THE TAKING OF Winchester BY THE Parliaments Forces.  
As also The surrendering up of the Castle.  
Wherein they took two Regiments of the Cavalleres that were under the command of the Lord Grandison.  
By I. W. an eye witness.  Rev. 16. 16. 
And they gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.  Rev. 18. 2. 
And he cried mightily, with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great to fallen, and is become the habitation of Devils: and the hold of every foul Spirit and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.  
London, Printed for the author. 1642.   

To the Right worshipful Master Thomas Clarke, and Master Thomas Cart, bailiffs of TEUKSBURIE: And To Master William Wilson, Master William Croste, Master Thomas Hale, Mr. Theoph: Ally Mr. John Millington, Mr. Henry Lane, Mr. Thomas Clarke junior, Mr. Edward Phelps; and to all the rest of the well affected to King and Parliament there: John Ward wisheth true peace and freedom here, and ete●●●l felicity hereafter.  
RIght worshipful, and the rest of my friends and acquaintance, I here present you with a short Relation of the taking of Winchester; which is (though easily accomplished, yet) worth the hearing. I confess these are not times for men to spend in writing or reading Histories: But this being matter of discouragement to the foe, and of great encouragement to us, I thought good to divulge: and so much the rather, because I know it hath been published already by a false copy, which mentions the enemies issuing out of the City to meet us; which is no such matter, and deserveth a check rather than approbation. Worthy Gentlemen, the respect and duty that I owe to you all, doth enforce me to make this Dedication to you, knowing you all to be Patrons to all virtuous actions, in the town where I was borne, and wellwishers to me: and therefore I presume, that though it be but slenderly composed, (the Subject being a known truth, and I your native countryman as well in affection as by birth) you will with the more tenderness pass by any blur committed in the penning thereof, and censure more favourably of my blunt and weak expressions. And no question but that you (setting Winchester before you for an example) will with the more courage and unwearied resolution defend your (yet unplundered) Corporation from the barbarous cruelty, and from the ambitious pride and insolency of so destructive an enemy; who if he once enters will leave you nothing to take pleasure in, but the ruins of an once flourishing Corporation. Thus barring compliments, I remain your must affectionate and faithful friend,  
John Ward.   

The Argument.  
MArleborough plundered: th'enemy  
To Andever, and Wantwich high.  
The reasons why, at Wantwich they  
Suffered the foe to runaway.  
Their sudden march to Andever:  
The foes remove to Winchester.  
Our forces follow, without stay:  
What accidents fell out byth' way.  
The Townsmen keep them out, but yet  
They run for't, when they come to fight.  
Our Army enters: but the foe  
For safety, does to'th Castle go.  
But being destitute of aid,  
To end the quarrel they assayed.  
Quarter is given, the chiefest guests  
They prisoners keep; let go the rest.  
The town is pillaged, but all  
The worst doe on the Clergy fall.  
The fair cathedral peeled they then;  
Undid the Priests and singingmen.  
Some things amiss he wishes mended.  
And so the Comedy is ended.   

The taking of Winchester.  
WHen Redding could no longer entertain  
Our enemies, and they were forced again  
To march away; lest meager Famine should  
Their haughty spirits (Pined with want) new mould:  
Into three parts they did themselves divide;  
One part in Redding stayed, another hied  
To Oxford, and to Marleborough the third:  
At whose feared presence all the Country stirred.  
Yet they with much ado entered the town,  
Having first burnt some of their houses down.  
That trusty town they plundered in a rage,  
'Cause they opposed them; that ('tis thought) an age  
Of years can hardly ever it repair,  
To make it half so flourishing, and fair.  
This heavy news soon to the general's ear  
Was brought, by some that did inhabit there;  
Who being moved at the relation, sent  
Well near four thousand horse incontinent,  
T'encounter with the thieves; and ere that we  
Had Marched two days, the spoiling enemy  
We had espied, one part of them; for they  
Divided were after they took the prey.  
To Wantwich this part went, when we had ta'en  
(Had we made better haste) both horse and man.  
But being dark, and wet, and late i'th' night,  
We could not close them in, nor could we fight.  
Besides, we wanted good instructions too,  
And for the present knew not what to do.  
These lets gave th'enemy a large occasion  
To get without the reach of our invasion,  
Ere we could reach the town; yet some we took,  
Poor ragged rogues, as ere eye on did look.  
A great deal of their plunder there they lost,  
And left behind, being in their journey crossed.  
Our men got horses there; there store of cloth,  
Some fine, some course, linen and woollen both.  
Thence sheets, and shirts, and pewter, and such gear,  
Our soldiers did upon their horse-backes bear.  
Thence we removed, and Marched to Andevere,  
A base malignant Corporation; where  
The other part of Rebels did reside,  
Who having notice durst no longer bide  
In that poor naked town, but Marched away,  
Hearing of our approach that Sabbath day.  
There quartered we two nights: the morrow after  
Were our dragoons sent three miles off to quarter,  
twixt that and Winchester: (for thither all  
The Cavalleres were gone, both great and small,)  
That so they with less difficulty might  
Be drawn out, if occasion served to fight.  
That night our foes gave counsel some should arm,  
With winged speed, to give us an alarm.  
Two hundred of their men that were best horsed,  
For speed and sureness, presently rode post,  
To strike th'alarum up, at Andever,  
To force us to our arms, and to strike fear  
Into our Army: but before they come  
To Andever, they understood that some  
Of our men quartered by the way; and stayed  
And to improve the least advantage' said.  
Our careless men all being fast asleep,  
No Spies sent out, no Court of Guard did keep;  
Not one of them stood sentry; th'enemy  
Did well approve of their security;  
Rushed in upon them, snorting in their nest,  
As swift as thought, slew some, and took the rest:  
Some two or three they slew; an hundred more  
They prisoners took, and drove them on before.  
As fast as they could scour it, back again  
To Winchester they hied with might and main.  
By this time we, though ignorant of all  
The hardship that our fellows did befall,  
Roused up betimes that morning, were prepared  
To follow our design Winchester ward:  
Both heaven and earth favoured our enterprise,  
Both did assist us'gainst our enemies.  
Aurora bravely did her beams display,  
And friendly Sol presaged a glorious day.  
Me thoughts the Sun stood still, or else our steeds  
Posted that time with more than common speeds.  
No cowards then, none stayed behind for fear,  
But all strove which of them should first come there.  
And hearing what the enemy had done,  
That stirred new fire, and drew new fury on.  
Over the pleasant downs they scoured a pace,  
As every steed had been of Phoebus' race.  
Ground of our foes we got, which made them mad  
To lose the prizners which before they had.  
As many then, as haste would suffer them  
To kill, they slew, turned up the rest again.  
By means whereof, they (marching on so fast)  
Regained the town, and all their business cast.  
Ere we approached the walls, the Cavaliers  
Made haste, and got the Castle o'er their ears,  
And carried as much luggage thither too,  
As so much time permitted them to do.  
Most of the chief malignant's in the town,  
And Gentry of the country up and down,  
(Whereof that Countries almost all composed,  
Or else of such as with their actions closed,)  
Took sanctuary there, and took upon them  
To guard it, so that none should take it from them.  
The Citizens took on them to defend  
The City walls; the Castilians did depend  
Upon the townsmen's promise, and to speak  
The truth, they did their best, but were too weak.  
No sooner had the enemy possessed  
Himself o'th' town, but straight our forces pressed  
Near to the walls, where the base City band  
Of trained men their entrance did withstand.  
There is a ditch much like a more, but dry  
Without the walls, which helps to fortify  
The traitorous town, there our dragoons did stand,  
And like themselves, defied the City band.  
A breach was in the wall, through which our men  
With near two hundred bullets greeted them;  
Who being seldom used to such hot cheer  
For breakfast, as our soldiers showed them there,  
Pledged them with half a score, and near upon  
Such a small parcel from the Castle come.  
Mean while our men the second time gave fire,  
Which made the cowardly enemy retire:  
Whereat our youths impatient of delay,  
Through the ditch up to the wall made way;  
On hoys'de another up, the breach to scale,  
Where they their conquering swords did flourish all.  
The townsmen being so poorly overcome,  
Ran all away each to his proper home,  
Threw off their arms, their weapons laid aside  
In some by-place, where they might not be spied.  
Stood jetting in their doors in peaceful tire,  
As if that they to war had no desire.  
This while our men within took pains to let  
The horsemen in, that they might scour the street,  
Which done, some feared lest that the cavaliers  
Might send some private bullets'bout their ears.  
And slyly cut them off as they should enter,  
'Mongst whom some ch●ef● Commanders feared to venture;  
But yet the army stood in general  
To enter, whatsoever did them befall,  
Which made the rest more forwardly appear,  
Fearing lest they should lose their credit there.  
First noble Bedford's regiment began  
To lead the way, resolving every man  
Either to take the town, or in pursuit  
Thereof, to die, lawfully called too're:  
The rest in order marched by degrees  
Till all were got within the liberties.  
Unto the silent Forum, Marched we than  
In triumph not opposed by any man.  
There we our conquering ensigns did advance  
A dismal sight to the inhabitants.  
Then those that did oppose us-most before,  
Did as our vassals stand: as if none more  
Desired our presence; None so diligent  
As they, to give the soldier's content.  
With bread, cheese, beef, one waits; another stands  
With beer; glad they'll accept on't at their hands:  
And happy's he that first hath spent his store,  
To run the sooner to procure them more.  
As soon then as the streets were all made clear,  
Strong Courts of guard, and sentries everywhere  
Were placed to keep all passages, that none  
Might pass without good information.  
That day, and all that night, next morning we  
The Castle thought t'assault, when presently  
The enemy to our commanders sent  
T'entreat a parley, whereto they gave consent.  
Upon which parley it was concluded on  
To yield up their commanders every one  
To us for prisoners, and the soldiers they  
Must only with their lives escape away:  
Their horses, arms, and money was to be  
Disposed of to be our soldiers see.  
But crafty Machivilians, they had gone  
Knowing themselves vanquished and o'er come,  
And set their colours all of them on fire  
Belonging to both regiments entire:  
Rich fringe of gold, that lately compassed round  
Rome's gorgeous ensigns lay upon the ground;  
Envying that our men should triumph o'er  
Them with those flags they flourished with before.  
'Twas death to them poor envious men to see  
Their ruin made for our posterity.  
There their chiefest honour in the ashes lies,  
The rest our soldiers challenged for a prize.  
That morning all, till after noon were we  
Employed in plundering of the enemy.  
There our dragoons, whose horses were so bad  
Got better steeds than many troopers had:  
Rich scarlet coats, and suits, and rockets, they  
That got in first, seized on and took away:  
Fine Holland shirts, sheets, aprons, and such gear  
(Which they had robbed from Marleborough I fear)  
Their curious beavers, felts, bands, silver, gold,  
And more than my small knowledge can unfold:  
Brave slashing swords, and belts, and scarves they got,  
Rings, arms, Carbines, Boots, Pistols, (and what not?)  
This heat being past, our men went up and down  
To plunder base malignant's in the town.  
Then Meteers, draper's shops, went all to wrack.  
That at our entrance sought to keep us back;  
Or that conceived the smallest discontent,  
Against the vote for King and Parliament.  
(I wish the soldiers in their blundering zeal,  
Wronged not our own poor suffering Common weal.)  
Th'houses of Deans, and Prebends suffered much,  
Who ever scaped, they surely got a touch:  
There many black coats got a desperate f●ll,  
But chiefly those, men styled canonical:  
They made such work with them, and with their wive●,  
That some were almost weary of their lives.  
Borrowed so many mourning cloaks, suits, gowns,  
And petticoats, that half a dozen towns  
Do hardly so much clothe and silks afford,  
To furnish them, as they before were stored.  
Whilst yet Revenge was reeking hot, before  
Their hands were cold, and heat of blood was o'er,  
They sound the Minster our, (with much ado,  
Such strange Meanders do belong thereto.)  
A stately thing it is, and beautified  
With many curious S●atues too besi●e.  
The Pope himself before this time had ne'er  
So many superstitious Rites as there.  
But now theyare so demolished in that town,  
That now, if ever; Popery go●s down.  
Into the great Sanctorum entered they  
Where hallowed things, unseen this many a day▪  
They to the public view discovered,  
And made as common as th'innkeeper's bed.  
Th'Organs uncased, that every one might see  
Whence they derived so sweet an harmony.  
So well they liked them, that they did presume  
Each man to take a Pipe, and play his tune.  
This was liked best: before they would not go  
Without a man to tune, and one to blow.  
But now each man may play his part at large,  
Well forecasted, and save the town the charge.  
Then to the Vestry orderly they go,  
Where they presented were with such a show  
Of brave laced Surplices, Hoods, Tippets, Plate,  
And pricksong books, that 'twould a man amate  
To see the sight: Cushions embroidered rich,  
With many a costly ceremonious stitch.  
They seize on all they light on, and divide  
This microcosm of rich cathedral pride.  
Nor are they so content: but vexed to see  
Their superstitious Shrines, run presently,  
Cut, slash, and hew them, face, legs, feet, and hands,  
There weston's (now deformed) Statue stands.  
The Churchmen by this means are all undone,  
In their old course they cannot now go on.  
The Singing man is broke: he mourns and grieves:  
What, Surplice too? ah sacrilegious thieves.  
They must perform their office piecemeal now,  
Not with their music, as they used to do.  
O sad distressed times! their tone is lost,  
Their vestments stolen; never were men so crossed.  
Their Temple is perpetually disgraced,  
And all the relics of their Saints defaced.  
The oldest man alive did never see  
A piece of Church work done so suddenly.  
Had but old Paul's been edified so soon,  
'T had never cost so much as now't hath done.  
And that which many have, and will bestow  
So ill on that, would pay poor soldiers now.  
Thus Winchester was taken, and those Frogs  
And poisonous vermin, haunting in those bogs,  
Left shelterlesse; their fortunes worn so slender,  
Small hopes they have there any more to gender.  
Thus two proud Regiments, than which the King  
None better had accoutered, did we bring  
Into subjection: thirteen Companies  
Accommodated well: a kingly prize,  
If well disposed of. Yea great Grandison  
Himself we took, though he were quickly gone.  
Thank some discreet Commanders, that h●ve wit  
Enough, but use it when themselves think fit,  
For their own private gain: though they undo  
Whole Cities, Armies, Countries, kingdoms too.  
Where e'er the treason lies, I hope 'twill be  
Known, to their cost in the discovery.  
Had he been guarded as a prisoner should,  
And horsed accordingly, though then he would  
Have given a kingdom for his liberty,  
He had not scaped our watchful soldiery.  
How quickly would our wars come to an end,  
Would all our Army their affections bend  
To truth and valour? But so many lewd,  
Perfidious spirits commonly intrude  
On such designs; so many, that no care  
Which way they take, nor on whose side they are.  
So that they get their pay, or come in favour,  
Or plunder countrymen of what they labour,  
And toil extremely for: and underneath  
That vizard of Malignants, can bereave  
Poor men of all their goods: and if they are  
Questioned, make answer, 'tis malignant's ware.  
Which custom causes many to neglect,  
The public good, for their own self-respect,  
And some Commanders, (or they are belied)  
Have done some things not to be justified.  
They slight the service: and when they should be  
Employed in routing of the enemy,  
theyare at their Wine, or Dice, or anywhere,  
So they can shift it off, and not be there:  
Only to spin out time, because they would  
Fain have the War prolonged, if they could.  
That so the public stock might fill their purse.  
They'll have enough on't one day with a curse.  
And some of them I'm sure, have showed such tricks  
That they have been in pay full twenty Weeks,  
Yet ne'er were in a skirmish: how can they  
(I wonder) have the conscience to take pay,  
And do no good, but hurt, burden the State,  
Live on the spoil, swear, domineer and prate?  
And look what mischief ere the soldiers do,  
They wink at, and them countenance thereto.  
Were this well looked to, and Commanders checked  
For their too much remissness, and neglect,  
And forced to ply their business, or give o'er  
Their places, and befool the State no more.  
Were every Master well examined too,  
That captains might not shuffle as they do,  
Nor use such close and base Legerdumaine,  
Cheating the State for their own private gain,  
The public charge would be the less, and we.  
Might sooner vanquish the proud enemy.  
Then might our hopes be greater; we might then  
So much the sooner expect peace again.  
Heaven then would bless our actions, yea and crown  
Our goings forth, with glory and renown.  
And when these wars are finished, and 〈◊〉 cease,  
Deck us with laurel, and confirm our peace.  
FINIS.