The taking of VVinchester by the Parliaments forces. As also the surrendring up of the castle. Wherein they tooke two regiments of the cavalleres that were under the command of the Lord Grandison. / By I. VV. an eye witnesse. Ward, John, fl. 1642-1643. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A97129 of text R9806 in the English Short Title Catalog (Thomason E245_14). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 22 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 7 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A97129 Wing W777 Thomason E245_14 ESTC R9806 99873617 99873617 126097 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. A97129) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 126097) Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 42:E245[14]) The taking of VVinchester by the Parliaments forces. As also the surrendring up of the castle. Wherein they tooke two regiments of the cavalleres that were under the command of the Lord Grandison. / By I. VV. an eye witnesse. Ward, John, fl. 1642-1643. [12] p. Printed for the authour., London, : 1642. I. W. = John Ward. In verse. Signatures: A⁴ B² . Annotation on Thomason copy: "Jan: 20th". Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Great Britain -- History -- Civil War, 1642-1649 -- Poetry -- Early works to 1800. Winchester (England) -- History -- Early works to 1800. A97129 R9806 (Thomason E245_14). civilwar no The taking of VVinchester by the Parliaments forces.: As also the surrendring up of the castle. Wherein they tooke two regiments of the cav Ward, John 1642 3759 9 0 0 0 0 0 24 C The rate of 24 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2007-05 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2007-05 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-06 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2007-06 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE TAKING OF VVINCHESTER BY THE Parliaments Forces . As also The surrendring up of the Castle . Wherein they tooke two Regiments of the Cavalleres that were under the command of the Lord Grandison . By I. VV. an eye witnesse . Rev. 16. 16. And they gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon . Rev. 18. 2. And he cryed mightily , with a strong voice , saying , Babylon the great to fallen , and is become the habitation of Devils : and the hold of every foule Spirit and a cage of every uncleane and hatefull bird . London , Printed for the Authour . 1642. To the Right VVorshipfull Master Thomas Clarke , and Master Thomas Cart , Bailiffes of TEUKSBURIE : And To Master William Wilson , Master William Croste , Master Thomas Hale , Mr. Theoph : Ally Mr. Iohn Millington , Mr. Henry Lane , Mr. Thomas Clarke junior , Mr. Edward Phelps ; and to all the rest of the well affected to King and Parliament there : Iohn Ward wisheth true peace and freedome here , and ete●●●l felicity hereafter . RIght Worshipfull , and the rest of my friends and acquaintance , I here present you with a short Relation of the taking of Winchester ; which is ( though easily accomplisht , yet ) worth the hearing . I confesse these are not times for men to spend in writing or reading Histories : But this being matter of discouragement to the foe , and of great encouragement to us , I thought good to divulge : and so much the rather , because I know it hath beene published already by a false Copie , which mentions the enemies issuing out of the City to meet us ; which is no such matter , and deserveth a checke rather then approbation . Worthy Gentlemen , the respect and duty that I owe to you all , doth enforce me to make this Dedication to you , knowing you all to be Patrons to all vertuous actions , in the Towne where I was borne , and well-wishers to me : and therefore I presume , that though it be but slenderly compos'd , ( the Subject being a known truth , and I your native Countriman as well in affection as by birth ) you will with the more tendernesse passe by any blurre committed in the penning thereof , and censure more favourably of my blunt and weake expressions . And no question but that you ( setting Winchester before you for an example ) will with the more courage and unwearied resolution defend your ( yet unplunder'd ) Corporation from the barbarous cruelty , and from the ambitious pride and insolency of so destructive an enemy ; who if he once enters will leave you nothing to take pleasure in , but the ruines of an once flourishing Corporation . Thus barring complements , I remaine your must affectionate and faithfull friend , John Ward . The Argument . MArleborough plunder'd : th'enemy To Andever , and Wantwich hye . The reasons why , at Wantwich they Suffer'd the foe to runaway . Their sodaine march to Andever : The foes remove to Winchester . Our forces follow , without stay : What accidents fell out way . The Townsmen keepe them out , but yet They runne for 't , when they come to fight . Our Army enters : but the foe For safety , does to'th Castle goe . But being destitute of ayd , To end the quarrell they assay'd . Quarter is given , the chiefest guests They pris'ners keepe ; let goe the rest . The Towne is pillaged , but all The worst doe on the Clergy fall . The faire Cathedrall pill'd they then ; Undid the Priests and Singing-men . Some things amisse he wishes mended . And so the Comedy is ended . The taking of Winchester . WHen Redding could no longer entertaine Our enemies , and they were forc'd againe To march away ; lest meagre Famine should Their haughty spirits ( pin'd with want ) new mould : Into three parts they did themselves divide ; One part in Redding stay'd , another hy'd To Oxford , and to Marleborough the third : At whose fear'd presence all the Country stirr'd . Yet they with much adoe enter'd the Towne , Having first burnt some of their houses downe . That trusty Towne they plunder'd in a rage , 'Cause they oppos'd them ; that ( 't is thought ) an age Of yeares can hardly ever it repaire , To make it halfe so flourishing , and faire . This heavy newes soone to the Generals eare Was brought , by some that did inhabite there ; Who being mov'd at the relation , sent Well neare foure thousand horse incontinent , T' encounter with the theeves ; and ere that we Had march'd two dayes , the spoyling enemy We had espy'd , one part of them ; for they Divided were after they took the prey . To Wantwich this part went , when we had tane ( Had we made better hast ) both horse and man . But being darke , and wet , and late i' th night , We could not close them in , nor could we fight . Besides , we wanted good instructions too , And for the present knew not what to doe . These lets gave th'enemy a large occasion To get without the reach of our invasion , Ere we could reach the Towne ; yet some we tooke , Poore ragged rogues , as ere eye on did looke . A great deale of their plunder there they lost , And left behinde , being in their journey crost . Our men got horses there ; there store of cloth , Some fine , some coorse , linnen and woollen both . Thence sheets , and shirts , and pewter , and such geare , Our Souldiers did upon their horse-backes beare . Thence we remov'd , and march'd to Andevere , A base malignant Corporation ; where The other part of Rebels did reside , Who having notice durst no longer bide In that poore naked Towne , but march'd away , Hearing of our approach that Sabbath day . There quarter'd we two nights : the morrow after Were our Dragoones sent three miles off to quarter , 'Twixt that and Winchester : ( for thither all The Cavalleres were gone , both great and small , ) That so they with lesse difficulty might Be drawne out , if occasion serv'd to fight . That night our foes gave counsell some should arme , With winged speed , to give us an alarme . Two hundred of their men that were best horst , For speed and surenesse , presently rode post , To strike th'Allarum up , at Andever , To force us to our Armes , and to strike feare Into our Army : but before they come To Andever , they understood that some Of our men quarter'd by the way ; and stay'd And to improve the least advantage ' say'd . Our carelesse men all being fast asleepe , No Spies sent out , no Court of Guard did keepe ; Not one of them stood Centry ; th'enemy Did well approve of their security ; Rush'd in upon them , snorting in their nest , As swift as thought , slew some , and tooke the rest : Some two or three they slew ; an hundred more They pris'ners tooke , and drove them on before . As fast as they could scoure it , backe againe To Winchester they hy'd with might and maine . By this time we , though ignorant of all The hardship that our fellowes did befall , Rousde up betimes that morning , were prepar'd To follow our designe Winchester ward : Both heaven and earth favour'd our enterprise , Both did assist us'gainst our enemies . Aurora bravely did her beames display , And friendly Sol presag'd a glorious day . Me thoughts the Sun stood still , or else our steeds Posted that time with more then common speeds . No cowards then , none staid behinde for feare , But all strove which of them should first come there . And hearing what the enemy had done , That stir'd new fire , and drew new fury on . Over the pleasant downes they scour'd a pace , As every steed had been of Phebus race . Ground of our foes we got , which made them mad To lose the prizners which before they had . As many then , as haste would suffer them To kill , they slew , turn'd up the rest agen . By means whereof , they ( marching on so fast ) Regain'd the Towne , and all their businesse cast . Er'e we approach'd the walls , the Cavaliers Made haste , and got the Castle or'e their eares , And carried as much luggage thither too , As so much time permitted them to do . Most of the chiefe malignants in the Towne , And Gentry of the Countrey up and downe , ( Whereof that Countries almost all compos'd , Or else of such as with their actions clos'd , ) Tooke sanctuary there , and tooke upon them To guard it , so that none should take it from them . The Citizens tooke on them to defend The City walls ; the Castilians did depend Upon the Townesmens promise , and to speake The truth , they did their best , but were too weake . No sooner had the enemy possest Himselfe o' th Towne , but straight our forces prest Neare to the walls , where the base City band Of trained men their entrance did withstand . There is a ditch much like a more , but drie Without the walls , which helpes to fortifie The traiterous Towne , there our dragoons did stand , And like themselves , defide the City band . A breach was in the wall , through which our men With neare two hundred bullets greeted them ; Who being seldome us'd to such hot cheare For breakefast , as our souldiers shew'd them there , Pledg'd them with halfe a score , and neare upon Such a small parcell from the Castle come . Mean while our men the second time gave fire , Which made the cowardly enemy retire : Whereat our youths impatient of delay , Through the ditch up to the wall made way ; On hoys'de another up , the breach to scale , Where they their conquering swords did flourish all . The Townesmen being so poorly overcome , Ran all away each to his proper home , Threw off their armes , their weapons laid aside In some by-place , where they might not be spide . Stood jetting in their doors in peacefull tire , As if that they to war had no desire . This while our men within tooke paines to let The horsemen in , that they might scoure the street , Which done , some fear'd lest that the Cavalliers Might send some private bullets'bout their ears . And slyly cut them off as they should enter , Mongst whom some ch●ef● Commanders fear'd to venter ; But yet the army stood in generall To enter , whatsoer'e did them befall , Which made the rest more forwardly appeare , Fearing lest they should lose their credit there . First noble Bedfords regiment began To lead the way , resolving every man Either to take the Towne , or in pursute Thereof , to dye , lawfully called too're : The rest in order marched by degrees Till all were got within the liberties . Unto the silent Forum , march'd we than In triumph not oppos'd by any man . There we our conquering Ensignes did advance A dismall sight to the inhabitants . Then those that did oppose us-most before , Did as our vassals stand : as if none more Desir'd our presence ; None so diligent As they , to give the Souldiers content . With bread , cheese , beefe , one waits ; another stands With beere ; glad they 'le accept on 't at their hands : And happy 's he that first hath spent his store , To runne the sooner to procure them more . As soone then as the streets were all made cleare , Strong Courts of guard , and centries every where Were plac'd to keepe all passages , that non Might passe without good information . That day , and all that night , next morning we The Castle thought t' assault , when presently The enemy to our commanders sent T' intreat a parly , whereto they gave consent . Upon which parly it was concluded on To yeeld up their commanders every one To us for prisoners , and the souldiers they Must only with their lives escape away : Their horses , armes , and money was to be Disposed of to be our souldiers see . But crafty Machivilians , they had gone Knowing themselves vanquished and or'e come , And set their colours all of them on fire Belonging to both regiments entire : Rich fringe of gold , that lately compast round Romes gorgeous ensignes lay upon the ground ; Envying that our men should triumph or'e Them with those flags they flourisht with before . 'T was death to them poore envious men to see Their ruine made for our posterity . There their chiefest honour in the ashes lies , The rest our souldiers challeng'd for a prise . That morning all , till after noone were we Emploi'd in plundering of the enemy . There our dragoons , whose horses were so bad Got better steeds then many troopers had : Rich scarlet coats , and suites , and rockets , they That got in first , seiz'd on and tooke away : Fine Holland shirts , sheets , aprons , and such geare ( Which they had rob'd from Marleborough I feare ) Their curious beavers , felts , bands , silver , gold , And more then my small knowledge can unfold : Brave slashing swords , and belts , and skarfes they got , Rings , Armes , Carbines , Boots , Pistols , ( and what not ? ) This heat being past , our men went up and downe To plunder base malignants in the Towne . Then Meteers , Drapers shops , went all to wracke . That at our entrance sought to keepe us backe ; Or that conceiv'd the smallest discontent , Against the vote for King and Parliament . ( I wish the Souldiers in their blundering zeale , Wrong'd not our owne poore suffering Common weale . ) Th'houses of Deanes , and Prebends suffered much , Who ever scap'd , they surely got a touch : There many blacke coats got a desperate f●ll , But chiefly those , men stil'd Canonicall : They made such worke with them , and with their wive● , That some were almost weary of their lives . Borrow'd so many mourning cloakes , suits , gownes , And petticoats , that halfe a dozen townes Doe hardly so much cloath and silkes afford , To furnish them , as they before were stor'd . Whilst yet Revenge was reeking hot , before Their hands were cold , and heat of bloud was o're , They sound the Minster our , ( with much adoe , Such strange Meanders doe belong thereto . ) A stately thing it is , and beautifi'd With many curious S●atues too besi●e . The Pope himselfe before this time had ne're So many superstitious Rites as there . But now th' are so demolisht in that Towne , That now , if ever ; Popery go●s downe . Into the great Sanctorum enter'd they Where hallow'd things , unseene this many a day ▪ They to the publicke view discovered , And made as common as th'In-keepers bed . Th'Organs uncas'd , that every one might see Whence they deriv'd so sweet an harmony . So well they lik'd them , that they did presume Each man to take a Pipe , and play his tune . This was lik'd best : before they would not goe Without a man to tune , and one to blow . But now each man may play his part at large , Well forecasted , and save the Towne the charge . Then to the Vestry orderly they goe , Where they presented were with such a show Of brave lac'd Surplices , Hoods , Tippets , Plate , And prick-song bookes , that 't would a man amate To see the sight : Cushions embroydered rich , With many a costly ceremonious stitch . They seize on all they light on , and divide This Microcosme of rich Cathedrall pride . Nor are they so content : but vex'd to see Their superstitious Shrines , runne presently , Cut , slash , and hew them , face , legs , feet , and hands , There Westons ( now deformed ) Statue stands . The Churchmen by this meanes are all undone , In their old course they cannot now goe on . The Singing man is broke : he mournes and grieves : What , Surplice too ? ah sacrilegious theeves . They must performe their office peece-meale now , Not with their musicke , as they us'd to doe . O sad distressed times ! their tone is lost , Their vestments stolne ; never were men so crost . Their Temple is perpetually disgrac'd , And all the Reliques of their Saints defac'd . The oldest man alive did never see A peece of Church worke done so suddenly . Had but old Pauls beene edifi'd so soone , 'T had never cost so much as now 't hath done . And that which many have , and will bestow So ill on that , would pay poore Souldiers now . Thus Winchester was taken , and those Frogs And poys'nous vermin , haunting in those bogs , Left shelterlesse ; their fortunes worne so slender , Small hopes they have there any more to gender . Thus two proud Regiments , then which the King None better had accouter'd , did we bring Into subjection : thirteene Companies Accommodated well : a kingly prize , If well dispos'd of . Yea great Grandison Himselfe we tooke , though he were quickly gone . Thanke some discreet Commanders , that h●ve wit Enough , but use it when themselves thinke fit , For their owne private gaine : though they undoe Whole Cities , Armies , Countries , Kingdomes too . Where e're the treason lyes , I hope t' will be Knowne , to their cost in the discovery . Had he beene guarded as a pris'ner should , And hors'd accordingly , though then he would Have given a kingdome for his liberty , He had not scap'd our watchfull Souldiery . How quickly would our Warres come to an end , Would all our Army their affections bend To truth and valour ? But so many lewd , Perfidious spirits commonly entrude On such designes ; so many , that no care Which way they take , nor on whose side they are . So that they get their pay , or come in favour , Or plunder Countrimen of what they labour , And toyle extremely for : and underneath That visard of Malignants , can bereave Poore men of all their goods : and if they are Question'd , make answer , 't is Malignants ware . Which custome causes many to neglect , The publicke good , for their owne selfe-respect , And some Commanders , ( or they are bely'd ) Have done some things not to be justifi'd . They sleight the service : and when they should be Employ'd in routing of the enemy , Th' are at their Wine , or Dice , or anywhere , So they can shift it off , and not be there : Onely to spin out time , because they would Faine have the War prolonged , if they could . That so the publick stocke might fill their purse . They 'le have enough on 't one day with a curse . And some of them I 'm sure , have shew'd such tricks That they have beene in pay full twenty Weeks , Yet ne're were in a skirmish : how can they ( I wonder ) have the conscience to take pay , And doe no good , but hurt , burthen the State , Live on the spoile , sweare , domineere and prate ? And looke what mischiefe e're the Souldiers doe , They wink at , and them countenance thereto . Were this well look'd to , and Commanders checkt For their too much remisnesse , and neglect , And forc'd to ply their businesse , or give o're Their places , and befoole the State no more . Were every Master well examin'd too , That Captaines might not shuffle as they doe , Nor use such close and base Legerdumaine , Cheating the State for their own private gaine , The publick charge would be the lesse , and we . Might sooner vanquish the proud enemy . Then might our hopes be greater ; we might then So much the sooner expect peace agen . Heaven then would blesse our actions , yea and crown Our goings forth , with glory and renown . And when these wars are finisht , and 〈◊〉 cease , Deck us with Laurell , and confirm our peace . FINIS .