HIS HIGHNESS PRJNCE RUPERTS Raising of the Siege at Newarke upon TRENT, March 21. 1643.  Written by an eye Witness to a Person of Honour. 
Right Honourable and my very good Lord,  
HIs Highness' Prince Rupert being at West-Chester upon Tuesday night, March the 12. received first of all his Majesty's Commands to march with all speed to the relief of Newark, as then besieged by Sir john Meldrum. The Rebels Forces were supposed to be about four thousand Foot, under five Regiments and four Colours, with well towards two thousand Horse and Dragooners. Upon these summons his Highness' next morning made haste to Shrewsbury, speeding away Major Leg (our General of the Ordinance) before, to choose out so many commanded Musquetiers of the English of late come out of Ireland, as might well be spared out of that Garrison: these were 1000 Musquetiers of Colonel broughton's and Colonel Tilliers Regiments, with 120 of Colonel Sir Fulke Hunks; all these sent down the Severne met the Prince at Bridgenorth on Friday: of Horse his Highness took along his own Troop and Regiment, with 150 of Major General Sir john Hurries; with these Forces we drew along three small field Pieces. At Woolverhampton next day was our little Army recruited by 100 Horse, and 200 Foot of Colonel Levesons. On Monday night had we notice at Ashbey de la Zouch, of 2200 Rebels under Sir Edward Hartop, sent out by Meldrum to pass and bridge over the Sore, a mile from Loughborough in Leicester-shire: their purpose was either to intercept General Major George Porter, or to prevent his joining with my Lord of Loughborough; for thither with four Regiments of Horse, and a thousand commanded Musquetiers of my Lord of Newcastles men was M. Porter now come from about Newark, to hinder the Rebels further inroads into Leicestershire; daily slight skirmishes here passed; and had the Major General's people been as valiant as himself, Meldrum had had occasion to chide his party for doing nothing. For not able to force the Pass, and hearing of my Lord of Loughboroughs drawing out, they stole away by moonlight. Master Porter thus disengaged, was the next day (being Tuesday, March the 19, together with my Lord Loughboroughs Forces,) conjoined with the Princes; that night we all quartered in a Close by Bingham, some eight miles short of Newarke: about two of the clock (the Moon then well up) our Drums beat, and we marched: hitherto had our Marches been so speedy, as same itself was prevented; for by Meldrums own Letters, which (together with these two) the Prince intercepted the night before, your Lordship may perceive the Rebels had no more but an uncredited rumour of Prince rupert's coming: on this day's march, his Highness had notice by his Spials, how the Rebels were busied all the morning in sending away their Cannons, which proved no other than their drawing them off their Batteries into their chief Work at the Spittle, or Excester house, a little more than Musket shot from the Town for into that one quarter had they that morning drawn all their Regiments and Ammunition. His Highness, having intelligence of their amassing themselves into one Body, which he supposed a preparation to march off suddenly, advanced his Van of Horse upon the spur, to overtake them: the rest of our Horse had order to keep along with the Foot, Cannon and Ammunition: coming near the Beacon hill, a mile short of Newarke, we perceived some Horse of the Enemies, who upon our approach drew down the other side to their own gross; ours thus easy gaining the Hill increased his Highness' natural courage, upon his apprehension besides of having many advantages upon a retreating Enemy; whereupon, Courage, says he, Let's charge on God's name with the Horse we have, and engage them till our Rear and Foot be marched up to us; trooping thus to the edge of the Hill, we perceived the most of the Enemies in Battalia (Horse and Foot) near the Spittle; all, I mean, except four great Bodies of Horse, who expected us at the descent of the Hill: the Prince thus ordered his own few Forces; first himself and his own Troop of Lifeguard, undertook to attaque that Body on the left hand, appointing my Lord Loughboroughs Troop to second him, and Colonel Charles Gerard's Troop to be as a Reserve: a little on my Lords right hand the Prince his Regiment was cast out into five Divisions, two Troops to each Division: in the first and very right hand of all were Captain Gardiner and Captain Richardson, and next them Captain Cob and Captain Martin, than my Lord Grandison and Sir Thomas Dallison, next them the Troops of Sir Lewis Dives and my Lord Dillon, Major Legs and Lieutenant-colonell O-nelles Troops being next unto the Life-guards: this Regiment was seconded by Major General Porter's Regiment. Our Field word was King and Queen, theirs Religion. The fight began about nine of the clock; and after a while grew sturdy, especially on our right Wing; the Rebels doubling their Files from three to six deep, and charged our two utmost Troops upon the Flanks so hard, that Captain Martin came timely in to help to beat off the Rebels. The Prince himself having pierced deep into the Enemies, and being observed for his valour, was dangerously at once assaulted by three sturdy Rebels, whereof one fell by his Highnesses own sword, a second being pistolled by M. Mortaine one of his own Gentlemen: the third now ready to lay hand on the Prince's collar, had it almost chopped off by Sir William Neale: his Highness thus disengaged, with a shot only in his Gauntlet, with Sir Richard Crane and his own Troop, charged quite through that Body of Rebels; pursuing them in Rout home to their very works at the Spittle. Presently after this, his Highness' Regiment with their seconds, likewise routed the three other Bodies; four of the Troops charging even into the work, and bringing away a Captain prisoner: my Lord Loughborough also deported himself honourably, and when some of his shrunk, at the second charge himself road back to Rally and bring them up again: Major General Porter charged with bravery enough in his own person, though some of his retired up the Hill in some haste and disorder. Colonel Charles Gerard (who never carried himself but gallantly) did here like himself: but by the fall of his horse, was bruised, shot in the arm, and taken prisoner.  
After a while both sides began to rally, and make ready for a second charge; ours to make the Impression, and theirs to receive it: and though for a good while they disputed it toughly, yet by fine force were they and all the rest driven quite out of the Field; not half of our Horse charging: for our Rear was not yet come up. Now fled the Enemy quite beyond their own Work, Foot and cannon, at the Spittle, divers of them hasting by a Bridge of Boats over that branch of the Trent, into the Island: four other Troops. with as many Foot Captains, hasted up to Muskam Bridge upon the other side the Island, and main stream of the River about three quarters of a mile, both from Newarke and the Spittle, here being out of Gun-shot, they stayed till towards Evening, when breaking the Bridge behind them, & throwing one piece of Cannon into the Trent, they then run home to Nottingham. In both these stiff bouts, took we five Cornets, and about 90. Prisoners, whereof three Captains, some Gentlemen, three Cornets, besides other Officers, and two Cannoneers, one Cornet was taken by Sir Richar Byron.  
And now, as if an universal Truce had been agreed upon, there was some half hour's silence; excepting that the Enemy's Canonadoes (though with very little effect) disturbed it; for the Rebel's Foot had not yet advanced; and their Horse, by this time had enough of it. As for the Prince he now stayed for his Foot, and Rear of Horse, both left full two Miles behind, when our Van began to double their March to overtake the Enemy. Anon came up our Foot, all that day commanded by Colonel Tillier: these resting themselves a while upon the Hill, the first Division, being part of those that came from Shrewesbury, were led only by the Colonel. These marched down bravely in the face of the Enemy, hooting at their Cannon. These flanked with some Horse, were wheeled to the right, by and by, into a Meadow. At their coming, the Rebels drew all their Horse and Foot within their Spittle work; whom when our men came against, both sides saluted one another at too far a distance, with a short Volley. But Colonel Tillier was not to stay here; as being, by his Orders to March up to the very River side, to recover the Boat-bridge from the Enemy: But this being too well guarded, ours drew off quietly, making a stand without reach of Canon. In this time were divers more Bodies of Foot brought down into the Field, who charged up to the Enemy's Works, and killed many, my Lord Loughboroughs being left upon the Hill for a Reserve.  
Thus was the Valley bespread with our Battaglions: and in this posture stood the Prince's Army. Sir Richard Byron Governor of Newarke, likewise before this, had sent part of his Garrison (both Horse and Foot) into another ground on the Southeast side of the Town. And by this time had the Prince notice given him by a Prisoner, and by one of theirs that came over to us, how the Rebels were so distressed for want of Victuals, that they were not able to live there two days: Whereupon His Highness began to resolve upon other counsels; esteeming it cheaper to block up their Trenches, then to storm them. And blocked up they were already, as being cooped up in a very narrow room, no more than the backside of the Spittle, towards the River, besides which they were on all sides surrounded by our Forces: On the Southside by the Town, on the East by the Prince, and on the North by Colonel Tilliar: Into the Island on the West had the Prince sent 500 Horse, besides 200 of the Newarke Troopers. Thus the late Blockers found themselves now besieged, yea without much hope of sudden relief, or safe means to sally: for so well had the Prince ordered them, that had they sallied forwards, we had then fallen upon their first issuing out, both in From and Flanks with our Army, and the Town had charged them upon their Rear: Had they offered to escape over their Boat-Bridge, ours in the Isle had disturbed their passing, and we entertained their coming over, yea which part soever had first divided, we had been able to beat the other. By this time too had the Prince commanded Sir Richard Byron with his own, and Sir Gervase Eyre's Horse Regiments, with 800 of Sir john Digbies Foot to advance so high into the Island as to put in betwixt the Rebels two Bridges, by which interposition was all intercourse cut off, betwixt the Rebels their great body at the Spittle, and those at Muskam Bridge: Upon this, those eight Colours at the Bridge retreated, as is aforesaid. Under favour of these Town-forces too, was His Highness resolved to cast up a Redoubt that night betwixt the Bridges. But going now to view the Ground, the Rebels sent out a Trumpet to desire a Parley. To make way for this, and the more to sweeten and oblige the Prince, had Sir john Meldrum, some hours before, sent home Colonel Gerard, yet upon the parole of a Soldier and a Gentleman, to return himself a Prisoner, when ever he should be called. The Rebels having sent out to Parley, quit their Bridge; which his Highness presently possessed by a hundred Musqueteers.  
For the Parley, His Highness' appointed Sir Richard Crane, Captain of his Life-guards, with Sir William Neale Scout-Master General: the Rebels sending Sir Miles Hobard, and Sir john Palgrave, into the Town. Now true though it be that the Enemies were distressed, yet very wise Generals have not thought it safe to make such men desperate: besides which being now in the midst of their own Garrisons, they might possibly be relieved. And to confess the truth, our Horses were so overmatcht, and our foot so beaten off Legs, that we found ourselves less able for the present for them. In very truth too, the Rebels were more than we believed: for these reasons, and for that (as by these intercepted Letters it appears) My Lord Fairfax, and his Son Sir Thomas, being both commanded by the Close Committee to march, other places might ere long have need of His presence. His Highness (at length) condescended to these Articles, which besides they be both honourable and safe, were the same (for the general) as our side had before gone out upon, when the Rebels took Lincoln. Of the Articles this (My Lord) is the Original Copy.  

Articles agreed upon 22. Martii by Sir RICHARD CRANE and Sir WILLIAM NEALE, Knights, on the part of His Highness' Prince RUPERY: And Sir Miles Hobert, and Sir john Palgrave, on the part of Sir john Meldrum, as followeth.  

1 That all Match, Bullet, Powder, Canon, and all other fire Arms belong-to the Artillery be delivered.  
2 That all Soldiers march away with their Swords by their sides, and Colours, and Drums.  
3 That all Officers March out without molestation, with their Arms and Horses for themselves and Servants, and Bag and Baggage, Money, and whatsoever else doth truly belong to themselves.  
4 That all Troopers and Dragooners March away with their Swords, Horse, and Colours.  
5 That His Highness send a Convoy to protect us from any Injury two Miles from His utmost Quarters towards Lincoln.   


Richard Crane.  
William Neale.  
Miles Hobart.  
Io. Palgrave.     
But Besides these Conditions, His Highness, gave by Instructions to His Commissioners, to insist upon a demand of some Prisoners before taken; which was also granted. Hereupon next morning the Rebels marched out: but for the Horseman's carrying away their Arms, and others their Pikes, with more than was conditioned, our unruly Soldiers (especially those that had been so before used 〈◊〉 Lincoln by the Parliamentiers) taking this occasion to quarrel with the Rebels, took more from them then by the Articles they should have done. But for this were divers of them slashed by the Prince, and the Rebel's Colours sent back unto them.  
The Rebels thus gone, we had leisure to carry off their Arms and Ammunition, consisting of betwixt three and four thousand Muskets, and a great quantity of Pikes and Pistols, with the Cannon they left behind them: of these we found Eleven fair Brass Pieces: one a Basilisk of Hull, four yards long, shooting 32. Ball: one of their Ordnance was found at Muskam Bridge, and the Carriage of tother. Two goodly Mortar-pieces were also left us, the least shooting 80. pound Granado, and the other twelve stone and eight pound, and all their Ammunition. The number of the slain we know not; but we think they lost towards ninescore or two hundred, and we about half so many slain and wounded. Thus after just three week's Siege, was Newarke happily relieved. Your Honour knows the high consequence of this Service. Several particulars more, I leave to this bearer, who very commendably sustained his part in it. His Highness hath appointed a  for this on Sunday; by which the World may see Him to be as Devout as Valiant.  
FINIS.