The civill vvarres of England briefly related from His Majesties first setting up his standard 1641, to this present personall hopefull treaty : with the lively effigies and eulogies of the chief commanders ... : together with the distinct appellations, proper motions, and propitious influences of these memorable starres, chronologically related from anno. 1641 to anno. 1648 / collected by John Leycester.

[illustration]

S^r William Waller Major Gen: of Surry Sussex & Hampshire

CHAP. XIIII.

Upon the valiant and religious Sir William Waller.

Exactly view our English Hanniball, Or rather view with an admiring eye Victorious Waller, whom we well may call Th' unwaller of Foes strength, and policie; As dreadfull to insulting Cavaleers, As Hannibal was once for sixteen yeers To Rome; foure Armies routed in the field, Moe Towns and Forts surpriz'd adorn his shield.

IF praise be due to any, much more to this gallant spirit, whose activity, valour, and constancy speake him to be one of our English Patriots, who (according to his

solemn League and Covenant) hath en∣deavoured (by his sword) to maintain the Kings Honour, the Parliaments Privi∣ledges, and the Subjects Liberty, with the Union of the Kingdomes, as may appear by his gallant activity in the time of his pub∣like imployment, which in part I shall in∣sert: At his first going forth Westward with a small Brigade in the Counties of Hampshire and Wiltshire, by the interest hee had in the good affections of the peo∣ple, and by his stratagems upon the enemy raised his Army to 5000. and then marched

up to Portsmouth, tooke it with the Castle and all the Ammunition, the 5. of Septemb. 1642. and from thence marched to Farn∣ham, tooke it with all the Ammunition, Octob. 15. 1642. afterwards marched into the field, and on a sudden wheeled about, and by a sudden assault took the Towne of Madbury, Octob. 26. 1642. and hearing of the great oppression of Hampshire by the Kings Forces he to them in hast marched, and suddenly fell upon the Kings Forces, utterly routed them, and tooke much booty, Novemb. 12. 1642. and no sooner had he per∣formed this, but presently he marched to Farnham-castle, and took it, with all the am∣munition, Novemb. 24. 1642. and afterwards tooke the strong City of Winchester, with the castle, Decemb. 13. 1642. with the castle of Arundell, Decem. 19. 1642. and the city of Chichester, with all the Ammu∣nition, Decemb. 29. 1642. having gained so many Garrisons, and the Kings Forces not daring to relieve any, was yet a further incouragement, whereupon this noble and renowned Sir William Waller marched into the field, beat up their quarters, took many prisoners, and by storm gained the strong Garrison of Malmesbury, with all the Armes and Ammunition, March 17. 1642. and presently afterwards gave the Kings Forces battell neere the Forrest of Deane, utterly routed them, taking many prisoners, Aprill 3. 1643. and afterwards surprized three Troups of Horse, and took the Towne

of Monmouth, April 9. 1643. with the Towne of Higman, April 17. 1643. and the Town of Rose-bridge, April 22. 1643. as also the Towne of Chipstow and Hereford, April 25. 1643. with the Town and Castle of Sherborn, April 29. 1643. and having thus prosperously conquered and carried all before him, he yet further proceeds and marcheth up to Lemster, beseegeth and taketh it, with all the ammunition, May 13. 1643. and from thence marcheth up to the Kings Forces near Wells, most resolutely chargeth them in the Van and Reare, on a sudden utterly routeth them and takes much ammunition, June 14. 1643. and by many skirmishes, hard seeges, and fierce battells have much need of recruit, this valiant Commander came to London, which ere long he was recruited, and againe into the field he marched, and gave the Lord Cra∣ford battell neer Alton in Surry and totally routed him, Decem. 14. 1643. and after∣wards took the Towne of Alton, with all the ammunition, Decem. 18. 1643. and A∣rundell Castle Jan. 28. 1644. and after∣wards marched into the field, and hearing of the Lord Hopton near Alsford, drew up to him, and gave him battell, and in a little time utterly routed him, took much Ammu∣nition, and many Prisoners, killed the Lord John upon the place, March 26. 1644. and having thus gallantly performed, and the Countrey cleared of the enemy, he march∣eth up to the strong castle of Shudly, and

beseegeth it, and in a small time gaines it, with all the Armes and Ammunition, June 8. 1644. and having thus gallantly per∣formed is by Order of the Parliament re∣called, to whose commandement this valiant Commander obeyed, and as a Member of that House sits to act and finish that which his sword began, viz. the preservation of Religion, defence of the Kings Person and Honour, the Parliaments due Priviledges, and the Subjects due Liberties, with the Contents of the Nationall League and Co∣venant, from which those that either love peace or truth will never revolt.

Notes

• Sir William Waller, son of sir Thomas Waller, constable of Dover Castle, and Margaret, daughter of Sampson Lennard, lord Dacre, served in the Netherlands, in the same camp with sir Ralph Hopton; and was in the army of the con∣federate princes against the emperor. He was one of the most able and active of the parliament generals, and was for a considerable time vic∣torious, and therefore called William the Con∣queror. He was defeated at the battle of Lans∣down, near Bath, and afterward totally routed at Roundway Down, near the Devizes. Hence, with a little variation, it was called Runaway Down, and continues to be called so to this day. Sir Arthur Haslerig's cuirassiers, well known by the name of the lobsters, were among the fugi∣tives. Cleveland says, that they turned crabs, and went backwards. The conqueror's fame sunk considerably from this time; but he after∣ward had the honour of defeating his former fellow-soldier, the lord Hopton, at Alresford.

  The Presbyterians caused sir William Waller to be named for deputy or lieutenant of Ireland; and at first Cromwell did not oppose the motion but consented to it, being very willing to be rid both of Waller and all the officers who were willing to go with him, who he knew were not his friends. But when he saw Waller insist upon great supplies to carry with him, he changed his mind, and set his instruments to cross such a supply of men and money as he had proposed, and caused Lambert to be appointed to that of∣fice.—Sir William was author of a book of "Di∣vine Meditations," which was published after his decease. He died Sept. 19, 1669.

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• The due praise of Sir William Waller.
• Portsmouth ta∣ken.
• Arundel Castle taken.