THE TRUE COPY OF A LETTER WRITTEN By Captain Wingate, now Prisoner in Ludlow, taken by the Malignant Party, in the late Battle fought at Worcester; and sent to a Member of the Honble house of Commons.  
Setting forth The inhuman, barbarous and savage Cruelties towards him, and how he was compelled to ride through the Army naked: with his Resolution to die in the PARLIAMENTS Cause.  
Whereunto is added The King's Majesty's Speech at Shrewsbury, on Michaelmas Eve last, to the Gentry and Commons of the County of SALLOP, there assembled.  
LONDON, Printed for WILLIAM LEY, at Paul's-chain. October, the 7 th'. MDCXLII.   

The true Copy of a Letter, written by Captain WINGATE, now prisoner in Ludlow; taken by the Malignant party, in the late Battle fought at Worcester, and sent to a Worthy Member of the Honourable House of Commons: setting forth the Inhuman, Barbarous, and Savage Cruelties towards him and some other Prisoners, also taken by the said Malignants, and his resolution to die in the Parliaments cause.  
SIR:  
MY unfortunate estate and sorrowful condition, into which I am now plunged, maketh me almost uncapable of writing the true sense thereof. But ever having found you a constant and faithful friend to me in time of prosperity, and opportunity now favouring me, by God's mercy I am encouraged, in what measure I am able, to acquaint you with my sufferings, hoping you will so fare condole with me my misfortunes, as to present them on my behalf to the Honourable House of Commons.  
When I came from Oxford with that worthy Commander Colonel Sands (whose unfortunate death I much lament) under Colonel Brown, our Commander in Chiele, to Worcester, we had a long and doubtful skirmish, which I verily persuade myself is already made known both to the High Court of Parliament, and most part of the Kingdom. Therefore I forbear to mention any thing further touching the same, but only to inform you of mine own particular sufferings since I have been in their barbarous custody.  
When I was by them brought into Worcester, I was brought before Prince Robert, and Lord Maurice his Brother, and some other of their Commanders, and was with much scornful and opprobrious reproach examined the cause of my resistance against the King's Majesty, my Liege Lord and Sovereign; To which I answered; I never resisted or attempted to do any thing against His Majesty's Person or lawful commands joined with consent of his great Council, both Houses of Parliament, whose Edicts and Ordinances I conceived (so long as they tended to the preservation of His Majesty's Person, Honour and Dignity, and peace of His Majesty's Kingdoms, and establishment of Religion) ought to be observed and obeyed. Then was I demanded if the Parliament command one thing, and His Majesty expressly commands the contrary, whether I ought not to obey the King before the Parliament. To which I answered, that I conceived the High Court of Parliament being the representative body of the whole Kingdom, and so the greatest Council, and elected of the choicest and learnedst persons in the Kingdom, and so the wisest; of the most aged and experienced members, and so the greatest could best judge of the affairs, and of such Laws and ordinances which might most tend to the safety and tranquillity of this State and Commonwealth. Therefore I conceived I ought in conscience to obey their commands; In which opinion I resolve to live and die; and now I am fallen into your hands, I must submit myself to your mercy or cruelty, either of which shall be welcome to me for the manifestation of my loyalty to both King and Parliament conjunctly, but not divided.  
The Prince was much enraged at my so peremptory answers, calling me Parliament-dog, Round-head, and the like, and if I had the gift of patience to suffer, I should in short time be made a rare Martyr. To which I answered, Gods will be done: Then was I commanded out of his presence, and kept in safe custody, till further order from him, giving command for present preparation for all his soldiers to leave the Town, and advance towards Ludlow, where Prince Charles keeps his Court, and to leave behind them Colonel Brown, Colonel Sands, and Captain Berry, being sore wounded that they could not go along with them without danger of death.  
About three of the clock in the morning they went from the Town, having bound my hands-behind me, commanding me to be set on horseback, and bound to the horse, and to ride before them, only one Trooper before, and one on each side me for my guard, who road with their Pistols in their hands ready charged, turning them often towards me, swearing dam them, and perish them (if I would not turn on the King's side) they would shoot me to the heart, to which I answered nothing, but that time should make known my further intention.  
Being come about five or six miles from Worcester, beginning to be daylight, command was gsven by Prince Robert, that unless I would presently renounce the cause that I endeavoured to defend on the behalf of the Parliament, and declare that I conceived their Proceed to be against the Laws of the Land, and dishonourable to the King, I should be presently stripped out of all my garments, and ride bound naked before them to Ludlow; which I refusing to do, was most barbarously and inhumanely according to the Princes command effected. The scornful reproaches of those wicked Miscreants which I in that way sustained did not trouble nor d●nt my mind so much, as the harm and cold I caught by the weather being sharp, injured my Body.  
Then coming to Ludlow, after they had exercised themselves with reviling and scorning of me, causing me so to ride through the Town, command was given I should be taken off my horse and my clothes put on and brought before Prince Robert, who in a reviling manner asked me if I had learned to bear and suffer, and if I would not yet recant and turn to them, they would proceed to judgement against me, with the cruelest torments they could devise to put me to death, giving me ten day's liberty to consider with myself and return my full Resolution at the time prefixed, commanding me to be again put into Prison, and to be allowed necessary meat and drink for preservation of my health, that thereby if I would join with them I might be the better able to do them service.  
Some other Prisoners which here they have also put into a close Prison, using them in the extremest cruelty that may be devised, allowing them only bread and warer for their sustentation, and so little, that if they long continue there, they will be starved to death.  
Thus (Sir) having rudely given you to understand my present estate at this time, having opportunlty, and obtained so much favour of the Keeper of the Prison, being somewhat well affected to the proceed of the Parliament, but constrained to execute that place, who provided me of a trusty friend that I might confide in to deliver you this Letter, which if I shall be so happy before my death (which I expect at the day appointed as to hear that you have received my Letter, I shall be glad; for no tortures, torments or savage cruelties with God's assistance shall alter or change my Loyalty to that grand and grave Senate the High Court of Parliament.  
Thus hoping you will present my sufferings accordingly, and praying that God of his infinite mercy will be graciously pleased to prosper and protect the Proceed of the high Court of Parliament, to the preservation of Peace, establishing of Religion, defending of the Liberties and Privileges of Parliament, and of the Subject, and inthronizing his Majesty with honour and dignity, and his Posterity successively, to the joy of all true hearted Subjects.  
From Ludlow Castle, October 1. 1642. Your observant friend, and a most doleful Prisoner, Capt. WINGATE.  
FINIS.   

HIS MAJESTY'S SPEECH at SHREWSBURY on MICHAELMAS Eve last, to the Gentry and Commons of the County of salop, there assembled.  
GENTLEMEN;  
IT is some benefit to me from the Insolences, and misfortunes which have driven me abont, that they have brought me to so good a part of my Kingdom, and to so faithful a part of my people; I hope neither you nor I shall repent my coming hither; I will do my part that you may not: And of you, I was confident before I came: the residence of an Army is not usually pleasant to any place, and mine may carry more fear with it, since it may be thought (being Rob and spoiled of all my own, and such terror used to fright and keep all men from supplying me) I must only live upon the aid and relief of my people; but be not afraid, I would to God my poor Subjects suffered no more by the Insolence and violence of that Army raised against me (though they have made themselves wanton even with plentis, than you shall do by mine, and yet I fear I cannot prevent all disorders; I will do my best; and this I'll promise you, no man shall be a loser by 〈◊〉 if I can help it; I have sent hither for a Mint, and will melt down all my own Plate, and expose my Land to sale or mortgage, that if it be possible I may bring the least pressure upon you. In the mean time I have summoned you hither to invite you to do that for me and yourselves, for the maintenance of your Religion, the law of the Land (by which you enjoy all that you have) which other men do against Us: Do not suffer so good a cause to be lost for want of supplying me with that, which will be taken from you by those who pursue me with this violence, and whilst these ill men sacrifice their money Plate and utmost industry to destroy the Common wealth, be you no less liberal to preserve it. And assure yourselves if it please God to bless me with success I shall remember the particular assistance every man here gives me to his advantage: However, it will hereafter (how furiously the minds of men are now possessed) be honour and comfort to you, that with some charge and trouble to yourselves, you did your part to support your King and preserve the Kingdom.  
I desire M. Sheriff, and the rest of the Gentlemen, to distribute themselves in that Method, that they may best receive the expressions which you shall make of your best affections, the which I will have particularly presented to me.