INTELLIGENCE FROM SHROPSHIRE, Of three GREAT VICTORIES Obtained by the Forces of shrewsbury( Commanded by the Committee there;) viz.  
The taking of Stokesey and Cause-castles, places of great strength; and a great Victory obtained in the fields, with a Catalogue of the prisoners.  
Sent from Persons of worth, that were in the Action, to a Person of Honour in London.  
Published according to Order.  
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Underhill, and are to be sold at the Bible in Woodstreet, June 28. 1645.   

A Relation of three great Victories obtained by the Forces of Shropshire.  

Shrewesbury, June 19. 1645. SIR,  
THere was drawn out of this Garrison by order from the Committee, 500. foot, and 300. horse, viz. part of Col. Mackworths Regiment, and part of Colonel Lloyds Regiment, both of them marched along in the service, our forces marched within five miles of Ludlow; the design being to reduce that part of this county, and to secure it, by placing some Garrisons there, to block up Ludlow; with a party of horse they viewed Howgate and Braincroft Castles, both of which the enemy had much demolished, notwithstanding they placed the Lord Calvine in Braincroft castle, and fell to repair & fortify it, in the interim, they sent lief. Col. Rivling to view Stokesay castle, a garrison of the enemies; the place was conceived considerable, therefore the next morning wee drew up to it, and summoned it, but the Gorvernour, Captain Dauret, refused; thereupon wee prepared for a storm, being ready to fall on, gave a second summons, which was harkened unto, a parley admitted, and the castle delivered up, and is now garrisoned by us: One of these castles commands all Cordale, a rich and fertile part of the county; the other secures all Stretonsdale, so that Ludlow is blocked up on this side, and hath only Hereford to range in, continuing in these parts, for the securing these garrisons, Sir Mich. Woodhouse, governor of Ludlow, one that came out of Ireland, procures all the Kings garrisons for above 20. miles compass, to draw out for his relief: Col. Lunsford from Munmouth, Col. Sands from Worcester, Col. Skudamore from Hereford, Sir Mich. Woodhouse from Ludlow, forces from Hartelbury, and other garrisons, all which made a body of about 2000. horse and foot, which marched up near Braincroft castle, wee being too weak to encounter with them, marched to Wistenstow, within a mile of Stook, the better to enforce ourselves from Shrewsbury and Montgomerie, whither we sent for forces, but came not in time enough, the enemies, contrary to our expectation, judging Stook of more consequence, made hast thither, to besiege it, of whose approach, the Colonels having intelligence, with advice of the field-officers, drew out, resolving to fight, our horse made what hast they could to come in, Captain Fouks troope, to which were joined some reformadoes, fell upon a body of the enemies horse, being 200. and routed them, the foot marched on with gallant resolution, beat up all their ambuscadoes in the hedges for a mile together, until they came to the main body, which after an hours fight, wee routed and dispersed. In this business lief. Col. Rinking deserves much honour, in which he shewed as much valour as a man could do, and also the Colonels did very gallantly; wee slay near 100. on the place, took above 300. common souldiers, about 60. officers and Gentlemen, all their Ordnance, bag and baggage, 4. barrels of powder, a good quantity of match and bullets, 100. horse, some Gentlemen of quality were slain; there being most of the Gallantry of Herefordshire. In the action Sir William Crofts the best head-piece, and activest man in that county was slain on the place, the governor of Ludlow and Munmouth hardly escaped, Sir Mich. Woodhouse his horse being taken. The glory of this great action belongs only to God, who was pleased to make weak means instrumental to do so great a work: mayor Fenwick, who behaved himself gallantly is wounded, but we hope not mortally.  

There were taken in this fight:  
Col. James Boughton.  
Capt. Walter neal.  
Capt. George Wright.  
Capt. Tho. Statt.  
Capt. lief. Joseph sing.  
2. Cornets.  
3. ensigns.  
2. lieutenants.  
3. Sergeants.  
9. Quartermasters.  
7. corporals.  
5. wagoners.  
3. Mountrosses.  
Gerrard steel, Physician.  
Rich. Richardson, Chirurgeon, and many Gentlemen.   
This fight was on the 9. of June, we returned to Salop on the 11th, and marched out again on the 14th early, with 13. colours of foot, and five troops of horse towards Bridgenorth: on the 16th there was sent hither 26. prisoners, most of them Officers, taken, as I understand, coming towards Bridgenorth, amongst these prisoners there are four Parsons, viz. person Avacham, and person Ambler, these two have been wicked Incendiaries, the other two I know not, this feat being done, out forces faced about, and before any of us knew of it, were set down before Cause-castle, within seven miles of this town, which is a strong garrison of the enemies; wee are close up to the walls already, if we be not disturbed by a greater strength, I hope wee shall carry it, all the Gentlemen of the Committee but one, are in this service, and very active.   

BY letters foom Shropshire of the 23. of June, wee are certified, that the strong castle of Cause, after seven dayes siege, is taken by the forces of Shropshire, the Officers and souldiers marched out with their single arms, without any baggage, all the horse are delivered up to the commits, for the service of the public. It is a place of great concernment, and stands upon a rock not mineable, by this the country is cleared on that side Severne, to Ludlow, and quiter up to Montgomery, the county is in a good condition, and will be very speedily put into a brave posture. The forces, as one of credit reports, that came thence since the taking of Cause, are before Shrawdon castle.  
The said person reports, that as he came out of Shrewesbury, news came, that lief. Col. Jones, with Sir William Breretons forces, had beaten a party of the enemies which came out of Chester, have taken and slain 300. horse.  
Sir Thomas Fairfax quartered, the 25. of June, at stow, on 26. purposeth to be at Malmsbury: The King was lately at Hereford, labouring the country for supplies of men and moneys, who are unwilling to either; he hastens towards Taunton, hoping to conquer our forces there, that so he may have another Infantry, to prevent which, Sir Thomas Fairfax marches streight thitherward with all speed, who joining with mayor general Massey, will be a very great Army, so that great action may suddenly be expected.   
FINIS.