THE DECLARATION OF Sir Thomas Glenham, Sir Marmaduke Langdale, and Sir Philip Musgrave, in the North of ENGLAND Concerning the Counties of ESSEX and KENT AND Their Resolution and proceedings thereupon; as also touching the ARMY. Likewise a great Fight at Pontefract Castle in Yorkshire, betwixt the Parliaments Forces and the Cavaliers, and the number that were slain and taken prisoners; as also, the taking of the said Castle, with all the Ordinance, arms, and Ammunition. With a List of the chief Commanders belonging to the Parliaments Forces. 

Col. Fairfax.  
Col. Roads.  
Col. Bethel.  
Col. Aldred.  
Col. Legere.  
Col. Cholmley.  
Col. Lassels.  
Col. Wastell.    
LONDON: Printed for R. W. 1648.   

The Declaration and Proclamation of colonel Bonivent, and the rest of his majesty's Commanders in the North, Wherein is declared, their Resolution and Protestation, concerning their present Engagement for the King.  
Honoured Sir,  
DIvers great Commanders (in these parts) begins to appear visible and active for the King, and have declared the grounds and reasons of their taking up arms in this second Engagement, having taken an Oath and Protestation for the prosecuting of this their present design to the utmost, and to take all opportunities whatsoever for the promoting thereof: in pursuance whereof colonel Bonivent (formerly Groom of the stable to Sir Marmaduke Langdale) with a party of Officers and soldiers, to the number of one hundred, consulted together for the surprisal of Pontefrast Castle, and at the last resolved to put themselves into a disguised posture, and to act their design in the habit of countrymen, which they did, and upon Thursday last, being Market day, they came from several parts, and met at the lower town, and the plot being laid and the time and hour appoined, about 20 of them came up to the castle gate on horseback, with sacks under them, and their arms unseen, and discoursed with the sentinels, and immediately their confederates in the castle, and their associates at the lower town, made their appearance near them, who upon a sudden cast down their sacks, and rushed in at the gates, Major Cotterell the governor receiving this alarm, with about 30. men charged them in the Castle yard, but could not regain what was lost, the rest coming up so violently, insomuch that the enemy hath unhappily become Masters of this impregnable Castle, and hath taken about 60. prisoners, 3000. Arms, 80. Barrels of Gunpowder, Match and Bullet proportionable, two Culverins, one Demic●lverin, one Morterpiece, two colours, 600. weight of cheese; and great store of other victualling.  
But before they became sole masters thereof, they lost at the least 8 of their men, for Major Cotterel fought gallantly, beating them back as far as the outmost gate, but it was his hard chance there to receive a wound, which gave a great advantage to the enemy, and his body was there seized on, the rest of his men retreated to the Queen's Tower, and ●eld the Enemy in dispute for the space of one hour, killing some of them, but at the last were forced to yield upon quarter.  
From the North we hear▪ that our forces are very success●full against the Enemy, and that Major Carter hath possessed himself of Bainy castle, upon which Sir Marmaduke Langdale took an alarm, and is retreated towards Carlisl●, Westmoreland being thereby freed of his Forces.  
Colonel Harrisons Regiment of Foot, and Colonel Twisleton's of Horse, are to march towards Bainy Castle, and about ten days hence to engage Langdale, if possible. We are now somewhat quiet about Helmsly, they are raising the trained Bands in this county, and have nominated their Offic●●s. viz. for the West Riding, Col. Roads, and Col. Fairfax. In the East-Riding, Col Bethel, Col. Aldred, and Col. Legere. In the North-Riding, Col. Cholmley, Col. Lassels, and Col. Wastel, they have also chosen their other Officers, which hath caused Langdale, Gle●ham, Musgrave, and the rest, to declare, That if the Essex and Kentish men do not prevail against the Army in the South, they cannot proceed on with their designs in the North, for if once the Southern and Northern Army should join, they are not able to fight them in the field.  
They have further declared, that what they now act is by the authority and power of the Prince of Wales, but murmurs very much against the Scots, especially against Duke Hamiltons party,  
York 5. May, 1648.   

Propositions from Westmoreland touchin the King's Army in the North.  
SIR,  
THe enemies of God and this kingdom's peace are now in arms in our county of Westmoreland; after their surprisal of Carlisle they marched into us, and possessed themselves of Appleby, the Gentlemen of our country before their general Sir Marmaduke Lang●ale his advance, summoned in our county for, and after united wi●h them; their strength at first despicable, is now increased. The Foot generally arrayed and forced Trained Bands of Westmoreland and Cumberland. Their Quarters are at Kendale, Kirkby, and the Frontiers of Lancashire: their carriage as well as design full of malignancy which sufficiently evidences the falseness of their special pretences; they plunder divers persons (of whom many of us are examples) well affected to the Parl. notorious malignant Ministers formerly ejected do thrust us from our congregations, advance the Book of Common prayer, erect and use the condemned ceremonies sometimes in fashion of cringing, bowing, &c. resolve to cut off the Parl▪ and their Adherents, if God prevent not, having our hopes very much enlightened by your advance, we are here humbly in reference to the premises to beseech, That as your own tenderness of the kingdom's peace we are confident doth and will oblige you, you will vouchsafe to send your assistance in this distressed estate of the kingdom, the more speedily the enemy is discountenanced, the less danger being likely to fall upon us: the advance and engagement of that brigade of horse with you, as our only hopes to see the honest party in the North relieved, and those public Enemies of God brought th' punishment: what way to do this, we dare not presume to advise, if your power may extend to command the Foot of Lancashire, we conceive it would be much for your advantage; if not so, your conjunction with Gen. Lambert's horse may be a more facile and speedy way of deliverance, if it may be appoin●ed upon our Borders, To this we have these encouragements, in respect of their small number of Horse and forced Foot: the resolution of many Lancashire Horse to join with you, if you can give them any order, the especial confidence we have of God to acknowledge you in this undertaking, and our own resolution to serve the Parliament and you, in our utmost endeavours.  
For the right valiant Colonel Blackmore, governor of Warrington.  
Signed By divers of the Gentry and Inhabitants in the County of Westemerland.  
Postscript.  
By Letters out of Lancashire, it is certified, that sir Marm. Langdale is in Westmoreland, and hath with him there 16 troops of horse and 2000 Foot, the report is, that he hath taken the Magazine in that County, wherein was 4000 arms▪ and great store of powder, many honest people are forced to fly hither out of that county; yet are we no ways discouraged, but are resolved to march towards Langdale to prevent his coming further into these parts, and we doubt not but by the 1. of June Col. Harrison's Briggard of horse will in all consist of about 4000 Horse and Foot.   

The Copy of a Letter from the City of York.  
SIR,  
I Doubt not but a short time will produce fresh comforts, for the High Sheriff of this County hath declared his great forwardness and resolution to raise Forces for the opposing of all that shall obstruct the peace thereof, which hath frustrated the designs of many, but with some taken effect; for Col. Bonivont, the la●e governor of Sandall, hath most unhappily seized on the strong castle of Pontefract, together with all the arms and ammunition, and taken divers prisoners▪ and wounded the governor. It is a business of great concernment, and if not timely reduced, will much retard the work in hand; But we hear, that Maj. Gen. Lambert hath designed a considerable number of horse and foot for the blocking of them up, and hindering provisions from going into them. Divers of the adverse party flocks thithar apace, and they entertain all that comes, having store of arms and provisions.  
Tuesday. The Ordinance for indemnity for the Essex men in general, which are in arms, and shall upon publication thereof, lay down past yesterday, and this day was ordered to be published at Chelmsford▪ where the greatest part of the Essex men do now reside, and there is some cause to believe that they will presently depart to their own homes, especially if that report be true that the L. Goring is gone away from Bow to unite himself with Langdale, but of that I have not any certainty, for it was o●●erwise the last night. The L. Gen. Fairfax was this morning at Rochester, and hath sent col. Rich his Reg. of horse, and some troops of Dragoons towards Canterbury and Dove●, for that intelligence was brought, that some disturbances continued thereabouts. If the Essex men lay not down, and do not take the benefit of that Ordinance, his Excellency with the rest of his Army is expected to cross the River into that county.  
There are divers ships designed to fetch in those five which are revolted; they were sailing towards the Isle of Wight, and by a tempest▪ are said to be carried near upon the coast of the Irish Seas, the men which are gone in them, are much divided amongst themselves, when any other ships appear, it is believed, that Lendall the Bostons' Mate which took on him as Vice-Admiral, will by the rest that are with him, be brought to answer for his great and dangerous presumption.  

Imprimatur  
G. M.   
FINIS.