A true and exact RELATION Of all the proceed of Sir Hugh Cholmleys' Revolt, deserting the Parliament, and going to the Queen, with the regaining of Scarborough Castle, by the courage and industry of Capt. Bushel.  
Sent in two Letters, the one from Sir john Hotham to M. Speaker, the other, from a worthy Captain to a Member of the honourable House of Commons.  Die Martis 4 Aprilis 1643. 
It is this day ordered by the Commons in Parliament, that these two Letters concerning Sir Hugh Cholmley's Revolt, and the re-taking of Scarborough Castle, shall be forthwith printed and published.  
H. Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.  
LONDON, Printed for Richard Best, and are to be sold at his Shop near Gray's Inn-gate in Holborn, 1643.  
April 7.   

A Letter from Sir JOHN HOTHAM to Master Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons.  
SIR,  
I Am very sorry, I have this unhappy occasion to write to you, which is Sir Hugh Cholmleys' Revolt; who has of late taken a Commission from the King, for the forces he had raised by authority of Parliament, & for the Castle of Scarborough; It seems he thought at first to have carried it so closely, as to have (before I perceived) retired all he had in this Town, and for that purpose sent Captain bushel with a Ship and seven pieces of Ordnance in her; But as God would have it, I had the night before a secret intelligence sent me of it, and so have the Ship and Ordnance sure: And thereupon instantly dispatched a Catch to Captain Haddock, and our Ships that ride Northward to give them notice of it, lest little suspecting his revolt they might put into that Haven and be entrapped, and my Catch being at Sea well manned and having in her four small Guns, met with a Scarborough Ship and Ammunition going from the Parliament to him, which was three pieces of Ordinance, twenty barrels of powder, forty Carabines, some Pistols and Swords, and two great Fats of Match, all which they seized upon, and brought hither, and it shall, God willing, be better employed. Captain bushel protests deeply his innocency, and more than that he was to bring back some of Sir Hugh's things from Hull, he knew not any thing of the business, and swears to me he will do his utmost service for you. Most of Sir Hugh's Officers, and a very great many both of his horse and foot have forsaken him, and are now at Hull with me: Sir Thomas Nortcliff, a son in law of mine came from him to me yesternight with thirty good horse, and tells me he hopes, the rest will follow his Captain, Lieutenant Vanderhurst came with him. Captain Ledgard a Kinsman of mine, that I sent from hence, hath likewise left him: But Lieutenant Colonel Alured was the first that consented to join with him in this bad action. Thus have I truly related to you by my first opportunity, the whole progress of this unfortunate attempt wherein he hath utterly lost himself, but God be blest, done your business no prejudice.  
The two Dutchmen are exceeding gallant men, and have done you very good service, the ones name is Froome, the other Vanderhurst; I have in your name, assured them of your constant respect to all fidelity. Sir, there shall no opportunity of doing the House service scape me; and since I sent Captain bushel thither, he has performed his Trust gallantly, imprisoned one james Cholmley, whom Sir Hugh had left there; and seized upon the Castle. I sent my Catch with more Soldiers to relieve him, and twenty pound to the Soldiers in the Castle to drink.  
Sir, I ever remain your most humble Servant, john Hotham.   

SIR,  
ALthough I cannot but believe you have already heard of the rendering the Castle of Scarborough, by Sir Hugh Cholmley to the Cavaliers, yet because (it may be) some may be desirous to be satisfied how it comes to pass that a Fort of that strength should be put into another hand without blood, to give you & all the world satisfaction in that particular, I have addressed these unto you being my old friend and acquaintance, and blame me not (I beseech you) if in doing it I exceed the bounds of a Letter, for I desire to set forth all the circumstances according to truth, and when I have so done let the blame stick where it is, I hope myself and other the Officers who quitted the employment, shall appear to be honest men, and to have done nothing but what was fit for those who had a care of the public, as well as their own private interests.  
Upon Friday the tenth of March (as I take it) Sir Hugh Cholmley, to whose trust the Castle was committed by Parliament, and by him to me in his absence came to Scarborough from Beverley, whither upon the taking of Stamford bridge by the Enemy, he was retreated from Malton (it being conceived not tenable, as the Enemy's forces then lay.) I dare not say that at his return thither, he had any intention to betray the Castle, for the very next day, he called myself and the rest of his Officers to consult touching the putting of forces into the Castle of Pickering, and the breaking down Yeddingham, and How bridges for the preservation of Pickeringlythe which all of us conceived to be very necessary, and for that purpose Captain Froom, a Germane, who commanded his own troop, Sir Tho: Nortcliffe with his troop of Dragooners, and another troop of Dragooners commanded by one Lieutenant Strangways (Medley the Captain being formerly taken prisoner at Yarum) were sent abroad, but by the way they found the Enemy was got before them, and had possessed themselves of Pickering Town and Castle with some other Towns not far distant, and had placed divers Musquetiers at How bridge (being the most considerable) for the securing of that passage against us: So that it was utterly impossible for them without certain ruin, or at least extreme danger to effect that they were sent for. Yet falling happily upon some of the Enemy's forces at Thornton, who were newly come thither from plundering Sir john Hotham and his Tenants at Fyling they resolved to charge them, which accordingly they did, not surprising them in their quarters, as was falsely suggested by the other party: for Captain Froom, caused a Pistol to be discharged at the Town end, and a Drum to be beat a quarter of a mile ere he came to the Town, by which the Enemy had the alarm, and put themselves in a posture of defence, but God gave the victory to us, and delivered into our hands one and twenty prisoners, of which one was a Sergeant Major, another a Captain, a 3d. a Lieutenant, two Cornets, with one of their Colours two Quarter-masters, three Corporals, a Trumpeter and a Farrier, the rest were common Troopers, there being at that time two or three Troops more of the Enemy within 12 score (who had not the spirit to assist their fellows) and near upon 500 more within a mile or two, which occasioned our men (having intelligence of it) not to prosecute that success so fully as otherwise they would if the Enemy had been further distant: These prisoners were brought to Scarborough, where they were used with all humanity (wherein it must be acknowledged, he hath not been wanting to any he hath heretofore taken; notwithstanding the cruel usage of his men which were taken at Yarum: After some time letters passed betwixt him, Colonel Goring and others, and upon one day two Trumpets came to Scarborough, the one from Colonel Goring at York, the other from Sir Francis Mackworth at Thornton where the forementioned conflict was, and where the Enemy at that time lay quartered. Myself and others were made believe these Trumpets came for exchange of Prisoners; though I confess I wondered much two Trumpets should come from two places at one time for one and the same business; Yet such was my respect unto him, and my confidence in his fidelity, that I soon answered myself, with this that it might well be, and so, said nothing of it to any man. I do not know what the contents of those Letters were, but after that, I found, he would at several times advance the Kings and the Earl of Newcastles Forces, exceedingly undervaluing those under the command of the Earl of Essex and the Lord Fairfax, he often affirmed he was slighted by the Parliament, to whom he had several times written for supplies, but could never obtain them in that measure that he desired. What his intentions were in it whither to sound my fidelity, or for some other end I know not, but I endeavoured to give him as satisfactory an answer as I could, yet did not all this time imagine or conceit that he intended any way to defraud the trust concreded to him by the Parliament.  
Mr. James Cholmely his kinsman (whose son serves the Earl of Crawford, and who I fear hath had too great an influence upon him in this business) was afterward (as I imagine) sent to York about the effecting of this fine design, though at his return he gave it out with many deep protestations that riding into the Country about some business, he was made prisoner by the Enemy about 6 miles from Scarborough, and carried to York, from whence by means of some friend and acquaintance he there meet with, he said, he had happily escaped.  
On Monday the 20. of March Sir Hugh Cholmley rid early abroad with one servant only, and lest I should suspect something, sent one to me, to tell me he was gone to meet Sir John Hotham, that they might consult touching the sending of Forces to him for clearing that side of the Countries: but he desired if any asked for him, I should say he was gone to Whitby his own house to take care for the preservation of it and the Town, which had formerly made good expressions of fidelity to the King and Parliament. I expected he would have returned at night, but finding he did not, wondered at it, yet feared no change, because I suspected nothing, conceiving the place of meeting with Sir John Hotham, and the length of the consultation might very well retard his return till the next day. He then returned and told me, he had stayed the night before at Ganton (a friend's house to us both being 6 miles from Scarborough) which because I knew nothing to the contrary, nor dreamt of any falsity, I did easily believe. On Thursday morning he sent Captain Browne bushel to Hull with a small Ship, which he and I, and some others had newly set forth to restrain provisions for going to Newcastle, with directions to bring from thence certain money and other things which lay there for him, but I was neither made acquainted with his going by Sir Hugh nor suspected any ill intentions for delivery of the Castle until Friday betwixt 7 and 8 of the clock at night that he sent for me up into the Castle (where he lay) and after some discourse fell to magnify the King's forces, and at last told me plainly he was at York on Monday before with the Queen, that he resolved to hold the Castle for the King, and by Commission from him, and that he intended the next day so to declare himself, ask me my resolution concerning it. I told him, he gave me very short warning; Yet I hoped (although I conceived he had dealt very ill with me being his near kinsman, and whom he had engaged in the same service with him) to capitulate touching the rendering of the Castle without making me acquainted before hand with it that I might provide for my own safety) he would give me leave to use my conscience, which he said he was willing to do; I than desired him I might have liberty to pass to Hull with my wife and children, and that I might have a note from him to that purpose, which he promised to do; and further, that if I were taken by the way, he would procure my enlargement. I spoke to him further concerning his breach of trust, and told him what a dishonour it would be to himself, and what a stain to his posterity thus to violate it, and would gladly have persuaded him to have continued faithful, offering to go post myself to London for him and to labour to obtain such conditions for him from the Parliament, as he should approve and like of; But he answered he was engaged and resolved to perform what he had promised, and so I left him, and presently went into the Town to consult with a friend what course to run, but he not being within, I returned to my own house. About ten of the clock at night I received letters from Hull, by which I had notice of his resolution, together with a packet to himself from Sir john Hotham, which because I conceived there might be in it some good advice, and for that I was desirous he should consult with his pillow about it, I was very careful to see delivered, and therefore sent one of my servants up with it to the Castle. It seems the Letters were of another effect than I suspected, for Sir john Hotham having notice of his resolution to render the Castle, and conceiving Captain bushel was by him employed to Hull with no good intent, and not knowing whither he might comply with him or not in that bad action, had made stay of Captain bushel, and the Ship, and thereof gave him notice by those letters. He wished my man to tell me I should come to him to the Castle in the morning, which accordingly I did; He told me what Sir john Hotham had done to Bushel and that he must stay me in lieu of him till he were delivered, yet promised to protect me from violence, and that I should not receive the least prejudice, and upon my faith given not to stir without his licence, he was content I should walk at liberty. I presently dispatched a messenger to Hull to give Sir john Hotham notice of these proceed, and endeavoured myself in the mean time to get my goods on Shipboard, that I might take an opportunity of getting my Family and them away (if it might be) though I stayed behind myself. After my departure he sent for Sir Thomas Norcliffe, Captain Froom, Captain Vanderhurst a Dutchman, who commanded his Foot company, and other his Officers to whom he imparted his resolution. Sir Thomas Norcliffe so much misliked the business, that he presently departed to Hull, Froom told him he would be ready to serve him in an honest way, but never used to be of the Traitors company, Vanderhurst and some others took time to deliberate. About nine of the clock Froom, Vanderhurst with about 8 or 9 troopers came to my house to advise with me what was to be done; We debated the business, and truly the Soldiers were very ill pleased that he dealt so with us, and showed themselves very forward to have marched up to the Castle, and have made him prisoner. The men were all strangers to me, and two of them to this Kingdom, and therefore I held it no great discretion to discover myself too far unto them whose hearts I knew not, nor whither some of them might not be sent by him to sift and circumvent me, and it may be, if I had showed myself extreme forward in it, some of them might have been jealous of me, because I was his kinsman: I returned this answer; That for my own part I would adventure my skin in the quarrel as freely as any man, but as for attempting to surprise the Castle, I could not assent unto it for these reasons; It was a place of great strength, and advantage to him that was then within it, The Inhabytants of the Town were extreme malignant, we had not felt the pulse of the Soldiers, nor knew how they stood affected, nor what the Gunners intended to do, who were the men must do much of the business if it came to action (three of which were but newly brought in by him, and one or two of those three had formerly borne part in a mutiny which was made against one in the Town by some ill affected persons for which I had punished them, and therefore had the less reason to trust them.) But besides all this, I told them there was a powerful enemy at hand (or at least within call) from whom we must expect certain ruin if we should show ourselves, and not go through with the business as we desired. As we were thus debating the business, comes one in and informs us, that there were two Troops of horse at the Town's end, which quite spoiled all our business, for although the report was grounded upon a mistake, either of some Market people who were then coming to the Market, or else of Sir Thomas Norcliffes' Dragoones, many of which went that day from Scarborough after their Captain, yet because it was not without probability, it caused us to break off our discourse, and this was the very reason why we did nothing, for it could not sink into our heads that any man of discretion should be so impudent as to betray a Fort, and have no power of the Enemy to join with him in case he should find opposition within, especially when the chief Officers had not been formerly consulted with, nor their affections tried, nor any party made amongst the Soldiers, to make that good which was intended. After this I had several thoughts what to do. It grieved me to see the Castle thus lost, but I was jealous of my power to help it: Many things came into my mind, and a great conflict I had in myself touching the point of assassination, and whither in point of conscience, it were lawful without any by-ends of one's own to kill an Enemy to God and his Country, as my heart told me he was, and so taking him away in this sin, send him in all probability to Hell. At last I resolved in dubits, optimum est sequi tutiorem partem, and therefore choosed rather to watch an opportunity, if I could to make him prisoner, To which purpose I went up to the Castle, I conferred with several Soldiers, whom I found cordial to the Cause, yet fearful to engage themselves without good force to back them. I spoke with an Officer who must be nameless, who seemed much to lament the Colonel's Apostasy, and desired of me to know what was to be done; I asked him if he would be honest, he protested he would, I wished him then to clap to my Lieutenant (whom he had corrupted, and who then stood like Cerberus keeping hell gates) as I would to the Colonel, and we would make them both prisoners. He asked me touching the affections of the Soldiers, I told him I was confident, they were right and would stick to us; so down we went to the Guard together, to see the number of them, and to prepare them before hand for our intended design: Just as we were going down came the Colonel, and three or four of his servants armed with Pistols, so that we were forced to break off our communication, and went along with him: As we came by the Guard he stayed and told the soldiers what he intended, but protested he aimed at nothing, but the peace of the Country and obedience to the King, I hearing that answered I hoped we had not been in a way of rebellion all this time. At which word he catched me by the hand and calling for half a score muskettires said he would teach me to rule my tongue: I told him if he hanged me I must and would speak having so good reason for it, and so was I carried guarded with his servants and those Musketeers to his house where I remained till upon settling of both our hot blood, he was content to let me go, with my wife, children, and goods to Hull, upon my promise first made to procure Sir john Hotham to enlarge Captain bushel within two days, or else return to Scarborough within that time, which I assured him I would do; and thereupon had his licence to departed that night by sea for Hull. On Monday I there arrived and that day obtained Bushels enlargement who the next day returned to Scarborough, but never got any thanks for it from him who seemed so tender over him as you shall hear afterwards. Captain Froom, and Captain Vanderhurst followed me with almost all the troop, and divers of the foot soldiers who now serve under me at Hull, where by Sir john Hotham I am again put into employment as are also the other two Captains, Froom being made Captain of the troup he brought with him and Vanderhust his Lieutenant according to their own desires. And thus Sir, you have all the particular circumstances of this bad action; let me beg your patience but a little and you shall have the second part of the story, which I hope will give both yourself and all honest men better satisfaction.  
Captain bushel (though Cousin German to the Colonel) did so little approve of his kinsman's ways that he made many protestations ere he went from Hull to recover the Castle thus perfidiously lost. It fell out happily that Mr. james Cholmley a man of no great experience was made Captain of the Castle and Henry bushel (who is Captain Bushels Brother) his lieutenant. The two brothers confer together and at twelve of the Clock at night, on Thursday last the Captain with 4 more was let in by his brother, who had prepared the Soldiers (ready enough to revolt from that side they liked not) with Beer and Tobacco, he acquainting the soldiers with his intentions, they promised to stick to him, the sergeant who commanded the guard was laid hold on, the Gunners were next surprised; but swore fidelity, there was nothing left now but to get the Tower, a place of great strength where the Captain was lodged, and in which all the ammunition and provisions for the Castle were laid. For the effecting hereof the Sergeant was caused to knock at the gate and to tell the keeper of the Magazine who came to know what was the matter that there was an alarm in the Town and that the soldiers must be furnished with powder and shot, Credit being given hereunto and the gate opened bushel entered with his soldiers, commanded the delivery of the keys and thereby became Master of the Castle without one drop of blood spilt on either side and in it of the new made Captain, and the next morning of one Captain Sunderland and some other Cavaliers who were come to rejoice with their new got friend. And thus the Castle of Scarbrough which both in my own and the opinion of many being well and sufficiently provided is able to oppose an army of 10000 men was twice taken in one week: first by treachery, and afterwards by honest policy, and is now in the hands of Captain bushel, who vows to hold it for the King and Parliament, and sooner to blow up the fabric then that ever it should come into the hands of the Cavaliers: This day he writ Letters to Sir john Hotham for assistance, which he hath taken care to be sent to him to morrow morning. I hope the Parliament will think of him that recovered it, and give him such requital as shall encourage both him and all others to adhere and stick close unto them: I will trouble you no further at present being weary with writing, If I may receive any letters from you the next week here at Hull, I shall be willing to hold Intelligence with you, and to let you know the passages of the North. However, Sir, I assure you none is more truly yours, than  
Hull Good-friday 1643. Your affectionate friend and servant.  
FINIS.