AN EXACT And full RELATION Of all the proceed between the Cavaliers, and the Northamptonshire forces at Banbury.  
With the present state and condition which that Country is in at this present.  
Whereunto is added the Articles of agreement, made at Banbury, for a Pacification, and settling of the Peace of that County, by the Commissioners of Array and the Deputy Lieutenants of the said County.  
jan. 4. Printed for I. Wright in the Old-Bailey, 1643.   

A TRUE RELATION of the present Condition of BANBURY.  
Brother,  
MY desire is to let you understand the state and condition that our County is in at this present. It was true that you heard, that Northamptonshire men came into Banbury, but they stayed not, for the Major having yielded the Town before unto the King, would not show them any countenance, and so they left the Town presently, and went away again the same day that they came in. And my Lord of Northampton came in upon the morrow, and took possession of the Town and Castle, where he hath continued ever since, until it was Tuesday night last 22. day, and then drew all his Forces out of the Town towards Oxford in the night, but only his Foot, and they went all into the Castle, and carried in all the provision that they could come by in thither, and left the Town open. Northamptonshire men kept themselves together all this while, and came again to Byfield, a Town six miles from Banbury, where they lay for a week: but so soon as they heard that my Lord of Northampton was gone out of Banbury, they presently advanced forward, and made for Banbury again, and came before the Town upon Wednesday in the afternoon about three of the clock, and came into the Town over the Bridge. They in the Castle having four Pieces of Ordnance, shot at them as fast as they could all the time that they came in, but yet it pleased God to preserve them, that they came all safe into the Town, only one Horse killed, and a man hurt, and one man killed with Musket shot a●ter they came into Town. They continued in the Town that night and all day, on the morrow they were as was supposed about four thousand, all Countrymen, but one hundred of Seamen: among them they brought two small Pieces into the Town with them, and sent to Northampton for one more bigger, which came in upon Thursday about twelve a clock. They shot at the Castle with their Musketeers all day Thursday, and it was supposed they killed some that were upon the walls; and likewise they shot from the walls all day, and with the Ordnance from the Castle, but killed none, but hurt two or three. And upon Thursday night they planted their great Piece against the Castle wall, and the two smaller Pieces against the Gate, but could not force it to make any entrance at all▪ In the mean time, my Lord of Northampton brought all the King's strength of Horse from Oxford, and came to Dedington, within four miles of Banbury, on Thursday night, where they lay all night in the Field: which Northampton shire men hearing and seeing they could not do any good at the Castle, left the Town again, and marched away about four a clock in the morning with their Ordnance, and the King's Army of Horse came in on Friday, and quailed all the Country over on Friday night, but returned towards Oxford again in the morning, only leaving some to keep Garrison in Ba●bury; and so now our Condition is worse ●hen ever it was: for many shown themselves forward to join with Northampton shire men, And now they being gone again, we are in more fears than ever we were. I pray God in mercy look upon us, and put it into the heart of our King and Parliament, that there may be an accommodation for Peace, for otherwise our Country will be wholly ruinated in a short time: We cannot enjoy any thing that is our own. The Town of Banbury, for the most part the chiefest men, are wholly undone all already, and we in the Country cannot long subsist: For we have great Taxes laid upon us, and if we will not pay them, ourselves and Goods are both taken away, I praise God I have my liberty yet, but do not know how long I shall enjoy it, for I am in great fear of myself. I pray you send me a Grammar for my Boy; and I would entreat you to send me word how the City doth stand affected: We hear, that it is much divided, and the greater and stronger party is for the King, and that the Parliament is broken up. I pray you send me the truth as near as you can of all things, as also concerning the Earl of Essex proceed, for we cannot hear any thing from him, which doth much discourage our County at this present.  
29. Decemb. 1642. So I rest your Brother to command, S. R.   

Vicesimo tertio die Decemb. 1642.  
An Agreement made the day above at Banbury in the County of Chester, for a Pacification, and settling of the Peace of that County, by us whose Names are subscribed, Authorised hereunto by the Lords and Gentlemen nominated, Commissioners of Array, and Deputy Lieutenants of the sa●d County.  
1. IT is agreed that there be an absolute Cessation of Arms from henceforth within this County, and no Arms be taken up to offend one another, but by the consent of the King and both Houses of Parliament, unless it be to resist forces brought into the County.  
2. That all but 200. of either side shall be disbanded to morrow, being Saturday, and on Monday all the rest on both sides, both Horse and Foot shall be disbanded.  
3. That all Prisoners on both sides be enlarged, as for Master Morton, who is now Prisoner at Manchester, the Gentlemen apppointed Deputy Lieutenants, do declare, that he was taken without their privity, or encouragement, by some Manchester Troops, upon a private quarrel, for taking powder, and other goods belonging to one of Manchester, yet they will use the utmost endeavours to procure his enlargement, and do desire the like endeavours be used by the Lords and others, Commissioners of Array, for enlarging Master Daniel of Dasbury.  
4. That the Fortifications of Chester, Namptuich, St●pford▪ N●●●…ford, or any Town in Cheshire, lately made by either part, be presently demolished.  
5. That all Goods and Arms, taken on both sides, now remaining in the County in specie, be forthwith restored, and for all others that are taken out of the County, it is promised on both parts, that since the benefit of this Pacification redounds to the whole County, that they will use their utmost endeavours for a joint contribution of the County, towards satisfaction to the owners.  
6. That the Lords and Gentlemen, Commissioners of Array, before the eighth day of January next, procute from his Majesty a Letter, thereby declaring, That in regard a Peace is made in the County, he will send no Forces into this County; and if any other person shall contrary to such Declarations bring Forces into the County (passage for Forces without doing any Hostile act only excepted) the said Lords and Gentlemen, will join to resist them, and if any Forces, without the consent of the King and both Houses of Parliament, shall come into this County (the passages Forces without doing any Hostile act only excepted) the said Gentlemen nominated Deputy Lieutenants, will join to resist them, and use their utmost endeavours therein.  
7. In regard by the blessing of God, there is to be a Peace within the County if this agreement be. It is agreed that the Commissioners of Array, shall not any further put the Commission of Array in execution, nor the Gentlemen nominated Deputy Lieutenants the Ordinance of the Militia, or execute their Commission.  
8. Lastly, All the said parties do agree and promise each to other, in the word of a Gentleman, as they desire to prosper; that as well themselves, as also all their friends, tenants, servants, and all others in whom they have any interest, shall as much as in them lies, perform the Agreement; And it is further desired, that all the said parties join in a Petition to His Majesty, and both Houses of Parliament, for putting an end to the greatest distractions and miseries fallen upon this Kingdom, by making a speedy Peace: And it is agreed that Sir George Booth, and all others within this County, who have appeared as Commissioners of Array, or as Deputy Lieutenants, by reason of the Ordinance of Parliament, shall with all convenient speed subscribe this Agreement.  


Robert Kilmurrey.  
Orlando Br●dgeman.  
William Marbury.  
Henry Mainwaring.     
FINIS.