A Copy of a Letter of the taking of LEICESTER On Wednesday the 18.th of June, 1645.  
With the Copy of the Articles, and the manner of Storming it the day before: A List of what was taken in LEICESTER, 

14 Pieces of Ordnance,  
30 Colours,  
200 Arms,  
500 Horse,  
50 Barrels of Gunpowder.    
And all their Ammunition and Provisions, of Bag and Baggage.  
The Lord of Loughborough to go to Ashby de la Zouch, and the rest of the Officers and Soldiers to Lichfield.  
The several marches▪ of the King since he was Routed, and his numbers, and how pursued by Sir JOHN GELL, and 200 Horse by him taken from the King.  
Brought from the Army, and commanded to be forthwith Printed and Published.  
June e ᵉ 20th LONDON, Printed by THO: FORCET, 1645.   

An exact and perfect Relation of the manner of taking of LEICESTER, with the Treity and all the particulars concerning the same, certified by a Letter from an eminent person (there) of the Army.  
Honoured SIR;  
Upon the routing of the King's Army, Sir John Gell gathered together all the forces of Derbishire, Notinghamshire, and the adjacent parts that he could, and on Monday the 16. th' of june, 1646. They met with some of the King's horse and took 200. And another party met with some of the Newarkers, and fell upon them, and routed them, took 60 Horses, 42 Prisoners, and 80 Arms. The Scots we hear are at Chesterfield, and Sir William Brereton at Stafford marching this way.  
On the said Monday june the 16. Sir Thomas Fairfax lay before Leicester and sent in a Summons to the Town, to require the Governor to surrender it to him for the use of the Parliament; and putting it to them to consider how the King was routed, and showing them what use they might make of that Clemency, with divers other very gallant expressions to the summons, to advertise them how much better it was for them to surrender then to force him to take it by storming.  
To this summons the Enemy sent a negative Answer, positively this, that they would not surrender it; whereupon Sir Thomas Fairfax called a Council of War to consult about the Storming of it, which was soon concluded on; that they should prepare all things in readiness to round it the next day: which was done with all expedition not losing any time.  
So they fell presently to raising of Batteries, and doing all things that were necessary for the storming thereof according as they had appointed, and continued providing every thing that had appointed, and continued providing every thing that was requisite for the doing thereof, to be in a readiness to batter it the next day, and sent into the Country thereabouts for such helps as were necessary for the work, which went on with great speed both night and day; so desirous we are to have a speedy end of the work that there may be an end of these wars if possible.  
On Tuesday the 17. th' of June, we drew down our Ordnance and played with our Pieces against the Town, we stormed it playing with our Ordnance very hot on the Newarke side, which we conceived was their greatest strength? And in short time we made a breach in their works, which struck such a terror into the hearts of the Enemy, that the Governor sent to us to destre a Parley, and offered to surrender upon very fair terms; as upon capitulation should be agreed upon.  
To this request (Sir Thomas Fairfax being willing to save the spilling of innocent blood as much as may be) he assented: and promised speedily to send in Commissioners for the treaty, and called a Council of war and it was agreed that Colonel Pickering, and Colonel Reinsoorough should go into Leicester to treat with the Governor about the surrendering the said Garrison to Sir Thomas Fairfax. And accordingly a safe conduct was desired for them, which being sent they went to Capitulate with the Governor about the surrender thereof.  
In the mean time Sat Thomas Farfax was not idle, nor did he lose any time; but went on providing and furnishing himself with Pittars, Carts, Hay, Granades, Ladders, and all other things necessary for storming; resolving to fall on at their return, in case that they should not agree, not knowing how things might fall out, during which time there was both great pains and care taken by all in their places for the going on in the said work.  
In the mean time we had Intelligence that the King was on Monday the 16 of june at Sheffield; that he came from Ash by de la zouch thither with about 2000 horse, or more, the day before, viz. Sunday night, and matched that morning (viz. Monday morning) to a Randez vouse near Dudley Castle, where with the Lichfield, and Dudley horse, and others that come in to their Randezvouses, the King had above 3000 horse as is conjectured by the Country people which saw them.  
About 11 of the clock on Monday morning, they marched from thence to Sturbridge, where he had some more Horse came in, so that in all it is conceived that he is nigh 4000 Divers of which he hath been feign to rectuite with fresh Arms from Lichfield, Dudley, and other Garrisons the reabouts.  
The King it is believed will for Worcester, and there join with what Forces Gerhard can relieve him with, and some more Forces that he looks for out of the West; but Colonel Gerhard hath met with a rout also in Shropshire, where he lost almost 400 men, by fight with the Country forces, and the Governor of Worcester was killed, and divers other Officers of note were slain, and taken.  
All the rest of that day, viz. Monday the 16 of june, our Commissioners were in Capitulation with the Enemy in Leicester, and the Army went on preparing for a Storm, having no Answer that night, and looking for their return the next Morning very early, were resolved to fall on if they had not agreed with the Enemy.  
On Wed●esday june the 18. about two of the clock, the Commissioners, viz. Colonel Reinsborough, and Colonel Pi●kering, returned with a Conclusion of the delivery of it up upon these Articles following.   

The Articles for the surrender of the Town and Garrison of Leicester to Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX, for the use and service of the Parliament, agreed on June the 18. th', 1646. Between Colonel PICKERING, and Colonel REINSDOROUGH.  

1. THat the Lord Loughborough shall have quarter granted him, and have protection for his Person to be safely conveyed to the Garrison of Ashby de la Zouch.  
2 That all field Officers, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, Sergeants, Majors, and Captains, & Lieutenants of Horse, (but not of Foot) shall march away with their own particular single horse and arms, with protections for their own persons.  
3 That all the rest of the Officers shall be conveyed safely to the Garrison of Lichfield with Staves only, and no other weapons in their hand.  
4 That all common Soldiers have quarter only for their lives, and be conveyed to Lichfield without any other weapons, save only staves in their hands.  
5 That before 10 of the clock the said morning june the 18. the Governor of the Town, and the Lord Loughborough and all the rest of the Officers, and Soldiers march out of the Garrison according to the agreement aforesaid.  
6 That Sir Thomas Fairfax be permitted to enter in at 10 of the clock the said Wednesday morning aforesaid, with his Forces, and take possession of the Garrison.  
7 That all the Pieces of Canon, great and small now in the Garrison of Leicester, be l●ft to Sir Thomas Fairfax.  
8 That all the Arms, and Ammunition now in Leicester be left to Sir Thomas Faitfax, save only what is agreed to for the Officers of Horse aforesaid.  
9 That all the Provisions, Colours, Bag and Baggage be also left to Sir Thomas Fairfax.  
10 That all the Horse (save only those excepted for the Officers aforesaid) that are in the Garrison of Leicester be delivered up to Sir Thomas Fairfax, for the service of the Parliament.  
11 That all the Officers and Soldiers have quarter for their lives.  
12 That all the Prisoners of War that are in Leicester at the same time, be released and set free to serve the Parliament.   
With these Articles the Commissioners returned to Sir Thomas Fairfax, certifying further how joyful that poor Town of Leicester was at the hearing of the said agreement, and that they should be rid of the Cavaliers.  
Thus you see the Lord doth wonderfully for us, above the reach of m●ns wisdom. Truly we cannot but much admire the goodness of Almighty God to us, in doing so great things for us, we cannot ascribe it to any but to the hand of God Almighty, who is the Lord of Hosts.  
And it is to be admired to see the carriage of our General, and indeed all the Officers, how lovingly we agree, how full of Courage all men are, both Officers and Soldiers when we are in array, what heavenly expressions, there is from all; and our General doth carry himself in so excellent a manner that it roused up the Courage of all that see him; and the like also did Mayor Skippon, who by reason of his wound could not be here in the taking of Leicester, but we hope that he will recover; for in all Designs, by his wisdom and Valour, his very name is a terror to the Enemy.  


A List of what was taken at Leicester.  
14 Pieces of Ordnance.  
30 Colours.  
2000 Arms.  
500 Horse.  
50 Barrels of Gun- powder.    
And all their Ammunition and Provisions, with bag and baggage.   
FINIS.