PROPOSITIONS FOR PEACE: Propounded by the Kings most Excellent Majesty, to the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, and to his Excellency Robert Earl of Essex, Lord general of the the true Protestant Army. Together with the Parliaments Answer thereunto. Also Welcome News from the earl of Bedford, Relating a great Overthrow lately given to the Marquis of Hartford, the said Marquis being dangerously wounded.  
 printer's device of Henry Seymour, featuring a bird flying upwards framed by sunbeams emerging from the centre of a cloud (not in McKerrow)  
LONDON: Printed for Henry Seymour, Septem. 27. 1642.   

VICTORIOVS news FROM The earl of Bedford.  
Declaring his Proceedings against the marquis of Hartford, the L. Pawlet, and the rest of the cavaliers, since their marching from Shereborn  
THe marquis of Hartford having information, that a great Number of fresh supplies were coming to aid and assist the Earl of Bedford, he forthwith resolved to propound these following particulars, which was to this effect.  

My Lords and Gentlemen,  
By divers Letters I am informed, that His Majesty is now going from Nottingham to Shrewsbury, and so to Worcester, where I am desired by divers Lords resident with His Majesty to withdraw my Forces from hence, and march towards Worcester, to join my Forces with the rest which are coming thither.   
And when he had propounded these particulars to them, they all most willingly condescended to his Propositions, being joyful that they had such an opportunity to betake themselves to flight.  
But the Earl of Bedford being then at Dorchester with all his Forces, having information of their intentions, and that he had left the Castle, immediately made after them, and pursued them with such speed, that on the second dayes march he overtook them, being about two or three of the clock in the afternoon, and after some time spent in consultation of many matters of high consequence, concerning the King and Parliament, the Drums beate up for battle, and the Earl of Bedfords Forces made many happy shots against the Enemy, which did very good service and execution against them, but still the skirmish continued very desperate on both sides, each party striving for the day, and indeed for a great while it was very doubtful to which side it would fall on.  
But at the last, being about five of the clock, Captain Balfour withsome others, drew out three hundred Horse, and sieve hundred Foot, and charged the Enemy on the left flank and rear, and performed very good service therein, and as it is credibly reported, the Marquis is wounded, together with many more noble and undaunted spirits slain, and after 3. or 4. hours skirmish, the marquis retreated, but the earl doth still pursue them very close.   

Propositions for Peace, propounded by the Kings most excellent majesty to the Earl of Essex.  
THe Kings Majesty having seriously weighed and considered the general Affairs of this kingdom, and the present Actions and Passages that are now ready to be put in execution.  
His Majesty out of his tender love and affection, that he bears to all his Subjects of this kingdom, and the manifold and abundance of expressions of love and unity, that he hath oftentimes shewed and expressed to the Subjects of this island are manifold, and oftentimes have been declared to His Subjects of England and Scotland.  
Yet nevertheless, His Majesty seeing that the sword is now ready to bee drawn, and the blood of His Subjects ready to be spilled, He having for a long time took consultation thereupon, and being now most graciously pleased to declare His royal intention and Resolution once more to all His loving Subjects, He propounded these ensuing Propositions to the Honourabie Court of Parliament,  
viz.  
1. That although there hath been many bitter and vehement expressions passed betwixt his Honourable Houses, and his royal majesty, yet to save and preserve all his loving Subiects from being involve in a Civill war, He is now graciously pleased to recall the said Proclamations and Declarations, and is desirous to have these distractions brought to a happy end and conclusion.  
2. That His majesty hath made most real expressions for the prevention of all the present distractions in this kingdom, and also the great care he took to avoid the effusion of much innocent blood.  
3. That he hath not forgotten the Parliaments desire, to have his royal person amongst them, which he will return to London, so soon as the cause of his removal shall be taken away.   

The Parliaments Answer.  
showing, That they have a hearty desire for the peace of this kingdom, and do daily labour and endeavour to preserve the same, desiring his Majesty to return to his great counsel, and to treat with them, promising not onely safety to his Majesties person, but that they will also make him the most happy and flourishing Monarch, that ever swayed sceptre in these His Dominions.  
FINIS.