A Copy of a Letter sent from a Gentleman of quality dwelling in Banbury, to Mr. Jennings of Fan-Church street in London.  
Being a true Relation of the fight betwixt his Majesty's Soldiers and his Excellence the Earl of Essex his Forces, on Monday the 24 of Oct. beginning at eight of the Clock in the morning, which news was brought by one Cripps a Post, and averred to be true.  
Whereunto is adjoined two Orders from the Lords and Commons, First for ordering of Houses for Courts of Guard, and Posts, Bars and Chains be forthwith erected. Secondly, That all people in London and Westminster, and the Liberties thereof do forbear their Trade and ordinary employment.  
john Brownc Cler. Parliamentorum.  
Octob: 25  
London printed for T. Smith. 1642.   

A true Copy of a Letter sent from Banburie to a Gentleman of quality in London.  
SIR,  
AFter great expectation of fears, there doth sometimes follow joyful reports, and when the complexion of divers matters seem worst, then doth God show, a divine power in giving encouragement unto those that trust in him, since his power is above the strength of the mightiest Army, and though great preparation be made, yet he giveth the victory where and when he pleases. Though all the world should conspire together to supplant the glorious Gospel of jesus Christ, yet humane wit and policy is nothing if the justice of God doth prevent their Machavilian endeavours. And though all Ages can give sufficient examples of divers victories, yet such is our weakness, that we cannot cheerfully undertake the best cause, unless some tokens be given of divine succour by the prosperous events of our undertake. And therefore to make a Declaration that God doth assist those who stand in defence of the true Gospel, it will appear most evidently by this following Relation, which shall here be certified to give satisfaction to this City, and fill the sad hearts of the people with a sudden and unexpected joy. The motive of this rejoicing is this: The King having drawn up his Army, some four or five miles from Banburie, not fare from Southwell, thet the Earl of Essex his forces, with full Resolution to try the success of the day in a set Battle; the Armies that stood there in defiance one of another marched up together, both being full of spirit, and desirous to express their courages in the open field.  
Before the battle began, the King to give conruge and resolution to his soldiers in most royal manner led up the front of his army, and the Earl of Essex with an undaunted mind brought on his Forces within musket shot, whether being come, the King and the Earl of Essex exchanged some words, but would conclude on nothing but this, that they would try out the matter by the doubtful chance of war, which when the Earl of Essex understood, he desired his Majesty to withdraw his person from the danger of the shot, since his men were desirous to fight and would presently fall on, the King replied that he desired not his advice, but that his Army was ready to defend his cause, the justice where of he hoped would have good success, and having spoke these words, he wheeled about and left him, when presently Prince Robert, who brought up the Rear, advanded forward, and coming near the Earl of Essex his Soldiers most v●●liantly gave them no other language but what bullets did deliver, shooting three times at them, whereupon in a most srerce manner they joined battle, the Earl of Essex's soldiers maintaining the sight in such contagious manner so that they cut off one whole flank of the King's soldiers, and slew many more of the King's Cavaliers, than they lost on their own sides, and had not the ground whereon this battle was fought, been low and wet, so that their ordnance could not be brought on, the wheels of the carriage sinking deep into the earth, it is very likely that the King's army had received a very sharp encounter, but howsoever from 8. in the morning until afternoon they made amongst them a very bloody slaughter, and in the hear of the conflict, it is supposed that Prince Robert coming on so fare that he could not retreat back again, was by the Earl of Essex his soldiers taken prisoner, but in a word, the Earl of Essex appeared in this great action most full of valour, encouraging his soldiers, and bringing them on with such a brave resolution, as if he had been confidence of good success, and accordingly he obtained a most prosper out victory, which I doubt not but will be welcome news to the City of London, and therefore you may impart it to your friends for a true relation, which in haste with my best wishes I have sent unto you the same information being also brought up to the Parliament by one Mrs. Cripse a messenger to the honourable Houses of Parliament.  
Your most effectionate Friend, Thomas Norwood   

IT is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That houses for Courts of Guard, and Posts, and Bars, and claims be forth with erected, and set 〈…〉 in such places and by Lanes or the pa … 〈…〉 of St. Margaret's▪ Westminster, St. martin's in the fields, (in the confines of Westminster) St. Clements Danes▪ St. Marry Savoy, St. Andrew's Holborn, St. Giles in the fields, St. Coven Garden St. John- 〈◊〉 St. James at Clarkenwell St. Giles Cripplegune Shoreditch, Whitechappelle, Islington▪ Mile-end, Southwark, Lambeth, or any other place or places, as shall be thought necesserie and convenient for the defence und safe guarding of the said parishes, places, and by Lanes▪ the charge there of to be borne by the inhabitants of the several parishes aforesaid respectively, who shall be rated rated and assessed by such persons respectively, as the Lord-Lieutenant of that County, or any two of his Deputies shall nominate for than purpose. And if any shall refuse to contribute their proportion, than the said persons so to be named to rate and assess shall indite and the names of such refusers to the Lord-Lieutenant or any two of his Deputies, who are to acquaint one or both houses of Parliament there with▪ that such 〈…〉 may be taken there as to them shall be thought most convenient; And that a competent number of the 〈…〉 and Companies of Volunteers in and … ing not the said Parishes shall day and night attend 〈…〉 Arms in or near the said Court of Guard 〈…〉 power and authority hereby to apprehend 〈…〉 all suspicious persons, Ammunition and 〈…〉 passing thorough the said Parishes, places, or by-Lanes, or any part of them, until either of the said houses of Parliament be made acquainted therewith, and their pleasure be further known concerning the same; And the Captains and Officers of the Trained-bands and Volunteers, And the persons here under named are required to take care that the premises be carefully performed accordingly, which persons are to be named by the Lord Licutenant, or any two or more of his Deputy-Lieutenants.  
I. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum.   

Die Lune 24. October 1642.  
IT is this Day Ordered by the Lords and Commons; That all people within the Cities of London and Westminster, and the Privileged Pl●c●s Liberties and Suburbs thereof, and in the Borough of Southwark be required to shut up their shops, and for bear their Trades and other ordinary Employments, that so they may with the gr●●ter, diligence and freedom for the present attend, the defence of the said places and put in Execution and perform such Comments for the defence and safety there of as they shall from time to time receive from both Houses of Parliament; the Committed for the defence of the Kingdom, or the Lord General or the Lord Major and Committee for the Militia  
Joh. Brown, Cler, Parliamentorum.   
FINIS.