A TRUE RELATION OF The Proceedings at Hereford by the Lord St. John's and his Regiment there, of the Kings coming thither and his entertainment, and the late proceedings at Manchester; With the Cashiring of the Earl of Derby and his Forces from before that Town. From the fourth of October to the eight, upon which day they left the siege. 14. Octob. 1642.  
LONDON, Printed for R. Walbanke. 1642.   

A true Relation of the proceedings at Hereford by the Lord St. John's and his Regiment, &c.  
FRiday the seventh of October last, the Lord St. John's with his Regiment of Horse and Foot came before Hereford, and the said Lord commanded captain Cooper to demand entrance into the Town in the name of the Parliament, and yield up the possession thereof to the said Lord St. John for the use of King and Parliament, which captain Cooper performing accordingly, Answer was returned by the Recorder in the name of the Major, Aldermen and townsmen, that his Lordship was right welcome to their town, rendering many hearty and humble thanks to the Parliament for their care of their peace, and safety against all attempts of the adverse party that may be made against them, by sending to their assistance such a worthy and noble person so well affected to their proceeding, and the peace of this country, in whom they may safely confide and rely upon; Giving many assurances by Protestations of the good affection of that City to the King and Parliament, therewith causing the Gates to be opened, and the said Lord with his Forces permitted entrance, & with much joy were by all the well affected Townsmen received; But for those that were ill affected, and such Welsh Cavaliers as before were by the private means of the said ill-affected persons in the town received into the same, secretly in the night made their escape, and are fled to marquess Hartford, and his Complices into Wales; after which the next day the Lord St. John fortified the City with his soldiers, and prepared to plant Ordnance for the preservation of the town against any assault of the adverse party that shall be made against it, they daily expecting (according to a late information they received) the coming of the said marquess Hartford, Lord Herbert, son to the Earl of Worcester; who hath raised divers Welshmen in Wales; the Lord Seymour, the Earl of Darby, who all of them with their respective Forces intend to March thither to besiege the town, and regain the possession thereof for the use of his Majesty, upon which the Lord St. John sent Letters to the Earls Excellency the Lord general for to send him some troops of Horse and some Foot for his assistance; upon which his Excellency resolved to march thither in person with his army, having notice also that his Majesty intended to go thither in person with his Forces.  
Saturday the eighth of October, his Majesty came hither before this Town, guarded with about two thousand Horse and Foot, and demanded entrance into the Town, upon which the Recorder was sent to his Majesty from the Town, with a Message intimating that his Majesty was not come but to a faithful part of his people, and if his Majesty would be graciously pleased to disband his extraordinary Guard, he should with all duty and joyfulness of their hearts be entertained, humbly desiring his Majesty to return to his parliament, and harken to their faithful council, and abandon such evil persons, as have insinuated themselves into his favour, who have been the only cause of these present distractions and distempers in the State, which if this their just and humble desires be rejected, they are bound in duty to oppose his majesty's Followers for entering into their town, upon which his Majesty was much incensed, and in passion departed with his army towards Chester, hearing the Earl of Essex was marching toward Hereford.  
Then the Commons received a Letter from Manchester, of the late proceedings there, since the fourth of October last to the eighth, that the Earl of Derby with his army are quite defeated, and driven from the Town, they would not leave their assault, day nor night, till he had not so many men left to march withal, as were slain and run away, there being slain in that time of his lying before the town about 500 of his soldiers, and 200 taken prisoners, most of them of the common soldiers, not worth the sending to London, nor troubling the Country prisons with, making great lamentation for being drawn, and as it were enforced to serve the said Earl, that they have for this month's time of their service, received not one penny of pay, but lived on nothing but robbing and pillaging the Countries in their march: promising to be faithful to the Parliament, if they may have their lives pardoned. Therefore the town desireth the pleasure of the House concerning them, whether they shall be executed, or some of them for example to others, and the rest made to serve the town as soldiers for the better securing thereof against future assaults, that the Earl of Derby doth much damage in the County with his soldiers, which if not speedily suppressed, will utterly destroy and spoil the same, that his Majesty hath sent command to the Earl to attend with his Forces, his majesty's person, and speedily to march to his Majesty to Chester, upon which the said Earl is in a great strait, being ashamed to return to his Majesty with so few men, and endeavours what he can by promise of reward and otherwise to gather his scattered men, that ran away from him, again to his service, but few or none will come to him being altogether weary of his employment.  
Upon which the Commons falling into debate, appointed a Committee, to take the said Letter into consideration, and make report thereof to the House the next morning.  
FINIS.   

MOst loving sister, my love remembered unto you, hoping to God you are in good health as I am at this time, thanks be to God for it, this is to let you understand, we have had a great fight at Manchester the last week, the Lord Strange came to assault the town with 2000 men, and 700 horse, he came the 25 of September, and stayed till the first of October, and it is credibly reported that he lost nine score men, beside a great many horse. And it is to let you understand that there was but three slain, in the Town. And we do expect his coming again, this is true, for I was in the battle. So I rest,  
Dated Octob. the 4 day, Your loving Brothers, 

William Birch,  
Robert Birch.     

A continuation Of certain special and Remarkable passages from both Houses of PARLIAMENT, and divers other parts of the kingdom, from Wednesday the 12. of October till the 15 of October. 1642. Containing these particulars▪ viz.  
1. A True relation of Letters to the Parliament from the Earl of Essex, by which it is informed that of a certainty his Majesty is upon advancing his Army towards London, with Order of Parliament to the City of London concerning the said information.  
2. A true relation of the strength of the King's Army sent to the Parliament from the Lord general.  
3. Of the Lord coventries leaving his Majesty, and submitting himself to the Lord general, desiring to be safely conducted by him to the Parliament.  
4. Of Letters from the kingdom of Scotland to both Houses of Parliament, with certain propositions concerning the present distractions▪ and the resolution of the Houses concerning the same.  
5. An Order of Parliament for the sending of so many arms into Scotland as they have sent with their forces into Ireland.  
6. Of the Commitment of Master fountain the Lawyer by Order of the House.  
7. Also of the Commitment of one Master Dorrell a Citizen for speaking words against Master Pyus.  
8. Of a Letter to the Parliament from Secretary Nicholas by Order from his Majesty.  
9 An other Letter to the Parliament from Ireland informing the state of things there.  
10. A certain relation of the taking of five ships by the Adventurers forces in Ireland coming from Spain with Ammunition and moneys to relieve the rebels.  
11. Of the sending of certain soldiers to the Lord general to receive M●rshall Law that ran from their Colours and were taken in London.  
12. An Order of Parliament for the setting up chains and posts about the Suburbs.  
13. A true relation of Letters to the Parliament from Holland.  
14. Of the bringing up of the Earl of Bath, Sir Henry Berkly▪ Sir Hugh Pol●●●● 〈…〉 to the Parliament▪ with divers other passages.   

A continuation OF certain special and Remarkable passages from both Houses of Parliament and divers other parts of this kingdom, From Wednesday the twelfth of October, till Saturday the Fifteenth of October 1642.  

Wednesday the 12. of October.  
THe Earl of Essex sent Letters to the Parliament which were this day read in the houses, by which it was informed that he hath received certain information, that the King is brought to so great distress and want of means to pay his Army withal, that he will be suddenly enforced to march from Shrewsbury, and as it is reported intends to advance with his forces towards London, That the King is confidently persuaded to find a strong party in London, and then the Cavallires intends to plunder the Roundheads, but under that name the Lord general informs, that the cavaliers comprehends all persons that have any Estate, for they begin now to show themselves in their proper Colours, and spare none that are worth any thing, whether they be roundheads or Rattle-heads, and no doubt they will be now less favourable in London, if once they get thither, and those that so much plead in their behalfs will have then as little cause to speak well of them as any other.  
But the Lord general desireth the Parliament that trained Bands in and about London may be put into a readiness for their own defence, that provisions may be made to fortify the City, and that the Parliament would take Order to secure the persons of such of the chiefest of the City as are most suspected to raise a party against the Parliament, whereby if occasion of trial shall happen, there may not be a civil munity in the City amongst themselves.  
Whereupon the Houses upon debate of this business have ordered that the trained bands of London, Middlesex and Surrey shall be put in a readiness (as is desired) and that the close Committee shall make diligent inquiry of all the chief Malignants in the city, and send out warrants for them to have them examined before the Houses.  
The Lord general by his letters also informed the Houses that he was of a certain informed, that the King's army consisteth of 9000. foot 2500. Horse and 1500. Dragoneers, and however it hath been reported that he is 40. or 50000. strong there could not at any Muster as yet be more found than the said number.  
Also the Lord general informed that he intends to march close after the King's army, and if it be possible intercept them in their passage; and that the Lord Coventrie came to him to Worcester and freely yielded himself up to the Parliament desiring to be conveyed up to them with a strong Guard, which the Lord general intendeth accordingly, and to send him up with all conveniency.  
There came Letters to the Parliament from the kingdom of Scotland, giving them thanks for admitting the clergy of their kingdom recommended by them to the Assembly of Ministers appointed to consider of Religion: As also to inform the Parliament upon consultation of the affairs of this kingdom at an Assembly held at Edinburgh 29. of September last, according to the late pacification; they have appointed 51 Commissioners of the Earls, Lords, Gentry, and Commons, to offer certain propositions to the Parliament, to be treated off for the reconcilement of the present distractions, whereby the division of both kingdoms according to the said pacification may be preserved.  
Desiring the Parliament that there may be the like number out of both Houses appointed to treat with the said commissioners from Scotland upon the said propositions, and that the Parliament would take order that their said commissioners may have safe Conduct to this kingdom, and back again without molestation by the King's party, which propositions the Parliament have taken into consideration and have resolved to join with the kingdom of Scotland in the said Treaty and to satisfy them in their other desires.  
And the Parliament have also ordered that there shall be forth with such a quantity of arms bought and sent into Scotland, in exchange for those arms which they have sent over into Ireland against the rebels, accordingly as was then agreed by the propositions concerning that business.  
Master fountain the Lawyer in London was brought before the Commons as a delinquent for questioning the power of the Parliament by what authority they did appoint Commissioners to tender the propositions for the raiseing of horse, money or plate, and giving out other speeches against the Parliament for which it was ordered he should be committed to Prison to answer the same.  
There was one Master Dorrell a Citizen brought before the House of Commons for saying that Master Pyus had taken a bribe of 30 pounds and being demanded how he could prove the same, he said he had heard it so reported by others, but could not name any that had so said besides himself where upon it was ordered that he should be committed to Prison and brought to condign punishment for raising the said scandell.  
The Parliament having lately sent a message to his Majesty to desire his consent for the sending of Master Goodwin and Master Reynolds into Ireland to view the state of things there, Secretary Nicholas by Command, from his Majesty sent a letter to the Houses informing them that his Majesty doth expressly Command that the Parliament do not send any of their members into Ireland for the end aforesaid, whereupon after some debate of the business, the Houses ordered that the said Gentlemen should be forthwith sent over into Ireland by the authority of Parliament and to have instructions from the Houses to inquire into the state of things there, there was a letter then also read in the Commons coming from Ireland by which it was informing by what cunning and deceitful means, the Papists and Jesuits have incensed the Armies against the Parliament, telling them that the rebels have the King's hand and seal for what they do, and that if they set themselves against the King's authority, they will incense his Majesty above what the Parliament are able to defend them, his Majesty having disclaimed the courses of the Parliament and resolved to grant pardon to none that hold arms by the authority of Parliament, (as they pretend our forces there do) without the King's consent.  
By which means they have deluded many that would otherwise have taken part with the protestant forces and the Parliament have of late been debarred from sending into Ireland, whereby to clear themselves of those unjust accusations.  
There was also certain information given to the Commons on Thursday last by letters from the Adventurers forces in Ireland that they have lately taken at Sea upon the Irish Coasts five ships coming from Spain with Ammunition and other provisions intended to be sent to the rebels in Ireland which prize is valued to be worth at least 50000. pound in Bullion found in the said ships, and Ammunition and pieces of Ordnance worth above as much more, all which is now to be employed for the service of the Protestant forces there against the rebels.  
There was 4. or 5. of the Lord general's troops that ran from their colours taken in London and Committed to Prison, and a company of Dragooniers were appointed to carry them down to the Army there to receive condign punishment for their base covardize according to martial law.  
The House of Commons have drawn up an Order that there shall be Posts and chains set up in all the Eminent passages in Coven Garden, Saint martin's, Southwark, and other places about the suburbs for the better security in case of any opposition.  
It was also informed the Houses by letters from the army that the King refuseth to exchange captain Wingate for young Stranguage, but will either have captain Bampfeild, or 5000. pounds in money for his ransom.  
It was also informed the Houses by letters from Holland that since the Queen understood that captain Stradling and captain Kettlebeys ships were taken, she hath altered her purpose of coming to England, and sent into Erance for her Almoner who is expected every day at the Hague and that he brings with him certain propositions for the Queen's going over into France.  
That the state's general and the States of Holland have had some bickering about the Parliaments Declaration, the States of Holland declaring themselves for the Parliament and desiring to hold a correspondency with them, the state's general declare themselves not as neutral betwixt the King and Parliament.  
Also informing that the Prince of Orange is come to the Hague upon occasion to christian his young Daughter; but the States of Holland intend to call him to an account concerning the aid which he hath sent to the King, before he departs from thence.  
There was also a Letter presented for the Queen of Bohemia, expressing her hearty sorrow for the proceedings of her son in England against the Parliament, discovering their Accounts, and that they came not over hither with any such purpose with her knowledge or consent, and therefore desires the Parliament that in whatsoever they have offended, they may be strictly called to an account for the same.  
Upon Thursday night last the Earl of Bath, Sir Henry Berkley Sir Hugh Pollard Sir Ralph Sidneham and some others, were brought up to London by the Earl of Pembroke and on Friday by Order of Parliament they were committed to several Prisons, Sir Edward Rdony Sir Edward Berkley & the marquess of Hartford's Chapline were brought to town on Tuesday last and Committed to Prison.  
And it was then informed the Houses from Dorsetshire, that 7. Troop of Horse, and a 1000 foot of the Earl of Bedford's forces are gone into Cornwall against Sir Ralph Hopton and intend very suddenly to join themselves to the Lord general's forces.  
The adventurers for Ireland came to the Parliament and offered them that they would take in Galloway at their own charges and maintain the forces there if they might have a further allowance out of the rebels land● belonging to the said place, which propositions were very well approved of by the Houses, and ordered accordingly.  
And it was then informed the Houses by letters from the North of Ireland that colonel Leish●y hath given the rebels a very great defeare before Charlemount, that he hath killed and taken Prisoners above 4000 of them, and recovered the place from them, which is a very great victory, it being as considerable a place as any is in that part of the kingdom.  
Upon Friday last also the Commons after long debate agreed ●n a vote That all such as have refused to give or lend either ●orse moneys or plate upon the propositions for the service of the King and Parliament shall be disarmed as delinquents whereby they may be disabled from offering prejudice to the Par●iament or kingdom.   
FJNJS