A true & exact Relation of the several passages at the Siege of MANCHESTER, Between the Lo: STRANGE his Forces, and the Town.  
Wherein is evidently seen the wonderful mercy of God in their deliverance.  
Written by one that was an eyewitness, and an Actor in most of that service.  
Also a Protestation of Master Hotham, and divers other Knights and Gentlemen, against the 14. Articles of Pacification, and Neutrality.  
LONDON, Printed for Edward Blackmore, at the Angel in Paul's Churchyard. Octob. 12. 1642.   

An exact relation of the several passages at the siege of MANCHESTER.  
Saturday the 25. of September, 1642. the Lord Strange having the fortnight passed drawn to Warrington great Forces of Horse and Foot, was feared to have intended something against our town, yet could not any certainty (by any sure ground of appearance) be gathered, yet upon that night about ten of the clock, a letter came from Warrington aforesaid, intimating that the Lo: Strange was coming with great power to disarm us, this was seconded, and that four great pieces upon carriages were on the way, & his purpose was to assault the Town very early in the morning. This wrought in us great fear and a general astonishment, there being in our town some few gentlemen, Master Hellaude, Master Edgerton, Master Dunkefienld, Master Booth, Master Hid, Master Rosworme a German, whom God hath sent into our Town a little before, who the night before had finished the mud-walls and chains, that were done by his directions at the several passages of our town: Also Captain Bradshaw. These being present in Town, coosulted about an hour with the chief of the Town, and then it was concluded that the drum should beat up, the bells ring cross to give the Country notice, and every man within to stand to his Arms, & before the morning light, notice was given that they were very nigh the town, at which being by scouts discovered, every passage was as well manned as that present time would admit, which by reason of some Country Forces that were come unto us, our Neighbours and town all joining, kept them of a sudden Asault, which caused them to take up some houses and passages very near the town at three principal passages, South, North, and West, to hinder us of the least both of men and provision, the Lord Strange his Forces (as is certainly Reported) was about two thousand Foot, some say, four, five, or six thousand, are betwixt five and six hundred horse, six great pieces of ordnance, they being settled, sent word to Require the Arms of our town, and to billet an hundred men, which being denied them, two Gentlemen from our town were sent to know the Reason of my Lords coming in that manner against the King's Subjects, one of them was kept two or three hours, but at length got Released.  

Sunday.  
THis day (being the Lord's day) passed away with great fears and troubles as the like was never seen in Manchester, yet it pleased God to send us some aid from several Adjacent parts, so that before the next day at noon, there was about one thousand men incomplete Arms within our town, most of them musketeers.   

Monday.  
Monday they strengthened the passages as well as the Fort could do; Captain Bradshaw the Dense gate end, Captain Ratcliffe the market st●te lan●, Cap: Booth the Mill gate, Captain Rosworme the Brige against Sawford way, Listermain, Barwick, the Hunt's ban●●●●nd a company of resolute Soldiers the Sned hill without any commander, towards the Afternoon it was observed that divers Horsemen of the Lord Stranges went out to asault the town Eastward, or to have stopped the way, which being taken notice of, Captain Bradshaw with about 30. Musketeers issued forth, Shot Sharply at them and made them retire bacl with haste towards their places of Randevouze.  
Notwithstanding there were then laid betwixt our men and that place 40. or 50. Musketeers that played very vehemently upon them, and having the advantage also of a Ditch-bancke, our men feareing that they should be compassed in with them, Retreated without any loss or hurt to the Dense-gate end; the place that was first assaulted.  
And presently after that, divers of our enemies stole down to the end of a great Barn that was full of Corn and hay, and set it on Fire with some other buildings that was betwixt them and the new made Mudd-wall, the same being about an Hundted and Fifty yards distant, they gathered together (the Barn beginning to burn) and thought to take the advantage of the smoke to cover them, and by a sudden shot to have driven our men from their Fort, which assaying to do, were answered so well by our shot, that they were beaten bacl, and a chief Commander of their Horse slain, with divers others of their Soldiers. This fight continued for the space of three quarters of an hour in a vehement manner, our enemy having another company of foot to have seconded the first, and behind them a great force of Horse to have come on, but their welcome (by the grace of God) was so hit that they durst not approach nearer but retired back, in this fight was not one of our men touched, save that an unskilful man (whose Musket was ready to be discharged) let it fly at unwares and strooke one of his fellows through the neck that he died 〈…〉 that was thus slain, was Servant to Master Ashto●… of Milelton.  
Now when the flame of t● fired barn appeared (which might have discouraged all ou●●earts, had not the Lord supported us) came down from 〈…〉 to the foot of the bridge, great store of horse and foot of me Lord Stranges with a sudden shout, and Assayed to enter, but were so Answered with our ready shot, that they durst not venture on it again, At which fight 'tis said some Commanders were cut off, and many Common Soldiers, for some lay dead in the street (that they durst not come near all the next day for fear of our shot): the night beginning to approach great care was used for our safety and with great fear the night passed on, About twelve of the Clock that night came (at the bottom of the parsonage) 'tis thought an hundred or an hundred and fifty men down by the water side, Intending to have fired the town by some stack of faggets that lay close behind the houses, but four men standing Sentinel at that back passage, with the help of 8. men more that came in unto them, drove and forced them back, how the Lord preserved these twelve men 'tis wonderful, for as the enemy shot fiercely at them before, so their own friends behind them, (not knowing who they were) shot as fiercely at them, yet God be praised none of them were touched, the night passed on with great fear.   

Tuesday.  
THe next morning were planted some Ordnance, which first played upon the Deans gate end, the first shot struck off 2. ridge tiles of a barn, and the bullet feldown among our Soldiers, the fight whereof did some what terrify them, but their Cap: encouraged them so as by little and little they were drawn past fear: they shot several times again but did no hurt at all, than they planted two ereat pieces at Sawford, to batter down about that passage that came forth over the bridge, and shot twice, than my Lord Strange sent a Trumpeter to require passage through our Town with his Forces, but that was refused, then played four great pieces with great violence, the bullets shooting through and through divers houses so that the bullets came tumbling amongst us like balls but did no harm to any, only one boy (that was a wicked Child, having overrun his parents) was with Cannon shot mortally wounded, by gazing in the face of the enemy, at a work made by the mudwall, who within a few hours died, then presently followed out a troop of their horse to stop part of the passage Eastward, but some of our musquetiers issuing forth at the market-steed-lane, drove them back, in which fight one of our bill men only was shot into his shoulder, the shooting continued with such vehemency, than it is scarce credible to believe so little hurt should be done, our town lying so open and naked on all sides, in the Afternoon seven of our men went over the bridge to cease upon a house that commanded the bridge, but were presently discovered, this night passed away with great fear and trouble.   

Wednesday.  
ON Wednesday morning our seven men were surprised in the said house, and taken, and divers of our enemies were placed in their rooms; then they fell to shooting again, which we likewise answered, and Fortifications were soon made, that no great hurt was done to us. In the afternoon a man was shot into the leg as he was crossing down to go to his guard, and another of our Bel-men was by peeping forth of his Rank shot through the head with a bullet and died. This night continued with such shooting betwixt us and Salford, as the like hath not been heard. One of our men, his musket breaking (in the Churchyard) struck off his hand. The same evening they made an assault on the Sned-hill, but were beaten back. The Troopers went out into the Country this day to rob and spoil about two miles from our town, where two or three Musquetiers and five or six Billmen chased them and routed them; and took four Horse, and slew one, and five men that evening, besides many other prisoners were taken and brought into our town, with some Arms, About seven of the clock in the evening, notice was given that they had a design to fire our Town, but store of rain fell that evening, which proved much to our advantage; for the waters were raised, and they could not so readily pass over the rivers; yea some one cried within the compass of the Watch, Fire, Fire, which gave the Alarm, and ran quickly through the town, which put us in great fear, but proved nothing. Warning was given to all men that they should watch their own houses both within and without. About eleven of the Clock at night, the enemy made an Assault at the east-side of the town, and came upon the Brick croft with a great shout and a sudden discharge, where there lay 8 of our men in the brick kill, who had Fortified themselves there, and Answered the other with as sudden a shot as they could, They continued shooting the space of an hour, and then the Cavaliers began to Retreat. In this fight one of the poor men in the brick kill shot of two of his little fingers of one hand, and his hand also bruised by the bursting of his piece.  
This night was very grievous to our men, they being almost quite spent with watching, and toiling, and running to and fro that beyond the ordinary course of Nature they held out: that Night it please God to send us about twelve of the Clock about 80 musketeers and pikes, eleven whereof were slain as they came to the town, by seven of the enemies who lay secretly in the way as they should pass and shot them suddenly, which was a great grief to their fellows, these when they came in joined themselves to Captain Bradshaw they being his neighbours, which strengthened him very much, he having endured a sharp, long, and bitter time of it. A great strength lying against that passage to enter there that night, before it was morning, were brought two great pieces and placed at the head of Salford, to come down to the foot of the bridge to make open way by driving down our works and our men from them.  
But on the Wednesday morning, it being espied, care was taken how to prevent that danger. Shooting continued still very vehemently till towards the afternoon; then his Lordship sent for a Treaty, requiring a thousand Arms; we were then in a great strait, having powder and shot, but no match, neither had any way to get any; time was required till seven the next morning; whereupon the Lord Strange engaged his honour, that nothing should be done in that time; in which time his Soldiers went about the work they came for, that was to pillage and play the thiefs in the Country all there abouts: in this little time of cessation, there was some man in our Town that had seen the making of Match, and had thereby gained some little insight in the making thereof, he fell to work, and gave direction about the making thereof, and performed it well, and got supply of Match; and our Soldiers being a little refreshed by rest and sleep, did mightily encourage one another to stand to it, and would admit of no Parley; the Gentlemen being inclinable to condescend, but the Soldiers expressing a great unwillingness, by a general shout of Captain bradshaw's Company, declared that they would part with their Arms and lives together. Now his Lordship's Soldiers began to start aside, for they would not come near but gave bacl; for by reason of cold, and wet, hunger and thirst, and labour, want of sleep, and a bitter welcome that we gave them, their hearts were discouraged mightily, in so much, that unarmed men of ours took courage and brought in both prisoners and Arms of theirs, so as scarcely can be believed. Now the time of Treaty was almost spent, and it was espied (by some of my Lords men) that some man of ours at the back side of a house, stood where was a ditch and small bank cast up, to play upon Salford, they took exceptions against that which was done partly before that time, as also for taking down a wool pack, and laying it as it was the night before, a Soldier turning it down to rest himself upon it; as also that a Countryman newly come into the Town, and knowing nothing of the Treaty, shot off his Musket; all which as they said, was against the Law of Arms, which being excused, his Lordship answered, that he was informed, that during the time of the Treaty, his Soldiers had not made one shot, not taking notice of the two men they killed us coming to the Town, nor of the pillaging and plundering the Country, nor any of those Acts of injustice and violence, and therefore it was resolved, that we would treat no more with him, neither would give him any Arms.   

Thursday.  
Then began they freshly to their work again on the thursday morning about ten of the clock, and immediately was discharged two great Pieces of Ordnance against the new bank that was raised along the waterside to command the Street that leads up to the Chapel, they being discharged strooke through and through a house of one that much favoured my Lord, but missed the work. From whence we played so hotly, that the Cannoneere having again charged his Cannon, durst not stay to discharge it, but so they stood all that night, and all the next day, and part of the next night, and they durst not come near unto them, yea they were got away the second night, by what device I cannot tell. His Lordship sent for a Parley again, but the Soldiers would admit of none. We pass here through great difficulties, Master Butterworth, a prime man, is gone out for aid towards London we hear, Master Holland the chief, upon good reason, thought fit to condescend, had drawn Master Booth and Master Edgerton with him: the Soldiers also that were ill affected, began to murmur and complain, making this an excuse, that the Country was spoilt, and they to save the Town hazarded their own estates, so that we were even at a stand, which being taken notice of, the well affected Soldiers encouraged by Master Hyde (the meanest of the Lieutenants) Captain Bradshaw, and Captain Rofworme, spoke openly, that if all the Gentlemen deserted the cause, yet would they cleave unto it, and depend and rest upon the promise and engagement of the Parliament, for the making good any loss or damage that should befall them.  
Great and terrible words are given out against the Rogues of Manchester (as they please to term us) calling us bloody minded Roundheads: Lies published by them, that Mr. Johnson one of our fellows, was taken, hanged, and quartered, that Master Bowker our Constable was slain, that our Town was given up, and that the Queen had sent great battering Pieces; These and the like Reports went very fare into the Country, which hindered us of help, discouraged us within, so that had not the Almighty God (whom they scoffed against in their reproachful way) saying to this effect, we shall see where their Almighty God's help is: I say, had not our Lord God been our present help, certainly in that very extremity we had perished. For encouragement rested only in the breasts of a company of poor despised Christians, who with our Town, our poor Manchester, engaged themselves against the great mighty ones of our County; For, for aught I can learn, there was not one Gentleman of Eminency, Knight or Lord, throughout our Shire, nor any eminent man of note, but either in person or best assistance he was against us. Great boasts were made abroad, and our Town condemned for proud and bloody people, because we would not give up; and general notice was given (by my Lords friends) to all those whom they call well affected people, with all innocent women and children, as they did tender their lives, to forgo and leave the Town; yea, and before this time, many of the chief of our Town, had left and forsaken us; and our own neighbour Town Salford was up against us, keeping us in play with their continual shot, so as the thiefs had more liberty to rob, yea, hope of help now failing, and no aid appearing, hope of provision beginning to slack, the villains having spoiled all about them, what they could not eat and carry away, either for horse or man, most shamefully they cast abroad and spoilt it. It is confidently spoken, they have done ten thousand pound of hurt. Also report came, that Master Leigh of Adlington, with four hundred men, were at Stopport, ready to assist the Earl of Derby. Master Ardene of Huden went out Eastward to clear a passage, and had one of his men shot and died; more prisoners were this day brought into our Town; The Cannon still play through and upon divers houses, and hurt none: this night passed on with great and general fear, not knowing how we should subsist.   

Friday.  
Friday morning the great Pieces were drawn out of Salford, the well affected people's houses there plundered, rob, and spoilt, what they could not carry away, they mangled and pulled in pieces; the former fears removed by Soldiers that were sensible Christians, they did veil themselves with valour, and gave out words, that if the head Gentlemen did still persist in destroying them, they would commit them, and thereupon Listed themselves to every place and Captain apart. The Earl of Derby sent again for a Parley, requiring to have the Trained and Freehold Bands with him made out two hundred, part whereof were with him already, and that he required them to defend the King's person, the Laws and Liberties of the Subjects. But answer was made, that they were bound by the Laws of the Kingdom to keep their Arms to defend themselves against Atheists and Papists, which they were sure was Law, and that he should not have one inch of match but against their wills. This day it was known that Captain Standish was slain by peeping out of a door in Salford, which was a great grief to the Earl of Derby. The same time was three or four drowned near our Town, one of them (as it is reported) had three Rings on his fingers, of an hundred and twenty pound value; three of our enemy's men were buried at Dresbery, some four miles from our Town.  
The Post came in this night and brought some good news, which did encourage us a little, who were till then almost out of courage; and also reported that Mr. Leigh his men would not follow him out of Cheshire into Lancashire: here was two very remarkable things that happened.  
One Bloomely of Ardwick was cocking his Match to have shot and killed an honest man that came to assist the Town, the said Bloomely (wresting the Scriptures) that obedience (as if every obedience were lawful) was better than sacrifice, the said Bloomely was this night killed by them that he so much defended, going with his wife to milking, was by the Cavaliers shot into the belly; And though upon his knees he begged that they would save his life, yet could not obtain it. Also a man of a bitter spirit, one Bradshaw, fleeing out of our Town to our enemies, for speaking some unadvised words, was slain and so requited. Another man, a Constable of Bla●kley, would not admit of a Watch, till his house was plundered, and the worth of thirty pound taken from him, and then he was pleased to alter his opinion. And concerning the Barn that was burnt with hay and Corn by our Town side, it was worth an hundred and fifty pound at least, and he that owed it was noted to be a man that did (as much as in him lay) comply with the Earl of Derby: and was so requited by his Cavaliers. Several other remarkable passages might be collected, as this afternoon the plunderers coming to an honest man's house intending to slay him, got in, and cocked his pistol or peternell, ready to discharge at the man's breast, but his fellow hitting him on the elbow as if he had had something to have said to him, turned therewith the mussel of his Pistol upon one of his own Company and killed him, whereby the poor man had time to make an escape with his life. Now the last and greatest project was by fireballs, which as 'tis credibly spoken, twenty pound was spent in the making of them, which were accordingly shot and cast at our Town, but, God be praised, could take no effect, the Lord had respect to his own cause, and to his poor people's prayers and tears; for otherwise certainly they had spoilt us, for no means for our overthrow was left unattempted.   

Saturday.  
This night past, with the like shooting as before, the next day being Saturday, a parley was moved for exchange of prisoners, which was assented unto, we had about fourscore of theirs taken: and that they might not want a complete number, they had taken divers poor men that were about their several businesses in the fields.  
And had used our men which they had taken very inhumanely, and had threatened to take their lives, yet God preserved them. Then his Lordship raised his siege, and went back with his baggage; for the Lord had caused them to return with loss and disgrace. Those that were slain by us, and those that ran away from him were very many, and is not yet known.   

Sunday.  
The Lord's day following, our men were upon their march, and many of them issued out and took much Arms that they had left behind them in divers places.  
The report of their coming on was very terrible to my Lords Companies as 'tis said.   

Monday.  
Monday being come, our men being wearied out, went home: those of the Villages near hand, promised us to be ready again at a very short warning. The next morning a sudden report was that our Town was again assaulted, which was very terrible to us we being naked; notice was given, and divers c●me presently to our help, but it proved no such matter. It is now said that the Earl of Derby, with Earl Rivers; are at Armeschurch, and at Wiggen, and Warrington, and in Cheshire, and are there raising Forces to come against us again, our good God stand for us, we have no other hope nor help but from him; the cause concerns the whole County, and if the Lord give us over, none can then expect to stand, all hanging (for the most part) the other way. We expect aid of horse daily from London, with some great Pieces, which if the Lord send them us, we shall be enabled more powerfully to resist. In the mean time with prayers and tears we entreat the help of God's people by their prayers for this poor Town of Manchester.  
Believe my Reports, for I am confident that I spare to speak out, because I would be within the bounds of modesty and truth. My words are as the words of one risen from the grave, and sure you will hear him, they are my own observations, and what I know in great part to be true, being an eye witness: our troubles are so great, and fears so many, that we can scarcely tell what we do. Pass by the manner of my writing, for I cannot have time to peruse what I have writ: and though this and more be fresh in my memory, yet the time and circumstance being different, I may omit something in the order. I desire that this our deliverance may be had in perpetual remembrance, that the generations to come may hear and know what the Lord God hath done for poor sinful Manchester. We daily look for assistance from London, but our only trust and safe dependency is in God: The Lord shield his poor people from the rage of the oppressors, and give us faith still to depend and pray to God with faithful hearts, that our King may comply his heart to and with the faithful of the Land. I shall o'errun myself, if any word or thing be wrong written, omitted, or left forth, let me entreat you to gather the sense of it by what is written before or after if I have committed any fault in writing, for I have not time to read it over. I pray you pray for us all, and the Lord be with you all, and keep us all steadfast to the day of his appearance. And so I rest your loving Friend.  
Manchester, the 8. Octob. 1642.   

Although there is nothing more  to us whether we look upon our own particulars, or the present distractions and dangers of our Country, then that all our conclusions may conduce to a quiet and peaceable settlement, for the effecting whereof we are not at all insensible how necessary it is for us to hold concurrence with those Gentlemen with whom in all our consultations hitherto we have communicated to the same end: yet inasmuch as those Articles hereunto annexed being as we conceive, totally against the privileges of Parliament, and the Protestation we have already taken, and no way at all tending to the peace, but rather to the exposing of us to more ensuing dangers, being that it is a fundamental liberty of Parliament, to send for Delinquents in such a way as they shall see needful; and we conceive that the eight Article doth directly and plainly oppose it, being that now the Delmquents are so strong that they cannot be sent for in an ordinary way of proceeding: we therefore hold ourselves necessarily obliged as well in discharge of ourselves, as duty to our Country, utterly to disavow the said Articles. To which end we have published this our Declaration, to which we have subscribed our names this 8. of Octob. 1642.  


John Hotham.  
Matthew Boynton.  
Henry Fowls.  
Thomas Remington.  
Francis Boynton.  
John Anlaby.  
Arthur Beckwith.  
Phell. Saltmerse.  
Jeffery Jail.  
William Derby.  
John Boucher.  
Tho. Notcliff.  
Francis Lassels.  
John Lister.  
John Dent.  
Henry Wickermer.  
And four more.     
FINIS.