A Summary of Occurrences, Relating to the Miraculous Preservation Of our late Sovereign Lord King CHARLES II. After the Defeat of his Army at Worcester in the Year 1651. Faithfully taken from the express Personal Testimony of those two worthy Roman Catholics, Thomas Whitgrave of Moseley, in the County of Stafford Esq; and Mr. John Hudleston Priest, of the holy Order of St. Bennet; the eminent Instruments under God of the same Preservation.  Permissu Superiorum. 
LONDON, Printed by Henry Hills, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty, for his Household and Chapel; And are sold at his Printing-house on the Ditch-side in Blackfriar. 1688.   

A Summary of Occurrences relating to the miraculous Preservation of our late Sovereign Lord King CHARLES II. after the Defeat of his Army at Worcester in the Year 1651.  
Faithfully taken from the express personal Testimony of those two worthy Roman Catholics, Thomas Whitgrave of Moseley, in the County of Stafford Esquire, and Mr. John Hudleston Priest, of the Holy Order of St. Bennet; the Eminent Instruments under God of the same Preservation.  
TO the end future Ages may be rightly informed, and duly sensible of the mercies and blessings of the Almighty bestowed upon our late Sovereign Lord of happy Memory King Charles II. and in him, upon the whole Nation, by the signal preservation of his Sacred Life and Person, from the Hands of the Rebels after the defeat of his Army at Worcester. We shall here, to the Glory of God the Protector of Princes, briefly set forth with all plainness and sincerity, such particular Passages and Circumstances as occurred immediately before, or during the time of the refuge and safety he found in his greatest danger and exigence at Mr. Whitgraves' House at Moseley.  
Please therefore to know, That His Majesty's Army being on Wednesday the third of September (51.) wholly defeated at Worcester; his Friends dispersed; and Enemies in full pursuit of their Victory; The King conducted by Colonel Charles Gyfford, and accompanied with the Duke of Buckingham, Earl of Shrewsbury, Earl of Derby, Lord Wilmot, Mr. Peter Street, and others, retired on Thursday Morning to a House called Whiteladies, then appertaining to Mistress Cotton Widow, and now the Inheritance of her Son-in-Law Basil Fitz-herbert Esquire, in Staffordshire. There His Majesty changed his Habit, cut his Hair, and transformed himself into the dress of a Country Peasant; thus disguised, he dismissed all his Retinue, and committed his Person to the Fidelity of the Pendrells, poor Catholics, and labouring men, at, or about Whiteladies; with one of these Pendrels, named Richard, the King spent the rest of the day in a Neighbouring Wood, and at night attended only by the same Richard, set forwards his Journey towards Madeley in Shropshire, with intention to pass over the River Severn into Wales, for the Recruit of his Army; but arriving near to the River side, he was informed by Mr. Wolf a Catholic at Madeley, that all the Fords and Passages were so strongly guarded and obstructed, there was no possibility of effecting his design; so that in this extremity, he was forced after having absconded all Friday in a certain Barn of the said Mr. Wolves to come back the next Night, and regain his former Asylum at another House of Mr. Fitzherberts', called Boscobel, Tenanted by William Pendrel, Brother to Richard, and adjoining to Whiteladies. During this interval, those Persons of Quality whom the King had dismissed from Whiteladies, endeavoured each one the best he could to provide for his own safety.  
Amongst others, the Lord Wilmot conjecturing the open ways least obnoxious to suspicion, departed the same Thursday in the forenoon from Whiteladies, and took along with him John another Brother of the Pendrels, as a Guide into the common Road between York and London, but he soon perceived himself disappointed of his expectations herein, for the whole Country was Alarmed; The Enemy every where in pursuit; The Avenues on all sides blocked up, and searches redoubled by a promised Reward of One thousand pounds to any one who would discover the King. Wherefore my Lord justly despairing of success that way, took refuge in the House of one Mr. Hunthatch of Brinford, near Moseley, about four Miles from White-Laides, and sheltered his Horses in a ruin'd Barn of a poor Cottager not far from thence. But this place affording him little or no hopes of rest or safety, he sent his Guide John to Wolverhampton, in quest of some more secure Receptacle. Here also John miscarrying, and frustrated wholly of all Relief; in his return to my Lord, by the singular conduct of Divine Providence, met with Mr. Hudleston at a Place called Northcore, John knew both the Person, Religion, and Character of Mr. Hudleston, and therefore with an assured Confidence related unto him; how the day before the King's Army had been utterly routed at Worcester; how that very Morning the King himself with other great Persons had come in Private to Whiteladies, how the King had been there disguised, had dismissed his Followers, and was retired he knew not whither with his Brother Richard. How he had endeavoured to help a brave Person towards his escape into York and London Road, but not being able to compass it, nor get any Harbour for him either at Hampton or elsewhere, he had left him at Mr. Huntbatch's at Brinford near Moseley, where he would be most certainly discovered, unless Mr. Hudleston could prevail with his Landlord (Mr. Whitgrave) to receive him, and conceal him in his House. Hereupon Mr. Hudleston carried John to his Chamber, imparted the Affair to Mr. Whitgrave, who touched with a sense of compassion and Generosity, willingly undertook the care (however dangerous to himself) of the distressed Lord's Concealment and Protection; accordingly Mr. Whitgrave without farther delay waited upon my Lord at Brinford, comforted and encouraged him by his promised Assistance, and in fine, ordered matters so, that at ten a Clock in the Night my Lord was safely brought to his retirement at Moseley; the only difficulty remaining was how to dispose of my Lords two Horses; a thing not to be disregarded, both because they would be necessary for my Lords farther Progress, as also for that either standing as they did exposed in an open Barn, or being brought to Mr. Whitgraves' Stables adjoining and obvious to the common Street, their being detected, would occasion a disclosing of the whole grcret; To remedy this Mr. Whitgrave sent a trusty Person to Colonel Lane at Bently, about three miles from Moseley, acquainted him with my Lord's arrival, and desired him for some little time to secure my Lords Horses. The Colonel who had formerly served under my Lord in the Wars, not only readily complied herein, but the same Night gave my Lord a private Visit, and kindly invited him to his House, as the more secure place, adding, That his Sister Mistress Jane Lane, had procured a Pass from the Governor of Stafford, for herself and a Servant to go to Bristol, by virtue of which Pass, he might as his Sister's Servant, get clear out of the Country. My Lord thanked him for his Civility, but said, he was well satisfied with his present Quarters; Yet withal entreated the Colonel he would keep the Opportunity of his Sisters Pass, and retain his Horses till he heard from him again. Thus they took leave of each other, and the Colonel returned home.  
The next day being Friday, his Lordship sent John Pendrel to learn what was become of the King, and what had passed at Whiteladies: John returning the same Night, brought word, That the King went the night before with his Brother Richard towards Severn, designing to pass over into Wales. Upon this information, my Lord resolved to accept of the proffered benefit of Mistress Lanes Pass, and accordingly next Morning being Saturday, he desired Mr. Whitgrave to send to Colonel Lanes for his Horses. He dismissed John in the afternoon home to Whiteladies; and the Horses arriving at a certain Place and time appointed, about Midnight he took leave of Mr. Whitgrave with all due expressions of Gratitude and kindness, and so departed to Bently.  
Saturday, And now my Lord being gone, Mr. Whitgrave and Mr. Hudleston entertained themselves with thoughts and sollicitudes concerning the King; They had heard nothing of him all that day. The last intelligence brought by John from Whiteladies on Friday was, That the King was gone the night before with Richard towards Severn, for Wales; but what success he had, or what was become of him since, they knew not, wherefore anxious between hopes and fears for his Majesty's safety, they resolved to go the next day being Sunday to Whiteladies for their farther satisfaction; whilst they were thus determined, and walking together very early on the backside of the Orchard on Sunday Morning; They were surprised to see John Pendrel unexpectedly coming towards them, and approaching them with a frightful Countenance, and much impetuosity asked, where is my Lord? They told him, His Lordship was gone; Then (says the poor man in great consternation) we are all undone; For the King finding the Passages over Severn all guarded with Soldiers, and no possibility of getting into Wales, is come back to Boscobel; And we know not what to do with him, or how to dispose of him. He hath been for the most part since his Return concealed in a Tree (now called the Royal Oak) with Colonel Carloes in Boscobel Wood, but searches are every where made, and the King is much dejected, having no hopes or prospect of redress, wherefore understanding from me I had left my Lord Wilmot here, he hath sent me to him with orders he should take some speedy course for his removal and security with him. Upon this sad relation of John's, Mr. Whitgrave and Mr. Hudleston deeply moved at the King's danger and Calamity, having first offered to God their Sunday Duty for his Majesty's safety, accompanied John to my Lord at Bentley, where being admitted to his Lordship, it was upon mature deliberation Resolved. That my Lord should come back about Eleven at Night to Moseley, in order to the waiting upon the King there. That John should return to Boscobel, and from thence conduct his Majesty to a certain appointed Station near Mr. Whitgraves' House, where Mr. Hudleston was to attend and receive him.  
And what was thus designed, was accordingly executed; My Lord came, and was conducted by Mr. Whitgrave to his Chamber; And some few hours after, the King attended by John, and two or three more of the Pendrel Brothers, arrived on a Mill Horse near Mr. Hudleston's Station, where Mr. Whitgrave and Mr. Hudleston both waited for him; Upon his arrival he was immediately conducted to my Lord, who with some impatience expected him in his Chamber. The King being thus by God's blessing safely introduced into the House, after some private discourse had between him and my Lord, His Lordship addressing himself to Mr. Whitgrave and Mr. Hudleston, said, Gentlemen, the Person whom you see here under this Disguise, is both your Master and mine, and the Master to whom we all own our Duty and Allegiance; upon which they both kneeling down, His Majesty admitted them to the honour of kissing his Hand; Then bidding them arise, told them, He had received from my Lord so good a Character of their Loyalty, and readiness to serve, and assist him, and his Friends in those dangers, that he would never be unmindful of them, nor theirs. Immediately after he asked, where is the private Place my Lord speaks of? They then shown him the place of his retreat for avoiding surprisals, which having seen, entered into, and much approved of, he returned to his Chamber. He then sat him down on his Bedside, and Mr. Whitgrave presented him with a little Biscake Bread, and a Glass of Sack, which he took; whilst he thus sat, his Nose bled; at this accident Mr. Hudleston seemed concerned, but His Majesty said it was usual with him; then taking out of his Pocket an old course Clout which the Pendrels had given him instead of a Handkerchief, he received the Blood into it, Mr. Hudleston then presented him with a fair Handkerchief, and kept the bloody Clout to himself. After this the King went to the Fireside, sat down in a Chair, and gave Mr. Hudleston leave to pull off his Stockings and Shoes, stuffed within with White Paper, but yet so uneasy, wet, and full of Gravel, they had extremely inflamed and galled his Feet.  
Here it may not be unpleasant to some, if we briefly describe part of the Rustic Habit under which the King was disguised, he had on a long white Steeple crowned Hat, without other ●●●ming than Grease, both sides of the Brim so doubled with handling, they looked like two Spouts; a Leather Doublet full of holes, and half black with Grease above the Sleeves, Collan, and Wast. An old green Woodriffs Coat threadbare, and patched in most places, with a pair of Breeches of the same Cloth, and in the same condition, the slops hanging down lose to the middle of his Leg; Hose and Shoes of different Parishes; The Hose were grey, Stirrups much derned, and clouted, especially about the knees, under which he had a pair of Flannel riding Stockings of his own, with the tops cut off; His Shoes had been cobbled with Leather patches both on the Sols and Seams, and the Upperleathers so cut and slashed to adapt them to his Feet, they could no longer defend him either from Water or Dirt. This exotic and deformed Dress added to his short Hair cut of by the Ears, his Face coloured brown with Walnut-tree-leaves, and a rough crooked-Thorn-Stick in his Hand, had so metamorphosed him, he became scarce discernible who he was, even to those that had been before acquainted with his Person, and conversant with him.  
Mr. Hudleston having cleansed and dried his Feet with warm , put on new Linen and Worsted Stockings, and accommodated him with Slippers, and other things necessary for his ease, His Majesty became thereby much refreshed and cheerful, saying, He was now fit for a new March; adding also, If it should ever please God to bless him with Ten or Twelve thousand Loyal and resolute Men, he doubted not but to drive these Traitors out of his Kingdom. After an hour or two's discourse with my Lord Wilmot, in deliberation of what seemed most expedient in the present conjuncture, it being now about five in the Morning, His Majesty desired to repose on his Bed, and the Pendrels, all but John, were dismissed home.  
Monday, Upon the King's first change of Apparel at Whiteladies, they had put him on a course patched harden Shirt, which by its roughness extremely incommoded him, and hindered his rest. This Mr. Hudleston observing, prevailed with him to accept of a new Holland Shirt of his own, and reserved for a Memorial the course one to himself.  
For the better security of his Majesty's Retreat, Mr. Whitgrave sent forth all his Servants betimes in the Morning, each to their several Employments abroad, except one Cook Maid a Catholic, who dressed their Diet; And it was farther pretended, Mr. Hudleston had a Cavalier Friend, or Relation, newly escaped from Worcester, who lay privately in his Chamber unwilling to be seen. So that this grand secret was imparted to none in the House, but Mr. Whitgrave, Mr. Hudleston, and Mr. Whitgraves' Mother, whom my Lord Wilmot presented to the King; And whom his Majesty graciously Saluted, and confided in.  
At that time Mr. Hudleston had with him at Moseley under his Tuition, young Sir John Preston, and two other Youths, Mr. Thomas Palin, and Mr. Francis Reynolds, Nephews to Mr. Whitgrave, these he placed at several Windows in the Garrets from whence they had a prospect of all the Passages from all parts to the House, with strict charge given them to bring timely notice of any, whether Soldiers or others that came near the House, and herein the Boys were as exact and vigilant as any Centinel could be on his Guard. It is now Monday in the Forenoon, and John is ordered to go to Bentley, with directions to Colonel Lane to send my Lords Horses at Night to Moseley to convey his Lordship back to Bentley. His Majesty eat constantly in Mr. Hudlestons' Chamber: Mr. Whitgrave himself handing up all the Dishes from below Stairs to Mr. Hudleston's Chamber door. And Mr. Hudleston placing them on the Table; when all things were brought up, old Mistress Whitgrave was called in, and commanded to sit down and Carve, whilst Mr. Whitgrave and Mr. Hudleston waited behind the King.  
This day His Majesty spent partly in reposing and refreshing himself from the Fatigues of his former Journeys and hardships, and partly in recapitulating the late Transactions; and taking a View of the present posture of Affairs. He recounted his proceed in Scotland, and described the methods of his March from thence to Worcester. He inquired how the Gentlemen of the Country were affected towards him, and sent Mr. Whitgrave to Wolverhampton to get intelligence of Affairs; sometimes he entertained himself at a Window opening to the common Street, from whence he had the deplorable sight of divers of his own poor Soldiers, even of those whom he knew of his own Regiment, the sad remains of Worcester Fight; some of these had in their Hands Pease in the Straw, gathered from the Field-sides as they came along, others were eating Cabbage-Stalks and Leaves which were thrown out of Gardens into the Highways, not daring so much as to beg for Food. Others again wounded and maimed, sought for Relief at the Door, whose Sores Mistress Whitgrave with great tenderness and Charity dressed.  
At Night my Lord Wilmots Horses arrived as was appointed from Bentley, whither his Lordship accordingly returned with farther directions, That Colonel Lane should the next Night following, himself bring the Horses back to Moseley, in order to the Conveyance of his Majesty to Bentley. The King intending to take the benefit proffered to my Lord Wilmot of Mistress Jane Lane's forementioned Pass, to quit the Country.  
The next day, viz. Tuesday, the King conversed for the most part with Mr. Hudleston; Mr. Whitgrave, and his Mother, being employed in the discharge of their several duties towards his Majesty's accommodation, and safeguard below stairs. He was pleased to inquire how Roman Catholics lived under the present Usurped Government; Mr. Hudleston told him they were Persecuted on account both of their Religion and Loyalty; yet his Majesty should see they did not neglect the Duties of their Church; hereupon he carried him up Stairs, and shown him the Chapel, little, but neat and decent. The King looking respectfully upon the Altar, and regarding the Crucifix and Candlesticks upon it, said; He had an Altar, Crucifix and Silver Candlesticks of his own, till my Lord of Holland broke them, which (added the King) he hath now paid for. His Majesty spent likewise sometime in perusing Mr. Hudleston's Books, amongst which attentively reading a short Manuscript writ by Mr. Richard Hudleston, a Benedictine Monk, Entitled, A Short and Plain Way to the Faith and Church; He expressed his Sentiments of it in these positive Words. I have not seen any thing more plain and clear upon this Subject. The Arguments here drawn from Succession, are so conclusive; I do not conceive how they can be denied. He also took a view of Mr. Turbervill's Catechism, and said, it was a pretty Book, and he would take it along with him.  
This afternoon a Party of the Rebels unexpectedly came to search Moseley for Mr. Whitgrave; their approach was timely discovered, and a Servant came running up Stairs towards the Chamber where the King lay, and cried out Soldiers, Soldiers are coming; upon this Alarm the King was immediately conveyed by Mr. Whitgrave into the Private place, or Receptacle before mentioned, which always stood open and ready in case of contingencies for his Majesty's Retreat. And Mr. Whitgrave to prevent farther search, and thereby to secure the King from hazard of Discovery, generously went down, and exposed himself to the sight and sury of the Soldiers, who violently seized upon him, and would have hurried him to Prison, as a Person engaged for the King in Worcester Fight; but he assured them he had been a long time sick and infirm at home, and called in the Neighbours to attest the same, wherefore after much dispute, they at length let him go and departed. When they had quitted the Town and not before, Mr. Whitgrave returned, and with Mr. Hudleston, helped the King out of his Confinement, and attended him in his Chamber. Mr. Hudleston knew the King was acquainted with his Character and Function, and consequently also of his being obnoctious to the Sanguinary Laws, and therefore said, Your Majesty is in some sort in the same condition with me now, liable to dangers and perils, but I hope God that brought you hither, will preserve you here. And that You will be as safe in this place, as in any Castle of Your Dominions.  
The King addressing himself both to Mr. Whitgrave and Mr. Hudleston, Replied, If it please God I come to my Crown, both you, and all of your Persuasion, shall have as much liberty as any of my Subjects.  
It is now Tuesday Night, and the hour of His Majesty's departure from Moseley approaches. At twelve a Clock Mr. Whitgrave informed his Majesty that Colonel Lane attended at the place appointed, with the Horses to conduct him to Bentley. His Majesty then with all the resentments of Kindness and Gratitude for their Fidelity, and indefatigable care, day and night in his Service, bid adieu to Mr. Whitgrave, his Mother, and Mr. Hudleston; they kneeling down, begged his Majesty's pardon for any mistakes they might have committed through ignorance or inadvertency in discharge of their Duty. And thus accompanied by Mr. Whitgrave and Mr. Hudleston, the King went down to the corner of the Orchard, where the Colonel expected with the Horses, Mr. Hudleston reflecting on the coldness of the season, and thinness of his Majesty's Disguise, humbly implored he would vouchsafe to accept of his Cloak for a Protection from the severity of the Wether. The King put it on; Then again they all making their Obeisance, and with tears imploring the Divine Goodness for his Majesty's safeguard, the King mounted, and came that Night to Bentley. From whence by means of the above mentioned Pass of Mistress Lane, he escaped under the notion of her Servant out of the Country and Nation, remaining b●yond the Seas till the time of hi● no less wonderful Restauration.  
This is the sum of the signal Preservation of the Sacred Life and Person of our late Sovereign Lord King Charles II. at Moseley, wherein the Almighty Hand of God is clearly manifest, not only in the Preservation itself, but also in effecting the same by Means so weak, and disproportionable to the End. To him be Honour and Glory for ever. Amen.  


Thomas Whitgrave,  
John Hudleston.    
FINIS.