The Strong CASTLE OF GOTHRIDGE Taken by Colonel BIRCH: Sir Henry Lingen, and fifty Gentlemen taken Prisoners, All the Officers and Soldiers at mercy, And all the Arms and Ammunition, Bagg and Baggage taken by the said Colonel BIRCH, on Friday last, July 31. 1646. Monday the 3d. of August, 1646. This Letter of Colonel Birches, with the two other Letters, are examined, and printed, and published according to Order of Parliament. London, Printed by jane Coe, 1646. The taking of GOTHRIDGE CASTLE By Colonel Birch, with all the Arms, and Ammunition, and all Prisoners at mercy, certified by a Letter from Colonel Birch Himself. Honoured SIR, NO time hath been neglected by me in the prosecution of this service, but as the ground would admit I have carried on my Approaches, Batteries, and Ours; And after I had very much torn the Castle with my Mortarpiece, that no whole room was left in it (that not doing the work) I resolved to go on with the mines, and Battery (where I could not mine) both of which went on so successfully, that in a few hours I intended to enter by Storm. And to that end drew my horse and foot together, which the Enemy perceiving, rather than they would run the hazard, took down their Colours, and put up white (without which I denied them any Treaty) their desires were honourable terms, which I thought not fit to grant, neither to give them any thing beyond mercy for their lives, their persons to be wholly at my dispose; upon which terms, I have this day received possession of this Castle. And when the Parliament shall please to command Sir Henry Lingen to wait upon them, I shall carefully bring him up to attend their pleasure. In the meantime I desire that the Parliament will be pleased to signify their pleasure concerning the demolishing or keeping this Castle; The condition of which, and of all other passages here, this Bearer Major Blackmore will give a perfect account, who hath been very active and helpful in this service, together with the condition of the Horse and Foot under my command, how much they have been discouraged by those who with earnestness seek their own ends, notwithstanding all which, no duty hath been omitted, nor any means left unattempted which might forward the Public Service. Your must humble and real Servant, JOHN BIRCH. Gotheridge the 31 of july 1646. The Copy of another Letter from Colonel Birches Leaguer. SIR, I Know not how enough to commmend the gallantry of Col. Birch, in his deportment before Gotheridge Castle, a Nest of Papists, and rigid Malignants, that were very desperate in their resolutions, which the more incensed our Soldiers, Sir Henry Lingen would fain have had another Summons to begot a parley; but the former offers refused, made our Colonel look upon that as uncapable of so much favour. It is a place very strong, and Mining hath proved very hard work, yet Col. Birch hath used all possible means, and lost no opportunity in the speeding of the reducing thereof, to the best advantage of the Kingdom, which I believe the surrender of Worcester hath something hastened. But the Colonel made his approaches, and mined with all the speed that the cragginess of the place would permit, and not only plied them with his Batteries, but had done very good execution upon the castle with the Granados shot from our Mortarpeece. And all things were in so fair a way, that we were almost ready to storm; than which the Soldiers desired nothing more, so that all, both Colonel, Officers and Soldiers, should not have needed to have been hastened, had not the work been shortened another way. We were so near the storm, that Colonel Birch had drawn up the Horse and Foot, and was ordering them into a posture for falling on. But the enemy in Gotheridge Castle perceiving in what posture we were in, and seeing how they were on all sides surprised, their hearts began to fail them, so that they took a most fearful Alarm; and (whether by Counsel of War, or otherwise) they speedily took their condition into consideration, and (perceiving that we would not balk with them) being unwilling to endure a storm (which was much the more terrible to them, because of divers Gentry amongst them) they desired a parley, but my Colonel would not grant that, though much importuned for it: insomuch that when they saw we would not admit of any delay, they took in their Standard Colours, and held out their white Flag of Truce, and begged that they might but march out Honourably to their own homes, and some to Garrisons. But nothing would be granted more than quarter for their lives. And in short it was agreed to thus: First, that Sir Henry Lingen the Governor of Gotheridge Castle, with all the Officers and Soldiers therein, shall have mercy for their lives. Secondly, that the said Sir Henry Lingen the Governor, with all the Officers and Soldiers, shall surrender up themselves prisoners to be at Colonel Birch his disposing. Thirdly, that all the Arms and Ammunition, provision, and whatsoever else is in Gotheridge Castle, shall be delivered up to Colonel Birch for the service of the Parliament. Fourthly, that the same be performed presently the same day, (viz. July 31. 1646. All which was done accordingly, this present day. and Colonel Birch is now in possession of the Castle, wherein besides the Governor, were about 50. Gentlemen, and others of quality, and 120. Soldiers, of whom I will give you a List of their Names, with all convenient speed. My Colonel hath this day received a letter from Hereford, dated yesterday, of which I have sent you a Copy. I hope care will be taken to make all lovers and friends, & that we that have fought together in one cause, and been ready to shed our blood one for another, shall not now spill one another's blood, but live in unity, and enjoy peace through all the Kingdom, which is the prayers of Your most humble servant. N. H Gotheridge July 31. 1646. The Copy of a Letter sent to Colonel Birch from Hereford, then before Gotheridge Castle. For the honourable Colonel Birch, Governor of Hereford, at his quarters before Gotheridge Castle. SIR, HEre is given out by some, That as soon as Gotheridge Castle is reduced, you are to march away from this City, and another Colonel to possess your place. And truly I think the design is working: wherefore, if you may use all the means you can to prevent it, that your Brother, or some other friends may command the Castle and Forces which shall be left here, if you do not yourself. Sir, your business for the County Voices may hold if managed wisely. I have writ to Sir Richard Hopton again in the business, A copy of which you shall see at your return, and am now writing to Sir john Binges, but I hear of none that stirs in it but myself. They have several in most parts of the County. We earnestly desire you here. I pray you haste, I conclude, and subscribe myself MILES HILL. Hereford july 29. 1646. I pray you set business in agitation in those parts, where your Commands are by your Assignation Officers. FINIS.