view of Plymouth 
A TRUE MAP AND DESCRIPTION OF THE Town of Plymouth and the Fortifications thereof, with the works and approaches of the Enemy, at the last Siege; Aᵒ 1643.    

A True NARRATION Of the most Observable Passages, in and at the late Siege of PLYMOUTH, from the fifteenth day of September 1643, until the twenty fift of December following. Attested from thence under the hands of the most Credible Persons: Wherein is manifested to the World the handiwork of God, and his gracious assistance to the United Forces of that Town and Garrison.  
Together with an exact Map and Description of the Town and Fortifications thereof; with the approaches of the Enemy.  
As also the Summons of the Cavaliers to the Major and Governor of the said Town.  
And Prince MAURICE his Warrant to the Country since the raising of the Siege.  

Imprimatur  
JOHN WHITE.   
LONDON Printed by L. N. for Francis Eglesfeild, and are to be sold at the sign of the S in Paul's Churchyard. 1644.   

A true Narration of the most observable Passages, in, and at the late Siege of Plymouth; from the 15 of September, 1643, Until the 25 of December following, etc.  
AFter Colonel Wardlaw, Commander in chief, and Colonel Gould, with the 600 men, shipped at Portsmouth, about the 15 of September, for the relief of this Town, had stopped in Torbay; and finding Dartmouth besieged, left 100 men there for the strengthening of that Garrison: we arrived at Plymouth the last of September; (which Town had been blocked up by horse so that no provisions was brought in from the Country for six weeks before) and having refreshed our men, and mounted some 150 of them on horseback, the enemy having only one regiment of foot (besides their horse) lying before us at their quarter at Plymstoke, and keeping a constant guard at How, close under Mount Stanford, consisting of about three hundred foot and a Troop of horse, which fort they intended first to assault: about nine days after our arrival, the eighth of October, we put over some three hundred men before day in boats, to Mount Stanford, and at break of day fell on and surprised the enemies guard at How, took Captain Slowley, one Ensign, fifty two common soldiers prisoners, two Colours, and three barrels of powder, and put the rest to flight, with the loss only of two men of our side: about the same time we secured some Malignants in the Town, and sent up three of them to the Parliament.  
By this time the Enemy had taken Dart mouth, and was on his march with his whole army, to sit down before us; and we receiving intelligence that the enemy kept a guard of two Troops of Horse at Knockers-hole, about two miles from our Works, the fifteenth of October we sallied out with our Horse and two hundred Musquetiers, surprised that guard, and had taken twenty or thirty prisoners, but about sixteen of our horse pursued the rest that fled so fast, that their orders for retreat could not overtake them, engaged themselves too fare, and returning loaden with prey and prisoners, other Troops of the Enemy coming from their quarters on Roborrow-Downe, to answer the Alarm, met with our pursuers and took them all, save only Major Searle charged thorough them and escaped, Lieutenant Chase, with fourteen more, were taken, and after escaped out of prison, and returned to us, save only two or three.  
And now the Enemy being settled in his quarters, at Plympton, Plymstoke, Causands, Buckland, Tamerton, etc. With an army consisting of five Regiments of Horse, & nine Regiments of foot, brought over land from Yalme, thirteen fisherboats, into Plunket-Mills Bay, over against Prince Rock, with an intention as we conceived to land men on Cat-downe in the night, which they did not attempt, but set on Mount Stanford in good earnest: and the twenty one of October in the night, they raised a square Work within Pistol shot of our Fort of Stanford, on the North-east side, and from thence were drawing of a Line with Half Moons to surround the said Fort, thereby to hinder our reliefs from coming unto it. To prevent which, the same day we fell on the Enemy in their New Work they had raised, with all the disadvantage on our part that possibly could be imagined, exposing our open naked bodies to an Enemy within a strength, and assisted by their Horse, who much annoyed us, we having none of our Horse to assist us, nor could have, the Sea being between us and them; after long skirmish and divers repulses, at last we got their Half Moon, and after three hours hot fight, their close Work, and in it Captain White, and fifty other prisoners: in which Work we put a Guard that night of thirty Musquetires, commanded by an Ensign by whose treachery or cowardice, the Enemy falling on that night, the said Guard quitted the Work to them, without giving any Alarm to the Fort, for which he was shot to death shortly after; which cost us a new labour the next day, with fare greater difficulty and danger then before: the Enemy having of their Horse and Foot ready to second their guard in their new regained Work, which yet we again made ours, after the loss on our part of Captain Corbet, who was shot in the Forehead as we fell on upon their Work, and three other of our Captains were also wounded this day and the day before; and we had in both fights some twenty men killed, and above one hundred wounded, of whom many are since recovered. The Enemy lost six Commanders whose names were concealed from us, and many men, besides those taken prisoners.  
After we had gained the Enemies Work the second time we slighted it: but to prevent the like approaches, in regard Mount Stanford being a small Work, and very untenable of itself, much less to keep so large a circuit of grounds as it was built to defend, we were necessitated to draw a Line of Communication both on the East and West side of the Work, to maintain a long ridge of ground, with Half Moons at each end of the Line, which we defended divers days with extraordinary duty to our men, and divers skirmishes with the Enemy, till the third of November, when the Enemy planted their Batteries within Pistol shot of our Forts; and on the fifth of November battered our Work with two hundred Demi-canon and whole Culverin shot, besides other smaller Cannon that continually played on us, and flanked our Line from Osan-Hill, whereby breach was made in the Fort at several places, and the Lieutenant and some Gunners of the Fort slain: the breach we repaired in the night, thickening the Rampart as much as the smallness of our work would admit, and strengthened the weakest places with Woolsackes; The next day they continued their Battery till noon, with too much success, yet so as no considerable breach was made that day: the enemy whither they had intelligence of the want of provisions and Ammunition in the Fort, about one of the clock fell on with horse and Foot on our Halfmoons & Line, where we had reasonable guard: but tired with eight day's duty and long watching, after an hours skirmish were enforced to retreat from the Halfmoon and Breast work, and were taken by the enemy's Horse who came on the backs of them.  
The Captain of the Fort having but seven men of thirty-six left to manage the Guns, seeing himself thus surrounded by the enemy, whereby no relief of provisions or Ammunition could be brought him from the Town; and upon examination finding but two barrels of good powder, and a small quantity of Case shot with him; and no provisions, and having held off the enemy some two hours, and given a sign to the Town by hanging our a Wift, that he was in distress, and no relief came; and the Townsmen for some reasons which you shall hear anon, being unwilling to go over, and Colonel Goulds Regiment being those that were tired, and put to the retreat, unfit to encounter the enemies whole army that were fresh and victorious. The Captain yielded the Fort on composition about four of the clock, upon conditions, that he should march of with Colours flying, matches lighted, Buller in mouth, and a Demyculverin the best in the work, with bag and baggage, and that the enemy should exchange all the prisoners they had taken of ours that day, being about forty, for the like number of their prisoners with us, which the next day was effected accordingly; but we are unwilling to let the world know by whose Treachery, at least neglect, this Fort was lost, for want of convenient quantities of Ammunition and provision. While the enemy was busy about Mountstanford, we had begun to raise a work upon Howstart, where our men retreated after they were beaten from Mount Stanford, which being unfinished, and the same wearied men enjoined to keep it till the morning (for we had no other, the Townsmen refusing to give over) possessed with fear of the enemy's Horse quited that place also, which the enemy soon after seized upon, and have there built a Fort and divers Batteries to hinder Shipping from coming into the Harbour, and others to shoot into the Town, and at our windmill on the Ho. But notwithstanding they have done no harm to any Ship or boat that hath passed in or out for these two months past, nor hath and shot of the many hundreds they have sent into the Town, from thence, done the least hurt to man, woman, or child, (except one woman hurt in the arm with a stone) and but little to the houses, save that they shot off one vane of the Windmill which was presently new grafted; so that by experience we find, that the loss of Mount-Stanford, was the wonderful providence and goodness of God towards us, which had we kept, we must necessarily have lost the best of our strength in the defence of it, and having lost it, we find small damage by it, our Ships being beaten out of Catwater before we lost Mountstandford by the enemy's Cannon planted at Osan, and by a Battery under Mount-Edgecombe on the other side, from riding between the Island and the Main, so that we were feign to take Mill-Baye for sanctuary: nay rather the loss of that was infinitely advantageous unto us, in the nearer uniting of our small strength for the defence of the Town, and the offering an opportunity to us to seize upon the Fort and Island, the most considerable strengths, in the Kingdom, which then were utterly destitute of provision, Ammunition, or any thing else necessary for the defence of them, of which neglect, and the authors of it, account may be given to the Parliament in due time: for in the very instant of the loss of Mount-Stanford, while all men stood in doubt of the issue, Colonel Gould by order from Colonel Wardlaw, Commander in chief, took possession of both those places, and afterwards settled stronger Garrisons with store of provision and Ammunition of all sorts in the said Fort and Island. The securing whereof, and at the request of the well affected of the Town, of four deputy Lieutenants in them, of whose unfaithfulness to the State the Townsmen had great suspicion, we have found since to have been a most effectual means, under God, to preserve the Town. For these persons and places being secured and victualled, the Town, which before was altogether divided and heartless in its defence; now grew to be united with a Resolution to stick by us in the defence thereof, partly our of fear, knowing that the Fort and Island would be goads in their sid●●, if the Town should be lost; but especially from their assurance of our real intention to defend the Town to the last man, by the securing of those four deputy Lieutenants whom they suspected, and by the many asseverations and resolutions of the officers, that they would, when they could defend the Town no longer, burn it to ashes, rather than the enemies of God and his cause should possess it: which resolution of theirs they confirmed, by joining with us in a solemn Vow and Covenant for the defence of the Town. A copy whereof is annexed to the end of this relation.  
The Enemy thus possessed of Mount-Stanford, accounting now all to be his own, sends a Trumpet to us with a Summons, a Copy whereof also followeth at the end, which was answered by silence.  
The same day Mount Stanford was taken, the Enemy made an attempt upon Lypson work, but were repulse, with loss.  
The eleventh of November a party of Horse and Musquetires were commanded out to Thornehill to guard in Wood and Hay; but they transgressed their order, and pursued some of the enemy's Horse to Knockers-hole, killed a Captain and some common Troopers, and took some prisoners; but staying too long, drew the main body of the Enemy's horse upon them, and Major Leyton striving to make good their retreat, was taken in the Rear, after he had received five wounds.  
And now the Enemy having refreshed his men, and having secured his new got purchase, about the sixteenth of November sits down on the North side of our Town, we in the mean time being busied in mending up some Hedges that were formerly pulled down between the Works; the only Line of Communication we yet have scarce defensible against the stormings of Horse, yet such places we must now resolve to defend upon equal terms with the Enemy; for the Works are of such a distance each from other, and the grounds so uneven, that an enemy may in some places approach within the works, without any molestation by them.  
On the twenty eighth of November the enemy planted his battery against Lypson work, but could not approach within Musket shot to batter our Work, in regard of a deep Valley between, by reason whereof, after three day's battery they did little execution on our work.  
About this time, one Ellis Carkeet a malignant Mariner was accused and laid fast, for tampering with Roger Kneebone the chief Gunner at Maudlin Work, to blow up the said work, the powder room being buried in it, and he having the keys, which was discovered by the said Kneebone, after he had concealed it divers days, God not suffering his conscience to give him rest till he had revealed it. Upon the apprehension of Carkeete, two notorious Malignants, Henry Pike a Vintner, and Moses Collins an Attorney, conceived to be privy to his treason, fled to the Enemy. And upon the third of December, being the Lord's day, the enemy (as is credibly informed) guided by these two Renegadoes with four hundred Musquetires three hours before day, surprised our guard at Lary point, ●nd in it three pieces of Ordnance. The work is but a Half Moon, and the guard there placed only to give the Alarm, if the enemy should approach Lare-Point over the sands when the tide is out. By which means the enemy coming on under Lipson-worke (being a false varable ground to them by reason of its steepness,) and coming on the back of our guard, easily surprised it; the Alarm being given to the Town, and one hundred and fifty Horse and three hundred Musquetires at break of day ready to fall on upon the Enemy that were possessed of our work; which the enemy at Mount Stanford perceiving (for we fell on upon the South side of the hill that was from the enemy's view) gave the main body of the enemy that was at Compton all in arms, a Warning-piece; upon which, Prince Maurice and all the gallantry of their army, with five Regiments of Horse and four of Foot (having in the night made their way with Pioners) advanced under protection of their own Ordnance, and a hedge which they possessed, where we usually had our Sentries, and where since we have built a Work under Lypson, to the assistance of those who in the night had surprised our guard, we were in hope to have beaten off the enemy before their seconds came up; and with Horse and Foot falling resolutely on them, met with strong opposition, and Captain Wansey a gallant man, charging at a gap which formerly he knew to be open; but now made up by the enemy, was unfortunately slain; which made our Horse give ground, and both Horse and Foot after to an absolute Rout for three fields together: at which time some of the enemy's Horse mixed themselves with ours, and came within Pistol shot of the walls and were killed or taken. When a stand being made upon the height of the Hill above Lypson-worke, and fresh men being drawn from several guards, our men being encouraged, we held our ground for four hours. During which time, our ship at Lare-point, seeing our Guard there taken, entertained a Parley with the enemy, and so stood Newrers till we had beaten the enemy to a retreat, for which, some of them are in question for their life. The enemy likewise sent a Trumpet to Lypson work to summon it, and was answered with the Cannon after the Trumpet was commanded to departed. And we having gotten a small Drake planted in the cross way, discharged it four or five times on the enemy's Horse with good execution; and giving a sign by the found of a Drum, when our several commanded places should fall on, the enemy began to give ground, and some two Hundred Musquetires of the Trained bands of the Town being come to our assistance, and a party of some sixty Musquetires sent about to play on the backs of the enemies, was no sooner perceived by the enemy, but he commanded a retreat, which was followed so close by us, that it was little better than a hasty flight; for retreating most part over the Lare, and not the same way they came on, their Rear guard of Horse of about one hundred being cut off from their way of retreat, were forced into the Mud, between Lypson Work and Lare-point, and the Horse were almost all taken or drowned when the Sea came in, some of the Riders crawling through the Mud, hardly escaped; many of the enemy were killed in their retreat by our horse and foot, and by the ship at Lare-point, who then grew honest again: of prisoners we took a Captaine-Lieutenant of Horse, and one Langsford a Priest, that was a Captain, and some thirty common soldiers, and thirteen barrels of Powder, two Teams of Horses with furniture, by which they were drawing up our Ordnance against us. Of ours, the enemy took in our first retreat, Captained Lieutenant Ro●, Lieutenant Vpton, Ensign Crocker, and Francis Rolls Ensign, and about forty common men, besides Captain Wansey, and about twelve more killed, and a hundred more wounded, of whom, some are since dead: Colonel Gould had one horse killed under him, and another shot, but he mercifully preserved. The Lord shown himself wonderfully in our deliverance, in that when the enemy had gotten a ground of advantage, and were ten to one against us, yet was pleased by our handful to drive them bacl another way than they came. For had the enemy possessed the ground that they had gotten that night, the next day they would have been masters of all Cat-downe, and then we must have quitted our Outworks as unuseful to us, and have betaken ourselves to the Town walls, which then were not fully finished, and could not long have been defended. The same day, the enemy with horse and foot assaulted Penny-come-quick-works and were repulsed with much loss.  
The enemy being thus repulsed, suffered us to be quiet (as his usual manner was) for 15 or 20 days after: in the mean time gathering up his routed Troops, save that one night he fell on upon a work we were raising under Lypson, called in the Map Lypson-Mill work, for the prevention of the enemy's incursion again that way, and partly slighted it, our guard there quitting it without a shot; from which they were suddenly beaten again and the work re-edified. It were endless to acquaint you with the servall light Skirmishes, that daily passed between us, sometimes about our cattles that straggled without our works, at other times, to pass time by bravadoes and ambuscadoes made by our guards to entrap the enemy. And now the enemy finding his Battery against Lypson, and his intent to possess himself of Lare-point suceesselesse, he takes about and begins to make his approaches against Maudlin work, we in the mean time thickening that work within to make it proof, and finding their Batteries planted within Musket shot of our work, we planted a platform close by Maudlin work, and drew out a Demi-canon which was taken in a prize that was going to the Rebels in Ireland, to counter-batter against them, intending to have planted another, if it had been needful. Upon the eighteenth of December the enemy began to Batter, but by reason of our counterbatterie which played constantly into their work through their ports, whereby their men could not stand safely by their Ordnance, we having the advantage in playing down into them from a commanding ground; The enemy in two day's time, could do no good with his Battery: but on Wednesday night the twentieth of December through the carelessness of the Captain of that guard, that set out sentries perdue, it being a wet and dark night, the enemy raised a square work with the help of a corner of a field, within pistol shot of Maudlin work, almost in a direct line between that and Pennicom-quick, which if they had held, might have cut us off from the relief of that work, etc.  
Thursday in the morning the twenty first day of December, assoon as it was discovered, the ordinary guards there, being some threescore men, fell on in hope to have regained it without any more help. But found their work guarded with two or three hundred men, and so were feign to retreat until supply came from the Town.  
And then about nine of the clock in the morning, having Horse and Foot in a readiness, we fell on upon their work, and received the repulse twice, once after we had gained the work, but our men heartened with the assistance of some fresh men, and backed with most of the strength we could make, fell on, took, and slighted the enemy's work, took prisoners a Captain, Prince Maurices' Trumpeter, and some few others more, and killed that day near a 100 men, there were taken of ours by the enemy Lieutenant William Harwar, and two more surrounded by the enemy's Horse in one place, and as many in another: we had twenty men killed in the place whereof Ensign Grimes was one, and some fourscore wounded, whereof Engsigne Samuel Horte, and some others are since dead, upon the enemy's retreat we could hardly dissuade our Soldiers from falling on their works to gain their Ordnance. But we had too few men to adventure upon so hazardous a design.  
The next day we could see the enemy preparing to draw off their Ordnance, and on Christmas day the twentie-five of December in the morning, they drew off their guards from about us, being the same day that Prince Maurice promised his Soldiers they should be in Plymouth.  
That day Thomas Basset Major General to the enemy, called to an Officer of ours that was in their work, and told him that he thought God fought against them, and said, if he could be convinced that he was not in the right, he would hang himself at his door err he would take up arms again in that quarrel.  
The next day after, the enemy rising from before us, part of two of our works fell down, which might have endangered the loss of them, if they had continued their siege.  
The enemy now quarter at Tavestock and Plympton, to refresh their men, and to recrute for a fourth siege, and for the present they block us up from provision, having driven all the country before them of all sorts of cattles, so that we cannot subsist long unless store of all sorts of provisions be sent us.  
But if we may have a considerable supply of men, Money, Arms for Horse and Foot, sent us with speed, by God's assistance we may be able to take the field, for all the Country is inclined to us, which opportunity we hope the Parliament will not neglect.  
One remarkable passage of God's providence to us, we must withal thankfulness remember and acknowledge, that after the Town had been a long time strictly besieged, and no fresh victual either flesh or fish, could be had, whereby the poor people were grievously punished, there came in an infinite multitude of Pilchards into the Harbour within the Barbicon, which the people took up with great ease in baskets, which did not only refresh them for the present, but a great deal more were taken, preserved, and salted; whereby the poor got much Money, such a passage hath not happened before.  
We cannot forget the humanity of the good women of Plymouth, and their courage in bringing out strong waters, and all sorts of provisions in the midst of all our skirmishes for refreshing of our Soldiers, though many shot through the .  
We cannot omit to set down also how that in few days after our first arrival here, one Sampson Helena, Esquire: came in a message to this Town, from the Prince, to persuade the yielding of it: But coming without Drum or Trumpet, for his offence, he was persuaded to yield us two thousand pounds for the payment and clothing of our Soldiers, without which we could not possibly have subsisted so long. The enemy's word in this last fight was, (The Town is ours) and our word was, (God with us.)  
We had upon the loss of Mount-Stanford a day of Humiliation, and upon God's deliverance of us, at Lare point a day of Thanksgiving, and another since the siege was raised. The chief commanders before us, were, Prince Maurice, The Earls of Marleborough, and Newport, The Lord Mohun, Lieutenant General Wagslaffe, Major General Basset, Sir Thomas Helena, Sir Edmund Fortescue, Sir john Grenvile, Sir Richard Cave, Sir james Coburne, Sir john Digby, Sir Peter Courtney, Sir William Courtney, and divers other considerable persons, many of whom, aswell as of the common Shoulders, are since either dead or desperately sick.  
William Gould, Colonel. Michael Serle, Lieutenant Colonel. Nathaniel Willis, Sergeant Major. 

Captains.  
Thomas Hallsey.  
Samuel Bertch.  
Gabriel Barnes.  
William Wotton.  
Henry Plumley.  
William Hill.  
Thomas Hughes.  
Robers Northcote.  
Henry Potter.  
Humphrey Barton.     

To the Major and Governor of the Town of Plymouth.  
THat you may see our hearty desires of a just Peace, We do Summon you in his Majesty's name, to surrender the Town, Fort, and Jland of Plymouth, with the warlike provisions thereunto belonging, into Our hands for his Majesty's use: And We do hereby assure you, by the power derived to Us, from his Majesty, upon the performance here of, of a general Pardon for what is past: And engage Ourselves in Our Honour, to secure your persons and estates, from all violence and plunder. We have now quitted Our Selves on Our parts; and let the blood that shall be spilt in the obtaining of these just demands (if denied by you) be your guilt.  
Given under Our hands at Mount Stanford the 18 day of November, Anno Dom. 1643. john Digby. Thomas Basset. Peter Killigrew. Io. Wagstaffe. jonathan Treleany. R. Prideaux. john Arundel. Tho. Monk. Will. Arundel. john Downing. Tho. Stucley.   

PLYMOUTH the 4 of Novemb. 1643.  
IT is this day Ordered by the Council of War, That this Vow and Protestation as followeth, be openly published in the Assemblies by the Ministers of this Town, to morrow, being the fifth of November, 1643. And that it may be presented particularly to all Officers and Soldiers, Inhabitants and Strangers, of the Towns and Garrisons of Plymouth and Stonehouse, the Fort and Island: And that especial notice be taken of all such as shall refuse to take the said Vow and Protestation, Which is as followeth.  
I A. B. in the presence of Almighty God do Vow and protest, that I will to the utmost of my power faithfully maintain and defend the Towns of Plymouth, Stone-House, the Fort and Island withal the out works and Fortifications to the same belonging, against all Forces now raised against the said Towns, Fort and Island or any part thereof, or that shall be raised by any power or Authority whatsoever, without the consent and authority of both Houses of Parliament, neither will I by any way or means whatsoever, contrive or consent to the giving up of the Towns and Fortifications aforesaid, or any parcel of them, into the hands of any person or persons whatsoever, without the consent of both Houses of Parliament, or of such as are authorized thereunto by them: neither will I raise nor consent to the raising of any Force or tumult, nor will I by any way or means give or yield to the giving of any advice, counsel, or intelligence to the prejudice of the said Towns and Fortifications, either in whole, or in part, but will withal faithfully discover to the Major of Plymouth and to the Commander in chief there, whatsoever design, I shall know or hear of hurtful thereunto. Neither have I accepted any pardon or protection, nor will accept any protection from the enemy. And this Vow and Protestation I make, without any equivocation and mental reservation whatsoever: believing, That I cannot be absolved from this my Vow and Protestation, and wishing no blessing from God on myself or my posterity if I do not truly and sincerely perform the same. So hope me God.   

Prince Maurice HIS WARRANT Since the Raising of the Siege. To the Constables of Egbuckland; and after notice taken of Publishing, To the Constables or Tythingmen of St. Budeaux, there to be Published.  
FOr as much as divers persons disaffected to his Majesty's service, make their daily recourse into Plymouth, furnishing the Rebels there with all manner of provision for Man and Horse, contrary to his Majesty's Proclamation, prohibiting the same: these are therefore signifying, That if any person of what degree or quality, do ever presume to have any commerce or dealing with any in the said Town of Plymouth, or otherwise; send into the said Town, or take, or carry with him any Horses, Oxen, Kine, sheep, or other provision for Men or Horse into the said Town of Plymouth, for the relief of the Rebels there; every such person and persons shall be proceeded against both in person and estate as Abettors of this horrid Rebellion, and contemners of his Majesty's Proclamation, according to the limitation of the Court of War in such cases provided. Willing and requiring all Majors, Bailiffs, Justices of the peace, Constables, and all other of his Majesty's Officers and Ministers, to cause this to be forthwith published in all Churches, Chapels, Markets, or other places; whereby his Majesty's loving Subjects may the better take notice hereof.  
Maurice.   

Ordered to be printed.  
FINIS.