Mercurius Rusticus, or, The countries complaint of the barbarous outrages committed by the sectaries of this late flourishing kingdom together with a brief chronology of the battels, sieges, conflicts, and other most remarkable passages, from the beginning of this unnatural war, to the 25th of March, 1646.

Anno Dom. 1643.

APRIL the third Prince Rupert entered, and possessed that seditious Town of Burmingham, wherein was 300 Foot, and two Troops of Horse, who being gallantly charged by the Welch-men, in less than half an hour forsook their Breast-works, and retired to their Barricadoes within the Town, wherein they found such slender defence, that they took them to their heels, and that so fast, that though they were pursued as soon as the Prince had possess∣ed the Town, yet few of their Horse were overtaken, only about 80 of the Rebels were kill'd, and as ma∣ny Prisoners taken; together with about 150 Mus∣quets,

and betwixt 4 and 500 Swords, and three Colours; In this service the Noble Farl of Denbigh received a wound, whereof he afterwards di∣ed.

April the 11th. there was a fight near unto Ancast∣er in the County of Lincoln, betwixt the Kings Forces under the command of Colonel Cavendish, and the Rebels of that County, under young Ho∣tham (their then General) in which fight the most part of the Rebels were slain, and taken Prisoners, their General put to flight, and their whole Body totally routed.

On the 21st. day (being Friday) the Close at Lichfield (after three weeks siege, and the loss of some men) was yeilded up to Prince Rupert, together with the Ordnance, and Ammunition, all sorss of Arms (except the Horse-mens Arms, and a certain number of Musquets) and all such Treasure which had been formerly conveyed in thither and did not properly belong to the Soldiers there. These Sol∣diers were part of those Forces under the command of the late Lord Brook (a great Leader in this Be∣bellion, and a maliciious enemy to the Church) who was kill'd in his assaulting this Church by a shot into the eye, on S. Chads day who was the first Bi∣shop of this See, in memory of whom this Cathedral was built, and called S. Chads Church.

The last day of April his Excellency the Earl of Newcastles Forces, encountered with, and totally routed a whole Body of the Rebels (consisting of above 3000 men) which were going to relieve the Town of Leeds, killed 150 of them in the place, took 240 Prisoners, three pieces of Ordnance, together with all their Victual and Ammuni∣tion.

May the 6th. James Earl of Northampton (the true Heir of his Fathers Loyalty and valour) encounter∣ed with a Body of the Rebels in Middleton Cheny Town-field, near Banbury (consisting of about 700 Foot, and five Troops of Horse) where he wholly routed their Foot, killed 217 upon the plain, took above 300 Prisoners, all their Ordnance and Am∣munition, 416 Musquets, 150 Pikes, and above 500 Swords, pursued the fugitive Horse, and killed, and took many of them: the rest made what hast they could to Northampton. In this fight his Lord∣ship lost but three men, and those not of any note: Nor had above one Officer so much as hurt.

Upon the 16th. of May the Lord Hopton assaulted the great Rebellious Body then intrenched near Stratton on the Borders of Devonshire, fought with them full ten hours, and having spent his Am∣munition, insomuch that he had not powder left to serve one hour longer, fell upon the Rebels with Swords, Pikes, and Musquets stocks: And (with unexpressible valour) wholly routed the Rebels Ar∣my, killed many hundreds of them in the place; wounded many more; took 1700 Prisoners, where∣of above 30 Commanders, all their Cannon, being 11 pieces of Brass Ordnance, and 4 of Iron; 2 Morter pieces; 75 Barrels of Powder, with Shot and Match proportionable, betwixt 2 and 3000 Arms; and 3000l in mony; there being not above 46 of the Kings Forces killed and hurt, and a∣mongst those not any one Commander or Gentle∣man of Quality.

May the 23d. The Queen was most traiterously voted a Traitour, for her love so exemplarily ex∣pressed to the King Her Husband.

May the 30th. Master Robert Yeomans and Master

George Boucher, two Citizens of Bristoll, were there publickly Murthered by Colonel Nathanial Fines for their Loyalty to His Majesty.

June the 18th. 1643. His Highness Prince Rupert beat up the Quarters of the Rebels at Postcombe and Chinner in Oxfordshire, killed some 50 of the Rebels there Quartered, took about 120 Prisoners, almost all their Horses and Arms, and three of Sir Samuel Lukes Dragoon-Cornets: obtained a great victory in Chalgrove field, and utterly defeated the Rebels Horse-men and Dragooners, slew divers of their Commanders, especially Colonel John Hampden (one of the five Members accused of high Treason) who in this fight received his mortal wound, in this very Chalgrove field, where he first Mustered, and drew up men in Arms to put in execution the Re∣bellious Ordinance for the Militia.

On Friday the last of June: His Excellency the Earl of Newcastle obtained a great victory against the Northern Rebels under the Lord Fairfax upon Aderton-heath, within the County of Yorke. In which fight my Lord soon put the Rebels into such confusion, that they could not be reduced again in∣to any Order; until he had gained all their five pieces of Cannon; which he presently turned against them; the sight whereof did so terrifie them, that they made what hast they could towards Leedes. But finding that his Excellencies horse had intercept∣ed that passage; their last shift was to recover Bradford, which was done in such a disorderly man∣ner, that his Excellency in the pursuit of them kil∣led and took above 2000, whereof above 1500 Pris∣oners. As for their General Fairfax, he with much adoe made shift with one poor Troop of Horse to

get (at night) into Leeds, leaving the rest to the mercy of the Victor.

July the 1st. The Earl of Essex being with his Army at Tame in Oxfordshire, sent Colonel Middle∣ton with 500 horse and Dragoons to Padbury to way∣lay Prince Rupert and his Forces from returning from Buckingham to Oxford, while Essex with his Army fell on the Prince, but Sir Charles Lucas by his Scouts discovered the Rebels design, and accor∣dingly met them with three Troops of his own Regi∣ment, wherewith he routed all Middletons 400 horse and Dragoons, pursued them to their pass at Werthill∣brook, followed them through the foard (in despight of all their Musquettiers there) slew above 100. took 40 Prisoners, and prevented the Rebels hope∣ful design.

The same day the Marquess of Newcastle besieg∣ed Bradford, bestowed upon it above 40 shot from his great Artillery; and the morrow after made himself Master of the Town. In which he took 2000 Prisoners, with all the Horse Arms, and Am∣munition, which either the Rebels found in the Town, or brought thither with them.

Hereupon the Rebels deserted the Town of Hal∣lifax, and presently after Sir Hugh Cholmely fell upon Beverly, and took it for his Majesty.

July the 5th. Master Tomkins and Master Chal∣loner were most barbarously Murthered by the Re∣bels in London for their Fidelity to his Majesty; And the same fifth day, there was a fight on Landsdown∣hill, betwixt His Majesties Forces under the com∣mand of the Marquess of Hartford, and the Rebels under Sir William Waller; who (after 11 hours fight) stuck their lighted matches in the hedges, and ran quite away, leaving behind them above 500 Mus∣quets,

14 barrels of Powder, a whole Stand of Pikes, with good store of all sorts of Arms. Their Foot were absolutely routed, and all dispersed: his loss of Officers and horse was great, many hun∣dreds of his men were killed; His Majesties forces having the pillage of the field. And here was that most valiant Knight Sir Bevill Greenvill unfortunate∣ly slain in the Front of his men, with some others of less Quality.

The 13th. of July about four a Clock in the Af∣ternoon the King and Queens Majesty met at Edge∣hill, where the Rebels had received their main over∣throw: and the same day and hour His Majesties Forces under the Command of the Lord Wilmot Lieutenant General of the Horse, the Earl of Carnarvon, the Earl of Crawford, and the Lord Biron obtained another great and strange victory upon Round-way-down, with 1500 horse, and two smal pieces of Cannon only: wherewith they total∣ly routed the Rebels Army under the Command of the old-beaten Soldier Sir William Waller, consisting of above 2500 Foot, and 2000 Horse, besides 500 Dragoons, with 8 pieces of Brass Ordnance: slew 600 of them in the place, took above 900 Prisoners, all their Cannon, Arms, Ammunition, Waggons, Baggage, and Victual, 28 Foot-Ensigns, 9 Cornets, and left not one Rebel, but what was either killed, taken Prisoner, or narrowly, escaped.

Upon the 24th. of July his Highness Prince Rupert having joyned his Forces to his Brothers, and the whole body of their strength being brought to∣gether, they sate down before Bristol, and began their Batteries. And the 26 day (with unexpressible valour) they gained the Out-works, and the 27 day following the City and Castle was delivered up to

His sacred Majesty, with all the Ordnance, Arms and Ammunition. At this siege were slain on His Majesties part Sir Nicolas Slanning, one of the Lunsfords, with some few others, and that valiant Lord, the Lord Grandison, did here receive a wound.

August the 3d. Corf-castle in the Isle of Purbecke (which had been so often, before besieged by Sir Walter Earle) but had always beaten off the Rebels, and killed their Cannoniers, was once more fallen upon by the Rebels, who were so bravely received by Captain Laurence, that 60 of them were kill'd in the place: the rest hearing of the most valiant Earl of Carnarvons approach, ran away.

Soon after, the Earl of Carnarvon, Summoned Dorchester, which was thereupon delivered up to his Lordship, with all the Arms, Ammunition, and Cannon: which were disposed of for His Majesties use.

About the 9th. of August, the Castle and Isle of Portland were reduced again under His Majesties command; And the Town and Haven of Weymouth and Melcombe submitted to His Majesty.

August the 20th. Colonel Jo. Digby defeated the Rebels of Biddeford and Barnstable, killed 100 of their Foot, took 211 Officers and common Soldiers Prisoners, (most of which were miserably wound∣ed) two pieces of Ordnance, six barrels of Powder, 400 weight of Bullet, 200 and a half of Match, and above 300 Arms; besides all the Foot-Officers horses: Pursued their horse to the very works of Biddeford, and returned victoriously, without the loss of more than one man, not one of the rest of his Soldiers being so much as hurt all that day.

Upon the 2d. and 3d, of September, the Towns

of Biddeford, Appleford, and Barnstable, delivered up their several Garrisons to His Majesty.

Upon the same 3d. of September, Prince Maurice gave a very hot assault upon the City of Exeter, and battered the Walls, whereupon the Rebels desired Parley; but refusing the conditions, the assault was afterwards eagerly pursued, and the next day after won the great Sconce, turned the Ordnance there against the Town. Whereupon the Rebels craved to be admitted unto those conditions which before they rejected, and obtained the same, delivered up the Town and Castle to the Prince his Highness, with all the Ordnance, Arms, and Ammunition, after it had been blockt up and besieged about six weeks.

September the 17th. the Rebels Army (stealing out of Gloucestershire towards London) surprised part of a new raised Regiment of His Majesties horse at Cirencester, but were overtaken by Prince Rupert with His Majesties horse, near Auburne in Wiltshire, where he gave them two charges, the one by a commanded Party under Colonel Urrey, the other by the Queens Regiment, commanded by the Lord Iermin, who performed it so well on the Rebels whole Army, that many great bodies of Foot were routed, and many of them slain in the place, with∣out any loss to His Majesties Forces, save two com∣mon Soldiers killed, and the Marquess de la Vienville taken Prisoner, (who was afterwards Murthered by the Rebels in cold Blood) and the Lord Digby and Lord Iermyn lightly wounded: by which two charges the Rebels Army was so retarded, that His Majesty had time to overtake them with his Foot, and on Wednesday after (the 20th. of this month) upon an Hill (near Newberry and Enborne-heath) His Majesty

fought with the Rebels, who were seated in the most advantageous place imaginable: yet in de∣spight of all their Cannon, Foot, and Horse, His Majesty beat them from their ground; gained the Hill, and one piece of their brass Ordnance, and quickly routed all their horse upon the Heath. The most that were killed in this fight of His Majesties Forces, exceeded not the number of 300, though above 600 of the Rebels were slain, and a very great number wounded. In this fight were slain the most Noble and valiant Earl of Carnarvon, the Earl of Sunderland, the Lord Viscount Faulkland, Col. Morgan, Captain William Symcots, with some other Gentlemen and Commanders. After this fight the Rebels were further pursued, and routed again, so as they fled into Reading, where they durst not stay, but left the Town for His Majesty.

September the 25th. That pernicious confederacy, called the National covenant, was taken by the Members of the House of Commons at Westminster, in S. Margarets Church.

October the 18th. the Pince of Harcourt Lord Am∣bassadour Extraordinary from the French King and Queen Regent, (after he had been most barbarous∣ly used in his passage by the Rebels) came safe into Oxford, where he had entertainment more suitable to the worth of so great a Personage.

In this month of October, His Majesties Forces under the command of the Lord Widdrington, and Colonel Henderson a Scot received a defeat near Horn-castle in Lincolnshire, by the Rebels under the command of Manchester, Cromwel, and Fairfax; there were taken Prisoners near 600 of His Majesties forces, Sir Ingram Hopton and some few others slain, not without some considerable loss to the Rebels,

it cannot be said that in any other Battel since this Rebellion, but this, that His Majesties forces made a dishonourable retreat, where the fault was I, can∣not say.

November the 11th. an Ordinance for authorizing the counterfeit great Seal.

November the 21st. Sir William Armine, and others (sent by the Houses at Westminster) arrived at Eden∣borough with Articles of accord, and advance Mo∣ny, to hasten the Scots Invasion.

November the 27th. the Kings Messenger Hang'd at London for discharging his duty in serving His Ma∣jesties Writ.

December the 4th. Hawarden-castle surrendred to His Majesties Forces.

December the 8th. John Pym died (de morbo pedi∣culoso) at Derby house in Westminster, in which place the medley Scots, and others sit, and hatch their contrivances for support of the present Rebelli∣on.

December the 12th. Becston Castle assaulted, and taken for His Majesty.

December the 21st. Lapley house taken by Captain Heavenningham for His Majesty.

December the 28th. Colonel Nathaniel Fines, one of the first that appeared in this Rebellion, was in a Court of War at S. Albans by his fellow Rebels sentenced to be Hanged for a Coward.

December the 29th. The stately Screen of copper richly gilt, set up by King Henry the seventh in his Chappel at Westminster, was by order of the House reformed, That is, broken down, and sold to Tinkers.