Valour Crowned. OR A RELATION OF THE Valiant Proceedings of the PARLIAMENT Forces in the close at LICHFIELD, Against PRINCE Rupert's. Discovering the Honourable Conditions upon which it was surrendered. As it was Written from lieutenant colonel Russell, who was chief Commander of the close. Wherein is set down word for word, the Articles of Agreement, as they were Consented unto by the Enemy; given under the Hand and seal of colonel Hastings, by the Authority of Prince Rupert. Whereunto is annexed the Copy of colonel Hastings Letter, to lieutenant colonel Russell, concerning their safe Conveyance to Coventry, given under his own Hand. LONDON. Printed for Benjamin Allen in Pope's head-alley: Apr. 27. 1643 〈◊〉 B●●te Relation of Lichfields close Besiege, battle, and Surrender. Dear Brother, SInce my last to you, being the last week, according to my fears it hath since fallen out; that the close at Lichfield is lost: yet the loss to me is not so great, as the joy of heart I have conceived for the safety and honour which God hath bestowed and conferred upon our Friends, that were there, who have reaped praise and commendations for their valour and prowess, even out of the mouths of their enemies, of whom they do affirm, that never did soldiers so honour the Parliament as these have done. A brief rehearsal of the particulars I have here enclosed: together with the Articles on which it was surrendered, as I received them from lieutenant colonel Russel's own hand, whereof I think he hath sent up a Copy to the House of Parliament; and according to the conditions they marched forth on Friday last. Myself and Brother Burges rode forth to meet them a mile beyond Merryden, and tarried with my Brother Henry Pretty all that night at Merryden, being 4. miles from Coventry, it being no small joy to us to meet him, who was so dear and tender in our Affections; whom also we had given up for lost: but God who is rich in mercy, found out a way beyond our expectation, and even in the Mount of difficulty, whenas many, or rather more broke in upon them▪ than was of them in the close, God made it his opportunity to deliver them by weak means, (as you may see by the enclosed) being not above 30. They beat the Enemy down so fast in the said Breach, that they made a brestwork about a yard high of dead and wounded bodies. Many circumstances might be added, to set forth the excellency of the mercy, but time will not permit: you have the substantial part of the tragedy, yet for my Brother Henry Pretty his particular, take notice (with thankfulness,) of two remarkable passages of God's providence to him: he was shot in the middle of the back, upon his Belt, with a musket bullet, which struck him down, yet neither pierced Belt nor Coat; and at the Breach when so many brake in▪ he and his lieutenant, with captain Graves, lead on those 30. men, where Askin, Chaplain to Prince Rupert, presented a pistol to his very face, the Powder whereof flew in his forehead yet the bullet went through the brim of his hat and did him no hurt, so graciously did the hand of providence direct it. He with the rest came yesterday, being Saturday with 10 wanes laden with bag and Baggage. They could not prevail for their Ordnance. On Thursday night there marched forth of this town colonel Barker his Troop, under command of captain lieutenant Flower; the Ministers Commander of Dragoons under command of Captain Ottoway; a Commander of Dragoons from Killingworth, under command of Captain Hunt; Captain potter's part of a Troop; Captain Po●t being Commander in Chief of this brigade; they marched that night to Leicester, where they have abode ever since, and are expected to join with the Lord Gray for some design very speedily, Captain Okey marched along with them; and they were well last night at 10. a clock: I had commendations from Captain Okey and Captain Flower, who desire to be remembered to their Friends in London. Prince Rupert is Marched from Lichfield, and hath left a Garrison there, he lay last night at Cosill, and is now upon his March on Merryden Heath, within 4. miles of us, what his design is we know not. We expect Father Bough to Coventry this night, if he be living, for the Convoy is gone for the Prisoners at Stafford, where if he be alive he is. I fear the Post will be gone, I will therefore conclude all, and rest, Coventry, the 23. April, 1643. Your truly loving Brother till death THOMAS ELLIS. An Exact RELATION Of the Valiant Proceedings of the Parliament Forces in the close at Lichfield against Prince Rupert's. PRince Rupert drew near and summoned the town on Thursday the sixth of April. On Saturday following surrounded the close with about 4000 Horse and Foot, as we conjectured: The first week was spent in Battery, some 60. of them we slew in the beginning as we conceive; upon Saturday last a breach was made by the Gate, and an assault made with Scaling Ladders, but they were beaten off, many of them slain, and more wounded, yet but one of ours: on Sabbath day they undermined three or four parts, one whereof we found out by Countermining, where in our men and they met together and discharged upon each other; two other were likewise found out, but not the fourth, by which means on Thursday last they sprung the Mine, and blew up a Tower, and some six of our soldiers (whereof two were slain, the others wounded, yet likely to live) made a breach about 7. of the clock in the morning, whereat six might enter in a Breast, and at the fame time assaulted the close in divers other places: At the breach 200 of them entered in most of them being their principal Commanders, & being entered; the greater part of them went into the Houses, whom we beat out again with Hand Granadoes, the remainder were beaten back by 30. of our men, we slew 100 of them, and took some 120. Prisoners: colonel Vsher was slain▪ colonel Gerrard wounded, and colonel Wagstaffe dangerously wounded, divers captains slain and some 80. Officers, captain Leg we took Prisoner; the Lord Digby was shot in the Knee, captain Corbet son to Sir John Corbet was also slain; One Askin a Scotchman, chaplain to Prince Rupert, was wounded and taken Prisoner; Prince Rupert entering the breach, was shot through the Boot, and so Retreated. Both Horse and Foot of theirs swear they never had such an overthrow and loss since the Wars began. We lost before the Entry but four of our men, and some ten more after: the breach being somewhat made up, and our Men quiet, we called a council of war, and finding our Powder all spent to a barrel, and our Match gone, and no help coming, there was an overture of a parley, which was embraced, and an agreement made according to the Articles enclosed. The Summons came first from the Enemy. The ARTICLES of Agreement Subscribed by colonel Hastings, by the Authority of Prince RUPERT. IT is Consented unto by colonel Hastings, by the Authority given him by his highness' Prince Rupert,, that in consideration of the delivery and yielding up of the close in Lichfield, that lieutenant colonel Russell, and all the captains and Officers with him, shall march out of the said close to morrow, being the one and twentieth of this instant April, by ten a clock in the Morning, with four score Men and muskets, with Flying Colours, and four score Horsemen with arms belonging to them; and all other Persons within the said close to be at liberty to go whither they please; and for their better and safe coveyance a fr●e pass or Convoy from his highness, and eleven Carts to convey away such goods as belong to any of the Officers or soldiers, with themselves to the City of Coventry; and that all Prisoners shall be released on both sides, which have been taken in the County of Stafford, since the coming down of the Right Honourable Lord BROOKE. In witness whereof, we have hereunto put our Hand and seal this twentieth of April. Anno Domini 1643. Sealed and Delivered in the presents of us. Io. Fr●chville. Rich. Prideaux. H. Hastings. A Copy of colonel Hastings Letter which he sent to lieutenant colonel Russell in the close at Lichfield. SIR, I have here sent you his highness' command, for your safe passing to Coventry, and doubt not but you will do the like, for my party is now with you, for the return, and so I rest. Leichfield Friday April 21. Your loving friend. H: HASTINGS. The Direction thus. To my Noble Friend lieutenant colonel Russell at Barmigam. Under which direction was subscribed. Let this Bearer pass all the King's Forces to the Parliaments. H: HASTINGS. FJNJS.