THE NEWEST AND TRVEST, AND MOST UNPARTIAL RELATION OF ALL THE LATE Occurrence which hath happened at SHERBOURNE-CASTLE, and thereabouts.  
Being the Extract of divers several Letters, sent from worthy Persons of good credit and quality, to a special friend in LONDON.  
Printed September 14. 1642.   


THE LATEST RELATION from SHERBURN-CASTLE.  
SIR,  
I Know how dangerous it is to write in this time, if my letter be intercepted, and kept close, yet Truth will break out; and indeed I challenge and defy any, which dare lay an untruth to the charge of this Relation, appealing to the conscience of all that know the passage thereof.  
On this day seven-night being Saturday, the Earl of Bedford appeared before Sherborn Castle, His Forces consisted partly of Devonshire men (whereof some 400. came to D●rchester on Tuesday last as I take it, but sure I am, a Minister road very demurely before them with a Bible in his hand, and many of them by their habit were judged men of good quality) as also men of Dorset and Sommersetshire. Many of them advanced slowly and sadly, and you know the Nature of West-country men, who most of them holding their means for their lives, were loath to hazard their lives and lifely hood at one adventure.  
The men of the Town of Sherborn (presumed to be of the Earl of Bedford's side) declared themselves otherwise, and with their shot did much annoyance to his men▪ There h●●h passed many skirmishes▪ betwixt the M 〈…〉 sse of Hartford's men and the Earl of Bedfords, with the chance of war; sometimes the one and sometimes the other had the better.  
At last the Country men began to think that Featherbeds were better lodging than the hard earth, which made many of them (if you will have it in the best phrase) withdraw themselves away, which I doubt not but will willingly come back again to see an happy agreement betwixt the King and Parliament. The Earl of Bedford with those that were left, discamped; and retreated to Yevell, (4 little miles from Sherborn) where the Lord marquis and the Lord Paulet Bid him Battle, and there followed an hard and hot Encounter, wherein the marquis had the best of it.  
Sir, I am sorry to report that an hundred men were slain on the Earls side, which I am afraid will prove too true, and the adjacent Towns will dolefully witness that I am no liar▪ many of them were men of quality, as appeared by their burial in the Church of Yevel.  
If M. Trenchard; Sir Thomas Trenchards elder son, be slain (as it is credibly reported) I shall be an helvie mourner at his funeral. But should be a heartier rejoicer if he be preserved alive, to do good service for God, his King and Country.  
On the Marquis' side were slain ten Musketeers, none men of any quality. And he hath taken Captain Hungerford, and eight others, prisoners.  
On the other side in the time of their Bickering, the Earl of Bedford took prisoner Captain Bamfeild, and five other of the Marquis' men. And thus we see if these woeful times continue, Parties may mutually get the Conquest; but the whole English Nation, with the Protestant Religion, Church and State, must be a loser.  
The Earl of Bedford with his Troops fairly retreated to Dorchester, It is our hopes and our prayers that King and Parliament may so agree, that we may effectually stop the Bleeding Estate of Ireland. And now Sir know I have played with you the foregame in friendship, and expect (how dangerous soever the times be) some requital of London news from you, which I fear will be as sad and sorrowful as what we have here written.  
Yours, A. W.   

Another Letter from Sherborn-Castle.  
SIR,  
THose mistake and omissions which hast made in my last Intelligence, I pray correct and supply by these presents.  
On Friday last the 2. of this Month, the Earl of Bedford pitched his Siege before Sherbourne, with eight hundred Horse, five thousand Foot, with twelve pieces of Ordnance. Those in the Castle were not above six hundred horse and foot, and two small field Pieces.  
On Saturday, the Earl began his Battery, and approached the Town, wherein many of the Townsmen shooting out of their Windows, killed some few, and wounded more of the Earls men.  
On Sunday, those in the Castle hung out the White Flag, desiring rest that day, which the others little regarding continued their Battery; and this occasioned some shot from the Castle, which took no effect, but the hindrance of their work.  
On Monday, many Canonshot were made at the Castle, Town, and Church-Steeple, but with little harm.  
Tuesday Morning, the Earl proclaimed a sessation of Arms, and commanded them all to remove their Ammunition and Artillery to Yevell, which that night was done accordingly.  
Wednesday betwixt four and five of the clock in the afternoon, some of the Castle-Troopes went out, only to take the Air, and see what was become of the Earl's Army, wearing no Arms but Swords and Guns, and many having but two shots a piece. The Earl's men having notice thereof set upon them. Here was hot service, and the Castle-men twice charging so repelled those that assaulted them, that they began to retreat.  
But the rest of the Earl's Army endeavoured (whilst their fellows fought) to get behind the Castle-Troops, and so to cut them off in their retreat. Whereupon the Castle men desisted from any further charge, and forced their passage through such as lay behind them home to the Castle, whither they all came safe, saving nine men who were killed upon the place, and five taken prisoners, whereof Sergeant Major Bamfeild was one.  
One of the nine slain was a Dorset shire Gentleman Captain H: Hussey, whilst they had him at their mercy, they most barbarously cut off his members, and then did him the favour to kill him.  
Of the Earl's side the loss was great, but uncertain, the River hard by buried many of them, as appeareth by divers Horses since fou●d floating in it, and seven men of that Company were openly buried in Yevell-Church the next morning; and they say many buried privately in a Hill there by, which how true it is, God knows: Thirty of their Horses were taken and carried to the Castle; and with them seven taken prisoners, whereof Captain Hungerford was chief.  
Thursday, the Earl's Forces were dismissed by his Command, and dispersed themselves, whilst he himself retreated to Dortchester.  
I had almost forgotten a sad Accident. Whilst the Devonshire-men were distributing their Powder, and ready to besiege the Castle, two Barrels taking fire, killed some men, scald and maimed many, to the number of sixteen.  
God turn our swords into scythes, that leaving all acts of Hostility, we may peaceably receive the fruits of the Earth. Help us with your Prayers to GOD, that by the agreement of King and Parliament, we may enjoy a happy peace.   
FINIS.