A GREAT FIGHT AT chepstow Castle in the West of England, betwixt the Forces under the command of Lieutenant Gen. Cromwell, and the Cavaliers commanded by Sir William Kelmish, Governor of the said Castle, and the number slain on both sides. Also an exact Relation of the late Skirmish at White-Hall upon Tuesday last, May 16. between the Parliaments Forces, and the Inhabitants of Surrey, with the manner of their beginning, and occasion thereof. Together with a List of the number that were slain and taken prisoners on both sides. Likewise, a great Rout in Northumberland, and the full particulars thereof. C R printer's or publisher's device MAY 18 th'. London, Printed for R. Williamson. MDCXLVIII. An exact RELATION OF The late Fight at Chepstow Castle, betwixr the Force under the command of Lieutenant General Cromwell, and the Cavaliers commanded by Sir William Kemish. SIR, OUr Forces are advanced as far as Chepstow, and Orders and Instructions are given out by the Lieut. Gen. to the Party designed for the blocking up of the Castle, and the reducing of it to the obedience and subjection of Parliament. Our quarters are appointed, and we have cut off several passages for the hindering of provisions from going to the Castle. We draw nearer and nearer to the Walls, and receive many volleys of shot from them, and they from us. But at our first coming hither, the Lieutenant General sent in a summons to sir William Kemish, Governor of the said Castle, for the surrender thereof upon fair terms, but he most insolently refused the same, and hung forth his flag of defiance, who in stead of treating for surrendering in peace, acted a new posture for a second Engagement firing very fast from the Castle walls, but we soon quelled their courage, and made them leave shooting; for having taken a place of advantage near the Castle, Order was given, that a considerable party of Musketeers should be placed there, which was accordingly done, who played so violently upon the enemy that they made them pay deer for their peeping, and it is supposed divers were slain and wounded, both by the execution of the shot, and the flying of the stones: We ply them close, and keep strong Guards, and have not lost above two or three men; but we are informed, that their losle is far greater. It is supposed they cannot hold out long, and the rather, because the Governor hath sent out for a parley, but now it is too late, Sir, this is all from him, who remains Yours to serve you, R. W. From our Quarters near Chepstow this 13. of May, 1648. Letters from the North, declaring the manner of the routing and dispersing Sir Marmad. Langdales' Forces in the North, by the Parliaments Forces belonging to Sir Arthur Haslerig, Governor of Newcastle. SIR, THe Cavalry in these parts begin to grow very high both in their language and action, taking their progress up and down the Northern Counties, and a party of Langdales' men came and seized on the town of Morpeth, with an intent to garrison the same; but by the great vigilancy of our Governor hey were prevented, and their designs frustrated; for sir Ar●h●r Hasl●rig having notice thereof immediately sent forth a party of Horse and Foot, but the Enemy having notice of their coming, left the town, and betook themselves to their heels; but our party pusued them, and took six prisoners, the rest escaped. We hear that the Scots intent to have a Rand●v●us upon the 23 of this instant Ma●, and th●n to m●ke choice of a Lord General And from We … it is certified that the Enemy in those parts is very active; As for other particulars, I refer you to the i … sed Paper. New Propositions from the Kingdom of Scotland. 1. ALthough in the answer of April, 22. Which we received in writing from the Honourable Court of Parliament we are remitted to their Lordship's Declaration now printed and published therein to find satisfaction to our eight desires, presented to the Parliament March 22, and although these desires were such as were most agreeable to the word of God, and do highly concern the safety and security or religion, yet after diligent perusal of the said Deciaration of Parliament, we cannot find there in any of these our eight desires satisfied. 2. We find twice in the said Declaration a passage cited out of the Declaration of both Kingdoms, viz. That the not takers of the covenant are declared to be public enemies to Religion and Country, and to be punished as processed adversaries and malignants, etc. As the three breaches of Treaties infisted upon in the said Declaration are disputable, and not without controversy, so the three demands sent to the Parl. of England are of most dangerous consequence to Religion, so far as we are able to judge of them, or pry into them. And although we are real wellwishers to his Maj▪ honour, freedom, and safety, in such a way as may not be inconsistent with the safety and security of Religion; yet the demand of his Maj. coming with honour freedom and safety to some of his houses in or near London before security had from him, yea before application to be made to him by his Parliaments, for settling Religion according to to the Covenant, we conceive to be not only a postponing to the Kings, but an apparent hazard of the subversion of all the Ends of the Covenant; considering, that the Army being disbanded, and his Majesty under no restraint, being restored with honour, freedom, and safety, may gather new strength with the Popish, Prelatical, and malignant party, for hindering the settling of Religion & peace according to the Covenant, which we have the more reason to apprehend, his Majesty still retaining his old principles and having not long since professed and declared that he is obliged in conscience to improve th●t power which God shall put in his hands for the establishing of Episcopacy. 4 There are in the said Deelaration divers particulars highly concerning Religion determined and resolved upon without the advice and consent of the General Assembly, or their Commishoners which is a great prejudice to the just interest and liberties of the Ki●k. 5 We do find in the said Declaration all lawful and possible ways of peace and namely by Treaties which method we conceive to be necessary as well by common and natural equity, as by the Word of God and especially between two Kingdoms united by Solemn Covenant. 6. The Declaration holds forth no resolution of Parliament for opposing and suppresling of the Popish, Prelatical, or Malignant party if they rise again in Arms▪ but only against associating or joining forces with them, and not so much as that except with limitations in case they be refusers to swear and subscribe the Covenant, and in case the rise in Arms to oppose and obstruct all, or any one of the ends of the Covenant. Whereas it may be easily foreseen, that if the Popish Prelatical or Malignant party rise again in Arms in England they cannot only conceal their intentions against the end of the Coyenant, but also be easily exempted from being reckoned refusers of the Covenant, the Covenant not being now imposed upon them; and being once suffered to rise in Arms (as some are already) may grow so strong, as that it will be very hard and difficult to suppress them. 7 Whereas we have insisted for satisfaction to our consclences, concerning the persons to be entrusted with the managing of the war, and that none may be employed in Committees and Armies but such as have given constant proof of their integrity and faithfulness. Finally, as we neither were, nor are against an Engagement, if once satisfied in the grounds of undertaking, and manner of proceeding, and the other particulars expressed in our papers; so for the reasons before mentioned and divers others fully exprested in our Representation upon the Declaration, we judge the present Engagement, as it is stated unlawful: and trust that all the well-affected in the Kingdom, will make conscience of their solemn Vows. A. Ker. The particular relation of the skirmishing at Westminster, upon Tuesday last May 16. 1648. Upon Tuesday last being the 16. of this instant May, divers of the Inhabitants of Surry, and Borough of Southwark, came unto the Parl. & presented a Petition, in the name of the Knights, Gentry and Inhabitants of the County of Surrey. The Petition was received, and thanks, with an answer that the Parl. would take their Petition into consideration with all convenient speed, etc. But divers of the pretended Petitioners grew very insolent, and said they would have an answer presently; threatening the Parl. openly in Westminst. Hall, saying that if they had not a more satisfactory answer then the Essex men, they would fall upon the Parl. and pull them out of the house. Whereupon the soldiers fired at them, & forced them to retreat away; the Horse from the Mews charged them likewise, forcing some to fly one way, and some another; many of them were wounded, and some slain. A List of those that were slain and taken prisoners. Slain of the Surrey party. Mr. Baxter, with 7. others. Wounded. Mr. Hudston of Southwark, and Mr. Lock, with about 30 others were wounded. About 30 Prisoners taken. Some Watermen were accidentally wounded, and two of them slain. Of the Parliament soldiers 2 were slain, none hurt except an Officer of horse who was accidentally wounded by the shot of a pistol. This combustion in a short time was quite appeased, & the Gentry of the Country in all this (for the most part) behaved themselves with moderation. Imprimatur G. M. FINIS.