The present surveigh of London and Englands state Containing a topographicall description of all the particular forts, redoubts, breast-works, and trenches newly erected round about the citie on both sides of the river, with the severall fortifications thereof. And a perfect relation of some fatall accidents, and other disasters, which fell out in the city and countrey, during the Authors abode there. Intermingled also with certaine severall observations worthie of light and memorie. By William Lithgow. Lithgow, William, 1582-1645? This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A48714 of text R220129 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing L2543). 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. 47 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 12 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A48714 Wing L2543 ESTC R220129 99831557 99831557 36020 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. A48714) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 36020) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2050:32) The present surveigh of London and Englands state Containing a topographicall description of all the particular forts, redoubts, breast-works, and trenches newly erected round about the citie on both sides of the river, with the severall fortifications thereof. And a perfect relation of some fatall accidents, and other disasters, which fell out in the city and countrey, during the Authors abode there. Intermingled also with certaine severall observations worthie of light and memorie. By William Lithgow. Lithgow, William, 1582-1645? [24] p. printed by J.O., London : 1643. Signatures: A-C⁴. Imperfect; pages stained with some loss of text. Reproduction of the original in the Aberdeen University Library. eng Travelers' writings, English -- Early works to 1800. A48714 R220129 (Wing L2543). civilwar no The present surveigh of London and Englands state. Containing a topographicall description of all the particular forts, redoubts, breast-wor Lithgow, William 1643 8677 15 0 0 0 0 0 17 C The rate of 17 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2003-03 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-04 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-05 John Latta Sampled and proofread 2003-05 John Latta Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-06 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE PRESENT SVRVEIGH OF LONDON AND ENGLANDS STATE . Containing A Topographicall description of all the particular Forts , Redoubts , Breast-works , and Trenches newly erected round about the Citie on both sides of the River , with the severall Fortifications thereof . And a perfect relation of some fatall accidents , and other disasters , which fell out in the City and Countrey , during the Authors abode there . Intermingled also with certaine severall Observations worthie of light and memorie . By William Lithgow . London , Printed by I. O. 1643. The present Surveigh of London , and Englands State . AFter long fourtie yeares wandring since my first launching abroad to surveigh the spacious bounds and tertiat face of the ancient world ; besides my daily fastidious and now frequent p●edestriat progresses at home , and in neighbour Regions about ; and being fallen in the rotten bosome of declyning age , the sun being set on the winter day of mine elabourat time , and that time past three score years : yet now I say for diverse serious respects ▪ in this instant year , 1643. April 24. it was my resolution to imbarke at Preston Pannes with sundrie passengers bound for London : Where weighing Ankers , and hoysing saile , with roome winds and fair weather , we coasted along the Brittannian shoare . In all which deserted way betweene Forth and Gravesend wee found onely three ships , two Scots-men and a Noruegian , and one of the royall Whelps lying at Anker in AErmouth road , which made the sea resemble a wildernesse , and the devasted shoare the comfortlesse sight of a desolate land . Where never heretofore ( winter excepted ) these Tritonian bounds were seen ( reciprocally taken ) without 2000 saile , recoursing that sandie and shelfy marine But the estate and affaires of this world are ever ranging , ever changing , never constant ; which made Solon tell Craesus that man should never reckon on the felicity of this life , because there might be a mutability of fortune ere death . The like may I now say of deplorable Germanie , lately the mother soyle of Europe , yea , and the glorie of the whole Universe , that never in these dayes of antiquitie could Chaldea , Chelfania , Assyria , and Mesopotamia , the foure principall pastures for the first Creation , compare with that almost invincible Empyre for Princes , Potentates , Nobilitie , Imperiall Cities , Gentrie , Merchants , and rich Bowres ; no , no , for it was the superabounding fulnesse of men , money and might ; and indeed nothing inferior ( the fall of Adam reserved ) to the first orientall Paradise . And yet when the fulnesse of their pride , luxurie , gluttonie , and libidinous lusts , were sprung on high , and crying for Heavens all-commanding judgements , how soon with the sword , plague , and famine , were they thrown down upon the desperat rocks of grievous desolation . And who can tell ( it is now begun ) how soon the like punishment may fall upon this I le , the South part whereof being loaden with self love , vain glorie , the fatnesse of vices , ambitious pride , and a contemptible disdain of all nations , themselves excepted . So that their backs and bellies , like unto Castor and Pollux are become the loadstone of their flattering follies and pampering pleasures : That without some condigne correction they might easily ( in a manner ) forget the Creatour , and so the Creature : Spain in this chastisement may second Germany , France may resemble Spaine ; and I fear ere long ( which God evert ) England shall be left the last mourner of all ; bearing now ( as it were ) almost the very effigie of the distracted and combustible Kingdomes in this Europian tierce , upon the shoulders of her declining fortune . But now reverting to my purpose , the first news I heard at my disbarking , was the down-casting of the golden crosse in Cheapside , to the which with speed I approached , where I saw divers imagious relicts tumbling down in the bottomlesse pit of oblivion : upon the sequell day , May , 4. it was razed to the ground , and the foundation thereof made levell with the street , which was not done by tumult , but by order of Parliament . And now I will neither commend nor condemne the fact , but this far I dare say , whilst it stood , it was a monumentall ornament worthie of a royall Citie , and the beautifull object of admiration to all spectatours and strangers . But indeed some idolatrous Papists made it ( in going by ) the Sanctuarie of their superstition , making homage to it , and crossing their now crossed breasts , have left the golden crosse to fall down like Dagon at the feet of a happie begun reformation . So the third day thereafter , they caused take downe all the new and old crosses standing on Churches , and steeple tops ; and notwithstanding whereof , I still carry six crosses on my arme , and the seventh crosse still followeth mee against my will , which the world may help , and I cannot prevent . Next upon Weddinsday ensuing May 10. by order of Parliament , I saw at noone day two great heaps of books burned , both where the golden crosse formerly stood , and before the Royall Exchange : Which books had been compyled by the Popish prelaticall faction , for tollerating on the Sabboth day , sportings , pastimes , prophane playes , and so consequently all sorts of labour , ( as the Papists do at this day in the Popes own patrimoniall lands ) prohibiting afternoone sermons , and commanding the erection of Altars and homages therto ; which was done for the introduction of the Masse , and other infinite pendicles of Poperie . And now truely I never saw London these fourtie yeares past so populous as now it is ▪ only there is a general muttering that money is hard to come by , and that is , because all kinde of trades and trading begin to decay , and they who have money keep it close , for common imployments are lately metamorphosed in flying collours , toucking of Drummes , inveloping scarffs , and Pandedalian Feathers , wherein they have more pleasure than profite : And yet it best agrees with the peoples nature , who delight mainly in publick showes and frivole ostentations . Indeed for victuals they have abundance , and plenty of all things , and at an easie rate , and want for nothing as yet save onely peace . But it may truly be feared , that if these their generall combustions draw to a Winter leaguer , that both the City and Kingdome shall smart for it : And why ? because both the great armies , and also the pettie armies in every County do so sack and spoil the grounds of horses , bestiall , grasse , corne , and haye , a●● also pitifully plunder the people of moneys , victuals , and domestick furniture , that the continuing of it in a short time shall ruine all . And now to begin with the Cities insides , before I come to its outsides , and fortifications , I found the River from Ratcliffe upwards , full of Merchant ships , and they lying two and two , and side to side , with a pretty distance from couple to couple , resembled as though they had been to make a sea fight : But indeed they ly at their guard and are well provided . The first lamentation their tongues offered me here was the dearth and scarcity of coals , & notwithstanding of the daily relief they get from Scotland yet they are loath to part with money , and in a wringing way , and grudging at their infranchized lot , heavily bewaile the losse of their advantagious Tyne . I confesse their weekly taxes are great levyed to maintain the Parliaments armie , besides many other burthens that daily depend upon their purses : And for all this ( besids the monthly contributions of the nine circumjacent counties ) the Armies pay fals daily short , and they can neither march nor fight for lack of moneyes , the want whereof being the main and chiefest cause of their slow proceedings . Which weekly collections , according to that multipotent place , and the Country about is truely supposed to amount ( per annum ) to three millions of money . But how it is disposed , either by the hands of corruption , or if reserved policy for future respects bee the maine restraint , I cease to discerne it , though many thousands daily gape for it . VVhich makes me call to minde , that when the last Constantine lost Constantinople , Mahomet the second , the great Turke found such store of gold and silver amongst the inhabitants , that he sighing , said , O! if the Christians had been as bountifull for their own defensive safety ▪ as they had substance to do it , all the power of the Scythian Ottomans had never been able to have dantoned their might . So peradventure the like ( as God forbid ) may be said of London if it should fall out so ; then would these rotten Money-mongers lurking within her bowels bee left the miserable ●nd mourning spectators ( as the Greeks were ) upon their own Idolatrized coyne . For the long delicacie of doting peace and pleasure so effeminates the world , that they beginne to spurne at trouble before distresse appear , which sensualitie begets , and disdainfull pride would contemne , and yet cannot prevent what the heavens determine . Now for a generall view , the Citie hath many courts du guard with new barrocaded posts , and they strongly girded with great chaines of yron ; and all the opening passages at street ends for the fields and road wayes are in like manner made defensive , and strictly watched : The sides of the river , as at Billinsgate , and other places have also Courts du guard , and they nightly guarded with companies of the Traind Bands : which number being of six old Regiments , and they six thousand men , are now doubled with six new Regiments , which maketh up twelve thousands in all . Beyond the River in the borrough of Southwark is the self same discipline observed , and all under the command of the Citie . So is Westminster , the Strand , and all the liberties thereof , now taken in under the custodie of London : and their Traind Bands there , I mean of Westminster are not be trusted with neither Parliament nor Citie ; so that the quotidian guard of the Parliament come daily out of London : where they are placed in two courts of Guard , the one before the Hall in the Palace Court near to the water staires , the other Court du Guard standeth in the Parliament yard , where the Peers ascend and descend from the upper House . Both Houses of Peeres and Commons having double Centinels with Picke and Musquet at the entrie of their sitting places , remaine there ay as long as the Parliamentariat bodies remaine : The number of the upper-house amounteth to twenty six Noblemen , besides eight others at sea and land service , the lower house by a just computation of the Clark and given to me in Print , amount to two hundred and twelve Knights , and Commissioners , besides the deserted persons of both Houses , and some of them lately returned . And what shall I say , I found the Street-enravelld Court before White hall gate , guarded also with a Court du Guard , a noveltie beyond novelties , and what was more rarer , I found the g●●●●● growing deep in the royall Courts of the Kings House , which i●●deed was a lamentable sight . And in that sight I rancountere● there abouts with George Withers my fellow Poet , and once my fellow-prisoner , where digesting some discourses ( for he is now a Captain of a Horse Troupe ) he told me that he had been plundered at Michalmes last by some of the Kings forces in Surray , for there he hath a wife and residence , where being civilizd , his Poetick mansion met with uncivill fellowes , I would say Malignants . And here I may not forget the false and lying aspersions laid upon Scotland lately by two English authors , the one work , named the plain English , where his perjuriat falshood averres , that 〈◊〉 hold and enjoy our present peace and safety , of some of their Peeres in England ; when contrariwise they hold their Parliament and present libertie of Scotland , and our invincible armie which procured it . The other worke intituled , The subjects liberty , will have Scotland at the first but a Dukedoome and in subjection to England ; see how these damnable villaines can coine & invent ( an they please ) such base absurdities , and yet go free unpunished And why ? because they have from ancient and preteriat times , a generall and natural malignitie against our Nation , which neither can nor will be extermined till the day of doome ; for it runneth in a successive line , as the Conduit from the fountaine ingorgeth the Pond . I would speak more freely here , and that justly , but that I do not love to be accounted for a Malignant , whilst there are too many already of that sycophantick kinde in both Kingdomes ; and so I proceed in a fair way . The daily musters and showes of all sorts of Londoners here , were wondrous commendable in marching to the fields and out-works ; ( as Merchants , Silk-men , Macers , Shopkeepers , &c. ) with great alacritie , carrying on their shoulders yron Mattocks , and wooden shovels , with roaring Drummes , flying collours , and gurded swords ; most companies being also interlarded with Ladies , women , and girles : two and two carrying baskets for to advance the labour , where divers wrought till they fell sick of their pains . All the trades and whole inhabitants ( the I●sey Courts excepted ) within the City , Liberties , Suburbs , and circumjacent dependencies went day about to all quarters for the erection of their Forts and Trenches : and this hath continued these foure months past , the half of which time I was a spectator to their laborious toyle , as after you shall hear . The greatest company which I observed to march out , according to their turnes were the Taylours , carrying fourtie six collours , and seconded with eight thousand lusty men : The next in greatnesse of number , were the Watermen , amounting to seven thousand Tuggers , carrying thirty seven collours : The Shoe-makers were five thousand and oddes carrying twenty nine collors ; and indeed the gentle craft could never heretofore have mustered so many here since Crispus and Crispianus , the two supposed Princes , their Patrones , forsook the Trade . Neither in this Catologue dare I forget the Porters that marched forth one day toward Tayburne fields , carrying twentie three collours , being three thousand white shirts : And ( verbi gratia ) upon that same day , a thousand Oyster wives advanced from Billinsgate through Cheapside to Crabtree field all alone , with drummes and flying collours , and in a civil manner , their goddess Bellona leading them in a martiall way . The next day following May 17 , the Feltmakers , Fishmongers , and Coupers , marched three severall wayes to three sundrie fields , carrying twenty four collours , had their number amounted to three thousand and odds . And now to shun prolixitie , let the ingenious Reader judge , what number of numbers would these sequel Trades be , as Goldsmiths , Ferriers , Bakers , Bruers , Butchers , Cooks , Candlemakers , Smiths , Cutlers , Carpenters , Shipwrights , Joyners , Boxmakers , Wheelewrights , Turners , Carmers , and foure thousand Weavers , Braziers , Dyers , Imbrouderers , Horologiers , Watchmakers , Engravers , Tinkers , Haberdashers , Feathermakers , Clothiers , Tanners , Curriers , Glovers , Spurriers , Painters , Printers , Stationers , Bookbinders , Gunmakers , Glaziers , Masons , Tecturers , Brickmakers , Plumbers , Vpholsters , Combemakers , Girdlers , Coblers , Chimney-sweepers , Jackfarmers , with many moe that I can not recollect . Which indeed ( as they are of a marvellous great number ) so it was a delicat observation , to consider and remarke the indefatigable multitude and strength of the City , never heretofore practised nor exercised . The computation whereof may sincirly amount to an hundred thousand able men , not reckoning any above fifty years of age , although the latter number would far exceed the former . And now closing this preceeding passage , behold the superstitious Holy dayes in the City , and Countrey , are not as hitherto abolished ; Neither have they a seeming purpose to abandon them , because they are the baits of prophane pleasures , and vitious wantonnesse , which their gadding inclinations love rather to follow than forsake . Neither is their Service Book exterminated , but in an ambiguous way some Churches professing it , and other some disallowing it ; I will not here expostulate between the mean and the manner , but surely there is a great wisedome visibly seene in the generall councell , that will not enforce a sudden alteration upon the People , till weightier matters be first settled , lest the one half should devoure the other , and the common estate of the Common-weal be miserably ramversed , for as the Italian saith , china Piano ua sano , so say we , that soft fire makes sweet malt : Even so the prudent proceeding of provident policie must with a multitude dallie , as the Fisherman doth with a hooked Salmond , le ts him strugle in the streame a while , and then softly steales him to the land , where he is catchd and dispatchd . And now the nature of man would ever either hear or see novelties , and here a speciall one ; the Tower of London from long antiquitie , wont ever to guard the City as the Eagle keeps her yong ones from the Griffon ) but now the citie guards day and night the Tower , lest Bishop Laud , and Bishop Wren should leap out through the iron windowes to swim on Thames , and that Euripus to swallow them down , which should be a great pitie , if the Popes indulgences could prevent it : And now I recall at my first coming here , it was agitate in Parliament , to send these two ghostly fathers to new England , that the great Ocean before their arrivall there , might purget hem ( like to purgatorie ) of all the corruptions and perfidious knaveries they had done in England , with many others these twenty five yeares : This resolution was relented , which many a heart lamented : but it may be against the next spring , they will either make saile or hing . The Citie now hath fourteen horse Troupes , that scoute the high wayes , both day and night , and ride the round nightly twice about the foot squadrons , where so their Centinels are set at watch , and themselves to stand on guard , for this is the militarie way of Mars . And now coming to my maine purpose , I wish the Reader hold but conceive , as my pen shal let him see , the fairest encompassed city in all Europe , which my pedestriall march in twelve hours time painfully performed . And thus , three dayes before my departure thence , I approached to make the toure round about , and descending to the lower end of Wappine , there I beganne my circuit . Then here close by the houses and the River Thames , I found a seven angled Fort , erected of turffe , sand , watles , and earthen worke , ( as all the rest are composed of the like ) having aine Port holes , and as many cannons ; and neare the top round about pallosaded with sharpe wooden stakes sixt in the bulwarkes right out , and a foot distant from another , which are defensive for suddain scalets , and single ditchd below , with a Court du guard within . Advancing thence along the trench dyke ( for all the Trenches are deep ditched about ) vvhich runneth through Wappine Fields , to the further end of Whitechappell , a great vvay vvithout Aldgate , and on the road vvay to Essex , I savv a nine angled Fort , only pallosaded and single ditched , and planted vvith seven pieces of brazen Ordonance , and a Court du guard , composd of timber , and thatch'd vvith tyle stone , as all the rest are : VVhere tovvards Myle-end green I beheld there tvvo pertie Forts or Redoubts , each of them vvith three Ports and they Cannoned , stand vvithin an intrenched closure , having five courts du guard , that secure the passage vvay : From White chappell Fort Northvvestvvard , I trenched along the Trenches to Shoarditch Fort , standing mainly quadrangled , single pallosaded , and single ditched , carrying on three corners of the four , eight Demicanons and a royall court du guard within : And without which and at Kingsland ( being the old post way for Scotland ) there stands two earthen Rampires , with two Courts du guard . Thence returned ; I followed along the champaine breastworkes to Hogston , where I found a quadrat Fort , well pallosaded and planted with five Cannons at the two field corners : The strength is double ditched , and betweene the two it is strongly barrocaded , with wooden stakes , everie stake neare the top being fenced with three iron hookes of a span long . Thence I marched through Fineberry fields along the Trench ( enclosing there Moorefields ) and came to Mount-milhill , Fort , ( for all the Forts about are blank and blanke in sight of other ) where being arryved I found it standing on the high way near to the Red Bull : This is a large and singular fortification , having a Fort above and within a Fort , the lowest consisting of five angles , two whereof towards the fields , are each of them thrice ported , having as many great Cannon , with a flanking piece from a hid corner : The upper Fort standing circular is furnished with eleven pieces of Cannon reall , which command all the rest , and upon the bosome top of all standeth a Windmill . The lower bulwarks , are first pallosaded round about , and near their tops , and then in the middle flank between the two ditches strongly barrocaded , beside two Countercarps , and three Redoubts of lesser importance , yet all defensive . This is one of the chief Forts about the city and first erected . Thence footing along the Trench dyke ( which is three yards thick , and on the ditch side twice as high ) I courted Islington , at the lower end whereof I found a strong and large strength , called Waterfield Fort , having within two utter workes a circularie Mount , stored with nine great pieces of artillerie , and on the point of a Countercarp three pieces more : there I saw the longest Court du guard ) being longer then two ordinarie Churches ) that I have seen as yet . A little further ( about ten paire buts ) I appoached to Islington hill , where there is erected a most rare & admirable Fortification , called Strawes Fort , but now Fort Royall . It hath eight angles , and a spacious interlarding distance , between each of the cornerd bulwarks : This Fort is marvellous perspicuous and prospective both for City and countrey , commanding all the other inferiour fortifications , near and about that part of the enclining grounds . The Northeast cornerd Bulwark is double altified above the rest of the vvorke , carrying on the tvvo sides thereof six Cannon Royall ; and the tvvo South and West corners are mutually charged on each of them , with two half Culverins of Brasse ; and the East promontoriat corner adorned with three whole Cannon . The altified bulvvark is tvvice pallosaded , and at the root of the vvork ansvverable to the top of the inmost ditch , it is strongly barrocaded ; the middle place betvveen the two ditches is enravelled all about vvith lovv vvooden Stakes , and long pikes of throvvne pointed iron , and vvithout all vvhich vvorks there is a breastvvork cast up , and made defensive either for the first assault , or for the second invasion . Descending thence to Holburne fields I accoasted a strength , named , Pinder of Wakfields Fort , being onely quadrangled , pallosaded , and single ditched , and enstalled vvith five great Ordonance and a Court du guard . Abandoning the place and shoaring along the Trench a little further to Longfield , I presently rancountred vvith North Hampton Fort , consisting of tvvo divided quadrangled bulvvarks , and each of them garnished vvith foure Demiculverins of brasse ; the interveening distance fortified , the tvvo former bodies are pallosaded , double ditched , and the middle division vvherof , barrocaded vvith stakes a yard high , and each of them hooked with three counterthwarting pikes of iron : Whence conducted along with the Trenches through S. Geilles fields , I arryved at Crabtree fort , in Crabtree fields , standing in a quadrangle , and loaden with six Culverines of brasse , placed on the two field corners , defying the Malignants or what assailants may there encroach : The fort is pallosaded above , doubleditched below , and barrocaded in the middle division , with thick standing stakes and they conterbanded with thwarting iron pyks and a stately court duguard within : Leaving this and marching along the circulary line , it grieved me to see so many rich grounds of grasse utterly spoyled with 〈◊〉 erection of these works , insomuch that horse and cattell certaynels will come short of their food there for seven years and the owners thereof must fall pitty fully short of their yearly profits , for where trouble is , then cometh misery Having left the aforsaid fort , I saluted the banqueting house fortresse , composed of two forts upon Tayburne way and Maribone fields : Here I found both the forts answerable to other , the way only divyding them , and they both , pallosaded , double ditchd , and barrocaded with iron pyks ; the one cled with eight demicanon , and the other fensed with foure semiculverines of iron ; both wondrous defensible . A little advanced from this Tayburnian passage , I insulted upon Sergeants fort , composed mainly of foure angles , a court du guard five piece of ordonance and fortifyed in all things , just like to the former : departing thence , I shortly encroached upon Head Park-corner fort , which is a maine great strength , having one fort above , and within another , and the third fort closing the road way standeth breasting the other two : The upmost inveloped fort , overtopping the other two ; is garnishd with eight cannon reall and on the inferiour bulwark northward , being a second part of the forts maine body , there bee intrusted there five brazen half-cannons more ; and before it towards the fields a breasting Countercarp : The third dependant fort standeth enstald with six demie culverines , amounting to ninteen of all : This great fortification , is but only pallosaded and single ditched , yet wonderfull strong and of great bounds : all the three having seventeen angles . And this this is the west most fortification enclosing the park , the fields , the large mansion , and other enlargements belonging to S. James his liberty . Thence drayning along a devalling Trench through Milkfield toward Tuttle fields , I rancontred with two half moon workes ; some ten paire buttes distant , both of them pallosaded , barrocaded with irne picks , and each of them planted with three demie cannon of brasse : Both these works stand sighting Chelsay : Whence breasting along the breastworkes I happily imbraced Tutlefield fort , my familiar ground of old acquaintance . This fortresse is composed of nyne angles being pallosaded , and only double ditched , and surcharged at the fouth and west corners with six pieces of ordonance and a court du guard . Here is an end of Midlesex labour : from which posternall place , I courted the river syde , and crossed over to Lambethin Surray : In the head of which town westward , and close by the river , I visited the nyne-elmes for t , composed of foure angles , five ports , and five demiculverines being slenderly pallosaded and single ditched , for this fort and Tuttle fort stand opposite to other , the river only dividing them . Whence following my circulary progresse I enhaunced my desired view of Fauxhall fort , which indeed is a delicate large and defensive work being twice pallosaded ▪ once ditched , and bearing the burthen of fourteen Culverines . And hence transported amaine with a greedy desire to surveigh S. Georges fields , I found half way hither a singular Countercarp , and fortified , besides workmanship , with three half culverines ; and then I arryved at the fort royall in Georges field : Which indeed of all the works I have as yet made mention of , this is the only rarest and fairest , and contryved and reared after the moderne modell of an impregnant Citadale : Having foure large bulwarks , every one counterbanding another from flank to flank , and the foure interveining quarters are also interlaced with spacious and defensible midworks : The maine bosome of which , with the incumbent insides of the foure Promontories , may easily containe three thousand men the foure corners being destinated for twenty foure cannon reall . The exteriour works are not as yet accomplished ( although fast advancing ) but certainly they will bee perfyted after the Londonian forts as I have newly rehearsed ; Neither are the trenches done which are drawn a long thence to the top of Southwark called Nevington fort : The which is composed of two flanking Redoubts , divyding nine pieces of ordonance between them , having two courts du-guard , and backed with two Countercarps , infringing the road way passenger , till a condigne tryall of what are you what carry you and from whence came you bee demanded ; hence I continued my purpose to the top of Kentstreet and found there only a circulary rampire of smal importance fensed with a single ditch between two ditches , and enstald with five piece of ordonance , and so is the other at the back of Redre●● but more defensible then the other : yet they are both to be interlarded with redoubts , & countercarps , in the intrenched grounds . So here at Redreiff-fort , just opposite to Wapine for t , I finished the pilgrimagious toyle of a wearisome dayes journey , the circuit whereof on both sides the river amounteth to eighteen Kentishmyles . From which I may say , that London was never truly London till now , for now she sits like a noble lady upon a royall thron , securing all her encroaching pendicles under the wings of a motherly protection ; yet these limites were never heretofore granted till the Parliament for their better safety , confirmed this construction ; that ( Grand-Cayro excepted ) I have not seen a larger inveloped compasse within the whole universe . By which computation I apprehend that this circuit comprehends above five hundred thousand dwelling houses , and in them large three millions of soules , that me thinkes he were a happy Prince , that could bee but only King of such a city , as London now sits intrenched though hee had no moe Provinces besides . And now the maine number of all these circulating fortresses ( besides redoubtes , countercarps and halfmoon-workes along the trenches ) amount to twenty foure forts in all ; & upon them planted and resetled two hundred and twelve pieces of Cannon , which indeed is a mighty and tremenduous sight , where Vulcan and Bellona mean to make a bloody match if the esurious Assailants should come in a tragicall inconsiderable way , to surpryse the virginitie of these new and now almost finished Fortifications . Which indeed have been verie chargeable to the City , and daily will bee more , for all the Port holes are soled and syded with timber , the Plat formes where the Cannons ly , are laid with strong oaken planks ; all the Ordonance are mounted upon new wheeles , besides the pallosading and barrocading of them without , with yron workes , and other engynes . And now sorest in the daily maintaining of Commanders and forces into them , with ammunition and all things necessarie both for the Forts and Souldiers . But it is no matter , let Guilth'all pay for all , for there lyeth the Treasure and weekly collections of the Citie , which amounteth to twelve thousand pound sterling a week , besides the Countrey about : and moreover , the customes , the Royall rents , the Episcopall revenues , the plundring of Malignants , and all lye there : where there are sitting a daily Committee appointed by the Parliament and City , who have the disposing of all , as they think sitting ▪ notwithstanding they must returne their accounts to both the Houses . And now in discoursing of these Forts , I have beene somewhat prolixious , not usuall in my former styles , but done of purpose , that the Reader may conceive by Paper , which I have known by occular experience , and so I proceed . Now to observe in these following consequences my former condition , I will bee as indifferent as these relenting times may suffer me ; and thus I begin : The chiefest conflicts and accidents , which actually fell out in my being here , were onely three ▪ The first was the intaking of Redding by Generall Essex , and that repulsing skirmish fought at Cussan bridge , the royall Patriot of the Countrey being there in person : for surrendring of which towne , Colonell Fielding then governour thereof , was lately condemned by a Councell of war held at Oxford , to bee shot dead at a post . The second accidentall blow May 12. was that conflict in Cornwall , where sir Ralph Hapton prevailed against some of the Earle of Stamfords forces , he being for the time in Exceter , and had left five traind bands of that County , to second his intrenched Brigad , which when Hampton fell on , they fled , and left Stamfords forces to finde the sweet and smart of life and death from the adversarie , some taken , and some dispatchd , and yet Stamford was equall with that defeat the day following . Hapton was and is for his Majestie , and Lord Stamford for the Parliament . The third and most remarkable of all , was that prevalent victorie , May 20. which the Lord Fairfax son obtained at Wakfield in Yorkshyre , against Colonell Gowring and his forces , being a part of the Queenes armie led under Generall King , a conjunc● with the L Newcastle , where Fairfax put to flight and rout the whole Brigad , taking Colonel Gowring prisoner with twenty five pryme officers , and fifteene hundred common Souldiers , so that none escaped save some fevv horse troupes , and a fevv of them slain : for the vvhich auspicuous happinesse , there vvas solemne thanks given to God through all the Churches in London May 28 being sunday , and this gratefull celebration was ordered by the Parliament to be done . Colonel Gowring , and a Lieutenant Colonell , with some serjant Majors and speciall Captaines , were sent to Sir Iohn Hottam governnour of Hull to be enterained there as captives , because they love powder so well , there is a great Magazin standing there , where I leave them to smart , till they finde a better heart : But by your leave , Gowring was once taken afore by the Parliaments forces , and thereafter swore at his enlargement never to carry armes any more against them ; but now what the councell of war will modifie I know not , let mercy or the martial law decyde it . Neither will I meddle here with that promiscuous battell fought at Edgehill or Keynton , where both the armies left other without either flight or following : nor will I report of that unhappy busines of Brandford ( though in the end it proved happie for London ) because they do carry a reflection to a greater eminency , than my pen dare to contend with . And indeed all the Counties of England ( except the five confederat Counties , and Kent that are ( and many moe ) for the great Councell ) are in a combustion , some for the Papists , some for the Parliament , and all for the King : But understand me better , and be not misled , take not this generall uproare ( as I may say ) to bee between our gracious King and his loving Subjects ; No , no , The quarrell dependeth only and absolutely betweene the Papists and Protestants ; for either must the Gospel prevail with us , else their Idolatrie shall overtrample all ; and therefore looke to it who may , for here is the main matter . And yet observe more , policie was wont to depend upon prudencie and providence , vertue being the sole foundation of both : but now it dependeth upon perjury and falshood , perfidious dissimulation being the ground-worke of its deceitfulnesse ; and a sophisticall habit , the sycophantick boldnesse of its brazen face : Great God amend it , else speedilie mend it , for this distracted Ile is over burdened with the filthie contagion of its forsworne falsities ; and honesty and honour miserably misregarded . Neither may I forget that hard and unkindly usage that some of my country gallants have got there , being about an hundred and fifty of them ; all officers and souldiers of fortune ; And all and most of them being enroll'd , some have attended ten months , some longer , some lesser time , and yet can neither get imployment , pay , nor passe from the Parliament , to their great undoing and losse of time . But indeed at their first going to the field ( not they ) but some other speciall Commanders were held in great estimation , but as soone as the English begun to learn the militarie art of discipline from our Scots Cavaliers , they begun to contemne them , and wring them out piece and piece from their imployments and charge . I will not herein particularize any more , ( although duety commandeth me ) least I be found refractary , to that quiet & happy looked for association . But indeed their contemptible ambition , cannot away with our generous Countrey-men any longer , than they have reacquisted their owne ends . And now some of their flattering Ruffians , begin to direct their souldiers with lectorall lessons , as doting Phormio , would have taught Hanniball to fight , & forgetting the true discipline , would put all upon ignorant practise . So now I call to minde about Whitsontide last , there was such an exclamation against the Scots for a weeks time as was pittyfull to hear , tearming us ( commonly and disdainfully ) false Scots : with many other incompatible execrations ; And those their calumnies and despight arose from an imployment sent from Chester to York , the effect wee know , the event is not finished , but this I may say since that imploring missive was published here in Print , the name of a Scot is growne so odious amongst Londoners , as the name of Satan is to the soule of a Sainct . Yet they are still longing and praying for our help . But wishing and woulding ( we say ) makes poore housholding : Nay , their tongues challenge our assistance by way of obligation , affirming that we first begun it and therefore should help to end it ; To whom I often answered , that this combustion came first from them , and now it is returned again in their own bosome . And Scotland hath done for them ( said I ) which they could not do for themselves which you all acknowledge and yet are ingratefull ; And besides the great summes of moneys resting indebted by their publict faith to our Nation , for that friendly aide , yet our Kingdome keeps now an army in Ireland to danton these bloudy Rebels , set against your peace , and our profession ; and as yet they have received no acknowledgement from your Parliament therefore ; And said I cast away your ceremonies your holy daies , superstitious rites , your Romish letanie , your dregs of Popery , and upbraiding of our cavaliers , and then will Scotland prove a true Sister to England ; which if not , why should they go fight to maintaine your Fopperies , Many such expostulations had I with hundreds of them . The recitation whereof to avoide prolixitie I purposly omit . And notwithstanding whereof , yet the groaning and mourning people crave commisseration , for even now they are begun to collect a severall domestick contribution through London , and the now enclosed circumjacent parts thereof , for the regaining of coale again winter , and thus , Every house according to the chaulders they spend lesse or more yearly shall presently advance as much money ( to set forth a present navy and forces for recovering of Newcastle ) viz. twenty shillings sterling for the chaulder , and are to receive the coales ( when they get them ) at the same rate , which will draw to a marveilous masse of money since the meanest house will spend three or foure chaulder a year . So is there amongst the adventurers here , for the relief of Jreland another colection presently in hand and for defraying the charges of the Scottish army there . And many like burthens have the people lying upon their necks , besides the hebdomadall and domesticall pay of Essex army . The continuance of which , will utterly undo the poorer sort , and make the rich to grumble . And I may not thrust in oblivion here , the great sea navy weekly maintained by the Parliament and people , round about the coasts of England and Jreland , though to small purpose , yet to an infinite deale of charges , which indeed the commons must bear , the Parliament command , and the shoare loytering Lubbards consume . But now to returne to both armies at this instant June . 28. they are lying within foure myles of other , and near to Oxford , where selected troup partyes on both sides , now and then are snarling at other like unto Hircanian wolves , but seldome byte , unles it be with a flying farewell . The Parliaments army is 30 thousand strong , and daily grow stronger and stronger , both out of Kent , the city , and the confederat Countyes : The Kings army , but rather the Papists and Malignants forces , are nowayes answerable to their adversaries number , neither for pay , nor power . But I must confesse , they are both grievous plunderers of the commons wheresoever they come . Although the Parliaments army be daily and orderly payed ; which the other is not . And it is daily expected they shall shortly either fight or flee , or else do both ; where after which wee hope the Papists shall seize upon the mountaines of Wales for their refuge : For if it draw , ( as it is very likely ) to a locall and lingring war , the whole Kingdome shall be utterly spoyled , and undone before the next approaching yeare . As for their captives on both sides they are many , and left misregarded , neither will they interchange quality for quality with other , and our countreymen Sir William Ballantine , and Colonell Cocheran with divers others ly incarcerated in Windsore castle , under the Parliaments reverence ; so are also Colonell Connesby , Sir Villiam Crofts englishmen and many other Cavaleirs enthralld at Bristoll under the same reverence and condition ; besides Canterburryes house in Lambeth now filld full of the like stuffe , and honest doctor Lichton appointed for their keeper ; Which country-man of ours , was pittifully disfigured and demayned by the villanous tyrannicall despight of William Laud , who shortly is to undergo his tryals for his former treason , as the Parliament have newly declared . Observe here Gods providence , how Lichton , being but lately released from long imprisonment , is now put in Lauds house , and cruell Laud expuls'd from his princely mansion is now lying fast prisoner in the Towre ; being both Physicians , Lauds charge should have been for the soul , but indeed Lichton is a honester Physitian for the body , and a better Christian which crowneth all . And to engrosse here further discourse , Colonell Bruce is newly committed to prison , by the Parliament , and his goods that were imbarked for Scotland , are disbarked again and retained for the Parliaments use , till further tryall be had of his negotiating in Jreland these certaine yeares past , with the meer and barbarous Jrish , and upon what authority he went there so often . About this time , June 23. Colonell Hurry made a start to Oxford , having just reason , considering diverse affronts he had received , and could not be righted neither by Committees nor Martiall law , which here I forbear to particularize . But we expect ere long he shall deservingly repay all : And why ? because there is nought can kill merit sooner than ingratitude , nor enforce a noble disposition to be longer indebted to a misregarding friend , than a just revenge commands expedition . And let me tell you that now presently the sea here and there is spotted with Dunkirker Frigots under the collour of Irish rogues , and Fammouth in Cornewall is become the mother Harlot of these bastard-begotten Brigants , being the chief place of their receptance and refuge . I will not touch here the condition nor manner how , because understanding may conceive it . And now the convention of some sound and learned Divines , is presently in hand , who were summond hither by Parliamentall power to sit and meet in Westminster Palace for reforming of Religion , and in abolishing the former fopperies thereof ; and they are to continue there , during the indurance of Parliament ; being to be assisted with some Nobles , and members of the House of Commons , for the better performance of their burdenable taske , where I leave them to a happie conclusion . Neither may I here obumbrate the memorie of this late designe , framed for the overthrow of Parliament and London : The discoverie and deliverie whereof was wonderfull , and yet the purpose far more cruel if it had taken effect : I will not further insist herein , since the Oracle of the lower House hath twice already most largely manifested the same , both under print and power . But this much I may avouch , that if that unnatural attempt had prevailed , then & there , had I doubtles suffered with the rest : For now as I live to Malaga a living Martyre , so then they had sacrifized me with London a dying Martyre . Yea , and the like designe , and that same time , was contrived against Bristol , whereupon there were two of the villaines hanged for their paines . There vvas a solemne thanksgiving to God through London , June 15 and the Countrey about for that happie day of their deliverance , and fourty six of their adversaries taken , and under tryall of the Martiall Law . And although every man wisheth and speaketh as he affects , yet have I indifferently ( like to the passenger sayling betvveene Scylla and Charibdis ) carryed my selfe to neither hand , but in a just vvay keeping a right course , least I should have offended the truth , and so have slaine the honesty of my good intention . For although it is impossible to give all parties content , yet I had rather please many as to offend any . And novv to close , Almighty God preserve aright , and sanctifie the royall heart of our dread Leige and governour : And novv good Lord , either in thy mercy convert the Papists , else in thy furie confound them , and turne their bloudy svvords back in their ovvn bosomes , that their devilish designes may never hence forth prevaile any more against thy Saints and choicelings ; and send us and all true beleevers , the life and light of peace and truth . Amen . FINIS .