A True copy of the journal of the High Court of Justice for the tryal of K. Charles I as it was read in the House of Commons and attested under the hand of Phelps, clerk to that infamous court / taken by J. Nalson Jan. 4, 1683 : with a large introduction.

The Depositions taken ut supra, are as followeth, viz. Jan, 25. 1648.

William Cuthbert of Patrington in * 1.1 Holderness, Gent. Aged 42 Years, or thereabouts, sworn and examined, saith, That he, this Deponent, living at Hull-Bridge, near Beverley, in July 1642. did then hear that Forces were raised about three thousand Foot, for the Kings Guard under Sir Robert Strickland.

And this Deponent further saith, That about the Second of July 1642. he saw a Troop of Horse come to Beverley, being the Lords Day, about four or five of the Clock in the Afternoon, called, The Princes Troop, Mr. James Nelthorp being then Major of the said Town.

And this Deponent further saith, That he did see that Afternoon the said Troop march from Beverley aforesaid, into Holderness, where they received Am∣munition brought up by the River of Humber unto them.

And this Deponent further saith, That the same Night being Sunday, there came about three hundred Foot Soldiers (said to be Sir Robert Strickland's Regi∣ment) under the Command of Lieutenant Col. Dun∣combe, and called, The King's Guard, unto this Deponents House, called Hull-Bridge, near Beverley, about Mid∣night, and broke open, entred, and possessed them∣selves of the said House; and that the E. of Newport, the E. of Carnarvan, and divers others came that night thi∣ther to the said Forces; and that the same night (as this Deponent was then informed) Sir Tho. Gower, then High Sheriff of the said County, came thither, and left there a Warrant for staying all Provisions from going to Hull to Sir John Hotham; which said Warrant was then delivered to this Deponent, being Consta∣ble, by Lieut. Col. Duncombe.

And this Deponent further saith, That he was by the said Forces put out of his House, and did with his Family go to Beverley; and that after that, (viz.) the Thursday following, to this Deponent's best remem∣brance, he did see the King come to Beverley, to the Lady Gees House there; where he, this Deponent, did often see the King, with Prince Charles and the Duke of York; and that the Trained Bands were then raised in Holderness; who were raised (as was generally re∣ported) by the King's Command.

And this Deponent further saith, That the Night after the said Forces had as aforesaid, possessed them∣selves of this Deponent's House, Col. Legard's House was Plundered by them, being upon a Monday; which aforesaid Entry of this Deponent's House, was the first * 1.2 Act of Hostility that was committed in those Parts.

And this Deponent further saith, That after the said Sir Robert Strickland's said Company was gone from Hull-Bridge, having continued there about ten days,

there then came to the said House Col. Wivel, with about seven hundred Foot Soldiers, who then took up his Quarters at Hull-Bridge aforesaid. And this Deponent further saith, That the Warrant he now pro∣duceth to this Court, is the same Original Warrant aforesaid spoken of.

And this Deponent further saith, That the General's Name of the said Forces that were there, and raised as aforesaid, was the E. of Lindsey; and that this De∣ponent was brought before him the said General, in the Name of The King's Lord General, for holding Intelli∣gence with Sir John Hotham, then Governor of Hull; and because it was then informed to the said General, that he this Deponent had Provisions of Corn to send over unto Ireland, which he this Deponent was forbid∣den by the said General to send unto Ireland or any place else, without his or the King's Direction or Warrant first had in that behalf,

The aforesaid Warrant mentioned in the Deposition of the said William Cuthbert, is as followeth;

It is His Majesties Command, that you do not suffer any Victuals or Provision of what sort soever to be carried into the Town of Hull with∣out His Majesties Special License first obtained; And of this you are not to fail at your Peril.

Dated at Beverley, 3 Julii, 1642.

Tho. Gower, Vi. Co.

To all Head Constables, and Constables in the East-Riding of the County of York, and to all other His Ma∣jesties Loyal Subjects.

John Bennet of Harwood, in the County of York, Glo∣ver, Sworn, and Examined, saith, That he being a Soldier under the King's Command, the first Day that the King's Standard was set up at Nottingham, which was about the middle of Summer last was six

years, he this Examinant did work at Nottingham, and that he did see the King within the Castle of Not∣tingham, within two or three days after the said Stan∣dard was so set up, and that the said Standard did fly the same day that the King was in the said Castle, as aforesaid, and this Deponent did hear that the King was at Nottingham the same day that the said Standard was first set up, and before.

And this Deponent further saith, That he this Depo∣nent, and the Regiment of which he then was, had their Colours then given them; and Sir William Peny∣man being the Colonel of the said Regiment, the said Sir William Penyman was present with his said Regi∣ment at that time.

And this Deponent further saith, That there was then there the E. of Lindsey's Regiment, who had then their Colours given them, and that the said E. of Lindsey was then also Proclaimed there The King's Ge∣neral; and that it was proclaimed then there likewise in the King's Name, at the Head of every Regiment, that the said Forces should fight against all that came to oppose the King, or any of His Followers; and in particular, against the E. of Essex, the Lord Brooke, and divers others; and that they the said E. of Essex, and Lord Brooke, and divers others were then pro∣claimed Traytors, and that the same Proclamations were Printed, and dispersed by the Officers of the Re∣giments throughout every Regiment.

And this Deponent further saith, That the said Standard was Advanced upon the highest Tower of Nottingham Castle; and that he this Deponent, did see the King often in Nottingham at that time that the said Forces continued at Nottingham as aforesaid, they continuing there for the space of one Month; and that the Drums for raising Volunteers to fight under the King's Command, were then beaten all the said County over, and divers other Forces were raised there.

And this Deponent further saith, That he did take up Arms under the King's Command as aforesaid, for fear of being Plundered; Sir William Penyman giving

out, that it were a good deed to Fire the said Town, because they would not go forth in the King's Service, and that this Deponent's Father did thereupon com∣mand him this Deponent to take up Arms as aforesaid, and that divers others (as they did confess) did then also take up Arms for the King for fear of being Plundered.

And this Deponent further saith, That in or about the Month of October 1642. he did see the King at Edge-Hill in Warwickshire, where he sitting on Horseback while his Army was drawn up before him,* 2.1 did speak to the Colonel of every Regiment that passed by him, that he would have them speak to their Soldiers to encourage them to stand it, and to fight against the L. of Essex, the L. Brookes, Sir William Waller, and Sir William Balfour.

And this Deponent saith, That he did see many slain at the Fight at Edge-Hill, and that afterwards he did see a List brought in unto Oxford, of the Men which were slain in that Fight; by which it was re∣ported, that there were slain 6559 Men.

And this Deponent further saith, Afterwards, in or about the Month of November 1642. he did see the King in the Head of his Army at Hounslow-Heath in Middlesex, Prince Rupert then standing by Him. And he, this Deponent, did then hear the King encourage several Regiments of Welshmen (then being in the Field) which had run away at Edge-Hill, saying un∣to them, That He did hope they would regain their Honour at Brentford, which they had lost at Edge-Hill.

William Brayne of Wixhall in the County of Salop, Gent. being Sworn and Examined, deposeth, That about August in the Year 1642. this Deponent saw the King at Nottingham, while the Standard was set up, and the Flagg flying; and that he, this Deponent much about the same time Marched with the King's Army from Nottingham to Derby, the King himself being then in the Army; And about September the said Year, he, this Deponent, was put upon his Tryal at Shrewsbury as a Spy, before Sir Robert Heath, and other Commis∣sioners

of Oyer and Terminer, the King then being in person in Shrewsbury.

Henry Hartford of Stratford upon Avon, in Warwickshire, Sworn and Examined, deposeth, That about Corn-Harvest in the Year 1642. this Deponent saw the King in Nottingham Castle, while the Standard was set up∣on one of the Towers of the said Castle, and the Flagg flying.

And he further saith and deposeth, That he, this Deponent, saw the King the same Year about the Month of November in Brainford Town on Horseback, with a great many Commanders about him, on a Sun∣day Morning, when on the Saturday Night before, there were a great many of the Parliaments Forces slain by the Kings Forces in the said Town.

Robert Lacy of the Town and County of Nottingham, Painter, Sworn and Examined, deposeth, That he, this Deponent in Summer-time, in the Year 1642. by Order from my Lord Beaumont, did Paint the Stand∣ard-Pole which was set up on the top of the old Tow∣er of Nottingham Castle: And he further saith, That he saw the King in the Town of Nottingham diverse times while the Standard was up there, and the Flagg flying, and the King did lie at the House of my Lord of Clare in Nottingham Town, and that he this Deponent did then and there see the King many times.

Edward Roberts of Bishop-Castle in the County of Sa∣lop, Ironmonger, Sworn and Examined, saith and deposeth, That he this Deponent, saw the King in Nottingham Town while the Standard was set upon the High Tower in Nottingham Castle.

And he further saith, That he saw the King at the Head of the Army at Shrewsbury, upon the March towards Edge-Hill, and that he likewise saw the King in the Reer of his Army in Keynton-Field; and likewise saw the King upon the Sunday Morning at Brainford, after the Fight upon the Saturday next before, in the said Town.

Robert Loads of Cottam in Nottinghamshire, Tyler, Sworn and Examined, saith, That he this Deponent, about October in the Year 1642. saw the King in the Reer of his Army in Keynton Field upon a Sunday, where he saw many slain on both sides.

And he further saith, That he saw the King in Cornwal in his Army, near the House of my Lord Mohun, about Lestithiel, about Corn-Harvest 1644.

Samuel Morgan of Wellington in Com. Salop, Felt-ma∣ker, Sworn and Examined, deposeth, That he this Deponent, upon a Sunday Morning in Keynton-Field saw the King upon the top of Edge-Hill in the Head of the Army, some two hours before the Fight, which happened after Michaelmas on a Sunday the Year 1642. And he this Deponent saw many men killed on both sides in the same time and place.

And he further saith, That in the Year 1644. he, this Deponent saw the King in his Army near Cropredy-Bridge, where he saw the King light off his Horse, and draw up the Body of his Army in person him∣self.

James Williams of Ross in Herefordshire, Shoemaker, Sworn and Examined, deposeth, That he this Depo∣nent, about October, the Year 1642. saw the King in Keynton-Fields below the Hill in the Field with his Sword drawn in his hand, at which Time and Place there was a great Fight, and many kill'd on both sides.

And he further deposeth, That he saw the King at Brainford on a Sunday in the Forenoon, in November the Year abovesaid, while the King's Army was in the said Town, and round about it.

John Pyneger of the Parish of Hainer in the County of Derby, Yeoman, Aged 37 Years or thereabout, Sworn and Examined, saith, That about August 1642. he the Deponent saw the King's Standard flying upon one of the Towers of Nottingham Castle; and that up∣on the same day he saw the King in Thurland-House,

being the Earl of Clare's House in Nottingham, in the Company of Prince Rupert, Sir John Digby, and other Persons, both Noblemen and others; and that the King had at the same time in the said Town a Train of Artillery, and the said Town was then full of the King's Soldiers.

Samuel Lawson of Nottingham, Maltster, Aged Thirty Years or therabouts, Sworn and Examined, saith, That about August 1642. he this Deponent saw the Kings Standard brought forth of Nottingham Castle, born upon diverse Gentlemens Shoulders (who as the Re∣port was) were Noblemen, and he saw the same by them carried to the Hill close adjoyning to the Castle, with a Herald before it, and there the said Standard was Erected with great Shoutings, Acclamations, and Sound of Drums and Trumpets, and that when the said Standard was so Erected, there was a Pro∣clamation made, and that he this Deponent saw the King present at the Erecting thereof. And this De∣ponent further saith, That the said Town was then full of the Kings Soldiers, of which some quartered in this Deponents House, and that when the King with his said Forces went from the said Town, the Inhabitants of the said Town were forced to pay a great sum of money to the Kings Army, being threat∣ned, that in case they should refuse to pay it, the said Town should be plundred.

Arthur Young, Citizen and Barber Chirurgeon of Lon∣don, being Aged twenty nine Years or thereabouts, Sworn and Examined, saith, That he this Deponent was present at the Fight at Edge-Hill between the King's Army and the Parliaments, in October 1642. and he did then see the King's Standard advanced, and fly∣ing in his Army in the said Fight. And that he this Deponent did then take the King's said Standard in that Battel from the Kings Forces, which was afterwards taken from him by one Middleton, who was after∣wards made a Colonel.

Thomas Whittington of the Town and County of Not∣tingham, Shoemaker, Aged twenty two Years, sworn and examined, saith, that he, this Deponent saw the King in the Town of Nottingham, the same day that his Standard was first set up in Nottingham Castle, be∣ing about the beginning of August 1642. and that the King then went from his Lodgings at Thurland House, towards the said Castle; and that he, this Deponent saw him several times about that time in Nottingham, there being divers Soldiers at that time in the said Town, who were called by the name of The King's Soldiers.

And this Deponent further saith, that he saw the King's Standard flying upon the Old Tower in the said Castle.

John Thomas of LLangollen in the County of Denbigh, Husbandman, Aged twenty five Years, or thereabouts, sworn and examined, saith, that he saw the King at Brainford in the County of Middlesex, on a Saturday Night at twelve of the Clock, soon after Edge-Hill Fight, attended with Horse and Foot Soldiers, the King being then on Horseback with his Sword by his side; and this Deponent then heard the King say to the said soldiers as he was riding through the said Town, Gentlemen, You lost your Honour at Edge-Hill, I hope you will regain it again here; or Words to that effect.

And this Deponent further saith, that there were some skirmishes between the King's Army and the Parliament's Army, at the same time, both before and after the King spake the said Words, and that many men were slain on both sides.

Richard Blomfield, Citizen and Weaver of London, Aged thirty five Years, or thereabouts, sworn and examined, saith, that at the Defeat of the E. of Essex's Army in Cornwal, he this Deponent was there, it be∣ing at the latter end of the Month of August, or be∣ginning of September 1644. At which time, he this Deponent saw the King at the Head of his Army, near Foy, on Horseback: And further saith, that he

did then see divers of the L. of Essex's Souldiers plun∣dered, contrary to Articles then lately made, near the person of the King.

William Jones of Ʋske in the County of Monmouth, Husbandman, Aged twenty two Years, or therea∣bouts, sworn and examined, saith, That he this De∣ponent did see the King within two Miles of Naseby-Field, the King then coming fromwards Harborough, Marching in the Head of his Army, towards Naseby-Field where the Fight was; and that he this Deponent did then see the King ride up to the Regiment which was Col. St. Georges, and there the Deponent did hear the King ask the Regiment, Whether they were willing to fight for him? To which the Soldiers made an Accla∣mation, crying, All, All.

And this Deponent further saith, that he saw the King in Leicester with his Forces, the same day that the King's Forces had taken it from the Parliaments Forces.

And this Deponent further saith, That he saw the King in his Army that besieged Glocester at the time of the said Siege.

Humphrey Browne of Whitsondine in the County of Rutland, Husbandman, Aged twenty two Years or thereabouts, sworn and examined, saith, That at such time as the Town of Leicester was taken by the King's Forces, being in or about June 1645. Newark Fort in Leicester aforesaid was surrendred to the King's Forces upon Composition, that neither Cloaths nor Money should be taken away from any of the Soldi∣ers of that Fort which had so surrendred, nor any violence offered to them; and that assoon as the said Fort was upon such Composition so surrendred as a∣foresaid, the King's Soldiers contrary to the Articles, fell upon the Soldiers of the said Fort, stript, cut and wounded many of them; whereupon, one of the King's Officers rebuking some of those that did so abuse the said Parliaments Soldiers, this Deponent did then hear the King reply, I do not care if they cut them three times

more, for they are mine Enemies, or words to that effect: And that the King was then on Horseback, in bright Armour, in the said Town of Leicester.

David Evans of Abergenny, in the County of Mon∣mouth, Smith, Aged about twenty three years, Sworn and Examined, saith, That about half an hour before the Fight at Naseby, about Midsummer in June, 1645. he saw the King marching up to the Battail in the Head of his Army, being about half a mile from the place where the said Battail was fought.

Diogenes Edwards, of Carston in the County of Salop, Butcher, Aged 21 years or thereabouts, Sworn and Examined, saith, That in June 1645. he this De∣ponent did see the King in the Head of his Army, an hour and a half before the Fight in Naseby Field, marching up to the Battail, being then a mile and a half from the said Field: And this Deponent saith, That he did afterwards the same day see many slain at the said Battail.

Giles Gryce of Wellington, in Shropshire, Gent. Sworn and Examined, Deposeth, That he this Deponent, saw the King in the Head of his Army, at Cropredy-Bridge, with his Sword drawn in his Hand, that day when the Fight was against Sir William Waller, on a Fryday, as this Deponent remembreth, in the Year 1644, about the Month of Iuly, and he further saith,

That he saw the King in the same Summer, in Cornwall, in the Head of his Army, about Lestithiel at such time as the Earl of Essex was there with his Ar∣my. And he further saith,

That he also saw the King in the Head of his Army, at the second Fight near Newberry. And fur∣ther saith,

That he saw the King in the Front of the Army, in Naseby Field, having Back and Breast on: And he further saith,

That he saw the King in the Head of the Army, at what time the Town of Leicester was stormed, and

saw the King Ride into the Town of Leicester, after the Town was taken, and he saw a great many men killed on both sides, at Leicester, and many Houses Plundred.

John Vinson of Damorham in the County of Wilts, Gent. Sworn and Examined, saith, That he did see the King at the First Newberry Fight, about the Month of September, 1643. in the Head of his Army, where this Deponent did see many slain on both sides; this Deponent also saith,

That he did see the King at the Second Battail at Newberry, about the Month of November, 1644. where the King was at the Head of his Army in Complete Armour, with his Sword drawn; and this Depo∣nent did then see the King Lead up Colonel Thomas Howards Regiment of Horse, and did hear him make a Speech to the Soldiers, in the Head of that Regiment, to this effect, that is to say, That the said Regiment should stand to him that Day, for that his Crown lay upon the Point of the Sword, and if he lost that Day, he lost his Ho∣nour and his Crown for ever. And that this Deponent did see many slain on both sides, at that Battail. This Deponent further saith,

That he did see the King in the Battail at Naseby Field, in Northamptonshire, on or about the Month of June, 1645. where the King was then Completely Armed with Back, Breast and Helmet, and had his Sword drawn, where the King himself after his Par∣ty was Routed, did Rally up the Horse, and caused them to stand; and at that time this Deponent did see many slain on both sides.

George Seely of London, Cordwainer, Sworn and Ex∣amined, saith, That he did see the King at the Head of a Brigade of Horse, at the Siege of Gloucester, and did also see the King at the First Fight at Newberry, a∣bout the Month of September, 1643. where the King was at the Head of a Regiment of Horse; and that there were many slain at that Fight on both sides: This Deponent also saith,

That he did see the King at the second Fight at Newbery, which was about November, 1644. where the King was in the middle of his Army.

John Moore of the City of Corke in Ireland, Gent. Sworn and Examined, saith, That at the last Fight at New∣berry, about the Month of November, 1644. he this De∣ponent did see the King in the middle of the Horse, with his Sword drawn, and that he did see abundance of men at that Fight slain upon the ground, on both sides: This Deponent also saith,

That he did see the King ride into Leicester, before a Party of Horse, the same day that Leicester was taken by the Kings Forces, which was about the Month of June, 1645.

This Deponent further saith, That he did see the King before the Fight at Leicester, at Cropredy-Bridge, in the midst of a Regiment of Horse, And that he did see many slain at the same time, when the King was in the Fight at Cropredy-Bridge.

And Lastly, this Deponent saith, That he did see the King, at the head of a Regiment of Horse at Nase∣by Fight about the Month of June, 1645. where he did see abundance of men Cut, Shot and slain.

Thomas Ives of Boyset, in the County of Northampton, Husbandman, Sworn and Examined, saith, That he did see the King in his Army at the First Fight of Newberry, in Berkshire, in the Month of September, 1643. and that he did see many slain at that Fight, he this Deponent and others with a Party of Horse, being Commanded to face the Parliaments Forces, whilst the Foot did fetch off the Dead.

He saith also, That he did see the King advance with his Army to the Fight at Naseby Field in Northam∣ptonshire, about June, 1645. and that he did again at that Fight see the King come off with a Party of Horse after that his Army was Routed in the Field, and that there were many Men slain on both parts, at that Battail at Naseby.

Thomas Rawlins of Hanslop in the County of Bucks, Gent, sworn and examined, saith, That he did see the King near Foy in Cornwal in or about the Month of July 1644. at the Head of a Party of Horse; and this Deponent did see some Soldiers plunder after the Arti∣cles of Agreement made between the King's Army and the Parliaments Forces, which Soldiers were so plundered by the King's Party, not far distant from the Person of the King.

Thomas Read of Maidstone in the County of Kent, Gent. sworn and examined, saith, That presently after the laying down of Arms in Cornwal, between Lestithiel and Foy, in or about the latter end of the Month of August, or the beginning of September 1644. he this Deponent, did see the King in the Head of a Guard of Horse.

James Crosby of Dublin in Ireland, Barber, sworn and examined, saith, That at the first Fight at Newbury, about the time of Barley-Harvest 1643. he this Depo∣nent did see the King riding from Newbury Town, ac∣companied with divers Lords and Gentlemen, to∣wards the place where his Forces were then fighting with the Parliaments Army.

Samuel Burden of Lyneham in the County of Wilts, Gent. sworn and examined, saith, That he, this De∣ponent, was at Nottingham in or about the Month of August, 1642. at which time he saw a Flagg flying up∣on the Tower of Nottingham Castle; and that the next day afterwards he did see the King at Nottingham, when the said Flagg was still flying, which Flagg this De∣ponent then heard was the King's Standard.

He saith also, That he did afterwards see the King at Cropredy-Bridge in the Head of his Army, in a Fallow Field there, and did see the King in pursuit of Sir William Waller's Army, being then Routed, which was about the Month of July 1644. And at that time this Deponent did see many People slain upon the Ground.

And further this Deponent saith, That in or about the Month of Novemb. 1644. he did see the King at the last Fight at Newbury, riding up and down the Field from Regiment to Regiment, whilst his Army was there fighting with the Parliaments Forces; and this Deponent did see many Men slain at that Battel on both sides.

Michael Potts of Sharpereton in the County of Northum∣berland, Vintner, Sworn and Examined, deposeth, That he, this Deponent, saw the King in the Head of the Army in the Fields about a Mile and a half from Newbury Town, upon the Heath, the day before the Fight was, it being about Harvest-tide in the Year 1643.

And he further saith, That he saw the King on the day after, when the Fight was, standing near a great Piece of Ordnance in the Fields.

And he further saith, That he saw the King in the second Newbury Fight in the Head of his Army, being after or about Michaelmas 1644.

And he further saith, That he saw a great many Men slain at both the said Battels.

And he further saith, That he saw the King in the Head of his Army near Cropredy-Bridge in the Year 1644.

And he further saith, That he saw the King in the Head of his Army in Cornwal, near Lestithiel, while the E. of Essex lay there with his Forces, about the mid∣dle of Harvest 1644.

George Cornwal of Aston in the County of Hereford, Ferryman, Aged fifty Years, or thereabouts, sworn and examined, saith, That he, this Deponent, did see the King near Cropredy-Bridge, about the time of Mow∣ing of Corn, 1644. in the Van of the Army there, and that he drew up his Army upon a Hill, and faced the Parliaments Army; and that there was thereupon a Skirmish between the King's and the Parliaments Ar∣my; where he, this Deponent, saw divers persons slain on both sides.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Holder∣ness is in the County of York.
• * 1.2

  Sir John Hotham's keeping Hull as a Garri∣son against the King, which was before this, was, it seems no Act of Hostility, in this Perjur'd Villain's ac∣count.
• * 2.1

  How is it possible this Fellow could swear the King spoke this to every Colonel, see∣ing it was as they passed b••; and when his Col. was passed by, he could hear no more.