THE PARLIAMENTS INSTRUCTIONS To the Earl of Essex, Lord General of the Army, Agreed on by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, September the 17. Likewise the Resolution of his Excellency, to advance his Forees from Norhampton, and march toward the Kings most Excellent Majesty, together with his Desires to both Houses of PARLIAMENT. Also, the Resolution of the Earl of Cumberland, the Earl of Newcastle, and the Lord Strange, to join their Forces together in a full Body, and meet the Earl of Essex, with Sir john Hothams' Determination concerning the same. C R central circle flanked by the English lion on the left and the Scottish unicorn on the right and containing the initials of King Charles, all of these figures enclosed within a rectangle flanked by angel on the left and right LONDON: Printed for H. Blund. September 20. 1642. THE PARLIAMENTS INSTRUCTIONS To his Excellence the Earl of Essex, Lord General of the Army. Agreed on by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, upon Saturday Sep. 17. THE Great and Honourable Court of PARLIAMENT having out of their Pious and Judicious Wisdoms, taken into serious consideration the great and manifold Oppressions that the true English Protestonts daily groan undes, by Reason of the wicked and inhuman Actions of the Bloodsucking Party, and having had great debate there upon, it was consented to, and resolved, that a speedy redress should be had of all such particulars, and although they have incensed his Majesty against this great and Honourable Assembly of PARLIAMENT, driving and forcing into his Majesty's Royal Breast, such inveterate cruelty against the Houses of Parliament, and doth still in a most Traitorous manner, daily strive and endeavour to possess His Majesty with such Thoughts, that this Honourable Assembly doth by all possible means endeavour to Raise Forces against his Majesty's Royal Person. Whereupon the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, having seriously weighed and considered the said Particulars, fell into Debate of the Petition of both Houses of Parliament to His Majesty, in the behalf of themselves and all the Commons of ENGLAND, the Earl of ESSEX being ordered to march speedily towards his Majesty, and to carry the same with him into the field. Wherein he is to Declare and lay open to His Majesty, the occasion of their Raifing of Forces, and the true meaning of all their Intentions, that so there may be a good Understanding wrought betwixt His Gracious Majesty, and the Honourable Assembly His High Court of PARLIAMENT. His Excellency the Earl of Essex, is likewise ordered and commanded by both Houses to show and Declare unto his Majesty, amongst divers other particulars, that they have no Intent or purpose to make War against His Majesty, but to the contrary, that their utmost aim and endeavour is to maintain the safety of His Majesty's Person, and the true Protestant Religion. The House likewise ordered, and to that end resolved, to send certain Instructions to the Earl of Essex, declaring their will and pleasure that he should forthwith advance his Forces from Norhampton, towards the King's Majesty, which he is Resolved to do and perform accordingly. But it is signified by divers Letters from York, to both Houses of Parliament, that the Forces raised by the Earl of Cumberland and other Lords in the Northern parts, are making of themselves ready to march to his Majesty's Forces at Nottingham, where they intent to join in a full Body, and march against the Earl of Essex his Army, Sir John Hotham is resolved to assist the Earl of Essex, and to come again the enemy upon the Arrear, he having now taken the City of York from the Malignant Party, having beaten the Earl of Cumberlands Forces from thence. The Earl of Essex his Letter to the High Court of Parliament, Sep. 17. My Lords and Gentlemen, I Remember so great expression of affection from the City of London, at my departure from you, that I cannot despair, but to obtain my suit from you that shall be an advantage to the Commonwealth, upon the true judgement of the condition of our Affairs, and of that of the enemy. I am confident, we may bring a quick and happy conclusion; God doth bless us with so good success daily, and the other Party by their plundering and burning of towns grow so odious, that they grow weaker, and we stronger every where. Yet are we in one great straight, and such a one, as if it be not speedily remided, may quash all our hopes, and may endanger the Peace and Liberty we so much strive for, our Treasure which must maintain the Army grows near to an end, and you well know that our Army consists of such as cannot be kept one day without pay. What a Ruin would it bring upon us, if a disbanding should happen, I leave to your Judgements. My Desire unto you is, That you would supply us with the speedy sum of one hundred thousand pounds, which I am confident would with God's Blessing bring these unhappy distractions to an end suddenly. Your City hath hitherto had the Honour (next to God) to be the chiefest safety of the Kingdom and Parliament: This will render you to all posterity, the finishers of this great work, if any thing of particular love or respect to me may be an Argument herein, I shall take it as the greatest honour that hath befallen me, and will oblige myself to acknowledge it, by the utmost and most faithful endeavour of Your faithful Friend, ESSEX. From the Rendezvouz at Norhampton, Sep. 15. 1642. portrait of the Earl of Essex (?)