EXCEEDING GOOD NEWS FROM OXFORD-SHIRE: Being a true Relation of the manner of the apprehending of the Earl of Berkshire, Sir john Curson, Sir Robert Dormer, and divers other Cavaliers in Oxfordshire, by Colonel Hampden, and Col. Goodwin.  
ALSO The valiant Resolution of the City of Chichester for the defence of the King and Parliament, and the true Protestant Religion.  
Joh. Brown, Cler. Parl.  
Printed for Tho. Edward's. August 24. 1642.   

GOOD NEWS FROM OXFORD-SHIRE: Being a true Relation of the manner of the taking of the Earl of Berkshire, Sir john Curson, Sir Robert Dormer, and divers other Cavaliers in Oxfordshire, by Colonel Hampden, and Colonel Goodwin.  
ALSO The Resolution of the City of Chichester for the defence of the Parliament.  
THe great and manifold distractions and disturbances that at this present have in a manner overspread and obscured the lustre of this (not long since) glorious Kingdom, have of late been very prevalent. Who so looks into the North, may see a cloud arising which portends a storm, a storm of civil war, growing black and disastrous. The actions of the Cavaliers in those parts speak them bloody and tyrannical: the proceed of the Malignant Party continue hostile and inhuman, having made desperate attempts against divers brave and flourishing towns: but hitherto they have not been very prosperous, but have been most courageously resisted by the inhabitants in most places they have come at: you may see an example of it in this ensuing discourse, in the attempt of the Earl of Berkshire to surprise the Magazine, and put in execution the Commission of Array in Oxfordshire.  
After the marching out of the forces under the command of Colonel Hampden and Colonel Goodwin into Oxfordshire, they had not been long there, but they took the Earl of Berkshire, Sir john Curson, Sir Robert Dormer, and one more that was a Gentleman of very good quality at Watlington in the County of Oxford, which were come thither with an intent to seize upon the Magazine of that part of the county, which was laid in the said town, and had a purpose to put in execution the Commission of Array in those parts, having sent Warrants to Reding and other places for that purpose. Whereupon report being made to the House, that Colonel Goodwin and Captain Turvill were bringing them up to the Parliament, and would be there in the afternoon; whereupon the House risen about twelve a clock, and appointed to meet again in the afternoon: and about three of the clock the Lords House being complete, the Earl of Berkshire with the rest of the Delinquents were brought to the House, and after some examination they were sent prisoners to the Tower, with order that they should attend the House again the next day, which he did accordingly, being brought from the Tower to the Lords House, aed after he was examined concerning his going about to put in execution the Commis●ion of Array which was found with him, he was sent back again to the Tower, till the House should send for him.  
The Parliament have received information by a Letter from Oxford, signifying that Colonel Lunsford is sent for hither; and when it was noised there that Colonel Hampden had tanen the Earl of Berkshire, and some others: those of the University and City that were illaffected to the King and Parliament, feared his coming thither, and caused many great pieces of timber to be said cross the Bridge to keep out his horse. Whereby may easily be perceived how well the Prelatical faction, the incendiaries of the kingdom; stand affected to peace. The knowledge of the Earl of Northamptons' violent attempt against the Lord Brook hath been acquainted to all, how that by a wile more than valour he took and carried away the greatest part of the Magazine from Banbury, and by that power and strength he thought to possess himself of the castle of Warwick. But God who doth always assist the pious and faithful endeavours of his servants, turned his counsel into folly, and all his strength and policy into weakness and impotency. The said Earl had gathered together a great number of men of such mercenary spirits, who were induced to serve him, not for the honour of the cause, but for the advantage of the proffered wages, for they were allowed two shillings a day during the whole time of the present service, and (being men of desperate fortunes, and altogether destitute of present subsistence) were ready to adventure upon any enterprise whereby something might be gotten, knowing they had nothing to be lost. The Earl, I say, having gotten the advantage both of strength and men, and the opportunity of time, began to adventure his forces, to bring the whole Country into subjection. But his intentions were soon frustrate, for when he was in the highest hopes of his ambitious designs, expecting that victory should have crowned him the Hector of the field, and the Minion of the day, than did the country unanimously, with the assistance of divers Volunteers out of Northamptonshire, and with a joint consent in the vindication of so just a cause, hazard both lives and fortunes, came and opposed the Earl in his rash and violent proceed: whereupon the Earl perceiving himself so strongly opposed, after a small combat, he was willing to forsake his former enterprise, and was forced with all speed to betake him to a place of strength where he might be secure from their prosecution. Marry of his men fell in that skirmish, it is reported that about forty men lost their lives, and paid nature the debt they owed her. He lost in this skirmish the greatest part of the Militia which he had before taken from Banbury, and had he not saved himself by flight, he hardly had survived to have made any more attempts, to the disquiet of the whole kingdom, and the subversion of the Christian and Protestant Religion.  
The City of Chichester stands now in a good posture of defence, and have declared their Resolution to the Parliament, being resolved to adventure both their lives and fortunes for the defence and maintenance of the true Protestant Religion, the Laws of the Land, the Privileges of Parliament, and Liberty of the Subject, against any that shall oppose it: yet some illaffected persons have plotted to betray the Town, and some Ministers have made seditious Sermons to that purpose. For the prevention of these and other disorders, and to prevent the danger that may arise by the malignity of the Popish party, The Lords and Commons do declare, That it shallbe lawful for any of his Majesty's Subjects to disarm all Popish Recusants, and such as shall execute the illegal Commission of Array, or shallbe actors and assistants in any of the aforementioned oppressions and violences, or shall furnish any Horse, Arm●s, Money, or other aid or contribution for the maintenance of this unnatural War raised by his Majesty against his Parliament: and to seize upon their Horses, Arms, Money and other Provisions, whereby they might be enabled to disturb the Peace of the Kingdom.  
 
Ordered to be forthwith printed & published,  
Joh. Brown Cleric. Parliament.   
FINIS.