A FULL RELATION OF THE Desperate Design Of the Malignants, for the betraying of MONMOUTH Town and Castle:  
With the particular manner of the Discovery thereof by Sir Trevor Williams, and the means used to prevent it by Col. Morgen and Lieut. Col. Kerle. And divers malignant families thereupon by Proclamation put out of the said Town.  
Also, how Lieut. col. Kerle fell into the enemy's Quarters near Hereford, and took divers Prisoners Horse, and Arms.  
LIKEWISE, A copy of Col. Sandys Letter of the manner of taking Shelford house, 140. of the enemy put to the Sword, the Governor wounded, and 30 Officers and common prisoners taken.  
Published by special command.  
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Bates, at the sign of the Maidenhead on Snow-hill, Holborn conduit, 1645.   

SIR,  
ACcording to your desire I shall acquaint you with the passages in these parts, Lieut. Col. Kerle being commanded from Chepstow by Col. Morgan to go with a party of horse into Monmouthshire to fall upon a party of 800 horse of Washingtons', which he pursued three days and three nights, until such time as he drove them over the River some fix miles above Hereford. Whereupon he returned to Chepstow and desired the Governor of Gloucester and Sir Trevor Williams that they would draw all their forces together out of Chepstow, and the county of Monntouth, before Monmouth, and he would engage his life, within three days the Town and Castle should be surrendered. Upon the 20 past they drew before it with horse and foot; a forlorn hope being drawn out of 600 Musketeers was commanded by Lieut. col. Kerle. The enemy seeing him come so strong upon them, and knowing that he commanded the party left the Town and fled into the Castle; whereupon the governor of Gloucester and Sir Trevor Williams came instantly into the Town, called a council of War, and did advise with the rest of their Officers whether they should fall upon the Castle instantly or not; but taking into consideration that they had miners in the Forest sent for them, put them to work the same day, and on Thursday following they had made all things ready. The enemy within the Castle finding the minors had made the mines ready to spring, called a council of War within, themselves the 23 received intelligence that the enemy had six mines ready to be sprung and thought good upon good quarter to deliver up the castle, which they did on Friday, and on Saturday morning the Governor marched to Gloucester with all his foot, leaving only 100 in the Castle under the command of Capt. Foster, and the Town to Sir Trevor William's charge, the country assisting him in that service. The Governor had no sooner gone for Gloucester, but the country (being instigated by some malignants in the Town) began to draw homewards, and told Sir Trevor Williams plainly that they did not come to keep garrisons, and they departed the same night every man to his own home, leaving the Town destitute of strength. Whereupon Sir Trevor Williams desired Captain Foster he might have the assistance of his men to keep the Town; but he having the charge of the castle thought it not his duty to forsake that, but resolved to keep it to the utmost hazard of his life and fortune. Thereupon Sir Trevor Willians seeing the danger he was in (Ragland castle being within seven miles of it) and the malignants gathering together, and giving out words that the Town would be their own by morning sent a post to the Governor of Gloucester to acquaint him, and also to the Forest of Deane, for present supply, whereupon Lieut. col. Kerle and Cap. Gainsford came at 12 a clock that night with 200 men, and before 12 a clock next day with 500 more, who guarded the Town till the Governor had sent 200 commanded men of Gloucester for the keeping thereof. The garrison of Monmouth being put into a posture of defence and the malignants design prevented Proclamation was made by Sir Trevor Williams and Lieut. col. Kerle, that upon Monday following those people that were suspected to be against the Parliament should departed the Town, upon pain of death, whereupon divers families of malignants were put out. The Town thus secured Lieut. col. Kerle the same day marched with his Troop towards Hereford, and that night fell upon the enemy's quarters within two miles of Hereford, took 8 prisoners and ten horse, without the loss of a man. And the Governor of Gloucester being commanded for Chester with his horse appointed the said Lieut. col. Kerle to be an assistant to Sir Trevor Williams, for the better security and safety thereof. And thus this desperate design of the malignants, who would again have enslaved this Town and country to the malice of the enemy, to the undoing of many well-affected persons who had declared themselves for the Parliament, was by Divine providence discovered and prevented. Let God have the glory of all. So rests,  
Yours assured, C. W. Monmouth, Novem. 4. 1645.   

SIR,  
I Suppose you have a particular relation of this day's service, but thus much from your friend: We assaulted Shelford house this day about four of the clock, it was defended galiantly, and disputed half an hour at Swords point after we got to the top of the works, but our men growing faint, I dismounted, and being assisted by some Troopers that dismounted with me, stormed, and was one of the first that entered in. We killed about 140. and gave quarter to about 30. the Governor (son to the Earl of Chesterfield) received many wounds, and I believe some mortal, but I coming in gave him a longer time to repent (for he is not likely to live,) We are to morrow for Worton, I trust God will go along with us. The King is yet in Newarke, and cannot probably escape. The two Princes with their party about Belvoyr, & keep guards against Newarke, and do hostile acts on the King's party  
Novemb. 3. 9 at night. Your servant, Richard Sandys.   
FINIS.