A DISCOVERY Of many, great, and Bloody ROBERIES: COMMITTED OF LATE BY DISSOLUTE AND Evil affected TROOPERS.  
In several places of this Kingdom, but chief about the City of London.  
Since the late disbanding of the Army in the North.  
With a Relation of the Times, Places, and Persons, on on whom these Roberies were committed.  
WHEREIN Is inserted the Description of a bloody Combat, fought between 9 Troopers and 6 Butchers, meeting on the Highway, and what ensued. With divers other Outrages, and Abuses, acted by them within this City.  
Printed at London for john Thomas, 1641.   

A Relation of divers Robberies of late committed by divers illaffected Troopers, both in the Country, and near the City of London.  
Joyful news it is to all good men, that a general peace is concluded between England and Scotland, warlike weapons are laid aside, and each embrace the other in amity and unity; which news cannot be more joyful than profitable, generally I mean. But some particular wrongs & injuries are acted by those, whose thoughts are bend upon nothing but mischief, their actions being governed by the malice of the Devil, some I say, prove themselves Rebels to peace, they having no foreign Nation to make known their valour, or fight against. They to keep themselves in action, most basely pillage their own Countrymen; as if they had left them only to gather goods, and to provide means, against their coming home again, which proclaims them Traitors to virtue and goodness: and if they look not to it speedily, it will be their own ruin.  
Complaints fly abroad every where, no man almost dares trust himself to the high ways, for fear lest he lose his purse, or his life, which is dearer. I have some such actions to declare, as will cause some laughter, but more sorrow.  
The Robery which was said to be committed in the North, Knowles being the Ringleader, I omit, it being divulged already, although not perfectly, but as I understand, the Author, or Poet, hath foolishly recanted his Relation, with a tongue thou best: but politic Tailor is resolved to prove his recantation more false than his relation: he had better been then in his fool's Coat, acting jack-pudding, then to have been partaker in that robbery. But I leave him, and proceed to my own relation, of some roberies, lately committed by Troopers since their disbanding.  
At Kingston upon Hull 5 Troopers met with 7 Clothiers, whose purses were crammed with such Angels, as they adored, the troopers did set upon them with their Pistols charged in one hand, and their swords ready drawn in the other: the Clothiers were not so well armed; wherefore for safeguard of their lives, they yielded their purses, the sum of all which money came to about 400 pounds, which weight of money made the troopers light-hearted: but it continued not long, for 5 of the Clothiers kept aloof off, marking whither they would go, whilst the two went for Pistols; which when they had got, they being well horsed, pursued the troopers, and overtook them, which the troopers perceiving, were amazed: because not long before for joy of their purchase, they had discharged their Pistols, wheresore without any resistance, they returned the Clothiers their monies again, who gave them ten pound a man for their horses, and so they departed.  
At Barwick, one john Hawkins a trooper, and an Irish man met with 6 Maids, & robbed them all? but of what, their Maidenheads.  
In Cambridgeshire 14 Troopers travelling from Yorkshire, made a resolution to receive pay of the next company they met withal, which were a company of Farmer's coming from Cambridge, whom they gagged, lest they should cry out, they took their monies and , bound them hand & foot, and then being naked, not having so much as a shirt on, they tied them to trees, and so left them, and as yet cannot be found out, the loss of the money grieved the Farmers not so much, as the cold lodging they had that night.  

How nine troopers set upon six butchers.  
Six butchers travelling towards the North to buy cattles, one of them said, what if a company of Troopers should now meet with us? the rest answered, they cared not if they did, they had not rid above one mile further, but 9 Troopers met with them indeed, who told the Butchers they must have some money, they answered, they must get it first, whereupon the Troopers rid at them with their swords drawn, the butchers they resisted them very valiantly, insomuch that the troopers retreated, whereupon the butchers took courage, and renewed their blows, the Troopers thought they had set upon 6 Devils, they were so bastinadoed by them, Men were wounded on both sides: but the butchers so well behaved themselves, that the troops were forced to trust to the swiftness of their horses, which one stout butcher perceiving, being vexed they would fight no more, with all his might he threw his sword at a troopers horses legs and almost cut of one off his legs, nor was he contented then, being so much moved, but a lighting from his horse, and snatching up his sword again, he pursued them, and cut and mangled three of them so much, that they fell from their horses, is men being void of breath, the other 6 rid into the wood, or else he vowed (by the help of God) to have done the like for them all, his name was Thomas Ashley: who although he were in many places wounded, he regarded it not, but went forward, until they all came to their Journeys end, and then were their wounds dressed: and since, I hear well recovered.   

Of a Coach that was robbed near Islington.  
The Troopers have not all reformed themselves since they came from the North, although some few have; for some of them play their pranks now in and about London: for nigh the Cake-house towards Islington, it being a dark night, fourteen troopers met a Coach, in which were 3 or 4 Gentlewomen, & a gentleman, having been at a wedding, they knocked the Coachman out of the box, and then got up to the Coach to the Gentlewomen, and took all their money out of their pockets, their rings from their fingers, their handkerchiefs from their necks, their hats from their heads, and from each of them their best petticoats, and from the Gentleman a plush cloak, a golden belt and Rapier, and took care withal that he carried not home too much money with him, they took from them in all, as much as came to sixscore pounds, and then bid the Coachman got up into his box again.  
Another coach coming from Warford to London, wherein was a Countess, and some other Ladies, was stayed in the highway before the Sun was set, by 3 troopers, who pillaged, and took all their money, ring's, and Jewels that were about them, and let them go.  
A Gentleman that lived in Buckingham shire, coming to London late at night, met a company of troopers near Islington; who set upon him, and took his money being in a cloak bag behind him, wherein was a 100 pounds, and they took his horse also from him, which he valued at 30 pounds.  
A Captain living in , was lately robbed of 14 l. by 8 troopers, near the corner of Hyde-park, who I hear since are taken, and lie now in the Gatehouse.  
At the corner of Hyde-park since, was a Lady's coach robbed by a company of troopers, who took what money and rings they had about them.  
One Master Hackney at the Mearemaid in Cheapside, and two others, coming lately from Islington, being after day light was shutting met 4 or 5 troopers, who took their cloaks and hats, and what monies they found about them.  
One Mr. Meredith being on Sunday night the 3 of October in Vhite-crosse street, going to his lodging at Bun-hill, near to the six Windmills, met with 3 fellows in bufcoats, who seeing of him, bid him stand, putting their rapiers to his throat, at that time he had received 11 pounds for rent, which they bid him deliver, or else he should lose his life, which he did according to their demand, with which they were not contented, but took also his cloak, and thirty shillings more; which he had in another purse: and also his watch, and beat him very much, which caused him to go back to the watch, who presently pursued them: three they took upon suspicion; but as yet they are not sure they are the thiefs.  
Upon monday night being the fourth of October, seven Troopers met with Sir Robert Mansfield beyond Kentstreet in Southwark and set upon him and his men; and overcoming them, took away fourteen pounds: it being noised abroad, they were hard pursued: they seeing, resolutely drew their swords; which one goodman Dyar perceiving, rushed in amongst them, whom they wounded in the arm and hand: notwithstanding the thiefs fled and got away, and are not yet to be heard of.  
Many more noteable robberies have been put upon troopers, of all which I dare not, nor cannot say they are guilty, but one more remarkable Exploit I have to relate.  
A Company of them gathered themselves near Clarkenwell, one of which had got a Constable's staff, the rest Halberds, like watchmen, & when they met with any, they must come before the Constable, and he must examine them; and after examination, they must by no means, if they had cloaks, carry them away with them, or money in their pockets. The Constable (because the times were dangerous, and many Knaves abroad) must keep it for them, feigning a place where in the morning they should inquire for them; but as yet the Constable's house could never be found. Very many this Year have been so cheated. But now the watch is broke up, some of the Billmen being at this time, as is reported, in the white Lion Prison, the Constable is fled, but I hope shortly that he and all his Complices, if they leave not these lewd courses, the penalty of the law will leave them at the Gallows, where I shall leave them.   
FINIS.