-powred with the number of men that threw in their Shot like haile upon them , and so forc'd to retreat , and gave the Enemy the Liberty of all that ground . Which retreat gave them also advantage of falling upon our other Guards neer Sheere-gate ; whereupon the Out-guards were ordered to retreat within the town ; it being the best policy to take the greatest advantage in opposing an Enemy , were an Army double the Enemies strength : But ere this retreate could be made ; and the Guards drawne within the Gates , that dispute grew close , and very hot ; the Enemy comming on so violently , that it was much difficulty to maintaine any ground against them , yet were they still as resolutely opposed , so that it was as hard a matter to judge whether shewed more courage , the Enemy in assailing , or our Party in defending . Now we being forc't to a retreat , although as much out of policy , as danger , gave an enencouragement to the Enemy to prosecute their charge upon us , as thinking themselves more then halfe victors already , and that they should in short time make themselves masters both of the Town and us . But this new and scarcely flesht Army of Country men , added fire to the heat of the Service , in such a height , and with so undaunted a resolution , far contrary to the Enemies expectation , although they had received an experimentall knowledge of them at Maidestone , that many of them could not digest it , but left their bodies in the Streets , and Hedges , as Infallible witnesses of what was done ; yauning out their Soules to receive their arreares , in another world , for their so Religious rebellion in this . Many of their dead bodies they threw into wells , some they buried in ditches , many they carried off ; yet left so many behind , upon the place , that by some relations we received from the Country , of the condition of their Army the next day , and the account we had of many of their Soldiers , that came voluntarily in to us ; we could not believe that they lost lesse then seven hundred men ; Col. Needham and diverse others of their prime Officers being also kild , besides many which were wounded , and above one hundred and thirty Prisoners , taken and brought into the Towne ; for having retired within the walls , our shot fell so thick in amongst them , they could not long abide it ; but after a seven or eight howers fight were so gauld , that they were forc't to a dishonourable retreate , leaving behind them one brasse peice of Ordnance ( which they brought to force the gate ) twelve of their traine Horses being shot within twenty yards space of ground , and about five hundred Armes , which the next morning were brought into the Towne . Their retreat was in such distraction , that had we sallyed out with a fresh party upon them , as was once intended , we had cut their whole Army off , or the greatest part , as many of their own acknowledged . I must confesse I never yet saw any men fight with a more gallant resolution , and courage , then those men did , although raw Country men , as they could not but do indeed , having so rare presidents , in so honourable personages , as those Lords and Gentlemen under whose conduct they were brought thither , and under whose Command they then fought , who ceased not themselves to act the duty of the meanest and most inferiour Officers , or run the hazard of the privatest Souldier ; but took Pikes in their hands , when their Horses were not of immediate service , as well for the maintenance of their ground , as to give encouragement to the more inferiour sort lest by unusuall heat of the service they might grow slow , and dull in the performance of their duty to the utmost : The Lord Capell charging at Head-gate ( where the Enemy was most pressing ) with a Pike , till the Gate could be shut , which at the last was but pind with his Cane . The Enemy still gallantly enough too , ( to give them their due ) endeavouring to force their entrance in upon us , adventured on so farre as to fire under the Gate , and oft times to throw stones over . In this service we lost Sir William Campion and Col. Cooke , men of incomparable and unblemisht honor , both receiving mortall shots upon the first charge in the suburbs , and one Lieftenant , and about thirty or forty private souldiers , though many more were wounded Sir William Layton , though not interested in any immediate command in the Army , yet of so high and noble a soul , as could not admit of a private ingagement , in so generall a designe , took the charge of an out-guard , and endeavouring to make his retreat , when he perceived the enemy possest of so much of our ground as to get between him and home , was unfortunately shot in the foot ; so that ere he could recover the gate , it was shut , and the enemy intermixt with his party ; so that he could by no means escape being taken ; but by chance , by a souldier that had formerly served four year under him , in the Kings service , and in his own Company ; who upon the service , knowing him , came to him , and would have carried him off , but was forc'd by reason of the shot that came so thick in upon them from the town , to run away and leave him ; but though he were very neer , yet had lost so much blood , and was grown so stiff , he could not shift for himself : After a while , the souldier coming again , carried him off , and rescued him from the most inhumane usage of other souldiers ; which souldier afterwards proved very officious also to him , and upon the receipt of the next pay to conduct him home , left the Army upon the unchristian demeanours he observed amongst them . Lievtenant Colonell George Rawlins , commanding another out-guard on that part of the town , was also surprised ere he could make his retreat , and about forty foot souldiers ; so that in all were taken of ours about fourscore prisoners ; But many of them that were taken , upon their distracted retreat got from them again , and came safe into the town . But night coming on , and it proving very dark , was an oportunity for them to steal a retreat ; but ere they drew off , set fire on some houses neer to Head gate ; hoping therby that the wind would so force the fire inwards , that it should burn the whole town ; but the diligence of the souldiers proved as great in defending it from fire , as before from plunder and the sword , guarding it from an enemy mercilesse in the one , and insatiable in the other , as the suburbs in the town can well witnesse ; where although poor people were so little indamaging them , or assisting us , that they rather seemed to oppose us , not only in our coming thither , but in all we did there ; yet the next morning we found scarce one house unplundered , from the one end to the other , and many poor men dead in their houses , and women and children fled . Amongst the rest my self by chance recevied this account the next morning by break of day : Just over against the Almes-houses lived a poor Weaver , where I chanc'd to ride by , and finding a poor woman very heavily 〈◊〉 her self , and in so lamentable a nature , could not but demand the cause of so much grief ; whereupon she answered me , that the last night , some of the souldiers that fought against the town came violently into her house , and took what they pleased ; and that they were no sooner gone , but more came in , and not finding any thing in the house left that pleased them , came to her husband in the loom at work , and demanded money of him , who told them , that he had been worth but a little before in the house , and what he had , the souldiers that came before them had taken from him , excepting only some small sum he had in his purse , which he would willingly give them if they would be fatisfied with it ; But it not answering their expectations , no more would they answer his desires , but told him he was a Cavalier Rogue , and had more money , which they would have or kill him ; both which he denying , one of them shot him through the body , so that he immediately died ; at which noise his son coming in , they fell to cutting of him , and had so cruelly wounded him , that he lay more likely to die then live . Now having thus made their retreat in the night , the next morning they drew back to Lexden , a village about a mile from the town , where they fell immediatly to work , and cast up a Fort just upon the high-way to secure the head-quarters , and barricado's crosse all the high-way ; here they lay about two dayes still ; then approaching neerer , in the night cast up another Fort in that road towards the town , where they placed a guard ; and the next night they entred ground upon the hill called the Warren , and placed a strong guard there the night following , and so every night broke up fresh ground in severall places , which they thought most advantagious , running their line by degrees from one Redoubt and Fort to another . This gave us just occasion to believe that they intended to plant themselves before us for a longer continuance then before we had imagined , and to block us up ; by which we were invited to consider of our own future security , which then consisted in the greatest care of victualling and fortifying ; the only two things to be first thought on in such a case ; especially in a town so much defective in the one and the other . A place , I suppose , as little ever supposed , as before by us intended , for what it was afterward ordered to ; no man , I think , that had surveyed it with the judicious eye of an experienced souldier , could be so weak as to suppose it a place fitting to be mantled , or maintained for a garrison ; it was our intentions only to take it as a present quarter for a night or two . But this ingagement having forc'd us to it , enlivened every man with an active and cheerfull diligence to forward an advancement of all requisites . To march away now we could not , for we had no way to march , but that we must within a day fall into a champian country , where the enemy being so very strong ( as we were weak ) in horse , would have cut us off at an instant ; our Foot being no such experienced souldiers as to maintain a charge of themselves , both against Horse , and Foot , where there were no hedges to guard and shelter them from Horse ; though some have judged otherwise of the design , and the conduct of it . Now by this incomparable diligence on all parties ( no man at the first knowing where to find provision of any sort , more then belonged to every private family for ordinary sustenance ) we found in a short time , in severall places of the town , and a place called the Heyth adjacent , many private stores of corn , and wine of all sorts , with much salt , and some fish , and a good quantity of powder , the want whereof would suddenly have thrown us into absolute ruine , having very much exhausted our magazine by the last dayes businesse . It is said , that he that will picture War , must first begin with the belly : so we ( according to that policy ) having many bellies to feed ; and not knowing how long it should please God to continue us there , were the more inquisitive after provision ; by which means at the Hieve ( for so it is more vulgarly called ) we found a greater assistance then indeed we could have hoped for , which was conveyed into the town as conveniently , as time would permit , the Enemy being so favourable as never to endeavounto cut us off from that place , till we had almost dreyned the honey from the comb : which they might easily have done , had they ever enterprised it . A providence almost as great as that of the Israelites in the Wildernesse : For , it is reported , that in the memory of man there never was known such plenty of all things in that place , as accidentally then . Whilest we were thus active for prevention of all dangers that might happen , by strengthening the walls of the town , and fortifying where no wall was , by casting up rampires and counterfcarfs , as a very great part of the town required , the Enemy was as busie without , in running their trenches , making their approaches , and casting up Forts and Batteries against us , still earthing themselves , and we as diligent and laborious within , as in truth not without much necessity on our part , the Towne being in all places very weak , neither had it any more then one Flanker about it , and that very bad too , which was called the Old-Fort . Now if it shall be objected , why in this time , not being certain of any timely reliefe , we did not draw out and fight with them , as it hath been often urged : They that will judge discreetly of our condition , will easily be satisfied of it : had we had no hopes at all of relief , which we then had , both from the Scots , and divers other places , at the same time in action ; besides it was conceived the greatest piece of policy , by keeping the enemy in a lingering action , to give a remora to their designes , and so ruine them by delaies ; by which meanes especially we should give liberty , and all opportunity to others that intended any action , to work their designes without interruption , and not to run the hazard of an immediate ruine , by giving them battell : for had we fought with them , it must have been upon infinite disadvantages , ( as I said before ) first in the inequality of the number of Infantry : And secondly in that we had no considerable party of Cavalrie in respect of theirs , whose greatest strength consisted in horse . And it was not a rash or fond supposition to think that could we hold what we had , till the rest of the Kingdome should rise , we should then do as good service , as in the immediate victory : we supposed we might possibly hold out a moneth , and were resolved on it , though it concluded in our own ruine ; yet by that time , if not sooner , we could not but expect ( in all probability ) a relief . By this design also we were 〈◊〉 to give liberty to the Scots to march 〈◊〉 into the Kingdome , being then as we most assuredly understood , upon their march , and neer the borders . Neither was this all the hopes we cherisht by this resolution ; but there remained a possibility of a victory over that Army , by delaying to fight with them , till some more fit opportunity should offer it self , or the tediousnesse of the service weaken them by hard duty , constant action , & unseasonable lying in the field , in respect of the weather ; & we have many gallant examples in this kind . Pompey was well advised for a while when he refused to fight and gave Caesar ground : But when by the importunity of his Captains he adventured the battell at Pharsalia , he lost the battell , the freedome of Rome , and by it his own life . The Constable of France made frustrate the mighty preparation of Charles the fifth , when he invaded Provence , by wasting the Countrey , and forbearing to fight ; so the Duke of Alvaria , by that policy wearied the French King in Naples , and dissolved the boysterous Army of the Prince of Orange in the Low Countries . One 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I shall insert , to touch more 〈◊〉 upon those hot-spur Politicians that shall so violently criticize upon that point , and accordingly refer the application , by looking into that battell of Pavy , as tragicall as fatall to France , where the King was taken prisoner , and the French frustrated of their main hopes of Italy . The day before this overthrow , the King summoned a generall Councell of War , and desired the opinion of his Officers , whether he should give a Field to the enemy or not : Whereat an old Captain began exceedingly to perswade the King to stay , and delay ingaging till supplies ( which were already levied ) should come up and strengthen his Army : desiring him not to throw into hazzard unnecessarily , the welfare of France ; Urging , that the consultation was not only for the Kings honor , but his safety : At which time there was at the Councel a young hot-spur , fitter to begin , then continue a charge , who alleaged , that nothing was more honorable then that the victory should be gained by fight , &c. taunting the old Captain , It was no marvell though an old man and fearfull sought delayes , whose mind was disturbed with his usuall fears , and now was seeking a passage through his guts : The old man could not indure this his scurrility , but replied , Seeing the King will have us fight , I will die to morrow an honorable death before his face ; when thou , forgetfull of thy brags , and rashnesse , shalt by a base flight forsake the field : Which Prophesie in all respects was fulfilled , the field desperately lost , and the King taken prisoner . Many more examples in this nature I could insert , but I think it as unnecessary , as tedious . Now although we gave them not a field-battel , yet suffered them not to lie idle from fighting constantly almost in one place or other , both night and day . Neither were they so weak 〈◊〉 some suppose , after our shattering them , but that they were in their foot still above , or equall our number before the Suffolk Foot joyned with them , who lay upon the bridges of the river so strong before the enemy drew them over , that we could not have forced our passage , in case we had attempted it , but that we had been fallen on by the enemy in the rear , and been engaged both waies , to the hazard of an immediate destruction of our whole Army . About the twentieth day of the moneth , divers gentlemen were sent forth privately with Commissions to raise men in Norfolk , Suffolk , & Cambridge shire : But the Country forces having broken up the bridges , and guarded the passes , and the enemy taken the Fort called Mersey Fort , that commanded the passage into the Island , there was no passage left open for them , so they were forc't to return again , which they did secure , although through the enemies quarters , not a man being taken . The next night a party of horse , and foot was commanded forth into the hundred of Tendring , for the bringing in of provision , which returned the day following safe , with about one hundred sheep , and sixty beeves ; which were all delivered into the Commissary for the generall store , and so everynight fo far as our bounds would reach till the enemy begirt us closer , provision was brought in to the publike store . Two or three daies after that part of the Countrey rise , to joyn with us : but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who by Commission from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lucas was to levy and command them , would have betrayed them to the enemy in their rising , to ingratiate himselfe with the prevailing power , ( an Epidemicall disease in this Kingdom ) but was discovered , having not so much policy as villany ; and seiz'd on by the Countrimen , till Sir Charls Lucas : his pleasure might dispose of him ; and them : To whom they sent two sufficient men of their party , to give him an account , making it their earnest suit , that he would send a party of Horse and Foot to assist them in their rising , and conduct them , safe into the town , which according to their request was done ; A party was drawn out and sent in the night , who stayed there about a week , and afterwards returned safe with those they had raised through the quarters of the Suffolk Foot , who were drawn over the river , and incamped betwixt them & the town . Then was another party commanded forth in the night , which marching out at the North-gate , forced through their quarters , and in the morning returned safe , losing not above two men , for which losse they gained livelihood for many more ; for they brought in with them about fifty oxen , and cowes , besides sheep , and some corn and other provisions , and might have brought more : But Sir Charls Lucas being tender of his Countrey , would not permit them to drive from any , but those they should know to be actuall enemies ; which proved afterwards a very great inconveniency , and prejudice to the Towne , for after that we never obtain the like opportunity , the enemy drawing immediately down neerer upon us , came within lesse compasse , and begirt us more straight ; for they were indeed much 〈◊〉 with anger amongst themselves , that they should fuffer us to march through their quarters upon a sally , and return again safe . Yet we secured the Heith , as a finall refuge for provision , from whence we conveyed daily , such provisions as it would afford , keeping a constant guard there ; which the enemy endeavoured not to hinder us of , till we had left very little there . July 5. The Councell of Warre published a Proclamation , for the calling in all such townes-men , as would serve upon the line for the security of the Town , to list themselves for the service under severall Captains and Officers , being deputed by Sir Charls Lucas to command them , and all others , to bring in their arms to be delivered up into the Magazine ; and that none , who should refuse to list themselves , should keep any arms in their houses , upon pain of death , and the forfeiture of their goods , to the benefit , and use of the Town . About this time the enemy incroach't so neer upon us with their approaches , notwithstanding our daily sallies , and skirmishes with them on all parts , as that they fell down into East-street , and seized on the Mill on the river , and placed a strong guard there ; which guard , ( out of hopes to have fired all that part of the street hetwixt them and the Town , because many of our men both quartered and guarded there also ) set fire to a Tanners house and barn , with all the goods , leather and corn in it ; the house being the next house to the inner-side over against them , and bringing downe two Drakes began to be something busie , and troublesome to our guards ; whereupon at the next Councell of War upon the dispute , a result was made for a grand sally on that part of the Town , which was accordingly performed , and Sir Charls Lucas commanding in chief , marched in the head of the horse , and Sir George Lisle commanded the foot ; the whole party consisted of five hundred foot , and two hundred horse , out of which a forlorn party being drawn out , they first marched down towards the river , where the enemies guard was on both sides the street , and a Barricado crosse , from whence with their case shot from their Drakes , and small shot from the Barricadoe and guard-houses , they play'd very thick upon them , having no other passage over 〈◊〉 river then a foot bridge , the end wherof reach'd within five foot of the enemies barricado . But as if it had been but a sporting skirmish amongst tame souldiers at a generall muster , they regarded it not ; but running on in a single file over the bridge , & some for hast through the river , mounted their barricado , and beat the enemy off in an instant ; and having once gained that , overturned the Drakes , and charged on upon other parties that still fired on them in the street , and pass'd by the Guard-houses till they had cleered a great part of the street ; then surrounding them , charged in upon them , who having neither possibility of reliefe , nor indeed of retreat , or escape , yeelded upon Quarter ; so they took the Captain , Lieutenant , and Ensigne , and about foure score private Soldiers , with all the other inferiour Officers . Many were also kill'd in the adjacent houses , the whole street almost being full of Soldiers . The Drakes they over turned , and one of them they threw into the River , but not having Teames ready , could not bring them off . Now the whole party being marched up , and having thus surpriz'd the Guard , they marched on , and made good the Charge till they had cleared the whole Street ; which gave so great an Alarum into all their Leager , that they immediately rallyed together all the Foot and Horse on that side the River , and marched down the hill from behind the Windmill , on the top of another hill in a very full and orderly Body , onely they left their Colours and Pikes with a reserve behind the Wind-mill . But our Party having gained almost the top of the first hill , followed their charge so smartly upon them , that they soon forc'd them to a disorderly retreat , and quickly made them strive to take their leave of their ground : But the Fields were over-spread with distractedly disperst Soldiers both of Horse and Foot , some from Houses out at Back-doores and windows , and others from Hedges in a great disorder . Our Party being thereby encouraged , prosecured their successe , till they had beat them up beyond the Wind mill , and forc'd Reserve and Colours , and all they had , or could rally , to quit their ground , and so to disperse themselves , that they were forc'd to divide their Horse into three Squadrons or Bodies , one Division to keep the Field against ours , having now made a stand to draw into better order ; and the other two constantly 〈◊〉 up and down , beating their Foot up as they ran away : Which course , had they not taken , their Foot would never have disputed a hedge , ( for that was their refuge now ) and we had immediately cleared all that part of the Leager . But now having gotten a very thick hedge for their shelter , and being thus forced up , began againe to stand : and our Foot out of more heat of courage indeed then mature policy , having engaged thus farre , some of them still ran on , till they gained an old thin hedge , opposite to the Enemy , beyond the Wind-mill , where they still fir'd upon the Enemy , maintaining the opposite hedge , a party of the Enemies Horse still wheeling about in the Field between them ; Which party by chance discovered that they had spent all their Ammunition by hearing a Soldier foolishly ●●●ing out for some , and thereupon suddenly clapt spurs to their Horse , and made a full Charge in upon them through that hedge , ( as they might easily doe any part of it ) who not having Ammunition , nor time to retreat , were most of them kill'd and taken . Till when we had lost very few in all the Charge , though many were wounded in it , as could not otherwise choose in so smart a service : Althrough I confesse the Saints of our times have found out such a way of fighting , as to kill thousands , with the losse of very few ●nites : but t is onely Tongue-charmes that guard their Armies , and not any Providence , that conducts them to such Miracles . Now the Body of our Party being upon their Retreat , and perceiving of this , faced about againe , and received their Charge with such an undaunted retort , they forced them againe to as speedy a Retreat ; and so marched easily off into the Towne 〈◊〉 and in very good order . In this action Sir George Lisle was once taken Prisoner , but immediately rescued ; and in all we lost one Captaine , and one Lieutenant , and about 30 , private Soldien which were taken at the broken hedge , 〈◊〉 very few kill'd . Mr. Weston , a Gentleman of the Generalls Troop , being shot in the belly , was also taken Prisoner . Of the 〈◊〉 80. and odde were brought into the towne prisoners , and between two and three hundred kill'd ; amongst which was the Colonell that succeeded Colonell Needham , in the Command of his Regiment , who was kill'd the first nights on-slaught , and many of them wounded ; of which very few escaped , but dyed within a very short time , as their party confessed themselves to our prisoners : either through neglect of their Surgeons , ( in which we suffered very much also within the Town ) or through the unseasonablenesse of the weather , 〈◊〉 that divers that came into the Town afterwards , and these men too that had been formerly in the Kings Service , affirmed that the businesse was at the least 500 , men 〈◊〉 to them ; besides many that left the Leagure upon it , some comming into the Towne , three or four in a day , and often more for a long time together , and others stealing away to their own homes . After which Sally the Countrymen began to disgust the Service , and thought it hard duty to lie so long in the Trenches , and were glad to entertain all commers that would undergo their duty for them , allowing them 10. s. a week constant pay to be excused themselves : By which meanes many that came up from London and other places to have joyned with us , not being able to come into the towne , entred themselves in their Armes ; by which meanes they might more advantageously come to us , if it had been our fortunes to march out into the Field ; But Heaven had otherwise ordained , having a farther Judgement for this wretched Nation . The next night the Enemy strengthning their Leager on that part of the Towne , fell into the street againe , with a stronger party then before , and possess'd themselves of their former guards and ground , and again fell to firing the houses on that side of the River next the Town , supposing thereby to fire our 〈◊〉 which we had now placed in the face of them , being but a River 〈◊〉 , which much end 〈◊〉 them , and kept the fire still from doing any harme : Then they set fire to all the Windmills neer the Town , to hinder us from grinding our Corne , but we soon salved that sore ; for finding at the Heith by the River side many Milstones , lying for transportation , some of them were brought into the Town , and diverse Horse mills set up , which proved very serviceable all the Seidge . Then they raised two or three Horne works and Redoubts on the North side of the Leagure , running their Trench up to them from the River side over against the Warren , where they placed diverse great Peeces , which they played violently at 〈◊〉 Mill called the middle Mill upon the 〈◊〉 the only Mill they supposed we had left and indeed was , excepting those Horse-mils , but did little hurt to 〈◊〉 for they thought , if they dis-inabled us to grind Corn for the Soldiers , that they would mutiny for bread which was probable enough , and might have been , having such poysonous 〈◊〉 to set them on as they had ( I am confident ) privately 〈◊〉 amongst them , and 〈◊〉 towns people to second them ; but this was happily prevented by the dilligent care of the Lo : Loughborow , who made the most laborious toile as pleasing as the lightest recreation , by undertaking , and continuing the generall charge of providing all necessary provisions to be daily ordered and distributed by the Commissaries to the whole Town ; insomuch that he would many times half a day together continue his strict eye over both Mills and Bakers , lest by their indiscreet ( or it might be 〈◊〉 ) neglect , very great inconveniences might happen . The same care was also ordered to be taken by the Mayor for the peeple of the Town , who was commanded by the Councell of War to make supplies of provision for the Inhabitants of the Towne , and to set up Mills for the grinding their Corne , who by this time began to be in want , the Town very full of them , and many of them indigent peeple , who were not in a capacity to provide for themselves , nor had scarce been when the Town was open : But the Mayor ( whether out of a rebellious wilfulnesse , or sottish simplicity , I leave others that know him to judge ) but as I guesse my self , rather desiring to hazard the starving them , that so by the violent instigation of unmercifull hunger they should be urged to a mutiny in the Towne , by which meanes the Enemy might take hold of our confusion amongst our selves , and over-whelme us in a suddain and generall destruction ; for , notwithstanding all 〈◊〉 and dayly urgencies from the Lord Loughborow , and Sir Charles Lucas , he still neglected all care to provide Corne for those who had none , or Mills to grind for those who had yet some left . Whereupon the poor of the Town having quite exhausted their provision , began to throng together , making great clamours and exclamations of their ill usage , and the necessities they were fallen into , their Bellies sounding alarums to their Mouthers , made their mouthes instruments to thunder them forth to the ears of the Officers of the Army , now not at all reflecting upon the duty of the Mayor and Officers of the Town : Then Sir Charles Lucas at the next Councell of War ( commisserating them as his own Towns-born people ) made his desire to the Lords , that they might have some Corn delivered them out of the generall store , which was as easily granted as motioned , and an Order immediatly drawne ; by which Order the Comissaries were appointed to deliver to every Family according to the number of people in it , such a proportion of Bread-corn , which amounted in grosse to 300. quarter of Wheat and Rye ; the want whereof proved afterwards so great an inconyeniency to our selves , as that half that quantity would have supported us til we had obtained better conditions from the enemy . At a Councell of War the 12. by a generall consent , the Earl of Norwich caused this ensuing Declaration to be dispers'd , as well in the Enemies Leager , as in the Country : A Declaration of his Excellency , George Lo : Goring , Earle of Norwich : With the Gentlemen and Freeholders of the County of Kent and Essex , in Arms for the presecution of their Generall Petition , and solemne Engagement : And their Offer unto all such Officers & Soldiers as shal repair unto them . COuld Prosperity make us insolent , this overture should be the story of our present fortunes : how numerous , how unanimous , how associated , how associated , or ( in a word ) how heaven and earth conspire to our deliverance . Consider with what assurance we have managed our very despaires , and raised our selves to this height out of nothing . Consider withall , that we move still by the same resolves , as we are favoured and encouraged by that hand of Providence , which at first raised us . From this posture ( Gentlemen and Fellow-Subjects ) we salute you in a temper of love , and Christianity , disingaged ( we assure you ) from any interest , or mixture of revenge or feare . Peace is the end we aime at , and by Peace , if it be possible , we propound to accomplish that end . To which purpose , upon a sad and 〈◊〉 thought , how many Innocent soules are seduced by the Imposture of a pretended liberty , and how many more corrupted , by their owne importune necessity , into an erroneous , and unfortunate engagement ; all which must in probability perish , except they may be recovered by the offer of this , and this onely expedient : What Officer , or Soldier soever , now in Armes against us , shall before the 21. of this gresent July , make his repaire unto us , or any part of our Forces , and there enter into an Ingagement , not to Act any thing against us for the future , shall have his arreares audited and paid : And we doe further oblige our selves , to interpose unto his most Sacred Majestie , for an Act of Indemnity ; the successe whereof from our gracious Soveraigne the King , we at all doubt not . And for the performance on our parts , we 〈◊〉 our Honours and the Faith of the County ; Avowing with all , that we designe nothing of alteration either in Church or Common-wealth , but what this present Parliament hath declared to be the duty of good Christians , and Loyall Subjects . July the 28 the Enemy drew downe upon the Heith , where we had a guard placed in the Church , but the Officer ( Cap. Horsmander by name ) who then Commanded the guard no sooner saw the Enemy , but delivered up his guard , himselfe , and Soldiers , without so much opposition as the firing of one Musquet ; Which had he disputed he might in a very short time been relieyed and drawn off ; though the place could not have beene maintained . But that place proved very little benefit to them for by that time we had scarce left any thing of Provision or Ammunition there , onely this benefit they might receive , they might understand what a neglect they had committed , in permitting us so long to keep it within our Quarters , when with so much ease they might have surprised it from us , for it lay so opportune to them to have fallen on , that had they made an attempt upon it we could not have maintained it without engaging our whole Body , and quitting the Towne ; and indeed had they surprised that place in any convenient time , as they might easily enough have done , before we drained it , we could not have kept the Town ten dayes , there lying the greatest part of our Provision , by which we afterward Subsisted . The next day having drawne the line very neere the Lord Lucas his house , they planted to Demy Cannons , against St. Maries Church , from whence they fir'd threescore and odd great shot at St. Maries Church steeple , but did very little hurt , for with as much speed as could be a battery was raised against them upon the Curtain , from whence we had not playd above four shot , but one of their best Cannonneers fell , and about six men more , whereupon theydrew off their Guns from that place , finding it too hot for their continuance . Now the cause that made them so envious at that Steeple , was because we alwaies kept a Sentinell there , which discovered their motion both night , and day ; besides we had made a platforme in the frame of the Bells , and planted a brasse Sakar there , which flanking their trench did them much Injury . The 25. day the Enemy drawing their line neerer the Lord Lucas his house , under the shelter of an old wall , and some buildings , brought up two Demy Cannons , and battering upon the Gate-house ( wherein was a guard of a hundred Musketteers ) beat one side of it to the ground , which falling into their worke ( that was but a small halfe moone drawne from one side of the great House to the other ) anoyed them very much ; then fired two or three Granadoes immediately with it , which buried many in the stones and dust , the rest not able to stand the shock ; betaking themselves to their Swords , and the but ends of their Muskets , disputed it very hard from one place to another , after they had lost their line , till most of them got away , some out of the Wicket of the gate , and some out of the windowes , and broken places of the house . The Officers also forcing their liberty with the points of their Swords , came all off safe . Neither could the Enemy much boast of this surprise , although it were some advantage to them ; for they purchased it with the losse of many stout men , and of their oldest Soldiers , who they quickly found by the wall and trench sides , some dead , and others speaking their Enemies valour , in their owne miserable dying grones , Whilest of the whole guard consisting of a hundred men , not above ten were taken Prisoners , and some foure or five kill'd , many I confesse were wounded , but came off and recovered . And having thus 〈◊〉 themselves of this House , ( as it is their custome in all other places , the first thing thought on is plunder ) they fell to searching the House , and those things that were in it 〈◊〉 though little of worth , or conveniency they tooke away ; which could be little more then bedsteeds , and 〈◊〉 , and the like . That house having beene 〈◊〉 times before , and indeed the 〈◊〉 in the Kingdom , as is believed plundred : But finding themselves no better rewarded for their service , that they might be more notorious in their villany , broke up the vault wherein the ancesters of that Family were usually Interred , under the pretence of searching for money , and finding them not yet quit dissolved , the corps of the Lady Lucas , and the Lady Killigrew , ( as I received it from eye witnesses ) wrapt in Lead ; they tore open that coffine , beyond what ever was known or read of before , or amongst the most unhumane barbarous thoughts , dismembred their trunks , throwing a legge in one corner of the vault , and arme in another , and were so Impudent in this so and worse then 〈◊〉 act , as to beare away the haire of their heads in their Hats as a triumphant 〈◊〉 in honour to their villanie . In which posture the vault continued , till the corps of Sir C. Lucas , that Loyall Martyr , was brought to possesse it . Is not that Common-wealth happy that must receive a reformation from such Saints ? Who have these ten yeares been practising acts , absolutely monstrous to even nature it selfe : Beyond parallel , president , or politicall complotment of the most subtill Machavillian , or bloudy Tyrants in the world . By this time our Magazeens began to be very empty , all our flesh being spent , whereupon the next businesse that was concluded on and ordered , was the searching what private stores there were in the towne , but they proved as weake as the other , then the Councel of Warre , ( receiving a returne of the searches what the condition of the towne was , for matter of Provision , who had now examined every private Family . ) ordered that all the Horse excepting two hundred , should in the night 〈◊〉 forth , and breake through the Leager , and if they could get through with that convenience they wished , to march Northward towards our supposed relife ; For at that time we had received very great assurance by private letters , that reliefe was intended , and hasting towards us from Duke Hamilton , under the Command of Sir Marmaduke Langdale : So the Horse were allidrawne to a Rendevouz in the Castle yard late in the night , and a party of Foot with them for their assistance in forcing the Enemies line with Pioneers , to levell a way for them to let the Horse in , when the Foot should have 〈◊〉 the Enemy from their line , which was supposed would easily have beene performed , and thus they marched over the River by the Middle-mill , and came within the Enemies Centinells e're they were discovered , or any part of their guards Alarmed ; but their guides , and Pioneers ( being for the most part Townsmen ) as out of a plotted combination amongst them , ran away from them , the night being dark . So they were forc'd to retreat againe into the towne which they did , without the losse of a man but it gave the enemy so much notice , as 〈◊〉 made an absolute discovery , together 〈◊〉 their intelligence from the towne : so it 〈◊〉 ( though afterwards ) but bootlesse to 〈◊〉 a second attempt . At the next Councell of Warre , considering that the stores were so exhausted , and all the stesh , or very near the matter , spent , it was thought most convenient to keep those horse , which were fitting , for the Souldiers to eat ; so they were againe drawn into the Castle yard , with order that not any Officer whatsoever should conceale his Horses , but cause them to be brought into the field , upon the forfeiture of them to immediate slaughter ; & the 3dpart of every Troop drawn out and disposed to the Commissary to be kill'd , and some to be immediately distributed , and the rest powdred ; which the Soldiers very willingly submitted to , and as cheerfully fed upon them , rather than deliver themselves to their Enemies , upon any base or dishonourable terms , which expressions of theirs were so common and publique , as that the Enemy hearing of our falling to Horse-flesh , heard also of that resolution of the Souldiery , which did something startle them ; for before they hoped for , and expected , our da yly submission to a Treaty for Rendidion . Now upon the last search that was made in the Townsmens houses and shops for all things edible , there was very little Corne found , as in some houses not above a peck , and in some two , some none , or any Flesh hardly , yet was there a good quantity of spice and Oyle ; which so far as it would hold out , proved very usefull with the Horse-slesh ; some starch also was found , which was preserved , and made very good puddings . It hath been reported , as I understand that at this time we had some reliefe brought into us by water , from the 〈◊〉 at Sea , but it was nothing at all true , for although there were a River that came up to the Town , yet the Sea was not 〈◊〉 by seven miles of the Town and upwards ; and besides the enemy had possest themselves of the Blockhouse against the Island of Mersey that commanded the passe into it , so that no boat could stir by them to the Hieth , which was the neerest place that any could come . And it hath also been esteemed a very great ruine to the Engagement , that the 〈◊〉 was neglected and lost , for want of first possessing that Fort. As for my part I believe no such thing , for indeed had we taken it , as it was once intended , and Col. Tuke ( though to late the Enemy being pre-possest ) appointed for the same designe , I cannot understand any way possible that it could have been any thing beneficiall , as the constitution of our Interest then was ; for it lay above seven miles then from us , so that the Enemy falling about the Town and begirting us , as we might without any prospective of extraordinary policy discover , would possesse themselves of all parts of the River betwixt them and home , and soon hinder all recourse betwixtus , the River being not above twelve foot broad in most places ; then had it been the same thing in respect of the River , and those men in the Fort left to worke out an improbable safety for themselves . Neither was it such an Island as some fancy it to be , that is not capable of releiving halfe such a body as we then were , had we endeavoured to seek any sanctuary there , as some would beleive would have been our best course , when we saw we could not keep the field ; and to thinke to strengthen our power by dividing it , is a stratagem beyond my shallow capacity , and I am certaine no policy of Machiavils , unlesse our number had been compleat to have engarison'd both places and if they shall think that had we marched intire thither we might have been relieved by Sea , they are easily answered , that though we knew of the submission of the ships to the Royall Authority , yet we did not understand the condition they were in , which had we , I suppose was such , as not to be able to furnish us with a months provision , much less more , when they could hardly victual themselves , and I would faine have those politick men informe me , which way we could expect reliefe there , when five hundred men at the passe would have kept us in till we should be starved , and the Army at Liberty to March whither they pleased to obstruct all parties from rising to our assistance . But let men dispute and censure what they please ; The Enemy ( having possest themselves of the Lord Lucas his house , and the Hieth ) began to draw their Line more streight about us , and now lay absolutely round us , so that we were soddainly begirt within a very little distance ; Then they brought their biggest pieces of Battery , as 2 Demi-Cannon , & 2 whole Culverins , neer St. Johns House , and again fell to Battering St. Maryes Steeple , and after some time beat down one side of it , and a great part of the Church , & broke the Saker that was planted in it , but kill'd not on man , only bruised one of the Matrosses . The five and twentieth , in the night , the Enemy alarum'd us round the Line , and fell on upon the Guard in the Middle Mill , against Ryegate , and getting over the River at a fordable place came in upon them , and beat them off to a retreat into the Town , and set fire of the Mill ( Colonell Rainsborow commanding in chiefe ) but a party of fresh men with Halberts and Sithes ( most of them Gentlemen ) 〈◊〉 drawn down upon them , gave them so desperate a welcome as made them soon betake themselvs to their legs , & throwing down their Arms run disorderly off , and mistaking the ford of the River , many of them were drowned , and about twelve kill'd , and some five or six taken Prisoners , and the Mill soddainly quenched , by the Souldiers throwing water into the fire with their hats ; so that little harm was done , and the Enemies storm prevented , which we were informed they had intended that night . It will not be much out of the way in this progress to look into an accident that happned at this Guard , neither do I think it any whit unworthy to be taken especiall notice of . An Ensigne of Col. Tills Regiment , being shot through the Body , in at one side , and out at the other , with a five pound Bullet , went from the Guard to his quarters in the heart of the Town by the help of one Souldier only leading him , the Bullet hanging by his side in the skin , and being laid on his bed , the Bullet 〈◊〉 out and carried with it his last spirits of life ; onely giving him time to breath out this expression ; Oh that I had been shot with my Colours in my hand , that furling my self in them , I might have so dyed ; my Friends might then have believed , I really loved my KING , and that I 〈◊〉 , and cheerfully dyed in His , and my Countryes service . An expression as gallant as the 〈◊〉 of the shot by which he dyed ; & pitty it were the memory of so great a loyalty should sleep in security , but be rather erected an everlasting Trophee in the hearts of all true Christian Royalists , and consciencious Subjects to his never dying fame , and it much grievs me , that I am unfortunate in the ignorance of his name . The seven and twentieth day the Enemy lying in Maudlin-street , began to cast up two or three Redoubts in the Field , betwixt it and the Town , over against Berry fields , ( for so were they called next East-gate ) and beginning to expresse their unwelcomnesse by their turbulent behaviour , we supposed they intended to be ill Neighbours , whereupon a party was drawn forth , which made a smart sally upon them , and beat them off from their works , and followed them into the street , and houses , and kill'd many of them , still maintaining their ground ( although it were about noon-day ) till the Enemy began to draw great Bodyes of Horse and Foot upon them , then they made an orderly and fair Retreat , bringing off some 〈◊〉 or more Prisoners , with the losse of one man and two more hurt ; and afterwards that they grew thus near , daily sallyes were made in one place of their Leaguer or other , to the end of that 〈◊〉 . On the Sunday following Sir William Massam , one of the Committees that were Prisoners in the Town , was sent forth in Exchange for Mr. 〈◊〉 ; whose man was permitted to come to the Walls ( but not within the town ) where he received him ; joyfull enough of his Liberty from that Imprisonment ; though some have boldly asperst the Gentlemen to whom they were Prisoners , and avoucht that they were placed just upon the Line , because they should be kill'd by the Impartiall shot of their Friends ; which is false enough , they being lodged there at our first comming to Towne , not suspecting any such service , but as the best , and most convenient Inne , and afterwards the Towne being so full , would not admit any better conveniency for them , and I think , let them acknowledge only the truth , and they must needs confesse civility enough was shewed them to the end , being allowed to receive any provisions of fresh and hot meats , as Venison Pasties and the like into the Town , without any the least opposition or affront , whilst the Lords and Gentlemen themselves fed generally on Horse flesh . I must confesse that once or twice the top of their House was shot through with great shot from the Leaguer , ( I know not what House could be assured free in the Town ) whereupon they sent a speciall Message to the Lord Fairfax , to let him know what House they lay in , and desired him that he would not shoot that way ; they should have gotten an Order of Parliament that the bullets should not have dared to molest them , if he did shoot that way , they might then have fedsecure . Now the Enemy thus proceeding in their siedge in a very formall order , crept still with their approaches neerer and neerer to us ; yet many of their men paid dearly for their boldnesse , for though by reason of the scarcity of our Ammunition we could not make very great sallies upon them , nor constantly fire from the line , yet sallies were made almost every day in one part or other , and our shot so warily disposed of , that many of them fell dayly ; some of our men they often killed going out to 〈◊〉 and bring in grasse for the Horse ; for we had no Horse-meat left in the Town , but what they first fought for , and brought in and sold ; going in parties , and some firing at the Enemy whilst the others cut grasse , all the thatch from the Houses , and boughes from the Trees being eat up , but very few else did we lose in all the time of the siedge . August the tenth , The Lady Kath : Scot , accompanied with some other Ladies , desiring leave of the L. Fairfax that she might have the liberty of going to the L. Norwich her Father ( the Lady Norwich being newly dead ) could not procure so much liberty as to goe into the Towne to him , but only to come to the Sally port ; and not 〈◊〉 neither but accompanied with a guard , that might hear all discourse that should passe between them ; there came with them the Quarter-master Generall Gravener , and some other Officers , and were entertained with a collation of Horse-flesh , and a Bottle or two of wine ; the best accommodation we could treat them with , which they eat heartily on , and liked . And now began Horse-flesh to be as precious to us as the choicest meat before , the Souldiers in generall , and all Officers and Gentlemen from the Lords to the lowest degree or quality , eating nothing else , unlesse Cats and Doggs , which the enemy disgusted very much , expecting a dayly rendition by us , by the assurance whereof , they constantly encouraged their Souldiers on , to the continuance of the hard duty they then underwent , who else would have been hardly kept together being often upon the March , either away into the Country , or else to us into the Town . It was so hansome a diet grown by this time amongst the Souldiers to eat such food , that we could harely secure our Horses in the Stables , but every morning one Stable or other was rob'd , and our Horses knock'd o' th head , and sold in the Shambles by the pound ; nor was there in a short time a dog left , for it was the custome of the Souldier to reserve halfe his ammunition Loafe , and in a morning walke the streets , and if he discovered a Dog , to drop a peice of bread , and so drill him on , till within his reach , then with the but end of his musket knock his brains out , and away with him to his quarters ; I have known there six shillings given for the side of a Dog , and yet but a small one neither . Then the Enemy perceiving they could work nothing upon us by summons , threats , nor force of armes , betook them to petty stratagems , sometimes sending false fires of strange improbable News of great victories over the Scots , long before they ever met with them ; and Lists of prisoners taken , never in Arms , and such like Whimsies , hoping thereby to terrifie the Inferiour sort of Souldiers to such a timorous apprehension of their condition , as to force their Officers by their mutinous resolutions , to treat for conditions , orleave them in the lurch , which of the two this Enemy rather wished , that so many Gentlemen might fall a prey to their unsatiable malice . Then they sent private papers into the Town amongst the Souldiers by Women , incensing the Souldiers against their Officers , reproaching them with that odious name of Rebels ( which they knew to whom more properly due ) and men acting against the Peace of the Kingdome without Commission , which still they hoped would so poyson the braines of the Souldiers , that if they would not mutiny , yet at least the greatest party would be incenst against their Officers & quit their Line , by whose loss we should have been so weak , as to be easily stormed & taken . But instead of receiving any benefit by these sucking stratagems , they wrought nothing more than an injury to themselves ; for it engaged the Souldiers to higher resolutions . Then they shot Arrows into the Town at severall places , with papers fastned to them , promising our Souldiers , that if they would desert the Town , they should have fair quarter , pardon for what they had done , and liberty to go to their own homes , with passes from the Generall , without being plundred , or suffering the least prejudice or injury : But this neither proved any benefit to them , or injury to us , but still rather exanimated and enlivened the Souldiers , who were so couragious in their resolutions as very often to expresse that they would either live with Liberty , or dye with Honour , neither of which could arise by a poor submission to an ignoble Enemy . And now the Enemy had possest themselves of al places of conveniency and advantage round about the Town , and began to annoy us very much in divers places about the Line , from the opposite and flanking Houses , and our Magazines began to grow very low of powder , so that Order was given out , that the Souldiers should be careful not to wast their ammunition by firing without a very reall occasion , and that no Gunner should fire a Cannon without the Command of a Field Officer of his Post , or a General Officer of the Field . But these Houses under the Line proved so obnoxious , that by degrees they made that line to hot for any almost to abide it ; & the enemy having found this advantage drew thicker down into the Suburbs , under the shelter of the houses ; which the Officers being very sensible of , knew there remained no securer remedy , sallyed out amongst them , & beat them out of the Streets , & some houses they set fire to , having given order to those Inhabitants 〈◊〉 , to secure and convey away their goods first ; and those which lay immediately under the Line , & Wall they first pull'd down by Carpenters , and other Workemen , that the Materials might be preserved , and the lesse 〈◊〉 done to the Town , and Owners ; Which should they have let stand , would have proved so miserable an inconveniency , that we could not have maintained the Town one halfe hour , I am confident , had the Enemy ever attempted a resolute storm , when once they had begirt us so close ; by reason that in many places the st airs came up to the top of the Wall , in the highest places of it , so large that two or three men might haue come up a Breast , and some Rooms equalled the height of the Wall in a perfect Diameter . And if the Enemy should have taken no other benefit but the opportunity of a Wind , and set fire to them , they might probably have set fire of the whole Town ; Which they attempted the first night , and once after had effected , had not the Wind been very calme , and the Soldiers as extraordinary diligent in quenching still as they fired . The eleventh day more Arrows were again shot into the Towne to entice the Souldiers by alluring charms , 〈◊〉 with as severe threats , to quit the service ; intimating , That if they came not away before the next Monday ( it being then Friday ) that not a man which came after should have any quarter ; Which Messages the Soldiers still resented so well , as that they resolved to answer it by the same Messengers , and took some of their own Arrowes annointing them with a 〈◊〉 and wrapping the same in paper fastned it to the heads of the Arrowes , and writ on the papers this superscription , An Answer from Colchester August the 11th . 〈◊〉 as you may smell ; informiug by that how little they regarded their baits , or esteemed their threatnings . And now by this time the greatest part of our Horse had changed their Stables for Slaughter Houses , and their Riders being willingly dismounted took up foot Arms , the Gentlemen Halberts , and the private Troopers Sithes , ready fitted with long staves for the service , which were very terrible for execution ; and there were many Sithes found in the Towne upon a search for Arms , more than ever was known to be in the Town before ; and many brown Bills were also made in the Town ; so that no man might be idle for want of Arms ; these men were all listed both Gentlemen and private Troopers ( for more orderly disposing them in duty and service ) in particular companies , under the Lord Generall , the Lord Capell , and Sir Charls Lucas ; the Lord Capell marching himselfe a foot , with a Halbert on his shoulder , in the head of his Company to the guard , that none might make any scruple or acception against it ; which Company lay constantly upon reserve at severall places of the Line at some distance in Tents built purposely for them ; which point of Warre must of necessity arise from as high a conveniency as any , and indeed was a course constantly practised amongst the best and most judicious Conquerours of the World , and they have left us Arguments for it in the Chronologie of divers Victories obtained , and lost fields recovered by Fortune and resolute Reserves , although but of small numbers , of which I shall instance one of Serverus the Emperour , who in a Battle against Albinus , Generall of the Britains , before Lugdunum was himselfe put to 〈◊〉 , beaten off his Horse , and hid himselfe , whilst the Britains followed the Chase , chanting out their prayse as victors ; till Latus , one of Serverus his Officers , staying behind with some fresh Troops , and making a fresh charge , the Serverians took heart againe , and Mounting Serverus , put on his purple * 〈◊〉 , when the Albinians thinking themselves Masters of the field , being disordered , and furiously charged by fresh Troops , after a short resistance fled , the Severians following them with great execution to the City Gates . Now these Companies must not be understood neither , for the only reserves we had , for it was the constant method of the Armies duty in Generall ( for I cannot willingly , nor I thinke rationally , tearm it a Garrison , but a quarter ) to lie every Regiment on their severall post , the one halfe upon guard , and the other all night very neere , at the most convenient place upon reserve . And having maintained and held it out in defiance of a proud , succesfull , and imperious Enemy ( this being the 17 of August ) still cherishing our resolutions with hopes of reliefe , and having yet no certaine intelligence of the state of affairs in the other parts of the Kingdom , nor reliefe approaching , and our stores very much-wasted , insomuch that all our Corn was welnigh spent , and very little Ammunition left to maintaine our guards only with ; by a Generall result of the Councell of Warre , His Excellency the Lord Norwich , the Lord 〈◊〉 , and Sir Charles Lucas , signed Letters to the Lord Fairfax , to desire him to grant them twenty dayes respite , and a passe through his quarters , for them to send some Gentlemen to Sir Marmaduke Langdale , that they might receive a reall information of his condition , and if they found him as they had given him out , and not advancing towards us , and that in that time there was no hopes of reliefe , that then they would Treat for surrender . Other hopes we had none left ( and indeed but little reason for these ) the Duke of Buckinghams , and the Earle of Hollands parties were already dissolved into nothing ( indeed without doing any thing ) and no other parties risen , or expressing any inclinations , much lesse intentions , to it . But this would not be granted ; then they were forced to send away private Spies and Messengers , and concluded in a generall resolution , to maintaine and defend it to the last ; and in that time not to be idle with them , but as active as the want of Ammunition would admit ; and according to those resolutions , send out a party every day or night at the Sally port ( they went voluntarily upon it ) and sallying upon them were troublesome enough to them , and kept them upon constant and hard duty ; but ultra posse , non est esse ; and our Ammunition was so exhausted , that we could not send out great parties often ; yet found out a way with what materials could be gotten to make some match , which though it were not so good as what we had before , yet served our present necessity ; and some powder also we made , but it was not much , for we were forced to resigne ere we could bring it to prefection . Then our Commissaries began to complain their stores which were almost empty , the people generally much necessitated for bread ( the true staffe of Life ) and the poorer sort meerly for want of Corne neer starving , we being not able to relieve them againe . Then the poore people Petitioned the L. Fairfax by the Mayor and Aldermen , that they might have liberty to leave the Town and disperse themselves into the Country amongst their friends , that would keep them from famishing . But he thought it not policy to grant it , but on the contrary gave order to his whole Army round the Leaguer , that if any should be turned forth , by us , they should fire at them ; but at that time they considered by their privat friends ( our bosome Enemies ) their Town intelligence , that we had made Proclamation at that time , that whosoever had not twenty dayes provision in their houses , should depart the Town , as well rich as poore ; at which time search being made againe , very few were found to have provision for above two or three dayes , and then the Enemy having given this unchristianlike , though politick , order , it would have been a very difficult thing , to have forc'd so many people through a Sally Port , and dangerous to attempt , who of themselves were apt enough to a Mutiny , and as inhumane a policy ( though policy it would have been ) to have forced them from their own houses upon the Swords of a most cruell and mercilesse Enemy . Then the stores were again reviewed , and the Magazine also , and the stores found to be so empty as not to yeeld two dayes provision of bread in them , for the whole Army ; and the Magazine not to maintain two hours fight , if a storme should happen : Then a Councell of Warr was again summoned , where this want being considered , it was agreed , That it was the best course to Treat with the Enemy in time ; and by the Major part by Voices it was carried ; and Letters accordingly were drawn up , and Doctor 〈◊〉 a Phisician then living in the town employed in the Message . And now too sad it was to understand , we had done our utmost , and as much that was , I think , as was possible for men to doe in our condition ; having engaged so potent and conquering an Enemy so long , with so inconsiderable a party , and now at the last destitute of any hopes remaining of a possible relief in so short a time as our Condition would enable us to hold out . The next morning the Doctor returned again with this Answer from the Generall ; That we had held it out so long against him , and to the utmost denyed his Summons , That the best Conditions wee must expect from him , must be to submit to Merey , only that the Inferiour Officers and Souldiers should have liberty to go to their owne homes . Which was so much beyond the Honour of our actions , that it was thought as unhonourable to be accepted . Tuesday the two and twentieth , Early in the morning more Arrowes were shot into the Town at severall places of the Line , with Papers fastned to them , wherein was written as followeth . August 21. 1648. VVHereas on Sunday last , in a Letter to the Lord Goring , Lord Capel , and Sir Charles Lucas , Conditions were offered to all private Souldiers , and inferiour Officers under 〈◊〉 , to have liberty to go to their severall homes , without injury or violence ; and all superiour Officers , Lords and Gentlemen to submit to Mercy . And whereas the same hath been concealed from the Souldiers and Inferiour Officers aforesaid , neverthelesse if they will before Thursday next lay hold on the said Conditions , and come away in a Body from the Enemy , the same Conditions shall be performed to them which have been offered ; but in case they shall suffer the 〈◊〉 - People ( whom we shall not receive ) to be turned out of the Town , and suffer them to perish under the Walls , they must expect no Mercy ; And if the Towns-men in armes shall joyne with the soldiery in coming forth in a body as aforesaid , they shall also be free from violence . This prety little stratagem they thought would have infused such a wild-fire in the mutinous brains of the Rout , as would in an Instant have blown our Interest into Ayr , and invited the Soldiery to have delivered their Officers up as a Sacrifice to obtein their own Liberty : But their hopes were laid flat in this , for instead of a compliant acceptance of these Propositions , they resolved to accept of no Conditions , wherein their Officers should not receive a benefit . The Councell of Warre having also the day before permitted Doctor Glyston to go out again , with one Master Sheffield ( one of the Committee then Prisoner in the Town , brought from ( helmsford ) to mediate with the Generall for the People of the Town , sent also by him other Letters concerning the Souldiery , for Condiditions of Rendition , but Answer was returned , that they had given us a former account of what Conditions they would give us , and those they would stand to , and no other we must expect . And now being drawn to a sad exigency , and plunged into a very great extremity , it was not for us to protract time , but to adde Wing to our resolutions , and close up our mis-fortunes as neer as we could , with an honourable conclusion , and with the best contrivancy of speed that might be ; for we had scarce left uneaten , one Cat or Dogge in the Towne , some Horses we had yet alive , but not many , for there were at that time in the Commissaryes account a list of seven hundred nnd thirty Horse , that had been kil'd by him , and orderly distributed out ; besides those that the Soldiers had stoln out of the stables and kill'd , and others that Gentlemen flaughtred for their privat tables , which I am consident made the number above eight hundred ; and for Bread there was not Corne left for one dayes provision , and many mouths to feed , for we had made all kind of Corne the Town would afford , as Mault , Barley , Oates , Wheat , Rye , Pease , and all we could recover into bread , for eight Weeks togegether , to lengthen our store , still contented to undergoe any thing in particular that we might advance the generall service ; but our hopes were now quite dissolved in absolute feare of unavoidable ruine . Yet this gastly visage of our Interest could not exile that incomparable courage that generally inspired this gallant party with lively actions and patient sufferance , as if it had been equally indifferent to them , contentedly to undergoe prosperity or misfortune ; all mens resolutions were set on fire to desperate designs and by some unpresidented attempt to ruine their Enemy , or to perish nobly in the enterprize , since it is much better to die Honourably , than live Basely . The meanest of the Soldiers as yet held a conformable obedience to the commands of their Officers , undaunted in their courages , and couragious in their actions , notwithstanding the many defigns and politick engines the Enemy had imployed to alienate them from their duty , and dishearten them in their service . But least there might be any mis-apprehension betwixt the Soldiers and Officers upon the putting any designe in execution , This Engagement was drawn , and generally signed by the Officers , and Gentlemen through the Quarters . WEE whose names are here under written , doe in the presence of Almighty God , protest against all conditions that are or shall be sent from the 〈◊〉 , by which our libertyes may be infringed , and our Honours blemisht . And we doe upon our honours solemnly engage our selves , not to desert one another , nor the Foot , till by Gods assistance we have forced our passage through all that shall oppose us , or to perish in the act , which we 〈◊〉 this three and twentieth of August , one thousand six hundred forty eight . Then the Town was againe searched what Provisions was left , a severe account given , and all private stores taken , and brought into the Commissaries , leaving but to every family that had most but one peck of Corne , of all or any sorts , yet all would hardly amount to one dayes Provision of bread . The next day being Thursday the foure and twentieth , the Enemy sent in a paper Kite to the Towne , which hovering a good while over , that the Souldiers might take notice of it , at last they let drop in the midest of it , with many papers fixt to it , to the same purpose as those before shot in with the Arrowes , and with them a book also of the relation of a great Victory over the Scots , and their generall rout ; and within two howers after made a generall triumph through the whole Leaguer , giving a volley both of small and great shot , round the Town in all quarters ; and some of their shot playing thick into the Town gave us a very strong alarum , and as great hopes that it was but the forerunner of a storme , or the Beginning of one , till we perceived it at so great a distance , as beyond and about the Windmill beyond the East-street . But now their assurances were so great of gaining a Victory without blowes , that they thought ( as indeed it was ) the best policy to forbeare , although they had drawn their approaches so near the Line under Berry Fields , by the shelter of a wall which was yet standing , as that their Souldiers from the Trenches , and ours from the Line might talke together , and throw stones at one another , and did frequently . Friday the five and twentieth , the Councell of War met againe early in the morning , where they resolved to send the Lord Fairfax word into the Leaguer , That since he denied to treat upon any conditions that were Honourable , notwithstanding our actions and demeanours in the 〈◊〉 had been nothing but what became our Honoursand fidelity , if he were pleased to make an attempt of attaking us , he should not need to spring any Mine ( as he boasted he had ready , ) but that any Gate 〈◊〉 the Town , that he should 〈◊〉 . choice of , should be set open , and his enterance disputed afterwards . But he was now sure ( as he thought ) of having us at an easier rate than the losse of so much blood as such a surprize must cost him if he had carried it , which he would hardly have doue . And indeed it was his best policy not at all to storme us , since he had leisure enough to wait our doome , the Kingdome in generall being so dull & sluggish , as not to act any thing that might require his remove ; which had but any parts done by rising , though with small parties , at that time , might have easily forced him to ; so that he must either attempted a surprize by storm , or fairly retreated with a hazard ' of his honour , if not his Army ; and 〈◊〉 he storm'd we had endangered the shattering of his whole Body , the edge of whose fury was by this time much taken off , and somthing startled both at our resolutions and courses for defence , and much frighted at our Sithes , and scalding Pitch , which was kept boyling in Iron pots and caldrons , every night round the Line , with long Ladles to cast it over the Rampire upon their storming . Wherefore considering the condition we were so sadly plunged in , through the defeat of the Scots , the disloyalty of the whole Kingdom , and the want we were in of provision to subsist any longer , not having any hopes that we could possibly hold out two dayes longer , unlesse without bread , which we must do , or not 〈◊〉 all ; it was the finall result of the Councell of Warre , to draw out the whole party that night , to their Arms , both Horse and Foot , with what Ammunition was lest , which was not much , and as many short Scaling Ladders as could be procured in the interim , and in the deadest time when we might be least expected , to set open two of the Gates , and march out and storme their Line , and so falling into their head quarters , beat up their whole Army , and relieve our selves , or force our march through all oppositions that they should endeavour to obstruct us with , or perish in the attempt ; and if the private Souldiers should entertaine any suspicion that the Gentlemen , and Officers , who had yet Horses , should seeke out their safety by flight , and leave them engaged every man ( excepting only the General and the Major General ) to pistol his own horse in the head of them ; Which design being agreed on , and secrecy enjoyned , and every one taken his orders according to his duty in it , the Councel broke up , & every man betook himself with the utmost of his endeavours to the making preparation in the day for the nights service . The Enemy having this day planted four great pieces for battery against Berry field ; fired about sevenscore great shot in the foorenoon against the old Wall , but did very little hurt , only beat off the tops of two old ruined Towers upon it , and kill'd some three men . This was taken as an opportune alarm to call the Souldiers generally to the Line , whereby they might unexpectedly be in a readinesse for the intended sally without Bag or Baggage , which was concluded generaly to be left behind ; for if we gained our hoped victory , we should command both them again , & our Enemies to boot ; if we failed , we resolved to have no need of them . This I confesse would have been a desperate enterprise , but as Noble , and had it proceeded to action , it might ( for ought I know ) to as honourable success , by a glorious victory ; and turned not only to our own liberty , but the whole Kingdomes freedom , and peace ; as it hapned in Paris once , when the Duke of 〈◊〉 being besieged , and so distrest , that his Soldiers called out to him to yeild rather then starve , made a resolute sally upon the French Army , destroyed the whole body , and took the King prisoner ; and from 〈◊〉 marched against Rome , where , although he was killed , yet the Army took the City , and besieged the Pope in the Castle of 〈◊〉 . Now all things were almost in a redinesse before night , and the Ammunition and scaling Ladders brought to a particular place , ready to be carried to the Line ; but long ere night there was some Officers that ( although I am so charitable as to think not dissenting from the designe ) alleged many Arguments , that it might be better deferred till the next night , because they thought that then they should be in a far better readinesse ; by which means it was put off . But that night , by a most desperate misfortune , though by what means I know not , but before morning , some mutinous spirit had insinuated , into the private Souldiers , that the Officers and the rest of the Gentlemen were resolved that night , or very sodenly to break away through the Leaguer , and escape , and leave them all engaged . Which sparke role to such a flame , as indeed proved a prefating Comet to our succeeding ruine , and those Souldiers so remarkeably gallant before , gave a curbe to that couragious spirit that guided their Actions in the honourable obedience ; and poysoned their disturbed brains , into a frenzy of desperate mutiny round the Line ; In fome places threatning to cast their Officers over the Line : So high a mutiny indeed it was grown before day , that it was rather likely to end in an immediate ruine to themselves and Officers too , than a 〈◊〉 ; for the Enemy never wanted their incendiaries amongst us , to agravate any mischiefe that mightpost forward our destruction , and wee might be assured would not only ( and did ) adde 〈◊〉 to this unnaturall combustion , but give the 〈◊〉 notice thereof , that they might make the best use of it . Then the Lords , and Sir Charls 〈◊〉 , Sir William 〈◊〉 , and Sir George Lisle , expressed themselves indeed in all the proceedings , men as active as honourable , and beyond expression in both ; but never more than in the managing of this Businesse , the rest of the Officers as diligently bestirring themselves also as could be expected , and indeed to admiration , so that at the last they had wrought a little mildnesse amongst them , by endeavouring to give them all the satisfaction that could be in this their misapprehension . Yet notwithstanding all endeavours to pacifie and allay this strangly conjured Devill , it proceeded so on till it grew to such a height , that many left their guards and got in crouds about the Line , and at the last , whilst the Councell of War was sitting , selected about thirty , which they sent to the Councell , to know what their intentions were , saying , That if they would not make conditions for them , and such as they should 〈◊〉 of , they 〈◊〉 Article for themselves over the Line , and leave their Officers to shift for themselves as they understood their Officers would have done by them . This put the Councell of War into a great distraction , the Souldiers , till then , never having acted any thing dishonourable , or unlike the most gallant Souldiers that ever defended Town ; and had suffered the greatest inconveniencies that ever , I think , men did , with as extraordinary 〈◊〉 , never shewing the least discontent at any thing . These comming to the House where the Councell sate , sent in two , which they supposed to be most able speakers , who being called in , The Lord Norwich assured them of the falsity of their allegation ; to confirme which , he also gave them a true understanding of the designe ; telling them-also , hat they were so far fro 〈◊〉 them , or seeking any good , that should not extend in as great a measure to the meanest Souldier amongst them , as to themselves ; That they were resolved to give themselves a prey to their Enemies mercy , ( as it proved indeed ) and cast 〈◊〉 into the greatest inconveniencies that cruelty of a bloody enemy could 〈◊〉 them with , if thereby they might 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Souldiery from suffering ; and that it was their desires to deliver themselves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Enemy , to purchase them an honourable liberty ; to which end , they were Commissioning Gentlemen to the Lord Fairfax to Treat for it . To which the Souldiers returned this Answer , that they desired not any liberty that should be purchased at fo dear a rate , with many affectionate expressions of their resolutions to serve their Officers again then , or at any time , when they should be commanded , and departed very much satisfied : which for the present appeased the Mutiny , and so well indeed , that through their own folly their misery was like to arise , and began to examine how this jealousie began , but now it was unseasonable . And now it was as much too late to thinke of any thing but the worst of adverse Fortune for the superiours , and present delivery ; the Enemy already knowing as much of our Condition in every respect as we our selves . So the Souldiers being thus pacified and and 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , it was generally resolved as most convenient in that condition , to 〈◊〉 a Gentleman from the Councell to 〈◊〉 with the Enemy for conditions , being frustrate of all hopes of longer subsistance or security , or possibility of further attempting any designe . Whereupon Col. Sam. 〈◊〉 ( 〈◊〉 in Honour and Ingenuity ) was immediately sent forth , with full power to accept of any conditions he could obtein , and to conclude before he came back , who returned not till very late that night , yet time enough to let us know the sad conclusion we were like to have . For the General ( by the instigation ofhis Councel of war ) was fallen from those conditions which formerly he had offered , and now they began to insult over our miseries , and the best that could be obtained , were to deliver our selves up , the Souldiers Prisoners at War with all Officers under Captains , and the Lords , and other Officers and Gentlemen , to submit to Mercy ; and that we should send the 〈◊〉 forth ( that were Prisoners with us ) the next morning , if we would have any thing at all with him . See a just judgment for disobedience , in this reward these Souldiers gained to themselvs , for their so tumultuous & mutinous disorder : their own thraldom ( 〈◊〉 proved ruine to many of them ) their 〈◊〉 destruction , and ( for ought I know the ruine of a design , that might else have been so prosperous , as to give redemption to the whole Kingdome from that Vassalage it is unhappily plunged into . The next morning , being Sunday the 27 of August , the Councell of Warre meeting again , and this account given , inthere was no refuge , nor remedy left , nor any thing to trust to , but what conditions the Enemy would give us ; the Committee was therefore immediately dispatched , and Col. Tuke with five other Officers sent forth again to the Enemy , to confirm and signe Articles for rendition , and manner of delivery . The Soldiers of the Enemies Army and ours being already mixt on many places of the Line , no fire given on either side , as if we had been absolute Prisoners , long 〈◊〉 any conclusion was made . Towards night they came back , and brought with them the articles , which were to be put in execution the next morning . The severall Regiments to lay down their Arms at their severall Posts , and there to 〈◊〉 with their Officers under Captains , till they should be disposed of . The Lords , with the rest of the Officers and Gentlemen to be by eight of the Clock in the morning at the Kings-head , and 〈◊〉 Horses and Arms without any imbezilment , in Saint Maries Church-yard . All the Ordnance to be 〈◊〉 on the 〈◊〉 as they were planted ; all the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 , Match and Ball , to be left in the 〈◊〉 at the Town Hall which was easily don , for there was but one barrell and a halfe of powder left ; many great shot were indeed left , in the Lord Capels quarters , which the Enemy had shot into the Town , and the Souldiers gathering up , sold to him for six pence a Bullet . But many of our Horses were taken violently out of their Stables by the Souldiers of the Leagure , who flockt into the Town before the Gates were opened , contrary to the Articles , and plundred every thing they could lay their hands on . And now began the last sceene of this Tragedy ; The Lords and Gentlemen according to the Articles met at the Kings head , & the rest of the Army at their appointed places , and all things ordered according to conditions ; & about two of the clock in the Afternoon , the Lord Fairfax entered the Town , and rid it round to view our Line and shew himselfe in triumph to the inferior Souldiers , but camenot near the Lords ; where he found a just cause for his admiration , how it was possible we could maintaine it so long against him , whose very name was as he thought enough to conquer . Then he went to his quarters in the Town , where a Councell of War immediately met according to his appointment to luxuriate their unsaciable mallice , in a collation of Loyall blood , and raise their trophees in ruine of Incomparable virtue . And after they had insulted upon our conditions , 〈◊〉 sported away some Votes of contempt upon us , then lying at their unmercifull mercy , they concluded their 〈◊〉 , and decreed a barbarous sacrifice of innocent virtue , and of some prey . Then they sent Colonel 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to visit , as we thought the Lords and Gentlemen , but he brought a sentence of death in his heart , though not 〈◊〉 in his mouth , which easily discovered it selfe in his death-like 〈◊〉 . Comming up into the Chamber , first 〈◊〉 the Lords , and afterwards came to Sir Charls Lucas , and with a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 told him , That the Generall 〈◊〉 to speake with him at the 〈◊〉 of War , with Sir George Lisle , Sir 〈◊〉 Gasquoine , and Colonell 〈◊〉 if he were there , but he was not there ; so Sir Charls 〈◊〉 as presaging what indeed did afterwards follow , took his 〈◊〉 leave of the Lords and the rest of his fellow prisoners that were neer him , and calling Sir George Lisle ( who was in discourse , and heard not what was spoke ) and Sir Bernard 〈◊〉 went 〈◊〉 with him , leaving the rest of the 〈◊〉 with sympathizing Souls , sighing prayers for them , for well they might imagin what evill was intended 〈◊〉 them ; though they knew them guiltlesse of any thing that might justly bring their lives in question , though 〈◊〉 the mercy of the Enemy , it being a generall rule , that the greatest expression of noble valour appears in the highest civility to an Enemy subjected to 〈◊〉 , and was alwaies the practice of the most gallant Enemies in the World. So 〈◊〉 Caesar , having 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in the field ( his most implacable Enemy ) pursued him into 〈◊〉 , where , when he came , his head was presented to him ( treacherously taken off ) by Theodotus , who thought 〈◊〉 that means to ingratiate himselfe into 〈◊〉 extraordinary favour with 〈◊〉 ; but he no sooner beheld it , but 〈◊〉 of rejoycing at the 〈◊〉 of such an Enemy , turned away his head , and wept ; and understanding the actors of that 〈◊〉 to be 〈◊〉 an 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 , immediately 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be put to 〈◊〉 , and had given the 〈◊〉 reward to the other , had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Army and opposed him . Many examples in 〈◊〉 kind 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 with , but never any for men to murder with mercy . But what should we expect in a Kingdom , so heathenishly reformed , but loyall obedience by pretended Law to be made Rebellion , and horrid T : placed Iudg of the Court ; whilst innocent Allegiance receives its deadly doome at the Bar. The Lords and Gentlemen sitting thus expostulating with their discontents , and still revolving in their distracted minds what would be the event ; about an hower after came a Messenger from Sir Charls 〈◊〉 , to desire a Chaplaine to be immediately sent to him ; which strook a dead sorrow in to the hearts of all . Whereat the Lords ( desiring that no man might be a particular sufferer in so generall a cause ) called up one Captain 〈◊〉 an Officer of the Enemies , and Intreated him to hasten to the Councell of 〈◊〉 , and desire them in the behalfe of the Prisoners , that they would not make those Gentlemen they had taken from them any greater sufferers then they intended to all ; who being all 〈◊〉 concerned in condition , desire also to be so in suffering . But all this could take no effect in them , having past their doom without ever calling the convicted to the Court , or Bar. A new unheard of way , of condemning men in our Nation . The Condemned , though not Convicted Knights , were immediately conducted to the Castle ; which was nothing now but a Dungeon and the County Goale ; Then Col. 〈◊〉 comming to them , said they must prepare themselves for death ; Then Sir 〈◊〉 . Lucas asked him , by what Law they were to dye , or whether by an Ordinance of Parliament , by the Councell of Warre , or by command of the Generall ? To which Ireton made this answer ; That it was by the Vote of the Councell of War according to an Order of Parliament ; by which Order all that were found in Arms were to be 〈◊〉 against as Traytirs . Then Sir Charls Lucas replyed , alas ! You deceive your selves , me , you cannot , but we are conquered and must be what you please to make us : with a countenance cheerfull as one going to a banquet rather than death , not shewing the least symptome of feare ; but as it were scorning Death as much as he did the Instruments that gave it ; Only he desired time till the next morning , as to settle some things in this World , so especially to prepare and fit his Soul for another , but that could not be granted , then he went on again , Sir , Doe 〈◊〉 think I make this request 〈◊〉 of any desir : I have to live , or escape the death you have doom'd me to , for I scorn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 life at your 〈◊〉 ; but that I might have time to make 〈◊〉 addresses to God above , and settle some things below , that I might not be thrown 〈◊〉 of this world with all my sins 〈◊〉 me ; But since it will not be by 〈◊〉 charity , I must submit to the mercy of 〈◊〉 whose holy will be done ; Do your worst I shall soon be readyfor 〈◊〉 . Sir George 〈◊〉 said very little , only in the like manner desired a little respite , that he might have time to write to his Father and Mother ; but was also denyed . True Servants of their old Master , and good practitioners in his doctrine , thought it not enough to destroy the body , but as much as in them lay to kill the Soule also . But Colonel 〈◊〉 having taken his leave of them , they took an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that poyson , and went immediately to prayers ; Sir Charls Lucas first praying and breathing forth such zealous expressions and heavenly ejaculations that 〈◊〉 seemed translated already into another World while he was yet alive , they afterwards prayed with the Chaplain , and received the blessed Sacrament . This religious devotion being finished they were hastned , forth into the Castle-yard to be executed ; But Sir 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( whom they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ere they understood what Conntry-man he was , and after they had again considered of him ) was reprieved out of the consideration that he was a stranger to the Kingdome . When these two true English Worthies came to the place appointed for execution ( scarce to be believed amongst Christians or men of humanity ) there came Col. 〈◊〉 , Rainsborow , and 〈◊〉 to be as well spectators as actors , in this inhumane tragedy ; to make their eyes witnesses ( though not their soules sensible ) of their unchristianity . Where they found the Loyal 〈◊〉 , ready to be sacrific'd , & with as undanted resolutions to receive death there ; as ever before they had dared it in the Field , where the boldest Rebell never gained Honour by questioning their Gallantry . Sir Charls being the first that was to receive this honour of Martyrdome told them that he had often looked death in the face in the field , and now they should see he durst dye ; Then having a little while retired himselfe upon his knees , he rose upwith a chearfull countenance and opening his doublet , shewed them his breast and setting his hands to his sides calls out to them , see I am ready for you , now Rebells do your worst ; so they immediatly fired at him and shot him in foure places ; so that he was suddainly dead . Then Sir George Lisle his turne being next , ( being before carried a little aside , that he might not see his Friend fall ) was brought to the place to perform the conclusive part of this bloody scene ; and viewing the Body of his dear friend and fellow Martyr dead and bleeding on the ground , kneled down and kist it sobbing forth a funerall Elegie in many sweet Characters of his peerlesse and unspotted honour . Then standing up , took out of his pocket five pieces of gold ( the whole stock he had about him ) and gave one of them to his Executioners , and the rest to a Gentleman then standing by ( who formerly had been his servant ) to deliver as his last Legacy to some friends in London , with some filial expressions of duty to his Father and Mother , and recommendations to some other friends . Then turning to the spectators said , Oh! how many of your lives here have I saved in hot blood , and must now my self be most barbarously 〈◊〉 in cold ? But what dare not they doe that would willingly cut 〈◊〉 throat of my dear King , whom they have already imprisoned ; and for whose deliverance , and Peace to this unfortunate Nation , I dedicate my last prayers to Heaven , and now Traytors do your worst . Then standing regardless of them with many invocations on the name of Iesus , was suddenly also thrown dead on the ground ; Which place lest there should want a monument of that cruell 〈◊〉 to all eternity , I am informed ( by those , and they divers , who have since viewed it ) is yet bare of grasse , & cannot be forced by any art to bear any . And since I have endeavoured to erect . a monument to their immortall fames , though but their very names alone were enough to adorn it , yet shall adventure ( though with a hazard of many a heavy censure for my audacity ) to imprint this Epitaph upon it's cloudy front . Though heer 's no Calpe , nor Arbyla nigh , Yet here two Pillars with non ultra lye ; And those Herculean too whose red 〈◊〉 st ands ( As t'other ) crusht betwixt 2. mighty lands . Measure their lives by their brave Images In Death ( as by the foot was Hercules ) Each a Colosse of Honor was , and strid Or'e 〈◊〉 higher than a Pyramid . Their Foes ( more 〈◊〉 than what Affrick bred ) Insulted when these noble Victimes bled ; Whilst they were glad their Souls were Vshers made To march in Glory 〈◊〉 the Royall 〈◊〉 . Malice thy work is done , While this sad Isle New 〈◊〉 surround for Lucas and for Lisle . Thus fell these matchlesse twins of valour , and payre of glorious Martyrs , posting to receive the inheritance of that never-dying honour in the other world ; being thrust headlong out of this for having too much here . Night being come , and the Chaplaine being returned , and this being related to the Lords and Gentlemen , every man expected that his own turn might be next , looking one upon another with clouded faces , that dictated to each other a noble sympathy of their troubled hearts , not out of any consideration or fears of what they expected to suffer , but for the untimely loss 〈◊〉 those Gentlemen so untimely by a barbarous mercy murdered . Thus they were al thrust into one Room , from whence if any but stept to another , he was immediatly stript stark naked ; thus continued the rest of the Prisoners till about Candlelighting , then in came Commissary Generall Ireton , Col. Whaley , and Col. Ewers , and saluting the Lords , told them , They were sent from the Generall , to them , and the rest of the Gentlemen , to tell them that now ( for they supposed it was not unknown what had been done ) he did by them give an assurance of what before they held doubtfull : faire quarter as Prisoners of Warre . But the Lord Capel , instead of returning thanks , told them , They should have given the Generall 〈◊〉 thanks if he had saved the lives of those two Knights , whom they had already executed , then for the grant of their own ; saying also , that their conditions in relation to the service , and their owne yet alive , were alike , and all equally concern'd in the managing of that designe , and it was their desire to have run all one hazard ; which seem'd much to displease the Messengers ; after this these Gallants made an exit , the Lords , with some other Gentlemen , were drawn out and conducted to Mr. 〈◊〉 house over against the Kings head . Colonell Farre having escaped for the present , escaped also the Iudgment the other two underwent ; but was afterwards taken , and sent with a guard , to his owne quarters , and there kept close prisoner till the remove of the rest . After the Generall had kept us thus up three or foure days , he found out a new stratagem , both for disposing the prisoners , and paying his Army ; first he layes a fine of 13000 l. upon the Towne , with which money he intended to pay the private Souldiers ; and for the Officers , he distributed to every Regiment a certaine number of Gentlemen that were prisoners , as slaves to the Gallyes , or to ransome themselves . The Officers whereof came to the pound ( as the manner of grasiers is by their cattell ) and cald them first out of that into another , and then drove them away for the market , to make the most of them ; so most of them afterwards as they were able , and according to the civility of those they were distributed to , bought their liberties , and returned home ; in which manner they disposed of the greatest part excepting those who in that designe were in principall command . The private Souldiers and inferior Officers were drawn from their Line , and shut in the Churches , where they immediately placed guards over them , and gave free Liberty to their foot Soldiers , to goe in and pillage them ; so that in a very short time there was very few or none left with any cloathes on them , hardly shirts , and afterwards they having thus pillaged and stript them , some changing for their raggs , & some giving them nothing , they march't them away , in a day when it rained so violently , as ( had we not had Gods engagement to the contrary ) we might have feared a second deluge ; how they disposed of them afterwards I know not , but there are divers in the Kingdom that will tell you how they marched them from place to place 〈◊〉 the country , lodging them in Churches and such places till many of them starved , and divers that could not march by reason of their 〈◊〉 , they pistold in the high waies , and some they sold ( as before they did the Scots ) to be transported into foraine Countries from their Wives and Children , no matter whither so they were once gon . The Lords , with the rest of the prisoners , were kept in the same places they were at first , till the Tuesday following , and then ( that they might be disperst , as neare as possible to their absolute ruine ) they first ( by examining their servants ) having gotten knowledg of each particular mans Country , transmitted them to severall prisons , as contrary and far distant from their own homes as they could contrive ; the Lords with some of the Gentlemen to 〈◊〉 , and the rest to Oxford , Lynn in Norfolke , Warwick , 〈◊〉 in Cornwall , & St. Michaells Mount , 〈◊〉 Castle in 〈◊〉 , Glocester , Hereford , Cardiff in Glamorganshire , and 〈◊〉 other places . What became of them since , is writ in the daily book of their several misfortunes . This unhappy successe waited upon these noble Gentlemen and their design , which let no man judge by the event ( a great argument with those whose understandings cannot perpetrate beyond the outward bark or face of things ) for by the same inference they may conclude unrighteousnes in God , who is sometimes pleased to give victory to the enemies of his truth . It is too saucy a thing to confine his providence , or determine his holy will , for my part I am confident had our repentance been as ripe for his favour and mercy , as our sins were before ( and I feare do yet continue ) for his frowns & judgments , this engagement had brought home the Ark to Israell , our liberty , and His , whose glorious seat is now in Heaven , while His memory on Earth lives fresh in the martyrdome of the most Saintlike man that ever swaid an Earthly Scepter . It was said by Plutarch of those who murdered Caesar , ex percussoribus Caesaris 〈◊〉 triennium nemo vixerit , of those murderers of Caesar , not one survived three years . I am no Prophet , but I beleeve God is just , and it not possible , but his vengeance is preparing for so execrable a Regicide , that wanteth an equall in story for the malice and barbarity . As I dare not say without blasphemy there is no God in Heaven . so I must not say without Treason there is no King in our 〈◊〉 , while our hopes bud in the name of CHARLES the second , who may yet succeed his Father , both in His Throne and Virtues . Exurgat Deus & 〈◊〉 inimici , you that have not hands to help him , may yet take up the arms of the Church , 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 . For my own part I will not despaire while there is mercy in Heaven , and a just title upon Earth , but he may fulfill that Prophecie that is so authentickly averred concerning his Person ; when all these horrid distractions and clouds shal vanish into a calm , and there shall be no more a Babel City , Carolus , a Carolo , Major erit Carolo Magno . To my ingenious friend upon his Exact Iournall of the Kentish Forces . VVHat I must say on this ( my very Friend ) Should rather be to cherish , than commend ; Since Criticks Iury-men ( perhaps ) may grudge That one so partiall should be thy judge : Yet I may draw my attestation so , That as a Witnesse they may let me go . Then on thy Commentary ( which in right I cann't call lesse , since thou didst act and write ) I will say this ; Thou dost not Mercury't In any circumstance , except in Wit : For he will know that language understands , Thou ' st Iacobs voice , as well as Esau's hands . Thine own heards slaughter too , thou 'st drest so neat , That to the ag'd it will be savory meat : And may they blesse the for 't , that thus doest tell With how much brav'ry Lisle and Lucas fell . There thou tol'dst thy Saints bell , that our eyes To them might pay their annual obsequies . And shew'dst their slaughter-men , that they survive , Whom they of life intended to deprive . Indeed their Mansion they have changed thus ; That is , they live , not in themselves , but us . Thus by thy pen , thou givest them what they lost , Anticipating their last rise almost : For them ( as then ) we now in Glory spie , But I confesse , 't is Intellectually . Thy language thus givs both a life , & shape To th' Martyr'd Corpses , as an AEsculape . Yet for this Art none can reward thy pen , Since there 's no triumph or'e a Citizen ; Vnlesse you 'd sav'd ( not rais'd them ) you can't owne , A just pretence unto the Grassy Crown , Thus ( stead of Lawrell ) I must now bequeath Nought to thy Front , except a Cypresse wreath . For ( I think ) rightly no man understands A fatall Tragedy , that claps his hands . 〈◊〉 ( friend ) thou seest , I can no bayes conferre ; I le be thy Vsher not thy Trumpetter . Thy new born off-spring I will cherish rather , ( As Gossips doe ) saying , 't is like the Father . Your impartiall Fidelio , G : W. To the Ingenious Author of these Commentaryes . I 'Ve read thy tract , this is my summ , Thou 'st made thy Kent , our Christendome . RODERIGOE . To my Honoured Friend upon his Commentary . THose able Souls who can claim great Estates In the large fields of fancy , whose conceits Free , high , & virgin in each golden-line , Like gems set in that glistering metall shine , May chance go neer to cloath their muse ( my friend ) In a fit equipage for to attend Thy triumph , when a poor , and needy braine Must be a blot in thy more pompeous train . When such as I endeavoure thee to praise , We do but bring thee thorns instead of Bayes , And by an indiscreet affection wound , Those Temples we intended to have Crown'd . Yet must I on , and so with what I doe Thee Injury , must crave thee pardon too ; For should I see thee thus engag'd among An hoast of Enemies , fcourg'd by thy tongue , And like a true-borne coward , nor strike a blow In thy behalfe , nor dare to face the foe , As well might these great spirits who there dy'd Condemn my cowardice , as now my pride . Th' hast greater art than D●dalus ere knew To twist ev'n Inke it selfe into a clew . More power than the highest fates afford , Makes paper fighting , and a pen a Sword. Then lead the way , and we will learn of thee Anew to spell our mis-lead loyalty . Thou who could'st guide us thorow the wild maze Of error , and teach truth those narrow waies Shee 's often lost in , learn confused fame In her mixt Dialect for to speak plain , Taught by what thou 'st observd , and done before , And now hast said wee 'l act , and erre no more . No more shall Kent hang down her drooping head , And sadly tell the number of her dead ; But blesse her overthrow , as proud that thou Hast taught her thus the way to conquest now . Lucas , and Lisle , shall start amaz'd that words Should have a pow'r to vindicate their swords . And CHARLS himselfe confesse his Wain to be A great deal fitter to be driv'n by thee . Nay which is more , he shall at length confesse His Wain full mooned by thy brains increase . E. P. FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A34782-e360 H. I. H. * A Military Mantle .