GLOVCESTER'S TRIUMPH AT THE Solemn PROCLAMATION OF King Charles the Second; On Tuesday the 15th. day of May 1660.  
LONDON, Printed by J. C. for H. Fletcher, at the three gilt Cups in S. Paul's Churchyard. 1660.   

Gloucesters' triumph, etc.  
Noble Sir,  
THe solemnity used by the City of Gloucester on Tuesday last, at the Proclamation of his Majesty King CHARLES the second, was accompanied with such demonstration of real affection to the business they went about, and of undoubted loyalty to his Majesty, and of truly glad hearts at the revolution of affairs into that hopeful posture wherein now they stand, that I could not but take the opportunity, that is now offered, to acquaint you with a true Narrative thereof. The manner, thus: In expectation of such an opportunity, the Mayor of the City, Colonel Toby Jordan, gave Orders for the erecting of a Scaffold before the Marketplace; which could not be finished before the Proclamation came down: but being come, on Saturday last he sent for the Lieutenants, Ensigns, and Sergeants of his own Regiment, and those also of Colonel Twisleton's Regiment now in the City, together with the Drums of both Regiments, to give public notice in every street at market-time by beat of Drum, that the Tuesday following was appointed to proclaim the King: and to the same purpose, some of the Militia-troops of the County were also invited to attend the solemnity on the day appointed. By that time the day came, the Scaffold was finished, being very large, and parted (as it were) into two rooms; the first being lower than these old by three ascents; and both accommodated with Utensils suitable, for the more stately sitting of each man according to his quality; and the whole Scaffold (both above and below) was round about hung with yellow cloth, as being the colour of the Militia-Regiment for the City and inCounty, commanded by Mr. Mayor. The place behind the Mayor's chair, was hung with Arras, adorned with his Majesty's Atchievement-royal. Divers other preparations there were. For the common sort, the water was turned out of the three public Conduits of the City, and wine was placed in the cisterns. Besides which, there were Runlets of wine, and cakes provided for each Company and Troop: both the City, and some of the Gentry, contributed their assistance largely this way.  
The noist of this public notice of the day, and the preparations which were made, drew a mighty concourse of people from all parts on the day appointed, men, women and children; Many of the Gentry, Ministry, and people of all qualities, to the number of scarce so few as ten thousand; so that I never saw the City so crowded in all my life; all, both of the City and County, unanimously testifying then joy for the appearance of this long-looked-for day. Never were there more significant Expressions of gladded hearts appearing in the very faces and countenances of all sorts of persons, then on that occasion.  
Well, the day being come, and it being Lecture-day, and the streets strewed with green; the market-places adorned with Garlands, and the King's board, besides such ornaments, clothed round about with white cloth, the Mayor appointed all the Masters and Wardens of the several Guilds and Fraternities, with their Streamers and Trophies belonging to each Company, to wait upon him, and the Aldermen and Common-Council, (himself and the Aldermen, Sheriffs and Sheriffs Peers in Scarlet, and all the rest in their several Garbs, befitting their estate and degree) to the Cathedral Church, with trumpets sounding, and the several Constables with the staves of their office walking before, each arrayed with white scarves tied with purple and green: whither when they were come, Mr. Bartholomew, Minister of Cambden, (whose Lecture-turn it was) preached an excellent and seasonable Sermon on Luke 7.21, 22. When the strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoil. Wherein he shown the proper drift of the Text, (as his Lecture-work) in the beginning, and closed all with a suitable parallel in the close, (pro●er to the solemnity of that day) in all expressing great affections to the occasion of that day●●ap●y meeting. Sermon being ended, the Mayor in the ●k … Equipage as before, re●ur●ed home; and a while after, the Sheriffs▪ with their tipstaves, and the Aldermen, and others of the Common Council fetched Mr. Mayor from his own house to the Tolsey: by which time, nine Companies of foot were marched from the place of their randezvouz into the City, and drawn up to the most convenient places for the giving their Martial Euges to this work. And a little after, three Troops of Horse drawn up with such convenience as the straightness of the place could afford. All things being thus in a readiness, the Mayor in the like equipage as before, marched from the Tolsey to the Scaffold (which besides the Ornaments before mentioned, was now adorned with six Garlands after the form of Crowns, born up with long white staves in the hands of six Virgins of the Gentry, in six several places) whither and where he was attended by many of the Gentry of the County, the Aldermen and Common Council of the City, in their respective Robes; a very considerable number of grave Divines, the City Ministers being in their Gowns. All being seated or placed as the Room would give leave, the Trumpets sounded again and again; and at length, O yes, being made by Mr. Sheriff Scudamore several times, Mr. Sheriff Snell read the Proclamation, and the Signior Sheriff recited it after him with a distinct and audible voice. Which being done, Mr. Maior standing up upon his Chair, drew his Martial Sword in the fight of all the people, for a token of his readiness to use it in the defence of his Majesty, and for a signal to all the rest of the Officers and Soldiers to do the like in that nick of time, and to the Companies in sight to give fire. And they were no whit behind in their duty; for instantly this signal was followed with the like by all in Arms, loud acclamations of all sorts, Crying out, God save King CHARLES the second, Long live King CHARLES; and exact Volleys of shot from the several Companies and Troops in such order as was before devised, and these reiterated: so that we were in the midst of fire and smoke for a long season (but without danger, and with such rejoicings of all sorts as is unspeakable.) When things grew somewhat calm, another O yes was made, and the Declaration of the Honourable House of Commons was read, which was seconded with the like acclamations to his Majesty's welfare, and many Volleys of shot. Which continued all the while they were on the Scaffold, and there they stayed no small time: For unto them were brought Wine and Cakes, where they rejoiced publicly, whilst much was distributed to Gentry and strangers in houses, while the Conduits ran Claret, and the Soldiers in their several Companies and Troops had their shares brought to them. This done, several Companies and Troops marched by, giving their several volleys; and the Assembly was dismissed. By this time the day was far spent, the Bells every where ringing, and Bonfires every where flaming; in one of which, the State's Arms vanished into smoke. All the Solemnity was concluded with Fireworks, Rockets of many sorts, flying, and running; an excellent peal of Reporters; and at last the Wheel went round. The Wheel of State (God be thanked) is so, and come into its right posture. It will be endless to tell you the rejoicings we here have. You could not observe a sour look, or a dejected countenance that day; and yet in all my observation (and it is the observation of many more, that) there were few or none overtaken with drunkenness that day in all that great multitude: which was one addition to the joy of them, who desire to rejoice in temporal mercies, so as in the Lord. And I could wish, all would learn to honour God and the King with the holiness of their lives and conversations; and that all places were at unity within themselves, and united in their resolutions of Loyalty, as this little City and populous County is.  
The good affection your Honour bears to this City, made me willing to give your Honour this rude account of what hath passed among us in that days transaction. The Lord preserve his Majesty long to Reign over us, and return him to his Parliament and People with honour, and direct the Counsels of both the Honourable Houses of Parliament, that there may be peace and truth in our days. So prays  
Gloucester, May 16. 1660. Your humble Orator.   
FINIS.