THE LIFE and REIGN OF Our SOVEREIGN LORD KING CHARLES the TWO, In a compendious Chronicle relating both to his Majesty's Person and Affairs.  
With the chief Transactions of State in the Three Kingdoms from his Birth to this present.  
By a Lover of his Prince and Country.  
LONDON Printed by R. DANIEL for FRANCIS EGLESFIELD at the Marigold 〈◊〉 ●t Paul's Churchyard, 1660.   

To the Happy Preserver of his Sacred Majesty, the LADY JANE LANE.  
MADAM,  
THis small Volume humbly Offered to your Hand contains part of the Life and Reign of one of the Greatest Monarches in the World: The rest, 'tis hoped, as it will be the employment of a more elegant Pen, so it will not be accomplished till it afford a Chronicle of more years' Prosperities in these Nations than this is of Miseries. That I have presumed to dedicate it to your Ladyship, if I incur the censure of boldness, I am confident every one will commend the fitness of my Choice: Since nothing could be more proper then to entitle your Ladyship to the Relation of that Life, which, next under the Divine Providence, you were chief instrumental to preserve. To you, Madam, we own all that can be owed from Christians, Subjects, or Men, to any person upon Earth; by whose dangerous but ever memorable Fidelity we are at length restored to whatever is dear to us in those three capacities; and which is no small consideration, to the liberty of publishing the impartial truths (as far as the best Relations afforded) in this Book. Nor is the present Age only obliged to you, but your glory shall live upon Record, and your Name, (embalmea with praises) be preserved in the memory of thankful Posterity. In all which respects, I have thought it my duty both in testimony of my particular Loyalty & Gratitude to present this Piece to your Ladyship as the Person that has the greatest right to it, & withal publicly to acknowledge myself,  
MADAM, Your Ladyship's most devoted Servant and Eternal Honourer FR. EGLESFIELD.   

A true and accurate Relation of the LIFE and REIGN Of our Sovereign Lord and KING, CHARLES the II.  
KING Charles the first of that name, having soon after his coming to the Crown married Henrietta Maria youngest daughter of Henry the fourth, and sister of Lewis the thirteenth, Kings of France▪ was blessed with a Son on the twenty ninth day of May, one thousand, six hundred and thirty. Upon whose birth, as the King was going in solemn manner to the Church of S. Paul in London, to present his grateful devotions to God for his own and the Nations happiness, in receiving so eminent a Pledge of his favour, there was observed a new Star appearing in the time of midday; as if the Heavens seemed by an extraordinary Production to emulate the new splendour of the Earth The young Prince was baptised at S. James' on the twenty seventh of july next ensuing by the hand of Dr. Laud then bishop of London (Dr. Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury being rendered uncapable by an unhappy accident of shooting a man) and received his Father's name, Charles: his Godfathers were his two Uncles, Lewis the thirteenth, King of France, and Frederick King of Bohemia and Prince Elector Palatine of the Rhine; whose absence occasioning them to depute their substitutes, the late Duke Hamilton represented his Majesty of France, and the Duke of Richmond the King of Bohemia. His Godmother was Marta de Medicis, Queen dowager of France, represented by the Duchess of Richmond.  
It deserves our notice, that he was born the greatest Prince that ever these Nations knew; never any before him having been born heir apparent to the Crowns of England, Scotland, France and Ireland; which was intimated in the Silver coins made at the solemnity of his Baptism, on the reverse side whereof were the Arms of those four Kingdoms with this Motto, Hactenus Anglorum nulli.  
On the fourth day of November, one thousand, six hundred, thirty one, it pleased the Divine Providence to enlarge the Royal Family by the birth of a Daughter, the Lady Mary, who was afterwards (viz. 2. May 1641.) married to William of Nassau Prince of Orange, by whom she hath a posthume Son, named William: a Princess whose perfections qualified her for the bed of the greatest Potentate in Christendom, had not the interest of Religion been more considered in her match then amplitude of Territory or Title.  
By the blessing of Heaven upon the Royal bed, the King became father to another Son, the most illustrious and renowned james Duke of York, upon the thirteenth of October, in the year One thousand, six hundred, thirty three; he was solemnly baptised on S. James' day next following, and within a few days after created Duke of York; Title born by his Father, during the life of Prince Henry his elder brother.  
This Prince hath, though yet in his youth, so signalised himself by his valour in the Armies of the Kings of Spain and France, that I think this Age (nor perhaps any of old) cannot afford his parallel.  
His Majesty likewise had another Son brought forth to him by his Royal Consort upon the twentieth day of july 1640. who was Christened Henry, and created Duke of Gloucester: And a Daughter at Excester, during the Wars upon the sixteenth of june 1644. named after her Royal mother Henrietta Maria.  
This is the surviving Issue of our late Sovereign of blessed memory: And having thus briefly given an account of the Parentage and Birth of these Illustrious Princes, I shall proceed to represent the Life of Him who is particularly the Argument of this Relation, CHARLES Prince of Wales, now our Sovereign Lord King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, etc.  
The care of his Infancy was committed to the right honourable the Countess of Dorset, wife to the last Earl; till, after some years, having out-grown female conduct, the present Marquis of Newcastle was chosen by the King as a fit person to imbue his Youth with all the accomplishments requisite to greatness, and the Reverend Dr. Duppa Lord Bishop of Chichester and now of Salisbury, as one able to form his tender mind to true Religion and Virtue.  
Every year of his Childhood afforded new promises and hopes, and even in that age, which usually has not the advantage of discretion either totally to subdue or at least to dissemble the motions of passions, he expressed on all occasions an extraordinary goodness and sweetness of nature, seeming to have been born with that equal temper of mind, which few men render themselves capable of by the help of Philosophy and Religion. Nor were his inclinations to Virtue more remarkable than those he had to excellent and sol●d Arts, which the composedness of his Genius rendered more acceptable to him then the levity of the most exquisite divertisements.  
In the ninth year of his Age he happened to break his arm, and was very sickly, falling first into a Fever and shortly after into the Jaundice; but by the favour of the divine providence, he happily overcame his distempers, and afterwards attained a firmer health.  
When he came to sit in the House of Peers (1640▪) his first action in public affairs was the carrying the King's Letter to them, in favour of that noble but unfortunate Lord, the Earl of Strafford; the King hoping that when all other respects could not prevail upon them, at least the consideration of the dignity and goodness of this Royal Messenger might something move them to reflect upon the hard measure they had determined for him. But through the cruel fate of this brave man (or rather that of these three Kingdoms) the heat of I know not what strange zeal had made them so thirsty for his blood, that a day or two's respite of execution of the severest sentence that ever was given, was more than could be afforded to the desires of their King though presented by the hands of their Prince. This repulse he suffered, was certainly the beginning (if not the cause) of all his ensuing sufferings, and those of the Nation's too. For soon after happened that fatal misunderstanding between the King and the Parliament: which occasioning the King's withdrawing from London, he commanded the Prince to attend him first at Greenwich, then at Hampton-Court, then at Theobalds'; the incensed Parliament and City in the mean time regretting his escape out of their hands, having designed to make advantage of his person according as the contingency of their affairs should suggest to them. From thence with the Duke of York he accompanies his Father to New-market, and from thence into Yorkshire, where they all stood before the gates of Hull and were denied admission by Sir john Hotham, till at length the two Princely brothers were by his special favour permitted as children to see the Town.  
At York, the Northern Nobility and Gentry offering their service to his Majesty, received thanks for it, but were not made use of (for prevention of jealousy) till a greater danger induced the King to neglect his safety no longer, and accordingly he selected a company of gallant and loyal persons for his Life guard, which were commanded by the young Prince; His Majesty assuring them they should hazard their lives no further in defence of their Country's Laws and Liberties then himself; and that they should endanger themselves no farther for his person then his own dear Child.  
In this manner he accompanied the King from York to Newark in Nottinghamshire, and from thence to Lincoln, and Leicester, and back again into Yorkshire: in which progress the King endeavoured to satisfy the Counties he passed through, of the uprightness of his intentions for the good of the Nations, and evidenced to them the desperate courses the Parliament engaging in order to deprive him of the Royalty left him from his Predecessors, and this under pretence of Liberty and Religion. At his return into Yorkshire, the King informs the Gentlemen there of the Parliaments forwardness to a War, desires them to spare him some Arms, and to complete Prince Charles' Regiment for the guard of his person under the command of the Earl of Cumberland.  
Not long after, the King having gathered a considerable Army, was met between Kinton and Edge-hill in Warwickshire by that of the Parliament under the conduct of the Earl of Essex; There was the first considerable battle fought of our civil Wars. The Prince was then in the field, and the Honourable Earl of Lindsey (who was the King's General, and lost his life in the fight) looking upon him very attentively a little before the conjunction of the Armies. I know not by what Prophetical instinct uttered these words, there's a Child, born to end that War we now begin. Which how miraculously accomplished, we cannot but gratefully acknowledge; the civil Wars having continued ever since; the Army which had subdued the one Party, afterwards turning their swords upon those that first employed them, and the poor Nations being ruled by the sword, and always in a state of War, and groaning under the miseries inflicted on it by armed Oppressors.  
After this the King retired with the Prince to Oxford, and committed him to the Right Honourable the marquis of Hertford, then and still Chancellor of that University, who provided for him several worthy persons in the quality of Tutors for his instruction in all such languages and Sciences as were convenient for the accomplishment of a Prince. During his residence there it pleased God to visit him with the Measles, and that not without some danger of death, which by the Divine mercy and indulgence to these Nations he avoided, & is respited we hope for many years. Here he was very diligent in commendable studies intermixed with ingenious and innocent pleasures; and upon the King's summoning a Parliament thither, which convened the 22 of january 1644. himself with his noble Brother the Duke of York sat with the rest of the Nobility in the Upper Schools which were designed for the House of Lords (as the Convocation House was to the Commons) who were no inconsiderable number, there being present at that Assembly, besides these two young Princes, the Lord Keeper Littleton, the Lord Treasurer Cottington, the Duke of Richmond, the marquis of Hertford, nineteen Earls, three and twenty Barons, and a hundred and forty Knights and Gentlemen.  
The next year the Prince betakes himself into the field, being now about fifteen years old; his first course was Westward, where by his Majesty's Order he had attendants appointed him suitable to the grandeur and state of an heir to three Crowns; He set up a Royal Court, and chose out a Retinue at his own pleasure (the King though disapproving the action in a Letter to the Queen, yet admiring his discretion in the Election of them) scarce inferior (as a great observer affirmed) to that of his deceased Uncle Prince Henry. During this time the King of Portugal sends over an Ambassador, who amongst several specious proposals relating to his Majesty's present exigencies, tenders one for a Marriage between the Daughter of that King and the Prince of Wales; which for good reasons the King his father put off with a civil answer, importing a denial of the proposition, though (as the policy of State-affairs often makes it necessary to do) in words expressing no dislike of it.  
After that fatal battle of Naseby. which turned the scale to the disadvantage of the Royal Interest, several Overtures intervened between Prince Charles, the Lord Goring, and the Parliamentarian General Fairfax; but the two former always received the same answer from him, which signified nothing, viz. That he was but a servant to the Parliament, and could not exceed his Commission, which impower'd him only to fight; therefore in reference to a Treaty, application ought to be m●de to his Masters at Westminster. The Prince accordingly writes to him again to grant the Lords, Hopton and Culpepper leave to attend the King, and mediate with him for a Treaty with the Parliament: to which the General upon grave consultation with his Committee of War returns his desire, That his Highness would be pleased to disband his Army, and he would conduct him with honour to the Parliament. This seeming too hard a condition, the Lord Capel by the princes command replied by Letter,  
That his Highness did not believe that his overture of engaging himself in the mediation of a blessed Peace for this miserable Kingdom would have brought him an inhibition to quit his duty to his Royal Father by dividing his Interest from that of his Majesty; whereby he should render himself unworthy and uncapable of the fruit of that peace he laboured for. If his proposition might be consented to, he hoped God would so bless his sincere intentions and desires as to make him a blessed Instrument to preserve this Kingdom from dissolution. But if that be rejected, he should give the world no cause to believe, that he would forfeit that honour which only can preserve him in a capacity of doing that service, & should with patience attend God's good pleasure, until his endeavours may be applied with preservation of his Innocence. This is all I have in command from his Highness.  
Your Servant, A. CAPEL.  
Such were the honourable, loyal, and good intentions of this noble Prince, and such was the insolence of the Victors, and the fate of this Nation, that no mediation could be acceptable that might prevent its approaching total ruin: so that this generous Letter received no other answer but silence.  
Shortly after the Prince repairs to Oxford, and there reconciles his Cousins the Princes, Rupert and Maurice, to his Father their Uncle. From thence also he writes several Letters to the Speaker of the House of Peers, containing Propositions for reconciliation and peace; which notwithstanding took no effect. Therefore he departs into the West, with intent to raise the forces of his Dukedom of Cornwall and the County of Devon for the relief of Exeter, which was at that time besieged by Sir Thomas Fairfax. In order to which he commits his own Army to the conduct of the Lord Hopton, who soon after resolved to come upon the back of Fairfax, and accordingly advanced to Torrington with 5000. Horse, and 4000 Foot. Fairfax hearing this leave his siege, and marches towards Torrington. The Battle began near the Town, which was after a sharp encounter taken, and the Lord Hopton himself shot in the thigh, but escaped away to Stratton. His Highness in the mean time was at Lanceston, but understanding the Approach of Fairfax's Army, he quitteth it, leaving Colonel Basset behind him with 500 Foot and Horse, who skirmished with the Parliamentarians and being soon worsted, got off by the favour of the darkness of the Night. The Prince in the mean time goes to Pendennis, where finding the pursuit so hot, he embarked himself for the Isle of Scilly on the first of March 1646. accompanied by the Lords Goring and Culpeper, and Sir Edward Hid. Soon after his departure, the Lord Hopton finding Fairfax's successes daily to increase, and himself unable to do any service to check them with those broken Forces he had left, desires a cessation; but the General summons him to lay down Arms; upon which ensued a Treaty at Tresilian Bridge, Sir Thomas Fairfax quartering at Truro, and the Lord Hopton further west. ward; between whom it was agreed, upon the thirteenth of March, That the Lord Hopton should disband his Army in the west, and have fifty Horse of his own and fifty of General Fairfax's, for his Convoy to Oxford: That all strangers should have passes to go beyond Seas, & to carry with them what was their own without Horses & Arms. That all English Officers should go home to their respective habitations, or if they pleas, beyond Sea: each Colonel to have his horse, and two men to wait on him; each Captain one man and horse; the Troopers 20 s. a piece, and to go whither they pleased  
Such was the Fate of the Royal Cause, under the conduct of this Heroical Prince, who wanted fortune rather than virtue to be happy.  
Hitherto we have with all succinctness and verity represented the adventures and actions of his Highness from his infancy here in England. He was now about sixteen years old, the last six of which he had been a spectator of his Father's calamities, and the ruin of his native Country, having been a sufferer in both, assoon as he was become capable to distinguish between good and evil. Most part of his tender age was spent in Armies, amongst the tumults and noise of an unfortunate War; and now he finds himself enforced to quit the Territory of England, leaving the King his Father with the Duke of York, and the two Palatine Princes, Rupert and Maurice, closely besieged in Oxford by the Parliaments Forces, and most of the other Garrisons of the King's ready to surrender to the power of their victorious Armies. The sense of all which certainly had been insupportable by a spirit less courageous and firm against such heavy adversities then that of this young Hero. We must now follow him into the Island of Scilly, where he had not been long, but a solemn message is sent from the Parliament, to invite him to come to them, and to reside in such places as they thought convenient, with such Attendants and Counsellors as should be by them appointed. It being no part of my design to comment upon any passages of this History, but only to represent things nakedly as they were done, I shall forbear to make any conjectures what the intentions of the Parliament were in this invitation, leaving the Readers to their own judgement. Indeed the Prince had inducements enough to move him to accept of their offer, his Father's condition in a manner desperate, his own little better, having no hopes left but those slender ones of foreign succour; it might have seemed the best and safest course to a young Prince to secure his succession at least to the Government to have gone to them upon honourable terms; according to the example of Edward the 3. in the life-time of his father Edward the 2. But loyalty prevailed above all other considerations, and therefore upon 24. of April he returns this prudent Answer; That it became him not to do any thing in a matter of that concernment, without his Royal Father's privity, advice, and free consent; and therefore before he could satisfy the Honourable House, he desired that a pass might be granted for the Lord Capel to go to the King at Oxford, to take his advice, and hearken to his Royal pleasure, and make some overtures to him in order to a peace. Moreover he desired that the Reverend Archbishop of Armagh, a person of transcendent learning, great moderation, and of an unspotted and inoffensive life, might have liberty to come to him. These proposals, though extreme fair and reasonable, were offered to deaf ears, and took no effect,  
In the mean time Fairfax having taken in the City of Exeter, and the town of Barnstable upon Articles, marches against Oxford, which put the King upon thoughts of providing for his own safety; and therefore on the 13. of April, he went out of Oxford in a disguise with Parson Hudson, waiting upon Mr. john Ashburnham, and upon the 6. os May got to the Scots Army before Newark. Soon after which Sir Thomas Glenham surrendered the City of Oxford to General Fairfax upon the 24. of june 1646. The Duke of York was carried from thence to Saint James', where he met with his Sister the Princess Henrietta Maria, who was sent thither from the surrender of Exeter, but was shortly after conveyed from oatland's over to her Mother in France, by her Governess the Lady Dalkeith.  
From the Island of Scilly, the Prince removed to that of Guernsey, where he had not long been, but an Ordinance is put out against him in the nature of a Ban, prohibiting all persons to repair to him, or correspond with him by letter or otherwise, upon pain of death without mercy. Whereupon his abode here being so uncomfortable, he betakes himself for France, to visit his Mother and that Court; there he was received with great demonstration of joy by all parties, excepting the dissembling Cardinal Mazarine who though he pretended much respect, yet was he inwardly glad to see him in distress and exile. From hence the Queen being willing to comply with the active desires of her Son (which inclined him to break through these clouds of misery and retirement, which seemed wholly to obscure him) writes to the King by Major Bosvil, requesting him to permit the Prince to go into the field with his Uncle, the Duke of Orleans, that summer in the head of a French Army, that was then designed for an expedition into Flanders against the Spaniard. To which his Majesty refused to condescend, partly for that he judged it an employment below a Prince of Great Britain to serve any other King but his own, whose pay and orders were once received by a Roman Caesar, and partly because he knew not how soon his service might be necessary for his own Couhtrey: and therefore he commands him to wave that design, and await his further instructions.  
In the mean time it pleased the King of kings to lay his hand upon him, and visit him with an intermitting Fever, which continued upon him for the space of some weeks; till by the divine blessing upon the physician's care, he was recovered to perfect health. Soon after which he received a Commission from his Royal Father to be Generalissimo of all the Loyal forces that survived of the late unsuccessful battles and garrisons. While he is advising about this affair, the Kingdom of Scotland out of tenderness of the Prince's safety, honour and conscience, move the King, That his Son, the present hope and future happiness of these Nations, might not be exposed in his youth to the dangers which encompassed him in the French Court, particularly in reference to his Religion, the perversion of which might have fatal consequences in these three Kingdoms. Whereupon his Majesty from Newcastle (whether the Scots, fearing least General Fairfax should fall upon them and compel them to deliver him up, retired with him) writes to him, That he should wait upon his Mother, and obey her dutifully in all things, Religion only excepted, and that he should not stir any whether without his directions. The Scots also (by their Committee of Estates) write themselves to the Prince to invite him thither,  
Professing that none of the late calamities (except those that had befallen his Royal Father) afflicted them more than his Highness' absence: And seeing their Forces had entered England to do their duty to Religion, his Majesty and his Highness they humbly desire he would please to honour and countenance their pious and loyal endeavours with his gracious presence, for whose honour, safety and freedom they engage the public Faith of that Kingdom.  
Signed, Crawford, Lindsey.  
In Answer to this, he desires the Earl of Louderdail to return his acknowledgements to the States of Scotland, and assure them he would do nothing misbecoming a good Prince, or unsuitable to their civility.  
But the Prince in pursuance of his instructions, negotiating in behalf of his Father's affairs in the French Court, by his Mother's assistance, (whom her nearness of blood, great deserts and low condition made powerful there) prevails with the French to advance ten thousand pounds for the marquis of Ormond, towards the furtherance of his majesty's affairs in Ireland, as an earnest of greater matters. And some remainders of his Cornish Forces getting to a head, others upon order marching to him out of Ireland, he goes to meet them at the Island of jersey, with such Forces as he had gotten together beyond sea, especially in France by his Mother's means, and in Holland by the mediation of his young Brother in Law, William of Nassaw Prince of Orange, who about this time succeeded his Father Henry in the dignity of General and Admiral of the United Provinces. He possessed himself likewise of some Vessels in the Island, adding others to them which he hired in France.  
While his Highness lay here, a Letter is sent to him from the Parliament by the hands of Colonel Russel their Governor of Guernsey, which lies six or seven Leagues distant from jersey. The effect of it was, to desire him for his Father's, his own and the three Kingdom's sake, to return to them, where he should find all due respects Subjects could afford, or his H ghnesse expect. The Design was to get the person of the Prince into their hands, as the Scots had that of the King; but it took no effect; the Prince proceeding to manage his affairs by sea and land to such advantage as might ●nable his Royal Father to stand in the approaching Treaty on such terms as might consist with his Conscience and his Honour.  
On july the 27. following, sixteen General Propositions with sundry Qualifications were presented to the King at Newcastle, by the Earls of Pembroke, Suffolk, etc. who were limited to ten days; which the King judging unreasonable refused to consent to, and desired to come to London and treat personally. After which the Scots general Assembly send a Remonstrance to his Majesty, desiring him to settle matters in England according to the COVENANT, and to sign the Parliaments Propositions. And Chancellor Lowdon told him plainly there was no other means for him to close with his Two Houses. And moreover if he lost England, he should not be admitted to reign in Scotland. But the King still persisting in his denial, the Scots who had hitherto some what sharply disputed about the disposal of his Person, are content upon the receipt of a good sum of Money, to departed home and leave the King in the power of the Parliament; who voted him to Holmby House, and sent Commissioners to receive and convey him thither, where he arrived on the 17. of February 1646/7.  
The War was now totally finished, and dissensions broke out between the Parliament and their Army; an accommodement of which is undertaken by Commissioners chosen on both sides. But the Army judging it would be advantageous for their concernments to get the King into their hands, sent Cornet joice to Holmby with 500 Horse upon the fourth of june, who took the King from thence by night, without the privity and consent of the Parliament, or the General himself (as he professed in a Letter to them.) And now the damnable Mystery of Iniquity gins to work; they march, up to S. Alban against the Parliaments order, refuse to deliver the King's person to their Commissioners, and mongst other insolences impeach eleven members of the House of Commons. The Speaker (though he had the day before protested against such a dishonourable Act in the Abbey Church at Westminster) flies to the Army with several Members. The City stick to the remaining part of the Parliament, for the restoring of the King, and declare against the Army. Fairfax marches up to London which prepared to oppose him, enters the City with 20000. Horse and Foot upon the 6. of August, re-establishes the Members, receives their thanks, puts Tichbourn into the Tower of London as Lieutenant, takes up his Headquarters at Kingston, and places the King Hampton Court. Within a few days after several members of the House are accused of Treason, as Sir john Maynard, Denzil Hollis, Sir William Waller, Major General Massey, etc. Sir john Gayer; and four Aldermen, Culham, Bunce, Langham and adam's are committed to the Tower, and the Earls of Suffolk, Lincoln, Middlesex with the Lords Berkley, Maynard, Hunsdon and Willoughby of Parham to the Black Rod. All the Works of the City are voted to be cast down, upon pretence of bringing in the King; but indeed (according to the design of the Army, suitably to whose pleasure they acted) to disable it from resistance. Propositions are sent to the King, the same in effect with the former of Newcastle. Agitators are set up by the Soldiers amongst themselves to carry on their Interests. The Scots Commissioners send a Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons for a personal Treaty between his Majesty and the Commissioners of both Nations. But whilst new Propositions are preparing, the King being informed of designs against his Life, escapes from Hampton-Court, with intent to go to the Isle of jersey, where the Prince still lay. At his coming to the seashore, he found himself disappointed of a ship, and therefore goes with Col. Legg to Tedsworth to the Countess Dowager of Southampton's house, and sends Sir john Berkley and Mr. Ashburnham (which three accompanied him in his escape) to the Isle of Wight to L.G. Hammond, of whom he had with no great reason entertained some hopes. Hammond goes with them and fetches the King to Carisbrook Castle. Hence he sends a Letter to the Parliament & the Scots Commissioners granting all they could desire. Whereupon new propositions are sent to him, which the Scots protest against as too derogatory to his Honour; and therefore they are refused. Hereupon the incensed Commons vote no further Addresses to him; which presently endears them to the Army again.  
Affairs standing in this ill posture, the Prince with the Duke of York (who had escaped in woman's apparel from S. James' and landed at Dort in Holland by the help of Col. Bampfield sent over purposely on that design by the Queen) Prince Rupert, the Lords Hopton, Wilmot, Willoughby, Brainford, Culpepper, Ruthen, Sir Henry Palmer, etc. in his own ships and those that had revolted, in all twenty sail, with 2000 men, moved to and fro in the Downs and upon the southern Coast, to lay hold of any opportunity that might present itself for the service of his Father, sending forth several Commissions to that purpose, to persons of honour and trust who might promote his affairs by land; and to the Marq of Ormond, the Lord Inchequin, and Montgomery in Ireland, to the Committee of States in Scotland and their Officers; to the Lord Goring in Kent, and the Lord Capel in Essex, to Sir Thomas Glenham and Sir Marmaduke Langdale in the North, to Col. Poyer, Laughorn and Powel in Wales, as also to Sir Edw. Hales, Sir Charles Lucas, the Duke of Buckingham, the Earls of Holland and Peterborough. Letters of correspondency pass mutually between him and the Scots, his Father and the City; whereof some are intercepted, in which the City, the Lord and some Commons are intimated ready to contribute all assistance possible.  
For the better satisfaction of the World his Highness was pleased to publish a most gracious Declaration which consisted of the ensuing Particulars: 1. For the establishment of Religion according to his Majesty's agreement of the 26. of December last, viz. That Presbytery should be continued for Three years, and a free debate to be had, between the Divines assembled at Westminster, and twenty whom his Majesty should appoint, about the settlement of Church Government for the future. 3. For the performance of the said Agreement, and pursuance of the concessions on the King's part: (which were, That the Parliament should dispose of the Militia, and have the choice of his privy Counsellors during his Reign, etc. That the Arrears of the Army be paid, etc. 3. For restoring the King to a personal Treaty. 4. For the just Privileges of Parliament. 5. for an Act of Oblivion. 6. For the Liberty of the Subject, and the abolishing Excise, Taxes and Free Quarter, etc. 7. For disbanding of all Armies and settling of Peace. 8. For the defence of the Narrow Seas, securing of Trade, support of the Navy and Seamen, etc. This excellent Declaration was seconded with a Letter from his Highness to the House of Peers, desiring, 1. That a Personal Treaty be had in such place and manner as may consist with the King's Honour, Safety and Freedom, that the Treaty be not blemished with any appearance of a restraint. 2. That Scotland be included. 3. That in the mean time there be a cessation of Arms, and an orderly moderate subsistence agreed on for Forces on Foot on both sides by land and sea, to the Soldiers content and the Subjcts ease.  
Hereupon within a short time several attempts were made for the King's service. April the 9 1643. the London Apprentices made an insurrection, but were suppressed by Fairfax the next day. Soon after Colonel Poyer, and Major General Laughorn, and Powel, revolted, and reduced South-wales to his Majesty's service. Sir john Owen also got together a party: but they were all routed and enforced to surrender the places they had seized, and themselves prisoners. In behalf of the two former, the Prince, under whose Commission they acted, desired General Fairfax that they might have the terms and usage of soldiers of war, as those had whom the fortune of war had made prisoners to his Highness. But the General answered, It was not in his power to act further; the Parliament ordering their trial, he dared not interpose against their justice. So that they were afterwards tried as traitor's; but this favour was extended towards them that they should cast lots for their lives: it happened to be Poyer's fate to suffer, and he was shot to death, which he took with much resolution.  
The next party we meet with in Arms for the King's deliverance out of a barbarous captivity, and admission to a personal Treaty, and the settlement of the Nation in peace, were the inhabitants of Kent, who having seen the Petitions presented to that purpose to the Parliament by the Counties of Essex, Surrey, and the City of London slighted, and some of the Petitioners murdered, resolved not to petition but with their swords in their hands. So they assemble together in a considerable body upon Black-heath near Greenwich, about the latter end of May 1648. under Sir Edward Hales, commissioned from his Highness, Sir George Lisle, Sir Gamaliel Dudley, Sir William Compton, etc. I shall crave leave to be a little more particular in relating the whole management of this and some of the following enterprises, than I have adventured to be hitherto, because it was carried on by authority derived immediately from the Prince, and was of itself one of the most considerable. General Fairfax himself with six thousand Foot, and two thousand Horse, marches forth against the Kentish men, who were near ten thousand, but unadvisedly parted their Forces, and sent away a Brigade to besiege Dover Castle. The first intercourse between them was the offer of a Parley, to which the General sent this answer.  
Sirs,  
I Received a Message from you for a Pass for some G ntlemen to come and treat according to an Order of Parliament, but know no such Order of theirs, no Authority of yours to appoint Commissioners for such a purpose: And finding you and them in Arms against the Parliament, I cannot admit of a Treaty. But if ye shall forthwiih lay down your Arms and return home, I doubt not of the Parliaments mercy to such as have been deluded into this Rebellion, and their exemplary justice upon the chief Actors therein.  
Black heath, May 30. 1648 T. FAIRFAX.  
To this harsh answer, by directions from the Prince they handsomely replied,  
That they had taken Arms in obedience, 1. To an universal and perpetual dictate of nature, even self-preservation, not to invade others right, but to secure their own. 2. To an undoubted power over us, ordained of God, we do now obey (say they) and neither tumult nor rebel. 3. To Providence, which hath given us that opportunity we dare not neglect; and we cannot lay them down without forfeiture of our Reason and our Honour. As to the uncertain mercy you hold forth for the deluded many, who (you think, know not why they are come together) and the certain justice you threaten their Leaders with; Assure yourself there is but one soul in this great body, which is unanimously resolved to stand or fall as one man, being not tempted with any hope, save that of returning to our ancient Rights, Privileges, Governments and Settlements, and uncapable of any Fear, save only of relapsing again to our former slavery. The fair manage of this business sufficiently manifests our inclination to peace. Be pleased rather to make this County your Friend then your End, And we are  
Your Servants 

PHIL. MASILDS.  
EDW. HALES.    
The General being inflexible and they as resolute, they meet at a barricadoed bridge between Craiford Heath, and Gravesend, and dispute the passage very stoutly, which at length is gained by the Parliamentarians, and another at Northfield: whereupon the Kentish retire to Maidstone. Fairfax reenforcing his Army to the number of 10000 storms the Town on the 2. of june, but was twice repulsed with loss; The third assault got him entrance, when the fight grew more hot upon the Assailants then before, as well by the forces in the street, as by continual shot from the houses. Nor was the victory accomplished till after six hours' fight, and much loss on both sides. Presently after this, the City of Rochester was also yielded to the General's mercy. The Lord Goring with the remainder of this Defeat, marches up in a body towards London, and rendezvoused upon Black-heath, expecting some assistance from the City, which hope failing, he crossed over Greenwich Ferry with five hundred men into Essex, where he was met by Sir Charles Lucat, and the Lord Capel with two thousand horse and foot, and they march together to the Town of Colchester. But soon after General Fairfax leaving Colonel Rich and Hewson, who had already raised the siege of Dover, to take in the other places of Kent which stood out, crosses over into Essex after the Eenemy, and beleagures Colchester with a potent Army.  
The Prince with his Fleet, consisting, as I said, of twenty good men of War, and two thousand soldiers (some of which were lately revolted with the Parliaments Vice-Admiral Batten, who was thereupon Knighted) put in at Yarmouth Road, and would have landed there; bu● finding no great alacrity in most part of the people to receive him, and hearing of Colonel Scroop's coming against him with a strong party of Horse and Foot, he sailed from thence to the Downs in Kent, seizing what Merchants ships and goods he could meet withal. Whilst he was here, he sent two Letters to the City of London, one to the Common-council, expressing his Highness' good affection to peace and to the whole City, and his endeavours to vindicate his Father's Liberty and just Prerogative and Rights; To restore the people their Laws, Liberties and Properties; To free them from that bondage under which they were now held like a conquered Nation; To ease them of Excise and Taxes; To settle Religion according to his Father's Agreement made with the Scots, and to reduce all things into their ancient and proper Channel. This Letter was accompanied with his Declaration to the same purpose; the contents of which we mentioned above. The other was to the Merchant Adventurers, informing them that he had made stay of three of their ships, but without intent to make prize of any of them; desiring to borrow 20000. l. of them to be repaid out of the Customs: and requires their speedy Answer; The Copies of these two Letters were brought to the House of Parliament by the Sheriffs of London & some of the Common Council. Upon consideration of them, Colonel Harvey (first prolixly aggravating many fault s in the King's Government, according to the scandalous Remonstrance not long before published against him) said, The Prince was his Fathers own son, as like him as could be; That he had invited the Scots to come in, and had declared for them, and had been formerly against the Parliament; That he was but a Subject; And moved the House to declare him a Rebel and a Traitor. Sir Peter Wentworth, Mr. Knightly, and Mr. Blakestone seconded him with much earnestness; and so did Edward Ash, who farther moved, That the Common Council and Merchants should give no Answer to his Letters, alleging, There was no danger the Prince should make prize of their ships, for that he had engaged to the States of the Low Countries to do no act prejudicial to Trade. At last the debate was put off till the next day, when the Speaker putting the House in mind of it again, it was earnestly called upon by the younger Sir john Evelin, Scot, Weaver, Hollond, Boys, and almost all the godly gang. So the debate was resumed, and Weaver went very high to try the Temper of the House. But the debate interminis, That the Prince should be declared a R●bel & a Traitor, was soon laid by (though violently pressed) chief for these reasons. 1. They had not the Originals of the Prince's Letters and Declaration (which the Common Council still kept) but only Copies, not so much as attested upon Oath by any authentic Clerk; therefore no legal Proceed could be upon them. 2. It world argue no peaceable inclination in them the same day when they sent Messengers to invite the King his Father to a Treaty of Peace. 3. It could not consist with the National Covenant. 4. It is High Treason by the Stat. 25. Edw. 3. to endeavour the destruction of the Prince, the King's eldest Son: but to declare him a Rebel and a Traitor was to endeavour to destroy him, and therefore High Treason, etc. But what they could not do expressly, they did implicitly by Voting all that should adhere to, aid or assist the Prince, Rebels and Traitors. Hereby they put a tye upon the City, not to redeem their ships by lending 20000. l. to the Prince; and yet had a Pirate taken them, it had been lawful to redeem them. About this time also an Order passed the House of Commons for the Earl of Warwick to fight the Prince at sea. It was sent up to the Lords, and passed that House too; whereby it became an Ordinance: yet some of the Lords entered a Protestation against it, as the Earls of Lincoln, Suffolk, Lord North.  
The Prince continued still in the Downs with his Fleet in a good condition, waiting for that supply of Land forces his Brother the Prince of Orange was very industriously raising for his service in Holland, and in the interim was willing to do something for the relief of Deal Castle, which was besieged by a party of Fairfax's Army left in Kent for that purpose. In order to which he landed 500 men, who at first charged handsomely, but being overpowr'd by number were beaten, several slain and taken, and the rest got aboard again. Failing of this attempt, he was inclinable to hazard himself for the relief of Colchester, which bravely held out against Fairfax's whole power; but from this he was disswadeded, as a business of too apparent danger. Wherefore he continued expecting the event of Hamilton's expedition in the North, who was sent into England by the Parliament of Scotland with an Army of 21000. upon the account of the Covenant, viz. for a restitution of his Majesty with safety and honour, and settlement of Presbytery. On the 15. day of july, the House of Commons (without the Lords) Vote the Scots that were come into England enemies, and that they might covertly include the Prince, the Question was put, That all such English as had invited the Scots under Duke Hamilton to come in hostile manner into England should be declared Traitors? and carried in the affirmative.  
He that shall consider the House of Commons was still in a manner entire, and consisted of the very same men that so often and by so many Votes, Remonstrances, Declarations, Protestations, Vows and Oaths pretended the defence of the King's person and just authority, settlement of these Nations in purity of Religion and preservation of the just Rights and Liberties of the Subject (the very same things now petitioned for by several Counties, & declared for by the parties up in Kent & Essex, and Duke Hamilton in the North) cannot but wonder they should vote them Traitors and endeavour their destruction (with that of the Nations consequently) who took up arms in the greatest sincerity possible for those honourable purposes themselves alleged to countenance their own against the King. But the truth is the two Houses sat under a force ever since August 6. 1647. when Fairfax marched up with his Army in hostile manner against the City. For from that time the lesser party of the House (who together with some Officers of the Army had laid the blackest design that ever was hatched by the instinct of the Devil) siding with the Army overawed all the Proceed of Parliament, and at the same time held the King and the major part of the House in suspense with unfaithful Treaties, and sent their forces against such as desired the same things they would be believed themselves intended. The House of Lords too, being strangely supine, in not resenting the frequent slighting and contempt of their Authority, and not attempting any thing at all for the deliverance of their Sovereign, the Vindication of their own Honour, that of the Nation with its rights, privileges and freedoms, against the Usurpation of an Army and corrupt faction in that of the Commons. An insolence which I am persuaded, none of their great Ancestors we find in Histories under the same Titles, but would have ventured both lives and fortunes to the utmost, rather than have endured; and certainly their posterity will wonder what they were doing all this while. The Earl of Holland indeed, though no Soldier, yet dared well, and out of a sense of Honour thought himself obliged to try his fortune in the Field, if possible he might be an Instrument to avert the Destruction he saw threatened his Sovereign, and the miseries of tyranny impendent over this poor Nation by an armed power. By commission from the Prince he assembles together about 500 Horse and Foot about Kingston heath, july 2. having with him the Duke of Buckingham, and his Brother, the L. Francis Villers, and the Earl of Peterborough. But he was soon routed by a stronger Party; himself taken, and afterwards put to death for his noble but unfortunate Attempt. Such were the sins of this Nation, and thus the good Providence of God was pleased to bring about the punishment of them, by frustrating all means and courses taken to deliver it from the miseries of that threatened it. For soon after, viz. August 17. the great Army under Hamilton is defeated by Cromwell and Lambert at Preston in Lancashire, and the Duke himself taken, and afterwards beheaded by the English Parliament for this action. This Defeat was followed by the surrender of Colchester which had endured a sharp starving Siege of three months upon hopes of relief from this Scottish Army. Thus all the Prince's Enterprises failing, and his Fleet being in great need of provision, he is forced to give over further Action, and retires to the Hague in Holland to his Sister the Princess of Orange in expectation and attendance upon Providence. Shortly after, many Counties of England soliciting the Parliament for a Treaty with the King, the honester and greater part take heart again, recall the Votes of Non-Addresses, Vote a Treaty, send Commissioners with Propositions to the King: All which his Majesty fully consented to, and there was no difference between him and the Houses but concerning Presbytery, which he granted should be established for three years. All men now hoped for a happy settlement. But, alas! now begin the greatest of our woes. The Army who could not think their greatness and power would be durable if the King lived, draw nearer to London, petition for their Arrears, and for Justice upon the King as the Capital cause of the Evils of the Civil War; to which effect also they publish a Remonstrance, requiring withal that a peremptory Day be set for summoning the Prince of Wales, and Duke of York; and if they refuse, to declare them incapable of Government or succession, and to stand exiled as Traitors; and if they render themselves, yet they to be proceeded against for satisfaction: with other damands of the like strain. To bring their accursed design to pass, Fairfax commands Colonel Hammond to deliver up his charge to Colonel Ewer, by whom the King is conveyed out of the Isle of Wight to Hurst Castle, Novemb. 30. contrary to the intentions and consent of the Parliament as they declared. And thus the Treaty was violenty broken off. Yet the Lords Vote the King's concessions a sufficient ground for Peace, and so do the major part of the Commons. But the Army march up to London, discharge the Trained Bands from guarding the Parliament, and order Pride's and Rich's Regiments to supply their places, by whom above forty Members are seized on and confined, Major General Brown, ninety odd Members, excluded the House. Then the Army form a new Model of Government which they style The Agreement of the people, destructive to all the Fundamental Laws of the Land, which was presented to the new moulded House by Sir Hardres Waller and 16. Officers. The House hereupon annul the Votes against Non-addresses, and exclude all Members that will not join with them in this proceeding. They then proceed to order the Trial of the King, and remove him, though the Lords refused to concur, and declare no act of the Commons binding without their consent. However force overcomes all Right & Reason. A pretended High Court of justice is erected, of which john Bradshaw (newly created Sergeant at Law) is made Precedent. The King is brought before them upon Saturday the 20 of january 1648. on Monday the 22. on Tuesday the 23. and on Saturday the 27. of the same month; where persisting with magnanimity and reason to deny the power of the Court, and being most impudently and insolently treated by Bradshaw, he is condemned to be beheaded for Tyranny, Treason, and Murder. According to which sentence (having taken leave of his Children here is England, and sent his blessing to his son in Holland, he was put to death before Whitehal Gate upon Tuesday the 30. of january. the Dutch and French Ambassadors in behalf of his Majesty made intercession for his life; The Scottish Parliament published a Remonstrance against the Parliaments Proceed; The Ministry of London declared their disallowance before God and Men; The House of Peers offered themselves as pledges for his Sacred Majesty; but all prevailed nothing. The barbarous juncto are inexorable, being made so desperate by their own guilt that they thought nothing could secure their former crimes but this impious, detestable and unparallelled murder of their Sovereign.  
During his Majesty's trial, which was carried on with all expedition and speed, the Prince who could not be satisfied of that strange turn from a Treaty to a Trial, writ the following Letter to his Father by the Lord Seymour.  
SIR,  
HAving no means to come to the knowledge of your majesty's affairs, but such as I receive from the Prints, or (whi●h is as uncertain) reports; I have sent this bearer Seymour to wait upon your Majesty, and to bring me an account of it; and that I may withal assure your Majesty I do not only pray for your Majesty according to my duty, but shall always be ready to do all which shall be in my power to deserve the blessing which I now humbly beg of your Majesty upon,  
Sir, Your majesty's most humble and most obedient Son and Servant CHARLES. Hague, jan. 23. 1648.  
But, alas! Sad were the tidings the Lord Seymour returned with into Holland, the most inhuman, illegal and barbarous murder of the King of Great Britain by the hands of his English Subjects: An Act which struck all Europe with horror and amazement, and which certainly our Posterity will eternally detest. To represent the sorrow and affliction of our Illustrious Prince, with his Royal Brother the Duke of York, and his Sister of Orange, without doubt surpasses all the power of words. No Prince ever lost a Father whom he was to succeed in Royalty with greater regret; and indeed all circumstances considered, I conceive no mortal man had ever greater occasion of grief. Certainly had not the extraordinary grace of God supported him he could never have borne up against it. I know not how better to resent his passionate resentment, then by imitating the old Grecian Painter, who being to portray Agamemnon present at the sacrifice of his Daughter, represented all his followers weeping and lamenting, but drew a veil over the Father's face; as hiding the transcendent passion his Pencil was unable to express.  
A few days before the King's death, the Commons voted the style in Writs and all Judicial proceed to be altered from Carolus Dei gratia, etc. the Great Seal with the Royal Scutcheon of England to be broken, and a new one made with the Arms of England, & the Harp of Ireland with these words, The Great Seal of England, engraven on one side, and on the Reverse the picture of the House of Commons sitting, with these words, In the first year of Freedom by God's blessing restored 1648. On the evening of that black day on which his Majesty suffered, a Proclamation was set forth by the juncto prohibiting all persons upon pain of High Treason to presume to declare or publicly to promote Charles Stuart styled Prince of Wales, eldest son of the late King, or any of the rest of his Children, to be King of England. In pursuance of which determination having taken their King out of the way, they proceed against Kingship, and constitute a select Number of themselves joined with the General and chief Officers of the Army in the Supreme authority. The House of Peers is voted dangerous and unnecessary, and an Act passed and proclaimed in the City of London for the abolishing of Kingly Government and settling these Nations in way of a Free State. It was also published, 1. That it should be Treason to speak against this Form of Government. 2. That it should be Treason for any to endeavour the exercise of Kingships in these Nations in his own Person, or promote it in another; especially Charleses the eldest, james the second, and Henry the third, Sons of the late King. After which they proceed as far as they could to abolish the very memory of his late Majesty; his Arms are ordered to be defaced in all places throughout the Nations, and his Statues broken, all the regalia sold and imbeziled, the Crown Revenue to sale, and all the goods of the Royal Family made prize on by those that had murdered and expelled the Owners.  
Nevertheless, there wanted not some in this sad consternation, who showed themselves so resolute in asserting the Title of Prince Charles to the Crown of these Nations, as to print and disperse this following Proclamation in several places of the City of London.  
WE, the Noblemen, judges, Knights, Lawyers, Gentlemen, Freeholders, Merchants, Citizens, Yeo-men, Seamen, and other Free men of England, do according to our Allegiance and Covenant by these present, Hearty, joyfully and unanimously acknowledge and Proclaim the illustrious CHARLES, Prince of Wales, next Heir to his Father King Charles (whose late wicked murder, and all Consenters thereunto, We from our hearts abominate) to be by Hereditary Birthright and lawful Succession rightful and undoubted King of Great Britain, France and Ireland: And we will constantly and sincerely in our several places and callings defend and maintain his Royal Person, Crown and Dignity with our estates and lives against all Opposers, whom hereby we declare to be Enemies to his Majesty and Kingdoms. In Testimony whereof we have caused these to be Published throughout all Counties and Corporations of this Realm; The first day of February in the first year of his majesty's Reign.  
But the Royal Party was so totally suppressed throughout this Nation, that they wanted power to make good what their consciences assured them was just and right. This endeavour testified their Loyalty, and withal their weakness. For though the hearts of most of the Nation were as willing to promote the Son's succession as to withstand the Father's destruction; yet were they as unable to advance the one as they had been to prevent the other. Indeed Ireland was in a manner wholly for his Majesty, in many places whereof he was by joint consent both of Protestants and Papists proclaimed King. The Lord marquis of Ormond, the Lord Inchequin, and other great persons had considerable Forces in the field for his interest, and all the Garrisons of that Island held out for him, excepting the two most important, the Cities of Dublin and London-Derry, which were kept from returning to their Allegiance, the former by Lieutenant General jones then Governor, and the latter by Sir Charles Coot, who maintained their cause and authority who had barbarously murdered his Royal Father in England. Besides the Islands of jersey, Guernsey, Scilly and Man remained faithful to him, though they were of no other advantage then to serve as places of retreat for the small Fleet that was left, after the greatest part of it had again revolted to the Parliaments Navy. The Parliament of Scotland, as I said, had protested against the proceed of the English against their common King: But at this time that Nation was divided into four grand Factions or Parties. 1. The first consisted of such as had confederated with the English Parliament during the Wars, till they saw their accursed design of destroying the King, and subverting the Government; these were the prevailing party who sent Duke Hamilton with that numerous but unfortunate Army into England 1648. They were willing though upon certain conditions to own and declare Prince Charles for their King; only in this they sided with the English Independent juncto, That they endeavoured to the utmost to depress and discountenance the Malignants (as they called those who had adhered to his late Majesty) who make up the second party. The third consisted of such as were so strictly devoted to the Kirk and Convenant, that they only projected the advancement of them, and cared not for any other interest either of King or Free-State, but strenuously opposed both; of which Faction Colonel S●●a●ghern and Colonel Kerre were two great Sticklers. The fourth, and last, and worst were such as by unparallelled treachery to their Prince, their Native Country, and (as it appeared afterwards) to themselves too, held secret correspondence with the Sectarian power and Army of England. This Division I have made will give much light to the understanding of the reasons of the Scottish actions and their consequences, when we come to relate them. At present, it may suffice to intimate that this Discord among themselves retarded them from publicly proclaiming and owning their lawful King.  
In the mean time the King having been a while a close Mourner in Holland, and received the condolements of the Lords States, (who also deputed an Orator Dr. Lotius to represent their sad sense of the inhuman murder of his Royal Father, which he performed in an elegant Latin Oration extant in Print he committed the management of his affairs there to the care of his Brother and Sister of Orange; and took a journey to France, both to visit his disconsolate and forlorn Mother and to desire the assistance, which he might reasonably conceive, that King obliged both in honour, consideration of consanguinity and the general concernment of all Monarches, to afford him. He was received in the French Court with much respect, and after a short stay at Paris took up his abode at St. Germains, having his Royal Brother the Duke of York with him.  
He had not been long here, but contrary to the expectations as well as hopes of himself and all his Loyal Subjects, news is brought him of the defeat of the Army in Ireland under the Marquis of Ormond, than which a gallanter & richer had scarce been seen during all the late Wars. The Marquis had laid siege to Dublin on the 21. of june 1649. but that City being reinforced with a supply of 3000. Horse and Foot from England, and encouraged with the expectation of more, the Besieged made several Sallies out upon them from time to time, and at length in one supprised the Marquis' main Army, and totally defeated it, himself not without much difficulty escaping by flight. 'Tis very true, the Marquis had an Army of about 20000. men, but the greatest part of them were Irish, and so such as he dared not trust; besides, I have heard it creadibly reported, He might have taken Dublin if he had pleased, but forbore to do it merely in tenderness to the numerous Protestants were in it, whom the Irish would have without question unmercifully destroyed if they had taken the place by assualt; and as yet there was no other way to take it, by reason the besieged had high expectation of succour from England. This was the first blow received by the young King, and a great one it was indeed, and so important that it made way for the loss of all that Kingdom. About the same time also Sir Ch. Coot issued out of London-Derry, and beat off Sir Rob. Stuart and Col. Mervin that besieged it. And immediately upon this success Ol. Cromwell landed in Ireland with the Title of Lord Lieutenant, and was followed by his Son-in-Law Ireton with about 40. ships. The Royal Field. Army being lost, Cromwell falls upon the Garrisons; the first place he attaqued was Droghedah (or Tredagh) which he soon took by storm, and with a cruelty unknown since the first rise of Christianity, put the Governor Sir Arthur Aston (a noble Gentleman that had served the late King in England) and all Inhabitants of the Town of all ages and sexes to the Sword. Thus was Providence pleased to suffer wickedness to prosper. This success was followed with the loss of many considerable Towns and Castles in all parts of Ireland, besides several Field-battels obtained over the Lord's Inchequin, Ardes and Clanduboys, and Lieut. Gen. farrel by the L. Broghill, Sir Ch. Coot, Col. Venables, Zanchy, Renolds and Hewson. So that in less than the space of this year that Kingdom was wholly lost, which in the beginning of it, his Majesty looked upon as so considerably his own that he was almost persuaded to have gone thither in person; but waved upon mature advice, and went to the Isle of jersey, where he was proclaimed by the Islanders immediately, and the L. Iermin Earl of Yarmouth was made Governor and Sir Geo. Carteret his Deputy. His retinue at his arrival in this place amounted to about 300. persons. A little before his departue from St. Germains, the Duke of York came to him out of Holland, & was visited by the French King and the Cardinal, of whom he humbly implored aid in behalf of his Brother. Mazarini answered civilly, that he might assure himself of all favour and assistance from the King of France as soon as he had the power and opportunity to serve him: In the mean time the Duke is persented with 100000. Crowns. From jersey his Majesty sends his Summons to Guernsey (which was wholly the Parliament's, saving Cornet Castle) to submit to his obedience. But it was to no effect. It is reported by some his Majesty had some expectation from the Levellers, who at that time had revolted from the rest of the Parliament's Army: but whatever their design was, they were suppressed both in the West and at Burford in Oxfordshire.  
The English Plantations in the West-Indies at this time under the Lord Willoughby of Parham refused Obedience and Subjection to the Parliament, who thereupon first interdicted them all Traffic & Commerce, and shortly after reduced them with a Fleet sent from England under the Command of Sir Geo. Ayscough.  
The King at jersey receiving intelligence of these unfortunate successes following one upon the neck of another, his chief hopes and expectations lay now in Scotland. He understood the several Factions there, and that the Covenanters who were most considerable both for Power and Number, sought their own advantage by him, and would cause much difficulty in his affairs there; wherefore to balance them a little by the honest Royalists who were his and had been his Father's friends, and whom the former endeavoured to keep under, as also to bring them to more equitable Terms, he gives Commission to the noble and valiant Lord Marquis of Montrosse to raise forces for him in Holland and other parts. The Marquis in a short time sends some few forces into the Isle of Orkney, and some few others landed in the North of Scotland under Sir ja. Montgomery. These the Committee of Estates resolve to oppose, though raised for the King's service; and notwithstanding after long debate and contest between the opposite factions, the best of which were infinitely scrupulous, at length resolve upon a Letter of Propositions to his Majesty, and send it by Mr. Geo. Windram Laird of Libberton upon the 25. of Sept. 1649. Upon the 30. of that month he arrived at jersey and presented his Majesty with these Propositions from the States of Scotland.  
1. That his Majesty would sign the solemn League and Covenant, and pass an Act for all persons to take it throughout that Kingdom, and ratify all that had been done concerning the same.  
2. That he would ratify divers Acts of Parliament of Scotland made by the two last Sessions; viz. 1. For disclaiming D. Hamilton's last expedition. 2. For receiving of the several Acts made by the English for the Militia. 3. For the Kings of Scotland to have no Negative voice in their Parliament.  
3. That his Majesty would recall the late Commissions given to Montrosse, etc.  
4. That he would dismiss all Papists from about him, and let none be of his Council but Protestants.  
5. That he would appoint some place about Holland for a Treaty with their Commissioners; whither they intended to send several Persons of Honour for that purpose and take care for his Entertainment during that time suitable to his Dignity.  
6. That he would give a speedy answer to their Desires.  
After some time of debate upon these proposals, which were variously entertained; some upon diffidence of the Scots fidelity dissuading his Majesty from complying with them (as the Lords Byron, Cleveland, Gerard, etc.) others on the contrary (as the Lords Piercy, Wentworth, Wilmot, and Sir Geo. Carteret) counselling him not to put that to the hazard of war which might be obtained by Treaty, (especially his strength being at that time so low, if he should resolve only upon force,) Letters came to his Majesty from the Queen, urging that if the Scots Propositions seemed at present too severe and unsupportable he might have opportunity hereafter when possessed of that Kingdom to free himself in some measure from the Inconvenience of them: Therefore she judged it best to close with them. Montrosse also then in Holland writ to the King to the same purpose, desiring his Majesty to hearken to the Scots Commissioners, so as to admit of an Agreement with them which might settle his Majesty in that Kingdom with safety and Honour; adding, That, as for himself, he should be contented to be banished perpetually from his Native Country rather than be the least cause of prejudice to his majesty's affairs. Thus this incomparable pattern of Loyalty preferred the Interest of his Prince above all respects of his own. But his Majesty was too generous to admit of his offer, and therefore answered him, That he had such assurance of his fidelity & so high a sense of his services performed to his late Father and himself that he could not in justice or in Honour desert him, and therefore desired him to urge him no further to it. At length the advice to close with the Scots seemed most safe and reasonable, and proceeding from the greater number of suffrages, it was resolved to follow it. The next thing therefore to be deliberated of, was what answer should be returned to the Propositions; which requiring some time, Sir William. Fleming was dispatched before hand to Edenb. as Agent, till it could be completed & sent by the Lair Libberton.  
The New Commonwealth in England in the mean time was modelled thus. The House of Peers as I said was voted down, the Commons reduced to about 100; and a new kind of Senate set up, called a Council of State, who sat at Whitehall, consisting of forty persons; these indeed, though derived from the Parliament, grew to have greater authority than their creators; but though the supreme Power seemed in appearance to be in these two Councils yet it was really in the hands of the Army, the chief Officers of which ruled them that ruled the Nations. Their principal business at Home was to fortify their new Government by making several Acts of Treason, and to terrify others by putting to death divers of the Nobility as D. Hamilton, E. of Holland, L. Capel, etc. and such of the Gentry who had opposed their Barbarous and Tyrannical Proceed. They also employed themselves in dividing the Patrimony of the Crown, having murdered the Father and expelled the Son; the same course also they took with many thousands of loyal persons, either confiscating and selling their Estates, or putting them to redeem the same upon great compositions; by this means and prodigious Taxes together, drawing all the Wealth of the Nation, both Money & Lands, into their own hands, and sharing the same among themselves & their Lords the Officers of the Army. His Majesty had small hopes of doing any good immediately upon England, although he had friends enough in it. However, two noble Gentlemen Sir john Berkly and Col. Slingsby offered themselves to serve their Prince in England, and accordingly came from jersey into the West, and went about stirring up their Correspondents to Arms for their King & Country; but they were both accidentally discovered & taken.  
The King had sent Ambassadors to several great Princes and States, as the Emperor, the King of Spain, the Duke of Moscovy, the State of Venice, the Grand Seignor, and others, to solicit their aid and contribution for the recovery of his Father's Kingdoms. But from the most of them he received only compliments & pretences of their good will to help him. The most considerable Embassy, and most probable to take effect was that to his Majesty of Spain by the Lord Cottington, who at his Audience remonstrated in the name of his Master, That the Parliament of England having been in Arms against his Father had prevailed against him, and caused him to be put to d●ath; That he being Son and heir to the late King, was yet kept out of his Kingdoms by the said Parliament; And therefore he desired his Aid and Assistance to establish him into his Rights and Dignities in his Kingdoms. To this the King of Spain answered, That he was sorry for his Father's ill success, wishing he had been more prosperous; That he condoled with him for his Father's death, and was much affected with sorrow at the manner of it; That concerning the difference between him and the Parliament, and the Rights on th● one or the other side, they being matters out of his Territories and jurisdiction he could not take cognizance of them, nor should he meddle therein: But for any thing within his own Dominions, he should be ready to do him what lawful favour he could. But such is the influence Self Interest has upon the minds even of the greatest Potentates, that it many times excludes all considerations of generosity. Had the Neighbour-States resented the unjustice done to this King and his Father, as they ought, I am confident the Spirits of the juncto would have soon been broken. But the course of the world, as I said, is otherwise, his Majesty of Britain is an Exile, his Enemies are great and powerful, and therefore in stead of sending assistance to the unfortunate Prince, the King of Spain sends and Ambassador to court the new Common wealth of Rebels to a League.  
The King hearing of a Fleet of Ships preparing by the Parliament for the Island of jersey, thought fit to dispatch his answer to the Committee of Estates of Scotland in order to a Treaty, which being drawn up with a Letter directed to the Committee of the Kirk. Assembly, the Laird Libberton departed with it to Scotland. Soon after which, his Majesty to avoid all danger, went from jersey back again into France, where her resided with his Royal Mother till the time for the Scotch Treaty drew near. Before his going thither, he writ thus to the Lord Marq. of Montross.  
Most Dear and well beloved Cousin,  
We have received Letters from our Kingdom of Scotland, of which you receive herewith a Copy; by which our subjects demand of us, that we would please to acknowledge for lawful their Parliament, and particularly the two last Sessions of that Assembly. Which being obtained of our Grace, they offer to send us their Deputies with full Commission to Treat with us of the means to re-establish Peace and obedience in that Kingdom. We have made them an Answer, That we have made known to their Envoy the place where we desired their Deputies should come to us with all diligence. And to the end you should not apprehend that by our Letters or by the Treaty, we had any design to hinder the affairs we h●ve committed to you, we have thought fit to let you know that as we judge the Levies you have made for our service to have been a powerful motive to oblige them to send their Deputies and to enter into Treaty with us: So we also believe, that the Progrese you shall make in your generous Designs will dispose them to Treat with the more moderation, to the end the whole Realm may again happily return under our obedience. We assure you we have not the least thought to derogate from that ample Commission which we have given you, nor to diminish that Authority in which we have invested you by our Letters Patents. And we do promise you also, if it shall come to pass that we shall enter into any good Intelligence with our subjects, we shall have so much care of your proper Interest, that all the world shall see how much we esteem your Person & what confidence we have in your conduct & your Courage, whereof not only the late King our Father, but Ourselves also have received Proofs both by what you have done & suffered for Us. In the mean time, you shall understand that we have qualified the Assembly of our Subjects with the Appellation of the Committee of Estates; which we have done only for this Treary: Which if it shall not succeed as we desire, As we know already this Qualification of the Privy Signet does not at all authorize them to be such, so we shall then forthwith declare for what we hold them, notwithstanding this Title which we have given them, both for their own proper satisfaction & also to make known to all the World, that we desire to bring back our Subjects of the Kingdom of Scotland to their Duty, rather by ways of sweetness and amity then by the rigour of our Arms, if their Obstinacy and the Injustice of their Demands should constrain us to recover it by force. We therefore do hereby give you full Power to proceed vigorously in your Enterprises, not doubting but all our Loyal Subjects of Scotland will join themselves with you; and by that means all those who are otherwise disposed will submit themselves to reason in that Treaty which we we now accept; or shall be forced thereto by Arms.  
To this, we permit you to publish these Presents, & to communicate them to such as you shall judge fit. So we pray God to preserve you, most dear Cousin.  
The Laird of Liberton being arrived at Edinburgh, where he was expected with much impatience and longing, assoon as the Committeee of Estates and Assembly of the Kirk were met, delivered his Majesty's Message and Letters to them, informing them also by word of Mouth how greatly inclinable he found him to an Agreement to their Desires; As, 1. That in reference to Ratifying all that the Parliament of Scotland did in their two last Sessions he was willing there should be passed a general Act of Oblivion 2. That such as had served under the marquis of Montross, and Duke Ham●lion in his last Expedition should be uncapable of all public Charge without conssent of Parliament. 3. That he had designed Breda in Holland for the place of a Solemn Treaty upon the 15. of March next ensuing, in order to a perfect Accommodation between himself and his Subjects of Scotland.  
His majesty's Letter to the Committee of Estates was in these terms. For the Committee of Estates of Scotland.  
CHARLES R.  
WE have received your Letters lately persented to us by Mr. Windram Laired of Liberton, & we accept graciously all the expressions of Affection & Fidelity therein contained to wards us, with your tender resentment of our present condition, and the just indignation which you profess to have against the execrable murderers of our Father. And we believe that your intentions are full of Candour towards us, as we are & always have been desirous to settle a clear and right Itelligence between us and our Subjects of our ancient Kingdom of Scotland, which may be an assured foundation of their happiness and peace for the time to come, and an effectual means to root out all the seeds of animosity and divisions caused by these late Troubles; and also to unite the hearts and affections of our Subjects to one another, and of them all to us their King to lawful Sovereign; To the end that by their obedience to our Royal and just authority, we may be put into a condition to maintain them in Peace and Prosperity, and to protect them in their Religion and Liberty, as it appertains to us according to our Charge and Office of a King. And as we have always resolved to contribute whatever is to be done by us to obtain these good Effects, and for the just satisfaction of all our Subjects in this Kingdom; We have now thought fit upon the return of Mr. Windram to command and desire you to send unto us Commissioners sufficiently Authorised. To treat and agree with us, both in Relation to the Interest and just satisfaction of our Subjects there, as also concerning the Aid & Assistance which in all reason we may expect from them to bring and reduce the Murderers of our late Most dear Father of happy memory to condign punishment, and to recover our just Rights in all our Kingdoms. And we will that they attend us on the fifteenth day of the month of March at the Town of Breda, where we intent to be in order thereunto. And in confidence of a Treaty, as also to make known to you and all the World that we sincerely desire to be agreed, We have resolved to address these unto you under the Name & Title of a Committee of Estates of our Kingdom of Scotland; And will and expect that you use this grace no otherwise for any advantage to the prejudice of us, or our Affairs, beyond what we have given this Qualification and Title for, namely, Only for the Treaty and in order to it; Although we have considerations sufficient and very important to dissuade and oblige us to do nothing in this kind antecedently at this time. Also we hope the confidence which we declare to have in your clear and candid intentions towards us, will furnish you with strong Arguments to form in yourselves a mutual confidence in us, which by the blessing of God Almighty, by your just and prudent moderation and by that great desire that we have to oblige all our Subjects of that Kingdom, and by the means of the Treaty which we attend and hope for, may be a good foundation of a full and happy peace, and and assured security to this Nation for the time to come: Which we assure you is wished of us with Passion, and we shall endeavour by all means in our power to effect.  
To the Committee of the Kirk likewise his Majesty writ a Le●●● much to the same purpose, wh●e● assoon as they met was delivered to them. Those to the Committee of Estate were first referred to a Subcommittee of nine Lords and Burgesses. to present their Opinions thereupon to the Committee of Estates, who were to receive their Reports and prepare the matter for the Parliament of Scotland shortly to be convened. And moreover for the more expedition a Joint Committtee was chosen out of that of the Estates and that of the Kirk by common consent to consider to sending Commissioners and Propositions to the King. Much was the debate and great the contestation in this Council; the insolent Kirkmen rejecting all other accommodation, but such as might render his Majesty in a condition wholly subservient to their pleasure, framed higher Propositions than ever. Those of the Estates were more moderate, in comparison, though high enough too; and at length became more prevalent. So Commissioners were jointly chosen to be sent to his Majesties. The Earl of Cassils', the Lord Lothian, the Laird Burley and the Laird Libberton, Sir Io. Smith and Mr. jeoffries for the Estates; and Mr. Broady, Lawson, and Wood in behalf of the Kirk. These arrive at Breda, before the King, and therefore the next day they went to meet him at Berghe●●●op Zoom, and came together to Breda 16. March 1640. Three days after they were conducted to audience by the Lord Wentworth Master of the Ceremonies in the Kings Coach. The Earl of C●ssills made a short speech as from the Estates, and Lawson for the Kirk; after which they showed their Commissions and delivered the Propositions and Letters from the Estates and Kirk of Scotland. The Propositions were these.  
I. That all Excommunicate should be forbid the Court.  
II. That the King would by Solemn Oath and under his Hand and Seal declare his Allowance of the National Covenant of Scotland, & of the Solemn League & Covenant of the three Nations.  
III. That he would confirm all Acts of Parliament, enjoin the Solemn League and Covenant, establish Presbytery, the Directory, the Confession of Faith and Catechism in the Kingdom of Scotland, as they are already approved by the General Assembly of the Kirk and the Parliament; and that he would observe the same in his own family, and swear never to oppose or endeavour the alteration of the same.  
iv That he would consent that all Civil matters might be determined by the present and subsequent Parliaments in Scotland, and all matters Ecclesiastical by the ensuing general Kirk Assembly.  
After the reading of these Propositions and the Letters his Majesty being told these were all their instructions, answered; That he would take these things into consideration, and doubted not to give them such a full answer, as should give them & his Kingdom of Scotland ample satisfaction.  
His Majesty and his Council deliberate very seriously upon these Heads of the Treaty. Opinions were divided, some persons vehemently dissuading him from trusting himself into the hands of the Scots. But the Covenant was the main thing the King stuck at, and the Commissioners most urged. In the mean time he withdraw to the Hague to consult with the Queen of Bohemia and the Prince of Orange (who was visited by the Commissioners and entreated to be a Mediator between them and his Majesty) and some other friends what course was best to resolve on. And soon after the Earl of Carnwarth and Mr. Murrey arrive at Breda from the Committee of Estates with further Instructions and Propositions; as 1. That his Majesty should ra●ifie all that had been done in the Parliaments of Scotland in some late Sessions; And consent, That Montrosse and his Adherents be prohibited access into that Kingdom.  
These conditions were sufficiently hard, but the posture his majesty's affairs than stood in seemed to most of his Counselors to afford an invincible argument to persuade him to accept them. The Marquis of Montrosse, as I said, was commissioned by the King to levy what force he could on that side the Sea and to fall into the North of Scotland, upon hopes his appearance there might induce the States to more moderation. In order to which he had solicited the Princes of Germany for assistance, but he received little more from any but promises and compliments. Only from the Duke of Holstein he was supplied with three or four very fair Vessels well armed and amned. And to expedite his business he dispatched Col. john Ogilby to Amsterdam to  such strangers as might be for his purpose. But the forgetting his Commission, bestowed both money & pains in entertaining himself, suffering those who upon any terms would have engaged to shift for themselves; there being a great number who had fled out of England, and more who had lately deserted the French, or been cashiered the Hollander's service. By which neglect those goodly ships provided for service were lost, and a limb of the design broken. Nor was this the only miscarriage that happened in the beginning of the Marquis' enterprise. For Col. Cochran likewise who had been sent into Poland to deal with the Scotch Merchants there for assistance, having procured very considerable Sums of money upon that score and other provision, disposed of the money to his own use, made sale of the Corn and provision together transportation of it, and himself turned tail to the quarrel. And General King (whom the Marquis expected out of Sweden with a considerable party of Horse) either could not be ready so soon as was expected, or else delayed on purpose. However, the marquis fearing (as is supposed) he should have an express command to desist from his purpose, because the Treaty betwixt his Majesty and the Scots Commissioners was likely to come to a speedy conclusion, whereby himself should be banished out of that Kingdom, fatally resolves to proceed, notwithstanding all difficulties. So he set forth for the conquest of a Nation settled in a posture of war, and forewarned of his intentions, with about six or seven hundred men at most, strangers and all, about the tenth of April 1650. He had sent him by the Queen of Sw●den for the arming such as upon his arrival should betake themselves to his party, fifteen hundred Arms complete for Horse, back, breast, etc. Carbi●●es, Pistols and Swords; all which after his defeat in Cathanes were taken untouched. Two of his ships with near upon a third part were sent before and directed to stee● for the Orcadeses; but by storm of weather, which is both frequent and dangerous amongst those Northern Islands, they were lost with all the men and Arms, nothing saved. This was another check and a forerunner of the sad event which followed. However nothing terrified with these unhappy presages, he arrived himself at the Isle of Orkney, having with him several Scotch Gentlemen resolved to partake of his fortune. Here he continued a considerable time to raise such forces and recruits as the place would afford, which were poor, raw, untrained fellows, making up the show of an Army, but wholly ignorant of war. With these he embarks and lands at Cathanes the farthest point to the Northwest of Scotland, expecting the coming of two thousand men raised in the Earl of Seaforth's Territories. His arrival, and that with Foreigners, immediately struck a terror into the whole Country as far as Edenburth, where the Parliament then sitting forthwith order Lieutenant General David Lesley, Colonel Straughan and Holborn to march against him with 7000. foot and 3. Troops of Horse. In the mean time the marquis moves but slowly, and to prevent misapprehension (since all the world was much astonished at his Invasion, whilst the King was upon a Treaty) puts forth a Declaration, to make known, That his intention was only against some particular persons who had against the Laws of the Kingdom raised and maintained a war against the King's Father, and did now by their subtle practices endeavour to circumvent and destroy the Son; That he intended nothing against the generality of the Kingdom. And lastly, exhorted all Subjects of that Nation to endeavour to free themselves from the Tyranny of those who for the present ruled the state, and from the oppression of the Ministry. But the Country, partly through fear of the danger, and partly being overawed by the Earl of Sunderland, did not come to second him as he expected. Straughan who commanded a choice party of Horse, advances before Lesley's body, whilst the marquis had effected nothing material besides the taking of Dumbath Castle. Upon Straughan's approach, a party of 100 were drawn forth, who encountered his Forlorn hope, and put them to retreat; but being immediately seconded by Straughan's whole body, who charged upon that of the marquis, the Islanders threw down their Arms and were dispersed; only the Dutch Forces made an orderly retreat into some shrubs hard by, where having very valiantly defended themselves a while, they were at last enforced to yield. This was a total Defeat: of 1200. which were in the field on the Marquess' side, 200. were slain, and all the rest taken, saving about a hundred who escaped by flight. Among the Prisoners of note were Major General Sir john Vrrey, the Lord Frendraught, Sir Francis Hay of Dalketie, Colonel Hay of Naughton, Colonel Grey, Lieutenant Colonel Stuart, with a great number of other considerable officers and two Ministers. The Royal Standard was also taken, in which was portrayed the Head of the late King, lying a bleeding, and severed from the body, with this Motto, JUDGE AND REVENGE MY CAUSE, O LORD. The marquis himself when he saw the day loft, threw away his Cloak which had the Star on it (having received the order of the Garter a little while before) deserted his horse, changed his habit with a H●ghlander, and fled. The news of this Victory was so welcome to the State and Kirk of Scotland, that they rewarded Straughan with 1000 l. sterling, and gratified other officers. And to assure it, they order narrow search to be made for Montrosse, propounding a great sum to any that should apprehend him. He had continued three or four days in the open fields without meat or drink, with only one man in his company; till at length in this starving condition he discovered himself to the Lord Aston, who had formerly been a friend of his. But his adversity and the promised reward made him now be looked upon under another notion, so that either out of fear or covetousness, or both, this Lord sends this Illustrious but unfortunate Hero with a strong guard to David Lesley, by whom he was forthwith sent to Edinburgh, into which he was carried with all the ignominy, malice, assisted with zeal could invent: all which he underwent with extraordinary constancy and magnanimity. He was brought to the Towns end upon a Carthorse, and at the Gates he was met by some officers and the Executioner in his Livery Coat. They put him into a high seat in fashion of a Chariot, and bound him about the breast and arms with a cord into a Chair. The Executioner (being so commanded) took off the marquis his hat, and the chariot being drawn with four horses, put on his own bonnet, mounted one of the first horses, and so very solemnly drive along to the Tol booth. He had at that time many wounds about him, but none uncurable. The Parliament had resolved beforehand what sentence to pronounce upon him; but the more to disgrace him and to act with formality and insolence. He was brought before them, where he appeared in a rich attire with an undaunted countenance. His chief adversaries were Argile, an inveterate enemy to loyalty and consequently to this Noble Marquis, Lowdon the Chancellor, Ker, and Cassells who was gone in Commission to the King; but especially the fleabitten Ministers of Edinburgh, a generation of people, whose courses and practices are detested by all that understand any thing of the sobriety of Christian Religion. Being brought to the Bar of the House, the Chancellor told him first, That he must kneel at the Bar. Whereunto he answered, My Lord, I shall with all my heart observe any posture you shall appoint m● to appear before you in, whereby I may minifest to you, that I freely submit to the authority of Parliament, and to this present Parliament in a more especial manner because you have concluded so near a Conjunction with his Majesty my Master in the late Treaty. After which the Chancellor made a Speech to him, the substance whereof was this.  
SIR,  
I am commanded to mind you of the last judgement of God befallen you for your perfidious breaking of the Covenant, which might justly provoke God thus to divert your counsels and affairs, for having been so eminent an Author and Actor of mischief against this Nation. You abandoned the Covenant and despised the Oath of God, invaded your Native Country, and with most inhuman and barbarous cruelty burnt and wastest divers parts thereof, and have spilt much blood of his majesty's good Subjects, taking advantage of that time when the prime Commanders & forces thereof were employed elsewhere. For these Crimes you were excommunicated by the Church, and sore-faulted by the Parliament of this Kingdom, and yet still continued in the highest contempt against God under that fearful sentence of excommunication; And to this day have you remained without the least show of Repentance. And God by his Providence hath now justly brought you hither to receive the Sentence of your Condemnation.  
Hereunto the Illustrious Prisoner, having desired and obtained liberty, answered,  
My Lord, I am glad that I may to answer for myself. Though I am here your prisoner, yet my cause is good; Nor is there any breach of the Covenant on my part, in which I swore to be true to his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors. Concerning what I have done in relation to the Wars & affairs of this Kingdom, I had not only a General Commission, but particular Orders for what I have done from his Majesty, which I was engaged to obey by the said Covenant. And concerning my coming over now, I was ascertained that you had professed to comply with his Majesty in the present Affairs in which he hath employed me; and upon that Account it was that I have acted. I desire to refer myself, and to submit unto this present Parliament and the authority thereof to be my judges in this Case, whom I own as a true Parliament by authority from his Majesty; and I shall be content, however it shall please God to deal with me. As for my Life, if you take it away by this Authority, it is well known to the World I regard it not: Death is a debt which all own, and must once be paid by every one; And I shall be willing and much rejoice to go the same way which my Master passed before me; and it is the joy of my heart not only to do, but also to suffer for him.  
After he had pronounced this with a very composed gravity, even to the admiration of all that heard him, he was commanded to withdraw. The Parliament were not long in debate, but unanimously resolved upon this Sentence of Condemnation, which, he being recalled, was pronounced against him.  
You are to be carried back to the place from whence you came, and from thence to morrow being the 21. of May (1650.) to Edinburgh Cross, there to be hanged on a Gallows 30. foot high for the space of 3. hours, with your History & Declaration about your neck, and then to be taken down, and your head cut off upon the Scaffold, and set upon Edinburgh Talbooth, and your legs and arms over the gates of the Cities of Sterling, Dundee, Glasgow, and Aberdeen, your Trunk to be buried in the common place for Thiefs and Robbers, except the K●rk take off your excommunication.  
This sentence aggravated by the Chancellor in the utmost terms of horror his spleen could invent, was undismaiedly receive d by the noble marquis, who answered, That he took it for a greater to have his head stand on the Prison gate for this quarrel, then to have his P cture in the King's Bedchamber. And lest his Loyalty should be forgotten, they had highly honoured him in designing lasting monuments to bear up his memorial to all posterity; wishing he had flesh enough to have sent a piece to every City in Christendom to witness his Loyalty to his King and Country.  
The next day, having prepared his soul for Heaven, he marched magnanimously to the Scaffold, and notwithstanding all the interruptions of the bitter spirited Priests, having made a sober speech to the people underwent the cruel sentence with all the ignominious circumstances, to his own perpetual glory and the everlasting reproach of his Enemies.  
Thus died this incomparable Marquis of immortal fame, a great example of unfortunate Virtue, whose barbarous murder, I have more particularly related, because it discovers the temper of that Covenanted party who put him to death. Posterity certainly will esteem his memory, and account his judges deserving a more exquisite punishment for this and other their inhuman actions than that they inflicted on him, if it be possible for the quintessence of malice to invent a greater.  
Within a few days after four other Noble Gentlemen suffered for the same cause, Sir john Vrr y (notwithstanding he pleaded the benefit of quarter) Col. Spotswood Laird of Darcy, Sir Francis Hay and Col. Sibbald; though they had the favour to be beheaded.  
Such was the fate of his majesty's affairs in Scotland, and the brave persons that managed them; and such was the unparallelled insolence of the Scots, who dared to murder his best friends, while they were in Treaty with him, upon a base and ungenerous presumption, that the lowness of his condition would enforce him to put up patiently so high and detestable an indignity. Which indeed, he was constrained to do, as his affairs then stood. When the news was brought to his Majesty at Breda, he was much startled at it, and expressed his Resentment of their proceed by a Message sent them by Mr. Murrey That he was grieved to hear it credibly reported that notwithstanding those hopeful overtures of Peace lately made between him and them, they had shed the blood of some of his best Subjects of the Kingdom of Scotland; and that the manner thereof according to Reports did extremely trouble him. But that he might understand the Particulars more certainly he desired an account of the business from themselves.  
In answer to this they professed their affections were still real to him, and their Hearts much joy'ed to hear of his willingness to concur with them in a happy agreement; And desired him not to stumble at some seeming Obstacles, as the Death of Montrosse, or their reducing of his Forces; Assuring him there was nothing in what they did, but to accomplish his Ends and promote his Interests to his best Advantage. (This zealous Nation does God and the King good service, when they illegally and inhumanely murder their fellow-Christians and Subjects.)  
These actions of the Scots and the business of the Covenant were the main impediments of the Treaty. But the murder of Montrosse though it might justly have deterred his Majesty from trusting himself into those hands which reaked with his best servants Blood, could not be redressed; and his necessities enforced him to dissemble all further resentment of it. As for the Covenant, he argued that it was the Subjects Covenant to bind them to their King, and not for him to swear to; and therefore he thought it sufficient to pass an Act for his People to take it. He likewise offered to confirm the Presbyterian Government in Scotland; Provided that himself might have always three Chaplains of his own Election; As also to confirm the Militia in the Hands of the Estates for five years; Provided that afterwards it might return to himself. These particulars were agreed to; & so a conclusion put to the Treaty. The news whereof being carried to Edinburgh, the Parliament forthwith met, and the fourth Faction which I mentioned, viz. such as corresponded with the Sectarian junto of England were so strangely and ridiculously impudent as to put it to the Vote, whether any more Adddresses should be made to the King (it seemed they desired to ape the abominable Monsters at Westminster, who passed a Vote of Non addresses after his late Majesty had consented to all their demands) there were 32. of these malevolent Negatives, but the major part carried it in the Affirmative. Whereupon a Message was resolved upon to be sent to him, wherein they invited him, To make all possible speed to come to his Kingdom of Scotland, and protested. They would assist him with their lives and fortunes to establish him in all his Dominions. Yet withal they forbore not to advertise him, they had Testimonies to produce of his actings by Letters to Montross (having belike intercepted 3. or 4.) contrary to his promise to them at the Treaty at Breda, (as they pretended.) However they were willing (out of special grace) to dispense with him for what was past, so that he would without delay, according to the Articles of Agreement come over into Scotland, and comply with the Parliament and the Kirk.  
After this they betook themselves to make preparations for his Reception, Two of the chiefest Houses in Edinburgh were richly furnished, and the Parliament took into consideration the nominating Officers for his Majesty's Household, which they did with much arrogance, not permitting those to wait upon him whom he chief favoured, & whom he judged best affected towards him, and by Proclamation prohibiting several great Scotch Lords, as Duke Hamilton, the Earls of Louderdale and S aforth, with many other persons of Quality who had constantly attended on him in jersey and Holland, from returning into Scotland.  
Thus we have seen the deportment of the Covenanters towards his Majesty and Friends during his absence, we now come to relate their actions after he took possession personally of the Kingdom of Scotland: Which after the conclusion of the Treaty he did not delay to do, but about the beginning of june he left the Hague and took shipping at Scheveling in Holland. By the way he was in some danger by reason of a tedious storm and certain English ships which plied about the Coast to waylay him; but with some difficulty he escaped both, and arrived safe at a place called the Spey in the North of Scotland, whither some Lords were sent to receive and accompany him to Edinburgh. All the way he was entertained with the general joy and acclamations of the people. At Dundee new Propositions were by Commissioners from the Parliament and Kirk presented to him to sign, which after some reluctancy he performed. The town presented him of Aberdeen with 1500. l. But the Committee of Estates sent to several places who had the same intentions, enjoining them whatever Plate or money they had to bestow, to bring the same into such a Treasury as they should appoint. As if it were unfit for his Majesty to be master of his own Purse. while they were in expectation of his Arrival the Committee of Estates and Parliament consulted about forming of an Army for his service as they pretended, and an Act was passed for training every fourth man capable to bear Arms throughout the Kingdom, & raising 16000 Foot and 6000. Horse; in which the Earl of Leven was made General of the Foot, Holborn Major General, David Lesley Lieutenant General of the Horse, and Montgomery Major General; the supreme Command being reserved for his Majesty. Who arriving at Edinburgh was entertained with many compliments and congratulations, and on the 15 of july solemnly proclaimed King at the Cross, and should have been Crowned in the ensuing month, had not certain obstacles caused the deferring of that ceremony. He had not been long there but the Estates and Parliament begin to busy themselves afresh about modelling his Retinue, and clearing his Household of such Malignants (as they termed them) as were in his Service, excluding them also from all employment both about his Person and in the Army. As for himself, he had a strong Guard continually about him to attend him and observe his motions.  
The English pretended Parliament had all this while sufficient intelligence of the Scots proceed with his Majesty in the Treaty of Breda, together with their engagement to assist him in the recovery of his Rights in England, and this by the perfidiousness & treachery of some of the Fourth Faction I mentioned in the Parliament of Scotland. And therefore by the solicitation of these Traitors, and partly out of policy to prevent an invasion by making one, whereby the Enemy's Country would become the Seat of the War, they prepared an Army against Scotland, and sent for Cromwell out of Ireland, on whom they conferred the Command of Capt. General of all their Forces in the room of the Lord Fairfax, who gave up his Commission, abhorring to be longer a servant to such horrid designs as they had formerly put him upon.  
About this time one Ascham whom the junto had sent Agent into Spain was assassinated at Madrid together with his Interpreter Senior Riba by a combination of six or seven men at Madrid, who after the fact took Sanctuary. Dorislaus another Agent of the Upstart Republic had the same fate also, though more deservedly, about a year before in Holland. It happened also during the Treaty was on foot between his Majesty and his Scottish Subjects, that Prince Rupert's Fleet having for a long time been protected by the King of Portugal was utterly destroyed upon that coast by Blake the English Admiral.  
On the 28. of june, Cromwell got all things in readiness for a War, advanced towards Scotland in the head of 11000. Foot and 5000. Horse. And approaching to the Borders sent the Scots a Declaration from the ptetended Parliament of England, and another from himself, to justify these proceed. The Scots seemed much surprised at this invasion without warning given, and therefore send to expostulate the Cause of it in a paper to Haslerig then Governor of Newcastle, in another to Cromwell, and a third to the junto; in which they urged the Solemn League and Covenant and the former Union between the two Nations. But it was answered by a Declaration. 1. That the Scots (contrary to their agreement) had once already invaded England under D. Hamilton, and were now ready for a second invasion; so that the English were advanced against them only by way of prevention. 2. That they had made a Peace with the Common Enemy, & promised him assistance to regain the other Kingdoms he pretended to. 3. They had resolved to impose their form of Religion upon the English Nation. These were the grounds the English alleged for their proceed. Accordingly Cromwell marches into Scotland taking all the Garrisons that lay in his way, till he came to Muscleborough (a place famous for a signal defeat given the Scots in the Reign of Edward the 6.) there he is set upon by Maj. Gen. Montgomery and Col. Straughan; but the assailants were put to the worst. After which the two main Armies having for some time moved at a small distance one from another, the Scots declined engaging till they got the English at a great disadvantage at Dunbar, who by the difficulties of the place were so distressed for provision, that they began to think of an escape by Sea, and would without doubt have taken that course, had not the Scots confidence of Victory induced them to set upon them (contrary to the great prudent maxims of War, viz. To make a bridge for a flying Enemy, & not to drive an enemy Army to the utmost of despair) The event of this engagement was, that the Scots in stead of an assured Victory received a total overthrow; 3000. of them being slain in the field, amongst whom was the Laird of Libberton & Col. Lumsden, about 8000. with Sir james Lumsden Lieut. Gen. of the Foot made prisoners, & 200. Colours (part of those that were afterwards hung up in Westminster-Hall) 15000. arms and 30. pieces of Ordnance taken.  
The King in the mean time was withdrawn to St. Iohnston's, being so sensible of the Scots unfaithfulness, that he apprehended as much danger from them as from the Enemy. Here he received the news of this loss, which was followed with a greater, that of the excellent Princess his Sister Elizabeth, who died on the eight of Sept. 1650. at Carisbook Castle in the Isle of Wight; a Lady of incomparable goodness & piety, and who deserved to have been born in a better Age, and in a less Barbarous Nation. The execrable murder of her Royal Father hastened her death; whither the same Villains at the helm of the State contributed any thing towards it, though reported, I will not affirm. Only I know they were enemies enough to that family & base enough, to attempt as great a crime. It is recorded by some that the decease of this Illustrious Princess afflicted his Majesty more than the loss of the Army at Dunbar; and perhaps he had reason, since himself seemed least concerned in this, the Forces having been raised, and ordered wholly by the States and Kirk's command and for their interest. About this time also died the renowned Prince of Orange, to the great grief of the King, leaving his Princess great with her first child, of which she was safely delivered four days after being a Son & his Father's Successor.  
About this time Col. Eusebius Andrew's having been found with a Commission from his Majesty was condemned by a High-Court of Justice and beheaded on Tower-Hill.  
Immediately after this notable Victory, Cromwell made himself master of Edinburgh and of Leith; only the Castle of Edinburgh held out for a good while after.  
The King being unable to bear the imperiousness and hard impositions of the Estates and Kirk, extorting a Declaration from him to condemn his own proceed and those of his best affected party, banishing his friends from about him, & usurping the whole Government of all affairs both Ecclesiastical and Civil into their own hands, and placing guards about his Person, etc. secretly escapes from St. Iohnston's in much discontent (in order, as some think, to going beyond Sea) accompanied only with four Horsemen toward the North of Scotland, where the Marquis of Huntkey, the Earls of Athol and Seaforth, Lords Ogleby and Newburgh with the Gourdons and the men of Athol were ready to appear for him with a considerable force.  
The Committee of Estates at St. Iohnston's were much surprised and troubled at this departure of his Majesty, especially for that they feared he was gone to Mai. Gen. Middleton and the Athol men, (who were purely for his interest, disclaiming the Kirk's authority with that of Parliament and Estates) for the appeasing of whom, an Act of Indemnity was offered them; which they contemning, and falling upon and worsting Sir john Brows Regiment, Lieut. Gen. Lesley is commanded forth against them. In the mean time while the Parliament and Committee of Estates are consulting and debating what course to take with the King, some propounding, That since he had deserted them, they should look no more after him but leave him to his own ways; the more moderate judging it fit rather to testify to his Majesty their sorrow for his departure and desire him graciously to return: a different Faction of the Covenanters under the command of Straughan and Kerr in the West set forth a Remonstrance to the Committee of Estates taxing them of imprudence and temerity in hastening to conclude a Treaty with, receiving & entertaining the King, before he had given any convincing evidence of a real change, after his commissioning Montrosse to invade Scotland; judging his profession of the Cause & the Covenant merely counterfeit, as appeared by his favouring Scotch and English Malignants (as they termed them.) And for these reasons they absolutely refused to submit to his power and authority. Of this Faction besides Kerr and Straughan were the Lord Warreston (lately a Member of our pretended Committee of Safety) and Sir john Chiesy. An accommodation was endeavoured to be made between them and the Estates at St. Iohnston's; but they stood off, and declared against King and Lords on the one side, and the Sectarian English Army on the other. Thus was this poor Nation divided among themselves, whilst at the same time a merciless foreign enemy was ravaging in the bowels of it. However the Committee of Estates and Kirk (several of whose great sticklers were become very inclinable to his Majesty) resolve at length to dispatch Maj. Gen. Montgomery with a party of Horse after him, humbly to entreat his return. Montgomery upon inquiry understanding that his Majesty was at the L. Dedup's House in the North confines of Fife, hastens thither, and first surrounding the House, enters and upon his knees acquaints the King what desires he brought from the Committee of Estate. But he absolutely refused at first, as not enduring the Subjection they had made him live in; The news whereof brought to the Estates, set the Kirk Party & such as favoured the English Sectaries a gog again, who hereupon were very violent for no more Addresses to be made to him, whose motion began to have some influence upon the rest. In the mean time his Majesty was urgently solicited by the Marq. of Huntly & the Athol men that risen for him in the North to adhere solely to them, undertaking to secure him against the Kirk and all others: To which invitation he seemed very prone to hearken, so that the Breach betwixt him and the Covenanted Party who brought him in, was near become irreconcilable. But the consideration of the danger which might redound from the foreign Enemy by occasion of this division, the concession of some propositions, together with the importunity of Montgomery & the industry of some attendants about him, induced him to return back with the Maj. Gen. to St. Iohnston's. And it was judged requisite to unite all parties (if possible) against the common Enemy: to which purpose Huntly and Middleton were treated with, who refused to submit, and marched up within a mile of St. Iohnston's where they had like to have been engaged by David Lesley. But upon some concessions (as to be admitted into places of Trust, etc.) a Treaty was concluded. One would have thought now the service against the Common Destroyer of, their Country would have been unanimously carried on; yet this reconciliation begat another feud (as if the zealots of this Nation had been infatuated purposely for their own ruin.) The Ministers of Sterling were so fare trom consenting to this Treaty that they passed the Sentence of Excommunication upon Middleton, in defiance of the Estates at St. Iohnston's, and being summoned thither to a general meeting to be held here consisting of King, Lords, Barons, Burgesses, and Assembly of Ministers to consult for the good & safety of the King, Kingdom and Kirk, they refused, and advised the Estates to be at a greater distance from the King & his Council, and rather to come to Sterling. But at length with much ado they were brought to go to St. Iohnston's. Much time had been lost in these fatal differences, and the public safety was neglected, whilst men minded the satisfaction of their own perverse and malicious humours. It was now highly requisite to look about them, & therefore Middleton was employed with a Commission and Instructions from his Majesty (who well enough understood that the safety of himself and that Nation depended wholly on the unanimity of his Subjects) to treat with some forces in the H●ghlands who still refused to submit.  
The grand Assembly convene, & as the first evidences of concord divers Scotch Lords formerly in disfavour with the Kirk were received into the Army or the Parliament, as Duke Hamilton, the Lords Lauderdale, Buchaim, Leith, Dedup, Crawford; and of the English, Major General Massey, was admitted to a command in the Army.  
Col. Ker in the West of Scotland who had stood off from all parties hitherto, at length so far complied with the Kirk-Grandees, that he took Straughan prisoner, who by Cromwel's inveglement inclined to side with the English (a right Scot) But not long after Kerr was defeated and taken by Maj. Gen. Lambert; a just reward & consequence of his seditious discord. About the beginning of October, some Gentlemen and others in Norfolk took Arms against the Tyranny of the pretended Parliament, declaring for the restitution of the Ancient Government of the Land by a King and the Laws; but the County Militia and some Forces from Lin suddenly dispersed them, taking some whom afterwards by a solemn new way of murder first practised at Westminster upon the late King, and afterwards in most places of England upon his friends, they put to death at Norwich. A little before this they likewise executed at Tyburn one Mr. Benson, for having been guilty of the same pretended Treason with Col. Eusebius Andrew's formerly beheaded.  
On Decemb. 24. Edinburgh Castle having endured a violent siege 3. Months surrendered to Cromwell, & so did other strong Castles & places, as Nesbit, Berthwick and Roswell, etc. so successful were their Impious Arms, by God's providence, who was pleased to use them as a scourge for these sinful Nations.  
Preparations in the mean time were made for the Coronation of his Majesty, for the celebrating of which the 1. of january had been long before designed by the Estates. The place was the Town of Scoon, where 150. Kings of that Nation had formerly been Crowned. Thither therefore his Majesty, with the Nobility, Barons and Burgesses in their robes, removeed, the whole Scotch Army standing all the way as a guard making a lane between those two places. The solemnity was performed with as much Pomp and Ceremony as the present State of things would permit, and with loud Acclamations, Bonfires, shooting of Guns, etc. His Majesty having first heard a Sermon preached by Mr. Rob. Douglas, sitting upon a Scaffold erected in the Church of Scoone, took the ordinary Coronation Oath and subscribed the National Covenant with the solemn League and Covenant. After which he ascended upon a Stage a little Higher than the former, & sat down in the Throne; when the people being demanded four times by the King at Arms, Whether they were willing to accept of King CHARLES for their King, & become subject to his Commandments, expressed their consent with loud Acclamations, God save King CHARLES the Second. This being done, his Majesty was clothed by the Lord Chamberlain with his Royal Robes; the Crown was set upon his Head by the Marquis of Argyle, and the Sceptre put into his hand, the Sword was girt about him by the Earl Martial, and the Spurs put on by the Earl of Eglington. Then the Nobility being called by the Herald, one by one swore allegiance & fealty to his Majesty, touching the Crown upon his head with their right Hand, in these Words, By the Eternal & Almighty God who liveth & reigneth for ever. I shall support thee to the uttermost. The people also holding up their hands swore obedience to hi● M●●●sty according to the usual Oath. And to conclude ●ll, an exhortatory Oration was made by Mr. Rob. Duglasse and a Prayer. Which being done his Majesty and the Nobility departed out of the Church in the former Order and Pomp, the Earl of Glencarn carrying the Sword before him.  
The Ceremonies being thus ended his Majesty and the Nobility were entertained at a Stately and Magnificent Dinner; which done, they all returned to St. Iohnston's in the same manner they came in; his Majesty's Guard consisting of the Sons of divers great Scotch Lords and other Members of Parliament, the Captain whereof was the Lord of Lorne Son to Argile. I have omitted the full relation of all the passages at his Majesty's Inauguration, because they have been already frequently published, and lest they should add too much to the bulk of this volume.  
This business being over, it behoved his Majesty to provide for the defence of his Crown and Kingdom; in order whereunto he set up his Standard at Aberdeen, to which a considerable number of men in a short time repaired, of whom himself was General, Duke Hamilton Lieut. General of the Army, David Lesley Major General, Middleton Lieut. Gen. of the Horse, and Massey Commander in chief of all the English Forces.  
The Parliament of Scotland which had adjourned during his majesty's Coronation, reassembled about the beginning of March and much contest there was for several Lords of the Royal Party to be admitted to their Seats in the House; which by reason of the opposition of the Kirk-assemblies at Sterling and Aberdeen could not be obtained till they had passed the Stool of Repentance; which Duke Hamilton did with some kind of splendour, having a Table placed before him covered with black Velvet with a Cushion of the same, and making a great Feast that day.  
In this Session a Committee was appointed to consider of the State of Affairs, and examine obstructions; by whom several persons that were found to hold correspondence with the English Army had their Estates sequestered and some were tried for their lives; Arguile at the same time and other Covenanteer Lords repining at the admission of the Royal Lords into the Parliament & Army, as if they should thereby become overpowered or utterly discarded. And indeed to these two pernicious qualities, Treachery and particular Ambition (peculiar almost to that Nation) his majesty's and that kingdom's ensuing misfortunes ought to be ascribed.  
In the mean time his Majesty was very active in modelling his new Army, whose Rendezvouse was at the East of Fife, encouraging them many times with his presence and speech, the English gain two very strong Castles, Hume and Trimptallon lying between Berwick and Edinburgh, the former by Colonel Fenwick, and the other by Colonel Monck. But to prevent their further progress, his Majesty personally visited all the Garrisons of Fife, and put them in a posture to hinder the English from landing on that side the Frith; after which he went to the Assembly at Aberdeen to endeavour by his presence and authority to compose Dissensions. And having taken this order at home, he employed the Earl of Dumferling Ambassador into Holland, & Mr. Crofts into Russia, besides others into other Nations to solicit for assistance. Thus he acquitted himself as far as humane prudence could reach; but abroad his Ambassadors received nothing but fruitless promises and empty compliments, amongst whom Sir Henry Hid Lieger at Constantinople had the worst fortune; for I know not upon what contest between him and Sir Thomas Bendish that lay there in behalf of the New State, Bendish got him into his hands, and sent him over into England, where (as other Loyal Subjects had formerly been) he was formally tried before a parcel of Murderers in apretended High Court of justice, condemned and beheaded near the Old Exchange in London on March 4. 1650. A person he was of great parts, honesty and loyalty. Of the same cup also and from the same hands tasted Captain Brown Bushel, an expert Seaman, who had lately done notable service for his Majesty by sea. He was beheaded on Tower-hill on the 25. of April 1651.  
But to proceed; No considerations could unite the dissenting Covenanted Scots; The Clergy like fire brands were as eager to ruin their Country with their tongues, as the Sectarian Army could be with the sword; Guthry, Cant, Duram, Galespy, men of hot spirits, inflaming inconsiderable discontents to high outrages, as if a spirit of division had wholly possessed them, and so perverted their judgements, that petty animosities were prosecuted with greater zeal than the public Cause. Malignants it seems had commands given them, and grew potent; this was the ground of contest. Some covenanted Lords too, either for that they were Kirk-ridden, or blinded with envy and ambition, began to be dissatisfied: whereupon Louden was discharged from being Chancellor, & the Lord Burleigh substituted. This begat ill blood. The Earl of Sutherland assembled about 500 men, and seemed to intent them upon another account. What course then should his Majesty take amidst this perverse Nation? However, he omitted no means that the most prudent and diligent Prince could use, aswell to reconcile Differences as to complete his levies; to which purpose he obtained an Act of the Parliament for levying fifteen thousand foot, and eight thousand horse. Soon after which the Parliament adjourned till the seventeenth of April devolving the Civil Power in the mean time into the Hands of a Select Council, and the Military upon a Committee of War consisting of twenty persons chosen out of each of the Three Estates. Special care was taken about the fortifying of Sterling, the King himself going often to hasten the completing of them, and shortly after removed his Court from St. Iohnston's thither. The 29. of May, being his majesty's Birthday was solemnised with great rejoicing throughout Scotland, the Parliament adjourning and his Majesty dining that day with most of the Nobility at a great Feast; and the Town of Dundee to express their affections beyond all the rest, presented his Majesty with a rich Tent, 6. Field-pieces of Ordnance, and advanced a brave Regiment of Horse for his service at their own charges. Mean while the English pursue their advantages, and Col. Monk takes Blackness a strong place between Edinburgh and Sterling by surrender. Which loss was not so considerable as that of the Earl of Eglington (a person of eminent worth and authority) who having been sent into the West with some other Commanders to raise Forces, and coming to Dunbarton to put his Commission in execution, was there surprised by a party of Horse sent thither for that purpose by Col. Lilburne, together with his Son Col. ja. Montgomery, Lieut. Col. Colburn, etc. and carried to Edinburgh.  
About this time also, the pretended Parliament of England, judging it advantageous to get into their power those lesser Islands which held out for his Majesty, sent their General Blake to that of Scilly, who with three hundred Seamen in a short space reduced the most important places in it.  
The Parliament of Scotland being reassembled at St. Iohnston's after their adjournment, his Majesty sent a Message to them, desiring, 1. That the Act about the Classes of Malignants might be repealed. 2. That no more mention might be made of the name of Malignants amongst them. 3. That Duke Hamilton, the Earls of Calendar and Seaforth and others might have full command m the Army. These proposals which were of high importance to the common safety, and consentaneous aswell to Religion as season of State, were notwithstanding vehemently opposed by Argyle and the Covenanted gang; yet the moderate party prevailed, and they were carried in the affirmative. And having passed these and the Act of Indemnity, and taken order for the pressing of men, they dissolved about the beginning of june. For the expediting the Levies, Argyle, Huntly and Seaforth were dispatched away to their several Territories. Cromwell in the mean time had been very sick, so that there passed little of action during that time; nor were the Scots willing to engage till their forces were completed. Maj. Gen. Massey had received instruction to fall into England with the English Horse and Foot under his command, and together with the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Wilmot to join with a party in Lancashire that were to rise for the King. The design was chief promoted at London by some of the Presbyterian Clergy, who held correspondence with Maj. Gen. Massey, and contributed divers sums of money to his assistance. But a ship bound for the Isle of Man being driven into Air in Scotland, was taken and Letters found in her which discovered the whole Confederacy: whereupon the chief heads of it in London were apprehended, Mr. Cook, Gibbons, Love, jenkin's, Drake, and others; Two of whom, viz. Mr. Love, and Mr. Gibbons had a formal trial before a pretended High Court of justice. & were beheaded on Tower-hill Au. 22. 1651. The rest upon their repentance and supplications were afterwards released. By this means the intended Irruption and Insurrection were frustrated.  
Cromwell being now recovered from his sickness, & having contracted all his forces into a Body by drawing in his outguards or petty Garrisons, and having received great supplies of Ammunition from Berwick and 80000. l. from the junto by Sea for his Soldiers, resolves upon a speedy encounter. His Forces consisted of 14. Regiments of Horse and 12. Regiments of Foot, 6. Troops of Dragoons and 16. pieces of Ordnance. With these about the latter end of june he advances into Lithgow, and endeavoured to dare the Scots to an engagement, who lay strongly encamped at Torwood within 3. miles of Sterling; But they thought fit to decline battle till their Forces were completed. Wherefore to intercept their supplies of provision Col. Overton was commanded with 1600. foot and 4. Troops of Horse, to fall into the North of Fife; who accordingly embarking his men in small Boats landed them at the North-Ferry in spite of all opposition; Cromwell himself in the mean time marching with his whole Army close up to the Scots, intending to fall upon their Rear in case they moved to disturb the Enterprise. However, Maj. Gen. Sir john Brown and Maj. Gen. Holburn were dispatched to drive the English out of Fife again; but before they could come up to them, Lambert and Okey were joined with Overton with 2. Regiments of Horse and two of Foot. And with this unexpected reinforcement, the English wholly defeated the Scots, killing 2000 upon the place, and taking above 1200 prisoners, among whom was the Commander in chief Maj. Gen. Brown, who did not long survive this loss, but died (as is conceived) of grief, having always approved himself to his Majesty a person of much fidelity and courage. This defeat was the bane of the Scotch affairs. For soon after the English took in Garrisons almost as fast as they approached them. Brunt Island and a strong Forth called Innesgarvy situate in an Isle lying in the Frith were reduced by Maj. Gen. Lambert; and within a few days after Cromwell took the Town of St. Iohnston's after one day's siege by surrender. This prodigious success caused his Majesty to alter his Counsels, and design an irruption into England; which was resolved upon out of probable hopes that many of his loyal Subjects there would betake themselves to his assistance when they understood he was in the head of an Army in it. This indeed was a desperate course; but (according to that of the great Physician,) what matter's it whether the remedy be desperate when there is but one? Scotland was in a manner already lost, the Army he had levied were raw unexperienced men, and all the Garrisons round about were possessed by the Enemy, whose Forces were far more numerous, and better provided of Ammunition and able Horses, and besides had been animated by frequent Victories, and the spoil of such places, as they had taken. Possibly in England his Majesty might soon have forces competent to match them; at least he should not be beset with so many difficulties, and one fortunate Field might wholly turn the Scale. Accordingly, upon Thursday july 31. 1651. all things being in readiness the Scotch Army left their Camp at Sterling (which was soon after delivered to Lieut. Gen. Monk) and the sixth day after being about 16000 entered England by the way of Carlisle. Upon intelligence of this sudden March, Cromwel's Army (of which the greatest part was in Fife) forthwith crossed the Frith and first Lambert is sent with 5. Regiments of Horse and Dragoons to fall upon the Scots rear; Cromwell himself soon after (Aug. 6.) following with 8. Regiments of Foot, 2. of Horse, and 8. great Guns, having left 6000. horse and foot with Lieutenant General Monck to reduce the remaining garrisons of Scotland. Major General Harrison being advanced the nearest England, with 3000. horse and Dragoons attended the motion of the Scotch Army, and the Westminster juncto suddenly bestir themselves to raise the Militia of the whole Nation, and make an Act to forbid all relief and succour to be given to his Majesty or his Forces under penalty of High Treason. Immediately the Militia's of most Counties were drawn into the Field against him, and for the hindering of his progress, 2000 of the County Militia of Staffordshire, and 4000 out of Lancashire and Cheshire under Colonel Birch joined with Lambert and Harrison; whose first attempt upon the Royal Army, was at Warrington bridge, the passage of which was very sharply disputed, but at length gained by the Scots with the loss of some men. In the mean time a party in Wales began to rise for the King, intending to have joined with the Earl of Derby from the Isle of Man; but the design was crushed before it came to any thing. The march of the Scotch Army was managed with extreme civility to the people as they passed, no soldier daring to plunder or steal the least thing whatever, having been terrified by the punishment of one of their number who was shot to death for entering an Orchard. But as this carriage of theirs, together with his Majesty's invitations, did not so prevail upon the people to come in to him as he expected, so by the way fear deprived him of about the fourth part of the Army he brought out of Scotland. It was deliberated by bis Majesties council whether or not to march forthwith to London; but the way was too tedious, and the soldiers were much wearied with their journey already, and it was hoped the interest Major General Massey had in Glocestershire would procure a confluence of men from those parts. Asson as the Army entered England, and afterwards at every Market-town his Majesty was proclaimed King of England by an English man whom he had created King at Arms, with much satisfaction of the Country. However, such was the fate of these Nations, for the punishment of whose sins a severe yoke was reserved by Providence, (for I know not what apparent reason to ascribe their actions to in this occasion) that in stead of assisting their just and lawful Prince, they arose generally in Arms against him. The Lord Fairfax (who till then had been believed sensible of some remorse for his former proceed) appeared in the F●eld with a formidable body to flank the Royal Army as they marched, London poured out her numerous Militia, and the adjacent Counties were by strict order of Parliament enjoined to set out Horse and Men at their own charges. The King in the mean time received no considerable supply, saving one Troop of Horse commanded by a noble young Gentleman Sir Cecil Howard, son to the Lord Howard of Ostrich. Nevertheless there wanted not courage in the breasts of the Nobility and Gentry with his Majesty, whose great resolutions made them hope even in the midst of despair. From Tong-Norton his Majesty sent a Trumpeter with a Letter and Summons to Col. Mackworth Governor of Shrewsbury which I shall venture to insert with the Answer; His Majesty's Letter was in these words.  
Col. Mackworth. Having sent you herewith a Summons to render into my hands my Town with the Castle of Shrewsbury, I cannot but persuade myself you will do it, when I consider you a Gentleman of an ancient House, and of very d fferent principles (as I am informed) from those with whom your employment ranks you at present. If you shall peaceably deliver them unto me, I will not only pardon what is past, and protect you and yours in your persons and all that belongs to you, but reward foe eminent and seasonable a Testimony of your Loyalty with future Trust and Favour, and do leave it to yourself to propose the particular, being upon that condition ready to grant you presently any thing you shall reasonably desire, and to approve myself your Friend, C. R.  
The Summons also which accompanied this Letter was to the same effect. But whether the Governor looked upon his majesty's condition too forlorn to engage on his side, or acted really out of an hostile principle, I will not determine: but the answer he returned to his Sovereign Lord the King was in the following terms directed,  
To the Commander in chief of the Scottish Army.  
SIR, By your Trumpeter I received two Papers; the one containing a Proposition, the other a direct Summons for the rendition of the Town & Castle of Shrewsbury, the custody whereof I have received by authority of Parliament. And if you believe me a Gentleman (as you say you do) you may believe I will be faithful to my trust, to the violation whereof neither allurements can persuade me, nor threaten of force, especially when but paper ones, compel me. What Principles I am judged to be of, I know not; but I hope they are su●h, as shall declare me honest, and no way differing herein (as I know) from those engaged in the same employment with me, who should they des●rt the Cause they are embarked in, I resolve to be found, as I am, unremovable; the faithful servant of the Commonwealth of England,  
H. Mackworth.  
About the same time also his Majesty sent the like summons to Sir Thomas Middleton, Governor of Chirk Castle in Shropshire; but this Gentleman was not altogether so civil as the former; for in stead of returning any answer at all, he caused the Messenger to be seized and sent away prisoner to Wrexham, who was afterwards hanged at Chester for this service.  
It having been resolved upon debate by his majesty's Council rather to march Westward then towards London, his Army accordingly entered the City of Worcester upon Friday the 22. of August. 1651. after one or two repulses by the Forces that kept the City; the Inhabitants not only not opposing the Scots entrance but helping to beat the English Soldiers out. In his majesty's March hither he had sent a Copy of his Declaration (in which he offered pardon to all that would return to their Allegiance) enclosed in a gracious Letter to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London, which by order of the Usurping junto at Westminster was on the 26. of Aug publicly burnt at the old Exchange by the Hangman. And a day or two after at a Muster of 14000. men in moorfield's the insolent Speaker Lenthall repaired thither, and caused a fellow with a Link to burn a Copy of his majesty's Declaration in the head of every Regiment.  
On Saturday the 23. of Aug. his Majesty was there proclaimed King of Great Britain, France and Ireland by Mr. Thomas Lisens' Mayor and Mr. james Bridges Sheriff of the City, with the great acclamations and joy of the loyal Citizens. And on the same day also his Majesty sent abroad a Declaration, given at his City of Worcester, for summoning all the neighbouring Nobility, Gentry and others from sixteen years of age to sixty, upon their Allegiance, to appear in their persons with Horse and Arms at Pitchcroft on Tuesday following the 26. of Aug. where his Majesty would be present. On which accordingly appeared at the said Rendezvous these loyal persons following, Francis Lord Talbot (now Earl of Shrewsbury) with about 60. Horse, Mervin TouchetEsq Sir john Packington, Sir Walter Blunt, Sir Ralph Clare, Ralph Sheldon of BeolyEsq john Washburn of WitchingfordEsq with 40. Horse, Tho. ActonEsq Rob. Blount of KentswickEsq Rob. W gmore of LuctonEsq Thomas Hornyold of Blackmore ParkEsq with 40. Horse, Francis KnotsfordEsq and divers others.  
The works of this City had for the most part been slighted a while before, and therefore all endeavours were used to fortify it again. About two or three days before the King's arrival at Worcester, the Earl of Derby landed at Weywater in Lancashire with 250. Foot and 60. Horse from his Isle of Man; which leaving with the King he returned into that County & his interest in it got together a Body of 1500. with which he was hasting to Manchester to join with 500 more, and would probably have increased his forces in a short time to a greater number. But Col. Lilburn being ordered to prevent him with 3. Regiments and some Horse out of Cheshire, was forced to an engagement by the Earl; out of a purpose to hinder him from joining with other forces which were sent against him. The contest was sharp and doubtful for an hour, till at length the Earl's Forces were put to flight, & himself being wounded, narrowly escaped to Worcester; several persons of quality were slain of his Party, as the Lord Widdrington, Sir Tho. Tilsley, Col. Trollop. Col. Galliard with some others of good note: Among the taken were Maj. Gen. Sir William. Throckmorton, Sir Timothy Fetherstonhaugh, Col. Matthew Bointon, Major Chester, Col. Rich. Legg, Col. john Robinson, Col. Ratclif Gerard, besides other Officers (some of which soon after died of their wounds) 400. private Soldiers were taken with all the Arms and Ammunition, the Earls George, Garter and 3. Cloaks with Stars, and about 60. slain. The Earl of Derby & Col. Roscarrock after this overthrow, which was on the 25. of Aug. by the assistance of one Mr. Snead and one Mr. eliot got to his Majesty at Worcester; where nevertheless his Majesty & the Forces with him were resolute against all disasters; the Fortifications were carried on with all possible diligence, and the Mount at the Southeast end of the Town strongly secured.  
On the other side the Parliament by their new levies had increased their Forces to a prodigious number, which as their own writers record, amounted to above 80000. About three days after the former Victory Cromwell marched up before Worcester with 17000. Horse and Foot, besides the parties under the Lord Grey of Groby, Lambert and Harrison, which in all made up above 30000. men. The first encounter was at Vpton-Bridge 7. miles from Worcester, which the Royalists had broken upon news of their coming, only one Plank (either through negligence or treachery) was left of it; over which Lambert passed some Redcoats, who perceiving the Scots took the alarm, fled into a Church. Whereupon Maj. Gen. Massey gave a camisado to the Church; but in the mean time Lambert having passed over a supply of Horse, fell upon the back of the Royalists, and overpowering them put them to a retreat, which was performed by Maj. Gen. Massey with much gallantry who was in the rear, sometimes marching off and sometimes fight, till he escaped to Worcester; in which service he received a shot in the Arm and his Horse was slain under him.  
After this the Enemies disposed themselves in the manner they conceived most convenient to straighten the Town. To which purpose Fleetwood having left a sufficient force to secure the pass at Vpton, approached nearer the City, & Cromwell gave order for two Bridges to be made, the one of boats over Severne under Bun-hill a mile below the City, and the other over Team a lesser River that falls into Severn; and this, for the better conjunction of the Army.  
On the 29. of Aug. Cromwell faced the City with a great body of Horse and Foot, but drew off again and attempted nothing.  
But on Saturday Aug. 30. It was resolved by his Majesty at a Council of War to beat up the Enemy's Quarters that night with 1500. choice Horse and Foot, commanded by Maj. Gen. Middleton and Sir William Keyth, all of them wearing their shirts over their Armour for distinction: the result was accordingly put in execution, and might in all probability have proved importantly successful, had not the design been most traitorously discovered to the Enemy by one Guyes a Tailor in the City, who was rewarded with a Halter for his treachery; but the Westminster junto to show how affectionately they regarded base and treacherous actions, gave Guyes wife 200 l. down and 200 l. per annum during her life. This sally was made with much gallantry and resolution; but the Enemy having received intelligence of the design, were in readiness to receive the Royalists; and nevertheless were unable to bear the shock, till bringing on successively fresh forces, their number constrained the Assailants to retire. In this Action Major Knox was slain, and some few made prisoners.  
In this condition was his Majesty at Worcester having about 10000 Scots and 2000 English with him, and surrounded with a numerous Army of three to one in an ill-fortified City. Which odds, being considered, I presume no rational man will account it a Miracle for the better cause and lesser number to be worstest by the greater. The Hearts of the besieged were as courageous as those of their enemies, and not doubtless burnd'ned with less guilt. They were also animated by the example of his majesty's heroical resolution, who determined not be behind any of his party in danger And now the fatal day appeared the third of September, on which the year before, the Scots were so considerably overthrown at Dunbar; which defeat occasioned the loss of that Kingdom.  
In the morning his Majesty held a Council of War upon the Top of the Colledge-Church Steeple, the better to view in what manner the Enemy lay From whence perceiving the enemy's new bridges, and a kind of a skirmish at Powick bridge, he forthwith commanded all to their Arms, and marched thither himself, where he gave order for the making good of that pass and opposing that of the Enemy over Severne. Soon after his return to the City, the Enemy assaulted Powick bridge furiously, which was valiantly defended by a Brigade of Horse and Foot under Maj. Gen. Rob. Montgomery and Col. George Keyth, till the former being dangerously wounded and his Ammunition spent, was forced to retire disorderly into Worcester, and the latter was taken prisoner by the Enemy.  
This place being won, there was no time to deliberate longer. Wherefore it was resolved to engage Cromwell forthwith, who lay at Perry-wood within a mile of Worcester. The onset was given with a great deal of fury by the Royalists, insomuch that Cromwel's invincible Lifeguard was unable to bear the shock and compelled to give ground in some disorder; their great Guns also were for some time in the power of the Royalists. The Rebel Commanders had put the new raised County forces to bear the first brunt of the encounter, of whom the Royalists made a horrible slaughter.  
His Majesty himself lead up the Scots Foot in this battle, and that with so much courage and gallantry, that his inveterate enemy Cromwell could not but applaud his valour. The Fight continued for the space of three or four hours very sharp and fierce, during which his Majesty had his Horse twice shot under him, and rallyed the Infantry himself; until by the successive supplies of fresh forces they were in a manner all lost. The Rebels had great advantage not only in being more numerous, but fight both with Horse and Foot against his majesty's Foot only; for the Scotch Horse did not engage at all in this encounter, which some impute to the treachery of David Lesley who in the mean time commanded a brave body of Horse to stand still, and look on the ruin of their King and Fellow-subjects, threatening the first man that stirred with death. For the truth of which relation I dare not undertake; but it is certain the Scotch Horse under Lesley were scarce any more than spectators of the battle, nor is it incredible but that treachery might be practised by a Scot, and money employed by Cromwell for conquest as well as force. The remainder of the forlorn Royal Army being put to flight were pursued into the Town by the Victors; his Majesty was as one of the last in the field, and could hardly be persuaded to outlive that day.  
At Sudbury-gate, through which the routed Royalists fled, an Ammunition Wagon was overthrown & lay cross the passage, so that his Majesty was enforced to alight and enter into the City on foot. In the Friar's street he to k ● fresh Horse, and perceiving many of his Foot throw down their Arms, and decline fight, he road up and down among them, sometimes with his h●t in his hand, entreating them to stand to their Arms, and sell their lives as dear as they could. But seeing his encouragements ineffectual, he said, I had rather you would shoot me then keep me alive to see the sad consequences of this fatal day. Nevertheless the Earl of Cleveland, Sir james Hamilton, Col. William Carlis (then Major to the Lord Talbot) and some Officers rallyed what force they could (which was unproportionable to that of the Assailants,) and gave a check to to the Enemy as they were entering in at Sudbury Gate and valiantly disputed that street with them. Which action was very important to secure his Majesty's flight. In the mean time Fleetwood's men were on the o her side of the City masters of St john's, and having wholly dispersed all opposers fell to plunder. Assoon as Cromwell had made his way into Sudbury-street, whilst some of his Forces were furiously k●lling and slaying all that were in the streets, he hastened with some Regiments to the Fort Royal, commanded by Col. Drummond, where he found courageous opposition, and lost 300. Cheshire men; but at length reducing it with twice the number of the defenders, he put every man of them to the sword, to the number of 1500. Then was there seen the saddest spectacle that humane imagination is capable to conceive, the streets being all strewed with carcases and covered with blood, houses broken open and pillaged, and the whole Town filled with the noise of the insolent Victors and the cries of the poor inhabitants; till having satiated their cruelties & rapacious desires, or rather tired themselves with barbarous executions and inhumanities', they began to think of securing prisoners. The slain were reckoned about 4000 amongst whom was Duke Hamilton, who being taken died so on after of his wounds, a very Noble, courageous & loyal person, & worthy of immortal fame. The Prisoners taken in the battle and the City were about 7000. in which number were the Earls of Carnwarth, Rothes, Kelly, the Lord Synclare, Sir john Packington, Maj. Gen. Montgomerry, Maj. Gen. Piscotty, Mr. Rich. F●nshaw his majesty's Secretary, the General of the Ordnance, the Adjutant General of th● Foot, and the Marshal General, besides several Colonels and others inferior Officers, 158. Colours (which together with those taken the year before at Du●bar were hung up in Westminster Hall) the King's Standard, his Collar of Ss, Coach and Horses, with other things of great value.  
How many of the Rebels fell in this fight, we h●ve no creditable relation; their own Pamphlets mention only the loss of Quartermaster Gen. Mosely, Capt jones, and about 200. common Soldiers and 300. wounded, among whom was Charles Howard, afterwards Captain of Cromwel's Lifeguard, & another Captain.  
This is the truest and most impartial account I can meet with of this remarkable overthrow, which was then looked upon as the decision of the Cause between King and Commonwealth. But it pleased God that in this great loss the Forturne of England was preserved, whose blood was the only thing wanting to cement the foundations of the new Republic. The manner of his Majesty's escape was in a strict sense not miraculous, yet as near a miracle as almost any thing that is barely possible by natural means. Certainly, he that shall deliberately consider the paucity of such of the Nobility as escaped the fury of the fight, and diligence of the pursuers (of all the Lords there, only the Duke of Buckingham & the renowned Lord Wilmot getting undiscovered beyond Sea) the instruments of his majesty's preservation, such whom indigence or fear might have induced to prefer reward or security before faithfulness to a Prince, who in all humane probability was unlikely ever to requite them for their dangerous loyalty; and the places where his Majesty was concealed, in the midst of his enemies, and in such Counties as had raised most men against him in this unfortunate expedition; He, I say, that shall consider no more but this, will no doubt think himself obliged to adore the Divine Providence, which never owned the Royal Cause more apparently then in this Deliverance, and which at the same fastened the yoke of slavery upon the necks of these Nations and by an extraordinary goodness preserved the Person from destruction, by whom alone their lost Estate was possible to be restored. Many are the relations of the manner of his majesty's escape, and at this day almost as various and different in published Histories, as the conjectures and rumours of people were immediately after it. I shall endeavour to offer what the most credible authors and reports have delivered concerning this particular, for obtaining the exact knowledge of which I have omitted no industry, that might gratify the curiosity which possesses all the World touching so extraordinary a Providence. It seems not yet convenient to a Noble Person instrumental in it to discover all the circumstances of it, though she is pleased to put us in hopes of obtaining that favour from her after some short time. In the mean while, it is desired the Readers would receive at least with alike candour what we have taken pains to find out for their satisfaction, as the relation of theirs who make truth the least of their care, and promiscuously take up any slight reports upon trust.  
But to return to our purpose. His Majesty having kept the field till all was lost, and being pursued to the Town-G●tes, (while the victorious Enemies were disputing) Sudbury-street in Worcester with the Earl of Cleveland, Sir james Hamilton, Col. William Carlis, and some other resolute and courageous Royalists) he marched out at St. Martin's Gate about six a clock in the evening with his main body of Horse, which had not engaged to any purpose, but yet were in much confusion. When he was come to Barbon's bridge about half a mile out of Worcester, he made several stands, and moved the Lords and Officers with him that they might rally and try the fortune of another Fight. But many of the Troupers being observed to throw off their Arms and shift for themselves, there was no encouragement to proceed in that course. Whereupon, the chief and only care was to preserve his majesty's Person from the hands of those bloodthirsty Sectaries, who accounted it the interest of their Religion and new State to murder him. To which purpose it was resolved to march for Scotland, and one Walker (formerly Scoutmaster to Col. Sands) undertook to be the guide; but being come as fare as Kniver-heath not far from Kederminster, and daylight being gone, the guide was at a loss which way to go. Upon which his Majesty making a stand, and being almost spent with his extraordinary action in the field, and the wearisomeness of his flight, advised with some Lords whether he might march, only to take some few hour's rest. The Earl of Derby told his Majesty, that in his flight from Wiggan to Worcester (after he had been defeated by Lilburn) he had met with a very faithful person and great convenience of concealment at a place called Boscobel-house.  
This House is seated in Shropshire, but upon the confines of Staffordshire, and lies between Tong-Castle and Brewood; it is a very obscure habitation though a fair building, and standing in a very lovely grove, was therefore so called from Bosco bello which in Italian signifies Fair-wood; it belongs to one Mr. Fitz-Herbert, though himself lived not in it at that time. Thither his Majesty resolved to go, being accompanied by the Duke of Buckingham, the Earls of Derby and Lauderdail, the Lords Talbot and Wilmot, the Colonels Thomas Blague, Edw. Roscarrock, Mr. Marmaduke Darcy, Rich. Lane, William. Armorer (since Knighted) Hugh May, Peter street, and Charles Giffard, who undertook to conduct them by the assistance of Francis Yates his servant, and one very expert in the ways of that Country. Lieut. Gen. Lesley with his Scotch Horse in the close of the evening took the direct way Northward by Newport.  
His Majesty and his Train upon deliberation marched through Sturbridge a considerable Town in Staffordshire; but the better to prevent discovery order was given for all persons to speak only the French Language. Boscobel was the place intended; but that the Company might not know so much, his Majesty was conducted by Mr. Giffard to a House within half a mile of it, called Whiteladies which name it has retained ever since it was a Monastery of Cistertian Nuns, who were habited in white. Here they arrived about 3 a clock in the morning, having rid 26. miles from Worcester; and being entered into the House, which was kept only by Servants, a consultation was held how to escape the fury of the bloodthirsty Enemies: the result of which was that all possible care should be taken for his Majesty's concealment in that place till he could have a safe opportunity to waft over into France, and that his Retinue of loyal Lords and Gentlemen should shift for themselves some other way. In the mean time the Servant that kept Boscobel House, called William Penderel, was sent for, and a brother of his named Richard Penderel, who lived near hand at Hobbal Grange. Who being come and conjured to fidelity, the next course taken was to disguise his majesty's Person. This was done by blacking his face and hands, cutting of his hair, & exchanging his Buff Coat and grey breeches richly laced for a Doc-skin doublet and green breeches of Richard Penderels. His Majesty as he undressed himself gave a Spanner string being a gold chain worth 300 l. to a servant of his then ready to departed. His  were buried under ground for a long time after.  
And now it behoved his loyal followers to forsake him, which they did with sad hearts, being more sensible of his majesty's hard fate, then solicitous what destiny attended themselves only the L. Wilmot stayed & was conveyed by Io. Penderel to Mr. Whitgreaves. Time it was for them to departed, for within half an hour after, some of Col. Ashenhurst's Troop, who quartered at Cotsal 3. miles distant, came to the House. But before that, Richard Penderel had conducted his Majesty out at a backdore into a wood belonging to Boscobel house called Spring Coppice, in the borders of which William, Humphrey and George (3. of Richard's brothers) scouted about to bring intelligence.  
The Lords and their company being about 40. Horse (of which number his majesty's pad-nag was one, and ridden by Mr. Lane one of the Bedchamber) took the North road to Newport, in hope to have overtaken or met General Lesl●y who was gone that way with the main body of Scotch Horse. But they had not travelled far before a party of the Parliamentarians who were in pursuit of the Lord Leviston (Captain of his majesty's Lifeguard) overtook them. The Lords resolutely faced about and stopped their speed, some of the pursuers being slain & the rest put to flight. Nevertheless they had no long contentment in this good success; for a little beyond Newport, some of Col. Lilburne's men met them in the Front, and another party of Parliamentarians from Worcester fell in upon their Rear; so that themselves and horses being extremely tired with the former day's service and the long and hasty march of the night without the least refreshment or succour, the Noble Earl of Derby, and the Earl or Lauderdail with Mr. Giffard their guide and some others were taken prisoners. The Earl of Derby was carried to Chester and there tried by a junto of Officers, and sentenced to be beheaded at Bolton in Lancashire. The Earl of Lauderdail was carried to Windsor-castle and there kept prisoner for many years. Mr. Giffard escaped not long after from an Inn in Bunbury in Cheshire. In this conflict the Duke of Buckingham with the Lord Leviston, Col. Blague, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. May fled into a by road, and got into Chessardine woods near Newport; and there the Duke by the assistance of two honest Labourers put himself into a disguise, and was by one Nath. Matthewes a Carpenter conveyed to the house of a loyal Gentleman, Mr. Hawley, at Bilstrop in Nottingamshire, from whence he went to that Lady Villiers house at Brooksby in Leicestershire, and at length after various difficulties got secure to London, and passed into France. The Lord Leviston and the other 3. Gentlemen having quitted their horses, were concealed in little cottages by some loyal Countrymen, till they had means to escape beyond the Seas. The Lord Talbot, after the routing of the Noble Company, hasted towards his Father's house at Longford near Newport, where he was by providence preserved in an. Outhouse from being discovered by some of the Enemy's forces who had pursued him thither, & searched the house four days together. These were the several fates of those noble persons that accompanied his Majesty in his flight; let us now return to the place where we left his sacred person, in the midst of Spring-Coppice near Boscobel house, on Thursday morning Sept. 4. having a wood-bill in his hand, and accompanied only with Richard Penderel, three other of the brothers being vigilant to descry the approach of passengers. It happened to be a very rainy day, so that the Trees afforded not sufficient shelter to keep his Majesty from the inconvenience of the wet, nor was there any thing for him to sit on, till Richard stepped to a neighbours for a bla●●●, which served for both uses. 〈◊〉 also caused the wife of Francis Yates (above mentioned) to provide something for his Majesty to eat, and bring it into the Wood The fare was such as the place and time afforded; A mess of milk and sugar, some Eggs, and a Dish of Butter. His Majesty being something surprised at the presence of the Woman that brought his Dinner, said to her, Good woman, Can you be faithful to a distressed Cavalier? To which she answered very hearty, Yes Sir, I will rather die then discover you: which words gave his Majesty great satisfaction. When night was come, his Majesty went with these Corydons to Richard's house at Hobbal-Grange, where their old mother was overjoyed to see his Majesty in safety, & that her sons had the happiness to be instrumental to it. Further care was forthwith taken to disguise his Majesty, and he took upon him the name of William jones, and pretended to be a Wood-cutter, newly come thither to work; and this, to the end he might be unsuspected by the rest of the family. The good mother prepared his Majesty a cleanly Fricasse of Bacon and Eggs, part of which being eaten by him, and the rest by the Rustics, his Majesty set forth with Richord Penderel on foot for Wales, intending to go that night to the house of an honest Gentleman of Richard's acquaintance at Madely in Shropshire, 5. miles from Whiteladies. When they had gone about 2. miles, an accident befell them wherewith they were in some fear. For as they were passing Evelin Mill, the Miller, who had then in his custody some considerable Royalists, hearing some persons pass by, came out and demanded who is there? To which no answer was given, but his Majesty and his conductor immediately left the way and waded through a Brook, which something assuaged the galling of his feet; and so they got free of the Miller, who was on the other side no less fearful of them. As they passed through the Water his Majesty was in some danger of losing his guide, had he not been directed by the rustling of his Calve-skin breeches (as he afterwards pleasantly observed) it being an extreme dark night. At midnight they got to Mr. VVoolf's house, and were by him hearty entertained. But the frequent passing of the Enemy's forces through that Town, and consequently the likelihood of their coming quarter at that house, made this Gentleman apprehend it unsafe for his Majesty to lodge in it, and therefore he secured him and his servant Richard in a hay-mow. During their stay Mr. Woolf had intelligence brought him by a trusty servant (sent abroad to that end) that all the bridges over Severne were kept by guards of the Enemies and all the passage-boats seized on. Whereupon by his advice having spent all that day (Friday) in the barn, and being refreshed at evening in the house (where Mrs Woolf also made him a lotion for his hands with boiled Walnuttree-leaves) he departed about 11. a clock at night for Boscobel house, where he arrived about 3. on Saturday morning. Col. Carlis (whom we formerly mentioned with honour for sustaining the brunt of the enemies in Sudbury street in Worcester till his Majesty got out of the Town) was fled into these parts, near which he was borne (namely, at Bromhall in Staffordshire within two miles of Boscobel) and having lain in the wood for some time, was come that morning to the said house to get some relief of his old Acquaintance, William Penderel; and by this means his Majesty and the Colonel met together there; where congratulations being passed, they were entertained with rustic fare, as bread & cheese and a Posset, and care taken for refreshing his majesty's feet which were much surbated and galled with travel. After which his Majesty and the Colonel, conceiving the house less safe than the wood, accordingly betook themselves thither, and by the help of the Corydons climbed into a large Oak, the thickness of whose leaves sufficiently concealed them from being discerned by any spectator from below. Upon this Oak, being accommodated with two pillows & some mean fare, they continued all the day, his Majesty leaning in the Colonel's lap, and taking some slumbering rest, of which he had had little or none the two preceding nights; and in the mean time some of the loyal hearted Country people hovered near the place, and others went abroad to get intelligence.  
During his Majesty's estie's journey to Mr. Wolveses at Madely, the Lord Wilmot understanding his departure from White-ladies removed from Mr. Whitgreaves house at Mosely to that of Col. john Lane at Bently near Walsal, Southeast from Mosely about 4. miles, and intended to make use of an offer made him by Mrs jane Lane the Colonel's Sister to accompany her to Bristol in order to his escape beyond Sea, she having by accident procured a Pass from a Parliamentarian Officer for herself and a man to go thither to see her sister who was then near her time of lying in.  
His Majesty and the Colonel descended from the Oak at evening & entered into Boscobel house, where William Penderel showed his Majesty the secret place in which the Earl of Derby had been concealed after his overthrow at Wigan, which the King liked so well that he resolved to make his abode in it, till further opportunity were offered for his escape beyond Sea, and not to go more to the Royal Oak, which afforded less convenience. Humphrey Penderel the miller having been that day at Shefnal a Town a few miles distant, where he was examined by a Parliamentarian Colonel (who had heard of the Kings having been at White-ladies) and threatened with the penalty of concealing his majesty's Person, which was death without mercy, and withal informed that the junto propounded 1000 l. for a reward to any that should discover him. But this truehearted person was proof against all temptations to disloyalty, and related this passage to his Majesty at night. Who having been entertained with a dish of chickens took up his lodging upon a Pallet in the secret place. On the Sunday morning, his Majesty being desirous of some mutton for that day's food, & all other ways being dangerous, Col. Carelis with the help of William Penderel borrowed a sheep out of the neighbouring flock, part of which his Majesty and the Col. together cut into collops, and cooked it in a frying pan for their own repast; after which his Majesty spent some part of the day in reading, in a handsome tetired arbour in the garden, the loyal Brethren in the mean time scouting abroad for intelligence. And whether it were through particular providence or for that it was known that only some servants kept Boscobel house, the same was never searched all the time of his majesty's abode there, but Whiteladies upon a credible report his Majesty had been there, often. On the same day his Majesty sent to inform the Lord Wilmot where he was, who thereupon desired to meet his Majesty that night at a place appointed in a field near Mr. VVhitgreave's house at Mosely which lay in the midway, viz. five miles on the one side from Boscob●l, and five miles on the other from Colonel Lane's house at Bently. His Majesty being disabled by his former travel on foot, was forced to make use of Humphrey Penderel's Mill horse (which was suitably accoutred) to go thither, leaving behind him the faithful and renowned Colonel Carlis, who hearty prayed for his majesty's preservation. Upon the way his Majesty was attended by the five loyal Brothers, William, john, Richard, Humphrey and George Penderel, and Francis Yates, each of them being armed with a good Bill or Pike staff, and some with pistols, intending to have used the same in case they should have met with a number not too great. Two of them marched before, and one on each side of his majesty's horse; the other two at a distance behind: and they took all the byways they could. His Majesty being arrived at the place appointed, met one Mr. Huddlestone, an honest Gentleman, there, ready to conduct him into Mr. VVhitgreave's house. But before he entered he gave William, Humphrey and George the honour to kiss his hand, and thanking them for their fidelity, with promises to reward it, if it pleased God, he dismissed them with the horse. My Lord Wilmot testified extreme joy at the sight of his Majesty, who also embraced him, and after some refreshment given to his Majesty, and civil expressions which he was pleased to use towards the two loyal Gentlemen Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddlestone, he was conducted to the secret place intended for his lodging, which was more secure than commodious for his rest. Before the Lord Wilmot betook himself to his repose, he consulted with the two Gentlemen concerning the watching of all avenues, that timely notice might be given of the approach of any soldiers. And if it should so fall out (said he) the Rebels have intelligence of your harbouring any of the King's party, and should therefore put you to any torture for confession, Be sure you discover me first; which may perhaps stop their further search, and preserve the King. Such was the Heroical generosity of that noble Lord, and his superlative affection to his Prince.  
On the afternoon of the next day notice was given to Mr. Whitgreave that some soldiers were in the neighbourhood with intention to apprehend him for having been with his Majesty at Worcester. This was a very surprising alarm. But Mr. Whitgraeve forthwith secured his Royal Guest, who was laid upon Mr. Huddlestone's bed, and the Lord Wilmot in the secret place; and then setting open all the chamber-doors went boldly down to the Soldiers, convincing them by the testimony of his neighbours that he had not been from his own house in the last fortnight. Wherewith the Soldiers being satisfied went not up stairs at all; and so this imminent danger was escaped. The same night the Lord Wilmot repaired to Col. Lane's at Bently, in order to his majesty's going thither also; and during his absence his Majesty spent the next day in conversation with Mr. Huddlestone, in which he intimated to him that his Councils had been by some treacherous instruments very often discovered to the Rebels before they were put in execution by his loyal Subjects. At midnight Col. Lane came from Bently to attend his Majesty thither; whereupon he took leave of Mrs Whitgreave, saluting her and giving her thanks for his entertainment: He expressed himself also with much gratitude to Mr. Whitgreave and Mr. Huddlestone, advising them to be very careful of avoiding the dangers which might ensue to them in case they should be discovered to have been instrumental in his concealment; and therefore directed them to a Merchant in London, to receive moneys for their transportation beyond Sea, if they thought fit. And lastly he promised them to remember their civilities and fidelity to him, when ever it should please God to restore him to his Dominions. Such was the goodness of this excellent Prince, and his care for the preservation of his preservers. After this, his Majesty gave them his hand to kiss, and they returned him their zealous prayers and wishes for his safety. His Majesty being safely arrived at Bently stayed there but a short time, but took the opportunity of Mrs jane Lane's Pass, and road before her to Bristol, in the quality of her Servant, the Lord Wilmot riding for the most part at some distance from them. There his Majesty hoped to have gotten convenience of transportation into France; but his expectations failed him: for no Master of a Vessel durst undertake to waft over any single person, unless he knew certainly beforehand what he were. So that it being a Town of great resort, his Majesty was enforced to departed from it. Wither he went afterwards is not hitherto certainly known: Nor has it pleased his Majesty or that Lady to discover to any. Several passages are written to have happened endangering his discovery both at Bristol and elsewhere, but the relators have not the least ground for any of them, and have rather chosen to gratify vulgar readers with impertinent fictions then to confess their ignorance of that which they did not and cannot yet know. The loyal Lady in all her journeys with his Majesty comported herself with extraordinary prudence and fidelity, expressing her observance as often as opportunity safely permitted it, and at other times acting her part in the disguise with much caution and discretion. A further relation of his majesty's progress in England, and the manner of his transportation into France, assoon as it comes to our hands from the honourable person who, besides his Majesty, is now alone able to impart it, shall be presented to the world. In the mean time I am glad I can record that he took ship at Brighthempston in Sussex about the end of October 1651. and having by the Divine Providence escaped the greatest dangers imaginable, in England, and some too upon the Sea, landed safely at Diep in Normandy, where he stayed not, but went forthwith to Rouen, and from thence dispatched Letters to Paris to give notice of his arrival; and in the interim was furnished with accommodations befitting his quality by the Duke of Longueville. Intelligence of his safe arrival being brought to Paris, the Duke of Orleans his majesty's noble and generous Uncle sent his own Coach for him, which met him on the way as far as Magny, and coming nearer the City he was met by a company of Nobles and Gentlemen and conducted to the Lovure. Entertainment was there forthwith provided for him, and the Queen his Mother, and the Duke of Orleans visited him the same night; The next day also the Duke of Orleans and Mademoiselle his daughter visited him together with the Dukes of Beaufort and Guise, Marshal Turein, and other of the great Peers and Nobles of France, congratulating his happy deliverance; Nor was it long before the King of France, and the Queen Mother did the like, expressing their regret for his majesty's disasters, and the great interest they took in his safety.  
Thus I have drawn into as narrow compass as I could the particulars and circumstances of his majesty's preservation, in each of which is remarkable his great patience and goodness, and withal his exemplary fortitude in undergoing the greatest calamities that could befall a Prince on this side death. I have perhaps made too long a story of it for this little Volume, but it was for the Reader's sake, who I hope will be stirred up by it to praise the King of kings that delivered his Anointed from becoming a prey to those that thirsted after his blood. Certainly not only we, but even the succeeding generations will have cause to bless the Divine Providence, for that in the midst of his judgements upon these Nations, he was pleased to preserve so precious a mercy for them in store; to the end that having been sufficiently chastened with the Scorpions of bloody and tyrannical Governors for their sins against their natural, pious and gracious Sovereign, they might in due time be restored to the blessings which they had forfeited under the government of his excellent Son and his posterity to the end of the world.  
In the pursuit after this fatal battle were taken besides the Earls of D●rby, Lauderdale, Cleaveland, and his son the Lord Wentworth, the Earl of Kenmore, David L●●l●y, Lieutenant General Middleton, Major General Vandruske, the Lord Spyne, Sir William Fleming, with many others of quality. Of 3000. horse which fled, 1000 were taken about Beudley, in Staffordshire, more in other places, partly by soldiers, and partly by rising parties of Country people, who barbarously knocked many stragglers on the head in Yorkshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Shropshire and Warwickshire. Major General Massey having with many wounds upon him escaped out of the field, and finding himself unable for flight, yielded himself to the civility and mercy of the Countess of Stamford; to which he was induced upon the Account of former friendship, he having been Major General under the Earl her husband in the Wars between his late Majesty and the Parliament. How far this lady's generosity extended, I know not; but her son the Lord Grey of Groby understanding it, forthwith secured him as a Prisoner till his wounds were cured, and then he was sent up to the Parliament, and committed to the Tower, from whence he escaped not long after by an ingenious wile, and went into France to his Majesty.  
The news of this victory caused great rejoicing amongst the pretended Parliament, who now looked upon their new Commonwealth as founded to Eternity. And to tell the World that they were the Favourites of Heaven, and that God had owned their cause, a day of solemn Thanksgiving was appointed throughout the whole Nation. And indeed though there was nothing miraculous in the victory, the Parliamentarians being six times the number of the Royalists; yet it may be said to have been the Work of God, and they the instruments of his wrath upon the people of this Land, and the scourges of God, as Attila, that terrible destroyer of Christendom was once called Flagellum Dei. The only Miracle was his majesty's deliverance, in which the King of kings was pleased to remember mercy in judgement, and give us cause to adore his Providence both in afflicting this Nation in this excellent Prince, and suffering wicked Tyrants, Murderers and Oppressors to prosper; in the mean time preserving him in whom our hopes lay, from the hands of his bloodthirsty enemies.  
And as if success attended impious Arms, the Garrisons of Scotland fell every day into the power of the English. Sterling Castle was delivered to Colonel Monck while Cromwell was at Worcester, and in it great store of warlike Ammunition, with many of the Royal Ensigns. Old General Lesley Earl of Leven, with several other Scotch Lords intending to have levied a party of men for his Majesty, & to have raised the siege of that strong and loyal Town Dundee, were surprised by a party of English horse; shortly after which the Town was taken by storm, and the City of St. Andrews and Aberdeen, with other Towns, Castles and Forts surrendered upon summons.  
On the 12. of September Cromwell entered triumphantly into London (having sent the poor captive Scots thither before him,) and on the 16. he went to the Parliament-House, and had a congratulatory Oration made to him by Lenthal, the Speaker, and was the same day feasted by john Kendrick Mayor of London. From whence he never after went forth upon any expedition.  
About the latter end of October, the Island of jersey was reduced by Colonel Hain and General Blake from Sea, and the Isle of Man was surrendered to Colonel Duckenfield upon Articles by the Countess of Derby, whose renowned, pious and valiant Lord was at Chester adjudgeed to death for engaging with the King at Worcester, by a Council of War, after quarter given, and beheaded at Bolton in Lancashire on the 15. of October, with the tears and lamentations of most of the Spectators. Several executions were also done upon others by shooting or hanging in divers places for the same cause, as on Sir Timothy Fetherstonehaugh, Captain Bendbow, etc.  
They were tried upon the pretended Act made after the King's coming into England, viz. Aug. 12. 1651. prohibiting correspondence with his Majesty or his party under the penalty of High Treason.  
His Majesty having upon his arrival at Paris been visited & congratulated by the King, Queen & Nobles of France, had a Princely Attendance assigned him, and lodgings in the Lovure, where he lead a retired life in expectation of some happier opportunity which it might please Providence to present him with for the recovery of his Kingdoms, which he had now small hopes to obtain by the assistance of his own Subjects in either of them; England being so strictly overawed by the numerous Army kept on foot for that purpose, and Scotland and Ireland being in a manner wholly subdued by the English Arms. Yet in Scotland there were still some small Forces up in the North, as the Marquis of Huntley with about 1500. men, and the Lord Belcarris. The Marquis of Argyle also fortified his houses at Ander-arran and Lorne & the Castles in Arran Island; and was expected to join with 4000 with the former. Moreover the Clergy were still very high against the English. But it seems the designs of the Noble men were only to make themselves considerable, that they might treat upon better terms; For shortly after the Marquis of Huntly made his peace, the Lord Belcarris & divers other Lords came in to the protection of Lieut. Gen. Monck, and Argyle having made an attempt to summon a Parliament, and shuffled off and on for some months at length submitted, and afterwards testified under his hand his agreement to the making of Scotland a Commonwealth with England, and protested fidelity to it as established without King, or House of Lords, etc. Upon which terms he was left at liberty with assurance to enjoy his Estate. Had these Lords been cordial to the Royal interest, to which they had so solemnly sworn a little while before, they might easily have maintained the Highlands against all opposition, these places being naturally almost inaccessible and invincible.  
Notwithstanding this low posture of his majesty's affairs, he was treated with much honour by the Princes and Nobility in France, and Madamoiselle de Orleans daughter to the late Duke of that Title, being a very rich Princess, worth 60000. per annum and Sovereign Duchess of Montpensier, showed great inclinations towards him in relation to marriage. It is also reported that there was a match designed between his majesty's Brother the Duke of York and a daughter of the Duke of Longueville (a Prince descended from the Royal House of France) who was by her mother heir to the rich possessions of the Count of Soissons. But the great troubles arising about that time between the King and the Princes of the Blood hindered the success, the Duke of Orleans and his Daughter being far engaged with the Prince of Conde against the King of France in a civil War, occasioned by the imperiousness of Cardinal Mazarine, who during the King's minority, had by means of his great favour with the Queen engrossed the whole Government of that Kingdom in a manner into his own hands, usurped an inordinate power and all the grand offices, & had committed several enormous, miscarriages during the Queen Mother's Regency. The Princes of the Blood and generality of the Nation became so incensed against him hereby, that an Arrest was passed by the Parliament of Paris for the banishment of the said Cardinal, who thereupon retired to Colen, and all his goods were confiscated. But the Queen having a great inclination to bring him back again into France, the Duke of Orleans and Conde vehemently opposed it; and when no accommodation could be made, the Prince withdrew his forces (which he commanded for the King's service against the Spaniard) to Stenay, a strong Garrison, where making great levies he got a considerable power into the field. The Cities also of Paris and Bourdeaux owned the Prince's cause and quarrel. Whereupon the King raised a great Army commanded by Marshal Turein and Count de Harcourt. Several encounters passed between them, the Illustrious Duke of York first serving as a Volunteer, and afterwards commanding a Regiment at the siege of Estampes, where he behaved himself extreme honourably in two conflicts. The Cardinal in the mean time returned into France with 6000. men, and the Princes on the other side invited the Duke of Lorraine, to their assistance who had a mercenary Army of 10000 in the service of the King of Spain.  
His Majesty of Great Britain understanding sufficiently the fatal effects of civil combustions, partly out of sincere intentions for the good of France, and partly out of the consideration of the advantageousnesse of its peace to his own affairs, interceded as a Mediator between the King and the discontented Princes, and his motion was gratefully accepted of by both Parties, and thereupon Deputies were sent several times by the Princes to represent their grievances; but the King of France persisted resolute not to part with the Cardinal, though the King of England urged him as far as possible, to gratify his incensed subjects, if not by dismissing him altogether, yet at least by sending him upon some honourable foreign employment. Of all which generous endeavours this noble, prudent and Christian Prince obtained no other fruit, but an extreme hatred from Mazarine.  
At the same time his Majesty employed himself in reconciling the French King and his subjects, upon hopes of those endeavours succeeding, he thought fit to deal with the Duke of Lorraine to transport his Army into Ireland, where some Garrisons still held out. Which affair was so far proceeded in, that Articles were drawn up between the Duke of Lorraine, and the Lord Taaf on behalf of his Majesty, by which it was agreed amongst other things, That the Duke should at his own charges land an Army of 10000 for the reducing of Ireland to his Majesty; That he should be invested with the Title of Protector Royal of Ireland, and have four Towns put into his hands for security for his disbursements, with restrictions and cautions. But these Articles never came to be signed, partly because the Duke was conscious of his disability to go through with the enterprise and defray the charges of it, and partly because he was at the same time dealt with underhand by the King of France to relinquish the Prince's party, and offered by him such terms as they were not able to give him. And as ill fortune would have it, the manner of discovery of their agreement made the King of England be looked upon as the Agent and procurer of it. For the French King's Army under Turenne marching into Brie in view of the Lorraine Army, the Duke of Beaufort was extreme desirous to encounter with them. To which purpose he went into the field, where he found King Charles and the Duke of York with the Duke of Lorraine, who upon the approach of Beaufort, presently withdrew. And then this Duke urging him of Lorraine to fight, found an extreme coldness in him to the business, and presently after understood his conjunction with the Court-interest. Whereupon the incensed Princes exclaimed against the perfidiousness of the Duke of Lorraine, and against the English Princes as the causes of it. Who though they made it sufficiently apparent that their transactions with the Duke of Lorraine were wholly about another affair, yet the indignation of the Princes and people for this collusion so blinded their reasons, that they would not be convinced of the innocency of the King and his Brother, but bitterly inveighed against them and the Queen Mother, whom they also were resolved to believe had been instrumental in the business: so that they were induced to withdraw from the Lovure to St. Germains, and the Queen to Chaliot.  
Shortly after the Victory at Worcester the pretended Parliament, as I said, executed abundance of the Royal party; and such as were suffered to live, had their Estates confiscated and were kept several years after in prison. Their principal Acts passed the remainder of this year were, I. An Act for the increase of shipping and encouragement of Navigation, in which it was enacted, 1. That no goods or commodities of the growth or manufacture of any places whatsoever should be brought hither but only in English Ships, and that from the very places of their growth and manufacture only; Also that no Fish, or Oil made of Fish, or Whale-bone, should be imported, but only such as should be caught in English Vessels, nor any salted Fish exported in any other save English Bottoms, etc. This Act was apprehended by the Dutch as highly prejudicial to the Trade which they had driven with extreme advantage above us during our intestine Wars, and proved a great cause of the War that shortly followed between this State and the United Provinces. II. An Act to determine the Session of this Parliament on Nou. 3. 1654. Their dissolution was a point they did not love to think of; but being urged by the Army and several Petitions for a new Representative, after many debates and delays they resolved to continue their sitting 3. years longer; but they reckoned without their Host, and received a quietus about a year and half after from Cromwell. III. An Act of Oblivion, which was loaden with many heavy provisoes and exceptions. iv An Act for incorporating Scotland into one Commonwealth with England, the Government of which they invested in these Commissioners, Ol. St. john, Sir Henry Vane, Maj. Gen. Lambert, Maj. Gen. Deane, Col. Fenwick, Alderman Tichburne, Major Salwey, and Lieut. Gen. Monck. As for Ireland, the Government of it having been wholly referred to Cromwell, he constituted his Son in Law Ireton to command in chief there w●th the Title of Lord Deputy.  
In December 1651. arrived at Paris the Gentlewoman, Mrs. jane Lane, who had been instrumental in his majesty's deliverance after the overthrow at Worcester; of which fearing danger by the discovery of some unfaithful confidents, she went on foot in disguise to Yarmouth, and there took ship for France. She was conducted into Paris with great honour, his Majesty himself with the Queen his mother, and the Dukes of York and Gloucester going out to meet her; upon the first sight, his Majesty took her by the hand and saluted her, with this obliging term, Welcome my Life. The French Court also regarded her with much respect and honour, together with her Brother Col. Lane who accompanied her thither.  
About the Spring of the year 1652. broke out a furious War between the English & the Dutch Commonwealths, after Ambassadors had been sent to no effect from either. The first Act of Hostility was on the 19 of May 1652. After which many bloody Sea-fights passed between them both in the British Sea, and the straits, with great loss of Ships and men on both sides; but the Dutch were most commonly worstest. During this sharp War, his Majesty was as mindful of his Interests, using all endeavours for an accommodation between the King of France and the Princes, as also between the Kings of France and Spain; in the mean time also sending Ambassadors to several Potentates to desire assistance, as the Lord Wilmot, (whom he had created Earl of Rochester) to the Imperial Diet at Ratisbone, the Lord Culpeper to the Hague, and the Lord Wentworth to the King of Denmark. But the Catholic Princes were the colder in gratifying his Majesty, for that he showed no proneness to embrace their Religion, as the Emperor once expressly signified to him. And indeed such was his majesty's constancy that no temptations of worldly advantages, no resentment of adversity, nor the solicitations and arguments of several grand Catholics, who endeavoured to pervert him (as Mr. Montagu, Militiere, and Salmonet) could prevail any thing upon him. He propounded to the Dutch that if they would furnish him with a squadron of Ships, he would set up his own Flags and command them in person. Some of the Provinces were very inclinable to the motion, but that of Holland which stood out against the admitting of the young Prince of Orange for Capt. Gen. was also backward to comply with his majesty's desires or undertake his interest; than which act nothing could have been more honourable to them, nor perhaps more beneficial. All that he could bring them to, was, that they granted liberty for his Ships to ride in their Ports with their Flags up, as King of Great Britain, etc. The King of Denmark professed willingness enough to gratify his Majesty; but his affairs were then in a doubtful Estate, and depended much upon the success of the Dutch, with whom he had partly engaged.  
On December 1652. the English junto, resolved to be rid of his majesty's younger Brother the Duke of Gloucester, and referred it to the Council of State to consider with what accommodation and to what place to send him. The Council, that they might seem to do something handsomely, ordered him to go into Holland & gave him a Bill for 1000 l. to be paid to him upon his arrival; but such was their honesty, that they took care that he should never receive one penny of it. However, he was extremely respected at all the places he came at in the Low-countrieses, as at Dunkirk, Antwerp, the Hague, Leyden, etc. And having been for some time entertained by his Royal Sister, where he had the honour of the Garter sent him from the King, he departed to the Court of France, being attended by Sir Marmaduke Langdale, and Sir Richard Greenvile; his Majesty himself, the Duke of York, Prince Rupert, and others going two leagues out of Paris to meet him.  
Towards the latter end of the year 1652. his majesty's hopes began to be something desperate concerning any considerable succour from France; for that King in stead of uniting with the Princes his subjects, sent an Ambassador Mr. the Bordeanx Neufville to treat a Peace with England, to which he was the rather induced for that Admiral Blake had not long before beaten and destroyed the French ships under the Duke of Vendosme that were going to the relief of Dunkirk; which defeat occasioned the loss of that Town to the Spaniard. Nor were his hopes likely to prove more successful in the united Provinces, for they were so weary of the War, that they sent a Letter to England to cast about for an accommodation. But before they effected any thing, Cromwell finding his ambitious projects ripe, being emboldened with former successes, and backed with a strong Army, on the 20. of April 1653. entered the Parliament House, attended with some officers, where he represented to them that their Dissolution was important to the public good and welfare of the Nation, with many reasons for it; which none daring to oppose, the Members departed the House. To justify which Action He and his Council of Officers put forth a Declaration, wherein it was pretended, The Parliament was overruled by a corrupt Party, who intended to perpetuate themselves, deluding the Nation from time to time with hopes of a New Representative, notwithstanding the Petitions of the Army and several Counties; That the Cause which God had so greatly blessed languished in their hands and was in danger to be lost by their negligence of the public and self-seeking, with many more like crimes. And thus fell this great Idol of the Nation, this Parliamentum Infame, which in a dozen year's time had wrought more mischief to these Kingdoms, than all the preceding Parliaments had ever done good. After this Cromwell with his Officers took the administration of Affairs into their own hands, the Armies in Scotland and Ireland, and the Fleet assenting to their proceed. But to gull the people a little longer and render Parliaments more contemptible to them, Cromwell upon the 8. of june following sent out a summons in his own name, to such persons as he pleased to meet at Westminster on the 4. of july. Who accordingly appearing to the number of six score, he empowered them by a writing under his Hand and Seal to be the Supreme Authority and Governors of the three Nations, and that 40. of them should be a Quorum to dispatch business. This junto of Sectaries and Officers of the Army going into the Parliament House, in three day's time gravely resolved that they would be called the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, and that their Chairman Mr. Rous should be called Speaker, and that they would have a Sergeant at Arms and a Mace. Thus they began ridiculously, and continued in all their Actions for four months, in which they voted down the High-Court of Chancery, made a silly Act for Marriages Births and Burials, confirmed the unjust Bill for Sale of the Estate of Sir john Stowell Knight of the Bath, ordered Sale of the remainder of the Royal Revenue, made a tax for 6. months at 120000 l. per mensem, struck fiercely at Tithes, and Universities; and then being partly weary and partly ashamed of themselves, some of Oliver's faction by underhand appointment repaired to Cromwell, and resigned their power into his Hands, who at first seeming unwilling and excusing his inability, was prevailed with by importunity to accept it; which he did with the Title of Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland. The rest of the Sectarian Convention who refused to break up the Parliament and do as their fellows had done, Cromwell sent Soldiers to turn them out of the House; which was accordingly done, and the doors locked against them, Decemb. 2. 1653. And upon the 16. of the same month, having by the advice of his Officers framed and published an Instrument of Government consisting of 42. Articles, he sent for the Commissioners of the Great Seal, the Major and Aldermen of London with the judges and the Officers of the Army, and was by them solemnly installed in Westminster-Hall, taking an Oath to rule according to his Instrument and the Laws of the Land, though nothing could be more repugnant to the Laws than that Instrument.  
In this last year, notwithstanding the former offer of Accommodation, several encounters had been between the Ships of this Nation & those of the United Provinces; in which the Dutch suffered much, so that the common people there were in a great consternation. Two of the principal Battles were on the 3. of june and the 29. of july. In the former the English got a remarkable Victory, though with the loss of one of their Generals, Dean, by a great shot, taking above 1300. prisoners and 11. Ships of War, besides 6. sunk. In the latter, being the greatest blow the Dutch ever received from us, their Admiral Martin Harper van Trump one of the most expert and renowned Seamen in the world was slain with a Musket shot, and 2000 men more, 1000 Prisoners taken, and 27. Ships of War sunk and fired. Which losses quite broke the spirits of the Dutch, who thereupon began seriously to think of peace.  
This Summer also it pleased God to visit his Majesty with a Fever which held him for some time with violence; so that the London Pamphlets published it to be mortal. But the Divine Providence intended better things to this Nation, and about the latter end of August recovered him to perfect health. After which he departed from the Court for some time to Chantilly not far distant from Paris, for better air, being accompanied with Prince Rupert, who after various fortunes at Sea and separation from his brother Prince Maurice by a Hurricane (who was never after heard off) put in with his Ships at Nantes at Britain, and resided with his Majesty for a long time at Paris in the Palace Royal.  
This year the Lord Hopton, who had commanded an Army for his late Majesty in the Rebellion of England, died of a Fever after five day's sickness, at Bruges in Flanders; a person of great learning, piety, temperance and valour.  
In the beginning of the next year his majesty's hopes of doing any good upon the United States were absolutely extinguished. He had used all possible means by the intercessions of his friends to avert them from reconcilement with England, and to that purpose was very active, upon the arrival of Monsieur Boreel their Ambassador to negotiate a League with France to promote the conclusion of it; but they had so deeply tasted of the English valour in the Sea war, & were so impatiently desirous of peace and Trade, that all he could gain of them in the end was a Letter of complimental civility. And accordingly, applications being made to the new pretended Protector by two Dutch Ambassadors, the Lords Newport and Yongstall, a Peace was concluded between the two States, the Articles of which were proclaimed in London, April 26. 1654. Nor were his majesty's solicitations for a Peace between France and Spain more successful, though he prosecuted it with his utmost ardour, as judging it the most important expedient, whereby he might obtain assistance from these two Potent Monarches; and other Princes also, together with the Pope himself, interposed for a Reconciliation. For the politic reasons of Cardinal Mazarine, who knew the peace of the Kingdom of France depended on his removal out of it, induced him to venture the fortune of war, rather than be sacrificed (though deservedly) to the tranquillity of that Kingdom. And having taken this resolution, he judged it also his interest in the next place, to make a sure friend of the new Protector of England, who being an Usurper too, he conceived would be more willing to join interests. To which purpose, all considerations of Honour, Generosity (yea of affinity & chariry) set aside, by the Cardinal's means, instructions were sent over to Monsieur de Bourdeaux Neufville (who had lain here a long time before, but had done little by reason of the unsettledness of the Government) to treat a League and Confederacy with the pretended Protector. Whether the Cardinal had any particular malice towards the King of England (as some affirm) I cannot determine; but this has been apparent in all his actions, That he will not stick to promote his own ambitious interest by the ruin of that or any other whatsoever, being a greater Politician then to stickle at such rules as the sense of Honour, goodness, or justice itself may lay in the way of his proceed. This his Majesty sufficiently understood, and foresaw that by natural consequence the Union of the English Mahomet and this Ecclesiastical Politician would produce his Exclusion out of France. Wherefore, he thought it more honourable to departed that Kingdom voluntarily, then stay till he were dismissed by Articles; and accordingly on the 1. july 1654. took leave of the King and Queen of France, and of his Royal Mother, with the French Grandees, from whom he received such dissembling language as that ceremonious Nation uses on all occasions. He went first to Chatillon a House belonging to the Prince of Conde, being accompanied with his Illustrious Brother the Duke of York and his Cousins the Princes Palatines Rupert and Edward; having made some stay here, his Royal Brother returned to Paris, and from thence to the Army with the Title of Lieutenant General under Martial de Turenne, who then lay with his Forces besieging the Archduke and the Prince of Conde with a numerous Spanish Army in their Trenches before Arras. Prince Rupert also here kissed his majesty's Hand and departed to Heydelberg to his Brother's Court, and from thence to that of the Emperor, and prince Edward went to Bourbon. From Chatillon about the latter end of the same month his Majesty went to Cambray, and from thence passing through Liege to the Spa.  
In the mean time Cromwell plays the Tyrant in England at a high rate, and on Feb. 18. he sent 11. persons of quality to the Tower, for a conspiracy against his Highness' person; but having no evidence against them, besides his own guilty fears which suggested to him that most men wanted the power rather than the will to dispatch him out of his Usurped dignity) they were soon after set at liberty. The first Act of himself and Council was to repeal the engagement made by the Infamous Parliament against a Single Person; which was done by an Ordinance jan. 19 next the style of public writings was altered from The Keepers, etc. to Oliver Lord Protector, etc. Then an Ordinance was passed by his Highness and Council, declaring Offences of Treason; which were made of three sorts, 1. Attempting any thing against Cromwell and his Government. 2. Corresponding with, or promoting the right of his Majesty. 3. Declaring that any Parliament was at present in being or had any continuance, etc. So we see it came about that owning of the Commonwealth interest as they called it was now as great an offence as malignancy. Moreover to gratify Sectaries he made an Ordinance to eject scandalous Ministers, by which many worthy Ministers were deprived of their live in several Counties; and to show the more exquisite malice, such ejected were not to be admitted ever after to any Ecclesiastical preferment, nor to teach school or officiate as Chaplains in the Houses of persons of quality. He also set up an Inquisition for approbation of Ministers, by whom ignorant fanatics were preferred before grave and learned Divines, the Commission running in terms that they should have especial regard to such as were indueed with gifts and graces though they wanted humane learning. Of these Inquisitors were Rob. Tichburne, Hu. Peter, Ph. Nye, Th. Goodwin, St. Marshal, Pet. Sterry, Syd. Simpson, and, others of the like stamp. And that he might according to the course of Tyrants establish his power in blood, by deterring all that loved their Country from attempting its deliverance, and removing some of those he judged loyal and valiant enough to do it, upon the 20. of May a Plot was discovered, for which several persons of quality were apprehended, as Sir Gilbert Gerrard and Col. john Gerrard, Humphrey Bagaley (Secretary to the late Earl of Derby) Sidney Fotherbie, Somerset FoxEsq rs, Mr. Tuder an Apothecary and Mr. Vowel a Schoolmaster; there were also committed to the Tower the Earl of Oxford, Maj. Baily, Col. Ashburnham, and amongst others Sir Richard Willis. For the Trial of these Conspirators a High Court of justice was erected by an Ordinance of Cromwel's june 13 of which john Lisle was Precedent, and Steel, Tichburne, Sir Will. Roberts, and some twenty more (right qualified for any murder it pleased the Protector to put them upon) Commissioners. Of the Gentlemen committed only three were tried, june 30. Mr. Gerard, Mr. Vowel, and Mr. Fox, who were adjudged within the new-made Ordinance, and guilty of Treason, though by no Law of the Land, Glyn, Prideaux and Ellis like good Instruments of a Tyrant, urging the Protectors will for Law. Yet the latter of them was reprieved, and the two former suffered death with much resolution and courage, Mr. Gerard being beheaded on Tower-Hill and Mr. Vowel hanged at Charing Cross, july 10.  
Scotland was not yet so absolutely subdued, but that there appeared some still in Arms for his Majesty in the Highlands; The Earls of Seaforth, Athol, Glencarne, Kinoole, the young Marquis of Montrosse, the Lord Lorne, Sir Arthur Forbes, and Sir Mungo Murrey having gathered together several parties of Horse and Foot, and making several eruptions upon the English in the Low-lands: whereby they much molested them in their new possessions, sometimes taking considerable booty, and sometimes being worsted and flying into the Mountains where the pursuers could not follow them. And thus they continued in expectation of greater Levies and the arrival of Lieut. Gen. Middleton with supplies out of the Low-Countryes. But in the mean time the English met with the most considerable party under the Earl of Glencarn and defeated them, the Earl himself hardly escaping; other like success also befell several other parties; so that they could not unite into one Body as they intended. At length Lieut. Gen. Middleton arrived out of Holland, with the expected provisions of War, and a Commission to be General, and Monroe to be his Lieut. Gen. This disposing of Commands so incensed Glencarne who had been employing his utmost interest in levying Forces, which he now saw must be commanded by others, that instead of conspiring together against the common Enemy, these great Officers quarrelled among themselves; Glencarne was contented to be Lieut. Gen. but Monroe would not agree to it; whereupon a single combat ensued between them, in which the Earl having wounded and disarmed his Adversary deserted the service with about 500 Gentlemen and made composition with the Governor of Dunbarton to live peaceably at home. The same course was also taken by others by degrees. However Middleton stood out still with much resolution, till at length being set upon a great disadvantage by Gen. Monck and Col. Morgan first in Arguyl and then at Loughary about the midst of july, he was wholly overthrown. Nevertheless he continued in the High lands with some Foot for some time after, till he saw most of the Nobility were either taken or made their submissions, and then he retired back into Holland. The Kirk of Scotland was likewise concerned in the public desolation, being broken up by Col. Morgan, and the petulant Ministry reduced to subjection.  
As for Ireland, it was by the English Arms brought to such a condition, as there was no fear of disturbance for the future; only some few Tories that kept themselves in inaccessible places, sometimes made eruptions to steal and plunder. The Parliament also erected a High-Court of justice there, of which Cook (so infamous for being an instrument in the murder of his late Majesty) was Precedent. By whose sentence a great number of the Natives (and amongst them many of the ancient Irish Nobility) were sentenced and executed for being found guilty of the bloody Massacre committed upon the Protestants in the beginning of the Rebellion, and about 14000. were sold to the King of Spain, and many transported into other foreign parts, who had rendered themselves upon Proclamation: the rest were all driven into the Province of Cormaught, and there circumscribed to inhabit. The other three Provinces, Ulster, Munster and Leimster were allotted to the English, and all forfeited Lands divided among such Adventurers as had advanced money towards the management of the Irish affairs, and the soldiers for satisfaction of their Arrears. In the room of Deputy Ireton who had succeeded Cromwell in the chief Command of that Nation, and died of the pestilence at Limerick, Cromwell constituted Lieutenant General Fleetwood who was become his son in-law by the marriage of his eldest daughter, Bridget, Ireton's Widow.  
His Majesty having for some months resided at the Spa, where he enjoyed the company of his Royal Sister the Princess of Orange, and having received 200000. Ryxdollers from the Emperor and the Imperial College (who also enacted that no scandalous book published against him should be bought or sold in Germany under pain of death) departed from thence to Collen, where he arrived with his Royal Sister on the sixth of October, the great Guns being discharged at their entrance, and the Deputies of the City going forth to meet them in solemn manner and conducting them to the Palace provided for them by the chief Magistrates. On the 28. of the same month the said Magistrates expressed their affections to his Majesty by entertaining him and the Princess with a sumptuous collation; who also the next day upon invitation went to Dusseldorp, where the Duke of Newburgh treated them with all possible magnificence for some days. After which the Princess Royal took her journey towards Holland, and his Majesty having accompanied her on the way as far as Bedinguen returned to Collen.  
At his majesty's departure out of France, he was over-entreated by the Queen his Mother to permit the Duke of Gloucester to stay with her at the Palace Royal but with condition that no attempt should be made upon him to pervert him from his Religion. But shortly after (by the instigation of the French Court and some English Catholics about her) the Queen was willing he should be solicited to turn Catholic, and for that purpose permitted him to be carried to Pontoise, where some bad Instruments taking advantage of Mr. Lovel his Tutor's absence at Paris, set upon him with all motives they could invent both spiritual and temporal to incline him to the Popish Religion; But the former kind of Arguments were refelled by his Highns with greater reason & resolution then could probably have been expected from a person of his years; and for the temptations of worldly advancement, he rejected them with contempt, and the danger of his majesty's displeasure; urging withal the Queen's promise to the King before his departure in this very particular, and complaining of this unworthy advantage taken against him in the absence of his Tutor, who was fittest to judge of their proposals. Wherefore he was removed to Paris, to the House of Mr. Crofts, from thence to Pontoise again & the instruction of Mr. Walter Montagu Abbot of Nanteul, and his former Tutor dismissed. Of these attempts some cordial Protestants certified his Majesty at Colen with all possible speed, who resented them so highly, that being ready to go to dinner, when the intelligence was brought him, he would not think of eating till he had dispatched Letters away to Paris. In the mean time his Highness was restlessely importuned with persuasions to return to the True, Ancient, Apostolical, Roman Church, to embrace the Religion wherein most of his Ancestors lived and died, and most of the Christian world, together with the King of France, his Royal Mother, and her Alliance professed; which were also backed with the allurements of the greatest Church-Dignities and Revenues, and the Honours which that whole Nation would be ready to pay his Highness, etc. All which he declined with very ingenious answers; and shortly after a Gentleman went to his Highness with a Letter from his Majesty, and was admitted to his presence; but not being able to deliver the same privately, he caused it to be delivered by another hand. In that Letter his Majesty minded him of the strict command he had laid upon him at his departure out of France, of the horrid injury offered to his conscience, honour, and family, of the vanity of his persuaders motives, and the falseness and emptiness of their promises; He also declared to him the more eligiblenesse of any degree of suffering, and urged to him the fidelity of God's promises, whose love he must expect to lose, together with that of himself a most affectionate Brother, in case he yielded to the inveiglements of his Temptours. Moreover, he desired him to reflect on their dead Father's last charge, solemnly given him the day before his Glorification, with the entail of his blessing annexed. And in conclusion, added, That if he either changed his Religion, or put himself into the jesuites College, he had the last Letter from him, and must never look to see England or his face again: And that if (which God forbidden) their business miscarried for ever, the whole ruining of their Family, and all the Nations too, must be laid with all the consequent mischiefs at his door as the chief cause of it. Assoon as his Highness had read this admonitory Letter, he transcribed a copy of it, and sent it to the Queen, desiring her permission to come to Paris, both in regard of these commands of the King and of his Brother the Duke of York's approaching return from the Army. To which her Majesty answered, that she should not cease wishing his eternal good by his conversion, to which nevertheless she would not force him, but wished him to hearken to what Mr. Montagu should further deliver to him, which was that he would be willing to go to the jesuites College, where he should have extreme freedom in every thing. But all would not prevail upon his resolution; However he returned to Paris; whereabout the 18. of November the Marquis of Ormond arrived from Germany with Letters and new Instructions having taken a long and dangerous voyage by reason (the lately dissolved French Army had betaken themselves to the robbing of all passengers.) Before the intent of his journey was known the Queen of France and the Cardinal very closely pressed him, and so did her Majesty of England both herself apart, and by Mr. Montagu. Which importunities proving fruitless, some severities were proceeded to, which occasioned his Highness to leave the Palace Royal and go to the House of the Lord Hatton's in the Fauxbourgs, where the former solicitations were renewed, but with as little success. After which the Duke desired the favour to see the Q. his Mother before his departure, but was refused; which denial having received with much grief, he went away with my Lord of Ormond to Collen where his Majesty resided.  
But let us look back a little upon the actions of the Usurper of his majesty's Dominions. Cromwel's new Instrument enjoined the summoning of Parliament every three years, and accordingly he sent out his new fashioned Writs and new contrived Indentures for the returning of Members, and that after a new way, ten or a dozen for most Counties, one or two for Cities and Burroughs, and many of these left wholly out. The reason of which was because it was easier to pack elections in Counties by the interest of Army-Officers and other Creatures, then in Borroughs. They assembled at Westminster on the 3. of Septemb. 1654. Cromwell meeting them in the Painted Chamber, made a Speech, in which he indevored to show the necessity of his taking the Government upon him, and recounted the excellencies of it, telling them also that he did not design to be a Lord over them, but their Fellow-Servant to the public. After which they chose Lenthall for their Speaker, and betook themselves to their business. The first debate was, Whether the Legislative Power should be in a si●gle Pe●son and a Parliament. It was bandied with some heat, till Cromwell thinking them too busy in making a Question of that which he would have believed sufficiently determined by his Instrument, resolved to make them sensible of it; wherefore sending for them into the Painted Chamber about 8. days after their first assembling, he checked them severely, telling them, 1. That the Fundamentals in the Government (viz. such as were constituted by the Instrument) could not be altered; whereof that which they debated was one; and 2. that the Militia was not to be trusted in any one hand or power, but so, that the Parliament ought to have a check upon the Protector, and He upon Them. 3. That Parliaments should not be perpetual nor always sitting. 4. That there ought to be Liberty of Conscience in Religion. Other things in the Government were examinable and alterable according to the State of Affairs. For his own part, his heart was even overwhelmed with grief, to see any of them should go about to overthrow what was settled, (viz. by his Instrument) contrary to their trust received from the people. After this Preface he delivered them a Paper (called a Recognition) to be subscribed by such as intended to sit; in which they were to engage to be faithful to the Lord Protector and the Commonwealth, and not to propose or give consent to alter the Government, as it was settled in one Person and a Parliament. Such as refused to subscribe were excluded from sitting, the rest repaired again to the House; where they took the Instrument in hand again, and prepared a Bill for the settling of the Government & some others which they intended to present to the Protector to be signed together. But he having information given him all the way of their proceed by some false Members, suffered them to spend 5. months allotted them by the Instrument to sit without interruption, and the very next day after went to the Painted Chamber, where upbraiding them with Parricide in not owning the Authority that called them thither, and endeavouring to subvert the Government owned by God, as being the dispensation of his Providence after 12. years' War, he dissolved this Parliament (as he had done two before) jan. 22. 1654. Within two days after their Dissolution a Plot was discovered, which Cromwell said was occasioned, if not hatched by the Parliament itself. Sir Henry Littleton, high Sheriff of Worcestershire and Sir john Packington of the same County were committed to the Tower thereupon; and several persons more in the North and Northwest Counties of England, where the design was laid for an Insurrection. Shrewsbury and Chrik-Castle were to have been surprised, but it was prevented; the discovery of the whole Conspiracy having been made to Cromwell by some secret insinuating Agents of his from the first birth of it, till it was mature to break out. At Shrewsbury the Lord Newport, & Sir Thomas Harris, who were the chief there, was taken prisoners and sent up to London. Nevertheless others were not deterred from attempting something for the deliverance of their Native Country from Bondage; for upon the 11. of March 1654. a body of 200. consisting most of Gentlemen surprised Salisbury and took away all the Horses. From whence in expectation of greater Forces to join with them, they marched towards Cornwall; but they were overtaken by one Capt. Crook with a party of Sectarian Horse, at Southmolton in Devonshire, & after four hours sharp conflict defeated. Sir joseph Wagstaffe the chief of this loyal party escaped; the three other most eminent Leaders, Col. john Penruddock, Capt Hugh Groves, and Capt. jones were taken with 50. others. Another rising was also in Yorkshire at Hexham Moor; but of 4000 which should have met, not above 200. appearing, they were soon dispersed by the Forces of Col. Lilburne, Sir Henry Slingsby the chief taken, and Sir Rich. Maleverer with much d fficulty escaping▪ At the same time likewise another attempt was made to rise at Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire; but the Gentry that designed it were suppressed by Col. Hacker. Nor were the Levellers less pleased with the Tyrannical Usurpation of Cromwell, though their designs were not upon the account of loyalty; For Maj. Gen Harrison, Mr. Carew, Rich. Courtney, and Maj. Wildman were discovered to have framed a Plot against him, and secured: These latter sort of Conspirators were in favour of the Sectaries and in consideration of former assistance in Rebellion and the murder of his late Majesty, more gently proceeded with; for Harrison was shortly after committed to Portland Castle, Carew to St. Maurs in Cornwall, and Courtney to Carisbrook Castle in Wight Island; But on March 31. 1655. a Commission was issued forth for trial of the Gentlemen in the West, to Sergeant Thorp, Glyn, & Steel; And another for trial of them in the North to Sergeant Newdigate, Nicolas, Windham, Hatton; but of these persons Sergeant Newdigate and Thorp conscientiously refusing to try any man for treason upon Cromwel's Declaration, as Law, had writs of ease given them.  
But the Protector wanted not instruments in the West to execute his bloody pleasure: for at Salisbury, john Lisle, one of his Prince's Murderers sentenced Col. Penruddock and Capt. Grove to the block, and at Exeter seven other persons to the Gallows. And now Cromwell resolved to rule only by the sword, seeing the people so hated his Tyranny; to which purpose he constituted eleven of his Officers to preside over all the Counties of England with the Titles of Major Generals, allotting four or five Counties as Provinces to each, with sufficient authority not only in Military affairs, but also in Civil and Ecclesiastical. For the support of these Pashas he made an Ordinance that all Cavaliers or Gentlemen of the late King's party, should (notwithstanding the late Parliaments Act Oblivion, their former compositions, and their peaceable demeanour since) pay the tenth part of their yearly revenue; which was accordingly severely exacted by the Major Generals. He also, the better to provide against future Insurrections, set up Auxiliaries in every County, consisting of Horse and Foot, which Were to be ready upon all occasions within an hour's warning; their pay was 8 l. per annum to a Horseman & 3 l. to a Footman; And finally that he might disenable all loyal persons from attempting any thing for their Country's Liberty, he put forth an Ordinance to se●se all sorts of Arms found in the Houses of those he called Malignants. Such were the courses he took to secure himself at home.  
About the beginning of the year 1655. a great Fleet was sent against the King of Spain's Territories in America. The design was kept secret till it came to be executed upon the place, nor did he declare war against that King till afterwards, though the marquis of Leyda, Governor of Dunkirk came over as Extraordinary Ambassador to know his intentions. Many of such as had been imprisoned for the late insurrections had been barbarously sold to foreign plantation: some that were left, and several indigent people were by force sent in this service together with divers Regiments of old soldiers; Venables commanding the Land-forces, and Pe● being General at Sea. But it pleased God to check the Tyrant's insolence by a considerable loss in the very first enterprise, which was undertaken so unjustly and against the faith of Nations (though the propagation of Religion was pretended, and other slight reasons for it;) an Army consisting of 9700. Foot, besides a party of Horse by the General's indiscretion was landed in the Island Hispaniola at a place ten leagues from the chief Town Sto. Domingo, whereby being ready to perish miserably with thirst and the excessive heat of the Sands through which they marched, they were shamefully routed by no greater a party then 70. Spaniards and Negroes, 1200. were killed in the conflict and the pursuit, the rest escaped by flight. An incredible thing, had not the faintness and weakness of the English rendered it rather an execution than a fight. The remainder of this overthrow having afterwards endured extreme hardship for want of provision, even to the eating of their horses, seized upon another Island called jamaica, which though a barren place, wanteth not some considerable advantages. But for the dishonour occasioned to our Nation by this unfortunate expedition, amends was in part made by General Blake, who entering Porto Ferino at Tunis with his Fleet, fired nine Turkish Ships in it, notwithstanding the strong fortifications upon the shore, and came off with the loss of only 25. men.  
Whilst affairs were thus strangely managed in England by the violent Protector, his Majesty resided at Colen, entertaining himself with such studies as best became a Christian in his own and his Country's calamities, such exercises as were befitting a Prince, and such company as his affection made most pleasing to him, namely, that of his brother the Duke of Gloucester, and the Princess Royal of Orange. The Duke of York continued still in France, having only made a journey of no long stay to the French Leaguer before Pavia. His Majesty to divert himself from the resentment of his unsuccesseful affairs, made a progress of state and pleasure from Colen to Frankfort-Fair, being accompanied with the Duke and the Pnncesse, & attended on by the Lord Marquis of Ormond, the Earl of Norwith, the Lord Newburgh, the Lady Stanhop, and several other persons of Honour; They went by Coach a little beyond Bonne the Archbishop of Colen's Electoral Seat, where they entered into a Gondelo or Pleasure boat; through every Prince's Territories that they passed, the chief Officers of State were sent to compliment them, and the great Guns saluted them from all their Towns and Castles. More especially the Prince Elector of Mentz, sent his grand Marshal to invite them to his Court; but his Majesty sent the Lord Newburgh back with the grand Marshal to return his acknowledgements to the Elector, and to promise him to accept of his civility as he came back from Francfort. His Majesty being arrived there had intelligence that Christina. Queen of Sweden (who had voluntarily resigned her Crown on jan. 17. 1654. to her Cousin Carolus Gustavus, and had for the most part since continued at B●uxels) intended to pass that way to Italy; whereupon he sent one of his Lords to her to signify his desire to wait upon her Majesty at what place she should be pleased to nominate. To which message she returned thanks for the honour his Majesty intended her, and appointed Coningstein, a village near Francfurt in the Electorate of Mentz. for the place of Interview. His Majesty was accordingly received there by her with many expressions of respect, and had private conference with her alone for almost an hour; after which the Duke of Gloucester was admitted to her presence alone, and then the Prince Elector Palatine, and his Brother Prince Rupert, who came thither on purpose, and the refst of the great Lords that attended the King. The Elector Palatine invited his Majesty to his Court, but his Majesty waved his civility; and after many compliments between these Princes, his Majesty returned to Francfurt, the Prince Elector and his Brother to Heidelberg, and the Queen of Sweden proceeded without stay in her journey to Italy. At his majesty's returning from Francfurt which was by water, the Elector of Mentz having provided magnificent entertainment for his reception, came inperson a great part of the way to meet him, and conducted him to one of his Palaces, where he treated him for four days in a most sumptuous and splendid manner; after which himself accompanied him for some part of the way to Collen; in which City four Burgomasters were appointed by the Magistrate to wait upon his Majesty and the Princes, and to testify the satisfaction they took in their return thither. And thus we see what respect his Majesty found in a foreign Country and in his lowest fortune, the greatness of his virtues causing him to be every where extremely valued, not for what he enjoyed but for what he truly deserved. Shortly after the Princess Royal took leave of his Majesty and the Duke of Gloucester, and departed for Holland.  
In the mean time in England Cromwel's fears or his malice were restless; for about june most of the Gentry in all parts of the Nation were clapped up by his Major Generals; not would any securiry be taken for them, but they were kept in Inns & such like places with guards of Soldiers at an excessive charge and in convenience for many months together; Among others the Lord Falkland, Lord Willoughby of Parham and the Lord Newport were committed to the Tower upon suspicion of Treason; but it seems, it was rather his own guilt that induced him to do thus then any reasonable cause which could he have found, no question they had paid their lives for his security.  
There having been this year a barbarous Massacre committed upon the Protestants of the Valleys of Piedmont by the Soldiers of Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy, the Protector testified his resentment of it by appointing a solemn day of Humiliation to be observed, and a large contribution to be gathered throughout the Nation for their relief. The collections came to a vast sum; but how well they were paid to those for whom they were pretended, is not unknown to them that were employed about this affair into Savoy.  
Also toward the latter end of this year Proposals were made to Cromwell by Manasseh Ben-Israel a jew in behalf of the jewish Nation for their free admission to trade and exercise of their Religion in England. They had been excluded for the space of almost 400. hundred years; yet Cremwel out of a sense of charity for their conversion and in consideration of 200000 l. was willing to listen to their reentertainment. But the design was so vehemently opposed by the Divines a●d Merchants that it took no effect.  
In the beginning of the next year 1656. the King of Spain being sensible of Cromwel's perfidiousness, solemnly proclaimed War against England. Whereupon Cromwell entered into a strict league both Offensive and Defensive with the King of France, who was then at Wars with the King of Spain both in Flanders, Italy and Catalonia. One of the chief Articles of the Confederacy was, that his Majesty with the Dukes of York and Gloucester and all his Relations and Adherents (saving the Queen Mother) should be excluded out of France. In which it is to be wondered with what sense of honour that King could consent to so base and ignoble a proposal, made by one that had murdered his Uncle and Usurped his Dominions, and withal to banish such Princes as were so near of Blood to him, and came to him for succour and relief. But selt-interest (not self-preservation for what could France fear from Cromwell, when he was engaged with the King of Spain, and jealous every day of the people he tyrannised over?) self-interest, I say, of not of the King of France, at least of Cardinal Mazarine the Queen's creature, prevailed above all respects of honour, justice, and the sense of humane calamities. The King wisely withdrew before, and the Duke of Gloucester not long after; there remained only the Duke of York, who during his service in the French Army had acquired to himself a great renown and a high command. Nevertheless he had some small time respited for his stay, in which he was visited, and honourably treated by Marshal Turenne (who infinitely esteemed and loved him for his extraordinary courage & skill in Martial affairs) & others of the French Lords as also by the Duke of Modena (who was then occasionally in that Kingdom.) And shortly after he took his leave of the King of France, the Queen his Mother and the rest of the Court, and departed into Flanders. In the mean time the King of Spain partly out of a noble generosity, and partly out of consideration that having engaged in a War against Cromwell, his majesty's interest might be of some advantage to him, caused Don john, of Austria his Governor in the Low-Countries to invite his Majesty into his Territories, which invitation was made by the Count of Fuensaldagne, a great Commander, and lately Governor of Milan. His Majesty accepted of the offer, and departed from Colen to Bruges in Flanders, where he was received with great expressions of honour and respect. Thither also the Duke of York went to his Majesty, having taken Brussels in his way, and been extremely caressed by Don john and his Court, who expressed much joy in having the most valiant Prince of his age in the world come to assist persona●ly in the war.  
In England Cromwell being much necessitated for money, and withal impatient to tarry longer for a confirmation by the people (which although he could not obtain of the preceding Parliament he hoped he might gain of another) attempted once more to call a new Representative. But remembering the carriage of some in the former, he gave private intimation to certain persons in several Counties to obstruct (if possible) their Election again in the ensuing Session, and writ Letters to some Sheriffs to the same purpose. Nevertheless though they were chosen after the new mode, 10. in a County and 1. in a Burrow, the success of these practices did not so well please him, but that when they assembled (Sept. 17. 1656.) above seven score of the returned Members were excepted against by the Protector; and when they addressed to the rest that were admitted into House to have their Elections examined, the Parliament unworthily betrayed their own Privileges, and referred them to Cromwel's Council. Sir Thom. Widdrington was chosen Speaker. After this beginning, they proceeded to make the following Acts. I. An Act for disannulling his majesty's Title to the Government of the three Nations, passed nemine contradicente. II. An Act making it Treason for any to attempt compass, or imagine the Protector's death; and appointing such Offenders to be tried not by a jury of 12. sufficient men, but by a High Court of justice. This Act was occasioned by a Plot of one Syndercomb, who had designed to murder the Protector, and was therefore tried at the King's Bench Bar, (his accuser being one Toope of Cromwel's Lifeguard) and condemned to be hanged drawn and quartered. But the night preceding the day appointed for his execution; he was poisoned either by himself or some others. III. An Act for an Assessment for 60000 l. per mensem for 3. years. iv An Act for continuing Tonnage and Poundage. V An Act for preventing multiplicity of Buildings in and about the Suburbs of London. This Act concerned not only such as were to be built hereafter, but also those that had been reared upon new Foundations for almost 40. years before; for which the owners were fined one year's Rent to Cromwell: and it extended to buildings ten miles round about London. VI An Act for Excise of Merchandise imported; Hobby-horses, horses, Child's Rattles, and old shirts not exempted. But the great Act of all was called An Humble Petition and Advice, in which the Government was settled upon Cromwell for his life, and upon whom he should nominate to succeed him. While it was in agitation it was moved in the House by Alderman Pack (a Knight of Cromwel's making) that he might be desired to take upon him the Title of King. The junno who knew his mind in part before, presently prosecuted the motion, and appointed St. john, Glyn, Whitlock, Lisle, Fines, Lenthall, and others of the like stamp to be a Committee to attend him to that purpose. These men courted him very eagerly to accept of that Title; nor did he seem much averse, yea it is more than probable he thirsted after it; & that the design was framed by himself; for Thurloe, his Secretary openly promoted it. Nevertheless he shuffled off and on in many conferences with them at White-hall; till at length, being deterred by the noncompliance of the Army, he answered that he could not undertake the Government with the Title of King. Whereupon it was resolved he should be still termed Protector. By this Petition amongst many other things, it was enacted there should be an Other House consisting of 70. persons to be nominated by Cromwell himself, and summoned thither by writs, as the Peers of England were wont to be. And this was designed by Cromwell as a way to gratify his great Officers, whom he intended by this means to make Lords; as also to the end, that having effected his desires by this junto who both established him in his Government and gave him 1900000 l. per annum, besides all Crown Lands unsold, with all other Emoluments, to maintain it for his life, if after Parliaments should attempt to rescind these Acts, his other House, might perpetually check them by their negative voice. These Acts being passed by him, he was on june 26. 1657. solemnly sworn and invested with Robes of Purple Velvet by the Speaker of the junto in Westminster-Hall, having also a Sword, a Sceptre and a Bible delivered to him. In which formalities he returned home, and the junto prorogued their sitting to the 20. of the next january.  
In the Spring of this year Cromwell according to agreement made with the French King sent over 6000. Foot under Col. Reynolds into Flanders to assist him there against the Spaniard; these Auxiliaries did the taking of Montmedi and St. Venant, two very advantageous places, and also not long after of the strong Fort of Mardike. Which the Spaniards looking upon as a place of great importance to the keeping of Dunkirk, resolved to employ their utmost efforts to regain. His Majesty of Britain had an Army at that time consisting of 2000 English, Scotch and Irish reformadoes, which despairing of any other occasion to employ as yet, he permitted upon request to be made use of by the King of Spain. They were commanded by the Duke of York, and amongst other Forces appointed for the attempting of Mardike. Accordingly an assault was made upon the place by night, with much resolution and courage; but the assailants were forced after six hours' conflict, to retire. The English and French hereupon forthwith begirt Dunkirk with a strait siege, the former being commanded by Col. Lockhart and the latter by Marshal Turenne. To oppose this design Don john of Austria, the Duke of York, the Prince of Conde, and the Marquis of Caracene assembled 7000. Foot and 9000. Horse, and brought them to Fuernes Fort. The besiegers were indeed more numerous, and therefore left sufficient Forces to secure their Trenches, and drew forth the rest to encounter the enemy's Army The first onset was made by a Forlorn hope of above three hundred English Foot, who were seconded by the rest of their Countrymen under Lockhart. They charged with such fury upon the Spanish Foot (who had advantageously drawn up upon a Sand-Hill) that notwithstanding that difficulty, they totally routed the whole Body. Whereupon the Spanish Horse also, seeing their Infantry put to the rout, betook themselves to flight, nor could by any endeavours be persuaded to make a stand. Upon which occasion, the French Horse who had stood spectators only of the conflict, fell in upon pursuit of the flying Enemy, from whom they found little opposition but what was made by the Duke of York's Regiment, who put such a stop to the impetuous career of the whole French Army, as conduced much for the safety of the routed Spaniards, who otherwise had in all probability been totally cut off. Nevertheless at length the numerousness of the pursuers overpowred the valour of these Resisters, so that being much tired with the violence of the encounter, and no relief coming, they were enforced to desert their station and betake themselves to flight. Few of them escaped; among which were the Dukes of York and Gloucester; though the first was not heard of till three days after; which gave occasion to a general suspicion that he was taken by the French Forces, and secretly dismissed at a fit opportunity by the Marshal of Turenne. In this battle of the Spaniards 800. Officers were taken prisoners, and 2000 private Soldiers; the number of slain was uncertain. The consequence of it was the loss of Dunkirk; the Marquis of Leyda (Governor thereof) being slain in a Sally, it was surrendered upon Articles, and by the King of France and the Cardinal in person put into the hands of the English, june 25. 1658.  
While these things were in agitation beyond Sea, the pretended Parliament reassembled on jan. 20. and those Members who had been excluded the last Session were now admitted. There was also an assembly of Officers and some few others in the House of Peers, summoned thither by Cromwell as Lords. But the Commons, being now a full House, began to review the late Humble Petition and Advice made by a packed junto, and refused to treat with the Other House as Lords, Wherefore Cromw. in a great fury hasted to them in a Hackney Coach and having rated them sufficiently dissolved them Feb. 4. yet with this word of consolation to his Other House, My Lords! ye are Lords and shall be Lords. This was the fourth Parliament he dissolved; having before violently turned out the Long-Parliament, the little Parliament, the Recognition Parliament, & this garbled junto. There goes a saying concerning the three latter, which were summoned by Cromwell himself; that the First was called but not chosen, the Second did just nothing, and the Third did nothing just.  
However, Cromwell resolved to maintain what he had gotten per fas & nefas. He had called his eldest Son Richard out of the Country to inure him to a Court life and Public Affairs, and placed his second, Henry, in Ireland the room of Fleetwood, whom he recalled from thence, wanting, as he said, his Presence and Counsel. Moreover he had married his two youngest Daughters in the foregoing November, one to Mr. Rob. Rich. heir apparent to the Earldom of Warwick, and the other to Thomas Viscount Faulconbridge. And having thus settled himself, he resolved to rule at his pleasure, despairing of ever having the compliance of a full and free chosen Parliament. On the twelfth of March he sent for Tichburn then Lord Mayor of London, the Aldermen and Common Council, and acquainting them with the imminent danger of the Commonwealth by reason of secret Machinations from some Ill-willers to his Government, gave them order for settling the Militia. Whereupon the guards were doubled and a strict watch was set in all parts of the City. Shortly after divers persons were apprehended and imprisoned; and among others Doctor john He wet Minister of St. Gregory's near Paul's, Mr. john Russell brother of the Earl of Bedford, Sir William Compton brother of the Earl of Northampton, Mr. john Mordant brother of the Earl of Peterburgh, Sir Richard Willis, Sir William Leighton, & many more of less quality. Hereupon followed a day of solemn Humiliation, and a High-Court of justice; before which was brought first S. Henry Slingsby of Yorkshire; he was accused of Treason by one Water-house and one Overton Officers in the Garrison of Hull, for conspiring to seize upon that place for the King; Next him was brought to Trial Dr. Hewet; he was impeached of Treason for holding correspondence with the King, and delivering his Commissions to several persons for levying Forces against the Government; But the Doctor refused to own the authority of the Court. The same day Mr. Mordant was also arraigned before the said High-Court for a treasonable design; but he made his innocence so apparent against all the evidence, that he was acquitted. Sir Henry Slingsby and Doctor Hewet received sentence of death (pronounced upon them by Precedent Lisle) on the 2. of june, and notwithstanding the intercessions of great friends, were beheaded on Tower-Hill on the 5. of the same month. A few days after one Mallery, the betrayer of all the rest, was tried pro forma and condemned, but reprieved. Other persons were also tried, whereof some were acquitted, some condemned and reprieved; but three persons were dealt with in the greatest rigour, being hanged, and quartered, namely Col. Edw. Ashton in Tower-street over against Mark-lane end, john Bettely in Cheapside, and Edmund Stacy before the old Exchange, july 17. These murders were ushered in with a Fast and concluded with a day of Thanksgiving. Sad news was this to his Sacred Majesty, who could not but be infinitely sensible of the sufferings of these loyal persons, as well as of the calamitous state his interest was thereby brought into. However he gave not himself up to pensiveness and unprofitable sorrow, but repaired for a while to Antwerp with the two Dukes his Brothers and the Princess his Sister, from whence also he went to Brussels and resided there for a good space, being entertained there splendidly by Don john of Austria and desired to be present at most consultations for carrying on the War against the French.  
In August Elizabeth Cleypole daughter to Cromwell and wife to one john Cleypole died at Hampton-Court, much troubled in mind by reason of the bloody actions of her Father (as was reported.) But whether it were so or no, this is certain that Cromwell never enjoyed himself after her death, and did not survive her a full month. He lay some while in a very sad condition with extreme torment and pain in his bowels; nevertheless he could not endure to think of dying, but said the night before his death, That God had revealed to him that he should not die, and that he had a great deal of glorious work for him still to do in these Nations. But on Friday Sept. 3. he departed this life, or as some say on Aug. 30. at what time was the most furious violent wind, that ever happened in the memory of man. Immediately upon his death, his Council met, and upon the affirmation of Dr. Goodwin that he nominated his son Richard to succeed him, or for that they judged it the most expedient course, they ordered him to be proclaimed Protector accordingly. Which was done the next day in the City of London, and his new Highness took an Oath prescribed in the Humble Petition and Advice. Richard's first care was the Interment of his Father, and search was made into the Records to see what had been expended upon the burial of former Kings, to the end greater cost might be bestowed upon his. All the gaudry was not provided till the 23. of Novemb. and then his Image was drawn in great pomp to Westminster Abbey and laid in a stately Hearse. What became of his carcase is not certainly known. Thus ended this great. Tyrant after almost 5. years' usurpation, during which he spent vast sums of Treasure to maintain his ill-gotten power, and yet his Funeral charges amounting to above 30000 l. are unpaid for at this day. Assoon as the ceremonies were over young Cromwell was urged by his wants of money and other pressing occasions to call a Parliament; to which end he sent forth writs, (not according to the Instrument of Government, but after the old way, two in a County, etc.) In the mean time many congratulatory addresses were made to him from Counties, Cities, Burroughs, and Regiments of Soldiers, full of flattery and profaneness, some of them comparing, the old Tyrant to Moses and his Imp to, joshua, the Guides and conductors of God's people out of Egyptian thraldom. The chosen Members assembled at Westminster on jan. 27. and so did the Other House. Great debates were amongst them touching the recognition of the Government, & transacting with the Other House as Lords, (during which two Speakers successively died) till the young Protector being undermined by a Cabal of Officers, Fleetwood, Desborough, etc. weakly yielded to the Dissolving of the Parliament on Friday April 22. shortly after which (a Fast being solemnised) the remainder of the Long Parliament who had been dissolved by Cromwell in April 20. 1653. were invited by Lambert to sit again; which they did on the 7. of May, excluding by violence such of their Fellow-members as they had before secluded in Decemb. 1648. though they were the greater number. Richard was thereupon deprived of his Government, & so was his brother Harry in Ireland. And now this old junto being advanced again and congratulated (as other Governments had formerly been) from Scotland, Ireland, and the Fleet, begin to act like subtle Politicians. And to the end the Army might be kept in obedience to them, they made the Speaker of the House General, cashiered many Officers, and caused new Commissions to be delivered by the Speaker in the House of Parliament to all the Commanders both of Land and Sea-Forces. The affections of the people they did not much value, so long as the Army would stand to them. To gratify whom they imposed a whole years Tax at 35000. l. per mensem, to be paid immediately. After which about july they passed an Act for settling the Militia of Counties in such hands as they pleased: But Lambert and the other Officers (who intended to have the whole guard of the Rump, and aimed at other designs) not relishing this proceeding, it was laid aside.  
Nothing could have been more odious to the Nation than this re-establishment of the Rump-Parliament; who taking these courses to secure the perpetual continuance of their sitting and resolving never to increase their number by admitting their fellow-members or new ones legally elected in their places, awakened the spirits of most of the Gentry of the Nation to attempt something for their Country's liberty by restitution of the ancient Government. A great inclination there was in most Counties to take up Arms, and several Offers were made in divers places, but none was so considerable as that in Cheshire, Lancashire, and the parts adjoining under Sir George Booth, Sir Thomas Middleton, and other Gentlemen in those parts. They declared for a full and free Parliament to be elected by the People. Sir George Booth had taken Westchester, and was reported to be very numerous. Whereupon Lambert was sent out against him with an Army of six or seven thousand men, and a train of Artillery; moreover forces from all quarters were appointed to draw to him, so that all meeting he had a very puissant Army. The party under Sir George Booth had been in Arms a a good time before Lambert came against them in expectation that other Counties would have done the like; but this hope failing, upon Lambert's approach, many of them withdrew from him. The rest came to an encounter with Lambert at Northwich, and were without much difficulty defeated. The number of the slain was not many, but the Prisoners were in great multitudes; Sir George Booth himself was also within a few days after taken in a disguise in an Inn at Newport-Pagnel in Bedfordshire as he was coming up to London. Persons of quality taken besides him were the Earl of Derby, the Lord Kilmurrey, Major General Ranulph Egerton, Sir William Neile, Sir Thomas Powel of Flintshire, Col. Massey of Cheshire, Major Peter Brook. The Earl of Stamford and Sir Thomas Leventhorp were also imprisoned in other places with some hundreds of Gentlemen for designing to levy war against the Commonwealth. The Rump overjoyed with this success presented Lambert with 1000 l. to buy him a jewel, but he thought it more suitable to his designs to distribute it amongst his Army.  
During these actions in England his Majesty privately withdrew from Brussels together with the Duke of York; it was imagined by many that they were come concealed into England in expectation of the event, or at least lay upon the Seacoasts ready to have transported some forces in a Fleet which road upon the Coast of Flanders, in case matters had succeeded prosperously. But not long after the suppression of the Cheshire Insurrection, they appeared again at Brussels; from whence his Majesty dispatched an Ambassador to attend with certain Proposals at the Interview of Cardinal Mazarini for the French King and Don Lewis de Haro for the Spanish, who met upon the confines to treat a Peace between the two Crowns and a Marriage between the King of France and the Infanta of Spain. The Ambassador was entertained by the two grand Ministers with very high testimonies of honour and respect, and promised to have his Master's Interest taken into consideration assoon as the concernments of their own would permit.  
But in England the pretended Parliament fell eagerly to their old beloved Trade of Sequestration, and determined, to exercise the utmost of severity upon the actors in the late Insurrection. And no doubt they they would have prosecuted their intentions, had not Providence diverted their malice by a breach which fell out between them and the principal Officers of the Army. Lambert (whose ambition instigated to him to be so active in the late change of Government, and so popular in the management of his late expedition) together with other grand Officers thought the Parliament so obliged to them for restoring them to Power and preserving them in it, that they conceived none of their demands ought to be denied. Whereupon at their return to London, a Petition was presented to the House by Desborough, for a General. The junto remembering how their former General had served them not only denied this request, but vacated the Commissions of Lambert, Desborough and 7. others, and voted the supreme command of the Army into the hands of seven Commissioners, whereof two or three were Army-men, the others Members of Parliament. Lambert and his Companions were so incensed herewith that upon the 11. of Octob. Forces were drawn out on either side at Westminster; those for the junto commanded by Haselrig, Morley and others; those for the Army, by Lambert himself, Desborough, Berry, and other Colonels; and had not the Council of State interposed, they had charged one another. Nevertheless the Army-party prevailed, and turned the Rump out of doors, Oct. 13. Which being done the great Officers being assembled in Council at Wallingford-house disposed of commands among themselves, Fleetwood was made General, Lambert Lieutenant General, Desborough General of the Horse, and that they might satisfy Gen. Monck too, who governed Scotland, they made him Major General of the Foot. As for civil Affairs they erected a Committee of Safety, consisting chief of Army-Officers and some Members of the dissolved junto, who cided with them, as Vane, Salwey, etc. The council of Officers also for satisfaction of the people put forth a Declaration concerning their late proceed, charging the Rump with high Crimes, and making void their late pretended Acts. Moreover they appointed certain persons to frame a Model of Government: which no question would have proved an excellent one, when only Swordmen and Tradesmen were to be the contrivers. But that which checked their contentment in these courses was the dissatisfaction of Gen. Monck in Scotland. Letters of expostulation passed to and fro between the General and Fleetwood; but the English Army in the mean time prepared to march against him forthwith, and was led towards the North by Lambert, consisting of about 12000. men. The General seeing them thus beforehand with him, sent Commissioners to Westminster to treat, yet with all marched Southward with what Forces he could raise and fortified Berwick upon Tweed. The Commissioners going beyond their Instructions, the General was not satisfied with the Treaty, and therefore soon after desired another at Newcastle; during which he called a Convention of Estates in Scotland, who not only approved his undertaking but assisted him in it. While things stood thus, the City of London, though they well enough liked the turning out of the Rump, would by no means join with the Army; But about the beginning of December, the Apprentices and some others framed a Petition to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen for a Free Parliament; the Soldier's understanding it interposed, and a great hurly burly thereupon arose in the City, some being slain and others wounded. Fleetwood was therefore desired to draw his Forces out of the City; but instead of doing that he placed Garrisons in several parts of it, threatening to fire it if the Citizens stirred. At the same time Haselrig, Morley and some other Rumpers seized on Portsmouth, and declared against the Army; and part of the Navy under Vice-Admiral Lawson did the like, and blocked up the Thames. The City in this condition would declare neither for Parliament nor Army, but still desired a free Parliament, which at last was consented to upon divers enslaving qualifications and proclaimed by the Committee of Safety to begin on jan. 24. Upon the borders all this while nothing was done, the Treaty took no effect; nevertheless Gen. Monck kept from engaging, nor was it possible for Lambert to draw him to it, whose Forces quartered in a cold barren Country, unable to march by reason of the hardness of the weather. At length Fleetwood having treated with Lawson to no effect, and his soldiers being ready to mutiny for want of pay, was forced out of apprehension of worse consequence, to give over ruling; and the Rump slipped into the House again on Decemb. 26. late in the evening by Torchlight. Upon the news hereof Lambert's Army deserted him, and General Monck entered into England with his, about the 6. of jan.  
Whilst affairs were thus turbulent in England, his Majesty being at deep in Normandy received an invitation from Don Lewis de Haro the great Spanish Minister at the Frontier of Spain. Which his Majesty accepting, rid post incognito through France, being accompanied only with the Lord Marquis of Ormond, and the Earl of Bristol. Upon information of his approach to Bayonne, the Spanish Favourite went forth with a splendid Train to meet him, and upon the first sight of him alighted from his Horse, and notwithstanding the inconvenience of the place, in a very humble posture embraced his majesty's knee; from whence also he conducted him (riding all the way bareheaded) to the best lodgings the place afforded. On the next day his Majesty was visited by Mazarini, whom he entertained with that discreet wariness that he let him know he sufficiently understood his projects. The result of his majesty's consultations with Don Lewis, was, that the Favourite in his Master's name promised him all assistance both of men and money, assoon as the conclusion of the French peace permitted. Whereupon his Majesty after high caresses and treatments, returned privately by Post to Paris, where staying with the Queen his Mother some few days, he departed to his former residence at Brussels.  
This private journey occasioned so certain a belief in the Sectarians here in power, that his Majesty and the Duke of York (who lay at Calis) were come over into England, that many persons were apprehended for them and particularly one Mr. Colt was taken and imprisoned for the Duke of York, and others also for his Majesty.  
We left Gen. Monck upon his march out of Scotland; all parties had their hopes fixed upon him, the Rump presuming by his assistance to quell the refractory City; and the Citizens, that he would enforce the Rump either to call in the Members secluded in Dec. 1648. or to fill up the House with new Elections; yet none knew certainly his intentions. During his March he was addressed to by several Counties, for the same things that the City desired, who also sent their Swordbearer as far as Newcastle to congratulate his coming, and tender the respects and affections of the City to him. Yet he gave such answers as were not satisfactory to any. The Rump also sent two of their Members (Robinson and Scot) to wait upon him, but indeed rather as spies to watch and observe him. At St. Alban some Aldermen and Common-Council men of London were sent to him from the City to court him, but were returned, as all others, only with thanks for their respects. On Friday Feb. 3. he marched into London, and was lodged at Whitehall; being much caressed by the Rump, and received their thanks in the House. The City continuing still their refractoriness to the Rump; and perceiving they so delayed the filling up of the House, as if they never intended it, on Wednesday Feb. 8. passed a Vote in Common Council, not to pay or levy any Taxes until such time as they might have a full & free Parliament. This so enraged the Rump that they ordered the General to march with his Army into the City, pull up the Chains and Posts, break down the Gates and Portcullis, and imprison divers Aldermen and Commissioners. Which was accordingly executed the next day to the great terror and amazement, not only of the City, but of the whole Nation when they heard the report of it.  
But this consternation did not last long; for the General reflecting on the odious service the Rump had put him upon, and apprehending their intentions to retrench his power (which indeed his Commission being that day expired they did accordingly, joining him with some of their Members and Officers in the supreme command of the Army) on Saturday Feb. 11. drew his Army into Finsbury fields, and presently after upon some conference with the Lord Mayor and some chief Citizens, writ a Letter to the junto, as from White-hall, subscribed by Himself and 14. of his chief Officers, wherein he told them with what regret he had executed their late Orders in relation to the Chains, Posts and Gates of the City, which he feared would be so far from answering the expected end, that it would rather increase the discomposure of men's spirits in the Nations; minding them also, That the ground of his coming into England was, not only to return them to their trust, but also to vindicate the Liberties of the People, etc. He also complained, That Lambert, Vane and others, impeached of Treason, & that had acted in the illegal and tyrannical Committee of Safety, were yet suffered to continue in and about the City, and some too in the House and in the Army, etc. That they were contriving to take away the maintenance of the Ministry; That they were framing another Oath to impose upon the people, and to that purpose had countenanced a bold and dangerous Petition from the Fanatic Party. And lastly he desired, That by the Friday following they would issue out Writs for filling up the House upon due and reasonable Qualifications, and put a certain and speedy period to their sitting, according to their frequent Declarations. This Letter produced not greater regret in the Rump, than it did joy to the City and whole Kingdom, which was testified at night by Bonfires and ringing of Bells, etc.  
The time set for filling the House being expired, and nothing done by the Rump in order thereunto, the formerly secluded Members upon address to the General, and engageing to him not to be against a single person, were on Feb. 21. permitted to take their seats in the House, after 11. years' exclusion. The House now augmented by above a 100 Members, take care for settling the Nations; and first they constituted General Monck Commander in chief of all the forces of England, Scotland and Ireland, Sir William Waller Lieutenant General, Colonel Rossiter General of the Horse, General Montague Admiral of Sea. Then they appointed a New Council of State consisting of Gen. Monck, the Lord Fairfax, Mr. Annesley, Sir William Waller, Mr. Hollis, Gen. Montagu and others to the number of 30. And with all speed they released several Gentlemen imprisoned by the Rump, and amongst others Sir Geo. Booth; ordering also the City Gate▪ to be repaired at the public charge. And lastly having made provision for settling the Militiaa of the Kingdom, and calling a new Parliament to convene at Westminster April 25. they dissolved themselves by Act on Friday March 16. And thus ended that unhappy Long Parliament after almost 19 years from their first assembling, having been interrupted for 5. years together by Cromwell, and for ten weeks by Lambert.  
His Majesty in the mean time removed from the Spanish Court at Brussels to Bruges in Flanders, and resided there for a good space; but being now in fair hopes of restitution to his Dominions departed from thence toward the latter end of March to Breda, a handsome Town situate in Brabant, about 10. leagues from Antwerp, and belonging to the Prince of Orange.  
In this interval the Council of State prudently managed affairs▪ proclaiming against all disturbers of the peace, under whatsoever pretence, and tendering an engagement for peaceable demeanour to be subscribed by such as they suspected of disturbance, which Lambert refusing, was committed to the Tower. The General also purged his Army of fanatics, both Officers & Soldiers, & sent down two Colonels to displace Overton from the Garrison of Hull, which he pretended to keep till the coming of jesus Christ. But about the midst of April a great disturbance had like to have happened. For Lambert having made an escape out of the Tower, appeared in arms about Northampton in the head of a party, many cashiered soldiers and fanatics repairing to him. But this danger was timely removed by Col. Rich. Ingoldsby, who without fight took Lambert with his own hand, and sent him up to London prisoner, together with a son of Hasilrig's, Col. Cobbet and Major Creed. They were brought by Coach through Hide Park on April 24. at which time 20000. Horse and Foot of City Regiments and Auxiliaries were training there.  
The Parliament according to appointment assembled at Westminster, & chose Sir Harbottle Grimstone Speaker, the Nobility also taking their places in the upper-House by virtue of their Peerage, & choosing the Earl of Manchester Speaker. Within a few days after their meeting, the Lord Viscount Mordant and Sir john Greenvile one of the Gentlemen of his Majestie's Bedchamber, arrived at London with Letters from his Majesty dated at Breda April 4/14. One was to the House of Peers, another to the House of Commons, another to Gen. Monck and his Officers, and another to the Lord Mayor, aldermans and Common Council of London. These Letters were accompanied with a Declaration, and delivered accordingly on May-day. The two Houses received them with great joy and loyal affection, & so did his Excellency and the City; from whom Sir john Greenvile received 200 l. and 500 l. from the Parliament, as a gratuity, to buy him a jewel. The Letters were full of very gracious expressions, and in the Declaration his Majesty offered I. A Free and General Pardon to be passed under the Great Seal to all persons whatsoever, who within 40. days after the publication thereof shall sue it out; Excepting such as should be excepted by the Parliament. II. A liberty to tender consciences in matters of Religion, so as the peace of the Kingdom be not disturbed, and to pass such an Act to that effect, as the Parliament should think fit to offer. III. The determination concerning Sales and Purchases, to the Parliament. IU. And lastly, satisfaction of Arrears to the Officers and Soldiers of Gen. Monck 's Army, and reception of them into his own service upon as good pay and conditions as they now enjoy. Hereupon the House of Commons Vote his majesty's Letters and Declaration satisfactory, and the Government to be in King, Lords and Commons; soon after which both Houses ordered a certain number of their Members to go to his Majesty with Letters, and to invite him to his Kingdoms; also 50000 l. was ordered to be immediately sent to him, 10000 l. to the Duke of York and 5000 l. to the Duke of Gloucester. The City also deputed several worthy Members to wait upon his Majesty with a Letter, and 10000 l. as a present. Moreover Admiral Montague was commanded to attend him upon the coasts of Holland with a squadron of Ships. But the General first of all dispatched away his Brother Sir Thom. Clerges with a Letter to his Majesty, wherein was enclosed an Address of the Officers professing their Allegiance to his Majesty. On Tuesday, May 8. his Majesty was solemnly proclaimed in London, and soon after in all Counties▪ Cities, and Borroughs of England, and that with greater transports of joy than had ever been known upon the like or any other occasion. In the mean time great numbers of persons of quality daily flocked over to Breda to his Majesty, who stayed not long there, but removed to the Hague, where himself and the English Gentry were splendidly entertained at the charge of the States, who also presented him with gifts of great value. From thence the Queen of Bohemia with the Princess of Orange, and the young Prince, accompanied his Majesty and the two Dukes to the Seaside, where they were entertained in the Naseby with a magnificent collation, and so his Majesty took leave of them, and set sail for England. At his landing at Dover he was met by the General, who immediately kneeled to kiss his Royal hand; but his Majesty embraced him graciously and took him with his two Brothers into his Coach to Dover, where after a Treatment by the Magistrates, he rid to Canterbury, where he was met by the Mayor and Citizens, who presented him a golden Cup full of gold; and the Ministers, who presented him a Bible.  
Having rested there on Sunday, the next day he went to Cobham-House, and on Tuesday May 29. (being his Birthday) he came towards London, attended by the Duke of Buckingham, the Earls of Northhampton, Norwich, Shrewsbury, Litchfield, Cleaveland, the Lord Mordant, and Sir john Robinson, with their several Troops of the chiefest Nobles and gentry of the Kingdom, and the General with ten Regiments of his best horse, besides innumerable companies of people that flocked from all the adjacent Counties. On Blackheath near Greenwich he was met by Major General Brown with a gallant Company of young Citizens and others, etc. and at Southwark he was met by the Lord Mayor, aldermans, & 300. Citizens in Velvet Coats and Gold Chains representing the several Companies, and entertained with a Collation in a Tent erected on purpose; and from thence about 5. a clock in the afternoon he road into the City between his two Brothers, the streets being on one side beset with the several Companies in their Gowns and on the other with Soldiers, the windows adorned with Tapestry and other hang, the Conduits running with Wine and the people testifying their joy with incessant shoutings and Acclamations.  
Arriving at White-Hall, the Speakers of both Houses congratulated his return in two solemn Speeches, to which his Majesty answered that the People's acclamation (together with his journey) though grateful to him as demonstrations of affection, had so disordered him that he could not give such an answer as he desired. But they should find him a sincere Defender of the Laws and Liberties of the people, and the Parliament should not be more ready to ask his consent to any thing fitting to be done than he would be to grant it. After which he retired out of the Banqueting House to his Lodgings.  
Thus we have traced out all the principal actions of this great King's Life, in his Infancy, Youth,. and Manhood to this present, as well in his own Territories as beyond the Seas, and withal given an account of the most considerable events here in England during the Oligarchy of the late long Parliament, and the Tyranny of Ol. Cromwell. In all which we have endeavoured to give an impartial Relation with as much brevity as the smallness of this Volume (containing more strange occurrences than have happened in some Ages) would permit. May the God of Heaven, who of his infinite and undeserved mercy towards these poor Nations hath restored his Majesty to his Dominions, long preserve his Sacred Person for the good both of Church and Commonwealth, and multiply the years of his Reign in Honour, and Prosperity.  
Glory be to God on High; and on Earth Peace and good Will towards Men.  
FINIS.   

ERRATA.  
Pag. 118. l. 11. read greater honour.  
Pag. 273. l. 8. for at Salisbury, read at Exeter.  
Pag. 320. l. 24. read & Commoners.