The Copy of a LETTER From ALISBURY.  
Directed to Colonel Hampden, Colonel Goodwin, and read in both Houses of Parliament, May 18. 1643.  
Relating how his Majesty hath sent 12 or 1400 of his Forces, under the Command of the Earl of Cleveland, the Lord Shandosse, the Lord Crayford, and Sir john Byron, into those parts, who amongst many other cruelties fired a Country Town called Swanborne, in seven places, Murdered divers, and amongst the rest one Woman big with Child was cut in pieces by them.  
With An Ordinance concerning the Archbishop of Canterbury.  

Die jovis, Maii 18 1643  
ORdered by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, that this Letter be forthwith Printed and Published.  
john Browne Cler. Parliamentor.   
LONDON, May 19 Printed for john Wright in the Old Bailey. 1643.   

THE Copy of a Letter from AILESBURY directed to Colonel Hampden, Colonel Goodwin, and read in both Houses of Parliament, May 18. 1643.  
WE cannot but acquaint you, that you may make it known to the House of Commons, if you please, in what miserable condition this County is at this time, the King hath sent into these parts about 12. or 1400. of his Forces, commanded as we are informed by the Earl of Cleaveland, who is accompanied with the Lord Shandose, the Lord crawford, Sir John Byron, and others of Note, who according to the known Law of the Land, pillage and plunder all the Towns where they come, they murder our neighbours that make but any defence to preserve their goods, one woman (amongst the rest) big with child, who could make no great resistance, they cut in pieces, what household-goods they cannot carry away▪ they sweep clean divers of our pastures, leaving no Cattles behind them, and that no cruelty might be left unexercised by them, they have this day fired a Country Village called Swanbourne, in 7. places of the Town, for no other reason but because they were not willing to be plundered of all they had, and guarded the fire so carefully with all their forces divided into several parts, that no neighbours durst adventure to come to quench it, all the while it burned our Forces in this Garrison consisting only of Foot, saving one troop of Horse, we were not able to encounter with the Enemy, nor relieve our neighbours thus despoiled, but yet to interrupt that, which to them is a sport, we drew out some Forces in their sight as far as with safety we could, whereby they have not acted this day all the mischief they intended to execute before night, but what they have left undone to day, we expect they will ere they leave us, make up, for they are now so strong that they quarter at Buckingham & where they please, in those parts without resistance. We wish the Parliaments Army were so accommodated, that this Country (which hath hitherto been, and yet is most ready to serve & obey the Orders of the Houses) might not be destroyed and made utterly unable to contribute unto it, before we can be relieved by it, but relying upon God's providence, and the best means which may be afforded to preserve us, we rest  
Ailesbury 16. May, 1645. Your very loving Friends to serve you 

John Wittewrong,  
Tho. tyrril.     

Die Martis, 16. Maii, 1643.  
WHereas William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, standeth Impeached in this present Parliament for High Treason, and for divers other great offences and misdemeanours, and by reason of many great and weighty businesses he cannot yet be brought to trial for the said offences and misdemeanours, and he in respect of his said Archbishopprick of Ganterbury, hath power to give and Collate fit Clerks divers Parsonages, Vicaridges, prebend's, and other Ecclesiastical promotions and preferments, and if any of them should become void, and he left to prefer whom he please to the any, the same may prove very inconvenient, he bestowing them upon unfit and unworthy persons; Be it therefore Ordered and Ordained, by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament, that in case any of the foresaid Parsonages, Vicaridges, prebend's, or other Ecclesiastical promotions or preferments now be, or shall hereafter and before the trial of the said Lord Archbishop become void, that the said Lord Archbishop of Canterbury shall forbear to present or Collate any person or persons thereunto, without the leave and Order of both Houses of Parliament: And it is further Ordered and Ordained, that the said Lord Archbishop shall from time to time until his said trial, present and Collate such fit person or persons, to every such Parsonage, Vicarage, Prebend and other Ecclesiastical preferment as aforesaid, which now are, or hereafter before his said trial shall become void, as by both Houses of Parliament shall be nominated and apppointed. And it is further Ordered by the said Lords and Commons in Parliament, that all Archdeacon's, Registers, and other Officers, Ministers, and persons whatsoever, shall forbear to give or make any Admission, Institution, Collation, or Induction of any person or persons whatsoever, which by the said Archbishop shall be presented, in or to any such Parsonage, Vicarage, Prebend, or other Ecclesiastical preferment, other than such person and persons as shall be nominated and apppointed by both Houses of Parliament as aforesaid. And it is lastly Ordered, that the said Lord Archbishop, and the Churchwardens of every Parish and other Officers of the Church, where any Parsonage, Viccaridge, Prebend, or other Ecclesiastical promotions or preferments, in the Donation or gift of the said Archbishop is, shall within two months after the respective avoidance thereof, give notice of such avoidance to the Lord Speaker of the House of Peérs for the time being.  
john Browne Cler. Parliamentorum.   
FINIS.