Stafford-Shires MISERY, SET FORTH IN A true Relation of the Barbarous Cruelty of the FORCES Raised against the PARLIAMENT.  
SENT In a Letter from STAFFORD, by Captain William Robinson, to a Gentleman in LONDON, and to be presented to Mr. SPEAKER.  
Published according to Order.  
LONDON, July 20. Printed by G. Dexter, 1643.   

STAFFORD-SHIRES Misery: Set forth in a true RELATION FROM STAFFORD  
THE convenience of this Messenger invites me to alter my resolution, which was to have silenced my pen, until it could have reported some News, which you and my other Friends could have took content in: But fearing lest you should be too much dejected by our Enemies vaupouring of a great Victory obtained against our Stafford shi●● forces forever always represent their good successes in a multiplying glass, and their bad ones in the wrong end of the perspective.) I will faithfully, though according to the Posts haste, give you a Relation of the Afflictions God was pleased to lay upon us at Burton. The Queen's Army coming to Ashby, presently made it their Care to free the Inhabitants of Burton (who are generally wall affected to the Parliament from the oppression of the Protestants their friends: and therefore sent 27 Colours of Foot, and about as Colours of Horse, to do Execution (according to the known Laws of the Land) upon the Parliament Forces residing there: They faced it upon Thursday last, first with their Horse by break of day in the Morning who were forced to Retreat, afterward about 5. and 6▪ of the Clock they returned with the Foore presently the Service began to grow very hot, the Town having b●●ne twice Summoned by a Trumpet to yield, but bravely resolved to fight it out, which they did still it was near ●in a Clock● at Night, with the loss only of a d●●●● Men, and slew as I am credibly informed by thee who werein the fight divers hundreds of the Enemy: Our Soldier's Muskets grew so hot, that very many of them flew in pieces; very many more had their hands blistered, merly with the heat of Pieces.  
The Enemy was resolved to have the Town, though it cost them never so dear, and therefore exposed their men (according to their value) like Beasts to the slaughter, which our Soldiers soon perceiving, used their advantage freely; till at last being wearied with killing, tired with the whole day's service, and oppressed by an over-daring Multitude of the Enemy, they were driven from their Guards, and then soon left the Town.  
Brave Colonel Houghton, his Lieutenant Colonel … dear, Captain Wat …, and divers other Commanders, whom I am not acquainted with, all men never enough to be honoured, after Quarter demanded and granted, after all very grievously wounded, and we cannot yet learn who are dead, and who living of them.  
Our Foot Soldiers after Quarter promised, they put up in the Tower of the Church, where the Bells hanged, and then blew up the Tower with Gunpowder: but through God's infinite mercy to the admiration of all men, they were all preserved from death, except 10 or 12. though many wounded; the violence of the blow opened the Church doors, and none durst come near: most of them escaped.  
The Townsmen escaped not much better; for they wounded many, killed many and spoilt all: and when they had left the Town not worth 〈◊〉 pence, they set it on fire▪ Thus the Scripture is fulfiled, The mercies of the wicked are cruelty. See what the whole Kingdom is to expect from the Moors, Walloons, French, Spanish and Irish, who are called into the Land to be Assertors of the protestant Religion, the known Laws of the Land, the just Privileges of Parliament and the Liberty of the Subject.  
We had about 100 Soldiers▪ one iron Piece one Case of 〈…〉 and one small Drake in Burton. Many of the Foot Soldiers escaped, but 〈◊〉 of the Commands; and most of the Townsmen of any quality were carried ●way prisoners.  
We expect that Army every hour at Stafford, and prepare for their entertainment. Ever since my departure from London, I have been perpetually upon service, for these 〈◊〉▪ or 7 days hunting the Cavaliers of this County, and those of the Lord chapels Army, which lies upon this county now from place to place. We hear that the Lord chapels Forces, Colonel Sands, and Colonel Chudleys', are all to meet the Queens this day, or to morrow, and when they have played their Rex in these parts, are all to march up to the King to Oxford. If the Armies in the West move by the same Compass, the business at Oxford will prove difficult except the Question be stated before their commi …▪ As oft as God shall please to grant opportunities you shall hear how things stand where I am.  
If you are known to Mr. Speaker, present my humble service to 〈◊〉, and relate this unto him, which I would have done myself, could the Messenger's time have given me leave.  
Finis.