Sir Thomas Fairfax's LETTER To the honourable, William Lenthall Esq Speaker of the House of Commons; Concerning the taking of Sherborn Castle, with 16. Pieces of Ordnance, one mortar piece, and 344. Common soldiers. With another LETTER to the said Mr. Speaker, Of the Particulars of all the proceedings against the Enemy at Sherborn Castle Together with a List of the Prisoners of War, taken at Sherborn Castle, Aug. 15. 1645. Also, the Oath taken by the Inhabitants of Exeter. ORdered by the Commons in Parliament, That these Letters with the List, be forthwith Printed and Published. H: Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com. London, Printed for Edward Husband, Printer to the honourable House of Commons. Aug. 19 1645. To the Honourable William Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons. SIR, IT hath pleased God still to manifest his goodness to us, by delivering Sherborn Castle into our hands; wherein we found sixteen pieces of Ordinance, and one mortar piece: Yesterday, after a breach was made in the wall, wherein ten or twelve a breast might enter, I sent a second Summons to the governor, to Surrender the Castle, which being refused by him, we possessed ourselves of the breach, and beat the enemy from their works within, where they had planted 2. pieces of Ordnance, to oppose our entrance: And some of the soldiers got into two of their Towers, and beat them from all other places of advantage within, which enforced the governor this day about two in the morning to send a Drum for a Parley, to whom Answer was returned, he must expect no other condition but Quarter for his life, which (upon those terms) he being unwilling to Surrender, I gave order that all things be made sit for a storm: (The Myoners having fully wrought the Mine through the Castle wall, and foundation of the Tower:) The Enemy presently began to apprehend the danger, and sent a Drum to crave Quarter; but before he could get out to deliver his Message, the soldiers were got into the Castle and works, and had the Plunder of the Castle, which by reason of their so timely entrance, could not be prevented: We took prisoners in the Castle, Sir Lewis Dives the governor, colonel Giles Strangewayes, formerly a Member of the house, Sir John Walcoate, Coll. Thornhill, and others of quality, and about four hundred Common soldiers. The reducing of this place, is of the greater concernment, in regard of the influence it had upon the disaffected Clubmen in these parts, who (having the countenance of this Garrison) were made so bold in their attempts and meetings: I shall stay here not past a day, to settle this place, and then, after we have met and consulted, what is next fittest to be done for the public service, shall move hence with the Army accordingly. I remain, Sir, Your assured friend to serve you, Sherborn Aug. 15. 1645. Tho: Fairfax. To the honourable William Lenthall Esqulre, Speaker of the honourable House of Commons. SIR, MY lines commonly are the Messengers of good News; if I might be spared hence, none should have been more willing to have brought the News then myself: This day I sent you a Copy of Sir Lewis Dives Message to have honourable Conditions; The answer the general returned, was in these words: SIR, I Should have been as willing to gratify you with honourable Conditions, as any man, having expressed so much Gallantry in the defending of yourself; But the advantage I now have by being possessed of the Breach, and some of the Towers, as it may with reaon induce you to Surrender the place; so it Obligeth me in Honour to agree to no other Conditions; then Quarter for your lives, which I should be glad you would accept of, that so the Effusion of that blood, which will inevitably follow upon a refusal, might be prevented. Sir, It is against my nature to threaten or insult over your Condition; but I must tell you, (and I wish you have a heart to believe it) That if you refuse this my offer, you and those with you must know, I will hear of no terms for the future. This answer being returned, the governor could not brook it: Great and small shot played, our soldiers rejoiced at the refusal: The general instantly gave Order to fit all things for a Storm, the Mines being finished: But without any Order to fall on, our soldiers were in an instant both over the Castle walls and works; they within took down their bloody Colours, cried for Quarter, and sent a Drum out, and an endeavour was used, they had Quarter; but it was happy for them; There was such plenty of Riches and Plunder within, which took up and busied the soldier: Otherwise, it would have been difficult to have got them Quarter. At our first entrance, some of them were slain, but none afterwards; though it were to be wished, the soldier had that in Money, which they took in Plunder; yet five shillings gotten in way of Spoil from an Enemy, gives them more content, then twenty shillings in a way of reward in an orderly manner; besides, being not rewarded (ten shillings a man) according to promise, when Bridgewater was stormed, made them now more zealous to be their own Carvers. There was not a man but got Plunder, some two and three times over, as soon as they had been at home, came back again, and returned loaded with booty in my presence. My greatest care was to preserve Writings, but was glad to take the soldier's leavings, and missed things there present, of great concernment; yet some was got, of the proceedings in Spain, when the Earl of Bristol was there with the Prince: The general intends to stay here but one day to settle their Peace, & then to move with the Army, as it may be in his judgement and the opinion of the council of War most for the public Service: I believe we shall go where we are not expected: The Army is Mustered, and most of it paid, and I hope will give a good account of what ever Service they undertake: This business of Sherborn having tried the skill and Resolution of the soldier, more than in any things hath yet fallen out; and indeed, the controller of the Ordnance, hath been a diligent and active man in managing the approaches, Bridges, Mines and Galleries. Once again, let me desire you to expidite all things fitting for Sieges, with all the speed that may be; a day lost in it, is of infinite disservice; above all, send mortar-pieces and Granado shells fit for them: They are at Warwick, but sent for. This being all time will give me leave to write, I rest, Sir, Your most faithful and humble Servant. Shorborn, 15. Aug. 12. at night. I send you enclosed the Exeter Oath. I have sent you a List of the Persons of Note taken in Sherborn. I A. B. Do freely and from my heart Swear, Vow, and Protest in the presence of Almighty God, That I will use my best endeavour to Maintain and Defend this City of Exeter, against all Forces raised or to be raised without his majesty's consent upon any pretence whatsoever, and particularly against the Forces now under the command of Sir Tho: Fairfax or any other that shall command them, or any other Forces against this City, and all forces which do or shall adhere to them or their party, & I will neither directly nor indirectly give (or so far as in me lieth) suffer to be given any intelligence, advice or information to the Army, or any of those forces now under the command of Sir Tho: Fairfax, nor to any other forces (not raised by the King's consent) which shall now, or at any time hereafter come against, lie before, or attempt the taking, besieging, or blocking up of this City of Exeter: But will from time to time discover to the Governor or Lieut. Governor of this City, any one, and all such, as I shall know or probably suspect to give any such intelligence or information. As likewise that I will discover to the governor or his Lieutenant governor, all treacheries, plots, designs, conspiracies, and attempts, which I shall know, hear of, or probably suspect to be intended or plotted against His majesty's Person, or the said City, or any of His majesty's Armies, Towns, or Forces. Neither will I, or shall any other by my procurement, directly or indirectly, by words or otherwise dissuade, or discourage any of the soldiers or Inhabitants of this City, from engaging themselves, or persisting in his majesty's Service, or the defence of this City against the Forces aforesaid. And this I Vow and Protest according to the usual sense and meaning of the words hereof, without any equivocation or mental reservation whatsoever; And shall to the utmost of my power observe and perform the same; So help me God, And by the contents of this book. A List of the Prisoners of War taken at Sherborn Castle the 15, of August 1645. Sir Lewis Dives. Sir John Walcooth. Col. Strangwayes of Horse. Col. Thornhill. Lieut. Col. Strangwayes of Horse. Major Balston. Capt. Hamon. Capt. Bright. Capt. Chancee. Capt. Mullins. Capt. Creswell. Capt. Lieut. Norris. Capt. Hoddinot. Capt. Speed. Capt. Srangwayes of Horse. Capt. bond.. Capt. Hoddar. Capt. Brisco. Lieut. Jenings. Lieut. Tailor. Lieut. Mallet. Lieut. Rogers. Lieut. Townsend. Lieut. Joliffe of Horse. Coronet Devonet Reformado. Ensign Gale. Ensign hoys. Ensign Harris. Engsine Toole. Ensign Collins townsman. Ensign Mullins. Ensign Tod. George Waller Provost Maarshall. chirurgeons. Mr. Stuckey. Mr. Paylee. Mr. Robinson. Ministers. Doctor Coockson. Mr. Wild. Mr. Wake. Mr. Townsend. Mr. Ford. Gentlemen. Mr. Chafine. Mr. Buckland. Mr. Barus. Mr. Browne. Mr. Grisley. Mr. Forsell. Mr. Richards. Mr. Wiborne. Mr. Hutchins. Mr. Carleton. 344. Common soldiers, besides Officers.