JANUARIES ACCOUNT, Giving a full and true Relation of all the remarkable passages of that Month, this present Year, 1645. 1644  
Drawn up together to give a general satisfaction to the whole Kingdom, of the just and legal proceed of that High and Honourable Court of PARLIAMENT.  
THe first day of the Year, according to the season of the time, it being good all the month to take off superfluous branches from Fruit-trees: The Commonwealth had a young twig cut from it, proceeding from as bad a body or stock, Sir John Hotham, father to Captain Hotham, who about eleven of the clock the same day, was brought to the Scaffold on Tower-hill, where he prayed, but confessed nothing (so difficult a thing it is for great men to deal plainly with their consciences even at the instant of death) but he justified his actions, and so lying down on the block, his head being cut oft at one blow. Straight boughs may grow from a crooked Tree but it is worthy to be remembered that the Son being lopped off by the Axe of Justice, the same week the Father, who like an old Oak had stood the shaking tempests of many Winters should now come to so sad a fall. This Sir John Hotham may be a lecture unto all great persons, to instruct them to keep a true and sound heart, in which part he being rotten, was by the hand of Justice cut down for his treacherous carriage in many businesses, as his denying my Lord Fairfax necessaries to fight against the Earl of Newcastle; he several times had in his custody the Lord George, who coming to England alone, hath been the death of many thousand men, and a million of prejudices to the Kingdom in the estates of men, besides his intent of delivering up Hull, for which the State saw it just and necessary that he should die; these two executions it is to be hoped, will not only fright those at Oxford from farther tampering with any of our party, but also make all ours interested, to forbear the least thoughts of compliance with the Enemy, for treachery is a stain never got out.  
These two, the fatherand the son, being gone out of the world, and which is the greatest misery of all unpitied, the Scripture, now was in a man that should have advanced Religion, and God's word, fulfilled, The Axe is now laid to the root of the tree, and every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire: for the first part it was well enough known that this Tree being first planted in St. John College in Oxford, flourished there a long time, until he was removed to grow in the fat soil of an Episcopal dignity, being made Archbishop of Canterbury, and now being firmly rooted in that high Grace, he having little grace, did not as the text saith, Bring forth good fruit, unless the endeavouring to bring in Popery instead of the Protestant Religion, his persecuting the members of Christ by imprisonment and cutting off ears, his cruelty in the high Commission Court, his silencing of faithful Ministers, his desiring to be made a Cardinal from Rome, and his opposing of Parliaments, and therein his subverting the Laws of the Kingdom, to bring in the Romish Hierarchy, and many other wicked plots; unless I say these were good fruits, he brought forth none else; so that this Tree being by the judicious censure of Parliament known and proved to bring forth nothing but malice, Popery, malignancy, and treason against the Kingdom and State; he was as the Scripture saith, condemned to have the Axe not only laid unto him (though he hoped for mercy) but to be hewn down: And so on January the tenth, he came from the Tower to the place of Execution, where on the Scaffold heo had many spectators who came to see this old Popish Oak cut down, who there on the Scaffold on Tower-hill preached his Funeral Sermon, upon Heb. 12.1.2.  Let us run with patience that race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God. 
His Sermon may be thus epitomised in these brief heads: First, an application of the words unto himself, I have been long in my race, and how I have looked unto Jesus the author and finisher of my faith, is best known to him: Then he gins to mock the people in these words: The Israelites, would not worship the Image which the King had set up: Nor shall I the Imaginations which the people are setting up, nor will I forsake the Temple and the Truth of God to follow the bleating of Jeroboams Calves in Dan and Bethel. Then he blessed the people, and prayed God to open their eyes, that they might see the right way (meaning to Popery.) Then he said that Simon Sudbury a Bishop lost his head in the fury of Wat Tiler, as if he were put to death by Rebels, and in a time of Rebellion: Then he prays for the King, and professed himself to die in the Protestant Religion; but who ever saw a Protestant Bishop desire a Cardinals Cap. But you may read his Sermon at large, which being ended, he plucked off his doublet, and after some prayers, laid his head on the block; and at one blow his policy and Popery were both out off.  
Monday the 13. after debate, it was resolved by the Commons, that the number of the new Army now raised, should be 21000 Horse and Foot.  
This day Col. Jepson the Governor of Plymouth set upon Colonel goring Quarters, took some Horse and divers Prisoners.  
Colonel Mitton also with a party from his Garrison at Oswestree, fell upon three Troops of Sir John Birons Horse, and took two Captains of Horse, one Lieutenant, one Quartermaster, nineteen Troopers, twenty case of Pistols, twelve Carbines, four Muskets, and routed all the rest.  
jan. 14. The Lord Inchequin was by Commission made Precedent of Munster. The House passed a Vote to this effect: That many Congregations may be under one Presbyterial Government.  
Abington was attempted to be stormed by P. Rupert, Maurice, Colonel Gage Governor of Oxford, and others, with a party of about 1000 Horse, and 800. foot, but they were soon beaten from Cullam bridge, our men marching through the overflowing waters. In this Service we lost of note only Major Bradbury slain upon the bridge, and seven or eight common Soldiers: of the Enemies there were slain Sir Henry Gage Governor of Oxford, the Major of the Prince's Regiment with his Lieutenant; and the Enemy carried away three cart load of dead men.  
The Town and Castle of Cardigan in Wales is taken by Major General Laughorne, the Town with little difficulty, but the Castle held out obstinately, wherein were taken an hundred Commanders and Soldiers.  
The States of Holland have desired a pass from the Parliament to go to Oxford.  
It is voted by the Commons, that Pasters, Doctors, Teachers, Elders, and Deacons, should be the Officers of the Church.  
Plymouth hath had great success against Grenvils Forces, who having then one great Work, were beaten off, with the lost of 75 men left dead on the place.  
An Order was made by the Commons for the trial of one Dobson a Stationer, by a Council of War, for Printing scandalous books. There is order taken also for the suppressing of Oxford Aulicasses, Printed at London, or conveyed hither.  
An Ordinance was made for the assessment of the Counties for raising of the sum set on them for the maintenance of the twenty one thousand Horse and Foot, according to the new model of an Army.  
After the defeat at Abington, they were much distracted at Oxford, whither Sir Henry Gage killed at Abington, was brought and buried there. The Lord Savil, the L. Piercy, and the L. Andover, were confined to their chambers; some say for mocking Prince Rupert, and ask him, if he had brought Abington in his pocket? others say, for giving intelligence.  
Three hundred Horse and Prisoners were taken by Colonel Holborn, who also forced the Enemy to Bristol, and since hath taken Sydenham house, with a hundred Prisoners, one Captain, a Lieutenant, many other officers, with store of Arms and Ammunition.  
Sir Thomas Fairfax is made Commander in chief of the Forces according to the new model of the Army: And Major Skippon is made Sergeant-Major-Generall of the same; and several other Officers are voted by the House.  
There is an Appendix to the Directory presented to the Commons, and by them transmitted to the Lords, for the abolishing of Holidays, and holiness attributed to places, and a Committee is appointed to consider of certain days for the recreations of Apprentices and servants in a civil orderly way, so that there will be no more drunken Saint-dayes now.  
Sir Peter Killigrew returned from Oxford on Wednesday last, January 22. with His Majesty's Answer concerning the Treaty, which was sealed up in a Letter of rupert's to the Lord General. The contents of the conduct run to this effect: That our Commissioners, namely, Algernon Earl of Northumberland, Earl of Pembroke, Earl of Salisbury, Earl of Denbigh, of the House of Lords. And the Lord Waiman, Mr. Hollis, Mr. Pierpoint, Mr. Whitlock, Sir Henry Vane junior, Mr. Solicitor, Mr. Crew, and Mr. Prideaux, of the House of Commons in Parliament assembled at Westminster. And the marquis of Argile, the Lord Louthian, the Lord Muitland, Sir Charles Erskin, Mr. Kereday, Mr. Berkley, Mr. Henderson, and other, Commissioners from the Parliament of Scotland, with their attendants, not exceeding the number of a 108. with their Horse, Carriages, and other necessaries, are to pass between London and Uxbridge, when and so often as they shall think fit, during the time of the Treaty, without any let or molestation whatsoever.  

The Propositions from the King are these.  
THat His Majesty's Revenues, Magazines, Towns, Forts, and Ships, that have been taken or kept from him may be restored. That whatsoever hath been done or published contrary to the known Laws of the Land, or derogatory to His Majesty's legal and known Rights be renounced and recalled, that no seed may remain of the like to spring out for the future.  
That whatsoever illegal power hath been claimed or exercised over His Majesty's Subjects, as imprisoning and putting to death their persons without Law, stopping Habeas Corpus, and putting Impositions upon their estates, (without Act of Parliament) either by one or both Houses, or by any Committee of both or either Houses, be disclaimed, and the persons committed be forthwith discharged.  
That His Majesty will consent to make a Law to establish and to maintain the Protestant Religion: and for the firmer establishing thereof, desires there may be a Bill drawn up for the continuance of the Book of Common Prayer, and to maintain it from all son and violence.  
That there be a Bill also for the e●se of tender Consciences, in such particulars as shall be agreed upon: and that (as to the best expedient thereunto▪ there be a Nationall Synod called legally, with all convenient speed.  
That all persons which shall be excepted and agreed upon on either side to be excepted out of the General Pardon, be tried per Pares, according to the usual custom, and known Laws of the Land to be either acquitted or condemned.  
And to the intent that Trade may not suffer, nor any interruption to the Treaty, and that there may be a Cessation of Arms, and a free Trade with all possible speed concluded on.  
And as to what shall be debated, His Majesty gives power to his Commissioners, or any ten of them, to agree and conclude upon them.  
In the new Army of 21000 the chief Commanders nominated are Sir Thomas Fairfax to command in chief, and Major Skippon to be sergeant-major-general, the four Colonels of Horse and Foot are, 

Col. Holborn.  
Col. Middleton.  
Col. Fortescue.  
Col. Barkley.    
And honours are by the Parliament to be conferred on the Earl of Essex and Sir William Belfore, for their valiant and faithful services for the Commonwealth.  
It is certain Colonel Holborn hath taken Sydenham house, and therein a 100 prisoners, with the high Sheriff of Summersetshire, and ten Commissioners of Array. That he hath taken some hundreds of Hoptons' forces, and driven the rest towards Bristol; that Plymouth is in a good condition: That the King hath assigned Prince Maurice to be General of Worcester, Hereford, and Shropshire.  
The King's Commissioners are the Duke of Richmond, marquis▪ Hartford, Earl of Southampton, Earl of Kingston, Earl of Chichester, Lord Seymor, Lord Hatton, L Capel, L. Culpepper, Sir Orlando Bridgeman, Sir Edward Nicholas, Sir Ed. Hid, Sir Richard Lane, Sir Thomas gardiner's, Mr. John Ashburnham, and Mr. Jeffery Palmer, with Doctor Stewart, Dr. Laney, Dr. Shelden, and their attendants to the number of 108. But some of their Commissioners at Oxford must leave their new Titles behind them, for the Houses will not allow the new made Lords their Titles, the rest that have gotten new honours since Littleton went away, upon such terms. And on Saturday Sir Peter Killigrew posted to signify so much unto them, and also to carry them a safe conduct upon the same conditions. This Treaty is the great expectation of the Kingdom, and this eclipse may signify Peace; and that 
Eclipsed Religion losing now her light,  
Yet once shine out again most fair and bright.   
This Treaty brings England's weal or woe, and therefore worthy to be prayed for; happy were it to see the King as the Sun doth coming towards us, for then our joy would begin to spring.  
Sir William Breretons Forces have taken Prisoners near Chester, Colonel Woiden, Col. Wen, Lieutenant Colonel Grace, Lieutenant Colonel Gough, Captain Rorey, Capt. Oneal, an Irishman, with thirteen other Commanders, 200 common Soldiers, as many Horse, store of Arms, and killed and wounded many of them.  
Instructions are agreed upon what particulars shall be treated off the first nine days, namely, on the settling of Religion, the Militia, and the affairs of Ireland.  
Sir Richard Greenvil hath in the West slain the two Champernoons, in this manner, Colonel Champernoon provoked by him, fired his Pistol upon him without effect, than Greenvil pistoled the Colonel and slew him: his brother fired his Pistol upon Greenvil, which missing, Greenvil drew his sword and run him through, and so killed both the brothers.  
Cornwall gins to rise up in Arms, being weary of the cruelty of this insolent and bloody Commander Greenvil.  
Chester is at this present besieged round; and an hundred and twenty Demy Canon shot were made in one day against Pomfract Castle, against which a new mount is raised, and many breaches are made.  
An India Ship was carried into Bristol by the treacherous master thereof. Sir Thomas Middleton keeps the Welsh in obedience, and maintains div●rs Garrisons there.  
Thus have you a true account of the passages of this Month of January, happy in the beginning of the Treary of Peace, unto which God send a blessed issue.  
Seen and allowed.    

LONDON, Printed for Richard Harper, and are to be sold at his shop in Smithfield, 1645. 1644