THE ROVND-HEADS REMEMBRANCER: OR, A true and particular Relation of the great defeat given to the Rebels by His Majesties good Subjects of the County of Cornwall, under the Command of sir RALPH HOPTON, on Tuesday May 16. 1643.  
Printed in the year 1643.   

A true Relation of the great Defeat given to the Rebels by His Majesties good Subjects of the County of Cornwall, under the Command of sir RALPH HOPTON. May 16. 1643.  
NOthing is more frequent with the Agents in this Rebellion, then to fasten their Treasons on God and Religion. If they plunder and rob a mans house, those stolen goods are presently the gifts of God. If they fight and are beaten, then either they deny it, and give thanks for a victory; or else confess some small loss, which God sent to them by his special Providence to draw the Cavaleirs into further destruction. And if at any time they prosper and prevail over the Kings forces by stealing on them in their beds, by a perfidious Treaty, or some other worse means, then each thread and particle of their success is the wonderful work of God. Thus Wallers entering Hereford is 
* Burrough● in a Sermon at London  styled as great a Deliverance as the Israëlites passage through the read sea; and his Excellencies gaining Reading they 
† Sedgwick at Reading May. 21.  call no less a miracle then the razing down the walls of Jericho with pitchers and Rams horns. Nor is this strange, for they who are come up to that desperate impudence to shoot at the King, and say it is to save his life, will likewise blaspheme God to his honour and glory. And though they know, that we know they are guilty of such villainies as the devil can scarce exceed, yet God must be the Father of whatsoever they bring forth, and sometimes too before the birth: For on Tuesday the 16th of this month, when the western Rebells received this defeat, on that very day the holy garrison in warwick had a solemn Thanksgiving for a new great victory over Sir Ralph Hopton; but whether God hath suffered himself to be mocked, let posterity judge.  
It is true the earl of Stamford marched out of Exeter with almost as much pomp and vainglory as his excellency, himself when he first advanced through London streets, promising all their party to conquer Cornwall at this one blow. And to this purpose he had summoned in all the strength he could possibly make, and by persuasions and threats got together betwixt five and 6000 foot. The Country people remembered what faire Articles Sir Ralph Hopton and the Cornish Gentry had made for Peace, how often the Committee for the two Houses had refused Peace, though themselves had sworn to it, and sealed it with the Sacrament( which perjury God will one day punish either here or hereafter, if he have not begun it already) and that nothing but blood would appease the Rebells ambition. These and the like thoughts retarded the people from being forward to this battle. Yet the earl of Stamford is so noble a Lord, that if it ly in his power, no man shall keep his Allegiance, nor any woman her chastity. Finding therefore the Country unwilling to come in to him, he rages horribly on divers who refused, plundering them so bare, that Master Martin( the Plundermaster general) himself could have gone no higher. Others he smooths and stroke with fine promises, that they should not need to strike a blow, onely appear and show their faces, and they should see him bring the rebel Hopton into Exeter dead or alive. Which was bravely said( you'l think) and had more truth in it, then his Lordship imagined, having already brought Sir Ralph very near the very walls of Exeter. In the mean time you see the world is come to a fine pass, when the most groundless Rebellion that ever was heard or red of, must be Gods own cause; and those loyal Gentlemen( who love their conscience better then their blood) must be voted for Rebells. Which certainly would be the very top of all their villainies, if these Rebells had not now outdone themselves, and( which all good men tremble to think of) accused and voted the QUEENS MAJESTY guilty of High Treason, for helping the King( her own Lord and Husband) against the worst of Rebells in his own kingdom.  
The Rebells having thus gotten their forces together, away they advance to Stratton in Cornwall, a town close upon the borders of Devonshire; and near this town they entrenched in as strong a Camp, as( themselves confess) they ever yet beholded. Two dayes before the blow was struck they ordained a solemn Fast( which was held at Exeter) for the good success of this great action; one of the Preachers( as some that heard him have certified) confidently declared, that God would manifest the justice of the cause by the success of that dayes work when ever the two Armies came to join. And now were these western Rebells exactly at the highest( for when Rebels fast they are commonly most confident) for men, Ordnance, Ammunition, place, arms, and all other Accommodation never so strong before, but strongest of all in the weakness of their enemy. For indeed Sir Ralph Hopton was never so low as now, his whole body of foot being not full 3000, and his Ammunition not sufficient for those men he had, as appeared in the event. Yet Sir Ralph and those other noble Gentlemen, did not only prepare to meet the Rebells in the field, but( to the perpetual honour of the County of Cornwall) assaulted this great Rebellious body in their strong works and trenches, fighting bravely with them for full 10 houres, and when these loyal gentlemen had spent their Ammunition, and had not powder left for one hour longer, they then( with unexpressible valour) fell upon the Rebels with their swords and pikes, and fought it out so manfully, that at last they wholly routed the Rebels Army, killed many hundreds of them dead in the place, wounded many more; took 1700 prisoners, whereof above 30 Commanders, as Chudleigh Sergeant mayor general of their Army, sir Robert Wingfield, with divers other Sergeant Majors and Captaines; and of Common Souldiers more then they know what to do with. Among those that were slain, one was Colmaddy Lieutenant colonel to the general, with many others of best quality amongst them. They took likewise all the Rebels Canon, being 11 pieces of brass Ordinance, and 1 brass Mortar for granades, besides 4 iron pieces and 1 Iron Mortar. In Ammunition they took 57 barrels of powder, with a like proportionable quantity of bullet, shot, match, and betwixt 2 and 3000 arms, besides 3000l in ready money. There were killed and hurt of the Kings Forces 46 Common souldiers, but not any one Commander, or Gentleman of quality.  
And now let the Reader judge, if ever the Rebels had a more shameful defeat; and whether the Gentry and Commons of the County of Cornwall deserve not to be recorded to all posterity for most loyal and valiant for their King and Country. What a horror this hath struck in the remnant of those Rebels who are now at Exeter, you may better discern from their own hands, more particularly by this intercepted Letter, which was going to London from a chief Member of their faction.  
SIR,  
Since your departure, I received only two Letters, the one the 19, the other the 20 of this month. Sir Ralph Hopton is at Okington, and itis doubted will very speedily distress Exeter; those horse of ours which escaped are now here, but much wearied out; they came hither from Bodmin yesterday morning. These enclosed Letters, were taken from Doctor cox, who came with a trumpeter with Letters to the Commanders here, offering quarter if we would submit; both are yet imprisoned, and Doctor cox who came with a Trumpeter when the Lord general said he should be preached for Letters did swallow a paper, and the Trumpeter shewed another in small pieces: they came in last even. The Trained Bands refuse to appear to assist us, so that wee can hardly hearten on our souldiers; but in Exeter there is a considerable number of Citizens, and wee have summoned in all the arms of the East, lest Sir Ralph Hopton take them too with the Posse. Wee hope to have speedy assistance, before which time wee cannot raise any Force. For now the hearts of Parliaments friends are down, and many daily drop off from us. We can do little for want of arms, which if not speedily sent will do us little good, therefore we beseech you speed them to us. mayor Chudleigh is turned against us. The news you wrote to Master Crossing doth somewhat revive us. The Volunteers will not do the work I fear; if any experienced religious souldiers be to be gotten from London I wish we had them speedily sent us. Our men went on resolutely at this last fight at Stratton, being assured that our Horse would countenance them in the rear; but when they were charged with the Horse of the enemy, and ours did not what we expected, we were discouraged, and so the enemy by the help of their Horse broken in upon our Foot and routed us, taking all our Cannon, and most of our Ammunition. We hoped this day would have ended the work, and so the Posse would have vanished of it's own accord But God hath otherwise determined yet further to humble us. Our confidence on the arm of flesh( which was our strong Army) was too great &c.  
There's none that considers the whole progress of the western affairs from the business of Sherborne Castle to this very day, but may clearly see the reward of Loyalty and scourge of Rebellion. And how this one single County having( through its distance from Court) received no supply of Forces from His majesty, nor any assistance by influence of the Kings counsel for better direction in their daily occasions, hath yet( by the extraordinary mercy and blessing of God) maintained an Army for their King and Country, fighting many Battailes, and obtaining many Victories, to the shane and amazement of their numerous Enemies, and the everlasting honour of the County of CORNWALL.  
FINIS.